July 30 - San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
We've been locked up at home since March 16... it has been 4.5 months already. Although, Jun, En and myself may occasionally go out, but for Mama and the kids, Paula and Bella, they've been inside our residential premises only.
Now, the record of Covid19 cases in Metro Manila has declined in July and the quarantine status has eased. Although travelling around the country is still restricted, most especially for those using public transport, private travel is still possible. On July 31, non-essential travels were permitted. So we decided to go home to Surigao province. We did it for 2 purposes, to rid of Manila's viral environment and for Mama and kids to enjoy the outdoors because our home province doesn't have strict quarantine rules (this turned out to be a misconception!).
In the last week of July, we decided to go home. En and Jun made all the preparations including primarily the medical certification and travel authority for all of us. En contacted our cousin, Len-Len Velarde, who have been assigned in the police checkpoint in Calbayog City. That would be the target place for our layover. Jun would need a break from a very long day drive. En also has booked our medical assistance upon arrival, because we need to get tested before the home quarantine, if tested negative, or the municipal quarantine facility which we heard was in the open gymnasium.
July 31 - Bulacan to Samar
With 3am departure, we arrived at Matnog Ferry Terminal around 6 in the evening. Our passage in the provinces of Quezon, Camarines Norte and Sur, and Albay was swift and normal. The new normal was implemented in Sorsogon province, where all travel documents were checked. The authorities sealed all our doors with permit stickers. We were advised not to go out, on any point or place along the way, and tear any of it, otherwise we will be forced to spend a 14-day quarantine in the locality.
We got a space in 8pm trip of the RORO boat to Allen, Samar. It was a struggle for me to try to piss in the adult diaper. Mama Dulcing had successfully held the urge until we reached Calbayog Police Checkpoint. There we were allowed to pass the night, close to the police station, as already arranged by cousin Len-Len. Another struggle was trying to get a sleep inside the car without air-condition. We almost ran out of fuel, so to turn the AC overnight would compromise our mobility.
August 1 - Samar to Surigao
After few hours of this discomfort, we decided to look for a 24-hour gasoline station in the city proper. We found one, so we finally rested in cooled air inside the car. But it was only for few hours, because we continued our journey south at 5am.
Our first official stop was in Tacloban to drop Paula. At 10am, we crossed the San Juanico Bridge connecting Samar and Leyte islands. The City Government had established a covid checkpoint at the foot of the bridge. There at the police station, we left Paula to wait. We need to push on to reach Southern Leyte before the last RORO boat to Surigao will depart. Although, the fetch was pre-arranged, but the City Social Welfare Officer was late. We petitioned earlier to have her home-quarantined but it was denied. So she will be spending 14 days in the government facility. We cannot personally deliver her to the designated facility because the city banned outsiders from entering or even dropping by any gasoline station. If we did, then we would be quarantined.
We arrived at the Benit Ferry Terminal at 2pm but the boat departed at past 5pm. Upon landing at Lipata Ferry Terminal in Surigao City, we were escorted by the Health Representative from our hometown. Our rapid covid test was originally planned to be in Malimono District Hospital but it was Sunday so we rerouted to the Provincial Hospital in Bad-as, Placer. I immediately contacted Kuya Louver, the lead Medical Technologist to assist us. He was already off in the evening but he arranged our test with his team on site.
We all got our negative test results after an hour. The Municipal Health Officer has agreed for our home quarantine arrangement. So we headed home.
August 2-16 - Anao-aon, Surigao del Norte
Day 1 (but officially Day 0) of our home quarantine. And our neighbors (except our immediate relatives) were complaining about our arrangement as a special treatment. So yes, this was utter discrimination! During the time of pandemic, even educated people become stupid when confronted with unknown fear.
But we survived our 14-day home quarantine (15 days actually because the 14th day fell on Saturday and the government office was closed) by spending 8 hours working from home, 2 hours fitness challenge, and more than average hours of sleep. Add to that the 30-minute daily monitoring and check up from the local health workers. Since we have plenty of relatives, we have ample supply of merchandise, fresh catch for cooking or grilling or just eating them raw, and food deliveries for snacks and desserts.
August 15th was our 14th quarantine day and no one among us show any covid symptoms. So our immediate relatives sneaked from the backyard to get in and celebrate our arrival. On the following day, my sister-in-law, Ate Melay, and my nephew, Entoy, blew a party with roasted pig and plenty other food preparations. We shared it with Ate's store crew and staff.
August 17 - Septermber 13 - Around Surigao del Norte
Home is where my heart is, always! First agenda would always be the visit to Papa Tantong in the cemetery.
At home, there are plenty of friends to reconnect, various activities to attend to, and here felt safe and free; covid has not infiltrated... yet. Hence my diary was full:
- August 22 - Meet-up with Surigaonon BFFs: Nang Lolong, Liza, Juris and Anabelle
- August 23 - Attended holy mass in Sison Church and met Tiyo Mons Terry and BFFs including Jane
- August 27 - Our first attempt to climb Campo Langit in Villa Riza, Malimono but it was closed to mitigate spread of corona virus. Meet-up that evening with Fr. Julian and Mons Terry, again with BFFs
- August 28 - Grand Opening of Ate Melay's restaurant in Bad-as, Placer. Reopening of Kody's Bar, owned by another BFF Nang Alma, together with all the BFFs in Surigao. A slumber party followed at BFF Dupong's residence with Jane.
- September 1 - A surprise visit from fellow college instructors and gay friends, Windrow and Maui
- September 5 - Our second attempt to climb Campo Langit but we have no reservation and no medical certificate
- September 6 - Our third attempt to climb Campo Langit but our reservation was lost and we showed our medical certificate. Jun, En and myself were finally admitted. See separate blog related hereto.
- September 10 - Surigao City Fiesta celebration in honor of Saint Nicolas with BFFs at Aldonza residence
Then on September 14, En's project team were recalled back to work on site. So we flew back to Manila on the 13th.
