COVID Diaries: Recent Episodes
PumaPodcast
COVID Diaries tells personal stories of Filipinos facing the pandemic at home and abroad, from the frontlines to the streets, to help us understand, empathize, and connect in uncertain times. A PumaPodcast production.
In China, people are fearful of a new wave of COVID-19 infections supposedly coming from foreigners. Kylie, an OFW there, tells us about the night she was turned away at a restaurant, and how authorities handle and track potential cases.
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"Luis" volunteers to drive frontliners and other stranded individuals. Parents who need to get their child to the hospital, a breadwinner who has to get a much-needed paycheck to feed the family... Luis finds a glaring disparity between those with cars and those without.
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In light of recent incidents between citizens and the police, many ask: How can law enforcement and LGUs respond with empathy in this crisis? A daughter talks to her mother after she was arrested at their local market.
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"I signed up for the job... But I never thought na halos tratuhin kami na parang robot."
An anonymous laboratory technician describes what her workday looks like in this pandemic.
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Fueled by passion and armed with technology, the Filipino youth have been organizing relief operations and fundraising—even when far from home. Aljo Dolores of Bayanihan Pulilan shares how the youth have risen to the occasion to help their hometown in Bulacan.
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Grey Diamante, a volunteer kunduktor for the Office of the Vice President's free shuttle services, talks about the help they extend to our frontliners, as well as the fears that unravel when she gets home.
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"Hindi nga ba kami essential? Ang services na binibigay namin ay hindi ganoon kahalaga?" BPO employee "Midnight" shares his story of transitioning to work from home, and acknowledges the efforts of "hidden frontliners" whose services we are reliant on.
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Filipinos working abroad face a dual challenge: worrying about their own safety while feeling helpless to protect loved ones back home. Based in London, Joaquin Malolos shares his struggle - and how he found a sense of purpose.
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Human rights lawyer Ross Tugade had just moved to Turin, Italy for studies before the outbreak began. Alone and under lockdown in her apartment, Ross tells us about the struggles of being away from home at this difficult time—and what keeps her going.
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School's out, summer is just around the corner, and the kids are stuck at home. Eight-year-old Gael and six-year-old Nacho talk about COVID-19, and what they've been doing while quarantined at home. Here's how you can keep safe according to them.
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A doctor, who's also a father and a husband, worries about the lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs) in the frontlines.
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"Hindi naman namin sila mayakap dahil sa social distancing... naisip namin na i-serenade na lang sila."
The Medical City Ortigas head nurse Alexis Agacite Mago shares the struggles health workers face in and out of the hospital, and the songs that get them through it.
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A veterinarian talks about their initiatives to continue delivering services to our furry friends, but acknowledges the limitations, as well.
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It took two hours for his "pawrents" to bring Kenny the cat to the veterinarian, on foot. But when they got there, they faced another challenge: getting his blood tested. In the end, there was nothing more that could be done for Kenny the cat.
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With hospitals filled with COVID-19 cases, how can doctors care for all their other patients? By turning even parking lots into makeshift clinics, as this surgeon's experience goes.
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A frontliner in a government hospital worries not just for herself, but for her parents, too. "I can imagine 'yung stress nila, doble 'yung fear nila, kasi 'yung anak nila alam nilang sasabak sa giyera na kulang ang gamit, kulang ang sandata."
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A Filipino construction worker from Saudi Arabia contributes to a fundraiser for health workers, and apologizes for his contribution. "Pasensya na, ito lang ang nakayanan ko kasi limang buwan nang delayed 'yung sahod namin."
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What's it actually like to have COVID-19? A couple positive for the virus takes us along the physical, mental, and emotional roller coaster ride.
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Listen to a daughter's farewell... "My dad's eyes sparkle kahit na he's sick. He was crying, but there was that sparkle. He could hear me from outside. I was singing this hymn...Should I just sing?"
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Taytay barangay kagawad Tobit Cruz talks about the measures they are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the local level, and gives voice to a pressing concern: will all residents have enough to eat?
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Amid the ban on mass transport, transport economist Jedd Ugay lets people hitch a ride with him on the way to the grocery.
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A Cainta resident recounts how difficult it was to bring her father to and from neighboring Marikina for his dialysis.
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An anonymous doctor tells PumaPodcast about the Good Samaritans sending food their way.
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ER doctor Frances Bernardo talks about how frontliners are dealing with COVID-19.
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Dr. Ignacio Rivera of Quirino Memorial Medical Center shares the sense of mission - but also of vulnerability - among medical frontliners in the fight against COVID-19.
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We try to get to the PumaPodcast office on Monday, March 16, the first day of Metro Manila's community quarantine.
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