The Vow

There was a happy, humble family lived in Barangay Liboo, a place surrounded by trees and mountains, where birds and animals only break the silence, and the wind blow gently. The couple was blessed to have three adorable sons named Anthony, Apollo, and Angelo. Alfonso, the father, is a hard-working and responsible one and has a religious and thoughtful wife, Amalia, who stays home busy attending to their children. Alfonso makes money from being a tricycle driver. His income is barely enough to sustain the needs of his family. One morning, as they have their breakfast, “Are you okay, my son? Eat your breakfast, and take your medicine. I just can't understand your fever keeps coming back and never let you recover. ” a worrying tone insisted by Alfonso. But their eldest son, Anthony, unexpectedly collapsed and has a body temperature of 40°c. They call for help, and an ambulance came, then directly went to the hospital and admitted Anthony. Anthony always experienced a high fever and convulsion, but the couple never had the chance to consult a doctor due to a lack of budget. The family was in great sadness when the doctor said, “Sad to say that your son has a neurological disorder or commonly known as epilepsy.” Amalia cried with regrets saying, “if we could just consult a doctor when he first had a fever, this might not get worst like this.” Alfonso replied, “I’m so sorry, I never thought it ends up unto this. But don’t worry, I have to double my effort and make everything to support the medicinal needs of our son.” Since that happened, Alfonso and his wife do everything to assist and support the needs of their child. They ask for help from the charity, families, and friends. With strong prayers, Anthony recovers but is needed to take his medicine regularly. After two months, Alfonso and his family heard the news about the pandemic disease called Covid-19. A deadly virus spread throughout the world, including the Philippines, and killed thousands of people. The couple starts to worry again about the health of their sons because it was reported, that the disease is transmittable and targeted those who have a weak immune system like the children, senior citizens, and sick people. Many establishments and companies were closed. A lot of people lost their jobs due to the strict protocol implemented by the government to prevent the fatal disease. Alfonso sits on their balcony while taking coffee on a sunny morning. His wife came talking calmly. “What is bothering you?” Alfonso replied, “I was too worried about my income right now. It has been a hard time for me since this crisis came. I had a small income for two weeks. I need to work more to attend to the needs of our family. The couple was seriously talking with each other. They think of ways on how they make an extra income, especially the medicinal needs of their son Anthony. “Don’t worry too much. I’ll find ways to help on how to make a living.” Amalia told Alfonso. On the next day, Amalia woke up at 3 a.m. to cook foods to sell for lunchtime. She makes chicken adobo, fried fish, fried chicken, and cooked vegetables. Alfonso decided to sell the foods cooked by her wife riding his tricycle after his work and rolled around their neighbors, encouraging them to buy meals for lunch. “Meal for lunch.! Meal for lunch!” Alfonso shouted as he passes by his neighbors’ house. Fortunately, Alfonso was able to sell out all the foods. The couple was so happy. After taking their lunch, Amalia decided to cook traditional delicacies like puto cheese and empanada to sell again for an afternoon snack. Their neighbors bought their snacks because they feel pity for what the family had been through and were thoughtful about the condition of their son Anthony. Amalia noticed that some people sell items online. She did sell online too. Amalia canvass for t-shirts, shorts, and face masks for the safety aids of Covid-19 and sell it online. The couple continued what they have been doing amidst this pandemic outbreak in the Philippines. Alfonso still rides his tricycle in the morning and after lunch to have an extra income for his family’s consumption while Amalia cooked foods for him to deliver after his work. “I’m so grateful to have you as my wife, dear. You never let me down instead, you support my duty as a breadwinner in our family.” Alfonso whispered to Amalia. “Dear, there is nothing more important than thanking God for guiding and protecting us from this harmful pandemic disease, and I am thankful too for having a responsible husband like you. Whatever happens, through sickness and in health, in richest and in poorest, we promised each other that ‘til death, we'll do our part.” Grace replied with tears falling around her cheeks. The family lived happily behind those circumstances they had. Alfonso and Amalia were able to support the necessities of their family with perseverance and so optimistic. The family stays stronger, never lose hope, and always keep their faith in God.
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