Paddling Under the Bright Moon

Our day began before the sun rose; we headed to shore with my eldest son Nico carrying a paddle, a bucket, and a sack of nets. As my son embarked on the boat, I untied the boat and rowing towards our usual spot. Upon reaching the spot, my son started to drop the net as I rowed the boat. We waited for a while before pulling up the net.

The sun showed up, and we started pulling the net and was able to catch a bucket of fishes. We were heading back to shore, and my son kept a few fishes from our catch for the day’s meal, and we sold the rest.

My wife and my younger son were waiting for us. After my wife prepared breakfast, she told me about the news she heard from the radio regarding the COVID-19 outbreak.

One morning, we received a note from the local government that only one person per household could go out with a quarantined pass. Children below the age of 22 were not allowed to go out, and my son Nico is just 18 years old. He could no longer go fishing with me. I was having a hard time fishing alone, and I could not do the usual routine.

There were times I went home with a catch enough for my family to consume. There were times that I went home with an empty bucket. From the start of the pandemic, our livelihood was affected, and it was hard to earn a living. Good to know that the local government distributed some relief goods per household to survive during the lockdown. Though there was assistance from the government, it still could not suffice our family’s needs. I was forced to go back to fishing alone from dusk to dawn to catch more fishes.

I experienced terrible weather in the middle of the ocean. During bad weather, the whole sea was dark and cold. It was hard for me to go home during those times. In times of good weather, the only guide for me to go home was the brightness of the moon. Even the excellent catch depends on the phases of the moon. High and low tides also affect the excellent catch. During high tide, I went on fishing, and during low tide, I went on shelling. That was the only way to earn even a little amount of money continuously. I did all my best for my family.

For six months under the general community quarantine, I did not have enough rest. I strived so hard to provide for my family’s needs. As the government lifted the community quarantine, Nico went on fishing with me again. We had consecutive days and nights of a good catch. We earned extra money. I already had enough rest, and I was no longer pressured and tired. My family’s needs are secured. Our livelihood is almost back to normal, but our health is still at risk due to this pandemic.

Now I have realized that life would be so easy if there is cooperation. Helping each other can always benefit in many situations like the help shared among the family members. Each one has a part in helping to survive. Together they can live and prosper. And together, they can create a new life.

                   THE END