“Nagka- fever ako after my work. That was September 26, 2021. Almost 3 weeks iyong pag isolate namin.” Those were the first words of Joshua Cruz as he shares his story on how he and his family survived from COVID-19 virus.

Jemai Cruz, Joshua’s younger sister also stated that among their family, she was the one who acquired all the symptoms of COVID-19 virus. “Nawalan ng panlasa at pang amoy. Ganoon pala iyong feeling”, she added. They said that initially, it was their parents who got positive from RT PCR test. Few days after, they had cough, cold and fever and decided to take a swab test as well.

“After 4 to 5 days lumabas iyong result at positive kaming tatlo magkakapatid. Hindi na kami nagtaka o nagulat kasi we all have the symptoms.” Jemai shared. Few hours after receiving the result, they got a call from the local government unit (LGU) and offered them to go to the isolation facility. “Ayoko sana kasi may work ako at baka di kami gumaling doon.” Joshua mumbled. It was a tough decision to make but for the benefit of healing and to avoid the community from acquiring the virus, they eventually go to the isolation facility.

“Noong first day namin, ang unusual ng pakiramdam kasi magkakahiwalay kami ng room. Sanay kami na magkakasama. Na-serve lahat ng need naming and we have our own comfort room.” Joshua added as he continually shares their experience during the isolation period. “But what’s the advantage on this? You have more time to meditate and time with God since you’re isolated.”

They were admitted to a well-organized facility in Malabon. Almost 14days, they were discharged from the facility and went home. “Pag- uwi namin sa bahay, okay naman naging pag tanggap ng community.” Jemai stated.

Jemai also shared that, “Eventually, we decided to take the vaccine kasi narealized namin na need siya at nahiya kami sa friends namin na need nila mag adjust sa al fresco kumain since wala pa kami vaccine that time.”

“We take things with sanity. We just need to fight for our health. Instead of being skeptical about the virus, be more rational and take the vaccine to be safer.” Jemai emphasize as she encourages other Filipinos to take the vaccine for COVID-19.

Just like the Cruz family, get vaccinated and protect your family.

Read more about COVID-19 Survivor Stories here.