ALKHOBAR, 24 April 2003 — War fears have retreated but the anxiety level among the Kingdom’s Filipino community remains high. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is the worry of the moment and expatriates from the Philippines feel that once again there is little they can do except keep up with the news and wait.
“For two months everyone back in Quezon City kept calling us,” said hairdresser Ruby Bueno. “My husband and I are both working here in the Eastern Province because we have three children in college back home. They were so worried about us in the war time. Now with SARS the situation is reversed. Our children live alone in a house near my mother-in-law. I have counseled them to eat well, have good hygiene and avoid crowds. Will they listen to me? I can’t be sure. We are spending a lot on telephone calls to monitor their situation. It is hurting our budget, but we must call or else there is no way to concentrate on our jobs here. First the war came and now SARS, plus all the economic trouble in the Philippines. So far 2003 hasn’t been a very fortunate year.”
Many expatriate Filipinos are facing the same problem as the Bueno family. With unemployment so high in the Philippines they are reluctant to leave jobs in Saudi Arabia, and yet they can’t help but be concerned with the situation in their homeland.
“I am supporting my mother and my sister back in Apalit, Pampanga,” explained Randolf Lontoc, a cashier at Kudu. “I went to so much trouble to get this job that I feel it is impossible for me to give it up and return home no matter how worried I am. Before the war my family was very nervous about me being in Saudi Arabia. I reassured them that I felt safe here. This made them feel better. SARS is different though. There is no medicine against this disease and it is spreading across Asia. I try to look at the facts and not give in to panic. It’s hard though because the news about the epidemic gets worse daily.”
Some Filipinos have been able to turn to the Internet to get regular news from home and this is comforting. Tony Bragado, personal assistant to the GM, Le Gulf Meridien Hotel, feels lucky to be able to receive e-mail at work. He shared with Arab News an e-mail he received from the Philippines that detailed the steps to take to avoid SARS.
“I am from Manila so my family and friends are familiar with e-mail,” he said. “I was happy to see that they are well informed on the ways to prevent SARS. It gives me peace of mind. Even with e-mail, I still phone my family every now and then, mostly during the discounted times. One of the reasons I hope the Philippines will escape any major problem with SARS is because it would really help our economy if we could pick up some of the tourists who might be diverted from other Asian countries.”
Filipinos who have worked in the Kingdom for a long time, seem to be handling the SARS crisis better than new recruits. Marilou Nicdao from Pampanga is taking the situation in her stride.
“I’ve been a beautician in Saudi Arabia for nine years and with four children to feed, leaving this job is not a reasonable option,” she emphasized. “Right now my husband is between jobs so he is with the kids and I thank God that they are all safe. Of course I am worried and I wish I were with them, but this is part of the sacrifice in my life.”
Perhaps Arturo Pagunsan, a salesman for Saco Hardware had the most sensible advice for everyone: “I am grateful that our president is now giving SARS her personal attention,” he said. “I have two small daughters back in Manila and I telephone my family for a minute or two, every few days. I tell them to take care of themselves, follow all our government’s recommendations to prevent SARS and to pray. This is the best that we can do.”
