‘No rest for the weary’ even on holidays

As the country celebrates the Yuletide season, some Filipinos are tied down to work due to the nature of their jobs.

Delivery driver John Carlos Cruz, for instance, finds himself on the road, juggling five to six orders at a time to make both ends meet as he has a six-year-old son with a diagnosed intellectual disability that costs him between P2,500 and P3,000 for therapy sessions.

Cruz was forced to take on the job after being laid off from a manufacturing company at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"For the past few months, I've been the only one working for the family. I shoulder all our expenses," Cruz said.

Unable to join his wife in preparing for Christmas eve, Cruz said he adjusted his working hours to enable him to be with his family at 9 p.m.

Joyce Gascon, who works in a five-star hotel, did not have the same opportunity.

Since 2006, she has been spending the holidays at the hotel assisting clients. Her husband also works at the same hotel as chef, although both work on different eight-hour shifts.

"We choose to be front liners of public service. It's part of our job to work on special events and holidays. It's part of our lives as hoteliers. We have to sacrifice and face the fact that, as a hotelier," Gascon said.

"But we're also human, hoping that someday we could be able to celebrate holidays with the family, especially for me who has four kids."

In their place, Gascon's mother takes care of their children with the help of their 14-year-old eldest child.

As a consolation, they get appreciated for their work.

"To be honest, we're gracious when our guests appreciate our work. They themselves urge us to spend time with our families. I'm happy that our guests understand our work, that while they're enjoying the holidays, here we are working. Their appreciation makes us feel gracious and it warms our hearts," Gascon said.

Also doing a 12-hour shift is Michael Bale, a psychiatric nurse, who is on duty from evening to morning.

Bale said working with people with erratic behaviors is a challenge but he has managed to get used to it.

"It's frightening at first, especially as they could inflict harm to others. Yet, over time, you'll get used to their actions," Bale said.

At least, Bale gets to choose between Christmas and New Year for his rest day.

This year, he failed to join his family for the Christmas festivities.

"My family understands my work since it's our duty that we took our oath to," Bale said.

(To be continued)