Colombian Nobel prize winning author Gabriel García Márquez might have popularized that now-clichéd phrase, “love in the time of Coronarovirus” through his novel of a similar title, albeit referring to cholera.
But such definitely is not the case for 36-year old Charito Batan (not her real name) of Zamboanga City whose husband, she said, has taken off with another woman.
“Sumakabilang-bahay na ang asawa ko,” said Batan, a grocery store cashier in Dubai’s neighboring city of Sharjah, who has been without a regular job since last year. The pandemic has made it even more difficult for her to get a stable employment.
She was referring to “R.J.” who she said is currently living with her “other woman” in Taguig, Metro Manila. “Ok lang siya kapag nandun ako sa Pilipinas. Pero kapag wala ako andun sya sa babae nya,” Batan said.
The couple has no children.
Batan, who has been surviving through money sent her by relatives back home as as well as dole-out groceries from Good Samaritans in the UAE, said she was at a quandary about going home.
“Nakakahiya nga na sila pa ang nagpapadala sa akin ngayon,” Batan said referring to her kin. “Sabi naman nila ok lang kasi nung may trabaho naman ako ay pinapadalhan ko sila. Naawa rin sila sa akin,” Batan said.
She said she had wanted to go home “pero patay din dun sa amin.”
“Wala din akong magiging trabaho at mahirap makabalik,” Batan said.
Having just renewed her visit visa status from money sent by her auntie who also works in the Middle East, Batan said she plans to apply for a school job. She has been in and out of part time jobs recently.
The Daily Bread 