Countries plunged into recession, and the might of the foreign remittance to save the day may
have been hindered by government attempts to stem the spread of the virus.
Virus, job loss
GUCO clearly remembers that the blue waters of the Grand Harbor and the grandeur of Malta’s
cities and three major island groups had magnetized him.
This native of Leyte considered himself lucky after landing a job as a barista. His luck changed a
week later, however: Malta locked down after a rst reported Covid-19 case from a 12-year-old
Italian girl.
Masks led him to lose the experience of breathing in the salty fresh air from the calm seas. He
also lost his job.
For three months, Guco said he lived on the 400 euros received from a generous employer and
in an apartment he shared with fellow jobless overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
News — ltering through audio and video mobile applications — that his family back in the
Philippines was doing ne eased his worries like the waters lapping on the shores of Grand
Harbor.
When he was down to his last euros, however, it was only the waters where he found solace.
Anxiety, misunderstanding
“I can’t remit money because we in Malta got locked down,” Rodel said.
“No work, no pay for us. I want to make them realize that Malta also reels from this crisis.
Malta relies on tourists, and there are no arrivals and, thus, no income.”
Misunderstandings followed and anxiety increased. But Guco said he accepted these as “parts
of life.”
Mobility restrictions eased in Malta around July. The “odd” jobs in Valetta came out and Guco
became a construction worker, a part-time masseuse and a waiter at a restaurant that
reopened.
He was now able to send home money; sometimes P2,000 (nearly 35 euros),
P5,000
0:00sometimes
5:07
(nearly 87 euros).