One of the controls put in place by various governments to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 is the use of quarantine where people are isolated from other people. This can be in government facilities, hotels or in people's homes.  The recommended length for the quarantine is 14 days which is the period of incubation of the virus.

There is a general acceptance by people to undergo quarantine after undertaking a trip.   The general comment is that being isolated for 14 days is quite a challenge.  Imagine doing that for more than once.  Greg and Agnes Maliwat of Castle Hill, good naturedly refer to themselves as "quarantine survivors" and this is with good reason.  The couple who are in their early 70's had to endure being in quarantine three times.

Quarantine in the Philippines

Greg and Agnes left Sydney in early February  for a holiday in the Philippines.  Seeing they had time in their hands, they decided to do a side trip.

"While in the Philippines, we had an 18 day holiday in Vietnam and Cambodia, leaving on February 28 when Covid-19 was just starting to get bad.  We could have been easily infected by the virus  if we were in Manila as we go to crowded places like the malls, markets, movie houses and we take the train and other public transport.  When we came back, it was already lockdown so we were saved from being infected by our absence from Manila.  Thank God for this.

Despite experiencing challenges during their trip,  Greg and Agnes expressed gratitude for what they deeply believe as moments of divine intervention..

"Arriving in Ho Chi Min City from Manila on February 29 at 1am, we encountered a communication problem as there was no wifi at the airport.  A guard said that there is wifi outside but we couldn’t connect.  We were grateful that this same guard allowed us to use his phone so that we were able to be picked up by our hotel transfer.  We just waited at the reception area as it was too early.  But then, we were so blessed that Na and Lan, the cleaning ladies allowed us in a room before check in.   

"Again, on March 7, after our Mekong River Tour and Cruise, we were transferred to a speedboat for the 4 hrs boat ride to Phnom Penh.  We arrived at the makeshift pier about noon and we almost panicked as there was no proper access to the road above, but only a steep incline made of iron and little steps that we surely couldn’t climb  with our luggage, especially with Greg's hernia. But God is good, as a man called a tuktuk driver up on the road who rushed down and carried our baggage to his tuktuk. 

"On March 18, we arrived at Kuala Lumpur earlier than the flight schedule so we had to wait almost 9 hours for our flight to Manila at 8.20pm.  We were so blessed to be on this flight as it was Air Asia’s last trip as Malaysia was closing its borders."  

" We experienced another miracle when we arrived in Manila: there were no public and private transport allowed in the streets at all. I prayed, and lo and behold, two army trucks came by and dropped us at EDSA (5 mins walk from our Condo)  along with other stranded passengers. "

"We did not know that there was a lockdown when we returned on March 18.  We were told by the management of our condo to quarantine for 14 days.  Lucky we had enough supplies to last us that long because we had to stay inside our condo for the whole duration.

"After our quarantine, our flight back to Sydney was cancelled and  there was a report of a COVID-19 case in our condo.  We decided to move to our new house in Greg's hometown in Talavera, Nueva Ecija where relatives are nearby in case we need help.  We had to get a pass from the Mandaluyong Barangay Secretary who was kind enough to give us the phone number of a taxi that was allowed to travel to provinces to service balikbayans. 

"As soon as we arrived in Talavera, we were required to be in strict quarantine so we talked to our neighbours/relatives only on the phone. This was quarantine 2 for us.  Barangay staff came to check on us for COVID-19 signs but relaxed when they saw that we were OK.  Lucky that we brought enough food supplies with us, and there were rolling stores regularly passing by in our street. 

"Being in quarantine was not too bad as we were enjoying the novelty of our house and help was all around in case we need it.  Greg watched TFC TV most of the time and I had books to read, and friends to chat with via Messenger.  Also, Talavera was COVID free then so we were more relaxed.  Time flew and the 14 days were over before we knew it." 

Preparation for flight back to Sydney

After their second quarantine, Greg and Agnes started preparing to return back to Sydney.  They found this was not an easy process.

"We had a lot of disappointments and hardships in securing our flight back.  The airlines kept cancelling flights as the lockdown in Manila kept being extended.  We have to call PAL in Manila through landline and a landline is a rarity in the countryside where we were staying. We were blessed to be able to use a relative's landline but we have to walk 15 minutes to go to their house.

"We bought a new one way ticket for double the price as we couldn't contact our travel agent in Sydney.  We kept missing the repatriation flights arranged by the Australian Embassy and these flights were even more expensive.  In frustration, Greg complained to the Embassy. We felt that were able to get seats on the last repatriation flight on June 26 due to his complaint that must have been forwarded to PAL by the Embassy.

"We then had to get health certificate and permit for quarantine exit.   On the morning of June 26, we were driven by Greg's cousin direct to the airport to catch 10pm flight."

Quarantine in Australia

Greg and Agnes arrived in Australia the morning of the following day, July 27.

"We landed in Sydney on time at about 8am but it was a very long process and we finally arrived at 11.30am at the Sheraton Hotel, where we were to have our third quarantine.  We were seated at the back of the plane and as the processing of the passengers for the quarantine were in groups of 50, we had to wait a while for each step of the process. The Police, assisted by the Military, gave their orders formally and politely.  Everything was orderly.

"When we were told that we're lucky to be assigned the "best" hotel, it started a favourable reaction in us.  Our 40 square meter hotel room was beautiful and spacious, tastefully decorated and well stocked with essentials.  Knowing that it is important for us to undergo this quarantine to avoid the possibility of infecting our family, we felt that it is a big bonus for us to quarantine under medical supervision for free, in a 5 star hotel.  It was  like a holiday without the tours...just enjoying the hotel.  And we did not have the hassle of household chores like cooking, washing up dishes..etc.

"We refrained from looking at the negative aspects of the quarantine, but it's the isolation of course.  There is nothing to be scared of in going through quarantine.  It is a vital process to protect your loved ones, your friends and relatives, the community at large and  our country, Australia.  The  virus could be everywhere and anywhere, and we only have one life to live.  So why not protect our life and the lives of others through quarantine."

When asked what a typical day is like while they were in quarantine, the couple shared:

"We did not follow a schedule while in quarantine as we just relaxed and took it easy.  However, these are the activities/things that are included in a typical day:

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

TV Mass

Praying the rosary

Walking around the room for exercise

Chatting with family and friends through Messenger

Reading Time Magazine, Readers Digest, Pocket books

Watching TFC TV on computer

Watching TV

Watching life go by through our window

Doing crossword puzzles."


ABOUT GREG AND AGNES MALIWAT

Gregorio (Greg) Maliwat was born in Talavera, Nueva Ecija and lived and studied there until his college years in Manila.  He is the youngest of seven children but adopted by relatives when his father died shortly after his birth. He studied Bachelor of Arts, major in Political Science at the University of the East, and was a working student at the IT department of Philippine Airlines, where he was eventually promoted to computer analyst. 

Agnes Maliwat, on the other hand, was born in Baliuag, Bulacan, the second of four children.  She grew up in Manila and Baguio, where all her primary, secondary and college education took place.  She finished a degree in Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at St Louis University and was granted a job placement right after graduation at St Columban's College, Olongapo City.

Greg continued to work  at the IT department of Philippine Airlines, and was promoted to  Systems Programmer by the time Australia opened its doors to IT Professionals in the late 70s.  His application for migration only took 6 months to process and on February 20, 1980, the couple and their four children aged 1 to 7  years arrived in Sydney.  He worked in three different companies before landing a job at Westpac Banking Corporation, where he stayed on for 33 years until his retirement. Agnes continued to teach as a Kindergarten teacher in Manila and taught at San Lorenzo International School in Makati and  also in a public school in Pandacan.  In Australia, Agnes sat for the State Public Service Entrance Examination shortly after arrival and her first job offer was at the Department of Housing  as an Accounts Officer. She moved to different positions within the State Public Service.

Greg and Agnes are blessed with two sons and two daughters.  Their children who are now in their 40's have completed university degrees and are successful in their chosen professions. 

In terms of achievements, Agnes look upon motherhood and how their children turned out to be as her greatest achievements. Another achievement is the realisation of their dreams to travel the world and enjoy God's creations.  Greg considers his main achievements to being able to finish his degree where he did not owe any financial obligation,  having an accomplished career in IT and marrying Agnes who embodied everything he was looking for a woman and together they have built a solid foundation for their family, see the world and continue to extend assistance to their relatives and friends in need.


On the flip side, Greg recalled the difficulties he had to support himself through university. There were also challenges that the couple faced with raising a young family while working.  Their prayers were answered when Greg's mother was able to migrate and help with raising the children. Another challenge was when Agnes was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018.  She had three malignant tumours in her right breast so had a mastectomy done in December 2018. 

The happy couple shares a common definition of 'success' as  "getting there", realising their dreams and achieving their goals by overcoming whatever hurdles are on the way.  

Greg and Agnes are pragmatic with what difficulties they have endured and are looking forward to being able to resume travelling.

 

 

 

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