DEBORAH Dawn Delgado-Ferrer was one of the first Filipinos in America to receive a vaccine shot on December 17 against the Covid-19.
I am glad that I’ve “met” her through her cousin that my wife and I had the luxury of being with in our Holy Land pilgrimage a year ago.
In a letter to her cousin Sheila Sumayod-Baluran, our fellow pilgrim who is a nurse in Sydney, Australia, Deborah said: “I feel very happy, hopeful and relieved. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Now, I can freely go out fearlessly, to work and help more people who need me. I feel safe that I can go home and spend more time with my family without fear of exposing them to this deadly virus.”
Deborah, who now drives a Lexus after years of driving a Toyota Rav4, has been a physical therapist for 19 years at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center in Metro Glendale, California.
Deborah also told Sheila not to fear the Pfizer vaccine, a message she said she keeps repeating to her fellow health workers and patients at the hospital.
“I am truly blessed and privileged to have received the Covid-19 vaccine,” said Deborah. “I think that at this point, nothing is more terrifying than the Covid-19. So, at the first opportunity, get the vaccine. Protect yourself and your loved ones. Stop the spread. Believe in science.”
Deborah, 45, originally from Brgy. Apitong, Tacloban City, is married to Dr. Rafael Ferrer Jr. from Cabanatuan City. Her husband was a movie actor with the screen name “Tonichi Ferrer” and a contemporary of Alfie Anido in the Seventies. They are parents to Andrea, 14, a student council president and a varsity player in both volleyball and basketball teams.
A Level III recipient, Tonichi’s turn for inoculation is in February. No vaccination date yet for Andrea pending the conclusion of clinical tests for teeners 18-and-below.
Deborah said that some 30 hours after she got vaccinated, she felt a little muscle soreness on the vaccinated spot, and a mild headache a la hangover the morning after.
“But overall,” said Deborah, “no major adverse reactions. I do believe that it’s safe and effective.”
Sheila, whose mustachioed husband Boy dreams of owning a Maserati, said her cousin Deborah, who has been a P.T. for 22 years, “is a strong-willed woman, fearless but with the kindest heart in the world.”
Deborah’s sister, Daryll, is a journalist and a book author.
Sheila said to me: “You want some trivia? Deborah and I both got married at age 35.”
But while Deborah has her Andrea, Sheila remains childless.
“But it is God’s will,” said Sheila. “I accept it wholeheartedly.”
P138M for frontliners
IF only for the record, the waived toll for the country’s Covid-19 heroes has reached a staggering P138 million as of December 20, according to San Miguel Corp.
Since nine months back, the SMC has exempted medical front liners from paying fees at STAR, SLEX, Skyway, NAIAX and TPLEX.
SMC president-COO Ramon S. Ang said the program that began in March will go on “to show the company’s lasting gratitude to our frontliners.”
Said Ang: ”While the situation may be a little different now with less restrictions, make no mistake: We are still in a pandemic, and our medical practitioners have not stopped fighting. They are still battling Covid-19 and sacrificing so much to save lives. That is why we have also not stopped showing our appreciation for them. This privilege will still extend indefinitely.”
He concluded: “This Christmas season especially, let us be reminded that they are a gift and a blessing to all of us.”
More than 10,402 medical front liners are beneficiaries of the special privilege.
The free toll privilege is just part of SMC’s total relief package to combat the pandemic now totaling P13 billion, including free Petron fuels, food packs and PCR testing kits to government-initiated medical emergencies.
Isn’t there a call for Ang to run for president in 2022?
6 awards for Honda
DID Honda really run away with six awards in the just-ended Auto Focus People’s & Media’s Choice Awards?
Well, to be honest, no surprise there.
Honda has always been known to win with ridiculous ease all through the years, thanks to its enduring quality and durability.
I’m proud to say I’ve been a consistent judge in the event marshalled so efficiently by Ray Butch “Elvis” Gamboa, who, even if he is not yet 100 percent fully recovered, is undauntedly unstoppable in keeping his babe as radiant as ever for the past 16 years.
Leading the Honda juggernaut was the Odyssey as the Luxury Van/MPV of the Year—its sixth straight year to win it.
The Honda Accord came next as Best in Safety Features in the midsize sedan segment.
And to cap it all, the Honda Brio swept all four categories in the mini sedan category: best design, best engine performance, best safety features and best value-for-money.
“These awards prod us to work harder to provide the continued unique best customer experience for everyone’s joy.” said Masahiko Nakamura, Honda Cars Philippines Inc. president.
PEE STOP Ka Abel Manliclic’s Tiong Baruh is now at Valero St. Makati City, even as the planned branch opening at Pasig Commons is yet to be announced. The Alphard-riding Ka Abel has one more Tiong Baruh at the building of Toyota top honcho Alfred Ty near MOA Pasay, where its Hainanese chicken is a perennial best-seller…Merry Christmas!