Married Filipino couple serving as frontliners in the UK win battle against COVID-19

A Filipino married couple working as frontliners in the United Kingdom thought they wouldn't be with each other again, after they both tested positive with COVID-19.

In an episode of "Frontliners," Edgar and Bing told the touching story of how they won their battle against the disease.

For the last 18 years, Edgar and Bing had been working in the orthopedic ward and emergency unit respectively in a hospital in the UK. They have been married for nearly 20 years.

In March, the hospital they were working in became a COVID-19 hospital.

"Ang tinatanggap na lang sa amin ‘yung COVID, puro COVID na. Wala nang tinatanggap na hindi COVID. Puno na ‘yung sa amin kasi. And all of it is COVID positive talaga," she narrated.

On April 4, Bing started to experience symptoms of COVID-19 while she was on duty.

"And then one night — nag-duty na ko ng first night ko — iba na ‘yung pakiramdam ko. Baka may COVID nga ako, sabi ko," she said.

Bing said she had a recurring fever, "Sabi ko ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng fever, ibang fever to, e. Hindi naman yung trangkaso na fever. Talagang ang taas mo, ang init mo, nilalamig ka."

Two days later, Edgar also started to exhibit COVID-19 symptoms.

Edgar and Bing both later tested positive with the disease and so they decided to self-isolate at home for a week.

"‘Di naman ako nag-fear kay Edgar kasi alam ko ma-ano ‘yung katawan niya. Ako nag-fear ako sa sarili ko," Bing said.

"High-risk ako. May obesity ako, meron akong parang mild asthma. Tapos meron akong sleep apnea," Bing continued.

She thought her body wouldn't be able to take it, but a week later Bing started to feel better.

It was her husband who was still fighting off the disease. Unfortunately, Edgar had more COVID-19 symptoms than Bing.

"'Yung symptoms ko kasi, ‘yung cough tapos may continuous fever, and then diarrhea. Tapos hindi pa ako kumakain, talagang nanlalambot ako," he narrated.

Edgar said there were times he felt so weak, he thought he was going to collapse.

"Kaya that time sabi ko, I think it’s better for me to go to the hospital kasi nga lumala na ‘yung sa 'kin," Edgar said.

At the hospital, the medical personnel had to put a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) on him to help him breathe. Edgar stayed in the hospital ward for three nights, saying those were the worst nights he's had.

"Hindi ako makatulog, hindi ako makahinga. Wala. As in para kang mayroong severe asthma. As in, hindi ka makahinga."

When he wasn't getting any better, Edgar was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. On April 17, the doctors told Edgar they will put him into sleep to be intubated.

"Kasi nga that time, malakas pa ang ibang organs ko so at least mase-save nila at ‘yung kumbaga, mas makakapagpahinga pa ‘yung katawan ko," he said.

"Sabi ko sa kanila, bago niyo ako patulugin, make sure na tawagan niyo ‘yung asawa ko at i-inform siya every day," he said.

As a medical frontliner herself, Bing knew why doctors had to do what they had to do to her husband.

"Alam ko ‘yung sabi ng doctor na, para pahingahin ‘yung katawan niya. ‘Yun ‘yung goal ng kung ano ginagawa sa kanya, e," she said.

However, that didn't put her at ease Bing was still worried for her husband.

"Kaya lang sabi ko, ang problema ko paano kung mag-deteriorate? Paano kung nag-organ failure? Paano kung ‘di na siya magising? Alam mo ‘yung ganung fear?" she tearfully narrated.

During those moments, Bing feared she wouldn't be able to see her husband again without saying goodbye.

"Sabi ko nga, uuwi pa ba si Edgar o hindi na? Alam mo ‘yun? ‘Yung at that time. Kaya dun ang fear ko. Uuwi pa kaya ‘yun? O hindi na? ‘Di manlang kami nag-goodbye or something," she said.

Bing described those moments as the "darkest days" of their life together.

"Paano na ‘to? Sabi ko, uuwi na lang ako sa Pilipinas. Sabi ko. Kasi wala namang silbi rin naman ang buhay ko dito kung ako lang."

While Edgar was in ventilator, Bing had to take care of herself on her own with the help of her friends.

The bright side of the tunnel

Ten days later, Edgar started to feel better. They removed the ventilator and put a tracheostomy tube in his throat.

When he woke up on April 27, Edgar said he looked for his phone and texted his wife.

"Sabi niya, “Hi babe, I’m back to life!” Sabi niya, “Thank God.” Sabi niya, “Thank God sa mga prayers.” Sa message," Bing narrated.

"Talagang naiyak ako," she continued. "Sabi ko, my God. Tuwang tuwa ako nanginginig ako di ko malaman gagawin ko kasi nag-text na eh." 

From there, Edgar's goal was to go home in time for Bing's 50th birthday on May 10.

"‘Yun ‘yung motivation ko nung time na ‘yun. At kahit na mga nurse dun, sinasabi ko sa kanila na I want to go home. Kasi nga I want to celebrate also with my wife sa kanyang 50th birthday."

After battling the disease for almost a month in the hospital, Edgar was finally getting discharged on May 5.

"Naiyak ako, as in umiiyak ako, 39:44 nung time na ‘yun kasi nga imagine-in mo sa mga pinagdaanan ko, e, nakalabas ako ng ICU at isa pa, nakalabas ako dun ng naglalakad," Edgar said.

"Happiness yung naramdaman ko. I’m so happy. Hindi ako naiyak. I’m so happy, na ito makakauwi na siya," Bing said.

On May 10, Edgar celebrated his wife's birthday at home.

"Siyempre masaya ako kasi kumbaga, nandito pa rin ako, magkasama pa rin kami. And then we’ll enjoy the life. And we’ll enjoy traveling. I love you, Bing-Bing." — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News