STAND FOR TRUTH

OFWs in UAE turn to music to fight depression, anxiety amid COVID-19

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the United Arab Emirates have turned to music to help combat depression and anxiety amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to JM Encinas’ report on “Stand for Truth,” a group of Filipinos in UAE has started an online ukulele workshop to help their fellow OFWs.

“Pinaka goal talaga is to help them combat depression, parang prevention kasi ang dami talagang namomroblema ngayon,” Elle Salinel, social development group coordinator, said.

"Nawawalan nga ng trabaho, sabi ko, nawawalan ng trabaho or natatakot na lumabas dahil baka magkasakit sila and all these. Alam mo naman kaming mga OFWs malalayo sa pamilya, so doble-doble ‘yung aming mga pangamba,” she added.

One of those who joined the workshop is Minnie Marcelo, a preschool teacher who has been living in the UAE with her husband since 2006.

“Bale ‘yung ukulele, talagang gusto kong i-learn siya talaga kasi parang feeling ko magandang way din siya ng pagtuturo para sa mga bata. Magandang experience kasi first time ko talagang bumili ng isang instrument so sabi ko siguro kakayanin ko naman ‘yung ukulele dahil relatively parang madali,” Marcelo said.

The preschool teacher also believes that she must be a source of good vibes for her students.

“Ako, ako talagang kailangang-kailangan ko dahil nag-tuturo ako, eh. So talagang ‘yung ano ko, ‘yung pagkakaroon ng parang sound mind kailangang-kailangan, lalo na kapag nag-handle ka ng mga bata,” Marcelo said.

"Dahil ‘yung mga bata na-stress na sa kanila, eh. So what more kung ikaw din na teacher stressed ka rin. So more or less, natutulungan ma-uplift ‘yung spirit mo dahil nagkakaroon ng break doon sa nangyayaring mga gulo, stress, anxiety,” she added.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News