Serving on the front lines with the Philippine Air Force (PAF) during this ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, RK Morales — who played for Imus-Luxxe Silm in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season — knows that it is both a blessing and a curse.
The 5-foot-11 combo guard feels fulfilled whenever he’s doing duties for the country and its people.
“Masaya at nakaka-proud kasi nakakapaglingkod ako sa bansa at sa taong bayan lalo na ngayong higit na nangangailangan dahil sa COVID-19,” he said.
But he is quick to feel for the people affected deeply by the global pandemic that has already affected over four-million people.
“Pero nandoon din ang lungkot kasi alam natin na marami ang nagsu-suffer, nagkakasakit, and even worst, namamatay dahil sa COVID-19.”
The Airman First Class is assigned to Villamor Airbase, where he is doing administrative helper duties.
Being a frontliner in this health crisis, the 31-year-old cager, who has been part of the Air Force since 2013, has been away from his family — Imee, his wife, and Radrahani and Zion, his children — since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was implemented last March 16.
Thanks to different social networking sites, Morales, somehow cope with the loneliness with daily video calls to his family.
“Malaking bagay talaga ang social media sa panahon ngayon. Doon ko sila nakakausap, lagi kaming nakakapag-video call kaya parang lagi ko na rin silang kasama,” Manok ng Bayan Morales said.
Before the government decided to put the whole Luzon island in ECQ last March 16, the STI College product was practicing with the Vic Ycasiano-mentored Bacolod Master-Sardines. And he vows to come back to the game he loves once this is over.
Story by Justin Valencia
