My one-year work contract with Cocoon Resort Maldives as a resident singer ended in March 2020 but because of the Covid-19 pandemic there was a lockdown and all business establishments and resorts were closed including Cocoon Resort. There were no domestic and international flights. I was supposed to transfer to my new job as a Sales Representative in a furniture company in Male City the next month but the manager called me and informed me that they will temporarily close their office due to the pandemic. I was very disappointed. I was stuck in the island resort of Cocoon for three months with no salary or allowance. The staff of the resort is not allowed to go out of the island except for those who are going home or for vacation. I waited patiently for the repatriation flight back to the Philippines.

The flight back to the Philippines was coordinated by the Philippine Embassy in the Maldives with Ace Travel. It was scheduled for June 10, 2020. I messaged my agent and the HR of Cocoon to include me in the flight. I was so happy I can finally go home.

On the day of our flight, I together with another Filipina staff was taken from the resort to the international airport thru the Cocoon speedboat. Some Filipino staffs from another island were also with us. The travel by speedboat was about two hours and thirty minutes to the international airport.