Overcoming the

“Don’t wait for the water.” It was seven in the evening, hearing a wake-up call, the sign of a beast at night for Celine and her family. Who were among the hundreds who were greatly affected by Typhoon Paeng in Bagong Silangan last October.

In the immediate hours afterwards, they tried to make haste to go out of their house to what they thought was safer. Walking a step ahead, waiting for the rescuers in the middle of the darkness, prior to their escape.

Celine and her family, together with the Bagong Silangan community whose residences were affected by the onslaught of Typhoon were about to pass through

Bagong Silangan Elementary School but seeing it was overloaded, they decided to pass through Bagong Silangan High School. Finally, they are now housed at the evacuation center.

With hundreds of individuals displaced by the series of Typhoon Paeng that wreaked havoc, including the COVID-19, the Bagong Silangan High School coordinated with local government and dispatched members and volunteers to the affected areas and evacuees to provide urgently needed aid, as well as to ensure minimum health standards that there is adequate, effective, and supportive tracing, social distancing, isolation facilities to limit transmission, and feeding stranded

I grew accustomed to the hustle and bustle of campus life, I felt like a fish out of water in this new, uncertain world. Instead of attending classes in person, I found myself staring at a computer screen for hours on end, trying to stay focused and engaged in virtual classrooms. It was a far cry from the lively and dynamic discussions that I was used to, and I felt as if I was just going through the motions at times.

I was living in a different world altogether. I missed the spontaneous conversations with friends during lunch breaks and the energy of participating in group projects or extracurricular activities. It was difficult to feel connected to my classmates and teachers, especially since everything was happening on a computer screen. It felt like I was wandering in a dark and unfamiliar forest, unsure of where to go or what to do. The isolation of remote learning made it difficult to stay motivated, and the constant distractions of home life made it hard to focus on my studies.

But amidst the chaos, there were glimmers of hope. With more time on my hands, I dove into new hobbies and rekindle old friendships through the virtual world. I began reading comics, watching dramas, and even found peace through writing poems. These small moments of joy became life rafts, keeping me afloat in the stormy sea. I discovered new online tools and resources that helped me stay connected with my classmates and teachers. I learned to manage my time more efficiently and to create a dedicated space for learning in my home.

As the pandemic subsided and restrictions lifted, I emerged from my cocoon, blinking in the light of a world that felt both foreign and familiar. I felt a flutter of excitement mixed with apprehension as I reconnected with the people and places that I had taken for granted. It taught me to appreciate the beauty in the mundane, to find magic in the everyday. It showed me the power of human connection, and how our shared experiences can bring us closer together. In the midst of uncertainty, I found my footing and learned to adapt to the constantly shifting tides of life. But despite the difficulties, there was also a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. We were all finally able to connect with each other in person, to have real conversations and engage in meaningful interactions. The classroom was no longer a pixelated screen, but a dynamic space brimming with life and energy; and as I looked around, I noticed a sea of faces, each with its own narrative of survival and resilience. We had all weathered the storm of the pandemic, and had come out the other side stronger and more resilient than before. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we are capable of adapting and thriving.

As I look to the future, I am both optimistic and wary. The pandemic has forever changed the landscape of our lives, leaving us to navigate uncharted waters. But I am reminded that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope on the horizon. As we move forward, let us hold onto the lessons we've learned and continue to find joy and wonder in the world around us.