ALAB NG PUSO

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Playlist

Letter from the editors Contributors Gallery Hey This is Us I Guess

s Features

(18) What’s COVID-19?

(22) (24) (28) (31) (34) (38) (44) (47) (53) (56)

PANAYAM Frontliners: Our Modern Atlas A Business Woman’s Quagmire in Quarantine A Psychological Fight Those in Dire Straits COVID: An Unwanted Guest Paying it Forward Through Fashion, One Thread at a Time Bayanihan: The Filipino Way The Nightmare of the Dreamweavers Journalism in the time of COVID-19

(60)

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Disclaimer* the modified images featured in this book are included with the intent of “fair use” for the purpose of comment, education, teaching, and aesthetic.

ANG MUNDO (60) Bunga ng COVID-19: Sektor ng (62) Edukasyon sa Pilipinas The Disease That Discriminates (64) COVID-19: A Food Crisis in the Making (72) The New Normal: College Experience (77) Education on Hold: The Generation (83) That Will Lag Behind COVID-19 Reveals the Ugly Truth (87) The WHO’s Controversy (91) Youth Organisations: (95) More May Not Be the Merrier Letter from 2030 (98) Emptied EDSA (101) Celebrity Responses to the Pandemic (104) COVID-19 Revelations (107)

06) ANG MGA TAO (112) “Just not a political person” (114) - an open letter Our Modern Heroes (118) Reunion Apart (120) How to Travel During a Pandemic (124) Shopping (128) Heroes in the Shadows (130) Bagong Bayani: Far From Home (134) Pinoy Pride! Chinoy … Pride? (138) A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (143) Things I Could’ve, Should’ve, Would’ve (155) Kuyog: Likas na Poot at Lipunan (159) United Through Hope (163) Time Is Not Fate’s Master (164)

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tillie moreno, ray-an fuentes

george harrison

VST & company lily allen bill withers the ransom collective louis armstrong

sonny & cher

eraserheads

the byrds

VST & company

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a letter from the editors-in-chief 8

The recent turn of the decade was a worldwide wakeup call—things would be changing and new challenges that would cause mankind to reconsider his place in nature and in the world would arise. Within the first month of 2020, Australia faced devastating bushfires, the Taal volcano erupted, and the Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike. The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union, and the World Health Organisation formally identified COVID-19.

Everyone, everywhere, seemed to sense that this was just the beginning of a period of significant trials and tribulations.

Unlike previous decades, and a period of time that will never be erased from the history books, a pandemic has caused a globe-scale health and socio-economic tragedy that many before have never experienced within their lifetimes. Whether we like it or not, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has changed the lives of everyone on this earth, and will continue to do so for coming generations.

When lockdown began it was terrifying. The world was plunged into an ominous darkness of uncertainty. However, eventually, we learned to adapt, and out of it emerged stories of compassion, perseverance, sacrifice, ignorance, and tragedy.

As student journalists, we know it as our duty to use our platform to project the voices of other students, and capture heartwarming stories. COVID-19 was no exception.

Within these pages you will read stories

of people who came face-to-face with the virus, fiercely honest perspectives, graces towards the upstanders, and writing in our mother tongue. Ultimately, we want to champion the individuals who profoundly addressed the pandemic catastrophe with generosity, hope, acclaim, and compassion, to create something permanent in remembrance of this temporary state of calamity.

This book would be nothing without the impassioned contributions of our friends at Beacon Academy Publications, Bamboo Telegraph and Stallion. We wanted this project to be representative of student voices in Manila, and so our collaborations have enabled us to broaden our horizons past our own writers, to include other students with diverse backgrounds.

Thank you so much to everyone that has helped us along the way, guided us, believed in us, and dealt with our sometimes-completely-unfeasible ideas. We could not have done it without you.

If there has been anything that we have learned throughout this tumultuous and unpredictable past few months, it is that we can all survive and thrive through anything. That is something we should be immensely proud of.

Kim Jao Editor-in-Chief of Winston Magazine

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...Well, let’s start with the obvious: 2020 has definitely been a year that has happened. With problems ranging from a global pandemic to police brutality, it certainly isn’t an incorrect assumption to make that this year hasn’t been particularly auspicious. That’s especially true for the millions who don’t have the luxury of having a roof over their heads or a steady supply of food on the table, let’s be clear.

exactly what this book is. We are young, and we don’t know everything, but we still have a voice, and each and every word within is about showcasing the power of people, even in these times. On behalf of the ISM team, I’d like to thank you all for supporting our efforts.

For those who are more fortunate, including us, it perhaps has also given us more time to reflect and consider what is happening out in the world, which is

Kody Tinga Editor-in-Chief of Bamboo Telegraph

We could curse the universe for ruining the so-called “best years of our lives” but we can also choose to use this as an opportunity to come together as a community of passionate journalists. We can collaborate with people who we’ve never met in person. We can put together a beautiful piece of art that shares our hopes and tragedies. Through this book, we aim to encompass the compassion of people in our communities while also narrating stories of people overcoming this catastrophe.

This could not have been possible without the help of our eager writers, talented artists, and wonderful editors.

I would also like to thank the Winston team for inviting us to contribute to this publication and for composing the final piece.

Quarantine and chill became the new goto motto during this pandemic. Though we could easily have spent our weeks binging or sleeping away the days, this collaboration proves that the drive to produce meaningful output still exists.

Such eagerness to share stories and information serves as a reminder of the connection necessary to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst struggle and chaos. The Stallion Team thanks our fellow writers from Winston for initiating this endeavour, and we express as well our appreciation for the other stu-

dent publications that have contributed their own insights and pieces. Expression and truth lives on, even in the most unusual times.

Mayako Kruger Editor-in-Chief of Bamboo Telegraph

Rizalino Labos Editor-in-Chief of Stallion

There were high hopes for this year, as the beginning of the new decade. However, 2020 cracked under pressure and did not deliver its promises. Every month had a different catastrophe, most notably COVID-19, that continues to affect the entire world. This caused us to spend the majority of our once-propitious year inside. It’s frustrating that the pandemic has taken over our lives, but we can use this as an opportunity to make our mark on this historic event. Thank you to BSM for giving BA Publications the chance to contribute our writing and our art to this book.

We all started this quarantine a bit optimistic believing that this would be over in a matter of weeks, but as time progressed we came to reality and realized that this could sadly go on for quite some time. At the start of lockdown everyone kept busy and tried new activities, but in the end there wasn’t much to do. This project shows one way many of us have kept busy and a significant output we all have contributed to despite the irregular and struggling time.

We do not aim to make light of a situation, but rather to share the truth that lies within it. The world is experiencing a trying time and every single one of us is struggling, some more than others.

Alab ng Puso gave us an opportunity to be a part of this truth as well as provide a sense of optimism and opportunity as we move forward. This book is the coming together of many and tells the stories of different walks of life and takes the form of many different angles. We are honored to have been a part of this and by reading this, you are too.

Bianca Aquino Editor-in-Chief of Beacon Academy Publications

Adrienne Yabut Editor-in-Chief of Beacon Academy Publications

Samara Budrhani Editor-in-Chief of Beacon Academy Publications

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KIM JAO Editor-in-Chief

MIN YOO

SELINE KAWPENG

Art Director

Managing Editor

CHELSEA UY

CONROY TAN

Creative Director

Senior Editor

ALYANNA SIA

SEVE REYES

Photography and Visuals Director

Marketing Director

CHIARA MIJARES

CRISSIA PO

Writer

Writer

MANOLO REYES

PATRICK KHO

Writer

Writer

STEVEN CHUA Writer

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KODY TINGA Editor-in-Chief

MAYAKO KRUGER Editor-in-Chief

YANA PO Art Director

GISELE FAROLANFERREIRA Editor

ANAGHA CHAKRAVARTI Writer

AMELIE ORTIZ DE LEON Editor

PRIYASHA CHAKRAVARTI

THERESE (Issy) PO

Writer

Writer

TARA TULSHYAN

JULIA ONGKING

Writer

Writer

LARA MARIE GO

AMADINE SOFIA VELASCO ALCANTARA

Writer

Writer

SARAH JISOO PARK Writer

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RIZALINO LABOS Editor-in-Chief

COBY SILAYAN

KYLE TAN

Creative Director

Managing Editor

CALEB TIAM-LEE

AMERY ATINON

Associate Editor

Features Editor

ANICETO CAJIGAL

LANCE DY

Photography and Visuals Director

Features Editor

AIDAN GOCHECO Writer

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ADRIENNE YABUT Editor-in-Chief

SAMARA BUDHRANI Editor-in-Chief

BIANCA AQUINO Editor-in-Chief

ASHLEY TAN

BIANCA ADZUARA

Writer

Writer

JOELLE CAIPANG

ROCIO TRILLO

Writer

Writer & Artist

FRANCES PEREZ

KARINA YU

Artist

Artist

YNNA ELEAZAR Artist

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There are certain points in our history that we will all remember. When we look back, the pandemic—COVID-19—will surely be one of them.

As of this writing, we are still in the thick of the unprecedented times that have rocked our very existence. A few months into 2020, the world as we knew it had been disrupted. The culprit: a potentially debilitating respiratory virus that spread rapidly across the globe. The world watched as China and Italy became the first two countries to have severely suffered from the ramifications of COVID-19, thus moving systematically to contain its spread within their countries. Just like that, almost every aspect of private and public sectors was abruptly brought to a halt; within days, schools, large gatherings, businesses, and flights were shut down.

When this is over, as all beginnings have an end, we will look back and recall how the crisis at hand, unlike anything we have experienced before, challenged us to the core.

We are a generation that was spared living through the atrocities of both World Wars. Instead, the battle we face is against an unseen disease which our frontliners risk their lives to fight for the health of the public. We will probably remember the uncertainty, fear, and panic brought along with the pandemic. Simultaneously, however, we will also recall the silver linings: how people came together and cared for each other - some of the most profound expressions of humanity.

Chiara Mijares, The British School Manila

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COVID-19 has incited unparalleled global fear ever since the World Health Organisation announced it a global health emergency in January.

The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is a disease with a myriad of symptoms including fevers, lethargy, and dry coughs.

Over a million cases have been recorded worldwide, and over thousands of lives have been taken. Needless to say, the lives of many have been altered. Luckily, governments worldwide have taken action: enforcing lockdown, and mandating social distancing.

The coronavirus has undoubtedly affected the global economy.

According to the Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) chief Ernesto Pernia, “the unemployment rate [in the Philippines] might return to a double-digit figure following the COVID-19 outbreak from its “historical low” of 5.1 percent”.

Now the question is, what can we do to prevent contracting this disease? Precautions such as always sanitizing your hands, keep-

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ing a safe distance from others who seem to or have the symptoms of COVID-19, covering your mouth and nose if you are about to either sneeze or cough, always wearing a mask when you are going out of your house, and finally checking your temperature every two hours.

Right now, our number one priority should be to stay healthy; although we cannot leave our house, there are many ways we can maintain our health. Exercise is critical as without it, you will not be able to build a strong immune system. With exercise, you can strengthen your immune system, which is necessary for your body to fight the coronavirus, germs, or viruses. You can help yourself in many different ways but these are simple strategies that are effective in creating a safe, and healthy community.

Don’t forget to please sanitize, stay home, distance yourself, and of course stay safe. Happy quarantining!

Manolo Reyes, The British School Manila

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an interview with a frontliner Kim Jao, The British School Manila Twice a week, Paul Cruz walks from his

“It feels great to save them”,

temporary apartment in Ortigas to Medi-

he says.

cal City for a 7am to 7pm shift at the ER. During these 12 hours, he scrambles from

Under the burden of a massless virus, the

patient-to-patient in the COVID-19 “urgent

Philippines health system has proved itself

section” as an internal medicine consultant

unprepared and ill-equipped for a global

for adults.

pandemic. Hospitals are struggling to accomodate an overflowing influx of patients in

Paul is not an active consultant at Medical

the ICU, and so COVID-19 victims spill in to

City. In fact, he hasn’t been there since he

occupy space and pack like sardines in the

completed his internal medicine training

ER–a place that is primarily built for min-

in 2017. It was only in the recent outbreak

imal stays of up to a few hours maximum,

that he decided to volunteer there in order

not for multiple days as COVID-19 patients

to help the hospital satisfy its overwhelm-

do.

ing need for doctors.

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Furthermore, a lack of medical equipment

virus are not readily employed and under-

such as ventilators and monitors have re-

paid. As of late, their paltry salaries rest on

sulted in the resurrection of old equipment.

donations from generous benefactors. Be-

These models are not updated, but at least

cause of their low pay, you may think that

they still function.

the hospital is able to employ more nurses and have a greater population of front-

Similarly, a lack of basic, yet vital, person-

liners, however this is simply untrue. Paul

al protective equipment (PPE) now forces

highlighted that the usual ratio of nurse

frontliners to precariously rely on dona-

to ICU room is 1:1, however the virus has

tions to supply them with N95 masks, face

skewed that figure to a staggering 5:32 –

shields, and gowns.

in other words, if you were in the ICU right now, instead of having 1 nurse attend you,

To make things more desperate, the hospi-

you would have to share that nurse with

tals’ lack of space, medical equipment, and

roughly 6 other people.

PPEs is overshadowed by an ironic lack of government funding. Even before the pan-

This arrangement is only stressful for nurs-

demic, hospitals struggled to receive suffi-

es but risky for patients. By sharing your

cient funding for beds, medicine, lab equip-

nurse and doctor with a larger group of

ment, testing and research. Ironically, in

people, your time for checkup is greatly di-

the midst of a global health pandemic, the

minished. “We don’t know if our patients

government has cut the budget of the De-

are stable because we can’t check on them

partment of Health by 10 billion pesos and

once an hour”, Paul says, “many people have

456 million pesos from the PGH.

passed away and we don’t find out until it is too late because we are unable to frequent-

More than ever, hospitals are in a frenzy to even attempt to keep up with the necessities that the pandemic demands.

ly monitor them.”

Of course, we can’t expect our hospitals to be built to be suitable for the confrontation of a global pandemic, it would simply be an

Whilst patients in Manila are lucky enough

inefficient use of resources. However excus-

to enjoy the luxury of tertiary hospitals,

es at this time are unnecessary when there

provincial residents, not so much. Without

is a perpetually increasing death toll.

tertiary hospitals, many provinces do not have proper ICUs and ER equipment. It is

Due to an immense lack of medical equip-

outrageous how substantial health facilities

ment, space and frontliners, hospitals are

to fight the virus are scarce, leaving many

currently working under a dark shadow

victims in the province hopeless.

of uncertainty. Many are unsure how long they will be able to cope with so many pa-

Another injustice to the healthcare system

tients, with so little resources.

is the meagre salary of nurses. Currently, the majority of nurses working to fight the

This lack of an adequate health care system

25

is cruelly juxtaposed against the immense

surprise to the doctors. Of course it was ex-

amount of suffering and struggle that has

tremely difficult for them to inform her hus-

arisen since the pandemic began.

band regarding his wife’s passing, however, maintaining a stronghold against their

Beneath the baking heat and restraint of countless layers of PPE, Paul and his coworkers face the heavy stress of constantly checking six times the number of patients they are trained to accommodate, updating patients’ relatives on their health, and the perpetual fear that they might catch the virus.

own emotions is necessary for frontliners who are incessantly working to protect everyone.

Paul highlights the struggle of doctors who become “emotional because of the immense amount of physical and emotional stress”, and the underlying, panging, guilt that there’s only so much they can do to help.

Such a gripping virus will inevitably affect all aspects of one’s life, and it is as such that

On top of all of this, they must confront the

Paul’s father has, unfortunately, contract-

disheartening burden of telling white lies

ed COVID-19.

in order to keep their patients optimistic: “As doctors and nurses, we lift their spirits

“It is difficult to take the role of a physician

up and reassure them they’re doing well.

and a patient’s relative, especially during

We encourage them, saying that their rela-

this time where my dad became critically

tives are nearby and cheer them on to fight

ill. Having doctors you know manage your

for their lives. But, because mental health

father is good because you have faith in

is such a vital part to survival, we must en-

them.” Furthermore, not being the doctor of

courage that they’re doing well even – when

his father turned out to be somewhat benefi-

we know their state is critical.”

cial: “It would be very difficult to be actively involved as my emotions could cloud my

Too many times, frontliners have hopeless-

judgment as a physician.” Luckily, “I know

ly witnessed depressed and despondent pa-

what to expect because I know the system,

tients unable to take the road to recovery.

the doctors, and we understand each other medically. Basically, it revolved around me

Paul told me one especially heartbreaking

trusting my fellow physicians with all my

story: an elderly couple that both contract-

heart.”

ed the virus. He tells me that “it’s often a miracle for someone who is immunocom-

Currently his father is recovering, “com-

promised or elderly to recover,” and as a

pleting the antibiotics and ongoing rehab

doctor, he knew that their chances of sur-

to strengthen his muscles and regain func-

vival were slim. The wife’s condition was far

tionality.”

more critical than her husbands, so when she went into cardiac arrest, it came as no

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On an additional note of hope, Paul and his

fellow frontliners find the overwhelming support from individuals and companies extremely touching. They are thankful for the massive donations such as food, PPE and masks, not to mention all of the encouraging postcards.

For the future, Paul hopes “that the government will prioritize healthcare in general,” and that “laws will be passed to increase public accessibility to healthcare and wellness.”

“I am praying that the healthcare workers will be given what is due them - higher pay and benefits so they will stay in the Philippines, instead of them going abroad to have a better life for their family.” But for now, he wishes to address the frontliners: “laban lang, we will get through this.”

He highlights the irony in our modern times: “It’s 2020! We predicted that in the 21st Century, we would have advanced technology, flying cars, and supercomputers. However, now we’re just teaching people how to wash their hands, practise proper coughing etiquette, and the importance of hygiene.” Furthermore, he thinks that “this virus has taught everyone the importance of health: this virus can affect anyone in society. The virus doesn’t choose race, gender, social class and doesn’t have borders. This virus has shown us that healthcare workers, low-skilled jobs, and laborers can be more important than actors, models, or influencers.

*Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

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an interview with a leading businesswoman in the Philippine cosmetic industry Conroy Tan, The British School Manila Denice Sy-Munez, Ever Bilena Cosmetic

EBCI, are of the least priority,” she wistful-

Inc.’s (EBCI) Chief Sales and Marketing Of-

ly states.

ficer, is back on the drawing board in her office. Typically, she finds herself devising

To make matters worse, the suspension of

new marketing strategies for EBCI, which

all business operations and “direct selling”

currently stands as the “top local color cos-

in many key branches have placed the jobs

metics” brand in the Philippines. This time,

of EBCI’s 1,900 staff at jeopardy, which Ms.

however, she is confronted with a graver

Sy-Munez describes as an “immediate con-

issue at hand – the COVID-19 pandemic.

cern.”

The future is bleak. As a businesswoman in

As an employer, she acknowledges her im-

the Philippines, Ms. Sy-Munez is situated at

mediate responsibility over the livelihood of

the heart of the worst economic standstill

her staff and their families. However, with a

in the past 20 years. She admits that amid

heavy heart, she also notes that these drastic

the “tightened cash flows” and “decreased

setbacks due to the forced temporary shut-

traffic in malls” due to widespread consum-

down of firms may entail marketing bud-

er uncertainty, sales have absorbed up to a

get cuts and streamlined operations which

“50% drop” even in popular “beauty desti-

would require her to forego “less produc-

nations” and department stores.

tive branches” and “less essential workers”.

Luckily, EBCI has not laid off any of its staff

“In times of crisis, non-essential products,

as of late, and Ms. Sy-Munez is optimistic

which are the core of our business model at

that she will “not need to reach that deci-

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sion” in the near future.

hope” by sharing comical posts and encouraging their followers to maintain their self-

“Ever Bilena is doing its best to make it eas-

care routines within the comforts of their

ier for our employees to survive,” she notes

homes.

with newfound resolve.

“Looking good always makes anyone feel “We will need our people to be there when

better,” Ms. Sy-Munez lightheartedly re-

business resumes,” she says, recognizing

marks.

that her loyal workforce is also “necessary” to ensure the survival of her own business

EBCI has also made tangible contributions

as they attempt to rebuild post-quarantine.

to the wider community. It has donated significant quantities of Blackwater soap

Like most businesses in the country, Ever

and antibacterial sanitizers to support the

Bilena finds itself in its deepest quagmire

Caloocan city government in its costly bat-

in the past 37 years. However, in the face of

tle against the vicious virus. Furthermore,

a previously unimaginable crisis, Ms. Sy-

EBCI also sponsored several organizations

Munez cannot help but “take a step back and

that also procure food and PPEs for our no-

think” about the organization’s true pur-

ble frontliners.

pose.

Amid this ceaseless hustle and bustle, Ms.

“We think about the faces of the people in the organization,” she states with a solemn and sincere gaze.

Sy-Munez reminisces less troubling times – back when the looming threat of the coronavirus did not have any severe impact on business operations. Prior to the nationwide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), it

She proudly shares the company’s “regular

was “business as usual,” she recalls, with

communication” with its staff through so-

only a few “alcohol stations around the of-

cial media group chats to ensure their well

fice premises” and casual social distancing

being as they remain quarantined at home.

measures in compliance with the Department of Health’s minimal safety regula-

On top of employee welfare, Ms. Sy-Munez

tions.

also highlights EBCI’s initiative to assist its customer base in the midst of the ongo-

“Very little was done operations-wise to pre-

ing COVID-19 threat. Through online plat-

pare for the pandemic,” Ms. Sy-Munez dis-

forms, their multiple brands (Ever Bilena,

closes. It was only when news of the immi-

EB Advance, Careline, Blackwater, and Hel-

nent lockdown arrived that EBCI prudently

lo Glow) continue to “convey messages of

made “work-from-home arrangements”

29

and transitioned to a “skeletal workforce,” with only essential staff members working at key branches.

Nostalgia aside, and fast-forward to the present, EBCI looks into its current business model as the nationwide quarantine begins to ease. Ms. Sy Munez indicates that she remains optimistic with regard to the beauty industry’s recovery post-pandemic. She notes that “consumers will eventually return to beauty products” which serve as vital coping mechanisms to “boost morale or encourage self-expression” in times of hardship.

The esteemed businesswoman reveals that EBCI’s initial course of action is to treasure the tireless members of its workforce, who have “entrusted their livelihoods to the company.” It is only through their persistence and hard work that EBCI can resume its rigorous marketing efforts to “deliver sales growth” for its cosmetic products.

Looking into the future of the industry, Ms. Sy-Munez acknowledges the overall “heightened awareness and interest towards sanitation and hygiene”. She mentions that EBCI will strive to reinforce the cleanliness of its product testers, display cases, and storages across all outlets nationwide.

More exciting, however, are the possible additions to EBCI’s array of product offerings and marketing materials, which include antibacterial ingredients, added skin-care supplements, and health-focused campaigns, to say the least.

In terms of the company’s business model, Ms. Sy-Munez emphasised the need to “institutionalize Business Continuity Plans” such that the organization has proper contingencies in place should another crisis of this magnitude arise. She hinted that this “program” may include strategies to improve online presence and shopping experience.

To end, Ms. Sy-Munez admits that even she was not “emotionally ready” for the challenges brought forth by COVID-19. Nevertheless, she departs us with a plain yet positive piece of advice –

“we just have to accept reality and plan strategies to move forward.”

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an interview with a COVID-19 surivor Seline Kawpeng, The British School Manila Coming back from a trip to Japan this past

ippines, Navarro started to develop chills:

February, Carlo Navarro, his wife, and

his temperatures were fluctuating and he’d

daughter were sure that taking standard

begun to cough vigorously. On the 4th of

sanitary precautions would be enough to pro-

March, he decided to go to St. Luke’s hospi-

tect themselves from COVID-19. Through-

tal to have himself tested- marking the be-

out their entire trip, neither Navarro nor his

ginning of his tumultuous and arduous ex-

wife and daughter came into contact with

perience as a COVID-19 patient.

anyone who possessed any symptoms that were indicative of the virus. They’d worn

“When I heard the news…I didn’t take it

masks and gloves and made sure to con-

seriously at first,” Navarro admits after he

stantly sanitize their hands.

recalls how he and his family members reacted to the news lightheartedly and with

However, embarking airplanes amidst a

feint humor. “Actually I laughed,” he says,

pandemic is always a sure-fire way of tempt-

“after my sister-in-law, a doctor, told me

ing fate. And, in this instance, fate was not on Navarro’s side.

Airplanes - much like in any enclosed area where individuals are confined for significant periods of time - carry high risks of transmitting viruses; pathogens can circu-

The idea of being identified by a number was

late between passenger to passenger before

humorous to him.

the air has had the chance to be vented out and filtered. During his plane ride home,

However, this lighthearted mannerism did

Navarro had the extremely unfortunate

little to sway the distressing truth of Navar-

chance of sitting in front of a person who,

ro’s situation.

he describes, was coughing strenuously- a common symptom of COVID-19 and one

Navarro explains that at the time, all

of the most effective ways of transferring

COVID-19 patients were brought to the

pathogens. Navarro was forced to wait for

Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

another twenty minutes as the plane took

(RITM) which had been readapted into a

off before he was able to switch seats.

COVID-19 testing centre. “[The] rooms were very small, [and] there were no windows,”

However, twenty minutes enough for him.

he describes. There was just about enough

Seven days after arriving back in the Phil-

space for a bed, a blood pressure monitor,

31

and a chair. Light was minimal. Daylight “peep[ed]” through a frosted film, obscur-

Yet, Navarro explains that the physical tor-

ing Navarro’s view of the outside and ex-

ment wasn’t the worst part of his journey

acerbating the overwhelming sense of con-

as a COVID-19 patient.

finement.

“Eventually the thought sank in when I was brought to the hospital,” Navarro says, “you can feel the isolation and the loneliness because nobody can be around you.” Even the

he says. He remembers the sounds of the

doctors and nurses stayed away. Visits were

nurses and doctors running outside of his

only had when completely necessary: when

room. He remembers being afraid. Patient

medicines had to be taken and vitals had to

number 5 and number 6 had just died, he

be checked, “that’s the only time you have

divulged; but, all he could think about was

contact with another human being.”

how they had occupied the rooms just beside him. “The scariest part was hearing the oth-

However, the virus bore no sympathy as

er patients beside me dying…[and] hearing

Navarro continued to suffer through his in-

the wailing sounds and cries of the people

fection. He was afflicted with chills and dry

whose relatives were dying,” he disclosed.

coughs. His entire body ached. On the fifth

However, Navarro believed that the most

day, when the loneliness really began to sink

important thing he could do was stay pos-

in, Navarro started to vomit and have diar-

itive. To distract himself from the pain and

rhea. That was the moment he really began

death that surrounded him, he video called

to feel pain. Even the doctors got scared. In

his friends and family every day. His wife

another interview with ABC news, Navarro

called every hour. And, he prayed. A lot. He

describes how he’d been X-rayed after his

says that “since there’s no cure... the only

symptoms began to worsen. Doctors con-

thing you can probably rely on is the belief

firmed that he’d begun to develop pneumo-

that somebody higher there will save you.”

nia. To make matters worse, he got a fever.

15 days later, Navarro was discharged from

Unfortunately, there was only so much that

the hospital.

could be done. “Since there is no cure [and] no medicine,” the only thing that doctors and

Coming out of the hospital, Navarro felt

nurses can do is treat the symptoms of the

like he was “given a second chance.” He re-

virus. “If you have a cough, they give you

sumed his daily routine - he runs 5 km ev-

cough medicine. If you have a fever, they

ery day and has started weight training -

give you paracetamol.” Navarro was put on

and continues to wake up every morning at

an IV drip to stabilize his body; “they were

8 am to begin work. However, normality

pumping a lot of medicine into my body,”

aside, “my wife thinks that I’m a lot better

he says, “[after a while] they couldn’t even

now,” he says, “when I was in the hospital,

find any more blood vessels [to] insert the

feeling alone, I thought to himself, ‘once I

needle.”

get out of this, the first thing I’ll do is spend

32

time with my family’.” And, he’s made sure to spend plenty of time doing so during this enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Navarro tells me that “the only thing that’s not normal is that [he] can’t leave the four corners of [his] house.”

Friends and family continue to be supportive as Navarro relates the many positive messages he’s received from both family members and co-workers alike. “I haven’t felt any stigma,” he tells me, “except for one or two isolated cases where, after I posted my story on facebook, I was messaged privately by people who said that... I brought COVID-19 to the Philippines and infected a lot of people.”

However, although he disagrees with the sentiment, Navarro remains open-minded and understanding that the news of his infection had disrupted the lives of those residing and working within BGC.

It was this understanding that immediately prompted Navarro to make sure that his company’s “compensation would allow [his co workers] to survive” through ECQ. He says that “the first thing that came to [his] mind were the daily wage workers” that would most likely struggle through this quarantine at a much deeper level than himself. Navarro worked to make sure that his workers were given ample amounts of compensation to support themselves whilst work was curtailed.

“It was really a blessing in disguise,” Navarro finally imparts after reflecting on what this entire experience has meant to him. He explains that whilst the virus had “presented itself as an illness,” he was able to reflect on the “things that were important in his life”: family, friends, and staying healthy amongst other things. That’s why Navarro hardly considers his entire experience with the virus “bad at all.” To him, all the realizations he’d made during his entire 20 days of self-isolation were life-changing.

33

An interview with daily-wage workers Seline Kawpeng, The British School Manila “Paano nagbago buhay ko ngayon?”

[How has my life changed?] Donny reflects as he recalls all the adversities he’s experienced these past few months.

He’s worried.

He’s worried about the possibility of contracting the virus and then, even more worrying, passing the virus onto his family. “Sa ngayon ang paglabas ng bahay ay isang pakikipag sapalaran para lang sa trabaho at para na rin sa

34

family ko,” he replies [right now, leaving my house is taking a huge risk for work and for the family].

On the 16th of March, Duterte officially imposed the Philippines’ first enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in response to the growing pandemic of COVID-19. However, its continuation has had reverberations all over the Philippines as nonessential shops temporarily closed down, severely curtailing businesses for many blue-collared Filipinos.

Donny, a daily-wage factory worker, is only one example of the hundreds of thousands of Filipinos whose stories have been lost amongst the turmoil: the Filipinos without access to proper sanitation; the Filipinos without the security of having round-the-clock guards; the Filipinos without stable sources of income.

They are the Filipinos who have been left in dire straits.

My father currently employs a total of 230 daily-wage factory workers who help slice and package different cuts of meat distributed to food chains across Manila. However, coinciding with the recent lockdown, workdays have been cut short to only 2 to 4 days a week.

For those without “sideline” jobs, this roughly means a 44% - 77% reduction in weekly income.

To try and put into perspective the devastating impact this depletion of income has had on these workers, I reached out to 8 of my father’s dailywage earners and asked them to detail how their living situations have changed as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Philippines.

“Dahil no-work-no-pay, ang sobrang apektado Financial budget,” [Because of no-work-no-pay, my financial budgets have been extremely affected] Kris explains whilst wondering how everyone will recover once

quarantine is lifted.

With businesses closed and the government struggling to adjust to the socioeconomic repercussions of this lockdown, the workers find themselves perennially struggling to make ends meet. Jess explains that without the financial assistance of DOLE and SSS- government agencies providing social security and financial aid- she worries day in and day out about budget cuts and a lack of income. Furthermore, without the option of finding sideline jobs to account for this loss of income, her expenses have changed significantlyall her weekly income spent on buying “mga kailangang kailangang gamit na lang at pagkain” [Only the necessities and food].

To better define what exactly constitutes a necessity, I asked the workers to compare their weekly expenses before the ECQ and after.

For all the workers who did rely on commuting, transportation was given up without exception - in addition to clothing, which several had eradicated from their expenses completely. Now, money is spent on food, daily amenities, and for only a small few, medicine.

“Wala maring mabilihan ng vitamins o mga gamot pampalakas ng immune system para sa aking pamilya,” [There are no vitamins or medicines available to strengthen the immune system of my family] Emilio tells me, “mahirap kumilos o magtrabaho dahil sa higpit banta ng COVID-19.” [it is hard to move 35

For most of the workers, medicine is a luxury; only a select few have been able to use their time in quarantine to better their health: “Pag-inom ng maraming tubig, pagtitake ng vitamins, pagkain masustansyang pagkain, page ehersisyo at pagtulog ng wasto,” Joyce proudly lists [I drink a lot of water, take my vitamins, eat nutritious food, exercise, and getting enough sleep].

Her excitement seems almost amiss in light of the perpetual struggle for work and pay.

For others, however, the mental stress of underemployment has manifested itself into physical exhaustion- Manuel describes how “lalo sumakit ang katawan ko,” [my body is always hurting] a complete opposite to Joyce.

To make matters worse, all wake up every morning with the knowledge that every day carries a new risk of contracting the virus. “Nag-aalala ako para sa pamilya ko baka pagnagkaroon ako ng virus mahawa din sila,” [im worried for my family because if I contract the virus they might get infected too] Donny writes, as he tells me that of all his fears surrounding this pandemic, this is his greatest one.

Yet, none can afford to stay indoors and most don’t have the benefit of a continuous supply of clean water to cleanse themselves with after coming home from an exhausting day at work. The only preventative

36

measure they really have are the mandatory surgical masks which, even then, bring them limited protection; panic buying has made the masks harder to acquire as more affluent Filipinos depleted stocks in all nearby stores. Additionally, they all describe how hours of wearing them makes it hard to breathe- especially as temperatures skyrocketed the first few months of quarantine in accordance with the Philippines’ dry season.

On the other end of the spectrum, mental health has become a prominent issue amongst the workers: “Madalas makalimot ng araw at petsa,” [I often forget what day it is and the date] Lyn writes as days and nights become indistinguishable, every day is lost in a haze. Anxiety attacks are common.

As of late May, the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) has reported a dramatic increase in the number of Filipino suffering from anxiety and depression since the imposition of lockdowns due to the COVID-19 outbreak. For Kris, this anxiety comes from her worries about the uncertainty of the future: “sobrang apektado ang mental health (kakaisip kung hanggang kailan tong pandemic at pano makaahon ang lahat dahil sa dinulo ng ECQ)” [my mental health has been really affected (I think about how long this pandemic will last and how everyone will recover after ECQ)].

For others, their anxiety derives from their fears for their children’s safety and education.

Eva expressed her discontent with having to leave her children alone at home during days she does have work.

She writes that because “mag isa lang po akong nagtataguyod ng aking pamilya...hindi ko nakakasama arawaraw ng aking mga anak.” Her eldest son works as often as he can to help support his family, and because she’s out of the house 4 times a week to work, her youngest is left alone for long periods of time.

While away, she relies on cellphone communication to check up on her children. But, that isn’t always enough to calm her nerves. School had always been an easy reassurance that her kids were safe and busy for a majority of the day; however, budget cuts and the suspension of schools due to lockdowns have raised questions about whether tuition fees are a worthy monetary burden.

“Nagisip sa mga … tuition fees ng mga anak ko,” [I’m thinking about the tuition fees of my children] Lyn writes, while she reveals that all of her income is spent on food for her family and rent- she doesn’t have any money left over for commuting, buying daily amenities or medicine. Much less the education of her children.

to praying: “nagkaroon ako ng oras at panahon lalo na makilala ang panginoon dahil sa kanyang salita sa pamamagitan ng biblya.” Some have even learned valuable life lessons like setting money aside for greater financial security during times of need. And, we can’t forget the most important benefit during this crisis: “medyo na bawasan ang timbang ko.” (Manuel)

In times of adversity and solitude, and through hardships and doubt, the essentials in life begin to take precedence. We remember the things that matter most: family, God, and gratitude for our possessions.

Their optimism in spite of these dire times, is nothing short of inspiring.

Their continual struggle for financial stability brings to fore the simple happiness that surrounds us.

And, their tenacity to support their family have proven that hope and perseverance are two of the strongest facets that you can have.

However, all of the workers have sought for the positives in their situation. Lyn finds herself completing daily household chores she would never otherwise have had the time to accomplish. April dedicates more time

37

an interview with a COVID-19 surivor Kim Jao, The British School Manila Peter Chan stares almost too pensively at

It hasn’t always been this tranquil at the

his desk as his daughter hollers at me in

Chan household.

the background. After previously scheduling our interview call the day before, Chan

Chaos ensued on March 8 at 1 am–a week

asked me to remind him about our interview

before the lockdown–when Peter rushed his

at lunchtime–in case he might forget about

father to Cardinal Santos for a severe knee

it and become lost in a nap. Nowadays, he

problem. The hospital had “no protocol”,

likes to wake early in the morning for ex-

he says, and the emergency room was “full

ercise, but the rest of his routine melds into

of people who were mostly COVID-19 pa-

a blurry haze of activities that only satiate

tients.” It seemed ironic that the very place

his boredom rather than make the day more

you go to be saved from the virus was the

meaningful.

place you were most likely to acquire it.

38

Two days later, Peter was not feeling well. Because his illness appeared mild, he was denied the opportunity to be tested for “the” virus, and so instead, self-quarantined at home. He was feverish for ten days and constantly coughing–symptoms that are commonly indicative of COVID-19.

His days of self-isolated quarantine were painfully solitary and prison-like: he was unable to see his family members, everything he touched had to be sanitised, and his food was left outside the door in order to avoid human contact. Even his dog didn’t dare approach him. Luckily, after twenty days, Peter fully recovered.

His wife Ruth, however, experienced a much more threatening encounter with the virus.

Five days after Peter’s visit to the hospital, Ruth contracted a fever, headache, and was feeling soreness throughout her body. Initially, she ascribed it to a normal flu that would surely lapse in a short amount of time. However, as the days progressed, Ruth’s temperature skyrocketed and her fever was unrelenting. After testing her blood, she was able to rule out typhoid and dengue–it was then that she seriously began to consider if she had contracted the virus.

After a chest x-ray, she was diagnosed with mild pneumonia and prescribed a concoction of medicine which only abated her symptoms.

Ruth was desperate to address her deteriorating condition but knew that the hospitals–most at full capacity–would be unable to admit her.

Despite the pneumonia, fever, and cough, her symptoms were not considered severe enough to admit her into ICU care.

At this time, the Chan family was terrified and painfully helpless.

Everyone at home was showing some form of COVID-19 symptom, and yet none were unable to be treated at the hospital.

On March 21, Ruth woke at 4am–her oxygen level at 90, and on the edge of panic. Luckily, she was admitted to the hospital later that morning.

39

Ruth was ambivalent: relieved to be finally treated, yet also terrified to go to the hospital. She said that “in my mind there was a chance that I would never be able to come home. I- was trying to be brave. I couldn’t even hug my daughter for obvious reasons.”

The day was ironically sunny for such a dismal purpose to be outdoors. Despite feelings of relief that Ruth was finally able to get hospital care, both she and Peter were nervous. An oppressive heat of uncertainty lingered in the air–or was it just the Manila swelter?–which kept the drive quiet.

“You don’t know how bad it’s gonna get”, Peter tells me, “and you don’t know when, if ever, she will make the turn to recovery. Up until that point, she was just getting worse.”

They were also both caught under the realisation that her situation was a little more serious than just being quarantined at home. If things hadn’t felt real yet, they definitely did now.

In the emergency room, Ruth waited five hours until she was admitted and swabbed for COVID-19 testing. She tested positive the next day.

After nearly two restless and isolated weeks at the hospital–surviving on Milo, sardines and rice–Ruth slowly recovered and was finally able to return home.

Two days later, she tested negative.

40

At this same time, Peter suffered the devastating loss of his father.

Furthermore, feelings of guilt and helplessness welled up: “I’m doing everything I can,

Losing a loved one is always a difficult expe-

but everyone else is still getting sick, and so

rience, but when you’re unable to visit them

I was under a lot of high level stress and

in their last moments, your wife is in critical

anxiety.”

danger, and you’ve been isolated inside your bedroom for weeks, life becomes almost un-

To my surprise, Peter described his early

bearably stressful.

weeks in isolation as extremely hectic. From dusk until dawn, his day would consist of

In confinement, emotions simmer and feelings of concern are much more difficult to overcome when there’s nothing else to do but stare at the walls and wait for anything to break the monotony.

calls, making arrangements for his father’s passing, discussing such arrangements with his siblings, talking to his father’s doctors, scrambling for medicine, trying to get prescriptions, trying to have those prescriptions delivered, and consulting multiple doctors on Ruth’s lung x-rays. Everyday, he felt the impending doom of anxiety: “I’d

Peter even admitted that he avoided watch-

wake up with a lot of stress in my head. I

ing the news when the virus showed up at

could feel it, and that more was to come.”

their doorstep–the proliferation of a global pandemic became complicatedly real and

Despite the virus having left their family, a

simply depressing.

stigma that it hadn’t remained. He describes those in his home who are still reluctant to

Peter describes the paranoia associated with

be near him because “they know that I had

the virus as not only a physical test, but a

it, and don’t know if I’m better–especially

mental one: “you start thinking about ev-

because I was never tested negative.” Peter

ery breath you take and you start to over

even recounts that, only until recently, his

analyse yourself and minor symptoms.” His

own daughter was afraid to be physically

worry constantly taunted him and he could

close to him.

find no solace or distraction during his bedroom confinement. Needless to say, this in-

However, perhaps there is a silver lining in

evitably evoked uncontrollable thoughts of

all of this stress, pain, and anxiety.

possibly passing away. Upon late night rumination, dark reflections frighteningly led him to consider writing up his will.

41

Peter says, and “being locked in the same house for so long has definitely brought us closer together.”–not only physically, of course.

He also emphasizes how his teenage daughters have stepped up, matured, and helped in their own way, as a result of the lockdown–even his daughter in New Jersey has managed to help them.

After all of these trials and tribulations, the Chan household has come out stronger and closer than ever: “It’s times like these, with a lot of challenges and difficulties, when you realise what the important things in life really are: You learn the people you can really rely on and depend on.” In addition, he highlighted the significance that support from their friends and prayer had on maintaining their spirits.

Recovery hasn’t erased Peter’s worries, however. “I fear for the country, for the lives. I fear how the government is going to handle this: if we’re capable, and if we’re not, that it’s going to get worse.” He also fears for the uncertainties in our futures and the precariousness of “everyone’s big hits and big losses.”

As of now, the droning monotony of Peter’s days may seem dreadful, but ironically, it is the best situation to be in–it means that everyone is well. His life is currently at a standstill and, within these circumstances, that’s the best it can be.

*Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

42

43

an interview with a fashion designer and PPE benefactor Chiara Mijares, The British School Manila

In mid-March of 2020, as businesses began

of COVID-positive patients arriving at hos-

to shut down and the PPE (personal pro-

pitals.

tective equipment) shortage became a major concern for medical workers, Filipino

It soon became evident that medical facil-

fashion designer Michael Leyva pivoted his

ities nationwide were contending with a

workshop from couture fashion to manu-

situation that they were overwhelmingly

facturing PPE. Three months in, Leyva and

unprepared for. Medical workers became

his team have made a noteworthy difference

more and more desperate because

generating thousands of pieces for distribution to large and small healthcare facilities around the country.

When the lockdown was first implemented throughout the National Capital Region in the Philippines, no one knew how best to respond.

As the number of COVID-19 cases began to increase exponentially in Manila, the national government began to implement more stringent measures. President Duterte declared Luzon to be in a state of calamity and enforced travel restrictions, community quarantines, and curfews. Our borders were sealed, businesses were shut, and people were mandated to stay home – a scenario that ensued for many other countries in the days that followed. Everyone’s safety was of the utmost concern.

While the majority of civilians stayed at home, trying to make sense of the uncertainty of it all, healthcare workers continued to risk their lives caring for the upsurge

44

they lacked the proper equipment needed to protect themselves from catching and spreading the virus.

On March 20, Vice President Leni Robredo called out to the local community asking local designers for help to create a protective suit for medical frontliners fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the extensive detrimental impact that COVID-19 began to have on the fashion industry, some designers stepped up to help. Filipino fashion designer Michael Leyva was one of them.

When it became clear that masks were helpful in slowing down transmission, Leyva and his team set about to produce face masks. Packaged along with food donations, he took care to print out encouraging

quotes from the bible and stapled them to each individual bag. Together with a celebrity friend, Angel Locsin, Michael personally delivered the first batch of items to nearby medical facilities.

At one of the hospitals they visited in Antipolo, Leyva asked how else they could help. The doctors and nurses shared their struggles in securing PPE’s, and upon hearing the news that some front liners were wearing makeshift PPEs made of garbage bags due to the lack of supply, he decided that he had to do something for them.

Not sleeping that night, he researched how best to go about producing hazmats and brainstormed ideas for protective wear.

What resulted next was an initiative Leyva aptly called #sinulidkontracovid. Threads against COVID, translated in english, was directly geared to address the health workers urgent need for protective gear. Because the government’s mandated ECQ was about to be implemented, Leyva and his staff had to decide whether his employees would go home and stay home or quarantine at the studio for the duration of the lockdown.

After discussing the options, his crew of 15 chose to continue the endeavor of making PPE’s.

On March 24, Leyva took to instagram with the following post: “We are one with this. #teammichaelleyva will be donating PPEs, head covers and masks for our heroes #frontliners MABUHAY po kayo at Salamat sa dedikasyon at pagmamahal sa ating bayan.

This wouldn’t have been possible without my team’s dedication and willingness to help.”

“While I was making it, I felt God’s guidance, and I realised that truly, the talent that we are gifted with should be shared for a more meaningful purpose. In our little way, we (my team and I) were able to offer them protection through our PPEs. We have received an abundance of overjoyed messages from the recipients of our donations and that’s more than enough.”

The Coronavirus pandemic has had sweeping repercussions on all sectors of the economy

45

worldwide. The fashion industry is amongst

selflessly to help the community through

one of the hardest hit. Despite this, Leyva re-

these trying times. With resilience and re-

mains optimistic and forges on with remark-

sourcefulness, Leyva harnessed his capa-

able resilience. “2020 is all about survival,”

bilities to effectively address the frontliners

Leyva affirms, “We have to work hard to go

needs. By shifting his focus to help medi-

through this so that we can pursue bigger

cal workers, Leyva’s humanitarian efforts

things later on.” Leyva is no stranger to

have been rewarded. Leyva not only found

thriving through adversity. In fact, Leyva’s

a way to lend a helping hand, he was able

foray into fashion can be attributed to ris-

to secure projects that assured his employ-

ing from an unfortunate circumstance.

ees could continue working.

It has been said that Michael Leyva is an

“It’s true what they say, that when you do a

“accidental” fashion designer whose career

good thing, you get good things,” he shares.

came about by a twist of fate. Ten years ago,

Because of the PPE’s he manufactured and

it was Michael Leyva’s older brother Brian

donated, local companies have taken notice

that was making a name for himself as an up

and collaborated with Leyva to produce his

and coming designer. However, on March

protective garments to be used for their em-

29, 2010, tragedy struck. Brian was walking

ployees. Some orders go as high as 50,000

home from the gym when he was mugged,

units.

held-up at gunpoint, and shot in the head.

At the time, Michael, who graduated with

Leyva’s commitment to the Filipino com-

a degree in tourism from the University of

munity has been evident throughout all his

Santo Tomas in Manila, was working as a

efforts during this pandemic.

flight attendant. One can only imagine the

“We will continue to help them fight this

pain and grief beset upon the Leyva family

deadly virus. Helping others knows no

with the passing of Brian.

boundaries, he remarked. We can always do our share no matter how big or small it

Picking up the pieces, Michael found a new

is.” To date, through his initiative, #sinulid-

purpose. Armed with the determination

kontracovid, Leyva and his team has been

to continue the legacy his brother start-

able to distribute more than 15,000 PPE’s all

ed, Michael Leyva trained tenaciously and

over the country. As Leyva remarked, “This

learned everything he needed to know about

battle is not just for the frontliners – we also

the business. In 2016 he spent some time in

take part in this fight against COVID-19, and

London where he took courses in the world renowned Central Saint Martins. Not long after, he was dressing Filipino celebrities such as Anne Curtis, Heart Evangelista, and Kris Aquino as well as the well-heeled women in Manila.

The 30 year old designer has been working

46

by working alongside these health workers, we will heal as one.”

an interview with COVID-19 benefactors Seline Kawpeng, The British School Manila

On the night of March 18, Charlene and

The next day, they made some calls. Char-

Johnny Escaler sat attentively watching

lene reached out to the chairman of St.

the news. The Philippines’ first Enhanced

Luke’s and offered to lend the building as

Community Quarantine (ECQ) had just

a space for the hospital staff to rest during

taken effect the day prior and media out-

the entire period of quarantine.

lets were teeming with headlines about the disruptions it would cause all over the

And, that’s how it started, they tell me, a

country.

germ of an idea that eventually became a reality.

“It was reported that there would be no buses or public transport,” Charlene recalls.

However, preparing the building for the

She and Johnny describe how they imme-

frontliners wasn’t going to be as easy as

diately knew that they had to contribute

they had hoped. “We weren’t powered

to the Filipino effort against COVID-19;

properly,” Charlene explains, “we didn’t

they were especially concerned with how

have electricity or water beyond the third

frontliners would commute to and back

floor and we didn’t have an occupancy

from work.

permit. “Still, they promised St. Luke’s that they would do all that they could to

“My wife and I, and our partners in this

power the building.

brand called Quarto, were building these dorms in the Barangay Pitogo area,”

Thankfully, Johnny and Charlene say,

Johnny explains. They’d initially target-

their promises were not left unfulfilled.

ed the building towards BPOs and those working in BGC; however, as a result of

After continuous efforts, and the help of

COVID-19, they’d realized that a lot of

Meralco, the local government, and the

healthcare workers were either facing dif-

city hall, power was flowing through all

ficulties commuting to work or sleeping in

floors of the building within 6 days. “It

makeshift accommodations at the hospi-

was like a Hail Mary!” Charlene exclaims,

tal. “It was almost natural for us,” John-

the gratitude clear in her voice, “we didn’t

ny says, “we had this building that was

think we could do it in that amount of

equipped with beds, aircon, microwaves,

time.” Later in the interview, she remarks

and refrigerators. And, so we thought,

appreciatively that Globe had even been

`Why don’t we offer it.’”

generous enough to donate free internet

47

for the building. “It’s quite impressive how quickly people move for a good cause,” Johnny inserts.

On the 25th of March, nurses, doctors and other essential workers moved into the building. But, whilst the building, power, and 180 beds are provided by the Escalar’s, everything is entirely taken care of by St. Luke’s. “They’re treating [the building] like it’s an annex of the hospital,” Charlene clarifies: all costs are paid for by the hospital, and the sterilization and organization of rooms are all planned and executed by the staff themselves. Currently, 260 workers use the building, taking turns to rest and cleanse themselves between shifts.

“They were so cute actually… they were taking selfies,” Charlene laughs, “it seemed so welcome! Like they really, really needed it.”

But, Johnny and Charlene made it clear to the chairman of St. Luke’s that they didn’t want their kindness to go unreciprocated: “the only thing we asked [of] St. Luke’s was that they give something back to the community.” They wanted their kindness to be paid forward.

Accordingly, staff at St. Luke’s promised to provide medical personnel and hygiene kits to teach and provide service for local barangays. The importance of sanitization and social distancing would be stressed, and medical check-ups would be regularly facilitated.

“It’s heartwarming. It’s nice to know that you’re able to help and hopefully everyone’s collective efforts will make a dent,” Charlene tells me.

However, Johnny and Charlene knew that their service couldn’t end just there.

Barangay Pitogo, where the building is located, currently houses 14,000 people, many of who are daily-wage earners. The Escalar’s wanted to make sure that the community felt comfortable with the healthcare workers residing in their barangay - in light of the unexpressed “stigma” that medical personnel carry for working in, potentially, highly infectious areas. “I also wanted to give back to the community,” Charlene adds on whilst Johnny describes this eagerness as the “genesis” of their next project: Project Food.

After reaching out to Lizzie Zobel, a friend who had the same idea of starting a feeding program, Charlene and Lizzie scoured all over Manila to find restaurants, or other venues, that had commissaries capable of providing packed meals in-bulk daily. Finally, their efforts were not left unaccounted for: the pair came to an agreement with Hizon’s

48

and Manila House. It was decided that each kitchen would cook 600 packed meals every day except on Sundays, totaling to an astonishing 1200 packed meals a day.

“Everything just fell into place,” Charlene says as she describes how Johnny negotiated with Fast Logistics to deliver the meals from the commissaries to both Barangay Pitogo and Barangay Southside.

“The meals were unanimously welcomed!” she says in relief. When asked how meals were distributed to families, she describes how in Barangay Pitogo, meals are distributed door to door by the barangay captain. She delineates how the barangay was cut up into zones, and each day meals are distributed to a different zone in a rotational scheme.

“I said to [the barangay captain] that it’s up to you [to decide] how you want to distribute [the packed meals]…but I’d like everyone to be able to try something.

I want to have been able to reach every single person in the barangay.”

“That was the toss-up actually,” Johnny says, “we weren’t sure if we should use the money we raised to feed as many people (with canned goods) or prioritize coming up with a good meal.” In the end, it was decided that they would spend the money on providing fully cooked, warm meals- they hoped to mimic the reassurance and warmth that home cooked meals provide. A small sign of hope and optimism amidst these unprecedented times.

Johnny and Charlene plan to continue their feeding program for 46 days. By the end of their project, 55,200 meals will be given out.

When asked how they’d describe their experiences working with a multitude of people, both Johnny and Charlene stressed to me that everything they’ve done wouldn’t have been achieved without the help of others. Meralco, the local government, their donors, and other friends and family who’ve supported them throughout, have played an immense role in the success of both of their projects.

49

for the building. “It’s quite impressive how quickly people move for a good cause,” Johnny inserts.

On the 25th of March, nurses, doctors and other essential workers moved into the building. But, whilst the building, power, and 180 beds are provided by the Escalar’s, everything is entirely taken care of by St. Luke’s. “They’re treating [the building] like it’s an annex of the hospital,” Charlene clarifies: all costs are paid for by the hospital, and the sterilization and organization of rooms are all planned and executed by the staff themselves. Currently, 260 workers use the building, taking turns to rest and cleanse themselves between shifts.

“They were so cute actually… they were taking selfies,” Charlene laughs, “it seemed so welcome! Like they really, really needed it.”

But, Johnny and Charlene made it clear to the chairman of St. Luke’s that they didn’t want their kindness to go unreciprocated: “the only thing we asked [of] St. Luke’s was that they give something back to the community.” They wanted their kindness to be paid forward.

Accordingly, staff at St. Luke’s promised to provide medical personnel and hygiene kits to teach and provide service for local barangays. The importance of sanitization and social distancing would be stressed, and medical check-ups would be regularly facilitated.

“It’s heartwarming. It’s nice to know that you’re able to help and hopefully everyone’s col-

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an interview with the representative of the indigenous T’boli community Kim Jao, The British School Manila Tucked within the landscape of Mindanao

eage of the T’boli.

is an invigorating mix of forests and mountains. Here, palm leaves sway in unison with fierce winds while water cascades into streams and rivers. In this almost proverbial Garden of Eden mix of endless growing fields, one will discover children, scampering around lakeshores as their elders teach them the lores of dreamtimes.

This is the municipality of Lake Sebu in the

As weavers weave, shuttles slide, and strings of hand drawn fabrics are deftly maneuvered, a surreal agglomeration of colors linearly dissolve and blur into each other, forming intricate patterns that, in themselves, celebrate the history of these people.

Philippine province of South Cotabato.

The formation of a new T’nalak pattern is a Featured in the infamous Lonely Planet

T’boli rite in itself. The weaver must achieve

travel guide and recognised as a cultural

a certain level of expertise in order to distin-

landscape by UNESCO, Lake Sebu is also

guish herself as a master weaver, by being

the residence of the women T’nalak Weav-

able to interpret her dreams into a pattern

ers, a group of immensely skilled crafts-

for the fabric-the T’boli even note that they

women from the T’boli tribe of South Cota-

can’t create a pattern they haven’t seen in

bato. Unlike any other woven fabric in the

their dreams. Thus, the master weavers of

Philippines, the T’nalak fabric is distinctive

the T’nalak fabric are also often dubbed as

in its profoundly intertwined relationship

‘Dream Weavers’ , a namesake highlighting

with the T’boli culture, beliefs, and history.

the weaver’s inextricable relationship with vivid introspection and the complex art of

This sacred art begins with fibres derived

loom weaving.

from the leaf stalk of the Philippine-native abaca plant. Weavers dye these fibres with

In T’boli culture, the T’nalak is a rite of pas-

bark, roots, and leaves to form the tradi-

sage, sanctifying milestones such as birth,

tional red, black, and flaxen sheen varia-

coming of age, marriage, and death. Fur-

tion of colors. Little has changed over the

thermore, in a culture of people who previ-

generations, this permanence of dyes rep-

ously did not know how to write, the geomet-

resents both the artistic and ancestral lin-

ric patterns of the fabric captures the myths,

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beliefs, and religion of the T’boli people. In

panies.

essence, T’boli weavers can read their histories within the fabric designs they bring to life.

We sat down in an interview with Miss Bernadette Ofong, the president of Klowil Kem Libun Organization Inc. (“life of women” in T’boli dialect), a women’s cooperative for T’nalak weavers. As an organisation, they

So, what could make all of this worse? You

aid T’boli women to live through the hand-

can find these answers within the recent

icraft of weaving, helping them locate buy-

eruption of a global health pandemic.

ers and sell at the market.

With the parameters of lockdown and the In a previously colonised country that con-

constant anxiety that one might catch the

tinues to become increasingly Westernised,

virus, people avoid leaving their homes and

the T’boli people, and many of the country’s

coming into contact with others at all costs.

indigenous people, are struggling to bear

This has inevitably led to an economic re-

the weight of globalisation.

cession, as people stop going to work and only buy vital goods.

For the children, many struggle finding a school to attend as few are available in the

In this respect, the T’nalak weavers have

far out provinces in which they live. For those

been hit badly.

that do find schools, indigenous students struggle to maintain pride in their identities.

Miss Ofong informed us that because the

As Maria Lourie Victor at the Department

T’nalak weavers have no customers, the

of Education’s Indigenous Peoples Educa-

T’boli women are now unable to earn a live-

tion Office outlined, modern curriculums

lihood. The pandemic has left them dread-

convey indigenous culture as seemingly ir-

fully unprepared, and unable to buy a ma-

relevant. This wedges a gap with their el-

jority of their daily necessities.

ders and encourages a sense of resentment for indigenous culture within the children.

Furthermore, she highlighted that the meagre five kilograms of rice and one piece of

Indigenous communities also face “devel-

fish from the local government unit provid-

opment aggression”, development projects

ed for the entire community.

that violate the human and judicial rights of indigenous people. Despite laws designed

Miss Ofong tells us about the NFTP and La-

to protect ancestral lands (such as the In-

cuna, their NGO partners who collaborat-

digenous People’s Rights Act of 1997), many

ed to form the initiative Katutubo Kontra

indigenous communities have found their

Covid in order to supply the T’boli and oth-

lands brutally snatched by exploitative com-

er local indigenous communities with basic

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necessities such as rice, seeds, rubbing alcohol and more. But this has left our indigenous people precariously reliant upon donations.

As a result, our living ancestors have been left hungry and vulnerable.

I often think back to the dreamweavers and their ancient craft. The swift and sturdy loom, the values, culture, and beliefs woven into the intricate geometric patterns of the T’nalak fabric. However these feelings of pride for our country are always immediately overridden by a wave of shame.

Our national heritage is at risk. People’s lives and futures are at risk.

We are in desperate times now, that is no doubt. But we must place compassion, consideration, and love at the forefront of our consciousness to help those that need more than we do.

If we don’t protect the T’nalak weavers, there will be no dream to weave, no heritage to pass down to our children, and no respect for who we were, are, and are still yet to become.

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an interview with journalists Rocio Trillo, Beacon Academy

In times of uncertainty, we seek refuge in the truth. However, in the age of social media and fake news professional journalists are the backbone of the truth we seek to find. Every morning we bestow our trust in them. Having the certainty that they will present the current state of the world without any hidden agendas or biases, with the hopes that today will be better than yesterday. I had the privilege to speak two truth tellers of such turbulent times. Asking them what makes risking their lives every morning worth it, how daily operations are run, and the stories that have greatly affected them.

Reporter 1 best describes his love for journalism by saying, “This business is mentally taxing. It gives you a lot of sleepless nights, more than ever crying over a failed romance I tell you. So that’s why you have to have that feeling. You have to want it. It’s like liking a person, you know, liking the industry, or being in the industry. You have to have a nose for it. “

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Now we know the why, but what about the how? Both journalists made it clear that when you’re in journalism, there is no such thing as a normal day per se. They’re expected to be on call 24/7. In the context of COVID, there are a lot of times where they are able to work from home and have to wake up earlier than their normal schedule. Deployed sometime around three o’clock in the afternoon until twelve midnight. There isn’t really a set day and the pandemic actually amplified that feeling of spontaneity. Emphasizing that there is no more excuse for being late since they are afforded the privilege of writing from home.

Field reporters go in groups of thees which include - the driver, camera operator, and reporter. Both reporters have equally expressed that they take a lot of time thinking about how to protect themselves and their team in daily operations. It’s become a part of the checklist aside from making sure that they have the story. A general rule is that no story is worth one person’s life. Reporter 1 chimes in and says, “Although an exception would be if I get an exclusive, of course never forgetting to weigh the options.”

Another essential feature of being a journalist is accuracy and credibility. In times of great human concern like this one, reporters must get it right. According to both journalists, accuracy leads to people gravitating towards you and respecting the network. Credibility is a sign of trust. The reason being that one small blunder on social media cost the image of not just a journalist, but also their entire network.

Fact-checking starts from the source. On the ground level, they have to make sure that when writing a script or a digital article. It goes through a series of editorial people called the row. It’s a function that’s designed to double-check and triple-check what you’re writing and seeing. It’s a practice that’s shared around the world. There’s a second or third set of eyes that will actually look upon what field reporters are writing. And for them on the personal level, they like to double-check triple check just in case.

Reporter 2 offers a detailed example illustrating how she had to fact check presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. Roque mentioned that the testing capacity of the Philippines is already at 32,000. However, Reporter 2 has been covering the health beat for COVID-19 for quite a while. She knew that the actual testing capacity was below 30,000.

At that time Roque came out with those numbers the actual testing capacity at that time

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was around 10,000. She had to get a reaction from the DOH (Department of Health) to clarify what Roque was saying. “Being aware of what happens and what already happened you’ll be able to be more accurate when it comes to fact-checking. You’ll identify information that needs to be fact-checked”, she adds.

Report 1 remarks journalists are essentially “robbed of perspective” when it comes to personal/political views. He continues by saying “It’s not really my job to analyze or to give opinions on what the story is all about. You leave it to the people commenting on social media. Leave the analysis to them. However, there is a thing such as putting context in reporting and that’s not being opinionated. That’s stating the truth, as Christiane Amanpour would always say you have to be truthful, not neutral. Neutrality is somehow siding with what is perceived to be the oppressor. The ultimate responsibility for most journalists is to get the sides of the story that are concerning.”

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Apart from the critical aspect of field reporting is finding generosity and humanity around us. Reporter 1 reflects on the heartwarming stories witnessed on the field. It was the first day of the travel restrictions in Susannah Heights. He was just covering the story and then I kind of saw a guy parked up to the side of the road, bringing boxes. Not knowing what he brought Reporter 1 decided to interview him. Finding out that he was a dentist named Dr. Noel Florida. He started giving out facemasks to PPE police officers who were manning the checkpoints. It’s just a small thing and acts of kindness seem to be a trademark of the Filipino Reporter 1 mentions with a smile.

With acts of goodness are an equal amount of heartbreaking stories. Reporter 2 mentioned how an OFW who died waiting for a bus just to reach home as well as the people on the streets going hungry because there’s not enough help from the government. She later says it gives us the space to reflect on what we can do to make things better.

In conclusion, despite facing a global pandemic, economic recession, political turmoil journalists make sure we know what we’re facing. In times of uncertainty, they help us navigate fact from fiction. Because as the majority of us are cooped up in our homes, they make sure we are not detached from the outside world. They present empirical evidence that we can choose to ignore or not. They fearlessly call out people in positions of power to hold them accountable for their actions. And more importantly, they enable us to reflect on stories bigger than ourselves.

*The reporters agreed to meet with me on the condition that their identities shall not be revealed for safety reasons.

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60

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Aidan Gocheco at Aniceto Cajigal, Xavier School Sunod-sunod ang pagkabigo na naranasan ng Pilipinas ngayong taon. Sa kabila ng mga babala ng iba’t ibang pandaigdigang grupo, hindi tayo naging handa sa mga kinalabasan ng COVID-19 pandemya. Bawat antas ng lipunan at bawat uri ng negosyo ay napinsala. Ano ba ang mga idinulot nito sa sektor ng edukasyon?

Ang sektor ng edukasyon ay isa sa mga malubhang naapektuhan ng COVID-19 dahil sa mga bagong hadlang na kinakailangang mabigyang-tuon nang maibigay ang nararapat na edukasyon sa kabataan.

Dahil sa COVID-19, natigil sa ngayon ang karaniwang operasyon ng mga paaralan.

Ito ay para maipatupad ang panukalang “social distancing.” Sa ngayon, wala pang kasiguruhan ang pisikal na pagbalik sa paaralan. Kaya, sa ngayon ang DepEd, DOH, at ang iba’t ibang pribadong paaralan ay patuloy na nagsisikap upang makagawa ng paraan na mabigyan ang mga estudyante ng nararapat na edukasyon, habang hindi nakokompromiso ang kanilang kalusugan.

Sa ilang pribadong paaralan, ang “online distance learning” ay naging paraan upang matuloy ang pagbibigay ng edukasyon ngayong panahon ng COVID-19.

Nagagawa ng mga pribadong paaralan ito dahil karamihan sa mga estudyante nila ay may pera at kakayahan para sa kinakailangan na gadyet at internet para sa online learning.

Ngunit, iba ang kalagayan ng mga guro at mga estudyante ng pampublikong paaralan. Hindi lahat sa kanila ay nakakagamit ng internet, at marami-rami din ang hindi nagpalista sa paaralan sa darating na pasukan. Ayon kay Ramos (2020), ulat ng Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations na mahigit sa 2 milyong estudyante ang inaasahang hindi magpalista sa kanilang paaralan o lumipat sa pampublikong paaralan. Dahil sa pagkawalan ng trabaho at negosyo dulot ng ekonomiyang bumabagsak, marami ang mawawalan ng pera na maar-

62

ing gamitin sana na pang-enroll sa pribadong paaralan.

Higit pa dito, ang edukasyong maibibigay ng pampublikong paaralan ay hindi sapat para sa kanilang mga estudyante. Isang dahilan nito ay ang pagkukulang ng mga guro. Ayon kay De Vera (2020), binawasan ng ₱21.9 bilyon ang budget ng DepEd dahil sa The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. Bago pa nagsimula ang krisis ng COVID-19, ang mga guro ng mga pampublikong paaralan ay kabilang na sa pinakamababang sinuswelduhan na mga empleyado ng gobyerno. Kaunti na nga ang mga guro ng pampublikong paaralan, tapos babawasan pa ang kanilang sweldo. Dahil dito, hindi magiging sapat ang mga guro na magtuturo sa estudyante ng pampublikong paaralan. Ang eduksayong ngayong makukuha ng mga estudyante ito ay mako-

mga estudyante na mag-aral nang mag-isa.

Ang iskedyul rin ng mga klase ay hindi gaano kahigpit upang makatulong sa mga nahihirapan sa paggamit ng internet.

Sa kabila nito, ang pampublikong sektor ay walang tigil na kumikilos upang mabigyan ang mga estudyante ng nararapat na edukasyon ngayong panahon ng COVID. Tunay na hindi pwedeng alisin ang darating na pasukan dahil mahalaga ang edukasyon para sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa, lalong lalo na sa panahon ng krisis.

Dahil sa kakulangan ng kagamitan para sa “online distance learning”, iminungkahi ng DepEd na itulak ang F2F o Face-2-Face na

kompromiso.

klase ngayong taon. Ngunit, ipinagbawal ito

Ayon kay Nedusca (2019), halata ang agwat

ang pag-aaral kung nasa panganib ang bu-

ng pagkaroon ng serbisyong internet kung ipagkukumpara ang lungsod at ang panlalawigan. Isang halimbawa nito ay makikita sa sa lungsod ng Davao kung saan halos 80.9% ng nakatira dito ay nakakagamit ng 4G Connection. Habang sa mga lugar na panlalawigan, 55.3% lamang ng mga nakatira doon ay nakakagamit ng 4G Connection.

Dahil dito, siguradong hindi magiging patas

kaagad ni Pangulong Duterte. Walang silbi hay ng estudyante. Dahil dito, tulad ng pribadong sektor, pinili ng DepEd na isagawa ang “online distance learning”, kahit na mas mahirap ito para sa kanila. Nangongolekta sila ng pondo para dito, ngunit hindi pa talaga tiyak kung maisasagawa ito nang matagumpay. Kung hindi ito magagawa, mapipilitan silang gumamit ng ibang paraan katulad ng pagbahagi ng printed modules sa lahat ng

ang edukasyon na maibibigay sa kabataan.

estudyante. Ayon sa DepEd, ginagawa pa rin

Dahil sa malawak na kakayahan ng mga prib-

kung ano ang mangyayari sa pampublikong

adong paaralan, nakagawa sila ng malilinaw na plano para sa darating na taon. Gagamit sila ng iba’t ibang mga online na aplikasyon katulad ng Schoology, Zoom, Google Classroom, at Managebac. Dahil hindi magkasama ang guro at ang mga estudyante sa isang silid-aralan, naisasagawa ang isang learning environment sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng internet. Ang paraan ng pag-aaral na ito

nila ang kanilang kaya. Hindi pa malinaw sektor.

Ang pag-e-enroll sa paaralan ay sinimulan na ng mga pampribadong at pampublikong paaralan. Kahit na mahirap ang panahon ngayon, sana ay hindi mawalan ng pag-asa ang mamamayang Pilipino, at manatiling matiyaga ang pamahalaan upang mapagtagumpayan ang krisis na ito.

ay mas malaya. Dahil dito, kinakailangan ng

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Sarah Park, International School Manila

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The coronavirus has made its way to every continent, to every corner of the globe. But even with its global reach, it is far from the “great equalizer” it is commonly referred to as. On Thursday, May 11, a report from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the depth of inequality in COVID-related deaths.

Data collected by the National Public Radio (NPR) further confirmed that some ethnic groups were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 cases and deaths in the US as well.

The ONS figures for England and Wales accounts for age, area of residence, and prior health, while also combining figures from COVID-19 deaths with the 2011 national census.

NPR’s analysis compares each racial group’s percentage of infections of deaths with their share of a state’s population.

Either study cannot be considered entirely complete or accurate.

For example, race or ethnicity is unknown for half of the cases and 10% of the deaths in the US, and ethnicity was previously not included on death certificates in parts of the UK. However, though gaps remain, there is a clear pattern:

communities of colour are being hit disproportionately hard by COVID-19.

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Models from the ONS show that black women were 4.3 times more likely and black men were 4.2 times more likely to die a COVID-related death than white men and women. The stark difference suggested other unexplained factors, such as underlying diseases,racial discrimination, and likeliness to work in public-facing roles. Yet even when adjusted for these factors, black men and women were still 1.9 times more likely to die a COVID-related death than white people in the UK. Data collected by NPR told a similar story even after being adjusted for the US population by state.

“Nationally, AfricanAmerican deaths from COVID-19 are nearly two times greater than would be expected based on their share of the population. In four states, the rate is three or more times greater.”

The ONS study also found that Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian, and people of mixed ethnicities were at a significantly higher risk. Adjusted models reveal Bangladeshi and Pakistani men are 1.8 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than white men, while women of the same ethnic groups, were 1.6 times more likely to die than their white counterparts.

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These alarming figures follow an analysis through April 19 by the Guardian which found that 20% of coronavirus patients that died in a hospital in England were of black, Asian, or minority ethnic (BAME) background. While it is evident the majority of patients deaths were of white people, BAME residents make up only 15% of England’s population.

In April, US officers reported that 72% of people who died COVIDrelated deaths in Chicago, Illinois were black, despite AfricanAmericans making up only 30% of the city’s population. In Louisiana, African Americans accounted for around 70% of deaths, but only made up 32% of the population.

This pattern is not unique to the UK and the US, although these statistics are considerably relevant coming from the countries with the highest COVID death toll in Europe and worldwide respectively. Reports from other parts of the world, including Nordic countries and France, continue to raise concerns about the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of ethnic minorities.

While the issue is evidently severe, there are various factors that complicate studying a disease across ethnic groups, as stated by British Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam. These factors include “age, underlying medical conditions, deprivation, and

geography.” Still, governments have taken this issue seriously, and have produced possible explanations for the disparity in death rates.

One critical explanation was produced in a study done by scientists at the University of Oxford and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The study suggested that data should be collectedon occupational risk to create a clearer picture of its effect. “Other possible explanations for increased risk among BAME groups relate to higher infection risk, including over-representation in ‘front-line’ professions with higher exposure to infection,” the study reports. Although only accounting for 14% of the population of England and Wales, nearly 21% of front liners and healthcare staff are from BAME groups. Black, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani populations have also been shown to face higher levels of unemployment and poverty than white groups, which may reflect their levels of participation in high risk occupations like caring and health, delivery workers, drivers, and retail workers.

Additionally, Mayor Sadiq Khan said that minorities in London are “more likely to work in lower-paid jobs, live in overcrowded accommodation and suffer from underlying health conditions,” clearly putting them at a greater risk of infection.

A study of the English Housing Survey confirmed this.

From 2014 to 2017, only 2% of white British households experienced overcrowding, as opposed to 30% of Bangladeshi households, 16% of Pakistani households, and 12% of black households.

For many African Americans in the US, inequality is also firmly ingrained in access to social and medical care, and the effects of this are reflected in death tolls.

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It is worth mentioning that historically, there have been many forms of racial discrimination and inequality that have carried into the present day. While people and governments have strived to close this gap, its effects have taken an unprecedented toll on the livelihoods of minorities in the twenty-first century.

Helen Barnard, acting director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said it best:

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Amadine Alcantara, International School Manila

The flourishing development of agriculture

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 1 in 9 peo-

has been of utmost importance to society

ple, according to a study conducted by the

since the beginning of humanity. From for-

UN, suffered from hunger and food insecu-

aging to farming, societies have been able

rity. The outbreak of a new infectious dis-

to utilize this element of life for the conti-

ease will only further contribute to the esca-

nuity of food supply and the provision of

lation of these shocking figures with special

raw materials. Today, agricultural devel-

regard to the urban poor, the marginalized,

opment is essential to ending extreme pov-

and other vulnerable groups. With more

erty, sustaining economic growth and feed-

than half a billion people in Asia suffering

ing an estimated 9.7 billion people by 2050.

from hunger even prior to the outbreak, what more will the pandemic do? Health -

The emergence of COVID-19 and its rapid

for all - will be in total jeopardy. A height-

growth has sparked changes in economic

ened state of panic is sure to commence, and

and social norms. Upon the initial impres-

feelings of fatality and fear of the unknown

sion that global food markets would re-

will lead to inevitable panic buying for those

main well supplied amid this unpredictable

that have the ability to buy food, causing

time, food security was given little empha-

a greater extent of instability, deadly eco-

sis worldwide.

nomic collapse, and further exposure of socioeconomic variances.

Presently, humanity is reaching a point where unilateral food export decisions and falling national revenues will have cataclysmic effects on food insecure countries, further amplifying an array of health problems to the vulnerable, and increasing the wealth gap.

Wealth concentration, or the pre-existing spatial division according to wealth status is an involving factor that supports the theoretical trajectory of the sector’s collapse.

Those of the upper class and those of the lower class start in opposing vicinities and as income inequality increases, these existing discrepancies become even greater.

Furthermore, multiple studies and empirical evidence from the UN, WHO and Forbes have shown that the contrast between rich and poor not only manifests in income in-

72

equality, but will be further emphasized during the pandemic since resource shortages will appear in areas with lower levels of wealth. This reveals a great distinction in food supply and agricultural means between those in underprivileged communities and those in affluent areas.

Food security will be critically compromised. Along with effects such as surge of prices and the loss of revenue due to unfaltering economic contraction, communities will crumble in deep despair and a great loss will be seen. By the end of 2020, the UN warns that 265 million people could be facing acute food insecurity and large losses for producers will be experienced. In Southeast Asia, densely populated cities like Bangkok and Jakarta have experienced panic buying with the initial announcement of lockdown which has led to shortages according to FAO. In the Philippines alone, agriculture output has shown a 1.2% decline for the first quarter of 2020 from the 0.4% growth from 2019. Additionally, Asia’s agricultural system is not as mechanized as the West, and as such manpower plays a vital role. Under lockdown, there is no manpower and we are risking a looming food crisis. Livelihoods will be lost due to the collapse of the agricultural sector alone, and it is vital to sustain global food chains and cast attention to the vulnerable poor, while applying measures to mitigate the impact of the disease to the whole food system.

Obvious differences have yet again been demonstrated in the way in which nations cushion and mitigate the effect on the working class.

While the placement of billions in quarantine has stopped the spread of COVID-19, a new problem has arisen. There are billions of people with no source of income that must be fed. International relations are as important as ever, and decisive action should be taken as developing and import-dependent nations struggle and capitulate to shocks from

73

global food markets. Small Island Developing States, primarily dependent on the tourism sector, have already experienced struggles to pay for imported food with the limitations on domestic and international travel.The lost revenues resulting from slowing economic activity and depleting economic growth will contribute to the spiraling collapse. As the world comes to an abrupt halt due to the imposed lockdowns and the closure of borders as well as humanitarian issues, food markets will be drastically impacted by logistical constraints, labour shortages, and fluctuating supply and demand, putting intense pressure on food price. If we are unable to solve this issue and reach a global consensus, mortality rates will boost at anunprecedented level.

We must avoid the doom loop. Higher unemployment rates will inevitably lead to low income and less consumption will drive the economy into a vicious cycle of lower production output and slower global growth. Wealthier nations with greater access to resources can widen the gap between developed nations and emerging markets, contributing to economic inequality, because developing countries are particularly exposed to shocks, and remain dependent on imports. In order to develop effective responses to COVID-19 related food shortages or shocks, it is necessary to restructure our international food system to overcome financial and political instability and secure communities from health conflicts and the depletion of natural sources. Despite the most substantial macroeconomic effects deriving

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from high income countries, poor producer communities are deemed most vulnerable in like scenarios, due to the high consumption of poultry and cereal grains, and the amplification of economic consequences by consumer reactions. With these fragilities noted, major food export reliant countries must regard respective commitments under the WTO for the continuous flow of product and avoid imposing export bans and other trade changing measures that could potentially put a toll on import availability. Bureaucratic processes and national authorities must address this issue to ensure that any transboundary movements of commodities are not altered with the closure of borders, and contemplate allowing products to come to urban centres to prevent the likelihood of food shortages and decrease panic buying. The prospect of global food shortages and inflation can be mitigated by governments - with the support of financial institutes and international organizations - and stimulus packages can sustain the agricultural sector with seed distribution, programs and machinery subsidies, as exemplified during the Great Recession of 2008-2009. Imperatively, mistakes made during the 20072008 food price crisis should not be repeated, with the likelihood that major cereal exporters are to espouse trade barriers and export bans now, as experienced during the 2007-2008 crisis. Lastly, neoliberal reforms such as market oriented changes to deregulate markets, policies that are against free market capitalism and the lowering of trade barriers should be well considered by all authorities and leaders.

In focus on the historical aspect, it must be perceived that problems materializing now can actually be paralleled to that of the Great Depression and era of the Great Influenza Pandemic, exposing what is known as the Social Cycle Theory. During that era, insecurities of the middle class were being emphasized much in comparison to the poor, similar to what is happening presently. Topically, The agricultural sector fell into depression in the 1920s. Agriculture played a crucial role in the enduring effects of the Depression, and with recent data and sequential economic downfall widespread, it is imaginable that the economic fallout of the sector today may present lasting effects in the future. With this recognized,

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history will be our judge on how we respond at the darkest hour. With These past historical recounts, pandemics ultimately drive humans apart. When fear overrides normal bonds of human connection, it reaches the extent where social distancing becomes a virtue. This induced feeling of fatalism appears when it is realized how little control humans have over their lives and with the extremity of the pandemic internalized, this invoked fear will manifest into social behavioural shifts. Many Governments are actualizing endeavors towards this matter like enlarging greater focus on existing livelihood, anti-poverty and food programs, which in turn contributes to the narrowing of the wealth gap.

Imposed quarantine and social distancing has thus provoked altruistic behaviors, in part of this “We’re all in this together� spirit which has been heavily spread through the media. Thus, portraying that measures

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and policies implemented prior are being even further encouraged, now more than ever. And, empirical evidence also suggests that governments are in the stages of discussing steps towards reform.

The collapse of agriculture and the rise of food insecurity taps into interrelated parts of life. To address the issue, correcting these pre-existing structural inequalities is key.

While the outbreak of disease has the potential to impact all societal groups, these impacts will be felt differently by different groups. At this juncture, it is truly worth reflecting on who is most vulnerable. With the rapid growth of the pandemic, the way we operate must be viewed from an equity-focused lens. The COVID-19 pandemic will leave lasting impacts on pre-existing economies and societies, and measures must be taken to secure the world. A paradigm shift is needed immediately.

“COVID-19 has forced all of us to reimagine how we deliver an engaging and holistic learning experience for students. While it presents its challenges, it is also a massive opportunity to break out of old habits and create new, impactful, relevant modes of learning that take advantage of technology and this moment.�

Gaidi Faraj, dean of African Leadership University

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Ashley Tan, Beacon Academy With college comes new experiences.

“The College Experience”. Nearly every student has dreamt of this in one way or another. From a new campus to forming lasting relationships to the long-awaited independence from family. The college experience awaits. Just like anything, what the experience entails has been and will be different for everyone. But the focal points of the college experience have been vastly similar across the globe for years - classes on campus, meet-ups with friends, on-campus living.

But times have changed and the long-awaited college experience we’ve come to know is going through a drastic revision.

For the longest time, college has been a necessity for opportunistic high school graduates. With very few exceptions, a college degree is necessary for a highpaying, high-status job which allows you to gain respect both socially and economically from friends, family, and society. Because of its importance, students around the world hold college education to utmost importance. This time-consuming and stressful education has continuously led students into financial debt that they must pay back with their hard-earned money even 78years after graduating. According to a

study by the Federal Reserve, in the US alone, over half of the batch 2018 college graduates graduated with an average debt balance of $29,800 (about 1.5m in Philippine pesos). This problem has called for a solution through improvements in the outmoded college system. Many colleges around the world have created extensive plans to improve the college experience through slowly implementing innovative ideas with the use of technology. But all these plans have ended up doing is collecting dust on a bookshelf. Without a drastic change, the outdated college system will remain that way.

Here comes COVID-19, which, for the wellbeing of the entire college population, necessitates restrictions on campus life. With this in mind, to provide efficient and effective education to their students, colleges were forced to quickly implement newly made temporary ideas that change the college experience as we know it. Among other changes, this includes moving classes online, canceling study abroad programs, and closing campus life. Outside of schoolwork or basic necessities, many college students were and still are confined to their homes wondering how this global health crisis will affect their college experience. Is this global health crisis the drastic change that will develop the dated college system… that will change the college experience as we know it?

Here comes COVID-19, which, for the wellbeing of the entire college population, necessitates restrictions on campus life. With this in mind, to provide efficient and effective education to their students, colleges were forced to quickly implement newly made temporary ideas that change the college experience as we know it. Among other changes, this includes moving classes online, canceling study abroad programs, and closing campus life. Outside of schoolwork or basic necessities, many college students were and still are confined to their homes wondering how this global health crisis will affect their college experience.

Is this global health crisis the drastic change that will develop the dated college system... that will change the college experience a we know it?

In our new normal, the logistics of the new college experience remains an uncertainty. Even the plans of colleges around the world to reopen this academic year are varying and undetermined. Plans include welcoming students back to campus making sure to implement and uphold guidelines for the wellbeing of students, teachers, and faculty. Colleges that plan to do this aim to limit residential occupancy, postpone reopening of schools, and ending the academic year before thanksgiving. This is because students expressed difficulties of remote learning due to lack of resources and this is the only way some colleges can stay afloat financially. Another plan includes having online classes throughout the academic year. This aims to compel students to attend college classes instead of taking a gap year. Other colleges plan to shift class schedules to minimize virus transmission by alternating the in-person student population, minimizing student population on campus for the whole academic year, and block scheduling, among other things. But many more colleges are still scoping the situation and are uncertain about how to reopen in the coming academic year.

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As an incoming high school junior this uncertainty for the college experience in the upcoming academic year makes me think of how uncertain my batches’ college experience is. In two years, will there be more online colleges than on campus colleges? Will there be study abroad restrictions? Will college still be an essential part of our education system?

Inevitably, the college experience we’ve all come to know will be changed forever - how it will be changed, how drastic the change will be, and if this change is advantageous is still an uncertainty.

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Tara Tulshyan, International School Manila

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In late May, Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte announced that there would be no face-to-face classes until a vaccine is found for COVID-19.

This was later reinforced by the Department of Education in early June.

The basis of this order lies in that schools would be a breeding ground for the coronavirusdue to the virus’ exponential spread in public spaces.

However, the government’s proposed alternative learning methods, suchas online-learning and printed modules, seem to be difficult to implement and could lead to an education gap in the Philippines.

The nation has been struck hard by COVID-19. Although the cases are relatively low, the death rates are much higher compared to other countries. The Philippines’ healthcare system was illequipped for the exhaustion of resources caused by the virus; when the virus hit, there was a lack of medical supplies, medicine, and staff. Furthermore, the virus has caused damage to the economy: stock prices plummeted, unemployment increased and the value of peso reduced. The government has suffered great economic burden and thus, funding towards education will likely decrease in the coming years. With a limited budget, methods of distance learning are limited as well.

Public schools will not be able to effectively provide the best learning methods that cater to students’ circumstances.

Furthermore, COVID-19 has caused a financial strain on many, impacting households burdening lower-incomes in the Philippines. This has worsened the already severe wealth disparity in the country. In 2018, the wealth gap was already large in the Philippines, those in the richest 10% earned 7.6 times more than the poorest 10%. COVID-19 has only created an even wider gap. Proposals such as online learning will further enhance the education gap which is directly linked to the wealth gap. Financial struggles caused by the pandemic will hinder some students’ ability to gain quality education as well as pressure them into joining the workforce early to obtain an income for their families. However since their education is inferior to those who have graduated from college, it is difficult for them to obtain higher-paying jobs, continuing the cycle of poverty.

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While online learning provides an opportunity for students to directly communicate with their teachers through a screen, it requires selfdiscipline and self-direction.

Compared to regular schooling, teachers cannot monitor students to check if they are being productive, permitting students to forgo their responsibilities such as classwork and homework.

Additionally, students cannot be held accountable for skipping classes. Despite these setbacks, online learning is still a privilege. It allows students to ask feedback from their teachers, work on group projects, and further enhance their learning through the internet.

However, online learning is also costly, requiring electronic devices and a stable internet connection, both of which many students and teachers in the Philippines do not have access to at home. Many public school students cannot afford the facilities for online learning, and as a consequence are neglected, while wealthier students are able to progress with their education.

This violates the principle ethics of education.

Education should be accessible to all, and should not be dependent on one’s socioeconomic status.

On the other hand, the Philippine government introduced printed modules as another option for students without the tools for online learning, this method still lacks direct student and teacher communication, which is a large factor in learning effectively. When there is direct student-teacher communication, it allows students to ask questions, receive feedback, and further improve their work.

Without constant communication with teachers, students are unfairly left on their own to learn. While the government has also suggested radio -based learning which aids in providing students with a chance to connect with their teachers, it still lacks the much needed face-to-face connection.

The longer the vaccine will take, the greater the education gap will be between the rich and the poor.

Poorer students will truly lag behind the rest and it is unfair for education to rely on ones’ wealth. The method of online learning ignores lessprivileged students and caters only to a small percentage that can afford it, undermining the purpose of education and resulting in an alarming disparity between the education of different social classes.

Therefore, the Department of Education must establish effective ways where all students are able to learn at the same rate - systems that are fair, unbiased and accessible to all students.

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While the situation is precarious, having no school until a vaccine unfairly disadvantages less privileged students.

Looking to the future, it might be impossible to close both the wealth and education gap caused by COVID-19. There needs to be other options for students regardless of their circumstances. For instance, the government could introduce a schedule for students to come to school, where they can control the number of students attending at one time. Face-to-face education is irreplaceable, and it is important that it is reintroduced as quickly as possible. Experts suggest that it could take 12-18 months for a vaccine to be available to the general masses. If schools will remain closed until a vaccine is ready, it is the duty of the educational system to ensure that no student is left behind.

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Amelie De Leon, International School Manila

Time after time, we’ve seen the power of human resilience. We lasted through the Black Death, WWII and even atomic bombs.

2020, however, has truly been a year of stumbling blocks. From forest fires in Australia to deadly famines in Yemen, everyone was affected to some degree. But no one could predict that the worst was yet to come.

In came COVID19, amplifying the already precarious position our world was in.

Public officials placed their efforts towards

In a time where our efforts should be united towards flattening the curve, COVID-19 only encouraged further polarization and segregation across nations.

Under the backdrop of the Coronavirus, marginalized communities facing discrimination and injustice slowly began to unveil themselves to the public eye.

containing the spread and implementing social distancing as soon as they could. But

I categorized these conditions into 4 types

the amount of underlying effects the virus

of oppression: xenophobia, religious dis-

would bring was immeasurable.

crimination, classism, and racism.

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Xenophobia is defined as the “dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.”

This has been most apparent during the COVID19 outbreak.

Asian communities have suffered the most blows due to the coronavirus. Reports of hate crimes across the world have increased, where individuals report being told to “go back to China.” Viral videos have surfaced of Asians being chased with hand sanitizer and being called racial slurs such as chink. In a time where our world was becoming increasingly interconnected through globalization, the Coronavirus has turned us inward.

Politicians have further advanced their nativist agenda through this, evidenced through President Trump’s label of the coronavirus as the “China virus” (China being the epicenter of the virus). In fact, database website Factbase added that the president used the term “Chinese virus” more than 20 times between March 16th to March 30th. Although Republican media promoted the term “Chinese virus” as a battle against “political correctness”, why could the term be harmful?

By conflating the virus with an ethnicity, Trump directly fuels the flames of resentment and disgust towards Asian Americans. Language not only functions as a rhetorical device, it can end up shaping our world view. Labelling the virus by medical terms allows for neutrality and does not scapegoat a particular community.

Conspiracy theories have been at the forefront of media outlets, bombarding individuals with numerous cases of fake news. For example, the 5G conspiracy, where people speculated that China-made 5G towers spread the virus, was rooted in COVID19’s xenophobic nature.

We’re not just living through a pandemic; we’re also living through a global misinformation crisis.

Islamophobia, an already present threat in several EU countries, has been magnified by the virus conspiracy theories. A recent study conducted by Imran Awan and Roxana Khan-Williams, stated that “Islamophobic on-

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line ‘cyber hubs’ were being formed which linked Muslims to the spread of COVID-19 in the form of spreading anti-Muslim memes and sharing fake news stories.” Far-right parties have notoriously used the virus to promote discrimination among Muslim populations, particularly in the UK. Tommy Robinson, a member of an Islamophobic organization, recently posted a video of worshippers exiting a mosque in Birmingham. The video was met with extreme criticism, leading people to believe that British Muslims were flaunting lockdown restrictions. In reality, it was taken 2 weeks prior to the lockdown. Despite the falsity of these claims, Islamophobic theories have begun to be accepted in mainstream society, creating large echochambers of information which promote these hateful messages. A Time report revealed that the hashtag #CoronaJihad was used by 300,000 tweets and seen by 165 million people on Twitter.

As these trends cement themselves in a person’s digital headspace, we begin to associate Muslims with these negative connotations. It is a horrifying notion and the media only encourages it.

Having a virus affect people from all walks of life has magnified the system of economic inequality in this day and age.

In the Philippines, this has been most evident during the nation’s strict lockdown. Working class families, now banned from leaving their homes, are unable to work to earn money for basic necessities to survive - food, clean water, even electricity. The government’s restrictive laws have banned public transportation, mass gatherings, and implemented a strict curfew; in the process, the laws completely isolate these marginalized communities.

Interviews conducted by Rappler found that Filipinos feared hunger and starvation more than contracting the virus itself. People in the village of San Roque, an impoverished area in the Philippines, have barely enough to scrape by, causing them to rely on government aid or charity donations. But food aid has been extremely limited. Only 2,500 of the 7,000 families living in San Roque received food aid. A viral video emerged showing a group of poor families waiting in line for relief goods. As they waited around amongst the throngs of people, police showed up, violently diffusing the crowd with riot gear. As a result, 21 residents of San Roque were arrested for violating quarantine protocol.

Currently, many developing nations face similar problems as governments in the past have neglected programs or policies designed to alleviate poverty levels. Under these challenging situations, governments face much more difficulty in not only preventing the spread of the virus, but ensuring that their citizens have access to basic commodities as well.

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The Black Lives Matter movement has reached new momentum under COVID19, transforming a US-centric movement into an international advocacy.

As state governors began enforcing social distancing restrictions across the US, officers used this to their advantage to continually terrorise African Americans. In New York for example, African Americans made up a staggering 93% of coronavirus-related arrests, highlighting the racial inequality present in the nation.

Horrific stories plagued our newsfeeds: a man shot while jogging in his neighborhood. Another choked for paying for cigarettes with an alleged counterfeit bill. A woman in her own home shot 8 times for alleged involvement in the drug trade.

These stories have names: George Floyd.

Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. These are only some of the thousands of innocent lives taken away due to a prejudiced and unjust police force. Why did being black in America constitute a death sentence?

The anger and frustration felt by all African ethnic groups has developed into a severe uprising of protests at an international scale. Protests in support of the movement have occurred in Tokyo, London, Belgium, and many other cities. People have taken to the streets demanding what America has undoubtedly robbed from them - human rights. Many have risked their lives to advocate for changes in a system that has continuously put them down and made them feel worthless.

In conclusion, COVID-19 has truly created an atmosphere of fear and distrust, exacerbating existing tensions against the marginalized and oppressed. But it’s a double edged sword.

In reaction to these injustices, social media activism has been at an all time high. Policies have been made to change the status quo. People have shown interest, taken the time to educate themselves. Our world is moving in the right direction; it only took a virus to sow the seeds of the revolution. 2020 isn’t only a year of stumbling blocks, it’s a year for positive change.

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Priyasha Chakravati International School Manila operate worldwide. The incumbent director-general is Tedros Adhanom.

The WHO is the only global health agency that has the authority to develop international health norms and facilitate dialogue All eyes have been set on the WHO since the

between member states. It has experienced

start of the COVID 19 pandemic, and much of

several successes over the years and has

the attention has been negative. The organ-

aided in disease outbreaks and humanitar-

isation has garnered criticism from major

ian crises all over the world. For example,

countries like the United States and NGOs,

the WHO spearheaded a global vaccine pro-

regarding its late reaction to the pandem-

gram which helped eradicate smallpox in

ic, its close relationship with China, and its

the 1970s. Recent accomplishments include

changing claims.

the deployment of 3.5 million vaccines in response to the yellow fever outbreak in Brazil in 2017, and setting up vaccination camps in countries like Nigeria to ensure the non-re-

The WHO is a part of the United Nations

surgence of diseases such as polio.

and was founded in 1948. Since its initiation, the organisation has played a key role in helping its member countries tackle pub-

Despite the WHO’s contributions to the in-

lic health issues. In 2003, the WHO estab-

ternational community, the organization

lished its headquarters in Geneva, Switzer-

has also garnered criticism. Firstly, the or-

land. Currently, it is a large international

ganisation does not have strong enforce-

organisation with over 194 member coun-

ment mechanisms to ensure that countries

tries and over 8,000 doctors, epidemiolo-

implement certain measures. Much like the

gists, managers and administrators who

United Nations, the WHO can only show-

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case research and recommend countries to implement certain policies.

The organisation has also faced criticism for being too bureaucratic, and dependent on major donors, preventing effective measures from being taken. The organization faced skepticism in its mishandling of the 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, as it took them five months to declare the virus a public health emergency. Several academic reports state that this delay contributed to the large scale of the outbreak.

What caused a major country like the US to slash funding and eventually pull out of the global health organisation?

The United States used to provide $400 million to $500 million of funding to the WHO per year. On April 14, 2020, President Trump announced he was cutting millions of dollars of funding to the organisation. By the end of May, the President announced the US would even pull out of the organisation, claiming that the WHO failed to, “adequately obtain, vet, and share information in a timely and transparent fashion.�

Although it is true that the WHO could have declared a pandemic

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earlier, is it really the WHO that allowed

ian state, and the WHO is not powerful

the coronavirus cases in the US to in-

enough to enter and conduct its own in-

crease rapidly? Democrats have accused

vestigations. If the organisation violated

President Trump of deflecting the blame

China’s sovereignty, the country would

to protect his public image for the No-

not have been willing to share informa-

vember elections. White House report-

tion.

ers claimed the President downplayed the severity of the virus long after the

Furthermore, the WHO faced further

WHO declared a public health emergen-

criticism for praising China’s handling

cy. The President only declared a state

of the coronavirus instead of condemn-

of emergency on March 13, 2020, and

ing the nation’s lack of transparency.

even wanted to reopen by Easter Sun-

The WHO did not address China’s accu-

day on April 12, 2020. Regardless of his

sation of Dr. Li Wenliang for “spreading

intentions, it is unfair to entirely blame

rumors” during the initial stages of the

the WHO and treat the organisation as

outbreak. He had tried to warn health

a scapegoat.

authorities about the outbreak early on, but was silenced by authorities.

The organisation’s tight knit relationship with China has caused controversy

After China’s slow response to early ev-

too. According to scientist Xiao Qiang,

idence of a virus, the country bounced

who was monitoring the initial spread of

back in terms of its response, illustrated

the virus in China, statements made by

by the nation’s aggressive policies. On

the WHO often echoed China’s messag-

March 10, 2020, Tedros Adhanom, the

es. The WHO was getting its informa-

director of the WHO, praised China’s ef-

tion from the same Chinese authorities

forts following a significant decline in

that lacked transparency in informing

coronavirus cases. So was the fact that

their own nation. However, the initial

the WHO was praising China entirely

stages of this pandemic were uncertain

invalid? It seems counterproductive to

for all parties involved. The WHO relied

believe the WHO has some ulterior mo-

heavily on the Wuhan Health Commis-

tive by praising instead of condemning

sion because they had details about the

China. However, the WHO must ensure

virus. Although some reports claim Chi-

it does not fall prey to political pressure,

nese authorities may have misreported

as it must operate as an independent en-

or covered up initial facts, it was still im-

tity.

portant for the WHO to collaborate with the country for information.

A final source of criticism the WHO is facing is surrounding its changing claims.

China is a very powerful country, one

During the early months of the corona-

of five permanent members in the Unit-

virus, the WHO had stated only those

ed Nations security council. The nation

who are experiencing flu-like symptoms

values its sovereignty as an authoritar-

or are sick, should wear masks. Howev-

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er, new information has been released which shows people with the coronavirus may be asymptomatic, suggesting everyone must wear protective masks of some kind to decrease the rate of infection. This is why cities and local municipalities have made the wearing of face masks compulsory. In my opinion, it is unfair to judge the WHO and lose trust in the organisation based solely on this reason. As mentioned earlier, the initial stages of the pandemic were uncertain, and new scientific research is constantly coming out. Health claims made today may change tomorrow. Also, if everyone started to wear masks from the beginning, there would have been a shortage for those who need it the most.

There will always be discussions about how each party involved could have responded better to early evidence of the pandemic.

It has encountered numerous successes over the years, and can only continue to do so if it is supported by its member nations. It is also important to move forward and figure out how we, as a society, can improve the way we respond to pandemics at a micro and macro level. There’s no use in placing the blame on any individual or thinking about the past when we should focus on moving forward.

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Anton Labos, Xavier School Having been confined to our homes due to

Quality tends to diminish as quantity in-

this global health crisis has afforded many

creases, and a decreased quality eventual-

of us the opportunity of finding new ways to

ly reduces any impact or service that can be

spend our quarantine. As such, the past few

provided. Spreading awareness, for exam-

months has seen a staggering rise in youth

ple, is a noble venture, yet the very quantity

organizations and student-led movements

of organizations dedicated to such a cause

expanding their influence on different so-

has led to a confusing stream of sources that

cial media platforms.

hinder one another.

The free time we have been supplied as a re-

Technology has undoubtedly made the con-

sult of the quarantine has enabled us to co-

ception of groups and pages as easy as a

ordinate with our peers so as to remain pro-

few clicks. What makes a legitimate youth

ductive and happy. For some of us, this time

organization should thus be considered so

likewise presents itself as a chance to build

as to better shape current and future en-

up our CVs before the college application

deavors. Rallying online is not equivalent

season. Ranging from Facebook pages that

to taking real action, hence demonstrable

regularly post the latest updates regard-

impact on the supposed beneficiaries should

ing the COVID-19 pandemic, to awareness

be carried out. Those who arrange dona-

groups that spread information regard-

tion drives and distribute goods to others

ing pressing issues such as mental health

in need, for instance, can be deemed as true

and human rights, these operations have

youth organizations in name and practice

showcased an undeniable enthusiasm and

due to their solid results. Even those with a

resourcefulness on the part of our fellow

dedicated base of patrons whom they reg-

youth.

ularly cater to generate demonstrable im-

However, the sheer number of organizations, along with the short span of time during which they were established, raises questions regarding the sincerity and ability of some of them to institute any significant outcome.

pact.

Lackluster alternatives, on the other hand, would deliver no concrete value, so the subject remains whether such organizations act primarily in the interests of their intended issues or out of personal ambition and motive. Moreover, an excess of impractical organizations endangers the common good by diverting necessary resources and man-

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power away from genuine forces of empowerment.

Given our ongoing period of confinement and caution, innovative ways to support our livelihoods and comfort are constantly in demand. Nonetheless, this demand cannot be met by simply making innumerable groups that are so similar in their pursuits but only present a united front every so often. A network of clear distinctions must be drawn concerning who handles particular issues and how such issues will be addressed in unique fashions. Sharing best practices and utilizing every occasion to collaborate on meaningful prospects with others are among the steps that can be taken to launch said network. Solely through this system can youth organizations work most efficiently together or alone.

Thorough planning about a desired audience and activities therefore serves as the cornerstone for any cause that wishes to introduce change and inspiration. Consequently, existing movements possess the responsibility to ensure that their enterprises remain both fresh and beneficial to their target market. Stagnation in the activities of different initiatives would ultimately render them immobile on their journey towards their goals.

Numerous projects have already been set up, so the pressure to also catch up to the curve naturally exists. Yet, this situation may often lead to a rushed creation that appears acceptable but enforces no actual change—like a lion with a mane and no teeth to assert itself. Should one wish to create a real organization, preparation and patience are key. A half-baked product released for the sake of conformity does little to no service for anyone.

Lastly, professionalization definitely persists as an additional measure that organizations can undertake to improve their performance. This course of action would entail guaranteeing that their visions, missions, and audiences are given the proper attention. Although a youth advocacy group might argue that an online platform with many likes from their fellows would suffice, this mindset would exclude from their advocacy millions of more youth with no access to the Internet. In such a case, they would merely be strengthen-

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ing the young elite, as opposed to the youth at large—which would do more to worsen than mitigate the situation.

Our youth organizations undoubtedly furnish us with favorable circumstances to express ourselves and lend a hand to those in need amidst this time of terror and uncertainty. There comes a point, however, when the assistance we yield fails to bear healthy fruit. We must be wary of allowing our aid to turn into vast vomitings of information and pomposity. Help should be defined by the receiver, not the giver. All our vital contributions should ergo be based on the needs and wants of those we hope to help.

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Jo Caipang, Beacon Academy

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How’s quarantine?

I know I don’t miss it, the suffocating, stifling Filipino heat creeping in through locked doors and the missed trips to the beach and the ocean in the summer. At first you enjoyed the quiet that the lockdown brought, being able to laze around the house, spending hours on movies and video games and books. But by the time I’m writing this, you will be itching for it to end, for some scientist to discover the vaccine at this very second so you can finally walk out into the fresh air.

In 2030, there are no flying cars yet (I know, I’m disappointed as well), but the world is far better than we’d both hoped. A researcher does indeed find a vaccine to the virus, although later than you’re probably hoping. After a few more months of quiet waiting, people slowly trickle back into their old lives. Restaurants are reopened, shoppers swarm the malls, bookstores are filled up with deprived readers.

More appreciative of the ones around us and the moments we have with them. Keeping us six feet apart hasbrought us closer together, shown us how lonely the world can be when we close ourselves off, made us more loving.

Quarantine also made us face ourselves. Made us have to face society. The flaws and the cracks in our justice system, the quiet oppression. The silence of being in lockdown has given us a voice.

The Philippines is slowly getting back to its feet. We’ve elected a better president. Bills are revised. Senators are more qualified. For the first time in decades, I think our people have come together, become a little more unified, weeded out most of the corruption and the fear.

I hope it lasts, but that’s for another letter.

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The protests in America have not gone unheard. They are not forgotten. Much of it is what our daughter is learning in her history books. No black man or woman needs to fear the cops anymore, none of them are branded as thugs or shot for the color of their skin.

Everyone can breathe.

Over this vast expanse of 10 years, I can hardly recognize you.

And I mean this in the best way possible. So much has happened that my teen, self-doubting self seems like a vague shadow. 2020 seems like such a distant, faraway dream.

It was a wild, strange year but the succeeding decade is by no means perfect. I wish I could tell you about the disasters, about everything you and the world will continue to suffer through, but I know what you need now is encouragement, the hope that it gets better after this.

And it does.

I hope you can believe that.

Yours, 10 years in the future

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Therese Po, International School Manila

As the sun fell on another day of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in April, our car rode on the unfamiliar sight of an emptied out EDSA highway. It was my first time leaving the house in over a month of staying put at home. Usually hustling and bustling with impatient drivers, the sharp honking of buses, and thick black smoke was replaced with an avenue unrecognizable to anyone who had seen it before ECQ. Sidewalks were completely clear of any signs of commuters and the five lanes looked lonesome without its infamous traffic.

The ride stretched from Bonifacio Global City all the way northbound to Balintawak, Quezon City. A month ago, this ride would have taken three hours on a Friday afternoon. This time, it took a mere eighteen minutes at sundown. For most of the trip, it had only been our car on the road and to see any other vehicles was a rarity.

Taho vendors and fishball sellers had disappeared and shops that lined the street were boarded up for temporary or permanent closure. The sounds of the MRT whooshing by no longer came and huge buses that swerved from lane to lane stayed absent.

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In the wake of the massive shutdown of the nation’s capital, the empty highway is symbolic of the direct impact ECQ had on the population.

With an ordinance to stay home and without any public transportation, many workers were forced to give up their jobs. They continue to struggle with sustaining their basic needs even after the two and a half months of full lockdown and far longer after that.

In Metro Manila alone, more than half of households were left with a jobless member who, before lockdown, had been earning less than minimum wage.

In an interview with district four Quezon City councilor Marra Suntay, she notes that there has been much progress in the first 180 days of ECQ. Her office has successfully monitored those affected by the virus which has led to an increase in recovery rates. Aside from this, the city has given more than four million relief goods with aid from the national government and generous donors while business slowly started to reopen with lower capacities.

With a plan to economically recover within Quezon city, there will be strict implementation of new safety

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protocols, continuous tight control of the movement of people, and migrationto digital platforms most notably for education.

The lockdown has left many people lost and dependent on a government system to provide for their basic needs.

The absence of jeepneys and tricycles have rid drivers of employment as part of the two million affected (Flanders) by temporary business closures; Metro Manila accounts for the most number of employees displaced.

Although it is meant for the sake of their own health and to control the spreading of the virus, it has left many with the burden of lacking food with no income for groceries. Frontliners who provide for these people are not guaranteed safety despite protocols and necessary equipment and are in danger of spreading the virus to their families and fellow coworkers.

With a limited capacity to help, government servants see many who are in need of money, food, and medicine but are limited to the funds and resources available to them through organizations and fellow citizens. Despite all help, the pandemic is unlike any other calamity which will have severe lasting effects in the coming weeks, months, and years.

As another day sets and I am able to regularly ride once again on the EDSA highway, familiar red brake lights and pedestrians, now socially distanced, roam on the sidewalks. It is eerie and awfully melancholic to see such empty roads, which I never thought would be possible, and even more, something so unsettling. Although EDSA returns with its bustling streets, missing are the busses that crowd all five lines and the people on the sidewalks awaiting their ride. Absent are the elder jeepney drivers who slow down at the most inconvenient lanes and the honking of the MRT passing by.

Behind the black stained walls that line the highway lay the jobless and in need of help, those who are struggling to make ends meet.

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Bianca Aquino, Beacon Academy Due to quarantine, 20.5 million Americans have faced unemployment as of May 2020 according to Pew Research Center. However, for the most elite celebrities, their jobs have simply stalled due to movie productions being postponed and concerts being cancelled. Therefore, when Ellen Degeneres describes lockdown as “being in a prison” during her talk show inside her Beverly Hills mansion, it is hard to feel sympathetic for her. COVID-19 and quarantine has made it more difficult for the everyday man to connect with the rich and famous. Some celebrities recognize this and use their platform for good, but some celebrities are blinded by their privilege and left ignorant.

According to ABC news, the first confirmed case of COVID in the United States occurred on January 21st of this year. Despite this, on March 10th, NBA player Rudy Gobert made light of the increasingly severe situation by touching all the microphones and voice recorders at a Utah Jazz press conference. This quickly backfired, as he contracted coronavirus two days later which led to the NBA being suspended, instead of their original plan to continue the season with empty stadiums. This shows how detached celebrities are from the rest of society, as stated by journalist John Solano, who tweeted, “That video of Gobert - who’s earning $23 million this season - purposefully coughing on the microphones of young journalists and beat reporters is so infuriating.” (Solano, 2020).

This tweet explains that although anyone can be infected, it shows how celebrities act irresponsibly because it affects them in a much smaller way.

When lockdown began in March, celebrities found ways to provide entertainment to their audience from their homes. Chris Martin was one of the first artists to perform his music unmonetized on an Instagram live, as if at a Coldplay concert. He was partnered with Global Citizen and The World Health Organization for a new project during COVID named “Together at Home” to promote safety during quarantine. Martin invited other artists to participate, such as John Legend, to continue to spread the message.

Lady Gaga took “One World: Together at Home” further by organizing an eight-hour concert of many different artists such as The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney. In be-

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tween the performances, there were also messages from other influential figures. Beyonce, one of the most powerful artists in the world, used her large platform to shed light on those without a voice by stating, “Black Americans disproportionately belong to these essential parts of the workforce that do not have the luxury of working from home, and African American communities at large have been severely affected by this crisis … this virus is killing black people and in an alarmingly high rate here in America.”. The concert encouraged donations, and the project earned 127 million dollars which will be distributed to the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund and to food banks, housing providers, and other charities.

However, one example of a celebrity project that fell flat was a cover of Imagine by John Lennon sung by 21 actors such as Gal Gadot, Jimmy Fallon, and Natalie Portman.

When posting the video, Gadot captioned, “You know, this virus has affected the entire world. Everyone. Doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from — we’re all in this together,” (Gadot, 2020). Although it had good intentions, the video received a lot of backlash as it did not provide awareness or entertainment. New York Times journalist Jon Caramanica best described how tasteless the video was by writing, “Their genial naïveté is blinding them to the grossest sin here: the smug self-satisfaction, the hubris of the alleged good deed.” (Caramanica, 2020). Their smiles were intended to lift spirits but came across as patronizing, especially the lyric “Imagine there’s no possessions”. In reality, the two-minute video will impact very little on the thousands of people infected by COVID. The video missed the mark, but at least social distancing was promoted. Unbelievably, there are celebrities who do not want to even commit to the bare minimum. Vanessa Hudgens spoke up against quarantine during an Instagram Live on March 16th, where she said, “(...) It’s a virus, I get it, I respect it, but at the same time…even if everybody gets it, yeah…people are gonna die, which is terrible but... inevitable?” (Hudgens, 2020). On March 17th, Evangeline Lilly, who lives with her father and children, made

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even worse comments on Instagram that she dropped off her children at gymnastics camp and hashtagged her post with “Business as usual”, implying that she will not take any precautions to protect her family and snubbing those who follow quarantine guidelines. She claims that she values “freedom” more, and replied to a comment saying, ““There’s ‘something’ every election year. Where we are right now feels a lot too close to Marshall Law for my comfort already, all in the name of a respiratory flu.” (Lilly, 2020). These comments were posted very early in quarantine and apologies were made, but it is baffling how little these celebrities are concerned with lives other than their own.

This article highlights those who have failed to contribute anything helpful during lockdown, however there are many more celebrities who are aware of their platform and are using it to entertain or to spread awareness. But, what is most interesting is the media response to those who have fallen flat. The phenomenon that is Celebrity Culture, which is idolizing celebrities in all that they do, has been broken, as the fans are not afraid to call out anyone’s actions, regardless of their status. There is smaller room for mistakes, however everyone is invited to grow by understanding their privilege and to use their resources to help others.

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Coby Silayan and Caleb Tiam-Lee, Xavier School Over the reign of the coronavirus pandemic, the Philippines experienced what may have been the longest theatrical drama. The spotlight was placed on those who were expected to perform while the dysfunctional systems backstage caught attention through clatter that should have been sorted out beforehand. What resulted was a more profound understanding of why the Philippines’ coronavirus play does not work.

The Philippines has always been a country whose struggles are constantly highlighted, but never has it been one to remain down.

]

Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic was a revelationary curtain call to the countless struggles that the Philippines continues to face, whether it be politically, economically, or socially.

The pandemic has placed the flaws of the country’s healthcare system directly in the public eye, as the government has repeatedly demonstrated how little priority it gives our nation’s healthcare. The lack of mass testing in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak and the inability to contain the virus resulted in a massive spike in the total number of cases. To make matters worse, the Department of Health (DOH) seemed hesitant to reveal the full extent of the situation to the public, as a seven-day moving average graph was provided rather than a daily one on their own COVID-19 tracker. This apparent misreporting of cases of course did not change the fact that healthcare centers were overwhelmed by the sheer number of COVID-19’ patients, which eventually exceeded their capacities. Aside from this, the lack of qualified health professionals had nurses and doctors scrambling as if they were in a waging battle, mentally and physically Exhausting work hours and shifts gave very little room

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to breathe during the pandemic, and the pressure of a second or third wave has put even more strain on the healthcare system as a whole.

These problems concerning the efficiency of the healthcare system stems from the government’s overall response to the pandemic. Their indecisiveness, followed by the unclear quarantine regulations and procedures, ultimately contributed to the exponential rise of cases in the country. The COVID-19 tracker, for example, did not have mass testing to support it, in contrast to other countries such as Korea which implemented the same measure but produced favorable results. To add to the list of inadequacies, the government turned their attention to trivial issues such as renaming Ninoy Aquino International Airport, miles away from where their heads should be. The government’s hesitance, misdirection, and lack of accountability has shone a spotlight on the country’s lawmakers or, rather, the void that their own omissions created. On top of all these, the V.I.P. treatment that a number of politicians have received in the form of priority testing has only alienated them from the people.

This contrast between the influential and the average citizen highlighted the powerful’s willful indifference to the plight of the people.

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Whether the Philippine economy will bounce back is unclear, but what is clear are the obstacles it will face. Job security, public transportation, and education systems are just a few of the many weak points that have been highlighted even more during the pandemic.

The Social Security System (SSS) estimated a 60,000 worst-case scenario loss in jobs due to the enhanced community quarantine.

These are mostly blue-collar jobs that require a physical presence – jobs that the economy will struggle to recover.

Even though the general community quarantine allowed the return of some blue-collar workers, many remained stranded due to the inefficient public transportation system that is burdened even more with the implementation of social distancing precautions. Jagged edges that the Philippines failed to smooth out before the pandemic The aforementioned problems continue to stress the importance of quality education, as it is through education that more Filipinos will be able to build the skills for gainful employment. However, education is another casualty of the pandemic for many of the public and private school students who are not able to afford the

year’s tuition or the means for an online education. Its implications will be echoed through each corner of society, and will only hinder the Philippine’s recovery. There will be a decrease in the literacy rate and employment rate, and an increase in the poverty rate post-pandemic. This is the irony of the situation: the country goes through hell only to become vulnerable to it again.

The Philippine’s poor economic resiliency pre-pandemic is not only the cause of its post-pandemic slump but also a revelation to the economic system that simply is not geared towards the least of its people.

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Though this pandemic is not the first time that the Philippines hA reared its ugly head, it certainly will not be the last. It should therefore be an opportunity for the State to scrutinize every imperfection and flaw while the country is at a standstill. However, with the direction policies are going, it seems like this will be another missed opportunity. In contrast to the government’s inactions, several groups have made an effort to alleviate some of the problems the pandemic has caused—whether it be through fundraisers, homemade face masks and PPEs, or donations.

The coronavirus left no stone unturned; it brought out the worse in many people, places, and situations, but it also brought out the best in others. Needless to say, the pandemic will serve as a revelation to the new testament that is the future.

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Rocio Trillo, Beacon Academy Dear every member of Gen Z who’s said ”I’m just not a political person”, Since defining terms is what school taught me to do (or at least tried to), let me first help define what politics is, and what makes a political person.

As simply (without the technical, highfalutin, pretentious jargon) put in Usborne’s Politics for Beginners, “politics covers the way people make decisions about how to work together in all kinds of groups big and small.”

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Large societies like countries and their governments are usually synonymous with this term. So, being a “political person” is simply having an opinion and taking action toward how we work together.

But who am I kidding? We’re GenZ! If anything, I’d like to argue that we are the most politically inclined and well-informed generation to date. We are digital natives, almost on track to be the most well-educated generation to date and enables diverse voices the most to speak up. In terms of engagement, regarding social justice issues like the BLM movement to the Anti-Terrorism Bill on Instagram Stories, our age demographic has been extremely active.

But after a while, the buzz dies down, and the privileged won’t experience any difference. We tend to burnout. So, like many of my “non-political” friends, before you begin to question “Why should you care? Why should you care if you already posted about it two weeks ago? Why is it important if it doesn’t add fluff to your college application? Why should you watch the news when you can binge-watch all the TV Shows you missed on Netflix?”

The answer is you should care because some people don’t have the luxury of asking why.

A recent repost trend that I’ve been seeing is “The Divide in Our Cities” by @mediacommoner, which gives us aerial views via Google Maps of different cities. One example is the one of Pasay and Makati, wherein you can see the spacious landscape of trees in between the large houses. In contrast, we see Pasay, which almost looks like a red-tinted filter was placed on the city’s aerial view. The terracotta brown roofs are so crammed they look bleak and desolate.

Coming from a privileged background, one might ask how would you do online school in such an environment amidst the pandemic?

Is there such a thing as an online public school? Or, with that type of population density what are the increased chances of catching COVID-19? Or even more importantly what do you do if you have caught it, but don’t know it?? The problem is that nothing has been done. There’s been no clear plan moving forward based on the government’s priorities which have been fast-tracking the AntiTerrorism Bill and arresting Maria Ressa.

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So what can we do? We need to understand synergy. Synergy states that “the total effect is greater than the sum of individual effect”. No action or progress is too small. Educate each other and vote for officials who care not just about you but the greater majority.

It is our right. Especially as highschool students marching into adulthood, with that comes legal responsibility. We are privileged to have the resources at our disposal to educate ourselves with anything under the sun. The masses do not. Set the time to email public officials, sign petitions, and talk to your peers.

Everything begins with a conversation.

Let’s enable one another to share opinions and create a level of awareness and enlightened consciousness. This is the first step in the right direction.

So let’s care in any way you can. Set a timer on your phone to email officials, sign petitions, and talk to friends if you have to.

Start with five minutes, then ten, then twenty and so on until you inform and involve yourself to the point that there’s nothing else to do but to care so deeply. Let’s care together.

So, to everyone that’s experienced burnout, I hope you get back on your feet and soldier on.

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Crissia Po, The British School Manila

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Gisele Farolan-Ferreira, International School Manila

Three months, 78 days, 1872 hours...

Is this really how long we have all been sheltered at home? Though it seems difficult to imagine staying in quarantine lockdown for so long, it is the current reality we live in. I finally ventured out of the house for the first time a few days ago, Day 103. It has only made me further realize the sheer lack of social interaction I have had.

During the first few days of ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine), I did not think that not being able to go to school or see my classmates would be much of an issue. However, as the days went by, I actually missed seeing my family and friends. As conceited as it may sound, I thought that being away from or not seeing people I cared about would be easy.

What better way to feel emotion than through social interaction? During this pandemic, I have had a lot of time to reflect: I am human, I socialize, so I go through a lot of emotions. Just seeing, talking, or interacting with

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other people helps one’s own personal growth and provides a backdrop of normalcy. It enables us to deal with our own stress that comes with life changing events.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), social isolation can lead to poor sleep quality, impaired executive function and immunity. While this is a conclusion drawn from a professional study, it is not meant to startle anyone into thinking that not having seen a single real-life person outside of their home can immediately cause one to have adverse health effects, but rather be a possible explanation for the slight melancholy one might feel during quarantine. But aside from merely staving off loneliness, we can take the APA’s study results and conversely conclude that having social interaction can lead to improved sleep quality, greater executive function and immunity, and therefore essential to uplifting the quality of life.

But then the COVID-19 pandemic came. The coronavirus outbreak has caused health officials to cancel any plans that involve large group interactions. Schools have been closed, therefore even school-led events have been cancelled such as Prom and sports intramurals. The English football league (Premier League) was put on hold, but some games have begun to be held without stadium audiences. The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo have been postponed until 2021.

Multiple musical concerts and religious gatherings have been cancelled. But most importantly, spending time with extended family and friends has been put to a halt. All chances of getting to meet and hang out with old friends and new acquaintances are out of luck.

But rightly so. Cancelling these big ticket events is the only way to prevent the further transmission of the coronavirus among a large number of people. Staying at home also significantly helps lower the possibility of spreading the virus among extended family and close friends.

Life as we know it has completely changed.

It seems quite difficult to visualize life ever being the same again. Following social distancing guidelines, mandatory mask wearing in public, and washing hands and sanitizing surfaces wherever you go, have all been put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. According to an article

by Think Global Health, the author expresses that “until we develop a vaccine against COVID-19, we won’t be able to return to the way things used to be�. And as reported

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in sites such as Live Science, the vaccine isn’t expected to be ready any time soon but rather in the next 12-18 months. Given the unpredictability of this whole health crisis, it is difficult to tell how COVID-19 will play out in the next few years. If, as we reopen our communities and let our guards down, the number of coronavirus cases may go up again. We could all go back to square one. This would ultimately mean having to return to sheltering at home, observing curfew hours, and restricting travel.

So now that we’ve all been forced to stay at home, what more can we do at a time like this other than to quietly reflect?

Reflecting is a good exercise to do as it can give one peace of mind.

It allows us to look back, analyze what we’ve done, and help us move forward and grow. During this time in quarantine, I have come to learn to cherish all the talks I have with family and friends, whether at home, on the phone, or online. One connection in particular that has suffered is my relationship with my grandparents. I used to visit them in Quezon City and this would

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be the highlight of my weekends.

Sharing meals and stories with them has broadened my perspectives.

They have taught me to learn from my mistakes and think about my actions through countless tales of their childhoods. However, occasionally, there would be times where it would be hard to see them in person.

Whether it be exam season, having to study for tests, or attending an event, I would not be able to see them for an extended period of time. Now, with quarantine, my chances of seeing them in person, have decreased even more. I realized now that those times when I was not able to spend quality time with them was quality time lost.

I feel sad and disappointed in myself for not finding the time to see them more often, but am now happy to have our long talks on the phone. The same thing goes for my friends. In fact, having to “Zoom” most of them, both here and abroad, has allowed me to connect and reconnect with people that I hardly interacted with in the past.

I suppose that during these unprecedented times, a reunion apart has somehow brought me and my family, me and my friends, closer together. I am making more of an effort to stay in touch with them.

Nowadays, whether near or far, in person or virtually, reuniting for human interaction does not fail to make my day.

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Patrick Kho, The British School Manila

In a pre-pandemic world, I loved travelling.

se connections can be severed. Within weeks,

Whether it’s exploring unfamiliar scenes, es-

a globalised and interdependent world has

caping life’s monotonous cycle or unrave-

been shattered, leaving countless people in

ling the perspectives of cultures different to

isolation, without work, and little to do. No

our own, it’s an adventure both exciting and

longer do we see memes glorifying social iso-

rewarding. The real beauty, however, is mee-

lation or hatred over human interaction. Rat-

ting new people from different walks of life.

her, ‘Bored In The House’ tiktoks have flooded our social media feeds.

Through travel, I find that our shared human condition is so easily realised. I am re-

It’s summer now. And if times were normal,

minded of our desires for happiness and hu-

hundreds of thousands of people would be

man connection. I can easily remember the

packing their bags, soon to land in a foreign

cashier at the Daiei supermarket in Tokyo,

destination. But during this pandemic, we

who expressed so much joy at the sight of my

are confined; stuck at home.

family of nine. In a Shanghai-style restaurant in Venice, I recollect conversing with a Chinese immigrant, who, despite my broken Mandarin, was so happy to be speaking her mother tongue with a stranger. I recall the guides in Kawasan Falls, Cebu, who so diligently watched over my younger brother, aiding his traversal across the Mantalongon Mountain with care. It’s through these experiences that our shared humanity is so easily recognised. Travel is the easiest medium by which our world connects and understands.

If there’s anything the rise of a global pandemic has taught me, it’s how reliant our world is on human connections, and how easily the-

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More cynically, however, travel as a medium of connection and understanding has morphed into a weapon—one of death and destruction.

Now, knowing the physical limits to which I am confined to, I’ve found travels in the works of foreign writers — novels, dramas and memoirs with people to meet, places to see and cultures to understand.

When reading, I am taken on another journey: the cover is my ticket and its pages are my destination.

I immediately arrive in another country; I am transported to another individual’s state of being and consciousness. Just like travel, I connect with and understand another person, place and culture — except this time, through the pages of a book.

In Jean-Paul Sartre’s 1948 French drama titled Dirty Hands (Les Mains sales), I empathise with Hugo’s struggle for conviction and resolve. The character invites audiences to reconsider the value of principles over practice during Communism’s eruption across Europe. I see the complexities of a small nation undertaking a revolution.

Lucid images in Han Kang’s The Vegetarian (채식주의자) expose me to Yeong-Hye’s battle for agency and bodily autonomy in contemporary Korean society. Her slow deterioration into madness forces me to reconsider on those I have misunderstood and contemplate the reflection of mental health in Asia. I am also revealed to a new, exclusionary side to the cosmopolitan Seoul.

In Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore (海辺のカフカ), I am immersed within the quiet and serene worlds of Nakano and Takamatsu, parts of Japan that I have yet to explore. Each character has exposed me to how solitude and self-reliance can be harnessed to form strength, healing and enlightenment. In a world now filled with loss and isolation, these lessons couldn’t be more timely.

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While it may not be the perfect substitute to travelling, connecting to the works of foreign writers reminds me of our shared humanity. I am allowed into the minds, the worlds, the thoughts, the emotions, of people from different parts in the world.

And like travel, these stories have awakened me with new perspectives.

Though time, place or reality may differ, the human condition remains universal. In the end, I’ve found more similarities between myself and these characters than differences. During a time and day where misunderstanding is on the rise, nothing could be more important than connecting to one another.

Immersing myself in the works of foreign writers not only exposes me to another person and place, but another society’s artistry and literary imagination; I am revealed to how people and places are imagined by perspectives that differ from my own. More importantly, however, these stories remind me that our human goals and desires are more similar than we may realise.

We all want to live happily and freely. And at times, life is difficult. But overlooking these difficulties and making life worth living is what it means to be human.

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Marcus Chu’s, a Grade 10 student at International School Manila (ISM), 3D-printed face shield holders

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Mr. Michael Dickinson, ISM’s High School Principal, singing during his online concert series, “Mr. D Sings Stuff.”

Lara Go, International School Manila Various individuals and groups in the Philippine community have found multiple ways to reach out and help others during this difficult time by starting fundraisers like International School Manila’s “Artists for COVID-19”, donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to various hospitals, starting initiatives in order to support local farmers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), making cards for patients confined in hospitals, and much more.

spearhead this idea of 3D printing face shield holders for the frontliners. Considering I just got a 3D printer from my parents for Christmas, I realized that I could 3D print them myself, then hand them over to the people who were distributing them to the frontliners.”

Marcus Chu,

“With my dad’s help, after 12 prototypes, I managed to make a design that was faster to print and used much less filament than any other design I have seen. Despite it being based off of the first design, the end product looked quite different.“

a Grade 10 student at International School Manila (ISM), has been 3D printing face shield holders. These are being distributed to hospitals all around Metro Manila through a company called Meta-Tech Lab. [Meta-Tech Lab has also set up a 3D Printer Farm in the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) which has a collection of 15 3D printers.

They are able to produce 150 face shield holders per day.]

Marcus said that he derived the idea from a Facebook post asking for 3D printer filament donations. “My dad’s friend, Erik Lacson, started to

He initially used a standard open-sourced design, but after realizing that the process consumed too much time and the design used excessive amounts of filament, Marcus decided to create his own design.

The material Marcus uses is polylactic acid, also known as PLA. It is a vegetable-based plastic material made from cornstarch and is, therefore, biodegradable.

Marcus has 3D printed between 200 to 260 face shields so far and on average, produces just over 20 face shield holders in a day.

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Nick Ng,

a Grade 10 student at British School Manila (BSM), founded Bakecare, an organization that aims to share the act of caring and gratitude towards people in need through the initiative of baking and writing notes for them in order to lift their spirits.

Nick started to bake for hospitals in late March. “I felt that baking was something I could easily pick up during the quarantine in order to help our frontliners out. It’s a way to offer them thanks and gratitude for keeping us safe and for the work that they’ve all done.”

He initially started out this effort alone. Twice a week, he baked banana bread, packaged it, and delivered it to various hospitals. Nick alone was already able to donate to five hospitals. After founding Bakecare, his organization was able to bake and donate more through their volunteer bakers who come from various schools such as BSM, ISM, CCF Life Academy, and St. Paul’s Academy. They have delivered to seven hospitals spread out across different cities in Metro Manila, and aim to donate to more hospitals moving forward, including those outside of Metro Manila.

Bakecare has donated over a thousand portions of baked goods, ranging from banana bread and brownies to milk buns and cinnamon vanilla cakes. However, there is another part of their delivery that is quite significant. “We don’t just send baked goods to these hospitals as that alone doesn’t fully paint the picture of what we hope to achieve. Each delivery includes a handwritten message. Not only are we giving these frontliners treats, but also a thank you message to lift their spirits.”

After the end of the pandemic, Bakecare will be looking to donate to orphanages, retirement homes, and many other organizations and establishments. “If there’s anyone in need, we’ll always strive to show support to them,” said Nick.

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Mr. Michael Dickinson,

ISM’s High School Principal, has been raising money for ISM’s Disaster Relief Fund through his online concert series, “Mr. D Sings Stuff.”

At the beginning of the lockdown, Mr. Dickinson wanted to sing songs, hoping to entertain others, lift their spirits, and make them smile. “John Legend and Chris Martin have had athome concerts in their recording studios,” said Mr. Dickinson. “I thought maybe I should do that!”

Mr. Dickinson said that he only intended to do the concert once, but after numerous requests, he decided to do it again. “I only knew around 8 to 10 songs that I could sing and play the piano, which was what I did for the first concert. But the morning after the first concert, I received a flood of around 120 emails saying, ‘That was great! Do it again!’. It was a bit more difficult after that since I had to learn new songs, so I did and I ended up doing [some songs] karaoke style.”

Through this concert series, Mr. Dickinson has been able to raise about 300,000 pesos for ISM’s Disaster Relief Fund. “We would often receive 1,000 pesos here, 1,000 pesos there, but there were several very generous donations: one of 10,000 pesos and another of 20,000 pesos, but these people chose to remain anonymous.

The most generous donation we received was from the SyCip Family Foundation, and they donated 60,000 pesos.”

“So many members of the ISM community, including parents, students, faculty, staff, alumni, as well as my friends and family, have been so supportive and I’m really thankful for the way the community has reacted to this project.”

Mr. Dickinson’s concert series has even received attention outside the ISM community. An article was posted on ANCX (a branch of ABS-CBN News Channel, more widely known as ANC) about Mr. Dickinson’s Zoom concerts.

Mr. Dickinson says that doing this concert series has been an extremely rewarding experience. “I saw some alumni who used to be my students in Grade 8 Science, and it was nice to see their faces pop up in my Zoom since I haven’t seen them for a long time. This has been a great way for the community to bond which is quite important considering our current situations all across the world.”

Mr. Dickinson is considering continuing this series in August if ISM continues online learning.

The actions of Marcus, Nick, and Mr. Dickinson show us how much taking initiative can truly aid our frontliners and our community during these difficult times. Everything helps, no matter how big or small.

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Amery Atinon, Xavier If you were to visit a Filipino airport during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’d likely see a scene similar to other airports around the world: masked people waiting for their flights, sitting one meter apart. But the airports in the Philippines are also known to harbor a unique scene. Amidst the socially distant hustle of everyday airport life, fathers and mothers can be seen waving at their families, whether as a tearful goodbye or welcoming hello, as they either depart for or return from their long journey from home.

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The Filipino term, “Bagong Bayani,” translating literally to “New Heroes,” is a modern term which refers to the large population of Overseas Filipino Workers, or OFWs. They are considered heroes because of their sacrifices, working long shifts in foreign lands to support their families. The life of working in a foreign country to provide for loved ones has been constant for these heroes. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, has obstructed their anticipated return to the homeland for whom they have toiled abroad.

In a time as precarious as now, it appears that the Philippines’ “New Heroes” have never been further from their home.

As of June 27, 2019, there were 8,423 cases of COVID-19 infections among OFWs, with high concentrations in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf States. The first challenge for the OFWs is in leaving the country they were working in. One OFW named Arnaldo “Dino” Sindac Tumaliuan recalls his experiences planning about his return home along with fellow OFWs. After one of his flatmates tested positive for the virus, he spent nearly 3 weeks being quarantined in a hotel, awaiting his test results. He was grateful to have tested negative.

Tumaliuan, after his close encounter with the virus, wishes for people to continue being wary of COVID-19’s spread.

These problems are just the first of their concerns, as the many who would opt to return to the Philippines face just as many challenges. Airplanes and airports alike have become hotspots of COVID-19, given close proximities in airport waiting lines and airplane cabins. Fears of so-called “imported cases” from abroad have caused governments to strengthen restrictions for entering their respective countries.

The OFWs, already rushing their return, would have to pass a lot of red tape just to be accepted home. The case of a University of the Philippines medical student Rafa Abaya and his mother, an anaesthesiologist, tells of a journey far away for the purpose of helping an ill OFW, being hindered by heaps of government paperwork. Both of them flew to Mexico in order to help a disabled OFW return home. Due to cancelled flights, their journey home took ten days, including expensive costs in quarantine centers. Such is the fate of both repatriators and the repatriated, as piling costs and paperwork hinder people yearning for their homeland.

In his series of tweets, the medical student states “Our patient was lucky that he had a medical escort and an extra pull for people in high places. Not everyone has the same luxury. They just want to go home but they can’t.”

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Similar struggles are echoed in the stories of other returning OFWs. It seems that most of them would believe the situation to be worth the sacrifice, which is why over 59,000 of them have made the return trip home. Every week, thousands of OFWs make their return trip to the Philippines, assisted by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Practicing, and even enforcing, social distancing and using face masks would go a long way to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, but the risk still remains.

Unfortunately, getting to Philippine shores is only one of the myriad hurdles which repatriated citizens have to overcome. Upon arrival, passengers undergo COVID-19 testing, as well as a mandatory 14day quarantine period, wherein they are screened for symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Some inbound passengers are held in government quarantine facilities, while others find themselves in hotel rooms while awaiting their swab test results.

That, however, is just the tip of the iceberg. Of the approximately 2.2 million total OFWs, over 80% of them reside outside of the National Capital Region (NCR), the hotspot of COVID-19 in the Philippines. For returning NCR residents, only 14 days stand between them and their families. The same cannot be said for those that hail from the provinces. Government regulations require that travelers traversing from Metro Manila to other regions must partici-

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pate in another 2-week quarantine, in order to prevent further spreading of the virus outside of NCR. That said, OFWs listed as non-NCR residents would, cumulatively, have to undergo at least 28 days of self-quarantine upon being stamped into the country.

Notwithstanding the fact that these rules are set for the good of the country’s citizens, returning Filipinos have no choice but to abide by government protocol. Such are the stories of returning OFWs who suffer long wait times, expensive quarantine centers, and many more inconveniences and dangers due to government regulations. The plights of these OFWs were revealed in an article by Sofia Tomacruz and JC Gotinga, as it was unveiled that all people arriving in the Philippines must undergo a mandatory quarantine until their test results are given out. Slow responses from the officials in charge of the quarantine mean that all OFWs have to spend lots of hard-earned money on accommodation. Despite the typical 14-day quarantine, OFWs would end up staying weeks past this deadline. It seems that, despite finally reaching their homeland, these people are still not home.

For OFWs that are found to carry the virus, the implications are dire: added to the initial 14-day quarantine are at least 2 more weeks of self-isolation or, in worse cases, hospitalization. Those with severe cases face a much more grave reality — the possibility of never locking arms with their families again.

As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc all over the world, one can’t help but to feel for the country’s capeless heroes, who trek the vastest of lands to provide for their families. The health risks that come with the pandemic have forced these individuals’ hard work and dedication to come to a screeching halt — together with the rest of the globe.

While the majority of the country lies at a standstill, the OFWs find themselves under a plethora of circumstances that they have no control over. Naturally, simply touching down on Philippine soil only intensifies their longing to once again reunite with their families. It is a harsh reality, however, that their long journey back to their abodes entails heightened surveillance, innumerable checkpoints, and almost a month’s worth of quarantining.

Though the nation’s heroes may be physically back in the Pearl of the Orient, their emotional, psychological, and internal detachment from their families and jobs all the more make them feel far from home.

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Julia Ongking, International School Manila

If you’re not Filipino or Chinese, well, what are you?

Growing up, the world was painted in shades of black and white. I was a normal little girl, with black hair and tan skin, just like everyone else.

I had multiple names, too many to remember. Julia, Wang Wei Chi, jiejie, meimei, achi, shobe, ate. I could go around switching mother -tongues within the same sentence: “Mama, wo men yi zing late na!”

(Mom, we are late already!)

However, as the years went by, I watched as my skin got bronzer and darker, my eyes getting smaller and smaller. A Chinese morena? A new phenomenon that society had no interest in recognizing! How did I manage to become something so exotic in my own country? I watched the collection of names that I had become accustomed to, start to shift rapidly. The introduction of new names: Intsik. Chink. Ching, Chang, Chong. The removal of others. Wang Wei Chi. A name, my name, so easily forgotten by myself in the wake of those that

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were not even mine. My own name had become so foreign, distasteful to me and my ears. A name that I still struggle, to this day, to reconcile with, to even type on a simplified Pinyin keyboard. I watched, mutely, as my vocal chords shut themselves off, rearranging to prevent any ching-chang-chong from coming out.

This birthed my threadbare identity as a Tsinoy. I was not just Filipino or Chinese. I was both. But how? This is yet another question that has, and will continue to visit me over the next years of my life. The name Tsinoy itself is simply made up of the joining of two nationalities: Chinese and Filipino. But beneath it lies so much more. Norms, culture, history.

Societal implications. Was my identity as a Tsinoy influenced by what society dictated, or did I get to define it, draw my own lines and boxes around who I believed I was as a Chinese-Filipino? Did I get to pick and choose from what I liked and disliked about each nationality on my own terms, or must I have to live in a certain way because of my fuzzy place between two worlds?

I was stray, trying to balance an equation that didn’t seem to add up.

Hundreds of years ago, Chinese traders first stepped foot on Philippine soil, quickly to be cast away by the Spaniards ruling the nation at the time. The walled city of Intramuros loomed over the newly immigrated population, effectively closing off their access to what could be. The Chinese were within range of cannons that pointed in their direction, the Spaniards cast many of our ancestors aside, sealing them away from society altogether. Now, centuries after the Philippines had declared its independence from Spain, Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial decision to bow down to China led to great unrest settling on the people of the Philippines once more. Fear, distrust, and trepidation wafted through the air, an unpleasant aroma of spoiled food. I watched as people pinched their noses and willed the smell to go away.

This decision was further aggravated in the last month of 2019, when Covid-19 decided to grace us with its presence. I then watched my fellow Asians, humans, around the world, face incredibly racist and derogatory acts. Suddenly, another huge burden was placed on my shoulders.

It was the Chinese that brought the virus to the world, it’s a Chinese virus and all Chinese people have it!

Not only were travel borders put up, but I found myself split into two by my own racial partition. It seemed so very tempting to shed my Chinese side and label myself as just Filipino; did I dare still consider myself Chinese in the midst of all of this chaos? Or if we view it another way, did I dare lose a whole chunk of myself?

The very questions that I had grappled with throughout my life were once again bubbling up. By what terms did I call myself Tsinoy? I had melted once more into that abstract figure, lost, floating around the developing edges, not knowing where to go.

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Let us delve into the past once more.

When the Chinese traders were cast aside by the Spaniards, life was incredibly difficult. Presented with segregation and expulsion, forced to perform unpaid labor and taxed exorbitantly, the Chinese suffered from some of the worst treatment in the nation. Faced with all of these issues and sheer maltreatment, they morphed into an economic asset hugely valuable to the Spaniards, proving their utter resilience, perseverance, and grit.

Covid-19 has been an incredibly dangerous virus. It poses patients with a myriad of symptoms, ranging f rom a loss of breath, fever and pneumonia. But it too challenges society, poisoning its already toxic bloodstream, stretching the frail, meticulouslywoven network incredibly taut. Humans have always battled setbacks since the beginning of their existence; deep-rooted issues such as xenophobia, discrimination, and unfair racial treatment will not disappear in the snap of a finger. But along with our countless hardships come our greatest victories.

Resilience.

Strength.

Humanity.

Our ancestors have done it once, twice over. This time, however, it is our time.

I am proud to have been lucky enough to have witnessed the way that we, as a race, a nationality, an identity assumed by many, have been able to come together. I am grateful for the Filipinos, who have treated me like no less despite the raging virus. Who have given me the privilege of safely going out and not having to worry about getting hurt, both physically and mentally. A privilege that many like me do not have around the world. I am grateful for the Chinese scattered all around the world, for staying strong in the face of adversity. For sticking up for one another, no matter what.

Being Tsinoy, I’ve come to realize, is like getting the best of both worlds.

The equation will seem to never be completely balanced, a math problem with no solution whatsoever.

Too many variables, too many parts coming from left and right. But depending on how it is arranged, the variables will begin to clear up.

You are in charge of manipulating the equation. You are in charge of your identity. You, and you only.

Tsinoy.

A definition that I am still working on, brewing in my mind. In the future, I hope to find the formula to fill in the blanks. To string together the words that are not just right for everyone, but right for me.

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If you’re not Filipino or Chinese, what are you?

A few years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to say. My Chinese side had always jeopardized who I was as a Filipino.

But now, I can answer. I will answer.

And even upon this revelation, it is still an abstract noun, a definition for me, and only myself, to determine.

I can’t say that my cheeks don’t heat up when I hear the snickers. I can’t say that I don’t find myself laughing it off with them, yet still feeling a particular tug on the left side of my chest.

But what I can say, is that I’m working on it.

Yes, I am.

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Steven Chua, The British School Manila The blank monitor screen was taunting Henry. Every second, the cursor repeatedly blinked on and off as if reminding him that it hadn’t moved once since he opened the document. He wrote “The” just to satisfy it, only to realize that he’d written himself into a corner. What the hell could possibly come after “The”? It was a stupid, cliche opening.

He thought about deleting it, but that would just give the empty screen another opportunity to laugh at him. Getting up from his swiveling writing chair, he disconnected the keyboard from his computer and punted it into the nearest trash can where it smashed against the four other keyboards there.

He threw himself onto the bed and smothered his face against a pillow.

Where had it all gone wrong?

Words and ideas used to come to him in a flash flood to the point where there was barely enough space on the page to write them all. Now, he was struggling with a poetic drought so maddening and endless that he would forfeit all of his possessions to be gifted with a single wet dream. Yes, all of his possessions. He once

squandered a ludicrous amount of his parent’s money on obtaining all sorts of drugs. Shabu, marijuana, heroin, you name it. He believed that the psychedelic, mind-screwing experience would give him the sort of creative inspiration he desperately needed. Mostly they just made him vomit on the keyboard. Not to mention it cost a fortune to bribe guards away from shooting him.

Turning to lie on his back, he grabbed his phone from the bedside table and checked the time. It was already 6:08 P.M., too late to do anything productive before dinner would be ready at 7. And after dinner, it was all just work, work, work on projects and finals next month. He glanced at the pile of books on his desk, sighed, then opened up Instagram, deciding to pass the time until dinner scrolling through his friends’ posts. All the while, he was thinking about his writing predicament. Why did his creativity disappear without so much as a goodbye letter? What did he do to deserve such a fate?

He was a pretty nice guy overall.

Yes, there was the whole drugs debacle, but that was just an attempt to win Lady Literature back.

No, it had to be the fault of school. It was the only thing that had changed between then and now. He used to be able to sleepwalk through school

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and still make it to the next year, giving more free time than he could ask for to focus on writing for the school newspaper instead. However, now that college loomed ahead, his parents had become unreasonably overbearing. They forced him to attend tutors for the entrance exams and threw a hissy fit when they caught him ditching to score some drugs. Worse, he was even expected to devote an hour each day to caring about his academics. A whole hour!

With all the time and effort that had to be spent on school and complaining about school, how could he be faulted for his writing ability plummeting to the point of poppycock?

He was mulling over all of these thoughts when he took notice of a selfie posted by a friend. In the photo, an emaciated patient was lying on a hospital bed with a respirator attached to her mouth. She had dehydrated skin and sunken eyes, and she seemed to be struggling to keep her head facing the camera.

Next to the patient was a much older man in a business suit who was smiling and giving a thumbs up. The caption read, “Dad met one of the three #coronavirus patient today!” followed by more hashtags.

Henry only had eyes for the first one.

Coronavirus. He remembered hearing that word before; his parents had talked about it once while bothering his writing session.

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Something about how it could force them to close their business if it became a nationwide pandemic. Suddenly, he sprung up from the bed. An idea had sparked his mind. He stared at the pile of books on his desk, then at the selfie, then back at the books. The web-covered bulbs in his head were lighting up for the first time in years, and man did it feel good.

He called up his friend’s number and asked, “Did your dad wash his business suit yet?”

Three Weeks Later Henry was once again gawking at his monitor, only this time his fingers were jitterily mashing the left mouse button as if he’d ingested too much sugar. On the screen, the Facebook home page refreshed over and over. It would barely finish loading before he’d skim through it, find nothing of importance, and impulsively hit the reload button again.

When he pawned off the unwashed suit to some guy, he figured it would only take a couple of days tops for enough infections to occur before schools would get closed down. The days flew by until it was the night before finals and yet nothing in his Facebook timeline

had changed. Same Jesus posts from relatives, same ads, no new news.

Early on, he tried to reassure himself with thoughts like “He just hasn’t gotten himself tested yet” and

“Maybe it takes a long time for symptoms to show up.” These excuses seemed reasonable enough for him to spend days staring at a blank document instead of at a review book.

Unfortunately, time passed by and kicked his excuses down the stairs. His thoughts gradually devolved into things even he couldn’t believe, like “Maybe the government was competent enough to stop the virus from spreading.” This culminated on the current night, where he was silently praying to a God he had never believed in amongst bouts of “oh god oh crap im such an idiot oh crap oh god im gonna die.” With all these anxieties screaming in Henry’s head, he didn’t even notice the change that was occurring to the web page. Every refresh, the images and videos were being replaced, one-by-one, with all-caps captions and twitter links until they completely filled up the page. Still, Henry continued to stare blankly at the screen until the mouse, seemingly fed up with his ignorance, jammed.

“Ugh, what the hell?” he said, snapping out of his reverie to mash the mouse button as if it would behave properly if he hit it enough. In the middle of this corporal punishment, he took a glance at the screen.

There it was.

The news he’d been waiting for.

“PRESIDENT DUTERTE CANCELS ALL CLASSES” “OMG NO MORE CLASSES!! :DDDD” “SCHOOL IS GONE! Pray that exams get cancelled too!!”

“24 coronavirus cases confirmed, some patients in critical condition https://t.co/jA12kgE” “FREEDOM!!!!!”

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Henry didn’t need to scroll down any further. He leaned back into his chair and breathed a record for the world’s biggest sigh of relief. All the waiting and worrying was over, finally over! He laughed to himself.

After drifting through months with schoolwork sapping away all his time and creativity, he could finally begin writing again. He even mused about starting a new project right then and there, but decided against it. There was all the time in the world to get started on that. Now was the time to celebrate. Getting up from the chair, he walked to his parents’ storage room to pour himself a glass of champagne, all the while commending himself for his infallible genius.

The Next Morning

Henry woke up to the sunlight shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows and the scrumptious smell of roasted food in the air. The source was a bowl of sunflower seeds that had been placed on his bedside table. He got up, stuffed a handful into his mouth, then leaned back on the bed as he savored their salty, crunchy flavor. Mmm, this was the life.

No more early get-ups, no more deadlines, no more tutors or review books.

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Just the sweet sensation of a post-waking haze untainted by the hardships of reality.

It was tempting to do nothing but sit on the bed and stay in that haze all day, but his motivation to start writing eventually won out. He quickly got out of bed and jumped into his writing chair before turning on the computer.

As the Windows loading screen flashed on the monitor, he started brainstorming for ideas to write about. He’d always wanted to write a fantasy story where everyone was Japanese. Or what about a murder mystery with a dog as the victim?

He could even do a poem on the existential ennui brought on by writer’s block. Oh, this was all so exciting! Three good ideas without even trying. He couldn’t even think of three decent words he’d written in the past year.

The computer finally finished booting up. As soon as the desktop wallpaper appeared on the screen, Henry immediately opened up Word. While the program loaded in, he raced through the ideas in his head again.

Which one to do? All three ideas were great, of course, but they were all lacking in edge. Perhaps it would be more fruitful to write something with relevance. Just as the

the program loaded in, he decided on creating a piece about the coronavirus. Perfect. He flexed his fingers to warm them up, then began typing.

No wait, it was quarantine. He couldn’t do that.

What followed was a writing session so intense and passionate it would have brought tears of beauty to any onlooker fortunate enough to view the majestic scene. There was no worry, no hesitation. Just the unrestrained flood of ideas flowing from author to the page. Slowly but surely, the white void of the screen was gradually filled up with words, words that danced with a life of their own, words that embellished themselves into a graceful cursive font. In the background, classical music played as the hands on the clock turned and turned.

No, he couldn’t do that either.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and before long Henry’s flow of ideas receded to little more than a drool. He sighed, though not because of disappointment In fact, he cherished all of the one paragraph he’d managed to type down. So long had he dreamed of being able to write like that again, nothing would be able to bring his mood down. Still, he needed a break.

Stretching his arms, he got up from his chair and walked to the closet.

It was a sunny day outside and he thought about going to his friend’s hou—

Well, he could always go down to the arca—

What about going swimming? There was a pool in his house that he cou— No, the water pipes were still clogged up from when he’d tried to hide his used joints in there.

Alright, so he couldn’t do anything that involved leaving the house. No big deal. He had a computer after all.

There were endless games to play and movies to watch and books to read at his disposal.

As a self-proclaimed bookie, the first thing he decided to go through was this huge reading list his teacher had sent him. The top book on the list was titled “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” and was written by some dude called James Joyce. Hey, he was a young man and an artist, too!

This must surely be a terrific book.

Searching online, he found an eBook version, downloaded it, and began reading.

“Once up a time and a very good time it was, there was a moocow…”

No sooner did he reach the word “moocow” than his head drooped

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and his eyes glazed over. What a pretentious, dull book.

Did the author think he was trying to write a master piece or something? Trash. Moving on, the next book on the list had an even weirder title: “El” followed by a long Spanish word. That got trashed as well. Henry wasn’t in the mood to read some foreign language novel that had zero relevance to his experiences.

Alright, so the books weren’t really working out for him.

That meant it was time for Netflix instead. He opened the app, scrolled to a random sitcom and started an episode. Now that was much more entertaining.

Certainly better than a boring book with an unpronounce able title.

He watched until the end of the episode and was about to start the next when his stomach gurgled like a rumbling volcano. It occurred to him then that he hadn’t eaten anything since those sunflower seeds. What time was it now? He’d done so much, it felt like the whole morning just flew by. Lunch was probably being prepared already. Standing up from the chair, he did a couple of stretches to massage his aching joints and took a look at the clock on the wall.

It was half past nine.

??? LATER

Henry couldn’t remember what the sun looked like anymore.

He had no clue how long it had been since the quarantine began. Months, years, who could tell? The passage of time no longer had any meaning. There was only waiting.

Endless and endless amounts of waiting.

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He’d tried to pass the time with movies and shows and games, but none of them could cull the boredom that had taken root inside his head.

Worst of all, he no longer had the willpower to write. That one exhilarating session of pure creative freedom was nothing more than a cruel prank by the universe, bestowed unto him for just a brief moment to make its disappearance all the more agonizing.

Now, he was reduced to a motionless husk lying on the bed, his blank face staring up at the ceiling as if waiting to receive some divine intervention.

Henry groaned. His mom could not have picked a worse time to sermon him. He smothered his ears against a pillow, tuning out his mom’s voice into white noise. After a few more indiscernible monologues, she left the room.

Someone entered the room and started talking to him. The voice was somewhat hazy, but even in his stupor Henry could make out his mom’s distinct intonation. She was bothering him about all sorts of things:

Quarantine. The damn quarantine.

How he loathed it. He longed for the days when he could go out into the open without a care in the world. He missed the sunshine, the trees, the pollution. He missed being able to sit outside on a bench and type down story ideas on his phone whenever he saw something interesting. All those juicy writing inspirations out there, and yet here he was trapped in this tiny three-story house like a bird in a cage. If only he could escape...

“Did you hear? They announced last night that classes would be cancelled for the rest of the week.”

“Don’t go out, alright? I don’t want you getting sick.”

“You should come down soon, lunch is almost ready.”

“How many times have I told you to bring down the sunflower seeds when you’re finished eating? You’re going to get ants all over the room.”

Etc.

Henry remained on the bed for another eternity, give or take a few eons. Is this what Hell was like? No, at least Hell had fire and pain and unimaginable torture. This was nothing.

An overwhelming, suffocating nothing. He’d take fire and torture any day over this, this quarantine.

He thought back to the time he gave a guy the infected suit. That man might already be out there having the time of his life! The death rate was, what, 4%? So after a few days in the hospital, he was free to do as he pleased. Not only that, he’d also have the most amazing life-or-death story to wow everyone with. Hell, there were probably news segments and

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documentaries being made about him that very moment! And here Henry was, wasting his life away on the bed sheets when he could be the one telling the life-changing survival story to other people. The sheer thought of it made him want to re-infect the man in frustration.

As Henry fixated himself on the injustice of the situation, a change gradually came over him. Blood began to flow again through his limbs. His fists clenched to reveal bulging veins, and his entire body was trembling. Suddenly, like a zombie raised from the dead, he lifted himself off the bed and scampered to the door. There were only two things on his mind: lunch, and getting himself infected.

- LIKE TWO WEEKS LATER OR SOMETHING (It’s not important how long exactly)

It was pitch black inside Henry’s hospital room, save for the glare coming from his tablet. Night had fallen long ago. How long ago, Henry had no clue. His attention was devoted to typing on a keyboard, fingers whizzing through keys so quickly it was impossible to tell one clack apart from the next. In this sort of enlightened state, the passage of time became utterly meaningless

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to him. There only existed the words on the screen, and the words in his head that would soon be dredged up and placed on the screen.

Here were some of the sentences he wrote: “It was dark outside, just like the darkness of my situation.”

“The woman next to me coughed up blood like a leaking wine barrel.”

“The nurse stroked my bedside, but it served little comfort.

How I wish it was my own mother stroking it instead!”

His piece—nay, his magnum opus, as he declared it—was just a few hundred words away from being completed. Every second he stayed awake brought him closer and closer to collapsing once and for all, but it didn’t matter. Not when he was this close. After all the effort he went through to make this opportunity happen, he wasn’t going to waste it.

He continued pushing on, ignoring the fire in his lungs, the hammerlike throbbing in his head, the stabbing in his chest. Word after word after word appeared on the screen until he typed the ultimate punctuation mark of the text.

It was finished.

Finally finished.

Forever.

It was tempting to simply fall asleep right then and there, but Henry resisted. There was still one thing left to do. He opened up his browser, composed an email to the editor of his school’s newspaper with the document attached, and hit send. Now his masterpiece was out there, free for everyone to read and admire his artistry.

Wheezing and coughing, he turned off the tablet and laid his head back on the pillow. With the story fully completed, he no longer had any reservations about dying. In fact, he could do with an eternity’s worth of rest.

He closed his eyes and went to sleep.

It seemed as if his brain was fully aware that this dream was going to be his last, and designed it appropriately. In it, people everywhere were engrossed reading his story. Children and adults alike sobbed over its emotional beauty. Across the ages, university professors held international conferences to endlessly debate about the various meanings and symbolism in the text.

The best part, though, featured Henry himself. He was being driven in a limo to an extravagant five-star hotel where an award ceremony was being held. As he stepped out onto the carpet, he had to place his hand over his eyes just to shield himself from all the camera flashes. In the ceremony, he was given an award by none other than Carlos Palanca himself. Furthermore, the other judges at the ceremony praised him as the prodigy that revolutionized the world of literature and brought new life into the field.

Palanca even said that his story would be required reading for all future senior high school students. All the while, Henry gave wide smiles for the cameras, to have his picture immortalized in the history books forever.

When his body was found the next morning, it was said his face had the expression of pure, untainted peace.

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The next day, an email was sent to Henry’s account. It read:

From: hannah.tan@gmail.com To: doublespeak@gmail.com Subject: Re: Story Submission Thank you for sending your work to the school newspaper!

We always appreciate new submissions. Unfortunately, we’re currently oversaturated with stories and poems about the COVID-19 pandemic right now, so I’m afraid we aren’t able to publish your story. That being said, we look forward to any submissions you want to send to us in the future!

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Bianca Adzuara, Beacon Academy

When the quarantine was announced, meaning the entire country would have to stay at home, I’d say that us students were quite overjoyed that we wouldn’t need to wake up early and worry about arriving at school on time anymore, or feel frustrated when running around, panicking for a written test you didn’t study for.

As I was skipping through the hallways, thrilled with the news that I could lie down in bed all day long, I took one last look at my school, then waved and hugged my classmates’ goodbye. Then it hit me.

When would I ever see them again?

This was nothing like the days when classes were suspended from Typhoon Tisoy last December or because of the ashfall of Taal Volcano last January. We couldn’t go out for vacation as if it were a semestral break. This was a quarantine because there is an ongoing pandemic of the infamous COVID-19.

To hinder the spread of the virus, we students played our part by following the rules and regulations of the quarantine. We couldn’t hang out; having fun was not a valid reason to go out in public unless we wanted

to catch the virus. To help the frontliners doing everything they can to save lives, let’s give themfewer lives to save. So what did we do?

We stayed at home...

For four months straight. Instead of dying from COVID-19, we were dying from boredom. As a 10th Grader, I didn’t really have a lot to worry about asides from my studies. The last two and half months of school were spent indoors.

Now it’s summer break, the more we could relax, the more we could do nothing... Or so we thought.

There are still so many things all of us just didn’t do just because the quarantine was standing in our way.

But because of the quarantine, so many things have been done. We have to admit, we do miss school in some way.

Because of this, I’ve conducted a survey in our school, The Beacon Academy, wondering what the entire community has been up to for the past few months and what would they do for this summer break. I asked about the things they would’ve, could’ve, should’ve but didn’t do, and the things they would’ve, could’ve, should’ve, and did do.

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3. Exercise 1. Travel.

This was the biggest downfall. Many of us would’ve liked to go to places, old and new, but alas, the entire quarantine happened. We couldn’t visit our favorite vacation spots and be awestruck by the places we wished to go. Because of the lockdown in certain places, we weren’t able to see relatives that we have not seen for a very long time. We should’ve had birthday parties in malls with close friends, only to be stuck at home.

Now we’re in the same place every single day.

2. Learn

Academics

Because we’re just home and we’re busy lazing around, our drive to learn has lessened because no one really tells us what to do. We found ourselves slacking off because every day was like a weekend and usually on weekends, it’s our time to relax.

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Instead of stretching and trying out new exercises, many tend to just sit down by their computer, exercising their fingers through typing and eyes by watching.

4. Participate in

outdoor activities

Participating in outdoor activities.

Like some people, we are more active in more social work and outreach because it’s summer. People were supposed to attend summer camps and academic programs but were all stopped in their tracks because it all had to be canceled. Many couldn’t play their favorite outdoor sports anymore or participate in highly anticipated tournaments.

5. Be excited about tomorrow

Nothing really exciting happens. We wake up, eat, do whatever we want, sleep. Our lives are a playlist on repeat.

1. Reflection

I think quarantine has given us a chance to sit down, talk to ourselves, and reflect on our usual actions and routines. Quarantine made me realize that the world would never be the same, we had to step up our game and evolve from to act in extreme caution. We have some regrets, like how my friends and I should’ve hung out more, or how I could’ve asked help from teachers when they were there. We worry about the future, wondering how life would be, and it’s a pain because we really have no clue where we’re going.

2. Catch up

with shows

To be honest, this is what we’ve been doing most of the time. We would spend hours watching the trending KDramas, anime, movies or TV-shows we missed. We would laugh, we would cry, and we would cringe because we found something we didn’t like. I think because of this, we became a little more open to different genres and shows around the world. As we continue to watch different shows, we travel along with the story’s characters, as if making up for all the travel we missed.

3. Keep fit and healthy

Though many have been sitting and lying down for an entire day, many have taken this as an opportunity to make up for the time they didn’t and couldn’t exercise.

4. Spend more

time with family

Because people now work from home, we would have more time to hang out with our family. Some of us were able to watch these shows as a family, and learn each others’ perspectives of the current events. From time to time, some would have some game nights and feel the tension between them fall bit by bit.

5.

Learn and try out new things

For some people, this was an opportunity to discover more about ourselves. They would try doing things they least expect to do and end up loving it. For example, one was able to find out that they enjoyed another style of art, another tried out new recipes. During quarantine, it was a chance to eat healthy foods because people weren’t in a rush to go somewhere.

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Quarantine life is hard, but I was able to understand myself better because I had time to think about where I am now.

Sometimes, everything could just be so overwhelming.

Sometimes, it’s just so hard to accept reality. Sometimes, we forget the tragedy occurring outside of our homes. It’s fine that we get bored from time to time because that’s the main problem students are facing. Be grateful that we have right now because we’re not the ones seeing the situation first-hand. Be thankful for those doing their role to fight this virus so that we would have a little more peaceful future.

Time is so valuable, we never know when it is our time to leave. There are many things we would’ve, could’ve and should’ve done. So when you have the chance, don’t hesitate and seize the moment.

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Aidan Gocheco at Aniceto Cajigal, Xavier School Galit at Poot. Ang dalawang bagay na naging bunga ng tao sa mundo – mula sa mundong puno ng saya at kagandahan, ito ay nasira dahil dito.

Noon pa man, likas na ang hindi pagkakasundo sa lipunan. Ang ugali ng pagiging makasarili ay nagdulot sa paghihiwalay ng mga tao.

Naging sanhi ang pagnanasa ng isang tao sa pagkapoot niya laban sa mga taong nagiging hadlang sa kanyang pagkamit nito. Habang tumatagal ito, labis na tumitindi ang galit at poot na ito, na dahan-dahang nilalason ang lipunan.

Ang Groupthink ay isang sanhi ng sigalot sa lipunan.

Ang Groupthink ay nangyayari kapag binibigyan natin ng diin ang ating mga pagnanais imbes na ang nakapangangatwirang pag-iisip. Nangunguna ang intensyon natin bilang grupo. Gagawin natin ang lahat para matupad ito at hindi natin papansinin ang maaring kalalabasan ng ating kilos.

“Grabe, walang silbi ang gobyerno. Parang walang pakialam naman ang mga nasa pamahalaan. Puro pera lang ang nasa isip ng mga opisyal. Wala silang pakialam sa kondisyon namin. Pansinin n’yo naman kami!”

Dahil sa COVID, marami ang nawalan ng hanapbuhay. Kaya, laging napupuno ang iba’t ibang social media platform ng mga post kagaya nito. Walang katapusan ang mga angal ng madla sa panahon ngayon. Puro sila na lang daw ang nahihirapan.

Sa pagpapahayag ng mga damdamin nang walang ganap na pagninilay, naka-

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bubuo ang loob ng isang tao ng malakas

ulot nito ay matindi. Lagi na lang tayong

na intensyon upang makuha ang kanil-

nananatiling makasarili at hati-hati bil-

ang gusto. Sanay na ang mga Pilipino

ang isang lipunan. Nararamdaman lang

dito, kaya nga kailanman ay hindi sila

natin na nagkakaisa tayo, dahil pareho

sumuko.

ang ating mga gusto para sa ating mga sarili. Nagkakaisa lang tayo upang kala-

Kung ang damdamin natin bilang li-

banin ang pamahalaan, kasi nga akala

punan ay galit, lungkot, o selos, maaaring

nating lahat na sila ang sanhi ng ating

malagay sa kuyog ang ating lipunan. Ha-

problema sa mundo. Bumuo tayo ng

los lahat ng tao, kung galit, ay mauunah-

“tayo laban sa gobyerno� na mentali-

an ng kaniyang damdamin, at makaka-

dad, at itong pag-iisip na ito ay ang ku-

limutan niya rin ang kanyang pagkiling

makalat sa iba. Ang galit ng ilan ay nag-

sa rason, moral, at etika. Malalason ang

ing galit ng lahat.

kanyang isipan at mapupuno ang puso niya ng masasamang intensyon. At iyan

Oras na para itigil ang pagkakalat na ito.

ang nangyari sa ating mga Pilipino mula

Walang magbabago kung tayo mismo ay

pa noon, hindi lang natin kinilala o ti-

hindi magsisikap na magbago. Upang

nanggap ito.

mas maintindihan natin ang mga bagaybagay na ito, kailangan natin malaman

Sa hinaba-haba ng ating kasaysayan, sa

kung bakit nagkaganito ang ating li-

dinami-dami ng mga nagdaang Pangu-

punan. Ito ay nililinaw ng konsepto na

lo na siguradong ginawa ang lahat ng

pinangalanan bilang Teorya ng Group-

kanilang makakaya, bakit tila palagi na

think.

lang tayong nagagalit sa pinuno ng ating bayan?

Lalong lalo na sa panahon ngayon, habang hinaharap natin ang COVID-19,

Tayo ang bumoto sa kanila. Kasalanan

tunay na kailangan na natin na magkai-

natin ang ating pag-iisip na maabot nila

sa. Hindi dahil sa ating pagkamakasar-

ang ating mga expektasyon. Kasalanan

ili, kundi dahil sa pagmamalasakit para

din na inakala natin na maibibigay nila

sa ating kapwa. Sa panahon ng paghihi-

ang ating mga hiling. Pero, ididiin ko

rap sa taong ito, lubhang kailangan na

rin, kasalanan nila na hindi sila gaanong

natin matanto ang halaga ng bawat isa

mahusay katulad ng kinakailangan nat-

at maibigay ang nararapat na pagtrato

ing lahat. Kaya, parehong ang madla at

sa kanila. Kung may maaring masama

ang pamahalaan ay may kasalanan.

pang mangyayari, imbis na hiwa-hiwalay at nag-aaway ang ating lipunan,

Ang ating pag-uugali bilang lipunan ay nakaaapekto sa sistema, at ang maidud-

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magkakaisa na tayo.

Bilang isang mamamayang Pilipino, kailangan na natin pakawalan ang ating galit sa gobyerno. Hindi tama ang pagsisisi sa iba. Lahat tayo ay nagdurusa sa panahon ngayon at kinakailangan nating magtulungan. Walang mararating ang pagtatanim ng galit sa isa’t isa. At kahit hindi iyon ang tiyak na solusyon sa ating mga problema, ito ay nagsisilbing unang hakbang para sa pagtatagumpay laban sa krisis na ito. Kahit magkakaiba ang ating mga pinaniniwalaan, mas mabuti na magkaisa muna tayo upang mabigyang-tuon ang mas malubhang mga problema sa ating lipunan. Hindi dapat tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Tuwing lumulubog ang araw sa gabi, siguradong sisikat din ito sa kinabukasan, basta’t hihintayin natin ito.

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Anagha Chakravati, International School Manila

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This is a message for everyone who has been impacted by this pandemic.

This is uncharted territory for the world, and we have faced several changes. At this point, some may have lost any sense of time, while others may yearn for the past, or long for the future.

This short piece encourages everyone to focus on the present and not be slaves to the concept of time.

Anagha Chakravarti, International School Manila

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Time often feels like an overpowering figure that looms over us and brings upon the inevitable. While some of us may yearn for the past, or be engrossed in the present, time seems to rush ahead like a blur.

However, while many of us right now may long for a better future; one with the cool breeze of the outside air, and a sky full of hope, time isn’t fate’s master. I want to encourage all of you to think of time as more of a fleeting, free flowing matter that floats in space.

In our paradoxical thoughts where we want to relive the past one minute and taste the future the next, I would say that we shouldn’t think too much about time as a tangible concept- one that strikes as the hour passes.

Focus on what you can do in this world, and how you can take charge of your life and feelings. Time doesn’t determine much at the end of the day. This is your life, and you should own it.

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