It is the year 2020, a double-digit year. After a few days of revelry and family reunions, we faced a major volcanic eruption that affected people from Southern Luzon, specifically Taal and nearby towns. People's way of life changed. The poor got poorer, losing their livestock and homes that got half-buried in the ashfall. The resthouses of the rich nearby got damaged but they will get repaired without even denting their bank accounts. The Filipino culture of Bayanihan resurfaced inspiring volunteerism, unity, heroism, and the like. For awhile, selfishness and the race for economic survival halted. Generosity, selflessness, camaraderie sparked the light of hope among those who lost their homes. And if you were one of those who frantically asked for donations or distributed goods for those victims, I can imagine how good or fulfilled you felt after. Isn't it fulfilling to have done something than just watch the news? For those who had no choice but watched the news & saw the overview, wasn't it flabbergasting to see some people scrambling to help for publicity? Social media was filled with photos of people helping for different reasons. The sincere ones who truly cared; the ones who sought for awards and saw the chance for an additional photo; those who had nothing to do so might as well jump in the bandwagon; those who helped for the 2022 elections; those who are in the call of duty; and many more.
The next few weeks and months saw the whole world gradually halted. An invisible organism attacked mankind; and boy how it did! Many thought they were above this speck, but the speck hurt people at their weakest - money and life. Fortunately for those who obeyed the Enhance Community Quarantine aka Lockdown (not knockdown nor look down nor lock & lock), they had the luxury of spending time with their loved ones- or not! Some had the chance to reflect on their lives. Social media can prove the millions of posts on thought-provoking quotes, essays, quips and even laughable cartoons that uplift people all over the world. There are numerous posts too on how dangerous Covid 19 is. Numerous posts too on the people who did not seem to care about the warnings of the health professionals and went about their reckless ways, infecting people nonchalantly. People all over the world showed different characters. The US President spoke as if he can tell the virus to stop; the striding Chinese leader who started it all and offered the world his pretentious aid; the desperate Italian Head pleaded for help and almost lost hope; our very own president who threatened the pasaways - hard-headed people who did not obey the rules and even challenged the enforcers; at the same time the same Philippine President exalted the Chinese despite their culpability in introducing the virus to us. In fairness, despite the many politicians trying to gain favor from him and for the 2020 elections, the president did the real best he could muster. Truly when a crisis strikes, you learn the character of people and the person right next to you.
In the first week of the lockdown, I saw may tiktoks of bored people. Some were amusing, some were funny, some offending, some inspiring, and some disturbing. As a writer, it brought me to where I am now - typing my thoughts again. The Viber groups burst with messages that were frantic with apprehensions, outrage, sympathy, empathy, imagination, sadness, and comedy that filled the message boards. In fact, I had to delete so many messages to get my phone working normally again. So many news, fake news, hate campaigns, endorsement campaigns, DIYs, and FYIs came through social media. Facebook was filled with sellers and extortionists who wanted to be instantly rich from selling the artificial shortages of masks, alcohols, chlorox, and other disinfectants. History showed us that there are always economic opportunities in the most desolate of circumstances; whether war, famine, or pandemic. Here the frontlines are the people from suppliers, customs and immigration.
In the second week of the lockdown, panic seems to have abated. Many people slowly accepted the reality of curtailed movement. With so many heartbreaking unnecessary loss of lives, countless sacrifices of the people who need to go to work for services despite the dangers to their health, people got tired fighting the change. It is inevitable. Mothers have time to nurture their children. Parents get to know their teens. Husbands and wives get to strategize and plan together for the war ahead. Happily, some turned to Netflix to watch CLOY, or Terrius or other Korean movies. Others opted for youtube for classic movies, music, and even exercises. Some also went back to flipping pages of their favorite or unread books. If you are bored to death and complaining in your 2-bedroom or a bigger house, imagine a household of six living in their 20 sqm home during this lockdown? Their positivity and faith must be enormous! Liquor was even banned to deter the classic Filipino culture of group drinking sessions where they share one glass for everyone to signify brotherhood. This time brotherhood will be shown with social distancing. Love for family is having no reunions nor visits to grandparents. Girl bondings are through Line, Skype or Messenger as they pray the Rosary together or perhaps some wine and laughter on the side as they share their lockdown stories. The creative Filipinos will survive albeit the endless complaints. They are resilient. Even the threats to stealing and looting the rich was a useless threat, whether fake or real. The police and military visibility halted them. The invisible evil was also a force to reckon with. There were so many ruminations at t is time, especially for those who were too busy to pause and assess their lives.
The other side of the coin showed a healing world that has been hurt by the abusive man. The waters of Venice became the playground of dolphins. Sea lions frolicked in Singapore's parks. The sky is clear and blue adorned by fluffy clouds. The smog is gone. The earth seems so happy to be emancipated from the avarice of man. Unfortunately, the West Philippine Sea is repeatedly raped by the greediest of all while the world helped each other combat the invisible enemy. That is another battle the Filipinos have to face. Meantime, amidst the scariest scare, faith gave us courage and strength. Pope Francis virtually yet actually instigated the hope we all needed, the calm during this storm, the faith in God who will never let evil win over good. He was our pillar representing Our Lord and Savior.
In our own homes, in our own self, we battled. We reacted. We got frustrated. We got so damn scared for ourselves, our children, our loved ones. We felt mournful for the lives lost. We felt pugnacious to those who were selfish, reckless, self-centered carriers of the virus walking freely among the crowds. We complained about the loss of business, opportunities, the canceled trips, the thwarted plans, and more. Nevertheless, after all the hullabaloos in our mind, we saw the ray of sunshine. People turned in themselves. People realized their priorities. They realized their first goals. They saw their countless blessings. Some even discovered the expired food in the pantry. A majority of us valued staying home, safe from the virus while others brave the risks to keep us safe.
There is a God and He is great indeed! When there was so much designating labels to people, things and valuing the titles, prestige, power, money, and elitism, we were all brought to a standstill.
God never wants us to suffer. But He too gave us free will trusting we will always choose His side. Unfortunately, many chose the gilded trappings of evil. Temptations always appear wonderful. But even in this pit of doom where we are, God allows us to look into our hearts. He allows us to remove all the trappings and choose. This time, we have the chance to look within. It is such a blessing to halt, to pause and remember our SELVES. How do I live my life after this? Where do I lead my family after this? What values can I impart to my family, friends, colleagues? What did I realize? How can I help? How can I be a better version of myself? What should be my hint when I start to be greedy? Who am I? What does God want me to do? What decisions should I make?
Only you can answer.
