Covid 19: The Pandemic That Changed The World

How’s My Life During the Pandemic?

Before the ECQ was announced, we were busy in school preparing for the final exam of our students. The first time I heard about Covid 19, I thought it was just an ordinary epidemic or outbreak of certain disease that I just took it lightly. It was during that time when classes were suspended for a number of days that I realized the severity of the Covid 19 pandemic. I told myself that this was not something for me to feel joyful for the class suspension. It was also during that time when I started to fear this so called invisible enemy. It came to my senses that this problem was not just an ordinary calamity like a typhoon that we were used to experience. I fear not only for my life, but specially for my loved ones. The first few weeks of this pandemic caused me a tremendous worry and anxiety about our safety, the panic buying of people, the increasing number of Covid 19 cases and deaths, the imminent collapse of our health care system , the economic downfall of our country and other negative scenarios happening here in the country and even across the globe. All these things gave me some sleepless nights , but at the same time drove me to become more prayerful and trusting to God Almighty.

Not all wearing  PPE’s are front-liners ; others are home-liners.

Looking at what I have done so far during this pandemic, I want to believe in the idea that “Many are called, but few are chosen”. I believe that I was called by God to be the home-liner of our family ( being the breadwinner) but I was not chosen to take part in the noble service of being out there in the battlefield to fight Covid 19. But even if I could not do any heroic deeds like what our front-liners are doing, my obedience to follow the quarantine protocols set by the government is to me my humblest way to show my cooperation. I also look after the welfare of my family and keep on reminding them to be extra careful so as not to contribute to the problem of the government. I always hear, “Stay home, Save lives.”

Lastly, taking good care of my 84 year-old mother while on lock down is something I have done greatly. Feeding her and giving her a good bath during this quarantine period made me think that this pandemic is probably a blessing in disguise for me. Why? Because it has given me so much time to be with my mother and to look after her, which I could have not done, if classes were not suspended. Taking good care of her becomes my daily routine.

My 5 Kapit Lang Life Lessons Laban sa Covid 19

Kapit Lang is our Filipino expression that is equated to English words like steadfastness or firmness. This expression mirrors our Filipinos’ unwavering spirit in conquering our battles in order to rise from our adversities. 

Kapit Lang in Trusting God

How can we hold on trusting God when all things seem bleak? Covid 19 has made life not only different but also difficult. And in this difficult times, many of us are wondering for what reasons did God allow this to happen in the world. What does it mean to trust God? Trusting God means believing that He is in complete control of everything and that in His perfect time, this pandemic shall come to pass. Having this trust in God, I put everything in His hands and just continue living each day with gratitude for all things and the gift of life. Yes, it is not easy to live each day with fear at this time of pandemic. Our situation is not easy , but I always believe that I have the choice to leave my fear behind and choose to trust God. Prayer is a tranquilizer for our mind and spirit and a daily dose of it will help us get through this while waiting for God’s perfect time. His assurance that tells us, Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you” is more than enough to find solace and comfort. We just have to believe that God never leaves us in good and bad times.

Kapit Lang in Being a Blessing for Others

In what capacity can I be a blessing for others? Being a blessing for others does not need any rehearsals or script. It is something that anyone can do without the use of a camera or video that will capture the act of generosity. It is something that we do when we hear our conscience speaking to us. Every time I hear or see the sad stories of people who are greatly suffering from the impact of lock down in their livelihood, I try to visualize the difficulty that they are experiencing right now. It is truly heartbreaking to hear and see their plight.

With the limitations I have, I can only do small and humble acts of charity and I know it is only God who sees what I am doing. Honestly, I feel afraid giving alms to those “taong grasa “ because judging from their dirty looks, I have this idea that probably, they are mentally ill and that they might harm me if I approach them when I give something in my hand. Covid 19 ignites our compassion to look after the condition of these people. Compassion is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering. Thinking how hungry and needy they would have been because of lock down, I have forgotten my fear of these people. It was a surprise to me in one incident, when I gave alms to a man clad in dirty clothes and with dirt all over his body. At first, I felt hesitant to go near him but again I heard my conscience telling me what was the right thing to do, so I went to him and gave some money and to my surprise I heard him saying, “ Salamat ate, buti ka pa”. And I could not forget the happy face I saw from this man. Little acts of kindness to us may be different for these people who are in destitute.

Kapit Lang in Staying Positive

When our world is turned upside down, how do we keep moving forward? Can we still see the silver lining? Positivity in the midst of Covid 19 pandemic is a real challenge to all of us regardless of our economic conditions. But come to think of it, what benefit will negativity bring us? Absolutely, nothing! During this pandemic, Covid 19 does not spare no one, but we should not be overwhelmed by it. So what do we do to stay positive? Do not overthink of our fears. Instead of overthinking of our present situation, we can turn our focus on the future and go back to our dreams, to our plans that we put on halt due to Covid 19. Personally, before this pandemic happened, I was looking forward for the month of April when school days are over to enroll myself in a cooking or baking class because I want to pursue my dream of having my online business that sells food stuffs. I got fascinated with that idea of selling food because cooking is also my passion. When Covid 19 came, I left with no choice but to forgo my plans temporarily. But this dream helps me to keep going. I am still looking forward for that time when it is already safe to attend cooking and baking workshops. I always tell myself, “kapit lang sa pangarap”.

Kapit Lang in Discovering New Opportunities

The world will never run out of opportunities for us to work with specially for those who are willing to take the risks, to grow and to try new things. For more than three months of staying at home due to lockdown, really made my routines to be different. For one thing, I have been teaching for more than two decades already. Going to school every day has become my life , but 2020 brought a lot of changes due to Covid 19. Again it depends on the person on how he/ she would use the time during lockdown. During the first month of ECQ, when people were not allowed to go out of their residences, I just spent my days doing household chores. Then, I thought of giving blogging a chance in order for me to stay productive. Writing for me is a productive activity for anyone. It has a lot of benefits. The act of organizing my ideas is a mental activity in itself, and the thought of giving information in my blog requires me as a writer to do research and reading. Blogging is a new discovery for me. In addition, now that we are preparing for the opening of classes comes August, we were asked to attend various webinars to equip us with new teaching skills needed for virtual teaching. Even if I am a teacher myself, I still need to learn from other people’s expertise. Everybody has the potential to turn any negativity to learning or even financial opportunities.

Kapit Lang in Living the New Normal

How are we going to say good bye to the Old Normal and welcome the New Normal? Everybody is experiencing the impact of living in a situation of adjusting to the New Normal. This can be a real challenge for all of us. Yes, embracing the New Normal takes a lot of sacrifice on our part, but if doing this can save our lives, our family and the rest of humanity from our invisible enemy, then we have to do it. No room for complaint, just compliance for everyone.

Life in itself makes me to move forward. I still have my life, my family, my dreams and above all my faith in God. These are valuable reasons for me to kapit lang to the end.

Nothing can beat our unwavering bayanihan spirit. Together kapit kapit lang in our faith in God’s goodness and greatness, we can fight Covid 19.

" This story is an entry to ComCo Southeast Asia’s “Write to Ignite Blogging Project”. The initiative is a response to the need of our times, as every story comes a long way during this period of crisis. Igniting and championing the human spirit, “Write to Ignite Blog Project” aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities to inspire the nation to rise and move forward amidst the difficult situation. This project is made possible by ComCo Southeast Asia, co-presented by Eastern Communications and sponsored by Electrolux, Jobstreet and Teleperformance."