I am sharing some of my students’ writings on their life during Covid times.  I’d like to thank Oliva, Cora, and Educate Magis for sharing the global project “Global Student Stories Project A Day in my Life: living under the Covid-19 “ since I think the opportunity to reflect and write has also been therapeutic for our students.

Here are the reflection. I hope your students enjoy them!

A Day in my Life, written by Sean, 14, Ateneo de Manila Junior High School, Philippines

To be honest, our country is doing good when it comes to the pandemic, or at least on the outside. We started our lockdown a bit early and we have a small amount of cases compared to other countries. We obviously have problems in things such as making sure that we are in complete lockdown and in our coordination as a country, but I believe that we will get through this problem. For my summer, I was originally planning a staycation, so it didn’t affect it that much. I do know however, that numerous people were already planning many events and activities but had to cancel them. The challenges that come from this is for the country. These challenges are ones that we, as a nation, as a world, will have to work together on. Multiple countries are affected and it is now a global effort to stop this issue. Now for the gifts, I believe that these are gifts from God. First of all, the leaders of the countries are doing their best to help their country. Other gifts are the brave frontliners, everyday people who became heroes due to their vital roles in this issue. The last gifts are us, us who are aware and are trying to help, in whatever way we can to solve this problem. These gifts basically ensure us a bright future because we now know that we can do it. That we can solve any problem as long as we work together and do our best. I feel like us Filipinos should learn from this issue by learning responsibility. This issue caused a lot of people to step up, to do better and to be more responsible. I hope that we can get through this issue, but I also hope that we can learn from it. I hope that everyone can use this pandemic as a reminder, not only as a reminder to keep safe and practice good hygiene, but also a reminder that we, as humans are one. We are all family, and whenever there is a problem, we can get through it as one.

A Day in my Life, written by Enrico, 14, Ateneo de Manila Junior High School, Philippines

Ever since March 16, 2020, I thought that the Coronavirus wouldn’t be that big of a deal, but I took it seriously. I thought that people would do the same. Now, it’s a month since the suspension of my classes. I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to my classmates, friends, and teachers. I’m stuck at home, doing everything I possibly can to make my summer worthwhile, and fearing that the quarantine will consume up more time than I originally estimated.

The time we got at home can be used for many things; sleeping and losing those eye bags we got during school days, or playing online games with friends and filling the class group chats with ‘you g?’ or ‘pasali’, et cetera. For me, I use this time to take care of my health. I’d sleep for 7 to 8 hours and exercise for 30 minutes or more. I’d eat as many fruits and vegetables there are in the table and drink water more regularly. I’d skip the junk food and not be a gluttonous beast.

The fear of Coronavirus can explain why people are panicking and doing weird things to protect their loved ones. It, however, does not justify why people are being racist and panic-buying. To lessen the spread of the virus, we should follow the rules the professionals set for us. It’s the only thing that can decrease or even stop the mayhem that’s going through the world right now. If we can’t bother to follow simple rules, don’t expect this pandemic to go away any time soon. This is Enrico, a 14-year-old student from Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, signing out.

A Day in my Life, written by Sean A, 15, Ateneo de Manila Junior High School, Philippines 

Philippines is in a state of turmoil. We are combating a virus (COVID-19) with no foreseeable solution that is too great to bear. We are in great fear, which causes us to stop and question what God has clearly told us to do. We don’t know what lies ahead of us, so we become apprehensive. Our imagination can magnify problems until they seem insuperable.

Life under quarantine lockdown is giving so much suffering to Filipinos. There are scarcities of food, relief goods, and protective gears. People are into panic-buying, hoarding, and overpricing their goods. Also, there are losses in business and employment that has greatly affected the economy of the country. Sadly, our government can’t handle COVID-19 cases beyond its capacity because of the surging number of infected patients, death, and shortage of isolation rooms. Obviously, we’re all caught in surprise and we’re not prepared for this situation.

At home, we’ve managed to survive our day by being productive. We do the household chores and prepare stuff for charities which serve as a bonding moment for our family. It is also a time to reconnect with our Savior in preparing for Lent. It nourishes our spirit whenever we watch mass and pray the novena. Thus, I immense myself daily in the Word of God because if I don’t guard my heart, I will grow cold in my love for Christ. In moments like these, I learned to count my blessings. To count what we’ve left. Counting our blessings gives us comfort and strength in times of crisis. It cushions our sufferings from any kind of loss or failure. Realizing that we still have a lot of things to look forward to and enjoy can give us a sense of hope. There is no reason to live in fear when we have the mighty presence of the Holy Spirit within us. God didn’t promise a trouble-free world. He allows us to suffer difficulties for a purpose. He allows people to hunger so they could experience His provisions and develop a deeper level of trust within Him.

Filipinos must learn that in these times of distress, when our devotion and obedience are put to the greatest test, we must focus on God, not on the problem. For we can do all things through Him who gives us strength, learn to be patient, do it in God’s way. Never let the faithlessness of others determine what we should do, for our Lord knows our every need and He will not replenish us in the same way; His response to us will always perfectly correspond to our present need. We must foster good in our community and expand the horizon of our generosity, preferably for those in situation of dire need. Furthermore, I’m hoping that we will all be a ray of hope to each other in the midst of despair. We can’t recover on our own, only Him knows how to heal and rejuvenate a soul.  Felix