EDUCATION CONTINUES

Everything went chaotic when the pandemic started that was caused by the COVID-19, which results in a lot of changes. These changes include the method of continuing education, which caused problems in a variety of situations. Many students struggle to face the difficulties that have occurred in the learning system, such as online classes, where some students cannot afford to acquire gadgets or pay for internet connections. Students also struggle to focus on their lessons due to distractions, difficulties with self-study, and a plethora of other incalculable causes. However, it is not only students that are battling during these troubled times. Parents and teachers are also affected by the changing style of learning since it is a different and new teaching method that teachers must learn. It was difficult not to have face-to-face classes because it was the most normally utilized practice of giving education to humanity. Many individuals had mixed feelings about the new system, but they quickly realized that it was the only option to keep academic affairs moving forward.

 

In this current situation, everyone is now experiencing the challenges of a new method of learning through modules and virtual meets. During the epidemic, the Department of Education used several methods and innovations to keep education running. The 2020-2021 school year was held without classes in schools, but rather through Google Meet or Zoom. Teachers communicate with their students using Facebook and Messenger. Programs such as the start of the school year were broadcast live on Facebook, while other activities such as the earthquake drill were carried out by performing it at home and submitting photographs of participation. A lot of learners used printed modular because it was much more affordable and accessible while the rest went through online files and online submissions for them to be more cautious about the current condition regarding the pandemic. The same thing is happening in the 2021-2022 academic year, although more students have acclimated to their new daily lives and ways of completing their studies. Some may still find it difficult to regulate this due to personal reasons, but it is certain that they find ways to continue learning despite the complicated situations they are experiencing. A lot of stressful circumstances may have occurred during the pandemic but everyone is trying to do everything to still learn and receive education in any way because it is the key to the betterment of the youth, society, and future.

 In my opinion, the current education system may be different in how it is provided, but it is still what society needs to help everyone have a brighter future. If we have survived a year of just virtual and modular education, we may continue to pursue education in this new way of learning until the epidemic is over. Sure, it was challenging, but consider the part where everyone is coming up with new strategies to provide great education under a crisis. To be honest, everything may be easier for us if we remain passionate and motivated to finish our studies without hesitation.

Reference: Cantiaga, Y. (2021). CHED Adopts Flexible Learning for Good, Youth Groups React. My pope. https://www.mypope.com.ph/ched-adopts-flexible-learning-for-good/

Filipinos resiliency now and beyond

The Philippines has always been beautiful since it offers a wide variety of amazing sites with exciting activities that tourists enjoy exploring. Treasured cultures will always be visible, and inhabitants' smiles will greet visitors warmly. The aesthetics people may find in this country include breath-taking sceneries concealed in different provinces and stars below the sky whenever lights from buildings and vehicles in Manila show off at night, and honestly, there are more than that which are countless. Apart from the beauty, it also has a range of issues in every aspect of everyday life, such as poverty, which has made it difficult to continue the country's development. We also have a number of environmental concerns that are worrisome since they have an impact on individuals' daily lives. Many worries remain, including those matters with the government and the arrogance of certain citizens, prompting me to comment that many people in our generation admire other nations while forgetting that they have a great country of their own.

 

It is a fact that we must learn to love where we came from, and we could start that by helping it progress or develop rather than disregarding it. Showing concern, attention, and appreciation for our culture by disseminating innovative and factual information about it over the internet may be more beneficial than posting about nosy neighbors and toxic relatives. Promoting tree planting, as well as clean and green projects, are the most fundamental strategies to reduce environmental concerns. While raising awareness and providing information about our current situation in COVID-19 would be a wonderful approach to encourage individuals to avoid violating safety protocols. Supporting and persuading individuals to be vaccinated against COVID-19 may also put an end to our agony from the epidemic. Many people criticize the government, but the real answer to our problem is not to complain and revolt, but to unite and care about critical issues affecting our nation and fellow Filipino citizens. Having the determination to make every day productive will lead to the betterment of the country, and being courageous in doing good deeds such as volunteering to activities and programs related to school, environment, and society will be extremely beneficial not only to you but also to those around you.

 

Being concerned about relevant concerns and making every effort to help as long as you can, could be a really thoughtful and wonderful method to help a republic avoid tragedies. As previously stated, our country is not as perfect as everyone would like it to be, but it should be loved by its own people so that people of other races or nations might come to love the Philippines as much as it deserves to be loved. Keeping oneself concerned, passionate, and supportive of this country may contribute to a more resilient Philippines. This country that some people may want to leave so badly is not perfect for it still faces a lot of problems and debts mostly during the pandemic but to give this country even just a small amount of your attention and concern would really help to save it from falling to misery.

Reference: 

PhilippineFlag.Unsplash.https://unsplash.com/s/photos/philippine-flag

Beyond Words

Dear Mr. President,

It was never easy to be the president of a country. Different kinds of responsibilities will be under your control and authority. However, being a country’s president is not just about having 6 depressing years, but having the will and determination to help the country and its people develop. When you became the famous President Duterte, gossips such as "he came from a family of rebels", "he would not do good" and "he would corrupt" were being spread around me. I never believed that. Instead, I just questioned whether you would be better than the previous rulers of our country. One time, I was shocked as I heard you say bad words in your speech and you acted just like a normal citizen during your conferences or meetings. Rather than being that president who stands properly with a smile, you just put your two fingers in your cheek while your chin rested on your other three fingers and made that iconic posture. I agree that it was true chaos during the campaign against illegal drugs because killing was part of it. It caused a lot of people to have negative reactions and to protest against the campaign. After that, many hated your effort in helping this country and almost everyone never forgot the anti-drug campaign. A lot of people started to backlash at your every movement, which also made this generation continuously complain about the governmental system of this country. Indeed, you were an unusual president at that time you accepted China as an ally despite the fact that the country was already attempting to claim ownership of the West Philippine Sea. Some people really question your own method of ruling. There are times when I think you are cool and there are times when I question your strategy, but I will realize that these are reasonable whenever I continuously try to understand you because I still think that you did a good job ruling our country. There were good results from the anti-drug campaign because many drug-doers are going through rehabilitation and some are jailed. You also made an anti-terror bill law; many thought that it was to deprive the freedom of Filipinos, but the intention was for our country to have fewer terrorism problems. You also went to Marawi as it was experiencing a horrible fight against terrorism. Also, you did not go against China because you trusted the country and you did not want to start any war, as other countries currently have been experiencing tragedies like this.

Despite all the flaws in our government, you still manage to make progress and good contributions to our country’s development. My question before, which is if you are a better ruler than the previous presidents, was answered with a no. I now think that all of the leaders of this country have the same intentions, which is to rule. I do think that being brave enough to fight for the position of being responsible for a whole country is something amazing. Our country’s government system still has flaws and I have faith that you would still do something about it before ending your presidency. Words of thanks, criticism, both constructive and destructive, will never be enough to compensate for a President's hard work.

Reference: "President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photo with his portraits in the backdrop at the Malacañan Palace on December 5, 2017." Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines). https://www.facebook.com/pcoogov?__tn__=-UC*F

Franz; The Human

    Unlike the common custom of Filipinos, where almost everyone has their own nickname, people just call me by my first name, which is Franz. I am now a 15-year-old girl who is currently in 10^th grade at high school. Most of my time is spent on worldly things such as issues on the internet, new trending news, and memes. From my perspective, nothing is extraordinary about me except for my scoliosis. I am not that talented, but I do know how to dance, sing, and write stories that I am still thankful for because that is something that I am proud of. While there are times that I compose random songs that come from my deep thoughts or moods. It is often hard for me to be sure on some matters because I often tend to overthink a lot of stuff to the point that I reach illogical thoughts. The things I like and don’t, often depend on my mood. For example, if my current mood is being energetic, then I would like pop music, but when I’m in the mood of being such a drama queen, then I would like heart-breaking songs; though I am always in the mood to not like bitter gourds and to love any shade of violet. I am the eldest child among us three children of our lovely parents. In addition, I am also fond of the moon and the fictional world.

My personality often changes. I am often talkative whenever I am comfortable with those people who are with me, while I become quiet when I turn sick and tired of life or people. What I like about myself is that I can often easily read people’s behavior. There are a lot of times when I know people are lying or when they are not okay. I also often found myself being a listener to someone who wants to open up. Like when a friend or a stranger wants to share their problem, I would be there to listen and give them positive advice that was based on my experience, but after that, I would be the one being problematic or stressed out about what I just heard from them. I often have that personality where I always act so jolly and happy to spread positivity, yet I cannot apply my own positive life advice to myself. Instead, I end up being emotional and dramatic with almost all of my problems. There were times that I had anger issues before, but now I am trying to maintain control of it and not lose my temper, but there are really times where I burst out in so much anger. There are also times when I just stay quiet because I suddenly feel empty.

    I was always so sure about describing myself before because I was just the usual joyful girl who always prayed before sleeping, but now that I am in high school, my eyes have opened to a reality that made me feel unsure of a lot of things, including myself. I experienced an identity crisis during grade 9, which made me question a lot of my decisions, beliefs, and more. But, I just realized that I need to be more carefree because all I did was over-think everything. Though I am sure that we will always experience changes, that is why there are things we are unsure about. But as long as you still know who you are and you have the courage to not let others change you, then you still have yourself. My name is Franz and my age is 15. I am a moody person, and the word "human" best describes me. My unsureness makes me human. Having things to like and not to like makes me human. Scoliosis makes me human. Being moody makes me human. Nothing is so special about me rather than being a human.