December 2020 Issue
LITERARY
Time to Move Forward written by Russel Clint Francis So The past year has been palpably stagnant yet fast-paced at the same time. Back in March 2020, we were just preparing for the enhanced community quarantine then in a blink of an eye, we’re preparing for the holiday celebrations in our new normal. As we hope for transformative interventions to be implemented by the government, it seemed like a never-ending wait for rain during a deadly drought. We’ve lost friends. We’ve lost family members. We’ve lost colleagues. We’ve fought hard. It As we enter a new year, I only wish that we don’t lose hope. I know I won’t because I still dream of that perfect date with my Mama. Although I do feel we have gotten closer, since we’d regularly check in with each other, I still wish it’d be more than that. She lives in Western Samar, Visayas miles away from me because I’m based here in Metro Manila. I’ve constantly reminded her to take good care of herself and her health by practicing quarantine protocols. In times of hopelessness, I would remind her of that planned date we have. After graduation, we haven’t had the healthiest mother-son relationship. To say that it was a difficult moment would be an understatement. That is why I promised myself, I promised her, that I would make it up to her. The year 2020 would have been our year. We had everything planned out. She’d visit my siblings and I here in Metro Manila and I’d go home for the holidays. We’d discuss our life and journey in this world including how we’ve morbidly prepared for our inevitable end. I don’t want it to end just yet. So, I cling to the very little hope I have that this can be resolved in time. I still want to fly her in and take her out on a proper date. I don’t want to lose time with her, not anymore, I’ve wasted enough. For the year 2021, I want to move forward by making time for my Mama. Although navigating through this pandemic is difficult enough and may seem bleak, I refuse to be devoured by pessimism and hopelessness. So, here’s newfound hope for the new year.
Art by Lee Asuro
In moments of uncertainty, we thrive written by Joy Daguiso As 2020 ends, we look forward to a better future – a more humane society where kindness, compassion, and respect exist unconditionally. Where one can live with peace within themselves. Where the community fosters a safe and nurturing environment for all its members. Where everyone cares for each other’s welfare. Where equality and justice always prevail. (Aha! Wishful thinking!)
situations leading to responses that addressed our needs. As the months passed by, we slowly adapt and navigate our lives into something meaningful such as re-connecting with one another, expressing ourselves, appreciating the little things we can do, and re-establishing ourselves little-by-little. We also learned that there are like-minded individuals and organizations that have the same intentions and mission – to help. Through this, we were able to gather our strengths, resources, and thus, It is safe to say that the year 2020 taught survive together. And when we say survivus a lot of lessons. Since the beginning, al it is not about the fittest but how much it has taken us on a roller-coaster ride of we care for one another. uncertainties. We took some detour from our usual daily route and along the ride, Our thriving journey does not end here. It we experienced overwhelming forces that is perhaps taking another detour where we led us to where we are at this very mo- choose another path to take. In the choicment. These included emotions that ini- es we make for ourselves, it is also sweet tially spurred through isolation then later, to consider the welfare of others as well. we realized that it is a collective feeling There are three questions we can always of grief, fear, frustration, and longing. In ask ourselves on this journey. First, ‘where grief, we learned that it is not just about have you been?’ Let yourself answer, and losing someone we love but it can also be hopefully, it will be filled with memoa sudden change in our environment. Fear ries that allowed you to grow and recogoccurs because we are unaware of what nize your younger self. Second, ‘Where might happen to us which leads to feel- are you?’ At present, acknowledge your ing frustrated with the things happening thoughts, feelings, surroundings, relationbeyond our control such as being distant ships, and current options. Lastly, ‘where from the people we usually interact with do you want to go?’ In the next few months, every day, or the mere fact of going out of know the places you want to visit, situations that you want to see yourself in, and the house simply because we want to. the people who stand beside you. HopeThankfully, we are not alone in times of fully, we can all choose a life worth living difficulty and uncertainty because, during because we believe in our own strengths the moments when feelings of helpless- and our ability to thrive as lifelong ness occur, we learned how to thrive. We learners and travelers. made ourselves informed and assessed our
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