How the BIBAK Youth are coping during Covid-19 Part 11
People have reached out or have responded to the question above;
A lot of what last year’s experience can be described as can be summed into “pause and self reflection”. Meaningful and mundane, it was a time to slow down, re -adjust, and get used to the “new normal” . How did we as a community think of what occurred and how do we move from here?
Crecien —
How was last year for you?
I would say that the pandemic has ups and downs, but when I reflect on the past year of the pandemic I think I did fine. Yes, I ended some friendships in the process and my travel plans got cancelled, but I appreciated the time that I had by myself.
At times I felt very lonely, wishing that I could see people. At times, I really missed physical contact and intimacy. But I also found so much inspiration in my life just being by myself, such as running, playing computer games, and watching Japanese animation. I realized it was really exhausting to maintain a social life, so it was a pleasure to stay home and be in control of my schedule and time. Some small pleasures I can partake in now are reading by myself at the park, or having lunch by myself at a restaurant. My favourite activity is going grocery shopping in different places, which thankfully was considered an essential activity all through the pandemic!
I started school at Langara right at the start of the pandemic in May 2020. I have to say that I enjoyed the online experience. I don't have to commute to school, pack a lunch, or decide what to wear. Although the learning mode is different, I appreciate the efficiency and time I save learning from home. Now that it is a year later, I am on track of finishing 15 classes by the end of the summer. I am extremely proud of myself because it was a lot of hard work. I am wanting to apply to UBC to continue my future studies.
Having a physical outlet helped with my mental state. During the pandemic, I continued to see my physiotherapist to guide me in my workouts and health concerns. Right now, I am going to a gym four times a week. The gym is in a converted warehouse and people are spaced out properly, so I feel generally safe in the space.
When I was not able to have food gatherings with friends, I spent the year chasing cravings. I discovered my love for pineapple bbq pork buns at my local bakery, Bao Bakery on Joyce Street, I became obsessed with durian and bought durian flavoured products. I splurge on unhealthy fast food on the weekends and stuff my face with pizza and burgers!
Now that people are looking to return back to normal now that vaccines are rolling out, I wonder what it will be like to return back to a social life. To be honest, I really don't want to sacrifice the time I spend by myself. I think it will definitely be an experiment of finding a new balance of social activities and personal time.
*****
Liway —
How was last year for you?
If you asked me of how my 2020 is, I would say that it's a roller coaster ride of happiness and acceptance as I craved for knowledge and started to ask the right questions. I started to focus on myself and broaden my views to possibilities, to be an observer more of who I am and have the awareness.
It was just a random news that my friends were talking about as we drank and celebrate our memories from the past year (2019). A virus from Wuhan, China has emerged and started crawling to its neighboring borders. The next thing we know is that every person is advised to wear mask when in public area, practice hand hygiene and maintain 2 meters apart.
I still remember the last time I saw my friends when the news announced that there would be quarantine and lockdown of airports, shops, hotels, restaurants and others. People started to shut their doors and hide from the Grim reapers scythe. Death has a new name and became an instant celebrity known by anyone who has lived and survived by its cruel reality. I realized that not only the human species are being affected, but everything is. Nature is crying for help and it's knocking on our door needing to be cradled by love and affection.
Covid-19 might not be the beginning but a continuation of a more bigger global problem in the future and if we keep turning a blind eye to it, it would be hard to reverse the things we've already destroyed and we'll drown in the ocean of meaningless objects. History will have to wipe out itself and the civilization is back to step number 1.
These are the issues that have bothered me more right now as I venture the deeper realization of life and universe and become the human that nature created. I believe that we can wake up from the slumber of having the knowledge to perish and we can live in the abundance of future memories. So to go back from the original question, my answer would be Yes!
*****
Wei-Jie —
How was last year for you
Hi my name is Wei-Jee, a friend of yours.
Last year totally sucked but we can all agree to that. COVID-19 is a test for sure and I just wish for everyone safety. I myself didn’t support much in the matter, since I actually went out to explore new places and visited people, soul searching perhaps. Never went out as much since, I tend to stay in because I like being a hermit. I still followed a majority of restriction such as wearing mask, 6 feet unless you want to mingle, not going out if I felt sick or I see the people I hang out with is looking like a zombie that can fuck it’s brain’s out... So yeah last year was chill kept myself in check, year 2021 is a different shit show but we’re pulling through. A message to all. Last year left a rough patch for all of us and I want you guys to know that everything after this will be so much better. If you’ve had a much harder time before or went through an all time low, find a way, fight through it and the best will come out of you.
*****
Apollo —
Rats are known for their unpredictable behavior when they're new to their surroundings. Surely the Pandemic hits on the year of the rat. The year of 2020 where it all began, the world didn't expect it to happen all of the sudden. No one is prepared, and no one can tell what's going to happen next, causing a lot of people to panic, confused, become aggressive, and felt lost. Just like a rat if you put it on a box.
A year went by since the world experience a wide spread epidemic like this. New generations has evolved witnessing the catastrophe. The economy was hit hard for some countries around the world including the Philippines. But one thing is clear to me, this pandemic surely bind all the people in every place. It doesn't matter if they had different languages, different countries, and ethnicities. When they introduced the strategy called "lockdown" to control the spread of the virus, the internet had exploded. All social platforms like tiktok, zoom, facebook, youtube, you name it. All of this platform served like a bridge to communicate with our families and friends. We all learn to navigate the internet just to ease our boredom during the lockdown.
BIBAK youths didn't have as much activities compared to the previous years. The quarantine held back our plans and workshops. But that hadn’t stopped us to enjoy what we've learned during the previous workshops and meet ups. We spent our quality time with our families, making stronger bonds and connections with them. Some focuses on work to save up some money, some enjoyed meditating and time for themselves, and some of us giving their best shots on their studies. All I'm saying is we didn't let the pandemic ruined our precious time, instead we turned it to be more useful.
Thanks to all our parents who guide and supported us during this unprecedented time. It is hard for others to cope but that’s why we are" BIBAK".
B-eing there I-mposing our support B-ack to our A-ncestors and K-akailyans.
This pandemic teaches us many things that we can use in our daily lives. It mold us to be a better version of ourselves. It binds us like we've never seen, It makes our faith more stronger than ever, and most of all, it made us appreciate even the tiny little things in our lives.
QQQ
________
Nothing replaces the being in person. No amount of Zoom or Facebook could ever take the place of an embrace or the warmth of another person or other people.
The tinge we feel when we look at a photo and feel a wave of nostalgia is merely the feeling of longing to be in that moment again, cherishing the same emotions, wanting to relive the past, our hearts looking to the future. Owag~!
