Life reflections

As I was about to sit down and write my piece for today, I scrolled through my social feed and stopped -- one of my friends who I regarded as a big sister passed away. She had cancer, but I wasn't too privy with the details. All I know is that after her stint in furniture designing in Cebu, she left for Manila to be an educator and many more. Yesterday, her battle with the big C had to end. I was dumbfounded for a few minutes.

Couldn't 2020 get any uglier? This year has been full of deaths, losses and unreasonable events that have made history. Even after a month after we lost our jobs as part of the media industry, I still creep in under my covers at night and cry. It’s not because I was retrenched, but the pain of being victims continues to haunt me. My students, whom I have asked to reflect on the current media situation, also feel the same way that there is no security for an industry that is supposed to safeguard the people from an abusive government.

Much has been lost too in this year. COVID has taken away some of the most beautiful souls on earth, others who were also close friends of mine. A lot of questions would always play in my head, especially those starting with why. I guess it’s not only me, but us. We question what has been happening in a year that was supposed to be full of promises and success but otherwise have happened. It has been taking a lot of toll on many, thus damaging mental health.

I am not ashamed to share that a psychologist diagnosed me with mild clinical depression because it is normal to feel down these days. With everything that the virus has given us plus the anxiety brought by national issues, I doubt if anyone would feel alright. It is not something to be made fun of though, but something to talk about so that others may also overcome it. We might be off guard that our mental health is going through the motions as well. October is a time to talk about awareness on this issue too.

But the quarantine has made me realize a lot of things too. At the end of the day, even after a very ugly one, there is hope for a new day. We may not like what we are going through now, but there is definitely something else at the end of the rainbow. As for my big sister, she may have passed away but she finished the battle with the big C as a warrior and a winner. Her soul rests well now.

As for life on earth is short, I guess we must make the most even if 2020 is not as great as it is. Take time to say hello, smile and lend a hand. Everyone needs one another today.