People whether Christians, Muslims, Lumads and other faiths in our country and worldwide faces the same challenge caused by COVID-19. It is not you alone who cannot go out to work for your daily needs. It is not you alone who are bothered what will your family eat for the upcoming days and it is not you alone who are troubled what will happen when this outbreak continues.
My reflections have made me realize that the true challenge is within ourselves. How faithful are we, how disciplined are we, how human are we?
This outbreak caused a lot of frustrations (physically, emotionally and mentally) but this outbreak also made us realize that it is possible to first, make a family – family. To be truly united, having meals and at the same time sharing conversations together which strengthens the bond and relationship of each other. Second, have self – discipline and trust. The situation taught me to follow rules and trust the instructions of local government for my own and my family’s safety. To have that discipline in just staying inside the house can contribute in the eradication of the outbreak. It is simple but it can be of great help. Third, to share. Panic buying was triggered upon the entry of the COVID-19. Lucky for those who have savings since they were able to buy supplies and a nightmare for those who do not have anything. But I have seen people extending help for those families who are in need, neighbors shared what they have with their neighbors and vice versa. Helping other people is my passion even before the outbreak. Sharing what I have even if it is not that much, to help those who needs help and seeing them smile is a reward for me. The true meaning of humanity begins with the love and compassion to help other people regardless of the differences. Fourth, give back to nature. It is indeed true that mankind cannot survive without nature. This outbreak gave time to mother earth to heal from all the pollutions caused by mankind (vehicles, factories and etc.). During quarantine period I started planting again, vegetables and others in a recycled bottles. I know that in just doing it, I have already helped mother nature even in that very simple way. Fifth, this outbreak gave me time to relax, meditate, have time for myself and reflect to everything that is happening around me. And most importantly, strengthen our faith. This circumstance taught not just myself but all of us to strengthen our faith. With the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Social distancing, going to churches and masjid has been temporarily prohibited for safety purposes. When I was a child, I taught that praying is much effective when you are at the church or masjid but NO. God is always there for us, listening. Praying is all about believing, having faith and being sincere for what your heart truly desires. This outbreak reminded me to pray more not just for the safety OF myself or my family but for everyone. It is true that I do not have that much to share but I know the mercy of God and the power of faith and prayer.
In other words, the COVID-19 reminded me about the important things that has been always “there” and “always possible to do” but are somewhat forgotten as time went by such as the essence of family, sharing, discipline, trust, faith and etc. Time will come that we will wave goodbye to this epidemic and when that time comes, I hope that lessons and realization from what happened will continue within our hearts.
Asrifah Paudac
Silsilah Forum Marawi, Muslim Coordinator