Philippines’ 2020 In A Nutshell

2020 is an unusual year.

In the Philippines, the first month of the year already started with the eruption of Taal Volcano, affecting thousands of people to evacuate and to leave their homes and livelihoods.

While the affected residents were still trying to get back on their feet from the ashes, the first Community Quarantine was implemented to slow down the spread of corona virus. That was not even the end of 2020’s first quarter when restrictions were set. Months passed and Philippines’ lockdown became one of the longest in the world.

With mass testing still in question by the middle of the year, the rainy season started. Though considered as common, with over twenty typhoons entering the Philippines every year, the recent storms in the last quarter of 2020 still heavily impacted the most vulnerable communities in the country—with Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) as the latest destroyer of towns in Luzon.

For the nth time, Filipinos are again left with nothing but their resiliency—to recover as quickly as possible by themselves and through private initiatives as relief budget of local government units vary and would never be enough to cater the whole affected population.

And when the countdown for the last ten days of 2020 started, another online news griped the hearts of many Filipinos. In Tarlac, Central Luzon, a mother and her son were shot dead by an off-duty Police that started from a confrontation over “boga” (a pipe-shaped noisemaker normally used for celebrations).

With different sides of questions about the systems and solutions in the country’s unending dilemma—health, disasters, crimes—how will Christmas be in the Philippines?

This Year’s Season of Giving, This Christmas

Before 2020, Filipinos started to celebrate Christmas as early as the “Ber” months began. Hence, on September 1, it is typical to receive a “Merry Christmas” from a Filipino. Though the greetings and Christmas songs have been present since September, it is an undeniably “less joyful” for this year as people are unease with how celebrations should really be despite all the crisis.

Fulfilling joy, however, comes in many ways. For the spirit of Christmas, joy comes from giving. Giving doesn’t only mean providing cash. Just think about those inspiring stories that you shared in your social media timeline even before the “Christmas spirit” started. Whether it’s about a pet owner, evacuating with his furry friends during the volcano eruption or a typhoon; or a farmer who is giving his harvest for free when most people lost their jobs due to lockdown, that story has touched one or two of your online friends. And that is giving, that is joy.

So, if you would like to share more stories that you think are worth to be spread to give some sort of joy in these unusual times, Alapaap Media has a list for you.

Education versus Poverty

Poverty seems like a constant pair of education. When the lack of financial capability is already ruining a student’s opportunity to learn, arts have come to the rescue. Believing in the power of photography, Art Meets Education, a non-profit organisation based in Germany, has been sending children of Marikina, Metro Manila to school. With every photo taken by a student is sold, his schooling is secured.

With almost everything turned into digital and automatic control, education has no way to escape from this adjustment—except for students who can’t simply afford to spend a penny for transportation. Before the online classes were introduced due to the spread of corona virus, there were students in Abra who would ride horses, passing rivers and muddy roads just to reach their school.

When we think that internet access is the greatest struggle for students in 2020, there is someone who’s trying to excel in his studies in darkness. A Math Champion from Quezon Province, Jayson Maghirang, has proved that despite living without the access to electricity, pursuing and doing well in school is still possible.

With constant stories of striving students popping out in our screen, teachers have shared the same dedication. Coming from the Aeta community, studying is a privilege for Teacher Gennie. So, when she’s given a chance to give back to her roots, she instantly grabbed the opportunity to dedicate her knowledge through teaching even if it needed 24 times of failure to label her profession formally.

The Poorest Sector that Feeds the Nation

You can’t talk about poverty without quoting the stories of Filipino farmers. Ferdie Matamorosa, a rice farmer from Laguna who earns 100 pesos (around 2 USD) per day; and Ungaw from Mindoro who walks for 20 kilometres every day to sell his fruit and vegetable harvests are some of those tales—another set of collections piling up to Philippines’ depressive shelf.

For decades, it’s been a hard battle to take the farmers out from the poorest sectors in the country. Despite being challenged by constant disasters, land grabbing issues, and uncertain policies, the farmers had never failed to feed the Filipinos. The quarantine period was not an exception. They provided when the nation needed it the most.

This season, in times of celebrations, don’t forget to check your local farmers for the food that you will put on your family’s table.

Support Local Talents

One thing that the pandemic has taught us is to value what we have. When moving and transporting goods became limited, we had no choice but to appreciate more what’s available locally—which should have been realised much earlier. It’s the best time to give more value on what the local talents can do.

Just remember that in every purchase you put, a seller’s or beneficiary’s life is about to get better. Try checking the artworks of Amado who lost one of his hands in a fire. If you want to grab some household needs as preparation for a fresh home next year, take some time to look the handmade products by the parents of children with down syndrome at Li’l Brave Hearts.

A Road to Recovery

It’s a year of constant recovery. The vulnerable groups are the first to be affected and the last to recover. Take the situation of people living close to rivers, to seas when a strong typhoon enters the Philippines. Take the situation of people living in the communities of Polillo Group of Islands, surrounded with water. The access to their homes to send relief goods has been challenging with hours of boat rides to take. It’s one of the reasons why Doctor Deanne Cuevas together with the Doctor To The Barrios (DTTB) and other individuals have been raising funds to help the residents to recover as fast as possible—with the priority of building the isolation facility and totally destroyed houses.

With his freedom from cancer ten years ago, 2020 Physician Licensure Exam Passer, Dr. Melvin De Jesus, knows exactly how hard to fight against this sickness. With numerous difficulties that he encountered before finally becoming a Doctor, ranging from financial, health, and academics, Dr. Melvin finds the purpose of his story. This time, he wanted to give back; he wanted to offer help for those who are battling against cancer; he wanted to witness another story of recovery.

Though not yet fully declared as cancer-free, Jobelle Ann Panta-oy is on her way to recovery after deciding to let go one of her legs. She knows that it would not be easy to lose a part of her body, but she’s also aware that choosing amputation can give her the freedom that she’s been eyeing for—a healthier body away from pain.

Those are some of the stories that we wrapped up for you to share this season of giving. You just need few clicks to send a sort of inspiration and joy.

If you know a story that you think is worthy to listen, send us a message on facebook or e-mail us at alapaapmedia@gmail.com.

Enjoy the rest of 2020!

Written by Jessica Ayun