‘New normal’ stories of determination, resilience and perseverance

It has been 8 months since the Philippines registered its first case of Coronavirus on January 30, 2020. Everyone’s life is at stake for getting infected. As the number of registered cases increases, the level of anxiety and depression accelerates. Many business establishments are losing revenue; workers lost their jobs; it follows unemployment and poverty, students adapting and coping with their current modes of learning, and of course, the country’s frontline and healthcare workers who are putting their lives on the line. All people around the world are affected and are adapting to this so-called “new normal”. Every move has its restrictions, wear those pesky masks or face shields and observe social distancing. And for 8 months, we still haven’t developed a vaccine. While everyone complains, they stay at home and pray; there are those who fight despite the situation. These kinds of people are the kind of people we should always have on our side. These types of people are sources of hope and inspiration. His strength, courage and resilience against the pandemic is something we should all have.

For today’s article, we have chosen to feature three different people with their stories of determination and resilience despite the pandemic.

First we have Dr. Carmina Fuentebella, she is one of those countless brave health professionals who fearlessly broke through and fought against Covid-19. At UST Hospital, where she works, she saw up close how the virus can destroy the human body and how patients who fell ill with Covid-19 needed care. Eventually, she contracted the disease herself before her 27th birthday, which she celebrated as a Covid-19 patient. There she was placed in an isolated room that was very similar to her patients’ when she cared for them. In her interview with INQUIRER.net, Dr. Fuentebella recounts her struggle to survive and beat Covid-19. She recounts how difficult it was for her to be in an isolated room where she felt like she was being slowly killed, she could literally feel the clock ticking every second. She almost gave up hope and even asked God why she had to suffer such a misfortune, because she was just doing her job as a doctor. She almost felt like giving up.

At her 27th birthday celebration, she said she had no expectations, but when she woke up in the morning she saw nurses putting up a banner that said “Happy Birthday” on the walls. And her friends started making cakes, and even neighbors from the same apartment came and sang a “happy birthday song” fully dressed in their PPE. She also received many video greetings from her past birthdays.

Dr. Fuentebella was also asked if after her recovery, could she return as a frontline, and she said yes, saying that it is a doctor’s job to care for their patients, but it takes more than knowledge of medicine to heal those who suffer. And with empathy, she hoped that her patients would know that they do not carry the weight of her disease alone, that there is someone who will fight with them, just like all those people who did with her. There she prayed for a faster recovery and thanked her friends, family, relatives and others who are always there for her. Now, she had already recovered from the Coronavirus and regaining strength to fight again.

The way he risked his life and fought against covid-19 just to be with his patients and take good care of them is a story of perseverance, determination and resilience.

Next on the list is Mrs. Lorena S. Mendoza, a 46-year-old public school teacher from Langkaan Elementary School. For 26 years, Ma’am Mendoza has been managing the Filipino issue and has managed different generations, some of whom are already descendants of her former students. She’s a typical classroom teacher, but her younger colleagues would always admire how her devotion to her profession hasn’t changed over the years. In March 2019, Mrs. Mendoza was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a medical operation in April of the same year and took a 7-month leave of absence for her recovery. In January 2020 she was reinstated to the service albeit against the wishes of her family. According to her, the pain of suddenly being out of class during the week during her leave is more difficult to bear compared to any medical procedure she has undergone. It is more deafening to hear the silence in the morning compared to the noise of the students that she has grown accustomed to over the past decades.

As Langkaan Elementary School adapts online and modular distance learning modalities for the 2020-2021 school year, Ms. Mendoza initially enlisted under those who will manage the modular classes. According to her, the use of technology or gadgets would be difficult for her as a reason for choosing modular learning. Her health is at risk. Soon, she would be burdened with various printed modules on her drive, and this forced her to switch to online learning.

Mrs. Mendoza had signed under the list of students who will deliver online. She knew this was going to be difficult. She was inspired by her younger colleagues and challenged herself to persistently learn on the go with her cell phone and laptop, supplementing Division and school trainings with self-directed learning. She would also ask for help from her sons who are tech savvy.

Mrs. Mendoza, hearing of the brilliance of the technology, proudly shares her production with her colleagues. She thus earning her respect for her deep and sincere commitment as a teacher.

And there, Ms. Mendoza, an experienced teacher currently battling cancer, giving her best in learning using technology to ensure continued learning for her students.

At a time like this, we need people like Mrs. Lorena S. Mendoza. Her commitment and dedication against all odds for the love of teaching is magnificent. This is another story that speaks of courage and resilience.

Finally, we have Louie Animas, an incoming 10th grader at UP High School in Iloilo, who sold cashews to buy the gadgets he needs for the upcoming school year. He recounted how he was able to overcome the impacts of the pandemic and how concerned he was when he heard on the news that the next school year would be online and remote. He does not have the necessary devices for this type of learning arrangement and they are also not financially stable. Instead of thinking of it as a problem, he thinks of it as a challenge.

He said he had to be upbeat and productive, then finally decided to sell cashews with two goals in mind: first, to raise funds to buy the tools for this upcoming online class, and second, to help his buyers boost their immune systems. as a way to fight against Covid-19.

His sales journey was not easy, but then he was persistent and determined to reach his goals. Initially, he had about 5, 18, 20 kilos of cashews to sell and it turned into a whopping 75 kilos sold.

He also thanked the generosity and all the support of his family, friends, coaches, anonymous donors, ASTROFIL Spain-Philippines and the UPV community that gave him strength to support his project on the path that made it a success.

The stories of courage and resilience mentioned above can encourage and inspire us at times like this. Each one was not born a fighter, but something to be. Difficulties turned them into warriors. If they can do it, then you can.

Have hope. Work harder. And succeed!