I will reminisce about highlights in this year and my favorite stories in this article. The Covid-19 pandemic did not stop us from tasting the best and seeing the good in what’s happening outside. These are my favorite features of 2020.
Challenges of blended learning (October)
“The Covid-19 led lockdown made schools and universities switch to blended learning. The transition to the virtual mode is inaccessible for all, considering that not everyone can afford gadgets and the internet. However, students, parents, and even teachers do not have a choice since the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education pushed through with the opening of classes in public and private institutions despite the obvious fact that the Philippines is not ready for this kind of set-up. Everyone is adjusting and adapting to digital learning. It is a challenge for teachers to keep their students motivated by providing informative yet enthusiastic video presentations. Their efforts to continue teaching amidst the pandemic are admirable. Parents are doing their best to make the resources and support that their children need for online learning suffice. Students are trying hard not to get left behind, but online education seems to be quite ineffective even with the flexible learning scheme. A survey conducted by BestColleges.com resulted in 81 percent of students increasingly experience mental health crisis. Thousands of Twitter and Facebook posts show how stressed and anxious all levels of students are. The majority says they are always tired, drained, and absent-minded. It is for the reason that they sleep late and wake up early to finish all the school works, without any opportunity to absorb the lessons and contents of the materials given to them. Nevertheless, students still submit academic requirements for the sole purpose of getting a passing remark even though they are not learning anything anymore.” — Jasmine Margarette Estrella, a 2nd year Communication student at UPB
(S)Mother’s Day
“What greater aspiration and challenge are there for a mother than the hope of raising a great son or daughter?” — Rose Kennedy
Among the strongest women and mothers that I met in my years as a journalist were Baguio’s three witches who greatly involved themselves in the spiritual, social, cultural, environmental, political, educational, and creative affairs of the city. Virginia O. De Guia was the first appointed mayor of Baguio City in the 1940s when political recognition emanated from Manila. Her beauty was celebrated as an actress, too. She established great influence in Baguio’s affairs for almost a century because she pioneered in real estate and business.
Cecile C. Afable’s pen was acerbic and feisty through her writing career while influencing politics and making or breaking the politicians. A pioneer in newspapering with her brothers Sinai and Oseo, the family earned national and regional recognition for the fair, friendly, fearless, and free Baguio Midland Courier. She entertained and hosted many young leaders in her home. She became a barangay captain, too.
Leonora P. San Agustin was the first Filipino female chemical engineer. This earned for her an esteemed rank in the academe. In later years, she dominated the cultural and educational affairs of the city. This passion left the city with the Baguio – Mt. Provinces Museum which is today the Baguio Museum.
Mandeko kito! (Let’s Sell): The artisans’ market
Starting small. Mandeko kito! (an Ibaloy phrase that means “Let’s sell!”) an artisans’ market started on June 15 to 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at the University of the Philippines Baguio Oblation grounds. The initial two days had 23 participating groups selling different handcrafted items for sale.
“It’s really a way of jump-starting the creative economy and helping our artisans. You can buy handwoven, washable face masks, and those that are embroidered too,” Creative City convenor Adelaida Lim – Perez remarked about the creative economy in the time of Covid-19. In the absence of tourists, locals can help the artists and artisans earn from their crafted works, most popular of which are the face masks made from local weaves, combined plastic and woven PPEs and leather masks by Carl Taawan for those wanting of sturdy materials. Taawan said there are inner fibers that are washable. There are washable fashionable hospital gowns, too.
The nine-second kiss: A COVID wedding
There are untold blessings in this pandemic, even in the postponement of weddings. We never knew what would happen when the world came to a grinding halt. It must have been an ordeal to have come so close then uncertainty struck and the marriage between two young doctors was suspended with no sandglass to measure time. Even the parents were quarantined in Canada until recently. In these Covid-19 times, the wedding finally got an outpouring of blessings with the opening of the checkpoints to welcome family from everywhere. The dream came true for Paul Justin Belvis and Margarette Martin on Oct.12 with a nine-seconds kiss to seal it.
For the fulfilment of love in these Covid times, patience has had its best test. The long wait of six months finally started a life together after the long kiss that lasted more than nine seconds to mark the next ninety or so years that this ceremony will be remembered.
Rotary Clubs’ “Service Above Self!”
As an international organization of dues-paying members, the district received District Grant 2089351, a District Response Grant DR 105, and Rotarians’ Contributions for Cluster 1C that benefitted the areas covered by member clubs. On May 12, the representatives of the member clubs took the opportunity to gather and turn–over to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Director Ricardo Runez, Jr. the 54 boxes of surgical masks; 504 pieces of KN95 masks; 40 N95 masks; 180 isolation gowns with cap and bootie; and 40 isolation suits with cover-all. Assistant Governor Karl Gabaen said the different clubs were to determine the beneficiaries of the personal protective equipment purchased by the district under the leadership of Fr. Andronico Pahed, Jr. Included as beneficiaries were the Benguet General Hospital receiving nine packs of surgical mask, 56 pieces of KN95 masks, and 30 sets of isolation gowns with cap and bootie and Bontoc General Hospital receiving six packs of surgical masks, 56 pieces of KN95 masks and 20 isolation gowns with cap and bootie.
These events in 2020 show the resilience of people in Baguio. Thanks to everyone for coping with the times with generous hearts.
