Our Pandemic Heroes and How They Helped Us Survive

The pandemic has been with us for a long time, and it continues to take us on an emotional rollercoaster.

But here we are, steadfast and bravely facing each day amidst the pandemic’s challenges. 

Every day, we hope to find someone or something to draw strength from, from whom we can call our pandemic heroes.

Come read the stories of these strong people who face each day with courage and have shared who their pandemic heroes are.

‘I’ve got a superhero, and I call her Mama’

The Covid-19 pandemic is one of the most dangerous threats to humanity in our lifetime. It brought us numerous challenges that threatened to destroy our entire beings, particularly our mental health.

I am a person who is outgoing. I used to hang out with my friends every night because staying at home suffocates me.

And then the pandemic struck, with no school, no friends, and no social life at all.

It wasn’t easy at first—I had to cry every night and lose weight as a result. I can tell you it was really difficult.

But, luckily, I’ve got a superhero, and I call her Mama. Her words inspired me and helped me overcome everything.

One thing I’ve learned from her is that “There will be things in life that will destroy us, things over which we have no control.” -Jim Allan Alvarez

My Sister, My Pandemic Hero

If there is one obvious pandemic hero in my life, that would be my sister — Dr. Rhodora Eloisa M. Mallari. She works at Jose Abad Santos General Hospital as a pediatrician.

We were very concerned about her safety ever since the pandemic began, especially since vaccines had yet to be discovered. But that didn’t stop her from carrying out her oath as a doctor, especially to newborns.

We witnessed her struggles in battling the dreaded virus, from purchasing their own PPE to returning home safely without bringing the virus with them.

But the inevitable happened when her results from their routine covid tests came back positive. She immediately asked us to leave her in our house because it could be contaminated, and our mother is already 80 years old.

For two weeks, we were content with communicating via video calls. And, by God’s grace, she only experienced mild symptoms and recovered quickly.

But that didn’t stop her from performing her duties, as she continued to do rounds and consultations in the hospital after she had fully recovered.

My sister, our pandemic hero! She holds a BS Biology degree from PLM, a medical degree from Fatima University, and is a Fellow of the Philippine Pediatric Society. -Antonio Mallari

Journal, Dog and Smooches

Being on a lockdown in the first few months of the pandemic didn’t bother me that much as I am a homebody.

So, nothing really much has changed in my routine, not until an online class happened.

It took me a while to adjust to this whole unfamiliar setup. The first semester was bearable, but then came the second semester.

2021 is still far from over, but I am still at a loss for words to describe how difficult this year has been. But it got off to a rough start.

I feel like I’ve been bombarded with this chain of unfortunate events.

There are too many heavy emotions all at once. Life didn’t give me a break to process and get the closure I needed to move forward, and then another came.

I just started shutting myself down. I stopped talking to the world.

Then one day, I found myself writing them all down in my notebook. That’s when things started to feel a lot better.

When it felt so hard to reach out to someone and everybody else seemed to be so busy dealing with their stuff, my journal kept me sane.

I still feel like the pandemic robbed my university life and the opportunity to be on my campus to meet my friends and wander around the bustling metro. So, I couldn’t really go out to unwind and take a breather.

But it was my dog, Crystal, who provided me with comfort when I needed it the most. I’m still healing and figuring things out, but I’ll be forever grateful for these life experiences.

I’d like to thank Crystal for putting up with my unsolicited smooches and hugs, as well as myself for fighting this battle. -Ariane Joyce Almeniana

The Heroes I Thank God for

My churchmates greatly helped me during this pandemic; they motivated me to be a better person, and as an individual, I see myself growing more in faith and experiencing significant character changes that will help me reach out to other people as well.

During the pandemic, I was fortunate to be a member of the Visitation Group.

We gather together every Sunday or during our free time to visit every family on our list so that we could talk to them and share some lessons which we could also apply to ourselves.

Because of them, I was able to connect with people and they taught me how to be an instrument and a good example to others.

But the one person who has always been by my side throughout these difficult times is my mother. She is my all-time hero.

As a girl raised in a broken family, it’s been a difficult road for me. But my mother’s love for us makes it somewhat easier.

This pandemic hasn’t been easy, but my mother teaches me to be grateful in all aspects of our lives; even in the darkest times, she never abandoned us.

She cares for us so much that she tries so hard to meet all of our needs even when she’s all on her own.

I am grateful that she is my mother, who is always on my side, in good and bad times.

I am incredibly blessed to have these people, and they are the heroes for whom I am thankful to God. -Joan Camille Sabades

Idols Can Be Heroes Too

EXO: one word, three different letters, nine lovely boys. In these trying times, they are my heroes.

Every day, anxiety and discomfort have the power to destroy us, and it’s difficult to find yourself in the midst of this situation.

EXO is one of those who have helped me disconnect from the horrors of this uncertain world.

The internet has been my way of connecting with them, from receiving updates to hyping everything they release for us, fans.

Their music has given me strength, hope, and happiness. They save me from today’s fearful and unsettling world.

My heart is full of admiration for them; they have transformed so beautifully, and it is heartwarming to see them grow and help others with their problems through their music.

Thank you, EXO. You are my pride and joy. “If I can make your heart comfortable, I’ll offer you my all.” -Lyssa Lachica

“You need to love yourself, for you to be able to project the whole potential of yourself,” that is one of the few lessons SB19 taught me.

They began as trainees and are now making their own names in the music scene.

Their music and life stories helped me when the pandemic hit as they motivated and encouraged me to do more and believe in what I can do.

Even the pandemic couldn’t put out the fire that was burning within them to share and Go Up.

So now I live my life with so much dedication in my heart, believing that one day I will be able to follow in their footsteps. -Maria Carla Andeza

So, how about you? Who is your Pandemic Hero?