19 Thoughts and Perspectives on how Student Affairs Face the Pandemic
The 1st webinar hosted by the Philippine Association of Campus Student Advisers of the National Capital Region (PACSA NCR) Core Group has opened different thought-provoking perspectives and opinions or ideas to ponder about the current situation of the world today. As part of the initiatives of the PACSA NCR Core Group, a webinar with the theme: "COVID 19: COnquer, VIctory, and Determination--19 Thoughts and Perspectives on how Student Affairs face the pandemic", has given its audience different insights on how Student Affairs, student leaders, and student advisers deal with the current situation which continuously affecting not only the country but to the world as well. The said event was participated by different schools (mostly from colleges and universities) and industry practitioners which was taken place on May 15, 2020, via Google Hangouts.
My personal reflection and insights in this webinar can be summarized using an acronym F.O.R.G.I.V.E.N.E.S.S.
1) F-FRESHER ENVIRONMENT
There are significant changes in the environment, more pristine air and water, more affordable crude oil and gasoline, and cleaner cities and sub-urban areas. Communing with nature allows us to breathe more. In the past weeks, air pollution in Metro Manila falls drastically an indication of cleaner air. No mall activities, no heavy traffic emissions, no forest fires, no industrial pollution due to lockdown were observed. Reduction in carbon and nitrogen oxides emissions was observed, urban planning is now becoming an option for Filipino families living in busy cities of Metro Manila, and appreciation of mountains in nearby areas in the metro became visible. DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu says similar lockdowns imposed in different cities around the world have allowed “the earth to heal from environmental degradation” (mongabay.com, 2020). This means that befriending with mother nature is truly rewarding.
2) O-OPTIMISM AND OPEN-MINDEDNESS
It is not the big that survived it is how to adapt to the changing environment and quick response to changing situations. This is actually true in the current state of the world where converting the previous normal to new normal became the talk of the town. In every school, gathering data and recalibrating their respective curriculum has to be done as soon as possible. Accepting the fact that yesterday is not applicable for tomorrow is now the new mindset. Capitalizing technology such as faster internet connection, e-ducational system, communicating using electronic meeting platforms (Zoom, Hangout, Blackboard, etc.), and different educational platforms and applications are now the new normal. Social distancing, avoiding gatherings, dining in your favorite restaurant is no longer possible, and wearing a mask in the public is now part of our norms. Despite the downfall of the Philippine economy, being optimistic is not an option but a must behavior in order to survive. Online selling, looking for work from home, and online teaching starting to sprout to sustain their basic needs.
3) R-RESILIENCE
Resilience is a matter of choice. Participant Prof. Maria Castro Paz of Our Lady of Fatima University commented that Filipinos are known as resilient, caring, and hospitable. She also said that we are anchored on our faith in God and rely on His guidance and providence to carry us out of any crisis we are in. Hence, because of this reliance on God's benevolence, our tendency is not to introspect and dwell on our worries or losses.
The bamboo, these most primitive grasses have exhibited a strength that can withstand strong wind and typhoons. Filipinos are just like bamboo, bending but not breaking.
4) G-GOODBYES AND DEATH
What is good at goodbyes? It is really hard to say goodbye to someone you really love especially at this time of the pandemic. However, sometimes this kind of situation can be perceived as God be with you, and goodbye can be a blessing to God. The word goodbye can be interpreted as “God-be-with-ye” or “Go-with God” (Rupp, 1988).
As I perceived it, there is no “good death” during a disaster. The topic which was conveyed during the webinar would enlighten us that the death that people experienced during disasters such as typhoons, landslides, earthquakes, and wars can be considered a violent death. When we experience lots of losses and goodbyes, we come face to face with the reality of suffering and pain. But we also come face to face with a God who suffers pains and hurts with us (Rupp, 1988). The Covid-19 as compare to other disasters and violent death mentioned earlier has a huge difference because we are facing an invincible enemy that has caused panic and emotional distress globally. It also exposes the unpreparedness of many countries including first-world countries with advance medical facilities have a hard time dealing to contain and stop the spread of the virus. The increasing number of deaths in many parts of the world leads to a deeper level of trauma and grief. The sad part of unpreparedness is that members of the family were not able to provide care and emotional support to their family members who died and even their presence was not permitted during their death.
This suffering God is personalized in the person of Jesus Christ who suffered a horrible death on the cross to show to the world how to live in love in the midst of pains, sufferings, betrayals, and even hatred. God allowed His Son, Jesus Christ to have “full participation in the human condition just as all of us have to enter fully into it” (Rupp, 1988:39).
5) I-INITIATE BEING SENSITIVE
In times of uncertainty, in which losses, pains, despair, trauma, anxiety and the like can be stressful for some that trigger their mental health issues. Covid-19 has exposed the worst and the best in us, rising cases of discrimination towards infected individuals have suffered both physical and mental. Take part in reversing this unwanted behavior, each one of us has a role to perform in order to combat negativity and to curb the rise of mental health issues. During the loss of our loved ones, encourage yourself to keep in touch with reality, and have your sanity intact. Help yourself and look for a support system. If the feeling of anger and hate burst along the way take note that it is normal during the process of healing. Inculcate in your mind the importance of being sensitive towards others be it in person or in the virtual world.
6) V-VALUE OUR TIME
Time is valuable and time waits for no one. While time is still our friend take time to be good and take advantage of the given opportunities for us to establish healthy relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and our community. Build a meaningful life and a sense of purpose. As the speaker has noted that in this difficult moment of our lives due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our choices matter a lot. He also noted that we have a choice either to wallow in pain, grief, and depression or we choose to go on living and loving despite hardships, loss, and uncertainties in the future.
Time taught us that money is irrelevant in this trying time. No amount of money can extend the life of a dying person. Money has no value at all because not even a split second can counter death.
I think if we use our time to spread love there will be no regret in the end. While listening to the webinar, I also realized that when we value time, it is also tantamount to happiness. Learn to be grateful because we still have time.
7) EQUALITY AND EQUITY
As I walk to the webinar and reflected on it, I come to realize one of the two vital words to describe fairness during this pandemic. Equity and equality are two strategies we can use in an effort to produce fairness. Equity is giving everyone what they need to be successful. Equality is treating everyone the same. But not everyone starts at the same place, and not everyone has the same needs. Equality aims to promote fairness, but it can only work if everyone starts from the same place and needs the same help. Equity appears unfair, but it actively moves everyone closer to success by “leveling the playing field”(Sun, 2014).
It is always good to check our privilege. For example, in time like this, the government has directed us to stay at home for our safety. With this condition, some of us have the capability to subscribe to Netflix or browse a reliable speed to the internet but less privileged man would be labeled as "pasaway" (hard-headed) because he has to go outside to look for food to feed his family. The circumstances were being coated with fairness and the decision being made allowed many to enjoyed it for safety measures. However, the core of equality in this situation despite it benefited enough people it appears to uncover that the colors of equality seem to be dull for some in whom their needs are not being met.
“In essence, equality is like giving everyone their favorite books to read while equity is giving those people a chance to learn reading.”
Again check your privilege. When is the last time you practice equality and equity?
8) N-NOTHING IS PERMANENT
Joyce Rupp calls these as our “one-liners” such as “Nothing is permanent including pains and sufferings”, “This, too, shall pass”, “God is above all these”, “God will provide”, “If it’s not yet our time, it won’t come to us”, “Life is beautiful”, “We are blessed and we can be a blessing too”, “There is beauty in the mess”, and there are lots out there. These one-liners provide “why’s” to live. Victor Frankl calls these in his “Man’s Search for Meaning”, as the people’s constant search for life’s meaning and purpose especially in moments of pains and suffering (Frankl, 1977). Victor Frankl’s persistent search for meaning helped him to survive the difficult moments that he experienced in life being a prisoner in a concentration camp during World War II. Instead of succumbing to pain and depression, he searched for life’s meaning and purpose through his suffering. Not only was he able to survive the trials, he even developed a deeper understanding of the human spirit and was able to develop his philosophy, write a book about it which is still very much useful until today.
9) E-ENSURE TO HAVE ENOUGH EMPATHY
Empathy opens the door to be more caring in solitude circumstances, it also opens the gate of reflection in time of the horrifying condition of the world. Today, it is best to show compassion, kindness, and selfless act to others.
In conclusion, the speaker has pointed out that it is important working for the victims of this pandemic to dialogue with the culture, philosophy, faith and belief systems of the local people (and students) especially during moments of “deaths” to help them say goodbye to their “loss” and “grief”, "trauma” and “guilt” and to strengthen them in their journey with its own experiences of goodbyes and to prepare them to say hello to a “new life” after this pandemic.
10) S- SEE THE SILVER LINING
Even the dark clouds have their silver lining. Challenging times are like a strong typhoon that may bring havoc but this too shall pass. Find a good situation and an opportunity to see the positive side. Life and Death are a matter of perspective and God's love is a powerful companion. Some of us might choose to give up and succumb to great sadness and despair and choosing to be strong at this moment can be hard to find. Working on the mindset of positivity cannot be done overnight, it has to nourish, discipline the way we think, and meditate on possible answers for us to survive. During this pandemic take time to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
11) S-SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT
According to Joyce Rupp, God’s love is such a powerful companion for us that no matter how searing or how intense the hurt of our losses, He will help us to recover our hope, our courage, and our direction in life (Rupp, 1988:41). Prof. Kristine Sabordo, one of the participants has mentioned that death is considered an enemy, an eventuality that was never intended in the onset of mankind but we are now faced with the horrifying reality that life is fleeting and that death can catch us, whoever and whatever we are, anytime. Therefore, it is always a wise decision to ponder how we live life now so that each of us can make the most of what God-given talent we have in the pursuit of individual and collective goals.
Believing in this beautiful promise of God for us, we will be more discerning to the will of God in our lives during and after this pandemic. Instead of declaring anything or everything to be the will of God, we are invited to be more willing to ask ourselves where in the midst of our pains and sufferings we can discern the loving presence of God (McNeill, Morrison, & Nouwen, 1982: 40). The speaker also noted that God is a caring God. He promised to be with us and to comfort and to sustain us and to keep us from being shattered by our trauma, fear, guilt, sufferings, and difficulties brought about by this pandemic (See, Is. 43: 1-5; 2 Cor 4: 7-18; Rom 8:35-39).
Some thoughts and perspectives of the participants during the webinar, "Life is not a bed of roses there may be a time that we might encounter bumps, ups, and downs but no matter what happens we should be strong and ask for the guidance of God in our life's journey." "After the rain, the rainbow will come out." "Have faith that can move mountains." "Stand still and let us continue to keep our faith to God." "The antidote of WORRIES IS FAITH. Connection with the Source is important." Thank you for sharing your thoughts Maria Nerissa Canta, Marvee Jornales, Jasper Pahantoy, Maria Elma B. Cordero, and Veronica Hudencial.
Wrapping up
The speaker has conveyed his thoughts about the challenges the Campus Student Advisers and Student Affairs Practitioners are facing.
Promote the Primacy of Self-Discovery
Practice empathy and caring
Practice solitude and reflection
Promote service and compassion
Befriend the natural world
Tumultuous! The sudden shift of the world to adopt the new norms caused by the pandemic has greatly shaped the mindset of the people.
Act on it
Maybe it's about time to ask for FORGIVENESS to our God, to mother earth, to our family, to our neighbor, to those we love, to those who have waited for our attention, to our mentors, and to those people we committed mistakes.
“The formation of the new normal at present will be the deciding point of our lives in the future.”
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