We’ve all heard the horrors of the two world wars that have happened in the world. Countries battling against each other for opposing political ideologies. Men were called to the army to fight for their respective countries as an act of patriotism. The economy suffered a huge blow in these battles and so has humanity. The horrors of the world wars are well-known and have been a lesson to the whole of humanity. It was a lesson to not get caught up in one’s ideologies; to not be overwhelmed with hatred; to not solely stand behind a man who only seeks power and tyranny, and; most of all to not let the horrors of the past be relived again.

As another decade of humanity commences to an end, we again find ourselves in the midst of a battle. A battle, unlike WWI nor WWII. It is neither a feud between leaders nor is it countries bombing each other. But rather, it is the world against an enemy invisible to the naked human eye.

It is a battle against a virus that is trying to take over the whole world. When I was in 9th grade my consumer chemistry teacher told us that someday we wouldn’t be fighting through bombs or pistols like what happened in the world wars. But it would be chemical warfare between countries, and that would be more dangerous than what happened in the past. He was right in one thing that our generation wouldn’t be fighting against each other with guns and bombs, but rather something more sinister. Instead of the countries battling against each other, the countries are all on the same ground battling a common enemy, the coronavirus.

The coronavirus has taken over the world in the past months. It started in the small town of Wuhan, China. It’s merciless. What’s ironic about this enemy of ours is it seems simple yet so complex. Yet it has taken over the world and day by day it continues to take the lives of many. Furthermore, it is making the world economy plunge at a fast rate and it has caused worldwide panic resulting in supermarkets being emptied due to panic buying.

In the Philippines, many healthcare providers have contracted the disease and the hospitals are functioning beyond their capacities. Every country whether the first world or the third world is at the mercy of this virus leading to lockdowns. Governments are at their wit’s end trying to fight an enemy that can only be seen through microscopic technology. Everything is being done to contain it yet not much has been affecting it. What’s scarier about this battle that we are in is the uncertainty of it all. As we are all stuck in our own homes, trying to flatten the curve, we cannot help but wonder if there still is a tomorrow for humanity? Is there a tomorrow where we get to go out again and live like we used to? Or is the coronavirus going to be our future?

These are deep and unwanted thoughts that creep in our minds as we lie on our beds during these dark times. Every time the sun sets and the stars and moon begin to emerge, I can’t help but be anxious if it’s possible to win this battle. I can’t help but wonder whether humanity would triumph over this virus, just like how we always used to. Despite the horrors of the coronavirus, it’s good to know that it wasn’t strong enough to empty the good present in the world.

The coronavirus crisis has been motivating more good acts than ever before. More people are becoming compassionate, charitable, and selfless. It is emphasizing to each one of us how strong we are if we stand together. It is showing us how this virus won’t dampen the hope that we all carry in our hearts. Some people might believe that this is the silver lining of it all. But I beg to disagree because even before this virus, many people were already charitable and selfless. It is further highlighted now since darkness has been engulfing the world we live and we need to hold on to something to keep ourselves sane.

The little sparks of kindness that have emerged from our society give us hope during these tough times. I’d like to believe that we will triumph over the coronavirus. Humanity will once again come victorious over this. We will come off this battle with more knowledge about the virulence of this virus, more discoveries to fight it, and more inventions of vaccines against. Coronavirus has been the grandest reality check of our lives—making us realize what truly matters in our lives. Thus, changing us into a better version of ourselves—a version more equipped to take on the future that awaits. This I believe, is the true silver lining of it all.

Taylor released her latest album few weeks ago, we decided to have a little photoshoot in the woods inspired by her Folklore album. I only used a mobile phone to take these photos. Hope you like them!

(I know I had delayed acknowledging my parents’ statement that there’s something to be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic... but this is what I’ve come up with--other than learning to clean my own room.)

If there’s one thing I learned in self-isolation... It would probably be the importance of kindness. Before anything, kindness should begin with yourself. Being alone with your thoughts can be a springboard of paranoia and anxiety. Distraction through succumbing to your darkest vices seems much more tempting - because who will notice anyway?

Actually, some people who understand your worth would. Actually, you may never even know. This is why knowing your worth, enough to take care of yourself in such times of uncertainty and loss, should be something intrinsic. Hence, your worth is not validated by others, especially those who don’t matter.

Furthermore, such kindness should be extended to others. Life is really not meant to be spent alone or lived only for yourself. Pray for and support the frontliners: the doctors, the nurses, the soldiers, your local grocery shop workers who expose themselves to the risk of COVID-19 to contribute to society and to work to provide for their own families. Check on your friends because they’ll never ask you for emotional support. Being in self-isolation, you wouldn’t really know how others are actually coping. Some are fighting for their lives. Some are resting. Some are grieving for loved ones. Some are frustrated being stuck with loved ones. Some are lost in depression. Some are simply bored. I found myself lost in depression. I felt like I lost my sense of purpose.

Sure, I tried to overcome this with self-care, exercise, cleaning my room and accomplishing my university assignments. And yet, I still felt like I had no meaning. I felt like I lost so much that I was looking forward to due to the lockdowns.

Honestly, I just wanted to go to school. I wanted to have a drink al fresco in town with my friends. I wanted to see my parents for my birthday. It just took a while before I realised that other people have probably lost more, including their lives.

When I started to find my inner peace, that’s when I wanted to extend this peace to others in whatever way I possibly could. I knew I had a birthday budget to buy whatever I wanted, but the lockdown reminded me of the most relevant aspects of life somehow. And so, I asked my parents if my birthday budget could be donated to community support programmes which they gladly helped me with.

When I started to find my inner peace, that’s when I began to reach out to my friends again as there was a time when I had delayed replying to their messages. We texted and called more often to check on each other. I tried to write more songs about those dear to me as well as film more YouTube videos for my friends and other viewers with similar interests as me as a form of entertainment and escapism. I also started to make TikToks and memes in hopes of making people laugh.

Somehow, the idea of making someone smile when I couldn’t (that is, consistently smile myself) made me happier. Little by little, I’m personally finding meaning in life again. I just needed to be kinder to myself to support my own physical and emotional stability, to be kinder to the people who support me, and to be kinder to the people who need support the most in these trying times. “If you could be anything, be kind.”

John Jun Suh, also known as Johnny of NCT 127 is easily one of my all-time favorite K-pop idols because not only handsome but also very relatable as well like we have similar interests (likes photography, fashion and now, exercising though my progress is slow hahaha). In NCT 127, he is the 2nd oldest hyung (a 95 liner), the only American member (he is from Chicago),he is part of the rapper and dance line. He trained for 9 years in SM before he debuted. Aside from dancing and rapping, he is very eloquent and a great pianist and DJ At first, he is one of the most underrated members but thanks to his constant determination, his efforts are noticed. Actually, I stanned him even before "Kick It" era happened (his abs is for another topic) If you want to get to know more about him, watch his vlogs entitled Johnny's Communication Center (JCC) where he tried a lot of things and Watch his DJ set in "Sunny Side Up" (a feature in NCT's YouTube channel. Yep, they do vlogging therefore NCTzens are spoiled AF) Let me know who is your bias in NCT (yes, we stan 21 talented/chaotic/handsome/great boys)

Take it easy and trust. "Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7