The pandemic has affected how my usual day would take place as a student. I was used to attending classes face to face and commuting for hours in Metro Manila traffic. If you think about it, studying from home may sound like a good idea but in reality, it causes a lot of problems.

What I want to portray with my images is the feeling of isolation and alienation when we’re forced to stay indoors to protect ourselves and those around us.

Before, you didn’t necessarily bring your schoolwork home, unless there was an assignment. Your home was once a sanctuary and your room a safe space. Now, it’s all under one roof—your schooling, work, everything.

A week in quarantine for me is usually a routine. I wake up, study, eat, study, take a short break, study, sleep, repeat. It might not sound like much, but it’s very stressful.

What I do during breaks is I try to go and observe different areas in our home. Bringing with me my film camera, I try to document the random and mundane moments in my life, as they somehow tell the stories I want to share—that no matter how differently we experience this pandemic, we’re all trapped and isolated one way or the other.

Don’t get me wrong. I know I’m lucky enough to be able to continue my studies despite the pandemic. Others aren’t as lucky as me, nor are they privileged enough to stay within the safety of their homes. It helps to be kind to one another.

It doesn’t hurt to take breaks from our usual routines either. I found that that’s what’s keeping me sane. —CONTRIBUTED INQ

The author is a student at Far Eastern University.

Do you want to show us your life in quarantine? Email [email protected].