The COVID-19 virus has been the notorious super villain that has terrorized us all for the last three years. With what is deemed to be a very difficult time for everyone worldwide, as with every adversity, heroes rose from the rubble, continuously providing strength and inspiration that help us get through the challenges we face.We asked the youth: Who do you consider as your heroes during the pandemic?
Chalssea Echegoyen’s personal heroes are the COVID-19 front-liners and local volunteers. The 21-year-old said, “Apart from the medical front-liners who helped us when we were diagnosed with COVID, I would say that the LGU volunteers who delivered all the stuff and groceries in our house rin. My family and I couldn’t go outside because we all had COVID so some volunteers from our barangay did all the groceries for us.”
Brin Isaac, 21, said her heroes are her parents, as they are her support and protectors during the pandemic. “They keep me protected from the dangers of COVID-19. They are always so attentive of my safety and well-being. They provide me with everything I need to keep me safe. They scheduled my vaccination appointments and drive me to places I need to be. They often remind me to take safety measures especially when I have to go out of the house.”
Parents as heroes
Charles Herras, 21, who also considers his parents his heroes, wants to acknowledges all the parents who have sacrificed their own safety for their families during the pandemic. “They have been fighting for resources for their family. During the pandemic, they put their lives at risk … Some couldn’t go home to tend to their families as they are abroad working.”
Hardworking teachers and professors are heroes for Gavin Berreiro, 21. He said, “It’s hard to fathom how much they sacrificed to continue the education process and not let the whole system shut down. As a college student, I would not be able to continue to pursue my life goals amid the pandemic without them.”
Beatrix Calimag, 20, considers her pet as her personal hero, “Ang dami kong nakita na na nag-adopt or bumili ng pet to keep them company during the pandemic para hindi nila ma-feel yung loneliness. They help hanggang ngayon para may makausap.”
It has been a rough three years for everyone no matter where you’re from or whatever your economic status may be. As the pandemic slowly comes to an end, let us always remember the people (or animals) who have stuck with us during these trying times, giving us support and being a shoulder to lean on—the ones we call our personal pandemic heroes.
—contributed
