We were busy enjoying every second of our lives; daily routines, doing hobbies, improving ourselves, and other extra curricular activities every one of us has been doing. Until one day, we are shaken by an unexpected global pandemic - the COVID-19. I remember the news of the crisis that awakened the Chinese people. I remember staring at the news reporter while absorbing every details coming out from her. Chinese people who are struggling. Then I said, "They can get through that. They can provide the needs of their people because they have better economy". Suddenly, China caught the public attention. The spotlight was on them. Social media was blown up by daily news, updates, and information about the virus. On the contrary, the discrimination against Chinese took place. It was such a shame that even in my country, Philippines, it occurred. Some Filipinos looked down on them. Not only in the Philippines, but all over the world. People became paranoid. We watched the news and checked for updates every hour. Until one day, it was just supposed to be a normal day, until the Department of Health confirmed the first case of COVID-19 patient in our country, Philippines. It didn't caused panic at first, but maybe to others it did. Days passed, and the number of cases increased. Weeks passed, and the number of cases tripled.

Month passed, and the number of cases threatened the Filipinos. We panicked. We were scared not only to the virus, but with the hunger and poverty. It really is a crisis. Here goes the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon. Establishments, businesses, and companies were closed except those that produces essential goods. Public vehicles' operations stopped. In short, livelihood stopped. All of us were affected. But those who are less fortunate suffered most. This pandemic have both negative and positive effect in our life. My father is a tricycle driver while my Mom is an ambulant vendor. Because of the ECQ, they should stay at home. Simple logic, they stay at home, financial support to the family stops. Since the ECQ requires staying at home, we are bothered by how can we provide the needs of the family, specially the food we are going to eat for God knows how many days the ECQ will be. We are not financially stable just like the others. But we had an alternative: selling of vegetables and fruits in our barangay.

However, this quarantine gave us chance of spending more time with our family. We ate together. We laughed together. We watched movies together. Maybe this pandemic scared us and ended other's lives, but if you'll try to look on the bigger picture, there are also some positive effects. It brings out the unity of the people. It caused healing the nature, the environment, from the pollution we humans have made. It became an eye-opener to the people, specifically Filipinos, of whether the government handled the crisis effectively. It did also emphasized the people who have willingness in helping and the politicians who deserved the position. We may not contribute in the discovery of antidote to the virus, but staying at home means you care, you respect, you obey, and you are a responsible citizen to your country. We are all soldiers in this battle. As soldiers, we should fight for the lives and everything we loss because of this pandemic.

Aside from the increasing number of cases on COVID-19, the speculation that the virus was man-made remains debatable. For me, there's a possibility that it was man-made but evidences are still not reliable. Researches were conducted as soon as the virus outbreak in China, and they all stated one crystal clear conclusion: the virus is a product of natural evolution. It was not artificially made in any laboratories. The speculations that it is released accidentally and used in bioterrorism were still on the line, yet we are still waiting for further researches and discoveries that will support these.

In Enhanced Community Quarantine, public transportation systems are suspended and only essential businesses and services are allowed to operate. Also, the provinces or regions under stringent quarantine measures are those areas identified as high-risk in the spread of the virus. While the areas identified as low and moderate-risk in the spread of the virus will be under relaxed quarantine measures, called General Community Quarantine. The public transportation system is allowed but in reduced capacity, and 50-100% reopening of select establishments.

I am still a student who's taking a course that doesn't concern medical agendas and isn't in the field of medical sciences. I have nothing to do and contribute with the invention of COVID-19 vaccine; but, discipline and respect are two important things I can offer to my country. I may not be as intelligent as those students who have been helping discovering the cure or antidote on fighting the virus, but I know that following rules and guidelines from the authorities contributes a lot. I have been staying at home since the Enhanced Community Quarantine started, and I know this counts as my contribution on preventing the spread of the virus. If we are told to stay at home, stay. If we are told to apply social distancing, do so. The discipline should start upon ourselves. Also, we have our front-liners and government officials working for our health, safety, and of course survival. Respect them and show willingness on obeying the rules and guidelines. That is how we can contribute on stopping the spread of the virus and "flatten the curve" just like what the government said.

I saw how this crisis challenged our government, specially the President. Part of me is disappointed by how they handled everything since the this all began. But, I am also disappointed to the Filipinos who are irresponsible and does not follow the proper protocols. Too many news about people not following rules and guidelines, and worst is they make fun of it. For me, if the number of cases still increases and so are the number of people who does not show any willingness on obeying the rules, Martial Law should be declared. In that way, fear will grow deep inside us, because of what happened in the past and what our History Teachers told us about it. Martial Law may not be as terrible as we think it was. And, I think it can be a solution but shall legally and properly addressed.