The Game Changer – A Personal and Reflection

I dedicate this to my family, friends, colleagues, good acquaintances and to my ever-loving wife, Kami. Above all, I dedicate this to God.

Prologue: The Cessation of Our Present Life

It is October 2021, and the last two years were off to a ‘great’ start – Australian bushfires, Taal’s eruption, worldwide famine and desperation for the last resources, certain celebrities’ mishaps and deaths, and even a nuclear war that could happen in the blink of an eye. But of course, the most controversial and devastating of them all is the pandemic 2019 novel coronavirus. This COVID-19 is literally pushing mankind to the corner; to its greatest challenge yet, despite the latest technological advancements we have made. The challenge lies from the brightest scientists and medical doctors, to the average workers worldwide trying to make ends meet every single day.

I looked back through some archival records online and the last time the entire world faced a pandemic was during the 1918 Spanish Flu. It ravaged until mid-1919. If we are to compare duration-wise, COVID-19 is almost at the same duration as it was during the Spanish Flu pandemic, so there might be five more months or maybe two more years for us to find a way to live through this or find a medical solution – best vaccine or medication, give or take. Worst, we might have to live with the virus lurking beneath our darkest imaginations on where it is.

“Mother Nature is a serial killer. No one’s better. Or more creative… Sometimes, the thing you thought was the most brutal aspect of the virus, turns out to be the chink in its armour.” – This is one of the best lines delivered by Elyes Gabel when he played the role of Dr Andrew Fassback in the movie “World War Z” last 2013. Even if I am not a medical expert, I think nature responds to all our actions on it. I also think the coronavirus has weaknesses, but it will take a lot of time and all the neurons inside the brains of our brightest scientists. There is also a running controversy that the coronavirus is made in the laboratory thus, it is man-made. But why make a virus so deadly that it could wipe a good number of the world population? These will remain mysteries for the time being.

It is already near the end of 2021. If everything written on my itinerary was followed, I could have enjoyed the feeling of the beach sand sticking on my feet while the waves of the cold seawater brush nicely. I could have hiked mountains and gone on to discover more about the beautiful and historical places. I could have visited the indigenous groups in provincial areas and done some charity work. I could have spent many days attending seminars, going to my clients, being present at corporate meetings and spending more time with my social circle. I could be spending fruitful days with my beautiful wife.

But here I am, questioning myself if my dog is not permitting me to go out that is why he is always making my slippers his comfy pillow. Or maybe Mars was once “our Earth” but the earliest humans went out of bounds, and what was left was Adam and Eve, on an escape pod, and started ‘nomad-ing’ throughout Earth. I have contemplated so much that even life lessons seem to pop out in ways I do not expect: from cleaning the whole house to washing and ironing clothes.

The first time I went outside our house (that was May 2020), I felt that I was in another world, like I am inside someone else’s illusion. The all-time favourite shops were all closed in broad daylight. The usually crowded spots of the once lively streets went a little above barren. The main connecting roads to our place to the busy districts were heavily barricaded. Other minor roads and walkways were either guarded, barricaded, or obliterated with lots of woods, cement, and used-up tires. You could say it will fit well for a horror or zombie movie set-up.

That day, I had my home quarantine pass given by the local government like it was a privilege, and a shopping list full of you-know-what. Essential stores only allowed two persons at a time, so I had to wait for my turn. Inside, some shelves and fridges were empty, and the wet market section was closed. Vegetable and fruit vendors who always greet you were all missing in action. A good number of people were always outside, and not everyone was keen enough to wear a mask. On top of it, many of them were robotic; and rolling their eyes while being guided by barangay officials.

That was the most unusual thing that happened here as far as I can recollect, since I have been living here for the last 27 years and my descriptions earlier is a far cry to what I usually see. I tried to buy everything written on the list and I simply cannot, since supplies came short. I did not come home empty-handed though. But I felt a sense of obscurity that I cannot comprehend, regardless of how hard I tried. “What happened? Am I dreaming?” I thought.

But despite the things I witnessed, I have tons of realizations in life. Even if everybody is considering this pandemic as their worst nightmare, I still saw the real beauty of why this coronavirus exists.

Part I: Discipline

Whenever I go out to buy groceries, I encounter cases wherein some people bicker each other because of ‘new’ rules being imposed on them. They then become impatient – they remove masks, they try to enter stores even if it is not their turn yet, they deliver goods and other packages on the borders of the barangay to family members, friends, or buyers. No social distancing is observed. Some barangay officials have to deal with flabbergasted, still clueless people like they have been in another world. Others are forced to work behind the scenes just to earn money from their service, even if it is not permitted by the local and national government.

My first main point is the sense of discipline. I realized people are not exactly good followers of new rules that are not according to the major norm, and are quite imposing. But discipline is what is going to save us from being contracted with the virus. Things will just be too difficult and be irreversible if all of us act according to our own impulsive wishes and continue to be adamant about going against what is expected of us as citizens. If survivability is the main objective of everyone, then abiding is the first thing that we should do, right?

If we cannot maintain discipline and we keep on doing things the way we used to, then we surely do not deserve to be under a more relaxed community quarantine. Our television set and channel subscriptions are testaments to how disciplined people are.

Part II: Fairness

So, you were given a box of your favourite cakes. Just imagining your fork making a nice run on the chiffon makes you salivate. When you came home, you forgot for a whole while that you are ten in the family! Now, are you willing to cut the cake equally to ten members or you will eat your share, however large it will be, and the remainder will be your nine other family member’s dessert?

This is pretty much the scenario when the government executed the controversial Social Amelioration Program, funding to every individual in our country. Billions of pesos – just how sure are we that it has been given fairly among us? I am not going to point fingers, but I feel like the monkey business-minded people moved in to intercept the funds and have portions for themselves, like it is common sense.

The second main point is about being fair in decisions and execution of programs especially if you are a person of authority. In my opinion, there are many anomalies as to who can receive and who are excluded from the program. I think that everyone is affected by this pandemic so why make a large list of exclusions? Not everyone who lives inside a village or a good house has saved funds and has been ready.

I was not given the form for my benefit when I went to our local government because of many reasons but there are those who received three times of the benefit to be given individually because they know ‘someone’ inside. If that is the gameplay, how about those who do not know anyone? I saw lots of people crying because of hunger and desperation. For a billion-priced chocolate cake, maybe we can all receive an unbiased slice and promote fairness? I guess power supersedes it. Add to that a good web of connection of people.

Part III: Order

When you roam around the very depths of your own home, you will start to notice the minute details which were not given any sort of attention at first. Some people claimed they have counted all the floor tiles inside their house. A few of my friends started to relive the past through the memorabilia in their rooms. Some named all the animals found inside their houses: six-legged, crawling and others. Finally, many started restructuring the insides of their houses and repaired the parts that need some hand.

I have thought of order, my third point, when I was scrubbing the walls and tiles inside our bathroom. “Life is full of ups and downs.” I thought, as the scrubber goes up and down. Aside from the need for order with guiding the people to be able to adjust to the ‘new normal’, we need it in our lives as well. The ‘ups and downs’ will be an important factor as to how we can set our lives straight.

Our state is gradually improving over the days because of the regulations and our front-liner heroes. But there are still those who try to challenge the set of standards proposed to limit the spread of the virus. Because of this, lots of people unwillingly contracted the virus. More problem arises. More funds get depleted. More days are required to control the spread. Scare meters rise quickly. There are even others who should be the implementing force of order but are not man enough to be good followers of their rules. Order thus, should be within us, our family, and our community. But if we do not let it in our lives, then entropy ensues.

Part IV: Creativity

Boredom is a big issue among out-goers. Their mind will have to reminisce about their pre-pandemic life and improvise ways to deal with not being able to go out. But hey, all of us are exhibiting creativity now that we are all inside our respective houses. While some are happy flapping their gums all day and dilly-dally with unproductive activities, many are realizing their creative side. Others find themselves doing their talents, hobbies, and inclinations.

The greatest example of my point, creativity, is the very article you are reading. I have spent a little less than three weeks to completely arrange and edit this. I also went back to guitar playing and singing, with my significant other as the willing victim to my romantic side. Of course, it is not just me but also a great number of people: being able to practice public speaking through digital mediums, trying out new mobile applications to express themselves, being able to produce high-quality art, creating a new dance routine, discovering new yoga positions, writing a poem or song – these are just some of what I saw over the last few days. Social media is a great saviour. A lot are honing their skills and knowledge through attending virtual meetings and webinars. Others learn something through daily browsing of video channels.

As I see it, this pandemic offers people a chance to go back to what they loved doing and to discover another talent in them by trying new things. Maybe this ‘off-season’ will help you discover that you are a great cook, dancer, singer artist or webinar speaker, or all!

Part V: Money

In part II, I mentioned that I went to our local government to see if I am eligible for the Social Amelioration Program. Due to the drill-hole-like bullets of checklist and criteria before being accepted, and the long line of people without any social distancing, I did not stay long but I observed the people. Many are frantic, are praying that they will be accepted, are agitated because of the heat and the slow processing but noticeably, a lot looks like they have not eaten a single thing but went there anyway, in the hopes that they get something for their needs.

Money is a great influencer. It translates to a whole lot of things. Money means food, gadgets, happiness, success, effort, love, and all. But money is also translated to power, greed, desire, hopelessness, hunger. People are either smiling to the ears or facing abominations because of the pandemic. Many are stranded with the best budgeting skills that they can while a few have more than enough to outlast an entire lifetime. I myself had to make big budgetary decisions and a lot of compromisations to compensate for other needs.

My fifth point is the essence and the importance of money. Pre-pandemic, we lived more than our means. We always spent on the latest gadgets. We always went for the cosy treats. We always partied like there is no tomorrow. We always spent on leisure. Oh, but we never saved money for emergencies. We never spared a moment to think of hospitalizations or dire illnesses. We never cared if we do not have any savings in our bank accounts. We never fretted if our credit is at the limit. Everyone does whatever it takes to earn so economic status is not an excuse. It is because everyone can maximize their potential and save up, no matter how small it is. Now, a global mishap is ravaging. Who do we turn to, barangay hall? The president of the Republic of the Philippines? Sadly, many social media accounts have turned into manufacturers of rants and madness. We just cannot always blame the system for all our problems as we all have one, or are we epitomes of financial shortcomings?

The line separating the privileged and the less privileged is a mindset. I believe a person who follows a very efficient system of handling money and has a frugal kind of life is richer than a person who follows his heart’s content by spending large amounts of money and has a grandiose kind of life. People whose mindset is to save money and prepare for their future will have a long, great life ahead. For people whose hobby is to live in the moment and not spare anything, their future could be fuzzy and bleak. People who always blame others will never grow while people who improvise or capitalize on themselves grow more and more each day. Money, therefore, should not be a slave driver, but should be the one working for us instead. It is just that Filipinos in general think financial literacy is the least of their priorities.

Epilogue: The Beginning of Our Future Life

Economists expect our economy to go back to how it was before the pandemic in 12 to 24 months’ time. The same duration is expected before medical specialists can fight back against the onslaught of the virus with either a medicine or a vaccine. The same time frame is yet again, expected before everyone can adapt to the existence of this virus. All of these are constructs of professionals and are not definitive information that we can rely on. But there is one cold truth that we all should face: we are never going back to our ‘normal’ life.

It was in 1985 when Robert Zemeckis directed the film “Back to the Future”. It was a box office hit that he was able to produce 3 of this great series. It was in the second part when Marty McFly, the main protagonist, altered his timeline because Biff, the main antagonist, stole the DeLorean time machine, went back to 1955 from 2015 to give his 1955-self a Sports Almanac that has all the records of sports events from 1950 to 2000. He only had to bet on the winner, and he would be rich. Doc Emmett Brown, Marty’s friend, explained that the timeline skewered from the real 1985, to where Marty lives peacefully, to an alternate 1985 where Biff is rich, corrupt and is married to Marty’s mom, while his dad lives no more, also because of Biff’s doing.

It is fun to look back on movies since you will learn so much. I think maybe God planned this pandemic all along, to skewer our present timeline from a future that is darker than we imagined, to a much brighter alternate future that He thinks is right for us. God is a great director, and He has everything planned into motion. All we must do is act according to His will and let Him handle the rest.

This pandemic offers a chance to us all to arrange the major aspects of our lives for the better. A lot of alcoholics and smokers have greatly lessened their vices thus improving their finances. Many now exercise, take supplements, and drink healthy beverages thus giving great emphasis to their health. Socially, former enemies have started talking and become good acquaintances again. Familywise, a mother and a daughter who both have an endless list of issues with each other can finally settle their conflict through a heart-to-heart talk. Lovers are tested on how strong their love is for each other. Friends find ways to be closer. Companies try to arrange new working schemes for employees. Greater innovations are produced to help people at present. We discover that we can help others in whatever ways we can. We can give free seminars, tutorials, and digital services. We can deliver goods and necessities to front-liners and those most in need.

This pandemic is, without a doubt, one of the worst events the world will ever encounter. It claims and affects millions of lives. It brings the whole world’s economy down to rubbles. Its effects will last for an uncertain number of years and will continue to affect us indirectly. People will continue to be worried and scared while researches will pile up to further study the virus that is the COVID-19. Our heroes will continue to wage their lives to battle to defeat it.

But this pandemic is also a reboot, a restart, a new beginning, a new lease in life, a transitory phase towards a greater good. It will not be just a mere footnote ready to be out of existence but will be a great reminder hardwired in all of us. It will be inculcated to us because of what we experienced first-hand. Our experiences will be grand tales to tell the next generations: that we stood our ground and defeated the wolf on our doorstep that we stood against a tyrant and became victorious.

This virus is both a devil and a saint. It rampages the whole world and quickly became the colossal problem that the 8 billion people living on Earth is now facing. But it is also the head-start that we all needed to redo our mistakes, catch up on our shortcomings, and build more for our future, as we engrave the life lessons that this event taught to us.

COVID-19 is a game-changer: it changed the playing field that we had to a new field that we all do not know what it is in for us. But with an absolute belief in God, we will conquer what Robert Frost quoted as “the road less travelled by.” And I am sure that we will arrive to “…that has made all the difference.”