Malaki ang naging epekto ng pandemya sa pag-aaral ng mga kabataang Pilipino, lalo na sa mga nasa elementarya. Sa yugtong ito ng pag-aaral dapat unang nahuhubog ang kakayahan sa pagbabasa, pagsusulat, at pag-unawa sa mga bagay sa paligid. Ngunit nang dumating ang pandemya, tila nawalan ng gana ang maraming mag-aaral sa pag-aaral.

Batay sa aking sariling karanasan noong kasagsagan ng pandemya, nakawawalang-gana ang mag-aral, gumawa ng module, at magbasa. Walang gurong nagtuturo sa harapan, walang kaklaseng makukulit sa tabi, at higit sa lahat, wala ang saya ng pagkatuto na karaniwang nararanasan sa loob ng silid-aralan. Sa halip na mag-aral, ang naiisip ng marami ay maglaro o tumambay lamang. Unti-unting nawala sa isipan ng ilang kabataan ang kahalagahan ng pag-aaral.

Sa paggawa ng mga module, may mga pagkakataong ginagawa na lamang ito kapag malapit na ang pasahan o kaya’y ipinapagawa sa iba upang makakuha ng mataas na marka at maging honor. Marami ring mag-aaral na noong face-to-face classes ay hirap sa mga aralin, ngunit nang maging modular ang sistema ay halos perpekto ang mga sagot sa module. Ngunit nang muling magbalik ang face-to-face classes, doon mas nakita ang tunay na epekto ng pandemya sa pagkatuto ng mga kabataan.

Sa loob ng halos dalawang taon na tila nakakulong sa limitadong kalayaan ng tahanan, maraming kabataan ang tumuntong sa high school na kulang sa pundasyon ng kaalaman. May ilan na hirap pa ring magbasa, magsulat, at makinig sa aralin—mga kakayahang dapat sana’y nahubog na noong sila’y nasa elementarya pa lamang. Ito ang isa sa mga naging bunga ng pandemya sa mga kabataang may pangarap.

Gayunpaman, sa aking nakikita sa paligid at sa mundong ating ginagalawan, unti-unti ring nagbabago ang sitwasyon. Mula sa kakulangan sa kaalaman, ang mga kabataan ay dahan-dahang nahuhubog sa a gabay ng mga gurong patuloy na nagsisikap na turuan at gabayan ang kanilang mga mag-aaral sa bawat antas ng pagkatuto.

Hindi maikakaila na mahirap ang maging estudyante. May mga panahong sabay-sabay ang mga proyekto, takdang-aralin, at mga araling kailangang paghandaan para sa pagsusulit. Ngunit sa kabila nito, sinisikap pa rin ng mga mag-aaral na tapusin ang lahat ng ito. Alam nila ang kanilang layunin—ang makatapos ng pag-aaral at maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap. Kaya kahit abutin man ng madaling-araw sa paggawa ng takdang-aralin, kahit mapuyat o mapagod, patuloy pa rin silang pumapasok sa paaralan dahil alam nilang ito ang tulay tungo sa tagumpay ng buhay.

Mayroon ding mga estudyanteng pumapasok sa paaralan na may dalang mabibigat na problema sa kanilang dibdib—mga suliraning hindi nila masabi o maibahagi kaninuman. May mga mag-aaral na masaya sa paaralan ngunit pag-uwi sa bahay ay tahimik at walang mapagsabihan ng kanilang pinagdaraanan. May mga palatawa sa klase ngunit may malalim palang pinapasan na problema.

Sa kabila ng lahat, hindi dapat mawalan ng pag-asa. Kapag nagkakamali tayo, tanggapin natin ito at patuloy na lumaban sa hamon ng buhay. Sa bawat problemang ating kinakaharap, may mga aral tayong napupulot—mga aral na balang araw ay magagamit natin sa pag-abot ng ating mga pangarap at sa pagharap sa mas malalaking hamon ng buhay. 

Lahat ng estudyante ay iniisip na nasa kanilang mga grado nakasalalay ang kanilang talino at kakayahan. Ngunit hindi nito masusukat kung sino tayo bilang tao. Malaking parte sa ating buhay ang pagpasok sa eskwelahan. Dito natin mas natututunan ang mundo na ating ginagalawan. Dahil hindi lamang pang akademikong kaalaman ang ating nabibihasa, pati na rin ang pakikitungo sa kapwa at paano mamuhay ng tama.

Sa eskwelahan, dito tayo makakatagpo ng mga kaibigan na ating makakasama sa paglalakbay bilang mga estudyante. Masasalamin dito kung paano tayo magiging mabuting kaibigan na masasandalan at mapagkakatiwalaan. Isa ito sa mga bagay na tinuturo sa atin lalo na sa asignaturang Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao. Atin din dito matututunan kung ano ang dapat at tamang gawin bilang isang masunuri na anak sa magulang at isang matulungin na mamamayan sa lipunan. 

Higit sa lahat sa eskwelahan natin unti-unting nakikilala ang ating sarili. Matutukoy natin dito ang ating mga pangarap, kalakasan, at kahinaan. Dito natin unang natututunan ang disiplina, tiyaga, at sakripisyo para tayo ay matuto. Hindi lahat ng tagumpay ay nasusukat sa mataas na marka. Minsan, ang tunay na tagumpay ay makikita sa kung paano natin hinarap ang bawat pagsubok, kung paano tayo natutong bumangon mula sa pagkakamali, at kung paano natin mas pinili na maging mabuting tao sa kabila ng lahat. 

Kaya naman sa mga estudyanteng pinanghihinaan ng loob dahil sa mababang marka o sa bigat ng mga gawain, alalahanin natin na hindi ito ang sukatan ng ating halaga. Ang importante ay huwag tayo mawalan ng pag-asa at patuloy tayong matuto at magsikap para maging mabuting tao. 

Ang edukasyon ay hindi lamang tungkol sa kung gaano karami ang ating natutunan sa silid-aralan, kundi kung paano mo ito isasabuhay at gagamitin sa realidad ng buhay. 

• Cliff Christia Veneese Diola

“Starting fresh”—something many people say or often hear when something new begins. This might mean going back to school, entering college, or embracing a new lifestyle—which was the case for me when I returned to school, filled with uncontrollable excitement as well as nervousness. Here at Fernando Air Base Integrated National High School in Lipa, Batangas, school began once again, marking a new chapter for us students and teachers on June 16, 2025.

One month of school can truly shape someone’s perception throughout the entire academic year. One to two weeks is often enough for students to find new friends or groups who share the same interests. This affected my first impressions of my classmates. For me, it’s hard to communicate with others, especially new people. My lack of confidence is one of my weaknesses. Though I’ve already made some new friends, I’m still learning to step out of my comfort zone. I like being alone and don’t often seek help from others. The first few weeks were overwhelming, but I learned many things about my new friends—their personalities, hobbies, and interests. One thing that stood out to me the most was how I’ve become more active and diligent, which surprised me because I didn’t participate much in previous grade levels.

As the weeks went by, I felt more challenged by the new lessons. However, I learned last year that time management and hard work are important if I want to achieve my goal—to become an honor student this quarter and beyond, as long as it’s manageable and doesn’t exceed my limits. I feel like I’ve improved a lot—unlike how lazy and laid-back I was in Grade 9. I’ve become more like the students I once looked up to, and I want to continue this growth throughout the school year and in the challenges ahead. I’d like to thank my teachers—even though I don’t know them well yet, I believe treating them with respect is a student’s duty.

My expectations were far different from reality after the first day of school. At first, I thought I’d be extremely embarrassed and nervous. But somehow, I gained a bit of confidence and the courage to introduce myself in front of the class, even if I still feel embarrassed about it to this day. I try not to think about it too much—or, as I say, “brush it off.” I also expected things to be more complicated—well, they are—but I’m starting to get the hang of it by paying attention and genuinely trying to learn.

Last year, my previous adviser saw me as “the shy girl”—the one who always ate alone, sat quietly in her seat, and barely spoke or interacted with others. This year, I want to change that. I want to be expressive, vibrant, and confident, without being annoying or overwhelming to others. I want to take another step out of my comfort zone and try something unfamiliar. I want to join poster-making contests again, just like in 7th grade. I used to be active in those kinds of programs because I loved drawing so much. I want to share how much I’ve improved—how my confidence has grown. Even if I don’t win 2nd or 3rd place, at least I tried.

My motivations for this academic year include making my parents proud. I want them to know that their youngest daughter has grown, and that their sacrifices for me and my siblings have not only made us responsible but also independent. They’ve always supported me through my toughest problems and offered comfort whenever I felt stressed or down.

Another motivation is receiving honor cards every quarter. I want to do my best—not just to get a bronze medal, but a silver one, which has always been my goal. So I must study hard. And lastly, my motivation is her. I haven’t told my parents who she is yet, but I hope to meet her someday when I’m old enough and have a stable job—to finally hold her in my arms. I know it sounds cheesy, like puppy love, but I’ve never felt this way before.

Looking back, my first month of school was a mix of challenges and growth. I faced new expectations—both socially and academically—but I’ve learned more about how I work best and the kind of person I want to be in this environment. Although it wasn’t always easy, it’s helped me feel more prepared and motivated for what’s ahead. I know I still have a lot to improve on, but I’m excited to take on the rest of the year with more confidence and focus. I’ve learned that being more open helps make our classroom feel comfortable and safe, and that helping others through their hard times gives us a more understanding mindset. Even though the start wasn’t perfect, I’ve realized that giving everyone respect, care, and kindness encourages us to make this academic year fun, welcoming, and warm.

• Ma. Juliafe Bautista

One accusation, one screenshot, and one tweet in poor context is all it takes. No court, no evidence, not even an appeal, and someone's reputation is ruined. That is what cancel culture is now. It used to be a way to hold even the most powerful and influential people accountable. Instead, it became more like a public execution—quick, easy, and entertaining.

At its best, cancel culture brought down predators and hidden corruptions with the collective effort of the people. It gave marginalized people a voice. But at some point, it stopped being about accountability and became more like a witch hunt. It gave everyone a chance to speak, but "everyone" truly meant the ones who would scream the loudest and type the fastest.

First of all, cancel culture works with speed. It isn't like normal court proceedings with paperwork and time-consuming procedures. The internet hive mind reacts before the situation fully reveals itself. Screenshots and clipped videos are passed around for everyone to look at. Suddenly, you are now guilty until proven innocent. To be fair, that is the case for most court cases. But even when proven innocent, that stain on someone's reputation is now the only thing that defines them.

There is little room for growth and redemption. People's pasts are brought up and weaponized. We claim to want growth and bring justice, but punish those who try. Mistakes made years ago are brought up and hurled at those who have clearly learned and changed from those mistakes.

Cancel culture doesn't forget. It also punishes. Now, real predators and terrible people have been rightfully found guilty with the help of cancel culture, but in the event that the people are wrong, it ends horribly. The worst example of this is during the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013. The police were doing their job of trying to find the bomber. But it seems that the Redditors and keyboard warriors of the internet had taken things into their own hands. Apparently, they had found the Boston bomber—an American student. They had harassed him and his family to the point where he died by suicide. Turns out? He wasn't even the Boston bomber. There was a lot that went on during this time, but the image was clear: people had traumatized a family with severe accusations and the death of a loved one.

What happened was horrible, and it wasn't even the only case of something like this happening. But I don't believe cancel culture is truly evil. It's more like a necessary tool we have been misusing—a means to bring those who are walking free without consequences down to face responsibility. But right now? It is merely an excuse for the internet to try and find something entertaining. "Mr. Bean" actor Rowan Atkinson compared cancel culture to a "medieval mob looking for someone to burn." In a way, it's true. Cancel culture has been more like a mob than a cultural phenomenon meant to help rather than hurt.

At some point, we have to ask ourselves what we're really fighting for. It's so easy to jump to conclusions, to form opinions from just one post, but the impact doesn't just disappear with one scroll. It doesn't have to be this way. If cancel culture got us here, then proper dialogue and compassion can take us somewhere better. Justice isn't measured by the destruction we do, but by the space we give for redemption. Voices are meant to be heard, not weaponized. And it's high time we learned the difference.

• Ava Jaleen Portus