A Memoir of March 9, 2020

By the time this story has been written, it has already been 4 years since the unprecedented events of 2020 had occurred. Far from the senior journalism student I am today, whose continuous efforts have gradually brought me closer into receiving my diploma through a graduation ceremony, the events told dates back from my final day as a Senior high school student in a private Catholic university named 'La Consolacion University Philippines.' I can assume that with the series of unfortunate events only occurring at the first few months of 2020, I should have predicted what was about to proceed in the next few days, turning months in the long term.

Starting like any other day, I was usually awoken by the sound of the alarm set at his cellphone early morning, just as the sun was slowly creeping into the horizon. I remember feeling an unusual kind of heaviness from his body the moment I raised myself out of bed. Although it is something that I seemed to dismiss as I picked the towel from the rack to bathe in cold morning water, assuming it was only natural to feel such heaviness when waking up in the hours of dawn.

The morning routine proceeds as what was always been done. I dressed himself in the university's school uniform, ate breakfast and went about my way. The journey to my educational institution at the time, takes about more or less than an hour, via a tricycle and a jeepney later on. The latter's journey at the time only costs 17 pesos, when taking into consideration the student discount. The journey ventures further near the city proper, as one of the campuses of the university sits near the historical Barasoain Church. It is where the students at Senior high school are situated.

Unlike the university's main campus, the environment of the campus at Barasoain is characterized by a sense of congestion brought by the huge student population, accompanied with only a small percentage of land occupied by the school buildings. In my case, I perceived this kind of environment as something I wouldn't complain about, but rather has grown to be accustomed to. By this time, the campus environment was more energetic than it used to be, with Senior high students of Grade 12 flocking to the doors of faculty rooms or waiting by the campus lounges. It was 'Finals' week, students of different academic strands seemed to rush to the presence of their professors to pass their final outputs in fulfillment of their requirements to their particular subjects.

Being a graduating student myself at the time, I obliged myself in passing the final requirements he has left. Due to the number of students filling the hallways of the campus and the unavailability of the professor at the time, I decided to wait patiently at the campus lounge. The scene by the lounge presents a sense of stress and fatigue, as the students hurried in their time to complete the requirements they have left. I can tell the feeling of exhaustion on one of my acquaintances through her baggy eyes and sluggish movement, later consoled by one of her dear friends through an embrace. My patience has gradually worn away as he cannot bear the feeling of heaviness that has been prevailing since early morning. No amount lying down one's head by the table would help regain my energy or motivation to stay further on campus. Consequently, I ended up leaving earlier than I intended and handed my requirements to my fellow classmate to be submitted to the professor on my behalf.

The feeling of exhaustion I had to bear going back home was insufferable, thankfully I managed to carry myself in one shape. I immediately took the temperature to myself and turns out my suspicions were finally realized. It was, indeed, a mild fever. I spent the remainder of the morning lying down in my bedroom. Nevertheless, I recovered quickly on that same day. Unbeknownst to me however, it would eventually be my final day at 'La Consolacion' as soon as the University itself declared a week of suspension due to the effects of the spreading COVID-19 at the time. They furthered the weeks of suspension until the country finally announced its nationwide community lockdown. Of course, one of the costs of these unprecedented events, was my Senior high graduation.

It is unfortunate, and in some ways odd, that I spent my final day as a Senior high student inside the university being ill. Somehow, it is a memory that I look back and laugh at. Additionally, rather than stepping at an auditorium wearing a graduation cap and a toga or getting my parents to wear a medal on myself or to receive my diploma onstage, I could only watch them announce my name on a television screen months later. I would only return later on to the university to receive my diploma, medals and graduation portrait by the registrar counter.

Hopefully this time around in the year 2024, I will finally get to hear them announce my name.