Abyss of Silence and Pain

Right before the CoVid19 lockdown, me and a couple of youth friends at church were

preparing for a dance presentation for our 2020 summer camp. We were all excited as the summer

camp will be held in Davao City, however, life just took a turn when the pandemic happened. The

streets that were once bustling with cars and people, were now lifeless; field with silence, and only

the sound of the sirens are heard. In the silence, the cries of the people who have lost their loved

ones can be heard. At the same time, it felt like those cries were not loud enough… The Pandemic

made me feel like I am in an Abyss where no matter how hard I cry out, no one hears.

The beginning of the mandatory worldwide lockdown was the point that pinched me back to

reality that the virus has enveloped the whole world. I believed that I am a homebody person,

meaning I prefer indoor activities than outdoor. However, this pandemic has made me realize that I

am not a total homebody person and that I do love meeting with my friends and loved ones outside.

Ironic, but the lockdown was the catalyst to my wanderlust personality. Being at home while facing

the computer all day made me fell into a deep emotional melancholy. It was hard because I was in

my room 24/7 a day, that sometimes I would forgot my meals. I know, It was an absolute unhealthy

lifestyle. Right then, a redemption came to me when the lockdown was slowly lifted or eased in our

city. Small gatherings were now allowed. I was able to find new strength upon being around other

people again. That’s when I truly understand the meaning and value of the phrase “No man is an

island”.

Despite it being dark and gloomy 2020 and 2021, there were still people and events in my

life that shined so brightly like stars in the night sky which filled me with hope, love, joy and peace.

They say that it is the darkest before dawn. I believe that our dawn is right up our horizon. So never

lose hope when were stuck in an abyss of silence and pain for nothing lasts forever. Lastly, I would

like to quote the lyrics from one of my favorite song in RM’s playlist; MONO. The Korean song called

‘Everythingoes’, translated by ‘doolsetbangtan’.

 Like morning comes after night goes,
would summer come after spring goes
Like fruits ripen after flowers wither away,
everything must go through pain
I embrace the world and take a quick, deep breath
The stinging air that fills my lungs says it all 
Yeah, I who wanted to escape countless times
The long times I suffered through becoming numb
Right underneath those times
Everyday I pray

that I can be a little better grownup

And everyday I stay
Because all humans and all the pains eventually die
We have to face the wind to become numb
Nothing can last forever in the dream
Instead of those vague words to cheer me up, 
instead of those lies that this is how it is supposed to be,
I pray that it shall pass just like all these winds
everythingoes

Upon listening to my classmates’ various experiences during the pandemic, it struck a chord in my

heart. I felt great sympathy to the things that they’ve been through for the last two years. They

might have lost someone dear to them or there might have been a couple of times where they’ve

felt like they’ve hit rock bottom or that they’re facing a giant wall of adversities, yet still, they pulled

through. The fact that they’re alive, breathing and striving today is a victory itself that needs to be

celebrated and acknowledged. That is why, I want to say to my classmates that you’ve worked hard

and thank you for being alive and safe. Thank you for not giving up and for being strong for yourself,

your family and love ones. Your existence has made my school year fun and memorable. I was no
longer stuck in an abyss of silence and pain thanks to you guys. I love you guys and I wish to see you

soon face to face~

PEER EVALUATION

The criteria for my peer evaluation is based on three factors: Attendance, Communication skills, and
Classroom rapport. I decided to give it a good, great, excellent rating. So here they are and just a
heads up, this is not in order.
Nawal P. Abbass- First, I would like to give a big round of applause to Nawal Abbass, for her
constant determination and perfect attendance in class. An excellent rating for that. I find her
passionate just from listening to her essays and oral recitations. She’s also great at expressing herself
clearly in front of the virtual classroom. I have also noticed how she broke out of her comfort zone
and I like how she always challenges herself. Nawal has great social and digital literacy skills. I
especially applaud her skills in video editing and also how she always tries to help out our classmates
when it comes to things that involve presenting a video in the virtual classroom. For that I give miss
Nawal Abbass a 10/10.
Gilbert Yap, Jr.- Next, is Gilbert Yap. He is indeed very eloquent in a lot of things. He is great at
expressing his thoughts, although, his attendance is quite sub-par compared to his communication
skills and classroom rapport. However, I quite understand that because of some technical issues, one
cannot avoid missing the class. Nevertheless, he did great in other aspects and has patched up the
lacking parts due to his poor attendance. I say that Mr. Gilbert Yap is eloquent in Social and critical
literacies. Time and time again he has proved how social he is, in the virtual classroom or anywhere,
and he is quite critical in a lot of things. So, I give Mr. Yap an 9/10.
Geraldine Navigar- Then, we have Geraldine Navigar. If I could say, her attendance is quite
unsatisfactory due to some personal reasons and other technical problems, which I completely
understand and empathize with. Her communication skills is good, although I would like her to
challenge herself more and push herself to her limits to see how much she can improve from being
good to being the best version of herself. I believe that she has the potential to grow out of her
comfort zone. Ms. Navigar is well-versed in digital and social literacy. I have seen her heart in
helping out our classmates when presenting their ppt slides. For that I give her a 8/10.
Mary Melody Caldino- To miss Caldino, her attendance is good and her communication skill is
great. She is a woman who knows herself well, and presents herself boldly and clearly in class. Her
opinions are solid and she doesn’t sway from this or that. What I’m trying to say is that she’s always
on point. Whenever she’s reporting in class, I find myself being drawn to her enthusiastic and
energetic presentation. Plus you can clearly see her personality just from the way she talks in class. I
believe that Miss Caldino is fluent in social literacy and financial literacy. She’s a great friend and
from what I know, she’s also working while studying and so I believe that she knows a great deal
about financial literacy and how money works. I give Miss Caldino a 8/10.
Carla Doyongan- To miss Doyongan. She is one unique and smart fellow. Her attendance is not a
problem, and her communication skills is great. She knows what she’s doing and she’s doing it great.
I also find her very creative which is a great asset to have as an aspiring educator, and she has great
rapport in the classroom. When she’s up reporting, I always feel that she’s got the “it” factor to
become a teacher, especially in elementary grades. I believe that Miss Doyongan has both Artistic and
creative literacy pinned down to her blood. With that I give her a 10/10.
Kia Samantha Mora- To miss Mora. She’s very quiet but whenever she talks, it’s always relevant
and smart. Her attendance is not a problem either. Her communication skills is amazing. Very well-
spoken and brilliant. If I could describe her, it would be like a record player. You have to press play,
in order for you to know that contents of the record player, or else you’ll never get to hear it. She’s
like that. Although she rarely talks, I believe that she has a lot of important ideas inside of her.
Throughout this semester, Miss Mora has proved herself that she has mastered digital and artistic
literacies. With how she makes her ppt slide, it always unique and I love it. Plus, I believe that she’s
well versed in a lot of technological or digital related areas. With that, I give miss Mora a 10/10
Kristhel Bation- To miss Bation. An Excellent and super dedicated student. Her attendance is great,
and her communication skills are great! She composes herself well and knows how to deliver reports
and her ideas to the classroom perfectly. If I could describe her in a sentence, it would be “She knows
the assignment, understood the assignment and delivered the assignment”. That’s how she is. You
can’t not praise her for being herself in the classroom and for always trying her best or giving her all
despite the times when she has to struggle with the slow internet signal and connection in their area. I
believe she deserves her grades. Miss Bation is well-versed in social and digital literacy as we can all
see and for that I give her a 10/10.
Naima Alimama- To miss Alimama. Attendance is good. Communication skill is good as well.
Although, I believe that she really could improve more in the future. She is a hard-working and
helpful fellow and does what she’s asked of in the class. And from what I have observed, she also has
a great classroom rapport. She’s an outspoken person and she knows and stands by her opinion. Miss
Alimama is quite good at stuff involving technology and also great at forming relationships with
others. For that I give her an 8/10.
Esmaellah Taib- To miss Taib, Due to certain circumstances, there are times when she could not
avoid missing the class. However, that’s understandable as we’re in the middle of the pandemic.
Communication skill is excellent. We’re actually the first group to report and I have always find her
reliable or a responsible person. She never neglects her part and does it perfectly as well. I know that
she’s been quite ill some time ago, however, that did not stop her from performing greatly in class.
Classroom rapport is great as well. Miss Taib has great social literacy and digital literacy skills. With
that I give her a 9/10.
Gwynne Nario- To Miss Nario, I know that it has been a roller coaster year and a semester for her.
However, that did not stop her. I look up to her dedication, patience and strength. Her communication
skill is excellent as well as her classroom rapport. She’s a student, a mom, a wife, a daughter, and a
friend. She’s a super-woman. So just like me, she’s also working while completing her degree, and
we’re actually somewhat co-workers of the same field and company, and I really would like to give
her a big hug and a big round of applause for going this far. I love you te Gwynne~ and So I give her
a 9/10
Chinie Apuya- I rarely see her in class so I don’t have that many recollections of her, however, I do
remember her reporting in class. I believe she’s quite good at expressing herself. Overall she’s good.
So I give her 7/10
Jasmin Aragasi- Her attendance is excellent, I always see her in class. Her communication skill still
needs a lot of improvement, but she’s doing her very best in class and I see that she’s eager to learn.
She also has a great relationship with the class. I give her 7/10
Sainalyn Bara- Due to some personal reasosn, she was quite inactive for a period time and couldn’t
come into class. However, she never fails to complete all the tasks that she’s assigned to. She’s one of
those quiet peers that I do not have to worry if we were to be grouped together because she’s a silent
doer. I give her an 8/10.
Zairo Zheena Bedol- I had a few encounters with her and I find her attendance performance in class
quite worrying. Her communication skill, however, is great! I give her an 8/10
Bernie Cobias- Despite not having a strong connection, he never fails to come to class and
participate, which is great! His communication skill is good and if he continues to practice, he will
improve. I appreciate his diligence in class. I give him a 7/10.
Devine Carasina- Her attendance is great. She is hardworking and good at communicating. She is
also a one quiet fellow, however, whenever it is her turn to speak, she never cowers. She has an
excellent relationship with the class. I give her an 8/10.
Nashrinah H. Socor- Attendance is good, communication skill is great and classroom rapport is
great. I give her an 8/10.
Joahnna Marie Labadan- Attendance is excellent, communication skill is good, and classroom
rapport is great. I give her an 8/10.
Mendijean Longcob- Attendance is great, communication skill is great, and classroom rapport is
excellent. I give her a 9/10
Sittie Aliah Lacoto- Attendance is good, communication skill is great, and classroom rapport is good.
I give her a 7/10.
Jahida Macaan- Her attendance is quite poor because of her family issues. Communication skill is
good. Classroom rapport is good. I give her a 6/10.
Abdul Raman Magomnang- Attendance great, communication skill is good, and classroom rapport
is good. I give him a 7/10.
Raisah Mansumayan- Attendance is great, communication skill is good, and classroom rapport is
great. I give her an 8/10.
Naima Marohom- Attendance is excellent, communication skill is excellent, and classroom rapport
is great. I give her a 10/10.
Lemuel Ramos- Attendance is good, communication skill is excellent, and classroom rapport is
excellent. I give him a 10/10.
Josh Danyelle Revano- Attendance is good, communication skill is excellent, and classroom rapport
is excellent. I give him a 10/10.
Perlas Sadon- I rarely see her in class or hear her talk so it is hard to assess her. For now I give her a
5/10.
Rahma Saripada- Attendance good, communication skill is great, and classroom rapport is good. I
give her a 7/10.
Reham Taurac- Her attendance is great despite her slow internet connection and signal.
Communication skill is good, and classroom rapport is good. I give her a 7/10.
Xenia Telmoso- Her attendance took a toll this semester because she’s currently working while
studying, which I completely understand and empathize with. Her communication skill is excellent
and her classroom rapport is great. I give her an 8/10.
Jackielyn Vente- Attendance is good, communication skill is great, and her classroom rapport is
great. I give her a 9/10.
Vlessie Mae Elim- Attendance is good, communication skill is great and her classroom rapport is
great. I give her a 9/10.
This peer evaluation is based on my subjective opinion and observation only and does not represent
the cognitive statuses of my classmates. These numbers definitely do not define them.
So this has been Fearl Grace C. Enriquez, thank you and love yall~