Pentiano, Darlene C.

My Journal NSTP-7029

There are different relevant topics in our society today. Some of these are the environmental
awareness, mental health awareness, protecting indigenous rights, and the COVID-19. The
aforementioned issues must be addressed properly because it will greatly help in the productivity of a
person, in the growth of economy, and in the environment as well.
Today, we are experiencing a pandemic which caused millions of deaths all around the world.
Because of this situation, businesses, schools, works, and the like are very much affected. Some
establishments were not able to operate, some people lose their job, and many students are
experiencing difficulty in coping with the online learning platform. To sum it up, because of the pandemic
outbreak, almost all people are affected—dealing with stress and depression, some chose to end their
lives, and most importantly, our mental health which is very salient especially in the midst of pandemic
is also being greatly affected. Mental health is important because of the fact that it affect all people,
men and women of all ethnicities. It plays an important part in the health of every relationship and it
allow us to adapt changes in our lives and cope with adversity. Moreover, mental health is precisely one
of the keys in surviving this latest pandemic and it helps preserve and reconstruct a post-pandemic
society.
Another topic tackles about the environmental awareness. We are all aware that our
environment is gradually being destroyed due to man-made and natural causes. One of the latest
environmental issue is about the Australia’s devastating bushfire which killed nearly three billion
animals and also the fire in Amazon, Brazil. Sometimes, we can’t avoid such happenings but I believe
that we can help in restoring the beauty of our environment through our own simple ways.
Lastly, protecting indigenous rights. Indigenous communities play a vital role as custodians of
our planet, possessing vital knowledge that will support global efforts to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). But despite of the progress to protect their rights, many of them still face
discrimination and threats to their livelihood and ancestral lands. It is truly important to value indigenous
materials, products, and people as well. One way to show our support is through putting in action the
message of the quote, “Tangkilikin ang sariling atin!”
These lessons made me realize that the different issues happening in the world can be
compared with the challenges/problems that life throws to a person. We can’t avoid such challenges
but we can do something to overcome it. If you don’t pour water on the fire, it will continue to keep
burning. If you don’t follow health and safety protocols, you might soon have COVID-19. If you don’t do
something about your mental health, you might end up feeling like you have all the problems in the
world. If you don’t value your own, you might end up being thrown by your own as well. Therefore, the
challenges in one person’s life will never be solved by another problem. Work on it and try to look for a
solution. These topics raised awareness about the issues that needs to be addressed because if we
don’t, it will result to a negative impact in a society or in the world rather. Thus, as a youth, I came to
realize that our presence in every aspect of society is very important. We need to unite in battling every
challenges that the world faces because alone we can do so little, together we can do so much (Helen
Keller).
In relation to the problems being faced by the world which was previously discussed, I would like
to share a quote by Molière which says, “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”
Additionally, we also have a quote from Roy T. Bennett, “Be the kind of person who dares to face life's
challenges and overcome them rather than dodging them.” Thus, let’s hold each other’s hand and let’s
do something to make a change. Together we will fight, together we will rise, and together we will
overcome.