History That Defined Us

The coronavirus took so many lives already that we all came to realize how short life is. It is a constant reminder of our vulnerability to life's greatest questions, whether it is about scientific progress, health and immunology, or simply out-of-bounds politicking at the international level. Whatever it is that is unfolding, lockdown or no, constitutional or not, the world is coerced on watching history unveil, and nobody can stop it.

The Democratic and Republican National Conventions kicked off earlier this week, which marks the official acceptance of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris of the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential nomination, and the endorsement of President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence by the Republicans. Speeches have been said, interviews have been made, and everybody is pumped up for a tumultuous campaign trail ahead of the November elections later this year.

The United States election will be an important historical event as President Trump's controversial policies will be put into the test, which will serve as a vote of confidence for his trade policies on China, North Korea talks, his unpopular treatment of the press, economic figures, and the black lives matter movement that puts the police force in bad light.

Yet, while all of these things are simultaneously happening, in Europe, the recent Belarusian elections prompted massive protests as the incumbent President won the contested polls marred with irregularities. The German Chancellor has been vocal in rejecting the election results, and calls for a dialogue.

Meanwhile, reports of vaccine development for COVID-19 has dominated news reports in the Philippines where the pandamic still rages at an alarming rate. Deaths are still being reported everyday, and the number of active cases steadily rise despite government efforts to impose community quarantine, mobilize police checkpoints, and conduct contact tracing.

History will always be a witness to humanity's struggle, and how it answers the toughest questions. With it, we are defined on how we respond to these challenges. The recorded history will be a constant reminder of never repeating the horrors it tell ever again.

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The editorial is sponsored by Mitsubishi.