Part 3/14:
The COVID-19 pandemic, with its enforced lockdowns and social distancing measures, dramatically intensified feelings of loneliness among young Filipinos. The Philippines endured some of the world's longest and most stringent quarantine protocols, which suspended in-person schooling and restricted social activities. For many students, especially those who thrived on peer interactions, the shift to online classes and digital learning environments left a void that was hard to fill.