If there’s one good thing that has resulted from all the doom and gloom we’ve been seeing and hearing lately due to COVID-19, it has made many of us stronger yet more compassionate toward other people, including ourselves, and grateful for small, everyday blessings that continue to come our way.
By ALEX Y. VERGARA
I’m sure you’ve all heard of the strange yet classic case of people being unable to lift certain objects like a safe or a fully loaded, oversized suitcase during normal situations, but, because of the adrenaline rush pumping through their veins, are suddenly able to do so swiftly and with unexplained ease during, say, a raging fire.
The same, more or less, applies to people’s mindsets and emotions during times of crisis. Either we sink and get swallowed up whole or our true grit and goodness come out in the face of extreme adversity. If there’s probably one good thing that has resulted from all the doom and gloom we’ve been seeing lately on TV and social media due to COVID-19, it has made many of us stronger yet more compassionate toward other people, including ourselves, and grateful for small, everyday blessings that continue to come our way.
At the same time, thanks in part to more time in our hands, it has also inspired many of us to probe into ourselves and do a self-examination, while also looking beyond ourselves in more conscious and conscientious attempts to contribute in whatever meaningful way to our respective communities’ greater good.
Best of all, spending more time locked down at home made us realize even more the importance of family and dear friends. A strange virus may have succeeded in making us slow down, but it hasn’t in any way weakened our ability to love. On the contrary, because of home and family, not a few of us have become unwittingly stronger, bolder and more purposeful in making every moment count.
To create a sense of normalcy, one of the things we are doing is to follow a daily schedule of activities. We have daily Bible study as a family—reading the word of God helps us have a deeper perspective of the situation. We listen to what He has to say to us through prayer and meditation.
We make sure to consciously put in time for exercise, and moving our bodies. Staying physically active, being healthy while in quarantine is important.
In the afternoon, we gather together to do face shields for our #faceshieldforlife campaign. We also spend time packing PPEs for front liners in the hospitals. We make our kids participate so they learn about helping others, how to contribute by giving their time and effort.
We have made thousands of DIY face shields and PPE packs, and have sent them to more than 50 hospitals. We are happy to be able help our front liners. We take comfort that our family, and the Aivee League team have come together to do something for the community.
Aside from medical personnel, we are also giving to other people in the frontlines who are still working to provide us food, medicines, security, transportation and other basic needs during this critical times.—Dr. Aivee Teo, dermatologist and medical director, The Aivee Group
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Since my atelier is closed right now, I try to be as productive and as creative as possible. Despite the lockdown, I’m able to use my sewing skills by making face masks and donating them to hospitals. I have also designed a capsule collection from new found fabrics under my cutting tables.
The best part is I now also have more free time to cook for my family. I have been learning to cook Korean dishes at home. I follow this YouTube cooking channel, which calls itself Maangchi (hosted by a cute Korean lady). Well, so far, my galbi-jjim, japjae, jajangmeyon and spicy squid have been hits with my family, especially with the little ones. You just have to be creative since some of the ingredients are not available in stores right now.—Noel Crisostomo, fashion designer
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This is a terrible crisis the whole world is going through. I believe it is a time for reflection—a reset button for the entire world and for most of us. We should take this time to relish and appreciate life, as we are once more reminded by real-time events that life is, indeed, too short.
I’m also taking this time to stay home seriously. As a responsible citizen, I feel that this is the least I can do. I have been taking the time to reflect also on my personal goals in the years to come. I made a list of goals and things for which I am grateful for.
I also make it a point to stay in touch with family and friends—thanks to today’s technology, which allows all of us to do so. I also enjoy and indulge myself with my K-dramas on Netflix. I have also been sleeping as much as I can, trying to make up for short hours of sleep during busier days.
When this is all over, we should remind ourselves of our reflections and, in solidarity, we continue to fight and heal. I also salute the bravery and selflessness of our front liners. I am grateful for all that they do. Truly, they are our modern-day heroes.
Like many people, there are so many things I would rather do than being locked down at the start of summer, but I can’t complain! My family, friends and I are safe and healthy, and during these times that’s all that really matters.—Tina Cuevas, hotelier and socialite
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I’m a father to three small kids and I must say that that it takes a lot of time thinking of ways to keep them occupied and stimulated. We draw, follow yoga tutorials on YouTube, go “camping” on our roof deck in a tent just to break the monotony, bake brownies and do gardening work.
As for myself, I picked up a book that I bought and started reading about five years ago, and continue reading it. I’m also brushing up on basic Japanese lessons through an app called Lingodeer.
Since I’m used to picking up my camera and taking photographs on a daily basis, I find myself yearning to practice my photography. So I find ways to take photos whenever I can: portraits of my kids, interior shots of interesting vignettes around the home, or photos of the food that we cook together.
Although, I don’t think anyone should feel too pressured to feel productive during this lockdown, as that might cause you even more stress.—Jar Concengco, photographer and entrepreneur
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Lockdown for us has been tough, but I’m taking advantage of it to finally spend time with my son, and to do the home organizing projects I’ve been putting off for years.
My son loves to draw, and I set aside an hour or so in the morning to participate in Robert Alejandro’s Facebook Live art classes, and he looks forward to doing this each day. Otherwise, we’d spend a quiet afternoon sketching or painting in the many art and coloring books we’ve kept in storage for so long.
My mother has a fantastic garden, but I didn’t inherit her green thumb! Thankfully, she donated some of her potted plants for my mini window garden, and I’ve added useful plants like aloe, tomato, pechay, and amaranth spinach seedlings—tending to this tiny edible garden also keeps me busy.
I’ve also taken some of the vine cuttings and used these to decorate little spots and create delightful vignettes around the house. A bit of green can really make a corner pop!
Lastlly, I turn to organizing to clear my mind after hearing the gloom and doom of the news. After I finished purging my closet, I turned to fixing up my collection of costume jewelry, so it’s not strewn all over the place.
There are no more events to attend, and I only wear a watch now—not even earring studs—when I go out to run errands, because jewelry is just another thing to disinfect! I’ve placed my large costume jewelry pieces like bulky necklaces in small boxes.
For small jewelry pieces like earrings, brooches, and bracelets, I organize them in small catchalls using containers found around the house—like a letter tray, a ceramic saucer, or a bowl.—Rachelle Medina, interior designer, writer and content editor for various websites
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It’s been pretty much business-as-usual as we at Globe continue to work from home. That said, I still maintain a daily routine — wake up at around 6 a.m., shower, put on a shirt that’s not the usual “pambahay,” prepare breakfast, and go online at 8 a.m. to check in with my team, or have meetings via Zoom. My 8-5 is still pretty much spent in front of the computer. I still treat my 12-1 as my lunch break.
I live in a condo near my office, but since the quarantine started, I decided to stay with my parents. I know my way around the kitchen, so I took it upon myself to prepare our meals every day (planning a weekly menu isn’t easy, by the way). And since they’re both senior citizens, it’s been my sole duty to get our supplies from the supermarket every week.
When not “working,” I binge on movies on Netflix, read a book, mix music (I also DJ occasionally), or check on friends I haven’t talked to in a while, just to see how they’re doing.
When I get cabin fever or get anxious, I drive around the village for about 20 minutes (good for maintaining car performance also), or fix myself a drink. I try to minimize my social media interactions cause it affects me too much. Better to preserve my sanity. When that happens, I just stay away from any gadget and just chill around the house.—Ronald Gonzales, head of on-ground activation, Globe
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I actually like cleaning up the house, throwing things out, rearranging stuff. Even if I am in the business of food, it doesn’t mean I get to do the things I love to do all the time. I usually get bogged down with paper work and operational stuff.
But now, I’m enjoying cooking different kinds of cuisines. I bond more with the kids since they are home as well. So, we now have movie nights. Sometimes I teach them a few recipes. Sometimes I do a yoga class every once in a while. I enjoy a good book every now and then. Since I now have the time, I plan to clean up my files and pictures as well.— Rina Go, entrepreneur and owner of Nic’s
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Lockdown wasn’t as radical or traumatic for me, as it was for other people, because I already spend so much of my time working from home. I’m thankful for my takeout/delivery customers who keep me busy with their food orders. They give me a sense of normalcy, as well as make me feel like I’m being productive by making meal times and special occasions more enjoyable for everyone else stuck at home.
I wish I could say I was catching up on my reading, decluttering, working out or something equally creative and/or productive in my spare time. Truth is, though, I’m usually pretty spent by the end of the day and have to figure out how to sufficiently entertain and exercise my pets (I have two cats and a dog).
I really try to regulate my news, social media and digital communications now, because when I don’t, the relentless information overload just makes me more stressed, anxious, angry and exhausted. Instead, I try to just pay attention to what’s going on inside of me, as well as appreciate the little things—the clean air, clear skies, peace and quiet. When all is said and done, I am still so lucky compared to others who have lost so much to this pandemic, so I always try to keep that in mind.—Johanna Garcia, owner, Real Girl Toy Kitchen Foods
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I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by family and a safe home. So, I’ve been staying healthy, making sure I eat well and get to work out regularly, too.
I’ve also been dabbling into digital art, and reviving my YouTube channel as a form of expression. Likewise, I’ve been using this time to spring clean and sort out certain areas at home that are due for rearranging.
More than anything, I’ve been having more time for spiritual growth and quiet time with prayer and the Bible. All these, aside from the usual internet streaming services and Tiktok, to entertain myself, of course.—Janeena Chan, host and influencer
If you wish to donate to UNICEF through Janeena, click on bit.ly/UNICEF_Janeena
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I start the day reading scriptures from the Bible, listening to praise and worship songs, and praying. It helps me focus better as I face a new day with all that is happening around us.
I try to limit myself to a few minutes reading the news so as to be informed. Staying healthy physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually is what I hope for all of us.
Planning the day’s meals when everyone is at home can be both challenging and fun. I take time to help with simple household chores, which I enjoy doing for my husband and the kids. Staying connected with family and friends here and abroad is something I look forward to with each passing day, thanks to modern technology and social media!
Hearing from them and knowing they are all well gives me such peace and sense of relief. I love to sing, so I make sure I find the time to do that every once in a while.
My late afternoons are spent doing online Zumba with my daughter and her two close friends. Funny because they choose the ones with moves appropriate for young people like themselves. It’s wonderful bonding with them while being able to do the much needed workout to burn all the extra calories from too much food.
After dinner, my husband and I watch Netflix together. It is such a relaxing way to spend the rest of the evening before saying good night. —Duday Tuason, homemaker
