The Positive Effects of ECQ

(Enhanced Community Quarantine)

Hi folks! I know its taking forever for this pandemic to end. As far as I know, the world is on lockdown. We have our own ways of coping and there are expected effects from this new normal we are all undergoing.

Let me share some positive events that has happened to our family in this time of isolation. Maybe some of you can relate or might get inspired.

Support

My husband and I have a complete overview of our daily tasks, but this is the only time when I get to see his full function as a corporate HR practitioner and as head of talent acquisition. He became very busy since one of the things that's greatly hit by this pandemic is employment. The quarantine period is very limiting and that's the challenge for all, I guess.

The good side of working from home is I get to support him at times when he's really stressed, especially now while on ECQ. It was hard for him to break the news to his staff that they will be temporarily removed from their tasks. It hit him hard because he was trying his best to keep everyone, but he needed to abide with the guidelines. At the same time, cope with the load of work, and take care of matters on a business aspect being a health care company.

We talked a lot about work since. I check on him everyday and give him his space so he can work at peace and deliver on time. Moving forward, everything became lighter. His staff didn't leave and stayed to be of service to the company even without pay. Aside from me, he gets moral support from the big bosses and his co- workers. Same with the rest of their employees, they all support each other during this tough times.

Strengthened Relationships

This is the most cherished part in this whole lockdown. We think of others. Our families, friends, neighbors, old acquaintances... Every moment, every minute counts now more than ever. We make sure all are safe, all are coping well. Since this lockdown happened, we reach out to our loved ones in our own special way. I see videos of people taking a glimpse of their parents from afar. We send flowers and their favorite things to represent our love and care for them. We make calls everyday and talk almost the whole day, keeping each one hopeful and happy despite the situation of being away.

Those staying at home with their families, we spend more and more time, talking and sharing ideas. We all go back when everyone was seated at the dining table. There's no room for petty quarrels and we're more sensitive to the needs of one another.

Sharing is Caring

Not all are blessed to keep their jobs or have good food on the table everyday. We were given an opportunity to help those in need at this time, when a friend invited us to join him to give out food this weekend. It was a enlightening and inspiring to be able to share this deed with others. You forget the hard part of being limited. You forget the little pains and disappointments. It gave us hope and it gave us purpose even on lockdown.

The plan is to cook food and go around, give it to those in need. But since we are on ECQ, we have kids and we can't fit in one car, we might just donate of what we can afford in order to give our share.

Once this pandemic is over, we can commit to helping others without limitations.

Hidden Talents and Crafts

This is where the fun part begins. This involves my whole family. Though we're far away from each other, my parents and I opened ourselves to edible gardening. Just today, I harvested my first batch of water spinach. I planted it in soil. It grows in soil as long as you keep it moist. Then my dad turned our 200 gallon aquarium into a planter. He painted it and even polished it. Now they're set to put soil and start with their first seedlings.

My sister made an impulsive move and enrolled in an online course at the UC San Diego. She said it was a last minute decision but next thing she knows, the course was finished and she got her certification. This was while she's also taking her MA and working as a teacher all at the same time. So yes, some powers you got there little sissy! Kudos!

Baking 101. There was a time when I said, that a slice of cake became so precious when this quarantine began. Now, it's nothing because everyone is baking! My niece is into it too, my brother is very supportive of it too. Not only in baking or cooking, there are various crafts I see online. It's refreshing to see people share their products and videos. Plus, they put so much encouragement for the rest to be productive as well.

The positive outlook in all of his is, we use our free time to learn and understand the small things we don't mind during our old normal. We all came to a point that we decided not to limit ourselves even in a very limited situation. The most exciting part, we can continue all these when we enter to a new phase after Covid- 19, let's stay positive!

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Whining

Updated: May 8, 2020

This post was originally placed on my FB wall last night. A friend of mine got affected by the “whining” part of my post or maybe the whole thing because somebody close to her “might” lose a job in the shutdown of the tv network.

Here is the actual post:

In other news: people are crying because Abs- Cbn has shut down. Please... next thing you know they’re back in business, quit whining.

I don't expect people to agree or to disagree with me. I did not see the point in discussing further, especially when my friend's opinion got deeply involve and in the privacy of my FB wall. I gave an answer in a very technical way, because what I said was merely a statement, an expression. I closed the conversation in the most ethical and diplomatic manner I can and I have to say, we can't "agree to disagree" because there was just one opinion that circulated in the original thread, and it's not even mine, it's like telling me to agree with what you said and on my FB wall.

The mistake was I did not expound on the idea further so it looked as if I generalized everything. My words were too strong, it's insensitive, again, my mistake and I apologize for that.

Now why whining? Aside from the fact that the root cause of this is the reaction on "whining", if we're going to focus on losing jobs per se, let me give a more detailed and fair approach on it. My two cents?

The issue is not really about the network shutting down, it’s their employees who “might” lose their jobs.

We have friends working in this tv network too. The thing that should be looked upon is how each one (the employees) will understand, accept and handle the current situation they're in.

Spox Harry Roque latest update May 7, 2020

DOLE: Network employees will still have jobs and will be paid accordingly

All are affected but, they (our friends) opt to think of the next steps, on how they'll survive and grow from this situation. They're as vocal as everyone else but their statements are hopeful, and optimistic. So when I said “quit whining”, it only means that I don't fear for this company, they still stand a chance. With that, let us put into mind that it is not just the employees of this network who are suffering. There are others in worse cases with or without this pandemic. We all have problems to face, it’s not just you who lose in daily battles and “who will” lose something for this matter.

Given the current global situation, there are those who lost their battle to Covid- 19 without even seeing their loved ones. Our health workers, frontliners are risking their lives everyday. Our servicemen taking all the punches from unsatisfied citizens. Others already lost their jobs, forced to stop without due process. People are let go from small to middle type companies because they have to cut costings. Some have shutdown permanently. A lot has nothing to eat with no roof to protect them, deprived of their medical needs because of the pandemic.

There's just too much to take in. Yet, I see people yes, whine about the shut down of this broadcast network. It's okay to cry and get emotional, but it's different if we take things on a political and personal level, then make judgements based on emotions, without knowing the facts, the technicalities behind every circumstance. It pays to be well- informed than react to things based on what ifs, maybes and malicious hearsays.

Outside this network issue, I personally, have immediate family members who lost their jobs just because they're considered as non- essential workers. My husband had to remove some of his staff for that same reason, because "they're not important". You think it’s easy to get someone out of job? no it’s not. But! these same people remained and offered help so that the company can still function accordingly even if they will not get paid.

Optimism plays a big role in our personal games and in the choices we make. In other words, allow yourself to understand the situation and carry yourself to the next level instead of dwelling onto something you have no control of.

The idea that for every morning we wake up, there is no assurance on what awaits us in this world, is something we have to deal with. That's why there are those who remain positive, there are those who take things one at a time, there are those who focus on one's mental and spiritual well- being, and those who choose to live and put value on the little things they have. I’m not saying all, at least some of us.

There’s no assurance, there’s no security if our families, these people will get their jobs back, it’s sad and insanely bothersome, but no one is complaining, there's no time for it at all. They just move on and they pull the good side on losing their only source of income, that's self- care, family time, and staying healthy.

This thing that happened with the tv network was untimely. It's a very sensitive issue to touch on. It's out of our hands, the timing was bad, I must agree. It may seem to be a political move, but let us stick to the facts instead, it will help broaden our "perspective".

I was hopeful that it won't end this way.

I sympathize with them not only because we enjoy watching their programs, but also because for some time, my mom was a talent of this tv network and worked with the likes of Sarah Geronimo. My mom also came out in various teleseryes and had a chance to be in the talk show of Kris and Korina. My sister was part of a modeling workshop too. Me and my siblings walked the grounds of Abs- Cbn as if we're part of a bigger family. We enjoyed eating in the canteen side by side with some talents. My husband did a couple of sessions with Abs- Cbn as a musician too.

I'm pretty positive of what I said: "Next thing you know, they're back in business".

I commend the President of the tv network for being optimistic.

Looking at the “obvious”, it will take time, but this company will get its franchise back. They play a big role in mass media, they’re technically #1, they will be back, even bigger, brighter!

Better days are on the way...

From the author: I don't share my thoughts for the purpose of changing a reader's point of view, I don't expect for my readers to agree or to disagree with what I share, and I don't insist that my posts are correct.