On 15 March 2020, the Philippine government implemented a Metro Manila-wide enhanced community quarantine (read: lockdown) as a strategy to contain the COVID-19 virus. The ECQ later on became nationwide, and got extended indefinitely. This post is my personal timestamp on where and how I was during this pandemic.
I. Daily Life
On weekdays, I wake up at almost the same time—between 6-7 am regardless of the time I sleep the night (or morning) before. I’d figure out what I would have for breakfast—pan de sal from the bakery in front of the building (kung walang pila), left over food, or champorado from the carinderia two blocks away (that closed down two weeks into the ECQ).
After wandering in the rabbit hole of social media platforms, I’d find my way back to my road of deliverables which I set myself. I’d read a few research journals, extract highlights, craft discussion points, draft emails, attend online meetings, and repeat the cycle until I bore myself. This monotony prods me to take short breaks in my exercise mat a couple of meters away. I’d force myself to do push-ups, stretch a little, and whatever movement my body feels like doing.
Workout Companion
Workday usually ends at 3 or 4 pm unless something urgent pops up beyond that and requires immediate attention. At 5 pm, I’d cook for dinner—that is sauté or boil plant-based ingredients I’ve bought from the mega market.
It’s another trip down the rabbit hole after dinner—switching between FB newsfeed, IG stories, Messenger, anime movies/TV series, Twitter threads—until the sleep fairy arrives between 11 pm to 2 am.
II. Feelings
I was feeling calm and peaceful at first believing that this unprecedented (at least in my lifetime) pandemic would soon end—normalcy will be restored—that this is just one of the many humps that any country faces —until things got out of hand. Establishments closing down, medical personnel getting infected, death toll outnumbering the recovery rate, people starting to panic buying, netizens expressing their dissatisfaction on the government’s efforts to be on top of the situation.
Smizing my way through this crisis and hiding the storm within
When COVID-9 news populated my social media news feed, this triggered my subtle anxiety attacks. I was restless at times–couldn’t sleep easily at night, felt tense muscles in my legs, lost my appetite at times or overate sweets at times. There is that lingering feeling of loneliness being away from my family in Bulacan, my friends in the road and trail running community.
Because work is still on from Monday to Friday, there is that pressure to be as productive as I am on a regular office week. During the first two weeks, I realized that I operate better on a work-from-home setup since I like doing solitary tasks. But since my work requires me to coordinate with my officemates and external partners, I feel that it requires more energy from me (which I find draining) when I attend Zoom meetings with them. It takes a lot of conscious effort to enjoy those moments, and patience too given our spotty internet connection.
On most days, I feel sluggish and would just drag my self to the table where I work, eat, and procrastinate. During the day, when there’s no scheduled meetings, I would take afternoon naps that last for an hour or two.
III. Things I Miss
One of the things that I really really really miss during this extended enhanced community quarantine is running on the road or trail. I was training for my first 100-kilometer trail running race when the lockdown was implemented—Tuesdays and Thursdays in Pasig with Team Titans Manila and on weekends in Montalban, Rizal with my Wawathletes friends.
March 13-14, 2020 – Pre-ECQ 50-kilometer trail run around Montalban, Rizal
Hoping that my 100-km race would push through on April 18-19 when the lockdown would have been lifted by April 15, I was determined to train at home to be able to finish that race. Three weeks into the lockdown, the organizer announced the postponement of the race.
I utterly miss waking up very early on a Saturday or Sunday and commute to Wawa. I miss the joy and pain of tackling uphills and bombing (or walking) downhills. I miss the euphoria of gazing at ridges and summits. I just miss the outdoors.
IV. Ways of Coping
Keeping oneself sane during this crisis is a bit of a challenge. We all have ways of coping—some are healthy while others do more harm than provide help. In my case, some of the things I do are already habits I’ve built over the years while the others are forced habits—those that I must learn to survive.
Spending time reading the Bible reading or what Christians call devotion/ quiet time is one thing that I try or struggle to do every day. 20-30 minutes of 2-3 chapters and a short insight writing before I eat my breakfast or while drinking my morning cup of coffee.
As someone who believes in the power of physical (and even social) movement, I always make it a point to do simple body-weight exercises. It could be in the form of workout challenges, programs from Team Titans, or just random drills that pop in my head when I feel exhausted sitting in front of my pc screen. Taking a video of myself working out (and posting it later on Instagram or sending it in our team chat group) is quite helpful as this somehow motivates me.
Grateful to groups offering free livestream of their workout
I have never considered cooking as a hobby. I do not consider boiling root crops and preparing instant noodles proper cooking. I have always depended on carinderias and the office cafeteria for my meals. As someone who tries to follow a more plant-based diet, I was forced by circumstances to do culinary experiments. I have already made several dishes using tofu—adobo, fried, marinated. I have discovered the magic of spices and seasonings (hello paprika, turmeric, rosemary, oregano, five spices). I have learned that soaking your beans overnight saves you time. I just cook for myself so I have no choice but to consume the same viand for two to three meals—regardless of its taste.
Jute mallow (Saluyot) and Spinach Pool Party feat. Mr. Tofu
Video chatting with my family has also saved me from homesickness. Seeing my parents, siblings and nephews in Bulacan and sister in Washington doing fine despite the crisis gives me a taste of home and hope. I also initiated Zoom meetings with former housemates and high school classmates because we now have all the time in the world to catch up and relish those fond memories.
Watching our baby transition into a toddler
Living with three other colleagues from DepEd-Central Office who are Teach for the Philippines alumni makes this lockdown more bearable because of the shared interests and work experiences that we have. Conversations in our living room would range from telecommuting challenges, education reform concerns, love life (or the lack of it), social issues and what have you.
The last coping mechanism which resurfaced during this lockdown is playing online scrabble at lexulous.com. I learned how to play this wordgame when I was in fourth grade, took a class on it in college, and never look back. This is the only online game that I play which keeps me awake even in the wee hours. What I like about this online game is that you get to play with real people—mostly people in their 50s or 60s—and chat with them as the game progresses. It also sits well with my competitive self because players rakes points every time they win resulting to improved ranking in the game room.
V. Learnings
The extended time I spend at home–in our apartment in Pasig–allows me to ponder over this situation and reflect. This lockdown, out of boredom, led me back to my old blog which gave me an idea to write this entry. A few years from now, I would revisit this write-up and relive the ups-and-downs of living in this historic time.
One key takeaway from this crisis is the need to check my privilege first (and its spelling) before sharing my sentiments on social media. Learning from the backslash celebrities (and ordinary citizens) got for their insensitive comments, one must be more circumspect in exercising his/her freedom of expression. (This is better than being a fence-sitter). My rule of thumb on expressing my thoughts is to strike a balance between faith-based optimism and reality-grounded constructive criticisms and solutions. (By the way, if you have the capacity to give—services, cash, or in-kind donations, please do.)
Another self-discovery that I have kept from myself for years is that I could cook proper food if I force myself to. If I were to sustain this plant-based diet, I must learn how to love the culinary arts. Thanks to vegan/vegetarian/plant-based Facebook groups and YouTube channels for the inspiration and recipes that I try to follow (and tweak most of the time).
With all the webinars, MOOCs and online learning opportunities available these days, it’s hard to live up to the productivity pressure that we (or the society or our office) might impose on ourselves. An advice I’ve read somewhere prompts us to go easy on ourselves and be kinder to others since we are in a crisis. If we are not as productive as before this, it is okay. (On a side note, telecommuting should be a norm or a viable option after this COVID-19 crisis.)
Office Essentials
For singles, this season might test our heart’s fragility spelled as r-u-p-o-k. Sending a DM/PM to our (ex-)crushes, liking their posts, or reacting to their IG stories could be considered healthy coping mechanisms when done in moderation and with utmost care and consciousness. Knowing when it is unhealthy already, i.e. late night conversations, and deep emotional attachments, is a sign of maturity, experts say; let us always keep our guard up. We don’t want another heartbreak in this heartbreaking crisis, right?
Be right back. Soon.
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