Their new normal: ‘To keep sane, it’s important to have a grateful heart’
‘National Artist Bencab suggested we have a joint photo exhibit of sunsets after this is over’
Dr. Vicki Belo Life is slower and I’m less stressed
IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE Dr. Vicki Belo medical director, Belo Medical Group
I’m trying to see the “new normal” as exciting and positive. Let me describe how it has changed my life for the better.
Scarlet, Hayden and I have become closer than ever. Those three months of enhanced community quarantine could either make or break a relationship. We thank God that in our case, we made it.
Although Hayden is the real teacher, I am spending more time with Scarlet. We’ve developed a pattern where it’s 30 minutes of learning and 30 minutes of play. I’m in charge of arts and crafts. So far we have baked cakes and cookies, made gourmet popcorn and tie-dyed shirts .
Hayden and I start our day with one hour of praise and worship together or individually. We talk about life and work.
For work I’ve learned how to do Zoom consultations. I love it because it’s really a one-on-one conversation with no distractions. I then make a beauty plan and then send it to my doctors in the clinics the patients go to. While they are doing the procedure, we do Facetime so I can see if I’m getting the results I and the patient want.
Life is slower and I’m less stressed. I am so grateful that Belo Medical Group can continue to minister to people by making them happier because they are more gorgeous.
To keep sane, it’s important to have a grateful heart, to search for blessings in my life big or small, and thank our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Remember to be kind always. Pray for our country and its leaders every single day.
SUNSETS DURING LOCKDOWN Dr. Joven Cuanang neurologist, art patron, founder of Pinto Art Museum
Now I have more time to pursue the things in my mind that were left undone.
I had always wanted to have an organically grown vegetable patch tucked in a corner of Pinto, and influence my neighbors in the four subdivisions nearby to do the same.
We started organizing the community, and together we started our collective dream of someday having a weekend “market” of organically grown vegetables harvested from our backyards. From Pinto funds we bought fruit seedlings to be distributed to our neighborhood, and someday soon we will have our own supply of local fruits.
I continued my practice of medicine via teleconsultation and found out that I could do it without having to grapple with the traffic from Quezon City to Global and back. I continue to be a clinical teacher in neurology through long-distance learning via the internet. This gives me great satisfaction.
But most of all, I had the time to pursue my longtime dream of doing photography. I end my day by carefully documenting the sunsets from the vantage of my roof-deck, and for the last three months, I have collected pictures in a folio I call the Pinto Sunset Diary. The biggest compliment is being noticed by Bencab and Wig Tysmans, with our National Artist suggesting that we have a joint photo exhibit of sunsets after the lockdown.
I DO MISS TRAVELING
Stephanie Chong deputy manager, Hermès and Tiffany & Co
These have been the most challenging times yet, and the retail world has not been spared.
Over the past three months, we’ve learned to navigate within the digital space and continue to do so. Even though we’re accustomed to in-person interactions with our team and clients, we found new ways to adapt and work efficiently, while maintaining good team rapport and strengthening our client relationships.
On a personal note, I’ve enjoyed my time at home and have adjusted to my work-from-home routines. I do miss traveling. Back then I used to be overwhelmed by my travel schedule; now I’m looking forward to the day I get to fly again.
After over 70 days, I’m glad to be back in the stores with the team and to see familiar faces. The challenge is far from over, but we’ll continue to work together to face what’s ahead and to remind ourselves to appreciate what we’ve previously taken for granted.