STILL SPIRITED AS ALWAYS
Social scene regular TINA CUEVAS reflects on the last few months isolating at home
Before the advent of COVID-19, events were aplenty and at each gathering, Tina Cuevas was a stalwart. Dressed to the nines and armed with a selfie stick, it wasn’t unusual to see her holding court amongst her similarly turnedout cohorts. “Staying home 24/7 for the past months has been a full 360 from my pre-quarantine life—which was a kind of life that is surrounded by people in my workplace and attending social events and gatherings almost every day,” she says. And then the virus struck, the nation went on lockdown, and everything that was normal suddenly changed.
Surprisingly, Tina had already isolated herself before the imposed Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Manila. “I also felt it was the responsible thing to do and the only way we can really flatten the curve,” she says. The adjustment wasn’t too hard for her, because contrary to public knowledge, Tina is a homebody who truly enjoys being home. “I took the time to catch up on rest and organize at home. I am grateful for today’s technology because I am able to stay connected with family and friends and not feel so isolated during the quarantine,” she says.
One of the things she misses the most is being able to spend time with family during Sunday dinners, and being with friends to enjoy simple get-togethers. Tina had actually canceled a trip to Amsterdam over the New Year because she hadn’t been feeling well. Although she misses traveling and being with friends, in hindsight she says it was a good choice. “I believe it turned out to be the right decision to listen to my body and further build my immune system to equip me during this crazy pandemic we are all going through,” she says. Despite missing her old life, Tina chooses to look at the bright side of things. “There have been many events and trips canceled but I believe there is a proper time and place for everything. Even though these were canceled, we will always have time to make up for it when all of this is over,” she says.”
Many people are choosing this time to reflect on their lives, what they have done, and what they wish they had done differently. Tina is no different, but for her, it is not opportunities lost, rather the chance to take a close look at her health. “I wish I didn’t delay my biannual health checkup and blood work. As much as I would like to be aware and updated on my health; for obvious reasons, now is not the time to go to any hospital or health facility unless it is an emergency,” she says, “If there is one thing I realized during this time, it is the appreciation and gratitude for the simplest things and the bountiful blessings—like being healthy and safe. We really have to value our health by eating healthy and staying fit.”
With such a big shift in the way the world is operating, it is only normal for perspectives to change, to allow new, healthy habits to be learned. “After all that has happened and all that continues to be our reality today, I learned that we must be mentally and physically stronger in this journey,” says Tina. For now, she is keeping patient and faithful that the current situation will be over one day. “We need to be more patient and have faith that everything will be over one day. When? One can only hope it comes sooner than soon. But in the meantime, we focus on what we do know—and that is the realization that life is short and uncertain,” she says. This means living our lives truthfully, in the best way we can. “We must strive to be kind with one another and live simply. Treasuring and nourishing relationships with family and friends are what matter most— and we value every opportunity to be together again,” she says.
“Ifthereis onething Irealized duringthis time,itisthe appreciation andgratitude forthe simplest thingsand thebountiful blessings— likebeing healthyand safe.”