CONFIDENT AMIDST CHANGE
For MIKE LAGMAN, the global pandemic presented an opportune time to reflect and experience a sense of inner renewal—enriching himself with positive energy and looking at a bright future with much hope
With a beautiful family, a wonderful home, and an outstanding career in the construction industry, Mike Lagman has spent much of his life building great relationships and well-planned edifices. He and his wife are well-known figures in the social scene, beloved members of many circles and favored additions of exclusive occasions. Yet even amidst a comfortable and healthy lifestyle, Mike admits that the novel coronavirus served as a great equalizer, having surprised friends and family and forcing them to revisit old habits and create new ones.
“I felt bewildered at first; it was a complete shift in lifestyle. Adapting to this ‘new normal’ was a gradual process that let me navigate through different challenges and obstacles along the way,” Mike reflects, brimming with hope. “During lockdown, I’ve come to realize that no matter our position or status in life, we are all susceptible individuals; the pandemic is unavoidable. Despite the hardships we face as Filipinos, we are resilient. I find that responding to this pandemic has stemmed down to understanding the situation at hand, its plentiful effects and create solutions to cope. In order to survive, we must fully grasp the risk at hand by educating ourselves and more importantly have resilience.”
FAMILY FIRST
Both Mike and Charmaine are extremely close to their children. And with lockdowns imposed here and abroad, the distance was more felt. Thankfully, the availability of virtual solutions keeps them connected. Mike shares, “I wish I had sent all my children home before the pandemic had escalated. At times like these, it is more important now than ever to have companionship. Fortunately, with technology, I still get to check up on my children in New York and Washington no matter the distance!”
Still, the disruption of plans to see their children, especially on important milestones, visits his thoughts from time to time. “With plans of traveling abroad to visit my children, it was unfortunate to have them canceled. My wife and I had intended to fly out to Los Angeles earlier in April for my youngest daughter’s world premiere of her composition by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. However, with the number of cases rising in both Los Angeles, we decided to remain put and send her back for the rest of the semester. My son, who is taking his masters in alternative medicine at Georgetown University, was meant to march for his graduation earlier this year as well,” he says.
Regardless of the current circumstances, Mike remains optimistic. Favorite family traditions such as going out for dinner has evolved to a different setup, one he has absolutely no complaints. “We are given the opportunity to cook at home and bond, still sharing our love for gastronomy!” he exclaims. The work setup, on the other hand, tells a different story. “Social distancing measures has led me to miss feeling the hospitable nature of greeting others with physical gestures like handshakes and hugs,” he explains. “We are now faced with a situation where we need to reinvent universal messages to express gratitude and feel a sense of connectedness. Virtual conferences for work do not have the same engagement as faceto-face meetings.”
WORK RESTRUCTURED
Adapting with new-age business solutions was something every industry sector went through. Mike led his team in devising ways to continue ongoing projects and accomplish as much as they can during the pandemic. And although he admits that the results were not as close to how he envisioned things to be, he put his best effort in for his company. “In response to the pandemic, we shut all physical operations,” he says. “Instead, we focused our efforts mainly on management leveling and restrategizing our plans for launching new projects. Most of the days at work revolved around planning and logistics. This situation was unavoidable as a result of the lower output of projects compared to the usual. Social distancing measures had even impacted our strategies for transporting the workforce, dealing with curfews and the availability of supplies.”
And even as the global pandemic continues the domino effects of its socio-economic impacts, Mike’s business insight is a refreshing perspective on how to deal with the anxieties of industry continuity and growth—acknowledging what needs to be done while remaining cautiously optimistic. “With the slower rate of incoming projects, the financial aspect of the process impacted the company’s ability to aid everyone,” he shares. “Even with our transition of incorporating more
machinery as capital for our mode of production, skilled workers would definitely still be in demand in the future. However, laborbased production will be impacted and lessened due to restrictions. Although, the government and demand for infrastructure itself will still remain as the prime mover in pushing the economy forward. In the future, innovations will be manifested in the form of incorporating sustainability into the integration of alternative materials that are less laborintensive, price competitive, and environmentally friendly.”
INTO A NEW WORLD
While things sure have changed for him and his surroundings, Mike is motivated to see things through, with life’s promise of better things to come. “I look forward to reuniting—with my family completed, as my other two children are still in New York and Washington for their studies. With work, I am also looking forward to being able to manage colleagues on a more hands-on, physical level when meeting in person doesn’t put our safety at risk.” It also paved the way for self-improvement, with a newfound appreciation for what life has to give and learning the value of patience in these crucial times. “Despite the cliché, life has taught me unique lessons that have transformed my life. I’ve learned to be patient in waiting for the end to this pandemic. Alongside this, I’ve learned how to restrategize; if you know the essence of life at this very moment, your mind would divert you to several options different from the routine you are accustomed to.”
“The pandemic had taught me to unlearn the habit of constantly thinking too far ahead in the future and packing a day with insurmountable obligations,” Mike muses. “With the pace of life, we still have to slow down no matter our circumstance in life. In these waking moments do we feel the sense of being alive and recognizing the importance of protecting our mental and physical health rather than tangible possessions.”