MIK AELA LAGDAMEO-MARTINEZ
I’m taking it one day at a time—literally. Quite frankly the days have gone by so fast. Each one has been so different, between helping out with relief efforts and spending time with my husband and kids. We’ve been doing our part by staying home, but also doing our best to help out the community— thanks to technology!
What I’ve realized throughout this experience is that we’re all given the same amount of time in a day. What matters is what we do with it. Do we just sit and waste counting the days of boredom or do we step up and make a difference? I’ve really come to enjoy the simplicity of life and everythingthat we have right here and now. This experience just proved all the more that for me, what matters most is family, our health, a home and food on our table. But more importantly, it’s knowing how much faith we have in God. When we have lost all control and everything remains to be uncertain, there’s nothing else to do but surrender all the anxiety and stress to Him.—MLM
"THERE’S ALWAYS A REASON FOR EVERYTHING. WE DON’T SEE IT NOW BUT EVENTUALLY IT WILL ALL FALL INTO PLACE”
It’s definitely a big change in comparison to my normal life. I don’t remember the last time I had to stay put in Manila for more than a week. I travel so much for work that I spend most of my year living out of a suitcase. I’m an on-the-go type of person so being home is tough but I’ve embraced it. Time spent at home with family is normally a luxury I do not have so I’m reveling in it. In terms of all the new rules that are in place, I don’t mind them at all because I think it is necessary. This pandemic is real and it’s happening. We all should do what we can to help combat it. The sooner we all follow suit, the sooner we can go back to our normal lives.
I always try to appreciate the smaller things such as time off, being able to wake up without my alarm going off and not needing to be on a set schedule. I’m learning new recipes to cook for my family. I’ve also realized that homeschooling is not a walk in the park! It’s also really beautiful to see people come together—it’s just a shame that it took something as unfortunate as this for it to happen. We all can be a little kinder regardless of what’s happening around us.
I think we’re starting to see the bigger picture a little clearer now. Hopefully this experience can put things in perspective in our lives and choices when we move forward. Hug your loved ones a little tighter, appreciate the time you get to spend with them because it’s probably the most time you will ever get. If you can help it, stay home as much as possible. Learn a new skill while you’re at it and if you are able, help the people who are putting their own lives on the line for us however way you can. Don’t add to the negativity, it’s not worth the stress. And while I’m just as frustrated as you are with how our country has been handling or not handling things, don’t lose hope. We will get through this one day at a time.—MWC
“THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE DOING GOOD. YOU MAY NOT SEE IT ON YOUR SOCIALS BUT THEY ARE THERE” OUT