LI FE HACKS WE LEARNED DURING THE PANDEMIC

This infamous terminology, total lockdown, became a word of mouth amongst every Filipino here and abroad. Only those who were designated members of families can go to market or buy medicines at drug stores. No work, no travelling. And worst of all, nothing to eat.

A month after the imposition of total lockdown, conditions even gone worse. We badly needed to do something to survive. Discovering a number of essential life hacks from the four corners of our homes. And primarily, that is to…

Thrift. We need to save whatever is left from our supplies. Regimentation is beyond the horizon, we were left on our own devices.

We learned how to thrift rice.

*Applying the golden equation of cooking rice, 1part rice, 1 part water

*Adding a sprinkle of vinegar (1 teaspoon of vinegar) prolongs its shelf

*Rice leftovers placed in plastic canisters and refrigerated.

*Steamed rice leftovers became goumet-ish fried.

*Avoid cooking crusty “tutong” steamed rice, for “tutong” is nearly a cup of wasted r i ce.

We learned how to thrift water.

Pre-pandemic, we all had infinite reservoir of water.

*During the pandemic, we started repairing leaking faucets.

*We started collecting rainwater in plastic drums from our roof gutters.

*Water used in rinsing laundries and plates were set aside to be used in toilets instead of clean tap water running down our sewerage pipes.

We learned how to thrift food.

*We started accounting and did inventory on all our food supplies.

*Learned some basic principles of warehousing, First in, first out. And Last in, last out. Also known as FI-FO and LI-FO, marking our can goods of their expirations dates, We learned how to thrift money.

*We learned so much from the small but mighty ants who are ever busy saving whatever is on hand for tomorrow.

*We learned wise, efficiency, proficiency use of money.

We learned how outsource extra income.

*Plantitos and plantitas generated an enormous and widespread income to many Filipinos during the pandemic.

*We found out that juice extracted from our local paragis grass can help propagate r oot s.

*Online selling of food became rampant also, from morcon to lugaw

Finally, we also learned how to be backyard farmers.

*Lay kangkong and kamote tops cuttings on top of soil, and sprinkle a thing layer of soil. In no time, you will be harvesting soon.

*Seeds of tomatoes, squeeze them to sprout on a seedling bed of loamy organic soil. After 40-50 days they will start producing fruits.

*Vegetable peelings and eggs shells will serve as your genuine organic fertilizers. We learned to thrift and learned other specials skills to survive and satisfy our needs.

Metaphorically speaking, we started propagating our hopes.

We realized real value and hardship of life during the pandemic.

We all asked the same question.. “Am I next to fall?”

But we bravely and courageously fought back.

Never wanting to give up the fight.

There are still so many good things we wish to do with so much zest and gusto. And giving away whatever help we can to those who are in dire need, is one. We are all humans after all.

For true kindness is inert in all human hearts.

Save and share…

*****

(The author of this article is a Teacher II of Sta. Maria Elementary

School, Division of Angeles City) life.