FIVE months and counting, our lifestyle has drastically changed. It has not been easy for all of us to be cooped up within the four walls of hearth and home. The big challenge during the lockdown months has been to find something to make life not only bearable but happy and productive as well. A tall order but somehow doable!
There are those who have discovered new preoccupations, others who rediscovered past interests, and a few who continue to do their usual work albeit with the necessary adjustments and modifications. Positive results have come to light, the most significant of which is how people have become more prayerful.
From a personal standpoint, I’ve rediscovered the joys of cooking during this lockdown period. Before the pandemic, my schedule was filled with lunches, cocktail and dinner parties so I had no time nor any need to cook. Nowadays, with nowhere to go and nothing to do, I’ve renewed my interest in cooking and baking, re-acquainting myself with favorite recipes as well as trying out new ones. So it has been a productive time in the kitchen for me.
For Corie Lacson Jakosalem, it was a return to an old love—painting. She is an artist at heart but she had set her brushes aside for some time because of various activities. With Covid-19 holding her hostage at home, she took to her brushes again and came up with a take from Monet’s “Lotus Pond.” Another thing she worked on was her silver collection (trays, flatware, coffee/tea sets and bowls) which she cleaned and polished to shining perfection with mucho gusto.
Busy-as-bee fashion designer Jojo Romoff suddenly had time on his hands when weddings and debuts were put on hold and going to parties became a no-no these past months. His creative juices have remained tiptop so staying idle was not an option. Instead of designing gowns and dresses, he has come up with designs for protective outer wear, the fashion statement of the season. Yes, Jojo is still into fashion, still doing what he loves to do and what he knows to do best.
Lelah Nacua Unchuan is a plant enthusiast and spends time at her garden regularly tending to her blooms and greens. Now that she is house-bound with no outside activities to look forward to, she has decided to give full attention to her garden. Her main focus is her vegetable patch which includes chives, tarragon, rosemary, Italian oregano, turmeric etc. They are growing beautifully, basking in her loving care.
Jingjing Mariño Farrarons, chief executive officer of Events You’ll Remember, is used to being here, there and everywhere because of her kind of work. When things came to a standstill because of the lockdown, she decided to channel her energy elsewhere. She is now in food distribution (Food So Good) delivering yummy goodies to stay-at-home consumers who hanker for “Savory Selections” and “Healthy Happiness.” Yes, her array of products are temptingly categorized this way. So appetizingly attractive, don’t you think?