#LockDownDiaries,  May Day,  Things Worth Sharing

#LockdownDiaries: MECQ check-in

I’ve always mentioned in my past blog posts that I am an open book and I write everything I feel through these “more personal” stories and articles. Well, our current situation a.k.a “ECQ life” made me realize I cannot share “everything I feel” that much, not even to my imaginary friend and personal journal/diary, Gray. Ta-ha!

I am very super mega fortunate that my boss and my company granted me my requested two-day leave, extending my break from work from a today (Thursday) until a Monday holiday. I was actually supposed to discuss a just-completed project to the management but thank you for excusing me from the meeting because I really had no time to prepare and I just couldn’t focus on work right now.

I really really really wanted to create a video blog on this because this is one of the most important topics for me and I would like to reach as many eyes and ears as I can. But unfortunately, I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was. I mean, baka maiyak lang ako and we don’t want that. Lol.

Thursday check-in

At work, we have a regular check-in separately with the management, HR, and my team and those sessions really help to keep me on track on what I did the past week and what to do the next weeks. Check-ins are actually set to connect with your colleagues and get updates (a.k.a. chickas) on life outside work. Kind of a “loosen up” exercise for everybody reminding us to take a little break. But since we are in a different situation now, check-ins became an avenue on making sure everyone’s doing fine during these trying times.

I’m not sure if the feeling is common, but our work practice makes me wish “sana all”. I hope you guys also have a safe place to share your feelings, because let’s admit it – WE ALL ARE NOT OKAY! And I wish the same to every household and every family out there because I know sometimes it’s even more difficult to share feelings to your fam than to your friends or workmates. I feel you.

You know that feeling of guilt holding you back and keeping you from shouting “teka lang wait pagod na ko taympers!” I really want to share 100% of my whatever I am feeling right now, but as mentioned, I don’t think I’m ready. If I burst out, it will just be another nonsense post from a girl “ranting and complaining about her privileges in life”. Eeekkkk. Guess I got used to hiding my feelings away than explaining to people why I feel that way, if you get what I mean. 

Stop and stare~ (at yourself)

I know you’ve already read this, but I’m saying it again. — “You are not working from home. You are at home, tryign to work.”

It’s been a reminder I’ve seen how many times already and to be honest I first see at as “huh e you’re working your ass out from home nga e kasi you need money,” and it just felt like my “hard work” was invalidated and “pwede naman palang hindi magtrabaho kasi that’s apparently your choice”. Because people, it’s not! I felt that I needed to work (from home) and not just “try” because our clients and patients need us, and more importantly, my family needs me (well, my money for food but yeah, me).

But weeks after, I realized, sh*t, I was really trying lang pala and now I’m super tired. Not of my office work, but of juggling my office work, me being a mom, me being a daughter, and me being the bunso. I see the struggle of being a bunso again – that tingling (yet sharp) feeling of guilt because your mind and heart are both feeling tired already. That guilt that you have to compensate all the sacrifices your parent’s and your siblings’ because it’s now your turn to, you know, “work for the fam.” Well. Who am I to complain?

Instead, I asked for a short leave (but thanks to the long weekend) from work and focus more on being a “family girl”. I WON’T WORK A LITTLE OFFICE FAVOR for days and just be a mom, a daughter, and a sister (and a blogger because I don’t think I can make it without a little break) and I really hope I can find a breather from all the sama ng loob I can’t help but keep to myself. Ha!

Something worth sharing

The past three days in  my calendar were full of virtual meetings I needed to join and facilitate. And during short breaks I got to re-watch Youtube videos from make up tutorials to iWitness documentaries. Yeah, I got hooked to documentaries again, sorry beauty vloggers.

Just yesterday I realized Kara David should be almost if not everyone’s girl crush. Solenn, Heart E., and Kara. Hello! Some of the iWitness documentaries I loved were listed and linked below. Watch them, too! Really a good peg and inspo for travel vlogs. Watch the starred items first! ★

Tatlong henerasyon nang ipinapasa ang aquarium fishing sa pamilya ni Lolo Pedro Ebora sa Brgy. San Andres, Isla Verde, Batangas. Pinaghihirapan nilang sisirin ang mga makukulay na isda sa ilalim ng dagat gamit ang lambat at compressor para ibenta sa Maynila. Pero ang kanilang ikinabubuhay, mayroong kapalit na peligro na tila sumasalamin din sa kalunos-lunos na kalagayan ng mga nahuhuling isda.

Watch the full episode HERE!

Samahan natin si Kara David sa pagtupad sa kanyang pangarap na maakyat ang Mt. Kinabalu sa Borneo, Malaysia, ang isa na pinakamataas na bundok sa Southeast Asia.

Watch the full episode HERE!

In a country where modernization is fast approaching, there are still several parts in the Philippines where modernization is something their residents would clamor for. If water supply is always accessible for most Filipinos, in Masbate, its residents would dig deep into the ground just to look for possible supply of water that would quench their livings filled with hunger.

Watch the full episode HERE!

Ang Sitio Banli sa Saranggani sa Mindanao ang tinuturing na isa pinakamahirap na lugar sa probinsiya. Ang ikinabubuhay ng mga mamamayan dito ay ang pagsasaka ng Abaca, isang tanim na kapamilya ng saging. Ang kakaiba sa halaman na ito ay ginagamit ito sa paggawa ng pera. Isang makahulugang tanong ang nasa isipan ni Kara David, na paanong ang lugar na pinagmumulan ng sangkap sa paggawa ng pera ay siya ring lugar na isa sa pinakasalat sa kayamanang ito?

Watch the full episode HERE!

n Mansalay, Mindoro Oriental, the Hanunuo Mangyans are trying to keep alive a ritual which they perform for the deceased—a term they refer to as “pangutkutan.” Part of the ritual is the digging of the dead’s remains, clothing it in their traditional garments and offered a feast as if it’s still living. The Hanunuo Mangyans also perform their traditional dance “taruk” while carrying the remains of their ancestor, before being transferred to a cave which they believe as sacred.

Watch full episode HERE!

During the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos, it was believed that there were still tribes from the Stone Age that existed, and that they are found in the caves of Mindanao, the Tasaday tribe. In this documentary, Kara David got the chance to visit them in South Cotabato and went to discover the rich tradition of the Tasaday tribe.

Watch the full episode HERE!

Kapag narinig mo ang salitang tulay, ano agad pumapasok sa iyong isip? Inikot ni Kara David ang Tayabas, Quezon at Majayjay, Laguna upang alamin ang kasaysayan at pinagmulan ng mga tulay sa Pilipinas. Nasilayan niya ang Puente de Capricho (1851) at Puente de Malagonlong (1840), mga matatayog na tulay, may halos perpektong arko at ginawa pa noong panahon ng Kastila sa bansa. Ngunit ano nga ba ang sinasalamin ng mga tulay na ito sa ating nakaraan? Bakit may mga misteryosong sulat o ukit sa ilalim ng bawat arko ng mga tulay? Alamin ang kahalagahan sa kasaysayan ng mga tulay sa Tayabas, Laguna at maging sa Maynila sa pagsasaliksik ni Kara David.

Watch the full episode HERE!

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