Merry Christmas 2020

2020 is a year full of challenges for us. This is a year that is totally different from the rest of the previous years. Not only in the Philippines but the whole world because the corona virus pandemic. Life has not been normal for us. In spite of this, we Filipinos was able to cope with the challenges of this pandemic until now. With or without this pandemic, Christmas will continue as a tradition for all Christians around the world. Today, is the birth of our savior Jesus Christ and we are celebrating his birthday with the whole Christian world. I am thankful that my family are healthy and I'm gifted to be working at home. I wish you a blessed and merry Christmas!

Christmas display at SM Molino Center

Christmas display at Robinson's Place Imus

Christmas display at Robinson's Dasmarinas

Santa Claus and Drummer boys display at Acienda Designer Outlet,Silang Cavite

Christmas Teddy Bear display at Robinsons Place Imus

  

Tootie and Tobby

Meet the two babies in our house. Tootie, the shih tzu and Tobby, the poodle. Together they fight and play. Both are adorable and smart. 

This is our shih-tzu Tootie

This is our poodle, Tobby

Mini Vegetable Garden

It’s nice to see every morning that my lady finger plant (okra) is growing and my water spinach (kangkong) plants are sprouting. During this time of the pandemic, it is necessary for us to sustain some of  our vegetable needs. Prices of vegetable and fruits in the market are getting high so the need for planting vegetable in your backyard is a must. Aside from growing ornamental plants on my mini garden, I decided that it is a wise move to grow vegetable plant in large pots.

Lady Finger (Okra)

Water Spinach (Kangkong)

VEISON Motorcycle/Scooter Disc Brake Lock

During this pandemic, our city was declared GCQ by the IATF. Transportation is still difficult so I used my motorcycle whenever I go out to buy essential needs at home, like going to grocery and pharmacy. Whenever I park my motorcycle, I still worry a lot leaving it because of the rampant theft of motorcycle nowadays. So, I decided to watch videos in You Tube about motorcycle or scooter locks. Upon checking which of these locks are the best, I came across this Veison disc brake lock. I immediately ordered it at Lazada and after a week I received it without any hassle or problem. Now, I used this disc brake lock whenever I park my scooter anywhere without worrying.  

Work from Home

Finally, after I received the PC and monitor that was sent by our company, I was able to start “work from home” during this enhanced community quarantine which was extended on April 30, 2020 by President Duterte. I already started last week and honestly, I enjoyed the advantages of working from home. Thank God for this opportunity. God is really great.

3rd Week of Enhanced Community Quarantine

It’s April 03 2020, we are already on the 3rd week of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. Cases of those who are COVID 19 confirmed positive are increasing everyday. The government is asking that we need to stay at home in order to prevent the spread of the virus, wear face mask when going outside, avoid social gathering, and wash our hands regularly. Yesterday, I was able to go out again to buy food and basic necessities, with me is my quarantine pass, wearing my face mask and plastic gloves. My advice to all my fellow Filipinos is to stay at home if you don’t have important things to do. We need to practice physical distancing. I would like also to thank our health workers and frontliners for their untiring support on helping the patients. God bless us all.

11th Day of Enhanced Community Quarantine

Yesterday I was able to go out to buy grocery items at a popular supermarket near our place. I arrived at the area using my motorcycle at 8:30 am and many people are lined up already. We were able to follow the 1 meter apart as part of the social distancing policy. As per the management, no one is allowed inside without wearing a face mask. I finally went inside the store exactly 9:00 am and finished my shopping at past 10 am.

Wearing my face mask and quarantine pass.

6th Day of Enhanced Community Quarantine

I went out this morning to buy a branded vitamin C in the market at a popular drugstore outside our subdivision, but unfortunately the salesclerk told me that any vitamin C are out of stock. Good to see that the popular drugstore practiced strict community quarantine. People are not allowed if you are not wearing a face mask. Upon entering the store, the guard will spray alcohol on your hands. Individuals are 1 meter apart and there is a mark on the floor you need to step in order to follow social distancing. The whole counter was covered with plastic and a small square which allows you to pay and transact with the salesclerk is a very nice idea to prevent spreading or contacting any virus. All drugstore staff are wearing face mask and gloves. My second itinerary is going to the supermarket which is nearer also to our place. Upon entering, I had noticed that some items are already out of stock especially alcohol, tissues, coffee, sugar, and bread. There are some racks that are empty. I felt eerie because whenever I went to this supermarket all racks are full of grocery items. I believe people went on panic buying at the start when the government announced the "enhance community quarantine" all over Luzon.

This popular drugstore practices strict compliance with regards to 

social distancing and hygiene

Empty racks at a popular supermarket

Tissues are out stock 

People are separated 1 meter away lining up to the cashier.

My groceries for the day

Enhanced Community Quarantine

COVID 19 virus made our world totally standstill. Since President Rodrigo Duterte announced that Metro Manila will be under "community quarantine", people began to panic. Panic buying of basic necessities such as food, and most especially alcohol and face mask. After two days of declaring that Metro Manila will be under community quarantine, the President declared the whole island of Luzon under the "enhanced community quarantine" until April 14, 2020, which means all people of Luzon must stay at home to avoid spreading and contacting the dreaded Coronavirus. Schools, offices (both private and public), restaurants, and malls are required to close. Individuals are to practice social distancing which means they must stay 6 feet away from other people, avoid large crowds and big events. Only essential people are allowed to work specifically the health workers, the AFP, PNP, MMDA, and the basic needs provider. Transportation are also on halt exemption to those who will transport health workers to hospitals, food delivery services, employees who are required on skeletal workforce (provided they bring their company ID, COE, and 1 government ID). MRT, LRT, and PNR operations are also on halt. On the first day of Metro Manila community enhancement, I was able to take pictures of the situation from the last day of my work going home.  

Splash Mountain Resort and Hotel

Last February 28 and 29, I was able to join my former officemates from Uptown in a simple night out and get together outside Manila. We stayed at Splash Mountain Resort and Hotel at Los Banos, Laguna. The get together was in connection to the arrival of Maribel who just came from Canada for her vacation. We enjoyed very much our stay from the hotel especially talking and sharing stories from each other during the night. Our food was never a problem because we decided to have a potluck bringing our snacks, dinner, and junk foods to eat. On our last day, we decided to eat at the restaurant of the hotel were food was very good and delicious. We ordered, pancit, lumpiang shanghai, and fried chicken which is absolutely Filipino cooked and yummy. There are some setbacks which we encountered, for example, the TV inside our room is not working. We called the attention of the hotel management 6 times but no technician came to check it out (as they promised). Of course, it would not be complete if we don't take pictures for souvenirs. 

Padre Pio Keychain

I received a Padre Pio keychain from Italy which was given to me by my sister. As if you didn't know, I'm a devout follower of Saint Padre Pio. Whenever I went on vacation during the time of my work abroad, I religiously visited the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio at Sto. Tomas, Batangas. So, this keychain is somewhat special to me. What I did is, I attached the keychain to my Honda motorcyle key.

Happy Chinese New Year (2020)

Kiong Hee Huat Tsai! Gong Xi Fa Cai!  Kung Hei Fat Choi! Happy Lunar New Year! Happy Chinese New Year!

(Photo credits and created by Freepik - www.freepik.com)