I have been to Tinambac several times because of fieldwork but there are still parts that is left to see and discover. Just recently, I had the chance to visit Tinambac again because of work. Although we are still under the Enhanced Community Quarantine because of the pandemic, we went up to the Tinambac Community College where those who went home from Manila are currently quarantined to check their situation, document it and conduct interviews. This is the view from up.

The fresh lush green fields and flowers in bloom is giving me Switzerland feels. This breath-taking view made me forget for awhile the crisis we are in. Nature is at its best again. I feel blessed to have witnessed this beauty amid our current situation and even though our lives are currently at stake in there.  

For the meantime, let us just enjoy the view and imagine that I am in Switzerland while at work and still under ECQ. Hanggang image na lang muna tayo bes. Asan na kasi ang Captain Ri Jung Hyuk ko? Or kahit isang Captain Yoo Shi Jin na lang oh! Joke!! Kdrama pa more! #CrashLandingOnYou #DescendantsofTheSun 

Let me end this short blog entry with my favorite Hillsong Worship song that I really love to listen to at this time and love to sing way back in my choir days in high school.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Since this Covid-19 pandemic caused many changes in our world drastically, let’s us all be mindful of the things that we do and think of our safety first.

On March 19, 2020, I went out that day to run an errand (bank transaction) for a friend and to buy something in the market. It was just Day 3 of Enchanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Naga City.

I took these photos along Panganiban Drive, Plaza Quince Martires and at the Naga City People’s Mall (public market). All I see were empty streets and lesser people outside. People were wearing face masks and strict check points are all over the city. People can only go out when needed like buying food, groceries, medicines or if you need to make banking transactions like deposit or withdrawals. Stay at home as much as possible and avoid going out is now our new mantra with the coronavirus disease scare.

It was as if I was able to witness the beginning of a dystopian world as the pandemic takes its effect since the implementation of ECQ. I never really thought that the things I though only happens in the books I’ve read or movies I’ve watched can become a reality. Although there is that possibility, I never actually that it would be sooner or that I will be able to witness it. We didn’t see it coming.

Since that moment, I knew that this might not end soon and that our country will take time to heal and rise up from the effects of the pandemic. Since then, it was fear that ruled in our hearts and in our minds as we try to survive and continue living. Our world is in a pause as if even the Earth stood still. Who knows how this will end or that when it will end or who survives, but one thing is for sure, we will all strive to keep going and survive.  We will try to cope up with the new normal or whatever is left of us.