Quarantined for a year (literally!) and how I spent my 2020

It's official! We haven't gone out of the house (literally!) for a year already as of this day. This is because we believe that the most effective way to keep you safe from the virus is to stay at home and avoid exposure at all costs. Since I am considered high-risk and my mom is a senior citizen, we'd like to take the necessary precautions as much as we could. 

Since I had been working from home, I had the option not to go out of the house. The only adjustments that we need to do were our grocery, bank transactions, and errands. Luckily, companies and stores were able to adjust immediately and now have online services available thus, it was easy for consumers like me to fulfill these responsibilities through the use of technology and mobile apps.

Is this for real?  

When I tell my friends that we REALLY do not leave the house, they have a hard time believing and they keep on asking if I was okay and what it feels like to be stuck at home all the time. To answer this question -- Yes, I am okay and you can say that I am a happy quarantined individual (if there is such a term. LOL!) I have made this decision voluntarily and whole-heartedly and I am grateful to have this choice for me and my family. 

After all, 2020 is an unforgettable year. It was a rollercoaster ride and truly life-changing. However, I don't think it is 100% bad but rather it was a wake-up call to teach us important lessons in life. Being stuck at home, made me realize what truly matters. The safety and health of my family is my top priority. 

It is not a bed of roses

I remember one night during the early days of the lockdown, I was crying as I was just so scared and lost. When I think about our situation, there was no end in sight. I was disappointed and anxious. I had mixed emotions. But then I prayed and thought about what I really wanted for me and my family. Then, I realized that as long as we are safe and healthy and we have our basic needs (food, water, shelter, clothing, air) then we will be okay. I don't have to worry about other things for now. 

These are some of the lines and quotes that I held on to while dealing with this crisis. 

"2020 is not the year of thinking about your dreams or plans, but just to ensure that you stay alive"

"Look for the bare necessities. The simple bare necessities. Forget about your worries and your strife. I mean the bare necessities. That's why a bear can rest at ease. With just the bare necessities of life." - The Jungle Book  

Since I was able to let go of my worries, I became productive again. I was able to channel my energies to something more positive. My life did not stop while I was stuck at home. Instead, it just had another route, and here's how I spent my 2020:

• Be part of the team behind high-impact online events like the HR Summit Global with 10,000+ participants and World Gratitude Summit with 15,000+ participants from 40+ countries globally. Since live events are not allowed during the pandemic, the conduct of online events was one of the major changes that we had. 

Check out the World Gratitude Summit highlights below. :) 

 

• Val and I founded Bacolod Food and Supply Sources, an online community created to help address the needs of our local community during the quarantine. It was a venue where members are encouraged to stay at home and opt for alternative ways (e.g. delivery service to source their needs like groceries, food, and medicine. We also had local sellers and suppliers as members whom we were able to support their business through online transactions. To date, we have over 8,600 members.  

• I was able to co-author the book, To the First Woman Who Loved Me with Sha Nacino, Bro. Bo Sanchez, Kat Aristorenas, etc. It was a special Mother's Day tribute where I shared a story all about my mom. The book features 42 heartwarming and inspiring stories that will rekindle treasured moments with your mom. 

If you wish to have a printed copy of the book, you may order via this link or if you want  the ebook version, you may order via this link.

 

• The year also opened up another passion project for us as we launched our official Youtube channel. This time, our Youtube channel will feature DIY tips, tech and gadget reviews, instructional materials, and game streaming. Thus, the content will be slightly different from the blog. Hope you can support us in this too by subscribing to our channel. 

• We also had a Disney-themed Christmas tree and organized a Christmas Lighting Event. This is going to be one of our family traditions every December 8. 

• Completed "Simbang Gabi" for the first time where we attended the Manila Cathedral's online mass every 4:30AM for 9 straight days. 
• Had a Virtual Noche Buena with Family 
• Started affiliate marketing with Involve Asia and this has been exciting and rewarding. You may read more about it, here.
• Became part of the support team for the Virtual Speakers Association International, which is one of the top professional speakers' associations globally. 

Of course, It was not all work and serious stuff, I was able to finish a lot of Kdrama series too. (LOL!)

Anyway, why I am sharing this post with you? Well, I hope that no matter how bad the situation is, how things don't go on as planned, or how feeling hopeless we are, we learn to focus on what is truly important to us. All other stuff is a bonus. We don't have to dwell on our problems instead embrace them and face them. I don't mean that we have to stay positive all the time. That's just plain toxic. 

But what I mean is learn to accept your problems and do something about them. If I got so depressed and simply focus on my fear and anxiety, then I wouldn't be productive. I might even end up losing my job because I can't work right anymore. Cry if you have to but make sure that all those tears wash away the pain, worries, and fears. Be strong! This will all shall pass. 

Wishing you the best this 2021. 

Davao City Water District is now available in GCASH

While everyone is encouraged to stay at home, bills payment has been one of the major concerns during the quarantine. Thus, a lot of companies especially utility companies offered online payment services to address the needs of their customers. 

Unfortunately, this is not the case for all. There were still some companies including the Davao City Water District that do not have the online option thus, customers are still forced to go out in order to pay while waiting for the availability of online payment options. 

But the good news is the long wait is over ---> Davao City Water District will be available on GCASH starting January 26, 2021. This means that DCWD customers can now pay their bills online.  

To pay, just open your GCASH app, under PAY BILLS > WATER UTILITIES, and look for DAVAO CITY WATER DISTRICT. Then input the following:

Account holder’s name

9-digit DCWD account number

Payment amount

Working email address

Valid mobile number

If you don't have GCASH yet, you may download the app via this link: https://gcsh.app/r/r7p8nsm

Please note that there will be a Php 10 convenience fee for every transaction. The Payment date will be on the same day as the payment was made thru Gcash but the posting and sending of electronic official receipt will be 2 working days after payment was made.

For more details, you may check out DCWD's Facebook Page.