Day 53. Who is still counting?

Entering the second month, we thought of keeping ourselves productive while being helpful. We did not have any new project in the pipeline and the proposals that we sent out prior to the quarantine were all put on indefinite hold. The team and I started looking insipidly at the daily humdrum of the news, political clashes on social media and the increasing entertainment we were getting out of people belting out songs on Facebook Live and showing off their dancing or acting prowess on TikTok. We looked at each other and asked, ‘What if we use our resources: our computers, internet connection and stuff we knew how to do so we can help others?’ Since we do not have enough resources to cook daily for 30-50 people or buy materials for PPEs, why don’t we help those who do these things?

E-commerce and social media are our team’s sweet spots. So we came up with #PayITForward (banner on the left). Using information technology, we were able to help raise funds, awareness, deliver home-cooked food and fresh farm produce to the local community while sitting at home in our work pajamas.

Our advocacy was supported by people who bore the same burden as us through this time of uncertainty. It is funny how informal community meet-ups help spread the Filipino ‘Bayanihan’ spirit. It is an amazing experience to witness this firsthand.

(NOTE: The WORK PAJAMAS is a Work-From-Home fashion idea we thought about a month prior, but thought against at the moment, because none of us knew yet how to get this whole idea off the ground in this situation).

Our boutique digital marketing agency turns four (4) on June 8th–barely two weeks from now. This post purposely preempts the actual date since I really consider the number 4 as a symbol for sturdy and strong (like a table or a chair with four legs, or a room with four pillars…)

So leading up to our fourth year anniversary, I really have to say that there have been countless moments filled with gratitude and inspiration, mixed with quiet days and busy days. Ours is not going to be a big and fancy office party this year. In fact yesterday it was a walk-by bonanza between me, my sister and Jeebs. We were waving at each other frantically–Lei and I on the 15th floor window of our condo-office and Jeebs in a forest green shirt, standing across the street bearing his classic neon orange umbrella. Mind you, It was not raining. It was high noon at 33C and 70+% humidity. We were on Skype because we were afraid screaming like little kids in the community playground would be way too much for our neighbors to put up with. There was no confetti although that would have added a more festive touch to the occasion. So a date was sent to meet for breakfast, lunch, coffee, dinner and possibly a nightcap after all this quarantine episode in our lives is over.