Items

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  2020-05-19

  Sunset of the Workers

  On May 19, while Metro Manila was already on its 4th day under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), our neighborhood (Barangay 156, Caloocan City) was enduring the 7th day of our 8-day total lockdown. From our 3rd floor terrace, at the close of day, I chanced upon these construction workers atop the Skyway Stage 3, still keeping their noses to the grindstone, despite the risk of getting COVID-19.
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  2020-08-03

  Lost

  Lost in a maze of traffic a day before the second wave of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine takes effect..stuck in traffic..outside my car window is a man on the sidewalk intently reading a magazine...he mirrors the state of the city before lockdown ..lost in COVID 19 statistics..we are all at a loss on how the gov’t handles the pandemic.
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  2020-04-29

  COVID-19 Community Service

  Covid-19 dramatically changed the life of every Filipinos, especially the Colubot people. Most of our Kababayans experienced lack of foods to be eaten and the like. Colubot Elementary School launched its COVID-19 Community Service to give help and philanthropic deeds to the people of Colubot, San Manuel, Tarlac amidst the pandemic.
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  2020-07-01

  House to House Graduation - Continuing the Educational Journey of the Children Amidst the Pandemic

  The photos want to convey the positivity and strong spirit of the youth and the teachers to continue educational schemes amidst the pandemic. It is the first time to launch HOUSE TO HOUSE GRADUATION. The teachers with my supervision as the School Principal, we visited their homes to give the credits and surprises for our Grade 6 graduating pupils. Because we appreciate their efforts for the whole school year as well as the double sacrifices of their parents, we realized our program "House to House Graduation Ceremony". We sent letter to the Barangay Captain and we talked to the Supervisor about this scheme. We strictly followed guidelines and protocols from IATF, DILG, LGU and DEPED so that everyone is safe. We really treasured these moments forever.
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  2020-07-17

  Food for the Family & for the Soul

  The Covid contagion found us without access to our usual weekend grocery trips. Luckily a Viber food community group we were invited to started posting restaurant suppliers in our area who were selling restaurant sizes cuts of meat, bakery wholesale suppliers started selling flour, sugar etc. Our pantry wasn’t going to go bare after all. With restaurant quality ingredients and more time to prepare food our family found special time to be in the kitchen. Not only was it therapeutic to prepare the meals, mealtime became even more meaningful. Dressing up the dinner table and exploring different dishes to cook felt like we were experiencing private dining everyday. We realized that this experience was even better than going out to dine in restaurants. This was the blessing of Covid-19. It brought us back to the sacredness of the home and the family table!
• 
  2020-07-10

  Payapa lang

  I took this picture of me - a selfie if you will - while enjoying an old Filipino music in my study room. I envisioned July as the month where lockdowns are lifted and everything is in control, but it was not the case as the government [continuously] reports spiking increases of active cases. Because of the news of increasing cases, government inaction and the recent battle of a media giant, I was having an anxiety and panic attacks. I realized that my hands were shaking, I have cold sweats and my body is trembling I [couldn't] breathe, I decided to play the song "Mabagal". All throughout I was enjoying the song, it gives me comfort, I decided to take a picture of my self enjoying the breeze behind the windows while the music play, this is the only time I felt peace in times of uncertainty. A picture of me at peace while there is fear of unknown and uncertainty behind me.
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  2020-07-12

  Graduating during the pandemic

  This personal journal tells what is it like for me, graduating during the pandemic. With ways of celebrating this milestone totally changing, and with my mother having to work at the health center on that day, this virtual graduation experience was really different.
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  2020-07-02

  On Wheels Work From Home

  Being in the province during the community quarantine is both an advantage and a challenge. Advantage that I was able to be with my family during the pandemic, moreover, being in an island and rural area in this kind of crisis lessens the possibilities of exposure to the virus. Also because of the abundance of natural resources, food supply was not as horror as to those who are in the urban areas. It was then a challenge if you are working far from your head office especially in the times of following the work from home system. Mobile network provider isn't always present in all areas. Unfortunately we are located at the place where barriers are abundant. The low land area and trees are just among them and not to mention the congestion of the users in the area where a tower can supply. In situations like this, creativity is the key to fulfill the commitments you promised to your work. With my motorcycle, I was able to go to the places where there is a stable signal for a certain period of time and locate another place depending on factors affecting move such as heat, wind, rain and time. Finally, it is a beautiful dishevelment when time is your enemy. It compensates all your effort to reach the places you think are impossible to walk by the wheels. These photos are just a few of the many creative stories crafted by this pandemic.
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  2020-07-08

  Quarantine: Reminds me of my life in the convent

  It tells a story of how it is to live in the convent compare to the life I lived now with this pandemic.
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  2020-04-15

  Twelve Families

  It was almost a month since the last one that I went out, to run for errands in a nearby grocery store. Upon passing by, I saw this sign in front of a gate going to a narrow pathway. On ordinary days, it is not noticeable because of the vendors that stayed to earn their living in a busy place like Baclaran, but knowing how many families were actually living in a small space is an alarming situation in the midst of a pandemic caused by a virus that can easily be transmitted from an infected individual through close contact. The ability to survive is [also a] continuous struggle during these times, as the pandemic limits the movement of people, including the capacity to work. Many people lost their jobs that were the source of their living, and has been dependent on the subsidies given by the government, either by cash or in-kind. But for most, it is not enough. The pandemic is teaching us how to be resourceful and resilient on what is available, just to meet our needs. It also pushes other people and the government to extend their help, with the efforts and hopes that one day, we may be able to help one another without prejudice, or loyalty that may only benefit a few. In these times, these twelve families were some of those who are calling out for help.
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  2020-03-16

  Sign of Things to Come

  The images were all taken in the morning of March 16, the first working day after the community quarantine was announced. Lots of people were shocked at the sudden scarcity of public vehicles, since they had to comply with physical distancing rules. This caused people to find various ways to get to their places of employment or for some (like me), just went back home. I waited three hours for a bus to take me from Coastal Mall to Philcoa in QC, but can't find any. I was supposed to go to my place of work at UP Diliman to fetch as much documents as I can before I start working from home. Tried waiting for a bus at PITX but seeing the long queues outside, I decided to tell my supervisor that I can't make it because of the public transport situation, then flagged down a minibus back to my home in Cavite. Then the conductor told me that I have to wear a mask, else I would have to get off. Luckily I had one. Later when I arrived home (note: I did not pass through the supposed-to-be checkpoints to and from Cavite), I saw at the news that the government was surprised that this would happen, as if they never expected that reduced passenger capacity due to physical distancing measures would cause longer waiting times for commuters. Similar chaos for commuters later that day (now returning to their homes from work) would happen since they had to get home before the start of the stricter ECQ at midnight of March 17. This lack of foresight and preparation in implementing rules and mitigation measures, as well as the difficulties of the people would be seen a lot later during the ECQ up to this day.
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  2020-04-04

  Bayani [Hero]

  Giving support to our frontliners
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  2020-06-19

  Misa patungo sa Mesa sa Panahon ng Pandemya 2020

  I took it when I attended the mass at the National Shrine of Sacred Heart in Makati and after one of my marketing and the 1st time to go back in DIVISORIA since March is the abundance of blessings even in this crisis when I took a picture of it when I arrived home. If it is my last day due to pandemic I would go to Church to celebrate for the last time the Eucharist and thank God for this amazing, beautiful and blessed life. Moreover, thanksgiving does not end inside the Church it continues in the table of my family to continue to thank God for the blessings amidst this crisis. Walking the CAMINO the Way the road made these things happened even if no public transportation.
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  2020-04-13

  The Barricades of Cubao

  Last Friday night, an ambulance silently entered our street in Cubao. Although its red and blue lights were spinning, its siren was turned off. In the silence of that Good Friday night, two residents from the building two lots away from where we lived were brought inside the ambulance. As quickly as it appeared, the ambulance left our street. Yesterday morning, as the world celebrated Easter Sunday, the barricades on the streets of our neighborhood were reinforced. Men and women assigned by the Barangay served as guards, checking the identity of every person who wanted to enter the streets. With vehicles banned from passing through the streets, I had to walk several blocks from our residence to the Barangay Hall to get a Quarantine Pass. It was needed to allow me to buy food and maintenance medicines. Last night, we were told that one of the residents that were taken by the ambulance last Friday night had tested positive for COVID-19. Stricter measures would be implemented. This, it seems, will be our new normal.
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  2020-06-10

  Pandemic Panic

  The pandemic is a struggle for everyone, and [it's] also hard for me who also lost income sources. As much I can, I take photos whenever I go out to buy supplies. I also felt the frustration of government processes with long lines and unnecessary procedures. But at the end of the day, I am relieved to always come home which I can always feel secure.
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  2020-06-22

  The Waves of Change

  On March 17,2020, Enhanced Community Quarantined was declared in Luzon amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic. Since then, the AFI deployed Emirate security personnel assigned at the Ayala Museum have been required to stay-in as part of the safety protocols for construction site as the museum is undergoing renovation. The emotional and mental challenge for being separated from their families and being confined in a construction environment for several months did not discourage anyone from continuously being vigilant and carry on their duty with vigor. These guards demonstrate their resiliency by adapting to life changing situations, and emerging even stronger than before. Amidst this pandemic, these resilient AFI deployed guards ensure the continuous protection of the Ayala Museum.
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  2020-06-02

  Para sa bayan [For the country]

  My girlfriend (Krizia Rodriguez) volunteered as an encoder in the Philippine Arena mega-swabbing center in spite of the risks and having no hazard pay. She was well aware of all the things but still pursued to be part of the team and for this, I am truly proud of her and I believe her story should be shared too.