The Girl Behind the Pen

Since the coronavirus outbreak started, the world has seen the worst it could possibly be. Thousands of people get ill and die around the world and the healthcare system is overloaded. Some hospitals can’t even accept new patients anymore because of full capacity. Schools and work are closed. Some companies collapsed. And some employees lost their jobs; even those who would risk their lives to work to feed their families can’t even go out to earn.

While this pandemic has brought a lot of pain to us, it gave us a gift; a perfect opportunity to live our lives meaningfully. In the face of overwhelmingly bad news about what’s happening to the world, we need to stay strong. We don’t set aside the fact that the coronavirus threatens us all but what we’d like you to think right now, at least for the meantime, is its bright side.

Let’s admit it, before any of these things happened, we were all soaked and letting ourselves drown in work. We’re always dedicating our time to accomplish our tasks, which is not wrong, but most of our time in a day is focused on our tiring jobs. We forgot to give time for other meaningful things. It may be too hard to believe but the pandemic just gave us a gift—a gift of time. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, we got the opportunity to spend more time with our families. We can now enjoy the break we’ve been longing for so long. Or we can do the one thing we’ve been dying to do, but can’t because of lack of time. Whatever you do now, make it worthwhile.

Gone are the days that we have to leave the house before the sun rises and go home late in the evening. Because of the home quarantine and lockdowns, the time we spent commuting can now be dedicated to our family. This is the best time to finally bond with them and relieve the what-could-have-been great times when you’re busy working. Cook for your parents; have a chat with your siblings; play board games or have a movie marathon together. Now is the time to create more great memories together as a family.

And generosity. Because of what’s happening right now—lack of supplies and down businesses—more and more people are willing to give a hand. People are helping each other. From the big companies who donated billions of dollars to an ordinary citizen who gave free food to the frontliners, people showed their compassion and love for their country and fellowmen. If you think you don’t have the capacity to donate money or food, you can still help by simply spreading the word on social media and letting the world know that someone needs their help. Make the most of what you have.

The coronavirus outbreak gave us an opportunity to reflect on things and to rethink what we do and why we do it. May it be the job we thought we really wanted in the first place or the trip we’ve been planning for so long, we can now reflect and discover ourselves more. We can also make up for the things we took for granted like the environment, our health, friends, and family. This is the time to make changes. For the better.

Due to the lockdowns and community quarantine in some countries, the roads that were used to be clogged have been cleared and the bumper to bumper cars are no longer seen. If there’s one good thing that COVID-19 did that will definitely change the world, it’s this. For weeks, the Earth can finally breathe and the people will be able to feel fresh air because there will be less pollution. There will be no smoke belchers on the roads.

In these globally trying times, what we need most right now is support from one another. We need to believe that all bad things will soon end. What we didn’t have before the outbreak can now be seen across the world. The pandemic radiates love, hope, and positivity. During these times, we lift each other up. We help each other in the best ways we can. We make sure that we’re there for each other.

It only took one little but deadly virus to remind us of what we have taken for granted before all these things. Don’t let this ever happen again.

And no matter how hard the situation is now; no matter how difficult this time is; we can and we will overcome this together.

Then come February this year, I decided to take the leap and finally go out of my comfort zone. I went on a 9-hour bus ride to Banaue only to find out that we'll be hiking almost three-fourths of our trip. From our home-stay and hot spring to the cold waterfalls and the famed rice terraces, name it, there's always hiking. 

Whenever I'm in a new place that involves a lot of stairs and going ups, I make sure to count the steps but this time, I lost track while catching my breath. The numbers aren't important that time, I just want to rest already. For a woman who has never been to the mountains and not physically prepared, hiking is a challenge. 

But I'm already there. I can't just go home, waste the money I paid for the trip, and leave the adventure that could have been the greatest one. I don't want to go back to Manila wondering what if I pushed through?

So, I embraced the challenge. I braved the thousands of steps—mostly steep and narrow paths—while being baked under the sun, wearing the wrong set of clothes just to see what the world has been talking about. And they are right, Banaue Rice Terraces is majestic! It's like a spot straight out from a postcard. All the hours of hiking, trekking, and countless catching of breath moments are totally worth it. Because with a view like this, how can you resist?

Taking a leap and going out of your comfort zone has risks, as does anything in life, but it's a great way to discover yourself and push yourself to the limit.

There's one thing I regret though... I regret not doing this sooner.

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Located at the Employees' Park at the back of Taguig City Hall, the weekend market aims to help boost local economy, tourism, and to help the displaced vendors. Some of the goods sold here are local delicacies, milk tea, Korean food, clothes, and more.

The Flea Market vendors were able to sell their products alongside other small and medium entrepreneurs as well as in the Farmers and Wet Markets in Mercado del Lago and Veterans Road in Western Bicutan. 

Mayor Lino Cayetano said that when the local government started its road clearing operations, among those affected were business owners. Through these weekend markets, the displaced vendors now got a new opportunity to earn. Apart from establishing safety through mobility, Taguig weekend markets will also provide a consistent livelihood for small and medium enterprises.

Moreover, single-use plastic will be prohibited from all sites as part of the city’s plan of going zero waste. They are encouraging the public to bring their own recyclable bags.

Feb-ibig may be nearing its end but love is still in the air in the highlands of Tagaytay because of the cool climate that lingers all-year round. 

However, things have slightly changed in the tourism scene of Tagaytay and Batangas because of the Taal Volcano eruption last January 12, 2020. What was once an icon of wonderment became the great affliction of almost 350,000 people. But amid the destruction, some were spared including the scenic Canyon Woods Resorts Club.

Because of this, Canyon Woods, together with the local government unit of Laurel, Batangas, launched Share Hope Task Force: Alagang Lawa⁠— a housing project for the homeless due to the Taal Volcano eruption as a way to give back. 

Before the housing project, Canyon Woods already had a prior event for the benefit of the Taal victims. They held a "Golf for a Cause," a by-invitation golf tournament to all Canyon Woods Resorts Club members, Canyon Woods Homeowners and Corporate Partners. 

Canyon Woods Chairman George Go reiterated that Batangas is their home so, they want to help the locals in any way they can to move forward after the disaster. He also said that not all businesses in Batangas were affected so it’s essential to continue the support to Batangas by supporting the local tourism. 

"Handa na, ligtas, at kaaya-aya na ang Laurel," said the town Mayor Joan Amo. In fact, they are already planning for the town's big event, The Tilapia Festival that will happen on June 21. 

So, what benefit does wearing maxi dress at the beach give?

Another thing I love about beach maxi dress is that, it is perfect for any summer occasion. All I need is to just add a good pair of slides then I'm all set. 

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What does your workplace mean to you? To some employees, they just see their daily jobs and their workplace only as a venue to earn, and nothing more. But did you know that one of the biggest factors that makes employees motivated and stay in a company is a good workplace?

Here in the Philippines, there is one company that has been successfully redefining the workplace— TDCX. They have exceptionally homey work environment and welcoming culture, combined with great compensation and retention programs that are all purposely designed to make employees happy, and even happier as time goes by.

Jeally Ann “JJ” Caramayan, SME (Subject Matter Expert) and Rhinnon “Rhy” Pamintuan, CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Officer at TDCX Philippines give us a glimpse of their lives inside the multi-awarded Business Process Outsourcing firm and share their daily experiences at their spacious, uniquely designed, “Biophilia” office space. 

A communicator and dancer by heart, JJ has never planned on joining the BPO industry. “I have dreamt of becoming a courtside reporter as I really like talking to people. However, due to my life circumstances, I had to enter the industry at 18 years old to survive. It proved to be the best environment I can ever enter,” she says. 

Having opened its first office in the Philippines only in 2014, JJ had only known TDCX through a friend, who fondly shared his experiences with the company. Now, she can vouch for herself that the stories were true— everything at TDCX is aligned to bring out the best in her, down to the small things that encourage her to be a better person. 

“If you have a healthy and happy environment, you wouldn’t be able to feel the stress. To be very honest, I was able to witness it for myself that the culture here is different. Here, you will totally feel that you are at home. You totally feel comfortable.” 

JJ admits that TDCX brought out her inner self. What she likes about the company is the people working there. Everyone smiles at each other, even the bosses! She shares, the bosses will roam around the office all-smiles, giving a pat on the back, and will come over to smile or compliment their employees. It's the little things that matter. With just a simple recognition from the boss for a job well-done makes an employee motivated already.

She further revealed that having great leaders and mentors inside the company inspired her to be so much more than she initially aspired to be. “I admit I didn’t start and did well right away, but I’m grateful to have leaders who didn’t give up on me in helping me achieve my goals and in giving a good picture of the future they see in me. That helped me a lot to be where I am today.”

After only two years with the BPO firm, JJ is now handling her own team. 

Rhy, meanwhile, is a CSR officer/entrepreneur/senior Master of Arts in Development Policy student. He may be handling a lot of roles, but his flexible schedule and staying with a company that has the same values as his make everything so much easier. 

What keeps him energized is the amazing environment he works in, the people he interacts with, and the support of the management for the CSR activities they launch in different sites.

“It has been a dream for me to work in a company with diverse people. It doesn’t feel crazy busy when you have a heart in what you do. I am humbled by the amazing opportunity to impact lives with TDCX which truly is a company with a heart,” shares Rhy. 

“I see people here valuing other people’s welfare, satisfaction, wellness, and relationships, inside and outside the company. We have CSR efforts for the environment, education, and enterprise development launched every month,” he further explains. 

TDCX, through its social arm TDheart, regularly participates in blood donation drives for Philippine Red Cross, volunteers for the nationwide Brigada Eskwela Program, and helps provide market access to local entrepreneurs through Caritas Margins, among other initiatives. 

Aside from the sense of strong purpose that he is able to nurture with the company, Rhy, like JJ, also enjoys the value of a beautifully-designed office, caring leadership, and people development trainings that allow him to reinvent himself and pursue growth. 

“All sides of our office are worth posting in social media. My favorite spot are the meeting pods at the Gamma 21 – I love the huge windows, the sun kissing your face, a pot of plant on the side and the perfect room temperature. Biophilia it really is!” he shares. 

People enjoying their stay in a company, like Rhy and JJ, can only be achieved by a culture that sees employees for the individuals that they are – with different strengths, personalities, and interests. TDCX has always made employees its priority not only in terms of lowering its attrition rate, but the commitment takes root from a deep sense of compassion that has been steering the company for more than 20 years across its offices in Asia and in Europe. 

More information on TDCX is available at https://www.facebook.com/tdcx.philippines/. To join TDCX or learn about career opportunities, contact tdcx.com/careers or (02)8862-9500.

Put your maxi dresses on a rest for now and go for a boho outfit for the beach by wearing coordinates. Here, I wore an olive green coordinates from a local online shop. I like how the cropped top could also double as a bikini top and pairing it with a flowy midi skirt. It's very comfortable and breezy when worn, just perfect for the beach. 

I also accessorized my clothes with the half moon layered necklace to achieve the boho outfit for the beach.

And to store all my things, I used my handmade macramé bag that I did on my own.

Photos by Hendrix Vargas