Zone of Solitude

Today marks Day 15 of the Enhanced Community Quarantine. Two weeks of staying at home and three weeks of being away from the confines of the office.

I am still trying to stay productive from my end and my planner could somehow prove it. In the last fifteen days, I have just tried going around thrice but with a legitimate reason, that is to procure supplies and food and do some quick bank errands. Honestly, this current situation has inflicted me with some paranoia. I somehow fear to leave the house and be questioned why I am out. But so far, in the last three instances, I have yet to experience such fear.

I have been out of the office and away from work for three weeks now. And just when I thought my worry was all there is, I got notified through a phone call last Thursday that I only have 30 days at work as my boss decided to terminate my current Contract of Employment and this current pandemic is among the reasons. For a moment, this came as a huge blow. But somehow, I expected this would happen. Given the current situation and the drastic effect this problem has caused, I sensed that this would come too. The fact that this issue calls us to stay home for a month just to safeguard our health and well-being, it would mean crippling a business because we would be away for a month. And being understaffed is not a good thing for any business.

Maybe you're thinking, how come I could still be cool about this. Don't get me wrong. Part of me still is scared. After eight years of being with the same organization, I am suddenly unemployed. This would mean having to try to manage my money more efficiently. I am afraid too because this meant having to go back to step one, do the legwork and start over from the bottom.

It just felt disappointing that we in the team were unable to do or say farewell to everyone formally. The next time we will see each other will be just to clear our desks, retrieve our unclaimed stuff and process our exit clearance. But in a way, I was able to accept this situation calmly because I already have plans of filing my resignation eventually. I also wanted a career change after feeling that my life has been becoming stagnant and I don't want to be in that kind of situation forever. It's just that I find it difficult to decide so I have yet to do it. Until this happened.

I found it difficult to decide so God decided for me. I know I am left with no other choice but to start somewhere and right now, fear should not have any place in me whatsoever. I started working on things that need to be done to "start the ball rolling." And as I do, I also pray that once this pandemic is all over and things start returning to normal, God will replace the job that I had to lose with something better.

It has been eight days since I last went to the office. I am one of those employed folks who are currently affected by the government's order of placing some areas on an enhanced community quarantine in the hope of curbing the increasing number of CoVID19 incidents in the country that has now reached around 500 reported cases.

You might want to ask me how am I feeling. Honestly, this is completely different. It's kind of surprising that a virus, that is invisible to the naked eye was that powerful to halt everything and turn things around in an instant. Establishments are closed -- yup from schools, offices, malls even the coffee shops that I frequent every morning to get my daily coffee fix. Prior to going into this unexpected hiatus, I remember telling a colleague about how, during the time of our parents, we already thought being in the time of Martial Law is already the worst time to be in.

Only to realize that we, as adults in this present time, would witness and experience such period now. And compared to that of our parents, the one that is causing trouble now is something we do not even see -- which makes it all the more frightening.

I might be home now but still, I could feel the economic effects of this disease as an employed person. The enhanced quarantine period is supposed to be for one month. And it's for the same duration too that everyone is told to stay home. For someone employed it would mean being unpaid if they are part of the workforce that implements a no work, no pay policy. And being unpaid for a month is really painful in all sense of the word.Just like the others, I also have woes particularly what would come next after this or worst, what if this locked down situation gets prolonged. I am unable to work from home because the situation and technology won't allow me to perform my tasks efficiently unlike when I am in the office -- where what I need is there (and where the internet connectivity is steadier and much reliable).

One week down, around three weeks to go. Despite my worries, I just came into a resolve to think of the positive side of this month-long hiatus. Aside from using this time to rest and finally get enough sleep, I am using this time to catch up on attending to things that I realized to have been neglected for so long. I also think this time will also be good in order for me to think and decide on things and issues in my personal life that needs some realignment. I knew I need to act and decide on things that I have set aside many times when I should have already acted on it.

I am just like other people. Hoping and praying that the pandemic curve will finally be flattened and this frightening situation will finally be over.

For the past few months of 2019, I started to notice that I have a number of books that are left unread at home. It was also during last year that I learned about the Unplug to Read Campaign of National Bookstore. The campaign aimed at promoting the reading habit by turning off mobile phones and gadgets every night at 8:00 pm and devote time immersing in a good book.

I decided to give that campaign a try in November last year. I don't get to watch TV a lot except for the evening news program so I thought I will be able to accomplish it. Around that time, I was intrigued with the Wattpad writer named Jonaxx so I decided to immerse in one of her books, Training to Love. I would spend an hour every night (usually until before my bedtime at 9:30 pm) and I believe the bookstore's campaign worked. Call it an achievement but I finished this book in four days.

After succeeding in my first attempt, I decided that I could probably make it a habit. For this year, I decided to engage in what I call Two Book a Month Challenge. I found the inspiration for this project after seeing the posts of actress Toni Gonzaga and a Taiwanese mommy and businesswoman that I am following on Instagram named Nikki Wu where they would post books that they have read.

I decided to read at least two books of any genre within a month. Yup, just to be on the safe side because given that I sometimes have unpredictable workload in the office, it might leave me tired if not exhausted to read (or do anything). At least, if I specify and keep it at that number, I can still keep up with my assignment. For this month, I picked books by two Filipino authors to be on my reading list. Hello, Love Goodbye The Novel by Charmaine Lasar and Right Where You Left Me by Elizabeth Galit.

While I have seen the movie twice (!) last year, I still decided to read the novel adaptation of Hello, Love, Goodbye in order to further understand the events that transpired in the story but were never shown in the movie. Content wise, almost all the lines from the movie also appeared in the book. I enjoyed reading it because it included the backstory of Joy's life in the Philippines before flying to Hongkong. Parts of the book also provided narrations from Ethan's point-of-view. And if everyone felt bitin with how Ethan and Joy's story ended in the movie, the epilogue in this book will surely justify every moviegoer's plea for the movie to have a second installment.

Can love really happen between two people living different lives and totally different careers? That was the question that prompted me to get a copy of the book Right Where You Left Me through my friend Kim Derla (who is also friends with the book's author Elizabeth Galit). When I first read the short summary of the book, I just knew I had to read it and there was not a single moment that I felt doubtful if it will be worth reading or otherwise. More than just finding out if romance is possible between a doctor and an ESL teacher, I found the book delightful (at least for me) because aside from giving the glimpse of an independent life, the book touched a number of subjects too -- from the existence of "Judgmental Titas" which we all tend to encounter at a point in our lives, the fact that fights are sometimes an essential part and test of a genuine friendship, to the importance of deciding to follow your heart because it is by doing so that you will be genuinely happy. The book further fueled my belief that doctors are crushworthy individuals especially when I found out that the male character in the story, Dr. Danilo Almendras was actually inspired by a real-life neurologist. But you need to read the book to find out who he is.

The love month of February starts tomorrow and so, I'll be starting with a new batch of books for the month. I wonder what the genre suits best. Should that be love and romance or anything else? Drop me a comment. I'll be glad to read your suggestions.

I was supposed to write this post last year as part of my 2019's highlights. But just like the previous instances, this blog was left neglected due to a number of things that kept me occupied. Most of which are work-related.

One of the things that made my 2019 was the release of this book, After Breakup by my friend, Lee Miyaki. I'd like to say that I am an accessory to the crime in this work that took years to happen. This started originally as a requirement for a subject in her master's degree in Creative Writing. I could still remember when she sent me a message asking me if I can narrate to her the time my ex and I broke up.

At the back of my head, it was a fight between wanting to help her pass the subject or declining to reply to the question. While everyone on earth have gone through a breakup, we just have to admit that it's a painful part and no one wants to go through it (not even try recalling it), right? But in the end, the inclination to help Lee prevailed and so, the somewhat painstaking journey began.

It meant reading through these journals and making a rundown of what transpired. That even if our breakup happened six years ago (at the time the project was being planned), I must admit going back felt like having some flesh wound of some sorts to recur. It gave me some weird palpitations as I read through each of those pages just to recall how and why it had to happen.

But it's not all those heart-wrenching emotions. There were also times I felt giddy over going through the draft manuscript and proofreading it. There areas some parts and scenes in the book that I enjoyed and was happy about. I even told Lee later on that the character of Gian resembled to that of one of my long-time friends. Yes, there were times I would get teary-eyed while editing some chapters, but what made me appreciate the whole thing was the realization of who I was back then and what I could still become now. Next to sharing a sad part of my past, this book lead me to realizations about the things I always wanted to do and the places I wanted to go (as well as the people I wish would join me in those places).

But I guess, if there's one great thing that accepting this project gave me, it was the gift of healing. As of this writing, I've been estranged to the ex for 11 years. And while I just wanted to help Lee achieve her aim (of completing her course requirements), it paved a way for me to a path towards healing from that painful past. And it's now I realize that some things really don't happen for nothing. I've always said that my life isn't something that's "one for the books". But then some unpleasant things need to happen just so the most wonderful ones occur. Yes, that breakup that happened to me on this day 11 years ago would leave a scar. But it's a battle scar that will enable me to somehow say that I would still be fine having it. For without that emotional scar, this book won't happen and will not be here today. This book is a wonderful proof that God can write straight out of my once crooked, broken lines--that does not just comforts one person but other people as well.

Measures to sustainability has been making a buzz online lately. With what we experience nowadays, from climate becoming hostile than how it was years ago, typhoons becoming more destructive than when it normally wasn't, the state of our watersheds tonhow polluted the air we breathe is, it's clearly obvious that our planet is in dire need of SOS.

I don't know when exactly I learned about ecobricks but this is one of the things that is making rounds online when you search on the topic of recycling and sustainable living. I first saw the idea on my Facebook news feed and thought this would be an interesting not to mention helpful project to do for the environment.

The idea involves putting single use plastics to another meaningful purpose. Ecobricks are plastic bottles stuffed with clean and dry non-biodegradable wastes. These non-biodegradable materials could be items like plastics, straw, sachets, food wrappers and styrofoam.

Photo: The Plastic Solution Facebook page

The Plastic Solution, an environmental conservation organization released guidelines with regards to the ideal weight of ecobricks. I asked a few establishments that serve as drop off points for ecobricks and most of them informed me that the weight and compactness of ecobricks are important; as half-stuffed or bricks that aren't evenly stuffed can affect the quality of the ecobricks. Ideally, the minimum ecobrick weight is bottle volume multiplied by 0.35.

Stuffed ecobricks may be used as alternative fillers when constructing fences and/or walls for structures and establishments. It can also be a good material for plant boxes, benches and in some instances, furniture.

For my ecobricks, I decided using bottles made from "hard" plastic. Mineral water bottles can also be used, but I realized the material (particularly the body of the bottle) is made of soft plastic and can easily get punctured if it comes to close contact with sharp or pointed objects. Another thing to remember should you plan to make an ecobrick is it's important to make sure that plastic wrappers are clean and dry before stuffing them inside clean bottles. Wet and unwashed wrappers may accumulate gas and can cause the bottle to explode.

Since venturing in this personal project, I already have six ecobricks (and trying to finish the seventh bottle as of this writing). And next to becoming an eco-warrior in my own way, this activity also allowed me to save money, and balance my finances because I spend my weekends at home instead of killing time in the mall or a coffee shop to unwind and rewire my mind which in turn lessens my expenses.

I still have a number of bottles to stuff and convert to ecobricks and maybe, will stop temporarily once I'm done filling the remaining bottles. I am also looking out for possible drop off points or establishments that will accept ecobricks so to those who will be reading my post, please feel free to shoot me a comment with the details and I will be happy to check it out.

After missing last year's Manila International Book Fair, I was able to attend this year's event three weeks ago. I was planning to visit last September 13 and even considering a personal day off for this event but decided against it for two reasons: 1) It was a payday weekend and 2) Being a bit on the superstitious side, I tend to heed the advice of avoiding trips on Friday the 13th.

I was just in the SMX Convention Center for a few hours. The weather was not friendly that day and given the transportation issues at the moment, I don't wish to be caught in Manila's horrendous traffic.

And because of the reasons I stated above, I was unable to hoard books this year. But it was something that I don't mind because at the moment, I still have books waiting to be read. I was able to roam around the venue and check other exhibitors though. Compared to my first MIBF attendance three years ago when I came home with a number of books, these are what I got this year mostly from Kerygma Books of Shepherd's Voice Publications.

These cute parenting books were from Pauline's which I gave to my officemate Eloisa.

And despite the crazy weather, this photo was the highlight of my trip to the book fair this year. I've been following Catholic preacher Brother Bo Sanchez on Instagram and it was from there I saw that he will be attending this year's MIBF for an autograph signing. This was a happy coincidence because I was not hoping that I will make it to the venue in time. But as luck would have it, I got there 30 minutes into his book signing event-- and I was able to have my copy of the book Enjoy Your Age How to Claim the Blessings of Your Season signed by the author himself. Talk about a bucket list item achieved.

Next to realizing that transportation is an issue of national concern, (30 minutes inside the MRT coach from Shaw Boulevard to Taft is not the norm) I would still say that this year's MIBF trip was worth it especially for a self-confessed bookworm like me. I've already asked my brother to be my plus one for MIBF 2020 next year just so I will really utilize the time and hoard books to my heart and brain's content.

Going through my blog, I realized that again, I haven't written anything new in almost half a year. My last entry was from December last year. And I must admit that last year's events contributed to a lot of personal changes. While I realized I've observed new routines, there are also some that I no longer seem to do -- either temporarily or permanently.

Case in point was watching movies. In the previous years, I always made it a point to set a day to watch at least one movie every month. But for this year, I don't know if it's with the scarcity of movies worth watching but I've only watched two so far: Alone/Together and Quezon's Game which this post is about.

I've heard about Quezon's Game late last year. I've always loved history even way back when I was still a student. And learning what the story was about really caught my interest. But I had to wait for half a year for the movie as it was initially available in the streaming service iWant. So when it finally arrived in cinemas, I made it a must to see the movie. Quezon's Game was available to selected cinemas; thankfully, the one at SM Center Angono was among those who gave this movie slot in their branches.

Filipinos are already familiar of Manuel Quezon to be the statesman who served as the president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. But in Quezon's Game, it tackled how he was able to save 1,200 Jews trying to escape The Holocaust during Adolf Hitler's reign -- an event in Quezon's presidency that was not even mentioned nor discussed in history books. I would admit, I am among those who was not familiar of this "secret chapter in history." And I only had an idea that a former president did this noble gesture a few years ago when I was already working in the law firm.

The movie was two hours long but to be honest, it did not disappoint. For someone like me who was not even alive during that dark point of history, Quezon's Game somehow painted a clear picture of how life was like back then-- including how complicated and disappointing it was with all the atrocities people were facing both the Filipinos (in the hands of the Americans) and the Jews (in the hands of the Germans). Las Casas De Acuzar in Bataan is a suitable venue to replicate the Philippines in the late 1930's. But what left me in awe was how fitting Raymond Bagatsing was to portray the President Manuel Quezon. I really had goosebumps and upon seeing him on screen, my first reaction was "Shit, kamukha nga niya si President Quezon!". British-Jewish director Matthew Rosen made the right decision of picking Raymond for the lead role.

I must admit that cinemas should invest in these kinds of movies. I was a bit disappointed because during the time I watched the movie, there were only 20 people inside the cinema and most of them are seniors. I won't deny it, I was saying inside my head that the youth these days are missing something for not watching the movie. It would have been better if they released it at the beginning of the school year so students could have seen this movie. In this time of uncertainty with our present government, Quezon's Game became a source of reason to be proud as a Filipino -- because when all the world has turned their doors and their attention to people in dire need and hanging on to dear life, someone from another side of the world opted to open his own country to serve as the cradle of safety. In the movie, President Quezon wished that he could have done more, but the noble act that he did was more than enough -- for the present-day Filipino to have something to be proud of, a part of history to tell the next generation and a perfect example that each one of us can do something to restore faith in humanity even in time of uncertainty and chaos.

MABUHAY!

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