Staying connected despite social distancing

Due to the extreme threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Luzon is now under enhanced community quarantine which means that everyone is asked to stay indoors and not have physical contact with those outside to help in “flattening the curve” of daily cases that put pressure on our health care system.

Let’s face it. We are all trying to adapt to the new normal and living in quarantine has reshaped our reality and the ways we interact with each other.

Nevertheless, life goes on. We carry on, from home workout routines that don’t require a trip to the gym, to stockpiling healthy food, to learning to manage anxiety.

With this current situation, GMA Kapuso Foundation advocates — Rocco Nacino, Bea Binene, Patricia Tumulak, Sofia Pablo and Will Ashley — share how we can all display the bayanihan spirit even indoors and how important it is to keep up with the news as the country grapples with this pandemic. They also expressed their gratitude towards health workers and other frontliners who have been risking their lives to give aid to COVID-19 patients in the country.

Bea Binene: By simply staying at home and not leaving the house will make a difference

As a Kapuso Foundation (KF) advocate, how can we all help those in need in these trying times?

Rocco: As a KF advocate, I do my part by staying up to date with any news about the virus and being a medium where people can be updated with our situation through my social media posts.

Bea: By staying at home and by following the rules mandated by the government, sana sama-sama tayong sumunod, simply by staying at home and not leaving the house will make a difference. Para maagapan ang pagkalat ng nakakahawang COVID-19.

Patricia: The best way to help at home is to use social media to empower and encourage our fellow Filipinos. Stay at home and practice social distancing. There are also a lot of organizations, one of which is GMA Kapuso Foundation, where we can donate online to help the frontliners and the victims as well.

Will Ashley: I try to be positive and pray a lot

Sofia: Since I can’t go out like I usually do to donate food, money or even clothing, I make sure to pray. I pray for everyone’s safety and protection.

Will: Pinaka-importante yung pagpapaalala sa mga kababayan natin na magkaroon ng proper hygiene. Pati na rin po yung pag-share ng knowledge ko about sa virus or sa kung anumang sickness na alam kong makakatulong sa marami. Mahalaga din po na we stay in touch sa mga mahal natin sa buhay at kapwa upang i-remind silang mag-ingat.

With all the fear mongering associated with the COVID-19 outbreak, how do you take care of your physical and mental health?

Rocco: Staying at home allows me to catch up on my sleep thus, boosting my immune system. I also regularly take my vitamin supplements. I take time to keep myself busy with the musical instruments that I bought from way back. It’s good brain food and I get to be productive!

Bea: I try to work out even though I’m just home. I pray, I read articles online from reliable news websites, and I try to use this time to catch up on TV series that I missed.

Patricia: I start my day by writing on my journal, the things that I’m grateful for and write down lists on what to do today. I plan my schedule, including my meditation and workout activities per day.

Patricia Tumulak: Best way to help at home is to use social media to empower and encourage our fellow Filipinos.

Sofia: I take care of my physical health by eating healthy, sanitizing and staying updated with any news about the COVID-19. I try to look at the situation in a way on how I can learn to be more hygienic, careful and more appreciative of life.

Will: Inaalagaan ko po yung katawan ko sa pamamagitan ng regular na pag-exercise, pagkain ng masusustansya, at pagtulog sa tamang oras para healthy at masigla pa rin. I try to be positive and pray a lot po.

What do you want to say to our frontliners?

Rocco: Maraming salamat sa inyo. Madaling tanggihan ang pagsilbi pero you put your lives on the line just to help contain this virus. Saludo kami sa inyo para sa paglilingkod ninyo para sa bayan. Sa mga kaibigan ko na frontliners, ako ay namamangha sa inyong dedikasyon para malabanan itong pandemic na pinagdadaanan ng Pilipinas. Rest assured, ipinagdarasal namin ang inyong kaligtasan at muli, maraming salamat sa inyo. A snappy salute to you all!

Bea: Sa mga doctors, healthcare workers, nurses, security guards, supermarket personnel, bank employees, public officials, policemen, sa lahat po ng mga frontliners, salamat po sa effort at sa pagmamalasakit sa ating mga kababayan. Saludo po ako sa inyo. God bless you.

Patricia: I would like to thank the frontliners for rendering their services in times like these. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.

Sofia: I’d like to thank all of the doctors, policemen and nurses who serve our country. They choose to help people rather than stay at homes with their families. It’s very admirable and I will pray for their safety as well.

Will: Gusto ko pong magpasalamat sa ating mga frontliners na nagtatrabaho at nagsisilbi sa ating mga kababayan. Saludo po ako sa inyong tapang at galing. Nawa’y bigyan kayo ng Diyos ng mabuting kalusugan upang maipagpatuloy ang paggamot sa ating mga kababayan.

Recently, GMA Kapuso Foundation has launched its Labanan Ang COVID-19 campaign to call for monetary and online donations to help provide basic medical supplies for the workers at the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19.

From the proper way of wearing face masks, washing our hands thoroughly, practicing social distancing, up to doing acts of generosity, all of us can be a light to one another and bring relief to our fellow Filipinos. By spreading awareness and showing compassion even in the comfort of our homes, there is no doubt we can fight this pandemic.