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A few minutes ago, Cebu City has shifted to a general community quarantine. Everybody has their own opinion about the move because the threat of being infected with the virus is still a huge possibility. I think I’ll still stay home and just head out for groceries and a few essential errands when needed. That is until something clearer comes up soon, like a vaccine or something.

I don’t know what to make of the shift. The risk that comes with it might just be the same as going on with the Enhanced Community Quarantine status. We have to move forward even if it meant taking baby steps first. There are safety guidelines to be followed and if there’s really no reason to go out, better stay at home.

This blog, about daily life throughout the quarantine period, wasn’t really planned. The idea came up when I realized that I took a photo, or at least a screenshot, every day since the lockdowns started. So after dinner, I browsed through the hundreds of photos and picked one which represented each day since March 14 and missing only a photo for April 2 and May 18.

I’m sure some of you did the same things as I did and perhaps you have pictures on your phone too. My advise is, you keep it. These might mean something in time. Who knows, right? Because up to now, it’s still mind boggling how we got ourselves into this mess. These things are only supposed to happen in movies.

Oh well. Stay Safe Everybody.
 

 
On Monday, quarantine restrictions will loosen up a little bit. And while we’re still a little far from going back to the way things were, I guess that signals more people out on the streets. I’m a scaredy-cat, so I guess I’ll still spend more time at home and just step out for really essential things. A few shoots perhaps?

While the past couple of months felt like a blur, I did manage to do some work. There were “okay” days and difficult days but it always ended up the same, with a prayer of hope that things were going to work out fine.

On “okay” days, I worked. Which is why I bumped into these pictures of Pixie from 2014. She’s the daughter of good friends down in Austalia and these were taken in Boracay, when she asked for my help to shoot a wedding there. I did write about this trip half a decade ago but I realize that these pictures, of Pixie, can stand as a separate blog post in itself because kids and the beach makes for wonderful pictures.

These past weeks gave us a refresher on values, I must say. The appreciation for simple things is one of them. It’s not that we intentionally forget being grateful for them. I mean, there are just days when life gets the better of us and we head to our beds forgetting to appreciate little victories along the way. I can write a few but I’m sure you can too so I’ll end today just the same. With a prayer of hope that things are going to work out just fine.

Goodnight everybody and keep safe.
 

 

One of the first posts that I read as soon as I woke up earlier was something from Joy. Today was supposed to be her wedding. She wrote about the excitement while preparing for this day which included our trip to Seoul for these pictures and how friends and family would have been gathered in Maasin by now to celebrate her union to Presidenson. Her grief can’t be denied but I also noticed hints of hope for the days up ahead.

Joy and Tas are just two of the few people whose wedding date unfortunately fell during these quarantine period and like most, they had to postpone. I’m sure there are more important concerns but this is also valid one. After all, a handful of us dream to be married. Too bad, we really need to park those dreams for now and make sure we survive this ordeal.

I also don’t know when this will get better and a few worries here and there set in on some days. Perhaps we can agree that we’re better than those worries, shall we? And with a pinch of hope and a little bit of faith, our collective prayers about overcoming what is happening will be answered in time. Until then, let’s take care of each other better, ok?

 
These two would have been married last month
When we took these photos early in March,
We kept our hopes up and thought it was going to be alright
But here we are, still caught in the lockdown
And while we’ve agreed to move it later
Hope it still unwavering that pretty soon it will be okay

Maku and Chang, thank you for letting me take these
And sorry, I had to write about it ahead.
After all, you two would have already been wed, you know?

Should you decide to go another round
Let me know, I’m always ready for pictures.

Stay safe everybody.
 

 
I’d have already been home from a wedding today
Matter of fact, its these two who are supposed to be married
But like thousands around the globe
They had to make adjustments too

I wasn’t going to write about this until after their wedding
But I thought, “what the heck!”
We can just take a few more when everything’s alright

I’m sure there are millions out there
Whose worries are more than rescheduled dates
I’ve got to admit, these are indeed strange times
And cliche as it sounds
“Even when all hope is gone, we move along…”

Let’s keep praying and hoping harder.
Keep safe everybody.