Tom’s ECQ realization: Common ground can’t be found if we pull each other down

Tom Rodriguez (left) and Carla Abellana

The Santacruzan month of May has no Reyna Elena in the time of corona. Casas de Mayo have replaced Flores de Mayo this year. As the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has been extended, we remain in limbo. For celebs, “now showing” has turned into “no showing.”

For the seventh part of my “QuarantInterview” series, I am featuring Tom Rodriguez. To lighten up the crisis situation a bit, he and his girlfriend, Carla Abellana, took a “BF does GF’s Glam Make-up Challenge.” Their amusing vid is the couple’s way of spreading “GV” (good vibes) to combat “CV” (COVID-19) fears.

Here’s my chat with Tom:

What are you learning during this ECQ?

How to be more responsible with household chores. I’m trying my best to fulfill household duties first before I pursue my own personal projects.

How do you and Carla keep your relationship strong in the time of COVID-19?

By talking and really listening to each other and, at the same time, fulfilling our responsibilities in these trying times. Instead of letting anxiety about the future get in the way, we stabilize ourselves by strengthening our commitment to our faith.In that aspect, Carla is such a big influence on me. I am grateful for becoming my ideal self because of her love.

What’s the most productive thing you’ve done during ECQ?

Volunteering for the Guhit Pantawid Program, initiated by @veryfrances to help displaced daily-wage earners. I paint a custom portrait of their choice for a minimum of P500 as a donation to vendors, construction workers and drivers.

What Covid-related story impacted you the most?

Seeing those who are most at risk survive this virus gives me hope that we can heal and overcome not just as a nation, but as humans sharing this world collectively.

What are your realizations during this crisis?

During this chaotic time, it’s sad to see how some people are divided by clashing beliefs. They seem to forget that we are all here temporarily. A common ground can’t be found if we pull each other down. We won’t be able to achieve unity if we all sink together.

Please share any light anecdote about your ECQ bonding with Carla.

Carla is an avid dog lover. She’s a volunteer for PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society). The funny thing is that, during ECQ, she pretends to be a dog. When there’s noise outside, she looks out of the window while wiggling, as if she had a tail. She told me that now she knows why dogs love to peek from the window. It’s because dogs have always been on ECQ, even when there was no pandemic yet.

What’s the first thing you want to do when the lockdown is over?

Check on those who have suffered the most from the pandemic. To personally thank the front-liners for their dedication and sacrifice. I hope there will be no more need for social distancing, so I can hug them tight.

How do you stay calm amid the crisis?

By drawing strength from loved ones, front-liners and God, who watches over us. By being introspective, clearing my mind and doing productive activities.

What’s your personal mantra during this time of uncertainty?

Amor Fati. That’s Latin for “love of one’s fate.” It reminds me to accept what was, what is and what will be.

Docu tilt winner

A documentary about an Aeta teacher who treks to class for five hours in Sitio Tarukan in Tarlac to teach Aeta children took top honors in the Knowledge Channel’s “3rd Class Project: Intercollegiate Mini-Documentary Competition” and will soon be aired on Knowledge Channel and streamed on iWant. Produced by students of the University of Makati, “Titser Gennie” beat 44 other entries nationwide.

The annual competition encourages students to submit relevant minidocumentaries on the lives of Filipinos that impart values of social justice, passion to serve, commitment to holistic learning, integrity and nationalism. Storytellers unite. INQ