How a positive attitude helped Arci adjust to the lockdown

Arci Muñoz

“During quarantine, we turned our feelings into literature,” said actress Arci Muñoz, also the vocalist of the rock band Philia, when Inquirer Entertainment asked her to recall her struggles as an artist while coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Being stuck at home was a major adjustment. I miss doing gigs with the band during weekends. We used to perform in bars so small that our bodies were already rubbing against each other, but we were so happy,” recalled Arci.

As an effect of the pandemic, mass gatherings are prohibited. This includes live events and concerts.

Arci said it’s good that her bandmates have day jobs, too, so they’re not as financially affected by the work stoppage compared to others. “I told my boys, now is the right time to do new music,” she declared. “It was good that prior to lockdown, I was able to buy my own bass guitar. I’ve been trying to learn to play it. They helped me a lot. They’re my best friends. We make sure to ask each other how we are holding up. After all, what we’re all going through isn’t easy.”

Before the Luzon enhanced community quarantine was imposed in March, Arci was able to finish taping for her stint in the Kapamilya soap series, “Pamilya Ko.”

“After the show, I said I would like to try something different. I’m very spontaneous. Whenever I think of something, I go for it. When I couldn’t act or perform, I used my time to do other things,” she added.

Arci was referring to the time she trained as a reservist for the Philippine Air Force in June. According to news reports, Arci is the first female celebrity of her generation to have joined the Air Force.

“I learned a lot from the experience. As part of our training, we would help distribute relief goods. We were like front-liners, too. I’m happy to have been able to help people in my own little way,” she recalled.

“While on lockdown, it’s important for us to maintain a positive outlook—so that’s what I did. There are other things you can do even while at home. All you need is a strong faith in Him to be able to go on. Ganoon talaga, life doesn’t stop even while we’re on quarantine,” Arci said, adding that she took up online Korean language classes, too.

This was why, Arci said, she didn’t feel lonely at all even though she’s been loveless for the last two years. “The most important lesson I’ve learned from my last relationship is how important self-love is. I realized that for you to be able to love someone else, you need to love yourself first. In this journey I’m in, I’m able to appreciate myself more. Sarili ko muna.”

Arci said she preferred to stay single even though some guys have shown interest in dating her “prior to lockdown … This is the longest I have been single, but I’m super happy—I swear! These days, I’m always with my best friend, my cats, my family. I just want to enjoy myself first,” she declared.

Arci was seen opposite Gerald Anderson in a mini movie titled “Hook-Up,” the second of a two-part series under the program titled “Love Unlock” on the Kapamilya Online Live platform.