What has this time made you reflect upon?

We are all going through tough times these days. With all these extra hours spent in doors, with our families, and to ourselves, we can easily reflect on what life used to be like pre COVID-19. We asked some friends about what they think they took for granted pre-quarantine and what they are grateful for, now.

Read on to find out what they said:

Rick Santos

Tatler Asia

Rick Santos is the Chairman, CEO and owner of Santos Knight Frank, established in Manila in 1994 as the country’s first fully integrated real estate service provider, in direct partnership with Knight Frank, the largest privately owned real estate consultancy firm in the world. 

What do you think you took the most for granted about our lives pre-quarantine? 

It’s interesting how the quarantine and the COVID-19 situation have changed our perspectives on life. While I definitely don’t miss the notorious Manila traffic, what I miss the most are the simple underappreciated things – the get-togethers with friends and family, rugby training with the Makati Mavericks Sports Foundation, going to the gym and running & biking around the village.

What are you grateful for?

These are tough times for everyone. I’m grateful for my wife Bonnie and the kids (Ryan,Reed & Rand), who have always supported and stood by me. I’m grateful for my passionate and hardworking Santos Knight Frank Real Estate team, many of who are on the front lines and helping keep properties, hospitals, BPO’s & essential facilities running day-to-day. We salute  our community leaders and dedicated professionals who are defying all odds to keep everyone safe.

 

Aivee Teo

Dr. Aivee Teo is an acclaimed dermatologist and business woman. She is the woman behind The Aivee Group, an international dermatology, beauty and health company that is extremely respected.

What do you think you took for granted the most about our lives, pre-quarantine?

Looking back, the thing we may have taken for granted the most, is our quality time with the kids. Spending time with our children now, being with them 24/7, has made us realise how much we were missing out. It is such a joy and a blessing to be with them every day, every minute from morning till night. Our children have openly expressed how they are enjoying time with us right now.

We also realised that we could do more for our health. Seeing how COVID-19 has compromised people’s health, how it has left families devastated, it made us appreciate and remember the value of being healthy. That above all, our health should be top priority.

It’s not enough that we take our vitamins. We should regularly keep in check the kind of lifestyle we lead, develop healthy habits, and learn ways on how to prioritize staying healthy for ourselves, our families, and for others. We need to actively take the necessary steps to care for our well-being, make it part of our lifestyle.

What are you grateful for?

I am grateful, now more than ever, for every basic necessity that we all used to take for granted like the food we eat, the simple pleasures of having time to  play with the kids, family time, cooking and eating together. These and other simple, everyday things make us happy.

I am grateful for the Lord almighty for keeping my family happy and safe. But at the same time, I am beyond grateful for the brave medical personnel and generous spirits who are risking their lives to save others, and generously providing for those in need. I believe this crisis is helping bring out the best in all of us, and that is heartwarming to see.

Alex Eduque

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Kryss Rubio

Alex Eduque is the Founder and Chairperson of MovEd Foundation, a charity that focuses on holistic early childhood education for underprivileged areas. 

What do you think you took the most for granted about our lives pre-quarantine? 

I think I took my sheer freedom for granted pre quarantine. I personally didn’t realise how freely we could move about — within and outside the Philippines — until a lockdown was imposed on us. I didn’t realise how valuable being able to make plans with people, and have a schedule was until our days turned into this, and within a couple of hours at that, where we have to live everyday on a day to day basis.

What are you grateful for?

I am grateful for the good health and safety of my family, friends and loved ones.

Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez

Stephanie is the chief operating officer of the gorgeous furniture and lifestyle brand, Philux. She is also a television host, mother to two lovely girls, and a wife! 

What do you think you took the most for granted about our lives pre-quarantine? 

I believe face to face human connection is something I realize is very important to me. While I am making the effort to stay connected during this time by reaching out to family, friends, and colleagues virtually, there is nothing like seeing them in person, being mindful and honoring their presence. That connection is something irreplaceable and I will not take this for granted from now on. 

What are you grateful for? 

I am grateful for my health, my family, my friends, my colleagues, and for everyone in our household including our dog Clooney. I am grateful to be able to be with my nearest and dearest who help me remain positive, proactive, centered, supported and inspired during this time at home. I am grateful for the frontliners who are risking their lives for our community.

Hideo Muraoka

Hideo is professional model, photographer and is also a fitness expert. He is an instructor for yoga and obstacle course races, and is the creator of The Movement Tribe.

What do you think you took the most for granted about our lives pre-quarantine? 

Before quarantine I was very ‘yang’, in that I was producing, working, and training too much. It was to the point that I could not metabolize every experience that well, there were too many things happening at the same time..]

Right now I am drawing my energy inwards more and taking care of my inner self and re - approaching different aspects of my life like, family, intimacy, work and creativity from a higher perspective.  

What are you grateful for?

I am grateful for life itself. The greatest gift we can have is to live fully awake. I am grateful for my family; a healthy family is the real wealth.

Ria Prieto

Ria Prieto is a lifestyle blogger, editor, creative consultant and jewellery designer. 

What do you think you took the most for granted about our lives pre-quarantine?

Pre-quarantine I didn’t know how much of a privilege it was so be able to just get up and leave the house at a whim. I also took for granted being able to book trips in advance, it just seemed so normal. Now everything is just so uncertain. 


What are you grateful for?

This quarantine has taught me to be appreciative of family. The time I’ve spent with the kids on a daily basis is something I’ll treasure forever. Also, most importantly, Paolo. He’s been the stable reliable one during this whole period. He has been so patient with everyone, especially me. Let’s see if he’ll have a change of heart after this haha!

Jess Tan Gan

Jess Tan Gan is a wife, mother of two, a real estate broker and an entrepreneur with an organic egg business called @theeggfairy. She is a big wellness enthusiast too, you can catch some of what Jess has to share on @liveawakeph. On top of that Jess has really educated her self with regards to parenthood especially the RIE Parenting Method, occasionally giving talks on her learnings and experience.

What do you think you took the most for granted about our lives pre-quarantine? 

People always say that it’s only when your parents go that you’ll understand how much you truly love them. This temporary time apart made me realize how much I love my parents and take them for granted. They would always visit us at home to be with my babies and suddenly we had to stop seeing them in order to protect each other. The few times that I’ve cried during the period is when the fear of losing them and not being able to be there for them gets to me. 

What are you grateful for?

That my family is safe and healthy. I am truly grateful that I am with my family, I have a roof over my head and food on the table.

Richard Heydarian

Richard is a professor, international journalist, published author and TV host.

What do you think you took the most for granted about our lives pre-quarantine? 

As an international writer and academic, I’m usually on the road around half of the month. There are times that I happen to cross three continents within a week, or even three relatively distant countries within 24 hours alone. Before the lockdown of Manila, was actually set to fly to Australia and New Zealand. To cut the story short, for the first time I find myself forced to confront solitude with complete stillness, now not even able to meet and hug family and loved ones. That’s a remarkable change from a usually turbo-charged life, where I could meet and affectionately express my love for parents, siblings, relatives, and friends in various continents on a relatively frequent basis. Travelling will likely never be the same, at least for some time. 

What are you grateful for? 

Following some very difficult moments last year, especially when we had to take care of my dad during his weeks-long coma, I began to embrace the philosophy of Roman stoics. Their worldview -- which emphasizes humility of limited human agency, embrace of purposeful struggle, and soulful gratitude for most mundane comforts and joys of life -- was highly attractive to me, since their proponents were highly active statesmen, who overcame unimaginable challenges. I’m immensely grateful for all the beautiful memories, having the chance to turn the world into my canvass of experience and, most importantly, spending quality time with loved ones, in the most magical places.

 

 

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