EMERGENCE
When the pandemic hit in 2020, a lot had changed– some Filipinos had lost their source of income. Some need to halt their businesses as they need to stay at home for safety. Most corporate companies need to find ways for their company to sustain themselves. So, they implemented a skeletal workforce for running the business, and some decided to let their employees work from home. Aside from companies finding ways to survive, some Filipinos who had lost their jobs decided to find ways to sustain their needs, from selling online to becoming content creators. It was also the time of the year when becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA) or working from home had its peak. Although I was still in college then, I was also a full-time employee in a company, juggling my studies and work simultaneously. When classes went from face-to-face/traditional to online, it was easier for me since I didn’t need to spend my time traveling to school from work or vice-versa, and I can say the setup worked for me.
KNOCK ON THE DOOR
After working in a corporate company since college, I have learned to manage my time accordingly. So, when there was an offer to work at REV365 (now Montani International Inc.) and to work from home, I immediately grabbed the chance and made the most of it. I enjoyed going out every weekend since I would always be in my room working from Monday until Friday. My weekend getaways would go as far as going to different cities and provinces just to visit beaches and restaurants to going coffee shop hunting downtown until I finished my college degree. One of the things I am thankful for is that Montani International Inc. was with me until the end of my college years. It allowed me to continue and pursue my chosen field. Years passed, and I still enjoy my weekend like always. Until a local from Siargao (also known as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines), in the name of Amie Joy Antolin, became part of our team. We first became interested in the island after learning it was Amie's hometown. She described it to us so vividly, with stories of surfing the waves at Cloud 9, swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Sugba Lagoon, and hiking through the lush rainforests. We were captivated by her tales– and then we knew we had to experience Siargao ourselves. With her help, we planned a 10-day trip to Siargao. After almost a year of planning, our dream of visiting Siargao came true.
After settling into our accommodation and sorting out our transportation, we started our planned activities. Since we arrived on Friday, the next day, we immediately went to Sugba Lagoon for a starter and went on island hopping on Sunday. On weekday mornings, we would work and do our tasks. During weekday evenings, we would visit different restaurants and bars. When it was almost the weekend, our trip was drawing near. We spent it surfing and visiting one of the shops of a known actress living in Siargao. On our last day, we went to a beach– famously known for vanishing-like lagoons. Later that day, we went shopping and bought souvenirs we could bring home.
A CUP OF TEA
As we traveled to go home after the trip, I realized that I owe this experience to Montani. If it weren’t for the opportunity to work from home, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my weekend for years, and the 10-day Siargao trip wouldn’t be possible. This flexibility allowed us to enjoy a week of island life in Siargao without affecting our jobs in Montani. We completed our tasks– provide the expected output by working during the day and enjoying Siargao at night. It allows you to work anywhere you like. That means you can travel and experience different cultures while earning a living. You can also set your hours and work from the comfort of your home. So, if you have a chance for this type of opportunity, don’t just grab it– you should enjoy it and do your best to keep it. When opportunities knock, don’t just let them in– offer them tea.
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