Showing posts with label Health & Wellness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health & Wellness. Show all posts

Sunday, April 25, 2021

Mental Health and Coping during Covid-19 Pandemic


Today's world is full of stress that makes us tired and sick. That's part of living, but we need to stay healthy and full of vitality. We need to let go of the stuck energies affecting our health. We have to release what's unwanted on our bodies. We need to be well.

How can we become healthy when our world becomes smaller, yet only a few choices are left? How can we show vigor when not feeling about our best selves?

The Covid-19 pandemic is an addition to our stressors. It's making us sick day by day. The news updates we read and hear regularly cause anxiety and sadness. 

We can't just ignore the news and stay calm at all times. To feel empathetic is fine. It's normal to feel the suffering of other people. It's normal to sympathize with those whose lives were lost and who are still fighting for their lives to survive.

We can't just be feeling that way again and again. We can choose to stay above our lower emotions, and we can start to build up ourselves to become strong and unbreakable.

Dealing with our mental health during this pandemic is essential to our well-being. We need to continue living with sanity and clear consciousness. A sound mind is what we need for clear and best judgment. 

We can always release our stress, anxiety, and fatigue wherever we are. We don't need to physically go to the beach at this time of the pandemic. We can sit still in the comfort of our homes or lie in bed.

Meditation is our best weapon to release stress and peace of mind. Since we can't travel a great distance to our favorite beach destinations, we utilize the power of our minds through meditation.


We always choose an ocean or a beach whenever we meditate. The saltiness of the water extracts the stuck energy from our bodies. 

When we think of an ocean or a beach, its saltiness becomes a powerful extractor of our negativities. Same as physically visiting an actual beach, but this time we imagine and recall vividly the beautiful memories that made us feel good about ourselves. 

Releasing the stuck energies in our physical, emotional, and mental bodies enables us to plan and energize our future. 

This pandemic shouldn't make us feel bad about ourselves and the world that we're living in. We can always feel good and choose our thoughts, emotions, and intentions wisely.

We may be unable to do as much in our community or help save as many people as possible. However, in our little way, we can start the healing on ourselves first. The healing always starts within us. That's our gift to ourselves and our contribution to our community -- to stay healthy and happy.

Despite the pains and sufferings, we share our best selves by choosing wellness over illness. Being physically fit, emotionally stable, and mentally healthy in these times of uncertainty.

©️ 2021 Del Cusay

Sunday, January 31, 2021

Wellness and Balanced Life Strategies at the MDP Village


Fitness and wellness. That's our goal to achieve year after year at the start of the new year. 

Fitness goals must be part of our health journey. Being healthy and free from diseases and illnesses makes us truly alive. It makes us jump high to reach a new level of success as we start our year right.

The higher the jump, the lighter, the better.

Yes, the past years may have been out of control when our unconscious dietary lifestyle hit us badly, eating junk foods of no nutritional value, making us ill and could kill us.

Then work and stress eating or overeating may have led to being out of shape. Our physique changes as we add years to life when metabolism hits low. 

That's terrible, but we can regain control.

Through the years, it's been a challenge to be in shape. To be fit takes a lot of discipline and commitment. It's always challenging but doable and possible. I used to make it with minimal discomfort but had achieved the desired goal.

I can, and I will!

This year 2021, is about returning to what we used to be. To be fit and healthy; to be well and not ill; to feel better and not bitter; to see things brightly and not ugly.

Getting sick is expensive and deadly. I can't afford it, so I choose to be well and avoid getting ill. 

Through the years, we have listened to various health teachings. From fitness and wellness gurus, medical experts, health trainers, and healers.

There's a great Master who has greatly influenced my belief about achieving balanced health and the esoteric causes of diseases, now revealed to humanity.

Balanced life strategies focusing on health and wellness are what I have learned from a Master of life, Master Del Pe, since 2011.

I'm grateful to have known and been mentored by a modern Sage and an international life coach who's visionary in leadership and has a deep love for humanity and the world.

After decades of world travel and working with individuals, families, governments, groups, and companies in more than 100 countries, the Philippines is truly blessed to have Master Del Pe return and settle in his hometown.

Master Del Pe's new Shangri-La is beautiful in the highlands of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, in the Northern Philippines. 

His MDP Village is a wellness and healing center hub in the North and is gaining recognition among health enthusiasts from the Philippines and other parts of the world.

Master Del Pe had hosted an international convention at the MDP village where attendees get a perspective about higher consciousness and mastering life ahead of its time.

MDP village is also a spiritual sanctuary, an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, and in regaining life to have peace of mind daily.

I've attended and listened to Master Del Pe's interviews from various social media like Facebook and Youtube; his insights and expertise are mindblowing. 

If you want to visit him at the MDP Village or meet him in Metro Manila, follow and contact him on his social media accounts below.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/masterdelpe/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/MasterDelPe

Website: https://www.mdpvillage.com/

I've learned a lot from Master Del Pe. He's a master in life who can help us live the best life we deserve. 

©️ 2021 Del Cusay 

Sunday, January 24, 2021

A Weekend Stroll at Quezon Memorial Circle

There's a breathing space in the center of the largest city of Metro Manila lies the monument in honor of former President Manuel Quezon.

This kind of environment is all we need to take a break and have a weekend leisure walk at Quezon Memorial Circle. It's believed to be the last lungs of Quezon City with the protected 27-hectare green oval park.

The 66-meter shrine has three tall Pylons. That's a center of attraction in the busy elliptical road where six major lanes meet. It has three angels on the top, symbolizing the three most prominent Philippine Island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

I like it when you can find green space in a large metropolis where people can visit for leisure, and Quezon Memorial Circle is one of the best places for fitness, shopping, museum tour, and food trip.

The remains of former Philippine President Manuel Quezon are inside the monument with his wife, Aurora. He's one of the best and most dignified statesmen the Philippines ever had, making his life worth remembering.

What's good about Quezon Memorial Circle is the many activities that visitors can do. I've seen many fitness groups doing exercises like jogging, biking, dancing, and even just sitting on benches or a simple walk exploring different areas of interest.

This place is also best for people who collect various ornamental plants. So many business stalls sell different varieties of plants and flowers. It makes the home greener and more relaxed, which makes it an ideal outdoor park. 

During this pandemic, indoor and outdoor gardening became a hobby for many people in the metropolitan area. It became part of their health and wellness goals to go green and relieve stress surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers.


A leisure walk in a park brings invigorating energy from the greeneries and the active people. We would want to achieve balance in our Livinges. Though life in the metropolis can be exhausting, we must take a deep breath and have a youthful glow. And so we could also share that lighter energy and vibrant glow with others.

Quezon Memorial Circle has a lot to offer, and since the 1950s, it has undergone several transformations and the newest attractions. 

We need more green parks in major cities all over the Philippines, and Quezon Memorial Circle is one of the best parks to be replicated or become a source of inspiration.

Green living is Godly Living. 

©️ 2021 Del Cusay

Related Post:

👉 World Refugee Day: In Memory of President Quezon

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Wellness in the Green Village

 

If there's one thing that the pandemic has taught us, it is a shift to a futuristic mindset. 

To create the next big thing out of a soulful desire to live a better and more comfortable life in a rural setting, a peaceful and green environment.

I call it the next big thing since sustainable farming is one thing that would thrive in the next pandemic or any financial and health crisis that may come in the future.


During this pandemic, we've awakened the power of our intuition and creativity. It's to make use of our productive time while in quarantine. It may not be easy; it requires passion, endurance, and perseverance to accomplish the plan and make things possible, even when times get rough.

And so, after eight months of quarantine, we've created a green village that would be our additional source of sustainable farm living.



We've built two traditional Filipino farmhouses that serve as a rest houses whenever we visit and do some farming activities. We plan to establish farm infrastructures such as concrete roads, multi-purpose halls, villas, ornamental gardens, and a tree park.

It's my parents' dream to have a place where they could live a simple, serene, and meaningful life, and they're making it possible with their strength, willpower, and Divine guidance.

When living in Manila, I always thought of returning to our hometown and presenting some dream farm ideas to my parents. And fortunately, they've accomplished some of them. Even if there's more to develop, still I'm happy with what they've started.


Within the decade, we're looking forward to seeing a growing family. We're also hoping that the green village will bring us closer. We express a deep love of nature and a deeper connection to the Divine and its creation.

I may be living away from home and may not be able to see the development physically in the years to come, but I'm happy that I've seen how it was able to start and what it would be like in the future -- such a futuristic glimpse.


This pandemic might be a blessing in disguise because we learned to keep going and believe there's always a great opportunity in adversity.

The making of a green village is not just about health and wellness. It's also about building a lasting legacy with our environmental responsibility and contribution. We protect the Greenville country farm with the love of nature. And a conscious connection with the Divine love to nurture.

©️ 2020 Del Cusay

Related Post:


Sunday, November 8, 2020

The Japanese art of Forest Bathing


When it comes to natural healing, the Japanese know better. They came up with a term, "Shinrin-yoku," popularized in Japan in the '80s and later introduced to the world. 

Forest bathing isn't taking a bath in the forest in a literal sense. It simply means reconnecting with nature and disconnecting from life's stressors -- causing diseases.

It's been a year since I've lived in a rural area; in my hometown. It's countryside living away from too much noise and chaos.

Since the beginning of the pandemic and due to the lockdown, some plans weren't able to happen, and since then, I wasn't able to come back to Manila.

I'm living my best life away from distraction and pollution; forest bathing on weekends is my healing wonder. It's all we need in times of stress and whenever we need to relax and rejuvenate. It cleanses and purifies our physical and mental bodies.

So Japanese people are considered world leaders regarding health and longevity. Their approach to health and wellness is just holistic and admirable. Hence, they're a world record in having supercentenarians. 

We Filipinos adapted to this Japanese form of natural healing. Forest bathing is slowly gaining recognition, especially among health and fitness enthusiasts.

Hikers, trekkers, mountain climbers, and yoga and meditation practitioners are among those groups gaining from the healing benefits of forest bathing.

In the Philippines, there are places I've done forest bathing on a day trip.

In the Philippines, there are places I've done forest bathing on a day trip. Camp John Hay in Baguio City is where you can find the most pine trees. And has the most forest cover in the area.


At Camp John Hay, Baguio City, Philippines

That was a refreshing forest bathing experience as I felt the foggy place's mists. It feels so great to be surrounded by trees, which give off natural cleansing energy.

Bucari Highlands in Iloilo, Philippines, is one of the best mountain resort destinations in the country.

When we visited, it was rainy on the way up and with a foggy and misty climate. Like Baguio City, it has many pine trees making the environment more relaxed.

Bucari, Iloilo, Philippines


There are other places where I've enjoyed forest bathing. The Mount Arayat National Park in Pampanga, Philippines. The La Mesa Eco-park in Quezon City, Philippines, and Naddi Village in Dharamshala, India.


My parents were inspired to develop our farm over a decade ago, so they planted Mahogany trees, making it a mini-forest. Now the trees have reached their peak maturity and are tall, giving a cool shade in the surrounding. 

 

Our Mahogany tree park


And so, every time we visited the farm, I would do forest bathing. I walk barefoot and remain under the trees until I've reached a meditative state. Feel the serenity and inhale the life force. 

Anyone can do it. When life gets tough, we must take slow and find a greener space to unwind and re-energize. 

The Japanese people are doing it as a lifestyle, so we can learn and adopt their healthy and balanced lifestyle.

©️2020 Del Cusay

Related Post:

👉 The Highlands of Baguio

👉 The Highlands of Bucari

👉 Stairway to the Mountain

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Strolling at the Garden of Dreams


A Garden in the city makes life more balanced and achieves a healthier lifestyle. It's a breath of fresher air amidst the toxicity.


And with an urban garden in the city center, I was fortunate to have an afternoon stroll in the fully restored Garden of Dreams in Kathmandu, Nepal, in August 2013. It reopened to the public six years after several decades of closure.

Kathmandu's lifestyle may be less lavish than in big cosmopolitan cities. But it has the best culture and its people. 


The entire city of Kathmandu blends cultural heritage and a modern society due to its preserved structures like monuments and temples and the restoration of public places like the Garden of Dreams and other modern infrastructures.

As I strolled inside the walled garden, I suddenly experienced serenity due to the absence of noise surrounding the bustling city. It was 5 minutes from the hotel where I stayed, so I got to visit and unwind.

The Walled Urban Garden

What's noticeable about the garden is its European-style architecture since its restoration with the help of the Austrian Government. It has features like six pavilions representing the '6 seasons of Nepal' and where the place got its second name, the "Garden of the Six Seasons." 

The garden has a veranda, fountains, and a pergola, giving it a European vibe. Also, the Amphitheater is where visitors can sit or lie down to chat or read a book. Such a relaxing scene.

The Amphitheater

European-inspired pergola

The flowers, shrubs, and trees make it greener. And it's beautiful since well maintained by several caretakers. It's clean, green, and rejuvenating.

I appreciate art, so I spent time at the gallery and conversed with the locals. That was a meaningful encounter as I learned more about their culture. 

Café by the garden

That was a delightful afternoon stroll at the Garden of Dreams, and before leaving, I had a cup of cappuccino as I reflected and planned for my next journey around Kathmandu.

The Garden of Dreams is true to its name. It's a sophisticated garden of its time and became more beautiful after its restoration. Urban dwellers need green space for leisure, and hopefully, more cities will adapt to this kind of garden that offers respite to the people from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The Garden of Dreams. The Garden of the Six Seasons. A garden for the soul.

©️ 2020 Del Cusay

Related Post:


Sunday, September 13, 2020

Island Hopping in Guimaras


We need to regain ourselves. At times we get stressed, and it's due to various stressors of daily living. From multitasking work, daily commute, never-ending problems, and the pandemic.


This global health crisis puts our lives our life at risk. Either we become a victim or a survivor.

Since the lockdown early this year, we have been thinking of ways to stay mentally healthy daily. How to keep our sanity and not experience loneliness, apathy, and depression.

Every day is a battle for survival. We keep diverting our consciousness toward happy thoughts. We reminisce about the happiest moments in our life. Those times we live our best life.

The boat ride from Iloilo to Guimaras Island

And for me, there's one great way to relieve stress and rejuvenate. That is to travel to beautiful places and spend weekend getaways for pure thinking moments. To distress through meditation and to appreciate the healing wonders of nature.

Every Sunday, I reminisce about the times when I had my Soulful travel moments. We can't travel during this pandemic due to restrictions, so the best way is to have a mental vacation. 

It works! It's as good as visiting the place in real-time, with almost the same feeling. It's just that we process with our mental power -- our wild imagination.

The power of the mind does healing and contributes to our well-being. Whenever we feel sad, lonely, or depressed, we lack the energy to do our daily tasks and become productive. And so, when we feel happy, we suddenly become more inspired to do great things to lift others with our positive energy.

Positive energy is contagious, and so is negativity. That's what I believe.

I would rather be with someone or a group that would inspire me or makes me happy than suffer from negative emotions brought by someone, a group, or worst, a personal creation -- becoming an enemy of oneself.

Having a mental vacation is a heavenly experience without leaving the comfort of your home. We can go to almost any place we dream of, those on our bucket list.

One of my favorite Islands in the Philippines is Guimaras. It's one of the smallest Island-Province, and I'd like to keep returning whenever I am in the region.

Island Cove on Guimaras Island

Guimaras is just a 20-minute boat ride from the coast of Iloilo province on Panay Island, so near the distance that both Island is visible.

One thing I like about Guimaras is the serenity of nature. It's not a very touristy place, so definitely not crowded, and you'll enjoy soulful moments on the waters, on the shore, or on a cliff.

Guimaras is not overdeveloped as compared to Island destinations like Boracay or Siargao. That's one reason why I like it even more when there are Filipino-style cottages and not huge hotels that can pollute the ecosystem of the place. 

I hope Guimaras will retain its grandeur. It's a natural environment and will not be subject to over-commercialization.

The naturally beautiful environment on Guimaras Island

Guimaras is already beautiful as it is in its present state. And so many people would appreciate its hidden beauty and natural charm.

Guimaras is not just a tiny island; it has friendly and hospitable people with good hearts. That makes them different from the rest. It has the heart and soul at its best.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Related Post:


Sunday, August 2, 2020

A Taste of Eid


Halal certified. That's what I always check on the food label in grocery stores and supermarkets.

But then, I wanted to dine in a Halal-certified restaurant in Manila. The crowded, busy scene in a bustling old downtown Manila -- the Philippine capital.

Halal means 'permissible or allowed in Islam, and it is becoming a global food standard even for non-muslims.

And so last year, in 2019, I celebrated Eid in the busy district of Quiapo in downtown Manila where the Golden Mosque is located.


The mosque was commissioned by former First Lady Imelda Marcos and built-in 1976 to welcome Libyan President Gaddafi, but he couldn't visit the country.

It became a community for our Muslim brothers and sisters, where they settled and established their livelihoods.

Businesses like Halal restaurants are thriving within the vicinity of the Golden Mosque.

Halal-certified food would mean a 'clean and healthy food' without alcohol and pork-derived products.

For health reasons, animal products sometimes carry diseases transferrable to humans. Regular consumption would develop into diseases like common hypertension and high cholesterol, leading to cardiac disorders or heart ailments.


Since the pandemic, we have preferred to eat organic vegetables, which we grow on our newly developed farm. We just want a healthier body to boost our immunity to fight diseases.

Nowadays, investing in health and wellness is wise, so we're adapting health standards like Halal.

The world and humanity have to be health-conscious because now we realize how vulnerable we are to acquiring diseases if we don't practice the best health practices and lifestyles.

The taste of Eid is just as tasteful as any cuisine in the world. However, they have made it to level up on their practice of the highest health standard.

We always choose to be healthy. We choose to be well.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Stairway to the Mountain


Nature's spring is nature's best. That was a tremendous and meaningful adventure on the foothill of the Mountain, Mount Arayat National Park.

To be closer to nature is a weekend and holiday destination for most city dwellers. An escape from noise pollution and the hustle and bustle of city life. Escaping from the real world of unending work and tasks. Escaping from reality, even for a short while.

An adventure worth sharing 6 years ago brought me to the beautiful and peaceful town of Arayat in the Province of Pampanga in Central Luzon Island, Philippines.


Two months after I arrived in the Philippines after a year of living abroad was a great adventure and soulful healing. That was April 2014 when I finally had a closer glimpse of Mount Arayat, which can only be seen from a distant highway when going to the Northernmost provinces in the country.

Nature's retreat offers excellent healing results for the body, mind, and soul. This is all we need after a long and tiring work week. And for the physical grounding, a day hike to the Mountain feels like rooting to the earth. Nature's Way to be reconnected to the world as our mind wanders and boggles, accompanied by anxiety, worries, and fears.

At the park's entrance to the hilltop community are a serene environment and the soulful sound of nature. The park is also home to different species of birds and wildlife under conservation. 


The park is an excellent escapade for families, team building, and even solo retreats. There are cottages, picnic areas, playgrounds,s and campsites for everyone's needs.

A hundred-step stairway to the hilltop community is a great calorie-burning and offers a stunning view of the Mountain. Closer view to the roof of Pampanga -- the province's highest peak.

Take a deep breath and a little more hike passing through the treehouses and all the Way to the Arayat Bikers Club. A solemn spiritual community awaits where one is closer to nature. Truly a heaven on earth for the residents and for the visitors.



Before heading down to the lowlands, I paused, meditated, and reflected on the Divine presence and a meaningful journey ahead.

The Mountain of Arayat and its Natural Park provides excellent service for people seeking respite from suffering, loneliness, stress, and grief.

On the new best normal and after the pandemic, people would reconnect with nature, taking a deeper breath and breathing out of toxicities of the body and mind and purifying their soul. And when we need to reboot or restart, there will always be a mountain to climb for soul searching -- to heal our being.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Father's Day at The Farm


Life at the farm. That's our best new normal during this time of Pandemic. We get the benefits of a clean and green environment for healing and rejuvenation.

Today, we celebrate a special day since it's Father's Day. We decided to visit and spend our Sunday at the farm, a sanctuary we had developed for about a year now.

As I swing through a hammock, I reminisce how it all started back in June 2019, from when it was conceptualized until it materialized.

Today, a year after, we are harvesting fruits and vegetables, which my parents started to plant since the lockdown and home quarantine due to the Pandemic. My parents didn't stop their usual organic farming activity, and it's paying off-- it's harvest time.


We have varieties of vegetables like eggplant, bitter gourd, string beans, spinach, and squash. We also have fruits like Philippine lime or Calamansi, tomatoes, avocado, banana, watermelon, and coconut. These and many more in weeks to come as we expand and develop other areas for planting.

We aim for sustainable farming practices to provide our own food on the table in this time of crisis and as a way of living -- a new lifestyle.

In previous years, I may not have celebrated Father's day at home, so this year is an opportunity to be present and to show gratitude and appreciation to our dear Father.


I will forever be thankful for the love and inspiration; this crisis allows us to plant, grow and harvest what we've produced.

Father's day isn't only for a day; we celebrate it in our lifetime. Wherever we are, he will always be in our hearts. Our Father, our hero, our motivation, and our source of endless inspiration. 

© 2020 Del Cusay


Sunday, April 26, 2020

Opportunity in Crisis


We feel people's fear. This pandemic teaches us to be sensitive to different kinds of emotions. Anxiety, panic, boredom, anger, irritability, and depression are some of our common reactions. People may not say it, but we sense the negative vibe of people's lower emotions. 

We sense fear because our consciousness detected a new threat to our being; in humanity. Hence, what we feel is just average and expected.

But how can we escape this threat? How long shall we feel fear? How can we go back to living an everyday life?

During these times, education experts say we live in 3 different crisis zones.

Fear Zone. This is our initial tendency to threaten. It's normal! Feel the fear. Acknowledge this feeling and not be in denial. Our physical expression can't mask our feelings deep within for one main reason we are all together. We are wired to feel for each other.

Learning Zone. This is an excellent opportunity in times of crisis. We make use of the time we are in isolation. Most people might still be stuck in a fear zone, but learning shouldn't stop us. Students, working professionals, parents, young kids, and even old retirees can learn something new during this time. New knowledge and skills are our weapons as we return to living a 'new normal' during and post-pandemic.

Growth Zone. This is about taking control of our emotions and mind.
When we achieve a certain level of self-mastery, we grow and transform into a more fantastic version of ourselves. We succeed because we refuse to remain a victim of circumstance and prisoners of fate.

So, in what zone are we now?

From the 'fear zone' during the first few weeks of quarantine, I am now in the 'learning zone' where I feel a lot of positivity and personal empowerment. 

I have attended several webinars offered by local and international organizations and have learned from Thought leaders about different subjects of expertise.

I listen to educational podcasts and read valuable insights from online articles. I keep on learning and auditing existing knowledge and beliefs. I keep on pondering and updating obsolete information that hinders growth.

There's growth in learning.

Soulful Sunday is a great opportunity not to be stuck but to learn to adapt and engage in new interests and habits.


Farming has been a great activity for us even before the pandemic, and we continue to plant seeds for a bounty harvest in this uncertain time.

This is an opportunity to cultivate, develop and create sustainable living. Organic farming practice is what we need for a healthier body and immunity to fight the unseen enemy.

Life in the countryside will always be exciting. It's just a matter of changing our mental state and the definition of success. There's a lot of learning and an opportunity to live a more comfortable and healthier life. 


As we move on, we will look back to realize that fear sabotages and taking in control of our destiny. And so, our antidote is a dosage of learning to become better and bounce back more vital than ever.

© 2020 Del Cusay


Sunday, April 19, 2020

Positivity in Uncertainty

Energy follows thoughts and intentions. That's one of the most essential pieces of wisdom I have learned and adopted for years.

We can make things happen when we pay attention to our thoughts and with a higher level of optimism. We can let almost impossible things happen.

But how can we stay positive in a world full of negativity? With the recent global crisis due to the pandemic, people get scared and anxious about what lies ahead of our uncertain future -- the coming days and years.

We are all at risk. But at this time, somebody must be ahead of us. Somebody must not be so scared as we are. They are our elders, our parents, and our grandparents.

What makes them have the highest level of positivity is the struggles and life experiences that they have survived through the years.

Yes, they may be the most vulnerable, but they have the most positive spirit all through these times.

They are not the weakest but strongest because of their faith in the highest Divine power. Their religious or spiritual affiliations and activities are what make them truly alive.

My Soulful Sunday is spent at the farm, and on this day, my parents show us how to live and survive this crisis.

The striking statement I have heard from them is that extensive farmland only serves its purpose if cultivated for sustainable farming.' That's the reason why they put their energy into it.


As I visit the farm after a week of home quarantine, I am glad to see the vegetable farm, which they have spent most of their time and energy on.

They may never know what tomorrow will bring, but they know how to survive and thrive. There are no excuses, but only developing habits and a positive mindset.

In days and weeks to come, we will harvest vegetables and fruits that will give us nourishment and a healthy body. Our goal is to strengthen our immune system, starting with healthy food on the table. Farm-fresh produce for better health and stronger immunity is all we need.

A lot of positivity for today. A lot of flashbacks and realizations. A lot of energy, but with positivity in uncertainty.

© 2020 Del Cusay


Sunday, March 29, 2020

Healthcare Frontliner's Fight and Flight


We are all fighting an invisible enemy. This has caused us fear and panic due to our vulnerability and uncertainty.

The COVID-19 pandemic is something to be scared of. While we are being optimistic in general, it still doesn't remove the anxiety we experience. It is spreading faster, and many people are getting infected and dying daily.

The young and the old, celebrities and ordinary people, the rich and the poor suffer. No one seems spared. We are affected physically, mentally, socially, politically, and economically.

Our physical movement is restricted due to isolation and strict home quarantine directive by the Government, thus causing discomfort, irritability, confusion, and anger. The Government assures their people of food relief and financial aid to those affected by community lockdown. 

Some people are anxious about their financial instability, thinking about how they will be able to survive the crisis. The ripple of untoward effects and the worst-case scenario is evident. 

For the general public, one thing being told to follow is to 'stay at home to prevent getting infected. This is already a heroic act that we can contribute to the epidemic to be contained.


Some people may not be able to fully understand the call for home quarantine and physical or social distancing protocol. The reason why our medical frontliners are calling our attention with the message 'I stay at work for you, please stay at home for us' seems like a straightforward message, but with a heartfelt plea to us.

Some of us may defy that simple yet meaningful message of our Healthcare frontliners, which is why we lost some of them. They keep on fighting for our precious lives and, more so, the lives of those under their care already. They are risking their lives whenever they treat a positive COVID-19 patient.

Several doctors globally have passed away while doing the heroic act of saving lives. Although they are already exhausted and stressed, more nurses and hospital personnel are not giving up. They keep fighting and having the will to live to protect us and save as many lives as possible.


In 2016, I had the opportunity to serve the frontline health workers of 'The Medical City Iloilo,' where I managed the frontliners in several units like Patient Education, Information, and Customer Service. I have worked with Doctors, Nurses, and Non-medical support staff regarding Patient Partnership Experience.

I am grateful for the opportunity to impart "Transforming Patient Partnership" with the Clinical Supervisors and Head Nurses of the Medical City Iloilo. As the healthcare institution is moving forward, we have aimed to develop high-performing teams capable of working in a highly challenging situations.

We also strengthened our Patient Partnership intervention through Effective Communications in Healthcare, Personal Development in Healthcare, Stress Management Program, and Conflict Resolution and Management Program, which are essential in delivering frontline healthcare services.


As a nurse myself, I have experienced a stressful environment in a healthcare setting. Thus I have imparted programs that I believed would help deal with day-to-day operations and whenever needed in times of future crisis.

The Medical frontliners globally are well trained to handle difficult situations even in times of health crisis like the pandemic issue. They are equipped with the essential gears of knowledge, skills, and wisdom. They are ready for the battle anytime they are tested or challenged.

They are put on the frontline because they have the most willpower, are the bravest, and are ready to die in service for us.


The medical frontliners are our modern-day heroes. In this health crisis, they defend us all against unseen invaders. They fight for our survival, and they die for us to live. That's the most heroic deed they can do for us. 

We honor and salute our medical frontliners for their utmost dedication and service. Like us, they deserve to survive this battle, and they also deserve to live their best life. Let's protect them by doing our share. Let's help them stay and live. 

© 2020 Del Cusay