“What’s making us happy” is our weekly list of things we are drooling over or things we bought by impulse or purposefully as of late—anything to distract us from this gloomy quarantine and maddening real world
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For Elaine Domingo, days in quarantine have been filled with opportunities for self-improvement and different forms of art. Her mornings are spent on a 30-minute exercise routine, while her nights are filled with new shows and music, or sometimes a few drinks.
Her work as brand manager of Japanese avant garde brand Comme des Garçons and streetwear store Hoodwink has “chugged along,” although it’s been “recalibrated so that we get to spend more time at home.” The shift to a work-from-home setup has allowed her to explore new hobbies, which include “listening intently to records, actually finishing books, lighting up previously un-lived parts of the house.
“I have also learned to read myself using a deck of cards,” she says.
Between work and hobbies, she makes sure to spend time with her loved ones through “kisses for me boys” and a playful romp with “lolo-puppy” Pierre.
Aside from savoring their companionship, she’s also been holding onto a few small joys to brighten up the lockdown.
A family portrait by Jacklyn Zapatos
“One of the things that made me happy in isolation was this family portrait by @dolldalitas.”
Team Dance Studio jazz classes
“Online jazz classes held by Team Dance Studio moved and grooved me out of societal funk midway ECQ! I learned Bob Fosse’s “All That Jazz” in one afternoon. I couldn’t believe it!”
Wildflower Finds and Glorious Dias dasters
“As in most cases, quarantine had me caring better for my home. And my dasters. I grew my collection with the help of my electric amigas’ shops—Wildflower Finds and Glorious Dias.”
Corn stoneware from Eres Bellé Ceramics, Cura Cura PH and Happy Finds MNL
“Guilty of having done my fair share of “mining” in ceramic/stoneware kwebas, I’ve also started growing a Mais Minindal Set for no good reason,” she adds.
Filipiniana cassettes from Victorious Secret HQ
“A monthly record vinyl “pasabuy” was salvation initiated by my good friends with questionable habits. My cherished quarantunes, however, are from this set of Filipiniana cassettes from Victorious Secret HQ,” says Domingo.
Pinoy Practical Magic tarot deck
“Lastly (and most unexpectedly), I have this Pinoy pop culture tarot deck by Practical Magic. A friend had shared this for the artista imagery, but it got me tapping into my benign balasadora (card shuffler) fantasies.”
While Elaine has been holding on to these small joys during quarantine, she’s still looking forward to spontaneous experiences once we’re back to a quarantine-free world.
She lists down a few: “Swim in open waters, sleep under a tree. Do some impromptu pasyal (trips). Merienda amongst strangers. Hide out in small cinemas. Embrace friends and family.”
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