Silver Linings Playbook

By: Aiya Rodjel, Senior Editorial Associate

The COVID-19 pandemic has put the world at a standstill. No billionaire, celebrity, politician or even royalty is exempted from the perils of this global phenomenon. However, history has proven that no matter what crisis humanity faces, the spirit of resilience and our innate kindness reign supreme.

When we all do our part, whether it be working at the frontlines, donating money, supplies, and other resources to the frontliners and those gravely affected or even simply staying at home, we can be the silver linings amidst this terrible storm.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the marketing and events industries immensely as a lot of events and other activities have been put on hold or cancelled. However, despite the impact of this pandemic, different agencies throughout the country have stepped up to the plate, and demonstrated how everyone can be a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty we face today. Below is a list of awesome bayanihan efforts, or what we aptly call a few pages from today’s Silver Linings Playbook:

(Photo source: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-qo4ACA-t4/)

Different companies from the lights and sounds industry recently mounted We Light As One, a one-hour fundraising event that brought together companies such as Disco Record Center, Video Sonic, Midi Monsterz Lights, and Ignite Pro Sounds Inc. for the benefit of frontline healthcare workers in the fight against COVID-19. For cash donations, you may deposit to Domingo Junior E. Serrano (BPI Savings Account: 3889 065779) or Liam Xander Serrano (BDO Account: 002150301209).

(Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/leathercollection/photos/pb.100263003394597.-2207520000../2915063901914479/?type=3&theater)

The Leather Collection, a genuine leather gifts and handicrafts company, in collaboration with the De La Salle Benilde School of Fashion, converted its production warehouse into making Personal Protective Equipment of PPEs, which are in short supply to many of our frontline medical workers.

(Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/lakihanmologo/photos/p.3353345694697485/3353345694697485/?type=1&theater)

Lakihan Mo Logo, a group of artists and advertisers, created Aidvertising, a fundraising campaign that aims to help ease the financial burden of advertising production professionals whose incomes are usually earned on a daily basis.

(Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/FrontlineFeedersPH/photos/a.111310097163588/111310027163595/?type=3&theater)

RockEdPhilippines, the alternative education group, along with food and catering businesses such as Commune Philippines,and The Plaza Catering, banded together to form Frontline Feeders Philippines, a group that provides medical frontliners with nutritious, freshly cooked meals.

(Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1527435530752342&set=p.1527435530752342&type=1&theater)

In aid of our Muslim frontliners who might not be able to eat the food other donors have given them, Alzaky Foods, a supplier for fresh and Halal-certified whole chicken, launched a Halal food donation drive for Muslim frontliners in Metro Manila.

(Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/FDCP.ph/photos/a.1147811188617459/2817149201683641/?type=3&theater)

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the national agency tasked to promote and support the development and growth of the Philippine film industry, has released more than PHP4.5 million from its reallocated funds through the Disaster/Emergency Assistance and Relief (DEAR) Program, providing financial support to freelance audio-visual (AV) content workers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

(Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/CanvaPhilippines/photos/a.135963214470824/248027019931109/?type=3&theater)

Canva, a global design platform, recently announced it is providing all public health organizations around the world, including the Philippines, free lifetime licenses for Canva Pro, its online graphic design tool, to aid in the efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/WorldTradeCenterMMOfficial/photos/a.1743422369130103/3177869912352001/?type=3&theater)

The Investment & Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP) Group, and its affiliate company, Manila Exposition Complex, Inc. (MEC), and The Ayala Group, helped convert the World Trade Center Manila into the “WTC: We Heal As One Center” COVID-19 facility. This initiative addresses the looming gap in health care centers in the country.

(Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/TeamAsiaPH/photos/rpp.76985243247/10157706152688248/?type=3&theater)

The Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers, Inc.(PACEOS), a non-profit association composed of professional event/exhibition/convention organizers and their partners in business, recently hosted a free webinar about how the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry is tackling issues and challenges during this pandemic. They also discussed how stakeholders are adapting to the new normal and finding ways to pivot the business and sector, proving how nurturing the community is.

(Photo source: https://www.teamasia.com/healing-the-nation-and-restoring-faith-in-humanity/?fbclid=IwAR1nphUau7Mx-Mvf8FuzjojdI4lwI19IhzRMrc_nPrqxQVJDZG_rBpoTB1Y)

At the home front, we at TeamAsia recently aided the Quezon City local government in setting up 175 units of shell booth systems in Quezon City University. To add to that, our team has been consistently posting content on our different platforms to spread some hope and inspiration amidst these trying times. Plus, we recently launched an exciting new podcast called B2B: Breakfast to Business to share insights on the business side and how to navigate with the changing landscape together. Our first episode recounted our experience during the SARS outbreak in 2003, and how we can be beacons of hope today.

While these efforts alone cannot miraculously stop the global COVID-19 pandemic, when we all work together, we can make great things happen. The little things eventually add up to the big things, and we can all play a role in becoming much needed silver linings amidst the terrible storm.

If you want to share what your agency or organization is doing to take part to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic, send us an e-mail @info@teamasia.com.