Rico Blanco returns with inspiring new anthem “This Too Shall Pass”

After a four-year hiatus in making songs of his own, Rico Blanco returns with a rousing new anthem to help us deal with the uncertainty of the times.

This Too Shall Pass is Rico Blanco’s first solo single in four years, as well as his first under Sony Music Philippines. The song was written from a place of discomfort and fear, witnessing how the much louder tremor of pandemic anxiety instantly changed our lives and left us with little time to mourn and move forward.

With frontliners risking their lives with little protection, people going hungry, and the social order crumbling to pieces, Rico felt powerless by the situation. Hence, he had to forego his difficulties of living alone and coping with his own emotional troubles, as there was work to be done. He shares, “My efforts are little in light of a pandemic like this. As big as my imagination is for this song, I also feel that it’s not enough. But it’s what I can do and contribute as a musician.”  

This Too Shall Pass succeeds in repurposing music’s mission: Outside of its function as an entertainment fodder and a way to escape, it carries the resilience of the human spirit. In darkness, it shines brighter. 

The big, sprawling pop tune is his most personal to date, which he struggled over the course of two weeks to finish, and almost did not. “Some songs are anchored on truth, but they are wrapped and adorned in a lot of romanticized thoughts,” he shares. “This song is real, inwards and also outwards; it’s something that I really want to tell every single person. I wasn’t able to give a message to the frontliners, and I feel very guilty about this. I needed to finish this, and I want them to hear this. I know each one of us is going through something. I wrote this song as my way to reach out.” 

With sonic elements that span continents and a carefully honed production which he supervised himself, Rico’s latest single defies convention with a global sounding opus that incorporates musical dispatches and personal anecdotes. From samples of his nieces laughing culled from a family chat group to his attempt to blur the cultural lines by incorporating European techno, hip-hop beats, Asian riffs, Afro chanting, and Pinoy fiesta in a seamless, genre-bending extravaganza, This Too Shall Pass is ambitious in scope and sound design, but its heart is for the people who need light and love.

There’s a sliver of joy in finding one of the most prolific artists emerge from a long silence. As Sony Music’s GM Philippines and VP Business Development Asia, Ms. Roslyn Pineda sums it up: “Music is important – we all know this.  But never more so than when we are faced with uncertainty, because it is then that the power of music becomes unquantifiable, almost limitless.  Music can make you feel you’re not alone. Music can save you from despair. And so it is with a song like This Too Shall Pass.  It is so relevant to the times that it becomes a declaration, a prayer, a mantra -- all rolled into one.”

Rico Blanco’s “This Too Shall Pass” is now available on all digital platforms worldwide. Watch out for the music video to be released soon.

Source: Nyou

Speakoutsam At 3

Happy third birthday to my blog, www.speakoutsam.com! I will keep this entry short and sweet, as we are all on quarantine anyway. Here are some things I learned while being a blogger:

1. Networking is simply an exercise in communicating your why. In my case, I share my passion for social entrepreneurship, handmade, and positive thinking. There is nothing intimidating with being myself when facing others.

2. My blog can be used as a landing page for my Human Nature online store (please support! We deliver during the ECQ!). My blog entries have also served as a means for my customers to get to know me better.

3. I am thankful to all the companies and institutions for their trust. My blog has enabled me to attend learning and networking events at places such as the ADB, AIM, PCC, Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, Shopee, Zapateria, and CITEM. No story is too simple to share. By being my authentic self, I am able to earn the trust of these companies. I am grateful for the seminars, events, and opportunities which I enjoy through this blog.

4. I am grateful for the blogger community for welcoming me and making me a part of their world. I enjoy learning from fellow bloggers and I hope to see them again after the quarantine!

5. It is possible to use my blog to share what is good and right. I love featuring small businesses and local brands.

Thank you for being a part of my journey! I pray that www.speakoutsam.com will grow and be filled with more meaningful stories.

God bless us all!

Limitless Entrepreneur Day 3

I just finished Day 3 of the Limitless Entrepreneur Retreat by mastermind coach Melyssa Griffin. I crocheted earsavers while watching the video for the day, and completed the module in between batches of crocheted bands. I like working this way because my mind is alert and I am able to seamlessly integrate my volunteer work with my lockdown learning routine.

Here are my lessons learned for the day:

1. My blog, www.speakoutsam.com, has become a platform for me to share my thoughts on volunteerism and the small businesses I support. I plan to continue showing up on this blog as often as I can. I am sharing my life because I believe that living intentionally can help my audience and connect me with like-minded individuals.

2. My Human Nature online store (please buy today and support my small business!) has not just become my primary income source during the lockdown. It has also become my calling card of sorts. I believe that social entrepreneurship is the way to go as I can support myself while helping the needy at the same time. I am thankful that Human Nature is a company that produces essentials, which is why I continue to be in business during the pandemic. I hope to continue thriving beyond the quarantine period.

3. Volunteering for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH as a crocheter has given me an abundance mindset. I no longer think that I don’t have enough resources because so far, I was able to provide more than 400 earsavers to frontliners. I am still making for some pending requests. Helping others has helped me change my thinking and perspective.

I am excited to learn more in the coming days!

60 for QMMC

I dispatched 60 earsavers yesterday to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC). I sent 50 to the Emergency Room frontliners and 10 to the OB OR frontliners. I am very proud to serve this hospital, as it is a public institution. I have high respect for healthcare workers who dedicate their lives to serving our country in this challenging time.

I am still volunteering for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH as a crocheter. We have recently reached the 10,000 earsavers donation mark, and I am very happy to be a part of this milestone. The team behind this nonprofit has migrated the organization to a Facebook Group where crafters, frontliners, and donors can DIY their requests using specific formats.

We hope to see you there, so that we will continue to craft earsavers for our brave lifesavers!

Photo provided by Dr. Riz Remulla of QMMC

Photo provided by Dr. Riz Remulla of QMMC

Limitless Entrepreneur Day 2

I just finished Day 2 of The Limitless Entrepreneur Retreat by mastermind coach and podcast host Melyssa Griffin. I accomplished this after a Zoom meeting and in between crocheting earsavers.

I am on this short course not because I want to launch my own coaching business, but because I want to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. I already have a Human Nature online store (yes, please support my small biz!), and right now, I am busy with my freelance writing job.

After the enhanced community quarantine period, I am planning to return to the workforce. I cannot do so without knowing what I can offer to my employer and how I can apply my entrepreneurial mindset to thrive in my career. This is why I am attending webinars, completing courses such as this one, listening to podcast, and taking ownership of my volunteer work for Earsavers for Lifesavers while on quarantine. Every aspect of my life leads to this shift in mindset which I hope can push me to achieve greater things and maximize my potential.

Here are my answers to some of the questions Melyssa asked on Day 2:

What struggle or problem will you focus on solving for your audience? Alternatively, what desire or longing will you help them achieve?

Remember, aim for something they need help with *right now* and that is essential for them. This will help you offer them what they need, exactly when they need it the most.

• I have writing and communication skills which can benefit my employer

• I am able to creatively pivot during difficult situations. An example of this would be my task to make earsavers for frontliners while on quarantine.

  • This has further strengthened my desire to get involved with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Who’s the ideal client for this offer? What’s the outcome or transformation your future clients will experience after purchasing your products or services?

Describe what their life is like before working with you and what it looks like afterwards. What has changed? How has their life improved? How do they feel now that their problem is solved / their desire is fulfilled?

• I want to make my employer or supervisor feel that they can trust me to communicate their message to their target audience through my output.

  • I will do so by practicing empathy. This will let me know how my client actually feels and let me produce more effective output for them.

Which format would fit your offer the most?

There are quite a few online options you can select from, such as one-on-one services, group services, online courses, e-books, templates, workbooks, and more. If you let your intuition guide you here, which format sounds the most enjoyable to you? Also, which format works best for the content or information you’d like to sell?

• I still prefer to work in a traditional 9 to 5 job for a corporate or SME setting. A social enterprise, startup, or education company will also be suitable for my work ethic and thinking process.

• I enjoy writing blog posts, articles, researching on market trends, CSR practices, and watching webinars to learn from industry experts in real time.

• I can also multitask. I am able to balance work with volunteer work.

This course has enabled me to pinpoint my communication skills as my top employable feature. I know that getting employed after the lockdown will be challenging, but I know that it is possible through technology and design thinking.

I also realized that my passion for volunteerism is an asset. I can help my employer serve their community while realizing the corporate values of our company. This will also fuel my personal life as I find joy in serving others and those in need.

I have faith in myself now, even amidst this pandemic!

Limitless Entrepreneur Day 1

I am currently taking Melyssa Griffin’s Limitless Entrepreneur Retreat online. It’s day 1 for me, and I am excited to go on this learning journey whilst on quarantine. I will be sharing my progress here on my blog because I believe that sharing my vulnerability and areas of improvement can help others too.

I have a Human Nature online store (please support! We deliver during the Enhanced Community Quarantine!) that I operate from home. Aside from that, my motivation for completing this retreat is to get to know myself better and have a more entrepreneurial mindset. I strongly believe that this mindset will enable me to thrive better in a post-pandemic world.

Here are my answers to the journaling questions that Melyssa asked prior to joining the retreat:

1. What attachments do you have in your life that you are noticing more than usual? This could include your relationship with money, time, stability, certainty, routines, and relationships with people around you.

• Dependence on routine

• My relationship with scarcity as we live in a world with finite resources

• My attitude towards pain and loss

• My uncertainty about the future

2. What stories have you created around those attachments? Are you attached to money, and therefore fearful of spending? Are you attached to your role as a parent, and finding it hard to allow yourself to work with your kids home from school? Are you attached to your daily routine, and therefore feeling uprooted as things are changing quickly?

• I am still living on a schedule to maximize my productivity

• I am scared to spend money

• I find it difficult to appreciate some blessings that I have because of the thinking that all of this will eventually disappear

• Grief, which persists amidst this pandemic

• I try to create small wins whilst at home to have some certainty during the present (ex. I make earsavers for our frontliners)

3. When you think of the story you have created from this attachment (for example, "I feel like I no longer have control over my schedule"), where do you feel it in your body? (It’s common to feel this in your chest or stomach area.)

• I feel it in my chest.

  • There is a certain heaviness that I feel whenever I process how uncertain the future or my schedule will be in the world we live in.

4. What is a more empowering way you could reframe this story? For example, if your story says, "money is going to be hard to make right now, and I’m going to suffer because of it," perhaps you could reframe it to, "I’m being gifted an opportunity to think of creative, money-making ideas that I otherwise wouldn’t have thought of."Or "I’m always amazed by how money finds its way to me -- I’m a magnet for money!"

• “I am being given all this time to help our frontliners by crocheting earsavers for them. By scheduling my crafting routine, I get to make earsavers while enjoying the things I love, such as watching movies, webinars, and listening to podcasts. I also improve my communication skills by coordinating with my team members at Earsavers for Lifesavers PH and chatting with frontliners online. I also ensure that my quarantine story is being shared in real time via my blog, speakoutsam.com.”

5. What does it look like for you to embody this new belief? What do you need to release?

• It feels refreshing as it is a totally new way of reframing the quarantine for me.

6. What’s possible for you and your business now that you have adapted and embodied this new belief?

• It is possible to thrive in a pandemic because communication and self-determination are still possible while staying healthy and safe at home.

30 For Fabella

I dispatched 30 earsavers to the Department of Pediatrics of the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital Department of Pediatrics today. It was heartwarming to receive this assignment because according to contact person Dr. Jillian Santiago, they have some recovered pediatric covid patients already. It is my hope that my simple earsavers will help them do their work with ease and comfort.

For this batch, I used hand-dyed cotton yarn from Dreams Yarnshoppe. I am drawn to the blue and white hues of these earsavers, as it calming and pleasing to the eye.

I am still volunteering for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH, a nonprofit committed to connecting crafters with frontliners who need earsavers during the pandemic. I find joy in staying at home and helping our brave frontliners heal the sick. The Covid-19 virus may be deadly, but our healthcare workers have proven to the world that there is a sense of humanity in this crisis. It is up to us backliners to support them in any way we can.

Pattern used for the earsavers I make is by AmiEriCrafts.

To volunteer as a crafter, delivery angel, or materials sponsor, please reach out to Earsavers for Lifesavers PH today! And let us continue to stay home and help our frontliners from a distance.

God bless us all!

Crocheting Discipline

I dispatched 50 earsavers to the Karangalan Health Center today. It is an important hub to contain the Covid-19 outbreak in Pasig City. My grade school friend, Tosca, is a nurse and frontliner at this health center. It is my hope that my earsavers will somehow bring comfort and joy to amidst the challenges that come with flattening the curve.

This lockdown has been full of surprises for me so far. I am religiously posting my flute covers on my Instagram account on a daily basis. I have finished a couple of scarves while at home, including this crocheted scarf which I am particularly fond of because I stitched it while watching Crash Landing On You. My Human Nature online store (please buy and support my business!) has been doing well as I still ship orders via LBC during the enhanced community quarantine. I have even completed a t-shirt yarn basket to hold my works-in-progress or as we fondly call them in the crafting world, WIPs. Most of all, I finished crocheting an amigurumi Frontline Hero Bear (pattern can be downloaded for free here).

However, the biggest quarantine surprise for me is Earsavers for Lifesavers PH. I never imagined that I would still be able to help flatten the curve from home, but I managed to do my share. So far, I have already crocheted 343 earsavers to 7 partner institutions that are fighting Covid-19. I am one with the frontliners in their selfless service to caring for the sick.

Making earsavers (pattern is from crochet entrepreneur and teacher AmiEriCrafts) has instilled in me the discipline to create during an uncertain time. It has empowered me to help our frontliners in the comfort of my own home. This has given meaning and substance to a seemingly endless quarantine period.

I must say that I have also improved my multitasking skills because I was able to finish batches of earsavers while watching educational webinars, listening to podcasts, joining meetings via Zoom, watching movies, and get this- enjoying concerts from my favorite artists such as Ebe Dancel and Lea Salonga via livestream.

Crocheting earsavers has also been an application of design thinking. The problem of ear pain from wearing medical-grade masks has motivated crafters to make earsavers. I personally applied a pattern which I saw on YouTube, and continued making them using materials which I already own.

The best part is knowing that I am able to help alleviate pain. I was able to chat with some of the frontliners who received my earsavers. I was relieved that my handmade earsavers are working fine, and that they no longer experience having rashes or blisters on their ears.

It is really rewarding to know that my small contributions have helped our frontliners cure the sick.

I reward myself after completing each batch of earsavers (a batch consists of 30-50 pieces) by knitting scarves. Knitting after crocheting is similar to programming using a different language after coding with another one. It is like a massage to my mind and a comfort to my hands.

I am thankful that I found this group of crocheters who simply want to help our frontliners through earsavers and crochet (or knitting and sewing). I am continuing the practice of making earsavers for as long as my yarn supply permits.

For now, let us all stay home and try to do our share to help flatten the curve!

Aia, Barbie and Kitchie to hold online concert for the benefit of music venue workers

Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, and Kitchie Nadal are teaming up with GNN (formerly known as Gabi Na NamanProductions) and Smirnoff Mule for a special digital concert to raise funds for the employees and workers of live music venues in Metro Manila.

Happening on May 1, Friday at 8:00 pm, the Facebook show will serve as the third installment of their critically acclaimed, sold-out concert, Secrets and will be streamed live on the trio’s official Facebook page.   

The initiative is part of the alternative rock icons’ ongoing efforts to help the music community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a primer to GNN’s 5thanniversary celebration.

“Deprived of operating to serve people with live entertainment, music venues have temporarily shut down, and are struggling to manage their overhead expenses,” says Gabi Na Naman Productions’ Milley Habito, one of the executive producers of Secrets III: An Online Concert featuring Aia, Barbie and Kitchie. “Thanks to the girls, we’ll be given a chance to cover some of the funds needed to support employees and workers of independent music venues and bars. We cannot imagine a vibrant, bustling music scene without these people who have dedicated their lives in helping run the gigs. The waiters, cooks, kitchen helpers, cashiers, parking attendants, food servers, tech guys, security personnel and other employees deserve our help too.” 

Some of the confirmed beneficiaries include independent music venues such as Route 196, Mow’s, Saguijo Café & Bar, Jess and Pat’s, ‘70s Bistro, 123 Block, Social House and more to be announced.

The star-studded fundraiser and concert will also feature never-before-heard collaborations among the three award-winning singer-songwriters, as well as individual performances featuring their Greatest Hits and rarities. 

source: GNN

Quarantine Joys

The enhanced community quarantine or ECQ has been challenging for all of us. We all miss our routines and our normal lives. However, I also believe that I should not take this time for granted. Life is too short, so we have to make the most out of what we have.

Here are some of the simple joys that make my quarantine memorable:

1. I enjoy driving to buy bread at Pan De Manila Maginhawa branch. I miss my foodie street, and I am glad that the bakery where I regularly buy bread, ice cream, and 3in1 coffee is open to serve us.

2. I really get excited whenever I receive my online purchases! Here I am with my box of coffee from LazMart.

3. And here I am overjoyed to receive my yarn stash from Baguio-based artisan Crocheted by Carisse. Guys, let us continue supporting small businesses during the ECQ. They need all the help during this difficult time.

I will never take my blessings for granted again! Simple joys make my quarantine meaningful and memorable. I hope that you also have some everyday miracles that define your lockdown.

God bless us all!

50 for JRRMMC

I donated 30 earsavers to our brave frontliners at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC) Internal Medicine department. The last photo was provided for me by Dr. Kim Acosta, one of JRRMMC’s frontline heroes.

It was fun to crochet this batch while listening to podcasts. The quarantine and Covid-19 pandemic has caused me to feel anxious and insomniac, so the crocheting definitely helped provide a sense of calm. I am hoping and praying that a cure and a vaccine will be discovered soon.

For now, I will continue crocheting earsavers for frontliners! If you also crochet, knit, or sew, please connect with Earsavers for Lifesavers PH. They also accept sponsors for deliveries and notions such as yarns and buttons.

God bless the Philippines!

50 More For VMMC

I dispatched 50 earsavers yesteday to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center Outpatient Department. They kindly shared to me the last photo in this post. I feel fulfilled that I am doing my share in helping our frontliners even while at home. I volunteer for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH, a nonprofit that aims to connect crocheters, knitters, and sewers so that we can make earsavers for our frontline heroes. The process may be tedious because everything is handmade, but the rewarding feeling is unlike any other. This project is truly the highlight of my quarantine.

If you are a crafter, or if you can sponsor deliveries of earsavers, please visit Earsavers for Lifesavers PH! Help frontliners feel more comfortable while battling Covid-19 today!

Ramen at Home

Yesterday, my mom and I had delicious Yummy Tokyo ramen for dinner. They were kind enough to send me Make-at-Home ramen kits to enjoy while on quarantine. My mom cooked them- I chose miso for her, and curry ramen for me. Both were delicious!

Yummy Tokyo has invited me to the opening of their Ortigas branch right before the community quarantine was enforced. It was my last blogger event before the lockdown. I am grateful for their generosity, and for remembering me during this pandemic. I really appreciate the ramen kits as it gave me a foodie advenuture at the comfort of my own home.

If you want your own Make-at-Home ramen kits, please order from Yummy Tokyo today! They are delicious and truly worth your money.

Stay safe and healthy at home, friends!

Earsavers for VMMC

I sent 50 earsavers yesterday to the dialysis unit of Veterans Memorial Medical Center. My high school friend Helen is a frontliner there. As a nurse, she explained to me that they are already using band aids to relieve the pain caused by the garter in face masks. It made me happy that this batch of earsavers went to her team, and that I was able to serve a hospital in my neighborhood.

I am still volunteering as a crocheter for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH. If you can crochet, knit or sew, please consider making earsavers for our frontline heroes. You may also sponsor deliveries to hospitals.

May God bless all our frontliners and may we find a vaccine and cure to Covid-19 soon!

Quarantine Flutist

I started playing the flute again on a daily basis since the enhanced community quarantine was declared. I made sure to get some music into my life while at home. This helped me fight cabin fever, as well as cheer me up on days when I badly missed exploring the city. Learning a new song each day has also showed me that I am capable of doing and executing actions. Indeed, I am still thriving at 33.

Check out my flute covers on my Instagram account. I try to post a song each day while on quarantine. You may also find previews of all my lockdown performances on my Highlights, aptly titled “Flute Jams'“.

See you there!

Human Nature Fan

I recently went to the Human Nature Flagship Store to purchase some orders. My client lives in an area inaccessible by the courier, so I did the shipping myself. These small gestures of kindness go a long way during the quarantine. A bag of natural toiletries really makes a difference in making someone’s day. If you need anything for your personal and home care needs, please support my Human Nature Online Shop by clicking here!

My bestsellers include our shampoo bar, which I personally love. It makes my hair smooth and shiny! Another bestseller is our strengthening conditioner, and of course, our cleansing bars.

Do support my store! Together, let us make each day under quarantine count, naturally.

Carrying On

I just finished crocheting a batch of fifty earsavers for World Citi Medical Center. I volunteer for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH, a nonprofit focused on bringing crocheters and knitters together to craft earsavers for frontliners. Just like my first batch of donations, I used the pattern by the talented AmiEriCrafts.

I learned through crocheting several earsavers that establishing good habits has prepared me for the pandemic. Even before the lockdown, I was used to crocheting while in a meeting, commuting, or watching movies. I was never idle. Now that I am under quarantine, I am still crocheting both to help our frontliners and to decompress in between completed batches of earsavers.

I am also used to multitasking. I am still able to squeeze in some work in between crocheting for my Human Nature online shop (please support by clicking here!) and freelance writing job. I am also an avid listener of podcasts while working and crafting. Indeed, I am trained for the quarantine.

I do look forward to the day that this lockdown will be lifted. For now, I am enjoying the privilege to serve our frontliners from home.

May we all thrive during this difficult but educational time!

Battle Crafter

I decided to make more earsavers. I do not know for sure how many I can finish with my limited yarn supply, but I am trying to make more. Our frontliners need them to prevent their ears from becoming irritated by the garters in medical-grade masks. I am amazed that something so small works wonders to boost the morale of our tired doctors and nurses. If I can make more earsavers to cheer up our heroic frontliners, then i will do so.

It is interesting that crocheting and knitting for our frontliners in the age of Covid-19 is similar to Knitting for Victory during World War !!. We are battling an unseen virus now, so we must all do our share to ease the burden that our frontliners are carrying. We can all do more good if we will work together.

Now is not the time to stay negative and fight amongst each other. Instead, let us all help our frontliners win the war against Covid-19. To be a delivery sponsor or crafter of earsavers, please message Earsavers for Lifesavers.

God bless us all!

Earsavers for Easter

I finished crocheting 113 earsavers last Easter Sunday. I dispatched them through Earsavers for Lifesavers, a nonprofit that aims to pool crocheters and knitters together to make earsavers for frontliners.

I received this photo from Nurse JC of Chinese Gen, who was one of the recipients of my creations. It warmed my heart to see my handmade earsaver in action. It is very fulfilling to crochet for our frontliners, and I feel honored to be able to help out from home.

Please consider donating as a delivery sponsor or volunteering as a crocheter or knitter for Earsavers for Lifesavers. We can all work together to provide ease and comfort to our frontliners, one earsaver at a time.

Hooking for Frontliners

Yesterday, I delivered 113 earsavers to frontliners. I crocheted these bands to prevent ears from being irritated by the garter of medical-grade face masks. Our health care workers on the frontline are already overburdened as it is. Little things such as these earsavers can go a long way in providing comfort and cheer during this pandemic.

I am working with Earsavers for Lifesavers PH, a nonprofit that aims to pool together crocheters and knitters to make earsavers for our frontline heroes. There are knit and crochet patterns written by the talented fiber artist Amiericrafts on her Facebook page. She also has a pattern for buttons to close the loop on these bands.

Please help us make more earsavers for our modern-day heroes as they fight Covid-19! Visit Earsavers for Lifesavers PH today to volunteer as a crocheter/knitter, delivery angel, or to request for earsavers if you work at a hospital.

God bless us all!