The COVID-19 pandemic surely has been a challenging time for everyone on so many levels. But one of the good things born out of it was that we were forced to tap into our ingenuity.
It has taught us how to think outside the box and adapt to new ways of doing things, just so our needs are met, and life can go on despite the uncertainties.
Thanks to technology, we were able to continue doing important things such as buying essentials, working, learning, and so much more.
Now more than ever, we realize the important role that technology plays in our lives. Communication tools such as chat apps with video call feature and video conference apps such as Zoom proved to be very useful in keeping people connected.
Moreover, these communication tools have evolved into so much more during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have helped keep businesses operational and workers employed.
Some companies had to shift to purely online operations during the lockdown, while some launched their very own online platform to better serve the public, who are advised to stay home and keep safe.
Undoubtedly, the world has changed in so many ways and lives have been disrupted with the new routines and lifestyle we had to adapt to. This new way of living is what we now call the 'new normal.'
And clearly, a big part of the 'new normal' is all about pivoting most of our activities online or creating virtual versions of the things we used to do and enjoy in person.
Whether this 'new normal' is here to stay or we soon go back to how things were is still uncertain.
But for now, let's reminisce about all the things that went virtual this 2020 and reflect on their impact on our lives in this photo gallery.
Although online grocery shopping has been around for a while, not a lot of people patronized it until the pandemic happened. A lot of online grocery stores popped up during the early days of the quarantine period, as people grew leery of stepping out of their homes, due to fear of contracting COVID-19.
The need for social or physical distancing led to the option of working from home. Although some professionals have been doing remote work for a while, many were shocked by the new set up. Not everyone has a proper home office setup or work area at home, or an internet connection that can keep up with the demands of their work. So, many had to improvise and wing it. Some even had to use a pile of books as laptop stand during the early days of the quarantine.
Of course, schools had to close temporarily, too, to keep the students safe. Just like adults who needed to adjust to remote work, students also had to adapt to distance learning. It definitely wasn't easy for both kids and their parents.
Show business was one of the industries that was hit hard by the pandemic, as non-essential gatherings such as tapings or shoots were prohibited during the enhanced community quarantine. Nevertheless, creatives found a way to produce TV shows despite not being able to be physically together. Zoom and other video chat apps played a huge part in enabling people to continue working, not just in the entertainment industry, but also in other fields.
The events industry also suffered a major blow due to quarantine restrictions amid the pandemic. Many have lost projects and had to pivot to another job or business for the time being. Fortunately, some events were able to push through online such as product launches, virtual runs, and many others.
Zoom parties also became a thing during the early days of the quarantine period. Families and friends who can't be physically together to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays had to “gather” and celebrate through video calls.
Reunions of all sorts still pushed through this year online. From family reunions, high school and college reunions to showbiz reunions, all of these happened via Zoom or other video chat apps. Although there are no hugs and beso-beso exchanged, the joy of seeing each other again and being able to catch up remains.
Alden Richards made history again this year as he treated Kapuso fans to a virtual concert called 'Alden's Reality,' a first of its kind in the Philippines. It became a trending topic on Twitter Philippines and gained rave reviews.
Couples also had to resort to virtual dates during the early days of the lockdown and get creative on online activities they can do together.
When gyms and fitness centers were prohibited to operate, especially during the enhanced community quarantine, workout sessions and fitness classes had to go online.
Graduation rites still pushed through this year with the help of video chat apps and streaming platforms. Although it's quite different from the traditional graduation ceremony, fresh graduates were still somehow able to celebrate this milestone achievement in their lives.
Although webinars and online certificate courses have been around for some time, it became more prevalent and popular during the lockdown. Those who wanted to be productive while staying safe at home opted to enroll in certificate courses or participate in webinars to further their knowledge and skills.
With many people getting laid-off from companies that shut down or suffered great losses, there were plenty of unemployed individuals looking for job opportunities during the quarantine period. Plus, there were also fresh graduates hoping to get hired for their first job. Luckily, some companies continued to hire staff, and job interviews now are done online through video chat apps.
Art pieces are best viewed up close and in person. But during the lockdown period, museums had to close since it's difficult to maintain social distancing in a packed place such as a museum. Nevertheless, some museums offered the next best alternative to physical tours: a virtual tour!
Some bazaars or fairs also had to go online this year such as the Maarte Fair and the Noel Bazaar. Through their online shopping platforms, people can have sa safer shopping experience.
Some beauty pageants, especially those held during the early phase of the quarantine period, opted to go virtual this year. An example of this is the Miss Philippines Earth 2020 pageant which aired on GMA-7.
During the early days of the lockdown, people were advised to refrain from coming to the hospital for non-emergency concerns, as the risk of contracting COVID-19 is very high. Thanks to telemedicine or online consultation with doctors, people with non-life-threatening medical concerns, can get the medical advice they need without having to go to the hospital.