Robi Domingo: 5 Things That Make Me Happy And Keep Me Inspired These Days
The Star Magic artist shares the five Fs that inspire him to keep going
"I don't like adjusting to the new normal, I like shaping my new normal. It gives me a sense of control," host and vlogger Robi Domingo points out. Like many Filipinos coping with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was left with no other choice but to work from home (WFH), admittedly a privilege he's grateful to have.
"When you talk about work, you need to be physically there, sa studio, sa stage, you meet lots of people. And when you work from home, it's a certain privilege kasi dapat dekalidad 'yung equipment mo," he shares in his YouTube channel as he details his WFH essentials.
For an on-the-go young celebrity like Robi, whose calendar used to be filled with hosting gigs left and right in different places in and out of the country, suddenly being confined in a makeshift studio at home practically all day was unthinkable. It took everyone by surprise. And while we've been under quarantine for almost half a year now, some are still figuring out the best way to work from home, mindful of how to really draw that all-important demarcation line between work and home.
A change in perspective could help one make more sense of his or her purpose during these trying times. A little world play did it for Robi. He says that instead of thinking it as "working from home," he considered it as "working for home." See how one word can offer a whole new meaning to a concept, and allow us to see the situation from a different angle. When Robi thinks about his family, his friends, and his fellow Filipinos who are all struggling with this unprecedented health crisis, it gives him the motivation and inspiration to keep going.
We caught up with Robi during the virtual press conference of Tiger Crackers, one of the many online events he's been doing since the quarantine was implemented in mid-March. The local cracker brand he's endorsing recently launched new distinctly Pinoy flavors ensaymada and leche flan along with the classic plain variant, which Robi finds perfect as guilt-free snacks in between his work-from-home commitments or as post-workout treats (hey, it's just 120 calories per pack of crackers!).
Stress and anxiety are unavoidable these days, while happiness seems elusive. So, to inspire others to find simple joys and silver linings at home, he shared with Metro.Style the five different spheres that make him happiest these days. After all, he says, "We can never get enough of good news especially these days."
1. Family
If there's anything that life under quarantine has given Robi, that's unlimited time with his family. The pandemic has brought them closer and stronger together. They now have lots of opportunities to bond and embrace each other with such reassuring presence.
One bonding activity of Robi and his mom is watching K-Dramas together. She'd always ask him, "Anak, ano bang papanoorin natin?" Currently, Robi is watching the 2018 series My Secret Terrius starring So Ji-sub and Jung In-sun. The other K-Dramas he watched include Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, What's Wrong With Secretary Kim, Crash Landing on You, Descendants of the Sun, and Strong Woman Do Bong Soon.
When he isn't working and spending time with his family at home, Robi makes sure to catch up with his girlfriend, Maiqui Pineda, because they could no longer see each other as often as they used to pre-pandemic. And in a vlog, Robi shared that they always make time for "e-dates;" his brother further revealed that the couple, in fact, goes on these virtual dates seven days a week for at least three hours a day.
2. Friends
Thanks to technology, Robi still gets to catch up with his friends online. Although he admits that it's quite hard to put your finger on the answer to the question "kamusta ka?" these days, it still gives a feeling of comfort when you know someone is thinking about you and how you're doing. Aside from his non-showbiz friends, he also regularly sees his colleagues at MYX, Kapamilya Online World, and iWant ASAP (Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, and Darren Espanto). It's casual catch-ups like these that help keep Robi's mind off any negativity. And while they're at it, they spread positivity too.
3. Finances
The pandemic has made many people reflect on how they handle their finances. They say we must always save something for a rainy day. Clearly, this global heath crisis is not only a rainy day, it's a stormy season that continues to cast a thunderous cloud over us. No one really knows what's going to happen next or what challenges will come our way in the future, that's why it's always best to be prepared.
The lockdown gave Robi enough time to organize his finances and rethink his spending habits. Plus, as a practical tip from Robi, one that could eventually reap great benefits, he quips in one of his vlogs, "Invest in yourself, in your talent and skills." And that's exactly what he's doing today with all the online gigs he's been working on.
4. Future
When you have a clear grasp of what it is you want to do in the presentâwhat truly gives you happiness and a sense of fulfillmentâit gives you a brighter view of the future. But before you go ahead and move forward, it's important to stop and think first lest you keep walking and treading new paths without a definite destination.
In Tiger Crackers' virtual press conference, Robi talked a bit about where he draws motivation even for simple things like working out at home. He says, "Knowing your purpose... 'yan ang kailangan ng lahat ng tao. And if you feel down, then allow yourself to feel down. But after that one, you just have to know, 'Bakit ko nga ba ginagawa ito?' And if you know your whys in life then I think no one could stop you from being motivated na. You just have to know [the answer to] 'Why am I doing this?'"
5. Faith
Lastly, faith is something we all need nowâfaith that things will get better, faith that we'll all heal from this COVID-19 trauma, and faith that we'll all emerge from this life-changing experience as better individuals. Faith is all about believing. And remember, too, that faith must be bigger than your fears at all times. This is the truth Robi believes in and holds onto.
Robi says, "Medyo mabigat 'yung five Fs ko pero without those I think mapupunta ako sa isang void, isang vortex, [na mapapatanong ako], 'Sino ba talaga ako? Ano ba ang ginagawa ko? And ano ba ang feeling ko?'" These five Fs are the things that make him happy and fulfilled these days and, ultimately, all the essentials he needs to keep "working for home." He adds, "Choose your fighter, and shape this new normal."
Photos from @iamrobidomingo and Star Magic
Robi Domingo is part of Metro Channel's "Star Magic Love From Home: Lockdown Portraits" special! Check out the video below: