Destination: Hope
The lockdown interrupted Leah Damalerio’s dream of travelling around the world, but her Abreeza experienced taught her that adventure isn’t always about where you go, but what you do
Words by MARGA CONSTANTINO
Leah Damalerio, 33, sits on a cold bench amidst the bulging pieces of luggage that she and her friend shared. This is the quietest area that they could find in the bustling airport of Bangkok. Travelers tensely walk by, their faces, like hers, covered with masks. Leah tries to focus on answering her emails; her inbox had piled up while she was on vacation. She couldn’t wait to get home, but she silently hoped that she would not get COVID-19 on the flight back to Davao.
Stuck indoors
“I am a kind of person who wants to wander around the world. So as much as possible, if I have time, I always go around [to] different places sa labas ng country or dito lang sa Pilipinas. Parang gusto ko ma-explore lahat… ang dami kong travel goals,” said Leah, Property Manager of Abreeza Place in Davao City.
#AyalaCitizen Diary: Leah’s wanderlust has brought her to many exotic places and exciting adventures, and she knows that one day she will be able to travel again.
When the lockdown was enforced in March, the travel bug dedicated herself completely to the well-being of her community. She found herself locked down at the property with 40 of her staff members who volunteered to stay in for three months to look after their residents. This was a real struggle for Leah, who suddenly could not leave the building, not even for her daily walks outside.
Leah’s world was suddenly so small, but she found new joy in little acts of service.
The little things that count
The lockdown was a difficult time for everyone, and Leah and her team went the extra mile to look after their residents—even their emotional needs. When Mothers’ Day came around, the team did not have the resources for the yearly tradition of decorating the lobby. Leah was determined that the mothers in their building would not feel bereft of a celebration during what was probably the bleakest Mother’s Day of their lives. She promptly sent some of her staff, protected with proper safety gear, to the nearby wet market to search for flowers. They came back with four dozen roses and handed these out with handmade greeting cards delicately tied to each stem.
Mother’s Day Surprise. Even the face masks can’t hide how happy the residents were to receive a rose from the Abreeza Place team on Mother’s Day.
Leah and her staff, who terribly missed their own families, also felt a special bond with their elderly residents. They kept them safe by purchasing essential needs for them outside the premises. They stopped and talked to them whenever they ventured down to the common areas to stretch their legs or look for company, since they could not receive their usual visitors during the lockdown.
Leah, who lost her grandmother during the lockdown, felt a deep urge to give extra care and attention to the elderly residents in their care.
Just like family. Leah would often sit and chat with elderly residents, who were prevented by quarantine restrictions to leave home. They would give her advice—just like the grandmother she really missed.
Not-so-free at last
After 67 days in the property, Leah was finally able to leave and see her family again. This was a huge breath of fresh air for Leah, who sacrificed her personal priorities to do her job. These days, she’s able to go home to her own apartment and enjoy her personal space. This is a small consolation for the carefree wanderer who let go of her travel plans, but not her optimism.
“Kailan ako makakabalik? Makakapunta sa ganito? Makakita ng ganito? Darating yung panahon na I will be able to go around pa rin. Probably next year? Probably hindi natin alam by the end of the year baka meron nang vaccine. So yun nalang. Parang hope nalang yung nagbibigay sakin ng drive to [pursue] my [travel] goals.”
While she waits for better days, Leah fondly looks back at the memories of her previous trips and refuses to feel demotivated. She continues to look after her community with utmost dedication, and at the end of the day, plans for her dream trip. One day, in a post-COVID world, Leah is sure she will finally go on her grand European adventure. #
PUBLISHED AUGUST 26, 2020
