Leaving Metro Manila and going back to the province was something I’ve never expected I’d do, yet it was the best decision I’ve ever made. The quality of my life has greatly improved and I realized it was the kind of life I had been wanting all along. Nothing can really beat home, and the key to my returning home is having a digital life, thanks to PLDT Home, that makes me be with my loved ones and enjoy life more than ever.
A life spent mostly on the road
Having spent years in the capital, traversing through the chaos of the modern jungle that is the big city, I had to brave the daily traffic to get to work, meetings and back home. It was a constant rat race, trying to run after time. Hours were wasted on the road. Of course, it cannot be denied that opportunities abound in Manila, the reason why I chose to live there for half my life. Millions of others must have shared the same thoughts as mine, which is why we have been crowding the metropolis, especially with more and more people still migrating there as I write this piece.
Many have espoused going back to the provinces for a better quality of life, where we get to live it to the fullest and enjoy a delicious one where we get to have more time with our loved ones, relax our body, and free our mind from stress. I agree that the strongest connections for the family are at home. With a telecommunications and multimedia service like PLDT Home that can be availed by Filipinos all over the country, families are able to stay connected and access quality entertainment at home.
Life in the digital highway
Lack of opportunities to earn more or climb the corporate ladder is probably one of the apprehensions of those who prefer to stick it out in Manila. However, Negros Occidental has been thriving as a province because many industries are sprouting in its cities and towns. There are more call center companies and the IT sector is booming. Even the other industries that are already existing in the province are upgrading themselves by using modern technology. It’s like enjoying the best of both worlds — the physical space where you can enjoy nature and the digital space where you can compete with other players in the globalized world. People from different walks of life are taking the digital highway in Negros Occidental especially with the availability of services like PLDT Home’s menu of products and offerings.
There are definitely a lot of advantages as I moved forward in my life, particularly my digital life. Having PLDT Home Fibr at home has become helpful in many ways
Attaining convenience at work
In my case, I am able to work from home through an online job. The earnings may not be as lucrative I was receiving while working in Manila but I have bigger savings because of the low cost of living in Negros Occidental. I have chosen a job that I enjoy but not as stressful as I had before. With a strong and fast connection, I now work with clients from abroad. It has opened more opportunities for me, and I get to opt for those that attract to me, not by the amount they can bring to my coffers but the joy and peace of mind they bring. Working at home definitely has its perks. Not only I can save my income and time, but I also have more time with my family. Having an internet connection that can help with one’s livelihood, people can move out of the employment mentality as this can assist them in the path of entrepreneurship and doing business creatively.
Enjoying ore options for entertainment, shopping and food
As I was living alone when I was in the NCR, I usually go out to watch movies, dine and shop with friends. But now that I am in the bosom of people closest to me, I prefer to do things at home. Most of the things are done with the use of wi-fi connection and I am among those who watch their favorite movies and TV shows by streaming online or through home entertainment, order food using mobile apps and shop with my virtual cart. It’s not that I don’t get to go out and enjoy the amenities in my hometown as there are more malls and other facilities on the rise. Instead, having an internet connection at home gave me more options to choose the kind of enjoyment I want at any given time.
Maintaining connections and expanding my network
One of the drawbacks of returning to the province that had me think twice was the fact that I will be leaving behind the friendships I made while living in the capital. But coming home has made me enjoy the presence of my family, re-connect with childhood friends and still keep in touch with recent ones and continue to expand my network. That’s because I get to maintain my connection with friends outside of Bacolod given the various communication platforms available at the tip of our fingers.
Doing new travel goals
More importantly, my travel habits have changed. I get to plan and do my trips with family members, something I haven’t done before. I find fulfillment booking flights and hotels, researching about places of interests online, and doing the actual travel with my sister and mother. Now, traveling for me is more than just going to a new place and discovering new things. It has become an experience I want to share with my loved ones.
I now imagine if more people can enjoy what I am experiencing right now and more, there are probably many families that are spending life together and experiencing a quality of life in places where they want to live. It can decongest the capital, too, and provide alternatives to the rising problems on traffic, waste management and other basic needs that now occur in megacities.
Truly, with the advent of technology such as fast internet connection, there are more options and prospects for Filipino families. It empowers Filipinos as it provides them with tools to find and create opportunities for themselves. People now have the chance to enjoy life as it should be, one that can satisfy their basic needs and fulfill their longing for a deeper relationship with family and loved ones.
This article is an entry to the 2019 Negrense Blog Awards.