Staying apart, but working together: Okada Manila team members in the time of COVID-19
Please tell us your name and what you do for Okada Manila.
It’s I’m Kirstie Ylagan, Manager from Casino Marketing Promotions & Events.
What’s a normal day like for you?
A normal day for me starts at 9 in the morning, where my focus is checking my emails and completing required tasks for Okada Manila, with all my dogs by my side.
How would you describe magokoro or omotenashi?
It’s doing small things with great love. When you do anything with passion, it always translates to sincere and genuine service. At work, even if it’s not tasked under us, when other departments ask for help, we do as much as we can to help. It’s the culture that has been established and engrained in us by Okada Manila.
At home, I do everything with the same effort. From feeding my dogs or watering my plants to working from home or attending online classes, I always value the effort that I give.
Why do you think our core values of omotenashi and magokoro are important?
Everyone can be skilled; anyone can try to learn what we are doing at work or at home but not all people work with a true heart. Those people who work with it show compassion and empathy in the workplace or at home which creates a good and inspiring environment.
I take care of my grandmother who has dementia which requires a lot of patience since each day is new to her. I also read books, mostly inspirational and self-help, check on my plants, attend online classes and do volunteer work whether it’s through monetary donation or extending my time and effort.
Why do you think our core values of omotenashi and magokoro are important?
Everyone can be skilled; anyone can try to learn what we are doing at work or at home but not all people work with a true heart. Those people who work with it show compassion and empathy in the workplace or at home which creates a good and inspiring environment.
During the start of quarantine, I’ve accumulated indoor plants then moved to growing my own vegetables. This became a part of my daily routine—checking on my plants, watering them, and propagating as needed.
I’ve also been attending online classes on different global issues. I’ve always wanted to be part of an NGO but really had no time to do it before so I’ve enrolled and participated in different courses for me to be able to choose what advocacy I want to pursue someday. I’ve also joined local groups to better understand the causes I believe in.
What made you try this hobby and what do you like about it?
For my plants, I really look forward to harvest time. Picking calamansi, eggplant, okra then cooking it after is really satisfying for me.
This pandemic made me realize how much is needed to be done to help with the problems of the world through my online classes. I wanted to educate myself and be able to participate in discussions and in projects so that I, too, can create an impact even in my own small way.
What lessons have you learned during the quarantine?
Our family had a personal experience with COVID. Some family members were isolated for 14 days so we experienced how hard it is to look for hospitals and we saw how some people will really discriminate. This pandemic made me understand each person that I know at a much wider view. The uncertainties we are going through creates different battles for us all. I’ve learned to listen more intently, understand other people’s perspectives and be a better person each day.
Tell us about a time you made an impact through service.
Any help we give has a lasting impact. Every time I give a tip (monetary and sometime in kind like rice, canned goods) to delivery riders, they would thank me personally and even send me a follow up thank you message. These things will make you realize how a simple “thank you” can make one person happy.
Also, my family and I have been supporting different donation drives, giving out food to our frontliners and supporting new and small businesses. We give as much as we can, while we can. Being a part of other people’s happiness in this difficult time is reward enough to get through this year.
What do you miss the most about working in Okada Manila?
What I miss most are the people (especially my team!). I miss walking down the halls and smiling or saying hi to each person I’ll see, attending meetings and asking how everyone’s doing. I miss the energy of the people and the workplace.
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