Every person has a role to play in preventing the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. Many creatives have lent their skills to help provide funding or gear, while others have used their talents to uplift the spirits of our frontliners and people who are staying home. In the case of fashion designer Ram Silva, he was able to do both by adding a fun, Netflix-inspired element to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) he created while in quarantine.
For Ram, who is based in Iloilo, coping with anxiety from putting his fashion business on hold pushed him to use his skills and training to create PPEs for our frontliners. And for "a different kind of positive," as Ram puts it during an interview with Candy over Messenger, he chose to add a creative twist to his creations by making them based on everyone's current Netflix obsession, Money Heist.
"Just wanted to spread positivity amidst the chaos. I also had my 14-day quarantine because I also traveled. From there I was suffering from anxiety pag-uwi ko kasi I needed to close my business for a while. Sabi ko, I need to do something, para nakakatulong ako even [habang] naka-quarantine."
The PPEs are now being used by the staff of the Internal Medicine Department at Western Visayas Medical Center.
As to why he looked to Money Heist for inspiration, Ram says "Inspired ako with the bravery and courage ng mga characters ng Money Heist. Same sila sa ating frontliners, yung bravery and courage is admirable."
Ed's Note: Being in quarantine has been tough on many, and there should definitely be no pressure for you to feel the need to be productive during this time (we cannot stress this enough). The important thing now is to take care of your physical and mental well-being first.
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