Most everyone, it seems, became a “plantita” or “plantito” in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, pouring out their energy to tending plants and growing gardens, some for recreation and some for sustenance. Actress-TV host Jolina Magdangal is one such person into that hobby now.

Magdangal has found planting and gardening so absorbing that she has also engaged her family in growing plants. On her Instagram page yesterday, Sept. 1, Magdangal showed a photo of a plant she had just re-potted, along with other moments of her planting, even with family.

“My very first re-pot,” she said, holding up a bus-shaped plant container bearing the little leaves of the plant.

She’s hoping she has a green thumb to make the plant grow. She also said she has discovered that planting can be a peaceful and relaxing exercise, especially when she gets to be joined by her children in her hobby. Her daughter Vika even says good night to the plants, she shared.

Although her plants get her occupied, Magdangal still feels despair for what happened to ABS-CBN and her co-workers and friends in the network. She said she feels she’s still “in denial” even as she recalled the day that Kapamilya workers were retrenched. On Aug. 31, most workers of ABS-CBN have left their offices.

“Mabigat talaga puso ko, para sa lahat ng apektdo,” she lamented. “Kaya habang nag aalaga kami ng plants, sinasabayan din namin ng dasal para sa lahat ng kailangan ng dasal bukod pa sa araw araw naming pagdadasal.”

(My heart really feels heavy for everyone affected. So while we take care of the plants, we accompany it with prayers for everyone who needs prayers, aside from our daily prayers.) JB

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