To help contain the spread of COVID-19, the Philippine government issued quarantine protocols that included the temporary closure of non-essential businesses. Even when the restrictions were eased, later on, many establishments like restaurants remained at 75% or even 50% capacity. What’s more, people are still encouraged to stay at home until the health crisis is over.
These regulations are, of course, for the public’s greater good. Still, being cooped up for too long can be difficult to handle. Thankfully, technology has made it easier to access entertainment options so you can at least stay safe while having fun.
Here are a few ideas:
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ToggleGo in a Virtual Museum Tour
Have you ever wanted to visit the Louvre in Paris? Or perhaps the British Museum in London? How about The Smithsonian in Washington D.C.? Good news because there’s no need to buy expensive tickets and leave your home to visit these world-famous museums. All you need is a computer with a stable internet connection to access their virtual tours! Aside from these three, there are plenty more museums around the world that have the same offers.
There’s also the Google Arts and Culture app, which uses AR technology to let you view paintings and other art masterpieces. The app is available for iOS and Android devices. Meanwhile, if you’d like to visit an aquarium or a zoo, there are a few international establishments that have installed webcams so you can say hello to otters, penguins, and other cute animals.
Try Your Luck in Gambling Online
If you want a bit of excitement, consider trying your luck by playing a few games in an online casino. If you’re worried about security, don’t worry because there are plenty of secure websites where you can enjoy responsibly. This website goes into details to provide information about where Filipinos can spend their time gambling and having fun.
Some of the most popular ones include:
- 22bet. It has a lot of sports betting options, along with more than 3,800 games. You can play through a browser or using your smartphone via the app. They also have more than 100 payment methods for your convenience, along with a welcome bonus and VIP rewards.
- 888 Casino. This website is more than 20 years in operation, making it one of the most established online casinos worldwide. It’s a mobile-friendly site and offers popular casino games like slots, live dealer games, roulette, and table games, among many others.
- Dream Vegas Casino. Filipino players will love this online casino, thanks to a first deposit bonus of up to 200%. The next two deposits can also gain 40% and 60% bonuses, along with free spins. It’s certainly an attractive offer for first-timers.
- King Billy. King Billy is a simple yet secure site. It has a collection of more than 300 games, and new players can enjoy a 200% bonus on their first deposit. This website also has a lot of occasional promos like free spins, bonus money perks, and more.
Watch a Musical Performance
Music fans and theater junkies will be pleased to know that there are a lot of artists and performers who are conducting live performances on their social media pages. Many of these are for free, although there are also those that require you to pay (usually, the proceeds are donated to charities or used for the artists’ own relief efforts).
There are many local artists you can watch online, as well as international acts. Sometimes, they even upload their performances on video streaming sites so those who weren’t able to watch live can also enjoy them.
Read a Book
Reading is definitely one of those “old school” hobbies that have taken a digital turn. There are plenty of devices dedicated to reading e-books; there are also smartphone apps that let you read various formats like PDF, EPUB, and the like. There are plenty of free e-book sources online, including sites like Authorama and Project Gutenberg. Of course, you can also buy copies of best-selling classics, non-fiction books, and graphic novels.
If you feel like you’re too busy to sit down and read, there’s also the option to get the audiobooks. You can play it on speakers if you want, so everyone with you at home can also experience it. The audiobook option is also great if you have kids. There are lots of reading apps for children with read-aloud options so you can learn and have fun at the same time.
Play Video Games with Your Friends and Family
If you want something more interactive, why not play some video games? There are various games that are already designed with multiplayer features, and some even have the capability to crossplay (e.g., a person who uses a PC can play with someone who uses a Playstation or other gaming consoles). What’s more, there are a lot of genres to choose from: trivia and puzzles, action games, sports like racings, shooters, RPGs, and more.
You can also use video chat platforms to host games through apps. Of course, there are also plenty of mobile games if you don’t want a complicated setup. There are also digital versions of classic games like Scrabble that you can play online if you aren’t a big fan of the usual video games.
Have fun!
Glen Dimaandal is the founder and CEO of the GDI SEO Company, a search marketing agency based in the Philippines. He is a former SEO Manager at Fortune 500 corporations and is now a full-time entrepreneur.