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#CREATIVEAIDPH
FREELANCE ARTISTS, CULTURAL WORKERS, AND CREATIVES IN THE TIME OF
COVID-19 IN THE PHILIPPINES: A REPORT ON THE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY
NAYONG PILIPINO FOUNDATION AND #CREATIVEAIDPH

APRIL 1, 2020

INTRODUCTION

It is good that we bring our concerns to the public, how else will the AID agencies
and the government will know how we are coping with the cancellations and the
enhanced community lockdown of the whole island of Luzon. (Survey Respondent)

When the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was implemented in Metro

Manila on 15 March 2020, a solidarity of artists and cultural workers (which later on
became known as #CreativeAidPH) started a community Google spreadsheet about the
loss of income of freelancers in the arts and culture sector. Our group’s purpose for this
was to get a picture of the financial effects of COVID-19 so that we, grounded by data,
could advocate and push for a commensurate response from government institutions,
corporate foundations, and other organizations and individuals.
Shortly afterward, we collaborated with Nayong Pilipino Foundation, a
government-owned and -controlled corporation, in data gathering and analysis. The
spreadsheet was modified and turned into a Google survey that was launched on 17
March 2020. The survey was shared via Facebook and, in a week, it gathered 503
responses. After data checks, the total number of survey responses was 499;
responses such as those coming from abroad were excluded from the sample.
The survey asked a set of questions about the loss of income freelancers in the
arts and culture sector experienced and are experiencing since COVID-19 broke out in
January 2020. Some questions included: (a) the nature of employment and work sector;
(b) the projected income loss from April to June; (c) the presence of employees; (d) the
number of dependents in the household; and (e) a descriptive account of the effects of
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the quarantine in their life. Nayong Pilipino Foundation focused on analyzing the
quantitative aspects of the survey, while we, #CreativeAidPH, focused on the narrative
reports of the respondents.
This document hopes to tell the stories behind the numbers.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE QUANTITATIVE DATA

Based on the preliminary results of the survey done by Nayong Pilipino
Foundation, the majority of the respondents were from the National Capital Region.
Since Metro Manila implemented the ECQ measures first, the respondents from NCR
comprised about two-thirds of the sample (72%). Other respondents hailed from Ilocos,
Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas,
Northern Mindanao, Davao, SOCCSKARGEN, Cordillera, and MIMAROPA.
The mean age of the respondents was 33 years old; the youngest was 13 while
the oldest was 66. Freelance work or self-employed constituted the majority of the
respondents (or 58%). Around 14% described their work as “project based/contractual.”
In terms of the work sector, more than a quarter are engaged across different fields,
while 15% work in theater, 10% are in public relations, marketing, advertising,
photography, videography, and events-related work. Similarly, 10% were in the fields of
visual arts, graphic design, and fine arts. Respondents from TV and cinema comprised
8%. Only 6% of the respondents were from the field of dance and 4% were from music.
The mean income loss since January is Php 98,209 ($1,925.14) with a minimum
of Php 2,000 ($39.20) and a maximum of Php 3,000,000 ($58,807.38). The mean
projected income loss in the months to come is Php 171,050 ($3,353.00) with a
minimum of Php 5000 ($98.01) and a maximum of Php 4,500,000 ($88,211.07).

TELLING THE STORY

As mentioned earlier, #CreativeAidPH looked at the narrative section of the
survey. The question asked was “Please describe the effect/s of COVID on your craft,
your coping strategy and what kind of support you expect from the government.” The
entries of the 499 respondents were entered into ATLAS.ti, coded, and organized into
the following themes: (a) Loss of and affected livelihoods; (b) Difficult circumstances; (c)
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Coping mechanisms; (d) Expected government response; and (e) The position of the
freelance artist, cultural worker, and creative.

(A) LOSS OF AND AFFECTED LIVELIHOODS

Many of the respondents who belonged to industries that relied on live physical
interaction and mass gatherings—such as the performing arts, events, heritage
preservation, fieldwork, and education—reported that they have loss their means of
practicing their craft and earning (“no work, no pay”). These industries cover a wide
range, from the more recognizable jobs, i.e., performer, photographer, educator, etc., to
those more often overlooked, i.e., daily wage earners, such as linemen, carpenters, and
electricians. The common reason for this loss is the cancellation of projects, workshops,
and classes.

Dahil ako ay aktor sa entabaldo, sobrang importante ng Physical contact sa aming

propesyon dahil katawan ang isa sa mga tools na ginagamit para maihyag ang
kwento at higit sa lahat ang aming sining ay isang experience na mas epektibo
kung kaharap mo ang iyong manunuod ngunit dahil nga sa threat ng sakit na mas
malaki ang tsansa ng pagkalat sa mataong lugar ipinagpaliban ang mga
pagtatanghal kung saan nagsasama sama ang maraming tao para sa isang shared
experience . (Survey Respondent)

I work as a freelance Production Assistant/Producer in the Film and Advertisement

Industry and this is my main source of income. All of our projects were cancelled
because of the situation. (Survey Respondent)

Respondents who are in the crafts and design industry reported that their work
was greatly affected. One pointed out that the closure of printing and craft suppliers
hampered their means to create and that the suspension of delivery couriers prevented
them from distributing their work. Others also said that the closure of malls and bazaars
cut off their primary source of income. Respondents who identify as writers have also
been financially affected due to the cancellation and postponement of projects.
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I work as a copywriter and scriptwriter for corporate events so a lot of shows were
cancelled. (Survey Respondent)

Our partner stores are all located in Malls. All of them are shutdown. We pay rent &
stocks to keep our stores working. We have 12 partner stores that are all closed.
[…] We paid about 6 bazaars for the duration of the lockdown. All of them are
postponed and cancelled indefinetely and this is our main bread and butter that
gives us money to operate and pay the bills. (Survey Respondent)

Apart from no longer getting paid because of cancellations and no means to sell
their products, some respondents have also reported that payment for services already
rendered have been delayed.

First, cancelled jobs are equals to cancelled payments. Also, have a domino effect
on payments being processed to a slower releasing time of TFs. Secondly, industry
takes 3-6 months on paying us for a rendered service, other colleagues experience
that some productions takes year before they could get paid. So basically we live on
debt and then when our TF comes we just pay our debt, little to nothing left for our
savings. Savings that we could actually use in this time of crisis. (Survey
Respondent)

These delays are a great cause of anxiety for them because it requires them to draw on
their savings. Furthermore, it is important to take note this crisis is occurring during
prime earning months for many freelancers. The cancellation of summer workshops is a
huge blow to artist-teachers who depend on their earnings during this season to deal
with the leaner months later in the year.

I give music lesson in daytime and occassiolly perform in evening on some

weekends, and the peak season for music lessons and giggs are during summer
which is March - June. My income during this season is almost half of my annual
income as July, November and January proves to be off season. I save my summer
income so that i can stretch it for the months that scarcely demands music lessons
and gigs. Losing my summer income also means not having any money to spend
for the coming November until January next year. (Survey Respondent)
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Personally, the hard part of cancelled projects is the "what now" kind of feeling.
Everything feels so uncertain because the virus isn't being contained and the people
are starting to fear for their lives. It's hard to plan what happens to the production,
whether we resched or not, because we don't know what'll happen. I just want more
direction. (Survey Respondent)

How long the quarantine will be and what happens after the quarantine is also a source
of great concern. Some mentioned how difficult it is to plan ahead given the uncertainty
of the times. Also, when the quarantine finally does get lifted, some worried if their
savings will continue to hold up as they look for work. The process of producing a show
in the theatre industry, for example, takes an average of three months; it will take a
while before those involved can get back on their feet, even when COVID-19 is under
control.

(B) DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

The dominant emotion expressed by the

respondents was “anxiety.” Some mentioned
having panic attacks and were worried about
their mental health. There were alarming
cries for help, such as “I have nothing, I’m
desperately seeking help”; “I feel crippled and
Figure 1. Word cloud of emotions most often mentioned in the survey.
lost”; and “Devastating. It weakened me.”

The financial effect of COVID-19 was a huge blow to many of the respondents.
Some of them are breadwinners: they are single parents, the sole supporters of a large
family, the carers for their elderly parents, and so on. They are now forced to rely on
their meager savings to support their family’s daily needs and medication:

…it really made me panic internally as I don't know how much long my savings can
suffice the daily needs of the family as we cant tell upto when things can be normal
again. (Survey Respondent)
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My savings have been scraped and it is depressing as I am the sole breadwinner of

a family of 7. I am lucky enough to have well-off grandparents who have gifted my
family with Php20,000.00 to get us by. We eat only 1 meal a day to try to make our
food supply last, as there is no guarantee that this quarantine won't be extended.
(Survey Respondent)

I have no income at all since January. I extremely say I am broke. And I am a

sngle mother together with my youngest daughter who's now in her 2nd college in
UST. (Survey Respondent)

Apart from worrying about their own situation, respondents who owned businesses were
also concerned about paying their employees, given that no income was coming in and
there were bills, such as rent, to still pay. Others also emphasized the need to look into
daily wage earners in the arts and culture sector. While a loss of Php 2,000.00 ($39.20)
may seem small compared to a loss of Php 3,000,000 ($58,807.38), that Php 2,000.00
($39.20) may mean life or death to that one respondent. Everyone matters.

(C) COPING MECHANISMS

Most if not all of the respondents have resorted to financially relying on their
savings during this difficult period. Some of the respondents, to ease their financial
burden, have moved in with family members or borrowed money from friends and
relatives to tide them over during the quarantine. Many respondents also shared that
they are looking for online work, even if the work is not necessarily related to their craft:

With these scary uncertainty I have resorted to apply for an online home-based
English teaching job. When I pass the company's evaluation, my work will start by
the end of March and pay off will start to roll after a number of days of working and
will not receive compensation until around near the end of April. (Survey
Respondent)

As of now i've been collecting pre-loved items and posting it online for selling
despite the pandemic. There are still people who takes interest but that sideline
alone is not enough for me to pay my bills. (Survey Respondent)
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Some freelancers are focusing on expanding their practice online, i.e., selling craftwork,
getting art commissions, improving their online engagement and social media presence,
etc., and trying to earn from it, but some are finding it a challenge to shift online, moreso
monetize their work:

Trying to shift to online mode for trainings and workshops. Which is still challenging
since facilitators are in different regions, specialized equipment and materials are
scattered in different places. Learning curve for converting to online mode is also
slow... (Survey Respondent)

I've been trying to find ways to incorporate available technology in my work: online
classes, FB live performance, etc. However, I have not figured out how to monetize
these. (Survey Respondent)

We are trying for online classes but almost everybody is doing free classes so we
can't get any money from that too. (Survey Respondent)

Some freelancers are approaching this quarantine period as an opportunity to improve

themselves professionally. They continue to make art, take free online courses, and
update their portfolios, “so when the time comes that we are finally ok, I can go back to
work 150%” (Survey Respondent).
Apart from their professional concerns, a lot of the respondents shared how they
practice self-care in the time of COVID-19. Common activities include interacting with
loved ones, watching videos, and being on social media. To deal with the uncertainty of
the times, some pray; others disengage from their social media accounts to avoid the
toxicity of the news and other online interactions. One respondent writes, “I let myself
cry once in a while, specially when I need someone to talk to but no one is available.” It
can be said that, despite the odds, many of the respondents display grit, ingenuity, and
a strong desire to overcome their challenges.
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(D) EXPECTED GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Although a notable number of respondents have expressed that they expect
nothing from this government, the most common form of government support requested
was financial assistance, provision of daily necessities (like food), and medical support.
Many have also requested that the government help waive or postpone bills, i.e.,
utilities, internet, rent, credit card, etc., amortization and mortgage payments, and taxes,
until people have gotten back on their feet. Some have also requested that the
government demand that companies with outstanding invoices pay the freelancers they
have hired:

…mandate companies to pay their freelancers' invoices (there are companies, as

we all know it, that doesn't pay on time and pays their freelancers months after the
project) so i hope that they can push this companies to not hold our project / talent
fees. (Survey Respondent)

In addition to immediate financial relief, many respondents requested that the

government generate work that people could apply for during and after the quarantine.

...the government can ask.agencies, including the private sector, to farm out
projects that can be finished fast and paid instantly. For example, DOH and RITM
can engage freelancers to do their communication materials now that they are
swamped with work. Likewise, big companies can continue bid out projects as long
as quarantine measures are observed. (Survey Respondent)

I hope government would give us a stimulus package (or similar) in cash or at least
hire us for appropriate projects as long as we meet the qualifications. (Survey
Respondent)

Many of them also suggested concrete ways the government can support them in
finding work, especially after the lockdown is lifted:

It would also be nice if they could somehow provide us with opportunities to

kickstart our livelihood when this is all over - like an arts festival, shows sponsored
by the government, or anything of the sort… (Survey Respondent)
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It would be also be great to provide possibly an event or platform that will help
freelancers to connect with clients or collaborators to get new projects after the
quarantine. (Survey Respondent)

I expect government Arts commissions to start possible funding programs for art
makers so that they can continue working after the community quarantine. (Survey
Respondent)

Several respondents also went beyond their own situation and expressed concern for
others, such as daily wage earners within their industries, the marginalized, and the
frontliners:

I honestly hope the government focuses on laborers, health workers, and those in
dire need of support first. Cultural workers need support too but with the way our
government is, I genuinely don't expect any help from them any time soon. (Survey
Respondent)

I request government to do the bold move of a mid-crisis reallocation of funding,

and with it prioritize implementations of wide Covid testing by mounting testing and
Triage tents hopefully per baranggay, where a considerable amt of first aid
response team can be on standby. […] Utilize all Government vehicles, from
National to baranggay levels to be of service to the frontliners and expected
employees in time where public transportation is banned. […] Continue the
dissemination of subsidies to 4Ps beneficiary. […] Open fumigated temporary
homes for those who are homeless and to those families that are overpopulating
small homes in urban poor communities. (Survey Respondent)

In terms of support from the government, I am not expecting any. As a freelancer, I

learned to adapt in every situation possible to happen. Im willing to spend my few
savings to be able to sustain basic necessities for the duration of this outbreak.
Makakabawi din ako. Makakabawi din tayo --- mamamayan muna bago ang sarili.
Whatever contributions were allotted for the artists (and i am so sorry to say this)
will be more helpful for those who are truly in need. After all this, at pag nakaahon at
nakabawi na ulit and Pilipinas, sigurado namang dudumog ulit ang mga art projects
lalo na kung sa panahon na ito ay mas magiging aktibo tayo sa pagpapalaganap ng
impormasyon (Survey Respondent)

For longer-term solutions, some respondents called for community organizing and
institutional reforms, which are elaborated on in the next section.
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(E) THE POSITION OF THE FREELANCE ARTIST, CULTURAL WORKER, AND

CREATIVE

I am clueless on how the government can help honestly. Can the DOLE 5000php
financial assistance be applied to us freelancers? (Survey Respondent)

The rights of freelancers in the arts and culture sector was a serious concern for
many of the respondents. Because they are not regular employees, some pointed out,
they don’t receive regular benefits, such as thirteenth-month pay. Respondents called
for universal healthcare, proper regulation of contracts (i.e., proper and timely payment
of talent fees), and the enactment of laws that protect freelancers and those in the
informal sectors:

I would like to see the immediate and thorough implementation of the Universal
Healthcare Act for all freelance artists/cultural workers, inclusive of mental health
services and medications. All freelance artists/cultural workers should fall under
"Indirect Contributors" as defined in the IRR of Philhealth's UHC program. (Survey
Respondent)

The biggest form of assistance after this pandemic has ended would be the
regulation of proper and timely release of talent fees for all freelancers and talents
so clients can provide universal just compensation for work rendered. […] Proper
contracts that aren't skewed to favoring only the clients are also a major concern, so
a legal defense fund for freelancers and talents would be very helpful as well.
(Survey Respondent)

One respondent lamented that the arts and culture become the least of the

government’s priorities during crises. Another respondent demanded that the

government recognize freelance artists, cultural workers, and creatives as important

contributors to the economy. They pointed out how, during this time of quarantine,

people are turning to art for comfort.

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There seems to be no support for cultural workers, especially for culture bearers,
norany efforts to protect existing crafts and practices in times of disasters and
calamities. Often times, these traditional practices are the first ones to be sacrificed
and set aside or discarded, often viewed as backward, superstitious, contra-
progressive and a hindrance to the government's rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
(Survey Respondent)

We demand that the government acknowledge that freelancers are an important

part of the economy, especially since we're almost always hit when issues arise.
Not only that, we demand that cultural workers be given as much importance as
those in science and other fields, because if this pandemic is to be an example,
people are now turning to Netflix which is made by artists. (Survey Respondent)

Also, one respondent highlighted how already marginalized sectors pre-COVID-19 are
pushed even further to the sidelines now:

Sex Work and Empowerment is already not prioritised under regular conditions.
Now more than ever, we are ignored and our needs and rights are not considered
important. (Survey Respondent)

Two respondents pointed out the need to set-up infrastructures, in addition to rights, to
oversee the welfare of freelancers in the arts and culture sector:

The government should have a different types of sector for arts/film/dance, like in
Singapore they have NAC(National Arts Council) that provides sustainable funding
infrastructure to support the arts community there. (Survey Respondent)

Union for Freelancers like us that could actually back us up on negotiating rates and
even insurances, and basic benefits. (Survey Respondent)

What’s been clearly revealed by this pandemic is that the system freelancers have been
operating under pre-COVID-19 has always been problematic and is inarguably
unsustainable during times of crisis. A better environment for freelancers in the arts and
culture sector needs to be cultivated to recover properly from the ECQ and to flourish in
the future.
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MOVING FORWARD

#CreativeAidPH and Nayong Pilipino Foundation conducted this survey to be

able to push, backed-up by data, institutions, organizations, and individuals into action.
We hope both the numbers and the stories that are shared in this document can stress
the need to support the freelancers in the arts and culture sector. As one of the
respondents said, “preserving Filipino cultural heritage also means preserving the lives
of the living artists and cultural workers.” Moving forward, we at #CreativeAidPH plan to
take the following steps. We plan to:

(1) Share this report to the public;

(2) Pressure the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to redirect and realign
their budget to support the freelance artists, cultural workers, and creatives all over
the country;
(3) Send this report to organizations, such as foundations, and individuals who have the
capacity, financial or otherwise, to help impactfully;
(4) Develop programming in collaboration with both government and non-government
organizations and individuals nationwide that supports freelancers—through aid,
capacity building, etc.—during and after the quarantine, and;
(5) Support actions, like fundraising, that advocate for the welfare of freelancers.

During this distressing time, may we remember that social distancing merely means
physical distancing. Now more than ever, let us cultivate social solidarity. Sama-sama,
babangon tayo.

ACKNOLWEDGEMENTS
We at #CreativeAidPH want to thank Nayong Pilipino Foundation for their invaluable. We also want to
thank Stoko Design for our logo. We are especially grateful to the people who shared our survey in their
social networks and, of course, to the freelancers who took the time to answer this survey and lend us
their voice. Napakalaking tulong. Naway magtagumpay tayo. Mabuhay at padayon!