After working remotely for more than a year, I realized that many of us in PayMongo have never even met. The work from home setup has been a way of life for millions of Filipinos since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. While the sudden shift to remote work proved to be challenging for many, others found it more convenient because they were able to get the same amount of work done (or even more) while saving on gas and commute time.
One of the first few things I noticed while working from home in the age of social distancing is how it can be tough to meet and get to know workmates virtually. So Angelo, Jolo, and I had this idea of creating a collaborative Spotify playlist across the company as a way to get to know each other through music.
Music is, after all, a form of self expression and it has been scientifically proven to reduce feelings of isolation, stress, and anxiety that come with the work from home setup. There’s also something special about the way music can bring people together.
With that in mind, we invited everyone in PayMongo to add a couple of their favorite songs to our Club Mongo playlist, and we were really glad to get several colleagues onboard!
The playlist features a broad range of genres: from the latest pop hits of Olivia Rodrigo, John Mayer, and The Weeknd, to all-time classics from U2, Earth, Wind & Fire, Queen, and Coldplay, to the best local music from Skusta Clee, Gloc 9, and Eraserheads, to classic soul from Etta James and Stevie Wonder, to the smoothest indie hits from Tame Impala, Parcels, Drugdealer, The Whitest Boy Alive and The xx and even house and electronic music from Polo & Pan, Lane 8, and Romare.
Our playlist also has songs that can give you the feels depending on the season. The rains have started and we're getting a bit of sunshine in between. Here are some of our favorite songs to set the mood for the rainy weather, the sunny days, or everything in between: Suddenly by Drugdealer, You’re so Fine by Papa Bear & His Cubs, What You Won’t Do For Love by Bobby Caldwell, In the Blood by John Mayer, Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo, Untitled by D’Angelo, Godspeed by Frank Ocean, Cool Cat by Queen, Plastic Love by Friday Night Plans, Kingston by Faye Webster, Playground Love by Air, and Nangangamba by Zack Tabudlo.
Hope you enjoy it!
*Josh Lee serves as PayMongo's Sales Lead; Angelo Manalo is a PayMongo Account Executive; Jolo Yulo is with PayMongo's Channel Sales.