The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to industries around the world, and the event organizing industry has been no exception.
With gatherings of all sizes being prohibited in many parts of the world, including in Palawan, event organizing companies such as RV Mendoza’s Creation Events have been forced to adapt and shut down temporarily.
One of the biggest challenges faced by Rio Mendoza, the company’s CEO, during the pandemic has been the cancellation or postponement of events.
Many of his events that were scheduled to take place in 2020 and early 2021 were either cancelled or postponed indefinitely, leaving his team and suppliers with significant financial losses.
The pandemic brought unpredicted changes in the event-organizing business. With social distancing measures in place, large gatherings have been put on hold, and they have to adapt quickly to survive.
But Mendoza’s adaptation came with its own share of difficulties. He and his crew, whom he views as his own family, were aware that they needed to develop a strategy.
Months after the pandemic breakout, his office along Barangay San Pedro was briefly closed and turned into a vegetable shop.
Despite the challenges faced by Mendoza and his team, they were able to persevere and find new opportunities to grow.
His mental health suffered as well because event planning is the only thing he truly loves to do.
“Nagka-anxiety ako. Kasi hindi ako sanay. Halos hindi ako nag-oopen ng laptop ko kasi maaalala ko ‘yung mga events namin. So ang ginawa namin, namundok kami, tapos nagbenta kami ng mga gulay dito sa harapan ng puwesto, kailangan kumita pa rin kahit papaano,” said Mendoza.
Despite all of the difficulties brought on by the pandemic, RV Mendoza Creations Events have persevered and quickly adjusted.
Despite the abrupt changes and his uneasiness, Mendoza was eager to have confidence that everything was taking place for a more significant reason.
He and his group were able to endure and discover fresh chances for development.
They were aware that reopening the business would be difficult, but they were committed to doing whatever it would take to succeed.
Their efforts were successful, and the RV Mendoza Creation Events reopened to great fanfare today, April 18.
“Ako I’m very thankful kasi hindi ako iniwan ng team ko during the pandemic. Sinasabi ko noon sa kanila, mag-apply na sila ng ibang trabaho, pero nag-stay sila. Sama-sama pa rin kami hanggang ngayon, kaya kung anong blessing ang mayroon ako, gusto kong ishare sa kanila kasi never nila ako pinabayaan during those awful times,” Mendoza emotionally said on his short message given to the reopening of RV Mendoza on Tuesday, April 18.
The reopening ceremony started with a Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Eugene S. Elibera and was followed by the formal blessing of the company’s office.
The coronavirus outbreak has demonstrated the adaptability and resilience of RV Mendoza Creation Events and the fact that, with the appropriate attitude and strategy, it is possible to weather even the most difficult of storms.
Mendoza’s organization was able to surpass and once again rise from the losses it encountered in the previous few years as the world started to recover from COVID-19.
Mendoza thanked everyone who has supported the business throughout its shutdown for their tolerance and kindness.
The reopening ceremony of RV Mendoza Creation Events was not only a celebration of its resilience but also a testament to the power of a group and the importance of coming together to support each other during difficult times.
It was a reminder that, while the pandemic may have forced them apart, it has also brought them closer together through shared experiences and challenges.
Although it wasn’t simple, they never gave up on their mission to reopen the business and give clients a large, opulent, and memorable experience for their important occasions.
Their story is an inspiration to others in the event organizing business, showing that with determination and hard work, anything is possible, even in the face of a global pandemic.