For most, the new year started with a little pep in their step but for some of us—namely Kara and I—it started with a little scratchy feeling in our throat. While we first hoped it was because of the snacks we ate that night, we soon came to realise, it was much more serious. 

Yes, we got COVID. We're not going to lie, it was a little scary to get COVID two seasons deep into the winding show that is the pandemic; but we were both lucky it wasn't all that bad for us. 

Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on Philippine-based musicians

While our symptoms were different, with Kara getting a bad fever and me losing my sense of taste and smell, it was still a rough couple of days for the both of us. We were confined to our rooms for 10 days, trying our best to get through this wave of sickness.

But in those 10 days, we listened, sang, and danced to some great (and undeniably, random) tunes. From emotionally scream-singing BTS classics to attempting to hit a Mariah Carey high-note with our COVID-distorted voices, here are some of the music that got us through getting COVID-19. 

'Autumn Leaves' - BTS

When life sucks, I revert back to when it didn't; and one of the moments when it didn't was when BTS released The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.2. This was also around the time I first discovered the group and was one of the biggest ways my friends and I used to bond in 2015, so the album just holds a lot of good energy and memories. 

One of my favourite songs from the album—and dare I say, one of BTS' greatest songs ever—is 'Autumn Leaves'. While I was stuck in my room, I held one of the most emotive sing-alongs known to man (which, unfortunately, none of you will ever get to witness) to this track in my greatly-far-from-fluent Korean. It was a lot of fun, hehe. — Franchesca Judine Basbas

'Step Back' - GOT the beat

While GOT the beat's 'Step Back' is getting slammed online for misogynistic girl-vs-girl messaging, it kind of makes sense to tell silly girls to step back in the time of COVID.

The line that resonated with me the most was "he's sick and tired every day." Just like me! I was also sick and tired every day. Through a fever and chills, I had to deal with a sore throat and shotgun coughs. That line is so relatable in today's infectious climate that it got me thinking: "Is 'Step Back' really a song about pitting women against each other or is it a COVID anthem to remind everyone that they shouldn't flirt with the high probability of catching this forsaken virus and that they should simply 'step back'?" I don't know, maybe it was just the meds I was on. — Kara Bodegon-Hikino

'Big Girls Don't Cry' - Fergie

Beyond being a reminder to myself that 'Big Girls Don't Cry' (even if they get COVID hehe), this was just a fun song to sing. It's top-tier pop excellence. I don't know what it is but you just feel better after singing that wordy yet immensely catchy chorus. — Franchesca Judine Basbas

'Ironic' - Alanis Morissette

There was a resurgence of the '90s over at the Bodegon-Hikino household, but my husband couldn't do anything about it because our Alexa is connected to my Spotify. I have all the power.

For some reason, 'Ironic' by Alanis Morissette stuck with me while I was lying miserably in bed. It made me miss the days of the Old Normal, thinking about traffic jams when I was already late. On top of it all, it reminded me that things could certainly suck (like having COVID on the first week of the year) but life has a funny, funny way of helping us out (like giving us the antibodies we need to reach herd immunity and kick this pandemic in the butt).  — Kara Bodegon-Hikino

'Hero' from StarStruck

I watched a lot of movies while in quarantine, many of which were my comfort films from the early 2000s including StarStruck. It's arguably one of the best of Disney Channel original movies out there and basically plays out every fan's dream lol. Not to mention its soundtrack: elite. 

'Hero' is probably the most memorable song from the movie and it just fosters good vibes. I was singing to this in my peak symptomatic days so it was hard getting through it the entire song but nothing was going to stop me from jamming out. — Franchesca Judine Basbas

'Yugto' - Rico Blanco

My nostrils were clogged and my temperature was still up, but jamming to Rico Blanco's 'Yugto' was powerful enough to raise my blood oxygen back to 100 on day two of my COVID isolation. Thank you, RB! — Kara Bodegon-Hikino

'Frequency' - Jhené Aiko

During my COVID-stricken days, I was really sensitive to light and had bad headaches (both of which were symptoms I didn't even know existed!) so there were many moments I was just lying on my bed in the dark. A lot of those moments were soundtracked by Jhené Aiko's Trip.

It was the only thing I could really tolerate. Everything sounded like pure chaos to me at the time and as someone who has music playing every second of the day, it was pure torture. But Trip, especially 'Frequency' was calming and soothing and everything I needed to get through those awful days. — Franchesca Judine Basbas

'Emotions' - Mariah Carey 

By day four of my COVID isolation, a miracle happened—my sore throat led to my voice sounding like Ariana Grande. No kidding! Naturally, the first thing I did was attempt the iconic whistle in Mariah Carey's 'Emotions'. Did I hit it? Well...no. But I did end up with bouts of coughing. Congrats to me. Now, where's my GRAMMY?  — Kara Bodegon-Hikino

With the pandemic still looming around us, remember to always take precautions when going outside by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, and washing your hands. Most importantly, get vaccinated when you can. 

If you have symptoms, make sure to stay at home and keep isolated from the people in your household. Stay well-rested and hydrated, and remember to monitor your symptoms regularly and follow instructions from your healthcare provider. 

For more information on preventing and dealing with COVID-19, visit the World Health Organisation's official website.