Filipina environmentalist & DJ Katsu shines as holistic guiding light in COVID-stricken motherland

With a recent surge of COVID-19 cases averaging 4,000 - 5,000 a day, Metro Manila may be facing yet another region-wide lockdown. Local scientists are even projecting numbers could go as high as 8,000 daily by the end of March if the capital won’t revert to stricter measures.

As Filipinos brace for even more threatening weeks ahead a year into the pandemic, some continue with their mission to keep heads above water — ahead of the curve is businesswoman, environmentalist and now holistic care coach, Katrina Razon.

Also known in the nightlife industry for her DJ moniker Katsu, Katrina has spent much of her time in the Philippines throughout the pandemic. Similar to many, she’s gone through her own challenges. “Like everyone, it has been a roller coaster ride. Ups and low downs. It has, however, made me realize what is truly important in life. Suddenly all of the problems that used to make me anxious no longer matter,” she explains.

Driven not only to dust herself off but to build up others, Katrina found one discipline that’s carried her community through. “Last year, my partner and I had been separated for ten months by travel restrictions. Either I succumbed to the sadness or stepped up to the plate to grow as a person. Lockdown had created all kinds of unhealthy imbalances amongst my immediate community. Understandably, people were feeling lonely while spending hours upon hours sitting down all day. I recognized how yoga transformed me by grounding me down to the present moment; to accept the things I could not control,” she says.

However, learning and teaching yoga in an even more digital-heavy world wasn’t without its obstacles. “I learned to adapt quickly. It has been scary to become a yoga teacher in the middle of a pandemic. Suddenly, I had to learn how to film, edit, produce and even act as an audio and lighting technician for my yoga classes. I love to be challenged. Growth is found in working with our limitations.”

At the age of 29, Katrina has championed countless causes geared towards climate action, sustainability and mindful living. Beyond raising everyone’s spirits through wellness, the hardworking multi-hyphenate is even more determined to ensure there is a future to experience post-COVID.

“It is hard to predict the future. I do know that I want to further serve my community as a guiding light. We need to help and support each other out of these extremely difficult times. I am constantly worried about the climate emergency and looking at productive ways in mobilizing organizations to combat man-made forces driving the death of our natural planet. My offset plan is through investment and activism,” she notes.

Alongside immersing herself in weekly yoga teachings, Katrina remains wistful towards the day she gets to move with others, this time on the dancefloor together.

“I miss the human connection and community the most. The one thing that prevents me from having a meltdown is the feeling that live events will come back in a powerful way. In a world full of replays, people are craving connection more than ever before. I look forward to the day when we can safely reunite on the dance floor.”

[Images via Adora and Katrina Razon]