FEATURE: The City of Baguio blooms amidst COVID-19 crisis

It’s the time of the year again when the sun almost hugged the earth and sweat rolls over our body. People are craving for gelato, halo-halo or anything that can give the ‘chill.’ This brings us to the ever-famous City of Pines, Baguio City. It is well-known for its cold-breeze and the tourist-spots that will surely consume your phone storage.

But this year, amidst the Covid-19 crisis, the Summer Capital of the Philippines welcomes no tourists but applause from citizens around the country for its combat tactics against the virus which left little to no positive cases in the vicinity.

The Captain of the Ship!

Baguio City traverse the path against big waves with their new on the post leader, Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Beginning from his first day on the mayoral position and up until now, Mayor Magalong never failed his constituents and the whole city to rise as high as their altitudinous geographical location. In their battle against the lethal virus, it is the sense of urgency and preparedness that brought them to reap their harvests now.

With the ‘no-camera-action’ of Mayor Magalong, they have prevented the uncontrollable, rapid increase of Covid-19 cases in the city. Every month of February, the radiant colors of flowers is being showcased through the tourist-magnet Panagbenga Festival where every street is filled with thousands of people to witness such magnificent event. But this year’s moment was postponed and later-on cancelled as an early response against this Covid-19.

It was mid of March when Enhanced Community Quarantine was declared in the city and positivity ignites with the officers on duty in the designated checkpoint, seen on their video circulating online, as they move their bodies through the grove of music despite this time of uncertainty. Another jaw-dropping action of the city-government is their aggressive contract tracing led by Mayor Magalong who exhibits his detective skills being a former chief of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Equipped Passengers!

As sudden as the lightning and thunder, citizens and even tourists are advised not to step and wander around public areas. Malls are shutdown, parks are closed and Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) operations are stopped. Photos of an apocalyptic-like Baguio went viral online where no one, even the tiniest step, was seen on the road. Dead city as it may appear, but this showcased the plausible, discipline of every law-abiding citizens of Baguio.

On the market scene, a government official, carrying a trumpet-like microphone, informatively enunciate government rules to combat the virus. Market vendors on the other hand, responsibly, rubbed their brushes as they shower disinfectant spray on their own-stall, hours before the curfew arrives.

Amid this global crisis, Baguio may not cater tourist for their needs of a relaxing ambiance and a soothing breeze of wind, the City excellently cater the need of the whole nation of a role model in our current battle. It is the formula of a simple math equation, the camaraderie of an effective leadership, a progressive government plus citizens equipped with discipline and cooperation.

Truly, the City of Baguio is like their flowers- they silently bloom!

INSPIRATION: Welcoming the ‘New Normal’ on Post-Quarantine Life

I still can remember, 12 midnight of January 1^st when we are all boosted by the cracking noise of fireworks, the blow of horns, shouts, foods and shots. Everyone are engrossed to welcome this year with mere hope that 2020 will be a prosperous year, based on the predictions of Feng Shui experts.

But how far have we gone this 2020? It’s been only 4 months and we all can ascertain that it’s a tough year. It all started from the unpredicted eruption of the Taal Volcano preceded by the abrupt news of the death of Kobe Bryant and his little daughter and now this unprecedented CoVid-19 pandemic.

This phrase sounds cliché now but it happens, everything changed. It seems like the world is shutdown. Our travel plans have been postponed, malls are closed, schools and works shifted to online mode, check-points on every boundary. In short, our social life has shutdown.

Since it is still April, maybe it’s not too late about April fools. Maybe it is also not too late to reveal that all of this is just a crazy prank. But even if we spend an all-nighter thinking about this prank-thing, maybe we better go to sleep. Either you accept it or not, this is real. Our life before Quarantine have succumbed to darkness.

There are few days left before April 30, the end of Quarantine if it will not be extended, and we can now escape this room of boredom and loneliness. But have you ever thought about how life would be after this long period of home-isolation? How much preparation are you availing yourself for the Post-Quarantine life?

The end of this Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) doe not also mean this Covid-19 pandemic is over. We all are aware how many plans were postponed or, even worst, cancelled. Everyone is longing to live their life similar to what it is before this crisis. This is why it’s natural to feel joy after the lifting of ECQ. It is somehow coming back to life of the whole country, but not really. This time is not yet the time for victory celebrations. This one is a pain-in-the-heart but I want to tell you that IT IS TOO EARLY TO FEEL SAFE AND LAX.

We have to undergo this period of adjustments. Some things need modifications. I know that what life would be, or even life itself, is unforeseeable but this thing I am going to tell you is one which is predictable. We need to ready ourselves and adapt with what will be the NEW NORMAL.

Before, we have the luxury to wander everywhere barefacedly but now no more. As how the campaign of celebrities goes, “Mask is a Must.” This may not be providing us the comfort but consider this now as a part of everyone’s fashion. We need to wear one everytime, especially when going to public areas getting contact with the people from the crowd.

Another thing, if before we don’t mind seating beside strangers inside a public transportation; now, you cannot. Before, it is totally normal to offer a handshake; now, you must not. If before you have the privilege to talk near anyone; now, please don’t. After quarantine, we need to maintain Physical Distancing. What was then normal to mingle with anyone and anytime is now something we need to refrain from. Keep in mind that staying distant is the NEW self-care.

All of these may be unusual for now but let’s start to embrace and be comfortable with it because this is the NEW NORMAL.

There are lots of shifting and changes and I know you are emerged with the phrase YOLO- You Only Live Once. Yes, we need to live this awesome life to the fullest. But maybe now is the time we can consider to not only live this life in full blasts but to also make it the longest possible we can. Let’s live a healthy life with no worries and no hesitations. Lastly, we need to control ourselves and avoid to panic because, with God’s grace, this pandemic will soon enter to its own grave.

Remember that – Safety is the key to Make It Long Enough because You Only Live Once. SMILE because YOLO.

OPINION: Discrimination against middle-class on distribution of relief-goods.

Have you ever noticed the social-classes in our society? Yes, it is undeniably present. The world we habituate is a hierarchal system. It is composed of different levels from the under-privileged, the middle-class and up to the high-ranks. The government give aid more only to a certain group, the marginalized sector. They are the subject of numerous government’s program such as financial assistance, relief goods, and they are even provided with the ‘VIP card’ whenever a calamity strikes the country. But today’s crisis against the COVID-19 pandemic the whole country, regardless of the social class, is affected. A lot has changed including the hierarchal system. Middle classmen, not the poor or underprivileged, are left out of the privileges provided by the government which should be enjoyed by all. Complaints on discrimination in distribution of relief goods are circulating online. Do they really need to be selective in choosing whom to provide?

I’m sure that you are confused on who are these middle-class men I am pertaining to. Let’s not go into technicalities. I really am not sure about the standards to be called middle-class but they are considered as such because of their capability to sustain their daily necessities. Yes, they are those in the fine-line between the poor and the rich. Some of them are employed, some rely on their mini-business or ‘sari-sari store’, others are dependent on their farms and such. Regardless of their source of income they still have this thing in common, they all pay taxes. With this, maybe it is fair enough to label them as the ‘core workers of the society.’ They spend most of their time working, only to provide for their family. But part of this money they all strive for are gone in a second. It went to the government hoping that these funds will be allotted for projects beneficial to the countrymen.

Have you heard of the word ‘tax’ before? It’s a no-brainer, yes. The lifeblood of the government, as they define it. It’s like this, we are the boss and these taxes coming from everything we consume is the salary of the politicians in position. Yeah, that’s how it works but that’s not yet the point. The tax is also allotted for different projects by the government in relation to the needs of its constituents. As I mentioned earlier, they most likely focus on the ‘poorest of the poor.’ The Pantawid Palmiyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is one of those. I find no wrong on this, we need to provide for those much in need. This has become a habit.

In this trying times, let’s help each other for we are all in the same boat; either we row together or we sink together.
DWRITE

Today’s crisis is a nationwide battle, in fact a worldwide one. Our real enemy here is a virus, a pandemic. The government declared the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) last March and has been extended until the end of April. Relief goods are provided by different Local Government Units (LGUs) and the middle-class are discriminated, although not all. Now, they are the marginalized. Not only because they are employed or they can afford to feed themselves that they are not supposedly to be helped. I repeat, there is no wrong in reaching-out to those in need. This time who are in need is everyone.

The goods they provide are not really provided by the government, it is the taxes from the product we consume and paid by the working force, including the middle-class. It is time that the carabao eat the hay from the palays (planted rice) he plows. Maybe the middle-class deserves now to taste even the smallest pulp from the fruits of their labor.

Now is the time to think before you abide by those criteria in choosing whom to provide. Set aside being selective and avoid discrimination. We are all affected, no one must own the focal point. What must be prioritized is the welfare of the nation and countrymen.

OPINION COLUMN: Isyu ng Bansa, may Solusyon na? (isipin mo!)

Alam mo na ba? Siguro naman alam mo na. Matalino ka diba? Share ko lang pero ayon sa isang pananaliksik, napatunayan na ang COVID-19 ay kikitil ng higit sa dalawampung-libong Pilipino at magtatapos lamang ito sa susunod na dalawang buwan. Ngunit bago maglaho ng tuluyan ang salot na virus na ito ay kailangan mo munang kumain ng maraming saging o kahit anong makapagpapalakas gaya ng paglaklak ng multi-vitamins. Siyempre naman kapag mayroong mapagtatagumpayan ay kailangan munang magsakripisyo. Hmmm. Ialay kaya natin ang mga politiko na nagpasok sa atin sa kulungang ito? Alam ko namang mahirap gawin iyan, mahirap kasing puksain ang masamang damo. Hindi din natin sila mareach, kasi nga VIP sila. Pero hindi lahat, yung iba panalo – sa ‘hide and seek’, ang gagaling. Ano ba? Nakapanlulumo! Ang hirap ng kalagayang ito, siguro kailangan ko ng special power. Samahan niyo ako, hingi tayo sa senado. Hey papi, let’s GO!

PAALALA! Kung nais mo ang KATOTOHANAN ay kailangan mong magpatuloy sa pagbabasa.
dwrite

Sandali lang, ang sakit ng tenga ko. Ang ingay kasi sa Social Media. May mask bang pantakip ng tenga? Teka teka. Speaking of mask, may kwento ako! Galing ako kanina sa botika. Inirapan pa ako ni ate, naubo kasi ako sa harap niya. Kasalanan ko ba, wala na ako mabilihan ng facemask? Aha! Mayroon nga pala sa facebook, pero yung presyo pwedeng pang-ulam ng isang-linggo. Kahit alcohol nagkaubusan. Dear hoarders, andami niyo napamili kaya sana safe kayo sa pag-imbak ng sobrang produkto! Grrr. Hindi niyo ba naisip na mas kailangan ng mga frontliners yan! Saglit lang! Sino-sino ba sila? Kasali ba sina kayetano ba yun? Ewan ko ba kung sino yun, basta just stay at home, pumasok sila para sa atin. Pero, wala bang libreng delata diyan mayor? Pampalubag loob lang sa pagkagigil ko sa online class na ito. Ay teka delete natin, suspended na pala online classes pero siyempre may ipapasa sa pasukan. Baka naman ‘surepass’ na yan? Trivia lang, pero pwede na daw maging doctor kahit walang board exam. Baka naman pwede na pumasa kahit nagtitik-tok lang? Sige lang, sabay lang sa uso. Fight your boredom kaysa naman fight against the authority. Yung ipaglalaban mo yung right to travel mo kahit may Enhanced Community Quarantine. Pero okay lang kung ang gusto mo namang destinasyon ay sa kabilang mundo. Literal na iba ang trip! Ayaw mo sumama? Then stay at home! Ang dali lang naman diba?

Saglit, saglit! Huli na ito! Fun Fact, promise nakakatawa ito. Sa Pilipinas, ewan ko ba kung saan yun basta magagaling daw tao dun, solusyong militar nga daw ang ginamit para labanan yung nakakamatay na COVID-19. Sabagay, nakakamatay nga yung kalaban kaya kailangan ng baril at bala, “shoot them dead” ika nga. Dimo naisip yun diba? Ewan ko nga e, kung ano-ano na naiisip ko. Naiisip ko nga habang nagsusulat nito na kaya natin malampasan ang problemang ito. Teka, lalampasan lang ang sinabi ko ha! Hindi kasi ako sigurado kung mapagtatagumpayan natin. Eh ikaw, iniisip mo din ba? Naisip mo ba na lahat ng sinabi ko ay hindi ko alam? Ewan ko ba, basta sinulat ko lang kung ano unang lumabas sa diwa ko. Pero alam kong nabasa mo naman lahata. Teka, teka! Huwag mo i-share! Check mo muna ng mabuti. Baka nga Fake-news lang din ito? Isipin mo!

Never settle for anything believable. Always seek for the truth, because that’s what matters
Dwrite