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Festivals pandemic victims, too

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What could the American President mean when he says that the COVID attacks virtually “nobody important”? Goodness gracious, does he believe that he and all other VIPs, or Very Important Persons, are immune to it? Probably he means that neither he nor anyone prominent in his country has been a victim of the virus, but what a snobbish way to say it! So if you or any member of your family gets stricken, it means that you, or they are not important? I have heard him say things that sound unpresidential, or, all right, even silly, but this takes the cake.

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This is not the first time he has been heard putting his foot in mouth, but it just shows his class consciousness. Well, the Americans are having their elections soon, and we will see from the results what they think of a president who is into that kind of thinking. Nobody important? Isn’t every life important to him? Does the pandemic not be taken seriously because it dares not strike the important ones? I hope the ghosts of the COVID victims do not come out to haunt him. I guess he is sure that he could not be a victim, as important as he is.

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I laughed out loud when I heard the Palace, via spokesman Harry Roque, daring Vice President Leni Robredo to find a solution to the pandemic that has hit not only Asian countries, but, probably the entire world. That is why it has been given the title of “pandemic” and not just an “epidemic”. Why was it laughable? It is not her responsibility, is it? I think Spokesperson Roque is beginning to sound as if he is not only the spokesman, but actually the brain of the President. I don’t think I ever heard President Duterte say such disparaging words against Vice president Robredo. But I know she is a real lady and will ignore him.

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Pandemic or no pandemic, I heard that the Miss Earth contest will go on. Well, people love beauty contests and, anyway, they need not actually go to see the presentation, but can watch it on TV. What I am interested to know is how strict the organizers will be in sizing up the candidates from the various countries. Will their temperatures be taken each time they come out for rehearsals? Will they be met with temperature tests before they can sashay on the stage? Will they be required to wear masks? In that case, some harelipped candidate might be able to sneak in! Joke only, of course.

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I don’t know if it has already been approved, but I fully agree with the provisions of Republic Act 7394 that requires stores and sellers, whether in markets or in residential areas, to attach price tags to the goods they are selling. Indeed, that is very practical, because it would save time for both seller and buyer as the latter need not inquire, and the former does not have to quote whenever a potential customer comes near. It should be a very simple matter, and I hope even public markets and tianggues will adopt it. The benefit is that the customer can decide whether to buy or not, without bothering the seller. Of course they can still bargain when the buyer has decided to buy. It’s that simple.

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What a killjoy this COVID is! Now a lot of annual festivals that our people look forward to, not only to have fun, but also to earn by providing goods for sale to merrymakers have been cancelled. Bacolod City has already announced the cancellation of the Masskara Festival next month. A great pity, because the Masskara has already become homecoming days for Bacoleños abroad, and also a big opportunity for business, especially those that cater to tourists. But how can we risk the health of the people, and is there any chance that physical distancing can be observed while performing or watching the street presentations?

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This would have been the 41st celebration of the Masskara that has earned a name for itself and even won prizes in international festival competitions. But the health and protection of the people is uppermost, so we will have to wait for the 41st that, if the Lord permits, may be next year. Ironically, the Masskara Festival was born when a series of tragedies hit our city and its people felt a colorful festival would lift their spirits. Now we are cancelling this year’s observance to prevent infections from the raging virus, and protect the health of the people.

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President Trump recently said something about China that must have raised the hackles of its leaders, but, I believe other countries agree with him this time. Trump claims that the United Nations should hold China responsible for this pandemic because despite the fact that the virus had already been, identified, China still allowed international flights and who knows how many of their passengers had already become hosts to the virus? The Chinese Ambassador retorted by calling his statement “irresponsible”, but this time Trump may have a point.*

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