Life Discourse 04.13.2020: Lent at the time of COVID and other Musings

(Illustration Credits: First Prebysterian Church)

Disclaimer: This is a series of microblogs created on my Facebook profile during the start and peak of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (16 March - 15 May 2020). This represents my personal feelings and thoughts on issues that affected me the most. Pardon the grammar & poor sentence construction.

This year Lent was different. Due to COVID, gathering were a big no-no; well in the case of my town, Mandaluyong, it was prohibited before the start of the lockdown. Most of time, my aunt goes to FB in order to "get" to mass on time sometimes twice a day.

Most church activities were on FB Live. No more on the spot Visita Iglesia. No more processions - if there was - it was done without the usual fanfare and crowds. No more walk from your place to Antipolo as a form of panata or vow in favor of what someone desires to happen this year. No more carriages of big statues roaming the streets for the meantime. It has to take a backseat in order not getting infected.

This is the first time that I was not outside the Philippines. I travelled to Japan for two successive lents (2018-2019). Not because I abhor religious rites (it doesn't mean that I am agnostic, I hate rituals ok?), it just that this period is the time that most HR activities are at its minimum. If a long vacation is done outside of the Lent dates, it is going to be very difficult to detach myself from my job. I would be chased by email, calls, inquiries and other HR stuff to the point that I am not going to enjoy this at all. Taking a vacation means that I had really had to detach myself from almost everything and Lent has been the perfect date to really go out.

This is the 4th week and the numbers seems to rise. Let's be honest here, no one is taking the social distancing very seriously. Barangays already imposed a No Entry at their entrances - meaning you cannot pass if you are not a resident of the said place. People do not know or ignore the meaning of distance and space.

About the 8P and social amelioration stuff, I am not going to argue here because much has been said over the past week. Because of the issue, the government should rethink how to classify who are really in need versus those who are just plain "pabigat", meaning those who are able to eke out a living but too dependent for dole outs (and who has the audacity to complain!!!). Encouraging those who wanted to pursue a livelihood without becoming a burden to the government.

Finally, we should prepare for the new normal from this point up to 30 April 2020. Not the ones were accustomed to prior to COVID. This means social distancing for the next 7 months until a vaccine is in place. Face Mask worn not just outside but also inside the workplace. This also taught everyone a lesson in saving money for situations such as this one. Reassessing your fundamental values and belief. And living with what is essential to your daily lives aka minimalistic.

Let's not screw this remaining weeks folks. Happy Easter Monday to all.