Alabang – Page 33 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Alabang Hills Village Releases Official Guidelines on In-Village Rotunda Driving

November 29, 2022November 27, 2022carlocarrasco

In a follow-up to what was previously announced about rotunda driving inside the village, the Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) recently released official guidelines of the matter online. The new regulations have since gone into effect while the imposition of fines will be formally implemented on December 1, 2022.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the AHVA’s official announcement with the guidelines in PDF file (which contains images of the rotundas) for your downloading. Some parts in boldface…

Please find below a flyer detailing our Rotunda Driving Regulations. These regulations go into effect immediately. Between now and November 30, violators will be apprehended but not fined. We will begin imposing fines on December 1. The applicable fines, as contained in our Vehicle Sticker Application Form, are as follows:

AHVA2022ROTUNDA-DRIVING-REGULATIONS Download

1). Traffic violations: disregarding traffic signs, speeding, reckless driving, unauthorized parking, driving without license or with expired license, unregistered vehicle:

First Offense P500.00

Second Offense P1,000.00

Third Offense: P2,000.00

2). Disobedience / arrogance / refusal to follow village regulations & traffic policies:

First Offense P500.00

Second Offense P700.00

Third Offense P1000.00 & banned from AHVA

We will continue to post Security Guards at the rotundas every day but only up to November 30. Beginning December 1, when the penalties will go into effect, we will switch from ‘on-the-spot in-person apprehension’ to using our CCTV cameras located at every rotunda. We will notify violators caught on CCTV to show cause why they should not be penalized. We will send “show cause” notices via email as well as via hard copies delivered to their homes in the case of residents.

Residents can also report violations straight to the guards or to the Security Office, citing the date, time, and location of the violation, and if possible, the license plate number, make, and color of the vehicle in case CCTV footage may be unclear.

From time to time, Security Guards will be positioned at the rotundas to reinforce compliance.

This announcement by the AVHA is very timely as more vehicles have been entering and/or passing through their village in relation to the ongoing classes at a big school inside, going to churches for on-site worship, having to reach other communities outside of Alabang Hills Village, and so on. Also, Alabang Hills will be hosting the Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar which is scheduled to take place in three consecutive full weekends! The said bazaar is expecting to attract a lot of visitors looking for items to buy as Christmas gifts, and there are also fun-related activities included which should encourage people to spend more time on-site. Lastly, there will be more Christmas parties expected to happen in households this December. All of these mean that in-village vehicular traffic will grow and you should not forget the new rules whenever you are about to drive by the rotundas.

For inquiries about this new development, visit https://alabanghillsvillage.com/ or call them at 88508254. You can visit their office at 1 Don Jesus Boulevard inside Alabang Hills Village from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM. Always remember to follow their rules and speed limits whenever you are in the village. Be aware also of the recent in-village traffic adjustments and if you are a non-resident motorist who needs a new car sticker from AHVA, you can apply online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Ten men pretending to be NBI agents arrested inside Ayala Alabang Village for attempted robbery, serious illegal detention and usurpation of authority

November 25, 2022November 24, 2022carlocarrasco

Not so long after the in-village drug-related raids happened, Ayala Alabang Village is back in the news again as a result of a group of ten men who entered the village, went to a certain residence and attempted to rob a foreign resident while pretending to be agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The suspects have since been arrested and will be charged.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Ten men posing as National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents were arrested for serious illegal detention and attempted robbery charges filed by a resident of the exclusive Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa on Nov. 22.

Brig. Gen. Kirby John Kraft, Southern Police District (SPD), said the 10 suspects are also facing charges of usurpation of authority and trespass to dwelling.

The arrested suspects were identified as David Tan Liao, 46, travel agency agent; Fritz Ian Petil Cafino, 33, and Ronaldo Cadalena Zuniega, 33, both utility personnel of Long-Shang Travel Agency; Andy Ko Sy, 50 driver and translator; Erlindo Cuago Auditor, 48, tricycle driver; Roderick Segundo Ensano, 48, taxi driver; Bienvinido Biolango Vildad Jr., 47, driver; Ernesto Solamillo Baay, 45, driver; Roberto Daradar Pacis, 65, messenger; and Jonathan Caliwag Salud, 46, immigration officer.

The police are looking for Jose Romel Herbolingo Congreso, 50, and four other unidentified suspects.

According to the police, the detention and attempted robbery happened at about 9 a.m. inside the village.

The suspects, who were on board two vehicles, entered the Madrigal Gate of Ayala Alabang Village. They informed the village guards that they would be visiting friends residing on Maria Cristina Street.

Once inside the village, suspects went to the house of victim Weijian Pan, 33, a Chinese businessman, at Country Club Drive.

Introducing themselves as NBI agents, the suspects allegedly threatened Erick Cai, 19, a Chinese interpreter, and forcibly opened the gate.

After entering the house, suspect Liao approached the victim and demanded P40 million in exchange for his liberty. The suspects detained the victim until 7 p.m.

Another victim, Juvanie Baterna Lapinig, 30, Pan’s personal driver, was able to call the village security guards and asked for help. The security guards immediately responded to the call leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Kraft thanked the security guards for their prompt response and arrest of the suspects.

This recent development is very disturbing. Could you just imagine how a group with bad intentions could enter your village and then attempt a robbery inside while pretending to be agents of authority? The usurpation of authority is alone a very serious topic that needs to be discussed in the local community as criminals can pretend to be authority personnel members and use their fake authority to victimize people.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Does this news make you feel uneasy about the security of your home and your village? If ever you get approached by a group of people who claim they are agents of authorities (examples: police, the military, health department), what would you do to find out if they are telling the truth?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others as well as making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar set for December 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18, 2022 in Alabang Hills Village

November 21, 2022December 5, 2022carlocarrasco

By the time you are reading this, you must have noticed the sudden number of bazaars and local community events that happened around since October. The Megarahe Sale inside Alabang Hills Village was successful while the Noel Bazaar this past weekend at Filinvest Tent attracted customers. The local communities, the enterprises, the consumers and the nation are indeed rising from the economic downturn of the COVID-19.

As Christmas is nearing, the Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) officially announced that they will be hosting Christmas shopping bazaars set to happen over three consecutive weekends this December. The event is officially called the Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar and the exciting news is that people are invited to attend it as there will be vendors selling lots of products and food, plus some notable fun events.

*The Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar banner. (source – AHVA website)*

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the AHVA’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

We are delighted to announce that we will again be holding a Christmas bazaar this December! Dubbed “Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar”, the festive event will draw on the theme of Tchaikovsky’s world-famous Christmas ballet, “The Nutcracker”.

The bazaar will open on Friday, the 2nd of December and will run for three consecutive weekends: December 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18. Bazaar hours will be from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day of the 9-day bazaar. Venue will be the entire AHV Phase 2 Park.

Come to the Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar and enjoy

• CHRISTMAS TREE & BAZAAR LIGHTING CEREMONY on December 2, 6:00 PM,

• UNCLE DROSSELMEYER’S ENCHANTED MARKET (the bazaar),

• THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS & SAVORIES (the food pavilion), and

• HARLEQUIN THEATRE (the stage and performance area)

The bazaar’s fun highlights will include Bingo & Raffle Afternoons, Dance, Food, Magic, Music, and more!

Entrance to the bazaar is free! Invite your friends and relatives and let’s together make this a fun and memorable community Christmas celebration! A portion of the proceeds from the bazaar will go to the beneficiary of the AHV Christmas Outreach Program.

Indeed, the Christmas season is already here and if you are looking for things to buy for Christmas gift-giving or buy something you need, then Alabang Hills’ Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar is something you should consider. With three consecutive full weekends set, there will be opportunities for you and your friends to attend and have fun. The Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar is the first Christmas bazaar to be held inside Alabang Hills Village in the last few years. Truly, the AHVA and its strategic partners and bazaar organizers are going big-time this December with the 3-weekend bazaar.

UPDATE: Here is the video I took during the opening day of the Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar on December 2, 2022.

Before you engage in Christmas shopping and having fun, always remember that Christmas is always all about Lord Jesus and it is to be rejoiced with Him. Thank the Lord for the continued revival of the Philippines from the downturn of COVID-19. Thank the Lord that more people have gotten vaccinated/boosted for COVID-19, that the local businesses and customers are more confident to interact with each other face-to-face, and that the Philippines is moving beyond the pandemic. Thank the Lord for the Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar and the many fun activities scheduled!

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Drug-related raids inside Ayala Alabang Village

November 21, 2022November 19, 2022carlocarrasco

Recently, over P100 million worth of illegal drugs were found by elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and a few suspects were arrested in Muntinlupa City, specifically inside Ayala Alabang Village according to a news report by GMA Network. The law enforcers were armed with search warrants.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Authorities on Friday seized around P149.6 million worth of illegal drugs during a raid in an alleged shabu laboratory in Muntinlupa, according to a report of Bam Alegre on GMA News’ Unang Balita,

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) at 12:30 a.m. served search warrants in two houses in Ayala-Alabang Village which were allegedly used as improvised shabu laboratory, PDEA said in a report.

At the first house, authorities arrested French national Aurelien Cythere, supposedly the “chemist,” and Filipino Mark Anthony Sarayot.

Trays filled with suspected shabu and equipment for its production were found inside the house, according to PDEA.

Authorities seized 20 kilograms of suspected shabu with a street value of around P136 million.

At a nearby house, another suspect identified as Canadian-Iranian Ariana Golisorkhi was also arrested.

Two packs of suspected shabu were found inside the house, according to authorities. There was no foul smell of chemicals in the area because the suspects used machines with new technology in cooking illegal drugs.

The two houses are being rented for around P300,000 and P70,000 per month, PDEA said.

PDEA officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary Gregorio Pimentel said the laboratory is linked to international drug syndicates.

The above article ended stating that the arrested suspects will be charged for violating Republic Act Number 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). For added insight, watch below the related news video.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Are you convinced that international drug syndicates could still be running makeshift laboratories of illegal drugs here in the Philippines?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Kadiwa bazaar in Muntinlupa City nets over P530,000 in first two days

November 18, 2022November 17, 2022carlocarrasco

In the progressive city of Muntinlupa, the Kadiwa bazaar held at the quadrangle at City Hall generated over P530,000 in sales in the first two days, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The said bazaar is a special project involving the City Government, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Agriculture (DAR), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The two-day Kadiwa Christmas bazaar at the Muntinlupa City hall quadrangle generated nearly P536,000 in sales to sellers.

The Kadiwa bazaar, an initiative of the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Muntinlupa City government, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Social Welfare and Development, was held on Nov. 15 and 16.

Showcasing different Muntinlupa-made products, the Kadiwa bazaar was launched by Mayor Ruffy Biazon and DTI Asst. Sec. Dominic Tolentino on Nov. 15.

According to Biazon, “Gusto natin ma-promote ang produkto ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, dahil tayo ay proud (We want to promote Muntinlupa-made products because we are very proud of them).”

“Ang sagot sa kaunlaran ay nagkakaisang mamamayan (A united citizenry contributes to a progressive economy),” said Tolentino, a Muntinlupa resident.

On the first day, the bazaar generated P326,421 in sales and P209,223 on Nov. 16 for a total of P535,644 in two days.

Other officials at the launch of KADIWA were City Administrator Allan Cachuela, DA-ESO head Marilou Lobo, Alabang Central Market Administrator Randy Garcia, and Cristine Evangelista of DTI.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Do you want to see more bazaars in the city selling more Muntinlupa-made products? Are you more confident now to spend time in bazaars or shopping centers knowing that COVID-19 can be avoided? Are the recent news reports highlighting the Department of Health’s (DOH) recent statements about COVID-19 infections making you afraid to go out?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Government achieves “Beyond Compliant” award for disaster risk reduction

November 10, 2022November 9, 2022carlocarrasco

The City Government of Muntinlupa scored another achievement, this time it is achieving the highest “Beyond Compliant” award (related to disaster risk and management) at the prestigious Gawad Kalasag Seal for Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs), according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government received the highest “Beyond Compliant” award at the 22nd Gawad Kalasag Seal for Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs) organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

According to the OCD, there are 135 Beyond Compliant and 436 Fully Compliant awardees this year among local government units (LGUs) nationwide. The assessment covered 1,715 LGUs in the country.

The Muntinlupa City government, through the Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management (MCDDRM) and Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (LDRRMC), got the Beyond Compliant seal, one of the five LGUs in the National Capital Region recognized in the 22nd Gawad Kalasag.

Based on the guidelines, Beyond Compliant LGUs are those that get an assessment rating of 2.5 to 3 while Fully Compliant LGUs are those that receive a rating of 1.5 to 2.49.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon hailed the new achievement of the Muntinlupa City government.

“Congratulations, Muntinlupa City! We are recognized as Beyond Compliant LGU in the 22nd Gawad KALASAG Seal for Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs), by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD),” he posted on Facebook.

He said the Beyond Compliance Assessment or Gawad Kalasag Seal is the highest award given to an LGU in disaster resiliency.

The above article ended stating that the mayor thanked the MCDDRM and LDRRMC for their efforts, and cited former mayor and now Muntinlupa Rep. Jaime Fresnedi

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? Are you happy with the newest award the City Government achieved with regards to disaster risk and management?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Noel Bazaar returns to Alabang on November 18-20 and December 16-18, 2022

November 9, 2022November 8, 2022carlocarrasco

As the nation continues to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, pre-Christmas shopping in the Alabang area of Muntinlupa City will become much more livelier this year as the famous Noel Bazaar will return on November 18 to 20 and December 16 to 18 at the Filinvest Tent in Filinvest City, according to an Inquirer.net article.

For the newcomers reading this, the Noel Bazaar has an established history as a long-running and popular holiday bazaar and also “features the best of entrepreneurs carrying the latest crafts and merchandise from clothing, Christmas and home decors, fashion accessories, novelty and gift items to food and drinks.”

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Inquirer.net article. Some parts in boldface…

With a wide array of merchants selling specially curated items and unique gift finds, every shopper will find what they need at Noel Bazaar: from novelty items, stylish apparel, Christmas decors and home furnishings, body and beauty products, to fashion accessories, shoes, and bags. The best part? Shoppers get to see, touch, feel, smell, and even taste all the products in person! Indulge in a variety of sumptuous and festive food choices that await visitors of Noel Bazaar so you don’t have to go shopping on an empty stomach.

Get your hands on your favorite gifts while giving back and enjoying the festivities with ease. Have a merry and extra meaningful Christmas as a portion of the bazaar’s proceeds will go to the GMA Kapuso Foundation and Inquirer Foundation. Health protocols will be strictly implemented throughout the duration of the event ensuring that merchants and shoppers can look forward to a better and safer Noel Bazaar comeback this 2022.

The Noel Bazaar 2022 series is in partnership with GMA Network, Inquirer Group of Companies, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer.Net, Pop!, Inquirer Mobile, UnionBank, and Okada Manila. Other media partners include WhenInManila.com, DiscoverMNL, Village Pipol, Buzzsetter, Our Awesome Planet, Travelokaloka, Your Tita Ja, Chinese Commercial News, and Digiboards, Inc.

If you are interested to attend the Noel Bazaar in Alabang soon, visit the Filinvest Tent along Spectrum Midway in Filinvest City. The commercial or business joints located close to the Filinvest Tent are South Supermarket Alabang, Acacia Hotel Manila, Commercenter Mall, BDO Filinvest Spectrum Midway Branch and 7-Eleven along Spectrum Midway. Considering the popularity of Noel Bazaar, do not be surprised to find a huge amount of people present as well as lines of cars at the nearest parking areas. If you want covered parking, Commercenter Mall and South Supermarket Alabang have it. Better start planning where to park and how to make it to Filinvest Tent.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you excited about the return of Noel Bazaar in Alabang? If you shopped at a Noel Bazaar before, when and where was the last time you did? What are you looking for at Noel Bazaar this time around?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Mayor Biazon tells residents to be vigilant as a new weather disturbance approaches

November 1, 2022October 31, 2022carlocarrasco

This past weekend was harsh for many people here in the Philippines due to the intense rain and wind caused by typhoon Paeng. The result was a lot of flooding, fallen trees and unstable power supply to say the least. Yesterday, the Manila Bulletin reported that Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon advised residents (who are still recovering from the last typhoon) to be vigilant as a new weather disturbance has entered the area of responsibility of Philippines.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon advised residents to be vigilant as another weather disturbance entered the Philippines.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced on Oct. 31 that tropical depression “Queenie” has entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

“At 5:00 AM today, the center of the Tropical Depression near Palau entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and was named #QueeniePH. Tropical Cyclone Bulletins will be issued beginning at 11:00 AM today,” PAGASA posted on its Facebook page.

The entry of “Queenie” came as tropical storm “Paeng” is still in the Philippine area of responsibility.

“Pumasok na sa Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) si #QueeniePH. Tututukan po natin yan para po sa nararapat na paghahanda (#QueeniePH has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility [PAR]. We will focus on this for the appropriate preparedness),” Biazon said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Is your household ready for a new weather disturbance? How much damage did typhoon Paeng have on your household this past weekend?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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San Beda new schooling will be 4X a week starting November 3, 2022

October 26, 2022October 25, 2022carlocarrasco

The Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) just announced that starting November 3, 2022, the students of San Beda College Alabang (located along Don Manolo Boulevard inside the village) will be observing a schooling schedule of 4 times a week until the end of school year 2022-2023. Specifically, this refers to students under primary schools, middle schools and high schools. This means varying increase of traffic congestion along Don Manolo Boulevard.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the AHVA’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

We would like to inform you that starting November 3 until the end of the school year 2022-2023, all San Beda students belonging to primary schools (nursery, grades 1, 2 & 3), middle schools (grades 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8) & high schools ( grades 9, 10, 11 & 12) will be observing the 4x a week schooling schedule.

Due to this, we are expecting about 3,500 students that will be coming in & out of the village especially during Tuesdays & Thursdays, from 7:20am to 10:20am & 12:50pm to 3:50pm.

Traffic congestion will rise up along Don Manolo Boulevard (DMB) during such hours.

To address this, we will post additional security personnel to manage the traffic flow in DMB.

For the non-residents reading this, if you need a new vehicular sticker (or stickers for bicycles and motorcycles), then you better apply online immediately by clicking https://alabanghillsvillage.com/sticker/. Also be aware of the enforcement of the “No sticker, no entry” policy towards non-residents as well as the new rules on driving by the in-village rotundas.

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COVID-19 Crisis: President Marcos declares it is time to return to pre-pandemic life

October 25, 2022October 24, 2022carlocarrasco

Life in the Philippines continues to move back to normal even though new COVID-19 cases are being recorded in the thousands daily in recent times. Still, it is notable that many millions of Filipinos have gotten fully vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19 (note: around 3.5 million received their 1^st booster shots recently) and even though the past summer saw lots of election campaign events that had many, many political supporters gathered in high numbers, no new outbreak of COVID-19 happened. There is also the growing confidence about organizing events that attract customers, sports participants and spectators and more.

In relation to what I stated above, it is significant that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., declared to the people it is time to return to pre-pandemic life which the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported. Take note that under Marcos, the use of face masks outdoors is now optional.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Sunday enjoined Filipinos to get back to their normal lives before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, stressing that it is crucial to show the world that the Philippines is slowly getting back on its feet.

“It is a good thing to remind people that the pandemic may have been difficult, the pandemic really put us through the wringer. But we are back,” Marcos said in a speech in Bacolod City during a luncheon just before he graced the culminating activity of the 43rd MassKara Festival.

“The pandemic is fading away. We are learning to manage it and now it is time for us to all go back to work, to all go back to our normal lives, to remind ourselves of all the opportunities that were before us before the pandemic…It is time for us to go back to all of those endeavors that we were undertaking before Covid hit,” he added.

Marcos said the MassKara Festival signaled not just the opening of Bacolod City to tourists, but also the entire country.

“It is time for us to go back and exercise once again, show once again the Filipino resilience, the Filipino resourcefulness, the Filipino industry, the Filipino talent, ipakita naman natin sa buong mundo dahil nagbubukas ang mundo, dahil nagbubukas ang Pilipinas, ito ngayon ang MassKara Festival ay isang pagdiriwang hindi lamang sa pagbubukas ng Bacolod kung hindi sa buong Pilipinas (let us show the world because the Philippines is now open, this is the MassKara festival which is a celebration of the opening of Bacolod but of the entire Philippines),” he said.

Despite the festival being borne out of “a very sad period in the history of Bacolod”, the President said it also symbolizes Filipinos’ “reemergence from a crisis.”

“..That is what we celebrate today and that is what we see that people are feeling and that is the feeling that we want to continue to encourage within our people because that is what’s going to lead us to success,” he said.

Marcos also congratulated Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez and event organizers for a successful holding of the festival.

Founded in October 1980 by the late Bacolod City Mayor Jose “Digoy” Montalvo Jr., the MassKara Festival was first held following two major tragedies that befell Negrenses– the collapse of sugar prices in the international market and the sinking of the Negros Navigation ship M/V Don Juan.

During the sugar crisis, artists thought of promoting mask-making as an alternative source of income for the locals.

Montalvo likewise suggested holding a mask festival to lift the spirits of the locals after the maritime accident that killed his wife, two daughters, and hundreds of Bacolod residents.

MassKara is derived from the words “mass” meaning “many” and “kara” meaning “faces,” thus calling it the Festival of Many Faces.

This year’s festival will be the first face-to-face event after two years of being suspended due to the pandemic.

The MassKara festival’s revival is significant not only with the people of Bacolod City and the province of Negros Occidental but for the nation as well. Here in the Alabang area of Muntinlupa City, the Megarahe Sale and the COPIX both attracted lots of people who searched and bought items. Still in Alabang, it was recently announced by Zonta Club of Alabang that they will be reviving their popular Christmas Carnivale Bazaar on November 25, 2022 at the Filinvest Tent. I myself attended that bazaar back in 2017 and 2018 at the said venue and it is really encouraging that it will be revived next month. These are just a few of the many signs that the Philippines is recovering from the pandemic and can move forward and progress more. Pre-pandemic economic strength will be regained eventually.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you feel encouraged by the statement of President Marcos that the pandemic is fading away and that the country can more forward more?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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