COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City records fourteen COVID-19 recoveries, to conduct mass testing of PUIs to “flatten the curve”
As of April 13, the Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded 14 recoveries of COVID-19 patients and improving cases of over 590 cleared persons under monitoring (PUM) and 253 cleared persons under investigation (PUI).
Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said the increase in recoveries and cleared cases translates to the local government’s stricter quarantine measure and pro-active initiative to “flatten the curve.”
Navarro noted that the local health office alerted barangay health workers and physicians in barangay health centers to implement tougher measures against sustained local transmission in the communities.
Muntinlupa health personnel in the barangay daily monitor reported cases of PUI and PUM in the communities and distributed vitamins and medicines for those with underlying conditions.
“The improvement we see in COVID-19 recovered patients and cleared cases can be accounted to the local government’s pro-active community-based campaign in identifying and providing immediate health care assistance to city residents manifesting symptoms of COVID-19 and locals with travel history,” Navarro added.
Isolation areas in barangays were also installed for residents suspected to have contracted with the virus for monitoring by the local health office. A field hospital has been constructed in Ospital ng Muntinlupa to treat patients with COVID-19 symptoms.
In a bid to flatten the curve and strengthen its fight against COVID-19 in the city, the local government is also set to purchase testing kits through its Quick Response Fund and eyes to conduct mass testing of its residents starting with PUIs.
The Muntinlupa City Council approved a resolution allowing Mayor Jaime Fresnedi to procure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines and testing kits following the rise in confirmed cases and persons under monitoring and investigation in the city.
Fresnedi said a more aggressive medical intervention is needed to effectively contain the virus. He added that early detection of a COVID-19 infected person can deter the spread of the virus and the purchase of PCR machines and testing kits is critical in the determination of the medical assistance which must be administered to the locals.
Muntinlupa LGU has designated Ospital ng Muntinlupa to house the testing area of the PCR machine upon the approval of DOH.
To date, Muntinlupa City has 77 confirmed cases with 13 reported deaths.
This is an official Press Release issued by the City Government of Muntinlupa. Some parts were edited for this website.
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from Love-Love Tioseco by means of an interview and research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
All photographs used in this article are properties of Love-Love Tioseco and were approved for publishing.
In a Time of Crisis and Quarantine, Love-Love Tioseco Gives Food to the Frontline Personnel
It’s really mind-boggling how microbes in the form of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stopped much of the world. Not only have most economic activities stopped, people have been advised by their respective authorities to stay at home in order to avoid getting infected.
Here in Metro Manila in the Philippines, enhanced community quarantine and a 24-hour curfew (specifically in the cities of Muntinlupa, Las Piñas and Parañaque) have been implemented around which severely limited people from traveling out of their homes. Checkpoints have also been set up along national roads while businesses that were allowed to operate had to use thermal scanners and set up sanitizers for people to use.
To put things in perspective, the people who work for long hours each day at the checkpoints, at the village gates, on the roads, and inside the commercial joints still operating are referred to locally as the frontliners. At the frontline, they work not only to serve and guide people but also provide security in accordance to the guidelines of the declared quarantine. Such work is undoubtedly hard and tiring, even risky since any person infected with COVID-19 could approach them any time of the day. The frontliners definitely deserve support from anyone blessed who is generous to be a blessing to them.
Very recently, I saw my very dear college buddy Love-Love Tioseco share via social media images of her generous act of giving food to the frontliners. I was very touched by it so I immediately reached out to her and publish this exclusive article for you all.
Love-Love Tioseco with the hard-boiled eggs provided by The Rustic Kitchen.
Introduction
Again, to put things in perspective, Love-Love and I were classmates at Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the late 1990s. We both finished Communication Arts there. She was a member of the Philippine TaeKwonDo Team for 11 years and, along the way, she was a 3-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), a 3-time bronze medalist in the Asian Games and a 3-time 5th placer in the World Games.
Back in college, Love-Love was a working student in the media and the entertainment industry. After graduation, she worked as a bartender at Italianni’s restaurant for 3 years but still continued working for the media and the entertainment industry.
Love-Love went on to become an advocate of safety oriented driving. She also engaged in motorcycling and competed for a time which ultimately paved the way for the acceptance of women who ride and drive motorcycles. Love-Love also appeared on TV in some entertainment programs as well as motoring-related shows.
Today, she is in the business of selling batteries of Imarflex Battery and is the current Secretary of the Luzon Motorcyclists Federation, Inc. (LMFI). To this day, she is still active in the motoring industry and continues to emphasize the essence of driving safely and following traffic rules to make local travel safer for everyone. Below is a 2017 Alisto video which involved her as a guest traffic analyst. Love-Love starts appearing at 0:20 on the timer.
Being blessed and being a blessing to others
Going back to assisting the frontliners who have worked so hard and long during the quarantine, I asked Love-Love what inspired her to make a move.
“During this time of the quarantine period, I asked God how can I show my appreciation in my own little way to heroes or frontliners who have been on duty while risking their lives being exposed to the virus,” Love-Love said. “Then one of my scooter friends Micar Briones Santana of The Rustic Kitchen sent a message that she had hard-boiled eggs from her bakery up for donation but she needed someone who can help her give away those eggs, so I told her right away that I will do it and, yes, I did it.”
Emergency personnel were pleasantly surprised with the eggs offered by Love-Love.A soldier grabs something to eat.
Clearly the God answered Love-Love’s question paving the way for the opportunity to help the frontliners. After getting supply of hard-boiled eggs, she organized things first. The hard-boiled eggs with broken shells were made into egg spread sandwiches (as energy food for the garbage collectors). With the help of a fellow LMFI club member named Willy Lopez (Takaz Boyz), she received onions which became a key ingredient of her egg spread recipe.
Subsequently, Love-Love went around the metro to feed the MMDA Patrol Team on both the northbound and southbound lanes of EDSA, feed the MMDA Rescue Team under the EDSA flyovers, feed the personnel at the Mandaluyong checkpoints, feed the Makati City police officers on patrol, feed the security guards at an Army Navy branch, feed the Transportify delivery drivers, the motorized drivers of Grab Food and Food Panda, feed the attendants at a Caltex fuel station, feed the manpower staff at Bel-Air Village, and feed a truck-full of Philippine Army soldiers.
I asked Love-Love how the frontliners reacted when she first approached them with the prepared food.
“At first, they thought I was selling eggs to them but when I told them the eggs were free, some of them got more than three eggs, and I did not have time to count how many people got free eggs because my mind was focusing on giving to the deserving ones,” she recalled.
Frontline personnel outside an Army Navy were happy to receive free eggs from Love-Love.
Love-Love’s generous move is a clear example of her being blessed by the Lord as well as being a blessing to others. To put things in perspective, read the words of Lord Jesus in the following scripture from the Holy Bible.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5: 16 (NKJV)
Unsurprisingly, the frontliners thanked her for the eggs as it provided them some much needed relief from the stress they accumulated. To Love-Love’s surprise, there were delivery personnel who took selfie shots with her for them to post on Facebook.
In an April 3, 2020 Facebook page post, Lim stated: Maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga sumusuporta sa serbisyo ng #MMDA, lalo na ngayong panahon ng #COVID19! Salamat kina Ms. Micar Briones Santana ng The Rustic Kitchen at Ms. Love-Love Tengsico Tioseco para sa malasakit na binibigay niyo. Kahit sa simpleng paraan man, laking tulong ito sa pag-boost ng morale ng ating mga kawani. Makakaasa kayong paiigtingin pa natin ang ating frontline at emergency services. Patuloy ang pagtutulungan natin laban sa krisis na ito.
I asked Love-Love if she will repeat her moves of generous assistance to the frontliners.
“Yes, of course. I hope there will be more generous sponsors soon for me to distribute their donations again,” she said.
CONCLUSION
MMDA personnel worked so hard, Love-Love’s giving of eggs proved to be a major relief for them. They were very thankful to her.
Love-Love’s special message to those who could help
“Spread the love, action speaks louder than words especially with helping others, and share the simple joys of life.”
Love-Love’s special message to those who are affected by the quarantine
“Please be a prayer warrior and pray that the virus will be gone already instead of being paranoid or being a basher, which is no help at all with the crisis we are all experiencing now.”
In closing this, here is a video of the Hillsong performance of Thank You, Lord (my Christian Music Appreciation of it right here) that will remind you to be thankful to the Lord who is the source of opportunities, happiness, protection, prosperity, provision and so much more. God is the source! Enjoy!
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. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced by means of interviewing Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) chairperson Mariel Angela Tumang. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Youth group organizes private donation-driven assistance for the needy affected by ECQ in key areas of Barangay BF Homes
The Oplan SendNudels team together. (contributed by Mariel Angela Tumang)
Like the rest of Luzon, families residing in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City have no choice but to stay at home to avoid any risk of getting infected with coronavirus COVID-19 under the rules of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). With the exception of stores, food businesses and groceries, most businesses have been shut down which negatively impacted a lot of people leaving them jobless and with no new income of their own.
Under the ECQ, families can designate one authorized household member (if he/she has a quarantine pass) to go out and buy the essential food and household materials. Unfortunately in Barangay BF Homes, there are families who are poor and don’t even have the means to shop. Adding more to their problems is the recent extension of the Luzon ECQ until April 30.
As such, a private donation-driven assistance project called Oplan SendNudels is being implemented in the above-mentioned community by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) chairwoman Mariel Angela Tumangand her friends. To be clear, this is NOT a project nor an operation of the BFSK even though one of the SK Kagawads joined in to help Tumang and friends. Here are the details I received straight from her.
“My friends and I formed this project. While it does not necessarily target the whole of Barangay BF Homes, we are selecting the families who are the poorest among the poor based on the volunteers. We also helped families and individuals who are now struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Enhanced Community Quarantine,” Tumang elaborated. “Our donation drive is divided into the Barangay BF Homes areas of Villonco, Estrada 1, Estrada 2, Masville, Warerfun and Goodwill 2.”
Tumang stated that the current Oplan SendNudels (#OplanSendNudels) donation-driven assistance project for poor families is not the first but the latest of an ongoing series. She confirmed that the most recent donation drive they organized helped one hundred and twenty of the poorest families they found plus seventy frontliners and fifty street dwellers.
“The Oplan SendNudels project has helped a large number of families and persons who got hit hard by the pandemic. These families are trying hard to make ends meet because they lost their capability with the low-income jobs due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine,” she added.
Donations are being accepted as of this writing.
How to donate
Mariel Angela Tumang (standing 3rd from left) and her many friends plus BFSK Kagawad Jerry Dalmero (standing 4th from right) are dedicated with their private donation drive to assist the poorest of the poor in key areas of Barangay BF Homes. (photo contributed by Mariel Angela Tumang)
Donations are accepted in the form of packed lunches (for the frontliners, the volunteers and street dwellers), in-kind goods and toiletries and cash donations.
Anyone who wants to donate cash to Oplan SendNudels and the BFSK take note of the following bank details:
Metrobank account number 6423642207491 (Mark Anthony Luzano)
BDO account number 0035-5034-7213 (Mariel Angela Tumang)
UCPB account number 101480131018 (Marilou Babatio)
GCash 09176436467 (Aira Mae Vargas)
If you have enough resources and you are interested to help Mariel Tumang and her pals keep organizing Oplan SendNudels to help others, take time out to go to the bank or contact the above recipients via Facebook Messenger.
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Note: Pictures above approved for publishing by Mariel Angela Tumang.
COVID-19 Crisis: 1,191 displaced workers in ECQ employed by Muntinlupa City Government thru TUPAD
Some displaced informal sector workers are now doing work for the City Government of Muntinlupa. (contributed by City Government of Muntinlupa)
1,191 informal sector workers who were displaced by the enhanced community quarantine were employed by the City Government of Muntinlupa through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers including transport drivers of tricycles, jeeps, and pedicabs for a minimum period of ten (10) days.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said the City Government recognizes the plight of daily earners and marginalized workers who have lost their livelihood and whose livelihoods are affected by the community quarantine.
“We are providing a temporary wage employment for our displaced workers in the city since they are one of the most hardly-hit sectors in the COVID-19 pandemic. The first batch were already deployed to aid the barangays in the repacking and distribution of relief goods as well as disinfection activities within the respective barangays,” Fresnedi noted.
A total of P6.396 million were allocated for the program under the Local Disaster Fund. The program is facilitated by the local Public Employment Service Office and will be implemented by batches.
The City Government is also set to roll out the DOLE-TUPAD #Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko Disinfecting/Sanitation (#BKBK) Project fund which will add another 184 beneficiaries from the barangays and additional 522 informal beneficiaries through the DOLE funding from the Office of Congressman Ruffy Biazon. Under the TUPAD #BKBK program, workers shall participate in the disinfection/sanitation of their houses and immediate vicinity of their houses.
In a bid to help affected workers, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi also requested lessors of commercial establishments and residential units to waive rental fees and charges of tenants and partners in Muntinlupa City amid the COVID-19 emergency.
The mayor implored the lessors to extend consideration to tenants and renters considering the huge impact of the closure of business establishments during the quarantine period. Fresnedi hopes for the full support of lessors in the local government’s battle against COVID-19.
As of April 7, the Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded 71 confirmed cases in Muntinlupa with eight deaths and four recovered cases. According to CHO, there are also 290 persons under monitoring (PUM) and 195 patients under investigation (PUI). While confirmed COVID-19 rises in the city, the number of cleared cases also improve with over 321 cleared PUM and 120 cleared PUI.
For concerns related to community quarantine and COVID-19 testing, Muntinlupa City residents may reach hotline nos. 0977-240-5217 or 0977-240-5218.
This is an official Press Release issued by the City Government of Muntinlupa. Some parts were edited for this website.
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced directly from Dante Pacheco, the officer-in-charge of the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs of Parañaque (OSCA-Parañaque). Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Parañaque, a city with over one hundred fifty confirmed cases of COVID-19 (as of April 5, 2020), has something coming for its senior citizens who are legitimate members of the OSCA Cares program under the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs of Parañaque (OSCA-Parañaque).
Today OSCA-Parañaque officer-in-charge Dante Pacheco confirmed to me that an estimated fifty-seven thousand (57,000) members of OSCA Cares in the city will soon be receiving from the City Government gift certificates of SM Hypermarket.
Each SM Hypermarket gift certificate is worth P1,000. Do the math, the value for the declared number of OSCA Cares beneficiaries is worth at least P57,000,000. Based on the current foreign exchange rate with the United States Dollar, that is worth over $1,000,000.
Pacheco further said that each gift certificate will be delivered to the homes of the beneficiaries via Air21. He also stated that this move is the brainchild of mayor Edwin Olivarez.
If you are a senior citizen in Parañaque (or if you live with a senior citizen in the same city) and you have something to say about this breaking development, please reply to me via the comments below.
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Muntinlupa City approves COVID-19 Anti-Discriminatory Ordinance
This passed Monday, the City Government of Muntinupa passed an anti-discrimination ordinance protecting patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), persons under monitoring and investigation, including frontliners serving in medical facilities.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed Ordinance No. 2020-085 known as the “COVID-19 Anti-Discrimination Ordinance” penalizing acts of discrimination, harassment, violence or any action that causes stigma, shame, humiliation, disgrace or harm against COVID-19 infected persons, PUMs, and PUIs.
Fresnedi said the since the rise of COVID-19 cases in the country, infected persons including PUMs, and PUIs are presently experiencing stigma because of the perceived danger they pose in spreading the virus.
“To arrest the worsening fear of people against confirmed patients, PUMs, and PUIs, we shall penalize individuals that cause humiliation, harassment or discrimination against such persons through a local ordinance,” the local exec noted.
Under Ordinance No. 2020-085, it shall be unlawful for any public official, public employee, or essential service provider to refuse assistance or deny service to a confirmed COVID-19 patients, close contacts, PUMs, PUIs, health workers and frontliners.
Further, spreading of rumors, uttering information or any communication that causes unnecessary fear, anger, panic or violation of rights of such person shall be prohibited. It shall also be unlawful for any person to maliciously disclose information of patients including their actual names, address and other information that reveals their identities.
Those caught violating the ordinance would be fined P5,000 or face imprisonment of up to six months. If the offender is a public official or public employee, the maximum penalty shall be imposed.
The Muntinlupa City Council also passed a resolution honoring all frontliners, especially city residents, who are rendering service in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by placing the Philippine Flag in half mast.
As of April 6, the Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded 64 confirmed cases in Muntinlupa with four deaths and one recovered case. According to CHO, there are also 278 persons under monitoring (PUM) and 212 patients under investigation (PUI).
While confirmed COVID-19 rises in the city, the number of cleared cases also improve with over 319 cleared PUM and 100 cleared PUI.
For concerns related to community quarantine and COVID-19 testing, Muntinlupa City residents may reach hotline nos. 0977-240-5217 or 0977-240-5218.
This is an official Press Release issued by the City Government of Muntinlupa. Some parts were edited for this website.
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City to start second wave of distribution, targets to give 94,847 food packs
In the third week of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine, the City Government of Muntinlupa is set to provide its second wave of relief packs to an additional 94,847 families in the city.
Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said the second wave of the local government’s distribution aims to saturate at least 85% of the city’s total population, including residents in subdivision and gated communities.
Navarro added that the Social Service Department and barangays have initially distributed relief goods to 111, 585 indigent families and priority groups in the previous weeks translating to 70% of Muntinlupa’s population.
Each relief pack consists of five kilos of rice, 12 pcs of canned goods, coffee packs, and sugar. Navarro noted that the distribution of relief goods will be conducted twice a month for four to six months.
Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi recently assured city residents that the City Government is prepared to provide food assistance for as long as four months should the enhanced community quarantine be extended.
Fresnedi said that the City Government has adequate supply of basic commodities for distribution to indigent residents and daily earners affected by the disruption of work. He also ordered the early release of Muntinlupa City Hall employees’ monthly salary to help them tide over the COVID-19 crisis.
Further, Muntinlupa City Council passed ordinances providing two-month payment extension on real property taxes and business taxes without penalties given the strict measures implemented during the enhanced community quarantine.
Lessors of commercial establishments and residential units were also requested to waive rental fees and charges of tenants and partners in Muntinlupa City amid the COVID-19 emergency.
As of April 5, the Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded 62 confirmed cases in Muntinlupa with four deaths and one recovered case. According to CHO, there are also 287 persons under monitoring (PUM) and 187 patients under investigation (PUI).
While confirmed COVID-19 rises in the city, the number of cleared cases also improve with over 298 cleared PUM and 88 cleared PUI.
For concerns related to community quarantine and COVID-19 testing, Muntinlupa City residents may reach hotline nos. 0977-240-5217 or 0977-240-5218.
This is an official Press Release issued by the City Government of Muntinlupa. Some parts were edited for this website.
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 plagiaristsand NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
For the past few weeks, the coronavirus disease COVID-19 halted much of the world’s societies and economies compelling families to stay at home as the authorities struggle to prevent infections from spreading.
Community quarantine and regional lockdown have been implemented which strongly limited people from traveling around and also negatively affected truck deliveries which really hurt manufacturing and other key economic sectors like food production (and the businesses that sell food), retailing and more.
Unsurprisingly, special events that attract a lot of people as attendees have been postponed or cancelled. In the city of Parañaque here in the Philippines, the planned 2020 cityhood anniversary celebration had to be scaled down dramatically because of COVID-19-related fear. The said celebration’s most popular events such as the Bb. Parañaque beauty pageant and the Sunduan Festival could not be organized and as of this writing, no new dates for organizing such events have been announced. Under the current quarantine procedures, mass gatherings have been prohibited.
That being said, it would be best to forget about crowded fun events for the short term and just focus on being safe at home, managing your precious funds and maintaining faith in the Lord (note: study the Holy Bible and pray in tongues to Him).
Let’s focus on this excerpt from Comic Book Resources:
Comic conventions long have been an integral part of fan communities. Before comic-book movies and TV shows were a multibillion-dollar enterprise, fans looked forward to these annual gatherings as a chance to be surrounded by people who shared their interests. They (were) a sacred place where fans could collectively celebrate something they were really passionate about.
And they were fun. Really fun. Fans from across the country would make the pilgrimage to get up close and personal with the writers and artists they idolized. It was a dream come true for members of what was then a tight-knit community.
Over the years, that’s all changed. The conventions that were so beloved by a small group of people have ballooned into massive undertakings, drawing thousands of people from all over the world. They’re not so much fan-driven conventions anymore as much as they are trade shows for the entertainment industry.
That’s not to say these super conventions aren’t fun in their own right; they absolutely are. They offer fans a chance to witness major announcements, take part in Q&A’s with their favorite stars and celebrate pop culture on an unprecedented level. They’ve become an annual staple for the promotion of the latest film and television franchise projects, and big names continuously turn up.
Now, however, with the justifiable closure of these conventions due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s unclear how much we really need these super conventions.
To put things in perspective, any convention that is focused on fun would not be possible without the strong interest of multiple fans or enthusiasts who are not only willing to make time to attend such an event but also bring a good amount of money with them and spend on their respective interests.
The San Diego Comic-Con in California, the New York Comic Con in New York, and the AsiaPop Comicon here in the Philippines all require paying a fee (for the ticket or badge) in order to enter the venue which has most entertainment events and booths that fans can go to.
When it comes to special activities, private screenings of trailers of upcoming blockbuster movies occasionally get organized as well as Q&A panel sessions with entertainers or industry professionals, press conferences and more.
However, we are now living in the age of social media, wide access to the Internet and smartphones which enable users to take pictures or videos in high-definition and upload them for people to see online. Think about it carefully.
What good is a closed-door press conference with celebrities when a fan in attendance can capture everything on video and beat the bloggers and members of the press by releasing content on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram?
What good is a private screening (which restricts attendees from taking footage) of a trailer or a short scene from a highly anticipated blockbuster movie when such content will only be released by the movie studio on YouTube, Facebook and other sites where Internet users can watch for free at the comfort of their homes?
What good is a fan convention if attendees post pictures/videos of embarrassing moments (example: someone throws a pie on the face of a movie star in front of the fans) online within minutes and become viral?
What good is buying classic comic books at the comic convention when the comic publishers themselves failed to wipe out the widespread online piracy (note: entire issues of comic books in digital form) of their comics which people can find and read for free?
One key point here is that fan conventions and other fun-oriented events that attract a lot of people are slowly losing their relevance. Convention organizers will have to come up with ways not only to stay relevant, not only to ensure exclusive stuff in their event is truly exclusive, but also innovate and raise the convention’s overall quality.
Going back to COVID-19, it is clear that the said virus is highly infectious and this alone defeats the purpose of organizing a huge event for as long as the risk of infection remains. As of this writing, local authorities are struggling to clean and disinfect places. Killing the virus is a costly and time-consuming affair.
Think about those words: digital events. Digital events can be done by companies to make a special presentation of their products or services in the form of a lengthy and detailed pre-recorded video or by organizing privately their showcase event (held in a venue that the company has all to itself) live via livestreaming. With the access of the Internet and the massive reach that social media provides, digital events can make fan conventions even more unnecessary. Digital events are also very useful for companies because they not only have complete privacy but also a lot more control in terms of creativity as well as amount of information to be released. This also spares companies from the hassles of crowd control as well as rampant questioning from members of the news media.
Together, COVID-19, wide Internet access and social media are factors that make organizing crowded fun-oriented showcase events more challenging than ever before. Why bother attending a local beauty pageant live in Parañaque City when viral infection, live-streaming and even crime incidents could happen?
Even after the end of this COVID-19 crisis, the community quarantine and regional lockdown, I foresee that it will take a lot more time before life really goes back to normal.
By then, I don’t think enthusiasm for crowded fun-oriented events would be restored to high levels immediately. Sports events, in my opinion, have a better chance of resuming given the nature of sports competition which remains very important with Filipinos. Other events like food fairs and shopping bazaars are more important to people in the local communities than beauty pageants or fan conventions. What people clearly want once this current crisis is over is worshiping the Lord together at church on Sundays.
Attending church is more essential than a crowded beauty pageant or a fan convention. There is no doubt about that!
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. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City Government sees increase in cleared PUM and PUI, strengthens quarantine measures
As of March 31, the Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded at least 157 cleared Persons Under Monitoring (PUM) and 38 Persons Under Investigation (PUI) that have shown improvement over the recent days of monitoring.
Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said the increase in cleared cases can be accounted to the City Government’s pro-active community-based campaign in identifying and providing immediate health care assistance to city residents manifesting symptoms of COVID-19 and locals with travel history.
Navarro added that barangay health workers and physicians in barangay health centers were put on high alert against sustained local transmission in the communities.
She noted that health personnel in the barangay daily monitors reported cases of PUI and PUM in the communities and distributed vitamins and medicines for those with underlying condition.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi recently ordered barangay officials to intensify quarantine measures and implement action plans to ensure that the virus won’t rapidly spread in the communities.
Isolation areas were constructed in nine barangays in the city to accommodate residents suspected to have contracted with the virus for monitoring by the local health office.
Fresnedi assured the public that the City Government continuous to implement initiatives to help contain the spread of and urged the city residents to cooperate in the quarantine measures and to remain in their houses during the health emergency.
The Muntinlupa City Council approved a resolution allowing the mayor to procure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines and testing kits following the rise in confirmed cases and persons under monitoring and investigation in the city.
Fresnedi said a more aggressive medical intervention is needed to effectively contain the virus. He added that early detection of a COVID-19 infected person can deter the spread of the virus and the purchase of PCR machines and testing kits is critical in the determination of the medical assistance which must be administered to the locals.
Muntinlupa LGU has designated Ospital ng Muntinlupa to house the testing area of the PCR machine upon the approval of DOH.
To date, Muntinlupa City has 34 confirmed cases with four reported deaths, 347 persons under monitoring, and 157 persons under investigation where 131 are home quarantined while 26 are admitted in various hospitals.
This is an official Press Release issued by the City Government of Muntinlupa. Some parts were edited for this website.
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa Police Force files cases against 94 curfew violators amid enhanced community quarantine
The Philippine National Police in Muntinlupa City (PNP-Muntinlupa) announced yesterday that it has filed cases against close to a hundred curfew violators.
Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said that as of March 30, PNP Muntinlupa has filed cases of RA 11332 in relation to Proclamation No. 922 Sec. 4 (Declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines) against 94 Muntinlupa City residents.
Navarro added that while apprehended individuals were not detained, PNP-Muntinlupa through its Chief of Police PCOL Hermogenes Cabe has prepared regular filling of cases for the offenders. She noted that the local police department conducts regular apprehension of curfew violators during night time in the barangays.
Muntinlupa City is among the pioneering local government units in Metro Manila to implement a 24-hr curfew amid the enhanced community quarantine.
In recently times, the Muntinlupa City Government ordered the closure of establishments including malls, beauty parlors, spas, barber shops, and similar establishments with potential face-to-face contact of clients. Those providing essential services were exempted such as banks, pawnshops, money transfer firms, groceries, supermarkets, drug stores, pharmacies, and hardware stores.
Restaurants, carinderias, and other eateries were only allowed to only accept take-out orders and refrain from providing dine-in services to ensure implementation of social distancing. Restaurant owners and operators were encouraged to post notices and warnings on the spread and ill effects of COVID-19 in their premises.
Further, public and private recreational facilities were also mandated to cease their operations such as fitness gyms, swimming pools, saunas karaoke bars, and country club facilities for sports that entail close person to person contact. A liquor ban was also enacted to prevent gathering opportunities for city residents in the duration of the quarantine period.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urged the public to stay at home during this health emergency to slow down and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the barangays.
“We implore to our constituents that they refrain from going out unless it is for the purpose of accessing basic necessities and essential work,” Fresnedi said.
As of March 30, the Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded 27 confirmed cases in Muntinlupa with four deaths, 282 persons under monitoring (PUM) and 145 patients under investigation (PUI).
For concerns related to community quarantine and COVID-19 testing, Muntinlupa City residents may reach hotline nos. 0977-240-5217 or 0977-240-5218.
This is an official Press Release issued by the City Government of Muntinlupa. Some parts were edited for this website.
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Author Carlo Carrasco 