“Laban lang”, a simple yet powerful affirmation that does not only draw hope but empowerment in times of life-long challenges. Filipinos are known for wearing their gratifying smiles and positivity whether it’s an emotional storm or a literal storm; topping up the memes and viral videos in every social media stream. Yes, that’s how Filipinos perceived through social media, but that’s who we are:” Resilient” In March 2020, the world began to battle with the unseen virus named COVID-19.
The unseen enemy had destroyed lives. It has resulted in an economic shutdown losing billions of businesses around the world. We all had this one friend or who knows this could be you all along; who is now facing difficulties of unemployment; who lost a friend or a loved one; who is having a family member fighting for her/his life in the hospital alone; a businessman who lost his/her business or maybe you’re just a simple soul starting to figure out life after college; a friend who’s coping up from a mental and anxiety breakdown; or a wanderer at heart-fighting to live throughout this pandemic. For sure, we had dreams that didn’t go as planned since the situation heat up. Hence, this has imposed uncertainties in all levels leaving the question of what to do next. Remember a scene from Avengers Infinity War where Thanos snapped his finger; and in a blitz, everything fell apart which gave me the actual feels now, like re-living that scene today. Nobody expected this to happen and for whatever reason, no one knows.
In pursuit of a healthy comeback for the economy, airlines have given their all-out support to the government’s call for vaccination rollout. Being the kings and queen of the runway, airlines currently serve as the helpline in transporting vaccines to the country. Based on the data presented by the Statista Research Department as of September 30, 2021, around 21.4 million people are now fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus in the Philippines. In contrast, roughly 24.2 million people are still waiting for their second dose of the vaccine.
The vaccination drive started to roll out in March 2021 aiming to vaccinate 58 million people by the end of the year. Through the efforts of the government, together with the IATF, numbers have been keenly observed. Cases began to subside, as well as, the admission for COVID-19 laid low. Since the pronouncement of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in NCR on September 16, this has signaled confidence for the airlines to set their wings again.
The PH’s topmost airlines AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and PAL welcome non-essential travelers from Metro Manila to the most visited staycations in the Philippines as IATF downgrades quarantine restrictions for GCQ Alert Level 4. As specified in the IATF Memorandum No. 136-A, interzonal travel will be allowed for guests who are above 18 and under 65 years of age, subject to quarantine restrictions imposed by the Local Government Unit (LGU) including their intended destination. Leisure travelers to Caticlan (Boracay), Davao, Zamboanga, Tacloban, and Tagbilaran in Bohol as the respective local restrictions accept guests to these locations under Alert Level 4.
As the economy gradually moves forward, airlines are now taking advantage of the time to accommodate guests who are “#dagatnadagat’’ alluring them with the left and right promos. Honestly, after all, that has happened we deserve the beach, the waves, and the breeze to heal us. Airlines make sure that guests practice and observe health guidelines onboard following their safety. AirAsia PH, on the other hand, reminds its guests to advocate the legalism of requirements and to avoid delays and problems when traveling.
In relevance to an economic and tourism boost in the Philippines, airlines also voiced out their support to turn down ‘RT-PCR tests’ for those who have been fully vaccinated to reduce the guest’s airline cost, as well as, the plead for the reduction of quarantine days into five days for domestic network to have more time for leisure travel. On the other hand, international flights are also getting ready to fly passengers through Philippine Airlines (PAL), AirAsia, and Cebu Pacific. Check the airline’s websites to see the latest route updates. Onto the latest news, a new airline company, Flyscoot Airline waves for Davao City-Singapore route in November said on Inquirer yesterday. It will be flying a Singapore-Davao-Singapore route thrice in a week starting November 2021.
This only pertains to that we are to champ COVID-19 despite the wreckage. But this time, the comeback will be stronger. European countries have now started opening up their borders to receive guests as long as one complies with all the health and safety requirements. The opening of borders signifies not only economic reintegration but a shining hope that soon we will live the new normal stronger, healthier, and hopeful as before. Slowly, but surely; we will carry a brighter perspective in life that we all have been longing for the past two years of living the lockdowns and quarantine.
It may have slowed us down, but this should not be the reason to outlive life. There’s so much to look forward to; a brighter and a bolder tomorrow for all of us. If an individual can rise, so are the businesses. Losing a business in times like this, facing bankruptcy, letting go of people for financial security’s sake and health matters; and closing down a business, are never easy as said. It’s heartbreaking and bank-breaking at the same time. There are famous stores that have been running for decades or more and were forced to shut down because they could not sustain their financial needs. The forced resignation did not happen in a snap. It has been thought deeply considering the resources to support the company’s survival and its people.
Two things struck me about the situation; that is to be still and to learn to look at the bright side. You know what they say, there’s always a bright side. We just have to look and be open about it. Strategically, businesses are now switching online especially the airlines to accommodate requests and at the same time, reduce the number of people going out for the sake of travel inquiries. We just have to be tech-savvy whether we belong to the boomer, millennial, or gen-Z. This is the rising trend of the present. All these schemes endorsed by the airlines are all working in progress since change does not happen overnight. The good thing is that, with the help of technology, things are faster now.
Some say that Filipino resiliency is over abused and I think they’re wrong. Instead, we are strengthened just like how a storm bends down the bamboo but still able to stand firmly. At some point, we are lucky. Other countries are facing a lot of difficulties than ours with or without COVID-19. We are labeled as a third-world country; yet, we can transcend all the challenges with a smile on our faces.
Through our Bayanihan spirit, we can grow and rise amidst adversities. This is just the beginning. Laban lang!
