Today is Sept. 1, the first day of the “ber” months; and if going by tradition (which the pandemic can’t change), it is the start of the longest Christmas season in the world. Weather-wise, the coming months will be cooler, sometimes disrupted by typhoons and weeks filled with rain; it can also mean more traffic as events pile up until December, owing to looser restrictions on events, sports activities, and entertainment shows.
The “ber” months this 2022 will be strikingly different from way back in 2020 and 2021. Year 2020 was when the world shut down, transforming crowded landmarks into ghost towns. Streets were deserted, parties were muted, and the economy went into a tailspin. The “ber” months were gloomy but Filipinos soldiered on, adjusting the way events and reunions were held by going online and utilizing Zoom. “Ber” months of year 2021 were much better with more relaxed lockdowns — but face shields were still necessary, public events were still prohibited, and a lot of Pinoys were still unvaccinated, which caused a surge in cases due to new Covid variants at the start of 2022.
But like a bamboo, which sways with the wind and survives “challenges,” Filipinos showcased their resiliency and made 2022 better, in anticipation of brighter times ahead. This early, malls are bedecked with more colorful holiday decorations. After Halloween, this 2022 will see these malls and leisure centers go all out in their decor.
Events are also aplenty these “ber” months. K-pop groups and international superstars have concerts lined up such as Justin Bieber, LANY, Avril Lavigne, and Maroon 5. Tickets are all sold out. More concerts like these mean more income for event organizers, caterers, drivers, security agencies, and even hotels.
Events are also making a grand comeback, with expos, trade fairs, and bazaars filling up weekends. Worldbex, the largest building and construction expo, opened yesterday, Aug. 31. This will run at the SMX Convention Center until Sept. 3. There’s also the much-awaited Manila International Book Fair from Sept. 15-18, a comeback after its two-year online affair. September will also see the following major events: Beauty & Wellness Manila, the Interior & Design Manila, and the Philippine International Furniture Show. This early, the popular World Bazaar Festival has also announced the return of its face-to-face activities at the World Trade Center Manila in time for the holiday season.
It is nice to see the “revival” of these events as they were canceled during the height of the pandemic, affecting businesses which are mostly small or medium enterprises. With these events, businesses can expect sales, start networking, and open their products to export opportunities. With more trade, more Filipinos can also have decent jobs and stable employment.
Judging by the weekly average Covid cases in the country, OCTA Research has revealed some good news. New cases decreased by 15 percent. Nationwide positivity rate also declined. Meanwhile, the country’s average daily attack rate is at 2.69 per 100,000 population, which OCTA considered as “low.”
With this knowledge, there are some things we can do to feel and experience happier “ber” months — wear a mask, get boosted (or encourage those around us), and observe minimum health protocols. It takes all of us, united and boosted, to finally anticipate a truly merry Christmas.