HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPEVINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL
Merry Christmas Philippines! And don’t look now, but with the Covid crisis in our collective rear mirror, it really has been back to revenge mall-ing, dining out, travel, and the snarling noise and inconvenience of Metro Manila traffic all throughout December. I’m not out to jinx our good fortune and luck regarding the health crisis; but I have to confess I do miss the 2022 second quarter situation of restrictions easing, and light to moderate city traffic.
Let me explain. I drive myself around town; and my regular Makati to Intramuros work commute would normally take anywhere from 28 to 34 minutes, back in May. Ever since November, that same drive takes me a minimum of 50 minutes to a shade over an hour; and I’m purposely avoiding the rush hour, or heading home past 5 p.m. On top of the cars on the road, it would seem that the number of motorcycles have tripled!
Everyday, while driving to work, I see signs painted on the main roads saying motorcycle lane, but you and I know it might as well say free for all – as these two-wheelers occupy all the lanes with abandon, and take each traffic light turning green as a chance to participate in all-out video-game city racing. Even the signs posted at main thoroughfares stating minimum engine displacement of motorcycles allowed, seem to be meant for nobody! It’s a miracle that we aren’t witnessing more accidents involving motorcycles.
So if I’m talking of Christmas stockings and wish lists, I just pray that the traffic gods up there have some rationalizing scheme in mind come 2023. Beyond the expected easing up of traffic when the Christmas rush is over, we still have to talk about how the traffic regulations and laws are already in place; but as is often the case, there’s just no enforcement to speak of.
DURING THE LAUNCH of the Bisita, Be My Guest Program, a convivial moment shared between Secretary Susan V. Ople and Secretary Christina G. Frasco.
The Bisita, Be My Guest (BBMG) Program of the Department of Tourism’s TPB & the Department of Migrant Workers is a perfect Christmas stocking for the overseas Filipinos. Launched last week at the SM MOA Music Hall, the program is a welcome opportunity for Filipinos abroad to be mini-ambassadors for the country, and help spur our national recovery via tourism. The indefatigable Secretary Christina Frasco of the Department of Tourism, and the ever-resolute Secretary Susan Ople of the Department of Migrant Workers, were on hand for the event.
While the concept isn’t a new thing in itself, it’s now being conceived with incentives and perks that should excite Filipinos all over the world. It enjoins them to show love of country by inviting visitors, and having these “guests” enjoy the warm hospitality and trademark Filipino smile that have traditionally made visitors fall in love with our country and its people.
It’s seen as a one-year campaign that will hopefully boost our tourism to pre-pandemic levels, and beyond. By registering under the BBMG program, overseas Filipinos can avail of a privilege card that will track how they successfully invite friends to visit the Philippines, and give these card holders a chance to win a wide array of impressive prizes, and earn worthy discounts. It’s the cherry on the top for these Filipinos who will be doing their patriotic bit in pumping up the figures of foreign visitors to our country.
ACTRESS DOLLY DE LEON, and how we’re all wishing she takes home more Best Supporting Actress wins in the upcoming film awards season.
Let’s not forget a Christmas stocking “win” for veteran actress Dolly De Leon, as she’s the first Filipina nominated as Best Supporting Actress at the upcoming Golden Globes Awards on Jan. 10, 2023. She secured a win at the Los Angeles Film Critics Awards, was nominated for the Satellite Awards, and you can be assured that heaven is being bombarded by prayers that she secures an Oscars nomination in the Supporting Actress category for her portrayal of Abigail in Ruben Östlund’s Cannes-winning Triangle of Sadness.
But as I’ve written in a recent MB Entertainment article, it’ll take more than prayers to make this dream stocking happen. What we should do is heed what South Korea has been doing. Parasite as the Oscars’ Best Picture in 2020, and Youn Yuh-Jung as Best Supporting Actress for Minari in 2021, are not mere “prayers, and hoping for the best.” They were full blown campaigns so that the film award-giving bodies would sit up and take notice of these Korean entries.
Screeners being sent to all relevant voters, TV interviews and feature articles in the rag trades, and a constant barrage on social media; are just some of the elements of the campaign. And I’m sure that same well-oiled machine is now being employed for Decision to Leave to take home Best Film in a Foreign Language, and keep the South Korean Oscars streak alive. So I’m hoping for Dolly’s sake, that such a campaign is presently in place.