ON FEBRUARY 12, the very colorful and festive Chinese New Year will be celebrated in predominantly Chinese communities all over the world sans the traditional pomposity that is usually attendant during such celebration.
Yes, but not because the Chinese now do not have the means – they have so much of that – but because they have to restrain themselves because of fear the celebration could end up a super-spreader of the deadly Corona Virus Disease (CoViD 19).
As we said in this space many times over that the CoViD pandemic has changed the landscape of the world. In the same manner, it has also resulted in the change in the mood of everyone, including the practices of certain ethnic groups of people.
Every major and minor celebration or commemoration of certain events are now in its most subdued situation. Look at what happened to the Feast of the Black Nazarene, the Sto. Nino annual Sinulog festival that is practiced even in the smallest Gagmayng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKKs) in far flung villages, town and village fiestas; all of these are being toned down to the barest possible just to prevent unnecessary gatherings of a number of people that could trigger mass infection of the dreaded virus.
And towards the end of January when government and health authorities saw no end in sight to the pandemic, efforts were made to coordinate with the leaders of the Chinese communities in the Philippines, including Davao City, in order to come out with plans on how to undertake a tamed down commemoration without doing away with tradition.
Thanks to the new technology that is now prevalent all over the world. The celebration will continue as scheduled but all the activities will now be on-line.
Meaning, through the aid of technology tradition will still be practiced and shared by many through the various platforms made available by technology. The Chinese family members, the Filipinos and all other nationalities all over the world will be able to witness the Chinese ways of life in the confines of their respective residence.
But of course, as we said, there are some practices that have to be done away with. In Davao City for example, there will be no more lion dance to be performed on the streets surrounding the Chinese community here. There will still be giving away or selling of Tikoys and other gadgets for household use or personal possessions, but again these are on a much limited scale to ensure that crowding of people are prevented.
This arrangement has been committed by the leaders of the Davao Chinese community to Mayor Sara and we have no doubt they will make good their commitment.
******************************
It’s a good thing that President Rodrgio Duterte has made his position clear on the implementation of the Child on Vehicle Protection Law. If we heard or read it right the other day the President was reported that the implementation of the law has to be deferred as it would only be an additional imposition to the long suffering Filipino people.
Of course our take on the issue is that the law itself is not well-thought of and irrationally approved by Congress. It is a class legislation seemingly beneficial to the common man.
But at the same time it is also to their serious disadvantage because it’s vague in so many aspects. Somehow it directly affects the well-off because it seems directed to those who have privately-owned vehicles and need not adversely affect those who have none.
The problem is, it looks as if the law only seeks protection of the children twelve years old and below of families that have their own private vehicles. Never mind the children of families commuting by public utility vehicles.
And assuming that the crafters of the law intended that the statute also wants the safety of the children of the ordinary citizens., how come that they do not include a clear provision stating how should it be applied on children travelling by buses and jeeps or taxis?
By the way when was the law signed? Was it some two years ago as said in the news reports? So it was already during President Duterte’s term.
Did he sign it without having the law being reviewed by his legal advisers? And did those who prepared the implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that are supposed to be the guidelines in its implementation miss that particular ambiguity in the law?
Well now, if the president would want the law implementation moved to a later date then we hope he’ll be able to see the loopholes and find ways to plug it for the benefit of everybody not just for the children of the rich but also of the poor; not just for those with a body length of 4’11 and below bu also those taller but younger for their height.
