FILIPINO PEOPLE VS. COVID-19

                On Monday, February 7, as the Philippines entered its third year of fighting the coronavirus pandemic, the government began immunizing children aged 5 to 11 against the fatal virus. Due to "logistical obstacles," the immunization was moved back from its original date of Friday, February 4, to Saturday, February 5. The first 780,000 doses of the vaccine produced by Pfizer-BioNTech arrived on Friday night only.

 

               The Pfizer vaccine is being used since it is the only one that has gained emergency use approval from the Philippines' Food and Drug Administration for children aged 5 to 11. They are given a lesser dose and concentration of the Pfizer vaccination than children aged 12 to 17. In October 2021, the country began immunizing 12- to 17-year-olds. The vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 began at the Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children's Medical Center, National Children's Hospital, Manila Zoo, SM North Edsa (Skydome), and the Fil Oil Gym in San Juan City, all in Metro Manila. On Tuesday, February 8, the immunization will be extended to Central Luzon and Calabarzon. Myrna Cabotaje, the Philippines' National Vaccine Operation Center's undersecretary, said the government wants to vaccinate 15.5 million children aged 5 to 11 in the country.

               According to the Department of Health, children aged 0 to 11 made up 69.2 percent of COVID-19 cases recorded in the pediatric group (those aged 17 and under) in January 2022. "During the Omicron wave, the proportion of children aged 0 to 11 years old in total pediatric cases is higher than during the Delta wave. In September, patients in the 0-11 age group accounted for 56 percent of all pediatric cases, rising to 69.2 percent in January, according to the DOH. Infections increased throughout all age categories as a result of the recent surge in cases caused by the highly transmissible Omicron strain, with the highest increases among 18- to 59-year-olds, followed by children under the age of 5, and then 5- to 11-year-olds.

 

               Though the number of cases has decreased in recent days, daily infections are still greater than they were before the Omicron outbreak. The Philippines is currently classified as a "moderate risk" country. On January 10, the country was designated as "critical risk" due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. On January 15, it had the largest number of COVID-19 cases in a single day, with 39,004.

 

References:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

THE DAY OF VALOR

 

               Major General King of the United States Army was compelled to surrender his forces of nearly 76,000 Filipino, Chinese, and American men to the Japanese at dawn on April 9th, 1942. The Japanese, unprepared for the large number of detainees, opted to walk them 150 kilometers to a prison camp at San Fernando. On this march, about 20,000 POWs died from malnutrition, weariness, or at the hands of the Japanese. The journey was dubbed the 'Bataan Death March.'

               While the holiday commemorates a victory for the opposing forces, the heroic defense of Bataan by those soldiers was viewed as a pivotal event in the war because it gave the allies time to prepare for later battles that halted the Japanese advance in the Pacific, eventually leading to a change of fortunes and allied victory. On February 8th, 1945, American and Filipino forces reclaimed the Bataan peninsula.

 

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Valor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bataan

LENTEN SEASON: THE FILIPINO WAY

 

               During the Lenten Season, Filipinos have traditionally observed Holy Week, which usually falls in April. Various churches have varied programs for prayers, devotions, and other religious acts that lead to remembering Jesus Christ's life to save us during Holy Week. It begins on Palm Sunday and concludes on Easter Sunday. Many nations execute Catholic rituals, such as processions, that are influenced by Spanish culture and blended with pre-colonial customs. This can be seen in non-Catholic religious activities as well as the numerous superstitions that surround the day.

               The days running up to Easter Sunday are designated as statutory holidays (from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday). During this time, many companies are closed or operate with shortened hours. During Lent, some local television and radio stations go off the air, while others (like as stations owned by different denominations) cut back on their programming and play Lenten drama specials, biblical and inspirational programs, and news updates of various ceremonies and customs. International cable television channels broadcasting to the Philippines continue to broadcast their regular programming, while those in the Philippines follow a carefully devised schedule.

 

References:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1562358/lenten-season-the-filipino-way

KANNAWIDAN YLOCOS FESTIVAL : PRIDE OF THE ILOCANOS

 

               The Kannawidan Ylocos event commemorates the establishment of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is a month-long festival that begins the last week of January and finishes the first week of February. It is the Ilocanos' way of thanking the Almighty for not only the many benefits, but also for the province's rich tradition, which includes deep family relationships among the Ilocanos.

               It is traditional for a mass to be celebrated at the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral during the festival's opening day. It is followed by a parade around Vigan City of the Patron Saints of the 40 parishes as well as representations of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Provincial DepEd officials frequently attend the liturgy and parade. The Ilocanos' strong religiosity is on display at this celebration. The festival focuses largely on Ilocano youngsters. It's because Ilocano culture isn't well-known among the province's younger generations. Instead, there is a focus on contemporary dances. Ilocano children will be able to appreciate their rich culture and customs if they participate in projects like this. It is for this reason that the Festival is held.

               A traditional rite is also done by Ilocos Sur students on the festival's first day. This year, there are a variety of events focusing on the kids' abilities and skills, such as traditional tribe rituals, choir, traditional and folk dances. The Kannawidan Ylocos Festival invites younger generations to learn the province of Ilocos Sur's indigenous songs and dances.

References:

https://philippines.travel/events/kannawidan-ylocos-festival

https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Kannawidan-Ylocos-Festival-Pride-of-the-Ilocano-Culture