Hong Kong, China, Singapore – like dominoes falling, it seems globalization and the marvels of air travel also have their dark side. With alarming fleetness, SARS is spreading its wings and taking flight to far-flung places as Canada. Living in this "jet-set" age does not always spell wonderment and awe. This time out, it’s the very medium by which SARS is growing tentacles to "reach out and touch."
Enough has been written about precautionary measures and the draconian steps some countries have had to take to control things. What bothers me are statements from the government and our Department of Tourism trying to make the fact that we are SARS-free become the come-on for tourists to flock to our country. Last year, after the Bali bombings, I recall similar type of noises made, to the effect that the Bali bombings would mean additional tourists coming to our shores. Excuse me but isn’t that pathetic and unrealistic? First, it makes it look like we aren’t really of merit, and that our chances for increased tourism can only stem from the misfortune of other destinations. Then, we lose fact of the reality that when something like SARS breaks out in Asia, most foreigners don’t look for which other country in Asia to travel to, they stay put, and that’s the plain truth.
Being SARS-free is not something to boast about, it’s something we should give daily thanks for and should ensure remains the status quo. Being grateful, cautious and prudent are the orders of the day, not crowing about how free we are, and viewing SARS as some golden opportunity for our flagging tourism. Being quarantined for a minimum of 10 days is no joke. Friends can’t come to see you, you can’t step out even for a bit, and after a couple of days, one is bound to get stir crazy. And that’s what’s happening at the Amoy Gardens, a high-rise apartment complex in Kowloon.
Even the Rolling Stones, good ole Mick and Keef, had to put on the brakes to their world tour when they saw Hong Kong was the next gig lined up. Come on, these are the original Glimmer Twins, who have stared at, life on the road, decadence, drugs, death at Altamont, countless bottles of booze and gazillion cigarettes in the face and never blinked. But coming face to face – uhh, face to mask – with SARS was apparently too much to handle.
Hong Kong has always been a favorite of Filipinos when it comes to Holy Week destinations. But I guess not this year. The risk is just too great. Me, I’d rather mouth a silent prayer, in the hope that SARS comes to an abrupt end and that we continue to manage to keep it from breaking out here in the Philippines. The individual cases we hear about are scary enough. In this time of random tragedy and misfortune, to ask for more would be tempting fate.
You think I jest? Scrutinize the party pages of any broadsheet and tell me there aren’t a handful of faces that always have to appear to give credibility to the party. It’s almost like, if you don’t have Miz V, Designer W, retail magnate X, Mr’s Y and Z, or celebrated couple B and S at your "do" then it’s not really newsworthy or you can’t say the place has "arrived." And the sad truth is that conceit actually holds water. If I give you party pictures filled with anonymous partygoers, no matter how much fun the party was, the post event publicity will scan as "sorely lacking."
And do these news worthies come back as regular patrons, paying their own way on regular nights. I’m sorry, but they rarely do so. There are enough events every week to fill their calendar. They’re so in demand to give "street cred" to these parties, nights to them are merry go rounds of "places I must dash to" and do the ritual beso-beso and/or cutting of ribbon. We really are a small town playing big city.
Sometimes, I really wonder what kind of parties would be held here in Manila if we were informed that the end of the world would come on the sixth hour of the sixth month of this year. Some eventologist (sic) would think up of Route 66 and Armagedd-it-on parties, concoct all these "end of the world" martinis and cocktails, decide what would be the appropriate apocalyptic attire and/or color scheme, and still worry about post event publicity and collecting the balance of the sponsorship money! Really, isn’t it amazing how such pessimistic predictions are made for this country and the impending elections next year, how poverty is so evident with an "at your face" quality, and yet, the partying never stops. Maybe, that’s precisely why?
Okay, in fact, I was happy to read how amused you were by my Black Hole of Fame Awards. Good to know that some people actually got it and were amused, as some quarters who were alluded to in that column sent veiled messages of the "how could you" variety. It is so sad that to this day, people and companies are so onion-skinned or take on a veneer of "untouchability," that they can’t take objective observations or be held up as a source of light humor. Remember, if you can’t laugh at yourself, your sense of humor remains half-baked.
Enjoy the Holy Week break!
E-mail me at: peopleasia@qinet.net