Let’s dream again, fellas
Like Israelites waiting for the parting of the Red Sea, thousands flocked to the newly-made Manila Bay over the weekend, hoping to get a glimpse of the controversial white sand project that allowed a public preview, albeit for only one day.
No, there was no Moses to follow and, behold, only migratory egrets and unknown fish species that suddenly appeared near the shores as if to rival the main attraction that was the artificial white sand made of crushed dolomites and dumped to simulate Boracay and other great beaches.
The weekend crowd that stormed the baywalk was unusually large. It could have meant only one thing: Filipinos are turning to whatever that could make them forget, even temporarily, the ill-effects of the ongoing pandemic.
Like kids who have seen a beach for the first time, the public forgot all about physical distancing in their haste to step into the artificial sand, erstwhile a polluted stretch of shoreline between the US Embassy and the Manila Yacht Club before its rehabilitation.
Although met with criticism from environmental groups, the facelift proved to be a hit for the public longing for something to keep their minds away from the lockdowns and restrictions imposed as a result of the contagion.
They posed for selfies and indulged each other in joyous banter, as if they have not done so for such a long while. Some were even on the verge of tears, recalling how that particular area of the shore used to be teeming with garbage, plastic and other wastes.
“It’s a long time coming,” one wailed. “I don’t need to go far now and spend a lot to see a beach. It’s right here.”
In these trying times, the white sand project indeed could go a long way in easing the stress from a public burdened by isolation and the misery and woes that go with it.
A rehabilitated open public space like Manila Bay is probably what we, urban warriors, need to provide a distraction from the effects of the pandemic. It is for many an escape from the rigors of the emergency health crisis.
When the inter-agency task force relaxed restrictions on the ongoing quarantines to let the economy recover and breathe, most everybody thought things will slowly return to normal.
Malls were gradually reopened, salons and gyms sprung back to life and restaurants shifted operations to allow dine-in service. Public transport, long the bane of commuters, was likewise gradually given the go-signal to operate.
But nearly a month after the shift to the more relaxed general community quarantine, there was hardly any change.
Malls remained almost half empty, restaurant owners were at a lost why diners were still shying away, and the business outlook, as a whole, remained dim and lackluster.
A restaurant owner we know says he is already on the verge of closing his diner altogether, frustrated as he is by the lack of customers and the restrictions imposed by the health emergency crisis.
“If this is the new normal, I think I should start looking for another business,” he cried.
Our restaurateur friend laments the fact that they’re already operating at a loss, not knowing when things will turn for the better.
Local governments have been thinking of ways to help our entrepreneurs. They know much of the country’s recovery rests on a vibrant economy.
In the City of Manila, for example, the campaign to revive the food and beverage business got a much-needed boost with the launch of the Manila Restaurant Week, wherein each participating restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner at affordable rates to showcase their specialties and new concoctions.
The idea is to bring back the foodies and rejuvenate the dine-in businesses to generate more taxes and employment.
At its launch over the weekend, world renowned singer and Broadway star Lea Salonga lent her support by allowing the use of her latest song, “Dream Again,” for the event.
The song, according to Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, is an inspiring anthem of hope.
“She will help us promote our approach in helping businesses in the City of Manila, particularly for our Restaurant
Week. Thank you for allowing us to use ‘Dream Again.’ Even the
New York company that has the right for the song allowed the
City of Manila to use it,” he said.
At this time when we are trying to find the road back to recovery, we believe it is equally important to support projects like the Manila Bay rehab and that one aiming to help our entrepreneurs. It would go a long way in shoring up the hopes of our countrymen.
We’ve heard the song and we can’t help being moved by it. As to the baywalk thingy, check your social media and see how the
#manilabaychallenge is keeping netizens busy. Yes, it’s going viral now.
Perhaps, as Yorme puts it, it’s what we really need. Let’s dream again, fellas.
“Local governments have been thinking of ways to help our entrepreneurs. They know much of the country’s recovery rests on a vibrant economy.
“In these trying times, the white sand project indeed could go a long way in easing the stress from a public burdened by isolation and the misery and woes that go with it.