Stars and ECQ: From doing TikTok to joining relevant trends
More than a month since the government put Luzon under enhanced community quarantine (so kaya pa ba mga ateng?!), Filipinos obediently stay at home. (Pwera na lang duon sa mga nag-boxing pa at nag-bingo sa kalye ha!).
Little wonder that most of us step into a parallel universe most of the times––yes, it’s the worldwide web (ask nyo pa si Freddie o Pinky!). It may be virtual reality, but it’s the next best thing to being “out there.” (Gusto ko na ata mag-out!)
The early weeks of quarantine saw a lot of netizens doing their own variety shows and even mini-films by way of TikTok, if only to relieve boredom (may panata ako---di ako mag-TikTok hanggang may virus!). The heightened hits on and usage of the app gave it a second chance at life after its popularity declined a few years ago. (Totoo pala ang one more chance!)
Then came the challenges. I saw some people doing 30-year challenges just to compare how they looked like 30 years ago and now. There’s also the hairstyle challenge that prompted people to post pictures of themselves sporting at least two different hair styles. (Ayaw ng hair ko na nag-fa-fade na ang turquoise dahil sa lockdown!)
Past these inane dares is trend with relevant advocacy—the wearing of face masks to prevent the spread of the dreaded COVID-19. Big named celebrities and other influential personalities from different fields have jumped on the bandwagon, myself included. One of the challenges/ advocacies dubbed “RockWithMasks” asks people to take photos of themselves wearing face masks. It must also have a headline that captures their personality, then there must be a cut-and-paste, pre-written caption that dares their friends to follow suit, capped by hashtag for easy search once the photo is posted. It’s not only fun but mentally stimulating. (Kailangan kasi maglagay ng sariling caption na ikokonek sa word na mask!).
It is heartwarming to see competing TV anchors like ABS-CBN’s Korina Sanchez, Julius Babao and Ces Drilon, supporting the same cause as GMA’s Arnold Clavio and even the government station’s Angelique
Lazo, Joee Guilas and Rocky Ignacio. (Kaya bawal ang fake news!)
Showbiz celebrities like Yassi Pressman, Drew Arellano, Vina Morales, Mark Bautista, Sunshine Cruz, Lani Misalucha, John Pratts, Enchong Dee, Pops Fernandez, Aiko Melendez, Bianca Manalo, Gazini Ganados have joined the campaign too.
As for me, I am honored to have been asked to be among FM radio’s first campaign ambassadors. It didn’t take much to convince me to join as I see the wearing of face masks as part of “the new normal” even after the ECQ is lifted. (Sineseryoso ko mga ganyang bagay!)
I encourage everyone not just to participate in #RockWithMasks, but to wear face masks, in general. (MASK PROTEKTADO pag naka-MASK!.. SalaMASK!)