My Pandemic Chinese New Year!

- Feb. 13, 2021, Saturday.

- Holy crap it's been a year since I last wrote something here!! In case you're reading this from the future, I'd like to remind you that a pandemic swept through the world in early March 2020 that halted everything. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to stay at home, which included education and work, and going outdoors was, supposedly, mainly for doing errands. Leisure trips outside have been strongly discouraged with the rising cases of those affected by the virus, and some establishments like cinemas and other non-essential entertainment facilities have also closed down. Among the many industries affected by the pandemic, the travel industry was one that took a big took blow since borders have closed and non-essential travel are mostly not allowed. Since there are only a handful to no tourists roaming around, businesses like transportation, hotels/accommodations, souvenir stores, tourist spots, and other attractions have either closed temporarily (or worse, for good!) or they had to lay off so many people. While I am bummed that I can't travel like most people - and as in the past few years, this is the longest I've stayed in Manila without going out of the region - frankly I'm just happy to be alive and well right now.  

- Despite all the negativity happening in the world today, I was still able to sort of "celebrate" the Lunar New Year. I went to Lucky Chinatown Mall for errands the day after the Lunar New Year, and noticed that the mall was not crowded despite it being a Saturday. I also noticed that there were nice photo spots set up around the mall, and some usual photo spots had have been there for years but never really got to have a photo taken there.

The rows of lanterns at the third-floor walkway.

They've always been there and I've always admired them, but I guess I was always too busy to roam around to have a photo taken here.

- Since I didn't really plan a photoshoot here - and why would I in the middle of a pandemic - I didn't bring a tripod, so I had to ask people to take my photos. Thankfully they turned out well. Also, face masks and face shields are necessary when going outside the house to protect oneself. Plus, social distancing is a must. 

The second-floor walkway overseeing the sea of lanterns outside, plus the Macau-looking facade of the mall buildings.

- Initially I planned to remove my mask and shield as my photo was being taken (and only during those moments,) but I thought it would be better to keep my mask and shield on as a reminder to my future self that there was once a time in the world when we had to wear all these things when going out to do simple tasks. (This, of course, is me being optimistic that the world will be normal once more and that people can do regular things outdoors without masks and shields, and without any fear of getting a pandemic-level virus.) Since it was Lunar New Year, I did not fail to wear something cultural significant - what else but one of my casual Chinese attires. Even though you can't see my face, at least I'm still recognizable through my clothes.

Not really sure what kind of aesthetic they were going for, but this was part of the Chinatown Museum promotions. The museum is located in the annex building of Lucky Chinatown Mall.

I'm a piece of art too.

WHEN WILL COVID END????

- It took me more than a month to finally write this - not only because I've been busy with doing research in the middle of a pandemic - but also because I initially thought that my trip to the mall for errands was something significant. However, I later thought that it has come to this point that going out of the house for errands like buying groceries or going to the bank has become "exciting" for me since those are the only times I can go out and have some break from "cabin fever." I try to be responsible and only go out when necessary though. In a way, my trip to the mall during the Lunar New Year has become my temporary definition of an "adventure" since I really have nowhere else to go. I am still hoping that the world will go back to normal soon, though it's easier said than done.