Celebrations serve as markers of accomplishment and appreciation, be it for a birthday, anniversary, or simply the end of a school year. These momentous occasions call for events of equal gravity, or perhaps even more—gold foil balloons and food and drinks fit for an entire barangay are just a few of the common elements observed in Filipino households. These celebrations have turned into yearly competitions, wherein the goal is to outdo either those of the previous year or a friend’s event seen on social media.
With the onset of the pandemic, grandeur celebrations are no longer a reality. As Filipinos are left to adapt in the name of social distancing and safety protocols, the extravagance and magic of celebrations have now been stripped away.
Despite this, birthday and Christmas presents still find a place in celebrations. The practice of physically exchanging gifts has been swapped for brief drop-offs, whether done with social distancing or through courier drivers. Face masks and face shields are a must upon the delivery of gifts; shortly following acceptance, these are sterilized.
If one is careful enough to follow mandated safety protocols, gatherings are possible. However, instead of heading to the registration table, visitors must first pass by a foot bath filled with disinfectant, along with spraying ethyl alcohol on their hands to match.
The guest list has drastically changed as well, cutting it down to a necessary few. More often than not, this calls for family members clad in face masks (and other times, it’s simply one’s pet). No mask, no entry.
Even then, majority of “gatherings” have been held online for the past year. Video calls have taken center stage through quick kamustahans, game nights, and late-night birthday salubongs. Whatever the occasion, Zoom or Discord are the online event staples of our times.
Not everyone is lucky enough to spend the holidays with family members due to distance or health risks. With this context comes a different kind of heartbreak—one that is rooted in the inability to be with the people that fill hearts with joy.
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While the quarantine has deprived Filipinos from their typical social interactions, it has also stripped down celebrations to its core elements. Beneath the exterior of streamers and banners, past face masks and video calls, is the act of sharing one’s happiest moments with the people who matter the most—something the pandemic will never take away.