- Celebrities shared reactions on NCR lockdown.
Several celebrities took to social media to share their reactions and sentiments on the government’s decision to impose community quarantine or a lockdown of Metro Manila.
On Thursday, March 12, President Rodrigo Duterte announced the lockdown of the entire Metro Manila to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
During the presscon, the President said he approved the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease’s recommendation to suspend domestic land, air, and sea travel in and out of Metro Manila starting March 15 to April 14, 2020.
With the announcement, several celebrities took to Twitter to air their comments and questions regarding the lockdown.
Kapuso star Chynna Ortaleza asked about the implications of NCR lockdown.
What are the implications of a lock down? Please explain.
— Chynna Ortaleza (@ChynsOrtaleza) March 12, 2020
Like Chynna, ABS-CBN anchor Gretchen Ho also asked about the specifics of the lockdown.
We need more specifications of this #lockdown. Never thought I’d see the day. #MetroManila #Philippines #Covid19
— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) March 12, 2020
‘Eat Bulaga’ host Maine Mendoza also reacted to Gretchen’s concern.
‼️‼️‼️ https://t.co/cC2iyYB8Jg
— Maine Mendoza (@mainedcm) March 12, 2020
Kapuso young stars Kristoffer Martin and Bea Binene also shared some confusion as to the details and specifics on how to implement the lockdown.
Di ko rin gets to masyado. Like ano mangyayari pg may nagpumilit lumabas or pumasok? Huhulihin?
— Kristoffer Martin (@flinsTUNs) March 12, 2020
Pano yung mga nagttrabaho sa Bulacan, Batangas, etc?
Pwede ka pa din ba umalis basta sa metro manila ka lang? Like kung taga QC ka, pwede ka pa din pumunta Mandaluyong ganun?
— Bea Binene ⁷ (@beabinene) March 12, 2020
DILG Sec. Eduardo Año, in an interview with DZMM, meanwhile clarified that those living outside NCR but are working in the Metro will still be allowed to go in and out provided they will show company ID as proof that they are employed in Metro Manila.
However, with that exemption, Kapuso journalist Atom Araullo feared that with millions of Filipinos going in and out of Metro Manila on a daily basis, implementing the lockdown will be a logistics nightmare.
Population in Metro Manila is estimated at 12M but swells to around 15M during the daytime because of all the people coming in from nearby provinces. If they are checked for identification one by one at checkpoints, that would be some kind of a nightmare. https://t.co/AmxYBptcd4
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) March 12, 2020
Araullo’s comment was seconded by Luis Manzano saying it will be quite a challenge.
Quite the challenge 😳 https://t.co/aqiykHMhiU
— Luis Manzano (@luckymanzano) March 12, 2020
Bianca Gonzalez, on the other hand, praised the use of “community quarantine” because the choice of words directs emotions.
Words matter because choice of words make us feel emotions. I appreciate the use of "community quarantine" rather than "lockdown".
Emotions matter because we tend to make bad decisions when in fear or panicking, versus when our mind is calm and clear.
— Bianca Gonzalez Intal (@iamsuperbianca) March 12, 2020
An observation shared by Eat Bulaga host Joey de Leon who said it’s better than outright ‘lockdown’ cause it can mean ‘down on luck’.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9o3mv_hmXi/?igshid=1oo95ge65de1a
Tim Yap meanwhile reposted a Duterte meme while saying, “We need to cooperate with the efforts to contain #COVID2019”
We need to cooperate with the efforts to contain #COVID2019 pic.twitter.com/bZkhkgFx7x
— Tim Yap (@officialTIMYAP) March 12, 2020