Flee the flu

By  

Jullie Y. Daza

Published Jul 10, 2025 12:03 am

MEDIUM RARE

After feeding me a full meal — salad, noodle soup, chicken, dessert — my children led me, meek as a lamb about to be sacrificed on the altar, to the deepest section of the drugstore where a nurse was waiting for patients.

The nurse was in a jumpsuit in two shades of blue, looking more like a pilot in training. She asked me only two questions. Any allergies? Are you on medication? Before I knew it, I had rolled up my left sleeve — she was administering the anti-flu shot on my upper arm.

Painless, not even a sting, and the whole procedure was over in seconds! It had cost my children ₱999 minus a 25 percent discount for senior citizens. Not only was the nurse superefficient, she wasted no time in advising me to take a paracetamol or use a cold compress in the event that I would develop a fever.

No, I did not. But the procedure reminded me of the Covid-19 pandemic when everyone in their right mind had to submit themselves to the vaccine that required two booster shots over a period of time. This time, with the flu as a merely seasonal inconvenience, one shot without a followup is all that’s required.

The question is, why so expensive? If millions will take the shot, would the demand raise or lower the cost of the drug?  Thing is, better to spend ₱999 and flee the flu than be caught and having to pay the price: fever, sneezing, running nose, sleeplessness, infecting people at home, at work, in public places such as malls, etc.

In the meantime, would it be wise to go back to wearing a face mask in public, like we used to in 2020 until 2023? There are other safeguards. Don’t stop taking your vitamin C. Don’t get wet in the rain. Listen to the weather report and take your cue. It is the season of the “habagat” (monsoon rains) as meteorologists call it.

Me, I love the sight of people running under the shelter of their umbrellas. As Tony Bennett’s song goes, “Out of doorways black umbrellas came to pursue me... faceless people as they passed were looking through me, no one knew me...” 

Emotion, expression

BY JULLIE Y. DAZA

Apr 5, 2025 00:19 AM

  

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MEDIUM RARE

 

If music is poetry with sound, thank God for its language that speaks to the soul. Musicians are not necessarily emotional people, they just know how to demonstrate their feelings through music.

What is expression but letting go, whether as a sigh, whisper, oration, a plea or prayer.

The audience experienced a triple dose of feelings and emotions when they attended a one-night-only concert featuring tenor Arthur Espiritu, soprano Jade Riccio, and virtuoso pianist Mariel Ilusorio at Miranila Heritage House last April 2, Wednesday. Three in one, a triple treat.

Arthur has been all over the world, throughout Asia, America, Europe. As a tenor, he is good-looking, he’s not fat and he has expressive eyes and a seemingly natural ability to communicate with his audience as soon as he steps on stage. Quoting the souvenir program, he was born in Morong, Rizal.
Arthur’s repertoire included operatic arias and love songs, but it was “All I Ask of You” from Phantom of the Opera, that the crowd applauded with verve and bravura. When I turned my head, I saw former Senate president Frank Drilon applauding enthusiastically, with his wife Mila beside him. Frank is just about the only recognizable government official, then as now, who attends concerts. Among the first ladies, there was the late Ming Ramos and there’s Imelda Marcos, who has a VIP box at CCP, her creation.   

Sharing the spotlight with Arthur Espiritu was soprano Jade Riccio, who’s Italian-Filipino, who’s been collecting awards and prizes (including Aliw Awards 2024 Hall of Fame) and music students. Her music academy boasts 400 international students.

On piano, Mariel Ilusorio, who teaches music in a number of universities, accompanied Arthur and Jade in each of their solo performances, her piano acting like an orchestra of 60 musicians. In addition, Mariel introduced each of the singers’ repertoire to their audience, providing text and context.    

I rather like Miranila as a venue for concerts. As a heritage house and library, it exudes a feeling of intimacy, nothing grand but quite cozy. The trees are old, lanterns hanging from them conveying an old-fashioned vibe.  As long as it has been taking Cultural Center to be done with its restoration, smaller theaters like Miranila and Samsung are as necessary as oxygen.