An advance Christmas wish, that in six months …

I see the level of COVID-19 going down to such a level that would allow us to go back to our work, church and school.

I see ourselves shaking hands again, our children and grandchildren bowing in respect, and raising our right hand to their foreheads, saying, “Mano po (bless).”

I see our malls bustling again with activity, and you can just sit in your favorite coffee shop, read the morning newspaper as you sip your hot cappuccino or tea.

I see ourselves traveling again, visiting our loved ones abroad, or simply enjoying the sites in popular travel destinations.

I see our churchgoers worshipping again together physically, holding hands as they sing praises to the Lord.

I see virtual conferences and conventions being transformed into face-to-face meetings, and you can say your piece or ask questions without having to worry that unstable internet connectivity might cut you off.

Together with friends

I see ourselves sitting next to people in waiting areas or in public transportation like we used to do, finally getting rid of the empty seats or spaces we now have to maintain between each other.

I see ourselves watching movies again in cinemas, together with our friends and loved ones, and eating lunch or dinner in the nearby food court afterward.

I see our children coming back from school each day, bursting with glee as they relate the new things they have learned and the new friends they have met.

I see ample food back on our tables, without us worrying if we’ll still have some tomorrow.

I see ourselves sleeping soundly at night, assured that the company we’ve worked for in the last 25 years will still remain in business.

I see ourselves feeling confident and safe in going to our doctor’s clinic in the hospital for our regular checkup, and not feeling paranoid that we might come home with a dreaded virus.

I see our mommies and daddies hugging their little ones again as they tell them bedtime stories, and tucking them into bed later on when they’re asleep.

I see and feel the warmth of relationships once more as we resume our regular visits to our parents and grandparents, and other loved ones, without having to worry that we may be infecting them with the virus.

I see people once again trooping to the tiangges (street markets), sampling the native delicacies or buying potpourri, souvenirs and gifts for the coming Christmas season.

Holistic approach

I see our leaders and anti-COVID managers really thinking of innovative and creative solutions that are suitable, effective and best for our country, and not only following what is being done in other countries.

I see our government shifting from a mainly vaccine-centered strategy to a holistic approach that can effectively cut disease transmission by at least 90 percent and prevent severe COVID-19 by nearly 100 percent.

I see COVID-19 being limited to no worse, and no more dreadful than the seasonal flu.

I see President Duterte exercising his strong political will to implement a combined targeted vaccine and a simple, affordable but effective strategy, and distributing for free this anti-COVID preventive and therapeutic regimen to all barangays in the country, with a cost less than a tenth of what the country would spend for a vaccine-centered strategy.

I see our medical experts loosening themselves from a rigid, strictly scientific and evidence-based mind-set, and adopting guidelines and advisories based on best available evidence combined with pragmatism.

I see a nation filled with love and harmony, where people truly respect and care for one another.

I see our leaders and countrymen humbling themselves before God, and acknowledging Him as the only One who can provide the lasting solution to this pandemic.

I see ourselves learning from all the hard lessons this pandemic has taught us, and gaining the wisdom and fortitude to handle any other crisis that might confront us again in the future.

I see ourselves emerging from this crisis as victors, not as victims, and shining through as the “salt of the earth” as we praise and glorify God for our victory.

What a wonderfully clear vision I see!

Do you see what I see?