BALANCING ACT Students dismissed early from school balance themselves on an inflatable raft provided by a rescue team amid knee-deep flood along Kalaw Avenue in Manila. Heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon forced class and work suspensions in Metro Manila and nearby areas. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Since students are constantly glued to their television screen or mobile phones for weather and school updates, local officials are making a point that their class suspension announcements will be catchy.
For some officials, they make the announcement not through the usual spiels, but instead go for a more personal approach: amusing jokes and heart-wrenching “hugots.”
Just like Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, who hilariously told his fellow Caviteños: “Walang forever sa #WalangPasok.”
“Lahat na ng app tinignan ko. Pati kay Sta Clara binilang ko ang mga alay na itlog,” he said, referring to a belief to pray to Santa Clara and offer eggs for good weather.
Remulla has been known to announce class suspensions through humorous posts. Previously, he showed his creativity as he used the viral “Daniela Mondragon” meme featuring “Kadenang Ginto” actress Dimples Romana.
READ: Remulla uses ‘Daniela’ meme to announce class suspension in Cavite
Meanwhile, Cainta, Rizal Mayor Kit Nieto said that while he prayed for good weather the next day, it seems that students prayed harder for him to suspend classes the next day.
Known for his unique style of governance, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno may have set the bar on how class suspensions should be announced: through Facebook Live.
At one point, he even called the attention of University of the East-Manila campus for defying his order. He took to Facebook live once more, and dropped the line to defend college students: “Hindi po frogman ang mga estudyante sa kolehiyo.
READ: Moreno warns schools: Obey class suspension orders
Sometimes, officials too have dilemmas whether or not they would announce class suspensions, like Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian, who tweeted: “Habagat kahit na gusto kitang intindihin, hindi talaga kita maintindihan! 6 years na…sawang sawa na ako sayo.”
Habagat kahit na gusto kitang intindihin, hindi talaga kita maintindihan! 6 years na…sawang sawa na ako sayo.
— Rex (@rex_gatchalian) August 5, 2019
And for Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, he still believes that if the local government unit does not announce suspension of classes, it is still the parents’ discretion if they will let their child go to school — if and only it is for safety reasons.
As of now, no need
1)We make decisions based on available data.
2)Forecasts aren't 100% accurate. Magkakamali at magkakamali tayo.
2)It's ok to ask for suspensions for safety reasons. pero kung "di pa ko nag-aaral!" babatukan ko kayo.
3)Kung tingin nyong di safe, wag pumasok. https://t.co/sBnmMYAqm4 pic.twitter.com/SOK9vskIYo
— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) August 4, 2019
However, Sotto noted, that if students urge him to suspend classes because they have not gone studied yet, he posed this warning: “[B]abatukan ko kayo!” /jpv