Netizens slam dance presentation meant to remind people to fight COVID-19
Some people on social media have criticized a dance presentation meant to remind the public to fight the spread of COVID-19 through hand washing, physical distancing and wearing face masks.
Titled “Corona Lumayo Ka,” the song was launched by the San Pablo City government last Saturday, with men using “distancing sticks” during the dance presentation to combat the virus, which was represented by a mascot named Mr. COVID.
Video of the presentation was posted on the Facebook pages of the DILG-San Pablo City and the Philippine Information Agency.
The presentation took place during the visit of some members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, who convened the local governments of Cabuyao and San Pablo in Laguna and its stakeholders to strengthen partnership and coordination in the fight against COVID-19.
Reacting to the presentation, some netizens said it was “senseless,” “ridiculous,” and a “waste of time.” One netizen even asked how it will help in the reduction of COVID-19 cases.
Another netizen posted on Twitter a video of the performance in which the original music was altered.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, the Cabinet member assigned to monitor the pandemic response in Laguna, denounced the “misleading and edited viral video” of the presentation.
“We are making this statement, as a viral and altered video that puts events during the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (C.O.D.E) Team visit in San Pablo City, Laguna last August 15, 2020 out of context, continues to circulate throughout social media platforms,” Andanar, who attended the event, said in a statement.
“The said video of the performance was edited and the original music was also changed. The performance is part of the LGU [local government unit] of San Pablo's campaign to create awareness on COVID-19.”
Andanar reminded everyone to remain vigilant against false and misleading information and be responsible about what they share online amid the pandemic.
“The PCOO and RTVM [Radio Television Malacañang], for our part, will remain in cognizance of such matters and will undertake measures to dismiss disinformation especially throughout social media platforms,” he said. —Virgil Lopez/KBK/RSJ, GMA News