Travel by remote control

JUST A THOUGHT: “The best education I have ever received was through travel.” – Lisa Ling

- NESTER CUARTERO

TRAVEL PASS: If anything, this lockdown of more than 100 days thus far, and counting, has allowed me to travel the world.

I didn’t need a travel permit or health clearance and rapid testing to do so. All I had to do was select which country to view using the remote control.

By the way, just to digress a bit, did you know how difficult it is to travel from one point to the next in the age of quarantine with its multiple, modified titles?

I called up my barangay, where I was told I needed to get clearance. Fine.

Upon arrival, they tell me I should go to the health center, too, for medical certification. I am armed with my own medical certificate from my doctor, but they wouldn’t honor it.

Third and final step is a visit to the police station where I will be issued my coveted travel permit. I thought it was such a hassle, not to mention discomfort, to find myself in at least three crowded places—the barangay office, the health center and finally, the police station in busy Precinct 10- – – after I had locked down myself for more than 100 days in solitary confinement.