This Side of The Curfew

INTO THE BLACK For 40 nights, I watched the world from a roaring dragon into a lone wolf following the gargantuan growth of COVID-19 cases

DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF 2020, there was an imposition of an intensive curfew as an immediate reaction to the steady rise of COVID-19 casualties within the city.  I did monitor the curfew from the balcony of my residence for forty nights. My observation, however, was anything but thorough because I wanted to capture the curfew as you would normally observe an impressionistic painting, re at a glance, just to capture the immediacy of the moment. 

It feels slightly unusual to go back to a curfew. The neighborhood all of a sudden went mute as if the noise had been abruptly switched off. First night for the rest of the year. #Night1

The curfew will again take effect in a few minutes. It would be so quiet outside until the early morn. But then again, my nights had been so still for so long now. #Night2 

There was an increase allegedly of those who have been hit with the virus for the past month at least, prompting the local government to reimpose a curfew. Even if there’s no curfew, though, where would you go then? Unless you have some important errands outside, there’s not much out there that you can call your own, including a rainy one like tonight. #Night3 

Too much restriction might not be good at all, especially when your circumstances are already limited. That’s more or less the mood this curfew might give you. But if you can find a way to get out of it, then this evening lockdown wouldn’t be too constricting. #Night4

Those who have been tasked to oversee this curfew are almost always at the disadvantage to some of these residents. As soon as they had their rounds looking for violators, these tricksters would then go out and seize the night, just in time before the next inspection. It's a wild goose chase out here. #Night5  

As I write this, I’m still thinking about what happened last night. I went to bed early because there wasn’t a stir at all. That’s probably the reason why others would find this curfew a bummer. #Night6

The dogs in the neighborhood are so self-conscious about anything on the street. They would bark frantically on anyone who would pass by. This curfew is also giving fits to those who aren't human. #Night7

There would be nights when the curfew would loosen up. It's been an hour already when it started, but I could still see some heads out there. Perhaps this would be one of those nights. #Night8

Last night's curfew was uneventful, except for the heavy rain earlier in the evening. After the downpour, the community was reduced into a whisper. So quiet the next thing I knew the morning light was brewing on my face the morning after. #Night9

I hit the sack early last night. But I heard the siren of the police entering the neighborhood and the frantic commotions outside the house. You know what I mean. #Night10

Last night's curfew was interrupted by an alleged lascivious act that prompted some of the people to go out of their houses. It was as if there's drama on a particularly uneventful evening. It also showed how bored people were that a minor incident would spark a gathering in the neighborhood. #Night11

I am already convinced that there is nothing wrong with the imposition of curfews. Such a move is necessary if you consider the numbers of those who have been contaminated with the virus. I guess by now we know we're to blame if these numbers continue to bloat. #Night12

I never gave much thought to the curfew last night. It was just another evening for me. An evening of muffled noises and some unquiet whisperings. #Night13

It's been two weeks since the curfew had started. What happened before it and what is happening so far, I just don't feel the difference. At least, from this side of the curfew. #Night14

Another week to go through. The consolation, at least, is that I get to have a quiet, uninterrupted night. This curfew has its regenerative use, after all, enabling me to have my sleep. #Night15

And the plot thickens. Two days from now, a 24-hour liquor ban will be imposed until the end of December. I guess the curfew will have its sneaky accomplice for the rest of the year. #Night16

Halloween and curfew. They are indeed strange bedfellows. Besides, this has been the year of the witch. #Night17

Tonight, while the rest of the nation is in shambles because of this super typhoon, it is the complete opposite in here. This must be what they said the calm before the storm. And the curfew all the more intensified the silence that had become so eerily unusual since early evening. #Night18

There is always an attempt to do something out of the ordinary to make this curfew more interesting. Liquors are not allowed anymore to somehow perk up that imagination. All we have right now is a mute evening and the idea of hearing our desperation profusely deep into the night. #Night19

On the night of November 2 this year, it was still a somber evening. Little did I know that 24 hours later it would all be the same--- a groundhog evening. Same old, same curfew. #Night20

If there’s one good thing that came out of this curfew, that would be that I easily get sleepy as soon as it starts invading the village. That's a good thing for me, and healthy at that. Besides, it's more isolating outside the house than inside it. #Night21

I can only speculate. Someone was in an ambulance in the neighborhood a few minutes ago. Perhaps for whatever reason, the curfew might have contributed to that emergency. #Night22

Last night was a blur. After I had my dinner, ennui invaded my sensibilities, and the next thing I knew the alarm clock sounded loud at dawn. The curfew now had its numbing effect. #Night23

The curfew last night was a dud. I was so tired all I could think of was to hit the sack as soon as am done with my dinner. Why worry when the curfew can take care of itself? #Night29

It seemed this curfew has done little to control the spread of the virus. The city remains at the top of those who have the most cases. So, the question now would be, how effective is this curfew right now with the growing numbers out there who are in a mess with this enemy? #Night30

Saturday and curfew---not a compatible couple. I saw a lot of teenagers outside playing Mobile Legends. I guess this evening lockdown seemed like old news already. #Night31

Except for this last wake in the neighborhood, the night would have been so silent. But I don’t see any curfew or social distancing out there. They seemed like options already for a pandemic of this magnitude. #Night32

Maybe it has something to do with Monday. Early in the evening, it was already still, silent. Thanks in large part to this curfew, I could use a night like this. #Night33

Interesting times for the curfew are here to stay. The city has reinstated the use of the FM pass as part of the measures of going out of the house. The world, as we know it, is getting smaller by the day (and night as well). #Night34

I wonder if this curfew could be of any help to the containment of this virus. If there’s any, it might be too little and a bit late. If the statistics are right, that there’s an increase in its contamination, then this curfew is quite a long shot. #Night35

Business as usual for some people despite the imposition of a curfew. It is as if this evening lockdown is already a distant memory. There must be something enticing on the idea of hanging out on the street at night, something addictive. #Night36

The curfew now starts at 9 in the evening. Maybe they thought that 7 p.m. was too early for a lockdown. I don’t think it would do any better unless people would treat it as necessary. #Night37

There’s a slight interruption on the night. Someone was apprehended a few minutes ago for violating a curfew ordinance, and it left the people in the community in a festive mood, just to gossip on it. Some of these folks were not wearing face masks and not observing any social distancing at all. #Night38

It’s now rare that I get to have this oh-so silent night since this curfew had started. Maybe the regulars outside have decided to hit the sack early because there’s work tomorrow. Nevertheless, I’m enjoying it. #Night39

This curfew seemed like an afterthought in here. Nobody’s paying attention to it unless someone would alert the police. Otherwise, such restriction might just be a casual deterrent after all. #Night40

photo: davaobase.com