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Jose Ma W Gopez, Harvey Gain M Capulong, Joseph Renus F Galang, Ivan Efreaim A Gozum, ‘Bating Filipino’: contactless greeting during the COVID-19 pandemic, Journal of Public Health, Volume 43, Issue 2, June 2021, Pages e313–e314, https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdab027
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Abstract
In a recent correspondence, it was explained that cultural values and beliefs must be taken into consideration in flattening the COVID-19 pandemic curve. With this, cultural awareness is suggested as a guide in coming up with more effective health strategies and policies. For this reason, we discussed the intervention made by the Philippine government and how people can make this gesture as a model for other countries in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus.
In a recent correspondence, the role of the government to take into serious consideration the cultural values and beliefs of a particular country was highlighted.1 These values and beliefs are essential contributory factors in flattening the curve during the COVID-19 pandemic. Culture awareness could guide the government in coming up with more effective health strategies and policies. In the Philippines, lawmakers are looking into cultural values that can be modified for Filipinos to contribute to the lessening of physical contact.
Culture is an important element in the lives of Filipinos. Several practices and beliefs are taught so that traditional values are preserved. Some of these values that they carry out are being passionate and welcoming. Since Filipinos are known for being passionate and welcoming, they practice cheek-kissing, hugging, handshaking and pagmamano (kissing of the hand or reaching for the hand of the elder and pressing it to the forehead).2 As a sign of respect and affection, these gestures are taught to children so that the tradition of personal care and affection will be carried out to the younger generation.3
Considering these practices, Filipino lawmakers proposed House Bill 8149 or Bating Filipino Para sa Kalusugan Act (A Filipino Greeting for Health Act) as an avenue to possibly mitigate the transmission of the coronavirus. This bill proposes that Filipinos are enjoined to place their right hand gracefully over the center of their chest while, at the same time, lowering their heads with closed or open eyes.4 Primarily, the gesture aims to ‘instill health consciousness through the promotion of a better alternative to the traditional gesture of handshake and thus protect the health and well-being of Filipino people’.5 Thus, it promotes a new way of greeting people while observing social distancing measures during the pandemic. Consequently, transmitting other communicable diseases can be mitigated if this contactless gesture will be practiced and maximized.6 Once this bill is passed into law, all government agencies in the Philippines are mandated to disseminate information and to encourage the practice of this new gesture.7
However, critiques of this bill argue that there are more urgent and pressing problems that the government must respond to, such as the congestion of the transportation system, ballooning prices of basic commodities and securing vaccines. However, despite these criticisms, the benefits that people could get from this bill should not be discredited. It does not only enrich Filipino culture but can also provide a long-term solution to the threats of the virus. Solving this problem is not only the task of medical frontline workers. Each and every citizen must take part to end this pandemic by looking into a society’s cultural values. Sometimes, holding on to culture for the sake of preserving it compromises safety. It is, therefore, important to revisit existing cultures in order to reappropriate them to the current situation.
Authors’ Contribution
All authors contributed to all aspects of the manuscript.
