Oh, the curtains

(Part of an ongoing account started on March 13, 2020 of how the spread of COVID-19 in our country and our government’s response has affected our lives.)

We start noticing where broadcast interviews and reports are made on March 23, 2020, when the House of Representatives hold a special session to vote on House Bill (HB) No. 6616, which declares a “state of national emergency” and grants President Rodrigo Duterte special powers to address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. 

screen grab showing some of the congressmen
participating via zoom teleconferencing

It's their first-ever virtual session with only 20 House members physically present and 279 more participating online via Zoom teleconferencing.

We are entertained by the glimpse they offer into their homes. Some look very professional in a home office setup with bookshelves behind them; some opt for a plain white wall.

We wonder if the walls behind two of them are as bold in real life as they appear on TV – yellow and red. Others sit before a painting or wall art; two before religious icons. One is surrounded by a collection of fabrics that we presume represents his district, and one has a collection of family photos.

“I think he’s sitting at the dining table,” daughter says, pointing out the buffet cabinet on which a ceramic fruit basket stands. Over it is an ornate mirror flanked by decorative plates.

Another one is obviously on some sort of patio, with greenery behind her. One has closet doors behind him, while many sit before window treatments that vary from blinds to shades to curtains.

It is the swags and tails curtains that get us. “He HAS to be in the bedroom,” I say when my daughter starts laughing at the elaborate tassel-fringed blue and white window treatment behind one.

We get more of these window treatments when news reports show both interviewer and interviewee in their respective homes.

“Parang alam ko kung saang karinderya ko nakita yang kurtinang yan (I think I remember in which eatery I saw those curtains),” jokes broadcast journalist Ted Failon at seeing reporter Raya Capulong framed by lacy white curtains.

Doris Bigornia "fakes" a red satin robe
with a silk blouse.

We are tickled pink when journalist Doris Bigornia responds to co-host Alvin Elchico's challenge to wear a red satin night robe by broadcasting from her bed wearing what looks like one, but which she later clarifies is a silk blouse.

She balks when he asks her to distance herself from the camera because she is just wearing shorts.

It’s trivial, I know, but it provides for some relief in a day tuned into news. When one is confined to the home for as long as we have been, it can get depressing.

I guess it’s our way of coping with a spate of news that tells me we are not leaving our homes any time soon.

DoH update: As of 4 p.m. of April 4, 2020, the Philippines has reported 3,094 confirmed corona virus cases, including 57 recoveries and 144 deaths.