EXPECT to spot "sweat-starving" basketball enthusiasts, or any local athletes slowly breaking the "social distancing" protocol in the coming days amid the continuous fight against the deadly coronavirus around the world.
This, after presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Tuesday, May 12, the lifting of general community quarantine (GCQ) for Northern Mindanao, now placing it among the "low risk" areas in the country as far as Covid-19 threat is concerned.
Northern Mindanao, with no longer quarantine restrictions, includes Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro.
Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, a staunch hoops lover and supporter, however, warned the athletes to not "dance" on the playing fields immediately in celebration.
"Region 10 and even the City of Cagayan de Oro is already close to winning. But the battle is not yet over. Let's not be complacent and put our guards down," said Moreno on Tuesday's press briefing at the City Hall.
Already a senior citizen at 60-something, Moreno said it has been two months already that he was not able to play basketball.
"For many years, kada adlaw ko gadula (I used to play every day). Galain na gani akong ginhawa (without it I'm not feeling any better). But we have to be patient," he said.
The mayor quoted President Rodrigo Duterte, who locked himself at the Palace, that if you want to take risk and get killed by the virus, then "kamo ra (it's your choice)."
Moreno said it is still safe to be staying home with family.
"Kay ako gani walay gawas-gawas dire ra sa opisina. Akong mga kadula nanambok na gani (I don't go outside my playmates were also complaining they now grow fatter)," he said.
For his parting line, Moreno said the final shot or the winning shot to survive the pandemic is still to be decided by the people.
"It's not up for us to deliver but the people. Dili lang gyod gihapon kita mokumpyansa (We should still not be complacent)," he said.