Oh Vico! Pasig Has a Special Ceremony for Patients Who Recover

Hundreds of nations are in a long battle against COVID-19, but it’s an entirely different ordeal to be infected with COVID-19 and have your body physically fight the disease. Part of the process is self-quarantining, or isolating yourself from other people while you’re showing symptoms or if you tested positive in order to prevent spreading the disease.

Local government units and national authorities have set up quarantine facilities for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 so they can be observed and given proper care. On top of recovering from the virus, it can get lonely, disheartening, and emotionally taxing to be separated from loved ones during a difficult time. The journey to recovery may take a while, and successfully beating a highly contagious virus is something worth celebrating.

Forget the usual round of applause and beaming smiles—in Pasig City, they have a full graduation ceremony for patients who leave their quarantine facility COVID-free.

Yes, we mean certificates, getting photos taken, and having everyone recognize your fight against the virus.

And yes, the graduation march plays as Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto acknowledges the graduates from the city’s Centralized Quarantine Facility. "Graduates" still have to maintain social distance and wear masks.

There are graduates almost every day—even on holidays!