“Sir bawal pong magpapiktyur dito. Bawal piktyuran ang Malacanang.” (Sir, picture taking is not allowed. Taking a picture of Malacanang is not allowed.) This is what the man in uniform told us when we were riding the Pasig River Ferry last month as we were attempting to take a picture of the palace by the river which symbolizes the country’s power. I just couldn’t get the logic of why people are not allowed to take the picture of this palace that has been displayed in the twenty peso bill? And guess what, Malacanang is just one of them here in Metro Manila.
After September 11 attacks in the United States and the Rizal Day Bombings, the Western world was shrouded with paranoia that a terrorist attack may occur any time and anywhere. Well, we are living in a “world of terror” as Dubya Bush said, so we need some protection. Security was beefed up in several places especially in public transport terminals, light rail train stations, shopping malls, airports and the likes. The power of security guards with their so-called “Magic Stick” upon entering an establishment became a norm and opening up your carry-on bag is a must. As what they say “refusal for inspection denies entry and subject for investigation.”
Now, one of the aspects that paranoia on terror created was “thou shall not take pictures.” Yes, there are some areas in the metro that is very restrictive when it comes to camera…Camera-shy or just plain praning.
Here are some of the areas in the metro which taking pictures are not allowed:
Ayala Avenue. This area is known to be the business hub of the country. With all the skyscrapers and big time offices located here, it is a very nice target for disrupting and crippling the Philippine economy when a terror attack strikes. The patrolling security guards and sometimes MAPSA (Makati’s own MMDA) would reprimand those who have cameras to bar them from taking pictures of this Makati hub for they may use this as a material for terrorism.
CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines Nicanor Abelardo Hall). The main legacy of Lindy Locsin and Imelda Marcos is the main theatre of the CCP which displays its brutalistic-cantilever design that has made it as a landmark…but I’m really wondering why security guards do not allow tourists to take pictures of this hall?
Malacanang Palace. Perhaps prolific and quite understandable as the Lady in power is paranoid not just with the terrorist attacks but also people who wanted to oust her from her Throne by the River. But I just don’t get the logic why people are not allowed to take pictures of the palace while the ever powerful White House and Buckingham Palace is infested with tourists and also cameras?
LRT & MRT Stations and Inside the Train. Usually, what I do whenever taking pictures of the area is to check over the security camera and security guards. If they are unaware, then I’ll take a candid shot of the said area. Actually, I would understand why the fuss because of the security. Remember that the terrorists wanted to bomb important arteries of progress to disrupt the economy and create fear.
The critique here is that because of the so called advancement in technology, like anyone can take a picture of these restricted areas using their own camera phone…do the security cameras and guards see the difference between taking a picture using a camphone or texting? And in anyway, the areas can still and be still be taken pictures given the ningas-kugon (short-lived) attitude and inconsistency of our security policies in this country, then what’s the fuss?
I really have no idea why security has to be this paranoid yet loopholes are not being addressed? I remember my Malaysian friend who said that “Fear for terrorism is deadlier than the act of terrorism itself.” I guess in the long run psychologically, the terrorist did win because they already created fear amongst the society.
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