The August 23 Manila Hostage Tragedy

I wanted to post something about this incident but never have the right words to express how deeply hurt and sad we are for what had happened. A good friend of mine gave me the permission to post this article which she had written to let the whole world know that we truly care. Article by: Lauren Santos

Thank God for people  who still has the rationaity to weigh things..And to come out in the open to objectively assess the incident without bias & prejudice, but just matter of factly declare that the incident was a misfortune that could have happened anywhere else in the world of even rich nations. ...To those who think otherwise, please know . I cry & mourn  with the rest of the Filipinos for  the families of the fatalities and the rest of the HK- Chinese people for another dent on our image as a Nation.   I work with  & for a HK [USA]  firm & we had never discussed it but I could feel the strain, yet I have a  deep desire to hug them  & say I am sorry, not just for the deaths, but for something as tragic has impacted  China, (HK) & Phil friendship. I cry for how we are now perceived globally  after such failing of our police in particular & the government in general. Filipinos as a people is a striving culture that has perpetually labored to right the biases of prejudiced minds. To those around the globe if it is an offense to be poor then I am sorry that we are a 3rd world nation, without enough to fund what needs to be done with our police & the military. We are so poor that our professionals, even with minds brighter than many, have been pushed to take up jobs as domestic staff, housekeepers, nannies, drivers, gas boys, deck hands, care takers & care givers. But no matter how lowly we seem to be in your eyes, we are still proud of our heritage, & to uphold our virtues as a people. No matter how the rest judge us, still we are a compassionate, forgiving & God fearing nation. You saw how we unseated 2 Presidents without bloodshed, still unparalleled by none, not even China, when they had mass movement in Beijing years ago. We lack the physical fire power, but our moral integrity & spiritual fiber has what  made us  victors in negotiating a peaceful change of government, Unfortunately, our option for a peaceful negotiation rather than  a hard core & hard line assault, that fateful day of August 23 had not come through for us. Also, please do not forget, that we may be called Filipinos, but we have as much Chinese blood, as Spanish and Malay blood in us. How then can any one think that we could allow intentionally this tragedy to the Chinese, who are after all our own brothers, by virtue  of our cultural ancestry? We are all victims of the tragedy, which has befallen us all, for which by some force unknown, it happened, neither you nor I can explain, only because it was an incident simply for a greater divine purpose. The challenge is not to find blame, but to rise above the inequities of life & move forward and forge a formidable bond across the nations amongst people of this earth that no crisis such as this can ever break apart.

Vacation, Inauguration and a Broken Heart combined

Why do time seems to fly so fast when we're getting older. I remember when I was a child, I love holidays. That means there's no classes and I could stay all day at home playing or enjoying the rest of the day with my dolls, cooking sets and friends. But when were getting matured we're no longer after the playtime but the opportunity to take a rest and splurge on a vacation away from the stressful work. What a great time huh?


Last Monday was holiday here because it's the inauguration of the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines. That makes no effect to me either as an adult or a child because what's the use of the holiday if you're on a vacation?  (I feel so sorry for myself). I can't use the day to roam around since I have to take a rest because I am not feeling well. I've been sick this past days and it would not be advisable to go out. I am still not feeling well till now but I cannot miss the opportunity to share with you all the thought lingering on my mind.


Well, since I can't leave the house, all I did was watch the inauguration via television. I am not a pro or anti to any politician and all I wanted is a responsible leader but our newly elected president's speech awed me. I admit I was really focused and for that moment I forgot all the things bothering me. (talk everyday Noy). But what really caught me was this line - "There would be no reconciliation without JUSTICE". (we really need it).

The Flag of the Republic of the Philippines

Okay, too much about politics! Now while I wan reading the posts of blogs that I follow, I am also browsing. (it's multi-tasking). I opened Google and typed 'FOOD FOR THOUGHTS FOR A BROKEN HEART".   Hey why did I typed that? I don't know, it just crossed my mind and see what I got (the quote below)

If the government could tax broken hearts, there would be no deficit. ~by Tigress Luv

Maybe this is what would happen when you're watching political issues while your hands were browsing and your mind was up to something else. I'd better share that quote to our president.......what do you think?

"Bayanihan" A Filipino Tradition

Bayanihan

During the time of our forefathers, "Bayanihan " is a common scene in the Philippines. This is the term we are using when referring to the Filipino way of brotherhood, where people were helping each other in doing a task without a pay/salary/wages, whatever you call it.

When bricks and cement were not common materials in building houses here (of course that is in the 1600's to 1800's) people build their houses using bamboos for the wall and nipa for the roof. Most houses are single storey since the materials were not good for a 2 storey house and cannot hold too much weight. When people moved from one place to another, their houses will be moved too. How'd they do that? No machines, no pulleys, just the mere shoulders of Filipino men. Don't worry because the weight was not that heavy since the houses were built using light materials and with neighbors arms ready to help anytime. Yup, that is one way of "Bayanihan". I'll provide you with pictures when I get the chance to come across one (hope so cause it's rare now) because most houses here were built with cement, so they were permanent.

Another way of "Bayanihan" is when farmers were helping each other to plant rice. I saw an old picture of my aunt helping in the farm of our neighbor, but it's just now that I realized that I should've taken it with me so that I could scan it and share it here ( I suck...!) I will do it next time, but that would take a long time because I'm uncertain when will I go to the province (as we refer to countryside here) again. Going back to planting, the farmer would just provide food for the people who are helping and they all ate using banana leaves. It's pretty amazing with the singing men beside them to give a mood boost. (ya'y).

Opps, and about the picture above, I saw them yesterday when I'm off from work. That is a school bus which obviously stopped in the middle of the road ( sorry though, I didn't bother to asked what is the problem) but I did bother to take a picture so that I could post it here (I cared for the picture and not for the children.....what kind of a person am I?, it's just now that I realized, sorry) and those men in uniforms were the street sweepers. A round of applause for those guys who helped in pushing the bus on the side street so that it wouldn't cause any traffic.

Transportation the Filipino Way

 I would like to share to you how common people here in the Philippines travel from one place to another. Cars are very expensive here and only those who can afford may have it. But no worries because we have our way and it's really enjoyable. I took a picture of each but there are other options too, which vary from one place to another especially in the provinces. Check them here

Pedicab commonly called "Padyak" 

The pedicab is a three-wheeled vehicle. It is actually a bicycle with an attached sidecar for the passengers locally called "padyak" which means to tramp (using your foot).

Tricycle

Motorcycles with a sidecar attached on a third wheel. This, together with the pedicab usually operates for small distance travelling where jeep and buses couldn't reach.

Jeep or Jeepney

The most common means of transportation in the Philippines. The number of passengers varies upon the size of the jeepney and in most provinces (countryside) it was loaded from seats up to the roof. you can view some pictures here.

Bus

Buses are for long-distance travel usually from the city to the province and also for field trip and company outings.

What Happened to Me?

I have few blogs this week, cause I was pretty busy and oh well, just thinking I was busy. There were few interesting things happened to me this week. I don't have the energy to write my stories but I will give you the gist:

1. Last Wednesday, I experienced earthquake. I was shocked, my heart pumped fast and I was out for words. Maybe because there were forecasts that there would be lots of earthquakes in the Philippines this year and the place where I am living is included on the so called fault line. (scaryyy)

2. Last week I haven't reach half the quota but the good news is, that wasn't the last week of the month. Thanks to GOD, I only asked for a $1000.00 to have at least half and HE gave me extra $7000.00. Thank you so much!!!

3. I went to church yesterday and guess what...the gospel was about how to handle the problems in your life. It's like, don't be sad if you have hard burdens that other people even though you're living a good life than them.

4. On my way to the church yesterday, I was stuck in the traffic 2 hours on the way to the church and 2 hours on the way back home. Can you imagine that? I can't even see the cause of the traffic.

5. I played the game of Nancy Drew "Warnings at Waverly Academy". It feels like I don't want to turn off the computer and don't want to go to sleep as well, so that I can figure out the culprit and I enjoyed solving the brain draining puzzles. Weeew (thumbs up for me).

6. and so on.................!

But trust me, I opened my blog and read the good posts of the blogs I am following. Have a great weekend and may it be less stressful.

Godspeed,
Sey

Philippine Election 2010

The  Presidential Candidates for 2010 Election

(photos taken from Political Arena click here to view the website)

No matter what channel I tuned in the television, and no matter what news you watch, they have the common factor, "Election 2010". Exactly 21 days from now, the Filipino people will decide who will sit as the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines through the first Philippine automated election.

I am a registered voter, and for me to perform my duty as a responsible citizen, I have to travel more or less 4 hours out of Manila to Central Luzon. As a matter of fact, I'm doing it all the time since I was 18 year old and travelling is no big deal for me, I'm still making it though sometimes I am the last to cast my vote. The only problem I have is that, election is fast approaching and until now, I haven't made up my mind yet who is the right candidate to inherit the presidency, who among the 10 candidates has the right to reside in "Malacañang Palace". To tell you the truth I am having second thought of voting this year. You would ask me for reasons and I would be very willing to share them.

As a Filipino citizen, I have my right to choose who I want to vote (this is a democratic country anyway) and because of that I have my own set of guidelines as well, "VOTE WISELY" so to speak. I wouldn't go for an handsome candidate, neither with an intelligent one though I know wisdom is needed, but let me explain further.

Looks can be deceiving and mere intelligence wouldn't be sufficient. For me in order to run a country, a president should be tactful, decent, honest, a man who honors his words, kind, intelligent blah, blah blah and if you are handsome, that is a plus factor and above all he/she should be GOD FEARING. When a leader exercise great fear and faith in God then the rest will follow.

Whenever I watched the news, aspirants if not all, but majority were digging the dirts of their opponents and in the end leaving them all victims of their black propagandas'. This happen every election and I am sick and tired of it. With all the chaos happening in our country and all the issues left unresolved, how could some manage to focus on their personal interest and personal gains.

But me instead of nurturing my sentiments, I will use my energy to find ways on how to know the candidates better so that I could pick the right one. As a guide, I will visit the site of politicalarena.com and their all candidates. one arena blog and most of all I have to make sure I will join the cause of several organization to pray and ask for God's guidance that we may be given enough wisdom to choose the right person who will be  the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines.