Controversy of Filipinos Picture-Taking in the Hostage Scene

Guess, after the so-called shame of the Q & A of Ms Venus Raj, here’s another controversy. This is an unashamed act and attitude of our Filipino people. I agree that Filipinos are fond of pictures and kept as souvenir or photos to remember by. But, sad to say, that this picture taking was done in front of the scene after the hostage crisis. While they are having fun taking pictures in front of the bus, some media or Chinese nationals were taking their pictures, also.





We know that in such events Chinese pays respect especially if one of their families was lost. For them, what had happened was a catastrophic thing. But, that is what they saw. I understand them because it’s there countrymen. If it happened to us, maybe, we will also react that way.

But, I want to make it clear that Mr. President (Philippines) has nothing to do with it. The twist and turn of events is beyond his and everyone’s expectation.

I found these photos with negative comments on this page: chinaSMACK. Tell me, is it proper?

I hope that these events will not ruin the relationship between Chinese and Filipinos.
 2 comments

The Yellow Dress

yellow dress
During grade school days, I remember that we were called one by one to read a story in front of the class. I was only in Grade I and reading stories was a practice on reading books and pronunciation. My teacher, Mrs. Cabigas, told me to read the story entitled, “Yellow Dress” and gave me a schedule when.

In the story, a young and poor girl who went to school without scrubbing or cleaning her face. Her clothes were dirty. The teacher saw her tattered clothes and unwashed face. Her teacher decided to give her a surprise because of her interests in going to school. The next day, the teacher gave her a yellow dress and told her to take a bath and scrub her face. And that is what the girl has done. To make the story short, the girl scrubbed herself and wear the yellow dress. All her neighbors were surprised and admire her new look. Her face shone with cleanliness and beautiful. When her neighbors saw it, they were inspired to clean up themselves and their surroundings. The girl wearing a yellow dress has become the community’s inspiration to clean their place. That’s wonderful, isn’t it?

My real life story is this because this happened at the same time. It happened before the scheduled story telling in front of the class: It’s a twist, actually. :)

My mother saw that I act like a “tomboy”. I am influenced by my four cousin's who are boys in Manila. We lived in the same house. My mother observed and tried to change me.

In school, we have an event that requires us to wear a dress. Do you know what my mother wants me to wear? A Yellow Dress! I hate wearing yellow dress because I am dark brown. It’s the result from swimming a lot in the river. The yellow dress has no sleeves but 2-spaghetti like straps. I am really against it and started to stomp my feet. Still my mother dressed me up. After dressing me up, I look at the mirror in the room and cried. I really am crying.. lolz… Mother came rushing and asked what happened. I cry and told her, “Ang pangit ko! Hindi bagay!” (I am ugly! The look doesn’t fit me!), while looking at the mirror and crying out loud. There stood a girl, dark and wearing a yellow dress with spaghetti straps. Well, Mama did not budge because she wants me to act and to walk like a lady.

Mother won! She did not change my dress for the whole day. Until now, I don’t hate the yellow dress, but I am not fond of wearing a dress. I hate sleeveless even short-sleeved and those spaghetti straps. If I have to wear a blouse with no strap, that’s okay as long as there is a coat.
Labels: ,

Opinion: Bus Hostage-Taking by A Dismissed Policeman

As quoted from Yahoo News by Jim Gomez:

“MANILA, Philippines – A 12-hour hostage stand-off on a hijacked Philippine bus ended in bloodshed Monday, with officials saying at least seven Chinese tourists were dead along with the disgruntled ex-policeman who seized their vehicle in a bid to get his job back. 

 The crisis began when the dismissed policeman, Rolando Mendoza, 55, armed with a M16 rifle seized the busload of Hongkong tourists to demand his reinstatement in the force. 

 According to newspaper reports from 2008, he was among five officers who had been charged with robbery, extortion and grave threats after a Manila hotel chef filed a complaint alleging the policemen falsely accused him of using drugs to extort money.” 

 This is only my own opinion based on my understanding for what had happened after reading the whole story from Yahoo News.

 Rolando Mendoza, a dismissed policeman is 55 years old. I think Rolando Mendoza is due for retirement based on his age. The age limit for retirement in the Philippines is 60 years old. Perhaps, he served the government police force more or less than 30 years in service. Whoever is dismissed from his job with less or more than 30 years in service will be unable to get his benefits. It means zero benefits.

I think that’s the reason why he decided to do a wrong decision to hijack a tourist bus. His decision for reinstatement was wrong that cost his life and life of the hostages. From what I know, after a year, he can file a reinstatement within the police force. When a policeman is reinstated, he can now file for retirement benefits within due process for the grievance of his case.
Again, this is only my own opinion and understanding.
 1 comment
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)