Warning! Typhoon Mina coming this way!!!!

It's already been a year since Typhoons Millenio and Reming caused such a devastation in the Bicol Region (especially in Albay where many died due to a grave mud flooding). Now Mila, another typhoon, who threatens to get even stronger (on its way to becoming a super typhoon), is coming the Bicol Region's way--threatening another devious incident in the said area.

I spent almost eight years in Sorsogon, after my family decided to be based there, where I also finished my college. After graduating year 2006, I came back here in Manila with my mom while my dad and my siblings are still there in Sorsogon, since they are still in school (two of them already in college while the youngest is in high school). When the tragedy in Albay came blasting it's way on television and on the papers, I felt as if I'm part of those who were devastated.

It's is no joke when I say that as I was staying in Sorsogon I felt the impact of poverty more than I was here in Manila. Life there is more simpler than I was expecting. Looking on the brighter side, and thankfully I've seen this, those who have families who can-afford are not jerks that loiter and make the people around them feel more deprived. But looking at the situation in terms of poverty, I can't help but feel shattered with the present situation the region is facing.

Typhoons has been a number one problem in the region that there are some who are not that alarmed with the said nature's wrath. Then came Reming which really made quite a trauma to everyone.....

Here comes yet another typhoon. I fear for the people and pray that Mila (typhoon) won't become a super typhoon, further more, that it will not hit Bicol. People there have finally set life in good condition, after their agonizing situation. May the tragic incident from last year not come about this year...and I hope that all my loved ones, especially my dad and my siblings, be safe.....

May God send his angels to watch over them....

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Related Articles:

Typhoon Mina at Inquirer.net

The Bombing of Batasan...

November 13, 2007--It was past eight at night when the news flashed on television: An explosion occurred at the south wing parking lot of Batasan Pambansa Complex....
It's been two nights ago when I saw the news about Batasan being bombed. After the Glorrieta blast I just never thought that the House of Representatives would face such a tragedy--then again, no one can really tell. This only puts questions on their security, lacking the strict measures it should present.

News flashes came continuously that night, that even my plans to sleep earlier came to extending my presence in front of the television as I checked the latest updates. My sleepy eyes became full alert in shock with each update the television shows. It seems that no network would want to give it a time off--then again, who wouldn't. After the disturbing news on Glorietta, Batasan was the least place I, and I believe the public, expects to get into this kind of horror. With the Congress there, security should have been tight, right?

According to reports, the blast came from a motorcycle placed at the south wing's parking lot. It was also said that it was triggered by a remote control, timing the blast to the time congressmen where coming out, especially Rep. Wahab Akbar of Basilan, who was one of the three person killed that night. There were also seven others injured including Representatives Luzviminda Ilagan of the Gabriella Partylist and Pryde Henry Teves of Negros Occidental. Unfortunately, came next morning, November 14, at 3pm, another victim died.

Was Akbar really the target, or was it all planned to hinder something? I cannot help but ask since the day after the blast marked the decision of the lawmakers to the impeachment complaint of Pres. GMA, where the said complaint was denied with the vote of 43-1, all 43 are from the administration. This decision came about after the said three-paged complaint was said to have "Lack of substance". Then again, Akbar could really have been indeed the target since he is from Basilan, the said place where the Abu Sayaff is. This speculation came about after a text message came from a said Abu Sayaff member where the said group was claiming the bombing. But it soon ended after the Abu Sayaff denied this saying that Akbar was a follower of their group....

Another stir in the life of us Filipinos. Oh when will this end....
Speculation as to who dunnit and on what motive, should first be placed on hold while investigations are still on going. Right now police should be careful with regards to their statement in their findings. Most importantly, security should be more tight, not just in government offices but also in every public area. We've gone through a great ordeal grieving for the victims of Glorietta--now we face yet another shattering news on The House of Representatives....PLEASE....We should put action to this problem.

After the Glorietta blast, last week was already full of distressing news that made conscience rise more to the level of its awareness of what agony meant for others and how it can affect us all, topping the list was Mariannet Amper's suicide, next was the accident of the Saguisags which led to the death of Mrs. Dulce Saguisag, and the ambush of a COMELEC official and a death threat to yet another. Yet with these tragic events I am in no position to ask God why these things have to happen. The bombing of the Batasan, whether it is intended for one person or the congress as a whole, is indeed a bitter realization that because of selfish intent, even to cause death at those unknowing innocents, is a must just to accomplish their goal...A Sad fact indeed....

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Related Articles:

Congress Blast

Philippine lawmakers throw out impeachment bid against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo - The Associated Press, November 13, 2007

Doubt on Mariannet's death....

Last week may have ended rather sad with young Mariannet Amper's burial--the tragic story of a young girl who committed suicide out of her depression in their family's impoverish life. But this week got me more suspended in her case as not just blames, but also doubts, started to arise with regards to what pushed her to do such an act....

News, last night, may have been filled with squabbling politicians over Mariannet's death, but one thing is truly intriguing, as it had been staggering. Last week, even with the start of it's news, there were already people who questioned why Mariannet committed suicide. Poverty alone may have not been the reason why, they said, though still it really was a big hit that made people realize the seriousness poverty here in the country. Then again, with the suggestion of autopsy, and the response of the family with regards to how the news have exaggerated their life, I can't help but think that maybe there was another reason to Mariannet's actions.....

Was she abused?

No one knows--for now. But one thing is for sure, Mariannet Amper has really caused such a wave of distraught over the whole nation--a big wave indeed that is waking up every sleeping conscience, not just in this nation, but on every person who lived in this planet that has heard of her death.

It is indeed a surprise for a country known to be populated by optimists, to have such an issue. But 'till we really figure out the truth behind the doubts, let this be more of an eye opener that we should begin to move, even in our own way, to eliminate poverty in this nation....

Mariannet Amper: Death Driven by Poverty....

A few minutes ago, something staggering caught me speechless as I watched the news.

Brgy. Ma-a, DAVAO CITY: Life is too short and it became shorter for 12-year-old Mariannet Amper as she hanged herself to death.

Just recently, Pres. GMA announced the improvement that the government made with the rate of poverty decreasing. The next morning was might have been indeed a big slap on her face with the news of young Mariannet from Davao who committed suicide because of poverty.

Flashed on the news earlier was a younger brother crying in front of the casket where his sister lies. It was him who saw Mariannet's suicide as he entered the room where he found her hanging. Too young, and small, to rescue his sister, he immediately called for help. How devastated his cry sounded. Such is a cry that would pierce any person who hears it.

It was only with the discovery of her diary that they found out the reason for Mariannet's action. There, she had written her grief about her family's situation: how her parents argued a lot, her mother forcing her to work at a noodle factory and her not attending her classes anymore. It was indeed shattering when they showed what she had written regarding her absences which dates October 6 of this year: "Parang isang buwan na akong hindi pumapasok kasi hindi ko binibilang mga absent ko, hindi ko namalayang malapit na pala ang pasko...." (It feels like a month since I last attended school, I haven't even counted my absences that I didn't realize that Christmas is fast approaching....).

Her classmates cried about what had happened to Mariannet. It was then that they told the reporter about her telling them once how she wants to end her life. They even showed on the news the chair where she once sat during class--the chair that will never be filled with her again, except for the memory of the girl who wished of becoming a nurse some day to help get her family out of the agony of an impoverish life.

The news about Mariannet is truly bothering considering that because of poverty, a young girl claimed her life to escape its despair.

I feel for the Mariannet. She's just one of the millions of kids who faced such a burden of being poor--while there are those who just wastes their fortunes on lavish-nothings. There are millions of Filipino families who lived with just a dollar a day (or forty pesos a day). Mariannet Amper death has brought about the staggering truth that many are still deprived of a better life--especially their kids. When will this end? I do not know. But I hope, someday, people will see that in each step we take-forward to success, we must look back at those left behind and learn to share blessings. I don't mean giving alms, but rather by teaching and guiding. I hope the government will do their part to give aid to the injured not just temporarily but permanently.

Mariannet Amper may not be the first to have done such an action....but I pray she's the last.....

Wasted Relief.....

Such was the horror that struck Albay when super typhoon Reming went to pay a visit there.

It's been a year since Reming caused such devastation which led to thousands of people dead and left homeless. Schools and gymnasiums, then weren't even enough to shelter the inflicted folks of the storms. Much more was the food and clean water. Roads were closed and other goods were scarce.

My brother at that time was in Tabaco, Albay. And with all roads, out of Tabaco, closed, my brother, together with some friends who also live in Sorsogon, took the long trek home by foot, where they faced the the aftermath-horror of the mud flow tragedy. Lucky for them my dad and my uncle found a way to enter Legazpi.

I was here in Manila with my mom when it all happened. And though I'm from Sorsogon, I felt life sucked out of me as I saw the distressful state of the people there. The loss, the cold nights and hunger.....

A year after the agony.... A year after the whole nation gathered to place comfort..... a year since then, I faced the television to discover such disappointment......

Earlier this evening, I was about to make myself a cup of coffee (yes, coffee at night--I'm like that since college), when the flash report showed which got me and my mom's blood boiling. At the mention of Daraga, Albay, and the issue there, I felt like crying--with disappointment and anger. Such a waste--after discovering the piled packages of relief goods stored from last relief operation, which are now useless.

WASTED!

There boxes of canned goods and sacks of rice. Packages of blankets and other stuff that could have been used. But the food, alone, left there in that storage to rot instead of feeding the hungry, was a huge waste. Discovering such a pile to have expired last July, was really the biggest disappointment. After all, there are still many people needing those things, especially those times, when food was the number one priority.

If they were planning to store they should have checked the expiry dates. Then again, why were they storing large amounts of goods if there were still plenty to feed? Wasted....truly WASTED!

Let this be a lesson.....

Taking Blogging Seriously

Writing is my first love....

I honestly believe that being a writer runs in my family. It is a passion passed on from one generation to the next. A passion, whether influenced or not, comes out with every stroke of a pen, or clicking of the keys of the keyboard.... This is one hobby I can't get off my system since I was young....and I don't care whether it is related to my specialization I got in college or not.

Since I was young, I have enjoyed writing starting from the poems where is tells strories of some unlucky guy or a triumphant feeling I have. Thanks to my Ate Ophie, who's a writer as well, for showing me this addicting and fun craft, which my mom claims as something that not all are able to do.

Everytime Ate Ophie's work gets published on a magazine seems like a trophy for me that I wish, one day, I will have as well. She was a freelance writer and reading her works made me thought of making something worth posting one day.....High School gave me that chance alright.....then college.....

It's been more than a year since I graduated from college. With me just staying around the house, as I wait for a reply regarding my applications, I make use of valuable time by reading, and of course writing. And finally getting connection to the internet, I found a way to get my works published--if they do get published....

It was going to be a long wait, that I knew, as I passed manuscripts to certain publications (magazines and tabloids), yet, as I started joining an online community, I found a way to design plan b.

Plan B may also be a long wait as well before I see my efforts materialize, with regards to earning that is. Still, I went for it knowing that at least I see my work published for everyone to read. This is blogging....

I started first with friendster. Not only did I get in touch with friends and relatives, I also got to enjoy blogging for the first time. Knowing that it will just be read by friends (and if lucky by friends' friends), I started craving for more. Something that I, myself, can take in more seriously--thus I joined blogger....

As I presently write this newest post on my blogger blog, I hope, just like back in school paper days, I may able to entertain and inform readers from every age as I continue to practice my passion.....And hope that it might help me earn as well.....

Oh...in addiction--I mean addition--I joined Myspace,where like friendster, I also have a blog....

Happy surfing--and reading--and blogging......

In Memoriam of Merry Making

Yesterday, cemeteries have been packed with people visiting the graves of their departed loved ones. Besides the usual rosaries, candles and flowers, most of them are holding containers of food or guitars--for their picnics. Everywhere there are relatives hugging and laughing, each telling how they've been since the last time they all saw each other. There are even those who brought along pillows and blankets agreeing to stay there for the night ( Though this year it seems there are fewer groups who did that ). There maybe some who doesn't understand as to why Filipinos celebrate All Souls Day this way still, we do it anyway ( Unfortunately we stayed in the house and just lighted candles and prayed).

In tonight's news, they aired the story of this morning's activities in Angono, Rizal's cemetery. Just like yesterdays views in other cemeteries here in Manila, there were merry makings from left to right. The only difference Angono had was that the celebration was more like a fiesta. Part of their programme for the day was a "raffle" for the people who were there, and games for the kids. Now theirs was more fun....

Now, others may ask why we Filipinos celebrate this way....

In an interview with one of Angono resident who was also present in the cemetery this morning, here's what she said: "We really celebrate All Souls Day in November 2 here in Angono. We have fun altogether for we rejoice with the fact that our loved ones are finally at rest and with our Creator in heaven...."


It is a custom for us to visit and pray for our departed loved ones during All Souls Day, but it is not also bad to have fun while staying in the cemetery. True, we enjoy ourselves not only because relatives come together during this period--it usually takes events like these to finally have a reunion--but rather because of faith itself. Filipinos are known to be religious (no matter what religion we belong to), The fact that we very much believe that there is heaven gives us the joy for our departed loved ones as we have prayed for them to the Lord. Truly they are at peace....