The Aftermath of "Dalaw."

It's my first Holiday Season in the Philippines not as a balikbayan on vacation, but as a regular Pinoy citizen. Although dubbed as "still an outsider" by those close to me, I've tried my damn best to fit in after being away for twenty five years.

What's to fit in again?  

My "testy" co-navigator fumes every time I curse in the privacy of the car when "kuligligs, motorbikes, buses and jeepneys cut in front of me.  But a curse like "hangal?"  In the so so months I've been in Manila, I could count in my one hand the number of times I honked my horns; these are the very irritating moments when a bus suddenly swerved into my lane, when a motorcycle squeezed into my right as I was turning, once when a Fortuner just whizzed in front of me as I was entering the gate of the subdivision. Three times.

"That's how drivers drive in Manila, you've got to fit in if you want to live longer" my co-navigator would always lecture me.

Yesterday, we watched Kris Aquino's "Dalaw."  Unlike the more proper moviegoers in Trinoma, Megamall's crowd was a little rowdy. Perhaps because the movie house's policy was "open." Meaning, anybody can walk in in the middle of the show. 

It was the climax of the movie - Kris Aquino's character was about to be killed and subsumed by the ghost who was haunting her family.  People including the porter with her pesky flashlight kept on coming.  At my back, there was this guy who kept murmuring to his wife, and wife murmuring back. " Oh, Rosario is such a calm movie, and this one is...," said the burly husband. " I think it's the ghost of .........," replied the wife co-analyst.

I said, "hush." My seat/mate said to me "enough, don't create a fight."

The husband murmured loudly again. The wife answered back.  I kept quiet. The seat/mate got fidgety. New people were rushing up the steps. The porter had her flashlight to my face. Others, as they were coming down the stairs kept mumbling, "dalaw."

When the word "The End" finally rolled down the screen, I stood up, faced the burly man and uttered some words (not invectives) but just the fact that he was a jerk.

The mate got mad at me, rushed down the steps and kept on muttering, "You are in the Philippines now, you have to adjust and fit in. These guys are killers."

I was just asserting my right as a ticket-paying patron, for God's sake.  I was there to watch and not to listen to this couple's analysis of the movie. In hindsight, I should have just called in security.  But it was supposed to be the climax of the movie.

If  this occurred in Canada, people would have been more considerate of other patrons. But yes, there are also jerks in Toronto who whisper....er talk inside the theatre.  But in hushing them, one doesn't feel guilty or threatened. It's just done matter of fact. "Hey, no offense to you, but you're an asshole."  Something like that.

So I was hugely surprised that the mate turned her ire towards me and not towards the "bastos" inside the movie house.

Lesson learned:  Avoid MMFF in the first few days; better watch when the crowd has thinned.

Oy, Feliz Navidad!

Here's wishing you a Blessed Christmas!

May the Christmas Star light your life anew.

Off Cam.

LEFT, Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka, on their wedding day. Bernardo was the "Scarborough serial rapist."

After two days of seeing the faces of the freed men behind the Vizconde massacre, and that of the victim's father/husband, Laura Vizconde on television, I could not help but recall a similarly brutal and sensational murder/rape which took place in Canada, also in 1991. The Paul Bernardo case.

Paul Bernardo was a young, matinee-handsome type, recently married accountant when arrested by the OPP (Ontario Police) as a suspect in the grisly rape/murder of two teens, Leslie Mahaffy, 14 and Kristine French, 15 which took place on June 15, 1991 and April 16, 1992, respectively.

Later on, it was established that he was responsible for many other rapes which were committed in the Scarborough area in Metro Toronto. Paul Bernardo's new and equally young bride, Karla Homolka became the state's star witness against her husband and spent ten years in prison for being an accessory to the crimes. Others said she should have been tried and sentenced as an equal partner in at least four of the assaults and murders, one including her own sister.

When Karla Homolka was eventually released from prison, she decided to live in Quebec and not to return to her native province of Ontario. But the media continually tracked her whereabouts, so in the long run, she could not hold on to any permanent job.

She eventually married and kept on moving from place to place to avoid media detection. Inside prison, she studied, and at one time, it was revealed that she continued to fancy men with "distorted sexual" appetites like her killer husband Bernardo.

The final straw that led to the downfall and establishment of Bernardo's guilt was a video recording of the last two murders. Bernardo recorded the brutal sexual assaults that he and his wife made on Mahaffy and French. The presence and whereabouts of this tape was revealed by Homolka to the authorities, and finally pinned down Paul Bernardo.

Now that the DOJ (Department of Justice) plans to reopen the Vizconde murder/rape case) it would need fresh evidence to proceed and lay charges. Seeking new witnesses would be near to impossible.

If CTV cameras were as standard before (1991) as now (2010), the probability of digging new clues to this case would be easier. If there had been a camera at the entrance of the housing village which could have captured Hubert Webb's group entry, or a another CTV near the premises of the Vizconde house, then it could be a different story.

If some Vizconde neighbours were listening intently to happenings and noises outside their houses, if body exhumation and gathering of DNA on the corpses were possible, if a cohesive investigative team could be put in place - then there could be new windows of opportunities for a new trial.

New technology allows ordinary mortals to crime-proof their places of abode, or help identify perpetrators in case they gain entry afterall.

Small cameras are reasonably priced now which can be hidden and capture entry points. Similary, cameras can be placed inside the house,inside or near bedrooms, safes, and anywhere where there are valuables and residents.

Motion detection lights can be installed; alarms, too.

In place of guns, knives and baseball bats can be placed near beds, in case there's a forced entry. Dogs are a must.
Self-defense can be learned easily from experts. Prescence of mind must be practised and implemented at all times, inside the house, and outside. Assertiveness must be made a part of one's personality.

If Hubert Webb and his group were the real culprits in the Vizconde murders (the SC ruling does not mean they're not guilty, it just says the court is not convinced 100% that they're guilty), maybe the reason they were allowed by the young Carmela inside the house could have been the group's clout - they were kids from rich, influential families, and the murdered girl may not have had the courage not to let them in- even if it was already late at night.

We pray that real justice will come Vizconde family's way..soon.

Try it by Jury!

I've lived long enough in North America to have observed the brutal differences between its justice system and that of the Philippines. I've also lived in a household headed by a lawyer and I've had some exposure in a top law school, and in the U.S, had worked in a top New York law firm for five years.

North America (Canada and the U.S.) employs the jury system. The Philippines has a sole judge who decides on a case.

In the Philippines, I've known first hand how documents can be easily altered and how certain judges can be made to rule in favour of defense no matter how guilty the party is, all for the RIGHT AMOUNT OF MONEY. Hey, every Pinoy knows about this!

So, now that the Philippine Supreme Court had reversed the ruling of the Trial Court and the Appelate Court, and granted freedom and a verdict of innocence to Hubert Webb, et al in the case of the Vizconde murders, I say the Philippines should adopt the trial by jury system.

In a trial by jury, there would be several individuals to hear, try and rule on a case. In that scenario, it would be more difficult to influence a whole group of individuals with varying degrees and levels of education, moral values and convictions, even if a defendant/s were awash with cash.

True, bribing can be easily done because we're talking of ordinary mortals but I further say that if jury system is to be opted into the judicial system, a system of checks should be in place. Such as an independent body which will do random review of closed cases, a jury pool to be scrutinized by NGOs, civic groups and journalists, and a a system where a well known civic or church leader is always made a part of any jury.

Let's start believing in the capacity of the ordinary Pinoy to mete out justice; we've seen so many cases of injustice already. Enough is enough.

Bigwig.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

- By the Carpenters

I was teasing two of my sisters last night that we're still looking for a place to go to on Christmas day. Sabi nga, nagpapaimbita sa pamilya.

I would love to travel to Singapore for Christmas. A relative is inviting us to visit them. But then, I'd already looked at air fares and it looks like it's better to go there after the Holiday rush.

New Year's day is the day when our big family celebrates as a group. And this early, preparations are in place to celebrate it differently this year - instead of converging in a house, we've opted to go to Fontana in Clark - to the outdoors and the waters.

Organizing a group of 40 plus has fallen into the hands of a younger sis and me, while a nephew's in charge of reservation. Sis wants to buy a "lechon" but we convinced her not to because it seems all the oldies are on maintenance drug for hypertension.

Buying gifts for 40 plus is also a daunting task. Whenever the list has ended, a new name seems to crop up.

If Mother were alive today, she'd be extra busy preparing for the trip. But we kids had been trained for long to be on the road during the Holidays. We grew up traveling on Christmas eve to make it on Christmas day to our hometown in Nueva Ecija.

The other day while cleaning up the house, we found an old VHS tape of past Holiday celebrations. I had to hook up the old VCR player to watch it. Old scenes played out. Mom during the 2001 New Year's day party at home, scenes from my March 2001 birthday party, Mica's high school graduation at Don Bosco where Winnie Monsod was the guest speaker, and another New Year's day event - 2002 where the last scene was when everybody sang Jo Mari Chan's "Christmas in our Hearts."

This holiday season, we'll be missing once more the Bigwig of the family - our dearest Nanay.

Makulig!

You've most likely heard and read about the protest staged by the so-called "kuliglig" drivers and operators. 

"The three-wheeled kuliglig engines, usually small-capacity 5-cc engines, are made in China. A complete assembled kuliglig unit costs around P40,000, whereas a typical tricycle built for passenger transport costs around P100,000. Because a kuliglig would not pass the Land Transportation Office (LTO) standards for a legitimate vehicle, kuliglig operators so far have not been required to secure registration and pay a licensing fee. Kuliglig operators think that kuligligs could replace pedicabs and tricycles in the future. But it appears the Manila government thinks the three are just different varieties of the same pest." From GMA News.

Yes, I think kuligligs, pedicabs and tricycles are all pests. They crawl, they are dirty, they emit poison, and are dangerous to other vehicles and to their passengers.

Driving up North lately has become a hypertensive activity.  Once you get off NLEX and into the narrow highways of Bulacan all the way to Cabanatuan, you'd encounter these pests in the highways.  Years ago, tricycles were limited to back roads, villages, and side streets. Today, they traverse highways, major thoroughfares, inner streets, back lanes, and anywhere they can fit. 

The usual two and half hour drive to Cabanatuan becomes three or even four hours today, because of the tricycles and other pests that compete with public buses, cargo trucks, and private vehicles. 

It's dangerous and nerve wracking when you're going the legal speed (90 km/h) or faster and then suddenly confronted by a slow moving "kuliglig" or tricycle ahead of you. You either step on your brakes abruptly, which is super dangerous and bad for the engine, or pass the tricycle (great if there's no vehicle coming towards you, which is rare).

My bro-in-law told me one time that Cabanatuan is known as the trycicle capital of the Philippines, and I believed him. These contraptions literally fill every nook and cranny in that city.  But lately, Bulacan seems to be competing for the same title.

Here in Cainta and Pasig, the same scenario has been unfolding for a great number of years. Like in many cities, the kuligligs and the like, had been allowed only inside villages and in the back roads, but now operate recklessly all over the places. 

And what riles me most is that these drivers, like most Manila drivers, are offensive drivers, and unmindful of road courtesy and regulations.

How  many times have you heard of "kuliglig"-other -pest-type accident? A plenty. My brother and lately, my nephew figured in one.  My nephew's car got hit by a tricycle in Quezon City, and the driver looked so hapless that my nephew didn't charge him any damages.  Eons ago, my ex who was riding a trycicle from the "palengke" to her village house, got contusions when a car hit the tricycle she was on. A sister got into a similar accident.

Ban these pests from the major roads, I say.  Limit them inside villages, and back roads. I'm sure the riding public would welcome the change, because a lot of times, it's their life that's being put in jeopardy.

Flea Market.

BELOW RIGHT, Dapitan Arcade in Dapita Manila at Kanlaon. 

When I was still living in New Jersey, there was a huge Flea Market which visiting relatives and friends insisted on going to.   That was my

first encounter with Flea Markets.

Back here in Manila, I've discovered quite a few Flea Markets. I've tagged along to the Dapitan Arcade, located at the corner of Kanlaon in Quezon City.  Then, there's the Tiendesitas in Pasig, the huge Flea Market at the PICC, the one at St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong, and while driving home, I found a flea market located around the Mandaluyong City Hall in Boni Avenue.

I'm not quite sure if the term "flea market," applies to these bargain bazaars and expos, but judging from the way "flea market" has evolved through the years, from selling purely used and antique, and now including brand new bargain-priced  stuff, I'd safely say the places mentioned above resemble a flea market.

Flea market comes from the French "marché aux puces," a name originally given to a market in Paris. The fleas were thought to be in the goods, because they were of the kind to attract vermin. The earliest English use found dates from 1922. 

In the U.S. and Canada, people have no qualm shopping at flea markets, bargain basements, and second hand stores. The Filipinos have adopted this habit when the "ukay ukay" stores quickly sprouted throughout the islands.

I don't mind driving and browsing at flea markets because I find items here which are very useful and sometimes not found in regular stores.  I'm talking about tools and stuff I can use for do-it-yourself projects.  When I was asked to go to the "Noel" sale at the PICC, I found this small vase-like container full of very small screw drivers for 150 pesos.

RIGHT, St. Lawrence in Toronto has a flea market on Sundays.

Back in Toronto during the height of the "Blue Sunday," law when shops, groceries and department stores were closed on Sundays, flea markets used to make a killing. We used to drive as far as Pickering to the east and Mississauga to the west just to shop at flea markets, the only places in addition to drug stores, that were allowed to open on Sundays. We've also made regular trips to the St. Jacob's fresh and flea market in the German-town of Waterloo in Ontario, and of course, to St. Lawrence Market in downtown TO which has a flea market on Sundays, and where my good friend Olga sets up shop.

Yesterday at the "Market Market," I browsed through sections of wood furniture and paintings, and ended up at the Japan store where I purchased cleaning products which I don't find at the regular supermarkets. 

These are the things I miss.  Good cleaning products, good-quality duct tapes, good, affordable cables and splitters, sturdy bathroom accessories, hanging hooks which don't fall easily, paint brush and odorless paint, dust pan that is levelled to the floor, and a skilled electrician, and car mechanic.

I miss my CAA and Triple A services so much. Last November at the NLEX going to Nueva Ecija, just past the first Petron station and after a hearty brunch at Pan Cake, one of my tires blew out. We drove to the service road, and attempted to change the tire.  My brother in law who was in the country for a medical mission crawled under the car in order to secure the jack .  Minutes later, an NLEX patrol stopped by and asked if we wanted auto service.  I said yes.

The service arrived when we were already tightening the bolts on the spare tire. I asked the two guys how much they'd charge. 800 plus pesos for towing.  They do not change tires. I declined, so they called their HQ and said the call was cancelled.  So, I asked them to help tighten the bolts.  One of the guys obliged and I gave him a tip.

With my CAA, anytime I have a problem - flat tire, keys left inside the car, battery needs charging, etc, I dial and a service truck would arrive, whether you're at home or in the middle of the road, anytime.  You just have to have an annual membership, for a measly $70 Canadian yearly.  With this membership, you don't have to worry while in Canada and even while travelling across U.S.A.

RIGHT, A great selection of hats at the St. Lawrence Market, for those who fancy hats.

Deprived.

I've enjoyed reading a certain blog for over a year now, but gradually steering away from it. I no longer enjoy reading the posts by the author.

Since the advent of the Internet, and then blogging, people have been offered a gazillion choices of free reading materials. Before Internet, people relied on radio, television and newspapers for news. Now, mainstream newspapers, radio and TV networks have on line versions, and blogs of countless origins offer first hand views of breaking news and insignificant happenings throughout the globe.

Blogging has become business for many. It's used to promote products and services. But to a great majority, blogging has still remained an outlet for writing daily occurrences in life - much like a diary.

I find it appalling that many so called good writers , some even award-winning writers waste their talent blogging about tasteless, mundane subjects. One blog has even become a mirror of the author's sexual deprivation.
What a waste!