transportation blues

It's Sunday, I'm at work, but that's not the bad part. I wanted to go to work early today, so I left the house a bit early than usual. When I reached the jeepney stop, it suddenly rained so hard. There were dozens of people standing with me in a "covered" area. I waited for a jeepney for an hour! I had to walk under torrential rains just to go to another area, where there are jeeps passing. And, by the way, I also left my wallet. I only had coins in my pocket, not enough for a taxi ride!! Oh did I mention, I don't have an umbrella :-(

And just yesterday, I couldn't enter my room... I forgot my key at work so I had to go back. I rode 3 jeepney rides that time-- back and forth to house and office. I really don't mind jeepney rides, but the thing is it was around 12mn-1:30am!! Scary time to be inside a jeep, much more 3 jeeps.

Thank God, I survived without incident.

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yellow

The past days, we were told to stay until 12mn for Cory Watch. ANC is just on standby mode in case something happens to the Former President. As of now, she is in stable condition, but who knows what could happen to her.

Cory Aquino has been an icon of democracy worldwide. I hope she doesn't die yet. I know that sounds selfish considering that she's already in pain. But I think the country still needs her at least until 2010 elections. Though she doesn't side with the Arroyo administration most of the time, she somehow still unites both opposition and administration.

I was still very young when she ruled the country. I don't even remember her as president. But I do know she has contributed a lot to society.

Will still stay until 12mn in the coming days...

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down to earth

This is part of a blog entry I wrote last year:

"Last Thursday August 21, 2008, a Spanish jet crashed minutes after take-off at the Madrid International Airport, killing 154 passengers and crew. About 4 days later, another plane fell from the sky. This time, a passenger plane crashed in Kyrgyzstan's capital of Bishkek, killing at least 70 people, including members of a youth basketball team. On that same day, a small plane crashed in Guatemala killing 10 people, most of whom were on a humanitarian mission. And of course yesterday, an Air Force plane crashed in Davao City. Bodies of two of the nine people on board were already recovered, the others are feared dead.

Then there were the Qantas Airways incidents, where in a span of one week, 3 of its planes made an emegency landing. And just today, barely a week after the Madrid plane crash, an Air France-KLM Airlines skidded off the runway in Montreal, Canada. And did I mention a Philippine Airlines plane also skidded off a runway in Mindanao a week ago."

And just barely a year later, another series of unfortunate events took place. June 1- an Air France plane from Rio de Janeiro to Paris crashed in the Atlantic killing all 228 people. A few weeks later, a Yemenia Airways plane crashed off Comoros Island in Africa killing over 150 people. And just yesterday, a Caspian Airlines went down in Iran with all 168 people feared dead. The fatalities of the first two incidents include Filipinos. There are also several emergency landings in between the crashes.

It's scary, considering that just yesterday I was also on a plane. You'd think crashes only occur in poor countries or low-cost airlines. But no, Air France one of the best airlines in the world was not spared. That plane an Airbus A330 is also one of the best in the world with really good safety record. This just shows we can't tell our fate-- whether we ride a Zest Airways or the "reliable" Philippine Airlines- we really can't tell.

Fly high :-)

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The Palace

Today I had my first politics-related interview. And it sure is bigtime! I interviewed Secretary Jesus Dureza, the former Press Secretary and the current Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Affairs. At first it felt scary, cause it was my first time to interview a big political personality. And above all, the interview was held in no other than Malacanang!!!

It was my first time at the Palace, though we were not allowed to go around. Nevertheless it was an amazing experience. We were even not allowed to enter at first because my crew and I were wearing jeans-- hindi pala pwede mag maong pants. But Secretary Dureza gave us permission afterwards. Security is really strict inside the palace grounds. I felt very safe inside, knowing that President Arroyo is just nearby... hehehe.

It was such an experience. Thanks to my partner Bettina who was with me and to my cameraman and driver. Hopefully there will be a repeat. :-)

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the transfer 2

I officially transferred house today. It was really tiring carrying all those heavy bags and appliances. But now I am restarting a new phase in my life. I hope my neighbors are really good and nice people and I hope everything will be ok in my new residence.

Can't wait to have my very own pad.

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