Santa Monica: Pagkagat ng Dilim

Alas otso ng gabi, Miyerkules.

Galing sa ospital ng Santa Monica ay naglalakad pauwi si Olivia patungo sa “Red House”. Si Dr. Mark sana ang maghahatid sa kanya pauwi, ngunit nagkaroon ng emergency sa ospital, kaya minabuti ni Olivia na maglakad na lamang. Nakausap na ni Olivia si Aling Rosing tungkol sa sikretong itinago nito sa kanya. Ang sikreto ng “Red House”.

Ayon kay Aling Rosing, ang “Red House” ay ipinatayo ng gobernadorcillo ng Santa Monica noong 1858 -- taliwas sa una niyang narinig na gobernador-heneral ang nagpagawa nito -- noong ang Pilipinas ay nasa ilalim pa ng pamahalaang Español.

Simula raw ng naitayo ito hanggang noong 1993 – kung kailan huling nagkaroon ng karumaldumal na insidente -- ay samu’t sari nang mga pagpatay ang naganap sa bahay. Hindi na masyadong nagbigay detalye ang matanda tungkol sa mga pagpatay dahil na rin sa sinabi ni Olivia na sapat na ang kanyang narinig.

Maliban sa tawag na “Red House” ay tinatawag rin ito ng ilan bilang “Murder House”.

Bagamat ay medyo nagalit si Olivia dahil sa paglilihim sa kanya ni Aling Rosing ay agad din naman itong nawala pagkat naiintindihan niya ang mga dahilan ng caretaker.

Sinubukang payuhan ni Dr. Mark si Olivia na dapat na itong umalis sa bahay na iyon dahil parang mayroon daw talagang sumpa ang “Red House”, ngunit ipinagkibit balikat lamang ito ni Olivia. Tingin niya ay sadyang nagkataon lamang na maraming mga masasamang tao ang dati’y nanirahan sa bahay na iyon.

Tahimik na ang kalyeng dinadaanan ni Olivia, pero bigla na lamang siyang may mabigat na naramdaman, na para bang may mga matang tumitingin sa kanya. Kinilabutan si Olivia.

Para masiguro na walang taong sumusunod o umaaligid sa kanya, sinuri ni Olivia ang paligid. Siya na lamang ang tao sa kalyeng iyon, ni tunog ng mga sasakyan o mga hayop ay wala na.

Sinubukan ni Olivia na kalimutan ang naramdaman pagkat marahil ay guni-guni lamang niya iyon. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang paglalakad na walang ibang iniisip kundi ang makarating lamang sa “Red House”.

***

Alas diyes ng gabi.

Dumating si Ella sa ospital ng Santa Monica dala ang isang maliit na bag kung saan nakalagay ang isang maliit na kahon. Tumakas lamang ang dalaga mula sa kanyang Yaya pagkat ayaw pa rin siyang payagang lumabas nito.

Hinahanap ni Ella si Dr. Mark ngunit hindi niya pa ito nahanap. Dahil hindi pa niya makita ang doctor ay pumunta muna si Ella sa ICU upang silipin si Steve, na kasalukuyang naka-confine at maiging binabantayan ng mga doktor at wala pa ring malay.

Mula sa labas ng ICU, sa salaming bintana, ay sinilip lamang ni Ella si Steve. Hindi mapigilan ni Ella na maluha dahil sa nangyari sa binata. Kahit na kailan lang sila personal na nagkakilala ni Steve ay tila ba agad nang naging mahalaga ang binata sa kanya.

“Ella?”

Nagulat si Ella nang may humawak sa kanyang balikat.

“Gabi na, ah? Kararating mo lang ba?” tanong ni Dr. Mark.

“Ay, Dr. Mark. Good evening po.” Sabi ni Ella, pinahiran niya ang luha sa kanyang mata.

“Are you okay?”

“Okay lang po ako.” Sagot ni Ella. “Kumusta na po si Steve?”

“Stable na siya. Pero hindi pa rin namin tiyak kung kailan siya magigising.”

Hinubad ni Ella ang bag na kanyang suot at may kinuha siyang isang maliit na kahon mula dito.

“Eto po, Dr. Mark.” Ibinigay ni Ella ang kahon kay Dr. Mark.

“Ano ito, Ella?”

“Savings ko po ang laman niyan.” Sabi ni Ella. “Utang ko po kay Steve ang buhay ko. Sana po gamitin niyo po ang pera para sa mga gastusin ni Steve dito sa ospital. Salamat po.”

“Ella, you don’t have to—”

“Please, Dr. Mark.” Mariing sabi ni Ella. “Aalis na po ako.”

Mabilis na naglakad si Ella palayo sa ICU. Nagtaka si Dr. Mark sa pagmamadali ng dalaga. Binuksan ng doktor ang kahon, at sa loob nito nakita niyang halos nasa limampung libo ang laman nito.

***

Nagpapahinga si Olivia sa master’s bedroom ng “Red House” nang magising ito dahil sa sobrang lamig ng temperatura. Napaupo ito sa kanyang hinihigaan, at doon niya lang napansin na naiwanan niyang nakabukas ang bintana.

Tumayo si Olivia upang isara ang bintana, ngunit bago pa man niya mahilang pasarado ang bintana ay napansin niyang may isang batang lalakeng nakatayo sa may tabing dagat, nakatingin ito ng direkta sa mga mata ni Olivia. Maliwanag ang buwan kaya malinaw na natatanaw ni Olivia na umiiyak ang bata.

Napaisip siya kung bakit sa ganoong oras ay may bata pa rin sa may tabing dagat. Sa nakita ay medyo nag-init ang ulo ni Olivia dahil sa kapabayaan ng mga magulang ng bata.

“Bata!” tawag ni Olivia. “Anong ginagawa mo diyan? Umuwi ka na!”

Pero hindi nagsalita ang bata, nanatili lamang ito sa kanyang kinatatayuan, umiiyak at nakatingin sa mga mata ni Olivia.

Naawa sa bata si Olivia. Nang mangyaring bababa na sana si Olivia upang sunduin ang bata ay nagulat na lamang siya sa nakita. May isang babae ang lumapit sa tabi ng bata at inakbayan ito, at tumingin din ng diretso sa mga mata ni Olivia.

Walang emosyon ang mukha ng babae, di gaya ng batang lalake na umiiyak.

Sa puntong iyon ay hindi agad nakapagsalita si Olivia. Labis labis ang pagtataka sa isip nito at hindi niya maintindihan kung ano ang ginagawa ng babae at ng bata sa may tabing dagat, bakit sila nakatitig sa kanya na tila ba ay may nais sabihin.

Natakot si Olivia.

Dali dali niyang isinara ang bintana. Pero hindi doon nagtapos ang mga wirdong pangyayari noong gabing iyon, pagkat bigla na lamang nagkaroon ng nakasusulasok na amoy sa kwarto, kasunod ang mga pagkalabog sa malaking aparador sa master’s bedroom.

Di nagtagal ay biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng aparador.

Pansamantalang tumigil ang mundo ni Olivia, na tanging pagtibok na lamang ng kanyang puso ang kanyang naririnig.

Isang batang babaeng nakasuot ng puting pajama ang naglakad palabas ng closet. Napakapayat ng batang babae. Ang buhok nito’y napagulo, at ang mga mata ng bata ay halos lubog na, na sa pang-kabuuan ay para bang ang bata ay inabuso at hindi inalagaan ng maayos ng mga magulang nito.

Sa sobrang takot ay hindi na napigilan ni Olivia na sumigaw ng malakas.

Sa puntong iyon ay nagising siya at napaupo mula sa hinihigaan. Ang araw ay hindi pa rin sumisikat at napakadilim pa rin sa kwarto. Pawis na pawis si Olivia at ang kanyang dibdib ay kumakabog pa rin.

Binuksan niya ang kanyang lampshade sa bedside table at kinuha ang tubig na kanyang dinala sa kwarto bago siya natulog.

Ngunit bago pa man mainom ni Olivia ang tubig ay nabitawan niya agad ito, dahilan para mahulog ang baso sa sahig at mabasag.

Sa may paanan ng kama ay may isang matandang babaeng nakatayo, ang mga mata nito ay purong puti, gayun na rin ang kanyang buhok na sobrang haba. Pero ang labis na tumakot kay Olivia ay ang pisngi ng matandang babae na mistulang kinutsilyo, kaya para bang may napakalaking ngiti sa mukha ng matanda.

“Umalis ka na dito!” sumigaw ang matandang babae, na halos napupunit na ang mga pisngi nito.

Mabilis ang mga sumunod na nangyari. Bigla na namang naamoy ni Olivia ang nakasusulasok na amoy na kanyang unang naamoy sa kanyang bangungot. Muli, nag bukas ang pintuan ng aparador, at lumabas ang napakapayat na batang babae. Pero hindi pa doon natapos ang bangungot ni Olivia.

Sa pintuan ng kwarto, unti unting pumasok ang mga nakakatakot na mga aparisyon. Una, ang babae at batang lalaking kanyang nakita sa may tabing dagat. Sumunod ang isang lalaking may nabubulok nang katawan, tumutulo pa ang napakabahong tubig mula sa katawan nito, ang mukha nito’y nabubulok na, inuuod, at nakakatakot. Tuloy tuloy ang pagpasok ng mga taong hindi kilala ni Olivia sa kwarto, ngunit lahat sila ay may kanya kanyang katangian na sobrang nakakatakot. Lahat sila ay para bang mga multong hindi matahimik.

Pinalibutan ng mga aparisyon si Olivia sa kanyang higaan.

Noo’y naisip ni Olivia na maaring ang kanyang mga nakikita ay ang mga napatay sa “Red House”.

Sa sobrang takot ay nanigas na lamang si Olivia sa kanyang higaan, hindi makagalaw, at napaiyak na lamang ng tahimik.

Di naglaon ay nagising na rin si Olivia.

Umaga na, at pag tingin ni Olivia sa orasan ay nakita niyang alas otso na pala. Dahil sa napanaginipan ay agad na tumingin si Olivia sa kanyang paligid, na para bang inaasahan niyang nasa isang bangungot na naman siya.

Wala na ang mga nakakatakot na aparisyon na kanyang nakita. Wala na ang mabahong amoy. Ngunit imbis na kumalma ay lalong natakot si Olivia.

Ang bintana na sigurado siyang kanyang isinara bago siya natulog ay nakabukas. Ang pintuan ng aparador na halos hindi niya naman binubuksan ay bukas na bukas. At ang baso ng tubig na kanyang dinala bago siya natulog ay nasa sahig at basag, ang tubig ay nakakalat pa rin at hindi tuyo, na tila ba ay kakalaglag pa lang ng baso.

Pero ang pinakatumakot kay Olivia ay ang mga mahahabang hibla ng puting buhok sa may paanan ng kanyang kama.

***

Alas diyes ng umaga, Huwebes.

Isang lalakeng kilala sa Maynila bilang Engineer Villamor ang nasa Santa Monica.

Nasa isa siyang maliit na kapihan, at nagiisip-isip tungkol sa mga bagay sa kanyang buhay.

Maraming problema ang inhinyero. Una, ang kanyang kasintahan. Medyo matagal na sila, ngunit hindi nauwi sa masayang katapusan ang kanilang pag-iibigan pagkat kakahiwalay pa lamang nila.

Ang dahilan ng kanilang paghihiwalay ay ang sobrang pagka-busy ng engineer sa kanyang trabaho na wala na siyang oras para sa nobya. Maliban dun ay nagkaroon din siya ng maiksi at bawal na relasyon sa kanyang katrabahong arkitekto.

At dahil sa maling nagawa ay nagkasunod sunod na ang mga problema ni Engr. Villamor.

Dahil sa nangyari ay iniwanan ni Engr. Villamor ang kanyang trabaho sa Maynila upang hanapin ang nobya. Dahil dito, nagkaroon ng konting gulo sa pagitan niya at ng kanyang ama, na siyang may-ari ng engineering firm na pinagtatrabahuhan niya.

Habang nasa kaduluduluhan ng kanyang pag-iisip ay bigla na lamang may isang binatang umupo sa table ni Engr. Villamor.

“Magandang umaga, Engineer Villamor.”

Nagulat ang inhinyero sa binata. “Sino ka? Bakit mo ako kilala?”

Ngumiti lamang ang binata na tila ba walang kahit anong sikreto ang pwedeng maitago mula sa kanya.

“Wag mo nang itanong.” Sabi ng binata. “Ikaw ang may kailangan sa akin, kaya wala kang ibang dapat gawin kundi makinig.”

Dahil sa mga problema ay mainitin rin ang ulo ng engineer. “Aba, eh loko ka pala eh! Ni hindi nga kita—”

“Sssshhhh…” sabi ng binata. “Makinig ka nalang.”

“Wag mo akong—”

“Pwede bang makinig ka muna?” nakangiti pa rin ang binata. Muli nanaman sanang magsasalita ang inhinyero, ngunit napilitan itong makinig nang sinabi ng binata na “Alam ko ang sagot sa lahat ng problema mo.”

Napatingin ang engineer sa mga mata ng binata. Ito’y sobrang lalim at ganda, na para bang biglang nahulog ang inhinyero sa isang makamandag at mapagmanipulang pag iisip ng misteryosong lalake.

“Alam ko ang mga problema mo. Alam mo bang…may isang solusyon lamang ako para sa lahat ng mga bagay na bumabagabag sa iyo ngayon?”

Sinuri ng inhinyero ang mga salita ng binata, saka sinabing “Nakikinig ako…”

***

Alas onse ng umaga, Huwebes.

Upang makalimot sa mga nangyari ay naisip ni Ella na pumunta sa Santa Monica High School upang tumulong sa paghahanda nito sa nalalapit na JS Prom. Naisip niya na maaring mas gumaan ang kanyang pakiramdam kung makakasama niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan.

Marami nang pagbabago ang nagawa ng mga estudyante at guro sa quadrangle ng paaralan kung saan gaganapin ang naturang prom sa Sabado ng gabi, February 13, 2010.

Busy kapwa ang mga guro at estudyante sa paaralan. May mga decoration na ng blue at pink na mga kurtina sa paligid ng quadrangle, mayroon ding mga track na labas-pasok sa paaralan na nagde-deliver ng mga sound system, mga upuan at mesa, at iba pang mga gamit para sa prom.

Tatlong oras na rin si Ella sa paaralan at medyo napagod na ito sa iba’t ibang mga gawain. Naisip ni Ella na gusto niya munang mapag-isa. Bumili siya ng isang maliit na mineral water mula sa canteen at nagtungo sa isang bench sa ilalim ng isang malaking puno, ang lugar sa paaralan na kanyang laging pinupuntahan pag nais niyang mapag-isa at mag-isip.

Kahit na medyo naging busy si Ella sa umagang iyon ay hindi pa rin niya lubos na nakalimutan ang mga kaganapan na biglang nagpabago sa kanyang buhay. Natatakot rin ang dalaga sa kalagayan ni Steve, pagkat maaring hindi na ito magising kailanman.

Bagamat hindi sinabi ni Dr. Mark na comatose si Steve, ay naiintindihan ni Ella ang mga bagay bagay.

“Hi, Ella.” Pagtawag ng isang lalake sa dalaga.

Pagtingin ni Ella ay nakita niyang papalapit na si Riley sa kanya. Nakasuot ang binata ng pulang t-shirt at bagong asul na maong. May dala itong isang maliit na notebook.

“Hello, Riley.” Pagbati ni Ella. Umupo si Riley sa tabi ng dalaga.

“Kanina ka pa ba nandito?” tanong ni Riley.

“Oo, mga tatlong oras na...”

“Ngayon lang ulit kita nakita, ah? Kumusta ka na? Nasa MQ building ka ba kanina?”

“Ayos lang ako, thank you sa pagtatanong.” Sabi ni Ella, sabay ngiti. “Nasa AB building ako, tumutulong sa pagre-record ng mga nabili ng school para sa prom.”

“Ahhhh, kaya pala di tayo nagkasalubong. Nasa MQ ako, sa student council office. Tumutulong akong i-ayos lahat ng mga invitations at programs.”

“Ahhhh…”

Pansamantalang naging tahimik ang dalawa, pero di nagtagal ay muling nagsalita si Riley.

“Ella, I’ve been meaning to ask you this. Dati ko pa ito gustong itanong, pero parang feeling ko, hindi ka masyadong nasa mood noon. Kaya ito na…”

Tumayo si Riley, at iniabot ang kanyang kamay kay Ella, na tila ba’y niyaya itong sumayaw. “Will you be my prom date?”

Wala sa isip ni Ella ang prom. Ni hindi nga sigurado ang dalaga kung nais niya bang dumalo, lalo na pagkatapos ng mga nangyari sa kanya. Pero sa kabila nito, para hindi mapahiya ang binata, ay sinabi ni Ella na “Sure, Riley. Payag akong maka-date mo.” Sabay ngiti.

“Talaga, Ella?”

“Oo.”

Halos naglulundag sa tuwa si Riley sa narinig. Natawa si Ella sa akto ng binata.

“Ella, teka lang ha. Ikakalat ko lang ang good news!” at tumakbo si Riley patungo sa Manuel Quezon building. Napangiti si Ella sa reaksyon ng binata.

Pero biglang napansin ni Ella ang dalang notebook ng binata na naiwan nito sa may bangko. May isang maliit na puting papel na nakaipit ang nahulog mula sa notebook.

Kinuha ni Ella ang notebook at pinulot ang nahulog na papel. Nang ibabalik na ni Ella ang puting papel sa loob ng notebook ay bigla na lamang may napansin ang dalaga. Agad niyang binuklat ang maliit na papel, at siyang gulat na lamang niya sa nakita.

Sa papel, nakaguhit ang isang lalake. Nakatayo ito, ang isang kamay nito ay nasa bulsa, at ang kabilang kamay naman ay may hawak na isang maliit na itim na notebook. Ang lalo pang mas nagpagulat kay Ella ay ang mga mata ng lalake. Ang mga mata lamang ng lalake ang tanging bahagi ng guhit na may kulay. Ito ay pula.

Hindi maikaila ni Ella na ang lalakeng nasa larawan ay parang ang lalake rin na humabol sa kanila ni Steve.

“Si…s-si Riley?” bulong ni Ella sa sarili, ang takot sa kanyang mga mata ay malinaw. “Maaari kayang siya ang—?”

Binitiwan ni Ella ang notebook at ang larawan, nahulog ito sa lupa, at mabilis niyang nilisan ang lugar.

***

Alas siete ng gabi, Huwebes.

Halos apat na oras nang nasa ospital si Ella, sa kwarto ni Steve, nag aabang at nagbabantay sa di tiyak na pag gising ng binata.

Ang lola ni Steve, ayon sa isang nurse, ay nag-tatrabaho raw sa mga oras na wala ito sa ospital upang pondohan ang mga gastusin ni Steve sa ospital, kaya walang kasama ang binata ng nadatnan niya ito.

Para kay Ella, ang ibinigay niyang pera ay kulang pa bilang kabayaran sa pagliligtas ng binata sa kanyang buhay, kaya taimtim na pinagdarasal ni Ella si Steve.

Dahil sa ginawa ni Steve para kay Ella ay labis na lamang ang tuwa sa puso ng dalaga ng malaman nitong inilipat na sa pribadong kwarto si Steve mula sa ICU. Gayunpaman ay comatose pa rin ang binata, paglilinaw ni Dr. Mark nang naitanong ni Ella, ngunit nasa mas maayos na itong lagay.

Di nagtagal ay narinig ni Ella na nagbukas ang pinto ng kwarto. Pag tingin niya ay pumasok ang isang matandang babae, may dala itong isang plastic ng mga prutas. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na direktang nagkita si Ella at si Lola Perla.

Tumayo si Ella sa kanyang kinauupuan upang batiin si Lola Perla.

“Magandang gabi po.” Pagbati ni Ella. “Ako nga po pala si Ella. Kayo po si Lola Perla, diba po?”

“Ella?” nagtatakang sambit ni Lola Perla. “Ang kasama ni Steve sa La Oscuridad?”

“Opo.”

Hindi agad sumagot si Lola Perla.

“Oo, iha. Ako nga ang lola ni Steve.” Bakas sa mukha ng matanda ang lungkot at pagod na nadarama nito, ni hindi nito masyadong mapilit ang ngumiti. Sa mga mata ng matanda, nakikita ni Ella na marami itong gustong itanong.

“Maupo ka muna, Ella.” At muling umupo si Ella habang inaayos ni Lola Perla ang mga pagkaing kanyang dala sa isang maliit na mesa.

“Narinig ko kanina mula kay Dr. Mark na ikaw raw ay nagbigay ng pera para sa pang ospital ni Steve.” Sabi ni Lola Perla. “Maraming maraming salamat, Ella. Napakalaking tulong ang ibinigay mo sa apo ko.”

“Wala pong anuman.” Sagot ni Ella. “Malaki po ang utang ko kay Steve. Kung hindi po dahil sa kanya ay maaring wala na ako dito ngayon.”

Sa narinig ay biglang natigilan sa kanyang ginagawa si Lola Perla. Napaharap ang matanda sa dalaga.

“Ella, alam kong presko pa ang mga nangyari sa iyo. Pero, sana maintindihan mo, kailangan kong malaman kung ano ang nangyari…kung ano ang nangyari kay Steve.”

Hindi agad nagsalita si Ella, pagkat para sa kanya ay napaka-brutal na muling balikan ang mga nangyari noong gabing iyon. Pero pinilit nitong lakasan ang kanyang loob.

“Sige po, magsasalita na po ako.” Sambit niya.

Pansamantalang iniwanan ni Lola Perla ang kanyang ginagawa at umupo sa tabi ni Ella.

Ikinuwento ni Ella lahat, simula sa mga bangungot niya hanggang sa pagkikita nila ni Steve sa La Oscuridad, at hanggang sa tangkang pagpatay ng isang di makilalang lalake sa kanilang dalawa ng binata.

Nang matapos siyang magkwento ay kitang kita ni Ella ang reaksyon sa mukha ni Lola Perla. Labis ang takot, pangamba, at gulat sa mga mata nito.

“Ayos lang po ba kayo, Lola?”

“A-a-ayos lang ako.” Sagot ni Lola Perla.

Hindi makapaniwala ang matanda sa mga narinig. Labis ang kanyang pagkagulat. Talaga ngang nauulit muli ang napakadilim na mga panahon sa Santa Monica matapos ang tatlong dekada.

“May sinabi rin po sa akin si Steve…” sabi ni Ella. “Sabi niya, maaring lahat ng ito ay konektado sa mga nangyari noong 1980 sa Santa Monica.”

Lalong lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ni Lola Perla. Kahit na may hinala siyang maaring may alam si Steve tungkol sa mangyayari ay hindi niya ito lubos na inisip at inakala.

Sa puntong iyon ay naisip ni Ella na maaring may alam si Lola Perla tungkol sa mga nangyari noon sa bayan.

“Lola…isa po sa mga dahilan kung bakit nagtungo si Steve sa La Oscuridad ay para makahanap ng isang sagot tungkol sa sinasabi niyang masamang mangyayari.” Sabi ni Ella. “Pero ang sagot na iyon ay bahagi lamang ng mas malaking kasagutan.” Pansamantalang huminto si Ella, bago sinabing “At ang mas malaking kasagutan, ay ang mga nangyari noon sa Santa Monica. Ang katotohanan.”

Tumingin lamang si Lola Perla sa mga mata ni Ella.

“At naniniwala po ako na marami kayong nalalaman. Siguro po ay panahon na para magkwento kayo…” sabi ni Ella, sabay hawak sa kamay ni Lola Perla.

Napuno ng takot ang puso ni Lola Perla. Simula kasi nang mangyari ang mga nangyari noong 1980 sa Santa Monica ay napagdesisyunan ng lahat ng mga taong bayan na itago ang kanilang mga naranasan, na turingin iyon bilang isang ilusyon o bangungot lamang na kailanma’y hindi talaga naganap.

‘Yun din ang dahilan kung bakit halos walang nakalap na impormasyon si Steve noong naghahanap ito ng mga lumang diyaryo o libro sa library ng Santa Monica High School.

Alam ni Lola Perla na hindi nila maitatago habang buhay ang napakaitim na sikretong itinago nila sa mga sumunod na henerasyon ng mga taga Santa Monica. At ngayong muli ay nangyayari na nga ang mga nangyari noon, naisip ni Lola Perla na buksan na ang kanyang puso’t isipan upang ikwento ang kanyang mga nalalaman, lalo pa’t isang dahilan ang kanilang pagsi-sikreto sa kung bakit si Steve ay comatose ngayon.

“Magiging mahaba ang kwento ko, Ella. Magagawa mo bang makinig?”

“Opo.” Sagot ni Ella.

“Ang iyong maririnig ay base sa nabuong kwento mula sa iba’t ibang mga saksi sa mga kaganapan noon sa bayang ito. Ito rin ang opisyal na kwentong inilabas ng pulisya, at pinaka-pinaniniwalaang bersyon ng mga nangyari, bago napagdesisyunan ng mga taga Santa Monica na itago at kalimutan ang mga ito.”

ARE YOU CRAVING FOR THIS LIKE ME?

DISCIPLINING A TODDLER

Discipline is not something parents do to a child but rather, it’s something that’s done for him because kids need to know where the boundaries are. There are lot of misinterpretations being spread about parent’s confusion on how to manage their children properly. There has to be a secret formula on how to deal with loud, aggressive and disrespectful kids by having a system of controlling them.

Parenting is definitely a learned skill. As, parents, we need to set boundaries and parameters if we want our children to fall in line. If we constantly argue and fight with our kids, there’s a tendency that they will disrespect and disobey us. Have you noticed that if you’re out of control, your child is also out of control? A child learns by modeling. They watch you, all ears, all eyes, and there’s nothing they’ve missed. They see everything. If you don’t have boundaries or limitations, or if you don’t havediscipline, you can’t expect your child to have that also.



Boundaries are reminders to the child that they are loved, cared for, and being watched which gives them the assurance that they’re in good hands. Kids want to know what the rules are and how to follow them. Be consistent with the boundaries you set in teaching your toddler how to behave properly. Children are just waiting for someone to step up and stop them.

Maybe it’s difficult for us to confront our child who’s misbehaving because we love our kids so much and it makes us uncomfortable to feel like we’re the bad guys at home, right? But as parents, we have to do these because we love them. We want them to feel safe by providing them security and defined limits.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS NEEDED IN DISCIPLINING A TODDLER

Patience

Patience is very important in dealing with our child’s temper tantrums. Although we know that sometimes it gets annoying to us, we still are accountable as parents because that’s our responsibilities towards them. Parenthood is not an easy task. It entails a lot of patience and perseverance in order for us to fully conquer this stage in our kid’s life. Toddlerhood is the early stage of a child’s life. It is during this stage that you will find confusing behaviors of your child. Your toddler is learning to adjust society’s demands while trying to maintain their independence. If you find your kid doing good things, don’t hesitate to acknowledge and tell him that he has made a good job. When they get a positive response, they are motivated to continue the behavior.

Set the boundaries

Some young children don't know a behavior is "good" or "bad" until you tell them. That’s the reason why children need to know what the rules are and who’s available to enforce them. When these clear boundaries exist at home, a child never gets in trouble unless he greatly asked for it. There can be happiness and acceptance for everybody.

Spanking will not help

In some instances, few things need to be properly discussed like spanking as a form of discipline. Does spanking help a child? Some studies show that spanking teaches a child to fear their parents. Why? It’s because it hurts them. Some kids say that when their moms hit them, they feel like running away from their homes. Spanking really upset them because it’s painful and it can break their bones if done in a worst manner.

 Here are few tips on how to discipline your toddler:
If you’re to set limits or boundaries, make sure that you’re consistent in teaching them how to properly behave. Kids want to know what the rules are and how to follow them.
You must distract your toddler before they will misbehave by shifting their attention to other things. By doing this, he will no longer focus on the thing s you don’t want him to do. Instead, he will do what you’ve offered and have provided to him.
Don’t respond to their temper tantrums because it will only worsen the situation. These tantrums are used as dramatic displays and you have to do something in order for you not to be controlled on these situation.
Use time-outs (3 minutes or less) and avoid putting the child in their bedroom. Or else, they might associate their room with punishment.
Rely on positive reinforcement to train your child to behave well. When you catch them being good, thank them for doing a good thing. This is one form that can motivate your child to do good things and stay away from bad things. Remember, your child’s memory is electronic. He can remember things that you’ve told him.
Make it easy for your child to do the right thing by avoiding situations that set them up to fail.
Don’t hit your child no matter how bad they behave. Spanking teaches children to fear parents and have ill-feelings for them. It’s easy for you to lose control when you’re angry and so is your child. Discipline them in a moderate manner which can limit their bad behavior but not to the extent of making them feel unloved. But don’t spoil your child either.

Be a responsible parent

If you’re a parent who is faced with the same problem, you can use these tips to help your child and at the same time, help yourself also. Our kids don’t think like adults. They do things as a form of development and learning. Exploring on new things is their way of happiness. Their attitudes may be biological or are inborn, but there are ways on how to manage these impulses better.  Nothing can change the fact that we really care for them because they are our loved ones. This is perfectly the reason why we don’t want them to do these things. As parents, we have to face these things responsibly because no one can take our place. Give your kid a hug which can make him more secure and explain to him that what you’ve done is for him to become a better person in the future.

Social Media PR Hacking: Your Questions Answered

Question: How is it possible for a journalist to sift through the thousands of tweets they receive and find my valuable info or pitch?

Our Answer: The typical journalist doesn’t receive thousands of tweets on a daily basis. Anderson Cooper, certainly one of the most visible journalists in the U.S., has been mentioned 271 times in the 24 hours prior to my writing this (excluding retweets). Most journalists are dealing with far less inbound activity.

Some of it boils down to heuristics, the mental shortcuts all humans use to classify things and make choices. Does your Twitter profile project credibility? Is your photo professional? Are you following him or her so they can privately DM you?
The text of the tweet needs to stand out. Try to peg it to something he or she has tweeted or recently said on air. Use personable, direct language. This is especially important because many competing @mentions are passive, such as observations about the journalist’s work that aren’t meant to trigger replies (e.g., “@andersoncooper has an interesting show tonight”).

Question: Why not an email followed up by a phone call?

If that’s working for you, there’s no reason to stop. But it’s easier to stand out where you have the least competition, and where reporters aren’t as used to getting pitched.
Credibility and name recognition are transferable. I think phone calls and emails are great for long-form and later-stage communication, but every time you bring value to a journalist through social channels, the chances increase that he or she will open that email or take that follow up call.
That’s what being three-dimensional is all about. Starting out, this person is completely unaware of you—a blank canvas where his or her mental image of you should be. Then you engage via one medium, and this person forms a kind of mental outline of who you are, but it’s still easy to ignore. Every additional engagement, especially those that happen on new channels, fills in detail to that sketch.

Keep it up, and this person will have a 3-D model of you in his or her head. You’re not just that person that tweeted at them once; you’re that person that gave them the interesting angle on the story over Twitter, then sent additional information over email, and invited you to connect on LinkedIn a week later. Every additional dimension makes you harder to ignore.

Question: What if you are new to your industry, and don’t have a lot of press, video etc. to establish an Embassy of  You?

Start with what you have, and focus on the social proof that you have most of. Think of it as an iterative project.
If you don’t have any video clips, for example, add them whenever you do, in version 2 or 3. But you have to start with something.
Also, look for analogous proof. What I mean by that is content that would demonstrate similar skills and credibility as content you lack at present. So, continuing the video analogy, maybe you don’t have a clip of yourself on TV (I sure don’t), but you have clips of speaking engagements you’ve done. Or, better yet, record yourself talking about the topic for which you’re trying to establish credibility and post that video in your Embassy to show that you’re comfortable in front of a camera.

What happened at Cebu and Bohol?

At 8:12 AM on 15 October 2013, Tuesday, a destructive earthquake of magnitude 7.2 shook the island of Bohol and nearby provinces. Smaller-magnitude earthquakes followed afterwards, and as of 1:00 pm, 16 October 2013, 885 earthquakes have been recorded by the PHIVOLCS seismic monitoring network. At least 15 events were reportedly felt in the epicentral area. The main shock and succeeding aftershocks were located in the vicinity of Bohol. These recorded events were shallow, with a depth of at most 32 kilometers. Based on spatial distribution of succeeding events and characteristics of the earthquake, the event is tectonic in origin.
Based on preliminary intensity reports, the strongest ground shaking at PEIS VII was felt at Tagbilaran City and several cities in the province of Cebu. Neighboring island provinces of Cebu, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Camiguin, Panay, Leyte, and several areas in northeastern Mindanao felt the earthquake at varying intensities of PEIS I-VI.

Moderate-magnitude (M5 to 6.9) earthquakes have also affected Bohol Island in the past!

On 08 February 1990, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred at Bohol generated by an offshore reverse fault east of the island. Sixteen municipalities felt the strongest intensity of ground shaking at PEIS VIII. There were reports of severe property damages, numerous casualties, hundreds injured, and several thousands homeless. The towns of Jagna, Duero, Guindulman, Garcia Hernandez, and Valencia experienced tsunami inundation.

Why do earthquakes occur in Bohol?

Bohol Island is one of the seismically active areas in the country. Instrumental monitoring of earthquakes for the past century has detected many small to moderate-magnitude earthquakes in Bohol Island. There is at least one known earthquake generator on the island, the East Bohol Fault. In addition, there are other local faults which can be sources of small to large magnitude earthquakes. Earthquakes can also occur offshore or undersea because of local offshore faults near the island or trenches in the vicinity of the region.

Can these present earthquakes indicate volcanic activity?

No. There are no volcanoes in Bohol Island.

What can we expect from the current earthquake activity?

The current seismic trend indicates that the magnitude 7.2 earthquake on 15 October 2013 is the main shock, and the succeeding small magnitude earthquakes are the aftershocks. Aftershocks are expected, some of which will be felt. These may continue for weeks to months, but diminishing in number and strength as time passes. In this case, a higher magnitude earthquake related to this event is no longer expected to occur.

What can we expect after a large-magnitude/high-intensity earthquake like this?

People are reminded to be cautious of structures visibly weakened or with signs of damage by the 15 October 2013 earthquake, as these may be further damaged by succeeding earthquakes. Strong ground shaking may cause extensive damage to or even the collapse of houses, buildings, bridges, and other infrastructures. Collapsed structures usually account for most of the casualties during a strong earthquake. Falling objects may also cause injuries.

What should we do?

Report from the field mentioned several building, houses and other infrastructures that sustained minor to major damages. In case of houses with visible damage, it is best to contact the Municipal Engineering Office for advice. Engineers from the municipal government and other authorities should inspect buildings and other infrastructures to determine their integrity and recommend appropriate action to concerned affected groups or individuals. Check for tension cracks on the ground that may have resulted by the strong ground shaking. These areas can initiate landslides during intense rainfall.

The best course of action is preparedness. In case of another felt earthquake, it is recommended that people protect themselves by doing the “duck, cover and hold”. In homes and offices, heavy furniture should be strapped to the walls and appliances be secured to prevent them from toppling and causing injuries injury to persons.

Aside from strong ground shaking, what other seismic hazards are life-threatening?

Landslides, rock falls, and other types of mass movement may occur in mountainous or hilly areas. Liquefaction, manifested by sandboils or lateral spreading may affect low-lying, water-saturated, sandy areas near the coast or at the banks of rivers. In general, since the destructive earthquake occurred inland, no tsunami was generated.

"To those affected by the earthquake down south God bless you all."

Cebu, Iloilo, Vigan vie for New7 Wonders title

After the Puerto Princesa underground river was named one of the new wonders of nature, three Philippine cities are now being recognized by Swiss firm New7Wonders.

The cities of Cebu, Iloilo and Vigan bested more than 200 other cities to be part of “long list” of 77 revealed by New7Wonders President Bernard Weber October 7.

The “long list” of 77 is based on the results of online voting which began in March 2012. More than 300 cities were initially considered from nominations sent from around the world.

“Global in its scope, this remarkable New7Wonders long list reflects the energy and culture of the city at its best,” Weber said in the New7Wonders website.

“[C]ities remind us of the possibilities of civilization when, for the first time in history, more than half of the world’s population live in cities,” he added.

The list of 77 will further be trimmed to 28 and will be subjected to online voting by October 21. The top seven cities will be announced by year-end 2014.

Weber earlier said he hopes the campaign will be a “catalyst for discussing everything from urban planning to metropolitan governance, from tourism to architecture.”

The New7Wonders Cities is the third global voting campaign by the Swiss firm, after the man-made New 7 Wonders of the World and the New7Wonders of Nature.

In 2011, Palawan’s famed Subterranean River National Park was named as one of the world’s New7Wonders of Nature, amid an aggressive campaign by local officials.

Weber said, “My hope is that the New7Wonders Cities campaign will generate debate about the challenges cities face… and how they are responding to them.”

The cities Cebu, Iloilo and Vigan would have to compete with the following cities so far to be among the New7Wonders Cities:

Accra, Ghana
Asuncion, Paraguay
Athens, Greece
Auckland, New Zealand
Baghdad, Iraq
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Bangkok, Thailand
Barcelona, Spain
Beirut, Lebanon
Bethlehem, Palestine
Bogota, Colombia
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Cairo, Egypt
Casablanca, Morocco
Caracas, Venezuela
Cuenca, Ecuador
Chicago, U.S.
Curitiba, Brazil
Cusco, Peru
Doha, Qatar
Dubai, UAE
Durban, South Africa
Edinburgh, UK
Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Havana, Cuba
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Istanbul, Turkey
Jakarta, Indonesia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kyoto, Japan
La Paz, Bolivia
Lagos, Nigeria
Las Vegas, U.S.
Lima, Peru
London, UK
Mendoza, Argentina
Mexico City, Mexico
Miami, U.S.
Montevideo, Uruguay
Montreal, Canada
Mumbai, India
Muscat, Oman
Naples, Italy
Nadi, Fiji
Nairobi, Kenya
New York, U.S.
Panama, Panama
Paris, France
Perth, Australia
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Prague, Czech Republic
Quito, Ecuador
Reykjavik, Iceland
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rome, Italy
St. Petersburg, Russia
San Jose, Costa Rica
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Santiago, Chile
Seattle, U.S.
Seoul, South Korea
Shenzhen, China
Singapore, Singapore
Surakarta, Indonesia
Sydney, Australia
Tehran, Iran
Tokyo, Japan
Toronto, Canada
Valparaiso, Chile
Vancouver, Canada
Vientiane, Laos
Zurich, Switzerland

Metro Manila’s Worst Headache: Transportation

The transportation system in Metro Manila is not exactly the best in the world. Not even close. When tourists talk about leaving Manila for the provinces immediately, this is primarily because of the big-city atmosphere in Manila, which you can experience elsewhere. Manila’s big-city atmosphere is even worse because of the not-so-desirable traffic situation in the country’s capital.

On Thursday evening going to work. I spent 4 hours going to Makati (my office) from Tondo Manila. The worst day ever for me. I had to get off the train (due to technical problem), found myself riding a jeeney in the middle of the rain and got my self to ride a bus going over a different route on the way to the office. I was late for for 3 hours and it only proves how horrible it would be to be poor and have to depend on public transportation to get across or around the city each day.

The problem of transport here in Manila is almost endemic throughout the country.  I don’t know if poor planning or bad politics has led to the developments of roads and rail in the country of the Philippines more than any other colonial or post-colonial factors.  However, I do know the country is not going to development until infrastructure of roads in all parts of the country are not improved greatly

HINDI LAHAT

Hindi lahat ng nakikisali ay merong alam. Hindi lahat ng nagtatanong ay may pakialam. 

Hindi lahat ng tahimik ay walang alam. Hindi lahat ng kaibigan mo ay totoo. Hindi lahat ng 

uso ay bagay sayo. Hindi lahat ng matalino ay nagpapakopya at hindi lahat ng 

nagpapakopya ay matalino. Hindi lahat ng single ay malungkot at hindi lahat ng taken ay 

masaya. Hindi lahat ng nasa starbucks ay umoorder. Hindi lahat ng nakavans ay skater. 

Hindi lahat ng sumasayaw ay dancer at hindi lahat ng kumakanta ay singer. Hindi lahat ng 

nagmumura ay masamang tao at hindi lahat ng sumisimba ay santo. Hindi lahat ng maputi 

ay maganda at hindi lahat ng maganda ay maputi. Hindi lahat ng plastic ay narerecycle. 

Hindi lahat ng may camera ay nagseselfie at hindi lahat ng nagseselfie ay may sariling 

camera. Hindi lahat ng pabad boy ay bad boy at hindi lahat ng pabad girl ay bad girl. Hindi 

lahat ng tao ay natutuwa sayo pero ang mahalaga ay nagpapakatotoo ka.

IMPLUWENSYA

Kung anong nababasa mo, nakikita mo, napapanood mo, pinapakinggan mo at kung sinong nakakasama mo, yan ang mga bagay na maaaring makaimpluwensya sa pagkatao mo. Kung mahilig kang manood ng mga teleserye ni Daniel at Kathryn, malamang KathNiel fan ka. Kung madalas mong mapakinggan ang mga kanta ng One Direction at ni Justin Bieber, baka directioner at belieber ka. Kung mahilig kang sumama sa mga kaklase mong tarantado, malamang tarantado ka din. May kasabihan nga tayo, birds of the same feather are the same birds, ay mali pala. Birds of the same feather, flock together. Mas magaan ang loob nating sumama sa mga taong nakakasakay sa mga trip natin.

Malaki ang naiaambag ng social media sa kung sino tayo. Halimbawa nito ay ang twitter dahil sa libu-libong tweets na nababasa mo araw-araw mula sa mga taong hinahangaan mo, at maaaring maimpluwensyahan ka ng mga taong ito. Sa paanong paraan? Pwedeng sa pag-iisip, sa pagsasalita at kung pano ka makisalamuha. Kung pinafollow mo ang NBA at PBA, malamang sports minded at basketball fan ka. Kung pinafollow mo ang ABS-CBN at GMA news, malamang gusto mong maging aware sa nangyayari sa Pilipinas. Kung pinafollow mo ang Maroon 5, baka crush mo lang si Adam Levine at tatlong kanta lang ang alam mo sa kanila. Kung pinafollow mo si Senyora, malamang hampaslupa ka rin.

“Walang basagan ng trip, wala kang pake sa idol ko.” Oo nga naman, bakit nga ba tayo nangingialam? Dahil hindi natin trip ang trip nila? Hindi naman siguro masamang magkaroon ng idol kung naiimpluwesyahan tayo sa mabuting paraan at hindi yung ginagamit yung mga fans nila para sa sarili nilang kapakanan.

Imagine Three Different Futures to Help You Make Better Decisions

When I think of my future, it’s reasonably bright, but I think it’s realistic. I envision my children growing older. I envision one of them–and I’m not sure which one–being traditionally successful, one of them rebellious and then finding their footing a bit later, and one of them struggling (which is almost what you’d expect from three children).P

I have a picture of living in the country with my wife Sarah and the two of us growing old together and one of us passing away first, likely me (just going by the statistics). That’s my realistic view.P

I also have an optimistic view, where things go really well. All of our children turn out to be really successful in different ways. I’m able to get my fantasy series published and it’s a major hit. We’re able to travel internationally with our children during their teen years, exposing them (and us) to more of the world.P

At the same time, I have a pessimistic view, where things fall apart in various ways. I get ill and pass away far too young. Sarah suddenly passes away. We fall on financial difficulties.P

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I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I think the realistic view is fairly close to the path that my life will follow. So much of personal finance has to do with the future. If there were no future, after all–if you were genuinely going to die tomorrow–there would be no need for the vast majority of personal finance issues. They would be fruitless. The most important thing to realize is that our future isn’t set in stone. We might be heading down a path toward a particular future, but that destination is not guaranteed. In fact, it’s altered by almost every decision we make.P

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That’s why I keep those three futures in mind.P

My realistic future is the one that’s most likely to happen if I keep making the same mixed bag of choices that I’m making today. If I don’t change anything, my realistic future is what’s going to happen.P

My optimistic future is the one that’s most likely to happen if I make a lot of good decisions. Every time I make a good decision or take a good action, I move the needle slightly toward the optimistic future.P

My pessimistic future–or some variation on it–is the one that’s most likely to happen if I make poor decisions: poor parenting, poor safety choices, poor care of my own body and mind and finances.P

I’m somewhat happy with my realistic future. I’d be very happy with my optimistic future. I’m not happy at all with my pessimistic future. On a day where I make bad decisions, I reflect on my pessimistic future a bit. Is this really the future I want? On a day where I make ordinary decisions, I reflect on my realistic future a bit. Is this really the future I want?P

Both of those reflections push me toward making better decisions each day. They push me to spend more wisely. They push me to eat better and get more exercise. They push me to be more focused with my work. They push me to spend my free time improving myself rather than merely enjoying myself. They push me to be a better parent and a better husband. They push me to be a better me.P

Even if I do things really well, I probably won’t reach that optimistic future, but I know that I’ll get far closer to it if I keep making good choices. Regardless, I don’t want to end up with that pessimistic future. All of these things are motivators. They help me keep focused on making good choices in every aspect of my life–financial, personal, professional, and otherwise.P

What’s your realistic future? What about your optimistic one? Your pessimistic one? What can you do today to move closer to the optimistic one and further from the pessimistic one?

PROBLEMA LANG YAN

Minsan ang sarap kalimutan ng problema. Nasubukan mo na ba? Yung parang wala kang naririnig, wala kang nababasa, wala kang nakikita, in short tulog ka lang. Pagtulog na lang ba ang natitirang paraan para makalimot tayo sa problema natin? Paano kung gusto mong makalimutan yung problema mo habang buhay? Papakamatay ka na lang ba? Basta kung maglalaslas ka, ang bibilhin mong blade ay yung mahal para meaningful naman ang pagkamatay mo.

“Huwag mong problemahin ang problema mo dahil mamomroblema ka lang.” Oo nga naman. Ano nga bang napapala natin sa pag-iisip ng problema? Kahit ano namang mangyari, problema pa rin yan at walang magbabago. Masyado siguro tayong atat na masolusyonan yung problema natin kaya habang nag-iisip ka ng solusyon sa problema mo ay kasabay naman ng pagdami ng pimples mo. Hindi ko naman sinasabing balewalain mo ang problema mo dahil kasama ‘to sa thrill ng buhay. Pero habang hinahanap mo ang value ng x, bakit hindi muna natin subukang humanap ng alternatibo kung pano tayo makakalimot sa problema natin kahit sandali lang. Eto yung naiisip kong pitong paraan para makalimot tayo sa problema  natin:

Gumawa ka ng playlist at pangalanan mo itong “ANTI-STRESS SONGS”. Ibig sabihin, wala dito yung mga kanta ng The Script katulad ng The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, Nothing, Six Degrees of Separation, Breakeven, etc.

Food is the key to happiness. Idaan mo sa foodtrip ang pagkabadtrip, walang masama sa pagiging matakaw pero kung wala ka sa bahay niyo mahiya ka naman.  

Kaibigan ang kailangan mo. Mas marami, mas masaya. Sabi nga sa isang quote na hindi ko alam kung sinong may sabi, “A good friend is cheaper than therapy.” Kaya kung may kaibigan kang manghihilot, meron kang good friend. Ano daw?

Magconcert ka sa bahay niyo, siguraduhin mo lang na walang makakarinig sayo.

Ibuhos mo ang oras mo sa hobby mo. Magwork-out ka, kumain ka (kumain na naman, pasensya na matakaw) manood ka ng movie, magshopping ka, tirisin mo yung pimples mo o kaya bilangin mo yung stars sa gabi.


At ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat, kalimutan mo muna yung teacher/professor niyo sa Math class mo tuwing weekend at huwag mo na rin munang isipin yung crush mo dahil hindi ka niya iniisip.

SINO ANG TUNAY NA MALANDI?

Kapag naririnig mo ang salitang malandi, anong unang pumapasok sa isip mo? Yung pokpok sa Baclaran? Yung pusa niyong palaging buntis? Yung mga aso na nakikita mo na kung anu-anong ginagawa sa kanto niyo? Yung mga nagdadrama sa twitter na naghahanap ng atensyon?  O yung mga artista na nagpapasahan lang ng mga jowa? Bahala ka na, bahala ka na kung anong naiisip mo kapag naririnig mo ang salitang malandi.


Lahat naman kasi tayo ay malandi, may kanya-kanyang level lang. Minsan nga, kung sino pa yung tahimik sila pa yung nauunang magkaroon ng baby. Nasa loob ang kulo kumbaga. Meron namang malandi na nagpapalandi nga pero hindi naman binibigay ang basket. Gets mo na yun. Nandyan din yung mga ninja na painosente pero tahimik tumatrabaho, ninja nga eh. Ang daming klase ng malandi no? Salot ba ang mga malandi o normal lang na maging malandi? Ano nga ba ang tingin ng mga tao sa isang taong malandi? Ako? Malandi rin ako. Kailangan sa buhay yan eh, pero hindi naman kasama sa basic needs yan. Huwag mong gawing hobby ang paglandi, dahil nakakalaki yan ng tiyan lalo na kapag nasobrahan ka. Landi moderately lang.

                                                                     Landi Moderately 

Million People March to bring call vs ‘pork’ to Makati on Oct 4

Organizers behind the social media-driven “Million People March” are taking the mass movement against the pork barrel system to the next level on Oct. 4 — right at the heart of the country’s financial district.

Individuals and organizations behind the previous protest actions against the pork barrel will join forces in a gathering at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas in Makati City starting 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday.

“We are inviting everyone to join us again, this time at Ayala Avenue, as this is a continuing movement to scrap the pork barrel,” Peachy Rallonza-Bretaña said at a press briefing by organizers of the Million People March at the Luneta Park in Manila on Aug. 26 and the Edsa Tayo rally at the Edsa Shrine on Sept. 11.

Amid the public outrage, President Aquino and Congress have scrapped the Priority Development Assistance Fund, a lump-sum allocation for lawmakers and a source of kickbacks, in the 2014 budget but kept the pork barrel system. Lawmakers could recommend infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, classrooms, multipurpose buildings and water supply systems.

Various groups, including #AbolishPork Network led by Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Concerned Citizens Movement led by Harry Roque, religious organizations like the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, Babala led by Monique Wilson and militant organizations like Bayan and Sanlakas, announced that the rally in Makati was all set.

Bretaña said organizers expected the protest action on Oct. 4 to be unique and bigger because more employees and workers would likely join.

“Our message stays the same. But now, we are inviting our businessmen and corporate leaders in Ayala to end their fence-sitting and join the people in the call to abolish the pork barrel,” Bretaña said.

Roque appealed to the businessmen in the country to allow their employees to leave their work stations earlier than 5 p.m.

“We have also sent a letter to the officers of the Makati Business Club asking them to join us in the rally,” he said.

The organizers have also asked permission from the Makati city government to have portions of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas closed during the rally.

“The reason why we are stepping this up is to bring a united mass pressure, a mass movement that can change this broken system,” Rasti Delizo of Sanlakas said.

The program, which would include songs, performances and speeches, will start at 5:30 p.m. on Ayala Avenue.

Patricia Tan, one of the organizers of the Million People March, said politicians would again be barred from taking the stage but would be welcome to attend the rally.

Organizers called the series of protests as a “saga” that would only end if the calls were heard.

“Maybe (on Oct. 4, the government) will hear this growing clamor for change. What we have now is a leaking, bleeding system,” Bretaña said.

An online post on Facebook drew 100,000 people to march to Luneta on Aug. 26 to protest the misuse of the pork barrel funds and call for its abolition. It was followed by pockets of protests held elsewhere.

In Bacolod City, a rally against pork barrel is scheduled for Oct. 14.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra is calling on Catholics in the Diocese of Bacolod to join the rally at the Bacolod public plaza.

The rally would also push for the protection of human life, promotion of good governance and the abolition of the pork barrel fund.

In a circular, the bishop also advised all priests in the diocese to focus on the issue of the pork barrel scam in their homilies during Masses on three successive Sundays — Sept. 29, Oct. 6 and 13.

The aim of the homilies would be to educate, enlighten and awaken the faithful, he said.

“The glaring reason for the many social ills that beset our country today is the deeply embedded culture of corruption” the bishop noted in his circular. “This is the bitter fruit of our collective indifference and permissiveness.”

The rally will start with a march at 1 p.m. from the Capitol Lagoon Park, Lupit Church and West Negros University in Bacolod City, according to Cruz.

Invited to speak at the Oct. 14 rally are lawyer Romulo Macalintal and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chair of the National Secretariat for Social Action Justice and Peace.