Article on Glorietta blast

This is a little late, so my apologies. It's a commentary I wrote for Balita newspaper (based in Southern California) about the Glorietta blast in Makati, Philippines, back in October.

Glorietta: Wake-up call or last straw?

MRA

New law gives hope to abused women with undocumented immigration status

It's about time. Immigration and Customs Service has published a new rule allowing temporary authorization of undocumented aliens who have suffered from domestic abuse and are willing to assist the government in investigation and prosecuting the crime. It's not a permanent ruling, and it's certainly not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction in recognizing domestic violence as a crime and the rights of victims to accuse their abusers in a court of law without having to be concerned about their immigration status.

When I was in Australia a few years ago, I met and got to know a Pinay who was part of an underground network of sorts helping fellow Pinays who wanted to escape abusive marriages. The problem is far more prevalent than is reported, and it's certainly not confined to so-called "mixed marriages." I witnessed an aunt being physically battered by her husband when I was a kid, and no one said a word, despite the fact that her screams and the noise of her head banging against the wall could be heard all over the neighborhood. Although I was only nine, I did ask my other relatives if we should do something, but the attitude was basically, It's none of our business. And for the abused woman's part, the feeling is that you're married, for better or worse, and you suffer in the name of keeping the peace.

I'm glad to see that the American government is finally recognizing the sheer bullshit inherent in that untenable situation.

MRA

Feminist books to consider

One of my fave feminist blogs, Feministing, has an interview with some of the workers at the Amazon Bookstore Collective in Minneapolis. Very cool feminist-oriented, community bookshop. Wish I lived in Minneapolis. Or, perhaps more precisely, wish I could tolerate the snow and cold in Minneapolis.

Anyway, the interview includes a brief list of recommended books by the interviewees. The Graphic Biography of Emma Goldman and The Nature of Home: Taking Root in a Place sound very interesting. Check it out!

From the I Told Ya So File: Feminists are Sexy!!!

Mridu Khullar very helpfully pointed readers of her blog to this awesome article in the Chicago Tribune about a study that indicates that feminists have better relationships and healthier sex lives. Woo hoo! 'Bout time that factoid was recognized.

Granted, as another researcher pointed out, the definitions of some of the terms used in the study weren't clarified, so we have to take this one with a grain of salt. However, it does indicate that being a feminist is not the man-repellent that a lot of misguided souls assume it is.

Cheers,
Marjorie

Ruffa Gutierrez and Kimora Lee Simmons

I don't know why, but I'm completely obsessed with Ruffa Gutierrez. Maybe it's because she reminds me of another heroine of mine, Kimora Lee Simmons, what with the big hair, the flashy personality, the obsession with couture and designer accessories, the modeling careers, the statuesque figures, the two daughters, the marriage to very wealthy men, the subsequent separation/divorce/annulment. Etc. Etc. Etc. Oh, and there's also Ruffa's ill-fated attempt at entrepreneurship in her husband's native Turkey. I think he basically bought her the Turkish franchise of Fashion TV, but then subsequently either lost it to someone else, or he let it go for reasons neither he nor Ruffa is sharing right now.

I saw Ruffa on ABS-CBN's Kokey show nearly every night that I was in the Philippines in September, and am still shaking my head as to what drew me to the telly during its airtime. I mean, preposterous story, horrible acting, embarrassing special effects (c'mon, people, could you at least try to be consistent with your camera work?), and, surprisingly, a really, really, really weak performance by said Ruffa. I mean, really.

My fascination with Kimora lies largely in my admiration for her as a powerful businesswoman in two very male-dominated industries (i.e., hip-hop and couture). She knows what she wants and is not afraid to ask for -- nay, demand -- it. I love that she's self-aware enough to know that she's loud, occasionally crude, ruthless, smart, financially savvy, demanding, materialistic, intimidating, and sometimes downright mean...and she doesn't apologize for it. Chikas, the girl's got balls.

Sure, she could be a little nicer sometimes. And yeah, she could probably survive with a few Louis Vuitton handbags less. Oh, and I guess she could be a little quieter.

But then again, would she have gotten to where she is now -- CEO of the US$750 million Baby Phat fashion empire -- had she been at all different? Somehow, I don't think so. And yeah, I actually love her loud, demanding, ruthless personality and would kill for her brains and financial savvy. And her Louis Vuitton collection. And her awesome self-confidence.

You see, I've none of those (although I do have a vintage Fendi, natch!) and have always wanted them. I've long been one of the billions of women who feel the need to apologize for their very existence, for no reason at all other than the fact that they're, well, women. Until we stand up for our right to a place at the table -- preferably at the head of the damn table -- we'll never be able to wield the kind of power that men seem to think is their birth right.

So you go, Kimora my girl. Shake that rich booty and show 'em how it's done.

And as for Ruffa... well, I think I just like the idea of her erstwhile fabulous life. But unlike Kimora's hard-earned wealth and power, Ruffa's was only borrowed, or at least gifted to her by her husband, who thus had the power to take them back (and did!). I still have hope that, perhaps, she can learn from Kimora's incredible work ethic and drive and create something big that will only be hers and hers alone. In the meantime, I'll just continue to wait and see.

Zsa Zsa Padilla...for real?

I have to hand it to La Padilla...one of the most beautiful women in the Philippines just showed her human side by posting some rather unflattering photographs of her on her Multiply account. Entitled Bagong Gising, they show her various befuddled -- at one point even downright pissed -- expressions as she awakens from what one hopes was a very deep and satisfying sleep.

I've heard that she's gone a wee bit overboard on the Botox and collagen lip injections, and the photos attest to at least the latter. I also remember that she's an unabashed spokesperson for Belo Medical Clinic, one of the premier dermatology/cosmetic surgery clinics in the country. She's obviously not embarrassed to admit to her predilection for cosmetic "enhancement," and for that, I salute her.

And hey, she's stuck with Dolphy all these years, despite the enormous age difference. Someone needs to tell the man to stop with the facelifts (or whatever he's had done) already. They -- and that bad dye job on his hair -- just give him a decidedly clownish appearance. Not suitable for such a legend, the King of Comedy.

Glorietta Blast: The Aftermath

So. As it turns out, the so-called "terrorist bomb" wasn't that at all. I mean, not even close. No wonder no self-respecting terrorist group stepped forward to claim responsibility.

No, the conclusion by a group of Aussie experts as well as those of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation is that a "gas build-up" triggered the deadly explosion that snuffed out 11 perfectly good, decent lives while leaving over 100 others injured and scarred for life, both physically and psychologically. Said build-up may have been caused by a mixture of diesel and methane fumes from a "malfunctioning sewage pump." Apparently the Philippine National Police reached the same conclusion during their own initial investigation. At this time, however, the official report has not been released, although Ayala Land, owner of the sprawling Glorietta complex, have requested a copy so that they can respond.

Uh-huh. Just a few weeks ago, the national populace convulsed in collective indignation over the ludicrous Desperate Housewives "scandal." Jon Stewart of The Daily Show became the next target, the chagrined-but-still-highly-amused "victim" of an otherwise unfortunate -- and yeah, let's all say it together, people: STOOPID -- incident that should never have happened in the first place.

I have hopes that the Glorietta tragedy woke up a few sleeping, ignorant souls and will become the turning point in which the nation will realize the real s*** (no pun intended...well, okay, totally intended) it's in and actually do something constructive and meaningful to alleviate all these problems (crises!) that plague our beloved country. On the other hand, based on our gleaming track record of bleeding borders, rampant corruption regardless of who sits in Malacanang (or maybe because of), widespread greed from the highest office in the land to the lowest peasant in society, and a general indifference toward the future and any efforts to improve it, I wonder if it's foolish for me to harbor even the slimmest hope.

But I refuse to be cynical. I may have no choice but to remain hopeful. Otherwise I'll be no better than those who flee for safer, wealthier shores and never look back.

Of course, I am here. And they're over there. Am I really any better?