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
Showing posts with label Glorietta tragedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Glorietta tragedy. Show all posts
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
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?
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?
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Glorietta blast
So word has it that the so-called Glorietta "bombing" may have actually been an industrial accident triggered by toxic fumes in the mall basement that got a little too close to some electrical wiring: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=96759
On the other hand, the Philippine Inquirer cautions everyone to refrain from rushing to judgment regarding the blast last week until a final conclusion is reached by the investigators charged with analyzing the event and the evidence strewn around the site. In a city notorious for its easily excitable grapevine and coffeehouse conversations that ignite revolutions, well, I imagine that such calls for restraint are, shall we say, fucking pointless.
I'm not sure whether or not to be surprised if the report were to ultimately reveal that the blast was "merely" an industrial accident. The powers-that-be in Manila have never enjoyed a reputation for caring much about their constituents, whom they favor only when election day is near. Considering the deterioration of much of the greater metropolitan area -- save for the plush enclaves of the indifferent rich -- why would anyone be at all surprised that negligence would be the cause of such a tragedy even in the supposedly "secure" city of Makati?
Of course, there is the rather inconvenient fact that the poor often jostle elbows with the rich among the ubiquitous crowds at the Glorietta, so if it were negligence, and assuming that among the 100 or so injured and 11 dead there were a few wealthy patrons, perhaps there will be some justice after all. When you start killing off even the well-to-do patrones, then the justice system sits up and takes notice.
MRA
On the other hand, the Philippine Inquirer cautions everyone to refrain from rushing to judgment regarding the blast last week until a final conclusion is reached by the investigators charged with analyzing the event and the evidence strewn around the site. In a city notorious for its easily excitable grapevine and coffeehouse conversations that ignite revolutions, well, I imagine that such calls for restraint are, shall we say, fucking pointless.
I'm not sure whether or not to be surprised if the report were to ultimately reveal that the blast was "merely" an industrial accident. The powers-that-be in Manila have never enjoyed a reputation for caring much about their constituents, whom they favor only when election day is near. Considering the deterioration of much of the greater metropolitan area -- save for the plush enclaves of the indifferent rich -- why would anyone be at all surprised that negligence would be the cause of such a tragedy even in the supposedly "secure" city of Makati?
Of course, there is the rather inconvenient fact that the poor often jostle elbows with the rich among the ubiquitous crowds at the Glorietta, so if it were negligence, and assuming that among the 100 or so injured and 11 dead there were a few wealthy patrons, perhaps there will be some justice after all. When you start killing off even the well-to-do patrones, then the justice system sits up and takes notice.
MRA
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