As a former staffmember of the House of Representatives, I condole with the families of those who were killed in the Batasan Pambansa blast 🙁
It all seems now like an insidious plot: first the Glorietta explosion, then the murder of Comelec’s top lawyer, now a bomb blast in the country’s legislative chamber. Don’t know what to make of this except that the last two incidents targeted Muslim officials.
We can never say for sure. At least the rich and powerful can hire extra bodyguards or reinforce the bullet-proofing of their cars, whatev. How about ordinary citizens like you and me? I just pray that this unfurling web of violence spares innocent citizens further. Especially ordinary folks who shop in the public markets and ride public transportation.
My philosophy on this matter is that we never know when misfortune hits; we never really choose when we are at the wrong place at the wrong time, no matter how we avoid it. But there are a few things we can do: PRAY for peace in our land, lessen unnecessary trips and be alert at all times.
Weeks after the blast, it was my first time to visit Glorietta mall yesterday due to some appointment in a neighboring area. It was not the ghost town that I thought. There were parents with their children riding those toy bikes in the Main Activity Center. Christmas decorations such as the giant Xmas tree, were up. But it did feel quite empty and lonely.
Glorietta 2, site of the mysterious blast, was still closed and cordoned off.
I really pity the merchants now renting in Glorietta. Business must be so bad. I’ve heard about how they charge exorbitant fees in the Ayala malls and how Ayala gets a share (or percentage) of every transaction. Cruella indeed!
What perplexes me from my Glorietta trip is that there are no big sale signs to at least attract the crowds. Thankfully, it’s free to windowshop and just take note of unique gift suggestions for Christmas:
I had to blink twice to see what this gaily dolled up statuettes were for. Jewelry holders pala! A pretty rack for hanging your necklaces, earrings and other bling-blings. P695 from this stall called Fine Look, Ground Floor, Glorietta 3.
Dainty bags from where you can insert your fave travel photos or family pictures and other what-nots. P360 from this stall in the second floor of Glorietta 4.
Personalized notebooks (with your name on it) at P350 from this stall called Picture Perfect in Glorietta 3. I love notebooks, but have too many from attending those presscons. But I figure notebooks would be great if you have studying nephews and nieces, especially if they love to write.
I’ll be featuring more unique gift ideas for Christmas. I’ve already listed down what to give my family members, officemates and friends. If the budget overshoots, I’ll probably be just baking cookies! It has been a happy year but I don’t want to anymore receive coffee cups and perfume. If you know me from this blog, you know what to give, hehe 😛
Peace!
Yeah I really believed that the Glorieta Explosion was a bomb I was there, and the Batasan heard it last night 2 died how sad, Batasan is near our school scary
Will wait for your gift suggestions.
I’m thankful that I live in relatively peaceful Toronto, ON… but then again, we too have the occasional bomb threats here, too. 🙁 Ever since 9/11.
I still can’t go to Glorietta. Uh-uh.
i went to digital exchange in g3 last week with my kid. i saw all those white barriers on the side of g2. i was nervous to be there. really.
on the business side, these tenants and the owner have insurance policies to cover for loss of income in situations like this. however, the true cause of the explosion needs to be established before they can claim from their policies. and right now, the ayalas and the government are pointing fingers at each other as to who is at fault.
Hi folks. I guess violence is always a prospect in whatever part of the world you are…
as for your comment mari, i hope they’ll determine the true cause of explosion soon to be fair to the affected tenants.
i haven’t been to glorietta eversince the explosion. sigh.