My Mind, Thoughts & Feelings

Is being prudish already outdated?

Why still wait when everybody is getting the goods now?  Is it just sex?  Are we  all just for pleasure?  Is it good to test the waters  first?

Continue Reading »

I am  re-posting  this letter from the Hong Kong Journalists Association to Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Dear President Aquino,

The Hong Kong Journalists Association expresses its deepest condolences to the families of those who died in Manila’s hostage tragedy. We also want to express our appreciation and respect to those who acted bravely and astutely during the long standoff, thus allowing some of the hostages to survive. We are, however, filled with anger and concern over the blame being heaped on the media for allegedly contributing to the tragedy.

The HKJA notes with concern that President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines made the media the scapegoat when he said: “Media coverage of his brother being taken into custody further agitated the hostage-taker…” Using this flimsy excuse, Mr. Aquino said he would consider imposing new restrictions on media coverage should a similar crisis occur.

We have no idea what further restrictions are under consideration but what we are sure of is that President Benigno Aquino’s words were uttered hastily and without careful consideration. Without a thorough investigation such conclusions cannot be taken seriously and the HKJA views the president’s hasty conclusions with grave misgivings.

The role of the media is to tell the world what is happening and what has happened. This is the essence of what the democratic world has come to know and to accept as freedom of the press and freedom of expression. The media’s presence is vital to the preservation of human rights of minorities in any conflict. As in the case of Manila’s killings, nobody can tell if the same tragedy would not have taken place without the presence of the media. What we can be sure of is that without the presence of the media no knowledge of this horrific tragedy would have been known to the outside world.

Moreover, the police force of the Philippines should have known that negotiations were going on between the gunman and his brother, and that this was being telecast. The act of arresting the brother would, clearly, irritate the gunman. Yet the police forcibly wrestled the brother down and handcuffed him, all directly in front of the media.

The police, clearly, had neither strategy nor the necessary know-how to deal with such a situation. With the development of the new media, it is unrealistic to ask the media not to broadcast live in a matter of huge public interest not only to the Filipinos themselves, but also to people in Hong Kong and elsewhere. Proper media arrangements, including a safe area for the media at the scene, in accordance with internationally accepted standards, are of paramount importance. None were forthcoming.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association calls on the Philippines government to refrain from using this incident to introduce harsh measures against the media in order to cover up their incompetence. We will closely monitor the incident and any further deterioration of press freedom in Philippines arising from this tragedy.

With Kind Regards,
Hong Kong Journalists Association

Quicker8.com is holding a blog contest to all bloggers.   The giveaways are awesome making it irresistible and they are the following:

Continue Reading »

As we all know by know,  four (4)  SWAT leaders  were relieved of their post after the hostage drama in the Philippines in  front of the Quirino Grandstand.

What does SWAT really mean?

We all know that SWAT means Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). Continue Reading »

Right in front of our very eyes, the  drama unfolded.  But this drama is not your usual drama – it was real-life drama, the hostage taking drama that happened in front of the famous Quirino Grandstand.

Hongkong Nationals were held captive by a lone disgruntled policeman, hostage-taking cop,   Rolando Mendoza.  He  was dismissed from service two years before his retirement.  Unfortunately, he also lost  his retirement benefit because of an extortion case filed against him.

Continue Reading »

How would you like to win those products on the pic even if it is not your birthday?  I am sure that you are eager to have those.  Well, I do understand for I do feel the same way.

Baily of I know all the words is giving them away.  It is open to international bloggers and up until 07 Setpember 2010. Continue Reading »

There is no better gift to someone dear to you other than greeting her on that special day.

One may shower a person with anything that  money could buy.  But all those things are  meaningless compared to a lovely greeting.

Noel of  XLeontips longs in his heart to celebrate his wife’s 33rd birthday a great deal.  It is indeed a great one  for a blog contest is  held to celebrate her birthday. Continue Reading »

Ever since, I always  use soap on my body when taking a bath.   I prefer a squeaky clean feeling that  soap gives.   I never really liked the sticky feeling that body washes give.

But all that  has changed now.  Why? Continue Reading »

Toy Kingdom’s Annual toy Fair is back this August with over P2M worth of shopping spree to be given away. Continue Reading »

English is the universal language.  If you ever want to learn how to speak English, perhaps you could try watching this video. 

I am just not sure if you want to learn it THIS WAY?

Darren Rowse of  Digital Photography School is currently holding a little competition entitled  :  Add a Caption to this Picture and Win  (Competition).

Darren Rowse 2 kids

Continue Reading »

September 2009, I felt a strong breeze touching my skin.  I uttered to myself, “please don’t come.”  This was the time when typhoon Ondoy wreaked havoc to our country.   My plea had fallen on deaf ears.

As early as ten in the morning,  water already started rushing in.  The current was so strong, unfathomable.  A few minutes of rain had caused flooding in the major parts of Manila and we were not spared at all.   Ondoy was indeed horrifying.

I called it The Day That Was:

Continue Reading »

It is indeed an amazing way to celebrate one’s birthday – sharing one’s blessings.   Grace  of Amazing Grace spreads her thanks by having a birthday contest.  This serves as a  token of gratitude to all bloggers and visitors of her site and open to all   local and international bloggers. Continue Reading »