iLOVE Philippines. NO MATTER WHAT.

last monday, august 23, a hostage taking took place at Quirino Grandstand. i didn't see the live coverage on tv because i was busy being excited with my sister's arrival and 2 nephews. i just tuned in via twitter. later that day, i turned on the tv and still the hostage taking isn't done. while watching, all i can do is pray for the people inside the bus and for the hostage taker for his heart to soften and just let go of the people and not hurt them.

but we all know how it ended. 9 people killed, mostly Chinese tourists including the hostage taker, Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza. the whole story on what triggered him to do this, how everything happened, the media and the SWAT team-- you can go to gmanews.tv. this post i made because my mind just won't stop thinking about it and i want to let it out so bad.

Some Filipinos in Hong Kong, lost their jobs because of how mad their boss are to what happened to their countrymen. some blame the media for showing everything on tv, even where the SWAT are positioned, gave the hostage taker an idea on what they're doing to stop him and how they're going to do it. he also saw on tv inside the bus how the police dragged his brother out from the scene and that made him even madder. some would blame the police in how the handled the whole thing. some blames all the Filipinos.

i love my country and i would defend it.

what happened last monday is an isolated case. hostage takings happens everywhere! i made this post with the citizens of HK in mind. please, do not generalize. we Filipinos are very hospitable and caring. we always strive to make our visitors happy. and we are also saddened of the outcome of the hostage taking. one Rolando Mendoza doesn't make the whole Philippines.

and to the Filipinos, it would be better if we should just help each other and pray rather than bad mouthing the government and everyone that was involved in the crisis. we should all work together and show other countries, that we are still the Filipinos who are always willing to help, and are nice. that Philippines is a country that's still worth visiting. that no matter what country you go to, there's always a possibility that something bad might happen.

to the Chinese people, we Filipinos don't like what happened either. and we are deeply sorry for what happened and the loss. we know that some of you are so mad and sad that no words can make your pain go away and with that, i pray for everyone's piece of mind and kind heart to be able to accept and forgive those who need it.