Interaksyon’s article by Mark Holandes Ubalde:
While nation mourns Sendong’s dead, Aquino partying with actresses in Palace?
Statement of Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang issued today, Dec. 19, 2011.
Yesterday (Sunday), a decision was made to cancel cabinet Christmas party but PSG decided to push thrpugh with its party since relatives of soldiers had already flown in from the provinces. The President dropped by the PSG party.
Where was President Benigno S. Aquino III on Sunday evening, as the people of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities and several other areas in Visayas and Mindanao grapple with the devastation of tropical storm Sendong? Apparently, drinking with his security personnel in Malacanang, and laughing and exchanging jokes with actresses.
Related article:
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/19918/aquino-to-visit-flood-ravaged-areas-dec–20-not-dec–27
This was according to a post on Twitter by actress Valerie Concepcion on Sunday, the same day the combined death toll in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan climbed to more than 600.
“Done w/ work.. Tnx for having me.. 🙂 It was nice to see Pres. P-Noy laughing at my jokes & enjoying my performance..ü #Malacañang #PSGNight,“ Concepcion said in her tweet that has since been deleted as of posting time.
In her series of tweets, Concepcion said she was performing three songs for the President and was alongside singer Jessa Zaragosa, who was one of the performers.
InterAksyon.com called the Presidential Security Group early Monday and confirmed that the PSG Christmas party was indeed held in Malacanang Sunday night. But the PSG personnel, who refused to be identified, said he was “not authorized to say if the President” was there.
Concepcion’s tweets have caught the ire of many Filipinos on the microblogging site who assailed the president for partying while Filipinos are suffering the brunt of Sendong.
“PNoy’s partying while people are dying,” said @I_amHolo.
Others commented on the president’s “misplaced” his priorities. “Mr. PNoy, I hope you learn to prioritize things. People voted you to serve them, not to party. CDO is in plight. Deal with it,” tweeted Jan Brian Astrom.
Some, however, defended the president. Tour guide Carlos Celdran, in a post on his Facebook wall, said he was “not going to make patol the Presidential Christmas partying and judge him. Seriously, I myself should be doing something better too. And if it’s the PSG having their party & he ‘passed by’ to show solidarity, that’s totally different from doing tequila body shots with Jessa Zaragoza. Seriously.”
Earlier, the date of his trip to the South also caught the ire of some netizens, after the national disaster agency made a “typo” error and said he was visiting on December 27, raising howls of protest about why he had to wait after Christmas. The Palace corrected the date to December 20.
Another tweet by a certain Mary Hope Salazar dated Dec. 16:
Here’s a tweet made by @iamdinahope:
http://twitpic.com/7v1y8h
Is that Tweet still there?
Yes
https://twitter.com/#!/iamdinahope
Hayaan na lang natin si PNoy to his own pace. Let’s help na lang the victims of Sendong.
But if you look at the date of the post, it says Dec 16, friday.
#4
Already did but not much though. But I hope nakatulong kahit papaano.
Whatever amount, it’s a big help.
Those Manila based bloggers should put their money where their mouth is and cancel their own xmas party or purchases/spending as well and send the proceed to the red cross.
(i did mine – canceled a purchase and it went to the red cross instead)
What time was the flash flood and what time was the party?
Based on Mar Hope Salazar’s tweet, the party was Dec. 16, Friday.
Malacanang should clarify this.
A Wake Up Call Again ?…We have to wish, this calamity is not a bad sign for the present admin of PNOY..He should think 7x or many times about this nature’s call of warning to all Filipinos, especially the present government, under him. Where are the ” Think Tankers ” around him for a “matured advises”?..There must be something wrong somewhere ?..lets pledge or sacrifice a party attendance, instead, donate to the victims at CDO-Iligan ?..May the Souls of the Victims rest in Peace in heaven, especially the innocents whose lives were cut short by the traumatic calamity.
What are missing the “Flood Walls” along the riversides. Also, the too much abused of the loggers ? The Pagasa warnings ?..The government should have seen these big factors.
I am ready to listen to Pnoy why he was partying while CDO, and nearby towns were dying? Unang party nya yan ng Pasko baka hindi nga nya alam na nagugunaw na ang CDO-Iligan.
Ubang usapan kung alam nya pero tuloy pa ang sayaw.
Little helps mean a lot, as usual via Red Cross kami.
Ang sisihin d2 ang mga illigal loggers.Kalbo n ang kabundukan natin dahil sa mga abusong tao at sa mga naka upo noon n nababayaran.
Unahin nyo munang panagutin ang Mayor at Governor doon sa probinsiyang apektado. Bakit tumalon agad sa Presidente? Sino ba dapat ang nandoon sa area na namumuno? Di ba Mayor at Governor? Sila ang Chairmen ng kani-kanilang disaster response units. Masyado namang nagpapaka obvious yung ibang kritiko. Antimanong nakatutok agad ang mapanuring mata sa galaw ng Pangulo. Ipaaccount nyo muna ang calamity funds ng LGUs. Meron ba talaga silang disaster plan? Sa mga probinsiyang hindi normally dinadaanan ng bagyo, pustahan, wala silang action plan pagdating sa massive flooding o. Yun muna ang pagtuunan ng pansin. Di yung Xmas Party ng PSG. 🙂
Hinahon mga kaibigan. Huwag tayong mag-rush to judgment, tulad ng paratang natin sa TRO.
Sa tanang buhay ko, ngayon ko lang nadinig ang pagkaapekto ng bagyo sa Western Mindanao. Mga pinsan ko na nag-migrate ang Tatay sa Dipolog, noong dumalaw sa amin, takot na takot sa typhoon noon sa Maynila; bagay na ordinaryo sa atin. Nobody expected the west to be hit. The government was eyeing the usual suspects – Samar, Leyte, maybe Bicol. Laging easterly ang tama sa atin.
Noong college pa kami. Ang bagyo ay excuse para mag-inuman – dahil maginaw, at walang magawa, dahil may brown-out. So toma, at magkuwentuhan.
Iyan din marahil ang ginawa ng Pangulo, lalo’t wala namang masamang report sa usual suspects, ang Samar at Leyte.
Si Robredo at Gazmin ang hihingan ko ng reports, hindi ang Pangulo.
Tama si Mike. Based on the tweet, the party was on the 16th (Friday), not Sunday.
Eto namang taga Interaksyon na nagsulat, taga media ba talaga yan? Hindi pa siguro nakakatapak ng Malacanang yan kasi di alam ang pagkakaiba ng Palace at Park. Malacanang Palace is the seat of government. Malacanang Park is Headquarters of the PSG sa kabila ng ilog. Now, kung mambabasa ka at di mo alam ang pagkakaiba, iisipin mo napaka walang kwenta ng Pangulo. Insensitibo, blah blah blah. Maraming namatay pero nakuha nya pang magsaya sa Palasyo kasama ang mga aktres na nabanggit. See the obvious difference? I wonder kung sinasadya o nagkamali lang. No wonder maraming binabaril na miyembro ng media. Atake kasi muna, bago iverify ang datos. Hay nakupo! 🙂
Mali-mali ang report? Taragis na reporter yan. Klaro naman sa tweet na Friday ang PSG party, pero Linggo ang pinagpipilitan?Pinabili lang ata ng suka, reporter na. Akala nya siguro sisikat siya dahil feeling naka scoop! Bwhahahahaa. Juice ko pong pineapple!
19 Dec 2011
Yun naman pala eh, tingnan muna natin kung kelan nangyari ang sakuna at yung Christmas party ng PSG? Ang hirap kasi sa ibang mga media personalities, gagawa ng istorya ng hindi tinitingnan ang istorya kung tama o mali e. Siguro naman nung nangyari ang Christmas party ng PSG e wala pa si Sendong.
Kung ang pangyayaring sakuna na dulot ni Sendong ay nauna at alam ito ni Pnoy at sya ay nagpa-party e mali naman talaga yun, kaso nauna ang party bago si Sendong.
@#19 & 20.. tama ka, mali-mali ang report at bakit pag babalingan ang mga artista nung party, e nagpapasalamat lang naman. E kung sa party ng sumulat na ito umattend si Pnoy siguro ipagmamalaki mo rin at mag post ka pa sa tweeter at facebook mo na may kuha ka na katabi pa si Pnoy.
Kayong mga taga media na naghahanap lang ng media mileage, hinay hinay kayo. Huwag naman banat lang banat na walang katuturan. Alamin nyo muna kung tama ang inyong isinusulat.
I’m not totally a supporter of Pnoy, but please… try to write what is/are facts, huwag naman na haka-haka lang tapos pag lumala ang sitwasyson kuntodo hugas kamay kayo?be a responsible journalist naman kayo.
Nasaan na yung mga opisyal ng mga lokal na pamahalaan at sila dapat ang tanungin nyo kung nasaan sila?yan ang alamin nyo at kung ano ang ginagawa at gagawain nila ngayon para matulungan ang ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ni sendon.
Magtulong-tulong na lang tayong lahat para makatulong sa mga nasalanta ni Sendong.
Salamat po
prans
OMG! Pinick up pa ng mainstream media! lol! See how a seemingly innocuous mistake in detail could mean the whole world to people? A Christmas Party of the PSG in Malacanang Park for members and their families, of which the President obliged to attend, with starlets(maliit siguro budget ng PSG) also in attendance, suddenly became a Party in the Palace. Parang gustong iequate to Nero and the burning Rome. How pathetic!
Me mga more highly reliable international weather forecasting agencies like NASA and Japan’s armed with ultra sophisticated tools and highly competent teams of experts on board,free access via internet, bakit hindi natin ginagamit ang mga data nito. It is said that the joint consortium of NASA and Japan had made accurate predictions about the rain volume way ahead. If we relied of their data instead of PAGASA, the level of preparedness would have been far more intense and more massive. PAGASA issued a signal number 2 typhoon, you normally do not panic with a typhoon signal #2 typhoon
PSG Christmas party scheduled a long time ago_Granted. PNoy has the right to participate in the merriment. However, upon learning of the disaster that hit CDO, Iligan City and others, I would have expected him to be hands on. Like, gathering his staff_DILG, NDRMCC(?),and all the relevant acronyms. Assess the situation, communications group arrange a broadcast_radio,TV, Skype, YM, FB or other medium possible and addressed the people of the affected areas to reassure them that help is on the way. He was not sleeping anyways due to the party. Those folks needed reassurance from the national government. The AFP have those Sat-Phones, they could have hooked this up. Now, if he did not pause from that celebration and waited until the daylight to gather his thoughts and courses of action, then he truly is a dumb-ass.
In the meantime, those of us who update ourselves of the goings-on in our country through Ellen’s blog, perhaps we could, by ourselves set up a Calamity Relief Ops. Will it be possible for Ellen to set up an account, relief center gathering area, volunteers? Just in case the need arise? Since lapses in government response can not be eliminated, we are at least assured that through us, relief is on the way. Just a thought. Thanks. God bless.
#23-Kapatid, may laman ang mga sinasabi mo !..Kaya nga binangit ko din ang mga “Think Tankers” ni Pangulong Pnoy, dapat sinubaybayan nila ang developments, ang Takbohin o deriksyon ng Typhoon Sendong, dahil delikado (malaking leksyon na ang mga nakaraang bagyo na Ondoy at Peping, ngunit, binali-wala yata, etc..). Wala man lang yatang naka-pag-isip sa kanila, kung gaano kadilikado ang bagyong Sendong ?..lalo na ang Weather Bureau o Pag-asa..Dapat, bawat, typhoon signal, maliit man, at malaki, bigyan nila ng pansin, lalo na ang bansa, ay Panot-o-kalbo na ang mga bulubundukin, wala ng mga kahoy, at ang mga ilog, kulang sa mga “water controls” o flood walls, ang mga mahihirap na ang mga barong-barong na mga bahay, ay naka-tirik din sa mga tabing ilog, na masyadong mga “life risking situations”, at sila din ang mga tinatawag na kanyang “Boss”..My food for thoughts bilang concern sa mga maraming biktima, at mga nasalanta.
Sino ang pinakaunang may iPhone 4S mula sa Globe?
Siyempre…
si iPhNoy!
Palace confirmed PNoy partied with PSG
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/19/11/palace-confirms-pnoy-partied-psg
#22
Exactly my sentiments. We should do away with PAGASA already if it cannot give accurate predictions like that of other international observatory agencies. Sayang lang ang perang ginagastusan para sa PAGASA. Wala na yatang PAGASA. 🙁
ano’t ano man, 99 points deduction ‘yan sa performance and trust rating ni PeNoy although it should be those who are around him monitor any development lalo’t ganyang meron o parating na kalamidad.
PAG-ASA? meron pa pala ‘yan? akala ko wala na!
patunayan lang ng reporter na ‘yung petsang sinasabing nakipag-party si PeNoy ay nu’ng kasagsagan ng bagyong tumama sa CDO at Iligan City. pero wala siyang lusot dahil ‘yung tweet nu’ng isang starlet na um-attend ay 16 december, friday samantalang ang pananalasa ng bagyo ay nagsimula sabado ng gabi.
OMG, ang mga lugar na ‘yan ay hindi dati binabaha!
gising na, mga mayayamang gumon sa illegal logging at irresponsible mining!
maawa na kayo sa mga inosenteng nagiging biktima ng mga kalamidad na kapag ganito na ay hindi ninyo maalalang tulungan.
makonsensiya naman kayo!
Henry, MP Rivera and everybody:
This is the statement of Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang issued this morning:
Interaksyon’s update on the issue: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/19977/pnoy-at-psg-party-only-for-few-minutes—malacanang
Remember where was Gorge W Bush when the Twin Towers was exploding and burning? Media after Michael Moore’s film made a lot of money out of that. Buhay na naman ang mga tsismoso , they found a modern NERO in their country, what a discovery. So what if the leader was making love to a woman sometime (impossible for the entire duration) during the disaster which might be happening just next door (hindi kasing layo ng HongKong). Bahagi din ng responsibilidad ng media, ang tuloy-tuloy ang pagkakitaan.
Ang tanungin ninyo ay ang mga opisyales local, mga oficina na dapat kahit tulad ng kuwago ay mulat ang mata kahit natutulog. Anong oras ba na ipaalam kay P No yang trahedya? Onli in da Pilipins meron naman drama nobela ang mga Pinoys. Nasaan ba yung kanilang Prime Minister noong nagsisimula ang Lindol at Tsunami sa Japan, sino ba ang kumita ng malaki diyan? Buhay na naman ang mga nabubuhay sa dada. Bulatlatin ninyo at latiguhin ang mga nasa Dept of Science and Technology. Bakit na ulit yan matapos ang Ondoy. Alam lang nila SAKLOLO, saklolo, walang prebensiyon, walang solusyon.
Check out this blog article by Inday Varona of ABS-CBN:
“The problem perhaps, is that Malacanang may not have realized that communication is a human need, not a weapon to be used in calibrated, calculated bites. Communication is part of a leader’s contract with his people. Communication can ease troubled waters — or churn them up like a hurricane.
That in a time of genuine crisis, the President did not reach out, is a major fumble. Not just because he failed to respond to a real need, but because he IS his own best spokesman.”
Click on The Party http://indayvarona.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/the-party/
Re Kapatid’s #23: Will it be possible for Ellen to set up an account, relief center gathering area, volunteers?
I’m sorry,Kapatid. I don’t undertake fundraising. Those who want to donate can give to Philippine Red Cross or the TV networks who are fundraising for the victims of Sendong. They show on screen instruction how you can donate.
PNoy’s sisters defend him on The Party:
On ABS-CBN morning show “Kris TV” hosted by Kris, Ballsy reiterated that the President intends to visit Cagayan de Oro, one of the areas worst hit by the floods.
“Talagang pinaplano na nga [ng Pangulo] na pumunta sa CDO. Alam mo kapag pangulo ka, hindi ura-urada ay gagawin mo ‘yon at saka titignan lahat. Pero narinig ko na pinag-uusapan na ng PSG (Presidential Security Group) at PMS (Presidential Management Staff) kung ano ang gagawin,” she said.
“Ngayon, ‘yun namang party ay matagal nang naka-schedule ‘yon. Siyempre, may mga masasamang nangyayari at may malungkot but then, life should go on. Hindi naman pwedeng huminto na lang ang buhay at magmukmok na lang tayo.
“That party was for the PSG, ang mga nag-aalaga sa Pangulo at sa kanyang pamilya. Tradisyon ‘yon na talagang every year ay nagsasama-sama. Kasi it’s time to thank them for always being there. At saka alam naman nating lahat na binibigay nila ang buhay nila para mapangalagaan ang Pangulo. At talagang nasa Constitution na dapat mapangalagaan ang Pangulo. Kung di man sa Constitution, there’s some law.”
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/12/19/11/aquino-sisters-defend-pnoy-party-issue?page=1
Checked out Mary Hope Salazar’s Facebook page and it looks like it was a different party last Friday that she attended in Malacanang where said, the President danced. “nice dance president #noy! Nakiparty dn sya!”
I think the President cannot be faulted here because at that time, the disaster was just beginning.
#35. Ellen, I agree it seemed like a different party. Sabi ni Manolo, nag-party nga si Pnoy ng Sunday, pero 30 min. lang at hindi sumayaw.
Anyhooooo, nandyan na yan, pero sa susunod e iligtas naman sana ng PSG si Pnoy sa hindi magandang posisyon at natutunan na sana nilang lahat ang meaning ng propriety. Na-mislang lang pala… hehehe! 🙂
___
Communications Undersecretary Manuel “Manolo” Quezon III confirmed Aquino partied with the PSG on Sunday night, an action that did not sit well with some netizens.
In his Twitter account, Quezon said Aquino was in the party for only 30 minutes for the people “who saved his life.”
His tweet reads: “Good morning. Checked and indeed there was a PSG party last night: it couldn’t be cancelled (unlike annual Cabinet Xmas Party scheduled for tonight, which was cancelled yesterday afternoon, so funds could go to relief). President dropped by for 30 minutes to be with those who saved his life.” -abs-cbnnews
#25. bay, what dyah mean, hindi nagamit kay Sendong? 🙂
#34. “…At saka alam naman nating lahat na binibigay nila ang buhay nila para mapangalagaan ang Pangulo. At talagang nasa Constitution na dapat mapangalagaan ang Pangulo. Kung di man sa Constitution, there’s some law.”” -ate Balsy
O sige na nga, nasa Konstitusyon pala, 🙂 🙂 🙂
#32. “The problem perhaps, is that Malacanang may not have realized that communication is a human need, not a weapon to be used in calibrated, calculated bites. Communication is part of a leader’s contract with his people. Communication can ease troubled waters — or churn them up like a hurricane.” – Inday Varona
From the start, the three-hydra com group of Pnoy was lacking in communication amongst themselves, what can we expect from them in terms of communicating with the people in times like Sendong?
As Inday Varona emphasized: it was not about the party, but the SILENCE.
Naglalakituhan ang isang katerbang spox ni Pnoy, walang tamang data o nagkakawalaan talaga!
Baycas, re #25. PNoy donated the Iphone-4 given to him as a raffle prize in the Malacanang Press Corps Christmas party.
Re #18 No wonder maraming binabaril na miyembro ng media. Atake kasi muna, bago iverify ang datos. Hay nakupo! 🙂
Henry, I find this offensive.
Never mind that the Interaksyun report is true.
Whatever the failings of media, it is not a excuse for anybody to kill. Haven’t you heard of libel or other legal mechanism for redress?
Ano yan, nagkamali ng data, bang! bang! Utak pulbura talaga.(Mabuti lang marami akong kakilalang matinong members of the military. I know that not everybody thinks this way.)
Narinig ko na ito from Mike Arroyo. Wala pala kayong pinagkaiba.
And a number of those who were killed were not irresponsible journalists. They were killed because they were thorns in the neck of corrupt politicians.
sayang…if only PNoy and his twitter-savvy alipores had used it (the newest iPhone model) to send a timely message in the wake of the tragedy then all this “insensitivities” wouldn’t have been broadcast.
naunahan pa sila ni valerie (concepcion) sa kanilang pagti-tweet…
tweet, tweet….(insert the looney tunes closing theme here; “that’s all folks!“
I think henry’s comment was in jest. There are bad media practioners as there are good military men. Henry was not refering to the military as the shooters of mediamen either.
He only wants to point out that criticisms should be done objectively. Hindi lang ang media, pati ang ibang grupo ay dapat mag criticize with objectivity.
Hindi dating binabagyo at binabaha ang mga lugar na nasalanta. Kung hindi preparado yung local at provincial government, ano pa kaya ang preparasyon ng national? Kung meron man katahimikan sa parte ni Pnoy, yun ay dahil wala pa siyang alam sa mga nangyayari. Kung di-nedma nya lang pagkatapos malaman, ibang usapan na yun.
baycas2, the iphone was a loyalty award to Aquino who was a Globe subscriber. Its not government property.
Besides, Ellen mentioned he raffled it off.
I think your “this insensitivities” is you just finding hole to criticize. Did Aquino partied at the expense of the dead?
#34 Aquino’s sisters should not act spokesperson. Lalo na si Kris.
Twitter or the Internet may not be the fastest method to reach non-urbanized cities (CDO is almost there but i think its not like Manila/Makati).
TV, Radio, and SMS is still king in those areas.
During a trip sa US, i chanced upon a test broadcast the TV station/Cable TV was doing. The Feds when emergency strikes apparently have this red ticker bar and a loud noise that would disrupts whatever channel/programming you were watching.
No exemptions. The Fed basically overtook the programming of all privately owned TV station/cable/satellite in the area (i’m not sure of the technicalities but you can still see the programming behind but the red ticker and loud computer generated voice will catch your attention). It repeats the message for at least the whole three minutes. You can’t channel surf as it is on all channels will have this broadcast.
The one i chanced upon was a test broadcast, as there are no weather issue during the time.
I think this is one option the NTC can take a look at sa atin. Sa TV, sa Radio, and maybe SMS.
Granted PAGASA’s forecast capabilities is another concern.
If it were Gloria or Erap that partied when calamity is happening when they were still president, I’m sure most of those defending PNoy now would have reacted the same way. Sabi nga ni Erap, weder weder lang yan. 😛
“If it were Gloria or Erap that partied when calamity is happening when they were still president, I’m sure most of those defending PNoy now would have reacted the same way. Sabi nga ni Erap, weder weder lang yan.” – Mike
I don’t think so. Few would but most would see the matter objectively. Because there is the timeline to refer to.
Mike, I am mabait nga ngayon kay Pnoy giving him second chances, hehehe!
If it were Gloria, mata lang nya ang walang latay sa taray ko, hahaha!
Kung si Erap yan, nauna pa sya kay Sendong sa Cagayan de Oro, bwahahaha!!!
Korek si duane, meron timeline that should be taken into consideration. Masyadong mabilis ang kilos ni Sendong na hindi nakahabol ang mga local gov’t officials, e di mas lalo si Pnoy. 🙂
#49
Chi, dapat:
“If it were Gloria, NUNAL (sa mukha) lang nya ang walang latay sa taray ko, hahaha!” 😛
Maiba lang ako ng konti, but still realted to typhoon sendong.
“An open letter to CBCP: Donate One Billion to the Victims of Sendong”
Makes a lot of sense diba? Dapat more than 1 billion kung tutoong may 18 billion sila. 🙂
#52
Ooops, here’s the link:
http://filipinofreethinkers.org/2011/12/19/open-letter-to-cbcp-donate-one-billion-to-the-victims-of-sendong/
Mike, true, weather weather lang talaga. And regarding the CBCP – you wish! hehe
Tunay na pangalan ba yung pangalan nang author sa link ni Mike re: #53?
#55
duane,
No idea, maybe a pseudonym but who cares, the message is quite clear and made a lot of sense.
#54
chijap,
Malay mo, sabi nga ni Ate Guy dati sa pelikula niya: “May Himala!” 😛
Dapat ang Pangulo ninyo ay isang Superman …. ano ba talaga ang gusto niyo lilipad kaagad si Pnot sa CDO o di kaya mag-iiyak. Puweeeee ….
Nagkataon lang naman na party nila sa gabi na yon. Bakit kaya ba niyang pigilin ang delubyo? Kaunting intindi lang Pasko at alam naman natin na talaga namang panahon ng party dito party doon. Nakapagtataka lang kung bakit front page na lahat yata ng pahayagan itong isyung ito.
Kung kayong mga nasa media ay binanatan si Pnot kung bakit hindi binalaan ng mga tao tungkol dito sa bagyong darating … sang-ayon ako diyan pero dito sa isyung nasa party siya … so what …. Xmas Party nila di ba? Palagay ko hindi naimbitahan ang mga taga media ….. di kaya?
Its time we learned to take some responsibility, we’re used to having someone hold our hand everytime there’s trouble, even if its just for photo ops or for image building.
If we are to call a spade a spade, blame the Cagayanons.
They allowed the denudation of forest cover in the mountains, when heavy rains fall nothing will keep the huge amounts of water to come crashing down the mountainside, hell, the whole mountain can come crashing down in a big mudslide! What about the irresponsible mining causing siltation in the rivers and its tributaries – well, the water will have nowhere to drain fast so whala! I know a lot of strong swimmers who can probably survive flood waters, but crashing mud?
Add the rapid urbanization, too many people living in the path of possible mudslides and flash flood, you’ll really get more dead bodies that way.
So they lived it up without any thought of the consequences and now we blame people from another region, so many kilometers away?
Everybody who didn’t go to a single christmas party go blame the president! Just because people died in Cagayan it doesn’t mean the rest of the country should die too?
Focus, lets focus are dissipated energies on what really matters – lets help.
Chijap, here’s my first post in this thread (#25):
“Sino ang pinakaunang may iPhone 4S mula sa Globe? Siyempre…si iPhNoy!” Of course, I got this info from a news item telling that PNoy received a Globe Loyalty reward.
Then, at comment #42, I posted my feeling of disappointment that “PNoy and his twitter-savvy alipores” didn’t use it to send a timely message for the tragic event. I was careful in putting quotation marks on the word “insensitivities” because its true meaning may depend on one’s perspective.
Well, the point here is that there was symbolism in the news items I connected: (a) the first Pinoy to get the locally-distributed iPhone 4S, (b) the Valerie Concepcion “tragedy” vis-à-vis the Sendong tragedy.
iPhone 4S boasts of something new in gadgetry. However, the iPhone (or ‘Droid smartphone or any phone for that matter) also speaks of something old, and that is, COMMUNICATION.
Twitter is also about COMMUNICATION.
Sending a timely message in the wake of tragedy is all about COMMUNICATION.
I am not saying PNoy et al should have tweeted because it may not be appropriate…but what is there to lose if PNoy et al sent a consoling as well as rallying-point-for-hope Presidential message last Saturday???
Yes, PNoy et al will give way to the rescue and relief operations first before going to the calamity-stricken areas…that’s understandable. But, ahead of the physical is the mental and the emotional or, simply, the morale. Can they just issue words of comfort, words of encouragement and strength, and words of leadership in times of crisis last Saturday???
Chi was able to get it when she quickly asked,
Right, Chi. Sayang hindi nagamit…and symbolically, the raffling off of the iPhone (Thanks, Ma’am Ellen, for the added trivia.) will mean missing out on the opportunity of sending out a message…squandering the chance of COMMUNICATING to his countrymen he’s so fond of calling his bosses.
iPhone 4S…remember when Steve Jobs died…iPhone 4S was “iPhone for Steve.” In our case, iPhone 4S is “iPhone for Sendong.”
…for sending a very timely Presidential message not only to the grief-stricken kababayans but to all the governed…
Mam Ellen @#41,
What did I write wrong to merit such a stinging rebuke from you? I wrote, “No wonder maraming nababaril na taga media. .” What’s wrong with it? It’s a statement of fact. There are so many AC-DC reporters in the ranks of media, Tulfo brothers to name a few, who wrongly attack private/public personalities for monetary gain. I have personal knowledge of this especially yung kay Mon Tulfo. Mga tao ko pa dati ang nag-aabot ng payola sa kanya. Ilan na bang radio announcers ang nabaril at namatay dahil sa trabaho nila, rightly or wrongly? I was just stating a fact. Ang masama, kung sinulat ko na “Mabaril sana ang sumulat ng artikulong ito.” Bakit ho naman biglang naging utak pulbura ako at naihalintulad pa kay Mike Arroyo? In the same na marami ring kawatan sa AFP na dapat walisin. With due respect Mam Ellen, I’ve been writing in your blog for more than 3 years now and I’ve have never wished anyone ill who posts in your blog. The repartee may sometimes be off tangent but I have never directly maligned anyone here. I respect everybody’s opinion and I’ve learned a lot from them.
Going back to what I wrote, the writer was trying to make it appear that Aquino was so insensitive to the plight of the victims of the disaster in Northern Mindanao na inuna pa ang party sa Malacanang kasama si Valerie Concepcion. Yes, inamin at napatunayan nga na may party noong Sunday. Pero a careful reading of the situation would reveal the ill-motive or the seeming lack of circumspection on the part of the writer. First, Aquino was not the host of the party and it was not held in the Palace. Why am I harping on this? Because there is a whale of a difference between Malacanang Palace and Malacanang Park. The latter houses the Headquarters of the PSG, which celebrated its Christmas Party. The President, their protectee, was the guest of honor. No brainer. Valerie Concepcion and Jessa Zaragoza were there to entertain the soldiers and their dependents. Writing that the party was held at the Palace would naturally raised hell from the people. Poor Concepcion! She’s suffering the indignity of being subjected to all nasty rumors because of her excitement to see Aquino in the party. Now the President is being unfairly criticized all over the news because of this. People who don’t know the difference between Palace and Park are being led to believe that Aquino is a heartless SOB and the insinuation that he was cavorting with Concepcion while people in CDO and Iligan were dying was just as irresponsible.
Could the party been cancelled instead to show solidarity with the victims? For those who did not serve in the military, they will never understand that everything is always planned ahead. Christmas Parties, Christmas/New Year’s break of personnel. The PSG is not involved in rescue, relief and rehabilitation in times of calamities. The Christmas Party is scheduled ahead of time to enable the soldiers to go on break depending on how they were divided into sections. This is the only time of the year that PSG soldiers are allowed to go on authorized vacation without it being charged to their leave credits. Malamang pagkatapos ng Xmas party noong Linggo kasama nang umuwi nang mga nag Christmas break yung mga pamilya nilang dumalo sa kasayahan. Were they being insensitive then for pushing through with their Xmas Party with their boss, Aquino, in attendance? I don’t think so. Kaya po ako nagngingitngit doon sa sumulat ng balita. Binigyan ng ibang kulay ang karapat dapat na taunang kasayahan ng mga sundalong wala namang kinalaman doon sa kailangang pagtulong doon sa Mindanao. Di naman po yata tama ito.
baycas2
(1) you seemed to focus too much on the iphone, where no one else seems to put any color or meaning to it but you.
(iphone for Steve Jobs? iPhone for Sendang? Really?)
your suggestion (cynical as it may be) that Aquino must use the iPhone to send a message is a stretch of what reality is about.
Ellen already said it was raffled off yet you insisted on your logic (Ellen said that at post #40 and a good 45 minutes before you made your post #42).
yes the iphone is a tool, a very powerful communication gadget, but it is also a symbol of the affluent and not the ordinary user.
Let’s assume your logic was how it happened, that Aquino used the iphone and sent a message (sa dulo may “Sent from My iPhone”), so would you not imagine people then ribbing him about having fun with his iPhone while people are dying?
Di ba mas maganda the iPhone (his personal iPhone again i reiterate) be kept out of the issue? In fact, with Ellen’s information, it was actually given out to MEDIA, someone who can actually put your logic to actual use.
(2) you also suggest that there is a lack of communication, check this video: http://goo.gl/bJ9ng
This was posted not too far after the incident.
Yes, there are a lot of improvements needed (i’ve given an example of what can be looked upon) but why single out Aquino (consoling is discussed next)?
As SNV said, should we not be focusing on the report from the DILG and NDRCC/DND?
(3) You seem to think that consoling is another thing that Aquino lack. Yung kulang sa pagiging maawa. (Hoping i understand it).
I can’t speak for Aquino but to me, its better to act than to constantly say i sympathize with you.
I would prefer action items and hourly updates from authorities than always hearing pity.
To the victims, they prefer the actual presence of food and basic necessities versus constantly hearing promises from Manila.
I did not say Aquino need not anymore improvement, as obviously even the best men know they have room for improvement. I also think Malacanang’s press folks need to get their sh!t together; But let me reiterate, i prefer action than words.
And bottomline cheap shot yung iphone when it has nothing to do with the issue.
I did not see anything wrong with the twit. Nasa mga tao lang ang perception. Pnoy has appointments after appointments. The PSG party was set way before. Nothing is wrong with Pnoy attending it for a few minutes. Courtesy lang yan for those who keep him safe.
Besides, ano naman ang magagawa ni Pnoy kung sakaling pupunta siya dun sa Cagayan de Oro o kaya mag emergency meeting sa mga local leaders who may be in the thick of rescuing their constituents. Natural disasters when they strike, devastates a region without any notice.
I would fault the system of disaster preparedness. In the first place, what are those families doing in a declared hazardous area? This should be a wake up call to all parties concerned, the irresponsible loggers who denuded the forest, the politicians who are short sighted in allowing settlers in areas known to be prone to disasters and approving subdivision projects in these red flagged areas.
Pnoy already visited the devastated area to assess the assistance he can give.
I instructed my niece to give money to the ABS-CBN “sagip kapamilya”.
This is basic: In politics, perception/impression is king.
People are impressed by what their senses perceive.
The President should, after a major calamity/disaster, show up ASAP on tv screens or be heard on radio with a message like this:
Mga Kababayan, kaninang ____________ may nangyaring ganitong trahedya sa__________ at sa mga initial reports ay (casualty report) at akin nang ipinagutos sa (government agencies) upang ________________ at ang pag-release ng PxM para sa mabilisang pagtugon sa mga panagngailangan, at dadagdagan pa yan. Akoy nakikiusap sa mga kababayan natin na isantabi muna ang anumang alitan at magsamasama tayong … makakaasa ang mga kababayan natin…
In times of need, people need a psychological anchor. The voice or sight of a President reassures people that someone is barking orders and coordinating various departments. Iba kasi pag wa;a kang nakikita o naririnig. Malay ba ng tao kung me ginagawa ka nga o tulog ka lang…
#65. Agree, it was the immediate sight or hearing of Pnoy they wanted to make them feel secured and loved, even if dead are all around them.
That’s baycas2’s point in taking i-phone to this discussion.
Si Pnoy tatay nating lahat di ba?
# 65
Good point.
Takes me back to 9/11. I was in Chinatown, NY that day. For the next few days, there was one person the whole US looked up to – Rudy Giuliani. He did step up to the plate.
Where was the Bush, nowhere in sight. His Dick (Cheney) was not standing either. Nagtago, for security reasons, or some such drivel.
For info ng mga wala sa Pilipinas.
Kung may bagyo, walang koryente at magkakaroon ng koryenete minimum 24 hrs pagkatapos ng bagyo at kung walang pinsala.
Kung walang koryente, walang signal mula sa cell site at walang signal ang internet box sa bahay.
Kung walang signal ang cell site, paano makakapag text at makakatanggap ng text?
Kung walang signal ang “box”, paano makakapag internet?
At wala din TV. Ang nagagamit lang ay radyong de baterya.
Go figure!!!
Chijap, it might have been difficult for you to grasp the symbolism of the iPhone 4S that I very much insist to exist. I understand.
It might have been a “stretch,” actually. Anyway, one is entitled to that opinion as you are entitling me to an opinion re: the iPhone 4S (“S” for symbolism). Thank you.
However, the symbolism is ONLY about the iPhone (or ‘Droid smartphone or any phone for that matter; this I repeated from comment #60) as a means of COMMUNICATION; which I very well emphasized by making the word “all caps.” It may seem trivial to some but for me it’s not.
You were the one who said that the iPhone 4S is a status symbol. This, I find to be shallow. I’m sorry but I didn’t symbolize it as such.
Valerie’s tweets (most likely through a mobile phone), the reason for this blog post, also concern COMMUNICATION. Sadly, they just “earned brickbats for PNoy,” borrowing Mark H. Ubalde’s words.
Moreover, sending a Presidential message to the populace in times of crisis is essentially about COMMUNICATION. Your example of communication may merely be regarded as a form of “visibility” during that time and, perhaps, just take cognizance of the fact that he is meeting with agency leaders soon after the tragedy. That news item may not be considered COMMUNICATION because what the public needs is a direct one.
People will always look up to a leader for comfort, support, and inspiration. People will expect personal COMMUNICATION from their servant PNoy even if it is just to reassure them that help is on its way or to raise awareness of what the government is already doing in the disastrous aftermath. Direct COMMUNICATION from a leader as popular as PNoy provides order and encourages patience.
If only PNoy and his communication people properly COMMUNICATED last Saturday then Valerie’s tweets may not have been given negative public perception.
Well, I believe that the significance of the iPhone 4S symbolism in COMMUNICATION may be easily settled now.
Too bad it was not utilized by PNoy et al as it was “raffled off.” This is another representation and it stands for the missed opportunity of sending out a timely message last Saturday…it’s practically wasting the golden chance of directly connecting to his countrymen.
Sayang…
Go Henry Go. Your explanation makes sense. Eh, yung mga manunulat na mga yan eh makakontra lang para sikat. Para masabing matapang na mamamahayag. Maaaring meron mga pagkukulang si Pnoy bilang presidente, pero wala sa lugar ang pamumuna. Ang trabaho ng manunulat sa isang malayang lipunan ay punahin ang pamunuan upang makakuha ang mamamayan ng karapat dapat na serbisyo.
baycas2
I’m amazed at your dedication to sell this symbolism logic of yours.
Well sell all you want, but the reality is this:
– the iphone is not a government property.
– the iphone was given away to media for better use and if i were to read it better, that it was given so as not to put any malice with the recent Ayala approved PPP project.
Both items were mentioned before you carried on with this “symbolism” logic you have.
If you felt that Aquino missed an opportunity at reaching out to his “amo” then say it without the need to insult the man and then drag the iphone off-topic into the discussion. (you did call him “iPhNoy” in this blog and another — http://goo.gl/47qmG)
Kailangan ba talaga gamitin isang issue na irrelevant just to poke holes at the guy?
I find it rather odd that someone would insist on a non-issue and make a big issue out of it, connect it to something unrelated, and say its “symbolism!”
I may not be sharp at symbolism but at least i don’t make issues out of thin air.
I admire the heightened sense of courage and patriotism being displayed all around, not to mention the extremely intelligent, deep analyses of how a leader/leaders should act. Never was “shoulda, woulda, coulda” made to sound so smart, so poetic, so condeming, until now.
I only hope we exert as much energy, as much patriotic fervor, as much effort in actually doing something to benefit the people concerned.
Yes, pontificate! It helps a lot! 🙂
Lets put our money where our mouths are. Yes, we can! 🙂
henry90 – December 20, 2011 9:29 am
Agree 100%. Di naaayon sa blog na ito ang article na sumulat nito! It was distasteful indirect na paninira kay Pnoy! Pot shot parang naninibak ng puno..unti unting itinutunba! 🙂
I wish the church will help sa mga napinsala sa Mindanao!
Chijap, just like you, I search the web. I search the web on topics I choose.
I knew what actually happened to the first locally-distributed iPhone 4S before I posted #25. (Ma’am Ellen graciously added a trivia about it and proved beneficial to its symbolism.)
Who says it’s government property anyway?
Well, being the first “to-die-for” unit to be provided to a loyal subscriber and being given out to no less than the President of the Philippines, this particular iPhone 4S exclaims symbolism, I believe.
I’m not selling anything I’m just providing a different take on the matter at hand (this blog post). Not only that, I am symbolically putting myself into PNoy et al’s shoes.
I’m pretty sure you’ll be more amazed at this symbolism. The following is symbolism or representations of my four (4) earlier comments in this thread:
1. Comment #25 – Valerie’s tweets giving a notion of partying despite the mourning
2. Comment #42 – Damage control by the Palace and the sisters justifying the party attendance
3. Comment #60 – The explanation from the Palace led to more confusion especially the date of the party and the length of time the President stayed at the party
4. Comment #69 – Palace critics are even more fixated on the party attendance rather than the explanation
I believe rumors/confusion could be avoided if there’s a leader among a throng. During times of crisis, it’s best for this leader to be VISIBLE at once, be PRESENT always, and be able to COMMUNICATE well. These are just a few of the leadership traits people will expect…
a “Giuliani moment” as SNV and Ricelander very well put it.
In short, as I put myself into the minds of the Palace people, “nakikiramay ako sa kanilang pilit na pagpapaliwanag sa nauna nang tsismis at kaguluhan sa isipan.”
I believe this happened before, several times, the room for improvement is big. PNoy et al, can we make it smaller next time?
sorry, wasn’t able to close the html tag…
Jug, I am confident we are all doing our part to make PH a better place, even in small ways.
Never in my mind will I remove the symbol (the yellow ribbon from Tita Cory’s website when she died) in my avatar.
Not yet, that is…
baycas2
I’ve said what i need to say on our little discussion. i’ll let you be.
The matter at hand is long term. How does our nation, a typhoon/earthquake prone area be prepared for these disasters. Lagi naman may bagyo sa atin, so dapat alam na natin ano gagawin or ano yung kulang.
Both government and citizenry should psych up on how to prepare for these. We should all not be caught ill prepared (not saying we can overcome mother nature’s wrath but at least we should be prepared).
And let’s all help. A peso goes a long way.
Sa nangyari na pag landslide ay walang ibang dapat sisihin kundi ang mga NPA. Kung hindi hinahayaan ng mga NPA ang mga illegal loggers ay hindi magkakaroon ng landslide. Kaso hinahayaan nila dahil siguro binayaran. Alam naman natin na ang mga rebelde ngayon parang mga barayan na rin. Kung bakit ko ito nasabi ay malaman dito http://www.arvin95.blogspot.com/
dito pala… ibang iba na ang layunin ng NPA noon kaysa ngayon..
http://arvin95.blogspot.com/2011/01/npa.html
Henry,
Aminin, it hit a chord because PSG was involved? Hehehe, relax lang, bottomline nobody here means any harm, kuro kuro lang ba?
Merry Christmas!
baycas,
No offense intended, exchange of ideas lang. We’re on the same side.
Merry Christmas!
To Ellen and all,
I LOVE YOU and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Arvin,
Oo nga, anong nangyari sa mga npa sa bundok ng cagayan, naanod din ba? baka nauna pa sa pila dun sa relief goods? 🙂
I would really appreciate it if the president will declare a total log ban in the area concerned, mount a massive reforestation drive and moratorium on logging for 20 years or maybe even gawing sanctuary, let the forest recover.
Jug:
Merry Christmas din. No problem on my end. Sanay tayo sa take and take! One of the beneficial effects of mase-mase perhaps? 🙂
To all and myself: There is no price to our mere ‘presence’ via discussions here at Ellenville.
Also, most netizens (in Pinas and abroad) of this blog are ones of the earliest respondents of calls for help in times of natural and man made calamities. (I should know, antigo na ako dito, like the others. 🙂 )
No other blog does it like Ellen’s!
Let’s dedicate a minute of prayer for Sendong’s victims before partying for the holidays. 🙂
#66 “Si Pnoy tatay nating lahat di ba?”
Chi, hala ka magagalit ang tunay mong tatay 🙂 Kabinatang tao eh …. lider oo payag ako o kaya Tito 🙂 …. pero tatay wag na akong isama diyan.
Maligayang pasko po sa inyong lahat!!!!!!
I hope those who find the PSG party inappropiate will not attend any party this Xmas.
Last comment before the Christmas break…btw, Happy Holidays to all here…
Coloma defends Aquino being at PSG party
By Jaymee T. Gamil
Philippine Daily Inquirer
3:51 pm, Monday, December 19th, 2011
Translation: The morale and welfare of the Mindanao calamity-stricken people can wait until Tuesday, December 20, 2011.
My heart goes to the victims and survivors of the Mindanao calamity. God helps them.
The greatest test of a leader is in time of crisis and disasters. It is an occasion to showcase their decisiveness, skill and stuff they are made off. It is an occasion to rise over and above the ordinary and the rest.
So far Noynoy didn’t make the grade or shown any improvement and development to become a real leader. This is not the first time that he was missing in action, and like all in other situations, Noynoy is a regular late comer.
The regularity of his habitual tardiness is an interesting case study, that one would be tempted to raise or ask
questions about it.
Does a crisis put him on the edge? Can he withstand the building-up of tension and stress brought by it? Note that in every crisis in his admin, it took him several days after a calamity to show himself, barked orders and even smiling and grinning for all to see. Does that mean that in those days when he’s gone missing are days for “recovery”, “calming” or “hinihimashimasan?”
Nobody knows but himself and his trusted alalays if he experiences some “episodes”. The only silent witnesses are the walls around him in Malacanang. These walls have eyes and ears and if only these walls could talk, maybe no one, nobody would be wondering and being puzzled why the President, the Philippines fastest gun alive and a sharpshooter always missed the mark and always beaten by a snail in a race and to the draw in times of crises.
To one and all, Merry Christmas from my family to you!
Merry Christmas to all the intelligent people around here,truly your insights and deep analysis of the topic at hands are great source of first hand news and information that you can never get from other sources.Stay safe everyone…
Baycas2
Before you conclude or incite anything, per this on TV discussion, Aquino did want to head over the devastated area during that weekend (check out the counter argument which was good and did shut the spokeswoman up): http://goo.gl/xxKk8
(Sidetrack: I also agreed with what the guest comment about Aquino’s press people.)
I think in your own words, you also felt Aquino did not neglect about welfare for the victims: “Yes, PNoy et al will give way to the rescue and relief operations first before going to the calamity-stricken areas…that’s understandable.”
Symbolism pa rin ba tong translation mo? As i said, i’m bad at symbolism pero sa tingin ko below the belt na yung pinagcoconnect mo.
In retrospect this issue about Valerie Concepcion sending the tweet would result in this “scandal” no matter what Aquino did, except if he did not attend the party.
Let’s assume Aquino did all what folks like Baycas2 said he would do: that Aquino the first hour of Saturday made an announcement, but he remained in Manila, attended the party, then Valerie sent that tweet – no more scandal? Meron pa rin.
The real question to me if people wondered if Aquino and the attendees in the PSG did spent a minute to offer prayers in that party.
No one bothered to ask that question. Kasi nalito na dahil si Valerie nagtweet. (she’s hot by the way :))
I think people simply put too much color and emphasis to what is not really there. That people seem to suggest Aquino remissed on his duties by being in the party. But obviously he did not.
Granted Aquino’s communication people is below par (way below), and i agree, but shouldn’t we really be asking what does Aquino plan to do so this won’t repeat again. Not to attend a party? or fix PAGASA, NDRCC, and stop illegal logging.
I like how #89 duane said it. True that.
Pinoy nga naman ang galing magcomment (like when Pacquiao has a match, naku labasan yung boxing analysis ng lahat), pero if we put theory into practice, we failed miserably even in putting it on our own simple lives.
I wish our discussions here not only shows the weakness of any government leader but the citizenry themselves.
Change start within.
Chijap (#93),
My posts are about COMMUNICATION.
PNoy and his Communication Group failed to COMMUNICATE directly to their bosses at the height of the disaster (with all its consequences: hopelessness, anger, sadness, impatience, grief, confusion, etc.).
The following is the full quote of what I posted at #60:
So, for me, it’s understandable if PNoy et al want to postpone the physical aspect (going to Mindanao). How about the mental and the emotional aspects (morale) that need to be communicated at once? Why didn’t they do that on Saturday? (Ricelander efficiently provided a template above at #65.)
It’s quite obvious they neglected their duty to COMMUNICATE to the nation.
Then here was one member of PNoy’s Communication Group who said last Monday that PNoy’s party attendance on Sunday was for the “morale and welfare” of all the party attendees.
Our countrymen in Mindanao waited until Tuesday for a morale-boosting performance by the President.
In short, a very timely Presidential message (Read: COMMUNICATION) last Saturday is all there is to it.
Since you mentioned the word “connect” here:
I will then sum up by saying that PNoy et al failed in connecting to the people.
Oops, sa Nokia yata ‘yun! Well, there goes another symbolism for you, Chijap.
Merry Christmas!
Can an “I am sorry speech” be good enough to “boast” morale of the people after a disaster?
To conclude that Malacanyang “neglected” its duty is judgemental. It may be a lapse in judgement so an “I am sorry” speech would be sufficient to those offended.
The party was Sunday evening. For God’s sake. What do u hope to achieve by going to the stricken areas at this day and time? Communication my foot! Everybody and his dog was still at a loss what struck them the previous night before and probably would have been out there somewhere floating among the debris still waiting to be rescued and you expect the friggin President to speak to them on national TV or do some tweeting to boost their morale? Just so u can say that he would have projected compassion and sensitivity to their plight? Get real! Pray, how could they received that ‘message’? Their houses washed away, so there went all their possessions as well and yet u expect them to tune in to tv and wait for the President to console them at that very time that they were perhaps fighting to save their own lives? Wow! This communication thing has been stretched too far! In any emergency situation, the first thing a responder does is to make sure the victim is alright. That he is given immediate medical attention. All other concerns are addressed later. That Sunday, people needed to be rescued first, consoled/condoled later. Magbigay na lang tayo ng donation. Samahan nyo na ng celphone para maka tanggap sila ng tweet. 🙂
henry90,
thank you! and very very well said.
#95, I’ve said this once (#62) and i’ll say it again:
if i were the victim of this tragedy
I prefer food, clothing, and shelter than a politician connecting with me.
I prefer to see my barangay captain distributing goods and allocating rest areas than seeing him making a speech about everything will be ok.
I prefer action than some talk about nonsense over an irrelevant iPhone 4S.