Comparing the two Mothers in the Philippines

We cannot denay that we will compare the two leaders of our country. I cannot resist to compare late President Cory Aquino to our current President Gloria Arroyo. For me Cory Aquino is a symbol of freedom, a mother, a spiritual individual, a respected leader, a simple president, a gentle person but with a big heart and a strong leader. All of a good traits of a good and great leader. Now its Gloria's turn. a symbol of corruption, a strong personality with a strong grasps to the power that she now have, a leader that people hate, loves to go to church but it dosen't show to her personality and her family.

This is my point of view Gloria Arroyo will never ever gain respect to the people of this republic unless she will gave you money for it. Unlike Cory Aquino people love her and her family she gain respect from the people simply because of the love and respect that she gave us filipinos. Hope that Gloria can as herself that Am I worthy for this position?

I Am Proud to be Pinoy

When I heard the death of our Mother President Corazon C. Aquino I was felt sasd and lonely but I also felt the Cory Magic the magic where we Filipinos know the "People Power". As I heard the lyrics of "Ang Handog ng Filipino sa Mundo" I felt goose bumps recalling and remembering the days 1986 EDSA Revolution all though I wasn't there physically since I was only 8 years old. I can still still remember that when I got my history subjects at school and our teacher gave her lesson for the previous Presidents of the Philippines I was schock but proud to hear that President Cory Aquino is the 1st Lady President in the world.

I saw a video clip when Tita Cory went to the White House and was introduced by President Regan. He introduced her by saying Ladies and Gentlemen the President of the Republic of the Philippines President Corazon Aquino". I was proud to see all in the White House clap their hands and stand on their feet and you will notice to the people in that room all amazed to see Lady President that was actually historical.

Filipinos all over the world might felt what I felt PROUD thank you Tita Cory and Ninoy for the democracy you gave us your children.

The Yellow Ribbon Army

You can all see the yellow ribbons in the streets actually anywhere you go you will see the yellow ribbons. You can see it in cars, meralco post, buildings, parks, business establishments. It shows how people react on loosing a reaspected leader. Show your yellow ribbon "makiisa sa pakikiramay".

Bomb or Methane Blasts

It has been 3 weeks now since the Glorietta 2 Blasts and investigators from NBI, FBI and Australian Investigating team seems to come to the conclusion that the incident was not caused by a bomb or any terrorist attack hence, this is just an industrial fault by the mall management according to their findings. On my own opinion this is not a bomb and i think that the mall is the guilty one.

It's hard to see that Glorietta will fall and might be close for operation for good if find guilty. I have tons of memories with this mall. This is the place that me and my wife first dinned-in, first movie date, first lunch date, first date, my baby girl's first hair cut, my first ear piercing, gimik with my friends and colleagues. I will feel bad if this is the case and i hope Ayala work things out.

Learn to cherish each moment with our love one

This is a true story. It is hard to imagine that in an instant things that it used to be will all of a sudden went black. If this happened to me i will never know if i can go on with our lives or how to handle the job being a single parent. Most probably i'm going to cry everyday, every hour, every minute. I feel sorry for you Carlo Cruz but you need so be brave enough to continue what's left with you (easy to say if you're not in the position). So dear reader here's the letter that breaks my heart read on.

Good day everyone,

I wish I were writing under different circumstances.

I would like to inform you that my wife Leslie Cruz was part of the casualties in the Glorietta 2 Mall bombing in Makati City , Philippines . She was supposed to have a minor out patient surgery at Makati Medical Center at 230pm.

I had taken a leave from work to accompany her there. We dropped off our daughter, Amber, at my parents place in QC to babysit at around 10am . We then proceeded to Makati and was there at 1230pm. Since she had been fasting in preparation for her procedure, she wanted to move ar ound and listen to some music while I grabbed a bite to eat. We parked at the basement of Park Square 2, and headed for the Glorietta 2 entrance. We parted at the top of the escalator, she turned right towards Filbar's while I went left towards the restaurants. That was the last time I would see her.

Around 120pm, she had called me so that we can meet at the Glorietta 2 exit just in time to make her appointment. As I made my way there from Glorietta 1 through the connecting hallways, and was about to turn the corner, I heard 2 deep thumps and the shock-wave from the blast hit me. At that moment my heart dropped as I knew that the origin of the blast came from the same place where we were supposed to meet. I tried getting to where my wife was, but the dust was too much and it was as if I was staring at a white wall.

I still tried to convince myself that she was able to make it out, and that after ringing her mobile without a response only meant that she dropped it in the confusion. After 6 hours of searching from Makati Med. to Ospital ng Makati , the blast site, and back again to MMC - with the help of all the people I could get hold of, that I was able to get confirmation in what the state of my wife was.

My Dad and Uncle signaled me in from the ER of MMC. My Uncle (who's a doctor) asked me to describe Leslie's appearance to another group of doctors. I saw in the eyes of one that the description made sense. Instead of confirming it to me, they huddled together, then brought me to a small examination room. It was only through a digital camera that I was able to confirm (and deny) that she was indeed gone.

I have so many regrets. I should have met her sooner. I should have ran instead of a brisk walk. I should have not chose to park where I did. I should have braved the dust and went in the blast site. I should have ...

Today's the 4th day. It is still terribly difficult to breathe, let alone wake up realizing that your source of strength, your best friend doesn't lie beside you on your bed. That my deepest worry is when Amber starts asking for her Mama.

I am glad that Amber's too young to understand the loss and pain. In time I would like to tell her the details of how her mother died, but more importantly I would like to raise her as how her mother lived - a loving person, strong willed, decisive, caring, and nurturing. She has always cared for her family and friends, and sacrfied her career for being a full time mom and home maker.

As with all couples we had our ups and downs - none of which I regret not going through. The sweet is never as sweet without the sour. For almost 4 years of marriage, we've finally hit our balance in life only to be taken away in an instant. I have no regrets about our marriage. She has loved me and Amber beyond her capacity. I will always love her.

It is my first time to write to egroup as I've lurked and watched emails being sent to and fro. All I want now is that for each of the couples here is to cherish each moment that we spend with our loved ones. Pretty simple to say, very easy to take for granted.

Thank you all for the prayers. I would still like to ask you to please include Leslie in them until her 40th day so that the path to God's kingdom is well lit and she is no longer in the dark.

Sincerely,

Carlo Cruz

I hope this is a lesson for everyone. We need to spend more time with our family because we really don't know when and where will the last time were going to see them. Show them how much we care and love them by being in their as much as you can.

Glorietta 2 Blasts

Me and my wife had a lunch out date on a pizza restaurant at Greenbelt 1 we have spend more than 1 hour there. We almost decided to go to Glorietta and check some baby clothes but instead of proceeding I have decided to go back to work since its almost 1pm. When i arrived at the office my co-workers seems to have their own lunch out breaks. After a few minutes they had arrived and told us that they ate at KFC Glorietta 2 and when they are going out they noticed that they are police rushing in and that was it the blasts already occurred at the basement of Glorietta 2.

Thank God they are all safe, that were all safe. They are a lot of speculations about the incident that they're planned by terrorists, government diversion and the Ayala mall itself. Who knows if this where made by terrorists it surely be inhumane the victims has nothing to do with what they are fighting for. If it is the government plot hmmm.... i hope who wont get away with this since they are having a problem with the ZTE scam it may be a successful diversion.

Currently the FBI, NBI, Investigators from Australia says that it was from the mall maintenance itself. Methane Gas + Diesel Fume may caused the blasts but the owners of Glorietta is completely disagree with the findings. Who knows who were responsible for the incident and just all hope that the truth will come out and that this will not happen again to other.

Condolence to all the family who lost their loved onces during this incident.