Should I?

After purchasing three Balenciaga bags in the past few months,  I came across the Mulberry Oversized Alexa Satchel.  Then I just read The BagHag Diaries about this bag this morning.  I'm really trying to decide if I should get one.  I seldom use my Balenciaga bags. 

Balenciaga Motorcycle in blue

Balenciaga Covered Giant City in Black

Balenciaga Covered Giant City in Blue

I want the black Alexa if ever I will get it.  Ho-hum...Should I or Should I not?

***Sigh***

MANILAISSAFE

I have read this morning that a new campaign has come up on Twitter. This is to disseminate information to everyone that Manila is indeed safe after the hijacking of a tourist bus on August 23, 2010 by a disgruntled ex-cop.

I have lived in Manila for most of my life.   I was  schooled  here, worked here, met my DH here, raised a family here.  I can say that Manila is just as safe as any other city n the world.   I have visited Europe, the U.S., Asian countries - all of these places have their bad sides.  

I am alarmed by the  reactions of the Hong Kong Chinese on the internet. As much as I understand the emotions that have been triggered by the hostage taking last Monday, I hope that the situation does blow out of proportion.  This is an isolated case. The tourists were selected randomly by the hostage taker.  He did not choose the victims because of their race, social standing, or age.  I can only think that Mendoza thought that  he would make a bigger statement if he took hostage of tourists.  It is not a direct attack towards the Chinese in anyway. 

 

I hope that we would all take a breather from it all --  I hope that people in Hong Kong would not retaliate against Filipinos living and working in HK.  Violence does not solve violence.  In my mind revenge - if that is what people want - has already been served.  Mendoza is dead.  Lest we forget that he too had a family of his own.  He was a son, a father, a husband, and a brother.  They too are in mourning. 

I do not defend what he has done.  There is absolutely no excuse  for his actions.  But we should all look at the situation from a wider point of view.  Yes there were mistakes, many of them. A lot of "would have, could have, should have".  I myself was disappointed at how the hostage drama unfolded as I was watching it live.

A task force has already been formed to investigate on what had happened.  The Philippines has already agreed to the terms set by the Chinese government with regards to the victims. President Noynoy has already issued an official statement to the international community.

As a Filipino, I am deeply saddened by the events that happened.  If  I could apologize to the victims' families, I would.  No one wanted this to happen.
Today has been declared as a national day of mourning for the victims of the 8/23 hostage taking.
Let us all say a prayer for the victims and the families they have left behind.

Random Thoughts : QUIRINO GRANDSTAND HOSTAGE TAKING

I think I will not post a reaction on the events that transpired yesterday in Manila.  Many have already shared their thoughts, hind-sights, lessons, and criticisms.


I am saddened by the fact that a decorated police officer was pushed to the edge.  As our President mentioned, I also think Mendoza was not bent on killing the hostages or getting himself killed in the process. 

So who was this hostage taker - who really was former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza?  Reading from various articles on the internet, according to them - Senior inspector Rolando Del Rosario Mendoza was a decorated police officer. He was born on January 10, 1955 in Naic, Cavite.  Administrative charges were filed against him and three other officers, then dismissed for extortion and for forcing a chef to swallow Shabu. On October 17, 2008, the PNP Internal Affairs Service recommended the case be dismissed after Kalaw failed to appear in the proceedings. In August of the same year, the manila prosecutors Office Eight Division dismissed the case after Kalaw failed to appear during the preliminary proceedings. But the reassignment never happened due to his 90-day suspension.
His demands were simple.  He did not want money.  He just wanted his job back.  But what could have pushed him to hold hostage a bus full of tourists.  Were there no other ways for him to make his voice heard?  Was there no other channel in which he could petition his plea?   Why was he so desperate?

If the hostage ended differently would Mendoza get what he wanted? He was no ordinary "criminal".  That was for sure. He was a police officer for 23 years. The aftermath of this event is tragic.  I cannot judge Mendoza.  We will never the reasons why he was pushed to do what he has done.  He will never be reinstated.  

Pointing fingers does not and will not solve anything. The events that have led to the hostage taking will only be speculation,  or intelligent assumptions at best.  What's done is done.

We must move forward from this.  Accumulate all the lessons that we have learned.  Apologize to the international community, most especially our neighbors in Hong Kong. 

I think that we are being tested at a time of renewal and change.  No one ever said that it was going to be easy.

Addiction 101

Marlboro releases new packaging - 5s. DH brought this last night.  Our friends couldn't believe it.  DH says its to limit his cigarette consumption.  Really?

Ooooh I love these!

I have just recieved an email from Jimmy Choo website -- these shoes are GORGEOUS! I am officially in love!

Okay, okay, I don't really wear heels that often. But when  I do, I like my shoes to be rockin'! Like these! They are called Glenys made from kid leather and priced at 775 Euros. :) For more information on these shoes and other Jimmy Choo products click here -->Jimmy Choo

It's Friday and I will be wining and dinning with my man tonight. Woohoo! Happy weekend!