Major, major and another major... help us!!!

I am very overwhelmed of this week's events that I am almost fed-up of the recent Hostage taking in Manila and the Miss Universe 2010 pageant. Most of the news whether in television, radio, newspaper and even in the office are these two "Major-Major" happenings this August, 2010. Right now for 2011, another major crisis had just woke us in reality.

I. MAJOR 1: Manila Hostage Crisis

It was a cloudy Monday morning when a tourist bus was being hostage by an ex-policeman Rolando Mendoza. There were 21 Hong Kong nationals, a bus driver, a Filipino tour-guide, and a Tse (a Hong Kong tour-guide), on the Hong-Thai bus that time. Negotiators had came to ask for what the hostage-taker wanted, and the ex-policeman wanted to have his case be filed for reconsideration on the office of the Ombudsman, since Mendoza was accused of Extortion as a result of dismissal from the service on 2009.

The negotiations was in a smooth sail during the day when Mendoza was still considerate to have the hostage victims had their lunch and even some of the victims were freed especially children and the old ones. Afternoon came and the Mendoza was impatient enough with the slow-paced negotiations with the authorities. On the other hand, the media was on a live coverage with what was happening on the Quirino Grandstand, with its never-ending flash reports on TV that somehow made the crisis worse.

Evening came when the warrant-less arrest of Rolando's younger brother SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza was seen on TV that triggered Rolando's anger by killing the tourists inside the bus. Since that the bus had a television, this was the eye of Rolando to see on what was happening outside. After the first shot was fired, the police came to the rescue with their mallet, tear gas, and machine guns. Rolando was shot dead and also their were 8 tourists killed after the assault. Lastly, who are to be blamed with this tragic end?

                                                Rolando Mendoza was shot that caused his death

• Media

There are lots of "what if's" on my head when I saw what happened on TV and these are, what if the media had limited their scope of authority. Considering that the bus has a television and this could be the best spy of the hostage-taker during the assault. I know that media is all about freedom, but sometimes, too much freedom can be abusive that can result in this kind of tragedy.

• Police

What I saw in TV was not a real rescue but a drill. It was like practicing for an upcoming drill exercise. It was embarrassing to watch how our police acted that time, as if they don't know what they are doing and were afraid of what was inside the bus. Have they forgotten their pledge as protector and security?

• What Now???

Our country just started a new administration and now we faced another embarrassing image throughout the globe. No one of us wanted to happen this and no one deserves to be blamed. We are now judged by the affected country which is Hong Kong, and there were even reports that our fellow OFWs were being fired by their employers due to the hostage crisis. Recent reports says that Philippines was block listed by Hong Kong to be traveled which is not a good sign for our tourism industry.

@ Yahoo! Video

II: MAJOR 2: Miss Universe 2010

III. Major 3: Makati Bus Bombings

January 25, 2011 (Tuesday) when a bomb exploded inside a public utility bus (PUB) along Buendia Avenue and EDSA at around 2:00 in the afternoon. On the initial report, there were 2 people killed and 17 people wounded. On the next day, there were all 4 casualties ( 3 males and a female). Different angles were being investigated on what caused the bombings. Some say that it was a destabilization plot against the Aquino administration since the bombings was dated to his late mother's birthday Cory C. Aquino.

President Benigno Aquino III (PNOY) immediately denied the allege theory for the purpose of the bombings was just a terrorist attack and quoted “Let’s look at the evidence first before passing judgment. I don’t want to libel anybody. I have my suspicions but I could not engage in speculations.” As of this date, investigations are still ongoing and following some leads for future prospects.

The Goldwyn bus liner after the Makati Bus Bombings.

Philippine Economy: Uplifts in times of Crisis

Western countries faced the downfall of their business and financial stability for almost 2 years now. As what U.S. President Barrack Obama has promised, the global financial crisis will soon come to an end by the year 2011, which is closely next year. The results of these events made the U.S. Dollar to fluctuate it's value against other currencies that made other countries to float from their sinking economy.

In the Philippines, the global financial crisis has a big impact for most Filipino businessmen. Through which some businesses were closed especially the export industry whose backbone is exporting goods in some parts of Europe and The United States. One example is the furniture business that faced tough option to sell their export quality furnishes locally due to the low number of orders abroad.

the bustling city of Makati, Philippines

Outsourcing has also been affected with this crisis that made some companies sold their shares to well established companies or even merge as one company just to sustain stability towards their clients and it's people. Another great example is the B.P.O. or Business Process Outsourcing industry that comprises of most call centers in the Philippines. As these businesses flocked the country since the year 2000, it created numerous jobs for Filipinos and big revenue as well for our economy.

Makati by night where most call and contact centers are located.

As the peak of the crisis continued in 2008-2009, it never made these businesses falter, instead it gave more opportunities for the country to invite new investors since Philippines has it's strategic location, advanced technology, and manpower that is skilled and is able to communicate well versed English which is the main advantage of Filipinos to other Asian countries.

Asiatown IT Park in Cebu City, Philippines is know as the second IT hub in the country.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) was once affected by these crisis, yet not a reason for remittances to decrease. Filipinos working in London, U.S., Dubai, Japan and other countries, were given financial assistance or even went back home to start a small income business. As time passes by, they were given again the chance to work abroad as part of the government's initiative to retain their jobs when the crisis will be over.

data shows how OFW Remittances helped our country in terms of revenue.

At the Philippines Stock Market, the Philippine Peso (Php) continues to soar high against the U.S. Dollar, which is a good sign. But some analysts say that this is just temporary, because the United States right now starts to get up from it's long nightmare after Pres. Barrack Obama imposed new laws and payment schemes in applying for credit, loan and mortgage.

figures of the Philippine Stock Exchange

The media sector can probably say that the global financial crisis was really felt here in the Philippines but it didn't made Filipinos to falter or even give up. Instead, it was just an avenue for everybody to strive hard in order to sustain it's needs. The country faced a lot of trials and challenges that sometimes we want to surrender. The global financial crisis is still at it's peak and still existing, that we Filipinos just shrug it off and remained happy as we are.