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2nd Anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre
November 23rd marks the 2nd anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre wherein exactly two years ago, 58 people were killed, mostly journalists. It is also the first international commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity as declared such by the International Federation of Journalists and the International Freedom of Expression Exchange to recall the Ampatuan Massacre.
The march started near the University of Santo Thomas, and then proceeded to the heart of the “university belt” in Manila where a brief program was held. Along the way, volunteers traced body outlines on the concrete pavement with chalk and leaders of different student journals toke the stage and delivered their messages. The march ended at the foot of Mendiola Bridge near Malacanang; a dramatic program was again enacted. Relatives of the victims voiced their sentiments using placards and banners while some members of the media lie on the street to have their body traced. The program ended with the lighting of candles in remembrance of the victims, for which justice has yet to be served.
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Roxas Boulevard after Typhoon Nesat
When Typhoon Pedring (International Code Name: Nesat) roared through Central Luzon, I was in Cebu and only experienced one night and two days of rain there, a far cry from the devastation that befell the Manila Bay area as well as the equally ravaged provinces in the north.
I would have put on my wetsuit, sling a goggle, wrapped the camera and stand atop the pedestrian overpass near the US Embassy and shoot to my heart’s delight! Imagining myself frantically clicking the camera shuttle as waves upon waves hammered the sea wall, sending a cascade of water, stones, fish and trash in my immediate surroundings, while amidst all these chaos, a sense of awe and trepidation encompasses my being as the full fury of mother nature is being unleashed. (sigh!)
So 2 weeks after the storm, I finally had time to survey the damages to Roxas Boulevard’s sea wall, especially the stretch from the US Embassy to Rajah Sulaiman Park. According to the workers I talked with, the clearing/cleaning operations will last until December and the actual redesign/reconstruction will likely take several months thereafter.
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Arrival Ceremony of BRP Gregorio del Pilar
August 23, 2011 marks another milestone for the Philippine Navy as the newest and biggest ship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF15) officially docked in Manila with no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III as Guest of Honor and Speaker during the arrival ceremony.
Ninoy’s Prison Cell
The nation commemorates the 28th death anniversary of former Sen. Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino Jr. on August 21, 2011.
Ninoy was arrested in 1973 and incarcerated for 7 years in this 4 by 5 meter room known as Building No. 2 inside the Legaspi Compound of Fort Bonifacio. During his solitary confinement, Ninoy read books and pray the rosary, only his members of the family were allowed to visit; he stay in this room from August 27, 1973 until his exiled to the United States in 1980.
I always wanted to capture Ninoy’s cell in 360VR ever since I saw pictures of it 2 years ago, and yesterday, I finally managed to do just that.
When EDSA happened 25 years ago, I was barely out of grade school, couldn’t really make sense of the scenario, and was glad merely for the suspension of classes and the sight of all those tanks and APCs rolling down the streets on TV!
I didn’t know Ninoy that well either, his actions, his causes, and his struggles, they were meaningless to me. The only enduring image I had of the man, was his lifeless body being dragged across the tarmac of Manila International Airport.
But yesterday, after visiting his cell, and in the course of doing this article, I came to know Ninoy more. From his several recorded interviews and speeches, what he had fight for, his enduring legacy, at last made sense.
The wonderful thing about technology is that it catches up to the past. It is my hope that this virtual presence, couple with Ninoy’s voice can be a reminder that freedom cannot be won without sacrifice, and certainly it cannot be retain without vigilance.
Due to security reasons, public viewing is not allowed in this restricted compound. The last time Ninoy’s cell was open to the media was during August 21, 2009.
SONA 2011
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivered his 2nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) in the 15th Joint Session at the Batasan Pambansa (House of Representatives) on July 25, 2011.
