White hair chronicles XXXII: Tacloban - I have returned

I had a USAID-funded project in Tacloban City almost twenty years ago. That project started a string of other projects that involved traveling, but Tacloban was among the first. When I had the chance to work briefly in East Africa ten years ago, I was reminded of Tacloban though I'm not sure why. Now I'm back in Tacloban for my current work, and I realize why I thought of this city while I was in Dar Es Salaam.

Dar (10 years ago, at least) is a quiet city. It was just recovering from a horrendous terrorist bombing. When I wanted to while away the time, I looked for a mall or a moviehouse. The small malls (actually boutiques) closed early. And the entire city had just 4 moviehouses, all showing Indian Bollywood movies. It had no tall buildings but it had a busy international port. The people were proud of their heritage. You could feel the nation's soul.

That picture reminded me of the Tacloban I knew. Quiet. People are off the streets by 9pm. No fastfood chains, no department stores. And a noisy port near a public wholesale market.

That was then. Now there's a Gaisano's and a new Robinson's mall just outside the city. There are several Jollibees and the usual fastfood chains. There is even mild traffic in the morning. It is still far from the buzz of activities in other cities but it is getting there. One thing I notice though, many hotels have sprouted (and degenerated) since then. But it is still hard to find a good Tacloban hotel. The reviews at Taclobanhotels.com are spot on.

But it is nice to have returned.

YAWTA - yet another women's tennis album

Comic Con 2010 Megamall

The local comic con is alive and well but the cosplay scene is even more vibrant. In the tradition of Dr. Sheldon Cooper and friends, my sons exhibit the same interest for comics. Vito and Popoy not only follow the story and characters, they also draw them well. And judging from the many pictures of Vito with nubile cosplayers, he may be following a more familial tradition.

SWAT: Silang Walang Alam sa Tactics ; Sugod, Wait, Atras, Takbo (Tayo'y Takot)

It could have been Manila's chance to prove it's world class. Instead, we broadcast live to the world our laughable SWAT - Silang Walang Alam sa Tactics who went Sugod, Wait, Atras, Takbo Tayo'y Takot.

The police mishandled all aspects of the case from the hostage taker's gripes to the televised carnage and it's aftermath. There were comic relief moments in the tense assault. They took a long time to smash the bus windows. Either the windows were the toughest plexiglass or they used the softest sledgehammers. Naghiraman pa sila kasi parang iisa ang maso nila. Then twice, cops lost their grip on the sledgehammer, hurtling it into the bus. Parang comedy. I think I heard them laughing on TV.

The excuse they gave PNoy was untenable. PNoy said the the police had to do a hasty assault since the unit that had the capability was not close to the bus. Whoever fed PNoy that line did him a disservice. They had the whole day to bring in the unit that had the capability. They bungled it. Period.

The Marcos legacy

Two news items that hogged the limelight recently can be attributed to the Marcos legacy that GMA tried to perpetuate for herself. One news item is that of the publicity seeking military general who aired his gripes in the media. He ranted on radio and TV about his 'demotion' and repeatedly talked cryptically as if threatening of something. Kasalanan ni Marcos iyan. Marcos spoiled the military. Since then, the uniformed guys have their more than enough share of public tantrums. GMA coddled the military too, thus we have this anky-panky general. It's a good thing that PNoy stood firmly on the issue.

The other news item is about Kris's marriage. Had Ninoy not died, Kris would have had a father doting on her and guiding her in her teenage years. But with a tragic death like that of Ninoy's, the public wave of sympathy buoyed Cory to the presidency. That wave lead the nation to tolerate Kris's antics. After all she is a hero's daughter. The least we could do, in gratitude, is to put up with her idiosyncracies. Kawawa naman, eh. Kris masterfully rode on that for years. So the way Kris is acting now is kasalanan ni Marcos yan!