9/11 survivors remember, but move on | Repost

9/11 survivors remember, but move on |

ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features:

"by Brigitte Dusseau, Agence France-Presse
Posted at 08/29/2011 11:37 AM | Updated as of 08/29/2011 11:37 AM


NEW YORK - Chris Hardej's eyes well with tears as he recalls the unforgettable day: "I would be the last one to get out alive from my office."

Some survivors like Hardej tirelessly retell the story of the fiery collapse ten years ago of the World Trade Center. Others absolutely refuse to speak of it. And some have radically remade their lives because of it."

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An Opened Letter From Mr Bang Lu Min

An Opened Letter From Mr Bang Lu Min 

I received an email about an opened letter by Bang lu min ( One of the Hong Kong tourist survivor). I am not sure if it really authenticated or just merely fabricated.  Rather than forwarding around the mail loop. It is better for me to post it and I hope someone would enlighten us of this letter.

So Here is the letter:

Postscript of a bloodbath

by: Bang Lu Min (One of the Hostages)

 

Mr. Mendoza was already upset even before he saw on television what the policemen did to his brother. The other tourists who remained inside the bus were complaining. Wei Ji Jiang wanted to go to the bathroom. Dao Chi Yu was hungry and the rest were just groaning and whining like they have forgotten that our lives rest in Mr. Mendoza's hands.

The hostage taker, as you know him was really nice. He treated us okay and even let the elders and the children leave the bus. He said your policemen treated him unfairly. He was a policeman too and was accused of doing something he had no knowledge of. But your government didn't listen so he used us to get everyone's attention.

Things would have never turned for the worst if he didn't see how his family was dragged out of their house and taken into custody. He was watching the news all the time as we huddled around each other behind the bus. He shouted some words in your language then started shooting in the air. A girl about my age started screaming. Mr. Mendoza demanded her to stop but she didn't understand English. God, he had to slash her neck with a knife just to put her to rest. Her boyfriend who tried to hit him was shot in the head.

Tension was rising. You can see in his face how scared and confused he was. The bus driver ran away leaving him alone with strangers from a distant land. I can see him walking across the aisle, sometimes pointing his machine gun to one of the tourists. But he tried his best not to hurt us, especially those who really cooperate.

I guess its in your nature not to inflict pain on others unless it was necessary. I remember him saying that he will free us before sundown and implored us to forget everything when we return home. But his words don't matter now. The policemen were trying to force their way in, while we all lied down to shield ourselves from bullets. Mister Mendoza blindly shoots at his enemies which I think kept them from rescuing us. I hear sobs under the chairs. Some were even shouting the names of their loved ones even when the air merely eat their words. Kevin Tang tried to escape when the glass door was was shattered, but one shot and he slumped on the floor with blood gushing from his mouth.

Heavy rain pitter-pattered on the rooftop. In old Chinese saying, it means an end to a struggle. Finally, somebody was able to open the escape hatch at the back of the bus. Freedom. But I knew Mister Mendoza was still alive. I knew he was just waiting for a chance to strike back at his enemies. So I told those around me not to escape. Let the authorities come for us instead. Then there was gunfire. He was firing at his enemies with a machine gun. Those who were at the escape hatch fled abandoning us once again. It's like a nightmare with no end and to wake up means a certain death. Then somebody from outside the bus threw a canister. It forced out a black smoke that is so painful to the eyes and putrid smelling to the nose. People started screaming. We cannot breathe. Some ran in front of the bus but Mister Mendoza warned them of stray bullets. It was too late. One was hit on the head, the other was hit on the shoulders. Bullets were now flying. Its like the authorities thought we were all dead. Mister Mendoza finally realizes his mistake and said sorry to everyone, dead or alive. He then ran towards the front of the bus where he would meet his maker. As he passed by my chair with bullets whistling overhead, I clutched my hand on the velvet curtain and wrapped it around my face. All I could think of was to stay alive - for my child who is waiting for me back in Xinjang. I know I will survive,

I will come home.

Bang Lu Min
Survivor, Quirino Bloodbath

National Mourning Day "Deepest Sympathy"

National Mourning Day "Deepest Sympathy"

President PNinoy Aquino declared August 25 as National mourning day.  He ordered Philippine flags to be flown at half-mast in remembrance of the hostage victims

After 11 hours of hostage taking, 8 Hong Kong Nationals and hostage taker ended their lives. The Hong Kong Government raise black travel ban to their people to travel in  the Philippines. Where as the black travel ban is the highest alert for travelers. This incident have a big impact to our tourism. Many have canceled their fight to the Philippines.  While others rebook their return earlier in response to this ban. Some continue their travel because they believe that it is just a rare incident. Still those who have traveled want the assurance of our government of their safety.

There are many to blames in the tragic hostage taking last Monday. What importance now is that the  Philippine Government must have specific plans in this kind of hostage situation.

Thus this is a rare situation. I would like to request the Hong Kong and Chinese people not to blame the Filipinos for the incident.

I, as a Filipino, would like to express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of Hong Kong tourist hostage victims and to the Mendoza families.

We Are The World 2010 for Haiti

We Are The World 2010 for Haiti

Recorded on February 1st, 2010, in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier (Henson Recording Studios, formerly A&M Recording Studios) "We Are The World 25 For Haiti", in which Jones and Richie serve as executive producers and producers, was created in collaboration with executive producers Wyclef Jean, Randy Phillips and Peter Tortorici; producers Humberto Gattica and RedOne; and co-producers Rickey Minor, Mervyn Warren and Patti Austin to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts and the rebuilding of Haiti.

Academy Award-winning writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby), whose own personal efforts as well as those of Artists for Peace and Justice have already saved countless lives in Haiti, filmed the private recording session to create the accompanying video and behind-the-scenes production, and serves as Film Director and as an Executive Producer with Jones, Richie, Jean, Phillips and Tortorici. The 25th Anniversary recording features over 80 artists and performers.

The recording of We Are The World 25 For Haiti embodied the same enthusiasm, sense of purpose and generosity as the original recording 25 years ago. Every one of the artists who participated, regardless of genre or generation, walked into the room with their hearts and souls completely open to coming together to help the people of Haiti.

 

8.8-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Central Chile

8.8-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Central Chile

 

After the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti. Today another tragedy that hits Chile. An 8.8 magnitude occurred this morning. Tsunami warnings were issued over a wide area, including South America, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, Russia and many Pacific islands.

My dear Friends, Let us ask God mercy that countries mentioned will not anymore experience TSUNAMI especially our own country the Philippines.

Excerpt from AP

By ROBERTO CANDIA and EVA VERGARA, Associated Press Writer Roberto Candia And Eva Vergara, Associated Press Writer – TALCA, Chile – A devastating earthquake struck Chile early Saturday, toppling homes, collapsing bridges and plunging trucks into the fractured earth. A tsunami set off by the magnitude-8.8 quake threatened every nation around the Pacific Ocean — roughly a quarter of the globe.

Interior Minister Edmundo Perez Yoma said the most powerful quake to hit the country in a half-century killed at least 82 people, but the death toll was rising quickly.


Tsunami waves were likely to hit Asian, Australian and New Zealand shores within 24 hours of the earthquake. The U.S. West Coast and Alaska, too, were threatened.

Read full story Yahoo News 
Image by:  Reuters

 

Prayer for Z Gorres "The Dream"

Prayer for Z Gorres "The Dream"

Prayers for Z Gorres ito ang isang panawagan ng Team Gorres at ni Nonito Donaire, isa din Filipino boxing champion . ZC Oliveros "The Dream" Gorres ay nasa kritikal condition matapos mag undergo sa emergency surgery sa Las Vegas Hospital. Matapos nyang napanalunan ang laban mula kay Columbian boxer Luis Melemdez noong Sabado Nobyembre 14.




Ayon kay Michael Aldeguer, na manager ni Gorres, inopirahan si Gorres dahil sa blood clot (subdural hematoma) na namuo sa kaliwang bahagi ng kanyang utak. Sa kasalukuyan ay under observation pa rin sya sa intensive care unit.

Matapos syang ideneklara panalo sa Bantam Weight Division fight, maya-maya pa ay nag collapse na sya.

Katulad ni Manny Pacman Paquiao ay nasungkit din ni Z Gorres ang karangalan para sa bansang Pilipinas. Kung paano natin ipinagbubunyi ang karagalan na naibigay ni Pacman sa pagkapanalo nya kay M Cotto ay sya naman katahimik ng sambayanan sa pagkakapanalo ni Z Gorres.

Ang bawat Boxer ay may pangarap na maabot ang mataas na karangalan. Karangalan na hindi lang pansarili kundi para din sa bawat isang Pilipino nasaan man sa sulok ng mundo at sa ating bansang Pilipinas.

Hindi man ako boxing fanatics, subalit nakikiisa ako kay Donaire, sa pamilya ni Gorres at lahat ng mga nananalangin para kanya. Sama-sama po natin ipagdasal ang maagap na pagkagaling ni ZC Oliveros "The Dream" Gorres.

Update as of Nov 16: Z Gorres showing signs of recovery after the operation.

source abs-cbnnews

It is a Touching Story

It is a Touching Story

I received an email which include a very touching story about family and a drunken driver. Well i want to share it to all of you. Although the writer is unknown but I want to thank him for sharing this story also.

A Touching True Story

I was walking around in a BigBazar store making shopping, when I saw a
Cashier talking to a boy couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old.
The Cashier said, 'I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy
This doll. Then the little boy turned to me and asked: '' are you sure I
don't have enough money? ''

I counted his cash and replied: '' You know that you don't have
enough money to buy this doll, my dear. '' The little boy was still holding
the doll in his hand.
Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him who he wished to give
this Doll to.' It's the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much.
I wanted to Gift her for her BIRTHDAY.

I have to give the doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my
sister when she goes there.' His eyes were so sad while saying this. 'My
Sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God
very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give
it to my sister. ''

My heart nearly stopped. The little boy looked up at me and said: 'I
told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come
back from the mall.' Then he showed me a very nice photo of him where he
was laughing. He then told me 'I want mommy to take my picture with her so
my sister won't forget me.' I love my mommy and I wish she doesn't have
to leave me, but daddy says that she has to go to be with my little
sister.'

Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly.
I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy. 'Suppose we
check Again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll? ''

'OK' he said, 'I hope I do have enough.' I added some of my money to
his without him seeing and we started to count it. There was enough for
the doll and even some spare money.

The little boy said: 'Thank you God for giving me enough money!'
Then he looked at me and added, 'I asked last night before I went to
sleep for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so
that Mommy could give It to my sister. He heard me! '''I also wanted to
have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn't
dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to
buy the doll and a white rose. My mommy loves white roses.'

I finished my shopping in a totally different state from when I
started. I Couldn't get the little boy out of my mind. Then I remembered a
local news paper article two days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a
truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman and a little girl. The
little girl died right away, and the mother was left in a critical state.
The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life-sustaining
machine, because the young woman would not be able to recover from
the coma. Was this the family of the little boy?

Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the news
paper that the young woman had passed away.. I couldn't stop myself as
I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the funeral home where
the body of the young woman was exposed for people to see and make last
wish before her burial. She was there, in her coffin, holding a
beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy
and the doll placed over her chest. I left the place, teary-eyed,
feeling that my life had been changed for ever.

The love that the little boy had for his mother and his sister is
still, to this day, hard to imagine. And in a fraction of a second, a drunk
driver had taken all this away from him.

Please DO NOT DRINK & DRIVE.