I FEEL THE EARTH MOVED!

At about 1:30 in the afternoon today, an earthquake happened in Bacoor, Cavite. I was listening to the call that I was auditing when my officemate stood up from her chair and said “I am little dizzy.” I looked at her and I felt dizzy myself. The intensity is too strong to pass it up as a mere dizziness. We then realize that the earth is moving. Our office is located at the fifth floor. The movement can be felt anywhere from the floor to the ceiling. I felt numb and kept silent. I dare not move a muscle thinking that if I do I might intensify the earth’s movement. It was scary!

After the earthquake subsided I came to thinking what one ought to do during an earthquake. Your actions would depend on where you are when the earthquake happens. You could be indoor or outdoor if that happens. Then I realized that if it happens, regardless of where you are, you are supposed to keep your wit at all times. Presence of mind is the most important defense that you’ll have in case of natural disasters and not for earthquakes alone.

Here is some of what I should do if an earthquake happens in my house, workplace or just outside of my comfort zone.

1. Don’t panic!

2. Fall down to the ground. Cover yourself under a strong table, chair or any pieces of furniture made of strong materials.

3. Cover your head and face with your arms and squat or bend down in one corner of the edifice.
4. Stay away from things that could break or fall in your head like lighting fixtures, windows and walls.
5. Diminish your movement until the quaking has stopped.

6. Say a little prayer or whistle a happy song. It helps ease your nervousness.

7. Do not use the elevator when exiting from the building.

Earthquake can happen any time. Prepare yourself for the worst when it happens. Courage is undermined when you are unprepared.

NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE VERSUS ARNEL PINEDA

The controversy arose from the wrongful rendition of Journey’s front man, Arnel Pineda, of the Philippine National Anthem during the fight of Manny Pacquiao against Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington , Texas on March 13, 2010. The spokesperson of the NHI claimed that Arnel Pineda sung the national anthem differently from the established beat and sound that it’s supposed to have been sung. Some artists who previously sung the same song in some of the previous fights of Manny Pacquiao came to Arnel Pineda’s defense. They said that it was not their intention to rewrite the rhythm and sound of the national anthem. What is important is that they sung it straight from their heart and with conviction.

As an ordinary citizen, I would say that NHI was just over reacting on the issue. When we were in school I don’t remember singing the national anthem in a marching beat. It was usually melancholic and slow. I agree with some of the stars that it is not how you sing it but what you felt when you were singing it. If it is their concern that the national anthem be sung based on its original beat and hymn, they should have sent someone who is trained to do that to sing in the fight. They give utmost importance to the correct execution of the song but they failed to do their part in doing so. This is just a media publicity for the NHI which does not reflect very well on the agency.

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CONTAINER VAN AND PUV COLLISION IN BACOOR, CAVITE

Earlier this morning, on my way home from work, I witnessed the collision of a container van to a passenger jeepney along Aguinaldo Highway just in front of SM City Bacoor. It created a huge and long early morning traffic. The van hit the jeepney on its side near its tail. Vehicles going to Manila were stuck in traffic. The van almost occupied three-fourths of the street giving little access for motorists. The driver is suspected to have been drunk while driving. The jeepney has no passengers yet because it just came out of the garage. I was able to take some pictures using my mobile phone when the bus that I was on board passed on the right side of the van.







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