My APEC Experience

Last year, I was at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 every week for my National Service Training Program (NSTP), encoding OFWs’ papers into the POEA’s data systems at their booth. For each of those times, I would always pass by a board with the logo of APEC 2015: Philippines. What did it mean to me back then? I found it exciting that several world leaders would be coming into the country, but felt more eager to see what the Philippines can do as a host country.

Fast forward to Tuesday and Wednesday (November 17 & 18), I found myself among the CEOs and Economic Leaders as a volunteer stationed at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. What a dream come true. 

Terror and Tragedy

"I am Charlie"

May 5, 2013,

Around 7:25P.M.

It was a Sunday. The whole family split ways inside SM Megamall. Dad went on his own way towards the hardware store or the men’s section of the department store. Mom, my brother, and I stayed at Komoro Soba, a Japanese restaurant where we were supposed to meet at for dinner, but Mom needed to go to the restroom, and the restaurant didn’t have one. Placing all our bags and shopping bags on the table, she leaves my brother and me, waiting for our order to arrive. He plays with his phone. I tend to have wandering eyes on the people who pass. 

In a matter of minutes, screams could be heard. Wow, people are really worked up on the sale, huh? Then, people are running, running towards the exit near where we were. Is there a celebrity? Finally, a huge wave of crowds is running in panicked terror. Screams intensify. “May pumuputok! (There’s a shooting!)”, “Takbo! (Run!)”, “Bomba! (Bomb!)”, they yell. 

My brother and I looked at each other with a sudden realization of what was happening. And the sound just seems to drown out from you.