Hodgepodge to fill in last six months...

Been a while since I wrote. Anybody miss me?... miss me... miss me... miss me... (the sound of my voice fading into the abyss).

Just a few random thoughts on some things without any thorough analysis although they have been on my mind lately and stopping sleep at the gates.

Firstly, the abduction of Ces Drilon and team by Abu Sayyaff bandits. Could care less. The only thing that pissed me off was ABS-CBN's plea for other media outfits to report on the incident with :consideration, caution and respect for the family members' privacy". Considering the channel's track record of irresponsible reporting and exploiting tragic situations and victims for their own ratings, the request is quite hilarious coming from them.

Anyway, after paying a hefty "board and lodging" fee Ms. Drilon et al. were freed after nine days. Currently the mayor of Indanan, Sulu and his son who helped mediate the negotiations with the captors and the victims' families are being held for their involvement on suspicions that they pocketed the majority of the ransom. $%#$@.

Secondly, the capsizing of the MV Princess of the Stars. As I write, hopefully there are still survivors and people being rescued right now. So far I think only some 30 people have been found alive out of the 800 or so passengers and crew. I could not sleep last night thinking about the disaster. The moments after the call to abandon ship played clearly in my mind. I imagine the panic and the fear as the waves pounded the ship, children crying and the elderly... The ship laid to rest just a couple of hundred meters from the coast of Sibuyan Island. Some bodies have been found on surrounding islands. Relatives await news at the Sulpicio Lines office in Manila.