Kat in the Box

POSTED: APRIL 21, 2009 12:53PM I’ve been receiving forwarded emails regarding theories about the Failon tragedy. Others are so weird and out of this world that made me realize how wild some people’s imaginations can be. I no longer feel the need to paste them here so as not to further spread it, nor do I wish to see it in the future. Each of us has our own opinions on this but to spread this in the internet is totally malicious and irresponsible. Why do we have to spread these unfounded and unsolicited opinions? Are we as heartless as the policemen are? If you have opinions, please keep it among yourselves. The family is suffering enough as it is now. Please do not aggravate their agony by coming up with theories and analyzing the situation then sending it to everyone you know. What are these people’s intention in doing these? I pray that they find it in their hearts to sympathize with the family instead. What they need now are prayers, not further pain to add up to their grieving heart. Please spare the family further pain please. Stop being insensitive.

POSTED: APRIL 20, 2009 5:17PM I remember posting this blog during the hype of the suicide of the wife a famous broadcaster. More than the drama, it opened our eyes to the reality of how revenge does not choose when and how to strike. I personally believe there is more to the behaviour of the QCPD than what they are saying... Last Wednesday, everybody was shocked with the news that the wife of a famous broadcaster was shot in the head. Initial speculations came out that it was the broadcaster who shot his wife after a heated argument inside the car. But later, another statement was released that it is the wife who shot herself inside the bathroom of their daughter’s room. For the next 24-hours, everything was getting clearer and confusing at the same time. Clearer, because the family members and household helpers all said that it was indeed suicide, which some people still doubt but I believe. And confusing because the police are acting like this is all a BIG criminal case wherein people are being harassed, forced and arrested! What is going on here?????? Thursday night, the wife died (may she rest in peace). She died almost the very same time that her siblings are being harassed and forced by the police to go with them in the precinct. And for what charges? None. They are just being accused of obstruction of justice because apparently the sister refused to talk to the police. But according to the one of the lawyers, how can there be obstruction of justice if no crime has been proven yet? Right now they are mourning, aggravating and fighting injustice. I pity their family. I followed this story religiously and I am disgusted with how the police and our judgment system are handling this. These people just saw a family member inside the bathroom swimming in her own blood. And the police expect them to act normal, recount all the events in detail, and reenact the incident within 24 hours when it happened? These policemen of ours are either naïve or totally heartless. If you saw a family member in the bathroom swimming in her own blood, would you not, first and foremost, rush her to the hospital? Then how come the QCPD is harassing the family for having done what is the most logical thing to do?? They are arresting the entire household help because they cleaned up the bathroom and the car, knowing and believing that what happened was self-inflicted by the victim?? Isn’t it what one will do especially if there are other members of the family who might be affected gravely if they saw all the blood? I think anyone who has children, or should I say, who has common sense, would’ve done the same. And if you are the relatives of the “victim” why on earth would you defend the killer? The entire family of the wife is at Mr. Failon’s side. If they have, even an inkling that he did it, why would they side him? And why, oh why, do they have to drag people and shove them inside the police car when they are not inviting fighting them???? And what are the charges again?? None. They say they are just inviting them for questioning? Is this how you invite people? By putting handcuffs on them and dragging them??? Disgusting. These people are in the most trying times of their lives. And the police are treating them like criminals! Is this how are justice system is? they kick you so hard when you’re down???? If they can do this to the Failon family, with the media watching every move, I can just imagine how they act on “normal” people. Are these the people who should be protecting our rights?? And yeah, about the creep we call our Justice Secretary, why in the hell would you announce on National TV that you receive an anonymous text message saying that a friend helped Mr. Failon move the dead body from the body to the bathroom in another room? Isn’t that so irresponsible especially coming from a justice secretary? Mr. Failon is not yet charged of anything, thus he is not a suspect. Yet, how come the QCPD and The Chief Justice treat him like one? And isn’t it that line in justice is “Innocent until proven guilty?” How come it is the other way around for Mr. Failon? I’m angry with what I’m seeing. I am angry that injustice and police brutally is very evident in our country. You can see it on TV! Is this something we will get accustomed to just like corruption and politicking? Is this something we will consider “part” of the culture in our country? Is that something we want our children to grow up to? Whatever the outcome of this investigation is, I hope and pray that the police and the public will give the family and Mr. Failon the respect that they deserve. This is probably one of the most painful event in the lives. It does not take a lawyer to know that. I hope that they will be spared with the unfair trial by publicity. This story is not an episode of the CSI. This is real life. The characters are real and has feelings. They have the right to human dignity. Oh, and about the obstruction of justice case, aren’t the policemen supposed to be charged by these for violating a very basic law?????

POSTED: APRIL 2, 2009 12:52PM They say that a lot has change now that we are in the new millennium; that people are more open-minded and racism is not as felt as it used to be. Oh, but the article of Chip Tsao clearly reminds us that discrimination is far from being erased in the world. I’ve heard about this article over the radio and even in the headlines in the internet but never really got interested to reading it until this morning when I was listening to Chico and Delamar. One of their newsbreaks is about the apology of the said writer and that was enough to stir my curiosity. While reading it, I felt this sudden rush of fury! I can’t believe the nerve if this guy! He’s Asian, we are Asian, what makes him think that they are better than us?! How could he brand us “servants” and they “masters”? just because he and his friends have Filipino helpers he already has the right to say that? These people whom he call “servants” works day and night to serve them and do the task that they can’t do! Does he think that threatening to fire his helper if our country tried to fight our way into Spratlys island will show his love for his country? NO. IT WILL ONLY SHOW HOW HALLOW HIS MIND IS. He’s acting like a stupid brat ranting and ranting, and for what, just because of Spratlys islands? This man has some serious mental problem. What’s more appalling is his apology: Tsao said:The servant is a sacred term - a Hong Kong government official is a civil servant - We are all servants to God, right? - I’m now aware that I’ve crossed the line and I offer my public apology” Does he think we are stupid? That we have a problem with our reading comprehension? He can’t get away with that statement of his. It’s clear as water in his article that he thinks that they are higher and more powerful than us and we have no right to fight for what we believe is ours because they provide salaries to our people! The issue here is not who gets to have Spratlys or who has a more prosperous economy. The issue here is Respect for human dignity. And that my friend, is what Chip Tsao doesn’t have. I fully agree with the decision to ban him from entering the country. If he can’t respect us, then he shouldn’t be allowed to step in our land.

POSTED: MARCH 31, 2009 5:20 PM I borrowed this from Ms. Pia Magalona's blogsite. It's for all of us ladies.. I am such an advocate of women's keeping their self-respect that when I came across this, I couldn't wait to post it on my blog as well! Once again, a word to my girls:

• If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.
• If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.
• Stop making excuses for a man and his behaviour.
• Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
• Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to be.
• Slower is better.
• Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.
• If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends".-- A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.
• Don't settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.
• Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.
• The only person you can control in a relationship is you.
• Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?
• Always have your own set of friends separate from his.
• Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you.
• If something bothers you, speak up.
• Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later.
• You cannot change a man's behaviour. Change comes from within.
• Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are... even if he has more education or in a better job.
• Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less.
• Never let a man define who you are.
• Never borrow someone else's man. If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you.
• A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.
• All men are NOT dogs.
• You should not be the one doing all the bending...compromise is two way street.
• You need time to heal between relationships...there is nothing cute about baggage... deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship.
• You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you... a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals... look for someone complimentary...not supplementary.
• Dating is fun... even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right.
• Make him miss you sometimes... when a man always know where you are, and you're always readily available to him - he takes it for granted.
• Never move into his mother's house.
• Never co-sign for a man.
• Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need.
• Keep him in your radar but get to know others.

POSTED: MARCH 27, 2009 5:33PM Me and Heinel’s pretty Ninangs, Elaine and Mollie had dinner at Sizzling Pepper Steak in the newly opened Glorietta 5. Being one of those run of the mill, restaurants, I gave it a 2 stars rating. First of all, the place is really, really small. On my estimate there are only about 4-4 seater tables inside the restaurant. We went there on a Wednesday night with only a few customers and the place is almost filled up. I can just imagine the chaos on a weekend! Their specialty is, as their name goes, Sizzling Pepper Steak which is actually slices of medium well beef, cooked on the spot to this round and hot, you can see and feel the sizzle, plate. Dig this, the plate is so hot that if you don’t flip the beef, it will actually burn! It has rice and paired with their “signature” sauce. I tasted it (thanks Elaine for sharing your meal), and there really is nothing special to it. I tried their Chicken Teriyaki and again, nothing great. Mind you, I was really starved when the food was served and yet, I didn’t find it delicious at al! Another disappointment is the service. It took them a good 20 minutes (or more) before our food was served. One of the reasons why I go out on weekdays is to avoid the queue of orders. And yet it still took time that long to serve the dishes. Haaayyy.. what a disappointment! Instead of dining at Sizzling Pepper Steak, I would suggest you go to Sizzling Plate instead (I think they’re found at almost all SM food courts). You will even save yourselves a couple of Pesos.