Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas in the UAE

This is my 6th year of spending Christmas in the UAE.

I always have this vision in my head that spending Christmas back home will definitely make me feel homesick and I will eventually find it hard to bring myself back here in the UAE to work. So to avoid that feeling, I always end up deciding not to go home.

It is not so bad really.

I mean, the malls now have Christmas trees, Santa Claus (even the elves!) and the whole shebang. I guess this is a way to thank the expatriates who have made their country where it is now. A nice gesture indeed... I am not sure if they were the first Gulf country to do it but to welcome other people's beliefs and traditions (especially) can be a big step.

The government and the leaders in this country are trying to make the tourists including the expatriates feel 'at home'. Indeed, for some (like me), the UAE has become our second home - a country hopeful that big things come in small packages :)

Merry Christmas everybody!!

Friday, December 17, 2010

What the NBI can learn from watching CSI TV Shows

This week have been mixed emotions for the people in the Philippines who have supported either the Webbs or the Vizcondes. 

Last Tuesday, Hubert Webb and 6 others were acquitted for the murder of the Vizconde family. I first saw the breaking news in my Twitter account and had to stop for a while. The news actually brought chills in me. 

This murder trial has caused a lot of anguish to all the parties involved. 

Hubert Webb, Antonio “Tony Boy” Lejano, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada and Pyke Fernandez were robbed of the chance to chase their dreams. They were just starting to get to know the real world when they have been convicted. 

The families of the accused, most especially the parents, were shattered because instead of seeing their sons climb the corporate ladder or serve the people, they have to endure the visiting hours in prison so they can get a glimpse of them, talk to them and hold them. 

For Mr. Lauro Vizconde who lost his chance to see his daughters earn their degree, get married and have kids. To hold his wife for the longest time and spend the rest of their lives together. 

With the latest development on the case, the accused were freed. Tears were exchanged - some because of bitterness on the way things have turned out and for others, joy because for the first time in 10 years, they will get to spend Christmas and New Year with their family member. 

***

I feel sorry for Mr. Vizconde because probably as he was picking up the pieces again in his life with the support of his extended family and then someone suddenly breaks the pieced mirror when he learned that the accused are now free men and him? Still without a family. 

***

According to reports, since the evidence is already tampered and the star witness has gone hiding, chances on retrieving information that could lead to the real killers will be futile. I really hope that the NBI tries to at least get some ideas on how the CSI tv shows do their crime lab investigation. True enough, we do not have the equipment because probably, we do not have the budget but that is no excuse. We should at least try and be at par with investigative equipment that can aid us in solving a crime. 

In Philstar's news report, Vizconde suspects can still be charged in 6 months however once the case reached its 20th year, reopening of the case cannot be done as per the law.  

*** 

For Hubert and the rest of the 6 acquitted, I hope that they will be able to return to their normal life or at least adapt to our fast-paced world. 

A lot of things have changed. 

Internet was not a popular commodity during that time and so is the iPad and the rest of the Apple family. 

***

Saturday, December 11, 2010

I just cannot believe!

How busy I was?

I have not updated my blog for the longest time! Imagine about two holidays have already passed and I still have the Eid Mubarak post as my welcome blog! Eeekkk!!

A lot of things have happened over the past few months.


  • The Blackberry RIM service was not suspended which was a relief to all BB users
  • The iPhone 4 was a hit when it was launched with Etisalat and Du going gaga over the sales (which eventually led to the acceptable price of the gadget... hint: some retailers would really go out of their way to mark the price up for almost 100%)
  • Seeing that the Blackberry is still in demand through the young and old alike, Etisalat has made a special offer for their BB-wannabes. More selling happened. 
  • Eid Al Adha was a hit. A lot of people were so happy that it fell on a weekend. 
  • Because of the much-needed break provided during Eid Al Adha, people forgot that there was still another reason to celebrate - Islamic New Year. Another nice long weekend happening here in the UAE though not everybody was given the opportunity to do so but a break is always welcomed.
On other news...

  • The Philippines have been busy pestering the President with his love life that he is now love-less (Thanks to the Press)
  • James Yap and Kris Aquino are now friends
  • The Morong 43 are now freed (as per the president but then again, the judge handling the case has the final say)
  • Wikileaks founder is now in Europe waiting... because they do not know what to charge him but as per the latest update there was a sexual case against the Wikileaks founder
  • The unexpected engagement between Kate Middleton and Prince William
  • More news about what Kate will wear on the wedding

I don't think I have covered it all but I am pretty sure I was able to highlight the important stuff that has happened over the past months (I still cannot believe I have not blogged - what happen to me?!)

from http://www.sgfl.org.uk/englishandliteracy/primary/guidedwriting