Letter from a teenager regarding the bloody terror happened since August 23 (and a big thanks to...)

August 23, 2010. This date marks the bloody terror of a hostage taker (a former cop) taking siege on the bus full of Chinese tourists from Hong Kong. Now that Hong Kong issued a travel warning against the Philippines (would other countries follow the same fate as Hong Kong?), most people, local and foreign, would never forget such a bloody terror that sparked a worldwide attention.

Hours after the bloody terror, a Filipino teenager wrote a letter regarding what would the Philippines happen after the incident.

As you are reading this letter, I bet that you have seen/heard about what happened earlier in our country.

Tourists were hostages of a policeman here, Rolando Mendoza. After a few hours of the horrible crime, some of the victims were dead including the hostage-taker.

I wrote this letter not just to apologize but also to let everyone know that we Filipinos are not all like Mendoza. We are loving and good-hearted people.

For so many years, our country has been standing tall and surpassing every dilemma; be it small or big. Years ago (back when I wasn’t born yet), you have watched us fight for what we think is right. We fought for the democracy of our nation.. The EDSA revolution. But that’s just one out of many.

Second. We Filipinos have been serving other countries for our families and we treat you as our own as well. With all due respect, I thank you all for giving us the trust through the years. For helping us to become what we are now.

The Philippines is more than just a group of islands. We are a nation of strong and remarkable people. A country of beauty and love known to be hospitable and well-valued. I humbly apologize for what happened tonight. No one in this world would want something like that to happen for life should be valued.

I politely ask the attention of the world. Please do not judge and mistreat us just because of what happened tonight. I have been searching the net and found terrible things. Hong Kong advices to avoid travels here, China and HK bans Filipinos and that Philippines is the worst place to go.

I can’t blame you for what you have decided but I hope that you could understand. Our country is now in a sea of problems. And I know for sure that we helped you in a way or another. Let peace and understanding reign this time.

I know that this letter will just be trash but I wish that you would understand. On behalf of the Philippine population.. WE ARE SORRY.

As a song puts it…

And I believe that in my life I will see an end to hopelessness, giving-up and suffering. And we all stand together this one time then no one will get left behind. Stand up for life. STAND UP FOR LOVE

Sincerely yours,

Reigno Jose Dilao

Source: http://ph.yfittopostblog.com/2010/08/24/were-not-all-like-mendoza/

Just what he said, we, Filipinos, are not like the ex-cop turned hostage taker, and we are apologizing for the loss. It's not our fault.

Despite all this, on the lighter side, I would like to give thanks to Ms. Philippines, Maria Venus Raj. She was one of the top 5 contestants of the Ms. Universe pageant happened yesterday at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.

Full Scoop: http://www.pep.ph/news/26566/Maria-Venus-Raj-is-fourth-runner-up-in-Miss-Universe-2010;-Mexico-takes-the-crown

Hmm... 4th-runner-up. Not bad. Still, she was one of the top 5, which Ms. Mexico, Jimena Navarrete took the no. 1 spot and henceforth she's the champion.

(Clap...Clap...Clap...)

At least Ms. Philippines made it on the top 5! Hooray!

From a bloody hostage crisis, to a Philippine beauty made it on one of the top 5 candidates, here's to show that in the Philippines, there is beauty outside the battle.