Makati Standoff; Trillanes has no balls

Mutineer-turned-senator Antonio Trillanes and former Army Scout Ranger chief Gen. Danilo Lim led a band of armed Magdalo rebels in occupying posh Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati, in a takeover eerily similar to the unsuccessful Oakwood Mutiny in 2003.

Trillanes and Lim, along with a dozen more soldiers, were being tried for rebellion at the Makati RTC when they walked out in unison. Several civil and church leaders led by Teofisto Guingona and Bishop Julio Labayen joined the march soon after. They traversed Makati Avenue and stormed the side entrance upon reaching the Pen.

They were demanding the ouster or immediate resignation of President GMA.

Chief negotiator and ground commander NCRPO Director Gen. Geary Barias issued a 3pm ultimatum for their surrender before the government takes appropriate action. A defiant Trillanes was heard saying, "Believe me, nothing will happen after three o'clock," while a frightened Bishop Labayen pleaded for for more time.

The 6-hour siege ended when a battalion of elite commandos barged through the main lobby behind a mammoth Simba (an armored personnel carrier) surrounding the rebels. Moments earlier, the Simba strafed the lobby with 50-caliber machinegun fire as the government troops filled the area with tear gas. Trillanes, who earlier swore he'd fight 'til the end, succumbed to the pressure and surrendered to the authorities.

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For a decorated Navyman, I have to say Trillanes is one fucking coward. Twice he could have proved he had balls to back his words and armed uprising, but twice he backed out at the face of death. I swear he (and everyone else involved) were releasing bodily fluids in every possible hole and exit points in their bodies upon seeing the massive military force they were up against. The government had no plans of holding back and decided to go all out. It was a futile mismatch from the get-go.

Still, I would have rather seen Trillanes and company slug it out with guns blazing. Unlike David and Goliath, this underdog had absolutely no chance. At least, if it's any consolation, he would've been true to his ideals as he goes down fighting.

ACL Surgery: 1 year after

It's been exactly one year since I had reconstruction surgery to my ruptured ACL. Initial observations pointed to at least 8-12 months of post-op rehab before I can play at pre-injury level. Lo and behold, 6 months later, I was back at full contact basketball.

I haven't been the best rehab patient. I wasn't that religious in going through my PT sessions. I feel very blessed, though, that I was able to recover and resume playing way ahead of schedule.

God is good.

One IBM at the national townhall

We were at the Silvercity Mall this morning to attend the national IBM Townhall. About 1000-plus of us selected representatives from the four IBM subsidiaries were invited. Gracing the event were top global executives led by IBM Corporation's second-in-command, EVP Nick Donofrio. He spoke about IBM's commitment to global innovation, and shared his compelling insights on how the IBM was able to transform businesses and governments around the world with the aid of technology.

Listening to Nick's impromptu speech made us IBMers proud of our immense contribution to society. Not a lot of companies can brag about that.

IBM leads Filipinnovation

IBM Corporation's numero dos, Nick Donofrio, is in town to launch the country's National Innovation Strategy, with no less than PGMA in attendance. They presented the strategy to the President during the National Innovation Forum held in Shangri-La Hotel Makati. IBM is spearheading this project.

The Philippine National Innovation Strategy covers three major aspects of innovation - human capital, industry and public policy.

IBM, time and time again, proves that it stands at the forefront of global innovation.

EARTHQUAKE!

We just experienced the ground shaking for about a good 10 seconds or so. We're at the 8th floor of a 10-storey building here in Eastwood. It was pretty strong. I was surprised it was pretty much business as usual here. No one seemed to care that much, people were aloof for the most part. I was kinda expecting more serious reactions. I guess people were waiting to see if there'd be an alarm or something, just as what happens during earthquake drills.

Celtic Magic

Ray Allen drills a gamewinning, buzzer-beating trey to give the Boston Celtics an improbable victory over the stunned Charlotte Bobcats, 96-95. The Celtics improve to an NBA-best 11-1 record.

Enjoy.





If you don't like this, you don't like NBA basketball.

Another set of dumb aspiring beauty qeens

I caught the television feed of the Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty pageant last night. Sadly, none of the contestants can speak english. And I don't even mean good english, just plain english. What can I say, this has been the trademark of most local beauty pageants. That said, they should just taken out all the speaking portions.

It must've been a nightmare for the foreigners watching to decipher what the contestants were saying.

Our condolences

We took off for Sucat late this afternoon to drop by the wake of our HRBP teammate's mom. She passed away last Sunday after years of battling cancer. She was 53.

May she rest in peace.

Dunk you very much

UNC All-American Tyler Hansbrough stuffs one over a hapless Iona defender. Enjoy.

Farewell Boss!

The RD folks hosted a despedida for their beloved boss (also my former boss at WFM) last night. It should have been a surprise but I think he had an idea already. After the IBM dinner, some of us trooped to Jay-J's in Ortigas for Roy's farewell treat.

We all wish him the best in his new role with his new company. Break a leg, Boss! Make sure it's not yours though.

Previous Post:
Goodbye and Good luck

Boston is 7-0

The Boston Celtics remain as the lone unbeaten team in the NBA. They sport a flawless 7-and-oh record heading into the fourth week of regular season play. All but one game were blowout victories.

Don't look now but the Celtics are rising fast in most of the NBA rankings. With a few more convincing wins, they will knock the Spurs off the top of the chain.

Kelly's Comeback

My uber-crush Kelly Rutherford (Melrose Place, E-Ring) is back on the tube! She stars in Gossip Girl, a TV teen drama based on a popular novel series of the same name, as socialite Lillian van der Woodsen.

Kelly's hotness is off the charts!

See my prior Kelly post:
E-Ring

I had no internet connection over the weekend because I think my broadband has been temporarily suspended. It's the government who pays for it so maybe they forgot to settle the bills.

I'm in the office now (it's late Sunday night) trying to get some work done. And no, it's not just my fantasy leagues.

Stupid suicide

The Philippines is going gaga over some 11-year-old girl from Davao who committed suicide because of poverty.

I'm absolutely bamboozeld as to why there's such a big fuss. It's plain dumb to take your own life to begin with. Plus there's a bunch of people who die everyday - from accidents to murder to what-have-you and people don't give a fuck. Why the hell should people give a fuck now? Cause it's a poor little girl who hung herself to death?

Please. Get over it and move on.

Former politician cheats death

A former politician was involved in a nasty car accident recently. The van he (his wife and some companions) were riding was bulldozed by a speeding truck at the corner of Pasay Road and Osmeña highway in Makati City. The wife died almost instantaneously. The ex-senator, on the other hand, is in critical condition. He is being treated at Makati Medical Center's ICU.

That's karma working for everyone. He's notoriously known for representing and defending big time criminal elements in court. It's quite a drastic change considering he used to be a human rights activist during the Marcos dictatorship.

Now that he's given a new lease in life, I suggest he cleans up his act. Else, karma will be swooping back in no time.

Juvenile firestarter

A 10-year-old boy started one of the worst (of many) Califiornia wildfires last month by playing with matches. This kid's carelessness led to 3 injuries and destroyed 21 homes in the LA County area. Prosecutors need to decide whether to charge the boy or not.

I say yes. The kid should be liable for his stupidity. His parents should be included in the charges as well.

I can just imagine if I end ip losing pretty much everything due to some dumb kid playing with fire. All hell will break loose.

We learn

I had to make a big decision not too long ago. I felt it was the best decision at that time. Looking back though, I'm not so sure anymore.

People make mistakes. Always. And it happens to the best of us.

We learn.

Post-Halloween observation

I've seen a ton of photos and videos about the recent halloween celebrations/parties here in Manila and overseas. I noticed something eerily similar about all the festivities.

I think it's now an annual affair where women are allowed excused to dress slutty, minus being labeled as whores.

You'll never get enough of the sexy cop, the slutty nurse, the lusty librarian, the hooter girl, the hot flight attendant... The list just goes on and on.

I love halloween.

Gilbert Arenas got punked big time

Not too long ago, Gilbert Arenas aka Agent Zero wrote this on his blog:

So listen here. On November 2nd, we're going to go into that building, we're opening up Boston. Right now I'm telling the Boston fans: You guys are going to lose. It's not going to be a victory for Boston. You might as well just cheer for me, because Boston isn't winning in Boston for the season opener. I'm sorry.

Well, guess what? The Boston Celtics massacred the Washington Wizards earlier today, 103-83. Now, Agent Zero, what's your excuse? What the fuck happened to your guarantee?

I suggest he shuts down his blog soon.

Seriously.

KG beastin' on Zero

UNC is preseason #1

The University of North Carolina Tar Heels are the preseason favorites to win the 2008 US NCAA Men's Basketball crown. They came up ranked first on both national rankings - the ESPN/Coaches and the Associated Press (AP) polls.

They return three starters from last season's Elite Eight team, led by perennial All-American Tyler Hansbrough.

The Heels are back where they belong, on top of college basketball. Can't wait 'til the season begins in a few weeks' time.

Saints they're not

I find it annoying that most people visit their dead relatives on November 1st, which is All Saints' Day. Are they not aware that their dead aren't saints?

Trinity University (NCAA D-III) laterals its way to victory

For those who understand American Football, you gotta check this vid out. Trinity University were down against Millsaps College (22-24) with 2 seconds left. They need to score a miracle touchdown to win.

They did just that.



Crazy stuff.