"The world suffers a lot. Not because of the violence of bad people, But because of the silence of good people!" - Napoleon

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Wednesday, April 15, 2015

COURT FINDS JANET NAPOLES GUILTY OF ILLEGAL DETENTION


After a year of closely watching the outcome of what Anonymous revealed via this blog and other social sites, we score a win against the menace called Janet Lim Napoles. This is the sort of news that Filipinos wish to read on a daily basis.

 

Makati Trial Court Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda sentenced Janet Lim Napoles to twenty years and a day up to 40 days in prison, or reclusion perpetua, for the illegal detention of Benhur Luy from December 19, 2012 to March 22, 2013. Napoles was also ordered to pay Luy the amount of P50,000 in moral damages and P50,000 in civil damages. 


Alameda said in his decision that the prosecution was able to establish that Luy was illegally detained for three months. The judge said Napoles did not testify but only submitted a memorandum arguing that the only evidence or act where the prosecution established her participation in the crime was when she uttered “ikulong na yan, ikulong na yan (Detain him, detain him)” last Dec. 19, 2012.

“The discourse of Janet in her memorandum cannot be given any evidentiary value because she did not testify. Her arguments were not established by direct testimony. Her failure to testify prevented the prosecution from examining her to test her credibility,” Alameda added.

The judge also said that while Luy was in detention, Napoles had “ample opportunity” to order his release but she never did.

“Clearly, she willingly agreed to be part of the conspiracy with her brother Jojo. Her inaction can be construed as assent to their evil deeds,” the decision further read.

Luy is now the key witness in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam allegedly masterminded by Napoles.

Napoles, who earlier refused to enter a plea regarding the serious detention charges against her, is now detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. The court ordered her transfer to the Women's Correctional facility in Mandaluyong City.

Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Monday, February 17, 2014

MGA EKSENANG VALENTINE'S DAY




I. Nagwawala, Nawawala


Dahil Valentine's Day, kailangang mag-date din kami nina Tatty, Tanya, at Thirdy. Parang mali ang desisyon namin na lumabas nang alas-sais na ng gabi. Grabe ang trapik! Buwis-buhay! Kumbakit ba naman kasi nagkasabay-sabay ang Friday, Valentine's Day, at araw ng sweldo? Eh di inabot kami ng halos isang oras hanggang Market!Market! Ang dating 90 pesos na taxi fare, naging 150 ata. So the date must go on. Para mas sweet, sa Metro Supermarket kami nag-date. Ang saya! tulak-tulak ng push cart, abot-abot lang ng diaper, shampoo, sabon.. pili-pili ng rice, ng chicken cuts... saway-saway din ng maliliit na daliri na inaabot ang di dapat inaabot.. Kakaibang Valentine's Day namin ni Tatty in 20 years!

Bandang alas-nuwebe na ng gabi nong nakalabas kami ng mall. Andaming may bitbit na roses and teddy bears. Pero mas natuwa ako sa magdyowa na ito. Yakap ni girl ang teddy bear na may ribbong pula at isang bouquet ng red roses, yong long stem. Naka-mini skirt si girl. Malaki na ang tiyan.

So diretso kami sa Taxi Bay sa may Fruit Stand. Approaching pa lang kami nang marinig ko ang malakas na boses. 

Isang lalaki ang nagsisisigaw. Nagwawala si kuya. Inaaway ang asawa. Sus ginoo. Eskadalo ang eksena. Dedma naman ang mga nasa pila. Kunyari walang naririnig, walang nakikita. Ako naman, hindi pwedeng di ko alam ang nagaganap sa paligid ko. Malay ko ba kung may safety and security hazard pala, di ba? Joke.. likas na uzi lang talaga ako ;)) So bumili ako ng fruit mix, sabay tanong sa tindera: "Anong nangyari? Bakit nagsisisigaw yong mama?" Nasa pila na pala ng taxi ang mag-asawa saka nila narealize na di na nila kasama ang anak nila. In short, nawawala ang anak nila. Sa sobrang excitement ata nila ni misis, nalimutan nilang may kasama silang anak. Etong si kuya, nakiusap sa tinderang kausap ko na makikicharge ng cp. Dahil bawal daw, hindi sya pinayagan ni tindera. Lalong nagalit si kuya. Umalis sila sa pila makaraang nagsisisigaw sya.

Moral of the story: Wag feeling dalaga't binata ha. Di porke Valentine's Day, dedma na ang mga anak. Bumili din ng power pack. Sana lang nakita nila ang anak nila sa dami ng tao kagabi. 

II. Ayaw Mo Na, Gusto Ko Pa


Mag-aalas diyes y media na. Nakatayo lang ako, nakakapit sa push cart. Sina Tanya at Thirdy, nasa may kaliwa ko, nakaupo sa monobloc chairs, kumakain ng cheese bread. Nagkukulitan as usual.

Isang babae at dalawang lalaki naman ang tumigil sa tapat naming mag-iina habang ang Tatty namin ay nakapila sa taxi bay. Nagbubulungan sila. Si Boy 1, hawak ang cp, nakahalukipkip. Medyo chubby si Boy 1, chinito. Si Girl, simple lang. Walang make-up. Naka-maong at white shirt. Para siyang naiinis kasi maya't maya ang pagdadabog. Hila nang hila sa strap ng backpack nya. Si Boy 2 naman medyo payat. Naka-red and black checkered polo, maong, at bull cap. May hawak na malaking stuffed toy. As in malaki, yong halos tag 1 thou plus sa Blue Magic. May bitbit din syang isang malaking supot na mukang regalo din ang laman kasi nakalitaw ang ribbon ng kahon sa loob. Lumayo kunti si Girl, sumunod si Boy 2. Bulong nang bulong si Boy 2 kay Girl. Di ko na sana sila papansinin kung hindi dahil sa mga narinig ko.

Si Boy 1, may tinawagan sa cellphone. Anlakas ng boses. Halatang ipinaparinig sa iba ang sinasabi nya.

"Attorney, si Alex ito. Si Alex. Oo, number ko to. Ano bang parusa sa bullying, cyberbullying, at harassment? Kasi itong kasama kong girl, hinaharass ng dating officemate namin. Pati ako tinatakot. Sisiraan daw ako sa opisina at magpopost daw sya ng kung ano ano sa facebook ko. Eto o, sunod nang sunod sa amin. Tinatakot kami. Oo, andito kasama namin. Kung ano anong sinasabi."

Saka ko nilingon si Boy 2. Nakatingin sya kay Boy 1. Medyo umatras sya at naupo sa may likuran nina Tanya at Thirdy. Yakap nya ang teddy bear. Nakatingin pa din kay Boy 1 na tuloy-tuloy sa pakikipag-usap sa phone. Inispeaker phone na ni Boy 1 pero di ko marinig ang kausap nya kasi maingay ang paligid. Tiningnan ko ulit si Boy 2. Matalim lalo ang tingin kay Boy 1. Flashing red na ang panic button ko. Full alert na ang ina. 

"Di kami tinatantanan attorney eh. Anong gagawin ko?.... Okay.So hayaan ko lang attorney tapos gagawa na lang kami ng affidavit?.... Affidavit... Sige. Sa Monday na lang attorney... Okay sige ganun na lang. Thank you attorney. Attorney, tumawag ako sa yo ngayon ha, February 14, 10:30 ng gabi... Sige po Attorney." Then ibinulsa na nya ang cp.

Ang talim ng titig ni Boy 2 kina Boy 1 at Girl. Ibinababa nya sa tabi nya ang supot ng regalo. Kinabahan ako lalo. Inaabangan kong may ilalabas syang kung ano. Parang nakini-kinita ko na ang posibleng mangyayari. Kinabahan ako. Sinenyasan ko si Tatty na lumapit pero dedma. Mahalaga ang pila nya, mukang di maiwanan.

Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang kamay ng mga anak ko. Kunyari galit-galitan ako kina Tanya. Hinila ko sila palayo kay Boy 2. Medyo nakayuko ako kasi mababa ang mga inaakay ko.

"Halika nga kayo dito, ang lilikot nyo ha. Sabi ko tama na ang likot eh..."

Dalawang hakbang lang nakalayo kami kay Boy 1. Pagtapat ko kay Boy 1, nagsalita ako nang pasimple, mahina lang.

"Hindi naman itsurang manghohostage yang kasama nyo ano? Natetensyon ako. Anliliit nitong mga anak ko, mamya hablutin na lang nya. Pakilayo nyo na lang dito."

"Sorry Ate, stalker kasi nito eh." Sabay turo kay Girl. "Ex-bf nya. Kanina pa kami sinusundan." 

"Sabi ko na sa yo, patulong na tayo sa guard. Wala namang pulis dito," sabi nya kay Girl. Si Girl lalong napasimangot.

"Sige Ate, pasensya po talaga." Tumango lang ako. "Sabi sa yo eh!" Sabay hila kay Girl. Si Boy 1, nilingon ko, sa guard nakatingin. At naglakad na sina Boy 1 at Girl palayo, sa direksyon ng Seattle's Best. Biglang tayo si Boy 2 at sumunod agad sa dalawa. Nagmamadali ang dalawa na makalayo pero parang langaw na nakabuntot si Boy 2. Saka pa lang ako nakahinga nang maluwag nong di ko na sila nakita. 

Moral lesson: Kung ayaw na ng girl, wag nang mangulit. Tanggapin na lang na your time is up. Wag na din bibili ng mamahaling regalo kasi di na din naman oobra yan. Sayang lang. Hindi lahat ng bagay dapat pang ipaglaban. Magsave din ng number ng pulis sa cellphone in case of emergency. 

Araw talaga ng mga puso kahapon- ng mga pusong nagmamahal, ng mga pusong natutuliro, ng mga pusong naghahangad na mahalin muli kesehodang isumbong pa sa attorney.





Sunday, February 16, 2014

ATTY. FORTUN THE SPOKESMAN GIVES UP ON CEDRIC LEE

Attorney Raymond Fortun, the embattled spokesman of Cedric Lee, has resigned after almost two weeks of defending his client in trimedia. He cited two reasons why he gave up on Cedric Lee: 1) Filipinos are not yet ready to accept some legal concepts as shown by their inability to "temper their emotions". He blamed this on the "inaccurate reportage and the unprofessional actions of certain law enforcement agencies" and 2) Cedric's breach of their agreement that only Atty. Fortun will speak to the media. 


Below is the transcript of his resignation letter.  





Dear Cedric,

I had been engaged as your spokesman with the objective of being the media’s contact person in all legal as well as factual issues as may be consistent with the thrust of your legal counsels. In this regard, I had faithfully complied with this mandate for the past 12 days, even at peril to my own reputation as a lawyer.

Together with this mandate was an agreement that no statements shall by (sic) anybody from your group without the consent/approval of your counsels and/or spokesman. This has been breached last night.

My personal desire to help you notwithstanding the adverse publicity that you have been receiving is precisely to educate the public on the need to temper their emotions in light of your Constitutional rights to due process, to counsel of your choice, to present a valid and lawful defense, and to confront your accusers in the proper legal setting.

The past several days had made me realize that this country is NOT YET READY to accept these legal concepts, to which I squarely lay the blame on inaccurate reportage and the unprofessional actions of certain law enforcement agencies. That being the case and for the earlier reason mentioned, and in light of my inability to perform the functions for which I was hired, I regret that I must resign as your spokesman effective immediately.

Nonetheless, and in light of the lessons I have learned during my short stint as your spokesman, I will henceforth be devoting some of my time to: (i) ask congressmen to enact legislation so that ALL PERSONS who MAY be facing criminal prosecution be duly informed of their rights (e.g. to remain silent, to the presence of a lawyer etc.) before they are interviewed by TV networks. People accused of crimes also have rights which need to be protected against media frenzy and unfair pre-judgments; and (ii) ask the Supreme Court to resolve the issues in respect of the Constitutionality of the Anti-Cybercrime Law, in order to address the matter of cyber-libels against Filipino citizens. People do have the right to express their opinions about issues, but such freedom does not grant a license to bully, hurl invectives or otherwise destroy one’s reputation without factual basis.

I wish you all the best in your case, and may justice prevail.

Very truly yours,

Raymond Fortun

First point, on the reasons that led to his resignation. If Cedric Lee did not breach their agreement as spokesman-client last night, I don't think Atty. Fortun will resign despite his observation that the public is adverse towards Cedric. In my humble opinion, Cedric, who lacks self-restraint, broke their agreement and Atty. Fortun was displeased so he resigned. To blame the public is too much.

In the first place, he decided to accept Cedric as a client when a psychologist was interviewed on tv and interpreted the body language of Cedric. It was not the public's attitude that made him take on the job of a spokesperson. It was, according to him, that "Buzz ng Bayan" segment that made him side with Cedric.

Second point, on this part of his resignation letter: "My personal desire to help you ... is precisely to educate the public on the need to temper their emotions in light of your Constitutional rights to due process, to counsel of your choice, to present a valid and lawful defense, and to confront your accusers in the proper legal setting."  

In my humble opinion, Atty. Fortun has been educating the public on matters of the law, even without serving as the spokesman of some accused persons. Remember his lengthy explanation of Manny Pacquiao's tax problem? We were educated on taxation and on the liabilities of Manny Pacquiao. Many of us understood the case because Attorney Fortun, the lawyer-teacher, not Manny's spokesperson, enlightened us. So I think the good attorney need no further rationalization- that he wanted to help Cedric "to educate the public on the need to temper their emotions". It is simple. Cedric needed his services and he willingly obliged. 

Incidentally, who remembers Atty. Fortun's statement on the kissing scene at the elevator? He said that Cedric and Deniece are not an item. They were not mag-syota. Unfortunately, the public and the attorney have differing opinion. Isn't it that some Filipinos can tell who are mag-syota and who are not sans law degree? His defense of Cedric's kiss was even construed as an attempt to mislead the public. If his explanation was an attempt to educate the public, then he failed as a teacher.

Third and last point, on this part of his statement: "The past several days had made me realize that this country is NOT YET READY to accept these legal concepts, to which I squarely lay the blame on inaccurate reportage and the unprofessional actions of certain law enforcement agencies."

Too late a realization. Didn't he realize this when he defended Erap during the impeachment trial many years ago which led to EDSA Revolution v.2? 

I hope Atty. Fortun will push through with his post-Cedric plans. I agree with Atty. Fortun that "People do have the right to express their opinions about issues, but such freedom does not grant a license to bully, hurl invectives or otherwise destroy one’s reputation without factual basis." I know that even Atty. Fortun was not spared from cyberbullying since he took on the role of Cedric's spokesman. There are many more victims of cyberbullying out there so this is important for everyone. 

So how will Atty. Fortun's resignation affect Cedric? This case has become even more interesting. Or less interesting? What do you think?


Thursday, February 6, 2014

THE TIPPING POINT: ATTY. RAYMOND FORTUN IS DEFENSE COUNSEL OF CEDRIC LEE




The Cedric Lee-Deniece Cornejo-Vhong Navarro saga continues. The case is widely discussed in social networks and judgments are already dispensed via Twitter and Facebook even before the cases are filed in the proper court.

When news about the mauling of Vhong Navarro trickled in, Atty. Raymond Fortun, Erap's counsel during his impeachment, pitched in his opinions via his Facebook account. It was clear from the very start that he was not buying the extortion case against Cedric Lee. He thinks that there is no extortion. He explained his opinion and not a few were clarified on his views.

Atty. Fortun's early morning post today is a breaking news. He just formalized what I have been expecting and waiting to read:

Here is Atty. Fortun's post, reposted. 

"A "tipping point" is the point at which an issue, idea, product, etc., crosses a certain threshhold and gains significant momentum, triggered by some minor factor or change. My life is somewhat an open book to people in my social circle in Facebook. I have not been afraid to speak my mind out on issues that have a public/social dimension. And i have not been wary of talking about a current raging controversy involving a TV/movie personality and a supposed "bad boy". My opinions and comments are ALL a matter of public record. What "broke the camel's back" for me to lean towards the "bad boy" was the episode in The Buzz where a supposed expert in human behaviour analysed the supposed body language of Bad Boy during his one and only interview. As my wife Carole Fortun and i were watching the explanation, i could not help but blurt out, "This is b******t! So if one tilts his head to one side, that is already indicative of lying? If one looks to the side, that means CL was asking for confirmation from somebody else? B******t!" That "The Buzz" episode made me realise how a powerful media entity can use its unlimited resources in order to sway public opinion to demonize a person. This, as a lawyer dedicated to bring out the truth, I cannot accept. I love the underdog. I never rooted for Michael Jordan because he was too good. I never cheered for Jaworski either, because everybody seemed to root for Ginebra. I enjoy the good fight, and i relish handling the toughest cases. Because of what this powerful media network and the NBI have done way beyond their respective duties to the public, Cedric Lee is, in my eyes, an underdog. Justice must be served, but it must not be in accordance with the conductor's beat of someone along Panay Avenue. So i contribute my voice into this dispute NOT TO TWIST THE TRUTH but to make sense of the madness. And i apologise to all of you if you think that i have let you down. At the end of the day, i concede that i cannot please everyone, but my only comfort is that i can face my Maker with a straight face and tell Him that i had done my duty to Him and to my profession."

 He narrated further:

Raymond Fortun It is b******t and yet this media outfit featured it. Sabi ko kay Carole, "I would LOVE to cross-examine this doctor and make her opinions look so stupid."

That very night, CL called me and asked for my help. Fate.

His Facebook followers were divided in opinion. Some were supportive.

Cherrie Villacorte-Palino I happen to watch it too.. just by actions nadedetect nung doctor na yun kung nagsisinungaling yung tao. Pati rotation ng eye parang pag to the left umikot mata mo nagsisinungaling na agad.. eh pano kung mannerism na yun.. medyo di ako naniwala sa part na yun

Claire Hazel Juco Very well said Atty. Raymond Fortun

Aaron Paul Interior swerte ni Cedric...

Jonathan B. Jimenez Hmmmm, im still divided on whats the truth. Truth shall prevail. Pag may katwiran, ipaglaban mo.

Elijah Dindo Ortiz atty ang importante ang prinsipyo nio, bilib ako sa inio at pinaglalaban nio yan

Tina C. Villalobos If you a have a money to pay atty. Fortun why not? A Lawyer is always a Lawyer...it depends who are their clients

Some were disappointed.

Honey Gee Carr CL is not credible (sira integrity niya with all his adulterous relationships) and is certainly not an underdog. He has the right to choose the best atty to defend him. Wala naman lusot Kay Jesus. Makalusot man sa court, God knows the truth. Mas nakakatakot yun.

Sandra Suarez Haha....The first underdog I've heard of with moves around with bodyguards, no less PNP escorts....the good thing about this? Your client, Cedric Lee is now facing the courts, not only through the eyes of some judge but the entire nation...this will somehow stop him from pushing his weight around...lessons come from every misfortune...good for him he found a fortun! Let me share this. In a tombstone of some lawyer it said: Here lies a lawyer who lies still! Good luck Atty. Fortun...we all know you are one of the best...just proved Cedric is no underdog after all.

Joberlie Eran im still for vhong.. I will stick to this principle "no one is above the law and no one is above God." if ma abswelto yang cedric na yan surely they will do it again...

JAy JAy Pama a billionaire underdog huh? with a history of committing adultery an underdog that can afford police escort abugado ka nga sir
Aldo Receno Yuson Kung trabaho ng abogado mag-defend, and I agree 100%, mag-defend na lang siya. Wag na subukan i-salvage ang dignidad by posting statuses like this that reeks of guilt and the need for public approval.

To those who questioned the "underdog" label, this is Atty. Fortun's explanation:
Raymond Fortun Susan Vecina Santos please read my comment again. My "underdog" comment is NOT about the merits of the case, but how this media entity has gone overboard in demonizing the person. Kung nambugbog sya, then let justice be meted out to him. But it is totally unfair to bring out a so-called "behaviour expert" and say that the person is a liar simply because he tilts his head one way.

To those who were disappointed, Atty. Fortun has this to say:

Raymond Fortun Aldo Receno Yuson I am not asking for public approval sir. But I have friends who will ask why (they have already done so thru text) and FB is the most convenient way. As I said, I do not expect you or other people to believe me, simply because you do not know me personally. For the same reason, I respect your opinion about me and will not make any effort to change your mind. 

It is indeed a not-too popular decision but everyone deserves to be represented by a counsel of his choice in the court of law. 

Some honest-to-goodness questions I want to ask Atty. Fortun: 
Have you watched the CCTV footage? Is not the video contradictory to what Cedric narrated in his first tv interview? 
Why base your decision to defend Cedric on a psychiatrist's opinion and why not give more weight on the CCTV footage that is more "factual" if you are after the truth? 
Are you convinced that Deniece Cornejo was raped? 
Do you really think it's "fate" that brought CL to you? or was it Facebook since you were so vocal with your opinions from the start that your doubt the extortion angle and someone might have tipped Cedric to call you? 
The opinion of the psychiatrist that you want to cross-examine is not that important to the case since Cedric has admitted that he and his friends mauled Vhong. How would you defend someone who has already confessed to the crime?  

Do you support Atty. Fortun's decision? Tell us in the comments section below.

 This case has become even more interesting.

UPDATE:

Atty. Raymond Fortun has clarified that he is not one of the lawyers of Cedric Lee. He is Lee's spokesman. (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/02/08/14/fortun-lee-spokesman-not-lawyer)


Monday, February 3, 2014

CONFRONTATION WITH THE DEAD



When I boarded Cebu Pacific for Cebu last March 28, I carried with me 5 pairs of pants and blouse, 1 dozen undies, 3 pairs of shoes, and 30 years of necrophobia. I was going to attend a Forensic Chemistry training at FILE Academy of Dr. Artemio I. Panganiban, the 10-year President of PCAP. I was not worried about the Chemistry part of the training. What I cannot get over with was the image of the cadaver in the FILE Academy brochure that was enclosed in the letter of invitation.

The training went well until The Day came. We shall be going to the Rolling Hills Funeral Parlor somewhere in Mandaue City. There was this European tourist who allegedly fell off the rooftop of his hotel. The doctor would be happy to have with him some 20 observers while he did the autopsy. This is it! I have to face The Dead once and for all. Tatty's "go go go go hon!" was more than enough to make me ride the van along with the rest. I didn't know whether I was all alone in my agony. All I know was that they all appeared relaxed and composed. 

Well, we lost our way for half an hour. When we finally found the funeral parlor, we were almost an hour late. The doctor was waiting in the embalming room. To reach it, we have to pass through a row of white coffins. I slowed down and asked the old man who was sharpening a knife, "Manong, may laman ba ang mga yan?" Can you imagine the reaction of the old Cebuano? He paused and stared at me, his knife in his right hand. Maybe he did not know what I was talking about but he just said "Diretso lang!". 


The hairs in my nape and arms stood in attention as I passed along the white coffins. Aha, there's the room with the hospital-green curtain. I pushed the glass door and I was immediately welcomed by the familiar smell of Zoo 113 lab in UPLB. The good doctor was standing in a grand pose, holding his pen and inspecting the stretched Dead in the table, doing the post-mortem.

Where was I?



I took small, slow steps towards where the action was. My eyes were fixed to the Man on the Table. My heart took an unusual calmed beating. My diaphragm was rhythmically ascending and descending. From my vantage position, I could see that The Dead was naked with only a frayed hand towel covering his genitalia. I could see the scalp of The Dead. I could see his pale skin. I could very well see every nail in his toes. His graying, flattened abdomen. The bruises with dried blood on his forehead. The deep cut in his left heel. But not his face. I didn't want to see his face. I want to have a good sleep every night.



When the doctor ordered his assistant to turn The Dead on his right side, I was caught off-guard. I nearly panicked when I saw his eyes. I was jolted back to my necrophobic senses. It was a human! I took one then two then three paces backwards away from where the action was. I was ready to flee! The small voice inside my head was shouting: "Don't you turn around and run! You'll be back to zero! You're here! Just Face The Dead!!!" I faced The Dead. I stayed.



The doctor ordered the finale, the Autopsy. Dissection time. What a sharp knife! One slice and everything came into full view. I saw Everything that I didn't want to see. I was hypnotized... The bone saw was equally sharp. The inside of the human body was revealed to everyone in the room. I promised the pigs and the cows that I won't eat members of their tribes anymore out of respect. And because I don't easily forget. 

The doctor chattered away. Cameras clicked and captured every angle, every slice, every part of the human anatomy. Then it's over.

The Dead who haunted me for 35 years was left open in the table. He did not look exactly like the man whose picture graced the front page of a Cebu tabloid the following day. He was not a person, he was a cadaver. A helpless cadaver.

I was silent all the way back to FILE Academy. Ganun pala yon... Ganun LANG pala yon.



I was afraid of the dead for a long time! Necrophobia controlled my life. It even shrunk Papa's dream of having a daughter in his family. If I had only conquered my fear at once, I could have been somebody else.

One thing that was imprinted in my photographic memory was this: Death is so mean. An autopsy kills a person for the second time around for the sake of knowing why and how the first death happened.

texted Tatty: "Hon, pag namatay ako, wag mo ako ipapaautopsy ha..." He replied, "of course not, maliban na lang kung pinatay ka." Ewww....