I certainly watched this incident you referred to played out on my late night news bulletins here in Sydney Jim concerning this event, and believed the comment made by one of the senior police officials who said simply we were unprepared for such an event. There are very few countries outside the USA who are might I add.
On a different scale certainly, but remotely similar, when the recent stabbing and beating of an Irish national happened at Kings Cross in Sydney, the incident brought with it a mixture of shame, incredulity and sadness, and all the words our officials offered did and could not salve the hurt of parents who had to fly to the other side of the world to collect their son who is now permanently brain damaged from the incident. Sometimes people do some things that defy description, but I liked that we as a city / nation did not beat ourselves up over the stupidity and violence of a few. And neither did Ireland for that matter either.
In my brief experience with the Philippines and Filipinos generally, is that they are a very loving people, very hospitable but even I have noticed with some confusion the apparent ease in which Filipino’s so easily bash themselves in that self-flagellation you referred to. But for me, I can never forget the pride that I witnessed in 1986 that transformed the Philippines into a nation of possibility and pride who was the only nation to have a bloodless Coup. As I said to you at your dinner table one night, I dont know what all the words meant when I first heard Handog but I had tingles when the strength of the song that you wrote reached across language and touched my soul - and might I add still does. Wouldn’t it be nice if that could again be heard and embraced by the masses.
— Just wanted to share a comment from Craig Peihopa, artist, photographer and dear friend in Sydney (via jimparedes)
