MONDAY—I was about to leave for Hong Kong for an 11 AM flight, when I learned that a tourist bus carrying Hong Kong nationals was being held hostage by former police officer Rolando Mendoza.
That night I was waiting for a table at Tonkichi, World Trade Center when I found out that the hostage taking ended in complete tragedy when tourists were killed along with Mendoza and a bystander.
![Tonkichi]()
TUESDAY—The news was all over Hong Kong TV.
In the Philippines, news anchors don't normally have red streaks on their hair.
![News]()
Not understanding a word, I gathered that this was the ill-fated tourist bus
![News]()
I watched as "The Donald", Chief Executive Tsang led very poignant rites to honor the victims.
![News]()
WEDNESDAY—Dinner at Zuma. A reporter friend brought along a copy of the day's South China Morning Post with a five-page spread on the tragedy.
![The news]()
The paper also mentioned a Facebook page that was quickly filling up with hatred towards the Philippines.
![]()
My heart sank when an architect friend showed a travel advisory from Cathay Pacific that was echoed in other parts of the world. My friend also mentioned seeing Kris Aquino on Hong Kong TV getting her makeup done while the hostage-taking was going on. (Just saying!)
![Cathay Pacific advisory]()
THURSDAY—While waiting for the ferry to take me to from Harbour City to Central, passengers watched as bodies of the victims arrived back on Hong Kong soil.
![Watching the news]()
FRIDAY—Time to go home. At the airport, tabloid covers were all about the killings.
![IMG_2821]()
This woman lost her family.
![IMG_2820]()
Really, just say goodbye to Philippine tourism.
![IMG_2819]()
Finally, here's an animated reenactment of what happened inside the bus as reported by Apple Daily, which has a circulation (both online and on print) of 1,633,000.
As a nation, we are all going to feel the repercussions of this event, including the still unresolved Maguindanao massacre. No thanks to our screwed up government.
WARNING: This is too painful to watch.
P.S. A lot of people have been asking me if it's safe to go to Hong Kong. I would say yes, but speak English at all times. A sales assistant who walked me from Cabane de Zucca to Frapbois asked me if I am Thai. Sadly, I heard myself say "yes," as many friends had been texting me to deny my nationality.
But the mood is generally peaceful I would say. The big sale is almost over, except for a really small number of stores. The new collections are already in and mostly winter. Bring an umbrella and keep a low profile always. Keep a rosary in your pocket.
That night I was waiting for a table at Tonkichi, World Trade Center when I found out that the hostage taking ended in complete tragedy when tourists were killed along with Mendoza and a bystander.
TUESDAY—The news was all over Hong Kong TV.
In the Philippines, news anchors don't normally have red streaks on their hair.
Not understanding a word, I gathered that this was the ill-fated tourist bus
I watched as "The Donald", Chief Executive Tsang led very poignant rites to honor the victims.
WEDNESDAY—Dinner at Zuma. A reporter friend brought along a copy of the day's South China Morning Post with a five-page spread on the tragedy.
The paper also mentioned a Facebook page that was quickly filling up with hatred towards the Philippines.
My heart sank when an architect friend showed a travel advisory from Cathay Pacific that was echoed in other parts of the world. My friend also mentioned seeing Kris Aquino on Hong Kong TV getting her makeup done while the hostage-taking was going on. (Just saying!)
THURSDAY—While waiting for the ferry to take me to from Harbour City to Central, passengers watched as bodies of the victims arrived back on Hong Kong soil.
FRIDAY—Time to go home. At the airport, tabloid covers were all about the killings.
This woman lost her family.
Really, just say goodbye to Philippine tourism.
Finally, here's an animated reenactment of what happened inside the bus as reported by Apple Daily, which has a circulation (both online and on print) of 1,633,000.
As a nation, we are all going to feel the repercussions of this event, including the still unresolved Maguindanao massacre. No thanks to our screwed up government.
WARNING: This is too painful to watch.
P.S. A lot of people have been asking me if it's safe to go to Hong Kong. I would say yes, but speak English at all times. A sales assistant who walked me from Cabane de Zucca to Frapbois asked me if I am Thai. Sadly, I heard myself say "yes," as many friends had been texting me to deny my nationality.
But the mood is generally peaceful I would say. The big sale is almost over, except for a really small number of stores. The new collections are already in and mostly winter. Bring an umbrella and keep a low profile always. Keep a rosary in your pocket.