On 24th of August, this is how the UAE reporters put it.
(Two of the UAE’s leading broadsheets)
Much has been written worldwide. One can write about it objectively or not. Of course, it does not help if it is stated in bad taste. The photos were a combination of statements as reported in Khaleej Times and The National (the more objective).
There goes the people around me reading the biggest news, giving the OFW me all sorts of look – horrified, objective, blank, quizzical, empathizing, and the indescribable. Though I braved to wear a mask by trying to be insensitive, but when I am all alone I can not fake it. I can just imagine those who are in Hong Kong and those somewhere else but dealing with Hong Kong nationals. For a while, one may have thought that it is so ironic that a slice of my job is to give value added recommendations on how to improve and/or strengthen an organization. (It should begin at home eh?) And this news repels it. Just the same, I have no other recourse but to move forward. I AM my country – might be imperfect but ALWAYS do try to shine during the most trying times.
I know, I am not the only one sleeping with a heavy heart despite self-boosting my positivity. Whenever I feel like this, I do call my movie bestfriend, Facing The Giants. Good night, everyone. Tomorrow is always a better day.
this happens to every country. one lost soul damages the reputation of the entire nation. we as a nation can rise from this and hopefully our police force would learn how to react and act accordingly next time around – which i hope doesn’t come.
ive never felt pinas this gloomy. after the drama has ended i still need to go to work pa kasi kaya nadaanan ko yung quirino.. very depressing.
come next morning, parang walang nangyari. haha
what happened is truly unfortunate. and there is finger pointing everywhere. have you heard, there is one Pinay domestic helper in HK who lost her job due to this? So sad.
wawa mga kababayan natin sa HK! they are being threatened and bullied. wawa sila!!!
sending you some more positive vibes and lots of hugs & kisses wits.
I’m sorry you have to deal with this kind of news.
it’s sad how other media covers and put it on headline news even without the details of the investigation yet. of course it has something bad in it… but most of the articles seems exaggerated that they wanted to ban the country for travel.
i sympathize and emphathize with you now that i am an ofw myself.
one of my colleagues went to a chinese-owned bakery here in penang just to buy bread but before she uttered a word she was asked if she’s from our country. stigma talaga! worse, not all of them understand that pinoys aren’t like mendoza.
yan talaga ang effect. pero come kung iisipin mo din its a normal reaction naman kung sakaling sa ibang country nangyari yun. nakakatok nga lang kasi im planning to visit HK and with what happened parang nagdadalawang isip tuloy ako.
i can only imagine what Pinay maids are going through in HK. may mga employers na nang-aalipusta ng maids ng walang dahilan, and after Monday’s tragic event, may dahilan na sila maging cruel pa lalo. hayyy!
so far, we didn’t hear any negative comments from our HK colleagues, although 2 canceled their flight to Manila on Tuesday.
There will always be dreadful news anywhere, everywhere, only to be forgotten as soon as another dreadful news comes up. But I remain hopeful that the Philippines will overcome this and rebuild its image once again. We just have a lot of convincing to do in order to win tourist confidence again.