Reason No. 1. We have not subscribed to any of the Filipino channels due to the fact that I, myself, had thought that it’s would be a waste (I don’t like watching TV AT ALL). I would probably (again, I would have to stress), PROBABLY watch the news, but that’s it;

Reason No. 2. I don’t read Filipino magazines & newspapers (online or printed). I simply had no interest to just start reading (I confess I’d rather read other things); and

Reason No. 3. I dun have any close Filipino acquaintances (neighbors or friends), except for Mr. Systems Analyst, with whom I get most of my “what’s happenin” info from. And most of the time, I get really embarrassed for being such an ignorant idiot coz the conversation usually starts with “Have you heard about…?” and of course, me answering, “Wozzat?” or “No.” and him giving me the which-hell-hole-have-you-been-in look.

However, I know I should be AWARE (Yes, you should, you bad, bad, girl!) and it is such a shame that I am more informed about what’s happening in my hubby’s motherland than mine. I mean, come on, finding out about what had been (and still is?) a huge Philippines high society (do we have any, really?)scandal by stumbling on the whistle-blower’s blog itself, BY ACCIDENT, is the limit. It’s been going on since MARCH fer Gawd’s sake! I dunno, some might call me shallow, but I find it more interesting than most of the countless government scandals I’ve read/heard for the past oh, I dunno, 26 years of my life (Personally, I think these graft and corruption scandals too depressing and also REDUNDANT that I dun wanna hear about ‘em anymore…Besides, who elected ‘em buggers anyway?). Anyway, back to what is now called Gucci Gang scandal, sure, a lawt of em’ uber rich kids go haywire, but hey, these OUR own rich kids (well fine, some say that they’re nothing compared to their other relatives), from OUR own elite families. One of ‘em reminded me of those British nobles who wasted their lives and used their noble blood to swindle people in the 19th century or something. And I like Brian Gorell…and so weirdo-me finished reading ALL HIS POSTS in just one day! I do feel for him and I think it’s great that HE’S DOING SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT HE ACTUALLY BELIEVE IN. Am tellin ya’ll who’ve not read the thing: READ HIS BLOG! So there!

Hmm…wot else? I’ll get back to you (whoever you are) if there is anything else to share. For now, AM GONNA GO READ SOME ONLINE VERSION OF A DECENT FILIPINO NEWSPAPER. Pray that I make this a habit.

Woman on the way to embassy kidnapped, raped by 11 youths

Kuwait : Police are looking for 11 unidentified youths for raping an Indonesian woman in Firdous, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily. According to the victim an unidentified youth grabbed her while walking along a street — she was on her way to the Indonesian embassy — forced her into his car, drove her to a remote area and raped her. The sources, however, did not say how a single man managed to keep the woman in his car. The suspect then reportedly invited 10 other friends who also raped the victim. The victim accompanied by an embassy official has filed a case with the Firdous Police Station.

Unfortunately, incidents like these happen a lot in this country (according to the local newspapers where articles about these incidents are being published quite often). Ladies and even young boys (HOW SICK CAN THAT BE?) are being kidnapped, taken to the desert and brutally raped by more than one individual.

As a precaution, I seldom go out without company (except when I go to work). When I’m alone, I never walk in shady or lonely areas, even if it would take less time for me to reach my destination. I also ignore people who stop their cars to ask for directions (this is the usual MO of the pervs, they ask for directions and when you go near their cars…ZOOP…you’re finished). I try to be very aware of my surroundings and if there are any eve-teasers around, I call my husband immediately. Call me paranoid but this is not our country, and since we cannot leave as yet, all we can do is not to take any risks. The thing is, a lot of people don’t realize that this can happen to anybody.