Somewhere Down The Road (Tagalog Short Story)

Somewhere Down The Road

CHARACTERS: Justin and Ashley

“Magpapakamatay kaba?! Vous etes stupide! Wag mo kong idamay sa mga kalokohan mo! Kung pinoy ka lang..Mababanatan kita kahit babae ka eh.Bwiset!!!”, pasigaw na sinabi ni Justin sa babaeng kamuntikan nyang mabundol sa isang kalye sa Paris, umaga ng pasko, dahil sa hindi tamang pagtawid ng dalaga.

“Ay! Winner ka te! Ang taray ng lola mo! Bastos! Bakla! Inggeterang beki! Che!”, ganti ni Ashley . Isang Mestisang Pinay na kasalukuyang nasa Paris para magbakasyon. Nagmamadaling umalis si Ashley papalayo sa binata. Samantlang laking gulat naman ni Justin ng malaman nyang Pilipina pala ang dalaga.

Si Ashley ay labing-limang taong gulang at nagtratrabaho bilang modelo sa Pilipinas. Sa kabila ng mala anghel na mukha ng dalaga ay hindi sya pinalad na magkaroon ng isang seryoso at tapat nobyo sa buong buhay nya. Ang huli nyang nobyo na akala nyang makakasama na nya sa buhay ay namatay sa isang sakit, isang taon na ang nakakaraan. Si Justin naman ay isang Project Administrator sa Paris. Mula ng mamatay ang kanyang mga magulang at isang kapatid sa isang aksidente sa araw ng Pasko siyam na taon na ang nakakakaan ay kinuha na sya ng kanyang tiyahin sa Paris para doon na manirahan.

Bago sumakay muli ng kanyang kotse ay napansin ni Justin ang pasaporte ng dalaga na nahulog sa harap ng kanyang sasakyan. Agad nyang hinabol ang dalaga at nakita nya ito sa isang cafeteria sa di kalayuan. Pumasok si Justin ng cafeteria at umupo ito sa harap ng dalaga. Nagulat ang dalaga ng makita nya ang binata.

“Oh te! Inggit na inggit ka talaga sa beauty ko noh? Bakit mo ko sinusundan? Papa make-up ka?“, pang-aasar ni Ashley sa binata.

Nginitian nya lang ang dalaga at ipinakita ang pasaporte na napulot nya. Nagulat ang dalaga at agad na hinablot ang pasaporte na hawak ng binata .Lubos ang pasasalamat ng dalaga kay Justin. Matapos noon ay tumayo narin ang binata at naglakad papalabas ng cafeteria. Ngunit hinabol sya ni Ashley.

“Bilis mo Kuya maglakad ah! Hmm Kuya pasensya kana ah. Ikaw kasi eh.. Daig mo pa ang babaeng may period sa kasungitan mo. Bago lang ako dito sa Paris and wah pa ko alam sa traffic rules..Kaya nangyari yun..And Kuya super need ko talaga ng help mo. Makikipagkita kasi ako bukas sa sister ko here sa Paris. Yah know! Napaaga yata ko ng dating. Nag checked in ako sa isang apartment apartelle. And today I’m planning na maglibot sana. Eh sa sobrang excited ko… Na locked ko yung door ng room ko. Ang yung worst thing eh naiwan ko sa loob yung key and my phone. Eh dahil nga Christmas day ngayon. Wala doon yung owner nung apartelle. Mamayang gabi pa raw ang dating. So hindi ko makukuha ang duplicate. Poor me. I don’t want naman na mag tour alone.”,salaysay ni Ashley sa binata.

Tumawa nalang si Justin ng marinig ang salaysay ni Ashley. “So. What do you want me to do now?”, tanong ni Justin sa kanya.

“Hmm..Sa kisig at gwapo mo kuya.. Eh nakakahiya mang sabihin to..and Christmas day pa.. But.. Can you be my tour guide? Ill pay for your service. Promise! Nandun kasi yung number ng hinire kong tour guide sa CP ko..Hindi ko memorize yun and I’m 100% sure ring ng ring na yung phone ko ngayon at tinatawagan nya na ko. ”, paki-usap ni Ashley sa binata.

Hindi nag alangan ang binata na tulungan si Ashley ng mga oras na iyon at maging tour guide nito. Pabiro na sinabi ng binata na mahal ang oras nya. Habang nasa loob ng kotse ay naitanong ni Ashley kay Justin kung bakit nasa labas sya ng mga oras na iyon. Isinalaysay ni Justin ang lahat na mapapait na nangyari sa buhay nya sa Pilipinas. Kaya naman isinumpa nya na ang araw ng Pasko, tinutukan nya ang kanyang trabaho, hindi na sya nagkaroon ng nobya at ginawa na nyang komplikado ang kanyang buhay. Ang nais nya lang ay maging abala parati upang makalimutan ang mga mapapait na nangyari sa buhay nya at isa narin doon ang desisyon nyang wag nang balikan ang Pilipinas. Nagulat si Ashley sa ikinuwento sa kanya ng binata. Halos hindi nagkakalayo ang kwento nila sa buhay dahil naiba narin ang tingin nya sa mga lalaki mula noon dahil sa mga panloloko sa kanya ng mga nakaraan nyang mga nobyo at para sa kanya ay ang nobyo nya lang na pumanaw ang perpektong lalaki na nakilala nya at wala ng papantay doon.

Sa kanilang pagsasama ng mga oras na iyon ay may ibang naramdam na saya ang dalawa. Saya na hindi naramdaman ni Justin sa siyam na taon nyang pananatili sa Pransya. Ganun din ang dalaga. Dinala nya si Ashley sa Notre Dame Cathedral, kumain sa labas, nanood ng sine, nag shopping at nagpapicture sa Eifel Tower. Halos pinipigil ni Justin ang nararamdaman nya ng mga oras na iyon para sa dalaga. Naging masaya sila ng buong araw na iyon. Halos hindi rin nila namalayan ang oras. Hanggang sa nagpag isipan na ng dalawa na umuwi. Hinatid ni Justin ang dalaga sa apartelle na tinutuluyan nito. Bago bumaba ng kotse ay inabot ni Ashley ang isang sobre na may laman na pera kay Justin.

“Mukha ba kong bayaran? Hindi ko kailangan ng barya. Hindi ako pulubi. Bumaba kana!”, pasigaw na sinabi ni Justin sa dalaga. Nainsulto ang binata ng iabot sa kanya ang sobre na may laman na pera.

“Kelan ba last day ng period mo? Akala ko okay na tayo! I thought serious ka kanina nung sinabi mo sakin na mahal ang oras mo! That’s why binabayaran kita ngayon. Sorry kung na offend kita. Uto-uto kasi ako. Sana minsan.. Maisip mo..Masyadong maikli ang buhay para magsunget at gawing komplikado ang buhay mo. Sana napasaya kita kahit saglit.. Kahit mukhang pangit ang ending ng araw na to for two of us. " sabay buntong hininga ng dalaga.

"Okay narin na hindi ko tinanong name mo. Ayaw ko lang maisip na may lalaki pala sa mundo na tulad mo. Oh sya.. I have to go now.. Mukhang nandyan na yung owner ng apartelle. Enjoy life Sir. Salamat sa effort and time.”, sabay binuksan ni Ashley ang pinto ng kotse at bumaba.

Samantalang si Justin ay napaluha nalang sa loob ng kanyang kotse ng mga oras na iyon. Hindi nya maitanggi sa sarali na sa isang araw na iyon ay naranasan nyang masarap paring mabuhay at nalaman nyang hindi pa pagod ang puso nya para magmahal.

Lumipas ang mga araw, buwan at taon. Bumalik na ulit sa mundo na ginagalawan si Justin at ganun din si Ashley.

Isang araw ay nakatanggap ng tawag si Justin mula sa pinsan nya sa Maynila. Naki-usap ito sa kanya na umuwi ng Maynila para pamahalaan ang kanyang negosyo ng panandalian dahil may pupuntahan itong kliyente sa Amerika at magtatagal sya ng isang buwan. Walang ibang pwedeng mapagkatiwalaan ang pinsan nyang ito na ibang tao kundi sya lang dahil ang mga magulang rin ni Justin ang tumulong upang maitayo ang kumpanya na iyon. Walang nagawa si Justin kundi ang umuwi ng Pilipinas kahit labag sa kalooban.

Mag gagabi na ng dumating si Justin sa Maynila. Pagkalabas ng Airport ay agad itong pumara ng taxi at nagpahatid sa bahay na tinutulyan ng pinsan nya sa Alabang. Bumalik ang mga mapapait na alaala sa isipan ni Justin habang tinatahak niya ang daan at napapaluha ito habang nakadungaw sa bintana ng taxi. Maya maya pa ay naka agaw sa kanya ng pansin ang isang Billboard. Isang babae ang nasa imahe. Nakasuot ng casual na damit. Napakunot sya ng noo ng mga oras na iyon. Pilit nyang inaalala kung saan nya nakita ang babae dahil namukhaan nya ito. Dahil sa bilis narin ng takbo ng taxi ay hindi na nya gaanong natignan ang nasa imahe at tumatak na lamang sa kanyang isipan ang itsura ng babae na nasa billboard na nakita nya.

Pagdating sa bahay ng kanyang pinsan sa Alabang ay agad itong nagbihis at dumerecho na ng kumpanya ng kanyang pinsan sa Makati upang dumalo sa isang Welcome Party na inihanda para sa kanya.

Halos lahat ng mga modelo sa kumpanya at mga designers ay naroon ng mga oras na iyon. Bago pa man sya lumabas ng entablado ay isang pamilyar na boses ang narinig nya. Ang boses ng hostess ng programang iyon. “Ladies and gentlemen.. Let's give a big round of applause to Mr. Justin Samonte.”

Pagkalabas nya ay agad syang natulala ng makita ang hostess ng Welcome Party. Si Ashley. Ang babaeng nakilala nya sa Paris dalawang taon na ang nakakaraan. Natulala rin si Ashley ng mga oras na iyon ng makita nya ang binata. Si Ashley ang nakita ni Justin sa billboard at isa sa mga modelo ng kumpanya ng kanyang pinsan. Hindi alam ni Ashley ang gagawin ng mga oras na iyon. Dahil sa kaba at pagka-ilang sa binata ay ibinigay nya ang mikropono sa host na kasama nya at tumakbo ng nakayuko palabas ng entablado. Napigilan ni Justin ang nararamdaman nya ng mga oras na iyon. Nagpakilala sya sa mga modelo at sa mga nagtratrabaho sa kumpanya at inilahad nya ang mga proyekto sa isang buwan na mamamalagi sya. Buong puso naman syang tinanggap ng lahat.

Matapos noon ay muling nagkita ang dalawa sa likod ng entablado at ang buong management ng kumpanya.

Nilapitan nya si Ashley at tumayo sa harap nito at malakas ng sinabi, “Ayaw kong makatrabaho ang babaeng ito.”

Nagulat at natahimik ang buong management at ang lahat ng nasa kwarto ng oras na iyon at nabaling ang pansin sa dalawa.

“Ano bang ginawa ko sayo para magalit ka ng ganito sakin ha?! Paki explain mo nga Mr. Samonte! Hanggang ngayon ba hindi parin tapos ang period mo? Gosh! Kung ganyan din kabastos ang makakatrabaho ko eh mas mabuting mag leave na muna ko. Ayoko ng complicated environment! I have to go. Pasensya na guys”, umiiyak na lumabas si Ashley sa conference room.

Dahil sa nangyari ay hindi narin nagtagal at umalis narin si Justin at nagpaalam sa management. Dala narin ng pagod ay napagisipan narin nitong umuwi. Malakas ang ulan ng mga oras na iyon. Habang tinatahak nya ang daan papunta ng highway ay may nakita syang babae na naglalakad sa gilid ng kalsada. Wala itong payong at naliligo sa ulan. Bumaba sya ng sasakyan at nagdala ng payong. Nilapitan nya ang babaeng naglalakad sa ulan. Nabigla sya ng makita na si Ashley pala ang babaeng iyon.Nang makita nya ang binata ay tumakbo ito ng mabilis. Sinundan at hinabol sya ng binata.

“Ganyan kaba kaduwag para lagi mo akong takasan?!”, wika ng binata sa dalaga.

Hinawakan nya ng mahigpit sa braso ang dalaga at pinilit na pinasasama sa kanya.

“Sumakay ka ng sasakyan!”

Napilitan na sumakay ang dalaga sa kotse ni Justin. Nasira at ayaw mag start ang kotse ni Ashley kaya napilitan itong maglakad papuntang highway at doon sana sasakay ng taxi.

Habang nasa loob ng kotse ni Justin ang dalaga ay agad hinubad ni Justin ang kanyang coat at ibinigay nya dito. Binigyan nya rin ito ng panyo at hininaan ang aircon ng sasakyan upang hindi lamigin ang dalaga. Napaluha nalang si Ashley ng mga oras na iyon habang walang imik naman si Justin habang nagmamaneho. Dahil sa nakaidlip ng mabilis ang dalaga ay walang ibang nagawa si Justin kundi iuwi nalang ito sa kanilang bahay sa Alabang at doon na muna patuluyin. Ngunit laking gulat ni Justin ng makarating na sila sa bahay nya. Papasok palang ng gate ng bahay ay ginising na nya ang dalaga. Naalimpungatan si Ashley at nagmasid sa paligid pagkagising.

“Papano mo nalaman kung saan ako nakatira ha?!”, pasungit na tinanong ni Ashley sa binata.

Nasurpresa si Justin ng sabihin nito sa kanya na ang tapat ng bahay ng pinsan ni Justin ay bahay ni Ashley. Napangiti nalang ang binata ng oras na iyon dahil hindi nya inaakalang magiging kapitbahay nya pa ito. Nagpasalamat si Ashley kay Justin sa paghatid nito sa kanya. Agad narin pumasok si Ashley sa bahay nya. Samantalang bago pa man bumaba si Justin ng kanyang kotse ay napansin nya ang naiwan na transparent envelope na dala ni Ashley sa inupuan nito ng sumakay ito ng sasakyan nya. Nabasa nya agad ang laman ng envelope. Isang pangalan ng hospital ang nasa taas ng papel. Naroon din ang buong pangalan ni Ashley at ang iba pang detalye na naglalahad na sya ay may malubhang sakit at binibigyan na sya ng maikling taning para mabuhay. Nabitawan ni Justin ang Medical Certificate na nabasa nya dahil sa pagkabigla. Natulala at pumatak ang mga luha sa mata nya. Hindi nya man maamin sa sarili nya na sya ay nagmamahal pero iyon ang nararamdaman nya para sa dalaga. Masama ang ipinapakita nya sa halos nakararami dahil ayaw nyang may magmahal sa kanya at ayaw nya na ring magmahal. Ngunit ng mga oras na iyon ay ang kinakatakutan nyang bagay ang dumating sa kanya. Napamahal na si Ashley sa kanya mula ng una nya palang itong makita. Galit sa sarili ang naramdaman nya ng mga oras na iyon. Hindi sya pinatulog ng poot sa sarili nya. Takot ang naramdaman nya at pagkabalisa. Takot na magmahal muli at takot na mawala na naman sa buhay nya ang taong minamahal nya.

Kinabukasan ay maaga syang kinatok ng dalaga. Dali dali syang bumaba at hinarap ang dalaga. Hinanap nito sa kanya ang Medical Envelope na naiwan nya sa kotse. Nagkunwaring walang alam si Justin. Binuksan nya ang kotse at hinayaan nyang si Ashley ang pumulot noon.

“Nakita mo ba to kagabi?”, tanong ni Ashley sa binata.

“Ah eh..Hindi ko alam yan. I mean.. Hindi ko nakita eh.”, pautal utal na sagot nya sa dalaga.

Ilang oras ang lumipas at hindi na nakapasok si Justin sa unang araw nya dapat ng pagtratrabaho sa kumpanya ng kanyang pinsan. Bago magtanghalian ay naka-isip ito ng paraan para humingi ng tawad at bumawi sa dalaga. Nagbihis ito at pumunta sa bahay ni Ashley. Agad naman syang pinagbuksan ng pinto ng dalaga.

Pagkabukas ng pinto ni Ashley ay nahihiyang ngumiti si Justin sa dalaga.

“Hmm naistorbo ba kita?” Tinitigan lang sya ni Ashley. “Uhmmm can I ask you a favor. 11 years na kasi akong hindi nakakabalik dito sa Maynila.. Eh alam mo na..Maraming nagbago..Hmmm Can you be my tour guide Ashley?”

Tumawa ng malakas ang dalaga, “Ikaw ba nang-aasar talaga Mr. Samonte?! I don’t have time for this joke! Mahal ang oras ko noh!”

Napangiti si Justin sa sinabi ni Ashley. Nagbalik lahat ng alaala mula noong una silang nagkita. Naki-usap ng husto si Justin sa dalaga hanggang sa napapayag nya ito. Sinamahan nya si Justin ng araw na iyon at naglibot sila sa Maynila. Dahil sa alam ni Ashley na lumaking mayaman si Justin ay napag isipan nitong ipinaranas sa kanya ang mga gawain ng mga natural na tao sa lipunan. Hindi sila gumamit ng kotse. Mula Alabang ay sumakay sila ng PNR train papuntang Divisoria. Pagdating sa Divisoria ay kumakin sila sa mga carinderia sa tabi tabi. Pinatikim nya si Justin ng fishball, kwek-kwek, adidas,bituka ng manok at kung ano ano pa. Nakipagsiksikan sila sa palengke, namili sila sa bangketa at tinuruan nya si Justin kung papaano tumawad. Nag video-oke sa tabing kalsada at marami pang iba. Kinagabihan ay dinala naman nya si Justin sa isang Comedy Bar.

Hindi man sabihin ng dalawa pero masaya sila na kasama ang isat-isa. Ipinakita sa kanya ni Ashley kung papaano maging masaya kahit sa simpleng pamamaraan lang.

“Hindi kailangan ng isang tao ang maraming pera para maging masaya. Diba? Its how you live..Ang mahalaga.. Mahal mo ang sarili mo at pahalagahan mo kung anong meron ka ngayon.. Try to appreciate things”, sabi ni Ashley sa binata habang naglalakad pauwi galing sa Comedy Bar na pinuntahan nila.

Ang araw na iyon ay isa sa pinakamasayang araw sa buhay ni Justin at ni Ashley. Mas masaya pa sa una nilang pagkikita. Natapos ang araw na iyon sa isang masayang pagtatapos. Hindi katulad ng una nilang pagkikita. Ang araw na iyon ang naging simula ng magandang pagkakaibigan ng dalawa.

Pinabalik ni Justin si Ashley sa kanyang trabaho. Naging maayos ang takbo ng lahat. Hindi mo makikita sa mukha ni Justin ang lungkot. Ganun din naman si Ashley na hindi mo makikitaan ng takot na maaaring sa isang iglap ay mawawala na sya. Hindi nya ito pinaparamdam kahit kanino man. Dumaan ang mga araw at lalong naging maganda ang samahan ng dalawa. Hindi man maamin ng dalawa pero ramdam na ramdam nila ang pagmamahal sa isat isa. Pareho silang biktima ng hindi magandang nakaraan at pareho rin silang nagpaapekto sa takot na magmamahal muli.

Bihirang maisip ni Justin na maaaring mawala sa kanya si Ashley sa darating na panahon. Ayaw nyang isipin yun. Alam nya na ang kasiyahan na pinaparamdam nya sa dalaga ang magpapalakas ng loob nito upang lumaban at piliting mabuhay pa.

Dumaan pa ang mga araw. Laging tinutukso ang dalawa ng kanilang mga katrabaho sa kumpanya. Patuloy ang mga projects na nakalaan para kay Ashley at natuloy rin ang isang fashion event ng kumpanya na pinagtulungan nilang dalawa. Naging maayos ang pamumuno ni Justin sa panandalian nyang pananatili sa kumpanya at napamahal narin sa kanya ang mga katrabaho.

Isang gabi ay niyaya ni Justin si Ashley para kumain sa labas at para sabihin nya narin ang tunay na nararamdaman nya para sa dalaga. Sumakay sila ng kotse nya at nagmaneho ito papunta sa Makati.

Habang nasa byahe ay sumandal si Ashley sa upuan ng kotse at napapikit. May sinabi ito sa binata.

“Alam mo Justin? I feel so lucky dahil nakilala kita. I never thought na magkakasundo tayo. Bihira kasi ako makipag friendship sa lalaki. Hmm meron naman din dati.. Pero yung guy na may boobs”, sabay tawa na malakas ni Ashley.

“Diba mas masarap mabuhay pag laging masaya? I understand how you feel Justin. Mahirap mawalan ng pamilya at mahal sa buhay..Pero do you think magiging happy ang family mo na makita ka na very complicated ang life mo ngayon dito sa mundo? Of course not! So don’t forget to smile..Just enjoy life.. Maraming nagmamahal sayo Justin ;) Madali ka namang mahalin at alam ko na masarap kang mahalin.”

Pumatak ang mga luha sa mata ni Ashley ng mga oras na iyon habang nakapikit.

“Basta ko Ash.. Mas maswerte akong nakilala kita.. Ang tagal kong nakulong sa pagkamuhi at takot.. You’re right.. Masarap mabuhay.. Thank you for everything. Thanks for making me happy and thanks sa pag iintindi mo sakin.. Thanks for being there for me.. I don’t wanna lose you Ash.. Dont be so selfish ha! Maraming ring nagmamahal sayo.. Please fight.. Dont leave them”, dahan dahan na tumulo ang mga luha sa mata ni Justin ng mga oras na iyon habang kinakausap si Ashley habang nagmamaneho ng kanyang sasakyan.

“Oo..Aaminin ko..Nagsinungaling ako.. Alam ko na yung totoo tungkol sa dinadala mong sakit.. Isang beses lang ako nagsinungaling Ash.. But this time.. I don’t wanna tell a lie anymore.. Magsasabi na ko lagi ng totoo sayo.. Ash.. Mahal na mahal kita.. And that’s the truth..”, liningon ni Justin ang katabi nyang si Ashley habang nagmamaneho ng kotse.

Nakasandal si Ashley sa gilid ng sasakyan at nakapikit. Napansin ng binata ang luha sa pisngi ng dalaga.

“Ash.. Gising kana.. Malapit na tayo sa restau..”, tinapik nya ang dalaga sa binti nito..

“Ash?? Ash?? Gising na..”, tinapik ni Justin ang dalaga sa balikat..

“Ash!!! Ash!!! Please! Ang daya mo naman eh! Wala namang ganyanan! Malapit na tayo oh.. I have a surprise for you Ash”.. tinatapik nya ang dalaga sa binti habang tumutulo na ang luha sa kanyang mga mata.

Hininto ni Justin ang kotse at niyakap nya ng mahigpit ang dalaga na wala ng buhay. Bumuhos ang luha ni Justin ng mga oras na iyon habang sinisigaw ang pangalan ng Ashley.

“Im sorry Ashley. Mahal na mahal kita.”

Miss Lesotho World 2010 Karabelo Mokoallo Interview (By: Nhoie Gee)

Last month, I asked Miss Lesotho World 2010 Karabelo Mokoallo some strange questions about the Pageant, about herself and a lot more.

PERSONAL PARTICULARS

Birth Name: Karabelo Mokoallo

Birth Date: (23 age)

Birth Place: Maseru

Height: 5'9" (1.75m)

Eye Color: Black

Hair Color: Black

Language: Sesotho & English

Major Competition(s): Miss World 2010

BIOGRAPHY:

Karabelo Mokoallo will represent Lesotho in Miss World 2010 in Sanya, People’s Republic of China on October 30th. Karabelo Mokoallo was crowned Miss Vodacom PC FM 2009 PC FM Radio are the new license holders of Miss World in Lesotho. The nation last competed in Miss World back in 2003. Karabelo is 23 year old and stands 1.75m.

1. Are you familiar with missosology.org? If you are familiar, then tell me something about it and do you know some members of the portal? Tell me their names/username. Just say "no" if you don't have any idea about it.

To be honest; you introduced me to missology. I've learned that it studies the international beauty pageants like Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss Earth and Miss Internation. It also studies the contestants and predicts the finalists.

2. Where is Sanya, China? Tell me something about this place.

Sanya is a city in Southern Hainan Province of China.

3. Do you have your own personal favorites this year? Aside from you, who do think is the strongest delegate in this year competition?

Denice Garrido from Canada.

4. Tell me something about Julia Morley.

Julia Morley is the chairwoman of the Miss World Organisation, She is the wife of the Eric Morley, the founder of Miss World. Julia Morley has been a great woman in helping the less fortunate by raising funds through Miss World.

5. Vietnam backed out of hosting the Miss World Pageant. Do you think Sanya could offer more than Vietnam?

I think Sanya can definately offer more than Vietnam ; on the basis that its not the first time that the city is hosting Miss World. Therefore the Organisation knows the pros and cons of hosting the pageant in Sanya. It could definately be better than the last pageants.

6. How would you answer this question. (Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner Up [Venus Raj] Final Question)

"What is one big mistake that you have made in your life and what did you do to make it right?”

The biggest mistake i did in my life was when i was 13; to believe in what a stranger said, little did i know that he was planning to kidnap me. I learned not to believe anything I hear or any promise i get from a stranger. It helped me stand my ground and to always make my own judgement and make the right choice.

7. Whats the difference between Miss Universe and Miss World? For you, what is the most prestigious beauty pageant, MISS UNIVERSE or MISS WORLD? And why?

Miss World and Miss Universe are international pageants with different organisations. Miss World is better than Miss Universe becausse it accomodates more countries than Miss Universe, making it more international.

8. Do you think you have a big chance to enter in the semi finals this year?

Yes! I do have a big chance to enter the semi finals. I am a loving, ambitious and beautiful lady, who loves being involved in social responsibilities. I love puting a smile on people's faces.

9. Tell me something about your country Lesotho..

Lesotho is a beautiful country in Southern Africa. It is an enclave of South Africa, known to be "The Mountain Kingdom" or "The Kingdom in The Sky" because of its relief. It is a mountanious region with 80% of it being over 1800m above sea level. We therefore have the highest mountain peak in Southern Africa "Thabana Ntlenyana". The mountains flow of cool clean water; our "white diamond", from which we produce electricity and some percentage is sold to South Africa. Lesotho is known to be the country of peace with its loving nation.

10. Are you single?

Yep! I'm single.

11. Are you in favor of Fast Track events in Miss World?

I'm not really in favour of the fast track events, if i'd choose, i'd go for Miss Personality, Miss Phogenic and the Charity competition. I believe that Miss World must be a beautiful, loving person with good personality and who is ready to change people's lives for the best.

12. What makes you very angry?

Seeing or Hearing about woman and childern abuse makes me very angry.

13. If you had to choose to be beautiful or intelligent, which would you choose?

I'd choose to be inteligent, since i'll have better life skills to tackle different situations and to create wealth. Beauty with no brains does no good. I believe that beauty comes from within.

14. At what point does a girl become a woman?

A girl becomes a woman when she can stand for her self and make right decisions and taking responsibility.

15. Are you in favor of same sex marriage? Why?

I'm not in favour of same sex marriage. My culture and religion do not agree on it. But i have no problem with people who believe in it because i believe that everybody has the right on what they belive.

'I'm sure Mendoza shot tourists' - driver (abs-cbnnews.com)

'I'm sure Mendoza shot tourists' - driver

by Ira Pedrasa, abs-cbnNEWS.com

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/07/10/im-sure-mendoza-shot-tourists-driver

MANILA, Philippines - Apparently disoriented, the bus driver on that fateful day on August 23 thought he saw each and every passenger shot dead by the gunman.

At that point in time, all he could think of was to survive. With all his might, he took a couple of minutes to poke and ruin the handcuffs that kept him still for almost 12 hours of the entire siege.

Describing in detail the events of that day to the Incident Investigation and Review Committee, driver Alberto Lubang said he could not anymore remember if the passengers even cried for their lives.

All he remembered was the deafening shot from dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza’s gun.

“Sigurado po ako na siya, binaril niya mga pasahero. Isa-isang putok. Yung mahaba (M-16 rifle)…Wala ako naririnig (cries). Basta, isa-isa, nilapitan niya,” he said.

(I’m sure, he shot the passengers. One after the other, using the rifle…I could not remember the cries anymore.)

He even pleaded for his life, telling Mendoza: “Pakawalan niyo ako. Maawa na kayo sa akin.” (Release me now. Take pity on me)

Mendoza only told him: “Bahala ka na diyan.” (It’s your life, that’s your choice.)

After a few minutes, the public saw on live television how he escaped, jumping out of the window of the bus, running towards blazing lights and telling everyone, “Patay na silang lahat, patay na silang lahat.” (They’re all dead.)

Hitch-hiker

Lubang remembered Mendoza ascend the bus at around 9:45 a.m. at the Fort Bonifacio area asking for a ride, despite a warning that the company does not allow hitch-hikers.

Mendoza, however, insisted, telling everyone later that “Sorry, hostage na kayo.” (You’re now my hostages.)

Lubang did not believe at first, until Mendoza told him to proceed to the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta.

There, he and the tourist guide Diana Chang, was allowed to call their employees and to tell them they were already in a hostage situation.

The review committee several times asked him the same set of questions, noting the discrepancy between his statement and that with the police earlier interviewed in an executive session.

Police supposedly claimed they received news of the hostage incident at around 9:07 a.m., ready to respond to the hostage crisis.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, however, noted “everybody realizes that this is crucial…Sino ang tama, sino ang mali? They said (police) they received the information at around 9:07 a.m. If it’s true 9:45 pa kayo umalis dun [at the same time that he and Chang were able to inform their employers], malaki ang deperensya. What is this?”

Lubang tries to remember

Admitting he was just estimating the time, Lubang, however, remained unperturbed and recounted the series of events on that day.

He said he only noticed the police in the area at around 11:00 a.m.

By that time, Mendoza had already allowed a hostage to get off the bus after claiming she was suffering from loose bowel movement. He also allowed Chang, the tourist guide, to accompany the passenger out.

Lubang, observing the passengers from his rear view mirror, said “nakaupo lang sila, hindi gumagalaw, hindi umiiyak.” (They were all still, no one was moving, no one was crying.)

He said Mendoza was calm during the early hours of the bus siege, telling even the passengers “makipag-cooperate lang kayo at hindi ko kayo sasaktan.” (You all cooperate with me and I will not hurt you.)

He even told them about the case that triggered his actions, Lubang recounted.

Mendoza notices brother

Mendoza was even calm during the early hours of the ordeal, insisting that he only wanted out of the criminal case lodged before the Office of the Ombudsman, Lubang said.

At around 3:00 p.m., Mendoza noticed from inside of the bus how Police Chief Inspector Romeo Salvador disarmed his brother, Gregorio.

“Sabi niya sa akin, ‘kapatid ko iyon, tawagin mo 2 negosyador (including Superintendent Orlando Yebra). Sinigawan ko po, lumapit naman, kasama yung kapatid,” he said.

(He told me, ‘that’s my brother. Call the 2 negotiators.’ The others went near us.)

By that time, Mendoza had already informed the negotiator to return his brother’s gun.

Lubang said the gunman was pacified somewhat when Yebra passed on to him a call from Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, informing him that his case is already being studied by the Ombudsman.

“Puro ‘yes, sir’ ‘opo, sir’ lang ang naririnig ko,” Lubang said. (He only said ‘yes, sir.’)

No invectives, bribe

Mendoza was presumably talking to Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez III on the phone.

Different from the statements of resource persons who have already appeared before the review committee, Lubang said, however, he never heard Mendoza hurl invectives against the other person on the other end of the line.

He also did not hear Mendoza say “humihingi ka pa P150,000,” as what the other negotiators supposedly heard.

Gonzalez has already denied he was involved in any bribery case.

What Lubang only caught was Mendoza telling Gonzalez “kung may mamamatay, kasalanan mo ito.” (If somebody dies, it will be your fault)

‘Turn the television on’

At 5:00 p.m., Mendoza asked Lubang to turn on the television.

At around that same time, the gunman received the brown envelope containing the Ombudsman’s letter.

Lubang could not remember if the media called Mendoza or the other way around. He could only remember that the gunman passed on to him a cell phone so he could open the brown envelope.

Mendoza told him: “Kausapin mo muna yan, si Mike Enriquez yan.” (Talk to him, that’s Mike Enriquez)

Lubang answered the phone. The broadcaster on the other line supposedly told him: “Mr. Driver, kumusta po kayo diyan.” (Mr. Driver, how are you all there?)

The caller also introduced himself as “Mike Enriquez”.

Asked if it was indeed Enriquez on the other end, Lubang said he could not be sure since the voice was “matining, maliit” (small voice). Enriquez, a GMA-7 anchor, has a loud and booming voice.

Based on earlier testimonies, it was RMN’s Mike Rogas who had interviewed Mendoza during the crucial moments of the hostage crisis.

It was then that Mendoza talked to the reporter, informing him that the letter was “mere garbage.”

Brother's pleas

Lubang also remembered Gregorio trigger further the ire of his brother by saying: “Tol, yung baril ko, hindi pa binabalik.” (Brother, they have not returned my gun)

Asked what could have incited Mendoza to open fire, Lubang said “nung pagkatapos po mabasa ang sulat, nagalit na siya.” (He got mad after reading the letter.)

He said Mendoza also noticed on live television that police had started to reign in his brother.

“Naririnig ko na lang siya, paulit-ulit, ‘Pakawalan niyo yan, Kung hindi, uubusin ko itong mga ito,’” he said. (I heard him say several times, ‘Release him, or I’ll call all of them here.’)

In only a matter of minutes, the shooting spree began.

Driver breaks handcuffs

Upon hearing the shots, Lubang said he used a nail file to break the handcuff used on him.

Despite the fear he was next to be shot, Lubang said he risked everything to break free.

Upon escaping, he was later brought to the command post for his debriefing.

Asked if he gave consistent statements to the police, he said: “Nakita ko po sila e kung papano binaril. Nung matapos, ang naisip ko, tapos na. Ang nasa isip ko, patay na sila lahat.”

(I saw how they were shot. When I could not hear anything anymore, I assumed they were all dead.)

Pressed by Teresita Ang See to describe further the incidents, Lubang said he does not remember if police had asked him of details about the bus, how it could be opened or used for the police’s tactics team.

He also said high-ranking officials were not already at the command post at that time.

616 vs. 666: Which Is the Real Number of the Beast?

616 vs. 666: Which Is the Real Number of the Beast?

A recent Greek fragment discovery has brought an old issue back into focus. You may have seen in the news recently that a fragment of the "oldest NT manuscript" was found to say in Revelation 13:18 that the number of the beast was 616 instead of 666.

http://www.escapeallthesethings.com/666-616-number-mark-of-the-beast.htm

Report: 616, Not 666 The Real Number of the Beast

First, here's an excerpt of the report of the discovery:

A newly discovered fragment of the oldest surviving copy of the New Testament indicates that, as far as the Antichrist goes, theologians, scholars, heavy metal groups, and television evangelists have got the wrong number. Instead of 666, it's actually the far less ominous 616.

The new fragment from the Book of Revelation, written in ancient Greek and dating from the late third century, is part of a hoard of previously unintelligible manuscripts discovered in historic dumps outside Oxyrhynchus in Egypt. Now a team of expert classicists, using new photographic techniques, are finally deciphering the original writing.

Professor David Parker, Professor of New Testament Textual Criticism and Paleography at the University of Birmingham, thinks that 616, although less memorable than 666, is the original. He said: "This is an example of gematria, where numbers are based on the numerical values of letters in people's names. Early Christians would use numbers to hide the identity of people who they were attacking: 616 refers to the Emperor Caligula."

The Book of Revelation is traditionally considered to be written by John, a disciple of Jesus; it identifies 666 as the mark of the Antichrist. In America, the fundamentalist Christian right often use the number in sermons about the coming Apocalypse.

They and satanists responded coolly to the new "Revelation". Peter Gilmore, High Priest of the Church of Satan, based in New York, said: "By using 666 we're using something that the Christians fear. Mind you, if they do switch to 616 being the number of the beast then we'll start using that."

Don't Write 616 over 666 In Your Bible Just Yet!

So, if you did not know better, you might already be heading to your Bible with a red marker to cross out the 666 and write in 616. After all, we have an textual critic of the New Testament telling us 666 is wrong. But not so fast!

I have a few reasons to keep this one on the shelf, and even to doubt it. Note that none of these are proofs that 616 is wrong. They are just my thinking on why I believe 666 is correct still at this point.

Reasons To Still Prefer 666 over 616

1. The article cites just one man's conclusion. But I'm the type of person who likes to check things out for himself, rather than trust someone else to do my thinking. I want to see the data and reasoning he used to conclude 616 is correct, even though it's in the minority of manuscripts. For example, when I decided that Y'hovah was probably the correct transliteration for God's name in the Old Testament, I did not do so because Nehemia Gordon said so. I did so after looking through the Old Testament manuscripts myself, looking at the vowel points and carefully reasoning out what they likely were telling us were the original vowels. Until I see the proof myself for 616, I'm not likely to switch from 666 based on one man's opinion.

2. One thing that would settle this question would be if a man appeared on the scene fulfilling everything else for the "First Beast from the Sea" in Revelation 13 and other prophecies related to what is (erroneously) called "the Antichrist". If we "calculated" the "number of his name" as instructed and it came to either 616 or 666 we would have our answer. There is such a man. Prince Charles of Wales' heraldic achievement (coat-of-arms) literally consists of the very beasts described in Rev 13 and Dan 7, he is a Prince (Dan 9:27) and he is from the old Roman Empire that destroyed the Temple (Dan 9:27). So what does his name add up to? Rather than 616, his name adds up to 666 using the ancient gematria system. And not only does this work in the English, but also in the official Hebrew transliteration (Nasich Charles Mem Wales). What are the odds anyone would have a name that calculates to the same number in two languages (without tampering with the transliteration like is done to Javier Solana's name to make it equal 666 in Hebrew)?

3. The Book of Revelation introduces very little that is new and tends to mostly expand on concepts or symbols that have already been used elsewhere in the Bible. You must use the rest of the Bible to decipher much of Revelation. It is noteworthy therefore that 616 appears nowhere else in the Bible while 666 appears four times. It very interestingly appears in this verse related to another exalted and adored king, one whom no doubt the coming Antichrist will want to emulate in many ways.

1 Kings 10:14 -- The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was666 talents,

If anyone gets a good textual criticism report on 616 vs 666 please let me know as I'd like to get to see why someone would conclude 616 is the original.

4. Irenaeus in the second century, a century before the manuscript Parker relies on, already knew of the 616 variation and discounted it as an error:

Such, then, being the state of the case, and this number being found in all the most approved and ancient copies [of the Apocalypse], and those men who saw John face to face bearing their testimony [to it]; while reason also leads us to conclude that the number of the name of the beast, [if reckoned] according to the Greek mode of calculation by the [value of] the letters contained in it, will amount to six hundred and sixty and six; that is, the number of tens shall be equal to that of the hundreds, and the number of hundreds equal to that of the units (for that number which [expresses] the digit six being adhered to throughout, indicates the recapitulations of that apostasy, taken in its full extent, which occurred at the beginning, during the intermediate periods, and which shall take place at the end), - I do not know how it is that some have erred following the ordinary mode of speech, and have vitiated the middle number in the name, deducting the amount of fifty from it, so that instead of six decads they will have it that there is but one. [I am inclined to think that this occurred through the fault of the copyists, as is wont to happen, since numbers also are expressed by letters; so that the Greek letter which expresses the number sixty was easily expanded into the letter Iota of the Greeks.] - Adv. haer. 5.30

In this rather obscurely expressed passage, Irenaeus was proposing (even in the second century - a century BEFORE this oldest surviving copy!) that old, Greek copies of Revelation contained an error of copying in which the Greek letter xi with gematraic value 60 was wrongly copied into the Greek letter iota with number value 10.

Meanwhile, I hope this helps you keep this one on the shelf as well.

Indonesia's smoking toddler kicks habit

Indonesia's smoking toddler kicks habit

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/classified-odd/09/05/10/indonesias-smoking-toddler-kicks-habit?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

JAKARTA – A two-year-old Indonesian boy who smoked about 40 cigarettes a day has kicked the habit after receiving intensive specialist care, a child welfare official said Thursday.



Ardi Rizal shocked the world when a video of him drawing heavily on cigarettes appeared on the Internet in May and drew attention to Indonesia's failure to regulate the tobacco industry.

"He has quit smoking and the most important thing is he doesn't ask for cigarettes anymore," national commission for child protection secretary-general Arist Merdeka Sirait told AFP.

Six months after his father gave him his first cigarette, the overweight boy was smoking two packs a day and threw violent tantrums if his addiction was not satisfied.

Accompanied by his mother, the boy left his village on Sumatra island in July to undergo treatment in the capital.

"He received psychosocial therapy for one month, during which therapists kept him busy with activities and encouraged him to play with kids of the same age," Sirait said.

"We diverted his addiction from cigarettes to playing."

Ardi's case has highlighted the tobacco industry's aggressive marketing to women and children in developing countries like Indonesia, where regulations are weak and many people do not know that smoking is dangerous.

Sirait said the government had given financial support to Ardi's parents, who were ignorant of smoking's dangers and used cigarettes to keep the toddler happy as they worked long hours at a street market.

"Ardi was very happy when he left Jakarta this morning as he has really missed his father in the village," Sirait said.

Cigarette consumption in the Southeast Asian archipelago of some 240 million people soared 47% in the 1990s, according to the World Health Organization.