Not Again

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/worker-dies-exxon-mobil-singapore-refinery-20110328-192608-248.html

It just keeps happening, apart from all other incidents that are kept away from media attention.

Perils Of My Job

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_626460.html

FIVE employees of ExxonMobil Asia Pacific and two other workers employed by the oil company’s contractor were charged in court on Thursday with breaching workplace safety laws in relation to a fire at the oil refinery about four years ago.

The fire at the Jurong oil refinery on May 3, 2007 claimed the lives of three workers and injured one. A fifth managed to escape unharmed.

The three who died worked for Mun Siong Engineering, which has since been accused of failing to take measures to ensure the safety and health of its employees at work.

Read the full report in Friday’s edition of The Straits Times

The Blind Side (Based On A True Story)

Here is a movie that honours a downtrodden financial, racial and political minority: rich, white southern Republicans who carry guns and aren’t afraid to threaten black people with them. The Blind Side wears its heart on its shoulder padding for the entire 128 minutes and eventually, the wholesomeness of the characters, pulling together for a common cause, wins you over. I was never a fan of Sandra Bullock, but I liked her very much in this one and the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award she won for Best Actress and Lead Role in this movie were well deserved.

At the end of the show, you’ll get to see the real characters of this movie in a pictorial-montage along with the credits. And it just makes you realize then and there, that you haven’t just watched a heartwarming movie, but turned the pages of a true story. It just made me feel proud to be a human. I am left to admit that The Blind Side is more than just a solid piece of well-acted, inspirational entertainment; it’s quite possibly one of the best movies of the year.

Metro Manila – Day 5 to 7

Having had enough of the upscale city life, I checked out. I moved in with Rhea in a crowded squatter community where I was the only non-local within a very large radius. Outside, the busy streets of Pasay City are filled with criminals, drug dealers and prostitutes.

We must stoop to enter the small wooden hovel they called home, and once inside there’s only room for one person to walk at a time. Rhea introduced her close fren and roommate Mimi who works as a GRO under her. I call her Ate (elder sister, pronounced ah-teh). They live in a one-room shack which was only big enough for the single bed they had. Hence, clothes were hung on wires across the tiny room or folded in a corner. The two shared the bed, and for the next few nights there’ll be three. The toilet has no flush nor shower; just a tap and pail.

The room is rented from the landlord (I call him Kuya, elder brother) who puts up in the next room. We went over to watch TV and Rhea introduced me to him. The TV was barely the size of a gift box, but my eyes were fixed on the gun he had on his mattress. It was the first time I held a loaded pistol. Street fights and gunshots were common. You had to be careful.

I felt nostalgic; about both being a thug back then and living in a shanty house. There were only two differences; our shack was made of brick-stone while theirs is made of thin plywood, we used our fists but they have guns. Tried syabu with Kuya, without Rhea’s knowledge. Almost all the taxi drivers there take syabu.

The last night before my flight, Rhea, Ate Mimi and I barhopped and watched live bands in one of the more popular joints, Cowboy Grille. We took photos and videos, but they don’t have a computer – all for memories’ sake. We went to a karaoke bar where we were the only patrons. Ate is a really good singer; she pulled off Halo by Beyonce so well that I was awe struck. It’s in her blood, she’s Pinoy after all. We sang, we danced and we drank till 7am.

Rhea and Ate cooked some food for me while I lay in bed to get some rest before my flight. We had breakfast together. After eating, the three of us squeezed into the bed as usual and fell asleep. 10am – Rhea woke me up. I got ready to leave. Goodbye Manila.

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Metro Manila – Day 4

Jackie and I walked around Greenbelt (GB) 1-5 most of the day. She showed me the Rolex Dealer where an armed robbery took place less than a year ago. Jackie was there with her frens during the incident and now she’s gotten over the trauma. There was an exchange of gunfire between robbers and the bodyguard of the city’s mayor who was having his lunch just above at Chili’s.

One of the most safest places in Metro Manila is the central business district, Makati City. Every corner of the malls and streets is heavily guarded, but Manila, is no safe haven.

We saw Jinkee Pacquiao with her bodyguard. Jackie asked her if I could take a photo with her and I did. That’s the wife of Manny Pacquiao a.k.a. Pacman – world champion and the pride of Philippines. Jackie and I spent the entire day together and we talked a lot, about each others’ families and life – genuine conversations. I enjoyed my time with her.

Other times, I spent my time alone walking the streets and exploring places. Jackie always says I’m crazy for doin’ that, it’s dangerous and u’re alone! I always reply, yes I am. I made frens with sales persons in the malls and waiters/waitresses at restaurants and bars. I hung out with a few girls I met here and there. There was one Izejel; half Filipina and half Javanese. She was a looker. We chat and things went spontaneous.

Jay met me again after midnight and we chat at Starbucks over coffee about his boyfren. Gays are not an unusual lot in Phils. You’ll meet one almost everywhere. Unlike S’poreans, no one stares at gays when they see one and make unruly comments about them. It’s a perfectly normal thing and I liked that.

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