Death by noontime show
It’s been days since that stampede happened.
I was at Divisoria with my parents, scouring the stores at Tabora St. when we noticed a bunch of people in one stall watching the TV. There we saw on screen the mayhem that was Wowowee.
I remember Friday, Feb. 2, 2AM. I accompanied my dad as we drove my sister to St. Paul (she was going to Iloilo then for a seminar). I saw the long line of people going around Brent and my alma mater. People sitting, even sleeping, on the sidewalk, and a whole lot more coming in from Meralco Ave. My sister’s text message confirmed that it was for that noontime show (dismissing earlier thoughts that it was a Franklin Graham cracker event).
Friday afternoon, about 3PM. My boss, our AE and I passed by Javier St. going to Shaw. Crowd thickens. More coming from the Kapitolyo area. I was wondering if ULTRA can handle this kind of crowd.
Then it happens. Investigations left and right. But more importantly, there were lives lost. Even more disturbing is the fact that most, if not all, who died were women. And a four-year-old kid.
And now comes the pointing of the fingers. Who is to blame?
Can we blame the organizers for not foreseeing the number and the intensity of the crowd? Can we blame the security people whose ratio is probably 1:10,000 against the audience? Can we blame the people, who are mostly unprivileged, who pinned their hopes on that alluring prize of P1M in cash and prizes? Can we blame the station for giving away such prizes and promotion for want of higher ratings? Can we blame media for manipulating the minds of the audience that shows like these also have public service purposes? Can we blame the government for their lack of focus on problems regarding poverty and its solutions?
But why blame each other? It’s over and done with. Can we bring back the dead if we do so?
It’s just too upsetting to see how Filipinos are too desperate to have comfortable lives. To the point that they risk their lives just for easy money.
Such a risk.
Just imagine what happens when you meet St. Peter.
ST. PETER: So my son, how did you die?
DEAD GUY: I watched a noontime show.
ST. PETER: Such an odd way to die!
Yes, it is.
