Bomb scare fails to dampen ‘midnight madness’

Neither bombings nor terrorist threats can deter the bargain-hunters of Metro Manila.

Shortly before a bomb exploded on a commuter bus in Balintawak, Quezon City Friday night, shoppers still flocked to the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City and the adjacent Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas, Pasig City for the start of a three-day "midnight madness" sale, heedless of bomb threats.

Following Thursday’s bombing of two shopping malls in Zamboanga City and the bomb threats that flooded Metro Manila after a grenade exploded in Makati City Friday, many were apprehensive that another bomb explosion was just around the corner.

However, the Filipinos’ penchant for shopping and gaiety reigned over fear and the mall sales that lasted until midnight was carried on with the usual fanfare and fiesta atmosphere.

Stalls and retail stores offered generous discounts as an inviting prelude to the forthcoming Christmas shopping season. Most shoppers admitted that as the Yuletide season draws near, the sale is simply hard to pass up despite the gloom cast over the city by the recent spate of terrorist bombings.

"The October sale is part of our preparations for Christmas. There are items that are really priced low," Emmy Ayapano, 49, told The STAR as she and her cousin, Mila Rello 43, casually scoured the Robinson’s Galleria.

"Malayo ang Zamboanga dito sa Manila. Siguro wala namang mangyayari na mapapasama ako (Zamboanga is very far from Manila. I suppose nothing bad will happen to me)," Ayapano said referring to the latest twin bombings at a busy commercial district in Zamboanga City that killed at least seven people and wounded more than a hundred others.

Asked if at all they are troubled by the bomb scare in Metro Manila, Rello admitted there is "some apprehension," especially after they received text messages from friends warning about possible terrorist attacks in the metropolis.

A wave of text messages has spread in the last two days saying "a friend from the military" is advising people to avoid the malls and other crowded places as bomb explosions were expected within the next 72 hours.

Nonetheless, both shoppers expressed trust in the security precautions at the malls to prevent any untoward incident.

Terry Castillo, 25, pointed out that she really need to shop on that day adding that "accidents always happen anyway."

"It’s really up to the person to follow her instincts. (If it’s your time), it’s your time," she said firmly.

Careful not to unnecessarily alarm customers, mall security did not allow cameras to take shots and were apprehensive to talk to reporters.

The routine inspections of baggage, however, was not as strict as security guards were apparently overwhelmed by the influx of people on the first day of the three-day shopping craze.