Bad Times

The number of bodyguards at the boys’ school where one of my grandnephews is a prep student has increased significantly this school year, and at the play school where his little brother spends a couple of hours a day burly bodyguards keep an eagle eye on the grandson of a former government official. Kids are told by parents not to hang around or go malling with rich kids: "Kung sila’y ma-kidnap," said one parent to her son, "at makasama ka, may pera silang pangbayad sa ransom, tayo wala." And I’ve heard that from more than one parent.

Instead of shooting hoops at the basketball court, guys are now shooting bull’s eyes at the target range. The few shops that customize cars to make them bullet-proof are doing brisk business, and clients consider the P5 million price tag a good investment–certainly cheaper than paying ransom, and less stressful. Just don’t get your leg caught in a closing door, warns one owner.

The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry has come up with a pamphlet on what to do in the event of a kidnapping, or if a friend or family member is kidnapped: don’t panic is first on the list. Tips on negotiating with kidnappers when they ask for ransom are also included: don’t be afraid to make tawad; if they ask for P10 million, start bargaining at P100,000. The information in the pamphlet, I assume, is wisdom that came from experience.

My neighbor called the other night to suggest that I put Doc back in the car with me. Doc is the larger-than-life dwarf doll I used to have riding in my passenger seat so it wouldn’t look like I was alone in the car. She doesn’t think it’s safe to be driving around alone, especially at night; there are tales of cars following suspiciously close or driving suspiciously slow, of well-dressed strangers suspiciously friendly.

What is one to do in such times as these, especially when the general assumption is that if you’re singkit you’ve got money: liit mata, laki kita. In pursuit of an interview last week, I found myself at the DND social hall for the ceremonies at which the Chinese Filipino Business Club officers were handing over a check as a donation for our soldiers fighting in Mindanao. Among the media people covering the event were many friends, some long lost, so I spent the waiting time making chica with them. Some man, though, came up to me and asked, "Miss, kasama ba kayo sa magbibigay ng check?" My colleagues and I had a good laugh at that, because–unfortunately–the only checks I had were the ones on my black-and-white checkered skirt.

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I received by fax the following letter from Robert Aventajado reacting to John Silva’s article, "The Fight for a Little Garden" in last week’s issue of STARweek:

"In your issue of June 24, John Silva referred to me as one of the ‘moneybags’ of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza on the latter’s Hall of Justice Building project on Taft Avenue. The Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects, which I chaired until early this year, did not have anything to do with the financing of the proposed Hall of Justice. The Flagship Office was coordinating nearly 150 projects all over the country. I was not aware that Mayor Atienza’s project would involve the demolition of a cultural landmark. It was only two days before the Jai Alai building demolition when a close friend, Maan Hontiveros, fully appraised me of the implications of the project. But it was too late for me to do anything.

"In any case, I added my name to the petition opposing Mayor Atienza’s plan to put up a college inside the Mehan Gardens. I believe in the preservation of heritage buildings, endangered landmarks and the environment."