The day was beautiful after Valentines and Grace sent me a message that there was a fair going on at Petone. It was a shame to let the chance pass by. The weather had been horrendous the past days and it was just a clear sunny sky we had today.
I ran down for shower but the painter was working on the window of the bathroom. I can see his feet and I do not want to put a show for him. His ladder was also blocking the way out for my car. I thought maybe the chance is only helping me to keep my resolution away from unnecessary expenses.
Then Grace cited that we can actually just explore and have lunch. We were particularly hoping there would be some Filipino food there. Hong was very supportive of our plan. He knew that parking would be a concern and he drove us to the venue. The fair covered a considerable length of the street. And it took us three hours to comb the display.
The thing reminded me of a Tabo-an. It was relaxing for us to walk around and bringing back memories of the Tabo sa Banay for me and Divisoria and Baclaran for Grace. The smell of food started to stir our appetite. Our first stop was a Korean BBQ and it was $3 a stick. We had our apprehensions so we took just one each. It was good. We started talking about sisig, shomai, paksiw, cassava and many more so that our desire for Pinoy food heightened.
Over an hour later, we came across a Chinese dumpling. It was $5 for 6 pieces and we started to drool. Still having doubts on the taste we decided to share and it was good. Much later we came across a Filipino stall and finally we found the shomai. It was $5 for 4 pieces. Although it was a bit costly compared to the other two we felt sure that was what we wanted. We decided we should get one order each. To our dismay, the dish tasted more of the extender rather than its expected ingredients. It was horrible. We could hardly finish it and if it was not of the amount we paid I personally feel like throwing it.
Not far from the Pinoy stall was another kababayan selling halo-halo. The weather was getting cold but simply because we missed the food we ordered one but this time we decided to share. We sat by the side of the road like street children and dug our plastic spoons into our cup. In all honestly and practicality we knew we could make a better one by crushing ice at home and putting in whatever bottled ingredients we can buy in the Asian shop. It was a frustrating conclusion.
Late in the night, I lie in bed thinking of my friends cooking which I am happy to pay but did not, Paul's empanada; Michelle's mandunggo; Adrian's roasted beef; Wawa's chicharon; Meur's BBQ sauce; Danny's kinilaw, Jo's pochero, Ron's Sisig and many more. I wondered, if they can why can't we? Shall we change career to business and give NZ a better taste of Filipino food?
The alleged mauling of Navarro has become a big issue in Philippine media for weeks. I am not exactly an avid fan of Philippine entertainers but this incident of mauling has sent minds to think about a few things.
Law in general: In the Philippines, intruders into a private space break-in at their own risk. They put themselves in danger from either an attack by the owner's dogs, get shot or mauled by the residents, get reported, accused and charged for the crime. Apparently in New Zealand, when safety in our own homes are challenged we are to ring the cops. We are not allowed to lay hands on the perpetuator otherwise we get charged ourselves.
Precedence: Navarro went in for a second visit. He was invited and expected. Apparently both were exchanging messages between each other. He came with food and wine for something he must have thought both of them will enjoy. Technology should be able to say what the two were on all the while.
People Involved: Navarro is an entertainer seen as suave, nice and fun. Cornejo is said to be a young model, had joined a television contest probably to get full access to the limelight. Cedric Lee on the other hand is a businessman who was once figured in a similar incident on his one time business partner David Bunevacz.
The CCTV Footage: CCTV video showed that 10:38 Navarro entered the lobby of the building where Cornejo's flat was. 10:40 Cornejo was seen on the same lobby leaving the building alone. Time stamp on the elevator camera showed that Cornejo entered the lift a minute after Navarro arrived the flat. ( 1 min rape? ) 10:41 Lee entered the building and headed to the elevator. Minutes more Ferdinand Guerrero and another guy entered the lobby. 10:56 Lee's sister entered the building and both left at 10:59. 11:01 Cornejo and Lee siblings entered the building again and proceeded to the 2nd floor where Cornejo's flat was. 11:13 Navarro, the Lees, Cornejo and 5 other men were in the lobby going out of the building. The last shot showed two other men not seen entering the building after Navarro arrived.
Allegations: Navarro alleged that shortly after his arrival Cornejo left and two men came out from the room and mauled him at gun point. Cornejo said she was about to be raped and called Lee for help. Lee said he was responding to Cornejo's call. Rape is a crime of forcing another person to submit to sex acts.
IFs: IF Navarro tried to rape Cornejo a minute of time should not be enough chance to free oneself from a forceful act. Footage provided at least a minute of time for Navarro and Cornejo to see and talk inside the flat. IF there was force and coercion, Cornejo would be in a state of panic and upset. Contrary to expectation she was a picture of a well kept, composed, and normal woman who was just like most descendants of Eve kept checking her reflection on the door. IF there was intrusion and threat the condominium itself had security protocols, private guards and cameras installed for the safety of the residents. If Cornejo was in real danger why did she ran for Lee instead of alerting internal security. IF Lee was only picking up Cornejo and incidentally came upon a rape scene why did Lee have with him other men?
In the midst of conflicting allegations and the many ifs, people's minds are tickled to figure out not only what really happened but why should it happen. People are guessing but of course this incident is just one of the many cases when a person's credibility counts. Who is most likely to tell the truth? What are the obstructions in the establishment of the truth? Finally will the TRUTH ever be established? May God bless the Philippines and the many truths that need to come out. May Philippine justice not forget the truth of corruption and the many millions influential and powerful people have cheated.
In earlier times when the Earth and around it was more stable I sleep with just my scriptures at the side of the bed. Times had changed. With advancing technology I realised the least I should keep handy in my sleep is my phone and car keys. That I decided after the shaky capital anniversary.
At 4o'clock this morning I woke up to use the toilet. Going back to bed I saw my work keys with me. My phone's battery was running flat and the car keys was nowhere in sight. Feeling too lazy I forego of the car key but charged my phone. Then my mind set off to play the jigsaw of thoughts in my head.
My phone has my scriptures, timepiece, music, navigation, reminders, notes, torch, not to mention the basic use of communication, camera and many more. In my car used to be a run-away bag which is due for re-loading.I had the bag down the foot of the bed and these created a monster of a mental story.
The video went to project myself in a situation where I was hungry and wanting to drive out for a meal. It could be because I was thinking of cooking dinner but ended up sleeping without. Then I started to panic when I saw my car was nowhere in the garage. It must be due to the awareness that I slept without making sure where the key was. For a while I was in a state of frustration seeing the people seem to know something but were not willing to help. It was like feeling the need to escape and run fast but you just could not mange to do it. It must be because of my belief that I really should keep the stuff handy for emergency. The weird thing that told me it was only a dream was the setting and the people in it.
A couple of nights ago I was chatting with my brother and getting too tired I suggested we re-connect this weekend. He was in my dream trying to help me. The other people I saw were already dead who time and again I think about. Then someone came into the picture apparently explaining where and what happen. The episode was most likely to happen if indeed I was in the right place but thankfully I woke up to the reality that I am miles away. I opened my eyes to stop a nightmare. Times in the past when my dreams warned me of things to come. Such occasions did not make sense until the events unfolded itself with time and I look back to realise I saw it in my sleep. Today was obviously just an interplay of unresolved thoughts in the subconscious. It should be a good day!
