Sorry I missed this yesterday but I was deep into the story my colleague and I were chasing. It was already 7 pm when we’re done and set for editing on Monday when I realized I missed this. I only needed to step out of the house and et voila! I would already be with the mob.

As the super typhoon is staying in its extreme northern Luzon path, I think it will only be a stormy rally. Still thinking if I should push through with it since I have a three-day conference in Ortigas from Tue to Thurs.

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I printed this and will be sticking this at the back of my car tomorrow. I also printed several Straw Hat Jolly Roger images to stick on my cars windows. I’m blasting Yano’s songs like Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo and Trapo while doing so. Also love me some Rage Against the Machine.

I don’t have a white shirt, I’ll wear my protest shirt instead. I will have Twin I wear my Martial Law Commemorative shirt, too.

…and it’s not a good sign. Usually that indicates a strong low pressure area would be barreling its way in a day or two. Fishermen and farmers can tell impending disaster that way, and by how pink or red the sunset is.

It seems like there is a clear eye forming now. It’s also not a good sign. The clearer and more defined and organized the cloud system is, the stronger the typhoon.

Ragasa also has a wide scope, and you can see the large swath or area that is covered by red swirling clouds.

Without a doubt, Batanes and the Babuyan group of islands will be a direct hit. The next three to six hours will be critical as this would determine if Ragasa would still go south or maintain its west-northwest trajectory and pummel Hong Kong.

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The thing with low pressure areas meandering over Pacific Ocean is that their paths are unpredictable. Initial reports from JMA and PAGASA project it will be heading towards Northern Luzon. But given that its cloud system is wide, which will almost engulf half of the Philippines, it can go lower and directly hit Metro Manila and Southern Luzon.

I have to prepare my solar panels and my Bluetti power pack. I also need to stock up on canned goods and instant food in case we lose power for a week again.

Oh dear, I have like three conferences and expos to cover next week.

And I may have to skip the rally on Sunday.

I was chatting with a friend about what to bring on Sunday. I thought about effigies to burn. But then it’s hard to make effigies. 💀

Then I thought about the new symbol of protest: The One Piece flag.

However, it’s too late to order now from Shopee or Lazada.

All UP units will be staging their own walkouts starting today. Maybe I will join the one on Friday.

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This, my friends, is how big media can fuck journalists over.

@everythingmediaph

FILIPINO LOST MEDIA: Bernadette Sembrano Saksi Walkout #filipino #lostmedia #mystery #gmanetwork #probe #bernadettesembrano #nostalgia

♬ original sound – everythingmediaph – everythingmediaph

GMA censored Probe Team’s investigative report on Ephraim Genuino’s corruption at Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Two decades later, Probe was proven right because Genuino is now convicted but GMA is still…

Probe could not have been careless by airing an alleged libelous story, which was GMA’s excuse then. Probe was founded and headed by Cheche Lazaro—one of the best broadcasters, trainors, and teachers this country has produced. She lectured in my ethics class in grad school and one session with her is already equivalent to an entire semester spent in that class. She knew her stuff. The Probe Team story would have been airtight. If I were in Bernadette Sembrano’s shoes, I would have also walked out of that studio after when Arnold Clavio read the official statement of GMA for doing what they did.

Even if your integrity as a journo is intact, your network can screw you over.

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Idiot local govt of ours cancelled classes on Monday even though the sun shone. I highly doubted if our town mayor consulted PDRRMC or PAGASA.

Then provincial govt tonight cancelled classes tomorrow in preparation for oncoming Typhoon Mirasol. Ok, this one is warranted since our fucking flood control projects are nowhere to be found due to corruption, so ordinary thunderstorms could already cause massive flooding.

Fuck those politicians. Fuck those contractors.

I will be joining the protest rally on the 21st at Luneta, to commemorate the anniversary of Martial Law/PD 1081 and all those who died fighting the Marcoses, and to protest against the massive corruption in government. Filipinos are following the Indonesian and Nepalese examples. It may turn violent so I’m thinking twice about bringing my girls with me.

I learned from other journos that the Luneta contingent will meet up with the Edsa contingent and the rally will terminate at the Edsa Shrine. I’m thinking that instead of booking a hotel along Manila Bay, I will just book a hotel in Ortigas, leave my car and stuff there and just take the MRT and LRT to Luneta.

I might also pitch a story to one of the friendly newspapers. As I told Kr, I missed covering and writing stories about events like this. The last time we had this kind of mass protest was in 2013, at the height of the pork barrel scam. I was part of the special investigative team of our network, writing series of stories about the web of deceit and corruption involving many senators and congressmen. I spent evenings meeting with witnesses and lawyers, digging through documents, attending court hearings…

And when we had the Million People March, my editor told me to hold the fort/desk and catch/help edit the stories from the field because most of my colleagues were out there. This is the reason why I wasn’t able to cover this event on the ground. I can’t remember if my EIC gave me that order because she cannot put me in danger since my twins were only 2 years old at that time. Or maybe she was giving me a break. 🤔

Then I joined series of anti-Duterte rallies in 2016 and the following years. I was there at Edsa Shrine when people protested against the Supreme Court decision to allow the burial of Ferdinand Marcos Sr at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). The evening of the SC decision, we learned that Marcos’ body was secretly buried at the Libingan because they knew many Filipinos will bar the entry of any Marcos on hallowed grounds.

Now I’m itching to throw eggs at politicians or light up a fire at the Senate building. 💀