By John L. Shinn III
LAZT Founder-Editor
 
 

'The sun is bright and the weather is fine
here in Zamboanga'

     LOS ANGELES --- "The sun is bright and the weather is fine here in Zamboanga."
That statement made by Zamboanga City Mayor Caling Lobregat after two bombs exploded in the city seem to reflect the kind of people we have become today.
     No matter how many bombs go off in the city eventually killing dozens and maiming hundreds, our people will not be cowed. They will simply go about their daily activities. In other words, we got used to the chaos that it no longer scares us! We are not easily scared anymore. 
     Where in the world will you find people who rush towards the scene of a bombing or shooting---instead of running away from the scene of the carnage? Only in Zamboanga City! I know this because I covered the police and military beats in the city in the early 1980s.
     I remember when the news media used to remind our people to avoid public or crowded places because these are the places often targetted by bombers. But where in Zamboanga can you find a place that's not crowded? Besides, who wants to stay home?
     Tito Mando Lopez used to teach his "Talk of the Town" column readers how to avoid getting kidnapped or how to find out if you're being followed---either on foot or by car.
     Zamboanga City is the melting pot of southern Philippines. Like the early days it will always be a troubled spot in the country. 
     But to many of us, our beautiful city, our rich language, culture and history far outweigh the violence and destruction brought about by political unrest over the last century or so.
     Will the bombings and violence stop us from going back? Or from investing there?
     Honestly, I don't think so. Not even a thousand Osama Bin Ladens will stop us---now or ever.

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Last Saturday I met four young inspiring individuals who are in the United States on a four-week program sponsored by the State Department. The program is called "International Visitor's Program" which is as old as the Peace Corps.
   The four are all graduates of Ateneo (Manila, Davao and Zamboanga City). All are successful in their fields of work. They are: Rafael Derick Evangelista III, Michael Saavedra (both are from Zamboanga City), Damcelle Torres (Los Banos) and Essa Remoquillo (Davao City). Jihan Iribani (Zamboanga City) was not able to join us that night.
   Derick is executive assistant with the International Visitor's Program, Philippines Alumni Foundation. Michael is a staffmember of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Media Relations & Ecclasiastical Affairs. Damcelle is youth commissioner of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women and Essa works at the Philippine Senate as a Youth  Affairs Liason.
    The theme of the program is "Working for a Peaceful Change in a Democratic Society."
According to Michael, since the inception of the program in the 1960s, of the thousands who were invited to the program about 200 became heads of states around the world, among them Britain's Margaret Thatcher.
    On Wednesday, Oct. 15, the group will fly to Honolulu for the last leg of their monthlong journey to the United States before they head back to Manila at the end of the program on Oct. 19.
    The group promised to stay in touch with us after they get back to the Philippines.
    Good luck and happy trip to them.

MORE TO COME LATER.....