Bangkok Dangerous

"kailan ako lalaya? sa anino ng pag iisa? mga rehas lang ang tanaw, nanginginig sa seldang maginaw." - eheads (NGA PALA, NAKARATING NA KO PILIPINAS, SALAMAT SA DIYOS! -12/01/08)

How does it feel to be a prisoner in an invisible jailhouse? This is what i'm feeling right now. I flew here from Manila to attend a business meeting last Saturday. My flight back was booked last Wednesday afternoon. But Tuesday night, there was news that protesters blocked the International Airport leaving no choice but to stop business - all flights cancelled - until further notice. The people are demanding CHANGE. Let the prime minister step down his office and start a new era of good governance. The world will know their plea by demonstrating a peaceful protest in one of Asia's biggest airport (infact 18th bussiest in the world) - Suvarnabhumi.

Ok, this wouldn't probably take long....and so i thought. Today is Sunday, my 9th day in Bangkok. Both local and international airports here are closed. You have to go to Pattaya (+ 2hours) or Phuket (+12 hours) then fly to Cambodia or Vietnam or Malaysia or Singapore if your flight carrier can accomodate you. Everyday, the number of stranded tourists are in the thousands. 5 days post airport seige. Booking for train (earliset available booking Dec10!), car (hotel car to Phuket - 17,000 Baht!), bus (fully booked), boat or plane (prioritize nationals - Cathay for HongKong, SQ for Singaporeans, Thai Airways for those already booked) to any destination away from Bangkok is like joining the Amazing Race! Until finally, you're too tired of thinking all the possibilities.

Shop. Eat. Walk along the streets of Bangkok. Watch CNN. Sleep. Drink. Sleep. Watch CNN. Walk along the streets of Bangkok. Eat. Shop. Plenty of things to do. A lot of sites to see. But no matter what i do, the reality is - i'm stranded, i'm stucked in prison without the jailbars.

I want to go home. I miss my family.... ganito pala ang malayo sa mga taong minamahal mo, sigh....

You're my Hero

This weekend was all "parteeyy" for my kids. Saturday, November 1. We went to a friend's son 1st birthday party. My 2 kids, both excited with their superhero costumes - green lantern and flash. The party was on the 7th floor a few minutes from the biggest government hospital in taft (yeah, you guessed it right) were my wife works (and i used to work). The place was perfect - swimming pool, overlooking crowded manila, cool breeze and bright lights in the bay area.

Too excited, the boys rushed inside the party place but immediately turned back upon seeing cookie monster and the clowns! haaaay, for some unknown reason, my kids don't like mascots (kung pwede lang sila ma banned sa mga party) even our very own jollibee! But of course, we can't stop the party just because my kids are afraid of these "monsters". So we managed to enjoy the event..... at the far end of the party room away from these creatures. haha.

Here comes the "bring me game". Definitely they still want to win and have a price (TOYS). Bring me a pair of white socks! (I have gray). Bring me three piso coins!(i have 500 bills, ehem, ehem). Bring me a receipt! (i gave one to my son, but he was not the first one to reach the clowns...we're at the far end, remember?) Bring me the longest belt! (my waist size is just 30, i gave it but obviously not winnable). Bring me a license! (still not the first one)... the game was such a sure hit to the crowds, but for my son, i saw in his eyes, he wanted to win atleast one so that he can have a precious lightning mcqueen prize (TOY).... i saw in him not happiness but a tinge of sorrow for not being able to get atleast one precious, which is like a world for him. I openned my wallet, getting ready for whatever bring me the clown will utter (Please God, give us a chance, all for my kids....)

Atlast, one last bring me.... Bring me your PINAKAMACHONG DADDY!!! Without any hesitation, i stood up, brought my son to the clown and proclaimed my self MR. SEXY! Nevermind the laughter from the crowd, but seeing my son getting his prize, the pure innocent laughter in his face, like in the credit card commercial, its PRICELESS.

After the party, my son told me, "thanks dad, you're my hero!" I may not be green lantern, flash or superman but i will endure anything, all for love.

The next day, November 2, there's another party.......