Was He Really Arrogant?

Last week has been a flurry of debates about the infamous Youtube video of US Pop Idol Justin Bieber titled “ Justin Bieber: How arrogant can you be” posted by a scorned fan and daughter of the father featured in the video being brushed off by the singer. The video for me was too choppy for me to see, some say he was pushed away other seems he was ignored. In my interpretation, the man quickly rushed over to Justin as he was quickly walking out of the tarmac and brushed passed the man who dropped something on the floor. The daughter immediately posted the video and closed the comments section in her Youtube account.

Since then PEP and Yahoo Philippines and other media sites has picked up the story of the Viral Vid calling Justin ungrateful to the very fans that lifted him up to his fame. And the opinions and flurry of comments came flooding in on whether the pop idol or the employee was on the wrong for their actions.

The work I am in now allows me to work and interact with VIP clients such as high profile celebrities and politicians. Most of who have a similar crazed fan base as Justin Bieber. As a fan myself, say if I am in the presence of the cast of Fringe or of Jonny Depp, my human side is fighting every last cell of my body from trying to give one of them a hug, a kiss and ask for an autograph.

However before the start of our shift we are briefed such actions are unprofessional, can cause problems with the security detail and can also get us suspended or worse fired. Already the fact the fan approached the VIP and another video taping the incident by both employees of the airport questions security and protocol issues by the managers of NAIA.

After a while working with such VIPS, some I can say ARE snobs, others seem like they are, not because of choice but because they are instructed to ignore fans at certain areas by their agents and bodyguards due to security reasons. In most cases celebrities can only pose for pictures and sign autographs for a short period of time at certain public areas.

I understand that the Tatay in the video was trying his best to give his daughter such a great gift. After all his daughters greatest fan can walk up to him once in a lifetime. However the viral buzz of the video has taken the whole thing out of context. Maybe JB was sick, maybe he was running late behind schedule, maybe his agents told him to ignore any fans that come his way as he walks out, maybe he really is arrogant. There are many factors here to consider and we have yet to hear from the actors side. And also remember that US has a different way of how their celebrities interact with fans as compared to Philippine celebrities. Seriously its only in the Philippines I find certain people actually do a live interview that they have an STD or tweet how jealous they are of another co-host or air.

I am not defending the actor here, but the issue is now a mountain of a molehill. What does the daughter want? A public apology from JB which I am sure the Philippine fan base will be gain spilt on their opinions about him, and rebirth of new issues about his actions. This can cause a gaffe between possible future concerts of the actor in Manila. Because seriously, every US based celebrity that visits our country seems to get a bad rep the moment they leave.

And the father who IMO broke some serious protocol in walking over to him to ask for an autograph. He was actually lucky he was just brushed aside. I have witnessed and myself have been tackled by a bodyguard simply by being within a few feets space of an VIP. If I was NAIA’s marketing and security manager, the best way I could have deflected this issue was give everyone involved a serious briefing on professionalism when facing a VIP. And then speak to the agents/publicists of the VIP for a latter photoshoot with the crew as a complimentary gift in exchange for assisting JB on both his arrival and departure in Manila. Most celebrity agents allow this because it builds rapport with them and the company and can be used as a positive publicity stunt.

Reading most of the comments in PEP and Yahoo Philippines, show that the fans are running mostly on emotions. But we need to see all sides of things in every issue and controversy before making hasty judgments and conclusions.

Unfortunately humanity nowadays with the rise of social media, have an unsalable hunger for negativity, trolling and controversy.

My thoughts On the Rolando Mendoza Hong Kong Bus Siege.

My thoughts On the Rolando Mendoza Hong Kong Bus Siege.

It riles me up on the injustice and senseless violence this man has cause to us many Filipinos.
As a man who was once a decorated Police officer back in his day. He knew the in's and outs of the PNP procedures for hostage situations and the dirty politics behind it.

I understand him for his grievance as of any man losing his job giving the above circumstances.
But I DO BLAME him for the trauma and grief he has caused not only to the 8 HK tourist on that fated tourist bus, their families but also to Filipinos in Taiwan and Hong Kong that even before this tragedy, our OFW's domestic workers are viewed as the lowest classes the majority of their employers and now are subjected to magnified discrimination and harm.

Rolando Mendoza, delivered a well calculated point when he took over that bus and shot his victims. Knowing there would be no easy way out of his predicament, jobless, desperate, depressed and angry. At the same time no financial salvation from already a distressed economy and an equally shady justice system.
Rolando in the back of his head decided since he is going down, he will take the Filipino world with him. And that he did as he pulled the trigger on his victims. A well planned and cruel calculated move.


Each day as I open a newspaper or turn on the TV, I would read a news article about Filipino's domestic helpers, even tourists in Hong Kong subjected to discrimination and hate. Workers being fired, some subjected to physical violence.
However our OFW's persevere out of fear. They have families to feed and going back will not ensure them a secure employment.

I was outraged more on the immaturity of some of the Pinoy officers taking souvenir shots of the crime scene.
REALLY!!!!???? %%#!#$ REALLY???!!!!

How would you feel if your family was massacred and people decide to take group shots of the crime scene.
You F)*)$$$ yes thats my thought about that.
As much as I am proud to be Pinoy, I am ashamed of the several bad apples in our barrel.
The actions of those people already a spat to the face of the grieving victim's families. I can only imagine their pain.

And behalf to any HK nationals reading my blog/article. We pray for the souls of your fallen, we share in your grief and offer our deepest condolences.
But also we beg for your mercy to please not spite us. We are NOT all like Rolando Mendoza, nor the dim-witted officers that defiled the crime scene. We are just as outraged of this senseless violence that could have been avoided. And I am sure the Filipino public will call for proper Justice.

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However there is a part of me that questions how come we Filipino’s are looked down upon so much in the world?
We are known for our Warm Hospitality
We have one of the most beautiful people born to our race. A mix of Kastilla, Malay and Chinese.
Great place to actually retire despite the misconceptions of most that were are ALL that crime ridden and such ( trust me there are WORST places than The Philippines when it comes to violence)
In a world riddled with moral liberties, often whitewashed with western culture, Filipinos continue to raise families with the morals and values of respect and love to elders. Something that many foreigners applaud us for.
We are considered as valuable people in the workforce. Pinoy's are known to be very industrious, hardworking and loyal to employers. Driven and goaled. focused and friendly, warm and loving.
As a country often riddled with massive storms and super-typhoons we learn from them an no matter what natural disaster topples us down, we Filipinos always get back at our feet.

And yet even with all these positives we are looked upon with racial hate. Out casted as a 3rd world minority to many.
When a Pinoy is a cause of a crime. The whole world gangs up on us. And yet when a foreigner kills/rapes another Filipino, or causes one harm. We barely get any sympathy from the world.
No support, no condolences, barely mentioned and worse no justice given sometimes to the Filipino victims. News regarding Pinoy injustice s often hushed and hidden to the point of obscurity.
We become the pun of Jokes in American TV shows and late night comedies.
Our women called whores, uneducated and nothing but gold diggers. As if any crimes against us is well deserved
ARE WE THAT UNWORTHY to the eyes of the world?

WHAT IF it was not Rolando Mendoza a Filipino that killed those 8 HK victims? WHAT IF it was one of their fellow countryman, or an American, perhaps a French or British national. Would HK and the world show as much hatred to our countrymen?
I believe not. Maybe because the above mentioned are super nations whose racial status are above the eyes of many.
Everyday in the news I see violence in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other parts of Asia. Yet why do I feel that our whole nation must suffer for this one man's crimes. Magnified and over exaggerated.

I say BLAME MENDOZA, the individual, and yes blame our failed justice system. Our people are supportive to the Hong Kong families who demand proper justice. But please spare our people the persecution.
To my Hongkong readers, please pity them, they have families to feed, and have sacrificed so much for our country as well. Did they not serve you well? Did they not show you the warmth and loving smile of a true Filipino could be? Would you truly hate us just because of the color of our skin and one man's crimes?
We are not all Rolando Mendoza's

We are Filipinos. Cultured, Colorful, Loving, Morale, Dignified, Mixed. Oppressed yet Vigilant. God fearing. Thriving. Loving and Deserving of respect and Dignity

As I end this article.
I wish to the Hongkong Victims, Their Survivors and Families and Countrymen
Our DEEPEST CONDOLENCES and Prayer to your loved ones
And to my countrymen, Persevere my brethren and God be with us.