Show the Survivor followers the jury votes!

The Wikipedia entry does not say it. Neither Survivor Philippines.com nor Survivor Philippines.tv offers the answer.

Who voted for who?

The Republic of the Philippines

Capital: Manila                                                            

Population: 98 million and unstoppable

Type of Government: Republic; Trapiz (Trapos and Showbiz)   

Religion: Roman Catholicism; Christianity

External Debt: 60 billion

Language: Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects – Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

OVERVIEW

The Philippines, the “Irony of the Orient”, is a small nation in insular South East Asia. It has borrowed trillion dollars from International Monetary Fund and World Bank yet it is poor. The world famous Banaue Rice Terraces is located here yet it is one of the biggest importer of rice in the world. The sons and daughters of the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos (who is one of the most corrupt leaders in the world ) are now duly elected politicians. Ferdinand’s wife was even given a tribute last month.

It had many American Military bases before and is now a host to Visiting Forces Agreement yet the country’s military sector is one of most poorly-equipped in Asia. No wonder the Abu Sayaff, a small terrorist group constituted of 300 men with guns, roams free and terrorize Mindanao every now and then. A police officer is unable to solve a simple held-up incident. A bank situated just across a police station is likely to get robbed in broad daylight.

The Japanese soldiers raped and killed millions of Filipinos yet so many agencies that send Filipino entertainers to Japan are all over the country. Everybody in the neighbourhood envies a family with one or two members entertaining Japanese abroad.

The Philippines suffered more during the American occupation that lasted only for 2 years than under the Spanish regime for 3 centuries yet they pride themselves by thanking the US for making the country, the so called 3^rd largest English-speaking country in the world. The Philippines, truly the “Irony of the Orient.”

GEOGRAPHY

The Philippine archipelago is made up of 7, 107 islands and islets. The area has a total of 300,000 sq kilometers. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Thousands of mountains, volcanoes and hills, where the original inhabitants of the ancient Philippines were pushed back, branded as uncivilized and stereotyped as ignoramus, are scattered across the country. The highest peak is Davao’s Mount Apo with a height of 2, 954 m.

The country has one of the richest biodiversity in the world. Rainforest of the Philippines was once one of the most diverse in the world. Due to Catholic priests and other preachers of Christian religions who never talk about the importance of environment conservation but has always meddled with political affairs, 90% of the country’s forest is gone.

The country receives a massive rainfall annually. This has been happening for only God knows how many centuries yet Filipinos are seemed to be oblivious to their environment. Erosion, mudslide, landslide, flash flood and rogue flood, all of these calamities happen yearly but Filipinos do not give a heck about it. No country has the technology to stop typhoon and storms but one can definitely prevent disaster cause by landslide. Once, mudslide swallowed a whole school in Leyte. Politicians shed crocodile tears, the whole town grieved for the loss, then after a month, nobody cared anymore. The budget for digging up bodies was shared by the government officials. The site turned into a cemetery. After all, that is the simplest and most practical thing to do. This technique was conceived by the former Fist Lady Imelda Marcos.

A year has passed and the town folks are ready to elect the same useless officials. Wow! Flash news… Richard Gomez, well-known showbiz figure will run for a congress seat in the 2010 election. Leyte must look forward for more of these disasters.

HISTORY

The country has no history of itself. The Filipinos were dumb-down for 300 years by Spanish. Then came the two-year massacre by American soldiers followed by treaties which allowed the US to drain the Philippines of its natural resources. It was not only the natural resource but also the people. America dragged the Filipino people to two world wars. It was not surprising that Manila was the worst hit city in Asia. The US offered to help the Philippines to cope up after the war by lending money. Yes, it is lending not giving. In no time, the country’s debt ballooned and is now as unstoppable as the country’s population. As with every country, there should be independence day. After 3 centuries, independence from Spain was proclaimed on the 12^th of June 1898. Blood, sweat, time, energy shed by Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Jose Rizal and many rovolutionists went down the drain because the freedom was short-lived. The United States of America, which is bigger, smarter and more powerful colonized (saved the Philippines from Spain according to history books)  the archipelago. The pseudo-independece from America was on the  4^th of July 1946.

It is safe to say that the history of the Philippines is more of history of Spanish, Japanese and American in the Philippines. A person who wants to know who the real Filipinos are must go to the mountains and talk to indigenous people dwelling on them. Below are the puppets (with the exception of Elpidio Quirino and Corazon Aquino’s accidental presidency) insured by CIA and the US government to run the Philippines

AMERICANIZED PUPPETS

Manuel L. Quezon

Jose P. Laurel

Sergio Osmena

Manuel Roxas

Elpidio Quirino

Ramon Magsaysay

Carlos P. Garcia

Diosdado Macapagal

Ferdinand Marcos

Corazon Aquino

Fidel V. Ramos

Joseph Estrada

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Politics and Government (and showbiz)                

Executive

The Philippines has a modified  presidential, unitary form of government where the President functions as both head of state and head of government and is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Supposedly, the president is elected by popular vote to a single six-year term, during which time she or he appoints and presides over the cabinet. The cabinet is constituted by friends, relatives, and former opposition who switch sides, borrow or return one another.

Legislative

The bicameral Circus is composed of a Senate (24 seats – one-half elected every three years; members elected at large by popular vote to serve six-year terms), serving as the upper house, with members elected (supposedly by popular vote)to a six-year term

House of Representatives, serving as the lower house (as a result of May 2007 election it has 240 seats including 218 members representing districts and 22 sectoral party-list members representing special minorities elected on the basis of 1 seat for every 2% of the total vote but limited to 3 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note – the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members), with members elected to a three-year term. Supposedly, they are elected from both legislative districts and through sectoral representation but so far, they only represent theirselves and their families. Expensive meetings are held all the time to get free lunch, dance, sleep, gossip, or pose for picture-taking. A visit to a congress meeting is similar to a zoo field trip except that the zoo has cute animals. Zoos have varied animals as well and not limited to crocodiles, alligators, vultures, snakes, and sharks.

Judiciary

The judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court, composed of a Chief Justice as its presiding officer and fourteen associate justices, all appointed by the Philippine President from nominations submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council. They serve the president, politicians, business tycoons until 70 years of age. Only poor Filipinos go to jail. No rich person gets prosecuted or convicted. Every single jail in the country is jampacked with convicts who could not afford to hire a lawyer. Sandigan-bayan is a special court for hearing corruption cases of government officials. So far, it has been used only once. 

Political Parties                                                                                                          

The political parties in the Philippines are nowhere like parties in the US where as a person who is born a democrat will die like one. Parties here are literally like a Christmas or a birthday party. One can change within 24 hours.

seats by party – Lakas 4, LP 4, Nacionalista 3, NPC 2, PDP-Laban 2, PMP 2, Kampi 1, LDP 1, PRP 1, independents 3; note – there are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected mayor of Manila; House of Representatives – percent of vote by party – NA; seats by party – Lakas 92, Kampi 54, NPC 25, LP 21, Party-list 22, independents 3, others 26; there are 238 rather than 240 sitting representatives because two died in office

Iglesia ni Cristo [Felix Manalo]; Katoliko [Cardinal Rosales] Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino or Kampi [Luis VILLAFUERTE]; Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD [Prospero NOGRALES]; Liberal Party or LP [Manuel ROXAS]; Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel VILLAR]; Nationalist People’s Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL]; People’s Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; United Opposition or UNO [Jejomar BINAY] Showbizlandia [Whoever is the most popular on TV and in movies]

note: Lakas-CMD and Kampi merged on 29 May 2009 to form Lakas-Kampi CMD

RELIGION

90% of what is inside a Filipino skull is about Christianity and the Supreme Being. For instance, an earthquake shook the ground, so members of the family are panicking. The children hears their mom saying “Relax, children. Do not go out to an open field where no trees or buildings can fall on you. Just stand still and pray.” Another instance is when you witnessed a student being killed for his wallet by two hooligans. You report it to the police station. The police officers will tell you “Please pray for the repose of the victim’s soul. And we will not work on this case. Instead, we will pray too so that God will bring the suspects right here.”  Filipinos never solve a problem. Some Filipinos who try to solve a problem are considered Satanists. Finding a solution is a blasphemy 84 million Filipinos let God solve it for them. Below are incidents that show how godly Filipinos are.

EDUCATION

The constitution states that the biggest budget allocation must go to education. Because the Philippines is the “Irony of the Orient”, education is only 3^rd in the list. No wonder the Philippines is the only country in South east Asia where the secondary level has only 4 years. It is also has the worst student-teacher ratio next to India. Teachers are like ATM working 24/7 with a slave wage.

ECONOMY

The economy has growth 5% since President MACAPAGAL-ARROYO took office in 2001, a truly exceptional feat even though the national budget has been directed to paying external debt, then military expenditures respectively.  Fiscal deficits declined, and an increase in spending on infrastructure and social services bolstered optimism over Philippine economic prospects. The general economic outlook of the country developed significantly in recent years. However, the economy still faces several long term challenges. The Philippines must maintain the reform momentum in order to catch up with regional competitors and improve employment opportunities. China has invested heavily on making its labour speak English. 10 years from now, all BPO and call centers in the Philippines will move to China and there is nothing that the archipelago can do. 30 % of the population is living in poverty. The Philippine economy grew at its fastest pace in three decades in 2007 with real GDP growth exceeding 7%, but growth slowed to 3.8% in 2008 as a result of the world financial crisis. The economic activity slowed down yet the population is still growing and the gap between the rich and the poor is getting bigger than ever. Remittances from the four- to five-million Filipinos who work abroad have helped cushion the economy from the current financial crisis.

1. Kidnapping – The government is firm on its “No Ransom” policy. Officers in charge are very firm only vocally. They never complement this policy with extreme intelligence and highly-organized tactical assault. Hence, there is kidnapping every week.  Chinese, Koreans, and foreigners, just stay away from this country or enter on your own risk. Remember, the government is firm on its “No Ransom” policy. On the second thought, just stay away because you are making these kidnappers rich.

2. Human export; mail-order bride – This sector uses various ways such as telemarketing, internet websites, travel agencies and others.

3. Business Process Outsourcing – The Philippines is among the Top 10 choices for offshore operations. Majority of the BPO facilities are located in Metro Manila, Cebu City and Bacolod City, although other regional areas such as Baguio City, Cagayan de Oro, Clark (Angeles City), Dagupan City, Davao City, Tacloban City, Dumaguete City, Lipa City, Iloilo City, [[Legazpi City] and Iligan City are now being promoted and developed for offshore operations.

4. Borrowing money from WB, IMF and other institutions – The government is slow to respond on any calamities and just wait for International Red Cross, WB or other countries to take pity on helpless victims. When donation comes in, it helps the economy.

5. Religion – Aside from becoming a politician, creating a religion is a sure way to be rich.

6. Chettyars – These people are from India and are locally called as “bumbai”

7. Politics: bribery, graft and corruption – This is the “soul” of the Philippine economy.

8. Bum – This is a profession of a high stature. Shame on you if you are a teacher. You are pathetic if you are a nurse. If you are a bum, you must be proud and the people in your Friendster’s friend list envy you.

8. Overseas Filipino workers – Take the remittances away and the Philippines will sink instantly.

9. Export Commodities – semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits

10. Illegal drugs – domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines. Few shabu laboratories have been raided but never has an owner been caught.

PEOPLE

Since authentic Philippine History does not exist, majority of the population is unaware of national identity. Only a handful of Filipinos know the words “patriotism”, and “nationalism” and could actually use them in a sentence correctly.

The population is 90 million and still counting. Scientists found out mystifying diseases inflicting 80 million Filipinos. Below are the scientific findings:

Amnesia

10 million Filipinos suffer from amnesia. This illness is evident all throughout the country. Politicians who murder innocent people get re-elected. Politicians who receive bribes get elected and re-elected. Politicians who corrupt get elected and re-elected. Lastly, politicians who do nothing for the people get elected and re-elected over and over again. All these resulted from Filipinos having amnesia and being forgetful.

Forgiving

20 million Filipinos are very forgiving. Politicians who fathered dozens of children with different mothers get elected and re-elected. Politicians who are caught embezzling funds for public projects get elected and re-elected. Politicians who are high school drop-outs get elected and re-elected.

Happy

20 million Filipinos are very happy. After 5 decades of the so-called Philippine independence, the country achieved nothing. It is a fact that the Philippines has sunk low and will be completely destroyed by the Filipinos themselves very soon. Amazingly, these happy Filipinos are oblivious to what has been happening to the country. They do not feel any sadness towards crimes, human rights abuse and violation, war, terrorism, corruption, graft, country’s debt, eroding morality, poverty  and the likes.

God-fearing

30 million Filipinos are very religious. They let their churches decide for themselves. Take for example a family living under one of the bridges in Manila. The father is a laborer who receives 180 pesos (4 dollars) a day. The mother is a housemaker. She takes care of their 7 children who only eat two times a day. The couple will not stop producing babies until the church leader tells them so. In the next election, the couple will not vote for anybody who thinks has the ability to alleviate poverty. They will wait for the decision of the pastor.

The remaining 10 percent of the population can be broken down to:

4% – Uber-rich and politicians who are above the law.

6% – Those who do not suffer from amnesia, unforgiving, feel sadness and Satan-worshippers.

This is a joke. I’ve got nothing to do now. Got you!:-)

PS: My heartfelt thanks goes to the sources

I have new idols,the Tulfo Brothers.

And before you raise your eyebrows whil screaming “Innocent until proven guilty”,these evil in human forms were caught in the act.

Yummy papa

So the Philippines is going gaga over Rustom Padilla’s tranformation into Bebe Gandanghari. I wonder why she went to the US for her transformation. It’s uber-expensive, the rigmaroles, and the time only to become like this?

The New Rustom Padilla

 Thailand is just 3 hours away. There, it’s cheaper, faster and the result,see for yourself…

Bebe Gandanghari  of the Philippines versus Nong Noang of Thailand.

Who is sexier?

Who is more curvaceous?

Who is more beautiful?

Lastly, who is your winner?

I am the WINNER!

Next opponent,please!

In your dreams, Bebe! You shouldn’t have gone to New York but to Thailand,the “Land of Smiles.”

Still, I can’t wait to hang out with you at the beach.Let us not squander  our time fighting. Our government are good at it.

So, friends?

I would like to thank the websites where these pics were taken.Manilagayguy and Misterhubs. Bebe’s pics are so rare!

I’ve seen 3 movies these past 2 weeks so I thought that giving them a short bird-s eye review (for the lack of a better term) would be fine and probably helpful for others who are contemplating in watching one of these movies.

Push

The poster says “A New Evolution of Hero” yet it fails to bring any thing new to the mutant/superhuman department. Every element of a superhero film is present: some mutants, a secret government organization who wants to control these freaks of nature, and a mishap. Upon leaving the cinema, I was scratching my head and asking myself “Where is the evolution there?” It is probably the world’s most boring film and it is an ACTION MOVIE. It definitely dethroned Lurmahn’s “Eyes Wide Shut”. Simply put-Totally forgettable.

Verdict: Do not even buy a pirated copy of this movie.

My Bloody Valentine 3D

This is a remake of the 1981 movie of the same title which I happened to see as well. The original had some creepy scenes such as the dead body in a fridge, the human heart being cooked with sausage, and the bar owner’s death scene. In the 2009 remake, I entered the theater with an assumption that this remake will suck because in the mind of a self-respecting horror movie fan, there are only few remakes who manage to exceed their originals. Obviously, I was wrong because My Bloody Valentine 3D is actually scary and entertaining. The death scenes are gory and just fantastic!!! Kerr Smith and the veteran actors (oldies) did a good job in the acting department. As with every slasher-film, there are stupid scenes but not enough to annoy you. Finally, thanks to the gratious director who cleverly used the 3D technology which sealed the deal.

Verdict: Horror fans will surely like it.

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-li

I followed the development of this film for almost a year. I entered forums, movie review sites and even Youtube and the consensus is: It will suck. The list of reasons was long which includes not casting a Chinese actress and the hilarious movie poster (see the first one below). Chun-li is one of the most popular female characters in the world of video game and she is from China and hence a Chinese. I know a lot about her and other Street Fighter characters as well. Mind you, I’ve been collecting stuff about this video game since I was 12 years old. My Street Fighter cards are all neatly placed in an album but that is not the topic of this blog. I couldn’t remember how many time I scratched my head every time an unfamiliar subplot surfaced. All done under the name of Hollywood and hence perfectly understandable. After accepting those annoying cock-and-bull versions, I found the fight scenes enjoyable. The moves are breath-taking and well-executed. Kudos to Kristine Kreuk for an impressive performance. This might be a bad Street Fighter movie but definitely qualifies as a good action movie.

Verdict: This is a good Street Fighte…err  ACTION movie.

Which is the best poster?

I am a movie buff and hence a regular visitor of Rottentomatoes.com. For those who are unaware of this site, RT is one of the few trusted movie review sites. I personally think that it is the best. It features just every thing that you want to know about movies. I surf RT before or after checking out a movie. Well, if I am being penurious or in doubt of the movie’s quality, I check out RT. If I watched a certain movie and liked it, I would usually read the views of RTs’ critics. And guess what popped out of my computer screen this week?

A rating of 92 for Serbis

Serbis is graded 92%!!!

Only 1 out of 13 critics gave it a rotten tomato!

It is difficult to get a 70% in RT and Serbis got 92%

Does that mean it’s on par with The Dark Knight, Kill Bill, Gran Torino, Hotel Rwanda, and the recently shown Taken and Slumdog Millionaire. One reviewer even quoted Serbis as “The Filipinos answer to Slumdog Millionaire.”

Serbis making it to the most prestigious Cannes Film Festival is something to brag about. Jaclyn Jose and Gina Pareno winning top awards in film festivals all over the world is highly commendable. Being graded 92% is just awesomeness to the highest level.

Congratulations to Brillante Mendoza, Gina Pareno, Jaclyn Jose, Coco Martin, Julio Diaz, Kristofer King, Mercedez Cabral and the rest of the casts of Serbis. More power to our Indie Film industry and the Robinson’s Place Indie Cinema as well.

Serbis is truly and proudly Philippine-made.

This might be silly but it’s true…Filipinos have the longest and biggest bananas among South East Asian nations. Vietnam comes second. Thais have bananas that look so cute, you wouldn’t want to put it in your mouth.
Some people including me might find this shocking. Some might think it’s funny. I experienced it myself. Upon seeing it, I couldn’t believe it. It was just scary big. I wanted to touch it to check if it was real but the man was grumpy and unwelcoming.

Malaysia

Thailand

Indonesia

Vietnam

And our very own…

Corruption, graft, traditional politicians, mud-slinging, back-stabbing and I can go on for ages but shall I?

So how fukc up is politics in the Philippines?

Firstly, our politics is fukc up because among all the 13 presidents that the Philippines has seen, there is only ONE who didn’t win due to CIA machinations, it was Elpidio Quirino. You do not need me to expound this, do you?

Secondly, economic plunder (embezzlement of public funds), ambush interviews (surprise interviews), coddling criminals (treating leniently), or mulcting (extorting money from) motorists are just some new English terms which originated from the Philippines.

Thirdly, when I was still in college, I saw Kiko Pangilinan fukced up the Filipinos. The senators had to vote and the result was 10-10. Then he said,

“Your honour, …..Senator (…….) is out but he will vote for YES so that makes it 10-11.”

Kiko Pangilinan, a senator who was supposed to analyze the bill. Scrutinize it whether if it was passed, would do good to the people abandoned the Filipinos. During that moment, he was not a senator who was supposed to work for the masses. He was working for his boss.

Finally, our politics is fukc up because of Eduardo Ermita’s answer during an interview:

Interviewed at the Senate, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that by numbers alone, the political allies of Malacañang could easily beat the proponents of the impeachment complaint.

“It happens that the allies of Malacanang have the number. They are living up to the alliance (and) that is the essence of having a political alliance,” Ermita told reporters as he welcomed the House decision.

                                                             Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV

And Ermita said this during an interview. Don’t you just admire his audacity?

Back to Pangilinan’s statement, please notice that he had some subtlety then. After some years, Ermita is now here saying the aforementioned statement. A statement which is more blatant and more shameless than Pangilinan’s. The thought that in 2009 or 2010, being dirty will be a common characteristic of a Filipino politician creeps me out. By that time, any Filipino politician can say “How much will I get if I pass this law?”

After seeing that incident involving Pangilinan, I stopped watching any sessions involving any politicians. Unless I am depress, thus wanting to see monkeys in suits and tie.

I hate my job because it requires me to be aware of current events!!!

I stumbled on this article at 8:30 a.m. today. This story is scary enough to be a horror novel. And why the heck is this posted under OPINION?

Read on and be horrified. If these unscrupulous people can do this to a Bulakeno, I can’t grasp the more unimaginable events happening in far-flung areas of the Philippines.

Rebel without a clue
Rage

By Patricia Evangelista
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:06:00 11/23/2008

THIS is the story of one Raymond Manalo, farmer, who disappeared on Feb. 14, 2006 with his older brother from their farm in San Ildefonso, Bulacan. Manalo was neither activist nor rebel when he disappeared. He escaped more than two years later. He says there are many, many more like him.

* * *

They put you in a cage four feet by one foot small, the height of an average man. There are hollow blocks to the side and iron grills in front. You sit with three other men, crouched in a line. There is no other way to fit.

Your brother is in the same cell. The door opens, more of them come in. More of them like you—beaten, bruised, helpless. They are put inside the next cell. This time there are two men and a married couple. The woman has burns all over her body. She was raped, they tell you. She was raped and beaten until she soiled herself. They say she has gone mad. They take her away.

This is where you shit, where you piss, where you wash if you still care. You do not feel the wind; you do not see the sun. Your food comes rarely, and what comes is rotten, leftover pig feed. Three men arrive, from Nueva Ecija. They are tortured. One of them has both arms broken. Bleeding.

Sometimes, when the soldiers are drinking, they take you out of your cage and play with you. The game varies, but it is usually the same. Two by fours, chains, an open gardening hose shoved down your nose. You crawl back to your cage, on your hands and knees. You wake up to screaming, to the sound of grown men begging, and you wonder which one it is this time. Sometimes, one of your cellmates will disappear. Sometimes, they don’t come back.

Then they take you away, and there is a doctor, pills, antibiotics, a bed. They tell you they are taking you home to see your parents. You meet the man they call The Butcher, and he tells you to tell your parents not to join the rallies, to stay away from human rights groups, that they would ruin your life and your brother’s. He tells you, this small man in shorts, that if you can only prove you’re on his side now, he would let you and your brother live. He gives you a box of vitamins, and tells you that they are expensive: P35 per pill.

They put a chain around your waist. The military surround your farm. Your mother opens the front door crying, and hugs you. You tell them what you were told to say. You hand them the money Palparan told you to give. Then you are told you must go.

Always, you keep thinking of escape. You make yourself useful, to make them trust you. You cook. You wash cars. You clean. You shop. No task is too menial. And one day, while you sweep the floor, you see a young woman, chained to the foot of a bed. Her name is Sherlyn Cadapan, she tells you, Sports Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, the same Sherlyn who disappeared from Hagonoy, Bulacan on June 26, 2006. She says she has been raped.

Later, you meet Karen Empeño, also from UP, and Manuel Merino, the farmer who rushed to save the two girls when they were abducted. Karen and Sherlyn are in charge of washing the soldiers’ clothes, you and Manuel and your brother Reynaldo wash the car and carry water and cook.

The five of you are taken from camp to camp. You see the soldiers stealing from villagers. You see them bringing in blindfolded captives. You see them digging graves. You see them burning bodies, pouring gasoline as the fire rose. You see them shoot old men sitting on carabaos and see them push bodies into ravines. And in April 2007, you hear a woman begging, and when you are ordered to fix dinner, you see Sherlyn, lying naked on a chair that had fallen on the floor, both wrists and one tied leg propped up.

You see them hit her with wooden planks, see her electrocuted, beaten, half-drowned. You see them amuse themselves with her body, poke sticks into her vagina, shove a water hose into her nose and mouth. And you see the soldiers wives’ watch. You hear the soldiers forcing Sherlyn to admit who it was with plans to “write a letter.” You hear her admit, after intense torture, that it was Karen’s idea. And you see Karen, dragged out of her cell, tied at the wrists and ankles, stripped of her clothing, then beaten, water-tortured, and burned with cigarettes and raped with pieces of wood. And it is you who are ordered to wash their clothes the next day, and who finds blood in their panties.

And you are there, on the night they take away Manuel Merino, when you hear an old man moaning, a gunshot and the red light of a sudden fire.

* * *

The day Raymond Manalo and his brother Reynaldo escaped was the day he promised himself they would pay, all of them who tortured Karen and Sherlyn, who killed so many, who tortured him and his brother until they begged and pleaded. They were pigs, he says, those men were pigs. If he escaped, they told him, and if they couldn’t find him, they would massacre his family. And if they do not answer to the courts here, they will answer to God.

They can still kill him, he says. But even if they do, it is too late. He’s told his story.