run for your lives!!!

I was quite tired and listening to a friend's rants while on my way home yesterday. I was quite full, having partaken a disgustingly big meal, which wasnt such a good idea because it later on it occured to me that it might be my last. But i digress.

We came from the bridge that connects Landmark and Glorietta (Ayala center is a big mass of crisscrossing malls and bridges)and we were already in the atrium. I was planning to go to G4 and buy some sugarfree cake from Bizu to give to my diabetic grandmother for valentines. Now, we noticed a mass of people running from the alley that connected SM Makati to Glorietta and they were all rushing to the G4 alley. Since G4 is were the cinemas were at, I thought, "Oh no, not another batch of crazed fans rushing to meet piolo or richard or some such cheesy star". And then I saw that even people from the ground floor were also running. And that was then that something dropped and I grabbed my brother dog and ran back. The first thought I had was, fire... SM is burning, and it was only newly renovated, I hope they have insurance.

Now, it was already escalating to a stampede because the people behind us also started running, although they had no idea why we were running. During which time I thought back to Lion King and thought, Im dead. And my parents will kill me if something happens to my brother. My brother started running to a branching alley because the entrance to Landmark was already being swamped. So we tried to go there and saw people running towards us, and I thought, oh no, its also there.

At this point, it is quite relevant for me to tell that during lunch we were discussing ghost stories in the office. I cannot remember why exactly we were frightening ourselves with ghost stories on Valentines, but people here do have a great sense of irony.

As I saw the people from that alley rushing back towards us, it flashed in my mind that maybe people just saw a ghost. (My officemate who was with us thought that there were zombies attacking the mall). Of course we don't have any choice here but go back to the herd and contribute to the stampede. At this point, I was already huffing and puffing. And as we squeezed and elbowed people to get through, I thought, finally! that there was a bomb. In SM city. (the bus thing was a little too far fetched for my mind at this time since I only saw people running away from SM)

And then it really struck me that I may die. And I thought that while I am not particularly fearful of death, I wouldnt want to die as a victim of principles that I dont share. And not with my brother there.

Before, I do admit to be quite Machiavellian in my principles. I believed that at all cost, a leader does what needs to be done. But I realized that not every one shares the same belief and the same prnciple and those who dont subscribe to the principle shouldnt be ignored or sacrificed in the altar of self righteousness of a few.

To the victims and their families. I give my apologies. And my condolences... for the lives of the people affected and the principles you were never allowed to air.