Life after death: An update on the Freedom of Information campaign

A Senate hearing was recently held to probe on how the media behaved during the recent hostage fiasco. Media has received flaks from all directions for their blow- by- blow account of the event which said to have contributed to the tragedy. And because some media personalities and individuals justified their coverage as an exercise of their duty to provide the public with information consistent with the people's right to know, the Freedom of Information bill was dragged in the midst of the heated debates.

According to Senator Gringo Honasan, Senate Committee on Public Information, the Senate hearing held last 14 September 2010 was intended to discuss the Freedom of Information bill, among others. Although the FOI bill was not discussed during the session, the bill has been repeatedly mentioned outside the Senate halls especially during the IIRC investigation. On the other side of the fence was the argument that the incident clearly spelled out the limits of the people’s right to know. Even if this seeming tension did not substantially affect the advocacy since it did not result in the revision of any provision it certainly brought the bill back in the circulation.

When the media conveniently used the right to information as a shield against public’s and government official’s slur, IIRC member, Teresita Ang See tore the screen by saying that life is more important than the people’s right to know. ABC 5 News and Current Affairs head, Ms. Luchi Cruz- Valdes sounded off the same when she said in the Senate hearing that they draw the line in their full blast coverage when lives are at stake. The discourse then became life versus right to information which I find reasonable. I think that in general, the value of anything diminishes when it becomes a matter of life and death.

But if one would disentangle freedom of information from the hostage fiasco, the recent discourse would give rise to another reality that sometimes freedom of information, not only affects life but is life itself. In many cases, information breathes life to a dying institution, in the most abstract terms and, survival from physical death in the most practical one.

This has been very well summarized by Ms. Aruna Roy, a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Public Service and a staunch advocate of Freedom of Information in India when she said that right to information is right to life. The case of Sumilao farmers, for instance, who were denied of information about the land they claim resulted in a defeat which was tantamount to lost of their main source of food and livelihood.

This assertion is vital in keeping the advocacy alive especially after the 14^th Congress killed the bill. The lifeblood of a hardly hit, almost suicidal advocacy has been the fact that indeed there is life after death. This hope is embraced even if death has visited twice when the President refused to mention the bill as his priority during his State of the Nation Address.

Moving on, the Right to Know. Right Now! Campaign is gearing up for the 15^th Congress. A series of planning has been held and a number of activities and strategies were set.

Participatory running: Comments on the Adidas King of the Road 2010

Context

I don’t usually write reviews of races because of various reasons. One, because I don’t feel experienced enough to comment considering that I only started running last year and have not been involved in race organizing so I'm afraid my comments might miss components I'm not aware of. This brings me to my second reason which is just to leave it to other bloggers who I believe have more right than me.

I have attempted a few times to comment on races but I decided to just to let go. I thought others would do it anyway. But I think that maybe it’s time to say my piece than to forever hold it. Not that I gained the authority to comment just because I’ve added a few months to my running life or been into organizing race, because not yet still, but simply by being a consumer or a participant who has a stake, more than the fee I paid but as a responsible member of the community of runners. Consistent with the participatory governance framework that we espouse in Transparency and Accountability Network, which is expressed through amplifying those small voices and providing spaces for involvement, may I make this constructive criticism about yesterday’s Adidas of the Road with the hope that I'd be able to contribute to the improvement of races. I also would like to be a responsible blogger that no matter how small my reach is, I hope to be able to share the sentiments of a few friends who asked me to do so.

As one of the most anticipated runs, the Adidas KOTR lived up to the expectation of a sophisticated singlet. There were also enough kilometer marks. I think it’s also a good point that trash bags were provided near water stations so there’d be lesser trash. The cheerers and inspirational quotes were also good. The breakfast, although not a buffet, was also nice. The provision of a medal was a plus point although I expected a better design.

It was a good race but could have been better which I think it should have achieved given the kind of expectation it raised through its publicity. Although all races are expected to be well- organized, I think that there were higher expectations of and therefore, less tolerance for mistakes in the Adidas KOTR because of how it’s been projected and the fee that was paid.

Here are my few comments, for whatever it’s worth.

Baggage counter

I got to the race venue a bit late. Not later than gun start but late in reference to the ideal time that I think I should be in any race which is at least an hour before the start to have enough time to do my errands. I went to the baggage counter and saw a long queue. What I did was look for the table for the 21K runners as provided in other races but I found out that there was no such thing. A thousand baggage were mixed up. What made it worse was the number of people in the counter. There were a few of them having to entertain a huge number of runners. I think that the rush was partly because some runners especially those in the half marathon category, like me, came late. But I heard that even those who have been there earlier almost did not make it in time for the gun start because they waited on the queue for almost 30 minutes.

Good thing that those in other categories whose gun start was later gave way to 21K runners since the start was nearing.

While running back to the start area to check in, I told myself, it would surely be chaotic picking up the baggage after the race. As I crossed the finish line, the first thing I did, aside from drinking and stretching, was get my baggage before the other runners came. And reality did not frustrate me. What I imagined to be chaotic turned out to be a riot. Tired runners who probably wanted to get their towels from their bags to be refreshed or get their phones to reach their friends, had to spend more energy looking for their bags in the ocean of baggage so they could point it to those in charge since the bib number scheme was no longer working. I also pitied those manning the counter who were starting to get cranky because of being pressured by thousands of voices asking for their bags. My impatience was starting to set in but I thought I should understand those in the counter. While I hated how the system worked, I also did not like it that some runners were shouting at them.

It was like buying meat in a wet market or putting bet in a cockfight that morning. And by wet I mean, wet and muddy.

Suggestion: Have a space and people for each race category. This way, one would not have to sort from thousands of bags but only through a lesser number of baggage. If possible, to have it arranged based on the bib number, not necessarily in order but maybe by first numbers in the bib, etc.

Route

The route was nice because I found it challenging. I thought it would be a nice course until Km 13 or 14 when 21K runners had to compete for space with a battalion of 10K runners coming in from the High Street to Buendia. The flyover was so narrow to accommodate the number of runners. I personally had to slow down and find a space where I could run. Not only that I was aiming for a PR but I felt I had all the energy and adrenalin to run faster which comes so rarely in a long run that I wanted to take advantage of but I could not. I don’t know how to explain it and express in exact words how frustrating it felt. I could understand that happening when we were aiming for a world record when we welcomed walkers to participate just to reach the required number but I thought we could have done better yesterday. For runners, like myself, who really looked forward to the race for a PR or train for any upcoming marathon, it was painful to hear them say goodbye to PR and walk.

Safety was a more serious issue. It was almost suffocating to be in that narrow space and rub elbows with other runners especially that the sun was then beginning to show up. If one was claustrophobic or asthmatic, he/she could just faint gasping for air.

Suggestion: A better route or maybe a longer gap between gun starts

Hydration

Picking up bottles of energy drink and water lest by other runners along the course was not tolerable in an expensive race like the Adidas KOTR. I saw a few who did it just to get hydrated. I think that above all, hydration is non-negotiable. The singlet was probably worth the registration fee but it’s not an excuse for insufficient hydration. I’m sure that the organizers anticipated the number of runners joining and should have prepared enough.

I don’t usually wear a hydration belt because I don’t like to add weight while running so I always have to pray that organizers would provide for sufficient hydration and luckily, very, very few races have frustrated me. I knew that I could have that worry in other races but not yesterday. I thought I could be secured of enough water, at least or of energy drinks as a bonus because it’s “THE” Adidas KOTR but I was wrong.

I forgot which part it was exactly where I had to wait for almost a minute just to have the chance to drink because no water was on the table and the bottles were just being unpacked. I thought of leaving but I badly needed to drink so I waited. Never mind those seconds lost to have a PR than to die in thirst but it was so frustrating.

If I may add, I also did not like it that that plastic cups were used rather paper cups. Even if there are still arguments as to which one would really be beneficial to the environment, I think that in many counts, it’s still better to use paper cups since they decompose easily. As runners, it would be good to also be environmental friendly. This one can be considered an over reaction by some but the hydration, as I said, is basic.

Suggestion: More water stations or more water in the stations.

I’m sure it’s difficult to organize races especially big ones like the Adidas KOTR. Having said this, I still commend the organizers for all the efforts to make it as orderly and fun as possible. The rooms for improvement I hope would be noted.

I miss my Tita run

"I wish you're still here. I'm sure you'd be proud of your running Reylynne."

I have been telling this to myself while trying to finish the 15K course of The Pink Run this morning. I could not help but cry as I recall those days with my Tita Edad who succumbed to breast cancer in 2005. I saw how she struggled to defeat cancer and stop it from continually making her suffer.

I’ve seen miseries in my life but my Tita’s fight against cancer was one of the most heartbreaking. I remember how I’d go out of her room so she wouldn’t see my crying. But in my private moments, I would wail and ask God for help. I could not bear the sight of one of the strongest, jolliest and hyper women I knew scream in pain and helplessness. I could not understand why one of the most generous, sweetest and selfless persons should go through that agony.

Tita Edad did not have a child of her own. All of us, her nieces and nephews, considered her our second mother since she devoted all her life taking care of us. Some of my cousins even call her Mama. Our childhood, mine especially would not be as happy if not for her.

Every summer, when I was in grade school and high school, my family would take a month-long vacation in Ilocos Norte where my Mama came from. We would stay in my Tita Edad’s house and my cousins would also sleep there so we could bond. Every morning, the smell of native brewed coffee, fried rice, pakbet or diningding or fried banana would wake us up. A long table would be set for all of us, not only for breakfast but also for lunch and dinner, and when it was time to eat, we would all go wild. It was like having a feast everyday and that’s because of my Tita Edad and Lola.

Tita loved all of us so dearly that she dedicated a wall in her house for our photos. We all had our solo shots there. It’s been a protocol in the family to always send her a duplicate copy of photos of any significant event in our lives. And if a new cousin were born, the wall would immediately be updated. When she died my cousins and I revisited that wall and mourned. We were all devastated. I was crushed.

Tita Edad taught me to harvest sweet potato from the soil and climb up a tree to get my favorite fruit while telling me that I had to work hard to get what I want. It was a lesson I carry until now. She also took me to the farm to harvest vegetables while talking to me about simple joys. She was the best. She was never tired. She was always on the go. She was the best!

When I learned that the Pink Run was for the fight against breast cancer, I told myself, I should definitely be there. If there’s any race I should not miss, I knew it was this one

While running, I was praying for all the women I know to be spared from breast cancer and for those who are in the midst of the battle to win.

There was a part in the course when I just marveled at the rays of the sun shining and imagined talking to my favorite Tita. I told her how much I miss and love her. Then tears started to fall. I was crying while running.

Since I feel I have not thanked her enough for adding joy and color into my life, I made the run an expression of my gratitude and love.

I even told myself that if God told me then that running would heal her, I'd gladly run non-stop.

This morning, I realized that until now, even after her death, she has never stopped inspiring me. If she’s here, I’m sure she’d be one of my avid fans, and my running photos and medals would be posted on her wall.

I miss you Tita Edad. I love you.

5th at the Ondoy No More Run

Ondoy was one of those few moments when I felt a certain degree of fear that I don’t usually get no matter how dangerous things become. Most times, I manage to face difficult situations with enough courage until I get through it or pretend that fear doesn’t exist even if I’m trembling. But that day, when I got trapped in the UP Diliman College of Engineering and could not go home, my defenses crumbled.

I had no idea that those flood I encountered along the way to UP that morning would not subside and worse, fatal. When I left the house to be in a forum on Freedom of Information, I knew that the typhoon was strong because it took me an hour just to get to UP from my place in Timog, Quezon City. I didn’t know that those flooded streets would turn into an ocean in just a couple of hours.

Just how bad Ondoy was

After waiting for few hours hoping that the rain would subside, I decided to take the risk and go home even if I knew that things were getting worse. The impatient, control freak me could not bear the feeling of doing nothing to respond . I started getting worried for my family and friends. I told myself, I should to something and move. I went out of the building, swam and got home after more than 3 hours of going around Quezon City.

Ondoy will always be memorable not just for me but for the rest of the country. It’s a disaster that shook everyone. It was a social equalizer as both rich and poor were equally hit. It was a calamity that should have taught us many lessons and a catastrophe that should never happen again.

Because of this experience, I told myself I’d support all efforts possible to help and make sure it does not happen again. Last year, I participated in the Rescue Run to raise funds for the victims, this year I joined the Ondoy No More Run by Thunderbird.

With my running friends after the race. Kassy on my right

Thanks to my friend, Kassy Pajarillo (The Flexitarian Runaholic) who gave me a free race kit and invited me to join her just hours before the gun start. It was a delightful surprise. At 10:00 pm, on my way home to rest for my regular Sunday long run in UP, I got a call from Kassy inviting me to join the race. Without any second thought, I said yes. I reset my mind to a new Sunday.

I woke up later than I should so I had to rush to the meeting place where the bus that would take us to Rizal was. I was lucky I was still able to catch it less than a minute before it left. Told myself, I’m really destined to join the race.

Maybe I really was because I finished with a new 10K PR of 47 mins. Although some said that it was 400m short. I luckily ranked 5^th among the women despite the killer up hills in the course. Kassy told me that there would be up hills but both of us were surprised to have encountered mountains to climb, not to mention that there were a number of them.

With the race organizer, handing the gift pack for the 5th placer

I just thought it was a nice route for my QCIM Marathon training since I don’t get to train in up hills very often in Quezon City. The view was breath taking. I tried not to focus on the struggle to run those up hills and enjoy the scenery and the run.

While running, I was praying and thanking the Lord for how he kept me and my loved ones safe last year and how he helped the entire country to survive and slowly recover from the Ondoy nightmare.

One of the killer uphills. It doesn't look so fatal in the picture though

After crossing the finish line, I did another 3K to add to my mileage and kept enjoying the place.

That run was a declaration that it’s really Ondoy no more and never again.