Blog EntryWhat saved us from the Glorietta blast? Chismis.Oct 19, '07 4:14 AM
for everyone
It's funny how just a few minutes of catching up whilst hardware hunting made a huge difference for me and Kristel...

I was going to use my lunchbreak to buy some stuff I needed from Glorietta... I was initially planning on going alone since I had a number of things on my list. And then Kristel invited me to take lunch with her... of course, I'd rather have company than go all alone so I happily obliged.

So taking that into account...I was saved by two...no, three things. 1. God, who intervened so that I didn't have to go alone (had I gone alone I would have really been in that area for sure because I was kinda craving for KFC), 2. Kristel! 3. Chismis.

Saved by chismis. If we hadn't dilly-dallied while looking for my screw-in hooks; if Kristel hadn't suggested that I go buy my stuff before we bought food from somewhere in Glorietta, we probably would have been right in the danger zone (it was on our way back) when that blast rocked Glorietta.

While we were on our way back (from the hardware shop in Park Square), we noticed there was a crowd gathering outside Glorietta. We initially thought there was an on-going shoot or perhaps some actor/actress was around. We heard some people talking about a bomb going off in the center, near the fountain. Another man said it was on the second floor - the Subway resto...

But then some people were still entering Glorietta, and when we were about to cross the street to get in, a wave of screaming people suddenly came rushing out of the doors. This sent everyone else in a panic, and the crowd started running away as fast as they could.

I thought someone had a gun or something because some people had their hands over their heads. Kristel and I held hands and ran with the crowd... and then it happened.

Y'know those chase scenes in movies? When someone always has to fall right when they're NOT supposed to? Yea, someone fell alright... I did! It's quite hard to run for your life while in platform flip-flops!

I'm really grateful Kristel didn't just let go of my hand and run...that's a real friend for ya. She made sure people didn't step on me :D Love yah, sis!

I must say, I've never felt so alive though. I could feel my heart threatening to explode through my chest, and my leg muscles trying to leap out of my skin as Kristel and I sprinted our way through the crowd.


Took some pictures while walking back to the office... The only mistake? I used my fone cam. I had completely forgotten that I had brought a good cam with me! Argh!

Still high from the adrenalin rush as I write this... will go back to work in a bit...





A lot of onlookers were taking pictures... (ahem. i was one of them)















See the smoke?












There's a bloodied person in that vehicle... :(




23 CommentsChronological   Reverse   Threaded
keanoidd wrote on Oct 19, '07
Oh my god. I couldn't stop crying when I read about Tely not letting go. She is a friend, really.
futbolera wrote on Oct 19, '07
Yea, she is! And if she hadn't asked me to lunch, I would have been in KFC buying a dragon go-go! OMG talaga. Labshoo tely!
randulf wrote on Oct 19, '07
sad.
crazygrace wrote on Oct 19, '07
Am glad ur okay jo sobrang kinabahan ako when u texted me. Thanks kristel *hugs*
jhay3 wrote on Oct 19, '07
sad... and glad that no one i know is badly injured or something...
condolescence to those people who died and my prayers are with them...
swikey wrote on Oct 19, '07
God works in mysterious ways. I'm just thankful my family decided to go somewhere else instead of Glorietta. I'm in a meeting ngayon, but really, I can't get my mind off this.
pikaonline wrote on Oct 19, '07
ngek nandun ka rin pala! hehehhee i left few minutes i was in gbelt na when the blast happened
rondelltorres wrote on Oct 19, '07
I'm glad you're safe and sound.

I was initially in denial about the explosion, thinking, "maybe it was really just bad luck, and they stored all their gas tanks in one area..." But probably not. The damage was just too extensive.

I'm boiling mad that people can even pull this sort of shit for attention. People's fathers/moms/brother/sisters/children are now in Makati Med, in pain, just because a couple of punks got together and thought of something horrible to do in order to prove a "noble" point.

I don't understand how they can call themselves human given their capability to inflict such senseless misery and pain.
maldita1701 wrote on Oct 19, '07
OMG Jo! Am glad you're ok... Kudos to your friend Kristel... Kudos to chismis too hehehhe... mwahugz! AMISHU!
azntattoo wrote on Oct 19, '07
OMG!!!!!!!!!!! im glad you and kristel were not there! keep safe dear!!! see you soon
arashijo wrote on Oct 19, '07
Waaaah, I'm so glad you're okay Jojo! sabi ko na nga ba you were right at the scene-- tsk tsk. But good thing God watched over you and your friend.
noelledeg wrote on Oct 19, '07
Jo, just thought you should know that MLQ3 (broadcaster, writer, Philippine A-List blogger) has linked us: http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1572
leozulueta wrote on Oct 19, '07
crazy gerls. no more malling for you, jojo.
jomendoza wrote on Oct 19, '07
oh dear God. you're safe. be safe. stay safe.
razel wrote on Oct 19, '07
oh GOD!!! i don't think i could take it if you were 1 of my patient that day! Thank God for "dilly-dallie"s, thank God fo chismis, and thank God for Kristel... Kristel, you just saved my 1-2 numero uno parner!!!
laibcoms wrote on Oct 19, '07
Thank God really. And we have to realized that this another life we were given means that God has a purpose for us. Let's ask Him what His Will is and say to Him that "Let His Will Be Done For My Life". Truth be told, many of us could have been there, like me, I thank God for this aching left leg, or I would have passed by there to go to office via MRT Ayala after buying blank CDs in the adjacent CD-R King. Instead, I went straight to work coz it is hard to walk.

And this is the second time for me. The third time, if I still ignore God's Will, well, I don't know. So for us all who would have been there, let's thank God for another life and take our time to know, accept, and embrace God's Will in our life.

For those who are angry, let's avoid pointing fingers. As God said, "Vengeance is Mine", so let it be. What we can do is to Pray to God, keep praying. I myself lacks prayer, and I consider this as a reminder.

God Bless to all and always Pray and take care. If it is our time to go, there is no way to prevent or to avoid it.

Regards,
JC John SESE Cuneta
gameshogun.ws Blognet
underproperlighting wrote on Oct 19, '07
glad to hear you're ok. :D
zamo wrote on Oct 19, '07
Glad to hear you guys are ok.... Ninenerbyos ako wen i heard the news... i was crossing my fingers when they were reading the deceased list... I never wanted to hear a familiar name being recited. I know too many friends who work in the Makati area. Thank God you're ok. Play football na lang tayo jo. At least wala naman sigurong mambobomba ng sunken. hahaha
jorbs wrote on Oct 19, '07
glad you're okay, jo. thank god for kristel. =)
arnoldwarren wrote on Oct 20, '07
soooo glad that you are both ok. :) let's all be safe.
akosijoel wrote on Oct 21, '07
loko loko ka talaga zamo. pero oonga may punto ka naman. mag futbol na lang.
futbolera wrote on Oct 21, '07, edited on Oct 21, '07
thanks for the concern, guys :) let's all exercise a little more caution (I know that's sooo hard to do though). Just yesterday, another misfortune befell Glorietta. This time my longtime buddy Grace was caught in the tumult. Good thing she's safe!

My family and I were driving along Glorietta (Dad wanted to see where I was when it happened, etc.) when we noticed fire trucks rushing in, as well as people pouring out of the mall.

Managed to take some pictures again but we couldn't get very close since they were redirecting traffic...

Sigh. What is happening to the world... keep safe, everyone.

And Joel, Zams - you're right... futbol na lang! I can't wait to play. Raze, seeya on the pitch, mare! 1-2 to sawa! :)
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