Atheista -

In an article published by the Philippine Star today (February 12, 2010), Manny Galvez wrote a piece entitled “Med student survived fire by an act of God, says mom“. It talks in length about Miguel Ramos’ (the sole survivor of the pre-dawn fire that claimed the lives of three others – medical clerks Jen Murillo, Cecile Quintos and my good friend Jessa Perez) links about the Philippine Star’s pioneers as well as how Ramos “survived by an act of god”.
This article is an embarrassing piece of journalism that trivializes the suffering and the hardships that those who died went through. It is also arrogant in the sense that people seemed to highlight the dichotomy of those who survived and those who didn’t. This was further emphasized by the attempt to come up with a reason as to why Ramos (who is still in the intensive care unit as of this moment and still hooked to a mechanical ventilator) made it through the fire alive. Really, a scapular? Maybe this article could have been written with a lot more heart and consideration for those who died, their families and friends who have been totally shocked with what had just happened. To choose this as a human interest story and emphasize some idolatrous detail comes across as a cheap and forced attempt to find some good in the already grim situation.

I hope the Philippine Star would know better and rectifies this mistake soon.

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A good friend of mine died today. She was trapped in the comfort room of a burning health center in Nueva Ecija along with her three other classmates. She was on special assignment for a Community Medicine immersion. I met her when she applied to be a member of the UP Manila Debate Circle. We went to many training days together and even experienced a couple of national tournaments with the Circle. Her passing was such a shock to all of us. She was a very intelligent and passionate debater as well as a  kind, bubbly, optimistic, thoughtful and uplifting friend and colleague.

I never had the chance to reconnect with her after she left the Circle to pursue medicine elsewhere but now I regret not doing so.

We love you Jessa. We miss you already.

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To commemorate exactly one year of Filipino Freethinkers’ existence as a free thought advocates’ collective and to further show the world that the organization loves using words that start with the letter “F”, the Filipino Freethinkers will be hosting the First Filipino Freethinkers Film Festival on February 27. This promises to be one of the largest gatherings of freethinkers with hundreds of participants expected to attend.

The First Filipino Freethinkers Forum back in February 28 jump started the organization and there have been countless meetups, provincial gatherings, symposiums, parties and other social events since then. If you’re a freethinker, join us and enjoy films on secularism, rationalism and other freethinker favorites.

The venue is quite big so bring all your freethinking friends and family along. Just RSVP via the event’s official Facebook page and we’ll reserve a seat for you. See you there!

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