Don’t Cry for Me

Video source: SalSoloUSA’s Channel in Youtube

Sal was the lead singer of the popular British band, CLASSIX NOUVEAUX in the 80’s. In 1991 he began to release specifically Christian albums after a powerful conversion. Sal’s latest masterpiece, WE CRY JUSTICE! marks a departure from previous work, both in the world music style, and in the social justice themes.

Sal Solo and his group presented “WE CRY JUSTICE!” at National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), the largest single gathering of Catholic young people (21,000 participants) in the United States last November 20, 2009.”It was like an MTV video come to life, but with a message from the culture of life instead of the culture of death.” Chris Stefanick, Archdiocese of Denver. Presented by Sal Solo & ACTS Evangelism & Worship; sponsored by HeartBeat Records; and benefitting Catholic Relief Services. You can visit his website, www.salsolo.com and share thier YouTube channel to others.

The story of a trainer, Dawn Brancheau, killed by a Killer Whale in Seaworld is a big shock for my 8-year old daughter, Gillian. It was in the “breaking” news yesterday and headlines today. We tried hard to put some sense for her of what had happened. The impact of the news to Gillian is so sudden since we spend a couple of days in Seaworld just last summer. Weeks before that, Gillian was visited by her friends Renz and Danna. Both of them had been to Seaworld and they were so loco about it.

During our visit, I took tons of  pictures, most of them were that of the trainers and their animals, it could be Dawn or someone else, dancing, ridding, swimming with the whales, etc. And the whales performing in the show and the tricks they made were wonderful and amazing.

Gillian loves Seaworld. I can’t blame her for that! I, too, was very much impressed by the presentation. But because of the this latest unfortunate incident, Gillian needs to stop thinking about Shamu as cute and cuddly  and go back to documentary films where Killer Whales, just like any other predator in the wind, must kill in order to survive. This is their real and natural behavior. And this, for me, gives sense to what happened in Seaworld.

The following videos will give us some insights on the dangers these trainers, handlers, and owners (or in the case of the last video, a “privileged guest”) are facing everyday, especially during every performance.  These videos are not the recent attack that killed Dawn Brancheau.

 Video source: YouTube

 Top photo by Associated Press

Schedule of Activities 2010

Source: dinagyangsailoilo.com

happy new year everyone!

It’s been a while since my last post here in Iloilo Hangout. I was with another blog site, http://ffos.tigaswebs.com/

2009 had a lot of blessing  as well as challenges for us. In all fronts, from sports and international recognition to national man-made and natural disasters,  to political maneuverings and political killings, dominated the headlines of local and national media the whole year round!

With 2009 behind us,  Let’s hope and pray for the best in 2010!

Again, Happy New Year everyone!!!

video source: youtube