Through the Lens of an Eagle

We don’t have to experience unfortunate events just for us to learn. Like an eagle, let us be vigilant and alert. Like an eagle let us be wise, soar above the storm of dangers and evils, and get a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening to others or what we hear from the news or what we read in the dailies and learn from them. Practice them.

With the recent crime incidents in the place where I spent my undergrad, now I feel like an eagle soaring through the field where the wild animals unexpectedly and bestially attack their preys.

On one hand, I am like an eagle able to ward off the hunters and just now observing the incidents from up above. On the other hand, I am still like any other bird that no matter how high I soar, I am still in danger of being picked on.

In a matter of five months, three grave felonies had been perpetrated upon promising students in my alma mater, to wit: robbery with homicide, wherein the victim had also been raped (Oct.2011); rape, wherein the minor victim had been raped to death by about five men (Feb. 2012); and attempted robbery and homicide, wherein the offenders, who failed to take money from the graduating student, took his life instead (Mar. 2012). Moreover, in the law school I am studying now, a freshman student also died due to hazing (Feb. 2012).

What rubs salt in a wound in my heart is the fact that the minor who had been raped was one of our Sampaguita vendor friends.

It broke my heart after knowing it was Cesil who had been raped and killed. Cecil was not a student at UP. She was a sampaguita vendor in the campus since she was a very young kid. Selling sampaguita sent her to school.


Cesil was the first kid I thought of when I heard the news, and I hoped so badly that it weren't her. Sadly, it was Cesil—the cute, timid, hardworking, sweet little girl selling sampaguita until 11pm just to go to school.


I suddenly remember the times they sang over the phone for my friend when I was asking for an apology, the times when she and Gerry would suddenly sit on my lap and tell me “ate wag maninigarilyo ibili mo na lang ng sampaguita okaya bilhan mo kami ng turon”, and the times when the sleepy Cesil would meet us by the steps of our school building and ask us to buy her sampaguita so she could already go home, and my last Christmas break and birthday when I bought food and shared with the sampaguita kids.

I believe it is important to stress the common knowledge that peril is ubiquitous, so we must really be vigilant, extra careful, and wise enough not to wear or bring things that will catch thug’s attention.

Last September an outlaw was able to open the door of the cab I was in when the traffic light turned red. He tried to grab my phone and threatened me that he would shoot me if I would not give to him my phone. Instinctively, I threw the phone on the side of the cab driver. He kept on threatening me that he would shoot me, we were just a foot or two apart. I prayed as I haggled to him. Saying a short prayer gave me presence of mind. Thank God seconds before the light turned green he left already.

Just last month, a thief got all our phones at home. I reported it to our building manager and to the police right away. Thinking about what happened, I am grateful my brother and I were safe, weren't hurt, and we don't have to resort to stealing just to get through the day. Perhaps, I will be receiving something better as a replacement—phone or something else. The thief may have benefited from his take-away, I don't know his needs at the moment... But I am sure, I will receive something better than what has been taken away!  I thank the Lord I don't have to beg or steal and for making me unworried about the mundane.

Law-breaking now happens inside or outside the house. Make sure you always have someone or something to aid you defend yourself. But it is always best to:

When at home:

         1.      Lock your doors, even just the grills or screen doors

         2.      Never open the door until you positively identify the person outside. Do not let stranger come in, especially if you’re alone. Courteously tell him to wait outside, and call up a guard or a nearby friend.

         3.      Have emergency numbers on your phone and post a list on the visible area in the house
   4.      Make sure everybody is in the house before you go to sleep, especially the minors. If someone of age is out, tell him to call up before going home and when he is near—not when he is standing alone by the doorstep.

         5.      Keep outside well-lit

         6.      Make sure you keep clubs or anything that you can use to defend you

         7.      Keep your composure and don’t show your fear

When outside the house:

         1.      Never wear nor bring things that are “hot” in the eyes of outlaws

         2.      Make sure you just bring enough cash for transpo and a little extra

         3.      As much as possible, have a companion or have a pepperspray (there are those which   look like a keychain, attach it in your bag’s clasp)

         4.      If someone grabs your bag, let go of it. Your safety is more important than your belongings (refer to No.1)

         5.      Regularly change your routes

         6.      If you’re alone, walk in well-lit and visible or busy area and don’t take short cuts

         7.      Make sure you know where you are going and never ask strangers, only true policemen

         8.      Exude confidence—walk tall and project like you know where you are going

         9.      Don’t be sympathetic to suspicious behavior

          10.  Never walk with earphones on your ears

       11.  Hold your bag tightly on your shoulder pointing to the sidewalk

       12.  Carry your bag close to you, with the clasp facing inwards, and pull in front

       13.  Check your things before leaving a place and make sure bags are zipped up

       14.  While walking, look at your shadow and the glasses you pass by

       15.  Always walk on the side opposite the flow of the traffic

       16.  If you think you’re being followed, cross the street. If you think you’re still being followed, confidently walk in a bit brisky manner across the street again. Then go directly to a public place or a crowd or a convenience store.

       17.  Don’t leave important documents and gadgets in your car

       18.  Make sure all doors are of your car are closed before rolling

       19.  Don’t hangout in your car for a long time

Many encounters with crooks are won even before they assault you through psywar. Maintain an eye contact and project that you’re not intimidated. Most likely they will back down since they know you are alert and you already recognize their faces. (Invoking Valid Self-defense)

We don’t have to experience unfortunate events just for us to learn. Like an eagle, let us be vigilant and alert. Like an eagle let us be wise, soar above the storms of dangers and evils, and get a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening to others or what we hear from the news or what we read in the dailies and learn from them. Practice them.

We don’t need to touch the boiling water in order to know it is hot nor dip in the icy water to know it is cold.

Be vigilant. Be prepared. Know the law and your rights. Pray for your safety.