Me, Myself and I
Each one of us is unique. Whether you proclaim yourself as son of God or not. Whether your thin and skinny or your stout. Whether your black or white. That makes each of us special. We are created equally yes, but we are different from one another. I call myself unique, why? It all goes down to me, myself and I.
Usually, writing this type of draft would start by stating the name, but now I won't. Let's start something new. What I like about living is having all the time you want. I love or I would always keep myself preoccupied.
I usually read a lot when I am bored. Keeps me preoccupied. I usually read fictional stories and seldom nonfictional. I discovered this online reading site called wattpad and I sometimes read e-books or electronic books.
I also love to draw but although its my passion, my works would not seem to be that good. I really love anime. Drawing anime characters rather copying them is my hobby. My favorite anime is Katekyo Hitman Reborn, its basically japanese but its subtitled that's why we could still understand the whole plot of it. Drawing them is very difficult, though I practice at some points of time.
I really love rhetoric too. Whether its spoken or written. Rhetoric is the art of speaking or writing. Well, in terms of writing I love creating literary works such as poems or essays like this one. Why I make such fuzz about it? Well because of the people around me most especially my friends. They don't only inspire me but they also help me.
Writing, its like a bliss, like a child, a delicate flower. You have to take care of it, nurture and wait for it and be patient about it. Because you cannot taste the sweetness of
something without tasting the bitterness of failure. Me? I am not that good in writing but I constantly practice. That's my life's motto; "Practice makes something perfect". Constant practice and you will not believe of what it will become. I also love speaking. In my previous years I would seem to be timid and have this long term fear of standing infront and talking to lots of people but I have overcome this fear of mine after joining the Ateneo Senior Summer Program.
Oh, I almost forgot, I am Rylle Adriane N. Galvez and I am 15 years old. I am the youngest son in our family. I am currently studying at the Zamboanga City High School Main and I am at my 4th year here. It's my last year here so I am really aiming for the top. Now that's a secret.
I am unique, I am different from you and them. God planned that. Diversity is one of his plans. And You and Me are his greatest plans.
September 9, 2013, A Day to Remember for Zamboanga City
Courage, a chronicle of the Zamboanga Siege.
Throughout its colorful history, the capability of the Special Action Force to deal with different kind of adversities had been repeatedly put to test. Whether faced against secessionist groups, coup plotters or plain terrorists, the troopers always found ways to win despite the odds being stacked against their favor. The latest crisis that put the country in the news once again was unlike the others as a disgruntled lawless group tried to take over a peaceful city and stopped at nothing to achieve their purpose. But just like the earlier incidents, good still triumphed over evil in the end.
On September 9, 2013, at around 4:30 a.m., the MNLF entered the city and killed four people,contrary to the first report of having six people killed. Four barangays were occupied by the MNLF: Rio Hondo, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, and parts of Talon-Talon. The group held 20 civilians hostages in Barangay Sta. Catalina, and around noontime more than 200 civilians were reported as being held hostage by the MNLF. The civilian hostages were being used as human shields by the MNLF.
The city government of Zamboanga declared a "no classes and no work" following the attacks at Barangay Sta. Catalina.A curfew was later imposed throughout the city that day, virtually shutting down the city.Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle "Beng" Climaco-Salazar later visited the people who fled to different evacuation centers that morning.
Zamboanga International Airport was shut down as all flights operating to and from the city was cancelled.
September 10
On the second day, the Philippine government deployed a larger force in the city. A naval blockade was set, and more troops and units were deployed, including four units of elite troops from the Naval Special Operations Group. At dawn, city police prevented 30 members of the MNLF from joining the main force.
By morning, the MNLF fired rocket-propelled grenades and mortars at military positions. The clash between MNLF and the government forces spread throughout the barangay as residents fled their homes while some people could not leave the area due to fear of being caught in crossfire.
During the afternoon, a fire erupted in Barangay Santa Barbara that razed five houses as firefights between the MNLF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines ensued. Four firetrucks responded, but were delayed, as they needed to have a clearance from the military before entering the area due to the presence of MNLF snipers.
September 11
Zamboanga City Mayor Climaco finally contacted Nur Misuari through telephone on Thursday. Mayor Climaco asked Misuari to call off the attack but Misuari claimed that he has no hand at the situation and distanced himself from Commander Habier Malik, and his followers action. This contradicts to what MNLF spokesman, Emmanuel Fontanilla, said earlier. The spokesman said that Misuari was leading the MNLF militants in Zamboanga City.
September 12
The Philippine government issued an ultimatum to the MNLF militants in Zamboanga saying that the government will not hesitate to use force to resolve the situation in Zamboanga City. “While the government is exhausting all avenues for a peaceful resolution of the situation, let it be clear to those defying us that they should not entertain the illusion that the state will hesitate to use its forces to protect our people,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
September 13
Vice President of the Philippines Jejomar Binay had spoken by telephone to Nur Misuari, and they agreed on a ceasefire. Nur Misauri’s spokesperson Rev. Absalom Cerveza said that the current situation in Zamboanga city is a war of independence and denied that the MNLF came to Zamboanga for a peace caravan. "If you win in the war, you will gain your independence. So it happened. MNLF followed this track to gain its independence," he said. The spokesman also denied earlier reports that Misuari disowned Commander Habier Malik.
September 15
Plans for a ceasefire fail. MNLF snipers were captured.
September 16
The Army started to pound MNLF positions in Barangay Sta. Barbara with mortars.A civilian vehicle was accidentally hit by a mortar round as the battle raged, although no one was hurt. Air strikes with MG-520 attack helicopters and SF-260 counter-insurgency planes started, firing their guns against alleged MNLF positions in the city. A total of three rocket rounds from a MG-520 of the Air Force struck unspecified enemy stronghold between 1 to 1:30 pm. 33 hostages were released.
September 17
Zamboanga City police chief Jose Chiquito Malayo who tried to negotiate with the rebels to release more hostages was reportedly abducted and held hostage by the rebels. Later in the day, he was freed, bringing 23 rebels who had surrendered.
September 18
The Army said that government forces killed 120 rebels and now controlled 80 percent of the areas that had been occupied by the rebels. According to the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development, due to the fighting, the number of displaced residents has risen to 110,000, As of 18 September 2013, in 35 evacuation centers, such as the Baliwasan Grandstand. The military took control of KGK Building, which was the headquarters of the MNLF-controlled areas. However, the rebel commander had fled before the Army could capture him.
Government forces gained control over Sumatra Island, which is part of Barangay Talon-Talon and was a strategic landing point used by MNLF fighters. They have also seized 5 water vessels, one motor launch and four jungkungs (motorboat). The motor launch has a capacity of more than 100 people, while each jungkung can carry 30 people. Ammunition, food, MNLF uniforms and vital documents were also recovered from the island.
September 27
The Reverend Absalom Cerveza, MNLF spokesman, said that Habier Malik texted him that he will not surrender. Cerveza aked that Malik and his closest followers are the "hardcore" fighters of the MNLF and are willing to put their life on the line. Cerveza described that the situation in Zamboanga "might be the darkest episode in the history of the MNLF,” Malik also asked prayers for the MNLF. According to the spokesman, Nur Misuari asked Malik to stand down, however Cerveza said he was not able to communicate with Malik or any other commanders in the battlefield. It is also reported that some arrested MNLF fighters admitted that they were promised ₱10,000 to join a rally in Zamboanga city. 20 MNLF fighters, including Malik remained in Zamboanga city, according to the military.
September 28
Malacañang said that the nearly three-week crisis in Zamboanga City was now over. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte confirmed the statement of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin that the conflict in Zamboanga was over. "Certainly, the Defense Secretary made that announcement and we've always maintained in the days that we were dealing with the situation that it will be the officials on the ground who will be making the announcement based on their assessment. Our task from Day 1 is to ensure the safety of the hostages that were taken...as well as to get civilians out of harm's way and that has already been accomplished."Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin announced: "So far, the security crisis is over and now we go to post-conflict phase."
Post-crisis skirmishes
As of September 29, 2013, even after the declaration of the end of the crisis, many residents of the City of Zamboanga still hear gunshots from time to time. The Local Government and the Military stated that these are just few skirmishes against remnants of the Rogue MNLF Elements. As they are now on the run and the Military is now pursuing them to bring them to justice.
How I Spent New Years Eve
In the Gregorian Calendar, the last day of the year, is on December 31. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated. Philippines too, celebrates this festivity. Through every year, with every problems and every hardships who doesn't want to relax and escape this things? Filipinos are known to be equipped with a happy personality but each one of us know that our country have experienced traumatizing events in the past year and that smile in every faces seemed to wrinkle. But we rose! On December 31, 2014, I remember , how we Filipinos forgot the events that brought as agony, terror and fear- and changed to a smile and laughter as a New Year comes to us.
I also celebrated New Year! In the New years eve, we prepared food and drinks. Mom was busy with her cooking while we helped her. Desserts, I remember it well, those were my favorites! It is joyous indeed! But when midnight stroke, I hear nothing. I expected loud sounds of firecrackers but no light seemed to be flickering in the misty skies.
Every year there were loud shrieks in the night sky like it was being torn by those furious banging but this time, to my surprise there were none, NOTHING! But at least I enjoyed the company of my family while we awaited for the clock to strike 12:01 am. And when it did we all shouted! And also our stomachs. Then we happily ate the food that we prepared, What a joyous and delicious night it was!
