Häagen-Dazs : Melting Me Slowly
August 25, 2010Häagen-Dazs : Melting Me Slowly
Häagen-Dazs First Encounter:
At home
Gie: You want some Ice-Cream?
Me: Naahh…
Gie: (eating Haagen-Dazs while watching the TV)
Me: What brand is that?
Gie: Haagen-Dazs
Me: Is that a German or Russian ice cream?
Gie: Dunno… just try it!
Me: well, I don’t like Ice cream.
Gie: (going to the kitchen – she left the ice cream at the table)
Me: Curious about the ice cream.
(After 10mins)
Gie: What! (Shock)
Me: (Eating the ice cream) what kind of ice cream is this? It’s my very first time!
(After 30mins)
Me: Noooo.. can you rewind the movie, I forgot to listen and watch. (ggrrrr.. because of the ice cream everything will be forgotten)
Gie: Oh well
Häagen-Dazs 2nd Encounter:
At work
Manager: I got a task for you. It’s Häagen-Dazs ad.
Me: Oh no… (Thinking for free Häagen-Dazs )
Manager: I need the ad before 1PM.
Me: Yes Ma’am.
(While watching the images of the ice cream, I forgot to check the clock)
Manager: Hello? Is the ads done?
Me: aahhmmm…. Mmm.. (thinking for valid reason)
Manager: I need it ASAP
Me: Yes Ma’am
(Superman mode)
Me: (Pressing the send button) Does Häagen-Dazs had a free ice cream us?
Manager: It’s for the girl’s promo ad.
Me: sad face…
Häagen-Dazs 3rd Encounter:
At the Mall
(Gie and I are walking)
Me: ( I saw free Häagen-Dazs ice cream ) Gie free Häagen-Dazs.. oh nooOO!!!
(Me running to the booth)
Me: Where’s the line? Where’s the line?
Lady: Sir we need a ticket for the free ice cream.
Me: ( going back to Gie) Let’s watch movie!
Gie: what?
( We bought ticket for the sake of Häagen-Dazs free ice cream)
What a experience…
Häagen-Dazs 2nd to the Last Latest Encounter…
I bought pint or half gal or whatever Häagen-Dazs Ice cream and after that day, when going back to the office and withdraw money at the ATM. I didn’t realize that – the money I bought for the ice cream is my last money. Cool!
Memory of Quirino Grandstand Bloodbath
August 24, 2010
Postcripts To A BloodBath (THIS CONTENT IS FICTIONAL AND WAS CLOSELY RELATED TO THE EVENT)
Mr. Mendoza was already upset even before he saw on television what the policemen did to his brother. The other tourists who remained inside the bus were complaining. Wei Ji Jiang wanted to go to the bathroom. Dao Chi Yu was hungry and the rest were just groaning and whining like they have forgotten that our lives rest in Mr. Mendoza’s hands.
The hostage taker, as you know him was really nice. He treated us okay and even let the elders and the children leave the bus. He said your policemen treated him unfairly. He was a policeman too and was accused of doing something he had no knowledge of. But your government didn’t listen so he used us to get everyone’s attention.
Things would have never turned for the worst if he didn’t see how his family was dragged out of their house and taken into custody. He was watching the news all the time as we huddled around each other behind the bus. He shouted some words in your language then started shooting in the air. A girl about my age started screaming. Mr. Mendoza demanded her to stop but she didn’t understand English. God, he had to slash her neck with a knife just to put her to rest. Her boyfriend who tried to hit him was shot in the head.
Tension was rising. You can see in his face how scared and confused he was. The bus driver ran away leaving him alone with strangers from a distant land. I can see him walking across the aisle, sometimes pointing his machine gun to one of the tourists. But he tried his best not to hurt us, especially those who really cooperate.
I guess its in your nature not to inflict pain on others unless it was necessary. I remember him saying that he will free us before sundown and implored us to forget everything when we return home. But his words don’t matter now. The policemen were trying to force their way in, while we all lied down to shield ourselves from bullets. Mister Mendoza blindly shoots at his enemies which I think kept them from rescuing us. I hear sobs under the chairs. Some were even shouting the names of their loved ones even when the air merely eat their words. Kevin Tang tried to escape when the glass door was was shattered, but one shot and he slumped on the floor with blood gushing from his mouth.
Heavy rain pitter-pattered on the rooftop. In old Chinese saying, it means an end to a struggle. Finally, somebody was able to open the escape hatch at the back of the bus. Freedom. But I knew Mister Mendoza was still alive. I knew he was just waiting for a chance to strike back at his enemies. So I told those around me not to escape. Let the authorities come for us instead. Then there was gunfire. He was firing at his enemies with a machine gun. Those who were at the escape hatch fled abandoning us once again. It’s like a nightmare with no end and to wake up means a certain death. Then somebody from outside the bus threw a canister. It forced out a black smoke that is so painful to the eyes and putrid smelling to the nose. People started screaming. We cannot breathe. Some ran in front of the bus but Mister Mendoza warned them of stray bullets. It was too late. One was hit on the head, the other was hit on the shoulders. Bullets were now flying. Its like the authorities thought we were all dead. Mister Mendoza finally admits his mistake and said sorry to everyone, dead or alive. He then ran towards the front of the bus where he would meet his maker. As he passed by my chair with bullets whistling overhead, I clutched my hand on the velvet curtain and wrapped it around my face. All I could think of was to stay alive – for my child who is waiting for me back in Xinjang.
I know I will survive,
I will come home.
Bang Lu Min
Survivor, Quirino Bloodbath
Manila hostage incident victim name list
****************************************
The name list of the victims of the hostage incident in Manila yesterday (August 23) is as follows:
Name Sex Status
Leung Chung See, Doris Female Deceased
Leung Song Yi, Jessie Female Deceased
Leung Kam Wing, Ken Male Deceased
Fu Cheuk Yan Male Deceased
Yeung Yee Wa Female Deceased
Yeung Yee Kam Female Deceased
Wong Tze Lam Male Deceased
Tse Ting Chunn, Masa Male Deceased
Leung Song Xue, Jason Male Injury on head by
gunshot, under
observation in
hospital after
operation
Chan Kwok Chu, Joe Male Injury on waist by
gunshot, under
operation
Yik Siu Ling Female Injury on chin by
gunshot, under
observation in
hospital after
operation
Ng Yau Woon, Amy Female Slightly injured,
under observation
in hospital
Lee Ying Chuen Female Slightly injured,
under observation
in hospital
Lo Kam Fun Female Slightly injured,
under observation
in hospital
Wong Cheuk Yiu, Tracey Female Slightly injured,
under observation
in hospital
Including the six tour group members who were released, there were a total of 21 Hong Kong residents involved.
Residents who need assistance while outside Hong Kong may call the hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852)1868.
Ends/Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:56
