December 31, 2018 - It was new year's eve, somehow we busied ourselves in preparation for the coming of New Year 2019. Lucio and Conchita Tan (as traditionally) were hosting the family dinner at their residence in the evening. The LCT family was sponsoring the new year's eve mass also. We were to begin the supper early since the evening mass was to start early too. I prepared four gifts for the offertory at church. One each for Lucas, Martha, Marion and myself. (Since the rest of my family members were back home in their respective places.)
That New Year’s Eve morning, at around 10:00 o'clock, Martha, Marion and I walked to South Sea's Mall to do some grocery shopping. There were many sidewalk vendors in front of the mall plying their wares and a lot of people milling around too. My daughter Marion who was into risk management, was thinking that the crowd outside of the mall posed grave danger to safety. We entered South Sea's through the Magallanes entrance amid throng of people who were also doing their last minute shopping. There were lots of people. We bought what we wanted and walked back home with our items.
In the afternoon of December 31, the hardware store was closed for the year end. We had our siesta and an easy time doing nothing much. Then around two o'clock in the afternoon, my friend Siolan Yap called me up to inform me of a big blast outside South Sea's Mall, Magallanes area. The same place were we entered South Sea's this morning. I was appalled, it was just a matter of few hours. O God, protect us from all harm and danger. I quickly checked on my household staff. Two of them were out doing their own grocery. I was getting hysterical, afraid lest they were also at South Sea's. Luckily, they were just buying stuff at the grocery store next door. They too came home immediately upon hearing the news. Some of the maids said they heard the blast from their window. It must be a very strong one. O God, please protect us.
Then news came. Two people were dead and scores hurt from the bombing outside the mall. Few minutes later, came news about another improvised bomb found on the second floor of the mall. The bomb emitted smoke but did not explode. Magallanes Street (aka Don Rufino Alonzo Street) was locked down, also entrance and exit points in Cotabato City were closed to traffic. Cotabato City became a ghost town in an instance. It was so disheartening that this atrocity took place on New Year’s Eve.
Not to be dispelled by the terrorist acts, we still proceeded to celebrate New Year’s Eve party as planned at Lucio’s place. They did not invite many people, only the kins, but our parish priest father Charlie Celeste was there. After dinner, we proceeded to attend mass. Alas, only a few brave souls attended. This was so far the least people in church during New Year’s Eve. But new year can’t be deterred. We went home from mass and prepared our noche buena meal. The city was quiet. There were no fireworks, not until about last fifteen minutes before New Year. We made noises too by striking the agong and toy drums and playing loudly Christmas songs of joy on cds. We also lighted a candle for peace. O Lord, give us peace, prosperity and good health. Protect us from all harm and danger. Keep us safe. Happy New Year 2019!
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