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Buckled peep-toe wedge boots F-STOP (Shop Asian) | Bag Fabmanila | Accessories Random
I haven't had the chance to update this blog as regular as I should. I think I'm partly going crazy [thinking] as to how I could manage to post all the piled photos in my desktop; not to mention the toneladang ideas I have in mind of articles to write (features, political opinions etc.) and the lengthy daily stories that I've failed to share.
For some weird reason, I wouldn't want to publish an entry with just an outfit post on it. Though at rare times I do that, I would like to put my soul in my style as much as possible (which was the purpose of this blog to begin with anyway).
Going back to what my title was about:
Last year, I attended a self-defense session for aspiring media practitioners; which was very timely since it was related to the Maguindanao massacre. The opening statement of the speaker was "How much do you invest for your safety?"
Our lives do not cost anything (so does love, freedom, etc); so [as ordinary citizens] we shouldn't think twice of spending or taking our time in order to ensure our security - all the time. At first I was puzzled. I thought I knew how it is to be safe. Turned out, I didn't. How about you? Let's find out!
The speaker said that you should at least have the following safety basics:
1) In your bag
- Pepper spray - a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain and temporary blindness that can be used for personal defense against attackers and even wild animals. (Make sure you also know how to use one.)
- Whistle - when you feel like you're about to be in danger (example, someone suspicious is following or about to approach you), blow the whistle immediately to attract immediate attention from the people around (you might accuse someone falsely by shouting for helpagad-agad). The attacker might think twice of coming near you then since you have the crowd's eye on you. Never mind if you'll look like a fool. At least you've lifted the target off your back.
- Umbrella - not just for the rainy day. It's one of the best items you can use to hit an attacker.
- Taser/stun gun - (for hardcore self defense) an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles
- Swiss knife
- Tracking device in your cellphone and/or car
- Wallet with emergency contact numbers
2) In your house
- Fire exit - the most important thing according to the speaker
- Fire alarm (in each room, most especially the kitchen)
- Burglar alarm (strategically placed around the house, can be at the gate, front door, back door)
- Double-locked doors (especially main doors)
Also, have the police hotline on speed dial or an immediate S.O.S. text message set up in your phone. Knowing a few self-defense moves would definitely help as well and research more on other safety precautions (in and out of the house).
Almost in danger
Why did I discuss the above? Okay, I'll try to tell the story as short as I can. This thing about "safety" hit me this hard two weeks ago. My boyfriend (JR) and I were about to go to my high school girlfriend's simple day party. He was driving along Litex road (the way going to Rizal) relying solely on directions given through text. However, it was confusing and it left us turning on a wrong way. JR continued to drive but certain "stated" landmarks (like a church) weren't present so we finally figured out that we were on the wrong street. After asking for directions, we decided to head back to the exit but were perplexed to see that the corner where we entered was already blocked with wooden stuff (there was a table, chair, etc) and so we had to stop.
A group of men approached the car on both sides. They tried to open the door (which was thank God locked) and said "Baba kayo, basta baba kayo." (Get down the car.) I was sooo scared that time and my heart was pumping really fast.
In an impulse, JR stepped on the gas, taking them by surprise as we almost ran them over and hitting EVERYTHING that was blocking the road (the wooden stuff flew off, it was a moment like in an action movie for me). He drove in high speed all the way back home. I called my friend and told her we couldn't go back there because for sure, they would recognize the car. God knows what more (even deadly) could have happened.
I was so frightened that I didn't want JR to go to the police. All I wanted that time was to go home so I could finally feel safe. I'm just really grateful to God that we weren't harmed and that his car only had a minor damage.
I shared our story plus basic safety measures so that each and everyone of you would be concerned of your own protection. Stay alert and be prepared for such circumstances. Invest and read more tips. When you're out there, don't be too complacent and always be vigilant. With that I leave you with "Ingat lagi!" (Take care always!).
All these photos were taken before the incident happen.
Photos by: JR Espejo
Post processing: by me
