As a former staffmember of the House of Representatives, I condole with the families of those who were killed in the Batasan Pambansa blast 
It all seems now like an insidious plot: first the Glorietta explosion, then the murder of Comelec’s top lawyer, now a bomb blast in the country’s legislative chamber. Don’t know what to make of this except that the last two incidents targeted Muslim officials.
We can never say for sure. At least the rich and powerful can hire extra bodyguards or reinforce the bullet-proofing of their cars, whatev. How about ordinary citizens like you and me? I just pray that this unfurling web of violence spares innocent citizens further. Especially ordinary folks who shop in the public markets and ride public transportation.
My philosophy on this matter is that we never know when misfortune hits; we never really choose when we are at the wrong place at the wrong time, no matter how we avoid it. But there are a few things we can do: PRAY for peace in our land, lessen unnecessary trips and be alert at all times.
Weeks after the blast, it was my first time to visit Glorietta mall yesterday due to some appointment in a neighboring area. It was not the ghost town that I thought. There were parents with their children riding those toy bikes in the Main Activity Center. Christmas decorations such as the giant Xmas tree, were up. But it did feel quite empty and lonely.
). I reckon it takes quite a while for shy Pinays to go with the idea, and even with an Indian lady I talked to. But you get used to it!! On our visit, I saw a couple of Korean children frolicking with their mothers and yaya in the warm tubs without a care in the world. 
