Philippines: The most dangerous place for journos

Australian journalists have a lot to be thankful for. They live in a relatively safe and free environment. The violence that they will, at most, get will probably be a bashing from their news subject. And yet the government will protect them even if they run after government personalities, not for witch-hunting, but to deliver information on the politician’s performance to the public.

Shark attack in WA

WA rescuers are searching for a man reportedly attacked by a shark.

A media report claimed that a man was swimming at Port Kennedy dog beach with his son when the former went missing and believed to have been attacked by a shark. Another media report said that witnesses claimed to have seen a violent activity in the sea and reported seeing ‘blood in the water.’ Police are still searching for any signs of the shark or remains of the man.

There have been 91 reported shark attacks in Western Australia, 14 of which were fatal. The last fatal attack in WA was reported on 2005 in Houtman Abrolhos Island. Australia is famous for its vast coastline that you can find any beach for any purposes, be it surfing, snorkeling or just plain swimming. However, it earned a bad reputation for threat of shark attacks for beach goers.

However, the Australian Shark Attack File argued that “the statistics do not support these contentions.” It explained that the cases of attacks are small compared to the number of tourists annually visiting Australia’s beaches. It claimed that “there have been only 60 human fatalities (1.2 per year) in Australian waters from shark attack.”

In the Philippines, there have been four shark attacks reported last month, one of which was fatal.

Maligayang Pasko

I hope we all celebrate this season for the right reason, i.e., the birth of Jesus Christ. For Filipinos, preparations and celebrations starts as soon as the months start to end with ‘ber.’ I believe the best place to celebrate Christmas is in the Philippines, where it is primarily CHRISTmas and not ‘X-mas’ sale! For most Australians, it is the best time for shopping when prices drop to more than 50% of the marked price! And, yes Santa is cool even when Christmas in Australia’s hot.

However you celebrate Christmas or this season, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and thank you for your continued interest in Blogbastic!

Trickiest criminals

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd recently branded the convicted Bali bombers as “mass murderers and cowards who deserve what’s coming to them.” This was after it became certain that the convicted criminals will be executed any day soon.

Australian PM Kevin Rudd brands the Bali bombers as 'murdering cowards' (Source: News.com.au/perthnow)

The convicted bombers, Amrozi, his brother Muklas and Imam Sudra, faced the media yesterday and remained defiant. They said that there will be others who will avenge their deaths. As I watched their interview on TV, I can see fear and nothing that indicated that they would want to embrace death as they have repeatedly declared previously.

Islamic terrorist might be the trickiest criminals that any law enforcement agencies might have since they claim to welcome death yet continue to make threats if they continue to live. So, what is the fitting punishment? Will they reform? At the end of the day, what do they want?

Heath Ledger, 1979-2008

The news about Heath Ledger’s death spread like fire over Perth yesterday as radio, TV and internet broadcast news about his untimely death. His family formally confirmed Heath’s death and described his death as accidental. While police downplayed foul play, mystery still hounds the cause of Heath’s death as initial autopsy were inconclusive and it might take about 10 days more to identify the cause of death of the rising star.