All This Talk

The Russian Federation currently has the floor. And the Co-chair interrupted him to ask what he meant by BPOA - to which he replied "The Bali Plan of Action - it came out funny, somehow, generating laughs from the people inside the conference room. It was usually referred to as BOP or the Bali Action Plan. Australia is now speaking, chuckled when she said she would express the principles she had in mind in sixty seconds.

It's hard to be distracted, on such a time like this, actually. I have the bigger urge to listen to what the speakers are saying, rather than trying to write this - fearing I might miss something -  something that will definitely be historical and worldwide in scope - and missed it because I was not paying attention.

It is already overwhelming being a spectator as all these talks go on. On some other circumstance, I would have been very cynical, having such an aversion to "so much talk." With the news of typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis that have recently rocked the world, this gathering of 4,000 people has become more real to me, and I am actually appreciating it, even the tedious process. As part of the delegation of an observer NGO representing indigenous peoples, I am even in more awe of the thought that what we are here for can make a difference on the lives of millions of people who have historically been marginalized, and are placed in a most vulnerable position, despite being least contributory to climate change.

There is yet more talk to happen, until deals are sealed at Copenhagen in December. Bangkok has its place in this process. And as I watch, I can only hope that "all this talk" will amount to something that people in here, including me, would be proud of.

News of Manila in Bangkok

"There's a typhoon now. Floods all over this am. But seems to be fading."  Got that as a text message, and just took note of it. Because the day was far from done, there was more to talk about, by this group of around a hundred indigenous peoples all over the world. I do not think the arguments became much hotter than the warmth of the Bangkok sun, and as I strained to listen, I was more concerned with those 34 pieces of translation equipment that my colleage and I issued to the participants. I had a lot on my mind. Including, how to get all of them back.

At the end of the day, in the restaurant, we finally had a chance to talk about the flooding in Manila, but we became engrossed on the bouquet of greens that was brought to our table - which happened to be my dinner.

The following day, the flooding in Metro Manila was all over the news. I finally got the details of the situation from the Bangkok Post paper that I picked up from the hotel. It did look bad. It looked even worse when I was finally able to view videos of the flooding.

Now, as the talks on climate change start here in Bangkok, many of the speakers, representatives of the different countries who are here to negotiate on what to do with the changing climate,  have already expressed their sympathy for the disaster that has befallen the Philippines.

It feels strange being a recipient of these sympathies, and having to respond to people from other countries asking what the situation in the Philippines is now, when I have also been merely a spectator of the news that has come.

I feel that things are okay, because I have contacted family and they have assured me of their safety. But I know it is not, because when I watched TV this morning, the Metro Manila flooding is still in the news.  "Worst flood in 20 years. " "A month's worth of rain, in a day."  Tell me this is not climate change?

Counting Blessings 1 - Clear Sidewalks

Walking my usual route to work, I became aware of a pleasant sight - a stretch of sidewalk I could actually walk on.

It's not a spectacular view, but in communities where there's not much parking space, it's quite often to see something like this:

As you get nearer the business area, the walkable sidewalks even become more scarce:

It could be worse, because sometimes, you can't use the sidewalk at all:

So I am thankful for that stretch of sidewalk. And although it can be annoying that sidewalks are used as parking spaces, or storage spaces, or whatever, I still like this part of Quezon City.

Favorite Places 1 - UP Diliman

UP Diliman's welcoming trees.

I was born and raised in Baguio, and most of my travel experience before graduating from college was mostly in the Cordillera - where even if the roads seem totally dangerous, I was with family and relatives. And I felt safe. Oh, our high school class had a field trip to Zambales - a few years after Mt. Pinatubo erupted - and I brought home two lahar rocks as a souvenir - I still have them, gathering dust on the divider that my father made - but still there.

Anyway, the first time I was in (UP) Diliman, was probably when I needed to get my transcript of records, just before graduation. I was with college friends and it wasn't so bad. I do not remember having memories of fear, but then I don't remember much.

The next time I was there was summer of 1999 - for summer classes - at the college of Education. I was to become part of the second batch of volunteer teachers under the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod - Gurong Pahinungod Program, and the summer classes was part of our training. I guess for many of us who were there, it was a life - changing summer. I was blessed being there with the people I was with. Diliman became for me a friend as well. I relished every corner that I discovered. I delighted in the welcoming trees that seemed to give me a warm hug evertime the jeep enters the campus. I eventually, considered it home.

I remember how Diliman became my safe haven after that, when I didn't go home and instead chose to work in Manila. I would take the hour-long commute after work, to get from Sta. Mesa, Manila where I was teaching, just so I could have 30 minutes of quiet in the Diliman grounds.

Until now, almost a decade after, it is still one of my favorite places.

Dhaka, Bangladesh Notes

We're going to South Asia! [It's a work thing though... so either that adds or lessens the hype, depends on you. :)]

I did not try to listen much on the 'stories' and advice that went around the office regarding this trip. First, because I said I would like to spare myself the expectations, and second, the comments made it seem like the place was not worth a visit. As in, "be happy if you didn't get a visa" kind of comments.

Anyway, I realized I needed the information for the very wise purpose called preparation. So now, I'm trying to scour the net for "tourist" information on Bangladesh. But I did not really need to go far. I didn't even google yet. I went straight off to Lonely Planet and found some good stuff from the forum threads. It's nice when people share their own stories.

I still need to find out about the current weather and what clothes to wear though... I should get back to that now.

I hope to write more later.