What Ever Happened to ULTRA Stampede?

February 4, 2006. The day more than 70 dreams were literally crushed outside a stadium in Pasig City, The Philippines, ten days before Valentines' Day, hearts wept. That morning I came back home with my mom, and our maid told us that there were people dead in Ultra, and initially we thought there was a bomb explosion. There was a power interruption that time and news was coming in sporadically from all directions. I sent a message to a Singaporean diplomat friend and confirmed the reports and that was the time we knew that a stampede occured at the ABS-CBN's Wowowee game show anniversary and there were heavy casualties, mostly elderly women who were crushed to death by the surge of humanity trying to get in the venue to earn a raffle ticket and maybe get the coveted prizes.

The recent stampede in Ultra is an indictment of our society - Firstly, a government who instead of providing employment and economic opportunities to Filipinos being engaged in economically injurious political strife and bickering. This divisiveness is lamentable when we can actually move on as one country and as one team to achieve these economic gains. An equally frustrating opposition that doesnt provide options and solutions but engage in political fishing expeditions that sought to polarize more a divided Filipino society. A heavily politicized military with an immense messiahnic complex. Secondly, ABS-CBN for encouraging a culture of mendicancy and promoting shows that encourage the excessive display of "charity". Good manners teach that you need not show the world your generosity. And of course, they are equally to blame for the poor crowd control at the event itself. 2-3 days before that, they already knew beforehand the swell of people coming, they should have sounded the alarm and stationed more security people at Ultra. Ultra's guards cant be faulted, his job is only to protect the premises not the participants which is a job of ABS-CBN. As a person who have done similar events before, I know. Sadly, the ABS-CBN through its news channels washes their hands off of the blame. Interestingly, I was at the Wowowee premier telecast last year as a guest of Willie. My friends were producing his comeback concert at the Metro Bar that time. And thirdly, the public. The Pinoy. They all wanted an easy buck, easy cash, easy way out. they dont care that they are actually walking over dead bodies, all they want is easy money. It is not poverty. It is indolence (katamaran) and lack of activating leadership and entrepreneurship. Lucio Tan, Gokongwei, Sy all started dirt poor and they clawed out of their way through hardwork. Nakakahiya. (Shameful). Even BBC and CNN noticed how thick-skinned our kababayans are with their lack of respect for the dead. After all, they said, the show must go on. Even after more than 70 people including a 4 year old kid was among the dead. That kid wanted to see Willie and become an artista. Tsk! Tsk!

Several months has passed, and like a TV show that fades from public memory, the local media has long forgotten the tragedy. Why, there are a lot more to cover - Charter Change, The Estrada Case, Aborted Non-coups, the Leyte Mudslides, and the Snake Journalism. And the silence is even more deafening from ABS-CBN. Wowowee went back to air, same formula- make some sob story, shed copious tears, and then people in the audience starts doling out money again. Like the more than 70 souls who perished, another tragedy has befallen the victims once again, it seems that justice has been forgotten and has lost the ratings game.