A Letter of Apology from a Filipino teenager on the hostage tragedy

Manila : Philippines | Aug 23, 2010 at 3:22 PM PDT

By sunsetgirl

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I would like to share this patriotic letter from a young man Reigno Jose Dilao. He is a teenager, a student, and a Filipino who has a big heart for his country.

August 23, 2010

"A letter from a teenage Filipino to the WHOLE WORLD”

As you are reading this letter, I bet that you have seen/heard about what happened earlier in our country.

Tourists were hostages of a policeman here, Rolando Mendoza. After a few hours of the horrible crime, some of the victims were dead including the hostage-taker.

I wrote this letter not just to apologize but also to let everyone know that we Filipinos are not all like Mendoza. We are loving and good-hearted people.

For so many years, our country has been standing tall and surpassing every dilemma; be it small or big. Years ago (back when I wasn’t born yet), you have watched us fight for what we think is right. We fought for the democracy of our nation.. The EDSA revolution. But that’s just one out of many.

Second. We Filipinos have been serving other countries for our families and we treat you as our own as well. With all due respect, I thank you all for giving us the trust through the years. For helping us to become what we are now.

The Philippines is more than just a group of islands. We are a nation of strong and remarkable people. A country of beauty and love known to be hospitable and well-valued. I humbly apologize for what happened tonight. No one in this world would want something like that to happen for life should be valued.

I politely ask the attention of the world. Please do not judge and mistreat us just because of what happened tonight. I have been searching the net and found terrible things. Hong Kong advices to avoid travels here, China and HK bans Filipinos and that Philippines is the worst place to go.

I can’t blame you for what you have decided but I hope that you could understand. Our country is now in a sea of problems. And I know for sure that we helped you in a way or another. Let peace and understanding reign this time.

I know that this letter will just be trash but I wish that you would understand. On behalf of the Philippine population.. WE ARE SORRY.

As a song puts it…

And I believe that in my life I will see an end to hopelessness, giving-up and suffering. And we all stand together this one time then no one will get left behind. Stand up for life. STAND UP FOR LOVE

Sincerely yours,

Reigno Jose Dilao

Catbalogan City, Samar

(End of Letter)

To Reigno, you are a young hero of the Philippines. I commend you for writing this letter on trying to uplift the morale of the Philippines, after this tragic incident. Kudos to you. You are indeed an idol to many young Filipinos like you, and should also be an inspiration to many Filipinos.

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Source of Letter:

http://dabz0326.tumblr.com/

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The effects of Hostage Drama in the Philippines

sunsetgirl is based in Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.

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Post a Comment Comments: 205

Posted By

hanikesh13 | almost 3 years ago

to buffyzkie, thank you for your comment but no thanks. we filipinos know our flaws. we are not perfect and so are you. you may be right, this country is damned, but we are not crooks. Based on the way you speak, you need more discipline than we do.

Reply By

IamAWarrior123 | almost 3 years ago

nice one.

Reply By

reynanjancentestrella | over 2 years ago

i think your name vanessa must start with a small letter cause you are just a nonsense thing here. all of your comments seemed to be written by a grader. you are just saying what you want to say because of what you have without even thinking of putting your feet in other's shoes. maybe it is your time now, but be careful, for inevitable things might punished you. it's scary than what we can do.

Reply By

cookiedcat | over 2 years ago

no wonder western countries keep bashing each other coz there is a teacher like you vanessa.. i am travelling in western countries right now to see how beautiful it is as what we always see in the travel guides.. but unfortunately i am really horrified on how the way people act... drinking problem.. drugs addiction,, bashing each other anytime they feel like it just because they are angry... you may be lucky to be born in a rich country but that doesn't mean you have the right to insult people in a lower class society.. is that what you teach your student..to belittle someone else? i pity you and i pity your students! you think it is only philippines who has a disgusting image? then think again as i am convinced that your country wherever you come from is more disgusting as we are.. trying to lift your own bloody ego but you don't have anything to prove.. once in awhile look at yourself in the mirror.. and think before you speak nonsense words...

Reply By

Ghanie25th | over 2 years ago

To VannessaChase:

Too bad, what you hold against us is an obvious evidence that you are a near sighted type of person too. Going high yet never really growing, poor you. You speak and hold of things like what others see yet never did gave a chance to see through on what was kept hidden behind by the worst things that ever happened to this country. Yet we survived all the humiliations and misunderstandings of other nations and lived our lives through in the best way which each Filipinos could achieved. Some help others and others help themselves, that's just the way how life goes. What happened was tragic, and we suffered too as citizens of this country, yet we're never been a part of it, we're just witnesses like people of this world who've seen that incident. And in spite of it a single young man stood up and asked the whole world for understanding, yet you're one of those who declines and rages against all of us, Filipinos. Anyway, what you are is who you are, no one can change that but yourself. Yeah, you can speak your mind anytime you want but in truth, that is the only contribution you can give as a person gifted with free will, unless you change your stand.

I would like to advice you, take it or not it's yours to decide, you're a teacher by profession but try being a Sunday School Teacher and learn much more by experiencing it, as I did. It will save your soul.

Reply By

Ghanie25th | over 2 years ago

To VanessaChase:

I've scrolled down to the very last comment and I've never seen such an angry lady. I think you're a sad person, deep inside, never happy yet so proud of what you truly are. Are you still sane? What you are will reflect the way you teach to your young students; an unfair, judgmental, close minded, boastful yet very low and a trash mouthed mentor. Are you familiar with the word "Karma"? Mind you, believe it or not, it do happens, so be careful of what you say or do. Sooner or later, you'll realize that you'll be in a same state; hated, untrusted, miserable and lonesome and then you'll remember this things that you have said and done. Learn how to be open minded, humble and accept the fact that there are things that is not perfect, especially you. I challenge you, go out from your comfort zone and try exploring some 3rd world countries aside from ours and see how complicated the world is. For example try going to a country that is affected by famine and volunteer to help so you'll know the difference between yourself and a person being maltreated by such or any other reason. 'Cause what I see in you, you maybe a proud teacher who studied and worked hard to attain the position that you are now into, yet being what you are right now, you're a preschool teacher who stopped learning about other things, things that makes you humane.

Posted By

rhetorik | almost 3 years ago

@buffyzkie

Oh and check your grammar and punctuation, moron.

Posted By

clivem | almost 3 years ago

To the young man, REIGNO JOSE DILAO, thank you for your very humble and apologetic letter. I applaud you!!!

To buffyzkie, I take strong exception to your comments. I too am an Australian, and I notice your address is Melbourne, Australia. Your comments are totally offensive.

Your language echoes your total lack of respect, for yourself and for this beautiful country. Have you lived in the Philippines before to call it a "shit" country? What is your personal experience here?

I have been a resident of the Philippines for the past 2 years, and it is a beautiful country. I love the people, the food, their transport system, scenery, everything about it.

I strongly suggest you visit the Philippines and experience, first hand, the beautiful place this is. Hopefully it will be a mind-changing experience for you, a positive outcome rather than the negative you are dwelling in at present.

Reply By

kotter | over 2 years ago

i felt sorry for what had happened last monday. And made me worry about its outcome. Nobody wants to loose a loved one specially in a very tragic way. everybody should value life. i know many people are blaming the Filipinos for this but we are not perfect. please do not blame us all. We care a lot. and we are trying our best to live a peaceful life and we are also trying to teach our children good living with good heart. Thanks to those people who understand us and lift us up. And thanks for those people who comdemn us. It will be a lesson and hopefully will change the country. thanks to you Clivem, people like u make us stand up again to face another day. and to all of the people in the worl, if you will have a chance, please visit our country and experience how wonderful place Philippines is. Then it will be the right time for u to judge us. I pray for u and the rest of us.

Reply By

clivem | over 2 years ago

kotter - you are very welcome. You can stand very proud, all of you Filipinos. I strongly suggest again to all the people being so negative about the Philippines, don't judge this place until you visit and experience for yourself the wonderful country this is.

Reply By

melodycuters | over 2 years ago

hi there thank's for your respect and love for our country,..
I'm a filipino I do apologize too, on what happen last monday in manila.. even me i feel so dismay on what happen but i still proud to be a filipino, not all filipino people can do the same act by the hostage taker,..

but thing's happen and the harm already done. As filipino I would like to apologize on what happen.. maybe I'm not on the right path to say I do understand what the victim feel but we filipino are really feel so sorry on what happen...

Reply By

clivem | over 2 years ago

melodycuters - You are very welcome!!!!

Reply By

arriane_glace | over 2 years ago

I want to tell the world that please don't condemn us Filipinos. We are all the same. Why did I say that? It's because each country has citizens who are nice and who are bad. Please open your mind and heart to do understand that the sin of one Filipino is not a sin of all Filipinos. If this thing happened to your country, one alien is being killed, do you expect that the country from where that alien is living would condemn all the citizens of your country? we are created differently. we are all unique in different ways which means that "Fred" is not the same as "Peter". So with the Filipino high-jacker Mendoza, he is not us. So please spare us all. Don't blame us all of what Mendoza did. Not only foreigners were being killed in that incident but also Filipinos. Do you think we are not grieving of what had happened? We are all in the stage of grieving cos Filipino citizens also who were there in that bus were being killed. So please instead of condemning us Filipinos, can we just help each other so that this kind of tragedy will not happen again not only in our country but also at yours. Thank you.

Reply By

arriane_glace | over 2 years ago

I do salute you REIGNO JOSE DILAO. No matter how young you are, you are speaking on behalf of us all.
@clivem thanks for not condemning us Filipinos.

Reply By

clivem | over 2 years ago

arriane_glace - You are very welcome and thank you!!!

Reply By

Danilo Tao-tuan Naraja | over 2 years ago

There's no need to salute to Reigno, as there's no need to apologize to Hong Kong.

Reply By

arriane_glace | over 2 years ago

TO: REIGNO JOSE DILAO, thanks for doing this letter. i know that we Filipinos are facing such problems and this tragedy is one of the most things/problems we are facing now...Together, we Filipinos, if we hold on together, we can surpass this kind of dilemma. I tell the world, we Filipinos are not shits. Look at your own country, not all your citizens are good. I'm trying to say that all of the countries, including ours, have people that are not nice, but i tell you we are all the same, each country has citizens who are nice and who are not good. Please don't condemn other Filipinos.
@clivem....thanks for understanding. you do have a great heart and an open mind for you are not condemning Filipinos. Yes Philippines is not a rich and not that much competitive as like the other countries but we Filipinos are rich with "heart".

Reply By

DiozaNosferataBaltazar | over 2 years ago

WAY TO GO CLIVEM :P

Reply By

clivem | over 2 years ago

DiozaNosferataBaltazar - You to are very welcome. Be proud of your country, it is a beautiful place!!!

Reply By

faboro | over 2 years ago

To clevem, thank u for abiding the apology of this young man. Hope that the aboved commentators will do appreciate this letter. Though their comments were very offensive to our eyes to read on, I'm just hoping that they may realized the other side of our nation. Not just of being a troubled one but a hospitable and a caring nation.

Reply By

clivem | over 2 years ago

faboro - You are very welcome. I love your country, everything about it. It is a great country, great people, great food, great transport system. Thank you for accepting me here too!!!

Reply By

IamAWarrior123 | almost 3 years ago

To buffyyzkie, yes man , I am a Filipino,and you are always welcome to stay here,.. we'd love to take you to a tour to our beaches here.. we will welcome your because that's who and what we are- genuinely loving person.. see, even us who live here, are able to stand strong amidst the crisis, but we are able to continue to love and support our love ones here... hope to see you around here somtime..

Reply By

IamAWarrior123 | almost 3 years ago

Reply By

loiendiafe | almost 3 years ago

@clivem Thank you so much for your kind understanding! you're right, we Filipinos are in a government system with a lot of flaws and corruption into it.BUT...we certainly don't dwell in the shadows of that dark image because most of us believe that our GOD, Creator has other plans much, much better than where we are now. What WE, Filipinos are certain and hopeful is that we can move forward for the better, not only for ourselves but for our country and the whole world, " For with GOD nothing is impossible!!!"

Reply By

clivem | almost 3 years ago

@loiendiafe - You are very welcome. I agree with you totally. Move forward rather than stagnate and your attitude is correct and with your new President Aquino it is looking brighter already!!!!! May God bless your already lovely nation!!! And your family also!!!

@nerol76 - Thanks for your warm comments. May God also bless you and your family in my adopted country too!!!!!

Reply By

IamAWarrior123 | almost 3 years ago

@clivem - man your so kind... if only your in our house, we will cook for you.. :)

Reply By

nerol76 | almost 3 years ago

@clivem.thank you for that very nice and uplifting comment you made.May God bless you and our native land.

Reply By

clivem | over 2 years ago

IamAWarrior123 - You are very welcome. That food sounds good!!!! I appreciate very much.

nero176 - You are very welcome. God bless the Philippines and all who reside here and I also hope the Filipinos employed overseas in Hong Kong will not be disadvantaged by what has happened here and the anger being felt there.

Posted By

rygooze | almost 3 years ago

Buffyzkie,
I understand where you are coming from. You have probably seen and heard EVERY news article about the country. And I am one of the people here who just can't wait for a major change in the system.. or even a minor one.

But I pose to you ONE QUESTION: Have you EVER been here?

Yes, our politics has gone awry, and it's grabbed the spotlight from every other good.. no, GREAT thing this country has. But, I ask you to please do not judge us as a whole.

You should see and experience the people, one of the happiest ones in the world. Mendoza's situation was an exception, I know, but what country DOES NOT have someone like that? The Filipino NEXT TO HIM is a far more compassionate and ever more kinder. If you look beyond the hoolabaloo that is called media hype, you will see that we, as a people, are so much better than what it portrays. I do not know you, so I do not dare say, "look into a mirror before you look at others".. but you certainly painted yourself into a corner here. You see, we Filipinos stick together. We do not defend a wrong-doer, no.. but I think we have that much pride in our heritage that we condemn words that generalizes us. So, with this, I invite you over to our country.. and experience what we have to offer. It is certainly on the other end of the world-perception spectrum.

As for calling our country a "shit country", I, like this hero of a teenager here, don't want to be my country's apologist. All I ask is for you to keep an open mind. The Philippines is a GREAT country with lots of history and a culture that we can be proud of. Albeit scarred throughout the centuries, we still are standing tall and resilient.. And you will still see us like this even after all the bashing that we are surely enduring right now because of this horrible act.. WE WILL STILL BE HERE. HEADS UP HIGH AND PROUD..

I believe that amidst all these talks and finger-pointing, it doesn't matter who gets the blame, bottom line is it's an unnecessary loss of lives- innocent or otherwise. It is not a tragedy for one country, but for humanity in itself. For the families of these lives, this whole country prays for your loss. Someday, light will be shed on why this had to happen. For now, we will bow down our heads for you.

Know this: Whatever this tragedy brings us, we will come out of it stronger and more unified. Just as what every other tragedy that came our way did to us.. Oh and we'll do it with a smile on our face.

Posted By

tadzski | almost 3 years ago

to buffyzkie,

after reading your reply and saw where you from i can say that you get the 100 percent bloodline of your ancestor.. i guess you know enough the history of your ancestor it explain all your action.

See All Comments

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Images

The effects of Hostage Drama

The effects of Hostage Drama

Image Source: allvoices

The effects of Hostage Drama in the Philippines
Reigno Jose Dilao

Reigno Jose Dilao

Image Source: allvoices

The Filipino teenager who wrote a letter of apology in an attempt to inform ...