Tuvalu

This was actually one of my last coverages for INQUIRER.net (yes, ladies and gentlemen hehe) and I’m grateful for today’s experience.

I had lunch with Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Apesai Ielemia and hiw wife, First Lady Sikinala Ielemia. Sure, he heads only a small nation, in fact the second least populated nation in the whole world. But that doesn’t mean that he should not be given importance, right?

He was very down to earth and one would actually think twice if really is a Prime Minister.

Me with PM and his First Lady. I am hoping the predictions that Tuvalu will shrink in 50 years because of global warming is not true .
From wikipedia:
Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbors are Kiribati, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls. Its population of 11,992 makes it the second-least-populated independent country in the world, with only Vatican City having fewer inhabitants. It is also the smallest member by population of the United Nations. In terms of physical land size, at just 26 square kilometers (10 sq mi) Tuvalu is the fourth smallest country in the world, larger only than the Vatican City—0.44 km²; Monaco—1.95 km² and Nauru—21 km².

A tribute to the moonwalker

As expected, the world mourned when Michael Jackson had been reported dead at a relatively young age of 50. Police have not been specific as to the cause of his sudden death but that wasn’t really important, at least for now. He died because it was his time to go.

I have not been a keen follower but yes, I loved his music and I grew up listening to Heal the World (I was in Grade 2 when this became a big hit). It was actually one of the first songs I memorized.And who would ever forget Thriller? Ben? Who would ever forget the pencil-cut pants, the white gloves?

Though I may not have liked the idea of getting himself bleached and practically abandoning his rich, black roots, not to mention his affairs and charges of pedophile, Jackson undoubtedly forever changed the way people appreciated music.

He lived a full, colorful life. He may be bad at times, but we can always choose what to remember. And I choose to remember him as a man who touched the world with his songs and artistry.

Gone too soon, Michael.  Thank you for the music. Enjoy your journey and yes, you can moonwalk your way home.

Whew!

It’s been a roller-coaster June for me.:)

Much as I want to provide details, maybe this will be better in bullets.

*Laptop crashed, all files were deleted and I was only able to retrieve some files. Maybe it was a sign.

*Had been to various coverages, some to my dismay, some I really enjoyed. All in a day’s job.

*Yes, it was also an emotional, confusing month for me–in many aspects. But it all changed for the better.

*I cut my hair really, really short. Not because I was depressed (I wasn’t). I cut it really short and it took lots of guts haha! But yes, I actually liked it.

* And yes, there is a bigger news. But the story will have to wait. For now, I will celebrate.