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cosmo
Joined: 09 Nov 2006
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 Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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Don't know if it was posted, but a Peace Corps teacher was killed in Philippines recently.
http://www.yehey.com/news/Article.aspx?id=161611
Bicolanos pay tribute to US Peace Corps volunteer Julia
Manila Times
5 May 2007 | 12:10 AM
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
Legazpi City: Julia who loved peace died a violent death, Fr. Francisco Estepa, president of the Divine World College of Legazpi, said during the prayer for peace rally and memorial tribute to the well-loved Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell on Thursday night at the Freedom Park.
Different expressions of love, respect and sorrow were shown by Bicolanos during the rally.
They sang To Where You Are an emotional song composed and sung by Josh Groban.
It was played twice. People wept openly.
The Lopez siblingsGilbert, 13, and Junelyn, 15sang Julias favorite Filipino songs, such as Pagdating ng Panahon and Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang. Gilbert is a freshman while Junelyn is a junior at Donsol Comprehensive National High School, where Campbell taught.
Wearing pink ribbons, more than 3,000 people from all walks of life from Donsol town in Sorsogon and other Albayanos thronged the Pearanda Park in this city to honor Campbell whose memory will always be cherished here |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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Weird.
Has there been much media coverage of this?
Doesn't seem like it.
From what my sources tell me, the esteemed JESUITS almost always have a hand in "stirring" the political pot.
The Phillipines is no exception  |
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cosmo
Joined: 09 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 1:54 am Post subject: |
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| igotthisguitar wrote: |
Weird.
Has there been much media coverage of this?
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Yes there was much media coverage. Here is information from someone who knew her.
http://www.thelonerider.com/2007/apr/julia/julia.shtml
April 18, 2007
JULIA CAMPBELL: 1967 - 2007
Chance Encounter
I met a mix group of tourists in Mapiya-aw, Sagada last Good Friday, and had a short but pleasant conversation with most of them before I joined my group, UP Mountaineers who visited Sagada for the holidays. I remember Julia. She was the first one I talked to in the group. There was live music at the courtyard and the vibe was festive. I saw her again the following day at the municipal hall but didn't get to talk to her. That was the last time I saw her.
Missing
Within the course of the week, word got around that a certain 'Julia', a Peace Corps volunteer who was last seen in Batad went missing. I wasn't able to connect the dots then, but when I went to Banaue to participate in an adventure race the following weekend, flyers were everywhere about the missing tourist. It was only upon seeing the flyer with her picture that I realized it was the same Julia whom I met at Mapiya-aw. I was struck with a heavy feeling but hoped for the best.
Who is Julia?
Julia is one of 137 Peace Corps volunteers currently in the Philippines. A Virginia native who had worked in the Philippines for two years and spoke the local language, she had been teaching English at the Divine Word College in Legazpi City, Albay, since October 2006. She previously taught at a public school in Donsol in nearby Sorsogon province. On holidays for the Holy Week, she was last seen in Batad, Easter Sunday.
Speculation
The whole Banaue was talking about Julia - tourists, guides, locals, law enforcement officers, etc. It was a shock to the peaceful and friendly village. The Igorots (the indigenous people of the Cordillera) are outraged by this barbaric act.
I heard three versions of what turned out to be rumors...that she was spotted in Kalinga, that she was found but drugged, and that the spirits took a liking for her and kept her.
Found
It wasn't until I came back to Sagada that reports came in about a body found half buried in Batad. It wasn't confirmed who she was, but really, who else could it be? My heart sank. I was hoping all the time that maybe, she was really in Kalinga, oblivious that the whole Cordillera was looking for her. I was hoping it wasn't foul play. If it was, it would be more devastating to everyone - her family, the Peace Corps, and the entire Cordillera for that matter.
Foul Play?
The initial report said she fell accidentally. She was half buried by the earth that dislodged on her fall. Ermita, a government spokesperson said so, and it was confirmed by a text message I got from another Peace Corps volunteer. I was somehow relieved but the heaviness was still there.
The report the following day was shocking - that they have a suspect in the homicide...that a bludgeoned club, presumably the murder weapon, was recovered. The authorities are on a manhunt for a lone assailant. That was a hard one. It was foul play after all.
Ending Thoughts
I'm still processing this. It's very unsettling to be talking to one person one day, find out she's missing the following day and then learn the next day she's dead. Another senseless killing. First, it was Merwin Mendoza, a graduating UP student who was stabbed to death over a cellphone robbery. Then it was Doods, a UP Mountaineer who was a victim of a drive by shooting. Now this. These are all young and promising people who are no longer with us. Life is so fragile.
I pray too that the world sees this cowardly act as a work of one deranged individual and not reflective on the warm people of this picturesque hamlet.
--- TheLoneRider |
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cosmo
Joined: 09 Nov 2006
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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Her ghost still lingers  |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 6:14 am Post subject: |
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The Philippines is one of my favorite countries to visit. Just get out of Manila and avoid Angeles City, and the rest of the country is real interesting.
Women-wise, you have both spectrums. Gorgeous women and real ugly women. Honestly, Angeles City attracts the real uglies. Possibly because they are most rural and uneducated in all of the Philippines? Not sure what it is, but never saw attractive ones there.
Cebu seems to be an epicenter for the most attractive ones of the Philippines.
--
Regarding violence and politics in the Philippines. Ah, well. |
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