Sad to hear my former college student last semester is now in the news for an unfortunate altercation or heated exchange with a female security guard at the Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Metro Manila, the Philippines.
November 15, 2012 update: TV5 today interviewed me about my ex-student last semester involved in Amalayer video controversy, one of their questions---"How is her English?" My reply: "In fairness, her English was grammatical, but I believe all of us will sound better and nicer if we're not angry." AGREE?
UPDATE! TV5 Interaksyon News Jove Francisco & Grace Lee interview Amalayer girl, please share your comments below this blog post? Thanks! http://www.interaksyon.com/article/48242/video--amalayer-girl-speaks-i-regret-my-actions-but-i-dont-think-i-deserve-all-this
(This image above from peaceread.org)
Here is a news report from GMA News:
My wish & advice: Peace to all, less anger, smile always whatever the circumstances. We should try to keep our cool always, count to 20 or 100 before losing our temper, seek anger management.
Do share your opinions or suggestions in the Comments section below, or email me, or tweet @WilsonLeeFlores
UPDATE! TV5 Interaksyon News Jove Francisco & Grace Lee interview Amalayer girl, please share your comments below this blog post? Thanks! http://www.interaksyon.com/article/48242/video--amalayer-girl-speaks-i-regret-my-actions-but-i-dont-think-i-deserve-all-this
(This image above from peaceread.org)
Here is a news report from GMA News:
Girl in viral #Amalayer video speaks up
(Updated 11:31 p.m., 14 November 2012)
A video of a passenger berating a guard at the Light Railway Transit (LRT) Santolan station went viral on Facebook Tuesday night, getting more than 68,000 shares and 17,000 comments.
The hashtag #AMALAYER, which came from the passenger's pronunciation of "I'm a liar," even trended on Twitter, both worldwide and in the Philippines.
In a video sent by YouScooper Gregory Paulo Llamoso, passenger Paula Jamie Salvosa was seen giving a female security guard a tongue-lashing. “I’m a liar? I’m a liar?” Salvosa yelled.
Reached by GMA News, Salvosa said she is willing to resolve the issue with the security guard, though it was the lady guard who raised her voice initially.
"Sabi n'ya sa 'kin, sumigaw, 'Miss, anong problema mo?' Sabi ko sa kanya, you are my problem!" she said.
Salvosa added that the guard, identified as Sharon Mae Casinas, grabbed her arm. "Sabi ko, bakit? You have no right to drag me! Nagagalit ako kasi she grabbed me!"
Salvosa said she would not have reacted that way if the guard had treated her well.
For her part, Casinas said she asked the woman to put her bag though the X-ray machine for proper inspection. However, Salvosa began raising her voice. Casinas, on the other hand, said she remained calm despite the humiliation.
"Nagkulong po [ako] sa kwarto sa sobrang kahihiyan," she added.
Meanwhile, Salvosa said she is a victim of cyberbullying. She also denied that she owns the Twitter account @paulaharlow, as she has already deactivated her Twitter and Facebook accounts.
"I want to be an example na may karapatan naman tayo. Cyberbullying ito," she said.
Side comments and facial expressions
In a news release, the Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) explained that Casinas was merely performing her duties as she requested Salvosa to put her bag through an x-ray machine. But the latter somehow missed the procedure and hurriedly tried to enter the station.
LRTA Officer-in-Charge Emerson L. Benitez said that their security personnel are instructed to strictly implement the “No inspection, No entry” policy. The rule ensures the safety and security of passengers.
Benitez admitted that this may inconvenience passengers. Therefore, security personnel have been instructed to “refrain from making side comments and facial expressions that may be offensive to our passengers.”
Also, all LRT security personnel have undergone a seminar on Quality Customer Service Delivery before their deployment and are given refresher courses semi-annually.
“Ms. Casinas displayed the right attitude expected of a security guard,” said the LRTA, “that is, to be courteous and tolerant in spite of the embarrassment.”
Regardless, Casinas apologized for whatever action that she had committed deemed offensive by Salvosa, said the LRTA news release. — BM/DVM, GMA News
The hashtag #AMALAYER, which came from the passenger's pronunciation of "I'm a liar," even trended on Twitter, both worldwide and in the Philippines.
In a video sent by YouScooper Gregory Paulo Llamoso, passenger Paula Jamie Salvosa was seen giving a female security guard a tongue-lashing. “I’m a liar? I’m a liar?” Salvosa yelled.
Reached by GMA News, Salvosa said she is willing to resolve the issue with the security guard, though it was the lady guard who raised her voice initially.
"Sabi n'ya sa 'kin, sumigaw, 'Miss, anong problema mo?' Sabi ko sa kanya, you are my problem!" she said.
Salvosa added that the guard, identified as Sharon Mae Casinas, grabbed her arm. "Sabi ko, bakit? You have no right to drag me! Nagagalit ako kasi she grabbed me!"
Salvosa said she would not have reacted that way if the guard had treated her well.
For her part, Casinas said she asked the woman to put her bag though the X-ray machine for proper inspection. However, Salvosa began raising her voice. Casinas, on the other hand, said she remained calm despite the humiliation.
"Nagkulong po [ako] sa kwarto sa sobrang kahihiyan," she added.
Meanwhile, Salvosa said she is a victim of cyberbullying. She also denied that she owns the Twitter account @paulaharlow, as she has already deactivated her Twitter and Facebook accounts.
"I want to be an example na may karapatan naman tayo. Cyberbullying ito," she said.
Side comments and facial expressions
In a news release, the Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) explained that Casinas was merely performing her duties as she requested Salvosa to put her bag through an x-ray machine. But the latter somehow missed the procedure and hurriedly tried to enter the station.
LRTA Officer-in-Charge Emerson L. Benitez said that their security personnel are instructed to strictly implement the “No inspection, No entry” policy. The rule ensures the safety and security of passengers.
Benitez admitted that this may inconvenience passengers. Therefore, security personnel have been instructed to “refrain from making side comments and facial expressions that may be offensive to our passengers.”
Also, all LRT security personnel have undergone a seminar on Quality Customer Service Delivery before their deployment and are given refresher courses semi-annually.
“Ms. Casinas displayed the right attitude expected of a security guard,” said the LRTA, “that is, to be courteous and tolerant in spite of the embarrassment.”
Regardless, Casinas apologized for whatever action that she had committed deemed offensive by Salvosa, said the LRTA news release. — BM/DVM, GMA News
