An eerie feeling at Ground Zero

"It was like a moving scene from a movie. In fact, it was far more moving than any scene I’ve ever seen in any movie!"

That was how Edmund Silvestre of the New York-based The Filipino Reporter described the commemoration the other day (Sept. 11) of the first anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center, just a few blocks away from the Empire State Building in Manhattan where the Reporter office is.

"Right now," related Edmund in a blow-by-blow account direct from Ground Zero, "they are starting to read the names of the 3,000 people who died in that attack, 18 of them Filipinos. The wind is starting to blow, but the sun is fiercely hot. As dust starts to dance around the place, hovering over the quietly weeping crowd, I get an eerie feeling that the souls of the victims are with us, mixing with their bereaved families. It’s hard to believe but I could feel the ‘presence.’ I’m getting goose pimples; my hair is standing on end."

With Edmund was Josephine Perota, a Filipino nurse, whose husband Edward was among the WTC victims.

"Edward’s name has just been mentioned and I can see Josephine’s body shaking; she’s sobbing uncontrollably."

All around them, according to Edmund, everybody was crying. The mood was ambivalent. "Masayang malungkot" was how Edmund put it.

While the names were being read, with the droning of a helicopter blending with the stirring music being played, not a pair of eyes was dry.

"The dust continues to cover the crowd," said Edmund, "like a restless spirit that refuses to go away. It’s a touching moment. I’m also starting to cry, moved by the tearful mourners around me."

By and by, said Edmund, he got a text message from his friend Marife Aldana, another Filipino nurse in New Jersey, telling Edmund that she was keeping track of the Ground Zero ceremonies on her car radio.

"I could hear the strong wind," read Marife’s message, "and there’s some weird noises and voices. Nakakakilabot! Could those voices be those of the victims, unable to rest in peace?"

Edmund was stumped.

"How could Marife, who was driving home in New Jersey, get the same eerie feeling that lingers with me until now?" asked Edmund. "I can’t describe it, but I’m sure I’m not just imagining things."

The Ground Zero ceremonies over, the mourners proceeded to the basement to offer flowers for their dear departed.

"We are going down the stairs now," narrated Edmund, "and I could feel the presence of the spirits even more."

Yes, thousands of victims’ bodies were never recovered. That empty spot marked by a steel cross (remnant of steel bars of the crumpled twin towers) serves as the final resting place of the victims.

"I’m signing off now," said Edmund. "I’m praying for the eternal rest of the poor victims."

Mayor Lito’s incentives

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza announced during a recent dinner with movie reporters that the City Government is offering tax exemptions to producers of movies shot in and around Manila, like the Viva flick Hanggang Ngayon which starred Richard Gomez and Regine Velasquez.

"The city has all the beautiful locations producers need," said Mayor LIto. "All they have to do is call and we’ll give them all the assistance and support."

The idea no doubt is inspired by the recently-revived Manila Filmfest which featured, besides the usual Magic 6, a Parade of Stars around the streets of Manila, plus a star-studded Santacruzan.

"Manila supports the movie industry," said Mayor Lito. "And I hope that the industry will also support Manila."

Reader’s reaction

Here’s a letter from a reader Fem Parayno, a lawyer, of #3 Torres Bullagon St., Tierra Pura Homes, Tandang Sora, Quezon City:

Dear Ricky,

I’m an avid fan of yours. In fact, after reading The STAR’s headline, it’s to your column that I refer to all the time. I especially love the blind items featured in your column because they turned out to be true in the long run. And I admired you more when I watched you being interviewed by Cito Beltran. However, I like you most when you featured Harrison Ford in your column (June 26). I adore Harrison Ford and I adore anyone who adores him.

My friends and myself have been continuously awaiting your report on the interview with the Harrison Ford, supposed to have taken place in N.Y. But we are disappointed everytime we refer to your column these days. We are worried and afraid that our Harrison Ford could have snubbed you or offended you and for this reason, you’re not publishing that interview ever. If this is true, we beg you to forgive him. Please don’t hate him! We have to understand him these days that he is going through a sad and difficult period because of the break-up of his marriage of 18 years.

I used to be a practising lawyer until I got sick and now I just have to stay home. The only source of my joy is reading about Harrison Ford and watching video tapes of his movies. For now, I have my collection, almost all of Ford’s movies, except Frantic.

Very Truly Yours,

Fem Parayno

(Dear Fem, my Conversation with Harrison Ford will come out on Sunday, Sept. 15.)