This is probably the most disappointing thing I saw, since I learned about that Santa Clause isn’t real. The hostage taking that took place in Quirino Grandstand yesterday August 23, 2010 is a wake up call to how incompetent the Philippine police force is. I don’t want to be a critic. But just want to point out what I observed on that sad day. And hopefully some of my thoughts on the matter.

The Media

Freedom of speech is a great right. But sometimes is a big obstacle when it comes to crucial situations. Broadcasting the strategy of the assaulting team live on TV only gives advantage to the hostage taker. Risking the life of the hostages. Broadcasting “surprise attack” live on TV doesn’t seem too convincing, even calling it a “surprise” attack.

Making the hostage taker feel agitated by having the media broadcast the arrest of his relatives is what triggers the barrage. I don’t think the media should be covering it in the first place. Or be so close to the scene in a way that its possible to know what’s happening around the bus.

Police

How many times have you ruined your reputation. From corrupt officers, torturing prisoners to failed hostage rescues. We don’t want to point out what is obvious. Be it lack of equipment, training or strategy, which basically encompasses all of the necessary skills for a successful hostage rescue. But you’re certainly lacking on the “courage” that’s suppose to be embeded on your badge. And even the aim to throw the tear gas in the window.

You tried to make your reputation good. You tried so hard and we can see that. Having exercise programs to cut of that beer belly. Bashing rallyists head with an arnis stick all sounds good to me. But the only way you can 1 up your reputation is in times like this. And you blew it every single time.

If you can’t do it, please have another department do it. On other countries, its their top 5% of the armed forces (military) who do the hostage rescue. Not the police. People who knows how to handle gun fights and not be afraid to get hit.

Men Behind the Scenes

In a hostage crisis, the men giving the command is important. It is crucial not to include politicians in the scene. Politicians only wants to make the public happy and will not be able to “make the call” if the going gets tough. I have never heard a politician make a tough decision to “kill” a grave threat such as a trigger happy maniac. It will be bad for their reputation as being a makaDiyos or makatao. The men behind the scenes should be an experienced military officer or experienced police officer that have a lot of experience in this situation. What the fuck are those politicians doing there?

Contrary to many’s opinion. I think its a good idea that the government didn’t intervene with the situation. And only handed support to the best they can. But! for me, Mr. President’s decision to wait that long after the first death was confirmed is not a good choice. The first sign of death should be enough to put the man down. The driver who escaped already confirmed it. He probably shit his pants trying to escape, do you think he’ll lie? Even if the numbers were wrong, just 1 death is enough to consider this man as a threat.

The Hostage Taker: Rolando Mendoza

He must be depressed to hostage a group of tourists just to get his job back. This only proved your point that you don’t deserve to be in the service. Your ideals or reason for fighting is not even comprehensible. Nor rational. I would understand if you demand that James Yap and Kris Aquino should get together but come on! Trying to kill 25 people and end up killing 8 people to get your job back?

But seriously, whatever your reason is, it doesn’t change the fact that you killed 8 people. I don’t think that there is any reason that could justify the killing of innocent civilians. Your life’s legacy of being one of the Philippines’ finest policemen is just a joke now. You really fucked up big time. You don’t deserve any respect nor pity nor condolences. Think of the kids that will have lifelong nightmares of you. Even your death is unfair for the family of the victims.

To the Hostages

The whole world knows we fucked up. I don’t think there is any word that we can say or should say. Our condolences. We understand prayers and sorry won’t bring the dead back. We’re just hoping that we can be forgiven.

To my Fellow Filipinos

Let us just shut our mouth and stop pointing fingers. We don’t need to state the obvious who and why we failed. The whole world knows. The world was watching. Can we just ask apology to our Chinese brothers and sisters in a humble way? In the most humble way we can? It’s still our fault. Its a nation’s fault. Let us be humble like the Christian God that this country worship and accept our shortcomings.

A lot of times, I tried to write the ebook about affiliate marketing I promised a while back but never really satisfied of what to put in there. So I never got the chance to finish it. The reason being is I don’t know what to put in there. I am not sure what questions are there for a newbie affiliate marketer.

When I started, I just did what I think I should. I failed, crash, burn and wasted money (a lot) but it got me educated. I do not recommend it. I was a complete mess. So if I want to try to help out the new ones or the interested ones I might be able to help them if I know what questions are in their minds.

Sooooooooo… What are the questions or sticking points you have right now that hinder you to become successful in affiliate marketing. I’ll try to answer it in the comments and if the question is good enough, I’ll explain it in my next posts. Just leave your questions below (yes, on the comment area).

This is my way of giving back.

Have a question about affiliate marketing? Leave your questions below!

In internet marketing or in any business… Ever heard of analysis paralysis? It’s the over analysis of things that results in getting no job done. You’re so eager to make it perfect, you forgot the most important thing… Doing it.

I use to have this problem and I still do every once in a while. You might have experienced it but you’re not aware of it. Reading a lot of materials thinking that it might help you. But it only paralyzes you. The most important thing is to just do it.

I read the book “Rework” its about how to manage a small online business. Its not a book how to make adsense sites nor do affiliate marketing nor “How to be a blogger”, its a general book on how you become consistent at successfully managing your small online business. What strikes me with this book is to keep it simple. Being a small online business is great. You don’t have to act so big, so the good or bad things you do, nobody will know or even care.

My point is, if you spend more time doing the things in your mind instead of just pondering on it all day, you can go places and move forward. There is something we call, iteration. Where we continue to add improvements to something. Be it a blog, an ecommerce site or affiliate campaigns, it doesn’t matter. Nobody cares if you mess up. Nobody will laugh at you. You can still change things. Remember, its your business and you have all the time in the world.

Ok. You might have some questions in your mind such as:

- I don’t have money to start my own business
- I don’t have experience in running a business
- I don’t have time
- I don’t know how to run a business

And my answer is:

- I don’t have money to start my own business

Having no money for business is the most common excuse. You can borrow money. Sell some crap things you don’t use. Get a loan. Rob a bank. Seriously, we are not in the great depression. Money is everywhere. Furthermore, online businesses are not that expensive to start. You just have to need a website for around 2,000 Pesos. Just a website and you’re open for business. Remove the idea that you need a lot of money to get started. You don’t. At least not in an online business.

- I don’t have experience in running a business

Neither do I when I started. I’m a computer engineering graduate. Pure technical stuff. The kind of guys that would never ever think of running a business but only to fantasize about working in a large and popular company. But I did. I manage to pull through. You just have to have the determination to go and act on your ideas. Remember that thoughts and ideas are spiritual in nature and perishable, act upon them and you give it respect. Ignore it and you’re stuck with the idiots who blame the government for their misfortune…

- I don’t have time

Sure. And I’m the mad hatter.

- I don’t know how to run a business

Read books? Go to seminars? Go to conventions? Surf the internet? Ask a family relative who has a business? Ask a friend who has a business? The list can go on.

The moral lesson of the story is, Just Do It. And when you do it, you will be victorious.
Nike is the god of victory in Greek mythology.

I got a chance to meet a businessman that owns a driving school here in Bulacan, 40 years old, 3 years in business. And one thing that strikes me during our 2 hour conversation is that when he said “You just have to take risk. Just do it. Sooner or later you’ll get pissed about your work. How plain and routinely you go to work everyday to receive a measly pay check. You will want change. But that change is with a cost. It’s up to you if you want to take the chances. Any successful person will tell you, “I’m glad I took that chance” and I’m happy I can say that as well.”