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The Mayor and the Elephant

August 10, 2013

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In today’s issue of South China Morning Post, my hubby Alan writes about the unusual problem facing former president-turn-mayor Joseph Estrada:

Mayor Estrada wrestles with jumbo problem

Saturday, 10 August, 2013, 12:00am

News› Asia 

PHILIPPINES

Alan Robles in Manila

Manila’s new mayor and former president Joseph Estrada faces a host of issues: traffic, garbage, urban decay, lack of funds. And then there’s the matter of a lonely female elephant confined in one of the world’s most miserable zoos.

Vishwamaali, Maali for short, is the only elephant in the Philippines. Shipped from Sri Lanka when she was three, the 39-year old elephant has spent her life in a concrete pen as the star attraction of the seedy Manila Zoo.

Estrada sympathised with Maali’s lonely plight during the election campaign. But he recently outraged animal rights activists when he clarified that he would remedy this by getting Maali some companions.

The five-hectare zoo, which is forested and has a lagoon, is smelly and forlorn. There are unlikely features such as a shrine of angels and the child Jesus, and a wishing well. Many of its enclosures are little more than cages with thick bars, rusty wire screens and padlocks.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) maintains Maali is suffering and demands she be freed and transferred to a sanctuary in Thailand.

The animal activists have allies in celebrities such as French film star Brigitte Bardot, Filipino musician Ely Buendia and Nobel Prize winning author J.M. Coetzee. Last year the Philippine Congress issued a resolution supporting the elephant’s transfer.

Three days before the mayoral election in May, Estrada wrote to Peta saying “it is not right for people, especially children, to see lonely, ailing and depressed animals living in deplorable conditions”.

The would-be mayor said Maali was “an example of how we can right some of the wrongs of the past and teach compassion and understanding to a whole generation”. He added: “She may be seen as ‘just an elephant’ to some, but she symbolises so much more.”

But it was only after he won that Estrada revealed what he was actually proposing to solve Maali’s loneliness.

To read the rest, please click on this link.

Tagged With: Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Manila Zoo

Comments

  1. praetorius says

    August 15, 2013 at 1:04 AM

    -http://m.inquirer.net/newsinfo/?id=465693

    Napoles with warrant of arrest, di nga lang mahanap, lol.

  2. Keanleogo says

    August 13, 2013 at 8:32 PM

    Several informative articles/ news reports in today Rappler.com about Janet Lim Napoles.
    Unbelievable.

    • leona says

      August 14, 2013 at 1:16 PM

      There is credibility in this story. – http://www.rappler.com/nation/36337-janet-napoles-tragic-past.

      There is also “Believe it or not” in the other ‘party’s side’ of the story.

      • curveball says

        August 14, 2013 at 11:07 PM

        nabasa ko sa inquirer ngayon lang. naglabas na daw ng warrant of arrest para kay jln. on the way na daw mga nbi para i-serve yun sa kanya.

        non-bailable daw ang kaso na isinampa sa kanya.

        maabutan kaya nila?

        at least may kunting usad na at nangyayari. abangan kung saan sya tutuloy, sa kulungan ba o sa routine na destinasyon ng mga nagkakaroon ng kaso at naaaresto…. sa hospital na nakasakay pa sa wheelchair.

    • curveball says

      August 15, 2013 at 7:54 AM

      Naglabas ng arrest warrant laban kay jln ang nbi kagabi. nagaantay ako na mahuli at ma-experience nya ang “magpiano” tulad ng iba pa naaaresto tulad nya.

      Ngayon umaga ay wala sa balita na nahuli sya. Hindi daw makita? Hindi kaya pagkapirma ng huwes ng warrant ay may tumakbo na para abisuhan sya (magkano? ang tanong) O dahil sa nauna ng ibinalita ni LDLima ang balita sa news kaya nakapag tago na?

      Ano na kaya ang susunod na mangyayari?
      Mahuli O Hindi? Makulong O Mahospital?

      Isa na naman nakakainis na balita ito. Parang andyan na ang pagbabayad sa kasalanan eh made-delay pa.

      • AngLagay says

        August 15, 2013 at 9:36 AM

        Kapa nahuli iyan, siyempre magsasakit-sakitan. So malaking kita na naman para sa St. Luke Hospital. Good business na naman, pati na iyong mga lawyer… laughing all the way to the bank. Paano kayang makakabile ng stock sa St. Luke Hospital?

  3. Alizarin Viridia says

    August 13, 2013 at 12:18 AM

    Alizarin’s SWANSONG

    I MAINTAIN in my first postings here that Ms. Raissa deserves an AWARD
    Or CITATION for particular works in journalism.

    I have outlive my usefulness here having a mind against the flow, against the wind, reckless disdain against the immorals , the glutton, the greedy , the plastic pious, the intellectuals born again TO BE RIGHTEOUS.

    Unlike others, I prefer not to just move on, Alizarin Viridia as a mind must pass on.

    As in in a croaking whisper before my last breath here, Good bye CPMers.

    HABOL: If as usual you don’t get it dumbo! Me ain’t committing suicide, ‘cause
    Me ain’t got the cowardice. So good bye again. and hear no more from me.

    • Alizarin Viridia says

      August 13, 2013 at 12:19 AM

      very funny INDEED, a word of good bye AWAITING MODERATION !!!

    • Rene-Ipil says

      August 14, 2013 at 7:08 PM

      Alizarin @13

      I may not agree with some of your comments but I find all of them informative and sometimes entertaining. So don’t ever think that your ideas clash against mine or with majority of CPMers. We have participated with Raissa’s blog long enough to at least discern the inclination, if any, of regular CPMers. I believe I can boldly say that you “belong”. But you are alone in judging whether I and other CPMers are at par with your vision.

      • moonie says

        August 15, 2013 at 4:19 AM

        what, you have commitment problem, alizarin? just as you are settling in, and fitting in, and getting warm, you decide to belly up.

  4. alizarin viridia says

    August 12, 2013 at 5:08 AM

    Some people think Filipinos should learn from China about taking care of lawbreakers among us. . Aren’t there so many Fil-Chinese (Chinoys) and pure Chinese (Intsik) among us.

    Now read this:

    http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-china-bo-20130811,0,6446693.story

    Those committing BIG- BIG , MAJOR-MAJOR CORRUPTION ARE THEY NOT
    GUILTY OF ECONOMIC CRIMES. Should they not be tried for treason because the impact to the country is so long lasting and devastating?

    • leona says

      August 13, 2013 at 12:10 PM

      @alizarin…that’s a very long long shot beyond the Moon!

      If “pork barrel” cannot be scrapped/repealed, the same with ‘amending’ the definition of TREASON [Revised Penal Code] “aiding and/or supporting the ENEMY in time of war” etc….who is the enemy…the people?…what ‘war?”…

      …lawmakers will have to “copy-cat” the Chinese Penal Code to apply here, leaving separately the Revised Penal Code to stand side-by-side with it. Or what?

      • leona says

        August 13, 2013 at 1:43 PM

        From Manila Times online –

        “Congress seeks repeal of Revised Penal Code after 81 years
        August 13, 2013 12:33 pm

        by LLANESCA T. PANTI

        After 81 years, the House of Representatives has finally moved to repeal the 1932 Revised Penal Code with the Philippine Code of Crimes which would which would impose harsher penalties to moneyed individuals who committed crimes.

        Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. of Iloilo province, the Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, made the announcement during the launch of the Book 1 of the proposed Philippine Code of Crimes or House Bill 2300 authored by Tupas.
        – See more at: http://www.manilatimes.net/congress-seeks-repeal-of-revised-penal-code-after-81-years/28988/#sthash.foo0p2vo.dpuf”

        Is this proposal consolidating all crimes or revisions of crimes before 1932 and thereafter, so as to have a quicker reference than looking at so many thousands of R.A. s or PDs, of Acts, etc.?

        On “Double Jeopardy” issue, why grant the trial judge “a discretion” when the State appeals an acquittal or dismissal of a criminal case? That’s back to SQUARE ONE rule, almost. Make the right to appeal procedurally “absolute” acc to the Rules or procedures, up to the SC.

  5. alex1121 says

    August 12, 2013 at 3:53 AM

    out of topic, Ms. raissa, baka po pwede na paki tacle nyo ang pork barrel scam dito.. mas malaki po kasi ang impact sa sambayanang pilipino sa pag nanakaw ng kaban ng bayan, mas malaki po eto kesa sa elephante na topic nyo… kung pwede lang po…

    • raissa says

      August 12, 2013 at 10:23 PM

      working on it.

      madugo lang.

      • curveball says

        August 13, 2013 at 10:13 AM

        Maga-antay ako sa paglabas ng “madugo” tungkol sa mainit na balita na ito, ms raissa.

        Marami ako nababasa at naghahanap na mababasa tungkol dito at lahat ay nakakapag painit ng dugo dahil pera natin lahat ang pinaguusapan dito na nilustay at pinakinabangan ng iilan lamang.

        Akala ko yung christmas gift sa senado ay pinaka grabe na at milyon-milyon din ang usapan duon. Yun pala meron pang mas malaking pera ang pinakialaman ng mga mandarambong ng mga taong yun.

        Sigurado ako mas kukulo pa ang dugo ko sa report mo, ms. raissa pero ala ko din na mas totoo yan at kumpleto kaysa sa mga nabasa ko na at mababasa ba.

        • leona says

          August 13, 2013 at 12:14 PM

          @curve…’more bloody’ will it be when the ‘evidence’ of the P10B scam gets lost! So far, there’s been nothing…NO EVIDENCE…shown on this. All allegations lang.

        • moonie says

          August 13, 2013 at 2:26 PM

          so far, no leaks. tapos na raw and investigation ng NBI, tamaan ang matatamaan. I’m waiting to read the full report. also raissa’s article.

        • curveball says

          August 13, 2013 at 2:56 PM

          @moonie,

          Surado ako as in 100% sigurado… masa-shock ako sa report na ito.

          Dahil sa alang nakitang connection si jln sa pork barrel?
          Dahil sa mahina ang nakitang ebidensya na kasangkot sya?
          Dahil sa walang makitang kaduda-duda sa milyon-milyon nya na pera?
          Alin man dito sa mga ito ang resulta… shock at kukulo ang dugo ko.
          Dahil kaya sa nabigyan ang mga nagi-imbestiga?
          Dahil sa masyado mabagal nawala na parang bula ang mga ebidensya?
          Dahil sa biglang natameme ang mga witnesses at nangawala?
          Ano nga kaya?

          Pero kung nakita na may pagkakasala si jln at yumaman dahil sa pagnanakaw (ano pa nga ba matatawag sa ganito), makasuhan kaya?
          Parang nakikita ko na, bigla kaya magkasakit sya?

          Ang tanong, makakasuhan din kaya ang mga kakutsaba nya sa senado?, sa kongreso?, sa sangay ng gobyerno?

          Hindi kaya mainip tayo lahat sa kahihintay sa “final result” ng usaping ito?

          Kung yung Maguindanao Massacre ay halos di pa din nausad, malaking kaso na yun.

          Ito kayang kaso na ito hanggang kelan natin antayin ang dulo?

        • moonie says

          August 14, 2013 at 2:26 AM

          I’ve done nothing wrong! wala akong kasalanan! that’s the first thing scroundrels and criminals say. they even walk on their knees in chruch proving na talagang wala silang kasalanan.

          curveball, you could be right. magsasakit-sakitan yan. already JLN appeared drugged on the interview she had with Inquirer. maybe she was on anaxiolytic or anti-anxiety drugs. she could not concentrate and was blabbing too much, sluggish too. she appeared panicky to me, tried to put her panic under control and turned to drugs.

          I’m going to be patient though, and wait out the result. we may not like the result, but it is the beginning of something.

        • moonie says

          August 14, 2013 at 2:33 AM

          nawala ang sagot ko, so I’ll try again: I’m trying to be patient, curveball, and will wait out the result. we may not like the result, but it is the beginning of something.

          in her interview with inquirer, JLN appeared drugged to me, maybe she was on anxiolytic or anti-anxiety drugs to control her panic, make her appear cool, but ended up sluggish, blabbing too much and lacking concentration.

          she is out of her comfort zone, forced out into the open, no longer operating under the radar, and have to fend for herself. her lawyers? they’re only helpful if she pays them tons of money.

        • moonie says

          August 14, 2013 at 5:30 AM

          hi mel nl at curveball, already it was reported de lima is calling 97 mayors to explain themselves. innocent or guilty? who knows? this can take time as some of the mayors have died, the scam lasting 10yrs. it may not be the result we want, but it is something. not the end, but the beginning of something. something that can lead to something else. let’s wait and see.

        • leona says

          August 14, 2013 at 1:21 PM

          DOJ & NBI should file ‘the strongest’ case [finished] among the others soon, very soon before things gets out of hand? Don’t wait for all cases investigated ‘to be finished.’ More so if “Non-Bailable” ! Already a “HDO”…hold-departure order issued?

        • moonie says

          August 15, 2013 at 4:07 AM

          I’ve not heard of HDO issued, but I’ve read that de lima has instructed immig to keep eye on napoles and her brother in case they leave the country.

        • clearpasig says

          August 15, 2013 at 4:15 AM

          DOJ at BOC makipagkapihan kayo sa BIR.

      • Mel NL says

        August 14, 2013 at 5:17 AM

        I’m waiting too …I’m sure you have a lot to expose about Napoles pork barrel scam.

    • raissa says

      August 12, 2013 at 10:26 PM

      At saka nga pala, kung babasahin mo, hindi naman ako ang nagsulat nito.

      At bakit naman hindi ako puwedeng mag-post tingkol sa elepante? Sa totoo lang.

      • deadhungry says

        August 12, 2013 at 11:39 PM

        Hi, Ma’am Raissa.

        Looking forward sa article that you will write regarding PDAF scam. I’ve been an avid reader of your blog since the Corona impeachment case. Pati yung mga comment ng posters ng Cyber Plaza Miranda very informative.

        More power to you and your husband for writing articles on relevant issues.

        • raissa says

          August 13, 2013 at 10:11 PM

          cOMING.

      • Alizarin Viridia says

        August 12, 2013 at 11:58 PM

        HAKA-HAKA LANG. Maganda seguro kung ang bubuin ni Ms. Raissa
        tungkol sa scheme na ito ay sasagot sa tanong ng ilang CPMers.

        Bakit nagpunta sa Inquirer si Napoles?

        Meron ba siyang budget para sa buong PDI?
        O kaya ang budget niya para lang si hiniling makaharap na editor.

        Bakit siya humarap sa mga buwitre ng hindi kasama ang
        agila niyang abogado?

        Ano ang tunay na nangyari mismo sa PDI premises
        bago naganap ang round table?

        Ano ang tunay na nangyari sa loob ng PDI matapos ang round table?

        Si Mareng Winnie nakakasabay (pagsimba? kumpisal? adoration, retreat
        o recollection?) ni Mrs. Napoles sa Santuario ANO YUN sa kanya
        UNA ibibigay?

        Meron bang pinagkasunduan bago lumabas ng PDI Offices si Mrs Napoles?

        Napaniwala ba ni Mrs. Napoles na unfair ang mga PDI Reporters?

        Napaniwala ba ng PDI si Mrs. Napoles na ang kanila ay truth reporting?

        Papano mapapaniwala ni Ms. Raissa ang mga tao sa Timbukto
        na hindi mga buwang o retardate ang mga kasali sa
        round table kung ang mga babasa sa Timbukto ay walang
        alam tungkol sa PDAF SCAM?

        • Alizarin Viridia says

          August 13, 2013 at 12:07 AM

          seguro lang fair naman ako sa mga dyaryo alam kong hindi
          perfecto pero okay na basahin ko. Una ABS-CBN dahil sa
          tsismis; pangalawa sa PDI sa lawak at lalim ng balita at
          mga opinion; pangatlo PhilStar dahil sa ganda at ayos ng
          format, dami ng balita at kay jarius bondoc, pangapat Malaya
          dahil kina Docs P Chua at Cuasi Romualdez. My point? hindi
          ako azar sa PDI. Pero sino nga ba ako to say these things.
          Read my GOOD BYE.

  6. alizarin viridia says

    August 11, 2013 at 11:56 PM

    Out of topic (OOT) pero Cultural Indicator of Impunity (CII):
    Short Excerpt of transcript of a PDI round table discussion

    Monsod: Pwede mo ba masabi sa amin kung ano ang katotohanan, according to you?

    Napoles: Ah, Tita. Kasi, Tita, kung mauna po ako, anyway nagkakasama tayo sa Santuario, baka una ko sa iyo ibibigay, Tita Winnie. Ito na po yung ano. Kasi, under investigation pa po. So kung mauna naman ako.
    [To Inquirer.net staff with handheld video camera] Kuya, please naman.

    Kung mauna lang ako magsabi naunahan ko yung nag-iimbestiga, pangit naman yun.

    Nolasco: Mabuti yun. Naunahan mo na sila.

    Napoles: Ay! [Laughs] Baka patayin ako.

    Nolasco: Hindi. Hindi ka papatayin ng NBI.

    Napoles: ’Yung investigation naman po namin na ginagawang research. [To Inquirer.net staff manning video camera on tripod] Kuya, please. . . .
    ————————

    Please, this excerpt is nothing but to invite thinking, not action and a commercial
    for Plaza Mirandans to be right there in the PDI where the round table discussion is
    taking place.

    • chit navarro says

      August 12, 2013 at 11:16 AM

      my one-dollar opinon?… dollar yan ah…

      Janet Napoles believes, as she has believed all her life, that MONEY rules and buys anything and everything!!!!! She has been with “unprincipled” ;honourable’ people all her life that she believed “Inquirer Columnist lang yan”… pera lang ang katapat niyan……

      she must have been ready with negotiations on cash settlement – not on questions of what has been reported erroneously / improperly / unfounded by the Inquirer. She did not do her assignment pretty well – she did not do any research; she just based it on her instinct that she has enough money to silence the reporters….

      I am looking forward to part 3 of the “round table discussion” and with bated breath Korina’s interview / report on her visit to Napoles businesses in Indonesia. Whoever said then that the Problem with Mar is _______________ ???? Abangan:

      Excerpt of the part 2 discussion:
      “David: So, ano po ang negosyo ninyo?

      Napoles: Kami po? Coal po sa Indonesia. Pupunta na ho ang channel something, pupunta ho dun.

      Cabacungan: Anong pangalan, ma’am?

      Napoles: Dun? Pagpunta niyo na ho dun.

      David: Anong pangalan nung coal company ninyo?

      Napoles: Dun ho sa Indonesia? Pagpunta na lang ho nila Ma’am Korina (Sanchez).”
      ********************
      If I am in the eye of the storm and I really, honestly do have business interests, I will flaunt these to the columnists and tell them to “eat your heart out – I have legitinate businesses…” Pero kung nangangapa ka nga ng isasagot mo, eh di wala… Kaya I want to see what Korina will report on this….

      Matapang na tanga…. that would be my description for a person who goes into the lion’s den and make a fool of herself!!!!

      Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/463503/napoles-insists-her-money-came-from-inheritance-coal-trading#ixzz2bikghAFL
      Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

      • Rene-Ipil says

        August 13, 2013 at 7:46 AM

        [email protected]

        Napoles always applies the “Golden Rule” in all her actions. Meaning that she who has the gold rules.

        At si Napoles ay talagang matapang. Ang totoo ay sobrang tapang ng hiya at labis na kapal ng apog.

        • moonie says

          August 14, 2013 at 6:04 AM

          did you notice that at the interview JLN appeared drugged? she was probably taking anxiolytic or anti-anxiety drugs to control her anxiety, at nagkaruon ng adverse side effects, lacking concentration,and her answers were sluggish. well, she can pay off people and bribe others, but her body and health may go against her.

        • moonie says

          August 14, 2013 at 12:57 PM

          rene-ipil, people have made a rule of their own too, ini-irapan nila si JLN tuwing nakikita siya, their looks full of suklam, eyes that throws daggers, paminsan dinudura-an pa ang kalsadang dinadaanan niya. people are hitting back at her in the only way their knew. thief, she stole what should have been theirs, thief too to the senators and conniving their cohorts.

      • praetorius says

        August 13, 2013 at 12:51 PM

        yun…. lumabas na naman pangalan ni Korina.

        I won’t be surprised if she does an Imelda act when and if Mar becomes the president.

        • chit navarro says

          August 14, 2013 at 4:22 AM

          Do you think the grand matriach of the Roxas clan will allow that to happen? – For Korina to become a First Lady?

    • ella says

      August 12, 2013 at 11:53 AM

      ay puro namang sinungaling, denial and accusations ang ginawa ni napoles ah. Okay ang gingawa ng PDI publishing verbatim ung “round table discussion” nila para lalo ng walang maniwala kay Napoles.

      kawawa talaga tayong Pilipino ang buwis na binabayad natin ay binubolsa ng mga politico at ang kanilang mga angkan gaya ng mga Napoles.

      • moonie says

        August 14, 2013 at 1:05 PM

        napansin mo ba na parang she was under anxiolytic or anti-anxiety meds when she was interviewed? para bang she was having adverse reaction at nagkaruon ng impaired o nawalan ng concentration, mukhang lito e. sluggish ang mga answers niya. o baka she was not just a good liar. a 5yr old can do better than her.

    • vander anievas says

      August 12, 2013 at 5:58 PM

      @a.viridia,
      nakakapag-create ng imagination ang post mo. hehehe. tawa ako nang tawa dyan. yung natatawa na nanggagalaiti…:)

    • Alizarin Viridia says

      August 12, 2013 at 11:39 PM

      “Please, this excerpt is nothing but to invite thinking:

      Napoles: Ay! [Laughs] Baka patayin ako”

      BAKIT siya baka papatayin? Anong laking utang o kasalanan niya na dapat
      bayaran ng kanyang buhay?

      PAPANO nalaman ni Nolasco na hindi siya papatayin ng NBI?

      MERON BANG ALAM SI NOLASCO NA DAPAT NIYANG
      KATAKUTAN?

      WALA BANG IBA siyang kinatatatakotan ?

      KUNG BUHAY pa ang talino ni Perry Mason. pa-research niya ito sa
      staff niya para magamit niya sa trial mismo.

    • curveball says

      August 13, 2013 at 10:05 AM

      Wala yata ako naintindihan sa mga sinabi nya.
      Nagpaikot-ikot ang tanong at sagot.
      Wala sya inamin kasi wala naman sya masabi na inpormasyon.
      Nangangapa nga sagot.
      Pero nagtataka ako bakit hindi nya kasama si atty. lorna?
      Baka pag anduon sya… idemanda silang lahat ng libel kaya????
      O baka hindi na nagsalita si jln, pinatahimik na sya ng atty nya at si atty lorna na ang nakausap nila.

  7. netty says

    August 11, 2013 at 12:57 PM

    In her age it is safe to leave her in the zoo. I feel the Pinoy zoo keepers are loving and caring for her. What’s the Petas all the fuss about bringing her to Thailand? Petas have their own issues,too.Look it up on the internet. Mali has been in captivity for a long time and I think it would do more harm than good to release her to the sanctuary. It is also very negative of the supposed to be rescuers to think that this elephant is being kept for entertainment only, as Moonie said she is already used to her environment. As a related story, here in Canada, those raccoons that enter the attics or roofs through a hole are trapped and released again not far from the neighborhood where they were caught so they can survive and find food easily . Soon they find another homeowner’s roof and the same situation happens again. You think that these small critters don’t do any damage? Huge damage like eating electrical wires, bending vents /pipes, eating and damaging insulations of the roof. There is a law protecting them as wildlife but too costly for the homeowners trying to evict them, spending from 400-600 dollars just to let them out plus spending for the repair of the hole on the roof and cleanup of urine,debris and poops.So let Mali stay in the zoo, let the pork barrel give her food . Let the fun begin.

    • moonie says

      August 12, 2013 at 4:04 AM

      I think PETA is not happy. they did not ask the right question and then, got not the right answer. erap pulled a fast one of them. peta did not ask how exactly erap if elected mayor of manila is going to alleviate or solve maali’s problem. they did not ask him to enumerate specific steps he could take. in short, I think, they got fobbed off and settled for erap’s goobledygook.

      • vander anievas says

        August 12, 2013 at 5:50 PM

        correct @netty,
        kung 2 or 3 yrs na lang ang naiiwan sa kanya, extravagance na ang dalhin pa siya sa Thailand or somewhere. baka mapadali pa ang buhay nya.
        siguro, mas mainam pang pakialaman ng Peta ay yung mga poachers ng tusks/ivory. o yung mga whalers. o yung mga buwaya na nang-aagaw ng pdaf para sa mga mahihirap at nagugutom.

        • moonie says

          August 13, 2013 at 3:14 AM

          maybe, all maali wanted is a quiet place for her to lay down and die, not stared at or gawked on on zoo goers. maybe she wants privacy when she takes her last breath, and not be in the public eye.

          who’s to tell what the people at the sanctuary will do to her? will they use her and highlight her cause to ask for more funding from anilmal welfare groups? will they teach her to paint and so earn her living and help rake in money for the santuary? what if she cannot paint, will they punish her? not feed her? what if she does not like being in the sanctuary, she cannot possibly go back home. it’s a long way. she would have to swim oceans.

          if maali needs tender loving care, she does not have to go to sanctuary to get those. our own zoo keepers are capable of giving those to her. I agree that the zoo need updating with newer and better facilities, better service and employ more vets and helpers to look after the welfare of animals.

  8. Mel says

    August 11, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    Is Vishwamaali, Maali for short, a female or a male?

    Kung guwapo, ipangalan ang ‘soon to arrive female companion’ as Gloria, or Glow for short. Kung hindi pa maipreso siya, eh di sa zoo pupuwede na.

    Kung vice ganda naman si Maali, Ping naman ang ipangalan. I leave it to your imagination.

    Both names have historical significance to Erap.

    • Mel says

      August 11, 2013 at 10:27 AM

      erra…

      ‘ the 39-year old elephant has spent her life’

  9. moonie says

    August 11, 2013 at 5:45 AM

    elephants are smart. it could be that maali is lonely because she knew she will die soon. she has been living in a slum and her life expectancy at a close.

    I remember a story told by tatay about a zoo in japan during the war. the animals there were starving as there was less food around. the zoo keeper slaughtered an elephant daw to feed the meat-eating animals like tigers and lions. the next day daw, the rest of the elephants did not eat their ration, and starved themselves to death. nangulila yata sila.

    • leona says

      August 11, 2013 at 10:42 AM

      @moonie…Maali since 3 yrs old cannot ‘use’ any smartness it has! It was lost a long time ago. One has to ‘enter data computerly’ into it. Mayroon ba pc para dyan? Ipad for iLPhant?

      All animals can think…they have minds too! The only diff with ‘us’ is ‘we know when to laugh’ on jokes, act happily etc. Yan we call ‘rationality’. The bad dream of Maali is ‘it keeps asking WHO WHAT” …no ” I am “…be kind to Maali ‘S kinds. I agree with @alizarin…WHY the animals in captivity? It should be all corrupts in CAPTIVITY !

    • macspeed says

      August 12, 2013 at 4:29 PM

      Animals can smell the meat if it is human, cat or elephant in this case. Halimbawa tayo kung nakahain ay meat ng tao malalaman natin yun kasi sa bibig pa lang reaction will occur like tutulo laeay mo or masusuka he he

  10. Inna Egdio says

    August 11, 2013 at 1:53 AM

    FREE MAALI!

  11. alizarin viridia says

    August 11, 2013 at 12:02 AM

    The question is WHY the animals in captivity?
    When, Where and Who started it? Not the
    cave men. Civilization then? For money?
    I’ll to GO OGLE Mr. Google.

    • alizarin viridia says

      August 11, 2013 at 12:04 AM

      I mean let us GO OGLE Mr. Google for knowledge.

      • alizarin viridia says

        August 11, 2013 at 12:47 AM

        WELL I DID OGLE the GOOGLE:

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoo#Ancient_world

        the Roman Coliseum might be the pre cursor of
        the modern zoo, starting by pitting animals against
        animals, then animals against Christians, and then
        man against whatever.. The present Manila ZOO
        can be converted into an Olympic Coliseum of the
        Corrupt (OCC) where the corrupt gladiators will NOT be
        allowed to die or be killed since killing another human
        being though corrupt is a crime. NO LETHAL GAMES
        WILL BE ALLOWED.

        Proceeds from the gate is enough to finance UPKEEP
        of the OCC. As their form of physical fitness and exercise
        accused and convicted will be marched around the OCC
        every show day which will always be blockbusters.
        Who would not pay just to see a President running
        100 meter dash against a Senate President? Congressmen
        playing patintero? Justices playing tumbang preso?
        Cabinet members playing palosebo?

        The OCC certainly could boost tourism beyond expectation.

    • moonie says

      August 12, 2013 at 4:30 AM

      humans have been domesticating animals long ago, and keep cats, dogs, birds, even fishes in aquariums as pets. some like carabaos are kept as beast of burden.

      we also keep live animals like pigs, cows, sheeps, chickens, etc. and slaughter them for food. marine animals like fishes, squids, prawns, also octupi dont escape, people eat them too. pati sea weeds, they got eaten as well.

  12. Vibora says

    August 10, 2013 at 11:19 PM

    for 36 years this elephant knows nothing of her kind, let us free her and better put our corrupt politicians in her place. what a sight to see them inside. i can donate a barrel of pork for a month for them….

  13. leona says

    August 10, 2013 at 10:45 PM

    I really heartily pity such live animals in cages! Sanctuary similar to animals environments maybe good. But to deny this to caged animals is cruelty to animals. It must have been about 35 years since I went inside that Zoo. The smell and surroundings at that time was deplorable. It made me sick and puking [ if not for my kids’ presence]. So, until now as Alan writes IT STILL IS !

    Since Manila gov’t cannot keep a good, clean and conducive Zoo for those living wild animals, those animals would be very THANKFUL to Mayor ERAP if and when releasing them to a good sanctuary, here or somewhere else. Sell the ZOO LAND, buy a bigger area somewhere in Rizal, Quezon or Aurora provinces Those animals will be able to BREATH A SIGH of relief!

    Btw, include also the all the DOGS and CATS roaming in Metro Manila. I don’t know what else to suggest…anyone? Be Kind To Animals.

    Thanks Alan and Raissa for remembering for us the unforgettable Zoo in Manila!
    [Moderator pls be kind to me…3rd time I had to ‘zooing’ this…thanks.]

    […this 4th will fill up the Zoo! …thanks por Dyos por Santa!] [Santo Zoo…ma-awa ka! 5th na ito]

    [may sanctuary ba para sa blog kong ito? Suko na ako sa seis. Yaaaaaaaaay!]

    • alizarin viridia says

      August 10, 2013 at 11:58 PM

      I agree with Vibora above, convert the ZOO into a hospital and
      prison show case for display of our accused or convicted corrupt
      President. vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of HOR,
      Chief Justice of the SC, All other Justices and Judges, Cabinet Members,
      Under Secretaries, ASECS, Generals of Uniform Forces, Commissioners,
      Members of the Boards of Govt Corporations, Journalists, Defense lawyers,
      Governors, Mayors, Councillors, Barangay Captains, etc .

      We will have world class distinction of having a ZOO for multi-titled homo
      sapiens of the rarest variety.

    • vander anievas says

      August 11, 2013 at 12:03 AM

      ahahaha. at marami pa sa labas ng zoo. nagkakalat ng pupu nila, walang pakialam ang may-ari. amoy zoo na rin sa lugar namin sa pulang-lupa. pupu ng aso, pusa, manok, rabbit, hamster, name it.
      walang ginagawa ang mga health officers at local officials.

      • moonie says

        August 12, 2013 at 3:56 AM

        kaya nagkaruon tayo ng leptosperosis tuwing bumabaha. marami ang nagkakasakit. pupu ng animals left behind ay naging health hazard attracting flies that carry and spread diseases around.

        nanay used to scroop those pupu ng manok at kabayo for her tomato plants. she diluted them with water.

    • macspeed says

      August 12, 2013 at 2:45 AM

      he he he this is a very hard work, free all the animals somewhere in one of the Islands in Philippines, then each animals will fight for its survival, who else can survive and win? The mighty Lion of course, just like in the movie he he he,

      The only solution is to upgrade the zoo or find a larger zoo and apply best maintenance in it….these animals should be taken care with natural sorroundings in which each kind will not be able to penetrate other animals…safety is required for zoo maintenance…

      Each senator should give a portion of their pork barrel to help these animals survive…healthy animals will bring forth education and learning to youngster and students no matter what…

      miyaww….

      • moonie says

        August 12, 2013 at 3:50 AM

        hi, macspeed, magaling yan if congressmen/women/senators give portion of thier pork barrel for the upkeep of the zoo. wouldn’t it be nice if zoo’s account books named the pork barrel holder who donated money to the zoo? good time for them to papogi and be praised for once as having done a good deed. maybe have their picture righteously posted in the media. my bet it is, ni walang isa sa kanila ang mamigay ng tulong.

  14. leona says

    August 10, 2013 at 10:38 PM

    I really heartily pity such live animals in cages! Sanctuary similar to animals environments maybe good. But to deny this to caged animals is cruelty to animals. It must have been about 35 years since I went inside that Zoo. The smell and surroundings at that time was deplorable. It made me sick and puking [ if not for my kids’ presence]. So, until now as Alan writes IT STILL IS !

    Since Manila gov’t cannot keep a good, clean and conducive Zoo for those living wild animals, those animals would be very THANKFUL to Mayor ERAP if and when releasing them to a good sanctuary, here or somewhere else. Sell the ZOO LAND, buy a bigger area somewhere in Rizal, Quezon or Aurora provinces Those animals will be able to BREATH A SIGH of relief!

    Btw, include also the all the DOGS and CATS roaming in Metro Manila. I don’t know what else to suggest…anyone? Be Kind To Animals.

    Thanks Alan and Raissa for remembering for us the unforgettable Zoo in Manila!

  15. Rene-Ipil says

    August 10, 2013 at 8:32 PM

    I believe Erap is on the right track. I foresee that Maali won’t last long and procuring baby elephant for now would ensure continued presence of the gentle giant in the zoo for the Filipino kids and adults as well to enjoy and learn.

    • moonie says

      August 11, 2013 at 5:31 AM

      agree. maali might even be bullied by other elephants in the sanctuary in thailand, or she could still be isolated with the elepants over there not warming up to her, might even ostracized or not socialized with her as she’s a stranger and not ‘sanay’ with their culture and way of life. they might not want to be friends with her. maali could still have lonely existence in paradise sanctuary. maali needs tender loving care, that I agree. I think our pinoy vets and zoo keepers are capable of giving that to her. I dont like the concrete ground she walks on though. in the jungle, elephants walk on soft grounds that do not crack their heels.

    • moonie says

      August 11, 2013 at 2:28 PM

      they can have pipe-in music for maali in her enclosure, see how she likes it. some animals like music, maybe introuduce a friend to her too. I once saw a documentary about a rogue elephant that went on rampage and killed people. it got sent to an animal sanctuary and was solitary most of the time, until a sheep befriended it. they were inseparable then. when the sheep died, the elephant diverted to being solitary again. staff gave it an old tyre to play with, and yes, it carried the tyre in its trunk anywhere it went. weird toy.

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