Almost any American old enough to remember 2001 has an answer to that question. And for that matter, seems like many citizens (old enough) of freedom-loving democracies in the world do too. Take my case. To celebrate my birthday on Sep 11 back in 2001, I had dinner out with family and when we came back to our house in Metro Manila and turned on cable TV, and CNN was showing the second passenger plane (United Airlines Flight 175) about to hit the south face of the South Tower of World Trade Center. I had to do a double take if it was live TV or if it was some movie of some old terrorist hijackers from the 1980s. The event was real and it forever changed the world. The 9/11 event looks to be forever seared in our collective memories, just like the 1963 Assassination of JFK, the 1969 first Landing on the Moon, and the 1941 Pearl Harbor Bombing.
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| By the numbers. A total of 2,996 were killed in the 9/11 attacks. Citizens of 78 countries died in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. |
In 1977, Harvard researchers Roger Brown and James Kulik called memories like this flashbulb memories. They argued that important traumatice events are stored in a complete and vivid way that captures the context, the event, and the emotional reaction to it. The idea is that when something very dangerous or emotional happens, there may not be time in the moment to analyze exactly what happened. By storing a vivid memory of the situation, the individual can re-examine it later and learn from it to avoid potentially dangerous situations again in the future.
9/11 was indeed a dangerous situation. It was a moment of great trial for the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. And there is a great lesson to be learned from this great trial, especially for those leading the nation. CNN White House Reporter Stephen Collision has this analysis to share:
"Throughout history, presidents responded to moments of great trial by leveling with the American people about often-dire challenges, but also summoned a collective sense of mission. This is regardless of party affiliation. Twice, in the 1930s Depression and after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, a Democrat, Franklin Roosevelt, told the country the truth, and it listened and followed. On another day of infamy, a Republican, George W. Bush, consoled and united a people violated by a shocking terrorism on 9/11."
With that intro, allow us to focus on the 9.11 Commemorative Run 2020 which is part of the Virtual Takbo series of the Pinoy Runners Global. Running from Sep 11 to Sep 14, this event is hosted by Balut Patrol Runners NYC . With a catchy name, this New York- based running group has a entry in Strava which reads:
"Balut Patrol Runners is a running group based in New York City for friendly Filipinos. We are all about having fun and running with friends that provide opportunities to meet new buddies while improving one's health. We also love to eat, a lot. All levels of adult runners with positive attitudes are welcome. When running as a group, we maintain a policy of 'Leave no Balut behind." Faster runners are free to sprint ahead but slower runners will never be abandoned."
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| Pride in the flag for the Balut Patrol Runners NYC. A New York City state of mind |
For a penguin, the policy looks tasty. hahaha....Seriously, Balut Patrol Runners have been collaborating with other entities to make the experience of Pinoy runners joining running event in the Big Apple an enjoyable and delightfully crunchy one. Take for example the 2019 NYC Marathon where Balut Patrol partnered with Fil-Am Triathlon Club, JCI-Philippine New York, and the Philippine Department of Tourism in New York, in hosting a carbo-loading reception at the Philippine Consulate for more than 200 Pinoy runners and guests.
Now this hard working and fun loving PRG barangay in New York City is hosting this virtual takbo that commemorates this very patriotic and very sacred event in America's modern history. With the 9/11 terror incident forever woven into the fabric of New York City lore, it is apt that Balut Patrol Runners NYC take the lead. With the help of the ever-busy Rona Janowitz of PRG, the Bicolano Penguin got to interview one of the leaders of Balut Patrol - Bel Molina. Here is the Q&A:
Bicolano Penguin (BP): What is the rationale for organizing this PRG run that commemorates the 9/11 terror incident?
Bel: Run 9 or 11 km/miles to commemorate the brave heroes and honor the resilence of New Yorkers.
BP: As a Filipino, what does the 9/11 mean to you?
Bel: My husband, Joe Valdez, who initially set up the Balut Patrol Cycling division is a 9/11 survivor. He was employed at World Trade Center when it happened. He worked in the 73rd floor.
BP: Tell us more about Balut Patrol. Why the name?
Bel: Balut Patrol started as a casual cycling group set up by Joe. Then I started a running division in New York City. Then my close friend, Ted Martinez started a chapter in Virginia Beach. The word "Balut" because it is uniquely Filipino. Most people recognize the name and when we run/cycle, we get a lot of happy "balut" cheers.
BP: How many members of Balut Patrol?
Bel: Approximately 190 members. But note that those aren't "paid" members.
BP: What can we learn from the 9/11 event?
Bel: With Covid-19, we experienced so much loss and so many lives are in danger. But as 9/11 has taught us, there is reason to hope. We can come together to rebuild and renew our communities, like the brave 9/11 heroes who rose to the challenge.
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| Bel Molina and husband Joe Valdez are the founders of Balut Patrol |
Engaging interview with Bel. Succinct answers yet rich in experience. A diamond in the rough info is the one of the inspiring survivor story of her husband whose office was in the 73rd floor of the World Trade Center. At the exact time of the collapse of the tower, he was not inside the building but in the very near vicinity. Reading Joe'account, he was literally in the midst of the dust-filled cauldron of a zombie apocalypse, witnessing acts of altruism, bravery, greed, and man's basic drive to survive. I was granted permission to post screenshots of the facebook post recounting his survival ordeal. Much respect to a 9/11 survivor.
Speaking of flashbulb memory, there are many among the Pinoy Runners around the world who have vivid recollections of the 9/11 terror incident. Not surprisingly, they all joined PRG's 9.11 Commemorative Run 2020. Sharing here a handful of them with their precious thoughts:
Rommel Quinto is a runner based in Chicago. He hails from Bicol. Very vivid is his memory:
"Very vivid pa sa memory ko ang Twin Towes kasi bago ang incident, we were there 2 months before. July yun. Nung nangyari yun, I was at home here in Chicago. Kagigising ko lang and naka-ugalian na namin na manood ng news for the weather and what not...Kaya nung buksan ko ang TV eh yung 1st Tower was already struck. Kaya kitang kita ko sa TV yung 2nd Tower na tinamaan hanggang sunod sunod na ang nagnyari. I didn't went to work that day kasi heightened na rin ang situation sa Chicago kasi sabi nila, there were still a lot of planes missing at baka may threat din sa Sears Tower. The rest is history."
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| Two months before that fateful day in 2001, Rommel Quinto and wife gazed into the magnificence of the Twin Towers. In 2020, both of them run to remember and honor those who have fallen. |
Elcid Fernandez Garcia is the Team Captain of Pinoy Guam Runners and he can recall the incident. Here is what he shared:
"I was 16 years old po pa ako niyan, 3rd year high school, nasa Pilipinas pa ako niyan. Gabi po nangyari sa Pilipinas. I check the time 8:45am sa New York, so it's 8:45pm sa Pilipinas. Nasa house ako ng ex gf ako noon that time nangyari. The incident will never be forgotten kasi po maraming nasawing tao."
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| Pinoy Guam Runner Kap Elcid Garcia running on the road to Two Lovers Point for his 9.11 Commemorative Run 2020. |
Another Pinoy Guam Runner, Aileen David Honrado also has a vivid memory of 9/11 terror attacks:
"I was at work when it happened. Sa accounting dept namin we were all shocked and confusedof what happened. Naala-ala ko nalang ng makita ko sa news, naginig ako when we found out it was a terrorist attack. I felt like na susunod kaming bombahin after the Twin Tower kasi sumunod Pentagon. Because we have a couple of military bases here, takot na tako ako na parang susunod ang Guam for the bombing. I wanted to go home to my family to be with them. Yung fear and worries ko the whole day yun kaka-isip about what's going to happen next."
Inquired on as a Filipino, what is the relevance of the 9/11 incident, here is Aileen's answer:
"Not just as a Filipino, but as a citizen of the USA. I am an Air Force wife, I know how it feels (fear and worry) when my husband is deployed. We need to remember all the innocent people that lost their lives, the heroes (our service members) and citizens who just happened to be there at that time that sacrificed their own lives to help the victims and survivors."
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| Inside the Two Lovers Point park is a Twin Tower memorial where Aileen Honrado had her photo. |
Alma Dolor Wade is a regular runner for the Virtual Takbo series of PRG. Originally from Tanza, Cavite in the Philippines, she now lives in the heart of the USA - in the State of Arkansas. This is what she has to say when asked about what she was doing when the terror started in 2001.
"In 2001, I was living in Mc Allen, Texas. That time I was watching a cartoon at my house with my son, he was 1 year old that time, and all of a sudden the news came up and showed the devastating terror attack. I was scared to death during that time. My husband was at work. One of the memories that I will never forget. Such a tragedy."
Asked on why there is a need to commemorate/remember it every year, she replied:
"To remind us of all the people that sacrifice their life. Remembering the victims, the survivors, the heroes an all the family that lost their loved ones on that devastating terror attack. #wewillneverforget"
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| Patriotism is deep in the hearts of those who remember like Pinoy runner Alma Wade. |
The BP joined the 9.11 Commemorative Run 2020. As I was running the 11kms over the weekend, I was thinking about the value of national ceremonies of remembrance of which 9/11, Veterans Day (Nov 11) and Memorial Day (last Monday of May) are great examples in the US. There is this long dissertation by Geoffrey White, a Professor of Anthropology in the University of Hawaii. Prof. White points out that constructing images of patriotic citizenship, the strong identification of ordinary people with the nation and their willingness to sacrifice themselves for its ideals, has long been the focus for national ceremonies of remembrance.
Reflecting on this, perhaps here in the Philippines, we should be celebrating important dates in our colorful history. A study on Filipino character shows that Filipinos lack sense of patriotism. It added that the Filipino, because of four centuries of colonization, has a decided inferiority complex. Google the subject "national ceremonies of remembrance in the Philippines" and one of the top answers is Rizal Day which commemorates the execution of our national hero in Dec 30. Perhaps it is about time that we include in our national ceremonies of remembrance important events that celebrate our victory against foreign conquerors and countries that dare to bully our beloved Philippines. Here are two dates to consider:
April 27, 1521 - the Victory of Lapu Lapu over Magellan.
July 12, 2016 - the Victory of the Philippines over China in a maritime dispute when the International Court of the Hague ruled that China had no legal basis to claim historic rights to the bulk of the South China Sea.
Never Forget our National Tragedy. Never Forget our National Victory.
There is reason to hope.
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