Christine D.

It was a party, no less. One that was filled with alcohol to celebrate the new year. But the turn of events turned black as she, the 23-year-old flight attendant Christine, died inside a bath tub in a Makati hotel room. What happened after is very familiar to all of us as the story trended and became the talk of the town.

How the police meddled too much in an investigation that wasn’t even closed yet.

We will not talk about the intricacies of the case as it is ongoing today but rather, we will talk about the many issues that surround it including the allowing of a hotel for a party to take place. Well, even if it was not of their knowledge, security should know better that it was more than two persons in the room. I guess IATF did not put out standards for the hotel industry to follow. The incident will also bring attention to how this industry is handling the new normal, especially now that they are slowly opening their doors with prices that are going down for the locals to patronize. When more restrictions will be in place, it will hurt them even more.

Ethics - it is also an issue of one’s behavior on social media. The story had many sides to it but the people were too quick to judge on the sides that came out first without even validation. It is basic even in elementary to verify whatever you hear and say. And when there is uncertainty but there is desperation, your instinct will guide you on how to respond based on your ethics.

The aviation industry should also take a look at their policies for their staff, especially in the time of a pandemic.

We lost one beautiful soul that says so much about the worlds that she revolved in. Alcohol is also another point of discussion, with drugs as well but that would be out of context.

Now that things are taking its toll, then the investigators must do their job without impartiality and a sense of service instead of pride. I grieve with the family that just lost a daughter, but I side with those whose names are being smothered with false accusations too. It isn’t easy losing one’s reputation over photos and wrong name-calling, plus the horror of being judged unjustly.

As the proceedings continue and the family continues to heal, may this be an eye-opener to the life of the young these days. While 18 is the legal age, we must not forget that their freedom granted could lead to many happening, including those that we do not want to imagine. May she rest in peace.