July 18 quake prediction a political gimmick

(This is a picture of the devastation caused by an 8 magnitude earthquake in San Francisco California in 1906

Why the 8 magnitude earthquake prediction in RP is a fake? And why do people believe it?

First, the author of the email has impeccable timing. It was sent right after a 7.2 magnitude quake in Japan which killed 13 people. Previous to this, a 7.9 magnitude quake killed thousands in China and rendered thousands more homeless.

Here, we are experiencing between 4 to 5.3 magnitude quakes, almost everyday since last week. Being proximate to both China and Japan, people would definitely make a connexion. If a quake hit our neighbours, the possibility of being hit ourselves by a similarly strong or stronger earthquake is there, since we’re also one of those countries located in the Pacific ring of fire.

This fatalistic thinking is being compounded by our recent experience with Typhoon Frank, which left thousands of people dead and rendered thousands more homeless. Scenes of devastation of the China and Japan quake plus the Typhoon Frank disaster still resonate in our minds. And of course, we’re experiencing weekly personal financial tremors what with rising oil and food process. Millions of people are feeling panicky and uncertain about the future. Many people are feeling insecure. Those deathly scenes on primetime news are not helping people cope with both natural and man-made disasters.

Obviously, the prediction is a fake (see http://pinoyobserver.wordpress.com). It’s an invention. But why choose an earthquake as an event to happen in this date, July 18?

Obviously, the authors of this email chose that date because it’s similar with the date of the 8 magnitude quake which rocked San Francisco California way back in 1906—April 18. Of course, they adjusted it to July 18 so that its more recent and we’ll feel threatened and vulnerable.

The purpose of this fakery? Well, its quite nasty and a little criminal. Obviously, they want to add fuel to the confusion and feeling of insecurity of Filipinos. They are feeding the fear of people. But why? Why do this?

July 18 happens to be ten (10) days before the State of the Nation address of Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. By creating a scenario of fear, people will approach this SONA with utter trepidation and uncertainty. Nonetheless, it can work in both ways.

A fearful nation come July 28 could be exploited by Gloria to introduce self-serving suggestions such as the Noah's Ark proposal or a cha-cha? Surely, no one would question this since it could be perceived as a bitter pill to swallow. People would even, probably praise Gloria for rising up to the occasion.

Or, it could be that the people are so heated up at that time that they support a revolt leading to the eventual ouster of Gloria from Malacanang. Whatever the motivation is--whether political or otherwise--it smacks of a malicious intent. It's malicious and dangerous, to say the least.