I was with my best friend eating at KFC today. I placed my favorite red leather shoulder bag on the chair beside me which was on the other side of where people usually pass by, confident that it was safe (I myself sat on the side which common sense dictated was the side prone to thieves). There was also a low wall beside the chair so I was assured that my bag would be safe. But guess what.. right in the middle of the meal, I noticed my bag was gone!!! We immediately notified the staff and the mall guards but I'm sure there's little chance of recovery.

We speculate that the thief must've been sitting on the chair behind me and took the bag through the space between the back of the chair and the seat. It was a real shock.. ALL my stuff were in my bag. My wallet, my ATM card, my new cellphone, my Nintendo DS and game cartridges, my company ID, my apartment and house keys...everything!!!

I was distraught. But actually what bothered me most wasn't the stuff inside. It was my bag, which I cherish so much because it was an expensive bag given to my by my boyfriend's father.

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I received a call a while ago. Somebody found my things at a fastfood restaurant (Jollibee Dolores), far away from the mall where my bag was stolen. My ID, ATM card, keys, and some card were found in a plastic bag. Of course my cellphone and DS was gone. And worse of all, my cherished bag was gone too. Thieves usually throw the empty bag away, which gave me a bit of hope, but I guess mine looked to good to throw away.

I really hate the fact that there are so many thieves in my country. Stories like mine are commonplace. I'm actually surprised it happens to me less often. At times like this, I really wish I could move away from this godforsaken country (I usually think this, even when I don't get stuff stolen). There's something seriously wrong with the system and society here, and this rampant thievery is but a symptom. But I digress.

So please be careful at all times, even when you think you're safe! You're NEVER sure! Especially here in the Philippines!