Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Untitled 11072012

Writing, alone
Air harping deeply
Muted gaze reveals
War inside, war outside
All wanting to drop within
Pages of tensed heart
Stirring Oh's and Haha's.
Like blinding stop signs.

Of this. Oh this.
Far land. Near yet far.
Reaching to touch souls.
With stories I dreamed to tell.
Spaced-dived to nowhere.
Like a Martian rearing its head.
Strange dreams, sweet reveries.
When to start, when to end?

At a certain time
At a certain place
The desire is irresistible
Talk of the hidden man
Passion to create
Till this urge break
Like a once a upon a time
News waiting to break.

Mind's both awake and cold.
Lightning's speaking of gems.
Lightning's message is clear.
Rains falling, overflowing
Soundless fury of memories.
Water running to dry tears.
Softly landing in pages.

Still, time's belated break.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

On Writing

Hi!
I want to become a writer.
I would like to know how.
Can you please be kind?

Still there?
Don't hesitate. Help me dear.
It's hard I know. But I will try.
Err, I will write.

Still listening?
Trust me. I am not joking.
With all my best and might
Let's start now.

Wait!
Hard and easy it might come.
Oh, maybe, sometimes not.
Volumes of rejections?
Oh come on, I get that.

P.S.
Make me see the way
Of what writing's about.
Don't break my heart.
Break or make. Still I will.

P.S.S.
With help from God above.


6 Nov 2012
3:30 p.m.
Pampanga

Friday, November 2, 2012

For inspiring and transforming lives through the Gospel, Ang Dating Daan Turns 32


The Ang Dating Daan religious program hosted by Bro Eli Soriano is celebrating its broadcast anniversary this month of November. That is a very good news for a program, especially to audiences seeking an informative and intelligent show playing anywhere today be it on radio, television or the Internet. Thirty-two years is no mean feat after all.

According to its website, the show today can be heard at UNTV Radio La Verdad and watched its telecast at UNTV, a UHF channel in the Philippines. Its first public airing was through radio as a 30-minute program managed by three people, including Bro. Eli as the host, Kuya Daniel Razon of UNTV as program director and editor, and Sis Luz Cruz, as the researcher.

Unlike any religious program in the Philippines, Ang Dating Daan is the kind where people flock its studio during its early 90s broadcast to throw their questions live and get answers live from the televangelist who would soon become the most sensible of all the other evangelist with radio and television programming.

To watch the show is like watching a symposium ala-Knowledge Channel or National Geographic Channel docs fest only Bro. Eli as the Bible Scholar is the narrator who reads the script out of the verses and passages from the Bible. You got religion and at the same time science, health, technology and family affairs rolled into one show. The Bible will answer is how Ang Dating Daan is introduced where Bro. Eli is the mouthpiece and reader of the verses as answers to questions of people.

Meanwhile, what is a hero without the antis? As soon as the popularity of the program has become undeniable so are the rise of detractors and enemies who would later fight Bro Eli via a concerted effort through a series of malicious attack to the International Evangelist's person. To the thinking public, the accusations are purely malicious and libelous even suicidal. While many local courts are convinced that there's nothing wrong with Bro Eli to even prove the preacher's innocence and what he's doing on television, still the enemies are desperate to win in this war of public opinion.

Even though the program has been blocked from one station after another to the point of being stopped from airing on television, the program has gained more airing time abroad where Bro. Eli's program is now brought to its Spanish and Portuguese-speaking audience in South America, Europe, and Africa. Ang Dating Daan is also being heard in India.

Now 32 years, this officially makes the program one of the longest-airing radio-television religious program in the Philippines and probably Southeast Asia.

On Sunday, November 4, at around 6 p.m. (PHT time), the program is hosting a special Bible Exposition, see the video below.



My warmest congratulations to an always sensible program and televangelist, Bro. Eli Soriano.

To God be the glory!



Thursday, October 25, 2012

iPad Mini Launch to Climax Year 2012 for Apple ... and what's ahead

The iPad Mini has arrived and as expected it sports a 7-inch frame, and all the features one would expect from this new line of tablet device (expect, which is relative to what's been swirling around the rumour mill). It is also incredibly thin and lightweight that it is also legit it could steal the suffix Air from Macbook.


This medium small device (or its measure that's toss between the iPod Touch and iPad tablet sizes) and now as how Apple has dubbed its new gizmo: "every inch an iPad" because it's like "The whole package. In a smaller package." All the reactions about its beauty and form factors will remain to be just expectations until shipping starts and the new device lands in the hands of early adopters; also when word-of-mouth impressions start to spread.

Further to the long introduction, the iPad Mini launch, alongside many big reveals made recently by Apple including some refresh of its other existing products like the thinner iMac desktop and a Retina display-sporting Macbook Pro could just be the final biggest moment coming from Apple to fittingly end a year by a new Apple with Boss Tim Cook at the helm.

Precisely and in many regards, this can now be claimed to be a whole new Apple event. Also, a year when Apple unveiled so many new devices and product revamps. Could all these be symbolic of what's ahead the Cupertino-based company and among its fandom of where it stands in the heating arena around techville - from smart phones to music players down to tablets and laptops/desktops spaces?


Plus, another glaring omission is the seeming lack of the big, bold claims and words coming from a legendary folk hero like Steve Jobs to echo around a dark, closed theaters. "Magical" and "revolutionary" are nowhere to be heard nor expected come every Apple event. The tides have really changed and we can expect more big moves to unfold and surprise us. And unsurprisingly, it will.

Apple has also become a little bit of everything from the personality standpoint. Both bold and shy, it also has become innovator and follower. And all these and more could be what the iPad Mini launch are what it simply Apple is meaning to impress - to tell the present and future Apple.

While Apple can be perceived of as having or lacking the edge over its other rivals like Google and Samsung, the undeniable truth is that Apple is and remains to be a still-dominant player in the tablet computer sector. It also continues to enjoy a comfortable spot as the preferred product of choice among many consumers in almost all the major product space that it is a part of.

The company's nearest rivals are Android-based products who are making a dent and fast-leading as the preferred new toy because they are cheaper for giving more features and choices.

The gap on what can explain Apple's recent action recently can be divided into whether it is in a defensive or offensive mode or both at the same time. One that's among the most vocal around is Gizmodo, who has already started to air that Apple as a follower.

After all that's been said and done, it is still too early to tell if Apple is redefining its new service philosophy. Is it still quality over quantity? Or more to ride out the competition and play the game squarely? Or it is both? Sure we cannot tell right away.

For the meantime, I will just wait for November 2 and observe how the consumer market will respond and see how the new gizmos will fare come the yearend shopping spree of many consumers around the globe.

How about you?

Ciao.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Start All Over Again

Writing a blog after a very long hiatus is hard. I've regretted the missed opportunities and times that I refused to listen to my heart's dictate to write at least a single post everyday. Writing is still something I will always miss doing.

Anyway, I have a little excuse. I was very busy for the last three months. I was also lazy to blog (which of course is contextual and a handy excuse because I've been juggling multiple projects for a living and for that something that you do to give back to the community).

Now, am at a crossroad where multiple signposts cry: Where to begin? What topic to write? What to talk about? Now walking, walking, walking down the path of no return (with God's help), I hope that I will be writing again for good.

As a bit of an announcement, I would like to start a new baby which was the result of my love for writing and my passion in covering technology. A pet project focused on technology, gears, gadgets, web, and everything in between but mainly its impact to Filipinos. Will give a heads up once everything is settled.

Excited enough?


Thursday, August 9, 2012

Manila flooding: a window to the Filipino soul

Finally this Thursday, the Filipinos very warmly welcomed the sun rising for the first time again after over 12 days of coldness and darkness. It was not that the earth is ending but Manila experienced unstoppable raining that caused flooding and destruction. And Filipinos believe the vacationing sun should now stay.

Photo credit: Rey Tamayo Jr., Photoville International
The weeks-long raining spree followed after Typhoon Saola blanketed the Manila skies dark a few weeks back. Definitely long enough, the incessant raining was enough to paralyze the capital Manila and nearby provinces. News reports even mentioned that the wet spell that Manila experienced easily claimed the record of providing a month's worth of rain in just over two days.

The unrelenting raining caused massive flooding to shoulder-deep levels and landslides. And as if the devastation is not enough, the monsoon rain delivered 300,000 people to emergency evacuation shelters. Over two million Filipinos were affected by the flooding, according to one BBC report.

One of the emergency shelters in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Photo credit: Mark Aiven Antang/Photoville International
And yet for another moment, we witnessed the Filipino soul in the works.

The social networking platform have served the Filipinos well in these calamitous times. My Facebook news stream updated me with the goings on from the many different cities around the National Capital Region. Twitter was also helpful for supplying me with hotline numbers of government agencies to contact, relief mission drives, and announcements of classes and office work suspensions.

While social media proved itself relevant for info dissemination and a useful tool in giving me with personalized info about the what's up from families, friends and colleagues, the Web has become a mirror of the Filipinos' resilient spirit. Netizens were witnesses to the birth of a meme called "The Filipino spirit is waterproof."

From @coloissu
The Filipinos' resiliency appears the most unique and infectious. Amidst the calamity and storm, we, Filipinos, can still manage a smile and inject some laughs even while walking from waist-deep floods.


The Recto underpass even became an 'Olympic' diving board. Australian and French tourists were also reportedly game with some Filipino kids to swim in the floods. And more TV reports and Internet posts of diverse kinds have more than enough proof of how we can make even the most hostile of calamity into a world of fun.

Photo credit: PSG (Perfect sa Ganda)
We also seem to have the most compassionate of heart. Filipinos' merciful spirit was shown the biggest out of the massive charity works and relief missions mounted by Filipinos for fellow Filipinos. This is definitely a clear reflection of just how much we Filipinos love our neighbors as much as we show that love to our families and friends.

Two example Filipino groups who are very busy helping the depressed are UNTV 37 and the religious group, Ang Dating Daan group being led by Bro Eli Soriano. The major coordinating centers of the Ang Dating Daan were even opened to the public and converted into temporary emergency shelters.  Relief operations from the two groups included the giving of food, drinks, clothing, free rides, and more.




Photo credit: Mark Aiven Antang/Photoville International
More than serving as a window to the positive side of the Filipino soul, the recent Manila calamity must serve also as a mirror to show the other side of that soul. We are sometimes unmindful of preparations. This is not limited to emergency preparedness, but the preparations to ensure that mammoth flooding will never again be experienced.

Usually, when a bad weather or calamity has calmed, we no longer checked back to see what we can do to trace or resolve our problems.  Take for instance how some government officials exploit disasters like these for media exposure. These public servants must be guilty of using the social good efforts to project their positive persona in the press for campaign purposes. Responding to crisis situations must not end in doling out relief supplies. As public servants, their true responsibility is to ensure the welfare of their constituents even when the disaster or calamity is away.

Yet the government cannot be blamed for everything. We must be reminded that we are also to blame to the flooding and landslide. We are also a party to the declining health of our environment or why some projects are failing for lack of support and cooperation from people. While another similar devastation might once again happen and prove the positive Filipino character, we must not forget, however, our priorities in ensuring a long-lasting solution to our dilemma.

As a start after the flooding, we must not return to the unbreakable bad habits of throwing away our garbage everywhere or not recycling our wastes. And now that the sun is here, we should start cleaning our drainage or checking roof holes to seal. We can also join tree-planting efforts. We must commit to change for the better and say no to complacency.

But even more important than citizen involvement and being aware of our roles as responsible citizens, we must be mindful of the spiritual. Powerful typhoons or calamities are strong reminders to us that we are helpless and powerless in the sight of God. It is a call for us to be humble and to always remember to pray and seek God's help and mercy in all the waking moments of our lives.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

iPhone 5 debut, Apple rumor mill, and your conscience


It looks like Apple is at it again. It is at the center of the spotlight because of its upcoming release of the new iPhone. The dizzying rumor mill is once again making Apple fans and even skeptics talking about the launch of the new iPhone.



Here are what people in the tech circle are talking about:
Whether it is called iPhone 5 or iPhone 6, nobody seems to really care that much. Fast Company's Kit Eaton suggests that the next iPhone will be as important as the first one in 2007. Eaton said it can be divided into two general reasons: design and money.

On the design side, Eaton thought the next iPhone will delight many and shake the competition and the smartphone industry:
This is important because the next evolution of the iPhone, in a year or so's time, may be into something radically different. It almost has to be--there are few new directions Apple can evolve the phone in that marry to its clean design philosophy of thinner, simpler, smarter. So 2012's iPhone may be the peak of the device that debuted in 2007 and changed how we access the mobile Net and think about touchscreens, photography and casual gaming. It may even be the end of the iPhone's beginning.
The money side places Apple the big winner by selling even more iPhone than the predecessor range of iPhones:

It's being guessed that the iPhone for 2012 (iPhone 5? iPhone 6?) will sell so many units globally that it'll achieve 170 million units sold for fiscal year 2013--roughly one new iPhone sold for every two U.S. citizens. The iPhone drives over 50% of Apple's profits. The latest rumors say it'll be revealed September 12, so we don't have long to wait, at least.
Will this be a make or break deal for Apple?

Many are optimistic it will. The new iPhone might sell more units and once again transform the smartphone industry like no other tech companies could. And the height of the frenetic excitement will finally reach its crux when that Apple event in September this year comes.

Do you find the rumors believable and convincing? Or are these just part of Apple's hype-making machine? Is the new iPhone making you excited, hot and thrilled? What features do you like seen in the new iPhone?

Afterthought:


Ever heard your conscience talking to you? Read my transcript of my conversation with myself. Please bear that I could not interrupt nor insert my arguments. It's fine, I am getting used to it now ...

Whether you are buying or not, just think of the impact purchasing one will bear to your pocket, savings, and even to the environment.

Basically, whatever the marketing or your friend will tell you, an Apple phone is not really that cheap. Even with subsidies from carriers, a brand new iPhone is usually priced at around $1,000 or P45,000 (with $1=P45). Yes, your one phone is costing P45,000! If you will consider me stating the obvious, $1,000 translates to two laptop notebooks already.

You will say that you will save to buy the upcoming iPhone. Hey, don't convince me that it is just nuts saving your money either. Let me illustrate, if you are a regular employee earning a monthly salary of P15,000 (around $335), you will definitely have to save at least five months worth of your hard-earned money. But that is not all, yes you can save P45,000 in five months but that means you will sacrifice not spending a penny of your salary. How can you live then without spending for food, rent, bills, and transport?

Then it is not the end of the story after you buy this kind of phone. You will also need to purchase accessories, casing, etc to protect your iPhone from bumps and all damages, because to repeat: you are holding in your hand an expensive gadget and you want it to last for long, right? So add accessories to your budget. Not the least, your dry spell will be extended more to another two years. Yes, two long years maintaining and paying your subscription to data plans. Recall that this is a monthly affair with your carrier.

Using your credit card is also not going to be very helpful too. You will just be adding more debts and payables every month. Your ballooning debts will have an absolute impact to your savings and even to your well-being, psychologically in other words. Think of the interest rates and other charges that will mount and haunt you after few months. Credit card usage is also addictive as most who have received one from their banks would testify. So think again.

So if you are jobless or still dependent to your parents, please, don't ever consider buying. Have mercy to your parents (In other words, Maawa ka sa magulang mo dahil sila ang kukubain mo na magipon para sa iPhone mo!).

Then think also of the environment. When you buy a new phone, what will you do with your old phone? Are you just going to keep it? Make a museum out of it? (Now am talking of not only the iPhone but all the phones that were made and manufactured.) Most definitely many will just throw it away. The components or where your phone is made is not biodegradable. And with higher demand, there will be higher chances Apple will be manufacturing more to meet the orders. More iPhones means more environmental risk because of factories humming.
So let us end it this way, if you are super excited to buy the new iPhone, think first, think deeper about its impact. One very good adviser to consult is your conscience. Ask yourself if you really need one. Let us ask ourselves, do I need one?

Ciao!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Who are you as a photographer? A person or a professional?


While looking for a new topic to blog about, I found a recent The Guardian article that talks about whether or not it is ethical to take a photograph of people in the brink of violence or death.



It's a debatable issue for journalists and photojournalists for many years. Are we supposed to help the victim or do what our conscience tells us - that is, to help and give emergency relief?

It isn't simply a moral issue because people have divergent definition of what is moral or not. Also, it is not an easy ethical question that can only be responded to with a simple yes or no answer. And just by looking at the photographers' responses that The Guardian gathered, the war between the personal and the professional is clearly reflected.

1. Greg Marinovich:
It was my first exposure to such a thing. And although, as a journalist, my reaction was fine, as a human being I felt I'd really let myself down. It wasn't how I'd expected I'd react – I thought I'd try to intervene, or do something more noble. Yet I hadn't. I was really quite torn up about that. I was gutted that I'd been such a coward. From that moment, I was determined that, no matter what, I'd try to intervene and save someone if I could.
2. Donna Ferrato:
When I was taking other photographs for I Am Unbeatable, my book on domestic violence, I was there first as a photographer, not as a social worker. Yes, I would always be divided about whether to take a picture or defend the victim, but if I chose to put down my camera and stop one man from hitting one woman, I'd be helping just one woman. However, if I got the picture, I could help countless more.
3. Graeme Robertson:
The first time I experienced it, it actually stopped me taking images I really wanted to take or should have taken, because I was so mixed up and thinking, "Should I be doing this or not? I found it very difficult. But through experience, it's sad to say, you get immune to it. And then you can concentrate on your photography, and you feel that is your power.
4. Ian Berry:
When you're working with a camera, you tend to disassociate yourself from what's going on. You're just an observer. We were there to record the facts. But there are moments when the facts are less important than somebody's life.
5. Oli Scarff:
To be honest, even if I had been aware of what was going on, I don't know if I would have had the bottle to put myself in mortal danger. It's hard to know, though: those decisions come down to a spur-of-the-moment instinct. But, fundamentally, my role on that day was to document what was happening. In the corner of the picture is someone else taking a photograph. I think, perhaps, there is an innate human desire to record these kind of things. And the facility to do so has now been put in everyone's pockets.
6. Hampus Lundgren:
I became a photographer and not a person. It didn't cross my mind to talk to them. The man was being held up by his wife. He was badly injured, and getting help from other people nearby, including an off-duty policeman.
7. Kerim Okten:
I feel bad about it. I was frightened, so I just stuck to my professional duty. But life as a photojournalist teaches you that during this kind of violence, getting involved won't end it; it will just lead to more people getting hurt. 
8. Rhadhika Chalasani
I do believe that our main contribution is trying to get the story understood. And sometimes, when you think you're helping, you're actually making a situation worse. But, for me, you try to do what you can live with.
Around the world, this sensitive issue has been debated on for as long as maybe since journalism was born. Some say there is no right or wrong answer. But journalists or photojournalists must choose a side. Not even a neutral side.

One that is definitely not an easy stand was taken by UNTV's Daniel Razon who introduced his "Tulong Muna Bago Balita" (Rescue First Before Reporting) to make a statement about the network's stand in the form of an advocacy

Journalism is public service but it is also a business. As a business, the media sages say reports or photographs must sometimes be delivered to please and meet what the audience wants. That may be an explanation why we have many negative reports in the media because these are what the people want, as most news media producers would defend. I am not sure what the basis for this is, but I am not one of the "people" who are asking for these negatives to populate my viewing hours or the pages of the newspapers that I am reading. Are you?

Rescue and mission trainings conducted by UNTV for UP Manila students
In a way, Razon's stance could also be an indirect answer to President P.Noy's call to focus on the good news "kesa puro bad news ang hapunan ni Juan dela Cruz."


UNTV's advocacy stands up to offer a break and it is rooted from the station's tagline: "Ang paggawa ng mabuti ay hindi magbubunga ng masama (Doing good deeds will not reap evil). If its business is money-making, it would have been a lot easier for UNTV to just report all the negatives, the figures of casualties, and injured folks right away. It can even earn some Pulitzer Prize at that.

To choose the other side reaps a much different result - only sacrifices. Because after all, it is expensive to mount trainings and buy rescue-and-mission vehicles to maintain such undertaking. An even bigger challenge comes when the commitment is to do a regular operation because UNTV does not even have big advertisers or investors supporting its missions.

Saving the lives and helping fellowmen may be an antithesis to the practice of journalism, yet it is an antidote best served to the audience whose daily plates are filled with the often brutal, depressing and sensationalistic news.

Indeed, it is a serious and brave act to follow. The payoff from Razon's advocacy is not tangible. Such reward comes only in soothing the heart for responding to the call of the conscience to be humane, to be a person.

UNTV celebrates 8th year with Manibela Academy, Infant Care for Abandoned Babies

The Philippine television channel, UNTV 37, has celebrated its eight year this month. But who would have thought this little station with no big celebrities, no big advertisers, no imported shows or stars, and no big investors will reach this far? I myself could not believe this channel just did and looks headed to introducing more innovative projects in the future!

 
The impossible dream? Starting a TV station in the Philippines eight years ago is not a joke (because even back then, it's already a suicide to operate a television network even for just a day in terms of cash needed!). With the so-called network brawls, many Filipinos only knew of the two giant networks then.  It's either you are a 2 or 7 viewer, or you are swimming in the hundreds of available cable channels. The rest of other Philippine local channels were just virtually non-existent. But it obviously looks like UNTV is blessed, like the David in the midst of many Goliaths. Since then, UNTV started making a name for itself as the little man that could.

And when UNTV was re-launched in 2004 by veteran broadcast journalist, Daniel Razon whose early resume includes working with almost all the local television networks, I believe that many Filipinos may not even be aware of the new kid in the block whose humble proposal is a brand new way of television programming.

For the first time, Filipinos experienced an intelligent alternative where the shows are centered on providing informative, educational, inspirational, and intelligent resources via TV viewing. It may be quite late in the race but UNTV seems not interested in competition but only wants to deliver the goods, with emphasis on "not to insult the intelligence of the thinking Filipinos."

But aside from the many reasons that makes the station stand out (obviously not in terms of ratings to which the station is honest to not claim the No. 1 position), there is the daily public service programs for the marginalized. These are people who are living in the margins or who may be earning only as little as P50 a day.

Public service at UNTV was a commitment initiated by Razon, who later earned the title of Mr. Public Service because of his numerous public charity programs. There are medical and dental assistance legal support assistance, livelihood programs, Transient home, free bus rides, and more. All these are given for free. So if you are wondering where the long queues of people every morning that you see along EDSA Ave., near the North Avenue station of the MRT are headed, these people are not out to join a contest to win million peso or house and lot prizes.

In the fields of education and journalism, meanwhile, UNTV has introduced two landmark projects in the Philippines, the brainchild of Razon.

One is the the mobile school project through the Department of Education's Alternative Learning System (ALS) called Dunong-Gulong. The multimillion buses are packed with high-tech facilities, books, and educational resources and materials for students in remote areas.

UNTV-DepEd Dunong-Gulong project. Photo credit: UNTVweb.com
Then there is the News-and-Rescue project under the news advocacy slogan "Tulong Muna, Bago Balita" (Rescue First Before Reporting), whereby UNTV's working journalists and media people are trained to conduct rescue missions during crisis and calamity situations. Reports can come later just so we can save lives first, is what the advocacy means. For this project, UNTV deployed several rescue-and-mission vehicles around the country.

One of the UNTV mobile rescue vans used by the network's reporters.
One of the station's latest projects is the Manibela Academy, another first in the Philippines whose aim is to provide mechanical and livelihood training for drivers around the country. TESDA was key partner for this mobile driving school project. The bus will make rounds in barangays to teach drivers the proper and responsible way to drive.  

Manibela Academy bus, the mobile driving project launched by UNTV this month. Photo credit: UNTVweb.com.
Then, UNTV also launched the Infant Care Program for Abandoned Babies project. This charitable project is aimed at providing shelter and care for abandoned and neglected babies. This may also be another helpful advocacy to prevent cases of abortion.

These notable projects by the station are being conducted in partnership with key government offices and non-profit organizations that include the Philippine National Red Cross, Ang Dating Daan's Bro. Eli Soriano, Kamanggagawa Foundation, and more.

UNTV-BMPI CEO and Chairman, Dr. Daniel Razon delivers his S.O.N.A. or State of the Network Address during the anniversary event at One Esplanade in the Mall of Asia grounds. Photo credit: UNTVweb.com/Photoville International
To that and the bigger public service help to our fellowmen, to the leaders, staff and crews, mabuhay po kayo!

Happy anniversary to UNTV and more power to our "Tahanan Mo, Tahanan Natin!"


Sunday, July 29, 2012

P.Noy and TV Patrol

The first time I saw this Youtube video clip of President Benigno Aquino III being shared on Facebook, I did not give attention because of the length and the notion that it may just be like any other tribute speeches given by a special guest.  But when I checked back again my account, the shared clip was gaining more and more likes and love from people. There are praises and boos.

But please hold back your assumptions and please watch the video first.


Although I admire the current Philippine administration, but I have a few reservations. But I will not talk lengthily about those in this blog because we will focus on the President's speech and TV Patrol. I just would like to stress some important observations that I gathered after watching the above video.
  • The Filipinos finally got their voice back. The incumbent President is the new voice of the masses.
  • Transparent leadership. Maybe not 100%, but the honesty of the incumbent leadership is holding up strongly. 
  • P.Noy will say whatever, whenever, that he feels is right to say. Even if this means straining some chords.
  • The media is not very supportive of the government. Even unfairly critical at times, according to the President.
  • Speeches can be biting. Who says anniversary speeches must be pure tributes and praises? Criticisms and rebukes can be part of the mix to fight hypocrisy and abuses of media power.
  • No. 6 is secret.
TV Patrol is already considered an institution in media reporting and what best to prove that but its 25th year in the business of broadcasting. Their reporters and their hugely-paid commentators all speak in the vernacular to quickly connect to the masses. And the presentation is tabloid-y.

Everything seems normal until the speech of President P.Noy was delivered. Without doubt, the talk was not many may have expected coming from the President, but should already be not surprising in terms of the Law of Consistency. The Law states that the President is frank and can have a laser-sharp focus in terms of his agenda in public affairs.  The TV Patrol event is no exemption for rebuking, perhaps to teach an important lesson about reforming a bad, dark habit of the press.

Some sectors celebrated the brutally frank assessment of the President about the ways one of TV Patrol's main host may have deliberately and intentionally delivered his or her commentaries of the general affairs of the present government. I am among the thousands who shouted 'that is right, Mr. President! Talk in our behalf!"

P.Noy's speech mirrored the way the media perform its role and the manner the public may have grown weak or have retired entirely to care what the media is reporting about our affairs in this land.

I agree with the President in many of his observations that media responsibility must be observed at all cost and the media platform should never, ever be used by anyone for any vested interest to leave negative impressions or lingering thoughts in the people's minds (But curiously, why does management allowed or tolerated these for so long?).

The role of the media encompasses reporting the society's ills and its many highs. There are freedoms and privileges that a media person enjoys but there are also limitations to that freedom. The media plays a vital role in shaping the society's and the people's behaviors and attitudes towards fellowmen, the government and the world in general. Above all, there are responsibilities attached to that role, namely: that of being sincere, logical, rational and advocate of fairness and justice.

The President has admitted that there are flaws and misgivings that his current administration and the media can talk about. But these are not enough reasons why the media shouldn't be reporting also the positives. And the Filipinos, who are by nature truth lovers, must be proud of its new leader who have taken the bold step to fight, with a biting fang the hypocrisy in the media.

And I am optimistic that the President will live up to his commitment to be not influenced by anyone, even if they threaten PR disaster of the highest kind or votes being allocated to his opponents when election comes.

Ciao.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

#Aurora, Colorado mass murder: more to come?

The news of the mass shooting-murder last July 20, 2012 that happened during a late-night Batman (a.k.a. "The Dark Night Rises") movie premiere in a theater in Aurora, Colorado may have resounded deeply into American consciousness up to this hour.

But as the Law of Proximity in Journalism may have put it, this fateful event may not dug deeply to create a national discussion among Filipinos the same way that the Americans are having right now in their soil.

With the Internet, the news reached us in the Philippines and may have saddened many of us who learned of the horrifying, senseless and premeditated tragedy that brought to 12 the numbers of people killed and dozens wounded.

Immediately after the news of the Colorado massacre have spread, commentaries about gun control, the Columbine mass shooting incident, imitation, and certainty of more shootings where brought up. 

Ang Dating Daan's Bro Eli Soriano have already discussed a similar beastly act after the April 17, 2007 mass murder committed by a South Korean student from the Virginia Tech which cost the lives of 32 and injured another 29 people before killing himself. Meanwhile, the suspect in the Aurora, Colorado killing named James Holmes is still alive and currently facing court hearings.

From Columbine incident to the Colorado shooting, it seems logical to ask why? What could be the motive driving these people to kill people? In the end it falls into a general question of why would some people resort to mass killing of their fellowmen?

James Holmes, the suspect in the Colorado mass shooting.


I also would like to find the answer so I have conducted my own research. During my search, something noticeable strike me: people asking for the whys may have dwindled.

Are we bored to death to seeing or hearing news of mass murder being committed one after another that our feelings of shock have been anesthetized? Or are we ignoring these realities because we want a break from the deluge of negative news circulating not only in the press but now being shared on our social networking timelines? Or that some are distancing already from the realities to live in a dream-like, illusory realities of their own making, just like Holmes' 'temporal illusion'? I may be thinking too much on this, but somehow I am sure some still care.


One thing is certain, this will not be the last and more of the same may resurface anywhere, even just around our neighborhood. What is our hope that we will soon see an end to this? For the Bible-believing among us, we would most certainly agree that a better world is coming soon - the only hope for humanity. Bro Eli has said it best in his blog, to which I quote an excerpt:
All evil will be ended; and evildoers will be paid what is due them, when the Lord of Glory comes in power in that blessed day. After the storm, there is a bright day ahead; and I believe, if you will believe in the Bible, we will all see that day.
Ciao!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Countdown to earth's last gasp for life?

I really planned for this. To wait a few more days before writing about my take on the end-of-world prophecy of Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda.

Earth in our hands for the future / Credit: Royalty-free image from Corbis
Not that blogging about Miranda's failed prophecy is obligatory, but among the headliners that emerged in recent memory, his failed declaration of the end of the world should serve as a warning to many people, especially to those who are still a member of this group.

Miranda's doomsday prediction was not in my radar early June until I found a new blog article shared by Bro Eli Soriano's Facebook fan page. Dated June 3, which is 27 days shy of the June 30 countdown of Miranda, the article discussed why Miranda is an undeniable liar. Only then I realized the relative importance of why blogging about this obvious blunder mattered.

Many may not be fully aware of Miranda's presence in the Philippines because that preacher, who was born a Puerto Rican and had been in Mississippi in recent years, have concentrated to grow his international ministry in Brazil, Mexico and the United States.

This Puerto Rican preacher seems to love shuffling different titles. He is "Daddy" most of the time to his followers, but there came a time that he assumed the position of the "Anti-Christ." The most recent title he stole is Jesus Christ's. He's earned a rock star-like fame in the United States courtesy of CNN and Fox News, not because he is cool or revolutionary but because the source of his personal wealth is utterly questionable.

According to CNN, Miranda was former "petty-thief" and a heroin addict who had a vision of two angels coming down from up high. The mission of these angels were divine, to tell Miranda: you are the Jesus reincarnate! So the story goes. Miranda's followers even have 666 symbols tattooed on their bodies as well.

Fox News traces the origin of Miranda's flock. Twenty years ago, there were merely a few hundred members of the Growing in Grace under this sect leader. Today, Miranda boasts of radio and television presence with 287 radio programs and a 24-hour Spanish-language TV network that reportedly reaches two million homes.

Then last April 25, 2012, Miranda, leader of the Growing in Grace International ("Creciendo en Gracia"), predicted that divine justice will arrive on June 30, 2012 to fulfill a prophecy of the coming end. His ominous vision included strong earthquakes, Armageddon, and the destruction of the rest of the earthlings who will not believe Miranda. The privilege of the believers include getting the ability to cross walls!


Billboards bearing Miranda's countdown to transformation campaign were seen plastered in buildings and walls in the United States, Brazil, and other countries. You can just imagine how much the campaign may have cost to mount, with the burden of paying off the expenses shouldered by the ministry's hapless members.

Then June 30 arrived, July 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and now 6. The world is still breathing and the humans in it, with God's help. Just what Bro Eli said that such doomed prophecy is the mark of false prophets that the Bible says will emerge in the last days.

That is why we should really care because it is all worth our time to talk about these realities. With open mind and deep thinking, it pays to be vigilant more than ever before.

Remember that there is no immediate assurance that Miranda's doomed proclamation will be the last. Because another countdown immediately takes the place of this June 30 prophecy. This time, it is December 23, 2012! The end of the Mayan calendar spells the end of the world it is claimed.

Historically and similarly with other doomed end-of-world prophecies, there are victims and losers. Often, the aftermath is terrible. Just recall what had happened to the members of the Jehovah's Witnesses who sold their properties and gave the proceeds to their preachers when the Watchtower Society predicted that the world will end on 1914. Then in 1925 and finally in 1975. All of these predictions failed. The members suffered grave financial loss and many were reduced to rat-poor conditions.

For some members of these religions, especially the fanatics even of Miranda's, these people will stay and forgive their fallen preachers even after all that had happened. But to those who learned their lessons the hard way, they will surely leave, promise not to be fooled again, and search for the truth.

As a starter, it will not hurt marking out in the calendar the date when the next Bible Exposition of the phenomenal preacher who is the lone crusader against these false preachers will be held in July, 2012, God willing.

Fin

Friday, June 29, 2012

No photos and videos allowed?

I just realized that am consistently writing and blogging my thoughts without any photos or videos attached. I don't know if am already violating some blogging manifestos or rules in the cyberspace. Or if am already giving disturbing and uncomfortable experience to readers.

I am really sorry for the misgivings. But I think am just not ready to click that attach or upload multimedia button. In my experience with my previous blogs, I feel that the time spent for the act of selecting and editing photos takes a huge amount of time, nearly equivalent to the time I spend editing my blog and making every post as presentable as possible. Besides (which is another excuse), I think that it is a responsibility on my part to ensure that photos and videos to attach must be originally-developed or produced by me. If taken from the Internet, the approval or permission from the original copyright holder must be obtained first.

So please bear with me. I hope that I will gain the proficiency to do all these works relative to blogging, and I will become more confident in using this medium.

Fin.



Thursday, June 28, 2012

Postgraduate studies and life questions

I've been thinking of pursuing a postgraduate education for quite sometime now. But am divided on the whys and hows (add the 'what for'). Or another way to frame it is: what to do with it now that am past my calendar years and all my experiences, outlook, ambitions, and life philosophies of 5,000 days ago have been undergoing tremendous changes each passing moment of my life.

Of course my perspective in life is different than when I was starting my studies. When I was a six-year-old kid, all I want is to finish the race to my elementary years so I can enter high school. The same thought remained with me when I was getting my secondary education - to get out of school and enter college. Although I have silently projected that I will become an astronaut when I grew up, but that dream faded through the years (I realized astronauts are math and science wizards).

What is your dream job? But even after completing college, I am short for answers for this compulsory question. I really can't mine an answer. Is it possible to not have any, even one at least. How about the answer to what is the meaning of being a successful person? That without the drive or ambition one is doomed?

It is not that am becoming blithe of education or studying or of life in general. I am just looking for some convincing reasons about my enrolling in graduate schools and the opportunities I can earn from all the efforts.

Lately I realized that it is one's having a purpose not ambition that should be regarded as more important. To at least have a purpose, an intention how one wishes to spend his life with or without a degree, should be a barometer of one's success. And since I also find spiritual guides vital for my decision-making, I checked what the most educational blogger says about getting an education.

And with renewed insights, I believe some of my life questions will find their answers naturally in due time. I hope for what it's worth, and with God's help, I will soon learn several more answers to my questions.

But for now, I think a postgraduate studies will bring me a new universe to explore where I can meet new friends, have same-minded people to share knowledge with, learn new and deeper meanings of things, work together for a pet project that can be beneficial to other people, and experience school again. It's a thought with infinite possibilities. But making some plans turn into a reality is another story, because sometimes, we must accept that some things happen for a reason.

Fin.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Blogtrotting and Filipino bloggers worth following

For this third blog post and even though I have previously opened and launched but never really pursued my former blogs (guilty as charged!), I still feel like a neophyte blogger. Up to this time I feel am still bereft of what I can call inspiration.

Until while writing this, one uninvited question bugged me for a second and demanded an urgent answer. His question is: What really makes a blogger blogger?

Then this question prompted few more questions or answers, such as: Is it the technical know-how, the number of pictures to post, the stamina to create one inspiring post after another? Or is it pure passion that is needed or even faith?

For starters, anyone with an email account can register a blog and become a blogger right away. But it is not very easy to keep the label blogger attached to someone who will just leave the platform after one or two posts of photos in the beach or that one unforgettable excursion photos while sipping frap at Starbucks with friends.

To find answers to my question, I searched for some blogs that promise interesting content and tips on blogging.

I first checked Paulo Coelho's blog because his name brings to mind a very good novella he wrote, The Alchemist. I happened to read this fable a few years ago and I thought Coelho might have few writing or blogging tips for a blog starter like me.

Guess what I found? Yes Coelho did share to me something and for someone with a strong global following, I find the world-renowned book author to be gracious and honest. He even finds time to blog and credit one of his latest article to a Filipino fan who collected the prolific book author's quotations on tips about writing which he now packaged as 8 Tips on Writing. Aside from those writing tips, the lesson here is to pay courtesy to whom credit is due whoever he may be. 

After that moment of bliss, where to go now? It snapped on me that I need not go farther to look for tips from some more popular bloggers outside of my country. In the first place, the Philippines is not only rich with natural resources but its people are the most amazing find in the world - talented, resilient, God-fearing and hospitable. Many too are prolific bloggers!

Yes, there are many Filipino bloggers who are carving a name for their eclectic choices of topics and sensible insights on matters worthy to please netizens for their creativity, intelligence and even humor.  In the process I realized the deeper essence of why blogging can also be considered a discipline.

Now, here's my partial list of Filipino bloggers worth following. Of course, I don't have the means and time to scan and filter the whole wide web of all Filipino greats in blogging. But I am confident of the best three whom I believe deserve to be mentioned:

No. 3.  Mga Kathang-isip ni Kiko blog
Literature, especially in the vernacular, is sweet-sounding as it is romantic to the ears. Yes I love English language literature, especially poems. But there is something striking and appealing when you read or hear poems in your own language. I did not originally discovered this blog, and from what I gathered, the blog is being maintained by Francis Morilao, whose poems are often described as inspirational, imaginative, and smart. Read one of Morilao's post, Bakit nga ba Cinderalla? Hats off.

What I learned: Literature or Philippine lit is still in, as in something worth spending your time to blog about if you are an aspiring writer or sucker for works of fiction or poetry. Even though there are very few of them nowadays, still struggling, but at least there are those who are still trying, and making wonderful works to be read and shared with people. What is more admirable is that they are doing this labor of love at their own expense.

No. 2. Steward of the Secrets of God
Real life stories of people whose lives changed after learning of the Truth are what this collective provides readers. There are stories of former drunkards, drug addicts, prostitutes, hit men, drinking buddies with priests and believe me, they all tell their stories as it is, no faking! Their stories are real and could even be a rich mine for a study of our decaying society in general but these people stand up and never looked back to their former ways because of the new-found faith they have. Thankfully to God in the process, these people find peace of mind and hope after becoming Christians. Ever heard someone mention shouting at the background, life is sometimes stranger than fiction? Well, that is an understatement, just say miracles do happen.

What I learned: Faith stories can be inspirational even without the aid of a script doctor the way they present stories in movies or TV. For every story published in this collective, there is consistency to commend. In all, the blog reflects true to life stories that feel real and close to home. A lesson for bloggers like me is to be as honest and sincere with your  purpose and to extend that honesty to every single post to your blog.

No. 1. Bro Eli Soriano blog
Simply titled esoriano, there is so much to admire in this award-winning blog which earned the Most Educational Blogger to Follow honors from Pete Cashmore-organized Mashable.com's 2009 edition of Open Web Awards. Bro Eli is the phenomenal radio and television host of Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) whose very popular segment, the live format Itanong mo kay Soriano is always well-attended to by people from all walks of life to listen to him speak and ask the preacher questions.

This time, Bro Eli extends his religious public meetings in the cyberspace with this blog platform. Among the most visited blog articles that Bro Eli posted include his expose of the doomsday preacher, Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda who prophesied that the world will enter Armageddon on June 30 this year. Other popular posts by this award-winning preacher is his blogs on whether it is a sin or not to masturbate and the one titled From dusk to man: a scientific proof.

Although topics are approached using the Bible, Bro Eli has mustered enough versatility to really nail different subject matters using a style and tone that are neither offending nor alienating to people who are not really into religion. Readers only need to be open-minded to pick up the gems and pearls from what the blogging preacher is discussing. Check him also via Twitter at @BroEliSoriano.

What I learned:  Your blog must be educational, well-intentioned and well-researched. Responsible blogging requires discipline, commitment and honesty.

Some honorable mentions include:
- The Culture Shack
Although a personal blog, he's got a good collection of past and present pop culture items. Here's his take of Vice Ganda's jokes.

- Charicemania.com
A dynamic fan-generated blog, admirable for how Charice Pempengco's rabid fans from the Philippines and other parts of the globe are taking part to build a very solid fan website for their idol, one product of the social media explosion.

- Robbie Off Duty
This blog by Robbie Becroft, a Filipino-Australian model/actor/photographer has proven once again that you can be presentable without spending much (did I just said presentable? to be more politically correct it is fashionable and trendy, but the face and body of Robbie is absent in my physique, so I used the term that would suit me). His tip is to learn how to mix and match and you are already fine.

- Irvin Arenas blog
A personal blog that should really take me fast time to describe, but always left me short for words to call it. He talks about his artistic, musical, cultural and photographic adventures, which am a sucker of. Best of all his compositions, well in a photographic sense, which am unsurprisingly dying to imitate! Where did he learn all these things? Am willing to be a student of his photo masterclass.

How about you? Who are you following in the blogosphere?

Ciao!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Chances are, time is golden

Today I have a problem. And I am still lost for words to express it. Perhaps by blogging about this, my mind and body might be eased of the tension and pressure of a chronic problem called procrastination. Here it is.

I don't know if it is the lack of inspiration, not being in the mood, or it is the critic inside me that is stopping me from writing. I just can't move my fingers to start with a simple writing project. Yet, I can't begin.

I work as a freelance writer for more than a decade now, with God's help. Since this is my choice after leaving my former employer based in Manila as a business journalist, I believe the independence that I sought and finally achieved automatically excuses me from complaining. And blogging seems but another outlet or a means to excuse myself from really doing the more essential side of my work.

Cramming looks more and more attractive during this phase or period. I have also used all available reasons to excuse and request for time extensions. This should already be manageable because I've been in this business far more than I can remember every waking days. I also have many successful attempts at stopping procrastination from entering my routine. Yet am again struggling. It's like a love-hate relationship that is often on and off, on and off.

I know many are like me who are feeling this whenever confronted with multiple bags of works to do. As the work loads pile and pile, the more that it becomes too tiring to even think about starting or beginning from page one.

My time is running out and yet am still breezing away with my new companion (right, this blog). The time's brilliant eyes are staring my face. You must fight it, I heard the watch clocking a whisper to my ears.

Yes I know. I must start now so I will be closing this post with a quick shot of advice derived from Seth Godin's blog with the title, "Opportunity Cost." At least here's an advice that is not out to advice me the same obvious tips like focus, concentrate and don't read the emails in the morning, etc. In this short blog, Godin said straight to my face: "Clearly, the stuff you miss has a cost."

Ciao!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Reflections


There are so many things worth talking about and discussing on the Web. Humanity, life, literature, media, politics, relationships, science, society, technology. And the list can go on and on.

Come on, these subjects have been earning tomes of spaces in paper, radio airwaves, television feeds, and more. And as endless as the topics may be, readers too may seem to have grown an insatiable appetite to learn and consume information.  Add what the Internet has been continuously doing for us.

There is an almost unstoppable beat of demand for more knowledge via the cyber highway. There is no such time in human history when the flow of information to the nerve streams of people's brains may be considered this untiring.

For a very long time these ruminations are stirring some thoughts.

My heart was asking, how about putting into words what I have been thinking or seeing or observing? Could it still possibly be needed? My rational mind would bug me and discourage me of pursuing.

Sustaining a blog is not easy though. One must have to have the spark, creativity and genius to quickly say something or share some worthy ideas that can at least contribute to society or the future of the next generation. Or, at least one must have the time to do responsible writing.

Occasionally I think I can build some spark, but most of the time am short of creativity and genius to tell people something that is really compelling. Almost always short for words most of the time to express myself to relay clearly what's on my mind, I am in the belief that I am the last candidate likely to begin this blog then. That's what I thought.

Then these deep thinking lead me to my next question: what will this blogging provide blog-trotters? I am not a scientist, not a writer, not an inventor, and never an expert at things people would die to listen to or give their time to read on matters which may be personal only to me.

But still I am going to give it a try and hopefully manage to share few observations, insights and commentaries on matters that might be striking or relevant to me, and to us who are all in the same page of the history of humankind. Quite ambitious it is but I am publishing my first post and hope you'll welcome me in this virtual community.

Thanks be to God for my first published work.