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Friday, August 26, 2011

Philippine Sports Politics 101.

Philippine Sports Politics 101.
Author: slick master
08/25/2011
07: 22 pm

Before anything else, I am supposed to finish this piece by last week. Well, thanks to that video of Word Of The Lourd which had an episode that tackled the “politics” in the sports aspect of the Philippines. Now to finish everything, let’s nail the coffin then.

A lot of sporting events were the main highlights of the news recently. You have Smart Gilas Pilipinas a surprising team in the continent once again (well, in terms of performance.) Kobe Bryant dropped by at Manila twice, with once bringing up the superstars of the National Basketball Association (which by the way was still suffering on a lockout as of press time); and a whole lot more in basketball. But, I’m not putting the spotlight on the nation’s favorite sport this time. How about comparison and discrimination in between? What the hell do I mean? Check this.

The Philippine Azkals had caught almost everyone’s attention when they scored an upset in last time’s Suzuki Cup. Since then, the spotlight was on them. Maybe because most of the players were heartthrob-looking, good talent, etc. I can’t really point a reason. And even when they failed to score a slot on FIFA World Cup 2012, they still remained part of the sports headlines. Their games were then covered by an exclusive national TV network, a big jump from the international ones considerably that most people don’t have a cable and free TV was very accessible to the audience.

While on the other hand, The Philippine Dragon Boat Team had been dominating despite not being recognized by a lot of people. Maybe because the sport itself doesn’t even sounds familiar to the public. But, hey! They didn’t only score medals by winning games, but because of the world records they had set. In fact in the recent World Championship games in Tampa Bay, Florida USA, they scored medals – 5 of them were the highest prize called “gold.” What more can you lose aside from it? Sad to say but the answer is lack of support from the government.

Weeks ago, a post from the social networking site Facebook had been spreading out like a wildfire on pages and user profiles. It goes like this:

PH Azkals: 0 golds, 0 trophies, 5 TV Ads, 20% Pinoy
PH Dragon boat team (2011): 5 golds, 0 commercials, 90% Pinoy
PH Azkals: with sponsors
PH Dragon boat team: inutang at KKB (kanya-kanyang baon) pamasahe
PH Azkals: complete outfit
PH Dragon boat team: nanghihiram pa ng sagwan sa kalaban,

--Sasagwan ka ba sa KARANGALAN o sisipa sa KAPOGIAN?

Ok, last statement for dragon boat team seems to be a big bluff already. But whether there’s a big joke in there, there are facts that backed the hell up and it’s all displayed in that post. And even the “Palakasan” episode of WOTL can tell you that Azkals had infinite commercials indeed, thanks to the Younghusband brothers. Well, speaking of Younghusband, Phil had even a great catch – Angel Locsin. But these brothers as far as I remember were half-Pinoys and had been playing with soccer with Filipinos for a long while. And since looks are mostly recognized by everyone in the society, (don’t be hypocrite) these two were part of those magazine pages intended for modeling poses at some time.

But let’s face it, Azkals had suffered the fate of the present dragon boat team. It’s just the fact that the Philippine Sports Commission only recognizes sports that are: first, competing in the Olympics; and second, are widely played by at least numerous countries in the world. Well, dragon boat is there, (in fact it is played by at least 70 countries worldwide) but the hardest part is that politics discriminates it all. Unfair treatment as it seems, huh?

The Dragon Boat squad had been dominating despite being “under the radar” and those unworthy remarks by the officials of PSC. And as far I recalled while reading the veteran sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielsz’ tweets in Twitter by last week, he found PSC Chariman Richie Garcia’s word “pathetic.” Garcia stated that “they rather go back to their roots and eat tahong if they will not join the national Canoe-Kayak team.”

Okay, my take. Somehow, I will agree on Nathanielsz’ remark. First and foremost, how could you say such? Maybe this guy didn’t know that tahong was the food where these guys from the PDBT had gained strength. I can hardly recall a PSC official statement, saying that they cannot sponsor the squad and instead leave it to the private parties. Something which Lucio Tan’s Asian Brewery came to the rescue. By the way, try to spot that Cobra Energy Drink’s brand on their apparel.

Media-hype wise, no doubt that the Azkals had got the attention that they wanted (and in fact they even got more.) But from the old days to the present ones (and good thing that fromer basketball player Benjie Paras came to show business when he did retired) I can only put up this saying. SPORTS AND SHOWBIZ SHOULD NEVER BE MIXED IN PRIORITES. I mean, it’s not bad to be an athlete and a celebrity at the same time. It is already a given status since you’re been mostly seen and heard. But once gossips and blind items come in to your circulations, it will be hard for you to sustain the fame that you had gotten, unless you’re like Manny Pacquiao.

If you’re a hell sports fan, don’t bash your colleague. This is the hardest part. I think in basketball, this thing do exists. The one they called “crab mentality.” When a fan of their opponent cheered on his favorite team, he will bash him out until the objective judgments turned subjective. And I noticed that for a lot of times not just in forums, but also in social media sites.

But colonial mentality was also the main factor why Azkals had been favoring the most over the dragon boat crew. Try reading that wildfire post once again and you’ll see the difference.

And for every aspect of life, politics do exists. That dirty game was part of your colorful, roller coaster ride. But just don’t let it roll into you or else you’ll be in grave danger.

© 2011 september twenty-eight productions

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Citizen journalism: the next “in” thing?


Citizen journalism: the next “in” thing?
Author: n.d. a.k.a. nestor / slick master
08/09/2011, 09:11 a.m.

As writing this topic, I remembered one of my classmate’s thesis regarding a television network’s flagship newscast’s segment which caters about citizens that can deliver news in their own respective communities.

If you noticed the media here in the country, there is a single network newscast (or actually, few) that has an interactive portion to its audience, either thru the modern means of communication and that includes, text messaging, electronic mail an even via social networking sites.

Since Philippines was mostly recognized as the texting capital and social networking capital of the world, news all over media organizations had used the said mediums to take advantage for the network’s massive purposes such as ratings, etc. and I think there’s nothing wrong in the part of those companies. I mean, as news evolves under tabloidization before, interactivity had took place to catch up with the people whom used internet for a lot of public-related tasks even if it’s slowly killing TV as video replays can be made available via YouTube.

In ABS-CBN, Bayan Mo Ipatrol mo was the program that triggered the trend of citizen journalism in this country. It was launched as the network’s news and current affairs’ election campaign Boto Mo Ipatrol Mo in 2007 and was even uitilized in 2010 where netizens can send photos, or videos that contain the news on their community during the election’s campaign and the event itself then. From there, it was evolved to its current title showcasing the people’s part of contributing in the news organization. It was aired then on the network’s flagship newscast TV Patrol every weeknight at 6:30 p.m.

From there, some few companies followed then. GMA 7 launched You Scoop and used to featured on 24 Oras at the same time, while TV5 developed a segment thru social networking which as called Aksyon Journalismo where people can give takes on issues and that is more modernized than the usual text lines aired at either morning programs of the different networks. ABS-CBN’s Bandila joined the trend then and both with Aksyon Journalismo, they were aired by late nights.

Now if you asked me about this, I think it’s a part of the evolving world through technology. I mean, gone are the trend of straight news programs, turning English into tagalized ones, with more different segments, and shorter ones airing. Since the masses were mostly the large part of the present audience share in the metropolitan, I think the media is turning things around to at least help them get educated and be aware on the latest happenings all over the country and even all over the world. News nowadays comes in package, which gives anchors some bits of commentary in their part. Though that somehow can be the downside of watching it if you’re a strictly-news watcher. (But everything that they’ll give though must be in balance. Otherwise they have to express that thru editorial programming whether thru print or broadcast or even at the wired.)

The only constant thing in this world is thru change. So expect the trend to last long but eventually grind out or even blossomed further.

© 2011 september twenty-eight productions.

Zubiri’s resignation. Many sides.

Zubiri’s resignation. Many sides.
Author: n.d. a.k.a. nestor / slick master
08/09/2011, 08:43 a.m.

Last week, the Philippines had been witness to a sudden resignation of one of its senators in Juan Miguel Zubiri as he filed and prepared a speech regarding his withdrawal from his elected seat.

If you can recall way back 2007, He and Atty. Koko Pimentel were on a tight race in the last post of the senatorial elections in 2007. Zubiri was part of Team Unity by then-Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Pimentel was on the other side, and attempts to follow his father whom was former Senator Nene. And the result went very complicated when polls were totaled and Pimentel was supposedly on his seat but ended up to Zubiri instead. Pimentel cried that there was a cheating anomaly involved since some independent poll watchers said that Pimentel had actually won the game between them in terms of votes which was in fact Koko was the top second senatorial winner at one province around Davao region.

4 years after being seated, Zubiri filed his resignation due to many allegations that thrown against him to the extent that his family was been hurt the most in his behalf. However, for the last time on his legislative post, he told everyone in his speech that in the eyes of God and to his fellows, HE DID NOT CHEATED.

That apparently draws different sides of views, such as Zubiri was found allegedly guilt of the cheating on the negative side. Koko’s father Aquilino Pimentel have told the media that he should resigned 4 years ago then. But for his son however, he didn’t saw anything wrong and in fact he praised ex-senator Migz for his standing that there is something else that should value the most over power – and that were his family, and his integrity. Zubiri’s resignation turned out to be historical as that was the first time in Senate that an upper house legislator had voluntarily drawn out from his throne, considering him as the last highly-elected position from the 2004 elections.

Now, whether he cheats in the polls or not? We can’t tell yet unless we’re poll watchers in either Pimentel or Zubiri’s party. I’ll let them be the judge since let’s face it. Not everything that matters the nation’s senatorial interest can be shown on the press. Though there are some newsmakers that can make and speak a word about it.

© 2011 september twenty-eight productions

Just my opinion: Secret talk?

Just my opinion: Secret talk?
Author: n.d. a.k.a. nestor / slick master
08/09/2011, 08:35 a.m.

There’s a secret talk between Philippine’s President Noynoy Aquino and Moro Islamic Liberation Front head held outside the country (Japan to be exact.) and as the hidden discussion has been raised, so was the reactions of the people from the different sectors.

Now I can’t really discuss much the news of it, but here’s my take anyway (since I only used to write this for my opinion but… oh, anyway.) I’m not seeing anything wrong in between if it’s about resolving the conflicts between the government and the group considering that MILF wants Mindanao to be an independent state and which means it will be like taken away from the Philippines, and the government wants to push peace talks between the two of them and in fact it has shown good signs. Well, hopefully things will prosper there, ‘cause everyone wants to hear good news for a better change in this country.

© 2011 september twenty-eight productions

Saturday, August 06, 2011

Just my opinion: For art’s sake?

Just my opinion: For art’s sake?
August 6, 2011; 12:58 p.m.
(as seen on: http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/2011/08/07/just-my-opinion-for-art%E2%80%99s-sake/)

Art is one of the few things in life in which freedom of expression is used. And in fact, that “freedom of expression” is one of our basic constitutional rights. But once a sector spots flaws that violate either cultural, moral and/or religious values, expect long debates ahead.

Mideo Cruz’s artwork turned out to be controversial after the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (or CBCP) broke their silence and protested in behalf of many people complaining that Cruz’ masterpiece was a piece of “Polytheism and blasphemy” in a open forum at the Cultural Center of the Philippines yesterday.

But that’s just not it. Apparently in a report posted August 4, 2011 at ABSCBNnews.com, Mideo Cruz’s art which was part of the Kulo exhibit had been vandalized when a man and woman walked in to the gallery and vandalized then at around 11:30 a.m. the previous day. In case you haven’t seen his work, news clips will show you everything and that includes some religious figures with a condom, a man’s penis and even rabbit or Mickey Mouse’s ears.

However, Concerned Artist of the Philippines defends Cruz and shown their support. Saying that nothing wrong on his work and in fact was a product of “freedom of expression” and that was guaranteed by the Constitution.

On the other hand, Dr. Primitivo Chua of Ang Kapatiran stated in between the word war of the parties that “Hindi yan gawa ng Pilipino. Gawa yan ng demonyo! Pero itong ginawa niyo dito kabastusan… kalaswaan! Mahiya kayo!” perhaps that statement says it all for the part of CBCP and the party list as Ang Kapatiran will file a case regarding the violation of an article of the Revised Penal Code regarding the immoral doctrines if CCP will not pulled the piece out.

Cruz’s response all boiled down to this: "You can't force people. But I just hope that when we look at something, the process doesn't stop at the surface." He has been for 10 years in his occupation and his trademarks for his most of his works were primarily Polytheism, an act of “social criticism and it is part of social development to criticize what’s happening.” That came from the words of Karen O. Flores, officer-in-charge of the CCP Visual Arts Unit.

But as the word war explodes, so are the reaction from all the corners. Like one Facebook user posted "May your soul burn to (sic) hell, you Devil pro (sic) artist," in a news article posted at Interaksyon.com2. Also, a certain Rozanna Martini called Cruz a ****ing asshole and wishes him the worse in hell.

Okay, let me give my take for the matter.

Every one of us has a freedom to express ourselves. In fact, “artistic license” do exist in our acts of doing it. In case of Mideo’s if you think his art was his product of his freedom and was really worth it or another piece of blasphemy. Well, I’m saying “it’s both.”

It was a grave disrespect to the religion of the Catholicism not in the country, but in the world where countries are having Catholic and Christianity as its pre-dominant religions. Call it a blasphemy, him an Atheist, a socially irresponsible citizen, or even a fan of Polytheism. But I’m telling you. It’s his art, not for the church and for anyone else. It’s his right to express his freedom and badly seeking for recognition. Now after spotlights off media all over him I think he was fulfilled at the moment. However, J. Pacena, the curator of Kulo expressed disappointment around the malice reports that the media is showing. “No one tried to understand what he was trying to say. He was condemned and we were judged in a primitive way,”

I mean, Mideo Cruz has his right to express his art regardless of a lot of criticism and death threats responding on his masterpieces. He’s an artist anyway, and his work was at the Cultural Center which was obviously, the venue for the arts. If something could be really wrong, that is up to him and the Supreme Being to judge. For the mean, time if you want to make a good recognition of art, put everything in balance. However for the society where negativity was the name of the game, it takes a bunch of weird ideas to be popular. And not all freedom was given to us by absolute manner as Karen Flores said, "Yes, you can have your faith, and that can be respected. But you must also be able to tolerate and understand other people's views."

Author: slick master | © 2011 september twenty-eight productions. Sources are stated below.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/08/04/11/vandals-hit-controversial-ccp-exhibit

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/lifestyle/08/05/11/tension-rises-over-controversial-ccp-exhibit

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/86876/sona-talakayan-ukol-sa-obra-ni-mideo-cruz-nauwi-sa-sigawan

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/9924/ccp-installation-has-devout-catholics-crying-sacrilege

http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?p=57804973

http://www.artmediaagency.com/en/25864/mideo-cruz-receives-death-threats-for-sacrilege/

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Just my opinion: P-Noy’s one year.

P-Noy’s one year.

09:20 a.m.

08/03/2011

Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino was elected as the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines last year. And so far, his life as the chief state ruler has been as controversial as it can get. Perhaps, the shameful Quirino Grandstand Massacre, Spratlys dispute with China, his as-usual exposes against the Arroyo administration, his Porsche car, smoking problems, even his break-up with Shalani Soledad, modern KKK and a lot more were the highlights of his career so far. However, there were some good things that happened to his first year in office, just like the rate of hunger going down from arouns 20 to 15-ish percent. That’s a good sign already considering every native’s basic need is food. And I think the 4Ps of DSWD somehow did a great job regarding the matter. And just a month later since his first Ulat sa Bayan was aired, the budget for 2012 had been tackling about and its allocation for Conditional Cash Transfer of the said program were raised. RH Bill is another. It’s good thing that this time, it may not be the president for most but most of the legislators are been hardly dealing about. Though the Church had been strongly opposing that bill. Same goes to Divorce bill. After Malta legalizes the issue via a referendum, The Philippines want to come next and the last country, aside from the Vatican City to legalize divorce since cases filed for the latter had been up to around eight thousand as of last year.

In P-Noy’s State of the Nation Address last July 25, he also introduced the new Ombudsman in Conchita Carpio-Morales, perhaps another female to hold the post since the controversial Merceditas Gutierrez resigned amidst the issues involving her and ex-president and now-congresswoman GMA some few months ago. Guttierez’ resignation somehow saved her for impeachment case filed and investigated by the legislators. In fact, she’s the first ombudsman whom got a majority vote by the representatives to uphold her impeachment case to the Senate. Shameful as it seems, huh? Not only that, he exposed the PAGCOR’s anomalies in coffee drinks which costs around a billion pesos. Since then came the same issue on energy drinks and the “pabaon” to the former commander-in-chief.

However, as his first year came to an end, he still have five years to correct the nation’s miscues and to his promises to fulfill. Thee a lot more of problems in the country, and one is education. They were attempting to put up the k-12 system, colleges’ tuition fee rate’s skyrocketing again, and even the guidelines of suspension of classes which barely needs to improve. But aside from that, I think watching news can solve your needs for information. And, oh. How about passing the Freedom of Information Bill, please?

My take: I am not as good as any aspiring political analysts to say this, but based on the news that I have read, heard and watched from the archives to present and also dealing with a lot of people whom were the employees of the government, he still needs strong POLITICAL WILL. He’s doing good so far. And we’re still watching for you for the next five years so please, be consistent and if you got a case on your love life even if you are a public figure, do manage to keep it private. That’s it.

Author: slick master | © 2011-08-03 september twenty-eight productions.

Depressive stage of mind and heart.

Depressive stage of mind and heart.

08:47 a.m.

08/03/2011

Perhaps, it’s been a long while since the last time I wrote in this blog about anything beyond my personal experiences. And as for that, I had just decided to do something about it and I came up with this. I’m not anyone related to psychology though but anyway.

Every human being suffers some kind of this feeling for at least a time in their lives. It can have a lot of terms though. Downfall, depression, setbacks, disappointments, sadness, etcetera etcetera. However, I can only associate them with one word: and that is heartbreak. Why? I don’t know. It’s just everything that I had gone through and get off from it was just on my personal experience and at least proper knowledge (but I can’t give you the latter though).

People get lunatic after few more mistakes. Yes, I agree. Even I turned out to be one. But I can only tell few things: every heart break doesn’t involve much on love life, and it doesn’t have to be in a relationship to suffer like one. Rejections or “busted” are counted if you can only think about it. It’s just of course part of human nature to deny every single little thing that can put us to shame. But why do people get a lot of it? Because they didn’t learn their previous mistake(s)? Maybe. But it can’t be denied that not all humans do aim for perfection and somehow that can be either good or bad in their own ways. Again, human nature. And sometimes, we have a lot of tendencies to forget mistakes while moving on. And if it goes again, it’s just like a cycle running all over again.

Me as a veteran being dumped a lot of times, whether in career, love and even on the most personal aspect of life. These cases are nothing new to me, but it doesn’t mean that you will just stand there and get lazy after a long period of time working vigorously on it. If I can’t learn a lot of mistakes to be better, therefore I am stupid. No. ‘cause not all of miscues can be learned in a single day or night. After all, everything has to go to a process unless if you’re faster than a fast-learner, something that admittedly yours truly doesn’t have. If there’s something you can blame, maybe the people around you whom have very high expectations over you. But is there anything enough basis or evidence to accuse them? Maybe yes but I think most of the time will be no. I guess I can only come up with some things after reading and watching anything related to it, which hopefully I can give you later on. I still have to do my research.

For now, I would think that I suffering a bunch of miseries, turning me depressed won’t take me long. I mean, once I have that good vibe, hopefully that will overturn everything. It’s all in a matter of having a positive mindset, surrounding people with good influences, doing good things in life that make you happy, etc. though I’m still at the recovering stage though but it’s okay.

Author: slick master | © 2011-08-03 september twenty-eight productions