Just Foolish Thoughts: You Know What I Mean

Shawarma Rice Encounters

2012-12-03T05:05:00.000-08:00

When it comes to shawarma, I'm always on the go. I mean it! Since the first time I have tried this delicious dish, I have never stopped trying shawarma and shawarma rice from various shawarma stores in Metro Manila. I guess it's because of my love of beef and spicy sauce.

Anyway, shawarma is not a Filipino food. May I just remind you of that. It is actually from the Middle East, most specifically Saudi Arabia. It was first introduced to me (or let us simply say, I was first introduced to Shawarma) when I was in college. I think that was in year 2009. I survived my first year in college by eating at the food stalls, food chains and restaurants along the University Belt (those were the days when I was still living a single life, with no one to eat with inside the school cafeteria).

Then one day, I have had a guy who kept tailing me all day, asked me if I would love to try shawarma for dinner. I just said yes, you see, we were food bums and we'd like to try every food around the corner.

My first try was shawarma from Khaleb's. It was good, you know. Delicious-as a matter of fact. And then I realized that I've already eaten this dish way back in high school. Twice as I may say. First was at a stall in Circle C (Congressional Road, Quezon City) and the second was at a stall in Cherry Foodarama. I already forgot the names of theses stalls but I think they are still there. If I have my time, I will go and update this post. :)

Anyway, after my first try at Khaleb's, shawarma has become my favorite food. I would always go there to order shawarma rice for dinner. I love their rice, the yellow rice. And their sauce. I can't see anything special with their dish, but for me it's good.

The second time I have tried shawarma is at our university. It was our school's foundation week. And every school foundation, lots of shawarma stalls flocked in the university's hallways to sell their famous shawarma and shawarma rice. Again, I've hooked myself to shawarma for a week and I didn't get sick of it. Honestly!

Since it's just for a week in school, I tried to look for another shawarma stall and that's the time I found Kebab Fil-Sian Grill along Gastambide road.

It was the best, really. For almost 60 pesos, you can already have plate of shawarma rice and unlimited garlic sauce and spicy sauce. Also, you can avail their unlimited iced tea or red tea.

Okay, the rice was really good. Their serving is big as well. It has lots of vegetables like onions, tomato and cabbage strips. It's also packed with enough servings of shawarma strips. Its taste is really good-heavenly.

And it's taste is much more heavenly if it's eaten with garlic sauce and chili sauce. Sometimes, I put ginger powder to make it much spicier.

Actually, I think I've fallen in love with its sauce. And you know what, even I'm a girl who's expected to have a small appetite, well I mix a cup of extra rice (ordinary rice) into my shawarma rice so I would end up really FULL.

I also tried shawarma rice from Food Channel. I don't know if there's a stall like that in QC or Manila, but I know there's one nearby Strata building (Ortigas) and one in Pearl Drive.

Well, theirs is much pricey. It's 85 pesos. But delicious, as what I can say foremost. It has yellow rice with garlic, shawarma strips, onions, cabbage strips, tomato, and sweet potato fries. They also have garlic sauce and spicy sauce -the secret to delicious shawarma rice.

Actually, the sauce is not really the secret to a delicious shawarma. It will become delicious if only you will mix the sauce with rice and everything inside the box. It's like eating rice in a box, you know.

The most recent shawarma encounter I've had was in SM Megamall. Fireshack, if my memory serves me right. I ordered Beef Keema with rice and I think it didn't pass my standards. Or maybe I wasn't in the mood that time.

Why did I write all of these? Well, I want to hear about your shawarma encounters. Let's share stories. Who knows? Maybe we can recommend each other the best shawarma restaurants out there. XD

Note: The pictures are not mine, not my originals. I just copied and pasted them from the Internet (GOOGLE). I didn't wish to inflict harm to anyone by using these pictures without permission. I just don't know how I can ask them for one. If there's any objection or violent reaction, please do send me a message or comment me. Thanks!! :)

Isn't loyalty enough?

2012-12-03T03:33:00.002-08:00

Isn't loyalty enough?

This question has been bugging me for so long, and yet I still don't know the answer. I have been to oh-so many situations, I have experienced every situations that are bound to come and go in my job. Still I'm here, clueless to what should be the answer to that question.

I guess, with all my rants today-the answer will be, yes it's not.

But I'm not asking for anything, you know. I just feel like I'm left out (Correction: I just don't feel it. It's already the reality-DAMN!). It's like I am being left out now that there's a lot of new pretty faces wearing nothing but their stinky accent and stumbling grammar.

I'm not saying that I'm perfect, but I'm pretty sure I'm more than what they are worth for. But why I am being left out like a piece of useless thing? Haven't I done everything to please them? I'm so pissed off. I'm like a dress, the casual knee-length dress. I'm used, daily and as almost everytime I am available. And then I'm left out, because I just went out of fashion- maxi skirts are now the trend (is it really the maxi skirt or the above-the-knee dress now? For heaven's sake, I don't know. The thought just came up to me now).

I know you're disgusted with me. I'm really pissed off. Don't bring personal issues here. Okay? Personal issues should not be mixed with work. Get it? You know, if I'm doing something out of your standards, let me know! So I would know what to do! Don't make me guess like a fortune teller.

Yea! I'm pissed off!

This is supposed to be an article. Unfortunately, it's going to end like a letter full of rants and clamors. God! What's with the unnerving silence?!!

Edited: Stress Buster

2012-10-25T04:43:00.000-07:00

I am so pissed off .. I tried to fight my stress by editing some pictures. I just used a certain picture editor. I know it's not really good, but I hope you'll find it pleasing to the eyes.

This is Lee Seung Gi. I did this for a friend.

This is Kim Nam Gil. See how handsome he looks. I love him, even in that wacky face. XD

Not really my crush, but Lee Min Ho's handsome and he has caught my attention in Personal Preference (aka Personal Taste). Well, I have watched it because of Kim Nam Gil's cameo (episode 11). XD

Ahh, one of my crushes ... Jung Il Woo. He has starred in many hit Korean dramas like 49 Days, Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, My Fair Lady, The Moon That Embraces the Sun and The Return of Iljimae. He's really handsome, I love his baby-looking face. XD

Oh, this is me. I can't find any pictures of mine on my PC so I just did this one. Anyway, some of my friends told me it's cute. Like a traditional picture or whatever.

Welcome Bitch! Hehehehe...

2012-09-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

It's not safe to send tweets today (I send tweets through my beloved cell phone, FYI bullshit!)...

Maybe I can express my feelings here, can't I?

You're so stupid, yeah, you're so stupid that I don't know if you are really the most stupid person that I've ever met.

I maybe stupid, but you are the WORST!

I don't know what your motives are, but I am pretty sure that you want me out of the circle, right?

Okay, I'll give you what you want. But let me remind you, I don't receive a damn without paying back.

At least let me give you my final respect.

I'll promise you this, I'll hurt you the way I want you to be hurt. YOU WILL REGRET EVERYTHING!!!!

**LECHE KA!! FEELINGERA!!

Choss lang! Bahala ka if you will take this against you. Ibig sabihin, stalker ka????!! hahahahahhaa ^^ I pity you so much .... hmmmmm ...

Birthday Bribe

2012-08-01T07:11:00.000-07:00

                 We cannot stop it. We cannot halt it.

                 Just like death, we cannot stop birthdays from coming every year. Birthdays are already part of our lives. It is the time when we celebrate the day we were born to this world. We gather our families, friends, acquaintances, and everyone close to us on this very special day. We stash large bucks out of our pockets so we can make our birthdays with the people special to our lives. However, birthdays are not forced holidays. We are not forced to celebrate it each year. We are not obliged to take out the last single cent from our pockets just to make our ‘special friends’ happy.

                 Unfortunately, based on my own observations, I really feel bad for people who have got the nerve to ask you to celebrate your birthday for them. Are we really now living in modern times, that we also have to ask other people to feed us on their own respective birthdays? That’s one hell absurd. I mean, celebrating your birthday is okay. There is no problem on that. In fact, if you have the money, you can celebrate your birthday the way you wanted it to be. If and only if, you have the money, but if you don’t have money, you don’t need to sacrifice your own budget just to please the alligators around you. Oh my goodness! Why do you still exist, inconsiderate people?!

                Another thing I consistently observed is that, why is it that if you are only a small person in your society, you need to fund your own birthday bash? On the other hand, if someone big in your society is going to celebrate his or her birthday, why do you also need to stash out some money to fund a birthday party for that particular person? The answer is the word: CONVIVIALITY. They say it is for the sake of CONVIVIALITY or in Filipino, PAKIKISAMA.

               Do we really need to resort to this way of maintaining good relationship? Again, it’s absurd! Don’t you know that it’s also a way of bribery? Yeah, I mean it. It’s bribery. Think of this, how do politicians maintain good relationship with their co-politicians? How do business tycoons maintain harmonious relationship with their investors? How do entertainment personalities maintain good images in newspapers and on television? All of these people invite their so-called ‘friends’ on their birthday parties. They are always invited. Can’t think of the connection? Figure out this situation. If a new-arising entertainer forgets to invite one of the most important entertainment writers, do you know what will happen next? The next day you will find demoralizing news about this new-arising entertainer, and everything will be simply pinpointed to the poor entertainer’s negligence.

                In companies or industries like call center, if you forgot to invite your team leaders on your birthday celebration, be prepared on what will happen the next day. It’s either you get memo for ‘really’ small job mistakes, or you get demoted from your position. That’s the reality! What I am trying to point out here is, if you will resist going with the usual things in your society, you will never see yourself promoted. To make it more dramatic, you will never see the sunrise anymore.

                If you want to gain more friends in the society you belong to, do not resort to the politician’s way of gaining friends. I wonder how many people out there are crying for advocacies against briberies and corruption when they themselves are making briberies on their own little ways. Learn how to respect what is there to be respected. Learn how to respect the real and written rules. Learn to obey them. If you are someone who gladly obeys rules, other people will learn to love your ways and your personality.

Learn how to respect people with or without authority in the office you belong to, that way people will do likewise.

DISCLAIMER: Bato bato sa langit, tamaan huwag magalit. I didn’t intend to describe anyone here in this article. Hence, do not make an issue out of this if you happen to read this one. I mean, you like to know more about me, right? Then, here’s what you got. Blah-blah-blah! :P

Hakuna Matata

2012-07-04T00:42:00.000-07:00

I fell in love, not just once, twice, but many times. It was like falling in the same trap for many times, but without learning the lesson from each of the mistakes that I had committed. But how could I prevent myself from falling in love with him? He was the man of my dreams. He was the man who had the qualities that I was looking in a perfect man.

The first time I saw him was still vivid in my memory. His eyes were glistening as if those were smiling at me. He had those wonderful eyelashes that even a girl would want to have for herself. And, oh, his smile, his smile was one of the best features that he had. He had the sweetest smile that I hardly ever seen. With his physical features, he became the apple of my eyes. And then as the days and months went by, he became my universe.

I knew how crazy it was to consider him as the center of my life, as the reason of my every breath. But what could I do? I was so crazily in love with him. I watched every of his moves and actions. I memorized each of his words that he would speak of. I saved all of his personal messages not just in my mobile phone’s inbox, but also in my heart and in my mind. I was like a child hardly getting herself a piece of candy. Yes, he was my piece of candy, the piece of candy which could really make my childish heart feel happy and contented.

But those things were all gone now. He was nowhere to be seen in my life. He left my childish heart in a state which his smiles could only be the remedy. My candy was snatched away from me, so as my happiness was. Till then, my life was in a state of disarray. Every day appeared so cloudy and foggy; I couldn’t even see a speck of sunlight in each of the days I was mourning for him. Not even the annoying spirits of liquors and the deafening sounds of clubs and friends equaled the happiness that I had felt with him. My life, it was banished. It was like I had died the time he left me by myself.

Then, I found my shadow picking up its own body again. It was hard at first. I always shed tears whenever I would hear the songs that we used to sing together. Every time I would look at our pictures, my heart would still jerk, then I would send him a message telling how much I remembered him, perhaps missed him. I never did get a reply from him. I knew it; I knew that he wouldn’t care for my feelings. Because what I used to be to him is not the way I am now to his life. I am just another piece of trash to him. And I’m very much aware of it.

He may have wanted to retain the friendship that we once had, but it’s very hard. He was my universe, he was my oxygen, he was my light-bearer, he was my… he was everything to me. Everything wouldn’t be the same again if he would prefer to retain the friendship that we had before. I am not a simpleton, I am not a fool. But I was fooled because I was a child. And kids are always fooled and manipulated by people older than them. And I was a kid back then.

But again, as the days passed by, my heart learned how to stand tall again. My heart learned not to mourn for the knife that had sliced it into pieces. My once childish heart has grown to an adult heart. And my full-grown heart has learned how to withstand the past, without even shedding a tear or two.

I am so proud of myself. I never did expect that I would learn how to move forward after a year of tears and regrets. Honestly, I lost my faith in God because of what happened to my relationship. I learned to loathe Him. I realized that He wasn’t real after all. Because He never listened to my pleas, He never granted my prayers. He had left me at the time that I needed Him the most. He left me crying and regretting everything that had happened. He never came to wipe my tears and bring back what was lost. He left me alone, but, I learned how to stand by myself.

After all, He is real. I never realized by then that it was His way of strengthening my weak persona. I had learned how to depend myself to him, I was blinded by the best things that had happened to my life. God taught me how it is to be sad, and how it is to shed tears. After a long time of lamenting my loss, I found myself sporting a happy smile again. And it is because of His miraculous way of healing my broken heart.

Suddenly, my failed relationship reminded me of the poor and hopeless people. It reminded me of the victims of disastrous typhoons and earthquakes. It reminded me of the people who have nothing but their own bodies.

These people could have once fallen in love with the wonders of the world. They could have once fallen in love with the beauty of life. But their feelings towards life and the world were taken away by natural disasters. They were left with nothing but unfortunate memories. Some of them could have lost their faith to God. Some of them could have lost their faith to themselves. And most of them could have lost the hope of bringing back their lives to normal.

And like me, like nursing a broken heart, it would have taken them a year or so before they were able to overcome the destructive memories of the past. They would have thought of ending their unending despairs by dismissing their lives. But a bland life can never be bland forever. Like a bland dish, it can be developed throughout the years. Only if we will know how to mix the right spices, we can make the bland dish the most delicious dish ever. A life with nothing can be life with everything if we will learn to start anew, and only if we will know where to start with.

Do you know Simba, from the movie Lion King? He was casted away from the Pride of Lands by his uncle. He thought he was the one responsible behind his father’s untimely demise. He thought it was the end of everything to him. Then his path crossed the paths of carefree meerkat Timon and warthog Pumbaa. He learned from them how to live a life in ‘hakuna matata’ way. It is a Swahili phrase which means ‘no worries’. With that, he started anew by living a life without worries.

We can live the life of Simba. We can live a life without worries, putting the memories of the past behind us. But how can we do this? How can you start with your life again if you don’t have anything to start with?

If you don’t have anything with you, it doesn’t mean to say that you are empty, that you are futile. Indeed, as long as you have your own body, you can still move forward. And of course, as long as you can still dream of a brighter future, you can still make something out of nothing. Don’t forget that dreams are the reasons why you can see the things everywhere. Can you see the buildings beside your house? It was built because someone dreamt to have a building like that. Can you see the bridge that connects your city to another city? How about the highways and streets? They were built because some people dreamt to have those things. And they exerted efforts to make their dreams come true.

If you will just dream to live a normal life after suffering from the hands of disastrous typhoons and earthquakes, you will be able to find yourself standing on your feet once again, standing tall and proud. Dreams don’t remain dreams forever. With intense desire, a simple dream becomes a goal. And this goal becomes a number one priority in life. And if this dream becomes a priority, it realizes somehow.

Just like me, I didn’t intend to become sad forever. No one has, actually. But I didn’t see myself overcoming the hatred and broken feelings easily. With dreams, I was able to stand again on my feet. I was able to pick myself from the ground of helplessness. I was able to fix myself and now I’m aiming for something.

You might be curious. What did I dream that made me stand again? Well, I only dreamt for one thing, this dream that I have been dreaming for so long. In fact, I desire to turn my dream to reality. Do you know that I want to have a well-off life? Well, I can never have a life like what I am dreaming of if I will just turn my back to people after suffering a dramatic break up. If only a failed relationship can make me fall down on my knees, then I am a coward human being. I am never fitted to be a human if I cannot withstand pain, if I cannot survive the aftermaths of life, or if I cannot tidy up myself after tripping over a sea of mud.

You and me, we used to be broken hearted. I was once broken hearted because of my failed relationship. You were once broken hearted because of the disasters that had capsized your life. But now, we shall go over again with our lives and try another path. We have a lot of choices, but we must choose to live. And we must put intense desire to our chosen path. I want to forget everything that had happened to me and start anew. Maybe I can find someone who’s really my destiny. You should also forget the things that once blurred your pathway. Maybe this time you will have a more fruitful life.

And just like Simba, we must live in ‘hakuna matata’ way. We must live our lives worry-free. Let’s get it on!

Writer's Note: This is not yet perfect. I still want to revise this one. Help me revise this one by telling me your feedbacks. Thanks! :)

Free Talking

2012-06-05T02:13:00.000-07:00

Somebody asked me, what is free talking? Honestly, it’s a question that I could easily answer, considering the line of job I am involved into, but I didn’t answer it. Instead, I pondered over and over. I continued asking myself, what is free talking, really?

Free talking is something like having a conversation. It is a conversation that can start without a definite topic at all. In any online English classes, there will always be a topic to be discussed. And that topic is of course, from a certain book.

But in free talking, there won’t be any book that would guide you for topics. Like here, I really don’t have any idea on what to write. But I just want to write, and this entry would flow like a free talking session.

To start a conversation with another person, or let’s say, with a student, the most likable question to be asked is ‘how are you today?’ right? So let’s begin this article with the same question.

HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

If you will ask me this question, probably I would say, ‘Oh, I’m good, I’m feeling good’. If you are in a hurry to raise your issue, maybe you wouldn’t doubt my answer. But if you are a person who would like to know the good thing behind the word good I told you, then for sure you will ask me for more.

And that’s how the conversation will start.

Yes, I’m good. And honestly, I’m feeling good today. I can feel good anytime I want to. There’s no question on that. I can also feel bad whenever I want to. Feeling is a choice, by the way. Quote me if you want to post my remarkable statement, because it’s mine and it is original. You choose your feelings. Fate doesn’t choose feelings for you. If you choose to enlighten yourself, then you can make yourself happy. If you choose to put yourself into too much trouble, then that’s what I’m saying awhile ago. You are now choosing to feel bad for today. To make this clear, the actions that you choose to enact will certainly lead you to which feeling you should feel.

Just like today, I’m not really feeling good. For the nth time, salary’s delayed again. I was like, ‘hello, am I not going to eat till you give me my salary?’ but I’m trying to hide it. I don’t want to be branded as someone who nags about the salary. But hey, that’s my salary …

I’m not in the mood to continue this article anymore. Give this to the dogs!

Get Rack-ed with Rack's Classic Pork Ribs

2012-03-07T04:03:00.001-08:00

Since I'm on my way doing a real foodie-blog, maybe it's time for me to make another one.

Maybe it was last, last, last week. And I had the best pork ribs of my life. And I found it at Rack's.

To make it clear, it was lunch time and I was about to meet an old friend of mine. Since I'm working at Ortigas, he made it clear to me that we should meet along Ortigas. Since I'm not really fond of knowing all the good eating hubs in Ortigas, I told him to meet me at Racks El Pueblo, Ortigas. It's along Julia Vargas avenue.

So, why Racks?

Yeah, I told you. I have no idea on where to dine. One time, I was walking my way from our office (in Tycoon bldg) going to SM Megamall, I saw a big signage that says RACKS. I'm so curious, 'cause I'm not really particular with restaurants. I only knew few, and most of them are Filipino restaurants. I also knew few foreign restaurants like the famous Friday's (at Trinoma, where I ate a giant rib also, that was back in 2009, a friend's treat for my birthday, hahah), Italianni's (also at Trinoma) and some (I don't want to name more, I don't want this article to be a promo ad for most foreign restaurants, hoho).

I told him, let's just meet at RACKS. It's near my office, so that would be convenient on my part. So that's it.

When we were there, I had Rack's Classic Pork ribs together with gravy fries for the side dish. My old friend had their special Roasted Quarter Chicken along with corn on the cob and a bowl of corn soup for side dish. (He had a lot side dishes with him, I know that's gross haha).

As I mentioned earlier, it was the best among the best pork ribs that I've ever tasted. It's much better than Friday's baby back ribs. You can really slice it just using your spoon and fork. Yep. It's so tender. Oh it's really mouth-watering. Darn.

And about its taste, it's very delicious. My friend even told me that maybe it's full of MSG. Cause it's really extremely delicious. Too delicious for pork ribs, I think.

But I think it's just the way RACK's prepare their ribs. Awesome! I was able to finish my lunch in such a small time. I tried to forget my table manners so I can dearly enjoy my food.

Take note, I didn't have sauce for the ribs. I just ate it as it was served to me. No spicy sauce or anything. But I had gravy fries with me that time. So I tried to play the taste by tossing some meat on the gravy. And I found it very delicious. Maybe they should have gravy for its sauce. hahah. I even alternated rice with fries. So delicious, yummy!

Their rice was really awesome. It's like Jasmine rice. But no scent. The taste indicates that it's jasmine rice so maybe it is Jasmine. And like any other good rice, it's also delicious that you can eat just with a spoon of gravy. Haha. Very experimental of me.

All I had for drinks was a glass of water. I didn't bother to order Iced tea or softdrinks. I just wanted to savor the food, not the drinks. Ehem.

I don't know about the chicken that my friend ordered. But he told me that it was also delicious, and it's like melting in his mouth. So, maybe the feeling was just mutual.

Ah yes, it was very cheap. Mine was about Php295.00 I don't know if Racks has table charge but I'm pretty sure they just rely on tips.

Will I recommend Racks?

Yes, of course. They have the best ribs. Their service's great too. So if you're looking for rib-serving resto, try Racks and their Classic Pork ribs. Don't forget that it's very cheap too.

I just ate salad from KFC, Garden d'Lite Salad in Asian Dressing

2012-03-07T03:25:00.000-08:00

I just ate salad from KFC

Yes, you read it right folks. I just ate a bowl of salad from KFC. It's the Garden d'Lite Salad in Asian dressing.

Its taste was so good and awesome. After finishing my bowl, I thought of getting another one. But of course, money-wise, and diet-conscious, I need nothing but to stop myself from craving for another one.

About its taste, just like the usual taste of Asian salad dressing, it's sour and somehow spicy. I really like spicy foods so I think this one is a must-try. Also, I think I can smell the scent of egg yolk from it. It's like the dressing comes alive to your taste buds. Excellent! Really mouth-watering!

And about the vegetables, it has fresh, crispy and crunchy lettuce leaves together with several slices of tomatoes and what do you call this one? Uhm, cold and hard bread? Ha-ha. I'm not sure about it. It tastes like bread. So I think it's a bread. But if you think, it's not, kindly share it to me through posting comments. :)

Really, it has few ingredients in it. But what can you ask from so-cheap price? It only costs for Php 45.00. Very cheap, right? But I found out from my dear friend Google that KFC's Garden d'Lite has different versions in other countries. Maybe it depends upon the country. In Malaysia, their own version of it has lettuce leaves,sliced tomatoes, shredded carrots, corn kernels and cucumber sticks. I don't have any idea on how much is it in Malaysia but I'm pretty sure it's much expensive, 'cause it has a lot of veggies in it.

Oh wait, I found it. I found a price list from a KFC's website in Malaysia, and it says it costs around 5 MR (Malaysian currency). So I converted it and found out that it costs around Php 70.00. Oh, but let me clear this one. Malaysian version of KFC Garden d'Lite has also chicken popcorns (it's like the chicken in Snackbox, either Funshots or Hotshots). So it's clear that Malaysian's KFC Garden d'Lite is much cheaper than what is here in the Philippines.

I would also like to try KFC's Chicken Salad. It's the same with Garden d'Lite but it has more veggies and has chicken popcorns. And it's around Php 95.00. I'm planning to buy it next week, if my budget would allow me to do so. haha.

Oh, I almost forgot. No pictures of it for today, but I'll try to upload if I got the chance to buy it again. I never expected that I'm going to write a food review about it, so after I bought it, I really consumed it easily and fastly, and I never took pictures of it. It's just that when I got full and then I realized I want to make a review for it. Hahaha.

Anyway, it's very healthy and delicious, so I think you should try it too. It's not just very healthy, it can also make you save from gaining weight. Aha! It's cheap so get one now.-Kneesaa, 19.

Finding your best SEO niche? Take this for a guide.

2012-02-28T04:01:00.002-08:00

Are you getting tired of writing news stories which seem to happen repetitively from time to time? Are you getting tired of writing blogs where in you do not earn money to support your daily needs? Well, it seems like you are a writer who cannot find himself a suitable place in the market. If that’s the case, you should not idle your time doing those futile stuffs anymore. Instead, you should give yourself a break and dig your own niche in the SEO industry.

What’s SEO?

SEO stands for search engine optimization. SEO helps improve the visibility of a certain website in the search engines. A good SEO article means having frequent visits from the Internet users as well as having a competitive or a good-selling article.

So, what does an SEO article contains?

A good SEO article contains the main selling point of a certain website or product. To be able to do that, your article must consists of key words which would likely help the reader identify your goal of writing. The keyword alone should explain itself to the readers. Not all website readers will read your 500-word article. Most of us tend to be impatient when reading articles from the Internet, and mostly, we have this attitude of reading only the paragraph which contains the word we are looking for. Keyword stuffing is really important in writing an effective SEO article.

Another factor to be considered in writing an effective SEO article is having a well-informed article. The Internet houses various websites which sell and promote different kinds of products and services. To be able to be the first word of mouth of their target market, these websites welcome their visitors with an opening message. This opening message is actually the SEO article. It’s like an advertisement. It contains the most valuable information of the product or service it is trying to promote. If this opening message lacks some important information (such as what does the website or company actually sells or where can you find the company), your reader will never think twice of switching to another website, because he will, actually.

If you want to produce an informative SEO article, you must gather first all the important information that you need to put in your article. You can have those things from your service provider or you may as well utilize the Internet. But, of course, you are writing an article for your own service provider so it means that you cannot get the information that you need from others aside from the people you are working for.

Another factor to be considered is the trending niche. To find the best SEO niche, you must be inside the circle of SEO writers. While inside that circle, you will find yourself clouded with different SEO topics. You will either pick an easy but not-really selling SEO topic, or you will pick a hard but a-sure sell SEO topic. But before you do that, you have to make sure that you can give your best in writing the SEO article that you chose. Writing an SEO article is not really purely writing, but it’s most likely a written advertisement which aims to market its product or service. So, it’s not just enough that you are good in grammar but it also requires you to have a persuasive power through writing.

On Corona and the Welfare of this Country

2012-02-20T23:28:00.005-08:00

Name it and Philippines has it.

Throughout the years, our country has been clouded with different kinds of internal anomalies. We have so many (of them) that we can only sigh for awhile and then leaf again through the pages of the book of these unending anomalies within the Philippine government. And so to name the latest, this Corona's ill-gotten wealth scandal only gives one idea. Do we really have to go this further just to show how incapable we are in growing a healthy and well-fit country?

Look at the current situation of this beautiful country. All of the lawmakers are busy prosecuting Chief Justice Renato Corona for his ill-gotten wealth (and for his being the Messiah of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo). They are doing their best shots as fault-finders; presenting evidences of how Corona insulted the law of the land. Not to mention how did they acquire such evidences, not to add that maybe these evidences are works of a good pranksman and may not be reliable at all cost.

Everyone is busy dethroning the Chief Justice. No one bothers nor cares to think about the welfare of those Filipino people inflicted with the wrath of the natural disasters. Full attention is given to Corona rather than to the welfare of the citizens. To add salt on the gaping wound, this impeachment trial impedes the growth of our country. It exposes the flaws of our nation. It lessens the confidence of foreign investors in our capacity to make their businesses grow. It also shows that we do not know what's good for our country for we cannot interpret and implement the law which supports and builds our nation's ideals.

Yes, Juan dela Cruz has many trials in his hands. Our country is now facing a crisis dilemma. But, do we really have to have a crammed idea over these things? It is very easy. Know the priorities. If we really want to turn this country into a healthy one, learn to rank and treat things in a way they are considered nutritious to this land of ours. In that way, we can get the satisfaction we've been longing for and at the same time, get rid of the anomalies that ruin the good name of the Philippines.

(Of course, again, I did this.)

Electoral Speech (for elementary)

2012-02-20T04:52:00.001-08:00

A good day to all of you!

It is my pleasure to speak my thoughts infront of you. I never thought even in my wildest dreams that I will be given this such a great chance.

I know, I am but a young student. A student who only knows little of his world, who only knows little of everything.

I am not as big as the president of our beloved country, nor as big as the USA's top man. But even with my little appearance, I can claim that I have such a great heart. A heart which I know will guide me wherever I wish to go to, whichever path I wish to cross to, or whichever ladder I wish to climb up.

My dearest instructors, my fellow co-students, come and listen to me. I always think of what things or what help I can give to my school community. I am never that ambitious to promise big things, but I always dream of giving a part of me to my people. A part of my knowledge, a part of my wisdom I've earned throughout the years.

Let me simplify my goals in this coming school election. Do you still remember what our National Hero, the great Dr. Jose Rizal said? Let me rephrase what he said towards youth. 'The youth, is the hope, of our future.' The youth is the hope of our future? Is it right? Yes, it is, but the youth still needs pampering, and that pampering, is what we call, education.

We, the youth, are the future nation-bearers. Someday, we will carry the nation in our shoulders just like how Atlas carried the world in his. But how can we do that with only the education as our nourishment?

First, go to school and study. It's not hard to study. We have our persevering parents and teachers to help us out in our studies. Next, eliminate the bad effects of technology into the lives of my co-students. There, our party will come to help.

We don't promise, but once seated in the position, we will try our best to spearhead educational programs such as free after-class tutorials. In that way, the time supposedly allotted for computer games and social networkings will be diminished as well as the students will have more time acquiring knowledge fromr our student-tutors.

Aside from that, we will try to launch mini sports-awareness activities by cooperating with our P.E. teachers. In that way, we can help enhance the physical strength of our co-students as well their awareness with regards to sports, may it be traditional games such as our very own piko and tumbang-preso or our adapted sports such as basketball, volleyball and or badminton.

Simple programs, great advocacies. It's how our platforms appeared to be, but as I may remind you, my dear listeners, we don't want to promise big things. I am just a student, we are just students of an elementary school. And let's have this quote, 'big things come in small packages'. We will try to offer you small packages, but these thinsg we might not know, can produce big things. Big and good effects.

I am grateful to my understanding and ever-patient audiences. I don't know if there'll be a next time for me to speak my thoughts again. I am not directly pleading for your votes, or for your trust. But I hope you find it in your hearts our sincerity towards the welfare of our school community. This is the time to act and become the responsible youth of our nation.

If we will join hands together, we will achieve the outcome that we want most.

Again, thank you very much and a good day to all of you!

(I created this speech for someone running for a position in their student government.)

Dying..

2012-01-02T23:55:00.000-08:00

I feel worst. I think I can't take this anymore.

I feel like I'm doing worst each this day.

Oh I think I would like to commit suicide.

Rehas (Hindi pa to tapos, draft pa lang para sa Palanca)

2011-10-19T23:43:00.000-07:00

Halos mag-iisang taon na rin nakapiit sa Bilibid si Dino.

Bakas sa kanyang mukha at pangangatawan ang labis na panghihina dulot ng kanyang pamamalagi sa loob ng kulungan. Para sa isang disinuebe anyos na binatang katulad niya, siya sana ay nasa isang pamantasan, pumapasok suot ang isang unipormeng pang-estudyante at may dala dalang backpack na naglalaman ng mga kagamitang pang-eskwela. Pero heto si Dino, kasalukuyang hinihimas-himas ang malamig at kinakalawang na rehas ng Bilibid, habang ang mga kasama niya sa loob ng piitan ay katulad niya rin, mga nagkasala sa batas ng bansa ngunit tila hindi iniinda ang saklap ng kanila ng dinaranas.

Naalala ni Dino ang mga oras na wala pa siya sa loob ng malamig na rehas na iyon. Gabi iyon, mga alas otso, kagagaling lamang niya sa eskwelahan. Nakasuot pa nga siya ng P.E. uniform. Naglalakad siya sa kahabaan ng Recto avenue ng biglang makarinig siya ng isang malakas na sutsot na nagmumula sa kanyang likuran. Hindi niya iyon pinansin sapagkat ang nasa isip niya, kung siya ay kilala ng taong iyon ay tatawagin siya nito sa kanyang pangalan.

Ngunit lumakas pa ang sutsot sa kanya, at maya maya pa’y naramdaman niya ang isang kalabit mula sa kanyang balikat.

‘Hoy p’re, kanina pa kita sinusutsutan ah’ ani ng lalaki na bigla na lamang tumambad sa kanyang harapan.

‘Sino ka ba? Bakit ba sutsot ka ng sutsot sa likuran ko? Ngayon nama’y kinalabit mo ako,’ ani Dino.

‘Hindi mo ba ako nakilala? Ako ito, si Eric’ pagpapakilala ng lalaki.

Minasdan niyang mabuti ang lalaking nagpapakilalang Eric. Maitsura ito, matipuno ang pangangatawan. Nakasuot ito ng unipormeng pang-estudyante mula sa ibang pamantasan, pero ang kanyang pansapin sa paa ay tsinelas na sa tantya niya’y nasa halagang isang daan piso lamang.

‘Ang cheap’ ani Dino sa kanyang isipan.

Maya maya’y biglang niyakap si Dino ng lalaking nagpapakilalang Eric. Niyakap siya nito ng pagkahigpit-higpit. Hindi niya alam kung bakit pero kinilabutan siya sa ginawa ng estrangherong lalaki. Agad na humulagpos sa mahigpit na pagkakayakap si Dino, at sinigawan niya ang lalaki.

‘Walang hiya ka! Sino ka ba para yakapin ako sa harap ng maraming tao?! Hindi kita kilala! Mandurukot ka ‘ata e!’ nagsisigaw na pahayag ni Dino.

Hindi sumagot ang lalaki. Ngumisi lang it okay Eric at sabay tumalikod sa kanya na parang walang nangyari.

Nakatingin lang din kay Dino ang mga tao sa kaniyang paligid. Panay ang bulungan ng mga tindera sa bawat sulok ng lugar na iyon. Napikon si Dino, inikot niya ng tingin ang mga taong panay ang bulungan.

‘Ano? Ano? Bakit hindi niyo isigaw? Puro kayo bulungan. Mga makakati ang dila pero panay bahag naman ang inyong mga buntot!’ sigaw ni Dino sa mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya. Inikot niya muli ng tingin ang paligid. Maraming nagtitinda ng kendi, lumang libro, medalya’t trophy, at mga pagkain.

Ilang saglit pa’y nagpapatuloy na muli siya sa paglalakad.

Sa kanyang patuloy na paglalakad, nakarating siya sa isang kalapit na department store. Naisip niyang pumasok dito upang magpalamig, nais niyang magpalamig.

Upang makapasok sa pintuan ng department store, kailangan niyang pumila upang ipasiyasat ang kanyang mga gamit (may pila sapagkat sinisipat-sipat ng mga guard ang mga bag ng bawat taong papasok sa mall). Dumating ang kanyang pagkakataon para matignan ng mga guard ang kanyang kagamitan, binuksan niya ang kanyang bag at ilang saglit pa’y laking gulat niya ng bigla siya nitong hawakan sa braso –isang mahigpit na hawak.

‘Ano to? Shabu?’ tiim-bagang na tanong ng guwardiya kay Dino.

Doon lamang niya napansin na may kung anong transparent na plastic sa kanyang bag, at sa loob nito’y may kung ano ring puting ‘pinulbos na tawas’.

Nagitla siya sa kanyang nakita. Hindi niya alam kung saan kung galing iyon, ang alam lang niya’y hindi kanya ang bagay na ‘yun.

‘Teka manong guard, hindi ko alam ‘yang sinasabi mo!’, pagtatanggol na sabi ni Dino.

‘Anong hindi? Eh sa bag mo nakita diba? ‘Wag mo nang itanggi pa. Ang tibay ebidensya, bata’, ani ng guwardiya.

‘Hindi nga akin ‘yan! Imposible! Labas-masok ako ng eskwelahan naming kanina kaya imposible ‘yan. Kung akin man ‘yan siguradong kanina pa ‘yan nakita na ‘yan ng mga guard sa amin’ ani muli Dino.

‘Wag ka na nga sabing magsinungaling. Estudyante ka pa man din tapos durugista ka pala! At amoy alak ka pa, sigurado kong sa’yo itong plastic na to!’ pagpupumilit ng guwardiya.

Pinindot ng guard ang kanyang radio at animo’y may sinabi itong importante sa linya. Ilang sandali pa’y nagtungo na rin ang ibang mga guwardiya sa mismong kinatatayuan nila. Sa mga oras na iyon, pinagtitinginan na siya muli ng mga taong sa paligid nila.

Agad siyang pinosasan ng isang guwardiya at kinaladkad patungo sa loob ng mall. Samantala, ang kanyang bag naman ay binuhat ng isa pang guwardiya.

Nagtungo sila sa opisina ng mga guwardiya sa loob ng mall na iyon. Habang nakaposas, siya ay pinaupo sa isang silya.

‘Maya maya pa’y parating na si Chief dito. At kukunin na nila sa atin ang batang ‘yan’ wika ng isang guwardiya.

Napaisip si Dino. Itturn over siya sa police, at kapag binigay siya nito sa mga police, siguradong ikukulong siya.

‘Malas na buhay ito! Bakit ba nasa bag ko ‘yun! Hindi akin ‘yun!’ malakas na paghihimutok ni Dino sa kanyang sarili.

Naisip niya, hindi maaring malaman ito ng kanyang mga magulang. Siguradong mag-iisip ang mga ito ng kung anu-ano. At panigurado rin na maniniwala ang mga ito sa maling bintang sa kanya. Naging pasaway kasi siya, hindi nakikinig sa pangaral ng mga magulang, napabarkada, at halos hindi na rin nag-aaral ng matino.

Sa pag-iisip niya’y hindi niya namalayan ang pagdating mga pulis.

‘Hindi mo ba alam na napakalaki ng pagkakasala mo? Napakaraming shabu nito! Tiyak kong habambuhay ka nitong makakukulong!’ pumapalatak na wika ng pulis na humarap sa kanya.

‘Hindi nga po akin ‘yan, hindi ko alam kung paano ‘yan napunta sa bag ko. Hindi ako adik!’ nagmamatigas na wika ni Dino sa pulis.

‘Nakita ng mga guwardiya sa bag mo ang shabu, kaya paanong hindi sa’yo? Sabihin mo sa akin kung saan mo nakuha ‘yan!’ ani pa ng pulis.

‘Hindi ko nga po alam ‘yan! Wala po akong alam d’yan!’ naluluhang wika ni Dino.

‘Ha! Tapos iiyakan mo ‘ko ngayon! Imposibleng hindi mo alam ‘yan! Ganyan naman kayo kapag nahuhuli na, puro deny ng deny! And’yan na na ang ebidensiya e.’ wika pa nito kay Dino.

Hindi na nagsalita pa si Dino. Naiyak na lamang siya sa galit. Hindi niya lubos maisip na masusuong siya sa ganoong panganib. Maya maya pa’y isinakay na siya ng mga pulis sa isang mobil.

Itutuloy ....

Kaming Mga Babae

2011-10-19T23:42:00.000-07:00

1. Moody: Inborn na sa mga babae to. Kung badtrip kami, wag niyo nang sasabayan.

2. Pag sinabi naming nagtatampo kami, lambing lang katapat: Yung salitang tampo way lang namin yun para sabihing lambingin niyo kami. Konting I love you niyo lang, okay na kami.

3. Gusto namin yung palagi kaming kino-compliment: Pag may bago sa itsura namin, gusto naming mapansin niyo. Kasi nakakataas ng self-confidence namin yun.

4. Pag napansin niyong naging sersyoso yung mga text namin, may mali: Kapag ganun, may nagawa kayong di namin nagustuhan. Kaya be alert. Kapag sinabe naming wala, meron talaga. Nahihiya lang kami. Kaya pilitin niyo kaming sabihin sa inyo. At pagtapos naming masabi, konting lambing lang. Back to normal na ulit.

5. Selosa kami: Kaya iwasan niyong makipag harutan sa ibang girls. Lalo na sa harapan namin. Pero may ibang babae na tahimik lang kung mag-selos. Inoobserabahan lang kayo. Pero kapag napuno, simula na ng away.

6. Kaming mga babae, normal lang ang ma-attract sa mga gwapo: Hanggang tingin lang kami. Kasi hindi naman na namin makikita ulit. Ma-attract man kami sa 1M lalaki, ang puso namin ay para lang sa tunay naming mahal. Ganun din naman kayong mga lalaki. Kapag nakakita ng maganda at sexy. Magaling lang kayong magtago.

7. Kaming mga babae, pinagmamalaki namin yung mga mahal namin ng hindi nila nalalaman: Katulad nalang sa mga GM (Group Message), Facebook at TUMBLR.

8. Ayaw namin sa mga manliligaw na nagmamadali: Yung tipo ng mga lalaking laging nagtatanong kung kailan ba namin sila sasagutin. Naiirita kami. Kaya dapat maging matiyaga kayo kasi dun namin nalalaman kung sino talaga kayo.

9. Kapag malungkot o tahimik kami, gusto namin ng yakap galing sa inyo: Kasi iba yung pakiramdam kapag hawak niyo na kami. Gumagaan yung pakiramdam namin. :">

10. Gustong gusto namin yung mga lalaking malaki ang respeto samin: Yung tipong pag ayaw namin magpa-kiss, hindi niyo gagawin. Instead, lalambingin ka na lang sa ibang paraan. Ang pinaka gusto naming kiss, kiss on the forehead. It symbolizes, respect.

11. Ang nagpapa-turn on samin ay yung lalaking protective: Yung kapag kasama namin kayo, feeling namin safe na safe kami. Walang mangyayaring masama at hindi kami ilalagay sa panganib.

12. Ayaw namin sa lalaking hanggang text lang: Kung mahal niyo talaga kami, patunayan niyo sa personal. Wag yung sa text lang kayo magaling. Magpaka-lalaki kayo!

13. Sobra kaming natutuwa sa mga lalaking ma-effort: Yung kahit walang special day, feel mo eh special ang araw araw niyo. Kasi sobrang nakakatuwa kapag ang lalaki laging nagpuput in ng effort. Feeling naming babae eh, isa kaming prinsesa.

14. Ang pangarap naming mga babae yung ipapakilala kami ng mga lalaki sa kanilang mga barkada at lalo na sakanilang pamilya: Feeling namin kami na yung pinaka maswerteng babae sa mundo. Kasi iilan lang ang lalaking naglalakas loob ipakilala kami sa parents at barkada nila. Yung iba kasi nahihiya. At feeling din nmin angkin na angkin na namin ang isang lalaki dahil nakilala na namin ang mga taong bumubuo sa buhay niya. :)

15. Magaling kaming mag-pretend: Kapag nasasaktan kami, nagpapaka-manhind kami. Kapag may nakitang di maganda, nagbubulagbulagan kami. Kapag may narinig na mali, nagbibingibingihan kami. Pero kapag mag-isa nalang kami, dun kami naglalabas ng sakit. Dun kami umiiyak. Kaya ang pangarap naming lalaki is yung sensitive enough sa mga nararamdaman namin. Yung kayang magtanong hanggang sa umamin kami.

Martian microbes: Not an obstacle for life explorations to Mars

2011-10-19T23:41:00.000-07:00

Before settling for an outer space mission, the need for proper set of safety measures in preventing, diagnosing, and eventually treating infections that might be encountered by the astronauts who are gathering facts from Mars should be fulfilled. A scientific study, Infection Risk of a Human Mission to Mars by Mihai Netea of Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, Germany proved that these are the answers into the risk of having infections of human missions being sent into this planet.

One of the most intriguing issues in science is the question for life presence in outer space more specifically in Mars. Many explorations were already sent in that so –called ‘Red Planet’ in order to answer the questions of most of the people involved in science. In connection to this, some of the scientist pursuing the study also figured out that the astronauts that they might be sending to the planet Mars might encounter Martian microbes or bacteria which may not be easily indentified here on Earth. This Martian microbe, known to scientists as the Martian meteorite ALH8400, contains carbonate granules that resembles microfossils. The detection of this microbe indicates existence of life on Mars.

It is just clear that with the discovery of microbes in Mars means life is also possible in that planet. But as according to Netea’s study, it is just enough that astronomers seeking for more sources of life forms in the Red Planet should take extra precautions before anything else. The primary reason for Mars explorations is to seek life, and not to risk life of the astronomers. But if precautionary measures are utilized, Martian microbes will not hinder the further explorations to Mars.

(Science article JO 314)

Ateneo owns game 1 of UAAP Season 74 Finals

2011-10-19T23:40:00.000-07:00

UAAP Season 74 Men’s Basketball Finals Game 1 now goes to Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) as they conquer the Far Eastern University with the score of 82 -64 at the Araneta Coliseum last September 24, 2011.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles overcame the FEU Tamaraws strong first half as Nico Salva showcased his perfect offensive moves while reserved JP Erram administered the defensive effort to be able to help Ateneo in taking away the first of the final game series.

With this victory, the Blue Eagles hope to win their seventh UAAP championship title if they could finish off the Tamaraws in their next basketball match.

According to FEU head coach Bert Flores, Ateneo beat them with a perfect game. But according to Ateneo coach Norman Black, the game wasn’t a blow out for the Blue Eagles. The final score, as he added, didn’t indicate the game’s competitiveness. “We just finished this one and we’ll enjoy this for a moment. But obviously, we need to win the second game or otherwise we will give them momentum and they’ll have the confidence heading into game 3.”

The result of the opening game was almost a repeat of last season’s championship series, when Ateneo unload a late first quarter blitz en route to a lopsided 72 -49 victory. The Blue Eagles defeated the Tamaraws in the second game to complete the sweep.

Second game for the best of three matches in UAAP Season 74 Men’s Basketball will take place on October 1, 2011.

Sneak Preview on ‘Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote’

2011-08-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

Hollywood films invaded our movie screens for almost ages while Filipino films are already rare by this time. Our films are already gone in the nowhere. The only surviving moment for our pure –Filipino crafted films is the Metro Manila Film Festival or MMFF, which only takes place every Christmas season. This might be a dismal truth to the industry; still, many movie producers try their luck by creating movies that will surely be enjoyed by our fellow Filipino people.

One of the ‘ever –loyal’ and dedicated to the industry especially to the MMFF is the blockbuster hit movie series Enteng Kabisote which was made possible through the joint efforts of OctoArts movie outfit and M –Zet Films together with the primary stars of the film. This 2010 MMFF, Enteng Kabisote made a great revelation by creating a team –up with also some of the biggest hit makers in the industry; the IMUS Productions, the GMA Productions and also the Regal Films. With this great team up, a sure blockbuster hit movie series was born: Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote.

The Origin of Enteng Kabisote

Let us know first who Enteng Kabisote is. Enteng Kabisote (portrayed by Vic Sotto) was first seen in the movie Okay Ka, Fairy Ko and later in the Enteng Kabisote series 1-4 where he is a mortal bachelor. Living a simple life is already a pleasure for Enteng Kabisote, but when he met a beautiful fairy who happened to be the Princess of a certain kingdom of fairies and wonders named Enkantasia, his life was changed. This fairy was named Faye, or Princess Faye (first portrayed by Alice Dicxon in the Okay Ka, Fairy Ko version, then Kristine Hermosa in Enteng Kabisote series 1 -4, and Gwen Zamora in ‘Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote’) as how she was called in her kingdom. Princess Faye fell in love with Enteng as Enteng fell in love with her too.

With that, they insisted to get married even against the will of Ina Magenta (portrayed by Alice Dicxon, G Tongi, Allan K and Amy Perez in the latest version), her mother and also the queen of Enkantasia. After getting married, they live their lives in the mortal world together with friends and their children which comprise of Aiza (Enteng’s anak –anakan whom portrayed by Aiza Seguerra), Benok (Enteng Kabisote’s first born child whom portrayed by Vic Sotto’s real son, Oyo Boy Sotto), and Ada (Enteng Kabisote’s second child).

But the story of the movie doesn’t just evolve within the love story of Enteng and Faye. It seems like, where there is good, there is evil. Ina Magenta ruled the Enkantasia with straightforwardness together with her sisters Ina Azul (portrayed by Toni Rose Gayda) and Ina Verde (portrayed by Melanie Marquez). Their joint powers controlled everything in Enkantasia, and this enrages their out casted sister Satana/ Amarillo (portrayed by Bing Loyzaga) so much. With this, Satana was too much willing to overthrow them so that she can get hold of control to the Enkantasia, and also get hold with all the powers of her good sisters. From the consecutive series of Enteng Kabisote, Satana showed aggressiveness by using all of her dark allies but still, in the end, the good still persists.

Si Pepeng Agimat

Agimat or also known as Pepeng Agimat, was first portrayed by the former senator Ramon Revilla, Sr. This well known ‘agimat’ or what we call ‘lucky charm’ gives extraordinary powers to those who get hold of it. He is the local superhero of the Filipino movies that evil creatures want to defeat in order to get hold of the precious ‘agimat’. With the retirement of Ramon Revilla, Sr., he passed the ‘agimat’ to his real and reel son, Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr.

The Encounter of Agimat and Enteng Kabisote

Enteng was in their house in the mortal world when he lost sight of his beautiful wife, Faye. He tried to ask his children about the whereabouts of their mom, but his children insisted that they do not know. Enteng guessed that Faye was fetched by Ina Magenta for another facial reconstruction/ change of appearance. So, he asked Benok, his son, to transport him to Enkantasia using his powers. Enteng Kabisote doesn’t have powers unlike his children. As he stepped inside the borders of Enkantasia, he got sight of a bubbly –looking but pretty fairy who happened to be his wife, Faye (Gwen Zamora). He learned from then that Faye really underwent ‘again’ the natural process of change of appearance, which according to Ina Magenta (Amy Perez), they cannot resist. While in that place, Agimat was transported in Enkantasia through a hole while running after a monster who had just tried to flee away from their hometown. Unfortunately, the monster went straight to the mortal land, leading Agimat to befriend with Enteng Kabisote so he can keep up with his pursuit against the monster. They created a friendship that was used by Satana in order to keep with her goal, but in the end, she loses to the joint forces of Enteng Kabisote, Agimat, and the kin of Enkantasia.

The Impact of the Immersion

Two is better than one, often told by many. In this film, it has been evident that their immersion created a great impact to the huge number of their audiences. However, the direction of the story remained the same; it does not appear to the audience that there are really two big actors on the scene. Agimat became a supporting role on the scene despite the claims that they both spearheaded the film. Even the enemies of Agimat became supporting characters to the main antagonist, Satana. To conclude, the film was still under the by –line of Vic Sotto. The entire movie was really intended for children, so maybe it’s the explanation why the story did not go far from the usual concept of Enteng Kabisote.

The Message of the Movie

The previous movies of Enteng Kabisote conveyed only one message, and that is about sticking to the good because whatever may happens, it will still persist. With ‘Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote’, the same message was also conveyed to the audiences, thus strengthening the faith of the Filipino people into good things, and also to God.

All in all, the movie became a big hit last MMFF because of two factors: first, Agimat and Enteng Kabisote are big names in the films, and seconds, it’s the first time that those big names emerged as one. That’s just it, nothing more, nothing less.

Making Money Out of Nothing At All (Or maybe there is something, really …)

2011-07-21T04:08:00.000-07:00

What would journalists do in order to earn money?

First and foremost, they will fulfil their job with utmost sincerity. They will exercise their profession according to what they have studied in their four years in college. They will gather facts from all sources available, may it be from the authorities or from the common people. They will cover events, may it be a prestigious or an outrageous one. They will write news and feature stories according to the facts that they have gathered. Lastly, they will pronounce their loyalty to the profession that they have chosen to live with.

But those ‘sacrifices’ are paid in slim but not sexy nor beautiful figures.

The amount of money that a journalist receives on one payday is not really sufficient, honestly speaking. To those who are already in the field, journalists or media practitioners enclose themselves inside the payslips that would not probably buy them a new Black Berry mobile phone at once. This is the reality, and it is one of the reasons why only few people prefer to be a journalist.

This reality, however, becomes the center of attention of the people who are in power and position, the politicians. Since journalists are experiencing such financial problems, according to the article Pens for Hire by Yvonne T. Chua, some or maybe most politicians hire journalists so that the latter can be part of the politicians’ so –called press release teams. Journalists are of course getting offers from politicians to accept PR jobs in exchange of large sum of money, goods like cars, gadgets, or maybe even travel abroad tickets. These kinds of bribes are really mouth –watering, and tempting on the part of someone who is earning money enough to support only his daily meals. But to think about it, the Code of Ethics of the Journalist in the Philippines does not allow journalists to take jobs that would cause conflict of interest upon the job and also upon his profession as a journalist. Therefore, once a journalist decided to take a PR job from a politician, then his or her credibility as a journalist is already tainted while he or she is trying to purify the image and credibility of his new boss, the politician.

Another thing that would enable a journalist to have a better lifestyle than he has as a common journalist is to accept endorsement projects for medicines, personal care kit, energy drinks, and even alcoholic drinks. Today, on our current media, we have a lot of journalists or media practitioners who are already flaunting their faces on TV not as reporters of news but as product endorsers. Look at Mel Tiangco, she is the current news anchor for the daily six p.m. news 24 Oras. But aside from being a light giver to the public, she is also an endorser for a certain medicine and also for laundry soap. In the article And Now, A word from our newscasters …, list of media practitioners who have found their spots from the world of endorsements. They would say that there’s nothing wrong about their intention to serve as an endorser for a certain product, but the issue here is that, again, it is a conflict of interest. They would endorse products and then their news is already affected, especially the way they would deliver the news to the public. They would have biases, and it will be inevitable on the part of the media men turned endorsers.

Lastly, in order to earn more money, journalists would write news that would certainly sell regardless its’ quality. In short, journalists would likely let the real news suffer and be deteriorated. Sensationalism becomes the issue here. Sensationalized news sells, right? Just like the Flor Contemplacion issue. According to the article Furor over Flor by Danilova Molintas, “politicians, rebels, filmmakers, and reporters” feasted upon the said tragedy. Especially the journalists or the reporters, they were so much obsessed with the issue that even the news which were not verified (by the authority) became the juiciest meat in the daily meal of news of the Filipino audiences.
There is nothing wrong about dreaming to have more than what you are having now, but to attempt to have more than what you have now signals greed, which is one of the deadliest sins of man. Journalists might dream for a better life than what he is having now, but it doesn’t mean that he should already resort into doing things that would just interfere with the profession that he has sworn loyalty with. But I would just like to give a piece of advice for the publishers and producers.

“If you have the heart for this profession, and you want to maintain the credibility of your pool of writers/ reporters, why don’t you resort into a plan of salary increase? Well, a salary increase might hurt your pockets lesser than what a newspaper’s loss of readership can do, right?”

References:
Chua, Yvonne T. (April –June 1997). Pens for Hire. i Magazine.
Molintas, Danilova (April –June 1995). Furor over Flor. i Magazine.
(April –June 1997). And now, A Word from our Newscasters. i Magazine.

First Step on the Clutch

2011-07-21T04:05:00.000-07:00

It’s not always every day when we happen to travel and explore many things all by ourselves. It’s not always every day when we happen to meet people along our way and it’s not always every day when we happen to learn lessons from our own experiences. So when this kind of things happens to cross on your ways, don’t waste any ample time, grab your chance and simply own the moment given to you.

I remember the time I first travel alone by myself. It was hard, and very challenging. I was then on my last year on high school. I remembered well how I arrived into a decision like escaping the real world and travelling alone by myself. That time, I was in a state of depression, when no things become right in front of my eyes. It was like everything was as dull and gray as an antique that was not clean for so long. I was the editor –in –chief for our news organ way back on high school; I was then assigned to do many things. For also, since I was also on my senior year, I was having a lot of trouble accomplishing academic things, and lastly, I was having this dilemma that I cannot even make it to befriend with all the people lingering around on our campus.

It was only the first month of the school year, feeling all the dismaying pressure inside, my strength fell down to zero level, realizing that no amount of polluted air here in Metro Manila can cure my blue disorder, I decided to left the city and bring myself into a place where I could regain back all my strength and confidence, plus my eagerness to study again.

At first, I was planning to visit my father’s relatives in Laguna, but I cannot imagine myself getting scolded by them just because of my blue feelings towards school. Then I suddenly remembered, why not Tagaytay? We have a relative there in Tagaytay and they own a traveller’s house in that place. I told myself, maybe I could get myself a place that would suit me for a week and get a discount, because honestly, I think I’m going to use my lifetime savings for this insanity. Lastly, I’ve never been in that place before. As soon as my relatives agreed to let me stay on their place for a week, I wasted no time in packing my things. With the consent of my parents, and with all their frantic worries about me travelling alone in the age of 15, I carried my bags and things on my back and made my way to the bus terminal. Honestly, I’m good when it comes to direction, so even though it would be my first time to go to Tagaytay, I still feel assured that I would not lost my way there.

First, I rode a jeepney going to TriNoma mall where I could get to an MRT train. On my way to the MRT station, I was feeling very excited but not nervous at all. I know it wouldn’t be my first time to go to places all by myself, because when I was 9 years old, I went to my uncle’s house in Pasay all alone, and also, since I was in my first grade, I’ve been travelling from house to school all by myself too. As soon as I reached the department store, I saw many things, a lot of these and a lot of those. But those things didn’t invite me to cancel my plans, but instead, it pursued me more on my travel. Why? It is because I’m too much fed with the ways here in the city. So, I hurried my way to the MRT station, and bought myself a train card/ ticket that will bring me to the last station or the Baclaran station.

That was my first time to ride on an MRT train, actually. Even how to insert the train card on the slot machine, I don’t even know that, but since I have to learn this kind of things in order for me to travel, then I have no choice but to take it as one of the challenges that I’ve met during my travel. Luckily, it wasn’t hard to learn how to use the MRT train ticket. As I rode the train, I felt like I’m already a grown –up person. The people inside the train were all grown –ups and I can’t see anyone travelling on my age. I do not know if everyone was looking at me with awe because of my courage to ride on an MRT train all alone, but I know for sure they’ll feel more curious about me if they would see me riding on a provincial bus, heading to Tagaytay City.

Soon as I reached the last station, I felt like I’m starting to get nervous. The last station was Baclaran station, and I do not know the lefts and rights in the place. I do not know if I will have the right turn on every corner I will pass on, or maybe a wrong turn and get lost on nowhere. Luckily, since I could read directions very well, I just followed the directions instructing how to get outside the mall (since there is a mall connected to the MRT station) and be able to reach the terminal station for buses going to Tagaytay.

Within a few minutes of wondering inside the mall (not really wondering on many things, but making my way out of the mall), finally, I was able to get out of the mall, for also, I was able to reach the bus station. Finally, my chance to get inside a provincial bus came to realize already. When I got inside the bus, the ticket man asked me if I’m travelling alone, I said yes, and then he asked me, do you have money to buy a ticket? My ears got hot with what he said, and then I answered him, “Oh yes, I have, what do you think of me, a stray cat?” So I brought out my money and purchase a ticket going to Tagaytay.

At last, I told myself, I am ‘really’ and finally up for another phase and adventure in my life. On my way to Tagaytay, I got to see different places. We passed by Cavite and saw the different sceneries of Cavite City, although it’s just a common sight to consider. It’s almost the same in the city where I came from, I thought to myself. The trip was almost one and a half hour, and while inside the bus, I’m really feeling cold and chilling. Honestly, I wasn’t aware that Tagaytay City is somehow a cold city. So when our bus was almost in Tagaytay, I can already see the mist from the bus windows. Oh well, my weakness is cold temperature, and to tell you, I can’t stand the cooling coming from an air conditioning unit.

Then the bus conductor called out, “Olivares, Olivares, oi”, finally, I’m already in Tagaytay City. So, I went down out of the bus and plunge myself with the air of the city. Yes, it was refreshing, and the cold wind soothed my unwary feelings. After that, I hurriedly rode a city tricycle and ask the driver to take me to El Paso Inn, my relatives’ property. The trip was somehow thrilling, because instead of riding inside the tricycle, I insisted to ride behind the driver’s seat, telling him that it would enable me to see the sights in Tagaytay City. But I think I’ve lost my mind riding behind the driver because the wind was really like a knife, slicing my face and slashing my skin with extreme coldness. Well, I remember that I’m not wearing a jacket by that time, oh, and that’s really something awesome and crazy for me.

Minutes later, we reached my aunt’s place, and it was really great. They have a 16 –room traveller’s inn and inside their place, was their residential American –inspired three –storey house. Of course, since I’m looking for a place where I can refresh myself, they allowed me to use one of the rooms in their traveller’s inn. The room that they let me used has an overlooking site to the nearby pineapple farm. All my life I’ve never seen beautiful scenery such like that. From my room I think I can smell the sweet scent of pineapple. And honestly, I think I’m starting to rejuvenate myself by that time.

I know from that time being, it would be the start of my vacation, and also, it would be the start of my supposed to be self renewal. But what happened next after sifting that wonderful pineapple scent coming from my window will not be a part of this paper. I am saving that part on the compartment of my wonderful memories, and I’m not going to let anyone see that compartment of mine. This paper was supposed to feature a travelogue, citing this and that, all of the wonders of a certain place. But I went against the rule, and instead I wrote a personal experience about my first travel alone and away from the bustling sounds of the city.

Where shall we go now?

2011-07-21T04:02:00.000-07:00

The supposed to be a joyride on a friend’s car turned out later as one of the most wonderful travel experience that I ever had.

The story goes this way.

It was one late evening when I received an unexpected call from a friend of mine. She told me if I would like to accompany her for some sort of a trip along Metro Manila. She had just receive a new Toyota Vios car from her parents as a graduation present, and she wants to drive it first time with me. I was flattered, of course, so I did not waste any time in saying yes to her wonderful invitation.

We decided to meet up 7 am, yes; it was so early in the morning. I was really very excited, although I was feeling half nervous, thinking that maybe we might have some accident and we might get killed. I am a very cautious person; in fact, I always look first into what ifs and maybes of every situation before getting involved with it. I think it also shows my being pessimistic, but anyway, that’s me. Well, that’s just a related segue. Anyway, going back to the real story, as soon as I get myself ready for that joyride event, I fired her with a message telling her to fetch me right in front of our house.

Soon as we met up and got inside her car, we decided to get some rounds along Manila. Yes, I know what you are thinking. I know you are thinking like “Hey, Manila is just a jeepney away from your home. Is that really some sort of a joyride?” But my friend insisted that she would like to experience the traffic in Manila especially in Quezon Avenue, so I just agree with her. Anyway, that’s her car, and she’s the one who’s in charge of driving.
But while driving to Manila, my friend (her name is Camille) made a twist of mind. She asked me, “Would you like to have some chill of Tagaytay today?” Wow. I told myself, this girl is losing her mind now. She’s already planning for Tagaytay when I don’t even have a jacket with me that time. But her eyes were looking straight to my eyes, with a very cunning but exciting look. Speechless with her facial reaction, I agree to her decision with a simple nod.

We went on with our unexpected Tagaytay trip together with our memories and experiences together before. We laughed and exchanged comments that we have been doing every time we are going to meet up. In no less than two hours from Manila, we got a hold of Tagaytay, and oh, we decided to roll down the car windows and feel the atmosphere of that place. Cold, but I decided to ignore it, besides I’ve got no choice, I don’t have a jacket.
Taking rounds in Tagaytay would not make a sudden traveller like us happy and contented, so we decided to visit one of the prides of that place which is the People’s Park. People’s park, formerly known as Palace in the Sky, was built during the Marcos’ era, if my memory serves me right. Before, People’s Park or Palace in the Sky was a very wonderful place. It used to be well –maintained. But when we went there, I thought we were visiting a haunted place. The structures in that place were already coated with old age and low maintenance. The stone ladder has cracks already. Oh my, poor palace, do they have earthquakes in the sky? I thought to myself.

While we were tracking our steps towards to the peak of that place, the weather suddenly ceased being friendly. It rained. We would like to get a view of the Taal Volcano, for many people claimed that the said volcano looks good when you’re already at the peak of the Palace in the Sky. However, when we were already at the peak, we saw nothing but clouds of mist. The atmosphere was completely covered with mist, and that’s really frustrating for us. Thanks to the rain. As we went down from the peak, we passed by on some stores that sell souvenir items like t-shirts, handicrafts, and even foods. We just bought a couple of souvenir shirts that says, “I got this shirt in Tagaytay.” We also bought some snacks because it was already lunch time and restaurants were a bit far from that place.

After visiting Palace in the Sky, we went to Olivares Plaza and help ourselves by having a good and affordable lunch. Then, since it was raining hard, we hurried ourselves so we could get inside the car immediately.

“Bitin e.” Camille told me while we were already inside the car. At first, I thought she was talking about the food, but later, after questioning her about her clamour, I learned that it’s not the food, but it was the trip itself. So I just nodded and said, “It’s okay, kasi naman ‘yung ulan e. Wrong tyming.” We were already on Francisco road heading to Sta. Rosa, Laguna when she suddenly suggest again. Well, we used that road because according to her, she would like to use a longer route because it is still early to go home. Anyway, what she suggested is that why don’t we go for a swim in Laguna, since we were already heading for Laguna. Crazy idea, I thought to myself. The sun is shining brightly in Laguna so her decision is just okay. However, the silly thing about her suggestion is that we don’t have anything with us. Just imagine that? But she was really very insisting. So I said, okay, now, where will we get our bathing suits? She just smiled and told me that along the way we’ll find shops that sell bathing suits and everything about swimming.

I am asking myself what kind of strength and will power my friend has. Imagine, she’s been driving the whole day but I cannot see any signs of haggardness on her face. She’s still active and very bubbly. We’ve been exchanging stories before we went to Tagaytay and then we’re still exchanging the same stories while we’re heading to Pansol, Laguna. Along the way, we’ve been eyeing various resorts and almost all of them seem to be uninviting because they are jam-packed. Remember it was already summer, and the sun’s heat is already scorching everybody’s mind so they would want to go for a swim. After some sort of resort –hunt, we’ve found our spot, the Golden Sun Resort. We went inside and asked them if they are selling bath towels, soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoos, and of course, bathing suits. I think the luck was on our side by that time, because actually, they all have the necessities that we are looking for. We only spent a few hours inside the resort. We just refreshed ourselves with the water from the swimming pools and we just took turns singing on the videoke. We also feasted with some of the foods being offered in the resort. We were very happy and fulfilled that we didn’t realize that it’s already seven in the evening. It’s only by that time when we decided to go home.

Physically, we both got tired with all the unexpected activities that we’ve done for the whole day. But it’s just fine with me. It’s not always every day when we happen to travel and explore many things all by ourselves. It’s not always every day when we happen to meet people along our way and it’s not always every day when we happen to learn lessons from our own experiences. So when this kind of things happens to cross on your ways, don’t waste any ample time, grab your chance and simply own the moment given to you.

Where Shall We Go Now?

2011-07-21T03:56:00.000-07:00

The supposed to be a joyride on a friend’s car turned out later as one of the most wonderful travel experience that I ever had.

The story goes this way.

It was one late evening when I received an unexpected call from a friend of mine. She told me if I would like to accompany her for some sort of a trip along Metro Manila. She had just receive a new Toyota Vios car from her parents as a graduation present, and she wants to drive it first time with me. I was flattered, of course, so I did not waste any time in saying yes to her wonderful invitation.

We decided to meet up 7 am, yes; it was so early in the morning. I was really very excited, although I was feeling half nervous, thinking that maybe we might have some accident and we might get killed. I am a very cautious person; in fact, I always look first into what ifs and maybes of every situation before getting involved with it. I think it also shows my being pessimistic, but anyway, that’s me. Well, that’s just a related segue. Anyway, going back to the real story, as soon as I get myself ready for that joyride event, I fired her with a message telling her to fetch me right in front of our house.

Soon as we met up and got inside her car, we decided to get some rounds along Manila. Yes, I know what you are thinking. I know you are thinking like “Hey, Manila is just a jeepney away from your home. Is that really some sort of a joyride?” But my friend insisted that she would like to experience the traffic in Manila especially in Quezon Avenue, so I just agree with her. Anyway, that’s her car, and she’s the one who’s in charge of driving.

But while driving to Manila, my friend (her name is Camille) made a twist of mind. She asked me, “Would you like to have some chill of Tagaytay today?” Wow. I told myself, this girl is losing her mind now. She’s already planning for Tagaytay when I don’t even have a jacket with me that time. But her eyes were looking straight to my eyes, with a very cunning but exciting look. Speechless with her facial reaction, I agree to her decision with a simple nod.

We went on with our unexpected Tagaytay trip together with our memories and experiences together before. We laughed and exchanged comments that we have been doing every time we are going to meet up. In no less than two hours from Manila, we got a hold of Tagaytay, and oh, we decided to roll down the car windows and feel the atmosphere of that place. Cold, but I decided to ignore it, besides I’ve got no choice, I don’t have a jacket.

Taking rounds in Tagaytay would not make a sudden traveller like us happy and contented, so we decided to visit one of the prides of that place which is the People’s Park. People’s park, formerly known as Palace in the Sky, was built during the Marcos’ era, if my memory serves me right. Before, People’s Park or Palace in the Sky was a very wonderful place. It used to be well –maintained. But when we went there, I thought we were visiting a haunted place. The structures in that place were already coated with old age and low maintenance. The stone ladder has cracks already. Oh my, poor palace, do they have earthquakes in the sky? I thought to myself.

While we were tracking our steps towards to the peak of that place, the weather suddenly ceased being friendly. It rained. We would like to get a view of the Taal Volcano, for many people claimed that the said volcano looks good when you’re already at the peak of the Palace in the Sky. However, when we were already at the peak, we saw nothing but clouds of mist. The atmosphere was completely covered with mist, and that’s really frustrating for us. Thanks to the rain. As we went down from the peak, we passed by on some stores that sell souvenir items like t-shirts, handicrafts, and even foods. We just bought a couple of souvenir shirts that says, “I got this shirt in Tagaytay.” We also bought some snacks because it was already lunch time and restaurants were a bit far from that place. After visiting Palace in the Sky, we went to Olivares Plaza and help ourselves by having a good and affordable lunch. Then, since it was raining hard, we hurried ourselves so we could get inside the car immediately.

“Bitin e.” Camille told me while we were already inside the car. At first, I thought she was talking about the food, but later, after questioning her about her clamour, I learned that it’s not the food, but it was the trip itself. So I just nodded and said, “It’s okay, kasi naman ‘yung ulan e. Wrong tyming.” We were already on Francisco road heading to Sta. Rosa, Laguna when she suddenly suggest again. Well, we used that road because according to her, she would like to use a longer route because it is still early to go home. Anyway, what she suggested is that why don’t we go for a swim in Laguna, since we were already heading for Laguna. Crazy idea, I thought to myself. The sun is shining brightly in Laguna so her decision is just okay. However, the silly thing about her suggestion is that we don’t have anything with us. Just imagine that? But she was really very insisting. So I said, okay, now, where will we get our bathing suits? She just smiled and told me that along the way we’ll find shops that sell bathing suits and everything about swimming.

I am asking myself what kind of strength and will power my friend has. Imagine, she’s been driving the whole day but I cannot see any signs of haggardness on her face. She’s still active and very bubbly. We’ve been exchanging stories before we went to Tagaytay and then we’re still exchanging the same stories while we’re heading to Pansol, Laguna. Along the way, we’ve been eyeing various resorts and almost all of them seem to be uninviting because they are jam-packed. Remember it was already summer, and the sun’s heat is already scorching everybody’s mind so they would want to go for a swim. After some sort of resort –hunt, we’ve found our spot, the Golden Sun Resort. We went inside and asked them if they are selling bath towels, soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoos, and of course, bathing suits. I think the luck was on our side by that time, because actually, they all have the necessities that we are looking for. We only spent a few hours inside the resort. We just refreshed ourselves with the water from the swimming pools and we just took turns singing on the videoke. We also feasted with some of the foods being offered in the resort. We were very happy and fulfilled that we didn’t realize that it’s already seven in the evening. It’s only by that time when we decided to go home.

Physically, we both got tired with all the unexpected activities that we’ve done for the whole day. But it’s just fine with me. It’s not always every day when we happen to travel and explore many things all by ourselves. It’s not always every day when we happen to meet people along our way and it’s not always every day when we happen to learn lessons from our own experiences. So when this kind of things happens to cross on your ways, don’t waste any ample time, grab your chance and simply own the moment given to you.

Purely –Business

2011-07-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

The media in the Philippines seem to be business –oriented.
After reading the articles (Lords of the Press by Sheila S. Coronel, We Love Lucio by Luz Rimban, The Empire Strikes Back by Luz Rimban, and Media Conglomerates, Merger, Concentration of Ownership by Anup Shah) for my Media Ethics class, I realized that media nowadays are indeed business –oriented. Being business –oriented only means that every news that will come out from each of the television networks, newspaper publications, and radio stations on our country is already manipulated by the owners of these media stations. The owners of these stations always see to it that their own set of mediamen would not inflict harm to any of their other businesses or to anyone who seems to be friends or allies with them.
Citing the situation given in the article of Sheila S. Coronel entitled the Lords of the Press, she mentioned on the said article that during the reign of former RP President Joseph Estrada, there is an incident about the elementary schools’ textbooks scandal. A kin of the president was allegedly to have an involvement in the said scandal, and it was fiercely exposed on Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), a daily circulated broadsheet in the Philippines. With this deed by the PDI, the president was enraged and left him no seconds to give an outstanding financial dilemma to the broadsheet publication itself. What did he do? He just simply ordered a grand pullout of the advertisements by businessmen (who happened to side or friends with the former president) in PDI, plus the order of a tax audit in the said newspaper publication. This event strongly shows how the media was suppressed by the ‘business authority’. Of course, without advertisements, a daily newspaper will not be able to obtain financial stability, or it will not be able to obtain financial support. Without advertisements, also, would cause severe damage to the pockets of the publishers, and even more, can lead to a miserable downfall. This scenery happened exactly to PDI. They suffered exactly what the former president wished for. But the point here is that, the PDI newspaper did only what they believe is right and will be beneficial to their wide vast of readers. And this is what you call, “the truth shall prevail for all”. However, their advertisers didn’t see it. What they (the advertisers) have seen was the bond that ties between the former president Estrada and also the stability of their businesses. Businessmen only think of what they believe is beneficial to their businesses, therefore, the truth shall not prevail.
Frustratingly, this is contrary to what the journalists had studied for more than four years in college. The functions of Journalism are the following: first, to inform the public through the news coverage with utmost truth; second, to influence and mold public opinion; third, to amuse or to entertain the public; and lastly, to serve and promote public welfare as a whole. But with the kind of media being promulgated by the so –called gods of media as according to Coronel’s article Lords of the Press, not all those functions are being exercised. To conclude, the real purpose of journalism is not served. Just look at this another situation from the article We Love Lucio written by Luz Rimban. This article also supports the idea presented above about our media nowadays. The Lucio that Rimban is referring to is none other than the tobacco magnate and one of the richest personalities in the Philippines, Lucio Tan. He is said to be a secret shareholder in some newspaper publications, radio stations, and also in ABS CBN. How does it happen? Well, again, according to the article, these companies might have borrowed money from Lucio Tan and some of those whom he lent money were not able to repay their debts. With this, it is concluded that Lucio Tan might have asked something for return, this might be suppression of bad news and commentaries or a news blackout if there is a news outbreak on his companies, especially on PAL (Philippine Air Lines).
Another thing that strongly supports the idea of media being business –oriented is the television network company namely ABS CBN. According to the article entitled The Empire Strikes Back written by Luz Rimban, the ABS CBN re –engineered the concept of news and repackaged it to bring entertainment to their audiences. In fact, they even pioneered the concept of tabloid journalism in the Philippine media. What did they do? They shifted from serious news reporting into a way that most tabloid writers do. In short, it seems like they sensationalized their news in order to gain more audiences. Historically speaking, as according to the article of Rimban, ABS CBN went this way because during the Mari Mar (a Mexican drama) phenomenon (which is being aired before in RPN 9), the news ratings of ABS CBN stoop low, and their management especially the Lopez (who owns the ABS CBN) were very much alarmed about it. That time, only ABS CBN is the one who is very much concerned with the ratings, GMA 7 isn’t like that before. If we are going to study the ‘reasons’ very carefully, one thing only comes into our mind: ABS CBN cares not for the principle of Journalism may it be print or broadcast but only for the growth of their income.
That claim may be libelous for the part of ABS CBN and I may be sued for libel if they read this article, but this is true, right? They don’t have to change the identity of the news programs that they have if they weren’t caring for their money. Well, anyone cares for money, even the common people. But sacrificing the quality of news reporting is something that is to be considered. What is very dismal in this issue is that after ABS CBN went to this kind of change, other TV networks followed their footsteps, like GMA 7. And mostly, the people’s understanding about proper news reporting became shallow. What else they want now is something that can give them entertainment may it be a news program or not. Thanks to ABS CBN.
Really, the principles of Journalism are not being practiced anymore. When money starts to talk already, everything will have to undergo on a change, may it be for the better of the profession or for the worse of it. Remember, what is important for the publishers and TV network owners nowadays are just income and popularity.

References:

Lords of the Press by Sheila S. Coronel,
We Love Lucio by Luz Rimban,
The Empire Strikes Back by Luz Rimban,
Media Conglomerates, Merger, Concentration of Ownership by Anup Shah

Conflict of Interest

2011-07-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

Journalism functions as an institution which serves as the watchdog of the society. For many years, this institution is thriving at its best in order to serve its original function in the society. However, proven in many years, as we can see in the different articles or journals published in magazines, newspapers, and online publications, it seems like the journalists were already inflicted with the so –called diseases in the field of Journalism.
To prove this, there are a few readings on our Ethics class that shows how journalists were manipulated by their own interest which in return gave them the persuading power to crusade for truth and justice. In the article entitled Death of a Journalist written by Howie G. Severino, he vividly described how a journalist was killed because of his great interest in exposing a case that is somehow very sensitive. The journalist was Ferdie Reyes, who was said to be assassinated by his so –called enemies in both fields where he used to belong in. For the record, Reyes is not just a journalist by profession, he is also a lawyer. According to the said article, before his death, Reyes was once involved as a prosecuting lawyer in a case wherein a child was tortured and killed and it was said that the alleged suspects in the case were the child’s three aunts. Among them is a prominent woman namely Thelma Murro.
In this case, it seems like Reyes had created a strong affection with the victim’s case. He had not just fought the case in the court but also in his writings. He once had a weekly newspaper in Dipolog City, and there he did not fail to expose the case of the child against Murro which toned like Reyes was giving too much biases against the accused. The main argument in his case is, as a journalist, he must do his job, and it is to deliver to the public the real happenings in the environment. It is not his job to crusade for the truth. Maybe it is on his job as a lawyer. But, it is already falling on one of the diseases or the common ethical issues in Journalism, which is the conflict of interest.
There is already a conflict of interest in his case. If he had just remained a journalist, maybe he wasn’t killed. But he painted his writings with the colours and shades of being a lawyer. The point here is that it is very hard to be involved with another profession when you are already a journalist. As a journalist, you should know no biases. But if you are playing on two grounds, like Reyes, you will have no choice but to be bias. And you cannot avoid it, the nature of the work of being a lawyer calls for being in favour with your own client.
Look at the case of some media men turned politicians, they were not able to return to their media stints because the managements where they belong to would not allow them to go on –air. Their managements know that there will be some sort of a bias if these media men turned politicians will be allowed to deliver news stories concerning the welfare of the public. But there are some politicians or some people connected with the current government that were given chances to write for some newspapers, may it be on tabloid or on broadsheets, and this is the thing that should be avoided if we are trying to pursue fair and just news reporting.
But of course, in the real scenario, it would not be avoided. Just look at the Manila Bulletin, which is the subject of the article The Dowager’s Decline written by Sheila S. Coronel. According to the said article, the Manila Bulletin has become less aggressive in news reporting because of the decision of the owner itself which is to side only with who is seated on the Malacañan Palace. Of course, this has also a conflict of interest with the real purpose of journalism. It would be fine if Manila Bulletin chooses to be less aggressive so not to gain anger from the current administration, but what if that newspaper chooses also to gain appreciation from the current administration by simply making promotional news for them? Then that would be considered a nest for biases.
Indeed the profession that we future journalists are studying for is already rotten inside and there’s no way to heal it. We value our moral values so much like we did not pay for three units of Ethics class on the university. Being ethical in terms of being a journalist is way far different from being moral in terms of being a human. If we choose to value moral values such as Reyes who fought fearlessly through court discussions and through writings just to justify the death of the nine –year –old kid, then let it be. But don’t forget that it would surely affect the words you will type on your computer in order for you to create a news story.

References
Coronel, Sheila S. (October –December 1996). The Dowager’s Decline. i Magazine.
Severino, Howie G. (April –June 1996). Death of a Journalist. i Magazine.

Incubator for Wannabe Politicians

2011-07-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

The incubator, which serves as the home for babies who came out from their mother’s womb earlier than expected, helps babies to fully develop their organs and body system. In the case of politicians who are trying to win the heart of the public, the media serve them as an incubator. The media become the politicians’ greatest ally in promoting themselves to the public, thus, in the end; the credibility of media is being questioned.
In the article Crossing the Line written by Alecks P. Pabico, there are many situations showing how politicians’ utilized media as their beautification tool were cited. Among them was the former president Joseph Estrada who was then preparing to launch a pro –masa image that can win him a presidential seat. He tried to use the media’s power of influencing in order to nurture his image and be promoted to the public as someone fitted to be the next president. Is this right? Well, of course it is not. The media’s main role in the society is to act as the watchdog of it and maintain its loyalty to the public. When politics are already included in media, media loses credibility. The media possibly won’t be able to perform its real duty to the public. And in the end, as according to the article Dirty Harry Goes to TV written by Luz Rimban, the audience were the losers and they don’t even know it.
Another thing that shows how media were used to promote politicians is the story of the current Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim which was also cited in the said article of Luz Rimban. Before, he ran for presidential seat but lost in the end. His lost in the presidential race was somehow buried in the six feet underground but his popularity bloom again after being launched as legal adviser and crime buster on both radio and television programs. Looking at Lim’s situation, it seems like he used the power of ABS CBN in order to earn him a hundred percent ‘pogi points’ from the public. If it is not true, just look at how he benefited from the programs entrusted to him by ABS CBN, Lim was able to establish again his name as the mayor of Manila, and he even managed to be re –elected twice for the same position.
There are also politicians who don’t need to infiltrate media and keep on acting as print or broadcast journalists, some tried to infiltrate media in a manner that the only thing they have to do is to produce dramatic commercials and air them during election. Just recall the 2010 National Election, a lot of politicians bombarded the media airways with PR commercials showing the public how good their names are, and persuading the public to vote for them if they want to have a change in their lives. One of them was the president himself Benigno Aquino III, his sister Kris Aquino is a great name in the television industry. She used her influence by acting like a prophet for his good brother. They produced PR commercials, and if we can remember it right, they even used the biggest stars to act for them on their PR commercials. Thanks to all those celebrities and to the great exposure into media, the Aquino bet was able to win the position.
The main point here is that the media were used by the politicians for their personal agenda, and the media allowed themselves to be used by politicians because they were being paid. Of course, the media stations cannot simply say no to money, their existence in the field depends on how much money they can earn, and earning no money at all means death for their existence also known as business. Aside from that, media cannot also say no to politicians who act like journalists because audiences seem to be oriented to watch programs which consist by known celebrities and also politicians. With this, the politicians nowadays are comparable to babies who still have to stay on an incubator for few months after premature birth, and of course, the incubator as the media. The politicians might have come out from their eggs earlier from expected, but with their glittering money, they can avail a place in the media and be nurtured there until they’re already the first –word of all household chores. Bad thing that media is business –oriented and cannot say no to it, and mostly, their work is also manipulated by the money of these politicians.

References:
Pabico, Alecks P. (January –March 1997). Crossing the Line. i Magazine.
Rimban, Luz. (October –December 1998). Dirty Harry Goes to TV. i Magazine.