When "It's more fun in the Philippines!" clicks, and when it doesn't

Filipinos are known for their sunny and cheerful disposition. Filipinos are also so adaptable and resilient that, in fact—as a way of coping, Filipino can still laugh and smile amid natural calamities, economic difficulties, and social tragedies.

Needless to say, it is this very trait that rallies the Filipino people, once again—through the power of social media, towards promoting the Philippines as a prime tourist and travel destination.

The Department of Tourism’s (DOT) new campaign slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines!” drew both positive remarks and negative criticisms. Prior to this, DOT’s “Kay Ganda ng Pilipinas” drew so much flak for it being a copycat of Poland’s tourism logo. Hence no other than the Philippine president ordered to junk the campaign logo and tagline “Pilipinas, Kay Ganda”. To this blogger, that is clearly an oversight.

Several months later after Former DOT Secretary tendered his resignation on August 31, 2010, the DOT under the new leadership of an advertising executive Ramon Jimenez, worked to define what would be the Philippines’ tourism tagline. Hence, they decided “it’s more fun in the Philippines” would nail it.

However there were some sceptics on the new tagline. It was reported that it was a copycat of Switzerland’s promotional tagline more than 60 years ago. But it did not stop the new meme to spread all over the world that it has gone viral in the internet—that photographers, travel bloggers, lifestyle bloggers and even Facebookers attempted to make their own version of the meme. Needless to say, Filipinos, literally, had fun with it.

To check on why it clicks, The Pinoy Explorer asked several travel bloggers and photographers, communications and media practitioners why they think this campaign slogan works for the Philippines, and here are their answers:

Edmar Gu-Quibb
Travel blogger, Edmaration, Etc.

It tries to balance the negative publicity around the world that the Philippines is a mischievous place for tourists (referring to Manila bus hostage crisis in Rizal Park), and for journalists (like the Magauindanao massacre).

Despite the brutal past that the Philippines had to face before the global community, the slogan "It's more fun in the Philippines" tells that if you have experienced something from other countries, the Philippines can offer better, which could be very catchy. If I were to decide, of course, I will choose the one with "more" fun.

James Betia
Travel blogger - Journeying James

It is different from our neighbors in the Southeast Asia—most of the countries use a one-word adjective to describe their countries. We on the other hand, say loudly that we are offering better deals.

It clicks because Pinoys want to have their say on the tourism promotion. And they can do just that when they start to make "it's more fun in the philippines" captioned photos. It has gone viral now.

Roniel Macatol
Photographer, Travel Blogger – Eating halfway

Whether Pinoys found it a serious advocacy or just simply entertaining (I mean those who mock it by changing the "fun" to "funnier"), it positively awakened the creativity among us by coming up with memes on the photos/promo initiated by the DOT. It served well the purpose when DOT said that the campaign is banking on the power of social media.

Eileen Campos
Travel Blogger, Possibly Pinay

I absolutely support and love the new DOT campaign. Controversy aside, it is great because people are contributing to it and people are reacting to it positively.
It encourages people to create the content themselves to contribute to the campaign. I'd like to call it modern day bayanihan.

It is witty and it allows us to display everything Filipino—not just the Chocolate hills and the underground river but also people, culture and the way of life here. People can easily relate.

Chito Flores
Travel Blogger, Liquid Druid's Blog

There are lots of factors. Foremost is the fact that it gets people to be involved. Filipinos now have a sense that they themselves are responsible for the success of the campaign. As a result, this spurs creativity, humor, wit and whatever is best in being Filipinos.

It does help that most of what's going on is based in the Internet. Even those who are not creatively-inclined and who are content with just viewing the work created by others will most likely forward it to their non-Filipino friends.

Reuel Delez
Photographer,
Travel Blogger, Make Nowhere, Somewhere.

I think the new slogan works because it allows Filipinos to interact and play with the idea with a pinch of wit and irony. It’s a nice play which can sometimes be uberly exaggerated but can remain in line with the theme. I have seen funny ones but still showcases some of the events or whatnot, the Filipinos are and can be proud of.

One particular, just on top of my head are, the photo of our cebu inmates with a caption: “Jailtime. It’s more fun in the philippines.” Another is of a helicopter on decent, a lot of people below with a caption, “Miss saigon, more fun in the Philippines.” These are just some that gives me a good laugh, but, I think, will still send out an idea of what an eccentric but fun country the Philippines is.

As mentioned some of the photo posts are exaggerated but for me other than the campaign, it reunites us Filipinos in the idea of the DOT theme. Personally, even along with its glitches, it is an establishment of our character as a country.

However, there are those who gave their divergent thoughts on this, and they sit well enough to carefully ponder upon amid the sea of people taking side with the new slogan.

Edmar Gu-Quibb further says:

[If the government] wants to attract foreign tourists, they should be ready first to welcome them. If we will overhype this slogan knowing that we have “one of the worst airports,” poor public security, unsafe and dirty streets in some parts of Metro Manila, the slogan will just turn to be a shame. It will just disappoint foreign tourists knowing that they are expecting better fun in the Philippines and not one horrible experience. If we will not fix the broken, the slogan will just turn to be a lie that will spread negatively as fast as forest fire.

Chito Francisco
Photographer
Head Writer, Bubble Gang

I think the efforts of the DOT to promote Philippine tourism is commendable, and I would gladly support it in any way I can. The slogan, may or may not work. Personally, I find it corny and outdated. I don't even think they put much thought in coming up with that. But silly slogans and titles oftentimes create interest, that is why I stated that it could have a positive effect on the campaign. Here's hoping that it does.

Essentially, there are and will always be a spectrum of ideas.

While we are caught in this whirlwind affair with the new slogan, we should not let ourselves be catapulted to the notion that it is always “fun in the Philippines.”

Undeniably, the Philippines have so much to offer. We have the finest beaches in the world. We can offer the best dining and cheapest shopping experience. We have idyllic and spectacular ecosystems we can be proud of. We are the most hospitable people. We have the most fun and cheerful people to host the nations. We have rich history, culture and heritage as a showcase. However, we should not also miss the fact that we also have so much to work on.


However, the Philippines has yet to reclaim itself as the “Queen of the Pacific” or the “Pearl of the Orient” where every foreign visitor can always say “WOW, Philippines!” and perhaps learn to utter the words, “Pilipinas, Kay Ganda!”.

The success of the tourism industry is measured not by the number of clicks or how it has gone viral in the internet, but by the number of visitors per year and the concomitant economic benefits and jobs generation. Here is hoping that it does not just be a meme.

Secretary Jimenez said that selling tourism is “as easy to sell as Chickenjoy,” I would say, it is in the buying and tasting that counts and matters.

The Pinoy Explorer should not be misconstrued. He supports the DOT's new campaign slogan and the initiatives for the Philippines’ tourism industry. While there is so much hype and excitement in the social media—when the selling has seemed to have succeeded, the DOT should not allow this excitement among travel bloggers and people using other forms of social media simply to take dip. Just as travel bloggers have been unselfishly writing stories about the Philippines, who had been unwavering and championing Philippine tourism, there should also be a parallel move to make the tourism products worth selling.

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Cross-posted from: www.thepinoyexplorer.com

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TAXIKICK: Will it click?

As the new year ushers, there comes a new private initiative on policy and law enforcement.  Taxikick seems like a knight dressed in shining armor to defend taxi or cab passengers who were, in one way or another, fell victims to so-called abusive taxi drivers.

At first glance, it looks like it has become the hope of the helpless.  In fact, based on its website as of January 4, 2012 it has become so popular that it been tweeted  842 times, and recommended in Facebook by around 2,000 individuals.  It has even caught attention by the national news.

But the basic question remains:  "Will Taxikick serve its purpose of eliminating alleged rude and abusive cab drivers in Metro Manila?"

Before we answer that question, let me point out, based on my limited paralegal knowledge the following questions and observations:

• The site does not provide for real names or identification of the complainants. The Philippine legal system requires that a complainant appears before the proper court (or authorities, in this case the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board [LTFRB]).   For a case to be established, there has to be a complainant and a plaintiff, and the complaint itself.

• It does not provide the name of the cab driver.
 Of course it is difficult to establish this fact.  But cab drivers are supposed to hang their identification cards on the rear view mirror for the passenger to see.  If there is none, then this becomes a violation.  Different cab drivers drive a single cab in a day.  So it is very important that the name of the cab driver has to be established. Yes, it is difficult to get the name, but do not react yet at this point until you read the succeeding observations.    
• The date and time of the incident is not being reported.  This is very important to provide the lead to establish and gather information on the name of driver and the operator. The taxi companies or those franchise holders who own several units must have a record on the driver who drove a particular unit on a particular day and time. In cases when the franchise owner owns only one unit, it is easier to establish this fact.  It is also important that the time frame is provided.  
• The information on route is not provided.  Again, this is to establish some factual evidence.
• The supposedly violations in the drop down menu provided, need further validation and concurrence from the LTFRB.  The supposedly violations must be included in official list of violations as stated in the franchise agreement the operators have signed.  It does not mean that these are not needed, complaints such as "smelly interiors" and "dilapidated" may just appear to be whims and caprices of the riding public. If LTFRB does not conform to these "violations" then the taxi drivers could be wrongly and unjustly accused of an alleged crime that does not exist.

Granting that this initiative may be a good example of people's participation in law enforcement, it has to be taken with a grain of salt. Why?  I have the following concerns:

1. Some people may be just too trigger happy and just use the site at their whims and caprices.  It does not augur well for a case to be established.
2. It may just become a site to rant and not really pursuing the case against the alleged abusive taxi drivers.
3. In reality, commuting public does not want to be bothered at all after reporting the case.  I have yet to hear a news that a cab driver has been punished after a successful hearing with the LTFRB.  (If you know one, please inform me.) If this is the case, then this effort would prove inutile in going after allegedly abusive cab drivers.
4. How this information will reach the proper authorities is another big question.  Initially, on the evening news in GMA7 and ABC5 last January 3, 2012, LTFRB already said that these complaints will not hold as the complainant has to personally appear in the complaints section of the LTFRB.  Granting we do this ourselves, are we willing to attend LTFRB hearings?
5. And more importantly, we may need to reform the judicial and administrative policies and systems just to accommodate this initiative, which primarily involves information technology in filing a complaint. This is not just a simple customer service complaint.  We are dealing with established and ingrained legal systems.

This is not to say this blogger is against Taxikick initiative.  But there is one final observation from me that the Taxikick has failed to do before even launching their website.

Taxikick has failed to call upon the participation of major stakeholders in the transportation industry--the LTFRB and the association of taxi franchisers/ operators.  For governance to become efficient and effective does not rest on a gung ho private initiative alone. We are thirsty for change! We all want change for the benefit  of the riding public.  Who would not want to ride taxi cabs with courteous and honest drivers like in the case of Davao City and Baguio City, who would not hesitate to return your P1.50 change, even if you insist that they keep the change?   For law enforcement, stakeholders agreeing to specific positions is very crucial.  We should ensure that the franchise holders agree and support this initiative, and give due credence to the role of LTFRB.  Otherwise, they would merely see it as an affront to their agency and their efficiency. They should not be relegated to the background or just come as an afterthought.

For some other future initiatives like this, we can draw lessons from this. It is the prayer of this blogger, however, that the Taxikick principals would be able to thresh out these issues with the LTFRB and the franchise holders.

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Cory Aquino: An inexhaustible gift to democracy

 

Author's note: This article was re-published by this author from www.devcomsync.org. An express permission was sought from the website owner. In commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of EDSA People Power Revolution, and although this article was written in time for Cory Aquino's death, this is a fitting tribute to the bloodless revolution in 1986. The last part [in bracket] was edited to keep up with the recent developments in the Philippine political and administrative system.

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LAST AUGUST 5, 2009, more than a hundred thousands of Filipinos from all walks of life—young and old, rich and poor—have lined up the streets of Manila, braving the heat, rain and dust just to get a glimpse and offer their final words of thanks to their humble and beloved hero, President, Corazon C. Aquino, who passed away on August 1, 2009 after more than a year of battling with colon cancer.

Filipinos came in droves and kept pace with President Cory Aquino’s cortege from Manila Cathedral in the historic walled city of Intramuros to Manila Memorial Cemetery in the suburb Parañaque.  Thousands of supporters wearing yellow, likewise, joined the crowd by lining up the streets.  They unceasingly chanted in chorus “Cory! Cory! Cory!”.  They brought with them banners, memorabilia, photos of the late president, candles and silent prayers as the cortege passed by.  Some groups of students were singing “Bayan Ko!” expressing their support to the Aquino family, their love for the late president, as well as their undying support to the restoration and guarding of democracy in the country.  Everyone was waving “L” with their hands, signifying “Laban,” which literally means “fight” that became the symbol of the late President Corazon C. Aquino during her bid for presidency against the tyranny and dictatorship of the Marcos regime.

For many Filipinos, it was reminiscent of the funeral of her late husband, Ninoy Aquino, who was assassinated on August 21, 1983, seconds after he stepped on the tarmac from the China Airlines plane he boarded on his way back from his US exile to Manila.  It was reported that around 2 million Filipinos and supporters of the late Ninoy joined the funeral march from Sto. Domingo Church to the Manila Memorial Cemetery in Parañaque City.  It took the procession 8 hours before Ninoy was finally laid to rest.  Cory’s funeral procession took almost the same.

For Cory Aquino, a simple homemaker to then political detainee, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. who was a staunch political rival and critique of then dictator President Ferdinand E. Marcos, joining politics was out of her mind.  However, in prayer, she sought the answer to her question whether or not to file her candidacy against the fourteen-year martial law regime of political strongman, Ferdinand E. Marcos.  Cory, with the intercession of prayer, finally announced her bid for presidency, primarily because she shared a common principle with her late husband, “I believe in the compelling truth that an ordinary Filipino can overcome a dictatorship.” Thus, Cory, who was not even as glamorous as Imelda Marcos, became a compelling face of the opposition, who can topple the dictator.

Capped by a massive and blatant election fraud during the February 1986 snap elections called by then President Marcos, the tumultuous years of the Filipino people under the Marcos dictatorship had come to a historic end.  The opposition led by Cory Aquino held nationwide daily mass actions and rallies that culminated in the famous bloodless and peaceful EDSA People Power Revolution.  Hundreds of thousands of infuriated Filipinos converged at the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and shouted slogans “Tama na! Sobra Na! Palitan Na!” (Stop! It’s Enough! Time to Change!). They held rosaries and said their prayers, offered flowers to the soldiers, literally held their bodies against armored trucks, tanks, and military forces before Marcos could order to quell and annihilate the angry mob.  Eventually, his growing unpopularity, waning political support, and the absence of a military back up, led the dictator to abandon his post, flee from Malacañang, and seek refuge in the US for political asylum.

Under her revolutionary and transitory government, President Cory Aquino put up the Constitutional Convention that penned the 1987 Philippine Constitution that, in turn, restored the Bicameral Congress and breathed upon Judiciary to life.  She brought back the ailing nation to life by attracting foreign and domestic investors to do business in the country.  Nongovernment organizations (NGOs), which were indiscriminately accused and branded as Communist groups by Marcos, came into the open and helped the government in healing the wounded nation through various community organizing and community development programs.  Government employees worked with a renewed commitment and were proud again to be called as public servants.  The press has finally regained its freedom.  Political leaders who were unjustly detained had their new lease in life.  She resumed peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).  She distributed lands through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) even to the consternation of the elites and the landlords.  The ordinary Filipinos, once again, took pride in being a Filipino.  Everyone was in high spirits.  Indeed, it was a glorious moment for the Philippines and its people.

This transitory and revolutionary government, however, was not a bed of roses for the new President.  Her presidency was marred with eight military coup attempts to topple her administration.  There was a lot of spillovers of socio-economic problems under the fourteen-year martial rule.  Those difficult years did not also spare her from attacks against her integrity and capability as the President.  However, her steadfast leadership, her calm disposition and resiliency to preserve peace and order and democracy, as well as with the strong support from her constituents, she was able to finish her presidency and end her term with integrity and have a much lauded graceful exit after six years in office.

Even after her term and presidency, Cory Aquino was still a prominent icon and a strong crusader for freedom, democracy and good governance.  A mother to her nation, she told her successors to behave.  She led rallies to unseat an inept President, became a prominent figure against imminent attempts to bring back martial rule and those who have tried to amend the Philippine’s 1987 Constitution so that they can cling to their powers beyond their term.  As history can tell, she made Presidency a symbol of simplicity, servanthood, trust, and most of all, integrity and high moral standard.  Thus, any successor to her leadership comes to a point of comparison especially when her successor are not bereft with scandals, deceit, abuse and corruption.

Her passing away, not only becomes a reminder to the Filipinos of the legacy of her administration.  For Filipinos, Cory Aquino becomes a national symbol for integrity and democracy.  Moreover, she epitomizes the soul and spirit of the Filipino people—one with innate courage and strength and resiliency to face all the odds, and strong belief in God.  In her words:  “Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoong Diyos na ginawa niya akong isang Pilipino.” (I thank God that He made me a Filipino.).  More importantly, she becomes a symbol for Filipino’s strong valuing for peace and freedom, more so that this peace and freedom have been regained from a corrupt and dictator regime.

She always believed in the greatness of the Filipinos.  If her husband, Ninoy Aquino, once said, “The Filipino is worth dying for,” for Cory Aquino, “The Filipino is worth living for.”  Again, she further stressed the belief that the Filipino people, as a nation, can be great again. During her last State of the Nation Address (SONA), she said, “I believe in the inexhaustible giftedness of the Filipino people.”

For Filipinos, her death also ushers a renewed love of country and freedom from tyranny and dictatorship, and the birth of crusade and public vigilance against power grabbers and leeches, corruption and abuse.  More importantly, this is a fitting reminder to the national leaders that real and genuine power emanates from the people, and that only the people can bestow trust and respect to its leaders. To the last of her breath, a leader like Cory became an inexhaustible gift to her nation and democracy.

The Philippines is still sailing rough in its political tides.  [With the national elections barely 9 months away, the Philippines will become another testing ground for the virtues that Cory has set as examples.  Now that Cory Aquino has joined her God, who will continue her legacy for integrity and good governance.  Who will continue to champion the cause for truth, justice and democracy?]

Adddendum: History will tell us that her son, Noynoy Aquino has taken over the Presidency.  PNoy, as we fondly call the President, vowed to continue her legacy for integrity and good governance, as well as to champion truth, justice and democracy.  

Despite this development, the question remains.

Will all these be gone as the icon fades away?  

Still, the new president has a lot to hurdle, but as we say, governance does not dwell on the presidency alone.

Only the Filipino people—can answer that question.

And only Filipinos can choose to carry the torch to make Cory's legacy live again.

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A date with Heidi Mendoza

Courtesy of "We Support You, Heidi mendoza"

In the Facebook page set up to support Heidi Mendoza, the most recent whistle blower in the issues concerning the plea bargaining agreement of ex-General and AFP comptroller Carlos Garcia, she reiterated:

"remember my main valentine message...love of family should be rooted in love of God and country..."

On February 14, 2011, during the press conference dubbed as "Love your country. Have a date with Heidi!" held at Club Filipino, she delivered her official statement.

The following is a transcript of Heidi Mendoza's official statement:

(This blogger was not able to attend the press conference.  An express permission was granted to this blogger from the Admins of Facebook support page for Heidi Mendoza. The same is published in Ateneo School of Government's website.)

_______________________

MAGANDANG UMAGA!

I come here this morning, to give voice to the continuing work and struggle of many citizen groups and CSOs for good governance and specifically anti-corruption and social accountability. I stand among my friends, co-workers and co-advocates calling for more committed and active involvement of public servants and citizens to uphold that which is true and fair -- just.

Sa aking mga kaibigan, kasama, katrabaho, kasangga --

I ask all of you to stand firm in our commitment to strengthen our ongoing crusade for accountable and transparent governance. I ask my fellow Filipinos, from all walks of life, from every organizational or institutional affiliation to step up our efforts in crafting practice of governance that is marked by integrity -- transparency and accountability.

• Create a government that is trustworthy, and institutionalize the needed instruments for combating graft and corruption.

• Forge a system of accountability and  transparency at all times including: immediately and urgently enact the Freedom of Information Bill if we are to make government transactions transparent and accountable. In other words, we need to move our people close to government; we need to exact accountability from government.

Our people are getting more tired and exasperated with half-truths, evasions, lies and corruption. We deserve something better. We deserve a government that serves with righteousness and integrity.

I also come here to share with you my boundless faith and hope in the Filipino.

Yes, Hope -

The past few weeks have been intense to say the least, I am being humbled, uplifted, challenged, acclaimed, threatened and inspired all at the same time.  I want to believe we are in a vortex of forces and this brings hope!

After undergoing this ordeal, I have come to realize that each individual is a well-spring of hope -- that hope is born in each and every act that upholds the truth. 

I have served in the Commission on Audit for more than twenty years and done much work with citizen groups and CSOs.  Throughout, I have tried to do my responsibility with rigor and competency for the simple reason that this is what our people deserve. I am a public servant; and the public deserves nothing less but the best from us.

This responsibility is a mission -- a crusade and it is not about me. It is not even about us - individually. Nor is this about one organization or group of organizations. It is about constructive engagement between government and its citizens, which is the essence of governance. It is about ensuring that the work that we do (whether in or out of government) are constructive, sustained and productive.

We all know that this crusade will not be won in one day. We need to have more Filipinos on our side. Hence, I propose that we continue this national dialogue in combating corruption and building a far better future. Kailangan nating magkaisa at ipagpatuloy ang ating pag-uusap bilang isang bansa -- isang bayan.

But most of all, we need to be rooted in the fundamentals -- faith in God and love for each other and our country. Or as Saint Paul constantly points out, all our actions must be based on FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. 

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Who will be the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year?

Image via WikipediaCNN has made an announcement that it will disclose its 2010 Top 10 CNN Heroes.  According to CNN, the announcement will be made on September 23, 2010, at 1PM at CNN.com., which will commence an online voting.

We recall that, in 2009, Efren Peñaflorida, a street educator from the province of Cavite was bagged the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.  He also made the famous quote "We are the change that this world needs to be."

Will there be a Filipino nominee again this year?  Let us find out on Thursday, September 23. In the meantime, let us watch CNN's video on Efren:


Video Credit: CNN.com

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PAL Photo Contest: Another copyright infringement?

I have gotten tired of commenting on photo contests, which are, allegedly, violating the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

But then, here is another one brandishing its audacity in the midst of Filipino photographers who are fighting for intellectual property rights.  This is happening despite the fact that they hired a professional photographer, affiliated with the Camera Club of the Philippines.  Later on, they stripped off the "Camera Club of the Philippines" and replaced the tag "advertising and travel photographer" to the commissioned photographer, Bien Bautista, who seemed to have forgotten about the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.  The CCP must have been seething in anger that they have been dragged into this brouhaha.

While the contest rules protect PAL from infringement of intellectual property rights as mentioned in Rule No. 10, it does not take into consideration the intellectual property rights of the photographer in Rule No. 16 which mentions that: (click photo on the left for bigger view).

"By entering the contest and submitting his/her entry/ies, each participant agrees and acknowledges that PAL is permitted to receive the photograph or image entry/ies, and that he/she transfers and turns over to Philippine Airlines the full ownership of the copyright to the photos or images."

Unless, this is a commissioned work, full copyright can be transferred to PAL where the photographer would just have to sign a waiver.  But this is not a commissioned work.  Period.

I am sure, I am not a lone amateur photographer who is against or disappointed with this contest.

The prizes are equally disappointing, despite the fact that they are giving away round-trip tickets to LA, Brisbane, and Hong Kong!  If somebody wins, he or she has to deal with securing a US Visa and Australian Visa, not mentioning the transportation and travel allowance just so one can "enjoy" the prizes.

Good luck to those who can afford to lose their copyrights and fall prey to the seemingly exciting prizes!

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A people's victory

I have been wanting to create a video of my photo documentaries. Last Friday night, I tried to learn more about Olympus Studio 2 software which came as a bundle with my camera, which I haven't used for so long. I was more bent on using Adobe Photoshop CS3 for photo editing.

I came to realize I could actually do time lapse tethered shooting with Olympus Studio 2 and make it into a movie. I tried it for 50 photos inside the house under poor lighting conditions, and I was so excited with the result even with poor quality photos, that I might do a time lapse photography one of these days, if time permits. So, I tried to make the time lapse photos into a movie with Windows Movie Maker but I could not figure out how to set the intervals into 1/16 second or less. So I tried it with Picasa 3, which is a freeware in Google, and it has a function for time lapse.

Back to this video, I wanted to share the inauguration photos without me worrying of my photos landing in the hands of crooks,and of course to share the photos in a way it can be more appreciated. So here it is, trying hard in weaving a story out of the photos, editing and musical scoring.

Needless to say, I am a frustrated film director.

Share|

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What now, Filipinos?

So, the automated election fever took us by surprise!  Filipinos was in awe how fast can we determine the next leader of the country.  Of course, there were fears and premonitions of cheating--the hi-tech way and the electoral protest for the position of Vice President is still much alive.

The country has just inaugurated its Number 1 "employee" [as the President, himself, calls the Filipino people as his "boss"].

Witnessing the inaugural last June 30 was, for me, a privilege.  People across ages and class, and even different nationalities came in droves to witness this historic event.  It is important, not only because the President and the Vice President were sworn into office. Being the "boss" of President Benigno C. Aquino III, the Filipino people also took their oath as "employers".

The message was clear, and everyone needs CHANGE, and everyone needs to be PART of that CHANGE. Thus, I am sharing a photo of the copy of the "Panata sa Pagbabago" that everyone recited towards the end of the inaugural program. It is my fervent wish that this would take root in our hearts.

The Filipinos are pinning so much hope on the leadership--hoping that the President and his technocrats can solve the country's problem in 6 years. Six (6) years is but a short period.  Needless to say, we are again at the crossroads of re-building the nation.

Without moralizing, let us all join hands in making the nation great again. After all, as "employers" of the President, we have that accountability too.

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2010 Election List of Candidates

Barely two weeks before the elections, have you decided who will you vote?  Do you know your presidentiables, vice presidentiables and senatoriables?  The candidates to three key positions may be easy to remember, but hey!  There are new faces and names in the senatoriable line up.  It may be worthy to check them out!

Moreover, although we only need to choose one (1) PartyList, but there are 187 candidates to choose from.

So you want to make a list before you go to the precinct booth? Check these documents which I downloaded from the COMELEC Website.

Choose wisely!

Please feel free to share this article to your friends via Facebook or email....(look at the link icons below the article).

Presidentiables

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My Tribute to the Philippines' democracy icon

August 1, 2009. Much has been written about the life of former president Corazon C. Aquino. Much has also been said about her death. Her passing away has definitely brought the nation again to unite, pray, and still hold that torch for democracy in the Philippines that she has helped to restore.

I remember her when I was a junior high school back home in Nueva Ecija during her campaign sortie in her bid for presidency. She was very unassuming but she was an embodiment of national strength and hope and sincerity, which, I think, were the reasons that catapulted her to power. I regret that I had no time to meet her personally when I worked for her successor, President Fidel V. Ramos, for she chose to be a private citizen after her term.

There would be no enough words to pay tribute to the great president. But this is my pitch--she made Presidency a symbol of trust, confidence and decency, that no other successor has ever done.

In this light, I just want to share two videos that will remind us of her presidency.

Cory Aquino sworn into office as the 11th president of the Republic of the Philippines. (The video, unfortunately, cannot be embedded, thus the link).

And the EDSA People Power theme song that reverberated in the airwaves back in 1986.



May President Cory rest in eternal peace.

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JDV: Late, but not quite

In line with my work, I have had a few audience with Speaker Jose De Venecia. Everytime he speaks, I regard him as an eloquent person. He speaks with such candor and magnanimity, which makes you drawn to him.

I am not particularly fond of him because of his unpopular stance in various policy issues. But then, he knows what he is talking about. I think he knew public policy by heart. He had the right mind on certain issues. He had the best connections to push the most controversial policies in the House of Representatives.

While watching him on TV delivering his privilege speech, I witnessed again how engrossed and how eloquently he delivered his message. Albeit, this time, he becomes the issue. While I am writing this, 145 Representatives have already voted against him for his ouster from the seat of the 3rd most powerful official in the land. Being most adept in policy concerns, perhaps, he knew his ouster was coming.

Honestly, it appalled me hearing and watching him enumerate the foibles of the Palace, and his alleged involvement in various controversial issues. My first reaction was, "Now you are talking!" Is it because he is the one at stake? Probably, yes. Is this patriotic move hiding behind a cloak of personal and political agenda? Probably yes. Possibly, no. After all, politics is a turf issue, and one cannot just cower and hide under table when your person and your position is under attack. He has the right to defend his position. After all, he is the Speaker.

I am not in the position to give my analysis on how and why this has to happen. Leave it to the political science experts. As an ordinary citizen, I am more interested with his expose. While it may be too late a hero to expose the Presidency and its allies in its alleged lapses and involvement in various controversies, I realized something good was coming out of it, after all--that is the unveiling of some hidden truths and burning issues that the Filipino nation must face.

What will happen in the coming days is for us to see. As JDV said, it is just the start and the Filipino people would expect more in the coming days. That is for us to hear and see.

After some period of stabilization, we are again riding a political roller-coaster. I just pray that this move to expose the Presidency's alleged shortcomings would do good for the country. Definitely, this move by JDV will turn tides. I just hope that many Filipinos would become more vigilant of those turncoat politicians who would take advantage of this situation, and that the people behind it would not resort to violence.

May God bless the Philippines!

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A poor kid nation

Isolated case?

Telling the whole world that the case of Mariannet is an isolated case is clearly irresponsible a statement and an oversight of the glaring truths that the government itself has known. In fact, the government is merely talking about one side of the coin. Are people in Malacañang not even aware of the real stories behind death because of poverty—especially among children? Definitely, they are not aware of how it means to be poor and hungry!

The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) has issued a press release in its website, openly admitting and declaring that children account for the largest poor population in 2003. The press release said that 14.1 million children are poor in 2000, and 13.5 million in 2003. The sector is also the third poorest sector with a poverty incidence of 42.5% in 2000, and 38.8% in 2003.

In real numbers, we are talking about 13,469,849 poor children. In Region XI alone, where Marianett lives, there are 737,496 poor children, which have increased by 78,421 from CY2000 to 2003. Who says the case of Mariannet is just an isolated case?


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Arroyo, Estrada and the zarzuela in Malacañang

Finally, I am breaking my silence regarding the plunder case of Joseph Estrada, which I followed for the past months. I opted not to write about this in deference for the blog action I initiated for the Glorietta victims, then the Halloween break.

It was also necessary for me not to react immediately, as this article has to be well-thought and carefully written. So here I am, still writing on this issue. Read on....

Politicized justice

"Pardon one offense, and you encourage the commission of many." - Publilius Syrus, ~100BC

Pardoning former president Joseph Estrada has created not only quite a stir in the Philippine political arena. More than ever, it has created havoc in the Philippine justice system.

Needless to say, there was undue haste in pardoning the biggest and the most controversial crime ever recorded in the Philippine history—that is plunder by no less than the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Be that as it may, had Estrada admitted his guilt, it would have been a different story. Watching and listening to him on national television, telling the whole world that corruption was a crime he never committed, was more than an insult to the entire nation. Again, his kind of rudeness has attacked the dignity and the very heart of the justice system only a few hours after the People of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers of the President of the Republic, has freed him.

Is this the kind of payback we expect from a person who has received a guilty verdict and who has been given freedom by the very institution of Filipinos?

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Full, free and unconditional pardon

AS A FOLLOW THROUGH of my previous blog about this issue, I always make it a point to watch the news regarding the conviction of Former President Joseph Estrada for the crime of plunder. While watching him on the news yesterday, I realize once again that he did not only make himself lesser credible, but made him rather pathetic as he has, again, brazenly demonstrated his rude audacity.

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Estrada's Absolute pardon: absolutely ridiculuous?

We have followed the case for the past 6 years. The plunder case against the deposed President Estrada was not only monumental. More than ever, it is a test of the Philippine judicial system.

It not an easy case to handle even for the most distinguished men of the law. Yet the government prosecutors, who have the most honest and truthful intentions to show that they will be unperturbed despite the threats in their lives, chose to burn the midnight oil and vowed they would fight it to the hilt. Many advocacy groups saw through the process, and ensured that no one gets in the way for an honest trial. Last September 12, the Philippines literally stopped [for at least 10 minutes] just to watch or listen to the proclamation of the verdict. However, even before the government prosecutors could say they could rest their case, and take a much-needed holiday, here comes another issue to contend.

Presidential pardon has been dangled even months before the verdict has been read by the Sandiganbayan. And now, it is openly spoon-fed to the Estrada camp, which finds it a welcome gesture, after all. Earlier, the Estrada camp staunchly stood up against pardon—declaring to the whole world that accepting the Presidential pardon is tantamount to admission of guilt by the deposed President. For some reasons, it has suddenly softened its stance.

What could have softened their position? We do not know. However, what is clear to us right now is the absolute pardon that the Arroyo Administration is offering to former President Estrada.

Definitely, if the former President will accept the [Absolute] Presidential Pardon offered by Malacañang, he regains his freedom and can exercise his political rights again. Does absolute pardon free the former President from the indemnity of the plunder case in which he was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt? That is contestable. Many law experts say otherwise. According to them, the civil indemnity should not be part of the pardon. If he would be freed from his civil indemnity, what does this tell us? Simply put, “A President can rob a bank, and gets away with his stash.”

Why is the Arroyo government so gung-ho about offering a presidential pardon, and absolute at that?

The Presidential pardon, while allowed by constitution, is so soon! The man has not even made to suffer the consequences, and yet we are pardoning him from his crimes? Did he show the entire country that he is worth the pardon! Compare it with an ordinary man who has shown remorse after languishing in jail for some loose change he took from his employer, takes years before a pardon could be given to him. While pardoning Estrada is also a welcome development for the sake of national unity and healing. However, does he show any form of remorse. Is that kind of law-breaker worthy of a pardon?

What is the bottom-line of this fiasco? Could it be about the Legitimacy of the Arroyo Administration? We know that the Estrada Camp and Fernando Poe supporters continue to question the legitimacy of the Arroyo administration. If Estrada accepts Presidential pardon, it is tantamount to succumbing to the present leadership; ergo, the Arroyo Administration is legal and legitimate.

However, the Arroyo Administration may be short-sighted in this case—putting off the possibility that this act would have a long-term negative impact to the country’s judicial system. The judicial system is already in shambles since time immemorial. Now that it has made a significant leap with the conviction of former president Estrada it is, again, put to a test. It becomes a precedent that any government official can commit plunder! After all, they can be pardoned and get away with their stash. This is terrifying!

The presidential pardon, which is SO SOON, does not exist in a vacuum. It would have a negative impact not only in the judicial system. If PGMA is boasting about the economic development that the country has gained, she should think twice. While the foreign and local investors may have lauded the Estrada verdict, they might also be having second thoughts again, and might eventually lose their confidence on the government. While she appeases the masses that support Estrada, she is also neglecting the middle and working classes, which want nothing but justice. She should remember that the middle and working class are the ones who brought Estrada to trial, which put her into her seat now, and lastly, she should not forget that the middle and working class are the ones making this country move forward.

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INKBLOTS POLLS: 50/50 on Hello Garci

The Senate faces a big challenge as soon as Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s revived the issue on Hello Garci that was started two years ago. It can be recalled that the House of Representatives conducted its own congressional investigation on the matter but nothing has been resolved despite the long proceedings and quite a number of witnesses.

Now that it is the turn of the senate. The question is: Will the Senate finally resolve the issue this time? But the more basic question to be answered by the Senate is: Is it ready to investigate on the issue?

Early on, the Senate faces a dilemma on the focus of the investigation—whether the Senate should deal with the content of the purportedly wiretapped conversation of President Arroyo and Commissioner Garcillano, or mainly focus the act of wiretapping itself. While we felt the same dilemma, we were also entertained with how the feisty Sen. Santiago how she lambasted neophyte Senator, Francis Escudero, (which can be be watched HERE), with another famous one-liner, when Sen. Escudero insisted that Republic Act 4200 will not be violated if we listen to a recording that is not yet proven to be a wiretapped material.

Just as how the Inkblots readers are divided on the issue, the Senate is also in a quandary. Senator Santiago opined during her privilege speech that the focus of the Senate investigation should focus on the wiretapping act and not the purportedly wiretapped material. The pro-administration senators were on her side. Needless to say, the opposition wants the Hello Garci to be played in the hearings.

Finally, however, the Senate has come to terms with itself when the senators agreed this is issue would be tackled in the Senate committees on national defense, blue-ribbon, and electoral reforms. According to Senator Allan Peter Cayetano, said that “The question of 'to play or not to play' would depend how the proceedings play out through the witnesses.”

Many would agree that the playing of the Hello Garci responds to our right to information, and this would bring out the truth. However, while we hanker for the truth, we are also bound by the confines of the legal system. While we may choose to bury this issue and just move on, there there are burning issues like this that we must face and challenge. But we have to strike a balance, and ensuring the stability of the country.

In discussing this issue, the House of Representatives has unlocked skeletons in the closet. Perhaps, the Senate investigations will open up a can of worms this time. But what good tidings would it bring to our nation? Would this investigation lead to the prosecution of the persons involved? Would this investigation which is supposedly "in aid of legislation" lead to better crafted laws that can really protect the Filipino citizens' Right to Privacy?

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Note: The Inkblots Polls will resume on September 17.

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INKBLOTS POLL RESULT: 64% against military offensive in Sulu and Basilan

The entire country, and perhaps the international community was struck by the news last July 10, 2007 that when 10 Marines were beheaded by alleged bandits coming the ranks of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels and Abu Sayyaf. It was enough to cause distress, foremost to the communities near the place of incident, but also to the peacemakers who toiled hard to bring back peace and development in Mindanao. Since the all-out war policy of Estrada Administration, a significant leap has been made to restore peace in Mindanao, particularly the ARMM. Communities began to become vibrant again, and holding to the last thread of hope that peace would eventually thrive in Mindanao. But peace seems to be elusive.

Inquirer reported that since July 10, 57 soldiers and over 80 Abu Sayyaf and Moro rebels have been killed and scores injured in encounters in Sulu and Basilan. This could cause enough alarm. But what is more alarming is the glaring fact that scores of families are again displaced--fleeing in fear that they would be, again, caught in a crossfire. With no other option to choose from, they flee from their homes, livelihood, and children stopped attending school. Bearing the brunt of the fighting between the military and the alleged bandits, internally displaced communities, again, have to make sacrifices and experience hunger and disease in the evacuation centers.

There had been enough debates on why there should be no military operations in ARMM, particularly in Sulu and Basilan. There is no further need to elaborate and explain to the military that they should stop their offensive operations. However, we cannot also discount the fact that some are in favor of the military should do its role in peace-keeping. After all, the military says it is their mandate to go after the law breakers.

The poll conducted in this blogsite may not be representative of the entire population. Nonetheless, it indicates the divided perspective of the Filipinos on the issue of militarization in Mindanao, particularly in the Moro communities. A resounding majority (64%) is against a military offensive in Mindanao. While 36% is in favor of a military offensive.

When will war in Mindanao end?

Which side is yours?

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Caught in a red tape

I received a morning greeting which says: “Sana maganda ang araw mo.” Sadly though, I do not have a good day! It is because I simply am pissed off from head to toe.

Who would not? Here is the reason why:

I am moonlighting in one of the institutions where I do a study. Some of the information I need can be found in my previous work. Expecting that my name still rings a bell among my former colleagues in my previous work (a private institution) or name dropping our former boss (who requested this information) would do the trick. So I got in touch with the point person, and expected that being one of them in the past or pakikisama would make it easier for me, so that I would not have to go through the formalities of sending an official letter, and so on. The information I was asking them was not exactly a public document. However, I believe that, practically, it becomes a public document once you work with the public. I was just asking them some information on the progress of their anti-poverty program.

It was just so upsetting when the point person told me to write a letter to their boss. So I made a draft letter to be sent by my client. But my client deems it would be unnecessary. Being a colleague in the same industry, he called the “smaller boss” who told the former that we can go directly to the “boss” of the point person.

Ecstatic with this development, I immediately called the “boss” today, but unfortunately, he is not around. As a usual recourse and not waste my celfone load, I told the lady who answered my call about my objective, who in later turned me over to another lady. Again, I narrated the “historical account” why I called their office, only to be told she could not decide on the matter because only the “boss” can decide. The best action would be to talk directly to the “boss” so I asked for his mobile number, but she refused to give me the number and reasoned out that her “boss” does not take calls from unknown callers. Duh! Again, I asked for the “boss’” direct email address so I can thoroughly explain my request. With some reservations in tone of her voice, she gave me the e-mail address. So back to square one—write an official letter, albeit not to the “big boss” anymore (which is, at least, one step further).

I do not know when the “boss” would reply to my e-mail. The first informal e-mail I sent to the point person was left unanswered. Would the "boss" do the same to me (being an "unknown person")? What are e-mail addresses for, anyway? Again….duh!

This experience is a far cry from NEDA’s efficiency and high concern for client relations. To think that it is a government agency, which is supposedly to be bureaucratic, I immediately got a response from them. A section chief whom I talked to even gave me a snack during our short meeting, personally accompanied me to different departments just to look for the information I needed, and gave me other names and numbers of contact persons in other agencies and partners where I could get some information I need. Sweet life!

And here is the lesson for the day:

Bureaucracy and red tape is not the monopoly of the government. Now that government agencies are always under the watchful eye of the discerning public, they are always trying to become more efficient and effective in their delivery of services. Primarily because they owe the public.

I feel sorry for private institutions, which are not bound by any civil obligations. The least they could do, I think, is uphold their moral obligations, especially when their intention is to work for and with the poor. What if the information I requested from them is a matter of national security or of life and death? We would all be ashes by now.

Sometimes, private institutions must also learn from government agencies when it comes to reducing red tape.

Cross-posted at PinoyBlogosPhere and PinoyBlog.com

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Adel Tamano on the defense

ADEL TAMANO after all is not just a prettyboy spokesperson of the Genuine opposition when he defended Islam [and even Christianity] against those who stereotype Muslims and link them to organized cheating.

He said in the Inquirer:

“But cheating is cheating whether committed by Muslims or Christians and should be condemned. The law prohibiting election fraud makes no distinction based on religion,” he said.

"Those attempting to make the issue a war between the Muslims and the Christians have completely missed the point," said Tamano. (An excerpt from the Inquirer.net.).

As I have made my point earlier, it is unfair [and even pathetic] to tag Islam and Christianity with the election fraud. Some advances have been made to unite Muslims and Christians, particularly for the peace and development efforts in Mindanao.

I just hope that this election will not engender divisiveness. Not again!

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Maguindanao 12-0 vote, explained

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

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