Identity Crisis

Siguro nga importante talaga yung may sarili kang "identity".

Yun bang kumbaga sa basketball eh, signature move na parang 360 dunk ni Billy Ray Bates o kaya naman eh clutch jumper ni Jolas at yung mga tira nila Vergel Meneses at Samboy Lim na parang nagbabasa muna ng diyaryo sa ere bago i-shoot ang bola.

O di kaya naman eh tagline, katulad ng "Sarap to the bones" ng Max's, "Finger lickin' good" ng KFC, at yung "Crispyliscious, Juicyliscious" ng Jollibee.

Ito rin siguro ang principle kaya yung mga News Anchors ng mga TV stations ay may kani-kanyang pakulo para mas makilala sila ng mga viewers.

Medyo nakakasawa na yung mga jokes na ginagaya yung pag-ubo (sabay EX-cuse me-PO!) ni Mike Enriquez, at pati yung pag "ano ha" ni Mel Tiangco. Kasi, pati yung ibang news anchors at yung mga field reporters ngayon, may kani-kanya na ring pagkakakilanlan.


• Arnold Clavio: "ako naman" (ano ba ibig sabihin pag sinasabi nyang "ako naman"?)

• Susan Enriquez: "ak--ko si Susan Enriquez, ang inyong naging Saksi" (kailangan may 2 seconds na pagitan ang pagsasabi nya ng "ako")

• Sabi ng magaling na heckler na si loi pogi sa kanyang twitter account, si Steeeeeeeeeeeeve Dailisan daw ang TV reporter na may pinakamahabang pangalan.

• Pero syempre, hindi rin basta-basta patatalo sa pahabaan ng pangalan si Rrrrrrrrrrrrroseti Rivera.

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Name Recall. Identity. Uniqueness.

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Nakapagtatakang, kahit na may sarili silang identity sa pagbanggit ng kani-kanilang mga pangalan ay halos pare-pareho naman ang tono ng pagdeliver nila ng balita- lalong-lalo na yung mga reporter sa radyo.

"Yes, Arnold, nandito nga tayo saaaaaaaa kahabaan ng-ngaaaa South Luzonaaaaa Express Way kung saan-naaaaaaa kasalukuyang-aaaaaaa tinatatanggal ng-ngaaaaa mgaaaaaaaa awtoridad itong-ngaaaa nakahambalang naaaaaaaaaaaa parte ng crane naaaaaaaaaaa nalaglag mula saaaaaaaaaaa ginagawangngaaaaaaaaaa skyway kahapon saaaaaaaaaaa kasagsagannnaaaaaaaaa ng-ngaaaaaaaa bagyongngaaaaaaaaaaa Basyang."

Pag-Asa

(Medyo) nagulat ako dahil sa dumagdag na mga comments sa blog entry ko na 2010. Una pa lang kasi eh alam ko na medyo hindi talaga dudumugin ng comments ang entry dahil kakaunti lang talaga ang bumibisita sa site ko. Kanina ko lang nakita na may mga humabol pang comments, at dahil pala yun kay El Presidente A-Z-E-L na nag-promote ng site ko sa blog niya.

Salamat, salamat, marekoy.

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Higit sa premyo, higit sa pagkakaroon ng pangalan at prestige sa mundo ng internet, importanteng malaman ng bawat blogger o manunulat sa web na malaki ang ginagampanan nating responsibilidad sa pangkasalukuyang panahon ng bansa.

Bakit nga ba? Pwede naman tayong magsulat ng "wala lang". Pwede namang gumawa ng mga articles tungkol sa kalaswaan, kalokohan, kababuyan, at mga walang kwentang bagay. Pero mayroong ilan sa atin na nagpupumilit magsulat ng mabuti, maayos at kapaki-pakinabang.

Dito sana maibilang ang bawat isa sa atin.

Oo, tama, may kalayaan tayong magsulat ng gusto natin. Pero sana ay tandaan ng bawat isa sa atin na responsibilidad pa rin nating ipahayag ang ating sarili sa makatotohanan at impormatibong paraan.

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September 2009 na bukas. Siyam na buwan na lang at eleksiyon 2010 na naman. Mamimili na naman tayo ng mga lider ng bansa.

Natuto ba tayo sa mga nagdaang kamalian natin? O lagi na lamang tayong nauuto?

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Kahapon, August 30, labintatlong presidentiables at vice presidentiables ang sumali sa Fun Run na in-organize ng GMA Network (Tatakbo Ka Ba?) sa Bonifacio Global City sa Taguig.

Nakakatuwa, dahil kasama sa Oath na pinirmahan ng mga politicians ay nagsasaad nito:

"Hindi ako gagamit ng salapi sa maling paraan o ng armas at anumang uri ng dahas para masiguro and pagkapanalo ko sa eleksyon".

Sana nga lamang ay totoo at sundin nila ang kanilang sinumpaang pangako sa mamamayan.

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Tayong mga manunulat sa blog, at ang mga pulitiko na sama-samang naghahangad ng pagbabago para sa kaayusan at kaunlaran ng bansa-



Kung parehong mayroon nito, naniniwala akong May Pag-Asa Pa!

(galing dito ang larawan)

Overseas Absentee Voting

Do you want to cast your votes on the coming elections but you can't because you are working overseas?

Here's the good news!

You may now register thru the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) mechanism, a program that seeks to give opportunities for OFWs to vote for President, Vice President, Senators, and a Party List Group.

For more details, you may click the picture below. This will link you to the GMANews.TVs interactive primer for the Overseas Absentee Voting:



Let our voices be heard. Vote in 2010!

Surveys and the Numbers Game

With the 2010 election less than a year to go, the public is again spoon-fed with survey results showing Candidate A leading the pack while Candidate B trails far at the bottom. Just recently, we have heard from the news about the latest SWS and Pulse Asia Surveys giving us a glimpse of who might win as President if elections were done today.

Even network giants ABS-CBN and GMA fight relentlessly to get the top spot in the audience share. Frankly, I was disheartened few weeks ago about how one TV network tried to discredit a survey firm because they lost in the ratings. The network even supported their claim by giving comparing the survey firm’s number of clients to the other survey firm who put them in first place.

Ah, Surveys. They are everywhere. From who leads the presidential race to who might win in the senatorial elections; to whoever between GMA and ABS-CBN got the edge on last nights audience share; to how many percent of the Filipinos are unemployed; and to which amongst the government agencies are the most corrupt at all.

And, as always, somebody will always voice out a rebuttal as to one survey’s accuracy. Politicians not making it on top of the list saying surveys are not representative of the whole voting population. Media trying to say that one survey firm is not reliable. Analysts and commentators giving views that surveys are not the real thing and should not be used as basis for decision-makings.

But thru it all, Survey Firms still exist and do good business in the country. They still flourish, and even acquire more and more clients along the way.

If we try to dig and gain understanding, must we realize that maybe those people and organizations who gain top spots, and even those lose to number two or number three are the ones who keep the survey firms alive by commissioning them to do fieldwork to obtain a representative sampling?

Survey Firms will never be able to endure business if not for the many interested persons and groups who pay much in just to know what survey says about them-good or bad.

Heroes Needed?

The past 2 or 3 years marked an emergence of teleseryes in Philippine television featuring various superheroes. Until today, Richard Guttierez's rendition of Zorro, and the rumored remake of Darna starring Marian Rivera, continue to create a buzz in the television industry.

While the format seems to be almost the same

for all of these shows, people continue to watch with delight at how our superheroes fight the bad guys of the community. Thus, TV networks GMA and ABS-CBN continue to produce such kinds of teleseryes in order to hit the watching populace.

And what does this imply? Does this mean to show that we have so many bad guys roaming around the community, and that the only hope we have are heroes that could save us anytime and any place?

We watch in awe at why and how the country still continue to struggle and fight for progress. We watch with sadness at how our political leaders doesn't seem to perform their duties in our country. We watch clueless as to what the future brings upon us.

And we wait and we wait and still wait and hope to have the right leader who can usher our nation to becoming great once again- but still to no avail. With the 2010 election almost at hand, we raise the question: Do we really need to choose a hero to become the next president?

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Perhaps the call of the times is not so much that we wait for the hero to come along. Perhaps modern-day heroism is about each one of us doing our own bit, being our own heroes.

-Eirene Aguila, Kaya Natin

Swine Flu: Facts & Infos We Should Know

The whole world is watching closely.

Everyone is alarmed at the newest health disease outbreak known as the Swine Influenza or Swine Flu virus.

Swine influenza, or “swine flu", is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Morbidity tends to be high and mortality low (1-4%). The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs. Outbreaks in pigs occur year round, with an increased incidence in the fall and winter in temperate zones. Many countries routinely vaccinate swine populations against swine influenza.


Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes are also circulating in pigs (e.g., H1N2, H3N1, H3N2). Pigs can also be infected with avian influenza viruses and human seasonal influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. The H3N2 swine virus was thought to have been originally introduced into pigs by humans. Sometimes pigs can be infected with more than one virus type at a time, which can allow the genes from these viruses to mix. This can result in an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources, called a "reassortant" virus. Although swine influenza viruses are normally species specific and only infect pigs, they do sometimes cross the species barrier to cause disease in humans. (source: gmanews research)



The flu was believed to have originated from Mexico, and while there has yet to be a case report on the Philippines, the Department of Health is securing all measures to protect the people.

Click here for additional FAQs on Swine Flu Virus.

Pacquiao and The Swine Flu Virus

Isn't it just fit that Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao should be quarantined and examined for a possible infection of the Swine Flu Virus?

The virus was believed to have originated from Mexico, home of Pacquiao's former foes Marquez, Barrera, Morales, Diaz, etc.

Seriously now.

The bets begin to escalate as the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton bout nears. The bout, entitled, The Battle of East and West, is scheduled on May 2, 2009 (May 3 in the Philippines) at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada. For now, the bettors in Las Vegas still favor Pacquiao over Hatton at 2-1.

Aside from the bloody fight, Siyetehan expects:


• Low, or even zero Crime rate in the country during the fight.

• A lot of congressmen, senators and other politicians flying to Las Vegas to watch it live.

• GMA Network to capitalize on advertising.

• ABS-CBN to spoil GMA by announcing the winner even before the fight is finished at GMA network.

• people will comment on how Martin Nievera sings the National Anthem.

• Movie houses and other establishments to earn a lot for their live telecast via pay per view.

• Gloria to wait for the time when she will call Pacquiao to greet him on the phone while inside the ring (if Pacquiao wins).

• Atienza to organize a welcome parade (if Pacquiao wins).

• Politicians to flock inside the ring for a photo opt with Pacquiao (if Pacquiao wins).

• Chavit to earn more, or lose more, depending if Pacquaio wins or loses.

• And for the whole Philippines to stop and let their eyes glued on their television set watching and hoping that the Pinoy will once again triumph and beat the odds.

Angara & Legarda

Matagal nang tsismisan ito sa political circle.

At nitong April 21, 2009, sa sesyon ng Senado, muling nabiglang kulay ang love story nina Senators Eduardo Angara at Loren Legarda.

Let's watch GMA 7's Saksi Exclusive.

Enjoy!

When A Newscaster Becomes News

ABS CBN, GMA, and other Network's News Mobile Patrol Vehicles are encamped in front of the New Era General Hospital in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City as they await for further updates on the condition of Trinidad Arteche Etong, wife of ABS CBN Broadcaster Ted Failon (Ted Etong). Trinidad remains in critical condition following the shooting incident yesterday at their house in Tierra Pura Homes, Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

Meanwhile, Ted Failon was held under police custody in Camp Karingal since yesterday for questioning. Failon maintained that his wife committed suicide due to some financial problems the family is experiencing. He further presented a suicide note, allegedly written by his wife on Tuesday night. Failon, however, admitted having a spat with his wife the night before the shooting incident happened.

The police, however, are still investigating on the possibility that there was foul play on the incident because they saw that there are inconsistencies on Failon's issued statements.

While Failon is still not held as a primary suspect, police authorities said that Failon may be charged for tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice because he did not immediately report the incident to the authorities. Police authorities also reported that Failon ordered that the bathroom where his wife was shot be cleaned.

News networks are expected to remain focused with Failon's case and will further await for any updates on the condition of Trinidad Etong who remains to be in comatose at the New Era General Hospital.

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Browsed through this interesting post from Neil about this issue. This might interest you :)

Kapuso, Kapamilya, Katawa-tawa

As if the ongoing dispute on who is number 1 is not yet enough, ABS-CBN and GMA find another reason to engage in word war over the recent issue involving the airing rights for the upcoming Pacquiao-Hatton bout (The Battle of East and West) on May 2, 2009 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.


On March 18, Manny Pacquiao announced in public that the Pacquiao-Hatton fight will be aired by ABS-CBN. Inside sources say that ABS-CBN allegedly offered Pacquiao full media support in the upcoming 2010 elections.

The announcement, however, put Pacquiao in a breach of his existing contract with Solar Sports and GMA, who were airing his previous fights. After a long meeting with Solar and GMA officials in Los Angeles, Pacquiao agreed on Saturday, to honor his contract with Solar Sports. This was officially announced on Monday, March 23, via a Press Conference organized by GMA and Solar.

As this develops, ABS-CBN said that they respect Pacquiao's decision to remain in terms with Solar Sports.

But the story did not end there. To keep the flame of issue burning, Pacquiao has released another remark that has again led to a new series of word battle.

Manny Pacquiao stressed out that he did not give his go-signal for ABS-CBN to air his footage announcing his controversial decision to rescind his live contract with Solar Entertainment Corp. to hook up with the network. In a phone patch from LA, the boxing superstar claimed he only agreed to do the video for ABS-CBN and issue the statement of transfer on condition they would only be made public if he were to find contractual violations on the part of Solar.

Pacquiao was also quoted as revealing that representatives of ABS-CBN were actually the ones who prepared his previous statement insisting that the fight would be shown in ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN issued a statement that they were surprised by Pacquiao's announcement.

"We respond because [Pacquiao’s] charge strikes at our core values as a news organization: Honest reporting and respect for our sources.”

They further clarified that Pacquiao gave consent to air the video.

Isn't it that all Pacquiao had to do in this time is to focus on his fight with Hatton?

Doesn't Pacquiao has his lawyers to take care of Contract disputes?

Does he have PR persons who can issue statements instead of him flip-flopping his words in front of the media?

And for his sake, can people please, please, please, stop Pacquiao from joining Politics?!

As the Professional Heckler humorously puts it, "In a matter of days, Pacquiao became Kapuso, Kapamilya, and Katawa-tawa."