Monday, November 30, 2009

Being in the Most Dangerous Place for Mediamen

Playing in the television was the interview with the wife of one of the slain journalists in the Maguindanao massacre. "Binaboy nila ang asawa ko," the woman uttered, her voice full of scorn and hatred to the suspects of the event beyond one's imagination.

From my peripheral vision, I sensed Mama's response to the video. Seeing tears form in the corner of her eyes, I felt a tinge of fear in my heart. I held a firm grip to the handle of chair where I was seated.

My father
is a journalist. And months from now, I would also be one.

The Philippine Press is the Freest in Asia

I was reading our book in Mass Media Law when I came across the line "The Philippine Press (and the rest of the mass media) have once again been declared as the freest in Asia". Looking at the footnote of the stunning statement, it was uttered way back 19 years ago. Stunning, because as soon as I have realized the meaning of the sentence, pictures of the recent carnage in Maguindanao came flashing in my mind. The statement did not fit the status quo of the mediamen in the country.

It was barely a week ago when Mangudadatu's wife, armed with no defense other than her female lawyers, attempted to file the Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) of her husband. Challenging the dominant regime in ARMM, incumbent Buluan Vice Mayor Ishmael "Toto" Mangudadatu would clash head-on with the Ampatuans in the upcoming elections for the governorship of the region.

Magudadatu sent her wife and a number of his female lawyers in the first step of his challenge, believing that his opponents would respect their "unwritten sacred law" on not doing harms to women. However, greed and scorn overshadowed the faith and respect for the holy laws of the Ampatuans. Then the next scenarios painted another history in the Philippine journalism, and tainted the image of the country in the map of the world's highly-treasured democracy.

Alongside Magudadatu’s wife and her lawyers’ inhumane death were that of civilians’ unmindful of the political rivalry, and 27 journalists whose intention was only to deliver the historic courageous attempt of a politician to face a big man in their region. Counting first as the worst killing ever made (the highest number of killed mediamen in one event), this has made the Philippines earn the top rank among the most atrocious place to live for journalists.

What was worse with this massacre was that they were killed using the machinery OF the government. The machinery that had acquired using the money from the people's taxes. It seemed like the people became part of the massacre - in the capitalizing of the guns, backhoe, and the militant civilians whose salaries have come from their pockets (through taxes.) And now the issue of selecting A great, conscientious and honest Leader would set in.

The 27 journalists had not been killed because they were journalists, seeing the motive of the evil-doers which is to simply wipe-out whoever would be around in the crime scene (unfortunately, their presence counted). Be that as it may, this was not only an “unfortunate” incident for the faithfuls of the journalism field. Time and again, contemptuous killings against journalists have been done – not simply by anyone, but by those who have the three G’s (goons, guns and gold). Sadly, though, a considerable part of these killings were related with those who have "respected" names in the land.

**********

I had finished reading our assigned chapter in the book and realized that the whole idea of the Philippines' "freest press" was debunked - not by the unjust killings of the Filipino journalists, but by the book itself. Because right after the aforementioned positive statement regarding free press was this: "It was not only that way". Fully disproving the idea, the authors declared, "Freedom of expression and mass media independence have been curtailed during critical moments in Philippine history to preserve the stranglehold on political power by the foreign and domestic elite and their representatives."

This was yet another "critical moment" in Philippine history. Goons in the political arena were again on-the-go "to preserve their stranglehold on political power".

The stranglehold on political power: the evil in Philippine democracy.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

After I Write, I would Go to Sleep

During my FX ride on my way home, I felt badly sleepy that I seemed like a dying person fighting for life. At the drop-off point in the SM Manila Area where FX drivers dislodge their commuting passengers, the one seated beside me waited for seconds before he was able to go out of the mobile door. Seated beside the driver in front passenger's seat, he politely asked me for an excuse to go out - but my normally instant response to this took about five seconds or so. I was on a hibernation.

I told myself that as soon as I get home, I would hit the sack at once and grant myself a good rest for a Saturday night.

However, when I arrived home, my impulse took me to my youngest baby cousin who I carried for a couple of minutes - with me still in uniform. Minutes later, after changing clothes, I went to our kitchen and chowed down the day's viand which Mama set aside for me, as I watched the Maalaala Mo Kaya hooking me up until the Pinoy Big Brother. My younger brother finished using the desktop; hence, after watching the reality program, I instantly went to our PC unit to check mails and open my social networking site accounts.

From 8:00 pm in the FX ride with the sleepy eyes, until 1:30 am with still sleepy eyes. But still, I was awake. I managed to be awake.

Truly, feeling asleep could be affected by what you are doing. As long as you feel relatively satisfied with your craft and work, your "sleepiness" would be wiped out. However, when all that you would be doing is to blankly stare at a wall, listen to a boring lecture, or read a brain-bleeding book, the impulse to sleep would instantly set in. Then the body would ask for a rest - the eyes getting tired of ungleeful portraits and scenes.

Playing with my youngest cousin, dining the day's viand, watching TV , checking mails and updating networking sites have been my ordinary routines at night. That was why I still managed to be awake.

From the school, to my FX ride, towards home. After I have written, I would go to sleep.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

November Love

At exactly this season, this month, this day, I have felt the love that I thought was too early to come. Yet I would want to last.

However, because it was too early, I know it would not last. And so I just opened my heart to the feeling - the infatuation, the emotion, the Love. The Love that I knew, on the onset, would not last. But I allowed to enter. Listening to Mitch Albom's mentor, Morrie, "Allow Love to enter you." And so I did.

I took the risk. I gambled. In the middle of opportunities, while swimming in the river of labor whose current was capable of swallowing you to its depth, I forcefully paddled my body towards the riverside. To the riverside where I could hold the hand of the one I chose to Love. To the riverside which had led me to the horrendous forest where I entered once and had found my Love.

To the forest where, for sometime, I have left the Cherry Blossom Tree.


The verisimilitude of the Love to grow appeared plausible - like rays of the sun peeking onto the vapor gaps of cumulonimbus providing an ambiance of romance to lovers at sunset. Words, affection, respect, understanding, above all, Love, nourished me and the Cherry Blossom Tree. My Cherry Blossom Tree.

But it was a love that was too early to come. And was bound to last, as swiftly as it has come.

At exactly this season, this month, this day, I have felt the love that I thought was too early to come. Which I have long gone accepted not to last.

Going There

Where do I want to start?
Here.
There.
Everywhere.

Where do I want to go?
Here.
There.
Everywhere.

How will I be able to get there?
If in the first place,
I don't know where to start?

How will I be able to start?
If in the first place,
I don't know where I'm headed to?

Here.
Everywhere.
Somewhere.

There.

I can Write. I can Speak.

For the past days, I have been wondering why I cannot write
- a poem, a lyric, an essay.
I could not paint the portraits
successively appearing in my mind.
I cannot write.

For the past days, I have been wondering why I cannot speak
- a thought, an argument, a speech.
I could not articulate what my heart
would want to declare.
I cannot speak.

For the past days, I have been wondering.
Why cannot I write?
Why cannot I speak?
Probably, I have been forgetting something.

It's not the mind that speaks.
It's not the mind that paints portraits.
It's not the mind that thinks.
It's the heart that does.

It's my heart that wonders
why I cannot write,
why I cannot speak.
Because it has so many things to say,
that is why I want to write;
I want to speak.

I can write.
I can speak.

Monday, November 23, 2009

On Heroism and Change

“Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need. So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”

- Efren Peñaflorida, 2009 CNN Hero of the Year

Saturday, November 21, 2009

The Power of Memory

Zeniba: I'm sorry she turned your parents into pigs. But there's nothing I can do. It's just the way things are. You'll have to help your parents... use what you remember about them.


Chihiro: What? Will you please give me more hint on that? It seems like I met Haku a long time before but I can't remember.

Zeniba: That's a good start. Once you've met someone, you'll never really forget them. It just takes a while for your memory to return.

Friday, November 20, 2009

How to Break a Spell

Chihiro: Haku stole this seal from Yubaba's sister.

Kamaji: Zeniba's solid gold, one of them seal. That's how powerful as it gets.

Chihiro: Look, he's changed back. Help me. What do we do? Haku! Haku, wake up!


Chihiro: Zeniba has put a curse on the seal.

Kamaji: That's her magic. It made him gravely ill.

Chihiro: Kamaji, what if I take the gold seal back to Zeniba? I need to get back this seal and apologize to her for Haku. Will you tell me where Zeniba lives?

Kamaji: You would go to Zeniba's? It would help but she's one dangerous witch.

Chihiro: Please? Haku helped me before. Now I wanna help him.

Kamaji: I know how you can get there. But you'll have to get back on your own. Wait here.

Kamaji: Found it! Here is it Sen. You can use this.

Lin: You've got train tickets? How did you get a whole of them?

Kamaji: I've been saving them for 40 years. Now listen carefully, the train will stop you on, it's called Swamp Bottom.

Chihiro: Swamp Bottom?

Kamaji: That's where Zeniba lives. The sixth stop.

Chihiro: Sixth stop.

Kamaji: Make sure you get it right. The train used to run in both directions but now it's only a one-way ride. You still wanna go?

Chihiro: Yeap. I'll back on the tracks.

Chihiro: Haku, I'll be back soon. Just hold on.

Lin: What's going on?

Kamaji: Something you would not recognize: it's called Love.

------------------------

Zeniba: Do you know anything about what this is?

Chihiro: Yes, it's a golden seal you're looking for. I'm here to apologize for Haku. I'm very sorry.

Zeniba: He sliced me in two, you know. When I'm still angry. But the protective spell is gone!

Chihiro: I'm sorry. You mean that black slug that's on your seal? I think I squashed it with my foot.

Zeniba: Squashed it?! That wasn't my slug! My sister put that slug into Haku so that she could control him. You squashed it?! What happened to my spell? Only Love can break it.



Spirited Away. The first Anime film that I have watched. I have loved. :)

Monday, November 16, 2009

Making Effective Interviews in Documentary

"Ask the most benign and simple questions first. Eventually, the subjects will forget that the camera is even there. When you feel they have reached a certain comfort level, ask them questions that get to the heart of the subject. If you build a rapport with your subjects, they will become very willing to dig deep and talk about how they felt during trying times. Memories will bubble to the surface and the subjects will begin to examine their role in the event or with the subject of your documentary. Be willing to follow whatever path they walk. Don't become so enamored with your list of questions that you don't let yourself delve into these very personal and usually immensely powerful moments.

Always keep in mind that it is all right to interrupt if the subject moves too far from the subject. However, don't be afraid to let the camera roll. Tape is cheap; the power of what you record will be worth it.

When finishing your interview, ask your subject if there is anything you didn't ask them. This will sometimes provide a very powerful and personal story or response that perhaps you didn't think of or felt would be too hard to get on camera. Don't be afraid to let the camera roll."

- Dr. Robert G. Nulph, Independent Video/Film Producer and Director
(Making Documentary Videos: The Interview. Retrieved from http://www.videomaker.com/article/12551/)



There is always something good about making documentaries. One of the things that I like doing most.

Delving into issues. Exploring lives. Discovering new perspectives. Studying reality.

D'CATCH season is on.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Don't dread Friday the 13th

... because sunrise tells how beautiful the day can be.

The sky's view at our rooftop on November 13, 2009 (Friday), 5:30 am.

H. Clinton Speaks

"Talent is universal, but opportunity may not be. With faith, perseverance, persistence and a sense of mission and purpose, you can make your contribution. Service has been in my heart all throughout my life."
- Hillary Clinton during the The Manila Forum

Hillary Clinton: The Manila Forum

Personal cameras not allowed. A shot of the forum during the day-long replays in TOMCAT (from the Trinity Globecaster Airing Room)

The forum started at 9 am and ended at 10 am, live feed from UST to ANC and CNN. Delayed Telecast at ABS-CBN.


6 am call time. The call time was my saving grace.

Having a class at 11 am, I ended up asking my fellow Kittens as to who could be available to represent our organization for the H. Clinton Forum yesterday. This was when the forum was still scheduled to be held at 11 am.

Nonetheless, when Bryan told me that an excuse letter would be provided to attendees, I volunteered myself, texting Cathy, "Prederrably president daw e. If you don't want, I'll be willing." To which she responded, "Ikaw na lang, gusto mo eh. Haha."

And so I came at the forum, wearing the OSA-provided UST yellow shirt, seated beside the about five rows away from where Pinky Web was delivering her spiels. Such a privelege to be there.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

TOMCAT holds SemBreak Workshop 2009

Tomasian Cable Television (TOMCAT), the closed circuit TV network of the University of Sto. Tomas, held its annual SemBreak Workshop at the Educational Technology Center (EdTech) a month later than the usual workshop dates because of class suspensions.

Asst. Prof. Faye Martel-Abugan gives lecture-workshop on basic video production

From November 5 to 6 and 10 to 11, speakers were invited to give lectures and workshop activities to TOMCAT members on basic TV and radio production, news production, TV presentation, scriptwriting and newswriting, and DJ-ing for radio DJ aspirants. Invited speakers were Mr. Jaime Bolok (ABSCBN TV Patrol Story Supervisor), Asst. Prof. Faye Martel-Abugan and Engr. Emmanuel Guevara (TOMCAT advisers), Judy Joy Nuñez (outgoing TOMCAT Technicals and Scenic Crew Division head), Jamelle Ann Catapusan (outgoing TOMCAT Management and Properties Division head) and Mr. Miguel Villaroman (DJ, 99.5 RT).

(From left to right) Mr. Jaime Bolok (ABSCBN TV Patrol story supervisor), Jamelle Ann Catapusan (Outgoing Management Head) and Catherine Recio (Incoming Management Head)

Participants did program segments for the eyed-magazine show "Lunchbox", where four groups were tasked to produce two to three-minute videos in various topics. Unfortunately, two teams were only able to present their final outputs, as technical problems lured the video editing process of the two groups.

TOMCAT participants keen on details given out by the speakers

In addition, two groups from the rado production team did 30-minute radio programs as their output for the workshop.

Participants who attended the workshop were estimated to number around 60.

Gaydays with Beyonce

If Mitch Albom has "Tuesdays with Morrie", I have my "Gaydays with Alexis". Gay connoting two meanings: first, gay as happy; and second, gay as of the third sex. Hence, happy days with a gay friend.

Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh. Oh, Oh oh.

No, Alexis is not a teacher as Morrie is to Albom. Rather, he is a friend who claims to be a woman trapped in a man's body. Moreover, he doesn't give lectures that inspire, but throws out jokes that make you perspire (literally and figuratively) every now and then. In seven days of working on checking boxes and crossing out bullets in one's "To Do List", being with Alexis can be a delightful break.

Last October 29, after our meeting-cum-lecture with a local cable TV for a tie-up project, Alexis and I were left at the office, editing and printing out the proposal for our organization's SemBreak workshop. Having casual conversations on "who's it's" and "what about's", he asked me to come with him to his dormitory. "Samahan mo ako sa dorm," he said. "Bakit?" I responded, sensing that he badly needs to get something important before going to his home in Rizal. "Kukuha ako ng Pond's." Very important. Indeed, Pond's is essential in every girl's life.

We stayed for a while at the conference room where I checked my grooming at the big mirror that was in there. Before we went out of the office, I caught him staring at his body - left to right, front to back - then uttering, "Sayang ang boobs ko, ang laki... di naman nagagamit." I almost laughed my lungs out upon hearing this remark. Minutes later, we were walking along the QuadriSquare where we young couples did intimate talks during a SemBreak. We chanced upon a guy walking alone; unsurprisingly, Alexis noticed him. "Ay, ang gwapo ni Kuya!" He complimented. "..kaya lang nangungulangot." The guy's index finger seemed stuck in his nostrils. We both laughed.

So we went to his dorm. After finally being able to get himself a Pond's, we met his dormmates on our way out of his dorm's street.

Guy Dormmate (to Alexis): Dito ka matutulog?

Alexis: Hindi e, uuwi ako.

Alexis (turning his back from the friend and continues walking
a la Beyonce): Uuuui... bakit mo tinatanong kung dito ako matutulog? (in a flirtatious tone, she shouts) Ayoko!!!

Sensual and confident that has made him sexually appealing. Be that as it may, he has always been chubby, healthy and oh-so-huggable. While walking along the Lacson sidewalk, a tricycle drove by in front, crossing path with us. Irritated, he shouted, "Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit 'to dinadaanan ng tricycle, e sidewalk nga. Banggain kita diyan e, sira ka!" How I wish the driver heard this so as to frighten him not to drive by the sidewalk ever again.
Banggain kita diyan e, sira ka! Poor tricycle.

-----------------

We had our turn-over dinner for the outgoing and incoming heads after our workshop closing program. In the place where we had shared our nights together, cute guys also dined in. Enthused and heartfully-delighted, Alexis turned his chair in favor of the cute guys and uttered, "Ang daming choiceeees!" Choices, referring not to the food menu, but to the guy menu (laid down around).

The outgoing Management Head (right) and Incoming HR Head (left) during the turn-over dinner

Waiting for minutes, his and a fellow's order came. "Oyakudon," the waiter announced, asking whose the food he was serving for. From behind, Alexis quickly and seriously answered "Ano yun?". We all laughed at his quick response. "'Di ko maintindihan e," he defendingly said.

Alexis knows fully well how to make people laugh. Above all, what makes him lovable is his ability to indulge in serious conversations, whilst making it lively and fun at the end.
And oh, by the way, he is so much into Beyonce. The walk, the moves, the dance. And s/he acts as if s/he is Beyonce.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~ Mark Twain