When we really care sincerely (Reacting on a concept paper)

The picture on the left reminds me of my old friends and so I chose to read a concept paper about FRIENDSHIP.

The paper made a clear description of what friendship is all about. The first sentence immediately pointed a one-sentence statement which automatically helped the reader understand the flow of her topic. Though I've chosen a very common topic for a concept paper, what I like most about it, is that, the writer made a different view on how friendship must be treated. She also elaborated few limitations on friendship and on how it starts and how it dies a natural death. Yes. You read it right, friendship do die a natural death.

The article I read was different from that of what I have experienced in the first place. Thus, making it more interesting for me. The paper showed a different view of what friendship really is all about. Not the type of friendship where we share the same interest. The writer analyzed his paper well and used a clear language and syntax.

It was really interesting and fun to read.

I think...

"Anybody who writes doesn't like to be misunderstood. "
by Norman MacCaig

The article written by Mr. Sam Manlosa was impressive. He was concern about the country and the fate of the Filipinos. However, he was not able to give the readers a balance statement between the candidates he was striking at, particularly Manny Villar and Joseph Estrada. In short, he became a bit tactless and sarcastic specially when he spoke against the to candidates' supporters. I understand the fact that we are enjoying the privilege of what democracy has given us, thus, it would be more polite for him if he had been more careful about his opinions. Upon on the other hand, the writer, I believe, was brave enough to speak his mind about how he feels towards the election results. I super like it when he tries to sound more hopeful at the second paragraph,when he specifically used the words 'hope" and "pray" for our country and for Noy-noy. As a reader, it made me smile knowing that there are still concerned-citizen who believes that our country has hope. Sam did a good job on that. He elaborated well the expectations of the Filipinos for the new elected president.

He really wrote it straight from his heart and was able to express his feelings and ideas right after the election. I'd like to thank him because he help me see the better side of the coin. Although my poor candidate for presidency didn't made it, I agree well with Sam for supporting Noy and for not putting all the burden on him alone. Remember, Noy isn't a SUPERMAN and nobody is.

God bless Philippines.

Election Fever.

The people had gathered for a purpose.

They have decided.

And now, the race is over.

Last May 10, 2010 at seven in the morning most of the precincts had opened their doors to start a historical event in our country. The long wait was over and the 1st Automated Election had begun.The people celebrated democracy.

I arrived at my voting precinct at around 7 a.m. With my mom and dad, we fall in line and waited for our turn to vote. It tooked us almost four hours to get inside the precinct. It was very crowded and scorching. Just a glance from a far, if I wasn't falling in line, I would not dare to vote that day. But I did not turn my back for that, because I've been waiting for this, I know I did. If I did not, then I guess, I would not have the right to complain by any reason for what fate our country might be experiencing in the future.

I was soaked by my own sweat and I was very tired. Like anybody else there, I wanted to give up and go home. The thing that has stopped me, was when I was reminded by the film JUAN TAMAD... (it was really inspiring because it affected my decision).

With that in my mind, I was reminded by my RESPONSIBILITY. So, I stretched all the patience that I have just to get into the polling station and VOTE. That was it, that was my very goal and my accomplishment.

When I finally got there, I can not deny the feeling that I have. There was excitement and a mixed of nervous. I can not wait for my ballot. Mom scolded me for being so impatient. As I received my ballot I did not waste any second and rushed thru an armchair near the machine and started voting.

The feeling was really intense. It was different when you're already there and you started shading those little ovals. It was weird because,I was so careful that my ballot won't get rejected by the PCOS machine. I voted slowly yet surely.

As I got near the machine, I returned my marking pen to the attending B.E.I. (Board of Election Officer) and she instructed me how to insert the ballot paper towards it. I felt nervous. I waited for the "CONGRATULATIONS..." noted at the left side of the machine. And it did appear and my vote was casted! That was really fulfilling on my part and my heart was smiling.

My day went right, because it was a very significant day for our country. A historical one. For that reason, I know I did my part as a good citizen.

Money can not buy the experience I had that day.

My Stand.(A reaction to a position paper)

The link is here:

http://jrgon.blogspot.com/2010/05/abs-cbn-aquino-broadcasted-superbly.html

It’s a blog post about ABS-CBN: Aquino Broadcasted Superbly (with the) Channel Belonging (to) Noynoy.

This post is made to make a serious comment on another blog post of a friend dear to me.

If I’m not mistaken March 28,2010 was the very day informatics were allowed to be aired on tv. On October 27, 2009 ABS-CBN made a music video which was broadcasted during commercials, entitled “HINDI KA NAG-IISA” which is sang by Regine Velasquez, the entire ad was star studded, and the song itself was dedicated for Sen. Noynoy Aquino. And that for one, I believe was an early hint that the network will be supporting Sen. Noynoy for 2010 election.


I chose to comment on this blog post, agreeing to the fact that in many ways, ABS-CBN is indeed bias to Noynoy Aquino.

Media’s role in the society is suppose to be non-partisan and impartial (which I agree with Mr. Jrgon), and that is how I see it towards ABS-CBN. The blogger was right when he said that few of the journalists had turned into politician because of the networks exposure during their campaigns.

But one that I did not agree with, was when he mentioned ABS-CBN for not covering late Cory Aquino’s apology to former President Joseph Estrada. Because I was so sure that I did watched it, on the same network (Sorry jaye, but I swear I have watched it at ABS-CBN). Here’s my proof:

http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/03/09/kris-thanks-erap-visiting-cory-hospital

However, I also agree with the fact that ABS-CBN is always focusing on what the people has something bad to say towards Sen. Manny Villar, It’s as if the network’s keep on agreeing to whatsoever controversies the senator is facing. For what? Of course to show to the public that Noynoy is way better off than Villar. This is really unfair. The network’s news then had become one-sided, they should have broadcast the side of Sen. Villar to be fair.

As a whole, the post made by JRGON was good and would enlighten many television viewers who had been blinded by the reality, that some networks are not being fair in delivering their news to the public. The thing I have learned now is to be more keen observant and not to instantly believed on whatever the news feeds us. We should always consider both side of the coin. For this, I’ll be telling my mom to re-connect our tv cable.

What's the real color of a true Filipina?

Media is one of the most influential factors in today's world and the age group that it has affected very gravely is the youth, that's us! Not only are they being subject to various kinds of communication through the various media but are also very greatly influenced by it. The media has played an instrumental role in defining the ways in which the youth conduct themselves and live their life. This can be in terms of their definitions of what is ACCEPTABLE and what is NOT, what RIGHT is and what is NOT.

Every time I watch my favorite show on tv, one that pisses me off is the commercial break. It happens all the time, especially when you are at the climax of what you are watching. Well, there’s not much I can do, its part of the networks’ rules I guess, and its business you know.

There are commercials on television that I always argue with my sister specially those whitening products they air on tv, every day. In the Philippines, the ideal Filipino beauty is to be fair-skinned. I’m not kidding you. In a land where everyone is born with a permanent tan, these people want to be white. Why? I think it all dates back to the Spanish rule. The lighter skinned Spanish beauties were looked up as the ideal standard of what is called BEAUTIFUL. When a Spaniard marries a Filipino, they produce a “mestizo”, a lighter skinned Filipino. Colonial mentality would idealize these mestizos as the ideal Filipino beauties with their fair skin; I don’t know what’s wrong with us people. As far as I am concern, Americans and Europeans dying to own our color, and here we are also dying to become like MJ or whatever.

Anyway, I’d like you to check this commercial from a whitening product by Vaseline(the link's below at the end of my post). The voiceover actually says:

“I love exploring new places out in the sun but my confidence is affected by my dark skin,…”


In connection to my English 5 lesson on assertion the statement I believe falls under IRRELEVANT,under the kind of statement it is a Statement of Preference.It is irrelevant because when you try to analyze the phrase given by the voiceover, the reason that her confidence is affected is because of his dark skin? How could that be pertinent? it is under the statement of preference because it is what he prefer to believe so.


The whole statement for me was scary, this woman isn’t concerned with the tan lines, and she’s more concerned about getting dark all over. Imagine what kind of a message this sends to young Filipina females in our country? It’s like saying that DARK is BAD and WHITE is GOOD. This is very sad.


Here’s another phrase that catches my attention:
“..the whiteness stays and stays..”


This statement here is MISLEADING and the kind of statement is Statement of Opinion. First, it is still yet to be verified and it need to be proved, I do not and never will believe that a mere lotion, no matter how expensive it may be, can keep me white forever? And; second, how could a tan, morena or brown – whatever you call it – Filipina who applies whitening lotion becomes white for good? I believe that whatever your color is, not unless you undergo a surgery from Belo, It is impossible for it to whiten permanently just because of a lotion.


That’s all I can share as for the moment. I just love arguing with those deceptive and fake commercials who are actually exaggerating things on television. All they want is to convince the viewers (market) to buy their product even if most of them are just faking it. At the end of the day, what matters most is that, you should love yourself and just thank God for what He has given you. Besides, it's the inner beauty that really counts.

It’s a blessing. Remember, Europeans and Americans are dying to have a skin tone like ours. 

Here's the link of the commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rswz0sghYCw

JUAN TAMAD ANG DIYABLO AT ANG 5 MILYONG BOTO - it needs my attention and my reaction

A while ago, I was pondering for the kind of leader our country needs and so I come to the following characteristics. I believe our country now needs a competent and effective leader to run and govern it. He must be a master politician who is above politics, what do you think? And not just that, he must be a leader who is a top man, who ought to know what is going on and set it right. Since, in the first place, he is expected to personify our welfare in an inspiring way. Take note that most of us Filipinos are so hopeless for the betterment and good change of this country, that's why we need some INSPIRATION. For us to achieve this kind of leader, first, we need to practice and exercise our right to vote. This May 10, 2010 we are expected to do that.

Three days ago I watched a very inspiring film entitled Juan Tamad ang Diyablo at Ang 5Milyong Boto. By the way, Juan Tamad is a famous character of Filipino folktales who is very lazy and here he is depicted as a first time voter who doesn’t have much motivation to be part of the electoral. The film was a musical play, and marvelous one. The casts did well in portraying a very significant role among which is relevant to the present, they were also very much entertaining and all. The costumes were beautiful and the colors fits well to the stage set up. And to sum it up, the film's style was entertaining and the content of the story was really interesting and realistic.

On my own perspective, though not as a “virgin voter”, the message of the film was very timely. It taught us how important it is to get involved on the different issues our country is facing, more specifically the upcoming election. The story of the entire play helps awaken the youth and our responsibilities as citizens that is, to participate and let our little voices be heard. Just then, I’ve come to my senses that even a mere vote that comes from me could make a difference. I guess, election isn’t just a time to get even to those evil and corrupt leaders for not voting them AGAIN, rather, election is the time to choose and decide what we think is best base on our own preferences. Yes! I would want my vote to count, praying that this May 10 there would be no failure of election. As a whole, the film really taught me how to be a cooperative, or let me just say,how to be more participative citizen of my country. The entire video also shows how the Filipinos were generally viewed as. Some of the characters, like the mother of Juan criticizes the leader in position using a metamorphic statement such as comparing the politician to a MANANANGGAL, which is I guess is true. Everyone who watched it, for sure can relate to what its message tries to tell us simply because the film itself is very realistic. Now, what strikes me most is how important my vote is for my dear country who is in deep shit. Remember, if we make an informed decision, regardless of who we pick, we are not throwing our vote away.

Before I end my post, I'd like to give credit to PETA for creating such a relevant film for the youth and Especially for promoting The Virgin Voter's Campaign. It is indeed very helpful.