| Yearbook write-up ko |
[24 Mar 2009|09:22pm] |
Kanina, napag-trip-an kong maghalungkat ng mga lumang file sa laptop. Wala lang. Tapos nakita ko itong yearbook write-up ko na sinulat ng napakahusay na si Paterno Esmaquel II. Hanggang ngayon, tuwang tuwa ako kasi ang ganda ng pagkakasulat. Salamat, Paterns!
Heto yung write-up kasama ang college grad pic ko.
Isang taon na pala mula nang gumradweyt kami. Ang bilis.
P.S. Kailan kaya lalabas ang Aegis '08? Hehehe
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 Chua, Ryan Edward L.0407424 AB CommunicationThis write-up can risk Reddie’s dream job, journalism, but let it be said nonetheless: He has low credibility. He says he isn’t a good student, but he’s always a few decimals short of a cuatro. He says his work deserves ruthless editing, but he’s won a Palanca. Every time he joins a contest, he says he’d lose. Yet he always emerges the winner. Reddie is a liar in this respect, yes, to other people. But to himself he may be the most honest—he knows he’s not perfect and there’s always more to improve. Maybe, then, he’s fit to be a journalist after all: Humbly he is sure, in journalism and in life, that there’s always something to edit, edit, and edit.
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| 'Nicole' now doubts if Smith raped her |
[17 Mar 2009|09:34pm] |
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Kopya ng bagong sworn statement ng Subic rape victim na si "Nicole," kung saan pinagduduhan niya na kung na-rape nga ba siya ng US serviceman na si Daniel Smith noong 2005. Ganun na lang ba kadali yun?
Ano kaya ang pumasok sa kukote ng babaeng ito?
Nakakairita!
Parang may maling nangyari rito. Tsk tsk tsk.
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
CITY OF MAKATI
SWORN STATEMENT I, (NAME WITHHELD), of legal age, Filipino, a resident of Zamboanga City, after being duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state: 1. I am a Bachelor of Science graduate, major in Management Accounting, of the Ateneo de Davao University. Soon after my graduation, I took up nursing in 2004 at the Ateneo de Zamboanga City and at the same time assisted in managing our family owned canteen located inside the military base of the Southern Command. My mother was a civilian supervisor of the Philippine Navy for 25 years while my deceased father was a Philippine Navy Officer. 2. Since our canteen also catered to American servicemen who stayed at the military base every time their vessels docked in Zamboanga City, my family came to know many American servicemen who would go to our canteen to eat and buy souvenir items. We treated them as family and we would go out of our way to talk to them, play cards and on many occasions, my mother would even cook special meals for them. They would even entrust their ATM cards to us to withdraw money for them from the bank. My former boyfriend, Brian Goodrich, is also an American serviceman. 3. After working in Swift Foods Inc. since January 22, 2007, I decided to quit my job as a Cost Accountant to pursue my studies in the United States through the help of my family, relatives and close friends. I know that they supported me so that I could finally move on after my tragic experience in 2005 in Subic, Zambales which led to the trial and conviction for rape of Daniel J. Smith. 4. Deep inside, however, I know that I may never be able to move on for as long as I continue to search for answers to so many questions that have lingered in my mind regarding the incident in Subic more that three years ago. Daniel Smith was convicted of rape because the court accepted my version that he took advantage of my intoxication, raping me inside a van that took us to the seawall located at the SBMA Alaba Pier at around 11:30 in the evening of November 1, 2005. 5. Daniel Smith's witnesses said that while we were at the Neptune Club, I sat on Daniel Smith's lap and that we kissed each other passionately. I remember that before I met Daniel Smith at the Neptune Club, all I ate was a slice of pizza at the Grand Leisure Hotel. After the pizza, everything else was alcohol drinks from vodka sprite, B52, Singaporean sling, B53, long island ice tea to bullfrog all of which I drank bottoms up. I do not recall Daniel Smith having ordered any alcoholic drink for me. My drinks were all paid for by Chris Mills who invited me to go to the Neptune Club. 6. I had no opportunity to deny in court that I kissed Daniel Smith but with the amount of alcoholic mixed drinks I took, my low tolerance level for alcohol and with only a slice of pizza all night, it dawned upon me that I may have possibly lost my inhibitions, became so intimate with Daniel Smith and did more than just dancing and talking with him like everyone else on the dance floor. Looking back, I would not have agreed to talk with Daniel Smith and dance with him no less than three times if I did not enjoy his company or was at least attracted to him since I met him for the very first time on the dance floor of Neptune Club. 7. When I danced with Daniel Smith for the third time, my companions, Chris Mills has already left Neptune Club since they had to catch their curfew time at the military base. The lighting was sufficient for people to recognize each other and other marines were with their Filipino partners drinking, dancing, and enjoying each other's company and kissing and hugging among partners was a common scene. 8. With the events at the Neptune Club in mind, I keep on asking myself, if Daniel Smith wanted to rape me, why would he carry me out of the Neptune Club using the main entrance in full view of the security guard and the other customers? Why would the van park right in front of Neptune Club? Why would Daniel Smith and his companies bring me to the seawall of Alaba pier and casually leave this area that was well lighted and with many people roaming around? If they believed that I was raped, would they have not dumped me instead in a dimly lit area along the highway going to Alaba pier to avoid detection? 9. I told the court that Daniel Smith kissed my lips and neck and held my breast inside the van. Recalling my testimony, I ask myself how I could have remembered this if witnesses told the court that I passed out and looked unconscious when I was brought to the van by Daniel Smith. How could I have resisted his advances given this condition? Daniel Smith and I were alone on the third row of the van which had limited space and I do not recall anyone inside the van who held my hand or any part of my body. What I can recall is that there was very loud music and shouting inside the van. 10. If the travel from Neptune Club took only several minutes and with the driver of the van trying to beat the curfew time of his passengers, how could I have instantly regained my consciousness and talked to the people upon reaching the seawall of Alaba Pier? When people gathered around me at the seawall, everyone seemed to have drawn the conclusion that I was raped except for one who called me a bitch. 11. Based on the account of the SBMA police, I was very hesitant to board the mobile police car that brought me to the headquarters for investigation. I was so confused and the first thing that entered my mind was how would my mother and boyfriend react if they learn that I was last seen with Daniel Smith and that a condom was seen on my pants after Daniel Smith left the van? I was scared of losing not only my American boyfriend but the chance of living in the United States. In fact, I did not immediately tell my boyfriend that I was raped by Daniel Smith. All I said was that something bad happened to me. 12. I expect many sectors to question my motives in executing this statement more than three years after the incident. However, as I practically grew up interacting with American servicemen in Zamboanga City who treated me and my family very well, and thinking over and over again how I may have conducted myself at the Neptune Club, I can't help but entertain doubts on whether the sequence of events in Subic last November of 2005 really occurred the way the court found them to have happened. 13. My conscience continues to bother me realizing that I may have in fact been so friendly and intimate with Daniel Smith at the Neptune Club that he was led to believe that I was amenable to having sex or that we simply just got carried away. I would rather risk public outrage than do nothing to help the court in ensuring that justice is served. AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT.
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| Nakakatakot ang krisis na ito |
[26 Jan 2009|10:25pm] |
Hindi ako nakakaintindi ng business news kaya hindi ko rin lubusang maintindihan ang puno't dulo ng sikat na sikat nang global financial crisis. Ang alam ko lang, maraming kompanya ang nagsasara--yung iba, kilala at malaki--at lalong maraming tao ang nawawalan ng trabaho dahil dito.
Ngayong araw lang, 40,000 manggagawa sa US ang nawalan ng trabaho.
***
WASHINGTON (AP) — The recession is killing jobs at an alarming pace, with tens of thousands of new layoffs announced Monday by some of the biggest names in American business -- Pfizer, Caterpillar and Home Depot.
More pink slips, pay freezes and other hits are expected to slam workers in the months ahead as companies desperately look for ways to survive.
"We're just seeing the tip of the iceberg -- the big firms," said Rebecca Braeu, economist at John Hancock Financial Services. "There's certainly other firms beneath them that will lay off workers as quickly or even quicker."
Looking ahead, economists predicted a net loss of at least 2 million jobs -- possibly more -- this year even if President Barack Obama's $825 billion package of increased government spending and tax cuts is enacted. Last year, the economy lost a net 2.6 million jobs, the most since 1945, though the labor force has grown significantly since then.
The unemployment rate, now at a 16-year high of 7.2 percent, could hit 10 percent or higher later this year or early next year, under some analysts' projections.
Obama called on Congress Monday to speedily enact his recovery plan, warning that the nation can't afford "distractions" or "delays."
With the recession expected to drag on through much of this year, more damage will be inflicted on both companies and workers.
The mounting toll was visible Monday as roughly 40,000 more U.S. workers got the grim news.
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc., which is buying rival drugmaker Wyeth in a $68 billion deal, and Sprint Nextel Corp., the country's third-largest wireless provider, said they each will slash 8,000 jobs.
Home Depot Inc., the biggest home improvement retailer in the U.S., will get rid of 7,000 jobs, and General Motors Corp. said it will cut 2,000 jobs at plants in Michigan and Ohio because of slow sales.
"We are seeing no improvement in labor market conditions," said Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets Economics. "This year could be as bad as last year in terms of layoffs."
In response to deteriorating business conditions, Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest maker of mining and construction equipment, disclosed nearly 20,000 job cuts, most of which already have been made. They include 5,000 new layoffs of white collar workers, which will occur globally by the end of March.
Earlier actions included the elimination of 2,500 Caterpillar workers through a buyout offer announced in December, the termination of about 8,000 contract and temp agency workers, and the reduction of 4,000 full-time factory workers through firings and buyouts.
Texas Instruments Inc., which makes chips for cell phones and other gadgets, will cut 3,400 jobs due to slumping demand. The Dallas-based company said Monday it will slash 12 percent of its work force -- 1,800 jobs through layoffs and another 1,600 through voluntary retirements and departures. And Brooks Automation Inc. said it plans to get rid of 350 jobs, or 20 percent of its work force. It will be the second round of cuts for Brooks, which makes software and equipment for chip manufacturers.
Oilfield services provider Halliburton Co. said it will eliminate jobs in markets particularly hard hit by the recession, though it didn't provide details. Its larger rival Schlumberger Ltd. said last week it will cut up to 5,000 jobs worldwide in the first half of 2009 and consider further reductions this spring.
The flurry of layoffs comes on the heels of similar action by big-name companies just last week.
Microsoft Corp. said it will slash up to 5,000 jobs over the next 18 months. Intel Corp. said it will cut up to 6,000 manufacturing jobs. And United Airlines parent UAL Corp. said it would get rid of 1,000 jobs, on top of 1,500 axed late last year.
And there's no end in sight. In a survey by the National Association for Business Economics, 39 percent of forecasters predicted job reductions through attrition or "significant" layoffs over the next six months, up from 32 percent in the previous survey in October. Around 45 percent in the current survey anticipated no change in hiring plans. About 17 percent thought hiring would increase.
A new report by the placement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that companies are often turning to a creative combination of measures to cut costs -- beyond layoffs. Those measures include pay freezes or reductions, forced vacations, travel cutbacks and the elimination of year-end bonuses.
"Many companies cannot cut their payrolls as deeply as they have in previous downturns, simply because they did not do as much hiring during the most recent expansion," said John Challenger, president of the firm. "As a result, they are forced to find alternative ways to keep costs down."
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| Panlilio, Padaca, Robredo para senador? |
[11 Jan 2009|08:45pm] |
Exciting. Mukhang magkakaroon na ako ng mga manok sa 2010 ngayon pa lang. Hahaha. Sa bagay, hindi na ganoon kalayo ang 2010.
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Panlilio, Padaca, Robredo eye 2010 polls
By Tonette Orejas, Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
PDI Central Luzon Desk
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Isabela Gov. Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca, Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio and Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo have confirmed that they are open to running for national positions in the 2010 elections.
The three officials made the decision after their group, Kaya Natin!, concluded an assessment and planning session Sunday at the Clark Freeport, said Harvey Keh, executive director of the movement.
Kaya Natin!, founded in early 2008, is a national movement espousing good governance and ethical leadership. Padaca, Panlilio and Robredo are founding members together with Keh, Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, and Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr.
“All three are open as reform candidates,” Keh said.
Reached by phone, Padaca said the prospect of vying for a national post remained open.
“The fact that I will go through a decision-making process means I can go either way,” she said.
If God wills it
Panlilio, in a phone interview, Sunday said: “If God wills it. His indicator is if the people ask me to run for national office... [But] I’m not presenting myself.”
In a forum in Cabanatuan City on Saturday, Panlilio told reporters he was considering running for national office.
“It is not only the moral and political crusade I am personally pursuing, but one that involves the divine aspect,” he said.
He, however, reiterated he would prefer to go back to his duties as a priest and, if possible, be assigned to his hometown of Minalin, Pampanga, and retire there.
Robredo, for his part, said vying for a national position was an “option we should consider in pursuing the goals of Kaya Natin!”
First time
This was the first time the three officials came out with a position on their political plans for 2010.
Lorenzo said her colleagues would finalize their plans after holding several consultations with their constituents and reform groups.
Keh said that in the case of Panlilio, a Catholic priest on leave, “he intends to undergo a personal and communal discernment.”
Panlilio was pushed by concerned Kapampangan to run for governor in 2007 to challenge board member Lilia Pineda and re-electionist Gov. Mark Lapid.
Recall petition
Last year, however, a recall petition was filed against Panlilio, citing loss of confidence in his leadership. Several key allies also resigned from his administration.
Padaca, who defeated the Dy political dynasty in Isabela, and Robredo are recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, considered the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
LP Senate ticket
On Saturday, former Sen. Franklin Drilon announced that the Liberal Party was considering Padaca and Robredo for its 2010 senatorial slate.
Drilon said the two officials were among eight politicians being considered for the LP ticket, which would have Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II as its presidential candidate.
The other candidates are former Education Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad Jr., Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazon, Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III, former Rep. Nereus Acosta and beauty and fitness expert Cory Quirino.
Drilon said the party had officially nominated Roxas to be its standard-bearer for the 2010 elections even if Roxas remained coy about his political plans.
He also said that the Supreme Court would play a critical role during the months leading to the presidential elections next year.
Charter change
He said the public would see “in the next 18 months the critical role the Supreme Court will play in the political history of our country.”
Drilon, who had served as justice secretary for about five years, said that among the major issues the high court would be confronted with were the issue of Charter change and the eligibility of former President Joseph Estrada to run for president next year.
He said he was also concerned that the high court would be dominated by appointees of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as seven justices are set to retire this year. With a report from Anselmo Roque, Inquirer Central Luzon
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| Manila, 1930's |
[09 Jan 2009|05:17am] |
Below are two old travel documentaries about Manila, once "the queen city of the Pacific."
It's interesting to see how places like Escolta, Roxas Boulevard (formerly Dewey Boulevard), and Taft Ave. looked like before, and how people at that time lived--their mode of transportation, their daily activities, etc.
Back then, Manila was one of the most prosperous and beautiful cities in the world. Oh, if only we can restore its glory.
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| Mga role model ng ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs |
[05 Jan 2009|05:16am] |
I read this in my e-mail a while ago. Nakaka-inspire, lalo na para sa isang baguhan gaya ko.
From our big boss, Maria Ressa:
"Let's welcome the new year by congratulating the best of 2008. Below is our 2008 20/20 Excellence Awards - our role models for the year ahead.
"Our selection process combined the formal assessments, management and peer nominations and a final, rigorous mancom discussion and vote. Our goal was to choose the people who exhibited the values, standards and ethics we want our group to stand for. These 20 men and women are exceptional. They are people with individual vision for their area of influence - who raise the bar of excellence, inspire their colleagues and help set the news agenda.
"Writing about them gave me tremendous hope for the new year. They are each - and collectively - inspirational. If we follow their examples in 2009, we will reach new highs.
"Congratulations to the winners, and for us who work with them, let's learn from their accomplishments and the attitudes which allowed them to conquer their challenges. To a person, all of them are hard-working, optimistic, hopeful and generous - a great place to start!"
1. Jimmy Encarnacion, Cameraman: A cameraman who shoots superb pictures in an artistic manner – even while under threat. He repeatedly risked his life by continuing to shoot video while held hostage. The video of the year is a stolen shot of Ces and the kidnappers – even then, Jimmy managed to make it artistic by framing the lens with the sides of burlap sack. His creativity and people skills help the newsgathering team: in daily coverage, he is aggressive and persuasive. When kidnapped, he charmed – and educated – his kidnappers to the point that they allowed him to “clean” his camera daily giving him another opportunity for stolen shots. For his courage, daring, dedication and humanity, he wins the 2008 top 20/20 award.
2. Angelo Valderrama, Assistant Cameraman: Assistant cameraman/driver who consistently goes beyond the call of duty. His courage and steadiness while under captivity helped bolster the courage of his teammates. The respect he and his fellow cameraman showed their reporter, Ces Drilon, helped keep her safer, elevating her status in the eyes of the kidnappers. After he was released, he could’ve gone straight home to his waiting family – which is what most in his position would’ve done. Instead, he stayed to help the police – giving them valuable information that allowed authorities to identify and locate the kidnappers. He gives depth and new meaning to “walang iwanan.”
3. Kim Atienza, Anchor: He writes. He shoots. Every day, he creates his own content for Umagang Kay Ganda and combines folksy humor with trivia segments and the daily weather in TV Patrol World’s Weather Weather Lang. A modern day, amped up Ernie Baron, Kim has carved a niche for himself, leaving his political past and family connections far behind. Today, his imagination and sense of wonder about the world, his advocacies for sustainable development, climate change and “animalandia” power the success of Matanglawin. We cite Kim Atienza for his vision, hard work and creativity – all these propelling him to near icon status in less than two years Awarded locally and internationally, he represented the Philippines in this year’s National Geographic Asia Anniversary Special.
4. Margie Natividad, Executive Producer: Combining creativity and production polish with a true sense of service, Margie reached many landmarks this year: creating Wonder Mom and Matanglawin. Hard-working to the point of making herself sick, she sets her standards and refuses to budge, aggressively pursuing the vision she sees and seeing it through to make it a reality. With its sophistication and polish, Matanglawin won numerous local and international awards this year. For the ABU Special Jury Prize, Margie was flown to Bali by ABU to speak on what she does best: produce a creative polished program on a limited budget!
5. Francis Toral, Supervising Producer, ANC: Producer, coach, mentor, manager, Francis is the editorial backbone of ANC. Always asking for the opportunity to learn, Francis knows her weaknesses but works to strengthen them. During ANC’s leadership transition early this year, Francis stepped in, began to establish systems and helped heal a divided group. Despite having lived through her own personal disappointments, Francis chose to look for an upside, find it and make it a reality. For her production skills, her interpersonal skills, her leadership skills, her never-dying hope for a better future, Francis stands out as an example of living through rough times and learning lessons to build a better tomorrow. She builds the nuts and bolts that are re-creating ANC for the future we envision.
6. Loraine Garcia, Senior Financial Officer: Enemy, friend, coach, partner – the perfect finance officer who stepped in, landed running, overhauled and created systems to help institutionalize fiscal discipline. Eager to listen and learn, she focused on operations and our personal quirks quickly. Despite some personal cost, she waded in and bore the anger of many as she stood her ground championing what she believes is right. Finding the balance between doing what she thinks is right and giving whoever she’s dealing with respect is difficult, and Loraine navigated uncharted waters this year, choosing to take the right risks for the right people with the right vision. For her strength, discernment, courage – for going beyond the safe waters of a traditional bean-counter, we welcome Loraine to the ranks of 20/20.
7. Isagani “Gani” De Castro, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, abs-cbnnews. com: This year is the coming of age of abs-cbnnews. com under veteran journalist Marites Vitug, and the man who oils the machine is Gani de Castro. A quiet but strong leader, he untiringly pushes for unique content without losing sight of the vision to balance substance with speed. His news judgment is impeccable. His people skills are excellent: he rarely looses his cool but never lets sloppy work get through, maintaining high standards of journalism. He manages news.com daily – works very long hours across shifts: editing, writing, re-writing, reporting. If anyone on dot com desk is sick, he fills in for that person. If someone needs to go out to report, he stays on the desk and takes on that person’s work. If someone has to adjust his or her sked for personal reasons, he’s always ready to help fill in the gap. In Marites’ words: “Gani inspires me and the rest of the team to work hard.”
8. Kits Fernandez, Director: An informal leader, people follow Kits because he has direction and vision. Daily, Kits directs Umagang Kay Ganda, TV Patrol World & Bandila. He helped create the templates for all our news programs and maintains them daily. His eye for detail – in his lighting, shots and effects – add a production gloss while improving the pace and rhythm of all our news programs. His creativity stretches – but sticks to – the boundaries of news. He is – like people who do well – obsessed with his work and constantly looks for ways to improve what he does. He leads by example, making split second judgment calls, with the right priorities in mind. He is an informal leader, respected by those he commands, trusted by his peers – providing a vision for the way our programs look and feel. For his meticulous, untiring work and dedication, we salute Kits.
9. Yvette Novenario, Head, ABS-CBN News & ANC Sales: News sales under Yvette has never been the same. Every year, she sets new highs – despite major disappointments and programming challenges. In her first two years selling ANC, she raised net income 183%. This year, she surpassed that by increasing ANC’s net income by nearly 400% this year alone. She is a true journalist’s dream salesperson: making money flow when it’s an important news story that needs to get done and maintaining (and finding creative ways to stretch) the rigorous guidelines of our Standards & Ethics Manual. Balancing the sometimes impossible advertiser demands with demanding journalists like us is difficult at best. Yvette makes it look easy, jumping in to smooth over conflicts on a near-daily basis. For her dogged determination, creativity and just plain never take no attitude, Yvette makes it to 20/20 again!
10. Ricky Carandang, Anchor ANC, Reporter ABS-CBN: Again, another coming-of-age year as one of ANC’s mainstays smoothly transitions and takes on additional duties as a mentor, coach and informal supervising producer. Going above and beyond what is required of anchors, Ricky is passionate that we get it right and that we be the best we can be. That’s why he makes sure that everything he touches is as accurate as it can be – not by coming in at the last minute and throwing tantrums if things go wrong, but by getting in the trenches from the beginning and helping his teammates find the path. Not everyone will like him because he refuses to take pwede na – he is his team’s fiercest critic but also their best defender when they do well! This year, he led ANC’s coverage in the complex and nuanced coverage of the global financial crisis. His work proves there is no dichotomy between business and politics, between local and foreign news. For constantly challenging himself and his peers, for working hard to make the news what it should be, for pouring his passion into everything he does, we salute Ricky.
11. Cheryl Favila, Supervising Executive Producer: Another coming of age – this time from being an executive producer to a full-fledged leader and visionary. Last year, Cheryl Favila took over and shaped our morning program, Umagang Kay Ganda. She targetted to make the program number 1 within one year – and she delivered that this year – ahead of its one year anniversary. But more important are the values – and the systems she created - to make sure we all collectively live those values during her watch. She has taken what we used to call the Wild West and introduced law and order with a caring, gentle hand. In addition to her people skills, she also finds the balance between editorial and sales needs. A woman who puts in 14 hour days on average, she never loses her cool and is described by those who work with her as completely trustworthy. For providing untiring presence – the skeleton that holds everything together - for inspiring those she leads to make the right choices and uphold what’s right – even if it hurts them personally, Cheryl’s quiet leadership is planting seeds we will nurture and grow.
12. Claude Vitug, Head, Futures Desk: At some point, every journalist confronts the difficult choice of doing what’s right even if it means hurting a friend, harder when it’s linked with money and thinly veiled bribery. Many of us have lived through this, but no one does it as quietly and unassumingly as Claude Vitug. A leader whose ego is rarely seen, he who works tirelessly, putting in the longest hours on the desk, planning our logistics and editorial needs. First to arrive. Last to leave. Claude has been with the company for nearly 20 years, but he maintains the energy of a new reporter out to prove himself. He has the respect of the reporters he manages. One reporter wrote: “he has all the answers to operational and administrative questions, thinks and acts swiftly for a win-win solution for both management and employee. He knows what is required, yet is considerate of manpower concerns. He is approachable and accomodating, but he also carries a big stick – the perfect combination for a boss.” His managers hold him in the same high regard. He holds one of the most vulnerable positions in any news group when it comes to setting the news agenda. With his integrity, all of us can rest easy that special interest groups will not be able to corrupt our news. Thank you, Claude!
13. TJ Manotoc, Anchor ANC & Studio 23, Reporter ABS-CBN: The model of a true cross-platform, multi-media reporter, TJ Manotoc did not mold himself to existing formulas. He created his own – choosing to champion what he believed in and what he is passionate about. He starts the day anchoring ANC’s morning program, reports for TV Patrol World and ends the day anchoring Studio 23’s newscast. As a sports reporter, he keeps us unbiased and relevant by reporting non-mainstream issues (which at some point become mainstream – at which point, he is an expert). His personal interest in science and technology was his foundation to craft his own beat (which won him a KBP award) that has now moved to a mass market. In between, he finds time to write articles for abs-cbnnews. com. TJ is where we want our whole organization to move: to create multi-tasking, multi-media, multi-platform reporters – with a great personal style. Unassuming, easy to work with, TJ is liked and trusted by his subordinates, his peers and management.
14. Karen Puno, Head, Business Features & Special Reports: An organizer who rarely gets credit for her meticulous work, Karen delivered two exceptional events for ANC this year: the eco special, which rated well and ANC’s first international event – the Leadership Forum in Guam. The team she put together dazzled our counterparts in Guam: they introduced new (for Guam) stage concepts and systems. Her task was simple: it had to be perfect. And she delivered. She managed all this in between deadlines and special projects of her daily work for Sales. She volunteers to help when needed for often thankless tasks, like the Grand Kapamilya Negosyo Fair, another NCAD & ANC success. She is a creative producer, an analytical and fast problem solver, used to juggling multiple tasks that impact ANC’s overall financial and editorial performance. Her work allows ANC to continue pushing the envelope in terms of new ideas and projects.
15. Winnie Cordero, Anchor: A woman with an incredible attitude and generosity of spirit, again, always stepping in to fill in the cracks. She rarely says no to desperate producers and organizers of NCAD projects. A veteran of the morning program, she was included in the new lineup of Umagang Kay Ganda because she is doing it for the right reasons, and she is effective. Because she believed in it, she pushed for consumer and household issues, and now it’s a fixture. She is not just an anchor, she is also her own dedicated producer. Winnie prepares, covers and does her own research for her segments and live setup. She calendars her daily topics for a month. She is a leader in her own right, whose individuality, humor and zeal to excel is extraordinary. What makes her exceptional is that she never disconnects: she stays emotionally linked to the viewers she speaks with even as she crafts what she does on a bigger scale. For her attitude, her genuineness, her sheer hard work and determination, Winnie Cordero joins the ranks of 20/20.
16. David Dizon, Senior Editor, abs-cbnnews. com: David, like the platform he works for, has also come of age this year. An award-winning reporter, he began marrying technology and election issues in his pieces. His stories on the Philippines’ population problems won him Best News Reporting on Population and Development award this year. A news.com stalwart, David blossomed this year, writing and reporting on stories that were never touched by our website before. Under new management, David tackled terrorism stories as well, stumbling onto one of the more interesting undercover personalities. He faced his own ethical issues when confronted with how much to reveal publicly when faced with national security/personal security issues. We welcome David to the ranks of 20/20.
17. Jimmy Dasal, Cameraman: XXX spiels director and field cameraman, he faced the challenge of having to revamp a program that already worked! When XXX was created, it quickly became the number 1 program on our Saturday grid. Over the last two years, its ratings eroded partly because of its changing timeslots. XXX has gone through several revamps, working to find a new approach and at the same time keep the strengths that made it number 1: its content, anime inspired design and great visual look. Jimmy is held as a role model by the team. According to them, his dedication is very inspiring. After each coverage and airing, he says, “kung magagawa ko lang lahat sana.”
18. Mary Ann Purificacion, Head, Special Project: Overworked, often overlooked, and rarely publicly praised, May Purificacion handles a heavy work load servicing at least 200 clients. Despite that, when needed, she volunteers to help others in need on special NCAD projects like the Grand Kapamilya Negosyo Fair, public service projects with UKG and Salamat Dok. She never asks if it’s part of her job description. In her actions, it’s clear she’s a teamplayer who wants to help our group reach our goals. She understands the needs of the advertisers but balances that with program goals and our Standards & Ethics Manual. An excellent troubleshooter, a go-getter, never say die teamplayer, she is a also a diplomat and creative producer whose attitude and hard work inspires those she works with.
19. Anne Yosuico, Executive Assistant: Last year, Anne won the 20/20, nominated by her peers who pointed out that she volunteered to train and learn DNG, began working as a one-man newsgathering team shooting, reporting, writing, editing and transmitting stories for ABS-CBN, ANC, Studio 23. She also worked as a writer and producer behind the scenes. She seemed to have a thirst for learning and was passionate about the news and sports. When she applied as my Executive Assistant, I thought it would be a waste of a reporter’s talent until she explained why she wanted to do it: because she wanted to see a big picture, to understand how all the moving parts fit together. I accepted her on the condition that she only do this for two years. Her editorial judgment, her passion for excellence, her meticulous search for systems has helped our entire organization in what is mostly a thankless job powered by her initiative and drive. Often caught between her friends and management, she walks a tightrope that requires maturity and discreet judgment. This year, she helped systematize our search for NAS and is spearheading our space planning project (which will help determine our physical future). Her millenial views have found its way into our strategic goals. When Charie nominated her, she called her, “the necessary pain in the ass” – although said "lovingly," it reflects Anne’s 10-12 hour days and relentless goal of getting things done.
20. Jovy Dasal, Researcher: Nominated and championed by the Current Affairs team, they say Jovy is an extraordinary field researcher for XXX and is one of the few who have developed the unique skill of spy-cam coverage. His team said, “his performance is consistent and goes beyond the call of duty.” Rarely takes a day off, always there on Sundays, Jovy's courage is apparent in the risks he takes - from climbing and staking out on top of a roof, to applying and working as a factory worker, he does what needs to get done to get the story. A quiet and unassuming man, he assesses the dangers and takes calculated risks that have earned him the trust of his team.
***
At syempre, ang mga lider naman. (Kung hindi pinaalala ni Paterno, hindi ko ito mababasa sa e-mail ko. Akala ko pareho lang ng naunang message tungkol sa 20/20 awardees. Hahaha.)
Muli, mula kay Tita Maria:
"The whole world is searching for leaders. America found Obama, and we found these six!
"Nothing happens without good leaders, and in 2008, we were blessed to find so many. Not all the circumstances are pleasant, and always, it brings about change (which could make people insecure), but these leaders managed that process, making change and stability part of the fabric of their teams.
"Sometimes, it's easier to keep industrial peace rather than push for excellence. I've seen many of you shy away from conflict because it's not worth the fight. Some of you call it 'choosing your battles,' but at some point, we have to draw the line - to sacrifice personal peace in exchange for the best product possible.
"These leaders have strong principles and put in long hours. That's just the beginning. They have high standards for excellence - a vision for how things should be, and they've stepped in and set things moving."
1) Glenda Gloria, ANC Chief Operating Officer: the winner of this year’s Jaime V. Ongpin Investigative Reporting Award, this veteran journalist and author took over the daily operations of ANC in February. Acting as teacher, mentor, disciplinarian and friend, Glenda helped heal the rifts in a divided team and resolve unspoken conflicts in a professional manner. In the process, she helped elevate the editorial standards by placing key people in the right positions and beginning to develop and grow mature journalists. Under Glenda’s leadership, ANC was able to hit more than 400% increase in net income this year. Working longer hours than anyone she manages, Glenda is the perfect role model for ANC.
2) Marites Vitug, abs-cbnNews. com Managing Editor: Award-winning journalist and author, Marites has taken her passion for justice and taken it mainstream. Simultaneously remaining the Managing Editor of Newsbreak, Marites’ challenge was to take a team known for substantive journalism and merge them with the daily demands of a news wire 24/7 service. Within months of joining ABS-CBN in February, she accomplished that and began working on systems to maintain it. After that, her editorial leadership paid off – for the first time abs-cbnNews. com broke big stories including the GSIS-Meralco scandal and several on the justice systems, Marites’ own passion. Her clarity of thought and her personal mission to attack and expose society’s problems make our news website a must read site for Filipinos. Under her team, hits have improved immensely, with 60% of our readers coming from outside the Philippines.
3) Ging Reyes, North America Bureau Chief: She set up our news production and reporting systems in North America, staffing and training from the ground up. With a few days notice and minimal briefing, Ging stepped into a major leadership role for our news group – running news production on a daily basis. At the same time, she continued to manage her team in North America. She did both flawlessly, driving herself - and the people she works with - to give their best. For her drive for perfection, her ability to mobilize at a moment’s notice, for her ability to lead, we salute an ABS-CBN homegrown leader.
4) Chi Almario, Lester Chavez, Anna Rodriguez, Production Unit Managers, Current Affairs: For a long time and at their own initiative, Chi, Lester and Anna have been running weekly meetings to manage Current Affairs. They are self-starters who jump in when they see potential problems and prevent the problems from happening. That's the best! Quiet leaders, they are the true engine behind Current Affairs. Aware of each of their weaknesses, they band together to create a team where the whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. For stepping in collectively, for their teamwork, for getting rid of individual egos for a collective whole, for taking events in stride and always coming up with creative solutions, Chi, Lester and Anna, we salute you.
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| Thank you and goodbye, 2008! |
[01 Jan 2009|01:01am] |
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Sinalubong ko ang 2009 sa station 6 ng QC Police District. Habang nakikipagkumustahan sa hepe, hindi ko namalayang alas-dose na pala. Tinawagan ko agad si Mama at Hennybenny para batiin sila sa pagpasok ng bagong taon, at siguruhing mag-iingat ako sa isa na namang magdamag ng pagronda.
Ibang iba ang kinalalagyan ko ngayon sa nakalipas na labing-siyam na taon ng buhay ko. Dati 'pag New Year, nasa bahay ako, nakikisaya, nakikisigaw, nakikitalon sa mga bata sa pag-asang tumangkad. Ngayon, naglilibot ako sa mga presinto, naghahanap ng storya, lumalanghap ng usok ng paputok, nagkokober ng sunog at maya-maya mababasa dahil sa ulan at tubig mula sa fire truck.
Mahirap sa simula ang ganitong malaking pagbabago. Pero kung tutuusin, noong mga nakaraang taon pangarap lang ito. Pangarap na ewan kung matutupad. Pangarap na hindi ko binitiwan.
Kaya kaninang madaling araw, habang nagkokober sa ospital, gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng pasasalamat—hindi lang dahil napasok ko na sa mura kong edad ang bokasyong matagal ko nang gustong pasukin, kundi dahil lalo sa pagkakataong ibinibigay nito sa akin para magamit ang mga kakayahan ko sa paglilingkod sa komunidad, kahit madalas mahirap at nakakainis at nakakaiyak at nakakadiri at hassle ang schedule.
Salamat at nakamtan ko ito sa 2008, ang ikalawang dekada ko sa mundo.
***
Isa ang 2008 sa pinakamagagandang taon sa buhay ko. Maraming pangit na nangyari, pero halos hindi ko na maalala ang mga yun—o pinili kong hindi maalala. Natupad ko na yata ang isang resolution ko noong pagpasok ng 2008: ang maging positive-thinking, ang tumingin sa mabuti kaysa problemahin ang masama. Dati kasi mahilig akong maging malungkot.
Sabi ng teacher ko noong grade 2, count your blessings. Masarap pala talagang gawin yun.
Marami akong dapat ipagpasalamat sa 2008, tulad ng paggradweyt ko sa Ateneo, ang pagtanggap ko ng una kong journalism award, ang pagbawas ng timbang ko, paglaho ng mga taghiyawat ko, at syempre, ang pagkakaroon ng trabahong matagal ko nang pinangarap.
Higit sa lahat ng ito, nagpapasalamat ako sa matatag na relasyon ko sa pamilya ko, mga kaibigan, at sa nag-iisang Hennybenny ko sa nakalipas na taon. Kasama nila, alam kong magiging maganda ang 2009 at lahat ng susunod pang taon.
***
Maligayang bagong taon sa lahat!
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| Hindi nagbabakasyon ang balita |
[24 Dec 2008|07:31am] |
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Tomorrow I’ll celebrate my first Christmas away from home. Next week, my first New Year’s Day away from home.
As the world basks in the glory of the season, I’ll be scouring the streets for stories. Tuloy ang pagroronda.
I found this hard to accept at first, having spent these two important occasions with family and friends every year of my life. I can afford to spend my birthdays without them... but Christmas and New Year?
Well, this year just had to be different. And all the succeeding years would probably have to be.
The news never sleeps—we newsmen even more so. Embracing this job means having to leave the life you used to have with most of its comforts and joys, including spending special times with loved ones.
I personally find this reality painful like all the other realities this job entails, but not so much when I am reminded of its purpose.
I won’t skip noche buena, media noche, and time with my family for nothing. I’ll do live reports in bus terminals to help commuters avoid the holiday rush, do crime reports to help citizens watch for their safety, find stories of inspiration to help people feel the essence of the season, etc.—all to help make the community, in Kovach and Rosenstiel’s words, “free and self-governing.”
Now more than ever, I have to remind myself that I’m fulfilling my duties not just to my company, but to a nation constantly hungry for information. This way, I may still be spending the holidays at home—not in the house where I grew up, but in the dark, dirty, and noisy streets of a community that never sleeps.
* * *
Of course, all these are easier said than done. There will be bitter feelings every now and then, especially when I hear Christmas songs playing and I’m not at home. These feelings shouldn’t, however, hinder me from seeing the good in what I do.
Maligayang Pasko sa lahat, lalo na sa mga mamamahayag, pulis, guwardiya, doktor, rescue workers, OFWs, at iba pang iniwan muna ang tahanan para gampanan ang trabaho.
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| Hollywood's quirkiest baby names |
[10 Dec 2008|05:06am] |
'Langyang mga pangalan yan. Nakakaaliw.
from http://omg.yahoo.com/news/2008s-quirkiest-baby-names-from-bronx-to-sunday/16317?nc
BRONX MOWGLI: This year's most unusual moniker, courtesy of Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz. He grew up near Chicago and she hails from Texas -- yet, inexplicably, the rock-star couple named their son after one of the toughest boroughs in New York City. Giving some insight, Wentz revealed the middle name Mowgli was inspired by the scrappy boy hero of Disney's "The Jungle Book."
___
SUNDAY ROSE: Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban welcomed their baby girl on a Monday, then named her for the day before. Kidman has said Sunday is the couple's favorite day of the week because it can be both lonely and happy depending on whether "you've got your family" around. They also found inspiration in Aussie art collector Sunday Reed, whose first name Kidman's father suggested as a possibility. The baby's second name is a tribute to Urban's grandmother, Rose.
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ZUMA NESTA ROCK: When he's old enough, Gwen Stefani's baby boy might want to change his first name to something that sounds less like a certain clear malt beverage and lose the other two names altogether. Then again, a child raised by music royalty -- Stefani and hubby Gavin Rossdale -- might fully embrace a moniker that spells nothing but embarrassment for regular kids. Stefani grew up in Southern California and loves Jamaican culture, which might explain her choice of Zuma (a beach in Malibu) and Nesta (the middle name of reggae legend Bob Marley).
___
HONOR MARIE: An honorable mention -- sorry, we couldn't resist -- goes to the daughter of Jessica Alba and her husband, Cash Warren. Honor should get a lifetime of instant respect, based on her first name alone. Latin in origin, Honor means "woman of honor" and denotes glory, dignity and high rank.
___
BUSTER TIMOTHY: The name Buster has been around a long time -- all the way back to the silent film era when comic actor Buster Keaton used sight gags to get laughs. The moniker struck a chord with married actors Jonny Lee Miller and Michele Hicks, who chose to name their son Buster Timothy. The couple balanced the quirkiness with a way more traditional second name.
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| Habang nanonood ng impeachment complaint hearing, naisip ko... |
[25 Nov 2008|10:44pm] |
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...may punto si Lito Lapid. Bakit hindi magsalita sa wikang Filipino ang mga mambabatas na 'yan? Bakit Ingles nang Ingles ang marami sa kanila?
At may punto rin sina Strunk at White, at si Jose Carrillo sa aklat niyang English Plain and Simple. Kung ayaw nilang mag-Filipino, bakit hindi sila gumamit ng simpleng wika, yung mas maiintindihan ng marami?
Sino ba namang kumag bukod sa mga abugado, dalubhasa, at ilang edukado ang talagang nakakaintindi sa recital of facts, evidentiary facts, probable cause, res judicata, at kung anu-anong legal jargon? Nakakain ba ang mga 'yan?
Ang dating kasi sa akin, at siguro sa maraming ordinaryong Pinoy, sila-sila lang ang nagkakaintindihan. Nakalimutan ba nila ang target audience nila -- mga ordinaryong mamamayan? Naisip ba nila na hindi lahat ng ordinaryong Pilipino nakakaintindi ng Ingles, lalo na ng legalese? Ano'ng akala nila sa hearing, private show ng mga intelektwal at nagpapaka-intelektwal?
Karapatan ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan na maunawaan ang nangyayari sa mga ganyang hearing at iba pang transaksyon ng gobyerno. Pero sa pananalita pa lang ng ilang mga opisyal, para bang ipinagdadamot pa nila ang karapatang ito.
Dahil kaya ayaw nilang malaman ng tao ang totoo? Pwede, pero ibang usapan na 'yan.
* * *
Kaya naku, mahalagang mahalaga talaga ang papel ng media. Mabigat ang responsabilidad na tutukan at intindihin ang lenggwahe sa ganyang mga hearing para ihatid at ipaunawa sa ordinaryong tao. Kailangang lampasan ang sariling limitasyon at magpakadalubhasa kahit paano.
Hay. Kung wala siguro ang mga graphics ng ANC, mahirap sundan ang mga nangyayari sa hearing.
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| What my name says about me |
[19 Nov 2008|08:52am] |
from http://www.babyzone.com/babynames/baby-name-advisor.asp
(Salamat kay Acor sa pagbigay ng link na ito.)
In fairness, makatotohanan!
Ryan Edward Lim Chua
Ryan Edward Lim Chua reflects idealism, the good of mankind. Ryan Edward Lim Chua is the humanitarian with the power to make things happen and the integrity to stay the course. A mover and a shaker, without a selfish bone in its body; the name Ryan Edward Lim Chua attracts respect, support, and devoted fans. It seems even that the Universe tends to support what the name Ryan Edward Lim Chua represents. Speaks to people of all walks of life. Tolerant and broad-minded.
This name pursues goals other than money and power. It seeks justice. It wants to feed the hungry and heal the sick. And yet, the resources it needs to do the job seem to always magically appear.
Ryan Edward Lim Chua's most positive characteristics: Integrity, love for all, charisma. Encourages the best in people.
Ryan Edward Lim Chua's most negative characteristics: Naive, seeks fame, vulnerable to criticism, not a good judge of character.
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| Kaso laban sa Diyos, ibinasura! |
[16 Oct 2008|02:49am] |
The oddest odd news ever. Hahaha.
* * *
Suit against God thrown out over lack of address By NATE JENKINS, Associated Press Writer Wed Oct 15, 8:42 PM ET
LINCOLN, Neb. - A judge has thrown out a Nebraska legislator's lawsuit against God, saying the Almighty wasn't properly served due to his unlisted home address. State Sen. Ernie Chambers filed the lawsuit last year seeking a permanent injunction against God.
He said God has made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents in Omaha, inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants."
Chambers has said he filed the lawsuit to make the point that everyone should have access to the courts regardless of whether they are rich or poor.
On Tuesday, however, Douglas County District Court Judge Marlon Polk ruled that under state law a plaintiff must have access to the defendant for a lawsuit to move forward.
"Given that this court finds that there can never be service effectuated on the named defendant this action will be dismissed with prejudice," Polk wrote.
Chambers, who graduated from law school but never took the bar exam, thinks he's found a hole in the judge's ruling.
"The court itself acknowledges the existence of God," Chambers said Wednesday. "A consequence of that acknowledgment is a recognition of God's omniscience."
Therefore, Chambers said, "Since God knows everything, God has notice of this lawsuit."
Chambers has 30 days to decide whether to appeal. He said he hasn't decided yet.
Chambers, who has served a record 38 years in the Nebraska Legislature, is not returning next year because of term limits. He skips morning prayers during the legislative session and often criticizes Christians.
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| You go, gurl! |
[23 Sep 2008|11:45pm] |
 Clay Aiken: "Yes, I'm Gay"
from http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/101126/clay-aiken-yes-im-gay
[....]
For years, practically from the minute he reared his bespectacled head on season 2 of American Idol, Clay has skirted (again, no pun intended) around this issue--even telling Diane Sawyer herself that she was "really rude" to grill him about his sexuality in a 2006 Good Morning America interview. He always made a big point of keeping his private life just that--private--but it seemed the quieter he remained, the louder all the gossip (and snarky jokes) became. Of course, promo photos of Clay's new look (frosty blonde highlights, inch-thick pancake makeup), or news than his son was conceived via medical intervention with his 50-year-old "best friend," didn't help matters. But Clay still kept mum, perhaps out of fear of alienating his adoring, mostly female fanbase. But now Clay has finally come out, in a People article accompanied by the first published photos of his new bouncing baby boy, Parker Foster (who apparently was his inspiration for telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth here, as he told the mag, "I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things"). Kudos to Clay for being an honest role model for his child, and I'm certain that any worries Clay--or, probably more specifically, his handlers--had about him losing fans after such a confession will prove totally unfounded.
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| Family planning = Genocide? |
[27 Jul 2008|09:59am] |
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An article based on the July 24 episode of ANC's The Big Picture with Ricky Carandang.
Isa lang ang masasabi ko: exagg na talaga ang mga kumokontra sa family planning. Genocide?!?! Ugh.
***
'Moden family planning same as genocide'
By RYAN EDWARD CHUA
ABS-CBN News Channel
(http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=126455)
Using condoms, IUDs, and other modern family planning methods could mean committing genocide and being part of a global conspiracy to exterminate humanity, an opponent of modern family planning says.
Linda Valenzona, a consultant of the Vatican's Pontifical Council on the Family, believes that modern family planning is a form of voluntary genocide imposed by powerful groups upon the weak, and it will lead nowhere but to extinction.
"Let me ask you a question," Valenzona said on ANC's The Big Picture with Ricky Carandang. "If all cats in the world would come to an agreement that they will not have kittens, what will happen to the cats?"
They will become extinct, and the same will hold true for humans because of population control, she said.
But UP Economics Professor Ernesto Pernia, a former seminarian who supports modern family planning, could only laugh at this. "Kind of absurd," he said.
"Eugenics"
Citing a book by Columbia University historian Matthew Connelly, Valenzona said the population control movement traces its roots to eugenics, a social philosophy that advocates humanity's improvement by creating healthier people, saving resources, and lessening human suffering.
For some elite and powerful groups who advocated eugenics, controlling the population of poor races was the solution to the world's problems. This gave birth to the population control movement, whose targets were primarily Third World countries.
Valenzona said this movement grew and spread all over the world including the Philippines, where poverty has often been blamed on overpopulation.
"What happens is that the population is always used as a very nice way of covering up for the failure of government to solve the poverty problem," she said. "Overpopulation is a very convenient excuse, a scapegoat."
Valenzona, an economist and demographer, said poverty is mainly an economic problem, and should thus not be blamed on a demographic issue such as population.
Unfortunately, she said, many people are now misled into believing that overpopulation causes poverty, and that family planning is the solution.
Fr. Melvin Castro, executive director of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said the Church has always been against modern family planning methods because they are anti-life.
He reiterated the Church's stand that any sexual act should be both unitive and procreative. The procreative aspect, which means the creation of new life, should never be disregarded and prevented, especially through artificial methods.
This is why the Church recommends only the natural family planning method, which does not prevent procreation on purpose unlike artificial contraception.
Castro also stressed that a "contraceptive mentality," which the Church tries to prevent, could lead to marital infidelity and a decline in morality. "And it has happened," he said.
Drastic measures
But in a country where the number of mouths to feed is greater than the resources available, drastic measures must be taken to manage the population, Pernia said. Citing a study he made with colleagues at the UP School of Economics, he explained that rapid population growth worsens poverty.
Pushing for population control policies is not just an option but an essential part of good governance, Pernia added. He said that in other countries, population management is seen as a crucial responsibility of government and is even a "no-brainer" issue.
"You don't want the country to have more people that can be supported by the economy, that can be provided good healthcare and education," he said.
He also clarified that family planning does not mean a family should stop having children, but that it should have the right number of children given its resources.
"It's common sense," he said. "Why should a family have more children than they can properly feed, provide healthcare, and educate?"
Asked if he is part of a global genocidal plot because of his stand, he quipped, "I hope not."
Free, informed choice
For Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, whose stand on family planning has drawn flak from some, it's all a matter of free and informed choice. As an experienced government official and doctor, she said the country's population really has to be managed -- artificially or naturally, it's up to the families.
"All families must be able to decide for themselves what is best for themselves," she said. "Should they decide that they want some other method aside from natural family planning, then we should give them access to these other methods."
The Church will not back down, however, especially with the reproductive health bill now pending in Congress.
"The Church will continue to speak out, not simply to influence or win them over but to form the conscience of our people," said Castro.
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| Isang taon na akong official becky |
[10 Jul 2008|10:51am] |
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Alas-tres nang hapon noon, July 6, 2007. Bigla kong niyaya ko si Karkar sa Berchman’s para magpahula. May gumugulo sa isip ko.
“May mabigat kang dinadala,” sabi ni Karkar habang binabasa ang tarot cards niya.
Ano kaya yun? Tiyan ko?
“May kailangan kang ilabas, aminin,” dagdag niya. Yun daw ang nabasa niya sa cards.
Naguluhan ako lalo. Yun na kaya yun? Nangasim ang sikmura ko bigla. Parang ang daming paru-paro sa loob. Hanggang sa... sige na nga.
“Kar, may sasabihin ako,” sabi ko, nanginginig.
Ito na ba talaga yun? Desidido na ba talaga ako? Paano kung nabibigla lang ako? Handa ba akong harapin ang consequences?
“Ano yun? May crush ka kay (insert name of girl here)?” tanong ni Karkar.
Iling.
“Nakabuntis ka?”
Iling.
“Di bale, wag mo munang pilitin kung hindi ka pa handang sabihin ‘yan.”
Nginig.
Hanggang sa... “Karkar, nagkakagusto ako sa kapwa lalaki.”
Niyakap niya ako. Tapos konting iyakan. Tapos tawanan.
***
Hindi ko akalaing magagawa ko yun, ang aminin ang isang sikreto na tinago ko mula pa yata noong 4 years old ako. Sabi ko noon, itatago ko yun habambuhay, ibabaon hanggang sa hukay. Ayokong maging bading. Ayoko ng buhay-bading.
Kahit umamin na ako kay Karkar noon, natakot pa rin ako. Panghabambuhay na desisyon kasi yun, at hindi ako sigurado kung mapaninindigan ko. Pero binalak ko pa ring sabihin sa lahat—sa mga kaibigan ko, pamilya ko, kahit sa tambay sa kanto. Dahan-dahan, ‘ka ko—kahit abutin ng taon.
But no... Ilang buwan lang, alam na ng buong mundo.
Pagkatapos ni Karkar, isang kaibigan bawat araw ang sinabihan ko, at pinag-isipan ko talaga kung kailan at paano sasabihin. Parang installment. Wala pang kalahating taon, nasabihan ko na ang halos lahat ng malalapit sa akin, kabilang ang pamilya ko (Sa ngayon, tatay ko na lang yata ang hindi pa nakakaalam. O baka alam niya na rin. Ewan.).
At nitong January lang, nagsulat ako ng kolum para sa Guidon na pinamagatang, “I am gay. Period.” Buong Ateneo lang naman yata ang nakaalam.
Pagkatapos, nagugulat na lang ako na kahit mga hindi ko kakilala, alam na. Ayun, tapos na ang grand launching.
***
Mahirap umamin, lalong lalo na sa simula. Nariyan ang takot na baka hindi ako matanggap ng mga tao, na baka layuan ako ng mga kaibigan ko, at kung anu-ano pa. Pero nasa isip ko lang pala lahat ng takot na ‘yan. Tinanggap ako ng halos lahat, kahit pa nga ng mga taong hindi ko direktang sinabihan. Napuno ako ng pasasalamat.
Higit diyan, natanggap ko ang sarili ko nang buong buo. Tingin ko yun ang pinakamahirap sa lahat—mas mahirap kaysa hingin ang pagtanggap ng iba. Dati ko pang kaaway ang sarili ko, dati pa ako maraming isyu, dati pa ako insecure.
Pero mula noong umamin ako, naging mas komportable at kumpiyansa ako sa sarili ko. Mas minahal ko ang sarili ko. At yun, para sa akin, ang pinakamahalaga. Yun ang pinakabuod ng paglalantad ko. Hindi ko magagawang maging totoo sa iba kung hindi ako totoo sa sarili ko. Hindi ko magagawang mahalin ang iba kung hindi ko mahal ang sarili ko.
Napakasarap lumabas, maging totoo, maging malaya. Masarap mabuhay nang hindi ipinaliliwanag ang sarili. Sabi nga ng isang kaibigan ko, nakita niya ang “human side” ko mula noong umamin ako. Dati kasi, parang pigil na pigil daw ako, nagpapaka-perpekto, ayaw magkamali. Ngayon, mas natural daw ako—mas tao.
Marami pa akong pagdadaanan sa buhay na pinili ko, pero alam kong kakayanin ko lahat dahil malinaw sa akin at mahal ko kung ano at sino ako. Haharapin ko ang kahit ano nang may dignidad, pag-asa, at syempre, ganda.
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| 5 Filipinos graduate from US military schools |
[09 Jul 2008|07:34am] |
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This is a story I wrote for ABS-CBN News Online based on Talkback's episode last July 7. In fairness, hanep ang mga sundalong ito, amoy isteyts! Hahaha  * * * US military school grads share experiences, lessons learned
(http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=124596)
By RYAN EDWARD CHUA They endured four years of intense military training in a place and culture not their own, making history as the largest batch of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets to make it to top US military schools. Now that they're back, Army 2nd Lt. Christy Isis Achanzar, Army 2nd Lt. Mario Feliciano, Air Force 2nd Lt. Mario Mendoza, and Navy Ensigns Carl Roy Catalan and John Amando Berjuega draw lessons from their experiences abroad as they begin serving their own country's armed forces. Bitter and sweet "It wasn't easy for me," said the 26-year-old Achanzar on ANC's Talkback with Tina Palma. Standing 5'4", Achanzar was one of the shortest cadets in her batch at the US Military Academy in West Point, and was dwarfed by her mostly Caucasian and Hispanic peers. Training was extra hard for her, because most exercises and drills were designed for tall people. But that didn't stop her from standing out, thanks to the positive attitude she learned from PMA. Aside from being the first Filipina to graduate from West Point, she also received the Superintendent's Awards for Achievement given to those who excelled in academics and military training. "Instead of complaining that, 'Oh I wish I had longer legs so I can go march and sing with them,'" she said, "I always pushed myself over my limitation in order to survive." Feliciano, meanwhile, described his West Point experience as "bittersweet." "It was challenging mentally, emotionally -- being away from family," he said. "But it was also sweet, because modesty aside, I had the opportunity to have a cadet leadership position there that wasn't easily given to international cadets." A Filipino-Iranian, Feliciano recalled how his father taught him to be proud of his Filipino roots, and motivated him to pursue a military career in order to serve the country. A blast Mendoza had the time of his life in another military school, having had the chance to fly sophisticated planes at the US Air Force Academy. "Oh, my experience in the Air Force Academy was a blast!" he said. "It was phenomenal." He said it was a blast to have had the chance to use American military technologies, aside from having lived in a new environment and culture. More than this, Mendoza learned professionalism, something he believes Filipino soldiers can always live by despite the Philippine military's limited resources. Professionalism is best seen, he said, when military officers make the most out of the resources they have, no matter how little. Catalan and Berjuega, who both graduated from the US Naval Academy, said they cherish the friendships they made while studying abroad. “Probably the friends," said Berjuega, when asked to name the extraordinary thing about his experience. "I had good friendship with my American colleagues." The same is true for Catalan, who believes that friends can help one keep going and surviving in a foreign land. He had good friends at the academy, especially among the women -- "A lot of them," he said, laughing. "I think wherever you go ... friendship is very important," Catalan said. True privilege Fresh from their stint abroad, the five have been assigned to the PMA for six months to share the lessons they learned and hopefully set a good example to the cadets. They plan to teach many things, such as professionalism, nationalism, and military honor as they saw them applied in their respective schools. "Whatever they can get, we're willing to give it to them," Catalan said. During their courtesy call, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Alexander Yano told the five newly commissioned junior officers, "Welcome back to reality." It seems a tough job lies ahead, but they all appear ready -- and excited. "It's a true privilege," Mendoza said. "It's an honor for you to serve your country."
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| No story is worth dying for |
[18 Jun 2008|01:45pm] |
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Nakakaluhang panoorin si Ces Drilon habang kausap ang press sa Zamboanga at Maynila kahapon. Nakakaluha sa tuwa, kasi ligtas na siya at ang mga kameraman ng ABS-CBN, kahit mukha ngang pinapak siya ng mga lamok. Nakakaluha rin dahil sa inspirasyong dala niya.
Kaya naman hinanap ko sa iNews ang transcript ng Q&A sa kanya. Heto ang mga paborito kong bahagi:
> "Unang-una kasi di ba sabi nila hindi mo siguro maiintindahan ang halaga ng isang bagay hanggang malapit itong mawala sa 'yo? And you know we came close to losing our lives ... I thought I was so reckless. I didn't think of my family that I put through a really terrible ordeal the past 10 days. It made me realize the value of life, of your family, of your colleagues."
> "You know, I always go after a story sometimes not thinking of my loved ones--my mom, my kids ... Kailangan maisip ko ring merong nagmamahal sa akin, in the sense na masasaktan sila. It was so irresponsible in a way to do that to my children, and my mom, my sisters, and my brother, to put them through an ordeal like that."
***
Tumatak sa akin ang mga sinabi niyang 'yan kasi dati pa ako punong puno ng tapang pagdating sa journalism. Susuungin ko ang anumang panganib, pupunta ako kahit saan, makakuha lang ng storya. Ganyan ang mindset ko.
Naaalala ko dati, kasagsagan ng bagyo nang pumunta ako nang mag-isa sa isang liblib na bundok sa Silang, Cavite para sa isang assignment ko sa Guidon. Naaalala ko rin nung kinorner ako at ang mga ka-grupo ko ng mga tindero ng porn videos sa Quiapo habang ginagawa ang storya namin para sa kursong investigative journalism. At tulad ni Ces nung pumunta siya sa Sulu, sinikreto ko ang mga 'yan sa nanay ko.
Pero dahil sa nangyari sa ABS-CBN news team, naisip ko na siguro hindi pwedeng puro tapang at kagustuhang maglingkod sa bayan lang ang pinaiiral sa pamamahayag. Tao muna ang mamamahayag bago siya mamamahayag. Kung tutuusin kasi, sakaling malagay ang isang mamamahayag sa panganib o kung mamatay siya, pinakamalakas ang hagupit sa mga nagmamahal sa kanya. Kung mamatay nga siya, hindi naman siya ang makakaranas ng pagkawala niya kundi ang mga taong maiiwan niya.
Madalas kong sabihin na tanggap ko at handa akong harapin ang mga panganib ng journalism. Pero 'pag naiisip ko naman ang mga mahal ko sa buhay, medyo nag-iiba na ang ihip ng hangin--lalo na nga at nangyari ang Sulu kidnapping, ang pagkakapatay sa isang kameraman ng Reuters, at iba pa.
Nasa akin pa rin naman ang tapang, ang kati para habulin ang mga storyang kailangang maihatid sa mga tao, at ang paniniwala sa sinabi ni Conrado de Quiros na, "Whenever there’s gunfire or a volcanic explosion, everyone rushes away from it, the journalist rushes toward it." Pero sana ma-balanse ang lahat ng 'yan ng konsiderasyon para sa mga mahal ko sa buhay, at ng pag-alala na gusto at kailangan kong mabuhay para sa kanila.
Hindi ko alam kung paano gagawin ang mga pinagtatatalak ko rito kasi hindi pa naman ako reporter. Pero siguro kaya naman kung sakali. Basta, sabi nga ni Ma'am Chay, "No story is worth dying for."
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| Conrado de Quiros on homosexual love and Christianity |
[02 Jun 2008|08:40am] |
"Demanding that gays feel but not fulfill is not Christian, it is sadistic."--- Nakuha ni idol sa kolum niyang ito ang mga hindi ko masabi pero pinaniniwalaan ko tungkol sa homosekswalidad, pag-ibig, at relihiyon. Marami sa mga punto ni Mr. De Quiros dito na kinakatigan ko, taliwas sa mga natutunan ko sa Ateneo, partikular sa Theology. Pero sa Ateneo ko rin naman natutunan na sa bandang huli, sariling konsensya ko ang dapat maging batayan ng mga paniniwala ko--hindi man ito katigan ng marami sa lipunan, at ng mga awtoridad gaya ng Simbahan. Bakla ako. At Kristiyano rin. Mahirap pagsabayin ang dalawa, sa totoo lang, pero yun ay kung nakakulong lang sa Simbahan at sa mga tuntunin nito ang Diyos. Hindi ganoon ang Diyos na kilala ko. Nasa ibaba ang ilang sipi mula sa kolum. Heto ang buong version. THERE’S THE RUB Natural By Conrado de Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 00:14am (Mla time) 05/15/2008[....] Bishop Jose Oliveros, chair of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Office on Bio-ethics, says that contrary to popular belief, the Catholic Church is not intolerant of gays, it is liberal with gays. The Church, he says, has come to terms with them. “ We try to be compassionate and understand homosexuals and guide them towards the right path where they should not act out on their desires.” By itself, being attracted to the same sex is not a sin. Doing something about that attraction is.Bishop Leonardo Medroso, CBCP Commissioner on Canon Law chair, agrees. He has a rather clever way of proving it. Catholics, he says, are forbidden to have sex outside marriage. That applies to everyone, man or woman. “Marriage and sex, as the Church views it, are solely for reproduction. That’s the nature of marriage, opening up a couple to producing children. We cannot have that in a man-to-man or woman-to-woman relationship. Therefore, sex between persons of the same sex becomes unnatural and offends the Church.”The argument is clever. It says nothing about whether being gay is aberrant or not. It merely says that all sex outside of marriage is a sin. And since gays may not marry (at least each other), then any sex by them is a sin![....] .. .I personally have gay friends who are good and decent—why shouldn’t they be, they’re no different from the rest of us—who are self-professed Christians, and who have gay relationships. A couple of gay women I know are even planning to have kids by artificial insemination. They cannot imagine a God that is compassionate and merciful who will consign them to hell because of it. But that’s the wonder of it, how the Church insists on practicing the religious equivalent of Procrustes’ bed: If the person does not fit the bed, cut off or stretch his arms and limbs until he does.[....] The idea of a couple, married or not, having sex in order to procreate is hilarious. It conjures the image of them hard at it (no pun intended for the male partner), enduring the ordeal, determined only like soldiers pinned down in trenches to persevere out of a sense of duty and finally to break through in one great rush. What a perverse and joyless act that is. I doubt any Christian, short of an ascetic, will fill the bill.Whatever happened to love? Whatever happened to ecstasy? Whatever happened to two people, straight or gay, bonded by feelings that cannot be expressed by words, needing to express themselves to each other by flinging themselves into each other’s arms and surrendering themselves into a consummation devoutly to be wished? Surely that is part of the magic of life?Which brings me to the argument that the Church is not proscribing against gays, it is merely proscribing against gays acting as gays, or that it is not demanding that gays do not get attracted to other gays, it is merely demanding that gays do not act on it. I don’t know about you but I found Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain” to be an honest-to-goodness love story, ranking up there with “When Harry Met Sally” and “Sleepless in Seattle.” Gays do fall in love too, and what I figure is unnatural is to compel them on the ground that it is perverse or that they cannot procreate to abort it. There is nothing more natural than love in whatever form it takes. Sex is not overrated, procreation is. Demanding that gays feel but not fulfill is not Christian, it is sadistic.[....] |
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| Ito na yata ang real world |
[27 May 2008|10:07am] |
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Madalas tumakbo sa isip ko ngayon kung magkano ang babayaran ko sa kuryente-tubig-internet, kung gaano lang karami ang dapat kong kainin para hindi lumampas sa budget, kung ano lang ang mga dapat kong bilhin at kung pasok ba sa budget ang mga yun. Iniisip ko rin kung nalinis ko ba ang kwarto ko bago umalis, kung na-flush ko nang mabuti ang inidoro, kung walang appliance na naiwang nakasaksak, at kung anu-ano pa.
Lahat ng ‘yan iniisip ko bukod sa trabaho. Nakakasakit ng ulo.
Ibang iba ito sa mga iniisip ko noong nag-aaral pa ako: mga dapat basahin, ang walang kamatayang papers, mga homework, inuman.
Nakokornihan ako sa sasabihin ko, pero sige na nga: Ito na yata ang tinatawag nilang “real world.” (Yuck. As if hindi totoo ang mundo ko dati.) Teka, sa laki ng real world na 'yan, baka kulangot pa lang itong nararanasan ko.
Pero totoo, nakakabigla at nakakapanibago ang ganitong buhay. Para akong sanggol na itinapon sa tubig at nalulunod-lunod pa.
Noong weekend, napag-usapan namin ng mga magulang ko kung paano na ang gastusin ko ngayong sumweldo na ako. Sabi ko, sagot ko na ang lahat (weekly allowance, monthly bills, at lahat ng kachorvahan) maliban sa renta sa tinutuluyan ko—sa liit kasi ng sweldo ko, mamumulubi ako ‘pag pati yun sinagot ko pa. Saka ko na ‘ka ko sasagutin yun pag lumaki-laki na ang kita ko, na ewan kung kailan mangyayari.
Nangangapa pa talaga ako sa ngayon. Minsan nga, napag-usapan namin ni Henny na parang ang bata ko pa para maranasan ito. Ang sarap siguro kung sa edad kong 19, nagpapasarap muna ako at nagliliwaliw sa kung saang gimikan o sa kung saang beach, nanonood ng sine kung kailan ko gusto at gumagala kung saan-saan, natutulog nang hindi iniisip ang budget para sa susunod na araw.
Pero nandito na ‘to, at wala nang atrasan. Mahirap man, siguro mabuti na rin ito para maaga akong matuto ng responsabilidad—at para mapagtibay ko ito habang tumatanda ako. May maganda rin sigurong kahihinatnan ito.
Naalala ko bigla ang sikat na sinabi ni Padre Roque: “Lundagin mo, beybe!” Padre, nalundag ko na yata.
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