(Cory doll)

Last August 1, former President Cory Aquino died due to cardiac respiratory arrest at the Makati Medical Center. It was already expected because she was already suffering colon cancer but I didn’t realize that it would be this early.

I watched Kris Aquino’s show, “The Buzz” (i.e. the Kris Aquino show – I rarely heard Boy Abunda’s voice all throughout the duration of the show) and listened to Kris’ narration of the memoir she wrote during the last month of her mom’s life. It made me teary-eyed and because Kris narrated it in such a way that you will feel like you were really there. I must say that she is a good memoirist.

If you’re going to ask me if I am pro-Cory, well I am not but I have great admiration for this woman because she is one person that makes me proud to be a Filipina – the first woman president of the Philippines and a fellow Scholastican too. There might be some things that I didn’t like about her administration like the CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program), external debt that ballooned enormously, multiple coup de etat attempts and many others. Having said her flaws, she was human and that we can’t have a perfect president. Trying to fix a distorted society due to the Marcos regime was quite difficult. What I liked about her was that she tried to push the restoration of democracy and tried to live a simple life after being the president.

This afternoon, I was able to feel how it was during the day Ninoy Aquino died. At 11 am, my officemates and I were already in Ayala to witness Cory’s funeral procession. While anticipating for the moment, there were already confettis all throughout the skies of Makati, the yuppies were out in the streets and I can hear the songs being played during the 1986 revolution. I said to myself, the Makati yuppies can care much about the death of the icon of democracy but why can’t these yuppies do something to actually restore democracy than just replicating the corrupt system? Anyway, being there in Ayala felt like I was born again because during the 1986 revolution, I was just 3 years old then so I didn’t have any recollection on the People Power Revolution. It felt like there was a sudden flashback of the 80′s where wearing yellow shirts and yellow bandanas were “in” and hearing the song “Magkaisa” was everybody’s last song syndrome.

Cory’s coffin was in a truck filled with flowers and rayadillo guards (I am not sure what they’re called) and the truck stopped at the monument of Ninoy Aquino in Paseo de Roxas. I was standing in Ayala Ave. opposite Robinsons Summit and people parading passed by. The Peping and Tingting Cojuangco clan were walking in the streets (Mikee and China were walking under the heat of the sun). Everybody was shouting “Cory, Cory”. Then the truck with Cory’s body passed by. There was a moment of silence.

I was literally under the sun for 2 hours and had my skin burnt. I just realized that I have uneven skin tone when I got back to the office. But it’s alright, the experience will make you reflect of your duty as the citizen of this country.

Her death is a reminder of restoring Philippine democracy. It makes us reflect what we have done in the past years that we have been “free” from the dictatorship. However small our actions may be, it still counts.

The 2010 Philippine elections is just 10 months away and again, we need to choose a new president for the country. No one has confirmed that they are running for the presidency; obviously, they will be filing their certificate of candidacies on or weeks before the very last day of COC filing. Even though no one has confirmed yet who will be running either for president, vice-president or senators, we are already getting the hunch on who will be aiming for public office (again).

A socio-political networking website, www.politicalarena.com, is said to enlighten us voters (and aspiring voters) to know the background of politicians who, according to “public opinion”, will run on 2010. It’s the first of its kind here but it’s not owned by the Comission of Elections (COMELEC). This project is in partnership with 88db.com, meaning they funded the whole website.

I was one of the bloggers who attended the launch of Politicalarena.com at the Manila Peninsula 3 weeks ago. Probably other bloggers were not available to attend the event (because it was at 9 am on a Thursday (?) ) and at that time I don’t have a day job yet so it’s just me and Karla who went there. Aside from the launch of the website. they also had a signing of the “anti-smear campaign” among the political figures present there such as Sen. Chiz Escudero, Hon. Gilbert Remulla, Hon. Raffy Biazon, Hon. Teodoro Casiño together with COMELEC Commissioner Jose Melo, NAMFREL Ambassador Henrietta de Villa, PPCRV’s Bro. Clifford Sorita, Fr. Anton Pascual of Caritas Manila and Reginald Velasco, Secretary-General, Kampi. Apparently, the politicians who signed the anti-smear campaign will be running for public office for their next term (or a higher position). Ex-Senator Nikki Coseteng was there also but she did not sign the anti-smear campaign MOA, does that mean that she will not be running for office again?

When the floor was opened for questions to COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo, COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez and General Manager of Politicalarena.com Racquel Cagurangan, the first media practitioner who went to the mic (I forgot who he was, I think from Business World) immediately fired one of the most controversial questions to COMELEC Chairman Melo: How come that the machines that were intended for poll automation weren’t tested? (rephrased) Inside my mind I said, “You just have to put Chairman Melo on the spot when the topic or event on hand does not even talk about poll automation.” Actually, most questions there weren’t about the website, it was more of the poll automation. It seems that most media practitioners don’t really care about how the website will be relevant/irrelevant to our voters. Good thing I was seated in a table with individuals from Radio Caritas. A little exchange of ideas and opinions about the website. Here are some of the things that seemed dubious about website:

• Funding – According to the Racquel Cagurangan, General Manager of Politicalarena.com, the funding came SOLELY from 88DB.com.
• Who initiated it? – It was 88DB who initiated this project then became “in-partnership” with COMELEC. 88DB wanted to become the pioneer in becoming the ‘first socio-political networking site’ here in the Philippines.
• Candidate profiles – It will be the duty of the candidates’ staff to update the profiles there. At the same time, the candidates themselves are expected to “reply” to the questions for each candidate. Also, the candidates that you can see on the page were based, according to Cagurangan, on the “public perceptions”. I don’t know if they did a survey for this of what but this is what bothers me because this is beneficial only for popular candidates. Now how about the aspiring candidates who don’t have money for the campaign? If politicians would like to remove their profile on the site, they may do so but they have to submit a formal letter to them. Sen. Ping Lacson already withdrew on the presidential race and had already sent a formal letter to them. Political Arena reconfirmed it to him. Why is there a need to follow up on him?
• Anti-Smear Campaign – Ideally, the website should not be an arena for destroying the reputation of another candidate. Wow, is this really gonna happen? Signing the MOA for the Anti-Smear Campaign won’t make any difference. According to Cagurangan, their job won’t go further than maintaining the website. Meaning, they take care only of the technical stuff but moderating the things that are being said there, it’s not their job anymore. They will only be moderating the comments and uploaded items when they violate the provisions in the user policy. The basic provisions are the usual ones for forums and social networking websites.

To sum it all up, I know that this is a good avenue to get to know the presidential candidates especially for the OFWs who plan to vote on 2010. The politicians I saw there are the same trapos.

I say temporary because we cannot trust GMA,or any of her allies, that this won’t be pursued again before the national elections. But nevertheless, temporary victory is better than none at all.

Photo by Karla Redor (with Sparks, me, Phoebe, Karen, Mark and Karen)

When ConAss was still ongoing, I participated in 2 of the rallies that were announced through Facebook, Plurk and Twitter. The first one I attended was the silent protest organized by Rock Ed held at Baywalk last June 7th. Different kinds of people congregated there, some of them were people I am connected with 2-3 degrees apart. There were passersby who just stared at the tarpaulin banner Rock Ed prepared which says “Explain Yourselves, Indimidation is the Way of Leaders Who are Weak” and didn’t really bother to know the issue. I heard Phoebe (a fellow blogger) ask “Why aren’t they joining us?”. We were joking that there were some television celebrities there like Pen Medina and Ronnie Lazaro (which were really present there) but people just lurked. Estimated number of people there: probably a hundred. My fellow bloggers and I got hungry after the silent protest and decided to have a dimsum and ensaymada fix after.

The second rally I participated in was at Ayala last June 11th. Not really sure on how many people attended. There are different estimations from 6,000 to 30,000. I would say 6,000 and a little bit more is the right estimate. This was much noisier and all the media and political personalities were there. Even the known ‘balimbings’ are there, riding the bandwagon. It was a peaceful rally. Then the very next day, ConAss was suddenly placed on hold by GMA.

Anti-ConAss rally at Ayala Ave.

Reading a lot of blogs about con-ass made me realize that an alternative form of activism is becoming popular and probably can be effective. Many people say that the online protests about ConAss influenced the Palace to place it on hold. Most likely, the government is already used to street protests. Even though how loud they are on the streets, it seems that the Palace wouldn’t care to listen. This alternative kind of activism, through the use of existing social networking resources in the internet, made Filipinos aware about the pros and cons of the issue.

The question is, are street rallies not enough for us to be heard? I still believe that rallying in the streets isn’t the only way to do activism. I am not saying that it’s not effective anymore but it will be effective if the message will be transmitted to a lot of people.

Shame on you. Shame on the congressmen/women who allowed the passing of HR 1109 in the House of Representatives (or you can call it Bastusang Pambansa). They have the guts to pass this bill 11 months before the national elections! A few weeks ago, the Hayden Kho-Katrina Halili sex scandal being queried at the Senate and now HR 1109!

Click here to view the document of HR 1109.

See if your congressman/woman is one of the culprits then place this as a status on your Facebook, Twitter and Plurk – “I am ashamed of my [name of your congressman/woman] for supporting HR 1109″. Spread the word!

NAME DISTRICT/ AREA
ABANTE, BIENVENIDO M. “BENNY” 6TH District Pandacan
ABLAN, ROQUE R. JR \Ilocos Norte, 1st District
AGBAYANI, VICTOR AGUEDO E. Pangasinan, 2nd District
AGYAO, MANUEL, S Kalinga Province
ALBANO (III), RODOLFO T. Isabela, 1st District
ALFELOR, FELIX R. JR. 4th District, Camarines Sur
ALMARIO, THELMA Z. Davao Oriental, 2nd District
ALVAREZ, ANTONIO C. Palawan 1st District
ALVAREZ, GENARO RAFAEL M. JR. Negros Occidental, 6th District
AMANTE, EDELMIRO A. Agusan Del Norte, 2nd District
AMATONG, ROMMEL C. Compostela Valley, 2nd District
ANGPING, MARIA ZENAIDA B. Manila, 3rd District
ANTONINO, RODOLFO W. Nueva Ecija, 4th District
APOSTOL, TRINIDAD G. Leyte, 2nd District
AQUINO, JOSE S. (II) 1st District Agusan del Norte
ARAGO, MARIA EVITA R. 3rd district, Laguna
ARBISON, A MUNIR M. Sulu 2nd District
ARENAS, MA. RACHEL J. Pangasinan, 3rd District
ARROYO, DIOSDADO M. Camarines Sur, 1st District
ARROYO, IGNACIO T. 5th district Negros Occidental
ARROYO, JUAN MIGUEL M. 2nd District of Pampanga
BAGATSING, AMADO S. Manila 5th district
BALINDONG, PANGALIAN M. Lanao del Sur, 2nd District
BARZAGA, ELPIDIO F. JR. Cavite, 2nd District
BAUTISTA, FRANKLIN P. Davao Del Sur, 2nd District
BELMONTE, VICENTE F. JR. Lanao del Norte, 1st District
BICHARA, AL FRANCIS C. Albay, 2nd District
BIRON, FERJENEL G. Iloilo, 4th District
BONDOC, ANNA YORK P. Pampanga 4th District
BONOAN-DAVID, MA. THERESA B. Manila, 4th District
BRAVO, NARCISO R. JR. Masbate, 1st District
BRIONES, NICANOR M. AGAP Party list
BUHAIN, EILEEN ERMITA Batangas, 1st District
BULUT, ELIAS C. JR. Apayao Lone District
CAGAS (IV), MARC DOUGLAS C. Davao Del Sur, 1st District
CAJAYON, MARY MITZI L. Caloocan, 2nd District
CAJES, ROBERTO C. Bohol, 2nd District
CARI, CARMEN L. Leyte, 5th District
CASTRO, FREDENIL H. Capiz, 2nd District
CELESTE, ARTHUR F. Pangasinan, 1st District
CERILLES, ANTONIO H. Zamboanga Del Sur, 2nd District
CHATTO, EDGARDO M. Bohol, 1st District
CHONG, GLENN A. Biliran, Lone District
CHUNG-LAO, SOLOMON R. Ifugai, Lone District
CLARETE, MARINA C. Misamis Occidental, 1st District
CODILLA, EUFROCINO M. SR. Leyte, 4th District
COJUANCO, MARK O. Pangasinan, 5th District
COQUILA, TEODULO M. Eastern Samar, Lone District
CRISOLOGO, VINCENT P. Quezon City, 1st District
CUA, JUNIE E. Quirino, Lone District
CUENCO, ANTONIO V. Cebu City, 2nd District
DANGWA, SAMUEL M. Benguet, Lone District
DATUMANONG, SIMEON A. Maguindanao, Lone District
Dayanghirang, Nelson L. Davao Oriental, 1st District
DAZA, NANETTE C. Quezon City, 4th District
DAZA, PAUL R. Northern Samar, 1st District
DE GUZMAN, DEL R. Marikina City, 2nd District
DEFENSOR, ARTHUR D. SR. Iloilo, 3rd District
DEFENSOR, MATIAS V. JR. Quezon City, 3rd District
DEL MAR, RAUL V. Cebu City, 1st District
DIASNES, CARLO OLIVER D. (MD) Batanes, Lone District
DIMAPORO, ABDULLAH D. Lanao Del Norte, 2nd District
DOMOGAN, MAURICIO G. Baguio, Lone District
DUAVIT, MICHAEL JOHN R. Rizal, 1st District
DUENAS, HENRY M. JR. Taguig, 2nd District (2nd Councilor District)
DUMARPA, FAYSAH MRP. Lanao del Sur, 1st District
DUMPIT, THOMAS L. JR. La Union, 2nd District
DURANO (IV), RAMON H. 5th District, Cebu
ECLEO, GLENDA B. Dinagat Islands, Lone District
EMANO, YEVGENY VICENTE B. Misamis Oriental, 2nd District
ENVERGA, WILFRIDO MARK M. Quezon, 1st District
ESTRELLA, CONRADO M. (III) Pangasinan, 6th District
ESTRELLA, ROBERT RAYMUND M. ABONO Party List
FERRER, JEFFREY P. Negros Occidental, 4th District
GARAY, FLORENCIO C. Surigao Del Sur, 2nd District
GARCIA, ALBERT S. Bataan, 2nd District.
GARCIA, PABLO JOHN F. Cebu, 3rd District
GARCIA, PABLO P. Cebu, 2nd District
GARCIA, VINCENT J. Davao City, 2nd District
GARIN, JANETTE L. Iloilo, 1st District
GATCHALIAN, REXLON T. Valenzuela City, 1st District
GATLABAYAN, ANGELITO C. Antipolo City, 2nd District
GO, ARNULFO F. Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District
GONZALES, AURELIO D. JR. Pampanga 3rd District
GONZALES, RAUL T. JR. Ilo ilo City
GULLAS, EDUARDO R. Cebu, 1st District
GUNIGUNDO, MAGTANGGOL T. Valenzuela City 2nd District
HOFER, DULCE ANN K. Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District
JAAFAR, NUR G. Tawi-Tawi, Lone District
JALA, ADAM RELSON L. Bohol, 3rd District
JALOSJOS, CESAR G. Zamboanga del Norte, 3rd District
JALOSJOS-CARREON, CECILIA G. Zamboanga del Norte, 1st District
JIKIRI, YUSOP H. Sulu, 1st District
KHO, ANTONIO T. Masbate, 2nd District
LABADLABAD, ROSENDO S. Zamboanga del Norte, 2nd District
LACSON, JOSE CARLOS V. Negros Occidental, 3rd District
LAGDAMEO, ANTONIO F. JR. Davao del Norte, 2nd District
LAPUS, JECI A. Tarlac, 3rd District
LAZATIN, CARMELO F. Pampanga, 1st District
LIM, RENO G. Albay, 3rd District
LOPEZ, JAIME C. Manila, 2nd District
MADRONA, ELEANORA JESUS F. Romblon, Lone District
MAGSAYSAY, MARIA MILAGROS H. Zambales, 1st District
MALAPITAN, OSCAR G. Caloocan, 1st District
MAMBA, MANUEL N. Cagayan, 3rd District
MANGUDADATU, DATU PAKUNG S. Sultan Kudarat,
MARANON, ALFREDO D. III Negros Occidental, 2nd District
MATUGAS, FRANCISCO T. Surigao del Norte, 1st District
MENDOZA, MARK LEANDRO L. Batangas, 4th District
MERCADO, ROGER G. Southern Leyte, Lone District
MIRAFLORES, FLORENCIO T. Aklan, Lone District
NAVA, JOAQUIN CARLOS RAHMAN A. (MD) Guimaras, Lone District
NICOLAS, REYLINA G. Bulacan, 4th District
NOGRALES, PROSPERO C. Davao City, 1st District
OLAñO, ARREL R. Davao Del Norte, 1st District
ONG, EMIL L. Northern Samar, 2nd District
ORTEGA, VICTOR FRANCISCO C. La Union, 1st District
PABLO, ERNESTO C. APEC Party List
PANCHO, PEDRO M. Bulacan, 2nd District
PANCRUDO, CANDIDO P. JR. Bukidnon, 1st District
PICHAY, PHILIP A. Surigao Del Sur, 1st District
PIñOL, BERNARDO F. JR. North Cotabato, 2nd District
PUNO, ROBERTO V. Antipolo City, 1st District
RAMIRO, HERMINIA M. Misamis Occidental, 2nd District
REMULLA, JESUS CRISPIN C. Cavite, 3rd District
REYES, CARMELITA O. Marinduque, Lone District
REYES, VICTORIA H. Batangas, 3rd District
ROBES, ARTURO G. San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District
Rodriguez-Zaldarriaga, Adelina Rizal, 2nd District
ROMAN, HERMINIA B. Bataan, 1st District
ROMARATE, GUILLERMO A. JR. Surigao del Norte, 2nd District
ROMUALDEZ, FERDINAND MARTIN G. Leyte, 1st District
ROMUALDO, PEDRO Camiguin, Lone District
ROMULO, ROMAN T. Pasig City, Lone District
ROXAS, JOSE ANTONIO F. Pasay City
SALIMBANGON, BENHUR L. Cebu, 4th District
SALVACION JR., ANDRES D. Leyte, 3rd District
SAN LUIS, EDGAR S. Laguna, 4th District
SANDOVAL, ALVIN S. Malabon-Navotas, Lone District
SANTIAGO, JOSEPH A. Catanduanes, Lone District
SANTIAGO, NARCISO D. (III) ARC Party List
SEACHON-LANETE, RIZALINA L. 3rd district of Masbate
SEARES-LUNA, CECILIA M. Abra, Lone District
SILVERIO, LORNA C. Bulacan, 3rd District
SINGSON, ERIC D. Ilocos Sur, 2nd District
SINGSON, RONALD V. Ilocos Sur, 1st District
SOLIS, JOSE G. Sorsogon, 2nd District
SOON-RUIZ, NERISSA CORAZON Cebu, 6th District
SUAREZ, DANILO E. Quezon, 3rd District
SUSANO, MARY ANN L. Quezon City, 2nd District
SY-ALVARADO, MA. VICTORIA R. Bulacan, 1st District
SYJUCO, JUDY J. 2nd Dsitrict, Iloilo
TALINO-MENDOZA, EMMYLOU J. North Cotabato, 1st District
TAN, SHAREE ANN T. Samar, 2nd District
TEODORO, MARCELINO R. Marikina City, 1st District
TEODORO, MONICA LOUISSE PRIETO Tarlac, 1st District
TEVES, PRYDE HENRY A. Negros Oriental, 3rd District
TUPAS, NEIL C. JR. Iloilo, 5th District
UNGAB, ISIDRO T. Davao City, 3rd District
UY, EDWIN C. Isabela, 2nd District
UY, REYNALDO S. Samar, 1st District
UY, ROLANDO A. Cagayan De Oro City, Lone District
VALDEZ, EDGAR L. APEC Party List
VALENCIA, RODOLFO G. Oriental Mindoro, 1st District
VARGAS, FLORENCIO L. Cagayan, 2nd District
VILLAFUERTE, LUIS R. Camarines Sur, 2nd District
VILLAROSA, MA. AMELITA C. Occidental Mindoro, Lone District
VIOLAGO, JOSEPH GILBERT F. Nueva Ecija, 2nd District
YAP, JOSE V. Tarlac, 2nd District
YU, VICTOR J. Zamboanga Del Sur, 1st District
ZAMORA, MANUEL E. 1st District, Compostela Valley
ZIALCITA, EDUARDO C. Parañaque, 1st District

Many people were raged against this issue and felt that taxing imported books only hinder us from knowing things that are outside our boundaries. We know that the internet is already existing however most of us (including me) would still prefer to read printed materials. The quest for knowledge shouldn’t only be through one medium, the reader has the right to choose in which format he or she prefers to get information from. The BOC is being too greedy to Philippine society and they have the gall to be arrogant that they know the law. In fact, they have already been violating the Florence Agreement (United Nations Treaty) which was signed by the Philippines in 1952, stating that all nations have the right to imported information and books and other printed documents should not be taxed at all.

Having said that, Rock Ed decided to conduct a bookbigayan project as a protest to the book blockade. Passersby were able to get the books they want for free and with no taxes involved. The project was done last May 24th at Baywalk, Manila from 3 pm-7 pm. Most people there got the information about this event through the social networking websites such as Plurk, Twitter, Facebook, Multiply and many more. Just imagine how the internet can congregate people to do a worthy cause?

Gang Badoy reading a book with the statue of Mayor Arsenio Lacson (former Manila Mayor) 

Me reading with the ex-mayor

I arrived there late afternoon around 3:30 pm. I was able to help the Rock Ed volunteers set up the books. At first, the common people at the baywalk thought that the books were for sale. When they learned that they weren’t, word spreaded like fire and grabbed the books that they were interested in. The most in-demand books were children’s books and textbooks for high school. It’s good timing as well because school was about to start and with the high amount of tuition fees that they need to pay, at least they got their children’s required textbooks for free. Most of the books I donated were my old textbooks in high school and I’m glad that a child will be able to use it as reference in school.

Myrene Academia of Sandwich and Imago being interviewed by GMA news reporter

Now isn’t Manila Bay’s sunset beautiful?

The good thing is that the book blockade is over. On May 25th, President Arroyo already ordered to scrap the taxes on imported material. The viral and online protest was a success. Press Secretary Remonde said

The President wants books to be within reach of the common man. She believes reading as an important value for intellectual formation, which is the foundation of a healthy public opinion necessary for a vibrant democracy.

Now probably we should focus on the implementation of the president’s order. Some BOC Officials may still want to ‘ransom’ the books you ordered online so shove it to their face if they pursue to impose taxes on those.

Caged Prostitutes in Japan photo credit: Okinawa Soba

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is the illegal trade in human beings and their use by criminals to make money. That could mean deceiving and/or forcing people into prostitution, domestic servitude or manual labor.

It is a tragic form of modern-day slavery and is one of the most urgent human rights problems in the region.

- MTV Exit

Human traffickers target individuals who are eager to elevate their status in life. These criminals woo their targets by luring them with false promises of a bright future. The so-called “victims” are trapped in the (un)safe houses of these syndicates – controlling every move of their modern day slaves. Calling them ‘victims’ would only make them powerless and we need to also change this kind of ‘victim’ mentality.

The idea of human trafficking is rejected by many because it hinders human freedom or human emancipation. Relating it to Marx and other social theorists’ concept of human nature, humans have the capacity to realize their potential aside from being mechanical workers and be productive as human beings .  The idea is to remove the objectification of humans and realize our worth. As you can see, the concept of enslaving humans has existed a long time ago and it’s now time to realize that this kind of activity should be lessened, if not eliminated.

The Need for Global Awareness

In line with the issue at hand, MTV created MTV Exit to raise awareness against human trafficking. Last May 22, 2009, the MTV Exit awareness concert was held at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. The concert was absolutely free. Short films and clips about human trafficking were shown to the public to also help them prevent from being exploited. A lot of artists and bands participated in this good cause such as Christian Baustisa, Gary V, Bamboo, Pochoy Labog, Spongecola, Kjwan, Callalily, Pupil, Duster, Kitchie Nadal, Rico Blanco, Itchyworms, Kamikazee, Moy Moy Palaboy and Parokya ni Edgar.

I hope that the people who attended the event were able to understand the issue and spread the message. For more information about human trafficking and MTV Exit, please visit their website at www.mtvexit.org .

Here are some photos of the bands that performed during the event courtesy of @karlaredor.

Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar and Jay Contreras of Kamikazee (performing “Ordertaker”)

Rico Blanco

Kelvin Yu and Jugs Jugueta of Itchyworms

Smiling Ely Buendia of Pupil

Gary V. and Yael Yuzon (together with the rest of Spongecola) perform their song “Ayt” live for the first time

Katwo Puertollano of Duster

Bamboo Manalac and Ira Cruz of Bamboo (last band that performed)

Prof. Danny Arao’s blogpost about bloggers who become “sell outs” in the blogosphere is indeed thought provoking. I have been blogging for a long time but it was only until now that I get to meet some other bloggers in “real life” through the the different blogger or media events organized by different marketing or pr agencies. It’s only now I realize that there are some perks by becoming a blogger. I must admit it was fun since I get to experience things I have not done before ( especially the food that I have not tasted before). In exchange of letting me experience those perks of course I should return the favor by writing about their product or event etc. That’s ‘social exchange theory’ in real life, but it’s not being forced. Even though they feed me with all the food they want, nothing can control me on what I will say. I will still write a bad review if I didn’t like the taste of the food or if the service is bad. I make sure that it’s being done constructively and not because I am being too personal about it.

Prof. Arao’s article poses a question towards bloggers self motivation in blogging. It is a fact that there are some bloggers who are just concerned about blog monetization and not about the content. Spamming their blogs with topics that are “marketable” or has “high value” leaves the objective of the whole blog itself. I am not saying that everything should be political or highly intellectual. There are lots of things to write about not just “high valued” topics. These “high valued” topics are then translated into monetary value and that’s how the ad networks work. I learned this from Karla, who is a geek in those kind of stuff, and explained to me on how to earn money by just blogging. It was only a few months ago when I started Google Adsense and I only have a few dollars. I appreciate the dollar amount but it’s not really the end goal.

Another thing also that he mentioned was to consider our audience, i.e. our readers. Prof. Arao mentioned that we have to be responsible on the things we write or what would be the consequence and outcome of this to the audience. Yes, the blogosphere is a public domain, however this is a different kind of domain wherein audiences can create their own identity, i.e. reality. We cannot say that the intention of the blogger would reflect in what he/she writes. In this scenario, the blogger can transform his/her identity without the readers knowing it. The identity of the blogger is not attached to the article he/she wrote. As for the readers, they have their own mind as to how they will interpret the things we write. I believe that agency ( the individual) is still important and that not all human beings are always pre-determined by market forces. It is a give and take relationship. Readers will say what they want to say, or they can also re-interpret what we say and make it into their own ( like what I am doing now ).

In conclusion, I think that people have different motivations on why they blog and we should respect that. Blog monetization is not totally bad at all, being a ‘sell out’ is bad. I think that Prof. Arao’s post excludes people who really do blog monetization ( coming from the title of the blog post itself). I would like to say that they are also writers who contribute and create meaning to the blogosphere. It somewhat creates “exclusivity” among ” responsible” bloggers (as what he is imposing) vs the “irresponsible” bloggers. Does this mean that there is a distinction being made? What makes a blogger “responsible”? If there is such thing, what are the criteria on being “responsible”?

Now for you as my reader right now I pose these questions to you:

Why did you read this blog post?

(if you are a blogger) Why do you blog?

What do you think is a blogger?

You might want to read this related blog post about audiences

http://www.rockerfem.com/2008/08/20/expecto-patronum-to-the-dementors-who-want-to-stop-the-magical-mystery-tour/

I know this is late but this is the only time I have organized my thoughts about this. I really feel so betrayed when Erap was pardoned by GMA. It was 2001 then, my senior year in St. Scho Manila. I, together with my batchmates then, lead anti-Erap rallies in St. Scho which eventually made us part of the actual EDSA dos when the envelope wasn’t opened during the Impeachment trial. I had the chance to actually experience the Impeachment Trial then, when we supported Clarissa Ocampo, who was a Scholastican then when she was in high school. I participated wholeheartedly during the EDSA dos which I believe became a part of who I am. This was the time that I feel that I am contributing something in history and in society; being a productive member of society. When the man who committed plunder and dishonesty to the Filipino people stepped out of Office, it felt empowering. I was part of the youth then, ( and I believe until now. hehe) 18 years old getting ready for college, it was really very empowering. It felt like I can actually make things happen and ready to face any challenges that would come my way.

6 years after, now part of the labor force, no longer that positive in things to come in Philippine Politics only made me more disenchanted ( thanks to Max Weber), with my reality. Actually experiencing being the breadwinner of the family, I can no longer feel my youthful self; that empowered young woman then. I am now facing the reality of life, how hard it is to make ends meet. Thankfully I can still have some simple luxury in life but thinking outside of my personal self makes me wonder where is justice?

Having a sociological mind still haven’t gone out of my system. Adapting from C. Wright Mills ” The Sociological Imagination”, public issues do not separate from private issues. These 2 domains do not have absolute separatism from each other, in fact they overlap. Dichotomies like these might create conflict on one’s notion of reality but it could also help us create pragmatic decisions. Wow, I remember my Sociological Theory professor, Ma’am Marcia. Let me reiterate, acknowledging the existence of both dichotomies will help us pragmatic about it. Now, grounding this “theory” to my actual experiences based on the socio-historical circumstances I am currently experiencing, I would say that I am still on the verge of thinking about it. A public issue such as GMA’s pardoning of Erap directly affects me because I for one contributed to his ouster and I felt that my sense of self that felt then was empowering felt betrayed. My principles on this particular issue affects on how I think about the government, justice system and even my own culture. As I remember while I was watching ANC, an Anthropology professor from UP Diliman was interviewed and according to him this particular issue is a clash of Filipino values: the value of being forgiving and the value of being firm on making decisions. Again, another dichotomy here that is being worked here. I believe that this is a clash of 2 bigger dichotomies, traditionalism and modernity. Different cultures have molded us to these 2 ideas, and now conflict is arising. It is really mind boggling on how you would incorporate these 2 far-fetched ideas into one unifying pragmatic action.

On the macrolevel, it is a rational decision for GMA to do that since she is desperate for the support of the Filipino masses. Rationality, as I could remember is doing calculable actions no matter what it takes just to meet the ends. I remember Machiavelli’s “The Prince” here. For Social Science majors, you know what I mean. GMA’s actions were calculated and all the qualms of other institutions or parts of society ( coming from the functionalist perspective) doesn’t really matter, because the masses play a bigger part in the upcoming 2010 elections. Just imagine all the waste of time and money then. It seems that everything is really a show. Borrowing from Goffman’s ideas, this is just a role play; a theatrical show but in this particular situation, people were not internalizing their roles. Well Goffman didn’t say that everything is consistent because people play different roles in life. Clashing of values play a big role in the inconsistencies of people’s decisions, I believe.

Am I still making sense here? To sum it all up, I am just expressing my dismay on pardoning Erap for everything he has done to the Filipino people. This is no different with the Marcos situation, look at them in government office again. I don’t want to be disenchanted with my reality, as much as possible I want to have a positive outlook in Philippine society.

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