Parent's role on TV and summer

CEBU, Philippines - This week has been full of children’s recitals and culminating programs left and right. There are two, which I have attended as a mentor. I’m sure there’s also a lot of it happening around the city somewhere.

Looking at the children that I’ve worked with for the whole summer, I can’t help but question their reason of spending summer learning. Is it because they’ve got nothing to do with the spare time? Or is it that they love the craft? For whatever reason, they are lucky to be part of the privileged few who are blessed enough to have joined these programs.

For those who cannot afford such lessons, what is left for a child to do? According Frank Rivera, the Executive Director of the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT), the television becomes an instant yaya (maid). It’s the most affordable yaya there is. No stress with overtime pay, a place for her to stay and extra budget for her food. You just leave your child with a comfy couch, snacks to munch on and you’re good to go!

With this game plan in mind, what are the odds that at the end of the day your child is now knowledgeable on love affairs, indecent language and immodest clothing? Well, a hundred percent or 

more. Children can easily adapt to these from just sitting and watching television. Their innocent minds are like sponges bound to absorb any bit of information that they have heard or seen. Unlike a grown up’s mind, they do not have the capacity to filter thoughts and ideas. Whether you like it or not, they would not know the right from wrong if there is no guidance from a parent or a guardian.

No wonder the Movie and Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB) would take a few seconds of airtime to play their stinger and flash the classification of the certain show. But no matter how many times MTRCB would plug that in, it all boils down to responsible parental guidance. Without an adult who would screen television shows, it is still useless.

The television or the computer should not replace a parent’s responsibility to look after the child. Having a child entails a parent to watch over him or her, rearing them to become better individuals in the future. Being busy with work is not an excuse to exempt a parent from this role. Otherwise, you should have thought so before having one.

Many unfortunate incidents have happened because of irresponsible parenting. If this continues on, what will happen to the next generation?

But parents are not totally to blame, really. The broadcast networks also get a share of the blame for showing materials thinking only of profit and ignoring the fact that children could learn bad things from what they are showing. There is too much violence and immodest acts on TV. It is time to tone these down; the effects are tremendously affecting the children of today.

They say a child’s future relies on how he/she is raised. I’m thankful there are still parents who care and allow their children to enroll in summer classes. And I give them a thundering applause too for being present at their recital.

**Published in the Freeman newspaper on May 29, 2012

Lessons from JSanchez and LGaga

In less then 24 hours from today, Filipino-Mexican singing sensation Jessica Sanchez will be competing in the final sing-off against her lone contender, Philip Philips. The 16 year old has come a long way from being a face in the crowd in her home state of California to being a trending topic world wide. Why wouldn’t she be? She has wowed the judges and the world with her belter voice and confidence. Lucky for her, she has made a name for the Philippines in the international arena.

Filipino communities abroad have doubled their effort in voting for her since she was a finalist. In a tweet by an American fan, she said that JSanchez has the most organized fanbase. They have voting nights in clubs, bars and restaurants where they stay up late to watch the show and extend for two more hours just to place her name into where she is now. Fans cheer and scream as if they are also watching the live show. Prayer requests for her are also flooding the social networking domain.I’m sure her Mexican side is doing the same too.

Since the contest only allows residents from the United States to vote, the best we can do here is be proud of her because she is our kababayan. But more than that, Sanchez has taught our race a lesson once again. This is the revival of the Filipino’s malasakit para sa kapwa or genuine concern for fellowmen.

In this day and age, we are prone to minding our own business because of the rise of individuality, self-expression and liberation from the west. We do not extend our hand to help anymore for the fear of being rejected, used or taken advantage of. With the advancement in technology, expressing an opinion can be easily read by the whole world.

However, when singers like Charice, Ariel Pineda and recently trending JSanchez wow the whole world, we unite in one goal of hoping that they’d take their success up a notch. We do whatever we can to show support such as paying for tickets, being a fan, purchasing merchandise, voting and so much more.

As complicated as JSanchez’ lineage may be (Filipino mother, Mexican father and American citizenship), we know that part of her is our own. She’s got the looks, the voice and the attitude of working hard but being humble – the trademark of a true Filipino. I think we should be more focused on supporting the right causes such as this. Having a Filipina actually win the contest is not ordinary. This is a million times worth than wasting money on tarpaulins and T-shirts for banning an artist who just came to perform in our country.

If the Philippines is truly democratic, those who are opposing LGaga’s concert should learn how to respect her Filipino supporters because of her catchy tunes and dance moves. I do not think Lady Gaga fans are “satanic” as what some people perceive her to be. While I respect their right to voice out their opinion, they do not have the right to judge and shun away an international artist who has paid a lot just to get here. Not to mention, her fans who have purchased tickets long before.

True malasakit is not about wasting time nagging on what you think is wrong for the next generation but is supporting what may lead them to the right path. Who knows, JSanchez might inspire the youth and is what the US music scene has been waiting for.

**First published in The Freeman newspaper on May 22, 2012

Needles for your cats and dogs

CEBU, Philippines - Imagine your pet dog or cat, whining and whimpering on an ailment you that you do not know of. Hopeless, you took him to the veterinarian and the doctor explained a disease of some sort. You can’t really understand what this medical expert was saying but you try your very best to find a way just to make him better.

If you ask an elderly from China or Japan, he’d tell you to go for the “needle treatment” or acupuncture. It’s a wise option, but for a dog? Well, this is indeed possible.

According to Dr. Ging Berdon, a veterinarian who graduated from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), animal acupuncture is the same acupuncture that has been applied to humans since the ancient period. This was discovered by the people of East Asia particularly the Chinese and the Japanese. Legend has it that during the Zang and Chow dynasties in 2000-3000 BC, wounded horses from battle were treated this way.

In treating domesticated animals such as cats and dogs, acupuncture is done on any type of disease. However, Dr. Berdon clarified that this is not done only as a sole treatment. This is a supplementary to the present treatment that they are doing on the animal. It is for relief of pain, healing of the animal’s nerves, and to calm them after having been shocked. There are no risks when an animal undergoes acupuncture, not even pain from the needles. She added that when a cat or a dog has acupuncture as a supplement for its present treatment, its recovery speeds up.

Regular acupuncture needles are used for animal acupuncture. There are different acupuncture sites in a dog’s or cat’s body such as the stomach, joints and the like. Yet, this method is not merely the sticking in of the needles. There should be stimulation such as passing electricity through the needles or by simply twisting them. The pricking is either perpendicular or diagonal. Of course, the animal has to be relaxed before it is given the treatment. At least three acupuncture sites have needles in a session of fifteen to thirty minutes. Dr. Berdon recommends having the treatment daily until the animal is well.

Despite its being relatively old in practice, animal acupuncture is often frowned upon by most pet owners. Most of them have the mindset that the treatment is a form of quackery or the belief in the supernatural. They think it has no guarantee. However, there are also some who want this treatment for their animal. Those are whom who have experienced acupuncture themselves.

In time, acupuncture would become a widespread technique now that it has shown positive results. Dr. Berdon cited a quadriplegic case where a dog’s four feet were paralyzed. After continuous acupuncture apart from the regular treatment, the dog was able to walk again after a few weeks. “It is a new concept but old practice,” said Berdon.

For a technique that’s been long practiced and has recently been proven, there’s no need to be afraid. Give your cats and dogs the best they deserve for their wellness and betterment. 

**Published in the Freeman on May 21, 2012

Mothering to build a nation

I have always wondered what it is like to have a female figure around through thick and thin. You see, my personal life is not as perfect as the family in the TV series 7th Heaven and I have always thought of how a mother would feel towards her children.

There was a time when annulment and divorce were alien to Philippine society. In fact, we Filipinos are highly regarded for our close family ties. We are the type of people who cannot live without family. Even children who become professionals opt to stay with their parents than move out and live alone. Filipino houses are filled with a lot of relatives from grandparents to aunts to in-laws and so on. We used to be the model of a happy family.

Yet, what has happened now? Mothers have become younger and younger by the year. There are no longer extended families. Lola and lolo can now be placed in someone else’s care inside the home for the aged or be left alone in the province. Kuya leaves right after college to start a family and ate wants to start her career alone. Both never come home during holidays and the youngest wants to do the same. Basic families are now only a group of two - a mother and a child, sometimes it’s the other way around. We are on a decline once again.

A lot of children are now living in broken homes. This tragic situation results to a depressed and rebellious child. A huge percentage of children eye suicide as an option, thinking that ending their lives would be the best solution to get out of the mess their parents have created. They feel outcast and abnormal amongst other children. That is why the youth today have lost their direction. They find no reason to dream for a helpless country, they only want to find the happiness that they never had. It is a broken generation that needs to be fixed.

However, some families manage to stay intact. I’d like to believe it’s the mother who has glued such entity together. It is no joke to be a mother, a wife, and a career woman at the same time. If superwoman did exist, there’s one in each of our houses. This gives us all the more reason to salute mothers. In fact, it is not enough to honor these superwomen for just a day.

A mother’s love is very crucial. It shapes the character of a child. We, as a people, need to be mothered. We need to be mothered by the right people who would shape us into being great once again. A mother’s instinct always wants what’s best for the children, even if it means sacrifice. We need leaders who are willing to be that.

However, this dream may take time or may never be attained in the political arena for now. Yet, it is never too late to be mothers ourselves in the community that we are in to build this nation again. It starts with a simple family, the basic unit of society. If we go back to the strength of the Filipinos in having close family ties, I’m sure we can go as far as we can imagine. Nobody knows better than a mother. Like they say, mothers know best.

**Published in the Freeman newspaper last May 15, 2012

The Freedom we Deserve

Congress has reconvened to discuss pending bills in both houses. The ongoing impeachment trial of our Chief Justice, the teleserye that Filipinos have been looking forward to, will also resume. Among the bills to be discussed is the Freedom of Information Act or FOI. This has been a hot topic within the media circle especially that World Press Freedom Day was celebrated last May 3.

The FOI gives us the privilege of accessing official records, documents, and other transactions of the government. It is like an expansion to the right to information enshrined in our Constitution. It also upholds press freedom as it helps journalists who are covering beats close to the government.

Why should a young person like me be concerned with the bills that Congress will be talking about? Let me tell you this. For one, everyone is directly affected by it because these bills will become the laws that govern the nation that we are in. Second, the people next in line who would benefit from these laws are no other than us, the next generation. That is how important the law is to a teenager who is rather much engrossed with the latest fashion trend than with the state of the nation.

With all the threats a journalist faces in his/her everyday work, there is no full press freedom at all. The Philippines was once dubbed as the worst place for a journalist to work in when the Maguindanao massacre happened. It was a stain in the reputation of the free country we are claiming to have. This has become a threat to aspiring journalists and to the students in the field of communication.

But I’d like to say we’re partly free, better than the information ban being experienced in China and Russia. The information age is what drives young writers to expand their horizons, and we’re already very lucky to have our lines open. Therefore, there is no reason for aspirants to be scared. It’s only a matter of being careful.

Going back to Congress, I really hope that the FOI will be passed. If this happens, imagine the numerous information we can find out about the government and its transactions. However, a speck exists in the bill for media outlets – the right of reply. This compels such outlets to broadcast or publish all reactions and comments by the readers. To me, this is already useless because readers and listeners are already actually enjoying being able to express their views or give their reactions through radio/TV programs, social media and through the newspapers’ opinion page.

They say your freedom ends where my nose begins. There is always a limitation to freedom and liberty. But for the press and all other outfits who strive to get the truth out, they deserve access to the information they need for them to write or feature stories that are of interest to the public. This is the reason why they say, “The truth shall set you free” and “The truth prevails.”

**Published in the Freeman newspaper on May 8, 2012

No discipline at all

I never quite understood why Labor Day required more labor for the workers by marching on the streets and asking for what they want. It is a holiday and workers should spend resting like spending time with their family and relax for just a day. But then when I had my short summer trip to one of the municipalities in the south, I understood why year after year it is always the same cycle. I understood why, despite all the hardships of the working class, we never moved forward as a nation.

Me, and a group of 12 other youngsters were preparing to have a quick break in Alcoy. None of us have been there except for one, who lives there. Preparing to leave for an 8pm trip, nobody knew the ins and outs of the South Bus Terminal. When the lady and her male assistant who asked for P5 never smiled back at us nor even looked at us, I sensed that something was wrong. They only extended their arms in the act of asking for the fee and tore a piece of paper, which was the proof of payment. I was disappointed. I wish a peso paid for their smiles. They were not happy.

While waiting for the bus to arrive, we were patiently falling in line hoping for the next bus. When it arrived, people from left and right were squabbling and pushing against each other just to get a seat. Even when the bus was still running towards the parking lot, a number of commuters already ran towards it, throwing their bags through the window so they could reserve a seat. We were horrified at what happened. From young professionals to ordinary commuters, they were doing all the same thing. When the second bus arrived, we followed what the others did. It was maybe for vengeance or for the reason of going to the destination in a jiffy. But we knew it was wrong.

We got seats in the second bus but a woman in her early 30s who was carrying a baby was pushed so hard that she fell to the ground. A pang of guilt struck us and we felt angry, too. People were so selfish.

This is the reason why we never move forward as a nation. We don’t have the discipline. Even as simple as falling in line could have made things better. Things get worse when the young ones witness what the elders are doing and follow it. It just goes on and on, nothing changes. The administration of the terminal didn’t even mind the lack of a system. It only takes common sense to know that we must fall in line. When we only think of ourselves and our needs, we tend to forget common sense and this makes us barbarians with no discipline at all. It is as if scrambling for seats is already accepted by everyone at the terminal. The commuters never complained. The authorities never bothered to correct the chaos. Bayanihan doesn’t exist anymore.

In celebration of Labor Day, let’s look back at all the actions the working class has done. Our lack of discipline is not helping them at all.

**Published in the Freeman newspaper on May 1, 2012