That's entertainment

THE MAASINHON TRIO has been trending over all local networking sites since Sunday night during the Pilipinas Got Talent finals night. A lot of people have been ranting over twitter and facebook such as "It's Pilipinas Got Singing Talent" and "Season 1 - One voice, Season 2 - Two voices, Season 3 -Three Voices. To win the fourth season, form a quartet." The pattern has been observed. It may be cooked or in vernacular luto kind of judging, or maybe... It's just reality.

The Maasinhon Trio

Reality TV shows started around the early part of the millenium when the hit reality TV series of placing a number of people on an island, Survivor, broke out. Since then, there have been a lot of choices ranging from reality cooking, to singing, to dancing, to modeling and even reality living. However, the big question still rings out. Is there such thing as reality in television? Maybe no, maybe yes. What we see is really real but producers and editors choose what to show. The like resemble patterns such as the element of drama, fighting, jealousy, etc. Emotions which are relevant to humans.

Talent is even an issue. A million people audition for one title yet there are still some who manage to make fun in front of the camera. Personal choice or production team's choice? A chuckle can buy, a hysterical laughter sells. Bingo, dollars on their pockets for high ratings. The truth with television. A big box full of business.

Not that I'm against the industry as I am planning to go into such field but there might be really something wrong with entertainment these days. Where are variety shows which showcased pure talent, and late night talk shows that sprung out fun? That's Entertainment, sure I remember.

Photo borrowed from entervrexworld.wordpress.com

A Smile, Laugh, Anyone?

Initiative and resourcefulness - most of the simple traits in life gone unnoticed. We guess this generation is so engrossed with the what-not's of technology that we rely too much on tekkie's ability. I for one, have taken on tekkie's toll by abusing it day and night, night and day. From school papers to career work to leisure and communication. You name it, the computer does it and so does my awesome windows phone. Go figure.

However, there are simple things in life that has taken for granted; needs appreciation. Take this, a dalmatian spotted car found running through the North Highway. Neat. Fascinating.

How about the initiative to use adhesive tape such as to make a single music stand for two instruments. Isn't that just wonderful?

Never would I thought that I'd end up smiling at the simple things that makes us smile, or laugh in hysteria. Say "aye" when your just as guilty as I am. Take a break dear, say "aye" still. I'm sure we've just had enough of bloody news, care to have fun for awhile, mate?


Photos by Annie Fe G. Perez

Saving Today's Children

During the first half of this year, Cebu has been daunted with a lot of cases on child cyber sex pornography – the act of forcing children to be photographed naked or asked to take off their clothes in front of the camera where the material will be circulated online.

CLB Staff campaigning on Child Abuse

                The Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB), a non-stock, non-government organization has been always in action towards giving legal assistance to children eighteen years old and below who are victims of such cases and many others that defy children’s rights. For the past years that CLB has been active in its advocacy of putting a stop to cyber sex pornography, they have encountered a lot of challenges on the way.

Laban Bata Paralegal Training

                CLB has two programs laid out for the different cases against children’s rights which include anti cyber sex pornography in it. The Children’s Rights Protection Unit (CRPU) and Laban Bata have been working hand in hand in empowering and providing legal assistance. However, the good intention of CLB to help young children out of their misery is sometimes returned with a result which they never anticipated.
                According to Lawyer Joan Saniel, executive director of the organization, there are cases of cyber child pornography where the parents are the one who force their children to go with foreigners so they will be potential sources of the pornography business. “They (children) don’t do anything about it because they are scared of their own parents, or they think it is just a way of life,” she added.

                Lawyer Noemi Abarientos narrated, “As soon as they (children) are rescued from this (cyber sex pornography), they escape out of the children’s room or the pink room just to go back to their lifestyle.”  “Some even do not want to be rescued by our organization. Parents are very hard on this because they claim to have custody on their children yet they don’t realize they are wrong,” added Saniel.

                When this happens, the organization cannot anymore coerce citizens to stop such acts. “Wala na gyud mi mabuhat ana (We cannot do anything about it). Besides, dili namo sila ma blame kay (we cannot blame them because) these foreigners provide for them not only with a huge amount of money but with groceries and expensive clothes,” explained Abarientos.

                The organization though has tried suing the parents of the children.  But to no avail they still do the same with an explanation that this can only do no good and cannot provide for their day to day needs. Even training and seminars cannot get through their heads; information dissemination can only do so much.

                “The ultimate solution is to resolve the issue of poverty,” says Abarientos. “If jobs are available for these parents to earn decent wages, it will help alleviate the problem of sex tourism and cyber sex pornography,” she added. True enough the parents where areas of sex tourism and cyber sex pornography are prevalent do not have decent jobs nor have jobs at all. These areas include Cordova, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay.

CLB Workers

                Despite these challenges, CLB is glad to help victims and families. “We still conduct trainings and seminars,” says Yowee Gonzales, CLB’s Sustainability coordinator. CLB gives discussion whenever they are invited to speak by the government or private entities. So far there are have been good results with the Anti Sex Tourism project of this organization. “Even if all cases have not yet been given a decision by the court, we are on the winning side are such foreigners have no fight against us,” says Saniel who represents the children in court.

                There are also some parents who are reformed after much discussion with the organization and social workers. “They realize their shortcomings and would like to change despite the poverty they are facing,” Abarientos gladly reports.

                The challenge to put this issue to a stop relies on so many factors. CLB and the government working hand in hand plus the citizen’s initiative can save these children giving them a brighter future.

**Published in the Sun.Star Cebu paper on October 17, 2011

Digital content, heed of the times

I have always been a digital baby even if social networking sites have not yet emerged when I was born. It makes sense to say that my father was updated in the latest trend with technology.

My personal computer at 10 years old

          Growing up, I came to know the internet so well. I had amateur blogs and social networking profiles put up on the web without parental guidance. Content wasn’t my issue, I only wanted to be in the trend.

            The forum last September 21, 2011 at Cebu Normal University was an eye-opener for teens and campus journalists who went through the same story as mine. Ervin Oliva, Yahoo! Country editor for the Philippines clarified casual blogging from being a citizen journalist online. He said that Citizen Journalism online is a form of social responsibility by informing the public but it is easier, faster and reactions can come in at anytime. He even emphasized it as being real time and accessible defeating traditional media such as print, TV or radio.

            As a student taking up Mass Communication, it seems to me that the media industry is in turmoil trying to keep up with the digital age and its competition. New websites being put up here and mobile services introduced there. However, can online journalism be a substitute for traditional journalism? This question has been going on since I could remember. For me though, it can never be such. The threshold of online media does not reach all areas in the country. Not everybody is literate enough to know how to use a computer. Mobile devices are almost in everybody’s hands but content is sacrificed to a mere 160 character news bite with space. But, we cannot just simply eradicate online journalism. It is a form of convenience for those who can access the web and for those who are always on the go. One of its great advantages is the feedback that is received real time. Yet, as I have pointed out, it is a form of responsibility. I’d have to agree with Mr. Oliva that we all need to be careful with what we post online. It may be just easy for us to start a conversation with someone but with the internet, privacy is close to nothing. It is too public to start with, controversies may spark at anytime.

            It is even so amazing how Mr. Bong Secuya, was able to turn a fan site into a hit website. He explained what he did and how he started. To me, his talk made me realize that nothing is impossible yet there are always risks involved. He narrated his story of being in jail for saying something against Pacman’s manager. Again, it all boils down to responsibility.

            Online Journalism the big thing in the industry yet it cannot replace traditional forms of media. It also carries with it the issue of being a responsible journalist/citizen journalist considering that it is very public and audience feedback can be made in an instant. A story’s content is the meat that sells, online journalism can get the content to places but what it has used to be of will still remain.

Making it Legal

Just a few days back, I turned a year older. Not just any other year old but I was on my 18th year. According to our ever trusted wikipedia (pun intended), it is a coming of age of any Filipina Women. In simple terms, it was the borderline where childhood and being an adult met. Hello, welcome to a great big life.

For some women, they prefer having a big grand debut complete with the grand cotillion, 18 roses, candles, treasures, shots and what have you 18 somethings. There are dances, surprise numbers and a whole lot of things that could only happen in one night. As for me, I preferred making it simple and intimate.

The advantages of having a one night debut is an issue I cannot speak for myself since I didn't throw one. Yet, as an outsider looking from where my sight leads me, it is a night of being served. It's all about you and nothing else. For one night you get to wear the best dress, sit in a high throne above everyone else and think that you are really in control. I'd beg to disagree.

On the contrary, a birthday is a birthday. Just a day intended to celebrate thank the Lord for a great life. An art professor from the university that I am admitted to said that it's useless spending a lot on a night. "Parang weird nga," she added. Perhaps right, it is a memory for one night but the true test of being mature lies beyond what your party music tells you to do. 

I may not have had my grand debut with my guests wearing long dresses and thick make-up underneath their faces but I had the best day of my life sharing it with the people who has stood through me for better or worse. I'm happy my life has been simple as it has even been. No fancies, just plain love. Isn't that a hard basis to say that I'm legal?

Student Models, Ideal Nurses

Exams are the hardest part of a student’s life.  All the endless preparations, sleepless nights and on the spot nervous breakdowns, it sure is a roller coaster ride. Yet, for these two students who topped the nursing board exam, they are sure glad the exams are over.

           

            The Nursing Licensure Exam, a 500-item multiple choice exam which tests a nursing student if he or she is worthy the license, was conducted last July 2 and 3 of this year. Out of almost 80, 000 takers, Jacob Reyes and Lowel Andrew Batomalaque who were from Cebu Normal University, landed on the top.

            Reyes who was an active student got the top 6 spot and Batomalaque was in the 8th place. Both went to the same review center after graduation but had different strategies in mind.

            For Reyes, he scheduled his readings for every subject. He turned away from parties, outings, and barkada trips. “After every review, I immediately went home and continued reading my books so as not to get behind my target dates,” he added.

Lowell Batomalaque, top 8

 Batomalaque on the other hand, added the factor of emotionally preparing himself. “I admired the words of encouragement I got from our Dean and the review center staff before the exam date. It was really helpful.” He also emphasized on spiritual preparation since he is a devout catholic. “Having strong faith in God can make wonders.”

       There were a lot of things that pushed them to give their best. Like most of us do, the family always comes on top of the list. To become a competent nurse was a motivation for them. Reyes even recalls, “I missed the Cum Laude spot by a painstaking decimal of 0.01!” Even so, achieving things were their natural drives.

            However, nursing has become a trend upon college degree programs. A lot of discussions stirred up about it not being an ideal course for fresh high school graduates. But for two determined individuals, this wasn’t a problem for them upon taking the board.

            “Nursing is a really noble and heartwarming profession,” says Reyes. “If the only aim of taking up nursing is for financial security, then they might as well give up his hope for nursing is not profitable. Yet, if someone takes up nursing with the aim of serving the people, then congratulations!, he/she just found a very ideal degree program,” added Batomalaque.

Jacob Reyes, top 6

            It is passion that makes these two individuals stand out among the rest. “Sincere Thank yous and warm smiles from the patients are priceless, it gives me a sense of purpose and happiness,” says Reyes as he recounts his student nurse days.

            Despite success, they are still willing to share a message to those who are currently enrolled in the course. “On duty days, just be there for your patients and you will feel the authentic joy of serving others”, says Reyes. “Don’t be taunted with the current situation for only those nurses who lack in passion and creativity are surely bound to fail,” added Batomalaque. 

            They do not fear unemployment for their passion and determination will get them far. What is there when one gives up? For Jacob and Lowell, they only know that giving up isn’t an option and that the Lord always answers prayers.

            Their four years in the academe was full-packed with lectures, discussions, hospital duties and of course exams. The board exam finalized their status as registered nurses. As some nurses would choose to go abroad, both would rather serve their people here. Truly, Lowell and Jacob are student models and nursing examples.

Published in the Sun.Star Newspaper last Sept. 5, 2011.

Arrival

When a good old friend lands from the land of milk and honey, the pack comes in as if trying to suffice a grand reunion. “Hi, Hello! How have you been?” and “Golly, you’ve gone so thin! What have you been up to?” were simple phrases I could not miss. Of course, I wasn’t present at all times this cluster would meet. I was in demand for school and more so, my competition in trying to get into the media industry.

We shared giggles and laughter as we dug in to our late afternoon snack. Flashbacks came and more stories surfaced. Who wouldn’t want to talk about more than year of absence from the city of birth? The endless chatter seemed to have flown off the window as time passed.

Looking at these individuals who are now posing to become professionals, I tell myself what a shame it has been. Being so privileged to be in the same city, we barely meet. We tell ourselves we’re busy or it’s time to move on. Now that a colleague arrived we all gather as if we were still in the same room where we used to sit.

True, I have missed sitting with these guys. But what is more chatter than spending moments together. We should have, but we didn’t. The reality of being busy scares me into forgetting where we got hold of each other. Give me five years more and we’ll be landing on different ports, missing each other. When we all come back for our own arrivals, the pack will meet again. Privileged abused, shame.