Sadly, ASEAN as a group has no backbone

With what’s happening in Myanmar — the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) doesn’t do anything about it, or if it’s doing anything at all, it’s hardly worth noticing.

When the strongest criticism comes from external groups like the EU (European Union) or the United States, you know that the group doesn’t have the clout to influence it’s members. Just recently the group had to cancel it’s meeting with a United Nations envoy upon the request of Myanmar.

Go and read on what’s happening in Myanmar and then reflect what ASEAN is supposed to stand for. Is ASEAN purely an economic group that would turn it’s shoulders away from “negative” things happening within it’s rank?

Philippine Elections and the Electorate

How can the Philippines shoot for First World country status if we can’t even get elections in order? I mean seriously guys, let’s slap our officials who make those statements about First world status, and take away whatever they’re smoking. Every time there is an election we get all these conflicting stories of cheating, election hot spots, and takes-forever-manual-balloting. It’s the 21st century, it shouldn’t take forever to know who wins, and worst, it shouldn’t be this darn hard to make sure everyone plays by the election rules.

Elections might be something we Filipinos take too lightly — at our expense. As Thomas Jefferson said “The government you elect is government you deserve”. In taking elections not-too-seriously we end up giving a lot more of time, taxes, our future, our children’s future, and ourselves. Let’s follow the path here… a Filipino decides not to think about candidates too seriously and just votes whoever is popular or convenient (even if the candidate is a certified Trapo*), without any notion of if this candidate is competent and honest, this elected official then will spend the first part of his/her term “recovering the cost of the campaign”, and the middle part “enriching himself and the family/friends”, and the latter part of the term “saving up for the next campaign”. This cycle only leaves the Filipinos in poor status, with probably nothing more than a big waiting shed with the disgusting marketing advertisement “built during the term of honorary blah-blah-blah”.

It’s disgusting, totally disgusting. We must demand more from our elected officials, but before we can do that, we (the electorate) must demand more from ourselves:

1. Stop electing “Trapos” (Traditional Politicians); these are politicians who’ve already made a career in politics doing nothing personally or collectively. Think about it, if these Trapos are so good at what they do, then why the freaking hell are we still a poor nation? Answer — They’ve made themselves rich at your own gullible expense! You think that’s funny? That’s our tax money!
2. Stop electing non-performing politicians, these can be actors/actresses/or even new politicians who’ve done nothing but warm the seats of our supposedly hollowed government halls. If your senator can only come up with a bill that declares a day a holiday because for one of our athletes — then I’m sorry, back to the civilian life they go. If your senator still even has time to go make movies or TV shows — then I’m sorry, back to the civilian life they go.
3. Stop electing entrenched families (kaanak inc) in their local posts (mayor, governors). This is one great example of change is definitely good. If a well-known family has been running the show for more than 2 terms – with no major improvements but still keeps winning, there is definitely something wrong — with the electorate of that town/province.
4. Look around you, is your town really better off now? Is your mayor/governor driving in a Hummer while the mountain in your province is being depleted of its resources (trees, taxes etc.)? Helloooo — is there anything in between your ears that’ll at least spark something like: “hmmm this looks funny, how can he/she afford that lifestyle in a public officials salary?”… Please think for your own sake.
5. Lastly, think before you vote, are you thinking short term like “I know this guy and if I vote him he’ll be a good help to me”. Short term. Don’t vote because you’re a friend or acquaintance of someone. Don’t vote because you will benefit directly. If everyone votes this way we’re never going to take off, we must not forget that good governance is for everyone not only for those who know someone, everyone gets taxed so everyone must be the beneficiary.

Car phone salesman with a great voice!

The world indeed is filled with talented people, people we meet doing everyday jobs. One of them is Paul Potts, a British national, who joined a TV talent show. He comes off as a regular guy who has some confidence problems (which he admits to), but one big thing he has going for is his voice.

Check out this link:

http://www.maniacworld.com/Phone-Salesman-Amazes-Crowd.html

His performance (although short) was so moving, I know nothing about Opera, but the song he did was filled with emotion you’d be vulture-food not to appreciate it.

Desperate Housewives derogatory comment against Philippine Med Schools

Caught this circulating in the Philippine online communities this morning. Apparently in the last episode of the TV Show Desperate Housewives Teri Hatcher’s character, Susan, made a derogatory comment against the quality of Philippine Medical Schools.

The line was: “Can I just check those Diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are not from some Med school in the Philippines.”

Do you find it funny or offensive? It should be noted that Susan is a borderline loony/psycho in the show. I am not a fan of the show and haven’t been watching it, so I can’t say if the character is known to blurt out discriminating comments — if so, then she might be playing in character then(?)

The question is, why did the writers choose the Philippines? Is this because the writers have read news about the quality of the Med Schools? Certainly the top medical schools in the Philippines can hold their own against the rest of the world, or have we become the victim of our own tragedies (Nursing Exam leak fiasco). I certainly hope it’s not the latter because it will be unfair to our quality medical professionals who graduated from the these schools.

Whatever the case, read on the following link for more information:

http://radiantview.com/blog/2007/10/02/the-tv-showdesperate-housewives-insults-filipino-doctors-in-america/

If you think this is offensive, there is also an online petition against this — demanding public apology from ABC:

http://www.petitiononline.com/FilABC/

Rise of the UMPC (featuring the Asus EEE PC)

UMPCs (Ultra-mobile Personal computers) are taking focus these days with several of them on the way. One of the interesting entries is from known PC components maker ASUS.

Feature set looks promising (hopefully storage can be increased via SDHC); at 1.96 lbs this is one wicked portable device for the person who needs a fully featured PC on the go. Initial impressions from reviewers were pretty positive (a lot better than the now defunct Palm Foleo – RIP) especially with the 10-second boot up time. I am always on the go, and gadgets like this definitely catch my attention. Now how this fits in between your cell phone, ipod up to your notebook will be the question.

Can you afford to carry this along with your notebook or will it be an either/or question?

Here is the specification list for one of the models:

• Display: AU Optronics4)  WVGA (800×480) TFT-LCD
• CPU: 900MHz Intel Celeron M ULV 353
• Chipset: Mobile Intel 910GML Express
• Graphics: Intel UMA (shared memory) with external VGA-out connector
• Memory: 256MB (non-upgradeable) or 512MB DDR2-400 (PC2-3200) SDRAM, user-upgradeable up to 1GB5)
• Storage: 2, 4, 8, or 16GB SSD (non-upgradeable)
• BIOS: American Megatrends, Inc. (AMI)
• OS: ASUS-customized Xandros Linux with “Easy” and “Standard” GUI modes
• Wired communications: 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, 56k modem
• Wireless communications: 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, possible Bluetooth integration
• Ports: 3 USB 2.0, MMC/SD(HC)/MS(PRO) card reader, microphone and headphone
• Webcam (optional): VGA (640×480) @ up to 30 fps
• Audio: High Definition Audio; built-in stereo speakers, microphone
• Battery life: 3-4 hours (4-cell NiMH: 7.4V, 5200mAh, 2S2P); other batteries may be offered
• Dimensions: 22.5 x 16.5 x 2.1~3.5 cm (8.9 x 6.5 x 0.9~1.4 in)
• Weight: 0.89 kg (1.96 lbs)
• Colors: white, black
• Price: $199-$299 in USA, could be higher in Europe and elsewhere

http://event.asus.com/eeepc/en/701.htm

Amazon MP3 Download store!

Amazon has opened a DRM-Free MP3 Song Download store with prices starting at $0.89. I did a test download of a couple of songs and it went well, was able to play in my notebook and sync with my iPhone. For those who have been aching for a DRM-Free store that’ll let them play their purchased music on their personal devices this may be your ticket! I have been buying from iTunes and have always had this lingering thought in my mind about being tied to the Apple Techsphere, although I could burn my songs to CD and rip ‘em back — I’m just too lazy to do it regularly. DRM-Free music for all of us! The revolution has started; let’s stick it to the Man!

How do you measure Good Taste when it comes to opinion?

As I think more about what the controversy regarding Ms Malu Fernandez’s article brought about, the more puzzled I am with the apparent split between some of the professional journalists, and Bloggers. I recommend reading: “Freedom is not a one-way street”, a very interesting take on this matter with several supporting links.

The more it’s hard to accept why the incident with the article written by Ms Fernandez won’t die. As most Pinoy Bloggers notice, there seems to be more and more article popping up claiming that Ms Fernandez is a victim of an unfair reaction to a columnist’s article.

So when do we measure human reaction, and when did it become a norm that professional journalist can be “creative” for their audience and hurl “acerbic wit” into their own fashion for their readers, yet amateurs, non-professionals, or readers with comments can’t enjoy the same latitude? They can hurl insults disguised under freedom of speech, yet be too sensitive to comments and reactions? Do you weigh in the stone you throw out and expect that the stone hurled back at you matches the size and weight?

Let’s all be open minded about this. We can’t measure good taste; we can’t expect someone to throw insults and then be offended if the replies become a little too heated for their “taste”. The same people who supposedly triumph freedom of speech in protecting Ms. Fernandez’s article have the gal to question the reaction of people reading it. It’s pathetic I know – but hey it’s their opinion. Just remember: if you can’t handle the heat, don’t throw yourself into the fire.

I think, to truly put this controversy past us all, we should start with respecting each other’s opinion and reactions – maybe we should try to read and understand them rather than measuring them and completely missing the point. Now, whether this leads to positive action – we can only hope. Time to heal. Mabuhay!

Another Filipino columnist who knows nothing about OFWs?

What’s this? Just when we think we can rest for a bit after the Malu Fernandez controversy and her apology. Out comes a columnist (Mr. Geronimo L. Sy) from The Manila Times with an article trying to put a positive spin on the article Ms. Fernandez wrote. It just sickens me, read the full article:

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/30/yehey/opinion/20070830opi3.html

Now to start, let me quote a piece from the article:

 

“With these lines, Malu offended our sensibilities, went against political correctness and doomed herself to public condemnation.
Our sensibilities say that to travel for leisure is a privilege and a luxury. Millions of our countrymen brave foreign shores in search of the proverbial three meals a day. Hence to vacation in Bora or, rather and, Greece in one break is something we whisper a prayer for and count our blessings. How can Malu be so ungrateful, we ask not out of envy?”

This guy is totally clueless, totally missing the point, it’s as if the offense made was that she traveled for leisure? Who cares if someone travels for leisure? I actually think traveling and seeing places for leisure is not only good for the mind but the soul as well. What Bloggers have pointed out are the condescending comments she made against OFWs. It’s also not about being ungrateful, but being inconsiderate. Here’s more from the article:

 

“She flaunted political correctness when she dared to be true to herself and called OFWs for who they are: A noisy lot intruding into personal space sacred to others in small places like economy seats. At least she is honest with her thoughts. She could have injected the value of empathy understanding that it is beyond the OFWs themselves and largely attributable to socio-economic factors like education and professional attainment. She may perhaps have been trying to be cute about it or simply reflected the elite mentality.”

Let me point out one clear-cut line I find offending: “called OFWs for who they are: A noisy lot intruding into personal space sacred to others in small places like economy seats.” — If both these writers fly more often, they might be surprised to find out that intruding into personal space is not a monopoly of OFWs. Even worst, generalizing that ALL OFWs are people like this seriously puts into question who this author is, and what experience he has with OFWs. The author even ends the article trying to put a positive spin on how he sees things with the line: “Let us hate the ugliness of the OFWs in us, enough to do something about it.” I don’t know what the author is thinking when he used OFWs again here, specially the “ugliness of OFWs in us” part. Does he equate OFWs to things negative? I’m sorry but this is not self-reflection or look ourselves in the mirror kind-of-thing.

My guess is one or both of the following is true about the author:
1. Someone born with a silver spoon, with taste of true economic hardship such a distant fiction.
2. The only “personal” experience/knowledge this fellow has comes from reading articles written by the likes of Ms. Malu Fernandez, OR meeting one truly rotten OFW that he concludes all OFWs are like that (A genius eh?)

Now if the author is trying to do some self-reflection to try and point to us that we just overreact, why pinpoint OFWs in particular? Why not just say “Filipinos’ bad traits” or something to that effect. So maybe we should “hate the ugliness of our own hypocrisy and bad traits..” instead, though I am not really a fan of the word “hate”. I am sure at every economic level there are bad apples — this is not only exclusive to OFWs or the poor. Don’t tell me that all rich or “sosyals” are examples of good manners — if this is how the author sees things I think he should go out and mingle some more. If we use the same yardstick the author used to conclude on OFWs, and make our conclusions that all columnists think like him — I’m sure we’ll ruffle some feathers or maybe worst.

If all we have are journalists such as this who seem to think that good writing is stereotyping OFWs and shaping them into something negative, a malaise to the Filipinos, maybe Bloggers should take the cudgels, or in a lighter note elucidate, and be the ones to call this out as nothing more than bigotry. Mr. Sy, write something better.

Additional blog/info here: http://cmfr-phil.blogspot.com/2007/08/malus-back.html

UPDATE (Sep 4 2007):

Reading the blog entry ““Freedom of Speech” isn’t a one-way street… from Taroogs.WordPress.com, I learned of another article from the Manila Standard written by Mr. Emil Jurado that appears to try and explain the Malu Fernandez controversy as a sad tragedy on the practice of “Freedom of Speech”, especially since what she wrote (as he claimed) is the truth(sic).

Read the article here: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=emilJurado_aug31_2007

A quote from the article:

“I think Malu was simply writing what she thought and sensed. That’s freedom of the press. And what she wrote was just the truth. Everybody knows that.”

I don’t think the truth about OFWs is that they are all a bunch of noisy and manner less people who don’t know how to conduct themselves in public. It’s a pity, I used to find Emil Jurado’s article very interesting and balanced, but it seems his view on this has taken a rather disturbing slant. As I’ve tried to point out, there will always be people with bad manners rich or poor, I have encountered people in flights (Well-dressed and looking real “sosyal”) disregard attendant’s requests and instructions up until they were forced to do so. I do not imply that Mr. Jurado’s personal experience with OFWs is a lie, but rather he can’t conclude that all migrant workers behave that way. Now, if Mr. Jurado’s experience happened to be with someone rich and influential, will he conclude the same way he did? It’s like a bad statistical sampling study; it’s just not fair to say all migrant workers are like that because of perception.

The rules of manners don’t only apply to migrant workers; they apply to everyone, so please let’s not make any distinction when it comes to educating people what’s wrong or right.

Claymore Anime Review

A friend of mine, Mr. R, was convincing me to watch Claymore, claiming it’ll keep me hooked and addicted to the series.

Claymore, in English is a type of sword. In this anime, set in a medieval environment, it’s a reference to an organization mostly composed of warrior women carrying this type of sword. These women called “Claymores” are part human – part monsters (yoma) that are hired by villagers to get rid of monsters that eat humans for breakfast (or lunch… or dinner). So they go about village-to-village hunting monsters and killing them.

I gave it a try for the first 3 episodes, the sight of women carrying a big sword in a medieval setting was intriguing but wasn’t my cup of tea. While the animation is top-notch quality, an anime without the usual Japanese setting (I’m a big Kenshin and Naruto fan) will have to try harder to get me interested.

Nevertheless I continued to watch, heeding my friend’s advice, Mr. R after all knows his anime and I take his recommendations seriously. Alas! Starting at about episode 6 the story goes into overdrive, addicting is what I would call it after that. The story gets really interesting when the lead character’s (Claire) story gets visited in a flashback series of episodes.

This anime, while totally engrossing to watch, is not for kids. It is violent, but not in a gruesome or gory way. Arms, legs, even heads are chopped off as part of the action sequences you’ll see frequently. Tongue-in-cheek fun? Maybe not, it has zero humor in it, but it still kept me hooked.

In conclusion, Claymore is one kick-ass anime you’ll have to see… just keep the kiddies at bay!

Rating: 4 Bowls of Lugaw!!! Please keep ‘em rolling!!!

Photography – Photo taken With and Without Flash

Another funny item found in the web, forwarded by a friend.

Difference with taking a photo with and without Flash.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1096/2137a9950nf3.jpg