#pgma

[idealprototype]

- it's jummah. tee is laying her uncle to rest today. may Allah grant him Al- Jannah Firdous.

[carlosfmfsilva]

#PGMA #Haas #superminimill

[amjr5448]

Strong firewall?

There seems to be a firewall between the Philippine economy and the political sphere such that the economy can still grow (GNP- and GDP-wise) even if the political situation is messy. This may mean two things: there is a learning process in earnest and that previous key economic reforms have born fruit.

Despite the current non-achieving and blame-duck presidency, despite the thieving GMA and Erap…

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[daydreamingcactus-blog]

 A type of tilapia which has been named after former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is considered a pest by fishpond owners in Bataan

[kineticwordplay]

Before you say anything and give me your "hot pot shots"

NO. I'm not pro-GMA. Not really, I grew up in the sheltered middle class life. I was educated at a Catholic private school all my life. My ideals that were fundamentally taught to me were the mainstream ones. Supported by equally sheltered teachers with little liberal thinking. (Still thankful though)

Mainstream meaning: I hate the president (me, 2009)

I read the whole thing, it was an academically stratified, giving up an editorial that was in every way, explained. I used to be just a "blind hater". But I never realized how much she has done for us.

Thats what Black Propaganda makes you think.

Give it a double take, since I don't have much knowledge yet,  I cannot really support or deflect. It gives you something to contemplate on who is really the good and the bad guy in the country's gov't. Mainstream media has a way of making you think into a certain idea ( that is in support of their respective higher-ups). But right now, my thoughts of who and what to believe are not black and white anymore. They are in varying shades of gray.

Be An Intellectual Kahit Sandali Lang. Bigyan natin ng oras na intindihin. The T.V and the radio aren't the only ones you should listen to. Give it a chance.

[pinoyjourn-blog]

Unang dinig pa lang, news point na agad.

  "We need food on the table, not headlines in the newspapers."

- Pres. Gloria Arroyo, Speaking in the Araw ng Kagitingan rites at Mt. Samat today

  Now you see why a journalist's job is often misunderstood, underestimated, feared and even hit on (with tongue, pen, and gun). I was tuning in to the radio this morning when the anchor moved between two on-going live stories: one, a fire in Cubao, QC, and two, PGMA's speech to the military veterans. With the many national events going on, she's practically got her mind and hands full, unavoidably spilling some on every chance she gets to speak.

I actually liked the quote. Very news worthy, ika nga. Very quotable as well. And true enough, the primetime newscasts later on picked up on that statement. Gloria was practically taking a hit (again) at her critics, some of whom say the current rice "crisis" is but an attention-grabber or diversion from the current controversies Malacanang is embroiled in. So, as she often says, the economy before politics, and the "needs" of the people before the "needs" of ambitious politicos.

She was probably referring to how the opposition raises allegation upon allegation to land exposure on the media. But I've taken notice of the quote since it also shows one aspect of her presidency--her view and treatment of media as a group only intent at combating her every step of the way.

It also shows one unfortunate truth for media practitioners--that news and information is but a less important ladder in the hierarchy of needs, and people care more about where they would get their next meal than finding out the latest corrupt scheme in government. That's why news about prices and basic goods always lands on the headlines of TV newscasts more than political events.

It's a rather valid criticism as well for media, since the drive for "good" (read: sensational, attention-grabbing, and sellable) news makes a number push the limits of responsibility, and in the end, disserve the public interest.

Such is a challenge, and a fact of life for journalists, who mostly sacrifice a lot of comfort in their lives just to strive for the truth and what they see is the betterment of their countrymen.

[pinoyjourn-blog]

Covering SONA '08

(Another post mor(S)em entry) An experience of a kind for the media student. A double whammy: you get to see both politics and the press at work and up close. A unique position to be in—you could act like part of the media (and in this case, you are), but get to observe them first hand. I went to cover the Gloria's 8th State of the Nation Address live from Congress as part of Tinig ng Plaridel (TNP) and radio dzUP 1602. The UP-based media had 4 people in the Batasan complex—I, Luis de Guzman and Gwyn Ebol of dzUP, and Toni Tiemsin of the Philippine Collegian. We were supposed to be 3 from TNP, but one was unavailable and the other had to cover the protests outside. Add to matters that I was barred access to the inside. After making friends, tailing behind people, and finally finding an ingenious way to get into the session hall, I finally had an near-front row seat to history. Among the friends I got to know was newbie Sun.Star reporter Justine Paredes, who loaned me her digicam and let me take pics inside, hence the shots below from her album. Tine had to stay outside. The scene at the entrance to the session hall before and after the actual speech was overwhelming. There people you only saw before on TV just walked around, and you had the "right" to ask them questions without them saying no. That I did, especially with Las Piñas representative Cynthia Villar, who has a seat at the UP Board of Regents, being the chair of the House committee on Higher Education. I and Gwyn seemed to be the first to talk to her, but soon some recorders/microphones found their way between us and Mrs. Villar. And the "reporters" holding them seemed to have no interest in what Villar was saying. That's pack journalism for you. You could fly in on any media huddle around a personality, shove a recorder anywhere near, and care less what was said before you came. The media are a rowdy yet easily led crowd. With every big face comes the shots and the stream of questions, ranging from the crucial (e.g. What's the latest on this situation) to the SONA-related (e.g. What do you think she'll say about __insert topic__) to the mundane (e.g. Who designed your dress?). While you lament how media people can become showbiz-y—the cameras flash at every nameless "starlet" in awards night gown entering the hall—you still have to think on your toes as you get the news. Hence you learn from the likes of Jam Sisante, who transcribe statements while standing at the lobby waiting for the next official. You think twice about reporters such as the Bicol lady who told us to keep mum and follow her into the session hall without IDs, only to be told by security to go to the area reserved for us. Compared to previous SONAs, the one Gloria gave last July 28 was less historic. There was no coup, no election around, and few quotables (except for "Texting is a way of life," and "Nag-aalala ako"). But to this reporter, it was historic all right, even for the experience. P.S.: Take a look at the politicos caught below. Why do most of them seem to be eyeing higher posts come 2010? Hmmm..

[pinoyjourn-blog]

Strictly politics

Before the campaign period for the national elections, there was the pre-campaign period. Emphasis on "campaign." And why not? Philippine politics seems to be an eternal operation to stay in power or go higher. Thus you find the prevalent tarps of smiling faces greeting every occasion from the fiesta to the funeral. Plus the same strain of posters with their forced acronyms and subliminal messages. Read more here... Caught on cam: - Off-season gimmicks from your favorite candidates - Gilbert Teodoro speaks after being chosen by Lakas executive committee, Sept. 16 - UN official Holmes on visit, October - Philippine Economic Briefing 2009, Oct. 14 - Chiz Escudero declares resignation from NPC, Oct. 28 - Dept. of Energy briefing on oil prices - Erap-Binay launch candidacies in Tondo plaza, Oct. 21 - Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez wedding preps, Oct. 27 - Hillary Clinton presscon with Foreign Affairs sec, Nov. 12 - Lakas-Kampi-CMD convention nominating Teodoro for the Presidency, Nov. 19 - Local officials jump ship to Liberal Party, Nov. 24 - DOH Secretary Duque makes last warning against using firecrackers, Dec. 31