Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Ang Bagong Pambansang Bayani ng Pilipinas. Payag ba kayo gamitin sa bagong 5,000-peso bill ang mukhang ito ni "Money" Pacquiao ?Monday, July 03, 2006
The New Filipino National Hero
Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Ang Bagong Pambansang Bayani ng Pilipinas. Payag ba kayo gamitin sa bagong 5,000-peso bill ang mukhang ito ni "Money" Pacquiao ?
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Pacman vs. Superman
As expected, Manny Pacquiao won over Oscar Larios in a convincing 12th round TKO. Watching the delayed telecast over ABS-CBN Channel 2, I have to say that I pitied Larios who was totally outclassed and beaten to a pulp by Pacman. PDI Sports columnist Recah Trinidad was right all along: Larios was a sacrificial lamb. Recah even went further to call Larios a sacrificial "corned beef" (supposedly because lamb is expensive). But I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Araneta Coliseum was full. It seems that the naysayers were mistaken in saying that the Pacquiao-Larios would be a dud and that event-organizers will lose money in this enterprise.
In the weeks leading to the fight, TV Patrol reporter Dyan Castillejo bombarded the public with 'PR pieces masquerading as news reports' almost every night. Too 'hard sell' - I found it irritating. (And what's with all the Ruffa Guiterrez 'reportage' lately? Like the one which said that in case she divorces with Yilmaz she will get 50 kilos of gold - she gives a literal meaning to the word 'gold-digger.' Kahit hindi newsworthy, both GMA and ABS-CBN always have something on about her.)
Anyway, I feel that Pacquiao is getting too greedy, what with his numerous TV commercials and endorsements. The boxer-turned-entrepreneur is all over the airwaves nowadays and is being referred to as "Money" Pacquiao already. When they nicknamed him 'Pacman,' I didn't expect he would take it literally to mean that he can just gobble up and accept every ad endorsement offer that comes his way.
Lastly, ticket prices were too pricey. Pacman's core fans, the masa, for whom the match is supposedly for, could not afford it. Organizers should have read this entertainingly honest blog entry of Manila Vanilla before organizing the event.
Incidentally, the Pacquiao-Larios fight coincided with the showing of "Superman Returns" in Philippine theaters. I watched the movie last Saturday with my family and I was surprised to see the long lines at Robinson's Mall. I can't remember the last time I ever lined up for a movie so it is safe to conclude that "Superman Returns" will be a big hit. I won’t discuss the plot so as not to spoil the fun for those who haven’t seen it yet. I will only allow myself to say the movie's most memorable line: "The son becomes the father and the father becomes the son." Superman Returns is a must-see movie for all ages. Here are some pictures I downloaded from the net:
In the weeks leading to the fight, TV Patrol reporter Dyan Castillejo bombarded the public with 'PR pieces masquerading as news reports' almost every night. Too 'hard sell' - I found it irritating. (And what's with all the Ruffa Guiterrez 'reportage' lately? Like the one which said that in case she divorces with Yilmaz she will get 50 kilos of gold - she gives a literal meaning to the word 'gold-digger.' Kahit hindi newsworthy, both GMA and ABS-CBN always have something on about her.)
Anyway, I feel that Pacquiao is getting too greedy, what with his numerous TV commercials and endorsements. The boxer-turned-entrepreneur is all over the airwaves nowadays and is being referred to as "Money" Pacquiao already. When they nicknamed him 'Pacman,' I didn't expect he would take it literally to mean that he can just gobble up and accept every ad endorsement offer that comes his way.
Lastly, ticket prices were too pricey. Pacman's core fans, the masa, for whom the match is supposedly for, could not afford it. Organizers should have read this entertainingly honest blog entry of Manila Vanilla before organizing the event.
Incidentally, the Pacquiao-Larios fight coincided with the showing of "Superman Returns" in Philippine theaters. I watched the movie last Saturday with my family and I was surprised to see the long lines at Robinson's Mall. I can't remember the last time I ever lined up for a movie so it is safe to conclude that "Superman Returns" will be a big hit. I won’t discuss the plot so as not to spoil the fun for those who haven’t seen it yet. I will only allow myself to say the movie's most memorable line: "The son becomes the father and the father becomes the son." Superman Returns is a must-see movie for all ages. Here are some pictures I downloaded from the net:
David Routh looks uncannily like Christopher Reeve, "kiss-me" and all. Kung sa Ilonggo pa, "naga-agaw agaw hitsura nila nga duwa."
Kevin Spacey gave a solid performance as evil-genius Lex Luthor and stole the show from Superman-Routh. I wish Spacey was given more 'air-time' in the movie though.
Youngish-looking Director Bryan Singer, who gave up directing X-MEN 3 to work on Superman Returns, scores big with this movie. This is Singer's 'Lord of the Rings.' I look forward to watching more of his movies. X-MEN's loss is Superman's gain. (All Photos courtesy of MSN movies.)The box-office returns for both the Larios-Pacquiao fight and "Superman Returns" are not in yet but I am very interested to know who won, Pacman or Superman?
Over at the World Cup, France defeats Brazil, 1-0 yesterday. After Argentina, Brazil becomes the second South American country to fall to the mighty European superpowers this week. More here.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
JVO Investigative Journalism Awards
Congratulations to my batchmate and fellow Cervinian Dax Lucas for winning in the recently-concluded 2006 JVO (Jaime V. Ongpin) Investigative Journalism Awards. His Philippine Daily Inquirer news article on the CAP pre-need controversy (which he co-authored with PDI reporter Elizabeth Sanchez) won 2nd place for the Investigative Reporting (Daily News) category. Dax used to work for TODAY newspaper, joining the Inquirer as a business reporter when TODAY was swallowed by Manila Standard. Aside from being an excellent business news writer, Dax is also an avid fencer and was a former member of the Philippine National Fencing Team (back when Richard Gomez was also into fencing).
My wife, who writes for Newsbreak Magazine, was also one of the finalists under the Investigative Reporting (Non-Daily Category) although she did not win this year. But I am proud to say that her articles get nominated to the JVO Finals almost every year eversince she first joined Newsbreak in 2001. Her two investigate reports, "Barber's Cut" and "Tony's Fortune," won 2nd and 3rd Place respectively in 2003. In 2004, her "Reclaming Land, Tony Leviste Style" was likewise nominated. This year, her investigation into the involvement of military intelligence agents in the Mt. Diwalwal gold mining industry entitled "Guns and Gold" again made it into the top 5 JVO finalists.
Newsbreak's Gigi Go, who wrote "Cheats, Inc.," won 2nd place (Non-Daily Category) this year, losing out to PCIJ's Luz Rimban who wrote about the use of government funds during the last 2004 elections. For the complete list of JVO Winners and Finalists, go here.
Over at the World Cup, Germany defeats Argentina, 4-2. Read more here. "Don't cry for me Argentina........"
Meanwhile in Iloilo City, the First National Conference on Tricycle Transportation Management is currently being held at the Amigo Terrace Hotel here.
Organizers claim that 84 percent of Filipinos use tricycles as their primary mode of transportation.
My wife, who writes for Newsbreak Magazine, was also one of the finalists under the Investigative Reporting (Non-Daily Category) although she did not win this year. But I am proud to say that her articles get nominated to the JVO Finals almost every year eversince she first joined Newsbreak in 2001. Her two investigate reports, "Barber's Cut" and "Tony's Fortune," won 2nd and 3rd Place respectively in 2003. In 2004, her "Reclaming Land, Tony Leviste Style" was likewise nominated. This year, her investigation into the involvement of military intelligence agents in the Mt. Diwalwal gold mining industry entitled "Guns and Gold" again made it into the top 5 JVO finalists.
Newsbreak's Gigi Go, who wrote "Cheats, Inc.," won 2nd place (Non-Daily Category) this year, losing out to PCIJ's Luz Rimban who wrote about the use of government funds during the last 2004 elections. For the complete list of JVO Winners and Finalists, go here.
Over at the World Cup, Germany defeats Argentina, 4-2. Read more here. "Don't cry for me Argentina........"
Meanwhile in Iloilo City, the First National Conference on Tricycle Transportation Management is currently being held at the Amigo Terrace Hotel here.
Organizers claim that 84 percent of Filipinos use tricycles as their primary mode of transportation.
A photo of a typical tricycle in the Philippines.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Confessions of a Rogue Samurai
As previously mentioned in this blog, I enjoyed immensely Manolo Quezon’s “I am a Bootlicker” essay (I must have read it at least five times already). Anyway, I resolved to write my own version of Manolo’s essay and the following is my clumsy attempt to imitate his work.
Confessions of a Rogue Samurai
I am a Ronin, a Masterless Samurai, a Rogue Warrior. And I am about to commit political hara kiri. Please come witness this absurd display of self-immolation.
I am a PR and political consultant for Filipino politicians. I am the guy who occupies the “Confidential” staff position in the plantilla. My position does not require any Civil Service eligibility and my term of office is co-terminus with my principal. As such, my fate depends entirely on the whims and fortunes of my boss. But although I am not a career government official, I influence how policy and decisions are made.
My job description is nebulous: I do whatever my principal asks me to do. I perform all sorts of tasks: from writing official correspondences to relaying orders to talking to constituents. I get paid to write press releases, develop friendships with editors and reporters, craft PR communication plans and think up odd political gimmicks for my principal. It is my job to know the peculiar dynamics between political actors and to identify/recruit potential “leaders” for my politician-boss. Occasionally, I also analyze data, give policy recommendations and dabble in advocacy work. Although I enjoy doing advocacy work (research, bill drafting and lobbying), my real bread and butter are elections. During the campaign period, I am a sortie organizer, itinerary planner, alliance-builder, close-in staffer, rabble-rouser and all-around gofer. My detractors usually call me a lackey, a factotum, a minion, a sycophant. But I like to romanticize and glorify myself and typically think of myself as a modern-day Samurai.
Like the Samurai warrior of feudal Japan who pledged their lives to their liege lord or Daimyo, I know how it is to work for something larger than myself, to believe in something/someone so much that it empowers me to do things I would not normally do. Like the Samurai who practiced the Code of Bushido and dedicated their lives to perfection, I too live by a certain code of conduct and constantly hone my “skills” to attain perfection.
I am a veteran of several “wars” – as elections in the Philippines are sometimes called. I first cut my teeth during the 1995 Senatorial Elections campaigning for the Lakas-Laban Coalition candidates. Fresh out of Ateneo, I felt I landed the best job in the world. Campaigning for the late Senator Raul Roco, I traveled the whole span of the archipelago in just five months staying in rustic hotels and networking with provincial governors, mayors, local businessmen and youth leaders. I was on a first-name basis with the senatorial candidates, persons who merely a year ago in college I only read about in the newspapers. Like a modern-day Samurai, I was dispatched by my liege lord to places I haven’t heard or been to before with a mission: to charm, cajole and coax VIPs to vote and support my Daimyo. And mind you, the job is not all glitz and glamour. There is also an element of danger involved like the time when I was on the road to Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur to distribute our campaign paraphernalia and meet with local youth leaders there. Coincidentally, Ipil was being raided by the Abu Sayyaf that day. Luckily for me and my driver, we did not run into the retreating Abu Sayyaf bandits on the road. But I have to admit, all the glitter, glamour, pressure and yes, even the close brushes with death are exhilarating. I relish the thrill of the “fight” and also the “spoils” of victory.
Roco was my master, mentor, model, my Daimyo. To embolden me to fight, my Master constantly drilled into me this saying: “courage is the chief of all virtues because no other virtue can arise without it.” Since he demanded perfection in everything that I do, I had no choice but to incessantly practice until I master my craft. Incidentally, Samurai in Nihonggo means “to serve” and we in his Senate staff saw ourselves as true servants of the people; warrior-crusaders fighting to improve the lives of ordinary Filipinos thru policy-making and legislation. All that we expected in return from the common folk was respect and of course, their votes come election time.
As they say, “in war there develops a bond of brotherhood.” Today, I count among my closest and oldest friends my former co-workers in the Senate staff. As former “trench-mates,” we developed a bond akin to those of war veterans. As proof of how a close-knit unit we were, I married an officemate and so did a couple of my co-workers. Today, most are already married, having kids and settling down but we still meet regularly to relive our glory days on the campaign trail, swap political tsismis and talk about domestic problems.
When our Daimyo died two years ago, we all felt that a void was created that will remain within us for the rest of our lives. With my Master's death, I became a Ronin, a Masterless Samurai. So like Caine in “Kung Fu”, I am doomed to “walk this Earth” and wander the political landscape until I find another Daimyo who will take me under his wing or another cause worth fighting. Surveying the current political landscape, I can see that an unemployed Samurai like me can earn good money working for other Daimyos. I can be employed as a paid-hack, like that Samurai in the classic Akira Kurosawa movie Yojimbo. I can also become a Ninja - shadowy characters who are experts in character assassination, black propaganda and negative campaigning. In fact, after the 2004 elections, I landed several lucrative contracts “projecting” dubious Daimyos. But finding the work distasteful, I resigned.
I am weary of this life of never-ending warfare, constant conflict and incessant intrigues. I want very much to lead a peaceful life and transform myself into an ordinary fellah. I attempted several times to transition into the corporate world but I guess my skills and experiences are deemed irrelevant or not highly-valued in the private sector. Nowadays, I try not to think too much about politics and my previous life as a Samurai. I also do not intend to cast my lot in the ongoing “Impeachment War” because I believe that I will just be used by Daimyos who do not really care about me.
So there, the deed is done and I have already slit my gut for everyone to see. Thank you for witnessing my hara kiri. I hope you enjoyed it. Now get back to work.
Confessions of a Rogue Samurai
I am a Ronin, a Masterless Samurai, a Rogue Warrior. And I am about to commit political hara kiri. Please come witness this absurd display of self-immolation.
I am a PR and political consultant for Filipino politicians. I am the guy who occupies the “Confidential” staff position in the plantilla. My position does not require any Civil Service eligibility and my term of office is co-terminus with my principal. As such, my fate depends entirely on the whims and fortunes of my boss. But although I am not a career government official, I influence how policy and decisions are made.
My job description is nebulous: I do whatever my principal asks me to do. I perform all sorts of tasks: from writing official correspondences to relaying orders to talking to constituents. I get paid to write press releases, develop friendships with editors and reporters, craft PR communication plans and think up odd political gimmicks for my principal. It is my job to know the peculiar dynamics between political actors and to identify/recruit potential “leaders” for my politician-boss. Occasionally, I also analyze data, give policy recommendations and dabble in advocacy work. Although I enjoy doing advocacy work (research, bill drafting and lobbying), my real bread and butter are elections. During the campaign period, I am a sortie organizer, itinerary planner, alliance-builder, close-in staffer, rabble-rouser and all-around gofer. My detractors usually call me a lackey, a factotum, a minion, a sycophant. But I like to romanticize and glorify myself and typically think of myself as a modern-day Samurai.
Like the Samurai warrior of feudal Japan who pledged their lives to their liege lord or Daimyo, I know how it is to work for something larger than myself, to believe in something/someone so much that it empowers me to do things I would not normally do. Like the Samurai who practiced the Code of Bushido and dedicated their lives to perfection, I too live by a certain code of conduct and constantly hone my “skills” to attain perfection.
I am a veteran of several “wars” – as elections in the Philippines are sometimes called. I first cut my teeth during the 1995 Senatorial Elections campaigning for the Lakas-Laban Coalition candidates. Fresh out of Ateneo, I felt I landed the best job in the world. Campaigning for the late Senator Raul Roco, I traveled the whole span of the archipelago in just five months staying in rustic hotels and networking with provincial governors, mayors, local businessmen and youth leaders. I was on a first-name basis with the senatorial candidates, persons who merely a year ago in college I only read about in the newspapers. Like a modern-day Samurai, I was dispatched by my liege lord to places I haven’t heard or been to before with a mission: to charm, cajole and coax VIPs to vote and support my Daimyo. And mind you, the job is not all glitz and glamour. There is also an element of danger involved like the time when I was on the road to Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur to distribute our campaign paraphernalia and meet with local youth leaders there. Coincidentally, Ipil was being raided by the Abu Sayyaf that day. Luckily for me and my driver, we did not run into the retreating Abu Sayyaf bandits on the road. But I have to admit, all the glitter, glamour, pressure and yes, even the close brushes with death are exhilarating. I relish the thrill of the “fight” and also the “spoils” of victory.
Roco was my master, mentor, model, my Daimyo. To embolden me to fight, my Master constantly drilled into me this saying: “courage is the chief of all virtues because no other virtue can arise without it.” Since he demanded perfection in everything that I do, I had no choice but to incessantly practice until I master my craft. Incidentally, Samurai in Nihonggo means “to serve” and we in his Senate staff saw ourselves as true servants of the people; warrior-crusaders fighting to improve the lives of ordinary Filipinos thru policy-making and legislation. All that we expected in return from the common folk was respect and of course, their votes come election time.
As they say, “in war there develops a bond of brotherhood.” Today, I count among my closest and oldest friends my former co-workers in the Senate staff. As former “trench-mates,” we developed a bond akin to those of war veterans. As proof of how a close-knit unit we were, I married an officemate and so did a couple of my co-workers. Today, most are already married, having kids and settling down but we still meet regularly to relive our glory days on the campaign trail, swap political tsismis and talk about domestic problems.When our Daimyo died two years ago, we all felt that a void was created that will remain within us for the rest of our lives. With my Master's death, I became a Ronin, a Masterless Samurai. So like Caine in “Kung Fu”, I am doomed to “walk this Earth” and wander the political landscape until I find another Daimyo who will take me under his wing or another cause worth fighting. Surveying the current political landscape, I can see that an unemployed Samurai like me can earn good money working for other Daimyos. I can be employed as a paid-hack, like that Samurai in the classic Akira Kurosawa movie Yojimbo. I can also become a Ninja - shadowy characters who are experts in character assassination, black propaganda and negative campaigning. In fact, after the 2004 elections, I landed several lucrative contracts “projecting” dubious Daimyos. But finding the work distasteful, I resigned.
I am weary of this life of never-ending warfare, constant conflict and incessant intrigues. I want very much to lead a peaceful life and transform myself into an ordinary fellah. I attempted several times to transition into the corporate world but I guess my skills and experiences are deemed irrelevant or not highly-valued in the private sector. Nowadays, I try not to think too much about politics and my previous life as a Samurai. I also do not intend to cast my lot in the ongoing “Impeachment War” because I believe that I will just be used by Daimyos who do not really care about me.
So there, the deed is done and I have already slit my gut for everyone to see. Thank you for witnessing my hara kiri. I hope you enjoyed it. Now get back to work.
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