Snuffing out smut

Civic groups, celebs, MTRCB launch anti-porn youth arm

(Oct. 24, 2005 Press Release) THE COALITION for Decency and Morality (CODE M), a media-watch anti-smut network, together with celebrities and other civic groups, launched its youth group on Oct. 15 at the Siena Hall of Siena College, Quezon City.

Around 300 young participants attended the first anniversary celebration event of CODE M. The Coalition spearheaded the call for the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to suspend the TV “live show” Pinoy Big Brother, after airing objectionable scenes in its early episodes.

“Children now are exposed to violence and sex even in prime time TV shows. These are shows that shouldn’t be aired at all in TV since they can be very accessible to kids, and the parents may not always be around to guide them,” said actress-athlete Mikaela “Mikee” Cojuangco-Jaworski, spokesperson of the Southeast Asian Foundation for Children and Television. Mikee lamented the demise of family-oriented and educational programs that used to dominate mainstream media. Her Foundation is known for awarding the “Anak TV seal” to quality child-friendly TV programs.

You can read the full story here

taxi drivers' take on image-building

"Huwag naman kayong magpaypay. Pinagtatawanan kami niyan eh (Don't fan yourself. We're laughed at because of that)."

That's what the taxi driver said when I pulled out my abaca fan and started getting some wind on my face despite the inefficient airconditioning system in his vehicle.

Puzzled and somewhat taken aback, I asked, "Ha? Nino? (Huh? By whom?)"

"Mga ibang drayber. Nag-aaway kami dahil diyan eh (Other drivers. We fight because of that)," was the reply, given with hesitant but obvious irritation.

For some background information, here's what happened prior to that exchange:

I flagged down the taxi near our place and got in. About three minutes later, I noticed that both airconditioner vents near the tape deck were directed at him, explaining the temperature in the back seat.

"Manong, paki-adjust ho ng vent. Kahit yung isa lang (Please adjust the vent, even just one of them)."

His hand went over the vents and fiddled with them a little. No change in the air's direction, though. I guess he'd rather not share the air...or maybe he's just not aware of details pertaining to vent direction, I told myself quietly.

I move toward the middle of the seat so as to hopefully get a share of the cool air. No luck. This is silly, I think. So, I pull my bag open and slip out my good ol' trusty fan. Be the change you want to see in the world, I reminded myself about the proverb. Okay, I'll change the temperature in my world right here in the backseat, on my own.

Then the "no fans allowed" proclamation was made. So much for doing my part to make the world a better place.

"Kung i-a-adjust ho niyo yung vent eh hindi na ho mainit dito at hindi na ako kailangang magpaypay," I retorted with a smile that, in my heart, was anything but sweet.

He made some adjustments again while I continued my fan-wielding, albeit keeping my fan below window level. Part of me sympathized with anyone who had to endure ridicule from others, but I was not about to condone some prohibition motivated by a vain concern for image. The aircon in your taxi sucks, and I'm not going to suffer for it if I can help it, was my silent protest accompanied by eye-rolling.

When he uttered the "pinagtatawanan kami dahil diyan" line with noticeably ill sentiments, I wanted to shove him to the nearest pile of Inquirer issues that came out the past week (if there was only one nearby) and point out that "hello! nag-ra-rally na ang mga tao araw-araw, kayo image-image pa ang iniisip niyo..." Instead, I said reassuringly, "Huwag niyo nang pansinin 'yon."

It was such a silly concern...so silly that I couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Mainit ba talaga?" he queried a few moments later.

"Oo."

He then switched the aircon setting to "high" -- apparently from "medium." It made little difference, though, for my stop was coming up. I got off the fan-unfriendly taxi with relief, and not without learning something new so early in the day -- cab drivers feel a prick to their ego when mocked by fellow drivers about seemingly dissatisfied -- temperature-wise -- passengers.
Interesting... another insight into Pinoy professional driver psychology.

Till now, I still don't know how I could've dealt with the situation more effectively...

art iskool

'Kuya Robert' of the TV show Art Is-Kool shows the ropes to kids during a drawing workshop last month. His workshops are conducted at Books for Less (this one was at the branch in Alabang Town Center).

I just recently found out that the artwork on the walls of the old Greenbelt dining area are his. Likewise for that amusement center in one of the malls (can't recall right now). It's somewhere in his portfolio...

nice letter from an e-newsletter

Papemelroti regularly sends an e-newsletter to a mailing list, and I just got my 2005 Thanksgiving issue. Thanksgiving as a day on the calendar is not really part of Philippine tradition (but I think gratitude is an innate part of our national character). Christina, the newsletter editor, wrote some pretty simple, insightful words in the letter that introduces this issue:

Dear Friend,
One of my current favorite quotes is "There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart." (words by Celia Thaxter). So even if the sky (or political climate) is filled with darkness and gloom, amidst rolling thunder, we are able to hold sunshine close when we are thankful.

Since we don't usually celebrate Thanksgiving day in the Philippines, let's make it a point to have an attitude of grattitude every single day! .....Here's to the many smiles you make, even at times when the heart seems to ache, and each smile you give away, when received, dear, will reverberate, rippling to those far and near. And one day when you need it most, downcast and glum in all you do, that smile you gave to others, will eventually come back to you!

Christina
Newsletter Editor

Anyone is welcome to subscribe to the free newsletter, by the way. Just go to the website and sign up via the tabs you can find on the right sidebar (you can also email info@papemelroti.com to request for inclusion in the mailing list).

the red & white suit and the swaddling clothes

It's too early for Christmas carols!!

That's all that I really want to say.


P.S. Last weekend I was at the mall and what should be playing over speakers but "Deck the Halls" and the like? There's something disconcerting about looking at merchandise in the bookstore while Christmas songs are in the background. And they're not serene tunes like "Silent Night" or "O Holy Night" -- songs that, besides flowing with tranquility, tell of the reason for the season, which I find quite comforting. It's only a matter of time before "you'd better watch out, you'd better not cry...!" belted out by the Jackson 5 is piped in at stores all over, wrapping the mall with that hectic atmosphere that seems to echo "buy! buy! buy!" and sending mall-roamers into a hard-to-control shopping mood.

It's really too early for Christmas carols. Just about the only thing I love about the premature Christmas mood is the sight of those beautiful and wonderfully embellished trees on Shangri-la mall's 4th level, under the escalator. O Tannenbaum...

taxis go 'tropical'

Isn't it always drizzling in London? Well, the sight of tropical fauna and the stuff of fiestas won't bring the rains to a halt but they would make for nice scenery to contrast the dull weather -- not to mention, give our country's tourism a boost. For six months, the fleet of taxis will be roaming the British capital through a partnership between the Philippines' Dept. of Tourism and Taxi Promotions UK.

The following is on today's PDI front page:

London cabs showcase best of 'WOW Philippines'
First posted 05:54am (Mla time) Oct 09, 2005
By Volt Contreras
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the October 9, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE "WOW Philippines" tourism campaign has found a new vehicle, literally.

Up to 50 taxicabs in London have shed off their familiar all-black coat in favor of an eye-catching design depicting Philippine leisure attractions and cultural icons.

For the next six months, the fleet will cruise the city and double as mobile advertisements for the "Wow" brand name, flashing fiesta colors in the usually drizzly and overcast street scenes of the British capital.

A Department of Foreign Affairs statement on the new tourism campaign would give one an idea of what commuters would see on a normal day in London.

Each taxi sports a wraparound photomontage of a tropical paradise: Diving spots and water sports, sailboats, white sand beaches and an island sunset, golf courses, as well as specific Filipiniana images like the Masskara Festival of Bacolod, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, the Banaue Rice Terraces and a Filipino woman in ethnic dress.

You can read more here

lola on the catwalk!

WEEK OF THE ELDERLY
Senior supermodels take to the catwalk

First posted 08:18am (Mla time) Oct 09, 2005
By Blanche S. Rivera
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the October 9, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

SIXTY could, indeed, be the new 40 looking at the way women in their golden years strutted their stuff like seasoned fashion models.

Some 40 grandmothers-between 60 and 90 years old-walked the ramp Friday afternoon in an event called "Kimona ni Lola," a fashion show organized by the Philippine United Senior Citizens Association (Pusca) to celebrate Elderly Week.

Full story

ratings-happy, aping foreign shows, "reality" atbp.

It was about two weeks ago. My 1:00 student was absent so I gleefully brought out my folder of various photocopied materials, ready to catch up on my reading. Cleaning my room recently unearthed not just some books and magazines that had been buried under stacks of things or pushed back in old boxes; there were a couple of brown envelopes containing articles culled mostly from newspapers – Teddy Boy Locsin’s Today column delving on the observance of ethics in the media, a L’Osservatore Romano commentary on the lay faithful and political life, a Washington Post piece on the fashion industry’s current fascination with modesty (that is, current as of September 13, 2004), and a host of BusinessWorld short features on the clamor for good TV and general trends in the broadcasting biz.

I was poring over the last one when I recognized a line that sounded too familiar – not that I had heard it said before, but because what was casually predicted at the time the article was written (Oct. 2004) was becoming obvious in reality.

Indeed, the popularity of reality TV shows in the United States is reflected in the local TV scene. [Film and TV director Joey] Romero even fears that Filipinos might soon copy sex-oriented reality shows.

Now, a year later, Romero’s forecast is no longer just a forecast. I have no idea about developments concerning the local “reality” show involving a dozen guys and gals living under one roof for 100 days, but racy conversations and “tandem-bathing” with accompanying gyrations, and intense lip-locking when they feel like it are apparently -- for the show’s actors, directors and network -- what constitute…uh, reality. To borrow a phrase I saw just now in another article, here you have "a new low in dumbed down television."

Some more notable points in the story titled Moving towards quality, responsible broadcasting:

“My perception is the people at the TV stations pay more attention to ratings. They’re not so concerned with material,” film and TV director and MTRCB board member Joey Romero said. “They just give what the masses want. They consist the majority of the audience; [the TV people] are not concerned about the quality, just the ratings.”

In fact, with the stiff battle for higher ratings and larger audience share, the viewers are left with almost the same kind of shows with the same storylines and settings, especially at prime time.

“If one show is successful in this station, the other one copies it. It’s dictated by what’s rating,” Mr. Romero said.

. . . . .

The audience has not escaped the blame for immorality issues and decline of quality of local TV shows, as they determine whether a show rates or not. To a certain degree, it can be said that the producers are just responding to the people’s clamor for certain kinds of shows.

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The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) is the set of rules implementing Presidential Decree No. 1986, the same statute that created the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). According to the BusinessWorld article above, as far as the content of television shows is concerned, the law requires that, in essence, TV shows must not contain anything “immoral, indecent, contrary to law and/or good customs, injurious to the prestige of the country or its people, or with a dangerous tendency to commission of violence or of wrong or crime.”

far from coppertone season

It's not time to sing "here comes the sun" just yet. The sun shone briefly yesterday afternoon, but for most of the day and during the days before that, it was mostly overcast skies and heavy downpours.

Here's hoping that the sun will shine in some way for Pinoys here and abroad, even when raindrops keep falling. Even if sunny days seem elusive, it's gonna be a bright sunshiny day eventually for all.

* sUnNy iCoN courtesy of Papemelroti's free graphics

getting the help of young men

Check this out:

When [Terence] Gloria returned from the youth camp in Dumaguete City, he was a transformed man -- and his family in Iloilo province and his friends told him so.

His refusal to join his friends in their usual forays earns him a lot of ribbing. But he is always quick to grab the chance to explain to them "First Time," a 30-second video showing a young man being initiated in the ways of sex by his barkada on his birthday.

In the video, the friends bring the birthday boy a woman for a present. But when he enters the bedroom and turns to the woman, he sees the face of his mother, sister, or girlfriend. Then the voiceover: "Ang babae hindi binibili (A woman is not bought)."

Gloria tells his friends: "When you see a woman dancing or being used, how would you feel if that woman is someone from your family?"

A young men's camp. Teenage boys. Organizers who believe that though "other women's groups wouldn't put money into educating men, .. we invest in this because ... men can also be advocates of the campaign against violence against women."

Here's the lowdown, from PDI's front page today.

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'Sex' camp reconstructs men's view of women

First posted 05:10am (Mla time) Oct 05, 2005
By Stella Gonzales
Inquirer News Service


Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the Oct. 5, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

(Editor's note: Oct. 5 is the International Day of No Prostitution.)

FOR these young men, it was an epiphany.

Terence Cleo Gloria, 20, was a freshman at the University of the Philippines-Cebu when he started frequenting bars with his barkada (peer group) and boarding house companions. When they had extra cash, they would "table" prostituted women -- a "normal" pastime, they thought, for others like them.

It was a different "trip" for Lester Añonuevo, now 19, and his friends. They enjoyed watching porn videos where women were treated as mere commodities, and some of their female friends even watched along with them.

In May 2004, Añonuevo attended the Young Men's Camp on Gender Issues, Sexuality and Prostitution. A year later, Gloria and his friends made up the third batch of attendees.

The experience dramatically changed the way they viewed and treated women.

Full story

what would you do?

Learning English as an adult, after growing up in a society where the language was hardly spoken, is tough. I see it in Koreans who come in droves to the Philippines for the sole purpose of studying English.

They learn English as early as in elementary school, but lessons are limited to grammar -- and spoken English doesn't go beyond the "hello-how-are-you-fine-thank-you-and-you?" lines. In other words, Koreans generally have a good grasp of grammar, but conversation is a whole new ballgame.

I discovered not long ago that another reason for the Philippines' being a favorite destination for those wanting to learn English is that it's the only country where one-on-one language classes are offered. Hence, this plus cheap education have made our islands a favored stepping-stone for Koreans and other Asians who aim to improve their English communication skills, before moving on to Australia, Canada or wherever they choose to head to next.

There's no question about the sense of fulfillment that comes with being able to help others improve their language skills. But what do you do if in the process of teaching them, they end up making use of illegally produced materials? You know those materials could be instrumental in fast-tracking their learning; what's more, practically everyone (to your knowledge) suggests buying those materials. But you're aware that in doing so, you're contributing to a big problem instead of providing a solution.

It's amazing how many of us take our facility in English for granted. Who would have thought that those English subtitles in DVDs could spell the difference for some people between totally getting the plot and being clueless about the story (that had never crossed my mind till recently)? Hence, the Korean students are prescribed with the all-too-accessible DVDs that can be bought for 50 bucks a piece.

Let me go on a rundown on what happens here. Our country becomes a haven for other Asians (tourists and students alike). Those Asians become interested in learning English. Asian business people see an opportunity to strike gold and open English language schools in our country. Such schools mushroom all over the place. The non-Filipino business people need teachers and thus hire Filipinos (of course). Unemployment and low wages are at an all-time high, and the business people know this. They hire the Filipinos and pay them meager salaries. No complaints (or nothing voiced out at least) since a little money is better than nothing. Then come the teaching materials -- including illegally produced DVDs that are part of the big piracy problem that is draining our economy and sending numerous individuals and legal establishments into unemployment (people) and closure (companies like video shops). The teachers endorse, the students buy. Fast forward.... the students go back to their countries, armed with new language skills and increased confidence in their ability to communicate effectively. We Filipinos are left here, with worse problems. One of them -- the piracy problem getting deeper and giving the already sorry state of our economy a heavier black eye.

Does this seem even just a bit like we're the ones creating more problems for our country?

In the meantime, I'm in a dilemma with one of my students. He's hardworking, bright and eager to learn. This weekend he's supposed to buy a DVD player in Greenhills and some DVD titles in Quiapo. I had suggested watching Shrek and a host of entertaining and helpful flicks, adding that I had copies of my own which he's most welcome to borrow. "If you borrow my copy, that means one less pirated CD you'll be buying," I quietly told him during one class. He understood and seemed grateful for the offer, but I doubt it if he'll oblige.

I proposed another counter-measure. "Okay, if you decide to buy a pirated DVD, try to do something to compensate for that. You can do something good for someone -- anything, for anyone. It's like making up for patronizing people who engage in illegal business. Do you get what I mean?" He did. Whether or not he puts it into practice depends on him.

I didn't plan for this ranting to be aimless. Hopefully I'll get comments as to what more I can do. It just seems like no one is concerned about a problem that looks trivial but is actually not.

rice-ing to the occasion

It's the first time I'm hearing about "baye-baye," which, the article says, contains the same ingredients as those in espasol -- with some differences. Read on to know what it is, and be inspired by a heartening example of making it big due to hard work and a sporting spirit.

Rice delicacy rescues family from poverty
Posted: 5:24 AM Oct. 02, 2005
Ma. Diosa Labiste, PDI Visayas Bureau Inquirer News Service

PAVIA, Iloilo — Thanks to a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, a couple who described themselves as "formerly dirt poor," is now much admired for their success in making "baye-baye" rice delicacy.

Rodolpo Hachero, 49 and his wife Gina, 42, are owners of Polding's Baye-baye, which produces the delicacy sold in the malls, restaurants and pasalubong counters in Iloilo City.

Today, some eight years after they started their "baye-baye" business, the Hachero couple has not only taken their family out of poverty, but also cemented the reputation of their barangay as the "baye-baye" capital of Iloilo.

Full story