Remembering The Onslaught (Part 2)

10/04/2011 05:35 PM

While being stuck at the bridge, I talked to a student from UST whom was also stranded on his way to his residence in Antipolo City. He said there are no jeepneys passing by the the highway, causing costing him some time to stay at at the eastbound jeepney stop of SM City Marikina.

Just my opinion: Anti-Planking Law?

Anti-planking law?!
Author: n.d. a.k.a. nestor / slick master
10.04.2011
05:03 p.m.

At the heights of useless moves turning into a piece of expressions of one’s self, and now had just suddenly became part of the nation’s current events. How about the so-called planking? A move that had been once popularized by the man named Tom Green in 1993, now a resurrected movement by the youth to the extent that such act had just been also used by some activists in their protest?

Since planking had been trending around the metro, different reactions spread like a wildfire around the social networking sites. Thus, emphasizing to the negative ones whom may find it as stupid. Well, this bill proposed by the Quezon City representative Winston Castelo may favor the so-called “”planking haters.” Yes, the House Bill 5316 or known as the Anti-Planking Act of 2011.

What is its primary aim? To sanction those students and student groups who used planking as part of their demonstrations in street rallies.

By the way, in case you don’t know what the hell is planking, it is an act of a person or a group of people lying faced down in unusual locations such as the floors of a hallway/room, streets, stairs or stairways, platforms, or even the very unusual ones like at the stand of the traffic light, top of the basketball court, railings of a bridge, rooftops, or elsewhere. Their position: keeping their hands along the body and outstretched.

What are those sanctions: according to the section 5 of this said act:

The Department of Education in the case of elementary and high school students and the Commission on Higher Education in the case of college students shall draft a universal Code of Student Conduct to carry out the provisions of this Act. Further, DepEd and CHED, respectively shall issue appropriate rules and regulations to effectively carry out intent and purpose of this Act.

How will it be effective? Section 6 will tell you then.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect ninety (90) days after its publication in the Official Gazette and in at least three (3) newspapers of general circulation.

Okay, it sounds like a foolish, very silly act, huh? But before you throw that F-word elsewhere or even to this guy who had proposed such bill, let’s know his side why did he done that. According to him, some people whom were mostly parents of the high-school and college students were alarmed by this movement.

Castelo’s statement.

“Parents and teachers have reason to be alarmed if these similar protest actions will have as a scheme and scene otherwise warm and living bodies laid down across street highways as though they were offerings to the gods. The parent in me tells me that this precedent in the case of the this massive transport strike where militant street protesters who are students of various schools have to lie down or serve as ‘planks’ across the road to disrupt what should be normal traffic could just be very dangerous in the future. Life and limb are pretty much at risks here were unbelieving bus drivers or law enforcement authorities might just ram through these warm and living bodies rolled out on highways…I respect the rights of students to express grievances. I learn from them. I recognize the constitutional guarantee to freedom of expression. However, as a parent I can not compromise the safety of rallyist and general public. As a lawmaker we are mandated by our sworn duty to protect everyone’s welfare.”

Now, did that made clear to you? Hopefully, but my take? Honestly, I’m not seeing anything good in this bill. With all due respect to the lawmaker, I know he’s concern for the welfare but I would highly doubt that this one may be executed right away. With the protests regarding that budget cut which for these guys may be an un-motivating factor for them to come to school and educate their minds, it’s not that hard to see why. But it can’t be denied that both parties had faults in this. Since social media dictates the run of the present youngsters, well… that may be a factor why planking became one of the trends nowadays. But sometimes, over-exposure of the thing to the internet is really bad. In other words, jeez! I’d rather see other bills imposing to the society instead. Those ones that the society badly needed.

© 2011 september twenty-eight productions.

Too Passionate?

09/24/2011 | 12:19 a.m.

Natural sa atin ang maging mapagmahal na tao, lalo na sa kultura nating mga Filipino na sadayng mapagmahal sa kapwa. Pero ika nga ng kasabihan “ang lahat ng sobra ay nakakasama.”

Para ding kanta ng bandang Queen (o kung makabagong musika ka, kay Jovit Baldivino) “Too much love will kill you.” Kaya sa mga nagaganap na insidente ng tinatawag na “crime of passion,” masisisi ba natin an gating kalabisan na pagmamahal sa mga ganyang klase ng pangyayari?

Masasabi kong OO, lalo na sa panahon ngayon na naglilipana na lang ng biglaan ang mga balita sa sirkulasyon.

Philippine Sports Politics 101.

Philippine Sports Politics 101.
Author: slick master
08/25/2011
07: 22 pm

Before anything else, I am supposed to finish this piece by last week. Well, thanks to that video of Word Of The Lourd which had an episode that tackled the “politics” in the sports aspect of the Philippines. Now to finish everything, let’s nail the coffin then.

A lot of sporting events were the main highlights of the news recently. You have Smart Gilas Pilipinas a surprising team in the continent once again (well, in terms of performance.) Kobe Bryant dropped by at Manila twice, with once bringing up the superstars of the National Basketball Association (which by the way was still suffering on a lockout as of press time); and a whole lot more in basketball. But, I’m not putting the spotlight on the nation’s favorite sport this time. How about comparison and discrimination in between? What the hell do I mean? Check this.

The Philippine Azkals had caught almost everyone’s attention when they scored an upset in last time’s Suzuki Cup. Since then, the spotlight was on them. Maybe because most of the players were heartthrob-looking, good talent, etc. I can’t really point a reason. And even when they failed to score a slot on FIFA World Cup 2012, they still remained part of the sports headlines. Their games were then covered by an exclusive national TV network, a big jump from the international ones considerably that most people don’t have a cable and free TV was very accessible to the audience.

While on the other hand, The Philippine Dragon Boat Team had been dominating despite not being recognized by a lot of people. Maybe because the sport itself doesn’t even sounds familiar to the public. But, hey! They didn’t only score medals by winning games, but because of the world records they had set. In fact in the recent World Championship games in Tampa Bay, Florida USA, they scored medals – 5 of them were the highest prize called “gold.” What more can you lose aside from it? Sad to say but the answer is lack of support from the government.

Weeks ago, a post from the social networking site Facebook had been spreading out like a wildfire on pages and user profiles. It goes like this:

PH Azkals: 0 golds, 0 trophies, 5 TV Ads, 20% Pinoy
PH Dragon boat team (2011): 5 golds, 0 commercials, 90% Pinoy
PH Azkals: with sponsors
PH Dragon boat team: inutang at KKB (kanya-kanyang baon) pamasahe
PH Azkals: complete outfit
PH Dragon boat team: nanghihiram pa ng sagwan sa kalaban,

--Sasagwan ka ba sa KARANGALAN o sisipa sa KAPOGIAN?

Ok, last statement for dragon boat team seems to be a big bluff already. But whether there’s a big joke in there, there are facts that backed the hell up and it’s all displayed in that post. And even the “Palakasan” episode of WOTL can tell you that Azkals had infinite commercials indeed, thanks to the Younghusband brothers. Well, speaking of Younghusband, Phil had even a great catch – Angel Locsin. But these brothers as far as I remember were half-Pinoys and had been playing with soccer with Filipinos for a long while. And since looks are mostly recognized by everyone in the society, (don’t be hypocrite) these two were part of those magazine pages intended for modeling poses at some time.

But let’s face it, Azkals had suffered the fate of the present dragon boat team. It’s just the fact that the Philippine Sports Commission only recognizes sports that are: first, competing in the Olympics; and second, are widely played by at least numerous countries in the world. Well, dragon boat is there, (in fact it is played by at least 70 countries worldwide) but the hardest part is that politics discriminates it all. Unfair treatment as it seems, huh?

The Dragon Boat squad had been dominating despite being “under the radar” and those unworthy remarks by the officials of PSC. And as far I recalled while reading the veteran sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielsz’ tweets in Twitter by last week, he found PSC Chariman Richie Garcia’s word “pathetic.” Garcia stated that “they rather go back to their roots and eat tahong if they will not join the national Canoe-Kayak team.”

Okay, my take. Somehow, I will agree on Nathanielsz’ remark. First and foremost, how could you say such? Maybe this guy didn’t know that tahong was the food where these guys from the PDBT had gained strength. I can hardly recall a PSC official statement, saying that they cannot sponsor the squad and instead leave it to the private parties. Something which Lucio Tan’s Asian Brewery came to the rescue. By the way, try to spot that Cobra Energy Drink’s brand on their apparel.

Media-hype wise, no doubt that the Azkals had got the attention that they wanted (and in fact they even got more.) But from the old days to the present ones (and good thing that fromer basketball player Benjie Paras came to show business when he did retired) I can only put up this saying. SPORTS AND SHOWBIZ SHOULD NEVER BE MIXED IN PRIORITES. I mean, it’s not bad to be an athlete and a celebrity at the same time. It is already a given status since you’re been mostly seen and heard. But once gossips and blind items come in to your circulations, it will be hard for you to sustain the fame that you had gotten, unless you’re like Manny Pacquiao.

If you’re a hell sports fan, don’t bash your colleague. This is the hardest part. I think in basketball, this thing do exists. The one they called “crab mentality.” When a fan of their opponent cheered on his favorite team, he will bash him out until the objective judgments turned subjective. And I noticed that for a lot of times not just in forums, but also in social media sites.

But colonial mentality was also the main factor why Azkals had been favoring the most over the dragon boat crew. Try reading that wildfire post once again and you’ll see the difference.

And for every aspect of life, politics do exists. That dirty game was part of your colorful, roller coaster ride. But just don’t let it roll into you or else you’ll be in grave danger.

© 2011 september twenty-eight productions

Citizen journalism: the next “in” thing?

Citizen journalism: the next “in” thing?
Author: n.d. a.k.a. nestor / slick master
08/09/2011, 09:11 a.m.

As writing this topic, I remembered one of my classmate’s thesis regarding a television network’s flagship newscast’s segment which caters about citizens that can deliver news in their own respective communities.

If you noticed the media here in the country, there is a single network newscast (or actually, few) that has an interactive portion to its audience, either thru the modern means of communication and that includes, text messaging, electronic mail an even via social networking sites.

Since Philippines was mostly recognized as the texting capital and social networking capital of the world, news all over media organizations had used the said mediums to take advantage for the network’s massive purposes such as ratings, etc. and I think there’s nothing wrong in the part of those companies. I mean, as news evolves under tabloidization before, interactivity had took place to catch up with the people whom used internet for a lot of public-related tasks even if it’s slowly killing TV as video replays can be made available via YouTube.

In ABS-CBN, Bayan Mo Ipatrol mo was the program that triggered the trend of citizen journalism in this country. It was launched as the network’s news and current affairs’ election campaign Boto Mo Ipatrol Mo in 2007 and was even uitilized in 2010 where netizens can send photos, or videos that contain the news on their community during the election’s campaign and the event itself then. From there, it was evolved to its current title showcasing the people’s part of contributing in the news organization. It was aired then on the network’s flagship newscast TV Patrol every weeknight at 6:30 p.m.

From there, some few companies followed then. GMA 7 launched You Scoop and used to featured on 24 Oras at the same time, while TV5 developed a segment thru social networking which as called Aksyon Journalismo where people can give takes on issues and that is more modernized than the usual text lines aired at either morning programs of the different networks. ABS-CBN’s Bandila joined the trend then and both with Aksyon Journalismo, they were aired by late nights.

Now if you asked me about this, I think it’s a part of the evolving world through technology. I mean, gone are the trend of straight news programs, turning English into tagalized ones, with more different segments, and shorter ones airing. Since the masses were mostly the large part of the present audience share in the metropolitan, I think the media is turning things around to at least help them get educated and be aware on the latest happenings all over the country and even all over the world. News nowadays comes in package, which gives anchors some bits of commentary in their part. Though that somehow can be the downside of watching it if you’re a strictly-news watcher. (But everything that they’ll give though must be in balance. Otherwise they have to express that thru editorial programming whether thru print or broadcast or even at the wired.)

The only constant thing in this world is thru change. So expect the trend to last long but eventually grind out or even blossomed further.

© 2011 september twenty-eight productions.

Zubiri’s resignation. Many sides.

Zubiri’s resignation. Many sides.
Author: n.d. a.k.a. nestor / slick master
08/09/2011, 08:43 a.m.

Last week, the Philippines had been witness to a sudden resignation of one of its senators in Juan Miguel Zubiri as he filed and prepared a speech regarding his withdrawal from his elected seat.

If you can recall way back 2007, He and Atty. Koko Pimentel were on a tight race in the last post of the senatorial elections in 2007. Zubiri was part of Team Unity by then-Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Pimentel was on the other side, and attempts to follow his father whom was former Senator Nene. And the result went very complicated when polls were totaled and Pimentel was supposedly on his seat but ended up to Zubiri instead. Pimentel cried that there was a cheating anomaly involved since some independent poll watchers said that Pimentel had actually won the game between them in terms of votes which was in fact Koko was the top second senatorial winner at one province around Davao region.

4 years after being seated, Zubiri filed his resignation due to many allegations that thrown against him to the extent that his family was been hurt the most in his behalf. However, for the last time on his legislative post, he told everyone in his speech that in the eyes of God and to his fellows, HE DID NOT CHEATED.

That apparently draws different sides of views, such as Zubiri was found allegedly guilt of the cheating on the negative side. Koko’s father Aquilino Pimentel have told the media that he should resigned 4 years ago then. But for his son however, he didn’t saw anything wrong and in fact he praised ex-senator Migz for his standing that there is something else that should value the most over power – and that were his family, and his integrity. Zubiri’s resignation turned out to be historical as that was the first time in Senate that an upper house legislator had voluntarily drawn out from his throne, considering him as the last highly-elected position from the 2004 elections.

Now, whether he cheats in the polls or not? We can’t tell yet unless we’re poll watchers in either Pimentel or Zubiri’s party. I’ll let them be the judge since let’s face it. Not everything that matters the nation’s senatorial interest can be shown on the press. Though there are some newsmakers that can make and speak a word about it.

© 2011 september twenty-eight productions

Just my opinion: Secret talk?

Just my opinion: Secret talk?
Author: n.d. a.k.a. nestor / slick master
08/09/2011, 08:35 a.m.

There’s a secret talk between Philippine’s President Noynoy Aquino and Moro Islamic Liberation Front head held outside the country (Japan to be exact.) and as the hidden discussion has been raised, so was the reactions of the people from the different sectors.

Now I can’t really discuss much the news of it, but here’s my take anyway (since I only used to write this for my opinion but… oh, anyway.) I’m not seeing anything wrong in between if it’s about resolving the conflicts between the government and the group considering that MILF wants Mindanao to be an independent state and which means it will be like taken away from the Philippines, and the government wants to push peace talks between the two of them and in fact it has shown good signs. Well, hopefully things will prosper there, ‘cause everyone wants to hear good news for a better change in this country.

© 2011 september twenty-eight productions

Just my opinion: For art’s sake?

Just my opinion: For art’s sake?
August 6, 2011; 12:58 p.m.
(as seen on: http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/2011/08/07/just-my-opinion-for-art%E2%80%99s-sake/)

Art is one of the few things in life in which freedom of expression is used. And in fact, that “freedom of expression” is one of our basic constitutional rights. But once a sector spots flaws that violate either cultural, moral and/or religious values, expect long debates ahead.

Mideo Cruz’s artwork turned out to be controversial after the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (or CBCP) broke their silence and protested in behalf of many people complaining that Cruz’ masterpiece was a piece of “Polytheism and blasphemy” in a open forum at the Cultural Center of the Philippines yesterday.

But that’s just not it. Apparently in a report posted August 4, 2011 at ABSCBNnews.com, Mideo Cruz’s art which was part of the Kulo exhibit had been vandalized when a man and woman walked in to the gallery and vandalized then at around 11:30 a.m. the previous day. In case you haven’t seen his work, news clips will show you everything and that includes some religious figures with a condom, a man’s penis and even rabbit or Mickey Mouse’s ears.

However, Concerned Artist of the Philippines defends Cruz and shown their support. Saying that nothing wrong on his work and in fact was a product of “freedom of expression” and that was guaranteed by the Constitution.

On the other hand, Dr. Primitivo Chua of Ang Kapatiran stated in between the word war of the parties that “Hindi yan gawa ng Pilipino. Gawa yan ng demonyo! Pero itong ginawa niyo dito kabastusan… kalaswaan! Mahiya kayo!” perhaps that statement says it all for the part of CBCP and the party list as Ang Kapatiran will file a case regarding the violation of an article of the Revised Penal Code regarding the immoral doctrines if CCP will not pulled the piece out.

Cruz’s response all boiled down to this: "You can't force people. But I just hope that when we look at something, the process doesn't stop at the surface." He has been for 10 years in his occupation and his trademarks for his most of his works were primarily Polytheism, an act of “social criticism and it is part of social development to criticize what’s happening.” That came from the words of Karen O. Flores, officer-in-charge of the CCP Visual Arts Unit.

But as the word war explodes, so are the reaction from all the corners. Like one Facebook user posted "May your soul burn to (sic) hell, you Devil pro (sic) artist," in a news article posted at Interaksyon.com2. Also, a certain Rozanna Martini called Cruz a ****ing asshole and wishes him the worse in hell.

Okay, let me give my take for the matter.

Every one of us has a freedom to express ourselves. In fact, “artistic license” do exist in our acts of doing it. In case of Mideo’s if you think his art was his product of his freedom and was really worth it or another piece of blasphemy. Well, I’m saying “it’s both.”

It was a grave disrespect to the religion of the Catholicism not in the country, but in the world where countries are having Catholic and Christianity as its pre-dominant religions. Call it a blasphemy, him an Atheist, a socially irresponsible citizen, or even a fan of Polytheism. But I’m telling you. It’s his art, not for the church and for anyone else. It’s his right to express his freedom and badly seeking for recognition. Now after spotlights off media all over him I think he was fulfilled at the moment. However, J. Pacena, the curator of Kulo expressed disappointment around the malice reports that the media is showing. “No one tried to understand what he was trying to say. He was condemned and we were judged in a primitive way,”

I mean, Mideo Cruz has his right to express his art regardless of a lot of criticism and death threats responding on his masterpieces. He’s an artist anyway, and his work was at the Cultural Center which was obviously, the venue for the arts. If something could be really wrong, that is up to him and the Supreme Being to judge. For the mean, time if you want to make a good recognition of art, put everything in balance. However for the society where negativity was the name of the game, it takes a bunch of weird ideas to be popular. And not all freedom was given to us by absolute manner as Karen Flores said, "Yes, you can have your faith, and that can be respected. But you must also be able to tolerate and understand other people's views."

Author: slick master | © 2011 september twenty-eight productions. Sources are stated below.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/08/04/11/vandals-hit-controversial-ccp-exhibit

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/lifestyle/08/05/11/tension-rises-over-controversial-ccp-exhibit

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/86876/sona-talakayan-ukol-sa-obra-ni-mideo-cruz-nauwi-sa-sigawan

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/9924/ccp-installation-has-devout-catholics-crying-sacrilege

http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?p=57804973

http://www.artmediaagency.com/en/25864/mideo-cruz-receives-death-threats-for-sacrilege/

Just my opinion: P-Noy’s one year.

P-Noy’s one year.

09:20 a.m.

08/03/2011

Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino was elected as the 15^th president of the Republic of the Philippines last year. And so far, his life as the chief state ruler has been as controversial as it can get. Perhaps, the shameful Quirino Grandstand Massacre, Spratlys dispute with China, his as-usual exposes against the Arroyo administration, his Porsche car, smoking problems, even his break-up with Shalani Soledad, modern KKK and a lot more were the highlights of his career so far. However, there were some good things that happened to his first year in office, just like the rate of hunger going down from arouns 20 to 15-ish percent. That’s a good sign already considering every native’s basic need is food. And I think the 4Ps of DSWD somehow did a great job regarding the matter. And just a month later since his first Ulat sa Bayan was aired, the budget for 2012 had been tackling about and its allocation for Conditional Cash Transfer of the said program were raised. RH Bill is another. It’s good thing that this time, it may not be the president for most but most of the legislators are been hardly dealing about. Though the Church had been strongly opposing that bill. Same goes to Divorce bill. After Malta legalizes the issue via a referendum, The Philippines want to come next and the last country, aside from the Vatican City to legalize divorce since cases filed for the latter had been up to around eight thousand as of last year.

In P-Noy’s State of the Nation Address last July 25, he also introduced the new Ombudsman in Conchita Carpio-Morales, perhaps another female to hold the post since the controversial Merceditas Gutierrez resigned amidst the issues involving her and ex-president and now-congresswoman GMA some few months ago. Guttierez’ resignation somehow saved her for impeachment case filed and investigated by the legislators. In fact, she’s the first ombudsman whom got a majority vote by the representatives to uphold her impeachment case to the Senate. Shameful as it seems, huh? Not only that, he exposed the PAGCOR’s anomalies in coffee drinks which costs around a billion pesos. Since then came the same issue on energy drinks and the “pabaon” to the former commander-in-chief.

However, as his first year came to an end, he still have five years to correct the nation’s miscues and to his promises to fulfill. Thee a lot more of problems in the country, and one is education. They were attempting to put up the k-12 system, colleges’ tuition fee rate’s skyrocketing again, and even the guidelines of suspension of classes which barely needs to improve. But aside from that, I think watching news can solve your needs for information. And, oh. How about passing the Freedom of Information Bill, please?

My take: I am not as good as any aspiring political analysts to say this, but based on the news that I have read, heard and watched from the archives to present and also dealing with a lot of people whom were the employees of the government, he still needs strong POLITICAL WILL. He’s doing good so far. And we’re still watching for you for the next five years so please, be consistent and if you got a case on your love life even if you are a public figure, do manage to keep it private. That’s it.

Author: slick master | © 2011-08-03 september twenty-eight productions.

Depressive stage of mind and heart.

Depressive stage of mind and heart.

08:47 a.m.

08/03/2011

Perhaps, it’s been a long while since the last time I wrote in this blog about anything beyond my personal experiences. And as for that, I had just decided to do something about it and I came up with this. I’m not anyone related to psychology though but anyway.

Every human being suffers some kind of this feeling for at least a time in their lives. It can have a lot of terms though. Downfall, depression, setbacks, disappointments, sadness, etcetera etcetera. However, I can only associate them with one word: and that is heartbreak. Why? I don’t know. It’s just everything that I had gone through and get off from it was just on my personal experience and at least proper knowledge (but I can’t give you the latter though).

People get lunatic after few more mistakes. Yes, I agree. Even I turned out to be one. But I can only tell few things: every heart break doesn’t involve much on love life, and it doesn’t have to be in a relationship to suffer like one. Rejections or “busted” are counted if you can only think about it. It’s just of course part of human nature to deny every single little thing that can put us to shame. But why do people get a lot of it? Because they didn’t learn their previous mistake(s)? Maybe. But it can’t be denied that not all humans do aim for perfection and somehow that can be either good or bad in their own ways. Again, human nature. And sometimes, we have a lot of tendencies to forget mistakes while moving on. And if it goes again, it’s just like a cycle running all over again.

Me as a veteran being dumped a lot of times, whether in career, love and even on the most personal aspect of life. These cases are nothing new to me, but it doesn’t mean that you will just stand there and get lazy after a long period of time working vigorously on it. If I can’t learn a lot of mistakes to be better, therefore I am stupid. No. ‘cause not all of miscues can be learned in a single day or night. After all, everything has to go to a process unless if you’re faster than a fast-learner, something that admittedly yours truly doesn’t have. If there’s something you can blame, maybe the people around you whom have very high expectations over you. But is there anything enough basis or evidence to accuse them? Maybe yes but I think most of the time will be no. I guess I can only come up with some things after reading and watching anything related to it, which hopefully I can give you later on. I still have to do my research.

For now, I would think that I suffering a bunch of miseries, turning me depressed won’t take me long. I mean, once I have that good vibe, hopefully that will overturn everything. It’s all in a matter of having a positive mindset, surrounding people with good influences, doing good things in life that make you happy, etc. though I’m still at the recovering stage though but it’s okay.

Author: slick master | © 2011-08-03 september twenty-eight productions

Just my opinion: Who really owns Spratlys?

Just my opinion: Who really owns Spratlys?

Author: n.d. a.k.a. nestor / slick master

06/26/2011

07:40 P.M.

Honestly, it’s hard to say that “we own Spratlys” when in fact we only read one side of an issue regarding on it. I admit that I’ve been using harsh language regarding my opinion considering the fact that China’s a big country (and even next to the super-country United States in terms of power) and they are spawning the land that allegedly supposed their own; Though by reading history books at least they can tell that Spratly islands are owned by us Filipinos. However there are claims by China that they used to have its own share of claim either, like those old dynasties ago. So were the other countries. Now if you’re Filipino and you have read history claims of China (well, you learn either Fookien, Cantonese or Mandarin though) and included that part, it’s really hard to point out which side are you really from, even if you have the nationality of the RP (or try doing that the other way, just in case you’re a Chinese.)

What the hell do I mean? I have researched about that certain group of islands some few days ago and here is the outcome. The Philippines had claimed the islands since mid 70s, which was known as Kalayaan group of islands. But before that, a private Philippine expedition explored that in 1956 and occupied the islands later on. It is also stated that in 1979, Philippines wants the seven islands of Spratlys under their government and not the rest of archipelago. That’s contrary to the geographical artifacts that the Spratlys are lying near RP.

However, other countries had its own share, such as Malaysia which joined the dispute in 1979. They based it on the fact that Spratlys are part of its continental shelf and that gives them under the so-called Law of Sea Convention which barely means that Malaysia has its control on the territory and resources lying at the Spratly group of islands.

Taiwan has its own share and in fact owning one of the biggest islands of that archipelago. claims to the island are based on its assertion that Taiwan and its Kuomintang government are the true China. Both Taiwan and the People's Republic of China say that the islands were discovered by Chinese navigators, used by Chinese fishermen for centuries, and under the administration of China since the 15th

century. However, since Taiwan claims to be the true China, the island should belong to them and not on the People’s Republic or Mainland.

In this research of American.edu in 1986 it is found that China and Vietnam were the main protagonists on the dispute.

(re-updated) 07-20-2011/12:23 p.m.

Nowadays, the issue remains after a treaty and exploration of the countries involved continues. Apparently, there is a settlement a mid-decade ago that allows China to explore the islands for the sake of oil. Since oil products have skyrocketing prices in the market nowadays, the world needs to seek new sources which apparently the Spratlys are one of them.

Now, there goes that China allegedly showing its superior strength over the other 5 country-occupants of the said archipelago, when they thwarted off Vietnam’s space and attempting to occupy the other islands that are already owned by the other explorers. And the Philippines came to the rescue and there goes the diplomatic trash talk between the two countries. Not only that, their constituents are throwing tongue-lashing words against each other and to the extent that the economic adviser of the Philippines shouting “boycott the China products.”

But, if you do that, that may be another topic to tackle. US shown their support to RP, but Chinese government warned the States to not to get involved in the dispute. And Singapore asked China to clarify its claim. And Vietnam even supports the republic in its fight against possible Chinese conquest.

However, as other issues arose to the circulation, you will wonder whatever happened to this dispute for some time later. One this is for sure though. China and the Philippines agreed that they will exhaust their diplomatic ways to resolve the dispute and they will definitely not use any means of military strength for the matter. At least, they’re at peace and hopefully for these two countries will remain their diplomatic relationship for some time.

Just imagine if there will be “War of Spratlys.” What can be the weapons that the other countries, particularly RP can slug against China? And at least, this is not a good sight on the part of the United Nations, ASEAN and other world organizations.

But one thing is for sure, let’s move on. They will definitely try to resolve everything in peaceful manner.

© 2011 september twenty-eight productions.

NBA lockout triggers Stars in Manila showdown.

NBA lockout triggers Stars in Manila showdown.

07-19-2011

08:39 p.m.

Just imagine a lot of National basketball Association players rounding up the globe for the sake of playing their sport as their passion and career. Deron Williams had been much heard like the guy wants to play in Turkey, so was Dwight Howard’s rumors in Eurasia and even for Kevin Durant’s.

Apparently even before the lockout issue, a lot of NBA stars had been playing for other countries and it shows when they don colors at FIBA tournaments, representing their homeland. Josh Childress had been playing for Euroleague at sometime before returning to the league. He had been on the verge of emerging under-rated small forwards at that time when he left Atlanta Hawks and after some few years, joining Phoenix Suns.

But let’s move fast forward. Kobe Bryant had been taking Manila by storm in nearly mid-July when Nike set an Asia tour. And that 1 day busy event for Bryant had been his 4^th visit in the country, counting from the last 90s, in 2007 and in 2009. From doing sports charity works to exhibition games. By the way, his team lost to Smart Gilas by 4 points.

And how about Chris Paul, Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant joining him in his return this time? Yes, you heard that right as MVP Sports Foundation organized an event that will surely hit every NBA fan in them. But they’re not carrying the name of the association and even the franchise that they’re playing with. That’s under the guidelines of the NBA involving lockout issues. What is a lockout? I can’t explain that since it’s more related to business and financial matters but you can do your research about it though.

So, this turned out already a big day for majority of the Basketball fans considering 2 top scorers, a reigning MVP, a Guinness-record holder for steals plus a playoff veteran and few youngsters from the league coming up for 2 exciting deals. The first game will unfold this Saturday (July 23), 7PM at the Araneta Coliseum which also known as The Big Dome. Apparently the size of this sports arena is one of the largest among the world in some few decades ago. But it doesn’t matter though as MVP’s TV network TV5’s sports block AKTV will cover that up for a lot of fans who couldn’t make it at the venue. Somehow, the prices of the tickets ranged from 350 to 5,500 pesos. Somehow, you may think like you are watching a concert but honestly, this one’s considered affordable since a lot of guys whom watches NBA in the arenas in the US and Toronto, Canada did spent more than these ones.

Game 2 is at Sunday, 1 pm though telecast will be at 5pm. By the way, they are colliding against our 2 teams formed and sponsored. 1^st was against PBA selection team, which means players from different Philippine Basketball Association ballclubs were joined hand-in-hand for the contest while the next and last were Smart Gilas Pilipinas, a team that represents the country for the international competition. The difference? These guys were youngsters at international levels while the former had been the veterans and somehow played experienced playing overseas either.

Well, I can only say, this one is definitely must and exciting to watch. Can’t wait for the gates to open, the TV to sign on-air and the games officially begin!

Author: slick master ©2011/07/19 september twenty-eight productions

Zaldy Ampatuan for State Witness?

Zaldy Ampatuan for State Witness?

07-19-2011

06:36 p.m.

You would think that a man whose name was badly accused of the arguably the worse journalist-killing case in the country will end up as a state witness against his family? I know you will definitely disagree with that. But, I’m not talking about the Maguindanao Massacre here. Instead, it’s all about the bad case of election fraud at the said province last 2004. I mean by cheating.

I don’t know the exact detail of it though, but that triggered a former man in the Commission of Elections in Lintang Bedol to suit up after merely 4 years of invisibility. He showed up earlier today by the COMELEC at the media.

Anyway, if that’s the case then I think it can be considered but it doesn’t mean that we watchers or constituents of this country will stop from keeping an eye on him. Not everyone on media can cover that even if the Ampatuan trial will be available to us.

But! Being a witness to this election-related case does not mean that he will be exempted from the crime that his family had done to 57 people last November 23, 2009. and I just hope the justice system will barely improve ‘cause a lot of us had seen enough of serving injustice!

Author: slick master

© 2011/7/19 september twenty-eight productions.

Finals beat

Finals beat
By n.d. a.k.a. nestor / slick master
06/24/2011
09:47 a.m.

I used to remember taking to the dean Quinito Henson through Facebook regarding what are his insights about the 2011 National basketball Association Finals match-up between the Miami Heat and the Eventual Champion Dallas Mavericks.

The Miami Heat had been somehow part of the NBA’s spotlight for most of the time the previous season after luring superstars LeBron James and Chris Bosh to their team. With perhaps the media-hype out of the three was James, whom had aired his decision to move out of Cleveland to Join his friend Dwyane Wade in the South Florida beach on the television channel ESPN. And thus, it led to major disappointment of his former franchise, whom apparently GM Danny ferry had cursed out that they may grab the championship first before LeBron does. Despite consistency on the team’s performances, the Heat still made it to the playoffs and winning over their perennial opponents by surprise.

On the other hand, the Dallas Mavericks had been performing really good in the regular season only to ran out of luck in the postseason party. Labeled as choker since their first face-off in 2006, Dirk Nowitzki shrugged off the criticism despite his team being an inconsistent on its runs on the late April. And it paid off after upsetting the three-peat seeking Los Angeles Lakers, and pulling off improbable comeback games against Oklahoma City Thunder. Now they are also a surprise team in the playoffs either.

The series went underway and Lebron and Wade combined forces to take Game 1 at home, 92-84. Then Dallas pulled off another comeback game thanks to 24 points by Dirk Nowitzki, hitting the last 9 points for the Mavs and that includes the game-winning bucket with almost 3 seconds to go. Result? The visitors, 95 and the home team, 93.

Series shifted then to Texas, and both team went toe-to-toe down the stretch but like Game 2, Miami still has control of the game but Dallas again staged its own run and Chris bosh whom had been way down for most of the game, nails the clincher basket with less than 40 seconds remaining. Dirk on the other hand, misses the jumper that could have sent the game into overtime and Miami heat hold on to take step #2, 88-86. however, game 4 went Dallas’ way in another bunch of déjà vu and winning this time, by 3 points, 86-83. James’ had lost his 4th quarter plays thru the defensive clamps that the Mavericks placed on him. And Tyson Chandler, despite getting hit dunk rejected by the Flash, had shown some hustle with 16 rebounds under his name.

Game 5 came and still LeBron had barely lost his aggressiveness to the rim. That may be the main factor aside from Wade hitting the wall early in that game. But somehow, Dwayne Wade still carried the team back until Jason Kidd hits the clutch shot and also Jason terry joining the party with the rainbow dagger over the King. Dirk remained the best player as Dallas took a step closer to the title, 112-103.

Game 6 was set at the South Florida beach, but the hungry guys from Texas however completed its redemption when Dallas took a run in the second quarter and got that back again in the second half. Perhaps the Udonis Haslem and DeShawn Stevenson clash during the timeout really spelled the difference as Miami had quickly lost its momentum after Eddie House hit the trey that leads to a Dallas Timeout then. Jason Terry paced the Mavs hitting near-perfect on field goal percentage. And the Dallas Mavericks was crowned NBA Champions to the tune of 95-85 at Miami’s home floor. Suddenly, Miami’s big run ended up on a three-game losing streak. And critics blame the usual suspect fro them, LeBron James for having 4th quarter meltdowns in almost all of its 6 games of this final series.

Now, the main factors for the Dallas why did they won that NBA title? I don’t know. Maybe the bench. They had a lot of players capable of scoring and playmaking. Forget Caron Butler’s injury, that may helped out the most for Dallas but they had won that even without him on the playing court and just on the bench. They got a deeper bench.

Next, teamwork. Similar to Kevin Garnett’s ad. Basketball is Brotherhood. They shared a lot. Miami had done the same, but let’s face it. Individually speaking on the Heat, Wade and James shared the rock to their teammates. However, they ended up holding it out later either. Unlike to these guys, everyone’s contributing.

Lastly, maybe. Killer instinct. These guys have it. And maybe critics will tell that LeBron doesn’t have it. Despite being down for most of their games, the Mavs had staged its own run as if like they’re even leading throughout the game. And Miami had shown theirs last game 3, but to no avail at the next few.

Dirk’s offense follows even if as he’s struggling. Jason terry was there to backed him up, so was Jason Kidd, Tyson Chandler, Shawn Marion, DeShawn Stevenson and even Jose Juan Barea. And they deserve to be crowned for such. As for Miami Heat, as the most scrutinized team for the season, they had shown what they are really capable of, and they can get better by next season. Watch out if once they made another run.

© 2011 september twenty-eight productions.

Just my opinion: Divorce bill.

Just my opinion: Divorce bill.
Author: n.d. a.k.a. nestor / slick master
06/23/2011
08:06 p.m.

Malta was the last country so far who had expressed their favor in divorce. And by the way, divorce is a legal means for a married couple wanting a formal separation which also includes dissolving of their marital rites on both church and civil ways.

Now, there are only 2 countries in the world that doesn’t recognize: The Republic of the Philippines and Vatican City.

Apparently, A congresswoman have proposed a bill regarding divorce, “Pinoy style.” While the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed their positive sentiment in the said issue. Leaving RP as the only country (aside from Vatican) without the divorce bill on their system can be considered an achievement on their part as the Church strongly keeps its firm and core values as a dominant sectarian religious group in the country.

Let’s trace back first. According to the blog site http://jlp-law.com/blog/proposed-divorce-law-in-the-philippines/, a lot of bills related to divorce were proposed such as Liza Masa of Gabriela filed a divorce bill in 2005.

6 years later, Masa and her colleague Luzviminda Ilagan filled House Bill 3461, which again introduces divorce to the Filipino society.

This was made due to skyrocketing number of cases filed by couples aiming for annulment/legal separation. And of course, the main reason was the infidelity of one part to his/her partner. One may tend become the so-called “battered wife” (or husband) after some years of their relationship only to went out to naught. Sad fact as it seems, but definitely that’s the hardest part when you deal with the truth of the conflicts. If you need a proof of its statistics, YouTube is always available for its videos so are the news archives posted over the internet. Do your research.

For me, it’s either of two things: we opted to pass it out or don’t go with the flow yet. Malta had made it through the referendum. Unless we stand against the Church which was barely hard to beat out considering that they were a big part of our culture. However, other countries had stood up against their religious beliefs only to win out and create a law that embodies their own respective societies. But despite having a large number of cases filing for divorce everyday, we may think that it may not be our time to join the divorce bandwagon either.

It can only be a matter of sticking to our beliefs or make a new move for a better change.

(c) 2011 september twenty-eight productions.