KAPALMUKS!

OBAMA: Alam mo bang maraming nagugutom sa bansa niyo?
GMA: yup!

Pilitin ko man na isipin na wala na akong pake elam, na sawang sawa na ko, na wala naman akong magawa sa kalokohan ng mga UGOK na ito sa gobyerno hindi ko maiwasan mapapikit at magkuyom ng palad.

Kung kailan ang bayan na kanilang dapat pinagsisilbihan, ang bayan na kanilang pinoprotektahan at pinangangalagaan ay naggugutom at nagsusumigaw ng tulong at pagmamakaawa, ang mga UGOK na ito ay nagpapakabusog (o nabusog nga ba sila sa kakarampot na ubod ng mahal na mga pagkaing ito) sa New York. Manhid! isang milyon? para sa isang kainan? o higit pa dahil alam nating lahat na hindi lang naman ito ang unang pagkakataong kumain sila sa mamahaling kainan.

Kamakailan ay may nabalita na isang matandang lalake ang namatay di umano sa gutom sa isang kalye. Wala na atang mas hihirap pa sa mamatay ka sa gutom! Gutom, na kayang kayang maremedyohan, kayang mapagtulong-tulungan, kayang maiwasan. pero ano? asan kayo? asan ang ma taong pinagkatiwalaan namin?

Sagad kayo sa luho! ang yayabang ninyo! akala niyo kung sino kayong makaasta pag nakakatungtong kayo sa ibang bansa! SOCIAL CLIMBER! nakakaya niyong isubo ang mga mamahaling pagkain na yun at alam niyo na sa pagbalik niyo maraming taong nanghihina at lumuluha dahil walang maihain sa mga lamesa nila? Ang kapal niyo! di ko masukat sa mga kamay ko ang kakapalan ng pagmumukha niyo.

Hindi ko kailangang maging matalino o edukado para intindihin ang mga kabulastugan niyo. walang maayos na eksplanasyon ang makapapatay ng galit ng taong bayan.

Salamat Ginoong Conrado de Quiros, salamat sa isang opinion na nakapagsasalita ng mga saloobin ng lahat ng Pilipino. Basahin niyo at unawain at damdamin ang isang napakagandang artikulong ito ni de Quiros ----> May araw din kayo.

Salamat Glock 9 at Zelle. Tamang tama ang kanta niyong "Upuan" para sa sitwasyon nating mga Pilipino ngayon.

Upuan By Gloc9 feat. Zelle Lyics

Kayo po na nakaupo
Subukan n’yo namang tumayo
At baka matanaw
At baka matanaw ninyo ang tunay na kalagayan ko..

Ganito lamang kasi yan eh..

Tao po
Nandyan po ba kayo sa loob ng
Malaking bahay at malawak na bakuran
Mataas na pader pinapaligiran
At nakapilang mga mamahaling sasakyan
Mga bantay na laging bulong ng bulong
Wala namang kasal pero marami ang nakabarong
Lumakas man ang ulan ay walang butas ang bubong
Mga plato at kutsara na hindi kilala ang tutung
At ang kanin ay sing puti ng gatas na nasa kahon
At kahit na hindi pasko sa lamesa ay may hamon
ang sarap siguro manirahan sa bahay na ganyan
ang sabi pa nila ay dito mo raw matatagpuan
ang taong nagmamay ari ng isang Upuan
Na pag may pagkakataon ay pinagaagawan
Kaya naman
Hindi Nya pinakakawalan
Kung makikita ko lamang sya ay aking sisigawan

Kayo po na nakaupo
Subukan n’yo naman tumayo
At baka matanaw
At baka matanaw ninyo ang tunay na kalgayan ko

Mawalang galang na po
Sa taong nakaupo
Alam n’yo bang pangtakal ng bigas namin ay ‘di puno
Ang ding-ding ng aming bahay ay pinagtagpi tagping yero
Sa gabi’y sa sobrang init ay tumotunaw ng yelo
Hindi kayang bilihin upang ilagay sa inumin
Pinakulong tubig sa lumang takore na uling-uling
Gamit ang panggatong na inanod sa estero
Na nagsisilbing kusina sa umaga ay aking banyo
Ang aking inay na may kayamanang isang kaldero
Na nagagamit lamang kapag ang aking ama ay sumweldo pero
Pero kulang na kulang pa rin
Ulam na tuyo’t asin
Ang sengkwenta pesos sa maghapon ay pagkakasyahin
Di ko alam kung talagang maraming harang o mataas lang ang Bakod o nagbubulagbulagan lamang po kayo ay dahil sa dami ng pera nyo walang doctor na makakapagpalinaw ng mata nyo
kaya.

[ Upuan By Gloc9 feat. Zelle Lyics ]

Wag kang masyadong halata
Bato bato sa langit
Ang matamaan ay wag magalit
Bato bato sa langit
Ang matmaan ay wag masyadong halata
Wag kang masyadong halata….

PHOTOJOURNALISM: the new journalism

"A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS"

Photojournalism is a form of journalism that informs or relays news through the use of pictures and videos. Just like the traditional journalism, the images and videos should be timely, objective and narrative. These elements distinguish photojournalism different from plain photography. The photojournalist only needs a camera, film and batteries to broadcast or publish their works.

Photojournalism also has a rich history that started from the engraving era.

More about Photojournalism history...


In the book “Journalism for Filipinos” Alito Malinao gave five essential qualities of a photo ready for publication:

1. Prominence. Just like in a story itself, pictures of prominent personalities attract the interest of readers.


2. Action. In pictures, as in stories, readers are attracted by action, “Action speaks louder than words,” so goes a trite adage. If a photographer asks his subject to line up against a wall for picture taking, his “firing squad” photo may just end up in editor’s trash can. But if he submits a photo that “moves” he may be awarded with a byline on page 1.


3. Human Interest. These pictures show emotions that the readers can relate to.


4. Drama. This is a form of Human Interest. Pictures of fires, accidents or victims of an earthquake or typhoon belong to this category.
Timeliness. As in news stories. Timeliness or immediacy enhances the value of picture.

As everything in our environment evolves, so as photojournalism. The birth of the digital age greatly affected, if not changed the whole process of photojournalism. Years ago, it took a photojournalist long hours in developing, scanning and sending a colored picture. Now, through their digital cameras, mobile phones and laptop, they can send pictures ready for publication in a matter of minutes.
More about impact of new technology...

Because of its convenience and practicality, digital photojournalism or online photojournalism became very much in demand to the viewing public.
In an article posted in the website of the Online Journalism Review, entitled Photojournalism Gets Boost Online , the advantages and disadvantages of online photojournalism has been defined and also this site gave their views about the participatory journalism. How it affect the whole process of news gathering and distribution.

News Embargo: Right to information vs. Right to live

News Embargo is a term most of us are not familiar with. Well, in a simpler meaning, it is the act or a favor of the media organization of withholding a breaking news from the public in a certain period of time.

As a Journalism student, it is important to know the concept behind this idea and its pros and cons. Since whether I like it or not, I will be facing the bigger world and the dirty reality soon.

Embargo in the field of news is prevalent in kidnapping cases, because as they say there are a lot of factors to consider in a kidnapping incident. For those people who are involve in the act of news embargo, claim that the right of the people to information and the responsibility of the journalist to the public should be taken into the back seat as life of a human being is the more important.

When an individual or a group of individual was held in captive by some abductors, it is a big news isn't it? The tendency of the media and the press is to deliver this breaking news to the public to inform them about the incident and present them the important details. Sometimes, this is the only way that the authorities are capable of knowing what happened. In some cases, the family of the captive is requesting for the privacy of the crime because the safety of the person is at risk.

Is this favor -the withholding of news from the public- is applicable to all? regardless of their status in the society?

What happen to broadcast journalist Ces Drilon and her other companions, is a situation that needs to have deeper explanation and understanding whether this act is against the journalism code of ethics, or is the reason of the person's safety.

The news that Drilon and company was kidnapped came out two days after the incident happened. According to some news, ABS-CBN requested all TV networks and radio stations to hold the news after 48 hours because of the safety issue.

I have some points to rais. Is a taxi driver, a farmer or an activist, can also have this favor? Hey! they are also human being that needs to be protected and their saftey is at risk. Do these media organizations do care of what may happen to them? or they can be ruthless and still deliver the news despite of the danger?

For me news embargo is acceptable in the field of journalism if media organization will treat every indivual equally, and give them and their families the right to decide and the right to live.

The responsibility of a journalist to inform the public is indeed important, but the respect to the person who was kidnapped and their family is more important.

Journalism and Its many risks

Do you have a dream to serve the Filipino people, without being a politician? To fight corruption and injustice without being a lawyer? To accomplish heroic acts without being a soldier? To struggle against ignorance and lack of sufficient know-how without being a teacher?

In short, do you dream to become a JOURNALIST?

Reality Check!

The Philippines is now the second most dangerous place for journalists outside a war zone, next to Russia. Reporters Sans Frontier (RSF) recently published the World Press Freedom Index, an international-based organization that provides data of countries according to their respect for press freedom. It recorded the Philippines as one of the seven Asian countries (along with Bangladesh, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Pakistan, and Burma) that steadily garner negative ratings in terms of press freedom.

In the 2007 Philippine Press Freedom Report of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), 70 journalists were killed in the line of duty since the post-Marcos regime. Half of this figure was killed when President Arroyo assumed power.

In the same report, CMFR’s in-depth study on slain journalists indicates that of all the killings of journalists during the Arroyo administration, 15.2 percent were still under trial, 51.5 percent were under investigation, and 12.1 percent were pending prosecution. It also added that 15.2 percent had been dismissed by courts due to lack of evidences against the suspects. Most of those killed cluttered in the provinces, particularly in Regions III, IV (CALABARZON), IX, and XII.

Culture of Impunity

In search of the roots of these evils against journalists, Luis V. Teodoro, CMFR deputy director and a retired journalism professor at the University of the Philippines (UP), published an analysis of Philippine press freedom’s current situation in a booklet, Limited Protection: Press Freedom and Philippine Law. Teodoro said that the “culture of impunity explains why journalists are threatened, beaten, jailed, tortured, and killed despite laws protective of press freedom.”

Teodoro explains that the culture of impunity is the manner wherein society “ignores, permits, or even encourages various forms of violence against journalists as well as their harassment and intimidation, and allows these to go unpunished.”

He also noted that this scenario is happening because of the weakness of the Philippine justice system and the lack of concern and interest among the citizenry.

For press freedom and media advocacy groups, like the CMFR and journalists organizations, like the National Union of the Journalists of the Philippines, the main reason behind this increasing number of killed journalist is the “near-zero arrest, trial, and conviction of their killers.”

Journalists’ Flaws

Amid all the murders of journalists and media practitioners, and the continuous suppression of press freedom, issues against journalists still need to be addressed.
Teodoro believes that issues related to “journalists’ training, corruption, lack of skills and knowledge, and unprofessional conduct” should be taken into consideration especially nowadays when human rights are less prioritized.

Government officials who always became the subject of scandals and controversies, answer these headlines as malicious or bad journalism.

Furthermore, Philippine National Police officers, claimed that the killings of journalists would stop if journalists were fair and honest. Cebu Provincial Police Officer Director Vicente Loot, in 2006, was quoted in the said booklet that broadcast journalists should be fair to stop the attacks.

“Media should be fair. They should report facts and real issues and not resort to personal attacks. You can… shout to the whole world about alleged anomalies or illegal deeds as long as they’re within the ethical standards of broadcasting,” Loot said

Students Perception

Despite the tarnished image of the press and media industry, a career in the field of mass communication, communication arts, broadcasting and journalism are still popular and attractive among students.

Also in the aforementioned Press Freedom Report, the enrolment statistics of the students enrolled in the communication and journalism programs is due to “increasing government repression and by now well-known fact that journalists are being killed in the Philippines.”

However, Teodoro stated in his blog posted on July 18, 2003: “…these courses rank among the most popular for high school graduates who regard them as passports to glamorous jobs as news anchors or newspaper columnists.”

He also said, “This is an illusion far crueller than the truth that in the poor country that is the Philippines, the media professions, like most others, is in far less need of new graduates than of new perspectives. The job market for journalism graduates is a shoe into which not all can fit; and sometimes the foot has to be cut to fit the shoe.”

THE WRITER IS UNDER REPAIR!

My 2nd visit at Marine Base

I visited again the Marine Base last February 23 and I spent over night in the camp. I have to go back there because I need to finish my photo shoot which was started last February 21. After that experience all I can say is: Time is so fast when you're there.

Sobrang nakakabitin, nakakamiss and nakakainspire yung pagbisita ko dun. I get to know more about our marines' life during and after training. The discipline that is imposed to them, the presence of mind, bravery and most especially the love for our country. I don't even know how to start this story kasi when I look back, there are countless ideas and story of experiences I had that I want to share. The gentlemen I met and talk with, their treatment to us, the journey, the food and the place.

I want to express my utmost gratitude to the following gentlemen who became instruments for me to appreciate more our treasured men in Marines:

Capt. Rommel Boñgalbal
Lt. Mike Mortel
Sgt. Alex Arugay
Sgt. Asufardo
Sgt. Cilajes
Sgt. Dayag
and other gentlemen who wholeheartedly accepted us. I don't have list of your names but I deeply appreciate your time and conversations we had.

With Sgt. Alex Arugay and Lt. Mike Mortel

With Sgt. Asufardo



With Sgt. Cilajes

Well, after I had my oral defense for my thesis last Saturday, me and my boyfriend Ken rode on Saulog bus and went straight to Ternate, Cavite. We arrived there at 5pm and sinundo kami ng white shuttle sa terminal ng Saulog. Capt. Boñgalbal welcomed us with his athletic uniform. Actually me and my cousin have a crush on him. He's quiet but sweet! haha... I spent the whole day taking pictures of the soldier candidates, new trainees and the Marine Orientation Trainees.

Sinusundan ko lang sila, nagoobserve lang pero parang pati ako napapagod din sobra. Habang tumatakbo sila ako din nakikitakbo, punta sila sa dagat punta din ako, kain sila manonood din ako. Nakakapagod pero ang sarap sa pakiramdam, worth the time and effort talaga. Naalala ko yung pumunta kami sa dagat, kasi kukuha ako ng shots habang naliligo yung trainees sa dagat nagulat ako kasi yung paglusong nila sa dagat, 2 or 3 minutes lang umahon na. Sabi namin "Yun na yun sir?" ang bilis, ligong itik nga daw sila. Sabi ni Lt. Mortel lahat ng ginagawa nila dun may bilang.

Lagi naming kasama si Sgt. Arugay, kasi siya yung in charge na magbantay sa amin, ang bait niya and laging nakangiti. Nagkwentuhan nga kami nung gabi about sa buhay niya as a marine. Sobra pala yung napagdaanan niya lalo na yung nadeploy siya sa Mindanao. During their encounter with the enemies, he witnessed deaths of his comrades. The anger and grief he felt, he shared that he treats his comrades more than his own brother.

Nung gabi na, nakipagbonding naman kami kay Sgt. Cilajes and his class 361 during their time to shine their combat boots. Ang kengkoy niya kausap, nakakatuwa. I remember when we asked him what's his sir name sabi niya, "Ako lang ang nagiisang silahis sa Marines" ahahaha.. grabe ang tawa namin nun wondering why, totoo ba yun? tinanong namin siya, yung pala ang apilyido niya Cilajes pronounced as silahis hahaha... grabe ang tawa ko dun. Imagine sundalong malaking katawan, matangkad tapos seryoso habang nagttraining, kengkoy din pala.

Exactly 10:00 pm ang lights off nila, akala ko wala lang, yun pala literal na walang ilaw sa buong camp pati sa kwarto namin. Tanging ilaw lang ng buwan yung pumapasok sa kwarto namin, ang lamig pagdating ng hating gabi. Ang lights on naman ay 4:00 am, yun din ang oras ng gising nila. Exercise, jogging and drillings ang nadatnan kong ginagawa nila sa grounds. Kailangan ko din kasing gumising ng ganung oras para kumuha ng pictures and also to get the feel sa labas ng ganung oras.

Pagdating naman ng umaga sinubukan ko yung obstacles nila, grabe ang hirap! sumakit yung braso ko.. pero ayos lang at least nagawa ko. Di ko lang nagawa yung iba, nakakatakot kasi e. Naririnig ko din yung chants na kinakanta ng mga senior trainees habang nagmamarcha. Pag narinig mo yun, kikilabutan ka.. ang galing talaga.

May nakausap din kaming isang kano dun, balikatan kasi kaya nanun din sila, nagtatanong siya kung para saan yung ginagwa namin, kung bakit daw yun yung pinili kong topic and marami pang iba ... hayun, nose bleed.. naubusan ako ng english! haha...

Bago kami umalis, nanood muna kami ng basketball, naglaro kasi yung kasali sa balikatan e, pinoy vs. kano, ang galing haha.. todo cheer pa nga ako pag nakakashoot yung mga marines natin. Ang liliksi kasi nila, ang bilis kumilos napagiiwanan nga nila yung mga kano e, yung mga kano naman bumabawi sa block.. ang tatangkad kasi. Nakakatuwa talaga.

Ngayon nasa bahay na ko, gusto ko pa din bumalik dun, nakakamiss. Unforgettable experience that I'll treasure forever. Sabi ko nga kanila Sir, babalik po ako dun promise.

they just say : Hihintayin ka namin Mam!

A Visit to the Men of Valor

One of my dreams did come true today.

I just visited the Marine Ternate Base early this morning even we stayed their for just a while, it was a great experience! I can't even describe my feelings the minute I stepped inside the gate of the Marines saying something like "You are entering the military base camp, military rules are strictly implemented."

Grabe. Hanggang ngayon di pa din ako maka get over sa kilabot and with the burning patriotism inside me. Well, I'm doing a photostory for my photojournalism class and the Philippine Marines is my personal choice. So much hindrances ang napagdaanan ko just to get there and it really worth the effort and time.

I went to Marine Barracks at Fort Bonifacio Taguig yesterday to meet Lt. Col Jonas Lumawag the super bait and approachable Marine spokesman. I was referred to him by Sir. Frank Lopez of Southern California Chapter, I met him through one of the websites and we had communication through email. Anyway, I met Col Lumawag and MajGen Dolorfino, and I talked to them If I can go to Ternate Base to observe the training and take photos. I just handed them a letter, nakipagkwentuhan ng konti and they already permitted me to go there anytime and they'll just send a communication with men in Ternate. Sobrang dali nilang kausap, lalo tuloy napalapit ang loob ko sa kanila.

Yun na nga, umalis ako ng bahay with my cousin Ate Cai at past 6 in the morning and we went straight to SM Bacoor to meet Paula, my bestfriend. From their we waited for like 15 minutes for a Saulog Bus to Ternate. Kaso walang nagpakitang Bus na diretso dun sa what we did we rode on a mini bus papuntang Naic, ang akala ko saglit lang ang byahe yung pala ang tagal! plus ang nasakyan naming driver is former driver ata ng Karo ng patay. Ang bagal literal. siguro naka isang oras din kami. Pagbaba namin ng Naic, akala namin may sakayan na ng ternate dun wala pa rin pala, (so much wasted time sa paghihintay sa lintik na Saulog Bus na yan) Ginawa namin sumakay kami ng jeep papuntang Maragundon, we travel again for 30 mnutes. Pagdating dun ang sabi samin ng taga dun walang public vehicle na dumidiretso papuntang Marine base kundi trycle. Wow! tricycle.. paakyat ng bundok. pambihira. Much better kung naabutan daw namin yung truck ng marines na nagdadaan dun but unfortunately, hindi namin naabutan dahil sa Saulog bus na yan.

No choice. Nag tricycle kami papuntang marine base for P250, tinawaran pa namin dapat P300. Mabait naman si kuya hehe.. syempre tatlo kaming sakay so hirap umahon yung tricycle.. haha paakyat ng bundok, parang anytime bibigay na yung makina ng motor ni kuya. Pero nung nsa taas na kami, sulit! breathtaking view, over the puerto azul resort. I know its a sin to tell without showing the pic but sorry I wasn't able to take photos of the view nakakatakot kasi tska maalog sa tricycle! Well, nagkwentuhan naman kami nila kuya (nakalimutan ko kunin yung name engot!) Kitang kita mo talaga sa mukha niya na nahihirapan syang paakyat e, kung pwede lang magmura ng motor, minura na kami nun.

Sa awa ng Diyos, nakarating naman kami sa base ng ligtas at buo pa ang tricycle ni kuya. Pagdating dun natension si Paula ang Ate Cai kasi hinarang kami ng mga Marines sa gate, pati si kuya na walang kaalam alam na-hold din. Inexplain ko sa kanila yung pakay ko and that I am endorsed by Col. Lumawag. Pinaupo muna kami saglit then yung bantay na Marines may kinuha sa bulsa niyang papel. sabi niya "Ay, sino sa inyo si Janice Ianne Miguel?" Sabi ko ako yun, nakalimutan daw niya na nasabi na sa kanya na dadating ako, sus! si Manong... hehe.... Tapos may nag-radyo sa kanya narinig ko., "Sir, yung photojournalist na nasa gate, ok na yan paki hatid na lang dito." (photojournalist talaga?) E wala pala silang sasakyan kaya sinundo pa kami dun sa gate. Nakakahiya nga yung special treatment samin dun. Ang sumundo sa samin ay si Lt. Mike Mortel ang bait bait niya samin, todo kwento siya on the way sa base, inexplain din niya kung ano yung makikita namin dun. Fieldtrip??? hehe...

Pagdating namin dun pinakilala sa amin yung director nila si Capt. Rommel Boñgalbal (pronounced as bongalbal) Isa pa rin siyang mabait na nakausap namin, as in todo entertain siya, konting interview tungkol sa projects. And.... and.... ang pogi! haha... papa... hehe... ang bait nila sobra. Yun nga lang nakakailang sa loob kasi parang lahat ng makikita mo seryosong kalalakihan at bihira ang babae. Lahat nagmamadali, lahat sumisigaw, pero ok lang kampo yun e, ano pa bang expect ko? On going pala yung balikatan excercise ngayon so nakita ko din yung mga US Navy and US Marines na nakahiwala yung place nila sa mga Pilipino, dun sila sa tabing dagat. well..

Left is Capt. Rommel Boñgalbal, Right Lt. Mike Mortel with me and Paula




Ehem, Dugong Marines! Astig!

(to be continued.....) antok na and writer...