The Tale of Jan Jan on Willing Willie 2 comments

Once upon a time, (March 12, 2011 if you want to be precise) there was a 6-year-old boy, who was a contestant in this evening variety show. After a brief interview, he was made to show his 'talent'. The audience soon found out that the 'talent' was in the form of gyrating like a male prostitute to the beat of  bass-filled jeepney rap music. 

But what caught the people's attention most, aside from the peculiar choice of dance itself, was the tears slowly trickling out of the boy's eyes. To put it in a nutshell, the boy looked distressed and as the host and the audience laughed like hyenas at his repetitive lewd actions while an aunt excitedly clapped in the background, the expression stayed in his face for the more than 10 minutes that he was put on the spotlight.

The scene angered many netizens who saw the video on YouTube, and with the help of social media, within less than a week, DSWD and MTRCB was put in the situation, forcing an explanation from the Willing Willie camp (aired today) featuring his parents who was brimming with pride.

Wait, what?

I was hoping I was not watching the public apology scene correctly, but my eyes were definitely not trying to fool me. Both parents were present as Willie Revillame tried to salvage what's left of his credibility as a human being and as the interview progressed, one could see how absolutely delighted the father was with all the (bad) publicity his offspring is generating. He then proceeded on recounting stories on how he just wanted his son to be famous so that their family could live a better life. Back to the old Poverty Route. Fantastic.

Words could not express how disappointed I am to see what has become of our society as a supposedly morally uptight country. As bishops and priests fight against condoms in an attempt to preserve morality, ordinary citizens laugh at sexually motivated dances inappropriately performed by a child live in national television, worse, with the consent of his parents. I could not fathom how thousands of people find this act funny. I find it shocking at how the public's intellect has stooped so low in this current generation.

The mere fact that the act was made with the parents / relatives / whole kin's consent still does not make it right. Add to that the fact that the ten thousand pesos that they got from making a fool out of their child and themselves in front of the whole thinking public was spent on a Playstation (GMA News) / MP4 (told by Jan Jan himself) and a bike did not make matters easier to justify. Gee, I thought they had MORE important things to spend the money on, i.e. education.

I surrender. I can't make heads or tails regarding what goes on in the minds of some of our citizens to choose to laugh at the questionable instances in free Phlippine TV, especially involving a child and unfit parents.

Please watch this video and tell me what, in your point of view, has our society become?

Double Standards in Modern Organized Religion (Japan Earthquake, RH Bill, Painting of Churches) 0 comments

I've been pretty vocal about my views regarding religion, at least in my head. Being a staunch supporter of the RH Bill and having relatives who are members of the infamous Opus Dei and friends who would rather talk about Bruno Mars's concert rather than opinions about religion, I'm afraid to say that I don't really have an outlet with regards to these matters, hence this out-of-character article. So forgive me for this philosophical rant. I'll admit, I probably don't know half of what I'm talking about but I guess this is a good medium to be educated and possibly have an enlightening conversation from someone with a contradicting opinion.

I was surfing YouTube earlier and found myself watching a few heart-wrenching videos of the destruction brought about by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I got to read the comments and was astounded by how people were arguing about God and religion rather than offering their sincerest sympathies to the people of Japan. I read more of them and was bewildered by some comments bashing others for blaming God for this catastrophe for he is a good God and he cannot possibly be responsible for this kind of destruction. It's the tectonic plate's fault for moving, Mother Nature, science... not God.

Then I searched for a bit around the interwebs and found this meaningful snippet from washingtonpost.com.

Problem of evil and religion's double standard

Q: Many have criticized Pat Robertson's suggestion that the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti was the work of the devil or a form of divine punishment. But if one believes God is good and intervenes in the world, why does God allow innocents to suffer? What is the best scriptural text or explanation of that problem you've ever read?

One of the striking differences between modern, "organized" religion and tribal or folk religions--religions without seminaries and theologians and official books--is that in tribal religions they have no double standard! They thank their gods for the good stuff that happens and blame them for the bad. The idea that God is a worthy recipient of our gratitude for the blessings of life but should not be held accountable for the disasters is a transparently disingenuous innovation of the theologians. And of course it doesn't work all that well. The Problem of Evil, capital letters and all, is the central enigma confronting theists. There is no solution. Isn't that obvious? All the holy texts and interpretations that contrive ways of getting around the problem read like the fine print in a fraudulent contract--and for the same reason: they are desperate attempts to conceal the implications of the double standard they have invented.

By Daniel C. Dennett

Analyzing such complex matters like this can give one a migraine, but my point is simple. Because when you think about it, if you believe that God exist and there is a Supreme Being in the world, who has this omnipotent Will (Yes, in capital letters) and is capable of ruling lives and making things happen (Dear God, thank you for making me pass the board exam, thank you for landing me a job.. To God be the glory!) it logically follows that since he is the master of all things... he too must be responsible for everything else, the good and the bad. 

The disappearing tumor, the earthquakes, the miracle cancer recovery and the wars. I just find it confusing how people blame science (The earthquake isn't God's Will, it's about the sudden movement of tectonic plates!) when horrid things happen and thank God for the good ones. How convenient.

But, I admit, putting the blame on God for the recent catastrophes all around the globe doesn't seem right. I feel like I'm now going to get struck by a lightning made from heavenly fury because I am committing a sin from actually thinking and trying to understand the stuff that is going on in our world. I am not a theologian nor have studied excessively about philosophy so feel free to correct my errors and enlighten this confused mind.

Losing Faith in Modern Structured Religion

Personally, I think modern structured/organized religion is crap. Maybe not a lot of people think too much the way I do that they need a shepherd to follow around, but I honestly believe that these institutions just makes matters more complicated than they really are. They are supposedly there to give us answers but they create more questions from the 'answers' that they give. I find all the rules and the obligations you must perform or-else-you-soul-will-rot-in-hell-for-all-eternity propagated by the leaders of these congregations manipulative and unnecessary, targeted mostly at those who lack education and personal conviction.

Double Standards on Sex

Take for example the (Catholic) church's obsession with sex and birth control. It is perfectly fine to believe that premarital sex is the downfall of civilization, they are entitled to that opinion, but to completely ignore what is currently happening in our society is wrong. Teenage pregnancies are being conceived almost everywhere and sexually transmitted diseases run rampant in our country. The church has been teaching the same lessons (abstinence, abstinence, ABSTINENCE!) for eons now, and obviously, they are not working. 

It's time to face the real 21st century music and, instead of lecturing about staying pure and chaste, which everybody else who are planning to have sex will ignore anyway, let us teach them to take control and be responsible of their bodies and future.

So what's the double standard there? Let me just put a brief mention about the priests being condemned left and right for sexually assaulting children and having secret families/lovers while the Vatican does its notorious clean-up operation, covering everything up better than a serial killer could his latest murder victim.

Painting the Church White 

How many times have I heard this: "We will have a 2nd collection for the painting/completion/building of our parish church.. etc. etc." And this is not just for the Catholic congregation but also for the other churches where gleaming golden altars shine through our poverty stricken country. 

Just passing by Ortigas Avenue  (Did you notice that gigantic Christian sacred-temple slash mall hybrid being constructed in this massive land area?) made me realize how ridiculously rich the founders / leaders of established faiths are. All of them preach about sharing wealth, staying humble and living a simple life like Jesus did by giving most of his fortune to the poor and yet they spend hundreds of millions of pesos creating these accessory buildings when they could very well donate everything to charity, adhere to what they teach and probably do more good in the world.

Have you noticed how lavish our churches are? How much did that stained glass cost? How about that glass crucifix? I bet the amount of the pretty golden lining decorating the statue of Mother Mary could send a impoverished child to school.

Not to mention the countless CDs, books, prayer guides, rosaries, holy water, statues and crucifixes being sold everywhere. What a booming business religion has become.

No Place For The Thinking Sheep

Do not get me wrong, I am not an atheist and I believe very much in a higher being. I think God is a psychological life vest for humankind. There are just some things that one must do alone but because of fear and uncertainty and the sheer fact that life is hard, one must hold on to this belief that someone, something, more powerful and everlasting, is there to help us achieve our goals and save us in our times of need.

Speaking for myself and not any other person, I choose to have a personal relationship with the Higher Being rather than listen mindlessly and adhere to rules made by mere mortals with God complexes. I guess, at this point in time, I frown with skepticism at structured religious organizations that teaches one thing and does another.

What I Believe

I believe that God is good, and that He (or she), is  looking after each and every one of us. He is not jealous of other Gods nor condemn them because he knows that ultimately, He is the only one. He wants us to love one another, respect other's uniqueness and  and spread joy and peace throughout the world.

Most of all, I think He wants us to avoid wars, especially those brought about by different beliefs regarding his true form and nature.

Now tell me, how complicated is that, really?

Red Riding Hood (2011) Review 0 comments

I never thought I would see the day where a not-so-little Red Riding Hood, in her conservative medieval outfit, dance promiscuously to modern alternative music and make-out with a guy upon a haystack.

But I did. Yesterday. And, honestly, it wasn't as bad as I expected.

The wolf is at it again, killing innocent maidens in the remote village of Medieval Clichedom, complete with straw houses, wheelbarrows and 14th century wardrobe. Amanda Seyfried's character Valerie is in love with her childhood friend while engaged to another man by her parents' will. Her sister had just been killed by the werewolf and the world is all black and gloomy. This is accentuated by a run through thorny trees.

Enter a Priest slash Werewolf Expert with two surprisingly black bodyguards and the plot takes off into this whirlwind of betrayal, seduction and emo music.

Unfortunately, the movie fails in most parts. The characters are flat and the performances of the actors are lackluster, I didn't really connect with them and did not care whether one lives or dies. The set looks amateurish and fake and the music and cinematography are Twilight rip offs. Wait, with the out-of-context and somehow forced almost-sex-scene in the middle of the movie, I felt like I must be watching a Breaking Dawn dream scene.

The film's strength lies on its Who-Is-The-Werewolf plot. And I must say, the ending was pretty unexpected for most viewers (unless you happen to unintentionally spoil yourself while reading a friend's status on Facebook, like me). The seemingly insignificant scenes wrapped up nicely into this matrix of lies and cunning plans that brought everyone in their proper place at the end is admirable at best.

In the end, it's a fairly decent movie, if you don't mind the Emo-Sappy Twilight feel and doze-worthy characterization. It's a refreshingly dark twist to a fairy tale loved by many. I, for one, is looking forward to a Gothic take on the classic Cinderella tale, preferably from the original Brothers Grimm version, where one of the stepsisters eye gets eaten by a bird and the stepmother commands her daughter to cut off her toes for her foot to be able to fit in the glass slipper. But that's just me.

Orchestr-o-meter: B-

Finally, NOT Another Singer: Ultimate Talentadong Pinoy 2011 (Joseph the Artist) 2 comments

There are too many talent search shows in the airstream these days, that I must confess.

So what do 3 dance groups, acrobatic couple, beatboxing rapper, theater partners, singing trio, sand artist and a pole dancer have in common? They are all finalists to TV5's Talentadong Pinoy Battle of the Champions Finals. After a grueling night of various technical difficulties and amazing talents, Joseph the Artist came out victorious and got to take home one million pesos and a brand new car.  "Why is this interesting?", you might ask. I'll tell you why.

I have expressed my criticisms to anyone who might listen about the way talent search programs are judged here in our country. It seems like it has always been this way. Mediocre talent plus some sob story about poverty and/or absent parent(s), throw in some face value, screaming fans and calculation of over-all marketability and you have your newest overnight sensation.

I can understand singing contests looking for the next big thing to act this way but disappointingly even a show like Pilipinas Got Talent was not spared the mentality of sympathy votes and the lure of millions of pesos of profit.

Talentadong Pinoy impressed me in a way that for the second time in a row, they did not pick the winner who would most likely bring in the bucks.  They took the higher road and granted the crown to someone who would be extremely out of place on a variety show stage or cannot record albums for public consumption. For probably only the second time in Philippine history, the one with the most impressive talent actually won a talent show.

Joseph the Artist's performance in the finals night cannot be deemed as the most original, nor the most complicated among those can do the same thing (creating art out of mere sand) but it exuded heart, not to mention mean skills, and brought out an innate appreciation of common citizen to visual art. It is a breath of fresh air to the constant singing, dancing and running around the stage acts that we all have been fed with for too long.

There have been talks that it was a partial copycat of this performance by Ukraine's Got Talent winner Kseniya Simonova, but I honestly don't think so.

Yes, the story is similar, but haven't almost all the countries in the world experienced the pain of loss and the catastrophe of war? I think Joseph presented his side of the story with grace and heartfelt emotion and because of that, even though Ukraine is ahead when it comes to technique and difficulty, I think we can all cheer in unison that he does deserve the title of ultimate Talentadong Pinoy.

Good job, sir and congratulations. :)

Good Times with Mo: The Podcast 1 comments

"Broadcasting live from Manila, Philippines, from the Smart Bro studios, it's Good Times with Mo: The Podcast."

From the introduction line "From matters of the heart, to all your juicy parts, anything goes, coz Mo knows..." delivered by a female bedroom voice, you could easily tell that this podcast will be unlike any other talk show you've heard from our local radio stations before, with all the censorship limitations of  public  broadcast industry and all. It can even give Papa Jack's racy but often coded love advice show on Love Radio 90.7 a run for its money.

Airing live via Ustream Mondays to Fridays since January 2011 with a celebrity guest almost every night, this podcast starring DJ Mo Twister and resident physician Doc Gan has easily been a favorite among radio talk show listeners and nocturnal netizens (including me), not only in the Philippines but also around the globe.

Unlike radio, however, the great thing about podcasting is that the episodes survive the test of time. All the sessions are downloadable via iTunes or from the web for everybody's listening pleasure.  And hey, it's free! I personally prefer picking out favorite episodes and listening via my iPod Touch mainly because I can scrub through the advertisements to save time.

Aside from the lack of censorship and regulating body (anybody on the show can literally say whatever he/she wants without worrying about MTRCB or whoever breathing down their neck) another great thing that I just absolutely adore is that how it unveils a different side of the guest celebrities that we had no idea they have.

Case in point, I never thought Kuya Kim, Pia Guanio or even an institution like Lea Salonga could put down their celebrity walls for two hours and give life/love/sex advice for the problems of normal everyday citizens.

Yes, some of the topics are about sex and lust and for the conservative/religious type, it can be considered as inappropriate depending on one's personal sex talk tolerance, but I like how our very own Lea Salonga put it: It's not like what they are doing is porn. Let's not be hypocrites here, most if not all the time, the topics being discussed are valid and important issues present in everybody's life.

And with equally amusing on-the-side characters like Intern Miguel, Producer Pat replying "Yes, Mo?" always with the same bored what-the-hell-do-you-want tone and even Bikini Girl who handles international Skype calls in a different bikini every night, I have high hopes for this one-of-a-kind (at least here in the country's shores) online talk program.

Lastly, I applaud this breakthrough in a technology and medium of broadcasting still not that popular here in our nation. Podcasts has been available for years now and yet, I think this is the first time it has exploded to nationwide appeal. I would definitely classify that as great news.

Good times. :)

-

Mo Twister's Blog: www.motwister.com
Ustream Account: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/gtwm-podcast

B. Braun's Aesculap Academy Hemodialysis Training for 2011 1 comments

AESCULAP ACADEMY

Hemodialysis Training for Registered Nurses

SCHEDULE FOR 2011

DATE / LOCATION

May. 9, 2011-Jun. 10, 2011 (fully booked)

    Aesculap Academy / B. Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc. Dialysis Center

Jul. 18, 2011-Aug. 19, 2011 (fully booked)
    Aesculap Academy / B. Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc. Dialysis Center

Sep. 19, 2011-Oct. 21, 2011
    Aesculap Academy / B. Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc. Dialysis Center

Nov. 14, 2011-Dec. 16, 2011
    Aesculap Academy / B. Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc. Dialysis Center

Target group:
Registered Nurses

Contents:

This five-week "Hemodialysis Training Course" is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide hemodialysis treatment and efficient care to renal patients. At the end of the course, participants should be able to:

    * Apply the principles of hemodialysis in a dialysis facility;
    * Operate hemodialysis devices, water systems and reprocessing machines;
    * Practice infection control;
    * Provide patients with safe and efficient care;
    * Safeguard patients' vascular accesses;
    * Coherently discuss hemodialysis with patients;
    * Demonstrate safe venipuncture techniques.

Requirements:

    * Current PRC License or Proof of Registration (claim stub)
    * Current IV Therapy License or Certificate of Training
    * Hepatitis B Screening
    * Resume

Course language:
English

Course organizer:
B. Braun Avitum Philippines and Aesculap Academy

Endorsement:
Renal Nurses Association of the Philippines, Inc. (RENAP)

Participation fee:
10,000 PHP

Maximum number of participants:
65

Note:
-PRE-REGISTRATION is required to ensure quality learning.
-Registration fee includes meals during didactic sessions and one set scrub suit.
-Endorsement: Renal Nurses Association of the Philippines (RENAP)

Contact Information:

For further questions, contact the course organizer through:
Telephone number: (02) 633-7284
E-mail address: camia.gomez@bbraun.com

Source:
http://www.aesculap-academy-ap.com/go/?action=AkadEventData&menu_id=3989&menu_uuid=B259134A600F442AB60579AD81E9446C&event_id=1891

CBCP Should Learn From GLEE's "Sexy" 0 comments

Airing one of the best Glee episodes yet, theme-wise, the Gweneth Paltrow induced episode entitled "Sexy" tackled on the highly debated topic (at least here in the country) of sex education in schools. In case you did not catch the episode or have no idea what Glee is about, here's a rough sypnosis of what happened:

Overly conservative and obsessive compulsive Emma (CBCP) is appalled by the rampant sexual activity in the school and decides to moderate a Celibacy Club to the disagreement of return substitute teacher turned Sex Ed guru, Holly (RH Bill). She thinks that the kids in the school are horribly ignorant about important matters like sex and sexuality and should be educated for their own good.

HOLLY (RH Bill): We got to shake things up, you know information is power... We got to educate these kids.

EMMA (CBCP): I strongly disagree. I don't think we should barrage these kids with graphic information they're kids. I don't wanna steal their innocence.

HOLLY (RH Bill): Are you like some kind of some crazy Pope Lady? Think about the images these kids are exposed to. I mean think about what they have access to.

EMMA (CBCP): That doesn't make it okay! We shouldn't change the message that they get from us that this is serious stuff which is not for kids and is not for adults! (Wait, what?)

HOLLY (RH Bill): Okay, well, I think that's a bit naive. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to have some CRAZY sex because I'm CRAZY informed about it. Kidding!

Personally, I think the last line is hilarious and absolutely captures what we supporters of the passing of the RH Bill have been saying all along. Just because a person is "CRAZY INFORMED" about it does not mean one will go out of one's way just to have sex. And take note, I don't think the lesson plan for the Sex Ed classes will consist of Top 10 Best Positions to do the deed. And even so, I believe in the integrity and decision-making capabilities of today's teens that I think most of them will make the right decision given the information and facts that they are presented with. I am mortified by the way these conservatives look at the intelligence of the Filipino public.

Plus, it's better to be well-informed than to (like clueless Emma here) think that the song "Afternoon Delight" is about desserts.

Moving on, I liked how the episode tackled on less talked about topics like the parents' role in educating his/her own child with regards to sexual matters and responsibility, the non-existence of sex education for homosexuals and the coming out of a lesbian in love with her best friend.

Admittedly, the plot isn't that thick and the musical numbers felt quite forced but it really is worth mentioning how truly the episode mimics real life despite the comic banters and exaggerated plot arcs. The situation of gays and lesbians in school especially the teens, the ignorance and the need for information dissemination and the contradicting opinions of grown ups in charge of running things is quite all too familiar with today's society.

Wordless Wednesdays: Yours Truly, MMDA 2 comments

Top 5 Signs You Need To Get A Life 3 comments

YOU REALLY NEED TO GET A LIFE IF:

5. You freak out when Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / your blasted Internet provider's service is down.

4. Instead of writing about what you've done and where you've been, you create articles about videos you've watched on YouTube. Geezus. (And yes, this one is especially for myself.)

3. You spend more time 'conversing' in front of an inanimate object than with actual people.

2. All the pictures you have uploaded on your Facebook account for the past 6 months are taken from Google Images.

and the No.1 sign that you need to get your arse off that filthy couch / bed / computer table and start smelling the SMOG and hearing the JEJE-BEATS (c/o your neigborhood jeepney) outside is:

1. You receive one message per day on your cellphone. And it's from GLOBE.

I rest my case.