One Eternal Love (Photo-Essay)

Worth P16, 000 copper wires recovered from stealing

A 37-year-old supervisor sued an employee after recovering a kilo-copper wire from the latter at ENOMOTO Gateway Business Park, Brgy. Javalera, Gen. Trias, Cavite, Monday, August 17.


Based on the report of Police Sr. Inspector Isagani Calunding, General Trias Municipal Police Station Police Community Precinct 1, Leah Romero, Human Resources Supervisor of ENOMOTO, filed a case against Rommel Martinez, 24, resident of Brgy. Amuling Mendez, Cavite, and also a member of staff, for thieving a scrap of copper wires from the company last Sunday, August 15.


The complainant further detailed that the incident came about 8 a.m. when a security officer named Romeo Payopay found out Rommel conceal the said property using a private car’s compartment. The security guard then reported the thievery to the company’s management.


Upon the police investigation, the copper wires were said to weigh more or less 37 kilos and worth sixteen thousand pesos (P16, 000).


The Municipal Police Investigation Office already sent the case to the Regional Trial Court. The suspect is now being charged of crimes of “Qualified Theft”.

Go Beyond The Usual

To my dearest fellow youth,

We are apt to know that at our ages, we are still in the learning process. Parasites as we are in this contemporary society. Our community, in every aspect, feeds us more and more yet in return we somehow unconsciously deprive them with our concerns. I understand you my fellow. But if we were to reason out as such unreasonable, it would be so illogical.

It’s been my 20 years of living yet there’s nothing I have proven in this world. I myself admit that there are many things in life I must first prioritize. Nevertheless, it is a big disgrace to our country the fact that the nation’s call for us is being ignored, and sooner will be forgotten by us. That Rizal’s expectations from us are almost left behind without even given little considerations. That our motherland’s noble dreams are almost gone with the wind.

Mind you my dearest colleagues. The Philippines is at its crucial moment. Our beloved land has not yet gained its unity and prosperity. Rumblings stomachs grow in numbers. The state is then constantly poverty-stricken.

Yes, we consistently advocate for a nation’s betterment but we lack deeds to do so. Too various social movements we partake in, yet grafts and corruptions are never weakened rather become more clear and present dangers in the society. We have these banners along Mendiola and Edsa Shrine while calling those crocodiles to resign. Yet the same figures are still hanging on the palace.

Come on dude! Our land is sick, and sooner will be dying. Could you imagine the Philippines without competent and genuine leaders? What would be our land with no concerned citizens? No youthful actions?

Guys, our country needs us. How I wish that what our nation can do for us is what we also can do for them in return. Do not wait for the country’s downfall to come. Let’s once-in-a-while leave our self-concerns and priorities. Be selfless. Try to put our feet in these unusual shoes as we take this life-size social responsibility. We can do a lot of things to rebuild our flag once more. Just go beyond the usual. Papers and ink are no better-equipment to kick out demons. The best means for this real change is just at our hands.

In this coming 2010 election, I am encouraging you to be part of the Youth Vote Philippines. This is what we are waiting for. Let’s now prove to dear fatherland that the youth is really the hope of the nation. Every single vote counts. Just a few clicks on the Net will right after grant us the so-called real change. Change is that we, as juvenile, and the rest of the countrymen are craving for.

Hope to see you there!

Yours truly,

Concerned fellow

Impolite as I am

It was a quite heartbreaking scenario.

People inside the four-cornered room were waiting for others to come. I thought I was almost late in the commotion. But when I had found out few mates in the venue, I just realized that I arrived earlier. Some were bored. We didn’t have any idea of what would be happening in the future. But I was one-hundred-one-percent sure that the scenario would look as if we were in the trial court. All of us were suspects.

Almost an hour was gone; the students were just about complete while the guest speakers were not yet around. Then in just a couple of minutes the commotion began. This was all we’re waiting for. This was it.

Silence seemingly covered up the entire class. It was quite serious. Neither chats nor any unnecessary gesture were tolerable anymore. At that moment, the class adviser swiftly broke the set-up’s stillness. She then interrogated us. The entire statement from both parties at first went on smoothly. As it reached farther, it became more scorching yet interesting to talk about. It was my turn to then break my silence. I couldn’t defend the rest of the class nor even myself. I was a little bit of nervous, so I had to be mindful of my words and deeds. The must-be manner to speak out everything which I knew would be right. All eyes were on me as I was little by little narrating the past. As I expected, my conviction was considered by them unreasonable. Nevertheless, I admitted that fact --- they’re my teachers and we’re their students. I guessed then that the feud was over. Our fight after all was apparently wasted.

The hearing still went on. Now, it was the turn of another speaker. As she talked I seriously listened to her. I had my first hint if what would be the content of her speech. My guess was exactly right. She then once again opened up our never-forgotten conflict. The way she tackled the issue seemed so degrading in my part. I could never defend myself again. I quite felt so numb. Yes, I myself really knew that I was the one she was pointing out. Definitely it was I. She claimed, not even in the class but to other instructors, that I was impolite. And for being as such, I, as a journalist, no matter how good in academic, in the long run would no longer be successful. She strongly quoted it. How I wished to be invulnerable in that moment just not to be hurt after eating those despairing words. Which for me it was never a foul of mine. I thought I would not cry after all. But swear I did. I couldn’t stop myself from doing that so. I could never pretend anymore. Acting in front of my confused classmates, that I was not that person the teacher referring to, was really hard. So I let my emotions burst out. I tried to defend myself once more. This time around everyone was ready to hear my side. Then I started to narrate what was really happened before:

We had our newsletter in a certain subject. I was assigned to be a writer in our group. I was about to inscribe my article but the facts given me were so confusing and incomplete. So I tried to appoint my news gatherers to then confirm that information. Since the teacher whom they interviewed and gathered the facts from was close to our class, I thought that it would be easier to ask more questions. It just happened that one of my news gatherers was somewhat afraid of this teacher. So she never wanted to go back just to ask the interviewee for several times. I understood if that was she felt like. So I decided to look for the interviewee. Then when I found her I grabbed the opportunity to have this ambush interview with her. Afterwards, my confusion was quite answered. Minutes were gone I went to the faculty to look for the same person. Unfortunately, she wasn’t there. I saw my two other instructors. They told me that the person I was looking for got mad at me during my interview with her. She said that I was rude and very impolite when I approached her. I was suddenly shocked and shamed if I really did it to her. I then reflected what was happened minutes ago. Then I realized that maybe the way I approached her was never a journalistic manner. So I heartily accepted it if that was how she really saw it. What I did was to apologize.

“You didn’t apologize; you just said impolite nga po ako ---”.

Going back to the classroom scenario, this was the remarkable line of the teacher who first urged me to be an unethical journalist. My apology, which I insisted I had already asked from, was another claim of hers saying that she never achieved it from me. I really felt so bad. I was almost speechless afterwards. The rest of the class witnessed how this instructor described me as worst impolite. I didn’t get her point of opening up that matter in the class. Was it for me to be embarrassed? Or to let people realize how stupid was me, so they sooner avoid me?

She could have talked to me about it personally, instead of imparted it with others. Was that manner also ethical? Very unprofessional I guess.

I really didn’t deserve that adjective. I thought I was on the right track after all. I was taught to be polite and to treat others with utmost respect. But so sorry, it wasn’t.

How dumb I am.

Well, the activity we had taught me something that is ethical. I believe, though I was judged to be bad-mannered, somehow I could prove to everyone that in this profession I still have this so-called humility and esteem.

I will never forget this thing in my life.

One thing that I should do now is to move on. Stand up and fight again!

This Is How I See It

To claim that I am a writer is a lie.

Writing indeed is not my passion though I love to write. I am neither a correspondent nor a social analyst-wannabe but I do analyze current events. Though I do have concerns and do criticize the government, I haven’t joined any propaganda yet nakedly haven’t walked along the Edsa Shrine while consistently asking the president to resign. For I am not also political conscious to be an activist. I am nor a director, a production manager, a scriptwriter, or even a cameraman. But I still want that a certain story somehow in favors me.

I am neither in those professions all-wrapped-in-one nor also to target at least one title. Yet I am into a Mass Communication course.

My convictions may seem so paradoxical but that’s how I see it.

I am just so expressive. To express is then enough. Being as such does not mean a claim of being a jack-of-all-trades. This is how it goes like: things in mind should be spoken out and not let it be remained as ideas. Words do not have to be words at all, but shall be put into actions. Concepts are into tangible outcomes. Dreams are into realization.

Online journalism over its conventional type

If one were enough expressive then one could be a journalist. Even if he only had a pen and paper he still could make a scoop, that is, if he would just explore and be resourceful enough. Just like in photography, one could be a photographer if he himself would experiment shots.

In minds and hearts, therefore, professions do not require a person with high standards unless his keen interest forces him to do so.

In the field of journalism, a real journalist is guided by the constitutional laws. He follows a code of ethics in the exercise of his profession. Once he enters this kind of business he then agrees and applies the terms and conditions. So when he commits mistakes he shall pay for it.

When we talk about journalism it basically pertains to newspapers. A good newspaper shall consider criteria such as integrity, accuracy, responsibility and leadership. Thus, if a journalist works in accordance to the given ethics he is then being controlled by it. His convictions may be possibly forbidden as he writes it. For in any case, the articles’ content still depends on what the constitution states. In other words, this constitution somehow dictates the writer what to ethically write. Nevertheless, it is still beneficial not only to the publication but also to its community’s betterment.

As innovation constantly shapes our contemporary society, we are now being engaged in various new communication gadgets. With this, the traditional journalism can now be operated electronically, as it is so-called online journalism. Unlike the conventional one, blogging, in particular, produces easier and more accessible ways of searching information. Just a few clicks on the net will right after take a user to his desired sites. It features as more interactive as it lets people react through posting their feedbacks and suggestions after have read articles. The setting is like a spoon-feeding wherein knowledge is in reach of people. Another good thing is that one could also make his own blogs or websites where he could shout out his critiques without asking consensus from professional media practitioners or whatever is written in the constitution. Having this is not a means of rebellions which one could practice indecency and defamation. Traditional journalists often do not consider bloggers to automatically be journalists. This has more to do with standards and professional practices than the medium for they are much more liable for such things as libel. However, online journalism offers people a more convenient interaction and not a demonic profession. As online journalists or bloggers, accuracy, fairness, and good taste in reporting news must still be observed.

In overview, online journalism is an alternative medium. It is not to replace the traditional one but to suggest people a more efficacy, accessibility and convenience in terms of information-gathering, communication, interaction and expression. Knowledge in journalism cannot only be learned scholarly but sometimes outside world feeds it a person greater. As I have said, one could be knowledgeable, and all it requires of you is to explore and experiment.

Think of it.

Two Distinct News Angles and Their Underlying Theories

This document analyzes the comparisons and contrasts of a news story covered by and aired on two different news programs such as 24 ORAS (GMA 7) and TV Patrol (ABS-CBN 2). These two resembled news bits highlighted the issue about the alleged clash between the sociology professor Randy David and former economics professor President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the 2010 congressional race, as if David will defeat the latter.

Basically, when we talk about news writing, it must have elements such as timeliness, significance, prominence, conflict and currency, to be considered as news. As to compare the two similar-topic news yet distinct-contained angles, both possessed the aforementioned features. Timely, for it is immediate and recent. Significant, as it really affects the people particularly the Kampampangans. Yet prominent, because the event involves well-known people such as PGMA and media practitioner and columnist Randy David, in particular. The event is also geographically close to the readers mainly to the people of Pampanga since the major people involved are both from that province. In some point, the news possesses conflict for it tackles the clash amid people, as David would run to challenge and block Mrs. Arroyo’s plans to stay in power as prime minister if she would seat in congress. The current event somehow appears to be odd, as the political rivalry of these two dominant figures was entitled as “David vs. Gloriath”.

In terms of media coverage, both news programs have gathered credible sources as they televised the different sides and viewpoints of some institutions and prominent people such as political parties, political analyst and government officials, about the tough competition of Arroyo with her would-be opponent David.

As far as communication theories are concerned, these two unlike-angle-news coverage can be explained in theoretical perspective.

Effects Theory dominated as the news claimed that David amongst his supporters was encouraged to run and compete with the current president in the upcoming congressional race after he was informed of it, despite of the latter’s advantage of the incumbency and strong political connections. The theory explains that the news has profound direct effect on people. Specifically, this phenomenon explicates that since the media were used to broadcast as such information, therefore, viewers who could have watched it would later express their outlooks as they were someway affected of it. This shows that mass media can work on people like bullets on a target. The situation is like a shooting gallery. All that needed is to hit the target, and the target falls down. This theory is also known as Silver Bullet. Another phenomenon that underlies and interprets the news is Agenda setting, which explains that mass media do not tell people “what to think” instead “what to think about”. Meaning, media choose which topics to emphasize, thereby setting agenda. To cite an example from the news report, both media highlighted the views of all people who gave interpretations in the 2010 congressional race, aside from PGMA and David. At this point, after exposing some feedbacks of these credible people as regards to that matter, media let the viewers what to think about it.

Social Responsibility Theory goes with no bias, as it fairly takes and reveals different sides of concerns. It was partly shown in both news programs, when only David and his suspected allies were taken interviews excluding Mrs. Arroyo.

In contrast, GMA’s write-ups are clearer and more pertinent unlike of ABS-CBN, which to some extent, their write-ups differ from its video content. Another difference was their sequence of news details. In making news, it goes like you are writing the most important facts down to less important. 24 ORAS presented it in a way that the title or the lead tells the gist of the news. Then, it followed by the proper series of the details. Likely, from posting the question about a renowned sociology professor will defeat a seasoned politician and former economics professor in the 2010 congressional race, going to recapping of their educational attainment. On the other side, TV Patrol’s report seemed to be quite perplexed. Yet, their lead tackled the gist precisely but as it went further the main topic was almost left behind as it focused on Mikey Arroyo’s comments to David.

Looking at it with no favoritism, I could say that professional media practitioners Mike Enriquez and Sandra Aguinaldo, who were the anchor and the field reporter, delivered the news with full of conviction and credibility. Unlikely, what news anchor Karen Davila and field reporter R. Cruz reported the scoop as fast as they could making the news story somewhat poor and brain-twisting.

In overview, media networks may differ from the way they attack news. No matter how tough the news stories are, it’s still in the media how they effectively and easily convey people. Otherwise, no newsworthiness at all. The quality of the news is not based on the networks’ prominence nor its longer stay, rather its credibility, reliability, fairness and truth that count.

A Pen Into Fame

The day was so exhausting.

The clock alarmed and so I got awakened. I suddenly stood up from a narrow sofa where I laid. I went to my desk where I faced my not so-many-unfinished businesses. Books, newspapers, pens and other writing materials inorganizedly filled my spacious room. I got my laptop and checked my blogs and websites out. As I expected, it was almost fully loaded with criticism about the issue of political scam I posted on Manila Bulletin. I got involved in various libel cases. Too many commentaries and defamatory words I have been collecting from the early days I started in this field. When all at once, I did reminisce myself, wayback in the years when I began all of these success in life. From being a typical media practitioner—striving to become a professional one—I’m still playing this so called life-and-death career I have chosen.

Suddenly, I once looked back to my numerous fruits of labor, and so came to realize that why I should be mad and depressed with these crucial feedbacks and even death threats I received from my friendly opponents. Who sometimes put golds on my table just to simply zip my mouth and pretend to be blind in their dirty political styles.
Well some might say how stupid I am with my crafts. Many think that I have to attend some journalistic seminars and I need to enroll in writing sessions in order to write effectively and grammatically. All of these weaknesses were heartedly admitted by me. I may not write as excellent as grammatical. But to convey readers credibly and fairly is to express my convictions magnificently. Still proud I am because I believe that all of my writings were written and published as such.

Keen observation, intellectual curiosity, learning cupboards of descriptive words and everyday idioms, finding features in everyday happenings, and skill to weave words into interesting sentences and paragraphs were my weapons that brought me into fame.

As what no wife of a writer knows that her husband is working when he stares at the window. “Writing is easy all you have to do is to stare at the blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form into your head”.