Get Real Philippines: Pagiging Hindi Patas Para sa Layuning Matalinong Pagboto

Ang video na ito na napanuod ko sa Youtube ay naglalayong maging mapagmatyag ang mga botante noong nakaraang 2010 eleksyon para sa pagkapresidente. Dahil sa seryosong topic na nakapaloob sa video at sa graphics ng screen ay aakalain ng isang pangkaraniwang mamamayan na news ito kahit pa ito ay animated.

Maganda ang hangarin ng naturang video subalit hindi kaaya-aya ang pagpapangalan sa mga kandidatong halimbawa nito ng hindi karapatdapat sa posisyon ng pagkapresidente. Una, sinabi ng “reporter” sa video na ang media exposure ng mga kandidato ay paraan nila ng pambobola at hindi lamang para mangampanya. Kaya naman, ang mga kandidatong may pambayad sa advertisement ang laging nangunguna sa mga binoboto ng publiko. Nabanggit din sa video ang patuloy na pagkakaroon ng political dynasty kung saan ipinapasa sa kamag-anak ng mga politiko ang posisyon para hindi mawala ang kanilang mga koneksyon. Pati ang pagtitiwala ng mga botante sa mga kandidatong dating artista ay binatikos din. Nasabi sa video na wala raw kakayahan ang mga artista sa pagpapatakbo ng bansa.

Matalinong mungkahi ang ibinigay sa video na magkaroon ng criteria o panuntunan sa pagpili at pagboto ng isang kandidato. Nasabi dito na kailangan natin ng presidenteng may matatatag na pamumuno, kongkretong plano kung paano niya mapapalakad ang bansa, integridad laban sa pangungurakot at pandaraya, sapat na kaalaman para maglunsad ng mga proyektong kailangan sa pag-unlad, at abilidad sa pakikipagkomunikasyon sa iba pang bansa tungkol sa siguridad at ekonomiya ng ating bansa.

Ang kampanyang ito ng website na www.G_ETR_EALP_HILIPPINES.C_OM, ayon na  rin sa video, ay ginawa upang hindi maging beauty contest ang election at para maging matalino sa pagpili ang lahat ng mamamayang maaaring makapanood ng nasabing video. Nasabi rin dito na hindi na maganda ang lagay ng ating kalikasan kaya dapat na magbawas ng populasyon upang maging mas magaan ang pamumuhay ng mga susunod na henerasyon na hindi na dapat makakalanghap ng ganitong klase ng polusyon.

Kung ako ang tatanungin, napakaganda sana ganitong klase ng pagbibigay kaalaman sa masa ngunit mas magiging maganda at patas pa sana kung hindi pinangalanan ang mga nasabing pulitiko. Kung ako ang gagawa ng hawig sa ganitong klase ng pagpapayag na may kaparehong layunin, pipiliin kong hindi pangalanan ang mga kandidato at hindi gawing news format ang kabuuan nito. Malinaw dapat sa lahat ng makakapanood ng video na isang paalala o advisory at hindi balita ang video upang hindi magdulot ng pagkalito o pagmumukhang paninira sa mga nabanggit na kandidato para maging patas sa lahat ng kandidato. Maaari din namang kunan ng komento ang mga nabanggit na kandidato sa mga aligasyon patungkol sa kanila kung news at hindi advisory ang ipapahayag sa video na ito.

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News Anchors as Products Endorsers

            Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco, Vicky Morales and Arnold Clavio are some of the most trusted and famous broadcasters in the country. Because of their fame and reputation, people rely on them for current news. As news presenters, the audience believes in almost everything they say. But a side-line all of them practice might be affecting their credibility.

            These broadcasters are also endorsers of products. Just like celebrities who are paid to promote certain products, these reporters are seen in television commercials and other kinds of advertisements. But as people with a reputation to keep, is endorsing products not a problem for their image?

            As these newsmen decide to become the faces of these products, whatever image this certain product may have to the public, the reporter’s image will be attached to the product’s reputation.

            What if one of these broadcasters has to report something about the products that they endorse which is in bad light? There is conflict of interest. This instance may not only affect a reporter’s credibility, but his will also have an impact to the whole program as well because of a confusion that people behind the lime light may have about the report which has to be done.

            Although there are some television stations in the country that don’t impose strict restrictions for its reporters, this should not be taken as an excuse by news presenters to not be critical of their actions. It is not easy to establish a good reputation, but once it is tarnished, trust will be hard to be regained from the public.

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Princess Snell's Rape Joke on Social Media Backfires

Starlet Natalie Hart or popular known as “Princess Snell” recently became a trending topic on Twitter and Facebook because of her controversial post on Instagram. This was not received by the netizens as a joke.

           Hart apologized after and posted her apology on Twitter saying, “I do not promote nor support that behavior! I'm against domestic violence and rape! It was a bad joke and I'm extremely sorry.”  As someone who is popular and followed by many in social media, she should be responsible for everything that she posts. Rape is a very sensitive topic just like suicide; it should never be glamorized or worse, made into a joke. She probably acted on her right to speak freely whatever she wants, but freedom of speech does not equate to irresponsible speech.

          In this light, author David Gordon in his book Controversies in Media Ethics, provided a model in evaluating ethical communication in Media:

1. Consider the purpose of a particular expression to understand intentions and motivations.

Why is someone saying this? Why might they be feeling this way? What thinking

might be behind this expressive action?

2. Examine the platform of an expression to become aware of the potential audience for,

as well as the form of, the expression. Who is likely to view, hear or read this expression?

Will the form keep the expression among a few individuals or will it be conveyed

around the world?

3. Review practices to comprehend the process of creating the message form and its

content. How was this expression determined? Is there a more responsible way to

express this message and convey it to those who need to hear it?

4. Envision potentials to focus attention on possible or probable effects or consequences

of conveying an expression. What might happen if I say this? Will it hurt or help

someone? Is the hurt justified because it will help others? To what extent will this

message harm someone and is it worth the harm?

          I feel that this model should exactly solve dilemmas before posting something on social media. This is also useful for news reporters to guide them before giving personal opinions or commentaries.

Even if Hart a.k.a. Princess Snell made her apology, she should still get a lesson on responsible freedom of expression. An apology is never an excuse for not being apprehended or sanctioned on an action which can greatly impact a group of people, on her case, the people who are victims of rape.

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2 blogs in 1: Korina Sanchez and Her Irresponsible Comment

Recently, Typhoon Ruby struck Visayas. During the time it was approaching Philippines, it got stronger and stronger until it became a Super typhoon and is feared to bring the same power and destruction like Super Typhoon Yolanda. During one episode of TV Patrol, its main anchors, Ted Failon, Noli De Castro and Korina Sanchez were doing their usual banter at the tail-end of the newscast when Sanchez and de Castro made side comments and shared their opinions live on the air.

Sanchez said, “Kaya pa natin idasal yan para lumihis." (We can still pray to change its direction.)

De Castro then commented, “Sana ay hati na lang tayo." (I wish we could split the storm) “Kalahati sa Pilipinas, kalahati sa Japan (Half of it for the Philippines, half for Japan),” De Castro said, to which Sanchez replied, “Puwede bang sa kanila na lang lahat?" (Can’t they have all of it?)

De Castro then said “Wag naman” hopefully not, but Korina defended her stand, saying “Sa kanila na lang lahat. Parang mas kaya nila." (Let them have it all. It seems that they can handle it better).

Korina’s remarks have caused an uproar in social media, calling her insensitive and irresponsible. I understand the fact that she is only concerned for her people, like praying for the typhoon to change its direction but the fact that she involved Japan on her comments can be considered as an ethical lapse. Keep in mind that she is one of the top broadcasters in the country and she is one of ABS-CBN’s most famous news anchors. Her opinions matter and it can easily influence a lot of people.

Korina Sanchez is known for many unethical comments on air. I believe it is time for her to change this kind of attitude. In my opinion, there is no problem in making side comments of subjects on air as long as they are neutral and not subjective because these side comments can also be helpful like presenting facts from the other side that the viewers don’t know. Besides, they are the people with the most experience and they are credible enough to handle these kinds of stories and information but I really believe that a media personality should value neutrality in giving comments. Your goal is to inform and educated the public and not to persuade them. Maybe it is time for Sanchez to listen carefully to herself before she opens her mouth. She needs to think twice about what she’s going to say especially when she is live during national television or via radio and the internet. 

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ABS-CBN news anchor Korina Sanchez became viral on social media again for her controversial comments on Typhoon Ruby. This is the second time in recent Philippine TV memory that this veteran news anchor made headlines; the first was when she commented on-air about CNN journalist Anderson Cooper during the Typhoon Yolanda. This time, Korina, along with her two co-anchors, was about to end the their on-air program TV Patrol when she said that she hoped Typhoon Ruby would hit Japan instead of the Philippines. Her comment drew anger from netizens. A satirical website The Adobo Chronicles even made satire news about Japan banning Korina from their country. Why do media still tolerate such irresponsible news commentaries?

According to KBP Broadcast Code, Article 2. Section 2, “public affair programs and commentaries shall be handled only by persons who have thorough knowledge and practice broadcast ethics.” Given this ethical standard in broadcasting, Korina Sanchez is guilty of a broadcaster who does not practice broadcast ethics. Korina probably was motivated by her freedom of speech to express her opinion regarding her hope for Typhoon Ruby to hit Japan instead; it is still an act of irresponsible reporting. KBP preamble posits, “broadcasting, because of its immediate and lasting impact on the public, demands of its practitioners a high sense of responsibility, morality, fairness and honesty at all times.”

This is not the first time Korina made rude or harsh commentaries. Since she is a prominent figure in broadcasting, it is important that she gets another briefing about the ethical broadcasting standards.

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No Story is Worth Dying For: Atom Araullo's Live Report During #RubyPH

ABS-CBN’S news reporter Atom Araullo does it again.

Airing that day was ABS-CBN’s Salamat Dok and the show had a live coverage of the events in Calbayog, Samar that was experiencing the strong winds and heavy rains of Typhoon Ruby (Intl Name: Hagupit). The live news was delivered by news reporter Atom Araullo who seemed to be standing on a balcony. Atom Araullo went live and reported even though he was soaking wet because of the strong winds and rain -- even the camera was getting wet.

As a broadcast journalist, he should know better than this. We can consider his actions unethical because it is dangerous and it gives the public the wrong message. As of now, there are mixed reactions regarding this particular live report he did. Some of the people see him as a hero, a strong and brave knight in shining armor who is not afraid of any natural calamities. Some people actually commend his bravery for doing such a thing. But also some people view his actions as reckless and dangerous. On-cam people like Atom Araullo have strong influence on viewers. He sets a wrong example to the people by possibly risking their lives to do the same. For us students of communications, journalism and broadcasting, we consider his actions unethical because of the risks he poses as a role model.

His actions are not new. Last year, during Bagyong Yolanda, he also did this kind of stint except in a much dangerous way, he was out in the open. He had the same appearance, wearing only his raincoat and without protection gear. Sadly, I believe he needs to review guidelines for ethical and safe news reporting. His actions are affecting the public by stirring confusion and debate among viewers.

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"Sirena" and "Ituloy Mo Lang": Pro-LGBT or Anti-LGBT songs?

I was with two of my closest friends, chillin’ on a Saturday afternoon when Siakol’s “Ituloy Mo Lang” played on the radio. I heard the song several times, but I never really knew the lyrics, word-per-word. All I knew was that the song was for a friend of the composer who was apparently gay. It goes on about how he got his friend’s back since he was bullied a lot because of his gender. And so, thinking the song was “pro-gay”, I liked it. I tried to listen closely to the song while humming to its tune when suddenly, one of my friends interrupted.

“I don’t like that song. I despise it.”

I was shocked, of course, hearing that from my friend (who is gay, by the way), since I thought the song was for them (them, referring to the LGBT community). Seeing my blank reaction, obviously waiting for an explanation as to why he hated it, my friend continued.

(Non-verbatim):
“I don’t like it because people think that song it’s so ‘empowering’ for us gays. It’s not. It actually does the opposite. That song is kind of being used against us, if it does anything,” he said.

            I looked towards my other friend (who is also gay), and he nodded in agreement.

“Totoo yan. Pati yung kanta na ‘Sirena’ ni Gloc-9? Ginagamit ‘yang kantang yun pang-asar sa akin ng mga kaklase ko,” says my friend. “Pag dumadaan ako sa kalsada sa amin, yung mga batang makikita ako, bigla na lang kakantahin yun, na para bang pang-asar,” he added.

      Hitting a somewhat controversial topic, the discussion heated up and opinions were shared regarding these songs whose lyrics revolve around the issue of gender equality, particularly the acceptance of the LGBT community in society. The sharing of stories and opinions by my friends, as a result, was quite enlightening for me. Ever since I became an Iska, I have supported the LGBT community as much as many of us do, and it was a great shock to learn that sometimes, we feel that we’re so ‘gender-sensitive, but unconsciously, we’re not being sensitive enough. And so, I will be sharing in this blog the reasons why (in our personal opinion) these songs are not too gender-sensitive like how we thought they were.

·       These songs strengthen and add up to gender stereotypes and prejudices.

Cross-dressing, waist-swaying, doll-playing, loud, comedic, artistic people. These are only few of the many stereotypes and labels that have been placed upon the gay community. Unfortunately, by adding these labels into the lyrics, the songs that were made and produced to supposedly “empower” seem to have strengthened our society’s habit of stereotyping, as well as reinforcing a generalized perspective on the LGBT group. While we know that there is some truth in these labels, we want to avoid reinforcing these stereotypes because they tend to limit an individual on what he/she can be, thus defeating the goal of empowerment. Lady Gaga’s Born This Way is one of the songs that showed us that labels and stereotypes are not necessary to paint the picture for the people to know that our generation’s demand is a demand for gender equality, acceptance, and empowerment.

·       They become tools for discrimination and bullying.

While it would be pleasant to think that the motive of the bands and song writers in writing their lyrics are to express their support and sentiments of the seemingly lack of and clamor for acceptance by the LGBT community, we have to admit that sometimes, these songs are being used for ridicule instead. Yes, the song in its entirety is supposedly putting a positive image, however, the labels and the stereotypes are just so strong that the message of the song is being overlooked, and so mockery, prejudice and ridicule take its place instead. Let’s face it, we live in a hostile world, using everything that can be used to beat the uniqueness out of every extraordinary and special individual, forcing them to conform to what is “normal” and “right”.

So? What should we do now? Should we dismiss these songs as unethical or gender-insensitive? Should be stop listening to them? Well, that will be your personal decision. I think that these songs are not totally unethical, nor gender insensitive, but it depends on how we use them. If you feel that I’m overreacting and that these kinds of songs are totally harmless, I’m afraid I would have to disagree. We must be aware that stereotypes and labels, regardless of what form they are presented, are always harmful and never beneficial.

So, the next time you feel like singing out a line from Sirena to one of your gay friends or acquaintances, think first. Think very well. Sirena nga ba ang kausap mo, o tao ’ rin na katulad mo, nakakaramdam at nasasaktan?

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MisterParodist’s Parody of Magic! turns out to be ‘Rude’

            High school pa lamang kami nang nagsimulang sumikat si MisterParodist na mas kilala sa tawag na Boy Tiwtiw. Sumikat siya dahil sa tagalog version niya ng Buko na usong-uso noon. At kamakailan lamang ay na-feature siya sa ABS-CBN Bicol: Mag TV na Oragon at sa Rated-K ngayong taon (2014). Dahil diyan, ina’assume ko na mas marami nang tatangkilik sa kanya dahil na TV na nga siya.

            Kaso nga lang namo’mroblema ako sa ginawa niyang parody ng Rude by Magic! noong October  2014. Ginawan niya ito ng tagalog version kagaya ng mga ginagawa niya sa iba pa niyang videos.

            Maayos naman at medyo nakakatawa nga ang translation na ginawa niya. Ngunit may mga linya roon na bother lang ako kasi ang sabi:

            (nasa verse 2) ‘Magtatanan kami, sa isang motel hotel sogo” – Naku, nagbigay pa talaga siya ng lugar na maaring puntahan ng mga nagbabalak magtanan.

            (nasa Chorus) “Pakasal ka, Kahit ayaw ng tatay mo Pakasal ka gagawa tayo family…”

            (nasa Chorus) “Kasi mahal niya ako susunod siya sa’king gusto” – Bilang babae, damang-damang ko ang pagiging subordinate. Pero para ito sa mga mas umiibig nang higit, kasi sila ang laging talo.

            Oo sa English version ay medyo may pagkaganun nga ang lyrics pero at least hindi paulit ulit na nasa chorus, ngayong na translate na ni Boy Tiwtiw ang kanta, mas marami nang makakaintindi niyon sa ating mga Pilipino.

            Ang parody ni Boy Tiwtiw ay parang nanghihikayat ng rebelyon laban sa mga magulang – na okay lang sumuway basta’t masunod lang ang dinidikta ng puso mo.

            Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay kailangang sundin ang puso, dapat parehas – puso’t isipan dapat ang laging gamitin nang hindi napapahamak. Hindi po ito hugot; ito po ay isang katotohanan na dapat nating malaman bilang mga future media practitioners/men/personnel/etc. Dapat hindi mababaw ang stand natin sa mga bagay-bagay, dapat may dahilan at kaya natin itong ipaglaban.

            Kung binabalak nating pumasok sa mundo ng media bilang mga taong humaharap sa camera o taong nasa likod nito, sana maging layunin natin na makapag-impluwensya para sa ikauunlad ng bansa dahil alam natin kung gaano kalaki ang nagiging epekto nito sa lahat.

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Troubles of the Parols as Human Decorations

       At the start of December, ABS-CBN’s noon time program “It’s Showtime” began airing a contest called “TV Parol”, a word play of the networks major news program TV Patrol.

        The contest is about people who are dressed as giant parols (Philippine Christmas Lanterns) and they model around the stage. They introduce themselves and perform a Christmas song for the audience. The costumes look very uncomfortable to the contestants and Vice Ganda’s side comments don’t make it even more comforting for them as well.

       “It’s Showtime” has a knack for making crazy contests to attract the attention of viewers. A unique contest piques one’s curiosity. Thus contests like this one aren’t hard to find in television although this one really is very unique. One watches it to check it out, something good for the ratings

It feels like the contestants are constantly embarrassing or shaming themselves for money -- this is quite normal in the Philippine television industry. But to make these people dress up as giant Christmas parols and walk around stage at the same time is something new. The aim maybe is to promote Philippine decoration but there are other ways to do that.

         According to the KBP Broadcast Code, game show contestants must be treated with respect. The way the hosts of the program disrespect the contestant is hard to ignore and the discomfort they feel for wearing such costume parols to gain money is just an idea for ratings.

       A show like “It’s Showtime” has shown a lot of unethical taste but making someone wear a huge parol outfit just for ratings does not really place high on the ethical spectrum.

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DEFINITELY FILIPINO/KICKER DAILY: CANNIBAL MOTHER TRIES TO EAT HER OWN BABY

            Sa ibang bansa nangyari ang insidenteng ito. Pero may isang online writer dito sa Pilipinas na nagsulat tungkol sa isang nanay na tinangkang kainin ang sarili niyang sanggol.

            Situation: May isang ina sa China na nagtangka umanong kainin ang sarili niyang sanggol. Sa lumabas na article sa Pilipinas na pinublish ng Kicker Daily at shinare ng Definitely Filipino, kalakip nito ang ilang litrato ng sanggol na sugat-sugat ang kamay. Sa isang litrato ay bahagyang makikita ang mukha ng sanggol.

            Analysis: Bakit kailangan maglabas pa ng litrato nung sanggol na sugat-sugat ang kamay dahil sa kagat ng kanyang sariling ina?

Lumabas yung article ng mga bandang 3:30 ng hapon sa Facebook ng Definitely Filipino. Nakita ko siya ng hapunan habang kumakain, kaya’t na-bother ako. Paano kung may ibang tao pang nakakita sa article habang kumakain?

            Pakiramdam ko’y na-violate ang dignidad nung sanggol na nasa litrato dahil napakita bahagya ang kanyang mukha; hindi man siya kilala sa ibang lugar/bansa, makikilala na siya ng mga kapit-bahay nila dahil sa pagbanggit ng pangalan ng nanay na involve sa insidente.

            Decision: Hindi maganda yung ginawang pagpublish nung litrato nung sanggol. At pagpabibigay/pag-publish ng article kasama yung pangalan ng babaeng/inang sangkot sa insidente. Hindi magandang ma-expose lalong-lalo na yung bata sa mga ganitong klase ng publication. Kahit sana naka-blur man lang yung litratong bahagyang nakita yung mukha nung bata, at hindi na pinangalanan pa yung nanay at nurse sa article na nilabas.

            Kahit pa sabihin nating bata pa siya’t hindi pa alam kung ano ang mga nangyayari, siya pa rin yung involved at pinag-usapan eh. Bukod sa nakakahiya ang mga nangyari para sa bata, nakakahiya rin kasi ito lalong lalo na sa nanay at sa buong pamilya nito.

            At uulitin ko ulit yung tanong ko kanina, paano kung may ibang tao pang nakakita nung article habang kumakain? Wala naman sigurong taong gugustuhing makakita ng ganong mga litrato/balita habang kumakain. Sana talaga nilabuan na lang nila or di nalang sila naglapat ng litrato.                                                                                                                 2012-68565 (2)

(Editor’s note: Kailangan din nating pangalagaaan yung reputasyon ng ina. Posibleng may sakit sa pag-iisip o tinatawag naa psychologically-unstable ang ina kaya niya nagawa ang aktong ipinaparatang laban sa kanya. Marapat din na bigyang-proteksyon ang mga nasa ganitong estado ng pag-iisip.)

FOREVERMORE NOVEMBER 11 EPISODE: INDIRECT DISCRIMINATION

            Hindi naman talaga ako nanonood ng mga teleseryeng tulad ng Forevermore, [Ang Forevermore ay teleserye ng ABS-CBN na pinagbibidahan nina Enrique Gil at Liza Soberano.] pero isang gabi ay nasaktohan ko lang nanonood ang mga kasama ko sa bahay kaya’t naisip kong makinood na rin habang kumakain. Pero hindi ko rin inakalang ganitong episode ang naabutan ko.

            Situation: Sasali sa isang beauty contest si Agnes [Liza Soberano’s character] para mapanalunan ang isang multi-cab para makatulong sa kabuhayan nila sa La Preza nang madisgrasya at mabalian ng paa si Andrew [Yves Flores’ Character] na kaparehas nito sa isang dance number sa kompetisyon. Kumuha sila ng kapalit nito, Si Antonio.

            Analysis: Hindi man direktang sinasabi ng mga karakter sa teleserye, alam mong sa mga itsura at salita nila ay dinidiskrimineyt nila yung karakter ni Antonio, na aaminin ko din ay di masyadong kagwapuhan kung ang basehan ng kagwapuhan ay si Enrique Gil.

            Ilan sa mga linya sa episode na pakiramdam kong nagpakita ng diskriminasyon sa pisikal na anyo ni Antonio ay:

            “Oh my god” – *dismayadong mukha*

            “Bakit siya?” – *dismayadong mukha*

            At nagtinginan/natulala lahat ng mga karakter sa nasabing teleserye. Maraming beses pang nagpakita ng reaksyong hindi kagandahan ang mga karakter. Sinabihan pa siya ng “Parang zombie ah.” May mga dialogue pang:

            Joey Marquez’s character: “Agnes, mas may pag-asa tayo pag si Xander ang pinili mo. Kesa dyan sa kung ano man yan.”

            Liza Soberano’s character: “Paano ka nakakasigurong mananalo tayo kapag ikaw ang naging partner ko?”

            Enrique Gil’s character: “Di mo sagutin yang tanong mo? Sino’ng mas may chance Manalo? Ako o siya?”

            Indirectly, niri-ridicule yung character ni Antonio dahil sa pisikal nitong kaanyuan at sa hindi masyadong magaling na pagsayaw.

            Decision: Sana hindi naging ganun yung mga linya sa episode na ito ng teleserye. Sana’y kumuha sila ng talent na kagwapuhan din para hindi sobrang na-down yung gumanap sa karakter ni Antonio. Hindi man direktang sinabi sa mga linya ng mga karakter, naramdaman kong may diskriminasyon dahil sa mga linya at mukha ng mga karakter nang ipakilala ang karakter ni Antonio.

So pag hindi mo kasing-gwapo si Enrique Gil, hindi ka na pwedeng sumali sa mga patimpalak? So kung hindi ka masyadong kagwapuhan, wala kang pag-asang manalo sa mga patimpalak?                                                                                                 2012-68565 (1)

(Editor's note: Sa analysis, sana'y gumamit ng mga batayang values o prinsipyo sa pagtingin sa isyu.)

#RubyPH: Is it really a "Yolanda-like" typhoon?

It was Friday night while I was walking on my way home when I passed by a stand that sold newspapers. I held up one of the newspapers lined in a single file that caught my eye. It was a copy of an Inquirer, and the banner headline read: ‘‘Yolanda’-like typhoon heads for PH”, in bold, large fonts, written across the page.

It struck me knowing that it was only last month that the anniversary of the Yolanda tragedy that took thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of families, was held.

It was another figurative yet also literal storm looming ahead.

 However, just as I was watching the news, a section of news aired regarding the storm warning that said that the data recorded regarding the storm ‘Ruby’, the one mentioned in the headlines of the Inquirer, indicates that typhoon Ruby, with the international name Hagupit, did not have enough wind velocity to match that of Yolanda’s according to PAG-ASA. The record shows that it sustained wind velocity is similar to that of typhoon Pablo, not Yolanda, unlike the newspaper report.

Such ethical lapses or incidents regarding bouts of misinformation cannot be hard to avoid. It is done if we want to target the market for our stories. But ethically speaking, information, and the lack thereof produces consequences that may prove fatal. In this case, it may even cause public panic.

It’s difficult to imagine what kind of storm is brewing over the horizon. (Editor’s note: Incidentally, Ruby was nowhere near Yolanda in terms of damage and casualty.) But one thing is for certain, one false move may spell yet another disaster.

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(Editor's note: The comparison between Yolanda and Ruby stems from the fact that the paths of the two typhoons were similar, but not on wind velocity as framed by some media reports.)

Grieving Mother: Assessing the sensitivity of Aksyon

      The media have been very fond of interviewing family and other relatives of victims even if these people are still in grief. In one of the news published by TV 5 in their news program “Aksyon” (December 5, 2014), they interviewed the mother of a real estate agent who died from a shooting encounter. Majority of the interview were actually just clips of the mother crying. She was unable to speak properly because she could not stop crying.

      For me, the news team should have not included this in their report. First, I do not think it is essential to the story. The story regarding the death of the real estate agent can stand alone without having to show videos of his grieving mother. Second, it is insensitive to the family of the victim and a violation to their privacy. Article 7 Section 2 of the KBP Broadcast Code says, “Persons affected by tragedy or grief shall be treated with sensitivity, respect and discretion; they should be allowed to suffer their grief in private.”

      However, like many networks, aesthetic value is highly given importance. Videos of crying families of victims add a dramatic element to the story. For me, it is always important to be sensitive enough especially to those who are currently emotionally unstable. If I were in the place of the news team, I would consider whether or not this is needed to complete the story. If I was able to ask the side of the family, I would include it in my report without having to show (editor’s: in excessive duration) videos of them crying. We should always respect the privacy of these people. Using them to make our stories more dramatic is not only a form of disrespect. Turning news into drama or adding these kinds of dramatic elements to a report also challenges the truthfulness of the story.

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It isn't time yet!

      We all know that it is two years till our next national elections here in the Philippines. With all the news about the government, Makati cakes being over priced and the Pork Barrel scam you can really feel that the 2016 Elections will be a very tight and dirty competition. But I am not here to talk about how dirty Philippine politics is but about the campaign mainly on the commercials that appear on television today.

      A few months ago as I was watching my regular weekend television I came across this commercial that might be familiar to most of you who tune on their televisions. It is the “Bahay Teacher” PSA. Analyzing the commercial it was more of a campaign ad than a PSA to me. It featured Congressman Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian.

      Although the commercial centers on the program, it gave a detailed description of who Congressman Win is and what is his current position in government.

      Another recent example who shows a more obvious campaign on television is Vice President Jejomar Binay. His commercial goes on as far as to show on primetime television where it is assumed that more people are watching.

      Even if these people from the broadcast industry are being paid to show these commercial they must think that this is not only against any ethical taste but also possibly against the law.

The broadcasting stations should have done the ethical approach, not air these commercials. It is unfair to those who will strictly follow the campaign period which is still not yet in effect until 2016.

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(Editor's note: Please also check out the other blog entry about another potential premature campaigning issue.)

Vice Ganda jokes border on discrimination

     Vice Ganda has been known by millions of Filipinos for his funny jokes, sense of humor and wit. For years, I’ve watched him on TV and on the Internet, trying to make people laugh by telling jokes, and sadly, by throwing insults at others.

     In an episode of the show “The Showtime” a few weeks ago, Vice Ganda was trying to make a joke using the name of Gary V. His words were “Sa Liti, Gary V. Dun sa Liti, manuod kang Prinsis Sarah, ang kapartner si Cidi. Ang kinakain niya ispagiti.” (Sa Leyte, Gary V. Dun sa Leyte, manuod kang Princess Sarah, ang kapartner si Cedie. Ang kinakain niya spaghetti.) He said it in a way that would imitate and mock the accent of people from Leyte.

     This is not a first. He has been very fond of making fun of others not only for their accent, but usually for their appearance or their performances. However, in the situation given above, I found it unethical because it is a form of discriminating other people or group of people. Article 22 of the KBP Broadcast Code says that “A person’s race, religion, color, ethnicity, gender, and physical or mental disability shall not be used in a way that would embarrass, denigrate, or ridicule him.” In this case, although the joke was said lightly and was kept short, it was still an insensitive act to mock people from Leyte on national television. Also, we are aware of the current issues about the lack of support to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, who are mostly from Leyte.

     Vice Ganda has been very fond of doing these kinds of jokes because he values his job as a comedian. A little too much, maybe, that sometimes, he fails to consider what others would feel about his jokes. He wanted to make people happy but he fails to realize that some may actually get offended or embarrassed by his jokes. For me (or if I were in his place) he should be more aware of his limitations. Being a comedian does not give him the right to discriminate other people. There are more ways to make people happy and promoting discrimination in any form should not be one of those.

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Sexy Car Advertisement

Video Ad accessible via Youtube:  Dodge Ram Funny Sexy Car TV Ad Banned Commercial

       Una, brand ng kotse ang ipino-promote nila. Pero bakit may isang seksing babae na nasa banyo at nagpapahid pa ng "lotion?" Eh kung tutuusin, wala namang koneksyon ang pagpapakita ng laman nung babae sa "commercial."

       Pangalawa, bakit hindi na lang nila ipakita 'yong mismong kotse... hindi 'yong inilagay pa sa pang-upo nung babae 'yong "logo" nung kotse.

       Pangatlo, "misleading" 'yong konsepto nung "commercial." Kung gusto nilang tangkilikin ng mga mamimili 'yong produkto nila, dapat ma-gets kaagad nung nakakapanood ng patalastas nila na kotse 'yon at hindi kung ano pa man.

       Hindi rin magandang tingnan 'yong "commercial," para kasing naoobjectify 'yong babae sa eksena. Hindi ba't dapat i-promote ang pagrerespeto sa mga kababaihan. Sa ginagawa nila parang naiiba 'yong "image" ng mga babae. Parang ine-encourage pa nila na ayos lang namang gamitin ang mga babae sa ganoong klaseng mga eksena kahit hindi naman "appropriate."

       Parang ginagamit din 'yong seksing katawan ng mga babae para tangkilikin ng mga lalaki 'yong produkto. Masyadong nakakababa sa mga babae kung gagamitin silang tila mga "sex objects."

       Paano rerespetuhin ang kababaihan kung maging sa mga ganoong klaseng ads, itinutulak silang gumawa ng mga bagay na hindi naman naaayon?

       Kung ako ang mag-iisip ng konsepto, gagamitin ko 'yong mismong kotse at ipapakita ko 'yong mga kaya nitong gawin. Bakit pa ako gagamit ng seksing babae kung pwede namang maging mabenta 'yong produkto kahit walang "involved" na tao? Kung sakali mang maglalagay ako ng "driver," pagsusuotin ko naman ng maayos na damit. Hindi naman kasi ako nagpopromote ng kahit anong bagay na nag-eencourage ng "sex" at ano pa mang "sexual desire."

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Promoting smart TV by commodification of women?

Samsung Smart TV Commercial:

       This advertisement from Samsung (2013) showed women as an object of desire and women being flirtatious to men. The scenes (except for the last part) give the viewers a different idea about the content of the video.

        Also, the last part where they showed an old man crossing the street is a disrespect to the elderly because although it is not explicit, it suggests that he will to also go to the woman's condominium unit.

        Women are not to be presented in anyway, as objects of desire. The concept is also not suitable for a technology commercial. The commercial must be edited to give respect to women and to suit the image that Samsung has.

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Maagang pangangampanya?

Malayo pa ang eleksyon pero ngayon pa lang ay mayroon nang mga patalastas  ng iba't ibang pulitiko ang nagsisilabasan. Kung titingin tayo sa paligid lalo na sa mga tabi ng kalsada at mga poste sa kalye, mapapansin natin na dumarami ang bilang ng mga karatulang may malalaking larawan at pangalan ng mga pulitiko.

Sa isang araw, ilang beses kong napanood sa TV ang patalastas kung saan pinapakita ang Pangalawang Pangulong si Jejomar Binay na tumutulong sa pagbibigay ng bahay para umano magkaroon ng magandang buhay ang mga Pilipino. Ito ay may mensaheng “VP Binay Pabahay para sa magandang buhay.”

Si Binay ay isa nga sa mga napapabalitang tatakbong Pangulo sa halalan sa 2016. Ayon sa survey, bumababa ang porsyento ng mga taong may gusto sa kanya dahil sa samu't saring isyu na bumabatikos sa kanya. Alam naman natin ang mga kontrobersiyang kinakaharap niya ngayon at hanggang ngayon ay iniimbestigahan pa rin siya dahil sa kanya umanong tagong yaman at ari-arian sa Rosario, Batangas at ang maanumalyang presyo ng gusali sa Makati.

Para sa akin, masyado pang maaga ang kanyang ginagawang pangangampanya (kung maaari man itong tawaging pangangampanya). Kahit hindi man direkta ang pagsabi ng kanilang pangangampanya sa mga patalastas na ito ay parang ganun din ang mensahe na nakikita kong nais iparating. Sa pamamagitan ng mga ito, kahit papaano ay napapabango nila ang kanilang mga pangalan sa kabila ng mga isyung kinakaharap niya. Para kahit papaano ay makuha niya ang loob at boto ng mga tao. Kung may mensahe man na nais iparating ang kanilang ahensya na kinabibilangan, mas maganda kung iiwasan na lang sana nila ang paglabas sa mga patalastas na ito. Ang nangyayari kasi, imbes na mag-focus yung patalastas tungkol sa kanilang proyekto, mas maraming naipapalabas tungkol kay Binay na matuturing nating pamumulitika.

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(Editor's note: The subject is Communication Ethics. To the blogger, it would have been better if you were able to contextualize politicians as some sort of communicators or at least, the agencies that produce their "early campaign ads.")

Ang 'Ten Kumainments'

       Noong Oktubre, inilunsad ng Department of Health - National Nutrition Council ang kanilang patalastas na "Ten Kumainments." Ito ay para sa kanilang kampanya sa pagtaguyod ng tamang nutrisyon at tamang pag-aalaga sa kalusugan ng mga Pilipino. Sa patalastas, ipinakita ang pag-abot ni Mang Moi sa mga tao ng dalawang malaking tinapay kung saan nakasulat ang Ten Kumainments.

Para sa akin, maganda naman ang mensahe ng kanilang kampanya dahil kahit papaano ay nakakapagbigay sila ng ilang mga paalala tungkol sa pagbibigay halaga sa kalusugan ng mga tao. Sa pagpapalabas ng kampanyang ito ay nakatanggap sila ng mga magandang reaksyon galing sa maraming tao. Ngunit may mga ilang tao pa rin na nagsasabing may mali ang panggamit nila isang maka-Diyos na paniniwala.

Iba't ibang negatibong reaksyon ang natanggap nito. Sabi ng ilan, hindi raw nito nirerespeto ang paniniwala ng mga Katoliko. May nagkumento rin sa isang post sa Facebook na parang pinapalitan na raw nito yung totoong sampung utos. May mga nagsabi rin na huwag dapat natin biruin ang salita ng Diyos dahil ito ay sagrado. Hindi raw ito magandang gamitin para sa kung ano man na wala namang kinalaman sa ispirituwal na mga usapin.

Hindi naman sa sinasabi kong nabastos nito ang totoong Ten Commandments. Naiintindihan ko naman na nais lang paalalahanan ng DOH ang mga tao sa magandang paraan at hindi nila sinasadyang magkaroon tayo ng ibang ideya sa paggamit nila ng konseptong iyon. Sa tingin ko, wala naman talaga itong sinabi na kahit anong masama tungkol doon. Pero sana, ang ginawa na lang dapat ng DOH ay mag-isip ng ibang konsepto dahil marami pa namang ibang ideya na pwede nilang gamitin kung saan hindi na nila kakailanganing gumamit ng isang konseptong panrelihiyon.


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Rolling Stone on its lapse in judgment

On November 19, 2014, Rolling Stone published a story titled “A Rape on Campus”, which describes in detail the alleged gang rape of a college first year student at a fraternity party in the University of Virginia (UVA). A month later, Rolling Stone has added a note before the article, which in part says:

“In the face of new information reported by the Washington Post and other news outlets, there now appear to be discrepancies in (the victim)'s account.”

"We published the article with the firm belief that it was accurate. Given all of these reports, however, we have come to the conclusion that we were mistaken in honoring Jackie's request to not contact the alleged assaulters to get their account. In trying to be sensitive to the unfair shame and humiliation many women feel after a sexual assault, we made a judgment – the kind of judgment reporters and editors make every day. We should have not made this agreement with Jackie and we should have worked harder to convince her that the truth would have been better served by getting the other side of the story. These mistakes are on Rolling Stone, not on (the victim). We apologize to anyone who was affected by the story and we will continue to investigate the events of that evening."

The article published on the Rolling Stone website, which has captured America's attention, has urged the UVA and the Obama administration into investigating the matter. The victim is now a junior and only now is her story being aired in public because of fear of reprisal and isolation.

  

I see no reason for a woman of any identity to lie about her gruesome rape. Considering that she was being raped by seven men at the time, I'm surprised the victim remembers anything at all. Rolling Stone's recent note to its readers paint the victim as someone with “discrepancies” regarding her own rape. This is not fair to her, she who came and told her story in good faith. The victim blames herself for her rape, as if it was her fault that a pack of degeneratives like to get off on violence and bloody women.

"Everything bad in my life now is built around that one bad decision that I made," she says. "All because I went to that stupid party."

The magazine's statement, however, does not only discredit the victim but the magazine as well. Though the writer did a good job of bringing the details of sexual violence in university campuses into the limelight, she failed to interview other stakeholders, particularly the alleged perpetuators, only relying on one woman's account of a very sensitive and rampant issue. A statement from the magazine is necessary, considering the writer's lapse in judgment, but it is incredibly insensitive to accuse a rape victim of lying, a woman who kept her mouth shut for two years because of apathy.

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Goin' Bulilit jokes, too mature for kids?

        The media gives information that is needed in our daily lives. Weather reports and news programs are several examples of media as source of information to the public. On the other hand, entertainment is also one reason why people resort to watching television programs and engaged themselves to the social media like Facebook, Twitter and others. Hence, comedy actors and actresses become influential in our society. Filipinos of any age could relate to any program that deals with jokes and even criticisms about the government done in a subtle way.

            Among the TV programs that showcase entertainment themes, Goin’ Bulilit is the most interesting for me to analyse. The actors and actresses of this show belong to the younger generation. They may be young at age but their portrayals and dialogues in the show are not suitable to their understanding as children. I believe that the production has used their innocence to convey the agendas and concerns of the older ones in a more effective and subtle way of giving criticisms to current issues.

            As I was watching one of the episodes of Goin’ Bulilit, one of the skits was all about the issue of Daniel Padilla’s audio clip scandal. The dialogue of the child actors and actresses was really criticizing Daniel Padilla. In my opinion, these children do not have the interest and concern about this issue and even the other topics that they discussed through other skits.

            Themes and scripts of TV programs like Goin’ Bulilit must be reviewed by the management and authorities concerned. A child perception might change in a way that is not beneficial to his character development if the TV programs would continue to involve the children in discussing topics that are not really in the field of their concern.

            As communication practitioners in the future, we all have to be responsible and accountable to our duties in conveying messages to the public in any age bracket.

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Why wear undergarments to promote an alcohol brand?

            In our society today, mass media in all its forms dominates people’s daily concerns in life. We cannot deny the fact that the public is precisely preoccupied by what the media dictates to be trending as they say. Through the power that the media has in all its form like the commercials in televisions, the messages that it conveys to the public could possibly be of a great influence to one’s perceptions. Unfortunately, not all the messages that the media could give to the public are truly beneficial to one’s progress.

            As I was watching the television, a commercial promoting an ethyl alcohol caught my attention. The commercial model of this TV commercial was Sam Pinto. At present, this TV personality catches the attention of many Filipinos especially the men. She seems to be a trophy to any bachelor who fantasizes a woman who possesses the beauty that the media has defined through the years. The commercial shows Sam Pinto as she projects herself in a seductive way. She was wearing only undergarments. At first, I have really no idea to what the commercial was all about. I thought it was something like a sanitary napkin or anything that a woman needs for her really personal needs like feminine wash. But then it was all about promoting an ethyl alcohol for women.

In my perspective, the essence of being a woman in the commercial was sensationalized as Sam Pinto was used to represent them in that TV advertisement. It was not really needed for her to wear undergarments that reveal parts of her body just to promote an alcohol brand. We all know that the audiences of televisions come from different ages. The way that the commercial was presented could be better if it was sensitive to its younger audience. It may have a target market but they should have been more careful with the way that their commercial would be interpreted by the public. On the other hand, the content should still be screened by the authority handling these TV commercials. The Filipino audience can easily access the Internet and the televisions which are forms of the mass media. Through this, media people must have their own duty to filter and organize anything that people may get from the media. 

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How to air a fake news?

Alleged Rape?

            I stumbled upon a video clip of a rape case and I thought it was a simple rape case but when I played the video, it was stated that a woman allegedly raped her boyfriend twelve times. This was posted on June 27, 2014 by ABS CBN and was aired on Bandila.

           First things first, the way the news anchor Karen Davila introduced the news.

She said: “Kumakalat ngayon sa social media ang larawan ng isang babae na taga-Bontoc, Mountain Province umano. Sabi sa post, ilang beses pwinersa ng babae ang boyfriend na makipagsex sa kanya.”

            The news was on Bandila and the program airs late at night but nevertheless, the word sex seems inappropriate on Philippine TV given the contemporary sensitivity of Filipinos.

            Another thing is the news item itself. It was aired even though the news was a complete hokum. It was only spread online by some people and labeled an Igorot woman raped her boyfriend. Naturally, the elders of the community and the mayor of the area reacted. The elders were even interviewed and they said they teach Igorot women to be modest and not mingle with boys so this particular story is actually very offensive to them.

            To avoid these kinds of presumptions, the anchor could have already said in the introduction that the story is not true before going into detailed reporting and offend some people.

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(Editor's note: The actual canned report is properly contextualized. However, as the blogger pointed out, the lead-in or intro of the report would have been better if the context was already clear -- that it was a fake news.)