our daily bore

     I wouldn't mind hearing controversial but interesting views of Mo Twister or the happy banter of Tony Toni with his friends. Or the very masa Papa Jack giving his advice. While they are not necessarily always agreeable, their opinions are always interesting. But with Jam's afternoon uninteresting conversations about lifeless topics, I am sorry to say but it's a bummer. 

     Generally speaking, Jam 88.3 is still my radio station because alternative is the only genre that I will never get tired listening. The said radio station is accompanying my nights while I'm asleep and the days while doing the daily routine or other unexpected shit load. But come lunch time, I will find some other FM stations or just play some mp3 files from iTunes. Or just watch porn. Or just watch some mindless noontime TV shows.

I was watching this hero even his name wasn't familiar yet. That time, no one thought that he will go the great distance. Except maybe for his self, with his determination and raw talent. I was watching his fights that time because of its entertainment value. Almost same as my age, I never had the chance to see other boxers ring "brawl" as Pacquiao. Other fighters are just too systematic and scientific to be entertaining.

     Fast forward, with all the endorsements, acting gigs, political activities and other distractions.. His face down in the canvas, I can't help but feel its pain and in a way be nostalgic. The man considered by many as boxing savior has fallen. And despite the popular and uplifting comments from the populace that it is not how hard you fall but in the way you stand up again.. Failure is something that can linger longer that it appears. When he was knocked down, together with the world, I was also in disbelief and was speechless for some seconds. Of course, he is still wealthier than most of us. But the triumph and celebration of the possible was also put to a halt. What died, even temporarily, is our illusion of immortal greatness. Our hallucination that with determination, everything's possible. Because in real life, failure is more than a possibility. It's the reality.

     But I hope Manny can still fight with flare and gusto. Ageless and without fear. Just like his first matches. Or just like that last fight. Not necessarily with the same result.

August 2011. Christopher Lao was helped by bystanders after he plunged his car in the water. Then he blamed them for not informing what was ahead of him. Then the GMA news team that interviewed him. Then the government.

     August 2012. Robert Carabuena was caught on video hitting an MMDA officer when he was pulled over by the traffic enforcer.

     November 2012. Paula Salvosa also known as Amalayer girl was seen berating a lady security guard. According to her, the lady guard grabbed her arm.

     Some months ago, I was in NAIA Terminal 1 to fetch my mother. I was about to go where she's at when an airport guard stopped me and grabbed my arm. I told the guard in a low-tone authoritative voice, "Why?". And he told me that I'm entering the wrong gate. I replied, "You just have to tell me. Don't grab my arm, I don't know you."

     November 2012. Hours after the Amalayer incident, it was trending on twitter. Paula was condemned left and right for her action and grammar. One celebrity icon tweeted that whatever the lady guard might have been said or did, Salvosa over-reacted. 

     At first, I don't know how to react. But I think something's missing for this girl to be the subject of hate. 

Two Laws and Losses for Freelancers and Netizens 

The Freelance Writers’ Guild of the Philippines’ (FWGP) 

Statement on Aquino’s Cyber Laws 

21 September 2012 

In August and September of this year, the Philippine President signed two laws that “recognize the role of information and communications technology in nation-building and social and economic development.” These laws are: 

Tale as old as time. Yes, a fairy tale. A cliché story of having the impossible. You can almost expect what will happen in the end. But with witty brit humor, lovable characters and entertaining hollywood storytelling.

Then you will remember the old issue that was Hugh Grant. Caught in a car having sex with a prostitute. The issue was not that he had paid for sex. But the kind of prostitute. Think of the Avenida type 500 pesos hooker. Not the high class escort service for politicians and businessmen. 

Okay, it was an exaggeration. Not the Recto type. It was like the Malate girls. But you get the grip. 

Anyway..

That was the issue headlined by the media. But they never hated him for it. In fact, he got some more movies again after the incident. Thankfully.

It is an old movie, relatively speaking. And I'm not the biggest fan of this kind of story. I want blood or pain, melancholy or any disturbing realities. But after watching Notting Hill, I say let's go back to fairy tale. At least from time to time. Because sometimes, we need to believe in something. No matter how hopeless. Yes, that human spirit! That mushy message.

Well, is it an escapist film? Yes! 

Is it worth your time? Yes!

Sentor Sotto really hates free expression. I remember his reaction way back the 90s when Eraserheads' Alapaap was playing in the airwaves. Anyway, here's the newest band of Ely Buendia, Oktaves. Their song is Paakyat ka pa Lang, Pababa na Ako. This video is not mine. I just adjusted some of the colors.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS FOR FREELANCE WRITERS THIS YEAR IS HAPPENING ON SEPTEMBER 16:

THE 2ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FREELANCE WRITERS' GUILD OF THE PHILIPPINES.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: SEPTEMBER 16, 2012, 1 TO 6PM IN UP HOTEL. SO MAKE SURE YOU GO TO THE MIBF BEFORE SEPT 16, OKAY? :)

WHY YOU SHOULDN'T MISS IT:

1. There will be a talk by CELINE ROQUE about Online Freelance Writing), NOEMI PAMINTUAN JARA and freelancer.com's SHARON DE DIOS will be sharing their freelance writing experiences, too. Plus, seasoned writer BERT SULAT will also be sharing lessons, tips and advice for freelance writers.

2. We have also invited representatives from the client side (yes, you read it right, THEY will be there) to talk about what makes them tick, what turns them off, what skills you should possess, etc. We will be hearing from CES RODRIGUEZ of Yahoo! Philippines, CAMSY OCUMEN from freelancer.com, and YASMIN ARQUIZA of GMA News Online.

3. The panel of reactors will be composed of three freelance writers who will represent all of us (because we can't all be given the chance to speak): DINO MANRIQUE, STEPHANIE GONZAGA, and BEVERLY SIY.

4. PLUS, the results of the RATES SURVEY will be presented, together with the accomplishments and future plans of the the different FWGP committees.

The event will be hosted by VIVA ANDRADA and ANGELICA CARBALLO. Open forum to be moderated by SUSAN CLAIRE AGBAYANI. Performances by PETER ALLAN MARIANO and CHARLIE MORALES' band. 

BOOKS WILL BE ON SALE AT THE VENUE!

FWGP wishes to thank our sponsors: FILIPINAS COPYRIGHT AND LICENSING SOCIETY (FILCOLS), AIR21, BUSINESSWORLD, HERWORD, BALANGAY PRODUCTIONS, TINDAHAN NG ITLOG NI KUYA, MICHELLE'S CUPCAKES, AGIMAT, AND MANY MORE.

YOUR ENTRANCE FEE OF P100 WILL BE USED TO PAY FOR VENUE AND EQUIPMENT.