Yesterday, after quitting the presidential race.

The only novels I read are those of John Grisham. But whenever a movie is shown about those books that I don’t read, I make sure that I watch it. In 2001, when the first Harry Potter was shown, I was 7th in line in SM Megamall. I was curious on what is in that movie that almost everyone want to watch. Of course, I don’t know if the movie gave justice to the book since I didn’t read the story.

This was just forwarded to me and want to share with everyone. I don’t think I have the luxury of time to even read the ebooks. Files are hosted in Mediafire. Post a comment if it’s a dead link.

Book 1 – Twilight

http://www.mediafire.com/?j9zgfvmfz8i

Book 2 – New Moon

http://www.mediafire.com/?ngwjg9jv9wy

Book 3 – Eclipse

http://www.mediafire.com/?ijvlnmmdiem

Book 4 – Breaking Dawn

http://www.mediafire.com/?zckrhcdod3t

Though I wasn’t able to listen fully to the show, I was able to record some parts of it. Magic’s signal is not too clear in our place. When I tried to listen through the MP3 player, the battery is already drained. The web server of the online streaming does the same. I hope that Magic will be able to host their radio in Eradioportal.

Nevertheless, I was able to record some of the senator’s answers. Why is “Chiz” his nickname? Are all UP students bright? How can he encourage the youth to vote? Will he run for president?

Part 2

I used Audio Recorder for Free from downloaded.com. It’s easy to install and easy to configure.

I also recorded Chico and Delamar’s interview today with US Ambassador Kristie Kenney. The show is aired in Monster Radio RX 93.1, Monday-Saturday, 6am-9am.

In the “Inday jokes in English, smarter than Eraptions,” a resource person interviewed said “While humor is appreciated once in a while, we must realize that it can also be an insidious medium for normalizing certain negative stereotypes.”

True enough. I think all jokes are directed towards a specific person or types of persons, and somehow, they are degraded. Think of any joke that does not demean a person or entity.

I maybe accused of stereotyping housemaids or kasambahay. But it is a common knowledge that maids are maids (at least in the Philippines) because of necessity rather than their own volition. Who would want to be a maid? Who would want to clean other people’s house, clean the toilets, cook, take care of the youngsters, and get paid for it? They became maids because they weren’t able to finish schooling or they came from far flung provinces, or they serve their housemasters because their parents were in debt.

Indays jokes is a form of sarcasm. It is a mean to exaggerate Inday’s knowledge on medicine, law, language, architecture, etc. It’s like Jesus Christ, who was clothed with a red robe and a thorn crown to compare him to a king.

If Joey de Leon gives a joke directed to Willy Revillame, then Willy is the subject. If you watch Eat Bulaga, and catch the segment for And Dyok Ko, the last joke would always be a contest among Joey’s, Vic Sotto‘s and Jimmy Santos‘ lolos. Somehow, Joey is making fun of the lolos of Vic and Jimmy because his lolo will always be the winner in the contest.

Same thing with Rex Navarette. He always makes fun of the Filipino traits. This is the reason why I am not outraged by the Desperate Housewive’s blunder. But that’s another story.

Here’s the video of Maritess and the Superfriends.

On my cellphone, which is new (but that’s another story), 103.5 is set alongside Crossover 105.1. The jazz music they play keeps me relax during my graveyard shift. There’s also Joey 92.3.

Before my favorite radio station was Dwrr 101.9, but that was when I was still in grade school. When I discovered Chico and Delamar in the defunct KC FM 93.9, I got hooked and I always made it a point to listen to their top 10. I could still remember the very first top 10 that i heard from them when I was in grade 6 – the top ten signs that you are watching a bad Pinoy movie. Entries then were sent through pagers. When they transferred to Monster Radio Rx 93.1 (which is their original home), after 93.9 became IFM, I still listen to them.

On Sundays, our family is tuned in to Love Radio 90.7 for oldies songs. My parents, of course, are more than 50 years old. Or RJ 100.3, where I love the live music courtesy of RJ Jacinto.

I would say that at one point or another, I have listened to most of the FM stations. I had listened to Jam 88.3, Magic 89.9, thanks to Mo Twister’s Forbidden Questions, 91.5, even when they were still in the old format; Mellow Touch 94.7 because of their slow music, ditto with Wrock 96.3. When Barangay LS was still Campus Radio 97.1, I always make it a point to record the live feed they are giving during UP Fair. There was a time when Home Radio 97.9 did not have commercial. I think this is the only radio station that other stations could not copy because the former has less talk and more on music (sounds like Wrock, isn’t it). While other stations always make it a point to crank some jokes, 97.9 plays music as it should be.

I was told that classical music makes someone more intelligent, that’s why I tune in to Dzfe 98.7. Back in the 90′s, Yes FM 101.1 was called Showbiz Tsismis. I know that this station and Love Radio are sister radio stations since both are operated by Manila Broadcasting Corporation. Star FM hears like 101.9. I do not know what happened to Kool 106.7. I seldom listen to NU Rock 107.5.

I also listen to AM radios, but only in DZMM 630, DZBB 594 and DZRH. All you have to do is to move your dial either to the left or to the right and you will be able to listen to these stations.

[You might want to check the "Race on for 'fave' FM station."]

Ralph Recto could be considered as the very first candidate who ran a television ad to gather pogi points. His Christmas greeting last holiday season was made together with Vilma Santos, step-son Luis Manzano and the actual son whose I name I could not remember. If politicians can post their banners with their gigantic faces, greeting the community a Merry Christmas, why not a television ad? Nice move, Recto. His political ad now, however, seemed to focus on dance, where I find no relevance at all in the campaign.

Francis Pangilinan also had an advertisement, but that was for Lucky Me, whose major ad model is his wife Sharon Cuneta. At least he is endorsing a product and not himself. Or so I thought.

Then came Manuel Villar‘s “women’s ad,” featuring Angel Locsin, Rio Locsin (are they related), Tessie Tomas, and Jennilyn Mercado. No doubt that this is a campaign material. Ironically, I haven’t noticed that advertisement nowadays. His new campaign jingle, in the tune of “Sasakyan Kita” by K and the Boxers, is plain funny.

“Ang gara ng buhay” is former UP President Edgardo Angara‘s slogan. Maybe his handlers got the idea from the Chibibo Toons (Saan nakatira si Ely, Buendia? E si Joey, Ayala? ; Rosanna, Roces for you. ; Is Marvin Gaye? ). The voice of the narrator is familiar though. Is he the one in DaDeDiDoDu and in Apple Epol before?

I would say that the worst political ad so far is that of Mike Defensor. The lighting and the casting is so bad. I cannot imagine that a Boy Abunda was the one behind the image of the former presidential mouthpiece. First, it does not suit his personality for him to be called as “Tol,” or a male friend. He may be young and vibrant, but he does not have the charm, and look at the very people he is always associated with: Pres. Arroyo, Ignacio Bunye and Erap Estrada (whom he always visit, according to the papers). All of them are unpopular (in political terms). What I don’t like more about his ad are the talents: a trying-hard-look-a-like of Manny Pacquiao, the nuns and the children.

Joker Arroyo‘s ad or image has been recycled. Considered as the most thrifty among the senators, Joker already used the black and white sticker with a caricature of him last 2001 elections. He is trying to make an image of being a crime buster because of his performance in Joseph Estrada’s impeachment trial.

From Loren Loren Sinta (Leron Leron Sinta is a Filipino native song), Loren Legarda made the most commonly used political ad method in the Philippines: using previous TV footages to emphasize what they have done before. She was seen with a former military kidnap victim, and on another footage, braving through the flood. She now used the song “Tunay na Ligaya.”

Another bad political ad is that of Prospero Pichay. “Ako po si Prospero Pichay, Pro Pinoy.” I am irritated by that phrase Pro Pinoy. Since when did he become pro Pinoy when all he did in the House of Representatives is to defend her President? My suggestion to Pichay, since your name sounds like the vegatable, use “Bahay Kubo” in your campaign jingle.

John Osmeña‘s political ad, on the other hand is unique in so far as branding is concerned. He focused on the history of his family (the Osmeña’s came from Cebu; Sergio Osmeña is the first Filipino Speaker of the House of Representatives). But isn’t he the one who is always accused of being gay?

And speaking of gay, I can still remember Tessie Aquino‘s dance in the Senate when the 2001 impeachment was aborted. Now, she is trying to project an image that she is the champion of free primary education.

Derived from Francis M’s Sprite commercial “Ito ang Gusto Ko!” Alan Peter Cayetano‘s ad has cartoon images. I must admit that together with Chiz Escudero‘s TV ad, I have not seen much of this ad.

Keywords: philippines, election, manila, senators, congressmen, advertisement, jingles, television, radio

I was compelled to pay an additional P 30 for the Police Clearance without giving a receipt or even a simple note as a proof that I paid them the amount. Worst, if I will be given an official receipt, I have to pay an additional P 5 as payment for that receipt. At around 10 this morning, I went to the old municipal building to secure a police clearance. It is one of the requirements I would submit to my new employer. I was told by a staff, which I suppose was a trainee, to get first an Official Receipt from the Office of the Municipal Treasurer.

I asked the tricycle driver to bring me to the new municipal building. I lined up in the Treasurer’s Office, presented my Community Tax Certificate (cedula) so that they won’t misprint my name, and paid the P 25.

Go back again to the old municipal building which houses the police station. I presented my cedula, the receipt and the Barangay Clearance. Then the staff typed it in the computer and I waited for around 10 minutes. I thumb marked the clearance.
I thought it’s already done.

The lone police woman there asked me for an additional P 30 for the clearance. I said I already paid it and showed the receipt. I forgot to get her name and rank, but I had a picture of her in my photo gallery.

Â? I am confused. What else should I pay more?

She said they would use the money to buy ink, water and other office supplies. I wrote my name in the logbook, and if I remember it correctly, my number is 1469.

I demanded a receipt which I think is the standard procedure for any transaction that involves money. She said that they do not issue receipts, but it is okay if I don’t pay.

I argued that it is alright for me to pay, if it is the procedure. All I wanted is a receipt just to prove that I made the payment.

Another policeman, an unfamiliar face to me, said that if they would issue a receipt, I have to pay an additional P 5. That makes the total payment to P 35.

I repeated that the receipt don’t need to be official. Even a simple note would note. Still, the two refused.

The policeman told me that what I paid in the treasurer’s office was for the municipal government and not for the police. The amount they are collecting is for the police. But you are given a budget isn’t? (Their budget this year is P 442, 000, according to the document the newspaper acquired from the Municipal Budget Office. It is P 237, 000 more than 2005′s budget. Click here for the newspaper article in PDF.)

I can already feel the steam in the station, though there were only three of us inside. The rest are outside of the station, watching people and vehicles pass by.When I was about to leave, I just told them “Salamat na lang po” (Thank you.)

To my regret, I have to pay the P 30.

Here’s my view:

It’s not about money. It is about corruption.

Again, it doesn’t matter to me even if I pay P 100 pesos for the police clearance, or for any government document that I need. Money has never been the issue for me (alright, I’m exaggerating). My parents did not raise me like that. I never argue because of money. Even in my previous job, the compensation maybe low compared with other companies in the same industry. But I do understand them since it’s a start-up Filipino company. The municipal mayor could even attest to that because for the two issues of the newspaper that I produced, what I got is a 4-digit payment. I did not complain.

This is about principle. How would I know if the payment I made is really for the maintenance of the office? What if they are just for gasoline of their private vehicles? What if it they would use it to buy beer or chicken from the store in front of the police station? What if they would just buy prepaid credits for the mobile phones? The possibilities are endless.

Last March 15, I secured from the same office the same document. But I only paid P 25 and I was issued a receipt. Why did the practice changed? Is it because the person who issued it to me know that I produce the municipality’s newspaper?

If they would charge me an additional P 30, why don’t they ask the Treasurer’s Office to make adjustments? Why don’t they just peg the police clearance at P 50 or P 60, with receipts, so that everything could be accounted for? The policeman said that what I paid is for the municipality and not the police. So why not the Treasurer’s Office issue collect money that would eventually be turned over to the police’s coffers?

Their argument that they would use the money for their office supplies. It is not the responsibility of the ordinary citizens to give them money for the maintenance of their office. That is the job of the government, whether local or national. Citizens pay taxes.

For the sake of argument, let’s say that what I paid for is for their office supplies. The cost of printing the police clearance would not even reach P 10.Where would they use the P 20?

If I am the 1469th payee of the P 30, or let’s just make it 1000th, they should have collected P 30, 000 already. Now I know why the policewoman was putting some amount of money in a black bag while I was waiting for the clearance.

Again, it is not about money. This is about my principle of honesty. One time after my shift, I took a bus in Ortigas Avenue going to Guadalupe. I paid the driver P 100, but he gave me P 150 plus as exchange for the P 10 fare. I could have been dishonest and just take the money. Payday is says away and I badly need an additional money. But I realized, how different would I be from corrupt politicians who take away people’s money for their personal use?

What would I do? I’ll be more aggressive this time. I will expose the wrongdoings of the police, not because I was aggravated, but because what they did is wrong. Anybody who is faced in the situation would be furious.

Just wait and see.