Miracle Shot

Once more, the Ateneo Blue Eagles dug down deep inside, and pulled off a miracle victory over the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers, 72-71, at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

The hero this time around was American Kirk Long, who drained a long jumper past a frantic Jervy Cruz with a second to go to push Ateneo past UST. Long, who had figured in a protest-tainted victory over archrival La Salle, was then immediately mobbed by his team mates. It’s the second straight win by Ateneo, coming of a rain-riddled, month-long three-game losing streak.

The win puts Ateneo in 3^rd place, a half-game ahead of UST, and a full game ahead of fifth placer Far Eastern University. Since the remaining games of Ateneo are La Salle, National University, University of the Philippines and Adamson, making the playoffs after yesterday’s win is a distinct possibility. If Ateneo can go 3-1, the possible lone loss belonging to La Salle, it will end the elimination round with a 9-5 record, which should be enough to make it as far as third seed. UST and FEU can still go to 9-5, but it means that they would have to win all the rest of the way. For UST, it’s a good possibility that they can manage doing so, but only time will tell.

This coming Saturday, Ateneo can shore up its playoff hopes by winning against the Adamson Blue Falcons, which will be working hard to end a decade of futility against their rival raptor team. It means that Ateneo cannot relax their guard, because, even though the Falcons have only one lone win this season against UP, each game they play against the Blue Eagles is always hard-fought, and an upset is not unlikely. If Ateneo wins, though, it'll strengthen their playoff position, and give them some well-needed momentum heading up to their match-up with archrival La Salle.

Tabloid Update

The mystery of the identity of the body in the suitcase was solved a few days ago. Apparently, Geraldine Palma, 7, a student at St. Paul's College, Pasig, was kidnapped for ransom; her nanny remains missing, and is thought to be either dead or a suspect in Geraldine's kidnapping. I read about it in the papers a day or two ago.

I'm sure ABS-CBN will probably crow about having put out the story first, that it was probably its story that helped identify Palma, but what I'm remembering are the horrific images the network so brazenly displayed day after day, and I'm wondering if the people at the network are proud of the fact that they might as well have raped the girl, leaving no shred of decency unturned when they showed the girl's body, her legs sticking out of the suitcase, and the wire wrapped around her neck. Those are the images that the girl's parents will remember. I hope ABS-CBN is happy.

As for the kidnappers, I hope they rot in hell. I can think of few crimes lower than kidnapping and murdering a child, and it makes me wish that the death penalty had not been repealed. The monsters who committed this atrocity deserve to die many times over.

Blogging Responsibly

Quis custodiet ipsos custodies?

- Thud!, Terry Prachett (among others)

The recent controversy involving writer Malu Fernandez, which seems to have ended with her public apology and resignation from her publishers, People Asia magazine and the Manila Standard Today, underlines how powerful online communication can be.

The issue began when Fernandez wrote an article for People Asia about her trip to Greece and Boracay. While describing her trip riding economy class, she commented on being trapped with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), with the supposedly pervasive smell of certain colognes drowning out her own.

The article set off a firestorm in the blogosphere, probably the first case in the Philippines wherein the online community united against a common issue. The article was also probably read by the OFW community, and, since they contribute a sizeable sum to our nation’s coffers with their remittances, it’s not unlikely that they used their clout to make their displeasure heard.

This is amazing in the sense that other news outfits, both broadcast and print, were fairly late in covering the issue. By the time it was aired on ABS-CBN, the issue had been raging in the blogosphere for almost a month. Of course, it could be an indication of how many actually read the publications where Fernandez wrote (thanks to Rudini for pointing that out).

I’ll not touch on the actual article; enough fellow bloggers have expressed their outrage at its appalling insensitivity. What I would like to comment on is the lynch-mob mentality that seemed to fuel it, and the implications it has on blogging.

One of the nice things about blogging is that one has the freedom to write whatever article he or she wants, free from an editor’s possible censorship. Blogging gives the writer the power to make his or her thoughts known to the world. Some have used it to showcase their writing talents, and some have made it their personal space on the World Wide Web.

However, without editorial oversight, there are no safeguards to what a blogger writes. In writing his or her posts, the blogger may run into the realm of the rant, wherein it is emotion, and not objectivity, which fuels the writing. A number of the blogs vilifying Fernandez, in fact, went a little overboard in their attacks and became non sequiturs, making personal attacks until they were as foul as Fernandez’s original article.

Columnists Alex Magno of the Philippine Star commented on this attitude in his column last Saturday. While Magno admires the blogosphere as a bastion of democracy, he states his concerns about the lack of “editorial accountability” in blogging. He notes that some agreement must be made regarding standards of responsibility and decency in blogging.

There is some sense in what Magno writes. However, while it’s true that there is little or no oversight on blogging, the blogosphere is not completely anarchic. Since most blogs have comment functions, reader make their opinions heard and read, which often causes a snowball effect on subsequent commentators. And writers who are conscious of keeping their credibility intact are careful about what they write in their blogs, doing self-editing in order to make sure that their finished product is noteworthy.

While the phenomenon of blogging gives anybody with an Internet connection and a yen for writing a voice with which to be heard, people have to learn that this voice can simply be tossed aside as so much dross, unless they take time to craft it, and hone it such that people will sit up and take notice.

Will it happen? Right now, I doubt it. People are just too intoxicated with the power at their hands, and will post whatever comes to their minds; there will always be blogs which will never be up to standards. Still, we readers also possess a lot of power, in selecting whose voices we listen to. And it is we who decide which blogs to read, and which to ignore.

Who watches the watchmen? All of us.

Tabloid Trash

Watching the news, I wonder if ABS-CBN has any social conscience of which to speak. Then, I remember: of course, they don’t.

Anyone remember the Wowowee tragedy a year ago?

And, once more, the people at ABS-CBN show that when it comes to respecting human dignity, they have a complete and utter lack of it.

Last week, the network ran a news story about a suitcase that was fished out of the water. Inside was the body of a young girl; electric wire was wrapped around her neck, and all she was wearing was a pair of bright yellow jogging pants.

How did the network people treat the story? By running shots of the girl’s legs sticking out of the suitcase. They also showed the upper body, pointing graphically at the wire around the girl’s neck; mercifully, they blotted out the girl’s face. But everything else was on display, just in time for primetime news. There wasn’t even a warning about the pictures before the story, to at least let parents protect their children from the gory details.

If that weren’t enough, in last night’s broadcast, they ran the shots again, the whole enchilada. I wouldn’t want to be the girl’s parents, though up to now, the girl’s identity remains a mystery.

Also in last night’s news was the story of a man who hacked his wife and children to death, and, of course, ABS-CBN showed us glimpses of bloody body parts peeking from underneath the shrouds.

Perhaps the people at ABS-CBN would say that they’re merely reporting the news as they see it, but what I see is a cheap attempt to attract viewers by showing shocking footage that probably shouldn’t have been aired to begin with. What they want is the masa or common people to be attracted to watching them, and, of course, any tactic is fair game, although, to be fair, their main rival, GMA, also resorts to such puerile tactics.

Maybe I’ll just stick to reading the news in the papers, or online, so that I don’t have to subject myself to trashy tabloid tactics.

A Love Story

It’s rare that I get to watch a Filipino movie, and I’m glad I made a good choice this time around.

Hazel and I caught “A Love Story,” the new movie by directory Maryo J. de los Reyes, Sunday evening. Starring Aga Mulach, Maricel Soriano, and Angelica Panganiban, the movie explores the pitfalls of falling in love, and the consequences one has to pay.

No spoilers, but I will say that the story is fairly well-written, as things that seem clear at the beginning are not so clear as the story develops, but it kept me glued for the duration.

I have to say that I’m a fan of Aga Mulach’s acting prowess. He has a bit of comic timing, and is able to emote at the crucial points of the movie. I also like Maricel Soriano’s work in the movie; she’s come a long way from her “Taray Queen” days. Her acting is heartfelt and genuine.

For a relative newcomer, Angelica Panganiban does her best, but is hampered by a rather high-pitched voice which tended to grate. Still, given her situation in the movie, one cannot help but feel sorry for her.

The rest of the cast also gives a good account of themselves, especially Dante Rivero, who plays Aga’s Alzheimer-affected father.

The movie could have turned out like the soap opera-style Filipino dramas, heavy with emotion, and burdensome to the end. But “A Love Story”, through some deft scriptwriting, and able directing, manages to avoid burying the viewer in pathos, and, instead, balances dramatic moments with light ones, and, as a result, comes out with a movie that has all the makings of a classic.

Side Comment: I wonder at the sensibility of some parents who brought their kids to see the movie. I mean, it’s an film with decidedly adult topics, and you have kids watching it. I guess the parents had no one to sit for them, but it’s still jarring to see kids at a movie like this.

Typhoon

It's been a while since classes have been canceled on consecutive days due to stormy weather. With now-super typhoon "Egay" about to arrive in the country, education officials thought it safest to cancel classes for the rest of the week.

The cynical part of me believes that yesterday was merely a knee-jerk reaction to their failure to call off classes last Wednesday, when heavy rains caused flooding everywhere. Yesterday, there was no rain; in fact, it was even sunny at some point.

Today, however, is another story. "Egay" is due to hit this evening or so, and it will probably bring strong rains and wind, so calling off classes is a good idea.

The main effect on my students will be that their exams, which were supposed to happen next week, will now be moved to a later date. Unfortunately for them, that means that the next two weekends, which are long ones due to the holidays, will still be under exam coverage. Astute parents will probably keep their sons home, especially if they're trying to catch up in their grades. Oh, well. C'est la vie.

The main effect on the country could be horrendous, though, if "Egay" comes into the Philippines with the strength with which it's been measured. Flooding and destruction are sure to come with the typhoon, and so it's best to pray that it leaves the country mostly unscathed as it passes through.


Ironically, just last week, religious leaders called on their faithful to pray for rain to alleviate the dry spell. Now, calls are being issued for prayers to stop the rain. Be careful what we pray for, I guess.

Classes Canceled, Again

Classes today were suspended due to heavy rains.

I can imagine what it must be like outside the school. Inside the school, we were having a school-wide Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. All the while, the rain pounded incessantly on the roof of the covered courts, mercilessly coming down in torrents for more than half an hour.

I knew things were going bad when I sent one of my students to make sure that the windows were closed, and, when he came back, he reported that the water in the drainage was rapidly approaching the first year classrooms. I went out of the courts to see for myself, and, sure enough, the floodwaters had almost gotten up to the first floor of the first-year wing.

Before the Mass was over, our Principal went to address the students, and cautioned them against celebrating too early because: one, there was no official word from the Department of Education, and two, the Mass wasn't over yet. Of course, one of the prefects went up the stage and whispered something in the Principal's ear, giving the students the impression that, yes, classes were to be canceled.

This was confirmed when the Principal announced that he just wanted to make sure that everyone would get home safely. The announcement sent the students cheering.

Like the students, I'd probably be on my home now, except for the fact that there are reports that the rains have flooded Katipunan Ave. outside, so I'm stuck here in the workroom.

Oh well. At least I get this post up and running.

UAAP Basketball Musings: A Quick Look at the League

With the first round over, and the second round having started last Saturday, the men’s basketball teams of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) continue to jockey for prime positions in the Final Four. Of the eight teams, two (Adamson and UP) are all but out of the running, while the other six, with the exception of UE, are clumping together so it’s a little harder to determine the Final Four. Let’s have a look-see.

University of the Philippines (UP) – The Fighting Maroons started the season with a host of talented sophomores and rookies, and the lack of experience and cohesion is showing. While there are individual standouts, such as former Blue Eaglet Mike Gamboa, the team itself lacks the maturity to hold together in the face of adversity. As a result, UP has yet to win a single game this season.

Last Thursday’s game against Far Eastern University (FEU) was a prime example. Despite leading most of the way, the Maroons let the game slip from their fingers in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. Perhaps next season, this team will be more dangerous, but, for now, the young Maroons are going to have to take their knocks.

Adamson – The Falcons’ only win is over winless UP, which gives one an indication how badly the team misses the services of Ken Bono. While Cabahug and Hugnatan are proficient players, the rest of the team seems to be unable to support their stars. Because of this, Adamson’s chances of making the Final Four are practically nil. It’ll take a winning streak of miraculous proportions to somehow make it; one of the wins has to come against their rival raptors, the Ateneo Blue Eagles, whom they haven’t won against in a decade.

National University (NU) – For once, the Bulldogs aren’t at the bottom of the standings, and are actually primed to barge into the Final Four, a position they haven’t tasted since 1999. However, it’ll take more than 3-point shooting to get them there. More consistent defense and better ball handling will.

Far Eastern University (FEU) – The Tamaraws will be in the thick of the fight for the Final Four slot. Despite the fact that, technically, the team is made up of rookies, most of these are transferees from other schools, which makes them a little more dangerous than the average rookie. FEU has the tools to make it, and they probably will.

With their win yesterday over Adamson, FEU is locked in a three-way tie with La Salle and UST, and, if things keep on going these teams’ way, the Final Four could already be determined.

Ateneo de Manila – The Blue Eagles are a bit of an enigma this season. Despite starting out the season 4-1, including a semi-controversial win over archrival La Salle, Ateneo has since dropped games to FEU and UST, both by wide margins. Teams have adjusted to Ford Arao’s game, and, as a result, his production has plummeted; in fact, he only scored a point or two in the UST loss. Which team will show up for the second round: the team that decisively won four games, or the team that collapsed in the last two games? It’s anyone’s guess, but I’ll tell you one thing: at least the Eagles have unpredictability going for them.

UPDATE: Ateneo lost to UE in a tight battle yesterday, which gives the Eagles, and coach Norman Black, their first three-game losing streak in three years. The problem here is that the Eagles’ chances of making the Final Four will hinge on their performance from this point onwards. Any slip, and it’s bye-bye for any Atenean’s Final Four dreams.

La Salle – The Archers’ triumphant return, and supposed straight road to the Finals, have been derailed by three crucial losses to UE, Ateneo and UST. Last Saturday’s collapse against defending champion UST was an eye-opener; the Tigers scored 12 straight points to overhaul what seemed to be an overwhelming lead to force overtime, and completely dominated the Archers in the overtime period. It appears that the year-long layoff did have some detrimental effects on La Salle’s winning edge. However, as seen in the past, the Archers are very dangerous when their backs are up against the wall, and it’s likely that La Salle will find the will to win, and make it back to the Final Four.

University of Sto. Tomas (UST) – Perhaps it’s the raucous crowd of fans that shows up every game. Maybe it’s the fact that coach Pido Jarencio always seems never to be frazzled. Whatever it is, it’s helped the Tigers claw their way back into contention after starting out the season 0-2. Since then, UST has hacked out a 5-1 record, with an impressive list of kills. Ateneo fans will remember Khazim Mirza’s breakout game, and how could they not, considering it was against Ateneo that Mirza suddenly exploded from beyond the 3-point range? UST has given notice that they are a force to reckon with, and they will not relinquish the crown without a drawn-out battle.

University of the East (UE) – The weirdest thing is that I haven’t actually seen the Warriors in any of their seven wins, so I have no idea what sort of game that they play. Whatever coach Dindo Pumaren has done to motivate his players is apparently working, and the Warriors are running roughshod against the rest of the league.

With their level of play, the Warriors are the clear favorite to bring home the crown, but it’s still too early to say. There are still 5-6 games left to play, and anything, and I mean anything, can happen to tip the scales in any direction.

No Classes

Trust the Department of Education to screw things up.

After announcing as early as 5 am this morning that there would be classes in all levels, the DepEd made an about-face, and declared that there would be no classes in all levels.

Unfortunately, the announcement was made at 6:50 in the morning, when majority of students are either on their way to school or are already at school. Thus, there will be some students stranded in school until their drivers pick them up, or, worse, some of them will have to commute through the flooded streets back to their house.

If the DepEd stuck to its original announcement, and let the city mayors and individual schools handle the cancellation, or, made a firm decision and immediately declared that there would be no classes, it wouldn't have to face a flood of irate parents who will most likely complain about the lateness of the DepEd cancellation.

The Simpsons Movie

As soon as Ralph Wiggums appeared on the 20^th Century Fox logo, and hummed the Fox opening theme, I knew “The Simpsons Movie” would be enjoyable for me.

Taking advantage of a school holiday (St Ignatius Day), I went off to the Block to catch the movie. And it was a barrel of laughs for me from start to finish. Who would’ve thought that the Simpsons would be able to evoke such mirth, even after 18 solid years of entertainment? But evoke mirth it did.

(SPOILERS FOLLOW)

Once more, the story revolves around the dysfunctional Simpsons family and its bumbling patriarch Homer. As always, it’s one of Homer’s shenanigans which sets off the story on its rollicking path. And, as always, Homer finds a way to extricate himself from his predicament.

In between, the jokes fly fast and furious, too many to take note of. There are a few familiar gags that rear their hilarious heads, notably, Itchy and Scratchy, Springfield’s location, the Fox Network send-up, and Nelson’s mocking “Ha, HA!” There’s even a tribute to one of the earlier episodes where Homer tried to stop Bart from skateboarding across the Springfield Gorge; watch carefully near the end of the film.

If there was something lacking with the film, it seemed as if the story wasn’t able to cover all the bases. Somehow, I would’ve liked the town cast to play a bigger role, although I realize that’s impossible, given the movie’s length. Maybe, with the success of this movie, there will be others coming out, and we’ll get to enjoy more of the likes of Apu, Mr. Burns, and the rest.

One of the things I find amazing about “The Simpsons” is that the voice cast has remained unchanged after 18 seasons. And it is the same cast which makes its appearance in the movie; this time, during the credits, the characters attached to each actor/actress is shown. Strangely enough, only Yeardley Smith, who plays the voice of Lisa Simpson, has one voice to play, the others, particularly Hank Azaria, having three or more to voice.

One word of warning, though: even though it’s a cartoon, “The Simpsons Movie”, like the TV series, is NOT for young children. The show has always dealt with more mature stories, and parents may not be prepared to explain some of the racier jokes in the movie.

All being said, “The Simpsons Movie” is a worthy addition to what has become a very enduring franchise.