Dear Free Netizens...

I came from the future, 2 ███. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175) in fact. I came here at this timeline to  change the future, a very horrible future. Where those in power cannot be touched, though cloaked in public service and good intentions, still gets away with a lot of corruption and power struggle. The internet is controlled by the government, no advertisements, no blogs, no social media. Rather they use it to provide information to its agencies. Use the high speed connections for control robots and instruct "internet bulldogs" to catch "internet vandalizers" which many people do today, but not in the future.

From the start of the "Sot ████████████. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175) Law" has been passed, it was meant to help the victims of internet related crimes like child pornography and cybersex, but hidden in the law are amendments that punish people with jail time and fines which has a big loophole that can be abused. We regret not making  a stand and fight for this, we were pacified with promises of the law never to be used against innocent citizens. But after some time, we saw many of my friends disappearing one by one. Not just logged out but also missing or found in jail. Many became outraged, many went out on the streets. The people also become more furious online, hacking and defacing government websites. 

The government, made up of mostly computer-illiterate people, said that these act is rebellion against the state. First  there was news blackout in all media especially online. Other nations tried to interfere, but the government assured that they have everything in control. All news against the government is taken down and replaced with praises. It was like North Korea. Democracy became dictatorship gradually, and even Martial Law needed to be passed with both lower and upper house, it was approved so fast without appropriate deliberation. 

Yes, Martial Law cloaked in the new name called ████████████. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175). It used a large part of the budget to build arms against the "rebels", control cyberspace totally, and also acquire some companies mostly utilities and media. The UN tried to interefere, but again it failed, the government got support from  ████████████. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175) and ████████████. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175). And though with a strong economy, it begun to decrease, but they said it is still growing (in the pockets). People became scared to go out of the streets and even online, suicide rates gone up, inflation goes up also. 

People who support internet freedom are then sentenced to life imprisonment, while corruption and murder suspects roam free. Its scares me and makes me shiver and cry while writing this, its was some time again to write in the free. Your generation is very fortunate to the pioneers of the internet. Make sure that you protect it for your children and the next generations like me. Make the internet an avenue to help people, to promote humanitarian, environmental and heritage advocacy. The ones you left us, became ruins. They did not see the power of the people and the internet combined.

Please save us from the chaotic future,

████████████. [ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ.] (ʀᴀ ɴᴏ. 10175)

[This post has been Sottocopy protected]



(by Florencio Jusay jr, a netizen, blogger, and Filipino)

2012 Samsung Cheerdance Competition

Another year of the most watched event of the UAAP! Here is my take on the recetly concluded UAAP Cheerdance Competition!

Congrats UP! yan ang unibersidad na matatalino at athletic pa! Magkaka monorail pa! Naalaala ko si Kuya Manix, napagkamalan ko na lahat lalaki. LOLZ. And no, rumors ang balita na dinonate ang buhok nila for cancer kids, but their dance gives more motivation for them to survive better than wigs. Ang theme lang nila ang unique at napakalalim ang interpretation less the props but more of broccoli. 

Kayo na!

FEU yes! pinaka fierce as always, the best squad that works well with props (like the boogie wonderland theme few years ago) Ano ba ang nakain niyo at napakabibo niyong mga bata?

Congrats NU, hayaan niyo ang haters, first time ever niyong makapasok sa 3rd place. Looking at your great improvement this year, made me impressed. Napagkamalan ko pa kayo na ADMU, kaya. Although you are still really far to be champions... 

UST, sorry I was not impressed this year. NANGYARE TEH?!

UE, coach niyo pala ang CCP, anyare lang sa theme? 

ADMU - always liked their costumes, kaso hindi ba medyo recurring na ang anime theme noh?

AdU- Kume KPOP kayo, at ang bukod tanging nag GANGNAM STYLE!

DLSU - Maganda ang boxing theme, kaso nabibigatan ako sa belt niyo. I think it slowed you down. I think you need a breakthrough theme to surprize us.

Hayan po ang aking masasabi sa Cheerdance competition this year. And my guesses were right. Congratulations to the winners and hope to see another exciting event next year! 

Lessons from the G Liner Bus

By Noreen Sy (freshmen from a from prestigious Catholic school in Mendiola, twilight fan, and Juan Directioner forever!)

College life is such a culture shock for me, as I start my first year in a prestigous school located in the city of Manila. It is also my first time to pass by this city, and indeed this is different from where I grew up like Makati and Bonifacio Global City. Back in high school and the early years, I got used with having mom or dad driving me to school or probably once I also experienced "serbis" or school bus (well it does not look like a bus because its just a delivery van with the black and yellow and the name of my school and sometimes "manong" would also include passengers from other schools but its ok). 

After graduating high school, my parents told me that I need to explore the world more. Which I am willing to do since I am coming of age. I should learn to know more about the city more than Bonifacio High Street and Serendra. They told me that experiencing the world by my own will be my best teacher. The experiences I will encounter will be much better than our trips to Disneyland and Universal Studios.

And though on the first week in college which is situated in a street called Mendiola, my dad usually drives me to school but later told me that I have to learn to get home commuting.

Commuting. Its a new experience.

This would be such a enriching lesson to be streetsmart. And one Friday, Dad told me that he won't pick me up so I would learn to commute. He does not worry because he knew I will come home with my friend and neighbor, Federick. He is really cute, he brings me flowers almost everyday for the past months, and he helps me in my chores. He also gives me gifts and listen to my rants in life. He is indeed my Best Friend Forever. Though I wonder why when I told him " You're the best guy friend a woman could ever have and I want to stay this way forever!", he became sad, I guess might have some serious illness which would kill him soon. Please heaven forbid no! He is my Best Friend Forever and ever! 

Fred (short for Frederick) is also taking the same course as I am, and after class we walked the sidewalk which showed me a different and colorful world. There were a lot of people in the street. It looked so lawless as people crossed the street and not on pedestrian lanes.  The sidewalk also revealed to me a street market with fans, bags, street food, and even prayer books calling out the name of  Saint Jude. It was Thursday then, and I was told that there is Novena  at  the Shrine a few hundred meters away from school.

The Mendiola street looks like a warzone with a lot of people, jeepneys, and double parked vehicles. It was chaos in harmony, and it was indeed an eye opener. And as we reached the corner where there was also a ruckus of all kinds of vehicles. And the sea of people swarming over them. Then it started to rain, luckily Fred had an umbrella handy. We shared the shield from the intensifying rain. To make sure I don't get wet, he wrapped his arms around me and whispered "I Love You", then I replied "I Love You too friend, I wish you good health I want us to stay friends until eternity," and he was stung by my statement, I think he knew that I know about his condition.

He then called out a Bus with the name G Liner filled with graffiti on the side. And the bus was already full, but a man came out, which I think was the bus aide, he then shouted "TAYTAY TAYTAY! PASOK NA!" which shocked me at first but when Fred is bringing me closer to the bus, I went with the flow (of people) who was swarming to get inside the already filled bus. I was getting crushed while boarding but still a great friend indeed, Fred held me close so I won't be harmed. 

The bus looked very different from that ones I boarded before. I only rode the bus two times, one in HongKong and the other in New York both for our vacations. This will be my third time but make me excited what is in store for me. I saw a TV playing low quality DVD copies of movies that just recently released, It was Magic Mike. Channing Tatum is my ultimate celeb crush and I  have not seen the movie yet, but I am seeing this now for free!

Even though, the bus is so packed with students, workers, and probably farmers (beacuse of their outfit), a guy offered me his seat by he window which I accepted. It was such chivalry just like Fred would do for me. He is also cute by the way like Fred, I think I may also find love here.  

As the bus moves a centimeter per minute, and the rain gets heavier, I tried to look and observe the people in the bus.  Such diversity I discovered in here, from students, to senior citizens, to farmers, and office workers. I also kept an open ear with the things they are saying.

"Para po."

"Bayad ho."

"Senior."

"Estudyante."

New Language

When I heard these lines, I was amazed. These words were very new to me. Fred said he would take care of the fare. I watched him to observe what will I do in the future, "Sa Sogo po, sa V. Mapa, dalawa, estudyante" he said. The bus conductor gave a smile and Fred then handed the money  to the him and traded with tickets. He had probably hundreds of tickets on his hand like it grew out of his arm. 

The journey was slow, but better than being out of the rain, plus I can also watch Magic Mike with the obscene parts shown without pixelation or censorship which everyone can see even children on the bus. But as more people get into the bus beyond its capacity, I can hardly see a glimpse of the screen, so I just looked out of the window. 

Despite the falling rain, I could see the many sights of Manila City, the wet public with and without umbrellas, the unique architecture that is made from different materials, the endless number of hole-in-the-wall convenience stores and also flood... Oh no!

It was depressing to see the flood waters getting higher, I feel so tired even just sitting for about an hour now. With each scene I see on the street, I had a lot realizations. I felt I attained Nirvana despite my predicament. As the  bus moves slowly, it also becomes less crowded with people getting off the bus wherever they decide, everywhere is a bus stop. At some point, Fred was able to sit beside me telling me that we are near our stop but sadly the cute gentleman also left too, looks like love got off.

It was still a struggle to get off the crowded bus, but still in my nirvana stage, I patiently and carefully tried to get out of the bus. Which made me realize a lot of things in life. Funny that I have learned so much in life by riding a G Liner Bus, it made me realize many things like life is better with a best friend beside you, and also get discounted fare when saying the magic promo code "estudyante".

We got off to what he told the conductor, it was near the Sogo hotel. As we got off, and the bus rolled to its destination, I looked to Fred in the eye and said, "Now, where will we go?". He smiled and taking my hand he led me to the gate with a guard waiting and  said "Good Afternoon, welcome to LRT 2"

Wow! Another adventure, this time by train!

a parody from the inquirer article "Lessons from a Jeepney Ride"

DALAWANG PISO: Sorry Po Blogger LANG...

For this edition of DALAWANG PISO, it came to my attention that in the midst of the heated debate of the very controversial and  RH Bill(To make it clear that I made my stand that I do not approve the bill), a short statement  was made by Senator Tito Sotto. He is against the bill and  also told the story on how he lost his son brought by its consequences. However, there was something wrong in his speech that raised eyebrows especially to the online community.

On the website of The Healthy Home Economist, the article used in his privileged speech regarding about the bill was said to be plagiarized from her post.  Sotto first denied quoting the blogger and said she was quoting Natasha Campbell-McBride. And then also gave a statement of “Bakit ko naman iko-quote ang blogger? Blogger lang iyon. Ang kino-quote ko si Natasha Campbell-McBride." Which sounds really wrong to bloggers like me. Later, Sotto's staff admitted to have used the blog post with a letter sent by Atty Hector Villacorta from the office of Senator Sotto. 

The quote also got reaction from various Filipino Blog communities, one of which is PEBA Inc (Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards). And has been the talk of blogger discussion groups. And so the issue is now spreading via social networking sites. I have also read a number of blogs that, like me, furious about what they think of this predicament as something light and carry on. Cheerio?

Being one of the non-RH Senator, he made his privileged speech at the right place, at the right time but with a wrong piece. As humans, we do understand the pain of the loss of his son which is one of the reason he is against the bill. However, its a sin to tolerate people that an obvious crime of plagiarism was made which is technically intellectual theft. 

For my dalawang piso, it seems that there is something wrong here. I don't question Senator Sotto's stand on the bill or his grief on that heart breaking loss. However the things that are wrong here are:  (1) Plagiarizing an article from a blogger and even denying it (even proven that original content did came from the post), which later on was admitted by his staff. (2) Though understandable that he is not into the blogging community, his small statement " Blogger Lang" is somehow a "rude" way to see their existence. It maybe addressed to a specific blogger but does it mean blogs and bloggers are irrelevant? Also with their letter to Sarah Pope, the author of the blog seems to put the guilt on her rather than to apologize for the damage done. 

I am not calling for heads to roll, but rather an sincere apology letter or statement for this issue only. Plagiarism is a crime, and it is ironic for a lawmaker to break a law  that is a very obvious practice. Dear Senator Sotto I know you may be stressed, but as a citizen of the Philippines, a blogger and a netizen, if you really care about public welfare you would listen to this simple post of what I feel and also of the people online. Don't think that bloggers or online people are something you can exempt from rules that you made to get get out of this needle hole. It's so freaking obvious, and the worse part is it was from someone abroad which makes thing go internationally. I feel now uncomfortable with you and your staff as if you think you also own our souls just because we work and write online. There is still time to redeem yourself dear senator and your staff, definitely my vote is not for you. This is my dalwang piso, it's time to make it... or break it...

DALWANG PISO: RHetoric Monologue

Kung may anti RH at pro RH, meron din namang dedma RH. 

Before making a stand, better know the law is about, mahirap na ang makisama sa bandwagon ng pro at anti dahil uso ito. Ang tanong ay nabigyan ba ng publiko ng tamang impormasyon ukol sa batas? I personally don't have a firm stand because like a thesis, this bill should be properly studied. As many RH supporters point out overpopulation is the reason why the bill is needed, our population as a country has been concentrated in cities like Manila, which is now the most densely populated city in the world, while in the provinces well there is land and resources but no infrastructure and capital. While most Anti-RH supporters, mostly from the Catholic church and religious organizations on the other hand point that the bill would be promoting sex without the guilt.

Although many supporters of the bill says that aside from reducing unwanted pregnancies, it would also help reduce mothers who die because of pregnancy complications. On the other hand, Anti-RH says that the bill would be impractical because of giving a large budget for contraceptives rather than using to money to create jobs and education.

For this moment, lets exclude our personal beliefs and political motives, so we can focus on the essence of this controversial (and overexposed) bill.

For my Dalawang Piso, like any other bill there are pros and cons that the proposal would create, but they would always have the objective that will benefit the country and its citizens. Actually we should look at healthcare which is the common denominator of this bill. Access to general healthcare has always been scarce in the country especially to poor provinces.

Well contraceptives of many kinds has been available for so long but some are considered "pricey" to the poor which are the ones who have big numbers of children. But the RH bill won't make a miracle of reducing the population overnight, though it would slow down annual population growth. The price of the bill seems to high that some can be allocated to other priorities that poor people need.

It's kind of ironic that mostly both anti and pro RH that are not the direct benefactors of the bill (like priests, celebrities, government officials, legislators, online personalities), are the ones making a great debates and intellectual insights of the boon and bane of the bill while it is seldom or rare to hear opinions and even the idea of the bill from the mothers, fathers and poor families.  And in the end, if the bill is passed or not, the choice would still be with the individual person. Give them a condom, will they use it or not?

Whatever your stand may be, just make sure that you have read the bill first. And also there are also a lot of things we can do today that can make a difference than focusing all our resources on our anti or pro RH campaigns. This is my dalawang piso, take it or leave it.