Sealed with a Royal Kiss

Royal wedding. Royal kiss. Harry and Kate. These are words, phrases, and people that will be the subject of many discussions after the world witnessed Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding last April 29.

There will be extensive news and blog coverages to discuss the significance of the wedding.  Yet many will surely question the hype, media's role, the cost of the wedding, the pageantry of the ceremony, the parade of high profile fashion labels, and its many, many embarrassing insignificance. Update: Will + Kate = sixth-biggest Web event ever

The media's role here will obviously be an easy target.  By far there are few questions that are worth pondering upon. Here is one: how did the media played its role in its coverage and hyping of the British wedding?

Are Filipinos really talking about the Royal Wedding prior to advertisements of each television media network's promotional plugging?  Or is it the buzz generated by the massive promotion of the event that quickly piqued people's curiosity?

Using this as a frame, it has always been said that local media are not pressured to come up with excellent programming.  I have a theory that people from poorer countries are looking for fairy-tale-fantasies to forget abject poverty even for a very short period of time.

As a result, the media never forget that this could be their secret formula to winning more revenues. Little education too helps in fortifying the media's money-making machine because the public becomes less inquisitive and critical of the output they consume.  So the media has no fear in producing low quality output because as experience would tell its own tale: poor people seems to be resigned for bigger change, even higher expectations.  Hope is nil.

With lower expectations, improving for quality is no longer required.  To repeat the obvious, some television stations are profit-making establishments whose goals include hiring big stars, reducing production expenses and increasing profit.  By producing mediocre programming, lower production cost is necessary, and with aggressive marketing push, jackpot will be all around - higher income as a result of higher advertising revenues and lower production expenses.

This tells us a lot about why there is also the proliferation of game shows today in the country featuring none other than our poor fellowmen.

Because when contestants are poor, sad and desperate stories will pour.  What follows after drama is exploitation and debasement, which are ingredients for a potential blockbuster. Meet one recent example, the controversy involving Willing Willie host Willie Revillame's imbroglio. The host was recently under fire for the alleged abuse and exploitation of a six-year-old kid in a game show who was coerced to dance like a macho dancer in prime time television.

This brings us back to the pageantry of the royal wedding which is of course not any less different with the Willing Willie story for both exposed the Filipino psyche. Like the game show which is cheaper to produce, buying the rights for a modern fairy tale story is cheaper than producing own's very own telenovela.

In addition, the royal wedding and the Willing Willie controversy share some similarity because both highlighted our divided world: the rich and the poor, the privileged and the underprivileged.  We are also made aware about the media's role in shaping our perception of luck, fantasy, illusion, and entertainment.

What these two issues gave us are scenarios to reflect on. Is it really worth the talk? Because for instance, the only one benefiting here is London, which needs an image booster as future host of the 2012 Olympics.

What's funny though is what escaped our attention.  As most people were caught in the dizzying frenzy of the royal wedding, a lot bigger event was never given attention in our land: one which U.S. President Barack Obama was more interested at attending. The United States unveiled the final launch of the space shuttle Endeavour at the Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Another fantasy? Yes, perhaps, that American dream of becoming an astronaut and a space man.

But on a deeper level, it gives us reason to aspire to be excellent and to restart our once upon a time attempt at targeting the moon with the Filipino invention, the Moon buggy.

Why Originality Matters?

Because you are unique. And that is just one of the reasons that I can immediately think of to say why.  But for anyone, whether or not he is an aspiring writer, poet, artist, blogger, musician, and journalist, originality should be more than just that. It is there like a laminated diploma meant to highlight one's individuality and insight. One could dare say, I can be copied but it should not be me who is copying.

Please admit, we are unique in many many ways. And by being original, we does show the world that we are confident with the gift given us and what best we can do with that gift.

Who will deny that when we are starting we did imitate some of our favorite authors and role models? But imitating is different from stealing. You imitate because you love or like the style, the way sentences are weaved, the words are used and how the poetry of words caresses your ears. But you will soon let go of imitation because you will find your own voice. How do you say you already found your voice? It is your readers who will detect it for you. You will feel it when people recognize it is you they are reading. But after the very long voice-searching, you must protect it.  And from that standpoint, it is once again back to square one: you are now about to begin. 

Imitating someone, say a writer, it is said is more like an expression of admiration or respect to the person being imitated. But copying is a different thing, even if one claims he's lifted just a chunk of a sentence or a parcel of idea. Stealing is hard to conceal. Hiding the act committed is short-lived because it is especially easy nowadays to discover who copied from whom and what. Dare tell that to Google.com.

Aren't the act of copying sentences or paragraphs or concepts an act of admiration too? Yes that too is triggered by admiration at the beginning. If someone plagiarized, something evil may have lurked hereafter, however.  Ideas are sacred and we must remember that always. Original ideas or concepts should remain as intellectual properties of the author or the artist who may have spent tons of coffee, sleepless nights, and other unflattering rituals just to arrive at that eureka of discovery. Thus, it is still not fair to steal.

Now comes the sad news we heard of late.  Though not something very very new because we read or heard similar stories before of writers, editors, professors, journalists and even CEO accused of plagiarism or stealing words, ideas or concepts from somebody without the guts and heart to give credit to the source, their tribes, however, are increasing. From published authors to bloggers, plagiarism is fast spreading as a disease.

It is just disheartening to know what the deluge of information has brought us lately.  From tons and tons of published works down to the Internet, we get to see and swim through oceans of great works of many brilliant talents.  We get to discover new voices we formerly do not know we have in our midst.  Meanwhile, it is sad and ironic that in spite of the boon that technology has brought us, it also created insecurities, fear, and envy among many people. Even great ones and the more awarded ones are not even immune.   

Now, I am sharing here an open letter by some Filipino writers. This is both sad and at the same time alarming that plagiarism is spreading even in the Parthenon of arts and letters in my homeland. My hope is that we will learn a lot from this and may this be the end.

Shattering the Silence

Why originality matters? It matters highly because it is genius that you admit that you are not perfect. And being true to oneself is self-respect. It is also a form of compassion to oneself and other people.

Don't be deceived that when you copy or steal something it is you who will get all the spotlight. It is just an illusion that you are doing yourself a favor. Because after all that's been said and done, there is always that stinging feeling in your heart that will bother you and say: You are just fooling yourself!

The "You Can Be What You Want To Be" Culture

We've already heard and read lot about the many side effects of Facebook and other social networking sites here here here.  And this was lucidly illuminated in Jean Twenge's book, Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled — and More Miserable Than Ever Before. In the said book, Twenge predicted that a new global community called "GenMe" or "Generation Me" is giving birth to individuals who are self-centered or too obsessed with appearance and material things. In effect, the focus is too much directed on the self.

Twenge, who is Associate Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, gives us hints how to identify these individuals and what their attitudes are like. With the me becoming the priority over the others, it is not surprising to find them saying - “As long as I believe in myself, I really do not care what others think.” Twenge has also earned degrees from the Universities of Chicago (B.A. and M.A.) and Michigan (Ph.D.).

As the whole book explains, the over-emphasis on the self than family members, friends, peers, colleagues, and random people have so many grave repercussions. There is shift in beliefs and modes in obeying authorities at work, school and homes. Even the act of expressing respect for other people is disregarded by GenMe culture.  These types of people have also grew tired of attending to religious practices. All these negative attributes, according to Twenge, stemmed from the key message that these new GenMe individuals profess: “You can be anything you want to be."

The chapter titles should be sufficient enough in giving what readers should expect from reading the book:

1. You Don’t Need Their Approval: The Decline of Social Rules
2. An Army of One: Me
3. You Can Be Anything You Want to Be
4. The Age of Anxiety (and Depression, and Loneliness): Generation Stressed
5. Yeah, Right: The Belief That There’s No Point in Trying
6. Sex: Generation Prude Meets Generation Crude
7. The Equality Revolution: Minorities, Women, and Gays and Lesbians
8. Apply Our Knowledge: The Future of Business and the Future of the Young

It is also the GenMe culture that is sometimes to blame for the continued rise of the cases of depression, alienation, scholastic and professional stress, and other increased self-esteem symptoms. 




The World Is Obsessed With Facebook from Alex Trimpe on Vimeo.

Though what is certain is that the figures about the use of Facebook may not dip a bit, it was not yet clear how much this would impact our society in general. Because with the prevalence of GenMe culture, people who would become too obsessed with the self or narcissists, and only thinks of the self as superior might increase in numbers. Thus, we only can expect the worst in the future.

Unless these new social beings of GenMe culture would find self-control as a virtue, we should expect less for real change to blossom.  Otherwise, the opposite is likely to happen: crime rates surging, suicide cases caused by depression, alienation and stress mounting, and more of the like.

These are alarming scenarios if only solutions are available this instant.  Only with institutional actions and everyone getting involved matched with political will, however, we can see changes and success. Though there may be groups now thinking about this impending social meltdown, their tribes need to increase and become more vocal in asserting their sentiments. 

Now, let's pause and ask ourselves: Are we over-sharing enough? Are we Facebook obsessed? Are we turning into GenMe creatures?

Now think. Think of good reasons if we are not. Think how much better the world would become if we are thinking before posting.

Off to Lilliput for Exactly 14 Hours

Sunday (April 24) was beach day at the Panibatuhan, Morong, Bataan, a province north of the capital Manila. I went out with friends and colleagues for a short respite from weeks and months of works.

It was one memorable day at the Morong Star Beach Resort because we all enjoyed, and at the same time took advantage of the health benefits of swimming in the beach (the best part and which experts say help in ridding your body of radiations you get from being too exposed to computers and other digital devices).

It was not purely all play with me as I inserted taking photos to document whatever there is that I could take and treasure for memories' sake (note: photos here were taken using my handy Nokia 7200's camera and were published in their raw states).

As the whole day took its course, there are lots of other activities to be had that we enjoyed at the beach resort.

At one point when the heat of the sun was peaking to the point of burning off some layers of our skin, we went to the activity area and the adventure park of the beach resort to do some bike riding, team building exercises, and more.

Finally on our way home, we got to see some sight beholding places in Bataan, Clark and Pampanga.  The three or two and a half hours travel back to Manila gave our eyes some captivating places and spots to behold in the Philippines.  Bataan is one beautiful province with nice beaches and coves that remain hidden in the eyes of tourists (because when you mention tourist spots, the provinces that came to mind are Bohol, Palawan, Boracay or Pagudpud).

Thanks be to God, we all arrived safe from this trip to our homes.

Video: Messages for Japan

To show that it cares, Google launched a site, at www.messagesforjapan.com that allows people from around the world to submit messages of hope for the people of Japan.

According to the Youtube video's description:

These messages are automatically translated into Japanese using the Google Translate API so that people in Japan can read them. People can share the messages, view messages from others, see them on a world map, and donate on the site.

We hope that these messages from around the world will provide inspiration to the people of Japan as we face this challenge, and that the donations raised through this site and others will help the country on its road to rebuilding.

Let's share some words for the people of Japan. Let's support and show them that we care. 

Of Negative Self-Statements and Overcoming Procrastination

As it is often said, our own worst critic is none other than - ourselves!

Sometimes, we often hear that tiny voice inside us critiquing and judging our worth even before we even begin working. Should we really listen to this winy tiny voice inside?

If you will listen to that voice, statements flashing like neon lights are familiar ones like: you're not that good, your work is mediocre, you're just average.

In effect, this tiny critic inside is telling us that we should stop or else end up a failure.

Among our already many fears and anxieties caused by our external environment, this tiny critic is an addition. But I suspect this is not inherent, but just a creation caused by many factors. So begins my investigation.

Tomes and libraries of motivational books, magazine articles and literature already discussed this constant problem that many people grapple with most of the time.  This self-critic often breeds this badass habit of procrastination.

Deeply if you will ask: Am I really that bad that myself is telling me?

Definitely not, and some I guess will agree with me.  Because obviously, that is not the way to everybody. And if it were, we would be short with great Olympians, great basketball players, great authors, great role models and inspirational people. And I agree that it was not that way for you, for us, all the time.

It is this tiny threatening judge that Neil Fiore, author of the Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying a Guilt-Free Play, advises us to learn to control. Fiore said that this demanding voice begs us to feel we are the victim here.  As a victim, we are to blame for everything, for our faults, for our mistakes. But the reality is that there are no mistakes yet because you are not yet starting with your work.  If you listen to that tiny voice, it will obviously end up the victor and you the loser, guilty.

One solution, Fiore offers, is by converting these negative self-statements with positive self-statements. By refocusing one's focus toward the task at hand, rather than to questions of one's ability or worth, we end up the winner and our own source of approval. When we become the source of approval, we become less dependent on external judgments of our worth to face that blank sheet of paper or canvass to work.

Diversion Portion: 
Before I end up this blog, catch here 2011 Pulitzer Prize winning author Jennifer Sagan's advice for writers on why Best Writers Lists should be ignored. Top ten bests, best of the best lists are often source of external judgment for anyone aspiring to enter the world of arts (whether that be writing, music, arts, dance, etc.).

Now, hope your next conversation with your self will be like this:

VBR: Sorry mate, your work will suck, so don't pretend you're going to finish this blog!
Me: Sorry too. I am done.

My Blog vs Myself

There's brewing tension. Hearts are pounding. 

My new blog is already tensed and worried, asking me why I am abandoning him. 


Me:  Of course not! Why should I?
VBR: Because you are leaving me now!
Me: Haha! You must be kidding! I am not at all abandoning a new born baby. 
VBR: You seems suggesting.
Me: How can I leave something that I love doing?
VBR: You already did with my other siblings! What do you call that now?
Me: It's not abandoning. I just put then to rest.
VBR: You will do the same to me, right?
Me: Of course not (awkward smile)
VBR: Just don't say it. Prove it.
Me: I am doing now.

Truth be told, I am really thinking hard what to blog about. So I decided that while I think of some interesting things to write about, I will start posting some finds on the web that I will feature and share. 

For my opening salvo, here's one whose works online are really good at humanizing the web: Jonathan Harris.

To some who may not be familiar with him, his bio page says: he makes projects that re-imagine how humans relate to technology and to each other. (Impressive, isn't it?, though I have to figure out myself what he meant with that statement.)

Harris is co-creator of the We Feel Fine Project, the award-winning online experiment that gathers people's emotion in a very engaging and visually-enticing approach.

His latest, the Today project, is what am very pleased to share to you folks today. On this website, Harris posts one photo each day. The result? A beautiful collage of things, places, people and the like that we never sometimes give an eye to look at or appreciate.

With so many projects to his credit, the Today Project is one that inspires and encourages people to enjoy what you love doing and making sure there's commitment to doing it.  Another face of his project gives the impression that even with just one small step every day, like taking photos everyday, a lot will be accomplished.  

A short film here gives us a sampling of this work. 

Anyway, if the image won't play, here is the link.

Restarting a Passion - at least online

If you like writing, your second passion might be easy to guess. Reading, perhaps?

It has always been like that, isn't it? It was as if you are compelled to say (if you are what people dubbed as writer) to answer the required field when asked or interviewed about your hobbies or interests. Reading is to writing as writing is to reading.

And I know millions of people around the world are like me, those who love writing and reading yet continue to grapple with the fear of really beginning to write. Though I don't know if these people indicate writing and reading as interests in their profiles at Facebook, Twitter or at the once-popular fancy autograph.

I could also sympathize with those who are afraid to write, citing as reasons lack of confidence, bad grammar, and many other excuses. I have been beset with these worries, if not most of the time, at least every time I would pick up my laptop to write (before it was a typewriter and my pen and paper).

What's ironic sometimes is that when asked to give advice to those who are writing, I can be very passionate in giving tips and lists of what a writer should be and what a writer is not. But I myself is like these people, always struggling to start a line or a sentence when confronted by a blank page. I am always telling myself I would begin one day but it's always been like that. Never really starting.

Looking back, I have joined a local broadsheet as a business correspondent immediately after graduating in college a decade ago but such writing is not very personal. Not the kind of writing that I could simply breeze away what I think about just about anything.  Now I am called a freelance writer but that is still work, and not really writing.

Just a day ago, I decided I will return to blogging. Really excited to begin, my mind was busy thinking of a good title and a good way that my blog should care to produce. I guess a blog is a good platform to write what I think at the spur of the moment and perhaps give myself a reason to read.

With this new blog, I hope that I could gradually find my own voice as this online space matures every time I write my thoughts away. And finally I hope to make this new blog a useful and interesting place for others.  Just pray that I could muster enough confidence, motivation and determination to persist the pressure of coming up with a post on a regular basis.

With slew of other interests, I might go write about my commentary about headline-grabbing news, technology, design and sometimes science and health, and more of the like.

By opening a blog, some will obviously not care. But I am hoping that you, dear readers or stumblers, will support me in this endeavor. (So much for my shameless plug, let's all get back to work.)

World, am officially announcing the birth of my blog! In other words, it is writing without paper and ink. Thanks to Google's Blogger.com with few clicks, am officially in as a blogger.

I hope to be a better blogger soon.