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[goodhandjournalism-blog]

#MaiDen #AlDuBest  fan-nomenon

♫ Naniniwala na ako sa Forever. Magmula nang makilala kita.  ♫

♫ God gave me you, to show me what’s real. ♫

Reaction is pure. Kilig feeling is real.

 Unpredictable. If AlDub phenomenon will be translated into one word, then unpredictable must be the most suitable term to use.

            The creation of this love team appeared to be the best decision Eat Bulaga has ever done.

            Eat Bulaga, as the longest running noontime show, has definitely reached the peak of their popularity, as of these moments, when they incidentally discovered the remarkable combination of Alden Richards and Nicomaine Mendoza.

            Alden was then the newest co-host of the show, later known as the “Pambansang Bae”, after he was inclined to the segment “That’s my Bae, Twerk it Dance Contest”. Nicomaine or Maine to her friends, on the other side of the screen, became popular after posting a dubsmash video of mainly Kris Aquino’s remarkable lines and rewarded by millions of views in less than a day.

             Dubsmash, is an application created where everyone could dub a certain line, or song, or statement of famous characters and personalities. The lime light where Maine have been from, walk her through on becoming a part of Eat Bulaga’s “Juan for All, All for Juan” part. And the rest, as they put it, is history. But then again, history must be written also.

           And here are the must-read parts.

 The AlDub Maine-nia

            What’s with AlDub?

            AlDub is the only fever that no one ever wanted to get cured. In fact, everyone loves it so much that their world stops spinning every time kalyeserye airs. People are too attached to it that even their schedules work based on it. From the youngest to the oldest, from Batanes to Jolo, AlDub has literally penetrated every corner of the archipelago. And not just that, even fans from foreign countries got hooked with the show as well.

           AlDub is a coined term from “Alden” and “Yaya Dub”. Alden is one of GMA’s most promising leading men, while “Yaya Dub” is Lola Nidora’s beautiful maid with dubbing expertise.

          The tandem had changed the viewing habit of AlDubarkads, and became part of everyone’s everyday living.

          As how Katz and Lazarsfeld posited on their Magic Bullet Theory, this event creates a “uniform thinking” and deliberately controls viewers’ behavior.

         It was pretty unexpected how the love team blooms, after Eat Bulaga discovered them, which give way to their historical ratings.

   Ratings pa more

          Television ratings are usually the basis of the success of a TV show. It is recorded upon the viewers’ preference, so the higher the ratings, the more advertisements a show attracts the more income a show expects.

           Eat Bulaga, in their 36 years of airtime, noted a history in Philippine television after garnering the almost unbelievable consecutive high ratings contributed by their newest “dabarkads” in the Kalye-serye. These dabarkads, who lately became the talk of the town, are different characters portrayed Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Paolo Ballesteros, who are the host of the Juan for All, All for Juan portion of the show. They’ve been portraying the characters of the series’ “tres Maria’s” namely Lola Nidora, Lola Tinidora and Lola Tidora. There were also some appearances from Duhrizz, granddaughter of Lola Nidora, Francky and Lolo Franing, and of course Yaya dub and Alden, and different elements of laughter of Rogelio, Rogelio, Rogelio of Lola Nidora, Kwando, Kwando, Kwando of Lola Tinidora, and Lola Tiidora’s heartstoppingly hunkies Bernardo, Bernardo, Bernardo. It just made Eat Bulaga the noontime addiction of every Juan.

          The show undoubtedly touched the lives of millions of Filipinos in their more than 10, 000 episodes, but nothing of them are comparable to this newest dabarkads’ favorite has shown.

          Juan for All, All for Juan, is the variety show’s bit intended to give back to the least capable families from Batanes to Jolo. Dabarkads hosts of the segment would go to different barangays to help one less fortunate family at a time. The “gimik” is called “sugod-bahay”.

          Comedy and entertaining tricks of Jose, Wally and Paolo in this job had been tested for several times. But the discovery of AlDub had just escalated their challenge to the next level. It’s all hassle and effort on their part to express the personalities and fashion statements of their portrayed characters every time. The quick change of outfits, the live acting under the sun, and the in-hand pressure of giving joy were unjokingly done every episode. No wonder how every Juan got hooked to the show so much.

         On that note, Eat Bulaga marked the history by achieving the highest rating recorded in their history by getting 39%, according to the report of Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph), second to this year’s highest, 43% noted during the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight blow by blow telecast. The next Kalyeserye airings have continually increased their ratings much higher compared to their rivals. It’s definitely the said “tamang panahon” for them.

 #Twitter History

                 The phenomenal love team did not just trend on print and broadcast media. They also became the hottest issue on social media these past few weeks. Twitter listed the largest numbers of tweets after the tear-jerking and “kilig pa more” episodes of AlDub meet-ups. It made them to the top list of trending topics on Twitter to both foreign and local for several times. One of which was recorded last 12th of September, Saturday, with the hashtag #AldubTheAbduction.

             #AldubTheAbduction gathered a record breaking 6.37 million tweets during the occurrence when both Alden and Yaya Dub had been rescued from Duhrizz’s hands. The same event also gave them the chance to see each other a little bit closer, and the first time of eye-to-eye dubsmash.

            Though the tandem suffered quite a challenge from the kidnap incident, they’ve been rewarded by the gift of being able to hold and feel each other through a closer body contact, even if they are blindfolded and can’t see the real scenario.

             They have as well drunk the same coffee using the same straw that builds the excitement of the AlDubers even higher. Fans can’t help but made fun of that straw, which gone viral to social media few hours after the show.

              Even then, AlDub had already overcome the Twitter record of Papal visit last January, when they got a historic 3.5 million compared to 3.3 million tweets sent of Pope Francis’ visit to Manila.

            Then, the record breaking tweets was followed by the 5.7 million reactions of the netizens during the first meeting of the fan-nomenal love team last September 5, which hashtag was #AldubBattleForACause. It was the battle for a wild card edition of “Bulaga Pa More, Dabarkads Pa More” segment of Eat Bulaga, wherein the two fought for the spot and for a cause, to help one of the in need sugod-bahay winner.

 AlDub had undoubtedly made a history by making every heads turn around, making the people screams louder than ever, and becoming the top social media content.

 Bashers gonna bash

                 Though AlDub tandem is now brighter than the stars, it didn’t make them exempted from the bashers around. When some people regard them as blessings, or entertaining, others would regard them as threat, bile on the throat even.

                 Well, it is too impossible to please everyone same as loving everyone at the same time. But then, it is pretty adorable, when someone knows how to handle this kind of situation very well, as how AlDub did.

              AlDub had quite succeeded on getting the attention of their fans and bashers equally. But kudos to them for continuing and still giving their best to give back and bring fun, laughter and lessons to the people who loved them, because it made them a lot more deserving of all praises and gratifications they are receiving.

 Sa Tamang Panahon

                These days seemed to be the rightist time for all the casts of Kalyeserye as well as the Eat Bulaga itself.

                People may have noticed that this opportunity opened more doors for the stars of the hit serye, who all came from humble beginnings.

                 One that rises up from being stabbed by a huge controversy, Wally Bayola proved that it is his time now, the best second chance to take ever. His role in the Kalyeserye is definitely exceptional. Being the Lola Nidora, teaching real life lessons, and guiding Yaya Dub in her every move is a so much appreciated part of Wally Bayola’s acting ability.

                 Jose Manalo and Paolo Ballesteros have also made an elegant entrance to the show after some life-affirming circumstances in their lives. Jose had been tested during her wife’s demand about divorce and child custody issue. Paolo, on the other hand, standing still and strong for his daughter who is deprive of a complete figure of family. Paolo had reportedly separated from the mother of his child.

                 Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards have also been through the toughs and roughs of their personal lives. Maine, though came from a wealthy family, surely had a yet to reveal challenges that she had faced before or are still facing right at this moment. She has the humblest beginning, not expecting to be a huge star nowadays, ever.

                 Alden also shared his ups and downs during his guesting of GMA show “Magpakailanman”. He showed how his life was changed by the event, and the journey he took before he reached the so called “tamang panahon” for him.

              In his revelation, he had been rejected for several times, and hoped and fall in countless situations. But those were not enough reasons to stop him from pursuing his dream, to make the dream of his late mother come to real.

              These stars are just living examples of life’s test for patience and God’s perfect timing. There’s nothing to hurry about. But while waiting there should also be an initiative and hard work. And then success will follow, sa tamang panahon.

[goodhandjournalism-blog]

OBJECTIVITY IN JOURNALISM: Service or Profit?

Objectivity in Journalism has lately become a serious matter here in the Philippines. It is pretty hard nowadays to determine how objective one's purpose when engaging in Journalism industry.

               In the era where there is unlimited information available, it is an extra challenge for the people to discover what is real from what is not. Given that journalists were trained hard to deliver true and authentic information, they are as well expected to address these confusions.  

               There are concrete ethics that are particularly established to guide and ensure the news hawks to be their best version possible, spelled out in the International Declaration.

               International Declaration of Principle of Professional Ethics in Journalism stated two important points:

               Principle number 1 includes the people's right to true information which expressed as, "People and individuals have the right to acquire an objective picture of reality by means of accurate and comprehensive information as well as to express themselves freely through the various media of culture and communication."

               Principle number 2 regards the Journalist's dedication to objective reality, and quoted as, "The foremost task of the journalist is to serve the people’s right to true and authentic information through an honest dedication to objective reality whereby facts are reported conscientiously in their proper context, pointing out their essential connections and without causing distortions, with due deployment of the creative capacity of the journalist, so that the public is provided with adequate material to facilitate the formation of an accurate and comprehensive picture of the world in which the origin, nature and essence of events, processes and states of affairs are understood as objectively as possible."

               How does media practitioner comply with these ethics? Do they even regard them by heart?

When media works purely for service

               Is it even possible, that media do exist for the sole purpose of giving service to the people and nothing more?

               In the perfect world, it should. But then again, it is definitely impossible to achieve a perfect world, when barriers such as problems and temptations are abundant in every corner.

               Journalists are expected to enlighten the masses, as quoted in the first principle, with an objective picture of reality by means of accurate and comprehensive information. This probably, is the biggest and hardest step to take on.

               It sounds great when media works together to investigate and find the root of the issues around, and never getting tired of doing it again. Their dedication of understanding the deeper cause when people are too sick of making things complicated deserves Peabody recognition. Practitioners interpret every commotion in the society, when people don't understand it themselves or when they think of it the other way around.

               Media should serve the people as much as parents do to their children. They must educate them with proper and enough knowledge. Reality should be expressed in a way that their children's stomach could digest. And most importantly, do those things without expecting something in return. It's what parents do, when they love their children unconditionally.

               Media, on the other hand, is not quite evident on depicting those characteristics on the same measure. Though in fairness with media practitioners, they are having a hard time on following every single bit of impulse an alive world is doing.

When media works for profit

               It’s not what the people see that makes a successful media company, but the people behind it. So, to meet a good outcome, they should work on earning great income.

               Televisions, newspapers, radio, and social media are some of the medium available nowadays. And it’s the advertisement that makes them function. Advertisement, on the other hand, utilizes these medium to reach heights.

               Well, actually it doesn't reduce anything from the being of the media company when they acquire more ads, apart from seeming unbalanced sometimes when these people around are just targeting the cue for greater paychecks. They are working for a living and sometimes they let the true virtue of journalism die, slip on their fingers. Some practitioners want to work for a big money, regardless of what stake it’s putting their career into.

               Moreover, companies in the industry of media here in Philippines are getting their kicks when practitioners are in a no-win situation. They are taking advantage of their people's soft spot.

               For example, there is a huge/popular company investing in the media firm. This firm will now get income from this big company, as a result. But when this huge company failed to function well, media firm couldn't blow them off easily. They couldn’t even pull the expose out and let the public know, for it will put them in the troubled situation. And in this way, countrymen are being deprived of the right they are living with, the right for true information.

               This is just some of the rampant situations happening in the media today, which people failed to discover.

Why is this happening?

               During the forum of media professionals organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Isagani Yambot of Philippine Daily Inquirer mentioned several issues encountered by Journalist practitioners.

                One of them, according to him is the economical trouble, such as low salary rates, increasing prices of oil, newsprint, and even the falling peso-dollar exchange rate.

               "The continuous rise in the price of newsprint, along with the rise in the price of oil and lower exchange rate of the peso to the dollar, is the reason why there are papers that have raised their cover price," Yambot pointed out.

               He also mentioned some other angles, such as media killings.

               This admission of Yambot made a clear sight of how journalists deal with their small, tedious, rotating world. It's what triggers them to disregard or redefine their job description. This is probably why they are pushed to take risks like accepting envelopmental transactions. Because practically speaking, they can't feed their family with good records or awards they are accepting for responsible Journalism.

               However, those issues mentioned by Yambot are still in the count to find for solutions.

               Philippine media is considered as the “freest in Asia”. But it seems like the wrong cliché used, because it can’t even free itself from the issues hurled to it.

                As the Fourth Estate, Philippine media should be protected, not only by the laws of the land, but also by the people who are socially and politically concerned, and has hopes for a better and more progressive nation for the next generations.

[goodhandjournalism-blog]

“SMART MARKETING STRATEGIES, GREATER CHANCES OF SUCCESS”

People nowadays are able to mechanize a vision that marketing industry can be run using the machinery of literacy on information technology, basically in function for branding strategy. This suggests the companies to utilize online world in expanding the accessibility of their offered products and services, and in which, companies are getting better potential than ever, to gain higher income, and so as being recognize worldwide. As for now, there are lots of companies who are already applying the presence of online power for their ventures. Companies are getting a straightforward measure to reach their customers for a short very period of time, as well as meeting their needs fingertips afar. It’s not who you know. It’s who knows you Internet Marketing Strategy or IMS is one example of all this. There are different online advertising companies who are introducing services like this. And so far, most of the companies connecting to this type of service are getting positive changes. There are definite advantages on joining the online world of marketing. Here are some of them according to the experts. Firstly, it’s accessible. Traditional advertising are immediately getting old, as soon as the digital one has been introduced. This is because the goods can now easily be access whenever and wherever customers’ needed it. It’s just a matter of type-and-click, and that’s it. No need for bloody and sweaty transactions anymore. Secondly, it’s low costing. Though online marketing isn’t totally free, its cost is not as much as the amounts spend on traditional approach. E-commerce is very popular nowadays, wherein a consumer doesn’t have to be on the store personally, because they can avail it in their places of choice, therefore, producers at the same time don’t need to establish a store or a venue where they could pile up the products. They can deposit the goods and took a good care of it in the comfort of their own homes or wherever they are comfortable without getting much of cost. Also, there is no need for them to hire people because they can deal with their customers by themselves, because of the given ability by the digital marketing. The only thing online merchants have to worry about is the cost of establishing online store, the cost of software, hardware, web site design, maintenance of the site, the online distribution cost and time, though these are just the same as printing ads or promoting television commercials. Thirdly, it’s timeless. It is favorable to both customers and online merchandiser. No time constraint is necessary, thus, customers don’t have to agonize the travel concerns, the length of time and effort spent for searching a product and the trouble of dealing a crowded store. And last and most importantly, it targets unlimited audience. So if it very accessible, chances are it would reach wide masses. If it is fingertips away, then it must be available to everyone. And if it is available to everyone, it means a capture of greater audience, who will eventually need and purchase it. The weaknesses and threats As part of the digital innovation, expect the disadvantages that would affect the growth of the business, and then study the tactics on how to refrain, and if possible, avoid all these threats. Some negative implication brought by online marketing includes the issue on privacy. The fact that online transactions are recorded, it is too easy for the online company to get the personal information of the customers, which in a way is some kind of restriction, for it obviously turns into gross invasion of privacy. So in the safe terms, small businesses aiming to establish an online presence using e-commerce need to be aware of the legislation that applies, as mistakes can be costly both in terms of fines and customer trust. Another thing involved is the security. When privacy is put to a risk, it is relatively too possible to put the security at jeopardy as well. It’s just too good to be true that online transaction are far too insecure compared to that of person-to-person dealings. Credit card transaction is the best example. It is impossible for the online company to determine whether the one doing the payments is the real owner of the credit card account. It usually happens when the customer inputs the payment information, wherein they risk a third party intercepting it if the website doesn't comply with the adequate security measures, matching higher cases of credit card fraud and identity theft. These oblige the online merchants the need of being aware of the risks electronic transactions carry, and work towards securing the systems to the highest standards possible. Next is the involvement of customers’ concern with regards to meeting their satisfaction after purchasing the product. Online selling usually has the higher return rates, because the goods are just displayed online, not seen personally. Admit it or not, a picture or a video of advertisement is just different when it comes out in reality. That gives a hard time to both online marketer and the customers. Competition of this type of approach is also immeasurable, which may lead to price wars. A price of the products lies on the stability of the marketplace, as well as the prices of the other competitors. If you are a buyer, you would investigate and compare the prices of the products you are interested in. And it’s just too unfair for the companies who offer honest pricing, when the customers saw a low costing product but crap in quality. It’s a step too risky for the companies and for the customers to take, indeed. They can’t see or tell if the ones they are dealing with are real. Nor they determine if the transactions they are engaging with are of pure intention to meet their needs. In the world imitation is inevitable, it’s a challenge by all means to scrutinize the valid and invalid ones. So whether it’s traditional or modern, the responsibilities of the both sides are something that should not be taken for granted.

[goodhandjournalism-blog]

          “Magbe-break din kayo. Walang Forever.”

           Ito na ang mga salitang kasama ko sa halos araw-araw kong pamumuhay. Bitter version 2.0 ang peg ng mga tao ngayon.

            Forever? Big word! Mapapa-WTF ka nalang talaga, as in Wala Talagang Forever! At ang bitterness tinalo pa ang MERS-COV sa bilis ng pagkalat. Ano ba’ng nangyayari sa henerasyon ngayon?

             Bago pa man mauso ang Dubsmash, twerk it like Miley, ang kahindik-hindik na mga pabebe girls, at ang katakut-takot na pagkahumaling ng lahat sa Clash of Clans na ‘yan, bentang-benta na ang ekspresyong “walang forever”.

              Kaya naman marami ang umalma ng ipalabas ang teleseryeng “Forevermore”, kasi raw wala na ngang forever, forevermore pa kaya?

              Ano bang mayroon at nanggagalaiti talaga ang mga tao ngayon kay forever?  Ganoon na ba kalaki ang epekto nito sa ating ekonomiya? Kung tutuusin halos mamatay-matay na iyong mga Pilipinong nakaligtas man sa hagupit ng bagyong Yolanda, ay hindi naman nakaligtas sa hamon kung paano ipagpapatuloy ang kanilang mga buhay. Tumawag din ng atensyon ang mga di-matatawarang paghahanda sa pagdating ni Pope Francis. At ang mga galawang breezy para lang makapaso noong Marso, makapasa sa board at makapaghanap ng magandang trabaho nang makapamuhay ng mapayapa, tapos ikaw, iyan lang ang pinaglalanan mo ng oras, ang maghintay sa forever?

              At siyempre hindi pa rin dumarating. Kaya nga sa halip na buong buhay mong paggugulan ng atensyon iyang paghihintay mo sa forever, ibaling mo nalang ang atensyon mo sa mas may kwenta at mga makabuluhang bagay kagaya ng kung paano ka makakatulong sa mga magulang mo, sa bansa natin at sa kawawa mong sarili. Ganyan sana.

              Sa unang sulyap, maliit na bagay lang naman talaga ang problema ng pagkawala ng forever sa mundo. Pero hindi naman talaga ganoon ka-simple iyon. Para bang simbigat ng hustisya na kinailangan ng insidente sa Maguindanao massacre ang paghahanap natin dito. Ako mismo, hinahanap ko rin dati ang forever sa mga bagay-bagay. Bakit nga ba walang permanente sa mundo?

             Ito ang aking hugot 101.

              Sabihin nalang nating dahil sa kawalang ng forever namulat akong ulila sa ama. At siyempre hindi madali iyon. Limang buwan pa lang ako nang pumanaw siya. At kung may forever lang sana, siguro nandirito pa siya ngayon, kasama namin, buhay at nagmamahal sa amin. Pero dahil nga walang forever, tiwala akong masasanay din ako at matatanggap ko rin na wala na nga siya, di ako forever na mangungulila, salamat sa “walang forever”.

              Kahit abala ako sa mga bagay na obligasyon ko sa araw-araw, napakaraming bagay na ang aking nasaksihan, gustuhin ko man o hindi. Hindi ko na mabilang ang mga pagkakataong nadismaya ako sa sarili ko at sa kapaligiran ko.

              Anong klaseng mundo nga ba ang ginagalawan ko?

              Hindi ko lubos akalain na kayang sikmurain ni Jose Rizal at ng iba pang mga dakilang bayaning Pilipino ang mga nangyayari sa kanilang bayan, at mga kababayan.

              May naimbag ba talaga sila? Hindi pa ba sapat ang mamatay sila para sa ating kalayaan?

              Bakit ganito nalang ang tingin nila kay Juan dela Cruz? Juan tamad, na isa sa mga pinakakilalang katauhan ni Juan ang kadalasang pinagbubuntunan ng sisi kung bakit habambuhay na lugmok sa kahirapan ang mga Pilipino.

              Subalit ang katauhang ito ay hindi na gaanong binibigyang-pansin. Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, abnormal ka kung wala kang gagawing paraan, o magsusumikap para sa ikagaganda ng buhay mo. Kahit paano naman ay ganito na ang nangyayari sa tingin ko.

              Ngunit hindi maikakailang nahihirapan pa din si Juan, kahit halos ialay na niya ang kanyang buhay sa pagkayod-marino. Hindi man niya sadyain ay may nakikita pa siyang kakulangan. Ito kaya ang kanyang mga kababayan? Mga kababayang pagod na ang mga kamay at manhid na ang mga paa. Mga kababayang nasanay nang nakabusal ang mga bibig. Mga kapwa Pilipinong kasama nang naibaon sa lupa ang mga binhi ng pag-asa at ang mga hinaing nilang katarungan at kaginhawaan sa buhay. Mga Pilipinong lunod na sa baha ng mga pasaning suliranin.

              Nasaan ang hustisya? Ang mailap na bunga at sana’y magandang kahihinatnan ng lahat ng sakrispyo at paghihirap. Hindi man lamang naani ang ipinunlang kaligayahan sa tulong ng matatayog na pangarap, dugo at pawis.

              Ni hindi man lamang nagresulta ng magandang halimbawa para sa makabagong henerasyon ang mga itinanim na kagandahang-asal at gawi ng mga nakatatanda sa kanila. Higit sa lahat, napawalang-bahala lang ang pagbubuwis ng buhay ng maraming tao, makamit lamang ang lubos na kalayaan. At hindi iyon drama lamang.

              Oo. Totoong alipin pa rin kasi tayo hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Alipin ng maramot na kalikasan na hindi naman natin masisisi. Alipin ng mga taong may lakas ng loob na maghari-harian. Alipin ng alipin ng ating mga sariling pagnanasa sa labis na mga walang kwentang materyal na bagay. Buti nalang walang forever. At sana nga, hindi pa ito ang totoong forever.

              Tunay ngang napakarami na ng pinagdadaanan ni Juan. At ilang beses pa ba siyang dapat sumemplang bago niya marating ang gusto niyang puntahan?

              Ang masalimuot na takbo ng buhay na kagaya nito ay hindi naman talaga maiiwasan lalo na kung marami kang pangarap. Higit lalo kung nandiyan ang mga elementong hihila sa iyo pababa kapag ika’y nakaaangat na. Magtiwala kang nariyan lang ang pugad ng kadiliman na magwawaksi nang mga dalangin mo sa buhay. Kaya sa ayaw at sa gusto mo, kailangan mo itong harapin, at kailangan mong maging matatag.

              “Mabuhay ka Pinoy sapagkat tinitingala ng daigdig ang iyong kakayahan.”

              Napakasarap pakinggan, napakasarap isipin. Subalit hindi maikukubling kaakibat ng kakayahan na iyon ay ang masasakit na pinagdaanan natin sa buhay, na para bang nagturo sa atin na kailangan natin ang kakayahang iyon para patunayan ang ating mga sarili. Mga kakayahang nahuhugot kapalit ang nakabaong hirap at pagkubli ng kahinaan sa buhay.

              Kagaya ng eksena sa pelikulang Pilipino, kadalasa’y natatalo ng kabutihan ang kasamaan, maliban na lamang ito ay isang horror movie na minsa’y may pahabol pa ang kampon ng kadiliman sa huli.

              Sana ang mga nagaganap sa lipunan ay hindi isang horror movie, na may puwang pa para magbalik ang mga elementong nagpapahirap sa bida. Siguro nga lahat tayo ay dumadalangin na sana iyong mahihirap na pinagdadaanan natin sa buhay ay isa lamang maiksing comedy movie, na dapat ay tawanan na lamang. Sana nga kabiruan na lang natin ang kapalaran. Subalit hindi naman ganito ang eksena sa totoong buhay. Sa totoong buhay hindi naman natin maii-edit, marere-shoot at matatanggal ang mga eksenang hindi natin gusto, at ang mga pagkakamali.

              Kaya naman may mga pagkakataong hindi natin maiiwasang pagsisihan ang mga desisyon na nagawa natin. Marahil ay nagsisisi ka na ngayon na ibinoto mo ang isang walang kwentang pulitiko, o nagsisisi ka dahil nagkamali ka ng taong minahal, o dahil nagbigay ka pa ng pangalawang pagkakataon, o dahil hinayaan mo pa siyang bilugin ang ulo mo sa halos paulit-ulit na pagkakataon. At sa kalagayan mo ngayon, hindi mo rin maikaila ang takot na baka habambuhay mo nang pagsisihan ang mga pagkakamali mong ito. Kaya dapat kang magpasalamt kay forever at absent pa rin siya hanggang ngayon.

              Kaya ako, kahit nahihirapan pa rin, ibubuwis ko ang forever na pagkakataong hindi ko nakasama ang tatay ko, kaysa naman makikita kong forever na nahihirapan ang isang tao dahil sa maling desisyon na nagawa niya. Malungkot kung minsan, pero masaya na rin sa isang banda, kasi sa mundong walang permanente, matututo tayong mabuhay at harapin ang mga hamon ng buhay sa pinakamadaling paraan. Makaaaninag tayo sa liwanag ng pag-asa sa kabila ng kadilimang hatid ng paghihirap at dalamhati. At bagamat panandalian lamang ang kapalit na ligaya ng ating pagbabanat ng buto, nasisiguro naman natin makakayanan natin ang anumang hamon sa buhay, hangga’t hindi tayo sumusuko, napapagod at palaging isaisip na walang forever.

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[goodhandjournalism-blog]

AKO BA ANG DIYOS MO?

               Ako ang pinakamakapagyarihan. Ako ang may hawak sa lahat. Ito ang tumatak sa isipan ko. Ito ang turing nila sa akin. Ako ang diyos nila.

               Bata pa ang mundo, kilala na ang kakayahan ko. Bagamat nagsimula ako sa mababa, habang lumilipas ang panahon, unti-unting tumataas ang halaga ko. Ngayon, kaya kong sabihin na wala nang hindi nakakikilala sa akin.

               Ako lang naman ang dahilan ng pagkakaroon ng sangkatauhan ng lahat ng mayroon sila ngayon. Buhay, karangyaan, edukasyon, lahat. Name it, I have it. Pangarap ako ng marami. Iyong iba, hindi masyado, pero katuwang pa rin nila ako sa pagtupad sa mga pangarap nila.

               O kwentahin natin ang naitulong ko sa pagkamit niyo ng edukasyon. Ikaw, oo nga ikaw diyan, hindi ka matututong magbasa kung wala ako. Aminin mo man o hindi, kinailangan mo ako para magkaroon ka ng lapis at papel, na nagamit mo din sa pag-aaral mong magsulat. At tsart ng alpabetong Pilipino, para matuto kang magbasa, at pambayad mo sa guro mong nagturo sa iyo noon.

               Ang ate at kuya mo, hindi sila makakapagtapos ng pag-aaral kung wala ako. Kahit iyang mga magulang mo, hindi sila makakahanap ng magandang trabaho, kung hindi dahil sa akin. At dahil din sa akin kaya maganda ang pamumuhay niyo ngayon. Lahat kayo, hindi kayo magiging edukado, kung wala ang tulong ko.

                Oo trabaho. Tama. Nagtatrabaho kayo ngayon dahil sa akin, at magtatrabaho kayo para sa akin pa din.

                Iyong tatay mong nagkasakit, kung hindi dahil sa akin, baka natuluyan na siya.

                At habang ginagamot iyong tatay mo sa tulong ko, may nakapagsabi sa akin na ‘yung bata roon sa kabilang kanto ay nailibing na raw. Ano nga ulit ang sakit nu’n? Noong huli ko iyong nakita ay nangangayayat. Baka wala silang makain kaya ganoon. Mukha kasi siyang malnourished. Tapos noong dinala sa ospital, ewan ko, baka tinuluyan nalang iyon ng doktor, wala naman kasi silang pambayad eh. Siyempre biro lang.

                 May mag-asawa nga pala na naghiwalay na naman dahil sa akin. Uy hindi ako ang third party ah. Nadamay lang ako. Si ate sumama na pala sa ibang lalaki. Sabi dahil din sa akin ‘yun.

                 Itong mga ganitong kaganapan ga-sentimo lamang ‘to kumpara sa bilyun-bilyon na kaya kong gawin. Magbanggit ka ng kahit anong establishemento, at babayaran kita ng katumbas na halaga nito kapag napatunayan mong wala akong kontribusyon doon.

                  Aba, malapit na naman pala ang eleksyon. Naku, gamit na gamit na naman ako nito, lalo na’t magpapare-elect pala si Mayor. Kaya pala ngayon palang nagkukumahog na ang mga gahaman.

                  Wait, what? Gahaman? Okay, let’s define gahaman. Gahaman (n.) (adj.) (pro.)(Si mayor, si congressman si gov, si senator, si …) ang sinumang gustong maangkin ang lahat ng pwede nilang angkinin kahit ‘di naman sila deserving.

                   O ang talino ko ‘di ba? Matalino ako dahil kaya kong paikutin ang mga tao sa palad ko, kahit wala akong palad. Kaya ko silang ilagay sa bulsa ko kahit naman ako ang palagi nilang ibinubulsa.

                   Pero sa totoo lang, naaawa ako doon sa mga taong sobra-sobra ang pangangailangan sa akin. Dahil kung sino pa ‘yung higit na kinakailangan ang presensya ko, sila pa iyong mga hirap na hirap akong mahagilap. Pasensya na ha. Hindi ko iyon sinasadya.

                   Alam niyo kahit madalas itinuturing niyo akong diyos, nanliliit pa rin ako sa tuwing may nakikita akong nahihirapan dahil sa akin. Kahit na wala naman talaga akong kinalaman, ay hindi mali, ako nga pala ang karaniwang dahilan.

                   Sige na, Oo naman kasi eh. Ako ang dahilan ng lahat. Siguro dahil nga sa ako ang pinakamakapangyarihan sa lahat, kaya ayun, may nagpapatayan, may nagkakawatak-watak, may nauulila, may nahihiirapan, may nagdurusa. Kaya nga minsan, pinagsisisishan ko pa kaysa ipagpasalamat kung bakit nabuhay pa ako sa mundong ito.

                   Pero hindi rin, ang dami ko rin kayang napasaya. Kahit iyong mga diyos na ang turing sa akin. Marami na rin akong natulungan. Iyong iba, kalimitan biyaya ang tingin sa akin. At iyon ang pinakamasarap na pakiramdam sa lahat.

                   Kaya nga nalilito pa rin ako eh. Talaga bang mahalaga ako? Kung hindi kaya ako dumating, mabubuhay pa rin kaya ang mga tao? Kung hindi nila ako nakilala, magiging masaya pa rin kaya sila?

                  Siguro nga. Baka nga mas maganda pa buhay nila kung hindi nila ako nakilala.

                   Marami akong naririnig na tsismis. Huwag ako ang hangarin. Hindi raw ako importante. Weh? May tao pa ba ngayon na hindi nangangailangan sa akin? Hindi ako ganito kasikat ngayon kung ganyan mag-isip ang mga tao. Hindi naman kasi sila mabubusog ng pagmamahalan na iyan, kagaya ng madalas nilang sinasabi.

                   Kaya nga feel na feel ko talaga ang pagiging diyos ko eh. Iyong kapangyarihan ko, parang wala nang makakapantay. Ikaw, ako din ba ang diyos mo?

                   Ay teka, bakit parang ang tagal dumating ng amo ko. Kanina pa iyon pumasok sa CR ah.

                   Oy sino ka?! Bakit mo ba hawak ‘tong wallet na lalagyan ko? Nasaan ako! Nalaglag ba ako, o itinapon na ako ng amo ko? Sandali lang! Tulong! Tulong! Tulungan niyo ako! Aaaahhhh!!

                   “Hoy! Sandra, Sandra! Gumising ka nga!”. Narinig ko ang boses ng nanay ko. Dumilat ako. Umaga na. Nanaginip ako. Isang masamang panaginip.

                 Naalala ko na. Kaya pala. Sobra-sobra  ang pag-iisip ko na magkamit ng malaking pera para sa gimik naming magbabarkada sa susunod na linggo. Nakuha ko pang magsinungaling sa mga magulang ko. 

                 Pagkatapos naming mag-agahan, isinauli ko sa kanila ang nakupit kong pera. Alam kong may mas mahalaga pa silang paglalaanan doon. Napanatag din anaman ang loob ko, kahit kapalit noon ay ang nakaririnding panenermon sa akin ng nanay ko.

                At dahil doon, hindi na ako muling naghangad ng maraming pera. Hindi ko na hihintayin na maging diyos ang turing ko dito. Dahil iisa lang ang Diyos na pinaniniwalaan ko. Siya lang ang pinakamakapangyarihan sa lahat. Ang Diyos na Ama nating lahat.

               Ikaw, siya rin ba ang Diyos mo?

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[goodhandjournalism-blog]

MY IDOL, MY INSPIRATION

There are several well-known personalities we know in different fields who are able to grab the banner story because of their success, not just through their excellence, but sometimes because of their family influence.

However, there are others who reign in their battlegrounds by just having an idol to follow and look up to.

Who can predict that Pacquiao will be a World Boxing Champion when there is no history in their family that they have a family-blooded boxer? Well, according to some research, Pacquiao was inspired by the Asian’s Kung Fu Master namely Bruce Lee. He imitates his techniques in fighting. This is where Pacquiao got his speed, which is one of the key elements in boxing.

Like Manny Pacquiao, Leslie Mahusay of CEU Malolos taking Journalism major, has been in the same page.

Before, she never gets interested in this kind of task, writing and all, it bores her. But when she met her professor, Miss Cecile Suerte-Felipe, a writer of Philippine Star, her vision changes.

“Our professor, Ms. Cecille Suerte Felipe, a reporter of Philippine Star, really made a great impact on influencing us in the world of journalism,” she said, introducing her.

“I like the way how she tells us her endless but meaningful and inspiring stories, her journeys in the industry of writing, the people she meets, the places she visits and all the success she achieves in the world of journalism.” She continues.

The influence of her professor, gave Leslie a hint of what nature she is about to be with, and making her loving it.

To be inspired, and put the inspiration into action, who knows, Leslie will be the next idol to inspire the succeeding aspirant media practitioners.

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[goodhandjournalism-blog]

JOURNALIST: THE CATALYST OF CHANGE

When someone doesn’t like something, the tendency is to seek for change.

This is the usual conviction of the “change” thing in our everyday lives. But CHANGE word in Journalism is different, very powerful. This might be a big step, like adjustment in a society, for one.

And this is what Princess Clea Arcellaz is trying to take into considerations. As Journalism student (now in 4th level at CEU Malolos campus), she thinks she has a great responsibility on promoting a good change, for whatever reason, that doesn’t satisfy her. She felt committed to this.

“Journalism, as a student, made me see the things that are not obvious, hear things in silence, and speak for the things that other people are afraid to say.”

Knowing how critical her role is, Clea urge to learn to be one of the good Journalists, not just for her own personal goal, but for the will of the others too.

“I want to be a catalyst of change. It’s my goal.” She expressed.

But pursuing change is a no joke matter. It’s as difficult and as complicated as going through in a needle opening, or like climbing a 20 story building through stairs, a long and tiring process. Patience and hard work should be doubled, tripled even.

It takes strong, solid heart, determined and passionate ones to make a good Journalist. All these characteristics are acquired by Clea. No doubt, she deserves a chance to showcase her capability.

She ends up her statement through ensuring that she will perform her job at the best of her ability.

“I will never stop striving to write for the truth.”

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[goodhandjournalism-blog]

WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?

Media killings are one of the most earth-shattering incidents in the media today. And good justice, sad to say, is nowhere to be found. Because of this, some of great practitioners might choose more decent job, those are not life-risking ones.

Keith Calayag, Journalism student from CEU Malolos, knows all of this. She definitely knows what she’s entering, and yet, her dream to become Journalist, doesn’t get affected by this at all.

“My hunger for change has prompted me to take journalism by soul for I believe that this country is in need of journalists with a heart for people and change.” She said, revealing a clear image of her outlook in life.

The dangers that are lying in this kind of profession can reasonably frighten away some aspirants, but it does the other way around to her, it pushes her even harder and inspires her more.

She also gives credit to her professor who served as her role model along her journey.

“My professors awakened the timid voice inside me,” she expressed. “I took by heart their (my professors') stories and teachings about media: The joy and pain in reporting.” She continued.

It is a bad news knowing how media practitioners work honestly, and as hard as it requires, but not getting a good justice, which could shield them against those abusive-powerful ones.

But knowing someone who doesn’t know how to back out is just simply empowering, enough reason to strive harder, and an inspiring drive to all other wholeheartedly aspirant Journalism practitioners.

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[goodhandjournalism-blog]

BEATING THE DEADLINE

Print media is one of the avenues that require speed and accuracy in terms of spreading current significant events, next to radio and television, and ever updated social media. As a matter of fact, it is one of the primary references of the other mentioned mass media tools of what news to deliver and what issue to dig deep on to.

Timeliness in Journalism is the top-most key to consider, aside of course from the completeness, conciseness and reliability of the information.

This is what Jona Micah Espejo stressed as a 4th year Journalism student of Centro Secolat University Malolos. To her, time management is the most important thing to learn. Somebody on this field can’t rely on beating the deadline and just rush everything up.

“In order to write an effective story, you can’t wait the day before deadline to begin contacting your sources.” She noted. “If you do, and are lucky enough to schedule an interview that day, you have absolutely no time to chase down any possible leads that may come from that source. And more so, it’s bad practice and unprofessional to email someone urgently, expecting them to make time for you in their day.” She continued, highlighting the disadvantage of doing the tasks on the last minutes.

Admit it or not, many students find a hard time on placing their priorities in the proper time. And Jona also had troubled with this.

“I will raise my hand and admit that this is something I still struggle with.” She confessed.

She also mentioned some significant difference between student life and career life, focusing on organizing time and schedules again.

“It’s not like an English class where if I hand in my essay late the only consequence is a drop in my grade. Or if I hand in a sub-par piece of writing I only have to worry about the professor reading it and getting a lower grade.” She explained.

“With journalism, if you don’t hand something in on time you’re letting down the rest of the paper and putting your editors in a horrible position.” She said comparing the consequences.

In the real world of Journalism industry, your story is your life line.

Well, your story can save others’ lives somehow, so try to imagine you’ve killed someone just because your article that supposed to warn them doesn’t get printed because you’ve finished it late, this is how crucial timeliness in Journalism could be.

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[goodhandjournalism-blog]

THE “POPE FRANCIS EFFECT”

The visit of the head of the Catholic Church fortified the faith of the Filipinos. The sea of the Catholic believers gathered together in this rare incident ignoring the distractions, the weather and all, are more than enough proof.

 Many Filipinos were given the chance to see the Pope personally, and though the others haven’t been so glorified to see him in person, they had their own interpretations on the Papal visit.

 According to Dr. Ferdinand Magpayo, Ph. D and a professor in CEU Malolos, the Pope touches everyone’s heart through his humility and through living out his faith in action.

 “He washed the feet of the sinners, the Muslims and the women,” he said.

 “He showed respect to whatever religion you belong, and regardless of what you have done or what your gender is.” Mr. Magpayo added.

 Being one of the million attendees in the Papal visit is definitely a blessing for Mr. Banjo Serrano, a professor and Student Catholic Action (SCA) adviser of CEU Malolos. He shared things he had learned from the Pope.

 “Pope is living a life based on the bible,” Mr. Serrano said. “The Pope concretized the message written in the Bible,” he continued.

 Mr. Serrano also emphasized the importance of the Pope’s teachings like to learning how to weep with the poor people, showing humility and showing how to love.

 “It’s not enough that you give material needs, you also have to sympathize to their feelings,” he expressed.

 Pope Francis’ papal visit also targeted youth empowerment.

  “Pope strengthens my faith as a Catholic,” Aleyn Dianne Flaviano, a second year student from Bulacan State University said as she keenly listened to Pope’s messages.

 “He served as an inspiration, especially to the modern generation Catholics,” she added.

 The others believed that Pope served as an instrument and brought everyone closer to God, as what Ramwen Angelo Martinez, a student of Baliuag University and a devout Catholic has said.

 “Pope brought us youth closer to God,” he shared.

  “He opened a door those who are willing to follow and learn God’s teachings,” her explained.

 Being an education student who will embrace teaching profession, Pope Francis also enlightened Bernadette Robielos’ heart and soul, and the lessons that she learn from him will be used as tools to achieve her dreams and teachings that she can pass to the generations next to her.

And when ask of what to say when given a chance to talk to Pope in his next visit, she said, “I’ll thank him for visiting our country for the second time and I’ll humbly ask him to touch the conscience of the leaders to put first the interest of their people before their own will.”

 Indeed, Pope has an extraordinary capacity to influence everyone. Surely, he deserved to be called as “People’s Pope.”

 And the most important thing that everyone should consider is that lessons learned from him will last longer and be part of their lives, because if not, everything will be worthless.

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