Freedom and Responsibility

Some jackass lunatics out there seem to think that the world wide web is the ultimate freedom–and that includes the freedom to slander and destroy.

Without a doubt, digital media is a wonderful thing–it’s made so many things so much easier. Blogging has empowered millions of people to share their views, comments, ideas and opinions to everyone else–no matter where they are in the world.

But I remember what Spiderman’s uncle said, “With great freedom comes great responsibility.”

The world may have changed much because of the internet and digital media, but whatever happened to morals, values and common decency?

I am all for free speech–it’s a wonderful blessing.

But what I cannot abide by are people who use this freedom to stage vendetta for personal hurts–such as a bad breakup–and in the process drag so many innocent people through the mud.

What recourse do these innocent people have then? Don’t these people have the right to live peacefully?

So to the jilted lunatics and down-and-out nomads living in some kind of neverland, I hope they get a life. Blogging is a wonderful thing–one that peope like these do not deserve and ought not to do.

If this sounds cryptic, there’s only one explanation–I don’t deal with people who have nothing better to do but pick on others. But I won’t tolerate the evil some people do–at least not for very long.

I always believe what goes around comes around. That’s karma. So to the jerky losers and dissonant neanderthals generating negative energies out there, careful, bad things happen to bad people.

Evil right under our noses

We’ve always complained about how corrupt our government is, how corruption is a norm and an SOP rathern than a bad apple that needs to be thrown out.  But what’s  worse is that this malady is not limited to the high echelons and top brass. The worst of it is that many of us are either too scared, too tired or too hopeless to do anything about it.

Let me tell you a story about a seemingly simple misallocation of funds. The problem is, the person who told us this story seemed so unconcerned that this was public funds being used for personal gain–and this person had the gall to assume it was super okay.

For obvious reasons, let me tease a bit by sharing this as a limmerick.

 

There was a man we met along time ago                                                                     

Who lives and works in a place named for a hero                                                    

Where he works kinda means itch in Tagalog                                                                 

A place  where security is logged

The man and his friends are all underpaid                                                                 

And with so much work, their dedication’s obviously waned                                

So to make ends meet                                                                                                           

And some extras and fun to boot and fit                                                                  

Their hands dipped into public coffers                                                                            

To take  some riches because temptation offered                         

Their lives went from rags to some riches                                                                      

To treats and vacations in great beaches                                                                         

Their sons they transferred to a school near hills that are green                 

 Their daughters likewise had niceties they never had seen                             

Their wives of course got some niceties                                                              

Swallowing their pride and dignity                                                                                   

Why not? They wanted not no more                                                                          

 Never mind that the means were rotten to the core                                              

But the wealth they stole, little did they know                                               

Probably caused someone to die needlessly by a bullet from a foe                      

The wealth that could have helped so many people                                                

Went to a few who refused to live a life that’s simple

 

The people I am alluding to are friends. But I don’t think I want to just stand by and let the evil happen.

Because if we want to find that golden destiny, we have to take destiny into our own hands

Even the elite worry

http://www.philtatler.com/home.htm

In the link above, a teaser on a story I wrote for Philippine Tatler can be found.

Working on the article about the economy seemed ironic for me,  especially since I was doing it for a magazine that caters to high society–the rich, the famous and the society darlings. These are people who, to me, would have money as the least of their worries.

What I realize though is that monied people have much, much more to lose in a bear economy. The stakes are higher–their wealth, their lifestyles and their names.

Regular people like us deal with the economic crunch in other ways. In fact, we are more resilient in a crisis because we are used to saving and scrimping.

But not to worry, things are not so bad for the Philippines. We will recover and we can do much better.

Fairness

In this world we live in, perhaps asking for fairness and being treated fairly is a tall order.  There will always be politics at play; favorites; sukis; family or friendly ties that will give other an edge even when they don’t deserve it.

I can live with that. That’s life.

But for the Arroyo administration and this government as an institution, fairness is a must, especially when credibility and trust are so compromised.

But why, oh why does it seem like this government keeps shooting itself in the foot, or simply ignores public perception and does what it damn well pleases?

Take for example the retirement of AFP Chief of Staff Alexander Yano just days before he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

No matter what explanation is given, none of which fly, by the way, it just doesn’t make sense. Let’s go through some of those reasons:

1. To give time for the Commission on Appointments to deliberate as he is appointed Ambassador. How many other former military generals in the past have been appointed Ambassadors after retirement from the service? In recent history, there’s Voltaire Gazmin and Roy Cimatu. I don’t think their new posts required premature retirement

2. Um, wait there was no second reason, at least not one that was explicitly explained

If nothing was amiss, nothing was cooking, so to speak, why not let nature take its course. Why meddle with what was coming anyway?

Generals Yano and Cardozo Luna served the military and the country well. Why could they not have been given the dignity and honor they earned?

Let’s go even more micro with fairness in government.

It’s not a secret that I’m married to an Army officer. Recently, there have been moves to penalize Army officers who are found to be violating the rules governing military housing.

Essentially, there are two rules that are the most problematic: one, officers awarded military quarters yet either leave them abandoned, idle or let other people who are not part of their immediate family live there; and two, officers with military quarter inside camp but who have been awarded government land, most commonly in the AFP Officers Village in Taguig.

In these two instances,  military officers are not and should no longer be given quarters.

I laud the leadership of the Philippine Army for taking this stand. However, my question is, if they’re taking a stand anyways, why can’t it be for ALL violators?

I know of at least three officers who had been given orders to vacate their quarters because they already had land. Only one actually complied. Why? He was a mere LtCol. The other two were Generals.

Come on!

Let’s be fair. A star rank does not exempt anyone from following rules. It even enjoins military generals to practice what is preached.

And for the leadership of the Army who implemented these rules. Have the balls to do what is right and what is necessary.

I think for government, asking for fairness is not a request. It should be a demand from all of us. Heaven knows we have so many problems already and doing what we can to help, no matter how little, counts.

So be fair.

I don’t think this needs to be detailed. Fairness is right. Fairness is giving what is due.

What are they thinking?

While browsing through the stories of the day, I came across this item:

Bill threatens Philippine press freedom: media groups

A proposed bill that will grant the right of reply to anyone who feels they have been poorly treated by the media threatens press freedom in the Philippines, media groups said Wednesday.

The Right of Reply Bill, which has wide bipartisan support in both the House of Representatives and Senate, also proposes heavy fines and jail terms for media groups who do not comply.

A version of the bill has been passed in the Senate, while the House is debating a counterpart bill, although officials said it too is likely to pass.

No date has been given for a consolidated version of the bill by a committee of both houses.

What has worried local and foreign media groups is the wording of the bill which says that anyone “accused of a crime or criticised for any lapse in behaviour” shall be given the right to reply in the medium that published or aired the accusation.

“This bill is in direct conflict with the constitution which guarantees press freedom,” Vergel Santos, chairman of the BusinessWorld editorial board, told AFP.

“This is just a bill for the politicians who can say what they like about anyone or anything in both houses where they are protected by privilege but scream like hell when they are criticised,” he said.

“This is just another attempt to muzzle freedom of speech not only for the local media but foreign media as well,” Santos said.

“Once again, press freedom is under siege from political forces insidiously trying to further their personal agenda, this time through legislature,” said Nonoy Espina of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines.

The final bill is expected to impose fines of up to 50,000 pesos (1,037 dollars) for failure to comply or up to six months in jail.

——————————————————————–

What the F?

From what I gather, the bill requires the broadcast or publication by media outfits of the reply of parties offended by reports or commentaries.

Both the Senate and House versions of the bill will compel media companies, under threat of being fined, to provide equal space and air time to persons who are subjects of their negative reports. (from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

To wit, “all persons…who are accused directly or indirectly of committing, having committed or intending to commit any crime or offense defined by law, or are criticized by innuendo, suggestion or rumor for any lapse in behavior in public or private life shall have the right to reply to charges or criticisms published or printed in newspapers, magazines, newsletters or publications circulated commercially or for free, or aired or broadcast over radio, television, websites or through any electronic devices.”

The legitimate press must be given freedom to broadcast or publish what should be known by the public, and not be hindered, detereed or restrained from exercising its mandate as the Fourth Estate. And the Philippines is blessed with such freedom and power–especially when compared to other Asian countries.

But as Spiderman’s (or Peter Parker’s) uncle said, “With great freedom comes great responsibility.”

I don’t think I need to go into the ghastly horror stories from people who have fallen victim to reckless and unprofessional mediamen. The Philippine Press indeed has a lot of growing up to do.

But the solution to unfair, biased and damaging reportage is not legislation. Rather, it should be to make sure that journalists practice the highest possible standards of professionalism, ethics, conduct and accountability.

The bill should serve as a challenge to all media practitioners to unite and strictly police the ranks–weed out the bad apples from the good ones, so to speak. It should serve as a challenge for media owners and management to address the problems and concerns of journalists–as these are the main reasons why they go astray.

Legislation is not the solution to seeking redress from the press.

Legislation is a myopic, twisted solution proposed by those who want to pursue their own vested interests and agenda, or plain and simply are envious of those deemed “media favorites” and hence get more mileage and share of voice.

Fair and balanced reporting is so Journalism 101–this is textbook journalism. Hence, why should something that journalists should be doing as part of SOP need to be enacted into a law?

Why?

Because of bad apples in the industry?

Or because of vested interests?

Besides, why are spending brain cells, time and taxpayers’ money on legislation that, in the big picture, is unimportant? There are a great, great many more bills pending in both houses of Congress that should be getting more attention–and need to be passed ASAP.

What are these legislators thinking?

If they want more air time or print space, or a bigger share of voice, why not write a letter to the editor or complain? Or just hire a good PR counsellor or consultant?

Don’t mean to sound self-selling here, but wouldn’t those do just as effective a job in seeking redress for grievances versus the press?

 

My Foot in My Mouth

Many of us find ourselves saying things we didn’t mean to, intend to or just plain and simply regret. Some people call it word vomit, other blurts. But whatever it is, we are only human–and these things do happen, more often than we’d like.

So today I found myself in a presentation before a client. They were nice and all–lovely ladies, in fact, there was a sisterly-like affection and warmth that emanated from them. Of course, I can’t disclose who or what they are.

Thing is, this was a campaign to basically change people’s minds and persuade people to join. So after showing them wonderful ideas, here I go with a blurb–it went something like this–”perhaps with this people will think well maybe you’re not so boring after all.”

oops. my bad.

Thing is, I was in denial for a while. I even tried to laugh it off. But at the end of the day, a client is a client is a client. And you never, ever say or do anything that would piss them off, or else it could mean a loss.

I forgot to heed advise from Raju Mandhyan on appreciative inquiry. I had forgotten one of the basic tenets of being a Toastmaster–that there’s always a more positive, engaging, empowering way to express a negative.

On the other hand, I have yet to shake-off the unabashed and uncensored bluntness I seem to have acquired. For some reason, I find it tiring to mince words and sugar-coat. I just say what I almost damn well please.

Not always a good idea.

On the other hand, in the advertising and communications industry, why should we mince words with the client? They come to people like us, to advertising and public relations agencies for help. Isn’t the onus on us to give it to the client straight up and true THEN figure out how best to spin messages for the public? As my mom always says, it’s rare to find someone who’ll tell you the blatant truth in your face–and most of the time it’ll only be your immediate family who’ll do that to you. Why can’t it be the same for ad agencies and clients? If we care about our clients, we can tell them things as they are and surely they deserve to know.

Of course, there’s always another way.

Then again, there are also times when things that come out of one’s mouth is just plain wrong and awkward.

And when that happens, the best recourse is simply to say you’re sorry.

So no matter what it is, it’s always wise to take a deep breath first, clear the head and seek some nirvana before speaking. Don’t rush, don’t panic, and try to think before any word is uttered.

Life is too short to be lived wrong with weirdness in the words.

Farewell, Mardy

As a word, Mardy can mean awkward,  uncooperative, bad tempered and whiney in English. But in French, Mardy means Tuesday–ergo, Fat Tuesday, which means a really happy party’s happening.

If I were to describe Mardy Pantaleon, I’d say he epitomizes Fat Tuesday more than the old English meanings for his name.

Mardy is one person who truly worked his way up.  He started in ABS-CBN as a Production Assistant-cum-extra-cum-gofer-cum-all sorts of odd jobs.  He was not satisfied with that–learning how to write, produce programs and acquiring that so-called nose for news. He was truly a gifted news person–with the ability to mix editorial and production elements to produce a great story.

When I first walked into the Sarimanok News Network, Mardy was one of the first to welcome me with open arms. He was not selfish and was always willing to lend a helping hand. It had come to a point when I and the rest of the relatively newbie reporters of SNN (now ANC) thought of Mardy and his wife Hiyas as surrogate parents.

Even when we were all moved to ABSCBN and were scattered to the winds, working with Mardy was a joy. He was funny–even under pressure. He knew what he was doing and even what the reporters were trying to do.

Sure, he was eccentric at times, but that was all part of what made Mardy loveable.

In business lingo, Mardy was a highly under-utilized prime asset. He had the capacity to do great things–had it not been for challenges that came his way.

Mardy Pantaleon passed away in the early morning of January 29th. He was only 39 years old. Mardy left behind his wife and 3 sons.

 His dream for his sons–that they have the oppportunity to live better lives.  Mardy was a simple person. He was very close to his sons.

He was only about 6 years older than me, and yet he seemed so much older and wiser. I don’t think I would have been able to excel had I not become close to Mardy. 

So thank you Mardy for your gift of friendship.

May you find eternal peace and solace. Godspeed!

Worries

 This day is quite glum for me–and many know that’s rare for me. For some reason, I may be a worrywart–stressin’ over one thing or another–but I manage to smile through most of those.

Today, however, it’s hard for me to turn that frown into a smile.

Because I’m worried. Worried about what will happen to my savings.

Believe me, whatever worldly wealth I have didn’t come easy–that’s more than ten years of being underpaid, overworked, the blood, sweat and tears, the sacrifices I have made as a journalist at ABSCBN.

Most of you know that a career as a journalist, not just in ABSCBN, is mostly glamour–the pay isn’t all too great.

So just like many other people in the world, I can get anal about my savings. Moreso because I have two young children to build a future for.

My husband, fortunately, is quite the saver too, with a vision for our familu’s future. But he’s a straight-arrow soldier. And you know that means he’s making even less money than I am.

Unfortunately, I invested some of my money in two pre-need plans from Philamlife (AIG).  At the time I invested, economic conditions remained favorable, but returns on investments, especially for non-six figure savings, were dismal. So like many other people, I was enticed by pre-need plans. By my estimate, the money I would pay, or rather invest, over a five-year installment period,  would yield a 35-40% return for me after 14 years, not counting the other benefits such as insurance coverage.

In contrast, a savings account, even at preferential/VIP rates, would give me just 3-4% per year, not counting the tax imposed.

I figured the fact that it was a fixed-value plan, meaning the kind that would give a certain amount after a number of years, gave me that boost of confidence.

Plus it was Philamlife–that’s like one of the biggest finance institutions in the world.

Then the subprime crisis took its toll even on AIG.

Philamlife, one of the most profitable units in the entire realm of AIG worldwide, was to be chop-chopped and sold.

The Filinvest group of the Gotianuns, through banking unit East-West Bank, confirmed that it had purchased Philam Savings Bank and Primus Finance & Leasing. (see this link:  http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20090123/tbs-aig-philippines-8bedc88.html)

Unfortunately, some of my savings is in Philam Savings Bank. Bummer.

I got this text from MARISSA AUDITOR, the Head of AIG Preferred Banking. I think she’s sending this out to all clients. I am posting this to provide some information for parents and other people like me worried over personal finances:

“Greetings! I am pleased (to) announce the sale of AIG Philam Savings Bank to East West Bank. It’s business as usual with wider opportunities as a commercial bank. We welcome you (and) a new organization with the same seal of professionalism and expertise. Thank you (for your) patronage!”

And as for my PhilamPlans Pre-Need Plans, I still don’t know.

But if I’m worried, I feel so much for thousands of planholders from pre-need plan companies that have either closed, or are in worse conditions.

I’m talking about planholders of CAP, Pacific Plans, Platinum Plans, Legacy Consolidated Plans and others who took money and virtually lost it in one big, legitimate corporate gamble.

Let me share with you a story. Since I am no longer with ABS-CBN, I think I can share this in my blog. Anyway, this happened a few years ago.

From 2002-2006, I was reporting about the pre-need industry for ABS-CBN. It was initially all about fairness to me–trying to explain to the public as best I could about what happened to the industry. My aim was to help planholders make the best possible decision for them.

I could say with all pride that I reported news about the pre-need companies with all professionalism, accuracy and balance. There were times I felt so bad for parents–security guards and all sorts of strangers to me would come up to me in the mall, at the market and even while eating lunch, asking for help. But I simply referred them to the people concerned. I tried to remain impartial, despite my feelings.

Until Pacific Plans folded.

I did my job. Unfortunately, my dad, my sister and several other relatives work for various units under the Yuchengco Group. The latter founded and owned Pacific Plans up until a few days ago, when they sold the company to a firm led by former Asian Spirit head Noel Onate. While the patriarch of the Yuchengcos, Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco, is a fairly decent and nice guy, his daughters and others who work for him are not quite.

Because I was doing my job, the Yuchengco sisters, Helen and (the late) Susane, gave my sister and my dad hell. In the middle of a management meeting, Susane told my sister, “Tell your sister to stop reporting about us, or else you and your father better get out!”

There were other threats and vindictive acts that followed, so much so that even ABSCBN super high management got somehow involved. I super wanted to fight back, but how could I? Too many jobs were at stake, too many families would be affected.

So to keep the peace, I inhibited myself from ever reporting about any pre-need company or issue.

My sister quit RCBC Savings, my dad simply retired from Honda Cars Manila. He had turned 60 anyways, but it was more because of all the mean acts.

 Why am I sharing this? To warn people about the kind of people you entrusted your money to.

Pre-need companies have FIDUCIARY DUTIES. That means TRUST and CONFIDENCE were placed on them by thousands of people to take care of their money for their future. The  selling point of their plans is TRUST. Obviously that TRUST was broken.

We understand what happened. The increase in tuition outpaced returns on investment.

However, that FIDUCIARY DUTY should have meant transparency–telling planholders the real score and offering a win-win solution. For example, the companies could have offered a return of money paid, plus a reasonable interest–rather than trying to keep a promise they knew had become an impossibility. 

Worries, worries, worries.

Who do we turn to now for justice? For help?

Grief

For the first time in my life, someone close to me has died–my lolo, Dr. Federico Azarcon Eugenio (Jan 23, 1923-Jan 21, 2009). He was almost 85 years old.

Because I was the eldest grandchild, I was somehow close to my lolo. He was close to me and my sisters because of the closeness between him and his daughter,  our mom.

Life did not seem to be easy for him. From stories from my mom and her siblings, our lola left them high and dry–vurtually abandoning them and taking almost all their money and other assets. He raised 7 children all by himself–making ends meet by teaching dentistry at the National University.

He worked hard, had pretty strict work ethics and ran his life, his household,  and his kids with discipline and an iron hand. They lived on very little–yet he managed to send his kids to school and provided for them the best way he could.

It was he who taught my mom, me and my sisters to keep striving. There’s a lot we learned from him–most important is to remain strong, tough and unwavering.

He stood proud and worked hard despite a limp. He had his right leg busted courtesy of two big bullet wounds he got during World War II.

My lolo was not only a dentist and a former Dean of the College of Dentistry at the National University, he was also a soldier–he enlisted (and was an officer, I think) of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

He was in Bataan when it fell, he went through hell as a prisoner of the Japanese–enduring the Death March–defying death when many of his comrades succumed to Grim Reaper’s scythe.

In the 1990s, when the US government entitled USAFFE veterans to American citizenship and benefits, my lolo, like many others like him, chose to face living alone in unfamiliar places, for a chance to bring their families in the land of opportunity, and so as not to be burdens as they became old, and sickly.

And for over a decade, he lived by himself and fended for himself. He asked for very little help–save for the year he fell and was confined to a wheelchair for the rest for his life.

He barely complained–even when some of his children almost forgot him and even when he was seen as a burden by those  who were supposed to care for him. Even when his arthritis pained him, he took the time to write letters and cards to us back in the Philippines. And he took the time to call us often–at his expense–just to check on how we were doing.

We tried to get him to stay in the Philippines a few years back–because the thought of him living alone was hard for us. But he said he would be a burden to us–for the US government would not give him his pension, or even pay for his medical expenses if he were in the Philippines.

So he stayed in the US because it was the most practical decision to make. 

Lolo in the ICU

Even when he was fighting for his life, it was still the welfare of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren he was concerned about. He made sure that all of them were okay, if not en route to a future that held promise and opportunity.

And then, he took his final breath. He died very peacefully–when he was sure everyone he loved would be okay.

It’s true what they say–you only know how much a person means to you, and how much you really love that person when they’re gone.

The grief is intense–like darkness clawing through my chest–it’s a blank emptiness–but my lolo taught me to be tough and to cope.

There are so many things that could have been done–the veterans bill could have been passed, moves could have been made to allow him to stay in the Philippines with benefits and all, we should have not allowed him to live alone, or the petitions could have been expedited so that his family could have been with him much, much sooner–but there’s no use playing the blaming game, or chanting a litany of “if onlys.”

And now, we can’t even have a proper wake and do prayers and stuff for him–because we can’t go to the US for various valid reasons like work, money and children and not one of the family members can bring his mortal remains back here because of the same reasons.

Even in death, practicality prevails. He will be cremated and his ashes sent by mail to the Philippines.

I am still trying to grapple with how we could do this to someone we love.

I take comfort now in text messages sent by my friend RG–that lolo is doing much better now, and that for sure, he watching over us.

I know that he’s probably flying, zooming from child to child, checking in on all of us.

Frustrations and Giving Up

Today seemed to me like an endless cycle of bumping into dead-end walls, disheartening challenges and headaches.

I knew this was coming–after all, wasn’t it my choice to leave a second home, a somehow thriving career and people dear to me six months ago? Wasn’t it my choice to have myself thrown off the deep end of a very, very, very deep pool, so to speak, and end up struggling to hit the surface and swim against the currents?

Six months–how time flies.

At first I was numb, selfish even–it was all bliss to me. But now, the painful and aching anxiety of separation hit–coupled with what seems to be dog-gone days over here.

I know what must be done. The directions are clear.

But how do you create change?

How can I do an Obama amidst a sea of people with wills so strong, or hardened by their views and ways, or with angst and quirks so different from the norm?

I don’t know the answer yet, but in the deepest recesses of my gut, my heart and my mind, when the clutter of frustration and worries are moved out of the way, I know giving up is not one of them.

Sure, it’s easy–there is, after all, a ready and available way out–more than one in fact.

But what then?

Perhaps I’m ranting because it’s just been a bad week.

Maybe things will change.

Who knows?

But one thing’s sure–never, ever decide or think when your mind ain’t clear, if you’re hyperacidic and hungry, or if you badly need to pee.