TELENOVELA 2012: EVENTS THAT ROCKED THE PHILIPPINES

A trial, a standoff, and the occasional brawl, complete with sinners and saints, as well as kings and queens. These are the right ingredients which made up the soap opera that unfolded before our nation's eyes for the past twelve months. It is a telenovela like no other, even unparalleled by this year's Walang Hanggan. Take my hand and walk with me along memory lane to delve in twelve events that rocked the Philippines this 2012.

12. Sottocopy: The Tito Sotto Plagiarism Case

Let’s begin this telenovela with the comic relief. And boy, this first newsmaker really knows how to pull the right strings to make us laugh. He managed to make himself look hilarious, not just once but—twice! In November, not only did Senator Vicente Sotto III copy his earlier privilege speech against the Reproductive Health Bill from US bloggers, he also plagiarized his second privilege speech from former US Senator Robert Kennedy and tried pass it off as original by translating it to Filipino. To add insult to his injury, netizens let loose a barrage of bad publicity and mocking memes against him.

11. The Battle of NAIA: Claudine and Raymart Santiago vs. The Tulfo Brothers

Any telenovela ain’t cool without the occasional brawl, complete with the damsel in distress, her dashing defender, and the cocky aggressor together with his oh-so-cocky posse. But in May this year, we can’t distinguish who is the antagonist and not in the airport fist fight between Claudine Barreto and Raymart Santiago against Philippine Daily Inquirer Ramon Tulfo. But who cares? We all enjoyed fifteen minutes of raw action enough to give Manny Pacquiao a run for his money.

10. Even the Best Fall Down: The End for Pacquiao?

A hero who gets beaten up once in a while? A telenovela classic! Manny Pacquiao made us cringe twice this year: first, during his controversial split decision loss against Timothy Bradley in June; and second, during his epic downfall during his fourth bout with Juan Manuel Marquez this December. Whether this is the end of the line for his boxing career, only Pacquiao can tell. Nevertheless, a hero should always have a graceful exit when he reaches the end of the line.

9. Sainthood: The Blessed Pedro Calungsod Story

A touch of the divine is quintessential to a classic Pinoy telenovela (e.g. Aso ni San Roque, 100 Days to Heaven, or May Bukas Pa). Hence, when the Catholic Church decided to anoint Blessed Pedro Calungsod as the Philippines’ second saint in October, we all felt a certain proximity to the divine once more. For the second time, the country has a new patron to devote to—a new representative in heaven to intercede for us in the face of God.

8. Comedy King: A Nation Mourns Dolphy’s Death

Another melodramatic scene our nation’s telenovela won’t be without is that of a well-loved family man (sometimes woman) lying close to death in a hospital bed. In July this year, the nation lost another icon who was well-loved for his witty and unparalleled way of making us laugh. Dolphy Quizon’s death left a void in our hearts he once filled with his slapstick kind of comedy and true-to-life portrayal of characters we can all relate to in our ordinary lives.

7. The Anti-Cybercrime Law Fiasco

Telenovelas never run out of rebels like Pirena in Encantadia or Andrea in Dahil sa Pag-ibig. So when the Philippine Congress decided to pass the Philippine Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, Internet rebels went berserk unleashing a stream of memes, tweets, status updates, and denial-of-service attacks expressing their disapproval of the said measure which is feared by netizens as the first step in curtailing Internet freedom.

6. Peace in Our Time: The Bangsamoro Framework Agreement

Sure enough, a telenovela always has a part where two opposing characters make peace with each other. In October, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, two forces that have been at war for more than a decade finally made peace and agreed to draft a framework for the creation of an autonomous Islamic region in Mindanao to replace the ARMM. The historic pact is expected to bring an end to decades-old violence that have displaced and killed thousands.

5. The Purple Revolution: Victory for the Reproductive Health Bill

Legal drama isn’t exactly the cup of tea of Filipino viewers but ever since ex-President Joseph Estrada’s impeachment trial in 2001, we Filipinos have enjoyed watching proceedings in both houses of Congress. Hence, with the proliferation of 24-hour news channels, congressional hearings have turned into soap operas Filipinos have been glued into. Hence, we followed the debates both in and out of Congress regarding the controversial Reproductive Health Bill. Never in our history has such a bill divided our nation so much to the point of excommunication and intimidation. But this month, after President Aquino marked the bill as urgent, the RH Bill quickly and smoothly passed in both houses and in the bicameral committee, with only a signature pending before it becomes a law that would benefit millions of women and families nationwide.

4. Nature’s Wrath: Cataclysms of 2012

A timely rain scene or tempest will always be present in any telenovela, even so in a country which experiences at least 20 typhoons in a year. This year, history repeated itself when days of torrential rain brought Metro Manila to a halt back in August and when Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) ravaged the island of Mindanao almost a year after Typhoon Sendong (Washi) devastated the same region. The ground shifted and shook some parts of the archipelago as well. In February, Negros Oriental was hit by a rare 6.8 magnitude earthquake that destroyed its rustic churches and other structures. In September, panic gripped the islanders of Samar, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao when a 7.6 magnitude tremor prompted an evacuation due to fears of a tsunami hitting the region. Nevertheless, the innate resilience of Filipinos in every natural calamity still remains, enabling them to stand up once more after flood and rain.

3. Jesse Robredo: An Exemplar in Leadership

Tragedy is an important element in every telenovela’s denouement. What makes the tragedy even more tragic is when it involves a character looked upon by many, beloved by his family and peers, and known to all for his incorruptible spirit amidst the corruption around him. This was the story of late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, who the Filipino nation lost in August after his plane crashed off the coast of Masbate. This was the first time since the death of late President Ramon Magsaysay that we witnessed how one highly-regarded man was loved and idolized by so many ordinary people after his death.

2. Standoff at Panatag Shoal

A hostage drama of epic proportions is what we witnessed in April when naval forces from the People’s Republic of China tried to hostage our own territory of Panatag Shoal. But unlike in the past when our Navy has allowed the Chinese to hostage our own land and people within our own waters, we stood our ground this time. We spoke softly and stared our enemy in the eye without moving a muscle in a show of defiance against China’s encroachment in the West Philippine Sea. And when the tension diffused, we gracefully walked away from the standoff with hearts still adamant in claiming what is rightfully ours.

1. Our Finest Hour: The Impeachment Trial of Renato Corona

The Philippines’ finest hour began at the start of the year when the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona opened in the Senate. For four months, four days in a week, our afternoons were preoccupied by our religious following of the trial of the year. It was the perfect climax to the nation’s telenovela with the lead antagonist breaking down on live TV and sauteing himself in his own grease. We applauded the Senators who voted in favor of conviction, frowned at the four who voted against, and chuckled at some of the hilarious speeches and antics from both the lawyers and legislator-judges. In the end, our representatives made a historic decision that would go down in the annals of democracy. For the first time, a nation was able to remove a person out of the pedestal he no longer deserved and served well without taking to the streets. Indeed, our society has grown mature with this exercise in democracy.

As the year comes to a close, the telenovela won’t. It shall enter a new chapter, a new phase, and it won’t miss the same ingredients that made the episodes of 2012 worth watching for. No matter what characters appear, regardless of the twists and surprises in the plot, let us not forget the values and lessons we are supposed learn from this perpetual circle of life.

As 2013 draws near, may we continue to grow as a nation—both in mind, heart, and spirit—while holding on to the very values that make us all a nation of Filipinos. TSS

A TALE OF TWO LEFTISTS

It’s very rare that we get a glimpse of what life in the left is. After all, the left has been a difficult position to assume in a country where the political spectrum is typically to the right, if not center. But with the inception of the party-list system in Congress, the left slowly became a comfortable and more acceptable position in politics. Little do we know how segmented such a front is and only a few from outside their circle really knew the divisions that lurk within their ranks. Such divide grew ever more evident last Friday, during Anthony Taberna’s Punto por Punto segment in ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda, where Akbayan Representative Walden Bello and Anakbayan Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo were guests.

The segment focused on the issue of whether the COMELEC should disqualify Akbayan as a party-list group. Perhaps ignited by the dramatic split between the National Democrats and Social Democrats in the `90s, Vencer Crisostomo just went on a temper tantrum. He didn't give a damn that he was on national television sitting beside a respected UP professor and accomplished writer of social critiques. He argued that Akbayan must be disqualified as it no longer represented the marginalized due to the position of power they now have as allies of the current administration. He even went to commit a number of argumentum ad hominems such as lambasting Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Ronald Llamas for his AK-47 and Pirated DVD Shopping Spree incident. As if one rotten tomato would make the whole basket of tomatoes rotten as well.

To his party's defense, Congressman Bello touted Akbayan's achievements in pursuing the agenda of the marginalized especially in passed bills such as the CARPER Law, Security of Tenure Act, Balanced Housing Act, and the Reproductive Health Bill. He stated in a matter-of-factly way that Anakbayan and its allies in the Makabayan Coalition in Congress are merely envious of Akbayan's success in floating the concerns of the marginalized to the surface. To which Vencer Crisostomo hurled another ad hominem, saying that the member of Akbayan are suck ups to the government.

The exchange of tirades left disappointing impressions on me and perhaps to the rest of the viewing public about what kind of leftist politicians we have. But perhaps, the most disappointing impression was that of the extreme left, the National Democrats or Makabayan Coalition's dirty and sly tactics of besmirching a reputable party's name. To think that they even call themselves progressives. Crisostomo's actions does not constitute progressive thought at all but rather an outright black propaganda to discredit a leftist faction they have long branded as "cowards" and "traitors" to their revolutionary, communist agenda. By calling Akbayan a suck up, Crisostomo should look into his own party first when it sucked up to a wealthy businessman/presidential candidate in 2010 (who was by the way, also allied with now Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) in hopes of winning a seat in the Senate.

With these two leftist parties at odds over party-list dominance,
what impression does it leave us about the Left?

To put themselves in a position where we could better represent the marginalized: isn't this what any party-list group should do in the first place? By finding the right allies in Congress and in government, Akbayan has succeeded in putting the agenda of the marginalized on the table and not on the streets. By having access to a wealth of state funds, Akbayan is in a better position to provide the marginalized with the social services and basic rights previously denied to them. By being in government, Akbayan is in a strategic position to uphold and defend the rights of the marginalized, even if it means disagreeing with the Aquino Administration on certain issues. This is something the Makabayan Coalition cannot and will not do. Or a least, they tried to do in 2010 but only to lose to Akbayan. It must have been too ironic for them that they still feel the angst and the bitterness which now let loose on live television.

Had Crisostomo focused on finding loopholes in Akbayan's track record of governance and social service, he would've impressed the audience more positively. What he seemed to have only pleased were his fellow party members who were quick to rubber stamp his statements in social media by resorting to apologetics. As if it would compensate for the ad hominems he committed.

Which brings me to question their ranks: Where were they during the height of China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea? Where were they during national calamities, when thousands were in deplorable conditions brought about by recent typhoons? Where were they when we needed a voice in support of the Reproductive Health Bill and Freedom of Information Bill? Where were they when we needed a balanced, issue-based approach in protesting the Cybercrime Prevention Law?

Have they even thought of sponsoring a housing project for the thousands of informer settlers whom they love to cuddle with during heated demolitions around the Metro? Have they even thought of working with any government to advance the position of the poor masses they represent? No. They will never think of it. For the extreme left, their dreams of a grand communist revolution is still so brazen they'll will stop at nothing to convince any feeble-minded person that such violent revolution is what we need to change things. That a democratic approach is a sham and an illusion dominated by elitists.

And now that somebody from the left has actually proven that a democratic approach works, they cry foul. This cry, folks, is the sound of jealousy running high in the veins of the extreme left. TSS

BEYOND CHEERDANCE: AN ANALYSIS

2012 UAAP Cheerdance Champions, UP Pep Squad 
(Photo by GMA News)

I am very much clueless as to why I watched the 2012 Samsung UAAP Cheerdance Competition today. All I know is that my blogger friend, Clarrise E., wanted to see the event but was prevented by her nursing duties from doing so. Hence, I decided to “live text” the competition to her (Yes, my version of “live blog” for those who don’t have WiFi access on their mobile devices) as I monitored events on TV.

I am a graduate of the Philippine Normal University, and even when I was in college, all these collegiate basketball thing didn’t get impressed on me even if my alma mater was a member of the SCUAA and has its own long-standing tradition of cheerdancing through its PNU Cheering Team (led by the eternal Dr. Minerva Atanacio). But my, oh my, I found myself glued to the performances and having a great time. Perhaps, my tendency to find meaning in everything and anything was incited once more, and had me staying tuned and analyzing each performance with clockwork precision.

It had started when I opened the tivo and I’ve missed the performance of Adamson University and De La Salle University. UAAP host school, National University, was performing a routine that resembled “Be Our Guest” from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” complete with tin drummer boy costumes and makeshift drums. It was like watching Cirque du Soleil when they were still amateurs. The complex stunts, while executed with ease weren’t delivered with much finesse.

Next performer, Far Eastern University, did a better job of making an impression with its Tamaraw-inspired costumes which changed throughout the performance. A Tamaraw emblazoned on their chests was revealed after the performers removed their top. With complex stunts and gracefully executed moves, they managed to steal the show. They topped the routine with an act resembling “Circle of Life” from Disney’s “Liong King”, with dancers donning tamaraw head hats on top of human pride rocks instead of Mufasa.

What University of the East hasn’t learned from previous UAAP Cheerdances is that you shouldn’t copy the defending champion’s signature look from the previous year. Resembling UP Pep Squad’s radical look in 2011, the UE Pep Squad bleached their hair and wore ridiculous capes (Edna Mode from Disney’s “The Incredibles”: “No capes!"). They topped the ridiculous look with a mess of stunts and erratic execution.

A lot expected UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe to give UP Pep Squad a run for its money. But with a mardi gras-inspired performance which desperately mimicked the film “Rio” and an obviously darkened cheerdancer-come-samba queen, combined with execution flaws and stunt errors, the performance went bursting its seams. Such was the disappointment for UST that it even went trending on Twitter out of people’s utter disbelief for failure to deliver.

Ateneo de Manila University’s Blue Babble Battalion saved everyone from the boredom with a refreshing performance evoking 80s rock and 90s anime themes. Who would’ve thought that the opening theme from “Maskman” (“Humanda na kayo / kampon ng kadiliman / oras na ng pagtutuos…”) would be a cool cheerdance beat? The execution was near flawless and the transitions smooth and sauve. Closing the performance, they formed a huge Voltes V robot made from cardboard boxes. It was generational—making viewers from both the 80s and the 90s, as well as contemporary fans, relate to their performance.

And then it was time for defending champion, UP Pep Squad, to prove once more why they are indeed the Cheerdance Competition champions for two years in a row. Had it not been for a spoiler on Twitter, I would’ve been totally shocked at the sight of performers with shaved heads. But damn, it still had me in disbelief! It was just radical, with the theme music invoking images of Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” and “Batman” trilogy. The performance was “UP” there with signature UP colors and moves (the “Oblation” pose) all delivered with seamless coordination and delicate precision. This was the epitome of finesse that I was looking for since I started watching and had escaped my consciousness for the past two years. By the end of the performance, I was strongly in favor of them winning, with ADMU and FEU as my 1^st and 2^nd runner up bets.

And “8” happened! To the judges and the viewing masses, there was no doubt that UP deserved the 3-peat champion that was awarded to them and broke UST’s 8-win record. There was also no doubt as to FEU’s 1^st place win, while NU’s 2^nd place award had everyone in shock and crying foul over claims of lutong Macau and Henry Sy magic. After all, NU is owned by the illustrious mall magnate and FEU alumnus. I would’ve joined Pinoy Twitterverse in decrying the results and lobbied for ADMU, but realizing that their performance was all too familiar to the crowd, I was pretty much convinced of the outcome. After all, themes are not just the criteria of the competition.

FEU Cheering Team, 1st Runner UP in the 2012 UAAP Cheerdance Competition
(Photo by The Romeo-Garcia via Twitter)

What made UP and FEU worthy of the accolades is their flawless expression of school identity and pride. FEU showcased the Tamaraw and its strong physique and brash temperament as part of their attire and moves, which symbolized the school and its members’ audacity and determination to achieve their academic goals as an institution. UP highlighted and emphasized its tradition of academic freedom as well as the values upheld by its members (i.e. gender equality). Hence, the shaved heads and the passionate, radical, yet free-flowing routines and stunts that made them truly deserving of UAAP Cheerdance Competition’s highest honors.

Congratulations to all the participating teams of the 2012 Samsung UAAP Cheerdance Competition and most especially to the winners: National University, Far Eastern University, and the University of the Philippines!

DETERRENCE

The US might have given us just the right defence in one of our most crucial moments.

USS North Carolina | Photo by Wikipedia.

Meet the USS North Carolina: a 7,800-ton Virginia-class nuclear submarine, one of the US Navy’s most advanced subs to date. Powered by an S9G reactor, it can stay underwater for months without refuelling, and is equipped with 12 BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of nuclear payload. This makes the sub one of the most lethal first strike weapons in case of war.

Everyone was surprised, even Palace officials, by North Carolina’s visit to Subic earlier this week. While the US Embassy claimed that it did request Malacañan for clearance to berth in Subic, DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario and Presidential Spokesperson Ricardo Carandang denied ever receiving such request. The visit was a complete surprise that even Leftist activist were able to prepare protests ahead of time, and only managed a small lightning rally at the gates of SBMA.

The sub’s visit comes as routine supply replenishment and R&R (rest and recreation), says the US Embassy. But the way I see it, while it could’ve have arrived at some other date, it arrived at a better time just when our Navy and China’s forces have been locking horns at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. China knows that an ill-equipped Philippine Armed Forces could be easily bullied into relinquishing its claims over the said rocks. What they haven’t anticipated is the government’s determined stance to hold on to its possessions: from sending the BRP Gregorio del Pilar to arrest Chinese fishermen, to sending a diplomatic mission to the United States invoke its assistance and compliance with the Mutual Defense Treaty. While the US categorically stated it’s not going to be involved to avoid escalating tensions, we all know its just wordplay. Behind its apparent reluctance to assist us directly, the US has approved the transfer of another Hamilton-class cutter to the Philippine Navy, and offered to sell a squadron of F-16s to our Air Force. The arrival of the North Carolina is so far the best move in this game of chess its trying to play. No one knows how the US is going to keep this move. All we know is once the North Carolina leaves, it is set to be replaced by USS Texas another sub from the same class.

It may not be getting itself directly in harm’s way but the United States is clearly sending China a message here. The Philippines will always be a strategic political and economic ally of the US in Asia, and it will protect its interests in this corner of the world. The US may not be engaging the enemy for us, or giving us the guns to do so, but it did provide the best deterrent we badly need in order to check China’s hegemonic advance throughout the West Philippine Sea.

Is the US playing chess with China for Panatag Shoal? | Photo courtesy of Flickr

This move, while definitely effective at being the “Big Stick” against China, won’t definitely ease the tension or even force China to bring this issue to the International Tribunal on the Laws of the Sea (ITLOS). It will keep China at bay, but won’t stop it from dictating the course of this struggle or from harassing the Philippines economically and politically. It will merely reiterate the Philippines dependence on US military hardware for its external defense. A variety of strategic actions should be done by the government and by the US in order change the status quo in this critical issue, and turn the tide in favor of the Philippines.

First on the list is increasing its military capability, especially in terms of naval and air power. The Defence Department has made it clear its working on the issue. Recently, it signed a 5-year contract with Italy for the purchase of military hardware (and possibly Italian-made Maestrale or Lupo class frigates) and is eyeing the purchase of state-of-the-art fighter jets from a still unnamed “progressive” country.

But as military capability takes a long time to build, the government has to resort to other tactics that would really hurt China badly and enough to send the message that it shouldn’t mess with us. Aside from finally submitting the issue for arbitration at the ITLOS, the government should devise ways to cripple China’s economy by giving it a dose of its own medicine. They’ve hurt our bananas and tourism industry. We must hit back by blocking its relevant exports to our country as well. Whatever those are, it’s the DTI and Custom’s job to determine. In other hand, there are political approaches available as well, if economic ones don’t work. The government should start considering recognition of Tibetan or Uighur independence, or even Taiwanese independence (the same thing Japan did when it locked horns with China over the Senkaku islands just this month). Another could be a calculated crackdown on everything Chinese and illegal in this country, from shabu makers to illegal aliens. Let’s piss China off with similar acts, only clean and legal.

And so as the North Carolina could be our better deterrent against China right now, this chess game is still between China and us. If we don’t devise our own deterrent moves in time, this country of 1 billion pricks and assholes will just keep on driving the course of this game, until we reach the point of checkmate. And when that day comes, it’s not American ass whose going to get the beating – it your, and your children’s ass who’ll get it. Filipinos unite! Act now before it’s too late! TSS

2011: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

2011 has indeed captured the world’s attention with its shocking, gruesome, and sometimes heart-warming, news headlines. This year, we were at awe with the catastrophes which struck various parts of the world, wondered at the amazing show of People Power in the Arab World and other countries, and dazed by the death of some of the most prominent personalities in world, both sinister and iconic. We also worried at the continuing crisis gripping the world’s economy and had our share of smiles and joyful laughter at the most sensational wedding of the century. Here are my TOP 10 NEWS STORIES OF 2011. 

NORWAY MASSACRE: No Mercy

10. Norway Massacre and Bombing 

This massacre and bombing which killed 69 people shocked this quiet and peaceful nation and the world. Perpetrated by a 32-year old, right-wing Christian extremist Anders Breivik, the massacre and bombing exposed the religious intolerance some groups in Europe harbour against non-Christians and their supporters. It proved that Muslims are not the only one capable of terrorism. 

KIM: Loved till the end

9. Death of Kim Jong-il 

With just about every dictator falling from power or dying this year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il won’t be left behind. Before the year closed, he met his Creator after suffering a heart attack while on routine visit to the countryside. His death triggered alarms throughout the Korean Peninsula for fears of a looming power vacuum after the perceived lack of readiness of his heir-apparent Kim Jong-un. His wake and funeral gave the world a glimpse of what it was like inside the secretive state which has isolated itself since the 50s. Despite the lavish lifestyle he lived, while remaining blind to the plight of his hunger-stricken and rights-deprived people, his funeral was attended by throngs of North Koreans, many of whom were forced to cry out of fear from the regime. 

JOBS: A genius loved by many

8. Death of Steve Jobs 

While dictators fell one by one, the world also lost a genius this year. Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs finally succumbed to his long and painful fight against pancreatic cancer. This renaissance man of the computer industry introduced us to many of the indispensible and life-changing gadgets we now use from the Macintosh computer, the iPod, the iPhone, up to the iPad. Not only did he make a gadget that is sleek, good-looking and profitable, he made sure that his consumers get the most out of his products. And thus, the world loved him for all the endeavours he’s done to change the way gadgets and humans interact. 

GADDAFI: Hated till death

7. Death of Muammar Gaddafi 

Justice has been served in Libya with the death of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi – in a chilling and gut-wrenching way. The Libyan people, whose rights he has deprived and maligned for over 40 years, have liberated themselves from his clutches and surrounded him on all sides with international help. It was poetic justice when they found him begging for his life in a sewer in his hometown of Sirte, as the rebels shot him and displayed his body to the crowd, all while videotaping the incident. The world was witness to his horrifying end via YouTube and sent a chilling message to all other dictators in the Arab World. 

WILL & KATE: Sweet and cheesy!

6. The Royal Wedding 

Amidst the violence and bloodshed brought about by the Arab Spring, we were greeted with lovely news of Prince William’s marriage to commoner Kate Middleton. The British heir to the throne married his long-time beau at Westminster Abbey in London and was witnessed by 162 million people around the world via television broadcast and the Internet. The world blushed at the sight of the Royal Couple as they kissed twice for the public at Buckingham Palace. After the tragic end to the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1997, the world had a new romance to look forward to. 

WASHI: Washed away everything in its path.

5. Wild Weather Disasters 

The irreversible effect of global climate change has created a series of destructive weather events in different parts of the globe since the start of the year. The United States braced for a series of tornados which hit Joplin, Missouri. Southeast Asia was hit by consecutive typhoons leaving large areas of the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand flooded. The Horn of Africa was devastated by its worst drought in decades causing a huge humanitarian crisis amid the threat of Islamic extremism in the region. And before the year ended, the Philippines was hit once more by tragedy, after a relatively weak tropical storm continuously poured torrential rains on Northern Mindanao, inundating the cities of Cagayan De Oro and Iligan, resulting in the loss of almost 2,000 lives.

BIN LADEN: Nowhere to hide

4. The Death of Osama bin Laden

Our atmosphere of merriment brought about by the Royal Wedding was quickly quenched by news of the death of America’s most wanted man: Osama bin Laden. The Al Qaeda leader and mastermind of the September 11, 2001 Attacks in New York and Washington DC, was killed by US Special Forces in his secret lair in Abbottabad, Pakistan on May 1. His death came as a surprise as there were no indications that bin Laden was hiding in plain sight in one of Pakistan’s most affluent communities. Doubts were cast on the authenticity of the report which was broadcast to the world by President Barack Obama. In the end, video and photographs of the raid were shown to key people in American government which led to a confirmation of his death. His body was laid to rest according to Muslim rites in an undisclosed location in the Arabian Sea.

RECESSION: Tore holes in our pocket.

3. Global Economic Crisis

2011 saw the continuation and worsening of an economic crisis which started in the United States around 2007 or 2008 by the bursting of the US housing bubble and the decline of US and European banks and other financial institutions. This year, the economic crisis worsened unemployment in America and brought Greece, Portugal and Ireland into a recession which needed a difficult intervention from other European Union nations. The recession in Europe threatened the demise of the euro and of the Union itself but was saved temporarily by diplomacy among member countries. In 2012, the crisis will still continue and who knows what problems it will unfold for the world.

THE ARAB SPRING: An awakening

2. The Arab Spring Revolutions

The end of 2010 saw the beginning of an awakening of Arab societies in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain and other Arab nations in North Africa and West Asia. It began in Tunisia when a fruit vendor, discontented by the lack of job opportunities in his countries set himself on fire. His sacrifice turned into a national cry for justice and reform which spread to other neighbouring countries with the help of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and blogging. A new breed of young, educated Arabs led the battle cry which resulted in the toppling of respective dictatorial regimes in Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen. In Libya, the revolution turned into an all-out civil war which involved Western forces who supported the rebels; while in Yemen, the revolution resulted in a power transfer deal between President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the Gulf Cooperation Council. In Syria, the despotic President Bashar Al-Assad continues to resist opposition to his rule by using violence against protesters. The revolution there still continues to unfold.

JAPAN: Triple Disaster

1. The Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Disaster

On March 11, 2011, in the midst of our cacophony over the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Syria, the eastern seaboard of Japan was struck by the most powerful earthquake it felt in recent years. The 9.0 magnitude earthquake destroyed buildings in the Tohoku region and created a huge tsunami which devastated various cities along its coastline. The world was awed, and at the same time, gripped with fear, as the tsunami’s onslaught on Japanese cities was broadcasted live in television. The tsunami created panic in other countries as it spread to the Pacific Rim (but left only little damage). Our fears were taken to the highest levels once news of the crippling and eventual meltdown of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant came. For the second time, the world was made aware of the chilling and deadly effects of nuclear radiation. This nuclear crisis left Fukushima and its surrounding region permanently contaminated and forced the evacuation of thousands. But in the midst of the disaster, the world also witnessed the resilience, calm and cooperation of the Japanese people. Slowly, we saw how they came to terms with what happened to them, stood up and rose up from the ashes of this tragedy.

With all that happened during 2011, we are left with a great deal of anxiety and anticipation for things to come in the New Year. There are those who believe that 2012 will usher in a new era of cataclysmic disasters and crisis that will lead to ultimate end of the world. There are those who dismiss such claims and continue to have hope on the human spirit to solve and weather these catastrophes. Whatever may happen in 2012, whether human society will come to an end or continue to prevail, may the spirit which enabled us to endure our wonderful and sometimes weary existence remain with us always.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

MANILA KINGPIN: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ASIONG SALONGA (THE REVIEW)

Even before it was shown in theaters on Christmas Day, the Metro Manila Film Festival movie MANILA KINGPIN: THE ASIONG SALONGA STORY was already making showbiz headlines -- not because of its good reviews from critics --- but by a feud between the film's director Tikoy Aguiluz and its producers. According to Aguiluz, the producers and the lead actor, Governor E. R. Ejercito (a.k.a. George Estregan Jr.), had re-shot and re-edited some portions of the film and also did changes to film's score. The famed director has filed suit against the producers in the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines for violation of Republic Act 8293, and has also requested for his name as director to be removed from the film's credits and advertisements. I saw these changes reflected after seeing the film this afternoon.

I anticipated this film due to the fact that the story of Asiong Salonga is one which has eluded my historical knowledge for a long time, and also due to reports that it is going to provide some fresh look on Philippine action cinema (being shot in neo-noir style and directed by Aguiluz). Knowing Philippine action cinema to be full of clichés (such as womanizing heroes in lead roles with a bunch of goofy friends/henchmen, sinister antagonist also with a bunch of goofy henchmen, lead actors who seem to be bullet proof until the film's climax, and all that), I was expecting something better from Asiong.

For a cliché Philippine action film, this is a good one. I could say its way better than the films made by Ramon "Bong" Revilla or Robin Padilla in the 90s and early 2000s because of two things: the cinematography and musical score. Being shot in black and white and in high quality helps a lot for the film to be nominated Best Picture in the MMFF. The slow paced action scenes (especially between Salonga and Pepeng Hapon in the rain) really had me at awe. It almost looked as if its in 3D. The musical score is also new and remarkable for a Pinoy action film, although, the use of Tears for Fears' Mad World at the closing fight scene really surprised me a bit (Governor Ejercito must be really a fan of the song), but I think it had a good effect on that scene.

However, in terms of story, it still retains what's cliché in Philippine action films. Turong Pajo shoots the entire Salonga gang, and yet they still survive even as bullet holes went through the drinking table. Salonga's policeman brother (played by Philip Salvador) gets shot by Totoy Golem's men through the plastic sheeting and still survives. The timeline was a bit sketchy as noted by my surprise upon seeing Fidela Salonga (played by Carla Abellana) having first to third child in no time, or by the fact that Jaycee Parker was also another of Asiong's flings without the audience knowing when and how. I didn't even notice that Vice Ganda was in the film (a comfort gay in the bar Asiong frequents, apparently). I also feel that Governor Ejercito and Carla Abellana (and even Jay Manalo as prison mayor) are not a match in terms of age (the real Salonga was 27 at his death). It's either both Carla and Jay should be replaced with actors closer to age with the governor, or the other way around. 

The story was not faithful to actual accounts as well; while Salonga was indeed a rabid Liberal Party sympathizer, it was not mentioned that the actual circumstance behind his death was his sudden change of allegiance to the Nacionalista Party ("Gang Rivalvry Ends the Career of Toughie". The Manila Chronicle. October 8, 1951). While Ernesto "Erning Toothpick" Reyes was indeed the one who assassinated the kingpin, the film portrays Salonga's disappointment and Reyes' removal from the group as the catalyst towards the former's death. I am also disappointed that the production company opted to hire a Thai stunt coordinator when we have a lot of Filipino martial arts experts who've worked in Hollywood films before.

Governor Ejercito, in an interview with Boy Abunda in Bandila last December 23, announced that the film will herald the return of "quality action films". In terms of innovation, I agree with the governor; but in terms of story, not quite. In the end, the film reminds me of the original 1961 Asiong Salonga starring Joseph Estrada, but instead of a Thompson M1928, Asiong -- with the same cliché kingpin attitude -- uses a Heckler & Koch 41 to rain fire on his enemies (if you know what I mean). But who knows, the film can be a test case for more quality Filipino action films to come. With veteran directors Tikoy Aguiluz and other, and a promising breed of talented Filipino actors and actresses, we have something to look forward to. TSS