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