The Arrogance of People Heightens When in Social Media

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Social media has its positive points, but many have been also using it to bully those they believe are inferior and does not meet their high standards.

Many of us believe we are faultless and fail to see that big lump of mole right smacked in the middle of our foreheads. If we really care for the community, we do not shame, harass, bad-mouth, or alienate our fellow men. Instead, we should try to work it out as decent grown-ups.

Madalas kasi, kapag inuna mo ang pakikipag-away, defensive siyempre agad ang kabilang party. So instead na magka-ayos, lalo lang nagkakagulo at lumalala.

Please do not single out a certain online community and generalize them as sole perpetrators of these acts. Even the so-called number one blog or online magazine in the Philippines post press releases as is.FYI...some PRs give options to just copy-paste or edit as preferred, but copying an "entire article" from other publications should never be tolerated unless there was permission from the original source or author. This has been debated on just recently.

I think the real reason people block you is because you confront them publicly with disrespect with the sole intent to humiliate rather than help. We can see naman that you have your own share of typos, arrogance and mistakes.

If you have a personal grudge against an individual or an entire community, talk to him/her/them privately. Peace.

Daanin na lang natin ito sa ma-boteng usapan. :)

#APECtado Ka Rin Ba ng APEC Summit?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In this modern world, almost everything could have been done through online (e-mail, video-conferencing. chat, etc.). Though a personal transaction is nice, technology is there to make it more convenient and less expensive for us as compared to personally traveling to a destination just to initiate agreement(s) that would eventually fall in the hands of advisers or team of experts, like economic and legal advisers, for consultancy before it gets a final approval. Even before coming here to our country, the other world leaders must have consulted already with their advisers. It would be dumb for anyone of them if they will just come here without any offer of assistance or collaboration. After all, each one of them knows what APEC is all about.

Thus, pampering the leaders with luxurious meals, accommodation, outfits, entertainment, etc., eventhough our country is poor, should not have been necessary. We did not need to excel what China did for last year's APEC Summit. It would have been more interesting if we showed the world that we would not spend billions just to make us look good to countries who already knows who we are even before they landed in our country.

How can the world leaders recognize what the country really needs if we hide the real situation from them?

Filipinos are naturally like that. The attitude is similar to the annual holding of a town fiesta. The traditional heads of the families or clans would always find ways to serve a festive feast regardless if they borrow money, use credit or sell their belongings just to gain enough money for a celebration.

But I'm not that knowledgeable to to the nitty gritty discussions involved during an APEC Summit so I could not really justify both my opinions and the rants of the many "intellectual" netizens out there with their many viewpoints.

30 Reasons Why Wazzup Pilipinas Should Be Your Favorite Blog

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We kept our blog name as WazzupPilipinas.com since its birth on March 2013 and has never changed it because we believe that "a name, whether it has similarities with existing individuals, groups or any other entities, will not be a real burden. Because if you are truly and greatly significant, people will surely notice the difference."

However, for our group name, we decided to change it to avoid the confusion with the blog site. They should be two different entities that are co-existing with each other but of different composition.

Using "Bloggers ng Pilipinas" is a lot better because it directly states that we are bloggers of the Philippines.

Again, our group name may have a similarity with another group, but just like what we did to our blog site when we realized after a while that is has an almost identical name, the group will again rise above the traditional groups of bloggers.

There is another anonymous individual hiding behind the name of "Bloggers Pulis" who is reacting to the group name of "Bloggers ng Pilipinas" and "Wazzup Pilipinas" saying we could not think of a better name and would always come up with names that are somewhat similar to existing ones.

Apparently, the person behind the name of Bloggers Pulis revealed that a member of our group was the one who told her about the name similarities, and he or she warned us that there is evil within our very own group.

It was not surprising since most of us are also members of other groups so there really is no loyalty among members. What should be prominently known is that the Bloggers ng Pilipinas group is not like the other groups in many ways.

LTFRB Chairman's Tweet Causing Confusion About U-Hop's Accreditation Status

Wazzup Pilipinas!

An erroneous tweet from LTFRB Chairman's Twitter account (LTFRB_Chairman) is causing confusion about the status of Filipino transport service provider U-Hop's accreditation. 

The tweet was posted on October 23, at a time when we were enjoying our family staycation at one of the finest hotels in Manila. It directly says " Breaking News: LTFRB denies U-HOP's application as Transportation Network Company (TNC)." Though it meant to say the denial was only for the category of Transportation Network Company, people will misinterpret it as a denial for the company's accreditation. Clearly it is causing a lot of confusion for those who could not clearly discern the real meaning.

There was a tweet posted by the LTFRB Chairman Twitter account indicating that new Filipino-owned transport service provider U-Hop's accreditation was denied. However, if you read carefully the attached document on the tweet, it was not a decision but only aims to propose creating a new transport service category where U-Hop can fit. There is really no decision yet saying U-Hop was denied accreditation.

The suspicious fact about this tweet is why would the LTFRB Chairman, Atty. Winston Ginez, announce this on Twitter. To think that he highlighted it as a "BREAKING NEWS" with an obvious intent to get as many attention as possible. It is an urgent notification that he clearly wanted people to know the negative news about U-Hop. He should have the decency to inform U-Hop first to give them an opportunity to appeal for a reconsideration. 

Is there something fishy about all of this? Could there be more meaning about the delay in approving U-Hop's application?

The Tale of the Three Presidentiables: Vice President Jejomar Binay's Statement on INC Protests

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Is there a clear act of harassment from the administration towards Iglesia Ni Cristo? Should we tolerate whatever inconvenience was cause by the INC protests? Well, that is what Vice President Jejomar Binay is apparently saying.

“Sabi ko nga, alam mo, yang mga rallies, yang mass action, ay protected iyan in the constitution, because the mass action is part of the freedom of speech.” says Binay told reporters in Dipolog Friday when asked to comment on the gridlock that the INC rally apparently resulted to.

“If it caused inconvenience, we have to tolerate it, we have to respect it. We will have to listen to it,” said the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party standard-bearer.

Earlier, Binay defended the Christian sect from the alleged meddling of DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima and the Aquino administration,particularly on the reported rift within the INC leadership.

The INC is known as a bloc-voting group. As such, politikos aggressively woo the faction for its votes whenever election time is near.

Asked by a reporter if Binay was in constant communication with the INC, the Vice President answered: “Ang lalim naman ng tanong mo. Bakit mo naman ako idinidikit doon sa…ikaw naman o. Sinasabi ko lang, respetuhin natin iyon.”

“That is a guaranteed provision in the constitution, yung magprotesta. At saka yung separation of church and state. Wag naman natin pakialaman yung ginagawa doon sa kanilang religion,” stressed the opposition boss. -  Politics.com.ph
Is there a clear act of harassment from the administration towards Iglesia Ni Cristo? Well, that is what Vice President Jejomar Binay is saying.

The Tale of the Three Presidentiables: DILG Secretary Mar Roxas' Statement on INC Protests

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Agree!!!...certainly, this early we see who among our presidentiables got the guts and decisiveness to solve an issue/problem without regard of their own self-interest....while other candidates played blindly, in fact rode on, to the situation...Sec. Mar showed his true self!!!...This man, definitely, has respect for the rule of law!....so, kanino ka sa eleksyon 2016....do i need to say more?" - Tomas Apostol Alviar

"I agree but i hope sec mar will act his words. Permit was given by the LGU, PNP not doing enough. Bottomline, there is still anarchy. Cant they talk with the INC leadership. If this was a rally by Bayan or any other group i dont think the govt will allow. I applaud the words of Sec Roxas but i really hope these are put into action." - Erick Reyes

"This is a situation where you see how one will act with good judgment. Mar Roxas is presidential. Crisis situations reveal who has the wisdom, who is short of it because of lack of experience, and who is only after his own agenda. Go, Roxas, go!!"- Maria Cristina Astorga

"You are absolutely correct Mr. Secretary. To those who rallied within the vicinity of DOJ, you are expected to act responsibly, at least not leaving your mess / garbage in the area. To those members of INC, who filed their complaints to higher court-SC, you have all the rights for due process of law if your human rights are violated." - Genara Malaque Inguito

"Go go sec Mar, I will vote and campaign for you, you have made a very sensible statement, not minding the outcome of it. Unlike any other presidential aspirants who are opportunists and riding on the issues just to get the vote of the inc. They have to face the issue in court and not on the streets. They are adversely affecting the commuting public." - Bing Mendoza

The Tale of the Three Presidentiables: Senator Grace Poe's Statement on the INC Protests

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"I am actually happy that this INC rally aimed at protecting their leaders from the laws of our country happened now that the elections are just around the corner. You can clearly see the difference between our 3 Presidentiables. While Binay and Poe made statements to protect and defend the INC, Roxas quickly emphasized the importance of rule of law and stressed that while he respects the right of the INC to express their sentiments, the practice of this right should not impin...ge on the rights of other Filipinos.

Now, do we want to have a President who will turn a blind eye on enforcing justice and the laws of our country just to please a noisy minority who threatens our political leaders with their alleged bloc voting powers in 2016 or a President with strong political will to enforce the rule of law and protect the rights of the silent majority?

Alam niyo na kung ano ang tamang sagot dito, let your vote in 2016 do the talking." - Harvey Keh

"At least now we know that Grace Poe has no backbone, what a difference a month makes. The surveys, all of a sudden, transformed her into this prima dona. And I thought that she and chiz were a bad match, they deserve each other, taking turns blowing hot air into each others big heads. Turned off."- Vanni Guzman

"Salamat sa payo mo, bro! Looks like I will now have to strike Poe, my original bet, out of my list of people to vote in the next elections and go for Roxas instead. VP Binay has never been and will never ever be able to taste a single vote from me. Same goes with Chiz Escudero." - Marlon Tecson

Balikbayan Box: Stop Desecrating Our Personal Gifts to Our Loved Ones

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Balikbayan boxes are often channels of private and personal communication between migrant workers and their families in the Philippines. Is nothing sacred anymore for the Bureau of Customs?" - Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago

There are many people that are so violently reacting about the "Balikbayan Boxes" issue which led the government to finally blink! You can't really win in a staring contest against a fog lamp! Now, President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III has told the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to stop the random inspection and “establish a more defined protocol” to clamp down “balikbayan” boxes that are being used for smuggling.

Remember that the government may have some evil entities (like those that can be found at the BOC and other agencies that have access to so many temptations), but many are still honest and hardworking (hopefully). Not all of them deserve a raised eyebrow when they implement something new.

The littlest effort that an agency does should positively be seen as a counter-measure against whatever negative acts like smuggling or anything similarly damaging to the people, the government and the country. Whether it affects the little or big players, it doesn't really matter since it is everyone's job to deter all kinds of illegal acts.

If we find the newly established procedure intimidating or desecrating, we have every right to let these agencies know, but we should not be accusing but only airing our belief and recommendations. Antagonizing the agency may only lead to further retaliation instead of cooperation.

The Controversial Irony: Anyare? May Pambili ng Awards Pero Walang Pang-Burger?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With ludicrous accusations really worthy of the loudest laughs, we are just bewildered on how some people would fall prey to the fabrications obviously orchestrated to create animosity. There were signs posted to warn people of an impending disturbance in the weather, but do you really know the weather-watchers who posted these signs? These climate soothsayers are more weathered than any area ravaged by a storm, yet they are the ones posing an imminent danger to many people in the community.

Any wise man would be able to comprehend that the intentions are pretty clear.  So clear that they had to compile a staggering list just to make it look convincing enough. The mentioned acts were deemed as serious offenses but how come not even one ever reached a closure. They realized that a single act would not be strong enough to attract attention. So they combined forces and let the devil whisper little sweet nothings to their ears to come up with controversial ironies.

If one will take time to deeply study the enumerated list of so-called offenses, it will surely make any sane person hysterical after finding out it was just a bunch of demented hullabaloos designed to steer people away from the truth. There are a lot of discrepancies that will baffle the mind. There are a lot of conflicting scenarios that are more puzzling than revealing. While some were added just to provoke and make fun of people's shortcomings.

The detractors do not aim to find reasonable resolutions. They only seek to make the community more chaotic by injecting mass hatred instead of a peaceful discussion with the people involved. These false prophets who disguise themselves as sentinels of ethics are no better than their dirty minds fit to be cut in half for observation and study. Their minds need to be dissected so we would know what makes them plot devilish schemes.

A Principle to Adhere

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I first got my journalism experience when I was in high school. Although we are "working" at our school, we were taught that it's still unethical even for us student journos then to be biased in our report. Time flies, and now I'm working for two (soon three) online news sites and owning three blogs.

Now working for mainstream media, I have to abide by the rules, and one of the most important rules is to not have some biases. This is especially true in sports, especially if you use to cheer for one team. It may sound easier said than done, but as mediamen, we have to be impartial at all times.

I find it a privilege that my superiors (well, they're my friends) assigned me, an alum from a UAAP school, to the NCAA last year (curiously, they, alums from NCAA schools, reported for the UAAP then) probably so that no bias will be done.

However, some journos still get caught cheering for a particular team or player while flaunting the media passes they have, so it was a no surprise when TJ Jurado sent me and many more media reporters an email regarding this matter.

According to Joey Villar of Philippine Star, the email has something to do with what happened at one Shakey's V-League game when Jun Lumibao, the president of the Philippine Sportswriters Association, was heard getting upset at an apparent cheering of a mediaman at a certain team... with his media pass worn!

What Happened to That 1996 Lease Agreement?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There was a 1996 lease agreement that was signed which was signed by Camp John Hay Development Corporation and Bases Conversion and Development Authority where Bob Sobrepena was supposed to pay an annual rent of P425 million or 5% of the gross sales whichever of the two is higher. I don’t know what they were thinking when they signed that because it is clearly a one sided deal in favor of the BCDA. It is no surprise how CJHDevCo struggled in their first 5 years since this was supposed to last for the first 5 years of the contract.

The lease payment of CJHDevCo should belong to the city of Baguio and not BCDA. The mayor himself has expressed concern that this has gone on too far. He is calling for BCDA to participate in the proceedings in order to find out who really is at fault. It is obvious BCDA CEO Arnel Casanova has gone overboard with all of his accusations towards Bobby. One way or the other, the two parties are going to resolve this matter. However, Casanova won’t stop pinning accusations on Sobrepena like there is some kind of personal grudge between them.

The 1996 lease agreement was restructured in 2000 due to the fact that the operations of Camp John Hay were adversely affected resulting to a loss of P1.445 billion. I really felt sorry for Bobby because of that. It is not easy to run a business and he had to take a major step back down because of what he lost there. President Aquino’s PPP program would have benefitted both parties if they agree to resolve the case. However, that is not going to happen anytime soon and we have Arnel Casanova to thank for that. He should really think more about the country than himself.