A pure democratic state is defined to be a state of the people, for the people, and by the people. Obviously, this form of government is inexistent therefore I’m not talking government politics in this entry. I’m speaking of Pinoy Idol (Philippines’ installation of “… Idol” reality show). This kind of contest shouldn’t be allowed in a country where text messaging is a way of life, not a necessity. “… Idol” is a singing contest where the winner is decided by the masses. I am not saying that voting in an installation like the American Idol has a 1-1 vote/person ratio, but the sampling is closer to the actual number. In the Philippines, one out of five texter could (a hypothesis) vote at least 100 times for his contestant and that clearly manipulates the curve which then yields a non-democratic politics. What’s worst is that (again I’m hypothesizing) the multi-voting texter does not know about the talent. However, that doesn’t matter because as far as the show is concerned, they are just counting the number of text votes.
Why am I getting so hyped up about this? I have been hyped up about this, but I’m only writing about this now. Last night, the viewers eliminated deserving candidates and kept mediocre talents. The judges even agreed with my thoughts. I know that one of them will eventually win, but if the deserving candidates are not permitted to compete (because they were kicked out) then what’s the using of discovering new talents. The viewers who care about a talent are left frustrated because the majority of viewers who don’t know what a talent is voted out the talented ones. Eventually, the show will have talents that aren’t up to par. The show must start rigging the votes. It’s nothing new in the Philippines anyway.
I’m done criticizing the system, now it’s time to criticize some contestants…
Sue Ellen - you’re a trying hard fashionista. If it doesn’t suit you however trendy the dress is, don’t wear it. I’m begging you in the name of all Ilonggos.
JJ - You should have been sacked this week, but I guess you’re too pretty for that.
Jeni - Excellent performance this week, but I’m worried you’re only restricted to a genre. If ever you’re voted out, make a jazz album and make sure to write your original music.
Ram - You have to be original, but keep rocking! I hope you win the shit.
Topher - Nice voice, but work on the image.
Warren - Be original; love the voice.
Obviously, I don’t pay attention to the girls. I want the contestants to ROCK and the boys are the only ones capable of doing that in the current season. I can’t sing, but I yap a lot, don’t I? Get used to it!
June 9th, 2008
In the past few years, I haven’t paid attention on prime time TV. Most shows are reality contests that it’s frustrating to watch them. I guess there is a shortage of witty writers nowadays. Well, I think I’ll have to join the bandwagon. Last night I watched an episode of “Last Comic Standing” and I want to follow the season without missing the future episodes. The comedians last night were witty and flat out hilarious. I have three comics under my radar already. I will write more about them when they reach the finals in a few weeks.
I’m a sucker for comedy — especially stand-up comedy. I give all the props to these guys because it’s not easy to be funny. You have to be smart and confident to deliver your piece. I used to follow the late night shows (all four), MadTV and SNL, but I lost interest when they started playing re-runs and shit. I also had no time.
I’d like to go to a comedy bar one of these days. I’d invite my colleagues again, that should be fun. We seem to like comedy. When I was in college, we always had people come in class selling cheap tickets to comedy bars. I wanted to go, but didn’t have anyone to come with me. People at home are too boring ad uninterested in stuff like that. I once went to a comedy bar in the Philippines (Klowns) with my aunt and cousins. They are all gay jokes and it’s just plain stupid. The only jokes Filipinos know are gay jokes. Not at all funny once you hear them over and over again.
Last night I watched Carlos Mencia on YouTube. The guy is fucking hilarious. He was bashing Caucasians and Asians mostly — goddamn Mexican. Racial jokes are fun. I think people should be open about it. Many get offended though because comedy is a medium of truth that hurts. It ain’t funny if it doesn’t hurt I guess.
So I’ll be checking on “Last Comic Standing” every week from now on. I won’t vote. I’ll just enjoy the show. Also, I really miss the “Superstar” show. I hope they return the show this summer.
Oh, my latest favorite song is “Motorcycle Emptiness” by the Manics. I enjoy the guitars in this song. I’m listening to it now as I close this entry.
May 23rd, 2008
A listing of lines that I like from lyrics of the songs in my current playlist. The playlist in my i-touch-nothing-happens does not have a wide variety of artists. I currently have select artists/bands - Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics, Travis, Oasis, Queens of the Stoneage, Heather Nova, Chantal Kreviazuk, A Fine Frenzy, Ryan Adams, David Gray, Badly Drawn Boy, Coldplay, Nelly Furtado, Radiohead, Damien Rice, and Robbie Williams. That’s quite a spectrum of moods in a short list.
When I’m on the move (i.e. walking) I usually have something stuck in my ears. That’s when I do most of my thinking. A line or two from a song can inspire me to write, most of the time ravings because if you have listened to these artists, then you will know where I get my confidence and confirmation to write what you may call abhorring statements. So, without further ado…
My little empire
I’m fucked with being fucked
- My Little Empire, Manic Street Preachers
That is quite a statement especially if you are being oppressed most of the time. I am clearly oppressed by thoughts and emotions. Fortunately, I have society to blame for it.
Cold, cold water
Surrounds me now
- Cold Water, Damien Rice
The song is actually religious. If I continue with the lyrics, Rice is actually saying that even if everything is not alright, he has the Lord’s presence to help him. I obviously had those lines cut-off because these are the only lines that matter to me. It’s my current state…just kidding. Well, kidding aside, I like the way Rice describes suffering in those lines.
You left me on the shelf
And now there’s no-one to rely on
But if it’s all the same to you
Here’s what I’m gonna do
I’m gonna buy a gun
Gonna shoot everything, everyone
And then I’m coming for you
‘Cos it was you that drove me to
- Last Train, Travis
Before anyone jumps into conclusion, I’m not condoning massacre. I couldn’t believe the first time I heard this - coming from Travis either. I find that these lines express helplessness and complete frustration. Why did I include this verse on the list? I guess I’m showing how comfortable I am at accepting these kinds of things. I still have sanity left in me to decide that this action is not part of my values, nor it will ever be. I may be a master at emotional torture, but physical pain is not my forte. Physical manifestation of pain towards others is against my belief because that would mean I am blatantly accepting an inevitable connection between men. My principle in life is so simple: as long as I don’t initiate physical pain to someone, then I’m preserving my values.
How about emotional pain? Emotional pain does not provide evidence of who caused the pain because there is no trail between the cause and effect. Emotion is stateless, thus there is no point of reference.
May 9th, 2008
Do you ever have something in a year that just has to come and makes your life a mess even though it’s supposed to be celebrated? Well, aside from birthdays, Spring season which I mostly adore is the one that gives me hard time in the past few years and now. Mainly during spring it rains and I hate rains in this part of the world because umbrellas don’t serve their purpose. The wind is too strong that the rain gets into you if the wind is not able to break your umbrella. When Spring comes, allergens are everywhere and I just couldn’t stop my runny nose until early June. It’s a nightmare.
Today, it slowly started yesterday, I’m having a cold and it’ll probably develop into a flu. There’s a free flu shot ad at the Ferry Terminal, but I doubt if I’d get one. Usually if I can still handle it, I don’t take any medicines. I’m on a ferry now on my way to work and I think I’ll stop by a pharmacy to get myself some Advil because I’ll be facing my monitor all day and it’s not so good for an ill person because the radiation coming off it decreases your immune system giving way to bacteria a safer passage to your body. I know that this cold is simply the preamble to my season long allergies. I’ll be scratching and blowing my nose in the next two months.
Right now I feel like throwing up. I been feeling this since this morning when I woke up. I’m dehydrated which is a sign of a flu. I hope it doesn’t develop into something like last year when I was bedridden for a couple of days. I couldn’t stand up then and it’s so frustrating being helpless. That’s why if ever I become disabled, i would just end it there. I’ll consider it game over. Pardon the digression; now back to my feelings – since I feel like throwing up, I couldn’t eat a decent meal today. I will be avoiding spicy and heavy meals. I’ll probably have a sandwich over lunch; it’ll make choices much easier.
Speaking of lunch, do you know how much time I put into it? What I should eat? A certain amount of time is dedicated to just deciding what to eat. Not only for lunch, but if we have nothing at home it’s difficult to decide what to eat. That’s why a multiple choice quiz is never easy. It’s so fascinating to me that I waste time to decide what to eat while other people on the other side of the world are taking their time to find something to eat. I’m often criticized that I waste too much food whilst people are starving. My philosophy to this is that there is starvation and gluttony no matter what anyone does. Saving food doesn’t make a starving a child full. It’s actually a very weak philosophy, but I really don’t care about others.
April 23rd, 2008
Felixberto Baguyo, Jr. posted Wage Increase A Must where he stated that wages in the Philippines aren’t rising despite the rise in cost of living. He pointed the reason that the government did not want to incur additional cost to the investors – who are foreigners and are growing in population. He is correct, however that is not why my heart is heavy on this matter.
OFW population keeps rising. We work for foreigners, while the foreigners are invading us ecconomically and making use of our resources to further advance their economies. Basically what is happening is that the foreigners are taking advantage of the resources that our social studies teachers are praising that we have plenty of, while our own people are shipped outside the country to become slaves of other nations.
It’s really frustrating because we should be the ones to take advantage of our own resources, but what is the government doing? We are deprived of our own possession, instead they are offered to the our masters. We don’t realize it yet, but we really are being colonized. We are once again under the control of other nations.
[pending entry on OFW coming soon]
April 17th, 2008
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