Let Ag-ap Play in the PBA
I had the chance to view ABC5’s feature of Batad: Sa Paang Palay (Benjie Garcia and Vic Acedillo Jr. , 2006)tonight and it’s a very welcome respite from the usual tv melodrama fare the family is forced to watch on weeknights. I wasn’t able to catch the very beginning of the film, and had to look for its title in the internet. Such is my admiration for it, I had to know the production details. A simple online search not only gave me that, but led me to commendable, reliable reviews as well, by Rianne Hill Soriano and Eboy Donato , to name a few.
The credible acting, beautiful scenery, apt music, its revelation of a culture largely unfamiliar, the light and simplified presentation of an otherwise complex subject matter, the uncontrived humor — all made for viewing that draws the viewer into the story of an adolescent Ag-ap, wanting to leave his village to pursue a perceived better life outside of it. If only he has a good pair of shoes. Personally, its allegory struck a cord in me, the promdi professional stuck in small city Oz.
I find it ironic that on commercial breaks, the station showed PBA adverts extolling its new and upcoming stars, who are mostly Fil-Am, judging by the accented Tagalog. I’m not a big fan of basketball, more so with PBA. I’d rather watch NBA where, for me, the real hoop action is. I have nothing against the PBA drafting “foreign” players. If they can deliver, well and good. And at least, they’re acknowledging their Philippine roots. But I’d be happier if it looks into the potentials of young Filipino men in the provinces, who dream just as high and can achieve bigger things if given the chance, the proper programs to develop them and ensure continuity. There should be, there could be, but they must be ineffective. Otherwise we won’t have to look for athletes from beyond our shores.
In saying this, I am showing partiality towards homegrown players. This, because I am thinking that imports are already better off, and have the edge of doing better in life and not just in basketball, compared to their provincial/local counterparts. I am not familiar with the backgrounds of these Fil-Ams, but having at least one foot on good old US of A is an advantage in case things don’t work out fine here in RP. The local boys only have pitiable classrooms, extended families and bogus leaders to fall back on. Correct me if I’m so wrong.
…wala lang… naisip ko lang.
This PETA Video Shocked Me
One thing that annoys me is when I argue with my mother over something I feel I am so right about, only to realize later that she has been so correct all along. This was our case over veggies. It used to be such a big issue between us, that even now when I’ve become friendly with the vegetable section of the local stores, she’d automatically remind (nay, lecture) about the benefits of eating green whenever she gets word that I’m not feeling well.
Now, even with much encouragement, I don’t believe I’m ready to go vegan. Not when I’m trying to lose extra fat, in exchange for more muscle. And PETA has more convincing to do for me to finally yield to their call to ban the meat in my diet altogether. I am omnivorous, thank you. My teeth are my proof.
Seeing this video however, makes me want to think twice. I find it too extreme, but informative, nontheless. It was enough to give a jolt and make me question.
content warning: the animal cruelty presented in this video may be unpleasant and objectionable.
Some people may find the video offensive in that it’s not only very brutal and graphic, but it also comes across as too pushy, and personally I got turned off by the guilt trip. Beyond that however, I see a need for me, for us, to be aware of where and how our food came to be. With frozen meat in supermarkets, I don’t see much assurance other than the label, the brands they belong to. The kilatisin, amuyin, kurutin (inspect, smell, pinch) routine wouldn’t suffice, would it? What guarantees that these were prepared according to how we want them?
My family usually buys meat from sources we know who raise their livestock under free range and organic conditions (which are two different things, by the way). Whenever there’s a chance, we buy them alive, and this is common with poultry. But there are instances when hitting the supermarket freezers is most convenient. I wonder how these meats get to the grocers here in the Philippines? Do they have a similar fate?
