jun.anteola

This June 2008 cover of Rogue Magazine has been met with flak, mostly by historians and the nationalistic lot. Ironic, as this particular issue is an Independence Day edit, celebrating Philippine Independence on June 12th. I can’t blame them really. Supposedly, there is a prohibition to use the flag as clothing, as stipulated in Section 34.e and 34.g of R.A. 8491, the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

But the magazine, to my knowledge, maintains that it’s not THE FLAG as clothing per se, it’s body paint. An ill-advised statement, in my opinion. Because the code includes “print, paint or attach representation of the flag on… articles of merchandise.” In this instance, Joey Mead the model, being the merchandise. And the magazine, of course.

But if this is the case, how much have we missed reprimanding athletes, politicians, artists, businesses…what have you?… all of whom have used the flag in either clothing, infomercials/campaign ads, stage props, logos, etc., such as on this advertisement noticed by fellow blogger Gerry. I believe this only got the attention and the ire of many because of the shock value of the presentation: A naked Joey Mead, not so effectively covered by the tri-color and sun and stars. She appears similarly clad in a few pages of the magazine, too. Quite unfortunate really, because the rest of us don’t give a damn.

Other questions come to mind: with art, where do we draw the line between the acceptable and the disrespectful? Do artists even have to care?

This video gave me goose bumps.

Yes, they aren’t just back on track. With Arnel Pineda, they are a new act altogether. From viewing and listening to this interview, it is pretty obvious that the group is very optimistic and excited, have gotten their energy anew, and is making magic once more. If I may point one difference Pineda brings to it, it’s youth. Or his youthful vibe and candid demeanor. Die hard Steve Perry fans who refuse to accept may keep insinuating that it’s not the same. Of course, it ISN’T the same. Journey has been REBORN.

After Charice Pempengco, she has expressed interest in having the new Journey vocalist, Arnel Pineda on it. I am thrilled, Ellen is recognizing that there is a huge amount of talent waiting to be tapped here in the Philippines. She isn’t the first to say so, of course. But I don’t mean to be overbearing, as I am also aware that it isn’t just Filipino artists being discovered through means never before imagined. Charice was spotted on Korean tv, Pineda on YouTube. And a multitude of non-Filipinos becoming instant sensations, too. The world is indeed getting smaller.

It happens that Pinoys are very enthusiastic denizens of the internet. We love to keep in touch, and it’s a cheap medium most can readily afford. It is creative. And it spreads fast. Hence, Happy Slip, the legendary CPDRC inmates dancing Thriller, the viral Renaldo Lapuz on American Idol 7th Season, the infamous Binibining Pilipinas Q and A, and the Papaya Song dance craze which got to Good Morning America.

Who else did I miss?

Here’s the Ellen deGeneres Show’s feature on Arnel.

I wonder if it qualifies as one other Cinderella story, but Arnel Pineda’s discovery by Journey’s lead guitarist Neal Schon is one seemingly impossible dream turned into evident reality, Pineda might still be pinching himself to check if it’s all true.

When the rock band announced its inclusion of Pineda, a Filipino, as its new lead singer, much speculation arose, mostly nitpicking from die-hard fans of Steve Perry, Journey’s original lead. Quite inevitable as the former’s voice has much similarity to that of Perry. While yet to be introduced to the core of their fans in the US via a live concert and an upcoming album, the group’s new lineup has received remarkable reception, meriting two encores at the Festival Viña del Mar 2008 in Chile, one of (if not the) biggest music festivals in Latin America. Hopefully, it’s a good sign.

… and if to see is to believe, go check this video of the renewed group doing Steve Perry’s signature song, Don’t stop Believing.

The complete set of performance videos are on this blog and at the Canal13 site, while very good photos are posted on this forum.

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?

Here’s part of the dialogue:

MD: Susan, I know for a lot of women the word menopause has negative connotations. They hear aging, brittle bones, loss of sexual desire…
Susan: Before you go any further, can I check those diplomas? I would just like to make sure that they’re not from some med school in the Philippines…

thanks to migs for the excerpt.

I am sure this episode of Desperate Housewives was alluding to the Nursing Boards brouhaha in the country, but to say it like the entire show (Meaning producers, writers, directors, and yes, actors(Teri Hatcher). And whoever has anything to do with it) means to undermine the capabilities of Filipino and Philippine-trained medical professionals is more revolting than Susan/Teri’s harassment by the idea of menopause.

Even for satire.

For a show with an international following, including desperate housewives in the Philippines and such who feel like they can actually empathize with the show’s femme fatales, I believe they have an obligation to take into account the cultural sensitivities of their audience. I’m not being balat sibuyas (onion-skinned; overly sensitive). As much as I can, I try to comprehend nuances of American culture, too. Or any foreign culture, for that matter. If only to survive watching what they convey as true and universal, and modern.

I am offended, because I learned my profession in the Philippines, and I refuse to be told that all my hard work and sacrifice amounts to nothing more than mediocre, if not questionable. Specially if these impressions come from those who fail to see from my end, or at least check, and don’t know what they are talking about. My textbooks came from the US of A, if saying so will be of help to the Desperate Housewives’ understanding.

I can’t even speak for the millions of Filipino medical workers in America and all over the world, whose professionalism and skill have made them prime catch. And what of the thousands of foreign students who come in droves to train in the Philippines?

So mind rephrasing what you have just said, Teri Hatcher?

Or you can say sorry.

Pahabol: I had this as a comment somewhere in Multiply, I’d like to repost here

i am just disappointed at some who easily dismiss the issue as something common and expected out of a comedy show, that it’s alright. some even argue that we deserve it, being biased ourselves. some find it OA and immature for reacting to a line taken out of context, that it was wrong to see it as a generalization by the show.

well, if one is only to read it as it is, ” some med school in the Philippines“, it does seem harmless, legit even. in the sense that it only alluded to “some” (such as perhaps the diploma mills). it also doesn’t hit us Filipinos as a race, referring only to medical schools. and because that line came from a distressed character.

HOWEVER, viewing and listening to the clip gives one another picture. the same line could take another meaning. and it did. i reviewed the clip several times, and that’s how it came across… it was a sweeping generalization about those trained in Philippine schools… Filipino or not, doctors, nurses, or any other allied health professions. even if it came from a distressed Susan.

My memory of Mormons used to be of clean-cut Caucasian men in immaculate white shirt and tie, leather cases in tow, walking the streets in pairs. Their house visits along the neighbourhood drew as much excitement and were as eagerly anticipated by us kids as the red cheeked Santa who tossed candy and balloons on Christmas. Being odd and Amerkano, we followed them around.

I’m not familiar with the religion, but judging by their modest appearance and the door-to-door preaching, I thought theirs is one with very little leeway for more “worldly” pursuits. I may be wrong.

With the 2008 Men On A Mission Calendar, they are breaking tradition by featuring twelve returned Mormon missionaries in their undress.

Here is part of the project information found in mormonsexposed.

While the fact that twelve young returned missionaries are posing shirtless will certainly raise eyebrows, it may also help to sort out some common misconceptions of Mormons by celebrating the beautiful bodies, great looks and amazing stories of service of these deeply spiritual men. Intended to be a light-hearted spin on a social taboo, the Men on a Mission calendar is a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the selfless servitude of missionaries.

Tongues will come a-wagging, I figure?

…ba’t nyo kasi nilalait si Britney?

Did you hear THAT?! DEAL WITH HER…errr… HIM???

So it isn’t just the lead laced barbies and formaldehyde on clothing, and White Rabbit.

But I wonder how they got to our store shelves in the first place? Are these bootleg? But how come they’re up and out for all to see and take?

Don’t we have the proper authorities to regulate and insure consumer safety? Are they turning a blind eye? Aren’t we?

And China isn’t even alone in the guilt. Let’s look some place closer, like home.

Photo taken from Himantayon.

I saw The Simpsons Movie recently, thanks partly to its hype, and because there wasn’t any better choice at the local cinema. I often catch the series on tv, and usually enjoy Homer’s idiocy. But an hour and a half of it was just overkill, and I was more annoyed than pleased. Because I was expecting it to be a comedy feature, I find it uncanny that my laughs were few and far between. I knew it was supposed to be satire without trying to be, but the funnies and the plot were predictable, the ending cliche.

Through Homer’s brashness, the story unfolds to near catastrophe, threatening to break up the family and endangering the whole town of Springfield. But he soon recovers after an epiphany and saves the town the Bruce Willis way.

I’d rather go back to watching the shorties, or gawk , if not laugh my a** off at Viktor & Rolf’s creations on them:

The scans above were stumbled upon at Painfully Hip, which has pictures of the Simpsons featured in the August 2007 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. The blog even took pains in putting the Simpsons spreads together with the original runway photos. Click on the first picture to see these. (Painfully Hip in turn got them from ohnotheydidnt, which has clearer pictures.)