Guilty!

(photo: newsinfo.inquirer.net)

The word GUILTY reverberated  as 20 senators gave their verdict yesterday on that historic event where a Chief Justice was being tried. Some cheered especially those who just did for sheer ignorance or, to the word of the dominatrix of the universe, plain stupidity.

For how could we cheer on the turn of events and the sad realities which haunted our living rooms for almost 50 days? There's the truth behind Sen. Miriam Santiago's anger: Mga artista kayo! For how many of our elected officials do their SALN's honestly? Can you give me a percentage of our LGU officials and national employees who did their SALN's perfectly? Are we going to run after them and give what is due to them? Will the ombudsman have the time enough to review and investigate these papers?

Then, there's the reality that we have the likes of Lito Lapid in the senate. We could not question his charisma to the people because even a supermodel of the world in the person of Melanie Marquez fell for him. But his words during the time to give his verdict could have been edited or deleted to save him from promoting pizza. And what about the "t's" of Loren Legarda as she enunciated her words? I could remember giggling so hard when a teacher said: During breakfasT, I always eaT the fruiT frisT... Emphasizing the t's to the point of hilarity.

Also, there was the incompetence of the defense as they presented evidences from a small lady, anonymous accounts and the other articles being cancelled due to the hasty decision to file a complaint. That's probably the reason why the defense team shied away from having a victory party because it could never be a complete victory when there were lapses on their presentations. The viewing public, especially those who underwent keen observations and thinking processes, was also giving its own opinion for the prosecutors and the defense. The prosecution had their lapses as well.

One thing was really learned: We must elect lawmakers who are competent enough in dealing with legislation and interpreting the law intelligently. We don't rely on what we feel but the competence of the person to be placed on the local, provincial and national seats. For how could we not shiver watching someone grope for mere words? We don't even need words but the ideas and intentions for the common good!

I respect the decision of the senators. Led by the competence of Sen. Enrile, the rationales and outbursts of Santiago, the points of Joker Arroyo and the deep analyses of Chiz Escudero, we could say that the trial was smoothly carried by the Senate.

But then again, it's the set of learning that we could consider as the advantage of the proceedings. Democracy is also starting to mature. We need to listen more to our conscience and protect our rights. For, it would be futile if we will be led by persons who won't say MEA CULPA.

Touching our souls

(photo: justjared.com)

 

Of course Phillip Phillips wins!

 Much to our desire that Jessica Sanchez would win the much-coveted American Idol award but there are still things to consider like the majority of votes and the pervasive musicality of the contestant.

From the auditions, Phillip was first noticed when he did a cover of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" using his guitar. The sound was so different yet it captured the hearts of not just the judges but the fans as well. His followers mushroomed when he started crooning on the AI stage.

We love Jessica as well. We have that attitude of claiming that she's one of us since her mother is a Filipino. She was even overwhelmed to realize that a lot of Filipino "distant" relatives feigned closeness to their family. We as a people would like her to win to take us from that inferior stage of being an underdog. She represents every Filipino's need to sing to a big audience evident to the karaoke parties we have.

But this love, admiration and resonance could never be equated to different realities:

 1. Jessica is vocally good and has technique but Phillip gives soulful rendetions;

 2. Jessica sounds good with songs of Whitney, Beyonce and Jennifer Holiday but Phillip sounds good with his own songs;

 3. Jessica was almost eliminated but Phillip stayed on the safe grounds all the time;

 4. Phillip used his guitar and did some things to cover songs while Jessica did not use any instrument during the duration of AI.

  

 Then, there was their rendition of their soon-to-be-recorded single...Phillip's "Home" touched the heart of many and Jessica's was forgettable...

But we are proud of her. When she did that phenomenal duet with Jennifer Holiday, we cringed and cried for the honesty and prowess. We are assured that she has left an indelible mark on the Idol viewers. Most of us felt something. Art was translated on Jessica's voice and Jennifer's growls. Some of our friends caught their breaths and we had goosebumps all over our bodies...

In the end, Jessica will make songs and Phillip will also do the same. Both of them will haunt the airwaves and we will connect to their music.

At least, we've converged as one and Jessica made it happen.

Ilansang sa Krus!

(photo: fanpop.com)

"Manny Pacquiao must not use the bible in deciding for his constituents," said Bemz Benedicto of Ang Ladlad. Danton Remoto, also of Ang Ladlad, continued: Miriam Quiambao and Manny Pacquiao are still in that overwhelmed state of being religious for being "newly-converted" that's why they are always quoting the bible...

The discussions on LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders) issues were resurrected after Manny Pacquiao gave his stand on same-sex marriage. He mentioned verses from Leviticus with key words Sodom and Gomorrah. It was then heard from the grapevine that sports apparel Nike shed bad light on this and the ad campaigns with Pacquiao would be jeopardized if he won't take his words back. The sports company is a supporter of the LGBT cause...

 Prior to this development, discussions on transgenders joining the Miss Universe pageant was the talk of the entertainment industry. Since Miriam Quiambao was a first-runner-up for this pageant, she was guested on the different talk shows for her views. She was in Arnold Clavio's talk show and Boy Abunda's consistently saying to the LGBT's to face the "truth as what the bible is telling". But Donald Trump, the pageant producer already gave his nod on this.

Benedicto and Remoto said that after their stint in Headstart, they would be heading to the COMELEC for the filing for a Party List slot. LGBT issues and concerns must have some legislation since the group claims of being marginalized, they reasoned.

Going back to the use of bible on things like these... Benedicto claims that we have different interpretations of the bible. Remoto even enumerated that having a tattoo; having menstruation and being a woman was considered as sin in itself in the Old Testament. These are things that could either confuse a simple viewer or could make him realize the vastness of a democratic discourse. He could then make his own opinion and create a stand, unique or influenced...

But one thing is for sure - there is a responsibility attached to being eloquent and opinionated. Careful considerations are essential so to maintain respect. If you a popular, a public figure of sorts, influence could be instilled. And talking against a group's convictions could sometimes take away a stash of wealth from Nike or the gay designers won't sponsor your gowns for the next events. But if you believe that you're doing the right thing, who cares about the money and gowns? In fact, it is stated in the bible that we must not cling to earthly things that could be eaten by termites!

Let's leave the discourse to the experts for now. In the end, good things as what God epitomizes will always prevail,

From Reel to Real

(photo: blogphilippines.com)

It was a day after Claudine and Raymart, both reared by showbiz families, punched the hell out of a fifty-something Mon Tulfo when I checked-in NAIA 3. I wondered why the airport personnel became a bit strict than the usual... I was uninformed how the two products of showbiz made a scene inside the terminal as if Pablo Santiago is filming an FPJ flick while sister Gretchen cajoling the younger sis to "fight for her rights" by slapping, clawing and shouting obscenities to an old man.

During the press conference that followed, Raymart insisted that his parents did not teach him to hurt elders but he said that it was because Tulfo kicked Claudine first. He had to protect his wife... (by beating him up?). Claudine then showed her legs with an alleged clot caused by Tulfo's kick. Some netizens claimed it was only mud but we could not know...

I don't have anything against the couple but I started to question their rationalities when they filed Child Abuse case to Tulfo. What about the time when Claudine badmouthed the Cebu Pacific personnel while her children were present? Isn't this the root of all the brouhaha? Could this also be a cause for the "trauma" they're insisting that the children are experiencing? A child could be traumatized seeing her mother treat another human being like a "lesser person"!

Yeah Tulfo could be wrong as well. He overheard a commotion near the baggage counter. He saw it was Claudine. His journalistic instinct prompted him to snap some pictures. One element of a news is Prominence. This scene could be news since an award-winning actress is doing something newsworthy. He heard the words and felt empathy for the employee being badmouthed. His anger simmered due to the words he heard especially the time when the actress said that the personnel could be kicked-out of her job due to the actress's connections! Then, the couple got distracted when they saw someone taking pictures. The negative energy was rerouted to the journalist. Negative x plus negative x equals NEGATIVE 2x...He kicked the couple who "thought they own the world" as they approached him with all the high-pitched questions!

Then, that You Tube video...

The thing to annoy me is Claudine's actions when she punched the face of Tulfo while Raymart held him on the neck. Even if a friend already tried to stop Claudine, she continued being ballistic! I'm a bit uninformed about her education. All I remember is her photos donning beautiful clothes by top designers; her being photographed by top photographers and her gracing the covers of expensive magazines... Then we saw her doing those things.

Someone told me it was mother's instinct. The luggage was not with them and there were medicines in the bags. But could we still count her rampage "mother's instinct" where in fact that was another case?

We could all be wrong here. We need to see more videos when the action all started.

Then, I would understand how it feels to be a has-been.