EDSA 1 is dead. Long live EDSA 1!
No thanks to the current occupant of the Fortress by the River.
Monthly Archives: February 2009
23
Feb
Arroyo: The world tolerated EDSA 2
“The world embraced EDSA 1 in 1986. The world tolerated EDSA 2 in 2001. The world will not forgive an EDSA3 but it will instead condemn the Philippines as a country whose political system is hopelessly unstable.” – Gloria Arroyo
And by saying that, Arroyo has basically admitted that EDSA 2 was wrong; that her ascension into power was a mistake. To tolerate means to allow (something that one dislikes or disagrees with) to exist or occur without interference; to recognize and respect (rights and beliefs of others); to allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting. So if EDSA 2 was not wrong, why would the world tolerate it?
I think yesterday’s commemoration was an overkill. Afterall, two years ago, she had told the Filipino people to forsake EDSA. Patay na’t nailibing, pinapatay pa rin. And you cannot help but be amazed at her courage to say those words with two of the instigators of EDSA 1 were present – Juan Ponce Enrile and Gregorio Honasan (Cory was lucky enough to have a valid reason to skip the ceremonies – most likely she was not invited; Fidel Ramos made a non-appearance).
And her call yesterday wasn’t new? That’s what Cory Aquino had tried to do when she stepped down, harnessing people power to other means (in her case, in her cooperatives initiative).
Now, where are the EDSA 2-is-right people? The beneficiary of your action had just told you that what you did was wrong. Maybe it’s time to admit your mistakes and say “mea culpa?” Or maybe you are timid enough to admit that Arroyo has pushed you into irrelevance?
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Anyway, is EDSA 2 wrong?
21
Feb
Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre review
Last night I saw Philippine Educational Theater Association‘s 41st season closing play, Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?, Tony Perez’s play to close his second trilogy of plays. This is my first theater play for the year, and it was a jarring start, to say it mildly.
The set was minimal but surreal. Colors were limited to black and white, with red for emphasis. There was a hole at stage right where one of the characters just popped out from time to time. And there was a small pool of water at the middle, not apparent till the last act of the play. The central motif was an Advent wreath. The central table was uneven, taller at an end.
The set was designed to emphasize the surrealness of the story itself. The first part of the play (just before the interval) can confuse most viewers, but this confusion is necessary to drive home the point of the play. The second part brings clarity to the confusion of the first part, a dramatic twist to end the story.
The story is heavy and serious; the play is heavy on dialogue. Humor is scattered throughout the play, bringing some light moments to an otherwise serious scenes.
The actors that night did well, as the alternating characters can be tough to play out. Most of these alternating parts happen in the same scene, adding challenge to the already tough dialogue. Alison Segarra as Isa Pang Babae, playing alternately as Angelique and Miriam, spoke clearly on some parts but there were times when her lines were unclear for the hearing, specially when mouthing scientific verbiage. Angeli Bayani as Babae was wonderful, mataray when needed, frail and weak when needed. She conveyed the role of conflicted lover very well.
Lex Marcos startled me when he first appeared on stage. I thought I saw Edu Manzano! Anyway, his was another challenging, dual personality role, and the second part was specially a killer (though he did get to lie down for around 10 minutes he he). His voice was clear enough though there were several instances of unclear dialogue and flubbed lines. Jack Yabut exuded confidence with the material, and his was the most challenging role physically. Imagine wading in the pool of water for 15 minutes – and the PETA Phinma Theater is cold. His acting is the best among the cast – solid performance from him last night.
The lighting design was curious and eerie. The placement of the canvas stand and the light at its back is deliberate. Look at the backdrop stage right, the shadow is there all the time. Gave me goosebumps. Otherwise, I thought the lighting was subdued.
I was divided on the use of projector. It could be helpful (specially when the actors were delivering scientific jargon), but the fact that the word and the delivered lines were not in sync was distracting.
The play is long (2 hours and 5 minutes), so better relieve yourselves before getting inside the theater. And it’s a bit cold, too, so don’t wear summer clothes inside.
(Ticket is Php 300, and the play runs till March 16, 2009 at the PETA Theater, 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City. Call 7256244 for inquiries or visit their Web site.)
(Thanks, Arpee, for the invite!)
Some stage mockups (found at the lobby of the theater):
20
Feb
Ang matabang mama at si lolo Hulk
Kanina sa MRT, habang nag-aantay sa paparating na tren, nasa harapan ko ang isang may katabaang lalaki. No, hindi kasing laki ni Arpee at ni Juned. Definitely mas malaki sa akin. Anyway, so yun, nagulat lang ako kasi kahit napakalaki nya, ang galing nyang sumingit ha. Pero I realized na hindi dahil sa bilis yun. Alam nya kung paano gamitin ang laki ng kanyang katawan.
Natatandaan nyo pa ba yung mga players ng Ginebra nung kapanahunan ni Jaworksi? Di ba di ganun katangkaran pero parang mga tangke ang katawan? Sina Locsin yun, saka Loyzaga. Subukan mong banggain yung mga yun. Goodluck.
So ganun siguro yung mama kanina. Magaling syang sumingit kasi peanuts sa kanya ang manbalya.
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Nakaupo naman ako kanina, salamat sa kung sino. Katabi ko sa kanan ko ay isang mamang matanda na di ko alam kung maarte lang o may sakit. Naka gas mask kasi sya. Sa kaliwa yung mamang mataba (MM). Tapos may babae na nakatayo sa harap ni MM, kaya UMUSOG si MM pakaliwa. Sa kakarampot na piraso ng upuan naupo yung babae. Ayun, pilit na nagsumiksik yung babae. Kung tumayo si MM, isang tao pa ang pwedeng makaupo nang komportable, katabi yung babae na hindi na sana nagsumiksik.
So umandar na yung tren, at ako’y nagulat. Parang lumalaki yung balikat nung matandang nasa kanan ko. Naiipit ang kanang braso ko, muntik na ngang matigil ang daloy ng dugo eh. Pinakiramdaman ko nga baka kako si Incredible Hulk yung katabi ko. Lumalaki yung balikat nya pag bumibilis ang tren, bumabalik naman sa dati pag pabagal o huminto yung tren.
Sa pagitan ng babaeng nagsumiksik at nakasandal kay MM, at ng matandang Incredible Hulk, para akong de-latang napisa ng pison.
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Nakarating naman ako sa Ayala Station na buo pa rin. Akala ko kasi madudurog ako sa tigas ni lolo. Buti naman hindi.
Pagdating sa Buendia Station, tumayo na ako at lumapit sa pinto, para agad akong makalabas. Siksikan kasi sa escalator, kasi makitid lang sya. Naiwang nakaupo sina lolo Hulk, babaeng nagsumiksik, at si MM. So pagdating sa istasyon, nagkumahog ang mga tao sa paglabas, at nagka bottleneck (naks) sa escalator. Pumila naman ako, at ako ay nabigla sapagkat nasa unahan ko si MM. Grabe ang galing talaga nung matabang yun.
Pagdating sa ikalawang escalator, umakyat na ako, kasi ayaw kong makasingit sya ulit sa pila ng turnstile. Ay grabe ang haba ng pila sa palabas na turnstile, kasi yung iba naka red X na naman (ibig sabihin out of order). At nakita ko na naman si MM, handang sumingit. Buti na lang dun sya sa mahabang pila napunta. Kung hindi, baka nilabas ko na ballpen ko at tinusok ko na sya.
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Pero sa totoo lang, walang tatalo sa mga babae pagdating sa singitan. Pagdating sa MRT, ang mga babae nagiging Amasona. Pramis.
Tulad nung nangyari kahapon. Madalas akong naka iPod pag nasa MRT kasi naiirita ako sa nakakairitang paalala na palagi mo na lang maririnig sa mga istasyon ng MRT. Wala namang sumusunod. Tulad ng “huwag umapak sa dilaw na lines.” Goodluck. Ako lang yata ang di umaapak sa dilaw na lines eh.
Anyway, so kahapon maswerte ako at nakapwesto agad ako sa platform, pero syempre di ako nakatapak sa dilaw na lines. Makakapasok agad ako ng tren, sabi ko sa sarili. Pero ilang segundo lang, may nakatayo nang babae sa harap ko. (doh)
Isang example pa lang yan. Dapat yata magsuot ako ng sumbrero na may video camera, para marecord ko lahat ng mga pagsingit na ginagawa ng mga babae sa MRT. Hay naku, dapat wala nang segregation scheme kung ganyan din lang naman mangyayari.
19
Feb
What should be done with the Philippine Blog Awards?
We had seen two Philippine Blog Awards, and both of them did not lack some controversies. The last one was – to say it mild – caused much stir that the next one is almost in doubt. I’m exaggerating, of course, but the point is that the credibility of the Awards was in doubt.
Now this thought-in-post is no way officially sanctioned by PBA. I am just putting some ideas out there for people to ponder on, maybe get a consensus on what PBA can do this year. I am sure the people behind PBA will appreciate inputs for a better run this year.
Also, this might be an opportunity for every one out there to share their own thoughts – by comment on this post or through their own blog posts – about what should be done about this year’s PBA.
1. The nomination process
One bone of contention last year was the way the nominations were handled. The process was indeed tedious – imagine filling up more than 5 form fields, and imagine doing that for several nominees (imagine nominating 10 blogs).
Then there’s the categorization thing. For example, blog A can be categorized by nominator in category B. The owner of blog A had no way of having it changed, especially when his blog is placed in the wrong category. I know one nominee who had to decline the nomination just because of this issue.
(To be fair, the last year’s nomination process was more transparent as compared to the 2007 version.)
The nomination can be streamlined. For example, instead of asking for so many information, the organizers can ask for the blog URL, category, and email address of the one who’s making the nomination. Also, sending a text file (containing all the blog URLs with corresponding categories) should be allowed to expedite the process; this can be done by HTTP upload or via email.
Nominees should be allowed to change the category where their blog is nominated. They should also be allowed to decline the nomination.
2. Publication of list of nominees, finalists, volunteers, and judges
In the 2008 edition, the lists of finalists were disclosed near the date of the awarding ceremonies. As to avoid unnecessary speculation, the lists of finalists should be disclosed at least a month before the awarding ceremonies.
It was not clear how the organizers came up with the list of finalists last year. I think that it will be for the best interest of the PBA to at least give a glimpse on how the selection process works. Who chooses the finalists? How do they come up with the list of finalists?
Upon looking, I found out that the list of nominees were never disclosed. Again, I think it will be for the best interest of the PBA to have the list of nominees disclosed, at least a week after the nomination is declared closed.
The list of judges and volunteers should be disclosed before the finalists are declared. The list of volunteers should be disclosed after the nomination process, so that volunteers who are nominated can either decline the nomination or dissociate themselves from the volunteers group. This is necessary to protect the integrity of the awards.
3. Criteria
The criteria for judging should be made clear. This is most important for sponsored awards – it’s clear to me that most of the issues raised last year concentrated on the sponsored awards.
While the rules were clear, I guess the timing of the release of the rules was not. I suggest that all rules/criteria be disclosed beforehand – like even before nominations are sent in.
4. A different Blog Awards altogether
This idea was first thought of immediately after the 2008 awarding ceremonies, when issues left and right, legitimate or not, were being raised. Why not 2009 PBA, Oscars-style?
Basically, the idea calls for the PBA adopting the way the AMPAS handles the nomination and awarding. But this is a bit more complicated because the AMPAS rules call for an organization of sorts.
Read the AMPAS Rules, specially the rules for balloting and nominations. It calls for members of certain guilds voting from a set of nominees. Imagine a Philippine Blogging Academy.
Unfortunately, the specter of a blogging elite or a blogging mafia appears when calls for such an organization are raised. Even if you say that membership to the proposed academy is simple (just have a blog), such ideas can not be dismissed that easily. Hence, the unattractiveness of this idea.
Also, like our national/local elections, this can lead to a simple popularity contest.
I find this idea meritorious. I also find it more democratic. I’ll explore this idea more when I have the time. Most of the issues that can be raised against the AMPAS style can be solved by tweaking it a little. After all, most of these issues boil down to the issue of trustworthiness.
Ideas? Comments?
12
Feb
Workaround for Nokia 5800 expired certificate error
WORKAROUND
CAUTION: This fix will erase everything in your phone memory – messages, contacts, settings. Back up your data before proceeding.
Do a software reset. From the Dialer, enter *#7370#. You can now install apps again. Crude, but it works.
12
Feb
Nokia 5800 Certificate expired error
Ok, so I got this phone last Saturday. Sunday, downloaded some odd number of themes, put them on the phone’s memory card, and installed 3 of them. Installation went fine, and the phone is currently sporting a non-Nokia theme.
So, Monday night (last night, dummy), I tried installing the other themes, but I got the “Expired certificate” error message. Thinking that it was a problem with the theme installers, I moved on. Checked the Nokia Download! app on the phone, and tried installing IM+. After downloading (weird, on first download, after reaching 93%, it went back to 0% and started downloading again), the phone displayed its “Preparing installation”, and after a few seconds, “Expired certificate” appeared.
Nokia is in for painful headaches. Look at this thread and see some problems being experienced by other owners of this phone. I wish Nokia luck.
12
Feb
Nokia Download! apps not really free
When you try the Nokia Download! service using your Nokia 5800, you will be shown folders where you can find apps and ring tones and graphics. So I was curious enough to check the Apps folder, and whoah! Several applications, all marked as free!
So I tried downloading IM+ (which led me to that expired certificate error last night) earlier via Smart 3G (Smart’s HSDPA at Makati is good). Too bad it’s not really free.
After downloading, the phone began installing the app, then I was prompted to select what license to PURCHASE. Yes, you have to purchase a license to use the app. Yes, it is free to download. No, it is not free to use.
Nokia Download! ain’t Apple App Store. Try harder, Nokia.
And no, Nokia Download Store is not available here in the Philippines. Yet.
12
Feb
Nokia Barcode Scanner works for Nokia 5800 XpressMusic
Just tried the Nokia Barcode Scanner app. It works as advertised. The app is not included in the package, so you’ll have to download it here.