The Readers' Choice

Ms. Christy Fermin

by Rain B.

She looked at the camera with teary eyes, stroked the trophy with tenderness and thanked ABS-CBN,”ang estasyon na may haplos ng pagmamahal. Kahit ano pa gagawin ko, naririyan sila palagi”. That was more than five years ago. This year, the network knew Ms. Fermin has crossed the line, and changed the haplos into a slap.

She was never a darling to the masses, but she earned the people’s wrath when she dragged into the mess an innocent child. That was not just below the belt; it was an assault into our collective guts.

Bloggers, inventive as ever, resorted to name-calling: The Vermint, the Mrs. Shrek among others. And when news of her suspension was released, the blog world declared it a national holiday.

Blog posters, including Victorina’s readers who are never shy about their true feelings, released a barrage of comments and jokes that would have destroyed lesser beings. But Ms. Fermin is made of tougher hide, words couldn’t dismantle her.

Amiel sent 100 peso worth of prepaid load to me because I took his challenge of defending Ms. Fermin. I just thought the suspension was a fair punishment, because those shows were her bloodline. We can gloat once, but to do it repeatedly makes us look like a lynch mob calling for more blood after the beheading.

But Ms. Fermin was never apologetic, only defensive. Perhaps that’s a character she shares with GMA. Both women come up with alibis and excuses, and portray themselves as victims or survivors. They still believe that history will judge them kindly in the future, or they hope that like the fate of Imelda, people will simply forget what they have done.

Because she is Christy Fermin, she will be back, but hopefully wiser. She knows that her days of “getting away with it” are over because the blog world is like a big brother watching her every move.

So, because she made the blog world alive with her scandals that shook our intestines, our readers chose her the Victorina Icon 2008. I hope she will not run for the senate.

A Charitable Christmas

by: amiel aguilar cabanlig

"And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." King James

The holidays are known as a time for giving and with Christmas fast approaching, checking your lists and checking them twice can be a harrowing ordeal. Good deeds seem to pour in as we each reflect on the past year and try to make amends or set a good example for the year to come.

While most of these good deeds are indeed “good” - borne out of a genuine want to spread the Yuletide cheer – let us not be fooled by opportunistic gift-givers with ulterior motives!

For some, “CHARITY” seems to be more of a trend of the season rather than a means of sharing goodwill. Take for example certain figures of society that rant and rave about their charitable acts and have them immortalized in magazines, newspapers and whatever media they can get their fingers into.

(I remember here the textbook definition of PR. The gist behind public relations is to do good and make sure other people know about it!)

Depending on who you ask, the word "charity" has a diverse set of meanings. For a privileged many, the true essence of the word has been utterly corrupted and tarnished by their egotistical desires to merely look good for the masses.

Sure they may mingle with the common-folk, visit sick kids in the hospital, or even give food out the hungry... but are their hearts really in it? Or are these “personalities” merely being “charitable” during the holidays, when so many eyes are on them and wanting for a story or feature of how generous they can be when they want to?

Let me assure you that these publicized “charitable acts” do not warrant the forgiveness of their past sins.

The prophet Matthew talks about charity unequivocally in his book in the BIBLE;

“Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will loose your reward from your Father in heaven.

When you give a gift to someone in need, don’t shout about it as hypocrites do- blowing trumpets in the streets to call attention to their acts of charity…

BUT when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. GIVE YOUR GIFTS in SECRET, and your Father, who knows all secrets will reward you.”

WANTED: FILIPINO HERO!

I find myself lucky to have witnessed the glorious career of someone who could very well be the greatest Filipino boxer of all time- Manny Pacquiao. Our super champ is currently being pitted against some of the top names in boxing. Sure to bless Mannny are over $20 million paydays against Floyd Mayweather Jr. (I would love to see Mayweather, the once pound-for-pound best vs. the incumbent pound-for pound pinoy pugilist, Pacquiao) or the lethal Ricky Hatton.

photo- (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrives at Sarangani Capitol Park in Alabel, Sarangani Province where she addressed the Region XII Cooperatives Summit and distributed land titles to 350 landless farmers and fortified rice to school pupils Thursday .With her are Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza, Dep. National Security Adviser Luis Singson, Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao.)

Pacman is on his way to becoming a Filipino legend and should do away with the “trapos” that hound him. He should realize that being seen gallivanting with “damaged goods” like Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama, Chavit Singson, FG and their ilk would just disparage our representation of a true “people’s champ!”

Manny Pacquiao indeed wears the Philippine colors proudly after his great victory!

I therefore implore the Pacman to stick to doing what he does best- BOXING. Call a halt those who trying to convince you to enter the political ring or use you for their own political schemes. Bear in mind that these “cling-ons” are up to no good and are using your accomplishments to enhance a political environment obsessed with the idea of an unbeatable candidate, regardless of the consequences to our country!

Manny, the boxing ring is your arena… leave the political ring to those opportunistic others.

By:Rain Barnido
______________________________

For those of you who are still high from the euphoria of yet another Pacquiao victory, this post might be a downer , so stop reading.

This article does not hope to suffer the fate of Amado Picardal – biker, academician, theologian and online pundit – who had to brave a barrage of curses and death threats just because he posted that he did not consider Manny P as a hero at all.

Among other things, Picardal counteracted the traditional media (Yes, I am talking to you Korina Sanchez and everyone else in network TV and national dailies) whose portrayal of Manny is ostensibly close to hero worship. “Speaking of heroes, we are the only country who considers our boxing champions as heroes. Muhammad Ali, the black heavyweight champion, was never considered a hero in the US, rather it was Martin Luther King, the civil rights leader,” he said.

“Heroes are not just objects of admiration, they are role models. I wouldn't want our little boys to grow up thinking they can become heroes by using their fists and beating up other boys,” added Picardal.

All right, he has some point there. We will not go, though, as far as proclaiming that boxing is a violent sport, because that would open up a whole discussion on what sport is gentle and what isn’t.

But it is best to explore why almost everyone – from the President to the sidewalk vendor; from Kris Aquino to her look-alike Madame Auring; from politicians to the barber shop pundits – hails Manny Pacquiao as a hero worth emulating.

For the record, I do not consider Manny Paquiao as a hero, at all. And that is largely because I have my own ideals of what heroism should be. Manny Paquiao is a national pride; he is an exquisite boxer whose ring exploits put the Philippines on the sports map at least twice a year, whose bouts allow the global exposure of a Filipino artist who gets to sing the National Anthem; and whose entourage oftentimes includes such faces as the First Gentleman and Chavit Singson.

(When Tony Blair cheered on David Beckham, he looked like an ordinary fan. When Miguel Arroyo sat on the ringside for Manny, the FG looked like Pontius Pilate.)

When Manny P returns he will be appointed Ambassador of Peace because he apparently he is the best boxer in the world pound for pound - a sign of the country’s gift for irony or sick sense of humor, considering that Manny earns his adulation in a sport that is far from being peaceful. Why don’t we just make him Ambassador to the Court of St. James, or better yet, open a new position and make him Secretary of State? (Manny, this is not an attack on your diplomatic sensibilities; this is a scrutiny on the capacity of PGMA to make relevant decisions.)

Manny is even considered a cabinet-secretary –level-responsibility, at least according to DENR Secretary Lito Atienza who, when faced with a threat of penalty for being absent at the budget hearing, said, “I consider it as a responsibility (to be with Manny in Las Vegas). Manny was facing the most important fight in his career and of course, my worry was what will happen to our country if Manny loses.”

Indeed, what will really happen to our country if Manny lost the fight?

a. Do we die of hopelessness because Manny is a symbol of hope, as PGMA often says?

b. Do we give up on dreaming because Manny is a testament that Filipinos CAN?

c. Do we fight against each other because Manny is the symbol of national unity?

d. Do we lose trust in ourselves as a people?

I don’t know about you and the rest of the Filipinos. But as for me, if Manny lost that fight, I would have finished reading Jay McInerney, consumed two bottles of Red Horse, posted some comments on Victorina, and prepared a list of people who will receive my book as Christmas gift. Wait, those are the things I did when Manny won! Right.

I will not use any profanity now because my young nephew is starting to read Victorina because of Uncle Rain. So, I will just say that Manny’s loss will not affect my life and the state of the country’s natural resources, climate changes, national security, cultural identity and economic situation.

Now, if Manny will come home and use his leverage to create long lasting peace in General Santos, that would be heroic. Or he offers all his winnings to feed the hungry, that would be nice too but foolish.

In a country so desperate for a heroic symbol that it assigns that role to such names like Flor Contemplacion, Jun Lozada, Charisse Pampengco, and, heaven forbid, Manny Villar, the choice of Manny seems logical. But until his strength, dedication and love for country are proven outside the ring, Manny P will remain for the time being a celebrated athlete and a global sports icon, whose story captures the imagination of the people. If he inspires the young ones to become boxers, he is a worthy sports idol.

But a hero?

Not yet.

Pepe Don't Preach

(rain)

Pepe Diokno exposes the plight of college-level debaters in this Supreme investigative report. This column is a news parody. Its stories are not fact-checked. Its author is not a journalist. And its opinions are not fully thought through.

DUDE!

PLEASE MAKE UP YOUR MIND.

IS IT AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORT OR A NEWS PARODY?

I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE TIM, OR I WILL BE VERY DISAPPOINTED, BECAUSE AFTER ALL, THE ESTEEMED PHRASE "EDITOR AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR" IS ATTACHED TO YOUR NAME LIKE A GLITTERING ACCESS .

1. Cable news channel ANC has stumbled on an interesting demographic: Freakishly aware college-level debaters. For months, they aired the show "Square Off," in which representatives from different universities argue on the merits of different issues.

SO FAR, TIMID AND SHY, NEITHER INVESTIGATIVE NOR A PARODY.

2. Today, they air "Frankahan: The Drilon Debates," a show wherein representatives from different universities prove that former senate president Frank Drilon does indeed look like George Lucas. The show is captivating.

NOTE TO THE COPY EDITOR: AVOID USING THE NOUN PHRASE "REPRESENTATIVE FROM DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES" IN EVERY FRIGGIN PARAGRAPH. IT'S JUST PLAIN LAZINESS.

3. I guess it's big media's way of saying, "Aww, the youth a re involved." It has, after all, been statistically proven that in all newsrooms is soft-spot for twenty-somethings who are capable of talking about issues.

GRAMMAR IS AWEFUL. LOGIC IS TWISTED. HUMOR IS FLAT.

4. But, let's just be honest. Does anybody really watch this crap?Okay, I admit, I have. Or, I have at least tried to. You know, in between watching Net 25's genius cooking program, "Spoon." But here's the thing with ANC: You can never really understand what anybody on that channel says.

THE RANTING CAN BE FORGIVEN. THE PROMOTION OF SPOON STINKS LIKE AN EX-DEAL. THE SUDDEN ATTACK ON ANC IS NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A HYPERBOLE, EVEN IT PRETENDS TO BE ONE. IT IS SIMPLY ASIGN OF DISRESPECT TO COLLEAGUES IN THE INDUSTRY. IT IS NOT MALICIOUS, IT IS JUST SELF-IMPORTANT IMMATURITY.

5. I mean, they have politicians, who all speak like they're about todie. (Like, "I, ahh… did, ahh… not, ahh… vote for Cha-Cha.")

INSENSITIVE TO THE FEELINGS OF THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TO DIE. TIM, DO NOTALLOW YOUR CHIEF TO MAKE A PARODY OF DEATH IF HE CAN'T DELIVER ITEFFECTIVELY.

6. Their anchors ask the most inane questions. (Like, "So what you're saying is you did not vote for Cha-Cha?" To which the interviewee answers, "Honestly? The sound bite you're looking for is a 'yes'?")

DESPERATE FOR HUMOR, YOUR CHIEF RESORTS TO EXAGERRATION WHICH FALLSFLAT BECAUSE EXAGERRATION AS A LITERARY DEVICE WORKS BEST IF PEGGED ONTRUTH.

7. And then there are the freakishly aware college-level debaters, who— and I am not kidding when I say this — all speak like they need totake a really, really, really big piss.

OF COURSE YOU ARE KIDDING.

8."Misterspeaker,Misterchair,Membersofthishouse,Iamsayingthatsimplythemanshouldhavevotedforchaha!"And imagine how they fidget as they try to cram 1,000 words into aminute.

DUDE, TELL MR. DIOKNO THAT HE NEEDS TO DEVELOP HIS ORAL COMPREHENSION. PEOPLE WITH SLOW COMPREHENSION FIND IT HARD TO UNDERSTAND FAST-TALK.

9. Everything just makes you want to avoid the station. Unless, say,Ces Drilon finds herself holed up in some hotel again. But here's ouronly 24-hour cable news channel, and it's supposed to be indicative ofthe level of discourse we have in this country.

NOW, THIS ONE IS SIMPLY VICIOUS. COME ON TIM, APOLOGIZE REAL QUICK.

10. And, bleh.

DITTO.

11. I mean, it's baffling to me how, despite this being a communication-driven generation, ANC manages to pick the most communication-challenged young people ever for their debates.

THIS IS BEYOND VICIOUSNESS, THIS ONE REEKS LIBEL AS IT POTENTIALLY DAMAGES THE CAREERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ACTUALLY PUBLIC FIGURES.

12. Like, I can barely make out what it is the debaters talk about —let alone stand them for two seconds. It's as if they're trying tomake up for all the years old people spoke slow. Or, maybe the debates are the only chance these geeks get to even talk at all.

IT IS A DIRECT ATTACK ON OLD PEOPLE. TIM, ADD A GEIST TO YOUR LIST OF DISCRIMINATORY QUALITIES. GRAMMAR SUCKS. HUMOR DEAD.

13. Or, hmm… I think we've just stumbled on the ancient jungle sickness, Permanent Impaired Speech Syndrome (PISS), which is sort of like epilepsy, but only for the mouth.

INSENSITIVE TO THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM EPILEPSY. TIM, DON'T ALLOW YOUR WRITERS TO USE PHYSICAL DISEASES AS PEGS FOR PARODY, NO MATTER HOW TEMPTING IT IS.

14. Readers, I think we're onto something.

YES, WE ARE. WE FINALLY SEETHE LIGHT: SUPREME S..k.!

15. Permanent Impaired Speech Syndrome NICE ATTEMPT TO BE FUNNY!

16. To get to the bottom of this issue, I sat down with master debater Patricia (not her real name), who refused to be identified because of the stigma attached to her condition. "Mister speaker, mister chair,members of this house," she told me — even though I was the onlyperson in the room. "Imagine how hard it is to order a burger, talking like this? I can't help but ask for points of information!" She thenentered into a trance and started chanting the words, "Hear! Hear!"AndPatricia is just one example. We have received information from allover the country, detailing a wave of debater-related incidents.Schools are reporting a record number of broken tables — tables whichhave been pounded to death by debate teams. Houses decry themisinterpretation they suffer at the hands of debate organizers. "We don't believe in anything!" said the Biggest Association of Houses (BAH) in a statement recently.

17. And the Speakers and Chairs Union of Manila (SCUM), asks that they stop being called "Mister," as they are obviously asexual.

OH GEEZZ. THIS IS THE MOST UNDERSTATED ATTEMPT AT HOMOPHOBIA.

18. Ladies and gentlemen, this is indeed PISS. And something must bedone about it.

YES. STOP LAUGHING AT YOUR OWN JOKE.

19. The Search for a Cure. For this, I spoke to champion debater Lex Ledesma, who runs top entrepreneurship institution, The One School —and, coincidentally, judges ANC's debates."Everyone is under the wrongimpression that quantity is better than quality," he told me. "Plus,many are poorly mimicking top international debaters who talk reallyfast." Lex calls this the "machine gun method," which, to myunderstanding, may or may not refer to the spit debaters hurl as theyorate. "With the speed, no arguments get developed fully because itbecomes a contest of how many arguments one can raise," says Lex. "My prayer is that all these guys and gals decrease the number of wordsthey speak per minute by half!" he continues. But his prayers aren't working. POOR LEX. HE ALLOWED HIMSELF TO BE USED TO JUSTIFY A LAME ARGUMENT.

20. What can be done. For now, a cure is out of sight for our debater,Patricia. She now spends her off-days in a recluse debater colony,where she and other PISS-afflicted kids argue on the mutual exclusivity of Barack Obama's foreign policy vis-a-vis the outsourcing industry in the Philippines. The sad part: Even these debaters can't understand one another.

YOU KNOW WHAT IS SADDER? THAT YOU GET PAID FOR WRITING CRAPS.

21. But readers, we face the danger of PISS spreading itself to thegeneral population. Imagine if toddlers accidentally find themselveswatching ANC and think to themselves, "I wanna be a debater when Igrow up!" Imagine if one person finds himself watching ANC and thinks, "Wow, this is how intellectual discussions take place!" This is wrong!

YES, YOU ARE WRONG.

22. I mean, if we all spoke like debaters, then we'd all sound really,really crazy. Or, really, really dumb and vapid. Or, we'd just soundlike we're always a second away from peeing our pants. The fact of thematter is, debaters aren't poster children for the youth. They are victims. And they must be helped if our society aims to progress. Butwhile the world searches for a cure for PISS, there is sadly nothingwe can do but navigate away from ANC.

23. Unless, of course, Ces Drilon finds herself holed up in some hotel again.

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE ARE ALLOWED TO LAUGH AT THE TRAGEDY OF OTHERS. BUT YOUR DELIVERY SIMPLY IS INDECENT. TIM, BE A MAN. YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. HIS APOLOGIES MAY APPEASE THE VICTIMS OF HIS WRITING, BUT IT CAN'T ELIMINATE THE FACT THAT HE LACKS TASTE AND DISCERNMENT.

There are NO ROYALS in Manila

This is the fourth in our series on Icons of Debauchery. The previous posts - Tim Yap, BryanBoyB, Imelda - generated heated discussions, some of which verged on violence and cyberbullying. We still remain with our basic premise: that the Philippines at this point does not benefit from any individual or group who publicly promote an excessive, luxurious lifestyle. Even if, indeed, their pictures and pronouncements can be good escapes from the drudgery of poverty and political mess.

Every country has its own icon of debauchery! But even first world countries whose economies are now in recession are reacting to the excesses of the elite. Paris Hilton once drew flack when she was quoted as saying that she is the "iconic blonde of the decade"' and compared herself to Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe (a claim she denied in the May 2007 issue of Harper's Bazaar). Icons and celebrities must evolve with their social milieu. Paris regained a better ground when she offered an almost academic repartee to the McCain campaign's reference of Obama and Paris as being on the same level.

Her erstwhile BFF, Nicole Richie almost cleaned up her act and assumed the role of a wife and mother. Do our own fashion icons evolve with the times? For this post, written by my mama Boldstar, we place Ruffa Gutierrez public persona under scrutiny. We use her image as a representative of a celebrity sector that continuously tries to reinvent itself (sometimes with questionable motivations) with every reinvention always played in front of the camera.

Here is Boldstar's take on The Second Princess.

Former that’s Entertainment member, formerly involved in an alleged “Bruneiyuki” scam investigated by the Senate, former alleged involvement in a film scam, former Miss World second runner-up, former Hollywood starlet/spokes-model/actress/whatever, former owner/ president of Intel Media International Advertising Company and an alleged President of fashion TV in Turkey.

Wait there’s more! (Breathe and again ala Toni Braxton)
Currently product endorser for tummy aches, beautiful shiny hair shampoo, powdered milk, and whitening soap.

But pssssssst, wait there’s more.

I may also add TV host of the defunct Philippines Next Top Model.
Why? Apparently in her youth she was a top model, Elite Look 1992 representative.

Where? I personally don’t know since contacts from the European fashion circuit replies were WHO? Sharmaine Ruffa Gutierrez? That should be in New York. RING Elite. Rang Elite, the phone-bitch replied? “gurl” you mean Rupaul? In fashion a month old was when Jesus was born. Enough said.

But there’s more.

Mother, sister and charity queen with her own foundation.

No! Don’t insult my intelligence not make up, a charitable foundation that helps the poor. For the doubting Thomas’s it’s called Roof a child Foundation as well being a charity doyenne to Unicef, Philippine Red Cross, Make a wish Foundation, World Vision, Asilo de Milagrosa.

I must admit, I am exhausted by the towering heights of her apparent achievements based on the wattage of the many Manila based press releases (note Manila Based). From the dramatic tax payer funded police bodyguards when she “dramatically” left her “billionaire” Turkish husband to the “rampa” for a cause efforts one can’t help but wonder whether it’s just a brilliant machinations of a woman hell-bent on proving any publicity is a good publicity.

But I dare you to Google Yilmaz Bektaz, maybe rich (allegedly with questionable resources) but no billionaire (pesos maybe or in Zimbabwe). Would you exchange private jets and mega mansions with being a spokes-model for a surgical centre? Can you imagine Ayen Munji selling a whitening soap? That would be downgrading and blasphemous. Or maybe once and for all, they have realized that believing your own hallucinations is a true sign of mental illness, like pie in the sky.

Or as Mr Billionaire puts it "materialist (sic) relative" of "poor conscience and honor" who "takes advantage of my wife." Mother puts it as freedom because in Istanbul [sic] ‘women are confined to home, taking care of children, and are not allowed to wear sexy dresses. Almost every night Ruffa would call me crying’, Mrs. Rama said. If freedom means a sexy micro mini then kindly wrap me in polyester soaked in melamine, please.

Or does she have a warped sense of humor?

Having experienced poverty in the US and if you believe it selling pots and pans from a life of “celebrity” since dad was a “matinee idol” slash Elvis impersonator and mother was an “actress”, going back to Manila was a no brainer. The Lohans, Simpsons and Spears, white trash you may judge but R.I.C.H. All you have to do is BELIEVE it by establishing your own Royale Era Company (note the royalty insinuation) and press release everything.
Is that why she's BFF with Tim Yap?

Is it just branding, feverish fantasy typical of “manila society” or rampant media hype ala Tim Yap believe your own hype kinda thing. Or is it just a vapid vulgar vanity (note: vvvv’s) wrapped in a banana leaf sold as imagined reality.

Wait there's more.

Or is it just brains and beauty with a purpose?

BryanBoy... Debauchery in the midst of Hunger

Before I give the floor to Boldstar to dissect the gay Ayatollah of debauchery and hedonism, I would like to point out a few things. Guys, BryanBoy USED TO write for a broadsheet and is hereby subjected to ethical and moral responsibilities (notwithstanding the wold wide reach of his blog).

First of all, our country is really in shambles. The prestigious Gallup International ranked the Philippines fifth (5th) in the recent global HUNGER survey called “Voice of the People”. A related survey conducted from September 24 to 27, 2008 by Social Weather Station (SWS) found that 3.3 million Filipino families were suffering from hunger in the last three quarters.

Hell, our very own RainB is suffering hunger pangs lately and I feel dismayed and infuriated.

Secondly, I'm aghast by the wealth divide in our country. There are people who enjoy debauched lifestyles in the face of growing paucity. Some lavish mansions in the face of people being forcibly herded off like animals. Study in UP dearies and the first thing you learn is this provision in the Civil Code of the Philippines:

“Article 25... Thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure or display during a period of acute public want or emergency may be stopped by order of the courts at the instance of any government or private charitable institution.”

Lastly, I respect diversity in all its definition- girl, boy, bakla, tomboy.

However, I do not respect ANY criminal acts. Article 25 shows BryanBoys clear violation to everything that is ethical, just and honorable. The more WE flirtatiously display the GAP between rich and poor the more the INSURGENTS will rally up in arms... Shall we wait for that day of reckoning?

I will NEVER consent to debauchery and hedonism while I see people HUNGRY- especially RainB!

But then again, that this is just me... Take it Away Boldstar!

Bryanboy: Hello Gorgeous
By Boldstar

Bryanboy is a blogger phenom in the world of fashion. He loves and begs for attention and bathes himself with things labels, labels, and labels. He admits he is so gay he sweats glitter, and even puts up receipts for his purchases of things many of us can only dream about on his blog. Is it superficial to want and want and want material things or if given half the chance would we buy the wanton lifestyle he craves?

It can be argued that his homosexuality alienated him since childhood that may have a profound impact on his outlook in life. I could imagine the torrents of abuse from school mates, and expressions of disappointment by his family, as he calls them horror de familia. All of these would ensure that his ability to look at the world and society would be skewed towards the happiness of instant gratification such as sex with strangers, the instant high of buying a Louis Vuitton which is a year's salary for some people and a stranger's proclaimations of love.

Unhappy and abused children have often been profiled to create fantastical world hence to the extreme that multiple personalities or pathologically referred to as a dissociative identity disorder (DID) ensued, and to a much lesser degree the creation of imaginary friends which disappears when reaching adolescents. Predisposition is linked to traumatic antecedents, insufficient nurturing in childhood (OFW's mothers) and prolonged child abuse, like severe sexual, physical, or psychological trauma. In the case of Bryanboy, years of "bakla taunting" and his wealthy background may have pushed him towards the life of the rich and famous lifestyle partly because he has the means, and partly because of his family's wealthy status. In the case of the poor, dissociations manifest themselves in sex for money as in having a gay benefactor if you are cute or gay sex for money, regardless of an individual's orientation.

In so many instances our basic survival instincts would kick in when confronted with hunger and homelessness. In fact this is the precise reason why young runaways succumb to prostitution, for the roof over their heads, and food for their hunger. They often have extremely low levels of self esteem with a desire to hoard food, specially, if they continue to experience hunger, and prolonged absence of anything to eat. It is similar for Imelda Marcos. Her views about herself are negatively skewed, constantly seeking representations of herself in the company of the famous and royalty, and hoarding. Throughout her reign how many buildings did she build for herself as hollowed accomplishments and representations of her self- esteem (COGNITION PROBLEMS), how many PAL trips had she hijacked to go shopping (IMPULSE CONTROL), how many rivals she had murdered (ALLEGEDLY – LIBEL SAFE HUH INTERPERSONAL FUNCITIONING ISSUES), and emptiness of her personality (AFFECT) .

Both Bryanboy and Imelda can easily fit in to the general criteria of the diagnosis of personality disorder. (quote – yes Wikipedia)

Diagnosis of a personality disorder must satisfy the following general criteria in addition to the specific criteria listed under the specific personality disorder under consideration.

A. Experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture. This pattern is manifested in two (or more) of the following areas:

1. cognition(perception and interpretation of self, others and events)

2. affect(the range, intensity, liability, and appropriateness of emotional response)

3. interpersonal functioning

4. impulse control

B. The enduring pattern is inflexible and pervasive across a broad range of personal and social situations.

C. The enduring pattern leads to clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

D. The pattern is stable and of long duration and its onset can be traced back at least to adolescence or early adulthood

E. The enduring pattern is not better accounted for as a manifestation or consequence of anomaly mental disorder

F. The enduring pattern is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition such as head injury

Like an addiction both of them needs psychological help if they want to. For Bryanboy, he is who he is but he has never proclaimed himself to be for the Masa nang Bayan, or a glittering sequined STAR according to Imelda that the poor and destitute can put up as a benchmark for life. For Imelda maybe she's just simply Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan - The goddess of greed.

Color Me Pink

by: Andro

Before the advent of VHS, Beta, VCD’s, DVD’s and now Blu-Ray, Filipinos always had a passion for the movies. BAKLA - a term that used to be associated only with screaming “flamboyant” queens. Their terminologies have become so myriad they even came out with their own version of “pig-latin.” The term “bakla” has even transmuted into various forms.

The King was a Queen (and he reigned supreme)

Rodolfo Vera Quizon - Dolphy (Golay, Pidol) showed them all what it took to be called “The King of Comedy.” His trek to the throne started with his 6th film and his 1st top billing in Jack en Jill (1954) penned by Mars Ravelo. Dolphy’s “Glory” encapsulated the “bakla” or the “binabae” of his era that needed to be ‘talyada” (sexy) to be happy. That singular point set the trend of comical stereotypes still prevalent up to the present. For those who are not familiar with the original, Sharon Cuneta and Herbert Bautista did a remake in 1987. In both versions, the “ate” played by Lolita Rodriguez in the original / Sharon Cuneta in the remake, employed the town bully played by Martin Marfil (original) / Rez Cortez (remake) to knock sense into Glory (original)/Jillian (remake) and make him a “real man.” The effort ended in futility albeit all the physical pounding and even being dunked in a drum filled with water. That’s where being a “sirena” (mermaid) was also associated with being gay. The irony is, in both versions, the town bully for undisclosed reasons was the one who cracked and became a “talyadang binabae” himself. Dramatizing that, it showed associating with anyone gay will turn a real man gay. In 1969, RVQ Productions owned by Dolphy came out with Facifica Falayfay penned yet again by Mars Ravelo. Falayfay had a sequel in 1987 “Mga Anak Ni Facifica Falayfay” which catapulted actor Roderick Paulate then already playing bit gay roles.

Pretty in Pink?

The 80’s saw an influx of many stereotypical gay-themed movies and TV offerings from the likes of Roderick Paulate and Joey de Leon among many others. It became the norm to trivialize the gay lifestyle both reel and real. Some real gay talents succumbed and joined in the travesty for fear of losing work. Being loud and proud took another meaning. Now, we have the likes of Diego and the many characterizations of Michael V and Ogie Alcasid in Bubble Gang. Even sing-along masters make fun of themselves and their audience in sing-along bars. What people saw in the big and small screen are what they thought they ought to be, just that, good for a laugh. We laugh “at” them yes? But are you willing to laugh “with” them?

Movies and TV influenced a lot of stereotypes that are most often than not, barely scratch reality. Gay themed movies done by Lino Brocka essayed the other side of gay culture. Brocka even came out with Orlando Nadres’ Stardoom (1971), a dark, tragic view of movie showbiz itself. Audiences were in awe, most surmising that his themes were too surreal to be true.

Pink is the New Blue (Ramification)

The advent of gay themed indie movies is a welcomed reprieve from traditional cinema. The dominant gay stereotype is shattered but not obliterated. Some show a positive shade of pink that gay men are not only those that are “flamboyant” in nature. Sadly, most of these films focused on one aspect to sell. SEX. But that is not entirely accurate. Case in point: I asked a “parlorista” friend what he thought of the movie “Daybreak” all he could muse about was the naked and intimate scenes between the two male actors. But when I posed the same question to a “gay yuppie” friend, he orates about the technical aspect and content of the movie. He even suggested the intimate scenes should have been shortened and added some are unnecessary. Now why is that? Both are college graduates so education is not an issue. Here are two gay men with opposing views. Asked what they observed in the theaters, the “parlorista” quipped “andaming paminta.” The yuppie says “andaming bakla.” I’m confounded. Aren’t they referring to themselves? By the way, I’ve seen the movie, and I agree with the views of the yuppie.

In recent years, we are shown that there exist straight looking men who prefer same sex relationships. But instead of a welcome mat, the overt gays insists for these men to unfurl the proverbial cape. And the straight looking gays insists that the overt gays tame themselves down. Neither will give way. As a result, animosity between the communities erupted and seemingly still ongoing. This was clearly depicted in another Orlando Nadres creation: “Hanggang Dito Na Lamang At Maraming Salamat.”

I'm A Believer

I am a self-confessed architect of decay who calculatingly resists change. I am torn between two lovers; the traditional and the progressive.

When Mojo was doing his term papers at UA&P I endlessly affronted him, questioning the reliability of his sources taken from the World Wide Web. I was cynical about the electronic revolution that was taking place right before my eyes. I guess my feelings were fueled by spitefulness and envy rather than genuine concern.

Why shouldn’t I? I went to school hauling 10 pound books of Agoncillo, Constantino, Gagelonia and my 25 volume Britannica!- Then, here goes Mojo getting information with the press of a button. I felt betrayed by the didactic organization!

The last “mechanical” thing I learned in school was how to pluck out on a rusty typewriter the words… the quick brown fox jumped over… again and again.

A good friend of mine, Kevin Kho former CEO of the biggest local website Yehey.Com and former professor at UA&P, tried to convince me about the up-and-coming power of the World Wide Web. I even tested the waters and wrote for his distinguished giant website. When Friendster’s top honcho visited the Philippines, I even attended his press-con and facilitated him to guest in Magic 89.9’s Good Times show.

Despite all these things - I still remained a nonbeliever!

Some years later, I found myself at the University of the Philippines Film Center when a group of academe friends started a fiery repartee which caught my undivided attention- THE Brian Shane Gorrell issue. I had then never heard of Brian Gorrell despite writing for lifestyle happenings- Well, maybe I just wasn’t in the loop. (At that point in time, I had NEVER seen a blog nor would I have ever fathomed myself ever penning one of my own!)

I remained cynical but for the first time in my life I decided to defy tradition and open a blogsite.

As I read through Gorrell’s web-pages, I immediately felt his desperation. I researched his claims with suspicion; the hotel he was checked-in, the Makati police station, and several lawyers involved. I eventually came to the conclusion that Brian’s writings indeed held water.

I called people from the UP academe for more thorough information and they directed me to PDI columnist Bayani San Diego who in turn patched me up with Gorrell.

The air-waves (radio) became aware of the brouhaha when Mojo was introduced to Gorrell’s blog via a text from his friend Vinelle Velasco. At the same time ABS-CBN was becoming aware of this new-fangled phenomenon. Of course Magic 89.9 has always ahead been ahead of its time and they wanted Gorrell with them first (The Good Times crew has been in a similar predicament and was saved by a forum website). I was able to communicate with Gorrell and put him on-air via 89.9 before ABS-CBN’s crew decided to brave-out an interview with him.

Many months have transpired and after the roller coaster ride of up’s and down’s rocking the blogosphere, I have now seen the light of this not-so-new emerging power.

The Internet can topple mountains and move the world. We have become the guardians of the fourth estate who seemingly has been abusing its power. If I were to find myself on my last leg, catching my final breath- my parting words would be:

“believe and pursue the unknown conclusion.”

CHIKATIME REVISITED

Kindly allow me to touch on the very sensitive topic of the abrupt disappearance of Chikatime from cyberspace. I am not a big fan of gossip but I must confess that once in a while I indulge my heart out to the side-splitting tittle-tattle of Chikatime's lip-smacking web pages. This is when I'm behind closed doors. Take note that a lot of my close friends where whacked by Chikatime- Nonetheless, none of them took offense nor did any of them take the hilarious blog seriously.

So why did Chikatime vanish in thin air?

Ok let me dissect the issues sorrounding Chikatime. It is indeed possible that one of Chikatime's "subject" would file a libel case against the writers of the said blog. They first have to bring the defamation case to court before any action can be taken by any governmaent agency. For example, proving that the photo-shopped “white-stuff” coming out of Mo Twisters nose as MALICIOUS would be hard even for a seasoned lawyer . Chikatime did not violate any internet law as far as I'm concerned (no case was filed in court) so the silly idea of the NBI running after Chikatime is idiotic.

Mojo’s uncle, Atty. Elfren Meneses Jr, chief of the cyberspace and anti-fraud division of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) says that electronic investigation could sometimes be more difficult than traditional crimes. In traditional crimes, he said, cases such as murder can be resolved immediately if there are positive identification of suspects or there are witnesses.

Considering the lack of computer resources and trained personnel of NBI pose a big problem. He said the NBI encounters much difficulty in getting search warrants because "the judges don’t understand" the merits of possible hacking or electronic crimes yet. Mr. Meneses said NBI is planning to set up a separate computer crime section under the anti-fraud division this year to focus on computer-related cases.

Let us assume that a person talked about by Chikatime hires the best lawyers money can buy and files for defamation. I would estimate that a protracted legal battle would take at least a decade. Nevertheless, it could have been a brilliant case-study for law students if such case happened. Remember dearies, it took the prestigious Villaraza Law Firm more than a decade before finally being able to prosecute our hard-hitting Malaya’s Publisher (The publisher was up against Sen. Miriam Defensor’s husband).

So why the hell did Chikatime chicken out?

FERMIN SUSPENDED... There is a God!

In my earlier articles I expressed gratitude on how The World Wide Web has presented an unrefined yet potent venue for the general public to vent out their disappointments with the arrogance of mainstream media.

What traditional media is trying to do is divert the people’s attention from change; do something else but don’t step on our turf. The ABS-CBN’s “hounds from hell” literally threw everything at the Good Times Crew except the “kitchen sink!".

Fermin with all her HUBRIS even attacked me via their Radio-TV show. I am a private citizen who has nothing to do with show business nor with the Good Times show. I am simply a friend and aficionado of the wacky show.

They used every arsenal in their media-conglomerate to shut down and completely destroy the “Forbidden Questions” segment. TV, Radio and their ghastly cheap tabloids were used in full-force to put a lid on Mo Twister, Mojo Jojo and Andi-9 and any supporter.

A favorite Bible verse of mine from the book of Psalms goes- "The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. They dig a pit to trap others and fall into it themselves."

With today's breaking news, i can only exclaim "ABS-CBN has seen the LIGHT!"

Just earlier today, gossip writer and television/radio host Cristy Fermin was suspended from ALL her shows by her Mother Station, ABS-CBN 2.

According to ABS-CBN, she has abused her role as a broadcaster and violated her integrity as a broadcast journalist!