Tuesday, June 21, 2011

'Salo-Salo sa Chop Suey' - Thanks to PIDC

The Toronto Sun banner makes the PIDC event look like it's the paper's celebration.
PHILIPPINE VILLAGE VOICE/The Filipino Web Channel - Redefining Community News

Currents & Breaking News
OPINION/COMMENTARY
Volume 5, Issue No. 12
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /


. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .


The News UpFront: (TOP STORY) as of Tuesday, June 21, 2011
~ The day was tagged a "salo-salo", which means picnic, at Earl Bales Park. Well, it lived up to its billing except that it wasn't just the food; the whole afternoon charade was a chop suey of events made silly by non-thinking organizers. A maiden sashed and crowned to be Miss Philippines could not pronounce El Filibusterismo, a novel by Jose Rizal. One partisan organizer tried to make the Philippine ambassador a walking model for the Liberals. One Toronto tabloid lorded it over the stage as if the entire event is its own. When are Filipinos going to affirm their dignity and self-worth? And PIDC is not giving any answer.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PREROGATIVE
"Salo-Salo sa Chop Suey" - Thanks to PIDC


By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Member, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC)

TORONTO - More than a year chasing after officials of Philippine Independence Day Council, I finally got a break this Saturday, June 18, 2011) at its "salo salo sa Earl Bales Park". Oh, that was what I thought.

I went there on my own primarily to see how the "salo-salo", or picnic, fared this year compared with last year's. Well, the green grass and the little wild flowers must be deliriously happy in not being stomped by thousands of walking, running and dancing feet. There simply wasn't that many people.

And I am told that one plausible reason for the absence of hundreds of warm bodies to bring life to the community picnic was the rift between friends, courtesy of television networks ABS-CBN and GMA.

The competing stations have quite succeeded in dividing Filipinos in Toronto - now variosuly estimated at between 200,000 to 250,000 - into the Kapamilya and Kapuso camps. Except for their call signs, there's not much difference. It's the same "tail wagging the dog".

That phrase might as well apply to the community. However big each network claims to be, its size still falls short of being the "kapamilya" or "kapuso" of the community. They will remain a "tail". But the fact is, it is this tail that's wagging the dog, which in essence is the community.

It's sad, to say the least. The true celebration of community is distorted by injecting a culture of make-believe that both the "kapamilya" and "kapuso" propagate to capture the minds and pockets of hard-working Filipinos.

As I walked around the park, I saw groups of Filipinos who purposely stayed away from PIDC's salo-salo. They would rather be with their families and friends than be with bigger but fake families in the "kapamilya" circle, which was one of PIDC's sponsors.

At the picnic I thought luck smiled on me, believing that my long wait was coming to an end. I've been seeking PIDC for stories that its officials would not like to tell, or books they would not open, or secrets they would not confide? I even challenged them - after I felt exasperated not getting any answers to my queries - that I would dig into their affairs and bring out the truth about the state of PIDC.

There's more than one way to skin a cat, so the saying goes, and I'm prepared to show to PIDC that I could do it without having to beg them for a response.

And now, out of the blue yonder this beautiful day comes the PIDC president, introducing herself. "I am Minda Neri," she says in a tone that almost escape my hearing because of the blaring music from the PA system.

It's just been a couple of days since I created a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdKKs-I10j0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL ) about the PIDC-sponsored flag-raising event at Queen's Park and I figured that because of its unflattering content, it might have prompted Ms. Neri to talk to me.

She extended her hand and I shook it, introducing myself to her. Then she said she's inviting me to have lunch at the PIDC booth, a gesture I truly appeciated but which actually did not materialize, after weighing in the implied consequences of accepting it.

My personal policy has always been not to give in to invitations like Neri's because it could be fraught with hidden meanings. I tried to avoid misinterpretations specially if my news coverage has turned adversarial.

One, two, three - any number of lunch or dinner - does not win me over. Telling me stories up front, answering my questions in all honesty, could change that, however, even without an expensive treat.

A few hours later, I bumped into Ms. Neri again in another booth. I asked her pointblank: "Are you able to talk to me, on the record, before my camera? I got a lot of questions to ask you".

"Lot of questions?" she whispered, hesitating to commit herself. She asked if we could do it later, and then walked to a nearby booth in search of another person who might be willing to help her answer questions. I knew evasive tactics when I see one and Ms. Neri's demeanor falls into that category.

In journalism, being asked to wait is different from being asked to play second fiddle. In most cases, the availalbility of a journalist is much valued so that a subject readily accommodates and willingly talks without having to make an appointment. That's de rigueur in the highly competitive media industry.

In Ms. Neri's case, she wanted me to do both. My point is, in the scheme of things I am just as important as anybody else. I might look like I have all the time to squander but I don't. Each ticking minute spent waiting is a minute wasted. I don't have that luxury.

So as I expected, my interview with Ms. Neri did not come through. Questions remained about PIDC's financial situation. How much money does it make and spend in staging its gala parties, community events, fund-raisers? How much does it get from its sponsors? Who gets paid in PIDC? Where does its excess funds go? What kind of projects does it have? What benefits are derived from its programs, by who?

Meanwhile, on stage two young "Miss Philippines" were having a good time reading background information about Jose Rizal to a small crowd of photographers and onlookers. Where are the rest of the people?

When the part came about Rizal's two novels, the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, one of the beauty queens stammered and choked. "Tangere" sounded like a Filipino cuss word. "El Filibusterismo" became a tongue-twister, seemingly worst than Mary Poppins' "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious".

Ha ha, ha talk of a Miss Philippines being a symbol? I wonder why PIDC let them loose not knowing how to pronounce those words.

The day was just unfolding. At a booth manned by woman named Amy, the affable Consul General Pedro Chan was being given a stick-on piece of paper to attach to his chest. The stick-on had "Liberal" emblazoned on it to mean Liberal Party (of Canada). Amy herself oferred it. And, of course, the consul general declined.

I also declined. Ambassador Chan explained it to Amy: "he's a journalist". I don't know if she understood, the implication being that I am independent of any political party and Amy's stick-on would consequently tag me a Liberal hack. That's what I had in mind. Never for a moment would I be mistaken to belong to any party, let alone Amy's Liberal.

It was stupid, I honestly believe it was, for Amy to offer the stick-on to Ambassador Chan. There's more meaning to it than just a cursory stick-on. But then, this is the same Amy who had her photo ops ahead of the flag-raising at Queen's Park; the same Amy who disrespected the Philippine flag; the same Amy who put more importance to her personal "kodak moments" than the solemnity of an independence rite.

I must have been so engaged to forget what's happening onstage. For one moment, I thought I was transported so quickly to another event. Look, the only banner that says PIDC had been taken so it could be used during the parade. How come, I asked myself, they could waste thousands of dollars for a gala night of self-promotion and not a few bucks on a decent banner that proudly proclaims our culture and heritage?

As a result, the celebration appeared like it was an event by the Toronto Sun. The paper's huge banner not only dwarfed the stage, it also made Filipinos look silly singing, talking and gyrating under the shadow of Toronto Sun. Where's the Filipino identity?

I'm fed up. That's enough for the day. I've had enough of the PIDC chop suey. #

(This Currents & Breaking News may be posted online, broadcast or reprinted upon request by interested parties. Permission by the author and the editor must be obtained before any re-posting online or re-publication in print or re-broadcast. Copyright by Romeo P. Marquez, Editor, Philippine Village Voice, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Volume 5, Issue no. 12, June 21, 2011. Email at: TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com, PhilVoiceNews@aol.com or CurrentsBreakingNews@gmail.com).

My news channels can be viewed by clicking the links:


The Filipino Web Channel at YouTube:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT74cbxq6ak&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2FLYca354w&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

At Vimeo:
1. http://vimeo.com/16962555
2. http://vimeo.com/user4144767

For other stories, please visit:
1. http://currentsbreakingnews.blogspot.com/  
2. http://torontonewsroom.blogspot.com/
3. http://timecircumstance.blogspot.com/
4. http://travelsthemes.blogspot.com/  
5. http://gotchajournalist.blogspot.com/  .

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Trivializing a Solemn Rite

PHILIPPINE VILLAGE VOICE/The Filipino Web Channel - Redefining Community News

Currents & Breaking News
OPINION/COMMENTARY
Volume 5, Issue No. 11
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /


. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .

The News UpFront: (TOP STORY) as of Wednesday, June 15, 2011
~ Filipinos mock themselves in many ways in the pursuit of self-promoting agendas. One historic incident happened on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at Queen's Park where so-called leaders of Toronto's Filipino community bandied together for the observance of Philippine independence day. A flag-raising was set. But before the solemn ceremony could take off, one organizer decided it was time for some "kodak moments" with the dignitaries. In the meantime, the Philippine flag fluttered in the noon breeze down at the bottom of the pole, neglected and waiting for the photo ops to finish.

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The Philippine flag flies and waves in the noon breeze, left waiting as Toronto Filipino community leaders take their time shooting pictures with invited dignitaries.


Some of the officials and invited guests, including Philippine Consul General Pedro Chan and Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Dr. Eric Hoskins, getting ready for the photo shoot.


PREROGATIVE

Trivializing a Solemn Rite



By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Member, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC)
TORONTO - My news video on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdKKs-I10j0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL ) has sparked a mild outburst from some viewers who expressed their take, pro or con, with photo ops, or so-called "kodak moments", by event participants having their photographs taken with guests and other important personages.



Frankly, I was expecting more people to be enraged by this wanton disregard for our own cultural and political sensitivities by no less than those who have adopted Canada as their own. And the insult is more stinging and pronounced because they were born and raised in the Philippines.


I had wanted the Consulate, for one, to express its dismay over the blatant disrespect for the Philippine flag during the June 12 ceremonies at Queen's Park and call the attention of organizers, specifically the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC), one of the lead sponsors of the event.


None in PIDC and the other organizations evidently knew about the protocol of the flag, otherwise they would not have carried out to their fullest satisfaction the picture-taking with Consul General Pedro Chan and other high-ranking guests who attended the ceremonial flag-raising commemorating 113 years of Philippine independence.


By the way, contrary to protocol, the flag was hoisted so painstakingly slow and timed with the singing of the national anthem when it should have been raised briskly.


The Consul General should not have acquiesced, in my opinion, for that was tantamount to officially endorsing the faulty logic behind the instant photo sessions. It was "embarrassing," said one commentator, after realizing she had unwittingly been carried away.


The "kodak moments" pre-emptied what could have been a happy but solemn rite, considering that the June 12, 1898 declaration in Kawit, Cavite consequently made the Philippines the first republic in Asia. The Philippines broke free from Spain after patiently and subserviently serving the Spanish monarchy for more than 300 years.


The first few minutes that could have been devoted to the proud memories of those revolutionary days 113 years ago were so blatanly set aside, trivialized, for the simple expedient of having photographs taken with Filipino and non-Filipino guests.


I suspect that the initiator, a certain Amy Ada (from what I gathered, an Ontario provincial employee), had been so enthused by the presence of foreign guests. If what the program claims is correct that she is "coordinator, OPS Pinoys" (whatever that means), then we should take caution. She could just so easily trample on rules and precedent for her own personal glory.


I am not bothered if she and her friends in PIDC, notably its president Minda Neri, would spend their days being photographed with the high and mighty. But I am deeply disturbed that she, Neri and others could so conveniently sweep protocol in pursuit of their self-promoting agenda.


That should answer the video commentator who said: "And who does not want to have their pictures taken with a public figure? x x x I do not see anything wrong with a Kodak moment also anyway."


Misses Ada, Neri and the commentator all missed the point, i.e., by engaging in what they did, they disrespected the flag, the very symbol of Philippine sovereignty; they insulted the Philippine government which at that time was represented by Consul General Chan; and they made a mockery of Filipinos and their institutions.


The flag had been flying at the bottom of the pole for at least 30 minutes, waiting for the event to begin at 12 noon, presumably the exact time it would be hoisted. I have not seen a sovereign nation's revered symbol so neglected and treated like a piece of rag left flying at the pole's base because one woman decided to proceed with her photo ops. No, not until now.


If it could be interpreted as an omen, then it is bad. To think that many Filipinos in Toronto at least, are trying hard to uplift their physical selves and their souls from the stigma or working like slaves for abusive employers. Where does respect begin but from ourselves?


Some guests, probably thinking Filipinos are never on time, came in late. That's another aspect that could have been corrected right there by proceeding with the ceremony promptly at 12 noon with or without them. The waiting gave Ms. Ada a window of opportunity and she seized it.


Guests had assembled under a tree near the rostrum and Ms. Ada, blessed her ignorance, unwisely decided to have a photo session with them, inviting presidents of associations to come forward, pose and smile their widest best. I took photos and videos knowing a historic wrong was unfolding before my eyes.


She wasn't thinking . . . if she had the mind. And neither was Ms. Neri nor the Consul General, who both obliged. Dr. Eric Hoskins, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigation, also complied, as did the other guests, perhaps out of courtesy.


In the meantime, the flag fluttered at the base, its hooks firmly secured to the white rope that would take it to the top. I don't know how to call the flag's exact position because it was neither at full mast nor half mast; it was down below. Maybe it could be called the inverted full mast?


Again, this is the first time I've seen a flag unceremoniously tied to a pole and left to wait. Does that symbolize our predicament in Canada? Is that how we ridicule ourselves?


At that moment, everyone seemed to have forgotten that the only reason officials and guests were there was to commemorate Philippine independence with a flag-raising ceremony. But that had to be delayed until Misses Ada and Neri completed their photo sessions with their false smiles.


Lawyer Rafael Fabregas was a little peeved and he showed it by asking those in the picture sessions to return to their seats so the ceremony could begin. As if to stress his point, he quickly glanced at his wristwatch.


I asked him later if he had control of the sequence of events. He said he was merely a "reader" of the program and nothing else.


One video viewer, Don Azarias of Chicago, Illinois, could not contain his disappoinment. He was correct in pointing out that among Filipinos "photo-ops reign supreme while the solemn flag-raising ceremony is just an afterthought".


"For them," he writes, "satisfying their egos supersede their sincerity. They put on a false appearance of virtue or patriotism. That's another way of defining and spelling h-y-p-o-c-r-i-t-e-s."


Jesse Jose of Seattle, Washington agrees. I definitely agree.

(This Currents & Breaking News may be posted online, broadcast or reprinted upon request by interested parties. Permission by the author and the editor must be obtained before any re-posting online or re-publication in print or re-broadcast. Copyright by Romeo P. Marquez, Editor, Philippine Village Voice, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Volume 5, Issue no. 11, June 15, 2011. Email at: TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com, PhilVoiceNews@aol.com or CurrentsBreakingNews@gmail.com).
My news channels can be viewed by clicking the links:

The Filipino Web Channel at YouTube:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT74cbxq6ak&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2FLYca354w&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

At Vimeo:
1. http://vimeo.com/16962555
2. http://vimeo.com/user4144767

For other stories, please visit:
1. http://currentsbreakingnews.blogspot.com/  
2. http://torontonewsroom.blogspot.com/
3. http://timecircumstance.blogspot.com/
4. http://travelsthemes.blogspot.com/  
5. http://gotchajournalist.blogspot.com/.