Thursday, August 18, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
War of Words Has Replaced War of Annihilation
PHILIPPINE VILLAGE VOICE/The Filipino Web Channel - Redefining Community News
Currents & Breaking News
Volume 5, Issue No. 19
/ 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 Friday, August 12, 2011
~ The war of annihilation at the turn of the 20th century had ended more than a 100 years ago but the war of words as to how to categorize it has not abated. A youth group in Toronto called Kamalayan has that verbal discrepancy underscored as it conducts an awareness campaign of Philippine history. Last week, Kamalayan put up a booth at a popular square in downtown Toronto where volunteers explained ancient and contemporary Philippine history in hopes of educating those who cared to listen.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CREATING AWARENESS OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Philippines Says It's 'War'; US Insists It's 'Insurrection'
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 - In the eyes of Filipinos, the bloody armed conflict at the turn of the 20th century between the Philippines and the United States was a full-scale war.
Americans, on the other hand, perhaps embarrassed by their failure to "pacify" the islands after they took over from Spain in 1898, called it an "insurrection", which implied acceptance of and subservience to US authority.
In the name of "pacification" one entire village in the central Samar province was turned into a "howling wilderness", as described by the American general who implemented the campaign that saw the massacre of thousands of Filipinos from 10 years up.
The telling and re-telling of this sad chapter in Philippine history vary from American mouth to Filipino mouth, as it is from many US and Philippine history books.
But the truth has not been contested - the conflict had claimed casualties in the hundreds of thousands, or upwards of one million people.
In Toronto, a Filipino youth group is conducting a Philippine history awareness campaign through workshops and community outreach. The latest was at the Filipino Making Waves Festival in Yonge-Dundas Square during the two-day weekend (Aug. 6 and 7, 2011).
"The goal is to tell Filipinos about their history," says Alex Felipe, co-organizer of Kamalayan (awareness), in an interview. "The history I tell is from the point of view of the masses of the people in the Philippines."
"Often, a lot of the history that I give is a little bit different from the mainstream. That's not to say that I don't give also the mainstream history. I will also give that and put it in context with the more progressive versions of the history," Felipe stresses.
Kamalayan's booth at the festival had attracted curiousity from a mix crowd of onlookers and history buffs because of the huge photographs mounted on easels showing American atrocities during what the Americans called Philippine Insurrection of 1899-1902 and which Filipinos referred to as Philippine-American War.
The US colonized the Philippines after Spain - the country's imperial colonizer for more than 300 years - sold the islands for $20 million in 1898, the same year Filipino revolutionaries declared independence. On July 4, 1946, the US granted the Philippines its own version of independence.
(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. 19, August 12, 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/user41447
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/
Currents & Breaking News
Volume 5, Issue No. 19
/ 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 Friday, August 12, 2011
~ The war of annihilation at the turn of the 20th century had ended more than a 100 years ago but the war of words as to how to categorize it has not abated. A youth group in Toronto called Kamalayan has that verbal discrepancy underscored as it conducts an awareness campaign of Philippine history. Last week, Kamalayan put up a booth at a popular square in downtown Toronto where volunteers explained ancient and contemporary Philippine history in hopes of educating those who cared to listen.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 |
| A poster mounted on an easel shows a Filipino child on display in the United States. It's like a "human zoo," says Alex Felipe of the show. |
CREATING AWARENESS OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Philippines Says It's 'War'; US Insists It's 'Insurrection'
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 - In the eyes of Filipinos, the bloody armed conflict at the turn of the 20th century between the Philippines and the United States was a full-scale war.
Americans, on the other hand, perhaps embarrassed by their failure to "pacify" the islands after they took over from Spain in 1898, called it an "insurrection", which implied acceptance of and subservience to US authority.
In the name of "pacification" one entire village in the central Samar province was turned into a "howling wilderness", as described by the American general who implemented the campaign that saw the massacre of thousands of Filipinos from 10 years up.
The telling and re-telling of this sad chapter in Philippine history vary from American mouth to Filipino mouth, as it is from many US and Philippine history books.
But the truth has not been contested - the conflict had claimed casualties in the hundreds of thousands, or upwards of one million people.
In Toronto, a Filipino youth group is conducting a Philippine history awareness campaign through workshops and community outreach. The latest was at the Filipino Making Waves Festival in Yonge-Dundas Square during the two-day weekend (Aug. 6 and 7, 2011).
"The goal is to tell Filipinos about their history," says Alex Felipe, co-organizer of Kamalayan (awareness), in an interview. "The history I tell is from the point of view of the masses of the people in the Philippines."
 |
| Alex Felipe, co-organizer of Kamalayan. |
Kamalayan's booth at the festival had attracted curiousity from a mix crowd of onlookers and history buffs because of the huge photographs mounted on easels showing American atrocities during what the Americans called Philippine Insurrection of 1899-1902 and which Filipinos referred to as Philippine-American War.
The US colonized the Philippines after Spain - the country's imperial colonizer for more than 300 years - sold the islands for $20 million in 1898, the same year Filipino revolutionaries declared independence. On July 4, 1946, the US granted the Philippines its own version of independence.
(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. 19, August 12, 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/user41447
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/
Thursday, August 4, 2011
PIDC Barks, Gets a Slap on the Wrist
PHILIPPINE VILLAGE VOICE/The Filipino Web Channel - Redefining Community News
Currents & Breaking News
Volume 5, Issue No. 18
/ 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 Thursday, August 4, 2011
~ Coming from a diplomat, it's probably the equivalent of a slap on the wrist. Nevertheless, what's important is the demonstrated commitment by Philippine authorities to unbridled practice of freedom of the press, which, unfortunately, is lost in PIDC (Philippine Independence Day Council), the self-appointed prime mover of community festivities in Toronto's Filipino community. Irony of ironies, PIDC advocates selective censorship that favors media friendly to the organization and its officers. "Stop whining," a PIDC official barks at local journalists. To which Consul General Pedro Chan reacts: "We should give media freedom it deserves".
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"STOP WHINING," PIDC OFFICIAL BARKS AT JOURNALISTS
Top Diplomat Censures Media Censors at 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 - Short of publicly chastising organizers for imposing on Filipino journalists, the top Philippine diplomat in Toronto said media should be given all the freedom it deserves rather than repress it.
Consul General Pedro Chan was reacting to news reports that local reporters were protesting the imposition of a waiver by the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) at last week's Mabuhay Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
"When it comes to media people, there should not be any waiver," he stressed in an interview with The Filipino Web Channel.
Selected journalists were not allowed to cover the PIDC event without signing the waiver. Journalist Butch Galicia tore his press accreditation wrist band, firmly refusing to sign the paper and walked out of the event.
"What is 'independence' if they shackle one with a red wristband that smacks of press censorship?" Galicia asks.
Though the ranking executive officials of PIDC remained silent on the issue and did not respond to questions, one PIDC adviser has acknowledged that "mistake were (sic) done" by the organization in imposing the waiver. He then asked local journalists to "stop whining".
As the controversy over PIDC's unprecedented requirement spread in Filipino communities around the world, Chicago-based journalist Joseph Lariosa suggested that local media ask the Philippine Consulate to stop PIDC from using "Philippine Independence Day" in its activities.
"The PDIC organizers should come up with another name but not 'Philippine Independence' if the Philippine Consulate wants to promote press freedom," says Lariosa in an email to this reporter.
A waiver that PIDC required of some journalists to sign before they could cover its Mabuhay Festival last week has sparked an outcry from media in Canada and the United States.
"The waiver is destroying the image and spirit and name of Philippine Independence," Lariosa states.
In the meantime, Manuel Villamor, a member of PIDC's council of leaders, admitted the mistake. It's not clear, however, if he was speaking on behalf of the organization or of its executive officers who have remained tightlipped about the issue.
"Things happened . . . mistake were (sic) done . . . stop whining . . . get on with life . . that's the only way we can all improve and be happy," Villamor wrote in his telegraphic-style reaction.
Lariosa proposed that the consulate or Philippine embassy tell PIDC to drop the words "Philippine independence" in their undertaking because they contradict the very essence of freedom.
"If the Philippine Consulate will ignore your petition x x x community media practitioners are going to boycott the use of press releases of the Philippine Consulate, Philippine Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs," he says. "If this does not work, then, you can write a letter to President Noynoy Aquino."
Consul General Chan said having a waiver, which amounted to censorship, and preaching independence were a contradiction.
"That's why Filipinos fought and died for because of independence and yet some people will stifle the media which are exercising it. That should never be," he emphasized.
"We are in a free society. And Philippine media is known to be the freest in the world . . . licentious even. But still we get more advantages for being that than for being restrictive . . . " Chan said.
(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. 18, August 4, 2011. Email at: TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com, PhilVoiceNews@aol.com or CurrentsBreakingNews@gmail.com).
My news channels at You Tube and Vimeo can be viewed by clicking the links:
The Filipino Web Channel at YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/FilipinoWebChannel#g/u
The Gotcha Journalist Channel at YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGotchaJournalist#g/u
At Vimeo:
Romy Marquez's Channel:
http://vimeo.com/romymarquez2010/videos
The Filipino Web Channel:
http://vimeo.com/romymarquez/videos
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/
Currents & Breaking News
Volume 5, Issue No. 18
/ 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 Thursday, August 4, 2011
~ Coming from a diplomat, it's probably the equivalent of a slap on the wrist. Nevertheless, what's important is the demonstrated commitment by Philippine authorities to unbridled practice of freedom of the press, which, unfortunately, is lost in PIDC (Philippine Independence Day Council), the self-appointed prime mover of community festivities in Toronto's Filipino community. Irony of ironies, PIDC advocates selective censorship that favors media friendly to the organization and its officers. "Stop whining," a PIDC official barks at local journalists. To which Consul General Pedro Chan reacts: "We should give media freedom it deserves".
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"STOP WHINING," PIDC OFFICIAL BARKS AT JOURNALISTS
Top Diplomat Censures Media Censors at 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 - Short of publicly chastising organizers for imposing on Filipino journalists, the top Philippine diplomat in Toronto said media should be given all the freedom it deserves rather than repress it.
 |
| Philippine Consul General Pedro O. Chan |
Consul General Pedro Chan was reacting to news reports that local reporters were protesting the imposition of a waiver by the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) at last week's Mabuhay Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
"When it comes to media people, there should not be any waiver," he stressed in an interview with The Filipino Web Channel.
Selected journalists were not allowed to cover the PIDC event without signing the waiver. Journalist Butch Galicia tore his press accreditation wrist band, firmly refusing to sign the paper and walked out of the event.
 |
| A copy of the PIDC waiver. |
Though the ranking executive officials of PIDC remained silent on the issue and did not respond to questions, one PIDC adviser has acknowledged that "mistake were (sic) done" by the organization in imposing the waiver. He then asked local journalists to "stop whining".
As the controversy over PIDC's unprecedented requirement spread in Filipino communities around the world, Chicago-based journalist Joseph Lariosa suggested that local media ask the Philippine Consulate to stop PIDC from using "Philippine Independence Day" in its activities.
"The PDIC organizers should come up with another name but not 'Philippine Independence' if the Philippine Consulate wants to promote press freedom," says Lariosa in an email to this reporter.
A waiver that PIDC required of some journalists to sign before they could cover its Mabuhay Festival last week has sparked an outcry from media in Canada and the United States.
"The waiver is destroying the image and spirit and name of Philippine Independence," Lariosa states.
In the meantime, Manuel Villamor, a member of PIDC's council of leaders, admitted the mistake. It's not clear, however, if he was speaking on behalf of the organization or of its executive officers who have remained tightlipped about the issue.
 |
| Manuel Villamor |
"Things happened . . . mistake were (sic) done . . . stop whining . . . get on with life . . that's the only way we can all improve and be happy," Villamor wrote in his telegraphic-style reaction.
Lariosa proposed that the consulate or Philippine embassy tell PIDC to drop the words "Philippine independence" in their undertaking because they contradict the very essence of freedom.
"If the Philippine Consulate will ignore your petition x x x community media practitioners are going to boycott the use of press releases of the Philippine Consulate, Philippine Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs," he says. "If this does not work, then, you can write a letter to President Noynoy Aquino."
Consul General Chan said having a waiver, which amounted to censorship, and preaching independence were a contradiction.
"That's why Filipinos fought and died for because of independence and yet some people will stifle the media which are exercising it. That should never be," he emphasized.
"We are in a free society. And Philippine media is known to be the freest in the world . . . licentious even. But still we get more advantages for being that than for being restrictive . . . " Chan said.
(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. 18, August 4, 2011. Email at: TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail.com, PhilVoiceNews@aol.com or CurrentsBreakingNews@gmail.com).
My news channels at You Tube and Vimeo can be viewed by clicking the links:
The Filipino Web Channel at YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/FilipinoWebChannel#g/u
The Gotcha Journalist Channel at YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGotchaJournalist#g/u
At Vimeo:
Romy Marquez's Channel:
http://vimeo.com/romymarquez2010/videos
The Filipino Web Channel:
http://vimeo.com/romymarquez/videos
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/
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