TRICKLE
THE 2007 PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS
I just visited the official site of the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards and I was pleasantly surprised to see that all of the nominated blogs are blogs I actually, regularly read (fan nga ako di ba?). Congratulations to everyone and I just want to publicly declare that I am a big fan of each and everyone who got nominated (and I guess I am also a fan of some other blogs that were not cited/nominated)! Proof? Just click on my bloglines shortcut and you will get my drift, I have a long list of blogs I read and admire. So more power to all of you (organizers, judges and nominees) and more power to the Philippine Blogosphere! I am so glad to be part of the movement.
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TRICKLE
President Arroyo, usually invites ordinary pinoys (like you and me) to join her and her officials in the regular round table discussion at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacanang.
Today, Wednesday, the invited “representative of the people” was Aling Cora. She’s a mother of three and a wife to an unemployed husband. They reside in a barangay near the palace.
At the start of the program, PGMA started interviewing Aling Cora (oh PGMA likes interviewing people, napansin lang namin ha) and given the usual “positive” and “hopeful” slant or well, okay “path” of the show, I almost fell off my seat (figuratively, of course) because Aling Cora sounded like she wanted to bring up her problems and ask for the President’s help…more than discuss the topic of “Are the gains of the government in the economy trickling down to the masses? Kung nararamdaman na ba?”. Of course, PGMA’s line of thought prevailed. They talked about how Aling Cora’s been paying less for utilities etc.
I interviewed Aling Cora after PGMA left the venue. I learned that her husband’s presently injured and can’t work as a pedicab driver anymore. I heard her ask the President’s staff to help her husband to get medical attention at the PSG Clinic. She also told me that they are presently getting by with the help of their working sons and daughters. Obviously, they are having a hard time making ends meet.
Given the topic during the President’s show and after knowing her background, I just had to ask if indeed they are feeling the economic gains of the administration.
With a smile she said yes.
I must admit, I was surprised by the answer. Oh, and that’s not because I am jaded and cynical, but because the things she told me just didn’t add up. At one point I saw a problematic wife and mother ready to ask for help, and then sa isang banda and sa isang saglit lang, I saw a woman who says things are a-okay and peachy.
I bet she noticed it (my surprise) because she tried to convince me that she’s telling the truth by enumerating “numbers”. How she’s paying less for electricity and water supply compared to recent years.
I had to end my interview because the President’s (PSG) aide wanted to talk to Aling Cora about her request for medical treatment for her husband.
I was left with the question: are the supposed economic gains really trickling down to the people who really need ‘em?
It is more puzzling because despite Aling Cora’s declaration, even the government admits that the people have yet to feel the “ginhawa”. During the one on one with PGMA, the President herself admitted that in the case of the power rate cuts, the people will be able to feel its effects, “after a few months pa”.
That’s why I said it didn’t add up. Sabi ko nga, hindi ako jaded he, hehehe.
We know better, huh?
Aling Cora’s guesting was in line with the President’s “joyful” discussion of “the good news of the day”: the cut in power rates. (It was RG’s turn to interview PGMA one on one, and she seemed really happy. RG looked happy too, btw)
Malacanang was quick to declare that the, “people are starting to feel the gains of our hard work”
But some quarters are raining on the administration’s parade. They are questioning the timing of the power rate cut. Electioneering (!!!), some suspect.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita denied it.
But some reporters noted that even if the palace denies it endlessly, people will still doubt the intention and timing of the cut in the power rate and think “it’s all politics”.
Why?
Because even Mrs. Arroyo mixed politics in the issue….
(just read her politically loaded statement that was released Wednesday)
The cut in power rates is part of the great story of economic gains flowing down to the people. This is a timely harvest on the seeds of fiscal discipline and good governance that we have planted in the field of optimism and hope.
This is a clear and compelling reason for all of us to stay the course we have begun, and not be distracted by the pullback of destructive politics.
Our candidates in Team Unity are keeping the campaign at a high level because this is the only way we can continue to advance and maintain the gains of our economy while elevating the sheen of Philippine democracy to the world.
The big picture is lifting our country up the firmament of hope-a strong peso, more investments, broader economic diplomacy and trade, jobs and infrastructure, peace and security.
While our detractors can continue to scrape the bottom of the barrel for old, worn out issues, we are concerned with the issue of a modern Philippines fighting for the people and lifting them from poverty.
I call on all Filipinos to bury past complaints and join the bandwagon of the economy.
This is our only time to break free from the drag of past complaints and move forward. Let us not waste time but use it to grab every opportunity to advance, prevail over our conflicts and doubts, and win the future.
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ACRONYM
Reacting to the full page ad paid for by the Friends of the Genuine Opposition, PCOS Joey Salceda challenged the members of the GO to join the administration party in a healthy debate about economic issues.
Wednesday, the people from GO agreed to debate with their opponents and even suggested a place: PLAZA MIRANDA.
No official word yet from the Palace if it’s a GO!
But there are indications that the administration is readying to face their opponents.
This afternoon, during the weekly press conference of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, the OPS staff gave out this two page info sheet that looked like a guide of sort for the TEAM UNITY candidates if and when they will have to tackle issues that PGMA wants them to expound on, especially during “debates”.
The supposed strategy goes like this: each 12 Senatorial bet of the administration is assigned issues listed in the acronym: T-E-A-M U-N-I-T-Y N-O-W. They should know these issues by heart and should be ready to discuss them at any given time, as per the people behind the strategy.
T-transpo, tourism and local governance (Magsaysay)
E-educ, employment, economy (Angara)
A-agri, agri reform (Pichay)
M-Mindanao (Kiram)U-utilities, energy and water (Zubiri)
N-nationwide shelter (Defensor)
I-investments (Recto)
T-technology and telecoms (Singson)
Y-youth and sports (Montano)N-NGO, people participation in governance (Sotto)
O-observance of human rights and promotion of justice (Arroyo)
W-women and children (Oreta)
Okay, discuss!
Does this mean, we won’t be hearing inane spiels and jokes during the proclamation rallies of Team Unity starting now? Hehehe. No seriously, issues na ba and tapos na ang pagpapakilala stage ng kampanya?
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AMERICAN IDOL (WEEK 2) The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel movie download
Blake, Aj, Chris, Chris, Jared, Sundance, Nick, Phil, Sanjaya and Brandon. Call these ten guys the comeback kids of American Idol Season 6. This week they were able to deliver a better show than last week’s disastrous program. Of course, not everyone fared well. There were lackluster performances but there were no bad singers.
If there’s justice, then Brandon and Sanjaya should go this Friday.
Brandon’s okay, but despite his good voice, “wala siyang dating”. Sanjaya is so-so, but I feel he will survive this round despite, okay what’s the word, mediocrity. Sorry.
My apologies, but I just don’t get Sanjaya. As Toots stated in one of her messages, it is not about being a racist or judgmental because of certain issues. I just can’t explain why I don’t get him and his whole packaging. Okay, I’ll try to explain it: he reminds me of the stages of my Michael Jackson fanaticism. I really adored MJ during his great early years when he seemed normal and was all about his talent and his music. Then MJ creeped me out when he took himself seriously instead of his craft. That’s the same thing I feel about Sanjaya. He was awesome during the auditions, but now, he simply annoyed me. And the thing is, at least MJ’s charm deteriorated through the years. Sanjaya’s charm withered in weeks. You can forgive the so-so singing talent, but the attitude? Just suspicious. Sure he’s got a lot of fans and no doubt he will survive this round because of them (he was in the top 4 boys last week right?). I just hope someone who deserves to stay will not get the boot instead of Sanjaya. I’ll be crushed if anyone among Blake Lewis, Chris Sigh and AJ Tabaldo will leave just because Sanjaya charmed his way to the next level.
Among my bets: I’m confident that Chris Sigh will still be with us next week. What a personality! And after tonight’s “best girlfriend” story, he’s now tagged as the guy women love because he’s not boring, quite sharp and funny even. I’m still confident about Blake, but I must agree with Simon, he sounded better last week. The whole time he performed “Virtual Reality”, I felt uncomfortable because I was scared he won’t be able to tie it all up decently. He didn’t awe me tonight with that song. But he’s got good following, so we will see more of him. Nice scat, btw! Now about AJ Tabaldo. I am so proud of our AJ!!! Imagine, all praises from all three judges, Simon, Randy and Paula? I am so proud of our kababayan but I am scared at the same time. He’s consistently good. But this week, I was expecting him to breakaway sana and secure a place in the Top 12. He was just good, not awe inspiring great. Simon’s right, at least he showed some amount of personality this week, I just hope that his rankings based on surveys and betting sites are true, because if they are, then he will swing through the Top 12 easily. Let us just support our AJ, okay? Go AJ!
And through Starmometer’s page
, I found this EW article about AJ Tabaldo written by Michael Slezak. Avanti! move
Here’s a quote:
In fact, the only singers tonight who looked like serious contenders to me were my three favorites from last week: A.J. Tabaldo, Chris Sligh, and Blake Lewis. Now, in the back of my brain, there’s a nagging little voice (which sounds suspiciously like Simon’s) telling me A.J. might not make the final 12, but I think that would be a real injustice. His exuberant, jazzy spin on Nina Simone’s ”Feeling Good” made him the evening’s only convincing crooner, but for some reason, the judges seemed hesitant to show him any love; it’s almost as if Paula, Simon, and Randy decided back in Hollywood week that they were putting A.J. into the top 24 as mere cannon fodder and they can’t quite accept the fact he’s a legitimate contender.
I agree that AJ’s the underdog in the race. I’ve been saying that he was treated poorly “airtime” wise during the audition phase of the show. Can you believe that we only saw a glimpse of him when he was chosen as one of the top 24? Then when he fared well during week one and he ranked well in polls and surveys on line , suddenly AI gave him the attention by giving him lots of cutways and reaction shots. He was also given a plum birit part in the “Sowing The Seeds of Love” group number last Friday. Tonight even if it was outside his comfort zone song wise, he was in his element and gave a great performance. All three judges praised him, but weren’t all too crazy in pimping him to the voting public. Why, why, why?
We love underdogs, let us support worthy underdogs… I hope and pray he survives and moves on to the next round.
While waiting for the results, let us enjoy the performances of the girls first.
Schedule:
American Idol on ABC 5
10pm Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays after the SENTRO Newscast
(With replays before the 6:45 pm telecast of the BIG NEWS almost everyday)
Useful links: Night Train to Murder video
Here’s a funny way of recapping the American Idol performances… watch and listen to, Lisa Persky’s video and audio review.
You can visit the official site of American Idol 6.
And you can participate in the ABC 5 forums.
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!!!UPDATE!!!
(March 1, 2007)
Melinda Doolittle: “a breath of fresh air”… the best performance and vocals tonight! Her rendition of My Funny Valentine sounded really professional, it was as if we were listening to a great performance on CD. I really really like you Melinda! I like Lakisha Jones, but I really really really like you Doolittle!
(thanks to idollogy and YouTube for this)
It wasn’t nearly as great as the ladies night of last week, but it is way better than the boys’ show last night.
My personal picks after tonight’s performances: Melinda, Stephanie Edwards, Lakisha Jones, Jordin Sparks and Sabrina Sloane. (ranked from top to bottom)
The other girls, in my opinion, may leave us in the next two weeks. I’m hoping Antonella leaves soon, but I doubt if she’s on her way out, thanks to the “controversy”. And just to make it clear, I’m not hoping she leaves because of the controversy, but because she sucked (no pun intended) big time tonight and last week. And my jaw dropped when I saw her reaction to the criticisms of the judges after her performance last night. I can’t believe you can’t believe that it was a bad performance, Antonella?! It was. And I can’t believe you used that “Jennifer Hudson” card during the post performance banter with the judges. Why? Why? Why? That was smug and outrageous.
Check out Starmometer’s round up, complete with videos.
Who will leave the competition later?
Both Sanjaya and Antonella may survive AGAIN, hayyyyy….
So please…let it not be AJ, Blake, Chris Sigh, or any of the deserving girls. I’m not worried about Lakisha and Melinda though. Goodluck!Forever Strong full movie
