City of Fallen Angels

City of the Fallen Angels

This is the red light district of Angeles after the pullout of the American military personnel twenty years ago, leaving behind an ever popular sex industry, military patrons now are replaced by tourist from Korea, Middle East, Australia, Europe, Asia and the US that come for one thing only, cheap thrills and meet some fallen angels. They come in all ages, sizes, shapes and colors, but nothing is stronger than the color of money to help fuel their desires for the night.

 It was a slow Saturday night along "Walking Street" in Angeles City.

Fallen angels has to do the move to catch the attention of would be demons for the night.

Telling the truth can get the journalists ‘killed,’ and so with their insufficient salaries.

Telling the truth can get the journalists ‘killed,’ and so with their insufficient salaries.
by Roy Lagarde

As local journalists join the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day, an official of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) detailed some issues journalists are facing that can only their bosses could address.

For PPI executive director Ariel Sebellino, the country cannot even talk about press freedom “if we don’t discuss this situation.”

According to him, many journalists especially in the provinces are underpaid “and not paying them properly is one way of killing them.”

“If you don’t create a helping environment for journalists, you are slowly killing them… not just because their foes are gunning them down but even the systems are killing journalist,” Sebellino said.

“If you don’t give them sufficient salaries, you are not just killing the journalists but also their families,” he said.

According to him, a “tangible resources” for journalists could also prevent corruption in the media industry.

“It’s really one way for journalists to refuse bribes. In the media industry, there is one that corrupts and there is some that is corrupted,” he said.

Safety

The safety of journalists, Sebellino said, is a fundamental pillar of the universal and inalienable right to press freedom.

In the Philippines, he noted, journalists are often assigned in “hot spots” sans the guarantee of their right to work free from threat of violence.

“The question is before you were assigned there, is there a safeguard for you to do that? So that when you report, you’ll go back alive,” said Sebellino.

“We need leading journalists to tell the story but we want them to go back alive,” he added.

Apart from their sheer right of being paid an honest peso for an honest day’s work, journalists also need to stand together to reassert the stature of their profession.

“It’s not always that ‘if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.’ The mere fact that a journalist shows that kind of passionate work, there must be a proper remuneration for that,” he said.

Not so rosy

A group of journalists and photojournalists in Metro Manila on Friday marked the World Press Freedom Day with a kite flying activity at the UP Diliman in Quezon City as a symbol of rising against impunity and killings.

This despite a media landscape that is “not really good,” Sebellino said.

“I will not say that it’s deteriorating. I would say that it’s still a very unfortunate situation in the Philippines. From the past administrations until now, it’s all speeches that they will look into our problems,” he said.

“The not so rosy picture of the state of the press freedom in the Philippines only shows that the government needs to work more to protect press freedom,” said Sebellino.

The state of press freedom in the Philippines remains lamentable, according to the recent impunity index of the Committee to Protect Journalists.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJP) said that the 55 unsolved cases of journalist murders reflect a "terrible record in combating anti-press violence".

An international press freedom group, for the fourth year in a row, has ranked the Philippines the third world worst country in the world, after Iraq and Somalia in terms of unresolved journalist murders.

A report recent report by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said the Philippine government has also failed to make arrests and prosecute those responsible for the killings.

Photojournalist from PCP commemorating World Press Freedom Day at UP Diliman, open oblation ground on May 3, 2013

Fred's Revolucion_ Watering Hole for the Urban Warrior

BEING at Fred’s Revolucion is like going back to a time when the cold war was raging and revolutions were the in thing. It calls to mind a scene from the 1970s movie “M.A.S.H.” whose battle-weary soldiers guzzled up after a hectic day on the war front.


Only this time, the arena is the concrete jungle, and Fred’s customers are modern-day warriors who battle stressful workdays and maddening traffic, among other problems.


Fred’s Revolucion is owned by photojournalist Jose “Derek” Soriano who has covered his fair share of wars, activist Red Constantino who waged wars of his own, and their friend, business news editor Gina Abuyuan. Coincidentally, all three happen to have a grandfather named Fred, hence the restaurant’s name.


When the owners are behind the counter, a friendly Labrador named Gizzard welcomes customers and hangs out with them.


Fred’s chef is Soriano, who finds cooking more satisfying and rewarding than engaging in the current local political and media scene, and whose style of cooking is influenced by his numerous travels on assignment in different parts of the world.


Describing Fred’s cuisine, Abuyuan said, “Our food is cooked more for the taste, rather than the health.”


At Fred’s, customers chill and enjoy brews and food that don’t burn a hole in the pocket. Crowd favorites include dishes like the Split Banger and Mash, sausage that is sliced and served on top of mashed potatoes and gravy. Fred’s has its version of Fish and Chips—fish fillet and fries infused with crispy dilis. Bagnet Blachan is deep fried pork served with spicy bagoong dressing.


Fred’s also has weekly specials like the Chicken Chop on Mash, Chili Garlic Ribs, Smoked Boar and Salsa, Ho Chi Wings and the delicious but sinful Tres Amigos that could put the weak-hearted on the emergency room list.


Opened in August of 2011, Fred’s is one of the more popular establishments at Cubao X, the arcade that used to house the Marikina Shoe Expo. Fred’s has become a favorite hangout of artists, photographers, writers and other wacky characters this part of town.


“I like the crowd, the laid back atmosphere with the right amount of ambiance,”
said Wing, one Fred’s habitués.


Customers who have grown fond of the place have started pinning memorabilia on the wall such as old photos, currencies from around the world, posters, flags, hats, shirts, and the like.


Fred’s has also played host to the works of the country’s best photographers like Geric Cruz, Rick Rocamora, Gil Nartea and Soriano himself.


Fred’s Revolucion is located at Shop 66 in Cubao X at the Araneta Center in Quezon City. The area is quiet during the day with only several galleries and old memorabilia shops open.


It starts to come alive around sunset and could get jam-packed during weekends. For those who want to be pampered, Fred’s on weekends won’t be your cup of tea—it’s for the city-weary who don’t mind not being waited on, and simply seek a respite from the urban war zone.

Veteran Photojournalist enjoying a cold brew at Fred's (L-R) Melvyn Kalderon, Rick Rocamora, Pat Roque, Ray Panaligan, Luis Liwanag and Gil Nartea

Holy Week 2012

THE village called Kapitangan in the town of Paombong in Bulacan is a known pilgrimage site that teems with devotees during Holy Week, particularly on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. 

It is where Catholic devotees engage in self-flagellation, with a few going to the extreme of having themselves crucified as an act of repentance and sharing in the suffering of Jesus Christ.

This year, five men and a woman were crucified, among them 51-year-old Sonny Bautista, a person with disability. Bautista hails from Hagonoy town, has been mute since childhood and has been crucified for 14 years now.

After his crucifixion, Baustista explained why he goes through the painful the ordeal every year. He simply wrote on the wall with his finger, "Para sa kasalanan ng tao (For the sins of man)."

The Catholic Church looks upon crucifixion or flagellation as part of popular religiosity practiced by people who pray for a particular need or who believe they sanctify themselves resorting to such practices. The Catholic hierarchy discourages such acts, yet its call against what it describes as "popular religiosity" goes unheeded.

The Church allows Holy Week activities that are consistent with the teachings on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Church leaders say it is enough to remember the life and death of Christ during Holy Week through fasting and abstinence, prayer, the giving of alms, reflection, and repentance.

The yearly event at Kapitangan has attracted thousands of spectators, including foreign tourists, curious to see firsthand people who endure pain in the belief doing so cleanses them of sin.

But while penitents believe their souls are cleansed, the Department of Health (DOH) warned them their bodies are magnets for infection that could give them more than a Holy Week agony.

"Due to the unclean process being practiced, crucifixion and self-flagellation may cause infection or worse, tetanus, to the penitent. Tetanus, we have to remember, could result to death," noted DOH—Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Program manager Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy

Another attraction this year at Kapitangan was Precy Valencia, a faith healer and the only female to be crucified. Asked for an interview after being brought down from the cross, she said that she was no longer "Precy" but had turned into the incarnation of the Child Jesus or Santo Niño.

World Water Day

Marikina City, Philippines_ The annual observance of the International World Water Day on March 22 since 1993 was declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On this day the UN and its member nations promote concrete activities to focus the public’s attention on critical water issues affecting their everyday lives. This year is highlighted by the theme “Water and Food Security” that aims to advocate the importance of freshwater and sustainable management of freshwater resources.

In the observance of World Water Day, Greenpeace launched its campaign highlighting the importance of protecting our freshwater tributaries from toxic substances and revealed in the Greenpeace report called,
Dirty Laundry: Reloaded. Launched today at the banks of the Marikina River with volunteer activist demonstrating how toxic chemicals in laundry water leach from consumer garments producers a day ahead of  World Water Day.

The Greenpeace study measures for the first time the percentage of the hazardous chemicals nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) washed out during simulated standard domestic laundering conditions. The results show
that consumer brands, such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, are unknowingly polluting the public water supplies in regions and countries around the world, including those where there
are restrictions or bans on the use of these chemicals.

“While other countries try to improve measures protecting their citizens from hazardous chemicals, the Philippines is even steps behind in terms of regulations on hazardous chemicals. Nonylphenols, for example, are banned in Europe for their endocrine-disrupting properties, and yet it is not even included in the Priority Chemicals List in the Philippines,” said Beau Baconguis, Greenpeace Southeast Asia’s Toxics Campaigner.

“Filipinos are, thus, doubly vulnerable to toxic discharges, both from manufacturing processes and from consumer end-products. This is the reason why we are calling for the institution of a mechanism respecting the public right-to-know about toxic discharges, such as a Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR), and for the textile industry to lead the move to safe alternatives to toxic chemicals,” Baconguis added.

Valentine Protest

On Feb 14, 2012, farmers from different plantations sneak into the Malacanang complex in Manila to get a chance to air their grievances to President Benigno Aquino on the dismal performance of the Department of Agrarian Reform in its duties to implement land reform. These farmers marched for several days through scorching sun and chilling rain, saving what little they had just to come to Manila so that they could be heard of the real situation they are facing from what the administration said was "on track and ahead of its target in land distribution to farm beneficiaries" within 15 minute of their arrival at the complex, they were bodily manhandled by security personnel and pack into a police van like sardines and brought to the Manila Police Headquarters.

Aeta way of life

The Aeta Cultural regeneration held recently at Manabayukan Village at Capas, Tarlac brought together several Aeta communities from several villages to strengthen their  bond and preserve their identities and indigenous way of life.

Spearheaded by the Holy Spirit Aeta Mission which aims to empower the indigenous communities with their cultural identities and help them secure their ancestral domain.

Full story here: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/blogs/the-inbox/regeneration-helps-preserve-aeta-culture

Chinese New Year Celebration in Manila Chinatown 2012

A guide to Manila Chinatown's Food Scene during the Chinese New Year

click the link for the full story

http://verafiles.org/2012/01/20/a-guide-to-chinatowns-food-scene-as-the-dragon-year-begins/

Impeachment... Round 2

Editorial illustration by Vincent Go for Vera Files

As the second day of the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice was closely followed by viewer, only one thing was sure, prosecutor came out confident but with its rambling of what the people had expected because of what they call as "media exposure" only showed that they were unprepared and disappointing everybody closely monitoring the event. After seeing former Justice Cuevas give off a smile after the decession of  Senate Court President Enrile to adjourn the hearing. He knew right there and then, that they scored against the prosecution team.

My Current Score: Defense 2 - Procecution 0

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/blogs/the-inbox/dearth-talent-170811275.html
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/blogs/the-inbox/won-day-1-corona-impeachment-trial-162100548.html

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2012

It was the longest procession yet in the history of the of the Black Nazarene, started the day around 4 am to fallow devotees in their journey to strengthen their faith. The annual event draws millions of Filipinos to participate in the procession in the predominately catholic country.

One question always linger in my mind  with so many devotees that participate in the procession during the yearly event, does each and everyone really know that essence of what they are doing. Does sacrificing life and limb going through a frenzied crowd to touch the religious icon really bring the miracle that each and every devotee pray for? With a steady number of growing participants yearly, is this a sign that there is a growing number of desperation among the population? One thing that left an impression on my mind was the call of Manila Archbishop Luis Tagle during the early mass which I saw fell onto deft ears at the end of the day.

This year's event lasted for almost 22 hours, leaving the Quirino Grandstand on Monday morning and was able to enter the Quiapo Church at dawn on Tuesday.

fallow link for more images:
http://verafiles.org/2012/01/11/black-nazarene-procession-broken-wheels-and-strong-will/

Journalist from various outfits waited at a vantage point for almost 10 hours for the procession to pass by.

A multimedia presentation here:

New Year, Pinoy Style

A firecracker victim with facial injuries sustained by a wayward rocket.

Two weeks after the devastation of Sendong that hit Northern Mindanao, we ushered in 2012. 

I thought that after what had happened down south, we would end the year a bit more solemn and peaceful due to the numerous call of various organizations to donate and help our countrymen instead of spending hundreds or thousands of pesos for polluting the air with toxic particles and finger cutting fireworks.  

Despite calls and warnings to stay away from firecrackers and not to discharge their firearms indiscriminately. This was what transpired that night at the JRMMC emergency room which shows how hard headed some people really are. 

Not to mention those who are so intoxicated to the point of not knowing what happened and where they are, involved in vehicular accidents, brawls and even to the point of shooting and killing somebody right infront of the hospital where media was covering the injured coming in after the revelry.

They say it is way to drive away the bad luck, but with about 800 or so reported injuries this is sheer madness and stupidity. Are we vying for an award or record of some sort for having the most people injured or killed for ushering in the new year?

An intoxicated shooting victim during a drinking spree.

A young girl holding her left hand hit with a stray bullet.

Vehicular accident, intoxicated.

Intoxicated, involved in a brawl on new year's eve.

Intoxicated, left eye injured by firecracker.

"picolo" victim.