Bye Twilight.

Watched Breaking Dawn (BD) today and it was awesome. I personally think that BD 1 & 2 are the best films out of the franchise.

Breaking Dawn was so amazing I cried. I cried during the part in the meadow. The instant when I realized what Bella was doing and saw the realization hit Edward, the tears fell. It continued when the flashbacks were shown. My heart ached when all the casts from the first movie up to the last were shown (the opening credits was equally as beautiful). However, more than that, I cried because the Twilight series was such an important part of my life, my college life to be exact.

The Twilight films were the only films that I have watched religiously in cinemas (not even Harry Potter sadly). Watching the films was the only time where me and my high school friends got to reunite. We would always look forward to November (ahhh the memories).

I am so happy on how the movie series grew. I have to admit that I hated the cast (not a fan of Rob Pat) initially but what can I do? As I watched the series, they kinda grew on me.

You know what's painful? The amount of haters the Twilight series have. And majority of these haters (I think) only came when the first movie came, when it became mainstream.

I have read Twilight even before the movie, even before it became mainstream. According to a review I made on multiply, I finished it on March 5, 2008. Not a lot, okay let me rephrase that, not many Filipinos knew it back then, I would be surprised if even three hundred people were aware of it.

I loved Twilight (the book). I remember reading it in a jeepney and smiling like crazy. I remember walking to my class holding the book and someone asking me the title of the book because the cover was amazing. I remember falling in love with Edward. Up to this date, that cafeteria meeting is still fresh on my mind.

Twilight was the best book in the series, the next four books paled in comparison. The first book was just magical. And honestly, I think it is a pity that people got to read Twilight after the movie came, after Edward was immortalized as RobPat, in my opinion people would probably enjoy Twilight more if they were not yet influenced by the movie or by the amount of hate people were throwing at the books. These haters destroyed the books, it was really a pity :(

Anyway, can I just say that I was more emotional watching Breaking Dawn part 2 than I did Harry Potter 7.5? Emotional = me crying. And I love so many characters! Emmett and Garett particularly! And Taylor Lautner *swoons*. I never did like Jacob in the books but Taylor made me appreciate Jacob more ;)

That twist near the end is one of the best parts in the movie. I remember asking for exactly that scene (sans the deaths) when I was reading Breaking Dawn, it was a good thing Stephenie Meyer is a producer :)

I feel like saying goodbye to Twilight is akin to me saying goodbye to my college life. I was introduced to the series my freshman year, and the last movie ended with me finally graduating in college :)

Farewell Twilight~

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Son of a Gun

I remember someone telling me or me reading somewhere that every action that we do is already premeditated by Him. Or rather there is this inexplicable connection between one's self and his environment, the things that a person does are always connected (one way or another) with his immediate surroundings (I can't really get the point straight, please forgive me).

Some call it coincidence but I discarded the idea of coincidences a long time ago. Let's just say that there is no coincidence, everything happens for a reason, there is this invisible thread connecting each and everyone of us (there I think that was my point above).

Have you ever experienced encountering something (be it a thing, a name, a person, a word) more than once throughout the day? And by doing so, it was somehow embedded in your mind?

Well my word was this: GUN

warning: this is pretty boring, haha. read at your own risk. and sorry for the grammatical errors, I typed it straight away, too lazy to proofread.

Case 1. Guns N' Roses.

Yesterday I watched Guns N' Roses' concert in Japan (1992). A thing about me, everytime I watch, read or listen to something, my mind goes into overdrive. A part of me is focused on what I am doing, but my brain is constantly thinking about other things. As I was watching, I thought about how Slash (GNR's ex-lead guitarist) mentioned that one reason why he left GNR was because Axl Rose wanted to claim the band's name as his own. So I did a quick run-through of GNR's background and learned that Axl Rose and Izzy formed GNR, and that their previous band's name was Hollywood Rose (or something to that effect). Apparently, GNR's name is inadvertently connected with Axl. So I did get the Rose part, but I was wondering where the Gun came from. I did not ponder on it that much because well you know how artists' minds go (they're pretty poetic, right?).

Case 2. Bon Jovi

Same day. Yesterday, I was listening to Bon Jovi's albums all-afternoon long. I've noticed how a few of their song titles had the name "gun" in them. I instantly remember one song that GNR performed in their concert, the one about Civil wars (?), I was beginning to think how these rock bands' songs included themes of violence, fighting and war. It was also amazing how close the time gap (both their songs were I think written between 1987-1992) between GNR and BJ's songs were (the songs about guns and wars). I started to wonder if that was a turbulent time (and props to the bands for singing about that period).

Case 3. The Bronze Horseman.

The Bronze Horseman is a book by Paullina Simons about two lovers caught in a war in Russia. You know wars right? They involve guns, death and the like. I was reading that book for over a week and I was able to finish it yesterday. In fact, I was listening to Bon Jovi as I was reading the last few chapters of the book and I thought, how fitting is my song background. I am reading about Germany and Russia's fighting while Bon Jovi is screaming guns over my earphones.

Actually, even before Case 1 and Case 2 happened, I was a bit interested with guns because of TBH. Alexander (the protagonist) was a high-ranking official in the Red Army and everytime he mentioned the weapons that he used, I was imagining them (which prompted me to search for them yesterday)

Case 4. When you think about something, the less chance you will dream about it.

I am sure you notice how when you think about someone constantly (i.e. your crushes) and wish for that someone to invade our dreams, he never comes. I was  thinking of how I might dream about wars (because no matter how much I tried to not think about it, it always plagued me) and how I don't want to dream about it. And so I sleep.

BY NOW, if you are still reading this, I am telling you that it is not about me dreaming about guns, it would not bother me if that was the case because that would be easier to explain (and I would not give any meaning to it).

Case 5. Gun shots.

I slept late yesterday. At about 3:40 am I was awakened by the sound of gunshots. What surprised me was how close it seemed, it was just outside our house (I'm pretty certain). My father said he heard seven shots (my memory remembered five). Five or seven, it did not matter. I heard n consecutive shots being fired above. After the last bullet was fired, I heard the recoiling of the gun (or the magazine? I don't know, am not knowledgeable about guns)! It was that close I tell you. The weird thing was, I was not scared.

Anyway, I won't bore you with what happened next. My point is how weird was that? Me thinking about guns and gunshots being fired close by? Which leads me to my point above.

I would like to think that our mind is indeed powerful. That there are still a lot of mysteries about our minds that science can never explain. It's a bit scary, more scary than hearing gun shots.

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Rock stars? bring them on!

x-posted on my wordpress blog.

So after reading, obsessing and drooling about rock stars in books, I decided to search about them.

Fact #1. I am not a fan of music.

Fact #2. The only music I appreciate is pop (or love songs, I don’t even know if it is the right term)

Hypothesis #1. So if you combine facts 1 & 2 it will amount to saying that there will never be a chance that I will be a fan of rock or that I know something about rock.

Fact #3. I am slowly learning about them rock bands!

Before the only rock band I knew of were Linkin Park, Guns n Roses and Bon Jovi. By knowing, it meant I know them through names only (and a few of their songs). Now, I know that Matchbox 20 is a rock band, as well as Queen! HAHAHA.

Okay. If ever you have read a book about rock stars you will probably know that they are portrayed as: hot, gorgeous, players, talented, bad asses, covered with tats, into groupies, and the likes. From the limited pictures of rock stars that I saw, I can not even remember anyone who closely resembled any of the images projected in books (honestly all I can think of is Adam Levine and Maroon 5 is not that much of a hard rock band right?!). So I did a little digging of my own and well, well, well, I discovered some pretty hot rock stars! LOL

To help you girls with your imagination and to prove that rock star sex gods do actually exist, here they are (and btw, they are not all from rock bands, I just have to include them)

In no particular order:

1. Richie Sambora (lead guitarist, Bon Jovi)

2. Jon Bon Jovi (lead singer, Bon Jovi)

3. Gavin Rossdale (lead singer, Bush) – Gwen Stefani’s beau

4. David Cassidy

5. Robin Zander (lead singer, Cheap Trick)

6. Tom Keifer (vocalist, Cinderella) – i dunno if he’s really hot 

7. John Taylor (bass guitarist, Duran Duran) – yummm.

8. Brent Muscat (guitarist, Faster Pussycat) – I don’t even know why I included him! 

9. Axl Rose (vocalist, Guns N’ Roses) – I don’t care how bad the rumors are about his personality/attitude but waddahell, during his prime he is one of the hottest rock stars out there! And he was so pretty when he was young.

10. Kurt Cobain (lead singer, Nirvana) – Kurt, oh dear Kurt. I love you. I was four when you left this world, wasn’t that unfortunate? Tell me, am I right that Tiffanie de Bartolo patterned Paul’s character after him in How to Kill a Rockstar? The pancreas bit, weird clothing, the diary/voice journal, and Kurt’s demise (the title of the book)? If it is so, I think HtKaRs is a new favorite of mine.

How I wish someone was there to give light to Kurt during the darkest point of his life.

11. Phil Lewis (vocalist, L.A. Guns)

12. Robert Plant (vocalist, Led Zeppelin)

13. Jimmy Page (guitarist, Led Zeppelin)

14. Eddie Vedder (lead singer, Pearl Jam)

15. Nick Huxom (vocalist, 311)

There you have it! Honestly, I have not heard any song of most of the bands included here, I only included them primarily due to their looks and rock star appeal (though that is about to change since I am DL-ing some of these bands’ live tours).

Notice that most of the pictures were of the men on their early years? Well, everyone gets old. I wish I was there during the golden age of rock 

I will definitely include “watching a live rock tour” in my bucket list!

Perhaps I’ll make a separate post on my top five favorite rock stars? But for now they will be:

Kurt, John, Axl, Eddie and Richie.

p.s. the pictures used in this post does not belong to me, I found them on google. Credits to the people who own them.

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"Katatakutan" time with my family.

As we arrived from the cemetery yesterday night, my clan gathered together in one of my aunt's house (eating food and talking).

One of my cousins who has a third eye was narrating how she felt a presence in one of my aunt's room an hour or two back. She heard a panaghoy (?), followed by the passing of a shadow in the room. Thinking that it was my cousins playing a prank with her, she exited the room. However, as soon as she stepped out of the room, she heard two consecutive panaghoy/ungol and the passing of a shadow yet again. She tried to ask my tito outside if my cousins were already home but my tito told her no. Then it hit her, she (with here lil son who was sleeping) was the only one in the house at that time (since we were all in the cemetery), she suddenly had goosebumps and she instantly woke up her son and rush outside.

Anyway, it was not her first time seeing/feeling these things and what happened was not the main point of this post.

So my mom, bro and I went home. I sleep with my mom and last night, we did not feel sleepy yet so we talk (like for two hours). At around 1:30, we were still talking:

Me: Hindi nga, hindi ka natatakot maupo dun sa likod bahay (ng tita ko)?
Mom: Hindi, bakit ako matatakot? minsan nga magisa lang akong nakaupo dun ng umaga, pag mainit, pag hapon para magpahinga.
Me: Weeeeeehhhhhh? Eh diba kinuwento mo nung bata ka pa, nakakakita ka ng bakang ginto na walang ulo tapos biglang....

*BIGLANG DAHAN DAHAN BUMUKAS ANG PINTO (NAGCCREAK ANG PINTO NAMIN PAG BINUBUKSAN) SABAY DUNGAW NG ISANG NILALANG NA NAKAPUTI (WALA AKONG SALAMIN SO PUTI LANG NAGREGISTER SA ISIP KO)

Me: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Mom: AAAAAAAAAAH!

(kung pwede lang yapusin nanay ko ginawa ko na)

Brother: *Biglang pasok, upo sa kama, sabay tawa* Mga 'to

Me: NYAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *dies laughing*
Mom: Tong batang to, minsan makagulat eh!

Me: (to mom) Akala ko ba hindi ka matatakutin?

LOOOOOOOL. I would not forget this moment ever! HAHAHAHA

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Alex Butterflying Pettyfer

Butterfly. Butterfly. Butterfly. (What's with the butterflies? Go read Colleen Hoover's Point of Retreat xD)

I.Butterflying.Love.You Alex.Pettyfer.

Caution: Severe Fan-girling post ahead.

By love, I mean deeply inlove (is that even possible?). My mind's filled with thoughts of you that I need to blog all about my love for you.

I don't care if everyone thinks you're a douchebag (that you have an attitude), as long as you make me happy with your acting, I can overlook that (we'll never even meet so that won't matter)!

Why is it that everytime I read a book that I think can be movie-material, I always wish that it will be you playing the lead?

1. Christian Grey (50 Shades) - Ok. Ok people. Fifty Shades may be overrated but when I caught sight of this pic, I instantly thought Butterfly, he can be Fifty! Though, of course I would not want him to have those sexy scenes (nuh-uh) and on second thought, I don't want all the girls fawning at him (as if they aren't now).

2. TJ Callahan (On the Island) - Now this one, I am fervently wishing to see (more than any other role). I think Alex can pull it off. Remember when he was really skinny? and how hot he looked in I am Number Four and Magic Mike?! Please please please offer this role to Alex!





3. Jace Wayland (City of Bones) - I know that he turned down Jace's role but in a parallel universe, I would have want to see him in this franchise. Even though I am not much a fan of the Mortal Instruments, I would accept any chance I get to see him on screen! And isn't it sweet that he was "offered" the role? When everyone else auditioned? I think MI' fangirls are to be credited for this (so fangirl power could actually work). If I were Alex, I would have turned the role down too, imagine the number of books in the series (six? seven? and counting)! He is a brilliant actor and being tied down to just 'one' image will hinder his acting career.

I wiki-ed him and I can't help but be awed on how many movie offers this man have (and he declined a lot)! You're doing great Hollywood.

So what brought this post? I was watching I am Number Four and I really really really loved it (his best movie for me)! I think it has become a new favorite of mine :D I hope they will make a second movie, the first kicked ass! I'll try and read the book but honestly, imo, the movie was way better than the book. lol

p.s. pics not mine

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Books

I remember back when I was still a child, one of my most prized possessions was a picture book of trees. During that time, my parents were not really the type to indulge in books (no fairy tales, no nursery rhymes books, no nothing), what happened was, everytime I see a book at home, I try to take a look at it, even if I can't understand a single thing (can you believe I was browsing through an accounting book back then? lol). I guess my frenzied reading now is the outcome of my book-deprived childhood, makes sense?

You can only read a number of books (but it is never too late to start now). I was mentally calculating if I can read a thousand books before I die and well, I think it will be a challenge I will accept :D

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Settling down

Before, whenever I was asked about what I want to do in the future (or what I want to be), all thoughts lead to:

1. I want to have a stable (and high-paying) job.
2. I want to travel the world.
3. I want to get married to an amazing man.
4. I want to have a nice home.

When you think about it, almost everyone dream of a future like this.

However, this morning, as I was eating breakfast, spreading raspberry jam and milk chocolate on a pandesal, I began to have this crazy thought:

I want to have my own raspberry farm! I want to spend the rest of my life in a countryside, away from the complexities of city life. I want my family to enjoy the simplicity of country life, to watch over our raspberries and possibly to make the best raspberry jam in the world (haha, seriously)! or to supply the freshest and best raspberries!

However, our home should have an internet connection (that I can not give up) and I think I'll spend a few years (five years tops) experiencing what life has to offer and then I will gladly give up everything :)

Anyway, I think I'm crazy for always talking about raspberries, but man, that raspberry jam got me addicted! haha.

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Danke.

Germany for making me proud. For making me realize how much I love you as a team. For making me cry.

You may not have made it to the Finals but I think this will make you even stronger and wiser (just like WC 2010).

Dang, you know how devastated I am with their loss? I think a part of me died. Let me tell you a story, I became a football fan a few days after Spain won the WC. Until a few months ago, I was a La Roja supporter. Then my continuing love for Mesut made me realize that I will support any team he is in. That prompted me to watch Germany's WC 2010 matches (I think that was a year ago) and truth be told, I was not that interested in them (only Ozil and Neuer caught my attention). I wonder then how will I ever warm up to this team?

Then came Euro 2012. Even if I only knew a few of the members, I was determined to support Die Mannschaft. As I search for German NT related stuff, I got to learn about the team and the members became somewhat familiar to me.

One thing I realize, Euro 2012 is the first big tournament where I felt that I was really a football fan. Meaning that I got to watch the games live and root for my team, the same way as the world does. Remember, I got into football after the WC games so I did not experience the thrill of it as it happens.

Germany was heavily favored as the winners. Even I thought that they will advance to the finals and face Spain. I was even contemplating on making a blog post about my Germany-Spain prediction. I was about to write that even if Germany's predicted to win, I think Spain still has the chance to beat them. Why? I dunno, experience perhaps? And also I remember watching their SF match during WC 2010 and I was surprised at how passive Germany seemed against Spain (I was not into Germany or Mesut that time). Sometimes, I felt that Germany is still lacking something (I can't pinpoint what that is).

And as we know the Germans lost to the Italians. Watching it unfold right before my eyes made me realize how much I have invested in this team. My heart was broken. My eyes were red and sleep evaded me.

I can't stomach seeing them so down. Especially Ozil.

My love for this man knows no bounds. He was one of the most affected by their loss. I wish he would not blame himself. He did great in this tournament. He was awarded twice with the MOM award and he scored that Penalty kick (which he deserved).

Another one who broke my heart was seeing Muller like the photo above. I wish Low made him start (it might've changed the game). For some reason, witnessing Mesut and Thomas looking so forlorn brings me back to their WC fate (it's as if these two bear the weight of Germany's loss the most). I know they wanted to do better than 2010 but sadly, it didn't happen.

Another guy who made my heart cry was Manuel Neuer. Man, even if their winning chance is already impossible, he never gave up. He went out of his box and charged down through Italy's field like a general in a war. It broke my heart and it made me love him more. Manu is such a great player. Even after the final whistle blew, he never showed weakness to his teammates, on the contrary, he was all over the place comforting them. It pains me that just when the whole team was running through the field like their lives depended on it, the referee blew the whistle. Can't he like wait until they made their final attempt?

Still, after all that has happened, we lost. There are no excuses for it. We were defeated last night and we should make that an experience worth remembering. Let it be the fuel for us to make history in the next tournaments (WC 2014, Euro 2016). We are a young team and as the years go by, our youngsters will accumulate experiences which will make them stronger. I am looking forward to seeing this squad a few years from now. They will surely be back with a vengeance ;)

p.s. I'm thinking how my love for Die Mannschaft is nearing what I have for Real Madrid. :P

double p.s. I do not own the pictures used, I got it from tumblr.

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The scariest thing

is the feeling that you'll die any minute and you can't do anything about it.

Last night, I felt so helpless, scared and lost.

You know what's scarier? It is seeing the worried face of your loved ones (mother, father, brother) and you can't even assure them that everything will be fine.

....

Past midnight, I told my mom that I was having difficulty breathing. I have experienced difficulty in breathing in the last few months or so but last night was the worst episode ever. Well, it wasn't really that bad but when I felt stinging sensations on my hands, fingers and mouth, I thought that what I'm experiencing was serious. All that time, my mom was asking me if I wanted to go to the hospital but I insisted that it will subside.

Then, the numbness spread all throughout my body. My stomach was feeling numb, my throat/neck, my feet, head, chest felt like they were being electrocuted. It scared me sh*tless. My fingers were all stiff and they looked deformed. That time thought I was about to have a stroke and that I may be paralyzed for life. My other thought was that I was about to die any minute. My mom was in hysterics telling my brother to wake someone up so that I can be brought to the hospital.

My thoughts while I was experiencing all these:

• how would it feel like seconds before you die? When you lose consciousness and the like? Would it hurt when I suddenly lost breathing?
• I can not graduate on time! I won't be able to finish my internship, I won't finish our thesis. My life is doomed!
• What was my last status in twitter? Would it be memorable enough to be my last tweet (really)
• Papa God, not now please, it isn't my time yet. I'm too young.
• Am I even supposed to think about these things when I'm about to die? Shouldn't it be full of flowers, etc?

We went to the hospital, I was loaded into a wheelchair (since I can't stand properly) and was observed. They gave me this brown paper bag to breathe into. And after a while my breathing normalized. The doctor told me that I was suffering from Hyperventilation Syndrome. It is usually caused by emotional and/or physical stress. She asked me if I was angry/upset with someone (and the like). 

I think it was the stress. I had at most 5 hr sleep the last few days, and that coupled with the stress from commuting from QC to Makati (and vice versa) everyday (which entails, standing on MRT rides, walking a great distance from the MRT station to my work place) took its toll on me.

After we went home, my brother made fun of me (he was trying to lighten up the mood) by reenacting my panic attacks. The thing is, I'm super touched when my brother supported me while walking (haha, in a rare display of sibling love). Even if he didn't show how worried he was, I knew deep down inside he was concerned. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

From now on, I'll try to live a healthy life. I will refrain from drinking coffee and milk tea. I will try to exercise more.  I would never want to experience HVS ever again.

p.s. I remember that almost a year ago (?), I experienced something like HVS. At the time, I thought na binabangungot lang ako. However, the symptoms are almost the same. Lesson learned: do not stress yourself.

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Some random caller

As I was reading an ebook (from my phone) last night (at around midnight), I was shocked to see someone calling.

What was more surprising was the number flashing on my screen:

0927-5**-4*3*

My thought: WADDAEFFF??? Why is my own number calling me?????!!! For a minute, I was honestly baffled (I thought my mind was playing tricks on me).

After I finally understood that it wasn't my number (the last digit was different), my mom asked me "why aren't you answering?". Against my better judgment, I pressed the answer button. The conversation went on like this:

Me: Hello? Sino 'to?!

Other line: Ahm, si Mark po.

Me: Sino ulit?

Other line: Si Mark po.

Me: Ahhh, okay. Teka lang ah...

And then I ended the call.

Mom: Sino daw?

Me: Mark daw.

Mom: Eh bakit mo binaba?

Me: Eh loko-loko lang yun eh. Boses tambay (sorry for being judgmental)

Mom: Kaw, malay mo si Mark Bautista yun

Me: ........

Mom: O kaya si Mark Herras (pasensya, kapuso Nanay ko)

Me ...

Mom: Sana kinausap mo, malay mo si Mark na kapitbahay natin o si Mark ... si Mark ...

Ako: *poker faced*

And then I burst out laughing (my mom did the same too). REALLY, sometimes conversations with my mom are so crazy! HAHAHA

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Ever since

Shinhwa came back, my life became:


I only have a 1.5 week vacation (right after my semester ended) before my summer internship starts. My plans for my short break:

1. Watch at least one series (Drunken To Love You, The Rose, Me Too Flower or Shut Up Flower Boyband)
2. Read manga (I have dl-ed quite a number of series, TBH)
3. Read at least two books
4. Watched all the football games that I DL-ed for the last two months

Five days after my sem ended and look at what I have 'accomplished' so far

1. Managed to watch the first four episodes of The King 2 Hearts.

Despite that, I still consider those five days very precious, all throughout that period, I was feeling like this:


LOL. I have dedicated all my waking hours to Shinhwa. As much as I want to do other things, I can not even last 10 minutes without coming back to Shinhwa (like right now, I was supposed to be reading a book, but I became nostalgic and I rewatched old SW performances instead). When I was supposed to be doing something 'productive', I found myself blogging, PS-ing, and daydreaming.

Even what I am DL-ing are all Shinhwa related. Seriously. The last time I became like this was when I first discovered them. That was unforgettable. And I think what I am going through right now is even worse than what I experienced three years ago.

I just can't stop thinking about them. Truth is, I am trying hard to restrain myself from tweeting about Shinhwa every other minute and spamming my Wordpress blog with posts about them! =D You could not just imagine what is going on my head at this very moment.

I'm writing this post to lessen my craziness (lol). I would like to express a portion of what I am feeling, I am sure most Shinhwa Changjos are feeling the same way >:)

I leave you with this heart-warming video (so meaningful, especially the opening part):

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They are back!

Shinhwa's back!

I've waited years to see them together on stage! When I became a fan, they were already on hiatus so it's pretty much overwhelming to see the six of them (it is as if I have seen them for the very first time, lol). It is surreal. AND they never fail to make me laugh and cry.

One proud fan here :) I'm seriously contemplating about learning Hangeul properly (so I could watch their shows without waiting for subtitles xD)

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My take on the Arnold Clavio issue

Posted here is a part of one of my papers in my Media Ethics class (so you better not plagiarize, lol, ang assumera ko). Pardon me for the grammatical errors (this is taken from my first draft) and what is written here is my opinion (backed up by what I learned in class)

What was wrong in the way the media handled it

What was the mistake done by Arnold Clavio? I will have to say a lot. In fact, in my opinion, he violated all the ethical principles in journalism. First accuracy. Truth-telling is all about accuracy, checking your facts before reporting/writing and consulting multiple sources (among others). It seems apparent that for Clavio, Cristy Ramos’ side is telling the truth (even if investigations are being made and there is no conclusion yet to the case) and the Azkals’ are the ones to be blamed. I am not saying that the Azkals are innocent but until a decision has been made, one should not judge people. Also, based from his statement, he only relied on the statements said by Ms. Ramos.

Second he violated justice (fairness). As a journalist, he should not be biased. He should not overtly show his bias to Ms. Ramos and scorn the Azkals. He should present both sides so as to better inform the public (and not mislead them) of the situation and not make the Azkals appear as the monsters. So, he indeed made an effort to explain the Azkals side but it was done in a way that makes it appear that the Azkals are still in the wrong (as made evident by his statement about how boastful the Azkals are, how lascivious they are, etc.).

Third, he violated both the principles of freedom and stewardship in that by his actions, especially the words which sparked the racism issue, media (especially the network that he works for) is put in a bad light. Journalists or broadcasters are given the freedom by the constitution to express their views but Clavio clearly stepped out of bounds. Let’s say that he was only vocal (probably because of his status in GMA) in voicing his opinion about how the Azkals got the attitude, he may be right in a way (again, this is up for contention), but making that remark about how not being a kayumanggi disqualifies you as being Filipino is uncalled for (it does not even directly relate to the sexual harassment issue being talked about), there is such a thing as ‘responsible journalism’.

Which leads me to the last principle violated that of humaneness. I remember our discussion where we discussed that in reporting about an event, a journalist/broadcaster should: a) consider the subject b) society, and c) his responsibility as a human being. Surely, it is imperative for the journalist to assure that no harm is done to his subject (whether physical or psychological). In the present case, it is not right to only care about Ms. Ramos’ reputation, the Azkals’ reputation should also be considered, especially because they bear our country’s flag. Making accusations such as what Clavio uttered did not only tarnish/harm the Azkals’ reputation it also casted doubt about our society, how ‘girls apparently throw themselves at handsome guys’ – indirectly assuming how superficial Filipina fans are. It also attacked the Fil-Foreigners, in that being of mixed blood does not make you a Filipino, that no matter how much effort you give for your country (the Philippines) it will account to nothing because at the end of the day, you are not a Pinoy. He did not only cause harm to the Azkals, he ‘inadvertently’ caused harm to Filipina fans, Filipino of mixed race and the Philippines (because the Azkals carry our name). (will end here, currently thinking what to write next)

p.s. Wala po akong kinikilingan, nagbibigay lang ng opinyon. Sa totoo lang, sa bahay namin, tanging sa GMA7 lang palaging nanonood.

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