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-- Jayvee :-)

Showbiz, Elections & Everything in Between

Showbiz, Elections and everything in between was the topic of the night and we naturally had to have someone from the biz to start of the roster of guests.

Joining us on Rock Ed Radio is TV personality Gabe Mercado. He runs SPIT the improv theater that graces the mag:nets of the world. Gabe was a veteran of the Radio Veritas siege during the EDSA revolution, he was a teen-ager then and he helped June Keithley broadcast revolution updates as it happened. So technically he's a revolutionary hero. (huh?) Gabe insists that stupidity isn't the monopoly of the showbiz people running. Even if you take out all the artistas, he says, there will still be the same amount of glitter and image stuff (and yes, stupidity) in this race. They're just more visible. In fact, in defense, he says the two artistas running are more intelligent than people deem them to be. Ah hah.

Gabe's partner running the Geek Chorus group was there, too. JC Medina is an IT professional and he represented the contingent that didn't register and has never voted in his life. We decided to give even this collective a voice at this forum even if many have commented that perhaps they shouldn't be given the chance to complain because they don't vote. JC had a lot to say regarding these elections, he said that it's been quiet from his point of view. Hah! The night becomes more interesting. Mike Besa is an entrepreneur and he runs www.pinoygolfer.com. He sees the political circus from the standpoint of a businessman and he brought up the subject of 'internal colonization' by the dynasties. (this topic required a whole other hour altogether..so we skip off...)

Representing the provincial campaigns is Joey Climaco. He insists that this election season is more exciting than the usual because he has seen tilts in the voter's trends. And the circus of political campaigns are proving (sometimes) ineffective because, perhaps, we are smarter now? Joey says he will trust more the politician who has a celebrity spouse, especially the high profile ones. Simply because it gives them less chances to hide from public scrutiny. There will be less shadows to hide behind. And checks and balances are more in place. Lourd and Gang parry on several points, especially on the criterion for running that only requires the candidate to be able to read and write. Our favorite comment was "kung ang saleslady required maging high school or college graduate eh, mas mahirap ba yung trabaho nila kesa sa Senador o sa Presidente at read and write lang ang requirement nung isa?" We should explore that some more, don't you think? So the hosts proceed to ask the group "Name one politician you trust, and why?"
JC stares. (eh hindi naman sya boboto eh, so he thinks he's excempt from this question)

Gabe needs more time. Then he says he is haunted, however, by Danton Remoto's words. Running as Congress in QC area, "reklamo kayo ng reklamo, tapos pag elections na, wala din sa inyong matapang na tatakbo..." So perhaps Gabe trusts Danton more than anyone running right now...
Mike says none. End of thought. And the question evaporates into the thin NU107 booth air.

Gang echoes the mourning for the days of true statesmen. Lourd thinks it's absurd when politicians announce that they need to spend to get voted and they flaunt the budget with nary an explanation where the money comes from. At least, sabi ni Gabe, dati tinatago pa nila, ngayon lantaran ang self-serving interests. Ah hah! Are we promoting an end to the poverty of hope by doing this? Talking about the hopelessness of the elections? I thought Rock Ed was about addressing the poverty of hope? --at least three listeners asked. Aaaah perhaps, in a back to front way, we are. Because hope has to be based on reality. And we need to squarely face what is real in front of us. If it's the seeming hopelessness of our electoral process, then let's, at least, talk about it. Frankly. ("Hope is different from Pollyanic crap where people only talk about dreamy shit like turning into butterflies someday ngyaw*ngyaw*ngyaw*. Hope can get dirty with sweat and soot of the real, so you can stagger, sometimes bloody and broken, onto the ideal. And when you keep on despite the injuries--then you really have hope. Is it stupid? Maybe. But talking about what is ugly about reality isn't hopelessness, neither is it promoting despair. Really. I'd rather be frustrated in a real world than be indifferent because I live in a fantasy one where mud is not talked about. Straighten your back, chin up, flex your muscles, grit your teeth - there is much to be done."-Gang Badoy)
All four guests contributed greatly to the conversation, many expressed frustration, many had concrete suggestions, some brave enough to admit that they will run someday if need be. More just laughed because that's what Filipinos do best. Well, at least we talked about it today. And for one hour, a radio show in the Philippines didn't obsess about the latest Kris Aquino crisis.

That in itself is a relief.

There is hope for the media. I think we are slowly becoming capable of brutal honesty on air.

Mabuhay ang NU107 dahil pinayagan nila tayo magka Rock Ed Radio.

Tell us what you think? What should the basic requirements be for someone to run for public office?

Post here or email commentsrock@gmail.com

Photo credit: Jayvee Fernandez (1,4,5,9), Jay Capati (2,3,6,7,8) Research by Leslie, Phil, May, PJ.

April 29 Topic: Our (Showbiz) Elections.

The first national-level Philippine elections were held in 1907. Photo shows voters reading campaign posters issued for that election.*

Bakit walang rock star na tumatakbo? Alam niyo ba na naging SK Chairman pala si Rico Blanco noon? Alam niyo ba na madami pa ring Yakult lady ngayon? Alam niyo ba na maski ang mga parang walang pakialam na golfers ay may malasakit din lalo na't tungkol sa ating national elections? At bakit nga walang pakialam ang karamihan?

President Quezon addresses the crowd during his campaign.*

Guests: Okey ka ba tiyan -- theater/TV actor Gabe Mercado, former Golf Digest EIC Mike Besa. (www.pinoygolfer.com) and we're trying to look for Atty. Trina Monsod to guest. Does anyone know her number? Abangan.

Please post your questions in advance, so we can be sure to ask them. Sometimes we can't take on the flood on our low-tech cellphone. Haha.

President Estrada reaches out to his adoring fans during his bid. Being an actor certainly helped his approach and strategy. *

You may ask anything regarding this coming poll day. We may or may not have answers since we are not experts, but let's, at least, talk about it.

Or post in your comments here so we can read them on-air.

*photo credit: Read article on: http://www.pcij.org/imag/2004Elections/Campaign/techniques.html

Viva Photography

April 22, 2007.
(Our topic seems to have nothing to do with the celebration of International Earth Day, but it definitely has something to do with the caretakers of the environment. Us.)

What seemed to be a strange radio-show topic turned out to be one of the more interesting episodes of Rock Ed Radio. We ventured to talk about photography.

First to arrive on the scene was pro-blogger, Jayvee Fernandez (abuggedlife.com) he discussed the positive sides of having photos in ones blog. He says though that 50% of his blog has no picture, so blogging is not totally dependent on photos. Blogging is still a lot about writing, for the most part, but photos, of course, always help.

He says that he mostly takes photos of what he sees and for his blog. He also says he doesn't use photoshop so in his opinion photographs make his blog more honest. He insists that ones purpose for photography doesn't make one less of a photographer. Well said. (Our cheers to Jayvee for being on time. So let's post another photo of him here.)

Our second guest is to arrive is rock scene photographer Brutal Grace. She is with Pulp magazine and mostly photographs musicians she constantly watches. A rock and roll fan, Grace says that for as long as you truly like your subject, you get better at it. Her favorite rock musician to photograph is Karl Roy, dahil sa kanto ng mukha nya, sa tattoo, sa kulot na mahabang buhok, at sa galaw. (speaking of kulot na mahabang buhok, Nino Avenido, bass guitarist of Greyhoundz and amateur photographer had a crucial rehearsal for Pulp Magazine's Summer Slam this Friday) Si Lourd daw mahirap kunan kasi ang likot sa stage. It was nice to see Grace without her camera. We think she's a lovely subject herself. (check out her photos of the rock scene at www.brutalgrace.com)

Familiar NU voice and Rock Ed volunteer Andy shares a time in Manaoag, Pangasinan where Rock Ed held a concert right at the town plaza. She experienced the showing off the screen to the kids that she shot at the audience area. After that, there was a warm connection with the audience because they saw that she didn't mean to be intrusive by taking their photo. In a way, a camera bridges people. After all, these black (or silver) gadgets usually provoke smiles when it's pointed at people's directions.

Lourd is curious and asks, "what exactly makes a photograph good?" Lourd takes photos as well, as we all do. Eventually, Bauhaus photographer Moholy-Nagy says, "knowledge of photography is just as important as that of the alphabet. The illiterate of the future will be a person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as the pen." So it's important that we know how to read and analyze a photo.2bU correspondent Tammy David says the basics are the most important thing in the end. The technical aspect makes a photograph good. One cannot venture into photography (as an occupation or anything more serious than a hobby) if one ignores the method and the principles behind the technique. If it is a manipulation of light and time, then that is what one needs to know first. Composition, play on color and subject comes next, in the end.

Tammy came with multi-awarded Inquirer photogrpaher Rem Zamora. We insisted that he joined in but he said no, he'll just listen. Bodyguard lang daw siya ni Tammy.

The conversation turns really interesting when the subject of plagiarism came up. Opinions flew all over the room. Photo enhancement has its purposes for commercial photography and other 'benta' ventures but when it comes to photo-journalism, it's a whole different ball game.
Sabi ng iba, may mga photojournalists daw na nag-dodrawing ng litrato para gumanda. She cited an example of a news photographer adding elements to a scene to make it front-page worthy. This works for some, but Tammy pressed on that there is something wrong with that. Gang supposed that in many aspects or in all career choices, moreso, surprisingly but especially, in creative professions, the concept of integrity is still imperative. (Note: pansinin ninyo, pumasok na si Rem sa booth at naka-kunot na ang noo)

Rem Zamora finally joined in (wheeeeee) and talks about his takes on integrity in photo-journalism. He explains that there is a finite amount of physical things and places in this world to photograph, so the challenge is to take a new angle, a new light, good timing for situations -- but on the whole he detests staging photographs. The responsibility of a photojournalist is immense. He owes the public ---truth.

Gang absolutely agrees and says that the photographer is one of the more honest sources of recording history. The photographer tells the story and line of crucial events of a nation without the biases of politics or ideology. They bring to clarity many economic and social abstractions. The charts and bar graphs of our country's GNP does not mean anything beside an honest photograph of poverty. Therefore the need for photos and the people behind lenses is undeniable.

Since it was Earth Day, we asked Environmental Science expert UP Professor CP David what he thought of photography in the field of science. He says, "Science is based on identification measuerments. It is also based on quantitative observations of nature. Yet quality visual representations like a photo can provide has the most impact in showing the wonders of what is around us." (whew, nakahanap din ng Earth Day connection)

Lourd says that we should be grateful that such a medium exists and that we can enjoy pure visual beauty. He says in the past there must've been a different rhythm to people who had to remember things. But for the sheer pleasure of looking at a well composed, mystically lit, story inducing photograph, we should consider our generation lucky.

Our main guest, supposedly, is accomplished and internationally appreciated photographer Jose Enrique Soriano. Too bad he couldn't join us that night. From Tagaytay, however, he listened and participated via text messages. Gang was just reading his messages, it was rather lame compared to if he were there himself. The 'much-needed-for-clarity-purposes' profanity in his messages had to be censored on air, but we captured one in this photo. Kitamona, buti na lang nga may camera na. At least naisama natin si Mr. Soriano sa synopsis ng napag-usapan kagabi.

NU107 jock, Ryan was there, too. Silently efficient. He didn't say a word so you might not believe that he was really there. Here's a photo to attest that truth. Sometimes what we see is becomes our truth. Hence the saying, "I'll believe it when I see it." So we all have to be prudent in our photos, and more critical when we view them. A smarter more incisive audience will encourage photographers to be sharper and more honest in this chosen craft.

If you blog, or have a Friendster, Multiply, Whatever online presence --we want to know... are photos your deceit or your truth?

Post your comments here or email us at commentsrock@gmail.com

Our apologies to Uleb (?) she won the comment/question of the night of this episode. "When does a photographer become a plagiarist?" Kindly get in touch with us through leslie@rockedphilippines.org for your prize. You won an autographed Radioactive Sago Project CD --Urban Gulaman.

Photographer of photographers episode is Rock Ed core group volunteer, Jay Capati copyright 2007 // Research and info survey of Rock Ed Radio, Leslie and May Umaly. Acknowledgments to PJ, Mike, and Phil for helping out.

About the Hosts

Lourd de Veyra is a poet. He has won literary awards. Several Palanca Awards are under his belt. (four more than us, mortals) He is a teacher and has been an advisor to the staff of a prominent university's schoolpaper. He is a classical guitarist, now a film-maker, scriptwriter and a sought-after copy editor.

He is best known as the lead voice of Radioactive Sago Project.

Gang Badoy is a prose writer. She has won civic and leadership awards. Gang is a teacher and she is the youngest member of the Board of Childhope Asia. An international organization on behalf of streetchildren. To date, she has been the youngest speaker at a Ramon Magsaysay Awards forum.

She is best known as the Founder of Rock Ed Philippines.

Aside from Rock Ed, both of them are also involved with the movement called Dakila. Shown in photo taken during last year's Dakila-Rock Ed clean up project in Luneta; Gang has mud in her slipper-clad feet (slippers PhP80) while Lourd is wearing very expensive rubber boots.

Even if this photo was taken by leading fashion photographer Jake Verzosa -- both will never land a spot in Preview Magazine's Ten-Best Dressed List.

Never.

April 22 Topic: Viva Photography> with three pros, a blogger and a bass guitarist

Eadweard Muybridge (American, born England, 1830-1904), Animal Locomotion: Leaping Man, c. 1887, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, photographs taken by a series of cameras. Muybridge printed these as sheets of sequenced exposures, although they are displayed here as if projected like a movie -- a technological development Muybridge is considered to have pioneered.

April 22 Sunday

Listen to an episode that has nothing to do with the celebration of International Earth Day. Hehe. Listen in anyway.

Guests are photographers Jose Enrique Soriano, Tammy David, Brutal Grace, pro-blogger Jayvee Fernandez, Greyhoundz bass guitarist Nino Avenido.

Send in your questions in advance, if you want to.

the Blueprints of a Political Campaign

April 15 had a fine combination of guests discussing what goes on in a political campaign. Lourd and Gang didn't have the luxury of DJ Andy or Ryan to control the board but the fates provided us with a better option. Legendary activist-musician, Noel Cabangon pinch-hit and brought his guitar! He generously decided to make up for our technical dent by playing LIVE music instead. (...pag sinwerte nga naman....)

Mr. Chris Belardo is a veteran advertising specialist. He described himself as a glorified salesman. Chris was involved in several large-scale Senatorial campaigns in the past, one of which is the famed Mr. Palengke campaign. Chris describes the job of a campaign team. Sometimes they 'market' the candidate as a brand because it serves for better retention. Mas na-aalala. It's important for him to note that fortunately, there are several campaign teams that really believe in the candidates that they 'sell' ...but reality is always multi-dimensional. So the truth is there are several campaign managers that, despite their lack of faith in the candidate, still proceed (with trumpets) to media-blast that their candidate is 'the best.' Minsan trabaho lang kasi talaga yon. But it's good to witness that the voting population is changing, the attitude is different --we are slowly becoming more intelligent voters. ("...mga one hundred years pa..") Chris mourns the bygone era of real statesmen, when politics was the arena of the summa cum laudes, bar topnotchers, the intelligent and noblest among us. Mentioned here is the late Sen. Jose Diokno. Grandfather of another guest present, Jose "Pepe" Diokno III.
Pepe is a film maker and a writer for the Super section of the Inquirer. He insists that a relevant majority of young (should-be) voters are not even registered. This is a reflection of the massive wave of indifference that prevails among us. Many callers commented that the indifference stems from the lack of trust in politicians, that also roots itself in the widespread corruption in higher (and lower) administrative offices. Sabi ni Pepe, tama na angst dahil napaka-90s nun. Aksyon muna. Participate.
Lourd posed a question that how come even if someone spends a tremendous amount of money on a media blitz, he or she is still not guaranteed to win? If the war is about exposure and media savvy-ness, then why is 'the biggest spender' still not in the magic 12 slots of survey-winning candidates? Noel Cabangon interjects that perhaps it is not enough that popularity is boosted, it is because those candidates have not earned their niches or have not really produced anything concrete regarding nation-building. Eh baka wala pa silang nagagawa kasi. Walang track record. The subject of dynasties came up in this light. Minsan wala pang ginagawa ang mga kandidato pero dahil matunog at malutong ang apelyido nila, maari silang manalo. Gang of Rock Ed shares that according to a Julio Teehankee article she came across -'for some 16o families, the two Houses of Phil. Congress have practically been home for the last century. These families have had two or more members who have served in Congress, and they account for nearly 1/4 of the men and women who have been elected to national lawmaking from 1907-2004. Political clans have been an enduring feature of our political scenario. And in the light of this topic, ang apelyido ay minsan ang nagdadala ng kampanya ng isang kandidato--hindi ang abilidad.

The Rock Ed volunteer research team looked for and FOUND a copy of the historic MAMBO MAGSAYSAY jingle from the 50's. Their research also showed that it was one of the first western-styled campaign methods in the Philippines. Dati ata bigayan lang ng manok, gulay, o baboy. Sabay kamayan, pakain tapos painom. Pero siguro nga dahil 'cream of the crop' naman ang tumatakbo talaga noon, ang kampanya ay labanan ng resume at ng nagawa.

Chris shared that gone are the days of big, live rallies and house to house campaigns for national positions. Wala na masyado yung nakikipagkamay sa mga tao, sa mga lakaran sa kalye at pa-kaway kaway sa lipon ng mga tao sa sidewalk. Mas cost effective daw kung gumastos na lang para sa radyo, TV, at iba pang forms of media to campaign. And the whole point (sadly) of campaigning is to really get the most votes. Gang says it's not anymore about the whole point of elections which is 'participation and choice.' Beauty contest na talaga ang elections, kadalasan.
Sabi ni Pepe ang panget, talo. Chaka may nag comment na mali naman ata ang maglagay ng lipstick sa isang senatorial candidate para lang mas makulay ang poster picture nya. Tawanan lahat kasi lahat pala kami napansin yung lipstick na yun... (baka naman Photoshop error lang daw, ika ni Chris) Pero may pahabol na comment --"Sino ang mas delikado iboto, ang matalino o ang bobo?" Natahimik kami lahat sandali. Sabi ng over-all, baka mas okey na yung matalino kasi judgment call minsan ang bottom line. Pero madami din naman daw bobo na nananalo (si Pepe na naman yun, mentioning of names...susmaryosep) ...at baka naman matalino (o wa-is) sila sa ibang bagay. Tulad ng? Saka na daw pag usapan ang corruption, sa ibang radio show na lang.... (bobo ba daw ang nag lipstick? --nakakatawa mga comments ng listeners, panalo) Si Noel naka experience ng isang nag imbita sa kanyang kumanta sa isang for-free-and-honest-elections concert. Pero, it turns out, campaign pala yon for someone running. So madalas nagagamit talaga ang musician o artista sa mga kampanya. Mga kandidatong nag aakala may kamukha silang artista (ngeh) ay nakikisakay sa popularity nung mga showbiz para ma-alala ng botante. How sad that all their goal is for their name to be remembered and written on a ballot. Whatever happened to clearly stating your platform and what you stand for? Aah, meron pa naman daw na ganun. Pero mas priority yung ma-alala ang pangalan. Saka na platform, teka ano ba...
Noel says he will campaign and he has been campaigning thru his music for a party-list he believes in, he also performs now for campaigns of candidates he would like to see hold office. He realizes the power of music in this arena and has decided to use it for, what he deems, as the right causes to push. Sana lahat ng musicians magkaroon ng ganito ka-linaw na pananaw at desisyon pag dating sa kanilang music. At sana malaya lahat ng musician mag decide kung saan at paano gagamitin ang kanilang mga kanta. (ehem ehem, mga manager daw at radio stations din... ika ni Pepe)
Hindi ito verbatim pero ika ni Lourd 'kung armado ang botante sa tamang pag iisip at masinop na pagre-research tungkol sa mga kumakandidato, hindi tayo kayang anuhin ng kung sino mang manggogoyo na politiko...'

Sa Rock Ed campaign for poverty-awareness at sa political campaigns, nakita ko na ang lakas ng sandata ng musika. It is really a smart weapon of choice.

So, matanong lang namin, what is your weapon of choice and what are you fighting against?

post comment here or email commentsrock@gmail.com

What Are You Addicted To?

April 8 Sunday.
"Addictions"


Easter Sunday saw Rock Ed Radio discussing something seemingly unrelated to this Christian celebration-- Addictions! Above is Lourd de Veyra and Gang Badoy, hosts of the show. We begin and end with the challenge of being a human being. We are all prone to be addicted to something. It stems from extreme interest and sometimes as escapes. In the end, Thomas Aquinas said it best. "In the end, we all need some order. We decide to rank what is important in our lives. But it will still depend on the circumstance of our lives, our status, and what stage we are in." Different stages, different priorities. Some things really have to give. Lahat may presyo, ika nga.
Show started with bike addict Jack Yabut (President of Tour of the Fireflies) invited the audience to participate in a movement that involves addiction to a cleaner air. (see www.fireflybrigade.org) Join this push for Cleaner Air and more laws that accomodate the movement of bikes in and around the cities. Gang and Jack talk about the addiction to the rush and high of a second wind, and the best way to channel this one is to join big movements for causes like the environment and etc. It was also mentioned that when one gets over an addiction by channeling it to good directions, then you win for yourself a new life. (ah hah, nakahanap ng Easter connection... pinilit.)
Kris Lacaba confesses his addicition to fried chicken. And Kimchi. And his friend who obsessed over Ara Mina.

Andy co-hosts with us as Jugs (Jugueta, lead vocalist of the Itchyworms) and Ryan (of NU107) listen in.Jugs confesses his addiction to guitars and creating guitars on his own. He is also obsessed with repairing maintaining guitars and hopes to channel his addiction to helping other musicians with their pieces. Diego (Castillo, guitarist of Sandwich) asks if addiction to exercise that leads to addiction to enhancement drugs is a double bad road when, in the first place, exercise is really good? Hmmm.

Lourd and Diego parry on a listeners comment on addiction to sleep and goth parties to balance out his corporate life. Other addictions that were called in involved addiction to buying slippers, texting, sex, the internet, books, potatoes, music, golf, prayer, and going to gigs. Many people commented that their addictions are escapes and some addictions are stress relievers. Lourd confesses to being addicted to plants. (para sa garden niya)
The conversation flew around that sometimes when an addiction is understood, it can be very well managed and channeled to something positive. Like athletes can channel their addiction for a sport to be excellent in it. Musicians can channel their addictions to be more prolific. Summary is, when the concept of an addiction is re-framed, it can turn out to be a very progressive passion. Many listeners still agree that moderation is key. (Beng Calma, lead singer of Drip says, "The way to go is still moderation in everything. Balance.")


Diego Castillo agrees.

Do you?

Post your comments on Addictions and your thoughts on it. Let us hear from you.
commentsrock@gmail.com


Comment of the night went to texter named Jones -- she won an Itchyworms CD.
www.rockedphilippines.org

Are we interested in the news? Do we trust media?

Ortigas Center, 1 April 2007.

Gang and Lourd talking to Rock Ed Radio's first guest, Pochoy Labog of Dicta License. The topic was centered on why most of us are not interested in watching the news. Is it mostly because we don't trust the networks or are we just not interested, period?
Pochoy (lead vocals, Dicta License) is concerned with the coverage choices sometimes of networks, sometimes they tend to ignore pressing news over what is politically senstational, he says. While Nino Avenido (bass guitar, Greyhoundz) says that we should all appreciate the public service that the news business provides the country, we should also look at the pros alongside the cons of news watching. Ebe Dancel (lead vocals, Sugarfree) joins the thinking and talking through the topic of the night.
Group listens as Ebe discuss how he feels that the news is sensationalized for the most part and is sometimes taken as entertainment by the audience. Lourd de Veyra sums it up best by saying "..walang laban ang media na irresponsibleh, ang media na sensationalized, ang media na insensitive sa audience na armado sa talino at edukasyon."

Andy Aguirre, manager of Chillitees and Sound, listens and takes in all comments and guides us through the equipment of NU. (amateurs...)
Siksikan sa DJ booth, ang galing ng usapan. Sayang walang beer at hindi kami makapag-cheers.

Feel free to post your comments on this blog. We keep track of excellent comments and will publish them at the website www.rockedphilippines.org or read them on air.

Sunday nights @8pm
on NU107. The Home of NU Rock.



Comment of the Night went to listener named Ayn, paraphrased, she says, "Kailangan manood ng news para sa awareness, dahil dito nanggagaling ang pakikialam." (She won an autographed Sugarfree CD)

Tell us, do you watch the news? Why/Why not?
commentsrock@yahoo.com/ commentsrock@gmail.com