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11-12-08

A Personal Note (And a “Matrix is Windows” Movie)

Hello dear reader.

As of this very moment, I’m sick. Been under the weather this past two days and the work pause, along with something I watched at the discovery channel, has made me think reflectively.

You see, I’m at the verge of some personal life changes. It’s private but all my close friends know about it.

The new stuff I’m diving into might mean I won’t be able to blog much. I’m also thinking that the blogging scene is getting crowded with people who write about all kinds of informative stuff.

Instead of just being another blogger — I’m starting to think a bit differently. There’s so much more I can do to reach people and provide value.

I can still write - YES.

But I have this stupid, weird, built-in drive to somehow change the world. I see myself getting more and more into that.

So what does this all mean?

I might be quiet for a while.

Well, at least I can get all the crazy things in my head sorted out.

Or maybe until laziness takes over me and I just blog again just for the sake of blogging something.

Anyway for those who’ve stuck with me, here’s a thank you “Matrix is Windows” movie for you all.

11-05-08

Obama Wins! Good or Bad for Pinoys?

By this time, you’ll read/hear that Obama won the US Presidential elections. It wasn’t much of a surprise. The early surveys indicated he would win.

What does this mean for us Filipinos?

The local newspaper indicates that an Obama win could be beneficial to the Philippines:

“The Democrats are more sympathetic to the Philippines… We can expect better treatment if the Democrats win,” -Representative Antonio Cuenco, chairman of the House committee on foreign affairs

I even saw Osmena on TV saying that the Obama and the Democrats would be better for Pinoys. I tried looking for the video on youtube but couldn’t find it.

However, Obama is not a fan of outsourcing:

His fierce antioutsourcing stance—the subject of many a debate in the past—could spell bad news for the BPO firms and the IT industry.

From a debate with Hillary Clinton:

“We have to stop providing tax breaks for companies that are shipping jobs overseas and give those tax breaks to companies that are investing here in the United States of America,” Obama said.

Well, do Pinoys care in the first place?

The latest survey of the Social Weather Stations—released only the other day—shows that 76 percent of our people think it would not matter for the Philippines who gets elected president of the USA. Only 13 percent prefer Barack Obama and 9 percent would like to see John McCain elected. This was learned in the SWS survey conducted on September 24 to 27. - Manila Times

No, apparently, we don’t.

For us, it seems, it’s just another day in the office.

If we lose that call-center job, oh well… it is just another day. As long as there’s peace in the world.

As my friend would say… “moving on.”

10-31-08

Happy Halloween 2008!

So this is how I would look like with long hair.

Thanks to Rico for the pic.

Happy Halloween everyone!

10-30-08

Remember Grin Department?

I was surprised to find myself looking at a “Grin Department” youtube video today.

In this video, they spoofed Bamboo’s Hallelujah. If you listen to their lyrics closely, you’ll hear a more naughtier set words.

This is why they are called “Grin Department” - both to mean “grin” (smile evilly) and “green” (color which connotes sexual naughtiness).

People would consider their music utterly tasteless. However, they do seem to have quite a following locally. Check out Google Zeitgeist and you’ll see “grin department” as one of the top search terms from the Philippines.

The song below (skin), is one of the songs I remember way back in College:

There was another one that went “Miss, miss sa loob ng jeepney…” (Miss, miss, in the jeepney).

Well, at least these guys are little more creative than those who sang the Pinoy version of Clumsy or Low.

But seriously, where’s our music going to? Is there no real money in Pinoy Music? Is it a hopeless cause for our creative and talented musicians?

10-22-08

Filipino Musicians Are Losing Their Creativity (Pinoy Clumsy)

Songs like the Filipino-version of Fergie’s “clumsy” make me wince whenever I hear them over the radio. Haven’t heard it? Here’s a sampler from youtube:

Why react that way? Well it seems that Pinoy musicians, in order to become popular, will stoop to using the melody of an established international hit. In essence, they’ve sacrificed their musical creativity for fame.

I don’t blame them. It’s money. It the same as how marketers leverage on existing brand names to sell their products. It’s like Globe selling an international brand like the iPhone to generate revenue.

The problem here, however, is that the original composers and singers might not really know what’s happening. If they did, they probably won’t appreciate it. They might actually be quite mad. Their musical works of art have been forged and resold.

Remember the big ruckus over the Plagiarism at the 10th Philippine Webby Awards last year? That winner was disqualified.

Artists hate being blatantly copied. It irks them even more when their work is not respected - and other people are making money off their hard work.

At least, with Globe selling iPhones, Apple still makes money. I doubt that Fergie gets income when her Filipino “clumsy” song is heard over the airwaves.

I might be wrong.