A Wholehearted Participation in the Website Blackout Protest Against the Philippine Cyber Crime Prevention Law

Today, October 2, 2012 yours truly wholeheartedly joins the bwebsite black out protest/awareness raising for the cybercrime law. Do not get me wrong, the Cyber Crime Law is what the Filipinos need to protect their basic rights and welfare from being violated online, but the inclusion of a highly exploitative parts in the recent 2012 Philippine enacted law is what drove us mad, online libel.

Learn more about the Movement to Correct the Cyber Crime Prevention Law through the Philippine Internet Freedom Alliance Official Website

By now there have probably have countless write ups to discuss why most Filipino netizens hate the Cyber Crime Prevention Law of 2012. I suggest you seek them out, read from both sides and be the judge yourselves if we are just merely over reacting or there is truly a basis to all of this... which is the latter. I'll say it straight right from the get-go I don't have what it takes yet to march to march to the Philippine Supreme Court hours from now and join the rally and protest against this potentially malicious and oppressive law enacted by our "good" Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III along with majority of our 2012 Philippine senators with the exemption of Senator Teofisto Guingona III (I tip my hat to you, Sir). What I can do however is express myself like what I always do and plan to do so in an unforeseen future, only if this low gets amended/revise soon!

If you happen to pass by all of my blogs this October 2, 2012, (CMAQUEST, Retro Pilipinas, and Pinoy Movie Blogger) you'll notice that you'll first be introduced with a splash banner that aims to spread awareness that the freedom that most Filipinos currently enjoy online whether it is on a conversation via chat, social networks, or through blogs is threatened by the current state of the Cyber Crime Prevention Law. If ever all of these actions fail and Filipinos once again forget that there is that dangerous section in the Cyber Crime Prevention Law that is like a slowly crawling time bomb. How will you answer the younger generations (that is if you are still alive and free to even talk to them in this potential future that retains this law), "Where were you when the government started taking our freedom to freely express?" or "Was there any way that your generation could have done to right this error that we are suffering now?". If ever that dark dystopian hopeless Philippines does takes place, I will face them with pride and say "we fought the good fight back then but failed because our numbers weren't enough, that average Filipinos didn't give a darn.". The only question now is what will you do about the Cyber Crime Prevention Law while you still have the capability to stop it dead on its oppressive track towards that potentially dark future for freedom in the Philippines?

Remember remember the secondth of October...
Cyber Crime Prevention Law, tyranny, and freedom-suppressed.
I see no reason why Cyber Crime Prevention Law
Should ever be forgot...

- Inspired by Remember Remember Poem
(Guy Fawkes & the Gunpowder Plot)
V for Vendetta (2006) Film

It's More Fun In The Philippines DOT Slogan Online Pinoy Community Discussion Extravaganza

It's More Fun in The Philippines is the latest (second) tourism campaign of the Department of Tourism (DOT) under the Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III's regime. Pilipinas Kay Ganda was the DOT's first slogan which was coldly received by majority of Filipinos both online and off because of its obvious resemblance to another country's tourism slogan. This time it is "It Is More Fun in The Philippines" turn to go under such scrutiny.

Wherever you go in the Philippines, it's the Filipinos that will make your holdiay unforgettable. Just ask anyone who's bee here. In fact, Lonely Planet guidebook calls us 'among the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere'.


Find out for yourself why it’s more fun in the Philippines.
And make the most out of your next vacation.

The Republic of Philippines' Official Department of Tourism Slogan for 2012 It's More Fun In the Philippines http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/

There is a Need for Xbox Live Support for the Philippines

I won a Microsoft Xbox 360 from Winila auctions last year which converted me into an instant Xbox 360 gamer. I have always been a gamer and this seventh generation video game console was a welcome addition to the entertainment system here at home.



Once I finally received my console, two options have now been offered to me, to modify (altering the firmware and hardware to lift the restrictions of the hardware or to simply pay cheap pirated games) or to stay legit and left it as it is. I chose the latter that time which I didn't regret. Sure it was expensive but it is my part of helping the hardworking publishers, developers, and generally the video game industry to keep on doing great games. I also played by the rules because of the various online connectivity, features, updates, premiums and exclusives of having an unmodified NTSC-US Xbox 360 console. There was and still "is" a dilemma though, a lack of Xbox Live support in the Philippines.

Little did I know that there is no full Xbox Live support for Xbox 360 here in the Philippines which was really frustrating. There is a decent number of Xbox 360 gamers who are legitimately subscribed on Xbox Live services but can't seem to access established services right of the bat. Many legitimate Xbox 360 and even Playstation 3 owners have been clamoring for support from the international companies, but it seems like those petitions have yet to be considered.

One of the biggest complaints I have with the limited (if not lack of) support of Xbox Live services here in the Philippines is the lack of Paypal account integration on doing various digital transactions in the system. Even though I wanted to buy Microsoft Points, (in-game currency bought with real money to download various premium digital content) at the comfort of my own living room using my Paypal Account, I just can not because Philippines is not part of the supported countries. I don't know if Xbox or Paypal has problems integrating their services in the country, but there is a need to satisfy customers outside their targeted market. We are still part of the big picture. We are already in the information age and with the Philippines being as globally competitive as most countries out there, I believe that it is only reasonable for intenatrional companies like Paypal, Sony (Playstation) and Microsoft (Xbox) to invest and expand on countries loyally using their services. The should provide full support of their services here in the Philippines.

Carlos Celdran, Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan and Pro-Life Philippines President Eric Manalang ANC Interview on the The RH Bill

Most of my friends and peers both in the offline and online community knows my passion when it comes to the Philippine Roman Catholic Churches Intervention or meddling with the affairs of the state by threatening civil disobedience and a possible excommunication to President Noynoy Aquino if the comprehensive Reproductive Health Bill of the Philippines gets passed. Even though I am still a Roman Catholic by paper, I still consider this threats to the state as unbecoming for a religious institution.

I started plurking about this issue which trigger my sense of concern and love for my country. Yes, I consider my stand against the leaders of my own church as patriotic and I take pride in doing it. Sadly my voice could never be heard nor reach by the majority of the Filipino people nor be enough for media to focus on it, who am I for the world to listen anyways... just a mere blogger and patriot, then came Mr. Celdran. Carlos Celdran, a patriot, Intramuros tour guide, artist and a blogger (Vist Carlos Celdran's Official blog at Carlos Celdran's Walk This Way at http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/) has done the most foolish yet exemplary thing that we, supporters of a more progressive Philippines could not do, bring the fight to the grounds of Church. They threaten civil disobedience then let them have a taste of their own medicine, but still the method was not tolerable as he was eventually incarcerated.



Carlos Celdran holding a placard with a word "DAMASO" referring to the Roman Catholic Church's threatening civil disobedience and excommunication if the Philippine President supports the RH Bill as he protest on a Church meeting (explained later in a video)

For fellow-Filipinos who haven't watched or heard about this (which I doubt, but still) then here is the news about it:



Official News feature: In RH war of words, activist confronts bishops in church

With his action triggered something, that I can have my voice, that I can stand against this manipulation of the Catholic Church through theocracy and twisted science regarding the Reproductive Health Bill. I brought my fight to the official Facebook Fanpage of the Food Morning CBCP. Unfortunately, some of my argument have leaded to a more sensitive topic like the debate on religion, which might be triggered by other "commenters" response about the RH Bill is "evil" and "immoral", and what does that makes us? Still the point is the same, my cause is not to persuade the CBCP with my comments but to educate fellow Catholics about the issue of the meddling through petty threats of the Catholic Church and misinformation regarding the Reproductive Health Bill. If not only for this threat to excommunicate and civil disobedience announced by the CBCP representatives that will I not show my passion for my country. To end this very "involved" and passionate post about this Reproductive Bill which has been pending for almost fourteen years, I give you the ANC Headstart Interview regarding the RH Bill.

ANC Headstart guests (hosted by Ms. Karen Davila) tour guide Mr. Carlos Celdran and Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan talks about the RH Bill.







ANC Headstart guests (hosted by Ms. Karen Davila) Pro-Life Philippines president Eric Manalang talks about the grounds of being against the RH Bill.

The Ground-Breaking 10.10.10 Run for Pasig River - A Malinaw's Advocacy

"Water is life" has been said so many times already but unfortunately we neglected our responsibility to conserve our natural resources for water throughout the years, and the results are an chaitic. The Philippines, a home to many natural wonder and abundant resources also faces the same problem of improper waste management and one great example of which is the once glorious Pasig River, which has been drenched with sludge of waste and other materials accumulated through out the years of negligence.

The The answer is the 10.10.10. RUN FOR PASIG RIVER is a ground-breaking event which will aim to bring back the Pasig River back to its former glory. Now onto what is the 10.10.10. RUN FOR PASIG RIVER and how can we get involved in it?



The 10.10.10. RUN FOR PASIG RIVER is the first milestone for the "Malinaw" advocacy. The Malinaw Advocacy was launched last April 15, 2010 by ABS-CBN Foundation in its sustaining effort for Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig. The advocacy aims to bring back the glory of Pasig River and mobilizes the whole populace into action.

Thanks to ABS-CBN Foundations's Kapit Bisig sa Ilog Pasig, the future of a fully restored Pasig River will soon be amongst us. The call for the Pasig River restoration and the initiative is what you can watch in this special awareness campaign video seen last 2009 on ABS-CBN Foundation's 20th anniversary.





Malinaw Advocacy with its 10.10.10. RUN FOR PASIG RIVER aims to raise awareness and funds for the restoration of river. The advocacy is targeting 101,010 runners from different sectors of society which is an ambitious (but not an impossible) attempt, which could also be another first of the Philippines to leave a mark on the Guinness Book of World Records.



The one-of-a-kind run will consist of 4 major starting points including the SM Mall of Asia (3Km), Luneta Park (5Km), The Fort Bonifacio Global city (10Km), and SM Markina (21Km), all converging to 1 finish line at the SM Mall of Asia where a grand celebration will also be held after to cap-off the momentous event.

Be part of the historic 101,010 runners and possible record-making advocacy run. Make your money's worth by helping out with the restoration of Philippines iconic Pasig River, sign-up in 10.10.10 run for Pasig River.

An Ideal and Creative Advocacy Through Visuals With Vision

March 20, 2009 (Friday) A noble campaign and contest called Visuals With Vision was launched at Pablo X, Cubao in partnership with YOCard, the premier freecard provider in the Philippines.

The picture I used here are taken from my second partner in crime, the Sony Ericsson W760i. My brother brought the Canon Powershot A470 (my usual partner in covering blog events) so I crossed fingers and hope that the Sony Ericsson produced the same good quality pictures like my digi cam, luckily it did.



YoCard Online's Advocacy



Visuals with Vision Advocacy and Contest details here









I arrived early (as usual) at the venue, so early that they were just about to finish the set up for the event. So I decided not to approach the event first (not to show that I am that "excited" with the event hehehe). Around 8 in the evening people started flocking the small display room and that's were I signed up and still was the first one to log in.









I liked how YoCard creatively turn ordinary advertisements into aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and intellect postcards. Some of the photos I captured can be seen in my Visuals with Vision Launching Coverage Facebook Photo album





The people from WeWillDoodle turned the seeming blank postcard holders into holder of works of art which is also related to YoCard's Advocacies.

For more information you can visit the YoCard Philippines on their official website:

http://www.yocardonline.com/