Showing posts with label blogger. Show all posts

My Sincere Prayer of Gratitude

…as a simple blogger

By Apolinario Villalobos

Thank you Lord,

…for leading me to people whose good deeds need to be exposed that they may inspire others;

…for giving me the courage to call the attention of fellowmen for their misdeeds;

…for the prayers of those who appreciate what I do, and which provide me with strength;

…for the encouragement of friends who give me inspiration;

…for the vintage laptop that has been helping me a lot;

…for the cellphone with camera that a cousin gave for quick photo shots of my subjects;

…for the strong wi-fi signal in the home of a cousin where I do my blogs;

…for the hi-tech communication system without which, my effort would be futile;

…for the tranquil nights and dawns during which I wake up to jot down prospective blogs;

…for words that come into my mind, and which I could develop into blogs;

…for the fingers that have recovered from carpal tunnel syndrome, so that I could work fast;

…for the effort of a nephew who provided me fast mobility with his motorcycle;

…for a stomach that could withstand pangs of hunger;

…for the lungs that have resisted the onset of respiratory ailments;

…for the nose that have been straining the polluted air;

…for my overall health to keep me going;

…for the strong comments of viewers who affirm my views;

…for the extras that I could spare for others;

…for making me wake up with sprite at dawn to prepare myself for the day;

…for the compassionate viewers who make donations for blogged needy people.

I pray that You continue to keep me and the rest with similar advocacy as mine, in the shadow of your protection at all times.

Amen!

The Writer

By Apolinario Villalobos

A true writer should be sensitive to the feelings of others, be they read as expressly written or viewed as shown through actuations. He should be able to develop any form of literary expression out of spoken words or written “bullet statements”. With facebook as an example, an adept writer should be able to develop a poem out of the comments on a certain posted photo. Comments about the photo are the “thoughts” of the facebook owner who posted it and a poem that is developed out of them by a writer should be rightly attributed to him….the writer being just the “editor”.

The writer should not constrain himself from writing the name of the source of the thoughts in the byline of a literary expression, be it a poem or an essay. Many people are frustrated writers and poets. They have thoughts that float in their mind, but they just do not know how to capture them. They may enumerate the words down but they do not know which to put ahead of the rest, which of them to comprise the content, and which word to end their presentation. This is where the writer-friend comes in….lend a hand….put substance to the words or discerned thoughts that are not yet expressed but are expected, as feelings are universal and interpretations vary only according to situation, but words are the same.

Some people show signs of literary talent but are shy to let them out. Their latent talent is discerned through the kind of words that they use in making comments on facebook posts or in the way they use them. These are the people who should be given utmost understanding. In the end, if the effort has made somebody happy, exert more of it….help many more shy people. This is what a “writer” should do…encourage others to express themselves.

Respect Should Prevail over Arrogance

When Presenting Views in the Internet

By Apolinario Villalobos

Definitely and obviously, differing views create rifts and even violent reaction among internet users on different issues. Commentors on blogs are themselves, considered as bloggers. Those who post extensive write-ups on issues, who consider themselves full time bloggers are just “view initiators”. Ill-feeling even among friends results when commenting friends criticize the blogger as a person which for them is the reason why he came up with certain blogs. On the other hand, the criticism of some commentors, though, directed to the issue, are ill-founded and tainted with more selfishness, rather than with consideration of the majority. An example is the issue on the corrupted educational system that encourages the use of workbook-formatted “text books”. Some commentors who can afford the sky-high cost of books that should be purchased every start of the school term, have no kind words for bloggers who criticize the government agency for continuously allowing such practice to happen.

Another is the issue on the killing of drug lords and pushers. Just because the rich feel safe inside their homes in exclusive subdivisions and because they do not go out often to earn their keeps and if ever, in chauffeured expensive cars, they criticize the killing which for them is against the right to live, instead, of appreciating the result which is the eradication of the criminals who kill the innocents who have the same right. Those who are exposed, however, to these criminals because they live in thickly populated communities and slums, feel otherwise, so that they are thankful that the criminals  are eliminated before they can go on spreading terror. IN THIS REGARD, ALL OF THEM, DESPITE THEIR DIFFERING VIEWS ON THE ISSUE, SHOULD BE RESPECTED FOR THEIR OPINION FOR AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT EXCHANGE ACCUSATIONS, AS BY ALL INDICATIONS,  IT IS CLEAR THAT WHAT IS GOOD FOR SOMEBODY MAY BE BAD FOR ANOTHER.

Views that may enhance the blog of the initiator should be presented “based” on his presentation, hence, should come out as not necessarily criticisms. If this happens, it would encourage others to come out with their own without fear of being lambasted. A heated uncalled for heated exchange can be avoided if commentors will only respect the blogger and fellow commentors. Telling the blogger and other commentors that they are wrong because their views are different, is tantamount to showing the arrogance of those who do such, because their act is a clear manifestation of their “felt superiority”. The view of the latter can be better appreciated if they are humble enough to just simply present them and if they need clarification on certain aspects they should say so.

The internet, particularly, facebook should not create ill-feelings among friends with differing views for which subject personalities such as politicians do not give a damn. Personally, I like Duterte because of his effort to eradicate or at least minimize the drug problem in the country, aside from his inspiring phenomenal soar to power despite his humble beginnings. But I do not like his brashness, especially jokes on women which are better shared during drinking sprees. So viewers could see that I am not 100% for Duterte as I only like him for the good aspects of his person.  I also have nothing against the Catholic Church, but only to her erring priests and nuns. I have the right to present my observation as I feel for those who are concerned and affected. This attitude also goes for my view of other churches and religious communities, because, first and foremost, my being a Free Thinker makes it so. I am for ALL for as long as they are good and not selfish.

If I had been selfish, I would not be blogging, risking my security in the process, due to the sensitive issues that I am tackling. I would just also be enjoying my life and what is left of Nature which is my other passion, while not giving a damn if families are affected by the drug problem and the Catholic flock who are fooled by SOME of the priests to whom they give utmost  respect because they view them as “representatives” of God on earth. 

ANG “BLOGGER”,  “BASHER”

AT “NAKAWAN” SA INTERNET

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang “blog” ay maaaring ituring na “noun” o “verb”. Kaugnay niyan, kapag “noun” ay pwedeng sabihing “the blog”, kapag “verb” ay masasabing, “to blog”. Subali’t kung tutuusin ay tungkol lang ito sa “pagsusulat” o “pagpo-post” ng buong sanaysay o komento man lang o di kaya ay ng larawan sa sariling facebook o sa facebook ng iba pero may pahintulot nila, at iba pang sites sa internet, lalo na ang mga pag-aari ng blogger.

Ang “basher” naman ay mga nagbabasa ng mga blogs at dahil kampon yata ng demonyo, sa halip na tumulong sa pagpapalinaw sa isinulat ng blogger, ay umiikot sa mga personal na bagay ang isinusulat bilang komento. Ibig sabihin ng “personal” ay tungkol sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa blogger kaya nade-derail ang mensahe ng blog. Sila yong mga kung tawagin ay “viewers” o nagbabasa ng blogs na hindi nagpaparamdam at tumatayming ng blog na pwede nilang sirain o bulabugin kaya nagagalit rin ang ibang mga seryosong nagbabasa. Kalimitan ay gusto nilang palabasin na mas magaling sila sa blogger sa paggamit ng Tagalog o English, o di kaya ay palabasing mas maganda ang kanilang pananaw. Kung ganoon sana ang paniniwala at pananaw nila, sumulat na lang sila ng sarili nilang blog upang mai-post sa kanilang fb.

Sa isang banda, maraming taong matatalino sa larangan ng teknolohiya ang nakakakita ng “ginto” sa internet…mga oportunidad na pwede nilang pagkitaan sa anumang paraan, kahit masama. Ang isang paraan ay ang illegal na pag-hack ng mga sites, gawaing itinuturing ng mga hacker na isang prestihiyosong kaalaman. May mga hantaran pang umaamin na sila ay hacker dahil maraming tao at kumpanya ang umuupa sa kanila upang makapanira ng kalaban o kakumpetensiya sa negosyo. Yong ibang hacker naman ay pumapasok sa sites ng iba bilang katuwaan lang o para patunayan na sila ay magaling. Sa ganitong gawain ay may mga sinuswerte rin, tulad ng Pilipinong nag-hack ng IT system ng Pentagon. Sa simula ay kinastigo siya, pero kalaunan ay kinuha na lang ng Pentagon upang mapakinabangan ang kanyang katalinuhan.

Ang iba namang “magagaling” ay gustong kumita sa pamamagitan ng panloloko. Ang mga paraan ay, ang paggamit ng email kung saan ay magpapadala sila ng mga nakakaiyak na kuwento ng kanilang buhay upang makapag-solicit ng tulong; pakikipagkaibigan upang mapagamit sila ng bank account ng kinakaibigan na paglalagakan kuno ng perang minana nila; pagpapadala ng email message tungkol sa isang pasyente sa ospital na kailangang operahan kaya nakikiusap sa pinadalhan na ikalat ang message dahil kapag ginawa ito, bawat isang message na ipinadala sa isang kaibigan ay may katumbas na pisong didiretso sa isang account, kaya kung mag-viral ang message dahil sa dugtung-dugtong na koneksiyon ng mga may-ari ng emails, siguradong hindi lang 1 milyong piso ang malilikom; pagbebenta sa internet ng mga kalakal lalo na gadgets, subalit kapag nakapaglagak na ng bayad sa ibinigay na bank account ang niloko ay parang bulang mawawala ang on-line seller.

Ano pa nga ba’t ang magandang layunin sana ng teknolohiya ay sinira ng mga taong may mala-demonyong pag-iisip. Dahil sa mga nangyayari ngayon, nagkaroon ng agam-agam o takot ang mga internet users sa pagpadala ng mga mahahalagang impormasyon sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay tulad ng numero ng passport, mga kopya ng dokumento, bank account number, numero ng telepono, at pati address ng bahay o negosyo. Yong isa ngang mayabang, nag-post lang ng kopya ng kanyang First Class plane ticket at boarding pass sa facebook ay nakuhanan na ng mga personal na detalye tulad ng contact number at address ng bahay na nakapaloob pala sa “bar code” ng boarding pass gamit ang isang skimming device na gawa sa China! Kaya habang nagliliwaliw ang mayabang at ang pamilya niya, inakyat-bahay sila! Nangyayari ito kapag ang pasahero ay miyembro ng promo program na nangangailangan ng mga personal niyang impormasyon, kaya ang pangalan niya ay naka-connect sa information archive ng information system ng airline.

Ang epekto ng teknolohiya sa tao ay hindi nalalayo sa epekto ng mga inimbentong bagay na magdudulot sana ng kaginhawaan sa buhay ng tao. Ang gamot halimbawa, ay inimbento upang makapagpahaba ng buhay, subalit inabuso, kaya may namamatay dahil sa overdose o maling paggamit. Ang baril ay inimbento sana upang maging proteksiyon subalit ginamit sa katarantaduhan. Ang dinamita na gagamitin lang sana sa pagpasabog lang ng malalaking tipak ng bato upang hind maging hadlang sa ginagawang kalsada sa gilid ng bundok ay ginamit sa maling pangingisda at terorismo. Ganon din ang ginawa sa marami pang inimbentong ginamit na pagpuksa ng kapwa-tao at kalikasan. At, lahat ng iyan ay nangyayari dahil sa pagkagahaman ng tao  na umiiral sa mundo!

MAYROON AKONG SINCERE COMMITMENT BILANG BLOGGER

KAYA WALANG SINUMAN ANG MAY KARAPATAN NA TAWAGIN

AKONG ZOMBIE NI DUTERTE!

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

HINDI AKO BLOGGER NA BAYARAN AT LALONG MAY SARILI AKONG ISIP. HINDI AKO PANATIKO NA TULAD NG INAAKALA NG IBA. HINDI DAHIL MADALAS KONG I-BLOG SI DUTERTE AY SASABIHIN NA NG IBA NA BULAG AKONG TAGASUNOD NIYA. AT, HINDI SA PAGBUBUHAT NG SARILI KONG BANGKO, MABUTI NGA AT GINAGAMIT KO ANG KAALAMANG BIGAY NG DIYOS KO SA AKIN SA TAMANG PARAAN, HINDI TULAD NG IBA DIYAN NA MASYADONG BILIB SA SARILI DAHIL GRADUATE DAW NG MALAKING UNIBERSIDAD SUBALIT PULPOL NAMAN ANG PANUNTUNAN SA BUHAY DAHIL KUNG ANO ANG MALI AY SIYANG PINAPANIGAN.

ANG MGA BINA-BLOG KO AY MGA GOOD POINTS NG MGA TAO, KILALA MAN SILA O HINDI UPANG MAGING INSPIRASYON NG IBA. DAPAT UNAWAIN NA WALANG PERPEKTONG TAO KAYA KUNG HALIMBAWANG SI MARCOS NA NAGING DIKTADOR AY HINDI NAGUSTUHAN NG MARAMING PILIPINO TULAD KO, MERON DIN NAMAN SIYANG GINAWANG MAGANDA PARA SA PAGPAHINAY-HINAY NG PAGKALAT NG DROGA NOONG PANAHON NIYA NANG IPA-FIRING SQUAD NIYA ANG INTSIK NA DRUG LORD SA LUNETA KAYA NAGDULOT NG TAKOT SA MGA KASAMA NIYANG NAGSI-UWIAN SA TSINA!

NGAYON, KAHIT HALOS DALAWANG BUWAN PA LANG SA PAGIGING PRESIDENTE AY NASINDAK NI DUTERTE ANG MGA PROMOTOR NG PAGKALAT NG ILEGAL NA DROGA SA BANSA…GOOD POINT NIYA ITO NA GUSTO KO KAYA BINA-BLOG KO SIYA. HINDI KO RIN ALAM KONG SA PAG-USAD NG PANAHON AY KAKIKITAAN SIYA NG BAD POINTS KAYA HINDI RIN MAIIWASANG BATIKUSIN KO SIYA. ANG TURING KO SA KANYA SA NGAYON AY AMPALAYA NA ISANG PAGKAING MAPAIT SUBALIT MAY KATANGIANG PANLABAN SA DIABETES. IBIG SABIHIN, MAPAIT O HINDI MAGANDA ANG DATING NI DUTERTE SA KANYANG MGA DETRACTORS, SUBALIT KITANG-KITA AT MALINAW PA SA SIKAT NG ARAW NA NASINDAK NIYA ANG MGA SALOT NA DRUG PERSONALITIES, LALO PA AT WALA SIYANG SINASANTO NI ISA MAN SA KANILA KAHIT MGA KAIBIGAN NIYA…DAHIL DIYAN AY ITINUTURING KO SIYANG GAMOT LABAN SA DROGA!

ANG BINA-BLOG KO AY PURO MGA ORIGINAL VIEWS AT IDEYA KO….NA ANG IBA AY BATAY SA AKING MGA KARANASAN, LALO NA ANG MGA TUNGKOL SA HUMAN VALUES AT MGA TAONG KUNG ITURING NG IBA AY MGA YAGIT….MGA KAIBIGAN KO SILA. HINDI AKO BASTA-BASTA NAGBA-BLOG KUNG HINDI AKO KUMBINSIDO NA MAKAKATULONG ANG MGA ITO SA IBA SA PAMAMAGITAN NG PAGBUKAS NG KANILANG KAISIPAN….SUBALI’T SA BANDANG HULI, GUSTO KO PA RING PAIRALIN ANG KASABIHANG, “TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT”, KAYA WALANG KARAPATAN ANG SINUMANG BUMATIKOS NG PAGKATAO KO DAHIL AYAW NILA ANG BLOG KO. KUNG AYAW NILA NG BLOG KO, KONTRAHIN NILA SA PAMAMAGITAN NG PAGLAHAD NG NALALAMAN NILA….WALANG PERSONALAN….I-SENTRO ANG KOMENTO SA BLOG, HINDI SA BLOGGER! YAN ANG MATALINONG PARAAN! WALANG MASAMA SA PAGKOMENTO LABAN SA BLOG, BASTA SA BLOG LANG. AT, LALONG MABUTI KUNG I-UNFRIEND NA LANG AKO UPANG HINDI NA MAKABASA, PERO HINDI AKO GAGAWA NIYAN DAHIL MATINO AKONG TAO.

LAHAT NG NAKIKIPAGKAIBIGAN SA AKIN AY ITINUTURING KONG KAIBIGAN KAHIT GALIT AKO SA KATARANTADUHAN NG IBA SA KANILA. SA ISANG BANDA, HINDI DAHIL GALIT AKO SA ISANG BAHAGI NG PAGKATAO NILA AY MAGAGALIT NA AKO SA KABUUHAN NITO….MALI ANG GANYANG UGALI. PARA SA AKIN, HINDI DAHIL ANG MGA PUNONG HINDI NAKAKAIN NG TAO ANG MGA BUNGA AY DAPAT PUTULIN NA. KAHIT PAPAANO AY NAKAKAIN PA RIN ANG MGA BUNGA NILA NG MGA HAYOP, AT HIGIT SA LAHAT AY NAGBIBIGAY SILA NG LILIM, NAGSISILBI RING DAPUAN NG MGA IBON KUNG SAAN SILA NAGPUPUGAD.

ANG MGA NAGAGALIT KAY DUTERTE DAHIL SA PAGMUMURA NITO AT MGA NANGYAYARING PAGPATAY SA MGA DRUG PERSONALITIES ANG MAY MAKIKITID NA PANG-UNAWA! BAKIT HINDI SILA MAG-RESEARCH TUNGKOL SA TAONG IBINA-BLOG KO AT I-COMMENT, HINDI YONG KUNG ANU-ANONG PINAGSASABI NA AMPAW NAMAN? PASASALAMATAN KO ANG MGA IMPORMASYONG IKOKOMENTO TUNGKOL SA “KASAMAAN” NI DUTERTE KUNG MERON MAN. DAPAT ALALAHANIN NA GUSTO NGA NI DUTERTE ANG TRANSPARENCY KAYA SA LEVEL NG EXECUTIVE BRANCH NG GOBYERNO AY MAYROON NANG FREEDOM OF INFORMATION NA WALANG PAGDADALAWANG-ISIP NIYANG INAPRUBAHAN.

HINDI MADALI ANG MAG-BLOG DAHIL MARAMI ANG NASASAGASAAN AT NASASAKTAN, SUBALIT ANO ANG GAGAWIN KO KUNG ITO LANG ANG PARAAN UPANG MAKAPAGLAHAD NG KATOTOHANAN AT PAGSUPORTA SA MGA TAONG MAY MAGANDANG LAYUNIN? ILANG BESES NA RIN AKONG NAG-APOLOGIZE UPANG IPAKITA NA HANDA AKONG TUMANGGAP NG PAGKAKAMALI DAHIL TULAD NGA NG SABI KO, HINDI PERPEKTO ANG TAO….KASAMA  AKO DIYAN. AT, AKO AY TAONG MAY MATINONG INTELLECT, HINDI ZOMBIE NA ANG KATINUAN AY NILUSAW NG LASON! HINDI AKO NAKAGAWA NG MAHIGIT 3,000 NA EDITORIALS, POEMS AT MGA TULA KUNG AKO AY ZOMBIE!

SA LAHAT NG AYAW KO AY ANG INSULTUHIN ANG KATINUAN NG PAG-IISIP KO DAHIL YAN AY MINANA KO PA SA MGA MAHAL KONG MAGULANG AT NILINANG SA ISANG ESWELAHAN SA MINDANAO NA KAHIT HINDI UNIBERSIDAD O MALAKING KOLEHIYO AY MAY MATATALINONG ADMINISTRADOR AT MGA GURO - ANG PINAGMAMALAKI KONG NOTRE DAME OF TACURONG COLLEGE! PAROCHIAL SCHOOL NGA KUNG ITURING HINDI NAMAN TULAD NG MGA UNIBERSIDAD AT MALALAKING KOLEHIYO NA ANG ILANG NAGTAPOS AY MAYAYABANG AT SAGAD SA BUTO ANG KORAPSYON!...AT, MAKIKITID PA ANG ISIP!...UULITIN KO, IILAN LANG NAMAN SILANG NALILIGAW ANG LANDAS!

ANG MGA DIPUTA, GUNGGONG AT INUTIL NA MGA MAPAGKUNWARING KRISTIYANO KUNONG ITO ANG DAPAT MAWALA SA MUNDO….SILANG MGA HINDI MARUNONG MAGHAMBING NG MGA KAPAKANAN!...NA ANG HALIMBAWA AY ANG PAGHAMBING SA IILANG DAANG PINATAY NA MGA PROMOTOR NG ILEGAL DRUG, SA MILYUN-MILYONG KABATAAN AT PAMILYA NA NASIRA ANG KINABUKASAN KAYA KUNG TUTUUSIN AY KASIRAAN NA RIN NG BUONG PILIPINAS DAHIL PATI LIBLIB NA BARANGAY AY INABOT NA RIN NG BISYONG ITO!

PARA SA MGA MAHIHILIG SA QUOTES, HINDI BA MAY KASABIHANG, “BEHIND THE STORMY CLOUDS IS A SILVER LINING”? ITO PA ANG IBANG MGA TANONG: HINDI BA BAGONG BUHAY ANG KAPALIT NG PAGHIHIRAP NG ISANG INANG NANGANGANAK?...HINDI BA KUMALAT ANG KRISTIYANISMO DAHIL SA PAGHIHIRAP AT PAGKAMATAY NI HESUS SA KRUS? HINDI BA ANG IBANG GAMOT AY MAPAIT? HINDI BA ANG PALAYAN AY INI-ESPREYHAN NG CHEMICAL NA NAKALALASON UPANG MAPUKSA ANG MGA KULISAP AT DAMO? PAANONG LALAGO ANG MGA GULAY AT BULAKLAK KUNG HAHAYAANG MATALO SILA NG MGA DAMO? ANG PAGHIHIRAP NG PILIPINAS DAHIL SA KRIMEN AT DROGA, NA PILIT WINAWALIS NI DUTERTE UPANG MAGKAROON NG PAGBABAGO AY HINDI NALALAYO SA MGA BINANGGIT KO….KUNG MAUUNAWAAN NG MGA MAKABASA NITO….SANA.

A day in the Life of a Struggling Blogger

By Apolinario Villalobos

In countries like the United States, bloggers have no problem because all they need to do is just go to a park, and there, with free wifi connection, they can blog for as long as they want. But not in a third-world country like the Philippines where the government’s promise for free wifi sites in public places is part of nauseating propaganda of the administration. A blogger has to have a landline for an assured strong signal that can be sucked by a modem. An option is to have a USB broadband and portable or pocket wifi which must be loaded. Lucky are the bloggers that can connect to a neighbor with a repeater wifi that he can use, with consent of course.

But for a struggling blogger who has no landline to which a modem for wifi can be attached for a strong signal, or cannot afford a post-paid plan for broadband or pocket wifi, there’s no other choice but a load from a corner store bought for 50pesos which is good for one day. As soon as the load has been registered, the blogger must get to work immediately to maximize the use for the allotted time. The problem is the weak signal, especially, if several blog sites have to be opened for uploads. During unfortunate days with a weaker signal, uploading may take the whole day, instead of the normal four to five hours. During those days the indicator for a successful connection would just turn round and round, almost infinitely.

There are times when blogs which are thought to have been uploaded successfully are trashed due to incompleteness of attempt. Other times, due to the weak signal, uploading process hangs. And, worst, is when the signal is cut off in the middle of uploading!

What aggravates the situation are the promo offerings of servers, enticing internet users to buy their cheap surfing package which are deemed useless because, even until the purchased load has been consumed, no connection has been made! It is like rubbing salt to the wound.

The National Telecom time and again has expressed it s disgust over the inutility of the service of the different Philippine-based servers, but just like the mumblings of other government agencies for show, nothing has been done which is a clear defiance on the part of the servers, an obvious loss of respect to the government. Meanwhile, the internet users suffer, especially, struggling poor bloggers. And, just to assure a little bit of strong signal, bloggers of this kind have to do the uploading in the wee hour of 3AM!

The Serious Netizens

…who are they?

By Apolinario Villalobos

Civilization has given us the high technology, thanks to the geniuses who toiled many 24/7 days of their life in order to develop bundles of convenience and comfort. And, the cyberspace is the centerfold of such effort. Today, not only texts and designs can be printed but some approved medicines, as well. Actual operations on patients in operating rooms thousands of miles away can be made via visual instructions. Interplanetary explorations are today made with ease, unlike before when taking an accurate photo of the moon’s cratered surface was a complex thing to do.

The emergence of high-technology has also developed a new generation of humanity – the “netizens”. These are the patient people who made the quick spread of knowledge possible. When before, one has to run to the library to check on something or pore over pages of encyclopedia at home, today, all that one need to do is tap the keys of his laptop, desk computer or smart phone, anywhere, anytime.

One can “travel” to other places by just browsing through the posts of travel bloggers, or check the posts of foodie bloggers to have an idea on what those in African continent and Mediterranean islands eat most of the time, or be updated on how to improve his health by going over the pages of posts on health and medicine.

The serious netizens are those who share what they know because they want to help humanity. They are also those who are hungry for the information that are archived in the webs of the cyberspace. They do not abuse the technology by bashing others through the facebook or post blogs that can foment misunderstanding, as well as, incite trouble.

The serious netizens are the unselfish ones who cause the viral spread of information about people, animal and places in distress. They offer help in any form – counsel, money or prayers to helpless strangers whose face they saw only on posted blogs. They are the new citizens of the world whose effort in helping others knows no boundary, and whose heart’s warmth penetrates even the deepest corners of any jungle all over the world.

You, who are viewing this, belong to this new generation! Congratulations!

Ridiculing the Police

On the Issue of the Diaper is Senseless

By Apolinario Villalobos

The plan to let the police use diaper as an option to effectively carry out their responsibilities during the papal visit, has basis. Other countries use this option, and discreetly, this was also used during the past big events in the country. It was only during the planning stage of the operational strategy for the papal visit that the police agency was vocal about it, after having been egged to come out with detailed plans.

The thousands of police from the provinces were “billeted” in public venue facilities such as stadiums which are uncomfortable due to limited facilities, yet, they patiently persisted in maintaining their poise despite the lack of rest. This Spartan life was endured for five days. The police went through a lot of sacrifice, although they expected it as part of their job, no question about that.

But despite all those sacrifices, some conscienceless Filipinos, still had the heart to ridicule the police. It is a common knowledge that the rank of these law enforcers also reeks with graft and corruption but to ridicule them despite their selfless effort during a significant papal visit smacks of insanity on the part of the blogger who abused the use of the social media. If the blogger uploaded a photo of a police sniffing shabu or accepting bribe, it could have been acceptable. 

Bloggers should show decency, fairness, and as necessary, some restraint in expressing themselves.

Ideas Are not Owned by Writers Alone

By Apolinario Villalobos

Ideas that suddenly crop up in blogs are not owned by the writers alone. They are also ensconced in the minds of others, waiting to be tapped. It just happened that there are some people – the writers, who happen to bring them out ahead of others. Writers are just articulators of ideas that are innate in all of us. It just happened that they have the nerve to do so. Others may already be thinking about them but are hesitant to bring them out. While others are made aware by the blogs that they have the same ideas in their mind, only, they did not give them much attention.

The writer who comes out with ideas can be helped by others through comments, be they negative or positive. Negative comments do not mean that the commenter is mad at the writer, as the written ideas are the issue, not the writer. Also, those who are harboring the same ideas should not feel bad because others beat them in the posting.

Expression of ideas should not be competitive, as proving who writes the best dissertation. Writers should treat each other as comrades in risks, enhancing each other’s works. If the commenter feels that what has been blogged is lacking or wanting in substance, he should enhance it by giving comments – for the sake of the readers. Writers should not be selfish as to keep information from the public and fellow writer, as these could be made as basis for the ensuing relevant additional information.

Most importantly, ideas that have been exposed by writers should be put into action if necessary by others who have encountered them. This is where role playing comes in. In other words, as not all can be articulate in writing, the others must be good in implementing. Also, if ideas found to be beneficial that have been exposed are worth sharing with others, let us not hold ourselves from doing the necessary action. However, it is expected that writers practice what they preach.

Finally, the popularity of writers, if indeed they become such, is just an incidental result of his effort, and should not be viewed as a big deal at all, because primarily, the objective in writing is to share or expose ideas for the sake of others.