In his campaign, Nick implores everyone to boycott the Manila Standard Today, by not buying their paper or accessing their site.

While I vehemently condemn Malu Fernandez’s actions, and respect the sentiments of Nick and everybody else who have decided to join his campaign, I have decided not to join the boycott. I have several reasons.

First, I know that Manila Standard Today, and perhaps Malu, knows that any publicity is good publicity. By focusing on Malu Fernandez, people will invariably go back to its site. They will search for Malu Fernandez. They will read MST’s archives. Eventually, the call for a boycott might actually generate, albeit negative, enough interest on Manila Standard Today so that people will actually read on it some more.

And that utterly defeats the purpose of the boycott.

In fact, if you really want to bring an entity with an online presence down, you’d rather encourage everybody to browse every page of the website and leave them opened, all at the same time. A few thousand people doing that simultaneously would crash servers. You don’t even need to boycott them — their site won’t be there.

Second, one has to ask what will be achieved with this kind of boycott. Revenge? Justice? Moral ascendancy? If this actually works (in one of two ways, namely, Malu Fernandez does get fired or MST gets condemned and forgotten), will it give the blogging community, the “new media”, the satisfaction of the knowledge that they are capable of slaying old media? Is it an achievement that the Philippine blogging community will, five or ten years from now, be proud of? Would you be proud to have taken part in such an achievement?

I don’t think I would.

Finally, Malu Fernandez’s ilk and, perhaps, Manila Standard Today, do not deserve the attention that people are inadvertently giving to them by calling for a boycott. Nick himself says, in the campaign, that the Manila Standard Today is not a “big player” like the Inquirer or the Philippine Star. If you really want something to be ignored to oblivion, the easiest way would be for that thing to be forgotten.

Forgetting about Malu Fernandez might not be a good idea, but forgetting about MST will achieve the same result with much more effect than any boycott would.

Tess Termulo laments, over Twitter, that more people have given this controversy attention than Cris Mendez’s brutal murder. I agree with her (and I’m guilty of it too). The loss of an innocent life is infinitely more important than the words of a bigoted diva.

I would rather that the blogging community voice out on issues that are much more deserving of its attention. I’d rather that the blogging community focus on building bridges, not burning castles.

The more attention that we give Malu Fernandez, the more we feed people like her (and perhaps, papers like the Manila Standard Today) the publicity that they might very well be praying for.

UPDATE: Manuel Viloria writes a very informative piece about how to do an internet boycott the technical way.

Well, she’s really back. To underscore the irony, part of what she writes is about why women should not be afraid to try out cheap make-up brands:

But don’t be a label whore when it comes to makeup because as I said all the chemicals are basically the same. Don’t be afraid to try out cheap drugstore brands. You may find some things that you actually like. And for those of you on a budget don’t feel bad if you’re buying a cheaper brand than the one you really want. They just differ in packaging anyway, it’s all the same. [MST]

I guess it’s not the same with perfume? Beats me.

Anyway, I hope people will not vehemently react to her continued writing on MST. I believe that the only way that we can see if she was indeed sincere with her resignation apology, and if she has indeed learned something from the incident, is to read what she writes about in the future.

Everyone deserves a second chance, and everybody has a right to their own opinion. If the online community remains civil to this decision by the MST, I believe that we could prove that there is no truth to the accusation that the Philippine blogosphere is a lynch mob. We could also prove that we could be a more mature blogging community to begin with.

Now if you really want to beautify and lose weight:

Worried about fitness? Worried about weight? Then here some good options for you like windsor pilates, a great new complete body shaping system. It will shape your long lean muscles and tone your body better than different ab machines. And if you are looking for an effective and affordable way to reshape your body then buy gazelle edge. But before buying any such machines it is better to consult your doctor and check either you are fit for such machines or not.

The following is the text of the letter, which can be found here. I have provided this copy because I am not sure if The Philippine Star has implemented caching of articles and entries beyond recent ones (they don’t have an archive of past articles):

Statement from Malu Fernandez on the OFW controversy

Friday, August 24, 2007

I am humbled by the vehement and heated response provoked by my article entitled “From Boracay to Greece!” which came out in the June 2007 issue of People Asia. To say that this article was not meant to malign, hurt or express prejudice against the OFWs now sounds hollow after reading through all the blogs from Filipinos all over the world. I am deeply apologetic for my insensitivity and the offensive manner in which this article was written, I hear you all and I am properly rebuked. IT was truly not my intention to malign hurt or express prejudice against OFWs.

As the recent recipient and target of death threats, hate blogs, and deeply personal insults, I now truly understand the insidiousness of discrimination and prejudice disguised as humor. Our society is bound together by human chains of kindness and decency. I have failed to observe this and I am now reaping the consequences of my actions. It is my fervent hope that the lessons that I’ve learned are not lost on all those who through anonymous blogs, engaged in bigotry, discrimination, and hatred (against overweight individuals, for example).

I take full responsibility for my actions and my friends and family have nothing to do with this. To date I have submitted my resignation letters to both the Manila Standard and People Asia, on that note may this matter be laid to rest.[The Philippine Star]

I hope that this lays to rest this deeply divisive and scandalous issue.

UPDATE: Here is the video of the TV Patrol report regarding Malu Fernandez, the OFW reaction, and her resignation:

Gladys Vergara, a “software development enthusiast” as described by the article (I wonder what that means, really?), offered free international calls in the light of the Israel-Lebanon conflict, using a device she designed herself:

To offer free international calls, Vergara used a customized adaptor, built to her specifications, which allows free access to existing telephone networks or which enables her to digitally translate voice messages made through these telephone calls so she can send them through the Internet.

Vergara said her adaptor is being sold to select distributors in the United States but has not yet been sold in the country for fear that giant telecommunications firms will block her efforts. [INQ7]

Of course PLDT was quick to react to protect their monopoly:

But some officials of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. are keeping their eyes on this free service.

A PLDT source said the gadget may be tapping into their network, and this threatens their commercial franchise.

PLDT has started marketing its digital fiber optic project that broadens Internet access here.

“I have already received a call from PLDT alerting me to legal problems should I commercialize this gadget. I haven’t. I am offering it for free,” Vergara said. [INQ7]

Funny that PLDT should worry about her gadget. VOIP phones are not at all uncommon; many multinationals use such gadgets to connect to their head offices everyday. I wonder if someone in PLDT isn’t doing their homework.

On the other hand, I’m willing to bet that she doesn’t use PLDT to connect to the internet.

Susana Quiambao, a Grade 6 teacher of New Mabuhay Elementary School in General Santos City, had several students undress in front of their classmates on account of low marks in an exam.

What makes my blood boil in this case, is that Quiambao claims that the issue has been blown out of proportion by the children’s parents, and that the class agreed to the punishment and the children did the act in their own volition:

Quiambao admitted to reporters that a number of students who had done poorly in recent exams had undressed in front of the class — the boys removed their pants and the girls took off their blouses. But she claimed the students did so voluntarily.

“They did it on their own volition,” Quiambao said.

She said the issue had been blown out of proportion by the parents. She said the class had agreed on the punishment and that the punishment was even educational “because the students appeared like they were just doing a fashion show.” [INQ7]

I find that kind or reasoning really disgusting.

Even if the class agreed to do such an act voluntarily, the class would have consulted the proper authority on the matter, who in this case, is non-other than Quiambao. If she even had the slightest respect for herself and her students, she would not have allowed the agreement to be made in the first place.

Second, she claims that the issue is being blown out of proportion — perhaps on the premise that these are “just kids” and them undressing in front of their classmates is no big deal. It’s tantamount to saying that it’s okay to subject children to acts of sexual nature, because no malice is involved. That sounds like the reasoning of a pedophile.

Lastly, I’m disturbed by her stating that she deemed the act of punishment “educational.” What would children possibly learn out of this? That humiliating fellow human beings is a normal thing?

If that’s how she thinks, she should undress in public as a sign of apology.
It’s disturbing that such twisted minds are tasked to mold the minds of our children. I hope the parents of the children subjected to abuse would file charges of child abuse AND pedophilia against this woman who dares call herself a teacher.

According to the news report, nine-year old Delmar Redota died last Wednesday. According to the report:

Redota, a Grade II pupil at the Silangan Elementary School Main in Barangay Upper Bicutan had died before dawn, exactly a week after a teacher allegedly forced her to swallow pencil shavings in class. [INQ7]

The thought of this possibly happening to any child, including my daughter, sends chills down my spine. It even shocks me more to find out that such teachers still exist, when the heavyhandedness of teachers of yesteryears have become taboo.

Brenda Elbambuena, Redota’s teacher, is now in hiding. I find it sad that the parents choose not to pursue a case against her, but despite that fact, Elbambuena still remains liable not only for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, but also for child abuse.

She’s lucky I’m not Redota’s father. If I were in his place I’d probably be hunting her down right now with the intent of killing her with my bare hands.

I never understood why the elderly have always had fond memories of Magsaysay. The mention of his charisma and popularity among the masses has been so casually written in history books (as far back as third grade I think my Sibika at Kultura books always talk about his popularity) that I have lost appreciation for it. Approaching my teens, I have learned to ask myself “what does popularity amount to, anyways?” The only kind of charisma and popularity that I’ve known then was that of Ferdinand Marcos with respect to his loyalists, and later, that of Joseph Estrada with his brand of “masa.”

I, however, recently chanced upon the Philippine Free Press blog, which published classic articles including one where the publication declared Magsaysay as Man of the Year in 1951. Magsaysay was defense secretary at the time.

Only then did I realize who Ramon Magsaysay truly was; or at least how he was perceived during his time. He was a man who had balls – the balls to reform the then already corruption-ridden military, the balls to ensure arrest a multimillionaire-cum-communist movement financier even if he had to do it twice, the balls to go to the barrios and talk to the masa to inquire about the real actions of his military officers.

Moreover, he was a man who had the balls to say no. A military officer who failed to send reinforcements to troops ambushed by the Hukbalahap pleaded to him to be given another chance, dragging along his wife and his children. Magsaysay said no. He was a man who clearly knew what it took to discipline his subordinates, and perhaps, reform the culture of corruption within the military.

And all the while I thought that, as President, his trips to the barrios to talk to the people was mere political gimmickry. Only recently did I understand that while his successors enjoy the same activity in the presence of news cameras, Magsaysay was doing it as a cabinet member who wanted to know the truth for himself, without any kind of photographic equipment following his every move.
The troubled political waters of the Philippines needs a Magsaysay now more than ever. And the existence of such a man in the past — a past that is not awfully different from the present aside from technology — gives hope that such good men exist in the present. Or will, at least, rise in the future.

Because we really need a man with such balls right now.

“We have no malicious intent,” says vocalist and guitarist Clem Castro. “In fact, we’re not even aware that such songs already exist.”

Damn f. Now they’re denying that they even knew about the song? This is completely contradictory to their own statement in no less than two Manila Bulletin articles:

On October 5, Jamie Hipe of Star Records was quoted:

Yes, they wrote the melody and used ‘Chandelier’ as their peg

On October 16, the band itself was quoted:

You can say that ‘Chandeliers’ was the inspiration, the peg of ‘Pinoy Ako.’ But it wasn’t derived from that or any other song.

My thoughts about this excuse was summarized in the thread regarding this issue in Pinoyexchange, wherein user sgrebs stated exactly what I had in mind:

I think tama ang suspetsa ko kung bakit bigla silang nagdeny ng pangongopya – pag inamin kasi nila, the burden of proof is on them to show na considered fair use yung pagkopya nila, whereas kung todo deny sila, it’s up to the accusers to show na may foul sa ginawa nila.

Now I’m regretting I wasn’t able to watch Kontrobersyal on ABS-CBN last night. All my friends are saying that it’s a lame case of the network defending its own; they only aired the “expert opinions” of Laurence Dyogi, Mel Villena and the lyricist Jonathan Manalo, who all are involved with Pinoy Big Brother and of course, as stakeholders, could not be considered as credible experts in the issue.

If ABS-CBN wanted to really be objective about the issue, they should’ve at least referred to Jojo Panaligan and Kaye Villagomez of the Manila Bulletin, if not Giselle Roque, who was the music writer who blew the whistle on OnL and was interviewed by the Bulletin regarding the issue.

Now I’m wondering how this issue would all end up.

Related entries:
Orange and Lemons cry foul; a music writer rebutts
PBB’s Theme Song: Another Case of Plagiarism?

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Update:

Bryant has an excellent entry about this issue, which also includes other local bands’ songs in question such as Session Road’s “Garmonbozia” and Cueshe’s “Stay”, for all of you who are curious about other cases of local bands that are accused of ripping off foreign material.