Pedestrian Observer GB: Pinoy Personalities Southern Injustice

That is just how “some” ( a handful is a more apt description) people perceived the Malu Fernandez fiasco and the unexpected tidal wave of response never seen before since the Flor Contemplacion case that toppled 2 high ranking government officials. Watching the 6 part ( one, two, three, four, five, & six) you tube series on “MOB RULE” aired by ANC having such title tells you right away it was an indictment not of the culprit but those of the lowly mortals of the online world particularly the OFW kind.

Is it because the host and the station just like the self-proclaimed “Diva” caters to the same market that delusional Malu Fernandez think she has….. the elites or thinking they are elites in a third world economy where a great portion of the “wanna be’s” or the shrinking middle class are pushed down to poverty level and majority of the population are wallowing in the muck of poverty? I can’t help notice how the host alarmingly tries to portray the reactions of the online community to a mob of out of control riotous rampage out to burn and destroy anyone and anything on their path.

The host mind was set as she desperately tries to picture the netizens in a bad light or the so-called “mob” like and “violent” comment mostly pertaining to Malu Fernandez weight issues owing to the so-called anonymity cover that the internet provides. The sad part is while the host points out what she perceives as the excess and out of line response she and her production staff failed or did not do extensive research on why people reacted in such manner. As usual scratching the surface just like the shallow Malu Fernandez ranting on what she deems the “problem” but never attempted to understand the very core of the issue.

They were right though in seeing the internet as unstructured and what I believe was their apprehension not of the egalitarian nature of the internet and the emerging role of bloggers to sway public opinion but the inevitability of making them obsolete. At the rate Philippine print and broadcast media goes they might as well turn irrelevant due to corruption and lack of ethical standards as the lure of “ATM journalism” sways quite a number of them in that direction.

Sadly while they have the resources to undertake a more in depth coverage they choose to cover the bruha errr the Malu Fernandez brouhaha in a scratch the surface manner. If that is the case what then set them apart from bloggers like us? Nada, zip, zilch and if this is how they handle this incident then bloggers have the upper hand because unlike media establishment, bloggers are not beholden to anyone. Most bloggers offers a no holds barred entries that is not beholden to anyone affording readers raw and unadulterated commentaries that defies the norm of “ATM journalism”.

Thanks to one guest Ricky Carandang for his views in clarifying the nature of a mob…… no one pointed a gun at Malu Fernandez or was there an incident of an actual mob throwing stones or setting fire to her residence or her publications offices. On a scale of 1 to 10 the latter being the highest if I am to rate this coverage, this is my take:

R. Carandang a 10 for keeping an open mind and not succumbing to the "mob" portrayal of the online community particularly the OFWs.

Che Che Lazaro and her staff a 2 for lackadaisical research and not having a single OFW (as if there is no one to be found when there is Ellene Sana of CMA, Migrante, Ding bagasao of Ercof, Julie Javellana-Santos who has been writing for the OFWs for quite sometime, OFW Journalism consortium etc.) or an email comment from an OFW blogger at the least in the panel. A low 1 for misguided concept of OFW demanding respect from the feudal concept of the word not realizing that respect is about treating people your equal.

Alex Magno a 4 because he is not an OFW and more identified with La Glory.

Belmonte a 2 for her unwillingness to open up and too afraid to blurt out politically incorrect staements.

Our 2 fellow blogger Benj Espina of Atheista and Josel Gonzales of Nomadic Thoughts an 8 for trying their best not to represent the bloggers or the OFWs.

How about you how would you rate the Media in Focus of ANC hosted by Che Che Lazaro on the Malu Fernandez bruha errr brouhaha which they titled “MOB RULE” referring to us bloggers and the online communities reaction? Let your voices be heard and speak out.

As I was about to end this entry I found Isip Lugaws entry on another Malu derivative who is even thanking Malu Fernandez for showing the “ugly Pinoy in us”…. oh, boy talk of self-flagellating individual trying desperately to do his penance and desperately dragging us along is just pathetic.

ofw

TO ALL CONCERNED FILIPINOS:

Dr. Noel Chua is finally going to have his day in court. Numerous Filipino-Americans as well as organizations across the United States are supporting Dr. Chua in his quest for justice. Dr. Eligio (Ely) Q. Abellera of Fairburn, Georgia has initiated a fund drive to raise money for the defense of Dr. Chua. I encourage all Filipino-Americans to support Dr. Chua with their generosity. No amount is too small or too large. I hope that this appeal from Dr. Abellera would be heeded from our community.

Mabuhay!

All the best,

Perry Diaz
BALITA-USA Editor

P.S. For your reference, I am reprinting my original article on Dr. Chua's case. (article can be found here)

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I wrote this as a volunteer member of the Georgia Advocacy for Justice, a group primarily formed to drum up support and help advocate justice for Dr. Noel Chua. Thank you for bringing this to the forefront. Actually, I became aware of this injustice only after I received your original article, Dr. Noel Chua, A Victim of Southern Justice through e-Balita. That was when I began to be active in the campaign. I dont know Dr. Chua myself but I firmly believe he is innocent of the charges against him. My contact with him is through telephone and emails only. The addressees you see in the original posting are our local e-newsletters here in Atlanta.

Thank you again.

Eligio (Ely) Q. Abellera, M.D. (retired)
Fairburn, Georgia
30213 770/461-2860

A TEST OF OUR UNITY ---- an APPEAL There was a time when most of our e-newsletter postings were centered on UNITY. In fact, I remember my own contribution then with a piece I wrote entitled “Filam As I See It“ but I did not feel appropriate to post until much later. It has been more than two years since, yet there seems to be that strange feeling that somehow everything is not alright. --- that unity in its full meaning hasn’t been achieved; that complete healing has not taken place. Yes, we had the unifying “Pista ng Pilipinas“ in Atlantic Station and more recently the “Pagdiriwang“ in Duluth. There were a host of other noble undertakings including the monthly Filipino mass and other church activities, Couples for Christ-Gawad Kalinga endeavors, dance ministry, seminars for enhancement of various skills, golf outings and other sports activities, fund raising functions to host dignitaries or benefit the different foundations and charities.

Somehow though, there appears to be still that aura of discord, a certain degree of disconnect or suspicion if you may. Understandably or not, some folks seem to be not quite at ease with each other.

What is the point? The point is, with this seeming discomfort, we now have a catalyst to bring all of us together. Call it a crisis, but there’s no politics, no projects, and no hidden agenda. It is an opportunity to show who really we are, an opportunity to band together, set aside personal issues and get behind a mission and clamor for justice --- justice for Dr. Noel Chua, a victim of justice denied. After the tireless effort of Willy Blanco in bringing his case to the forefront, we now have a direction to go.

The issue is Dr.Chua, a well loved and respected Filipino American physician in Camden County is withering in jail for well over ten long months now, falsely accused of felony murder in connection with the accidental drug overdose death of a patient, a friend, an employee and a housemate.

He is also accused of 17 counts in connection with narcotic drug prescriptions (RICO). He was questionably denied bail. His assets were frozen and whether it is legal or not, such assets are being slowly eroded by a court appointed receiver. Dr. Chua is being pandered a plea bargain deal by the prosecuting DA, the provisions of which are deemed absolutely unacceptable by Dr. Chua. He claims that he had made peace with God and vowed to fight than succumb to pressure of admitting such false accusations. His words, “I’d rather rot in jail“ a testimonial to his strong feeling of innocence. The current defense team strongly argues that Dr. Chua is indeed innocent of such malfeasant charges. His optimism runs amok that he will win --- that the prosecution has no valid case. He just needs support from the community, our community. Having walked through the case with the defense, we share such optimism. Dr. Chua may well be all the other things he is perceived to be but he is NOT a drug pusher and NEITHER is he a MURDERER. And here our dear friends is where our unity is being put to a test. Let us prove that this is not just a word coming out of our lips .Is our community truly united? Are we truly together?

We need $25,000 more in addition to the $140, 000 already raised locally by supporters within the Camden county area. Let’s face it, the local supporters had gone far more than expected and are already overburdened. Some of them probably don’t mind to contribute more in interest of justice but we also need our community here to make a stand. For now, we are committed to share the burden of raising $15,000. Please join our crusade for justice. Write your check to Dr.Chua Legal Defense Fund c/o Filam. (Filipino American Association of Greater Atlanta). It must be made clear that the association itself is just being used as a vehicle/custodian for ease of accounting. Not a single cent goes to its coffer. We also realize that any donation of this kind does not qualify under the 501(c) rule; hence, we are appealing out of the goodness and charity of everyone’s heart. We hope that with your generous help, in the end justice will reign supreme. Remember, it could easily be you or me who could be a victim of such injustice so let us rally and prove that we Filipino Americans are no pushovers in our quest for justice. To further quote Dr. Chua, “HIS GRACE and Righteousness knows no bounds“.

Let us help prove that too.. MAY WE COUNT ON YOU? Our time is so limited. Trial is set for either Sept 10 or 17. Ask your friends to help! Please send your checks to either one of the following:

Pam Peterman, (Filam Treasurer) 3619 3619
Powder Springs, Ga. 30127,
Tel# 770/633-8520

Toni Daya,
Fund Raising Coordinator
1050 Wilde Run Court, Roswell, Ga. 30075

Check Drop off Outlets:
Fame Cargo, Check Drop off
Outlets D, 30340, Mabuhay Store,
4645 Jonesboro Rd. Forest Park, Ga. 30297
404/361-9313

Yakiniku
4002 Highway 78, suite 400
Snellville, Ga.30039-3977
tel.# 736-1800

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

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The article above is from Perry Diaz, Balita-USA Editor

Support For Dr. Noel Chua Growing

Dr. Noel Chua: Victim of Southern Injustice

southern injustice