Pedestrian Observer GB: blogging

"In societies where Robbing Hoods are treated like a celebrity it is but natural to expect political parties to act like a Mafia syndicate" Political Jaywalker "In a nation where corruption is endemic people tend to confuse due process with aiding and abetting criminals" Political Jaywalker "War doesn't determine who is right, war determines who is left" Bertrand Russell "You have just one flash flood of money, you keep your people poor. It's like a time bomb and it's scary" Philippine Lawmaker

Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts

Food, Blog Action Day 2011

Today 16th of October is the World Food Day and Pedestrian Observer GB in solidarity with bloggers the world over joins BAD (Blog Action Day) in focusing on FOOD.

I am proud to take part in Blog Action Day Oct 16, 2011 www.blogactionday.org

Food in the Filipino culture is seen by some to be of superstitious sacredness meant to be consumed without waste or be damned to suffer from want resulting in its scarcity.

There are parts of the world that are suffering famine and this attitude can be seen as positive in terms of consuming what needs to be consumed minimizing the waste where others don’t even have the luxury of having food in itself.

Consuming without waste is a good thing until the Philippines became part of a globalized market where fast food became almost the staple food for most of its population. The undesirable result is the problem of obesity unheard of before in a country where most of the people has ideal weight and build. The problem is exacerbated when fast food chains in their intense competition outdo each other in serving super-size foods and drink. Coupled with a mindset that food should not go to waste, obesity suddenly becomes a Philippine version reality show of the Biggest Loser with an equally big host that has a problem losing her extra weight while the contestants successfully loses it.

One may argue that fast food is not readily available to most of the Philippine population since a big portion of the population are marginalized and subsist on less than US$2.00 a day. This is true but this blog post that we did July 27, 2008 on the subject of poverty for the Blog Action Day will explain the extent that fast food creeps into even the marginalized in a different way…….

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Pagpag, A disgusting Glimpse on Poverty

There is no question that poverty has existed in Philippine cities since its inception, nothing new or nothing unusual about that. Crowding, congestion, low level of living standards and desperation are so common that it has numbed people of its existence especially the leaders and the shrinking middle class.

Rapid urbanization in the midst of development brings along increase in high cost of living. Despite the advent of technology, poverty still persist in massive proportion and the potential to increase rapidly should have alarmed the nations’ leaders. if indeed they truly care you would have seen some semblance of effort to improve their lot but it seems greed and corruption prevails over the welfare of its suffering people. Instead of improving or at the least prevent the rapid increase in the marginalization of people, the government would rather promote and encourage people to seek greener pastures in distant lands unaware of their rights or if they even have one in those strange places.

The video on Pagpag is a testament or an exclamation point to the stark reality of massive poverty in the urban jungle of the

Philippines

. Pagpag is a verb in Filipino language meaning an act of shaking the object to rid it of dust and "germs." Pagpag, a disgusting glimpse on poverty as seen up close, documented on the TV screen is one revolting scene that will be etched in one’s consciousness to hopefully compel people to do something concrete to rid society of this stark reality

The extreme poverty in the Philippines means a surge in urban population coming from the influx of migrants escaping poverty in the countryside seeking better opportunities only to end up trapped in misery and desolation. You would think finding themselves in such dire consequences they would have opted to return to the villages they left behind, easier said than done. When you are poor with virtually no possession except perhaps the cloth on your back going back is not an option. With the influx of more people comes the proliferation of shanties and squatter colonies transforming the city they migrated into an urban jungle where survival of the fittest dictates the quality of life if ever we can even use that term for the poorest of the poor in the Philippines.

In order to survive in a city that can employ and accommodate only so much there are some among the poorest of the poor resorting to the grossest gut wrenching indescribable scavenging like bottom dwellers to fill their hungry stomach eating food leftovers from restaurants' trash bins, recycled, washed, and re-cooked.

The disturbing video shows a scavenger gathering recyclables in restaurant trash bins looking for plastics, glass, papers and anything they can sell to recycling plants. Part of the hunt was leftover food thrown in the trash which a scavenger collects and once back home with the help of the whole family sort and separate the trash to be sold.

Most of these leftover food came from junk fast food restaurants as if eating them is not bad enough the same refuse and leftover is then sold to a local Carinderia (eatery) which the cook then washes three times in hot water and then cooked and sold at a “bargain” to regular loyal customers.

The sight is just so disgusting enough to make one squeamishly nauseated that will shock even the most boldest of the bold viewer. I am so dumbfounded not really sure how to react at this indescribable existence and wondering how can we allow people to live such miserable life. What is so amazing is that these people who eat this junk they call food are able to rationalize and even joke about it. I can understand people in the streets doing this out of desperation but what I fail to understand is how and what kind of enterprising people can make a living out of garbage serving them for profit? Is this an indication of the bleak future of Philippine society?

Philippine leaders especially the corrupt which comprises the majority of the politicians should see this and maybe just maybe they still have a sliver of conscience to change the course and destiny of the nation. It makes you wonder if these people will be included in the dole out program of Gloria Arroyo's anti-poverty program........ but then again will the dole out solve the problem?

Warning the video contains extremely disgusting materials!

From the gross to the macabre the stark reality of poverty in the urban jungle, this video shows an alarming shortage of housing transforming the cemetery into a village.

While the praise brigade errr press are busy trivializing the upcoming Screw Our Nation Again errr State of the Ration errrr State of the Nation better known as SONA for another bola bola (ball ball errr lies) with speculations and description of her designer "Maria Clara" gown for the event poor people in the Philippines are literally eating garbage and living with the dead......................

Blog Action Day on October 15. The launching of Blog Action Day-Poverty is where bloggers all over the world will discuss the same topic on that day in hopes of triggering global change. If you have not registered your blog for this event please register here or check them out here.

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Filipinos

Human Rights

Facebook Censorship of Political Jaywalker Infringes on Anonymous Free Speech!

What the detractors of Political Jaywalker the creator of Pedestrian Observer GB failed to accomplish with veiled threats of intimidation and lawsuit of libel that never came, FaceBook in one stroke using “Fake Name” to go around censorship has effectively silenced our fundamental right to free speech in one digital stroke. Below is the basis for deactivating Political jaywalker’s account and let us see if this category applies:

Your account was disabled because the name under which it was registered was fake. We do not allow users to register with fake names, to impersonate any person or entity, or to falsely state or otherwise misrepresent themselves or their affiliations. In addition, Facebook accounts are intended for use by single individuals, so groups, clubs, businesses, or other types of organizations are not permitted to maintain accounts.

First of all Political Jaywalker is an individual account and solely accessed by a single person. Political Jaywalker is not impersonating any person or entity clearly having no intent to falsely misrepresent any known personality or affiliations but one with its own distinct personality and character. It is basically a pseudonym for anonymity guaranteed by the Bill of Rights of the First Amendment in particular. If indeed they are prohibiting groups to which Political Jaywalker is technically not a group why then do they allow huge media outfit such as CNN and others to be at Facebook? How about offensive human rights violators having their online presence at Facebook, why pick on Political Jaywalker that serves as an antithesis for this group? The Electronic Frontier Foundation clearly states the rights of anonymity in the online discourse:

Anonymous communications have an important place in our political and social discourse. The Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly that the right to anonymous free speech is protected by the First Amendment. A much-cited 1995 Supreme Court ruling in McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission reads:

Protections for anonymous speech are vital to democratic discourse. Allowing dissenters to shield their identities frees them to express critical, minority views . . . Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority. . . . It thus exemplifies the purpose behind the Bill of Rights and of the First Amendment in particular: to protect unpopular individuals from retaliation . . . at the hand of an intolerant society.

This is the digital age and yet Sigmund Freud’s sentiments still rings true to this day when he states:

What progress we are making. In the Middle Ages they would have burned me. Now they are content with burning my books.

The ease of censorship has never been this easy, they don’t even have to burn books, it is just a matter of keystroke and voila one is exterminated to oblivion without the hassle of inhaling smoke from the burning of the books. Indeed we have come a long way in this modern day and age but are we really any different from the ugly past of stifling diverse opinions? We are just a drop in the bucket of the vast enormous digital worldwide web, but just the same a quote On Liberty by John Stuart Mill makes sense to this day:

The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.

It took a lot of time, energy, and effort to build a network at FaceBook and it took only seconds for the FaceBook Team to arbitrarily expunge Political Jaywalker from the list without even the benefit of a due process or even a warning on their perceived violations of the terms of agreement. Have they not considered the fact that Political Jaywalker counts as online friends numerous respected personalities in the Philippine community? Learned man and woman of respectability would not have added Political Jaywalker if after all these years he was known to falsely misrepresent anyone, any entity or groups? Should they not have disallowed us to join in the first place instead of letting us spend enormous time and effort just so they can expunge you at their whim that infringes on our liberty?

A quote on Judge John Kane ruling in F.A.C.T. net (Fight Against Coercive Tactics network) a group dedicated to helping victims of cults, case of illegal search and confiscation of computer related materials owned by its directors in their case against Scientology says it all:

The public interest is best served by the free exchange of ideas.

Is it a coincidence that the timing of the censorship of Political Jaywalker came at a time when I spoke strongly against a psycho cult leader accused of killing his wife and leaving 23 people dead in its wake as the case gathers dust in the Philippine courts? I hate to think so, but one thing for sure The FaceBook Team has unwittingly become an executioner of a violent psycho disguised as a “Holy” man.

The Facebook Team is probably not a big fan of Voltaire whose powerful stand on censorship speaks loudly:

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

I actively write and support Bloggers Rights specifically those victimized by repressive regimes such as the arrest of China's Activist Blogger Hu Jia and Singapore's Gopalan Nair, Nay Phone Latt or Nay Myo Latt sentenced to more than 20 years in jail by Burmese authorities, and so many others, ironically while my experience pales in comparison I must say I can personally feel their pain with this sad experience.

If you are on my FaceBook especially if you belong to my network and a strong believer in preserving and guaranteeing our democratic rights of freedom of expression please help us restore Political Jaywalkers account at FaceBook by posting this particular article on your Facebook profile.

You can also help in the preservation of our right to free speech by copy pasting this question to your FaceBook status page:

Where do we draw the line on censorship, is it fair and just to deactivate Political Jaywalker out of FaceBook infringing on his constitutionally guaranteed rights of anonymous free speech?

Will I suffer in silence alone and abandoned? I believe and have a strong faith in my network of online friends and others whom I may not have had the opportunity to have an online interaction will help me right the injustice of censorship. If you believe in upholding our rights and freedom to express ourselves without fear of recriminations and intolerance of others please copy and post this to your blog and encourage others to do the same........
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UPDATE: After 24 harrowing hours and 2 article post later, Facebook finally restored PJ's account using Pedro Jacobo at the expense of losing my nom de plume Political Jaywalker.... the price we have to pay for freedom, thank you all for your support.

In order to retain the online presence at Facebook of Political Jaywalker a fan page has neen setup not because of being a celebrity status as we are far from being one or having the illussion of one but the principle for which we stand in our quest to jaywalk the political milieu of pathetic patronage politics of Trapo scalawags. See you at Political Jaywalker Fan Page where we can start our journey in our quest for good governance.......
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Newsbreak! FaceBook Disables Political Jaywalker's Account

UPDATE: After 24 harrowing hours and 2 article post later, Facebook finally restored PJ's account using Pedro Jacobo at the expense of losing my nom de plume Political Jaywalker.... the price we have to pay for freedom, thank you all for your support.

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Surprise, surprise, FaceBook just disabled Political Jaywalker's account for suppossedly using a "fake name," what was that all about, LOL. I guess they must not have heard of using a pen name for bloggers of the citizen journalist type, or on the other hand we may have been effective at exposing the scalawags in Philippine society, that they were able to succeed in shutting down one of the outlets we use as a forum for the free flow and exchange of ideas.

Let us see if FB will unwittingly take the side of the scalawags by silencing us at expressing legitimate concerns for a better Philippines, we await the outcome with guarded enthusiasm.

Political Jaywalker is the creator of Pedestrian Observer GB a political-social -economic commentary blog that has been online since March 6, 2007. Established initially by PJ and has been transformed into a group blog composed of individuals respected in their field and respective communities. Its a shame that FaceBook has decided to block our account serving as one of our forum in our quest for a better Philippines.

Let us see if FaceBook will disregard our right to anonymous free speech, to quote Electronic Frontier Foundation:

Anonymous communications have an important place in our political and social discourse. The Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly that the right to anonymous free speech is protected by the First Amendment. A much-cited 1995 Supreme Court ruling in McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission reads:
Protections for anonymous speech are vital to democratic discourse. Allowing dissenters to shield their identities frees them to express critical, minority views . . . Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority. . . . It thus exemplifies the purpose behind the Bill of Rights, and of the First Amendment in particular: to protect unpopular individuals from retaliation . . . at the hand of an intolerant society.

Will they restore our account or will they contribute to gag legitimate democratic discourse? Can FaceBook stifle blogger's right to express themselves, let me know your take on this........

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Filipinos Unite, Bloggers Prayer for Unity

This happens when “Traditional Politicians” (TraPo) in the Philippines just don’t get it. Delusional as ever so dense and so drunk with power that they refuse to see reality staring them right smack their face has the temerity to brag that President Barack Obama has more to learn from Gloria Makapal errr Macapagal Arroyo than learn from the American defining historical moment. Why even my “favorite” senator Lady Miriam Santiago was aghast in disbelief an ally of the Garcified administration on Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita’s statement calling it hyperbole and far from the truth.

Political Jaywalker is not the religious type and seldom set foot in church for fear he might explode is now forced to pray with fellow Filipino bloggers. Now how is that for a typical victim mentality as in you forced me to do things I normally am not inclined to do. This is probably annoying to those with strong religious belief so even in somewhat peaceful action you get some sectors not happy with what you do. Flash back to Asar errr GOOFing ooops golfing brawlers Father and sons Nasser Pangadaman, if you look at the lies errr affidavit it appears that because the elder Delfin De La Paz was being a “jerk” (according to some GOOFing errr golfing circles daw) by “poking” or “pummeling” (witnesses conflicting account probably seeing things as in a mirage when one is stranded in the middle of the desert) the thug errr younger Nasser with an umbrella thus he and his allege jueteng bagman companion together with their armed bodyguards was “forced” to beat the daylights out of the father and son. Then you have an instigation errr “investigation” conducted by the Valley Golf and Country Club that clearly justifies the victim mentality of being forced to beat people up gave the people behaving like a thug a slap on the wrist while expelling the ones who got beat up. Are you annoyed yet? You should be because that was the intent, lol.

We definitely need change not just in leathership errr leadership but a comprehensive change to level the political playing field that will encourage genuine leaders with integrity and do away with the present dysfunctional political system that encourages thievery and thuggery to perpetuate them in power. Public servants in the truest form and not "benevolent" at times tyrannical but always greedy feudal masters whose motivation to be a public official is to protect and enhance their illegal and legal vested interest forsaking the common good or the interest of the people.

If you are a Filipino blogger, you are welcome to join the prayer movement for blogger unity, copy and paste the instructions in your blogs, add your name, location, blog name, and url at the end of the list.

…. ................. Start Copying below....................

Instructions

This is a prayer tag and link for the Philippines and the Filipinos. You are enjoined to utter this prayer for nine (9) consecutive days and to tag as many bloggers as you can with preference for Filipinos. But only bona fide Filipinos shall be included in the official registry of Filipino bloggers in this blog. Each time a new blogger makes a link, be sure to send me an email of the entire link through melalarilla@gmail.com so that the official list will be consolidated in a master list in this blog. For our Muslim brothers, you may make your own special prayer formula but you must never deviate from the formula of this entire post.

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, we consecrate to you our beloved country- the Philippines and all the Filipinos around the world. We acknowledge Father that apart from You, we can do nothing and it is only your divine providence and grace that can unite all Filipinos as one nation. We therefore humble ourselves before your throne. We confess all our sins to you individually and collectively as a nation. Forgive us our sins Father and wash us clean by the precious blood of Your beloved Son- Jesus Christ. Mend our wicked ways and let us experience a strong and genuine spiritual revival for ourselves and for our country. Let the Holy Spirit imbibe us with power, love and wisdom to return to Your path of holiness and righteousness. Bless our country, heavenly father. Bless all Filipinos wherever they maybe. Let progress, unity, harmony, stability, justice, peace and prosperity reign in our country.

Bless our leaders, from the President down to the lowest Barangay official. Touch their hearts that they may serve our country with all honesty and with love and integrity. Bless our children and our future generation. And bless us all Father in all aspects of our lives. This we pray to You heavenly Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Name Address Name of Blog URL

Mel Alarilla Bulacan, Philippines - Filipinos Unite!!! url - http://filipinosunite.blogspot.com/
Angel Cuala Batangas, Philippines Father Blogger dot com url - http://fatherblogger.com/
Lavern Tan Las Pinas City, Philippines Pinoy Ambisyoso url- http://pinoyambisyoso.com
Francis Daniel Maning Cebu, Philippines Istayl Sugbo url- http://istaylsugbo.blogspot.com
Snow Philippines Dear Bloggery url- http://dearbloggery.com/
Bloggista - Marikina, Philippines - Bloggista - url- http://www.bloggista.com/
Chris A. - Cavite, Philippines - CMAQuest - url- http://cmaquest.blogspot.com/
Aisha - Eugene, Oregon, USA - The Holley Herald - url - http://www.theholleyherald.com/
Rowena - Davao City, Philippines - All Out My Naked Truth- Rowena - url - http://rowenabongabong.blogspot.com/
Icymar Tagimacruz - Cebu, Philippines - Kreative Myndz - url- http://www.icymartagimacruz.blogspot.com/
Pat Mangubat - Philippines - New Philippine Revolution - url- http://newphilrevolution.blogspot.com/
Empress - Cebu, Philippines - Empress of Drac.Com - url- http://www.empressofdrac.com/
Marilou Domingo - Philippines - Ibanag in the City - url- http://ibanaginthecity.blogspot.com/
Ester Besmonde - Canada - Walk Through Money Online Journal - url- http://www.teyonlinejournal.com/
Ramon Paulino - Quezon City, Philippines - FatherlYours.com - u rl - http://www.fatherlyours.com/
Mindanaoan - Mindanao, Philippines - Mindanaoan - url- http://www.maindaoan.com/
Bloggie - Davao City, Philippines - Davao Bloggers Network - url- http://www.davaoblogs.net/
Xerendipity - Dumaguete City, Philippines - Obnoxious Queer - url- http://obnoxiousqueer.com/
Viviene C. (Bingkee) - Connecticut, USA - I Love/Hate America - url- http://www.fliploveusa.typepad.com/
Roy - Angeles City, Philippines - The Struggling Blogger - url- http://thestrugglingblogger.168center.com/
Janette Toral (Ada) - Marikina City, Philippines - Blogging From Home - url- http://www.bloggingfromhome.com/
Milton Coyne III (Bluedreamer27) - Cavite City, Philippines - Bluedreamer's Top Five - url- http://bluedreamer27.blogspot.com/
Marites dlR - Davao City, Philippines - Me, the islands and the world - url - http://www.pinaylighterside.com/
Mauie Flores - Cainta, Rizal, Philippines - Living a Sugar-free Sweet Life! - url- http://www.maureenflores.com/
MsRay - Bacolod City, Philippines - Woman on a Journey - url - http://www.msray2008.com/
Pia Go Olano - Philippines - My Life's Journey - url - http://myblog2002.blogspot.com/
Jena Isle - Pampanga, Philippines - Random Thoughts - url - http://jenaisle-candidthoughts.blogspot.com/
Caca - Mindanao, Philippines - Mood Swings - url- http://blogecca.blogspot.com/
Pinoy Apache - Cebu City, Philippines - Pinoy Apache - url - http://pinoyapache.blogspot.com/
Jessie Simbulan - Philippines - The Reporter - url - http://www.jessie-simbulan.com/
Tony Roda - Manila, Philippines - MENstream - url - http://www.menstream.blogspot.com/
Fingertalks - Philippines - Fingertalks - url - http://www.fingetalks.com/
Wendy Lopez-Redaon - Quezon City, Philippines - From The Eyes of My Heart - url - http://wenlopred.blogspot.com/
Marlene - Davao City, Philippines - Potpourri of Ramblings - url - http://www.lemback.com/
Liza Cochico - Quezon City, Philippines - A Simple Life - url - http://mlizcochico.com/
Tricia Mazo-Galvez - Las Pinas City, Philippines - Proud Mommy - url - http://monliam.blogspot.com/
Wayne - New Zealand - Affiliate Crunch - url - http://www.affiliatecrunch.com/
Shiera Delusa - Osaka, Japan - Bisdak Babbles - url - http://bisdakbabbles.com/
Madz - Lunda Norte, Angola - Things I Did Not Know Before - url - http://madzlifesknowledge.blogspot.com/
Kcee - Makati City, Philippines - Barefooted Me - url - http://www.barefootedme.com/
Yani - Davao City, Philippines - Banicmanic - url - http://www.banicmanic.blogspot.com/
Rodaflip - Ontario, Canada - FlipAntasticWeb - url - http://flipantasticweb.blogspot.com/
Ramvie Santiago - Philippines - Philippine Blog For All - url - http://pinoyblogko.wordpress.com/
Russell Bravo - Caloocan City, Philippines - Russell Dot Com - url - http://www.russelldotcom.com/
Michelle Valenzuela - San Francisco, California, USA - Tumawa K Kabayan - url - http://twangpinoy.blogspot.com/
Pinay Wife - Cambodia - Pinay Wife Speaks - url - http://pinaywifespeaks.com/
Lei - Pasig City, Philippines - Moon Goddess Lae - url - http://moongoddesslae.com/
Shawie Gick - Orange County, California, USA - A Grateful Heart - url - http://anemptycup.blogspot.com/
Hariette Wendam - Iloilo City, Philippines - Praning's Shoutout - url - http://www.praningshoutout.com/
Joan Joyce Absalon - Navotas City, Philippines - Joan Joyce dot com - url - http://joanjoyce.com/blog/
Rashieka Estelle Absalon - Navotas City, Philippines - My Name Is Rashieka - url - http://rashieka.com/
Darlyn - Gen. Santos City, Philippines - Touched By An Angel With Love - url - http://darlyngemwords.blogs.com/
Kate Cancio - Marikina City, Philippines - Becoming Kate Cancio - url - http://katecancio.blogspot.com/
Ria - United Kingdom - Continental Fairy - url - http://www.continentalfairy.com/
Ginoray - Cainta, Rizal, Philippines - Profound Matters - url - http://profoundmatters.wordpress.com/
Penlighted - New York, USA - Light It Up (Blogging for Jesus) - url - http://lightedpen.blogspot.com/
Lyn (Moccalyn - Manila, Philippines - Life Spices - url - http//moccalyn.blogspot.com/
Ana Lindenhann - Denmark - The Filipina Mom in Denmark - url - http://www.filipinamom.com/
Chris Red - Philippines - Christinchen's Soapbox - url - http://christinchen184.blogspot.com/
Richies 2Ts Inspires - Stockholm, Sweden - Richies Inspirational Designs - url - http://simchieinspires.blogspot.com/
Island Angel - Davao City, Philippines - Seashells Of Island Angel - url - http://seashellsofislandangel.blogspot.com/
Manilyn Tingcang - Iligan City, Philippines - LinGZ.spot - url - http://lingzspot.blogspot.com/
Joyoz Obsioma - Melbourne, Australia - Everyday Life...Generally Speaking - url - http://www.joydob.com/
Gladita - Bacolod City, Philippines - PromdiLiving - url - http://promdiliving.com/
Lesley Cucal - Tarlac City, Philippines - Bottomless Coffee - url - http://men-tality.blogspot.com/
Rose Cottrill - West Virginia, USA - Rose's Obstacles and Glory - url - http://www.obstaclesandglories.com/
Mys Lyke Meeh - Toronto, Canada - Mys Lyke Meeh - url - http://myslykemeeh.blogspot.com/
Gloria (Goyz) - Calamba City, Philippines - Good Health - url - http://goyz-greenapple.blogspot.com/
Mitch (Annay Butakal) - Cebu, Philippines - Ramble Baboy - url - http://annaybutakal.blogspot.com/
Ria Coleto - Cervantes - Dubai, UAE - It's My Party - url - http://www.riablahgs.com/
Luna Miranda - Makati City, Philippines - Miranda - url - http://bilogangbuwanniluna.blogspot.com/
Kit (Suplado) - Makati City, Philippines - Suplado Reviews - url - http://supladoonline.blogspot.com/
Rachel - Philippines - Heart of Rachel - url - http://mysoulfulthoughts.blogspot.com/
Josie Santos - Sydney, Australia - Fragments of My Soul - url - http://josie-santos.blogspot.com/
Wella Jane - Misamis Occidental, Philippines - Thinking Pen- Blogging For A Cause - url - http://thinkingpen.freeo.net/
Kelvin Requiroso (Kebelle) - Quezon City, Philippines - Spirituality Page - url - http://spirituality-page.blogspot.com/
Pusang Gala - Mandaluyong City, Philippines - Pusang - Gala - url - http://pakaleklalawak.blogspot.com/
Jason - Paranaque, Philippines - Pinoy Updates - url - http://www.pinoyupdates.com/
Onatdonuts - Taguig City, Philippines - OnatDonuts - url - http://www.onatdonuts.blogspot.com/
Ibyang - NSW, Australia - A Wife's Charmed Life - url - http://awifescharmedlife.blogspot.com/
Mike Avenue - Philippines - Mga Tagalog Na Tula Sa Filipinas - url - http://tagalog-tula-pilipinas.blogspot.com/
Jhay Gamba - Cainta, Rizal, Philippines - I Blog Mo! - url -http://jdesignzwww.jdesignz.blogspot.com/
Carla Farnesyl Fundales Idago - Malabon City, Philippines - Heterotripper: Anong Maskara Mo Today - url - http://lacarotica.blogspot.com/
Tet Garchitorena - Naga City, Philippines - The Life Of An Oregano Addict - url - http://www.piebuko.blogspot.com/
Rael Denoman - Imus, Cavite, Philippines - Manikang Papel - url - http://myblogjazzryl.blogspot.com/
Liezl F. - Valenzuela City, Philippines - Breezing My Confined Emotions - url - http://microporetape.blogspot.com/
Kengkay - Germany - Kwentong Kengkay - url - http://kengkay.wordpress.com/
Earthlingorgeous - Manila, Philippines - Earthlingorgeous.com - url - http://www.earthlingorgeous.com/
Pinay Key Point - Tarlac City, Philippines - PinayKeyPoint - url - http://pinaykeypoint.wordpress.com/
Ria Stevenson - Texas, USA - Live Love Laugh - url - http://www.riastevenson.com/
Pajay - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Klasrum Ni Pajay - url - http://propesorpa-jay.blogspot.com/
Texas Sweetie - Texas, USA - My Virtual Diary - url - http://www.texas-sweetie.blogspot.com/
Aquamarine - Hongkong - Aquamarine - url - http://jhole22.blogspot.com/
Shemistry - Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines - Foolishly Overacting - url - http://shemshemistry.blogspot.com/
Dines - Winona, Minnesotta, USA - Kalei Dines Scope - url - http://paul-dina-kaleidoscope.blogspot.com/
Che (Chorva) - Philippines - Chorva Entertainment Blog - url - http://www.chorva.net/
Arnel Gara Artes - Cebu City, Philippines - A Hunter - url - http://www.arnelgaraartes.blogspot.com/
Donald Pal (Dhon) - Cebu, Philippines - Life Love Lust - url - http://dhonpal.blogspot.com/
Fermin Absalon - Navotas, Metro Manila, Philippines - Beyond Feron Dot Com - url - http://www.beyondferon.com/
Dzerom - Calamba, Laguna, Philippines - Blogging Without A Cause - url - http://blogging-without-a-cause.blogspot.com/
K (Knoizki) - Hongkong - A Dialogue With K - url - http://www.knoizki.net/
Orville Hitadle - Cebu City, Philippines - Downloader's Stuffs and Freebies for All - url - http://www.iamdownloader.com/
Cindyrella - Hongkong - Cindyrella From Hongkong - url - http://cindyrella-stories.blogspot.com/
Rimewire - Cavite, Philippines - Disproving the Genius - url - http://rimewire.wordpress.com/
Edelweiza Mabalay - Manila, Philippines - The Life of a Breadwinner - url - http://www.edelweiza.com/
Manolito Montala - Philippines - The Filipino Enterpreneur - url - http://www.thefilipinoenterpreneur.com/
Leona Khan - Pasig City, Philippines - Vanidosang Panda - url - http://ms-panda.blogspot.com/
Pepe Mckunat - Philippines - Life is Tough, but prove You are Tougher - url - http://katchupoy.wordpress.com/
Batopik - Taguig City, Philippines - Batopik - url - http://batopik.wordpress.com/
Gin E - Manila, Philippines - Mommy in Manila - url - http://mommyinmanila.blogspot.com/
B'ley Villones (Dyosa) - Paranaque City, Philippines - Blagalag - url - http://www.bl;agalag.com/
Donald Serrano (don_ser) - Philippines - don_ser The Feeling ProBlogger - url - http://www.doanldserrano.com/donser/
Love Lot - San Francisco, California, USA - Lov-A-Lot - url - http://lov-a-lot.blogspot.com/
Enchie - Manila, Philippines - Sweet Nothings - url - http//xtraordinarymom.blogspot.com/
Iceah Marie - Gen. Santos City, Philippines - Chicken Heart - url - http://www.pinay-chicken-heart.com/
Mee*I Velasco - Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines - Waiting On The World To Change - url - http://mekinudolsoup.blogspot.com/
Kuyanin - Philippines - Kuyanin: Starting Afresh - url - http://www.kuyanin.com/
Chyng Reyes - Manila, Philippines - No Spam, No Virus, No Kiddin'! - url - http://riandrew.blogspot.com/
JuanDerPul - Philippines - JuanDerPul Pinoy - url - http://juanderpulpinoy.com/
Kenneth Mendoza - Laguna, Philippines - Kenneth Mendoza- Speaking Out, Blogging, Ranting and Fooling Around - url - http://www.kmendoza.net/
Grace - Michigan, USA - We Live To Tell God's "Amazing Grace" - url - http://grace1331.blogspot.com/
Carnation - Antique, Philippines - Carnation - url - http://sweetcarnation.blogspot.com/
Jed Chua - Mandaluyong City, Philippines - Reel Advice - url - http://reeladvice.blogspot.com/
Pammyboo83 - Dumaguete City, Philippines - Filipino Lifestyle - url - http://filipinotaste.blogspot.com/
Sagada- Igorot - Mountain Province, Philippines/Chicago, USA - Blog of The Sagada-Igorot - url - http://blog.sagada-igorot.com/
Bai Maleiha Candao - Cotabato City, Philippines - Soulful Images - url - http://princessmaleiha.blogspot.com/
Jehzeel Laurente - Philippines - Jehzlau Concepts - url - Http://www.jehzlau-concepts.com/
Poohgahk - Philippines - Shout Out - Url - http://poohgahk.blogspot.com/
Norman Novio - Occidental Mindoro, Philippines - Pamatok - url - http:///nanovio.blogspot.com/
Bien Nillos - Negros Occidental, Philippines - The Freudian Slip - url - http://bayenn.blogspot.com/
Madelyn Basalo-Sells - Cafunfo, Lunda Norte, Angola - "The Pride of Hingotanan, Bohol"- My Life's Journey To Success - url - http://madzlifesdiary.blogspot.com/
Jannesse - Las Pinas City, Philippines - The Wifey Diaries - url - http://thewifeydiaries.blogspot.com/
Willa Stock - Ontario, Canada - Fickle Minded- A Life That Is Less Ordinary - url - http://fickleminded.net/
Aihara (Tessah) Ramintessah Sanchez - Japan - The Economics of Life - url - http://lifesmatterandeconomics.blogspot.com/
Ron Albert - Quezon City, Philippines - A Slice of Turon - url - http://ron-turon.blogspot.com/
Elyong - Davao City, Philippines - Elyong - url - http://elyong.blogspot.com/
Kokoi - Baguio City, Philippines - Blog ni Kokoi - url - http://blognikokoi.blogspot.com/
Fat - Japan - Anything Goes - url - http://247diary.blogspot.com/
Mye De Leon - Rizal, Philippines - Blog Appetite - url - http://blogappetite.blogspot.com/
Jan Geronimo - Oriental Mindoro, Philippines - salabasngmandaluyong (Rx For A Better Life) - url - http://salabasngmandaluyong.blogspot.com/
Chuva - Philippines - Chizmizan With Chuva - url - http://chuvachienes.com/
E. J. Bautista - Quezon City, Philippines - Bogcess - url - http://bogcess.blogspot.com/
Maree Tee - Philippines - I Am Mrs. Tee - url - http://mareetee.blogspot.com/
Alma Cafe - Davao oriental, Philippines - Reach Beyond Your Limits - url - http://luponfirehouse.blogspot.com/
Arlene Collado - Philippines - Joys in Life - url - http://sunshineleneforlife.com/
Juvy - Philippines - Pinoy Portals - url - http://pinoyportals.blogspot.com/
Jan Mckingley Hilado - Cebu City, Philippines - The Ultralife of Student Nurses - url - http://nursester.blogspot.com/
Carlos - Davao City, Philippines - Carlos Ideas - url - http://carlos-ideas.blogspot.com/
Mentor - Cebu, Philippines - The Image of Cebu - url - http://cebuimage.blogspot.com/
Emma Ballada - Laguna, Philippines - Life Momento - url - http://lifemomento.blogspot.com/
Darkspark - Philippines - Papermills - url - http://papermills.blogspot.com/
Jes - Philippines - My Little Angels - url - http://ishiethan.blogspot.com/
Mike Pamero - Laguna, Philippines - Such were some of you - url - http://www.mikepamero.blogspot.com/
Jerome - Calamba, Laguna, Philippines - Pinoy Blogger Online - url - http://blogging-without-a-cause.blogspot.com/
Mary Grace - Tennessee, USA - My World is My Family - url - http://graceodraper.blogspot.com/
Luzviminda Gadon (Vhing F) - Israel - Survivor: the Reality of my Life - url - http://vhing4all-il-ph.blogspot.com/
Marlon Celso - Manila, Philippines - Marlon of Manila - url - http://marlonofmanila.blogspot.com/
Political Jaywalker - USA - Pedestrian Observer GB url - http://pedestrianobserver.blogspot.com/
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Pedestrian Observer GB on The Top 10 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog of the Year 2008

Thanks to our readers who vetoed errr voted for Pedestrian Observer GB, who without their support and without resorting to a Garcified backdoor operation type typical of the Comelec math wizard’s dagdag bawas (add subtract) counting method landed us in the The Top 10 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog of the Year 2008.

Pedestrian Observer GB appreciates Ellen Tordesillas of Malaya who believes in the organizers noble undertaking in recognizing expat/OFW bloggers in her blog post Congratulations to the 10 best OFW/Expat blogs.

My apologies to the organizer and my kuligs errr colleagues for not writing about the contest. I wanted to see if we can land in the top 10 without resorting to shameless (lol) self-promotion. I have a strong faith in our group and I am confident that their contributions will speak for themselves and indeed we made it. Our heartfelt appreciation to the following judges in undertaking a task that separates them from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Comelec backdoor operators (no need for a recount, lol) of the Garci kind:

Ellen Tordesillas - Journalist Malaya&Abante
Kevin Ray Chua - Successful Blogger, Mar Roxas 2010
Aileen Apollo - Representative, Google Philippines
Mark Aethen Agana - UP & DOST Scholar
Janette Toral - Organizer, Influential Emerging Blog Awards
Avel Manansala - Emerging Influential Blog 2008
Sandro Rafael - Webmaster, QA&SA FilExpats Online
Jehzeel Laurente - Young Successful Blogger
Blogie Robillo - Convenor, Mindanao Bloggers
Sherwin Amol - Singapore PinoyMatter Online Portal

The Top 10 Expats/OFW Blog of the Year 2008:

Writing on Air, Australia
Pansitan ni Ate Sienna, USA
The Sandbox, Saudi Arabia
Pedestrian Observer, USA
Pamatay Homesick, Kuwait
Manilenya, Canada
Sleepless in KL, Malaysia
Sari Saring Kulay, Japan
Mumsified,, Malaysia
Rhapsody, Dubai,UAE

Pedestrian Observer GB is on its 2nd year come March, we have been consistent in the blogging world and stronger with an added array of contributor/authors known to the online world such as:

Marvin Bionat of Bottom Line editorial writer at The Lobbyist and creator of Talsik and PhilippineUpdate.com

Philip Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS the author of One Dollar Campaign Against Graft & Corruption

Cheryl Chyt Daytec, Human rights lawyer, Poet and writer

Dionesio Grava, editorial writer at Forum Asia based in So. California

Juan Parin or better known as JPR a witty regular at PhilUpdate Forum

PJ the creator of Pedestrian Observer GB or better known as Political Jaywalker whose blogging purpose was to be a pain in the ass of erring GOOFBall political misfits

Emerito Salud, ESQ currently the Director for Advocacy of NaFFAA Region 1

Guest Editorial section featuring contributors such as:

Norodin Alonto Lucman, author of ISLAM WAR ON TERROR, Perspectives on the History of Islam, Terrorism and Armed Conflicts in East Asia.

JM Nepomuceno, consultant and frequent yahoo group contributor

Wilhelmina S. Orozco, writer and a volunteer in many non-government organizations in the Philippines

Ado Paglinawan, former press officer of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC who occasionally contributes to the PDI and chairman of the Association of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities (and Third Orders) in the Archdiocese of Washington.

Baibonn Sanguid, peace advocate from Mindanao, Philippines and leader of various NGOs

Let the political jaywalking contributions annoy the trapos no end for the year 2009 in the strong Mafiosi Republic we call the Philippines......... we deserve to party and please partake of...........

Ok, I know we can not celebrate with a P728 Million worth peste (pestilence) errr fertilizer scam, my bad but there is an alternative and if only we can trust those people in not cooking up things that ends up in the you know whose pockets they go..... there is still hope. Here is something on the cheap that I stumbled on Guia Gomez blog in her The Growing Connection post on Earth Box that I believe is very practical, viable and suitable in the Philippine urban setting.

Pedestrian Observer GB leaves 2008 on a positive note while Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is as usual delusional saying she was relieved RP was spared from "bad year," so is her rah rah boys cheering a fictional bloomberg news of financial boom when it was gloom, now that is insane and definitely shameless. Oh well, but that comes as no surprise and the Filipino people are better off if we can kick their ass out of office, making that happen in 2009 is............ priceless....... Signing the petition in support of Ang Kapatiran Party's call for the resignation of DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, Sr. and his son Mayor Nasser Pangandaman, Jr. for conduct unbecoming of a public official in violation of public trust...... even better as it can be a start of bigger things to come.

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Filipinos

Filipino-Americans

Philippine Politics

Blogs putting pressure on traditional media

Media practitioners listen to a panel of experts on how best to exploit the new information technology

LOS ANGELES -- It may be that the emergence of alternative modes of mass information are giving traditional print media a case of jitters.

The question asked is whether or not traditional journalism should be intimidated by the new forms of information such as websites and "blogs".

This writer attended a conference in the past in which experts in the trade advised that technological advancement should not be perceived as competition nibbling on the fringes; rather, it should be embraced with resilience in order to stay afloat and enhance journalistic end and productivity. They advised on how best to exploit the new information technology to enable messages in a generation that is more and more preoccupied with increasing number of devices competing for attention.

The speakers included Sue Cross, vice president-online for the Associated Press; Andrew DeVigal, incoming multimedia editor of The New York Times; Judy Griesedieck, award-winning photojournalist; Kevin Keane, executive editor and vice president-news for six ANG Newspapers in the Bay Area; Logan Molen, vice president of interactive media, The Bakersfield Californian; and Michael Parks, director of the Annenberg School of Journalism, University of Southern California.

They spoke of the challenges of changing times that require the building of bridges to the community, reaching out to younger audiences, and using photos, sound, graphics, online mapping and original documents to help news consumers understand trends and information in the neighborhood.

Websites and more recently, blogs, are considered great equalizers because both the well-heeled and upstart users are projected on the same footing in the virtual world. These new forms also offer ease of use, 24/7 accessibility, and interactive capabilities.

Lisa Stone, seminar moderator, said that journalists should gravitate toward the blog technology because it "is the fastest, easiest reporting tool that exists." The co-founder of www.blogher.org, Ms. Stone had also launched successful blog networks and interactive programming for many national brands. She is the first Internet journalist awarded a Nieman fellowship (2002).

Regarding competition in the trade, Ralph Gage, chief operating officer of the Lawrence [Kansas] Journal-World, recalled a time in 2001 when big city papers and television operations from Topeka and Kansas City started to encroach on the company's advertising base. The World Co. reacted by merging its cable, print and Internet operations transforming it into "one of the most converged newsrooms in America, with newspaper, TV and online journalists sitting side by side, sharing ideas and resources."

Bill Snead, senior editor of the same publication, commented that "when you have passion, put a lot of yourself in there. If you don't have original idea and the capacity to follow through, you will not be capable of rising above the ordinary."

Joe R. Howry, editor and vice president of the Ventura County Star, also found the need to reshape his publication into a multimedia journalism operation in order to be competitive with the changing times. Eight reporters were put through a six-week boot camp in multimedia journalism and they all had to learn "to think about our stories differently, to seek out different voices in our communities as sources and to tell our stories differently and from different perspectives."

Michael Skoler, executive director of the Center for Innovation in Journalism, American Public Media, said: "On any given story, some people in the audience know more than even our smartest reporters and editors." He adopted a model that establishes "a systematic way to tap into the vast expertise and insight within the public, and then brings that knowledge into our editorial process to create deeper, more relevant news coverage."

Jane Ellen Stevens, multimedia journalist and UC Berkeley faculty member, is an advocate of "backpack journalism". "With the web swallowing everything," she said, we have opportunities that we've never had before to provide people with more complete storytelling and information, and to involve them in the process. [This] is good news for health reporting."

The conference was hosted by the New America Media and California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowships at USC's Annenberg School for Communication in Los Angeles to hear and learn from experts -- Text and photo by Dionesio C. Grava

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Dionesio C. Grava - Community journalist based in Los Angeles. Member of New America Media, Society of Professional Journalists, and Society of Environmental Journalists, among others.

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