Fashion for furs?

Fashion is the very statement a person presses upon another on the first encounter. But do pets think the same? If a Terrier wears a Fedora hat with leather coat does it press a good impression on the dog or on the owner of the Terrier? If clothes speak for human it must not always be so to animals, they’re dressed just as they are.

Granted an interview with an avid pet lover Regina Helen Tan, a student from UP Diliman with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism, she shares her definition of pet fashion and why she still advocates the banning of animal fashion shows.

Espionage, her Persian cat’s name, has enormous gray eyes with dark orange and brown fur. She lazily purrs away on the bed while Reg, as she is fondly called, shows some of her priceless cat clothes. “She’s been fond of dressing up for three years now. Not on a daily basis though. I think she feels as if there is a need to dress the part on special occasions” Reg chuckles away.

It is unbelievable to learn that there’s more to clothes than the fashion. Style cannot live without comfort “First things first, style and comfort, because without comfort it would’ve been better if I just left her without food to eat.” She says pointing out the irony.

Comfort is categorized in three aspects. The fabric, fit and size. “It's important that the clothes I buy aren't too obtrusive for my pet's movement. She's used to wearing loose outfits like a trench coat that hangs open around her.” Reg says while hanging the cat trench coat up to emphasize the point.

Size is not only a matter of pet small, pet medium, pet large and the like. The most important thing is it does not hinder natural movement. “Size is also important since I don't want my pet to suffocate or have things falling off her body.” she adds.

For animals that have fur for skin it is advisable to use tightly knit fabric as to avoid loose threads and fibers. Also Reg adds that avoiding cotton and wool is best especially in tropical countries.

Color is a trivial thing with pets. But with normal price range for pet clothes from 300 pesos to 1,500 pesos, one would consider all things that may be added to the list.

“But that’s just me, there are more expensive cat clothes” she exclaims.

For dark colored pets it’s good to consider natural color clothes like beige, it also brings the attention more to the pet than the clothes. “Sometimes people look at the clothes more than the pet. I’d like to avoid that. The clothes must complement the pet not the other way around.” She reminds.

That is one of the reasons why she disapproves of pet fashion shows. Not only do these events use animals as a spectacle for fashioning brands or the clothes but they also bring stress. “The atmosphere is too noisy. Camera flashes are used there and the pet is forced to look directly into the light. Clothes are also kept on the pet even when they are no longer comfortable in them.” She sadly shares.

It is best to look at the pet’s needs rather than the owner’s wants. In Espionage’s case, which has posing for pictures as a natural hobby, dressing up at special family occasions brings her closer to home.

‘It’s simple really, you look at your pet if she or he rejects it that means one thing. Put. It. Away.” There is no need for pet fashion consultants or a veterinarians, it’s not science, its nature.

A taste of limelight

repost from my Internship Essay.

LIBEL – the most sinister crime a journalist could commit next to plagiarism. I do not know if it was sheer luck that brought me to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on a time when all they talked about was pressing charges against the Gutierrezes for an article on a gun-toting incident.

It was Monday, March 30 and I’ve just been given my own desk that will last me 150 hours of press work when Miss Jo-Ann Maglipon came out of the closed door meeting. I had no idea who she was till the next day when I saw her being interviewed in the Chika Minute segment of GMA 7 24 ORAS for the press conference pertaining to a public apology for Richard Gutierrez on an underdeveloped article that was uploaded.

It was scary to see all writers, photographers and editors all talking, looking for loopholes, doing investigation on a case I am not familiar of. I did not know show business was to be taken that seriously as if the whole economy depended on it. Therefore, on that very first day I conclude that clichés are made for a purpose, ‘there’s really no business like show business’ was proven to be more true than what I bargained for.

The story of such a controversy that stayed unresolved even after my 161 hours in Summit was about the headline, pictures used and words that are misinterpreted in the article involving the Zorro Cast of GMA 7 primetime soap opera show. As a whole the story was further ‘storysized’. A ‘gun-toting incident’ leads the other members of the press and fans to believe that ‘tutukan ng baril’ happened.

LESSON ONE: It is important to use words that are for the public one serves but it is also important for the reader look it up when reading. Such a similarity between ‘toting’ and ‘tutukan’ made people think it is one and the same. Other members of the press should be responsible enough to correct such simple mistakes. Toting is carrying, holding at gunpoint is ‘tutukan’.

With a sentence that said ‘Richard was involved in a fracas’ heated things up since it made more people believe that Richard Gutierrez held a gun at gunpoint. Fracas sounded so severe it made a simple ‘titigan’ seem like a WWF Royal Rumble. Do not use words that sound too highfaluting if deemed unnecessary.

LESSON TWO: words used are very important. Storysizing is not as important as the truth. It is a word I now use for articles that are not wholly sensationalized but the delivery seems to want to call for attention even if the true content was just another conversation someone happened to eavesdrop on.

LESSON THREE: my profession at its highest standard comes before anything else. As written by Miss Jo-Ann, she said her kinship with them (Annabelle Rama) is essential but she must do what her profession calls for. You cannot say sorry for something you did not do. Money or friendship must not buy your credibility. Retraction in the case of a writer alienates all readers from his or her credibility. So stand up for what you have written, no matter what.

LESSON FOUR: online news is international. It reaches the farthest point on the globe, considering the different timelines, even a 5-minute uploaded article can make the big difference. Read and reread articles before uploading

I have experienced going to a scheduled meet-and-greet with the set of Totoy Bato at 9am and stayed until 9pm without being entertained by the main protagonist, Robin Padilla himself.

LESSON FIVE: in many circumstances, journalists are irked by people, the situation or even the data we get from sources. We must not falter, look for other sources.

LESSON SIX: writing requires good angling. My writing skills are thoroughly tested since being a staff writer in PEP.PH editorial board requires good story angling.

I was forced to look for a new angle on a transcribed interview from a known artist who is launching a new album. With the preface of the album, her life story and her lover’s story already told it was time to talk about her new bag, or her new shoes or her new filled pouty lips. It is very essential to maximize a 5-minute one-on-one interview as much as one can.

LESSON SEVEN: Being an online medium requires an hour by hour check on goings on in media, a good example of PEP.PH breaking news was the story of Marian Rivera being the new GMA-7 Darna which was posted an hour before the 24 ORAS flash report tells the story of an on-going party of the mystery Darna hence, we even got the scoop from its very roots before the roots even had the chance to grow their plants.

LESSON EIGHT: online media is not fireproof, hackers are the enemy. This occurred this week of May when a PEPSTER (someone who is an avid reader of PEP, has an account and types down comments in the comments page) reports an incident of his/her username being used by someone he/she does not know. It so happens that five PEPSTERS reported the same event to the Moderator. Alarmed by the situation, the Editorial Assistant calls the technician to look for glitches made. The Moderator in the meantime is dumb-stricken by the wisecrack who hacked our network. After an hour, everything goes back to normal. Next day however, our own Moderator cannot access the CMS code for comment moderating and uploading articles. Five computers cannot access the CMS. This is of great importance since, of course, it is considered the central operating unit of the portal. The moderator is now looking for loopholes for the past few days since the incident of internet crashes are frequently happening.

LESSON NINE: the basics of working relations. In my stay in PEP.PH, I must admit I have not been who I was. I was actually lost at what I have to be or do, with the notion in my head that I am an intern and chumming up with the bosses may be equated to sucking up for an uno to your professor. There was this one time I can never forget when it was 4pm in the afternoon and suddenly the whole editorial staff was going up the 7^th floor pantry. Apparently, there’s a small ‘salu-salo’ but who am I to include myself in the roster for invites? Naturally, with a gurgling stomach I refuse to go without anyone’s initiative of calling me, especially from my immediate boss. But no, there were no invites except when they all came down and asked me why I was not there, what can I tell them? All the same, I said that I was full and I’m so preoccupied with rushing my article that I did not notice them leaving. It was for me still the best way to act at that certain situation since you can never invite yourself in a place where you are not in the position to self-invite.

LESSON TEN: All lessons I’ve learned are from both sides, hearing the side of the press involved, the press writing about it, the involved people in the story and the by-standing fans and people. It made me look at journalism in another perspective. It doesn’t matter on what beat you are in, all-in-all you have to be diligent. Be a responsible journalist and you’re good to go.

Nothing beats number one

Why does every movie hit have to have a number two (2) then three(3) until people are puking out the very idea of another sequel. I slept at 4am just to watch Cutting edge 2, Cutting edge 3 and Cutting Edge, respectively. And it was just what I expected, nothing beats the original.

All the more when you watch them side-by-side, you'd end up ranting like a madman looking for more and more flaws but what can you expect, they just keep on coming.

Cutting Edge is a story of a USA Figure Skating Champion Kate, a temperamental, uptight, spoiled snob who's life revolved around ice. While Doug was an amateur hockey player and a college phenomenon who had it all that it took for a man to be drafted a professional . His dream shatters on a fateful hockey event that costed him a blind sight and a wonderful career as a professional hockey player. Conflict was essential so even the characters have very different personalities. Doug was one of the guys in those Christmas postcards saying "Bah Humbug!" you know what I mean?

The two unlikely pair become one in an experimental attempt to win the Olympic gold medal in figure skating. An hour of endless foreplay, the movie is hilarious. Of course, the love story ends happily, nothing unusual about that.

I love that movie so much that it came as a disappointment when I saw sequels.

So there, once we know the plot of Cutting Edge, just imagine the next two consecutive sequels that were released with a two-year gap. Yes, people would be puking out another sequel. Maybe, I'd love the movies all the more if DB Sweeney and Moira Kelly portrayed themselves as the parents of the girl. (you see, I cannot even remember their names). Among the three, that would be my least favorite. In the third sequel, the love of her life ended in a disastrous divorce (come on, were they trying to make the movie a little more realistic)

The third instalment is better , only to see that the story was almost as the same as the first, with the Pamchengko bounce-spin-to-a-throw-twist (Trivia: that move does exist, but to date there are many recorded attempts and not one succeeded)

So as you see, I'm biased. I'll end up not making a very bad review about the other instalments because the guy who skates in the third sequel looked so good I could watch it all over again. I saw him in 90210, the angst drag racer guy who goes to military camp. The next season (Beverly Hills, 90210 Season 2) is coming up on the 14th, I think. I love him in that movie simply because he looks so good. He could've been a good addition to the cast of Twilight (wala lang). I'm not a fan of that either. I'm not really a fan of many chick flicks, but I'd be a fan if there'd be many dance numbers. I've been blogging like a ranter lately, very very disorganized. owell.

Cheers!

Pau

Travel to happiness, let the journey begin

The Big Binondo Food Wok!

Friends! Let's try this. :)

I'll do a review as soon as I've tried eating here at Cafe Mezzanine.

Shared via AddThis

Cheers!

Pau

Almost Famous

Rockstars and Groupies by Pau Garcia featuring Monsoon bags

I'm trying to use all the interactive features of the web tonight, and I'm giving out unsolicited advice for all aspiring rock and roll journalist, watch "Almost Famous", for the love of life beyond SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK 'N ROLL. So anyway, the story was pretty good. And it also entails the story of a groupie, and I'm listening to Nickelback's Rockstar. I'm not really doing a good thing on writing tonight so I'll just copy and paste the lyrics from another website.

ROCKSTAR

I'm through with standing in line to the clubs I'll never get in. It's like the bottom of the ninth and I'm never gonna win. This life hasn't turned out quite the way I want it to be. I want a brand new house on an episode of Cribs and a bathroom I can play baseball in and a king size tub big enough for ten plus me. I'll need a, a credit card that's got no limit and a big black jet with a bedroom in it. Gonna join the mile high club at thirty-seven thousand feet. I want a new tour bus full of old guitars my own star on Hollywood Boulevard. Somewhere between cher and James Dean is fine for me. I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame,I'd even cut my hair and change my name

'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars,Livin' in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap

We'll all stay skinny cause we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars, In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger's, Gonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunny with her bleach blonde hair and well..
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

Cheers!

Pau

WE.ARE.GETTING.OLDER

My brother, Joshua, had his twelfth birthday yesterday, September 3 and it became apparent to us that indeed the days are turning into years.

Ate Dale, my brother's girlfriend for nine years realized she had been with our family since Joshua's toddler days and now he's a year short of being a teen, the time of angst rebellion is waiting at the next pit stop(beware). So I guess we truly are getting older, I was just in my graders' prom when I first met Ate Dale and now I'm graduating from college (delayed even). We truly are now a family, hope we have more. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHUA!MWAH

Cheers!

Pau

Killing me softly

This picture made my day. After three days of pulling all-nighters ala German Moreno's Master Showman: Walang Tulugan, finally I'm blogging to my hearts delight. AND I drove around the camp all by myself, swam for an hour and will be going to UP to get feedbacks from my adviser, hoping all went well.

So back to this precious picture of obesity. To tell it straight, I went gaga over those plump cheeks, knitted baby blue , green, white and cerulean sweater and that little pink cellular phone. Please tell me you feel the same or am I insanely obsessed with obesity.

Obviously I've been blogging for about five hours constantly trying to think of anything else other than this plump sugar pie. So I just came from UP (as I've said earlier, I'd be going) and got my first draft thesis with some revisions. Lo and behold, there were more revisions needed in the first two chapters than the last few.

I just wanted to blog.

Cheers!

Pau

The tragedy of a time traveler

I just came home after watching Audrey Niffenegger's Time Traveler's Wife and guess what I had to go through with mascara and liquid eyeliner blotches at the corner of my eyes. Gah! It was truly melodramatic, and melodrama was all I needed to be happy. I've read the book a couple of times courtesy of a friend and that couple of times meant a couple o' rolls of tissue.

I do not know who to pity more, the one who leaves or the one who is left behind. Hmm, maybe it's always the one left behind who has the harder time (obviously the story is about क्लारे and not Henry de Tamble, right?)

I would not go as far as saying the movie had a very good plot because it had an okay plot, some abrupt sequences but its okay and yes, my friend who hasn't read the book did understand the story (that is how I rate movies, if people who haven't heard of it would understand what it's about, then it'll pass with 3stars) so all in all, it was good.

AND it wasn't dragging and I cried a lot! So I'm loving it with my life. AND ERIC BANA IS ERIC BANA!hay he could come visit me with his naked bravado! And Rachel McAdams' portrayal of a Clare is lovely, I've visualized Claire somewhere in the likes of her. I wasn't so sure with Eric Bana before though, at least for me he did give the book its justice after crying over his premeditated death.

Alba was great, especially since there were two Albas, who looked like they were identical (except for the height) in many scenes. Imagine having yourself as a best friend then you'll know what 'someone who knows me best from the rest'.

There were many funny clips, to make the movie a little less tragic. The case of Alba's conception was one for the books. Claire had Henry for a best friend, a boy friend and a husband. So when she says, "To the men in my life" I think it'll be down to three. I can't imagine how creative Niffenegger is as a writer.

And the whole idea of the conflict was to make you expect for death to happen, so you cry every time he goes naked somewhere snowy. HAHA.

Yes, do watch it, its good if you love melodrama and comedy and not-your-daily chic flick and also the trailers were good. I'll be watching many movies for the rest of my undergraduate life (approx. 2 months) Goodluck with that.

Cheers!

Pau

Warning to Job Hunters

I'm already rushing my questionnaire for my thesis interview but I still found time to blog about it. That's what you call multitasking or wrong priority listing. Anyway, so I'd want to share an anecdote about my in-depth (as if) investigative study on the background of my Frontrow enterprise writer gig.

While browsing the web with my growing number of tabs, I've stumbled upon Frontrow Enterprise at sulit.com and I'm not sure what they really offer simply because their site is still under construction and all written is ".. is an advertising company focusing on Health, Beauty and Wellness" and that you'll gain a wide array of benefits.

So I have to self-reflect for awhile since I already agreed to the terms of my job offer via email and text messages with a PEPster I've known while in Summit Media under PEP.PH.

The company does have a good background from the part of the owners but the whole shebang doesn't appeal to me that much when I learned that they also are a networking business promoting beauty and health. GAH! I don't know what to do.

Wish me luck with my interview with candy magazine assistant lifestyle editor Marla Miniano (look for her in the staf box if you're interested). I wish myself all the luck. WOOT WOOT!

Cheers!

Pau

Prelaw blues

Last Friday, August 14 my dad and I went to the Regional Trial Court to see the presiding prosecutor for our pending case via network scamming. What bothered me is the site I saw within the vicinity. The heaps of papers, yellowed to their death (I blame high acid content and reckless regard).

And like a Bundy clock for time-in, my dad with his booming authoritative voice, instantaniously remarked that "once you become a lawyer do not be a part of these people who we blame for these heaps of garbage. These people under this system -- a system of the pending judgement."

A remarkably sad sight to see, if only I had a camera to let the public have a look-see of the tragic justice system. Imagine how I was in dire need of Mike Enriquez the Imbestigador ng Bayan, wanting him to barge in out of nowhere and say "Sa dami-rami ng taon, sa huli namatay na din ang hustisya ng ating bayan. Aba!" with his obnoxious intonation of a broadcaster.

After a short trip to Atty. so-and-so (forgive my disrespectful memory gap, I forgot her name), our drive back home was filled with my dad's 101 lessons for lawyers, just to point out a few, he only had three most important points to tell.

1. Learn how to use a gun. It is high time for us to know that many big bosses and/or not-so-big people use intimidation as a form of response to situations they cannot handle the legal way. So he said, LEARN TO USE A GUN.

**Imagine my bewilderment and fear add to that my overhanging fear of the LAE exam and

2. Befriend the parking lot boys, takatak and cigarette vendors. These are the people that would stand in front of you with a bullet through their head (again, with the gun talk). His logic was simple yet philosophical in a level that is hard to comprehend, show these people respect (these people who do not receive respect and high regard that often) and they'll show you the respect and loyalty you deserve. Give and take.

3, He mentioned being non-supportive of befriending "authorities" because unlike the takatak vendors, these people do not know the meaning of loyalty even if you shove it in their faces. Maybe because they feel they are already receiving high regard and respect they do not even deserve, Take and take.

Yes, of course, it is a highly-biased and dogmatic take against "authorities". Maybe at some points there are kinks, but simple logic and knowledge of the Philippine society will tell you the reliability of probable cause for such beliefs.

P.S.

These are just ramblings, the only poignant point in this article is to serve as an affirmation to my desire of becoming a lawyer. Four years is just four years,, I wouldn't even see it coming and going, just like undergraduate studies. There's really nothing to lose, its a win-win game. If I quit right in the middle of the game, it makes me a quitter but not a loser. And I just want to know that once I look back at the years I spent wherever, I'll turn back with no regrets.

Insomnia brings out the sentimentality in me.

Cheers!

Pau

Frustration rims

Last summer I bought these faux pair of Ray ban aviator shades bringing it everywhere and wishing the sun would shine on my balding forehead for me to fashion my Ray bans. The good times with that trusty pair was endless. Okay, endless in three months, that is. Because now, lo and behold it finally had to rest in pieces. Mightybonds and little screws cannot the the trick so I had to give up, give in and just quit fixing (anyway, they're just fauxes)

But the great thing about faux, inspired by (place any name of designer here) is that you could obviously buy it off-hand. Only to find out the tragic truth, that is truly, you're buying its worth so I've vowed to buy myself a new pair, the authentic pair of Ray bans through ebay.ph and just to be faced with a pair that costs a whopping 4,500 in golden pesos! And now I'd rather die hoping to see myself wearing these pre-loved AUTHENTIC aviators. Or even another okay! site Ayos dito from the name itself, I knew I'd find the answer to my pending wishlist but to be met with another reality check, it does not cost up to a PHP 4,500 but at the least it costs PHP 4,000.

It costs 90 US dollars! sounds cheap right but considering the exchange rate, the Pinoy pragmatics and my stinginess I will not succumb to buy one until I find a stable job to support my luxurious desires.

So maybe the next time I go up to Baguio (approximately in 6 days), I'll just buy my new pair of Ray ban-inspired sunnies to unburden myself of this consumerist melancholy.

Cheers!

Pau

Just in Time for my Macarena

We all danced to the Macarena.

Yes, children of my generation boogied to the impeccable upbeat rhythm of Macarena with our shoe soles blinking like broken street lights with every jump, step and turn.

The terrifying voice blasted through the airwaves with tongue-twisting lyrics, “Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena, Macarena Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena , dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena, Ehhhh, Macarena”. And my classmates and I loved chanting along, “One, little two, little three Macarena, hm hm hm hm buena hm aleya” mumbling until the line “Hey Macarena!”, eagerly waiting to practically shout as loud as our voice boxes could muster to the finale, “Ahay!”

Tired yet satisfied, beaming with a toothless smile, I ran to my Mom telling her how hard we practiced -- even overstating the morning P.E. exercise -- just to hear her say how proud she was of me while fixing the butterfly clip on my hair.

It took us about a month to know the Macarena steps. Our P.E. teacher acted like a jittery mother to a dotting Little Miss Philippines contestant. The kind of mother who teaches with exaggerated actions at the sidelines of the stage, unfortunately Miss Asuncion -- the P.E. teacher-- looked exactly like one.

I remember her saying “arms forward, palms down, right arm, left arm, turn arms over, right first then left, arms on shoulder, right hand on left shoulder, left on right, then hands on the back of head, right then left”. We danced all the way to the ultimate finish of a pelvic rotation at “Hey Macarena!” then a simultaneous jump with a 90-degree counterclockwise turn to start the whole mantra all over again.

The Macarena was popularized in the 90s which became a long-standing number one hit in the United States. In 1995, it later became a hit in the Philippines with the rise of the telenovela mania that started with sensual Miss Thalia in RPN9’s airing of Marimar.

But sadly, the millennium came and Macarena slowly succumbed to its fateful death. Another generation of dance hits conquered the dance floor, from the local television’s Sexbomb girls’ Spaghetti pababa with horrendous giling moves to Randy Jackson’s Best Dance Crew’s poker-faced Jabbawockeez hip dance rendition of Apologize. Finally, Macarena stood at its rightful place in the pedestal of has-been pop dances, along with Shalala and I’m a Barbie Girl.

I was one of the kids who danced to the Macarena only for P.E. and class assemblies while some danced to it on their prom night, with their puppy love, boy barkadas and girlfriends. But we all proudly relate to the Macarena craze because it is a pop culture of our generation – the has-been cool kids and the new young professionals, or yuppies.

I, as a first time yuppie, opted to use the Macarena as a key in developing my work relations. It was in my first gig at work did I have to face first day lunch blues in the office. With a bit of hi’s, hello’s and background checks, I learned to open up with nostalgic moments about my ultra-cool version of the Macarena moves. As if on cue, most of the least remarkable moments at that time but most memorable stories are remembered, like the only POG slammer I got from the Coca-cola promo, the Bazooka comics we all read while in the morning school service and the infamous “taympers” we all told our friends while playing “Fresh and Milk” in school. The day ended with us going to the nearest bar and grill to continue our drive down memory lane, dancing to the Macarena while at it.

So the dance did remind me of that time in my life I was allowed to make mistakes, have snot run down my nose and bruises all over my body without having to care. The best thing about is it became instrumental in turning colleagues to friends and allowing us to make fools of ourselves once in awhile.

And still today, even though I’m no longer frightened of the big voice of the Macarena man, I do tongue-twist when trying to learn Spanish, I jolt at the thought of changing street lights which are like my blinking shoe soles, because I lack the guts to drive and I get tired yet satisfied of taking aerobic dance classes. Lastly, I’d run to my Mom and overstate my stress just to hear her say how proud she is of me. It’s all just like the morning Macarena practices

It’s funny how old and new times keep coming back like an old mantra. It took me a month to learn the Macarena, it will take me a lifetime to forget it and gratefully in the comfort of my bedroom I turn the radio on and danced to the Macarena like there’s no tomorrow. Ahay!

Cheers!

Pau

Pinoy wats: it is not wrong grammar, it is propaganda

There is now a proliferation of Pinoy english word mishaps and I’d be lying if I tell people I don’t laugh my ass off reading them.

To whom do we give the blame? Most of the times, especially for people of the upper socio-economic strata, the blame must be impuned upon illiteracy. Blame it on high income inequality and high poverty rate.

Yes, Philippines is not known for its IQ (we are infamous for our untraceable diaspora). But no matter how funny or depressing reading words written in black, yellow or any bright colored spray paints available that says do not urinate in the wall, talk and teks etcetera, there is that cliche that everyone is free to fill in with there personal favorites (there’s ____ behind the clouds)

And as I see it, when i read ‘Pls. wats your step’ in a wall post at Tagaytay, I thought about its subliminal message: propaganda. Maybe on hindsight, these “mis” takes are made to show that we as Pinoys living in an neocolonial era of the United States have our own way of rebelling.

So maybe the real question that is posed for us to answer is: to whom do we give the credit? Thank you Melanie Marquez, you of all people seem to be the heroine.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT CORRECT GRAMMAR FOR THE SAKE OF THE UNITED STATES, WE ACCEPT IT BECAUSE WE WANT TO.

Although this article is written in English, pardon me I have a hard time writing in Filipino while thinking about words that would be most fitting to send my message across easiest, its purpose is to tell Filipinos that we are not illiterate in the context of the English language. If we wanted to be English literate, we’d cross boarders, ride boats and climb mountains but if we don’t, we write and say the bits and pieces that are left for us to know through media and WOM (word of mouth).

WATS YOUR STEP does not make Pinoys look any level lower than any other people. If in any case, it makes us a level above them because we reject what is not ours. If there is one thing we could reject it is their language. Since we already accepted the imported canned goods, Michael Jackson (Bless his soul) and Grey’s Anatomy, we must at the least accept the fact that we do not need to master the ‘universal’ language in such a way that made it look that our existence depended on it.

Wrong grammar, pronunciation or not; it does not define the person who delivers it. And this is my closest attempt to patriotism as I’m not an avid Pinor Pocketbook collector nor Lito Lapid movies fanatic. So next time you see funny killer pinoy doodles, feel free to laugh, just know who you’re supposed to dedicate those hahaha’s to.

see more: Funny Signs by Definitely Filipino

Cheers!

Pau