I created a separate blog for my photography. I’ll add more photos when I have the chance. Do check out Camera Obscura. No watermarks there at least none at this time hrhrhr. I used the Grace Photoblog theme which I find very elegant and pretty.
The politically-motivated killings that happened in Maguindanao yesterday is truly deplorable. We only used to read about such brutality. We condemned mass killings but we were detached and grateful that we aren’t the ones experiencing it. However, it is now in our turf and cannot be denied. The massacre is an eye-opener in how bad the situation is in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) region and the realities of political clans and warlords.
Based on the most recent reports, a group composed of unarmed media people and women were on their way to the COMELEC to file for Esmael Mangudadatu’s Certificate of Candidacy when a hundred or so heavily-armed men abducted them. Later that day, not less than thirty brutally murdered bodies of those belonging to the group were discovered, including the wife of Esmael Mangudadatu. Some were raped, some were beheaded, some were hastily buried in a mass grave, and some are still unaccounted for. It is alleged that the armed men are under the employ of Maguindanao Governer Andal Ampatuan and that the Mangandadatu is his political rival. There is no solid evidence yet to implicate Ampatuan but the fact that he cannot be found and that he did not do anything after the crime hit the news are suspect.
After reading and watching news about the incident, I am left with some questions.
The atrocious crime is not just an act against a rival clan. The extent of the gruesomeness is an act against women, journalists, the political system, democracy and Filipinos. Whoever is behind it deserves a punishment worse than death.
Awhile back, Nash and Karen sent this surprise to me. Karen, that’s really sweet of you but is this supposed to be art? Where is the watermark?! Toral and Yuga will object! Srsly, the photo is now framed and ready to hang in the office. Nash, tama na ang pa-diva and add me back!
Gone are the good old days of Phplurk and Phtwitter, free services which let us update our micro-blogs using our local carriers. We thought we won’t see a similar service again but I just found out that there are two services which do the same.
GladyCast allows users to update their Twitter and/or Plurk status. They initially offered their services to Singapore and Malaysia residents but they just recently added Philippines to their list. Right now, we can only use their Smart gateway but maybe they will have Sun and Globe in the near future.
In order to use GladyCast, you have to register first by connecting your Twitter and/or Plurk to Gladycast. You will then be asked to SMS a message to a Smart number.
Tweetitow is a progressive service. Users can update their Twitter status AND receive replies. Now they are trying to integrate MMS, ping.fm and posterous updates. Tweetitow has gateways for Smart, Globe and Sun so users with unlimited SMS services can take advantage of this. New users will be given 30 free credits for signing up and those credits are consumed when you receive replies on your phone. Sending updates will have no effect on the credits.
To register, text REG username password to your gateway number (globe: 0927-338-9183, smart: 0928-102-0579, sun: 0923-986-0673).
If you know of another service similar to GladyCast and Tweetitow, please let me know.
I wrote a commentary for Blogwatch.ph about the Second Division of COMELEC’s refusal to accept Ang Ladlad. Please read it here.
I have a blog contest in Mukhang Pera, my other blog. I’m giving away monies to celebrate my birthday. Hmmm maybe it should be the other way around but what the heck. Please join! Just follow this link.
Six critically-acclaimed films will be shown in Manila and Cebu during the 7th Australian Film Festival. The Manila leg will be held at the Greenbelt Cinema from November 5 to 8, 2009. The featured films are the following:
The Black Balloon
Follows the story of 15-year old Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) who tries to fit in his new life as his family moves to a new home while taking care of his autistic older brother Charlie (Luke Ford, The Mummy-Tomb of the Dragon Emperor) and nurturing a budding romance with new girlfriend Jackie (Australian supermodel and actress Gemma Ward). Charlie takes Thomas on an emotional journey in a story that is funny, confronting and ultimately heart-warming. This film also stars Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actress Toni Collette (Sixth Sense, About A Boy). The Black Balloon was awarded the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival Crystal Bear for Best Feature-Length film in the Generation 14plus category and Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Direction, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing.
Unfinished Sky
When Tahmeena stumbles onto John’s isolated farm, he has no choice but to take her in. An illegal refugee, she’s been badly beaten and speaks no English. While John’s not inclined to welcome visitors, he’s even less inclined to involve the police. As they communicate through signs, pictures and a gradual understanding of each other’s language, John and Tahmeena both begin to recover their faith in themselves and their trust in humanity. Tahmeena brings the homestead back to life, reopening John’s eyes to the beauty of his land. In return, John tries to track down the daughter Tahmeena sent ahead from war-ravaged Afghanistan. With renewed confidence they step out of the sanctuary of the farm, but in doing so, reveal themselves to the violent criminals who’ve been looking for Tahmeena. Unfinished Sky is a powerful, poetic and sensual love story that peels away layers of hurt and mistrust to reveal the beauty of freedom, hope and choice.
The Bank
A political thriller set in the world of high finance.
Danny Deckchair
Based on a true story, the tale of a cement truck driver named Danny, whose long awaited vacation is cancelled thanks to his scheming girlfriend, Trudy. Danny escapes his grim life in suburban Australia and blasts into the skies in a chair tied with helium balloons. A mighty thunderstorm blows him clean off the map, and spits him out far away over the lush green town of Clarence. In this new town, he rockets into the world of Glenda, the town’s only parking cop. While the media back home becomes obsessed with the story of his disappearance, Danny gets to reinvent himself in this new town, and in his great adventure, he discovers a true soulmate in Glenda. Fate catches up with him eventually, as Danny’s true identity is revealed and Trudy–now a tabloid celebrity–comes to the idyllic town to claim Danny and drag him back to Sydney. Danny, however, is a changed man; he’s discovered what it means to be happy and has found a new self-worth. Saying farewell to Trudy, Danny makes a dynamic re-entry to the town of Clarence–determined to win Glenda back again and embrace his newfound zest for life.
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A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
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