The Mechanization of Tourism Industry and the Relevance of Bloggers or e-Journalists

The Mechanization of Tourism Industry

And the Relevance of Bloggers or e-Journalists

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Practically, almost every endeavor in this world has got to do with “tourism”…as anything that can elicit visits can be called a “touristic result”. A city with plenty of trusted clinics and medical practitioners can become a destination for “medical tourism” program. A village that became popular because of a Marian (Virgin Mary) appearance becomes flooded with pilgrims, and that is “religious tourism”. The situation of a place as regards security and hygiene affects tourism. And, the likeability of a place in general, revolves around tourism.

 

Tourism is about sports, nature, wildlife, food, culture, education, as well as, various segments of travel industry such as air, water and land. The constantly varying cost of fuel that affects the various modes of travel at the end, affects tourism…. even the food and the hotel accommodation.

 

The travel craze has brought about the BLOGGING PHENOMENON. Suddenly, anybody who has a facebook and maintains blog sites in the internet has become a blogger. Even a mug of coffee with a floral design formed by squirted cream becomes a subject for the blog posted on the facebook. Visually recorded travels, foodie trips and drinking sprees have become curious subjects and unwittingly become honest references of future travelers who would like to retrace the steps on the trails taken by the bloggers.

 

The effect of the e- journalists on the tourism industry is impressively tremendous. It has made travel easy and direct, booting the government tourism offices out of the picture and transaction, as bookings are directly made with travel and tour agencies. And, many travelers today are using direction applications in smart phones. The phenomenon has practically relegated government tourism offices on the sideline for  ”coordination” purposes which actually, are generally viewed as no longer necessary….making them inutile. Even for international conventions, there are professional seminar and convention handling agencies. As regards the Travel Tax, it can be handled by a representative of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) at all points of entries and exits of the country.

 

I have personally observed that the quality control of services of touristic facilities that is supposed to be handled by the local tourism offices is not carried out properly. Facilities found in small cities and towns are left on their own to cater to their clients, as they show their best smile. While in Manila, Cebu and Davao, touristic establishments are stuck with supposedly sticker of guarantee indicated by the number of stars, the rest around the country have none. If the small touristic establishments do not “come up” to the standards indicated by stars, then, such system is useless as they are just good for the big hotels in equally big cities. THERE ARE PLENTY OF AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN TOURISTIC  ESTABLISHMENTS  IN FAR-FLUNG TOWNS  WHERE “TOURIST ATTRACTIONS” ARE FOUND, AS WELL AS  SMALL CITIES WITH PROVINCIAL SETTING THAT SERVE AS “JUMP OFF POINTS”, INSTEAD OF BIG HOTELS, MALLS AND SKYCRAPERS.

 

It has been found out that real tourists, the seasoned ones who comprise the biggest chunk of the statistics on this industry, do not give a damn on the number of stars stuck on the door of a hotel and restaurants….they are after the cheap hotel rates, clean rooms and safe foods. They rely more on the suggestions and recommendations of their agents and personal experience that make them “repeat customers”, and, “WORD OF MOUTH” OR STORIES OF FRIENDS. These “stars” may be good for the glossy pages of magazines not read by the aforementioned travelers who “KNOW” what they want as seasoned travelers.

 

Here are important points to ponder on:

• If a tourist has lost a baggage at the airport, the airline acts on it.
• If the bag of a tourist has been snatched while he is shopping, he goes to the police.
• If a tourist becomes sick in a hotel, he is brought to the hospital.
• If a prospective tourist wants to visit a place, he consults the internet for blogs.
• If a tourist destination is made accessible by road, the budget either comes from the LGU or the congressman.
• Photos and write ups on festivals, activities and foods in the internet and made as references of tourists are uploads of bloggers. (Most LGU tourism offices collect photos via contests among the visual bloggers.)

 

The “tourism office” is not in any of the situations mentioned above. On the other hand, the information needs of the tourist can be handled by the Information Office of the LGU- from the province and city or town, down to the barangay level to MAXIMIZE their function while maintaining their being an INFORMATION OFFICE staffed with KNOWLEDGEABLE researchers.  The tourism-related functions  have become purely coordinative and informative, hence, do not need any managerial skill. In other words, ANYBODY WHO HAS A KNOWLEDGE OF ANY TOURIST SPOT OR DESTINATION OR ACTIVITY OR WHATCHAMALLIT, CAN BE A “TOURIST GUIDE”….even the guys who sweep the streets can be such and they may prove even more effective than those sitting out their time in their aircon offices chatting with fb friends.

 

Information about local destinations may have the chance to land on the pages of international magazines and the internet. HOWEVER, THEY ARE INNATELY AND VERY MUCH AVAILABLE IN THE MINDS OF THE RESIDENTS OR LOCALS…MAKING THE HIRING OF “CONSULTANTS”  FOR THEIR PROMOTION ALSO, NOT NECESSARY.  For budget proposals, the Finance guys of any LGU can do it. For the description of tourist spots or activities, the most appropriate is the Information Office, again, to maximize their function.

 

My suggestion ONLY is, dissolve the Department of Tourism and the rest of the government tourism offices and replace them with INFORMATION KIOSKS TO BE SITUATED AT STRATEGIC AREAS SUCH AS AIRPORTS (INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC), PIERS, MALLS, PROVINCIAL CAPITOLS, CITY/MUNICIPA/BARANGAY HALLS. THESE KIOSKS SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH COMPUTERS THAT CONTAIN TRAVEL AND TOUR INFORMATION ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES, ESPCIALLY, THE PLACES WHERE THE KIOSKS ARE LOCATED, AND WHICH LOCAL AND FOREIGN TRAVELERS CAN EASILY ACCESS. THE UPLOADED INFORMATION SHOULD BE BACKED UP BY PRINTED OR HARD COPIES IN CASE OF POWER BREAKDOWN, AND KEPT IN THE FILING CABINET OF THE INFORMATION OFFICE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE POSTED AT EVERY KIOSK. AS FOR TOUR GUIDES, “JOB ORDER” EMPLOYESS WITH MULTI-FUNCTIONS CAN BE UTILIZED.

 

FINALLY, THIS IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO CALL AS THE “MECHANIZATION” OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

 

 

The Mechanization of Tourism Industry and the Relevance of Bloggers or e-Journalism

The Mechanization of Tourism Industry

And the Relevance of Bloggers or e-Journalists

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Practically, almost every endeavor in this world has got to do with “tourism”…as anything that can elicit visits can be called a “touristic result”. A city with plenty of trusted clinics and medical practitioners can become a destination for “medical tourism” program. A village that became popular because of a Marian (Virgin Mary) appearance becomes flooded with pilgrims, and that is “religious tourism”. The situation of a place as regards security and hygiene affects tourism. And, the likeability of a place in general, revolves around tourism.

 

Tourism is about sports, nature, wildlife, food, culture, education, as well as, various segments of travel industry such as air, water and land. The constantly varying cost of fuel that affects the various modes of travel at the end, affects tourism…. even the food and the hotel accommodation.

 

The travel craze has brought about the BLOGGING PHENOMENON. Suddenly, anybody who has a facebook and maintains blog sites in the internet has become a blogger. Even a mug of coffee with a floral design formed by squirted cream becomes a subject for the blog posted on the facebook. Visually recorded travels, foodie trips and drinking sprees have become curious subjects and unwittingly become honest references of future travelers who would like to retrace the steps on the trails taken by the bloggers.

 

The effect of the e- journalists on the tourism industry is impressively tremendous. It has made travel easy and direct, booting the government tourism offices out of the picture and transaction, as bookings are directly made with travel and tour agencies. And, many travelers today are using direction applications in smart phones. The phenomenon has practically relegated government tourism offices on the sideline for  ”coordination” purposes which actually, are generally viewed as no longer necessary….making them inutile. Even for international conventions, there are professional seminar and convention handling agencies. As regards the Travel Tax, it can be handled by a representative of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) at all points of entries and exits of the country.

 

I have personally observed that the quality control of services of touristic facilities that is supposed to be handled by the local tourism offices is not carried out properly. Facilities found in small cities and towns are left on their own to cater to their clients, as they show their best smile. While in Manila, Cebu and Davao, touristic establishments are stuck with supposedly sticker of guarantee indicated by the number of stars, the rest around the country have none. If the small touristic establishments do not “come up” to the standards indicated by stars, then, such system is useless as they are just good for the big hotels in equally big cities. THERE ARE PLENTY OF AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN TOURISTIC  ESTABLISHMENTS  IN FAR-FLUNG TOWNS  WHERE “TOURIST ATTRACTIONS” ARE FOUND, AS WELL AS  SMALL CITIES WITH PROVINCIAL SETTING THAT SERVE AS “JUMP OFF POINTS”, INSTEAD OF BIG HOTELS, MALLS AND SKYCRAPERS.

 

It has been found out that real tourists, the seasoned ones who comprise the biggest chunk of the statistics on this industry, do not give a damn on the number of stars stuck on the door of a hotel and restaurants….they are after the cheap hotel rates, clean rooms and safe foods. They rely more on the suggestions and recommendations of their agents and personal experience that make them “repeat customers”, and, “WORD OF MOUTH” OR STORIES OF FRIENDS. These “stars” may be good for the glossy pages of magazines not read by the aforementioned travelers who “KNOW” what they want as seasoned travelers.

 

Here are important points to ponder on:

• If a tourist has lost a baggage at the airport, the airline acts on it.
• If the bag of a tourist has been snatched while he is shopping, he goes to the police.
• If a tourist becomes sick in a hotel, he is brought to the hospital.
• If a prospective tourist wants to visit a place, he consults the internet for blogs.
• If a tourist destination is made accessible by road, the budget either comes from the LGU or the congressman.
• Photos and write ups on festivals, activities and foods in the internet and made as references of tourists are uploads of bloggers. (Most LGU tourism offices collect photos via contests among the visual bloggers.)

 

The “tourism office” is not in any of the situations mentioned above. On the other hand, the information needs of the tourist can be handled by the Information Office of the LGU- from the province and city or town, down to the barangay level to MAXIMIZE their function while maintaining their being an INFORMATION OFFICE staffed with KNOWLEDGEABLE researchers.  The tourism-related functions  have become purely coordinative and informative, hence, do not need any managerial skill. In other words, ANYBODY WHO HAS A KNOWLEDGE OF ANY TOURIST SPOT OR DESTINATION OR ACTIVITY OR WHATCHAMALLIT, CAN BE A “TOURIST GUIDE”….even the guys who sweep the streets can be such and they may prove even more effective than those sitting out their time in their aircon offices chatting with fb friends.

 

Information about local destinations may have the chance to land on the pages of international magazines and the internet. HOWEVER, THEY ARE INNATELY AND VERY MUCH AVAILABLE IN THE MINDS OF THE RESIDENTS OR LOCALS…MAKING THE HIRING OF “CONSULTANTS”  FOR THEIR PROMOTION ALSO, NOT NECESSARY.  For budget proposals, the Finance guys of any LGU can do it. For the description of tourist spots or activities, the most appropriate is the Information Office, again, to maximize their function.

 

My suggestion ONLY is, dissolve the Department of Tourism and the rest of the government tourism offices and replace them with INFORMATION KIOSKS TO BE SITUATED AT STRATEGIC AREAS SUCH AS AIRPORTS (INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC), PIERS, MALLS, PROVINCIAL CAPITOLS, CITY/MUNICIPA/BARANGAY HALLS. THESE KIOSKS SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH COMPUTERS THAT CONTAIN TRAVEL AND TOUR INFORMATION ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES, ESPCIALLY, THE PLACES WHERE THE KIOSKS ARE LOCATED, AND WHICH LOCAL AND FOREIGN TRAVELERS CAN EASILY ACCESS. THE UPLOADED INFORMATION SHOULD BE BACKED UP BY PRINTED OR HARD COPIES IN CASE OF POWER BREAKDOWN, AND KEPT IN THE FILING CABINET OF THE INFORMATION OFFICE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE POSTED AT EVERY KIOSK. AS FOR TOUR GUIDES, “JOB ORDER” EMPLOYESS WITH MULTI-FUNCTIONS CAN BE UTILIZED.

 

FINALLY, THIS IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO CALL AS THE “MECHANIZATION” OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

 

 

Ang Mga “Negative” na Kapalit ng Ginagawa Ko ay Okey Lang Dahil Nag-eenjoy Naman Ako

Ang Mga “Negative” na Kapalit ng Ginagawa Ko

ay Okey Lang Dahil Nag-eenjoy Naman Ako

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Kung may masasayang bahagi ng buhay, mayroon ding nakakalungkot na hindi maiwasang madanasan ng isang tao sa kabila ng kanyang magandang layunin…yan ang nangyayari sa akin. Para sa akin ay madali lang ang pagsusulat, pero ang mahirap ay ang magpaunawa ng aking layunin.

 

Hindi nauunawaan ng mga taong makasarili o selfish kung bakit ako nagsasakripisyo sa pagsusulat at maipakita ang mga pagkakamaling dapat ituwid o mga pagkukulang na dapat punan. Ang nakakatuwa sa mga taong makasarili ay ang pag-isipan akong tumatanggap ng suweldo o kapalit ng mga ginagawa ko. Bilang makasarili, hindi kasi nila kayang gawin ang ginagawa ko kaya para sa kanila ay imposible. Hindi nila maunawaan kung bakit ako gumagastos para lang makarating sa mga liblib na lugar kung saan ay may makukuha akong magandang kuwento, tulad ng mga slum areas ng Tondo.

 

May mga taong nai-intimidate ng mga ginagawa ko dahil sa kakulangan ng kaalaman nila tungkol sa salitang “blogger” na akala nila ay bumabatikos lang. Ang hindi nila alam, ito ang equivalent ng mga nagsusulat sa diyaryo o magazine….sa simpleng salita, manunulat sa cyberspace o internet, at saklaw o sakop ang lahat ng larangan. Unang ginamit ng mga kabataang internet users ang salitang “blog” pero ang intention ay manira. Ito ay maituturing na bahagi ng “street language” o sa Pilipino ay “salitang kanto” tulad ng “toma” o pag-inom ng alak. At, dahil pa rin diyan, marami ang nagugulat kapag nakita ako nang personal dahil hindi ako bata.

 

Mayroon pa akong narinig na comment noon na, “blogger ba yan?…bakit walang camera?” at  “…ay!…matanda na pala”. Akala nila, ang pagba-blog ay hanggang paglagay lang ng mga pa-cute na mga larawan sa facebook na ginagawa ng mga kabataan. Ang hindi nila alam ay maraming sites ang internet na ginagamit ng mga seryosong blogger tulad ko. Kaya ako gumamit ng facebook ay dahil lang sa pakiusap ng mga kaibigan ko noon pa man na ang ginagamit ay cellphone na may application ng facebook.

 

May mga tao ring nai-insecure dahil sa ginagawa ko. Feeling nila ay nasasapawan ko sila sa mga dapat nilang gawin….silang mga nagsusuweldo pero wala rin naman palang binatbat sa trabaho. Sa halip na i-appreciate ang ginagawa ko o ay pinag-iisipan pa ako ng masama. Kulang na lang ay tanungin ako ng diretsahan kung tatakbo ba akong mayor. May joke tungkol sa taong nakita lang na naglilinis ng kalsada sa tapat ng bahay niya ay kinantiyawan ng, “tatakbo ka yata sa pagka- Barangay Chairman, pare….”.

 

May mga tao na dahil sa sobrang pagkamakasarili, ang tingin sa kapwa nilang nanlilimahid at namumulot ng mapapakinabangan sa mga basurahan, pati na sa mga taong mababa ang kalagayan sa lipunan, ay hindi  mapapagkatiwalaan at hindi dapat pakisamahan. Ang mga taong ito ay sobra rin ang “pagka-sosyal” ang ugali kaya pinandidirihan ang mga kainan sa tabi ng kalsada….mga karinderya….wa class daw! Dahil sa ugali nila, hindi nila maunawaan kung bakit gusto kong makipagkaibigan sa mga taong nabanggit o kumain sa mga pinandidirihan nilang kainan.

 

Bilib ako sa lakas ng loob ng mga nagtanong sa akin kung bakit daw mahilig akong magsulat tungkol sa mga tao at mga karinderyang nabanggit. Kung ginagamit nila ang kanilang utak sa pag-isip ng malalim kahit minsan lang, hindi na sila dapat pang nagtatanong. Nagpapakita lang sila ng kamangmangan at walang kaalaman sa iba’t ibang uri ng buhay sa mundo. Pero yong iba ay mahinahon ko namang sinagot ng,  “ kung hindi ko isinulat, malalaman mo ba na may masarap palang kainan at mura pa diyan lang sa kanto”? Ang alam lang kasi ng mga ungas ay mga kainan tulad ng Jollibee at iba pang mga kainan na ang mga binebenta ay dapat inilubog sa mantika!

 

Sa kabila ng mga nabanggit, natutuwa pa rin ako at nasusulit ang pagod ko…lalo na kapag ang kakainin ko sa mga paborito kong pastilan ay tutong na kanin at gulay na lalong pinasarap ng siling labuyo! Sa mga naiinis sa akin, ito lang ang masasabi…EAT YOUR HEART OUT, GUYS!

 

 

Mga Dahilan Kung Bakit Enjoy Ako sa Pag-Blog

Mga Dahilan Kung Bakit Ako Enjoy sa Pag-blog

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Kung minsan ay hindi ko maunawaan kung paanong dumaloy ang mga kataga mula sa aking isipan patungo sa screen ng laptop ko. Basta masimulan ko kasi, tuluy-tuloy na hanggang sa huling tuldok. At, pagkatapos kong mag-upload ng sanaysay man o tula, nakakalimutan ko na sila kaya todo ang pag-ingat ko sa pag-save. Sa kabila niyan, ini-enjoy ko na lang ang pagsusulat dahil sa mga “kapalit” tulad ng mga sumusunod:

 

• Kaylan lang, isang OFW sa Gitnang Silangan ang nakakita ng larawan ng isa niyang anak na kasama sa mga nai-post ko para sa blog tungkol sa Casilda P. Venus Elementary School. Masaya siya subalit napahagulhol pa rin daw ayon sa koment niya kaya “nagnakaw” ako ng dalawang photos sa fb niya at nilagyan ko ng Christmas greeting para sa kanya at iginawa ko pa silang mag-iina ng tula.

 

• Ang isang babaeng may katandaan na at nabubuhay sa pagiging “dispatcher” o “barker” ng mga aircon van sa Liwasang Bonifacio (Lawton Plaza) sa Maynila ay “natagpuan” ng kanyang mga kamag-anak sa blog ko. Ang mga kamag-anak na nasa abroad ay matagal na palang naghahanap sa kanya. Sila ay taga-Cebu.

 

• Dahil sa blog kong nabasa yata ng taga-Manila City Hall ay nabuksan ang matagal nang saradong toilet sa Liwasang Bonifacio para magamit ng mga namamasyal. Ang Metropolitan Theater ay nabakuran na rin dahil noong nakatiwangwang ito, ang paligid ay ginawang ihian kaya mapanghi.

 

• Ang isang losyang nang female bold star na nagpipilit pa ring magbenta ng aliw sa Avenida, Sta. Cruz, Manila ay natagpuan ng kanyang pamangkin dahil sa larawan niyang nai-post ko pero walang pangalan niya, three years ago, sa isang slum area na ngayon ay na-demolish, sa gilid ng ilog ng Reina Regente sa Binondo, Manila.

 

• Ang isang batang babaeng mahilig magbasa ng mga libro subalit walang pambili ng mga ito ay napadalhan ng mga encyclopedia na pambata ng isang viewer na nasa California.

 

• Ang isang tin-edyer na nagbebenta ng aliw sa Avenida upang may panggastos sa pag-aaral ay inampon ng mag-asawang Pilipino na nakatira sa Amerika nang mabasa ang kuwento ng buhay niya sa blog ko.

 

• Ang mag-asawang matandang gusto nang mamahinga sa probinsiya nila sa Antique ay nakauwi at ang lalaki ay namatay doon ilang linggo pagdating nila…parang “homecoming” upang mamatay sa birthplace. Ang viewer kong taga-Amerika ang nagbigay ng pamasahe nila.

 

• Nagkaroon ako ng grupong “sharers” sa Maynila na ang mga kasapi ay isang doktor na taga-Canada, isang negosyante sa Amerika, at isang dating “call boy” na nagka-asawa ng anak ng negosyanteng Intsik sa Binondo. Pinagtagpo kami ng mga blogs ko tungkol sa mga ginagawa ko sa Tondo area. Mahilig din pala silang mag-“adventure” sa slums tulad ko.

 

• Ang dalawa kong viewers na walang tiwala sa sarili at nagkakasya lang noon sa pagkoment ng mahaba sa blogs ko ay gumagawa na rin ng blogs dahil napilit ko sila, kahit sa simula ay gumaya muna ng style ko….huwag lang ang pagmumura. Natutuwa ako at marami na silang followers ngayon dahil matatalino naman talaga sila.

 

• May dalawang black evangelists sa isang bansa sa Africa ang nag-eemail sa akin tungkol sa binabasa nilang blogs ko…natutuwa sila at nadadagdagan daw ang kaalaman nila tungkol sa mga nangyayari sa Pilipinas. Hindi daw kasi sila familiar sa Pilipinas. Yon nga lang, akala nila ay Kastila ako dahil sa pangalan ko.

 

• Iba’t ibang uri ng tao ang nagkokonek sa akin sa pamamagitan ng iba ko pang sites. May isang Russian model/photographer blogger…may mga nature lovers…may mga foodie bloggers…pero mas marami ang mga literary bloggers – lahat sila mga taga-ibang bansa. Curious yata sila kung anong “uring tao” ang mga Pilipino. May nagtanong pa kung paano daw akong natutong mag-English at gumawa ng poem.

 

Nahihirapan din ako kung minsan lalo na kung walang internet dahil sa inutil na mga server kaya naiipunan ako ng mga incoming emails at pm sa facebook. Ang matindi pa ay nakiki-wifi lang ako kaya parati akong nagmamadali upang hindi nakakahiya sa naiistorbo kong maybahay….pero as I shared earlier, enjoy pa rin ako kahit kinakapalan ko na lang ang mukha ko….sanayan lang naman yan.

 

Paunawa lang….hindi ako mayaman, nagko-commute lang ako kaya madalas ay nagha-hiking ako kung walang masakyan, second hand na palyado pa ang laptop ko, palaging pamasahe lang ang laman ng bulsa, at sa tabi-tabi kumakain upang makatipid….yon nga lang naniniwala ako sa kasabihang, “God will provide”….at, higit sa lahat, malaking pasalamat ko dahil wala akong hikâ, migraine, rayuma o arthritis, pati UTI kaya hindi ako nagkakabalisawsaw, at hindi naging addict! Ang mga tulong na naipaparating ko sa mga taong naba-blog ko ay galing sa mga may magandang kalooban. Ang kailangan kong iabot ay extra na barya sa bulsa ko.

 

 

My Sincere Prayer of Gratitude…as a simple blogger

My Sincere Prayer of Gratitude

…as a simple blogger

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Thank you Lord,

…for leading me to people whose good deeds need to be exposed that they may inspire others;

…for giving me the courage to call the attention of fellowmen for their misdeeds;

…for the prayers of those who appreciate what I do, and which provide me with strength;

…for the encouragement of friends who give me inspiration;

…for the vintage laptop that has been helping me a lot;

…for the cellphone with camera that a cousin gave for quick photo shots of my subjects;

…for the strong wi-fi signal in the home of a cousin where I do my blogs;

…for the hi-tech communication system without which, my effort would be futile;

…for the tranquil nights and dawns during which I wake up to jot down prospective blogs;

…for words that come into my mind, and which I could develop into blogs;

…for the fingers that have recovered from carpal tunnel syndrome, so that I could work fast;

…for the effort of a nephew who provided me fast mobility with his motorcycle;

…for a stomach that could withstand pangs of hunger;

…for the lungs that have resisted the onset of respiratory ailments;

…for the nose that have been straining the polluted air;

…for my overall health to keep me going;

…for the strong comments of viewers who affirm my views;

…for the extras that I could spare for others;

…for making me wake up with sprite at dawn to prepare myself for the day;

…for the compassionate viewers who make donations for blogged needy people.

 

I pray that You continue to keep me and the rest with similar advocacy as mine, in the shadow of your protection at all times.

 

Amen!

Why I Blog

Why I Blog

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Many people who have been reading my blogs are wondering why I am doing it…worse, some even presume that I am being paid for such emotionally tedious undertaking. Plainly and simply, I tell them that it is my advocacy. I hate to use such word, but I might cause them to raise their eyebrows if I tell them, it is my hobby. I am serious in what I am doing and it is not just for fun. I am not being paid but some viewers of my blogs send help for the subject personalities whom I write about, and which are handled with much care. For this endeavor, I am taking so much risk as my security is also at stake in view of my blogs on corruption.

 

I always ask myself that if I will not share with others what I perceive and experience “along the way”, who will do it? If I have to be brutally frank, I dare say that many people are numb, naïve, blind, deaf, etc. to what are happening around us. One viewer even had the temerity to send me the message, “you think you are a great writer, huh!”. He is not an fb friend and most hurting is that he is also a Filipino. I just presumed that he is a friend of a politician whom I have been jabbing with my posts, which being “public” are open to all internet browsers. As an information, I have four other blog sites aside from facebook. My first facebook page has even been hacked many months back so I can no longer open it, forcing me to create another one with my photo on it. Unfortunately, many friends still use the hacked fb despite the notices that I have posted.

 

I identify with people whom I blog as I had my own struggles to be able to finish my studies, having been orphaned at a young age. Growing up, I observed the corrupt practices in the government which have been deeply impressed in my mind. I observed so much arrogance of some supposedly “shepherds” of the various churches. Having gone around the country, I saw poverty in its various levels and perceived its ugly faces drawn on my impoverished countrymen. I would like to let the world know about the benevolence of unsung heroes in our midst. Also, let others know, Filipinos and foreigners that the country is a cluster of islands worth discovering for their unique and varying splendor. I would also like to serve as other people’s conscience and mirror. Most of all God gifted me with the ability to write and I know that He did not give it to me to be kept selfishly, but with a purpose. Those are the reasons why I blog.

 

What give me the drive to go on are the inspiration and encouragement from those who are kind enough to appreciate what I am doing aside from enhancing what I share with their comments and rectifications on what they think should be improved. I am also encouraged to go on if what I share could successfully elicit relevant comments, especially, about blogged people whose characters are worthy of emulation, not just appreciation.  I believe that I am just doing my share of what should be done as intended by God. I am not a doctor, nor a professor, nor a pastor, nor a cook, nor a policeman, nor a businessman, etc….but I have a purpose, too, in this world and that is….as a simple writer.

 

I always imagine that the world is like a jigsaw puzzle composed of parts with various shapes that snugly fit together. While others could be triangle, circle, square…I could be a rectangle….that is I, as a blogger, and with my own shape, I am trying my best to neatly fit into this world. By the way, I need prayers, too, to keep me keep me and my advocacy alive, at least even for just a little longer.

Ang Mga Taong Isinusulat ko ang Kuwento ng Buhay

Ang Mga Taong Isinusulat Ko ang Kuwento ng Buhay

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Kaya ako nagsusulat ng mga kuwento ng buhay ng mga tao ay upang magsilbi silang inspirasyon sa iba. Kung mapapansin, sila yong mga nagsimula sa “ibaba” hanggang umangat o umasenso. Sila rin yong mga hindi nahihiyang magtrabaho kahit galing sa may sinasabing pamilya o mayayaman. Sila yong mga nagsikap upang makatapos ng kolehiyo kaya pumasok na student assistants sa pinapasukan nilang unibersidad o kolehiyo. Sila rin ang mga naghahabol ng schedule ng klase mula sa mga pinapasukang food outlets tulad ng Jollibee at MacDonalds, at iba pa.

 

Ang iba pang mga naisulat ko na ay naging biktima ng pagkakataon kaya “kumapit sa patalim” upang mabuhay o di kaya ay nagsakripisyo para sa pamilya. Mayroon ding mga pari at pastor na MABABAIT at karapat-dapat na tawaging mga pastol na Itinalaga ng Diyos sa mundo upang gumabay sa mga Kristiyano.

 

Hindi ako basta-basta nagsusulat lang dahil PINIPILI ko ang mga taong bina-blog ko….mga karapat-dapat na nakaka-inspire ang buhay. Ang problema ay ang mga HYPOCRITE na kaanak ng mga taong dapat ay maging inspirasyon ng iba dahil sa pagsisikap nilang kumita para sa pamilya kaya nangibang bansa, at ang iba ay na-rape pa nga….IKINAHIHIYA KASI NG MGA WALANG UTANG NA LOOB NA ITO NA ANG MGA KAANAK NILA SA ABROAD AY HINDI MANAGER NG OPISINA KUNDI HOUSEKEEPER, YAYA, GARDEN CLEANER, CAREGIVER, ETC.  Ang mga nahihiyang magbanggit man lang ng uri ng trabaho ng mga kaanak sa abroad ay mga UGOK AT MAKAKAPAL ANG MUKHA dahil SOBRA-SOBRANG  umaasa din pala sa mga padala ng mga nasa abroad!

Respect Should Prevail Over Arrogance When Presenting Views in the Internet

Respect Should Prevail over Arrogance

When Presenting Views in the Internet

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Definitely and obviously, differing views create rifts and even violent reaction among internet users on different issues. Commentors on blogs are themselves, considered as bloggers. Those who post extensive write-ups on issues, who consider themselves full time bloggers are just “view initiators”. Ill-feeling even among friends results when commenting friends criticize the blogger as a person which for them is the reason why he came up with certain blogs. On the other hand, the criticism of some commentors, though, directed to the issue, are ill-founded and tainted with more selfishness, rather than with consideration of the majority. An example is the issue on the corrupted educational system that encourages the use of workbook-formatted “text books”. Some commentors who can afford the sky-high cost of books that should be purchased every start of the school term, have no kind words for bloggers who criticize the government agency for continuously allowing such practice to happen.

 

Another is the issue on the killing of drug lords and pushers. Just because the rich feel safe inside their homes in exclusive subdivisions and because they do not go out often to earn their keeps and if ever, in chauffeured expensive cars, they criticize the killing which for them is against the right to live, instead, of appreciating the result which is the eradication of the criminals who kill the innocents who have the same right. Those who are exposed, however, to these criminals because they live in thickly populated communities and slums, feel otherwise, so that they are thankful that the criminals  are eliminated before they can go on spreading terror. IN THIS REGARD, ALL OF THEM, DESPITE THEIR DIFFERING VIEWS ON THE ISSUE, SHOULD BE RESPECTED FOR THEIR OPINION FOR AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT EXCHANGE ACCUSATIONS, AS BY ALL INDICATIONS,  IT IS CLEAR THAT WHAT IS GOOD FOR SOMEBODY MAY BE BAD FOR ANOTHER.

 

Views that may enhance the blog of the initiator should be presented “based” on his presentation, hence, should come out as not necessarily criticisms. If this happens, it would encourage others to come out with their own without fear of being lambasted. A heated uncalled for heated exchange can be avoided if commentors will only respect the blogger and fellow commentors. Telling the blogger and other commentors that they are wrong because their views are different, is tantamount to showing the arrogance of those who do such, because their act is a clear manifestation of their “felt superiority”. The view of the latter can be better appreciated if they are humble enough to just simply present them and if they need clarification on certain aspects they should say so.

 

The internet, particularly, facebook should not create ill-feelings among friends with differing views for which subject personalities such as politicians do not give a damn. Personally, I like Duterte because of his effort to eradicate or at least minimize the drug problem in the country, aside from his inspiring phenomenal soar to power despite his humble beginnings. But I do not like his brashness, especially jokes on women which are better shared during drinking sprees. So viewers could see that I am not 100% for Duterte as I only like him for the good aspects of his person.  I also have nothing against the Catholic Church, but only to her erring priests and nuns. I have the right to present my observation as I feel for those who are concerned and affected. This attitude also goes for my view of other churches and religious communities, because, first and foremost, my being a Free Thinker makes it so. I am for ALL for as long as they are good and not selfish.

 

If I had been selfish, I would not be blogging, risking my security in the process, due to the sensitive issues that I am tackling. I would just also be enjoying my life and what is left of Nature which is my other passion, while not giving a damn if families are affected by the drug problem and the Catholic flock who are fooled by SOME of the priests to whom they give utmost  respect because they view them as “representatives” of God on earth.

My Blog Subjects

MY BLOG SUBJECTS

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Friends are asking how I develop blogs. Initially, I really would like to confine my blogging within the scope of poetry – Tagalog, English and some vernaculars, the medium in which I am most comfortable. However, although, the same ideas are injected in the said literary form, some friends would rather read a straight essay which is easier to understand. That is how I delved into writing essays to share ideas which proved to be just practical when I opened other sites for my blogs.

 

As for the sources of ideas, they come from my daily experiences – encounter with friends who live in unexpected places, news broadcast on radio (I have no TV), encounter with various people I do not know along the road who became new friends, my own life, and most especially, messages from friends sent through email and “pm” in the facebook. I am most wary in writing about politics and religion, but when Duterte came into the picture, I could not help myself but make a resolve that I will help him in his cause.

 

As for religion, as much as I am avoiding such topic, I again, could not help myself but come to the rescue of those who have been exploited by abusive religious leaders and pretenders who know religion like the palm of their hand. I would like to make it clear na hindi ko nilalahat ang religious leades dahil ang iba sa kanila ay matitino.  I have to let the world know how these supposedly religious leaders exploit their unsuspecting followers. If the pope himself is doing some exposes, why can’t I? At this juncture, I am most thankful to my religious friends who are authorities in their own right, being leaders of their churches, for understanding my boldness in making statements. I am thankful that nobody has told me to go to hell with my pronouncements. What protected me perhaps, is my use of the word, “SOME’, to make myself clear that my statements refer only to the obviously guilty.

 

If friends come across short blogs that are suddenly posted minutes after extensive ones have been posted, and about the same topic, they are manifestations of my emotional explosion due to uncalled-for provocation from some friends who just can’t stop from testing my knowledge about what I am blogging about, and worse, their obvious intention to just test my patience in handling sarcasm. They are blind to the fact that blogs are meant to be enhanced with relevant and enlightening comments from unsatisfied readers, and which are for the benefit of the rest who are contented to remain as “likers”. Unfortunately, the comments of these friends are focused on my person.

 

I don’t just post on facebook. I have viewers in my other sites, and who use some of the materials that I post as references for their studies, and as for students, for their thesis. In this view, I am dead serious about what I am doing. Some of my blogs are requested by friends asking for my views which obliges me to give my all – everything that I know, with expectations that somehow viewers can enhance them with their relevant comments which can be treated as input, and for which I am thankful.

 

Blogging is a thankless and unpaid undertaking, but a task that I enjoy. If I blog about people I meet along the way who need to be exposed due to their sorry plight that needs succor or help, it does not mean that I am soliciting funds. My intention is just to let friends know that, as mentioned in an earlier blog, there are real people out there who suffer and that I stand witness for such truthfulness…scenes that unfortunately, are seen by many people only on TV.

Ang “Blogger”, “Basher”, at “Nakawan” sa Internet

ANG “BLOGGER”,  “BASHER”

AT “NAKAWAN” SA INTERNET

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Ang “blog” ay maaaring ituring na “noun” o “verb”. Kaugnay niyan, kapag “noun” ay pwedeng sabihing “the blog”, kapag “verb” ay masasabing, “to blog”. Subali’t kung tutuusin ay tungkol lang ito sa “pagsusulat” o “pagpo-post” ng buong sanaysay o komento man lang o di kaya ay ng larawan sa sariling facebook o sa facebook ng iba pero may pahintulot nila, at iba pang sites sa internet, lalo na ang mga pag-aari ng blogger.

 

Ang “basher” naman ay mga nagbabasa ng mga blogs at dahil kampon yata ng demonyo, sa halip na tumulong sa pagpapalinaw sa isinulat ng blogger, ay umiikot sa mga personal na bagay ang isinusulat bilang komento. Ibig sabihin ng “personal” ay tungkol sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa blogger kaya nade-derail ang mensahe ng blog. Sila yong mga kung tawagin ay “viewers” o nagbabasa ng blogs na hindi nagpaparamdam at tumatayming ng blog na pwede nilang sirain o bulabugin kaya nagagalit rin ang ibang mga seryosong nagbabasa. Kalimitan ay gusto nilang palabasin na mas magaling sila sa blogger sa paggamit ng Tagalog o English, o di kaya ay palabasing mas maganda ang kanilang pananaw. Kung ganoon sana ang paniniwala at pananaw nila, sumulat na lang sila ng sarili nilang blog upang mai-post sa kanilang fb.

 

Sa isang banda, maraming taong matatalino sa larangan ng teknolohiya ang nakakakita ng “ginto” sa internet…mga oportunidad na pwede nilang pagkitaan sa anumang paraan, kahit masama. Ang isang paraan ay ang illegal na pag-hack ng mga sites, gawaing itinuturing ng mga hacker na isang prestihiyosong kaalaman. May mga hantaran pang umaamin na sila ay hacker dahil maraming tao at kumpanya ang umuupa sa kanila upang makapanira ng kalaban o kakumpetensiya sa negosyo. Yong ibang hacker naman ay pumapasok sa sites ng iba bilang katuwaan lang o para patunayan na sila ay magaling. Sa ganitong gawain ay may mga sinuswerte rin, tulad ng Pilipinong nag-hack ng IT system ng Pentagon. Sa simula ay kinastigo siya, pero kalaunan ay kinuha na lang ng Pentagon upang mapakinabangan ang kanyang katalinuhan.

 

Ang iba namang “magagaling” ay gustong kumita sa pamamagitan ng panloloko. Ang mga paraan ay, ang paggamit ng email kung saan ay magpapadala sila ng mga nakakaiyak na kuwento ng kanilang buhay upang makapag-solicit ng tulong; pakikipagkaibigan upang mapagamit sila ng bank account ng kinakaibigan na paglalagakan kuno ng perang minana nila; pagpapadala ng email message tungkol sa isang pasyente sa ospital na kailangang operahan kaya nakikiusap sa pinadalhan na ikalat ang message dahil kapag ginawa ito, bawat isang message na ipinadala sa isang kaibigan ay may katumbas na pisong didiretso sa isang account, kaya kung mag-viral ang message dahil sa dugtung-dugtong na koneksiyon ng mga may-ari ng emails, siguradong hindi lang 1 milyong piso ang malilikom; pagbebenta sa internet ng mga kalakal lalo na gadgets, subalit kapag nakapaglagak na ng bayad sa ibinigay na bank account ang niloko ay parang bulang mawawala ang on-line seller.

 

Ano pa nga ba’t ang magandang layunin sana ng teknolohiya ay sinira ng mga taong may mala-demonyong pag-iisip. Dahil sa mga nangyayari ngayon, nagkaroon ng agam-agam o takot ang mga internet users sa pagpadala ng mga mahahalagang impormasyon sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay tulad ng numero ng passport, mga kopya ng dokumento, bank account number, numero ng telepono, at pati address ng bahay o negosyo. Yong isa ngang mayabang, nag-post lang ng kopya ng kanyang First Class plane ticket at boarding pass sa facebook ay nakuhanan na ng mga personal na detalye tulad ng contact number at address ng bahay na nakapaloob pala sa “bar code” ng boarding pass gamit ang isang skimming device na gawa sa China! Kaya habang nagliliwaliw ang mayabang at ang pamilya niya, inakyat-bahay sila! Nangyayari ito kapag ang pasahero ay miyembro ng promo program na nangangailangan ng mga personal niyang impormasyon, kaya ang pangalan niya ay naka-connect sa information archive ng information system ng airline.

 

Ang epekto ng teknolohiya sa tao ay hindi nalalayo sa epekto ng mga inimbentong bagay na magdudulot sana ng kaginhawaan sa buhay ng tao. Ang gamot halimbawa, ay inimbento upang makapagpahaba ng buhay, subalit inabuso, kaya may namamatay dahil sa overdose o maling paggamit. Ang baril ay inimbento sana upang maging proteksiyon subalit ginamit sa katarantaduhan. Ang dinamita na gagamitin lang sana sa pagpasabog lang ng malalaking tipak ng bato upang hind maging hadlang sa ginagawang kalsada sa gilid ng bundok ay ginamit sa maling pangingisda at terorismo. Ganon din ang ginawa sa marami pang inimbentong ginamit na pagpuksa ng kapwa-tao at kalikasan. At, lahat ng iyan ay nangyayari dahil sa pagkagahaman ng tao  na umiiral sa mundo!