Of Names and Initials

For the record, no one has accused me yet of being a try hard or a copy cat, as far as I write my name online is concerned. But I want to clear myself of that accusation before it even starts! And I think this entry is better written in bullets, so here goes:

• Long before J.K. Rowling or even E.L. James use their initials as pen names, I have been using my initials to identify myself, usually in text messages, when texting was still a new fad. It is the most convenient way of introducing myself without distorting my name. 
• It is the closest thing I can do to not pretend to be somebody else, and at the same time, not revealing my entire self to people I do not really know. And so far, I only do this in cyberspace. Proof? Check my social media accounts, like this site for instance. 
• I reckon my initials is the shortest way for me to give equal treatment to my given name. My parents and High School friends call me Momay, my college buddies call me Meikat, my college classmates call me Momo, and everybody else call me May. Only 2 people in my lifetime ever called me by my second name. And it pains me sometimes that I don't get to use it that much.
• If I will be given a chance to publish a book, I will definitely, without any hesitation, use my initials. And it is definitely not for gender reasons!

I hope this kinda clears the air. At least in my part. I am starting to get comfortable using it, so I hope I get to use it beyond cyberspace, if you know what I mean? 

My Thoughts on Partners...One Episode After

Now that the much anticipated new season on US TV has finally started, our telephone line is once again busy providing me copies of the latest episodes of the shows I have been following, most of them for years now. This year is quite different, though. I found myself opening...rather broadening my horizons, as far as my viewing pleasures are concerned. To prove my point, this new sitcom entitled Partners, is one out of many new shows I tried to download. It is about these two childhood friends...one straight, the other gay, dealing with their respective relationships, either at work, or personal. The plot may not be a common thing anymore in this day and age, but in my TV watching experience, it is something new, it basically caught my attention. I must also mention here that there is another reason why I wanted to check out the series...in the person of Brandon Routh (formerly known as Superman). I read online that he would be playing the gay lover of one of the main characters. The fan girl in me got curious on how he is going to pull the character off.

Then the pilot episode finally came out. It was quite shorter than I expected, plus the story did not blow me away like I expected it to be.  I found Brandon's character to be quite ordinary. Someone that you will easily forget. And I was disappointed. I was like it's done? Okay. Then I'll move on to another show kinda emotion that I found it okay to miss the second episode the other week.

This week is the second week for US TV. While compiling all the videos of my favorite shows, I saw a new video of this show in the folder I was arranging. Frankly, I was baffled seeing that video because as far as I know, I did not download the latest episode. And suddenly I was seeing it in my computer folder. I decided to shove my question on the side and loaded up the episode in the video player, see what story do they have this time.

The second episode was about how they take care of each other by interfering with each other's love life. Yes, it is another common plot, but the funny thing here is, I was laughing over it! The I-laugh-'coz-it's-so-darn-funny laugh.

Apparently, I changed my mind over the show. But what made me enjoy the show? It is not the plot, I can say that straight. Or the actors, because I barely know and follow them (although I also have to admit that they are good actors, especially the 2 lead characters). I think what made the show enjoyable is the dialogue, their characters, and how the actors play their roles. The banter and their expressions are just so natural like it is part of the story. It made me forget what it is all about, but I was anticipating on how they are going to solve their dilemma, or how they are going to get away from the trouble they created in the episode. And I think we rarely see this on TV. I'll definitely find it okay if this show will last for the entire season.

And as for Brandon, well, I got to understand why his character have to be ordinary. His naivete is part of his character. Quite contrasting to his charm, but in all fairness, he was able to pull off the character. We can say it is some improvement after the pilot, eh?

Before I end writing this entry, here is another reason why I came back and decided to give it a second chance (see below).

Will you say forget it if he looks at you that way? (Darnit, Courteney Ford!)

Episode 3 is going to be in a few days. Let us see if they nailed it this time!

And I hope they will.

Lost and Found

Thanks to this learning blog writing marathon, I was reminded of this particular blog entry I initially posted in Friendster years ago I decided to check my other still existing blogs to see if I was being cautious back then (aka backing up files/ journal entries). Thanks to my very first blog, I was able to give a sigh of relief that that honest, straight-from-the-heart-of-a-hopeless-romantic-me entry is still available online. I read it again, of course, and inevitably it brought back memories. Maybe if I was in my twenties, I would feel a certain ache, or contraction in my chest while reliving them in my head. But since I am now way past that age (ugh.), I have this urge to bash my head on the wall as my way of berating myself for being so emotional and naive. What was I thinking back then?

Of course it is too late to regret. And I try not to regret every decision and every action I made especially when I was young(er). I guess there is a reason why I have to see those very old entries again. One is it made me come to a realization that I do not want to write that way anymore. I have this urge to rewrite it, but definitely NOT in that manner. I was thinking it can make a good material for a story, or a poem, or something (yeah, something). That particular desire to create something came rushing back to my senses once again. Isn't that my main reason why I opened my online journal in the first place? To collect ideas  and then convert them to stories later on?

Am I saying that it is the right time now to unearth all of them and write them all down the way I REALLY want them to be? Maybe. I mean, I am old enough to follow my dreams now, right?  But, is this the dream that is in my pedestal, in the first place?

I am the only one who can answer all my questions, apparently. But let's see. If there is something that I should be grateful over this stressful situation (thanks to my grad studies), it is giving me the chance again to open my blog and just write like I am a human typewriter sans the correction fluid. I hope this habit and momentum stick for a long, long time 'cause I badly need to be this way!

To Sum It All Up

Social marketing is defined as a strategy using marketing theories and concepts to sell ideas intended to promote change to people, community, or to the society, in general. Every community has its own concerns to tackle. An individual has its own ways and means to make a difference. Unfortunately, only a chosen few will be able to pull of a herculean task of gathering as many people as people to teach and promote change. But the good news for me, I think, is that it may be possible, as long as there is a short term and long term goal of my selected cause are in handy.

After participating in the discussion forum, writing the assignment portfolio, and the social marketing project, my thoughts never left work, or at least what I am really tasked to do in our office. Being in the research and publication office made me think endlessly on what other things we should do to involve practically everyone in campus to take part on research, and at the same time help them learn how to not to hate that part in their college life. Sad to say that in my more than half a decade stay in the office, nothing much has changed with the mentality of faculty and students, much more the volume of output given by these mentioned groups to the office. A frustrating thought, but I have to admit that I have myself to blame on this outcome, as well. At least, for the lack of it.

At least after experiencing all the hard work (and my hard battle with my lazy bones) I have realized that there is indeed a way to reach that very old goal of the office. I am hoping to put the things I learned from this course as my inspiration and groundwork in making the entire college involved in our cause. Aside from the fact that our office is mandated by the Commission, whatever output they give us and we produce out of it will be for their own good. I know that they are also well aware of that fact. But how to make them do something out of that idea, I would like to take it as sort of a challenge. And it is going to be challenging, considering that most of the faculty and students in the college give more importance to their percentage and ranking in the national boards over the number of researches and publications the professors made in a year.

I was thinking of getting/ catching their interest through the medium they most frequented, the world wide web. We tried to do it once this year, but to no avail. I know that there are a lot of things lacking in my attempt to reach out to them in cyberspace, but due to the lack of time (and some resources), nothing happened. I want to concentrate on this. I want that the faculty and students share the same enthusiasm they have over gossips and good news on wall posts with what we work for everyday for the college. I want one day that when they visit us, they would not tell us they were advised by their professors to do so, but because they want to learn more at their own pace at their own time. Our office want them to be involved.

I will start noting them now and slowly build this idea in order for it to materialize the way our college envisioned it to be. I know it is still not too late, but this also means that there is no more perfect time than now to start it! So help me God.

Epal No More

The Anti-epal movement is, by far, the online social mobilization campaign that I pay attention to these days. Maybe because it is the kind of campaign that we have been longing to see coming to fruition. The good part on the said movement is that only two people started the campaign and it has now been liked and followed by thousands--not to mention receiving pictures of signages and projects that are being publicized by these politicians as fruits of their initiatives and not from taxpayers' money. From the looks of it, this campaign is a huge success that some politicians are slowly taking down signs and are taking the backseat as far as promoting government projects are concerned.

If I am going to take a deeper look on the success of their campaign, I would have to say that it is truly well thought of, and they truly intended to make a noise on this issue and mobilize the majority to make it happen. And because the "organizers" also happen to be public figures and have been vocal critiques of the government for years now, they are just the perfect people to set up this kind of movement online. And because they also know people, the setting up and the social mobilization aspect of the campaign were a piece of cake to them.

Now that the filing of candidacy is officially open, it is expected that this campaign will be watchful to candidates more than ever. Personally, I am happy that the campaign receives an overwhelming response to the people, particularly to the netizens. I hope that with this campaign in place, these candidates, and even incumbent politicians will now have the heart to be at least discreet on what they have done, and what they are planning to do should they be seated in the office they would be aiming for.

And I'll definitely be one of those people watching them.

Straight from the Heart

What better way to catch someone's attention if you talk to them over things and issues that matters to them and their family. This is probably one of the main reasons why most ads we see on TV nowadays focus more on family values and relationships because as Filipinos, those are the things that matter to us. 

Like I said, those kind of commercials are for me, more unforgettable. To a point that whenever I see the product in stores, or whenever I go and eat in a particular fastfood chain, it plays over and over in my head like it was set on a loop in the video player. Maybe it is my way of acknowledging their efforts to keep their promotion real by tapping into the things that are important to me. 

Of course, keeping it real and giving an honest to goodness statement is a difficult thing to maintain at this day and age, where competition is stiff and tight. But if I am going to promote a cause and aiming to make a difference, I still would like to keep this vibe in making them happen. To quote Paulo Coehlo, "Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure."

The Barriers; The Competition; and the Influential Other

I usually raise my eyebrow in doubt whenever I see an ad of a new product on TV, especially if they choose to use a celebrity to endorse their product to consumers. Part of my doubt probably stems on my skepticism whether these celebrity endorsers use the product themselves when we all know for a fact that they can afford to use more expensive ones for personal consumption. A friend once told me that I am one of those people that are quite keen to TV commercials. They are part of my decision making process whether to buy a certain product or not. If I like the endorser, of if I like the message of the commercial, I will give the product a chance, so to speak. If the commercial gives me doubts, I will definitely not consider using it, regardless of the popularity to most people.

I should say that I felt the same way towards the community issue that I chose. Sure, I had doubts with the implementation of the plastic ban a few months back. But despite having that feeling, I made certain that I understood the ordinance and I am fully updated on the efforts made by the local government to make it as convenient to us as possible. Looking back, I think the reputation of our city mayor was also a major factor on my open mindedness and my willingness to give the ordinance a shot. Our city mayor created a reputation of thinking of projects that would benefit everyone in the long run and starting them as soon as she could. This ordinance was one of them. So far, things are doing well as far as implementation is concerned.

Her firmness over implementing her projects truly was influential to the success of this cause. I guess this is something that some celebrity endorsers should learn. To fully believe in the product that you are marketing to people. Because once you believe in something and you stand firm on that belief, then people would have a second take and then follow eventually.

Now that, is the main challenge in Social Marketing.

What Drives You?

I came across this site while I tried to Google the title I chose for this entry. After taking that short quiz, it gave me a result that I am a type of person driven by self-improvement. Then I can't help but ask myself: Is my way showing care for the environment part of self-improvement too? How do we measure self-improvement?

I observe that tons of people nowadays document their achievements, causes, beliefs, and principles through the Internet. I think they measure the intensity of their self-improvement by the number of "likes" and "retweets" they receive. I could be wrong, but with tons of posts that I see around the social networking sites, I wonder which ones are real, who are the sincere ones. But then I guess that part is none of my business. If the career path I choose would be something like how I would be able to influence these people to care and to make a difference, then I should focus more on thinking and finding ways on how to make influence the majority to choose the right habits and to make a difference.

Although it would not hurt if I become perceptive of their intention. That would make the social marketing job a whole lot easier, wouldn't it? 

Where Do I Begin?

                I previously emphasized in my Social Marketing Focus and Environment activity that individuals and business sectors are the primary audience in promoting the plastic ban in the city. Apparently, this initiative came from the city government, so basically our role in the ordinance is to follow and make it happen in our city.

                With this ordinance in place, it appears that it is up to us individuals to bring that policy to another level. From what I observe, business establishments reckoned that providing consumers alternative to non-biodegradable bags is just enough adherence to the ordinance. We cannot blame them, at least entirely. So it will definitely fall more on us individuals, on how to take it to another level.

                But the big question here is, will I be courageous enough to make the first move? Will I have the guts and the balls to carry an extra bag with me, or a “bayong” at that when I am out shopping or buying food? Despite me taking up this course in my graduate studies, and as much as I would want to walk my talk, I have to admit it is hard. I am still stuck with me just following the rules and I cannot move forward by thinking of ways to make a bigger impact in lessening my carbon footprint, which I believe is one of the long term goals of this ordinance.  Recently, I have been telling baggers to not pack my small purchase anymore, as stated in the ordinance. Fortunately, they would willingly oblige to my request so long I attach the official receipt to the item. The “bayong” and other reusable bags are also stipulated in the ordinance. I still hope that one day I would be able to adhere to it as this would lessen my waste disposal more, and for me to really “walk the talk” this time around. 

Things I Learned from the Plastic Ban

The implementation of the Plastic Ban in our city last 28 June was the main reason why I chose this community issue for the 4^th module of my Social Marketing and Social Mobilization project. The said ordinance gave me a mixed feeling of some sort. Will this even work when the solid waste management is still not that manageable enough in our community in the first place? Will it be a long term deal should everyone embrace this new ordinance?

                Fortunately, when the implementation day arrived, stores and restaurants were using alternatives in storing their products like in a paper bag or in biodegradable plastic bags. Good sign, I thought. But what about the attitudes of the people over the ban? Will they just follow for the heck of it and it will just remain that way?

                I have been reading wall posts and tweets from fellow locals on how proud they are on this plastic ban in the city. But I think showing how proud we are over this “achievement,” if we may call it that, is not enough to sustain this ordinance. I hope that the city government is also thinking of making this ordinance go beyond us locals just “following orders.” I am suddenly thinking of what Laguna did, encouraging people to bring their own reusable bags and “bayongs” to market and/ or grocery stores. I hope the people in this city will consider doing this, as well, and that stores and establishments will also think of this as a good way of implementing austerity measures in their businesses.

                And maybe this should be one of the challenges in development communication in our city.  The city ordinance is a good start. Let us hope that a long term follow through is just around the corner.

All About the Money...or is it?

“It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” – Tom Brokaw

                When I accepted my current job six years ago, I was told that my main task is to help write articles, or research results in such a way that even a layperson can understand it. Looking back, that task was the most welcoming challenge I have had in my professional career, by far. However, by the time I started working, I realized that the task is far beyond that job description.  

                Faculty and students alike flinch whenever they hear the word “research,” most especially if the endeavor would involve them. The first few years of the office worked on fostering the research culture most especially to the faculty since research is part of their requirement for ranking. It is also part of the requirement of the CHED and other accrediting bodies. Despite the mandate and the requirement for promotion, the turnout of faculty researchers is still low.

                Privileges and incentives are given to faculty researchers. The office even makes certain that ongoing researchers are provided with what they need, be it materials, consultation, and anything in between.  Apparently,   these efforts are not enough. It was then I realized that we need to go beyond what I thought I should do. To be able to reach our goals for the College, I realized that we need to start doing more than facilitating those faculty researchers what they need to finish their research. We also need to come up with efforts to in encouraging them to do research, to continue doing research, and to not stop unless and until they have published their finished work. All efforts will be moot if projects will end the moment the research study has also end. Personally, this has been a challenge for me for as long as I can remember. And I am hoping that with the lessons I learned from this course in Social Marketing and Social Mobilization, I may be able to at least leave a certain legacy as far as academic research is concerned in the College.   

                And this task, is far more than just doing my job and receiving my salary I should say. 

Eiga Sai 2012

I promised a childhood friend that I would list down the movies to look forward to in Eiga Sai this year. Since it came back to our city 6 years ago, I always make it a point to watch most, if not all movies. One of the perks of this film fest is that we can watch the movies for free. But if you are going to ask me, that is the last reason I will tell people why it is worth looking forward to each year.

This year, I am happy that I was able to watch most of the featured films. I am even happier to realize that it was my first time to witness the opening ceremony and hear the national anthem of Japan (sans the lyrics. Daym!). So without any further ado, these are the movies that I have seen this year, with my reason/s why they are worth the watch.

1. PEAK-The Rescuers-This is a must watch for mountaineers and nature lovers. I am more of the latter so I was basically looking forward to the dialogues that have references to nature or to the beauty of it (not to mention it was Shun Oguri saying those beautiful lines...). There are some breathtaking scenes here and I must say, the "audience impact" made the movie a fun watch for me and my sister (my all time Eiga Sai buddy).

2. In His Chart-My sister was looking forward to watching this (she can relate to the plot more than me) & I am glad that she was able to catch this one. The movie has a slow and tedious start, but never boring. I guess  the slowness is one of the reasons why the story is so beautiful it made me ask myself why this did not come out when I was struggling on my thesis back in college. A little warning, though. Make certain you have tissues handy. My sister & I searched for our packs during the second half of the movie.

3. Colorful-  I felt bad missing the first couple of minutes of this film. But am glad that those were not the very important parts yet. This featured animation is also a good one despite not having a sci-fi or extraordinary theme and characters. I think I can consider this more of a coming of age film, so I guess it is also okay that they animated this movie. The summary raves of its style and backdrop. But personally, I would rave on the story more than the animation.

4. Tomorrow's Joe-I am not a boxing fan, but this is my second fave this year. I love the setting (60s & 70s are perfect decades for time travel) & the story (as always). It kinda reminds me of Hajime no Ippo & Baki the Grappler (my bro's fave animes)--eye candy version, of course! Joe & the kontrabida can pass for a sight for sore eyes! hahaha! Two sidenotes for this movie: [1] while watching, I can't help but imagine Rustom and Epi in the boxing ring. Weird combi? I think so, too! hahaha! (The second to the last statement is open for argument.:P) [2] in case you fail to catch this film, or you prefer to watch it online, YouTube made the ENTIRE VIDEO available with English subs together with good 'ol Asian flicks (A post Eiga-Sai discovery. Still never too late for me.:P).

5. Abacus and Sword- I was not interested to watch this movie at first based on what I read in the flyer. I was about to skip it and spend the time instead buying me late lunch and munchies, but the interval was long enough for me to do all that. That made me decide to watch this film, anyway.

I've always loved Japanese period films, so it made me forget the reason why I was not interested in the movie's plot. So basically, I was enjoying the movie because I was seeing kimonos, traditional wedding ceremonies, and weird hairdos for males. The plot grew on me, eventually. Like an "In His Chart" kinda feel. And of course, let us not forget the abacus scenes. Those are one of the best parts!

6. Villain- My most anticipated film, thanks to Satoshi-kun. But after watching, I realized that it has the darkest plot I practically left the movie house disturbed [not in a super bad way, of course]. Probably because I was not used to seeing Satoshi in a heavy, matured role. But in all fairness, it was a good perf from him. Total hands down on his acting!

As far as the entire movie is concerned, I love the transition from one character to the other, from one scene to the next. The story may be heavy, but for a hopeless romantic [like me], it will totally make you ask, "What is love anyway?" and "Where can we really find it?"

As always, I left the movie theater feeling refreshed, like I just had a two-day retreat from a peaceful place (an absolute irony, if you'll ask me!). This is what those films give me. And I am glad that for another year, it gave me that kind of high again good enough until December.

And I am looking forward to next year again. I just hope that the schedule will be longer and more flexible. Who knows, it might make me 100% present in all films!:)

When Silence is Golden

                Lao Tzu once said, “Silence is a source of great strength.” As I was trying to articulate my understanding on the traditional and contemporary approach to Development Communication models, one word came to mind. Listen. I believe that this simple word has a say to the past and present approaches.

                It is said that the traditional approach requires a speaker and a receiver of information to complete the cycle. Once the information has been given to the receiver, a feedback may or may not be given, then the cycle starts again. But that does not mean that the receiver is not given the opportunity to voice out or verbalize their opinion/s before a development is implemented. Or even if it did, it would not be a major part of the communication cycle.

                The new communication, known as the C4D, is also known as a people-centered communication model. This model “promotes and elaborated on peoples own development communication aims and needs.”  Likewise, this model makes certain that the people have a say, or has a major role on developmental issues and concerns. What is good about this model is the role of the people on development. And this is possible because everyone involved is required to listen before making any final actions.

                Of course, most people (that also includes me) that the modern models are much better for development. But there are just times when people become too vocal that they become too persistent they are capable of shutting down other voices in the circle. This may be considered a major disadvantage since it has a tendency to create chaos, delay, and even failure to the cause that is being proposed. And I think this is one of the factors that cause failure in delivering development to some areas of communication.  It is truly a disadvantage when the voice of the majority is being considered, but personally, I think it is more of an individual responsibility to take it as a lesson that when we are given a chance to be heard, we must repay it by listening as well.

                Ultimately, I can say that whether a development communicator chooses the traditional or the modern communication model, as long as he/ she would not forget to take a back seat, absorb, and filter every information needed for the issue, then I can say the output or the accomplishment is truly within reach, and which everyone involved can be truly proud of. 

If Just One Person...

It was the fascination of my 2 year old niece that brought me to this video. It features the memorial of Jim Henson, the main puppeteer on Sesame Street and the Muppets. The memorial featured the muppets appearing one by one on stage while singing the song(one of Jim Henson's favorite, some netizens said). When I watched it the first time, I was moved not only by how the puppets appeared one by one on stage, but I was also moved by the message of the song. I was almost brought to tears when they sang the part, "And if three whole people, why not four? And if four whole people, why not more, and more, and more?" As I was thinking on how to articulate my thoughts over social problems, social change, and development in my DEVC 208 class, that part of the song kept playing over and over and over in my head. Then I realize something. This is how social change should be like. This is how social change should FEEL like.

Awareness is one of the things that make up change and development in our society--to people, in general. But this would not have been possible if no one would be brave and strong enough to speak out, act out, and make a difference. Just like in the video, that performance would not have been iconic if no one took a break from their grieving to give that epic performance. Or if we delve deeper into the meaning of the song, nothing will happen if no one dared to initiate an idea...or if no one, not even one person believed on that idea. As what another part of this song goes, "It stands to reason that you yourself will/ start to see what everybody sees in you...and maybe even you/ can believe in you, too!"

I realize that the idea of pursuing something and putting your whole heart and soul to that idea you believe in is also applicable to change and development.  This may sound cliche to all of us. I even consider this motto as being "gas-gas" and overused, but at the back of my head, I still put a lot of faith into it. Maybe the things I learned from the class will make this belief even more definite. I just hope that sooner or later, I may be able to pull off a Sesame Street kind of change/ movement. That I maybe able to take part on some sort of change over how people think over something.

And finally, I would like to end with this quote from John F. Kennedy. "The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men who can dream of things that never were." Dreaming is where most ideas come from. I guess it is just right to say that we don't stop doing that!