Media Literacy

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU ARE IN A BAD MOOD?

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:18:55 -0400

PRAYER :)

An HONEST VOICE is LOUDER THAN A CROWD.

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 00:46:32 -0500

PUBLIC RELATIONS. YES. THIS IS ALL ABOUT PR. I JUST WANT THE TITLE TO BE A QUOTE FOR US TO PONDER.

Don’t worry you aren’t misled.

In times of sprouting the need of bridging the gap, linking people or simply building relationships or even establishing ways to make the dynamic process of communication possible, PUBLIC RELATIONS will always be there for you. We talk, speak, convince, negotiate, transact, affirm, confirm, alibi, reject, neglect and the basic form of it, COMMUNE.

Public relations are present elsewhere. From small time classroom officers in schools up to the biggest companies and firms and even our country as well do have a Public Relations Officer.

His task is to magnify, clarify and create a world between two or more parties. He builds a better path of comfortably speaking to another party that often produces best results.

There is a secret weapon to become an effective agent of Public relations. It is rhetorics. You need that to enable yourself speak of florid and good sounding words to convince thy receiver. It is often called as the convincing factors.

Next is, Understanding and Patience. You need these twins for you not to get irritated, intimidated and annoyed to some unearthly attitude of different kinds of people you will encounter.

Another weapon, X-Factor! You need this extra ordinary aura of yours so that they’ll be impressed with you and would secondarily reflect on what you represent for a more effective conversation.

Let’s define it formally. Public relations (PR) is a way for companies, organizations or people to enhance their reputations. This task typically is performed by public relations professionals or PR firms on behalf of their clients. PR usually involves communicating with the media and through the media to present the clients in the most favorable way possible. It also often involves cooperative efforts with other people and organizations to create good will within the community and enhance the client’s image.

Public relations (PR) is the practice of managing the flow of information between an organization and its publics. Public relations provides an organization or individual exposure to their audiences using topics of public interest and news items that do not require direct payment. Their aim is often to persuade the public, investors, partners, employees and other stakeholders to maintain a certain point of view about the company, its leadership, products or of political decisions. Common activities include speaking at conferences, winning industry awards, working with the press, and employee communication. The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), founded by Richard Rotman, defined public relations in 1982 as, “Public relations help an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other.” According to the PRSA, the essential functions of public relations include research, planning, communication, dialogue and evaluation.

Public relations are a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.

The business world can be extremely competitive. Companies typically want to have something that makes them stand out from the crowd, something that makes them more appealing and interesting to both members of the public and the media. A favorable image can help increase a company’s sales, and negative publicity can damage a company’s reputation and decrease sales.

PR can give consumers and the media a better understanding of how a company works. Within a company, a PR department might also be called a public information department or a customer relations department. These departments assist customers if they have any problems with the company. They usually try to show the company at its best. PR departments also might conduct research to learn how satisfied customers are with the company and its products.

But how did it started? Let’s make an overview. The history of public relations is mostly confined to the early half of the twentieth century; however there is evidence of the practice scattered through history. One notable practitioner was Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire whose efforts on behalf of Charles James Fox in the 18th century included press relations, lobbying and, with her friends, celebrity campaigning.

A number of American precursors to public relations are found in the form of publicists who specialized in promoting circuses, theatrical performances, and other public spectacles. In the United States, where public relations has its origins, many early public relations practices were developed in support of railroads. In fact, many scholars believe that the first appearance of the term “public relations” appeared in the 1897 Year Book of Railway Literature.

Later, practitioners were — and are still often — recruited from the ranks of journalism. Some reporters concerned with ethics criticize former colleagues for using their inside understanding of news media to help clients receive favorable media coverage.

As I am walking down the streets of the cyberspace, I noticed and stopped then took a glance to what the 7 elements of good PR. Here are they:

Good PR is telling the client what they need to hear instead of what they want to hear. Good PR recognizes that the best “PR strategy” needs to be followed-up with the client’s good products/services or else it’s all a vain and wasted effort that harms everyone’s reputation.

Good PR is not just about the over-glorified launch. Good PR helps build and sustain a groundswell of brand support — incrementally changing consumer behaviors via a steady stream of relevant and candid communication to both “media” and “consumers.”

Good PR celebrates the client’s customers in an inclusive, non-exploitive way. And, good PR welcomes the input of “neutrals” and especially “critics,” and adapts strategy accordingly.

Good PR is proactive in idea generation and responsive in a crisis. Good PR finds the balance.

Good PR is measurable. (And yet also hard to measure, since most clients want to measure different things.)

Good PR leverages pre-existing relationships with influential people — relationships built on trust and credibility earned over years of service.

Good PR doesn’t need to know Larry Ellison or Kevin Rose or anyone in particular in the media, either. Even though such relationships can come in handy, good PR almost always “gets ink” because a good story has been well-told to the right people.

These “7 Elements of Good PR” may seem simplistic and high-falutin’, yet they sum up 17 years’ worth of hard lessons in this industry. PR is hard work, strategic work, underpromoted and infinitely interesting work — hard to describe or appreciate until you’re in the trenches.

If you’ve been in these trenches — think carefully — what am I missing?

Well, nice hanging question at the end.

Specific public relations disciplines include a variety of examples. Here are they:

Financial public relations – providing information mainly to business reporters

Consumer/lifestyle public relations – gaining publicity for a particular product or service, rather than using advertising

Crisis public relations – responding to negative accusations or information

Industry relations – providing information to trade bodies

Government relations – engaging government departments to influence policymaking

Publicity events, pseudo-events, photo ops or publicity stunts

Speeches to constituent groups and professional organizations; receptions; seminars, and other events; personal appearances

Talk show circuit: a public relations spokesperson, or the client, “does the circuit” by being interviewed on television and radio talk shows with audiences that the client wishes to reach

Books and other writings

Collateral literature, both offline and online

Direct communication (carrying messages directly to audiences, rather than via the mass media) with, for example, printed or email newsletters

Blogs

Social media and social networks

Traditional public relations tools include press releases and press kits which are distributed to the media to generate interest from the press. Other widely used tools include brochures, newsletters and annual reports. Increasingly, companies are utilizing interactive social media outlets, such as blogs, Microblogging and social media. Unlike the traditional tools which allowed for only one-way communication, social media outlets allow the organization to engage in two-way communication, and receive immediate feedback from various stakeholders. There are two types of Two-way communication, Two-way asymmetrical public relations and Two-way symmetrical public relations. An asymmetrical public relation model is unbalanced. In this model an organization gets feedback from the public and uses it as a basis for attempting to persuade the public to change. A symmetrical public relation model means that the organization takes the interests of the public into careful consideration and public relations practitioners seek a balance between the interest of their organization and the interest of the public.

Video and audio news releases (VNRs and ANRs) are often produced and distributed to TV outlets in hopes they will be used as regular program content, with or without acknowledgment of the source. One emerging theme is the application of psychological theories of impression management.

Advertising dollars in traditional media productions have declined and many traditional media outlets are seeing declining circulation in favor of online and social media news sources. One site even tracked the death of newspapers. As readership in traditional media shifts to online media, so have the focus of many in public relations. Social media releases, search engine optimization, content publishing, and the introduction of podcasts and video are other burgeoning trends.

Targeting the public is a fundamental technique used in public relations is to identify the target audience, and to tailor every message to appeal to that audience. It can be a general, nationwide or worldwide audience, but it is more often a segment of a population. A good elevator pitch can help tailor messaging to each target audience. Marketers often refer to socio-economically driven “demographics”, such as “black males 18-49”.

On the other hand stakeholders theory identifies people who have a stake in a given institution or issue. All audiences are stakeholders (or presumptive stakeholders), but not all stakeholders are audiences. For example, if a charity commissions a public relations agency to create an advertising campaign to raise money to find a cure for a disease, the charity and the people with the disease are stakeholders, but the audience is anyone who is likely to donate money.

Sometimes the interests of differing audiences and stakeholders common to a public relations effort necessitate the creation of several distinct but complementary messages. This is not always easy to do, and sometimes, especially in politics, a spokesperson or client says something to one audience that creates dissonance with another audience or group of stakeholders.

To wrap things up and generalize, According to Public Relations News, “Public relations is the management function which evaluates public attitudes, identifies the policies and procedures of an individual or an organization with the public interest, and plans and executes a program of action to earn public understanding and acceptance.”

SOURCES and FOUNDATIONS:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-public-relations.htm

http://www.pr-squared.com/index.php/2009/07/the-7-elements-of-good-pr

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_public_relations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_relations

GMA-PR Group2

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 00:39:32 -0500

GMA — PR

Public relations (PR) is a way for companies, organizations or people to enhance their reputations. This task typically is performed by public relations professionals or PR firms on behalf of their clients. PR usually involves communicating with the media and through the media to present the clients in the most favorable way possible. It also often involves cooperative efforts with other people and organizations to create good will within the community and enhance the client’s image.

At its core, public relations revolves around this universal truth: people act based upon their perception of facts. By managing, controlling, or influencing people’s perceptions, public relations professionals hope to initiate a sequence of behaviors that will lead to the achievement of an organization’s objectives. When those in public relations successfully create, change, or reinforce opinion through persuasion, their primary objective is accomplished.

This is why Public relations plays an important part in politics especially to the president. In this article, I will be discussing the public relation of the Arroyo Administration.

The Presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo spans from January 20, 2001 to June 30, 2010. Her term ended on June 30, 2010, pursuant to the provisions of the 1987 constitution.

Despite the obstacles and various charges of impropriety directed at those close to her, Macapagal-Arroyo was elected to a full six-year presidential term in May 2004. She edged out her closest competitor, Filipino actor Fernando Poe Jr., by only one million votes. In her inaugural address, Macapagal-Arroyo vowed to create up to 10 million jobs in the next six years, balance the budget, improve tax collection, provide inexpensive medicine for the poor, and unite the country. “Our nation must embrace a vision of economic opportunity, social cohesion and always an everdemocratic faith,” she stated, as quoted in the July 1, 2004, edition of the International Herald Tribune.

Macapagal-Arroyo made international headlines in July after a Filipino driver was

kidnapped by militant rebels in war-tornIraq. In defiance of theUnited Statesgovernment’s requests, Macapagal-Arroyo honored the rebels’ demands to pull all Filipino troops out of the country. Later that month, she called for an end to political in-fighting in her own nation in order to turn the focus to economic recovery. After former president Estrada declared the Philippines a “nation in distress,” as reported on CNN.com on July 23, 2004, Macapagal-Arroyo stated in a State of the Nation address, “Let us set aside political bickering and politicking for at least one year.” She also used the address to reiterate her pledge to relieve poverty and promote economic growth.

The administration of Arroyo may be considered as something that is not as successful as it is however, she was able to do a lot of things for our country.

In this regard, I would like to share an article which I have read in the internet.

“While awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision on whether to allow or not to allow the former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to travel to seek treatment on her rare medical condition, I would like to commend Elena Bautista-Horn for doing a very good job. Bautista-Horn in her interview with Karen Davila exhibited full loyalty towards her boss even though her boss is one of the most-hated human being of this country. I myself don’t like the former president but with the clear and cloudless explanations of Bautista-Horn in the interview, I am now starting to be persuaded that the former president should be allowed to travel.

Bautista-Horn was impressive in defending her boss in the interview. She has kept her eloquence and credibility. Maybe it’s because she’s airing her points based on truth. Former president definitely found a gold mine in the person of Elena Bautista-Horn. Her being soft-spoken and debonair way of justifying their courses of action has made Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to look like anabusada (outrageously abusive).”

http://neillangit.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/the-eloquence-loyalty-of-elena-bautista-horn/

Reading this article, I came up with a conclusion that having an effective spokeperson is one of the most important factor of public relations. It’s as if no matter how dirty her image is to other people, her spokesperson was able to clean it up even for just a little while.

During her administration, The Arroyo administration has forged a strong relationship with the United States. Arroyo was one of the first world leaders who expressed support for the US-led coalition against global terrorism in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and remains one of its closest allies in the war on terror. Following the US-led invasion of Iraq, in July 2003 the Philippinessent a small humanitarian contingent which included medics and engineers. These troops were recalled in July 2004 in response to the kidnapping of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz. With the hostage takers demands met, the hostage was released. The force was previously due to leave Iraqthe following month. The early pullout drew international condemnation, with the United Statesprotesting against the action, saying giving in to terrorist demands should not be an option. Arroyo’s foreign policy is anchored on building strong ties with the United States, East Asian and Southeast Asian nations, and countries where overseas Filipino workers work and live. In 2007, the Philippineswas host to the 12th ASEAN Summit in CebuCity.

The Arroyo state visit to theUnited Statesis a public relations triumph for both guest and host, as both had most likely hoped and anticipated. The public relations bonanza it is reaping for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and George W. Bush indeed suggests that as state visits go, this one was not so much meant to firm up relations between their two countries but to serve each other’s domestic agendas.

However, Arroyo’s administration also faced a couple of PR issues. According to an article that I have read: “The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) spent P7.2 billion for public relations and advertising under the Arroyo regime, including P150 million which was converted into “intelligence funds” shortly before the 2010 elections, according to a lawmaker.”

“By bloating the PR fund beyond the 15 percent operation fund, the PCSO essentially diverted the funds intended for charity. We have to investigate deeper if these contracts were (consummated) because we have been given information that the PCSO board did not even bother to have concrete media plans, did not bother to monitor the implementation of these ads, and cannot present any report on whether the spots it bought were aired as contracted,” said Colmenares.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/11314/pcso-spent-p7-2b-for-pr-ads-under-gloria-macapagal-arroyo

In another article, the former president also had an issue with her PR. A Commission on Audit (COA) report showed that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo paid a Hong Kong-based public relations firm more than P48.7 million for “consultancy services” in 2009.

The report said that Malacañang spent over P66.3 million for consultancy services last year, which means that 74 percent of the funds went to Burson-Marsteller. Burson-Marsteller, according to the company’s website (http://www.burson-marsteller.com), “is a leading global public relations and communications firm.”

The firm claims that clients often engage its services “when the stakes are high: during a crisis, a brand launch or any period of fundamental change or transition.”http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/10/10/arroyo-paid-hong-kong-pr-firm-p487-m-2009

In terms of the former president’s net satisfaction rating, here are some of the things that you ought to know:

The Social Weather Stations public opinion group has conducted quarterly surveys tracking the net satisfaction rating (“satisfied” rating minus “dissatisfied” rating”) of President Arroyo. She began her presidency in the first quarter of 2001 with a net satisfaction rating of +24. Her rating first dipped into the negative in the first quarter of 2003, making Arroyo the only president to achieve a negative net satisfaction rating in SWS opinion polling. Her rating rebounded well into the positive in 2004, in time for the presidential election where she won election to a new six-year term. However, net satisfaction sunk back into negative territory in the fourth quarter of 2004, and has remained negative since, dipping as low as −38 in the second quarter of 2008. Her net satisfaction rating in the first quarter of 2009 was −32.

The Third Quarter 2006 Social Weather Survey finds 37% Satisfied and 48% Dissatisfied with the performance of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for an unfavorable Net Satisfaction Rating of –11.

This is slightly up from the Second Quarter, which had 34% Satisfied and likewise 48% Dissatisfied, or Net –13, correctly rounded.

President Macapagal-Arroyo’s national net rating has been unfavorable for nine consecutive survey rounds, ever since the Third Quarter of 2004.

Positive only in the Visayas PGMA’s Net Satisfaction score is favorable only in the Visayas, where it grew to +6 in September from +2 last June.

It became slightly less negative in Metro Manila, at -41 now compared to –47 last June, and in the Balance of Luzon, at -10 now compared to –13 in June. InMindanaoit dipped insignificantly to –8 now, from –7 in June.

The President made a significant gain in rural areas, where those Satisfied grew from 34% in June to 42% in September, while those Dissatisfied fell from 46% to 43%, bringing her rural net score to –1 now compared to –12 previously, or a change to a neutral score from a previously unfavorable one. The balance from 100% are fence-sitters, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.

In urban areas, on the other hand, those Satisfied were unchanged at 35%, while those Dissatisfied barely moved, from 50% to 51%, making her urban net score a clearly unfavorable –17 (correctly rounded), compared to –15 in June.

Thus the unfavorable national sentiment about the President is presently accounted for by strongly negative feelings in urban areas outbalancing neutral feelings in rural areas.

Source:

http://www.worldwidelearn.com/business-career/article/the-importance-of-public-relations.html

http://www.luisteodoro.com/public-relations-triumph/

http://pgmanews.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2007-07-23T10:06:00%2B08:00

Clusivol (group 2)

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:37:16 -0500

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare is among the largest over-the-counter health care products companies in the world. It develops, manufactures, and markets leading non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and nutritional products. In the Philippines, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare is the No. 1 multinational over-the-counter company, whose products include strong global brands like multivitamins Centrum and Stresstabs, ChapStick Lip Balm, Caltrate, the leading calcium supplement, analgesic brand Advil, and respiratory brands Robitussin and Dimetapp. These brands are complemented by highly entrenched local brands like Clusivol, Children’s Clusivol, Clusivol Power C, Clusivol Drops, Clusivol OB, Loviscol, Icremin, Trihemic, Fibrosine, and Simeco. The Philippine Association of National Advertisers Truth in Advertising (PANATA) Awards recently awarded Pfizer Consumer Healthcare with the Bronze Award for the Children’s Clusivol “Yakapable” IMC campaign. The PANATA Awards champions traditional Filipino values expressed in marketing and advertising communications. In partnership with its agency, Adformatix, the campaign aims to remind parents of the importance of hugging their children. By coining the “Yakapable” term, it heightened the emotional promise while strengthening the brand’s positioning of “appetizer for children”. The campaign was launched through TV and radio commercials and a series of mall events to celebrate National Yakap Your Child Day. By the end of the campaign’s duration, its website (www.yakapable.com has earned 6,081 “yakapromises” (pledges to hug). The number of visits reached as many as 9,433 hits from different countries. Not only did it bring Children’s Clusivol closer to its target market, it is also Pfizer Consumer Healthcare’s first foray into the digital marketing territory. As we all know, Clusivol is from the group of multivitamins together with minerals and is normally used as dietary supplements to treat vitamin and mineral deficiency. It contains a comprehensive formulation of vitamins and minerals. Clusivol ensures you get a proper supplement of vitamins and minerals that can help you build body resistance against sickness. Specifically, each capsule contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B-complex (B1, B2, B6, and B12), Vitamin C, Vitamin D2, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Pantothenate, Ferrous Fumarate, Magnesium sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Nicotinamide, and Zinc. Indication and Usage Clusivol is taken for the treatment and prevention of vitamin-mineral deficiency. It helps you get proper supplementation of vitamins and minerals which will ensure that you will be better equipped to fight sickness and focus more on other more important things. As they say, “bawal magkasakit!” Dosage: Adult – One capsule daily or as prescribed by a physician Available in: Tablet form that is individually packed in foil, sold in 100’s or 12’s boxes Additional Information Precaution: Excessive amounts of Vitamin A during pregnancy may be harmful. Consult your physician before using Multivitamins + Minerals (Clusivol) capsules if you are pregnant. On the other hand, Children’s Clusivol is a comprehensive multivitamin and mineral formula for children 1-12 years old. It aids in the child’s growth and development by stimulating children’s appetite and supplements a child’s daily nutrient intake. As it is indicated to stimulate appetite, Children’s Clusivol contains six essential appetite-stimulating nutrients: Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin), Iron, Zinc, and Lysine. Children’s Clusivol contains the most comprehensive nutrients compared to all the multivitamin brands in the market. It has a total of 20 nutrients essential for a child’s growth and development. There are 9 vitamins, 7 minerals, 1 amino acid, and 2 other nutrients called Choline and Inositol. The last two nutrients are important for nerve function and for the digestion & absorption of fats, respectively. Indication and Usage Children have high nutrient requirements during the stage of rapid growth and development (1-12 years old). The fact that the majority of these children being picky eaters and the poor nutritional quality of the food given to them, they do not receive the right amount of nutrients needed for this crucial stage of growth and development. This is called the nutrition gap. If these nutrient requirements are not met, the child may suffer deficiencies that may lead to growth stunting, learning disabilities, and poor appetite among others. Children’s Clusivol will help boost children’s appetite and fill in the nutrition gaps experienced by a lot of Filipino Children. Research has shown that daily supplementation of these required nutrients may help prevent the above-mentioned deficiencies. Dosage: For 1-12 years of age, administer 5ml (1 teaspoonful) once daily or as prescribed by a physician Available in: 60ml, 120ml, 250ml, and 500ml bottles Additional Information: Children’s Clusivol should still be paired with proper diet & food nutrition Advertisements Clusivol is also known for its catchy advertising phrase which is “Bawal Magkasakit”. The commercial highlights the importance of being healthy because getting sick at this point in time is simply, to put it bluntly, unforgivable. But for what its worth, the tag line is very apt for the Philippine-health-care system because the government simply cannot provide quality treatment for its people. The sad reality is that we are left on our own. If you do not belong to the richest of the rich in this country, you are forbidden to get sick. With its “Bawal Magkasakit” campaign, Clusivol has always been an advocate of good health for every Filipino. It aims to instill in every hardworking Filipino the idea that health is important in facing life’s daily challenges, and remind them to take better care of themselves. According to an article by Susan F. Yumu, as we look into the landscape of the consumer market for healthcare brands in the Philippines, there are three basic models of market entry: RX to OTC switch, Direct to Consumer, and Ethical-OTC Partnership. The most common route is RX to OTC switch. This approach has shown high rates of success across different categories. Success vary according to marketing inputs on launch period and its sustaining strategies. Successes of brands that were launched into the consumer market via this route can be attributed to key factors, namely, first to market, unique product positioning, significant consumer base and strong MD heritage. These can be seen from well-entrenched brands in different categories such as Biogesic, Alaxan, Medicol, Ponstan, Dolfenal, in pain relief category; Enervon, Revicon, Clusivol, Centrum, Stresstabs , Ceelin, Cherifer, in vitamins category; Solmux, Loviscol , Tuseran, Neozep, in cough and cold category. Notice that first to market brands or first to own a niche in the minds of consumers become strong to dominant leaders in their category. Challenging first to market brands is not impossible though, but may take a different track and cost a lot more. In the vitamins category, multibranding was used to gain market share from the leader. This is seen in the case of Clusivol, Centrum and Stresstabs all belonging to one company. It fielded three brands and segmented the market according to perceived consumer needs: for sickness prevention, Clusivol’s “bawal magkasakit”; for overall health and wellness, Centrum complete; for stress, anti-stress Stresstabs. The total sales of these three brands posed a threat to the leadership of Enervon. Enervon’s initial positioning encompassed the claims of the aforementioned brands which was “Anti- stress Enervon: for body resistance, laban sa sakit , pagod at puyat”, eventually restating the positioning as “More energy, mas happy”. Multibranding, while it works, evidently requires huge marketing resource. Examples of Critisism About Clusivol: The product is distributed by Wyeth and is very popular among mothers in our place even though we have different pediatricians for our children. I have examined the box out of curiosity and found out that this food supplement has 20 vitamins and minerals that will help my child get the essential nutrients for normal development and growth. It also says that Children’s Clusivol also has Lysine, B-complex and Iron that enhances appetite for my children. No wonder my child has been eating well since he was two years old. Right now, my wife and me are quite happy with Children’s Clusivol and will stick with it until we can find better vitamins at cheaper price. Children’s Clusivol is a little bit expensive than other multivitamins for children. If the company can sell it cheaper without compromising its current quality, children’s Clusivol should be very popular among parents and pediatrician. I’m happy that my pediatrician had recommended it to me because of the benefits it has given my son. http://www.reviewstream.com/reviews/?p=41199 In the Philippines people are FORBIDDEN from getting sick. This, according to that catchy clever “CLUSIVOL MULTIVITAMINS” ad. Found at the north entrance of the EDSA/AURORA Blvd. underpass. Which screams “BAWAL MAGKASAKIT” said in the Filipino national language. Roughly translated into English impliedly as “ “YOU ARE FORBIDDEN FROM GETTING SICK” or “DON’T GET SICK” A subliminal or subtle way of saying, Be HEALTHY, Stay HEALTHY. Take your CLUSIVOL MULTIVITAMINS daily. Pure advertising genius. I must say. As it is anywhere else in the world, getting sick or being sick, in the Philippines is a very expensive proposition. CLUSIVOL MULTIVITAMIN’S very simplistic (but hopefully effective) solution is to warn or forbid people from getting sick. I haven’t seen a cleverer, catchier cleverer, slogan. They must be selling a gazzilion bottles of their Clusivol Multivitamins. Which they suggest, is the perfect palliative for all the ills the human body is heir to. - http://multi-vitamin06.blogspot.com/2006/09/catchy-clever-clusivol-ad.html Sources: http://www.pfizer.com.ph/about-pfizer/departments/diversified-businesses/ http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/banking-a-finance/20577-the-value-of-a-critical-illness-insurance http://www.perfectrelay.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=17 http://www.johnclements.com/wazzup0710/articles/Launching%20Consumer%20Health%20Brands.html

Video Game: Bomberman! (Group 2)

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:02:00 -0500

When it comes to video games, nothing can ever beat Bomberman. It is definitely one of the classics. Mari, Shanna, Mitch and I (jaydine) chose this video game because we are captivated with its addictive gameplay. Yes, the mechanics of the game nay somehow be simple and easy but one thing is for sure, once you’ve played it, you couldn’t get enough of it.

Bomberman is a video game icon and this first episode for the PC Engine system, even if much simpler than later versions, still offers the same basic concepts that changed video game history for ever. Bomberman, the cute hero of the game, with his weird looking helmet and uniform, has to clean up each level from every single monsters that populate them and find the exit. To do so, only one weapon available - bombs! But these bombs do not blow up when dropped, they do after a certain amount of time once their fuse runs out. AndBomberman must stay away as they can also hurt him if he lingers within their blasting range. That’s it, just add a power-up hidden in every stage and here you have one of the simplest and yet most addictive game concept in history. The multi-player mode is most probably what made this game so popular - the option allows up to five players to blow each other up in frantic dead matches. The game can also be played in ’com’ mode which gives two GT owners a chance to blast each other up.

A complete history of Bomberman would most certainly not fit in this tiny space. Bomberman is probably the game that generated the most sequels and adaptation and this for nearly every popular game system that have ever existed. Nearly hundred games featuring the little white character have probably been released until today and it is far from the end. Bombermanhas never been so popular and new games are still being released today. Bomberman appeared way before the PC Enginesystem. In early 1989, Hudson Soft released a video game called Bomberman on the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment system, a game that would prove to be the foundation for a much-beloved franchise. Starring the titular Bomberman, the title actually has an interesting plot, concerning a bomb-laying robot who is tired of working in the mines deep below the planetary surface. After hearing a rumor that any robot who reaches the surface gets to become a human being, he sets out to blast his way through bricks and bad guys to get out of the underground.

The game credits two programmers, Y. Tanaka and T. Sasagawa, can they beBomberman’s original creators. A version called 3D Bomberman also exists for the MSXand was created by Kawaguchi-san in 1984. The Bomberman character we all know today only appeared in a version of Bomberman released in 1985 for Nintendo’sFamicom system, both on Cartridge and disk formats.

Gameplay

Bomberman is an overhead puzzle/adventure hybrid, in roughly the same vein as The Adventures of Lolo series, somewhere between Pac-Man and The Legend of Zelda in terms of topdown complexity. In this one-player quest, the player controls the Bomberman on a tile-based grid. On this grid are concrete blocks in an every-other-space pattern that cannot be blown up, but there are also “soft” blocks throughout each level that disappear when blown up. These vulnerable bricks are blown up by the bombs that Bomberman can lay with the A button. He starts off with the ability to only lay one bomb, with a blast radius of one square in the surrounding four cardinal directions, that explodes after a limited amount of time.

Why is Bomberman walking around the stage blowing up every block in sight? In order to find the exit, which is hidden in one of the bricks. There are a few catches, though, to prevent Bomberman from simply finding the exit and walking into it. Firstly, every level has a time limit of around 300 seconds. Also, the exit cannot be used until every enemy on the level is blown up. These enemies begin in early levels with very basic movement patterns, but later there are more foes, baddies that can move through soft blocks, ones that move quickly, and others that change direction with less predictability. Finally, if the exit is accidentally bombed, more enemies come forth that must be destroyed in order to advance.

Fortunately, this game has a plethora of power-ups available to our robot protagonist. Each stage has one hidden power-up, which include an additional bomb to lay at a time, a larger blast radius for bombs, the ability to walk through bombs, the ability to walk through soft blocks, faster walking speed, the ability to remotely detonate bombs when desired with the B button, immunity to bomb blasts, and others. As the player gathers power-ups per level, he or she will become more powerful in order to address the enemies of increasing amounts and abilities.

Additionally, every five levels has a bonus stage where Bomberman cannot be killed, there are no soft blocks, and he can just blow up as many enemies as possible for bonus points within the timeframe. Also, when Bomberman loses all his lives, he is granted a password for the level that he can return to at a later time. Overall, the concept is fairly basic, but provides a fun challenge with the diversity of enemies and power-ups.

When playing Bomberman Land, you are in control of White (Bomberman)- you can rename him. White and several of his friends find out that Bomberman Lane is in trouble, so together they travel to the amusement park in hopes to get to the bottom of things.

Their plane crashes into the island. But, that’s not all. all of the residents of Bomberman Land have lost their memory. Plus, the entire amusement park has been broken into pieces and needs to be restored. This may sound a little silly, but remember this is a family- fun game.

Probably the best feature of the game is the Battle mode. There are over 40 levels to choose from, numerous skins, and customizable game details. The Battle mode is just like the Classic Bomberman game, except with added sprites.

Bomberman Land has a good number of multi- player options that you can enjoy. Multi- player allows you to play with up to three other people even if the other people don’t have UMD. You can even send unlocked mini- games through game sharing, but when you share the unlocked games, they can only be used as single- player games.

Unfortunately, the game isn’t as strong as its base components. The pacing of the game, as mentioned earlier, definitely slows the game. The music of Bomberman Land, isn’t ideal, either; it is a nicely put together repetitive, loopy theme. The graphics are nothing new and out of the ordinary, either, but they are a tad above average in comparison for portable game consoles- but that’s just for the PSP and DS versions.

So, if you’re a fan of the traditional Bomberman and you’re interested in a new version of the game, then Bomberman Land is definitely for you. But, if you’re interested in a single- player collection of mini- games, be wary because the pacing and lack of new, innovative themes and graphics, keep the game from being awesome.

Graphics

Hudson Soft was a developer that displayed great imagination in the 8-bit days, creating games with colorful graphics and whimsical environments, but Bomberman is actually among their uglier titles. Bomberman himself looks odd, and his walking animation is not quite right: He is constantly leaning forward, which would be fine if it were not for the fact that his legs appear to be aimlessly flailing beneath him wherever he moves. The enemies look somewhat fun, but it is the extraordinarily repetitive appearance of the levels that puts the visuals down a notch; even after the bonus stage intervals, the basic room environment does not change, only the placement of blocks, enemies, power-up, and the exit. The block appearance, the background color, the grid size, all remain identical throughout dozens of stages.

Sound

The explosions sound great, and the rest of the soundtrack seems to have been neglected a little. Sure, there is a pleasant chime when Bomberman defeats the last monster on a level, but otherwise there is not much of a notable quality to the tracks. The background music is decent, but repeats across every single level. It sounds a bit .midi quality for some, but is not entirely unpleasant and its arrangement, and does boast the feat of real-time updating to incorporate a new instrument when Bomberman finds the power-up in a level.

Originality

Block-pushing and enemy-avoidance games on a time limit had existed for years prior to Bomberman, he was just the one to incorporate bombs in the arena. Thusly, the Bomberman concept is not entirely visionary, but can be seen as a progressive step upward from previous gameplay ideas. Many of the thoughts presented are great, and the overall Bomberman experience would be vastly tweaked with, updated, and expanded throughout many subsequent sequels across several different platforms.

Bomberman is remarkably fun, considering how little memory it was created with. This original game does not have a multi-player mode, which would become the delightful highlight of future sequels. Nonetheless, the repetitive nature of the levels does serve to dull the impact of the adventure after a while of play, and decreases replay value. This title is also a bit buggy, especially once the player gets the remote item. One of the more unheralded elements of this game is the mathematical factor inherent in maximizing the blocks blown up in a consistent strafing run of well-timed bombs, and also the fact that as the player gains power-ups a feeling of near-invincibility can arise that leads to deaths in later levels simply from stupid mistakes borne of over-confidence. Regardless of all other components, the basic standard in place is good enough to go bombs away on four stars out of five for this classic NES cartridge with fantastic box cover art.

Ports and sequels

Bomberman was subsequently ported to the Family Computer and released in Japan on December 20, 1985, arriving for the U.S. Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987. Bomberman’s appearance in this game (Hudson Soft re-used an enemy graphic taken from their 1984 Famicom/NES port of Broderbund’s Lode Runner) is an early version of Bomberman’s more famous design, a robotic anime-like character with a pink antenna. In 2004, this version ofBomberman was re-released for the Game Boy Advance, part of the Classic NES Series. Bomberman DS is also considered to be a remake.

There are two additional MSX games, Bomberman 3D and Bomberman Special, both released only in Japan (in 1984 and 1986 respectively). Bomberman Special is based on the NES game. The NES had its own sequel, Bomberman II, in 1991. The game Bomberman World was released for Playstation and PC in 1998. More recently Bomberman has been released on the Xbox 360 through the Xbox Live Arcade service. This latest Bomberman game called Bomberman Livefeatures play against up to 8 people both locally and over the Internet. Another recent game, called Bomberman Blast, was released for Nintendo’s Wii console, through its WiiWare downloadable content. It also has up to 8 players battle on Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and even has Mii support. Also Bomberman has been released on the Nintendo ds (no further information). More recently Bomberman has been ported to mobile phones and Apple ipods. Across Europe one can find many different versions of these games such as Bomberman Deluxe, Bomberman Kart and even a Bomberman 3D. In Japan, some of the NTT docomo handsets come withBomberman Wide installed. Some mobile versions of the game feature a multiplayer option via thebluetooth connection. Bomberman Blast was released also on September 29, 2008.

Replay Value: The single player mode is nothing to die for, but the multi player mode is. You’ll be playing this game for hours with your friends, so this game might be a blast for months on end, just because of the multi player mode is so fun to play, and you might not find another substitute for it!

UNLOCKABLES:

Bomber House mini-game: Complete Land mode to unlock the Bomber House mini-game played during that mode at any time.

Hard Land difficulty: Complete the game with all of the 100 cards in Normal Land mode.

Alternate title and ending sequence: Purchase the token from the Info Booth in the Castle section with 50 coins while in Hard Land mode. Then complete the game.

Attraction mode characters: Complete each mini- game (except for the Bomber Houses) in each zone two times in order to get the card and medal. Then, after completing all the attractions for a zone, the “Special” option will be unlocked in the in the Info Centers, to which you can now purchase the characters for 10 medals each.

Ao-bon (Blue Bomber): Spade Zone

Gold Bomber: Diamond Zone

Kuro-bon (Black Bomber): Castle

Midori-bon (Green Bomber): Club Zone

Pretty Bomber: Heart Zone

There are several Bomberman games that are fun and safe for children and teens to play. Some of the most famous bomberman games are as follows:

”Bomberman 64”

”Bomberman 64” is a an action platformer developed by Hudson Soft for the Nintendo 64. The game marked the first time that the Bomberman series used three-dimensional graphics. Players assume control over Bomberman as he tries to stop the evil pirate leader Altair from destroying his home planet of Planet Bomber. Bomberman has the ability to create, kick, pick up and throw bombs at enemies and fortresses. Instead of jumping the normal way, Bomberman uses bomb explosions to leap past platforms.

”Bomberman: Act Zero”

“Bomberman: Act Zero”is an action shooter developed for the Xbox 360 in 2006. The video game features a radical departure in the Bomberman character. Instead of the cartoonish, white Bomberman, the main character resembles a mechanical cyborg. The game uses two-dimensional graphics and plays out in a single maze. Multiple Bombermen attack each other in a death match-type battle, in which players hit each other with bombs and special projectile attacks.

”Bomberman Live”

”Bomberman Live” is a downloadable video game for Xbox 360 consoles using Xbox Live Arcade. Developed by Backbone Entertainment, the game takes place in an arcade-style, two-dimensional maze. “Bomberman Live” includes two playable game modes: battle and tournament. In each type of game mode, between two or eight players are dropped down within a two-dimensional maze. A player, using the Bomberman character, has to strategically place bombs along the walls to clear paths and attack opponents.

”Bomberman Land”

“Bomberman Land” is an action game developed by Hudson Soft for the Nintendo Wii. The game takes full advantage of the Wii’s motion controller. Bomberman takes place in an amusement park named Bomberman Land, where players compete in more than 40 different mini games. In a break from traditional Bomberman action, players win stages by doing activities such as racing carts, catching colored spheres and blowing up water balloons.

Bomberman Tournament

It has a single-player Quest mode and a multi-player tournament mode. The single-player game tries to deviate from the basic blow-up-everything formula, but it falls short of exciting. The multi-player mode is the same as it has been. Good thing, too, because the multi-player tournament is the selling point.

The game is far from complicated — bombs explode in cross-shaped patterns, and anything caught in its path (including you) goes kablooey. These simple rules create a very addictive game, and in a fight with four players, you can have a lot of fun. Since this game supports the single-cart link, four people can play a game if there is one cartridge present. Although the game takes a while to transfer data, it is a small price to pay for the madness.

The game’s graphics are rich and colorful. The introduction sequence is very well animated. Though the in-game graphics are smaller, there is still a lot of animation packed into it. Every character has gallons of life gushing out. Bomberman Tournament takes advantage of the Game Boy Advance. The victory screen shows Bomberman scaled and rotated as his fans throw him in the air. Furthermore, the sound is quite attractive. It is in style with the other Bomberman games — light and fluffy enough so you won’t care if you blow yourself up.

Other series of Bomberman Games are the following:

Bomberman Fantasy Race

Since Bomberman has long been known to play with fire and explosives, it was really just a matter of time before he added the track to his long list of vices.

Bomberman Hero

Bomberman Hero once again places our bombastic buddy in the role of platform protagonist.

Bomberman World

While Bomberman World isn’t a particularly bad game per se, it’s clearly not the best representative of what the series has to offer.

Saturn Bomberman

Any serious Bomberman player has seen all this before.

Saturn Bomberman Fight!!

A welcome surprise for fans who worried that the series might be going downhil

Bomberman Max Blue: Champion

If you can deal with the lack of a traditional Bomberman multiplayer mode, the title makes a good candidate for your next portable game.

Bomberman Party Edition

Bomberman Party Edition manages to succeed where many previous attempts have failed, delivering an uproariously enjoyable multiplayer experience.

Bomberman Tournament

Bomberman Tournament is easily the best Bomberman to hit these shores since Saturn Bomberman in 1997.

Bomberman Kart

Bomberman is making his way to the go-kart race track for this PlayStation 2 driving game.

Super Bomberman 2

Aliens set on universal domination, have sent a team of evil cyborgs to confront the mighty Bomberman! Our hero fights valiantly to no avail as the cyborgs, known as the Five Bad Bomberman trapped in an underground prison.

Bomberman Blast

Bomberman Blast is an all-new Bomberman for digital download on WiiWare and features 8-person online multiplayer.

Bomberman Blitz

Bomberman makes his downloadable debut on Nintendo DSiWare with Bomberman Blitz.

SOURCES:

http://www.videogameden.com/hucard.htm?bom

http://whitney05.hubpages.com/hub/Bomberman-Land

http://www.helium.com/items/2099742-bomberman-nes-review?page=2

http://www.videogamereviews.vg/genesis_reviews/mega_bomberman_dale_kula.shtml

http://whitney05.hubpages.com/hub/Bomberman-Land

http://www.ehow.com/info_8391895_fun-bomberman-games.html

http://tech.mit.edu/V121/N30/bomberman_video.30a.html

http://asia.gamespot.com/bomberman-live-battlefest/related/universe/platform/ps

From Western to Asian Media System (Group 2)

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:58:00 -0500

Communication has been and will always be the basic and also the real process which connects individuals to whomever and whatever they wanted to connect themselves with. And media is said to be the most common medium of communication. Before proceeding to the particular topics, we should first have a similar and concrete definition of media.

In general, “media” refers to various means of communication. For example, television, radio, and the newspaper are different types of media. The term can also be used as a collective noun for the press or news reporting agencies. In the computer world, “media” is also used as a collective noun, but refers to different types of data storage options. (http://www.techterms.com/definition/media)

Media is the means ofcommunication, as radio and television, newspapers, andmagazines, that reach or influence people widely: The mediaare covering the speech tonight. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/media

The media of the United Stated of America is one of the most prestigious, I must say, among all the countries worldwide. They are the ones who had the first technology and still they’re having the latest. For years to centuries, they had build their character among us all. From the basic medium until they eventually discovered the fastest and most accessible mediums of communication. From the definition stated a while ago, let’s focus on the television-radio-newspaper-internet medium. The media is apparently on its widest and largest range of ways so we prefer using the top on the list.

For the Americans, they have radio, television, motion pictures, magazines and internet. Knowing that almost all have originated from them, the radio also broadcasts with two bands- the AM and the FM. Usually the formats of the bands are discussions and interviews. And if you think something is missing, it’s the music on the fms which are continuously played.

There were no concrete rules in terms of the publicity of the system, only the number of stations companies could own locally and nationally. They are more on the economical side of the system. They have what they call Federal Communications Commission which started in 1907 that monitors that limited number of stations as properties of companies.

Another kind of band they have is the satellite radio. This one the new form that gets into popularity these days. It is not under the monitoring of the FCC and this form is not terrestrial unlike the am and fm.

The radio is almost the same with the television, well, except for the format that radios don’t have visuals at all. There are also no limits to their television system. There is no stopping them from any kind of news or story they are airing on television. In here, there are lots of programs being aired by sorts of stations. The examples of the programs are talk shows, realty tv shows, tv series and many more. The system under the television consumes a lot more time, effort, money and space compared to the radio. From every program, there is also a corresponding format of media system. But the important part if that, they are not being stopped from whatever art or fact they wanted to give the people. Of the 100 percent of Americans, 90 percent of them have televisions at home. US have 4 major broadcasting stations namely National Broadcasting Company (NBC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) and Fox. There are also smaller groups but those can only reach smaller areas of the country. Basically, stations are sustained by the viewers and also sponsors.

The motion picture is extremely relevant with the television. Under the motion pictures are the movies we do watch at the big screens of cinemas. Just like the television, there are no boundaries for the craft being made. There are lots of production houses in the said country that are known worldwide.

The newspapers, on the other hand, are also considered a medium which is tasked to spread news and any relevant information. The publishers are also private. But unfortunately, USA newspapers is slowly going down due to the rise of technology; that people can already connect to the online news and entertainment stuffs. The largest and most know newspapers in the country are Wall Street Journal, the New York Time and Los Angeles Times.

Similar to the newspapers are the magazines which merely focus on a certain topic or even more. Mostly the magazines are either political or educational. Although the entertainment mags are never absent on the trend. These are still privately owned and freely published.

The last medium is the internet which is one of the most used by the Americans. This medium has provided the means for all the kinds of mediums said earlier. This one is mostly privately owned too. Well, it depends on the access of the websites and the charges placed to those who like subgroupings. But majority is for free and this is what is really trending right now, perhaps forever. The resources can be found in just a few clicks away and also downloadable.

The American Media system has never been strict with the airing and publishing. They are known for the total liberation in all aspects and so is applied on their media system. Majority of the mediums are privately owned and the concepts of the crafts are said to be limitless. Wherever the heart goes for their passion, they can materialize it as long as they are financially provided, too. The only thing that makes the system tight is when government is involved. As such, instances are like those government areas and facilities that are having important events. The access on the places needs approval but the airing and publishing of gathered information in the public has still no boundaries.

The disadvantage of the total liberation of their media is that some aren’t applicable to certain ages. But knowing the culture will make you think twice and perhaps agree on the majority of the system.

With the same format, South Koreans are far different on some instances from the Americans. Well, we are also aware that South Korea’s media is inevitably rising worldwide.

Their system started just like what experience we had in the Philippines. There was a treaty with Japan which controlled the press on the early 1900s. But eventually they loosened the control.

Their starting years are colonial. Even the television was used for public criticism. It was when a bill was raised and introduced to the country where media liberation has been totally handed over. And from there all sorts of media mostly radio increased in number.

After decades of state control and heavy censorship, the South Korean press- whether in print, on television, and online) is experiencing a period of relative freedom. The repressive Basic Press Law was repealed in 1987, and since 1990 the television market has expanded significantly. Whereas in 1980 there were only 28 national newspapers, today there are 122. In 2002, satellite broadcasting brought multi-channel commercial television to homes across South Korea. According to most outside observers, political discourse is unrestricted in South Korea; however, persistent concerns are worth noting.

They have 4 major newspapers namely Chosun llbo, Donga llbo, Joongang llbo and Hankook llbo. All four are published in Seoul. While their television networks are KBS 1 and 2 (public broadcast), MBC (public organization). EBS (state-funded) and SBS (a commercial broadcaster). On the internet aspect, 70 percent of them have broadband internet access and the online media marketplace is growing rapidly.

Today, majority of the news in the country is delivered through electronic means and the country leading edge of digital revolution and a trailblazer is still looking forward for highs-speed wireless internet service.

In terms of the political aspect of their country, our country can somehow relate. While the US conquers the media community with private owners, South Korea managed to balance the media system with the political matters after the years of learning experience with the treaty they had before. They are given the freedom to air and publish whatever they want, too but the security of the people in the system is too tight to gain access on them. And it depends on the handling media group since they are not all privately owned. The artistic side is undeniably reaching the level of those on the top list. Their motion pictures are also great while the paperbacks are still censored by the publishers themselves.

Both countries are at the peak of their media status. Both are known worldwide and they are both technologized and updated. Their histories molded the shape of media they have right now and still, they are going for another level of progress in standing for their countries in terms of their fortes in the media industry.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_of_the_United_States

http://www.countrystudies.us

http://office.kbs.co.kr/museum/

http://www.kba. or.kr/

http://www.eng.kcc.go.kr/user/ehpMain.do

http://www.english.kbs.co.kr/

http://www.imbc.com

news media links

Internet Safety

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:35:00 -0500

PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY

Unfortunately, not all websites live up to the high privacy standards set by websites who display the TRUSTe Web Privacy Seal. To help you safeguard your personal information online and prevent fraud and abuse we’ve compiled a list of tips and guidelines below that can help you protect your privacy while using the Internet.

» Click here to take survey

TIP #1: Do Some New Year’s (Data) House Cleaning

Get New Passwords: Use different, strong passwords for each of your online accounts so if one is compromised the rest are safe. Strong passwords contains letters, numbers, different cases, and symbols. Check your password’s strengthhere.

Close Old Online Accounts: Unused online accounts are a liability. Hackers could use them to infiltrate your more important accounts . Get rid of them. If you can’t remember where you have old accounts search your email inbox with queries like “registered”, “confirm” or “your account” to find email records of old accounts.

Cull Your Friends List: You put a lot of information about yourself on social networks. Would you want that friend of a friend you met once, two years ago to be carrying around a physical copy of all that information? Probably not. Keep the people you know and trust. Delete the rest.

Go Paperless: Still receiving bank statements and doctors’ invoices by mail? You don’t need your Social Security number floating around in your trash can on the curb outside. Call your bank, doctor, credit card company etc. to find out if you can go paperless and manage your records via a secure online portal. You’ll save a tree and protect your privacy.

Shred Sensitive Documents: Those credit card and health savings account statements you don’t need that have been sitting in that folder in your desk? They’re a privacy liability. Get rid of them (securely, using a shredder).

Privacy Tips

Browser Privacy

Web browsers have evolved into highly customizable software platforms capable of controlling and protecting much of the information that flows between you and the parties you interact with online. Modern browsers have an impressive array of privacy enhancing capabilities and options. They can, for example, warn you before you visit suspicious or fraudulent websites and can also allow you to surf the web without downloading tracking files like cookies* to your computer. Also, most browsers can inform you when a website uses SSL, a security measure that encrypts your data. When a website uses SSL a browser may indicate this to you by displaying a padlock icon (typically located on the bottom bar of your browser) or by highlighting the website’s name in the address bar in green. Click on the padlock icon or the green-highlighted name in the address bar to view more information about the website’s encryption and certification.

*Cookies are small files stored on your computer by websites that you visit and applications you use online that record your preferences or browsing activity. These files can be used to perform a number of actions, like allowing a website to automatically populate a log-in box with your information when you return or enabling online advertising networks to show you advertisements tailored to your perceived interests. It’s important to understand that browser based privacy controls typically do not affect a specific type of tracking technology known as “Flash cookies” (based on Adobe’s flash technology), whose privacy controls are accessible on Adobe’s website here.

Internet Explorer - 60%

Firefox - 24%

Chrome - 7%

Safari - 5%

Other - 4%

Browser Market Share

If you use one of the browsers listed above make sure that you have updated it to ensure that it’s the most recent version so you can take full advantage of the privacy features noted in the browser privacy guidelines below:

Internet Explorer:
Microsoft’s browser offers phishing filters, private browsing mode and more. Read more about Internet Explorer’s privacy features here.

Firefox:
The Mozilla Corporation’s browser offers anti-malware, parental controls and more. Read more about Firefox’s privacy features here or watch a video about them here.

Chrome:
Google’s browser offers incognito mode, a user privacy settings tab and more. Read more about Chrome’s privacy features here.

Safari:
Apple’s browser offers secure encryption, anti-virus protection and more. Read more about Safari’s privacy features here.

Website Privacy

In the 90’s website were little more than digital brochures and “interactivity” meant signing up to receive a monthly e-newsletter. Modern websites have evolved into complex and powerful information platforms – collecting, processing and sharing data at blinding speeds on massive scales. When we share personal data with these online platforms it is often passed on to numerous third parties, such as advertisers, vendors, and partners. Protecting privacy in this spider web of data flows is no easy task: it’s easy to see how personal information can be compromised, either accidentally or intentionally. Fortunately, many websites, from social networks to eCommerce website, provide Internet with privacy enhancing options:

1. Privacy Controls

While websites today share more information, they also provide their users with great specificity and control over these sharing activities. On many websites you’ll find that you can define your audience when you share personal information or content, whether it’s an audience of one or the entire public.

YouTube, for example, allows users to upload “Private” videos visible only to people whom the author specifically authorizes via email or make videos available to their millions of monthly visitors (learn more on YouTube Private videos here). Facebook also offers the same selective sharing ability to its more than 400 million users. A Facebook user can, for example, choose to make a photo album visible only to their immediate family (learn more about Facebook’s privacy options here).These are just two examples of privacy controls available on modern websites. You can often find privacy controls on a site by navigating to a control panel or settings menu. Sometimes, websites will draw attention to privacy controls while in other cases they will group them under broader categories like “Account Settings”. Privacy controls may also be offered during the sign-up process for a new online service or account. To best protect your privacy you should explore and understand privacy controls available to you on a given website/platform before you share personal information on or with the site.

2. Privacy Policies

Privacy policies communicate a site’s privacy practices to its visitors. These policies can be lengthy documents, filled with language only readily comprehensible to lawyers. Given an increasing focus on privacy, however, major sites are experimenting with way to make privacy notices more consumer friendly and actionable. Taking the time to read a privacy policy in part or in whole to understanding the data relationships that exist on the site will help you make informed decisions when using available privacy controls on a site.

3. The public/private distinction

For a number of websites today making information public and open is the name of the game. Two new websites, Audioo.com and Cceverybody.com underscore this trend as they allow their users to make their personal voicemails and emails available to the general public. It’s important to understand when signing-up for a new online service or account what model the site defaults to and how its users share information on the site. Twitter, for example, is an example of an online service where the default is public: unless you specifically opt-in to private mode your messages exchanged using Twitter are available to the general public. Some websites straddle the line between public and private, while some websites that have been traditionally private are moving toward a more public model. When signing up for a new online service or account take the time to understand the information sharing defaults on the service and the site’s general information model: are they trying to keep information private and siloed or are they pushing to make it public and interconnected with the greater Web? Blindly signing up for an online account or service understanding and appreciating the site’s public/private model can lead to privacy disasters.

Email Privacy

Email has remained largely unchanged in the last decade. Methods of exploiting email, however, have evolved significantly and protecting personal information in email environments has become more challenging. In the past decade hacking has become more effective and phishing techniques, more elaborate. Here are some strategies for protecting your privacy when using email:

1. Use a secondary, “spam” email address

Signing up for new accounts and services or making purchases online usually requires you to share your email address. If you do not trust a website it’s helpful to have a secondary email address you can use in these cases. This way, if the website shares your email address with marketers or other third parties without your permission you will not be inundated with spam or potentially malicious emails at your personal email account.

2. Use email service providers with strong security and spam filters

Does your email service provider offer message encryption? Do they have robust spam filters? These are questions to ask before signing up for a new email account. Three of the world’s most popular email services, Microsoft Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Gmail offer their users the ability to encrypt emails, which prevents third parties from intercepting messages. If you use an email service provider that does not offer built-in encryption capabilities you can use free email encryption protocols such asOpenPGP. Email service providers will usually provide spam and phishing filters as well and it’s worth your while to optimize their configuration to prevent unwanted emails from reaching your inbox. After all, the vast majority of emails sent today are spam.

3. Exercise caution when opening emails

Be especially wary of emails sent from individuals or businesses you do not recognize. You should never download attachments from unrecognized senders, as they are likely to contain viruses or malicious software that can take over your computer and/or harvest your personal information. Another type of malicious email practice known as “phishing” uses elaborate ruses to attempt to trick a recipient into handing over personal information or money. Sometimes “phishers” will claim they have a large sum of money that they need your help transferring or depositing and will reimburse you in exchange. Others will claim they need you to “verify your account” or “confirm your billing information” by providing them with the requisite personal information. A good rule of thumb for email is that if it sounds too good be true or seems potentially fraudulent, it probably is and you should not download the attachment or respond.

Even emails sent from acquaintances or from allegedly legitimate businesses or entities can be malicious. Viruses, for example, can take over your friend’s email account and automatically distribute malicious messages to your friend’s email contacts. If you receive a suspicious email from an acquaintance or friend asking for money or including an unexpected or odd attachment, first verify with the sender by phone or in person that the email is legitimate. Similarly, scammers can impersonate legitimate entities like the IRS or FBI and send fraudulent emails that appear to have been sent by the legitimate entity. If you receive such a suspicious email you should verify with them by phone that the offer or inquiry is, in fact, legitimate. The Federal Trade Commission operates a webpage educating consumers on the most recent types of email fraud (The page is accessible here.)

4. Recognize that email is evolving towards openness and interconnectivity

While the basic function of email – sending and receiving messages and content via a private channel - has remained largely unchanged in the last decade, recently we’ve seen a push to make email more open with embedded features that mirror the functionality of social networks. Both Yahoo and Google made changes in this direction to their respective email services with the introduction of Google Buzz andYahoo! Pulse. Email service providers are increasingly moving toward models that publicize and interconnect the data in your account. For email this includes information like your contacts and communication habits, and, in some cases, even the contents of your emails (Making its users’ email content public is the express purpose of recent startup Cceverybody.com). If you don’t want to participate in this evolution toward openness you should set your privacy controls appropriately.

5. Use strong passwords and remember to sign-out

Setting a strong password is an important part of email privacy. As a rule of thumb, the more complex the password, the better. Your password should include letters and numbers, make use of upper and lower cases, and incorporate characters such as exclamation points and dollar signs. Microsoft provides a helpful guide on setting strong passwords available here and a secure password strength checker, available here. Also, remember to sign out of an online service or account when you are finished with your session, especially if you are using a public or shared computer. This will prevent others from being able to access your account, which can still be open and signed in even after you have closed the browser.

Best Online Privacy Practices

1. Minimize personal information sharing

Often you will see a laundry list of data fields to enter various bits of personal information when signing up for a new online service or account. Typically, only certain pieces of personal information are required to register, sometimes noted with an asterisk (*). If you don’t trust the website with your personal information there is no need to enter more information that that which is required to use the service or sign-up for an account.

2. Look for trustmarks on websites and verify their authenticity

The TRUSTe Web Privacy Seal is the leading online privacy trustmark, but there are other types of trustmarks that provide consumers with online assurances about a business’ integrity or practices. Security trustmarks, like those offered by Verisign and McAfee, demonstrate that a website uses technological measures like encryption to protect your data. Reputation trustmarks, like those provided by the Better Business Bureau, verify a business’ legitimacy and legal status. To verify these seals’ authenticity you should always click on them and see that the verification page is hosted by the respective company. For example, if you click on a TRUSTe seal and the site that pops up begins with anything other than “http://www.truste.com,” you know it’s a fake.

3. Consider temporary credit card numbers when shopping online

Many credit card companies offer their customers the ability to activate temporary credit card numbers for online shopping use that are linked to their financial account, but are valid only for single or limited transactions. This technique protects a cardholder’s actual credit card account from fraud and theft. Examples of this service include Bank of America’s ShopSafe ® program, Citibank’s Virtual Account Numbersand Discover’s Secure Online Account Numbers.

4. Use strong passwords and remember to sign-out

Setting a strong password is an important part of email privacy. As a rule of thumb, the more complex the password, the better. Your password should include letters and numbers, make use of upper and lower cases, and incorporate characters such as exclamation points and dollar signs. Microsoft provides a helpful guide on setting strong passwords available here and a secure password strength checker, availablehere. Also, remember to sign out of an online service or account when you are finished with your session, especially if you are using a public or shared computer. This will prevent others from being able to access your account, which can still be open and signed in even after you have closed the browser.

5. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware protection

When browsing online you may intentionally download any number of files, such as desktop applications and songs, and unintentionally download tracking files, some of which can be malicious. Ensuring your computer has up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software is an important part of protecting your personal information online. Trojans and keystroke logging software can steal personal information from your computer when you use the Internet.

6. Take advantage of browser privacy enhancing capabilities and options

Update your Web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari etc.) to ensure that it’s the most recent version so you can take full advantage of the included privacy features like ‘private browsing mode’.

Mobile Privacy

1. On mobile devices your personal information is more likely to be compromised via device theft or loss - take appropriate precautions

Because they’re smaller and more portable, you’re more likely to suffer device theft or loss compared to your desktop computer or even laptop. These mobile devices can also store vast amount of data comparable to desktop computers and laptops. Considering using encryption, and enabling options that will allow you remotely wipe data on the device in the event of loss or theft. For users of Apple’s popular iPhone, Apple “Mobile Me” product allows iPhone users to remotely wipe data on a lost or stolen phone (learn more here).

2. Your mobile device may be aware of your location and may share that data with applications and advertisers

Mobile devices with GPS capabilities are fast becoming the norm. Location aware mobile applications can use GPS data to help you navigate, alert you to events, friends and deals in the area, and serve you location specific advertisements. For example, Fandango mobile applications for Blackberry, iPhone, Palm and Android devices allows users to identify nearby movie theaters and buy movie tickets (learn more here). Most mobile platforms enable you to turn off this location feature, and some mobile platforms offering application specific location controls. If you feel that location-aware applications are invading your privacy, take appropriate action with your privacy controls.

References:

http://www.truste.com/privacy_seals_and_services/consumer_privacy/privacy_tips

ABS-CBN Saturday.

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:15:00 -0500

SATURDAY

12:00AM

S.O.C.O.: Scenes of the Crime Operatives
From ABS-CBN’s Integrated News and Current Affairs most controversial crime reports, SOCO presents the gruelling events leading to the solution of these cases. (30 minutes)

12:30AM

Trip na Trip
Travel around the country with Kat and the gang. See the wonders of the Philippines as Kat Kat, Franzen, and Uma tells you a little bit more of the places you can visit. (1 hour)

01:30AM

Music Uplate Live
Late night variety show on local television with musical guests each day. Hosted by Yeng Constantino and Tutti Caringal. (1 hour)

06:00AM

Salamat Dok
Salamat Dok is the first medical show on Philippine television that aims overcome Filipinos’ aversion for doctors through a more personal approach. (1 hour)

07:00AM

Kabuhayang Swak na Swak
Kabuhayang Swak na Swak is an entrepreneurial and informative show produced by Bayan Productions, Inc. which airs weekend mornings on ABS-CBN. The program features ways, means and techniques of how to start, setting up and maintaining a certain business. (30 minutes)

07:30AM

Honey, Watch Out
This arrogant guy with a big family fortune becomes the idol that every girl dreams about and the guy that every girl chases after. Yet what is the famous Shu Li seeking and wishing for? (20 minutes)

07:50AM

Why Not?
Produced in cooperation with the National Nutrition Council, the show aims to educate the viewers on the nutritional value of various food, how these are processed and their main sources. (30 minutes)

08:20AM

The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
Clever series based on the Oscar-nominated cartoon feature from 2001 about the whiz kid from Retroville who gets himself in and out of trouble by inventing far-out gadgets. (20 minutes)

08:40AM

Avatar: The Last Airbender
A self-absorbed pre-teen must face his destiny as the Chosen One to restore the world order. (30 minutes)

09:00AM

SpongeBob SquarePants
He’s the all time favorite sea-dwelling sponge who gets tangled up in all kids of trouble, but he’s got the biggest heart in Bikini Bottom! (30 minutes)

09:30AM

Boys Over Flowers Forever
A common girl from a humble family gets a scholarship in a prestigious university for the rich and famous teens. She stands up against anyone, even the popular F4. But then, even members of the F4 gradually find themselves falling for Jan Di’s charm. (30 minutes)

10:00AM

I Love You So (Autumn’s Concerto)
Dahil sa isang operasyon, nabura sa memorya ng isang lalaki ang kanyan minamahal. Magawa kaya ng tunay na pag-ibig na ibalik ang damdamin at ipaalala ito sa isipan? (30 minutes)

10:30AM

Showtime
Daily variety program featuring Pinoy’s unique talents. (2 hours)

12:30PM

Happy, Yipee, Yehey!
Experience extreme satisfaction in a noontime offering! Make Happy Yipee Yehey your newest afternoon habit. (3 hours)

03:00PM

Divine Mercy Prayer
A one-minute prayer every 3 o’clock in the afternoon. (1 minute)

03:00PM

Entertainment Live
Saturday showbiz talk show hosted by Bianca Gonzales, Mariel Rodriguez, and Toni Gonzaga on ABS-CBN. (1 hour)

04:00PM

Failon Ngayon
Catch extraordinary tales and relevant information. Hosted by Ted Failon. (1.25 hours)

05:15PM

The Price is Right
Ang sikat na longest running game show in the world, nasa ‘Pinas na! Sa pagpasok ng Chinese New Year, papasok din ang limpak-limpak na swerte sa maraming Kapamilya dahil sa naglalakihang papremyo at nakakaaliw na excitement na hatid ng pinakabagong ga… (1 hour)

06:15PM

TV Patrol Weekend
TV Patrol is the flagship national network news broadcast of ABS-CBN. It can be heard simultaneously in DZMM 630, DZMM TeleRadyo, and the network’s provincial radio stations. It is also aired worldwide via The Filipino Channel (TFC). (30 minutes)

07:00PM

Wansapanataym
A modernized fantasy show using advanced special effects and computer graphics. Starring the brightest and hottest celebrities playing the roles of supernatural beings and other entities that exist only in the imagination. (45 minutes)

07:30PM

Maalaala Mo Kaya
Real life stories behind the drama of known celebrities and viewers as read by the host, Charo Santos. (1.5 hours)

09:00PM

Pilipinas Got Talent
Pinoys show off what they’ve got to impress audiences and judges. (1.25 hours)

10:15PM

Laugh Out Loud
Laugh Out Loud, or LOL, features funny videos of unsuspecting people caught in unusual pranks. (45 minutes)

11:00PM

Banana Split
Watch out for new sketches, segments, and spoofs that will surely make your Saturday nights hilarious as ever. (1 hour)

http://telebisyon.net/programa/ABS-CBN/daily/Saturday/

It was a whole day of a Saturday when I tried watching ABS-CBN Channel 2’s rograms for a Media literacy requirement.

For the hours of my stay in front of the television, I have listed the programs on the said day and checked the duration of the programs depending on the format and age target. From almost 14 hours, the station airs around 1 hour and 30 mins for kiddie programs while for anything concerning on health, food and work, the programs took around 3 hours. The news and public affairs have 2 hours on air while the (adult) entertainment took over almost ten hours of the airing.

Among the programs I’ve watched 5 percent of the entertainment is bought from the foreign side. Like ofr example, the Koreanovelas, aired on tv. Also,all kiddie programs are also foreign while the rest of the programs are programmed by the station, itself. But affter this day that I’ve sitted for so long juts watching and observing, I was like a bit sad for the media industry of the country. The station could have provided all programs on their own, without depending or buying those from the foreign networks. Although I also understand the fact that the viewers will very welcome it.

I don’t know if the station reaches the target number of hours for the kiddie programs every week because it seemed like the kids are the least priority of the media well in fact they are those who are present at home every weekends. And the workers are usually very available only every Sundays.

I also noticed that some of the news are recaps of the week’s news but then they are also told to make fresh news, as well. And the entertainment aspect of the programming is made of different programs just like talk shows, teleseryes, comedy shows, variety shows and game shows.

The ABSCBN coverage reaches over the world as far as everyone is concern. The advertisement here is apprently depending on the kind of show being aired and to whom it is for. I’ve seen that more advertisements are plugged on the entertainment shows. The endorsers and products of the advertisements are also station-related. It sometimes takes a lot air time for advertisements than of the programs. So since the kiddie programs are having the least airtime, it lessens because of the commercials.

Another thing, there are fewer number of live programs being aired that day. The news are already given there while the others are of the entertainment.

I don’t know what to say further. I just think that it would have been best if the station could use all the resources it has and just provide all sorts of media to us without using others medium. Although it has been a routine but I hope that they wouldn’t tolerate it just because the people would want it. It’s commercialism already. Yes, it’s their job to know what the people want but without them knowing that they can watch better programs than that, that’s somehow being unfair. I hope they would not treat all viewers are stupid who’d not react on whatever is seen on their screens. The viewers also want to be few with something better. And I also think that viewers will be clinging on to what they know is theirs.

Mellow Wednesday

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:01:00 -0500

Mellow 94.7

Current

The Holy Rosary- Everyday 4:30am-5am.
The Wake Up Show(The Happiest Show on Radio) with Vince & Tracy - Weekdays 6am-10am.
- Easy Reading (Sponsored by National Bookstore) - 9-9:30am.
Office Radio- Weekdays 10am-2pm.
- Office Talk Wednesday & Thursday
Afternoon Cruise- Weekdays 2pm-4pm
- Stage 1 Wednesday
- Life Lessons Thursday
C&C Music Factory- Weekdays 4pm-8pm.
- Choosy Tuesday
- Desert Island Discs - Wednesday 6pm-7pm.
- Midweek Melee Thursday
- 10 Strong - Friday 6-7pm.
- Movies to Watch - Friday 7-8pm.
- Famous Birthdays - last part.
Mellow Nights- Weekdays 8pm-12mn
- Quickfix - Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9pm-10pm.
- Whatever Wednesday
- Relationships Thursday
Girl Talk- Weekends 8pm-12mn.

I can clearly say that this is my favorite FM station in the country. This is aired in an English medium. As far as I have observed, it caters the classes B and C of the public. I personally like this station because the type of music they play everyday isn’t just some melodic tune we hear but it is somehow the good music in both ears and minds of the listeners.

The station began broadcasts in 1973 (when the Philippines was under Martial Law) as DWLL-FM, The Mellow Touch, one of the pioneer FM stations that did not have live announcers and music DJs in their programming. The station relied entirely on the pre-recorded voice-over of retired former DWBL disc jockey Butch Gonzales to bridge segues between songs. Butch Gonzales’ taped voice-over also served the purpose of an occasional time-check, usually at the “Top” and “Bottom” of certain hours of each day. Butch Gonzales’ voice also became the Mellow Touch’s signature voice, as he softly reminded the loyal listeners of tunes for “a bike ride along the boulevard”, every hour as the Station ID jingle plays. The sound of his voice instantly translates to soft sentimental music that was clearly associated with the Mellow music of this FM station at the time.

The broadcasting area is around the Metro Manila while the formt is Adult Contemporary. The station is based in Mandaluyong City.

Mellow Touch’s predominantly easy listening format continued, gradually increasing pace and energy with the restoration of democratic rule in 1986, until just over 5 years ago, it started to accommodate on-air jocks and began to play largely pop alternative songs in-between the standard love songs. Today, to emphasize this shift in programming, it has changed their station title to just plain Mellow 947. Its programs now generally aim to bring out the mellow side of pop-alternative and light rock music fans. And it did not fail to reach their aim.

references:

http://mellow947.fm/mprograms/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DWLL

DZIQ 990 KHZ Saturday

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:00:00 -0500

DZIQ 990 KHZ Schedule

4am-6pm Music

7pm Inquirer Balita Ngayon (With Jupiter Torrres and Cecille Lardizabal)

8am-Tapatan with Jay Sonza

10am to 1pm- Drama sa 990

10- Zyra

10:30- Si IQ at ang Mahiwagang Cellphone

11- Ito ang Buhay

11:30- Ang Drayber12nn Medikalusugan (With Len Montano)

1:30pm- Kitang Pinoy ( With Jan Escosio)

3-4pm IQ Para Sa Kabataan (with Jaemie Quinto and Jessica Mora)

4pm- Radyo Inquirer Weekend Report ( With Donna Dominguez and Louise Garcia)

6pm- Langit sa Lupa (Religious)

7pm- Heart Talk ( With Donna Dominguez and Jaemie Quinto)

8pm- Music *With DJ Glen Juego)

The other Saturday I searched for frequencies in the am which lead me DZIQ 990.

DZIQ (990 kHz Metro Manila), formally named as DZIQ Radyo Inquirer 990 AM, is an flagship AM radio station owned by Trans-Radio Broadcasting Corp., Inc. and operated by Philippine Daily Inquirer, in the Philippines.

After the test broadcast on the election day, May 10, 2010, PDI acquired the station’s blocktime programming and changed its callsign to DZIQ from DWRT. This station’s format is the same as the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper and online. On August 16, 2010, Radyo Inquirer was on the air on terrestrial radio and its official launch was on September 9, 2010.

I had fun listening over the station with all the radio dramas and talk shows they aired. It is like a comic version of the broadsheet Philippine Inquirer since that is filled with all the news unlike DZIQ which contains radio dramas. This frequency is heard all over Metro Manila. The advertisments don’t run consectively just like the published on newspapers. In here, they merely focus on discussions with the anchors and sometimes asks for the commentary of the listeners. Again, what I did enjoy here the most is the radio dramas which is about Filipino culture and all. I dunno how long the series have been aired but they sure are like a hit.

References:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/47773277/17/DZIQ-990-Schedule-with-Corrections

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DZIQ

Media for the Soul

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:45:00 -0500

Kerygma No. 261 Vol. 22 February 2012

Kerygma is a religious magazine published by the Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc. owned by Bo Sanchez. So the issue I am about to discuss was released last February- a love month, you can say. But this magazine took a different track unlike all the others.

I really am fond of reading all sorts of stuffs. Anything that’s readable, name it, I say I’m interested in whatever it is. Like, seriously. Like, a lot. I was honestly amazed by how the team of Kerygma’s February issue didn’t focus on the usual impression on the month of February. Their theme was instead about making money and taming the money monster in us. The writers aren’t just preachers but they are also multi-millionaires, as well. So whatever I have read on the pages, they are not just merely stated or bragged. Instead, they are all experienced and more likely wanted to be shared to everyone.

I really find this magazine personal because in every detail of every issue, whatever it is, God is present in every situation and so does love is. And for one fact that every one who are on the peak of the success still prioritizes Him just made me feel more blessed and eager to strive more since I also wanted to be rich soon. I even made a deadline on my first car, first house and other firsts. But then, before making checklists of what i want, I have to work on earning lots of money. Whoa! In a few months time, I soon will be. Hoping I will be. Claiming I will be. Amen to that!

The package of the magazine is simple. It is a 41-paged magazine with a not so-silky neither dry paper. I actually don’t know how it’s called. The font style is written in Arial, I think so. The pages are filled with relevant pictures, of course, with the concept or the topic of that certain page contains. Mostly, the subjects of the images are people. The circulation of this magazine, by the way, has reached the foreign sides of the country. This magazine is either subscribed or bought in stores. Luckily, I got mine after attending The Feast last February since it’s a part of Bo’s preaching mediums, too. The advertisements are not the common we usually see on other print media. There are fewer advertisements, actually and most of the advertisement s therein are also related with the publishing house.

Seriously, I love this issue although I have been loving every issue of Kerygma’s. This issue just struck the money monster in me because I am a monster spender. People around me can tell. Besides, it has always been my greatest joy to see, hear and read people’s testimonies about how God has been moving their lives. And this issue did a great push on me and perhaps to everybody who has read it, too.

We think that money is the root of all evil; that, it has always been the hindrance of a genuine happiness in life, but this issue explained how important it is as an individual, how we should keep ourselves moving from the concept of poverty and how can this be a possible bridge to extending help to others.

I will never forget the thought I have absorbed in this issue. I will hopefully grasp it in my mind for my everyday living- to be loving and aggressive, at the same time. It’s not the misconception of aggressiveness that people get misunderstood with. It’s rather the positive approach of knowing your purpose, knowing what you clearly want and focusing on reaching them in all possible ways. It made me smile after composing those words after reading the mag and reflecting on my experiences in life.

This magazine has gone way too personal for me and maybe even for the others who’ve read or who’ll be able to read this. I just hope everyone would get to read this stuff and continue to read the rest issues they would release. I am highly recommending this to everybody. I’ve learned so much from this mag and now I’m on the act of putting all that I’ve read and understood into action. This is certainly a media for the soul.

Philippine Tabloids

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:03:00 -0500

This next post will contain the tabloid reviews for my Meida Literacy subject. We are told to choose at least 5 tabloids to critic and review. My tabloid choices are People’s Journal, Tempo, Abante, Pilipino Star Ngayon and Balita

Let me first start off with People’s Journal. It is a contemporary era periodical currently published today in the Philippines. It is published in the English language and considered to be one of the Philippines’ biggest groups of daily tabloids. It showcases the hottest political, entertainment, sports, business, national, provincial and other news. This tabloid is included in the journal group of publications of the country. The perspective is in the individuals themselves unlike the others pertaining to the government.

Next is the tabloid Tempo. This is also an English tabloid which is part of the Manila Bulletin group. It is labeled as the nation’s fastest growing newspaper. And since its publishing is also controlled by the Manila Bulletin, this is also receiving comments and reviews the same as the said broadsheet. This tabloid is more on the national news, as well. Somehow, after reading the tabloid, I can agree with the the label they are putting in to it.

The preceding tabloid is Abante. It is a tabloid style newspaper published in the national language. As the reviews said, it is committed and dedicated to serve its readers by providing credible and accurate news reports and stories that will satisfy the public. This tabloid is the leading and trending tabloid in the Philippine newspaper industry. It is also an interactive paper in Filipino affiliated with its online paper. Unlike Tempo, I noticed that Abante’s filled with national news, as well, but mostly local news, too. Perhaps that is why readers have been into it.

Pilipino star ngayon is the sister publication of the Philippine Star in the national language, as well. It was the first tabloid in the country to come out in full color. Also, it is said to be the first one to establish its presence on the web. The circulation of this tabloid is the same as the Philippine Star, since both are owned by the same publishing corporation. And of course, the number of advertisement is the same as the broadsheet since this tabloid is also considered as on the best buy in the country.

The last on my list is Balita. It is written in Tagalog, as well and is considered to be one of the leading Tagalog tabloids published in the country. Just like Pilipino Star Ngayon with Philippine Star and People’s Journal with Manila Bulletin, Balita is also a part of a broadsheet publication. It is a part of the Manila Bulletin publications just like people’s Journal and is also treated with the same approach of the readers.

All circulations are all over the country. I can say that majority are published by broadsheets, as well. But these choices make me not regret because the decency of the news and information are relayed among these tabloids unlike the other which are with obscene images and stories just to entertain the people.

References:

http://newspaper.philippinecentral.com/

http://kapitbisig.com/philippines/tabloid-newspaper-companies-in-the-philippines.555

http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=People’s_Journal

http://net.philsite.net/philippinenewslink.htm

http://newspaper.philippinecentral.com/

Philippines' broadsheets

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:20:00 -0500

We are told to choose at least 3 boradsheet to compare and analyze. And so among the Philippines papers, I’ve chosen the three of the best broadsheets for me- Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin and Business World. All broadsheets, by the way, are written in the English language.

Just to share an experience, I’ve had my internship on a government radio station and with those more than one month job training, I’ve learned and understood a lot from the news I’ve been feeding myself- from the newspapers to the television. In regards with that, we were required to read the newspapers every morning, both broadsheet and tabloid. (Well, I’m gonna be making a review about the tabloids, too, after this one. And you’ll eventually see the post later.)

So starting from the Philippine Star, according to my internet references, it is a daily newspaper circulated nationwide in the country, owned and published by the PhilStar Daily Inc which was founded in the year 1986 by journalists Max Soliven, Betty Go-Belmonte and Art Borial.

The said broadsheet also has its circulation in the countries Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. This broadsheet is said to be one of the top three in the country by circulation, along with the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Manila Bulletin. Over a year, the Philippine Star receives a 2.97 billion pesos while the PDI and the Manila Bulletin are receiving P2.68 and P1.35 billion, respectively. This broadsheet had been one of my top resources in getting news and other information. For every broadsheet, they have different approaches in relaying the news to the people. So with this one, Philipiine Star is the best example of the sharer broadsheet among the others.

It is publicly just with the perspective of an ordinary individual relaying what he knows about whatever status the Philippine has in all aspects.Well maybe that’s why this has been the top grossing in terms of the circulation because people can mostly relate and understand the trend of news this broadsheet has been spreading everyone. The news are commonly what we have also been hearing from the tv and reading from online. Well, this one also has its online version of newspaper but there are still those articles not posted on the online website. This broadsheet also has the most advertisements since it is said to be the best buy in the country.

The next broadsheet is the Manila Bulletin. This is said to be the second oldest newspaper after the Manila Times. It is founded in the year 1900 by Emilio Yap. The publishing corporation of the Manilla Bulletin also owns the Manila Hotel and Euro-Phil Laboraties.

It has been labeled to be the administration newspaper because of its history. But reading the newspaper, itself, you can tell that it is consistently about the national news. And there’s no denying that everything is governement-related. But then again, this broadsheet keeps that thin line of just between the press and the governement to maintain public trust on press freedom. So when it comes to national news on the drafts we are writing, this is one of the basis I’m taking in.

The number of advertisement is far from the number the Philippine Star has, although there had been a controversy before that The Philippine Star and the said bulletin is a duo broadsheet pondering on the government’s side.

The last broadsheet is one of my favorites. My trainor introduced this to me and in just a few days I started liking it. The Business World is the country’s leading business newspaper represents three decades of professional economic journalism.

Despite change, Business World’s success over the years has constantly been anchored on a firm belief that a newspaper is a public trust. It was considered a standard of fairness, credibility and integrity in the journalistic world. The principles behind the paper’s existence were closely guarded by its publisher/president and editor-in-chief Raul L. Locsin.

The business paper comes out Monday through Friday, with a Saturday exclusive online edition, with national and foreign circulation totalling 54,000. With the paper’s excellent news coverage and style of reporting, a readership survey conducted late last year by an independent research group revealed that subscribers pass their copies on to an average of five other persons.

Its subscribers are trendsetters and decision-makers — leaders in business, industry and government, both here and of governments and corporations abroad that are keen on Philippine business updates. General broadsheets included

Business World ranks fourth in the industry in terms of advertising revenues. This, despite its six days a week frequency compared to the seven days of the other papers. This broadsheet certainly has one of the most updated news of the country among others even it is more on the economic side. Every news is connected to economics. And I’m glad to inform you that some of the stories published here is one or two day advance unlike the others. That is why whenever I look for references, this is the first one I’m checking.

Furthermore, when instances happen that we lack news to broadcast on the air, we can automatically look over this broadsheet and find something new to the ears of our listeners.

Each newspaper has its own traits and each of them contributes to the community.

References:

http://www.bworldonline.com/assets/main.php?id=aboutus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Philippine_Star

http://newspaper.philippinecentral.com/

http://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_Bulletin

http://fil.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Manila_Bulletin

http://www.businessworld.com/

Kinatay

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:21:00 -0500

Kinatay

Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.

Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Brillante Mendoza

Written By: Armando Lao

Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Brillante Mendoza

Written By: Armando Lao

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2009 Wide

Cast:

Mercedes cabral- cecille

Maria Isabel lopez-madonna

Coco martin-peping

Jhon hilario- abyong

Julio diaz-kap

Lauren Novero -Boy Chico

John Regala-Sarge

Synopsis:

A decent man who steps outside the law finds himself falling into an abyss in this violent thriller from Philippine director Brillante Mendoza. Pepoy (Coco Martin) is a young man studying to become a policeman who has recently married his longtime girlfriend Cecille (Mercedes Cabral), with whom he has a baby. Between school, his wife and the baby, money is scarce for Pepoy, and an old friend, Abyong (Jhong Hilario), tells him he can make good money by helping out some local loan sharks with their collections. While his conscience objects, Pepoy agrees, but while the work involves scaring a few small time hoods at first, things take a grim turn when he’s asked to tag along with Sarge (John Regala) and Vic (Julio Diaz) as they collect a debt from Gina (Maria Isabel Lopez), a junkie streetwalker who turns tricks under the name “Madonna.” It soon becomes clear that Gina can’t pay what she owes and if Sarge can’t get cash, he’ll take his payment in pain; he beats, rapes and tortures the woman repeatedly in the back of a van as captive Pepoy is taken along for the ride. Kinatay (the titles translates as “Slaughter”) was an official selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

(sources: imdb.com , rottentomatoes.com)

Review:

This film is based on a true to life story of a student having such involvement on a group of gang just to sustain the needs of his family. The film simply portrays the hidden reality and the possible case some might be encountering along the streets of the country. Aside from unleashing this fact, the director has given justice the phenomenology of the case therein.

The lighting may not be as impressive as the other movies could provide but it natural light has brought more impact on the film, itself, urging the audience to feel curiosity and fear of the next scenes at the same time. It has this ironic catch where the main character’s involvement is torn between his passion which is to serve his country and his passion for his family which he has to regularly feed. And because of that, he’s in between the lines of extremes, crossing over the illegals he must not join because he’s an aspiring police, himself. The plot is simple, real simple. The scenes except for those unexpected were the usual routines which makes it even more natural. And yet again, the film has brought its audience to certain emotions such as gross and guilt. As the director told in an interview during the Cannes Film Festival, he needed not to make ghosts to make people scare. But by stating the facts, he is about to make everyone feel the same emotion other films are catering.

The sequence of the story starts from the lightest and eventually turns to the heaviest. From the wedding to his school and up to the lucrative job involvement he has been in, the film accomplishes the target of making the audience whatever they had to.

The shots were natural, as well, although cinematography is mostly seen on the opening credits where shots were related with one another. And during the horrifying scenes, the approach of the director isn’t about aiming for the total gross of the raping and killing of the prostitute but rather focus the spotlight on the student- how he’s brought himself and how much he wanted to go and escape the faith he’s taken. The framings are basically on the student’s perspective. This film shows the everyday scenario of the cities in the country but that one catch about here is that this is one of the stories in the cities not all people know.

This is honestly one of the movies which make me feel proud of being a Filipino. This may be harsh to watch, yet the simplicity of the craft is undeniably an art we can all consider. Plus this movie just states what media is all about- entertaining the people and letting them know what they had to know.

BEHIND|CLOSED|DOORS: Communicative Holidays

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:49:58 -0500

BEHIND|CLOSED|DOORS: Communicative Holidays :

intothenewdeep:

Holidays

So what do we expect on this early year? New year resolutions, never-ending recollections, greetings here and abroad, etc…

Everything that is around us encompasses communication. We may or may not notice but everything that we’re dealing with has something do with it. It’s not only…

I kissed dating goodbye. Who in the world wants to kiss dating...

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:13:27 -0500

I kissed dating goodbye.

Who in the world wants to kiss dating goodbye? C’mon. Like seriously? With the butterflies in the stomach, late night serenades, movie going and dinners with hugs and kisses (whatever you wanna describe your routine), you’d really want to bid those goodbye? Does anyone wants to fully raise his both hands up? I bet some may be starting to laugh or even feel weird from where you feel me coming from right now. Feel free to do it as if the world is telling you so. :)

I kissed dating goodbye is not the typical guide book for teenagers about dating- how to overcome one’s emotional and physical aspects with the dating circumstances. It doesn’t teach you how to react on a break-up, what color of dress, what make-up or perfume to wear to save one’s dating relationship or what words to say when you get fed up or unfortunately get dumped by your partner. As far as I comprehended, this doesn’t make you less of a loner and become more dateable again. Cause’ if those are the stuffs you’re currently needing to know and wanting to develop, you’ve got the wrong book but the most appropriate book, at the same time. And you, too, have got the right post- which you’re currently reading- to convince you so. ;)

How complicated, right? Perhaps you’d ask me that. And how come I’d know everybody would relate to it, right? But this book, it’s about love. And I don’t think so if anyone would doubt his interest on that.

It’s not that I wanted to squeal everything the book has to offer its readers but giving you some hints will make it even more interesting to read. There’s so much in this book to learn, to understand, to be reminded us of.

I tell you, whatever status you’re in now, personally, this book suites you. No greater word than perfect. Trust me. Don’t let the days slip away without sparing even just a day to read something great such this, especially, when you already know someone who has a copy of it.

I dunno, or maybe-i-just-don’t-wanna-tell-the-reason-why, what brought me up to read this book. But know what? I hate to say and regret on some points that I have read this too late. Still, it was never too late for me to grasp every message of the book for the next days and nights to come. I made myself convinced that the past is the best teacher to depend on. And still, I am making myself even more convinced to look forward to the greater picture of the future with what this book has let me clearly see.

I just couldn’t agree more to every word I have read in this book. We may have heard some of it but this has just given the very details. It’s nothing but God’s love. Nothing more. Nothing less.

COMMITMENT. PATIENCE. TOLERANCE. Three points to remember. Everything falls under love- God’s love.

Since this book is merely focusing on the relational aspect of every individual, everything that it states come naturally for me and inspiring, as well.

It isn’t old English, by the way, unlike those which need either a dictionary or the google to fully understand its terms. This is actually a modern one. But it somehow tours you back to the basics of the early years. Reading this will make you understand more whatever I am saying.

It is a book discussing the battle between experiencing God’s love and the love the world everyone is offering us. Joshua Harris is somehow credible enough as he stated the pros and cons of dating and romantic relationship between two youngsters basing his book on the Bible. It is also given here the nth time confirmation of the world we’re living in. That the law of living, feeling love and giving love is based in God’s, not the worlds.

It also shares not only the author’s stories but the stories of the other’s who’ve been on the same boat of love- but with different definitions. The pros and cons of making yourself open to any option as of the early moment. It really is true that you can never relate with the exact feeling of that someone whom you’re giving sympathy with. But at the least point you can hold on to, still, they teach you to be more aware that there will be the possible situations same thing can happen to you- taking warning in to consideration. Sometimes, people’s experiences can be your own personal mirror.

I’ve heard Joshua Harris for quite some time. And this made me gain more interest on him. I even come to think if he really is in the state of stability to write such book as this. And he really has what it takes to spread the word.

Living this book isn’t just about tolerance. Kissing dating a total goodbye. It is a greater opportunity to serve and spread His Word to all of us. It’s an eye-opener that loving isn’t just about romance, it’s about blessing others and glorifying our God, and not satisfying our own needs.

Every emotion, this book has let me feel. Every lesson, this book has let me understand. I laughed, cried, smiled my heart out. And I will still be. This book is one of the closest to my heart among the others. I really am taking the thoughts in.

In God’s perfect timing, I am most excited. Let us all be. As for now, being single is a blessing. And for those who’re currently in a relationship, just let God be the center and everything will follow. May God bless each of us. :)

This book has actually been produced in millions worldwide since the year it was published. And perhaps, it also has changed lots of lives to it’s turning point- surrendering into the Almighty’s arms. :)

MEMENTO (foreign)

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:57:04 -0500

Memento

Running time: 1 hr. 56 min.

Mystery & Suspense, Drama

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Written By: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan

Details:

In Theaters: Sep 5, 2000 Wide

On DVD: Sep 4, 2001

US Box Office: $23.8M

Newmarket Films

Cast:

Guy pearce-leonard Shelby

Carrie-ann moss- Natalie

Joe pantoliano- teddy gammell

Mark boone junior- burt

Russ fega-waiter

Jorja fox- leonard’s wife

Stephen tobolowsky- Sammy jankis

Harriet sansom harris- mrs. Jankis

Thomas lennon-doctor

Callum keith rennie- dodd

Kimberly Campbell- blonde

Marianne muellerleile-tattoist

Larry holden-jimmu

Technical specifications:

Camera

Panavision Panaflex Gold II, Panavision E-Series Lenses

Laboratory

FotoKem Laboratory, Burbank (CA), USA

Film length (metres)

3105 m (Sweden)
3120 m (Finland)
3135 m
3188 m (Spain)

Film negative format (mm/video inches)

35 mm (Eastman Double-X 5222, Kodak Vision 250D 5246, Vision 500T 5279, EXR 200T 5293)

Cinematographic process

Panavision (anamorphic)

Printed film format

35 mm

Aspect ratio

2.35 : 1

Synopsis:

A man is determined to find justice after the loss of a loved one, even though he is incapable of fully remembering the crime, in this offbeat thriller. Leonard (Guy Pearce) is a man who is struggling to put his life back together after the brutal rape and murder of his wife. But Leonard’s problems are different from those of most people in his situation; he was beaten severely by the same man who killed his wife. The most significant manifestation of Leonard’s injuries is that his short-term memory has been destroyed; he is incapable of retaining any new information, and must resort to copious note-taking and Polaroid photographs in order to keep track of what happens to him over the course of a day (he’s even tattooed himself with a few crucial bits of information he can’t get along without). Leonard retains awareness that his wife was brutally murdered, however, and he’s convinced that the culprit still walks the streets. Leonard is obsessed with the notion of taking revenge against the man who has ruined his life, and he sets out to find him, getting help from Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss), who appears to be a sympathetic barmaid, and Teddy (Joe Pantoliano), who claims to be Leonard’s friend, even though Leonard senses that he cannot be trusted. Writer/director Christopher Nolan adapted Memento from a short story by his brother Jonathan Nolan.

(souces: imdb.com , rottentomatoes.com)

Review:

Memento is the kind of film that stabs its audience from behind. It has so much to give and so much to take from its audience. Technically, the pacing is one of the exceptions you could consider. The framing is as simple yet as complicated as the story tells.

Due to the memory loss, he’s been basing the facts from what he’s been feeding himself. Thus the hunting he’s been doing to avenge his murdered wife led to the hunting of an innocent man of his own. The main character has been consistent with the situation he’s dealing with that made him even more crave for vengeance and doubts of new discoveries without the reliance of his facts written on his body.

With the touch of the chronological series of frames that shows black and white and a reverse order of those with color, the over-all cinematography brings you to the experience of the cast themselves which this movie never failed to accomplish. The film shot in both black and white takes you forward while those shot with color takes you backward the story.

Each new scene explains what you saw before. Eventually, as the story unfolds the sequences played backwards, it falls to the end of the story where it will lead you to a disturbing conclusion of killing an accomplice of his own which is basically a protagonist, too.

The film, itself, is one of a kind. The mood’s focused on the tattoos, memory loss and the twisted truth he’s been revealing to himself. And the focus has been given justification by the way it has been screen played and so with the impact. It is really mind-twisting and disturbing, as well. Two stories is given on the plot with reversed sequencing revealing the stories which had happened from the before until audience finally discovers the approach of the film.

The film managed to present a disturbing mood to its audience without even making so much effort with the gross factor on the film, instead put much effort on the mental side effects the story can cater its audience.

This is one of those whom you’ll constantly remember when being asked what’s your favorite movie or what movie comes into your mind. It leaves you a trace of being guilty for the false truth of the main actor and yet satisfaction, at the same time for making you be deceived with what you were seeking.

BEHIND|CLOSED|DOORS: Media Culture

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:06:36 -0500

BEHIND|CLOSED|DOORS: Media Culture:

intothenewdeep:

As the advertisements usually tag their respective and exceptional lines on either media or print, once you buy, entertain or even patronage their products or offers, you’ll absolutely be included ‘in’ to what’s trending. Slim is sexy. Fair complexion is beautiful. ‘This’ fashion statement is…