Texting and Blogging: Where do we (Filipinos) stand?

The Philippines used to be tagged as the world’s texting capital, and still is. But given the high incidence of traffic accidents attributed to texting, how did we fare on this one?

Sending text messages from your mobile phone while driving is more dangerous than driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, a study by Britain's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) revealed.

The reaction times of people texting as they drove fell by 35 percent, while those who had consumed the legal limit of alcohol, or taken cannabis, fell by 21 percent and 12 percent respectively, according to the study. Drivers who are fond of texting were distracted by taking their hands off the wheel to use their phone by trying to read small text on the phone display and by thinking about how to write their message.

Surprisingly though, we are not number one on this folly. We are a poor third behind the U.S. and Britain. Could this be due to lack of incidence of this kind reported or documented? It could be so. It could also be due to the fact that we had learned our lessons faster than other countries. Still another probability is that the apprehending ‘authorities’ don’t really mind the cause of traffic accidents most of the time.

Well, the good thing is we (Filipinos) have graduated from one flair to another. From texting to the internet mania. But what about it? The internet offers a lot of buzz in friendster, facebook, myspace, hi5, blogging, etc. or the so-called ‘internetworking’ (short for internet social networking).

In Universal McCann’s study on social media, the Philippines had the highest penetration of social networking among Internet users at 83.1 percent, compared with the global average of 57.5 percent. This is quite high, which means that we are getting further into becoming the most internet savvy. Of course, being savvy is one thing and being the most number of users is another.

The Philippines also had the second highest incidence of blog-reading among Internet users at 90.3 percent. South Korea topped the blog readership list at 92.1 percent. The global average is 72.8 percent.

All over the world, including the Philippines and South Korea, personal blogs or diary blogs are the favorite reading fare.

About 65.8 percent of Filipino Internet users write blogs, compared with China which topped the survey at 70.3 percent. Globally, 44.8 percent of Internet users blog, mostly about themselves.

No country can possibly beat China in terms of number of internet users given its 2 billion plus population. And coming in next is amazing if not mind-boggling.

It must be noted, though, that Internet penetration in the Philippines was relatively low—around 15 percent—compared to cell phone penetration of more than 60 percent – which means there’s definitely a lot of room for growth in the internet business in the country.

Still, Universal McCann said its study indicated that blogs and social networks were becoming “mainstream” media and were a valid platform for spreading information.

The Pacquiao-De la Hoya Extravaganza!

A “Manny-making” bout that is designed for the “Oscar Awards”?

Did we hear the news right? A $100-million Pacquiao-Dela Hoya bout this coming December? Is this the ultimate in boxing hype that is imagined to drown even the heydays of the Ali-Frazier thrilla in Manila? Maybe this is one big joke or, better yet, hoax of a fight. This can be a propaganda that is part of a “Manny-making” project with the “Oscar awards” in mind.

This movie-in-the-making will be acted out by its lead stars Manny Pacquiao and Oscar de la Hoya (with the referee and the judges in supporting roles) ably directed and scripted to the “draw” unless one of the two superstars would be willing to take the role of the “vanquished” at the end of the story—for a much, much bigger take of the purse, of course, plus other obese deals on the sideline.

If indeed the fight ends in a “draw”, there is absolute certainty that the boxing fans are doped into a big fight that’s actually crafted for the ‘movies’ – a make-believe super-bout that’s all intended for the crowd and money it can draw.

Anyway, whatever happens the sharing between the two boxing superstars is already pegged at 60-40 in favor of Dela Hoya. The ‘producer’ and ‘director’ of the show knew too well that a ‘draw’ is to the advantage of the boxing career of the two fighters. So no one would be tempted to retire after the fight.. And the real fight thus takes place in the rematch in 2009 - the year when both boxers are contemplating to retire on.

Let’s see what happens or till the outcome proves us right or wrong.

So, to the boxing fans all over the world: “See you at the movies!” And this one is certainly a “blockbuster”.

Is there relationship between a nation's IQ and wealth?

Did it ever come to your mind to ponder whether a nation's level of intelligence (or Intelligence Quotient, IQ) tells us of the economic status of a certain country?

Or, in a more acadenic postulate, can the average national intelligence quotient (IQ) of a country correlate to its national or the per capita gross domestic product (GDP)?

This is what Dr. Richard Lynn and Dr. Tatu Vanhanen have been trying to prove in their controversial 2002 book IQ and the Wealth of Nations.

In the book, the authors state that IQ is an important factor contributing to differences in national wealth and rates of economic growth. The authors believe that average IQ differences between nations are due to both generic and economic factors. They also say that a low GDP can cause low IQ, and a low IQ can cause low GDP.

The authors included in the book their calculation of average IQ scores of 81 countries, based on their analysis of published reports. Their reported observation was that national IQ correlates with gross domestic product per capita 0.81 and with the rate of economic growth from 1950-1990 at 0.64

However, the authors data based it on what they believe to be the average IQs of the world nations. Because doing their own IQ studies, would be a massive and taxing project, they averaged and adjusted existing studies on these issues.

In countries where no studies are available, the authors used and estimated value by taking averages of the IQs of neighboring or comparable nations, such as the case of Guatemala and Colombia whose IQ average were based on those of El Salvador.

Different methods of obtaining figures were used for different countries. Sometimes based on different ethnic groups, sometimes on their neighboring countries and sometimes on countries that is not actually neighbors, but whose language are the same of the majority of the population of the country being studied..

The data, methodology and conclusions in the book have been criticized, but it was cited several times in the popular press, notably of the British conservative newspaper. And because Tatu Vanhanen is the father of Matti Vanhanen, the Finish Prime minister, his work has received wide publicity in Finland.

I find the study quite interesting, and really, if I can squeeze it into my routine I'd like to replicate this one on a regional scope.

(Dr. Richard Lynn is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland and Dr. Tatu Vanhanen is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.)

How TV networks maintain the ratings game

TV shows have been resorting to cheap tricks, conscious inconsistent writing and other gimmickries to keep viewers glued to them. Mostly done because of the ratings game or to salvage a poor-performing program… and obviously, with total disrespect to the intelligence of the televeiwers.

Since the two TV sets in the house are glued to GMA and ABS-CBN, I can only cite examples from them.

The top 5 of these cheap tricks are:

No. 5 – Cliffhangers… Not!

Obviously to keep viewers excited in anticipation for the next episode. The program ends with a major character in tight fix… only to be seen in the following episode unscathed and untouched even, from the cliffhangers he was left-off in the previous episode. Ex. All action-thriller soap operas.

No. 4 – Habitual on-and-off couple relationships

To generate more interest and to instill romance in the show, two main characters would suddenly find themselves falling for each other. And to add appeal to emotion, you can be very sure that one of the couples is very rich and the other one very poor! Blissful romantic scenes follows, then something happens and they would part ways. Their separate lives however would find ways to bring them back together again… only to part ways again some other time… and be back together again. It all depends really on how long the show runs. Ex. Marimar, Dyesebel (GMA), My Girl (ABS-CBN)

No. 3 – Villains on Reality Shows

No matter how real they claim to be, reality shows follow certain script. Management needs to create interest in the show for the advertisements to pour in. That is why they decide who goes out or who stays in. Ever wonder why that character that seem to be out-of-control often, the one that nobody can easily get along with, stays longer in the show? Because, they can always stir the show and create conflicts and interests, much to the delight of the management. Again, ratings game. Ex. Pinoy Idol (GMA), Pinoy Dream Academy & Pinoy Big Brother (ABS-CBN)

No. 2 – Back from the dead

People who were supposed to be dead, suddenly come back in the show. And it’s not even Halloween yet. This plot that has been widely abused by writers is happening more often than we notice. A convincingly death scene, like a fire or an accident, involving a major character, is twisted with the character being shown again, alive. More often than not, without any clear explanation. They just want it at that. Ex. Codenamed: Asero (GMA),

No. 1 – “Next Week on… “ Teaser lies

“Come back tomorrow, I’ll tell you everything” This is what those Next Week teasers is trying to say to make televiewers come back for more. Showing what seems to be an interesting scene that appears to be a great impact on show, is shown on the next week teaser. Only to be frustrated because that scene actually has no impact on the program. Ex.Most afternoon soap operas in all networks.

Ratings will always be the name of the game. This is the basis of the advertisers in putting their money on the show. And the show producers know it all too well. For the viewers, they really don't care about it. What matters are the excitements they get from the show. This type of selling TV programs and products will stay for good. It has always been the same since time immemorial.

Thoughts and Acts for Peace

This posting of the notes hereunder is one of the ways I can think of to help spread the message it brings forth which is so simple, yet so noble and significant. I came across with this message while I was reading the comments to a blog posting in one of my favorite blogites. The writer uses the monicker "deejay". You already had me among TAPs believers - Dr. Mosaid.

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“Peace has to start as an individual decision. By making a choice to focus even a small segment of my day on peace, I am taking that first step towards every rational person’s fantasy—saving the world.” —Ophelia Julien

Like Ophelia, a housewife and mother, each of us longs for a world at peace. For after all, we are by nature peaceful souls.

Like Ophelia, we want to get involved in our own simple way but oftentimes don’t know how. What can we do to create peace? Peace in Mindanao? Peace in the world?

We can “TAP” for peace. TAP is short for Thoughts and Acts of Peace.

In this connection, we are pleased to invite you to join Mothers for Peace, the Mindanao Commission on Women and other organizations all over the country in the campaign to create a Million TAPs for Peace.

The objective of the campaign is to give individuals a sense of participation in dealing with an issue that most people consider quite beyond their power to influence --- peace. The campaign will involve as many people as possible in giving minutes of peace through silence, prayer, or meditation and sharing peace by doing acts of peace. It allows people to take a break from their daily routines to think peaceful thoughts and do peaceful acts, thereby achieving inner peace and contributing to peace in Mindanao and in the rest of the world. Instead of the usual campaign for money, Million TAPS for Peace asks that individuals “donate” minutes of peace.

The nationwide campaign was launched the start of Peace Month on September 1, 2008 at "Talkback with Tina Palma" on ANC. It will culminate during the Mindanao Week of Peace on December 3.

If you agree to join the campaign, please forward this invitation to as many of your friends and family as you can. You may access the Campaign Kit from our website www.milliontapsforpeace.org.

Remember: A single thought has changed the world. How much more a million thoughts? A single act has changed the world. How much more a million acts?

Let us gather a million TAPs for peace!

What I want on the next President

Most of us would tend to shun politics as a topic at this point in time on the ground that it is too early for 2010 presidential elections. For me, politics is always relevant at any given time. Whenever something goes wrong in the way this country is being run by the politicians, we always wish that the next President is somebody different and better.

Have you ever wished how our country should be run by the next President? We can only wish something can be done by the next President of this country to make a turn-around on the economy. For me, the best indicator that any President is running any country right is still the state of the economy. This is the best indicator that governance is doing well and politicians are doing their jobs right. All the other aspects of governance like politics, social and other macro-economic concerns are products and consequences of a strong and robust economy. Still one may argue that politics is not the only factor affecting any given economy. Right. But, politics - in terms of how the President behaves and responds to any given situation, is the most critical factor. And in most cases, the market responds correspondingly to major political decisions. When the President'a approval rating goes down, business confidence in terms of pouring in more investments goes the same way.

For this purpose, one might ask: can our country be really run like an economic enterprise? I can agree that we have presidentiables who are so ‘enterprising’, but the qualities of a social and economic entrepreneur being in them is another point. Besides, for an enterprise to succeed, sometimes it needs to sacrifice some department, make unpopular decisions, and run it on an iron hand if necessary.

The Philippines being the larger enterprise, so to speak, with a diverse sector of society each wanting to be given a fair share of the pie, will take a lot of political will to be able to run it like an enterprise. With the current crop of presidentiables and wannabe’s already starting to position themselves, political will is hardly a character displayed - a sorry deficit in most of them.

That for me is the main requirement for our next president. Anybody can have many credentials… and anyone can be an entrepreneur, yes even, a social entrepreneur. But not everybody can have enough courage to go against what is popular or is willing to forego personal status to implement what is necessary.

Doing what is necessary may be different from doing what is right on the basis of its being popular – and so, political will, more than a social entrepreneur, is the leadership quality I want on the next president. While economic know-how is a plus factor, the best quality of the next president is his/her character which is best exemplified in the so-called political will.

Let's start scrutinizing the personalities and track record of the presidentiables so we will know whom to vote for come 2010. For a guide, they are, in no particular order: Mar Roxas (LP), Manny Villar (NP), Noli de Castro (Lakas-KAMPI), Ping Lacson (Ind.), Jejomar Binay (?). I hope they are not the same birds trying to show different feathers; i hope they are not the same dogs trying to wear different collars!

A Class Picture in Grade V.. and 42 years hence..

Mitzi sent this much-revered class picture to me by mail.. I had always wanted a copy as mine was lost/burnt sometime in the mid-1970s when we had to move (evacuate) so often, like the wandering Bedouins of Arabia, due to the trouble. Thank God that Mitzi was able to keep her own copy of the picture to its pristine original condition. I said, it is still crispy clear and had seemingly defied the wear and tear of time. According to Mitzi, she had it scanned in high resolution with the help of her son so I can have it like the original. That was very kind of her.

What's more significant was not the picture itself.. but the good old memories that was stuck with it.. attached with it.. and lingers with it, for as long as there are classmates left to tell the stories behind it and relate the happy, peaceful and joyful times we shared together and savored like no other.

Mitzi says.. more than 40 years of awesome memories is simply amazing.. I said, its wonderful and it gives some sense of relieving ecstasy to reminisce those rich memories of the past; when every experience was worth remembering and keeping because they are simply devoid of trouble, hatred, polarity and what bad sort of things you might say.. nothing else, but memories of peacful co-existence, harmonious relationships and sharing and caring. If I may say, that was the zenith of love and peaceful co-existence between and among Muslims and Christians in Pikit emulated to its best. I don't recall any happier times than that one.. our time, our past. The glory that once was and Pikit at its best when it truly asserted its rightful place as the pioneering town in the once empire province of Cotabato.

How I wish I have supernatural powers, so I would not only recall those happy times but bring them back to reality.. and forget about every unworthy experiences. I love to dream about it, I love to indulge in it, I wish it can happen again.. but when will that be?.. Only God knows.

From out of childish instincts and excitement, I tried to recall the faces and names of classmates one after another.. playing some kind of game of recall. There are 34 of us classmates in Grade V (18 boys and 16 girls) under the tutelage of our favorite teacher Mrs. Luz Aguilar. I was able to identify 20 (12 boys and 8 girls). Of course Bong and Mitzi supplied the rest and reminded me of some juggled first names and surnames. It was not easy recalling faces and names of 42 years ago!! Now, we are left with 10 (6 boys and 4 girls) whose faces we remember so well but whose names keep lingering at the back of our minds.

I told Mitzi and Bong that in due time we shall be able to name them all. It makes me wonder and ponder how others are so easy to recall while others are not. What could be the factors? .. something of psychology, sociology, economics? .. maybe yes, maybe no.. I just don't know.. being outstanding in class? yes.. I do recall at once all the bright ones.. must I forget myself?.. no, never.. hehehe..! But all of us are relatively bright; what are sections 1 for..?? Yes, during those days, it was not easy to belong to section 1, the creme of the crop, so-to-speak.

Back to the memories and the story behind the class picture.. Oh, i just can't tell them all in a day or two.. from Mitzi's daily routine of keeping the 'palmeras' green and healthy to my faithful and dedicated job of bringing them in and out of the classroom under Mitzi's strict supervision (a replica of Mrs. Aguilar?.. NO, but she's just as good, if not better).

If I can turn back the hands of time, I shall rewind it fast to mid-1960s (minus the gang of Datu Mantil, et al.. hahahahaha!) and keep it stuck just right in there.. never mind the future. I'd love to hear the the blazing sound of music emanating from the only moviehouse in town belting out songs of the Beatles, Gary Lewis and the Playboys and Simon and Garfunkel.

I shall reserve the rest of the story to Mitzi, Bong, Pangging and the others who might resurface in time to get in touch with the rest of the members of the family and tell their own stories.. of the class, of yesteryears escapades, or whatever good memories there may be. Yes, I love to imagine that.. that Grade V Class was and is my extended family. I love them all; I miss them all. Kudos dear classmates.. hasta la vista.. sayonara for now.. aregato gusaimas!

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Names of classmates we have identified:

Boys: Girls:

1. jose antonio yuson 1. rosenda bragais
2. dilambasen palaguyan 2. ruth tabada
3. maugan mosaid 3. ma. stella de sequera
4. mario lavarias 4. minda tecson
5. emiliano larubis 5. edith catherine santos
6. romeo manonsol 6. felma ong
7. ali sionga 7. sulaya pagadatan
8. edris modale 8. tessie dimaano
9. usop madaliday 9. evelyn ebisate
10. edward hernane 10. marlyn custodio
11. edgar sanz 11. wilma aninon
12. emmanuel ferenal 12. annie matalam