Filipino bloggers are now picking up Filipino songwriter Gary Granada’s recorded complaint against GMA Kapuso Foundation, which he accuses of allegedly using his study without his permission.

A blog called “Ang Kape Ni LaTtex,” says Granada’s recorded complaint has been making the rounds via blogs, Plurk, Twitter and e-mail. The blog says:

In a nutshell, Mr. Granada, a noted Filipino singer-composer, voiced his sentiments against GMA Kapuso Foundation, regarding a jingle that he composed music for. According to Mr. Granada, GMA rejected his study for the jingle, but allegedly used his revisions for the lyrics (which was provided to him by GMA), and based the final tune on the musical structure of his study, all without attribution or pay. It would be best that you listen to the audio cast and hear it in detail and come up with your own opinions regarding the issue.

What makes this audiocast special, however, is the extent of Mr. Granada’s use of New Media — or, “Web two point oh” — to detail his complaint, in a totally unprecedented manner, and against Mainstream Media to boot!

Filipinovoices blog has also picked up on the issue.

Rarely do we ever write about the music industry here at FV, but this specific case will be an exception, only because this is a case of an entire media company denying a wrong that it has done, especially to a very talented composer like Gary Granada.

Songwriter and Composer, Gary Granada, was given lyrics which he was supposed to translate into music. This music would ultimately be used by GMA for a Kapuso foundation media campaign. But, GMA ended up not using Gary Granada, but it seems that they used his musical creation in the end, and basically ditched Gary and gave him nothing at all, not even a claim on the work itself, because as GMA says, Gary’s work was a “collective” work.

Ang Kape ni LatTex notes that Granada’s complaint is “totally unprecedented” because of the use of the Internet to air his sentiments.

What makes this audiocast special, however, is the extent of Mr. Granada’s use of New Media — or, “Web two point oh” — to detail his complaint, in a totally unprecedented manner, and against Mainstream Media to boot!

In the audiocast, he included a clip of his original study, the final product, and a detailed explanation on the musical structure of both, including the musical theory behind his gripes and a re-rendered tune comprising of his accompaniment and the tune used in the final cut of the jingle. To say that Mr. Granada maximized new media to explain his side is an understatement — he clearly understood that this is the best possible way to make people understand the situation in its fullest extent.

By Marjorie Gorospe

“UNHAPPY the land that is in need of heroes.”

This is a notable quotation from German playwright Bertolt Brecht. It is now the core message of Mae Paner’s (a.k.a. Juana Change) latest video posted on YouTube.

Taking the role of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), Paner portrays a domestic helper who talks about how OFWs are often considered as “bagong bayani” or new heroes of the country due to sacrifices they make.

These new heroes work abroad, leaving their families behind to find jobs elsewhere.

“We do not need praises, we need money,” Juana Change says, as she tells a stranger on a plane about her feelings working abroad.

While more and more Filipinos work abroad as professionals, some end up doing jobs that are menial.

In the video, her character mocks government officials who go abroad to hide their ill-gotten wealth.

The video eventually ends with a familiar face: national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

It was as if Paner was showing the two faces of heroes. Rizal sacrificed his life for the country; while OFWs continue to sacrifice comfort and dignity to support their family and eventually our economy.

But as Bretch’s saying goes, this country still needs more heroes who have the genuine interest to serve the country minus personal interest, desire for power and corruption.

Watch her video:

This unexpected reaction from an Iraqi journalist is now getting more hits on YouTube. Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi from Al-Baghdadia television network threw his shoes at President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad on December 14, 2008.

Reports indicated that Bush later laughed off the incident.

I AM just wondering if there is a possibility that our legislative body can enact appropriate regulations or laws perhaps to put a stop to all bullying going around the Internet. As of now, negative blogs and comments are spreading around the net through various sites. Decent beings are disturbed and many innocent souls are put to shame. Reputations are put to risk. I learned that in some parts of the globe, Internet bullying is a criminal act. In South Korea, identities of people who post comments and the like are required to be disclosed, their contact numbers need even to be placed in the Internet for easy identification in event that someone wants to sue for libel or one infringes on privacy. In the US, teenage suicide linked to Internet bullying is becoming out of control. We do not want this to happen to our youngsters, and even to adults who cannot stand the pressure of being intimidated. I don’t know if Internet bullying is already incorporated in our Electronic Commerce Act already but if it is, well and good, let us put it into operation.

Cindy Hisona, Banga, Bayawan City via e-mail

Editor’s Note: We’re reposting this article with permission from Filipino blogger Juned Sunido. Catch him as he blogs at Baratillo @ Cubao.

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By Juned Sonido

WITHIN a span of two years a lot of things have changed. It would seem that the blogger has entered mainstream. First, blogging is slowly being recognized as an Internet medium: Another source of news, information and opinion available through the Web. Second, a lot of marketing, public relations and companies seem to be recognizing this thus the increase engagement with the bloggers through contests, events and product launches. Third, bloggers are often stereotyped or miscast as ranters or in it for the money.

There is nothing wrong with ranting via blogging and nothing wrong with making money from blogging. For me its not the end all, be all and sole reason why I blog. It is more complex than that and the blogs are not a thing one can conveniently pigeon-hole.

And sure enough a lot of opportunities are opening up to bloggers. A lot are now treated like media as they are invited to press launches and a greater number are tapped to spread the word about a certain product or bit of information. These are done via press launches and events.

The question comes up: should a blogger avoid going to press launches and events?

It is an option that the blogger might take. Then again the blogger might also take to attending press launches and events. There are reasons why the blogger opt to go. First, in order to get fresh information or news about something–product, service and bits of news. Second, it is always a nice to develop contacts and make friends. At its most brutal, it is a way of developing a network of sources and information. At its best, one gets to meet true and genuine friends. Third, press launches and events provide the blogger the means to sample a new product, try a new service or preview/review a gadget. All of these contribute or add things that we can post.

[Read the rest of this entry »]

As a parent to growing kids, I found this helpful tips from Trend Micro on how to ensure the online safety of kids. Let’s admit it, kids are quite fond of social networks (more than their parents). My generation grew up watching television. Today, kids have the Internet and online social networks — not to mention online games. So it’s best that we parents should also understand how social networks work, for instance, so we could guide them.

Here’s one good example from Trend Micro’s website, which I think is very important:

Set reasonable expectations. Pulling the plug on your child’s favorite social site is like pulling the plug on their social life. This can shut down communication and send kids “underground” where they’re more at risk.

Here’s another one:

Try to get your kids to share their profiles and blogs with you. Also, use search engines and the search tools on social networking sites to search for your kids’ full names, phone numbers, and other identifying information. You’re not invading their privacy if they’re putting personal info in public places online.

Do you have any other practical tips you wish to share?

By Agence France-Presse

SINGAPORE - A US national said Tuesday he will be tried in Singapore next month for allegedly insulting two judges who had presided over cases involving an opposition leader.

Gopalan Nair, a former Singaporean lawyer who is now a US citizen, told Agence France-Presse he has not yet hired a lawyer to represent him in the trial from September 8 to 19.

“At this moment, I am representing myself,” he said.

Nair faces two charges of insulting judges on his blog. Each charge carries a jail term of up to one year, S$5,000 fine (US$3,676) or both.

[Read the rest of this entry »]

By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

MAKATI City, Philippines — Senator Manuel Roxas III is taking his online presence further.

Aside from his official website, an e-forum and accounts in social networking sites, Roxas has finally opened his own blog and is setting up his own virtual rally to further promote his advocacies.

Roxas’ other websites include one that is about his official function as senator. He also has entries in Facebook.com, Friendster.com and MySpace.com.

Roxas who uses the handle “misterpalengke” launched his official blog last August 1, after meeting up with bloggers in Quezon City. It appears, however, that he made his first posting on July 27.

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A CERTAIN Teo Marasigan in a blog entry titled Kapirasong Kritika, has sparked a discussion on why Filipino activists should not blog. Pointing out that activists have failed to use the Internet to expose and denounce the dominant “reactionary” ideas in the Internet, Marasigan has suggested that activists-bloggers should stop blogging.

His post eventually elicited reactions from some progressive blogs, including Mongster’s Nest by Mong Palatino and Reds Care.

Writing in Filipino, Marasigan argued that the Filipino Internet activists have somehow failed to also state the reactionary character of the Internet.

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FILIPINO bloggers are reacting to a remark made by one of the characters in a recent episode of television series “Desperate Housewives.”

While many condemned the remark as a racist slur and called for a boycott of the show, others suggested that people write to the producers of the show to complain.

The Filipino bloggers were reacting to a remark by the character Susan Mayer Delfino, played by Teri Hatcher, who was objecting to being checked by a doctor until she was sure of the doctor’s credentials.

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