Izah Morales
INQUIRER.net

EXPRESSING oneself in this digital age comes in different forms. You have blogs and videos, for instance.

Tang Teazperiment is among those riding on the blogging and user-generated video trend, as it launched an online show that features flash mobs.

A flash mob describes a large group of people who suddenly assemble in a public place to perform an odd action for a brief period, then they disperse.

“With the new media, teens can express themselves internationally,” says Ketchup Eusebio, host of Teazperiment.

“It’s such a relief for students because they don’t need connections with any media outfit but just their laptops and the Internet,” adds Andi Manzano, co-host Teazperiment.

The term flash mob was unknown until Harper’s Magazine Senior Editor Bill Wasik published an article on March 2006. Wasik began organizing flash mobs in May 2003 in Manhattan through social media networks or via email.

Cindy Abella, brand manager of Tang Fruit Teaz, said the show is a competition open to anyone who may want to submit video clips apart from the seven participating organizations in this project.

“Teazperiment is about channeling one’s boredom into something creative,” says Abella.

Seven school organizations from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, Trinity College, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, San Sebastian College, La Consolacion College and Far Eastern University-FERN have already submitted video clips, which will be judged by viewers.

Under the organization category, the video with the highest number of votes from the viewers would win P50,000. On the other hand, the top three videos from individual submissions would be rewarded an Xbox game console and a Rockband game (first prize), three Asus laptops (second prize), and Nokia cellphones (third prize).

The voting period for the organization category ends in March while voting for individual submissions ends in May.

Witnesses have quickly posted a video of the plane crash in Buffalo, New York.

Here’s one of the video clips posted on YouTube by user SpikeTheCowboy711 who lives in Buffalo, New York.

Excerpt of the details of the crash:

NEW YORK — (UPDATE) US media reports say 49 people were killed when a commercial plane crashed into a house in Buffalo, New York.

Officials told reporters several people were killed, including one on the ground, but declined to confirm reports that all 48 people on board the plane were killed.

US media reported the Continental Airlines plane was arriving from Newark, New Jersey before crashing some eight kilometers from the airport.

MSNBC said the plane hit the home and burst into flames at 10:10 pm (0310 GMT).

CNN showed burning wreckage in the center of a residential neighborhood and reported that two people were taken to a local hospital.

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:

By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net

FILIPINO bloggers and fans mobbed Filipino-American video blogger Christine “HappySlip” Gambito during a “meet and greet” event with local bloggers and fans.

More than 100 Filipino bloggers and fans came to the event held at the Mag:net Cafe on Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. The event was organized by the Department of Tourism and Internet portal Yehey!

Local bloggers and fans were initially given a chance to ask several questions, which Gambito answered readily with a tinge of humor. She then gave each fan a chance to meet her up close. Among the fans who came were children.

[Read the rest of this entry »]

OK, we’ve heard of blog addicts, but this 23-year-old guy in San Francisco takes the cake.

Not content with plain old blogging and vlogging (that’s short for video blogging), 23-year-old Justin Kan is showing his life to the whole world via online video, 24 hours a day, seven times a week. It’s Justin.tv, and for now, people are watching.

Some people live blog. This guy is “lifecasting.” Justin put a camera on his head so that he can chronicle everything he does everyday — and I mean everything, including bathroom breaks.

[Read the rest of this entry »]