Prior restraint

The order of the Air Transportation Office (A.T.O.) to impose a no-fly zone over the Makati business district during the mammoth interfaith gathering on Friday Febraury 29 is patently unconstitutional.
It infringes on the constitutional right to press freedom, abridging newsmen's basic and fundamental right to legitimate news-gathering.
Because of the no-fly zone, no aerial photo shots of the gathering could be done, thus depriving the public of getting a bird's eye-view of the extent of the crowd that participated.
We are left with building-top photo, like the one taken by Voltaire Domingo.
It is clearly a form of prior restraint.
It is no different from that directive of the National Telecommunications Commission intruding on the news content, and editorial prerogatives of the press, particuarly broadcast media.
The NTC directive was done in the guise of regulation.
The ATO diective imposing a no-fly zone over Makati last Friday was also done in the guise of safety concerns.
Many typhoons have swept across Makati the past years.
The ATO was never heard imposing any no-fly zone.
This is the first time I have ever heard of Makati being declared a no-fly zone from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., coincidentally the time during which the interfaith gathering took place.

Truth decay

I am watching on television the live telecast of the Mass for Truth at the Baclaran, in celebration of the EDSA anniversary.
According to the homily, there is so much untruthfulness going on in our country today.
The untruths are pervading in the top position, to the lowest positions in our government.
The priest says the country is suffering what he calls "TRUTH DECAY."

Arnel sings Open Arms with Journey in Chile

Journey's first public appearance with the new front man Filipino Arnel Pineda was at the Vina Del Mar, Chile February 21.
It's heart pumping, I can feel the blood streaming in my veins, while watching the video uploads...
You just can't help but feel proud for Arnel Pineda.
Here are the links on you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUWJ8bf09BU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkEmxxh0PRU

Arnel Pineda and Journey sing Faithfully:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUQp2S38OyU

Journey seeing some Lights with Arnel Pineda:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95HfCWADw-0

Directions for Mount Samat

Chrissie sent me an email seeking directions in going to Mount Samat. I blogged about our first visit to Mount Samat months ago. Here is Chrissie's email, and my response:

Hi Jay... I was searching for Mt. Samat articles and I came across your blog. I was planning on visiting Mt. Samat this weekend but had no idea on how to get there. Would you still remember how to get there? Is it possible to ask for directions? Thank you so much and sorry for the hassle.
Thanks,
Chrissie

Chrissie, I have forgotten the exact directions, I was following a lead vehicle then. But I think you have to go to Pampanga. Mount Samat is in Pilar, Bataan (I should remember this). Anyway if it would be of any help, let me direct you to this link: http://www.cubclub.gnuthings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9413
Thank you and have a nice trip!

Debate rages on Coca-Cola ads

The debate on this blog about the issue of Coca-Cola painting the town red hasn't slipped away.

I just received a obviously irate reaction from a blogger named Kareen Ann, who came raging like a bull, vigorously, or almost-violently defending the "fence-advertisement" campaign of Coca-Cola in Dumaguete City.

It apparantely is a reaction to an earlier comment by Dinah Penaflorida (also posted in this blog), who had said the fence-advertisements of Coca-cola are insulting to the intelligence of Dumaguetenos.

Kareen Ann, angrily disputes this.

By the tone of her reaction, I can sense it comes from somebody who is not familiar, or hasn't imbibed the polite, gentle approach, commonly attribtable to Dumageutenos.

I will post her reation (with some correction on the English), and later below, present it again, the way a true-blooded Dumagueteno would argue.

Here is that stern reaction of Kareen Ann:

"Insulting?! Insulting to whom?! The Coca-cola Ads is (sic) [are] insulting? yes it is to those who wants (sic) [want] money but sad to say Coca-cola is not like that! Before u point the finger's to Coca-cola manalamin kau! Coca-cola have (sic) [has] been there for the poor people, may Red School sila for the very poor and hard to reach area...mga [may?] Corporate Social responsibility sila... kaya bago kau mag salita kala mo kung sinong malinis na nagtuturo sa companya na yan...tingnan nyo ang Local officials nyo! Bakit ang ibang beverage company wala bang ginagawang ganyan! ang Kapal ng Mukha nyo"

"Before i go..By the way, Meron din silang ADAPT (sic) [ADOPT] A SCHOOL program...founder Coca-cola...if my reply will not be posted then my impression sa mga taga Dumaguete City is wrong.... "