The Tale of Ginebra's Never Say Die!

Robert Jaworski, a former playing coach for Barangay Ginebra, became synonymous with the PBA's most iconic team, renowned for its "Never Say Die" attitude. But this legendary status didn’t happen overnight. It was a moment in 1985 that solidified his legacy and immortalized him in Philippine basketball history.

During a pivotal game, Jaworski found himself in the thick of the action. Near the end of the second quarter, he took a brutal hit and busted his lip. Rushed to the hospital, he received nine stitches, and it seemed as though Ginebra’s hopes were dashed. As the team faltered, the gap between them and their opponents grew wider.

But then, in the third quarter, against all odds, Jaworski returned. Bloodied but unbowed, he didn’t just rejoin the game; he became a beacon of leadership. With the game slipping away and a deficit of more than 10 points, he rose as both a player and coach—taking command on the court and inspiring his teammates.

As the game progressed, tensions soared. In the fourth quarter, a controversial foul was called on Jaworski, sparking the fury of the Ginebra fans. Coins and batteries rained down from the stands in protest. Yet, despite the adversity, Jaworski’s resolve never wavered. He led his team with unwavering determination, scoring basket after basket. And in an unbelievable turn of events, Ginebra staged a stunning comeback and emerged victorious.

That game marked the birth of the "Never Say Die" spirit—a motto that would come to define Ginebra’s identity and Jaworski’s enduring legacy. From that moment forward, Jaworski wasn’t just a player; he became a symbol of perseverance, resilience, and unyielding determination.

The once-unknown player had ascended to legendary status. He embodied the spirit of never giving up at a time when the nation needed it most. And with his indomitable will, he helped transform basketball from a national passion into an all-consuming obsession for Filipinos across the country

The Years Gone Dark

Here lies my refuge, a sanctuary where the world’s chaos fades into the background. Here is my tabernacle, a place that neither condemns nor condones, where I can lay bare the oddities of my soul, without fear of judgment or expectation.

An introspection on the last seven years reveals a tumultuous period in my life.

It began with promise—a bright start, from our first meeting in January 2003 to the birth of our son that November. Those early days were filled with happiness, hope, and dreams, inspiring me to envision an ideal home built on love, trust, and mutual respect. But as the second year unfolded, the relationship took a darker turn, plagued by jealousy and suspicion. It became painfully clear that family life was far from the fairy tale I had imagined. I had to adapt, to immerse myself in the world she knew, stooping to a level I never thought I'd reach, just to maintain a semblance of peace.

The years that followed were a vicious cycle. Negativity seeped into her being, and we clashed over the smallest things. She fixated on the past, making baseless accusations of infidelity and other unfounded suspicions. But the worst came when I witnessed her desperate attempts to control every aspect of my life. My patience, once boundless, was stretched to its breaking point. I had to make a choice: face the consequences of this crumbling relationship or sink deeper into the quicksand of our own making.

The second week of May 2010 was the last time I saw our house, her, or my son—the child I loved more than anything. My great dream, once vivid and full of promise, had faded into obscurity, leaving only a hellish mirage.

The repercussions of that time are still with me, trapped in the portal of my defiance against the natural order of life. The animosity we shared has morphed into a shadow that relentlessly chases me, threatening to erase my very essence. But I cannot—no, I must not—let despair suffocate the strength I’ve fought so hard to rebuild. I must grasp my shield once more and stand tall, for I know I am more than this.

I dream that one day, I will uproot the torn pages of my past, let them drift into the abyss, and leave them there—forgotten, where they belong.

The Wasted Beauty of Janicel Lubina

I first took notice of Janicel Lubina when her story was featured on a TV newscast. Her humble beginnings as a housemaid to becoming a beauty queen will be good enough to catch attention, but what really drew me to her was her sultry, vixen type look that stirs the senses. I've become an admirer and secretly rooted for her victory in Bb. Pilipinas. With her dark long hair and morena complexion, gorgeous and beautiful face, statuesque beauty and a body to die for, Lubina epitomizes the true Filipina beauty that would be a perfect Miss Universe. 

Unfortunately, the outcome fall short of my expectations. Despite her winning two major awards, Janicel Lubina settled for Miss Philippines-International, a title equivalent to runner-up placement. Perhaps the ultimate cause of her downfall was the way she delivered her answer in the Q&A portion. Apparently, Lubina can't express herself well in English. But I wonder why speaking fluent English has always been a major consideration to winning the Miss Philippines-Universe crown. It's high time that local organizers should allow our Miss Universe reps to answer in Tagalog.  It wouldn't make our Filipina beauties inferior if they use an interpreter. Just look at the Latinas who choose to have interpreters and they usually ended up winning or placing in the finals.

Janicel Lubina's a rare find and hers shouldn't settle for anything less than the Universe crown. But the verdict has been reached: Janicel Lubina is found guilty of her poor English. What a wasted beauty!

The Filipino People Did Not Ask For It!

 

 

The President's numerous unpunished crimes against the Constitution continue to pile up. He commits one shameful blunder after another. The only thing that can do it is an immediate reprieve from Aquino and his regime. We need a break, some breathing space from the lunacy of it all. This is what everyone is asking for.

 

The people did not ask for it when Aquino corrupted the members of Congress by bribing them with the people’s money in order to put the State in control of the reproductive lives of Filipinos, and to impeach and remove Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona in order to remove a judicial obstacle to his planned dictatorship.

 

The people did not ask for it when Aquino used Corona’s impeachment to intimidate and shake up the judiciary and take effective control of Congress, notably its power of the purse, its exclusive power to impeach, and every major legislation that called for a division of the House.

 

The people did not ask for it when Aquino siphoned off hundreds of billions of pesos from projects authorized by Congress in the General Appropriations Act and transferred them to his own projects under his so-called Disbursement Acceleration Program, without the approval of Congress.

 

The people did not ask for it, even after the Supreme Court declared the DAP and the earlier Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) unconstitutional and directed the Executive Department to prosecute with reasonable dispatch all those who were involved in their manipulation and misuse.

 

The people did not ask for it when Congress enacted the 2015 P2.6 trillion budget, and restored and legalized all the discretionary lump-sum items previously voided by the Court, and redefined “savings” in order to circumvent the ruling of the Court and allow Aquino to declare as “savings” any amount in the budget anytime he wants to.

 

That is how patient (let us not say, undiscerning) our people have been with respect to the Aquino regime.

 

And then Mamasapano happened.
The death of 44 police commandos in the hands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, with whom Aquino had a peace agreement and a standing ceasefire, while on a lawful mission to extract two international terrorists from the area, roused the nation from its deep slumber. Aquino was in Zamboanga City monitoring the entire operation when the SAF 44 were killed, after having been denied reinforcement. He could have ordered the reinforcement, but didn’t. To the contrary, the undenied report  was that Aquino himself ordered the reinforcement to stand down. Many from the ranks of the families of the fallen 44 have denounced this as treason.

 

Suddenly it became clear to all and sundry that Aquino had become a grave danger to the nation, and that we must immediately be rid of him for our own survival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nora versus Vilma in the History of Metro Manila Film Festival

 

 

 

The 1978 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will go down in the annals of history as the most talked about edition of the annual film fest.  Much has been written about the tension-filled battle for the Best Performer award  between Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos. It's now common knowledge that Nora emerged triumphant; and that Vilma was devastated  by her defeat she purportedly got so drunk and passed out. 

 

 

But Nora's victory in 1978 was just icing on the cake, so to speak.  Tracing the history of MMFF would reveal that Nora reigned supreme over her arch-rival. For 8 consecutive years--that is, from 1975 to 1982--when both actresses had their film fest entries,  Nora Aunor always got the upper hand forcing  Vilma Santos to take a backseat, almost all the time.

 

 

Let's take a comparative look at  Nora and Vilma's MMFF records:

 

*1975
NAME                RANK         ENTRY                                           TICKET SALES     

Nora Aunor            1             Batu Bato sa Langit                        P 10.9 million
Vilma Santos          7            Karugtong Ang Kahapon                 P 4.5 million

 

*1976
Nora Aunor            2            Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo             P 10.5 million
Vilma Santos         10           Makahiya at Talahib                       P 1.0 million  

 

*1977
Nora Aunor            2            Bakya Mo Neneng                           P 14.0 million
Vilma Santos          1            Burlesk Queen                                 P 14.3 million 

*1978 

Nora Aunor            1             Jack 'n Jill   Third Kind                     P 20.3 million
Nora Aunor            2             Atsay                                              P 14.0 million   
Vilma Santos          5            Rubia Servios                                   P 6.5 million

 

*1979
Nora Aunor            1            Kasal-Kasalan Bahay-Bahayan         P 23.8 million
Nora Aunor            2            Ina ka ng Anak Mo                           P 18.5 million
Vilma Santos          9            Modelong Tanso                              P 1.5 million  

 

*1980
Nora Aunor            3           Kung Akoý Iiwan Mo                         P 13.8 million
Nora Aunor            5           Bona                                                 P 13.0 million
Vilma Santos          4           Langis at Tubig                                 P 13.5 million

 

*1981
Nora Aunor            2           Rock n Roll                                        P 12.8 million
Vilma Santos          9           Karma                                               P 3.0 million

 

*1982
Nora Aunor            1          Himala                                               P 35.8 million
Vilma Santos          9          Haplos                                               P 5.0 million

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Manila_Film_Festival

It's worth noting that;

 

In terms of gross ticket sales, Vilma edged out Nora only once but not without controversy. Vilma romped away with the best actress award for the film Burlesk Queen.  It could have been the sole saving grace for Vilma, unfortunately, hers was a tainted  victory when the festival organizer asked [them] to return the award.

 

Nora came back with a vengeance, knocking off Vilma in every aspect of the competition. She ensured her supremacy  over her rival not just once but thrice:  Nora won the best actress awards in 1978, 1979 and 1982-- and all of her film entries were the top box-office draw.

Once and for all, Nora Aunor proved that she's the undisputed Superstar.

The Truth: Why Catholic Church Forbid Reincarnation

"When all other explanations are disproved what is left must be the truth!"

 

*The awesome charisma of Jesus Christ and his good-news ministry profoundly changed the lives of those who knew him and who followed soon after. The enthusiasm and spirit of the first Christians spread through the Middle East until what had begun as an inspired cult of Jews in dusty Judea grew to be a revolutionary religious movement pervading the whole Roman Empire. As the ideas spread, they percolated through the practices and theologies of existing religions and took on forms that Jesus would not have recognized--especially the institution of a formal priesthood to mediate between man and God. Throughout the first three centuries of the Christian era, there was no single Christian doctrine. Christian theology and doctrine--interpretations of Christ's teachings blended with ideas from other philosophies and religions--were hotly debated for at least three hundred years. Many of the tenets of the faith that Christians take for granted today were, during this long period of flux, simply one point of view among many.

 

It is a fact that some Christian sects and writers accepted reincarnation as an enhancement to the teachings of Christ. Origen, one of the heralded Fathers of the Church and described by Saint Gregory as "the Prince of Christian learning in the third century," wrote: "Every soul comes into this world strengthened by the victories and weakened by the defeats of its previous life."

 

So if reincarnation was an idea in currency with early Christians, why have all traces of it disappeared from the Christian religion we know today?

 

By the early fourth century, strong Christian factions were vying with each other for influence and power, while at the same time the Roman Empire was beginning to fall apart. In A.D. 325, in a move to renew the unity of the empire, the absolute dictator Emperor Constantine convened the leaders of the feuding Christian factions at the Council of Nicaea. He offered to throw his imperial power behind the Christians if they would settle their differences and agree on a single creed. Decisions made at this first council set the foundation for the Roman Catholic Church. (Soon after, the books of the Bible were fixed too.) For the sake of unity, all beliefs that conflicted with the new creed were banished; in the process the factions and writings that supported reincarnation were thrown out.

 

Then, with the applause and support of the Christian leaders, Constantine moved to eliminate competing religions, and to make his personal grip on the Empire even more absolute. The result of the marriage between church and imperial state was a new Church made in the image of the autocratic Roman Empire. This is why, according to some historians, the Church exalts unquestioned central authority, imposes a singular dogmatic creed on its followers, and works so hard to stamp out divergent ideas. This is important, because reincarnation fell outside the official creed.

 

 

Apparently some Christians continued to believe in reincarnation even after the Council of Nicaea, because in A.D. 553 the Church found the need to single out reincarnation and condemn it explicitly. At the Second Council of Constantinople the concept of reincarnation, bundled together with other ideas under the term "pre-existence of the soul", was decreed to be a crime worthy of excommunication and damnation ("anathema"):

 

Quote:
"If anyone assert the fabulous pre-existence of souls, and shall assert the monstrous restoration which follows from it: let him be anathema." 

 

Why would the Church go to such lengths to discredit reincarnation? The implicit psychology of reincarnation may be the best explanation. A person who believes in reincarnation assumes responsibility for his own spiritual evolution through rebirth. He does not need priests, confessionals, and rituals to ward off damnation (all ideas, incidentally, that were not part of Jesus' teachings). He needs only to heed his own acts to himself and others. A belief in reincarnation eliminates the fear of eternal hell that the Church uses to discipline the flock. In other words, reincarnation directly undermines the authority and power of the dogmatic Church. No wonder reincarnation made the Defenders of the Faith so nervous.

 

Despite the decree of 553, belief in reincarnation persisted among the rank and file. It took another thousand years and much bloodshed to completely stamp out the idea. In the early thirteenth century, the Cathars, a devout and enlightened sect of Christians who believed in reincarnation, flourished in Italy and southern France. The pope launched a crusade to stop their heresy, a half million people were massacred whole villages at a time, and the Cathars were totally wiped out. This purging set the tone for the brutal Inquisition that began soon after. Not only was a belief in reincarnation cause for persecution, but so was belief in any metaphysical idea that fell outside the bounds of Church dogma.

The murderous efficiency of the Inquisition proved effective. The persecution by the institutional Church has scarred our collective psyche and surrounded us with an invisible fence dividing what is safe from what is dangerous to believe. Since then, people who harbor forbidden ideas have learned to keep their thoughts to themselves. Our cultural memory still carries the fear of reprisal for publicly associating with any occult practices, the use of psychic powers, or a belief in reincarnation.

 

Here it is, the source of the double standard. No wonder so many people today believe in reincarnation privately but are afraid that if they come out publicly, they will be attacked for being weird--the modern word for heresy. Maybe by understanding where this fear comes from, we can negate its hold on us and turn off the invisible fence. So when our children speak of past lives, we can follow our hearts and not our fears--and believe them.

 

*(from Chapter 14 of Children's Past Lives by Carol Bowman and Steve Bowman)

 

Metro Manila Earthquake: The Coming

 

The West Valley Fault is predicted to strike Metro Manila at any time. The fault line starts from Angat Bulacan; passes through the cities of Quezon, Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Pateros, Muntinlupa; and ends in Carmona Cavite. Once the fault moves, it will generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake causing massive damage to property and loss of life. Experts estimate the destruction could reach up to 500,000 houses destroyed; 9 bridges and 400 buildings to collapse; and over 100,000 casualties. 

 

It is hard to imagine how this impending catastrophe can have far-reaching  environmental, social, and economic consequences. But my most pressing concern is about the safety of my loved ones.  I fear for my community, my friends, my family, my home--they are situated within the 5-kilometer danger zone of the fault line. I'm hoping against hope that the day of reckoning will come not really soon.

 

 

 

Sinulog Festival 2014 Winners

The occasional rain and strong winds didn't deter some 3.2 million people from filling up the streets of Cebu City to witness the Sinulog Festival 2014 Grand Parade held last Sunday, January 19. More than a hundred participants, including 35 dance contingents, paraded through downtown streets donning elaborate costumes and performing synchronized dance routines. The all day long spectacle wrapped up in Cebu City Sports Complex where contingents had to perform onstage for final judging.

 

Four out-of-town entries were among the big winners for both Sinulog-based and Free Interpretation. Kulturang Placereno from the Province of Masbate bested all other contestants in Sinulog-based category. Meanwhile, Cebu City's Lumad Basakanon gave a solid performance to upset early favorite  Tribu Himag-ulaw of Placer Masbate which eventually settled for the second spot in Free Intepretation.

 

Here's the list of winners and videos of the performances.

 

Free Interpretation

1st  – Lumad Basakanon
2nd – Tribu Himag-ulaw (Placer Masbate)
3rd – Abellana National School
4th – Tribu Subanen (Plaridel, Misamis Occ.)
5th -- Banay Talambanon

Lumad Basakanon

Tribu Himag-ulaw

 

Abellana National School

 

Tribu Subanen

 

 

Banay Talambanon

 

 

 

Sinulog-Based
1st  – Kulturang Placereno (Province of Masbate)
2nd – Tribu Sinanduloy (Tangub City, Misamis Occ.)
3rd – Municipality of Tuburan
4th – Carcar City Division
5th – Talisay City Central

Kulturang Placereno

Tribu Sinanduloy

 

Municipality of Tuburan

Carcar City Division

 

Talisay City Central

 

Burak Sa Paraiso

Di ko na matandaan kung paano nasimulan ang kwento.

Sinubukan kong mag-isip. Teka...

Kailangang mag-umpisa. Mahirap din palang paanurin ang oras, tuluy-tuloy, hanggang sa ito'y mapagod mo. Maya-maya lang, manhid na ko. Maya-maya lang, dire-diretso na 'kong nagkukwento. Maya-maya lang nasasarapan na 'ko. Bahala na. Kahit saan, kahit kanino, o kahit paano---gagawa ako ng kwento. Kailangan kong patayin ang oras bago ako nito maunahan.

Ikaw, Juan Parok, ang gagamitin kong labasan. Bubuohin ko ang buhay mo mula sa pinagtagpi-tagping karanasan ng kasalukuyang panahon. Hindi kita gagawin na kasing dunong ng mga henyo o kasing kisig ng isang Adonis. Bababuyin kita. Papapangitin. Kasing pangit ng mga katotohanan sa paligid. Mga katotohanang magpapaliit sa pagkatao mo.

Simulan mo ang 'yong buhay sa isang maliit na dampa. Doon sa lugar na dikit-dikit ang mga bahay na gawa sa lumang yero't playwud. D'yan ka nakatira. Tanging ari-arian na pamana ng iyong ama bago s'ya mamamatay sa sakit na tuberkulosis. Lugar na kung saan ka namulat sa kanser na kung tawagin ay kahirapan. Sa tabi ng patay na ilog na pinanggagalingan ng walang hanggang baho. Ilog na pinuno ng samu't-saring winasak na pangarap at huwad na pangako. Kasama ang makapal na dumi't burak sa kailaliman ng itim na tubig nito; sama-sama, halu-halo, pati isipan ng nasa paligid.

Mula noon hanggang sa kasalukuyang usad ng orasan, at gaya ng dati, dungaw pa lang umaga ay humagupit na agad sa iyo ang taglay nitong kalumaan. Ito rin ang umagang nagigisnan mo araw-araw. Wala ng bago. Lagi na lang ganito. Paulit-ulit. Hanggang kailan? Hanggang magunaw ang mundo? Oo. Siguro, oo.

Bagong araw. Pag-asa. Sayang hindi madaling hanapin. Marami-rami rin ang naghangad pero nabigo. Hindi lang minsan. Sige, pabayaan mo na lang kayang tapakan ka ng higanteng lunsod para ikaw ay mapisak at mabulok ng tuluyan. Mabulok na kasama ng bulok mong lipunan.

Matagal mo nang tinanggap ng maluwag na ito ang landas. Landas na matagal mo nang kabisado dahil musmos ka pa lang ay isa ka ng tusong propesor ng lansangan. Sa mundong iyan ikaw inaruga at lumaki. Kasama ng walang pagod na kilos ng mga tao't sasakyan. Kasama ng walang tigil na pakikibaka para mabuhay.

Mundo sa ilalim kung ituring. Mundo ng mga kapos-palad at inaapi, tinutuya, niloloko, at pinagsasamantalahan ng mga taong nasa ibabaw dahil sila ay malalakas, masalapi, at maimpluwensya.

Bakit ka nagtatago r'yan? Wala ka nang mapuntahan? Sulok na unti-unting iniluluwal ng panahon? Hindi na maitatago ang pangit na katotohanan mo!

Ituloy mo ang gawa. Ganyan talaga kumikilos ang ilalim. Ang mundong kinagisnan mo.
Ibaba. Parang sikretong tagpuan ng kung sinong nilikha..
Kararating mo lang mula sa lakad-dilihensya. Matagal mo nang ginagawa 'to. Matagal ka ng nagtutulak. Hindi kariton kundi droga. May darating na supply ngayon. Madali lang naman ibenta dahil sanay ka na. Tiyak na ang bawat kilos mo. Tiyak na rin ang mga kliyente. Kanina mo pa hinihintay ang magdadala ng droga. Kabisado mo na yon. Malakas. Halos gabi-gabi mo nga kung tikman. Wag lang magkaro'n ng huli. Pag nagkataon, pabilisan na lang ng takbo sa makikipot na eskinita ng looban.
Heto na siguro ang hinihintay mo. Kumakatok. Lapit ka agad para buksan. Sya na nga. Iniwan n'ya ang isang maliit na bag. Alam mo na ang laman no'n.
Kailangang subukan. hithit, buga.
Tama. Malakas pa rin. Kahit na yata balahibo ng ilong mo'y nakatayo na. Ganadung-ganado na ang 'yong isipan sa paglipad. Ambilis.
Kailangan ng mag-isip ng mapapag-tripan. 'Yong relo mong suot 'di mo na alam kung umaandar pa o wala ng baterya.
Wala ka ng ganang kumain. Nabusog ka na sa usok.
Ang trip mo ngayon: babae.
Malas mo lang ubos na ang pera mo sa bulsa. Nakaalis na si Alma kaya wala kang makalikot.
Si Alma, ang iyong asawa, ay magdamag na namang kakayod. Kakayod sa iba't-ibang paraan. Iba't-ibang posisyon. Wala kang tutol dahil wala kang karapatang tumutol. Gustuhin mo mang tumutol, wala kang magawa. Kailangan.
Ganyan ang kinasapitan ng yong kapatid na si Tinoy no'ng kinapos kayo ng panggastos. Ikaw lang ang nakaramdam ng pagkadismaya. Yosi, kendi, palamig. Mula umaga hanggang kaya. Pare-pareho lang kayong lahat d'yan sa ilalim. Madalas, kulang pa ang kinikita maghapon para ibili ng masarap na pagkain. Minsan pa nga, hanggang hangin na lang.
Hangin na inyong sinasagap buong araw. Punung-puno ng maliliit na ilikabok at maiitim na usok. Umulan man o umaraw. 'Pag talagang walang-wala, galing pa sa tissue paper na isinawsaw sa solvent o 'di kaya'y supot na nilagyan ng rugby. Nakatapal sa ilong paghapon, magdamag. Pamatay gutom 'yon. Kahit na tae ay bihira nang labasan. Puro utot na lang ang laman ng sikmura. Utot na galing din sa hanging ipinapasok sigu-sigundo. Syempre ang hangin ay libre. Pa'no kaya kung pati 'yon ay binabayaran? Siguro ang dalawang butas ng ilong may metro. Bawat sagap ay kailangang tipirin. Wag na lang kayang huminga?
Nagpausok ka na lang ulit. Panundot sa tama. Para matipid, iisipin mo na lang 'yong babae. Pagkatapos, matutulog kung makakatulog.
No'ng nakahiga ka na't naghihintay na lang dalawin ng antok ay bigla mong naalala 'yong perang bigay ni Mon kaninang bumili s'ya sa 'yo. Sa lakas ng 'yong tama ay muntik mo na 'tong makalimutan. Ngayon lang pumasok ang ideya.
Hindi pa naman huli ang lahat. Dali-dali mong hinanap 'yong pera. Hindi mo masyadong natandaan kung saan nailagay. Trenta minutos ka nang naghahanap pero ni anino wala. Baka naman iginastos mo na? Hindi pwede. Wala ka ring natatandaang pinagkagastusan. Nasa'n kaya 'yon?
Dahil sa asar, kinuha mo ang 'yong sapatos para hanapin ang 'yong nanay. Baka inubos na naman n'ya 'yon sa sugal. Isusuot mo na lang ito'y nakita mo sa loob ang pera. Magkahalong inis at tuwa ang 'yong nadama. Do'n mo nga pala inilagay 'yon dahil itinatago mo sa 'yong nanay.
Buti na lang hindi nawala.
Tuloy na tuloy na ngayon ang nabitin mong trip kanina.
Sina Alma at Tinoy: prosti't callboy. Hindi nila ginusto pero kailangan. Ang nanay ano ba? Bugaw sa gabi, tindera sa umaga. Sa tanghali't hapon ay nakababad sa sugal. Pagdating sa tipo ng kostumer ng mga binubugaw n'yang alaga, hanap Kano o Hapon para medyo makarami. Mas malakas daw silang magbigay ng datung kesa Pinoy. Pag Pinoy daw kasi barat. Pero kahit na anong klase pa sila, ingat lang baka sadista. Ingat lang baka may sakit. Baka may AIDS. Takot? Saan ba ilalagay 'yan kung gutom ang buong katawan? Pati ang kaluluwa ay manhid. Sanayan lang 'yan.
Mabuti ka pa tapos na. Medyo me katandaan ka na sa ganyang hanap-buhay. Noong lumampas ka na sa bente-uno ay nahirapan ka nang humanap ng kostumer. Dati'y galing ka rin sa ganyang trabaho. Masahista kuno. Kasama ng ibang ka-edad mong lalaki. Pinagpipilian sa loob ng isang makipot na kwarto habang brief lang ang suot. Sasamang lumabas kung gusto ng mas mataas na pera. Paraiso ng mga bakla at matrona.
Bantayan mo na lang muna kaya ang mga tinda ng nanay kung abala s'ya sa paghahanap ng mga mahihilig ngayong gabi. Yosi boss? Kendi? Palamig?
Kung gusto mo, sumalang ka na rin. Kahit na sa mga baklang maton na naglalagalag sa lansangan pag kagat ng dilim. Pampadagdag kita rin 'yon. Basta 'yong kapatid mo ay wag lang pabayaan. Si Belinda, ang inyong bunsong kapatid ni Tinoy, ang susunod na alas. Alagaan mo s'yang mabuti dahil malapit na rin s'yang magdalaga. Kikita rin kayo sa kanya.

Ang ninong mong si Karding ang bahalang magbenta sa kanya. Maraming kakilala 'yon. Lalo na 'yong mga matatandang mayaman.

Kinikilabutan ka? Lumalambot na ba ang 'yong puso? Gago! Gayahin mo ang ninong mong matapang. Tatlo na ang napatay no'n. Mga dati rin n'yang kasama na kakaaway dahil sa droga. Mga praning kasi. Hayun, naghihimas ng rehas. Balak pa ngang tumakas dahil naargabyado raw s'ya.

Talagang magulo. Tabunan mo na lang kaya ng masasarap na pangarap 'yang isip mo. Si Alma. Matagal n'yo nang gustong lugay sa tahimik. Bago pa s'ya magtampisaw sa putikan ng kasalanan. Magkaroon ng matinong pamilya at mabuhay ng maligaya sa nalalabing panahon. Kahit na di gaanong marangya. Gano'n lang kasimple. Bakit kaya ang hirap gawin? Ang hirap mabuhay kahit simple.

Ang nanay mahina na. Kagabi lang, halos 'di na makatayo sa papag. Noong isang linggo lagi s'yang gano'n. Di kaya nagda-drama lang? Panay ang reklamo. Masakit daw ang likod, ang dibdib, bigla na lang nahihilo, at madalas nilalagnat. Ano pa ba'ng magagawa eh tumatanda na. Itulog na lang n'ya yon. Pero tingin ko abutan nyo lang ng pera gagaling 'yon. Pasensya na s'ya, mahirap ding mamatay.

Tuyo yata ang delihensya ngayon. Pinasara raw ni meyor ang karamihan sa mga beerhouse at disco kaya nagsilipat ng lugar ang mga tao. Pati si Alma ay napilitang maghanap ng ibang lugar na mapagbebentahan ng kanyang serbisyo. Kasamang naipasara ang lugar na kanyang pinapasukan.

Malaya ka ngayon. Tuloy na tuloy na ang nabitin mong trip kanina.

Babae. 'Yon ang hinahanap mo. Sa beerhouse. Do'n sa merong magsasayaw ng walang saplot. Doon sa madalas mong puntahan 'pag medyo kumikita ka. Isa sa mga maliliit na beerhouse na nakatakas sa malupit na kuko ni meyor.

Tipid-tipirin mo lang ang pag-inom medyo may kamahalan 'yan. Kahit na wala ng pulutan, basta't nar'yan ang mga babaeng gumigiling sa 'yong harapan. Inaakit ka pero bawal hipuin. Nakakabitin. Lalo na't tig-tatatlong kanta muna ang 'yong hihintayin bago masulyapan ang tunay na dahilan ng 'yong panonood ro'n.

Heto na si manidyer. Si manidyer na bugaw din ng karamihan sa mga babaeng nakikita mo ngayon. Binubulungan kang pumili kung sino ang magustuhan basta't magkasundo kayo sa presyo. Batam-bata raw ang mga 'yan. Ititeybol mo muna, tapos, bahala na kayong mag-usap kung balak mong ilabas.

Mamaya na. Kontento ka pa sa panonood lang.

Dalawang set ng models muna ang 'yong pinagsawaang pagmasdan. Sa tagal ng pagkakaupo mo ro'n, 'di mo napansing dumami na ang 'yong naorder na inumin. Lalo ka pang nawala sa sarili ng maramdaman mo ang matinding init na resulta ng mga kaakit-akit na tanawin sa harap.

Panahon na para tawagin mo si manidyer.

Lapit agad ang gago. Trip mo 'yong isang nakapula. Tinanong mo ka'gad kung sino s'ya. Kapangalan pala ng dati mong syota. Parang sinasadya ng pagkakataon.

Si Celia. Sino pa ba'ng nakakaalala sa kanya. Matagal-tagal na mo na ring binura sa isip mo ang mga ala-ala n'ya pero pilit kang kinukulit. Nagbabalik na naman. Limang taon na ang nakaraan mula no'ng magkahiwalay kayo. Marami na'ng nangyari sa buhay nyo. Marami na'ng nagbago. Marami na rin ang nagdaan pagkatapos n'ya pero bakit kaya parang di mo na talaga s'ya nalimutan? Parang kahapon lang. Pinaghiwalay kayo ng mga magulang n'ya dahil 'di mo raw kayang buhayin ang anak nila. Ang kasalanan mo lang ay naging mahirap ka. 
Hindi nakatapos ng pag-aaral. Unang taon pa lang sa haiskul pinahinto ka na. Kailangang magtrabaho dahil patay na ang 'yong tatay. Dalawa ang 'yong mga kapatid. Ikaw ang inaasahan bilang panganay. Pero ano naman kayang trabaho? 'Yong dating trabaho ng 'yong ama?

'Yon nga. Do'n sa pabrika ng sabon. Wala pang minimum ang sahod, pero mas mabuti keysa walang sahod. Kahit na alam mong madalas silang maltratuhin ng may-ari. Sobra sa oras kung magpatrabaho. Ang mga pagkaing ibinibigay ay halos 'di na makain. Wala pa silang proteksyon sa kung anu-anong kemikal na maaaring makamatay.

Hindi ka nakatagal ro'n. Sa kalye ka pinulot. Pati mga kapatid mong mas bata ay napilitang maghahanap-buhay na rin.

Dinala sa Amerika si Celia at ipinakasal sa dati rin n'yang manliligaw na mayaman. Wala s'yang nagawa. Wala ka ring nagawa. Hindi man lang kayo nagkaro'n ng pagkakataong magtanan.

Heto na ang kateybol mo. Si Celia na kapangalan ng dati mong Celia. Kaya pala may kung anong pwersa ang naglapit sa inyong dalawa. Iniinis ka yata ng nakaraan. Hindi ka nagpaanod.

Ang nakalipas ay tapos na. Narito ka ngayon para magsaya. Pilitin mong kumbinsihin ang 'yong sarili na iba na 'yang katabi mo.

Sulitin mo ang pera mo. May bayad 'yan.

Uwian na pala. Magsasara na ang beerhouse. Ang mga dancers na kaninang walang saplot ay isa-isa ng nagbibihis. Heto na uli si manidyer kasama ang isang waiter na alalay para maningil.

Muntik ka pang kapusin sa pambayad. Kung minamalas ka nga naman. Isa pang malas: 'di mo na pwedeng ilabas si Celia. Eksakto lang na pampamasahe sa dyip 'yong natitira mong pera.

Deretso ka sa bahay. Tapos na ang gabi. Madaling-araw na. Maya-maya lang, gigising na naman ang mundo at muling ipagpapatuloy ang walang kakwenta-kwentang serye ng 'yong pakikipagsapalaran sa buhay. Walang kakwenta-kwenta dahil tinatapakan lang ito ng lipunan.

Maliit ka kasi.

Hihiramin ulit kita, Juan Parok, para isalaysay ang mga karanasang nakikita, naamoy, naririnig, nalalasahan, at nararamdaman ng mga buhay na tauhan sa paligid. Kahit gaano pa ito kawalang-halaga. Gagamitin ulit kitang labasan. Labasan ng mga pamatay-oras kong kwento. (alay para at mula kay RFT)

Ang Tinapay ni Bungol

 

 

Nagising ako sa sunud-sunod na ring ng celfone. Missed call and text mula kay M reminding me of our 3pm meeting. pasado alas dose na ng tanghali. Halos sampung oras din tulog ko; pambawi sa puyat ng nagdaang gabi. Lumabas ako ng gate. Hinanap ko si  Pahak. uutusan ko syang bumili ng tinapay at shampoo. Isa si Pahak sa mga tambay sa labasan. naghihintay silang mautusan kapalit ng suhol na pera. Si Pahak ang naging paborito kong runner. Masipag at listo, kahit may diprensya sa pandinig. Konting sigaw lang sa pagsasalita at magkakaunawan na kami.

 

Mabilis ang pik-ap ni Pahak sa "dalawang tinapay" pero sablay pagdating sa "shampoo." Natuyuan na ako ng laway sa paulit-ulit na pagbanggit ng head & shoulders. Di talaga makuha ni Pahak.! May isa pa akong ginagamit na shampoo; yun na lang pabibili ko sa kanya. Siguro naman pamilyar sya dito. Pero  nakalimutan kong bigla ang brandname ng shampoo. It was only after he left I remember clear. Lakas makahawa ni Pahak.

Di pa ako tapos magligpit ng higaan kumakatok na sa pintuan si Pahak. Nag-init bumbunan ko nang mabungaran ang kanyang bitbit. Nakalagay sa isang supot ang palmolive (eto pala kilala nya)  at dalawang tinapay. Tinanong ko sya. Sinagot ako ni Pahak na wala daw problema dahil malinis ang shampoo. Lalo akong na-bad trip sa kanyang sagot. Wala na akong nagawa. Sinuhulan ko si Pahak ng sampung piso. Nakangiti syang umalis; habang ako ay nagmamaktol pa.

 

Kahit paano, hindi nag-amoy shampoo ang tinapay. Pero di ko matanggap ang katwiran ni Pahak. Paano kaya naging malinis ang shampoo habang nakatiwangwang sa tindahan at sinasagap lahat ng alikabok; At sa gabi, mga daga't ipis naman ang nagsasamantala dito? Sigurado ako, ni sa hinagap di pumasok sa kukote ni Pahak ang gantong possibility. Kailangan gumawa ng paraan para malinis kong kainin ang tinapay. Then I came up with this idea.. I dip the bread into a cup of hot water, thinly peeled off its outer layer saka ko kinain. Presto! Siguradong bacteria-free ang tinapay na sumayad sa tiyan ko. Ginawa ko din ang proseso sa pangalawa. Pero natagalan yata ang pagsawsaw ko. Kaya nang iangat ko ito para balatan, humulagpos ang malambot na tinapay. Nadurog at nawasak ito nang bumagsak sa sahig. Di na umabot sa bibig ko ang tinapay ni Bungol!

The Flor Contemplacion Story II: The Curse

I recently watched The Flor Contemplacion Story on YouTube, a film starring the legendary Nora Aunor. It recounts the life of Flor Contemplacion, a Filipina domestic helper who was hanged in Singapore for the alleged murders of another Filipina and a 4-year-old boy. The film sparked a wave of curiosity about the fate of Flor’s family, 18 years after her execution. I initially believed that her four children, along with her husband, were living comfortable lives. After all, millions in donations poured in from various sectors in the aftermath of her death. 

However, I was mistaken. The sacrifices Flor made for her family—to create a better life for them—seemed to have been in vain. The better future she had hoped for them remains nothing more than an elusive dream. Flor’s eldest son, Sandrex, tragically died in prison while serving a life sentence for drug pushing. Her only daughter, Russel, has faced a series of heart-wrenching tragedies: she separated from her husband, lost her eldest child to cerebral palsy, and now struggles to raise her three surviving children alone. Flor’s twin sons, Joel and Junjun, are languishing in the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, each serving a life sentence for drug peddling. To make matters worse, Flor’s husband, Efren, and his live-in partner are both jailed on drug-related charges. 

The tragic story of the Contemplacion family continues to unfold, as the same people Flor tried so desperately to protect and provide for seem to be cursed by the very forces she fought against. But why has life been so cruel to them? This question haunts me, and I can’t help but feel an unsettling need to uncover the root cause of their seemingly endless tribulations. A particular scene from the movie keeps playing in my mind, where Flor, faced with the injustice of her situation, uttered a chilling statement: “Kapag pinatay nyo ako, hindi ko kayo patatahimikin!” (“If you kill me, I won’t let you have peace!”). 

Those words reverberate in my head, as if they have never truly left the world. Could it be that Flor’s curse, born out of her own anguish and frustration, has boomeranged back onto her own family, condemning them to a life of suffering? The thought is both unsettling and haunting. Perhaps, in the end, the Contemplacion family's misfortunes are not just the result of systemic injustice, but of some deeper, unseen force at work—a curse, a vengeance, or simply the heavy weight of history, trauma, and unhealed wounds. Whatever the cause, it’s clear that the tragedy of Flor Contemplacion extends far beyond her death. 

Hinagpis ng Aking Katauhan

Hindi ko mawari ang aking nararamdaman. Binabagabag ako ng samut-sating emosyon, subalit nanaig ang kalungkutan at kahihiyan. Di ko alam kung paano magsimula; nagtatalo ang aking puso’t isipan. Nais kong maglaho sa walang hanggang kawalan at nakahandang tanggapin anumang parusa ang nararapat sa akin. Kay ganda pala ng aking buhay subalit hindi ko ito nabigyan ng kaukulang pansin. Nagpupugay ako sa pagtataglay ng sapat na kaalaman upang mabatid ang lubos na biyayang naipagkaloob sa akin. Nais kong ituwid ang ilang mga pagkukulang at pagkakamali. Subalit paano at saan ako magsisimula?

May nakilala akong isang kaibigan at wala pa akong nakitang nilalang na may kahangahangang disposisiyon maliban sa kanya. Iminulat nya sa akin ang tunay na larawan ng buhay. Isang uri ng katotohanan na sadyang napakalayo sa aking nakagisnan. Ang hirap na kanyang napagdaanan ang nagsilbing sandata upang maging matatag at ang angking talino ang nagbunsod sa paghabi ng kanyang mga pangarap.

Panganay siya sa magkakapatid at sa murang gulang inako ang responsibilidad upang maitaguyod ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay. Napakahalaga para sa kanya ang pamilya, kaya niyang ibigay ang lahat para sa kapakanan ng mga ito. Napansin kong halos magkatulad ang pananaw namin sa buhay. At dahil sa lawak ng aking pang-unawa, narating ko ang malalim na bahagi ng kanyang katauhan.

Kadalasan naming napag-usapan ang kahirapan ng buhay at ang kahabag habag na dulot nito. Ayon sa kanya, upang pansamantala’y makahulagpos sa walang puknat na unos at mga hinagpis, nagawa nyang bumitiw sa saknong ng moralidad. Sa simula, hindi ko mawari ang kanyang mga paniniwala. Nais kong masuklam sa kanya, namulat ako na may takot at paniniwala sa batas ng tao at ng sa Itaas. Subalit ng subukan kong ilagay ang aking sarili sa kanyang katauhan, naramdaman ko ang nais niyang ipabatid. Sa isang sulok ng aking pagkatao, aaminin ko na magagawa ko rin ang mga bagay na iyun. Nakita ko sa kanyang mga mata ang peklat na dulot ng kahirapan. Hindi na mabubura at ito ang nagsilbing silakbo ng kanyang hinampo sa mundo–ang uri ng buhay na kanyang nakagisnan, ang kahirapan, at ang responsibilidad na nakaatang sa kanyang mga balikat.

Paano ko sasabihin sa kanya na patas ang buhay. Hindi ko kailanman naranasan na pumasok sa eskwela na walang baon at kumakalam ang sikmura sa gutom. Hindi ko naranasan na walang pamasahe sa dyip. Ang naalala ko, palagi akong may bagong damit, sapatos, at kumpleto ang mga gamit sa eskwela. Sapat ang aking baon at hatid sundo ako sa paaralan.Hindi ko siya kayang titigan upang ipamukha na lahat tayo ay magkakapantay. Nawalan ako ng lakas ng loob dahil kailanman hindi ko napagdaanan ang pait na dulot ng kahirapan.

Nayanig ang sarili kong mga paniniwala dahil sa aking kaibigan. Nais ko mang paniwalaan na sadyang magkatulad lamang ang antas ng bawat pamilya namin, hindi ko kailanman kayang panindigan ito. Ang kanyang pamilya: umaasa sa kanyang kinikita at dun nakasalalay ang edukasyon ng kanyang mga kapatid; Ang sarili kong pamilya: ang aking mga kapatid, may sapat ng trabaho pero tumatanggap pa rin ng pera mula sa aming mga magulang. At ako, nagkaroon ng sapat na karunungan upang makita ang katotohanang ito

ngunit wala akong magawa. Pakiramdam ko, naging manhid ako dahil sa patuloy na paghinintay ng isang bagay na hindi ko batid kung kailan darating. Pakiramdam ko, hindi na ako nabubuhay..

PUPCET - The Perils of Quota Policy

The golden dream of higher education is becoming less attainable. As tuition costs in private colleges reach staggering levels, high school graduates are now pinning their hopes on state-funded academes. In PUP, the throng of young people who turned up for the 2013 PUPCET (PUP College Entrance Test) was perhaps the biggest crowd at any college admission test in history. Despite a limited number of slots, thousands of applicants continue to surge in hopes of getting into the university. Surely anyone would be inclined to take chances. PUP provides quality education for the lowest tuition fee of P12.00 per unit. Every year, more than 55,000 examinees take up the PUPCET but an average of only 11,000  new students are being accepted into the university.

Recently, however, PUP has made some revisions to its admission requirements. The cut-off score is set at 96% and a record low of 8,000 freshmen will be considered for admission. This brings to an overwhelming figure of 47,000 displaced aspirants, including the 3,000 disqualified examinees stemming from the new quota policy. Public colleges and universities could have been the remaining hopes for thousands of less financially privileged high school graduates. Unfortunately, budget constraints and quota limitation have completely shattered their noble desire to pursue a college education. The future looks bleak..

 

Ang Paghahanap kay Marlon Villegas

Kaklase namin si Marlon Villegas sa pamantasan ng estado na malapit sa riles ng tren doon sa Sta Mesa. Tipikal nerdy ang itsura ni Marlon. Ang makapal nyang salamin sa mata; ang pagsusuot nya ng tsinelas sa loob ng kampus; ang sukbit nyang backpack na di ko nakitang ihiniwalay sa katawan; at ang mahahaba nyang kuko sa kamay.

Maraming taon na ang dumaan. Patuloy na dumadaloy sa aking kaisipan ang idelohiyang naipunla ni Marlon. Isang class report ko ang naging daan upang mapalapit kami sa bawat isa. Pinukol nya ako ng mga tanong na humantong sa maigting na diskusyon:

"Mr. Villegas, I don't need to answer your illogical question."

"Mr. A., There's no such thing as illogical; a question per se is logic."

"But there are questions that don't have sense, like yours; that makes it illogical."

Mula noon nakapalagayang-loob ko si Marlon. Dahil sa kanya namulat ako sa usapin ng imperyalismo, pyudalismo, at kapitalismo. Malaking tulong ang naibigay ni Marlon nang  maging chairman ako ng isang youth org. sa aming baranggay. Sa pamamagitan ng kinasapian nyang Students for National Democracy (SND), ibinahagi nya ang ilang kopya ng dokumento na naging gabay ko sa pagbuo ng bylaws para sa aking samahan. Nag-iwan din ng bakas ang di inaasahang pagkikita namin sa burol ni Flor Contemplacion. Ang tagpong  iyun ay isang hudyat upang ganap kong matuklasan ang sarili kong adhikain: Gising na ang aking radikal na kamalayan!

Dumating ang araw ng aming pagtatapos sa kolehiyo. Habang kami ay handa ng lisanin ang kanlungan ng aming mga pangarap, si Marlon ay nagpasyang manatili. Nais pa nyang makibahagi sa pagsulong ng progresibong kilusan ng mag-aaral. Tantya ko inabot ng halos dekada bago siya grumadweyt. Sa di inaasahang pagkakataon nagkrus muli ang aming landas noong EDSA II. Si Marlon, bilang aktibista; at ako, bilang pribadong indibidwal. Iyun ang huli naming pagkikita.

Mahabang panahon ang lumipas. Nagkaroon ako ng panibagong ugnayan sa mga dating kaklase; maliban kay Marlon Villegas. Hanggang mabasa ko ang sinulat ni Michael Beltran. Narito ang bahagi ng artikulong nalathala noong Abril 2009:

"Kilalala ng lahat si Marlon bilang FY. daming meaning ang ikinakabit nila sa pangalan na yun,..nakuha nya yun sa title ng movie ni Mel Gibson noong 1992, ang FOREVER YOUNG. ..kasama namin sya sa mga pagkilos, propaganda, mobilisasyon hanggang sa dumating din ang panahon na kelangan namin maghiwahiwalay at mamuhay ng kanya-kanya.

..ang dating masiglahin at makulit na FY nang makita ko bedridden na at halos di makagalaw ang mga paa, payat na payat at ang trade mark nga pala nya ay napakahahaba ng kuko na andun pa rin sa mga daliri, naluha ako kasi di ko inaasahang ganon ko sya makikita.."

Ayon sa salaysay ni Michael walang gamot ang karamdaman ni Marlon. Nang muli nila itong dalawin sa kanyang tirahan, "gumagalaw [na] ang lahat ng parte nya pero mahina ang mga ugat nya sa mga dulo ng daliri lalo na sa paa. ang tanging kulang nalang ay makalakad siya."

Hangad namin ang tuluyang paggaling ni Marlon. Sana masilayan ulit namin ang dating Marlon na masigla, long hair, nakasalamin, at forever young-looking. Sana minsan, malingunan namin siya sa mga kilos-protesta laban sa mga naghaharing uri na walang humpay sa pambubusabos sa masang sambayanan.

Gerald Anderson: Sa Kuko ng Komersyalismo

 

 

 

 

 

 i. Produkto  

Nagsimula ang career ni Gerald Anderson noong 2006 sa pamamagitan ng reality show na Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition hanggang sa maabot niya ang kasalukuyang estado bilang isa sa pinakasikat na young actors ng bansa. Si Gerald ay molde hango sa istratehiyang pangkalakal ng ABS-CBN. Isang istruktura ng makinarya na isinusulong ang estitikong pisikal ng artista higit sa anupamang inisyatibo tulad ng pagpapalawig sa antas ng sining.

ii. Katapatan

November 18, 2012 sa loob ng Henry Lee Irwin Theatre kung saan ginanap ang 26th PMPC Star Awards for TV. Presentor si Gerald Anderson para sa best actress award. Nominee ang Superstar na si Nora Aunor para sa Sa Ngalan ng Ina (TV5). Limang aktres ang nominated mula sa Kapamilya network, ang istasyonng namuhunan, nag-aalaga, at nagpasikat kay Gerald. Binuksan ni Gerald ang nag-iisang sealed envelope na hawak. Binasa ang pangalan ni Helen Gamboa bilang best actress winner para sa Walang Hanggan (ABS-CBN). Nang may sumigaw na isa pa, binuksan uli ni Gerald ang envelope at saka tinawag si Nora bilang ka-tie ni Helen. Iisa ang envelope na hawak ni Gerald kaya walang dahilan upang di niya makita ang "Nora Aunor."

 

iii. Imahe

Enero ng kasalukuyang taon. Sumambulat ang balita ng di umano paninigaw ng Diamond Star na si Maricel Soriano kay Gerald sa first taping day ng Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin . Ayon sa mga nakasaksi sa nangyari nagalit si Maricel dahil hindi makuha ni Gerald ang tamang akting para sa eksena. Dahil sa insidente nagpasya ang ABS-CBN na tanggalin si Maricel sa cast ng upcoming teleserye. Pinaboran ng Kapamilya network si Gerald. Kumpiyansa raw sila sa kakayahan ni Gerald bilang aktor, at maging ang "unassailable personal character and professional behavior" nito.

Si Gerald Anderson ay produktong likha ng moderno at epektibong sistema ng industriya sa biswal na aliwan. Kailangan gumalaw ayon sa dikta at alituntunin ng kapitalismo. Kailangan ang busilak at malinis na imahe upang mapanatili ang ilusyon ng publiko. Mga saklaw sa pagtaguyod ng mataas na kalidad sa merkadong naknak ang komersyalismo. Ngunit kaakibat nito ay tila naisantabi ang diwa ng sining, pagpupugay at respeto, at integridad ng sariling pagkatao.