Almost a month ago, I ranted about some SPAM comments. I was only mildly irritated then, but irritated enough to know that I would probably use some bad language if I wrote about it. I opted to limit my words and let Rico do the talking on the BBN.

I could have let the issue go then - after all, I didn’t expect to receive any more SPAM comments on the topic. Damn! I was wrong. Just this morning, I found another comment - no, I found the same comment in my inbox.

Yup, the commenter, a certain Pian Sarmiento, writing from the IP address 122.53.136.228, had the gall to leave a comment on my birthday post endorsing a political candidate.

Again, expletives are flying through my mind, but I’ll try to avoid them. Instead, I’m just going to pick apart your comment. [more…]

Nikki Dy-Liacco, Sana Sta. Ana, and Nina Yuson, all travel writers, were shot several times in Makati last week. The culprit, a photographer named Luis Cruz. The three travel writers, along with their books, found themselves in the sights of Cruz’s camera and ended up with more photos than they bargained for. See some of the images after the jump. [more…]

Since I posted photos of the PhUV, several people have left comments on the vehicle. Quite a number have posed some questions. I hope the following literature will address most of the questions asked.

On that note, I might as well put in my two cents worth. The PhUV, you see, is a prototype - I’ve described at as a proof of concept. It proves that we can produce a vehicle locally, and proves that we can produce it for under half a million pesos.

Yes, some of the parts looked cheap. No, the vehicle was not completely or cleanly finished. Yes, it could have benefited from quite a deal of detailing. Keep in mind thought that the vehicle presented was, like I mentioned, a prototype. It was proof that we can do this.

As the vehicle moves closer to mass production, more improvements will start coming. We can start mass-producing curved panels, fine-tune the design, and clean up those little flaws that everybody picks on.

Having said all that, I’ll shut up and leave you to read the literature on the PhUV. [more…]

Yes, this is the PhUV. What do you think?

Tags: Philippine Utility Vehicle, Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, PhUV, MVPMAP, Philippine Independence

Is this an actual picture of the MVPMAP’s PhUV?  [edit: Yes, it is!]

Find out. Head over to the Market! Market! Central Plaza and see it unveiled.

The exhibit will run from June 12 to 13, but they will unveil the vehicle at 6:00 p.m. today.
[more…]

I love hearing about events like Rock Ed Radio’s Keep Your Promises series of concerts. What is it? Let me lift directly from Rock Ed Philippines:

A series of gigs entitled KEEP YOUR PROMISES will be launched on Saturday May 19. These are small gatherings of young voters (disenfranchised voters included) to have their voices heard. That we demand the fulfillment of promises made by candidates during the elections.

Now that we’ve done our part and voted our preferred candidates into office, it’s time for the step up and deliver on their campaign promises.

I love the whole idea and the idealism behind the event. You see, it’s too easy to lose hope in this country, but seeing people care enough to organize events like this gives me hope. Reading what other bloggers have to say gives me hope. Knowing how you care about this country gives me hope.

The thing is, like I mentioned before, I’m still a cynic. Yes, I kept blogging about the elections, but I always felt like it was too little. Yes, blogging gave me a reach beyond my immediate circle of friends, but it still wasn’t enough.

[more…]

Yesterday I ranted about the quality of political ads in the Philippines. Today, I’m sharing some information I have on elections. It might not be much, but my point is this - I shouldn’t rant if I don’t offer some sort of solution or some kind of way to improve the situation.

Now, the things I will mention will not necessarily improve political ads, but I think they just might give is more information about our candidates - at least more information than they can (try to) sing to you in a jingle.

So, here goes:

[more…]

I wonder why our own political ads couldn’t be more like this. I admit - it doesn’t really present any tangible solutions to Argentina’s ills, but it’s still so much better than any crappy jingle Philippine politicians use.

Silver - Cannes Lions 2006.

_{Category: Public Awareness Messages
Title: TRUTH
Advertiser: RECREAR
Product or Service: POLITICAL MESSAGE
Entrant Company, City: SAVAGLIO\TBWA, Buenos Aires
Country: ARGENTINA
Creative Director: Ernesto Savaglio
Copywriter: Ernesto Savaglio - Alexis Alvarez
Art Director: Pablo Carrera
Agency Producer: Eduardo Suárez
Production Company, City: AWARDS CINE, Buenos Aires
Country: ARGENTINA
Director: Jojó/Bosco
Producer: Fernando Rambo Damiano
Editor: Awards Cine
Music: Fernando Sorín
Account Supervisor: Ricardo Martino/Diego Campos Galante}

Tags: political ad, Argentina, Philippines, truth