Exclamatories v.3

Mar 25

Cliches with a new twist, which is a cliche

Maybe Tim Kring isn’t ready to let go of Heroes. When the cult TV show was canceled, it seems that he still had a few more mutants in mind. One of these mutants somehow made their way back to TV through Kring’s new show, Touch.

The subject: an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with autism who hasn’t spoken his whole life. Not because he’s mute, but perhaps he doesn’t find the need to communicate the way we regular humans do. Jake Bohm sees the universe as patterns of numbers. He’s portrayed to have an advanced understanding of the Fibonacci sequence (Lost, Fringe or Numb3rs, anyone?) without learning about it. He’s able to “predict” the future, and maybe even have intimate knowledge of the past with his “numerical clairvoyance.” But he’s not telling anyone—at least not the way that we’re used to.

That’s where his father, Martin, played by Kiefer Sutherland, comes in. Back-story reveals that his wife was killed in the 9/11 attacks, which could be the reason that Jack Bauer is written all over this character. He’s always intensely agitated for no apparent reason. Early on, Martin comes to terms with his son’s gift with the help of yet another version of a “wise old man” in the form of Danny Glover’s Professor Arthur Teller. Now, it’s Jack’s—sorry, Martin’s—job to make sure that certain chains of events happen as they should, as “suggested” or even “dictated’ by Jake—through numerical hints and clues, no less.

All these things contribute to the series appearing to be a nod to its predecessors (Heroes, 24, Lost, FlashForward, Alphas…). We travel all over the world (Tokyo, Mumbai, Moscow, New York) to meet new characters like we did on Heroes. But unlike Heroes, these seemingly unrelated scenes and characters are tied together before an episode ends.

Of course, no major multi-episode story arc has been introduced yet because only two episodes have aired so far. We’ll see if Kring is going to take this somewhere new and interesting or if he’ll turn it into a not-so-subtle rehash of you-know-what.

Mar 16

GMA Network response to PFF statement about Arnold Clavio

“Ang pinapatungkulan ni Arnold ay hindi kung Filipino citizen o kung may lahing Pilipino ang mga Azkals kundi kung naisapuso at naisaisip ba nila ang kulturang Pinoy.”

Are you freaking kidding me? Why should a supposedly respected journalist question and criticize somebody else’s personal motivations and culture? That’s more horrible than racism. That’s discrimination in every sense of the word.

Shame on the network for defending him and insisting that he said and did nothing wrong. The decent thing to do is to take the high road and issue a humble apology. Mr. Arnold Clavio and GMA Network, you just demonstrated that decency and humility are precisely the traits you lack.

Oh wait, weren’t those the same qualities that Mr. Clavio talked about in his commentary on the Azkals ? Hmm..

Mar 15

No offense. But…

Whitney Houston was a legend. Cher is a legend. Barbra. Mariah. Liza. Tina. Maybe even Celine. But Lea Salonga? Lisa Macuja? Cecile Licad?

Sure, Ms. Salonga did the country proud by appearing in world-renowned musicals. Ms. Macuja is the country’s one and only Black Swan. And Ms. Licad is, well, she never really became famous.

Then there’s the word, “legend.” And also “icon.” The organizers of the Lea-Lisa-Cecile show on the 17th and 18th are going the oh-so-lofty route by naming the show “The Legends & The Classics: A Gathering of Icons.”

I get it that they want to sell tickets. But it’s really a bit going overboard by inflating the egos of the artists to obscene proportions. I’m not contesting the fact that these three ladies are great at their respective crafts. It’s just that the use of such honorific titles should be reserved for the only ones who truly deserve them. If we’re gonna throw around words so easily, these very words lose their meaning, their quality, their status. They’re stars, technicians, celebrities. But they’re not legends, nor icons. In the first place, if they really were marketable artists on their own, they wouldn’t need to combine their “star power” by having a three-for-the-price-of-one concert.

Whitney never had to do it to sellout venues. Neither did Cher. Nor Barbra. Nor Mariah. Liza. Tina. Celine. Because they’re TRUE legends.

Then again, what do you expect? It’s the local industry’s standard practice to bestow made up titles to just anyone, mediocre achievement notwithstanding. Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo as Comedy Concert Kings? After one—yes, just one—show at the Araneta? if that’s the benchmark, then Lea, Lisa and Cecile are not just mortal legends and icons; they’re divine goddesses.

Jan 11

What can we learn from celebrity Twitter bios? Probably not a lot, but let’s see. There might be hidden gems between the lines. Or at the very least, we’ll have a good laugh.

Obvious—and obviously comedic—self-misrepresentation makes for an effective profile introduction.

Ramon Bautista (@ramonbautista) – Internet action star

Maybe, use your bio to brag about yourself. And what you aspire to be. (Take note of the word “certified” in all caps.)

Anne Curtis (@annecurtissmith) – People Asia’s National Sweetheart. Princess of All Media. Fil/Aussie. Actress/Host/Product Endorser & CERTIFIED Recording Artist.

…or undersell yourself because everybody knows who you are, anyway.

Lorna Tolentino (@LornaTolentinoF) – Artista

Others showcase their depth, intellect and/or wit.

Victor Basa (@victorbasa) – tell your story
Sid Lucero (@sidlucero) – It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.
Meryl Soriano (@ememita) – i am an artificial god when i’m not mary poppins.
Ciara Sotto (@ciara_anna) – UNA FRUTTA PROIBITA.♥ a.k.a PoleQueen. Tea-Addict. Singer. Pole Dancer. Proud 2B Filipino. Believes she belongs in England & Wants to have tea w/The Queen!!! ;p
Alessandra de Rossi (@msderossi) – i’m the last unicorn. I’m alive.

Not great, but some good ones say something abstract and insightful about themselves.

Gab Valenciano (@gabvalenciano) – More than meets the eye
G Tongi (@gtongi) – I live in the moment!
Sitti Navarro (@bossagurl) – Living and learning.
Angelica Panganiban (@IamAngelicaP) – Actress, Happy InLove, Misunderstood. In a state of change. Content but will never stop.

Now let’s take a look at the not-so-good ones…

Some try to be witty but just fall flat.

Rovilson Fernandez (@rovilson_f) – Just like you. Only shinier.

Celebrity bios often demonstrate how interminably boring these people are in real life. Or maybe they just don’t have a creative bone in their body. Really, what is it with people listing down everything they do?

Drew Arellano (@DrewArrelano) – TRAVELLER for work and for play. TRIATHLETE, 12hrs a week. Born to SERVE.
Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) – Actor, singer, wife, mommy, writer, traveler and foodie!
Jim Paredes (@Jimparedes) – artist-I sing, write, teach, photograph, and live my art! Most of all, I AM!
Ogie Alcasid (@ogiealcasid) – i am a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a friend, a firm believer in the Filipino Spirit!

They also make use of old tired cliches. If a softdrink formula works, why change it, right? But see, it just doesn’t work anymore.

Sam YG (@sam_yg) – I am Sam. Radio Dj - Boys Night Out, Magic 89.9. TV host. Indian. Interest: 5-6 (90 days to pay).

If you let a famous kid write her own bio, she might end up with incoherent blabber.

Charice (@OfficialCharice) – I’m in love with my work. Love music. I love my family, i love everyone. & I’m gwapito. Hahaha!!!

Okay, not just kids.

Robin Da Roza (@robindaroza) – Im good… often misunderstood. Smile and be happy.

Or they may compose a string of words that makes them seem dumb and/or shallow.

Nina (@soulsiren_nina) – I LOVE TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL GOOD THROUGH MY SINGING….
Aubrey Miles (@realaubreymiles) – tweet me anytime guys..

And we really do have to save the best for last.

(Fake account) Marian Rivera (@superstarmarian) – I’m a Psychology.

Jan 7

Not that fun?

#ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines #1ForFUN

Of course, people would have tons of reactions on the new tourism slogan. I, for one, am in love with it and that’s why I have to defend it at some level. Here’s my point-by-point response to the criticism:

1. It’s a product of plagiarism.

Agreed, the slogan is exactly the same as the Swiss slogan used in 1951. But “It’s more fun in the Philippines” is not meant to be an original concept. It’s meant to communicate a unified truth about the country and answer the question, “Why should I visit the Philippines?” Besides, every new idea is a derivative of an old one. At some point, Sydney, Australia used the slogan, “There’s no place like it,” which sounds a lot like “There’s no place like Hong Kong.” And are you seriously telling me that “”Hong Kong, Live it. Love it!” “Live it. Visit Scotland” and “Belize. Mother nature’s best kept secret” are original?

2. It’s a weak campaign.

We can’t really judge how successful a campaign will do before it even starts. Comparisons to “Malaysia. Truly Asia” are irrelevant because the Malaysian campaign is a really expensive and comprehensive one. Obviously, we can’t take that route because Malaysia has already practically “owned” Asia. If we did, then that would be an act of copying. So we have to turn to something else. Highlighting specific tourist destinations in the country isn’t the best idea because it risks alienating the other destinations. Not all 7,107 islands have white-sand beaches. Not all provinces have picturesque mountains. Not all towns have five-star accommodations. But all of them can offer fun. More fun, which is exactly what people are looking for when they travel in the first place. Some may want something “truly Asia,” others may want something “incredible” and “amazing,” still others may want to experience the “best place, best taste.” But everyone wants fun. And that’s where the strength of the slogan lies.

3. It’s misleading.

Sure, we, Filipinos, think it’s not that fun in the Philippines. But that’s because we’re looking at it from a “local” point of view. The Philippines does not have the best quality of living, but we do have a lot of fun activities for tourists. As Filipinos, when we travel domestically, don’t we believe that it’s really fun? We have one-peso airfare. Isn’t that more fun? The best beaches in the world are just less than an hour away. Isn’t that more fun? From Manila, we can drive up to Tagaytay just for the natural air-conditioning. Isn’t that more fun? We have one of the New7Wonders of Nature. Isn’t that more fun? We don’t believe it because we focus on the negative things about the country. But we have to realize that marketing slogans are supposed to place a product in the best possible light, not present it negatively.

4. It’s not as good as WOW Philippines.

Actually, it is. And we have to retire the old campaign precisely because it’s old. We have to keep up with new trends, refocus our attention to younger markets and show the world that we are hip and cosmopolitan. The hashtags, the copies on the It’s More Fun… Web site and the social media drive all work toward that. The challenge now is if the product (i.e. the country) can deliver. And we can. You know we can. Because admit it, it is really more fun in the Philippines. (However, we really do have to do something about our airport, but that’s another story.)

Jan 6

#ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines #1ForFUN

The new tourism marketing slogan works on so many different levels. It’s about experience, suggesting uniqueness and being incomparable. It’s a sweeping statement, indicating confidence in the claim. It’s a simple, yet universal, message, potentially having the ability to reach and penetrate a wide audience.

The keyword is “fun,” and people want to have fun when they travel. It’s useless proclaiming we have the best beaches or the most colorful festivals or the tastiest mangoes because those would only entice those who want to go to the beach or want to soak in a different culture or want to eat mangoes. Selling fun is straightforward but diverse. It immediately tells you that there are beaches elsewhere, but it’s more fun in the Philippines; there are mountains and caves and valleys elsewhere, but the ones in the Philippines are more fun; there are malls and coffee shops all over the world, but it’s more fun to go malling and have coffee in the Philippines. Basically, it’s like saying we have a lot of things going on here—and this is why past campaigns have been confused and confusing—and it’s really fun.

Finally, we’re using diversity to our advantage. We’re embracing all 7,107 islands and presenting them as a package. And that is the best way we can sell tourism. Finally, we’ve pinpointed exactly what makes the country an ideal place for a vacation.

The campaign also reaches out to every Filipino. It encourages us to welcome tourists and make their visit to the country more fun, for them to remember that the Philippines is “#1 For Fun.”

The Web site tells us more. It highlights the different places in the country and, thanks to great copywriting skills, these very places can be seen from a new perspective, incorporating current trends and pop culture. For example, “Status updates. More fun in the Philippines” accompanies an underwater visual, promoting our fantastic dive spots and underwater biodiversity. (At the same time, it hints at the possibility of finding a WiFi signal even if you’re at the most remote location, which is a necessity these days.)

Now, you’re not simply going to be “WOW”-ed by the endless wonders. You’re not just going to marvel at everything that’s “Kay Ganda.” You’ll participate. You’ll enjoy and have the time of your life, wherever you are in the country, whatever activity you choose to do. And you’ll come to realize that it is “more fun in the Philippines.”

Let’s talk about the logo. Immediately, you’ll notice the simplicity of the typeface and the updated colors. It shows that the campaign is geared towards younger travelers and it positions the country as a hip and, well, “fun” destination. But there’s still a lot of culture in it because of the map designed like banig, again, in an updated vectorized manner.

It’s eye-catching but not in an imposing way. It’s current but not too much to the point of alienating the elders. And most importantly, it does look like a lot of fun.

Really, the Tourism Department and Secretary Ramon Jimenez did a wonderful job. Let’s hope they’ll be able to sustain this momentum.

(Spread the word! Go to http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/)

Jan 4

Freakshow

It doesn’t matter if it wasn’t that photoshopped. It doesn’t matter who defends it. The fact is Jinkee Pacquiao does not look that way. The behind-the-scenes video of the photo shoot is the supposed proof that Jinkee is “at her most beautiful” right now. But still, the Jinkee in the video is not the same as the Jinkee on the cover. As Belofied as she is, she’s not that thin, she’s not that pretty, she’s not that artificial. She is not the caricature that the magazine is making her appear. Shame on you, Mega.

Dec 9

Reverse culture shock

I assumed wrong. Having an extremely cosmopolitan lifestyle, living right in the center of all things urban, having unlimited access to the uncensored Internet, being around liberal-minded people and working in media led me to believe that everyone else around me—at least, in the near vicinity—is a forward-thinker. Or at least, isn’t a backward-thinker.

I assumed wrong. I’m not even talking about obviously liberal views on politics. I know that plenty of urbanites are against the Reproductive Health bill and gay marriage. But I didn’t think that there are young city dwellers, working in nontraditional industries, who still equate respect to untarnished morality. (Of course, “morality” here is subjective.)

I assumed wrong. With all the sex, violence and openness we’re all exposed to because of mass and new media, you’d think that the current generation of yuppies has seen it all, heard it all, been there, done that. And have come to realize that everyone farts and poops. I understand old people and their traditional perceptions. But I thought that we, “old people” of the future, can all respect a person for their genius, their expertise, their excellence, and accept the fact that this person could be having anal sex at night.

I assumed wrong. In fact, there are people walking and living among us who are seemingly normal (and again, the definition of normalcy is per personal qualifiers)—watching the same movies we watch, listening to the same songs we listen to, reading the same gossip blogs we read—but are actually uptight, judgmental, almost bigoted, bitches (“bitches,” in this case, is a term of endearment). Still, I thought everybody’s internal Carrie has gotten over Samantha’s expression of sexuality.

I assume wrong. Sure, there’s mutual respect. But respect seems irrelevant when you say, “I respect you as a person. But because of the personal choices you made that I disagree with, I don’t respect you as my boss.” That statement doesn’t sit well with me because I thought that this generation of progressive individuals can separate professional from personal; education, qualification, skills and talent from gender, sexual orientation, race and religion.

I assumed wrong.

Dec 3

Teaberi, Chatime and Gong Cha, check. Four to go.

I want this now.