Avenue of Thoughts

First, I present to you the video that has broke the hearts of the Filipinos, again, after a popular Korean actress allegedly insulted the way we speak English – our second language!

Second, here’s the actress’s “tweet of apology” (I will fondly call it).

“First I'd like to give you my sincere apologies for what seems to be a misunderstanding.

It has come to my attention that many of you from the Philippines have posted comments protesting that i was being derisive by mimicking Filipinos when they speak English.

Therefore, in light of this matter I'd like to take this opportunity to clear the air.
In spite of what many people believe, I myself did NOT mention anything
about the Philippines or Filipino accent whilst on the TV show.

On the other hand I recall bringing up Southeast Asia and not the Philippines and the subtitles were inserted when the show was being edited of which I was not aware of until it was aired.

The TV show where this footage was taken from was designed to amuse its audience and my sole purpose was to entertain the viewers by coming up with lighthearted stories.

Since the producer knows that i speak English he asked me if I could
share any episodes that touch upon the English language.

As we all know every country has a typical accent when its people speak English (including myself) so after giving it some thought, I came up with a few lines where I simply tried to compare different English accents: the somewhat rigid British accent and beginners in Southeast Asia whose English tends to be a little hard-edged. No pun or ridicule was intended.

As an individual who use to take English classes over the phone with a Filipino instructor, I give you my word that even the mere thought of mocking Filipinos would never cross my mind.
I cannot tell you how much Filipino fans mean to me and as much as I love them, I would in no way
hurt or upset them.

I hope I have clarified any misunderstandings and once again I am truly sorry if I inadvertently
hurt anyone's feelings.

-i really love you, my Filipino fans..”

I am not a die-hard fan of any fancy Korean Pop Stars, I know a couple of Korean songs, and honestly, they really have fair skin complexion, haha!

The essence of this post is to decipher and find the congruency of the video with the contents of her “tweet of apology” (actually “Twitlonger of Apology”).

First I'd like to give you my sincere apologies for what seems to be a misunderstanding.

There’s nothing to be sincere about something that is clear and UNDERSTANDABLE in the video we have seen.

It has come to my attention that many of you from the Philippines have posted comments protesting that i was being derisive by mimicking Filipinos when they speak English.

Therefore, in light of this matter I'd like to take this opportunity to clear the air.
In spite of what many people believe, I myself did NOT mention anything
about the Philippines or Filipino accent whilst on the TV show.

Yes, we are protesting because you were derisive! Yes, you did not mention that that’s how we, FILIPINOS SPEAK ENGLISH. But I would like to question your logic skill, it is very clear to you that you have to mimic the way we speak ENGLISH, the host of the show (the guy with glasses, I think) specially mention the way a “Filipino English teacher” speaks English; therefore, you have committed a logical fallacy, at the same time unethical impairment of “ignorance.”

On the other hand I recall bringing up Southeast Asia and not the Philippines and the subtitles were inserted when the show was being edited of which I was not aware of until it was aired.

This is to question the company, especially the show production team – I address this issue to you. It is clear to us that you intentionally meant the FILIPINO ENGLISH as your SKIT, you know, the funny part…

The TV show where this footage was taken from was designed to amuse its audience and my sole purpose was to entertain the viewers by coming up with lighthearted stories.

I agree that the show is meant to entertain and amuse its people, but of course, in the show business industry, one should be very careful with the words they broadcast. It might have been a parodical show that caters ‘lighthearted stories’ to its audience, but come on, would we protest if it has been too personal?

As we all know every country has a typical accent when its people speak English (including myself) so after giving it some thought, I came up with a few lines where I simply tried to compare different English accents: the somewhat rigid British accent and beginners in Southeast Asia whose English tends to be a little hard-edged. No pun or ridicule was intended.

As an individual who use to take English classes over the phone with a Filipino instructor, I give you my word that even the mere thought of mocking Filipinos would never cross my mind.
I cannot tell you how much Filipino fans mean to me and as much as I love them, I would in no way
hurt or upset them.

As I have said, an issue of negligence here. I think it was clear to you, Ms. Lee, that you have to mimic the FILIPINO ENGLISH as requested by the host of the show. Watch it again.

There you have it. For me, it’s an issue of negligence and ignorance.

Kapwa ko PILIPINO, gamitin natin tio bilang isang paalala na magpunyagi sa ating kahusayan sa pagsasalita ng Ingles.

Sorry if it was a bit harsh, nagkapatong-patong na kasi ang mga issues eh, nakakapuno, nakakalungkot, nakakainis, at nakakapagod na rin. Sometimes, there's an urge to just speak up.

PEACE!

Tracers is what we call ourselves! We were classmates for three years in High School!
"Tr" for Three/Thrice "Acers" for being in Section A (Well, really, there were no more pilot or cream section way back in our school). I am really honored to serve this class for three years as secretary (2nd year) and president (3rd-4th year). I LOVE YOU, GUYS!

Hindi man kami madalas nagkikita ngayon, it's safe to say that the stigma of being TRACER remains in our hearts!

I remember our Seal of Solidality, it is a large disk divided into 33 pieces (we were 32 in the class, plus our dear adviser), the Name "Tracers" is engraved in it and when we see each other, bringing those pieces, we form the disk as whole again! :)


Here's our class picture!


Ahh, this one! This picture really touched my heart, the picture closest to my heart. I can vividly remember when this happened. It was a thursday, break time, after our Industrial Arts time with Mr. George Testa at the Shop Room where we prepared our frames for our project! I like this picture a lot because it was the first we ALL ate together in one long table! I was really happy, the feeling was ecstatic! :)


Random Moments from my Tracers, debut year kasi! :)

Gonna post next the songs that we covered and original compositions by Gianisse Adamantopoulos and Suzette Glorioso! :)

PHOTOS COURTESY OF IMAGES TAGGED ON MY FACEBOOK ACCOUNT :)

ABS-CBN's tribute to celebrated world-class Pinoy!

The Charming Angel of Cebu
PBB Teen Clash 2010 3rd Big Placer
Your so adorable, kamukha mo talaga si ... :))

I stumbled upon this European singer in 2009, of course, through the internet, when I got curious who sang the song in one of my great friends debut. The song has catchy tempo and great lyrics. Kung kakantahin man yun ng isang lalaki sa isang girl, tiyak kilig yun. Then, nag-Limewire ako to check his songs, pero walang lumalabas. So I though, "Ah, low profile tong singer na ito, o kaya naman closed Euro singer." Kaya nag-youtube na lang ako. To my surprise, andami niyang song na nagustuhan ko:















Enjoy! :)

Chain letters are a complete and utter waste of time! As you say, maybe they will encourage people to pray, but what sort of praying are we talking about here – fear of the consequences that will be inflicted upon you by a supposedly loving God if you do not “pass it on?” There is a logical contradiction here in that God cannot be both loving and at the same time one who metes out punishment when someone does not “pass on” a chain letter.

When we pray, we ought to be praying out of our faith and trust in God! Yes, at times that can be lacking to a degree or we can be struggling with something in our faith, but this is not the same thing as acting out of fear. There is no satisfaction for a loving person to see someone relating to them out of fear! This is not true love.

God wants us to make a free choice when we relate to Him. He will pursue us out of Love for us, but He never seeks to force us to love Him out of fear. If someone emails/writes/call/wall post/tweet etc and asks you to freely choose to pray for a particular cause then feel free to do so, but also feel free not to do so! If the need is genuine, I am sure there will be something prompting us in our hearts, our conscience maybe, to be generous and send off a prayer or two regarding the particular intention. However, you will know when you are acting out of fear compared to when you’re acting under inspiration of your conscience; the difference has to do with our acting according to an understanding and experience of the duty of love – not out of fear.

Fear can be a motivating factor in some of the decisions we make, but it should never be the main motivation when it comes to our relationship with God. Let us seek to act out of our love, even the duty attached to love, but never out of fear that God will punish us if we do not do something or another. That sort of punishment is simply totally alien to the character of God.

-Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

Source:

Fr. Tynan MGL, Steve.  “Should I Forward ‘Spiritual’ Chain Letters?”  

      Kerygma Nov. 2007: 9.

I have always thought that chain letters have business motives behind it, pero kung “spiritual chain letters,” confusion starts to strike me. Siyempre, matter of faith and reason yan eh. Kaya, when I read this article, naliwanagan ako, it’s not the ‘act’ that makes it unnecessary, but the ‘purpose.’

So kung magpapasa man tayo ng mga chain messages, was it out of fear of misfortune or genuine inspiration drawn out of it?

Portrait of a Friend



I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts, or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we can seek answers.

I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain, nor the future with it's untold stories. But I can be there now when you need me to care.

I can't keep your feet from stumbling. I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.

Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine. Yet I can share in your laughter and joy.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge. I can only support you, encourage you, and help you when you ask.

I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you. But I can give you the room to change, room to grow, room to be yourself.

I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting. But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces and put them back in place.

I can't tell you who you are. I can only love you and be your friend.

.............Author Unknown

I remember placing this poem in one of the music videos i have made for my dear Tracers. Come to think of it, it speaks of everything how a friend should be. Or better yet, how we should be to our friends. It's a good mode of reflection kung paano ba tayo sa friends natin. We shouldn't be forcing ourselves to become the 'super' friends we aren't. We shouldn't be superior among our circle of friends when you think you could be helpless as well. Mot importantly, dapat matuto tayong makinig kaysa dumakdak. Sabi nga ni Bob Ong, "Ang tenga kapag pinagdikit korteng puso... Extension ng puso ang tenga, kaya kapag marunog kang makinig, marunong kang magmahal" and Sr. Faustina Kowalska wrote in her diary, "Silence is a sword in the spiritual struggle. A talkative soul will never attain sanctity. The sword of silence will cut off everything that would like to cling to the soul. We are sensitive to words and quickly want to answer back, without taking any regard as to whether it is God's will that we should speak. A silent soul is strong; no adversities will harm it if it perseveres in silence. The silent soul is capable of attaining the closet union with God. It lives almost always under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God works in a silent without hindrance. "

Have a great and splendid November everybody! Remember, kahit na napaka-dull ng "Silence," sometimes it is the best cure for the most bombastic diseases of friendship and relationship. :)