OAV registrations set

With about 18 days to the deadline of registrations for the Overseas Absentee Voting, the Philippine Embassy here in Australia released the schedule of mobile registrations. Mobile registrations are scheduled this month in Darwin, Melbourne and Perth.

Filipinos including those who hold dual citizenship are entitled to register for the OAV. For Filipinos who previously registered as OAV elsewhere, kindly contact the consulate office in your area if you can skip this registration schedule. There are some Pinoys who have expressed doubt in the exercise, however, this is the best that we can do rather than watch as the votes are cast. If there will be any irregularities, I believe there will be some good representations from independent organisations who will be able to deter or at least note of such thing.

Following are the schedule here in Australia:

Darwin, NT

Date and Time: Saturday & Sunday, 15-16 August 2009, 9:00am to 5:00pm

Venue: Philippine Community Centre, Corner of Amy Johnson Ave & Batten Road, Marrara, NT

Melbourne, VIC

Date and Time: Saturday & Sunday, 22-23 August 2009, 10:00am to 5:00pm

Venue: Philippine House, 93 Cowper Street, Footscray, VIC

Perth, WA

Date and Time: Saturday & Sunday, 29-30 August 2009, 9:00am to 5:00pm

Venue: Filipino Australian Club of Perth, Inc., 1 Catherine St., Bedford, WA

The registration in Perth on Saturday will be between 9:00am and 12 noon only while registrations on Sunday will be held from 9:00 am to 5:00pm (with 12-1 lunch break :)).

All registrants are required to bring a photocopy of their Philippine passport or Dual Citizenship ID. More information on OAV can be found here.

Our country’s history has had some tumultuous and momentous episodes. Some of us have been part of those episodes so, I think it is better for us to participate, for better or worse, in our country’s history. Boycotting this important election is just throwing in the towel. Bloggers who don’t blog about an issue do not get any attention that they did so unless they blog about their action. So, I guess it’s the same with us who might be planning to just dump this important exercise and say, “we’re making a statement.” Unless you blog about it, no one will care that you didn’t vote.

No matter how frustrated some of us with the system, it is worth trying, it is worth fighting, it will still be worth our vote, whether the system fails us or not. We are Pinoys, we are known to be resilient, so let’s go out on those dates and register.

The 10 most influential bloggers of 2009

Three of my ten nominees made it to the list of this year’s most influential blogger award. The writing initiative, which started in 2007, attracted more than 200 blog entries with more than 55 blogs nominated to the coveted spot.

Following are the list of the winners:

1. Writing to Exhale
2. Patay Gutom
3. The Struggling Blogger
4. Zorlone
5. Father Blogger dot Com
6. Kelvinonian Ideas 2.0
7. Tales from the Mom Side
8. Adaphobic
9. Lakwatsero
10. Let’s Go Sago!

As project proponent Ms Janet Toral reflect on the writing project, I would like to pitch my own comment/observation which I had this writing project was initiated and I first joined. Here it goes.

The project only qualifies blogs which started from a certain period. The first time the project started, blogs created between August 2006 and July 2007 qualified. Last year, blogs created between July 2007 and July 2008 qualified. This year, a reasonable adjustment was made as blogs created between May 2008 and July 2009 qualified to be nominated. However, the writing project starts around three months within the year of the awarding thus blogs created within those months or a few months prior to that miss out, I will explain my point later.

The project aim is quite simple: nominate a blog created between the period stated and that these blogs should be “gaining a considerable amount of readership and influence.” For blogs created, say, between one and three months prior to the start of the contest, “gaining a considerable amount of readership and influence” might be a hard call especially for beginning bloggers who are exceptionally good at what they have started but might not know nothing at SEO. It is a different story if the “beginning blogger” is a well versed SEO practioner or have read a number of blogs and blogging guides prior to really sitting down and blogging then yes, the cut off should remain as is.

If Ms. Janette might please consider next year this: It might be useful if the beginning cut-off date for blogs to qualify will be around two months prior to the start of the writing project, i.e., if the writing project will start from May to July of the current year, the qualified blogs should have been created between February or March of last year to July of the current year.

Let me explain, influence and readership is not earned overnight, so those blogs created between a day and three months prior to the beginning cut-off date will never have a chance for recognition, no matter how good they are. It is inevitable to ignore those gap months that I suggested regardless if they are INDEED emerging and influential, they definitely have missed out.

Darren Prowse makes a good point that a blogger could basically build a better blog in 31 days. So, theoretically, if a blogger has just started and say, discovered the Prowse’s principle with two weeks of his blogging experience then that gives the blogger around about two months to really put a stamp and have his/her presence felt. Unless, the blogger is full time then recognition could probably come earlier, i.e., within two weeks after implementing the Prowse’s principles to better blogging. So, I reckon that three months is enough for a novice blogger to establish his/her integrity in the blogosphere and therefore his/her influence.

Now that’s my piece, this is just a suggestion posted on the most democratic space on earth, the blogosphere.

Congratulations again to the nominees and all the winners!

We Remember

I remember, I was in Grade 3 when Ninoy was assassinated. I could vividly remember watching intently the news on TV the nervous general. I remember my angry father who couldn’t believe that it had happened. In retrospect, I reckon that the feeling that he had was the same that I had when I watched in horror as terrorists flew the planes onto the twin towers–disbelief.

I remember that this was the time that I became aware of the political events in the country. I remember eagerly going to our city’s Catholic school gymnasium to have glimpse of a Ninoy exhibit when they had a roadshow, even if it meant walking a good 10 kilometers from our home to the city. I was in fourth grade then.

I remember the military trucks passing in front of our school and later watching on TV, again, history unfolding as Marcos was ousted without much bloodshed. I remember the news on Cory’s determination to oust the dictator, not out of vengeance but for love of the people that her better half has truly loved. I remember the accolades that the world has given to Cory. She was surrounded by famous and infamous advisers giving this and that advice, which I reckon made her a favorite target among military rebels. At some point, I felt the ‘uprisings’ were made not as an attack on democracy but an attack on Cory as a person as she still tries to endure insults and scrutiny in the midst of male-dominated Philippine politics.

I remember when Cory was despised that even a famous journalist accused her of hiding under her bed in Malacañan in the middle of a coup. She sued and the journalist proved himself to be more qualified as a gossip scribe rather than a serious journalist.

I remember her serious effort to make it easy for most Filipinos passing an agrarian reform law, establishing the good government commission among others.

I remember political analyst saying that after the plunder of the Philippines, it will take about 12 years of consistent good policy for the Philippines to recover.

I remember Cory trying her best putting the best men and women in her cabinet to build and manage the economy.

I remember Cory stepping down and giving in to her successor making good of her promise that she’s only there for ‘housekeeping.’ Despite some disappointments during her term, she did a good job as a president disappointing her critics that a ‘housewife’ will not be able to do it.

I remember the woman behind the great man. I remember the woman who became an icon for democracy. I remember the woman who lived up to upholding democracy and fighting for it even as a private citizen. I remember the woman who earned greatness in her own right. I remember, the Filipinos remember, the world remembers.

We remember.

Thank you President Corazon Aquino.

My 2009 top 10 emerging influential blogs (UPDATED)

(Updated as I inadvertently overlooked one of my nominees’ date of first post. With all due respect to my last nominee I did have a hard time finding his archive page when I first contemplated in posting my top 10 but his blog deserves the accolade just the same. :))

When I was first introduced to blogging back in 2006, I could say that I’ve learned along the way. It was through fellow bloggers that I’ve learned more about blogging and the blogosphere.

Yes, there are blogs that really stood out, while there are also others which seem to be driven to exist because of the money that comes with it. Collectively, bloggers have shown how they could be a driving force in the long run, individually, they could also be a driving force. No matter how small, that small voice is heard, somewhere along the way.

Now, I acknowledge those ‘small’ voices but emerging influential blogs. These are my top 10.

• The Beancounter: This blog started as a ‘personal journal.’ Lately though it has taken a twist towards something that this blogger loves to do–cooking food. He has always put his personal touch in every recipe and always lets you feel that you are in his kitchen and in every road trip to various restaurants/kitchens in the Brisbane area. This blogger is certainly a masterchef who cooks from the heart but also blogs from the heart.
• Flamindevil: Flamin in wit and honesty. A sneak peek at how expats/OFWs spend their weeks, their feelings, frustration. It’s like reading a novel sans the rigid plots.
• New Media Philippines: For public relations professionals wanting to know more on how to use new media, this is the place to go.
• Adaphobic: No doubt one of the best bloggers to date and good photo hobbyist, too!
• Dare To Speak Out: This could well be your ‘informal Inquirer’ online. While there might be some bias, it definitely has fearless views.
• Father Blogger Dot Com: The Dad who can blog. He surely has zoomed past new (and even old) blogs that he was asked to write a few articles at bloggingtips.com.
• The Struggling Blogger: It might be ironic but this blogger is surely prolific.
• WritingToExhale: I discovered this blog through this writing project. You can tell that this blogger really lives to write and yes, most probably writes to live. 🙂
• PixelMinded: The photos say it all.
• Koleidoscope: Forgive my shameless plugging but I think (though I might be proven wrong ;)) I do have some growing followers in my phlog. 😀
• Rakito’s Mill: As with the other blogs that I’ve considered in this list, Rakito is a no non-sense blogger who will tell you everything from his heart as evident in some of his post be it just a short quote or a personal review of life, movies or anything under the sun. 🙂

I sometimes wonder why these blogs came out this ‘late’ but I realised that it gives bloggers at least 10 reasons to join this writing initiative and always look out for the year’s emerging influential blogs. Thanks heaps to all nominees.

This writing project is supported by Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, Business Summaries, Fitness Advantage Club, Events and Corporate Video, Events at Work, Dominguez Marketing Communications, Red Mobile, Budget hotel in Makati, Lucio C. Tan Group of Companies, and Blog4Reviews.com.

Lessons learned

As news of an impending health reform is discussed all over Australia, the Philippines is abuzz with the supposedly last State of the Nation Address of President Gloria Arroyo.

This might be a comparison between an apple and an orange but if we look closely to a possible link, one might note the difference in the prevailing attitudes in the politics in both countries. Sure there are cynics  in Australian politics or public but the general action of most Aussie politicians show that they are united in trying to figure out what is best for the country. From saving the economy from the effects of recession to leading the global talk on climate change–be it the government or the opposition. There are downsides but one can’t help but notice the good sides in Australian politics.

Zoom into Philippine politics, save for a few, a number of congressmen are out to bend almost anything to protect, not the people, but themselves. There are would-be presidents who are mum on issues surrounding their pasts and would-be presidents who are trying to be someone they are not. In the August Hall, there might be some discussions on proposed legislation but, most of the time, the proposed legislation would likely be for the benefit of the few or the elite. Result–on the opposition side? Well, instead of focusing on proposing sound legislation, they are on the ‘attack mode’ to quell any action by the government to continue to plunder and corrupt. There are good sides but one can’t help but notice the bad sides of Philippine politics.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer was blunt in noting that if, indeed, this will be President Arroyo’s last term, the legacy that she will leave is a “legacy of corruption.” There were hints that if the charter change (first thought to be decided on through referendum but was later said to be decided on through a constitutional assembly), which the opposition allege was meant to extend Arroyo’s and her cohort’s term, fails then she might run for congress. Sure there is nothing wrong about Arroyo running for another electoral post but if we believe the assessment of Dr. Benjamin Diokno of UP School of Economics (where Arroyo received her PhD), then I think the Philippines has had enough of her. Will she step down? Her speech has some hint that she might not. This might be a good or bad news, remember when she declared in a previous SONA that she will not run for president but decided to run anyway?

There are a number of uncertainties in the Philippines as there are many uncertainties bugging most of the expats here and around the world. For instance the OAV system, one cannot blame that some of us will never participate, some by choice and/or some by the inadequacy of the OAV system. But for the few who will participate, futile as it may be, but it will be an exercise of our rights and stand that we will never be silenced.

One thing that the Philippine government has succeeded to do is to isolate its people. It has isolated its citizenry to fend for itself, be it in health care, housing or even the basic daily needs. If there are those who will doubt that most Filipinos are lazy and should be working on something for their country instead, they are mistaken. We’ve done our part and we are continually doing so, however, some life principles such as give and it will be given just never becomes a reality.

Call me a pessimist but I do hope that there’s a miracle round the bend.

Pinoy Cancer Survivor receives Bravery Award

A Filipino cancer survivor recently received a bravery award from one of Western Australia’s major football clubs.

Mel Olivarez, 17, who was diagnosed with acute leukemia in January, was nominated by the Fremantle Hospital and Health Service to receive the MBF Bravery Awards. The Award recognises “not only bravery, but [also admires] the amazing strength and determination of these special young people [in coping with their treatments],” according to a news article posted on the Fremantle Football Club website.

(Source: Fremantle Hospital Service and Health Service Bulletin Number 12)

Mel is one of 11 winners of this year’s Bravery Awards. The recipients’ age ranged from two to 17 years. They received toys, vouchers, movie tickets, medallions and a special framed certificate signed by Fremantle Football Club Coach Mark Harvey. The Award is an initiative by the Fremantle Football Club, South Metropolitan Area Health Service and leading health insurer MBF.

Mel was described as a positive person and has shown “bravery during his treatments,” according to the statement from the Fremantle Hospital read during the awarding ceremony last May. The statement also said that staff described Mel “as enthusiastic and high-spirited all of which has helped him to manage his illness.”

Mel has had to endure intensive Chemotheraphy which also meant long stays in the hospital. Despite undergoing treatment, Mel continued with his studies and insisted to do home chores whenever he goes home. He was also undeterred despite the news during his chemo session that a famous Pinoy was also suffering a condition almost similar to his.

Mel is the first of three siblings. His father is a migrant worker for a local electric company while his mother works in a fastfood restaurant. His family had to hold their permanent residency application because of his condition.

Last week, however, Mel’s family received the good news that a confirmatory test yielded negative of cancer traces. Mel’s hair has grown back and he’s now on track to pursuing his studies at TAFE while his family slowly gets back to normalcy.

I talked to Mel recently and he told me that “natutuwa po ako na nakatanggap po ako ng Bravery Award at masaya na magaling na ako (I’m just glad that I’ve received the Bravery Award and that I’m healed).”

OAV reg sched outside embassies

Finally, a schedule of mobile registrations for the OAV. There is a strong possibility that only a few “very interested” Filipinos would have the chance to know about the schedule of the OAV registration as there is no active effort from Philippine Embassies in some parts of the world to reach out to Pinoys. The DFA has announced the schedule of mobile registration schedule outside the Philippine Embassies in your host country.

For those here in Australia, the DFA said that “for Filipinos in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin, the Philippine embassy in Canberra will be there from July to August; and in Hobart, Tasmania from August 3 to 7.” Now as to when in July to August will they come to your capital, might be up to you to figure out. 😀

Sorry folks, everything is hard even away from home.

OAV Initiative Updates (UPDATED)

I was about to update some of you about the OAV initiative here in Perth when Noelle inquired on how we were doing here. Well here it goes.

At this stage, I was able to coordinate with the consul general here in Perth. While they were helpful in some way, I’m not sure if the OAV registration is something of a priority based on what the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has been stating. I think it is common for our embassies anywhere to claim that there has been an intensive campaign to reach more Filipinos to register for the OAV when there’s hardly any campaign at all, save for a few maybe (or is it just a PR stunt?).

As Noelle complained, even the consul general in Melbourne is at lost as to how the OAV will be set up. Well, I hope that by the time we’ll be able to reach our 200 mark target here in Perth, the Philippine Embassy in Canberra will know what to do. And we will be able to participate and will not be a mere spectator to the history-making election next year.

Despite the expected automation of the election system next year, there are some Pinoys here that have begged not to register out of frustration in the electoral system some of them expressing doubt whether the vote they will cast here will definitely be counted for their candidate.

The future might still be uncertain despite the possible improvement in the electoral system in the Philippines, but for some of us away from home, we could not just sit down and watch our countrymen just slug it out themselves, we want in and yes while there might just be a few that will be voting away from home. We will be part of election history next year, we will be counted.

UPDATE: GMAnews.tv has a good primer re the OAV registrations. It’s interesting to note that the PDF file containing the comprehensive research re the OAV was from an ABS-CBNnews.com researcher. 🙂 There are calls to extend the 31 August deadline of OAV registration to a later date–let’s hope that this call will be granted. GMAnews.tv is calling for Pinoys abroad/expats to air their stories re OAV registrations. So, I think this is a good opportunity for us to tell our side of the story and let them know that much of the hyped public awareness on the OAV is dud. Email your stories at pinoyabroad@gmanews.tv

Election and Religion

If you’re a regular reader of this blog (and I apologise if it hasn’t lived up to its name lately), you know that I’m personally involved in advocating Filipinos here in Perth and surrounding areas to register as an overseas absentee voter. The campaign is a personal one and I do not have direct funding from anybody, so I am using online and offline social networks to disseminate the information (and to some point personal resources such as petrol, paper, inks, phone credits, etc.).

As a communications specialist, I know the importance of “gatekeepers.” Gatekeepers in communications or marketing are important links to your target audiences or clients. I knew their opinion will matter especially in this very important initiative. Some of my identified gatekeepers here include Asian shopkeepers, association leaders, peer group leaders and religious leaders.

I have tried to distribute a paper for Filipinos to sign to express their interest to register for the OAV and recently, I have asked a friend for help in this campaign. I have specifically asked him to show it to their church members. Their religious group is one of the biggest in the Filipino community here and their assistance would be a great boost to this campaign.

However, to my surprise their head minister turned down the request that the paper be passed on within the church. According to my friend, the minister said that there is an “unofficial” directive from Manila that their expat members (or those based outside Manila) do not participate in the coming election as the Philippine election is “chaotic.” My friend was very apologetic that he wasn’t able to help but I said that I do understand and respect their minister’s decision, who, by the way, is already an Australian citizen. I will be vague at this point as I might inadvertently give details that might identify the group.

For now, off to the next target audience and hopefully I’ll be able to reach my goal by end of July.

Embassy

I’ve written this piece when I was still based in Bangkok. For some reason, I wasn’t able to post this. As I got to coordinate with the Embassy here Down Under (again) I think it’s about time to post this, for the record. This is unedited and captures my raw emotion when I was writing this. 🙂