Saturday, July 07, 2007

CHINA BANS SENOR ENRIQUE

That's the bad news. You see, a New York-based reader who has gone on a short-term teaching post in Beijing emailed to say how astounded and disappointed she was to have discovered that the government's online media censors had blocked my site from those trying to access it from the mainland.

The reason could very well be the entries I had posted about the Chinese migration into the archipelago during the Spanish colonial period, including their eventual assimilation into our local culture (see Inside the Bahay Tsinoy and the links at the bottom of which).

Oh, well. At least, unlike Salman Rushdie who had provoked the ire of the Indian Muslims after the publication of his Satanic Verses, my blog entries, to date, have not warranted death threats. Last I need is an assassin dispatched from the Shaolin Monastery to hunt me down as I navigate the narrow and crowded streets of Binondo.

But now, for some good news: the photograph I had taken of Binondo Church (above) which I used as the accompanying image for my entry, Ysla Binondo and the Chinese Revolt, is featured in the latest issue of i-Mag Photography Magazine under its Thousand Words section.

Thank you, i-Mag!

Volume One Number 8 issue

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:28 AM

56 Comments:

Anonymous said...: congrats! that's wonderful new to have your pictures published in a magazine (is it available here in the mailand US by any chance?).

as for china banning your site, that's there loss! thanks again for sending me the links on the dslr cameras. that was very helpful.God bless!; July 07, 2007 7:12 AM
Anonymous said...: Wow!Ang galing! Congrats, Eric! Now you know I was right when I gave my vote to your blog as one of the most influential! :); July 07, 2007 8:26 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks much, Nell!

i-Mag is truly a fine photography magazine with great tips/tutotials written in layman's terms that's easy to understand and apply. Since it is writtem in English, I see no reason why this shouldn't be exported to the States for the benefit of photography enthusiasts; I know it is now being distributed in Singapore.

Glad the URLS I sent you are of some help. Let me know if you any other Qs in the future.

Good luck with your photography, Nell :); July 07, 2007 9:01 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks, Rhoda! Your ESP is quite uncanny at times :)

BTW, another friend just sent this:

Quote:

The blog Wish You Were Here has a great post on Chinese-Filipino contacts dating back as early as the 10th century C.E. (h/t Global Voices Online)

And yes, many of these links are blocked in China, so if you're behind the GFW, you'll have to use a proxy.

Unquote

He took it from this site:

http://granitestudio.blogspot.com/index.html

Cheers!; July 07, 2007 9:04 AM
Wil said...: Congrats on getting featured. :D

As for getting banned by China, it could be that china is just banning blogs in general. In any case, it's too bad countries like China do not believe in free speech.; July 07, 2007 9:07 AM
Anonymous said...: Congratulations!

(:

But what you have posted mean no harm at all to the people in China. This is what I do not understand ... Gee.; July 07, 2007 10:13 AM
pusa said...: wow! gleng talaga ni señor! very nice photo....
hmm baka naman napa-praning na ang mga chinese para i-ban ang super gleng mong blog.; July 07, 2007 10:46 AM
palma tayona said...: congratulations eric! one, for the photo being featured in the magazine and two, for being banned in china. :-) at least you know you told it as it is and them banning you IS good publicity. funny how those banned in china became known somewhere else.

it was also quite a great afternoon indeed chitchatting at quick snack yesterday (a great chinese deli in binondo - ironic with the chinese-ban thing with your blog)

as i have mentioned to you (and i think i am not alone in this), your blog, pictures and all... has given many of us a new way of looking at our fair city. despite of, or in spite of the pollution, politics, undisciplined vendors, the shirtless denizens that haunt its shadows, manila , for all its faults and cracks is a city worth looking at a second time. your pictures gave back to us (the pedestrians, the common tao and the pinoys abroad) the memories that we have somehow kept in the deep recesses of our minds, and pushed them out into the fore. these memories that we relive through your photos show us that, hey, manila really is worth taking a look at again.

... and let china ban you. :-) they could never care anyway for cities other than theirs. it's only us filipinos who can care and love OUR MANILA.; July 07, 2007 1:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Too bad about the ban :( ...but somehow it's nice to know you have readers who care enough to let you know about it.

Congrats with the photo being featured! First thing that entered my mind when I saw it "wow! why didn't i think about that" ...cz i was tryin so hard to take a nice picture of binondo church and i always end up having buildings, poles or electric wires included in the picture. I loooved from what angle you took the picture! :); July 07, 2007 2:29 PM
Anonymous said...: Congrats for having one of your shot featured in a pro magazine. Is it your first here?

It is sad about your censorship from China. Do they make room for appeal and explanation? Do they have mechanized system of banning sites? I really wonder...; July 07, 2007 6:28 PM
Gita Asuncion said...: more power, senorE! and more posts! and definitely more photos! congratulations on your cover photo!; July 07, 2007 7:20 PM
Photowalker said...: Congratulations sir.; July 07, 2007 9:14 PM
Anonymous said...: What?! Hmm... anyways congrats again on being published there. Mukhang magiging regular ka na dyan ah!; July 08, 2007 12:15 AM
joal perocillo said...: love the way ur pictures tells a story.. mind if i link ur site to my blog?.. thanks and congrats!; July 08, 2007 1:38 AM
Anonymous said...: By the way, am just wandering? Does IMag pay for any published photo on their mag?; July 08, 2007 7:38 AM
cacofonix said...: Great angle that resulted to three perfectly complimentary focal objects - the water fountain, its generously sprinkled crystal-like drops of water and the church. Overall, the photo refreshingly leaves a strong impression of an architectural gem that stood the test of time (the captured part of a contrasting white contemporary building on the right side brought this to the fore). Photo's a classic!

Congrats on both acknowledgements - the mag and China censorship!:); July 08, 2007 10:37 AM
cacofonix said...: ooops....complementing focal objects rather....sorry...:); July 08, 2007 1:02 PM
Anonymous said...: Wow! Congrats on having your picture featured by IMag. This is actually one of my fave pics of yours. :)

That's too bad about you blog being banned. I think I've read somewhere in a blogger's post that there are countries where you can't access "Blogger" sites, reason why she migrated to Wordpress. Could that be the reason, and not just because of the posts you wrote about the Chinese?; July 08, 2007 1:58 PM
Anonymous said...: Man, that's pretty bad. Looks like they won't be lifting that ban anytime soon though. I hope people there can still get to visit your site via proxy server.

Anyhoo, congratulations for being featured in i-Mag! :); July 08, 2007 3:49 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks, Wil.

I've a feeling it has more to do with entries I had published regarding the early Chinese traders and migration.; July 08, 2007 4:06 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks, Kyels.

Certain communist countries tend to revise history to fit their own agenda. There may be certain points in my essays that they Chinese government deem embarrassing. Some of the migrant Chinese' addiction to opium could be one.; July 08, 2007 4:09 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Many thanks, Pusa, but I doubt that my site is that super galeng. Hehehe.; July 08, 2007 4:11 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks a lot, Daniel.

I wish we had more time the other day; that was really a fun, especially when talking about Inday, one of my favorites in the characters of your chidhood memoirs. And of course, the ma chang!

Yes, isn't it quite ironic that everything seem to have happened as if orchestrated? Hahaha.

Looking forward to getting together again soon!
Thanks; July 08, 2007 4:17 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Ayayay, Jeng -- poles, wires, cables, and other obstructions. Without Photoshop to remove those from a picture, I am really discouraged to get more into architectural shots of our grand old houses in the city.

Thanks much!; July 08, 2007 4:22 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Thank you, Major Tom. This is the very first time a photo of mine was ever featured editorially.

Appeal, if any exists, may only prove futile in the long run since as we know, censorship tends to become subjective and dependent upon personal whim as well.; July 08, 2007 4:26 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Oooops! Only an editorial feature, Gita, no cover, yet, though that wouldn't be bad, either ... hehehe.

Thank you!; July 08, 2007 4:28 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Thank you very much, Photowalker!; July 08, 2007 4:28 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks much, Ferdz!

No financial compensation; only prestige amongst the peers, Ferdz.

I have more to know/learn in this craft, though. By the way, I've signed up for your friend's event this coming August :); July 08, 2007 4:32 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Many thanks, Athos11. I've also bookmarked your site. It's an interesting photoblog you have! I'm glad that more are getting into documenting our cities; unlike in the past when it's hard to find images of such kind. I'll be visiting your site often.; July 08, 2007 4:37 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Wow! Many thanks for such kind words, Cacofonix! Truly appreciate it. Based on your critique, I can only surmise that you are a pro photographer.; July 08, 2007 4:39 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Thank you, Irene!

You might be right; that countries like China would a sweeping ban from a certain site like Blogger.com or Flickr. But then again, I'm sure they're aware that Wordpress is a blog network by now and would have banned it by now if such is the case.

I'm not really sure, though ... hehehe.; July 08, 2007 4:43 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks, Ced!

Very interesting site you have; I've bookmarked it. I'll be visiting it regularly :); July 08, 2007 4:46 PM
Anonymous said...: Wow, thanks! I hope I can update it as often as you visit especially so that the rainy season's already here. :); July 08, 2007 7:50 PM
Señor Enrique said...: I'm sure you'll manage to update it all right, Ced :); July 08, 2007 8:58 PM
Anonymous said...: congrats! your pictures are in a magazine.

as for beijing, that's too bad. i stayed in beijing for 6 months in 2000 for a special assignment, one of these days, i will share my photos.; July 09, 2007 2:51 AM
NOYPETES said...: Watched out for the poisoned Tikoy!
That's what you get for excersizing your freedom to express your opiions! Your mami and siopao will never taste the same again for you will be banned from the best chinese food places in town!:-) Saludo on your published photo on i-Mag!; July 09, 2007 5:10 AM
carlotta1924 said...: hi congrats!!! i'm gonna look for the mag. =); July 09, 2007 5:38 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Six months in Beijing, Dine? I think that's a wonderful way to visit a foreign city. This way, you'll have plenty of time to soak in the culture and meet lots of locals.

Yes, love to see some of your pics!

Thanks!; July 09, 2007 6:25 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Now you really got me paranoid, Pete!
Hahaha!

Maraming salamat!; July 09, 2007 6:27 AM
Señor Enrique said...: A great magazine full of tips for both amateurs and pros alike, Carla. I recommend it.

Thank you!; July 09, 2007 6:28 AM
stip said...: congratulations on the China ban and the i-Mag feature, senor E! Absolutely fantastic err... circumstances?; July 09, 2007 10:03 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks, Stip!

Hehehe :); July 09, 2007 10:37 AM
gmirage said...: Congratulations!

More click to you! =); July 09, 2007 5:30 PM
-= dave =- said...: Congrats Señor E!

To deal with the assassin, perhaps you may want to train in the handling of the rapier, a skill befitting a Senor. But since Kung-Fu is superior to Fencing, it may be better if you train in our very own Arnis. You'll have a better chance of survival with it :)

Kidding aside, a ban in one country is a badge to be worn proudly. It's a great marketing gimmick. Sales of books and movies have increased by merely adding the label "Banned in (insert country)!" I tell you, "Señor Enrique - Banned in China" is a greater come on than "Señor Enrique - Best Photoblog, Philippine Blog Awards."; July 10, 2007 1:43 AM
reyd said...: The thing is, China bans almost everything when it comes to social interactions. If you can pass thru to anyone in China on how to use an Anonymous Web Browser site, that would be great.
There are lots of sites offering that service on the web.
ex. http://www.htmlblock.co.uk/anon.php; July 10, 2007 2:26 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Thank you, G. Mirage! Hehehe.; July 10, 2007 6:58 AM
Señor Enrique said...: "I tell you, 'Señor Enrique - Banned in China' is a greater come on than 'Señor Enrique - Best Photoblog, Philippine Blog Awards.' "

Hilarious but true, Dave ... hahaha. I should milk it more by sending our TV and print media copies of a press release to this effect.

Only problem is, my site remains ad free, and I wouldn't profit at all from such efforts.

Therefore, this particular entry remains an interesting study in irony more than anything.

Thanks, Dave!; July 10, 2007 7:03 AM
Señor Enrique said...: When I started this blog of mine, Reyd, a handbook in blogging became available. In it are plenty of tips how to blog anonymously. However, this was intended for those in countries that restrict free speech.

Thanks for the URL.; July 10, 2007 7:06 AM
Anonymous said...: Oh wow!! You've definitely Made It! Being banned from China and getting a photo published is just the start! Cool!; July 10, 2007 11:31 AM
Señor Enrique said...: It think it's more ironic than having got it "made," Gracing ... hehehe.; July 10, 2007 12:24 PM
sheilamarie said...: oh wow! congratulations eric!!! the picture you took is gorgeous! a work of art indeed =D

the cyber nanny of china has banned you? so sorry =( but ask them to try checking daily/weekly in case. afropinay's blog, blogging from shanghai, often gets the same problem, but the ban gets lifted after a week or two.; July 10, 2007 6:03 PM
Señor Enrique said...: But isn't that a waste of time for China's cyber nannys, Sheilamarie? THat is, to ban and then un-ban a blog site? Hehehe!

Many thanks!; July 10, 2007 7:59 PM
pusa said...: señor E, i really love this photo of yours and when i went to binondo i copied this shot... is it ok if i post my "copied" photo in my blog? i would give you credit of course for giving the inspiration

thanks; July 12, 2007 11:00 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Yes, go ahead, Pusa!

Actually, it'd be fun to see others do the same and see their interpretations of it :)

I'll check out your site and your photo of it.; July 12, 2007 11:16 AM
Unknown said...: Good Morning Senor Enrique,

It is good to be able to read your entries again. I've been on the road for the past few weeks.

I have a friend who is in China right now and she emailed me about two weeks before that she cannot access my blog as well from the mainland. I don't even have entries about China until yesterday. Funny coincidence or they generally block blogspot?

:); July 15, 2007 9:16 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Hi Daisy,

I shouldn't feel so bad then after all. Maybe, anything with blogspot.com is automatically banned by the Chinese government.; July 15, 2007 11:36 AM

Wish you were here

Saturday, July 07, 2007

CHINA BANS SENOR ENRIQUE

56 Comments:

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