Wednesday, July 04, 2007
READING THE SUNDAY PAPER
I have a bone to pick with our local newspapers: How come they don't publish holiday or festival activities in advance?
Take our independence holiday last June, for example. A week or two beforehand, I started searching the papers and tourism websites for schedules and locations of events. And the only thing I came up with was a generalized and vague mention of festivities planned to be held on the grounds of the CCP on a Sunday night prior. That was it.
Meanwhile on the morning of the holiday itself, on the morning TV news show was a live feed of the beginning of a grand celebration in Luneta. On the other hand, that day's edition of Philippine Star boldly announced on its front page the planned activities for the day.
Why not give the readers enough time to prepare or plan to attend these events by printing such announcements at least a week in advance? Were they concerned that demonstrators would show up instead and clog up the parade routes? This was the reason I missed the early morning festivities in Luneta; I had no idea of what or when celebratory activities were supposed to take place. Oh, well ...
By the way, today is July 4th. Independence Day in America; a day of much celebration -- parades, picnics, ball games, and fireworks. I wish everyone in the States a joyful and safe holiday!
Camera: Nikon D80
Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250), Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 80 mm, ISO Speed: 400
posted by Señor Enrique at 5:09 AM
31 Comments:
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said... July 4th (Fil-Am Friendship Day) used to be a holiday here in the country.. well, not anymore, since the expiration of the US military bases agreement.
I like the photo, Eric... kaya lang, bakit yung isang paa lang ng mama ang may suot na tsinelas? hehehe.. napansin ko lang...-
Señor Enrique said... It makes this photo special because of the missing slipper on the other foot ... hehehe. Makes you wonder if it was intention or the guy was in such frenzied haste to read his Sunday paper.
So, Rhoda, what do you think is the real story behind this one-slippered Sunday paper reader? Hehehe.
Yes, I heard it is Fil-Am Friendship Day here in the Philippines today.-
joe said...
Hi Eric,
Greetings from Poughkeepsie! Let me take a crack at this one-slippered sunday paper reader. He could be sitting on the other one if i may say so. I've seen people do that to ease their butts hehe. Read about Carvajal Street...hope you feature San Jacinto area of restaurants someday. Are they still around? Happy 4th! And yes i'm on my golf sabbatical to answer gita and you. Good excuse. Regards.-
Photo Cache said...
good post. hope your request reaches the proper channels. i agree with you btw, that these activities should be at least announced a week in advance.
happy fourth to everyone, however you celebrate it.-
pusa said...
hi señor, am sharing the same sentiments with you... i also searched and searched for the festivities itenerary but none came up...newspapers or at least government websites should have 'em.
very nice photo.
btw, if you guys want a copy of the book 7, harry potter and the deadly hallows, just email me :)-
Senorito<- Ako said...
"I have a bone to pick with our local newspapers: How come they don't publish holiday or festival activities in advance? "
I think it's the local councils responsibility to inform ppl of the events. Here in Wellington (NZ) the local council has a Events calendar online.
Speaking of governance (or lack of). Ever experience the POEA processing ?? anggulo sobra ! muntik akong hindi makapunta dito.-
said...
Well, I guess the local council should do something about publishing the date of events and where the venues are earlier; it will definitely be of great help!
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said...
It's as if they don't want people to celebrate. :(
I think Joe is right - I have seen lots of vendors take off one slipper so they could sit on it ... maybe because the pavement's hot?
Great picture, Eric! Makes us think.-
said...
I do agree with you. News must not only be news it must have a page or a portion for upcoming events especially those celebrated nationwide. They have one in fashion, weddings and show at fashion section, but I guess they should put a specific space on it. Maybe because it's considered as Ads already.
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IN QUEST OF ADVOCACIES said...
Eric,
I linked you page with mine. You're using D-80? I use Canon. You have a keen eye on composition.
If you want your works on big prints don't hesitate to contact me. I'll give you special price.-
Iara Alencar said...
Ola sr. Enrique. It is also an excellent day to place in test the faith of the Americans, pra that menlhor day to plan a crossed fire? good afternoon, I am Brazilian and I found its blog looking for for a song. Pretty blog.
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NOYPETES said...
Joe is right with that missing slipper. Sitting on a rubber slipper is common practice with tambays or kanto boys in Manila. I should do that next time I go to the beach on my flip-flops, sit on one slipper on the curb while munching on a hot dog! Baka naman binato ng misis niya sa kanya at bumagsak sa ilog Pasig kaya nawala?
..."Ang Tsinelas sa Ilog Pasig"...-
said...
Hairdo reminds me of a younger Clint Eastwood, George Chakiris, and Ronaldo Valdez, hehe...
Hope he is reading worthwhile news and not looking at something perverted. Real nice take. Cheers.-
Señor Enrique said...
Except for our broadsheets, no one else talks much about the Fil-Am Friendship Day anymore.
Would you believe, Rhoda, that my father used to ask our neighborhood baker to roast a whole turkey on every July 4th? We were the only family in the neighborhood that I know of that did this.
But I think my father just wanted to have a reason to eat turkey; he loved the open-faced turkey sandwich (gravy and all) at Sam's, a diner near Santa Cruz Church, which no longer exists.-
Señor Enrique said...
You are right Joe, as concurred by Bugsybee and Pete! The other slipper is used to cushion this man's butt.
San Jacinto area? Don't know it, Joe, but will certainly ask around and feature it especially for you :)-
Señor Enrique said...
I hope so, too, Photo Cache. This way many photographer friends can cover these events, too, and help share them with as many people as possible :)
I am most certain that our friends and family abroad would love to take a peek at the local happenings also.-
Señor Enrique said...
We ought to have such information clearing house, Pusa so that more people can enjoy these wonderful events in person.
Thanks for the Harry Potter Book 7 tip!-
Señor Enrique said...
Tha's an idea, Senorito Ako! If ever I find myself in city hall, I will stop by its cultural and tourism office and get information on our various city councils.
Thank you!-
Señor Enrique said...
That's right, Kyels. That would be a very good start. I'll stop by city hall one of these days for that purpose.
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Señor Enrique said...
So that solves the mystery, Bugsy. Thank you! Hehehe.
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Señor Enrique said...
Aren't they more like public announcements, Roy? Anyhow, perhaps, getting a contact in city hall would be a good start.
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Señor Enrique said...
One Sunday we must have coffee so we can discuss more at length about large prints and all, Roy! Intriguing idea.
Many thanks! I had already bookmarked your page :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Hello Lara!
I appreciate your dropping by and leaving a note. Obrigado!
When I was living in New York, I had many Brazilian friends; a couple worked for the Petrobras office in Manhattan.
A wonderful culture you have; love your music the most!-
Señor Enrique said...
I have never seen anyone do that before, Pete, not even amongst my playmates when we were kids.
We used our slippers in lame versions of "tumbang preso". However, for those extreme ones, we used a fist-sized somewhat flat stone ... hehehe.
I've only seen irate housewives hurl pots and pans at their recalcitrant husbands ... hahaha.-
Señor Enrique said...
A George Chakiris is more like it, TruBlue! Nice healthy hair, though.
This guy might be involved in reading about the messy ballot counting issue in Maguindanao based on his engrossed look. Had there been a slight trace of a grin, then something lecherous would be what captivated him.
Thanks, TruBlue!-
Amadeo said...
George Chakiris, and I might add Natalie Wood. Blasts from the past!
Since both played as Puerto Ricans in the multi-awarded WestSide Story musical.
So where are they now? Natalie Wood, most of us know. But George?
And funny now, because George was Greek and Natalie was Russian, who grew up in downtown San Francisco, playing Latins.
And Anthony Quinn who played Zorba The Greek was actually Latin, being pure Mexican.-
Señor Enrique said...
Let me also add, Amadeo, Sal Mineo; an Italian who played Yul Brynner's eldest son in the movie, The King and I.
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-= dave =- said...
The first thing that also came to my mind when you mentioned the missing slipper was that he's sitting on it. I've seen it done many times before. As for what he is reading, we'd never know actually ;)
Hi Señor E! I'm back! I also posted a comment in your entry about Carvajal Street.-
Señor Enrique said...
That must be the reason, Dave ... a unanimous speculation :)
Welcome back!-
IN QUEST OF ADVOCACIES said...
Eric,one of the frustration of an artist is how to publish his/her works. It's good that there's blog nowadays. I don't think it's an Ad. It's been my hobby. You see, as I search for the mediums to print my photos and artworks I made a lot of friends who owns printing machines, frames, etc. . . etc . . . these hobby of ours is expensive and we need something to support our expenses for it . . . it we earn a little, well good. If not he . . .he . . . then we shoulder the expenses.
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Señor Enrique said...
You're right, Roy!
