(This news item by Jocelyn Montemayor appeared in the Oct. 3, 2006 issue of Malaya.)
THE libel suits filed by Jose Miguel Arroyo against at least 43 journalists might not prosper since the courts are likely to find him a public figure, presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor said yesterday.
“Di ba ang sabi ng mga rulings ng court, it’s so hard for a public official to file a libel case, di ba? Now I wouldn’t know how the courts would determine the First Gentleman’s but since may tainting ng pagiging public figure siya that is something that has to be determined by them,” Defensor said.
Defensor said Cabinet members as well as senators and congressmen are not that sensitive as far as libel cases are concerned since they are public figures.
He said the libel law is more of a protection to “private persons not the public officials.”
Defensor said Roby Alampay, executive director of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance, has called his attention to the numerous libel cases filed by Arroyo after the filing was denounced by international media groups.
Asked if Malacañang supports the proposed bill decriminalizing libel, Defensor declined to answer.
At the annual Gridiron last Wednesday, National Press Club president Roy Mabasa asked President Arroyo to certify as urgent the bill decriminalizing the libel law.
There are presently 43 journalists in the Philippines facing libel charges filed by First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo. The sheer number betrays a wanton disregard for freedom of the press and the propensity to use power and influence to silence critics. This statement is to protest the use of the libel law to stop critical reports and commentaries and to fight for the right of every Filipino to seek and receive information and ideas on matters of public interest, which are at the very core of the concept of a democratic society.
Click here for the statement of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines on the matter.Below are the signatories as of 11 pm, Oct. 3, 2006.
Philippine Media Organizations
1. National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)
2. Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
3. Bandillo ng Palawan
4. Sorsogon Organization of News writers, Announcers and Reporters (SONAR)
5. Manila Chinese Press Club (MCPC)
6. Negros Weekly
7. Negros Daily Bulletin
8. Cobra-Ans
9. Alyansa ng mga Filipinong Mamamahayag (AFIMA)
10. Association of Responsible Media (ARM)
International Organizations
1. International Federation of Journalists
2. Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
3. Indian Media Centre ( India)
4. Reporters Without Borders
5. Committee to Protect Journalists
6. Southeast Asian Press Alliance
7. Hong Kong Journalists Association
8. National Union of Journalists (India)
9. Federation of Media Employee’s Trade Unions
10. Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
11. Hong Kong Journalists Association
Individuals
1. Jose Torres Jr. (Chairperson, NUJP)
2. Rowena Paraan (Secretary-General, NUJP)
3. Nonoy Espina (Director, NUJP)
4. Inday Espina-Varona (Director, NUJP)
5. Sonny E. Fernandez (National Vice Chairperson, NUJP/ABC 5)
6. Elmer James Bandol (NUJP-Albay)
7. Leti Boniol (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
8. Ruben Alabastro (Inquirer)
9. Julie Aurelio (Inquirer)
10. Elvira Mata (Inquirer)
11. Adelle Geraldo (Inquirer)
12. Lorna Kalaw-Tirol (Inquirer)
13. Juan Sarmiento Jr. (Inquirer)
14. Chito de la Vega (Inquirer)
15. Stephanie Asuncion (Inquirer)
16. Jun Bandayrel (Inquirer)
17. Tina Arceo-Dumlao (Inquirer)
18. Margie Espino (Inquirer)
19. Corrie Salientes-Narisma (Inquirer)
20. Monica Feria (Inquirer)
21. Vangie Baga-Reyes (Inquirer)
22. Mylene Francisco (Inquirer)
23. Miguel Suarez (Inquirer)
24. Ted Melendres (Inquirer)
25. Jun Cinco (Inquirer)
26. A. Noel Velasco (Inquirer)
27. Abelardo Ulanday (Inquirer)
28. Rosario Garcellano (Inquirer)
29. Artemio Engracia Jr. (Inquirer)
30. Jose Ma. Nolasco (Inquirer)
31. John B. Bayarong (NUJP-Olongapo/Subic)
32. Romy Elusfa (Business Mirror)
33. Joyce Pa�ares (Manila Standard Today)
34. Marlon Ramos (Inquirer Southern Luzon Bureau-Laguna)
35. Carla P. Gomez (Visayan Daily Star, Bacolod City)
36. Arman Toga, editor (Negros Daily Bulletin)
37. Ire Jo V.C. Laurente (DWOM-FM, Mindoro )
38. Julie S. Alipala, ( Inquirer Mindanao Bureau-Zamboanga City)
39. David Santos ( ABS-CBN Zamboanga City )
40. Vicente Jaime Villafranca (Philippine Graphic)
41. Ramon Acasio (Philippine Graphic)
42. Lynette Ordo�ez-Luna (Independent)
43. Rollie Espina, Philippine Star and Negros Press Club
44. Ma. Ester Espina, Media Advocates for Reproductive Health and Empowerment
45. Delfin Perez (Manila Bulletin)
46. Gerry Albert Corpuz (contributor, Bulatlat.com)
47. Jofelle Tesorio (Bandillo ng Palawan)
48. Ansbert B. Joaquin (NUJP Olongapo-Subic)
49. Tony Bergonia (Inquirer)
50. Raul Marcelo (Inquirer)
51. Eric Olona (Inquirer)
52. Linda Bolido (Inquirer)
53. Chelo B. Formoso (Inquirer)
54. Fernando del Mundo (Inquirer)
55. Cenon Bibe Jr. (Inquirer)
56. Sandra Sendoyro (Inquirer)
57. Romina Austria (Inquirer)
58. Princess Daily Omilga (Inquirer)
59. Ernie Sarmiento (Inquirer)
60. Keith Bacongco (Business Mirror)
61. Jun Verzola (Northern Dispatch Weekly)
62. Delfin T. Mallari Jr. (Inquirer Southern Luzon-Quezon)
63. Dodong Solis (Radio Mindanao Networks-Davao)
64. Alexander Martin Remollino (Bulatlat Online Magazine, NUJP)
65. Dennis Maliwanag (inq7.net)
66. Ces Rodriguez (One Philippines )
67. Raffy Jimenez (GMANews.TV)
68. Ilang-Ilang Quijano (Pinoy Weekly)
69. Noel Sales Barcelona (Pinoy Weekly, NUJP)
70. Soliman A. Santos (Pinoy Weekly, NUJP/Elliptical Press Corps director)
71. Kenneth Roland A. Guda (Pinoy Weekly, NUJP)
72. D’Jay Lazaro (Pinoy Weekly managing editor, NUJP/NCPM Executive Director)
73. Rogelio L. Ordo�ez (Pinoy Weekly EIC, NUJP/NPC)
74. Bayani Abadilla (Pinoy Weekly, News Editor, NUJP/NPC)
75. Roel Pareno (Philippine Star)
76. Frencie Carreon (Zamboanga Today)
77. Carol “Rollie” Montilla (Eastern Times, Malaya, KMC Magazine)
78. Carmelito Q. Francisco (BusinessWorld-Mindanao/Mindanao Times)
79. Veronica Uy (INQ7.net)
80. Thea Alberto (INQ7.net)
81. Noel Godinez (Nothern Dispatch Weekly)
82. Rudy D. Liporada (Editor, Kapitbahay, San Diego, California)
83. Lito Banayo (Columnist, Malaya and Abante)
84. Aquiles Z. Zonio (Inquirer Mindanao Bureau/NUJP-General Santos City)
85. Edith Regalado
86. Iris Cecilia Gonzales (BusinessWorld)
87. Ma. Ceres P. Doyo (Inquirer)
88. Bobby Tuazon ( Bulatlat.com)
89. Grace Albasin (Inquirer Mindanao Bureau/NUJP)
90. Danilo A. Arao ( Bulatlat.com)
91. Merpu P. Roa (Filipino Express/MindaNews)
92. Ermin Garcia Jr. (Sunday Punch)
93. Susan Palmes (NUJP-Cagayan de Oro)
94. Rommel G. Rebolido (NUJP-General Santos )
95. Artemio A. Dumlao (Philippine Star/NUJP)
96. Raymond Panaligan (freelance photographer)
97. Ellen Tordesillas ( Malaya )
98. Hadrian Hernandez (Gulf News, UAE)
99. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate (Columnist,Kris-Crossing Mindanao, Inquirer)
100. Edwin C. Mercurio (Philippine Press Club-Ontario, Canada)
101. Ninotchka Rosca (Novelist/journalist)
102. Michael Sarcauga (NUJP-Pagadian)
103. Roberto Galicia (Philippine Press Club-Ontario, Canada)
104. Ma. Diosa Labiste (NUJP-Iloilo/community journalist)
105. Nestor Burgos Jr. (Inquirer-Iloilo/NUJP)
106. Michael L. Ubac (Inquirer)
107. Ronnel Domingo (Inquirer)
108. Tarra Quismundo (Inquirer)
109. Philip Cesar Tubeza (Inquirer)
110. Marinel R. Cruz (Inquirer)
111. Kathryn L. Reyes (Inquirer)
112. Pamela Samia (Inquirer)
113. Robert Jaworski Aba�o (Inquirer Northern Luzon Bureau)
114. Vincent Cabreza (Inquirer Northern Luzon Bureau)
115. Desiree Caluza (Inquirer Northern Luzon Bureau)
116. Jonathan Cellona (photojournalist, BusinessWorld)
117. Voltaire F. Domingo
118. Paul M. Gutierrez (Journal Group)
119. Gerry Kaimo
120. Gene de Loyola
121. Joel Salud (freelance writer)
122. Edralyn Benedicto (Inquirer Visayas Bureau)
123. Cheryll Fiel ( Davao Today/NUJP)
124. Grace Uddin ( Davao Today/NUJP)
125. Pam Pastor (Inquirer)
126. Psyche Mendoza
127. Gil Nartea (Philippine Center for Photojournalism)
128. Butch Hilario (freelance journalist)
129. Armando Malay Jr.
130. Ares P. Gutierrez (Al Nisr Media-Dubai/Gulf News)
131. Carlos H. Conde
132. Alexander T. Magno (GMA-News.TV )
133. Ricky Carandang (ANC)
134. Allan M. Mediante (Mindanao Trustee, Philippine Press Institute/Mindanao Gold Star Daily)
135. Jun Galias (NUJP-Sorsogon)
136. Manny Lucila (SONAR)
137. Bobby Q. Labalan (Inquirer Southern Luzon Bureau/NUJP)
138. Jose F. Lacaba
139. Jun Godoy (NUJP-Ozamiz City )
140. Aubrey SC Makilan ( Bulatlat.com/Silangan Shimbun)
141. Tony Abejo (Malindang Tribune/ NUJP- Misamis Occidental)
142. Florfina Marcelino (The Philippine Times, Winnepeg, Canada)
143. Erwin Oliva (INQ7.net/ cyberbaguioboy.com.ph )
144. Armin Adina (Inquirer Libre)
145. Ritchie Sabado (Inquirer Libre)
146. Bayani San Diego (Inquirer)
147. Cora Lucas (Inquirer)
148. Heraldo “Boy” Cabrido (Inquirer)
149. Raffy Lerma (Inquirer)
150. Grace Pagulayan (Inquirer)
151. Dennis Eroa (Inquirer Libre)
152. Rommel Lalata (Inquirer Libre)
153. John Nery (Inquirer)
154. Ariel Dim. Borlongan (Balita)
155. Rorie Fajardo (GMANews.TV)
156. Darwin Wee (BusinessWorld)
157. Leila Vicente (ABS-CBN Zamboanga)
158. Raul Valino (Philippine Graphic at Business Mirror)
159. Sonia M. Capio (Womantouch Media)
160. Allen V. Estabillo (MindaNews)
161. Al Alegre (Foundation for Media Alternatives)
162. Vi Massart, Chief European Correspondent, The Philippine Star)
163. Jon Joaquin (Mindanao Daily Mirror)
164. Martin Marfil (GMANews.TV)
165. Val Veneracion (GMANews.TV)
166. Clarissa Militante (GMANews.TV)
167. Jes Aznar (GMANews.TV)
168. Vic Montero (Editorial Chief, ABC 5)
169. Jackie Sierda (Executive Producer, The Big News, ABC 5)
170. Jove Francisco (Reporter, ABC 5)
171. Sherrie Ann Torres (Reporter, ABC 5)
172. Naomi Dayrit (Reporter, ABC 5)
173. Ge-Ann Pineda (Reporter, ABC 5)
174. Jason Torres (Reporter, ABC 5)
175. Michael Carreon (News writer, ABC 5)
176. Eric Montas (Senior Desk Offficer, News, ABC 5)
177. Mel Cabigting (Desk Officer, ABC 5)
178. Minnie Advincula (Malaya)
179 Rosario Galang (Malaya)
180 Che Francisco (Malaya)
181 Echie Candelaria (Malaya)
182. Monaly Reas (Malaya)
183. Evangeline de Vera (Malaya)
184. Jimmy Calapati (Malaya)
185.Gerardine Trillana (Malaya)
186.Yuko Takei (Freelance Journalist, Tokyo)
187. Fred Magdalena, Contributing Writer, Fil-Am Courier, Honolulu
Ellen:
Perhaps I’m Johnny come lately. What brought the libel against you anyway? What did you write or said to pissed him off. Could you please, print that article(s) on this blog and let me be the judged if it warrant a libel. That “it” doesn’t know good honest writing if slap him on the face. Anyway, I’m thrilled you pissed him off.
Have you gone to the trial, see the judge as yet or still waiting on the outcome? So, what’s the status of the libel. Does he have a leg to stand on, or nothing but hot air- harassment? Let us know when we should start collecting, if the case goes against you. Can you counter libel for clear harassment or predudice against women journalist trying to make an honest living in the land of corrupt town?
Is goodluck appropriate? Goodluck!
Toney,
perhaps good pinoy men should start to piss off fatso… why should women do all the pissing off?
Ellen:
On the 43 journalist being sued, where you on the top 10. Or it took awhile for that “it” to get around you. Nothing important just wondering where you stand with that “it”. If you are on his one of the favorite journalist. Are you? Are you still in good term with that “it”? One more question, are you allow in Malacanang to interview the other half of “it”. Or you’ve been banned in Malacanang?
By the way, I define “it” not as a civilized person but undefined animals.
Ellen,
What are you going to do with the list? Will they be submitted to the court or something?
Anna:
I’m laughing with you and not at you. Ha! ha! ha! Do you really want me to comment on that, seriouly? why should women do all the pissing off? He! He! He! Ellen might throw me off this blog. I think I should leave it alone and let you wonder. No way, I don’t have a dirty mind, not at all.
That’s only a ploy to show there’s freedom of speech in Malacanang. How could little Mike say that to the Big Mike?
Too bad Toney that you don’t have a dirty mind coz Fatso’s mind is all dirt… One’s gotta learn to fight Fatso and his dirt with the same tools.
I said pretty much the same thing once – fight Gloria and her husband with their own shit!
Heheheh!
And seriously, why should women do all the pissing off? Men ain’t got enough in their kidney?
Anna:
I believe, what’s now happening, sadly for the Pilipino nation is that our government are nothing but a big joke, laugh of the town, if you will. What this two “it” are doing to the country of ours are beyond words can express. They’re no longer human being in my book, they’ve no compassion, yet we can categorize them “it” as wild animals, hungry for blood, any blood. They can no longer distinguish the difference between right and wrong, it’s all the same for both of them, like animals. Nothing matter anymore, but their own survival. They don’t give a shit about the normal folks of what they become, most obviously.
All combine together, piss on them “it” animals.
What happened if all the lawsuits are dismissed? did Little Mickey said about the remedies due the dependants for the expense incurred preparing for their defenses while Mike Arroyo is using the Public Funds for his libel suits. It is the Public Funds since the suits were filed by the public prosecutors as criminal offenses. Had it been a tort case or common law, he could be sued for Harrassment and violation of rights in return or maybe he should be.
I agree that Mike Jose Pidal Arroyo should be sued in turn for harassment.
In a previous post, I mentioned that elsewhere a judge might even throw the book at Arroyo for abusing the court.
The 43 journalists should band together and sue him at the same time by filing 43 cases of harrassment and if need be, multiply the charges too – just to give him a dose of his own medicine.
He will be like a dizzy catfish in muddy waters!
How dare him use up the precious time of the office of the prosecutors for his personal whims!
1. what are we going to do with this list?
The statement and the list by themselves are statements of outrage. We will submit it to all several international orgnizations that care. I think it will also be sent to Malacañang. Whether they will pay attention to it or not, is their call.
2. Sue Mike Arroyo.
It’s one of the options we have discussed. But I think we have to wait for a decision of the cases before we can do it.
3.re: On the 43 journalist being sued, where you on the top 10.
There is no such thing as “top ten”.
Actually, I have already been dropped from the list by the prosecutor. But Mike Arroyo filed a petition to re-instate me in the charge sheet.
The Chinese Filipinos I met over the weekend who attended the St Therese de Lisieux procession in Normandy, France swore that the king pig of all greedy pigs, no less than Mike Jose Pidal Arroyo himself is the real kingpin of the smugglers syndicate.
One of the relatives of the apprehended Chinese smuggler said that Arroyo would blackmail the Chinese if they didn’t cooperate.
Apparently, for one smuggled container to pass through Customs, the guys had to pay a minimum of 100 thousand pesos. Can you imagine the number of containers going through the stevedoring docks there? Thousands by the day!
This pig Arroyo and his ilk like Malditas Gutierrez are bleeding the country dry!
And he’s got the temerity to charge journalists who are trying to make an honest living with libel for telling the truth.
Dapat diyan sa baboy damo na iyan, skewer!
You said it, Anna.
Anna,
Last year, I met some biggies in the boxing industry, and game lords in the Philippines. You’re right, friend, about the Fatso being now the kingpin of all corruptions in the Philippines. The asking price according to the game lords is 5M pesos per game or the operation is tore down by the police.
With the police, the court and Congress controlled by the Fatso and his wife, he said, he would rather shut his mouth, give them what they want and go on with his business. It is the same principle the Pacman goes by, I guess.
Pacman says the son Mikey is the Ninong of his sons. And for that he thinks he is duty-bound to protect the interests of the mother and her husband! I understand that Pacman contributes a big amount of his earnings from boxing to the Pidal fund likewise. The Fatso even gets first slot for the big bet. Maliit daw ang 250,000 dollars win ni Fatso sa bet during Pacman’s fight.
I should add that Singson is one of the Fatso’s gang ang he gets big money from Pacman’s fight likewise on the bet. Maraming pera ang loko kaya malakas ang loob. With the money he gets, he can hire as many hire killers (mamamataytao) to kill his enemies no doubt. Tangna, parang OK Corral!
This one’s for the books:
Meron na tayong REYNA ng SINUNGALING!
Meron pa tayong HARI NG SMAGLERS!
Meron sin tayong
[*]PINUNO NG MGA BULAG: merciless gungungtierrrez!
[*]UNJUSTICE Secretary: SIRAULO Gongongzalez
[*]BRENDAmeyds na Senadora: Brenda Tililing-ago
Ayos! Galing! Galing! Nasa Ripley’s na ang Pinas!
Yehey!
RE: Libel Suit laban sa mga peryodista.
Balikan nyo! Harassment!
At pareho o mas malaki ang hingin nyong danyos perhuwisyo.
Tingnan ko lang kung hindi manginig ang mga yan sa ka-ek-ekan nila!
Hingin nyo pa, lumuhod sa harap nyo at halikan nag dinaanan nyo….
Talaga naman, oo!
wow! 186 libel suits? daming pares n’yan! meron bang collector’s item? fashionista pala itong si baboy dagat. kumpleto! hindi kaya bading?
talagang nauulit ang mga sinabi ni apolinario mabini tngkol sa kasaysayan ng pilipinas. ang magiging dahilan ng pagbulusok ng bansa ay ang ganid na pagnanasa ng mga hayok sa kapangyarihan.
…tungkol sa kasaysayan ng pilipinas.
vic Says:
“What happened if all the lawsuits are dismissed? did Little Mickey said about the remedies due the dependants for the expense incurred preparing for their defenses while Mike Arroyo is using the Public Funds for his libel suits.”
vic, i think mike defensor is not a lawyer so he could possibly not talk about the consequences if any libel case filed by the FG against any of the respondents is dismissed.
the determination of probable cause (whether or not the case should be filed in court) is the responsibility of the public prosecutor (fiscal) or the investigating judge (municipal judge) during the preliminary investigation stage.
probable cause is satisfied with the recital in the complaint of ultimate facts that would excite belief in a reasonable mind that the person who is charged is probably guilty of the crime or wrongdoing. probable cause does not mean absolute certainty nor would it require an inquiry into the sufficiency of the evidence to obtain a conviction (Villanueva vs. UCPB, G.R. No. 138291, March 7, 2000) .
sometimes the accused/respondent would challenge the findings of the investigating fiscal or judge by asking the RTC (regional trial court) where the case was raffled for the determination of probable cause. the judge simply would go over the documents supporting the indictment and from there rule whether the allegations contained therein are sufficient to establish a prima facie case. in other words, the determination of the fiscal or the investigating judge merely revolves on whether or not a particular crime has been committed and that the respondent or the accused is probably guilty thereof.
there is no specific crime defined in the revised penal code that would counter malicious or frivolous filing of a case whether it be criminal or civil case. the law does not impose any penalty on the right of a person to seek redress, through court litigation, for a perceived wrong done against his person. the mere act of filing a criminal complaint against another will not make the complainant liable for anything.
certainly, during the trial of the case, if any witness will falsely testify in court in support or against the case, he or she will run the risk of being prosecuted for false testimony punishable in the revised penal code under article 180 (false testimony against a defendant), article 181 (false testimony favorable to the defendant) or for perjury under article 183.
one possible remedy available to the accused journalists is an action for malicious prosecution which, incidentally, is an action that gives one the right to recover damages based on the civil code provisions on human relations, particularly, article 19 which states that: “every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the performance of his duties , act with justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith” in relation to article 21 which states that: “any person who willfully causes loss or injury to another in a manner that is contrary to morals, good customs or public policy shall compensate the latter for the damages.”
for a malicious prosecution suit to prosper, it is necessary that the plaintiff satisfactorily proves that the criminal action filed against him lacked probable cause and was filed by a sinister design, mainly to injure, vex, annoy or humiliate. (see Villanueva vs. UCPB)
by the way, the mere fact that the complainant is a public officer or is categorized as a public figure does not mean that they cannot file a libel case nor does it mean that a libel case filed by them will automatically be dismissed. remember the case of former pres. cory aquino against louie beltran? of course, the case was fought all the way up to the CA, where it was finally dismissed, although by then ka louie was no longer around to savor his sweet victory.
no one is immune from libel suit even if the defamatory imputation is directed against a public officer or a person considered a public figure. with all due respect, it is not quite accurate to say that a public figure is a fair game. one does not lose his right, honor and dignity by becoming a public officer or a public figure. the only difference is that if the offended party is a public officer or considered a public figure, TRUTH becomes an effective defense in favor of the accused. if the defamatory imputation is directed against an ordinary person, TRUTH may not be effective as defense because of the provision in the libel law that says “every defamatory imputation is presumed to be malicious, even if be true, if no good intention and justifiable motive for making it is shown…”.
so what happen if any of the case is dismissed. well, if in the dismissal order of the court there is a specific finding of total and absolute absence of any element of the crime being charged or if the elements cited in the villanueva case are present, then the accused journalists could file a damage suit for malicious prosecution, as discussed above, against fg mike arroyo. if the dismissal of the libel charge is based on reasonable doubt for failure of the prosecution to make a good case stick or due to insufficiency of evidence, then filing a damage suit against mike arroyo later may not prosper. can the accused journalists file civil cases for malicious prosecution while the libel case is still pending? no, because whether or not the libel case filed by arroyo are malicious is a prejudicial question which must necessarily be an issue in the present criminal cases pending in court.
Thanks for your enlightening views, Fencesitter.
Anna de Brux,
You say that you met “the Chinese Filipinos…over the weekend who attended the St Therese de Lisieux procession in Normandy, France swore that the king pig of all greedy pigs, no less than Mike Jose Pidal Arroyo himself is the real kingpin of the smugglers syndicate…”
I don’t know how to verify this though, but from what I gather, (and I cannot give any more details than this or my “agent” will butcher me) the Fatso and his amour, Vicky Toh, often go to a Taoist temple in Cebu (it is a few minutes drive from a hotel called “Waterfront”). It is also there where most of the so-called “tycoons” go to get advice from the “priest” of sorts. Vicky Toh’s brother, Tommy, is also a regular (as well as other “smugglers”), where he helps the “priest.” It may be worth a try to look into this.
Hi Chabeli,
I think I’ve been to that Taoist temple. Boy, it’s one very gradiose temple.
Will ask friends of mine from Cebu (Chinese tai pans there). Rep Cuenco should know too and I happen to know him. Right, I will make a few phone calls!
Hi Chabeli,
I think I’ve been to that Taoist temple. Boy, it’s one very grandiose temple.
Will ask friends of mine from Cebu (Chinese tai pans there). Rep Cuenco should know too and I happen to know him. Right, I will make a few phone calls!
Ooops, sorry for the double posting!
Yeah, been to Waterfront which I believe is owned by William Gatchalian, an ex-crony of Erap. Nice place but plenty of mosquitoes! (Amazing how these guys end up with all the best in the Philippines!)
Anyway, it was a Chinese friend of mine from Cebu who introduced me to Feng shui (is that the right spelling?) which is a bit tricky but funny. Amazing that all the Chinese I know live by the Feng Shui code.
Anna de Brux,
It’a actually a corner house that has been converted into a so-called temple. Every move the Fatso does is with consultation from the “priest.”
Not just Chinese, Anna, did you not know that the Ale Boba is practicing Feng Shui, too. I understand that she even has to consult some Feng Shui expert to change the interior of Malacanang. Baka sabihin kaya hindi siya mapapaalis because of Feng Shui.
anna and chabeli, cebuanong daku diay mo?
Hawaiianguy,
No – am not Cebuana but I have many friends there. I like Cebu a lot too and have been there a few times.
I think I have a friend or an acquaintance from every province in Pinas, well, at least from Lagawe (Mountain Province) down to Sulu but not in the Babuyan Islands sadly or none that I know of.
I believe Pinas is one big archipelago divided by water but with the same culture – Philippine culture. I like all my friends, whether they are Igorots or Tausugs…
Yuko,
Our landlord in KL when we were expats there was Chinese. He had the house built according to Feng Shui. And when we left to go back to Europe, he gave me 2 booklets on Feng Shui (office and home) including a small Feng Shui direction finder of some kind.
I read the booklets, found they made common sense; quite practical too (like the toilette shouldn’t be facing the door or built above an entrance hall) but forgot to strictly adhere to the rules when I had my house here renovated (kaya siguro ang daming problema ko ngayon sa bahay, I should have perhaps followed the rules in the book!!!!) but I did it for my husband’s office who kept on roaring in laughter as I arranged the bookshelves, the paperweight, the picture of the waterfalls, the chairs, etc…
I think Feng Shui works at least in his office – heheheh!
Anna,
I don’t believe in fortune telling, witchcraft, and in Feng Shui. I only believe in my religion and what it teaches about God, and if I do things according to what my mother-in-law says like not sleeping with the head pointed to the north, it is more for the sake of “pakikisama”!
We do have lots of superstitions here, too, like not sticking the chopsticks into a bowl of rice because it is kind of wishing someone to be dead! I follow for the sake of etiquette.
My mother is very superstitious, too, and she’s the one with both Chinese and British roots. I rebel against her superstitions, though.
Yuko,
You’re right. I don’t like divination either.
But what struck me with Feng shui or the little that I’ve read from my two booklets, is its common sense in furniture arrangement (although there are furniture arrangements in the booklet that I don’t particularly like) and not its religious or superstitious value. On the whole, I find the Chinese have a great deal of good sense when it comes to “tactitcal” deployment of some kind after all theirs is one of the oldest civilizations in history.
I say they have a good tactical common sense because their Art of War is much the same as their Feng Shui in tactical aspect of looking and deploying objects/people.
Their Art of War is really a military strategy full of great practical common sense in warfare. In the same vein, I take Feng Shui, or the little I’ve read from my two tiny booklets, as a tactical arrangement nothing more nothing less – no superstition involved.
Perhaps to others and I believe a lot adhere to Feng Shui, more for its superstitious values but definitely not to me.
Am much too practical and realistic a person – am quite down to earth really – to believe in superstitions and divination. (If you notice, I hardly invoke the phrase “God bless” or something akin unless I mean it sincerely.)
It is still superstition, Anna. The Japanese have similar beliefs like the veranda should always be on the sunny side—good for hanging the “sampay” as a matter of fact, more practical but without any religious connection the way Filipinos adopting this Feng Shui fad tend to do. It must be Buddhist origin, but over here Buddhism is only connected with death or something to do with dying. Shintoism is the one more for the living.
My mother-in-law belonged to a family of Shinto priests, and she was very particular about all these things about where things should be placed and directed to avoid mishap and misfortune. She did not mention them to be Feng Shui, just plain and simple local folklore and beliefs!
You bet, we should not say “God bless” when we do not mean it. That is definitely blasphemy and hypocrisy!
Hawiianguy,
I cannot speak very well, diutay lang; enough to get by. I can understand more than speak. I would hear the language being spoken by our household staff when I was little. Cebu is a beautiful place talaga. However, I haven’t been there in years!!!! Are you from Cebu?
chabeli, nope. am from mindanao, but can speak the cebuano language well enough to be considered almost like a native.
Tutoong alam ng mga kapwa Tsinoy ko na ang protektor ng mga smuggler itong si Baboy na asawa ni tiyanak. Eh kasi ba naman ang mga Tsinoy din ang smuggler. Kumusta na ang kumare kong si Soleil? Ang tagal na kaming hindi nagkikita sa Chinatown.
Artsee, Buti na lang inamin mo na ang mga kapwa mo Tsinoy ay majority mandurugas. Bakit di kayo sa China gumawa ng kawalanghiyaan at pag di na firing squad agad kayo. Mga Pushers, Smugglers, Namemeke ng mga DVD puro mga walanghiyang tulo laway. Nagpapakasarap kayo sa Pinas at the expensed ng paghihirap ng mga Pilipino. Nagtataka ko sa mga tao dito kung bakit sa US galit na galit samantalang itong mga tulo laway ang talagang mandurugas. Ang mga US companies ang lalaki magpa sweldo kumpleto sa benefits, Inuuna ang safety ng manggagawa, nagbabayad ng tamang buwis samantalang ang mga pag-aaring kumpanya nitong mga hayop na intsik na to under minimum kung magpa sweldo pati mga paslit na bata pinagtatrabaho at kinukulong, magnanakaw ng koryente, ninanakawan ang BIR, walang mga benefits at walang paki alam sa safety ng manggagawa kahit magkaputol-putol ang mga kamay at kung ano-anong kagulangan ang ginagawa sa mga trabahador nila. Tagnang mga intsik na to umalis na nga kayo sa Pilipinas. Kaya naka karma din kayo dahil paborito kayong kidnapin dahil mga walanghiya rin kasi kayong mga intsik kayo eh. Ang talagang kaibigan ng mga intsik na smuggler na yan ay si Erap nagbobolahan pa kayo parang di nyo alam kunyari ha. Lokohin niyong sarili ninyo.
If only for this time, I agree with you in your above comment about this guy. Also, Dick Gordon is not Chinoy but why is he also called “Mulaway” of the Senate? This guy artsee is indeed related to Chiquito who was Mr. Wong in his time.