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Ang teleserye ng totoong buhay

Published by Ellen on November 3, 2005

Noong linggo ng gabi, pinanood ko ang Pinoy Big Brother kung saan may interview sa audience kung sino ang gusto nila ang hindi ma-eliminate sa dalawang housemate na nominate ng kapwa housemates na alisin, si Jason o si Sam.

Kilig na kilig ang mga fans ni Sam. Nang tanungin kung ano ang gusto nila sa Close-up model, ang masasabi lang nila ay, “Guapo siya!”

Sa mga gusto naman na si Jason ang manatili sa Bahay ni Kuya, ang sabi nila ay, “May pamilya siya at mas kailangan niya ang pera.”

Lumalabas sa mga sagot ang mga bagay na binibigyan halaga ng Pilipino. Katulad ng pisikal na kaanyuan. Bilib tayo sa guapo. Kung sabagay, maliban sa guapo, mabait naman si Sam. May pagkamahiyain nga.

At mahalaga rin sa atin ang pamilya. Si Jason ay may asawa at anak at tingin ng marami parang katulad rin nila siya .

Continue readingAng teleserye ng totoong buhay

Ang mga nauna sa atin

Published by Ellen on November 1, 2005

Ang nanay ng aking kaibigan na si Chit Estella, editor ng PJR Reports, ang magasin ng Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, ay pumanaw noong isang linggo sa Philippine Heart Center.

Sabi ni Chit, mga ilang oras raw bago pumanaw ang kanyang, ina nagkukwento siya tungkol sa kanyang mga yumaong kamag-anak. Para bang sinusundo siya.

Ganoon rin ang Nanay ko noong maysakit siya. Tuwing ma ika-anim ng gabi, palagi niyang kausap ang kanyang mga yumaong kapatid. Sinasabi niya, “Halika. Nagkapag-saing ka na ba?” O kaya sabihin niya, “Ayaw ko pumunta sa tabing dagat.”

Wala ako sa tabi ng nanay ko nang siya ay namatay ngunit sabi ng aming katiwala, sinasabi raw niya sa kanyang yumaong kapati, “Hintayin mo ako.”

Continue readingAng mga nauna sa atin

THINKING LONG TERM

Published by Ellen on October 29, 2005

(Holidays are a good time for reflection. I’m sharing this article I wrote for the Dec. 2004-January 2005 issue of Mirror Magazine)

There are things that we reserve for special occasions. Like, I use my
lovely handkerchiefs when I go to important meetings. I use my nice
sleepwear when I travel.

Upon discovery of my cancer in the ovary, I decided to wear those nice
things more often at home. I said to myself, “What for do I reserve these
things? I may not live very long.”

Cancer causes changes in attitudes and priorities. As I learned to value
each single day as a bonus from The Lord, and therefore must be spent
meaningfully, I was also faced with the dilemma whether or not to pursue
big projects that require longer time. That’s because surviving cancer
comes with the reality that the disease could recur anytime.

Should I abandon the European trip that I was planning with relatives?
Should I continue with the renovation of our house in the province? Should
I plan long term?

I adjusted my priorities, with my health as the top consideration, but I
did not altogether cancel my long-term plans.

Continue readingTHINKING LONG TERM

WHY I AM A JOURNALIST

Published by Ellen on October 29, 2005

By Ellen Tordesillas
PJR Reports
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
September-October 2005

There’s nothing profound about why I went into journalism.

Writing is my only marketable skill.I can’t dance. I can’t sing. I’m not gifted with marketing savvy to make it as a saleswoman. I’m too disorganized to be a secretary.

But I have always been curious about other people. I want to be where the action is.

When I was in highschool in Iloilo City, I went out with a friend shopping. While walking, we noticed that a couple ahead of us was quarreling. While other pedestrians avoided the couple, I told my friend that we should follow them. From a verbal quarrel, the fight became physical. The woman picked up a stone and threw it at the man. He ducked and the stone hit my face.

I went home with a bandaged forehead.

Continue readingWHY I AM A JOURNALIST

Tambakan ng mga rejects

Published by Ellen on October 29, 2005

Ang laking insulto sa Department of Foreign Affairs ang kumento ni Serge Remonde, secretary for government media, na tama lang na i-appoint si Bobi Tiglao na ambassador sa Greece.

“Sabi ni Remonde, “He has undergone a serious heart operation and he deserves to take it easier.” (Na-operahan siya sa puso at dapat lang na relax lang siya.)

Ang tingin talaga ng mga tao sa Malacañang ng posisyon ng ambassador ay bakasyon o kaya, pa-party-party lang. Kaya tuloy ginagawang regalo sa mga taong napakinabangan sa pulitika o kaya tambakan ng mga rejects.

Continue readingTambakan ng mga rejects