The new Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial, touting a new shrimp tempura product, is annoying, insulting and sexist. I’m not one to rant over television commercials, the intelligence level needed to grasp the point of most spots not being much higher than a worm. I mean, what do you expect, it’s just T.V., right ? And the last person to make an issue of political correctness would be me, being guilty of many intemperate and unjustified jabs on marginalized groups and persons over the years.

But this KFC commercial is just plain stupid. It shows executive-type yuppies, all male, young and good-looking, gathered around a conference table. The alpha-guy, from appearances, is at the head of the table and says ominously that someone in the group in keeping a presumably dark secret. He then brings out some KFC shrimp tempura, and this one dork suddenly and involuntary squawks like a chicken, like a stereotypical fag actually, thus revealing what is hinted at as his homosexual predilections. He is effectively “outed” by the group and the last scene shows him stuffing his face with shrimp and the guys smirking and condescendingly saying that they “accept” him as he is after all. Read the rest of this entry »

For the next four Sundays, lawyers-to-be (although most will not be, at least not immediately, the passing percentage being roughly 20%, or about 1 in every 5 examinees) from all over the Philippines will be trooping to the De La Salle University campus in Taft Avenue to take the annual bar exams. It has the atmosphere of a fiesta cum college pep rally, complete with banners, confetti, marching bands and cheering well-wishers, adding to the pressure and distraction of the examinees.

However, I read in the Inquirer that the Manila city government, led by Mayor Alfredo Lim, himself a lawyer, has reined in such activities to ensure peace and quiet for the bar takers. Good move. Bar exam days are little more than an excuse for law students, alumni and sundry supporters to hang around the bar exam area, block traffic, get drunk and engage in the occasional frat rumble to liven up a dull afternoon. All part of the so-called law schools’ “bar operations”. “Bar”, get it ? Read the rest of this entry »

From all accounts, the Palin family saga has stolen the thunder from John McCain’s formal acceptance of the GOP’ s nomination as presidential candidate at the Republican National Convention. McCain made a surprise choice of the 44-year old governor of Alaska, a mother of five and self-described “soccer mom”, as his running mate. Palin is easy on the eyes, a former Miss Alaska runner-up and winner of Miss Congeniality, who has a reputation for being a spunky, hands-on administrator, “the hottest governor of the coldest state”. She has a good-looking, all-American family, including 4-month old son Trig, who is afflicted with Down’s Syndrome. Palin is an outspoken pro-life advocate, one reason why McCain chose her, and refused to terminate her pregnancy despite prior knowledge of her youngest child’s condition.

As things turned out, Palin has more than a few skeletons rattling in her closet. Which makes for a good dramatic narrative in this age of reality T.V. Gov. Palin is embroiled in an ethics investigation over allegations she maneuvered the revenge firing of a state trooper who was married to her sister. Hubby Todd was once arrested, albeit years ago, for driving under the influence of alcohol. The National Enquirer even ran a piece alleging that Gov. Palin has had an extramarital affair with her husband’s business partner.

The biggest story, as far as the tabloids are concerned, is the pregnancy of the governor’s unmarried 17-year old daughter, Bristol, who’s still in high school. The father is Bristol’s boyfriend and schoolmate, 18-year old ice-hockey player Levi Johnston, a handsome lad described by NYT columnist Maureen Dowd as “sex on skates”. Read the rest of this entry »

Sign an online petition for Tara and other victims of violent crimes:http://gopetition.com/petitions/justice-for-tara-santelices Please spread the word to others

It took awhile for me to write this post, for the simple reason that gathering my thoughts and stilling my feelings was so difficult and painful. I hesitate to write about it even now, as I know I can’t do it dispassionately.

When I read Cathy Guballa’s article on the shooting of Tara Santelices, I wave of emotions went though me. I was discombobulated (there, I finally had a chance to use that word).

But truly, I could barely breathe while I was reading it. I’m hyper-ventilating even now. I remember my own painful experience so many years ago when I first got word of my son’s mishap. I was stunned and disbelieving, even as I ran around like a madman trying to find a way to save his life. I can honestly say that I know how Ms. Santilices’ parents and loved ones must feel. I’ve been there.

The vicious crime hit another very personal chord as I too have a daughter, also a recent graduate of ADMU, who also plays the guitar in a band and who has kept me up nights waiting for her to return from many a “gig”. Not her fault. She has every right to live her life as pleases, within certain societal and familial boundaries, of course, and for which I hope we have properly set the guideposts. But my daughter has every right to stay out late, to explore the world, to engage it on her own terms. And to come home safely to us. Read the rest of this entry »

Rather than dismiss the petition questioning the constitutionality of the proposed memorandum of agreement on the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) for being moot and academic, as the government would want, the Supreme Court appears intent on ruling squarely on the issues raised. This much is evident from the tone of the questioning of the justices, including the Chief Justice, during the last day of oral arguments on the petition questioning the MoA last August 29. All of those who questioned Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera expressed their doubts on the legality of the document and lack of clarity in the government’s stand.

Chief Justice Puno also told reporters at the Ramon Magsaysay awards ceremonies that the high tribunal will resolve all the political questions engendered by the MoA, and not take the tried and tested catch-all cop-out of dismissing political or premature issues, as compared to constitutional issues, out of hand. Read the rest of this entry »