I just hung up the phone after several minutes of talking to our mayor. He called to ask if I wanted some news. Wow! But not really. Alright he gave one “news,” the ones we normally call “laway-laway” or PR's. You think he is good, think again!
The moment our editor announced that this mayor was calling me I was like, “not again!” Okay, I was mean but let’s see who’s meaner.
I already interviewed him (via phone) before he called me up. Had I a choice I would not have wanted to ask for his side. That would not be fair, our ed said (he was really right). But I don’t really like talking to him. First, he gives us sermons (he’s a very well-known Catholic faith defender) every time we come to him for his reactions on certain issues, if not he feeds us PR’s (that is fine but only during “rainy days”), and he never fails to “remind” me (and to tell the people around) of the past stories I wrote which he undyingly believes were fabricated (media people don’t expect to get congratulations from politicians, whom they just exposed for their bad deals). Because of these three especially the last, I always try my damnedest best not to interview him even if he becomes my only hope, what for? I’ve got other sources of news.
But, tonight as luck would have it, I was forced to contact him to get his side of the story where his son was involved.
The story…his son was seen more than once driving the city’s new ambulance. This son even parked (according to reliable sources) it in a barangay (of that same city), which is known for its popular merchandise, shabu. This mayor’s son is also known for his being a shabu user (to put it simply).
And since this son could not be reached as he was still in that ambulance I got the mayor’s side in his stead. He said he ordered his son to have the vehicle road-tested. But when I inquired from the department assigned to take care of it I was told that the ambulance, which arrived several days ago, has long been road-tested. Hmm…
Yes, it’s very evident the mayor was tying to hide what his son was doing. He had done it before several times and I even wrote each one of it to his disgust.
So after my call I wrote the story. But minutes later he called me up, and there…after telling me about his PR he started his one-sided talk. That my story should not be published because it would implicate him. That I was hired by the Gullases (TF bigwigs) to destroy him. What?!!!
Firstly, the Gullases do not personally handpick the employees for their paper or for any of their companies. Secondly, these people he mentioned are the ones who put him to where he is now so why in heaven would they “destroy” someone that belongs in their camp. Lastly, I may not like him but I have no grudge against him (and how could a small-time reporter like me destroy someone as big as he is, hello mayor!).
I knew the story would implicate him, but it was not my intention. Well, his trying to cover what his son was doing, would certainly made an effect on his person, too. He chose to give his son, a sure pain in his ass, a free rein in the city hall and if he goes into a wrong direction he always comes to the rescue. That would have been alright had he not been the city's dad!
The one-sided talk, which lasted for almost 30 minutes (that was his load anyway…I mean the city’s. NOOO!), was all drama! He was berrating me for the story he had not read as it had to come out the next day (tomorrow). He might have gotten the impression that it would definitely "kill" him. And the "culprit" is me, again!
He told me I was never been a fair reporter, a subjective reporter I was, he said. Okay that is your opinion mayor, I told him. But nah, I was close to pressing the end call button of the phone.
He said he was just "saddened" by my story but he was already fuming mad while saying so many things against me. Might as well sue him. But no, I understand that politicians don't actually have balls.
And here's the excerpt of that conversation...
Mayor: "There's no story in that."
Me: "Well, he was seen parking the ambulance in barangay Tanke."
Mayor: "Lies! There are so many people who are trying to put me down. And you are one of them!"
Me: "Of course not mayor."
Mayor: "You always fabricate your stories!!!"
Me: "That's your opinion mayor."
Mayor: "I know the Gullas hired you to destroy me!"
Me: "I don't think so mayor." (ano 'ko powerful!)
Mayor: "Asa kaha kang espirituha dapita."
Me: "Ok." (ngek!) "Uhm, mayor, I will write that story (the PR) some other time."
Mayor: "You can also write that story (the cause of his ire) if you like!"
Me: "I already did!" (but I did not tell him that.)
*click
Shit!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
sometimes quizzes just get into you brain and most of the time in your blog
Green! (bayot ako?! hmm..)
You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!
Your inner classic movie diva is:Greta
This enigmatic screen legend is known for her
unparalleled beauty and mysterious nature.
Never married, and often reclusive, she
enjoyed private time to herself and never
played the Hollywood game, preferring instead
to create a meaningful private life that was
out of the limelight. She enjoyed a simple
life of waking up early, being outdoors
often, and eating healthy food.
"There are some who want to get married and
others who don't. I have never had an impulse
to go to the altar. I am a difficult person
to lead." -- Greta Garbo
What classic movie diva are you?
brought to you by
You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!
Your inner classic movie diva is:
Greta
Garbo
This enigmatic screen legend is known for her
unparalleled beauty and mysterious nature.
Never married, and often reclusive, she
enjoyed private time to herself and never
played the Hollywood game, preferring instead
to create a meaningful private life that was
out of the limelight. She enjoyed a simple
life of waking up early, being outdoors
often, and eating healthy food.
"There are some who want to get married and
others who don't. I have never had an impulse
to go to the altar. I am a difficult person
to lead." -- Greta Garbo
What classic movie diva are you?
brought to you by
Sunday, January 29, 2006
after the games, contests, chuvaness
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
The Essence of A Boring Life (is none!)
Finally, i see a meaning to my being here. Char ba lang! Well, ...to do something out of the ordinary, that is.
Next month, before Valentine's day (i don't care if they scheduled it on that very day, i wouldn't really miss a thing. duh!) we will be visiting one of the home cares here. Last night as we discussed our plans for TF Foundation's series of projects I was like this is life (i mean my life).
The home care visit will really be exciting 'cause we will be giving flowers, religious stuffs, other provisions, to old people in Hospicio de San Jose, Barili. And a tv set, too, 'cause we gathered they only have one there and those people, as old as they are, still quarrel over GMA and ABS-CBN. Hmp! (pang Banatanay ang show sa mga lola.)
We will also be preparing games for them like palo-sebo, sack race, five-meter fun-run, swimming, etc. But, I was only joking.
But the most exciting thing will be the trip to Sibonga (that's several kilometers south of Cebu). It's not the trip actually, but what the group is set to do. We will be acting like Mel Tiangco there. Noooo, not in her Magpakailanman show! But the Kapuso Foundation chuva.
Our Gen Manager, Sir Bhoy, got it that there is one school there, in an upland part of the town, which has no proper chairs and desks for pupils.
He first came to the place to supposedly turn over the Dream Satellite unit (with a tv set) but was shocked to see that the rooms the children were in were actually not fit to hold classes. Of the six rooms, only one is "new" but with holes on the roof, while the rest are either rundown or unfinished.
And the kids use empty paint cans as chairs while their desks are the typical long benches we normally see in the side of the streets occupied by tambays.
Our GM just couldn't afford to give them their DS while they suffer from some politician's idea of political will, and he heard that of the six teachers for the six grades one would be leaving soon (samot!). So there...
I am a part of the team assigned to "assess" the situation. By February, we shall have a list of what to do with the place, so we should go and see the place before then (yey!).
Nevertheless, we know what it needs. We suggested we bring ready-made products but because the place was so far from the civilazation that even vehicles, if they had minds of their own, would really back out, we agreed to bring raw materials instead and just do the carpentry :P. Of course, real pandays would be hired, too, or we would probably be stuck there for the next months and still accoplishing nothing (aw, kimay nga mga tudlo sigurado!)
And, we will also go mountain climbing. YAHOOOO! We will be planting trees (God save Ms Eleanor, our copy ed) in June. Ms Eleanor (also a mountaineer) told us the mountain was really steep. Ah, mountain declining without much effot :P
Hmmm...now that's what I call life.
Next month, before Valentine's day (i don't care if they scheduled it on that very day, i wouldn't really miss a thing. duh!) we will be visiting one of the home cares here. Last night as we discussed our plans for TF Foundation's series of projects I was like this is life (i mean my life).
The home care visit will really be exciting 'cause we will be giving flowers, religious stuffs, other provisions, to old people in Hospicio de San Jose, Barili. And a tv set, too, 'cause we gathered they only have one there and those people, as old as they are, still quarrel over GMA and ABS-CBN. Hmp! (pang Banatanay ang show sa mga lola.)
We will also be preparing games for them like palo-sebo, sack race, five-meter fun-run, swimming, etc. But, I was only joking.
But the most exciting thing will be the trip to Sibonga (that's several kilometers south of Cebu). It's not the trip actually, but what the group is set to do. We will be acting like Mel Tiangco there. Noooo, not in her Magpakailanman show! But the Kapuso Foundation chuva.
Our Gen Manager, Sir Bhoy, got it that there is one school there, in an upland part of the town, which has no proper chairs and desks for pupils.
He first came to the place to supposedly turn over the Dream Satellite unit (with a tv set) but was shocked to see that the rooms the children were in were actually not fit to hold classes. Of the six rooms, only one is "new" but with holes on the roof, while the rest are either rundown or unfinished.
And the kids use empty paint cans as chairs while their desks are the typical long benches we normally see in the side of the streets occupied by tambays.
Our GM just couldn't afford to give them their DS while they suffer from some politician's idea of political will, and he heard that of the six teachers for the six grades one would be leaving soon (samot!). So there...
I am a part of the team assigned to "assess" the situation. By February, we shall have a list of what to do with the place, so we should go and see the place before then (yey!).
Nevertheless, we know what it needs. We suggested we bring ready-made products but because the place was so far from the civilazation that even vehicles, if they had minds of their own, would really back out, we agreed to bring raw materials instead and just do the carpentry :P. Of course, real pandays would be hired, too, or we would probably be stuck there for the next months and still accoplishing nothing (aw, kimay nga mga tudlo sigurado!)
And, we will also go mountain climbing. YAHOOOO! We will be planting trees (God save Ms Eleanor, our copy ed) in June. Ms Eleanor (also a mountaineer) told us the mountain was really steep. Ah, mountain declining without much effot :P
Hmmm...now that's what I call life.
Monday, January 23, 2006
MABUHAY ANG PILIPINO!
this was taken last August when Manny Pacquiao paid a visit to TF before he went abroad for another fight. and yeah, these are TF people, all eager to pose with pacman.much have been said about the match that brought the entire nation on its feet after so many years of being pushed to the ground. all are positive and that's really a good sign. whew!
and allow me to say this...thanks pacman :D
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