The Digital Generation

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Why publication? Why not tv, radio, or blogging? We are here in publication because people need something they can touch and feel. There is a need for history to be felt in our hands, the smell of news print to inhale. That's the gist of one of the scenes in the recent Tagalog movie, Unofficially Yours.

Journalism is a love that never loses its magic. There is always a scene to be described, an event to share, and an opinion to be broadcasted to the world. Once you are bitten by the literary bug, you may get deterred but the desire to write will always catch up with you. In my personal journey, the effects have caught up with me again. Thus, News Record Weekly Publication: Digital Edition.

Last month, my very close friend, Georgene, asked me to help her set up a website for News Record's articles and write-ups. I do not claim to be an expert on web design and HTML codes but I do have passion for both journalism and the Internet. This passion seems to be enough as I'm very proud to tell you that News Record's website is now accessible to anyone with an Internet connection.

Indeed, it is only proper that San Carlos City's premiere source of credible news for 27 years should keep up with the times. Nowadays, it is not only movies and music that can be downloaded in the internet. Books, magazines, and newspapers are readily available for download in the World Wide Web. The Philippine Daily Inquirer and many other publications can be bought online the same day that it reaches your newsstands. As part of the publishing community, the News Record is embracing change and making the Internet work to its own advantage.

Aftermath of A Quake

February 6, 2012 - A 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the entire Negros Island, Cebu, and some parts of Mindanao. 

Credits to Ike Pacana Photography.

I have been trying to blog about it for some time but the aftershocks keep on getting to me. It is now two weeks later. So, instead of the earthquake photos, I will just post photos of people reaching out to the communities affected by the massive quake. The places massively hit were Jimalalud, Tayasan, La Libertad, and Guihulngan. These towns are all in Negros Oriental, Philippines. A landslide also resulted from that quake contributing to the increase of fatalities.

A photo from the La Libertad landslide. According to the photographer's caption, this is the 4th body to be excavated.
Credits to Mr. Ike Pacana. You take great photos, Sir!

San Carlos City, my hometown, felt the ground shake, too. The glass windows in the only mall (Gaisano) in our humble city were shattered. What  was even more alarming was the tsunami scare brought on by the Tsunami Alert #2. The people living near the coastal areas were evacuating to higher grounds. Everybody was in a panic. Thankfully, it was just a false alarm. Everybody returned safely to their homes.

Thus, it is heartwarming to see photos of the people from my hometown travelling all the way to the affected areas to help out. A day after the quake, my Facebook friends were already abuzz of how they can help out the people in Guihulngan (the nearest affected area from San Carlos City). Statuses were filled with solicitations for water, food, or any kind of help anyone could extend.

Here are some photos stolen from my FB News Feed:

Talking Tom shouts out to Jerome for our 33rd monthsary. =)

There Is Beauty In Everything

I am Thankful : 

FOR THE WIFE 
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, 
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, 
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE. 

FOR THE HUSBAND 
WHO IS ON THE SOFA 
BEING A COUCH POTATO, 
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME 
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS. 

FOR THE TEENAGER 
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES 
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, 
NOT ON THE STREETS. 

FOR THE TAXES I PAY 
BECAUSE IT MEANS 
I AM EMPLOYED. 

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY 
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE 
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS. 

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG 
BECAUSE IT MEANS 
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT. 

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK 
BECAUSE IT MEANS 
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE 

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, 
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING 
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME. 

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING 
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT 
BECAUSE IT MEANS 
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.. 

FOR THE PARKING SPOT 
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT 
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING 
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION. 

FOR MY HUGE AIRCON BILL 
BECAUSE IT MEANS 
I AM COOL. 

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH 
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS 
I CAN HEAR. 

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING 
BECAUSE IT MEANS 
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR. 

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES 
AT THE END OF THE DAY 
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN 
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD. 

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF 
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS 
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word

Okay, I confess that I haven't gone to church regularly since last year. At first, I felt obligated to attend Mass every Sunday. I studied in schools run by nuns (elementary) and priests (high school). It was an obligation to go to church. Otherwise, you'd lose precious points for the Christian Living subject where you have to pass your reflection notebook every Monday morning. Plus, the priest saying the Homily is your teacher. 

Over time, I just stopped going to Sunday Mass. I only go during special occasions (Christmas, family requirement, etc.), The biggest factor that made me stopped going is the fact that the Church, by that I mean the organization, is meddling uninhibitedly into government territory. They force their opinions on the churchgoers. The homilies are incorporated with so many "Believe this. Believe that. RH Bill is about abortion." statements that it has made me think twice about the importance of Sunday mass. Plus, I dread seeing those ANTI-RH Bill tarpaulins plastered in front of the church. I just want to say, stop pushing your beliefs down our throats.

I would rather have my quiet moments in the prayer room alone with Jesus rather than be dictated upon political and social issues. I want my heart-to-heart dialogue with Jesus, minus the sermons. I feel closer to Jesus this way.

That's just me. I'm sorry I don't love going to Sunday Mass but I still honor the Sabbath Day in my own way.


Despite this, I still always ask myself in every situation,

What Would Jesus Do?