April 21, 2009

Manila was cooking when we left for Hong Kong last week.  I assumed that Hong Kong would be just a tad cooler but every bit as sunny.  Hong Kong was indeed cooler but, on our second and third days, it was rainy as hell.

I got an invitation to talk to some young adults about the Mindanao conflicts.  I grabbed at the chance and took Pom with me as it meant one promise kept.

Our host was the Li Po Chun United World College.  It boasts of being one of the top finishing schools in the world and many of its graduates eventually would be awarded places in the Ivy Leagues.  That meant that in whatever room I was in I’d be in rarefied atmosphere with smart young people.

The school is located in just about the farthest township they could find to build a school—Ma On Shan District.  We needed to take at least three trains to get to the island or the ever popular Mong Kok shopping district.  Had it been in our plan to go juvenile and visit Disneyland on Lantau Island the school would even be farther away.  But no such plans for us, except for the possibility of trying those cable cars near the spanking airport.

Aside from having the smartest kids and faculty, our host school could not be better located.  Most of its rooms and dormitories overlook a small bay with white sand and ringed with greenery.  We saw boats and we knew that the students made good use of them on some days.  In all my years being hosted by hundreds of colleges and universities as a student and teacher leader I have never been to such a lovely little school as Li Po Chun.  Even their cafeteria food is far from lousy.  But the best meal we had in the school was prepared for us by Nitu and Magan Savant with their Filipina help Venus from Malaybalay.

It was very nice to see all of the students we had as volunteers last month.  We felt bad for not being able to attend their Rainbow Café (a cross-dressing student party) and Art Exhibition that featured Brazil’s Ted Gola as one of its featured student artists.  But we considered ourselves lucky enough to catch the last bus from the island to the school as it were.

In this trip I got to know and love Hong Kong even more.  Ma On Shan, for example, is a township that is by itself a world class city.  It is serviced by efficient trains, buses and cabs that run on schedules you can set your mobile phone clock on.  It has those ubiquitous tall apartment buildings complete with malls in their first few floors.  You are never far from a 7/11 and some good restaurants in Hong Kong.  It has parks and sports complexes and hills so verdant and accessible on winding footpaths and stairs.

If in the future I get to win the lottery I’d rent an apartment in the area for a year and live in an efficient cosmopolitan city, for a change.

But our trip was not all dandy.  On our second day and our first time out it rained heavily.  We only managed to visit the only Ikea store I know of in Hong Kong (although I’m aware there are several).  Then we had a very delicious beef noodle meal at a restaurant Ron Papag and I discovered four years ago.  As I was tucking in the divine beef slices, beef balls and crunchy vegetables I remembered Ina Silverio and her aversion to MSG.  I slurped the last drops of the broth in her honor.  All the while it was raining cats and dogs outside.

We took the tram back to Central District because that was where we knew we could get a bus back to the New Territories.  But stupid me could not find it and so we, drenched to the bone while lugging a heavy camera, spent about an hour running in circles.  We asked so many locals where we could catch bus 681 but no one could tell us anything.  Just when I was ready to give up and suggest that we flag a cab instead a police officer appeared where we were taking a shelter.  All he did was to get on the radio and we were given good instructions on where to find the darned bus stop.  It turned out it was on the ground floor where the Philippine Consulate is holding office.  I knew there must be a reason why it was so hard to find help when we needed one.

Last Sunday, I spent most of the day lecturing.  There was one Filipina among the audience.  I had a good time.  I could not exactly recall the last time I delivered such a talk to students.

While I was lecturing Pom was collected by dear friend Rey Asis and she was introduced to the thousands of domestic helps who made it a habit to congregate at the Blackman Square every Sunday.  One DH celebrated her birthday that day and fed Pom, Rey and others so much delicious food.  Pom had a grand time with Rey and another Guilder Fely Rose Torres who was also her colleague at Gabriela.  Pom then went back to the school to collect me at about four in the afternoon.

We traveled back to the island and took the Peak Tram.  What do you know?  We only saw a wall of gray when we reached the top.  I felt bad because it could have been a good photo op for Pom (who had command of our camera).  There was about twenty seconds though when the fog lifted and we were able to see a suggestion of how beautiful the view could have been on a clear night.

Determined to give my wife a better time, we hurried back to catch the Star Ferry to Kowloon for the HK skyline light show.  What do you know again?  Just as the peak tram left its platform, the lights came out in their full glory.  But how can one enjoy such a view when we were travelling down backwards?  Was it worth the crick in the neck to catch what we missed in our two hours or so on Victoria Peak?

There were no foul-ups on our way across the harbor however as our timing was spot on.  We caught the ferry just as soon as one was about to leave.  It was still a bit hazy but the better for Pom to snap pictures of buildings with their top floors bathed in eerie halos.  This was one of the reasons we came to HK for.  The ferry docked in Kowloon a few minutes before the show started.  Pom saw it all through the lens, not wanting to miss a good shot at all.  Just as soon as I sensed that it was winding down I told Pom we should be going back as I have been told that the last bus leaves Central at nine o’clock.  We made it to the stop in time to catch the one we thought was the last bus back to Ma On Shan.  To cap the night, we ate some more beef noodles and dim sum on the side at Ma On Shan’s Sunshine Mall before hailing a cab back to the campus.

In all, it was a fun day of us.  But I could not help but feel very sorry for the many Filipinas we saw as we hurried about Central District.  As it was raining, hundreds of them huddled in groups inside muggy pedestrian underpasses or under building awnings.  We heard much laughter as they played bingo and card games, ate and tried selling stuff to each other.  But as soon as they saw our camera they covered their faces.  I wanted so much to take more pictures of them but I could not bring myself to stop and compose a good shot to show their misery.  I was afraid of offending them.  I feel as bad when I take pictures of greater misery in the Philippines but something in the looks they gave me told me to not to reveal their circumstance.  How dare Tsip Chao look down on these people who only suffer this ignominious condition because of poverty?  How dare the Philippine government applaud at more Filipinos going abroad when it knows perfectly well many are bound to suffer this isolation?

We got to talk to some of them on the bus and trams.  The ones we chatted with were all averse to admitting they were domestic helps.  One even joked that she was a tourist like us—albeit one who has a 10-year working visa.  I wanted to tell them there should be no shame in doing that work, as I loved my father more when I learned he worked as a janitor to support himself while studying, but what’s the use when you have guys like Chao who think they own Hong Kong and the entire South China Sea as well?

On Monday, we again took the train and the bus back to the island.  Fely Rose informed me on Facebook that the forecast was thunderstorms for the day.  But I promised some friends to buy some things for them and damned if I don’t go visit Mong Kok when I’m in Hong Kong!  But we had to meet some more friends at Jordan first.  There, we saw friends who seemed happy to see us as well.  We were asked to bring home some items for some of their other friends.  Then off to Mong Kok we went, graciously escorted by Rey.We checked out photo gears for friends and it was fun.  I imagined we were shopping for ourselves.  I saw so many lenses I wanted so much to have.  Alas, we have no money for such purchases.  I was happy to find a camera battery grip for Boy Bagwis and was even able to haggle for an even better price for it.  Alas again, when I asked the seller to test it, one of the buttons did not work.  I also looked around for second-hand fish-eye lenses for Ferdie Mendoza but they had none.  We tried all the second-hand camera stores Rey knew of, even inside seedy buildings where they sell so many porn videos, to no avail.

On our way back to the MTR station, we tried to look for some things we could afford.  We made a couple of small purchases but that was it.  The rest of their merchandise could be had in Manila at much cheaper prices.  Besides, our former volunteers wanted to have tea with us and it would probably be the last time I get to see these friends.  Some of them were graduating and are off to uni in a few months time.  We took three trains all the way to the school.  We packed our bags and went off to see the students.  There was no tea but there was much laughter.  Pom and I had a great time but it had to end very quickly.

We left for the airport an hour later than planned.  We had to wait for the next bus nearly an hour before we boarded it.  We planned on buying some more other stuff at the airport but, as soon as we checked in, we were informed we had to hurry.  So we spent our last minutes in Hong Kong running like crazy.  We boarded the plane with no minute to spare.  We were still panting like we ran a marathon when the plane started to taxi on the runway.

We had so little time and even less resources on this trip.  But we were resolved to come back as soon as we can.  Hopefully, things will be better next time.  Not just for us but for all the Filipinos we’ve seen and met in Hong Kong.

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March 17, 2009

Communications 110 (Media Ethics), UP CMC, 17 March 2009

by Raymund B Villanueva

Radio Cluster Coordinator, Kodao Productions

I wish to thank this class for inviting Kodao Productions to talk about the portrayal of the urban poor in Philippine Media.  The fact that the question is even posed suggests that media portrayal of urban poor communities is sometimes problematic.  We are happy to put in our two cents worth on this discussion, content with your implied acknowledgement that Kodao is one of the few media outfits that look at the plight of urban poor communities.

First, allow me to introduce Kodao.  We are a multi-media production house that produces videos and radio programs.  Kodao is also a prime mover for the creation of a national network of community radio stations and programs, as it is also actively involved in the establishment of community radio stations around the country.  Several of our video projects have received awards and citations from the Cultural Center of the Philippines and our radio program have received awards from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas and the Catholic Mass Media Awards.

Kodao’s latest radio program is Kaya Natin ‘To, Kids on DWIZ, 882khz.  Our anchorpersons, radio drama talents, reporters, writers were urban poor kids, some of whom were out of school youths and victims of domestic violence, rape, incest, abuse and so on.  Sila ay taga-Vitas, Tatalon, Manresa, Olandes, Veterans, Matandang Balara.  Urban poor talaga.  Wala na kaming pera at ang aming huling episode ay noong Disyembre 27.

As an independent production outfit, Kodao was not spared from state persecution.  Kodao has been accused of being a Communist Party of the Philippines propaganda unit when the Arroyo regime declared a state of national emergency in February 20, 2006.  In July 2 of the same year, Radyo Cagayano, a community radio station Kodao helped establish in Baggao, Cagayan was blown up and burned down by suspected elements of the 5^th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

One accomplishment Kodao Productions is very proud of is the establishment of a Visayas-wide video production network last year.  This was done through trainings we provide non-government and sectoral organizations that wish to harness the persuasive, educational and informative powers of video in furtherance of their advocacies.  Kodao is an active member of a loose alliance of progressive production outfits like Tudla, Southern Tagalog Exposure, May Day Productions, Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center, CineKatipunan, Pokus-Gitnang Luson, and others.  Kodao is one of only two Philippine member-organizations of the Montreal, Canada-based World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters.

One compelling reason why independent multi-media production outfits come to be is the fact that we live in a class society where economically and politically-marginalized sectors are themselves underserved by the mass media.  One of the most marginalized, even maligned, sectors in Philippine society is the urban poor.  While we may be able to create a list of shows that have the urban poor communities as topics, issues and locations, these shows hardly portray them sympathetically.  Sure, shows like “Home Along the Riles” try to portray the humanity of urban poor residents but they hardly acknowledge their universal right to abode enshrined in our Constitution.  In fact, anti-urban poor institutions like the Metro Manila Development Authority have established their media outfits to specifically target what they call “eyesores” and “cause of traffic problems” who are, in most cases, urban poor communities and residents.

I am not here to debate whether the MMDA is legally and morally justified in its moves against urban poor communities.  What I am saying is that, like Nestle, Unilever, SM workers, urban poor communities are underserved by the more powerful and popular commercial media in presenting their plight, their struggles, hopes and dreams.  Because like the former, urban poor communities could not hope to bring in the advertisements their adversaries have at their ready disposal.

As independent media practitioners, we view our work not as employment but advocacies.  In other words, we are not swayed by the whims and demands of entities who buy lots of airtime or column inches.  We are in a position to choose which topics or issues to discuss in our productions independently.  We are also in a position to craft our productions in the way we see fit without fear that advertisers might get angry with us.

And so, independent media outfits like have come up with “Mula 3^rd Avenue Hanggang dulo” (Sipat), “Daang Bakal” (Tudla), and Paagi-A Ko [Excuse Me], Tapak [Patch], Malinghalong Kalambuan [ Deceptive Development], ‘Nay Victoria, and Na-uling nga Pangandoy [Charred Dreams] (all by Alternatibo Media Productions based in Visayas).

Now, do we think that commercial media outfits are unethical in their portrayal of urban poor communities in their reportage or production of shows?

This question is not an easy one to answer.  This is probably because I believe that majority of the local media practitioners try hard to be objective in their news reportage.  Of course there are lapses and there are lazy journalists who seem to equate some urban poor communities with one crime or nefarious deed—Maharlika Village in Taguig as a drug haven, Balut in Tondo as stabbing alley, Tatalon or Litex in Quezon City as snatching center, and others.  It sometimes feels like these are the only stories that could be expected from Maharlika Village, Balut in Tondo or Tatalon and Litex in Quezon City.  There are also newspaper columnists who seem to hate “squatters” so much they no longer see the violence and inhumanity these communities are being made to suffer either being demolished or left alone. Sige nga?  Subukan nilang tumira sa ganitong mga komunidad kahit isang linggo lang?

We must also guard ourselves from the danger of portraying urban poor communities as abjectly depressing areas devoid of a rose or two.  I noticed on the AVP as we were waiting for the forum to begin that all the pictures were grim, sad.  Instead, try to find a smile or two when filming the people there.  Then you’d be leaving the place with a gem of a shot or a story.  In all the films that were produced by the independent progressive multi-media groups, they all end with a positive note—that the urban poor communities struggle to make things better for themselves and the community in general.

But here is what I think the greater affront by the media on urban poor communities: While a great number of the commercial media’s viewers base are the urban poor communities in Metro Manila and in all the major cities in the Philippines, no corresponding airtime and column inches are devoted to discuss their issues and struggles.  In fact, I hazard to pose that most shows urban poor residents see on TV, hear on radio and read on newspapers are only meant to entertain them and make them forget that outside the edges of their 110-volt, reconditioned Japanese television sets are their inhumane squalor and poverty, on top of the daily threat by powerful landowners and the MMDA that their houses are to be demolished anytime.  Jackpot prizes on “Wowowee” or “Eat Bulaga” occasionally won by some urban poor residents are well and good, but how many families have these jackpot prizes gotten out of the “squatter areas?  ”Sa hindi matatawarang kapangyarihan at impluwensiya ng mas midya sa ating bansa, bakit hindi alayan ng mas malaking oras ang nakararami sa kanilang viewers na taga-urban poor upang tulungan sila sa kanilang pakikibaka para sa sariling bahay at lupa at makataong pamumuhay?  Hindi ba ito dapat ang ginagawa ng mga ka-pamilya at ka-puso, para maging tunay na maging iba tayo?

This is, I think, the biggest question on the Media Ethics on Urban Poor Portrayal. Ano po sa tingin niyo?

Maraming salamat po.

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