Breaking The Da Vinci Code

In the Philippines, the best way to get people to view a controversial movie is to have it banned or boycotted, and the brouhaha over the The Da Vinci Code is sure to generate more than passing curiosity. In America, various groups are in a knot and up in arms over the movie based on the bestseller penned by Dan Brown. Slated to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May starring Tom Hanks as Professor Robert Langdon and newcomer Audrey Tautou as cryptographer Sophie Neveu, the Code has drawn the ire of Catholics, particularly those belonging to the Opus Dei because the plot asserted that Jesus married Mary Magdalene, and that they had descendants. The Opus Dei is hell-bent to prevent this "fact" from coming out, even to the extent of going on a killing spree committed by an overzealous albino Opus Dei monk named Silas. Naturally, the National Organization of Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) is not too happy about what they call a stereotypical portrayal of albinos as evil. The Opus Dei, however, said it is not advocating a boycott of the movie, but is hoping that editing could be made so as not to hurt Catholics "particularly in these days in which everyone has noted the painful consequences of intolerance," the group said, in obvious reference to the riots that ensued because of the offending caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. Many have also blasted Brown for sloppy scholarly research, insisting that the historical facts in the book aren’t so historical after all. Brown insists that he worked hard to create a balanced and fair depiction of the Opus Dei, denying that the book was anti-Catholic. The best argument is summed up by Sony Entertainment, the movie’s producer: The Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction.

Below par golf club

An Australian visited the country a couple of weeks ago, and having successfully concluded his business, decided to take a few relaxing swings with his Filipina wife’s relatives. They went to this golf and country club located in a hilltop city east of the Metropolis, where he occasionally played during his last visit a couple of years ago. The golf club charged the Australian’s Filipino companions P800 each, but he was being asked to pay P3,200 because he did not have any local ID. A Korean national then came up to him and advised him to play on the Korean side because the rates were lower at P2,200. But because he was with his relatives, the Australian had no choice but to pay the P3,200 even though he felt he was being subjected to blatant discrimination. And to think he doesn’t get this kind of treatment from Canlubang and other golf clubs who have far better courses.

Warning to motorists

>When travelling northbound on EDSA and turning right on Quezon Avenue, Spybiz advises private vehicle owners to take the inner lane. The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has placed an elevated sign right on the corner segregating private and public vehicles. Approaching this corner, which is situated along the side of a fly-over, a driver must take evasive maneuvers from motorists coming from a U-turn slot on the left and wayward pedestrians crossing from the right. With no internationally accepted 500-meter advance warning, the traffic sign is posted beyond the driver’s field of vision and right smack at the turn. Many motorists make this mistake of thinking that public vehicles are lined-up alongside the sidewalk (where pedestrians and public commuters should be in the first place). That is, until they are flagged by MMDA traffic enforcers who just cite the driver insisting that a violation of disregarding the traffic sign had been committed – as if private vehicle owners intentionally want to be inconvenienced by lining up with public jeepneys waiting for passengers.

Spybiz bulletin: Terry Fox Run set

The Embassy of Canada and the Philippine Cancer Society are holding the 12th Terry Fox Run, an annual event led by Canadian communities worldwide to honor the memory of one of Canada’s youngest and most popular folk heroes. In 1977, 18-year-old Terry Fox lost his right leg to cancer but with fierce determination, he was able to run 26 miles every day for 143 days to raise millions of dollars for cancer research. Terrry eventually succumbed to cancer in 1981, but his story has inspired millions around the world, encouraging them to hope, to share and to run for a cause. The 2006 Terry Fox Run will take place on Sunday, March 12, at 6:30 a.m. It will start from Vicente Sotto St. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex. Participants are invited to run, walk, cycle, or rollerblade. Proceeds from the event through pledges, donations and sponsorships will be donated to the Philippine Cancer Society to fund new and ongoing cancer research projects.

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