By Don Jaucian
OMG NO Slacktivism
MANILA, Philippines - These days, it seems like the Internet is only good for three things: overplayed songs (I’m looking at you, Carly Rae Jepsen), emotional oversharing, and Internet activism. The phrase conjures an image of a Comic Book Guy figure harking on about some hot button topic on Twitter and Facebook, and maybe Tumblr too, where a snarky combination of an affecting photo and caption could lead to thousands of reblogs.
The viral nature of social networking makes a cause enthralling for a certain moment, adding a glossy sheen to an otherwise dull portion of news. Couple that with the ease of sharing and what you have is an Internet sensation, no matter how pressing or delicate the issue is. A prime example of which is the Kony 2012 video and Pacquiao’s supposed death wish on homosexuals.
It’s certainly encouraging to see people lap up some cause but when it all fails to translate into something more than a few words on your status update, that’s just being trendy.
WTF NO
Insensitivity and the LGBT backlash
Much has been said about the criticisms and backlash against the LGBT community. But if there’s one thing that this fiasco proved, it’s that ours is a country with still a very closed-minded and backward approach to sensitive issues. Heck, we can’t even tackle the RH Bill without heads rolling. Bible-quoting and self-righteous folks use the word of God like a slingshot aimed at whatever they claim wrong and disrespectful to their belief but it’s this trampling down and hatred that cut down the very foundation of the religion that they believe in. And before you become a self-appointed ambassador of morals, be sure that your closet is clear of rotten skeletons, like, say, adultery?
Quite recently, a TV news network showed a glaring act of insensitivity. TV Patrol unveiled a “Balitandaan” marker at the Ampatuan massacre site as a symbol that “memorializes the biggest stories covered by the news program in the past 25 years.” Crusading for the truth is one thing but putting up your logo on a gravesite is just like pissing all over it.
YAY WTF
The ’90s is the new ’80s
Eh, another reason to feel old. Some kids have been dealing with the First World problem of choosing which acts to watch as the deluge of international artists coming to the Philippines continues. These artists are not just the staples of a regular ‘80s concert, these are bands that you grew up with during the twilight years of the ‘90s. Whether it’s because the purchasing power is now in the hands of us kids or concert organizers eventually got tired of putting on the same show for The Platters, Air Supply or some other one-hit wonder from the ‘70s, it’s exciting to finally see acts like Taking Back Sunday, The Cranberries and Michelle Branch play the songs that we used to listen to... on cassette tapes.
OMG YES
Filipino artists in the global arena
Past the behemoth that is Jessica Sanchez, the past few weeks have been particularly kind to Filipino artists in their plight for a wider audience. Yam Laranas raked in critical acclaim when his horror film The Road gained a wide release in the US. The New York Times (well, not A.O. Scott or Manhola Dargis) even called it a “a powerfully atmospheric blend of ghostly encounters, horrific situations and missing-persons mysteries.” The positive response has definitely opened up the possibility of more Filipino films in the international market.
Although this year’s Cannes Film Festival didn’t include any Filipino export, other recent film festivals spotlighted several Filipino films. Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay and its titular actress gained recognition when it was screened in Italy and Jet Leyco’s Ex Press also won the Special Jury Prize at the 13th Jeonju International Film Festival. Ralston Javier’s The Dog Show was also picked up for development by the L‘Atelier by Festival de Cannes’s Cinefondation.
In the music scene, folk-pop duo Outerhope recently played at the NY Popfest and bands Twin Lobster and Wilderness will also perform in Indonesia soon.