Basically, GMA Kapuso Foundation commissioned Gary Granada to compose a jingle for a new campaign based on the lyrics provided by the said foundation. Mr. Granada revised the lyrics provided by the client (GMA Kapuso Foundation) by replacing a few words. Revision/s made on the original lyrics is/are subject for approval of the clien. Mr. Granada submitted his study; but it was then rejected. In the end, GMA 7 allegedly used Mr. Granada’s revised lyrics and allegedly based the final tune of the jingle on the musical structure on Granada’s study with no credit at all. On the other hand, GMA said through writing that the jingle was a collective work.

If indeed the jingle was a collective work, why was Mr. Granada not credited for the things he contributed?

In a typical school group project, even how small a member’s contribution was in the project the member would still get a credit in the end, right?

It’s hard to make conclusions here. Because yes, the audio recording (Mr. Granada’s side) is just one side of this whole hullabaloo. I don’t know if GMA 7 has stopped airing the said campaign. How GMA Kapuso Foundation would handle this is what we should watch for. As I’ve said, the audio recording is just one side of the issue although Mr. Granada has narrated that Atty. Dick Perez GMA has sent him a letter stating that he has no claim on the said jingle for it was a collective work.

In the same audio recording, Mr. Granada clearly stated that he is not claiming the jingle GMA Kapuso Foundation used for the campaign. What he is claiming is that GMA Kapuso Foundation wouldn’t come up with such a jingle if not for his study, which they allegedly abused.

“What is now [sic] stopping anyone from commissioning artists in general to make studies only to rejected them, make easily done modifications out of their hard work and pass them off as entirely new creations altogether,” stated Mr. Granada on the same audio recording.

Stealing, infringing or neither of the two it is clear that someone made a mistake somewhere. It’s just a matter of finding who made the mistake and holding that someone liable for his/her mistake.

Related Links

Composer cries foul vs TV Foundation (Inquirer Entertainment)
Gary Granada airs complaint vs. GMA Kapuso, the New Media way (Ang Kape Ni LaTtEX)
RP bloggers pick up on Gary Granada’s complaint (Inquirer.net Blog Addicts)
Gary Granada Versus GMA Kapuso (Filipino Voices)

Jeric's iPhone circa May 2008

My iPhone has been with me for almost a year now. Although the backside of my iPhone is full of scratches now, it’s still functioning well. It used to have the Best Skins Ever protective film for both sides. But after a few months, the film turned into yellow that I have to remove it. I have another set of Best Skins Ever but placing the film to the back side is really a tedious job. So I have decided to just put film on the front side (the touch screen) to avoid smudges, etc.

If there is/are thing/s that I hate about my iPhone, it would be the lack of flash support and the crappy camera that can’t even record videos.

My iPhone is the classic one (the one that can only support GPRS/EDGE). I don’t find the 3G feature of the new iPhone necessary for I don’t use mobile Internet that much. And even if I use mobile Internet, it’s either I’m checking my e-mail or checking my plurk account which doesn’t require that much bandwidth. In fact, whenever I’m not in the range of our home WiFi network, I always leech from different establishments. Since the iPhone 2.0 firmware came out, I didn’t have to jailbreak (or unlock) my iPhone for it can already detect Globe sim cards right away.

I love how you can maximize your iPhone’s resources by buying, downloading and installing applications you need and want through the App Store. I don’t have much applications installed on my iPhone. In fact, every application installed on my iPhone can be downloaded and installed for me. I’m such a cheapskate! The list of applications installed on my phone now includes ‘To Do’s’, ‘WeDict’, ‘Tris’, ‘Sudoku’, ‘FS5 Hockey’, ‘MazeFinger’, ‘Shazam’, ‘Facebook’, ‘WordPress’, ‘iTalk’, ‘fring’, ‘Files lite’, ‘Darkroom’, ‘iEasyCamera’, ‘Twitterific’, ‘Ustream’, and ‘Plurk’.

I’m not really a cellphone person. I only call and text people if it’s necessary. This cellphone is perfect for me for I want to check e-mail and browse the web even if I’m not home because there’s Twitter, Plurk and of course, school. In fact, some malls here in the metro are offering WiFi access throughout the establishment. Nothing beats shopping while surfing the Internet.

This phone is really dear to me. Despite being a careless owner by not putting protective film on the back side of the phone, this iPhone has been serving me well.

Actually, it is only this week that I’ve found time to watch a movie or two. I’ve seen two movies this week alone, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and W.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is one of the very few films that made me cry. I cried, really. Watching this film wasn’t really part of my plan until I’ve heard and read a lot of positive reviews about it. Well, I don’t regret watching the film. In fact, I loved it. Although the movie is a bit long than any other full-length film, this one didn’t bore me. The clock maker’s story at the beginning of the movie touched and moved me. Gateau, the clockmaker made a clock that intentionally runs backward in the hopes that it would bring back those who died (including his son) in World War I. If only we could turn back time.

The special effects used in the film were great especially the transition of Benjamin from being a baby boy with an appearance that of an 86 year old man to being an adult and back to being a baby. It is also fascinating that the story is being told in Benjamin’s point of view. In this way, the inner thoughts of the main character is also narrated and relayed to the audience. As with the cast, I can’t say anything but praises for they did a wonderful job in portraying their respective roles.

W.
W, on the other hand is fun movie to watch. No, it’s not a comedy film. It’s a film about the 43rd President of the United States of America, George W. Bush. The film showed how Bush goes from being an alcoholic bum to being the most powerful figure in the world. A friend was talking about this film a couple of nights ago. I was curious and decided to give this movie a shot. The movie didn’t disappoint at all. Why is it fun to watch? The cast is outstanding, really! Josh Brolin’s (the one who played the role of George W. Bush) performance is the bomb! It was like Tina Fey portraying Sarah Palin. There are many instances in the film that it felt like I’m watching the real George W. Bush, the real Condoleezza Rice, and others. I don’t know if this film would have a theatrical release here in the Philippines. But if you really want to watch the movie, I know you that you know where to score a copy (wink, wink). It is also in this film that you’ll learn where George W. Bush’s nickname, “Dubya” originated.

And those are the two films I’ve seen for this week. After writing this post, I think I need to go back and attend to the things I need to do (school-related or not). Finals would be on the last week of February so there are just too many things to submit in the coming days. But I can’t really focus on school stuff right for the news about Ugly Betty getting shelved is really bothering me. Why Ugly Betty? It’s the only show I watch on ABC aside from Grey’s Anatomy. Ugly Betty has been interrupted many times in the past. Please, please shelve / pre-empt any other show but Ugly Betty.

That’s all I’ve got for now. Stick around

The year 2008 has been a wonderful and great year for me. It feels so good having accomplished almost all the goals I listed for 2008. In a few hours, we would be welcoming a new year. Despite the loud firecrackers being lit by my neighbors, let me pause for a while and thank God for this great year.

Thank you for I was able to accomplish the goals I have listed for 2008. I know that these goals aren’t big as compared to what others listed, but I am thankful for I know I can’t accomplish these things without you.

Thank you for my mom, my sisters and I spent more time together this year. It feels so good dining out together, doing the grocery together, chitchatting over a cup of coffee, and spending weekends or holidays out of town. I am thankful for the times where we would just seat on our small living room and catch up with each other until the wee hours of the day.

Thank you for I was able to meet great and wonderful people through blogging and through Plurk.  I was able to meet people whom I can now consider as my friends. Although we aren’t of the same age group, I am happy being with these wonderful people.

Thank you because my podcast, Brink Notes Podcast was a finalist for the Best Videocast/Podcast Category of the Philippine Blog Awards 2008. While my blog, My Boring Life… Now A Blog was nominated in two categories — Personal Category and Blogger’s Choice. Although I didn’t win any awards, it feels good that other people recognize your efforts.

Thank you for the people around me who I can turn to whenever I feel sad and happy. Thank you for they still listen to me although I’m just ranting about the pettiest thing in this world.

Thank you for the cute and simple things that make me happy.

Thank you because I am really happy with where I am right now. I’ve never been this happy before. I am happy with the things going on with my life. I am happy with I am doing. And I am happy for I feel so blessed right now with all the love coming from my friends, my family and everyone out there who supports me with everything I do.

Thank you because finally I feel contented with my life. Although I wish I could have done something more to reach out to others. I am happy. I am contented.

With everything that is happening with my life, I thank you. And someday I will understand why.

1. March on March 2008 – Thank God I graduated from high school last March 2008. And yes, with flying colors!  I graduated second honors with two medals (Excellence in ICT and Loyalty Award). I was even part of the Top 50 of the graduating batch. The years have now paid off.
2. Enroll on a decent college / university – Who would have thought that a Jeric Peña would study at the University of the Philippines? I never imagined myself studying at the national university of the Philippines. Good thing my mom encouraged me to take the UPCAT (UP College Admission Test) even though there’s a slim chance of passing. Although people find it weird that I’m studing via distance education, I’m still proud that I’m a student from University of the Philippines, Open University taking up the program that I really wanted.
3. Attend the World Youth Day 2008 in Australia – The only goal that I didn’t accomplish this year. I felt really bad that I wasn’t been able to attend the World Youth Day 2008 in Australia. But who knows? I might be a part of the World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Spain!
4. Join a Blog Network - Aside from the multiple blogs I maintain, I also write for Chikadora and TechBlog.ph.
5. Set-up new niche blogs, improve current blog and earn more through blogging – This year, I opened a couple of blogs such as Kim Chiu Fan, Distance Education in the Philippines, Jeric on the Tube, and So Sick of Taxi. I also revamped the Toni Gonzaga blog I maintain while My Boring Life… Now A Blog gets a face-lift this year.
6. Buy a new gadget for myself - I was only aiming for one gadget but thank God for I was able to buy myself three gadgets. Although I already gave the two other gadgets I bought this year to my mom and my sister, it feels so good that I can buy things that I want with my own hard-earned money.
7. Nourish my spiritual side and Be closer to God – Only God knows if I accomplished this one. But this year, I’ve been more contented with my life. My ‘materialistic side’ has softened down. I stopped asking for this and that. In fact, this Christmas I have one wish and I hope that it would come true.

Wow, it really feels good to having accomplished almost 86% of my goals for this year. With the things I’ve done this year, I have no regrets. I am happy right now and looking forward to a brand new year full of joy and love. I won’t stop thanking God for the great things that happened this year. I feel great right now realizing how God has given me everything I needed and wanted. Happy New Year!

PS: Looking back at “My Goals for 2008″ post, I realized how awful my grammar and spelling before (well, up to now). It only shows that I’m truly dyslexic. Huhuhu. Where did the internal editor in me go?

I hope you’re enjoying the Holiday season! I wish you and your family will have a blessed and wonderful year ahead! Watch out for my year-ender posts in the coming days. Thank you for visiting my poor blog regularly. 

Happy Holidays!
Jeric

Last year, ABC, an American television network apologized to the Filipino community for an episode of Desperate Housewives that questioned the competence not only of Filipino doctors but also the quality of education being delivered by the medical schools in the Philippines. The said episode of Desperate Housewives raised many talks about racism. I think we are experiencing some sort of déjà vu.

During the sketch in the Harry & Paul show, Enfield’s character urges his neighbor to have sex with another neighbor’s Filipina maid, saying he is trying to see if “we could mate their Filipina maid with our Northerner, but he’s not having any of it”. He then says, “Come on Clyde, mount her” and addressing the maid, says: “You, you, present your rear.” (quoted from AFP)

This specific scene from the said show ignited the Filipino community here and abroad (especially the Filipino community in the UK) to send a complaint to the involved television network.

“Beyond any doubt, the show is malicious, unethical and insulting. It is a clear case of discrimination of Filipino women. They insult one of us, they insult all of us,” Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros said in an interview with Manila Standard Today. On the other hand, the Philippine government thru Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo lodged a diplomatic protest with the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the Philippines over the said TV show.

Should the said spoof on Filipina maids bother us? Or should we just shut up and deal with more significant issues?

Let me quote a song from the famous musical, Avenue Q, “everyone’s a little bit racist.” Isn’t true?

Before we look at how other countries makes fun out of our race, let’s look on how we make fun of ourselves and other races. How many jokes have been delivered on local TV and everywhere about Indians and other races? Take a look how a typical Filipino would call a person from India. If you would take a closer look at the jokes being passed around the streets, text messages, TV and even on print most jokes talk about race and even social standing, if not all. Look at how we mock the accent and even the enunciation of people from the Visayas region. How many jokes have been passed around about Filipina maids?

We Filipinos are racist too and the worst, we are racist against our fellow Filipino. Although the said scene was insulting in some way, it is just funny how we (or most Filipinos) suddenly became patriotic in times like these.

As written in an article published by the AFP, it is said that the production company behind a BBC comedy sketch that provoked outrage in the Philippines for being racist said Tuesday that the show was “absurd” and should not be taken seriously. Can’t we accept the fact that it was just a joke? In the first place, the show “tackles many situations in a comedic way”. Jokes are to be taken lightly.

Although things like these shouldn’t be ignored, let us not act as if we have not done the same thing to other races and other Filipinos of different social standing. We may not understand the kind of humor that these British people have, but please let us not over react.

You can try four different variations of the Chowking Chao Fan – pork (P39), beef (P49), spicy (P79) and yang chow (P79). My personal favorites are the spicy chao fan and the yang chow chao fan.

The Pork Chao Fan (P39)

Tasty, flavorful, steaming hot, and moist stir-fried rice mixed with pork slices in a specially blended sauce of thick shrimp-paste and sacha sauce; and kangkong leaves, sprinkled with spring onions. Can be topped with choices of fried or steamed dumplings.

The Beef Chao Fan (P49)

Tasty, flavorful, steaming hot, and moist stir-fried rice mixed with beef chunks in a special beef sauce, cabbage and carrot bits; sprinkled with spring onions. Can be topped with choices of fried or steamed dimsum.

The Spicy Chao Fan (P79) – My personal favorite

Tasty, flavorful, steaming hot, and moist stir-fried rice mixed with tender beef cuts, and succulent chewy chicken balls, seasoned with hot chili-garlic spices and think, sweet soya sauce. Can be topped with choices of fried or steamed dimsum.

The Yang Chow Chao Fan (P79) – My personal favorite

Tasty, flavorful, light yellow and moist stir-fried rice, sautéed with chorizo bits, roasted pork asado bits, beaten egg and fresh and crisp vegetables, topped with sautéed shrimps.

The Chao Fan Toppings

Alongside with a serving of the Chowking Chao Fan, one can choose to add some toppings like egg (P13), siomai (P22), lumpiang shanghai (P26), and friend dumplings (P26).

The Chao Fan goes with the Chow To-Go Box and a spork (spoon and fork combined) for those who are on the go.

Truly, sarap starts at P39! Iba talaga ang kain kapag kanin! Call 702-8888 for Chowking Delivery anywhere in Metro Manila. Just take note that the price indicated here are applicable to dine-in orders only. There is a special price list for delivery orders.