Yellow Censorship
My good friend PinoyBuzz has been the subject of attacks from many pro-Noynoy cultists. You know, those Noynoy supporters who can’t really engage people in intelligent debate and whose best retort is the soon-to-be classic “Ah, basta Noynoy ako kasi anak siya ni Cory at Ninoy” line.
I found out yesterday that PinoyBuzz had been removed from the roster of contributors of the newly launched group blog AsianCorrespondents. From what I’ve heard, PinoyBuzz was the subject of incessant complaints from the Noynoy cultists who hate him but can’t seem to get enough of his blog posts.
Well, as a show of support to PinoyBuzz, who now holds the distinction of being the only blogger who got banned from his own blog, I’m re-posting his farewell post over at AsianCorrespondents. Here it is:
Let me tell you the story of how Pinoy Buzz came to be and how it is going to end.
For the past year, Pinoy Buzz (www.pinoybiz.blogspot.com) has gone from absolute obscurity to some level of regional recognition.
For a long while, I was at the bottom of the blog heap. My blog was dormant and my stats were absolutely nothing compared to the stats I have today. In December of 2008, I resolved to make www.pinoybiz.blogspot.com one of the more better known blogs in the Philippines.
I blogged persistently, like a mad man. I actually started spending more time on my blog than on my work.
I didn’t have a mission when I first hatched the idea of being the number one blogger in the Philippines, a goal which I think I will never reach. All I wanted to do, really, was to write about the things that, it seems, only I can see in the things that were happening all around me.
I was among the first to say that Bambee dela Paz was a fraud right in her own blog and that earned me a lot of scathing comments — including a blogger profile that insinuates that I am gay. (I laugh everytime somebody mentions it.)
Like most bloggers in the Philippines, I enlisted my blog in almost all of the blogstorms that erupted over one thing or another. There was the Terry Hatcher blogstorm, the kidnapping of 3 ICRC workers, Hayden Kho, Maui Taylor, Ondoy, etcetera. The baseline of my stats rose from a hundred pageviews a day to around 500 to 700 pageviews a day — this is the reward of joining bandwagons, you get popular.
My wife, of course, hated the fact that I spend hours upon hours a day tending to my free hosted blog. In order to appease her and show her that my efforts were actually making the money that we needed to raise our only child, I kept on updating her on my Google Adsense earnings — which I am not too proud to admit, had totaled to all of $70.00 which is more than I’ve actually spend on pre-paid broadband load. Of course, she snorted at the $70.00 and told me to spend more time on my real job, which at that time was to write press releases for Senator Richard Gordon.
I ignored her and passed her comment off as another one of those silly woman things that women tend to blurt out.
In my head I growled, “Ug! Ug! Me man! Me write blog and make millions of pesos through google adsense! Me show you! Ug! Ug! Silly woman! Make me coffee!”
The millions of pesos never materialized. I got reprimanded several times at work for not turning in the press releases I was supposed to write. But my blog, being freehosted as it was, finally started getting the stats I had only dreamt about when I decided to revive my dormant blog.
Then, out of the blue, Asian Correspondent contacted me and offered to hitch me up to their website in exchange for a certain amount of dollars a month. I didn’t know the lingo back then, but apparently, I was being syndicated or rather my blog’s traffic was being bought. I was even among a few renowned Filipino bloggers who were being invited to participate in Asian Correspondent.
I can’t tell you enough of how this bit of news elated me. Suddenly, blogging glory — much better than winning the Philippine Blog Awards — was at hand.
Of course, in transferring my blog from blogger to Asian Correspondent, I lost quite a bit of traffic from my previous posts. Thankfully, with a lot of work from the people of Asian Correspondent and a lot of blogging work from me, my stats started to come back.
I actually started blogging on Asian Correspondent by writing a lot of safe pieces which were restrained by the usual journalist ethics which most Filipino reporters IGNORE. But, after weeks of doing blog entries that really didn’t get a rise out of me or any of my friends. I realized that I wasn’t being true to myself.
To be sure, there are certain top bloggers who claim to be following ethical journalism standards and some who claim to espouse noble causes. None of them really lived up to their claims because they are all paid hacks — one way or the other.
Who was I kidding?
I learned about ethical journalism not by being a journalist but by being the one who had to write rejoinders to the breach of ethics of some Filipino journalists. (If there is one worthy blog entry I will try to write, it is about the ABSOLUTE HYPOCRISY OF CERTAIN FILIPINO JOURNALISTS. Just recently, Ampatuan got mauled by journalists who were campaigning to stop violence against journalists. WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?)
Certain commenters point out that I am not an ethical journalist. To that, I say PAKSHET. What are you talking about? Ethical Filipino journalists are a rare breed, they are not the dominant specie in the Filipino media jungle and they are not very well known either.
As Bubby Dacer once said, “Everybody has a price.” And he actually mentioned a couple of names which, oddly, corresponded with the names mentioned by other PR guys.
No. I am not a Filipino Dyornalist.
I am a blogger. I make no claim to living up to standards of any sort. I am one man with a laptop, internet access, and a blog. I write as I please about the topics that interest me. Even after accepting the deal to be part of Asian Correspondent, I still insist on the idea that I am accountable to no one but myself.
For the past few weeks, I went on a rampage against Noynoy Aquino and his minions. This was not because of some misguided and rabid hatred for a political figure. This was because I lived through the years the fabled Cory Aquino administration and while we can credit her for the rise of Press Freedom, we cannot credit her for nation building.
The Cory Aquino legacy is the road paved with good intentions but led us to perdition. That legacy ought not to be repeated by anyone, much less Noynoy Aquino.
If I wasn’t clear about it in my previous entries on this blog, let me say it again:
Manny Villar, despite the C-5 scandal, is the lesser evil. Dick Gordon, despite being unpopular, is the best choice over Gibo Teodoro who is a close second. JC delos Reyes is better off as a councilor in Olongapo, Brother Eddie Villanueva is better off tending to his ministry, and Nicanor Perlas is not worth the trouble.
I didn’t expect to be popular for one reason or another. In fact, given the sentiments of most people, I expected to be less popular — even hated.
It was not easy being on the receiving end of some of the stupidest comments on Earth — really, come on guys, do some thinking before you comment.
My behavior on the internet has been lambasted by a lot of people, my motives have been questioned, and my credibility has been thoroughly assailed. If the internet were the UFC, I think I would be a bloody pulp by now — mostly blood, very little pulp with a lot of guts thrown in.
I may be notorious to some (especially among the pro-Noynoy legions out there) and I may be somewhat celebrated — albeit, in certain very small cliques who will disavow any association with me as soon as I post their real names. But, that hardly matters to me.
What matters is that I see that Noynoy Aquino is unfit for the Philippine Presidency and what matters is that I can blog about it.
So, how is it going it end? My stay with Asian Correspondent has hit a rough spot… a very rough spot.
Apparently, there was a deluge of complaints about my blog and Asian Correspondent has to take care of it reputation — which is understandable. I’ve made mistakes with previous entries and in light of the barrage of complaints from Noynoy cultists and others, I think the officers of Asian Correspondent has to make a decision that will be favorable to accomplishing their vision for their website.
I’ve asked them to reconsider their decision but I’m not really hoping for a change of mind. I am, after all, pretty risky. Then again, it’s usually the biggest risk that pays off the most.
So, yellow trolls, I guess you guys win… For now.
I just find it ironic that, while former President Corazon Aquino is credited for restoring press freedom in the Philippines, the rabid supporters of her son are now the ones apparently trying to curtail press or, as in this case, blog freedom. I wonder what the good senator has to say about this.
wow! noynoy’s supporters went that far?! parang sa mga showbiz personalities lang ito nangyayari ha. well…
[Reply]
admin Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 8:58 am
ronnie,
well, it’s all showbiz really with these people. the rabid types don’t know it but they’re making their idol and the more moderate, level-headed noynoy fans look really bad. the least they could is engage critics intelligently or simply ignore them but no they’d rather unleash their stupid retorts and use their sheer number to silence others.
[Reply]
Rizal Lopez Reply:
January 11th, 2010 at 1:40 am
Tough luck with AC Paul
, but please don’t blame it on Noy supporters. all sorts of people found a savior on his person. only now that we found someone whom we could really count on for a genuine hope in betterment of our society,
and you attacking if not Noy or us the supporters you must have thought that somehow we’ll fightback. Hindi naman namin siguro kagustuhan na mataggal ka sa trabaho.
[Reply]
pinoybuzz Reply:
January 11th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Er, did I blame Noynoy’s supporters? Well, let me clarify that then, I don’t blame Noynoy Supporters for getting me out of Asian Correspondent.
I’m blaming them for the hell that will come after Noynoy Aquino gets elected.
[...] permalink Istoryans read this: A blogger got booted out by rabid supporters of Boy Noynoy because he wrote something bad against their presidential candidate. Follow this link. [...]
Where I used to study Communications, we call that “The Spiral of Silence Theory.” Amassing a small number of noisy people with the same opinion, no matter how wrong or stupid, to silence the majority.
[Reply]
“What matters is that I see that Noynoy Aquino is unfit for the Philippine Presidency and what matters is that I can blog about it.”
I fully support this phrase made by PinoyBuzz. Boy Noynoy for all his years in both houses of congress is nothing but a “nothing between his ears”. Did I hear a grunt? An angry retort? Want to take a shot at me? Go ahead, make your day and, once you’re done, you’re still nothing but a mirror image of your idol – a silent nothing between his ears.
[Reply]
got the same flak to from the same rabid dogs. Imagine, i only posted the blog entry on Facebook!
I dont know about these guys, but i know what PinoyBuzz was feeling. Some people went to far to raise the idea of public apology for my opinions. haha Enough of freedom of speech. many of the yellow guys aren’t reasonable.
[Reply]
I just finished a post on my blog where I made references to Paul Farolan’s debunking of Noynoy’s Facebook lead. Then I stumbled on this so I had to make some sort of a rejoinder, in case tanggalin nila yung post that I linked to. Wow, ibang klase talaga mga followers ni Noynoy – the height of irrationality.
[Reply]
well.. showbiz style. Nice to be here in better philippines blogs, admin.
May i copy and paste some of your interesting blog topics to my website ?
thanks a lot.
Ernz
United Filipinos Worldwide for Community Development, Inc. Vice President, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
[Reply]
admin Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
ernz,
thanks for visiting. you may copy and paste but i would appreciate it if you would include a link or attribution.
[Reply]
I agree. I pity the Filipinos blinded by sympathy. Ninoy is good. So as Cory (to a certain extent, but not entirely). Noynoy, I doubt. He’s an accidental candidate.
[Reply]
I applaud Paul Farol for all the commentary that really hit the nail on the head about Noynoy. Paul, suportado ka namin. Let us know where your new blog will be and we will support you there. Shame on the Noynoy camp for doing this to Paul. You are all hypocrites like Abnoynoy. Eto ba ang demokrasya na ipinagmamalaki niyo?
[Reply]
Thank you, whoever you are.
[Reply]
Ayoko kay Noynoy. Hindi ko siya iboboto. Hindi ako naniniwala sa sinasabing kakayan niya.
Pero ayoko din kay Paul Farol. Pro-Villar siya. I-check niyo kung paano siyang mag-criticize sa Facebook ng isang senador. Tapos ng pinatulan siya ng mga supporters ng senador eh nakipag-away na rin siya.
Aminin na kasi ng mga bloggers sa Pilipinas kung sinu-sino ang sinusuportahan nilang presidentiables. Nagkukunwari pang objective and principled. Kaya niyong lokohin ang sarili niyo pero di niyo kayang lokohin ang mga blog readers na tulad namin.
Filipino Voices = Noynoy Aquino
Pinoy Buzz = Manny Villar
Wala pa bang aamin?
[Reply]
Leila,
Hindi ako kay Manny Villar, kay Gordon ako. Wala akong dapat aminin dahil isa ako sa mga unang blogger na naglantad ng kanilang preference para sa isang kandidato.
[Reply]
leila,
napaisip ako sa komento mo. naisip ko bakit nga ba kailangan pang ipagsabi ng mga blogger kung sino ang kandidatong sinusuportahan? sa wari ko, hindi ito kailangang gawin dahil wala naman itong maitutulong sa ibang botante. kailangan lang naman kasi mag-isip ng tama ang botante para makapili siya nang maayos. hindi na niya siguro kailangan pa malaman kung sino ang kandidato ng ibang tao.
kung tutuusin iyan nga ang pinakapuntong gusto kong iparating sa pamamagitan ng blog na ito — na mag-isip tayo para sa sarili natin hindi iyong susunod na lang tayo sa sasabihin ng iba. nasa pagsusuri lang naman iyan.
sa kaso ko, wala akong intensyong ipagsabi kung sino ang susuportahan kong kandidato pero hindi ako mangingiming sabihin o ipaalam kung sino sa mga ito ang hindi ko susuportahan.
ang aking personal na panuntunan pa rin ay ang plataporma. kung swak sa akin ang plataporma ng isang kandidato malamang siya ang susuportahan ko kahit sino pa siya. kung sakaling biglang magkaroon ng milagro at biglang naglabas si noynoy ng matinding plataporma (hindi motherhood statement ha) at nagustuhan ko ang laman nito posibleng iboto ko pa rin siya.
sa ngayon ang masasabi ko lang hindi ko iboboto si noynoy dahil wala akong nakikitang tunay na sustansya sa kanyang kampanya.
tungkol kay pinoybuzz, hindi pa ba malinaw sa iyo na si gordon ang kanyang kandidato?
[Reply]
leila,
idagdag ko na rin pala na ayaw ko rin kay villar.
at pagisipan mo rin pala ito. enero pa lang ngayon mayo pa ang halalan. kung ako ang tatanungin mo masyado pang maaga para magdesisyon kung sino ang kandidatong susuportahan. wala pa nga tayong nakikitang matinong diskusyon tungkol sa mga isyu at kung ano ang planong gawin ng mga kandidato natin. alamin muna natin kung ano ang mga plano nila bago tayo magdesisyon. alangan namang ibase na lang natin ang desisyon sa kung sino ang sikat.
[Reply]
bp,
Hindi Enero PA LANG kundi Enero NA at wala pa rin akong naririnig na matino mula sa kanilang lahat. Tayo ay mga anak ng kasaysayan. Imulat ang mata sa kung ano ang itinuro nito ukol sa mga kandidato.
[Reply]
bp Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
leila,
oo nga tama ka. enero NA pero wala pa ring platapormang mahusay. at yan nga ang ipinagdidikdikan ko dito, ang panawagan para sa paglalabas ng mahusay na plataporma at pagsisimula ng mga debate ng mga kandidato na nakasentro sa mga isyu. dapat nating malaman kung ano ba talaga ang balak nila hindi yung puro pa-showbiz.
[Reply]
Sorry, pero hindi ko maintindihan ang logic ng Pinoy. Halimbawa, ikaw nagtratrabaho sa isang kumpanya. Tapos you worked so hard for a promotion which you and everyone else including your supervisor think you deserve.
Then eto, biglang napasok as employado ang anak ng president ng company who just graduated from school. So now, kung itong anak ang ma-promote at hindi ikaw, masaya ka ba? Nasaan ang justice and fairness?
Si Manny Villar, naghirap para makamit ang yaman. Si Noynoy walang ginawa sa sariling pawis, hindi naghirap, anak mayaman. Hindi naman kagalingan, bakit sya ang pipiliin ko? May magagawa ba ang ala ala ng mga magulang nya para umunlad ang bayan? Or ang mga kaibigan nilang mayayaman din ang makikinabang?
Sana mag-isip tayo, hirap na hirap na ang bayan. Maawa naman kayo!
[Reply]
bp Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
tess,
i’m not sure i agree with your example 100%. while villar does trump noynoy insofar as personal financial achievements are concerned, i wouldn’t use this as a deciding factor in my choice. “kagalingan” i can. as for your promotion example, for me it would also depend on what kind of educational attainment we’re talking about. if the president’s son/daughter graduated with a really advanced degree that is well-suited for the job then i would certainly not dismiss it just like that. but of course this is all hypothetical.
on a more realistic level, i’d still wait for villar’s platform as well. fact is none of our candidates have come out with a platform that clearly outlines their specific plans for this country. i’m also a little wary about villar’s election spending.
[Reply]
Gosh I love this entry. Well, I love everything that is written against ABNOYNOY and his presidential ambition.
[Reply]
go go GORDON!!
I was able to silence Noy, Bigo, Eraff
supporters in another website.
Any Ab NOY or BIGO supporters here?
[Reply]
Mga Bra Eddie, mahirap
makaunawa, “NO TALENT” eh
[Reply]