Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I Say Foul, Respect The OFW



While KABLOGS is still reveling on its four-way successful events this August -
  • the fruitful conclusion of 2009 KABLOGS Award;
  • the glory of Mike Avenue’s humble return;
  • PEBA's accreditation to SEC;
  • and the P6,300 seed fund donation from our philanthropist’ member
our celebrations was short-lived and disturbed by a blogger, Arvin U. de la Pena, who used to write love poems is now on spotlight after posting "Mukhang Pera" hoping to gain fame and popularity by tarnishing the image of the OFW and Migrant Workers.
It is ironic that a “KABLOGS Supporter” as displayed on his sidebar has discriminately and irresponsibly posted a blog article which depict the millions of Filipino Expats and OFW as a hungry money-oriented and avaricious “dinosaurs” wherein words “mukhang pera”, “para (lang) sa pera” and "para magka pera" are recklessly repeated at least 15 times in his article.

The blog was an anecdote based on hearsay wherein the author has purposely selected vulgar words and profanities with full obscenity on the narrative accounts that portrays our nurses and caregivers as “prostitutes". This is completely disheartening; a disregard to the countless contributions of our professional Filipino nurses and caregivers outside the country who are the mainstream of the "Global Human Ecology of Caring".


I find it really disturbing that a blogger have abused the freedom of expression for his personal satisfaction, just to stir controversy at the expense of our fellow OFWs who have sacrificed their lives and dignities not just for money "per se" but to follow their dreams to provide a better future for their family back home which was denied by our Government. I wonder if he is my "kababayan" and now I am reluctant to ask him the question "Pilipino ka ba?".

In the democratic air that we are breathing and the freedom of expression that we are enjoying, let us try to be a responsible blogger, let us be righteous and conscientious in all of our writings and observe social justice and truth in reaching with our readers that may our blogs build bridges instead of walls and may it bring glory to the Almighty Father in return for the blogging talent that He has endowed us.

As it is written,

“God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10)


Let us pray that we may be guided by our Lord the Almighty on every strokes of our fingers in our keyboard as we shape a literary composition before our eyes in our monitor, and before we click the "Publish" button in our window screen, let us contemplate on the simple prayer written by Sandy Tritt.

The Writer's Prayer

Open my mind, Lord.
Grant me the talent to write
with clarity and style,
so my words go down rich and smooth,
like fine wine, and leave my reader thirsty for more.

Open my heart, Lord.
Grant me the sensitivity
to understand my characters,
their hopes, their wants, their dreams;
and help me to confer that empathy to my reader.

Open my soul, Lord,
so I may be a channel to wisdom
and creativity from beyond my Self.
Stoke my imagination with vivid imagery
and vibrant perception.

But most of all, Lord,
help me to know the Truth,
so my fiction is more honest than actuality
and reaches the depths of my reader's soul.

Wrap these gifts with opportunity,
perseverance, and the strength
to resist those who insist it can't be done.

Amen.

27 comments:

  1. I have linked this post in my entry the Pope. I have said my piece, but you detailed it eloquently so other readers will have the idea.

    Salamat for standing too. Salamat for this clarifying post. Kagaya ni rio at Bhing at CM, thank you sa inyo.

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  2. You are one of those responsible bloggers, Pope. I am hoping that from now on every blogger must adhere to the code and ethics of responsible blogging so as to create an atmosphere of peace and unity in the blogyworld..

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  3. Very well said kuya....

    Mula sa mga nagdaang unos sa mundo ng blogging,
    sana eh may natutuhan na ang bawat isa sa atin.

    Kung kailangan natin muling makipaglaban upang makamit natin ang ating hinihinging respeto....

    why not?
    choknat?
    hehehehe....

    Maraming salamat sa inyo kuya (nila kuya kenji, pareng cm, ate bhing, at Kuya Rio) for standing in front of every OFW people.

    Mabuhay po kayo!

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  4. We will never get tired of standing in the front line in defense of every OFWs...

    Eventually, magre-retire ang iba sa atin sa pangingibang bansa at lalagay sa tahimik na buhay dun sa Pinas... panalo or talo man sa lakad natin sa abroad..wala pwedeng manlait sa kung anuman tayo dito sa abroad...kasi lumaban tayo ng patas..

    Wala tayong inapi sa kalsadang dinadaanan natin..wala tayong pinag-tripan... wala man sa aktwal na kamay pero milyon - milyon tayong nandito sa labas na nagwawagayway ng bandera ng Pilinas...

    I AM PROUD AT NAGING OFW AKO!

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  5. I salute the watchdog of our institution, OFW for particular KABLOGS. Though we have the right to air our voice, but we have to respect others.

    Salamat bro sa detalyadong explanation and prayers. May I have this prayer to be posted in my blog as well.

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  6. kuyakoy, kokopyahin ko ang prayer..

    dadasalin ko muna 'to every time na iki-click ko na ang PUBLISH button..

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  7. ano may nahihilo na naman sa bloggywood nalilito nagpapapansin......nasabi nya un kasi ganoon nga ang pananaw at karanasan nya ang humanp ng pera kaya ayom mukaha natuloy pera.......kawawa naman.....peace out mga repapipsssss.....lol lol lol

    pope thanks po sa prayer love it.....

    mabuhay ang nga ofw lol

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  8. akalain mong hangang dito nakakaabot yang Arvin na yan. Kailan lang po kasi may nangyari kaguluhan sa isang bahagi ng blogosphere dahil sa kanya. Tapos heto na naman!

    Wala pong patol yan! Papansin lang po yan!

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  9. Nakareceived nga ako ng c0mment about this one, tinitira nya si LordCM ata eh, hindi ko na binasa at lalong di ko na inapprove. I guess i've d0ne my part, di ko naman siguro tinabla si arvin. Mali naman atang idamay nya ang mga taong wala naman pakialam sa alitan nila.

    This is a great p0st. Ako mismo may napulot na aral.

    Hindi matatawaran ang sakripisyo ng ating mga OFW. I salute them!

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  10. Patuloy ang KaBlogs sa paglaban sa mga ganitong pangungutya, tutuo man o isang imahinasyon wag sanang gamitin ang OFW para lang mapansin.

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  11. Walang pasubaling hindi matatawaran ang sakripisyong binabata ng mga OFW sa araw-araw. Ang layuning ito'y nag-uugat hindi dahil "para lang sa pera" bagkus ay upang matupad ang mga pangarap at maipamahagi ang talentong nakaukit sa pagkatao. Harinawang huwag nang lakaran ng iba ang aking nilakarang opinyon noon sapagkat ito'y isang pagkakamali at isang uri ng tingin sa asul na naging pula.

    Marami pang "Mike Avenue" (past tense) at "Arvin U. dela Peña" (present tense) na magsasawalang bahala at mag-aalipusta sa mga dakilang hangarin at gawain ng mga OFW ngunit patuloy pa ring magniningning ang maliwanag na daan upang makamit ninyo ang pagpapatuloy sa lakbayin at sa mga adhikaing nasimulan.

    Nakita na ni Mike Avenue ang kaniyang pagkakamali (past tense) at nagnanais na maituwid ito sa ngalan ng kabutihan (present tense)kaya't dasal ko na sana'y makita rin ni Arvin U. dela Peña at ng iba pang magiging ganito ang pananaw (future tense) ang halaga ng sinusuong na sakripisyo ng mga taong ang tanging hangad ay ang katuparan ng mga pangarap ng mga mahal sa buhay. (Makikita niya iyon, siyempre pa, kung hindi matatakpan ng kaniyang mahabang buhok ang kaniyang mga mata.)

    Huwag sanang mabuhay nang mag-isa ang bawat isa kundi maghawak-kamay para sa kaayusan. At sa oras ng "laban" (kung hindi maiiwasan), huwag sanang magbatuhan ng masasamang salita kundi magbatuhan ng magagandang ideya.

    Magkaroon sana ng linaw ang mga nalalabuan (at nabubuang) na mga nilalang upang magkaisa na sa ilalim ng isa, matatag at walang pagkukunwaring pagsasama-sama tungo sa isang ligtas, masaya at tunay na landasin ng buhay at pagbabago.

    Mabuhay ang mga OFW at mabuhay ka, The Pope!

    PS.
    Ang dasal ay aking tatagalugin sa oras na ako'y magkalakas loob na buksan ang aking tahanan. Iyon ay kung iyong papayagan.

    Maraming salamat at magandang lalaki tayong dalawa.

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  12. we will stand united in ONE cause, together no one can break OUR SPIRIT in pursuing our goal for our family, for the country & for ourselves.

    thank you for another inspiring piece.

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  13. @ Mr. Thoughtskoto
    Thank you for linking my post. Being an OFW for 17 years, with my wife and son who are also OFWs, I cannot allow people to mock our ranks.

    Thank you for your courageous stand.

    @ Ruel
    Each blogger has a responsibility on his own blog and on his readers, and thee basic responsibility is called "respect", without it there will be chaos in the blosphere. Thank you for believing. God bless.

    @ EǝʞsuǝJ
    Salamat sa pakikiisa, nawa'y makita ng nakararaming blogger ang kabuluhan ng kanilang buhay sa pamamagitan ng blog upang ang kanilang respeto sa sarili at sa kapwa ay isaalang-alang sa bawa't panulat na kanilang ilalathala.

    @ bizjoker-of-the-philippines
    I am proud meeting courageous OFWs like you and the amazing numbers of bloggers of KABLOGS who have displayed their bravery in defense of our dignity as Migrant Workers. Mabuhay ang OFW at Migranteng Pilipino.

    @ Life Moto
    You can copy the prayer my friend, each part of this blog you threat it as your own, use it for the glory of the OFW and of God the Almighty. God bless you.

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  14. @ batanghenyo

    Salamat sa pakikiisa, para sa lahat ang panalangin na iyan kaibigan.

    @ Kablogie

    Salamat sa makabuluhang marka.

    @ mightydacz

    Salamat sa paniniwala sa adhikain ng mga OFW.

    @ Drake

    Nakakalungkot lamang dahil bahagi sya ng KABLOGS Supporter.

    @ Lord CM

    Salamat sa makabuluhang pagsaklolo sa karapatan ng mga OFW.

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  15. Well said, Pope. Wala na akong maidagdag. Nasabi mo ng lahat ang dapat sabihin without compromising your integrity.

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  16. Panibagong laban na naman ito...

    Bakit tila yata tahimik ang nasasakdal?
    i hope he came to his senses na...

    sa ganitong issue ng pagyurak sa dangal ng mga OFW
    hindi tayo tatahimik na lamang.
    hindi kailanman!!!

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  17. @ Mike Avenue
    Maraming salamat sa iyong paninindigan para sa kapayapaan, at kahit kailan ay hindi magkakaruon ng tunay na kapayapaan kung di matututunan ang kahalagahan ng paggalang sa sarili, sa kapawa at sa bayan.

    Pinupuri kita Mike, nawa;t makita ng nakararami sa iyong katauhan ang pagpapakumbaba. Bawa't bahagi ng aking blog ay maaari mong ariin at gamitin para kadakilaan ng kapa at ng Maykapal.

    @ Bhing
    Thank you for your courageous stand too, with humility we work for the glory of our family, but when our dignity and pride is challenged, we will stand and fight for what is right.

    God bless.

    @ BlogusVox
    Salamat sa paniniwala.

    @ A-Z-E-L
    I love that word 'LABAN" nagpapaalala iyon sa akin nung NAMFREL volunteer years.

    I would rather call this as an excercise of our democratic rights in defense of our ranks against people who tries to challenge, mock and trample dignity of the global Filipinos.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ito pala ang nangyayari... salamat po at nasabihan din ako... may nangyayari na naman palang ganito... hmm, maukilkil nga!

    napadaan po da pope!

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  19. salamat po sa pag bisita :) mabuhay po kayo, dakilang manggagawa

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  20. grabe, hindi pa pala tapos to. tama kayo, respeto lang talaga. pero mukhang hindi yon basta-basta natuturo s aisang tao.

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  21. I just came from CM's blog and didn't know what issue was behind his post. I'm thankful for this post kasi naintindihan ko na po. Sorry for that. I've been away from blogging for a few days.

    http://nortehanon.com

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  22. Nakupo pati ba naman sa blogosphere may ganitong issues.I'm with you Pope..d ko na klinik yung link nung blog na sinasabi mo baka sumikat pa sya. Sa halip na mag siraan sana lahat tayoy mag tulungan.

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  23. Di ako nakatiis, my relatives are OFW's too kaya binasa ko na din marami talagang marunong magsulat o compose ng post sa blog lalo na sa mga pinoy bloggers...pero hindi ibig sabihin magaling kung ka mag sulat ay magaling ka mag blog, being a blogger takes a lot of responsiblity, in coining the term "mukhang pera" Arvin Dela Pena not only showed his irresponsibility but also his greed for fame to make a name in the blogosphere. Kung marami nga namang readers at sumikat sya baka pwedeng pagka perahan niya ang blog nya. Ibalik kaya natin sa kanya ang kanyang mga kataga...baka ikaw ang "mukhang pera" Mr. Dela Pena sa kakapirasong kasikatan at kikitain sa blog hindi mo na inisip ang saloobin ng libo libo nating kababayan na nagpapakahirap mag trabaho sa ibang bansa...its pure stupidity to use the word "mukhang pera" so sweeping and you and I know what it means and it connotes, sobra ka namang mang maliit ng kapwa bro kung nasa Office of the Governor ka ngayon ang sahod na tinatanggap mo malaking parte niyan ay galing sa mga kababayan mong mukhang pera kung tawagin mo...its taxpayers money bro, pero wag na lang binabawi ko na ang sinabi ko hindi ko na ibabalik sayo ang mga binanggit mong kataga dahil hindi ako kagaya mo... Huwag sana nating tularan ang mga taong tulad ni Arvin. Let us all be responsible Bloggers.

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  24. salamat Pope sa muling pagtatanggol sa mga OFWs, so "siya" pala yun tinutukoy ng ilan, hmmm bakit nga kaya may mga taong sumisira sa kapwa nila kababayan? para siyang kalawang na sumisira sa bakal na kanyang kinalalagyan.....

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  25. Pope, thanks for your post. You rightfully expressed the sentiment of the hardworking OFW over this brouhaha caused by a nonsensical and irrational anti-OFW blogger. I hope he realizes and regrets his idiocy and folly very soon.

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  26. Thanks George for your very positive post.

    Nabasa ko ung post nya and I cringed. It reeks of perversity and bias.

    I think that guy is sick. Kawawa naman...

    ReplyDelete

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