Sentidokomon

By Joy B. Miranda – (Pinay Sense - October 2009 issue)

Just plain respect

My late father used to tell me, “put yourself on other people’s shoe, and you’ll stay out of trouble”, or, the opposite version, “never step on other people’s shoe, otherwise, you will be in trouble”. 

Last month’s headline (Cargo Box Business, Inireklamo) has drawn different reactions from readers. Some sent us a thumb’s up praises for exposing the anomaly, and some were just plain upset especially of course, Dong. Sometimes it is really surprising to one day find our name in the news, much more shocking to see it in the headline. For the writer, any reaction is highly anticipated. But, did we ever ask ourselves once, “Why I am on the news- headline? What have I done (right or wrong) to get the writer’s attention?” Many still do not understand the duty of Tinig Pinoy or are simply ignorant of what a media person’s duty is. Right after we published the cargo box which was sent to La Union, Philippines 7 months after pick up even if it was already paid after two months, and worst, it contained rubbish items like worn out shoes, clothes, delapidated bags and expired dry goods, Tinig Pinoy staff then received angry text messages from Dong. As he could not reach me, Dong sent out nasty messages especially to Ester Beatty. Below in full text, are Dong’s messages.

1. “Wala kayo panalo sa akin kahit headline nyo ako dahil kayo corrupt, ako d ako katulad w. union at wala ka ‘k’ dahil aso ka lang ugok.”

2. “Abangan nyo news para sa inyo bumili ka soon ng Cyprus weekly d kayo recognize na association gumagawa kayo ng pera illegal hehehe humanda kayo sa akin.”

3. “Gago ka nalaman ko ikaw pres. ng wala kwenta association corrupt tandaan m lintek lang ang wala ganti magsasama ako ng lawyer.”

4. “Nalaman ko na ilegal yan c Joy Miranda ngayon magharap tayo at kung cno pres. ng Tinig Pinoy malaki babayaran nyo d nyo alam punot dulo magkaroon lang kayo ng issue manira na kayo ng tao. inumpisahan nyo tatapusin natin. kahit maubos bahay at lupa ko dito wala ako pakialam ipapadampot ko yan editor mo. Pinaalam ko na ito sa abogado ko at accountant malaki paninira yan gnawa nyo.

When I delivered my speech during the 2nd anniversary of Tinig Pinoy (November 2007), I have quoted fellow media person who said, “Journalists or media practitioners are messengers who bring in the necessary information and this is a point that most of the people missed to understand. Instead of listening and doing something about the message, they are shooting or attacking the messengers. They make possible attempts to curtail the freedom of expression, that media have become easy targets of attacks. They fail to see that media persons are carrying out the role as a watchdog of democracy.” This is exactly what this person is doing to us. Here are my answers Dong: First of all, I do not know you nor your costumer Imelda Cendana. She came and told us her bad experience against your cargo box company complete with pictures as proof. For fairness’ sake, I interviewed you over the phone about the matter. You admitted that you have instructed your relative (nephew) to open the box and changed its contents. Why? Prior to it, you instructed your broker to deliver a wrong box or a box which belonged to another person. Why? Was it right? I have mentioned to you that our conversation was for Tinig Pinoy, yet obviously you were carried away by your sudden anger that you thought I or the person talking to you that time was just a nobody. So when you saw it in the news, you right away threw stones on us instead of contemplating on the reason why we published it! Your costumer Imelda Cendana has a message to express to you which she believed that only Tinig Pinoy can deliver, telling you that what you did to her box was wrong, and a message to all to make them aware about it as there might be a possibility that it could happen to anyone as well. You did it to Imelda, you can do it to others, too, unless, there is something that could stop you from doing it again, and that something is Tinig Pinoy. Hindi po istupida ang editor ng Tinig Pinoy na basta na lang magpublish ng walang katibayang maipresenta. Ang manira ng reputasyon is not my cup of tea, excuse me. So stop saying that I have caused damaged to your business because it is not our fault why somebody has aired to us her sentiments against you. Imelda went to Philippines early this month for her to see the box. She will take photos again to give to us. A duty to carry out Imelda’s message is what I did, but it’s a pity you did not understand what this duty is. Bakit hindi mo harapin ang totoong problema mo sa costumer, ayusin ang gulo, kung may mali, aminin na may pagpapakumbaba, instead na kung sino-sino ang pinagbabalingan mo at kung anu-anong kahambugan ang pinagsasabi mo? Bakit sa amin ka nagagalit gayong hindi naman magpapadiyaryo ang costumer kung hindi naagrabyado? Kung ikaw kaya ang nasa lugar ni Imelda, matutuwa ka bang palitan ng mga basura ang box mo? Try to put yourself in your costumer’s shoe, Dong. It’s not funny, right? Malamang hindi lang padiyaryo ang gagawin mo, baka ipakain mo pa sa buwaya! Two weeks ago, you went to pick up another box from a new costumer who asked about you being headlined. You answered, “Dinemanda ko na si Joy Miranda pati ang Politis.” Hay, Diyos ko nimo Dong!… Hanip talaga sa yabang yang balat mo, hindi hamak na mas matindi pa sa super bagyong Pepeng. Tinig Pinoy is not an association therefore there is no president, ok? It does not produce a single cent so we cant be corrupt, ok? and Joy Miranda is not stupid to be doing this publication if she is illegal, ok? at yaman din lang na uubusin mo ang bahay at lupa mo, eh idonate mo na lang sa mga biktima ng bagyo, ok? at kung gusto mong ipadampot ang editor ni Ester, halika translator din naman ako sa immigration office so ikaw na escort ko punta tayong dalawa, deal? and excuse me, I do not write false news because I deliver only the facts. My writing style is sometimes quite harsh especially when being challenged, yet I never write anything which is unreal. Lastly, Tinig Pinoy is fair, so if you want to air your side, you can email me and I will publish it. Imelda Cendana’s niece showing off the worn out shoe and flip-flops

Thank you

I have many times featured her here, and I will do it again now. October 1st was supposed to be her birthday but when we teased her for a party, she cried. She cried because she said her house was drowned by the rushing flood water and she could not reach nor contact her children. The next day, she texted Ester and me urging us to do something about the catasthropic calamity which happened in Luzon. I could not help but wonder how big the heart this lady has. With her persistence, Ester then called all the leaders for the meeting, hence, the fund raising took place. She actively involved herself in the aim to help the typhoon victims. Tirelessly prepared the foods to sell outside the church, and many times sacrificing her time at work.The lady I am talking to here is none other than Scarlet. Selfless Scarlet

In the two Sundays of fund-raising activities, organizers have collected an amount of 8,856.66 euros. I thought to myself, mangyayari kayang makapagpadala tayo ng ganito kalaking halaga sa mga flood victims kung walang Scarlet na unang nangulit kay Ester na gumawa ng aksyon? Scarlet will once again raise funds for her kababayans in Quezon through food-selling at the Rainbow Festival both in Nicosia and Limassol. Spontaneous. Selfless. She acts, she does, she helps. Why I feature her again? Because she was being humiliated on the day the cash donations was endorsed to the honorary consul. Thank you, Bernadette. You know that Scarlet is one of the initiators and she went there to cover the turn over but was insulted in the end. More evidence? Of course! She is one of the organizers, and for record purposes, there is nothing wrong to cover it. Thanks to you again, Bernadette, sa pagmamaniobra mo. If pag eendorse lang ng pera ang sadya mo doon, hindi na mangyayaring mapahiya pa si Scarlet. She deleted the video record. I know you have put a lot of efforts to the fund raising yourself, but with your insensitive and careless cross over, you have no idea kung ilang tao ang nainsulto mo. So stop wondering why Ester has not returned your calls. Sana naisip mo yan. We gave in to your desire to submit the money to the consul for the sake of unity, but then again at the PHC’s office nigara na pud ka sa imong pagpalapad. Tomorrow, Sunday, before sa gawain ninyo, magdasal ka muna ng kapatawaran. Sabi mo pa hindi ka banal, nagsisimula ka pa lang magpakabanal. I dont know kung ano ang koneksyon nun sa fund raising, but isa lang masasabi ko, hindi ka magiging banal kung puno ng pagkukunwari ang puso mo. Sa bawat gawain mo, isipin mo na maraming hindi natuwa sa inyo ni Fr. Zach. Oh, thanks to him also, for helping the Filipino Community. It would have been appreciated well kung nagkaroon kayo ng konting courtesy sa mga organizers, The fact that as far as this matter is concerned, ang dapat na tanging role lang ng pari ay mag announce. Next time, please do not step on other people’s shoe para maiwasan ang misunderstanding. Matuto tayong lumugar ng maayos. Just plain respect for others. and thank you. Scarlet, mabuhay ka. Thank you for your big heart. if not for you, Filipino Community in Cyprus will not be able to start sending help. God bless you Ading and I am always hats off on you!. Nuggets of wisdom for today dedicated to Dong and Bernadette: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” (Abraham Lincoln)