tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53923036311101941482024-03-12T19:54:14.539-07:00Unchartered ViewsOpinions. Insights. Rantings. Scribbles.Em Saclolohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342213267548920457noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5392303631110194148.post-64563799360722588492010-08-26T00:17:00.000-07:002010-08-26T02:01:37.091-07:00Terrible things happen.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48853000/jpg/_48853679_crouching_afp464.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 464px; height: 261px;" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48853000/jpg/_48853679_crouching_afp464.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Amidst all the debates, hate talks, rumors, blames and cries of sadness and sympathy, a mind seeking positivity can do a lot of difference.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div>Together with the rest of my country, I am deeply sorry and sympathetic for the victims of the recent HK tourist bus hostage drama. Lives were lost, dreams were shattered and anger and atrocity filled the air. It is completely inevitable that resentment is felt against the Philippine's officials and government due the tragic conclusion of this event. It is completely predictable that Hong Kong nationals feel dim towards the Filipinos. This is human nature. One feels ill towards another who just hurt his brother or sister. However, wherever you look at it, this is an incident brought about not by the entire Philippines as a nation. Filipinos never wanted these people to die. Neither did we want anyone to even get hurt. But just like how we understand people in grief, Filipinos have to understand that Hong Kong nationals are also mourning right now. May we respect them as much as we want them to understand </div><img src="http://cdn.missuniverse.com/media/photos/galleries/photo_cron_1_65_6_2010.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 364px; height: 547px;" border="0" alt="" /><div>that this is not the entire Philippine's crime.</div><div><br /></div><div>Aside from this horrendous incident, another international scene caught our attention. Venus Raj -- the Bb. Pilipinas Universe who was almost dethroned due to her inconsistent records -- just claimed herself as a perfect girl without any "major major" mistake which she had to correct before William Baldwin in the question and answer segment of the prestigious Miss Universe pageant. To be included in the top 5 was a big surprise for many, especially for the non-supporters of Raj. But at that moment, Filipinos were suddenly swept by a rush of optimism and hope. Venus Raj makes it to top 5! She's almost there. Why not? She has always been the favorite as what can be seen from the online poll of the Miss Universe's official site. But just right after the golden question was delivered, everyone's head seemed to suddenly turn down. </div><div><br /></div><div>Seriously? No major mistake in your 22 years of life? </div><div><br /></div><div>But who are we to contest if Venus Raj deems herself perfect? But when ABC and other international media outlet began talking about this "major major" baffle by Ms. Philippines, I can't help but think: In a matter of 2 days? How much national humiliation can a country really take? I was on the verge of rejoicing with the rest of the country in the belief that Venus Raj will stir up the nation's spirit into something more positive by bringing home the crown... until that disappointing moment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nevertheless, she was on the 5th highest spot in front of the rest of world. That is already something to be proud of. Definitely, there are plenty of reasons that brought Venus Raj in that position. And to bring the country's pride to that level I think is enough reason for me to be grateful for her. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In less than a week's time, all these things happened. And all these have put our nationalistic spirit in to a very despairing low. But come to think of it... these are just two things... two reasons as compared to the thousands and possibly millions of reasons for us to be thankful that were part of this country. Look around. See the wonders of the places that only Filipinos can enjoy. See the magnificence in our values, traditions, culture, history and heritage that make our country one of the most colorful in the world. See our outstanding people who have made have left the world in awe like Lea Salongga, Charice Pempengco and Manny Pacquiao among the orders. And most importantly, look inside of you. See the Filipino spirit which has always been heroic, courageous, loving, nationalistic, kind-hearted and compassionate. This is how our ancestors brought us up. And to dwell on these negativities may make us forget these beautiful things that are more worthy of remembrance. This negativity's a great distraction. It distracts us from doing the more important thing: which is to work for change and for development.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two sad events versus millions of reasons to be thankful that we're Filipino. It is only up to you if you'll want yourself to dwell on either the negative or the positive reasons. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the Hong Kong people, I am one with my country in extending our most sincere apologies and condolences for what this incident has caused. </div><div><br /></div><div>And to William Baldwin and the rest of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, I am also one with my nation in saying: So she says she's perfect, so what? You don't always see a 22 year-old with a 22-inch waist line, a stunningly beautiful morena skin, and an innocent and non-pretentious face. </div><div><br /></div><div>Go Venus! You did a good job. Not everyone can make it to top 5 .</div><div><br /></div><div>Terrible things happen. It is only up to us if we will let them drag our positive spirits down.</div></div>Em Saclolohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342213267548920457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5392303631110194148.post-15198072121918726402010-07-08T01:45:00.001-07:002010-07-08T01:50:31.646-07:00emsaclolo<object height="225" width="100%"><param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Femsaclolo"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="225" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Femsaclolo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed></object><span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/emsaclolo">Latest tracks by emsaclolo</a></span><div><br /></div><div>These are my tracks uploaded on soundcloud.</div><div>I am no Taylor Swift, but I am definitely a loving fan. I got so inspired to sing her songs one day and this is what happened :) Pls feel free to post me some comments. Constructive thoughts are always welcome - except if you're the Simon-Cowell-kind of constructive.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, how do I sound?</div><div>I promise, I won't sing here next time. I am here to write :)</div>Em Saclolohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342213267548920457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5392303631110194148.post-14010307457146241482010-07-07T20:01:00.000-07:002010-08-26T01:16:51.102-07:00Yes, I know... It's been a while.To the very few who read this blog... incuding myself. Yes, I know it's been a while.<br />To sum it all up, I've been stuffed with a lot of things at work, personal life, love life and social life that all sort of stopped me from visiting this literary haven of mine.<br /><br />Another thing, at work, all I do is write... and write. Then write some more. At the end of the day, I think it's quite understandable that I seek my bed instead of my blog. However lately, I started to realize how much I've missed writing -- the kind of writing I love. And with that, and since it's off peak at work, this marks Emily Mayday's (my preferred pseudonym) return.<br /><br />Already have lots of topics in mind.<br />They're all wrestling inside my head... all fighting to be written first.Em Saclolohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342213267548920457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5392303631110194148.post-6738962872665909212009-11-25T18:08:00.000-08:002009-11-30T18:45:10.705-08:00Contemplating on a Journalistic Dream<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">*A Repost from Inquirer.net</span><br /></span><h2 class="mainheadline" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:180%;">RP most dangerous place for journalists to work—watchdog </span></h2> <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="byline" style="font-family:arial;"><strong>By Alcuin Papa</strong><br />Philippine Daily Inquirer</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span class="timestamp" style="font-family:arial;">First Posted 13:41:00 11/25/2009</span> </span><div style="font-family: arial;" class="KonaBody"> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/Sw4bErxdWXI/AAAAAAAAAFE/W67INBz9RsM/s1600/ALeqM5iu8ndAIY1EytDkqQQYoneBFBRwGQ.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/Sw4bErxdWXI/AAAAAAAAAFE/W67INBz9RsM/s320/ALeqM5iu8ndAIY1EytDkqQQYoneBFBRwGQ.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408289969802140018" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">MANILA, Philippines – With the deaths of at least 12 journalists in Monday’s massacre in Maguindanao, the Philippines has earned the dubious distinction as the world’s most dangerous place for journalists to work, according to an international media watchdog.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">In a statement on its website, the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said the country has effectively supplanted Iraq, where an armed conflict is raging, as the most dangerous place for journalists.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The IFJ also scored the Arroyo government for allowing and failing to stop a “culture of impunity” directed towards journalists in recent years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">“Under the current government the Philippines has become the most dangerous place in the world for media workers. At least 74 journalists have been killed during its eight-year tenure, yet the [Arroyo] government has not acted to end the culture of impunity. At last count, only four convictions had been secured,” the group said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Before the massacre, the New York-based monitor Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) ranked the Philippines as the fourth deadliest country for journalists in terms of reporters’ deaths for 2009. In recent years, the Philippines got as far as the second most dangerous place behind Iraq.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">However, Monday’s killings saw the Philippines leapfrog Somalia, Iraq, and Pakistan into the top spot.<br /><br />IFJ General Secretary Aidan White also said the Arroyo administration “must make a clear and unequivocal commitment to an immediate, independent and effective inquiry into this atrocity,” said.</span> </p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">“With elections due in six months time the authorities must act now to guarantee the safety of journalists throughout the country,” White said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">He also said the IFJ was “determined to keep an international focus on this crisis. It is a traumatic and horrifying incident that means all journalists must now take even greater care.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The IFJ is considering next steps and is supporting plans by the International News Safety Institute to organize urgent safety training for local journalists, the group said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">“We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families and colleagues of all those killed in Maguindanao,” said White.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The IFJ also pledged its full support to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in an urgent campaign on news safety.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The NUJP is sending an immediate mission to Maguindano to investigate the circumstances around the killings, to provide immediate support to the families of the victims, and to assess the security failings and safety needs for the region. “The IFJ has made available its International Safety Fund to provide humanitarian support.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">********************</span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">As an individual who dreams to be part of the mainstream journalism and broadcasting industries, I was deeply terrified by this incident.<br /><br />OUTRAGEOUS. INHUMANE. PURE EVIL.<br />On these three words revolve my thoughts about this heinous incident. What kind of a human being, who has been brought up by this strictly guided and educated society can do such act to 59 innocent and helpless individuals? What kind of person with a soul can absorb such atrocity from such a gruesome bloodshed? Come to think of it, these people are not even rebels or highly trained soldiers. There are mere men listening to a more fiendish and soulless individual.<br /><br />I can still remember Sir Howie Severino saying that "no story is worth dying for." What good will such a story bring if the journalist will be killed right before he takes out the essence from this story. This phrase keeps on echoing inside my head right now. Among these 59 innocent people are 18 journalists. What do we really get after knowing that the Philippines is now the most dangerous spot for journalists? Shame. Humiliation. Degradation. A Real Bad Impression. But above all these, we get a really serious situation which will get journalists, like myself, to contemplate as to whether or not our job is worth the risk. These journalists provide the country of the realities it needs to know. These people put one leg on the grave everyday as they enter the field to find God knows what and meet God knows who just to make the perfect news article worthy of airing in every Filipino television and worthy of printing on every Filipino paper. Whether or not this incident of killing was intended for the journalists or not, the previous cases of killings of journalists cannot be easily shrugged off from every media man's awareness. Is this country's security issue as serious as that of Iraq and Afghanistan's already? As far as I know, and as far as what I can understand, this incident has seriously taken the Philippines into a more problematic issue of security.<br /><br />Because of this, contemplation has got me to my very core. Am I ready for this kind of risk? Am I willing to face the dangers now being associated to the profession I have always dreamed of. In the coming days, God knows what worse scenarios may still come up (knocks on wood). In the coming days, God knows how worse the minds of these people may still get (knocks harder on wood). Indeed, no story is worth dying for. And those who bring stories to people are not worthy of such kind of an end. At one point of my life, I have already pictured myself as a broadcaster, cramming on the field, interviewing people, and going places just to provide the people the best news stories they ought to know. But now, as I look at these morbid photographs and at all those graphic videos in the news, fear and fury enrage my heart. Fear for my own future as a hopeful journalist, and Fury against those soulless people who did this against their own kababayans.<br /><br />Thus, together with the rest of the country, the families of the victims and the entire circle of journalists and broadcasters,<br />I CRY FOR JUSTICE FOR THE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE VICTIMS.<br />PENALIZE THE AGGRESSOR ON THE APPROPRIATE EXTENT EQUIVALENT TO THE HEINOUSNESS OF HIS CRIME.</span><br /></span> </div>Em Saclolohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342213267548920457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5392303631110194148.post-7088169923188659282009-10-01T23:27:00.000-07:002009-10-01T23:40:29.072-07:00Contact<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SsWdehjc9zI/AAAAAAAAAEc/zh8rZiZFIiU/s1600-h/mailbox_icon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 176px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SsWdehjc9zI/AAAAAAAAAEc/zh8rZiZFIiU/s320/mailbox_icon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387885676947371826" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Email me at:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >em.saclolo@gmail.com</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >emsaclolo@hotmail.com</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >maan_soul16@yahoo.com</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br />IM me through, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-family:arial;" ></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 255);font-family:arial;" ><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:arial;" >em.saclolo</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 255);font-family:arial;" >emsaclolo </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-family:arial;" >maan_soul16</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SsWef5WSvCI/AAAAAAAAAEk/ej0SQ3PfQzw/s1600-h/gtalk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 58px; height: 58px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SsWef5WSvCI/AAAAAAAAAEk/ej0SQ3PfQzw/s320/gtalk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387886800026123298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SsWeggggVII/AAAAAAAAAE0/Jm7sOV2ZWQU/s1600-h/Skype-256x256.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 56px; height: 56px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SsWeggggVII/AAAAAAAAAE0/Jm7sOV2ZWQU/s320/Skype-256x256.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387886810537940098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SsWegbm4FuI/AAAAAAAAAEs/FMDegS1S4BA/s1600-h/yahoo-messenger-icon-512x512.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 61px; height: 61px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SsWegbm4FuI/AAAAAAAAAEs/FMDegS1S4BA/s320/yahoo-messenger-icon-512x512.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387886809222485730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-family:arial;" ><br /></span>Em Saclolohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342213267548920457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5392303631110194148.post-66026373744459133492009-06-23T20:02:00.000-07:002010-07-07T20:40:13.775-07:00Scandals: Why do people care about them so much?<div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Before, when a new update on social networks like friendster and facebook comes, or when a new product in a popular online store comes out, people would immediately flock in front of their computers to check these stuff out. However today as it appears, the things that will create this immediate reaction among people are scandals. Yes. Scandals that are the most humiliating, degrading and disturbing revelations about famous people that people naturally love to know and talk about. And lately, when a person speaks of scandals, the first thing that will easily buzz into another person's mind will surely be sex tapes.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Just recently, i</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">n Manila, Philippines, a young female celebrity, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katrina_Halili">Katrina Halili</a>, lost all </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkGjrfdZOKI/AAAAAAAAABw/IwKlOBSTUzk/s1600-h/katrina_halili_-_fhm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 168px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkGjrfdZOKI/AAAAAAAAABw/IwKlOBSTUzk/s320/katrina_halili_-_fhm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350737799867349154" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">the fa</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">me</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"> and fortune that she previou</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">s</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ly enjoyed due to a revelatio</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">n where the entire country feasted on for sev</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">eral months. This revelation as everybody k</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">nows is a very explosive and revealing sex video. Before the very talked-about sex video came in the scene, Halili and Dr. Hayden Kho (a former lover of a popular dermatologist/plastic surgeon in the Philippines) were already caught on ano</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ther</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"> video doing an intimate and sexy dance together. This introductory vi</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">deo to the sex video was what made the song, "Careless whisper" ver</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">y pop</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ular in the Philippines today - as it was what the two used as the background music for their intimate dance. And then the sex video bomb of Halili exploded after a couple of weeks. The video was said to be shot secretly in a hotel by Dr. Kho himself, as the actress selflessly gave up everything to the man, without any hint of what's really happening around. A </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkGgFNmt-1I/AAAAAAAAABg/vLJPzFBOxCg/s1600-h/katrina3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 93px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkGgFNmt-1I/AAAAAAAAABg/vLJPzFBOxCg/s320/katrina3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350733843704707922" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">close fr</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">iend of Dr. Kho was said to have had access to the video file and that was how the spread of the video was claimed to happen. After this explosion, Katrina Halili's career was seen to fail</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">. Her biggest endorsements turned h</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">er down, her sponsors turned their backs on her and the projects that</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"> were supposed to be offered to her were also said to disappear like mere bubbles in the air. T</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">his made Halil</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">i furious and she started fighting in legal terms against whom she calls </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">"an animal" in the name of her former lover, Dr. Kho. And thus, the whole country </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkGgPkrVYCI/AAAAAAAAABo/8Uv-j0Bmmp0/s1600-h/katrina-halili-on-leave.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 103px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkGgPkrVYCI/AAAAAAAAABo/8Uv-j0Bmmp0/s320/katrina-halili-on-leave.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350734021696774178" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">shared Halili's ag</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ony while fighting for whom they believed is the abusive pervert. But </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">still despite these issues, it appears tha</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">t people seem to be getting more and more interested in watching and downloading Ha</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">lili's scandalous video. If people are sympathizing with her as an abused woman, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">then why are they still enjoying such kind of profanity? Is this how people actually show sympathy and respect to the scorned woman, or is this plainly an effect of the media's sensationalism on the issue? During the past months, the media was not focusing on anything but these scandalous issues as if it poses a great significance in the country's progress and development. Considering this, people indeed cannot be blamed why they are having so much interest a</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">nd curiosity about this video.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">In relation to this,</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkG7z7USIGI/AAAAAAAAAB4/12XNbBVdbjM/s1600-h/leighton_meester_01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 181px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkG7z7USIGI/AAAAAAAAAB4/12XNbBVdbjM/s320/leighton_meester_01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350764333063348322" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"> the international picture on the other hand focuses on another talked-about scandal which has conquered the </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">int</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ernet lately. This act was starred by the Gossip Girl's It Girl herself, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leighton_Meester">Leighton Meester</a>. Meester, wh</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">o was more popularly known in the show as Blair Waldorf has inspired a lot of young girls on being themselves, standing tall and proud against all odds and just being beautiful and glamorous despite everything. She was also lo</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">oked up to by young girls as someone who remains beau</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">tiful and attractive despite her classic and conservative preferences in c</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">lothing and style. But this inspiration was suddenly morphed into disappointment and disturbance when the said scandal was spread through the world wide web. The sex tape showed nothing ab</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">out conservatism nor anything about Blair Waldorf as how she was seen in Gossip Girl. A lot of people got surprised and apparently got disturbed </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">understanding the views of affected Leighton Meester fans. But as </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">compared to </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">how Filipinos reacted in Katrina Halili's </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">sex </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">video, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">people in the Unit</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ed</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">States seem</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ed used to it as if its </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">nothing b</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ut a </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">typical occurrence in American showbiz. And yes, that migh</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">t</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">be true. But w</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">hat th</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ese two cases of sex scandals seem to make</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"> me wonder about is that, why a</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">re people so crazy about t</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">hese things. Of course I</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"> am not an idiot </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">not to think that these videos may </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">give ot</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">her</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">s that kind of </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">pleasure and satisfaction, but don't they even thi</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">nk that their respect and good imp</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ressio</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">n about these women are at stake? Don't th</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ey even try to consider that these women's dignity are at stake as well? Of course most people would not care. Respect, dignity? What boring things!-- some would even exclaim. But that is how i see it.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkLCpQwYSkI/AAAAAAAAACQ/RO8VQzMetXU/s1600-h/leighton-meester-sex-tape-topless-15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 106px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkLCpQwYSkI/AAAAAAAAACQ/RO8VQzMetXU/s320/leighton-meester-sex-tape-topless-15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351053321397881410" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkG8ePOqT_I/AAAAAAAAACI/InTsMx6836E/s1600-h/leighton-meester-in-action_240x177.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 105px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkG8ePOqT_I/AAAAAAAAACI/InTsMx6836E/s320/leighton-meester-in-action_240x177.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350765059962982386" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Hum</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">a</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">n</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">s are</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"> na</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">tural fans of </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">voyeurism. They would love to peep through small holes into other people's lives- especia</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">lly p</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">op</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ular people's lives- just to see how different or how alike their lives and experiences are. And I think knowing about sensitive issues ab</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">out celebrities like these of Katrina Halili and Leighton M</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">eester's make people know that these people are not so different from them. That they are just mere humans like them who can do nasty things sometimes which makes them not so far precious than average people. Well, I think that's just the way it is. People love sticking their noses into other people's business es the reason why the mass media is still remaining to be very powerful nowadays. But the sad thing about this is, people never learn to eval</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">uate what issues are worth peeping into and what issues are better left alon</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">e. Considering the aforementioned stories, or scandals rather, of two young celebrities, do people really think it is necessary to feast on their private activities more than the more important issues like charter change propositions of the government and US economy's recovery? Well I guess this is a nice thing to pond</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">er on especially in these times when scandals appear more on the papers' front pages than in the entertainment sections. </span><div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Well, just a thought.</span> <!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } A:link { so-language:</style--> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" lang="en-US"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p></div>Em Saclolohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342213267548920457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5392303631110194148.post-90553304682023416592009-06-18T21:41:00.000-07:002009-09-23T20:07:08.409-07:00Gossip Girl: What did (and still does) the show really promote?<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SjsZoS5V3gI/AAAAAAAAAAc/sYghEC4UTgs/s1600-h/gossip_girl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 169px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SjsZoS5V3gI/AAAAAAAAAAc/sYghEC4UTgs/s320/gossip_girl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348897162490404354" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Gossip Girl. Blair Waldorf. Serena Van der Woodsen. Chuck Bass. Nathaniel Archibald...<br />These are </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">some of th</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">m</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">o</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">st popular talk-abouts during the part year and the year before that. Suddenly the streets of America ha</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 2);">ve been filled with young ladies trying to talk like Blair and Serena and at the same time try to share go</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ssip to each other as if it is such a good thing. In the last two years, a lot of people especially from the younger generations have flocked all around the internet searching for <a href="http://www.watch-gossip-girl.com/you-are-watching-gossip-girl-s01e02">free online streamings</a> of this popular show. Truly within two years at </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">the very least, Gossip Girl took the United States by storm.<br /><br />Gossip Girl is a prime time series which circles the life of teenagers who dwell at the Upper East side of Manhattan in New York. Two of the show's front girls are Blair Waldorf who was played by Leighton Meester and Serena Van der Woodsen, played by Blake Lively. These two IT girls aside from all the other popular characters are the elitists of the Upper East side who are the typical topics and subjects of an unknown gossip girl's gossips and stories. These stories from an anonymous blogger can be accessed by anyone through her online articles and through text messages. This unknown gossiper amazingly holds access to all the mobile numbers of the students in St. Jude's. This was seen by most critics and viewers as the major factor which made the series very interesting and attractive to viewers especially t</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">he young ones. Humans have always been naturally interested to voyeurism. They have always frenzied peeping into the covered lives of other people and sharing stories with other people as if these stories are the most significant things in their lives. This is where the entire plot of Gossip Girl revolved. The conflicts and twists were all about the gossips about the popular personalities in St. Jude's such as Blair and Serena among the others.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/Sj8Jz-4BiLI/AAAAAAAAAAk/_o0MWDNDm2k/s1600-h/gossip_girl_promos_jpg.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 194px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/Sj8Jz-4BiLI/AAAAAAAAAAk/_o0MWDNDm2k/s320/gossip_girl_promos_jpg.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350005670995396786" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">But the real and the seemingly controversial issue about this series is the picture of teen behavior it depicts and the kind of values it shows its viewers. A lot of parents during Gossip Girl's reign in prime time television reacted negatively on the show's language and apparent display of obsc</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ene messages. Starting from the show's posters and online ads, it appears that the negative reactions of the concerned parents of minors are completely understandable</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. Some posters and ads of Gossip Girl shows clear disturbing behaviors of high-school students kissing torridly, making out at the back of a limo and even having sex. Of course the scenes it the episodes themselves are more </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkA8LwKY55I/AAAAAAAAABQ/fWuRhWKz_1k/s1600-h/26764417-26764418-large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SkA8LwKY55I/AAAAAAAAABQ/fWuRhWKz_1k/s320/26764417-26764418-large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350342529920853906" border="0" /></a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">provocative of conservative opinions. In every episode, the characters usually </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">tackle se</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">nsiti</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ve issues that average parents would not seem to want their teen-age children to experience. These issu</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">es such as drugs, premarital sex, getting out of school, gambling and other issues are typically touched in th</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> episodes the upper east side or should I say the gossip girl way. A lot of parents have already reacted negatively. But in thinking about it, these sensitive issues have been tackled in the show as the predicaments of teh characters themselves that they also tried to handle a</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">nd get over with. These issues were n</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ot portrayed in the show as it they are things these characters were suggesting or promoting. Little by little in gossip girl's own perky way, the young viewers of the show learned about such issues in ways they would be interested about. As it may appear, all those daring, revealing and disturbing ads were just things that helped catch the interests of the viewers which eventually took them to seeing the episodes which tackled about issues, defined and explained them and showed how the teen-age characters went through and got over such issues. Considering this, it is not all about showing teasing and daring acts and topics, rather, gossip girl showed such concepts in a way which will get the young viewers' attentions and teach them h</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ow to act and cope up during such situations- for example during a dilemma between one's dreams and family, a dilemma about a </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">suspected teen-age pregnancy, a dilemma on love and other dilemmas that young people nowadays go through.<br /><br />Truly, this prime time show have awakened the consciousness of a lot of young viewers, but most especially, this show was also able to awaken a lot of parents that indeed their children must be going through a lot of issues that they do not know of. Basically, this show was all about the youth and their struggles. Yes they may be seen as vibrant, adventurous and daring but more than that, this young generation are also humans who go through things that sometimes go out of their control that usually make them helpless and desperate.<br /><br />Personally, I have seen the entire TV show myself. And I think this is a brillian effort from the producers to make people understand better how it is to be young nowadays. What the perks are and most especially what the fallbacks are as well. Truly one great show of its kind.<br /></span></span>Em Saclolohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342213267548920457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5392303631110194148.post-27971185251096786482009-06-18T20:17:00.000-07:002009-09-23T20:07:21.572-07:00The spirits that hide within credit cards<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SjsQnJ6ZjmI/AAAAAAAAAAM/ghDoYf3EKh8/s1600-h/cc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 137px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SjsQnJ6ZjmI/AAAAAAAAAAM/ghDoYf3EKh8/s320/cc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348887247294402146" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >I can still remember the time I got so excited of having my own credit card. All I could think of was that I will soon be having an unlimited purchasing capability and that I will soon have something to flaunt to my friends. That was how I literally took credit cards. It has been a social class symbol for me. Only rich kids carry their cards in their wallets. And only well-of professionals have them. It was indeed very attractive for me since I wanted to have that status as well. It was like I am finally going to be an elitist myself. Not until I met the spirit inside these deceiving cards that go into the consciousness of people that will continuously make them purchase way beyond their wallet's capacity.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SjsQ5RNTcvI/AAAAAAAAAAU/WpQAEWUMujw/s1600-h/credit_card_shopping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 212px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tiMEjhVcxbo/SjsQ5RNTcvI/AAAAAAAAAAU/WpQAEWUMujw/s320/credit_card_shopping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348887558490387186" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br />Credit actually have this capability of implanting an illusion into the consumers minds that they have the ultimate purchasing capability. This is sure to be a very attractive thought since credit card companies would always assure them of flexible payments terms, low interest rates, very hospitable</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > customer care representatives, blah blah blah. This makes these poor people hypnotized in a way since they will be led to believe that nothing will go wrong. That everything will be as great as they have imagined. What people do not know is that these credit card companies' intentions to do business and gain profit are the spirits and ghosts that hypnotizes people into a delusion of free and cashless shopping. What these poor people do not see is that they are being pulled down into a situation where they will be incurring high-mounting debts to the point that they will eventually fail to pay for their interests and so these banks will gain. As a person who is not really into money matters and business terms that much, I guess this all I can say based on how I understand how credit cards work.<br /><br />A lot of people would tell me that right after they pay their credit card bills, they always feel this particular thing like a voice (maybe the demon's voice) that is urging them to purchase and purchase again through their cards. If am a kid right now I would really think that's the spirit of the credit card that's doing the trick. However, I am all grown up and I know better than to animate plain hard cards. But it makes sense in a way, doesn't it? Creadit cards really do have this certain capability of urging people to buy more than what they can actually pay for even though these cards do not have voices to persuade and hands to push people. As how I see it, these cards are really getting into people's heads.<br /><br />I myself have a credit card. And just to attest to what I have said earlier, these cards can really be hypnotizing at times. I would look at it and all I will be thinking about next is purchasing that signature dress I saw at the mall yesterday. The card is a tangible reminder in itself that you have something that gives you power to buy even if you're cashless. And it's not great, because it is even often times very deceiving. See this: you're cashless but still you can buy, so what do you get? More than that item that you have been wanting to have you incur debts. Lots and lots of debts.<br /><br />This just proves that whatever Spiderman's uncle said actally makes sense. As far as I can remember, it is,<br />"With great (purchasing) power (given by credit cards) comes great responsibility (of handling and paying your mounting debts)."<br /></span>Em Saclolohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342213267548920457noreply@blogger.com0