WritingThirty v5.0

Gabe, Two Monday, November 16, 2009

He turned two years old last month. He should really listen to my advice and not be a writer like his old man *laughs*

Ano nga ba iyung sabi ni Gibran? That your children are not your children - they are life's longing to be itself.

Labels: Gabriel, gabriel justin

posted by Jojo Pasion Malig @ 1:05 AM, ,

Cinemaloco Sunday, October 04, 2009

Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the usual suspect behind the Spanish poems that adorn LRT coaches, is hosting a month-long festival of Spanish movies in various venues across the country.

"Locos Por El Cine" (Adik sa Pelikula) features 41 films to be shown in three venues.

Greenbelt 3 cinemas are screening Spanish contemporary and award-winning films. Spanish and Filipino documentaries are being shown at the CCP, while eight classical Spanish movies and a selection of Latin-American indie productions are being shown at the College of Saint Benilde.

Here's today's sked over at Greenbelt 3:

2:00 pm: El sueño de una noche de San Juan

4:30 pm: Casual Day

7:00 pm: El nido vacío

9:30 pm: El truco del manco

Visit pelicula for the full schedule.

Labels: film festival, movies, spain

posted by Jojo Pasion Malig @ 11:45 AM, ,

Big Boy Monday, September 28, 2009

He's turning two next month. Yay.

Labels: gabriel justin, home

posted by Jojo Pasion Malig @ 10:15 PM, ,

Lapdance Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Here's the newest member of my household.

Asus K50IN

Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 (2.1GHz) CPU

15.6" HD TFT (1366x768 Widescreen)

NVIDIA GeForce G102M (with 512MB dedicated graphics memory)

320GB (5400rpm)

4GB DDR2 800mhz RAM

Windows Vista Home Premium

DVD Super Multi Dual Layer optical drive

6-cell lithium ion battery

2 years global warranty

6 lbs.

Labels: asus, laptop

posted by Jojo Pasion Malig @ 10:40 AM, ,

Eiga Sai '09 Wednesday, June 24, 2009

In celebration of Philippines-Japan Friendship Month, the Japan Foundation, Manila, in cooperation with the Japanese embassy, the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, and the UP Film Institute proudly presents a Japanese Contemporary Film Festival, titled "Eigasai '09" (which literally means 'film festival' in Japanese) that will serve as its kick-off activity on July 2, 2009 at Shang Cineplex Cinema 3 for the month-long celebration.

Here's the full sked >>>>>

Labels: Eiga Sai, japan, japanese movies

posted by Jojo Pasion Malig @ 12:03 PM, ,

Pay For Play

U.S. radio stations are screwed. A proposed House bill, the Performance Rights Act, will turn payola on its head.

It will require radio stations to pay artists to play their music, instead of artists and labels paying off station managers to have their singles placed on playlists.

Music industry expert Celia Hirschman says:

For decades, the laws have favored a free license to play artists’ music on radio, This free pass no longer makes any sense, especially for commercial radio. A reasonable compulsory license fee for all radio, with lower rates to non-commercial is an equitable solution for artists and labels. Commercial radio stations earn their income by selling advertising because of their programming content. It’s only fair that the content providers are compensated.

Better grab some popcorn while watching the fireworks fly.

Labels: corruption, music, payola, Performance Rights Act, radio stations

posted by Jojo Pasion Malig @ 11:58 AM, ,

Removing The Clutter Wednesday, May 27, 2009

I was supposed to babysit a couple of trainees last Saturday - the single day of the working week when I serve as the senior editor at the office. In anticipation, I prepared instructional materials for the newbies. However, the training session did not push through because the two young ladies who passed the initial employment exams had cold feet.

In any case, the training materials I prepared did not entirely go to waste as I could use them in future sessions with other trainees. I also e-mailed copies to the junior editors who sometimes try to impress their audience with their verbosity. Here's one discussion material I wish to share here:

How readable is your copy?

Readability is defined as reading ease, especially as it results from a writing style. Extensive research has shown that easy-reading text improves comprehension, retention, reading speed, and reading persistence.

Since the 1930s, national literacy surveys have shown that the average adult in the U.S. reads at the 8th-grade level. Many students read "below grade level."

Nearly all of today's blockbuster writers write at the 7th-grade level, including John Grisham, Stephen King, J. K. Rowling, and Dan Brown. Experts today recommend writing legal and health information at the 7th-grade level. Laws often require writing medical and safety information at the 5th-grade level.

High readability newspaper articles can be understood by a greater range of people with varying intellect. Shorter words, concise sentences that contain words with few syllables are generally easier to comprehend.

The readability of the newspaper does determine who reads the paper, broadsheets are probably read by people who can easily understand low readability articles, and tabloids are often read by people who find it difficult to read articles with a low readability and read high readability articles found in tabloid newspapers.

Keeping It Tight And Simple
To the unskilled reader, all of the physical elements of the written message are important. Words, sentences, and paragraphs should all work together to make reading easier, enjoyable, and more easily comprehended. Your goal is to keep the "story" or message moving so it does not get boring.

Try to keep sentences short. Use simple sentences, active voice.

Short sentences averaging 8-10 words are ideal. Longer ones tend to contain multiple ideas. They probably should be made into two sentences. To keep sentences short avoid unnecessary words, descriptive phrases and clauses, and parenthetical expressions (clarifying or explanatory remarks put in parenthesis).

Write generally in the active voice. Active sentences place "doers" before "action," clearly showing the "doer" doing the action. Active sentences present concise, logical, and more direct information to the readers, making a stronger statement than passive sentences.

Passive sentences have a form of the verb "to be" (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been) plus a main verb ending in "en" or "ed". Often passive sentences are wordy and roundabout.

Passive sentences have a form of the verb "to be" (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been) plus a main verb ending in "en" or "ed". Passive sentences are often wordy and roundabout.

Use short, simple, familiar words

Choose and use your words carefully. That does not necessarily mean using fewer words to explain an idea. Unskilled readers can become frustrated and disinterested in the material if they do not understand or relate to the words on a page.

Use short, non-technical words with two syllables or less. Avoid polysyllabic words.

Use live, active verbs and strong, concrete nouns to add strength and emphasis to sentences. Avoid adjectives and adverbs.

Avoid symbolic language (metaphors), jargon, complicated words. Make sure you are writing from your user’s point of view. Use their terminology instead of your own.

Tell readers only what they need to know. Excess information can be confusing and distracting.

Use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Labels: journalism, readability, writing

posted by Jojo Pasion Malig @ 4:55 PM, ,

When In Rome Sunday, May 24, 2009

Labels: barcelona, football, manchester united, UEFA Champions League

posted by Jojo Pasion Malig @ 1:30 PM, ,

Quando Quando Quannon

Back in January, I browsed through Kymco's global web site to search for new bike models that could be released in the Philippines this year.

The Quannon 125 immediately caught my eye. I later sent an e-mail to Kymco's Philippine office, expressing my interest to buy a unit. There were also rumors that models not released locally can be ordered directly from the company's main Taiwan office.

However, a response from Kymco Philippines was not encouraging. The company, it seems, does not have immediate plans to sell it in the country and is instead focusing on its scooter models, particularly the Super 8.

My SYM Radar X 125 is still in tip-top shape but I am planning to get another ride soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Quannon will be released in the country eventually.

Labels: Kymco, motorcycle, Quannon, scooters, SYM Radar X 125

posted by Jojo Pasion Malig @ 1:16 PM, ,

An Invite Friday, February 13, 2009

I received this invitation from my org in the United States, the Committee of Concerned Journalists. It may be of interest to colleagues and organizations in the Philippine and Asian media who wish to broaden their horizons.

Committee of Concerned Journalists International Journalists-in-Residence Program (JIR)

The Committee of Concerned Journalists (CCJ) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing journalists with the tools, research and inspiration they need to create journalism of the highest quality. CCJ has recently established an International Journalists-in-Residence program (JIR). The purpose of this program is to provide journalists from overseas with an opportunity to conduct on-the- ground reporting from the United States and gain a perspective on American politics, business, culture and media that cannot be fully examined or understood from abroad.

This newly launched initiative is designed for print, broadcast and online journalists from around the globe. Participants will have the opportunity to spend up to three months in Washington, D.C. gathering information and producing stories for their home media organization. Launch of this program coincides with the inauguration of President Barack Obama and his administration's efforts to tackle the global economic crisis and the many international conflicts across the globe. The JIR program will allow journalists from overseas to examine the impact of these policies on their home countries – by gathering information and insight on the ground in Washington, D.C. that they could not expect to gain otherwise.

As a journalist-in-residence, each participant will be provided with office space, telephone, computer and high-speed internet access in CCJ's Washington D.C. headquarters in the National Press Building. Located in the heart of the nation's capital, CCJ's office is two blocks from the White House and is convenient to the U.S. Capitol and most major government agencies. The National Press Building is home to the Foreign Press Center which assists foreign correspondents visiting the United States. The Committee of Concerned Journalists staff has an extensive network of media professionals, academics and government officials and is well-positioned to assist with arranging appointments and interviews, and scheduling visits to peer newsrooms and academic institutions. CCJ has a network of 150 newspapers and television stations nationwide, where members of the JIR program can reach out to get valuable insight into American opinion beyond Washington D.C.

Journalists-in-Residence will have access to the National Press Club (NPC) which hosts more than 70 luncheons and roundtable discussions each year and provides a national forum for Presidents, Prime Ministers, business and cultural leaders, members of the Cabinet and Congress. In addition, NPC has a state-of-the-art Broadcast Operations Center that includes studio space for audio and video projects as well post-production, editing, duplication and transmission facilities.

Since its founding in 1997 by Bill Kovach, one of the leading journalists in the United States, CCJ has conducted training programs for nearly 10,000 journalists. Serving as the core of its training is the book “The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect.” This highly-regarded resource researched and written by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, is printed in 38 languages and is used by journalists worldwide. A crucial component of the International Journalists-In-Residence Program will be seminars conducted by CCJ staff focusing on issues including “best practices” in American journalism, successful investigative reporting techniques, and how to create high-impact reporting across multiple platforms. CCJ staff will customize seminars to meet the unique needs of participants.

The cost of the program begins at $750 per week for a single reporter and $1,200 per week for two or more journalists from a single organization. The JIR is designed to meet the needs of journalism outlets seeking a base from which to conduct reporting or research projects. It is, in short, a flexible Washington D.C. bureau. All interested persons must be working journalists and be proficient in written and spoken English. Housing is not provided, but CCJ will assist in finding appropriate accommodations.

Journalist in Residence Program: Summary of Benefits
• Washington, D.C. office suite and state-of-the-art communications infrastructure;
• Access to a broad network of CCJ contacts in Washington, D.C. at a critical juncture in U.S. - International relations;
• Customized training, seminars and exposure to “best practices” in American journalism;
• Hands-on assistance creating new media applications;
• “Concierge” level service for facilitating reporting in Washington D.C.; and,
• Access to CCJ's network of 150 quality journalism organizations around the United States.

For additional information please contact Wally Dean at the Committee of Concerned Journalists by email at wdean@concernedjournalists.org and on 202.662.7157.

Labels: CCJ, journalism, media, training, united states of america

posted by Jojo Pasion Malig @ 9:51 PM, ,

Quick Lessons In Procrastination

After months of delay, I finally overhauled the blog's template. The old template, which I used for ages, was not being read well by blogger's new xml-based system. There are still a few dead links here, which I hope to correct in a few days if I have the time.

Meanwhile, we've also moved to a new office just a few blocks away from the old one at Valero. Somebody apparently threw a monkey wrench into the system and I find myself having to write and edit editions via an i-cafe as compared to the relative luxury of my workstation. The big bosses hope to solve the problem in a few days' time.

While you're here, why don't you visit the website of Escola Brasileira de Capoeira Philippines? As far as I know, they're the only school offering Brazilian capoeira lessons in the country.

I wanted to sign up for classes last December as a Christmas gift for myself but had to postpone it because of possible schedule conflicts at work. I hope to finally do so in March, as a birthday gift for myself.

You can head straight to any of the following training venues to sign up for regular lessons.

Manila Polo Club
Dojo Gym (The Dojo Gym is on the 2nd floor of the Family Activity Center across the Sports Lounge)
McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati City

Xavier School
#64 Xavier St., Greenhills, San Juan
Table Tennis / Aikido area of the Rafael Cortina SJ Sports Center

De La Salle University Manila
10th Floor, Enrique M. Razon Sports Center
2401 Taft Avenue, Manila

Ateneo de Manila University
College Covered Courts
Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Ateneo de Manila High School
MST Building Lobby
Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Labels: blog, capoeira, procrastination, work

posted by Jojo Pasion Malig @ 1:08 PM, ,

Gabriel, A Year And Three Months Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Frederick Buechner's Whistling in the Dark is a must-read for every father. He tells us:

When a child is born, a father is born. A mother is born, too of course, but at least for her it's a gradual process. Body and soul, she has nine months to get used to what's happening. She becomes what's happening. But for even the best-prepared father, it happens all at once. On the other side of a plate-glass window, a nurse is holding up something roughly the size of a loaf of bread for him to see for the first time.

Even if he should decide to abandon it forever ten minutes later, the memory will nag him to the grave. He has seen the creation of the world. It has his mark on it. He has its mark on him. Both marks are, for better or for worse, indelible. All sons, like all daughters, are prodigals if they're smart.

Assuming the Old Man doesn't run out on them first, they will run out on him if they are to survive, and if he's smart he won't put up too much of a fuss. A wise father sees all this coming, and maybe that's why he keeps his distance from the start. He must survive too. Whether they ever find their way home again, none can say for sure, but it's the risk he must take if they're ever to find their way at all. In the meantime, the world tends to have a soft spot in its heart for lost children. Lost fathers have to fend for themselves.

Even as the father lays down the law, he knows that someday his children will break it as they need to break it if ever they're to find something better than law to replace it. Until and unless that happens, there's no telling the scrapes they will get into trying to lose him and find themselves.

Terrible blunders will be made – disappointments and failures, hurts and losses of every kind. And they'll keep making them even after they've found themselves too, of course, because growing up is a process that goes on and on. And every hard knock they ever get, knocks the father even harder still, if that's possible, and if and when they finally come through more or less in one piece at the end, there's maybe no rejoicing greater than his in all creation.