Tag Archives: Filipinos

Human Interest, International

ANOTHER WORLD RECORD FOR THE PHILIPPINES!

1 Comment
Image: Getty
Image: Getty

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) is not yet ready to retire its mantra of ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines.’ In fact, the country has added yet anther world record to its string of accomplisments, Tourism Secretary Ramon Ramirez  Jr. proudly announced today.

The new world record? Filipinos ranked Number 1 in the world among the most gullible people on the Internet. India was a distant second, followed by the United States.

NetData International, a company that studies all kinds of data on the Internet, has shown that Filipinos are the most gullible in terms of satirical articles. Their data reveals that majority of shares from satirical articles are coming from the Philippines. They also noted that more than half of these articles are written by Filipinos.

imageAccording to NetData social media experts, this data signifies that most Filipino internet users either share an article they haven’t read or understood or they just can’t distinguish satire from legitimate news.

DOT said the Philippines is not only famous for its scenic natural landscapes, its beauty queens, champion boxers and corrupt politicians, but it has also established itself as a country with top world records.

Earlier this year, Makati City in the Philippines was named ‘Selfie Capital of the World.’ Cebu City recently topped the Guinness World Record of the largest single Zumba class. And the newly-opened  Philippine Arena now holds the distinction as the largest indoor arena in the world. Not to mention the most number of Filipino nationals (and those of Filipino heritage) winning international reality show singing competitions.

So go ahead, say it one more time… ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines!’

Film and TV, International, Politics, The Media

PRODUCERS OF ‘CESAR CHAVEZ’ FILM ISSUE DISCLAIMER

Leave a comment
Fact (left) vs. Fiction (right)
Fact (left) vs. Fiction (right)

Hollywood, California – ‘Cesar Chavez,’ opened in theaters nationwide this week amid protests from historians and Filipino community leaders that the Diego Luna film fails to tell the real story behind the United Farm Workers (UFW) and the labor movement started by Filipinos in the grape farms of Delano, California.  While historical documents have long confirmed that Larry Itliong and other Filipino labor leaders contributed greatly to the eventual formation of  UFW headed by Cesar Chavez, the film has all but minimized if not totally erased Filipinos from major scenes relating to the farm labor movement.

In the one hour and thirty eight-minute film, Larry Itliong, played by Filipino American actor Darion Basco, appeared for less than 10 minutes total, and mostly as a bystander.

Overwhelmed by the negative reaction of film goers to what could have been a monumental film epic, producers of the Hollywood film issued the following disclaimer:

“Cesar Chavez is a film based on fiction.  Any similarities to actual persons — dead or alive — or to places and events — past and present — are purely coincidental. We encourage the viewing public from all nationalities and ethnic background to go see the film to ensure its box office success and help us recover the $10 Million we invested in this feel-good movie.”

Human Interest, International, Law Enforcement, Politics, Science and Environment, The Media

CROCODILE, PIG ARE FILIPINOS’ TOP CHOICES TO REPLACE THEIR NATIONAL SYMBOL

Leave a comment
Buwaya (crocodile), left; pig a.k.a. pork barrel
Buwaya (crocodile), left; pig a.k.a. pork barrel

Manila, Philippines – Last month, The Adobo Chronicles reported that Philippine Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III proposed to replace the country’s national symbol from the Philippine Eagle to the Tiger, consistent with economic forecasts that the Philippines is now considered the new “Asian Tiger.” Well, it turned out that Sotto’s proposal received lukewarm reception among his colleagues in the Senate as well as from the Filipino people.

Consequently, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chair of the Senate’s Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes asked the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to send out a survey to all registered voters in the Philippines to find out what their preference is for the country’s new national symbol.  Santiago said that she wanted input from the Filipinos on the most appropriate symbol that would represent the country and its system of government.

The Philippine Eagle, left, and the tiger
The Philippine Eagle, left, and the tiger

Here are the results of the survey, with 98% of  registered voters accounted for:

1. Pig – 48%

2. Crocodile – 46%

3. Tiger – 3%

4. Philippine Eagle – 2%

5. Mermaid – 1%

Dyesebel (mermaid) Photo credit: markednicdao
Dyesebel (mermaid)
Photo credit: markednicdao

In reporting the survey results, the COMELEC noted that Filipinos who suggested the pig were convinced that it best represents the pork barrel scam that has rocked the country and the political system in recent years. The crocodile, according to its proponents, represents the greed that seems to be a consistent characteristic of most politicians and government officials.   As far as the mermaid is concerned, the COMELEC said Filipinos thought it best represents the marine and fisheries industry that is the prime source of livelihood for majority of the population. Observers, however, think that the choice of the mermaid was prompted by a new television series on the mythical creature that is about to make its debut in the Philippines. The TV series is titled “Dyesebel.”