The TRUTH About "Posible"

(This may be too late already but I still want to post this here to show the truth about the "Posible" controversy that was blown out of proportion.)
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Taken from Mr. Dennis Garcia's Facebook Note dated January 11, 2010:

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=244750944434

I am a painfully shy person and this incident has given me extreme (and undeserved) irritation and anxiety. But I have always told my kids – never back off from a fight when you know you are right.

And so… my side.

I have been doing creative work for political clients for nearly two decades. At every opportunity, I make it a point to recommend that my clients use Original Pinoy Music. More often than not, OPM tends to make a campaign material ‘feel good’ and creates a connection with the audience much, much faster. What’s even nicer, it helps rekindle fondness for Original Pinoy Music whose rise to popularity I am proud to be a part of (with my band HOTDOG).

And I have unleashed this passion for OPM every election season. There was “Umagang Kay Ganda” for a Joe de Venecia TV ad in 1998. And the unforgettable “Mr Palengke” in 2004, Mar Roxas’ battle hymn adapted from a Parokya ni Edgar song. In 2007, there was Alan Peter Cayetano’s “Ito ang Gusto Ko” adapted from Francis M’s classic ditty. Same year saw Darlene Custodio knock out Pacman with “Bongga Ka ‘Day”. And the list goes on and on…

Recently, I was tasked to score the music for a Gibo Teodoro TV material. Given a free hand to use whatever music (existing or original) I want… I opted to go OPM.

I chose a gem I heard extensively during the SEA Games in Manila a few years back. The song was "Posible"… and I tracked down the artists and the publisher through my Viva friends.

The publisher turned out to be Ms. Lizza Nakpil. I had the paperwork prepared, the details spelled out… and paid the agreed-upon license fees (one of the perks of my being a composer is the fact that I tend to get charged much, much cheaper fees. Of course, the savings are always passed on to clients. Friend's price!).

I recorded the tune with the intention of staying faithful to the inspiring spirit of the song – with just one, solitary lyric change… ‘Gibo’ instead of ‘Laban’.

Everyone involved was happy with the results. The music, though merely there for setting the mood, was a great fit.

However when the TVC aired… a million speculations and conspiracy theories were hatched.

Each one – wrong.

No. The song was not illegally used. (I’m one of the staunchest defenders of Intellectual Property Rights – and will fight for its enforcement… patayan kung patayan.)

No. The song was not created to make it appear the band was endorsing the candidate.

No. We didn't hire a sound-alike to fool people. (The singer is one of my in-house talents who NEVER mimics other voices)

No. Gibo was not ignorant of IPR laws. (A trusting soul… Gibo left things up to me – showing a complete faith in my judgment, in my knowledge of how to be fair to my fellow musicians and songwriters… and in my inherent desire to always push for Original Pinoy Music.)

Through my nephew Toti Dalmacion, head of Terno Records, I relayed all these points to Rico Blanco (front man/creative guru of Rivermaya) who was being bombarded by tweets that mostly peddled innuendos. He listened and showed appreciation for the facts… and the truth.

I set a meeting with him on Jan. 6 to clear the air and correct any misconceptions. And he readily accepted. On the appointed date, he said there was no need to meet... that he knew there was no bad faith involved and that I should just inform his management team at Warner Music about the license.

Not content with just a phone call, I took pains to have the license sent to Warner Music’s offices on Jan. 7 for their review. (This completely creates doubts about Warner Music’s assertion in their press releases on Jan. 8 and 9 that “all it would have taken was phone call” to fix the matter.)

With the combative actions of Warner, I contacted Lizza to provide me with additional supporting papers for the song… which she did.

I now wonder what motives are behind this whole episode. There was never an instance of bad faith. Why penalize a diehard supporter of OPM? Why so many press releases? Why target Gibo ruthlessly?

But what worries me more is the fact that this incident will needlessly scare candidates from using Original Pinoy Music for their campaigns.

Goodbye, OPM. Hello… ‘nobody, nobody but you’.

[a scanned copy of the copyright was inserted in this portion - please refer to the Facebook Note link above]

PS. I expect a sincere apology from Rico Blanco and his music label. I also intend to file a case of piracy of my lyrics for the songs "O Lumapit Ka" and "Ikaw Pa Rin" which Warner Music brazenly used without remuneration and permission. Hey guys, practice what you preach.
A publisher and his/her artist should settle their differences... and not penalize or harass clients who have no inclination to be part of the mess...

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Obviously, this is contrary to Warner Music's press release that Mr. Dennis Garcia didn't even bother to make a phone call. Geessshhh.... :(

Hypocrisy of Noynoy Aquino's Facebook Page Administrator

From the yellow's Facebook page:
Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III [Admin 2]
"Some candidates are flaunting intelligence and pushing for CHANGE. When you ask for change, that means there really is something WRONG. But let me ask you this, SINCE WHEN DID YOU DIVORCE YOURSELF FROM WHAT WAS WRONG? You can NEVER ask for CHANGE when the one you want to be changed is SUPPORTING YOU."

(Since they block everybody who contradicts them, I'd rather post my reaction here. Oh, yes! That's their interpretation of democracy --- blocking everyone who opposes their views rather than dealing with them decently.)

Noynoy Aquino's slogan states "Tanggalin ang Tiwali, Itama ang Mali" ---
If I may ask: Who joined the Genuine Opposition in 2007 and got Erap's endorsement for the Senatorial Elections? Who met with Erap during the height of Ondoy's relief operations? Who is still a good friend of a convicted plunderer? Come on! Don't be a hypocrite! Since when did you equate JOINING A CONVICTED PLUNDERER as SOMETHING GOOD in the TRUE SENSE of FIGHTING AGAINST CORRUPTION?! How do you expect me (and the rest of the disenchanted Aquino followers since then) to believe that slogan when Noynoy himself is still associated with a convicted plunderer?! Pasens'yahan, mula 2007, markado na ang mga ito sa akin: Aquino, Roxas, Villar, Legarda, etc. And I call them "political pigs" simply because they like to eat what they have thrown up, all for the sake of political convenience. It doesn't take a genius to translate their actions. Do your own cleaning first and look into the mirror before examining another person's dirt. Most of all, please practice what you preach.

P.S. I got blocked from their page just by defending Gibo Teodoro regarding the "Posible" copyright issue that (topic) was initiated by their own yellow member. Take note, I didn't even criticize Noynoy and I still got blocked. Pathetic!

Trillanes --- Look Who's Talking?!?

I have just read an article from Inquirer online:

http://politics.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&article=20091204-240117

Now, they're talking... Most especially Trillanes --- look who's talking?! What has he contributed to improve this country? Oh, I know... staging 2 coup attempts! Creating chaos and giving paranoia to the innocent people inside those hotels!

Regarding the Ampatuans, what did the past administrations do with their private armies? NONE. It's easier said than done. I agree, this administration is partly at fault. However, although I don't like PGMA, she is not the only one to be blamed. Also, how could you blame Gibo Teodoro who had only served for 2 years as the Defense Secretary? He isn't a superhero. You're expecting a miracle. Think before you open your mouth!

Evil doesn't grow overnight. These private armies have been in existence for the longest time and yet people only point their fingers to the present administration. Aren't the past leaders guilty of the same thing, too? Just because this tragedy happened only now, I don't think that the past administrations are absolved from the same liability. Truth be told, the Ampatuans have been cuddled for DECADES and now we experienced their wrath!

Noynoy Aquino's Campaign Music Video

Honestly, I love the concept of this music video. Who wouldn't given the all-star cast and the dramatic execution? However, I would have appreciated it more if it was done for Ninoy's death anniv or for the EDSA 1's anniv. It's not quite appealing to me knowing that the real purpose of it is to campaign for Noynoy. Also, the Piso for Noynoy drive doesn't make any sense after watching this. Monetarily speaking, he has ALL the big stars to back him up. Well, maybe next time it would be much better if they could put up an ad focusing on Noynoy's own strengths and capabilities instead of showcasing his parents' legacy. ;)

Nevertheless, NINOY AQUINO will live in my heart forever! Truly, NAG-IISA lang s'ya. :)

Feedback on ANC's Forum (Local Government Champions Face-to-Face with Four Presidentiables: Oct. 6)

EDITORIAL: Not ready for the Presidency
The Daily Tribune
October 8, 2009

Going by the forum meeting between a group of local executives four presidential aspirants, the answers Sen. Noynoy Aquino, the Liberal Party presidential bet, gave the local executives showed clearly that he just isn’t ready for the presidency, and worse, he does not appear to have any understanding of how government works or shouldn’t work, under a system of laws.

The answers he gave to the questions raised by the local executives were much too vague and indirect, offering nothing substantive, probably because he has no position on these issues in the first place or he is plain clueless.

He kept on going about democracy and people power in virtually every answer he gave, two issues which are not the issues at this time, but as he was still evidently following the campaign spiels taken by his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, including the "walang alam" bit which is better than having an experienced one that is corrupt, which criticism had been leveled against his mother, he continues to tread this path, which will hardly resonate with the voters, just as it did not resonate with the local officials present in that forum.

But it has been noted for sometime that Noynoy Aquino, even in media interviews, is always vague and never directly answers the questions and at times, even his answers are off tangent. Mar Roxas has also been noted to "save" the day for Noynoy by explaining what Noynoy meant to say.

Another thing going against Noynoy, no matter what his yellow supporters say, is that he can’t seem to make any decision unless and until he gets his four sisters — and their husbands apparently — to agree on a decision to be made.

Even when he holds "unity meetings" with other opposition bets, the sisters and their husbands are always present. Can’t he make a decision on his own and make a firm stand on issues? Is his presidency going to be a presidency of five Aquino siblings?

What is, however, surprising is the ignorance of Aquino in local government issues, which should have been right up his alley, given the fact that Aquino is the chairman of the local governments committee.

It was apparent that Noynoy, as chairman, never studied his lessons, nor for that matter, has he even called some kind of hearing — even now, with the disaster and the unpreparedness of Malacañang and the local government officials in addressing the needs of the typhoon victims, today being questioned by the public.

All Aquino said, by way of answers to the questions posed by the local governments, was that this and that have to studied first.

A bigger mistake he made was telling the local government executives that he wouldn’t, as president, be giving funds to the local government units that do not perform. But hey, such funds, meaning the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) fund is a must, as the law says the local government executives get 40 percent as IRA. To withhold it is unlawful and not to provide any funds to a non-performing LGU even when it is needed is unconscionable.

Outside of that, no specifics were given, no concrete examples were given on how he, as well as the other presidential bets, will go about their presidency in reforming the system, mainly because they really have no idea on how to bring about reforms, given their varied backgrounds.

If truth be told, none of the presidential aspirants invited to speak at the forum were impressive in their answers, but as all politicians do, they all mouthed motherhood statements, and from the faces of the audience, it was evident that the local officials were hardly impressed by the four presidentiables, with some looking much too bored.

As one former local executive put it, "If all that the candidate can tell us is that he will study it, we’ve been through that already. He has to say and do something good for us and the country."

Noynoy just lost a golden opportunity for him to prove to the nation that he is prepared for the presidency.

He just proved that he isn’t and won’t ever be.


About that job interview forum for President
SHOOTING STRAIGHT
By Bobit S. Avila (The Philippine Star)
Updated October 10, 2009 12:00 AM

Last Tuesday morning we watched on ANC the forum in AIM in Makati City with four presidentiables dubbed the 100 Local Government Champions face-to-face with the four presidentiables – Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, and Sen. Manny Villar. They said this was more of a job interview for the presidency as the people in the forum who were asking the questions where officials of local government units (LGUs) from all over the country.

Call it timely that we also attended the “Understanding Choices Forum on Genuine Leadership and Good Governance: How Shall We Lead the Philippines in 2010” at the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation’s (RAFI) Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADS) last Wednesday, and indeed, it was a great way of getting the criteria done in order to choose who should be the next president of this ailing nation.

The first presidentiable was Defense Secretary Teodoro who answered the question about peace in Mindanao. He pointed out that no one can claim to have a solution to the problems in Mindanao because the problems in Sulu are different from those in Compostela Valley or those in Maguindanao. Obviously, Gibo knows what he’s talking about.

He also pointed out correctly that one way for peace to move forward is for the government to disarm the armed groups roaming around Mindanao for various reasons. I have for so long written about this fact… that armed groups even proudly show their weapons on nationwide TV that only proves that there is a double standard in the application or enforcement of gun laws in this country. Defense Secretary Teodoro also stated that the military has been successful in neutralizing these armed groups… but the major problem is we cannot hold the territory for long. This is very true!

He added that we have only 120,000 men and women in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and another 130,000 in the Philippine National Police (PNP) despite our internal security problems, while Thailand, which has only a single internal threat in the south, has 300,000 men in arms, while Malaysia, which has no internal problems, has 130,000 military men. As I’ve always said, we can boost this number instantly by resurrecting the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC), the cheapest way to recruit the youth.

On the controversial Reproductive Health Bill, Secretary Teodoro had this to say, “Population management is a necessary thing… the RH Bill minus certain punitive provisions may work… but I’m totally against abortion! Religious organizations have a very important role, but not through the state, but through the conscience of the people.” On the issue of Charter change, Gibo was very emphatic that there will be a constitutional convention (con-con) if he is elected president. This is something that brings hope to the rest of the country, more so that we are now seeing that Metro Manila, despite having the biggest slice of the nation’s revenues, cannot even fix itself due to tropical storm “Ondoy,” and federalism might just be the key to give full autonomy to the LGUs.

As for Sen. Manny Villar, he apparently believes that we don’t need a new system of governance… all we need is good leadership. This runs counter to my belief that even with good leadership, which we already had before during the terms of Tita Cory and President FVR, this nation still hasn’t moved forward. So what can we expect under a Sen. Manny Villar presidency… same as usual?

Among the four presidentiables, Sen. Escudero had the best charisma. He is young, talented and knows the issues very well. However, he failed to realize that some of the LGU officials asked their questions in English because they really cannot understand Tagalog. If he listens to good advice as he said he would, then if he is asked a question in English, he must learn to answer it in English, not in his monotone Tagalog.

Last to be interviewed was Sen. Aquino and when asked about Charter change, he replied: “We need to go into a national debate on whether this is what the people want.” He emphasized that his government will be a government of consultation. Perhaps Sen. Noynoy should be told that natural-born leaders take the bull by its horns and lead the people because they know what is good for the people.

If our Lord Jesus Christ consulted his Apostles and threw the question to them on whether he should die on the cross, I’m sure that the Apostles would have voted for him not to sacrifice his life and die on the cross. It’s not too late for Noynoy to change his attitude or approach and be a true leader. This is the first time that the four presidentiables have squared off; if they meet again, we can be more definite as to who we should elect as president.

The Green Team

I'd rather support an unpopular candidate who is competent and has his own visions for our country than someone who is just popular and overrated due to his parents' legacy.

After a long time of being undecided, I have just joined the Green Team (Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro for 2010). I just hope and pray that he won't fail us.

If you like to join us also, just click on the image below or visit http://www.gibo.ph/.

September 26, 2009 - The Wrath of Typhoon Ondoy

*Video courtesy of YouTube member, mcfly1151985