Who Wants to be a Blogger?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There are times when I think about not wanting to be a blogger anymore after witnessing numerous irregularities in the blogging community. I should pack up my computers, cameras and other gadgets, because blogging is not for the weak of heart.

There are so many shocking incidents that makes me cringe in horror. How would you react to the many online bullying, bashing, and attacks behind your back even to the point of tarnishing your reputation just to get you out of the way.

Those bloggers who post hate speech against you just because he sees you as a competitor. Those who would deceive others by never stating the complete facts and truth behind incidents. Those who can easily lie in the belief that his friends would support his mischief. Those whose minds and actions are controlled by their greed to gain financial rewards.

Some bloggers are motivated by loot bags, raffle prizes, perks and freebies they receive from the brands and companies. They become so grateful that they lose their sincerity in writing so as not to displease their sponsors. They would cease to write the negative facts about the products or services and only mention the positive stuff. 

Who suffers from all these? The readers for expecting too much from the brands bloggers write about. Readers would son realize that they are victims of false advertising. This becomes worst when the bloggers write about personalities. They make a person look good but in reality they are only hired to do so. Bloggers comply to the requests of brands because they want to keep the relationship even to the point of being dictated on what to write.

What happened to the original intention of blogging? It was supposed to be an online journal of our life, and as an outlet to bring out and share our thoughts, opinions and point of views. It was never meant to be a money-making tool. That's a welcome bonus but it should not be the only motivating element that made you get into blogging.

Some would say bloggers try so much to become journalists. But we should know that the main difference is that we are freely open to all kinds of writing style, and we could write any statement whether controversial or sensational. Unlike journalists whose works pass through an editor, bloggers have the freedom to publish whatever we want without fear. 

Should we just keep on blogging despite these unsatisfying issues? Should we keep on doing what we love to do best? and that is to blog, blog, blog without mental and physical hindrance and obstacles brought about by envious fellow bloggers. Should we remain our own selves or be influenced by what others conform to and recognize as standards or ethics? Should we continue to let our creative juices flow and not let social media "analysts" get into our nerves. Should we censor ourselves and be restricted to what they believe as inappropriate?

The way we blog should be uniquely our own so we should not let others turn our passion into a joke.

The Philippines' Cardboard Justice and Irrational Killings

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Last night, I had friends and family tell me to "give Duterte a chance", "acknowledge the good he has done" and "consider going back to the Philippines". After all, "It's just only the drug dealers in danger. Carlos, you'll be fine". I was really considering the possibility and then I read this today. A man in custody killed by the PNP over a traffic incident. Sigh. Nope. Not moving back. Not for a long while. ‪#‎dutertopia‬" - Carlos Celdran

If you are to refer to comics, cartoons, and the movies, the so superheroes are what we know in real life as vigilantes.

They are usually not legally sanctioned or authorized by a government and would most of the time be an underground or secret operation especially for the group of heroes who all combined forces for greater strength and reach.

In the real world, vigilantes should be frowned upon and discouraged if they resort to killing. We don't want our heroes to freely kill people who they deem as negative elements of society.

These vigilantes include the police force who are more inclined to kill rather than incapacitate. Why are they trained to end a life rather than get the opportunity to dig in deeper into the crimes. If they keep the suspected criminals alive, they would be able to interrogate and investigate further, and find the real source or the "big fish" or mastermind.

I'd like to hear what's gonna happen next in terms of accountability for irrational incidents involving the police. If its not handled well, its a black mark against this administration.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Now Available at Leading Bookstores

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"This is funny. Fully Booked is selling the new Harry Potter book for only 999. While National Bookstore is selling it at almost 1,500. Of course, you would go to the one selling it at a lower price. 

By the way, both bookstores are selling the same story. Scholastic Asia's post made it appear that Fully Booked is selling it illegally. Fully Booked's editions are from the UK publisher. Scholastic Asia from the US publisher. 

It's just unfair that the Harry Potter books (through Scholastic Asia) in the Philippines is more expensive compared to other countries. 

What an injustice to the PH Potterheads, who happen to be one of the most dedicated fandoms in the world. 

I hope J.K. Rowling is aware of this." - Kat De Castro

You must be one of those Harry Potter fans who already have a copy of the book by visiting either Fully Booked or National Book Store early in the morning of July 31 here in the Philippines when the book is officially sold. 

Just keep on mind the price difference between the two leading bookstores since the two releases came form different publishers (US and UK). They have different pricing. But I'm sure for many Harry Potter fans, the price difference is insignificant. They would immediately bu at the nearest bookstore where the book is available in fear of running out of stock of the very popular book series.

The 8th book of the ‪#Harry Potter‬ Universe, which is a compilation of the rehearsal scripts for the play 'HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD', has been released today! The play is set 19 years after the conclusion of 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows'... and held its world premier on July 30, 2016 at London Palace Theater.

The story follows Albus Severus Potter, Harry and Ginny's 11 yr-old middle child, as he starts his own journey at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The play — which opened Saturday at London's Palace Theatre — is receiving equal enthusiasm.

For those who can't get to London, or wherever the show may debut next, Rowling said: "People will be able to read the play, so they won't know everything because there's lots of surprises on stage but they'll know the story."

The surprises of production and plot have stayed largely clandestine, despite two months of play previews, with the help of #keepthesecrets buttons handed out at each performance.

Cursed Child goes far beyond dutiful brand extension with an entirely original and hugely ambitious sequel to the Potter books, presented in two parts and nearly five hours long. Author J.K. Rowling, working with London theatre veterans Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, have delivered a production that’s as spectacular as it is ambitious, stuffed with special effects and twists that had a preview audience gasping, Cursed Childis a story that doesn’t play it safe with the Potter canon and will change how fans see certain favorite characters forever.

The plot, kept under an invisibility cloak of secrecy until now, has a very grabby premise.