Ding Gagelonia and Filipino Voices Friends: Bloggers and Nationalists all

Ding Gagelonia with fellow bloggers

When I met Ding Gagelonia after a decade or so of absence, we reunited through the Internet. I remember Nick Cugtas, founder of Filipino Voices making it happen.


He was surprised to find out that Patricio Mangubat happened to be this frail writer from U.P. Diliman who does not smoke and who always lug a napsack. That same PM was actually Richard Rivera, who left DZBB to teach and take his Masterals.


That PM was both a teacher (teaching History to a bunch of kids at UP-Manila) and a student of journalism. I was very young then, barely out of University and making sense of the real world. I took a real fancy of journalism because that was my job. Eventually, that job became a profession and an obsession.


Now, I'm several pounds heavier and Ding several pounds less.In his prime, Ding was more than 200 pounds I think. After his stroke, Ding lost several pounds. That's why when I met him again, he was probably a little off my own weight.


This is our picture, together with fellow political bloggers. Now that the Filipino Voices site is gone, the connection slowly diminished. That site became our Plaza Miranda. For reasons only a few people know and I dein say here, the voices just suddenly became quiet. 


I was planning to revive a site like Filipino Voices. I was actually thinking of calling Ding and Dean dela Paz. This never materialized. I was so busy. 


This, for me, is a real tragedy. I lost Filipino Voices and I lost the only rationale voice there, Ding Gagelonia. Filipino blogging will never be the same again. 

Elizabeth Taylor

Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor is dead. And I am telling myself that my dear friend, Ding Gagelonia is now probably with her in heaven. 


Taylor represents a glamourous generation, totally different and probably alien to most of us. Liz Taylor lived a full life. She's an respected actress, a style and fashion icon, and a class of her own. 


That blue eyes and captivating smile lit up thousands of cinemas during her prime. She mesmerized millions with her convincing role as Cleopatra, the temptress who nearly caused the downfall of an empire. 


In real life, she was evidently her generation's temptress, marrying seven and divorcing six times.  Many men fell for her, as she was the symbol of sexiness during her prime.


Beneath that beautiful alabaster skin and radiant face hides a soft and warm soul. She dedicated herself with causes, especially when her friend, Rock Hudson succumbed to aids in the late 80's. Her dedication to aids work filled up her time.


And now she's gone, probably one of the last surviving members of that glam generation, we can all just fill our memories with her iconic images and tell ourselves that it would take a thousand years before another one of that same electricity will once again light up our world.

Ding Gagelonia: Friend, Mentor and Colleague

Toots (Susan Ople) just texted me and asked me if I know why Ding Gagelonia died. When I saw the text, I was disturbed.


Ding Gagelonia, the man with the infectious smile, the astounding wit, and with the Panda-like hug, dead? Nah. There must be something wrong here.


For months now, I was'nt able to contact or call Ding. After our collaborative efforts during the elections, we parted ways. I went back to corporate and he, well, I really don't know what he did after the elections. He did not email. He was not writing stuff at the FV (Filipino Voices) and his Facebook updates were not as regular as before. 

I was so busy that I was'nt able to text him, as regularly as before. Philip Lustre often sends me texts which I replied. As for Ding, none. The last text he gave me was a few months ago.


His last post can be seen at http://dinggagelonia.blogspot.com. That is still AtMidfield. Last date: March 20, 2011 or about five days away.


He describes himself in his blogs as:

I've been a journalist all my life and am so passionately in love with the Philippines, warts and all. Our country will really prosper only if we stand up to be counted and not leave it to self-serving politicians and the corrupt to sell out the Philippines. Andres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal, and Ninoy Aquino did their bit. So should we. Am also at midfield.wordpress.com and www.youtube/dingg458

Ding was proud to be a journalist. 

Ding and I with Mar Roxas

Arlyn dela Cruz, a colleague and friend, updated her Facebook and said that she's sad that Ding already left this world for the next.


Ding opened doors for us. 


I started my journalistic career over at DZBB, when Ding was station manager. I haven't graduated school yet when I was hired as Newswriter together with Norlyn Temblor and Tina Panganiban. Julius Babao was still with us, back then, and Ira Panganiban. Arnold Clavio was still doing the defense beat and Susan Enriquez the southern part of Metro Manila.


He taught me how to write news pieces. I was accustomed to writing academic ones. He taught me how to become a journalist.


The most memorable was when he suddenly arrived one early morning with balut for every body. 


After I left DZBB, it took more than a decade before we met again. I was now in the corporate world and blogging as Patricio Mangubat. 


He was so surprised that the one whom he reads everyday happened to be one of his acolytes. Since then, I decided to make him a part of my world.


There were great times and not so great times with him. We had a common friend, Jules Fortuna, who left us one and a half years ago. 


I cried back then. Now, I don't know how to approach this. 


Still, I don't believe what I'm hearing or reading. I must see my friend. 


If this is true, then, all my prayers are for him. His writings will live forever. 

Friends are blessings from God

This year has been a blessing for me and for my family. For one, I met new friends, strengthened those old ties and deepened my faith with God. It was also a year of frustrations, of unmet expectations from people and of deeper contemplation about life and about the future. All in all, this year, I would say, brought me to a higher plane of consciousness, of realization and of a deeper appreciation of things.

Compared last year, I was richer now than before, richer and wealthier in the sense that I met new friends. Some of my new friends include Susan "Toots" Ople, whom I find to be very sincere and really dedicated to the Cause of Labor. Others include Vince Dalingan of Bulacan, RJ Marmol (whom I just met this year), Roy Cabonegro, and Don Flordeliza. I share affinity with this people because they all aspire for the same things that I just dream of.

Arlyn dela Cruz of Inquirer fame, Trixie Angeles and so many others who share the same aspirations, the same dreams, of finally having a society that is freer than the others, that does not tolerate corruption and a society of love, democracy and peace.

These dreamers, of the New Patriot mold, are like me--poor in terms of money but plenty of dreams and work for the betterment of our society.

My old friends, Ding Gagelonia and all the rest, continue writing stuff that inspires and enlightens. Ding, take care of your health.

After many years of absence, I also re-united with my buddy, Dado V. Also, let me mention other ideological and personal buddies whom I shared a big part of my life, now continuing the struggle we so gave our lives before.

A few days ago, I also re-united with my "kuya" Alex Lacson. He is still daring to change things in his own way, his own fashion. I will help him realize that.

Of course, who would forget Joey de Venecia III? I just hope that our friendship deepens despite our differences.

To all those whom I berated in this spare, commented against, and humiliated, let me just tell you one thing---REPENT and RECTIFY the wrongs you so wrought to our people. By doing so, you will earn not just my praise but the praise of the Filipino People.

To all those who still dream of a Better and More Prosperous Philippines, I say---be patient. Our longsuffering will surely end.

To all those who dream of owning this country for themselves, I say--dream on! This country belongs only to the Filipino People, and where tyranny exists, there will definitely be thousands who will sacrifice their lives to defeat it.

For God favors those with kind hearts and men of Peace.

New Media Landscape

Just an hour ago, I talked with Ding Gagelonia. He reminded me that it was only a month ago when Vic Montero, formerly of ABC 5 died. I went to his wake. There, Ding and Manong Jules gave their eulogies.

It was there when Manong told me that "una una lang yan." I remember telling him that this year is most distressing. Noel Cabrera, a good friend, died. Tata Joe Cappadoccia whom I met when I was still a defense beat reporter was killed in a copper crash. Previous to that, many other journalists, especially those who fought against the dictatorship, just faded away.

One of the regular commenters of this space, wrote that the former First Quarter Storm (FQS) pioneers are slowly fading away. Yet, there's still hope because the Movement is being infused by new blood. I believe him.

Philippine media is undergoing a similar fate. Members of the old school are slowly leaving this earth. Those who were accustomed to typing those stories away with their typewriters are being replaced by those who type away from laptops. Those who learned the ropes from old school broadcasting are being replaced by savvy, radio reporters that report news with their monotonous voices.

Manong Jules was one such man. When Ding and I urged him to put up a blog of his writings, he did not know how to do it. I was the one who opened his blogger.com account (http://eastwest.blogspot.com). He never updated it. The last entry was January 19, 2009.

I admit that I personally think I belong to the old school. When I was a journalist, I got my stories the old fashion way, calling sources and authenticating facts thrice. Last night, I had a nice discussion with Rainier of Philippine Star. I was told that media organizations right now are fragmented. Each and every beat have factions.

The situation is very bad indeed. I remember those times when media organisations in every geographical beat were united. In Pasay, there was only one group. Now, there are two. In QC, there's at least three. Before, it was just one. In the Eastern Police beat, there's two. Even I think in the national scene, there are also two---Samahang Plaridel founded by Manong Max Soliven and the NPC.

One thing though that remains the same---journalists both from the old and the new share life over bottles of beer. That is the one thing that probably journalists would never ever give up.

I don't know what would happen in the event of another dictatorship. Who will stand up from the media ranks and fight? Who will give up their futures for the Cause of the Masses?

By the way, here's Manong Jules last column over at Manila Times.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

EAST WEST By Julius F. Fortuna Good riddance
to anti-communist agency

Whatever critics say about President GMA on other aspects of governance, something positive could be said about her recent issuances. This is the matter of her abolishing an anti-communist agency that should properly be described as a relic of the Cold War.
We refer particularly to her Executive Order 8008 issued last May 15 abolishing the
three-year old Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG) that was supervised by
the viscerally anti-communist national security adviser, Mr. Norberto Gonzales.
This decision is somewhat a landmark, similar to the move by Fidel V. Ramos
rescinding the Anti-Subversion Act passed in 1957.
Why the government took so long to publicize the abolition of this agency of government puzzles me. But this move is truly imbued with international significance, specially for some countries observing how we comply with human rights and international laws. The abolition of this agency was a recommendation of the UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston who investigated human rights observance by the government almost two years ago.
IALAG had come to be very notorious. It was the group that tried to revive, or more accurately, invent the cases against Congressman Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna. It was this group that charged Ocampo of committing murder in several places in the country almost at the same time—with some committed even when Satur was in prison. It was also this group that tried but failed to induce the Dutch government to file charges against NDF officials.
If there are people who believe that President GMA is on the road to declare martial
law—this recent abolition of IALAG would disprove that there is a conspiracy to
do another Proclamation 1081. From hereon, some professional anti-communists
lurking inside the government could not use the agency to promote their Cold War
agenda.
Best wishes to Ambassador Yano
We have a new envoy to Brunei—Mr.
alexander T. Yano—the former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. For a while, we thought his confirmation would be delayed, but after three sessions of questioning, this soldier turned diplomat passed the standards of our legislature.
He is a political ambassador, one who is not a product of the examination system in our foreign office. But he would be an asset to the Republic because of his experience and also because he has the trust of the President.
An envoy is an extension of the President and the Republic. His word is official and is construed to be a direct and undiluted instruction from the sovereign. In that respect, Ambassador Yano shines because he has the full trust of the appointing power.
This is not to say that career envoys are not as good. I have seen former Ambassador Rodolfo Severino—who came from the career group as envoy to Malaysia. But all reviews of his work say he deserved the honor of being an envoy to an important country.
Let me say that the nation needs both career and political envoys because the
two styles are needed in our foreign service. As a matter of fact, the foreign
service act provides that the President can appoint both career and non-career.
I remember that former President Marcos would appoint former Leyte governor
Benjamin Romualdez as ambassador to the US, to Saudi Arabia and later to Beijing
whenever the national interest so requires. If those appointments were to be
assessed today, they were beneficial to the nation. Romualdez, wearing his
all-white suit—was able to deliver the message of the President to these
countries.
In the case of the US appointment, the Philippine message on the
future of the US facilities in the country was delivered—and later led to the
review of the 1947 bases accord. In the case of Saudi Arabia, we were able to
secure the regular supply of oil and continued deployment of workers. In the
case of Beijing, Romualdez stint was also landmark—as it inaugurated normal ties
with the Asian power.
Brunei may be a small country but it is a gem in the Southeast Asian scene. Its opinion on the region is given weight not only because of its richness but also because of its influence in the Muslim world.
Now that we need all the support to get observer status is the OIC, the more we
need to reach out to countries like Brunei.
In a briefing to reporters last Saturday, one little but significant fact was revealed. Mr. Yano has established close personal ties with the Sultan of Brunei because of their love for the game of badminton. When the Sultan came here last year, the Brunei sovereign sought out Yano for a game. This rapport can only redound to the mutual interest of the two countries.
jules42na@yahoo.com

Manong Jules and the Patriots of my life

Last night, despite heavy rains and strong winds, I was able to visit Manong Jules. His last text to me was last June 15, when he told me that he's arriving from Romblon. We're supposed to have coffee, a regular thing for us and an opportunity for me to hear what he has to say about what's happening and what I must do. He's like a mentor to me, same thing with Ding Gagelonia, a colleague and friend who writes at http://midfield.wordpress.com.

Jules is one of five people whom I consider as not just close friends, but as my "life coaches". These people share with me the same passion, the same life path and the same ideological beliefs. I only listen to these people, especially when it comes to what I must do in order to realize the dream for a Truly Just and Humane Society.

One of them is Dado V. A compadre of mine, Dado is one of the original ones who shouted "We belong" and "Never Again" during the dark days of the dictatorship. He risked life and limb for God, Country and the common tao. He fought vigorously for his ideal. He went out of his comfort zone to seek a society that promotes Truth, Justice and Peace. He now works as a dutiful officer at the Philippine National Police yet someday, I told him, great things will happen in this country and the sacrifices you and your comrades made will never ever die. Great dreams shall never die.

Another one whom I admire is Ka Sonny of PLM. When Ka Popoy left this world, his son Dante and I fought together against Gloria. I remember we were the very first ones who shouted "Oust Gloria!" last November 30,2003, when everybody was still connected with her. We already knew that Gloria will just wreck havoc to institutions of governance and that it is time to tell people about it. We launched the very first labor tabloid newspaper out of my meager funds and we were not able to sustain it because I went thru a very painful financial hemorrhage shortly after I disengaged from my former EDSA dos compatriots.

Ka Sonny and I worked together to come up with that tabloid. Through the help of other labor leaders, we were able to print it and distribute it. It was our Iskra, and a tribute to the great Plebian who celebrated his birthday. I still hold the dream that someday, when I get more funds, I'll be able to fund another great enterprise like that with Ka Sonny. And during that momentous time, I learned so many things with Ka Sonny especially on radical syndicalism (George Sorel's favorite theme).

Yet, the short time we were together, I felt a strong affinity with Ka Sonny. He, like Dado V, feels very strongly about what's happening and acts accordingly. He already sacrificed his life before the altar of the People and dreams of someday seeing a bright New Morning dawn in this great country of ours.

My lola, whom I call "nanay" was the one who raised me from childhood. I grew up without a father. My uncles were the ones who filled up the void. And my nanay served as my surrogate mother.

My mother raised me and my sister through her sheer will and hard work. Being a single mom is not easy. She gave me everything that I need. And when the time came for me to stand on my own, she let me. When I entered the university at a young age of 16 years old, I had a very solid upbringing and a natural ability to learn and lead. My mother left me on my own yet my nanay guided me throughout my entire university stay. I managed to get very good grades and became one of the youngest intructors of the University of the Philippines teaching history. Yet, sometimes you feel very strongly about change that you think that being a journalist is better than just teaching. And that's what I eventually did. I dedicated my life writing pieces about life. I was in and out of dangers, yet, there was a consistent thread that runs through me---that of using this life as a tool, a medium, for the attainment of that Great Dream.

Ding Gagelonia was my former boss over at DZBB, the radio station of GMA Channel 7. I was still a fourth year student at the UP-Diliman when I decided to take the auditions in November 1987. I joined about 250 people in that auditions. Ding made us report impromptu, every one of us. I was a neophyte but never unfamiliar with radio. When I was still a kid, I always listen to AM radio, especially DZRH. I sometimes mimic the voice of those reporters and imagine myself to someday have the chance to do the same.

My dream came true when after a month, I was one of ten people who had the chance to be interviewed by Tony Seva, DZBB big boss. I still remember the question Mr. Seva asked me---what's your thoughts about agrarian reform. Surprised, I answered him with a scholarly take that belies my academic background.

Those ten people were reduced to four. I was hired as a Newswriter along with a gay writer. Tina Panganiban-Perez and Norlyn Temblor were hired as reporters.

I worked the night shift, both as writer and desk. I report for work at around 9pm and finish at 7am. Ding always try to push me to improve my writing, which, at that time, was like mini-theses. Everyday, I write about 40 to 45 news articles. I handle the primetime morning newscasts and when Lito Villarosa (a cousin of VP Noli de Castro) came late, I pitch-hit. I still remember the very first time I sat in that DZBB radio booth. Though I was just there alone with an engineer, it was like, wow. Its really overwhelming.

I remember the last time I served there---it was All Souls Day. That was the most memorable because afterwards, we got an award. My schedule as a Lecturer and a Newswriter conflicted. That led me to decide to resign there and continue teaching. After one year, I decided to come back to media as a radio reporter.

We met again sometime last year, when Nick organized FilipinoVoices (http://filipinovoices.com). Unknown to Ding, I was writing under the pseudonym of Patricio Mangubat. Since our first meeting, Ding and I never ever failed to communicate. Almost every day we talk, about work, about struggles, about friends, girls, women, scandals, girls, women, Gloria and a host of others.

Manong Jules and I met sometime in late 1999. It was a cordial meeting. Yet, we maintain our correspondences until 2004. We had a common friend, a technocrat who ran for the senate and lost. After the elections in 2004, I came back to Singapore and worked until 2007 when I told myself that it's better to go back home.

It was a statement that came from Senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan that convinced me to return home. Honasan said that those who want change should go back to their Motherland to help her. Feeling lonely there (living in a 5-room house all by myself), I decided to abandon my work there and go back here. Singapore is a very good place to work. Yet, the longing for the Motherland and the personal desire to get married and raise a family were very strong.

When I came back, Manong Jules and I started our regular meetings. He's very intelligent. He discussed things with me, advised me to regularly read books (aside from Marxist ones) and expand my network. That I did. I went back to public relations and applied all the things I learned from my sojourn in Singapore and those I learned from being a manager. I now have many clients yet I'm thinking of pursuing what Manong Jules told me---pursue the cause of the Masses.

Manong Jules and I had worked in many projects. He has his regular Kapihan sa Sulo which I attend. He introduced me to manong Neal Cruz and Dan Mariano and a host of other columnists. For his meetings over at Greenhills, he normally invites me and when I have the time, I go there. Jimmy Gil and the rest of my media colleagues are there, sharing things with me and trying to tell me things about why these events happen.

One of the happiest things we shared together were those spa sessions over at Jet Jet, the massage parlor beside Cafe Baraco along West Avenue. We also had nice chats at BurgerKing in Timog. During Thursdays, we meet at a hotel in Manila and Saturdays, Sulo Hotel.

Our struggles together are very memorable ones, especially last year when we did so many things together. This year, I tried to convince him to support a friend who has a famous surname and all he told me was "we'll think about it." He tried to convince the group to support my friend and eventually he told me that "probably yes, but it'll take time."

He was the one who told me that read more about Joseph Scrumpeter and Karl Popper. Unknown to him, before we met, I already read so much about Popper (the ideological bedfellow of George Soros).

The last words I remember from him were these " going back at 4pm" last June 15. Those "musta nas" still resonate within me.

Like Dean Jorge Bocobo, who remembers Manong Jules's smiles and grins, I'll miss Manong Jules for his writings, his passion and his political beliefs.

When I saw him last night, I felt that I should not leave him. We still have so many things to talk about, so many things to dream and so many things to work together.

I felt numb. It was all so sudden. Nick Ferrer, a colleague, told me that Manong was rushed to the Capitol Medical Center, complaining of chest pains yesterday morning. His driver told me that they rushed him at around 4:30 in the morning and he stayed at the emergency unit until 9 when he died.

Previous to that, Manong Jules and I met at Burger King. He asked me if I could help find someone who'll buy his Landcruiser. He was complaning of his chest pains. I asked him what he intends to do. He said that he's preparing for his second bypass surgery. It was the last time I saw him.

Let me pay tribute to Manong Jules by reprinting here his last column over at the Manila Times. He wrote this shortly after he came back from his hometown in Romblon. I'll devote my next entry with his last column.

What would happen to the Kapihan sa Sulo? What becomes of those nice chats over at Burger King? How about those spa sessions, ha, Manong?

Resy easy, Manong. Someday, we will meet again.

Racism is the issue and eating Cheap Chow

Some bloggers (I think that includes Manolo Quezon) wishes or recommends other bloggers to stop commenting against Chip Tsao's latest tirade against Filipinos. If you're still not familiar with this, check out what this chap wrote online. He wrote a disparaging article about Filipinos, in the context of our recent Archiepelagic Baselines Bill, which includes a part of the Spratlys Group of islands. What he said shows his racial bias.

I do understand where Manolo is coming from. Since Chip Tsao is not a popular columnist writer to begin with, he does not deserve our attention. The more we write about him, the more popular he becomes. Chip Tsao is a known instigator, a "shock jock", as what my friend and fellow blogger Ding Gagelonia said. What he did is what is called "pathological trap". He wants the issue discussed.

I know where they're coming from, although, I would probably say that our selectiveness in our attacks comes from our inate cultural biases. It's quite surprising that we threw brimstones and all against Pangandaman etal (that includes the recent social climber who made a Duty Free employee kneel down before him) who are all Filipinos, yet we are wont to attack this Cheap Chow? Are we now saying that only Filipinos are fair game online, not racist pigs such as this one? Do we now have double standards in justice?

Let us not discuss about the bill; just discuss the racial slur this lowly and pitiful writer of cheap stuff did.

Bagong Bayan Media Network Incorporated

My other site http://pinoyobserver.wordpress.com just went past the 60,000 pageviews/hits mark. It was just about, I think, 7 months ago that I created the site to provide readers with some entertaining news and insights. IN all its existence, it has been used as a resource by ABS-CBN entertainment, even sparked a controversy.

You will see Pinoy Observer daily in your regular newsstands probably this coming April or May 2009. I'm thinking of launching a decent tabloid. I'm toying with the names "Palaban", " Pinoy Observer" or " Daily Mirror" and I arrived at the conclusion that "Pinoy Observer" is the one.

Ding Gagelonia, Beting Dolor (former editor of Playboy), Atty Jojo Flamiano and my businessman friend have established the first Philippine Quad Media Organisation. Called Bagong Bayan Media Network Incorporated, we will be launching the first online Quad-Media site using Net 3.0 platform.

The site is a purely user-generated content site. We will be featuring news coming from bloggers and all other Filipinos, both here and abroad. I already asked some of my veteran journalist friends and they are excited to take part in this venture.

For our first outings, we will be featuring news coming from all geographical areas being covered right now by the regular media. We will be posting new media journalists at these areas.

What they'll do is get news from there, upload it at the site with a story. They can do live interviews or even radio reports, since the site will have live streaming radio and TV feeds.

What's so good about this is its not just national. It's international. Filipinos living abroad who wants to contribute may do so. But, they need to be accredited first before they can participate.

All members of the Bagong Bayan Media Network will have their own identification cards. We will make some accreditations from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), the National Press Club (NPC) and even from the Advertising Association of the Philippines.

The goal is simple--integration of new media practitioners into the mainstream and conversely, the mainstream integrated into the new media field.

Those who want to take part in this historic organisation may forward a brief description of themselves and what areas they want to cover to my email address at mangubat.patricio@gmail.com.

Knowing the "presidentiables": Mar Roxas

Just read At Midfield of my good friend and colleague Ding Gagelonia. They had this dinner with Liberal Party "probable" presidential bet Mar Roxas and the anecdotes point to a rather cozy and excellent meeting with him. He answered most of the questions I posted at FilipinoVoices.com and my other blogs (one of the emerging ones, PinoyObserver which has a very loyal following throughout the globe) and calling Kevin Ray. You don't have to respond anymore coz I now have an inkling on what Mar would do should he get the top plum.

However, what I want our readers to know is, there's something in Abe Margallo's post (read the redherring blogsite) that seems rather disturbing to say the least, about Mar. He wrote about his previous actions and that is not very comforting. Nonetheless, from today up to May 2010, that's a lot of time for a man such as Mar to change perspective. If only the Patriots of the New Generation would actually go speak to him, the way they did with Jamby, then, I believe we will have a probable Obama.

In the next entries of this blog, we will feature the life-stories of these presidentiables. One, to give our people a peek into their lives. And two, to probably help them decide who to vote for come 2010. So, stick around and read!