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Bacolod City, PhilippinesTuesday, April 10, 2012
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with Ninfa Leonardia
OPINIONS

How journalists die

Ninfa Leonardia

Well! It was good to see that Bacolod City has, at least, hurdled the initial test for the so-called Wonder Cities of the World. At first count, there were 15 chosen from the Philippines, but the latest had only six left, with our city among them. The others are Parañaque, Vigan, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo.

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But it’s going to be a long haul yet, as there are more than 300 contenders worldwide. This will later be pared down to 77, then to 28, then 21, later 14, and finally seven. It does look like the selection of the American Idol, with the contestants being dropped one after the other along the way. I understand the voting is also similar to the American Idol, where votes are cast online.

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Was it timed to anticipate the action of Congress on the controversial Reproductive Health Bill? The National Statistics Office has released results of the 2010 census showing that the population of the Philippines in now at a high of 92.33 million. I guess there is no need to work that one out, as there is also no need to anticipate what protesters against the bill will do next. The NSO report also underscores the fact that, from year 2000 to 2010, we brought forth 15.83 million more people into the world. It does not show, though, how many departed, even only during the month the census was taken.

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There’s a big to-do in Canada over the coming Miss Universe 2012 pageant, because the one who was chosen to represent the country was found out to be a transsexual. That means he, she or it was not born a female, but only underwent an operation to change his, her, its gender from male to female. Some women’s groups are up in arms, they do not like the idea of a former man joining the once all-girl contest, much less, winning the title!

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But the former Walter Talackova, now Jenna T., seems to have the support of the beauty pageant franchise owner, Donald Trump, who was reported as saying that if Canada accepts Talackova, it is all right with him. The protesting women insist that males should have their own contests, gays their own, and transsexuals like Walter-Jenna must stage their own. Let us look out to see how this problem will resolve itself. I bet a lot of other transexuals out there are hoping and praying that this one makes it, so they, too, can hop in next year.

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Meanwhile, the world is worrying about the announced launching by North Korea of their third nuclear test which could affect some countries in the region. Some say even the Philippines, especially parts of Central Luzon, will be vulnerable, in case some fall-out from the rocket reaches them. The explanation from Philippine officials like Benito Ramos are of no help to frightened residents there, since he says there will only be danger if something goes wrong, a miscalculation or something. Even the Philippine Airlines has reportedly changed the routes of their planes to avoid encountering it. What can the rest of the world do against this blatant show of force?

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I almost made a sign of the Cross when I read an item about Chief Justice Renato Corona comparing himself to Jesus Christ! In a statement he made to the media, the beleaguered justice, who is facing impeachment, claimed that, like Jesus, he, too, is suffering from injustice and going through trial by publicity. But Jesus never misdeclared His earthly possessions, was not acknowledged the Son of God at midnight. I’m sure someone will suggest that he put himself in the place of Barabas instead, so he would get a promise to also be in Paradise.

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How sad it is for the Philippine media community that two of their most respectable and admired journalists passed away within weeks of each other. A little over a month ago, we lost Isagani Yambot of the Daily Inquirer, whose passing was mourned by many of his peers. Then on Maundy Thursday, we also lost Angelo Castro Jr. of television fame. Yambot died of a bum heart, while Castro was felled by lung cancer. Two – from print and TV. What about in radio? Haven’t you noticed that radio broadcasters and commentators now depart by being gunned down, rather than by natural means? What does this say of this branch of journalism?*

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