Volume 5, Issue No. 30
OPINION/COMMENTARY
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /
Our latest as of Monday, April 1, 2024
~ April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day is an annual custom on 1 April consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. Jokesters often expose their actions by shouting "April Fools!" at the recipient. Mass media can be involved with these pranks, which may be revealed as such the following day. The custom of setting aside a day for playing harmless pranks upon one's neighbour has been relatively common in the world historically. - Wikipedia.
In celebration of April Fools' Day today, April 1, we've listed eleven items of interest to the Filipino community. True or not, exaggerated or not, the rule is to not take it too seriously. Everything here is said in jest and only for the fun of it.
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IT'S APRIL FOOLS' DAY TODAY
TPR, a Sinking Ship; Balita ng Facebook; Sour Taste of Manila; Con Artists in SPARC; Filipino 'Empty' in Parliament
Also 'Sirang PLACA,' 'Chismosang Marites,' 'Walang Buhay' Festival
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel
“The gods too are fond of a joke.” ―
TORONTO - Let's share a good laugh today. Here goes . . .
1. Unconfirmed reports from the underground claim the left-leaning The Philippine Reporter (TPR) - "a sinking ship" by some accounts - changed its name to The Philippine Deporter.
2. The same sources from the underground say the tabloid's editors - Hermie Garcia and Mila A. Garcia - have been kicked out of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada for 1) trying to stiff two of its reporters; 2) for lying about the federal agency giving money grants; 3) for fabricating a "grant guy" to hide its deceitful scheme; 4) for not admitting to the wrongs it committed; 5) for dragging the association into disrepute.
3. Among other changes in the local media is the renaming of Balita, the paper founded by the late Ruben Cusipag. It's now called Balita ng Facebook, which is a recognition of its primary source of news and entertainment.
4. On its 10th year this year, the Taste of Manila appears to have turned off people - vendors and sponsors mostly - who now call it the Sour Taste of Manila (SToM).
5. Its self-declared founder, Rolly Mangante, alias "kabise" who drove for the Philippine consulate, has a new gig as a driver of 18-wheeler trucks crisscrossing the US and Canada transporting leftover food from overpaying vendors.
6. SToM (Sour Taste of Manila) is to be staged again, reportedly, by the so-called Society of Philippine Artists, Recreation and Community (SPARC). Unverified reports claim the "artists" in SPARC are no more than "con artists" victimizing vendors and sponsors.
7. SPARC has two main undertakers, a gay, oops, I mean guy, named Danilo "Sani" Baluyot and a tomboyish Rosemarie "Rose" Ami-Seaborn. Without explanation some people refer to him as "insanity" Baluyot and to her as "chismosang Marites Tolits".
8. Ever heard of PLACA, the non-profit Philippine Legacy and Cultural Alliance, the undertaker of FUN Philippines festival? Now on its fifth year since its founding in 2019, the envious eyes in SToM classify it as "sirang PLACA".
9. As it is staged from year to year, PIDC's Mabuhay Festival seems to have lost luster and has now become a "walang kabuhay-buhay festival", apparently from the same old-same old guests and chronic activities.
10. Another unconfirmed report say Little Manila might be renamed Greater Little Manila so as to include establishments outside its traditional loop. Photographer Jose "Joey" Baking, a perennial candidate and loser in Toronto's mayoral race, is reportedly eyeing to be its honorary "mayor." Naku ha, as he is fond of saying.
11. Just like other officials before her, MP (some phonetically-challenged people pronounce it as "EMPTY") Rechie Valdez has succumbed to the call of the stage. Her friends have conducted a "karaoke fundraiser" in January in support of her reelection. Oh, by the way, what has she done for the Filipino community other than being in many photo ops? (Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved).
Thank you, Romy.
ReplyDeleteIt's a hell of a joke, on April Fool's Day, wika nga. Certainly, I have my private laughs dahil ang iba ay sa totoo lang...talaga?!? - Tony San Juan, Toronto