So I finally saw the “Amalayer†video posted on YouTube and I just had to ask myself, what the heck was the big deal? Why did this video go viral? It’s not even funny and there’s no way to tell why the girl, Paula Jamie Salvosa went ballistic towards the security guard at the LRT station.
Salvosa is currently the most vilified person on the Net by Filipinos because hundreds of thousands shared a video of her outburst. Most are quick to condemn her act without knowing the context or the details around why she raised her voice at the security guard. Unfortunately, the hate the video has generated showed an ugly side to our culture: most of us seem to have a mob mentality.
Judging by the number of people who posted angry remarks against Salvosa, it is safe to say that most Filipinos are quick to go on the attack mode without analyzing why they are doing so. This was also evident in the way they condemn former President Gloria Arroyo just because incumbent President Benigno Simeon “BS†Aquino keeps telling everyone she is guilty of the charges against her. Without any evidence to support his claim, most Filipinos agree that she is guilty. But I digress…
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It is quite disturbing how Filipinos let themselves get carried away by footage taken without permission and taken out of context. Those who were quick to say that Salvosa was foul and disrespectful without getting the facts are being judgmental. I could not even hear what the guard and the others around her were saying. Her voice may have been louder than the rest but that could simply be because her voice is naturally loud. It seems to me that Salvosa is a very outspoken young woman. It’s not everyday that we see someone who can speak her mind.
When I saw the video, I could actually feel her frustration. Whatever the security guard did or didn’t do is beside the point. The point is public transport in the Philippines sucks and anyone who has no choice but to take the LRT, MRT, bus, jeepney or tricycle can be pushed to the edge of sanity. Take riding the LRT and MRT for example, it’s bad enough that commuters have to deal with rude passengers; commuters also have to deal with tough security before riding a packed train.
Going to and from work is simply not straightforward when you live in the Philippines. It is a nightmare even when you have a car and it is hell when you are using public transport. Before you can get from point A to point B, you have to deal with a lot of inconveniences. Like, who the heck wants their bags checked constantly? Not me. It’s an invasion of privacy. Why the heck is there a need to check people’s bags in the first place? Okay, they are checking for weapons that could put other people’s lives at risks. But the thing is, whether it is at the LRT or at the airport, it is always annoying to be regarded as a terrorist especially when you know that the only weapon you have in your bag is a red lipstick.
The constant need to inspect people’s bags is another indication that Filipinos do not live in a safe environment. This says a lot about the distrust Filipinos feel for each other. Those who have traveled abroad should know that other countries do not feel compelled to heighten their security in their public transport system. While in the Philippines, even entering a shopping mall has become comparable to entering Fort Knox.
Let’s face it. The number of security guards and security checks Filipinos have to go through is a clear indication that Filipinos do not feel secure living amongst each other. This could be the reason why Salvosa had to keep asking, “Are you calling me a liar?â€
Salvosa’s act of frustration complete with flailing arms, almost to the point of pulling her hair out, could also be a sign that she had it up to her eyeballs dealing with the idiocracy of the country. Like what I said in my previous article:
We all know that behind the facade of smiley faces, most Filipinos have their own collection of tales of woes ready to be told. From one’s daily harrowing experience on the road going to and from work dodging potholes and irritable, unruly motorists who, if you are lucky, may even slap you in the face or if you are unlucky, may lodge a bullet in your brain. Even more distressing is the experience of dealing with neighbors who find a way to invade your privacy in the most blatant way possible; or for some, dealing with relatives who give new meaning to the word mooching. Experiencing these things on a regular basis could drive people over the edge, indeed.
The condemnation of Salvosa’s act could be because Filipinos are not used to seeing someone who openly questions authority. Most Filipinos are more used to people behaving like herds being shoved into their cages for the slaughter. They condemn Salvosa for being “different†and for standing up to her rights.
Likewise, it seems to me that the condemnation of Salvosa’s act has more to do with her speaking in English. Filipinos can be very sensitive to the way their compatriots speak the country’s second language. While most members of the international community would understand it if we do not have the right “twang†when we speak English, most Filipinos are very particular about the way their compatriots pronounce the English language. One wonders again if Filipinos hate each other, because people from other countries who speak broken English do not make a big deal about it. Why are Filipinos so tough on each other? It doesn’t even motivate some of us to go for excellence. It actually makes some feel self-conscious and completely forego being more proficient in English.
Obviously, Salvosa’s haters didn’t like the way she chose to express her disgust using the English language. There is something to be said about Filipinos who make fun of their compatriots who prefer to express themselves in English. Some would say that people who speak in English are being snotty. Others would even say that Filipinos who use English in communicating are being unpatriotic. Never mind that proficiency in English can actually provide individuals with a better future. One can be forgiven for thinking those who say these things just can’t keep up with the rest of the English-speaking crowd.
Having said all this, that Amalayer video is a big deal because it did reveal a lot about us Filipinos as a people. It is not just Salvosa who is in the spotlight, unfortunately. The person who took the video and the people who shared it and made fun of her are all under scrutiny. Those who think they have the moral high ground should think again. Bullying and harassing someone on the Net is wrong too especially when there are two sides to every story and only one side is highlighted.
Unfortunately, after all the brouhaha, this #Amalayer circus will not even improve the public transport system nor improve the behavior of the passengers. If they really can’t stop cyber-bullying, Filipinos would be better off doing it to their public servants instead of people like Salvosa. And maybe, just maybe, they would be compelled to do something about the country’s decrepit public transport system.
[Photo courtesy Trip Advisor.]
In life, things are not always what they seem.
I found it hysterically funny. The video itself I mean. But to be clear, I would find it funny no matter WHAT country it came from because sometimes, its nice to know that I’m not the only one that had/will flip out like that.
I can relate.
The whole cyberbullying thing is stupid though.
It just shows a lot of pent up frustration. Normally, bullies learn their behavior from elsewhere and unless taught otherwise, continue.
It just makes me wonder.
#1 Where do they learn their behavior from? (thats a very deep question when you think about it)
#2 Who the heck has TIME to do all that cyberbullying? Don’t people have more important things/issues to deal with and consider?
SMH
Manny Alvarez
Indeed, why are these people wasting their time bullying someone who can’t even make a difference in the public transport system? These people are better off venting their anger at the agencies involved in improving the public facilities.
I agree with you Ilda, and the more articles I read about what is wrong with so much in this culture and country the more I have to ask myself why more folks are not focusing their attention, time, anger, frustrations, energies and so forth on the individuals, organizations, agencies, etc., which can actually do something to change life here. I believe you have to start looking right in your own communities and see how and where you can be effective and then move out from there, folks might just be surprised how things can be a domino effect! Bottom line , it’s got to begin with each person seeing his or her responsibility for the change they want to see and then taking action to bring that about, it might mean being labeled an activist or rebel but that is the risk anyone takes when you seek to change life around you in positive ways.
I read so much about what is wrong with this culture and all it’s problems socially, culturally, economically and politically and would so much rather read more articles about what different individual’s are doing in an effort to address and seek to change what they can right where they are at. Everyday I set foot or drive out in my own community and City I see things that need to be addressed for the overall benefit of the community and the City and while I can’t perhaps influence and change everything I can choose those things that I can have an influence and an effect upon right in my own community and there are plenty of them.
So I hope that as folks read all the articles written here and so many other places throughout the internet about this culture and country and it’s problems, that they will see their responsibility they have to influence and perhaps bring about the change they want to see take place first in foremost in their own communities and Cities. That they will have courage, strength, passion, believe in themselves, and be willing to sacrifice, take the risk and to take action to seek to change life around them in positive ways which will benefit all!
@Ken
Thanks for your input. Your observations are so spot on. Unfortunately, the Filipino people are not ready to accept that they are part of the problem and they need to change to achieve progress.
To ilda, ginamit mo nman itong incident na ito para express ang personal angst mo, puro ka “dahil kasi pinoy tayo kaya ganito, ganyan”, para kang racist sa sarli mong lahi. It could happen to anyone, anywhere, ke ano pang form of bullying, huwag mong ipataw na dahil sa lahi kaya ganun!!!!
TROLL.
Ilda just wants to show how dysfunctional our society was. Your emoness makes you stupid, you know that.
Point f*cking missed.
Open your eyes, perry. I love my country, so does she. Hence this article.
she’s not being racist,what she said is true. yes, we have to love our country and ourselves but we also have to know that we have problems too.
Perry, The article is just right for you quick to judge. You must chew first before you swallow. It taste better that way.
Pinagtawan ko si girl ay hindi dahil nag iinglis siya dahil puwede naman siya pumunta sa supervisor at mag reklamo kaysa mag wala siya sa gitna ng daanan.
Imagine mo, nasa LRT ka, rush hour tapos may mag wawala sa gitna – Mas stressful yun kasi maraming tao manonood meaning magkakatraffic, lalong iinit sa station, stress kana nga DAHIL ” tough ” and security, ma stressess kapa dahil may divang nag wawala sa gitna – lalong nag tagal ang pag sakay mo sa tren.
Ang sabi ni Lady Guard si girlalu daw ay hindi dumaan sa tamang proseso bago pumasok sa LRT – ang hindi pag sunod sa batas / rules ay parte ng kanyang ” rights “?
At ang pag apak sa dignidad ng isang tao KAHIT ALAM MONG MALI KA ay kasama ba sa kanyang ” rights “?
I prefer the tough security rather than exploding trains-
At ang pagiging edukado ay hindi sinisigaw sa gitna ng maraming tao – Ito ay pinapakita. At nakita natin sa bideo na hindi siya edukado – Kaya Ikaw Author kahit Anong gawin mo MALI PA DIN SIYA. Yun ang Pinili niya, then let her be responsible for her actions. GUSTO PA NIYA LUMUHOD SI LADY GUARD SA GITNA AT SUMIGAW SIYA NG SORRY – DIVA grabe hindi naman maganda yung outfit, saka yung face LALO NA YUNG UGALI.
@Jspice
Do you know this for a fact? Does she deserve to be cyberbullied? Did she deserve to be vilified because of what you think happened?
Anyone can go ballistic in stressful situations. Don’t be too quick to judge. She didn’t hurt the security guard. Everybody has the right to be heard when they feel they are being harassed by security.
our point po is, paula should’ve used a better way to let the lady guard know na naharassed sya sa way ng paagsita nito sa kanya.
di na nating maitatanggi na almost majority of filipinos ay ngccyberbully. sna nging aware sya na anytime maaring makuhaan ka ng video pg ngoutburst na anger mo.
i know na mali nman tlga ang pgcyberbully, pero dna maiiwasan un lalo pat walang batas na ngbabawal dito.
sana nxt time, ipakita nlng nya in a better way na she’s really educated. :))
as an individual, matuto tayong mgreact ng tama pg naaagrabyado tayo 🙂 idinadaan iyon sa TAMANG PROSESO .
somehow, may mali naman tlga si paula kasi d nya pinacheck ung bag nya. ok, lets say na wala syang dalang bomb, pero khit wala o meron kang dala, you still have to let those guards check your bag. dapat alam na nya iyon kasi di nman sya isang beses lng sumakay sa lrt. XD
aminado nman akong may masusungit sa santolan lrt station. sa situation ng guard, isang way ung pgging masungit nila pra maintimidate ung mga magtatangkang gumawa ng masama.
aside from that, HINDI MAGREREACT NG GNUN UNG GUARD if pinacheck nya po ung bag nya db?
“kung wala kang itinatago, ipa-check mo nlng ang bag mo, kahit ma-late kpa atleast dumaan ka sa tamang proseso. wag kang shortcut.”
WAG DIN NTING IDAHILANG MA-LALATE NA TAYO..
kasi pwedeng gumising ng maaga . :))
insight ko lang po ito sa nangyari. ^^
@bunny
There is already a law against cyberbullying. Aren’t you aware of the cybercrime law? And just because you think there is no law against it doesn’t mean you can ruin someone’s reputation on the Net.
Those who bullied her showed worse behaviour.
Check your logic!
Bunny,
Really would advise against how you mix english and filipino in your post. Honestly it is so difficult to read such an odd mixture of taglish. Either you stick with english or go with tagalog.
Just another instance of the Filipino culture of mediocrity; taglish really has its terrible after taste. It strains the eyes and the ears; aside from the making the speaker look too desperate or trying hard.
Just a suggestion, I don’t blame the player, but the game.
I find this the most culturally interesting. Is it alright to ask a couple of questions, because I need to write a paper for my anthropology class. So obviously the article already pointed out some of the “Amalayer’s” side. So what about the security guard’s side. Kac po ung security guard din is making a living. My theory is that Baka Hinayana Nyang nlng nagpabully cya kac because she didn’t want to lose her job. Talking about “good service?”, It most have been very important para keep Nya job Nya, maybe kac may pamilya Cyang binobinobuhay and its hard to find jobs there diba? economically our unemployment rate is not getting better. And for to keep that income, kailangan Nya mag tiis para sa family. At Baka c “Amalayer” was using “costumers are always right” against the lady. And the lady couldn’t do anything about it but to just say sorry and cry about it? At Doesn’t Philippines have a law that also protects workers, kac po dto sa U.S we have the right to refuse service.
-please everyone feel free to leave a comment.
#bunny, “di na nating matatanggi na almost majority of filipinos ay ngccyberbully. Sana naging aware siya na anytime maaring…”
So you’re saying when i am frustrated and i feel that wrong was done to me, i should be afraid of invaders of my privacy? Under all that stress mind you. You’re saying i should be afraid and worry myself ABOUT EXERCISING MY RIGHT TO VOICE MY CONCERN dahil talamak ang cyber bullying sa ating?
Bunny, i know you mean well… But you need to look at the real problem here. I’ve been to these things you call ‘Proseso’. In this country, those things are just for show, for formality’s sake. I have tried and paid in sweat, time, patience, and blood pressure BUT ALWAYS TO NO AVAIL. You have to be assertive. That poor girl was pushed to the edge, something you should feel before you go on about this particular issue. I am not an angry person, i am one of the calmest persons out of 3. BUT THE IDIOCRACY IN THIS COUNTRY SHOWED ME THE MEANING OF ‘BOILING TO THE POINT YOUR EYE SOCKETS ARE HURTING’. This checkpoint nuance is only one of these. You wouldnt need those checkpoints if there were sufficient and reliable police presence! You wouldnt need those if there were’nt 600,000 unregistered firearms in the country! You wouldnt need those if we had a trustworthy customs bureau! You wouldnt need those if Pinoys wore decent looking clothes as not to arouse suspicion in the crowd!
The harder you work in this country, the more you earn. The more you earn, the more taxes you pay. And with all the cash these hard working citizens pay, where is the improvement? Where have our taxes gone? ..to making your day harder than it already is with these check points, crowded train cars, rude and inconsiderate passengers, and an over-all hell of a commute. In this country, you are smart if you see whats wrong, brave if you voice out and stand your ground…, and unlucky because you will be labelled unpatriotic and probably cyberbullied. If you try to escape this HELL that is your country, you will be seen as the same. Coz ‘why escape? When its more fun here in the philippines..’
@Charissa
Your statement implies that Paula was bullying the guard. Most of us don’t know that for sure. It seems to me that Paula was only complaining about being manhandled by the guard. She was frustrated because the guard seems to be denying what Paula was claiming. There’s a big difference between bullying someone and raising your voice out of frustration.
Of course the guard didn’t want to lose her job, which is why she apologised to Paula apparently after her supervisor got involved.
Apart from the fact that the presence of her supervisor could have been preventing her from responding, you should also consider that maybe the guard’s English isn’t that good. It could be the reason why she got stumped when Paula spoke in English.
There is always a better way in saying things. The lady overdid it.
I cant agree with you more. Period. Same for this blog post its a waste of time. Cyberbullied? Isnt it bullying considered – going ballistic in public? Geez.
@Don
And you think cyber bullying her is justified because you believe she bullied the security guard. I didn’t realise that raising her voice is already a cause for the entire population to crucify her.
@ don
if you think that Ilda’s article was about Salvosa, then you’re dead wrong. Read again.
BTW, Ilda, good read.
@Joeld
Thanks!
And two wrongs make it right? right? ;p #pitchforkmobs
the second wrong can make it right, its not right to kill but if you killed someone for example a hostage taker to save someones life ,that wrong to kill, made everythin right
there is no video that shows the context of the incident. ilda is right in defining the mob mentality of the pinoys.
@timlubunao
And the cyberbullies did even worse.
Yes she overdid it, and all of those who bashed her did the same. What if sayo nangyari un? Example naka away mo ang kapitbahay mo tapos na video ka, Well of course sasabihin natin na “di naman ako ganun”. Lahat tayo may araw na mainit ang ulo natin, yun bang irita tayo sa lahat ng bagay.
I’m more likely to be frustrated at her for the mere fact that she considers herself “may pinag-aralan” and yet has manners as crude as that of a “palengkera”. These are the kind of attitudes that make Filipino culture stigmatize the elite, the educated or at least kababayans who prefer to speak English. Along with telenovelas, this gives the masses a bad picture of how it is to be “educated”. Ignorance and “follwing your conscience” is thus met with admiration by the average Juan
Any well bred person would never stoop so low. He/she would be noble enough to just shrug it off or at least deal with it privately with the management.
And to add, she may not have deserved being “bullied” online, she should have seen it coming before she did it. Social media can be powerful. Just make sure you’re not on the wrong side of the barrel.
@jem
Unfortunately, Filipinos have shown their immaturity and lack of class in social media once again.
That is a well known fact, unfortunately..
I agree but not all of Filipinos thinks the same as we are. Please consider this as a fact.
Of course, BadEnglish, not all Filipinos think like that. It is the fact. But a majority of the population “is” like that by the way they show it to others in reality and online. The majority outnumber the ones who are good and not thinking that way in this country.
As I mentioned, not all is like that.
“some” or “majority” if Filipinos.
NOT ALL 🙂
Kahit me pinag aralan ang isang tao–pero daming mga graduates na walang trabaho,nakaka frustrate yun,kaya minsan nakaka init din ng ulo…kahit gano pa kataas ang pinag aralan mo-minsan naghuhuramentado tayo, dala ng frustrations -it’s called HUMAN BEINGS. We are No effing saints…so dont be too judgemental..
Give respect,get respect. Yan ang una kong natutunan the first day i joined the service. I have 5 people working under me,more junior yet none of them that i have yelled at nor nasabihan kong mali ang ginawa nila sa harap ng iba,if they are i make sure its in a closed door and kami lang naguusap. Another thing is she is doing her job and that is part of her job to inspect your bag and what inside of it. Been on a ship for 5 years and still when were on watch we have to do random checks on civilians and military personnel kahit kilala na namin sila. You will never know whats inside of that bag. She has a badge for people to respect,what she has done is so uncalled for. Shamefully she deserve whatever the filipinos doing to her right now there are proper ways to deal things without embarrassing yourself and as an “educated” she should know and done better.
@beljamima
So someone you think did something “shameful” deserves to be cyberbullied? Were you there when it happened? Do you actually know the facts? Why do you think you have the moral high ground to say who deserves to be vilified in public?
If you think she did a bad thing by shouting at the security guard, what makes you think bullying her is ok?
You may have learned a thing or two about respect in your career but you seem to be expecting too much from a young girl. She may deserve a lecture but she does not deserve to be vilified and her future possibly destroyed.
We should point out another flaw in Philippine cultural discourse: the issue of who has the “moral high ground”. In Europe, this kind of issue is shelved: adulterous sexual relations among people in government and society are just shrugged on. It’s THEIR life, not ours, people say, why should it affect us? Of course, though, if you personally ask them if they’d do adultery, they’d most probably reply in the negative, out of moral reasons.
In the Philippines it’s rather different. Everything in the news crops up with (primarily) moral implications of their misdeed, and vilifications and justifications fly all around the social space. But everyone does exactly what they condemned.
Now, I’d say boldly that Paula Jamie Salvosa deserves to be censured. Yes, she deserves it! Not because she’s different or “revolutionary”, or even because what she did was wrong, but because she acted out in public. I say this not in a moral sense, but in a practical sense. “Moral high ground” is not an issue here.
In reality, if someone chooses to act out in public, they must prepare for censure and to defend themselves. Irrespective of any culture, that is the case. Of course, in other countries, they have the police. But in a country where the police are unreliable for even the simplest peacekeeping operations, like PH, we have ‘citizen police’, a.k.a. camera-toting folks with Facebook.
I understand why you’d be inclined to be compassionate toward her, because no one deserves meanness (in any circumstance). But to justify her behavior (just because you perceive her as being bullied for standing up for her rights – we don’t even know this) is a swing in the wrong direction, Ilda. I say only my own thoughts on the matter: what she did was bad, period. If the guard did something bad (and this is not inconceivable), it is also bad, period. Now, you don’t string the two events together to have an idea of who is the bad guy here – that’s the beginning of judgmentalism.
Paradoxically, you just set out on that very path, and I urge you to go back on it before it develops fully as such. Your piece is well-written, but it shows some reflex emotional reactions: anger at remotely related Government boo-boos (such as the follies of the MRT system), support for people who fight for their own rights (she might be frustrated, but we don’t know if she was just asserting), and the defense of the Philippine English language (as if it mattered whether she was ranting in any other language – she still would sound mean). I recognize all three as the hallmark of AntiPinoy/Get Real PH posts, and accept all these intellectually, but we have not found links to these to the present situation. She might have ranted in a coffee shop, or about First-World problems, or in Hungarian – IT DOESN”T MATTER. It’s still wrong.
Pardon me if I have to say this here: It seems to be a Philippine middle-class sentiment that the “moral high ground” belongs to them. No one owns “moral high ground” – ask the Swedes. The Philippine middle class struggles with being not rich enough to escape and not poor enough to blend in. So they cling to the Church, the coffee shop, and the computer to relieve this tension. It is the middle class that simultaneously (and therefore paradoxically) reviles and protects one of their own when such ruptures-of-patience happen. A schizophrenic situation is created, which is only relieved with emigration or living in other countries, or descending into the ranks of the poor or ascending into the realm of the rich. Or getting into government, where you become part of the system.
Returning to the issue: you might say – owing to my assertion above – that I’m promoting “black-and-white-ism”. But isn’t this another problem with contemporary Philippine culture? We don’t call a spade a spade because we don’t have the courage too, lest we be called a “spade” too. But being truly “progressive”, I think, is breaking out of that malaise. She’s wrong; so what? She’s defending herself and her actions, anyway. If she persuades people to agree with her, good. She shouldn’t beg for leniency from those who don’t agree, except if she goes back on her actions and admits she was wrong.
I mean, true social discourse is multipolar and depends on many opposing points of view. We’re in more danger of making it a moral affair if we continue reprimanding people who lynched her to shut the f*ck up and be more “maawain”, in the gossamer guise of fighting judgmentalism. It will serve us better if we simply commented on her behavior at the time, evidence of which we have. Whether we agree with it or not, there is absolutely no reason to reprimand the other side like an Ate or a Kuya; certainly not with reflex emotional reactions as described above.
@Jov
I suggest you watch the video again. She was just venting. No need to go over the top on the vilification. It was unfortunate that someone took a video of her actions. A lot of people get angry at being manhandled not just her.
Even if you think that what she did was wrong, may I remind you that she’s just a teenager and most teenagers do silly things.
The Filipino people’s misguided patriotism has a lot do with why Paula was crucified for speaking in English. I did not see anything wrong with the way she pronounced “liar” but she was made a laughing stock for that. That is so silly and trivial.
And yes, the Aquino government has turned the Philippines into a vindictive society particularly with PNoy’s relentless bullying of his perceived enemies. He is even bullying the media now.
Ilda,
*no matter how many times I or we watch the video, it will be 99.99999% clear that she was venting IN PUBLIC. 😀 OK, let me give you my full opinion: She might have done with a few stern and sharp words. But no, she decided to spill it all out in public. Never mind the phantom photographer: it might have been a CCTV camera and it would still be bad. Unfortunately she was captured on digicam. Others have vented much more violently and disruptively in public, but they were fortunate to escape the cameras. That doesn’t make them saints.
*it doesn’t matter what “I” think. I may think it’s ok, but clearly other people don’t. If she were my sister, I wouldn’t defend her but I won’t nag her – I’d leave her to examine if what she said was right or wrong. As I implied earlier, public outrage for public deeds, private outrage for private deeds. That’s how life is in any country.
Note: I’m not defending the reaction as a “mature” one, but as an “understandable” one.
*we can’t give teens kid-glove treatment if we expect a mature society. They must learn to face the consequences of loss of control. I don’t care if she’s a good girl because it’s the action I hate, not the person. Points for you and your readers if you get the difference.
*i did not see anything wrong with her diction either. the issue is arrogance, not diction. i am defending the outrage against her arrogance, not the outrage against her diction.
*RE the Vindictive Government: yup, totally agree with you on this. but let’s stop venting against this government and begin the 2016 campaign.
*BTW: none of the main points in my discourse have been rebutted satisfactorily. But thanks for answering. You have not enlightened me in some areas, but did so in others. 😀
@Jov
Footages from CCTV cameras are not intended for uploading on YouTube. There is a difference. The guy who took footages of her wanted to embarrass her. Why else would he put it for everyone to see? The least he could have done was record the whole incident.
I can’t imagine why you think she was arrogant. She was just complaining about being manhandled. She got frustrated and freaked out. That’s not the same as bullying the guard. I didn’t hear her say “You are fat and ugly” to the guard. Unfortunately, the cyberbullies were the ones who kept calling her all kinds of names. As I keep saying, they showed worse behaviour than Paula.
Let’s just say she did something wrong. Why ruin her future though by asking for her expulsion from school? What’s with the extreme vilification? Enough is enough already. This situation has proven that most Filipinos cannot show compassion. They immediately want blood over something trivial.
Some are saying that “She could have said it nicely”. Well, why can’t they say their opinion about what Paula did nicely? Practice what you preach.
That’s funny,I’m in middle 20’s few years older than her and yet there is huge gap in on how we handle things already?
So I’m guessing that every time we found something that is hilarious and stupid it’ll be called cyberbullying? Look how she acted in public,didn’t she even think how many eyes and ears around her? If she is well educated age wont be an issue she’ll handle it better without stepping on someones ego and self respect. So yup I’ll be staying on my ground that it is well deserved that she is one hell of a joke, I. I were her, I’ll take it as lesson learned and move on.
@beljamima
Please read this: BRAIN NOT FULLY DEVELOPED UNTIL AGE 25
And then there are 52 year old males who become president and still behave like petulant five-year-olds.
And the problem with security is not solved by pat downs and bag inspections. Let’s face it, a pat down cannot deter a mandurukot in LRT. But if you fear about terrorists, then I think a simple pat down, is not the answer. Its like suppressing the symptom, not the cough commercial.
Dear author, when in the Philippines I’d rather have my bags and pockets checked and re-checked than have a I.E.D. (Improvised Explosive Device) explode in a sardine can like packed MRT/LRT. It happened tragically before in the LRT (year 2000) and in buses and who says it won’t or can’t happen again. Most recent was Jan. 2011 I believe, my question to you is would you rather have your “privacy” or your brain matter splattered all over the floor of a bus after an IED explosion? Your naive comments about security is very dis-concerning. Please research your facts about public safety in the Philippines before criticizing them. Just google “bomb attacks philippines” and you will educate yourself. Have a nice day!
@Pablo
Wow! Are you saying a bomb can explode in any of the Philippine public transport system anytime? That says a lot about the environment Filipinos live in. It is not safe at all. What a stressful situation to be in. No wonder Reports say Filipinos are sad and depressed in the Philippines! No wonder people like Paula go over the edge of reason. 😉
Sarcasm meet llda. llda, sarcasm.
Sadly Ilda, I believe that is true. Our country is not as safe as most of us want it to be and I believe that it is the government’s responsibility to keep it’s citizens safe, this is where this government dismally fails. I ride the LRT for practical reasons even if I have a car and I support the checking of stuff 100% because precisely, we are living in an environment where we really cannot trust the people around us. Thieves & pickpockets abound in the trains and even though people are constantly warned by the train operator, many are still victimized on a daily basis. Yeah, we live in very stressful times, as mentioned in your article. People have no discipline, law enforcers do not know how to properly enforce the law, including security guards. We are all embroiled in a soup of chaos and I believe change will not happen anytime soon. No wonder, behind the sunny smiles, Filipinos are actually sad deep inside.
@Interesante
You are a realist, sir. And yes, change will not happen anytime soon. Not when PNoy is still the President. He is part of the problem. He seems to be promoting an environment of distrust and bullying. He wants Filipinos to think that only their family should be trusted in government. He does not level the playing by giving other, more competent people a post in his government. He prefers to appoint only his KKK.
oh come on -.- reality. ee totoo namang d ganun ka-safe kahit san ka magpunta.
.sisisihin nanaman ba ang gobyerno at kung sino sino. -.- bakit? kontrolado ba nila lahat ng tao? kaya ba nilang utusan ung mga terorista na wag mgpasabog ng bomba?
buti nga pinoprotektahan tayo ng government ,. kahit sa simpleng bagay. kahit sa pgchcheck ng mga bags.
Bunny, the government is part of the problem. The bigger problem is the people it governs. They cannot control their people’s actions, yes, but they’re doing a piss job at educating their actions. People could be educated to be more vigillant.
As for the problem on terror, the government that concedes to rebels in the south and instead, nods for these rebel’s autonomy, is a soft government. They should exercise their sovereignty not wussiness. Like McArthur said: “there is no substitute for victory.” his case was proven in Korea.. Mmmmm, just check out that Korean stand off, mhmm. So yeah, if the terrorists wanted to nuke this country, they’d have done so already. But i think those attempts stopped being on the news way back coz the terrorists realized that a month after the bombing, Pinoys didnt give a shit anymore… Pinoys moved on to a new hype. That or the terrorists figured we weren’t worth bombing, coz lets face it, Pinoys are apathetic.
Those checkpoints and pat downs are just for show, do you think terrorists would actually leave those bombs out in the main compartment for the guards to see? Theyre better off eye-balling people as they pass the LRT gate, rather than the hassle that they create. They should be taught how to analyze a person’s profile at a glance by the CIA. Yeah, that’d satisfy everyone here.
@bunny
Have you been on trains in other countries? A lot of countries do not have security checks on their public transport system. They don’t have security checks on their malls either.
The fact that there is heightened security in public places in the Philippines says a lot about the environment in the country. It is not a safe place to live in. The threat to security has a lot to do with lack of jobs and instability in the country. So yes, the government can do something to address those two.
You’ll never know when and where the terrorist next attack, do remember the lrt bombing way back? Does any of us expect that to happen?
At least lrt/mrt doing things to make us at least bit comfortable by spreading those guards around, unlike here in states were there is no security at all.
Security checks is not a sure way to prevent your bombings. You think the terrorists who plan to bomb the train didn’t think of that? Now the objective of security checks in the LRT stations are becoming more vague to me. They cannot prevent mandorukots obviously.
it is true. after talking and blogging about this issue for a time, snatchers and pickpockets will still be waiting before and after the LRT ride.
well..why you wrote a blog about it. so maybe you are one of those people who has the “TIME” for this #amalayer thing…you probably have the same reason. They have the freedom and the time to say (write,blog,tweet) something about it.
@Rej
Well, obviously some people’s priorities are screwed up. Instead of criticising their public servants for doing stupid things and stealing public funds, they’d rather spend their time bullying a young woman who may only deserve a stern lecture but not public backlash. The majority’s reaction to this one-sided video is too much.
ee ano namang masasabi mo sa sinabi mo sa ibang comments mo po?
pati ba naman pangalan ng presidente ng Pilipinas idinawit rito? lols. paki-assess sarili mo 🙂
Anti-V’s words can back it up for you:
“Obviously hah lives under a rock, not knowing how many times Pnoy has already “bullied†(tirades and lame jokes) GMA in many of his speeches in the country and even abroad, even if knows that GMA is really weaker than him for now and yet he still continues to intimidate her.”
BTW, you’re just attacking the author, not the message. Paki-asses nga ang sarili mo, please. Even your grammar. 😛
This author is much worse than Rigoberto Tiglao of Philippine Daily Inquirer..
@boy bawang
And you say that because…? Please be specific. 😉
Correct. And she simply doesn’t want to shut up.
@Super C
And you expect me to shut up because…? Please be specific. You seem to be stuck with one-liners. 😉
These are most likely the people who think one-liners give them the moral high ground. 🙂
@MidwayHaven
He didn’t come back. He’s so predictable. 😉
ano ba talaga gusto mong iparating? actually at first gusto ko ung aarticle na ginawa mo.
pero bakit pati presidente sinisi mo rito? .
bago mo sabihing lahat ng public servants ntin ay kurakot or gumagawa ng “stupid things” magbigay ka muna ng evidence.
maybe some of them did that. but not ALL of them db? grabe ka naman.
di kana naiba sa mga nambubully sa sarili nting gobyerno
.ee pano nga naman uunlad ang pilipinas kung lagi nyong sinisisi ang public servants? .
anu to? papalit-palit tayo lagi ng presidente?? /lols.
trip mo ba si gloria? kaya tinitira mo naman si presidente pinoy? 🙂
@bunny
Please tell me when I actually said that ALL public servants are corrupt and do “stupid things”.
Yes, there is enough evidence to suggest that incumbent President is only good at blaming the previous President. Almost three years in office and he is still blaming GMA for all the ills in the land. Never mind that he seems to be using his position to strong-arm the other branches of government to carry out his personal vendettas against his perceive political enemies anyway. His relentless bad-mouthing is not a good influence on Filipinos.
@bunny:
TROLL. 😛
Are you one of the people who prefer PNoy’s bullying? BTW, there is some evidences that I can share with you. So you’re approving PNoy’s blame games and gaffes, right? LOLS I was right due to your angry mob mindset. Ignorante ka lang.
How can we stop criticizing the government if HE is the one is criticizing the past administration? Heck, most of the allegations against GMA are mostly based on hearsay and weak evidences. Parang sinabi mo na rin na “E ano naman kung bobo ang lahat? Pantay-pantay lang naman ah.” Iyan ba ang gusto mong iparating?
Hay naku, kung ayaw mong matuto e magasawa ka na lang sa kondisyon ng bansa natin. So saan ang sinasabi mong nang-bully si Ilda sa ganitong government when this government does all the bullying against its political enemies, even the president himself?! Ganyan talaga pag mob mentality ang pinaiiral.
Ha, boy bawang and Super C were owned. 😛
It seems you’re trolling.
At least Tiglao is much better compared to the joke known as Conrado de Quiros. Am I right? 😉
Daido,
LOL…
Comparing Tiglao with Quiroz is like comparing heaven and hell.
That idiot Quiroz…
@daido. probably entry level troll. Maybe not given permission to copy paste yet like Fishball.
Or maybe that boy bawang guy IS Fishball. XD
Well, time to delete his suspicious wolf-in-sheeps-clothing comments.
You reap what you sow! Be responsible for your actions, more so if you asked for it. The next better thing to do after an explosive discourse and a consequent backlash via “cyber-bashing” is to make amends, regroup, rehash then resurface as a new-born little baby-girl! Make the world a better place to live in! Avoid noise pollution. Make Peace.
@Jun Y. Viray
So you are saying this young lady deserves to have her reputation in tatters and her future destroyed because of her outburst? Are you also saying that you have never lost your temper, ever?
You seem to be taking bullying another person lightly. Is it because it is not being done to you anyway? Or is it because you simply like making fun of people?
Our spanish colonizers made sure that we all be timid so as to prevent us from questioning their authority. They used their missionaries as fronts to ensure blind faith and their soldiers to silence those who dare. Up to now, we still are a timid nation. An outspoken obscure girl in a sea of timidity is a whiff of fresh air from this blighted nation. And how about the guy who took and posted the video? I can’t help but suspect that he is a closet voyeur. Why only tiny bits of info about him?
@alconce
Yes, most Filipinos are letting this guy who videotaped the incident off the hook. He is disgusting. People should call his attention so this won’t happen again. I think this circus will encourage more people to invade other’s privacy.
Whether or not the Spaniards are to blame for our dysfunctional culture, we need to accept when things are wrong and change it.
Ilda,
If we accept that our dysfunctional behavior is the product of conditioning going back to the Spanish occupation, then Filipinos would not be able to properly distinguish between right and wrong. We’ll rant and rave about how unfair the world has been. We’ll excoriate Ms Salvosa for behavior unbecoming of a “good Catholic girl.” Yet secretly we’ll each be wishing we could be “that guy,” standing up to perceived abuse if and when the time arises. In the end the majority of the sheep will bow down their heads in quiet subjugation and step in line with the rest. That attitude won’t change.
Then the next stupid human trick goes viral on YouTube and the hoi poloi will have something else to obsess over.
The condemnation of Salvosa’s act could be because Filipinos are not used to seeing someone who openly questions authority. – Ahahahaha. Posts like this make me miss the old Get Real Blog. Lol
@Super C
You have a point somewhere. Go and look for it.
@Ilda kala mo naman kung sino kang matalino jan. hak hak hak.
this is the new age, expect people with different personalities. too bad salvosa is on the lower side. think, ikaw din magiging biktima ng bullying d2 kapag nagkamali ka, kaya tumahimik ka na baka bumalandra pa sayo mga comment mo.
//you can stop me, but you can’t stop us all
You don’t have much of a point. Run along now; this is a forum for grown-ups.
@anonymous
What makes you think that bullying someone who you think made a “mistake” is ok?
You said it yourself “…kapag nagkamali ka”. The Tagalog word “nagkamali” means mistake. What makes you think you can be a judge on people’s “mistake”?
@anonymous
Wala kang alam. BTW, ang sarap maging POINT MISSER. If you know what I mean…
@ anonymous
Go home, boy, your nanay is looking for you, pinabili ka lang ng suka, nag internet ka na.
What are you 4’11”? Can you please grow up?
Ilda, the stupid angry mob is going to start calling you Salvosa’s paid hack soon. Filipinos are so predictable every time they encounter something like this: Carabuena can attest to that. Filipinos collect into an angry mob, they condemn the subject prematurely without knowing the details of the entire incident, and they think that the subject’s whole life should be destroyed just to appease some sort of bloodlust that stupid Filipino mobs have
@Amir
They are only good at bullying. They have the same mentality as PNoy. He does seem to promote an environment of bullying.
sinong binully ni Pnoy?
If you have to ask, you won’t get the answer. But I’ll answer you anyway: Just to name two people: GMA and Corona.
Noynoy Aquino continues to act like a bully three years into the presidency
Remember Sec. Robredo? PNoy give him the silent bullying, until the guy dissapeared in the sea..
Obviously hah lives under a rock, not knowing how many times Pnoy has already “bullied” (tirades and lame jokes) GMA in many of his speeches in the country and even abroad, even if knows that GMA is really weaker than him for now and yet he still continues to intimidate her.
I don’t even like GMA, that’s for sure, I just don’t like bullying in any form (which by the way, I get to experience in the office from a colleague, but he’ll get his comeuppance very soon) 😉
Sa personal kong pananaw, ang Filipino ay “matigas” pagdating sa kapwa Filipino at may ugaling dagling nagkakalat ng nakitang kahinaan ng iba sa dahilang ito ang paraan upang mapagtakpan ang mga pansariling kahinaan at maipakita ang pansariling “kahusayan” at “kahigitan”. Kahit papaano ang Filipino na laging aba ay nakasumpong ng “takasan” sa “kahinaan” ng iba. Marahil ito ay sintomas ng hindi namamalayang pagkamuhi sa sarili dulot ng hindi maunawaan at sapin-sapin na kahirapan, personal man o panlipunan.
@RChavez
Good analysis. Like what I wrote in my previous article here:
“What could be making Filipinos feel depressed? Feelings of helplessness and overall frustration over the lack of progress in their personal lives back-dropped by the lack of progress of their country can indeed make some Filipinos feel depressed. The current crop of leaders in the country headed by President BS Aquino is likely contributing much to making a lot of people feel depressed. A lot of people think that he is turning the Philippines into a vindictive society particularly with the way he persecutes his political enemies. This makes people feel generally “unsafe†because they think that if they do not support the President or criticize him, he might come after them too — which could be part of the reason why most Filipinos tend to shy away from politics. This is why you always here some say in resignation, “wala tayong magagawa.â€
Likewise, it’s been said that some people describe depression as “living in a black hole or having a feeling of impending doom. However, some depressed people don’t feel sad at all—they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic.†That aptly describes the behavior of some Filipinos. No wonder Filipinos in general feel apathetic towards the problems that plagued the nation. They could be indifferent because they are depressed.
Unfortunately, this is an issue that is difficult to address because to counter depression, the individual needs to be more proactive. But how can a depressed individual be proactive if he feels empty and helpless? It’s a chicken and egg situation.
Family support can help an individual cope with stress but with more and more Filipinos leaving for work abroad, dysfunctional family units have become the norm. This increases the likelihood of many Filipinos, especially children, feeling displaced or feeling alone.
In a society ruled by the so-called padrino system, equal opportunity for everyone is virtually non-existent. Those who are not well-connected are left out because those who have associations with the right people are the ones who tend to move up the social or corporate ladder. Our clannish mentality results in unhealthy non-inclusive competition thereby perpetually creating an atmosphere of resentment. Again, the incumbent President BS Aquino has demonstrated many times that if one is not well-connected; it is nearly impossible to get an important position in the private and especially the public sector.
Some other common signs and symptoms of depression are the following.
Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
Reckless behavior. You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.
Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
Indeed, the above signs and symptoms generally apply to a lot of Filipinos. It could be the reason why the country remains one of Asia’s basketcase. Instead of actively participating in the running of the country, most Filipinos engage in “escapist†behavior, which also includes too much partying and watching “telenovelasâ€. Instead of directing their pent up frustration towards their public servants, they take it out on innocent bystanders on the road and everyone else except the people who make a mockery out of our institutions in government.
If only Filipinos can realize that being more active in politics can actually make them happy, feelings of depression could go away. As a recent study shows, “participants who scored higher in political activism also reported higher levels of personal well-being.â€
Grabe ka naman llda ! ( yung ginawa ni Paula na pagmamalaki “pinag aralan nya” yun ang ikinagalit namin ! ) So wala kang nakitang dapat na ika-bully ke Paula ??? (anong klase kang tao????) tsk,tsk !! She (Paula) deserves all the bullies and insults she are getting right now !) (If I was there at the time of her bursting I wont hesitate to interfere and tell her to shut her mouth ! ano feeling nya ? porket may pinag aralan sya (w/c seems mukang wala!) pde na sya manigaw ng tao!!!!!!!!!!!!) Sorry you look like her ! Yes its depressing & time wasting making all those bully comments BUT that’s the price of what she did , and I wouldn’t mind wasting time teaching people like her !!!
@louie
So you want to ruin someone’s life just because you think she is “mayabang”?
You are right about one thing. You were not there, which means you do not know the whole story. She may or may not have bragged but she does not deserve to be vilified to the extreme. You guys should know when to quit. You’re just giving our lawmakers more reason to push through with the cybercrime law.
Let’s see how you can bully someone again once that law is in full effect. You simply don’t know how to use your freedom of speech properly, unfortunately.
Article III. Bill of Rights of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states:
“Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.”
So even you see her or him doing a bad day attitude, that one still deserves to air his or her side with all the might of the due process of law..
agree.
whats the big deal
the low level of customer service and attitude often drives me to distraction, frustration and despair.
then people act like lemmings in condemning rather than understanding the context or relating it to the bigger picture.
little people venting their anger on the weak – mmmm, remind u of anyone. it must be part of the culture/dna
The psychology of filipinos is rooted in
– community – ‘we stand or fall together…
– cinformity – …but don’t stand out from the crowd’
– catholicism – ‘i will try my best, let god provide the rest’
The result is asian collectivism, not western individualism, which often explains why they can be easily manipulated and conned by scam schemes or politicians false promises. No analysis or ability to rationally differentiate.
It also means that many are quick to jump on the bandwagon – whatever that happens to be – because they act as groupthink and will follow the leader, even over the cliff.
@Libertas
Unfortunately, Filipinos can’t seem to “collectively” follow the rule of law.
Ilda,
Filipinos follow the rule of law. Both as part of a larger group or individually. That is — Filipinos who live in places OTHER THAN THE PHILIPPINES. It isn’t about collectivism or individualism or any other kind of “ism.” It depends on whether the society one is currently inhabiting appreciates the rule of law and is serious about actively promoting it. A stark contrast to the Philippines where the law is selectively enforced and those who are supposed to be in charge have abdicated their responsibility.
@Johnny Saint
A lot of Filipinos think that their individual contribution to obeying the law won’t make a difference because they see their public servants, their own family or their neighbours disobeying it. So they just go with the flow. They also do not want to be seen as standing out from the crowd and be labelled “KJ” when they obey the rules.
Ilda,
Good point. It really is down to the individual’s strength of character. In the face of everything we see around us, it is very difficult to follow rules that “everyone else” ignores. But deep down inside, the lawbreaker fully understands that he is breaking the law. What it takes is for the individual to decide to follow the rules and apply the law. In a society of laws. Think about it — could we, as individuals, convince even one person to follow the laws we recognize to be fair and just by our example?
@Johnny Saint
Well, the system doesn’t work because those who obey the law aren’t rewarded and those who disobey the law are not punished. Like what I said in my previous article: Why is it so hard for Filipinos to just obey the law?
“Most advanced countries have very organized law enforcement agencies (e.g., the Police, the FBI, and other criminal investigation services) that motivate people to abide by the law. In short, individuals who violate these rules and laws are punished. Filipinos who go to those countries know that they cannot bribe members of these agencies into allowing them to get away with their crime. Hence, they follow the law.
Law enforcement agencies in the Philippines perform very differently. They are said to be too corrupt, incompetent and ill equipped to enforce the law most of the time. And it doesn’t help that some of the elite members of our society are themselves said to be promoting a culture of impunity by bribing the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other organizations that make up the Philippine justice system. Therefore, most Filipinos in the Philippines have a tendency to ignore the law.
As a reminder, the following are the main functions of our main local law enforcement agency, the Philippine National Police (PNP):
1. Law Enforcement.
2. Maintain peace and order.
3. Prevents and investigates crimes and bring offenders to justice.
4. Exercise the vested powers from the Philippine Constitution and pertinent laws.
5. Detain an arrested person for a period not beyond what is prescribed by law.
6. Implements pertinent laws and regulations on firearms and explosives control.
7. Supervise and control the training and operations of security agencies.
Have members of our PNP become so gutless as to now consistently fail to bring many of our criminals to justice? Or have they forgotten their mission to “enforce the law, prevent and control crimes, maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety and internal security with the active support of the community� It would seem so. How many times have we witnessed some of our public servants act with complete impunity? A lot of times. Some have cleverly evaded prosecution by disappearing for months and resurfacing only when the charges against them had been miraculously dropped. All the while their position in the public service remained intact despite all that.
Unfortunately, the general public does not even feel the slightest bit of disgust over how influential members of the elite get away with their dirty deeds, from the pettiest crimes like stealing, down to the most heinous crimes like murder. Most Filipinos just shrug their shoulders in acceptance that there is nothing they can do about it.
Since Philippine law enforcement agencies cannot do their job, why can’t Filipinos police each other?
The answer to that is very complicated. A conscience it seems is something that most Filipinos have not acquired. Some of us appear to have a total disregard for what is right and wrong. This is in total contradiction to most Filipinos’ religious upbringing. It is as though the veneer of spirituality we see in Churchgoers is just for show. An encounter with a typical religious zealot would be enough to tell you that the higher levels of conscientiousness and self-restrait have not developed in some people.
Perhaps we can also blame a weak sense of nationalism in general for the low regard Filipinos reserve for Philippine law. But what accounts for lack of nationalism? It is one of those chicken-and-egg quandaries.”
To read more, just click on the link above.
I watched the Amalayer episode and you are right Ilda. Much ado about nothing. People perhaps mistake the way Ms Salvosa speaks for arrogance but that is really the way our young people speak. The way our TV broadcasters speak are far worse and that is what the young Pinoys copy. Our newscasters try very hard to insert English and they end up with wrong grammar and wrong accents in both languages. So why don’t we get angry with these newscasters who are doing much more harm to our millions of viewers who are mostly the young who love to imitate wrong English. I think Ms Am a layer aka “ginrab nya ako dished out more correct grammar than a lot of our so-called broadcasters.
@RF Garcia
Yes, the media plays a big role in influencing the Filipino people’s behaviour. Even the older generation of Filipinos are not safe from media’s brainwashing. I see a lot of men and women glued to teleseryes too.
Based on what I have read so far, here’s the story.
The girl used the incorrect entry/ exit.
The girl was apprehended by the guard.
The girl felt insulted by this action and decided to go on a tirade.
A commuter decided to take a video and post it online.
Online viewers watched and the opinions started to flood.
Here are things which I observed based on daily commutes using the FAR WORSE PNR, as well as daily dealings with other people.
1) Pinoys are always looking for shortcuts. This incident does not surprise me. Stay in any public transit station and you are sure to spot someone queue jumping. These also includes people who seem to have a reading disability. Exits are being made entrances, smoking in non smoking areas, parking in tow zones etc.
2) Cheating has been so rampant in our lives, that we expect no punishment/ consequence for acts such as the ones seen above. We live in a society that has become so used to it, it’s become a normal part of our routines.
3) Since Pinoys have gotten used to it as said above, PINOYS get really really angry when they are apprehended for such actions! There is the “bakit yung nauna pwede” “bakit ako lang ang pinapagalitan” “bakit mo ako sinisita” and the like. Pinoys have countless excuses as to why they should not be held responsible. Most of which are centered on the “matagal ng gingawa to, ngayon lang ako nasita”
4) When they know they’re in real trouble, Pinoys go to ENGLISH mode. I think this is a well known tactic. If you’ve been caught, speak english and make it as loud as you can. That way, people will see the issue and most likely, whoever is apprehending you will let you off.
and lastly,
5) Since number 4 works most of the time, and people have gotten used to cheating (2), rudeness has become a reasonable trait. Pinoys now go off on tirades like this (Carabuena, Salvosa, Encinas) simply because they think it is ok.
6) Pinoys are brutal when it comes to judging other people. Though I was not pleased with her actions, I in no way condone the calls for her school expulsion, more so of the threats against her being.
I agree
@wantonman
Your analysis makes sense too. It is part of being human to try and get away with breaking the rules. However, breaking the rules is mostly done by kids who still do not know the consequences of their actions. They still do not realise that if they do not follow the rules, someone can get affected. Which is why I do not agree with the over the top vilification.
Paula is only a teenager. It would be different if she were an adult. Not that adults who behave badly should be cyberbullied. I’m just saying that Paula just needs a lesson in manners. There is no need to ruin her life by calling for her expulsion from school.
I sincerely want to visit this girl’s dean’s office or principal, or whatever. I know its none of my business to insert myself in this issue but, i feel the need to defend her from expulsion. Really.
A teacher of mine back in high school, now a college proffessor, had a somewhat similar circumstance. His tenure was cut short by the school, but the student body intervened, hired dozens of lawyers (parents). We won the case, he unfortunately resigned but, the record was set straight. So yeah, maybe Paula’s future could be set straight or even saved.
So does anyone know what school this is and maybe have an update on this expulsion?
Good on you, Josh. Unfortunately, I don’t know the details about her.
i think people must have either boring lives that incidents like this suddenly become ‘big news’, or they are just so frustrated/depressed that they want to vent their anger at someone – but choose the wrong targets.
cyber equivalent of beating the dog, or your wife
@Libertas
You are right again. They are bored and frustrated at the same time. They do not know how to use their free time and freedom of speech properly.
*whispers* I see stupid people. And the stupid people are those who are being hostile to Ilda’s article like the other flips who are such warfreaks for hating china very much (and you’re the one who said that yourself not me if you say that I’m allied with china). You know what morons, you’re actually proving what Ilda said in her other article: people like you have a squatter mentality. Palibhasa masyado na kayong nanonood ng mga nakakabobong telenovelas kaya ganyan ang tingin nyo kay salvosa dahil ang nasa isip nyo palagi ay kontrabida ang elite. At kayo ang sisisihin ko kapag tinuloy ulit kaagad ang cybercrime law.
You failipinos done nothing but abuse your freedom. You don’t deserve to be free! We’re not the ones smothering this country. You are.
Oh and great article Ilda.
@Domo
Thanks. There are a lot of Pinoys with squatter mentality, indeed. 😉
I think there are pros and cons in both sides of the story. Amalayer gurl may have went berserk publicly but it shouldn’t have been a big deal because scenes like these are normal (at least I think so). Filipinos are not really used to outspoken people or people who create a scene and speak their feelings out loud. That’s why it tends to stand out, and we Filipinos having a passive culture and “usisero” mentality, feast on this kind of situations and immediately assumes that this is a rude kind of behavior. Can you imagine, you waiting in a long line, sweating, jam packed people squishing their way inside can really tick you off. And when your angry, you usually say things that you don’t mean.
@Tapips
Correct!
Kudos. Short ‘n sweet. And very precise.
And yet by the sheer number of responses to Ilda’s post there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of people who will “beat this dead horse to a pulp.”
In social psychology, we have the Fundamental Attribution Theory. It states that people either attribute one’s behavior to one’s own inherent character trait or to the circumstances surrounding that person. If someone we like does something good or heroic, we invariably attribute it to the person’s virtues even if we may not know the context of the act. Likewise, if someone we don’t like does something good or heroic, we invariably tend to attribute it to circumstances. When it comes to bad behaviors, we excuse people we like but condemn those we don’t even if we don’t know the circumstances surrounding bad behavior. For example, if I don’t appear cheerful at a party, I’d likely be judged as ill-mannered. If it were found out that I was having a high fever (38+ degrees) at that party, however, people would then understand why I’m not smiling or moving around at that party.
I have another point of view. Yes, I understand the frustration of Salvosa going through the LRT. But I’ll also point out that the lady guard, who had likely been standing for hours in a hot station in uniform, did better by keeping her cool. She did her job and didn’t explode. There may be a point of comparison, but it shouldn’t boil down to Salvosa vs. guard. It’s about good behavior vs. idiocy.
Again, I’ll explain, since the incident was about Salvosa either going through the wrong exit or refusing a bag check, and the guard was stopping her from entering, Salvosa was about to break the rules. She may have been in a hurry. Frustrated, she exploded. But still, it could have been avoided. Being in a hurry is no excuse to explode. If the person just accepted that, no bag check, no ride, there would have been no problem.
Of course, I wouldn’t make a big fuss out of the video myself. But I wouldn’t say the person who posted it did wrong. The incident after all happened in a PUBLIC space. Don’t we see more of these on CCTV? They just don’t get posted on Youtube that often I guess. But it was just a juicy example of bad behavior that someone thought had to be seen by others. Unfortunately, the others themselves have bad behavior in reacting to the video. If the poster made his own derisive, those are the bad behavior, not really just posting the vid. Shows that everyone is a loser in this event.
Left out a word again: “If the poster made his own derisive comments…”
good point of view..
C’est la vie! Should we blame it all on our “leaders” who set all the wrong examples? Shall we pass the blame to the continuing, improved dysfunctional society? Our individual/collective EQ? Maturity sucks when seen from the bright reality of truth. Perhaps those with rational minds should act more like leaders rather than play the role of blind followers.
Paula Jamie, Carabuena and Ivler should learn the “90/10 Principles”… you know grace under pressure 🙂
http://debudeodhar.hubpages.com/hub/9010_Principles_of_Stephen_Covey
That’s just it; these things usually don’t get taught to the Filipino populace. Instead, they’re taught Pinoy Pride. There, we saw it at work again in this latest issue.
Phony outrage just to have the feeling good moment and “the” mob bandwagon rule.
AMALAYER? nah ah! AMADOVEGIRL!
im no english genius but why people makin a big deal out of her pronunciation or grammar? i dunno wheres the mistake and i even saw funny comments like it shouldve been amalayar and am i a liar? whats happenin in this country?
Actualy, if you check with http://www.thefreedictionary.com/liar, the pronunciation for liar is lah-yer.
What’s “happenin” in this country is that people seem to be always collectively barking up the wrong tree.
The Pinoy mentality is saturated with instances wherein people go to where things are popular or fashionable without critical observation. In this instance, internet-savvy Pinoys are hopping on a bandwagon against a woman without knowing all sides of a story (sort of like how a lot of people hopped on to the Save 182 Movement up in Baguio).
The Pinoy bandwagon mentality is annoying, decadent, and most likely in the future fatal. If someone were to tell Pinoys to jump off a giant cliff, a lot of them would actually do it.
@wreck it
Exactly. People laugh at her as if they have the most perfect diction.
“Filipinos are not used to seeing someone who openly questions authority.”
Seriously?
Based on experience the premise is true. I assert myself when I know that things are not going as they should, even if there’s a crowd around me. Then people afterwards say I’m arrogant because I didn’t do it “nicely.”
People think I have an attitude problem because I’m not afraid to say what needs to be said. On the contrary, I believe that it’s the majority of people around me who have an attitude problem, because all they do is accept things as they are even if it’s not supposed to be.
We Filipinos see people questioning authority everyday. In the news, on the streets, at work, at home. From jaywalking to ousting presidents, we’ve seen them all. How are we still not used to this?
Because of the “wala tayong magagawa” mentality that is ubiquitous with a lot of Filipinos when it comes to their daily lives.
@bien teves
There are only a handful of Filipinos who question their public servants actions.
While I cannot agree more with you regarding your opinion on the cyber-bullying of Salvosa, I don’t see the point of comparing it with the case of Corona and Arroyo who are public servants and figures with huge accountability to the public. The main difference too is that at least they have their day in court so whether they have been accused by the current president unlike the lowly student who have already been judged without people knowing the whole scenario.
i mean whether the accusation is true or not, they can prove their innocence in court unlike the student
@Anna
It has been observed by a lot of people that PNoy can strong-arm members of congress into signing a law (like cybercrime law) or getting rid of someone (like Corona).
And to stop pushing for a law like the FOI.
Lies. Ilda was right on the situation with GMA and Corona. Don’t give me on the ‘at least they have their day in court’ BS. PNoy has the power to strong arm the Congress to do what he wants. For example, the filing of Corona’s impeachment was totally railroaded, most of the procedures are wrong, and even the accused is totally villified by his detractors with the help of the biased media. Same goes to GMA.
You don’t see the point? Sorry, but you’re a total TROLL. That’s because you’re missing the point. Deal with it. What can I say to some troll who had angry mob mindset?
All this a result of the 2000 Megamall bombing (which started bag checks, which in turn started people complaining, which in turn gets security guards complaining back, which in turn gets people complaining louder, etc.).
sadly, we live in a hell where being assertive, or aggressive, is derided by irrational mob who profess that they are self-righteous, moral, ethical or whatever words that would delineate them as better people (kuno) than the likes of Ms. Salvosa.
Ms. Salvosa’s scene is clearly an example of how most assertive filipinos (w/ good command in english or not) are being treated in this country. if you are an assertive individual here, you are at your wit’s end and you suddenly experience orgasmic outburst, instead of other filipinos trying to find out what has really happened and consider that you might be right with your antics, they crucify you instead.
our culture always suppress expressions like what she just delivered, which may be the reason why we are forever a society of failures.
(my genie, i wish i’m back in france where frenchies just shout out what and how they feel without considering their onion-skinned neighbors’ emotions…i wish i’m surrounded by creative people, instead of pretentious moral-ethical losers)
@palebluedot
Spot on.
Yes, you are correct about some societies who have normal loud speaking voice and they don’t make a big deal of it. The Italians are known for being very expressive. They say what they mean with passion and sometimes even with arms and body movement.
just think of maria magdalene… who was bashed and judged by those people na nagmamalinis… People are people guys just dont judge.. ask yourself iba iba ang tao nagkataon nakuhanan ung part na nagagalit sya but did u also see ung guard the way she talks kaya nagburst si miss .. bias video un lang..
The fact is, you can’t control the flow of information on the net so as the people using it. Sa ngayon nabubuhay tayo sa panahon kung kelan bawal na ang maging tanga at maging careless sa bawat galaw natin dahil hindi mo alam kung kailan may nakatutok na camera sayo. I didn’t judge that girl as a person. Nainis lang ako ng konti and at the same time natawa lang dun sa word na “amalayer”. Reality bites! ganyan na tlga ngayon. Over and over again sana matuto tayo sa mga ganitong pangyayari and maging ma ingat tayo lalo na sa mga binibitawan nating salita. May kanya kanya silang opinion and mali man or tama yun eh nasa sa kanya kanya disposisyon na lang yan. 😀 by the way this is a Good Read ^_^
nung sinabi ng student (sa lady guard): “i’m just returning the favor”, it is very clear that she is accepting whatever may happen or whatever may come up with her actions. it is the same favor she’s been dealing with. she gave herself a dose of her own medicine
The comments on the Youtube video are sickening.
According to the girl in the vid, she was actually talking to the manager/boss of the guard lady. So all those people saying she should have brought this to the attention of the “proper” people are dead wrong because she is in fact talking to the proper person to complain to (the supervisor). He appears to be the other person in the vid (the one she calls “kuya”). The reason why the girl was saying “so I’m a liar” in the video is (according to her) the guard was denying everything that happened to the boss.
If you watch the video and pay attention to what the guard is saying you can actually check out from her body language, tone of voice and hand gestures that the guard is not being very polite either!
The girl in the vid says the guard shouted at her and grabbed her hard enough to leave a bruise. If this is true then its understandable why she was so angry. It was a bad move to be so loud but at least you can see why she was that mad.
– girl goes through the wrong way
– guard shouts and grabs her
– girl reports and complains to the supervisor
– guard denies everything
– girl hits the roof and starts shouting
– some malicious person records and uploads a one-sided vid
– pinoys make a big fuss over this
Honestly, if some guard had manhandled me, I would complain, too. I don’t think I’d shout that much but I would be mad.
@Percy
I can imagine how pathetic the comments are on YouTube. They are the ones who do not have class.
The video only showed that Paula was complaining about being manhandled. I do not interpret that as bullying the guard. I thought she was complaining about it. She also felt frustrated that the guard denied doing it infront of her superior.
couldn’t agree more , two things i wish would happen : the video poster , should be held responsible and get sued , as far as i’m concerned this guy thinks he is righteous enough to promote this idiocracy and his reason is to teach her a lesson. and what makes me irritated is that people are supporting this guy with a term freedom of speech. another thing i want to happen is a strict law to stop posting crap on facebook and youtube.
@Lucius
Freedom of speech is not absolute. Like what I said in my previous article: Do Filipinos know how to use their freedom of speech?
“In theory, it is universally agreed that each individual should have the right to express whatever message he or she wants convey. In reality though, each individual has to be accountable for what he or she says. Freedom of speech advocates always stress that the law protects even the smallest person in the land from being silenced.
The truth is, freedom of speech alone does NOT really protect everyone’s civil liberties. Civil liberties include: the right to life, freedom from torture, freedom from slavery and forced labour, the right to liberty and security, the right to a fair trial, the right to defend one’s self, the right to privacy, freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, and the right to marry and have a family.
In a lot of instances, speaking too much might even cost people the very freedom they enjoy.
The right to say just about anything publicly can also result in harm to other individuals or group of people. In fact, there are other laws in existence that serve to protect people from unfair attacks coming from those who practice so-called “freedom of speech.†Other laws that protect individuals include anti-bullying and defamation laws. To quote something from the Net: “In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, such as on ‘hate speeches’.â€
Freedom of speech is perhaps one of most misunderstood concepts in the world. It is often misunderstood due to people’s many and varied interpretations and applications of the law. It is often misunderstood none more so than in the Philippines. A lot of Filipinos complicate their lives by attempting to deviate from what the founding fathers of the principle of “freedom of speech†were trying to get across. Obviously, the founding fathers were more concerned about suppression of ideas and opinions.
The French Revolution gave way to the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which specifically stated:
.
The operative words are “ideas†and “opinions.†Most Filipinos cannot get around to understanding what constitute what these two words convey. They think that obscenities are included in “ideas†and “opinions.†They also think that attacking an individual for his differing opinion is a good way to practice freedom of expression.
The most important part about the above statement is that every citizen “shall be responsible for this freedom.†This means that we have to acknowledge that there can be possible consequences for what we say.
What the heck happened to this blog? It is now infested with stupid trolls, but fortunately their arguments are hilarious as ever. This scenery makes me want to drop an atomic bomb to those stupid fools.
They are offended because the President’s name was cited here? What a bunch of self righteous folks. By the way, the folks who are commenting against this article are constantly using one liners without specific reason. They want to attack the messenger and don’t care about the message. Poor Stupid Juan. This aim of GetReal Philippines is to inform Filipinos without the biases of the mass media.
Quezon’s quote came true, the Philippines is now indeed hell.
Most of the people here are angry because you have compared it to the Arroyo Corona case. They are just a bunch of gullible mobs who will follow what the media says in the television or in the radio. I agree that these two cases are an example of trial by publicity.
If i remember right, they were former HIGH government officials as well. There was a time that even when the present president was not a quite in the picture yet, there was so much agitation and unrest from the anomalies, crimes, corruption from these people. It just so happened that the present administration in quite active in pursuing their accountability towards the people. I KNOW THEY ARE CORRUPT NOT BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE THEM THEY ARE. I LEFT THE COUNTRY BEC I COULDN’T STAND THEM. I WAS A FORMER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE!!! F!
OTHER PEOPLE TELL ME THAT THEY ARE
You’re a former government employee but I saw your flawed logic. The present admin never holds any accountability towards the people because they were also corrupt themselves. That is a farce. Actually, don’t ever trust on what other people say because every Pinoy fact finding comittee is flawed and biased.
As I see it, you’re just whining about putting away one corrupt politician after another but never the full lengths of the corruption. But what do I expect to an ignorant Pinoy pleb like yourself?
@anna christina
Since you were a former government employee, you should realise that it wasn’t possible for GMA to control all the corrupt public servants during her time. Corruption is already part of the system and most Filipinos cannot tell the difference between right and wrong anymore.
This is precisely the reason why some of us knew that PNoy’s “Daang Matuwid” and “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” slogan were just bullcr@p. Even ordinary citizens tolerate corruption in small ways. It’s not just GMA that PNoy should go after. He should focus on encouraging everyone to follow the rule of law. Badmouthing GMA and her allies won’t make the country any better. It just turns the Philippines into a vindictive society.
Do you happen to know Paula’s background? Where she went to school at, religion, if she work, if she does what kind of invironment she work at.
And do u have a law in the Philippines that protects works such as “the right to refuse service”
@Charissa
What’s your point in asking all these questions? I don’t know a thing about Paula. Do you?
Her background has very little to do with the actions of the cyberbullies. And the cyberbullies showed worse behavior than her.
When I was first saw the video in FB through Showbiz Government fan page, and I advised their administrator not to post or spread the video because they can ruin #amalayer’s life, but sad to say, this Showbiz Government fan page didn’t mind what I said and they started to share it in GMA7 fan page. I felt sorry for what was happened to that girl, I even expected a lots of bullies from our onion-skinned kababayans. And I have to admit, that most of my friends also went wild to comment against that girl. It’s was easy for them to comment to individual behavior of a private citizen but it’s hard for them to went pro-active on what’s happening in our county.
@traffice2000
Bullies always target people they think are weaker than them. This is precisely why PNoy is bullying GMA now. He thinks that he is very powerful and GMA is powerless. Why couldn’t he do anything when he was still in Congress? He appeared to be kissing GMA’s a$$ as well back then.
with unemployment increasing to nearly 30%
and smuggling up 5x more than in gma time to 19 billion a year
p-noy should reprioritise and start working.
activity is not the same as achievement.
@Libertas
It seems his only priority is to see GMA in jail despite the lack of evidence against her.
and failing that keep her in jail without trial so she can become campaign fodder again in 2013 since there are no achievements in nearly 3 years.
why are voters such naive sheep
If the girl did anything appallingly wrong, it is the lack of finger wagging. That would have raised her sassy level by the hundreds.
I like sassy girls. They know what they want and aren’t afraid to get it.
Okay, whatever she flipped in front of everyone. What’s the big deal? She got upset, obviously. I don’t think it’s necessary to take a video of her ranting and posting it on the interwebs much more on taking the time and re-posting it together with nonsense/crass comments. I can’t believe these people, instead of doing something productive, they relentlessly pass on their judgements and bully this girl. This is one of the major issues Filipinos constantly fail. We don’t mind our own business!! Instead of focusing on other things to make ourselves better, we take the negative and dwell on it. If the issue involves another person, much better! Shame on us. Leave the girl be, she was frustrated and upset. Sh*t happens and learn to deal with it and move the f*ck along.
@Jessie
That is it, really. Most Pinoys are too nosy. They just have to know what’s happening to other people all the time. They simply don’t know what to do with their time. They’d rather waste it cyberbullying a teenager than use it for more productive things like learning a new skill or something.
TLDR… its the same old shi…
not another nakiki-ride sa popularity ni AMALAYER girl article.
@muggedshot
TLDR – means “too long, didn’t read”.
Well, if you didn’t read it, then you do not know the point of the article.
yup TLDR
the title alone is telling most of the point probably set in flowery words and [insert personal vendetta sh1t ]
#sharethelimelight with poor girl with bad character
@muggedshot
Sige nga. What do you think is the point base on “the title alone”? 😉
Tsk tsk, typical Pinoy, too quick to judge and make conclusions before knowing the entire story, just like the morons who condemned Ms. Salvosa prematurely.
TLDR o isa ka lang dakilang tamad ha utak squatter?
A classic example of cber bullying from US of A. Israel is being attacked by hundreds o missiles by Hezbollahs from Gaza and Kim Kardashian tweeted –
“Praying for everyone in Israel.”
To continue, from http://floppingaces.net/2012/11/16/real-racism-and-hatred-in-america/ snippets –
“Oh, but wait, the Nazi-like hatred of the Left will direct the their venom on one of their own if they are uninformed and speak from the heart instead of the party line. She received these heart warming responses from the compassionate people of the Left who want everyone to be treated equally and fairly.
Sheikha A. Bahzad @SheikhaA_
You mean Palestine* get your facts straight um makwa.
Mîtty@MitraFarhan
You are a disgrace to your people and your ancestors, educate yourself.
Nadine Irani@nadineirani
People like you are the reason I want to die
Karim@KarimCfc
Further enhancing your reputation as a dumb porn star…
Rob have my babies
@KimKardashian Kim i love you but please dont pray for israel. They are murderers
Rob have my babies@OhMyKardash
@KimKardashian pls delete thsi tweet please Kim
âƒâƒØ±ØªÙ€ÙˆÙŠÙ€ØªÙ€ هـ ..♥@RTW_TH
@KimKardashian Woe to Israel and henchmen
Rob have my babies@OhMyKardash
@KimKardashian kimmie i love you so much but israel is literally killing and burning families in palestine. Dont pray for them pls”
@Trosp
She didn’t deserve to be cyberbullied either. I guess she should stay away from politics if she wants to retain her fans. They love her for her body not for her brain.
More likely they see the Kardashians and they see people just as inept and clueless making it big (to the tune of multi-million dollar payoffs) and they get to thinking “maybe Ryan Seacrest will someday make a TV series about my pointless pinheaded life!”
Still, I wonder if she even suspected there might be a backlash from those anti-semetic pricks?
The problem with some people is they put too much meaning on little things like a simple tweet. They need a new hobby to kill time.
The racist sentiment is very alarming. Even if it is misguided, it perpetuates hatred against Israel whose only real crime is trying to survive surrounded by extremists who have made it their official policy to commit genocide against the Jewish state.
thats why personalities/’celebrities’ should stick to whatever it is they do rather than use popularity to make a fool of themselves/display their ignorance, but hey, that is the basis of politics in the philippines, and the influence of american ‘culture!’ here. whatever uncle sam says/does we will copy. saves thinking.
sad and ironic that the ‘leaders’ are a combination of dumb and dumber and mr. magoo.
A person’s celebrity is not an excuse to attack them or preclude them from free and open discourse.
Nor does tweeting “Praying for everyone in Israel†inherently display foolishness or ignorance.
Unless you are one of the racists who support genocide and the extermination of a portion of the human race?
You call minorities as what they are and you’re a racist. Calling blacks as negroes (a negroid race) – you’re a racist.
They’re African-American and not negroes or blacks!
(Seriously, are all blacks from Africa?)
If you don’t vote for Obama because he’s a liar, you’re a racist.
If negroes vote for Obama for the reason of his skin color or because he’s black and his opponent is white, that’s not racist!
But what about Herman Cain, Clarence Thomas, Mia Love who are African-Americans and were vilified as turncoats because they’re conservatives?
BTW, from what I read, you can’t produce any movie or TV series in US without any minorities in the starring role.
Even the likes of Law and Order UK which is supposed to be a UK TV series must have a minorities in starring role since it has to be shown in US of A.
Otherwise, a litigation in the making.
Ugh…
Trosp,
That only means its actually a bunch of white leftist/liberals trying to assuage their guilt over an imagined offense they (or their ancestors) may or may not have committed against non-whites who turn the issue to racial prejudice.
That’s why they over-regulate to the point of nonsense. You then have all these written and unwritten rules trying to control behavior. A tangled mess that doesn’t need to be.
For those who so not want to fall into their trap, the solution is simple enough. Civilized folks can all agree that we should (as the Italian semiotician Umberto Eco said) use words in the proper manner and in accordance with common sense and that in a humane and civilized world, we should eliminate behavior/s and the use of words that make our fellow beings suffer.
Let me re-phrase,
That only means its actually a bunch of white leftist/liberals trying to assuage their guilt over an imagined offense they (or their ancestors) may or may not have committed against non-whites who obsess over issue of racial prejudice.
That’s why they over-regulate to the point of nonsense. You then have all these written and unwritten rules trying to control behavior. A tangled mess that doesn’t need to be.
For those who do not want to fall into their trap, the solution is simple enough. We just have to remember that civilized folks can all agree that we should (as the Italian semiotician Umberto Eco said) use words in the proper manner and in accordance with common sense and that in a humane and civilized society, we should eliminate behavior/s and the use of words that make our fellow beings suffer.
With brains or no brains, can’t K express her sympathy?
Seriously, is cyberbullying not applicable to her?
But then, Ilda, you’re right, K is all boobs and butts. On the link that I’ve provided, to continue with another snippet –
“After five minutes of death threats and hatred, Kim changed her tweet.
@KimKardashian
And praying for everyone in Palestine and across the world!—
Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) November 16, 2012
But hatred is much deeper than beauty; the death threats continue:
@HBilani
@KimKardashian i hope kanye west is gonnna rape ur fuckenn mouth till u dieeee—
LongLivePalestine@Ifran_sheikh
“@KimKardashian: Praying for everyone in Israel†Kill yourself!!
мα3η αℓαbσu∂ι ™@M3nAl3boudi11
@KimKardashian You know nothing about #Humanity Die in HELL !
cat nash@nashauzir
Ill pray you will die kim RT@fenananna: you’re crazy.
AishahJamil@aishahjamil
@KimKardashian pray for palestine not that fucking israel. U’re so stupid!! U should die at there! Bitch.
@MadihahNafeez
@KimKardashian please just kill yourself now as everyone clearly hates you after this tweet.—
Dalila El-Shaer@Dalila_Elshaer
“@KimKardashian: Praying for everyone in Israel†GO DIE
Blaze@MusUp_
Go die in a hole full of shit
“@m7mdwaleed94:
I got 5 fingers & middle one is for you 🙂
Ilda, Trosp,
She may look like all tits and ass to you but Kim Kardashian certainly has made use of her “assets” to great advantage. I read somewhere that to date, she alone is worth something like $40 Million. From the time she parlayed her father’s money into her own small business to her involvement with the “DASH” brand to the endorsements and signature products, Kardashian’S over-exposure continues to hold the attention of the American public. And lately they don’t even have to get out of bed in the morning. Some advertisers pay Kim Kardashian up to $100,000 to tweet about their products and/or events. Not bad for someone whose elevator “doesn’t go all the way to the penthouse.”
The (cultural) elite can turn up their noses but they’ll still invite the Kardashians to their parties. Tne late-night talk show hosts will scoff and mock them but the Kardashians are laughing too. ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK.
All I can think of is — whatever you may think of the Kardashians, they must be doing something right.
@J. Saint
No problem agreeing with you except with your closure –
“All I can think of is — whatever you may think of the Kardashians, they must be doing something right.”
The way I see it, something is missing with that comment.
Just meant that for all the criticism she and her family receive, she makes a ton money as a pinhead that a lot of these so-called “intellectuals” can only dream of. The Kardashians may be “low brow” but their formula works and they’ve gotten extremely wealthy from it.
you have a point actually. im sure everyone experienced an outburst in there life. mali lng talaga kasi they took a video of it pa. freedom of speech and press shit triggers a lot of hate. moderation lng sana ng expressions sa web kasi what you see is not what you always get. and freedom should come with responsibility. i dont think anyone deserves to be bashed like this. i hope this Paula girl will be ok. exagg talaga ng mga tao these days. kulang pa ba yung drama sa tv? lol. stay happy guys!
@Beats
I was actually disappointed that there were so many grown men who joined and condoned the cyberbullying of a teenager. They acted so self-righteous as if they’ve never done anything stupid in their life.
Thank you for standing up for Ms. Salvosa. It was quite appalling how people have attacked her. To be honest, I am more disappointed with the person who took the video. What he did was malicious.
He probably thought that there was an injustice being done to the “underdog” guard. But what did he/she do? Takes a video and uploads it when he could have stopped the “injustice” that was being done.
I think this is the problem of the Filipino, we think we’re doing something good but actually we are not.
Like you, I sense Ms. Salvosa’s frustration. Far from leaving the impression that she thought she was superior to the guard when she said that she’s an educated person. The way I read it was that she was making a point that the guard could have talked to her politely as she is an educated and civilised person.
Good on Ms. Salvosa, standing up to people who may or may have been “power tripping”. True, she could have handled it better. But it is not her shame… the people who were quick to condemn her should be the ones staying away from the internet. The personal attacks were vicious and unfair…. and jut to point out, Ms. Salvosa stuck to the issue, never did I hear her curse nor did I hear her making personal attacks on the guard.
@Helios
The exposure to noontime soap operas or teleseryas could be making some Filipinos react viciously to what they perceive is maltreatment of the lower class. It’s hard for normal people to function in our society when the majority is always playing the victim card. They have this sense of entitlement and cry foul at the first sign of being discriminated against.
Good post! Isa pang bagay na napansin kong nakakairita ay ang pag post ng video ni Paula. Hindi naman kailangang i-share ito sa internet. Hindi naman ito kasing lala nung tulad sa traffic enforcer. At hindi alam ng kumuha ng video ang buong kwento. Sinabi lang sa kanya ng isang ososero ang tingin nyang dahilan ng galit ni Jamie. HINDI SIGURADO ANG NAG POST SA TOTOONG DAHILAN NI JAMIE. Besides, matututunan rin naman ni Jamie at nung guard ‘yong mali nya. Hay…
@Ianne
Thanks! Those who shared the video have no class at all.
Ida u make sense. Ty.
I don’t think it was merely a matter of mob mentality or not geting both sides of the story. Filipinos are reacting to Jamile’s reaction in itself. It was that tirade in conyo english and especially that line, “Edukada akong tao…” that I think really got under people’s skin. If there’s anythign Filipinos hate, it’s being talked down to.
It was her use of English in such a way as to bettle the lady guard that had netizens up in arms. The fact that you’d imply that one would take offense at the video because “they can’t keep up with the English-speaking crowd” is exactly the kind of fodder that Filipinos eat up — it’s like sharks smelling blood. Filipinos are passive-aggressive that way.
Salvosa knew — just like you do — that English makes some people feel self-conscious, and she used that to her advantage. It’s exactly the kind of malicious, back-handed way of thinking that makes Salvisa EXACTLY ONE OF US, PART OF THE FILIPINO SCANDAL CIRCUS, and thus no better or worse than her fans or detractors.
So why the hell should we feel sorry for her? She knowingly used English to put down a person working a menial job in an LRT station, and whoever posted the Amalayer video knowingly did so to humiliate Salvosa in a similar fashion. She’s getting a taste of her own medicine, as far as I’m concerned.
I’m not saying I approve of all the hate going her way — it’s mean, for sure. But she’s no more innocent than anyone else online spewing the hate. So why don’t we hold off on the pity party for Salvosa?
Yeah, sure. Give her the ‘karma’ she deserves. But who’s going to give you, people who mob at other people’s businesses out of context, a taste of your own medicine?
I think people like you being condescending towards those who react towards the video and assuming “they can’t keep up” with English is karma enough, don’t you?
I’m just pointing out the irony of condemning those who judge Savlosa by being just as judgmental.
@Victoria
What irony? Did the article publish all the names of the cyberbullies? Did the article call for the expulsion or firing of the cyberbullies from their school or office? Again, where’s the irony? The article is just pointing out that the cyberbullies showed worse behaviour than Amalayer girl.
And who is the author of this post to judge whether or not the behavior of the ‘cyberbullies’ — a term that in itself villifies and bullies those to whom it’s applied — is WORSE than that of Salvosa herself? Who is she to make that call? Isn’t the author claiming moral high ground herself by deigning to judge these people, as they in turn judged Salvosa in that video? Pot calling the kettle black much?
@Victoria
The author is merely highlighting the truth. Isn’t it true that the cyberbullies showed worse behaviour than Amalayer girl? 😉
Wow. Just, wow. Highlighting the truth? Seriously?
To ask, “Who acted worse?” isn’t just a loaded question, it’s the wrong one. Why?
(1) It perpetuates the cycle of mud-flinging by asking people to simply take sides instead of encouraging discourse;
(2) It simplifies a complex issue and presumes that we can answer it without knowing all the facts yet;
(3) And most of all, it condones whatever Salvosa did by suggesting that how the netizens reacted was “worse.”
But what’s truly dangerous here is that the author is taking HER OPINIONS and passing them off as FACT, or at least suggesting that they, as you put it, “highlighting the truth.”
Not only does the post risk misleading its more impressionable readers, but it subtley undermines all other opposing opinions by POSING AS THE TRUTH. And that kind of misplaced righteousness is, ironically, fuels the mob mentality that the author so vehemently speaks out against.
So, to answer your question, no, I don’t think the peanut gallery (I will refrain from calling them cyberbullies, because I think it reinforces the victim mentality) reacted any worse than Salvosa. I think the Amalayer scandal, at best, makes us more aware of how we conduct ourselves in public and online. At worst, it shows the ugly side of the Filipino’s passive-aggressive nature.
@Victoria
I can’t believe you wrote all that but still think that Amalayer girl deserves all the hate she got. Just read what you wrote here:
Do you know all the facts? I don’t. But what I do know for sure is that the CYBERBULLIES acted worse when they BULLIED her without knowing all the facts. They were even asking for her expulsion from school. Do you really think her future needs to be affected by whatever she did or didn’t do on that day?
Which part of what I wrote makes you think that I am asking people to take sides and discourage discourse? The article actually encourages people to discuss the issue starting with a different point of view from the mob.
Are you suggesting that the cyberbullies acted “better” or that they showed “impecable” behavior”? Please be specific.
Since you share their sentiments, then you are part of the “peanut gallery” you speak of.
Definition of terms for your benefit:
cyber – the electronic medium in which online communication takes place.
bullies – are aggressive people (usually in groups like a mob) who repeatedly physically or emotionally abuse, torment, or victimize someone who they think is smaller, weaker party
Therefore, they acted like cyberbullies.
Let me spell it out in simpler terms, because you obviously understood nothing of what I was trying to say: THERE IS NO BETTER OR WORSE. No one’s behavior was ideal, obviously. Again, you are OVERSIMPLIFYING the issue. And yes, by reducing the issue to a simple question of “Who acted better or worse?” you are, in fact, asking people to TAKE SIDES. Everybody got their hands dirty when they decide to call someone a name in this debacle, whether it’s “liar” or, in your case, “cyberbully”.
For YOUR benefit, a peanut gallery is a collection of onlookers, the observing public. It seems you like to fancy yourself above that crowd, but by even having a stand about the Amalayer issue, or crying cyberbully at every person who called Salvosa out on her behavior, YOU are part of that peanut gallery. I am too. I never said that was a bad thing.
And yes, you do discourage discourse when you accuse people of cyberbullying for having their own opinion about Salvosa and for speaking out against what she did. You discourage discourse by saying you “highlight the truth” when you’re really just expressing your opinion — which everybody has a right to do. You discourage discourse by villifying people whose opinions differ from yours, while painting your own as the truth.
And when you attempt to silence your detractors by calling them names instead of tackling the issue, that is also a form of cyberbullying.
If some people believe that Salvosa deserves to be kicked out of school for this scandal, THEY ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE THAT OPINION. You may not agree with it, in which case feel free to GO OUT AND SAY SO without having to put anybody down. The internet is a public forum and everybody is entitled to speak out. You can just as easily say, “I believe Salvosa doesn’t deserve to be kicked out just because of this incident,” without resorting to, “Anybody who says Salvosa should be kicked out of school is a cyberbully!”
@Victoria
Here we go. Every time a comment becomes muddled, it is a good indication that the commenter has painted herself into a corner but still refuses to give in. Hay naku…tsk tsk.
Now you are saying they (including you) were just expressing their opinion. Huh? Opinion about what? DO YOU GUYS KNOW ALL THE FACTS? NO, YOU DON’T. So technically, the cyberbullies acted worse because they didn’t know the facts and yet they went overboard in their judgement against Amalayer girl. SIMPLE.
The point of this whole exercise is for Filipinos to learn responsible speech. Having the right to express your opinion doesn’t include ruining someone’s reputation and future.
And a condescending comment like this is a pretty good indicator that the author is too preoccupied with her own prejudices to stomach a different opinion. More importantly, it’s a sign that you’re in no position to be “highlighting the truth” for anybody. If anything I said was too confusing for you to understand, I can’t help you there.
If nobody knows all the facts, how come you get to have your say? Why do you get to comment on the Amalaya issue at all, whether it’s to criticize Salvosa’s haters to justify her behavior in the video?
You were the one who reasoned that maybe Salvosa was just “freaking out after a stressful day.” And then you turn around and suggest no one should have an opinion on the matter because we don’t know all the facts. Do you always backpedal on what you say and/or invent your own facts when you’re losing an argument?
You go on about the virtues of responsible speech, but feel completely justified in labeling these people as cyberbullies simply because they don’t fit into YOUR idea of right and wrong. I think it’s hilarious that you claim that people ‘overreacted’ when they saw the video, then accuse them of already ruining Salvosa’s future. OA talaga. It must be convenient when your own standards DON’T HAVE TO APPLY TO YOU.
Worst of all, that you would expect one of your readers to “give in” (blindly agree with you, you mean?) to your vesion of the truth instead of encouraging further discussion only proves that this post and its author are prime examples of irresponsible writing.
Future readers beware: This author obviously only entertains the opinions of yes-men.
@Victoria
What exactly did she do to deserve all the CYBERBULLYING?
Why do you think those who cyberbullied her should not be labelled “cyberbullies”?
When a commenter resorts to attacking the writer instead of discussing the issues, it is a good indication that the commenter is just grasping for straws.
Just stick to the basics for your own benefit.
Ah, I see. And I suppose a comment like “The commenter has painted herself in a corner but still refuses to give in. Hay naku…tsk tsk” wasn’t meant as a personal attack to me, one of your readers? Need I remind you that you resorted to these kinds of remarks first? So please, get off your high horse.
I’m bringing the issue to the writer because a writer (especially if they claim to be writing TRUTH instead of OPINION, as you did) should BE RESPONSIBLE for what they write, instead of expecting their readers to just agree with them blindly. If you don’t want people to question or, god forbid, disagree with your OPINION, don’t put it down online for public consumption.
Rather, you ignored my arguments and insisted that — of all things — you were simply highlighting the truth. Do you even realize how strange it is to ask, “Why do you think those who cyberbullied her should not be labelled “cyberbulliesâ€?” You just posed a question with an underlying suggestion that you’re already right! You’re asking for my opinion, but you’ve got blinders on.
It’s a very blurry line between cyberbullying and expressing one’s opinion online, which is why I don’t like using the word ‘cyberbully’. It’s too vague, and it can be used as a catch-all accusation against anything we don’t like to see or read on the Internet.
Oh, and the phrase is “grasping AT straws.” Nice try, though.
Funny how people resort to nitpicking on grammar when they’ve been painted into a corner.
I might argue that people also tend to resort to cute GIFs when at a loss for any real argument.
@Victoria
One thing GRP subscribers like about GRP is that we focus on the message unlike some people.
Despite your long-winded replies, you never did answer any of the questions. They are simple questions that require simple answers, really. If you attempt to answer them, you might be enlightened and accept the truth that those who cyberbullied Amalayer girl showed worse behaviour. 😉
@Victoria
Oh but the cyberbullies showed worse behaviour than the teenager. It’s so simple but you are trying to complicate it by justifying their actions.
If using profanities, calling her names, demanding for her expulsion from school, wishing her death and ruining her reputation and possibly her future is not cyberbullying to you, then it’s scary to think what you might consider to be cyberbullying.
@Victoria
If what you are saying is actually true, I should have deleted your comments from the start. 😉
You don’t have to delete my comments. All you had to do was to reply in such a way that undermined my opinion (without any real argument) and reinforce yours. Which you did, so congrats. 🙂
Looks like somebody here cannot deal with the prospect of having their opinions “undermined” (which, if I recall right, is a natural outcome of said opinion being put side-by-side with a superior opinion). 😀
This is where we disagree. I don’t believe there are superior opinions. The idea of a superior opinion is, again, subject to individual interpretation. Say, for example, you agree with the author of this post. Then you would be predisposed to believe that hers is the ‘superior’ opinion. For me, opinions are just that. They’re free.
But when they’re passed off as fact, then yes, I do believe they’re used to undermine the opinions of others by masquerading as an irrefutable truth. And yeah, you’re right, I don’t appreciate that.
Nah. There are superior opinions for the simple reason that something is either right or wrong. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity started as an opinion and was proven to be superior to Isaac Newton’s Gravitational Theory for modelling the movements of bodies in relation to one another. Darwin’s opinion on how complex life forms came to be was superior to the creationist BS that some religious nuts continue to live by today.
And in the same manner, our opinion on what makes the Philippines a consistent chronic failure so far has proven SUPERIOR to any explanation that attempts to pin the blame on bad politics and bad politicians.
You just have to LEARN to deal with THE TRUTH about Pinoys.
It’s simple, really.
@Victoria
Your comment does not make any sense because I did not censor you but you are alleging that I do not entertain dissenting opinions. *Sigh*
I did suggest you stick to the basics for your own benefit. 😉
@Victoria noting your comment here:
It’s simple, really. The author and every author here as well as every schmoe who runs a blog gets to have a say because we can. You get to have a say here because we have a comment facility for people like you. If you want an even BIGGER say, then you always have the option of starting your own blog so you can join our happy community of opinion-communicators in celebrating the wonderful world of having a say. That is, of course, if you are not too busy going around stomping your feet over how unsavory some peoples’ say comes across to you.
At some point you’ll have to deal with it.
The way to go about this if you think someone “does not have all the facts” and/or (whatever) comes up with an opinion you disagree with, is to come up with an opinion (which, as you say, everybody is “entitled” to), frame it with a well-though-out hypothesis and then articulate it in a coherent and structured manner focusing on ideas rather than on ad-hoministic admonishments of others’ ways/approaches to communicating.
Putting down people is a natural consequence of having an opinion to begin with. Whether it’s done implicitly or explicitly in the way said opinion is articulated does not change that simple fact. When somebody is wrong and you cite that you think said person is wrong, you inadvertently (or in my case most days) consciously call out that person as being of a lesser standing for harbouring an opinion that you disagree with within the domain of the topic at hand. It takes a healthy ego to approach “debates” with that frame of mind and allows one to see beyond the sort of perceived personal slights that Pinoys are pathologically sensitive to.
Stidi ka lang dyan. 😀
Agree with everything you just said. I was posing the questions hypothetically, as the author suggests we can’t form any kind of opinion because we didn’t know all the facts about rhe Amalayer issue — which is weird, because this entire post was filled with such opinions.
And I agree that people are entitled to write whatever they want on their blog. But if they’re going to make it a public blog, they should be prepared to deal with opinions from readers and commenters as well.
@Victoria re “But if they’re going to make it a public blog, they should be prepared to deal with opinions from readers and commenters as well,” thus the whole point of the comment facility of this excellent blog. GRP, by the way, is a blog that finds no equal in the entire Pinoy blogosphere. So you are free to shop around for other places where you can park your excellent commentary. But like most of those who do, you will likely find yourself coming back here regardless even if it is just to lurk. 😉
“So why the hell should we feel sorry for her?”
Perhaps I missed a comment that somebody feels sorry for her. Or her spewing hate.
Ms. Victoria, care to correct me?
You don’t think that video of her would be described as hateful? Care to correct me?
@Victoria
Why do you think you have the moral high ground to judge her actions as “hateful”? Do you have all the facts? Are you sure she wasn’t just freaking out after a stressful day?
Victoria, I’ll correct you. Her video is hateful.
“GRP, by the way, is a blog that finds no equal in the entire Pinoy blogosphere.”
This genuinely made me laugh out loud. Thanks, guys.
Maria Ressa thinks so too. As I said you’re free to shop around. Do come back and tell us what you’ve found and we can discuss here why you think what your hypothetical future find might be “superior” to GRP. I look forward to sharing some laughs with you in that regard. 😀
Those opinions required proof, did they not? And I’m sorry, but if the author’s opinion is indeed the right one, I’m going to need something more substantial than you insisting “It’s simple, really!” (which I’m going to assume you like to do for comedic effect) or the grossly condescending insinuation that Salvosa’s haters simply can’t “keep up with the rest of the English-speaking crowd” or even — gasp! — Maria Ressa’s stamp of approval.
But you’re only half-right in that I am going to “park my commentary” elsewhere, but no, after this kind of sloppy writing, I will not be wasting my time lurking.
@Victoria
You keep insisting that I/we are “condescending”. You might want to check that ego of yours because you easily get offended by imagined slights. Discussions tend to turn for the worse when one party is too emotional and sensitive.
This could be the reason why Amalayer girl was cyberbullied. Most quickly assumed that the girl was being snotty and offensive without knowing the facts.
Kaya pala makulit.
Who needs ” Maria Ressa’s stamp of approval.”
@Victoria:
Suit yourself. See ya! 😀
It’s people like Victoria who make reading comments unpleasant. I swear I tried to see her points…got as far as her first long post. It was easy to see that she was incoherent, argumentative (No Victoria, it isn’t a good thing), and was all over the place shooting herself in the foot. Okay, feet even.
In all honesty I couldn’t figure out what it was she really wanted to say. I do admire the patience some of you have afforded her. Seriously. Unlike benignO, I do not look forward to reading Victoria’s comments ever or elsewhere.
Nothing so totally wrong with her sentences, until you string them together and realize that it is neither here nor there. Her English looks fine on the surface, but it really takes more than words and grammar to get a point across. So yeah, I guess Victoria can’t keep up, inspite of.
@Notaliar
It’s not hard to detect the desperation in her comments. She could not even answer the questions in simple terms.
Like what I said before when someone else kept insisting that we do not entertain dissenting views: Do not underestimate the intelligence of the other readers. They will eventually realise who makes more sense. 😉
What Amalayer did in the video wasn’t an excuse and I don’t think the author is trying to excuse her behavior or is trying to justify it but what she’s saying is that the people who are judging her BASED on a one minute video aren’t any better themselves. They act like what Amalayer did was that bad and that they tend to overreact about it. What she did was wrong but the people bullying her aren’t saints themselves. I think that she doesn’t deserve the crap she’s been getting. Sure she reacted inappropriately but people need to learn the side and get the WHOLE picture FIRST BEFORE judging her.
He who has not sinned, cast the first stone.
> That should always be highlighted. Also, you all should remember a person named Amanda Todd. I really don’t want to see this happen to the girl in the video.
We just don’t know what happened in full, she as well could of had a very bad day/week… and in the end the cyberbullying is just disgusting. I think camcording and uploading should be banned because that does nothing but ruin the lives of people in it.