Saturday, May 30, 2009

Graduating with Professor Mccune

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Final Magazine Project Broadcast Version

Ka-TOON-ayan Exhibit



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Philippine Cartoons
60 seconds

SNAKES, FROGS, DOGS, AND UNCIVILIZED SAVAGES WERE JUST THE FEW THINGS ARTISTS USED IN THEIR POLITICAL CARTOONS TO PORTRAY FILIPINOS DURING THE EARLY 1900’S

SOME OF THESE PROPAGANDA CARTOONS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE KA-TOON-AYAN EXHIBIT AT THE CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER AT THE DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR LIBRARY FROM APRIL 27 TO JUNE 30

THE CARTOONS AT THE EXHIBIT ARE FEATURES FROM THE FORBIDDEN BOOK: THE PHILIPPINE AMERICAN WAR IN POLITICAL CARTOONS

THE FORBIDDEN BOOK IS A COLLECTION OF PROGANDA CARTOONS COLLECTED FROM GARAGE SALES, ANTIQUE STORES, LIBRARIES, AND EBAY.

JORGE EMMANUEL, CO AUTHOR OF THE BOOK AND COLLECTER OF THE CARTOONS, BELIEVES IT IS IMPORTAT TO LEARN ABOUT THE PHILIPPINE AMERICAN WAR BECAUSE IT PARALLELS THE IRAQI WAR OF TODAY

ASIDE FROM THE POLITICAL CARTOONS, THE EXHIBIT ALSO FEATURES PHILIPPINE ARTIFACTS AND OTHER BOOKS

THE KA-TOON-AYAN EXHIBIT WAS SPONSORED BY SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM

IN SAN JOSE
TRUTH ESGUERRA
JOURNALISM 61

Final Magazine Project print version

Ka-TOON-ayan Exhibit




Propaganda Cartoons in the MLK library











"White Man's Destiny"











President McKinley baptizing a Filipino Baby







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“How long have you been civilized?” asked the American stranger to the Filipino native in a propaganda cartoon titled “A Red-Letter Day.”

“Ever since my home was burned to the ground, and my wife and children shot,” responded the dismayed Filipino native with tattered clothes.

In another cartoon titled “Our St. Patrick,” Admiral George Dewey, clothed in priest-like attire that is colored in American colors, marches onto Manila Bay and holds his staff over the Filipinos who are portrayed as snakes and frogs.

These political cartoon and many other controversial ones are on display at the Ka-TOON-ayan exhibit in the Cultural Heritage Center at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library from April 27 to June 30, 2009.

The exhibit, which is held on the fifth floor of the library, features collected images from The Forbidden Book: The Philippine-American War in Political Cartoons, Philippine artifacts and other historical books.

Abe Ignacio and Jorge Emmanuel, authors of The Forbidden Book, discussed the issues regarding the Philippine-American War at the last Akbayan meeting.

Akbayan is San Jose State’s Filipino-American Student Organization.

“We felt a lot of what had happened 100 years ago are lessons we should learn today,” said Emmanuel, who correlated the Philippine-American war to the war in Iraq.

Emmanuel, a member of the Association for Asian Studies and the East Bay chapter of the Filipino-American National Historical Society, said he does not want people to think they are promoting the racism within the cartoons but rather bring out critical discussions about its concepts.

Most of the cartoons used in the book were won at auctions from Ebay, garage sales, antique stores, libraries, and national archives, said Emmanuel, who started collecting the political cartoons in the 1980’s.

Estella Habal, an assistant professor at SJSU who taught Filipino-American history, said she felt it was important to learn about Filipino history.

“Our history has been forgotten and it has also been missing from our consciousness,” she said.

Habal, who used The Forbidden Book as one of her class’s textbooks, said the book was eye-opening and painful to read due to all racist cartoons.

“Filipino students need to know this front and back,” she said. “Once you understand that, you become a stronger individual; you become a true Filipino,”

Danreb Victorio, a sophomore journalism major at SJSU and community affairs coordinator for Akbayan, was honored to meet the author’s of The Forbidden Book at the book discussion.

Victorio, who was a student of Habal’s Filipino-American history class and one of the organizers of the event, encourages everyone to read the book.

John-Paul Limpin, a senior radio, television, and film student and culture chair of Akbayan, was disheartened to hear that the history of his people is being sold on the internet.

Limpin said he believes that history should not have a price tag.

“It may have been possible it (the Philippine government) might have reflected more of Philippine culture and thinking rather than accepting a model from another country,” Emmanuel said of the possibility of the Philippine government without the Philippine American War.

Emmanuel, who is against U.S. imperialism, received most of his information regarding the Philippines American War from history books and museums.

The exhibit was sponsored by SJSU and the Asian American Studies Program.




Friday, May 15, 2009

Final Broadcast Assignment

Poetry Reading
60 seconds

TWO POLITICAL POETS HELD A READING OF THEIR POETRY IN THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR LIBRARY LAST NIGHT

AROUND 100 STUDENTS CAME TO LISTEN TO HAYAN CHARARA AND FANDY JOUDAH AT THE FREE EVENT

MANY STUDENTS INCLUDING SOPHOMORE MARISA GOMEZ ENJOYED LISTENING TO THE AUTHORS READ THEIR CONTROVERSIAL POEMS OUT LOUD

GOMEZ SAID SHE PREFEERED THIS EVENT COMPARED TO PAST POETRY EVENTS BECAUSE THE TWO AUTHORS COMPLIMENTED EACH OTHER QUITE WELL

THE POETS READ THEIR POEMS THAT TALKED ABOUT LIFE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, ANIMAL CRUILTY, AND THE EFFECTS OF WAR

JOUDAH WAS THE WINNER FOR THE 2007 YALE YOUNGER POETS AWARD FOR HIS POETRY COLLECTION TITLED THE EARTH IN THE ATTIC

CHARARA AUTHORED TWO POETRY COLLECTIONS TITLED THE SADNESS OF OTHERS AND THE ALCHEMIST DIARY.

THE EVENT WAS SPONSORED BY THE SAN JOSE STATE CENTER FOR LITERARY ARTS AND THE POETRY CENTER OF SAN JOSE.

IN SAN JOSE
TRUTH ESGUERRA
JOURNALISM 61

---

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Profile REVISED

As a 12-year-old boy, Amin Khorasanee would listen to the Wake Up Show, a hip-hop show on 106.1 KMEL, and be inspired be the rappers lyrical poetry on the airwaves. By hearing such artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., and members of the Wu Tang Clan, the Union City native knew it was his destiny to be an infamous rapper someday.

Now known by his stage name, AM1, Khorasanee is planning to release an EP this summer. He also plans to go on a mini tour, performing in front of hundreds of Bay Area hip-hop fanatics.

Khorasanee, a 23-year-old senior corporate finance major at San Jose State University, started taking hip-hop seriously in high school. Captivated by hip-hop graffiti and music, Khorasanee became even more influenced the more he became involved with the hip-hop culture. He started writing songs and emulated some of the premier rappers during that time period. Khorasanee would get a microphone and practice his ad-libbed rhymes in a closet. After advancing his rapping skills, he then started recording songs over his friend’s house. His friend would create beats over Fruity Loops, a music generating computer program, while Khorasanee would rhyme over it.

When Khorasanee got to San Jose State University, he began to take his music career to a much higher level. His hit single “Can It Be,” which used a sample of The Jackson 5, got heavy rotation from radio stations such as San Jose State ’s 90.5 KSJS and Stanford’s 90.1 KZSU. Fans of Khorasanee would request his songs to be played on the air. Khorasanee would also go to the radio stations and performed ad-libbed rhymes for the listeners. After being more well-known within the underground hip-hop community, he then released a mix tape titled “The Take Over Mixtape” and disturbed it nationwide through his myspace Web site.

Since the release of his successful mix tape, Khorasanee has preformed in numerous venues such as the Britannia Arms in Cupertino and the Improv in downtown San Jose . Also, Khorasanee opened for prominent hip-hop artists such as Frontline, and Scarub of the Living Legends Crew.

Real Life-Reporting Story REVISED

Two poets, Hayan Charara and Fady Joudah, read of their works and signed books at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Wednesday evening.

About 100 students attended the reading, according to Persis Karim, an English professor who teaches creative writing at San Jose State University. The event, which was free and open to the public, was co-sponsored by the San Jose State Center for Literary Arts and Poetry Center of San Jose.

Karim, who helped set up the reading event, said she met the writers at a writer’s conference and was impressed by their literary works.

“I think it is important to hear the words of the writers,” said Karim, who introduced Charara and Joudah’s works to her students.

She said that event was important because it brought exposure to the poets and the literacy program on SJSU.

Marisa Gomez, a sophomore political science major at SJSU, also attended and enjoyed the event.

Gomez, who attended the past reading events such at the Mark Dotty event, said she liked how there are two poets instead one reading their works.

Joudah said he also considered the reading event a success.

“It’s always a good thing,” Joudah said about the setup and turnout of the event.

Joudah, author of the poetry collection “The Earth in the Attic”, which won the 2007 Yale Younger Poets Award, met Charara after editing Joudah’s anthology.

Charara, who authored two poetry collections, “The Sadness of Others” and “The Alchemist’s Diary”, read several of his poems, such as “My Father’s Pornography”, “You” and “Starved Dogs Eating Snow”.

Charara, who also edited “Inclined to Speak: An Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry”, wrote controversial poems about war, death, and his experiences.

He said that poetry kept him sane during some of the hard times in his life.

Charara, a Lebanese-American who lives in Detroit and still has family in Lebanon, he had writer’s block that lasted for almost a year.

Joudah, who is also a translator of poet Mahmound Darwish’s “The Butterfly’s Burden”, read his poems “Pulse”, “Morning Ritural” and “Poem” at the event.

He said does not write Arabic though he can translate it.

Joudah said he was also glad he can influence future creative writers.

“Sometimes it is something that somebody says,” he said about gaining an inspiration to write.

He also said ideas and images in his head helped him some of the poems that he read at the event.

Gomez, who loved Charara’s poem about the dead dogs, because of its graphic ending said she would encourage everyone to come to the next library reading events.

Karim, who considered the poets performance “powerful” at the reading, said it is great experience to hear the poets read their poems out loud because it brings their words to life.

Joudah is currently thinking about working on a new translation for his future project.

Proposal Memo

Date: May 15, 2009

To: Professor McCune

From: Truth Esguerra

RE: Final Project Proposal

For the final project, I plan on doing a report about the Ka-TOON-ayan exhibit in the Cultural Heritage Center in the MLK library. The exhibit, which features U.S. Philippine propaganda cartoons, are quite controversial. This exhibit, which will be on display on April 27-30, is very important for Filipino, as well as Americans, to understand because its foundations can parallel the Iraqi war of today.

When I go to the exhibit, I will get numerous information about the pictures. Also, I will interview students who might be affected by the cartoons. Also, I can contact the authors of the book and get some quotes from them as well. At the exhibit, I will take numerous pictures. On the broadcast version of my script, I will describe the information about the exhibit and some history about the war. For the short information box, I will add factual information about the war.

ULTIMATE GRAMMAR QUIZ RESULTS!!!

Check it out for yourself!!!

Copy Edit the World pt. 2

1) Taken from an article from pr-inside.com titled: "New Fil-Am Literary Magazine Requesting Submissions from Youth."

The TAYO Literary Magazine aims to empower Filipino American youth through various forms of creative art. By gathering varied literary and art work from young children to college students and beyond, we will produce the
first independently published magazine that explores the Filipino-American experience.

The style book claims that proper way to write Filipino-American is with a use of a hyphen. But either way, this article has a error because it used Filipino-American with a hyphen and one without. That is inconsistent and is a mistake.

Article


2) Taken from the English Department Newsletter.

Nov.17: Last day for December graduates to submit theses to Graduate Studies Office, WLN125

Feb. 2, 1998: Last day for August or December 1998 graduates to submit approved programs to Graduate Studies. You must see me to fill out the appropriate form. To be safe, do it before the end of the fall semester.

The bottom of the newsletter lists some dates and information. Within the list, missing periods made the document inconsistent. Some of the items of the list had periods while others did not. The sad part is that this newsletter came from the English department.

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3) Professor's Alex Yamato's credentials.

2000 ‘Restoring Family and Community in the Snata Clara Valley: Japanese American Resettlement.’ In Regeneration Oral History Project: Rebuilding Japaneese American Families, Commhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifunities, and Civil Rights in the Resettlement Era, Japanese American National Museum.

Conferences:
Presenter, ‘Restoring Family and Community in the Santa Clara Valley: Japanese American Resettlemnt from the Internment Camps,’ Western Conference of the Associaiotn for Asian Studies, Phoenix, Arizona, october 11, 2003.

Consultation:
Consultant and Scholr for the documentary, Return to the Valley, KTEH, 2003.


Whoa! I think Professor Yamato forgot to use spell checker! Some of the mistakes he had on his CV were simple ones. He misspelled a couple of words. He also forgot to capitalize the "o" in October. Overall, spell checker is still important!!!

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Copy Edit the World pt. 1

1) Taken from my Linguistics 21: Language and Thinking.

GELO1: Distinguish between reasoning (e.g., explanation, argument) and other types of discourse (e.g., description, assertion).

GELO2: Identify, analyze, and evaluate different types of reasoning.

GELO3 Find and state crucial unstated assumptions in reasoning.

GELO4: Evaluate factual claims or statements used in reasoning and evaluate the sources of evidence for such claims.

GELO5 Demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes plagiarism.


This is a grammar mistake found on the green sheet for the class. Inconsistently missing the colon on some parts of the list is an error. Though the mistakes does not confuse its readers, the green sheet looks unprofessional.

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2)Taken from the Department of Social Science student handouts.

Freshman and Sophmore

This is a simple spelling error. Sophomore on this document is spelled wrong. Any misspellings on any document can weaken a professors credibility.

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3) Taken from a Debug magazine article titled "The Ethnic Media Awards"

For these journalists, who historically have been regulated to the margins, dismissed by the advertising world and ignored by City Hall press releases, this is the perfect time to throw a party.

The sentence which used an nonrestrictive clause failed to put the word "and" in the list of modifers. Also, the sentence itself feels cluttered.

Site

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Online Writing Exercise

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

a) Do the news items reflect immediacy?

Since this BBC covers a lot of worldly news, it's somewhat difficult to prioritize which news story deserves to be at the top. But, the news in the site are all highly newsworthy news stories.


b) Does the site try to help readers save time?

It appears to try and save the view some time. The site tries to jam a lot of information all at once. It somehow feels like the site was rushed.


c) Is it quick and easy to get information?

It was very easy to get information. The search bar at the top is all I need to find the specify subjects I want to read about.


d) Does it provide both visual and verbal information?

This site lacks pictures. On the homepage, I only counted three pictures. Also, I did not see any video. The site seems imbalanced because there is too much words and less pictures.

e) Do the stories contain lists and bullets to make them easier to scan?

From the stories that I read, there was bullets in the readings. I did not even see any pull quotes. The scanning process for this site can be somewhat tedious.

f) Are the stories broken into "chunks"?

The stories are in "chunk" format. Most of the stories are categorized by their region of the world. Also, the stories are mostly written in standard "one paragraph, one sentence," format.


g) Do stories provide hyperlinks to additional information?

There are links within some of the stories on the site. Also, there are video clips in some of the stories. Very convenient.


h) Are there opportunities for readers to "talk back"?

At the bottom of the stories, readers and viewers can leave comments and feedback.


i) Does the site use multimedia to enhance understanding and add appeal?

There are video clips on some of the stories on the site. That seems to be the only multimedia extra on the site.

Find That Lead

The Quote lead


“In the last two years, I love her more than I’ve ever loved her … I look at her with awe,” O'Neal, 68, told “Today Show” host Meredith Viera.

Article Link




Anecdotal Lead

Amy Graves hasn't ridden a bicycle in about 10 years, and Joy Cann rides her bike to work every day she can.

But both will be biking to work on Friday.

Sponsored by Sumter County Active Lifestyles for the second year, Bike to Work Day in Sumter will be observed as part of National Bike Month.

Article Link

Focus story structure exercise

Pete Stenhoff did not see it coming. The 16-year-old football player from Chula Vista High School cracked vertebrae in his spine after ramming his head on an opposing player’s chest. Now, the Redmond native is stuck with a wheel chair for the rest of his life.

"I knew the risks involved when I decided to play football," he said. "I wish I would have known just how bad it could be."

There are 20,000 injuries in high school football each year, and like Stenhoff, 12 percent of those injured are permanently disabled.

Soft Broadcast Lead

A SQUIRRELY SITUATION

30 SECONDS

IN MANHATTAN, 47-THOUSAND TRANSIT COMMUTERS WERE STRANDED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON…
ALL BECAUSE OF A SQUIRREL.

THE PESKY RODENT CAUSED A POWER SURGE AFTER IT PLAYED
WITH THE POWER LINES.

THE WEAKENED BRACKETS AND DANGLING WIRES OF THE POWER LINES WERE TORN DOWN AFTER IT TANGLED ON PASSING TRAIN.

COMMUTERS WAITED FOR HOURS AS CREWS ATTEMPTED TO FIXED THE WRECK.

ALL SERVICES WAS RESTORED ON TUESDAY.

FOG index

THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE TOOL!!!

For one of my regular news stories, I got a score of 10.55.

That is great news for me; it means that story writing ability is simple and easy to read. For the online FOG index calculator, there was only a couple of sentences that need some sort of revision. These index calculators are crucial for journalists. Readability is important when writing a story.


Just for fun, I used the FOG index to calculate one of term papers. I got a 15.60 rating.

That is what happens in college term papers. We are forced to use complex words in order to seem intelligent to our professors. I guess this also means that my vocabulary skills are at least at a college level.

Got what it takes to be a reporter?

The results of my self-assessment: 28 You're a solid contender for a successful journalism career. You've got the personality and ability a good reporter needs.


The results for this self-assessment was not really surprising to me. I really love almost everything about journalism: writing, editing, and reporting. I can use a style book effectively and conduct interviews with ease; my personality compliments this type of occupation. After being part of the Spartan Daily staff, I learned that I wouldn't mind doing this for a living.

Reporting with numbers

1)A local college releases figures showing that its total budget is
$120 million. Out of that total, $80 million comes from the state, $6
million from student tuition, and the remaining $34 million from fees,
grants and gifts.


-Figure the percentage of the college’s budget that comes from each source.


State: 67 percent
Student Tuition: 5 percent
Fees,grants,and gifts: 28 percent

-Identify the significance of each funding source (the most vs. the
least, etc.)


The school's most significant funding source is from the state. The least significant is from student tuition.

-Using plain words, instead of numbers, explain the proportion of
funding that comes from different sources. Say it in the way you think
would make it most easily understood.


Two-thirds of the school's budget comes from the state, while
over a quarter comes from fees. The remainder of the amount comes from tuition.

2) Your editor assigns you to do a story about prison sentences handed
down in cases of aggravated assault. He gives you the following
figures from an anti-crime group that is lobbying for tougher
sentencing guidelines. The cases represent the people convicted for
aggravated assault in San Jose in one month in 2006.


-Calculate the average prison term for people convicted of aggravated
assault, taking care to convert some of the terms to figures that will
compare properly (months vs. years)


The average prison term for a person convicted of aggravated assault is 22 months.

-Calculate the median prison term for people convicted of aggravated assault.

The median prison term for a person convicted of aggravated assault is one year.

-Explain why the average or median figure is the most accurate
description of prison terms.


The median number is the most accurate; it is not affected by
the high or low sentence terms.

3) The state legislature is considering exempting restaurant food
sales from the sales tax in the same way grocery sales are exempt.

-First, find out the state sales tax.

According to the California State Board of Equalization, sales tax is 9.25%.

-Then determine and explain how much fast-food patrons who pay $5 per
meal would save in a year if they eat out once a week.


Fast-food patrons who eat out once a week at $5 per meal would have a
yearly savings of $18.85 if fast-food were sales tax exempt.

($5 meal cost x 9.25% sales tax x 52 weeks = $18.85)

-Explain how much people would save if they spend $20 per meal once a
week for a year.


Fast-food patrons who eat out once a week at a cost of $20 would save
$96.20 per year if fast-food were sales tax exempt.
($20 meal cost x 9.25% sales tax x 52 weeks = $96.20)

Topical Blog Post #4

The Society of Professional Journalists is an organization dedicated to helping journalists, especially freelancers.

Joining SPJ can help journalists be informed about what is currently happening in the industry.

The organization, which has been an industry leader for more than 100 years, will do its best to support your work.

According to their Web site, journalists who are guaranteed rights under the First Amendment can sometimes get into some trouble with the law.

The Society of Professional Journalists, both nationally and through local chapters, can fight and win battles for Freedom of Information and First Amendment rights.

SPJ's grass-roots activism has helped numerous journalists throughout the years it was established.

Their organization is also known for informing its members about job openings and internships.

Being a member of this organization can definitely be a wonderful asset as journalist.

All it takes is $36 for a post gradate student to gain membership for at least a year.

Topical post #3

On April 23, I attended a forum about examined drugs, killings, journalism, and border relations between the U.S. and Mexico at Santa Clara University.

At the event a collection of foreign correspondents and Mexican reporters discussed their personal observations and experiences on the issues with the ethnic media, students, and university faculty members.

Dudley Althaus, a Latin America bureau chief for the Houston Chronicle and one of the speakers at the forum, said that anyone who travels to Mexico or lives near the Mexican border, can potentially be affected by the violence there.

Proceso magazine, a Mexico City weekly publication, addressed in its 2008 investigative series that around 600 people have gone missing all throughout Mexico since late 2006, according to “Journalists Under Attack in Mexico,” a report by Committee to Protect Journalists.

Seven reporters vanished in Mexico within a three years span and many had investigated links between public officials and drug traffickers, according to the report compiled by the CPJ.

“Mexico is already one of the world’s deadliest nations for journalists, with 21 killed since 2000, at least seven in direct reprisal for their work,” the report stated.

Drug traffickers and criminal gangs are believed to be behind the vast majority of the slayings of the members of the press and execution-style murders of the public, stated in the report.

According to the CPJ’s new impunity index, which was released March 2009, Mexico ranked 11th in the world with an impunity index rating of 0.057 unsolved journalist murders per 1 million inhabitants.

In last year’s impunity index, Mexico ranked 10th with an impunity index rating of 0.068.

The information from the forum is important for us journalists to understand. We have to be aware of what countries are dangerous for us to do reporting in.

Topical Blog Post #2

The school of Journalism & Mass Communications at San Jose State University is holding its Spring Convocation at the South Lawn of Tower Hall on May 21 at 5 p.m.

After spending five long years in this interesting university, I finally believe it is time for me move on and start my interesting career as a journalist.

I basically did all aspects of news media here on SJSU: Spartan Daily reporter, an Access Magazine editor, an Update News correspondent, KSJS Disc Jockey and even an editor at SJSU’s literary Reed Magazine.

I’ve learned how to conduct a proper interview, edit stories using an AP stylebook, put together video news packages and podcasts.

I can safely assess that I am ready for the real world; I’ve learned all the skills necessary to effectively execute my job efficiently.

The convocation ceremony will promptly open for guests at 4pm, and there will be a reception after the ceremony.

Tickets for the event, which can now only be purchased at the door, will cost $15.

This is an extremely exciting time in my life.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Topical Blog Post #1

May 2 was a historic day for Filipinos.

Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino icon and proclaimed pound for pound boxing champion, fought against Ricky Hatton, one of the best boxers from Great Brittan.

After two swift rounds that ended in a brutal knockout, Pacquiao, also known as “Pacman”, emerged with a convincing win.

Not only did this battle feel like a victory for the Philippines, but it also added to one of the many reasons why I am proud to be Filipino.

Since I was young, I've been proud of my heritage and have loved the Philippines and my countrymen there.

My parents encouraged me to develop a sense of nationalism: speaking the language, read Filipino newspapers, watch Filipino entertainment, know the history, and understand the culture.
They taught me how to speak Tagalog, which I still speak fluently.

But for some reason, I do not see Filipino nationalism among the Filipino-Americans I have met.

I feel that some Filipino-Americans, especially the youth, have forgotten or have never had a chance to know about true Filipino culture.

It saddens me to know that those are the same Filipino-Americans that would ridicule and poke fun at native Filipinos.

I don't understand why some Filipino-Americans would laugh every time someone speaks with a Tagalog accent.

My ex-girlfriend, who recently moved to the United States, told me she would feel uncomfortable being around Filipino-Americans because she felt that they might laugh at her English.

Are they unaware that their Filipino accent jokes are hurtful?

If these Filipino-Americans lack knowledge about Filipino culture and language, there are several things they can do.

They can teach themselves with language-teaching kits available at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library.

They can learn some Filipino history by reading books about the Philippines. Also, Filipino Americans can take Asian American Studies 125, a class on Filipino American Experience in the United States taught by Assistant Professor Estella Habal.

There are many ways Filipino-Americans can develop a sense of nationalism. It just takes a lot of effort.

By learning about the culture and the language, Filipino-Americans would become more united Filipinos and there would be no hard feelings between the two.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Topical Blog Post- Your Favorite Magazine

One of favorite magazines growing up was The Source, a hip-hop magazine started in the late 80s’. The reason why I loved this magazine is because it informs me about the latest news about my favorite hip-hop artists and producers.
Another great aspect about The Source magazine is it rates hip-hop albums. The infamous “5 mics” ratings were first made popular by the magazine. Its rating system, which is considered to set standard for other hip-hop publications in the hip-hop industry, rates artists by their lyrics, beats, and the delivery of their songs. The strict and rare “5 mics” rating is only giving to classic or future classic albums. Also, this magazine kept me informed about what’s going on in the hip-hop community. They offer the latest gossip about my lyrics heroes. They also give the heads about the upcoming artists that hip-hop enthusiasts would be interested in. Also, the covers of the magazine are collectibles. Every major hip-hop fan,who are the targeted audience, are subscribes to this magazine.

The Source's Web site

The Future of News

As a correspondent for Philippine News, a newspaper that serves the global Filipino community, I can give a testament about the rapid changes within the world of journalism and the media.

There are massive changes within all aspects of the journalism field: newspapers, magazines, broadcasts, and online publications. As news organizations continue to downsize its’ staff, it is crucial to understand the ability to become versatile in a fast and straightforward environment.

Anchoring oneself to adapt to online journalism, the form of the media that is quickly replacing and killing-off other media forms, is a way to survive in journalism.

One of surviving is adapting to new media. MediaShift: “Budding Journalists Use Twitter, Blogs to Open Doors” is an article that outlines the importance of twitter and blogs. It helps students understand the importance to keep up-to-date.

10,000 Words: “Radio: Innovative ways to follow the aging medium” addresses the emergence of old media such as Radio. This post shows that being creative can be a huge positive in the long run.

Online Journalism Review: “The New York Times needs an online impresario to help it pay its bills” shows that traditional newspapers are trying new ways to survive. Using the world wide web is now one of the keys to surviving in this industry.

I can only suggest maintaining and learning more about new media in order to succeed. When I was hired by my organization, they were impressed by my online skills and my extra ability to perform broadcast and podcast posts. Being versatile is very important.

Two Feature Leads: Squirrel situation

NEW YORK- A squirrel shocks 47,000 rail commuters after playing with power lines and causing an electrical surge that stalled mass transit in Manhattan.

The furry culprit who was electrocuted on the scene Monday afternoon caused a surge that weakened brackets and forced a loose wire to dangle and tangle a passing train, said Metro-North spokeswoman Donna Evans.

Commuters waited for hours as the train tore down all the power lines and caused other trains to not run due to lost power.

Service was restored by crews Tuesday morning.

Monday, May 11, 2009

News #5 Runaway Truck

A runaway asphalt truck crashed into a house and overturned yesterday, starting a fire and knocking out power in El Cerrito, Berkeley and Richmond.

The driver of the 10-wheeled hauler, an unidentified San Jose man, is listed in serious but stable condition at John Muir Medical Center as both of his legs were broken as he ejected from the vehicle, said El Cerrito police Detctive Sgt. Shawn Maples.

Maples said he was one of the first rescue workers to arrive at the scene shortly after the accident which occurred at 1:30 p.m, and was able to pull the driver to safety after hearing cries coming from the truck and the house.

"We dragged him out in a heartbeat while the truck went up in flames. I just wanted to get him out of there," he said.

A car that was hit by the truck was so badly smashed and rescue workers had to peel the roof of the car to free the driver trapped inside.

A sport utility vehicle carrying a man and a boy was sent into the bushes beside the smoldering house; another vehicle, an electrician’s truck, ended up Richmond Street.

"First, I thought it was a major earthquake. This is unbelievable," said Ruben Sharma, who lives across the street from the house destroyed by the fire.

Sharma, who was on his way back to work when the accident occurred, left his yard littered with bricks, broken glass, car parts, and splintered wood.

The condition of the other drivers and the residents of the home on Moeser Lane are unknown.

News #4 Carjacker

San Mateo police apprehend an auto theft suspect Saturday night after witnesses informed the authorities who saw the suspect allegedly stealing and attempting to drive a car away with a newly married woman.

Alan Ticas-Soto, a 21-year-old man with no criminal charge, was allegedly high off methamphetamines, during the theft, and is now facing carjacking and misdemeanor drug charges and is being held in San Mateo County Jail at $100,000 bail according to San Mateo Police.

Ticas-Soto, who pleaded not guilty to the San Mateo Superior Court on Monday, could face nine years in state prison said Sheryl Wolcott, a San Mateo County deputy district attorney.

Wolcott said Ticas-Soto, who allegedly tried to steal the car from a newly married couple at a Taco Bell in San Mateo, crashed the vehicle at a Taco Bell sign while trying to evade the couple.

News Story #3: Gas Line Break

A gas pipe ruptured yesterday afternoon shutting down several businesses and streets in South of Market in San Francisco.

The leak occurred as a private construction crew accidentally severed an underground high-pressure gas pipe with a backhoe said a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. worker

Samantha Feldman of Wa-Ha-Ka restaurant said that her employees and patrons were forced to leave, resulting in $500 of lost business.

Many people were standing at the edges of the barrier and Carlann Lauria, manager of Crockers Lockers, had her employees collect payment checks along the police perimeter.

"Ask my customers. They were pretty irate," she said.

PG&E was able to get the gas turned back yesterday evening.

News Story #2: Cathedral Robbery

Two detoured foreign tourists were robbed at gunpoint yesterday at Saint Mary’s Cathedral.

WeiMing Chen, 28, and his wife, Li Lu, 30, were robbed of belongings: Visa card, camera, around $100 dollars, passports and airline tickets, after an armed assailant allegedly waved a pistol and demanded their money at the cathedral’s lower parking lot.

The assailant who is described to be 18-years old is wearing a black jacket and cap approached Chen after he and his wife split from their tourist in the morning and taking pictures at cathedral, Chen said.

He said the suspect took off after the confrontation and police were looking for him.

It is unknown if Chen and his wife made their 1 p.m. flight back to Taipei with their whole tour group of roughly 30 employees at a Taiwan airline.

News Story #1:Firefighters

Firefighters rescued a San Jose man from his burning home at 3.p.m yesterday after a fire, which started in the kitchen, spread to the attic and engulfed his house with smoke, according to the San Jose Fire Department.

Robert Kent, who is in his 50’s and is retired, is in grave condition after suffering second and third-degree burns on 50 percent of his body, said a nursing supervisor at Valley Medical Center in San Jose.

Kent, who was found unconscious, was surrounded in flames while firefighters rescued him from the kitchen floor, said Capt. Rob Piper of the SJFD.

The fire from Kent’s single-story home, which did not have a smoke detector, is under investigation, Piper said.