MMFF VS. SPIDERMAN

Did everyone saw Spiderman: No way Home? Unless you downloaded it illegally, you already did? But if you want to watch it, on cinemas, you can't. Because of the MMFF. Yet, despite not having such a competition, all of the entries tank in the box-office. Why did it happen?

The elephant in the room is, the COVID situation, that where we still are in. Even though you can watch on cinemas, it is still not on full capacity. Families who might watched the movies, might get separated watching certain movies. So why watch, if you can't bond. 

The other thing is, this might be a No Way Home Protest. We are the only country in the world, that can't watch the said movie. And all because of what? Of a certain eight films, that are below of quality?

Then a producer, expressed her frustations, at the awards night. Atty Joji Alonso said: “Para po sa nagsasabi na, "Sana hindi na natuloy ang MMFF at mauna na po si Spider-Man,’ pakihintay na lang po sa January 8, please in the meantime, tangkilikin naman po natin ang pelikulang Pilipino, Sobra-sobra po naming pinaghirapan lahat ang paggawa ng mga pelikulang ito. Sana naman po huwag niyo naman kaming pabayaan kasi this is for everybody. Paano na lang po tayo ‘pag wala nang gagawa ng pelikula? Please support Filipino films.”

Her statements, met a lot of bashings and criticism, like make quality films and don't beg for it. And, not because it is a Filipino film, we will just patronize it. For me the the criticisms was right. For so a long a time, MMFF are producing garbage movies, like the Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda movies. And I'm sure that the consuming public was fed up by the SOS, same old shit. Then the pandemic hit, and people, despite wanting to go out, will still not take the risk. I think the Filipino audience, is getting more intelligent in movies, and demands quality. But the local industry, is not evolving with it. That's why people are not patronizing local movies, and prefers international films. Not because they are not patriotic, but because it's just not quality, and worth the money and time.

But what is quality? Is it only the equipment used? Of course it is, but it's not only that. The most important is, the story. Like I said the stories are SOS. The titles are the only one that is changing, but the stories are the same. I don't like comparing our films to the Korean films, but yes. Koreans makes a lot of movies, that are not the same, there is always new to offer. Us, SOS. 

Another thing is the casting. Not because one is famous, he/she or they for the PC's of gender identity, is that they will be the lead to do a movie. I think only those who can really act should do a movie. And most importantly, those who can really direct and write scripts should do a movie, and not everyone. There was a director, in an interview saying that once they made a movie, with no script, and just let the lead do the flow, for he is a comedian. And she's proud saying it. That director should not make movies anymore. Be banned for eternity.

The only good thing about this MMFF is that there is no Vice Ganda, and Vic Sotto movies. But I think, once the restrictions further relaxed. They will come back. The summary is make quality films, and don't begged for sympathy something. That's all.

NOT THANKING IS NOT THINKING

Recently President Duterte and Secretary Tugade, unveil new wagons for MRT 7. Then I saw on Tiktok, a commentary from Vice Ganda on his show, Showtime. Because we are paying taxes, there is no need to thank officials, if they are erecting infrastracture like bridges, roads etc. Because it is their duty. Is the comment coincident? I think not. It's public knowledge, that there is no love lost, between ABS-CBN and the Dutertes. And Vice Ganda is a voluntary mouthpiece of ABS-CBN.

But is it right to not thank officials? Even President Duterte said. It is your money, don't thank us. Let's put President Duterte, out of the equation for a while. If you don't thank the person, who did you favor, render you services, you're a bad person. When you pay someone for services rendered, it's a form of thanks. If you don't pay someone, for services rendered, you're a bad person. And you might end up in prison. Duterte is not even asking, and he is rejecting the thanks and the praises. But he is the one who did, along with the people he instructed. So he has the right to reject thanks. But if you are in the receiving end of the projects done, and you're not thankful. Then you're an ingrate.

And imagine this. Imagine he had not done it. Which is not very hard to imagine. Some of the plans that they implement are of Marcos era, and is only implemented now. Now 2021. 1989, when he was ousted in power, how many years have passed? 30 plus effing years! And we are only about to connect the whole country by trains and roads, while other countries are destroying and repairing infrastracture, because of old age. Does President Duterte, deserved a little thanks? Of course, yes.

I know what ABS-CBN is doing. You are swaying the public to not support his candidate this election. But your efforts are in vain. He is not perfect. But he has done more, than the most Presidents, post Marcos, on infrastracture. Even in military weapon's upgrade. So a little thanks, he deserved. Not thanking is a deed done, by bad persons. 

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS SPLIT

After the substitutions brouhaha. Now this. Duterte is saying that he will not endorse Marcos' candidacy for the presidency. For he will choose Bong Go. That I understand. But to attack Marcos, with and old song, saying he's this and that. That I don't understand.

Marcos, is not particularly adversarial with Duterte, but very supportive. Even promises to continue, what good Duterte has accomplished. Yet the President, quipped that there is a candidate that who is, or who has used cocaine. The clue was, he has a prominent father. Who among the candidates, has a prominent father, none other than Bongbong Marcos? 

I think this is a very bad move. That the administration has split, rather than unite. The trajectory is, if he will not be disqualified, Marcos will assume the presidency. It's not wise to fight him. I am sure there will be vengeance, for those who had put them down through the years. If the situation will not change, Duterte might be included in the list.

I also don't particularly agree, that he is a weak leader. If not, Ilocandia will give up on the Marcoses. But they don't. And he is on every disaster response, at least according to his Youtube channel. In Yolanda, one of the few national and local officials that has come into region was Marcos. And the other was Duterte.

As Robin Padilla has said. This is only politics. BBM's and DDS are supposed to be allies not rivals. And as he said, the only ones that's will be benefiting this, are the enemies of this administrations. I really think this is an unnecessary fighting, and a very bad move. If it's a fake to lure someone, still not good. And I really don't understand this fight. 

MISCOMMUNICATION AND MISSED OPPORTUNITIES BY THE DUTERTES

Was anyone confused as well with the substitutions bruhaha? I think, I am not alone in this one. Last week, Inday Sara finally revealed her bid to the vice presidency of the country. Cementing the BBM-Sara tandem finally. And you think it's over? No. Bong Go, also substitutes to run for President, with the endorsement of President Duterte. Plus their are rumors that the President might run as vice president. Which was finally put to rest this Monday, when it was revealed that he will run in Senate.

Historically speaking, Duterte was not the first to downgrade from the highest position after his term. Not going far, was Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Who, the same with Duterte, ran for office as a member of the House of Representatives in her district, immediately after the expiration of her term as President. But the one, with the most synonymous of situations was Jose P. Laurel. Although he didn't run after his term. For after his term, was the end the war. War meaning World War 2. And he was by Americans and some Filipino's alike as a Japanese corraborator. He ran for Presidency against Elpidio Quirino in 1949, and lost. In 1951 he ran, for senate, garnered the biggest vote. Would Duterte outspot the current no. 1 in the survey, Raffy Tulfo? We'll see.

 

For the longest time, the president warned his daughter, not to gun for the Presidency. Yet in the recent interview, with Banat By, he said that, why ran for VP, when you are no. 1 in the surveys? You said to not run for the presidency, and technically the daughter is just obeying the father. Banat By, worded it wrong, that someone is dictating on him what to do. What Thinking Pinoy is saying, is that there is what they called Cordon sanitaire. Politically it means, non-cooperation, which is not practiced by the Duterte's. Medically, simply means quarantine. Non contact with others. Which I started to believe that there is. I think there are people, within the inner circle of the President that don't want Sara to succeed the Presidency, after her father. That's why, as Thinking Pinoy is implicating, they are preventing the father and daughter to talk, and strategized. And now we had this, Bong Go and Bongbong both running for the presidency. And Inday Sara was for vice presidency.

What was the missed opportunities? History was the missed opportunity. Sara would have been the first elected female President, due to her immense popularity. But what about Cory and Gloria? Cory assumed the Presidency through a revolution. Gloria on the other hand, also through a revolution, and her second term, well. Many believed, she didn't really win that election. And as Susan Roces have said, "you have the stolen the presidency, not once but twice"

Another missed opportunity was, a Duterte after Duterte presidency, had she ran and won. And if she will do well, there would have been another Duterte in the waiting. A Duterte after Duterte, after Duterte. I am not saying that it is for the good, but it was a missed opportunity. 

Many are still saying, that the President are still not showing all his cards. Maybe, or maybe not. We'll see. After the COMELEC finalize the list of the presidential candidates. I will put out a prediction, on who will win this Presidential Elections. Basing on a certain formula. 

LOGICAL RETREAT

I was just gonna talk about Bongbong Marcos possible and logical retreat. But a development has happened just yesterday. Manny Pacquiao has met with the President. But there are no clear statement, on what they talking about. Then Salceda said that, Let Manny announce himself. What does that mean? No one knows for now. But it looks like that, Manny is going to retreat too. 

Chavit Singson predicted that if Manny will fund his own campaign, which is likely, is that he will lose big financially. Just like in the past presidential election. The entire election only revolves around 3-4 candidates. In the past, the predictions only revolves around Duterte, Roxas, Poe, and Binay. Santiago was not even on the equation. Now it only revolves again around 3-4 candidates, Marcos, Robredo and Moreno. And with the recent happenings, Duterte-Carpio. Pacquiao and Lacson is not even on the equation. But unlike Pacquiao, Lacson might have sponsors, or at least use crowd funding. Pacquiao is likely to use his wealth to get his campaign going. And from this point up to the elections, it will be some huge expenditures. And as Chavit pointed out, Pacquaio has no stable source of income, other than boxing. And he retired already. Maybe Pacquiao have heard what Chavit is saying, and talk to the President about possible withdrawal from the race.

Now let's go to Marcos. He has some huge support, yes. Yet he also has huge detractors. And they filed a case for his disqualification. Although his lawyers confidently stated that the case will not push through. His candidacy is walking on a thin ice. If he's really an administration candidate, and a friend of the Duterte's. Why not withdrew, and totally support Inday Sara's bid for Presidency? It's a win-win situation if he do that.

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A post shared by Imee Marcos (@officialimeemarcos)

Many things are still to happen from now on. And let's continue watching the development of this election. I hoped they will heed my advice. Or they are already doing it in silence, and I'm just an idiot blabbering things.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?

Just this afternoon, a series of withdrawals of candidacies happened in Davao City. First was Sebastian Duterte, withdrawing his bid for the election of Vice Mayor of city, as per instruction of Mayor Inday Sara. Later, the mayor withdrew her bid for the election of Mayor of the City. This only means one thing. The eagle will fly, and go national.

But what will happen next? No one knows at the moment. But the path is narrowed. Either it's Vice President or President. The problem will arise if she goes for President. If she chose that, will Marcos give way?

For the administration to win, he has to. But will he? Because here are the dynamics at play. Marcos has a more solid vote territory than Inday Sara. Balwarte, in Tagalog or Spanish. Inday Sara will not enjoy the Solid Mindanao, that her father carried. Just here in the Davao Region, she made political enemies. Remember Pantaleon Alvarez, who was ousted as the Speaker of the House, with her pulling the strings. He will not carry her, that's for sure.

Scandal wise, Marcos has a lot of dirt with him. A lot of people still hate him, for what happened thirty years ago, or more. Inday Sara on the other hand, has less scandals, compared to him. But the same people that hated Marcos, are hating the Dutertes. 

Another thing that is on play, Inday Sara has options on substitution. Whether it's Senator Bato or Senator Go. All she need to do is jump to PDP Laban, and that's it. Marcos on the other hand, has no one to substitute if she chose to run for VP again. Technically, he can jump to PDP Laban as well. But PDP-Laban is the also the party, that carried Cory Aquino to run against his father back then. It might be awkward for both PDP-Laban and Marcos to join forces. But again, the probability is low, but not zero.

So what will be the combination? Marcos-Duterte, or Duterte-Marcos? Either way, there is very high chance of victory. The worst case scenario, is they both run and no one give way. Then either Leni Robredo or Isko Moreno, snatch the victory. 

For them to win, they need to unite, and need to do it fast. I don't want the other candidates to win, for they are establishment candidates. And others had communist sympathies. So let the North and South unite.

LOWERING OF THE GUARD

I myself had my second dose of my vaccine, just a week ago. Then IATF announced the lowering of quarantine status to alert level 2. I can't particularly remember what the status was before. But after that announcement, a lot of restriction was downgraded.

Examples are, removing of barriers from public vehicles. Allowing of minors to go with their parents in malls. Face shields are now optional, In my city, liquor ban was lifted. But as a considered fully vaccinated, because of my two doses, and a homebody, I'm still scared of what is going on.

As of my writing this, Philippines is still on the 50-60% vaccination rate, with only 30+ percent being fully vaccinated, meaning those who have the second dose already. Which only means, there is still 70% who doesn't have the full vaccine protection, which is not a 100% immunity against COVID. 95% at best, 60+percent the least in efficacy rates. Which means it prevents you getting severe symptoms, hospitalizations and worst case scenario, death.

And children are out now, most of them are not vaccinated yet, and we are freeing them. Letting them go to malls etc.

Don't get me wrong, I am in favor in some of relaxation of restrictions for the economy, but it should be gradual and not drastic. And I'm thinking it is being done, because of the elephant in the room. The coming elections.

The news is like conditioning the masses, that it okay to go out now. Health officials and personnels are skeptic. And knowing Filipino's as the saying goes, kung makalulusot, lulusot. And it's not even lusot. They are giving a lot of allowance and leeway.

Elections are important, but not as important as health. How can you vote when you're in the hospital, or someone you know is. Remember that vaccines are not 100 immunity, and we are not all vaccinated. As a saying that I saw in memes said. The probability are low, but not zero. I hoped that the lowering of the guard, doesn't result in something bad, and I'm wrong. But most of the time, they do. Again, I'm hoping I'm wrong.

Source: 

Covid Vaccination Tracker

PLAYER 276 BUS EXPERIENCE

Anyone who had watched Squid Game, may have notice a fellow Filipino, especially on the episode where the players play the deadly tug of war. In the show he was Player 276, but in the real world he was Christian Lagahit.

His interview is trending nowadays, because he revealed a bad experience of racism, of South Koreans, when sometime ago he rode a bus. He was thrown a cabbage by an older lady, because she believes that foreigners are bad people. And other people in the bus are apathetic to him. I'm summarizing his interview. To watch his full interview, check the video of Asian Boss below.

I am not in denial of the racism, existing in South Korea. It always present with nations who achieved progress. Every nation who are rich, most of them have racist feelings with contempt to other races that are not that developed. It's always like that. 

But you have to remember also, that the Korean peninsula, suffered brutal invasions and occupations by foreign powers all throughout their history. With the most recent, being Japan. So you have to take into context, that the older generations, will not be too trusting with foreigners. 

Are these the majority of their people? Maybe, but still not all of them. Would I stop watching K-drama's/movies/ or stop listening to Kpop because of this? No. Because the alternative is shit, and not even doing anything to improved themselves. In fact, Ang Probinsyano is still airing, with the story that's going merry go round, and eventually to shit, or is shit already. Their thousand episodes, is not even comparable to an episode of Squid Game.

What I just wanted to say is, hating Koreans on social media, would not make them good people. Hating them would just prove them right, from their perspective. And I'm worried, that it will start another social media wars, between Koreans and Filipinos. 

So what should we do about it? Prove them wrong. Constantly do good unto them, instead of retaliating with bashing. If we do that, they may have a about face of doing bad to us. Don't resort to cancel culture. Cancellation, begots bigger cancellations. It's a long fight, and with maybe no end, but it's a good just fight. While in this world and alive, it's not worthy to make enemies, especially those that we can be friends with. That's all for today.

IS THE SHOW CURSED?

Kim Seon Ho is on very hot water, because of the controversy of abortion. He admitted and apologizes to the accusations of his ex girlfriend, that she was forced to abort their baby, at the time. Because of that endorsements were pulled, his castings were cancelled, and he had to leave the show 2 Days and 1 Night.

My short opinion on the matter, even if the accuser was on the right, their will be suspicions of vengeance. I mean why now, when he is riding high? The only good thing is, they let Hometown Cha Cha Cha finished airing first. Else people will have been troubled replacing him. Editors will have a hard time editing the show, and will have trouble reshooting scenes, that were already shot. Just like what happened to Kim Jisoo, not the BLACKPINK member who has the same name, but the male actor.

But did you know that Kim Seon Ho was not the first person to leave the show because of a scandal? In the first place, He and the others were there, because the cast of season 3 left, of some reasons. I will put a list of some former members who left the show because of controversies. 

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Kang Ho Dong, left the show on September 9, 2011, and temporarily retired from show business due to allegations of tax evasion, leaving the show with five members.

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Lee Soo-geun, left the show on November 24, 2013, due to being under investigation for suspicion of online illegal gambling.

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MC Mong, has been put on hiatus and did not take part in the filming on September 17, 2010 due to the investigation of his mandatory military service. The producers had made an official announcement that MC Mong's appearance will be deferred until a final judgment has been made and the rest of the five members will continue filming during his absence. Taking into the account of the viewers' feelings and opinions, the episode set to be aired on September 19, 2010 will edit MC Mong's parts as much as possible. This trip will be broadcast in one episode (instead of the usual two episode). They had already started editing MC Mong's parts since the September 12, 2010 episode. It has been confirmed in December 2010 that he has been banned from KBS.

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Cha Tae Hyun, Kim Jun Ho, left the show on March 2019, following reports that they engaged in gambling.

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Jung Joon-young. On March 11, 2019, in the midst of a huge scandal concerning non-consensual filming during sex and covert distribution of said illegal videos (which sprung off in the midst of an earlier ongoing scandal that erupted in January 2019 concerning former Big Bang member Seungri and his Gangnam club Burning Sun), Jung Joon-young was identified as an active participant due to leaked KakaoTalk chatroom messages of which he was part of (speculation is also rife in connection to his earlier October 2016 scandal with an ex-girlfriend). A day later (March 12), the show's production team decided to permanently remove Jung Joon-young as a cast member, with KBS subsequently banning him from all of the station's programming.

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Kim Seon Ho. He was removed from the show on October 20, 2021 after admitting to coercing a former girlfriend into an abortion. His remaining episodes will be edited to feature him less, similar to MC Mong in season 1.

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Uhm Tae Woong was also involved in a sexual assault scandal in 2016, which was proven false, but still considered immoral, because he was married, and had a sexual relation with his accuser. Although the accusations surfaced, way after he left the show. But because of that his former appearance on the show, even the placards which was captured by cameras, with his face were blurred. Blurring is a practice in shows, especially variety shows, to hide faces of former members or certain celebrities, who had appear on their show or if they want to show a clipping, which that certain celebrities had a ongoing cases in court, or were involved in controversies. Controversies may not be criminal, but considered immoral.

That's why i asked the question, is the show cursed? Are they still among those who are still there, who has a ticking time bomb of controversy waiting to happen? I hope not. I want this season 4 members to grow old with the show. Just like with Running Man, and Infinite Challenge. Many people are watching them, and I hoped that Kim Seon Ho, will be the last to have this kind of controversy.

Sources:  

2 Days & 1 Night -Wikipedia

Cha Tae Hyun To Step Down From All Programs; Apologizes In Formal Statement -Soompi

Woman Who Falsely Accused Uhm Tae Woong Of Sexual Assault Sentenced To Prison -Soompi

WHY JIYEONG'S DEATH HAVE BEEN IN THE SAME LEVEL WITH ALI AND IL-NAM? PLUS AN ADDITIONAL THEORY

Spoiler Alert. To those who has not finished watching, don't scroll down, and stopped reading.

I have been watching a lot of reaction videos about Squid Game, that sprouted like mushrooms after it had trended and blow up in the internet and Netflix. The main cast has been even invited to the Tonight Show, with Jimmy Fallon, because the show became internationally famous.

What I found out in the reaction videos, is that almost all of them, cry their hearts out, when they reacted on episode 6, titled Gganbu. It was because of the three deaths, or for those who already know, two, of the then beloved characters. It's because one of them became hated. The three of them, was Jiyeong played by Lee Yoo Mi, Ali played by Tripathi Anupam, and Oh Il Nam, played by Oh Young Soo. The last time I saw Oh Young Soo, was on the series The Great Queen Seondeok, where he played the scientist, astronomer, and monk, Wol-Chun. It's not his latest work, prior to Squid Game, but I also loved that historical drama.

It even had a tribute edited, should I say a meme? The thing is, it is not funny, but sad. The caption was, the sacrifice(pic of Saebyeok, played by Jung Ho Yeon, and Jiyeong) the betrayal(pic of Sang Woo, and Ali) and the friendship (pic by Ilnam and Gi Hoon). I commented on the pic, that they got the order wrong. I think the Friendship, refers more to Saebyeok and Ji Yeong. The Sacrifice refers more, to Ali and Sang Woo. And the Betrayal refers more to Il Nam and Gi Hoon.

I will explain it one by one. Because some, debated me about it on Facebook, that the order was right. But I stand by my thought about it. Friendship refers more to Saebyeok and Jiyeong, because they have a short lived bonding, no pun intended, yet they became close. That the two cold-hearted girls, cried when they depart. Sacrifice refers more, to Sang Woo and Ali. Some may argue that, it is right that to betrayal. For Sang Woo really did betrayed Ali. Here's the thing, why is it sacrifice. I don't think that Sang Woo, planned from the very beginning to betray Ali, or at least from the moment he chose him to be his partner. I think he doesn't have a clue, on what will be the next game, or that they will go against each other. I believe had he known, he would have chose, another one than Ali. But that's my thought. Luck wasn't on his side. But he has wits and cunning, and Ali was trusting and naive. Opportunity knocks and he grabs it. And when he heard the shot, he felt bad. So what's is the sacrifice? He sacrifice his friendship with Ali, and Ali himself, and his soul to the devil, which is the ₩ 45.6 billion. After that, he has no reservations anymore. Betrayal refers more to Gi-Hun, and Il-Nam. The old bastard, knows everything, and wanted to have fun. A sadistic kind of fun. And if my theory is right, it only makes it much worse, and really a betrayal. To know more about my theory, read here.

Now to the question, why Jiyeong's death had the same level of sadness, with Ali's and Il-nam's death? Again, why did I question it? Because, Ali and Il-nam, was in the very beginning, episode 1. Jiyeong only appeared on episode 4, by 6 she's already gone. Too little character development time, in comparison with Ali and Il-Nam. The first reason, and maybe the only reason, for the uninitiated, is that well timed, and well written exposition, about her story, and about Sae-byeok too. That short chit-chat, that made them close, and the logical reason for her giving up. And also, the two mistakes of hers, that as if both of them can go out alive. She kept saying we. That's the first reason. That being the same level, with both Ali and Il-nam's death, makes the death of them, a triple threat. Which turns the episode very sad and gloomy.

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The second reason is, that makes it more sad, is maybe only for me, or presumably the K-pop fan community. Especially the fans, of the second generation, Kpop Idols. Actress Lee Yoo Mi, has a strong resemblance with late idol, and  actress Choi Jin Ri, also known as, Sulli. We all know, what happened to her. And the character of Jiyeong, had been wanting to die. I will just end it here, and will not explain further.

The additional theory is Gong Yoo, his character the recruiter, is also a former winner of the squid games in the past. And he became corrupted as Hwang In ho was. That's it. Another Squid Game Article. 

IN DEFENSE OF FACEBOOK, BUT IT HAS PROBLEMS

Frances Haugen, appeared on an interview in 60 minutes. She is saying that Facebook is not doing enough against hate speech. Instagram is being harmful to young girls, etc. The said interview, has been connected to the hour long outage that happened on the social network platform. Which also drop the company's stock value.

My humble opinion is, Facebook is strict as it is. If Frances Haugen is to be followed, it will be more stricter than it is now. I believe the social media platform, has its safety measures, both we see and don't see. That's why there is the report system, if someone's post has been found offensive and dangerous. Hate speech and misinformation is bad. But if we will put some measures, permanent measures, that might clamp on them. It might trickle on speeches, that are not harmful, yet not everyone agrees. Then it might encroach on our freedom of expression. Then Facebook will not be that different than Weibo.

But it has problems. Like their political leanings. They tend to hire third party fact checkers, that are with same political leanings. Like here in the Philippines, they hire Rappler, as the fact checker. And it's a common knowledge that Rappler is adversarial to the incumbent administration. What I mean is, fact checker system is good. But you should hire neutral entities.

I have my own experience too. I have post opinions on these blog and shared it on Facebook. But it was not been posted. And it's not even a controversial speech, but my views on Tyrion's plan on Westeros after Daenerys was killed. And consecutive posts are not shared. Another instance is, I had commented on post, that a certain nationality are doing dumb things. Then my account was warned. If Facebook will be more strict than it is, then it's only short of censorship.

What I'm just saying is, Facebook is a company, of course they will want money. They are not a morality police. Moralities and attitude should be formed first at home. Social platforms are just stages, that people put themselves in. I like Facebook just how it was before, just Facebook, having games, chatting and without ideological leanings. I don't approve further restrictions, that might encroach on freedom of speech. Then it will not be that different to China's social media platforms. 

SQUID GAME: UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AND THEORIES

If you have not seen Squid Game yet, you're maybe living under a rock.

In this article, I will talk about the theories surrounding on how the show ends, the unanswered questions it left behind. And at the end I will talk about a prediction, that I believe, I only constructed in my simple mind. To those who have not watched yet, spoilers alert, leave this now.

First unanswered question, is why? Why, the same question Hwang Jun ho(played by Wi Ha Jun), asked his big brother, Hwang Jun Ho(played by Lee Byung Hun). Why is he the frontman? And why he also spare his brother? That is some questions? This is why believe their will be a season 2, the next question, is what will it be? A sequel or a prequel?

If it's a prequel, it will surely answer the question of why, Hwang In ho became the Front Man. As it was revealed, Hwang In Ho, is also a former contestant, that won the game. It will also revealed, who is Oh Il Nam, the host of the games. Player 001 to be exact. Many in the internet are saying, that he is Seong Gi Hun's(played by Lee Jung Jae) father. In which I agree, for he and Seong Gi Hun, are agreeing on that they have the same house. But I have a weird theory, that have just popped out just now, the moment I am writing this now. Are you ready to listen.

Oh Il Nam and Seong Gi Hun, are the same person. Seong Gi Hun, became extremely rich, in the future. But he has no family, so his life is miserable, but he is rich. He traveled to the past, and established this games. I will explained later, how he became corrupted that he made this insane games.

Another theory of mine is. In the beginning. Their are four children, playing against another four children. I believe, that the four children who are teammates, are Seong Gi Hun, Cho Sang Woo(played by Park Hae Soo), Hwang In Ho, and the suit man, who is played Gong Yoo. I don't think, that they will put Gong Yoo, Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, and Lee Byung Hun, in a series, and Lee Byung Hun, and Gong Yoo which are the bigger stars of the series, having a role of little screen time and importance. And their appearance, can't be considered a cameo. It's just not.

Now we will come back to the question, on why Hwang Jun Ho, was spared? My theory is the Front Man, want the organization to failed, by police intervention, or military by the South Korean Government.

One thing I also see coming, is a confrontation between Seong Gi Hun, and Hwang In Ho. He might be the Front Man this series, but I think in the next, he might be the new host. And their will be a confrontation.

But while the confrontation is about to happen, he knew that the stepfather of his daughter, ended up accumulating debts too, and became a participant as he is. He wanted to help but the stepfather was eliminated early, so as him, but not really. Hwang In Ho, handed him the keys to the games. It was the will of Oh Il Nam, to hand him the games. 

Years passed, he discovered that many of the people, that ended up in the games, are assholes, even the ones that won are. Only few are good and well intended people. But most of them are weak. He was corrupted, and enjoy seeing them die.

Then her daughter, Gayeong joined the games. Because her stepdad fucked up, and accumulated a lot of debt. She survived it, until the marble games. But she was saved, because Seong Gi Hun, was now the game master. But the daughter can't accept what his father has become, and killed herself. It broke Seong Gi Hun. and had become sick. 

Then he decide to come into the past. establishing the games. He recruited himself, in an intention to kill himself. But ended up winning, beginning the eternal cycle of depression. That's why he said, it's been a long time since he have fun. That is being my theory, that Oh Il Nam is Seong Gi Hun who time-traveled is right.

Whoever theories will be right, we will only know, if their is a season 2, and there should be a season 2. Cause there are some unanswered question. Some of it, I may have not even enumerated. They needed to be answered. That's my theory, and I hoped, I'm right. 

MY AFTER WATCH OF THE MARCOS-GONZAGA INTERVIEW

Before watching the video. I tried my best to put a yellow mindset. To see if I will be offended of the interview that happened between Toni Gonzaga and Bongbong Marcos.

The line of Bongbong Marcos that take hold with me, in that interview is: No, I thank you for taking the trouble. I think Toni couldn't have imagined, that she would be in a lot of trouble, just for interviewing him.

As I watch the video, until the end. Not to criticize Toni, but she didn't conversed much with the former senator. 75% of the video is Bongbong Marcos speaking. Not a really a good conversation to watch.

But, I can't find any offense from what the former senator spoke in this interview. He didn't deny nor mention the abuses. And let's be honest, put yourself in his shoes. Would you brought up, something undesirable, to talk about allegations or proven crimes of your family? You wouldn't. And Toni being polite, wouldn't have brought it up as well, to sour the conversation. 

Toni Talks, is not a political talk show, like that of Real Time with Bill Maher etc. Too many of them to be mention. It can be comparable in genre, to Oprah, etc. Too many too mention again. It's a slice of life, talk show in Youtube. So they will talk about everything, and not focus to much in history.

I think they took offense when Toni ask this:

A lot of people were saying that your father, Ferdinand Marcos, was the best president the Philippines has ever had. And to some people, he was the worst president the Philippines has ever had. But if I were to ask you, what's the best and worst thing about him?

Were they offended with Toni, putting the believers of FM was the best president in a lot, then the otherwise some? Is that it? That will be too petty, if that's it. I can't mention all of the things that may have someone found offense with. If you're a hater, that will be too many.

Again, I will mention it again one more time. If the successor of the Marcos Administration was a good one, we will forgot the Marcoses. But the realities of today, and of history proves otherwise. So the people is being nostalgic, of what they perceive as the better times. 

If this is consider a bad speech, counter it with better speech. And stop bashing Toni for interviewing him. Your party, revolted in 1986 for freedom of speech. And I believe, everyone, I mean everyone, that includes Bongbong, has the right to freedom of speech. If you don't want that, then that's a bad sign. You may have become the very thing you swore to destroy. That's Obi Wan folks.

And as of the moment, again as the saying goes, bad publicity, is still publicity. The very video at the moment I'm writing this, reached 3.6 million views. You have just made Toni and Bongbong more popular. And as an enemy to him, you're not doing the right thing. You don't make your foe popular, if you don't him to be President. You have just unto his hand. 

ANGEL'S FALSE REALIZATIONS

I have posted recently on ONK Shorties No. 30 my views on Angel Locsin's recent statements, that had been commented by Mon Cualoping, Undersecretary & Director General at Philippine Information Agency.

But first, lets view the original post of  Angel Locsin on IG.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Angel Locsin (@therealangellocsin)

"To those who can’t go & console family & friends fighting their battles alone. I feel you. I wish for you to overcome whatever it is you are going through. This crisis has made me realize that the world can work without politicians, businessmen, police, and even without actors like me. but the world can never work without health workers. Again, thank you for all that you do. Sending everyone strength, hope, and love."

In a normal circumstance. Her statement would be viewed as ridiculous. But in a pandemic setting, are those people not really important? Let's enumerate.

Politicians. Some of them are corrupt and incompetent. But politicians are in the positions of leadership, in the national and local settings. In a normal circumstance, remove them, and it will be anarchy. No one will say what will some one will do. In a pandemic setting, leadership is needed, and many but not all, politicians are leaders. They will direct the boat.

Businessmen. Many of them are down this pandemic. But why is the government leaning to the more loose and relaxed quarantine classifications, than a hard one except one when it's really needed, or the situation became really bad? Because business failing, affects the economy. Businesses means jobs, jobs means food for the table for some families. Remove them and people will revolt.

Police. Who will control the flow of people this pandemic, if not the police and armed personnel. In the presence of a police, people might think twice of going out without a mask. They are enforcers of the law. Unless we want to live in a lawless state, we need the police.

Speaking of a lawless state, this happened before, because police official, strike in Brazil.

Over 100 dead in Brazil as police strike spurs anarchy

By Paulo Whitaker, Pablo Garcia

VITORIA, Brazil (Reuters) - More than 100 people have been reported killed during a six-day strike by police in the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, as hundreds of troops patrolled streets attempting to keep order with schools and businesses closed and public transport frozen.

The Army mobilized airborne troops and armored vehicles on Thursday to reinforce roughly 1,200 soldiers and federal police trying to contain the chaos in Espirito Santo, a coastal state north of Rio de Janeiro.

Most of the violence was centered in Vitoria, the state capital and a wealthy port city ringed by golden beaches and filled with mining and petroleum companies.

Full Article here

As the saying goes, when the cat is away, the mouse will play. 

Actors. You might say, the least important. But no. This pandemic has cause much depression to many. Actors can provide entertainment through their dramas and movies, which is very much needed to ease the depression. And also helps people not to unneccessarily go outside. In a normal setting a k-drama addict can watch consecutive episodes, without fail. We can use that for people not to go out. Me personally, I'm not going out much, because I watch a lot of series. And also I'm unemployed. So they helped in a way.

And I'm in full agreement that the health workers are very important, especially these days. But not because they have bigger roles today, you will downplay those who have smaller roles. And those she mentioned, aren't small roles in scope either. Maybe because Angel had been in lead roles for a long time, that she has that complex of lead actors, I don't know. One thing is for sure, no matter how stupid a statement is. The person who utter the statements, have braincells. It's a matter of using it right.

Again, stop virtue signalling, without thorough thinking. 

MARCOS-GONZAGA INTERVIEW

 

Many are talking shit about Toni Gonzaga, for having an interview with Bongbong Marcos. And of course, all of them are leaning to the yellow color of the Philippine Politics.

I haven't watched that interview yet, while writing this piece. But they are saying that the son, boast a lot about his father works for the government. And they are offended by it. And because of that they are attacking Toni Gonzaga, for giving the former senator a platform to speak.

They have been saying all of these years, that the father, former President Ferdinand Marcos, was a dictator, and the one that killed the freedom of speech in the country. And the icons of the yellow politics is the one that restored it. Yet the believers of the party of the yellow, are the one who is acting, to censor if they can, Bongbong Marcos.

As I heard from a podcast before, censoring is not the way to counter bad speech. A way to counter bad speech, is more speech, good speech. But again, yellow believers want to crucified Toni, for interviewing him.

 

Isn't Toni Gonzaga, just doing what a talk show host does, interview people. Diversifying viewpoints. Toni didn't claim her talk show to be political. I saw her channel, and they interview a lot political figures on both sides. She also interview Leni Robredo, and the supporters of the other side, didn't react violently. That is saying something about the party who hates Marcos.

I mean the icons of the Yellow Party, are portrayed to be the icons of Freedom of Speech. But the supporters almost wants censorship. Isn't this an example, of what Harvey Dent have said in the Batman movie, you'll either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. From being believers of free speech, to advocates of censorship.

Don't be mistaken, I believe that there are some abuses, during the time of Marcos. I am not an apologist. But we can't also deny that the President has also done some good, that we are still benefiting to these day. Many are undermining the importance of infrastructure. From Ninoy Aquino to John Oliver. Mockingly saying, can you eat that? No, but the food you are eating can come to your plate, because of good roads.

What I am saying is, had the succeeding administration have done good things for the people, no one will remember the Marcoses. They will be buried in the history, like Hitler. But what followed is, re-privatization of nationalized companies. Selling of industries. Deregulation of goods and services that are supposed to be regulated. Now they are soaring high uncontrollably, to the suffering of the people. Plus incompetency after incompetency like the train mishaps, relief mishaps, and capture operation mishaps. 

The rise and imminent return, of the Marcoses is still the fault of the yellow.

WHAT DOES THIS MEANS FOR THE UNITED STATES?

Many are comparing what is happening now in Kabul, on what happened before in Saigon when the US is trying to pull-out from Vietnam, in the 1970's. It's not the same. The US never defeated the Viet-Cong, and North Vietnam in the Vietnam War. They might have caused casualties, and damages. But they never defeated Vietnam. On the other hand, they defeated Taliban, and got the revenge of 911, by killing Osama Bin Laden. But why did the Taliban return, and takeover the capital?

The simple answer is, US fought a two prong war. One in Afghanistan, and one in Iraq. And both ended in failures. The adventures in Iraq, didn't prove anything on the accusations of weapons of mass destruction. And as many people have said, Saddam might be a tyrant, but he stabilizes the region. That even the Saudis, disagrees on the attack on the country. They took out Saddam, and what happened? They unemployed all member of Saddam's political party, from the government. Which is stupid, why? They didn't do that in Germany after World War 2, because they can't. No one will run Germany, if they take out all Nazi party members, in the government. They only took out those who they deemed responsible for war crimes. But they didn't do that with Iraq, those who became unemployed, especially army personnels became the foundation of the ISIS. It destabilizes Iraq, and Syria. And they pulled out, which the other powers, Iran, Turkey, Russia, maybe in a way China, took the opportunity to get in. Which I believe is not in the US foreign policies interest, and their allies to in the region.

Now Afghanistan. As the time progress, and the objectives are fulfilled. I think they lost interest on it in a way. Maybe because of high cost of maintenance, and criticism at home. Then President, declared that they will pull out completely from Afghanistan, with the deadline in September 11, 2021. 

So how did the Taliban took over? How did they get the arms and weapons? I don't know. But what I know is, as US is pulling out, China and Russia are getting in. One Taliban leader, even met the Chinese Foreign Minister in China. Another angle was, US is pulling out, so that China will have these problem Afghanistan. That they may pivot to China, because of the treatment of the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. But that's not confirmed, and only the days will tell, if that will happen.

The images of the exodus are horrifying. People in fear of the return, of the Taliban, hang on to planes as it flies. And of course they will fall. Why did it happened? Because they never treated Iraq, and Afghanistan, like the Germany of 1945. Had they done so, we might have a different Afghanistan and Iraq. But some may say, that can't happen because of the culture and the people. I don't think so. Japan are a warring state, and a backward society, before they became like this. China also are a warring state, and a backward society, before they became like this. Even the US is like that in the beginning, and they are a superpower. Everything can be changed. Not even many, only one has to will it, and it will happen.

So why is Kabul not Saigon? US retreated in Saigon, and it remains a superpower nation. One other country retreated in Afghanistan, years ago. That is the Soviet Union. Four years after they collapse. Will the US collapsed in four years? We can never tell. But US is in a free fall decline, as a superpower.

And it also says something, about Duterte's foreign policy, not being to reliant on the US. And to those advocating we forcefully retake lost territories in the West Philippine Sea, because we have the US backing us. First of all, we don't have the force. Second is, we may not have, the US backing us, despite promises. Last time, the Philippines were in trouble because of an Asian power. They flee first. Remember that, and just look what is happening in Afghanistan now.