"Editorial: Good move": Cartoons as news

Like Spongebob Squarepants, the cartoons we know are funny and are memorable to the point where some children memorize every part of a certain episode. In news however, they also present it in cartoons and these also have humor but talk of a more serious matter. For example, this editorial cartoon by John Gilbert Manantan. President Rodrigo Duterte, or "DU30", is with the vice president Leni Robredo in this cartoon. The cartoon shows the president handing the position to the VP while she accepts it smiling.

News can be presented in cartoons, and those appeal to people, like topics on your everyday activities, prices on the things you buy, the problems present in your environment, and even about politics. These are just some of the topics that are often present in cartoons that are used to relate their cartoons to the people. Sun Star publishes editorial cartoons, often related to politics and in this example, they talk about President Rodrigo Duterte appointing Vice President Leni Robredo as the head of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

The Sun Star website (www.sunstar.com.ph) was put up in October 1996, making it the first philippine community newspaper going online. Their community prescence is so large now that their newspapers can be seen almost anywhere and their brand of journalism makes them a reliable source for information. The news website connects and helps the people develop by providing news and information to the whole community.

Sun Star. Being a reliable news source, their newspapers are everywhere. We can see it everyday but we just can't notice because it's "always been there". Being the news, they present to us the everyday happenings in our community. Their influence is so large that some people even say "Sun Star" instead of "newspaper".

With their websites, their news is even more influential because of our generation. The website is being updated on the news everyday so we can not miss a thing. Editorial cartoons like this one are also used in relaying the news or to gain power over the other news sources. Along with providing news, they also profit from the advertisements that sign up for their newspapers or from the online ads that we ignore on their websites. But, using their influence, they can also project their ideas to us, be it for their own profit or for the sake of getting even more influence because they have succeeded in being a very influential body to the whole community. But influencing the whole community can be a hard thing since not everyone can understand. The use of this cartoon paired with this message may also be misunderstood by certain people.

The cartoon of the president "just handing" the position to the vice president may be a bit more or a bit less of a message to certain people. For the elder or mature, they will see the message through this picture. Being more involved in politics as they are active voters, they know of the events and doings that are related to each person in the government. For the elite, they will also understand the cartoon and the news with it since they are active participants in the flow of the community. Being involved in politics is important to understand this article, because it involves our president, the vice president and her current position. For the children however, who look at the newspapers or website and see the cartoon, may just view it as just a cartoon, nothing more.

The writer paired with the cartoon seems to credit the VP's position to her actions, meeting with the president in Malacanang and even leading the people to support Duterte's administration. The writer implies that Duterte's actions were influenced by the actions of the VP and also the former president Fidel V. Ramos. The news tells us that this position that was given to him by the president will make her be more able to support marginalized sectors on their housings. This news also covers the condition the government is in, stating that given her position, she must now start attending cabinet meetings which could lead both leaders to work together more. The way the cartoon is drawn may also cause a misunderstanding with the audience. For some, the president may look like he handed the position halfheartedly and others may also misunderstand because of the way he was drawn. Others may also take note of how she wore the house as a hat.

The article is bold in saying it's point and this may give a big impact on the people.

This cartoon is not just any cartoon that we should be amused about, because it's concern is our country. We should be involved in politics and we should aim to be more knowledgeable when it comes to what is happening in our government. The cartoon alone can be a very powerful message to the people. Many people are fooled because they are ignorant of a person with a high authority or because they do not know of what is happening in the news.

So now you know that cartoons, like this, are important too. This particular cartoon tells you of the recent actions of the president of our country so you too should be involved in this.

Reference: (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/opinion/2016/07/07/editorial-good-move-484015)

-Bryann Garcia

Finally Ariel! TVC LSS

https://twitter.com/PBBLucky/status/583509700282486784

“Finally Ariel happened to me, one wash clean sa labada for just 7.50” a line from the Ariel TV commercial has caused LSS (Last Song Syndrome) to millions of audiences nationwide. It has trended tremendously by the time it was aired last February of last year, 2015. Who would not be allured by the lively beat and the somewhat funny lines of a detergent commercial? The prominence of the said detergent commercial successfully boomed especially in social media. The song is constantly heard almost everywhere and had been a great source of laughter and entertainment among people.

The company has used a brilliant technique in attracting individuals to not just remember their product but also to persuade them in buying their product-- they used music. Music can make you easily remember lines. Lines are recallable when it has rhythm and tone. Plus, they added a hint of humor to the lines of the song making it remarkable and interesting to the audience. They also had priced the product cheaper to become more affordable to the majority of the Filipinos. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIjZImAyoKs 

Ariel is part of the P&G family. P&G, founded by William Procter and James Gamble, stands for Procter & Gamble Co.  It is an American worldwide company of consumer goods.  Out of the seven billion people around the world, P&G serves 4.6 billion of them. That is why P&G became an undeniably strong organization in terms of market and profit.

Seeing women wash clothes while singing the humorous lines such as “Finally Ariel happened to me, ang gaan sa bulsa cause it’s just 7.50” would really capture one’s attention especially to the target market of the company which are mostly women. Not only the women were entertained by the TVC but also children and men.

         

The TVC embody the majority of the Filipinas who are usually the ones making household chores specifically washing clothes as to what the TVC has portrayed. Women having fun while manually washing clothes in the TVC can influence typical Filipinas to also enjoy doing their chore. The scenes in the TVC shows connection to the kind of life they're living causing it to be implanted in their hearts. When they drop by the detergent section in a grocery store, the rhythm of the song would immediately pop out from their mind as they read the label of the Ariel detergent, which signals them to choose and buy Ariel. 

The TVC has really created a big impact to its audiences making it inevitably unforgettable to the people who heard and watched it. Ariel had not only successfully endorsed its product but also had successfully caused laughter and entertainment to Filipinos. 

The Selection Series: A Must-read

If there was a novel that has deeply affected and has drawn me insane, that novel would be The Selection Series by Kiera Cass. Saying the statement “Kiera Cass has done a great job with The Selection” is an understatement. The way the American writer had put up all the necessary words to create the exact picture of the scene she’s trying to convey is just perfect.

The first book, The Selection was written in 2012. A year after, the second book (The Elite) followed by the third book (The One) were released. Last year, the fourth book was released entitled The Heir then came the fifth book named The Crown. Kiera Cass also wrote novellas tackling about the characters’ point of views.

The novel can either make you cry, laugh and fall in love. It is originally intended for young adult readers but it can be entertaining to any age, if I were to be asked. Reading the novel, despite its length, made me not just be entertained but also be enlivened and inspired. Not a single chapter was boring. Each chapter consists significance.

The story circulated around the life of an ordinary girl named America Singers who belonged to an extraordinary world where the people are divided into eight castes depending on his/her financial status. One being the highest among all castes and Eight, the lowest. America was born and raised in a Five family which are mostly entertainers. Then there comes the Selection, a competition where 35 chosen girls will be competing for the crown and for the prince named Prince Maxon Schreave. Unexpectedly, America was chosen for the Selection. It was against her will to join for her heart was already taken by an average guy named Aspen. As she entered the palace and mingled with the prince, she fell in love with him. Nevertheless, adversities come their way as the story goes. In the end, Maxon got America’s heart and she will never be the commoner she used to be.

Who would have thought that a simple commoner would be Queen one day. Even America didn’t think of that either. The novel implants to the minds of the readers that no matter who you are or where you came from, if you aim high and embrace optimism, everything will work the way you want them to be. You can reach for the stars and move mountains if you won’t let your situation be the barrier against everything good that could happen in your life. That is why, The Selection is a must-read for every girl who dreams big. 

Will You Be The Sun or The Pouring Rain?

Who am I?

Who am I? Who will I be tomorrow? The questions stand as I listen to Fifth Harmony's song "Who are You?".  The song tackles decisions made by a person affecting another person's day. Decisions which may make or break a person's day depending on how he/she may perceive it. This type of thinking is happening a lot in these times, especially in the teen audience. 

Fifth Harmony is an all girl pop group who started as soloists on the X-factor but was put together as a group because the judges felt that they couldn't "waste such talent". They were first named LYLAS (Love You Like A Sister) but due to another group having a similar name, LYLAS turned into 1432 then turning to Fifth Harmony, by the votes of the public. 

The song uses the beautiful harmony of the girls, which they seldom use now (quite contrary from their name), to entice and entertain the listeners. The music video showcases a simples set-up with good lighting and the girls singing with people playing instruments at the back. The set-up is quite simple and is perfect for a song with a very powerful message. The song also uses decisions as the main message. It asks the listener how he/she will be today "Will you be the sun or the pouring rain?"

Girls who listen to the song having the same burdens with what the group depicts might see this as a call that their burdens are not necessarily caused by them and that the choices of others may have made such impact in their lives. Guys who could have made the decisions which would have impacted the life of a girl might see this as the wake-up call that their actions CAN and WILL affect the lives of others.

In the song, both positives and negatives of a certain decision are represented. The song also presents the point-of-view of the person dealing with the said problem. It does not show what problems the decision maker also faces in discerning the right decision.

Who are you is a song which talks about decisions and how the affect your life and the lives of others. It was made to show the impact given by a certain decision and the events that may happen after.

Everyday, we are bombarded with questions having multiple answers. But, from what I've learned, we must stay focused and not let our judgment be clouded for sometimes the answers to the most difficult questions are just in front of us. So, who am I? I am David Dale A. Gunabe and I would want to know your thoughts on Fifth Harmony's song "Who are You?". Leave it below and I'll be sure to reply my thoughts as well! Au Revoir!


-Dale Gunabe

Interstellar: Space, Time, and Family

Have you ever seen a movie that is so mind boggling that you yourself want to watch it again? Are you into Sci-Fi kind of genre? Well, I have a movie for you it is one of the most successful movie of 2014 that has wowed its audiences with its incredible visual effects that really translated into the real word and with its total box office growth that climbed over $675 million, and has received positive reviews from its critics.

The movie Interstellar is about traveling across the galaxy in order to find a new home for humanity, It was an epic science fiction drama film directed, co-produced, and co-written by the award winning director Christopher Nolan which was one of the best directors in the industry today, along side with producers Emma Thomas and Lynda Obst, and writer Jonathan Nolan. It stars some of the best actors and actresses in today's industry leaded by Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastian, Matt Damon and Michael Caine.

Interstellar is not just all about finding a new home for humanity but, also it is about the story of a father and a daughter. A father that is so dedicated to his work that he will do anything to do it and a daughter that was left by his father in order to explore the galaxy to find a new home for the people they don't even know. The story is "awesome" that it takes people rethink all of it after the whole movie the complexity of its scene is overwhelmingly a thrill to the senses, with the combination of science fiction and hard core drama that really sinks in that makes you feel the "feels".

The use of extravagant lights and scenes really highlights the whole movie with its realistic showing of planets, black holes, worm hole, asteroid, comets, and many more heavenly bodies. It really shows how powerful technology is today in making scenes that is so amazing that it crosses the boundary of reality and fiction.

Also, this movie shows the important of our planet is and what will happen to us if it will be completely destroyed. We humans are the most destructive species in our world we cannot help that because some says "It is our nature". And human nature is toxic towards the planet so we must change our ways in order to sustain our environment, our home, our planet because we only have one planet and nobody knows what will happen when we lose it.

-Aljon Maratas

"Dela Rosa: 'Villain's welcome' in Manila for

Quiapo road rage suspect" "Death" without physical contact

                There are many ways to hurt a person and according to PNP chief Dela Rosa, he will give Vhon Tanto, the suspect for the murder of a cyclist during a road rage, a villain’s welcome that will be of killing words, and stares that would make the person feel small.

                In the article, there are quotes of Dela Rosa’s words about him going to give the suspect a villain’s welcome once he arrives from Masbate, the place where the suspect was arrested. The chief’s personality is always interesting since his promotion and everyone’s attention is on him. The article focuses on the interview with Dela Rosa regarding his thoughts on welcoming the suspect and his words, for example, when asked what kind of welcome it would be he says “Nakakamatay na mura, nakakamatay na tingin, basta yung matutunaw nalang sa kinauupuan niya,”, interests us since he is known to have a hard personality.

                Rappler is a social news network that aims to inspire social change with news. Using technology, they spread news with their veteran journalists who are trained in broadcast, print and web news. The site is influential and is inspiring smart conversations like when a person shares a news coming from rappler in facebook and smart discussions between people happen. The site has an interactive system where you can input the emotion you felt about a certain news and this helps them to act on helping people make the correct decisions in their lives. The site profits from the many advertisements that flash on the side of the screen or maybe within texts. These advertisements can also appear in between pictures of news materials, which can sometimes be annoying. The site can also to choose to write news materials about certain products and that way they can promote a certain product by their own will or a company’s. Even in the page of the news on the chief and the road rage suspect there are commercials of products. Being influential, they can change a person’s perception with a single news article and can choose what the people should know.

                For the people who are active when it comes to politics and are old enough, they may think that the chief is doing his job well thanks for his hard personality. They may connect this to the president and think that the president decided well when he promoted Dela Rosa to a 4-star general. Some people may not connect it to the president and just think that the chief is just a tough person. The young, who might read this because the website is accessible to anyone, may think that this person is a “bad” person that thinks of mistreating suspects. This can leave an impression to a young person and the article may change their perception of the police. They might also pick up on the idea of mistreating a person with words and about hurting a person physically, as the chief implied when he joked that he would teach the suspect how to box.

                In the article, we are following the thoughts of Chief Dela Rosa and the interviewer asks Dela Rosa on how he plans to welcome the person and on how he is planning to treat the person once he comes.

                The article is one-sided since it only tends to Dela Rosa’s thoughts and the suspect is just the suspect, which means the perspective of the suspect is not included in the article. So, rather than talking about Dela Rosa and the supect’s thoughts, the article already focuses on how he is going to treat the suspect. Also, the interviewer did not ask about why he should do those or how he is going do to it.

                The news article is interesting since it involves the newly promoted general and Rappler made the right decision to write articles about him since this would mean the site would fair even better and profit more because of the netizens flowing in. The veteran journalist that wrote the article certainly knew what to write about during that time.

                In the campaign against drugs, the two names that stand out are of our president’s and this chief’s, but let us not forget that the chief also has duties including this. Many of the news nowadays involve the campaign and our focus can be easily shifted by media sources. This news article at least talks about something different and this can help correct other’s perceptions.

                Getting involved in politics is important because it enables us to become aware of the status of our government and helps us understand news articles like this about the PNP chief “killing” a person with words and stare. News articles like this give people an idea of who the chief is so you should read this in case you are curious of the chief’s personality.

source: (http://www.rappler.com/nation/141344-villains-welcome-manila-road-rage-suspect)

-Bryann Garcia

Lights Out: What’s in the dark?

The movie is written by Eric Heisserer and produced by Lawrence Grey, James Wan, and Heisserer. James Wan is known for directing horror films. Some of his movies are: Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring. Lights out was directed by David F. Sandberg in his major directorial debut. Sandberg, born on 1981, is a Swedish film director and is known for his 2016 supernatural horror film. The movie is said to be based from his 2013 horror short with the same name.

Horror fanatics definitely would not want to miss watching this movie. Jump scares, hearts beating faster, and the feeling of adrenaline rushing will make people want to watch it. People nowadays pay to watch anything as long as it entertains them. For this movie, some would say it’s worth it. Others might think it’s just a waste of time and money.

For kids who are under the age of 13 are not allowed to watch unless there’s the guidance of a parent since it is a PG-13 movie. Horror films are not actually made for children because they would not enjoy the movie as much as they enjoy watching animated movies or cartoons. For people who don’t like horror films will surely not be watching it because they are not interested on these kinds of movies and might regret watching it after. But, for people who loves to watch horror movies will obviously be watching at front row seats. Horror fanatics are all excited for the premiere and have high expectations.

The story revolves around a family, who is being haunted by Sophia’s friend who died a long time ago. Sophia is Rebecca’s mother and suffers from depression. Because of her state, Rebecca’s brother, Martin, seems to be uncomfortable living with her. Martin saw her talking to a dark closet with no other people in the house except for the two of them. He becomes suspicious and is afraid to go to sleep because Diana (Sophia’s friend) might haunt him. Rebecca insisted that he will live with her back at her apartment just until their mother gets better. But, everything gets worse from there. They can’t avoid Diana since she’s always there when it gets dark at night. The movie ends with Sophia killing herself with a headshot to save her children since Diana is a part of her so she dies with her. The movie is not only for entertainment but it also has a message. That no matter how much hatred you have for your parent, you will still care for them and that mothers will do everything just to keep you safe.

The theme of the movie can be connected in the present day since most families have problems and are broken. The show can actually give people an idea that no matter how broken a family is, they will learn to forgive through the sacrifices one has made.

-Julianne Velez