So, former President Joseph Estrada is a free man now.

The quick decision of President Arroyo to pardon the former President raised so many eyebrows not just in the political arena. Even former President Fidel Ramos said that  it  could also lead to the downfall of GMA.

It was really an unpopular decision of GMA, as Senate pries into her role in ZTE deal. The pardon came out amidst of the political turmoil that the current administration is facing. Observers say that the decision could soften the mounting opposition and charges of corruption agaist her administration.

Erap could be GMA’s saving grace at this time. Well,  let’s see.  It’s a matter of political survival for GMA.

When I first read the breaking news on the blast at Glorietta 2 in Makati, I really doubt that it was caused by a leak from the liquified petroleum gas (LPG). Why? If I’m not wrong, most of the malls are not using LPG, esepially the fastfood chains. But still I didn’t discount the that possibility.

Until I saw the pictures on the internet…then I concluded that it was a bomb attack, indeed. An LPG explosion could not inflict that kind of damage. When I read the news, it says that the blast left an 8-meter wide crater on the floor. I’ve read several news reports in the past regarding the fire or explosion caused by LPG leaks, it didn’t inflict so much damage. Only few had been reported killed and it caused fire. But this one, there was no fire. If it was cause by an LPG, there could be fire or the damage wasn’t that big.

Anyway, why is this happening again? Why it happened at the height of the bribery controversy involving the Palace and local government officials? The Glorietta incident overturned the bribery scandal.

As usual, the military and police have been place on hightened alert following the blast. A norma “late reaction” of the authorities. If there are no untoward incidents, they are just there…like “walking under the moonlight.”

I’ve already posted the first part of my Street Photoghraphy collections on my Multiply account. Comments are welcome :-)

So what’s Street Photography anyway?  It is a type of documentary photography that usually features people in candid situations in public places such as streets, parks, beaches, malls, political conventions, and other settings. That’s what Mr. Wikipedia says:-)

While it’s good to hear that DENR Sec. Lito Atienza finally opened his mouth on the mining issues, it’s still not enough to give him two thumbs up because it’s very “selective.” What about the large-scale mining firms?

In newspapers reports today, Atienza warned the small-scale miners to have their permits suspended if they are violating the rules or going beyond their production limits.

Why foucs on the production issue? What about the issues affecting the communities? Like human rights violations and environmental issues ?

The DENR should also look as to how both small-scale and large-scale mining companies obtain their consent from the host communities. As well as to how mining companies are luring the indigenous peoples in securing free prior inform consent (FPIC) from them.

That’s more laudable and humane than just looking into the production issues.

DENR to go after small-scale miners exceeding yield cap

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will start investigating the alleged violation being committed by small-scale mining companies that allegedly exceed their production limits in violation of the permits granted them by local government units (LGUs). DENR Secretary Lito Atienza said he would not hesitate to penalize and stop the operation of abusive small-scale mining companies found guilty of abusing the conditions of their permits.

On the latest issue of I-Mag Photography magazine, it features two of the top photojournalists in the country — Albert Garcia and Aaron Favilla. Both are really hardcore photojournalist — covered the most important events that unfolded in history.

On the other hand, I’ve also stumbled on an article that talks about the freelance photojournalism and how is it being “destroyed” by photo agencies… well, that’s what this old Digital Journalist article is saying.

How the agencies are destroying FREELANCE PHOTOJOURNALISM

It is hard to overstate how the profession of editorial photography is endangered. Magazines and newspapers all seem to be marching in lockstep towards demanding either “work for hire” agreements giving them total rights to material shot on assignment, or other exorbitant demands on the people who helped to provide the original material which publications depended upon to distinguish themselves.

The firewall against the publisher’s demands and the photojournalist has traditionally been the photo agency. The role of the agency, whether it was Black Star, Sygma, Gamma or SABA was to represent the photographer [read on]

Pupil’s second album entitled “Wildlife” is pretty better than their first one — Beautiful Machines. It’s obvious in the album that Ely Buendia and the rest of the gang has really mastered the modern rock. The sound, lyrics and everything is much different from the first album.

The new album came out with their new drummer Wendell Garcia, formerly of Barbie’s Cradle. Garcia replaced Bog Jugo, who used to take the backseat since The Mongols’ era. Continue Reading »