I am being accused of being anti-Filipino by the people of Task Force Puerto Princesa for investigating the sham and scam that is the 7 New Wonders of the World. I was told to simply be happy that the underground river made it to the list and not bring down the country's pride with an investigation that aims to expose the anomalies in the 7 New Wonders of the World.
I simply do not see how conducting an investigation makes me anti-Filipino. Being a Filipino, it pains me to see the country being victimized and swindled of millions of hard-earned money. It is the Filipino in me that encourages me to open the eyes of my countrymen that their hard-earned money went to the pockets of the organizers through the text votes that they sent. A total of 24M text votes were sent in by Filipinos to make the underground river win. The 24M text votes represent 60M pesos of hard-earned money down the drain and into the pockets of those unscrupulous organizers.
I refuse to believe that Filipinos are incredibly naive and stupid to allow such a scam and sham to go unnoticed . Indonesia and Maldives have withdrawn from the competition as these countries have discovered the sham and scam that is the 7 New Wonders of the World. I certainly expect the Philippines to do the same to salvage its dignity and pride as an intelligent and principled nation.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
DID FILIPINOS SPEND 2.5B PESOS FOR THE 7 NEW WONDERS OF THE WORLD SCAM ?
During the grand launch of Puerto Princesa for 7 New Wonders of the World, no less than Philippine President Noynoy Aquino encouraged his countrymen to vote for the Palawan heritage site. Citing the perceived economic benefits that would result with the distinction, President Noynoy encouraged and advised Filipinos to put in 1 billion text votes for the underground river to win. In a country where 2 billion text messages are generated in a day, the president told Filipinos that 1 billion votes would simply be half a day's work.
Now that the Puerto Princesa underground river has made the list, it is safe to assume that 1 billion text votes were indeed delivered by the Filipino people. At 2.50 pesos per text vote, the total cost of 1 billion text votes is a staggering 2.5B pesos or more than 58M US dollars. For a third world country like the Philippines, 2.5B pesos is certainly a lot of money that could have been put to better use than being channeled to an international scam like the 7 New Wonders of the World.
With 2.5B pesos down the drain and the shocking revelation that the 7 New Wonders is a scam, the Philippines most probably has become the biggest victim of an international scam in internet history.
7 NEW WONDERS OF THE WORLD SCAM : WHAT NOW, PHILIPPINES ?
Indonesia and Maldives have withdrawn from the search for the 7 New Wonders of the World after experiencing various forms of deception and money-grabbing schemes from the organizers. The experiences of these two finalists only confirm the sham and scam that the whole search truly is. The big question left for the Philippines is whether to follow the footsteps of Indonesia and Maldives after the anomalies have been revealed and confirmed.
I believe that it is best for the Philippines to simply withdraw from the search. The controversial and highly anomalous nature of the search will not do the country any good. The result of the search, in the first place, does not have credibility much less impact and significance in the international community. To continue to uphold the belief that the result of the search will boost tourism and help the economy is a big mistake.
I certainly hope that the Philippines salvages its pride even after being fooled into participating all-out in the 7 New Wonders of the World. I hope that the country recovers its dignity and pride by saying enough is enough to an international scam like the sham 7 New Wonders of the World.
I believe that it is best for the Philippines to simply withdraw from the search. The controversial and highly anomalous nature of the search will not do the country any good. The result of the search, in the first place, does not have credibility much less impact and significance in the international community. To continue to uphold the belief that the result of the search will boost tourism and help the economy is a big mistake.
I certainly hope that the Philippines salvages its pride even after being fooled into participating all-out in the 7 New Wonders of the World. I hope that the country recovers its dignity and pride by saying enough is enough to an international scam like the sham 7 New Wonders of the World.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
THE 7 NEW WONDERS OF THE WORLD : HOW FILIPINOS WERE FOOLED
One things is for sure. The 7 New Wonders is a scam. As early as 2007, reports have been published all over the world regarding the scam by Bernie Weber of the New Open World Corporation, the company behind the 7 New Wonders.
What I find shocking and incredulous is that the Philippines and its top officials fell victims to such a pathetic money-grabbing scheme. Despite of what happened in India, Maldives, Indonesia and several other countries, the Philippines with its top officials still fell for the scam, hook, line and sinker. Even UNESCO issued a disclaimer with regards to the 7 New Wonders of the World to highlight its illegitimacy. Why then did the Philippines become an unwitting victim to such a pathetic scam ?
I think the scam worked in the Philippines primarily because Filipinos love to vote through texting. After all, the Philippines is the texting capital of the world. Second, the scam gave Filipinos the opportunity to show their sense of nationalism. Voting for the underground river in Palawan gives Filipinos the feeling that they are doing something noble and heroic for their country. Third, no less than the president and his cabinet members encouraged Filipinos to vote for the underground river as a new world wonder. The legitimacy of the whole scam was somehow validated with the endorsement of no less than the president of the country. Lastly, the tremendous desire of Filipinos to win the 25M pesos offered by the good mayor of Palawan by simply casting a vote made the scam such a magnet for millions of greedy Filipinos.
At this point, it is interesting to note that while the underground river in Palawan has made the list, it is not yet assured of being officially named one of the 7 new world wonders. The distinction is still uncertain. Most probably, the honor will be accorded to the Palawan heritage site once government officials cough up the money that the organizers will demand. Pathetic, indeed !
What I find shocking and incredulous is that the Philippines and its top officials fell victims to such a pathetic money-grabbing scheme. Despite of what happened in India, Maldives, Indonesia and several other countries, the Philippines with its top officials still fell for the scam, hook, line and sinker. Even UNESCO issued a disclaimer with regards to the 7 New Wonders of the World to highlight its illegitimacy. Why then did the Philippines become an unwitting victim to such a pathetic scam ?
I think the scam worked in the Philippines primarily because Filipinos love to vote through texting. After all, the Philippines is the texting capital of the world. Second, the scam gave Filipinos the opportunity to show their sense of nationalism. Voting for the underground river in Palawan gives Filipinos the feeling that they are doing something noble and heroic for their country. Third, no less than the president and his cabinet members encouraged Filipinos to vote for the underground river as a new world wonder. The legitimacy of the whole scam was somehow validated with the endorsement of no less than the president of the country. Lastly, the tremendous desire of Filipinos to win the 25M pesos offered by the good mayor of Palawan by simply casting a vote made the scam such a magnet for millions of greedy Filipinos.
At this point, it is interesting to note that while the underground river in Palawan has made the list, it is not yet assured of being officially named one of the 7 new world wonders. The distinction is still uncertain. Most probably, the honor will be accorded to the Palawan heritage site once government officials cough up the money that the organizers will demand. Pathetic, indeed !
Monday, November 14, 2011
SURVIVOR PHILIPPINES CELEBRITY DOUBLES : TWICE THE EXCITEMENT AND DRAMA
I watched the first episode of Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles last night. And judging from the first episode alone, I know that this edition will be more entertaining and more exciting than the previous edition.
While athletic celebrities like John and Arnold of the Philippine Volcano players and cousins Arthur and Carlo have the advantage in performing the different tasks, other celebrities might just spring surprises. I certainly did not expect the team of Isabel Granada and Chuckie Dreyfus to land second in finding the immunity bracelet. The all-important alliances too can determine who stays long in the show. In the initial telecast, KC Montero and Geneva lost no time in securing an alliance with the Volcano players. I am sure more alliances will be made as the show progresses.
But what I can't wait for are the crazy stuff that these celebrities will do when pushed to the limit. Maria Isabel Lopez, Jackie Forster and Geneva Cruz are ticking time bombs waiting to explode at the slightest provocation. I am glad that the comedy pair of Betong and Maey are there to highlight the crazy ways of their fellow survivors. I expect the comedy duo to make fun of the celebrities' crazy and hysterical ways.
This early, I predict that the rugby players will make a strong showing. The same holds true with the cousin pair of Arthur Solinap and Carlo Gonzales. They are all physically capable of doing the tasks well. But in Survivor, the one who is wise usually ends up the big winner. The one who keeps a low profile in the first stages of the game almost always ends up the big winner. So, Stef Prescott, Gino Dela Pena, Mara Yokohama, Filo Cucueco, Chuckie Dreyfus or Isabel Granada might just do well in the endgame to bag the P3 M cash prize.
While it is too early at this stage to accurately predict who will emerge winner, I expect the viewers to win big with the excitement that Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles will provide. I will definitely wait for the crazy stuff that these celebrities will do every night to keep the show highly entertaining.
While athletic celebrities like John and Arnold of the Philippine Volcano players and cousins Arthur and Carlo have the advantage in performing the different tasks, other celebrities might just spring surprises. I certainly did not expect the team of Isabel Granada and Chuckie Dreyfus to land second in finding the immunity bracelet. The all-important alliances too can determine who stays long in the show. In the initial telecast, KC Montero and Geneva lost no time in securing an alliance with the Volcano players. I am sure more alliances will be made as the show progresses.
But what I can't wait for are the crazy stuff that these celebrities will do when pushed to the limit. Maria Isabel Lopez, Jackie Forster and Geneva Cruz are ticking time bombs waiting to explode at the slightest provocation. I am glad that the comedy pair of Betong and Maey are there to highlight the crazy ways of their fellow survivors. I expect the comedy duo to make fun of the celebrities' crazy and hysterical ways.
This early, I predict that the rugby players will make a strong showing. The same holds true with the cousin pair of Arthur Solinap and Carlo Gonzales. They are all physically capable of doing the tasks well. But in Survivor, the one who is wise usually ends up the big winner. The one who keeps a low profile in the first stages of the game almost always ends up the big winner. So, Stef Prescott, Gino Dela Pena, Mara Yokohama, Filo Cucueco, Chuckie Dreyfus or Isabel Granada might just do well in the endgame to bag the P3 M cash prize.
While it is too early at this stage to accurately predict who will emerge winner, I expect the viewers to win big with the excitement that Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles will provide. I will definitely wait for the crazy stuff that these celebrities will do every night to keep the show highly entertaining.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
OPEN LETTER TO MO, MOJO, GRACE AND ANGELICOPTER
Dear Mo, Mojo, Grace and Angelicopter,
It pains me to hear you guys fight on air. While I do know that your show's appeal lies in its spontaneity and irreverence, fighting on air is definitely not something that I like. Mo, I know that you really love the show. So, I understand that you want it to be the best that it can possibly be. No one can question your dedication to the show. But Mojo, Grace and Angelicopter love the show as well and try their best to keep it interesting and entertaining. They do their fair share of keeping the show fun to listen to.
I know that there was a time that you were really down, Mo. And I know that during that time, Mojo, Grace and Angelicopter were there to make you feel that you are loved. Whenever you are upset because Mojo, Grace and Angelicopter are not doing the things that you want them to do, just remember the love that they offer and share with you in every episode of your show. Perhaps then, you will find it in your heart to be more understanding and forgiving.
Just keep the love going, Mo.
Yours,
Eric
It pains me to hear you guys fight on air. While I do know that your show's appeal lies in its spontaneity and irreverence, fighting on air is definitely not something that I like. Mo, I know that you really love the show. So, I understand that you want it to be the best that it can possibly be. No one can question your dedication to the show. But Mojo, Grace and Angelicopter love the show as well and try their best to keep it interesting and entertaining. They do their fair share of keeping the show fun to listen to.
I know that there was a time that you were really down, Mo. And I know that during that time, Mojo, Grace and Angelicopter were there to make you feel that you are loved. Whenever you are upset because Mojo, Grace and Angelicopter are not doing the things that you want them to do, just remember the love that they offer and share with you in every episode of your show. Perhaps then, you will find it in your heart to be more understanding and forgiving.
Just keep the love going, Mo.
Yours,
Eric
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)