Categories
Mostly Everything

Why is Alex Vergara being crucified? And why aren’t lifestyle journalists taken seriously?

It appears that Inquirer lifestyle reporter Alex Vergara is under a lot of heat from several architects in the Philippines. After he released an article titled Architectonic debate on the 5th of August, he is now being sued by a joint collaboration of architects for this expose.

Although most people, including a number of lifestyle journalists familiar with their works, assume that Calma and Mendoza are licensed and registered architects in the Philippines, it turns out they are not.

As such, says Alli, they have no right to be called architects. Nor can they pass themselves off as architects under such a benign job description as “designer.”

“It’s called solicitation-once you project yourself as an architect or offer yourself as capable of performing the work of an architect,” Alli explains. “Such a practice is prohibited under the law.” [source]

If you read the article, I honestly don’t see any hint of libel. I see it more as journalism at work and Vergara, as a journalist, was the messenger – he got shot down as is the case in these dramatic times. Lest this blog starts to delve into the niche of law and politics, I just have one question: If all that is in question is a license exam, why haven’t these architects in question taken the test? It should be easy for them to pass a license exam given their vast experience already.

On another note, lifestyle writer Bianca has an added view to the matter – why aren’t lifestyle writers taken seriously?

The problem is, despite exposing issues such as that, lifestyle journalists still aren’t taken seriously. When I was in Hong Kong over a month ago, someone told our dinner group, “You guys have it easy in lifestyle. All you have to do is write about yourselves!”

Not all lifestyle journalists should be likened to the Malu Fernandez type. In fact, a lot of them have the caliber of a PCIJ reporter.

Disclaimer: Everything written above are my own opinion and do not reflect that of INQUIRER.net in any way.

Categories
Mostly Everything

Apple Product Unveiling Next Week

apple_iphone_in_my_hands.JPG

Nope this isn’t a Steve Jobs keynote. This is a local product launch and its venue is still yet to be known. The first suspicion would be the launch of the iPhone in the Philippines but that is just too good to be true. I have a feeling that the launch, which will be from 11AM to 3PM some time next week, will unveil the following:

  • announcement of the new wicked Apple iMac
  • announcement of iWork ’08

The new iMacs scrapped the sub-20 inch displays and are now thinner and made of one slab of anodized aluminum. It also now has a black border and the keyboard itself has been redesigned to take up less space. The new iMacs come in two sizes: the 20-inch and 24-inch models, both with a small variant in tech specs.

2007_imac.jpg

The high end 24-inch model has these specs:

Intel 2.4GHz Processor
1GB PC2-5300 667MHz DDR2 RAM (occupies one SO-DIMM slot with max of 2 slots for 4GB max RAM)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics processor
256MB of GDDR3 memory
750GB Serial ATA 7200RPM Hard Drive
Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
24-inch model: 1920 by 1200 pixels
Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
802.11n AirPort Extreme
One FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port; 7 watts each
Total of five USB 2.0 ports: three ports on computer, two ports on keyboard

More specs at the Apple iMac home page.

Categories
Mostly Everything

Crocs shoes in the Philippines: the gender debate

Today I decided to buy myself an advanced birthday gift (November 3 for those of you who feel generous!). I have been eyeing a pair of Crocs for the past three weeks. With eyeing came the resistance to buy, mainly because of the slightly hefty price tag of about P1,700.00 to P2,900.00.

crocs shoelaces.jpg

I finally bought a pair today after checking out their latest Islander design, a “return to topsiders” look of blue and beige (other two tone colors available). So, what do you think? It’s back to topsiders with a new, modern look.

Now here’s the thing. In the three weeks that I’ve contemplated on getting a pair, I’ve received many reactions from the male and female populance about these footwear. In general, the girls hate them. The guys just love ’em.

Female arguments against Crocs

  • They are unflattering
  • They are too expensive (okay, and do you hear us say things about your Havaianas??!)
  • They are too big
  • The holes make the shoes look a bit dorky
  • Male arguments for Crocs

  • They are very very comfortable, like your entire foot is being massaged
  • The holes make the shoes look so cool
  • You can wet them and they will still be okay
  • C’mon, we’re actually raving about shoes. Can’t you let us be for once?
  • Here’s my final argument why most men want a pair. Unlike women that can get away with wearing slippers to work, men cannot. Crocs are the closest thing to ultra comfortable footwear without having to look like slippers or sandals. Get it? Okay, everyone happy!