DJ Montano is a global celebrity due to a single piece of artistic work which he sold for 70,000 dollars. This article by Dona Victorina revisited our anti-hero. The writing was excellent, and the logic impeccable.
My only hope is that the writer should have been more thrifty in the use of metaphors.
Here is one paragraph:
"Until now, I cannot fathom why on earth did DJ Montano decide to come out on national television. His “Miranda Rights” could have given him a safe haven. But DJ chose the road less traveled. When you want to test the depths of a stream, don't use both feet dearies."
1. DJ at first was in a coastal territory. Haven, as metaphor for secured place (thus safe haven is actually redundant), comes from the original meaning of the word: secured port or safe harbor.
2. Then this blogger moved DJ to a crossroad in the yellow woods, where the phrase "road less traveled" originated.
3. Then he plunged DJ into a watery environment with "depths of a stream".
But then, DJ deserves all these tiring movements.
But I salute the juxtaposition : Indeed, goodness shouts while evil whispers! (Fine writing indeed)
Unfortunately, the writer chose to bombard us with a series of cliches:
"To (1.) add injury to insult (wise inverted cliche but still tired and old) , the entire Montano family also went out on national television - (2) making them fair game. Now, it's (3) free for all- Anyone and everyone can talk about them. It was (4) too good to be true for the journalist. (5)Oh my gulay, even DJ's sister testified to getting Gorrell's money and putting it in a "bank". Now DJ carries the (6) "burden of proof" to prove to the "mob" his innocence."
Then again, DJ Montano personifies these cliches: tired, old, and useless.
September 29, 2008
September 28, 2008
Is Danton Remoto running too hurriedly?
No, I don't think so. 2010 is the ripe time for him to be a member of the Philippine Senate. I wish though that his blog texts are constructed well, as they don't make sense.
Who am I
Unless he is showing his credentials as a maverick in all things including grammar, Danton should "run for Senate" rather than run for senatorial elections. Why would you run for elections? Or he may say "run for election."
A minor thing: Since this text follows "Who am I", then it should end with "I hope you will help and support me." (not us, otherwise, change the title to Who are We.)
In His Blog Title
This is the blog of Danton Remoto who is running as senator of the Republic of the Philippines in the May 2010 elections.
Again, if he is running AS senator, it means he is probably joining a marathon as part of the Senate. But if he is still seeking public office, then he should say "This is the blog of Danton Remoto who is running for senator..."
Danton FOR Senator is a political ambition.
Danton AS Senator, is portraying a role, essaying a character, like Maricel Soriano as Tandang Sora.
Who am I
Unless he is showing his credentials as a maverick in all things including grammar, Danton should "run for Senate" rather than run for senatorial elections. Why would you run for elections? Or he may say "run for election."
A minor thing: Since this text follows "Who am I", then it should end with "I hope you will help and support me." (not us, otherwise, change the title to Who are We.)
In His Blog Title
This is the blog of Danton Remoto who is running as senator of the Republic of the Philippines in the May 2010 elections.
Again, if he is running AS senator, it means he is probably joining a marathon as part of the Senate. But if he is still seeking public office, then he should say "This is the blog of Danton Remoto who is running for senator..."
Danton FOR Senator is a political ambition.
Danton AS Senator, is portraying a role, essaying a character, like Maricel Soriano as Tandang Sora.
September 27, 2008
Jessica Zafra to immigrate
As usual, Jessica Zafra gets it.
Her blog entry title "How to Immigrate to the US" is an illustration of correct word usage, even if you constantly hear Filipinos say,"My family migrated to the States."
Some writers use the two terms interchangeably, but there is a temporal difference between these two journeys.
Migrate, emigrate, and immigrate are terms used to describe a movement from one place to another.
Migrate, which is used of people and animals, oftentimes implies a lack of permanent settlement, especially as a result of seasonal or periodic movement. Notice how birds from other countries migrate to the Philippines during cold months. Since they don't intend to stay (why would they), we don't call them immigrant flock, they are simply migrant birds.
Emigrate and immigrate are used only of people and imply a permanent move, generally across a political, or cultural boundary.
Emigrate describes the move relative to the point of departure: After GMA cheated her way to the presidency, many politicians emigrated (that is, left the country).
By contrast, immigrate describes the move relative to the destination: The promise of prosperity in the United States encouraged many nurses to immigrate (that is, move to the United States).
Now that Jessica is ready to rule the world, is she migrating, immigrating, or emigrating?
Her blog entry title "How to Immigrate to the US" is an illustration of correct word usage, even if you constantly hear Filipinos say,"My family migrated to the States."
Some writers use the two terms interchangeably, but there is a temporal difference between these two journeys.
Migrate, emigrate, and immigrate are terms used to describe a movement from one place to another.
Migrate, which is used of people and animals, oftentimes implies a lack of permanent settlement, especially as a result of seasonal or periodic movement. Notice how birds from other countries migrate to the Philippines during cold months. Since they don't intend to stay (why would they), we don't call them immigrant flock, they are simply migrant birds.
Emigrate and immigrate are used only of people and imply a permanent move, generally across a political, or cultural boundary.
Emigrate describes the move relative to the point of departure: After GMA cheated her way to the presidency, many politicians emigrated (that is, left the country).
By contrast, immigrate describes the move relative to the destination: The promise of prosperity in the United States encouraged many nurses to immigrate (that is, move to the United States).
Now that Jessica is ready to rule the world, is she migrating, immigrating, or emigrating?
Boy insists Marian Rivera is a tranvestite
Getitfromboy whose tagline says "Your total Philippine Showbiz Authority!" finally exposed what people knew all along -Marian Rivera is a man, a transvestite in fact. Or maybe it's just wrong grammar?
Here is the article:
News came out recently that Marian Rivera and his rumored non-showbiz boyfriend Ervic Vijandre has called it quits after a six-year relationship. But when Marian Rivera was asked about his rumored breakup with Ervic Vijandre, Marian Rivera was mum about it, she said, “Ganoon? Basta yung personal ko, akin na lang yun.”
If this is true, then Ervic Vijandre is gay.
1. To use his instead of her the first time is carelessness. To do it again in the second sentence is already scandalous, and should be a ground for slander.
2. Question: How can a six-year relationship be considered a rumor?
3. The use of the word mum is inappropriate. Mum is an adjective which means "silent; not saying a word" So, one cannot be silent, and say something at the same time.
But then again, because Ms. Rivera is so talented, she can be silent, and talking at the same time.
September 26, 2008
Charice held a concert in Madison Square, with Celine Dion as guest, and more
Selaplana has just elevated Charice to international stardom. She even had pop diva Celine Dion as guest of her concert, in Madison Square Garden, no less. Wow.
National pride and patriotic adulation aside, I am not so sure if this was failure to check facts, or carelessness in writing. But then again, the rest of the entry may prove something else.
Here is the opening paragraph; my comments are in parenthesis:
"You know, as I was watching the movie clip of the duet of Charice and Celine Dion during the former’s concert (italics mine) at the Madison Square Garden, my body’s hairs stood.
(Okay, I can understand that some people still find it difficult to differentiate former from latter. But body's hairs standing is too much to look at! For the record, we don't really use the term movie clip for a concert footage. Video clip might be more acceptable.)
Yes! I feel something strange. Maybe because Carice (sic) is Filipino and she was bringing our nation’s pride as she sung my favorite song “Because You Loved Me”.
(sung? tsk tsk tsk, too elementary)
I know, most of us are impressed of the talent of Charice. Just like what Celine Dion told to her audience about Charice, Charice is really wonderful. She’s incredible singer, sings in her soul, and has the voice that can literally blow the roof of the Madison Square Garden. And yes, I really admired Charice for all of that.
(Oh dear:"impressed of?" I can take that. "sings in her soul?" How does one do that? And as far as I know, the roofs of Madison Square Garden remained intact after the duet, and Celine was using a hyperbole to praise the young singer. Celine said, "You did amazing, and the roof of the Madison (blew) up tonight," To say that Charice has the voice that can literally blow the roof is almost accusing her of destruction of private property.)
But what really impressed during that duet is Celine Dion’s humbleness and generosity. You see, Charice is not really as popular as her, yet she gave Charice the chance to bright at Celine’s fans who watched the concert.
(Who was impressed by Celine's humbleness and generosity? Alright, humbleness maybe acceptable to the Filipino reader, but you can always spellcheck and know that humility is just around the corner. And as to the misplaced pronoun in the "as popular as her" I will pretend it doesn't exist. But this one takes the cake, "she gave Charice the chance to bright at Celine's fans")
So much for that. We have to be proud being Filipino. And let’s all thanks Charice for what she did.
(Yes, and lets all thanks you too.)
National pride and patriotic adulation aside, I am not so sure if this was failure to check facts, or carelessness in writing. But then again, the rest of the entry may prove something else.
Here is the opening paragraph; my comments are in parenthesis:
"You know, as I was watching the movie clip of the duet of Charice and Celine Dion during the former’s concert (italics mine) at the Madison Square Garden, my body’s hairs stood.
(Okay, I can understand that some people still find it difficult to differentiate former from latter. But body's hairs standing is too much to look at! For the record, we don't really use the term movie clip for a concert footage. Video clip might be more acceptable.)
Yes! I feel something strange. Maybe because Carice (sic) is Filipino and she was bringing our nation’s pride as she sung my favorite song “Because You Loved Me”.
(sung? tsk tsk tsk, too elementary)
I know, most of us are impressed of the talent of Charice. Just like what Celine Dion told to her audience about Charice, Charice is really wonderful. She’s incredible singer, sings in her soul, and has the voice that can literally blow the roof of the Madison Square Garden. And yes, I really admired Charice for all of that.
(Oh dear:"impressed of?" I can take that. "sings in her soul?" How does one do that? And as far as I know, the roofs of Madison Square Garden remained intact after the duet, and Celine was using a hyperbole to praise the young singer. Celine said, "You did amazing, and the roof of the Madison (blew) up tonight," To say that Charice has the voice that can literally blow the roof is almost accusing her of destruction of private property.)
But what really impressed during that duet is Celine Dion’s humbleness and generosity. You see, Charice is not really as popular as her, yet she gave Charice the chance to bright at Celine’s fans who watched the concert.
(Who was impressed by Celine's humbleness and generosity? Alright, humbleness maybe acceptable to the Filipino reader, but you can always spellcheck and know that humility is just around the corner. And as to the misplaced pronoun in the "as popular as her" I will pretend it doesn't exist. But this one takes the cake, "she gave Charice the chance to bright at Celine's fans")
So much for that. We have to be proud being Filipino. And let’s all thanks Charice for what she did.
(Yes, and lets all thanks you too.)
September 25, 2008
Carlo Guevara's body makes you forget good grammar
Hmmm, oh yeah! Sometimes a body like that makes you forget your manners, and your grammar. Manilagayguy let loose his subject-verb agreement because of some tight underwear.
"Once again we feature Bench Boy Carlo Guevara, winner of Be Bench Model Search — the boy-next-door who magically transformed himself from an obese nobody to the sultry, sexy eye candy he is now — in just 1 year.
Are you one of those who’s been wishing for a healthy, lean bod and yet has been plagued with all sorts of excuses to get serious with your exercise and diet? Look at Carlo and be inspired. His previous photo here (before and after) might be of help."1. Without the contraction, "Are you one of those who has been wishing.." is offensive enough, but the crime is repeated in the clause "and yet has been...."
Those is a demonstrative pronoun in plural form; the singular of those is that. The sentence should be: Are you one of those who have been wishing for a healthy, lean bod and yet have been..."
2. The use of two dashes in the opening sentence, while technically correct may confuse some readers. The dash—often typed as two hyphens side by side with no space between the dash and the words on either side of it—is used to connect groups of words to other groups. Generally, the dash does this in two ways: it separates words in the middle of a sentence from the rest of the sentence, or it leads to material at the end of a sentence.
So, if you remove the whole phrase in between the two dashes, the sentence will read:
"Once again we feature Bench Boy Carlo Guevara, winner of Be Bench Model Search in just 1 year. "
What?
3. I like his use of the phrase plagued with, as in "plagued with all sorts of excuses." Plague, as a verb means to trouble, annoy, or torment in any manner: The question of his future plagues him with doubt. Your own excuses torment you.
But then again, if one is writing an article with that naked picture in mind, grammar is the least of the considerations.
bamboos and weeds and a bummer ending
I always suspect bloggers who start their entries with "Time was when..." Anyway, word usage aside, the article from ENTREPINOYS ATBP is in praise of the lowly bamboo.
"Time was when the bamboo virtually lorded it over the whole plant kingdom. Considered as the world’s fastest-growing plant, it was the center of legends and myths. In Asian cultures, people believed that humanity emerged from the bamboo stem. In other cultures, it was a symbol of longevity, friendship, humility, simplicity, and a sacred barrier against evil.
To date, its pliant characteristic and tensile strength have made it into such an amazing versatile plant, offering endless possibilities to men — as weapon, medicine, shelter, ornament, food, furniture — even an earthquake proof material and of late, a protective shield against environmental hazards. Technically a weed, bamboos are also called as “the grass of hope.”
(As a rule, if you are not a botanist, never assume authority over the positions of species in the whole plant kingdom. I don't know of any scientist who has proven that bamboos lorded over the trees and the flowers, although it is considered the fastest-grown plant indeed. I like the way the writer builds the reputation of this otherwise ordinary plant, but his ending is such a bummer. A weed, by definition is any plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not wanted, as in a garden. How can you praise the bamboo through centuries and across cultures, and finally declare it unwanted? Maybe you mean it is a grass, which is any plant that belongs to Family Gramineae.
Anyway, thank you for highlighting this wonderful grass of hope, but next time, please use the dictionary. Also, you may want to say "amazingly versatile", if you want us, your readers, to be amazed at the plant's versatility. However, if your intent is to convey that the plant is amazing, then put a comma between the two adjectives: amazing, versatile plant, or better yet, amazing AND versatile plant.
"Time was when the bamboo virtually lorded it over the whole plant kingdom. Considered as the world’s fastest-growing plant, it was the center of legends and myths. In Asian cultures, people believed that humanity emerged from the bamboo stem. In other cultures, it was a symbol of longevity, friendship, humility, simplicity, and a sacred barrier against evil.
To date, its pliant characteristic and tensile strength have made it into such an amazing versatile plant, offering endless possibilities to men — as weapon, medicine, shelter, ornament, food, furniture — even an earthquake proof material and of late, a protective shield against environmental hazards. Technically a weed, bamboos are also called as “the grass of hope.”
(As a rule, if you are not a botanist, never assume authority over the positions of species in the whole plant kingdom. I don't know of any scientist who has proven that bamboos lorded over the trees and the flowers, although it is considered the fastest-grown plant indeed. I like the way the writer builds the reputation of this otherwise ordinary plant, but his ending is such a bummer. A weed, by definition is any plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not wanted, as in a garden. How can you praise the bamboo through centuries and across cultures, and finally declare it unwanted? Maybe you mean it is a grass, which is any plant that belongs to Family Gramineae.
Anyway, thank you for highlighting this wonderful grass of hope, but next time, please use the dictionary. Also, you may want to say "amazingly versatile", if you want us, your readers, to be amazed at the plant's versatility. However, if your intent is to convey that the plant is amazing, then put a comma between the two adjectives: amazing, versatile plant, or better yet, amazing AND versatile plant.
September 15, 2008
Not grumpy, just grammatically-challenged
A dose of one's own medicine!
I usually love this doctor's entries, as they reveal signs of depth and emotional honesty, not to mention lovely pecs.
But today, since he talked about being grumpy, then I will be bitchy and dissect his entry. My corrections are in red; comments are in parenthesis.
"I was not in my element yesterday.(thus establishing the time frame: past as in past tense) I had all the time in this world (there is no such phrase as time in this world, the correct term is time in THE world) to ogle on (ogle AT) some pictures and videos on the net if not daydream (dangling, where does this phrase belong? ). Once in a while messages from friends will pop-out in (popped-out) my messenger.
I actually (unnecessary word) never realized I have been sending some catty remarks. Tristenn asked me why am (was) I so grumpy that morning. I denied being grumpy. But I was not in my happy-day mode. For one, I was so disappointed about a friend's OD story I heard that morning. And my bad-day mode was even turned on a notch higher when my ex, now sober, talked to me and threatened me again with this and that. It was not a good day for me. I was bored, disappointedly irated,(irate, it's an adjective, not a verb) and anxiously frustrated. (and you denied being grumpy?) 'What will make this day worse?’, I thought. (I know, a prescriptivist like me)
I then decided to push through with my date (an eyeball as Misterhubs would put it) later that afternoon. I was supposed to meet up with 'D2 na me'. What is with that moniker? Well, let us just say, that is how Tristenn and I would call him. Because that is how he sends his text messages. Not a good sign, actually, but his cuteness would be enough for you to forget...(grammatically passable, wrong sentence constructions but never mind)
I usually love this doctor's entries, as they reveal signs of depth and emotional honesty, not to mention lovely pecs.
But today, since he talked about being grumpy, then I will be bitchy and dissect his entry. My corrections are in red; comments are in parenthesis.
"I was not in my element yesterday.(thus establishing the time frame: past as in past tense) I had all the time in this world (there is no such phrase as time in this world, the correct term is time in THE world) to ogle on (ogle AT) some pictures and videos on the net if not daydream (dangling, where does this phrase belong? ). Once in a while messages from friends will pop-out in (popped-out) my messenger.
I actually (unnecessary word) never realized I have been sending some catty remarks. Tristenn asked me why am (was) I so grumpy that morning. I denied being grumpy. But I was not in my happy-day mode. For one, I was so disappointed about a friend's OD story I heard that morning. And my bad-day mode was even turned on a notch higher when my ex, now sober, talked to me and threatened me again with this and that. It was not a good day for me. I was bored, disappointedly irated,(irate, it's an adjective, not a verb) and anxiously frustrated. (and you denied being grumpy?) 'What will make this day worse?’, I thought. (I know, a prescriptivist like me)
I then decided to push through with my date (an eyeball as Misterhubs would put it) later that afternoon. I was supposed to meet up with 'D2 na me'. What is with that moniker? Well, let us just say, that is how Tristenn and I would call him. Because that is how he sends his text messages. Not a good sign, actually, but his cuteness would be enough for you to forget...(grammatically passable, wrong sentence constructions but never mind)
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