Since the Brian Gorrell blog has emerged a couple weeks ago, I tried to steer away from it because of its libelous nature. Obviously, tens of thousands of people are visiting this Australian guy’s blog about his Filipino ex-lover and the $70,000 money the latter owed him that it has gotten him much attention from the press. This evening, we taped the panel discussion at ANC’s Media in Focus discussing the social and legal ramifications of this phenomenon.
Anybody who’s been following his blog knows the scandalous posts and pictures will only attract libel suits. Lawyer’s of the parties involved have made their moves so far, though nothing concrete has been done. Google, the owner of Blogger.com where the BlogSpot blog is being hosted, has been sent a letter of request to take down the blog as well (not sure if it’s a C&D though).
What other bloggers who have been religiously covering this issue is that they might be also accountable about the spread of such libelous acts and can be held liable in Philippine courts. That’s according to Atty. JJ Disini who was also one of the resource speakers of ANC. Even JV Rufino, EIC of Inquirer.net, said he made sure all their articles (9 so far and counting) steer clear of identifying names, linking or publishing URLs.
Here’s what bloggers might be doing that could get them into trouble if they’re covering the issue.
- Publicly mentioning names of people being exposed in the blog.
- Posting pictures of the people being named by Brian Gorrell in his blog.
- Publishing the URL of the blog or linking to the blog.
- Quoting a libelous sentence on the blog or re-publishing/summarizing allegations thereof.
The personalities and families of the people being exposed in the blog are desperate to end this and looks like they’re doing everything they can to stop people from talking about it and they will include bloggers too.
Watch Media in Focus on ANC this Thursday to learn more about this issue. We tried real hard not to name names or mention the blog. The only name we can really talk about in the segment was Brian Gorrell himself.
Updated: To those who are unfamiliar with my previous battles with libel cases in the Philippines, please refer to this, this and this. In fact, I still have another one right now in Civil Court.
Please read them first so you’ll know where I’m coming from and how ridiculous our system is.
[tags]brian gorell, brian gorrell blog blogger[/tags]
Thank you Yuga!
Lulu, there is some truth to what Brian and Andrew are saying. That’s why it hurts us. If they said that we ride elephants and swing from trees, we wouldn’t care because there’s no truth to it. Sometimes we get caught up in so-called “Filipino pride” that we get blind.
I appreciate the honesty Christian, but you know it was only ever ‘false pride’ since no legitimate pride is collective. Yeh you can contribute to a group, but pride comes from your contribution, your efficacy within the group, not from merely belonging.
I would also suggest that the value in honesty recognising comes from not just acknowledging truth but differentiating the fiction from fact. If there is any fiction in what I say, why not raise in. That is where the growth lies. If you reflected on the everyday conversations of Filpinos you would find a contrast, if you reflected on the way Westerners & Asians communicate, you would find a contrast. Look at the implications. The ideas you convey in speech says something about your thought process. It might be worthwhile considering the depth of the content. I recognise that there is bad thinking in the West and ultimately it depends on the individual. The economic success of any country conveys some information, so do the quality of relationships, etc
Christian
Please allow me to make clear that i am not in a state of denial nor am i dilusional.I am aware of the ills of my country and we Filipinos are doing something about it.i never said his writtings were false.What I was objecting to is how the Filipinos were generalize.Next time please make sure you have a complete grasp and understanding of what is going on before you lecture me about “Filipino pride”.You want me to accept that Filipinos are scandalous?Filipinos are bad?All of us?A lot of us thinks foreigners are gold mines?A lot?I pity those who genuinely smile at him,they have been judge already.
Having a sense of dignity and national pride doesn’t mean we Filipinos are condoning the corrupt practices in our country,it doesn’t mean we are blind,it simply means we Filipinos love our country.Di ba maski gaano kapangit o gaano kasama ang mga anak natin o mga magulang ,hindi tayo papayag na lokohin sila o alipustahin dahil mahal natin sila pero gagawin natin ang lahat para mag bago sila?So please,spare me,you will never understand where i am coming from.There are more important things in your life you should attend to than ridicule me for my stand.
and please sheldon,stop attacking me here.This is not my blog.I am just a visitor here.Mr. Abe have been kind enough to let my comments pass through.I am embarrassed already that I am causing a stir at his own blog.So if you cant be a graceful visitor of our country,at least have some respect for Mr. Abe’s site.Stop attacking me here.Your endless attacks and harsh name calling will never make me budge.Why do you delete our comment at your own blog and then post your unending tirades against me here?
Lulu, sorry but you are seriously deluded. About the only thing you have conceded is that I’m a good writer. You have no sense of reality. I only engaged in personal attacks after you did. You started with a threat ‘like I’m watching you’ and ‘get our of your country’.
You never conceded that Filipinos have issues. You took offence because you perceived that I was singling out Filipinos. Actually on my blog http://polly-rage.blogspot.com – I critique all the countries where I have lived, including my own. Considering the topic, you have said nothing of what you think is wrong with the Philippines. If its so simple, why is the Philippines still in this situation. Actually my blog has some quite original views on the issue.
You said that you objected to my ‘generalisation of Filipinos’. Generalising is not a bad thing, its part of the thought process (logic), the other part is differentiating. I do both on the site. Because of your delusion you ignore the differentiation I made. I did not imply all Filipinos are bad, though I would argue essentially everyone has flaws.
So only after a laborious critique do I say you are a twit. Mr Abe is no friend of mine. Maybe he sees the value in my content, or recognises that I dont substitute smear for argument.
I have been to many countries. No where do I get the ‘inviting smiles’ that I get in the Philippines. If I walk down the street I would say that its probably 10% of the guys (gay), 15% of the girls. I do like the eye content, though maybe the motive is bad. That reflects on more than those 10%, it is a reflection on values. The fact that these people think its acceptable that people behave like this. Then there are the hypocrites that through popcorn at you if you have a GF in a cinema. Doesnt happen anywhere else. People who think that its ok to ask for my computer when I finish my apartment lease. I have so many examples. These people are enabled. Its the servile root of this country, a culture of entitlement. Where is the evidence that anything is changing. If you think ‘appeals to national pride’ is the answer, its the problem. No one should have pride in their nation. You dont stand for everything your nation is, why would you diminish your individuality by expressing yourself as such. People do it because they want a ‘false pride’. On the negative side, they do it to escape responsibility.
What does it mean to say you love your country? You love Boracay? Its a third rate beach. You love your vegetables. I can get better in every other country. Not saying (certain) Filipinos dont have some fine qualities, some are so special, I’ve not met finer people anywhere in the world, including my GF.
You say “So please,spare me,you will never understand where i am coming from”. Thats because you have no self esteem, you dare not express an original idea. Its just attacking, no contribution.
PS: I dont attack you for your sake. You’re an idiot, I do it for the benefit of Mr Abe’s readers and myself. We both get hits because of you. His readers like my stuff as well. :)
I stop critiquing your stuff when you stop making empty assertions.
I deleted your entry to my blog because it lacked content and did not correspond to the blog post. My readers have standards, you have none. Make some attempt to honestly critique my posts, and your content will stay.
sheldon,i think you are enjoying this.You certainly have a way of twisting facts.who is dilusional?you cant even accept the fact that some people are pissed off by what you say on your blog,they leave comment,but you sheldon,because you cant accept the truth,delete comments critical of you.That’s some self esteem you got there!anyway,im wishing you success on your endeavor.Best wishes sheldon.
I cant continue with your little game here.But don’t worry you will still be given a chance to go at length to prove your point.Practice on your talent for persuasion sheldon,you are definitely going to be needing that.
Lulu, I write because it creates interest. Some Filipinos want to see a better Philippines. Some (like you) want to defend a tragic legacy, a wasted opportunity. I expect people to be pissed off with my comments, that’s why its called ‘critical thinking’. A great many people dont want to grow, and would rather delude themselves. Your empty reponse is the only negative feedback I have received on this site. Two responses on my website were deleted because they were deficient in relevance or content. You dont need to agree, you just need to formulate an argument. Otherwise you devalue my site http://www.sheldonthinks.com.
Lulu: You should just give up and take the energy you spent here and start your own blog….or do you just speak up when there’s another “Desperate Housewives” situation?
do you know that blogs are becoming a bane for employees and companies na rin in the country? i’ve heard of a bank who recently fired an employee because of his blog. is corporate philippines ready for this?
Christian replied on Apr 30th, 2008 at 11:26 am (78)
“Lulu: You should just give up and take the energy you spent here and start your own blog….or do you just speak up when there’s another “Desperate Housewives†situation?”
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wow! i have been away for so long,sorry Christian.
y do u think should i give up? hahaha! i really pity you,you are clearly one of those Filipino people that this Andrew describes in his blog,you kiss foreigners’ ass.anything they say,you bow. reminds me of the “makapilis” anyways, if you want to kiss their ass,ma at pa!
and why do you suggest i spend my energy somewhere else? anong pake mo? close ba tayo para pag sabihan mo ako kung anong gagawin ko? and what’s with the desperate housewife there? hahaha i dont watch that so i dont get what you are saying,but i think it was meant as an insult or something,well…. im not surprised, and i understand your last comment, you clearly cannot carry on with some intelligent conversation so you resort to some low level non sense comment para lang may masabi hahahaha! hijo, i understand, lahat ng taong mababa talaga ang level ng IQ,ganyan ang mga comment hindi mo kasi kayang makipag talastasan ng may sense.
I got jacked on paypal by some crook using a mobile account. Asswipe was stunned when I got her contact info and paid a visit lol!
Phone Search
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