Pies's Monologue: Hard to be a die-hard

It's hard pala to be a die-hard fanatic? But really, I would have some modifications in my opinions had I preferred to speak as a 'neutral' entity.

But right now allow me to be a 'fan.' Just this one, please.

As a fan, I'm hurt because I feel James Yap taking so much of a beating [ever since the scuffle in Yñares last July 9].

Yes, he deserved to be criticized [for his violent reaction]. I have no problems with that but in my heart I'd like to make an appeal to everyone to stop and introspect.

If you were in his shoes, really, would you have done something different?

I mean if yes, good for you. If no, then stop talking. Just stop. Look at the world around you and find other fun ways to spend the day.

That's one.

Two, what he did should not be tolerated. However, it should not also be discussed overwhelmingly in favor or against anyone involved in the event.

In other words, there should be some sort of equality in handling it out but more importantly since I'm silly, I want equality with the 'nit-picking' and 'heckling' part, eh.

Did I hear enough people say, 'Yung animal na Leather na yun dapat hindi lang sipa ang inabot nun, eh'? [That monster deserved more than just a kick!]

Did I hear enough people say, James shouldn't have ran para makita niyang Leather na yan na di papaapi ang mga Pinoy'? […so Leather would realize that Filipinos do not take ill-treatment lightly.]

I mean, I'm not saying James should be applauded for his actions but I think there is insensitivity and lack of empathy here. Pinoy rin yun, eh. [He’s also a Filipino!]

What do we hear, si 'James duwag. Si James ganito, ganyan.' […James is coward. James is this and that.]

It’s a lot better and easier to swallow if these words come from people who has sincere motive to cultivate behavior.

Problem is some people are nitpicking him because they 'like-him-less.' [Read: some]

So, I think it's unfair lang.

I’m just irritated with the name-calling, mud slinging, yung taunting. I mean it's crazy as if he raped somebody. Ang galing ng ibang tao dun, ano? [People are really good at it, aren’t they?]

However, you’re right that we cannot change opinions eh. There will always be people who will continue to criticize and those who will continue to defend him.

Three, he already issued an apology. Though he said something funny like, 'could-take-him-one-on-one,' it does not deserve no more than a 'knowing grin.' But a whole commentary? Masyadong mapagpatol, eh. [There’s a little intolerance and narrow-mindedness here.] It’s like a stand-up comedy where every word is thumped.

With the way things are going, no matter what he says, people will only hear what they want to hear, eh. Believe in what they want to believe in.

But if he lied and said those things to protect his manhood, then let him be because you are supposed to know better, right?

Just give it to him. I’m sure you too will do everything to preserve a little bit of your pride, right? Let’s get real here. Let's not magnify that even more because it makes us shallow also.

Lastly, the guy didn't kill anybody so the issue should not be overly hyped. Like you said there are more important things to talk about like public service or politics?

He should not also be treated as the most horrible in the entire history of sucking.

I mean, let's all move on. It has been a one full week already! We got the entire playoffs to enjoy!

So, these are just some of my thoughts as a fan. I just can't help it because I am a real person who gets hurt.

But I'm standing, we are standing by him because if we won't, who else will?

Fan nga, eh. [That’s why I am a fan.]

---
We don't have to agree.
CreativeWork4Purefoods

The better man

I was scanning through the post at MYPBA and this one thread topic caught my attention.

Of course we all know what happened last July 9 involving James Yap and Terrence Leather. There are a bunch of articles available on the Internet to document that.

It was an ugly sight. It was frustrating but as a fan, don’t expect me to let go of my support with James Yap.

Anong silbi nun, di ba? Anong silbi ko?

So one forumer said [or I believed have said] that James apology was ‘half-baked’ and less-than-honorable.

In James’ defense, this was my reply:

Beth Celis is right, it's more like a damn if you do, damn if you don't situation for James Yap. I'm referring to the 'explanation' part.

If he didn't issue an apology, I doubt if he'll ever be forgiven. And now that he did, he's being nitpicked even more.

Really, you can't please everybody.

Half-baked or not, I still give him the benefit of doubt. It's not as if what he did jeopardizes national security and besides, I would've said the same things just to save my face. That's the truth.

Who wouldn't, anyway?

Robots maybe, worse, hypocrites.

Writers are picking this story up because it was James Yap who is involved, one of the most popular players in the entire PBA universe. And it'll continue to be picked-up regardless whether the guy explained or not. Why? Simply because the story 'sells.'

It's exciting everyone because there's a famous public property right there who again failed to live up to our expectations. Great!

Try that with some other guys and for sure the story will die a natural death.

There is no public service in this, just entertainment at the expense of somebody whom we expect to be perfect.

They talk about being fair, well, they can always get the side of Leather. Instead of nitpicking Quinito, why don't they pick up Leather and enlighten us with what he had to say.

Maybe he'll say, 'Man I'm surprised he kicked me and ran... I was only about to give him a hug, really man!'

Maybe that would sound more pleasing, more sincere, more like a man.

Or maybe even more BELIEVABLE?

I'm sure were all dying to hear his side, so why won't you?

I maybe shoving my foot in the mouth but me sometimes think that the guy deserved more than a kick in the butt. Drastic situations call for drastic actions.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not licking James Yap's ass. I'm simply saying this issue was unreasonably blown out of proportion. Some people are simply over-reacting as if James killed somebody.

He made a mistake. Agreed.
He should be penalized. Agreed.
He embarrassed himself. Agreed.
He's trying to save his face. Agreed.

But does he deserve to be singled-out and 'crucified?'

Last time I checked St. Peter denied ever knowing Jesus so he would live. Such a naughty act from a would-be saint, wasn't it?

Well, he who does not sin cast the first stone.

Bakit ganito tayong mga Pilipino, ano? [Why are we Filipinos like this?]

If one person does something less-than-honorable we tend to lift ourselves higher than him and say, ‘we could’ve done better.’ Or more like, ‘I am better.’

What makes us think we know better when we can only just watch and stare?

I believe we don’t have any right to do that.

It is wrong to judge the choice that other people make just so we would have something to talk about for the whole day.

I believe in criticisms, but only those which are solicited and those which are constructive.

I know that solicited criticisms are the ones that can make us better. They are a lot easier to take and appreciate.

That is our choice and privilege as private citizens.

But for celebrities, they don’t have that choice.

They are subject for public scrutiny. They cannot curve public opinion in their favor no matter what they do.

They just have to learn to take the jab.

It’s a tough thing to do especially if you’re living in a society where damn if you do,
damn if you don’t.

For James it's another reminder how exasperating it would be to please the audience and stay free of flaws.

It's a reality that he needs to accept as a superstar.

We can always say to him that people are jealous of fame but at the end of the day he'll decide whether to be made or broken by it.

I just hope next time, he'll be the better man.

---
We don't have to agree.

Pie's tribute to MYPBA, unedited version

Salamat sa lahat ng bumubuo ng MYPBA.COM Sa lahat ng mga kaibigan ko, this is for you. Pasensya na po sa typo error because this is the unedited version para mas sentimental.

I wrote this about a couple of years ago. It was during that moment in my life when I was having fun out there moderating the site. I’ve always told my best friends that being a part of this site is one of the best things that ever happened tome. I was able to meet more people and more friends, more enemies. But at the end of the day, this site helped me in understanding people and their tendencies. Me nakakatuwa, me nakakaasar me nakakamangha. Paano? Here’s how…

***

MYPBA, yan ang sumalo sa buhay ko nuong mag-crash ang official PBA website. Sabi kasi nila, masyado na raw maraming miyembro kaya ayun, di na kinaya nung database. Wala tuloy akong magawa nuon kung hindi ang maghintay na maayos yun, kaso walang nangyari. Sayang, sabi ko, na-adik pa naman ako nuon sa message board. Alam niyo ba? Di ako nakakain nun ng maayos. Sobrang na-miss ko talaga! May mga oras na natutulala na lang ako sa harap ng monitor. Saan-saan na ako napadpad: generic forums, conforums, yahoogroups pero iba pa rin talaga pag official PBA message board eh, me class kumbaga.

Isang araw nakatanggap ako ng e-mail mula kay Kuya Palaboy. Aba, gawa na raw ang forums! So pinindot ko agad yung link na binigay niya. Akala ko PBA.php, hindi pala. MYPBA pala. Sabi ko, okay na rin. Kung tutuusin mas malinis pa nga ito kaysa nung sa una. Mas masarap sa paningin. Pagkatapos sabi ni Kuya Palaboy kung gusto ko raw maging moderator. Aba siyempre gusto ko ano! Sino ba namang hinde? Siyempre kahit papaano karangalan din ‘yun. Pero higit sa lahat tinanggap ko ang kanyang offer dahil gusto ko ring makatulong sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan sa site. Bago na naman ‘yun. In my own little way, I wanted to help the admin to start on the right note kumbaga.

Speaking of being a moderator, minsan di ko alam kung matatawa ako o maiinis sa trabaho namin. Sa message board kasi di mo nakikita yung kausap mo kaya minsan malakas ang loob ng mga bruhildo’t bruhildang magsalita ng kung anu-ano. Minsan wala silang preno. Iba’t-iba rin ang mga personalidad! Nakaka-hilo! Kung minsan gusto ko nang basagin yung monitor sa mga nababasa ko pero sabi ko teka, moderator ako, kailangan laging cool. Pero minsan paano ka magiging cool? Lalo na kung ganito yung makakasalamuha mo:

1. New Kids on The Block – eto yung mga kaka-register pa lang sa MYPBA na hindi pa nagbabasa ng rules and regulations. Sila yung kung saan-saan magpo-post ng mga topic na may opening greeting na: “I’m new here!” Kung minsan magsusulat ng mga di kaiga-igayang mga salita like “t*nga, g*go, b*rat ka” at kung anu-ano pa. Akala kasi nila, oks lang yun dito. Sila yung kalimitang pini-PM ng mga mods na may katagang: “Welcome to MYPBA…” Pero in fairness, marami naman sa kanila ang nagiging behave na lalo na kapag napagsasabihan.
2. Baby Ama – eto naman yung mga taong galit na galit dito sa mundo. Sila yung mga avid fan daw na wala ng ginawa kundi mag-bash ng mga miyembro ng favorite team niya. Siya yung kung makikita lang yung ineffective nilang coach eh malamang na naibaon na niya ng buhay. Malimit mo sila makikitang may angry devil na emoteicons matapos ang post nila. Kaya kung player ka at napadpad ka sa forum, wag ka ng magpapakilala dahil kapag nag-kalat ka sa games, letsugas, yari ka!
3. Ang Buskador – oo, okay lang mag-joke pero may mga members din dito na wala nang ginawa kung hindi mang-asar ng kapwa. Sila yung mga gumagawa ng mga nakaka-asar na tukso sa mga players o team na ayaw nila. Sila yung malimit mag-post ng “peace” matapos kang paiyakin sa asar!
4. The Spammer – siya naman yung member na bawat yata section gustong lagyan ng redundant threads para lang mapansin. Siya yung bumubuhay dun sa trash can naming mga mod. Sila rin yung malimit mag-post ng single replies like “Uh-oh, yup, ngek! Nyak!” o kung minsan emoteicons lang ayos na sa kanila. Sila yung parang gusting dumami agad ang post para maka-silip sa Adult Forum! Spekulasyon ko lang naman yun ha?
5. Cry Babies – eto naman yung mga taong sobrang sensitive. Sila yung mabiro mo lang ng konti eh gusto ka nang ipa-pako sa krus. Maangas rin sila minsan pero kapag sila naman yung inangasan mo eh galit na galit na sa iyo.
6. Tigasin – eto naman yung akala mo kung sino. Sila yung feeling na biyaya sila ng panginoon sa MYPBA. Sila yung papayuhan mo na para sa ikabubuti nila eh magagalit pa sa iyo. Malimit niyang ipagmalaki na: “astig ako!” Sila yung parang di marunong tumanggap ng pagkakamali. Tapos kapag ipina-ban mo, gagawa’t-gagawa ng bagong username para lang manggulo at maghasik ng lagim!

Yan ang mga official na pasaway sa forum. Pero okay lang naman kasi kahit ganyan sila, nakikinig naman pag pinagsasabihan. Pero on the other hand, meron din ibang kahit warningan mo na eh pasaway pa rin kaya ang ginagawa naming mga mods eh sabitan na lang sila ng medalya! Hehe.

Pero kung may pasaway, marami rin naming mababait:

1. The Religious – eto yung kalimitan ay may bible verse sa signature nila. Hindi rin lilipas ang araw na hindi sila dadaan sa Religion section. Sila yung nakaka-konsensiyang awayin?
2. The Living Greeting Card – eto naman yung sinusuyod yung buong board para bumati ng “good am,” “good pm,” “happy bertdey,” etc. Sila yung libo-libo na ang number of posts at halos lahat ng members eh kakilala na. Hindi ko lang alam kung suplado sila sa personal! Hehe!
3. The Pacifier – eto naman yung laging cool na kapag may mainit na talakayan ay pinapayapa ang mga taong nagkaka-banggaan. Siya yung malimit mag-PM ng ganito: “Hayaan mo na lang muna siya. Wag mo nang patulan.” Sila yung attentive at alam agad kung saang thread may nag-aaway. Punum-puno na rin ang inbox nito sa kakapayo sa co-members niyang naliligaw ng landas. Malaking tulong sa aming mga mod to. Personally, mas karapat-dapat pa nga silang maging mod kesa sa akin eh!
4. Life of the Party – ah, siya naman yung pinaka-mabiro sa forum pero hindi nakakaasar. Kumbaga siya yung masaya o nagpapasaya sa forum. Siya yung di maubos-ubos ang joke at laging may naka-kabit na smiley sa mga joke niya. Kahit anong buska, parang di ka mapipikon kasi alam mong that’s his true nature: to have fun and in the process bring fun to everyone. Kapag nawala sila sa forum, baka ma-stroke o kaya mabaog ang mga members. Boring!
5. Kuya Bodgie – sila naman yung mga senior citizens ng tropa. Sila yung laging may payo sa mga nakababata. Kung sa test sila yung “corrected by.” Sila rin yung laging nagpo-provide ng impormasyon tungkol sa basketball, politics, legal matters at iba pa. Kumbaga sa team, sila yung stabilizer sa grupo, nire-respeto.
6. The Hopeless Romantic – sila naman yung sexpert este expert pagdating sa matters of the heart. Maasahan mo ang mga ito kapag ang usapan ay tungkol sa puso, marriage and life. Hay, kapag di ka pa na-inlove sa kanila ewan ko na lang.

Yan naman yung mga taong nagpapa-sarap ng trabaho naming mga mod. Talagang matutuwa ka sa kanila. Sila rin yung magpapatunay na kahit hindi personal na magkakakilala ang mga tao sa MYPBA eh pupwede pa ring magka-sundo at maging magkaibigan.

Pero aside from the good and the bad, meron din namang mga matalento dito sa MYPBA na talaga namang nakakamangha. Merong tatahi-tahimik, walastik palang mag-Ingles! Meron naman akala mo barumbado, wizard pala sa computer. Merong simple lang pero rock. Gusto niyo sila makilala? O, heto:

1. The Poet – sila yung mga mahihilig sa literature. Sila yung mga malalalim kung mag-isip at parang factory kung gumawa ng tula. Sila rin yung nakaka-intindi ng mga tula natin kahit akala natin na walang kwenta.
2. The English Teacher – sila naman yung astig mag-Ingles. Kapag nag-post na ang mga ito, maghahagilap ka talaga ng dictionary. Sila rin yung nakakatakot gawan ng testimonial sa Friendster kasi baka di nila ma-appreciate yung carabao English natin.
3. The Political Analysts – sila naman yung kapag pulitika na ang usapan eh mapapanganga ka sa mga komentaryo nila. Sila yung mga profound kung mag-isip. Mamumulat ka sa mga seryosong bagay kapag kausap mo sila.
4. The Historians – sila naman yung biniyayaan ng Diyos ng matalim na memorya. Alam nila lahat. Kumbaga sa memory, infinite yung disk space nila. Mahihiya si Herodotus sa kanila.
5. The Wiz Kids – sila naman yung mga taong magagaling sa math, science and technology. Bigyan mo sila ng riddle at siguradong masasagot nila. Sila rin yung di pahuhuli ang information pagdating sa technological advancement.

Marami pang mga personality dito sa MYPBA pero itong susunod na grupo, hindi ko alam kung paano i-classify:

1. Si Ganda – eto title pa lang alam mo na. Sila yung mga magagandang tanawin dito sa site. Ay naku, talaga namang maraming magaganda sa MYPBA. Sila yung kapag may EB ay pinaka-aabangan. Siguro kung magkaroon ng beach party sa site, sasama ang isang lupon ng kalalakihan makita lang silang naka maikling saplot. Maglalabasan siguro ang mga m*nyak! Hehe!
2. Si Pogi – o siyempre sila yung partner ni Ganda. Silang yung mga magagandang tanawin para sa mga kababaihang miyembro ng site. Tall, dark and handsome? Marami sa site na iyan, makalaglag-p*nty ba? Naku, sila yung yari sa mga miyembro ng Viva Hot Gays!
3. Si Party Animal – ah, ito naman yung mga dude and dudettes na walang pinapatawad na gimik. Pagnakarinig ito ng EB, asahan mong nasa unahan na sila ng listahan!
4. Si KJ – ako yata ang presidente ng grupong ito. Ito kasi yung lagi na lang nagtatago kapag may outing. Hindi mo alam kung nahihiya o wala lang talagang datung. Hehe!

These are the people that make up MYPBA. Sa ordinaryong araw, matatawa ka, maiiyak, mama-mangha, mai-inlove at lahat yan pwede dito. Kaya nga masaya ako at nandito ako ngayon.

Ako, hindi ko alam kung anong uri ng member ako. Pero isa lang ang malinaw, mahal ko ang MYPBA. Kahit magunaw pa ang mundo, ito pa rin ang favorite site ko.

Naka-relate ba kayo?

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