Brother Sun, Sister Moon!

I

I must say! This 2-day old blog of ours, PAJacks, acronym for Philippine Agricultural Journalists Advancing Agriculture Aided By Community Knowledge & Science, is dedicated to the pursuit of Masaganang Ani At Mataas Na Kita (Bounteous Harvests & Bountiful Income, my translation). It is dedicated to The New PH Agriculture, under the leadership of Secretary of Agriculture William Dar, who prefers to be called Manong Willie – Ilocano for Brother Willie. Wen Manong!

That Masagana slogan is for farming families, and it’s excellent, such as it is. Now I want a slogan for the aggie journalists, male and female, and I have found what I think is perfect:

“Brother Sun, Sister Moon.”

That is from the “Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon” of St Francis of Assisi. What does the canticle mean? That “All creatures = one family[1]” – Jack Wintz (Franciscan Media). You are my brother, you are my sister. (sun-moon image from Redbubble[2])

Now, how do you translate that to journalism for The New PH Agriculture? Time to read those words one by one in the image above:

A brother is any of these any time and all of these all the time:

amBitious caRing pOsitive sTrong Helpful awEsome Reliable.

Are you getting the hint yet?

If you are a male journalist, you are/must be a brother to the farmer, male or female.
If you are a female journalist, you carry the message of a BROTHER anyway – as you are for the farmer ambitious, caring, positive, strong, helpful, awesome, reliable!

Let us see now how The BROTHER Idea can transform not only the aggie journalist but also the farmer!

For the farmer, you are:

Ambitious
– You want him/her and family not simply to earn higher and higher incomes but to ultimately break the chains of poverty. From then on, lead highly pleasant, sustainable lives.

Caring
– You stop him/her from borrowing from someone who is always ready with the cash needed, charging at a usurious rate. Your advice is to go to the nearest LandBank of the Philippines and apply for a brotherly/sisterly loan as advised by Brother Willie.

Positive
– You encourage positive thoughts in the farmer when trying new or improved technologies or systems. You have seen and have believed. You are also all ears to what the old folks know about the raising of crops and animals, and always ready to combine generations-old community knowledge with results of experiment-backed science.

Strong
– You give the farmer the strongest recommendation you can give on the strength of what you know about research and development – always remembering to talk in the language of the villagers.

Helpful
– You are always offering help about things in the growing of crops and/or animals, meaning you are always answering questions with information and guidance.

Awesome
– You are this simply by doing all of the above!

Reliable
– Most of all, you are reliable, you are consistent and always make the other fellow feel secure when you are around. You keep science available all the time, you Brother Sun, Sister Moon, by keeping knowledge all digital!@517

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[1] https://www.franciscanmedia.org/the-canticle-of-brother-sun-all-creatures-one-family/

[2] https://www.redbubble.com/people/ddgryphon/works/30637870-brother-sun-sister-moon-ii

Brave New Word – Daring Philippine Journalists To Go Digital Starting Yesterday, 30 March 2020!

India had its 9^th Digital Awards January 2019[1] (the digital image for the 10^th was unimpressive, sorry) – why not my beloved Philippines giving out impressive digital awards starting next year, to be called Digital Philippines (DigPH)?

And because it’s my territory, but more so because Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie is much more modern and much more ambitious for his country than any other chief of the Department of Agriculture, DA, before him has been, I am encouraging a

DigPH Agriculture!

I want journalists to dig into digital journalism for Philippine agriculture.

I’m praying that the DA welcome it with an excellent budget, starting now, DigPH Agriculture 2020, for any and all workers with words and ideas, from teenagers to seniors, from in-school to out-of-school.

(I’d gladly be the Program Leader for DigPH so that I will be automatically out of contention and cannot be accused of inventing my own award! Truth be told, I already have an award, and I did not ask for it: Outstanding Alumnus for Creative Writing, given by the UP Los Baños Alumni Association in 2011, and I am proud to say I am the first and the only recipient so far in the entire UP System in all of UP alumni associations. My award has a William Dar connection – it was mainly based on 3 books of mine published by ICRISAT, when Manong Willie was still Director General and I was ICRISAT international consulting writer.)

To encourage hundreds more than the existing media can accommodate, many a blog is the excellent medium for supporting the new PH Agriculture under Manong Willie, considering his mantra, “New Thinking for Agriculture,” which is packaged into 8 paradigms:

(1)   Modernization

(2)   Industrialization

(3)   Promotion of exports

(4)   Consolidation of small- and medium-sized farms

(5)   Infrastructure development

(6)   Higher budget & investment

(7)   Legislative support

(8)   Roadmap development.

So today, I am urging Manong Willie to say “Yes!” to my proposal so we can set the digital wheels in motion. I love the proposal not only because it’s mine but because you can DigPH working at home, as I am doing right now.

Only bloggers are eligible. DigPH Agriculture will not consider for the awards what journalists publish in non-digital media.

I would like DigPH to start now, today! Age is not an excuse – I am already 79 years old.

Almost 4 years ago, already I was urging the agricultural journalists to go digital – “Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Time For Climate Change[2]!” in another blog.

Here I am again, this time more insistent than before, especially with the problems brought about by the Rice Tariffication Law, the Coronavirus Lockdown, and the unrelenting practice of poor Filipino farmers in being bad farm entrepreneurs!

DigPH Agriculture should not be a problem with the farmers today because many a farmer knows how to handle a cellphone. Graduating to desktop PC, notebook or laptop PC should not be a problem within the family.

So, what’s the problem? It’s the Philippine agricultural journalists!@517

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[1] https://www.iamaiida.in/Winners2019.php

[2] https://creativethinkering.blogspot.com/2016/05/philippine-agricultural-journalists.html?view=flipcard

Revolutionizing Philippine Journalism, Starting With Agriculture Under William Dar

Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie is an original thinker himself – why can’t aggie journalists be innovative?

We are in The Age of Social Media – the above image indicates 16 media, but there is more. Never has there been a plethora, superabundance of social media, very different from the old media of print, radio and TV.

The image above, from Phys.org[1], accompanies the article “Social Journalists And Social News Media Logic When Social Media Is Adopted In Journalism” written by the University of Gothenburg, 27 August 2019.

Studying Swedish journalists’ use of social media since 2011, Ulrika Hedman says, “There is a concern that the use of social media couldchange journalism and the professional roles of journalists fundamentally” (my italics). Could? I say: Should! Let’s do it!

In the Philippines, nobody is talking about journalists employing social media. Now, I wanted to be the one to revolutionize PH media in the service of agriculture, that is why yesterday, I created this blog, PAJacks – Philippine Agricultural Journalists Advancing Agriculture Aided By Community Knowledge & Science.

Today, with this free blog PAJacks, in Blogger.com, which is owned by Google:

I propose that we begin to use social media consciously to pursue the national growth of PH Agriculture with and without (submerged) social unwellness.

Such unrest has been brought about since January last year by the Rice Tariffication Law; and since the middle of March this year by the Enhanced Coronavirus Lockdown, we cannot go out and do our thing – now then, social media is the perfect vehicle!

Since I am a blogger, and have been seriously and enjoyably blogging for the last 15 years, since 2005:

I see blogging as the social media power to tap, today via:

PAJacks, the Philippine Agricultural Journalists Advancing Agriculture Aided By Community Knowledge & Science.

And since yesterday, when I created PAJacks, I have been inviting anyone who cares and dares to write to help advance the New PH Agriculture given and because of the complex of Obstacles it has been facing especially since the RTL was passed on 14 February 2019, the International Day of Love becoming the National Day of Love in the Philippines for importers of rice – and it has been lovers’ quarrels since then.

Today, I am inviting Filipino columnists, editors, journalists, preachers, proselytizers, speakers, writers to submit their articles – news-views – of 500 words or less to be published in PAJacks, almost instantly, within the morning, afternoon or evening of emailing at frankahilario@gmail.com. Note: when I say news-views, I mean a mixture of news and your personal views. I may offer advice in content & context (slant); I will certainly edit it for grammar if necessary.

PAJacks is free blogging for a better PH Agriculture, not to forget the poor farmers and fishers.

Yes, we Filipino word-idea geniuses will use social media, as Ms Ulrika and the Swedish journalists fear, with this blog PAJacks, we will “change journalism and the professional roles of journalists fundamentally.”

Was not National Hero Jose Rizal a rebel journalist first & foremost?!@517

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[1] https://phys.org/news/2019-08-social-journalists-news-media-logic.html

PAJacks – Now Is The Time For All PH Agricultural Journalists To Come To The Aid Of Their Country! As Bloggers

Image from Impromptu Publishing[1]):

“Blogger vs Journalist” – Is that an intelligent assertion?

Never mind the nationality, fashion and swagger: What do you think?

My opinion: “Versus” (vs) reflects a huge misunderstanding of the roles of bloggers compared to journalists in modern society.

I am a 15-year veteran blogger in the Philippines, 13 of those years in the Science of Agriculture and related fields, so I know that in The Digital Age, there should no longer be a difference between journalist and blogger.

I am introducing a new, free blog. I am inviting you to submit your articles, 500 words long, to PAJacks for publishing. (Until we get sponsors, your byline will be your reward.)

Whatever the controversy, I ask of you only one thing:

Study the “New Thinking for Agriculture” of Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie,that is expressed in 8 paradigms:

(1)   Modernization

(2)   Industrialization

(3)   Promotion of exports

(4)   Consolidation of small- and medium-sized farms

(5)   Infrastructure development

(6)   Higher budget & investment

(7)   Legislative support

(8)   Roadmap development.

I am calling on registered members of the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, PAJ, which is 42 years old if I remember right. Especially those who have won any of the many Binhi Awards in those 4 decades, where binhi means seeds.

I have already called the journalism I have in mind Investigative Development Journalism(read my essay, “Investigative Journalism Must Be A Journalism Of Humanity – And That Includes The Farmers[2]!” 10 March 2020, Frank H, The Blogfather). As of now, all those who practice what is called Investigative Journalism invariably come up with negative stories.

In this new blog to which I am inviting you to submit your news-views, not more than 500 words, to be practical, so that you will not have any conflict with your “Mother” Media, I am advocating for PAJacks what I call:

Truth-Think Journalism

For which you do not have to go to school, you do not have to memorize anything except these:

True?
You must dig the facts, and non-facts, to determine whether what is being claimed did happen or is accurate. That means you have to countercheck with other sources or media.

Helpful?
Since you are writing for the New PH Agriculture under Manong Willie, you must personally determine whether your news will help advance the interests of farmers and fishers in the country – without trampling on the rights of others. It must be investigative journalism that is pointed to the good of all, especially the poor.

Inspiring?
Always, your piece must strive to serve as inspiration, not a signal for desperation. We have enough negative news already!

Necessary?
When you encounter negative news, you will have to decide whether it is necessary to disseminate it or not.

Kind?
Your articles must always, always be kind to most people, if not to everyone.

Finally, I am also inviting non-PAJ members to join this blogging platform. I will be your Editor In Chief, gratis et amore.@517

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[1] http://www.impromptupublishing.com

[2] https://frankhtheblogfather.blogspot.com/2020/03/investigative-journalism-must-be_10.html

08.LetMyPeopleGo – Oh To Be In Tokyo, Now That April’s (Almost) There!

My title’s end borrows from British Robert Browning’s beloved poem “Oh, To Be In England,” although I love more his wife Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s verse, “How Do I Love Thee?” Still, this essay is about love, as you will see.

The link shared on Facebook by Arlene Escalante (above image) is “to PHSeniors Fighting Covid-19.” So I am a Manila senior, thank God! I am reading the thoughts of an Indian student (name not shared) in Japan. I will now begin quoting (selected, with editing):

I am (continuously) thinking (that because) Japan was the first country to be impacted by (the) coronavirus from China because of the luxury ship Diamond Princess from China in January, by now it would have gone to stage 4 like European countries…

But in Japan everything (has been) normal till today. We (are) going to offices daily, we are going to all essential services. No restaurants are closed. No malls are closed. No lockdown. Metro trains moving normally. Bullet trains moving normally. All International borders are open.

The Japanese know some things we don’t! The lockdown neither solves the problem of the virus spreading nor increases the survival rate of patients infected.

Japan has (a) high percentage of old people like Italy. Tokyo has (the) highest number of foreigners living. Tokyo is one of the best tourist (attractions) with a lot of foreigners. Foreigners are still allowed inside.

They say that old people are more vulnerable to the virus. I am 79, and so my family has locked me down at home in the last 20 days. (I am one of the lucky ones, because you cannot lockdown a very creative writer with a WiFi connection!)

Not the illegal ones, of course, but in Manila we should continue to welcome foreigners.

Tokyo, the most dense city in the world, proves that lockdowns are kneejerk reactions to an epidemic, medical and political.

Even so, Indian Anonymous has a list of Japanese social behaviors ingrained among the Japanese people that naturally prevent any unwanted spread of disease:

(1)  The Japanese wear masks, about 60% daily on normal days.

(2)  “Cleanliness is part of the (Japanese) culture.”

(3)  “They (don’t) do handshake(s) but bow to greet (people).

(4)  “Here, washing hands (everywhere) is a part of culture.”

(5)  In restrooms, people clean and wipe the sink area after them.

(6)  “They carry wet tissue packets to clean their hands occasionally when they go out.”

(7)  “They usually maintain social distance with (everyone).”

You will notice that I have been writing a series of essays all prefaced with the same pre-title as in this case, “08.LetMyPeopleGo” – I believe the lockdown is a mistake and should be lifted.

Why did I show my editing in parentheses? So you will appreciate reading even with minor interruptions – just like living in a free, Covid-19-visited country like the Philippines. American patriot Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”

With Elizabeth, I differ to say to Freedom:
“How do I love thee? Let me count the wise!”@517

07.LetMyPeopleGo – Food Security & Self-Sufficiency, Buttons Red & Blue

I am an incessant blogger who surfs the Web even at unholy hours – because while I know I am a genius, I do not know everything! 

Now, here comes AGHAM handing out a national warning, according to Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz of Manila Bulletin in an article dated 29 March 2020: “Gap Between Food Production And Distribution May Cause Crisis, Experts Warn[1].” Ms Ellalyn begins her article saying, “Food security and self-sufficiency advocates warned the government over the weekend…” I cut it short here because my research says that that warning was issued last Wednesday yet, 25 March, certainly not the weekend. The AGHAM Facebook page says so!

And that lapse in the use of the word weekend, by Ms Ellalyn, is only my introduction to a very public Freudian slip by the AGHAM people themselves. On their Facebook page, they say:

Access to food must be a foremost concern of the national government amid Covid-19 pandemic. ¶ The AGHAM-Food Security and Self-Sufficiency Committee warns the government of a looming food crisis should it fail to bring food to households affected by the Luzon-wide lockdown.

First sentence:Without naming names, AGHAM is implying that the national government, specifically the Department of Agriculture, DA, under Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie, is not giving access to food as “a foremost concern.” My God, where have the AGHAM people been all these months and up to yesterday, starting when Manong Willie became Secretary on 05 August 2019?!

Second sentence: AGHAM is implying that the DA is unaware of a looming food crisis etc – that tells me that they have not been reading the papers online or in print, or even just browsing Facebook. I have been blogging on, about, for the New PH Agriculture in the last 8 months, today with a total of 365 already in my blog Frank H, The Blogfather, or an average of 45 essays every 30 days – you can imagine the number of Internet searches those essays have required, because I always do background research.

Even so, all of the above is minor if you consider the full name on the group’s Facebook page:

“AGHAM – Food Security and Self-Sufficiency.”

The AGHAM people do not see anything wrong with that statement, that they or we should be aiming for the Philippines both food security and food self-sufficiency. Well, there is a contradiction there! Read now the red & blue buttons above (borrowed[2])

The IFPRI page explains[3]:

Food security is defined as “the access for all people at all times to enough food for a health(y), active life”… In contrast, food self-sufficiency is defined as being able to meet consumption needs (particularly for staple food crops) from own production rather than by buying or importing.

You are food secureif you do not produce everything but have the capacity to buy what you need; you are food self-sufficient if you produce all the food you need.

Critical thinking tells me you are weird if you pursue food security and food self-sufficiency simultaneously!@517

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[1] https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/03/29/gap-between-food-production-and-distribution-may-cause-crisis-experts-warn/?fbclid=IwAR2u_qP8jF_oSdRZR6yw5Gp-aKA6NBFyPAgEa1J84opARG2yUH9lFQttziE

[2] http://www.answeringmuslims.com/2016/07/the-doctrine-of-hypostatic-union.html

[3] https://www.ifpri.org/publication/food-security-and-food-self-sufficiency-bhutan

07.LetMyPeopleGo – Food Security & Self-Sufficiency, Buttons Red & Blue

I am an incessant blogger who surfs the Web even at unholy hours – because while I know I am a genius, I do not know everything! 

Now, here comes AGHAM handing out a national warning, according to Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz of Manila Bulletin in an article dated 29 March 2020: “Gap Between Food Production And Distribution May Cause Crisis, Experts Warn[1].” Ms Ellalyn begins her article saying, “Food security and self-sufficiency advocates warned the government over the weekend…” I cut it short here because my research says that that warning was issued last Wednesday yet, 25 March, certainly not the weekend. The AGHAM Facebook page says so!

And that lapse in the use of the word weekend, by Ms Ellalyn, is only my introduction to a very public Freudian slip by the AGHAM people themselves. On their Facebook page, they say:

Access to food must be a foremost concern of the national government amid Covid-19 pandemic. ¶ The AGHAM-Food Security and Self-Sufficiency Committee warns the government of a looming food crisis should it fail to bring food to households affected by the Luzon-wide lockdown.

First sentence:Without naming names, AGHAM is implying that the national government, specifically the Department of Agriculture, DA, under Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie, is not giving access to food as “a foremost concern.” My God, where have the AGHAM people been all these months and up to yesterday, starting when Manong Willie became Secretary on 05 August 2019?!

Second sentence: AGHAM is implying that the DA is unaware of a looming food crisis etc – that tells me that they have not been reading the papers online or in print, or even just browsing Facebook. I have been blogging on, about, for the New PH Agriculture in the last 8 months, today with a total of 365 already in my blog Frank H, The Blogfather, or an average of 45 essays every 30 days – you can imagine the number of Internet searches those essays have required, because I always do background research.

Even so, all of the above is minor if you consider the full name on the group’s Facebook page:

“AGHAM – Food Security and Self-Sufficiency.”

The AGHAM people do not see anything wrong with that statement, that they or we should be aiming for the Philippines both food security and food self-sufficiency. Well, there is a contradiction there! Read now the red & blue buttons above (borrowed[2])

The IFPRI page explains[3]:

Food security is defined as “the access for all people at all times to enough food for a health(y), active life”… In contrast, food self-sufficiency is defined as being able to meet consumption needs (particularly for staple food crops) from own production rather than by buying or importing.

You are food secureif you do not produce everything but have the capacity to buy what you need; you are food self-sufficient if you produce all the food you need.

Critical thinking tells me you are weird if you pursue food security and food self-sufficiency simultaneously!@517

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[1] https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/03/29/gap-between-food-production-and-distribution-may-cause-crisis-experts-warn/?fbclid=IwAR2u_qP8jF_oSdRZR6yw5Gp-aKA6NBFyPAgEa1J84opARG2yUH9lFQttziE

[2] http://www.answeringmuslims.com/2016/07/the-doctrine-of-hypostatic-union.html

[3] https://www.ifpri.org/publication/food-security-and-food-self-sufficiency-bhutan