Table 25

I had the privilege of being invited to Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr.'s retirement ball, held on the night of December 19, 2005 at the Manila Hotel; my service as one of his Court Attorneys for a year having merited me an invitation. By some stroke of fate, I found myself seated with people I used to read in the papers or whose names I've memorized in preparation for my Grade 2 social studies class. Although I initially thought it wasn't really a good idea to arrange the seating assignment of the Chief Justice's guests alphabetically, admittedly, I immensely enjoyed the company of my tablemates largely due to the privilege of participation to the conversation of this country's movers and shakers.

I arrived on time, a few minutes before 6:oo p.m., not daring to be late at the Chief Justice's Ball knowing his penchant for punctuality. Yet, I found myself among the first to arrive. Apparently, the Chief's retirement ceremonies at the Supreme Court Session Hall started late. Incidentally, it was attended by two past presidents, Corazon C. Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos (the other surviving past president is in a Tanay resthouse cum detention area, of course) and the incumbent, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, respectively. My fellow early birds, an elderly couple - the man dignified, and his wife, elegantly poised but relaxed - were ushered in by one of the Chief's staff to our table which is number 25. He introduced himself to me as Ambassador Tan, and conversely I introduced myself to him and his wife. It was only after minutes of interesting conversation when I realized I was talking to former BIR Commissioner Bienvenido Tan during the Aquino Administration. A graduate of the UP College of Law, batch 1948, he was obviously interested to hear what a batch 2001 graduate of the College of Law has to say. Others who joined the table were Washington SyCip, and several other people who, Ambassador Tan introduced as the Chairperson of the Children's Hour and some others who were members of the board of trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards. Last to join the table was former Secretary Juan Santos, one of the so-called "Hyatt 10" (ten cabinet members of President Arroyo who resigned mid-July and called for her resignation during a press conference at the Hyatt Casino, thus the name).

The Chief Justice's retirement ball commenced with a Rigodon de Honor, participated in by present and former justices of the Court. It actually was more like a fashion show rather than a dance, as the music did not match their steps. Before the dance started, however, the host announced the arrival of President Arroyo followed by an applause. From where we were seated, we could see heads swarming towards the President, prompting Mr. SyCip to remark that it is these kinds of warm reception to her (GMA) that deludes her into thinking that she has the support of the "people," to which Ambassador Tan retorted that he believes that she is aware of her unpopularity. He further declared that he himself wants her to go but he is not quite sure who should take her place. The President and the Chief Justice later on joined in the dance, a mere ten seconds, and then the departure of the President was announced. It was only after the President has left when Johnny Santos arrived to join our table.

Personally, my view, which I shared to them, is that in social gatherings, people do applaud and receive the President out of civility and politeness. I will daresay that even when angered, such occasion would call for a certain degree of civility so as not to cause any embarassment to the guest of honor, the host and the other guests. Nonetheless, I do recognize that Mr. SyCip do have a point - such public appearances are great opportunities to convey the people's sentiments, not by heckling or booing but by simply turning a cold shoulder on her. Still, I wouldn't blame those who were present to behave the way they did. Afterall, many of the justices present have been appointed by the President herself. In fact, the successor of Chief Justice Davide was merely hours away from being announced as the new Chief Justice - Artemio V. Panganiban.

Chief Justice Panganiban's appointment was accompanied by murmurs and whispering, imputing that such appointment was an accommodation extended by the President to return some favors. In Professor Teddy Te's blog Vincula, he wrote that he took Gloria Arroyo's reasons for appointing Justice Panganiban as a personal insult and that he was deeply offended by such appointment. His words spurred me into a self-examination as to my sentiments about the President and the then boiling, now simmering political crisis that struck our nation this year.

Truth is, I have been trying to avoid writing or saying much about the currect political situation in the Philippines. A certain degree of introspection would reveal that such avoidance is due to exasperation and frustration --- helplessness, that is the term, that something can be done, or should be done with the current situation we are in. It is not apathy. It is fatalism.

As a law school senior in 2001, I, along with most of the UP College of Law's population joined in the four-day EDSA Dos which culminated in Erap's ouster and GMA's ascent to power. We skipped our classes (well, most of our professors did too), trooped to EDSA on board the relatively new MRT, formed a human chain along vibrating Guadalupe suspension bridge and stubbed my toes to death amid the sea of relatively young people at the foot of the EDSA-Ortigas interchange. It was a great feeling being able to vent out my personal anger at the insult that someone as morally perverse as Erap Estrada, who doesn't even have the wit to feign his own handwriting to escape identification, is still sitting in office. At that time, it felt like my peace of mind and sense of pride will forever be lost if he was not ousted immediately.

This is a confession --- a confession of shame and regret over each and every time I turned a blind eye on anything that will run counter to my expression of rage and its eventual retribution - the lack of constitutional basis for the ascension of Vice President Gloria Arroyo into office, as well as her creeping grip and thrist for power as manifested when she reneged on her declaration on December 30, 2002 that she will not run in the 2004 presidential elections. I am gripped with shame whenever I recall how I along with countless others allowed the cunning Gloria Arroyo , nay, delivered to her on a silver platter the power to turn her back on the very principles that led to Erap's ouster. She became in her own way debase of the morals that we so detest of Erap.

Yes, I confess and feel remorse at each and every moment I thought that it is better for GMA to cheat rather than have FPJ as president. I feared that the gains of Edsa Dos will be negated and FPJ's victory will be Erap's victory as well. It is my folly and the follies of each and every person who thought the same way I did that catapulted Gloria Arroyo to the fortress that she has now, seemingly determined to hold on to intoxicating power in anyway she could.

It is ironic that, probably thinking ourselves as wise, we ousted the foolish Erap Estrada and resisted the presidency of another unlearned Fernando Poe, Jr. It is ironic because we didn't realize that the joke was on us, and she made a fool out of all of us indeed, until it was too late - yes, my friends, it's too late. It's too late because, GMA has weathered the strongest political storm yet in her career, now knowing that words or thoughts would not even nudge this country to move forward. Instead, I have come to the conclusion that the malady that afflicts this country is rooted in words - empty, pompous words that further buries each of us to this pit we are all in.

And so what are we going to do now? Oust Gloria Arroyo again the same way Erap was ousted? I say no. No because I will not allow another opportunity for someone to grab at power the same way she did, with greed and megalomania at that. I say let us just stick to the rules and insist on it - even when she's not. Let us allow her to finish her term and elect whomsoever we feel is fit for the presidency in 2010. On the other hand, let us be steadfast in standing by what is right, what is just. Let us oppose her attempts to stay in power by changing the form of government by voting in a plebescite against any such proposed amendment. In the meantime, I will not join any move to oust her when motives of these movers are dubious. No more instant solutions. We must learn from our mistakes, the mistake of trying to cure a mistake with another one.

In the meantime, rather than harping on GMA's follies, let us each do our part in trying to get out of the whole we are in - and there is no other way of doing it by doing what is just, what is right in everything we do, no matter how small it seems. Only when we do that, only when we stop resenting how we are the only ones who are striving to do what is right, when we will start feeling the ripples of change.

Techie gadgets gone awry

If you own a digital still or video camera, read this!

Have you ever sat inside a service center's waiting area and found yourself looking at almost half of the people in the same room clutching a defective gadget that has uncanny similarities with the one in your hand?

I have.

I am an owner of a Canon Ixus II, 3.2 megapixel digital camera, one of my prized possessions and well-loved techie toy. It has accompanied me to my journeys here and abroad the past few years since I purchased it from Tony Leung (not the actor) in Hongkong in August 22, 2003. Not a single precious moment in any of my gatherings with friends, weddings, baptisms and any other significant event escaped my ever reliable Canon. And so, when I decided to finally bring to life the beautiful fondant cake I've lengthily imagined myself making, I just knew my good old camera will surely capture the moment my masterpiece will come into existence, ready to be shown to friends and family.

And so on October 9, 2005, a Sunday, I carefully loaded my newly charged lithium ion battery pack into my camera to take a snap at my two-days-in-the-making apple walnut fondant cake, adorned with my hand-crafted fondant flowers, pretty as it sat on top of our living room center table. However, much to my shock and horror, my camera's view screen showed a mangled, blurred cake in a dark background even if the living room was bathed in sunlight. I took a few shots and I'm sharing these hideous pictures with you here.

I would have ran straight to Canon that very same day to have my camera fixed but I soon found out that Canon cameras are serviced only at the head office of Canon Marketing Philippines, Inc. at Marvin Plaza at the corner of Pasong Tamo and dela Rosa Streets in Makati City, whose office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays only. Add to that, I was informed over the phone that they charge a minimum service fee of P1,200. I had no other choice, I had to schedule my trip to Canon along with other errands since my office is in Ortigas, So, one leave of absence and more than two months after the discovery of the defect, I was finally able to go to Canon.

It came as a bit of a shock to see all those people holding "clones" of my camera. While at least 12 people were ahead of me in the queue, it didn't take long for me to be called. Apparently, most of the camera owners were complaining about the same problem and Canon already had a ready solution. The customer service representative (CSR) declared that my precious Ixus II's CCD is busted. CCD or charge-coupled device is that part of the camera which is instrumental in capturing images. Inquiring further, I found out that models similar to mine are the subject of a product recall wherein Canon undertakes to replace all defective parts of the camera free of chage for service and parts. I wonder why I never came across any ad informing Canon owners of this product recall. Nonetheless, I found out further, though the CSR was quite reluctant to answer, that Canon camera models Ixus, Powershot and the digicams (practically their entire line of digital cameras) manufactured between 2002 and 2004 have defective CCDs and are covered by the "product recall" campaign.

And so I left the service center with the assurance that, upon arrival of the replacement for the defective part, I will get back my camera. But since I do not want to spoil my Christmas, I have resigned myself to the idea that it will take quite a while before I get it back. I will be camera-less for Christmas, camera-less for my friend's wedding on the 27th, camera-less during get-together with friends and camera-less for the New Year.

But before anyone of you condemn Canon and expect their product engineers' heads to roll or swear you'll never lay your hands on any Canon camera ever again, I came across numerous internet articles which actually say that defective CCDs are pervasive and the problem is not limited to Canon. Apparently, most digital cameras in the market, manufactured between 2002 and 2004 have defective CCDs. (For a comprehensive list of these digital cameras, please click here.) Most camera manufacturers have offered its customers free repair and parts replacement even if the camera is no longer within warranty. As for Canon, the CSR advised me to ask my friends who are also owners of Canon digicams to pay them a visit only if they have discovered malfunctions in the camera. Personally, I'd advise my friends to go visit Canon at a time convenient and when they still have no immediate need to take snapshots of precious moments. Besides, it seems that there is a worldwide demand for replacement CCDs so better be in queue as early as possible can.

So what exactly is wrong with these CCDs? To have an idea what is exactly wrong with these techie thingies, it is important to understand what really is a CCD. Surfing the net, I quickly found several articles describing what CCDs are. Succinctly and in very plain terms, CCDs or image sensors are what a film is to your good old "analog" camera. CCDs have been in use not only for digital cameras but also for telescopes, scanners, bar code readers, digital still and video cameras, even some PDAs, and other similar gadgets which require in its operation the capture and storage of data. Unlike film cameras, CCDs are more sensitive to light such that it can capture images under low light conditions or without flash. However, it is interesting to know that in terms of megapixels, film cameras are comparably bigger in megapixels than digital cameras.

As usual, Wikipedia has an article on CCDs. However, it does not mention anything about the supposedly pervasive CCD problem in digicams as discussed in more specialized websites.

You may also view an article in computerworld.com on charge-coupled device (CCD) by clicking here.

For more on how a digital camera works, click here. But if you want a nerdy explanation, here is where you should look.

I found this website explaining in detail what causes the problems in these defective cameras and I was amazed to see samples of images taken using these cameras which are very much like the images I took with mine. Not only that, I also read that reports of problems with CCDs stated to surface at around late September with a significant increase in incident reports at the early part of October 2005 - almost exactly the same time I discovered the defects in my camera! Apparently, according to the article, the manufacturer of the defective image sensors is Sony (please see service advisory). Naturally, it has the greatest number of affected products. Incidentally, Sony's free repair offer will only be applicable until October 7, 2007. Several theories have been submitted to solve the mystery of the defective image sensors ranging from use of inferior epoxy chip packages rather than ceramic chic packages on the CCDs to weak or faulty wiring. Be sure to check the "What caused the problem?" portion at the bottom of the page if you want to read more on the theories. I tried reading it but my aptitude for the applied sciences hinders me from narrating what these theories are.

A couple of hundred days without my digital camera, I am no longer in a state of disappointment and disbelief. Waking up one day and finding out that my digital camera is already a dud has been a nightmare considering that since I purchased it at the outset of the digicam boom, it was still quite pricey. On the other hand, discovering imperfections of technology is actually like waking up from a dream of having everything easy, convenient and without compromise. I was one of those over-eager techies who couldn't wait to get my hands on the "gadget of the future" and an imperfect technology is the price that people like me has to pay. Oh well, as with anything, we can always aspire for better things. I would have blamed all concerned camera or CCD manufacturers for putting in the market these gadgets whose defects they must have been absolutely sure to manifest at a certain time. A classic case of hidden defects in products. I just hope that these manufacturers are not aware of these defects prior to putting them in the market. If they are, the gamble evidently paid off for them, as there are now more digital camera owners than film camera owners, the numbers growing at an exponential rate. The defects on cameras have not affected their sales at all as a lot of owners, possibly due to lack of time like myself, have been content with having the cameras repaired and its defective parts replaced, free of charge even beyond warranty. For this, I commend them for taking this action. However, everything had been put to a hush, so that thousands or probably even millions of digital camera owners worldwide are unaware of the ticking bombs right in the palm of their hands. As long a they do not know, we can be sure that more memories will be uncaptured and forever visually lost. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is a perfect example of something that is incapable of pecuniary estimation.

As for me, despite assurances that the CCD problem is no longer present in recent models, I am still very much apprehensive of acquiring any new devices with cameras. Well, I guess I just have to wait for my resuscitated Canon Ixus II and hope that it never fails me again.

If you own a defective Canon camera, you may call Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. at 884-9000 local 9121 or 9128 between 8 am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays.

Office Christmas Party 2005-The Aftermath

As expected, out of the six groups who presented for our Christmas party, our group was the least prepared. Irnoically, since only four of the seven members were able to participate, individually, we received the biggest prize for not so much hardwork and guts at that.

But in terms of fun factor and camarderie, our group should get a failing mark. Having seen the presentations of the other groups, I must admit that I felt a tinge of regret that I wasn't part of an overzealous group.

And so, me, Miss Scrooge, settled with having several servings of Lechon Cebu as my source of fun.

Christmas party blues

Call me a party pooper but I just hate Christmas party presentations.


Especially if I'd have to do something stupid.


And more so if the prize is worth a candy cane.


For me, an ideal Cristmas party is one which has good food, nice and plenty raffle prizes and exchange gift. Predictably, none of those I mentioned will be occuring later tonight. Isn't it ironic that I would feel obligated and not excited to go to this party - my first of probably many Christmas parties in this office?

It was only yesterday that I found out that my group mates have hastily prepared a skit for today's party. Oh how I abhor skits! I'm a horrible actor - and I'm not funny at all. Better ask me to host the party, dance or better yet, sing but never to perform in a skit. The lingering feeling of shame will hover over me for a full hour after making that horrible performance. I was in such a bad mood I left all my Christmas gifts for my officemates and decided to give them next week instead, very much against the "spirit of Christmas" mood which is permitted to pervade the office today. And while I managed to pack my Christmas tree with blinking lights and an extra Santa hat, plus the duster which is to be my costume for the horrible skit, I left my cellphone for the nth time at home. *Sob*

Well, at least I'm sure the blinking lights on my Christmas tree hat will bring some cheer to my officemates, and I, hopefully will catch some of their glee.

Well, eventually, to my relief, my groupmates, less one who is extremely busy to participate, and another who overtly threw a tantrum, decided to forego the skit and settled with a dance number. For more than an hour, we learned the steps. Admittedly, I feel a bit better and I do not dread the performance that much. In a way, I am thankful that, save for this blog entry and a few whining sessions with a friend, I did not let my disgust over being pulled out of my comfort zone get out of hand. Now, my attitude is more of getting over with it without making much a fool of myself. This night will pass, the party food digested and the memory of our group's horrible performance will soon fade. What is important is my emotional intelligence prevailed --- there was no spoiling of other people's fun. And that is what is most important.

Who knows, it could be your fun which will be saved next.