I have received in my inbox a correspondence from Sacha and I was surprised that it was about the Digital Pinay. I have been in contact with fellow blogger Xenia Solano (http://bellissima-x.com) about it early this week. I was asking her if PCS has replied to her request of materials containing informaiton about the Digital Pinay. However, she mentioned to me that there was none from PCS.
Anyhow, I am glad that PCS called this thing off. After all, it was indeed a foolish event to hold in the first place. Secondly, they have received so much flak for it already.
Asked what he has learned from the experience, Querubin said: "Well, actually a lot. One is that people really think differently. I was very surprised at the public briefing that some people apparently feel that others don’t have the right to use a word [such as] ‘digital’ differently from the way they use it.
Let me clarify this: It's not that PCS doesn't have the right to use the word "digital." No, we didn't mean it that way. All we wanted is that the word digital be used carefully because of the connotations and associations. The image that will be projected by the 'winner' of the "Digital Pinay" award would have a lasting effect on Philippine culture and society. How come they don't think of it this way? Just because we have shot down their catch phrase, they shouldn't say that we said thet they have no right to use it. What we're saying is that they don't have the right to use the catch phrase that way. Fine, marketing is important but, come on. Semantics takes a share in this thing too.
"If the compromise had been given a chance to work and we had pooled our efforts, I think we would have pushed through with this project. But sadly we received vicious reactions," he said.
Vicious reactions have come about. Because we don't want to perpetuate the vicious cycle of machismo in our culture. We would have liked to work with them. But it is all too late.
I am glad that it ended but I am saddened that PCS seems to think that we're just a bunch of bloggers who have no sense of humor, who don't see the goodness of their intentions. We have seen their intentions. And we have said so, very vocally, in fact. But maybe this generation gap is proving too much of a strain on our part and theirs.
We have fought the good fight. Even if PCS wouldn't see the other side of the coin, it's fine. Maybe there's a whole lot more to learn.
- Mood:
contemplative
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Comments
PCS needs some young blood in their office, that's for sure.
"I'm only one of the MANY mainstream people who found this debacle tacky". :)
Sorry if I lost you there. :)
My thoughts exactly. To me the message they're sending is something like, "We're the victims of pseudo-activism here. We didn't do anything wrong."
They just don't get it. *sigh*
Children are seen, not heard is what we were told before whenever we tried to voice out our thoughts. How come I am hearing its echoes again?
As for the catch-phrase...there has been enough hair-splitting to continue on this line of argument. Both sides have their points on 'digital', but PCS should have shown more "backbone" (and may have earned the respect of the general populace) if they insisted on the term "Digital Pinay." It's a pity, indeed. The argument on the proper use of the word "digital" is on grey ground: it is not a copyrighted word (and it's not a proper noun like Filipino) and the connotations are just too many...virtually anyone can use it in any way they want, and to hell with complaints!
Machismo in society is bad, but a weak one is just as bad...and PCS bowing down to such pressure, using the "catch-phrase" as the reason, doesn't earn my respect.
Actually, I would've given them more respect if they went on with the contest but with a better implementation. It would show how flexible they are and how good they are at managing such events.
Tsk tsk...
But still... They don't seem to understand what made this commotion in the first place. *sigh*