Payola turns everything the other way around.
BY KATRINA C. GUEVARRA
“Has corruption become a value?”
This was a question raised by Guillermo Luz of the Makati Business Club in the book launch of Chay Florentiono-Hofilena’s “News for Sale” back in 1999. It was published in the Philippine Journalism Review by Evelyn Katigbak on the same year.
Funny that was published way back in 1999--but the same question still applies today. In Philippine media, it is through the form of payola given to various radio stations, whether AM or FM and even to print and TV stations as well. “Payola has been around eversince I could remember,” said Gerry Cornejo, a veteran broadcaster and TV host. “It comes in different forms either in cash or in kind. The more well-known or well listened to a broadcaster is, the higher the pay. Some are even given retainers”, he adds. A retainer is periodically given amount or gift to a media practitioner that doesn’t require them to always say good things about a particular subject, but when something bad about them comes up, you are required to defend them. That’s how payola works in AM radio according to Cornejo. “Sometimes, you’ll wonder how they are able to live such a luxurious lifestyle when they are earning the same measly amount as you do.”
Ever wonder why there are songs that get more airtime on the FM radio? Well, chances are, there is something going on under the table of our famous Disc Jockeys on the airwaves. Karen Derya, a DJ of YES FM relates how payola works in the world of FM radio “for example, songs that should have and deserve to be played, are replaced with these songs peddled by record companies that offer bribes.” This goes not only for airtime but for even a mention of a band or artist’s name in their programs as well.
No station is spared from these tempting offers of these companies and individuals –everyone gets a piece of the pie no matter how upscale your station is. “It’s grease money. It’s in our culture.” , said Joseph Javier or more popularly known as Mojo of Magic 89.9 after telling us the story of how he was offered a bribe of 10,000 pesos to mention a brand name on his radio show.
“It is awkward”, that’s how Joseph Javier – Mojo on air— feels when he is offered bribes. Though he is adamant in saying he never once accepted any. He also says he is rarely approached now, since he has established a reputation of not accepting any bribe. How he does it? Since there is no written rule against payola, he relies on the ethics he has learned in school to guide him in dealing with such situations. As Cornejo would like to emphasize, “you just have to rely on your morals and values to guide you through it – it’s a choice between right and wrong.”
According to Derya, grave sanction awaits DJs who are caught accepting payola. It maybe a particular DJ’s last as those who are proven guilty of this maybe fired. On the issue of whether music countdowns of radio stations are rigged in favor of particular artists or songs, Mojo admits that it happens, though not in his own station.
Now, how about those from the other side of the fence? Independent musician and Peryodiko’s vocalist, Vin Dancel, who claims to be a “virgin” when it comes to payola matters, tells us how it is to make your music be heard in this industry, minus the influence of big record companies. “With Twisted Halo before, we went to various FM radio stations in Manila like Nu, Jam and 103.5 to give our record on CDs to the station manager. The same goes when we ask provincial FM stations to play our songs.” The biggest struggle they encountered is logistics. “It’s hard to get into tri-media (TV, print and radio). Not all the radio stations want to play our songs,’ he relates. When it comes to CD distribution, they also encounter problems. “Since there are only limited outlets and some distribution outlets charges a higher cut, we are only able to distribute a limited number of our CDs.”
Dancel is aware of the payola issue though he still hasn’t seen it with his own eyes. He is deeply saddened assuming this has already become a norm. “Under our intellectual property law, the artists should get royalties whenever their songs get played in public –restos, bars, radio stations, etc. –if there is payola, then the opposite is happening. Artists pa kailangan magbayad.”
National Union of Journalists President, Jose Torres, reveals to us that the people who offer payola can range from politicians, record companies and even media practitioners themselves –mostly those who have formed friendships with their colleagues are the ones who have the guts to offer payola. He further reaffirms Cornejo’s prior statements by indicating how much the popular radio and print stations get. For those who are popular, “they really get a large amount, some are even offered government positions”said Torres. For those who are in tabloid, they get 5,000 monthly and those in broadsheets, they get 10,000 monthly as their retainers. “Some even get cars” Cornejo said.
On the much broader issue of conflict of interest concerning endorsements by media personalities, Mojo feels that for people who are entertainers, there is no problem in endorsing a product, and mentioning them in their programs, but when news people – newscasters, in particular – endorse or appear in commercials for certain products he says, “There might be a problem there.”
He would like to reiterate “Greed and vanity are the worst sins.”
SIDEBAR:
Payola – From Rock N’ Roll to Present
BY FRANCO ATTENTO
Payola is the method of giving gifts, commonly in the form of cash, in exchange of airtime, similar to bribing. It came from the contraction of the words “pay” and “Victrola” (an LP record player). Payola first entered the English language via the record business.
Payola originated along with the quiz show scandals of 1959. ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), the world’s largest publishing house, pushed the investigators of the quiz show scandals to start investigate the radio industry. Upon hearing that radio will be investigated, some disc jockeys were fired and forced others to relinquish their interests they had in other fields such as publishing and record companies. WAIT disc jockey Phil Lind was first to make headlines on which a small indie label representative admitted to paying $22,000 of airplay. ASCAP concluded that the popularity of Rock ‘n Roll over “real” music could only mean one thing: Payola. However, the practice of payola was not illegal back then and is a vital tool for it to compete on equal footing.
Payola was not made illegal until 1960, when disc jockey Alan Freed was indicted of it.
Alan Freed was the first disc jockey to be indicted involving payola. He went under the name “Moondog” and was famous because of promoting African-American Rhythm and Blues to the United States and Europe. His career ended when he was accused of accepting payola from record companies to play their records. Payola was made illegal in 1960 and Freed was charged guilty to two charges of commercial bribery. He lost his own show on the radio station WINS and was fired at the same time.
Those with charges of payola are given a fine of $10,000 and one year in prison.
Another personality who was charged of payola was Dick Clark, an American television and radio personality, businessman and a game show host. He was accused and was testified on Congress during 1960, but was not charged of illegal activities. However, he was required by ABC (American Broadcasting Corporation) to divest his publishing and recording interests.
In spite of the laws of banning payola, it really didn’t go away from the music industry. In fact, payola still exists today, although not many companies do it today compared from back in the late 1950s. Mostly, now, it is used as a device for breaking new acts.
Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
www.history-of-rock.com
www.oldies.about.com
Friday, June 20, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
THE WEAVER
A Profile of Toby Fule
We walked inside the hall of PMWA (Philippine Medical Women’s Association) as the smell of paint rushed in to our nostrils. A Summer Art Workshop is held there led by Fernando Sena, who was teaching his students who enrolled for the workshop some techniques in painting. We were amazed by his skills in drawing and his teaching of the art. When we talked with him, he said that a painter must be able to share his abilities to everyone. Through his teachings, he was able to have a few personal students.
Ariston Toribio Fule, or Toby, is one of his apprentices.
Toby is an undergraduate under the course of architecture. Since he wasn’t able to finish his course, he just stayed home, and when he felt like he had nothing to do, he decided to just paint. It eventually became a hobby to him. He’s been painting now for two years.
“Di ko tinapos ang architecture. Wala akong magawa kaya nagpaint nalang ako” (I didn’t finish architecture. Since I had nothing to do, I decided to paint), he said.
Toby Fule said that his inspirations for his subjects are anything that he wants to draw. His personal favorite subjects are still-life and ethnic weaves. He also said that his best works are his ethnic weave paintings displayed in their art exhibit at the IPO Building in Paseo de Roxas.
He had two ethnic weave paintings. “Weaves Patterns”, which shows an ethnic weaved cloth laid in a rattan mat, and “Weaves #2”, which also shows an ethnic weaved cloth laid in bamboo. His use of colors and lines are so detailed that it made the rattan mat and bamboo look real, and made the weaves looked like “woven through paint”.
His other paintings are “Still Life 2”, which shows boxes and baskets of fruits, corn, and lobsters, “Crabs”, which shows an unwrapped wrapper of the said crustaceans, and “Walang Benta”, which shows a worried-looking girl holding a covered basket of her merchandise. “Still Life 2” and “Crabs” has a good mixture of colors that lets you touch the subject by just looking at it. “Walang Benta” used simple strokes in painting the girl, and it also used a simple colored background but it clearly reveals the mood of the subject.
Fule said that his favorite artists are Frida Kahlo because of her very commanding and striking subjects, and Araceli Dans for the flow of his cloth subjects.
He said that the things that pleases him in being a painter is when he was able to meet other artists, to ask them for a few pointers, and when someone sees and appreciates his works. He shows his appreciation for art by attending on art exhibits and going to museums. The bad thing of being an artist for him is that it takes a toll out of his pockets since the materials that he uses are quite expensive.
“A good artist is someone who shares his feelings through his paintings”. That is Fule’s definition of a good artist.
I asked him if he has some advice for those who are aspiring to become an artist. His advice was just simple: “Practice lang nang practice. Huwag ka ma-discourage pag may di nakaka-appreciate sa work mo.” (Keep on practicing. Don’t get discouraged if somebody doesn’t appreciate your work).
We walked inside the hall of PMWA (Philippine Medical Women’s Association) as the smell of paint rushed in to our nostrils. A Summer Art Workshop is held there led by Fernando Sena, who was teaching his students who enrolled for the workshop some techniques in painting. We were amazed by his skills in drawing and his teaching of the art. When we talked with him, he said that a painter must be able to share his abilities to everyone. Through his teachings, he was able to have a few personal students.
Ariston Toribio Fule, or Toby, is one of his apprentices.
Toby is an undergraduate under the course of architecture. Since he wasn’t able to finish his course, he just stayed home, and when he felt like he had nothing to do, he decided to just paint. It eventually became a hobby to him. He’s been painting now for two years.
“Di ko tinapos ang architecture. Wala akong magawa kaya nagpaint nalang ako” (I didn’t finish architecture. Since I had nothing to do, I decided to paint), he said.
Toby Fule said that his inspirations for his subjects are anything that he wants to draw. His personal favorite subjects are still-life and ethnic weaves. He also said that his best works are his ethnic weave paintings displayed in their art exhibit at the IPO Building in Paseo de Roxas.
He had two ethnic weave paintings. “Weaves Patterns”, which shows an ethnic weaved cloth laid in a rattan mat, and “Weaves #2”, which also shows an ethnic weaved cloth laid in bamboo. His use of colors and lines are so detailed that it made the rattan mat and bamboo look real, and made the weaves looked like “woven through paint”.
His other paintings are “Still Life 2”, which shows boxes and baskets of fruits, corn, and lobsters, “Crabs”, which shows an unwrapped wrapper of the said crustaceans, and “Walang Benta”, which shows a worried-looking girl holding a covered basket of her merchandise. “Still Life 2” and “Crabs” has a good mixture of colors that lets you touch the subject by just looking at it. “Walang Benta” used simple strokes in painting the girl, and it also used a simple colored background but it clearly reveals the mood of the subject.
Fule said that his favorite artists are Frida Kahlo because of her very commanding and striking subjects, and Araceli Dans for the flow of his cloth subjects.
He said that the things that pleases him in being a painter is when he was able to meet other artists, to ask them for a few pointers, and when someone sees and appreciates his works. He shows his appreciation for art by attending on art exhibits and going to museums. The bad thing of being an artist for him is that it takes a toll out of his pockets since the materials that he uses are quite expensive.
“A good artist is someone who shares his feelings through his paintings”. That is Fule’s definition of a good artist.
I asked him if he has some advice for those who are aspiring to become an artist. His advice was just simple: “Practice lang nang practice. Huwag ka ma-discourage pag may di nakaka-appreciate sa work mo.” (Keep on practicing. Don’t get discouraged if somebody doesn’t appreciate your work).
ETIQUETTE OF A GENTLEMAN
Ladies first and give priority to women, young or old, the code of a gentleman.
Back in ancient times, only men were given the priority. They have the right to study and govern, and as for women, they only have to stay home and do chores. But as time goes, women began to rise and today became equal to men. They can now study and rule a society, not just stay at home. Men began to respect the gender that was once cloaked in their four-walled homes.
When a man sees a lady standing in a bus, he offers his seat so that the woman could have a comfortable ride. Then people around would be thinking: “What a gentleman he is.”
When there is a long line and an old person is behind the guy, he would stand back and let the lady go on first. Then people around would be thinking: “What a gentleman he is.”
Is this how we a measure a gentleman? Wikipedia defined it as a means of treating others, especially women, in a respectful manner, and not taking advantage or pushing others into doing things they choose not to do.
Back in the past, being a gentleman is an appropriate manner for men and being gentlemanly is a noble act.
Today, when we look around, there are very few remaining gentleman among us. One of the main reasons could be that most of men don’t know how to be one.
AskMen.com cited some etiquette that men should observe: Always be polite, do not curse, do not speak loudly, do not lose your temper, do not stare, do not interrupt, do not spit, respect your elders, do not laugh at others’ mistakes, always open doors for ladies, give up or help with her seat and ask if she needs anything.
I’m not saying that we should be slaves or anything, but we should always remember that giving respect is a good way of gaining respect from others.
Back in ancient times, only men were given the priority. They have the right to study and govern, and as for women, they only have to stay home and do chores. But as time goes, women began to rise and today became equal to men. They can now study and rule a society, not just stay at home. Men began to respect the gender that was once cloaked in their four-walled homes.
When a man sees a lady standing in a bus, he offers his seat so that the woman could have a comfortable ride. Then people around would be thinking: “What a gentleman he is.”
When there is a long line and an old person is behind the guy, he would stand back and let the lady go on first. Then people around would be thinking: “What a gentleman he is.”
Is this how we a measure a gentleman? Wikipedia defined it as a means of treating others, especially women, in a respectful manner, and not taking advantage or pushing others into doing things they choose not to do.
Back in the past, being a gentleman is an appropriate manner for men and being gentlemanly is a noble act.
Today, when we look around, there are very few remaining gentleman among us. One of the main reasons could be that most of men don’t know how to be one.
AskMen.com cited some etiquette that men should observe: Always be polite, do not curse, do not speak loudly, do not lose your temper, do not stare, do not interrupt, do not spit, respect your elders, do not laugh at others’ mistakes, always open doors for ladies, give up or help with her seat and ask if she needs anything.
I’m not saying that we should be slaves or anything, but we should always remember that giving respect is a good way of gaining respect from others.
THE FOURTH NEED
A student’s point of view on safe sex
Aside from food, shelter, and clothing, sex has been one of the necessities for man to survive. Ever since God created man, He gave instructions to go forth and bear children. Then Adam and Eve had children then those children had children of their own until throughout the course of history they were able to bear a plethora of people that were spread across the world. The more the people, the more discoveries were made that made humankind prosper. All thanks to sex.
Mankind began to embrace sex as a need and a want. Man loved sex so much that they gave it styles like a martial art. If martial arts have karate, judo, and tae kwon do, sex were also given styles, like the 69, wheelbarrow, and 90 degrees. If sex is a need then it’s fine to do it as long as you do it in the right place, the right time and you play it safe right?
But is there really such a thing as a safe sex in the aspect of social and health issues? If you ask me, sex could be your ticket to a one way trip to pleasure and disaster.
Sure, sex is of course needed. It is a way for mankind to survive and it is an effective way to show affection and I can’t argue with that. But there are also downfalls on this need.
If a couple had sex and the woman is expected to have a baby, then they just contributed to one of the biggest crisis today: Population explosion. They just had sex and the population is no longer safe. Not to mention most of the couples who do their thing every year that could make the population on their home as high as ten people.
Some people have nothing to think of something that would make them money, so they took advantage of the lust of humans. They made sex a business and it gave birth to prostitution. Some may say “Business is booming! Maybe I could play at the stock market with this!” It’s ridiculous, but what’s more ridiculous is using women to have sex with men they barely even know. Not a safe sex for our pretty ladies.
What could be worse is sex could be a source of murder. If someone just had sex on the spot with another, and sometime later the lady approached the guy and say “You jerk! I’m pregnant!”, they may abort the child because they don’t want their reputation to be ruined, or they just don’t seem to care. So now having sex is not safe for babies about to be made.
Sex is also the source of some of the deadliest diseases that set foot on earth: AIDS (Acute Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease). To prevent this, man created birth control items, particularly the condom, a man’s “viper” wrapper. It became so popular that they put flavors on it like ice cream. I don’t know why, but if you ask me, it’s pretty stupid. But some may not consider wearing condoms safe. Kids may mistake it for a party balloon and play with it and ruin its quality, or the condom may have a defect and could be nothing more than a waste of money, or the guy just don’t know how to wear it properly.
One important thing to keep in mind is family. Having one child is enough to be a one big, happy family, so it would be best not to make it a yearly ritual.
Aside from food, shelter, and clothing, sex has been one of the necessities for man to survive. Ever since God created man, He gave instructions to go forth and bear children. Then Adam and Eve had children then those children had children of their own until throughout the course of history they were able to bear a plethora of people that were spread across the world. The more the people, the more discoveries were made that made humankind prosper. All thanks to sex.
Mankind began to embrace sex as a need and a want. Man loved sex so much that they gave it styles like a martial art. If martial arts have karate, judo, and tae kwon do, sex were also given styles, like the 69, wheelbarrow, and 90 degrees. If sex is a need then it’s fine to do it as long as you do it in the right place, the right time and you play it safe right?
But is there really such a thing as a safe sex in the aspect of social and health issues? If you ask me, sex could be your ticket to a one way trip to pleasure and disaster.
Sure, sex is of course needed. It is a way for mankind to survive and it is an effective way to show affection and I can’t argue with that. But there are also downfalls on this need.
If a couple had sex and the woman is expected to have a baby, then they just contributed to one of the biggest crisis today: Population explosion. They just had sex and the population is no longer safe. Not to mention most of the couples who do their thing every year that could make the population on their home as high as ten people.
Some people have nothing to think of something that would make them money, so they took advantage of the lust of humans. They made sex a business and it gave birth to prostitution. Some may say “Business is booming! Maybe I could play at the stock market with this!” It’s ridiculous, but what’s more ridiculous is using women to have sex with men they barely even know. Not a safe sex for our pretty ladies.
What could be worse is sex could be a source of murder. If someone just had sex on the spot with another, and sometime later the lady approached the guy and say “You jerk! I’m pregnant!”, they may abort the child because they don’t want their reputation to be ruined, or they just don’t seem to care. So now having sex is not safe for babies about to be made.
Sex is also the source of some of the deadliest diseases that set foot on earth: AIDS (Acute Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease). To prevent this, man created birth control items, particularly the condom, a man’s “viper” wrapper. It became so popular that they put flavors on it like ice cream. I don’t know why, but if you ask me, it’s pretty stupid. But some may not consider wearing condoms safe. Kids may mistake it for a party balloon and play with it and ruin its quality, or the condom may have a defect and could be nothing more than a waste of money, or the guy just don’t know how to wear it properly.
One important thing to keep in mind is family. Having one child is enough to be a one big, happy family, so it would be best not to make it a yearly ritual.
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