Daily SHITake!

Manila Broadcasting Company’s off-the-ghettos publicist “Susan”

onwheels888 — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:36:13 +0000

My email conversation between Manila Broadcasting Company’s secretary a.k.a. “PR and Publicity Consultant” Susan Isorena-Arcega regarding their illegal use of my photograph.

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On Fri, Apr 23, 2010 at 4:23 AM, Wilson Co <onwils@yahoo.com> wrote:

Good day sir/madam,

It has come to my attention that my photo entry for Aliwan 2009 was used in today’s Philippine Star ad (April 23,2010 Young Star Section G-3). While I agreed let the organizers of Aliwan Fiesta use my photos for promotional purposes, I didn’t not, however, agree that my photos be used without due credit to me, the photographer. Something which you have done in the abovementioned newspaper.

Attached is the newspaper ad and your own contest rules for Aliwan 2009.

I wish to know how you plan to rectify this misdeed on your part.

Thank you.

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From: susan arcega <siouxstar@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Photo credits
To: “Wilson Co” <onwils@yahoo.com>
Cc: “Jun Nicdao Jr.” <junic@mbcradio.net>, irvlis@yahoo.com, “Jose Ma. T Parroco” <jomai@mbcradio.net>, “Eloi” <eloi@mbcradio.net>
Date: Friday, April 23, 2010, 9:12 PM

Dear Mr Co

Thank you for your note.

MBC used your photographs in an advertisement — it was simply laid out like an article so that the section would carry it. The advertising space was given to us, to be used as we deemed fit. Per MBC policy, we do not indicate names of photographers on our ads – only on feature articles.

We hope this clarifies things.

Sincerely
Susan Isorena-Arcega
PR and Publicity Consultant

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On Fri, Apr 23, 2010 at 11:18 PM, Wilson Co <onwils@yahoo.com> wrote:

“All entries become the property of MBC, which will have the right to reproduce, exhibit, or publish the images for promotional purposes, indicating and acknowleding the photographer.“

Your own rules. Ads are a means of promoting the event hence, promotional material.

Are you saying that you are not going to follow the contest rules you yourselves set? If this is the case, then it’s clearly a case of misrepresentation on your part and it is your intention to garner thousands of free stock photos under the guise of a photo contest. This is tantamount to fraud.

I’m sorry but this is unacceptable. Too many unscrupulous entities have taken advantage of eager photographers and to be honest, I thought MBC and those involved in the Aliwan Fiesta to more principled.

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From: susan arcega <siouxstar@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Photo credits
To: “Wilson Co” <onwils@yahoo.com>
Cc: “Jun Nicdao Jr.” <junic@mbcradio.net>, “Jose Ma. T Parroco” <jomai@mbcradio.net>, irvlis@yahoo.com, “Eloi” <eloi@mbcradio.net>
Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 8:41 AM

Dear Mr Co

Adverts do not carry by-lines of any sort, whether in acknowledgment of the graphic designer, copywriter, or photographer.

As I explained previously, we mention names of photographers in feature articles we release. We reiterate that what came out was an ad laid out to look like an article because we wanted to enhance the lifestyle appeal of the festival for target placement in the desired section of the broadsheet, and not any commercial considerations that may be attributed to it, which overt advertising material imply outright. The writer of the text used for the piece received no acknowledgment as well despite the length of the work, and journalism is as much of a creative endeavor as photography.

It is unfortunate that you feel that way about the use of your photograph, but no commercial value whatsoever has redounded to MBC because of it. The Aliwan Fiesta is offered free to the public as a public relations exercise whose modest contribution is to promote domestic tourism.

We would also like to correct your impression that we need to garner thousands of photos, as we contract a number of official photographers who are experienced photojournalists, and whose body of work, if I may say so on their behalf, is much better than many of the entries we receive. It is sad that you maintain your views as such, but we do not force anybody to join the photo competition, and winners do receive generous prizes.

Should you wish to do so, you can retrieve your photograph and we will delete its corresponding scan from our archives.

Sincerely

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On Fri, Apr 23, 2010 at 9:41 PM, Wilson Co <onwils@yahoo.com> wrote:

I’m sorry that you have a hard time understanding plain English. The simple matter of the fact is that you reneged on an agreement that you yourselves stipulated. After repeatedly quoting your own contest rules to you, should I translate it into Tagalog so you can better understand it?

I would never have joined your silly contest if I have known you people from the Manila Broadcasting Company lack the integrity to follow your own rules to give credit where credit is due. If you’re so proud of your own photojournalists, why don’t you use their photos instead. I’ve seen your online gallery and I’ve found them wanting.

It’s true you don’t force people to join your contest. But you also don’t provide the complete terms and conditions of the contest to the public. And that is lying by omission.

Anyways, you keep doing what you think is right and I’ll do what I know is right.

Good day!

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From: susan arcega
Subject: Re: Photo credits
To: “Wilson Co”
Cc: “Eloi”
Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 1:15 PM

Dear Mr Co

The issue of comprehension seems to work both ways since you have likewise chosen to interpet advertising policies the way you want it. Your offer of a translation in the vernacular would not change the situation.

We use our contractors’ photographs quite exhaustively, thank you, and the decision to use entries in the photocompetition was in appreciation of efforts by photographers to capture the many nuances of the festival and share it with the general public. It is unfortunate that your personal motivations for submitting your photos were different

We can state emphatically that all previous feature releases issued by MBC named the photographers whose works were included. Advertising copy does not.

Nevertheless we appreciate your comments and wish you the best

Sincerely

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From: Wilson Co
Subject: Re: Photo credits
To: “susan arcega”
Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 2:07 PM

It seems that we are at an impasse.

Whether who’s right or wrong, it does not change the fact that MBC conducts itself like any other copyright infringers on the web who grab photos without permission. And hiding behind some convenient loophole like “advertising copy” does not change that fact.

It’s my fervent hope that Manila Broadcasting Company’s 40 or so years of history doesn’t come to an abrupt end just because some of it’s errant employees got creative.

Goodluck and more power to the Aliwan Festival.

Aliwan and Manila Broadcasting Company – Copyright Infringement and Rights Grabbing

onwheels888 — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 12:52:51 +0000

We all know what copyright infringement is but what is rights grabbing? “Rights grabbing is harvesting photographs from competition entrants to build valuable picture libraries that can be commercially exploited for the benefit of the organiser, and no benefit to the entrants who created the photographs.” (Pro-Imaging.org)

Well you’d expect this from a photo contests initiated by fly by night institutions but never did I expect from a supposedly distinguished media company like the Manila Broadcasting Company (http://www.manilabroadcasting.com/), the organizers of the Aliwan Fiesta (http://www.aliwanfiesta.com.ph/).

The Aliwan Fiesta has an annual photo contest with enticing prizes for the first to third placers. Which brings us to the Manila Broadcasting Company’s rights grabbing plan. I joined the contest in 2009 and the full contest mechanics were never given to the participants. The only time you’ll be able to see it is when you’re about to submit your contest photos.

Below is a copy of the contest rules. Take note of the last sentence at the bottom of the page.

“All entries become the property of MBC, which will have the right to reproduce, exhibit, or publish the images for promotional purposes, indicating and acknowledging the photographer.“ This means all winning and non-winning entries become their property and they have the right to use these photos, royalty-free. No need to pay the photographers anymore. Forever. Pretty much one sided conditions in favor of Manila Broadcasting Company and those associated with the Aliwan. Rights grabbing.

Which comes to the copyright infringement part.

Manila Broadcasting Company published an ad on the Philippine Star (April 23, 2010 section G-3) containing my photo.

Here’s the newspaper ad:

My photo entry:

My name was never credited in the photo which was contrary to what was indicated in their own contest mechanics. I contacted them about this and their glorified secretary Susan Isorena Arcega replied to my email. She was quite adamant that they did nothing wrong and they are not obligated to print my name because it was an “advertising copy.” Riiight. So that’s what they call copyright infringement in the Philippine broadcasting industry nowadays.

I know I will gain nothing by taking it to court. But it is my wish to warn photographers that in the Philippines, even the media is corrupt.

And lest I forget, FUCK the ELIZALDE clan and FUCK YOU too Ruperto Nicdao, Jr. I hope someone jams a huge truncheon in your respective buttholes.

More con-artists than photographers

onwheels888 — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:37:16 +0000

The current con of choice in the field of photography nowadays is unqualified no-namers conducting workshops for a hefty sum. The web is littered with them. Most can be found at multiply. Their intended targets are beginners who are still innocent to the world of photography.

I have seen the pictures of these self-proclaimed pros and some are bad enough that they look like what my niece takes with her point-and-shoot. Not to brag, but I can do a whole lot better than them but I still don’t have the audacity to conduct my own workshop and charge people at that.

My advice to beginners would be to take the workshops offered by the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc. (http://photoworldmanila.com/). You’ll know you’re getting your money’s worth by learning from one of the most respected institutions in the Philippines.

Stop being selfish! You Sto.Niño wankers!

onwheels888 — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:43:00 +0000

Normally, I try to respect other people’s religion or traditions even though I’m an atheist. But when they’re the cause of a 2-hour gridlock on a 10-minute drive, enough is enough!

That’s what happened today when shitloads of people got together for the annual shmuckfest they call “Viva Sto. Niño” at the Roxas Boulevard.

It’s one thing to waste your own time on parading statues of a midget idol, but do you nitwits have to so selfishly inconsiderate and waste other people’s time in the process? Why don’t you assholes just buy a track of land, hopefully radioactive, and parade yourselves to death there?

That’s why the Philippines is unlikely to progress. It’s because of religious zealots.

2010 Presidential elections

onwheels888 — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:21:41 +0000

If I’m going to pick which presidentiables I’d be voting for this coming May, I would defintely vote for Noynoy Aquino.

Why?

Unlike every other presidentiable, he actually has a reputation to protect. Both his own and his parents’.

He doesn’t look intelligent enough to be corrupt and equally, he doesn’t look stupid enough to be used.

A single, 50-year old man who hasn’t fixed his bald spot is definitely not vain.

His TV campaigns are boring which translates into less bullshit.

Why not?

Because he’s related to this nutjob:

Start of a new year, start of a new blog

onwheels888 — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:54:51 +0000

I’ve always wanted to blog but couldn’t find the time to but it’ll be different this year.

I’ll be blogging about everything, mostly negative things because I criticize creatively as part of my daily mental exercise. However, I might put in something good if I’m blogging after mindblowing sex.

So let the fun begin!