Saturday, November 21, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Learning from poker
Poker is not a game of chance. Losing a hand is not a matter of not having the right cards. This is what I learned after wasting hours trying to raise hundreds of dollars of play money online.
Politicians running in the 2010 race can learn a lot from the game. Philippine politics is no numbers game. Neither is it solely a money game. Strategy is a must. Aside from having the right cards, bluffing, calling at the right time and raising the ante need mathematical precision.
Unlike chess, where nothing is hidden, poker is a game of “imperfect information.” So is politics. There’s so much information concealed from other players. Winning does not depend on luck alone.
Manny Villar may have the money, Chiz Escudero the numbers and Mar Roxas the cards, but the game will depend on how they will play.
Poker-playing strategists are now in the employ of politicians, especially those running for high office. I have seen some of them joining tables online and betting thousands of dollar of play money. Some are careless, others are trying to learn the ropes, many have flawless but predictable strategies.
It would be exciting how they would play for real in 2010 (at kung sino ang uuwing luhaan o kung kaninong bulsa - o mukha - ang kakapal).
Meanwhile, let me go back to the games.
Politicians running in the 2010 race can learn a lot from the game. Philippine politics is no numbers game. Neither is it solely a money game. Strategy is a must. Aside from having the right cards, bluffing, calling at the right time and raising the ante need mathematical precision.
Unlike chess, where nothing is hidden, poker is a game of “imperfect information.” So is politics. There’s so much information concealed from other players. Winning does not depend on luck alone.
Manny Villar may have the money, Chiz Escudero the numbers and Mar Roxas the cards, but the game will depend on how they will play.
Poker-playing strategists are now in the employ of politicians, especially those running for high office. I have seen some of them joining tables online and betting thousands of dollar of play money. Some are careless, others are trying to learn the ropes, many have flawless but predictable strategies.
It would be exciting how they would play for real in 2010 (at kung sino ang uuwing luhaan o kung kaninong bulsa - o mukha - ang kakapal).
Meanwhile, let me go back to the games.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Blogging
It's no easy task.
We must do it.
We have to learn the ways of the modern world to survive.
Stephen King's Cell, "an apocalyptic novel" about an artist who struggled to survive after a "pulse" broadcast over the cell phone network turned people crazy, is a warning about the dangers of technology.
But technology we must master, especially for those in the media industry.
I have a blog since 2003. It was just for fun then. Something to while the time.
These days, however, I have to do research on the rationale and mechanics of blogging.
I have to give a seminar on blogging.
Somebody has to do it.
And it's no easy task.
We must do it.
We have to learn the ways of the modern world to survive.
Stephen King's Cell, "an apocalyptic novel" about an artist who struggled to survive after a "pulse" broadcast over the cell phone network turned people crazy, is a warning about the dangers of technology.
But technology we must master, especially for those in the media industry.
I have a blog since 2003. It was just for fun then. Something to while the time.
These days, however, I have to do research on the rationale and mechanics of blogging.
I have to give a seminar on blogging.
Somebody has to do it.
And it's no easy task.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
News from Sri Lanka
A desperate appeal for prayers came from a missionary friend of mine, a roommate in the seminary.
Whatever is going on there, I hope that they will be safe. Please join me in hoping for the best for those still alive in our neighboring countries. Here's his email:
Whatever is going on there, I hope that they will be safe. Please join me in hoping for the best for those still alive in our neighboring countries. Here's his email:
i am having a problem right now. you may be wondering why no news from me, although the situation is hopeless.
the army officers came in search of me and i was out on that day.They have found out that i am sending documents and pictures to outside and inside the country. They have opened my email id . And they have made a clear warning... not to repeat. Otherwise this will be dealt seriously.
Please pray for us. it is a very difficult situation.
Praying for God's intervention.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Back from vacation
After days of wandering, trying to look for a muse in so many places, I'm back here in front of two experts discussing a controversial book project that unfortunately I cannot divulge this time.
It can now be told, however. that a new online media project is about to be launched, hopefully to contribute to the growing vibrancy of the new media community.
Unfortunately the birthing of the project encountered several snags. Despite the advancement of technology, many Filipino journalists are not yet ready to venture into the new medium.
Filipino journalists must "retool" themselves to be relevant in the "new order" of things. There is no space for complacency anymore.
It can now be told, however. that a new online media project is about to be launched, hopefully to contribute to the growing vibrancy of the new media community.
Unfortunately the birthing of the project encountered several snags. Despite the advancement of technology, many Filipino journalists are not yet ready to venture into the new medium.
Filipino journalists must "retool" themselves to be relevant in the "new order" of things. There is no space for complacency anymore.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Inagine a world without Filipinos
"So if Filipinos decided one day to stop working or go on strike for any reason, who would transport oil, food and heavy equipment across the world? We can only imagine the disaster that would happen."
Read on: Imagine a world without Filipinos
Read on: Imagine a world without Filipinos
Thursday, April 02, 2009
35 journalists killed in 16 countries in 3 months
There were 35 journalists killed in 16 countries in the past three months. Last year 20 journalists were killed during the same period.
The deadliest country for journalists in recent months is Pakistan with five journalists killed, followed by Gaza and Iraq with four each, Mexico (3), Russia (3), Somalia (2), Sri Lanka (2), Nepal (2), Venezuela
(2), Afghanistan (2), and one in each of the following: Kenya, Philippines, Madagascar, Columbia, India and Honduras.
In the Philippines, the Unesco director general is following up the Arroyo government on its investigations of the 2006 killings of six Filipino journalists. See Vera Files story.
The deadliest country for journalists in recent months is Pakistan with five journalists killed, followed by Gaza and Iraq with four each, Mexico (3), Russia (3), Somalia (2), Sri Lanka (2), Nepal (2), Venezuela
(2), Afghanistan (2), and one in each of the following: Kenya, Philippines, Madagascar, Columbia, India and Honduras.
In the Philippines, the Unesco director general is following up the Arroyo government on its investigations of the 2006 killings of six Filipino journalists. See Vera Files story.
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