We feel unbelievably lucky to be at this time and place – to feel the ground shifting beneath our feet and see the world change in ways we can barely imagine.

Maria Ressa, quoted with the above, spearheads Rappler — “a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change.” It aims to create an online community of citizen reporters to transform journalism and deviate from the norms by allowing people to freely spark ideas, speak their emotions, and interact with the whole world.

This idea gave way to a small-scale, ‘Rappler-like’ community. Details are yet to be known and on-going talks are being finalized. Pushing through with this ‘project’ would surely revolutionize and instigate previous and current student journalists’ plea of MagSULAT. Mag-ULAT. MagMULAT. [Write. Report. Enlighten.].

We live in a world where technology has empowered almost everyone. It doesn’t stereotype people from all walks of life. We are in the digital era where from the poorest of poors to the richest of riches have access to unlimited source of information.

With knowledge comes power; power comes responsibility; responsibility comes action; action comes change. And in this case, SOCIAL CHANGE.

Economic downturn. Endless war against terror. Battle for ancestral domain. Colorful parades and festivals. Political crisis. Social evolution. Even the smallest of things. Whatever sparks your idea matters. What’s on your timeline? SOON.

Here are the entries uploaded on XY SO Facebook page as of 15 December 2011. The top 4 entries with the most number of “LIKE” hits on Facebook will automatically become winners who could choose among the prizes: FOR ME, FOR THE CHILDREN, FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, or FOR THE COMMUNITY. The game runs until 19 December 2011. Full mechanics can be found here. Please report broken links through comments.

ENTRY # 1

Entry # 1 by Robee Pogi So: “I’m breaking with XY… together with my bestcousin! Kenneth Molano"

 ENTRY # 2

Entry # 2 by Maria Czarina So: "I'm breaking with Xy"

 Entry # 3

Entry # 3 by Ma Krizzia Molano: "I'm breaking with Xy"

 Entry # 4

Entry # 4 by Aleihs G. Arev Ed: "I'm breaking with XY."

 Entry # 5

Entry # 5 by Xylena Bretańa: "I'm breaking with Xy"

 Entry # 6

Entry # 6 by Ronn Cedric So: "I'm breaking with Xy alone!"

Entry # 7

Entry # 7 by Ann Santiago: “I’m breaking with XY.”

Entry # 8

Entry # 8 by Jehn Almadin with Julie Garcia and Chi Colorado: “Find the missing XY.”

Entry # 9

Entry # 9 by Donna Valeza: ”I’m breaking with Xy and I’m dead serious about winning this thing. Nagpatato talaga ako para dito.”

***

This is Xy, #breakingthesilence.

IT’s OFFICIAL! ‘Lolong,’ captured in Southern Philippines, is the biggest crocodile in the world. Close second is ‘Gloria,’ who is roaming free on Congress.

On a related news, former President GMA sought approval for medical treatment abroad. The Department of Justice denied the request and current President Noynoy Aquino offered government fund to cover medical expenses, including the transport of experts to the Philippines. Taxpayers pay for medical expenses of the ex-President, who allegedly took taxpayers’ money during her term. All-out justice at its finest!

Seven billion and counting! It took 123 years for the world’s population to go from one billion to two billion but only 12 to grow from six billion to seven billion, according to a report of Graphic World. The Philippines’ symbolic 7 billionth baby Danica May Camacho was born at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, minutes before the clock ticked to 31 October 2011. The National Statistics Office is yet to confirm as to what percentage of the country’s population is related to patriarch Ramon Revilla, Sr.

Speaking of the Revillas, the entire family is grieving over the murder of Ramgen, eldest son of Ramon Sr. from Genelyn Bautista. Suspects are the victim’s siblings, RJ and Ramona. RJ is currently detained on Parañaque City jail while Ramona fled to Hongkong several days after the incident and is now believed to be in Turkey. To which ex-President GMA said, “Unfair!”

Another Bautista on the news. Elena Bautista-Horn, GMA loyalist spokesperson, shed tears on the ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart on Wednesday 09 November 2011. Host Karen Davila asked her why she stays loyal to Arroyo despite the battles she has to face. She even compared her client against Senator Panfilo Lacson, who went missing abroad during the heat of allegations against him. To which Lacson replied, “Don’t change the topic!”

Totally unrelated (in a way), prior the appointment confirmation of Mar Roxas as Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Sen. Panfilo Lacson asked Roxas in Filipino, “Is it true that Korina is pregnant?” To which Boy Abunda yelled, “IKAW NA!”

***

This is Xy, #breakingthesilence.

AND SINCE I am celebrating my 27th birthday on 04 November 2011, I officially open “I’m Breaking with XY” — The Game!

This is also a GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT for YOURSELF, THE CHILDREN, THE ENVIRONMENT, and THE COMMUNITY.

The game is open to all visitors of Breaking the Silence, including but not limited to friends, enemies, acquaintances, haters, and practically anyone from Earth. Below details can also be found on this section of the blog: “I’m Breaking with XY” — The Game.

Mechanics:

1. Take a picture of you (or with your lover, friend/s, or anyone from your social circle) wherein the letters X and Y (in that order, of course to spell XY) can be seen anywhere on the image.

2. The letters X and Y could be a part of a whole word, such as galaxy, xylophone, or box yourself or whatsoever. Note that XY should be clear and visible. Be as creative as you can. Squeeze out your creative juices!

3. LIKE my Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/breakwithxyso and send your pic via email to raymoncyril.b.so@gmail.com.

4. Put a description of your photo on the email SUBJECT. It should start with “I’m breaking with XY on…” and of course, add the location where you took your photo OR you can be creative with the description as long as it contains “I’m breaking with XY.”

5. Photos will be uploaded for entries received from 04 November 2011 up to 4:00pm of 19 December 2011. Send as many entry images as you can. Ask your friends to LIKE your photo. The top 4 entries with the most number of Facebook “LIKE” hits will win the competition.

6. Four winners will be determined on 12:00 noon of 22 December 2011. Each winner can select one of the following prizes (choose wisely; note that winners can select the same prize):

.: FOR THE CHILDREN. PhP 500 cash donation to UNICEF Philippines;

.: FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. PhP 500 cash donation to “Adopt a Tree” project of Bantay-Kalikasan’s La Mesa Watershed Project;

.: FOR THE COMMUNITY. PhP 500 cash donation to Gawad Kalinga’s ”Build Infrastructure” project; or

.: FOR ME. PhP 500 cash, if you want to help a different organization not listed on other choices or if you want to keep the cash.

A scam or not?

3:30pm, June 9 — Tuesday. I received a mobile phone call from a certain person named Ford (+63917-832-6677), saying: “Sir, you are referred by Ms. Shirley dela Cruz, one of the members of my team. I am from a US-based marketing company and we are expanding here in the Philippines.”

Shirley is indeed a former colleague in my previous employer so I taught she might have really recommended me for this so I accepted the conversation when he asked me if it is okay to conduct a brief talk at that moment.

It was a hefty three- to five-minute conversation. He asked if we could meet up on Friday at 6:30pm, and the details would be sent over a text message. At the end of the conversation, I can clearly recall when he said, “Sir, you sound very professional. Are you the type of person who cancels an appointment at the last minute?” I definitely said no.

As if the guy was in a hurry to cut the conversation short so he could send the details on text, I was unable to ask for the name of the company. Immediately after hanging the phone, I sent a text message, asking him for the information.

15 minutes passed. To no avail, I put my “research mode” in progress. As I typed 26th Floor Tra on the Google search engine, a small box appeared which indicated “26th floor Travalgar Plaza.” To my amazement, I had a gut feeling that this is already a scam or perhaps a sort of it.

I browsed through blogs, fora, and sites which actually bewared readers on this incident. Some (and there are a lot of them available, just use 26th floor trafalgar plaza as your search keywords) are as follows:

Pinapapunta ka ba sa 15th floor Octagon Building, san miguel ave, pasig city?

15th Flr Octagon Bldg, 26th Flr Trafalgar Plaza: BEWARE!

How to Detect Misrepresentation in JOBS (Updates)

Beware of the 15th Floor, Octagon Building Scam

A Bigatin Scammer at 15th Floor Octagon Building! BEWARE!

By the way, Ford replied late (more than 30 minutes since I asked for the name of the company) with “Synergy 1 Ventures.” I sent a text message, stating: “If this is related to NuSkin (as a part of Pharmanex), please consider me out of the meeting on Friday.” To which Ford replied an hour later, “Ok, I understand. Thank you and God bless.”

In light of trying to justify the other side, I have reached Shirley through text, asking her if this is a scam or not (since Ford claimed that she is a member of his team), and she confirmed that she works part-time at Pharmanex, stating: “Di noh (Of course not)?! What do you think of me, engot (moron)? Iba ang opinion sa facts, Xy (opinion is different from facts, Xy). Pumunta ka, tignan mo muna bago ka mag-decide (Meet with him first before you decide). Wala namang mawawala sa iyo (there’s nothing to lose).”

NOTICE: Though I have no direct claim of being scammed by Ford or his group, I have decided not to push the meeting through as far as my Google search is concerned. I am not, in any way, confirming that this is actually a scam. I have posted this article to inform readers about this incident — that someone might call you regarding this matter. And if you, by chance, are able to meet with this group, kindly leave your comment.

This is Xy, breaking the silence.

***

Pharmanex logo is broken from here.

Originally posted 09 June 2009.