(this one is originally intended for my alma mater’s blog site.)
I was thinking of a better title for this blog and I remember a high school classmate, name withheld (hahaha), that we tagged as “Man of Steal” not that he’s a professional thief, but it’s just that he had this annoying habit of not returning things he borrowed or worse keeping small petty stuff that our classmates possessed and valued, such as David Pomeranz tapes (yes tapes!), books, etc.
I’m quite sure we’ve had our share of petty thievery way, way back, or so I hope. We’ve sneaked into our nanay’s wallet to fund our Masskara escapades, we’ve kept extra resistors from the lab to support our home-made audio amplifiers and boosters, we’ve raided the stock room to pick extra welding rods for our bike’s frame. Or we’ve intentionally or unintentionally grabbed one lumpia or burger from Claire without shedding a single centavo.
Those who are guilty, please raise your hands? Wait, I can’t type one-handed.
Mr. Genito’s reminder prior to our last OJT still stays fresh in my mind, “INDI pagkuhaon maski bato sa inyo ulobrahan (DO NOT take even a single rock from your company)”. I would always remember that briefing every time I’d see gravel in the parking lot, “Maski ini? (Even this?)”, I’d ask myself, “Oo, maski ina! (Yes, even that!)”, my good side will respond immediately.
As the technology around us gets more advance and affordable to almost everyone, another form of stealing gets so rampant and so common; one wouldn’t know that he has actually participated in it. Even those with the best of intentions, regardless of social status, religion, or profession are victims (or in cahoots?). Even friends.
This is piracy.
Once again I’m guilty as charged. But that was more than 8 years ago. I remember the last one I bought was a bootleg copy of Tom Hank’s Cast Away. I bought it from one of the malls in Alabang. I grabbed some beer, pulutan and then went home so eager to watch it but almost crushed our VCD player in disgust when in the middle of the story it started pixelating and ruined our night altogether. That was it. I had enough.
I guess it was one of my wake up calls to end the illicit practice once and for all. And as if trying to justify that life changing decision, I read the papers, watched the news and attended company supported training sessions related to this. Then things such as Intellectual Property & Copyright laws came into my awareness too.
Of course everyone knew how costly (some may find it even ridiculous and stupid) it is to stop buying pirated products nowadays. It’s the reason why my Core 2 Duo still has the genuine Windows ’98 OS in it and until now the dual core processor is concentrating its power on XP’s solitaire game. Dasig gid eh (very quick), if you may ask. And since then, my wife and I also started saving to buy the audio CDs and DVDs that we like. If the budget isn’t available we’d content ourselves to listening over the radio, watch the cable channels, or getting in the cinemas.
Although feeling good about doing the right thing, I’ve kept mum about this though. Pushing this advocacy in front of most people I know would either get me booted out of my circle of friends or get raised eyebrows at the very least. I even discovered that one high position expat got a whole shelf of “Quiapo” DVDs in his home. It’s just plainly disappointing and frustrating.
Until now I’m still wondering if there will come a time that the government and other concerned organization will eradicate or at least lessen this illegal trade that’s been killing almost the whole industry – even food, toys, books, textile and any other merchandise present in the market are affected. Wishful thinking, huh? If and when that time comes, I’ll be one proud man.
And by the way, if after reading this one might wonder if I’m OMB chairman Edu Manzano? I wish. But I’m not. I’m just one concerned individual hoping to influence at least one. Yes, at least one who might influence another one.
Now, are you the Man of Steal?
September 24, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Hello Cris,
I’m sorry if this is a bit offtopic: Just wanted to thank you for visiting my site. Hope you visit it again and comment on some topics
Regarding your post, I guess everyone, in one way or another, is a man or woman of steal.
On a serious note, it’s tough to fight piracy, particularly in the Philippines where a lot of people live below poverty line and try to live off illegal practice.
*two thumbsup*
-Saedel@PlanetSaedel.com
September 24, 2007 at 10:35 pm
saedel,
thanks a lot for dropping by & posting your comment.
piracy sounds like a tough fight indeed, i understand. however, this one is actually a reflection of the values of most people now (even abroad, this is wide spread) - i.e., greed, ignorance or failure to recognize the deeper impact.
most of us never know the long term effect of patronizing such bootleg products.most of us never know how many people gets laid off from their jobs because of this. most of us never know where those piracy money are being used for - there’s proliferation of drugs & terrorism just to name a few.
as the saying goes, “when the buying stops, the killing will too”