My heart sank when I espied a bit of news online that Muji was filing for bankruptcy (just like a bunch of other fashion retail companies). Thank heavens it was only in the U.S. (Sigh of relief). Am not much of a U.S. goer anyway. Except maybe to New York. But then, my travelling days will probably have to wait till next year.
But then here’s the good news. I just read in an online news item that Muji has or will be having facilities in their stores to refill your Muji water bottle with drinking water. Something is moving or manifesting towards my dream of refilling stations. I am not quite sure of the details, meaning if one has to use a Muji water bottle or any water bottle, or if this is in the Japan Muji stores only, or other details. The important thing though is the idea of helping to lessen the plastic bottles and such filling up our landfills and oceans by putting up refilling stations.
This is one of the reasons why I love Muji – the no label store of Japan. Same with Ikea, another favorite. They somehow balance business and profits with doing whatever they can to improve the lives of communities. What’s more, Muji has quality made products whose sense of aesthetics is right up my alley. A bit pricey but worth it. When my clothing budget is somehow restricted, my go-to is Uniqlo. A bit more affordable but with consistently good workmanship. With the right balance of both trendy and classic styles to boot.
How I wish that this will somehow be expanded to products like detergents, cleaning solutions, lotions, shampoos, et al, that come in plastic containers. Refilling stations would be a boon to mankind and the environment. I am confident that eventually this idea will somehow be realized. Hopefully, in the near future. Just like the idea of re-using of clothes and other stuff is now here and flourishing. Through sites like Depop or Kijiji. I am sure there are others. In fact, I even heard that there is a site where one can barter goods. I just wonder how that is doing. It would not be surprising if it is doing well.
A bit of encouraging news. My daughter Alex mentioned that there are now available in the market “laundry strips” which come in a cardboard box. You still have a build up of empty cartons but better than a landfill of plastic containers. This is my beef with Amazon. We love Amazon and order a lot of stuff through them but I sort of wince a bit when they send everything in cartons. But as I said, cartons are better than plastic containers.
A related issue is responsible consumerism (if there is such a thing). One of the things that I noticed when I moved here to Canada – the amount of things that go to waste. In the Philippines, it is the same scenario, but not to the extent that I see it here. Maybe because people can afford more here. Something to think about. For me, at least.
I was once one of those guilty of irresponsible consumerism. Sometimes, I still slip back to my old ways but less and less now. Sustainability cannot be ignored anymore.
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I can’t help but put in my 10 cents worth of thoughts on the franchise issue of a Philippine media giant. So much furor – positive and negative – ensuing from this issue. I myself have learned a lot just from following the hearing and reading/viewing the ensuing comments on online platforms and the like. This is an issue that strikes a chord with me because I spent more than 30 years in this industry in the Philippines. It has enlightened me – both my 30 years or more experience and my following the Congressional hearings assiduously.
When I was new in the industry, having started my broadcast tv career in the creative side of the business – writing, merchandising, production, editing etc. – I could not help but reminisce on the many challenges I came across. One of them being in situations of being at loggerheads with the sales people regarding the artistic integrity and content of the show. Now and then, the sales account executives would require the production people (us) to tweak the content in a way which I would not agree with. Later on, when I had a chance to work with sales and marketing, and the broadcast operations sides of the business, I realized the importance of ratings which would eventually translate to a better bottom line. And yet, there was still a part of me with reservations about this part of the business.
Now, I understand my feelings of ambivalence. Mass media is a powerful tool in molding the minds and values of the public. In building character, and eventually, in building a nation. This is what makes it a bit different from other businesses. And so I cringed when I read an article from a BBC correspondent in Manila mentioning that ABS CBN is like BBC. It was not clear in what aspect he meant, but BBC is far from ABS CBN or the other networks in the Philippines.
A far cry indeed from BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation – theBritish public service broadcaster), NHK (Nihon Hoso Kyokai – Japan’s only public broadcaster funded by fees received from TV viewers), KBS -Korea Broadcasting System) the national public broadcaster of South Korea owned and operated by the government. If you have ever watched their shows, (which I am sure many of you have), one would not dare mention them in the same breath as our Philippine broadcast companies. In terms of facilities and talents, perhaps yes. But their content and overall programming is so different. It could be possible in the future, but not now.
I believe that unless we change the mindset of the mass media business being “pera-pera lang”, we will be hard put to compare them to these august broadcasting companies like BBC, NHK and KBS. But I also know that there must be a formula for the business of mass media to be both profitable and character-building. The right balance between the bottom line and the common good.
In the case of the franchise of ABS CBN being denied – it is unfortunate but it is also a “wake up call” for reforms in the broadcasting industry of the Philippines. It is about time. As a matter fact, it is long overdue. Time to review other options and to change mindsets. From my observation, studying all the facts presented at the hearing, and from my own research and past experiences, I believe that the owners did not take the granting of this precious privilege seriously. Mass media should not only be considered as a business but a great responsibility and opportunity to contribute positively to molding the values and minds of the public
Speaking of excellent viewing content. You may want to watch the KBS family drama (yes, the same KBS I was mentioning earlier) Once Again with Lee Min-Jung and Lee Sang-Yeob and other notable and excellent actors. Lee Min Jung has matured from her roles in Cunning Single Lady (which is one of my faves together with All About My Romance).
Once Again – an engaging, wholesome, entertaining experience with all the elements of commercial television but very tastefully and excellently crafted. Mind you, complete with positive values without moralizing or proselytizing. To top it all, it has high ratings in the 20s and 30s. So happy for them. If they can do it, so can others.
The series is still ongoing in South Korea but alas! Is not on Netflix Canada. I view most of the Asian dramas on Dramacool. There are others as well. Just be patient with all the pop-ups though.
I have to catch up on what’s new in what’s out there now. I was so caught up in the franchise hearings the past months. Maybe next month, I will have more to say about k dramas and others. That is, if anyone is interested.
More of this and that in August. Have a safe and good weekend!
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