by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 24, 2024 | Book Reviews
As I was going through my Facebook notifications, I encountered a post from an author named
VictoryAnne Vice, who was asking for people to try out her story called
The Alpha and the Rental Luna. She already has several books under her belt, and this is her latest ongoing story. Since the title intrigued me, I thought I’d give it a shot.
If you’ve been reading shifter romance as much as I do, then you are familiar with the werewolf concept of fated mates and chosen mates. For Alphas, that translates to their Luna, who is usually a fated mate in stories. But what if you only wanted a Luna part-time, no commitment outside of a contract? That’s where the Rental Lunas come in. The thought that Alpha females would actually choose to go into training to be a rental Luna is mind-boggling! These ladies aren’t looking to marry, even though it is a possibility. They are there to fulfill ALL of the Alpha’s needs while they are in the contract.
The Characters
The main characters are Sylvester “Sly” Sterling and Apple LeRoux.
The story opens from the POV of Apple LeRoux. She is introduced to us as a human from a small town who moves to Crescent City to pursue a college degree and to get away from her cheating boyfriend and abusive family. She is broke and homeless and desperately needs a job. She sees a notice for a job opening, not realizing that it is for a werewolf company.
In a case of misinformation and misdirection she ends up being interviewed by the Alpha who thought she was a Rental Luna. She wasn’t … but somehow, he ends up trying to convince her to accept the job of being his Rental Luna.
Sylvester “Sly” Sterling is the Alpha. Unlike in most stories, he did not inherit his title from his father. He earned it through hard work. It didn’t hurt that his former Luna was the former Alpha’s daughter, Alexis.
The Story
If Apple accepts the job, it will entail a lot of subterfuge as werewolf/human relations are frowned upon. A human Luna will definitely not be acceptable to the pack! The only ones who know are Sly, Apple, Beta Rudy, and Apple’s new friends with whom she shares an apartment.
Here’s the challenge … should Apple agree to this crazy scheme and become his Rental Luna?
On the up side it means financial security and being able to go to school and enroll in her chosen degree. In addition, being the helpful and caring person that she is, she doesn’t really mind helping the pack.
On the downside, she needs to hide her humanity and pretend to be a werewolf while at the same time fight her growing attraction to Sly..
My Take
As the story progresses, I keep waiting to get bored and move on. However, I am 48 chapters in, and it hasn’t happened yet. It helps that the author usually posts 1 to 2 chapters a day and tries her best not to leave us hanging.
I LOVE the daily updates! It keeps me interested and excited for the upcoming chapters. The story is fast-paced, which definitely kept me interested, and I occasionally went back a few pages just to reread something that caught my eye in the story.
Will they, won’t they? VictoryAnne Vice is good at edging us and making us want more. And what’s with Apple’s very vocal inner voice? My guess is she has a wolf but doesn’t know it. Maybe she’s a late bloomer. I’m on tenterhooks!
This story is something I highly recommend as it is fun, with its witty dialogues and humorous situations, and lighthearted, with its optimistic and feel-good vibe. There’s not too much drama, which I appreciate, and I can hardly wait for Apple and Sly’s first full intimacy. Here’s hoping it happens soon.
Start reading The Alpha and his Rental Luna on Goodnovel.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 24, 2024 | Business
This is the second part of the four-part series on Media and Information Literacy in the Disinformation Web. This article will dissect the anatomy of the COVID-19 vaccine misinformation hoax, its impact on public health, and how Media and Information Literacy (MIL) can combat such threats.
The Infodemic and the Need for Media Literacy
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus is just the tip of the iceberg that strained the effectiveness of our global public health. It also proved that an “infodemic” of misinformation around vaccines and health precautions could exacerbate such measure.
False claims about vaccine dangers and conspiracies significantly impacted public health efforts. People were hesitant to take vaccines for it might cause some other permanent to their. Some people even took medications meant for animals due to misinformation in the internet.
This phenomenon underscores the critical need for Media and Information Literacy (MIL). This skill empowers individuals to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media content responsibly. People should understand how misinformation spreads and should develop the skills to critically evaluate information. In effect, individuals can make informed decisions and resist the influence of false narratives.
However, it is important to note how misinformation spreads.
How the Hoax Spread: Social Media, Influencers, and Algorithms
The anatomy of this viral hoax reveals how social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube became major vectors for misinformation. They actually amplified false narratives to vast audiences.
How did they do it? First, these companies provided influencers and pseudoscientists a platform that lent them credibility to spread misinformation among their followers. Unfortunately, there were no measures to fact-check the claims back then.
Then the audience engages with the misinformation. In fact, they can easily share it to their contact list and their contact lists do the same. As a result, the algorithms in these platforms created echo chambers where false beliefs were reinforced. This makes it difficult for accurate information to break through.
Now, the problem with this kind of system is that people have biases about the information that they prefer to believe in. Hence, public health officials had difficulty getting through to ordinary folks because they had pre-conceived notions on what is already factual from what is plain hoax.
Devastating Impact on Public Health
This rapid spread of misinformation had a devastating impact on public health. There were such claims that vaccines cause autism or permanent damage to spreading COVID were not real to begin with. This led to increased vaccine hesitancy and not taking the global health pandemic seriously. It slowed down vaccination rates and prolonged the pandemic.
As a result, lower vaccination rates translated into more severe outbreaks. This strained the healthcare systems and led to higher mortality rates in some areas. Moreover, the constant barrage of misinformation eroded public trust in health institutions since they preferred to heed advice from pseudo-scientists. This made it harder to implement effective public health measures.
This could have been prevented if people just had the critical thinking skills to determine which information was credible. Moreover, government agencies should have sanctioned social media companies from spreading misinformation. This does not actually stifle freedom of information. During that time, there were compelling reasons to curb inaccuracies of unprofessional health advice because the government aimed to save lives and further stop bleeding the economy.
The DNA Alteration Myth: A Case Study in Misinformation
One striking example of the persistence of misinformation is the false claim that mRNA vaccines could alter DNA. Despite being debunked by experts, this myth spread rapidly through social media and continued to circulate. This case signifies the need for proactive communication strategies that address misinformation early on and present accurate information in an engaging and accessible way. Furthermore, this also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between health authorities and social media platforms to quickly identify and remove false narratives.
Building a Resilient Society Through Media Literacy
The COVID-19 infodemic serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by viral hoaxes in the digital age. However, it also presents an opportunity to learn and build a more resilient society. Investing in MIL education at all levels, would promote critical thinking from a young age.
In support of accurate information sources, we can empower individuals to navigate the complexities of the information landscape. They can make informed decisions about their health and well-being. This multifaceted approach, combining education, critical thinking, and collaboration, is essential for combating misinformation effectively and safeguarding public health.
Coach Boost Gio
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 23, 2024 | Business
This is the first part of the four-part series on Media and Information Literacy in the Disinformation Web. In this piece, it will discuss how the spread of fake news and misinformation is eroding trust in media and threatening democracy in the Philippines. Explore the impact of political propaganda, COVID-19 misinformation, and the fight for truth.
In the Philippines, the fine line between facts and fiction is increasingly blurred. Due to the proliferation of fake news, campaign propaganda, and state-sponsored trolling, Filipinos have difficulty fact-checking and assessing the content that they consume. Moreover, these contents tend to satisfy people’s biases and world view which is why they tend to accept the facts at face value even if they were factually erroneous to begin with.
This article will highlight different examples of how bad actors spread fake news. It will also highlight the dire consequences of the mass spreading of misinformation. Lastly, how can the community fight against them?
Case Study 1: Political Propaganda as Weaponization of Lies
Political propaganda is a potent tool in the Philippines. This is rampant during elections. During that season, false narratives and manipulated stories have become common on social media. Social media is the predominant source of campaign propaganda among Filipinos; after all, the Philippines is the social media capital of the world. This propaganda is exacerbated by state-sponsored trolling, which further amplifies these messages. This creates an echo chamber that stifles dissent.
For example, studies on the last 2022 presidential campaign have shown a surge in misleading information. Usually, the content of the campaign favors certain candidates while harming others. This is particularly detrimental to democracy because people ground their discretion on lies in order to vote for particular candidates.
In this scenario, it harms the electorate the most because they are fed with lies in order to vote for certain candidates that have self-serving agendas.
Case Study 2: Clickbait, PR and Coordinated Campaigns Contribute to the Fake News Epidemics
Aside from skewing public opinion, disinformation is handy in generating profits for businesses. Remember, attention is the new currency of the digital economy so enterprises come up with lots of strategies to attract people’s attention. For example, clickbait websites and PR firms contribute to the fake news epidemic. They churn out emotionally charged but misleading stories for profit.
They do this through coordinated disinformation campaigns. The said campaigns flood social media with fabricated content that creates an illusion of widespread support for specific narratives. For example, they greenwash oil companies in order to blind-sight the public that they are environmentally responsible.
These tactics erode trust in media and foster as cloud of scepticism among institutions. If people are to rely on credible media sources, the media companies must hold themselves ethically responsible otherwise it will be a PR nightmare for them or a lawsuit waiting for telling fabricated stories.
Case Study 3: COVID-19 Misinformation That Worsened A Public Health Emergency
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a proven disaster due to misinformation. False claims about treatments and vaccines have led to dangerous health behaviors and vaccine hesitancy. These harmful narratives have prolonged the pandemic and put lives at risk.
Fighting Back: Media Literacy and Collective Action
To combat disinformation, it requires a multi-pronged approach. It requires the efforts of major key players.
• Government agencies – pass laws that incentivize media companies to integrate responsible publications in their platforms such as fact-checking.
• Independent fact-checkers and civil society organizations should educate the public and expose false narratives.
• Promotion of Media and information literacy education is essential so individuals can critically evaluate information. Understand that the reason bad actors exploit the consumers is due to a lack of MIL among users.
As a Media Consumer, What Can You Do?
• Be Skeptical: Don’t believe everything you read online.
• Check Sources: Verify information from reliable sources.
• Support Fact-Checkers: Follow and share the work of reputable fact-checking organizations.
• Demand Accountability: Hold media outlets and politicians accountable for spreading misinformation.
Balancing Regulation and Freedom of Speech
Everyone agrees that fighting disinformation is essential, but protecting freedom of speech is equally important. This is where things could get murky if we highly regulate speech in the name of fact-checking.
The solution could be to find the right balance in regulations to ensure that legitimate discourse and criticism are not stifled.
The Fight for Truth: A Shared Responsibility
The fight against disinformation is a shared responsibility. When people become more media literate and demand accountability, they can create a more informed and resilient society. The future of Philippine democracy may well depend on the ability of Filipinos to filter out the web of misinformation and uphold the truth.
Coach Boost Gio
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 22, 2024 | Business
This is the end of the four-part series of Media and Information Literacy Education in the Philippine Classrooms. As reiterated, Media and Information Literacy (MIL) education in the Philippines is evolving. This article delves into extracurricular activities as an important key factor in playing a crucial role in shaping students’ ability to critically engage with media and information. From school clubs to community workshops, these initiatives are making a lasting impact on the media literacy of Filipino youth.
Boosting Media Smarts: Extracurricular Activities for Filipino Students
Media and information literacy goes beyond the four corners of the classroom. In the Philippines, it could get a boost from all sorts of activities outside school hours. These real-world experiences are helping students become proficient in media and information. As a result, they become skilled in thinking critically and consuming media responsibly.
Why Media Literacy Matters Beyond the Classroom
Classroom lessons lay the groundwork, but extracurricular activities are where students put those lessons into practice. Yes, students learn the key principles of MIL in the classroom but in order to apply these lessons, they have to adapt those key takeaways in their daily lives.
School Clubs: A Creative Space for Learning
Students must see the beauty of learning MIL through a community. Schools could better provide these avenues through organizations. In this way, they learn camaraderie and hard work towards passion. Here are some examples:
• Media Clubs: These clubs are like mini-media studios. This is where students produce newspapers, and videos, and manage social media. They’re learning the ropes of media production and the responsibility that comes with it. Furthermore, this could be a good training ground for them so that when they become professionals themselves they have an idea of what good content is, how to apply good media ethics, and the like.
• Debate and Journalism Clubs: These clubs encourage students to dig into topics, analyze information, and present their findings. They’re getting hands-on experience with fact-checking and ethical reporting – essential skills in the age of information overload. Also, these clubs help students to sharpen their critical thinking skills and writing skills.
Workshops and Training Programs: Learning by Doing
As discussed in previous articles, community engagement can foster an environment to normalizes clean and responsible media and information consumption. They can validate what students can learn and provide more avenues for students to learn beyond their school premises.
• Meriam’s Online World: This program by the National Council for Children’s Television offers workshops for teachers and students. It focuses on responsible media consumption and production. This is a fun and engaging way to understand the importance of media literacy in our digital world.
• #DigiTalino Program: This gamified training program has reached thousands of Filipinos, including students. It teaches them how to spot fake news and misinformation through interactive sessions and storytelling.
• Mindanao Youth Training: In Mindanao, workshops are helping young people become critical thinkers about the information they encounter. This is especially important in regions where fake news can have serious consequences.
What do these initiatives have in common? They care about student’s vulnerability of being victims of misinformation.They understand that a responsible and well-informed citizenry that can affect other people’s lives depends on the critical thinking capacities of all people. Hence, it is a good net effect that they’re contributing to the Philippines and to the whole world.
Reaching Communities: Media Literacy for All
As previously discussed, there is a stark digital divide among communities based on geography and socio-economic status. So, there are organizations that ensure everyone gets media and information literate.
For example, The National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television supports educational
TV programs for kids. Meanwhile, the ASEAN Digital Literacy Programme is training instructors who then teach media literacy in their communities. These efforts ensure that even those in remote areas get access to essential training.
We have to understand that education is a right, not a privilege for the few. So, all key stakeholders must create ways for MIL education access to be inclusive and affordable. They are doing this great cause because they believe that every person despite of any background can contribute to social greatness in any possible way that they can.
The Proof is in the Results
Studies have shown that while high school students are active on social media, they often lack the skills to create quality content. In other words, it is not enough anymore to consume and scrutinize media whether it is credible or not. The real proof of whether students learn from MIL is that they create information that contributes to the well-being of society.
This emphasizes the need for extracurricular activities that give them practical experience. Programs like #DigiTalino have reported success in raising awareness and improving critical thinking among participants.
The Bottom Line
Extracurricular activities are proving to be a game-changer for media literacy in the Philippines. It is proven that school clubs and community initiatives prepare students to gain the skills they need to navigate the complex world of media. As the digital landscape keeps changing, these activities are crucial in ensuring that young people are prepared to be informed and responsible citizens.
Coach Boost Gio
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 21, 2024 | Banking and Finance, Entertainment
If asked to choose between working a regular 9 to 5 job and playing a video game all day, most people nowadays will probably choose to play. I can already hear my parents scolding me and saying something like,
“Why waste time on games? It’s not as if you can make money from that!”
But the world is not as it was, and people of all ages have discovered that it is actually possible! How? The most obvious answer would be to join tournaments. Just like in any sport, amateur and professional gamers compete against each other to win the prize money and other additional items, both virtual and physical.
But is that the be-all and end-all of how to earn from gaming? Phantom Arena has gone BEYOND that and introduced the concept of game finance or GameFi.
According to Capital.com, “GameFi combines blockchain technology elements such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrencies with gaming to provide economic incentives to players. Therefore, GameFi is also referred to as play-to-earn (P2E) gaming.”
Phantom Arena is the Grab/Uber of Game Finance
In early 2024, a new player entered the realm of game finance. Phantom Arena is a blockchain PVP game that “provides up to 50 players with the opportunity to engage in real-time battles within the selected arena. Players compete for the supreme position to achieve top rankings and win enticing rewards.”
According to Phantom Arena CEO Alan Hung, “Phantom Arena is a pioneering platform in today’s crypto landscape, designed to empower Web3 users worldwide. It serves as a comprehensive, ready-to-deploy ecosystem aimed at supporting projects facing challenges with utility and community engagement.
Our goal is to establish a new standard within the GameFi sector and collaborate with crypto enthusiasts to enhance the overall quality of the crypto environment.”
Grab and Uber are the industry leaders when it comes to ridesharing, not just in the Philippines but all over the world. While there are many riding apps in the market, nothing beats them in popularity. Despite being a new player in the market, Phantom Arena has been able to position itself as such with tournaments and networking events organized in multiple places all over the world.
Here in the Philippines, when we want to book a ride, top of mind we think Grab. In the realm of game finance, that name would be Phantom Arena.
I confess, just like many Gen-Xers, I have many reservations about cryptocurrency, mostly because of a lack of knowledge about it. Currency being something other than dollar, peso, or any other regular country currency is scary! But then, after doing some research and talking to some people who invest in cryptocurrency have made me open it.
A solution born out of necessity and ingenuity
The pandemic resulted in many suffering from mental health issues and aggression due to enforced confinement and the inability to socialize normally. This meant that interaction was limited to a virtual space. Phantom Arena provides an outlet for users to express their aggression in a safe space while having the opportunity to earn money at the same time.
Which leads to the question of “how do you earn money from playing this game”? Watch out for the details in the next article.
In early 2024, a new player entered the realm of game finance. 
According to Phantom Arena CEO Alan Hung, “Phantom Arena is a pioneering platform in today’s crypto landscape, designed to empower Web3 users worldwide. It serves as a comprehensive, ready-to-deploy ecosystem aimed at supporting projects facing challenges with utility and community engagement. 
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