In the Dominican Republic, there has been more awareness about this disease. Since October 2006, from the Office of the First Lady [es], Dr. Margarita Cedeño de Fernández has become a chief spokesperson for the cause of breast cancer and has launched an annual campaign called “Today is the Best Time. [es]” The campaign calls on women to take care of their health and some of the activities includes conferences and lectures around the country. In addition, flyers have been distributed and mammograms have been offered.

Photo of campaign launch. Used with permission by Office of the First Lady.

The campaign culminated with a benefit fashion show by Venezuelan designer Carolina Herrera, who praised the First Lady's initiative [es], and supported the proposal that “Today is the best day” become the global slogan to call attention to this disease. In her press conference, Herrera, who also is part of the international initiative SER, which supports awareness on a global scale, made a call to unite the various worldwide campaigns.

There are also campaigns to raise awareness about all types of cancer, one of these is called Caminantes por la Vida [es] (Walkers for Life), is a walk through the streets of the capital city Santo Domingo, which is celebrating its 4th version. Caminantes por la Vida is an initiative started by MercaSID, a food services and household products company, which has been raising funds for volunteer services, hospitals, cancer prevention groups. This year the campaign is called “Esta Va por Todos” (This is for Everyone).

Video of the 2008 post-walk event by Jorge Valdez

These types of campaigns are important to many Dominicans whose lives are personally affected by cancer. The blogger Principe Mestizo has had many loved ones affected by various forms of cancer [es], and values campaigns that will raise awareness:

Mi tío Juan, prominente abogado de aproximadamente 32 años , cayo victima de un cáncer en el área del estomago que se expandió a varios órganos y que finalmente hizo que Juan dejara este plano, dejándome múltiples enseñanzas, valorando y admirando a mi familia que en un momento de una crisis de esa magnitud, se unió como un solo cuerpo para ayudar a salir adelante al Benjamín de los hermanos de mi padre, y para el (mi papa) otro hijo mas.

Años después, otro hermano de mi Papa caia victima de la enfermedad (Tio Chichi) y de nuevo me toco ver….ya mas adulto otra cara de la enfermedad.

Lo Primero que hay que aclarar es que cuando en una familia alguien tiene Cáncer, toda la familia por defecto esta con Cáncer.

Photo by Rocío Díaz

The second part of the Article, which talks about the free access to beaches when the right to private property is respected, has been the subject of protest from the population, which believes that it is undermining their right to go to beaches where there is private investment, in other words, hotels, clubs or other infrastructure. Newspapers [es], blogs, and television programs have been interpreting it that way, turning the issue of free access to the beach into a cause for protest in this media, as well as Twitter and Facebook, where a group was created to urge to not allow the privatization of the beaches [es], as many are afraid that this decision makes it possible.

Manuel Moisés Montás of the blog Toy Jarto [es] explains the origin of this fear:

Una vez reconocidos los derechos de apropiación y explotación a título exclusivo de las playas dominicanas, es de esperarse que algunos particulares (gente con dinero) procedan a adueñarse de las que resulten más hermosas, mejor ubicadas o idóneas para la explotación turística, relegando así al grueso de la población a playas de segunda o tercera categoría que, andando el tiempo, no tardarán en deteriorarse con motivo de la afluencia masiva de personas huérfanas de recursos para ir a bañarse en las playas privatizadas.

Despite the negative reaction to Article 69, many others are reminded that the access to beaches where hotels are located have always been restricted, but now the difference is that it is established in the Constitution. Some are even defending the idea that access to these beaches should be regulated. Enedina Pereyra of the blog Bracuta [es] calls on the Dominicans that are protesting to put themselves in the shoes of the businesspersons that have developed a beach by cleaning it and transforming it into a ideal vacation spot. At the same time, Pereyra makes a graphical comparison between a private and a public beach, with an emphasis on the average poor manners from Dominicans who visit the beach.

There have been so many protests over Article 69 that the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants [es] (ASONAHORES for its initials in Spanish) has clarified one point in a public communique on September 8 in a national newspaper, when it stated that the new Article represents progress because it establishes a balance between the use of natural patrimony and the right to private property. Despite these statements, since October 8 there have been protests, with the largest one taking place on October 9 in front of the National Congress by young people wearing beach clothing and signs saying “This is Not My Constitution,” and which is a message that has also been found on many walls in the cities of Santo Domingo, Santiago, and others.

The protests that have arisen are supported by a large part of the population, including young and old and from different social classes, including the authors from the blog Ahí e' Que Prende [es], who see the protests as an impulsive action based on the poor interpretation of a text that only backs something that has already been taking place with beaches located at hotel complexes: restricted access for their guests. Despite this, the team from the Ahí e' Que Prende [es] blog recognizes that there have been abuses with the current Constitutional reform.

This decision, in which many say the influence of the Catholic Church and the proximity of upcoming Congressional elections played a large role, places the Dominican Republic among a small group of countries that Constitutionally prohibits abortion, including in health-related cases where the pregnancy places the fetus or the mother at risk. Females who have been victims of incest or rape also are banned from obtaining an abortion.

Abortion opposition banner outside the Cathedral in Santo Domingo by Duarte 101 and used with permission.

The article in question, currently known as Article 30, states: “the right to life is inviolable from conception until death. The death penalty cannot be established, decided, or applied in any case.”

Since its preliminary approval in April, protests have been constant [es]. Sociologist Rosario Espinal writes that women will now be deprived of a healthy and dignified life [es], adding that the doctors who performed illegal abortions will charge more money because of the higher risks.

Many believe that there will be an increase in clandestine abortions as a result of this decision, as well as higher rates of maternal mortality. However, the way that the Article was approved is also a subject for many bloggers.

Luis José López of Ahí e' que Prende [es] highlights that the Article 30 has been the most controversial Article debated in this Constitutional Reform, and notes that even the human rights organization Amnesty International has come out against the decision [es]. According to López, the definition of a person's life merits a profound and sincere debate in which all interests are represented, and that is something that did not take place in the Dominican Republic:

El tema del aborto es un tabú en RD demasiado influenciado por las iglesias y las religiones. Mencionar la palabra es inclusive mal visto por muchos. Quienes se atreven a cuestionar el status quo, quienes se atreven a decir: “detengámonos a pensar” son inmediatamente censurados y condenados por el debate público.

With nearly 89% of the population identifying themselves as Roman Catholic, the Church has strong influence in all facets of society. However despite this strong faith, some bloggers like José Rafael Sosa, who is also Roman Catholic, does not agree that this personal decision should be regulated by the Constitution:

Respeto mi Iglesia pero ello no me impide analizar el dificil tema con mi optica. El espacio legal para enfrentar lo que se llama “Aborto Criminal”, no es la Constitución. Nadie en su sano juicio, puede apoyar que se aborte una criatura ya formada, genéticamente hablando, siempre que el embarazo sea producto de una decisión de la madre, no de una violación o que intervengan otras circunstancias clínicas. En primer lugar, el tema debió haber sido decididopor quienes traen hijos al mundo, no por puros hombres buscando votos de fe. En segundo lugar, no se buscaba consagrar constitucionalmente el derecho caprichoso a abortar. El aborto es una realidad social que no se gobierna con la dinámica de aprobación de leyes o artículos constitucionales. El aborto es una realidad social que ahora provocará un aumento de la mortalidad de las mujeres que tambien tienen una vida que ser preservada. Los culpables acaban de votar publicamente por esa posibilidad. Y eso es un crimen.

In the end, some bloggers feel like the legislators arrived at the decision based on their political interests. In this manner, María Isabel Soldevila believes that Congress “turned their backs on the people. [es]” María de Jesús, a reader of Diario Libre [es] sums up her disgust:

Sarta de hipocritas y a los que se creen que se votó por la vida, cuando una mujer tiene que abortar porque su vida esta en peligro y no lo hace SE MUEREN LA MUJER Y EL FETO! Balsa de ignorantes! La muerte va a tener un dos por uno en Republica Dominicana. Que vergüenza ser dominicana de ahora en adelante.

Photo by Santiago Nicolau and used under a Creative Commons license.

Things took a definitive turn when the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications [es] (Indotel, for its initials in Spanish) announced last April that the company that will manage the number portability platform has been selected . This responsibility falls to the Information Technology division of the Spanish consortium El Corte Inglés, a decision that initially caused skepticism, as noted by Joan Guerrero of the blog Duarte 101 [es]:

Desconozco la experencia y los criterios de selección que tuvo Indotel para seleccionar El Corte Inglés como futuro proveedor de este servicio en nuestro país. Haciendo un repaso rápido, este consorcio español tiene varias unidades de negocio y una de ellas es el aspecto de implementación de servicios como este. En España, esta empresa es que maneja la portabilidad numérica entre operadoras y de seguro, en varios países de la región latinoamericana. Tuve la oportunidad de preguntarle a Luis Rafael Pellerano, asesor legal de esta iniciativa, el por qué no se hizo la implementación de la portabilidad con una empresa local, que conocería el mercado mucho mejor. Tan sólo me dejó dicho que la selección de esta empresa valió por su presencia mundial; sin más detalles. Creo que esto deja mucho que desear.

Aside from this initial skepticism, some of which was generated because El Corte Inglés is primarily known as department stores in Spain, the issue of number portability was discussed on several blogs, always from the standpoint of consumer: How much does the average Dominican know about the issue? What implications will it have? At the moment there are great expectations for improved service offered by telephone companies, as well as fair and open competition.

Darío Martínez, a reader of Duarte 101 [es] sums it up:

La portabilidad numérica, si sale como se espera (excelentemente bien), será lo más positivo que tendremos los dominicanos en materia de servicio telefónico. Las telefónicas estarán OBLIGADAS a brindar un servicio excepcional a nosotros, pues cambiarse de empresa será un trámite sencillo y barato. Las telefónicas han perdido su mayor elemento de retención de clientes: ¡Ya los números telefónicos NO son su propiedad!

Will number portability fulfill expectations? In two weeks, starting on September 30, the plan will take effect, and the phone companies have already started with the allusive publicity, as has Indotel, with a simple, yet effective radio and television campaign with the clear and simple message: from now on, everything changes, except the number. Indotel has also used its Twitter account [es] to countdown the days until the measure takes effect, but also to answer questions about the changes.

On that date, the Dominican Republic will become the 3rd Latin American country to implement number portability, with Mexico and Brazil as pioneers in that area. Many believe that it will be a simple and painless process: for only 80 pesos (approximately $2.20 USD), payable in 4 installments of 20 pesos per month, the user is entitled to carry over his or her current number, provided that he or she gives notice of the decision before canceling the current contract.

Car: I Swear There was a Bridge Here This Morning. Truck is taking bridge to The Purchaser of Metals. Drawing by Cristian Hernández of El Nacional and used with permission from artist.

The thefts began very subtly at first, with the disappearance of some sewer covers and plaques that adorned busts and sculptures in various locations across the city. At the beginning, many did not pay much attention to it because it seemed to be commonplace. However, over time the number of holes that appeared, and the number of busts vandalized began to increase across the city, and it soon became apparent that something was happening. Megamonchy of El Rincón del Mega [es] writes about some of the places where the thefts took place, such as 50 light posts around the Jacobo Majluta Avenue, which needed cranes and heavy machinery to move them:

Ahora se estan robando los rieles de los trenes que funcionaron una vez en el país y en los ingenios. Ahora yo me pregunto ¿Es tan difícil dar con estos ladrones de metales, que lo usan para fundirlos? NO Simplemente no hay voluntad para acabarlos. Pues cuantas compañías en el país tienen la capacidad para fundir estos metales. Lo que hay es vigilarlas.

Si los representantes de guinness world records visitaran el país de seguro que le adicionarían varias páginas a la próxima impresión del libro donde los dominicanos estaríamos bailando.

Later, reports of the theft of cables began to arrive, including electrical cables, as well as fiber optic leading to the conclusion that there was a preference for the copper, which is then exported to China where there is a high demand. Héctor Minaya of Diario Digital RD [es], summarizes the export situation this way and how the government turns a blind eye:

Para detener el saqueo de cables, tapas, placas y monumentos de cobre que comenzó el año último alentado por el alto precio del metal, es necesario que se prohiba la exportación de cobre y otros metales, los cuales no son de producción nacional. De aquellos metales que se extraen en el país, se presume que el Gobierno, a través de la Dirección General de Aduanas y otras instituciones, tiene algún control y hay un registro para los exportadores. Se ha publicado que semanalmente viene un barco, al parecer ante la indiferencia de las autoridades, para llevarse material producto del saqueo de estos metales.

Thanks to these thieves, numerous streets, avenues, bridges and highways in Santo Domingo and around the country were left in the dark, providing competition to the power outages that have also been taking place for decades without solution. When the streets and avenues are left in the dark, traffic lights are also left useless, which contributes to vehicular chaos.

What about the telephone companies? Joan Guerrero of Duarte 101 [es] writes that the telecommunications sector in the Dominican Republic has been the victim of the growing “industry” of the theft of cables and equipment, which directly affects the consumer. These companies calculate that their losses total 53 million pesos [es] (approximately 1.5 million dollars) this year alone. When the companies add in customer complaints,  it becomes a very serious problem that needs addressing. Guerrero also notes that the telecommunications company Tricom has been taking to YouTube to show video of some of the thefts and to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest of the cable thieves:

Despite some control measures implemented by the government to differentiate the real scraps from the fake scraps, Diario 27-F states that it is impossible to separate the metal. There have been some arrests and two people are being tried in court. However, the robberies continue, such as in the case of the La Salle School in Santiago earlier this week, where classes were suspended until further notice.

Celso llegó. Como un invitado inesperado, dejó reacciones en todos los medios con su nueva posición, adjudicada por el presidente Fernández.

Power outages are a daily reality across the Dominican Republic, and is often said to be one of the main obstacles in its development plans. In addition, the government has also been providing large subsidies in the energy sector. These blackouts have been occurring for more than 40 years, and there have been all kinds of attempts to resolve the situation. To date, none of these attempts have been successful. Many people are left wondering whether the naming of Marranzini will change things for the better.

Photo by Señor Adventure and used under a Creative Commons license.

Many believe that there was little doubt that Segura would be out when the time came for Fernández to announce the changes in his cabinet. Based on the fact that the rate per kilowatt for electric power remains one of the highest in the region and the allegations of corruption and nepotism, Segura's days were numbered. When the change did happen, few expected for Segura to be substituted by one of his biggest critics, Marranzini, who in recent weeks made a series of statements on behalf of the private sector that blamed the poor administration and incapacity by Segura's team in solving the blackouts once and for all.

For some, this move from the President had a double purpose: 1.) increase the credibility of the government, who was seriously affected by the accusations towards Segura and 2) silence the criticism from the private sector to the government, especially in regards to energy. Luis José of Ahí e' que Prende [es] take a look at the naming:

¿Qué significa que Leonel haya puesto a Celso Marranzini en la CDEEE? Esa fue una jugada con mala fe, con la que se lava las manos y le echa el muerto de la energía a quien más la ha criticado: al sector privado.

Colocar a un empresario famoso, que tiene la buena fe de la mayoría de los sectores, obliga al sector privado a calmarse y a callarse la boca, porque ahora cuando critiquen los apagones no están criticando exclusivamente un funcionario cualquiera, sino que están criticando a don Celso Marranzini, una persona con una trayectoria envidiable que le hace merecer el respeto de muchos.

El lío lo va a tener ahora Celso Marranzini, quien después de criticar tanto a Segura y haberle tirado tan duro al Gobierno, va a tener que hacer una buena gestión si no quiere que lo crucifiquen.

Marranzini's reputation among the general public is mixed yet some are hoping that he can solve the energy issue. However, others are skeptical and criticize how he took over the position. Rafael Pérez of Duarte 101 [es], introduces the “Celso Method” on how to hold a public position: intensely criticize a public official - preferably with reason - until the President grows tired of it, removes the criticized official, and places the critic in his place. Marino, a reader of Ahí e' que Prende [es] goes a step further:

Ahora, Una sola pregunta, supuestamente ya sabemos quien es el Ing. Radhames Segura, ahora… quien Conoce al LADRONAZO de Celso Marranzini, que vendia energia con su distribuidora ILEGAL, a una suma de 200% mas cara que lo que el la Compraba… y ahora es el Titular de la institucion que el y su grupo de empresarios tiene QUEBRADO… que carajazo va resolver ese tigre.

Upon being removed from the CDEEE, President Fernández named Segura as an governmental adviser in the field of energy. However, he declined the position and publicly announced that he will dedicate himself to cleaning up his public image.

The Dominican Medical Association [es] (CMD for its initials in Spanish) is the entity that unites the health professionals across the country, who work under the State Secretary of Public Health [es] becoming a guild in 1941. In its more than 100 years in existence, the CMD has often been characterized by a series of work stoppages over long periods of times, most often related to wages. This most recent work stoppage appears to be at a standstill, as described by Joan Guerrero of Duarte 101 [es]:

Y mientras se siguen sacando los trapitos de los funcionarios públicos en todos los medios, los médicos y el resto de empleados del sector salud se quedarán de brazos cruzados, porque el mismísimo secretario de Salud Pública abrio su boca y dijo «no hay dinero para aumento». Lo curioso es que llevan más de dos años con ese pataleo de aumento salarial y el Colegio Médico Dominicano ha hecho de todo en ese tiempo para que atiendan a su llamado. Pero, seguirán así, de brazos cruzados.

One of the arguments used is that the doctors compare their salaries with the salaries of senators, representatives, and other governmental officials, which often exceed 90,000 pesos per month (approximately 2,500 USD). In comparison, a director of a public hospital earns around 30,000 pesos per month (approximately 833 USD). However, this idea of comparing salaries is not shared by all, such as blogger Paolah of Ahi é Que Prende [es], writes that there are other occupations that feel that they are poorly paid, but they do not resort to these types of protest tactics.

However, some patients wonder whether it is they who should protest the work of some of the doctors, who are said to not complete their work hours. There have been complaints that not all are present in their offices because they have one or two private practices to attend. This is one of the reasons why the state health doctors do not receive the full backing of the public and one of the reasons why state officials have rejected their request of a salary increase.

Another reason there is not the full support of the general public is because of Waldo Ariel Suero, a person who represents the guild and who many consider to be too combative. He has been involved in this struggle for more than 10 years, and has achieved some victories along the way. The Diario Dominicano [es] describes Suero this way:

El doctor Waldo Ariel Suero desde que asumió la presidencia del Colegio Medico Dominicano, ha mostrado una actitud temeraria e irreflexiva que lo coloca ante la opinión publica nacional como una persona obstinada, tozuda, obsesionada, inmadura e incapaz de entender y determinar lo que se denomina “el sentido de la oportunidad” que debe tener presente cualquier persona que dirija o gestione una institución con la historia y la trayectoria de la que agrupa a los profesionales de la medicina.

Since April 2008, the doctors have participated in more than 50 strikes and work stoppages, which have had a direct result on much of the population especially those from low incomes, who do not have the financial resources to go to a private clinic. The striking doctors have become a target for criticism and they are often blamed for hospital deaths, rightfully or not. For example, a young man died at the Francisco Moscoso Puello Hospital as a result of a shooting during a robbery, and his mother took out her frustration against the doctors, who have been on strike for six days by throwing stones at them. Lía agrees, as she comments on the story at El Caribe [es] and writes, “All the people who go to that hospital should do the same things, stone them so that they go running for being indolent”.

Pedro also joined the discussion and criticized the doctors:

Eso es lo que deja el negocio de Ariel Suero y la Salud. El pueblo no es tonto. Recuerden que la gran mayoría de estos médicos estudiaron casi gratis en la UASD y ahora quieren vivir como reyes dando la espalda al pueblo pobre. El responsable de esa muerte es Ariel Suero por abusador.

The protests continue, and there were a couple of recent incidents when the CMD occupied the Department of Labor headquarters, where doctors and nurses were forcefully removed. In addition, the doctors held a hunger strike in the San Felipe Cathedral in Puerto Plata, much to the dismay of Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodriguez. These types of protest tactics are confusing to some looking in from the outside. Paolah of Ahi é Que Prende [es] wonders whether the CMD is a “medical association or syndicate?” She wonders what would happen if every occupation that is upset with the salary would stop activities, what would happen?

However, there are also those that blame the government for the current situation. Gustavo summarizes the sentiment of many in the comments section of the El Caribe story [es].

Quisiera saber si de alguna forma estos medicos son responsables por la muerte de este muchacho y quiza mucho mas, si el gob. o los medicos deberian ir a la carcel por este abuso contra la humanidad, esto lo que da es verguenza y asco, ya basta.

IndieGoGo, an indie film-maker platform

Benjamin Bewick from Pulso Social wrote and brought to our attention IndieGoGo, a website where independent film-makers can raise funds and promote their film. In his post he points us towards three Latin American examples that are taking advantage of the system:

“Pelotero” from the Dominican Republic, “Changes Lives” from Mexico, and “Digital Aymara” from Bolivia are films using the independent film website, IndieGoGo, to attract investors and fans from the US while the films are in production.

How are these independent film-makers using IndieGoGo exactly? Pelotero, for example, on their profile page, has a short video excerpt of their documentary, they have a list of widgets you can use to promote the film on different social networks such as on twitter or facebook, or simply emailing it to a friend, or adding a widget to your page. There is a panel where they suggest what is needed for the film: in their case, they already succeeded in raising $2000, and now are requesting $10000 for post-production, editing, musicalization, etc. They also have an announcements tab where they keep fans posted on developments on their movie and link to their official site and facebook page.

Here is the excerpt of their film:

The Mecca of Baseball from Ross Finkel on Vimeo.

On IndieGoGo you can search projects by country, by city, date posted, rating, funding status, funding goal and percentage reached in their fundraising activities. So what else is there from around the world?

From Indonesia, JALANAN documents the life of 3 street musicians who play on buses in the streets of Jakarta. They have already won a production grant from ITVS to make the movie, now they need cash to finish the production:

JALANAN (“Streetside”) tells the captivating story of Boni, Ho and Titi – three gifted, charismatic bus musicians in Jakarta – and through them a wider, mostly-unknown story of contemporary Indonesia. JALANAN intimately portrays the young musicians’ lives and quirky sub-culture, while also painting a striking portrait of Indonesia’s frenzied capital city that is raw, humorous and brutally honest. JALANAN accompanies the three characters as they perform songs of social angst on commuter buses, debate politics, flee their tunnel home during a monsoon flood, and get locked up by police. It follows them back to their home villages in East Java and traces their elusive quest for legitimacy, identity and love in their adopted city.

There is also Frontrunner, a documentary about a woman in Afghanistan running for president:

Frontrunner is an enthralling journey through a moment in history, a woman’s quest to become Afghanistan’s first democratically elected president. Nimbly navigating hostile terrain, filmmaker Virginia Williams offers a riveting portrait of Dr. Massouda Jalal, a pediatrician and mother of three who faced near insurmountable challenges in her bid to lead a rigid Muslim society.

Following, an 8 minute trailer for the film, which is attempting to raise $5000 USD for distribution and promotion of the film, and also in subtitling the film to local languages and to be distributed in mobile cinemas throughout Afghanistan and other developing countries.

Read more about how IndieGoGo works and how to participate here. The also provide a great resource for movie-makers in their Blog, where they promote screenings, contests, activities and even have a monthly section by Roberta Marie Munroe on how to keep short films fresh, including hilarious examples of the most seen cliches that you should not include in your film if you wish to stand out (in a good way).