TOP GEAR PHILIPPINES ARTICLE: "Those Menaces on two Wheels"

[roadrats]

[quote=johnd]Good Day mga sir,

I was the one who wrote the response to the article of Mr. Sebastian on the Top Gear forum and sent an e-mail of the same response to the editor of Top Gear si Mr. Vernon Sarne. If you have the time, please visit the website of top gear and read the things stated. The Link is as Mr. Eyesman has posted earlier but just to make things easier for everyone, here it is again:

http://www.topgear.com.ph/board/inde...195.msg776#new

Mr. Sarne has responded to my e-mailed article with this:

Dear Sir:

As editor of Top Gear, I take full responsibility for all the things you raised in your letter. I would like to apologize if Mr Sebastian's column offended your sensibilities as a biker, but know also that Erle¹s kind of writing is really satirical. It¹s not designed to be as serious as Time magazine. Of course, we can argue all day about whether he is effectively funny or whether his points are valid. At the end of the day, however, it is one motoring journalist¹s opinion. We may not agree with him but that¹s his opinion. Same way that you have yours, which, by the way, I promise to publish.

Truth to tell, I¹m not a big fan of bikes either. And I can¹t blame many people for detesting them because many bike riders really pose a serious threat on the road. I should know‹I¹ve lost count of the number of times I almost hit a scooter all because the rider had no concept of mortality. Yes, of course, there are also many responsible, knowledgeable bikers out there‹and I believe you¹re one of them‹but the column doesn¹t speak to your group. It does to the irresponsible ones.

If it¹s of any significance, I would like to assure you that Erle is a good person. He is by far the most honest, most kind journalist I have ever met in all my professional life‹and I¹ve met the best of them.

We at Top Gear do not look down on bikers. In fact, we even have our own Motorbikes Editor in Les Croyston. But we do not have to all agree on everything, do we? Because then, we'd all be brainless columnists and writers.

Sir, the nice thing about that column is that attention is now being drawn toward irresponsible bike-riding. You may not like how it was written, but at least, many people are now talking about it. Isn't that the purpose of journalism--to make people think and question? True, there are other ways to improve the situation, but we are not the LTFRB or the LTO. We're an automotive publication, and we'll always do what we do best--and that is to write what we believe is true and honest.

Again, my personal apologies if the column turned you off. It wasn¹t the desired effect. Thank you for reading and God bless.

Vernon B. Sarne

To Which I responded this:

Dear Mr. Sarne,

Thank you very much for your response. I appreciate the timeliness and the apology that you have offered and I totally agree that we need not agree on everything. I believe it is part of human nature to be opinionated and hold firm to our own beliefs.

However, the generalization that the author made in his article were and still are uncalled for. There are responsible bikers out there, both on big bikes and smaller bikes but on the flip side I also do agree that there are irresponsible bikers just like there are irresponsible drivers. This does not mean though that the author can take such liberties with his words such as, “They are all color blind-they can't distinguish red from green or yellow.” As the editor you should have suggested to Mr. Sebastian to tone down some of his generalizations. I’m not criticizing the way you do your job sir, I am simply offering some constructive remarks. No malice intended.

I am sorry about your close encounters with motorcyclists you have almost hit because the rider had no concept of his own morality. You are not alone in your close encounters sir as I myself have lost count of the number of time car drivers tried to run me off the road because they felt that motorcycles have no place on the Expressways.

We are not the LTO or the LTFRB but as opinion writers we also do form opinions. As people read our articles, we influence them to think like we do. The opinions we form in our readers are our own opinions magnified. These are the responsibilities we as journalist must adhere to. Imagine if someone read Mr. Sebastian’s article and decided in his own mind that because he hated bikers the way Mr. Sebastian hated bikers it would be ok for him to run down every biker he saw on the street. Just the same way as I publish this article and your responses on our website, if I did not think responsibly and act in prudence I could cause even more animosity between bikers and drivers by spinning this issue out of control possibly deepening the already abyss like rift between bike riders and cars drivers. We as journalists must do what we do best as you said which is to write what we believe to be true and honest however I must add to that we must write what is true, honest and responsible.

I have no doubt Mr. Erle is a good person. I do doubt however how responsible he is with his opinions.

The article did draw attention, you are right, however do you really think it will make bikers more introspective about the way they ride their bikes on the road? I bet all this article really did, was flame the anger within bikers who actually spent the time to read the article.

Again, thank you for your response and God Bless you as well sir.

Respectfully,

John Diego

To Which he responded this:

Dear Sir:

I understand where you're coming from. I really do. However, as editor, I would not like to influence what my columnists write in any way, especially if it concerns opinions and beliefs. We operate on trust, and I fully trust every member of my team to be an intelligent, sensible journalist.
Otherwise, I wouldn't have allowed them to be in the Top Gear team in the first place.

If you have been reading Top Gear for quite some time now, you should know that our publication has always been known for the irreverent way its articles and columns are written. Check out Jeremy Clarkson and you have to agree that Erle Sebastian's sarcasm isn't anywhere near Clarkson's.

Honestly, I believe that if it was Jeremy who wrote the same piece, we would just have all shrugged it off. Sometimes, I personally wonder if colonial mentality forces some of us to frown upon Filipino journalists who display the same fiery brand of writing. I truly hope I'm wrong, for it would be a sad, sad reality if I wasn't.

Thank you for your comments. Rest assured that we are not singling out irresponsible bike riders. Continue reading us and chances are that you will come across an article of ours berating bad drivers of four-wheeled motor vehicles.

Sincerely,
Vernon

Im sorry for the extra long post but i just wanted to make sure that everyone in the biking community gets the whole story. I havent drafted a response yet as i believe that my discussion with Mr. Sarne will go back and forth until we just both get sick of each other and nothing will come from this.......so here is my proposition:

Let us all, when we have the time, send an e-mail to Mr. Vernon Sarne (vernon.sarne@summitmedia.com.ph) and ask for a printing of a public apology by Mr. Sebastian for such a biased, opinionated and extremely generalized view of bikers.

If you feel that you are not up to it no worries. Im not usually one to react to articles myself but this one really got to me. As one of your forumers have in his signature, evil will triumph if good men do nothing. I believe this article of Mr Sebastian is dangerous and can cause a backlash from the readers of TG towards MC riders.

If you are tamad to type something up just copy and paste this on your e-mail and send it:

Dear Mr. Sarne,

I read the article of Mr. Jesus Sebastian, Menaces on Two Wheels printed last May 2006, and as a biker i believe a printed apology is in order for your next publication from Mr. Sebastian to the whole biking community for his article filled with hasty generalizations.

Respectfully,

[John Ulep/ Roadrats MC Philippines][Check the National Convention Theme Mr. Sebastian]

[ridex]

ingat cia baka may forumer tayo na hitman or npa at hatulan cia sa sobrang galing nya magsulat! wag nman sana but expect the unexpected!

[Race Breaker]

Neil Palabrica (the Team Publisher), i know this guy back in college. He's an a-hole! He graduated from UP but he's not a MassComm or even a Journalism major. Walang kwentang tao 'to. No wonder mga walang kwenta at irresponsible writers dito sa TG dahil sa mga walang kwentang editors at publishers nito.

Sagana sa marketing through bad publicity! Oo, bumebenta na magazine nyo dahil sa isyu na 'to. Misinforming the public.

I doubt if they are a member of the SPMJ or the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalist headed by Butch Gamboa (Motoring Today host). Sebastian does not deserve to be called a motoring journalist, not even close, as claimed by his EIC, for his hasty generalizations.

Originally Posted by Riverflow_2000

IMO, he's got some really good points which is the outcome of what pasaway riders do on the streets. As well, he's got also disgusting ideas in his article.

Here's the contact of Top Gear. You may frop them an email, or better yet, if anyone has got good writing, you may post an article for our benefit.

[Modular Overrev]

Boycott Top Gear Magazine!!!

[lowrider_zero]

nako nahuhuli lang yan sa oso ngayon kaya ganyan magsalita yan,hindi ata alam nyan feeling pagnaka motor ka.diba ang sarap naman...sir try nyo kaya gawin yon mga gawain namin magpasaway ka rin hehehe............

[vince15]

Originally Posted by Modular Overrev

Boycott Top Gear Magazine!!!

i agree!

spread the news... boycott top gear!

lets continue to do this hanggang humingi sila na apology sa ating mga responsible riders & publish it sa next issue nila.

ill buy the magazine kung gagawin nila to.

................................

question lang:

nabasa na ba nila (top gear) mga post natin dito sa mcp?

[thebat]

Originally Posted by Modular Overrev

Boycott Top Gear Magazine!!!

Yes sir! Let's all boycott TOP GEAR Magazine (you can just buy C magazine instead which is a better and very good car magazine than this TG!)! Better yet, let's all influence our neighbors in boycotting this mag!

[arwin_ActionHob]

THOSE MENACES ON TWO WHEELS
by Jesus Erle Sebastian

Otherwise, I dread the day when Honda's prediction-that the Philippines will become a multi-million motorbike market a year-comes true. In the future, I fear I may be doing some snaggin myself-wittingly or not.

All i can say is "Philippines will become a multi-million motorbike market a year-comes true" NOW NA

Power in your Dreams

[Wolver888]

Originally Posted by Modular Overrev

Boycott Top Gear Magazine!!!

Buti nalang may SCOOTERISTA MAGAZINE!

[rockler8703]

uuuhhmmmm.. personallly i dont really read Topgear. m not into cars but i am not agaits them also!!! stup_d piece of sh_t.


nyways buti na lang may motorcycle magazine.. out na!!! bili na kau!!! hehehehehe.....

[act2000]

I've read Top Gear Magazine and honestly -- their writers don't know how to write!!! I bought them because of their pretty impressive photos but when I started reading them I kinda got turned off.

Then this! Directly attacking the fastest growing sector in the motoring industry is really asking for it. Take note that Honda in the Philippines is investing more into motorcycles than autos in the next three years. We might as well write Honda about this and lobby to pull out all ads and support to TOP GEAR. Anyway, there are a lot more RESPONSIBLE local auto magazines who would love to get their ad revenue.

This is simply irresponsible writing. To the editor, this is irresponsible editing. You should have taken this out or atleast did your job by EDITING the article.

I have been an mcp member for quite a while and we do our job by RESPECTING the automotive industry. The least that TOP GEAR could do is atleast RESPECT our industry and community all together.

The threats that I have read in this folder may seem funny but the fact that there is now a threat to "hurt" the writer of that article in TOP GEAR is not funny anymore.

I AGREE THAT WE SHOULD BOYCOTT READING TOP GEAR. IF YOU WANNA READ THE ARTICLE, READ IT HERE BUT BY ALL MEANS AVOID BUYING A COPY OF IT NOW!!!

To the editor of TOP GEAR -- stop defending your poor writer....and accept that you guys made a complete boo boo. I think you started something negative here!!

[act2000]

And another thing....more accidents were caused by autos than motorcycles.

And the ratio of car accidents to motorcycles is also higher... fyi

[idoc]

Not only should we boycott Top Gear (subscription and sales account for only a part of their revenues) - but we should look at the advertizers in the mag and tell them that we will also boycott those who advertize. Some of us bikers are also cagers so there must be products advertized in the mags for cagers.

If we are to think like them - I hope a hitman shoots them - not to kill them, just to maim them. But let's take it a step further - also their family members.

[wenzxc]

bro, calm down a bit. baka ma high blood ka. anyway, we'll see where this leads us down the road after a unanimous boycott of their mag. but let's not make any hasty decisions that could be negative to you, to us with the mcp and to the motorcycling public. ika nga, two wrongs doesn't make one right (or something to that effect). so let's not add more fire to the fury. action speaks louder than words but in this case, let's try not do anything that would make us liable or as criminals..that is exactly what top gear is waiting for.

[SilverShadow]

I just email the article to Honda Philippines (Motorcycle).

[idoc]

Originally Posted by SilverShadow

I just email the article to Honda Philippines (Motorcycle).

Maybe you can ask them not to advertize or lessen their ads because of the article. I advised our marketing people not to place ads in the mag if ever they came to us. We should spread the word - boycott the mag, boycott those that advertize there.

[badsekktor]

I do agree that unless they have published an apology to the biker community, We should hold a BOYCOTT on their magazine

[diorama]

The show TOP GEAR on television seems very informative, I think they have smart or let us say good producers, but here in our own country a Filipino itself discriminating fellow Filipino,(walang kapatiran) Let's show TOP Gear Magazine what the Motorcycle Community can do. BOYCOTT TOP Gear Magazine!!!

[eyesman]

The editor has already notified and promised us to apologize for this article in his entire editor's note for the July issue.

I hope Sebastian does the same in his column.

I believe the editor is probably taking full responsibility instead of letting his writer speak out candidly again --- which could just fan the flames even further.

Yun nga lang July pa...lets hope this sentiment we bikers have won't die down by then....

[Race Breaker]

Parang ganito yan eh, like ang Playboy Magazine binabasa ba yun ng mga madre, the clergy or womens groups perhaps? Of course hindi because they find the whole publication itself offensive and against sa ideals they're promoting. Etong Top Gear, hindi na rin dapat binabasa ng mga motorcycle enthusiast that promotes motorcycle safety and harmony among motorcyclist and cagers because of its offensive articles on motorcycles and motorcyclist. The only problem is that this publication is readily available sa mga news stands, bookstores and even supermarkets because of SUMMIT MEDIA. Unlike Playboy you can't find anywhere else.

One thing we can do to counter this is to write to other magazines like Motorcycle Magazine, Scooterista etc. and major daily news i.e. letters to the editor or contribute an article to their motoring section, but not in reaction to Sebastian's walang kwentang opinionated, biased article (kalimutan nyo na 'to utang na loob!). Instead do some write-ups to inform the readers on how to safely operate and ride a motorcycle and promote motorcycling as an alternative and affordable means of transportation, since we are one step ahead because of the rising fuel prices. Maging active tayo in writing hindi lang dito sa MCP but in other organizations as well.

I'm not an MCP member nor im a member of any club but I promote safety and responsible motorcycling because I own one. Likewise, Journalist should also promote responsible, reliable journalism based on facts.

Though Playboy is good for bikers!

[johnd]

In all this hoopla, i forgot to check my yahoo e-mail. well lo and behold, Mr sebastian got wind of our outrage and wrote me a letter......here it is:

May 15, 2006

Hi!
This is Jesus Erle.
Sorry to have gotten your blood pressure going. I guess I got too carried away writing about detestable motorcycle riders and by that I mean the irresponsible ones. Male menopause I guess. The column was really meant to get the responsible riders out there to speak up and be counted as one. Now after that has gotten your attention, hope you're riled up enough to start getting on your brothers who are not responsible riders like you.
I have been writing a column for over a decade, and I've found out that oftentimes satire gets people to think seriously about things that we often take for granted. Like road safety.
Now I guess I am on the firing line. I just hope that when you people meet up and talk about that know-nothing, calumnist, idiot, hack on the back page of Top Gear, talk about what you can do to shut up people who think all two-wheeled motorists out there are dangerous. And I don't mean hunt them down. But show them that there are more responsible riders out there than not. And not just writing letters to the editor.
Hey, I am an equal opportunity satirist, and also make fun of all motorists on two-wheeled or more vehicles, commuters, pedestrians, traffic aides, police, mayors, presidents, etc.
I just hope I've been effective at getting people to think about the craziness on the road and a lot of other things in this country we love to hate, and get them mad enough to do something about it.
Always it seems people want someone to write something constructive, suggest solutions, recommend something practical instead of just criticizing others.
Well, I am all for that too.
But like in the movie "Network." I also want people to get all angry and say, "I am mad as hell and I won't take it anymore."
Again I am sorry for messing up with your blood pressure. I may have been too effective at getting people riled up that they vent their ire on me instead of what's happening on the road.
Really enjoyed reading your letter. Maybe I am a masochist as well as satirist and everything else you called me.
Keep safe! Peace!

who wants his e-mail address?

[psyclops16]

sir , is this a letter of apology? or letter of arrogance?

[eyesman]

seems like the writer is justifying his article. that we met his exact objectives. ...to get mad and rise up yaddah yaddah..

this is a blow especially to the motorcycle organizations. Its as if we do not know the industry, the situations on the road, etc.

he does have a penchant for satire and sarcasm doesn't he.

maybe some humility would do him well.

but then again, he loves his article....and by the looks of it....he loves the attention he is getting.

[angelo]

if that is the way he wants to rub off on motorcycle riders to teach other riders, then certainly he is doing it in the wrong way..

why cant he also rub the same discipline instilled in him (?) as a cage driver to other cage riders.. or so to speak to all 4-wheeled and above ivers? certainly, there are a lot more wheeled drivers wh0 are irresponsible as well in the streets.

[BoyG]

the reply reeks of arrogance and sarcasm.