Not Just One: The Central Echo Plagiarism

 

Yes, this plagiarism issue with CPU’s The Central Echo is my own little version of the Corona impeachment trial.

I went to Central Philippine University yesterday ( the first business day after I discovered the plagiarism which was last Saturday) to submit and formally report the crime committed  by The Central Echo writer, Reyshimar C. Arguelles. ( Read this post first if you don’t have any idea on what I’m blabbering about. ).

Call me a girl scout, mother instinct or just well-trained;  I prepared two  letters of complaint  — one for one photo that I was sure was used and claimed by Arguelles and another letter in case, he used more than just one photo.

So before we went to CPU, we went back to Madge Cafe located inside La Paz Public Market where ironically, I discovered and saw the disrespectful deed of a CPU student.

I asked permission to take a photo explaining the issue. Here it was posted on their wall ( it is with me now, thank you Sir Peter of Madge Cafe).

 

I was being punched again when I saw that they used not just one photo! I am sure of two, the others, I give them the benefit of the doubt. It was so nice of Madge Cafe to give me the printed copy which I have to present to CPU’s President Teodosio Robles. They didn’t have their own copy when I went there, good thing I am a girl scout. Felt like the burden of proof was really on me.

Here is a closer look.

 

If you have read my first post, you know that this photo is MINE..

 

With the printed version, husband and I learned that this is ours too!

 

I remember instructing my husband to take that specific shot. They cropped it from this photo which also appeared in my blog post about Madge Cafe. Take note, that’s me wearing a salmon pink shirt..

 

With their skills when it comes to cropping and editing, I give them the benefit of the doubt if these were also taken from me..hopefully not.

 

And this is the best part..

I’m talking about that line on the side crediting Reyshimar C. Arguelles for the photos that The Central Echo published.

What a shame!

 

“Hmm.something is fishy with these photos…”

Now I wonder…

 

May this be a challenge and a way to confirm that values formation is very important.

 

For those who are shaking their head saying that I’m just over-reacting, I respect you. My frustration is the exact opposite when I first saw my name printed on Mabuhay Magazine.

Anyone who works hard, be it as a writer or a photographer will be mad when someone will do this to them. My work and I  (including my husband who helped me) deserve some respect. We spent time to visit the market early morning and let’s face it, we invested in a camera for a high-resolution photos to share.

This is embarrassing to post but I will share it. Here I am doing field work for that article for SMILE Magazine. No need for a 20/20 vision to see that I look like a labandera (laundry woman)?!?!  We travel writers do not always frolic on the beach with our laptops.

 

With due respect, you obviously cannot expect me to wear heels or put on some make-up inside a market. Besides, we went their early morning and worked all day to research for that magazine article.

If I can go there, why can’t you CPU, The Central Echo, visit the place yourself?!?!

 

“Thou shall not steal”

 

The Central Echo Stealing Photos

Madge Cafe