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JAS-F and JMG RENEW OLD RIVALRIES, CLASHES ENSUE
(FIRST of FOUR PARTS.)
by Bubs Sy, with reports by J.R. Aganas & Lowee Climaxkaduha
Hundreds of young people clad in outlandishly colorful clothers were critically injured, and still others more were hurt as street rumbles flared simultaneously across the country, last Saturday, February 14, 2004, raging from four in the afternoon to seven in the evening, leaving people all over shocked and horrified by this violent event.
Violence marred the day of hearts as thousands of rival gangmembers from the JAS-F and the JMG took to the streets in the cities of Makati, Cebu and Davao, and 14 provincial towns like Basilan, San Pablo, and Medellin.
In a pattern of organized violence reminiscent of the 70's street gangwars, rival gangs, the JAS-F (Jodie Ang Santos-Forever) and the JMG (Julena Magdasal Group), rekindled their ten-year old feud in simultaneous bursts of street violence spanning three major cities and 14 provincial towns across the country. This is the first ever “mass rumble” involving two of the most influential and perhaps, most notorious gangs in the country, eclipsing the antics and reigns of terror of criminals like the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf Group and malevolent the That is Enter-tainment (the latter being known for its mass recruitment and training in the dreaded arts of political and career suicide). Sources within the police and representatives from other fraternities and sororities stated that with their memberships running to the thousands nationwide and casual skirmishes at malls and schools and during school intramural games mounting, it was simply a matter of time before things between the JAS-F and the JMG boiled over.
In Cebu City alone, the rumbles have resurrected an old spectre that dominated local headlines between late 2002 and early 2004. "It was like the Akrho-Tau Gamma wars before, only more colorful, and more showbiz stars were present..." winced Polpol, a street vendor and part-time snatcher who was injured by a rumble that erupted at the intersections of Manalili and Magallanes streets in Colon. He had apparently tried to grab a shoulder bag of one JMG member when the rumble started. It was a good thing though, remarked Polpol in Cebuano, that he was clad only a grey shirt and denim pants, or else, he would have been beaten to death. Such is the fury of these dangerous gangs.
JMG: The True Power of Color
The JMG was founded in 1992 and was first introduced to the public by the founder herself, Jolena Magdasal, through a popular afternoon teen-oriented show, although criminal investigators and UP Anthropology scholars surmise that the group was in existence for over two years before. At an early age, the enterprising Ms. Magdasal immediately realized the potential of media in furthering the reach and influence of the then-fledgling JMG. Throughout JMG's twelve-year history, into its fifth year, the JMG founded chapterhouses in the greater Manila Area, Tondo, and Pampanga. When they celebrated their sixth anniversary, JMG was set to expand southwards to the Visayas and Mindanao. In six months, JMG expanded to Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Tawi-tawi. The group even infiltrated the University of Bohol (UB), of the Republic of Bohol, disguising itself as a glee club.
It was around this time that Ms. Magdasal discovered that color had an emotional effect on people. Through rigid research and thorough voluntary testing (both on animals and people), Ms. Magdasal adopted three colors that would serve as her banner colors: Red, lavender and yellow.
Battle Lines Drawn
The reason for the discord lay ultimately in Phillie Jacksons’ interpretation of the popular Flower of the Rings series. As it turned out, the power and influence of these rival groups reached even into Middle-of-the-Earth. Shaider, as it turned out, was a founding member of the JAS-F Middle-of-the-Earth Chapter (with offices in Rohan, Mordor and Fangorn), while Gandolfo was a founding member of the JMG Chapter. In the First Age, there was no distinction between good and evil, up until the Third Age when Sharon-man revealed his true self. In the guise of a JAS-F member, he wormed his way into Shaider's confidence, luring more than ten thousand Orkos to JMG. Fans and readers of the FOTR immediately saw through the thin veneer of deception and called for a serious dialogue with Mr. Jacksons so that the hapless director may redo the movie again and as not to confuse audiences with his lampoon (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy). Among the more prominent characters are that were members of either of the two groups were: Araclown, JAS-F; Ligotoys, JMG; Elroy, JMG; Bibo, JAS-F; Starwen, a JMG wannabe.
When the movies marketing merchandise hit the stores, Ms. Magdasal called for blood. And her loyal followers got armed for war.
(To be continued in, “The Wrath of Jodie Ang”)
[Characters, plot, events and all that what-not are purely fictional and do not represent anyone alive, historical, maniacal or political in nature, birth, or origin, and is the outpouring of the writer of his feelings and opinions to the movement of tides of human existence. The writer would like to thank his mother for fueling his creative energies at a very early age, thereby cursing him forever to a life of colorful fantasies, sporadic psychedelic episodes and spouting "metaphoric baloney" (To quote Mr. Ariel Gurrea, a very good friend of mine -- jootzman).
To all who feel slighted by this pure and unadulterated piece of excellent example of Absurdian fiction, please... laugh with me. --- jootzman.]
