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May Palacpac

As a professional writer, I take plagiarism personally.

I take pride in every work I publish, whether online or offline, whether it’s well-received or ignored completely, because I’ve put my time and my heart in every single one.

There are many ways to plagiarise online without seemingly having done so, and it’s easy to make excuses and keep a straight face while at it that confrontations become useless; but really, if you look within yourself, what does that make you?

If you want to grow in your skill, learn to care. Care for your readers and for what they are searching for. Write for them.

Don’t copy. Don’t rearrange someone else’s work then take credit for it. Don’t be a tomato!

Write in such a way that you are speaking to your readers from what you know. So you need to read and you need to read well. Watch the news. Be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of your industry. Be aware of the world your readers belong to.

Listen first.

The more you really know, the better you will write.

Then you don’t have to copy anyone.

45 responses to “On plagiarism: Are you the same tomato?”

Jerellt

2016-10-13

Hay, I was a victim of plagiarism twice. As in two people lifted my ENTIRE post and claimed it as their own. Nakakaloka kasi one copied my review of a KathNiel movie. She made an effort to change one thing from my post – the name of my husband! @_@

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1. May De Jesus-Palacpac
  
  2016-10-13
  
  hay buti nga sayo, lifted talaga, so madaling magalit. eh sa kin, contextual plagiarism ang ginawa. :(
  
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Ayi

2016-10-13

I hate this. I am very careful with my works, being a freelance writer myself as well. Thankfully, I have no instance of people “borrowing” my works since nakakasama talaga ng loob. It’s hard to go after them pa since its online.

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1. May De Jesus-Palacpac
  
  2016-10-13
  
  Oo Ayi, nakakasama talaga ng loob.
  
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Liz A

2016-10-11

My brother and his team, group of photographers/videographers, have experienced this. They had an argument with a person online for editing out the signature on one of their scenic photos and claimed it as his own. Also, a few photos were even used by a known newspaper in one of their articles a few years back without asking for permission or even acknowledgement of the photo’s source. There goes professionalism down the drain.

As much as possible, I try my best to write original content. And if I borrow words or photos, I always try to make sure that I cite sources. Copyrights, intellectual property rights, patents and the likes appear to have been hammered in my brains since college until now. ????

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1. May De Jesus-Palacpac
  
  2016-10-12
  
  Oh my, parang yung nangyari kay Marie!
  
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Mommy Anna

2016-10-11

Never encountered pa this one in blogging, but during college days someone copied my reaction paper so mahabang debate pa kay dean who really did the work.

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Nhessie

2016-10-11

Oh my, I’m guilty of rewording or rephrasing sometimes. Specially when I’m too lazy to use my brain. Lol! But like everyone else, I try my best to write from the heart.

I’ve always been a fan of your writing style that sometimes I forget to check myself to see if “wait, you sound like May na” Hehe… But you know I love you and I feel you! wink…wink! ????

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Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen

2016-10-10

Nono on stealing other’s work. My food photos often gets snatched and sometimes it gets exhausting to file report after report that you let it go na lang.

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TweenselMom

2016-10-10

For me, it will be better to use an ugly photo of yours if you need photos, why use someone else’ . Ang dami namang mapagkukunan ng photo na free. For blog content, why publish at all kung hindi naman sayo yung ideas. Lalo na when you blog, Ang hirap mag-isip, at nakakainis when someone gets away with something na pinaghirapan mo.

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1. May De Jesus-Palacpac
  
  2016-10-12
  
  “For blog content, why publish at all kung hindi naman sayo yung ideas.”
  
  — Exactly, mommy Lani. I don’t get it. Well, I do know why, in a way, but still…why?
  
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Jerzee Benavente

2016-10-09

Yes, that’s true. Every article is well thought of and emotions are always invested on it. I will never be happy to see my stuff in others crate without being acknowledged. I don’t use watermark on my photos. Hopefully, people will have the conscience.

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Mabel Atienza

2016-10-08

I’m new t blogging but when I write, I write from the heart. It really takes time and hard work.
I know I’ll feel really upset if I discover someone plagiarizing my work too. But, I believe in Karma; and digital karma is faster. :P

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Maria Teresa Figuerres

2016-10-08

Plagiarism is such a big issue in writing. I know several bloggers whose works have already been plagiarized. I wanted to see if other are also people plagiarizing my work, but I just don’t have the time to do that. Sigh!

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1. May De Jesus-Palacpac
  
  2016-10-08
  
  I don’t do it actively, honestly. I just happen to run into them. Some are not aware it’s plagiarism and have limited understanding of the context of the word; others, sadly are aware, but stick to it. This isn’t the first time a part of my work had been imitated. The first one was way, way worse and i had to be the one to make changes because the girl was just too callous to care. I have to say something just to let those people know that I know my work enough to recognize them.
  
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Kati Balayan

2016-10-08

I feel you. When you blog or write, you out a little part of yourself on your work kaya it’s disheartening when you find out na it’s been copied or used without your consent. No matter how you put it, it’s stealing.

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roby

2016-10-06

i think the jargon is now is “Inspiration”. truth is, with the technology now, it very hard to stay really original. as the saying goes, you are unique, just like everybody else.

plagiarism really sucks for all the true creatives out there whose works are being ripped off, what we can really do now is be vigilant and speak up if we saw works being copied.

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1. May De Jesus-Palacpac
  
  2016-10-08
  
  I agree. We have to say something. If no one will say anything, it will become prevalent. It’s actually very known rule and yet many aren’t aware of it. Maybe all they need is to be informed.
  
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Clarinda Santiago

2016-10-06

It’s like lying to yourself. I will watermark all my photos from now on, I worked hard for it, ang hirap magcapture na cellfone lang ang gamit =)

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Mommy Levy

2016-10-06

stealing and getting the credit from other people’s work is a no no for me also, ang bad lang.

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I’m May

Fifty-something storyteller, award-winning writer, long-time content creator, podcast host, artist, an advocate for alternative learning and a staunch supporter of the arts.

Email me at maypalstories@gmail.com