Friday, October 3, 2014

Hashtags, Tabloid Journalism & The Rak of Aegis


WE WERE FOREWARNED that we should not – even if the temptation would be great – sing with the actors/actresses on stage. Otherwise, we will be told to sing at the lobby seven octaves higher than their pitch.
        I don’t know with the rest of the audience but I wasn’t tempted to sing along because I was simply mesmerized by the cast – the Americans would say “in awe” – as they acted out their respective roles through intense songs and even more intense emotions.
        I am talking about the phenomenal musical Rak of Aegis which I went to see several Thursdays back at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Friend Babette Yllana sponsored the night’s show and we were lucky to have been invited.


        I watched it with my sister Patty – the other sister, Maleck, was under the weather at that time, and she regrets to this day for missing it.
        Of course, friend Milen was there, too with family in tow – son Paolo and fiancée Regine; and partner Alvin (extreme right). Babette’s hubby, Raffy, took pictures and I am sharing them all in this post, including the Yllanas’ souvenir shot with one of the musical’s lead actresses, Aicelle Santos. With the couple are son Alvin and daughter Keona.



        As its title suggests, the musical is inspired by the popular songs of Aegis, a popular rock band in the 1990s with three women for soloists.

        After watching the musical, I will never look at these Aegis songs as mere videoke standards again. I have a massive LSS (last song syndrome) from the time I stood up to applaud the entire cast for a superb performance. I sang myself to sleep that night …

        Until now, I belt out basang-basa sa ulan … walang masisilungan in the privacy of my bathroom. I sing ang halik mo nami-miss ko and pag-ibig ko sa ‘yo tunay at totoo, sing-tamis ng wine sing-tatag ng sunshine while waiting for the pasta to cook or photos to upload in my computer or even in between finding the right word for an article or a blog post.
        Maybe you too can sing a line or two of any popular Aegis song. But let me tell you what the musical is about –
FAMILIAR, MUNDANE
        Visualize a small barangay submerged in floodwater aptly called Venizia with a small wooden boat traversing the flooded path. Imagine the usual folks going about their everyday to improve their plight, coming up with stuff to sell like shoes called steliptos and beverages like Baha Jos, which broadcaster Korina Sanchez, who was in the audience, got to taste.


        Reflect on what goes on after a strong typhoon and you come up with people wanting to pick up the pieces the fastest way and fight an impending threat of poverty. In between, conjure up images of unrequited love, a boyfriend who loves himself more, and former lovers getting lost in their past.
        You reach this far and you realize I’m talking about an all too familiar plot. You know the usual teleserye template. In fact, one scene has Mary Jane, played by Isay Alvarez, telling Kil – short for Kilabot – played by her husband Robert Sena, ikaw ang dahilan kung baket humahaba ang teleserye … hindi ka maka-move on.” Both characters, now living separate lives, were involved with each other in their younger years.


        The familiarity goes personal for me as it is mentioned in passing that typhoon Ondoy caused the floods in the barangay. Yes that Ondoy, thus striking a sensitive chord.
        The musical’s writer, Liza Magtoto, is said to have taken inspiration from true stories she has gathered during psycho-social debriefings that PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) held in Binan, Laguna after the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy.  
        Of course, it is true-to-(Pinoy)life. You know how many of our kababayan have turned to YouTube with the hope that Ellen DeGeneres will chance upon their videos. This was exactly what main character Aileen – played by Aicelle Santos – did and she sang her heart out with her submerged barangay for a backdrop. It’s crazy but that scene made me cry …
TRITE BUT NOT QUITE …
        But there was more to just putting tears in my eyes as the performances were simply amazing. They are funny, cheesy funny, hilariously trite and plain poignant all rolled into one. I was even both laughing and crying as I stood up with the rest of the audience to applaud the entire lovable cast.
        Husband-and-wife team Robert and Isay are fun to watch. And so with Arnel Ignacio, who plays the culprit behind the floods in the barangay.


        Sari-sari store owner Jewel – played by Philippe “Phi” Salvador Palmos – sang Sinta better than the Aegis themselves. I’ve seen a lot of doble-kara performances but they don’t come close to this.      


        I even fell in love with Tolits, the boatman – played by Jerald Napoles – who started out as poster boy of unrequited love and finally getting the attention of his love interest, Aileen. Their duet brought the house down and I was like a teenager falling head over heels …



        Jerald played Tolits so well and while he is not your typical heartthrob, he was lovable, huggable and charming. He sang effortlessly yet his voice was powerful. He was graceful with all those exaggerated body language but never overacting. He also has perfect timing.



        I told you I am head over heels …
        Right after the show we looked for him for a photo-op. Friend and photographer for the night Raffy said we’re not the only one and there was actually a queue for those wanting to be photographed with him.


        The rest of the brilliant people behind this great musical include PETA Artistic Director Maribel Legarda; Myke Salomon, direction and musical arrangement; Mio Infante, set design; Gio Gahol, choreography; Jonjon Villareal, lighting; Carlo Pagunaling, costume design; Maco Custodio, shoe design; and Joan Pamintuan, accessory design.
#RESILIENCE
        Rak of Aegis “showcases the Filipinos’ innate resilience in the face of calamity.”
        Yes that word resilience again and it has become a popular hashtag -- #resilience #philippines style. Looks like Webster came up with this word with the Filipino in mind.
        The musical successfully portrayed this word that defines the Filipino spirit. The people of barangay Venizia tirelessly persisted to recover or at least thrive amid the floodwater. Their resilience was anchored on their sense of community as they drew strength from one another. The same resilience likewise resulted in their complacency. There was one point when they hitched their dreams to the floods that won’t go away, marketing their barangay as Bahalandia. They likewise colluded with Arnel’s character thinking they are short of options.
        Sometimes I wish we weren’t so resilient. Cliché-d as it has become, we Filipinos have a penchant for bouncing back, rising again. We have remained unfazed by the usual hell or high water. This trait, however, has made several of us lethargic with the tendency to just let things happen and/or go with the flow. We know that whatever happens we will always overcome and because of our sense of community and clannish tendencies, we know we will always get help.
        How about we level up, learn our lessons and go beyond mere survival. It shouldn’t be enough for us to just cope or be satisfied with doleouts.
        We’ve had these typhoons and its accompanying devastation for a long time now. I remember then Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando admitting that they weren’t prepared for Ondoy’s onslaught. Same thing with Tacloban City Mayor Martin Romualdez who said they didn’t know Yolanda’s surge from Adam.
        In between these aha moments – and surely I’m not the first one to say this – isn’t it about time that we should know the drill by now? Congressman Manny Pacquiao says in SafeSteps.com that opponents don’t let you know they’re coming. And so with typhoons and other disasters but can’t we at least come up with a system that manages donations so we don’t have to hear about millions of them rotting or going to waste?   
        Why can’t we just translate our resilience and impeccable survival instincts to disaster preparedness and self-reliance? Is this easier said than done?
#SUPERMOONS
        But so much for philosophizing …
        Anyway, August came and went as if in a rush. That’s good because the Chinese calls it the Ghost Month. Yet, the same Chinese people called the month just concluded a “Pocketful of Money” because it had five each of its Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this year. They say this happens only once every 823 years! The last time was in 1191 and the next one will be in 2837.
        The rains made a grand entrance with four typhoons in a row with Glenda trying to upstage Yolanda. She knocked my plants over and she practically blew away not just my garden but the rest of Metro Manila.  





        The habagat or monsoon rains remain nasty with its storm-like features. Afternoons or when it’s time for the working populace to go home from work, there is fierce rainfall complete with intimidating thunder.
        And just last week, typhoon Mario almost did an Ondoy, once more plunging the metropolis and neighboring cities in deep water. Daughter Ghiselle and I “evacuated” to my sister Patty’s house in Batasan Hills, Quezon City after a pool of water formed near our gate and the flowers of my gumamela plant became “battered.” Emma, my former managing editor at MOD found my use of the word battered funny but it was more like for want of a better word …


        I’m glad all’s well that ends well … It was even fun hanging out at my sister’s. We celebrated birthdays and watched She’s Dating the Gangster on DVD.
        Seemingly compensating for this unpleasant weather are the monthly super moons, which started in July.
        I was working on the eve of August’s supermoon and that early, the moon already showed its full splendor. I was with friend and business partner Leah coordinating Aiko Sato’s debut party at the Fernwood Gardens in Quezon City.






        Here are some shots of August’s supermoon as seen by photographers from other parts of the world and shared in huffingtonpost.com. They were taken in (below to lowermost) Hong Kong; behind a cross on the unfinished Serbian Orthodox church Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Pristina, Kosovo; and at the beach of Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  



       
        I didn’t get a chance to capture July’s supermoon but I did enjoy watching it from my frontyard.

        Dark clouds spoiled the splendor of September’s supermoon – also known as the harvest moon – but it gave me a beautiful preview the night before …



        According to metro.co.uk, it is known as harvest moon because it’s the full moon closest to the Northern Hemisphere’s autumnal equinox on September 22nd. It added that according to tradition, the bright moon helps light the way for farmers bringing in their crop late in the evening.
       
        And here are some amazing shots of the year’s last supermoon from other parts of the world. Clouds either hovered over or went past them but they were captured beautifully. They were taken in Washington, DC (via washingtonpost.com/Ian Livingston); Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia (via metro.co.uk/AP photo.Dmitry Lovetsky); and near Encinitas, California (metro.co.uk/Reuters.Mike Blake).





        And this one is kinda Christmas-y as it is set against a big red star in a building in central Minsk in the Belarus Republic.



#SUMMER
        Despite the rains, I can still feel the heat.  
        Summer was short but sweet. And this summer’s memories center on Baguio City with its tall pines which seem to be telling me, “excuse me while I kiss the sky.”




        But I found one which is not so tall and I made sure I have a souvenir shot with it. This cute pine tree was at the Stations of the Cross at the city’s Sto. Tomas Forest Reserve.

        Somewhere along the way, Star Cinema declared summer as the new Valentine’s by launching the team-up movie of Sarah Geronimo and Coco Martin entitled Maybe This Time. This is relevant because a lot of us found love in the time of hot weather.

        The longest day – they call it summer solstice – happened on the 21st of June, a day after daughter Pee Ann celebrated her birthday. According to PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration … whew!) reports, the daytime lasted for 12 hours, 59 minutes and 36 seconds.
        Anyway, daughter Ghiselle and I celebrated Pee Ann’s birthday at Zensho, a Japanese restaurant along Tomas Morato in Quezon City. It’s across Richard Yap aka Ser Chief’s restaurant Wangfu Chinese Bistro.


        About the same time, Pee Ann bumps into Ser Chief in Vancouver, at the Cactus Club Café. She wasted no time in asking for a photo with him, making a lot of us envious, most especially my friend Leah.

#HAPPYDAYS
        Speaking about Ser Chief, he continues to be seen with Maya played by Jodi Santamaria in Be Careful With My Heart, ABS-CBN’s kilig teleserye. The show reached its 500th episode in June.

        They have been airing for two years now and a thanksgiving concert was held at the Araneta Coliseum. It was called I Heart You 2: Be Careful With My Heart Anniversary Thanksgiving. In an interview, Jodi said, “It’s like a grand family reunion with our viewers who have supported the show from the beginning and continue to follow the love story of Maya and Ser Chief.”
        I caught the concert on TV and I really enjoyed it. Even in the concert, Ser Chief and Maya really have that kilig factor.

        As usual there’s criticism in social media that the morning soap has been stretched “far too long.” Well, to these bashers, no one’s asking you to watch it. As for me, it continues to be a feel-good story and I hope that it goes on as long as the writers can stretch the story... 
        And I like the special appearance of Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo as the young Anastacio and Manang Fe.


        Still on happy days, it was indeed a happy birthday for me last September 3rd. Considering the many wishes of good health and happiness and affirmations of good vibes and positivity, my life is generally hashtagged happy days.  
        I also enjoyed reading customized greetings, especially from daughter Pee Ann, brother Abe, and several other family members and friends.  High school friend Jun even shared a YouTube link of American singer Lulu singing the theme song from the movie To Sir, With Love shown ages ago. Sweet …



        Of course, I started the day by hearing Mass at St. Peter Parish along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to thank the Lord for His goodness and grace. Daughters Ghiselle and Pee Ann treated me to dinner at Ser Chief’s Wangfu Chinese Bistro. Pictures below tell the rest of the story.







        P.S. That’s not all about the rest of the story. While savoring the Chinese-Singaporean meal, I was half expecting Ser Chief to walk into the restaurant … Ha-ha …
#EMPOWEREDMUDRA    
        It is history but I remember Mother’s Day which was, as usual, memorable. I love it because I get to hear what I want to hear from my daughters. Greetings galore and as friend Judge Lani has remarked in her post, it’s time we moms had a party list in Congress …


        Of course, I remembered my mom, too – below are two of my favorite photos with her taken in a street in Bali, Indonesia and a spa in Palawan – who is already in heaven and must be fuming mad. A staunch Nora Aunor fan – they even have the same birthdays, May 21st – I’m sure she didn’t take lightly President Noynoy’s decision to drop the Superstar from the list of National Artists.



        A couple of years ago, we bumped into Noynoy at the Mall of Asia (MOA). He hasn’t declared his presidency then but there was already a clamor. My mom didn’t want to join me and my sisters when we had our pictures taken with him. Even at that time, she obviously didn’t “feel” the man. Please don’t get any ideas on the second photo where his hand is “that way,” he was telling his bodyguards to let him be photographed by us.


        Anyway, this piece of news was discussed lengthily on all forms of media. It was amusing that P-Noy let himself be caught in this kind of imbroglio.


        Ate Guy has long been vindicated, however, with an outpouring of love which ensued after P-Noy’s rejection. Several activities were launched including a forum held at the Ateneo de Manila University entitled “The Nora Effect: A Forum on the Crisis in the Order of National Art.”
        She has been proclaimed the People’s National Artist by various sectors, including a Facebook page with “Nora Aunor for National Artist” as its battlecry.


        Towards the end of August, the University of the Philippines (UP) gave her the Gawad Plaridel Award, the highest award given by the state university to an outstanding media practitioner (photo credit: www.mb.com.ph). The award once again vindicated her excellent contribution to film and television.


        Fellow artists likewise aired their support by vouching for her unconditionally. Gary Valenciano said, “Everyone will fall short at some point in their lives, but not everyone is blessed with the talent that Nora Aunor has.”
        Comedian Epi Quizon, for his part, declared, “Nora is more than a National Artist, she’s a National Treasure.”


SILLY SEASON
      Merriam-Webster regularly sends me their Word of the Day and the latest got me interested. It’s a phrase actually, silly season, which means a period in late summer when mass media often focus on trivial or frivolous matters for lack of major news stories.
        Merriam-Webster further said that silly season was coined in the mid-19th century to describe the time when journalists face a bit of conundrum: Washington is on summer break and European governments are on vacation. It is a period marked by outlandish or illogical activity or behavior.
        Celebrity news here in the country seems to be always like silly season but in a higher level. It’s called tabloid journalism which highlights sensational stories about the personal lives of celebrities – both in showbiz and politics – which are sometimes “borderline defamatory.”
        Anyway, tabloid journalism and silly season are here to stay. As analyzed by comedienne Eugene Domingo during her guesting in ABS-CBN’s The Bottomline With Boy Abunda, controversies are needed in the life of a celebrity just so he/she won’t become boring. “But to some celebrities, sobra naman which gives a bad light to the (showbiz) industry.”


        Let’s take a look at what’s on the local scene …
        Comedienne Ai-Ai de las Alas, 49, revealed her successful vagina-tightening called the FemiLift procedure or Pusikip, through Belo Medical Group. In a press conference with her doctor, Vickie Belo, beside her, she described the feeling after the procedure as “like a virgin.”



        Prior to this, she announced that Vice President Jojo Binay is her President in 2016. She then declared her intention to run for town mayor in Batangas. And just recently, she opened up to a new romance with a 20-year old badminton player (photo credit: entertainment.tempo.com.ph).


        Gretchen Baretto gushes after being told of her latest role as mistress in an upcoming project with ABS-CBN, “ay perfect … hindi ko na kailangan mag-emote.”


        Meanwhile, she and Richard Gomez – both won the 0+ Stars of the Night in the recent Star Magic Ball – are doing a movie together for Star Cinema entitled Almost A Love Story. The Chito Rono film also stars John Lloyd Cruz – who together with girlfriend Angelica Panganiban were chosen Best Couple of the Night at the same ball – and it is set for an October playdate. [Photo credits: ABS-CBNnews.com and rappler.com, respectively]




        “Hindi po ako umaarte,” says imprisoned Senator Bong Revilla after telling reporters that malungkot sa loob.
        I know you’ve seen his comical mug shot – officially released by the Public Information Office (PIO) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) – giving his best smile as if he’s surrounded by klieg lights. Some reporters even detailed his first meal in prison of fried fish and munggo. And then he announced that he would run for president from the four walls of his jail cell.


        His co-accused and friend Senator Jinggoy Estrada reveals he will make loom bands while in prison. He likewise announced his active participation in the 2016 polls. But there’s no smile in his mug shot before the PNP. You have to remember this is not the first time he gets booked for a crime and he knows exactly how he should look in a mug shot. [Photo credit: gmanetwork.com]


        The two senators are facing charges of plunder and graft before the Sandiganbayan together with Senator Johnny Ponce Enrile. Yet they set their sights on 2016 instead of focusing on their respective cases and prove their accusers wrong.
        In between the rainy afternoons and the annoying traffic, Supreme Court declares the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) unconstitutional. This isn’t silly because this is the law …
        But P-Noy’s reaction to that decision is, wherein he calls on his bosses, the Filipinos, to wear a yellow ribbon to demonstrate their support for his leadership.
        Other sectors followed suit with supporters of the Supreme Court themselves opting for black and red (#JudicialIndependence). And there’s peach for those wanting to impeach the President, notably the Makabayan bloc, as shown in the photo below from ABS-CBNnews.com. They attended the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) in their color-coded barong and gowns.


        Expectedly, the three impeachment cases were dropped due to insufficiency in substance. The filers, however, led by Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares, condemned the undue speed with which the Justice Committee of the House of Representatives tackled the complaints.
        There is also some celerity with the way P-Noy changed his mind from counting the days to 2016 when he would step down from the presidency to “I might do even better” as he warms up to a second term.


        Juana Change quipped in reaction to this, “akala ko hair extension yun pala term extension ang gusto ng lolo mo.”
        And P-Noy’s allies were somewhat quick to the dance floor as they revive – yet again! – the chacha (charter change).
        Oh well …
        Now this is ultimate silly if not idiotic – the construction by DMCI Holdings of Torre de Manila at the back of Rizal Monument at the Luneta Park in Manila. [Photo credit: inquirer.net/Edwin Bacasmas]


        Needless to say, the monument and shrine should have clear skies for a background and not some distracting and obtrusive condominium.  The resort-inspired high-rise residential condo obviously ruins this important landmark’s view.
        The netizens are right, this is a downright photobomber [#PambansangPhotobomber]. A Facebook page, NOtoDMCIsTerrordeManila, has likewise been created calling the condo Terror de Manila.


        Here lies our National Hero and the least we could do is respect his environment.  
        Anyway, there’s more silly stuff in the news like teenage actress Julia Barretto – chosen Best Dressed Female at the recent Star Magic Ball – who wants to change her last name to follow her mom’s. Poor dad Dennis Padilla filed a motion to intervene and we still have to see the end of this …


        Sanrio recently announced – after 40 years! – Hello Kitty is not a cat but a girl and a British one at that. [I took a shot of this store in a recent visit to Eastwood City that had on sale products on the Japanese cat but actually British girl.]


        The world has said enough about this but I found some pronouncements neither silly nor frivolous. They’re actually cute …
        Like Kuya Bodjie’s honesty when he said in his Facebook page: “Linilinaw ko lang po. Si Pong at si Kiko po ay hindi pagong at matsing. Sila po ay mga puppet. Salamat po.”
        And still on Facebook, McDo(nald’s) Philippines comes up with the following post –


        Some congressmen are definitely not cute when they filed House Bill 4807 which has been dubbed the “anti-selfie” bill. In a statement, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said the bill “poses an all too real threat not only to freedom of the press, but on the very right to free expression.”
        NUJP added “the measure could end up stifling citizen journalism and even simply taking pictures or videos for personal pleasure.”
        Well said NUJP. My family and friends love taking selfies and more than the pictures are the memories that go with them and how much fun we have while taking them.



        To the men and women of Congress, let us focus our energy on making laws that are relevant to making your constituents’ lives better as well as preserving their democratic right.
#GOOD TIDINGS
      But the news were not all silly or frivolous or even controversial.
        “A spiritual storm” is how Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle describes Pope Francis’ visit to the country in January next year.
        Pope Francis wants to spend time with the poor and those who suffered due to Yolanda’s rage last year in the Visayas.
        “He will be sitting side by side with poor people,” said Archbishop John Du of Palo, Leyte in an inquirer.net report. “Simple food will be served and there will be no VIPs.”
      The Pope has been pictured while liberally hobnobbing with the poor and all types of people regardless of religion (photo credits: www.telegraph.com.uk). This has endeared him to the world, including the non-Catholics.
      In commemoration of Holy Thursday, he kissed and washed the feet of two women and two Muslim prisoners as part of the day’s traditional rite at the juvenile detention center of Casa del Marmo in Rome.


      Other interesting photos of the Pope include joking with the newlyweds of an association in Rome which deals with clowntherapia or clown therapy in hospitals, nursing homes and orphanages; having a moment with a 19-month old pope impersonator Daniele De Sanctis during his weekly general audience at St. Peter’s Square; and enjoying the traditional Argentinian drink mate which is similar to tea as he arrives at the square.





            Meanwhile in our country that awaits his visit early next year, a standee has been provided by Radio Veritas – and situated in various schools and parishes and of course at the Arzobispo de Manila in Intramuros (photo credit: gmanetwork.com/Danny Pataw; with a church worker fixing it) – until such time that we can take that much coveted selfie/groupie with him.


        The country continues to earn worldwide admiration as my beloved city of Vigan makes it to the short list of 21 cities in the New7Wonder Cities of the world. (Here’s a photo of the arch which I took a couple of years back and I am sharing one, that of the Simbaan a Bassit – a small church located near a cemetery in downtown Vigan – by LAKADPILIPINAS.com/Christian Lucas Sangoyo.)




        A global competition has been initiated by New7Wonders Foundation, a Swiss non-profit organization which aims “to protect and preserve the world’s man-made and natural heritage.”
        This is the same organization that named Puerto Princesa in Palawan one of the world’s New7Wonders of Nature in 2011.
        According to a news release in its website, the city of Vigan has qualified as one of the Top 28 cities and the lone candidate from the Philippines. It made the short list in October last year following a screening of more than 1,200 nominees from 200 countries.
        As we all know, the city of Vigan is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
        Other nominees in the Asia-Pacific include Bangkok, Thailand; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Kyoto, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Shenzhen, China; Mumbai, India; and Perth, Australia.         
        Another life was meaningfully changed as nine-year old Lyca Gairanod – whose family scavenges for a living – wins the grand championship of ABS-CBN’s The Voice Kids. Her coach was Sarah Geronimo (photo from The Voice of the Philippines Facebook page).



        Lyca was a guest at ABS-CBN’s Gandang Gabi Vice and shared her story bringing host Vice Ganda to tears. She also showed her funny side as she sang Wrecking Ball ala-Mommy D(ionisia Pacquiao). When performing in General Santos City with the rest of The Voice Kids champions, Mommy D was in the audience and she obliged a duet with the talented kid.



        My choice for The Voice Kids was another Sarah Geronimo protégé, Darren Espanto. He was likewise coach Bamboo’s choice and the latter sort of lamented in an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that in reality-based competitions, “narrative is important, people like stories.” (Photos from The Voice of the Philippines Facebook page.)



        Well Bamboo, our kababayans are guilty as charged. A lot commented that this is not a contest of who is pinaka-kawawa. But fellow coach Lea Salonga gave a relevant explanation in her article published on inquirer.net and we quote –
        “Lyca is The Voice Kids grand champion because she represented everyone who voted for her. If her dream could come true, then, everyone else’s could, too. What people felt for her was not pity; it was something far more positive: Hope.”
        Anyway, Lea recently received the Pilita Corrales Lifetime Achievement Award from the PMPC (Philippine Movie Press Club) Star Awards for Music. She was also given a tribute in the said awards night with Darlene Vibares, The Voice Kids’ third runner-up and whom she coached, being one of the performers. (Photo from push.com).


        Teachers’ lives will hopefully change positively as well with Senator Loren Legarda’s Senate Bill No. 2351, which ”aims to raise the salary of public school teachers and its non-teaching personnel.”
        Specifically, the bill will increase to P25,000 the elementary/secondary teachers’ monthly salary from the current P18,549. The non-teaching personnel will get P15,000 from P9,000.
        The lady senator – seen here in a Mandaya tribe-inspired outfit given to her by the said indigenous people of Davao Oriental [photo credit: PEP.ph] – said the bill will help “the State fulfill its responsibility of ensuring adequate compensation for teachers.”


        Nephew Ronald shared the good news [gmanetwork.com] on his Facebook page. A teacher himself, he commented that through this new bill, teachers will no longer have to sell tocino and longganiza on the side.
THE YOUNG & THE UN-YOUNG
        This has nothing to do with the news but I commend SunLife for its new TVC, not because it stars Piolo Pascual (seen here with reigning Ms. World Megan Young during the recent Star Magic Ball).


        I like TVC’s tagline, “Let’s raise a financially prepared generation,” and shows Piolo passing on money wisdom to son Inigo.  It puts emphasis on parents teaching their teenage kids the importance of financial planning and intelligent spending.


        Instead of giving gifts to your kids like a smart phone, a car or, citing Janet Napoles, too much cash to almost wipe out a luxury store, SunLife offers an alternative and that is financial literacy (#PYOLO or plan, you only live once).
        “This campaign echoes what I personally want for my son – to protect not only his future but also that of the next generation,” says Piolo.
        “For some reason, I love saving up and my dad always reminds me to spend on things that really matter,” Inigo says.
        Good for him because unlike Janet’s daughter Jeane, who is now  being unduly charged with tax evasion, was lavishly endowed by her mom that she learned to value only material things. Now she has to learn the hard and painful way how burdensome material things are – like her mom’s gift of a Porsche, not one but two – when she graduated magna cum laude and when she celebrated a birthday.
        Another TVC that I truly enjoy is McDonald’s Everyday McSavers’ Senior Citizen Edition. The three seniors featured are charming with two bragging about the fact that they can still move about. Until the third one comes along and they tease him because they thought he was walking with a cane. It turns out he was holding a monopod. He then raises it and takes a photo of the three of them. A lady senior in the next table says “ang cute.”


        I know a lot of senior citizens both in my family and circle of friends and they are really cute.  I’m not there yet but looking at how they are enjoying their life, I kinda look forward to it. 
        Early this year while looking for a gift to high school friend Mirella who practically has everything, I chanced upon a book by Judith Viorst entitled Suddenly Sixty and goodreads.com described it as “a funny and touching book that speaks directly to the sixty-ish woman, inviting her to laugh about, sigh over, and come to hopeful terms with the complex issues of this decade of life.”
        Evie, another high school friend, and I went to bookstores in search of the said book but it was sold out. Looks like it was really an appropriate gift for somebody turning 60.
        Well my point is turning senior or even reaching mid-life is actually cool.  The whistlebait waistline may be gone and movement no longer has the easy agility but we’re having fun with what we have, who we have and we are able to keep up with today’s generation.
        And as Ms. Viorst has said in her book, we should learn “to laugh about … the complex issues of this decade of life.”
        Borrowing the words from a song by Taylor Swift – and I can quote a song from her! – “I don’t know about you, but I feel like 22.”
THE COLD & THE UNCOOL
        There has been much noise about the Ice Bucket Challenge (#IceBucketChallenge) and for a while, I thought it was silly with too many people doing it then posting their videos on Facebook thus clogging my News Feed. I was clueless as to whether it was really creating awareness and successfully raising funds for the much-dreaded ALS Disease (Amyotrophic lateral selerosis) or commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. This is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
        But then I was enlightened while watching the hosts of It’s Showtime, ABS-CBN’s noontime show, as well as several other local celebrities doing it and actually donating cash.
        Anne’s boyfriend Erwan Heusaff did the honors of pouring the bucket of ice water on her – she posted photos on this in her Facebook page – while Vice Ganda was drenched after an opening number on It’s Showtime.


        I didn’t see Kris Aquino do it but I saw an Aquino & Abunda Tonight episode where she was reading and showing an acknowledgement receipt for her donation from ALSA.org. She took the challenge after being nominated by friend and TV5 talent Derek Ramsay, who recently gave her a dog, named Prada (photo from Kris’ Instagram).


        I also read several businessmen doing it, notably Andrew Tan, Megaworld Philippines’ chairman and CEO, who was the first one to take the challenge [screengrab from a YouTube video] and donate to the cause as well. 


        As of August 29th, the ALS Association has received $100.9 million in donations from all over the world. It only managed to get $2.8 million same time last year.
        “The word gratitude doesn’t do enough to express what we are feeling right now,” says Barbara Newhouse, ALSA’s president and CEO, in an article in the organization’s website. “We recognize a profound send of urgency and are engaged in discussions about how we’re going to put this money to work in the short term and into the future.”


        Just recently, I was tricked into playing the 2014 Breast Cancer Awareness game. My friend Ana posted this in her Facebook page saying “I think I’m in love with someone, what should I do?” I made a comment and she sends me a private message –
        LOL, you should not have liked or commented!!!! Now you have to pick from one of these below and post it to your status. This is THE 2014 BREAST CANCER AWARENESS game. Don't be a spoil sport, pick your poison from one of these and change your status, 1) Damn diarrhea 2) Just used my boobs to get out of a speeding ticket 3) How do you get rid of foot fungus 4) No toilet paper, goodbye socks. 5) I think I'm in love with someone, what should I do? 6) I've decided to stop wearing underwear 7) it's confirmed, I'm going to be a Mommy/Daddy! 8 ) Just won $900 on a scratch card 9) I've just found out I've been cheated on the past 5 months. Post with no explanations. So sorry, I fell for it too. Looking forward to your post....
        I didn’t want to be a spoil sport and breast cancer – just like Alzhimer’s disease/Dementia and autism – is one of those things I support on Facebook. The game’s uncool because, well, breast cancer is a serious matter. But whoever started this brought home the message that we should be aware of breast cancer and remember the pain and sadness victims and their loved ones suffer.
        In hindsight, I should have made another post after this cryptic poison with something relevant like sharing the website of ICanServeFoundation, Inc. – wwwicanservefoundation.org – which advocates early breast cancer detection. I had the chance to write about its founder, journalist and breast cancer survivor, Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, several years back for MOD’s Breast Cancer Awareness Issue – this was in October because it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Her strength of character and those of other celebrity members and breast cancer survivors themselves, including actress Maritoni Fernandez and writer/biographer Bibeth Orteza, were amazing.
IN RUNNING MODE
        When it comes to creating awareness, our politicians are experts.
        It is only September, the first of the ‘ber months, but they have been making their presence felt, calling attention to themselves to make sure people remember them in 2016.
        Right now, I can only look forward to Christmas but for them, elections are in the air and they are already in running mode.
        I’m happy it’s that season of the year once more and I’m happier being a Filipino because we get to spend it the longest. I don’t care what other people think or say, I love these last months of the year when holiday cheer happens and capped by a brand new year.
        I’ve heard by first Christmas song even before September could start – at the Rak of Aegis musical – and it’s Aegis’ Christmas Bonus performed by character Aileen. I listen to my Christmas playlist every morning which includes the Beatles’ version of Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree in the style of I Saw Her Standing There; Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas (Is You); Maroon 5’s Happy Christmas (War Is Over); and Eraserheads’ The Christmas Alphabet. You’re right, I already included Aegis’ Christmas Bonus in the list.




        Anyway, Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay is all over the place as he is definite about his plans come 2016. He wants to be the next president and he made sure we are aware of that. “Bata pa ako pinangarap ko na,” he said in one of his many interviews.
        His first choice of a running mate is in prison, Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Manila Mayor Josephe “Erap” Estrada, however, has long declared that his son is no longer running with him.
        There were other partners considered or perhaps dangled to get public opinion – Senators Grace Poe-Llamanzares, former senator Manny Villar; and even DILG (Department of Interior & Local Government) Secretary Mar Roxas – with him in a photo taken by Senator Loren Legarda during the visit of American President Barrack Obama early this year and published in gmanetwork.com).


        No takers yet with businessman Manny V. Pangilinan being the latest to be offered his running mate. MVP was quick to say that the only running he wants to do is in a marathon.
        Much earlier, even P-Noy’s sisters Kris and Ballsy were open to “the possible ‘adoption’ of Binay as LP’s standard bearer in the 2016 elections.”
        Amidst all this, Joey Salgado, Binay’s press officer, has said in an inquirer.net article that it’s too early to even speculate VP Binay’s running mate in 2016. “But I guess it’s never too early for political intrigues,” he adds.
        For his part, Binay emphasized that “nothing is impossible in politics. Everything is possible.”
        Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who has just announced that her cancer cells are waving a white flag, is also eyeing the presidency. Looks like the medication she was given, a tablet called Tarceva (Erlotinib), is quite effective.
        “I’m not going to be coy,” she says. “Society leaders have urged me to seek the presidency, I can rise to the occasion … “
        This is not the first time she has said this. In her Facebook page, she simultaneously announced her cancer and her plan to run for president when she goes into remission. 



        She has likewise announced her prospective running mates in the persons of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro and Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares.
        “Maybe we can have two women running together, president and vice president,” she said in an article in ABS-CBNnews.com. “How about that ladies? Maybe it’s Miriam and Grace … sounds so charming.”
        Grace is thankful for Miriam’s consideration but she already said she’s not running for higher office in 2016. The Senator, shown in a photo with her husband, was invited at the recent Star Magic Ball (photo from ABS-CBNnews.com).



        This was shared on Facebook as netizens tried to be funny with the following tandem pairing her off to Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, presidential assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization. 


        Other suggestions included a Pacquiao-Poe or Poe-Pacquiao …
        I am not sure if this has any connection but maybe political partners should undergo something like a Sensuality Workshop, which love teams have to undergo to be able to work, blend and act well in a teleserye. I learned this from actress Bea Alonzo who revealed in an interview that she had to undergo this kind of workshop with co-star Paulo Avelino before tackling their roles in ABS-CBN’s primetime soap Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon.
PROPOSALS GALORE
        Along with these pronouncements are interesting proposals that have been happening among prospective contenders in 2016.
        For the longest time, there has been talk about Dingdong Dantes’ political plans. In fact, GMA network’s prime talent just completed his degree in B.S. Business Administration, which many believe to be in preparation for this career path. Shouldn’t he have taken a more appropriate degree like Public Administration or Political Science?
        Anyway, tongues wagged some more when he recently went down on one knee to pop the magical question to girlfriend Marian Rivera in her GMA-7 show Marian, saying it was scripted. Several days later, Dingdong would admit it was a second proposal, the first one being done in Macau in 2012 but kept secret from the public.


        In a push.abs-cbnnews.com report, Dingdong said it was unfair that he is being accused of using his personal life to gain sympathy for the upcoming 2016 elections. He explained that he and Marian owe it to the public to share this moment because “everyone has been part of our love story” even if “may option din naman talaga kami to really keep this private.”
        He added that he is not running for a public position in 2016.
        Anyway, the wedding will be this December 30th at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City.
        Also accused of doing it for the 2016 polls is Senator Chiz Escudero who surprised actress girlfriend Heart Evangelista with a proposal in his hometown of Buhatan, Sorsogon. The couple made a gorgeous pair during the Star Magic Ball (photo credit: ABS-CBNnews.com/Jonathan Cellona)


        A date has been set, February 15 next year at the Balesin Island Club.
        The senator’s timing, however, created some controversy with another couple – Tyke Kalaw and broadcaster Cesca Litton – who had the same venue and date in mind. A misunderstanding with the owner and staff of the club resulted in the Kalaw-Litton nuptials moving on to another venue.
        That ironed out, the senator continues to be accused of a politically motivated proposal. Recently, the couple went on vacation in Paris – which was the perfect place to do a proposal but he didn’t do it.
        This reminds me of a post made by my friend Laissa on Facebook.


        Defending himself, Chiz said in ph.celebrity.yahoo.com that “the wedding is not being timed for the 2016 elections.” He added, “I’m making a decision one thing at a time; our getting married has nothing to do with my running or not running. We will get married at some point and besides President Aquino has proven that being married has nothing to do with winning, hindi kailangan magpakasal.”
        And speaking of P-Noy, he will be Chiz’ best man. In an interview with Yahoo Philippines, he revealed that he asked the President two months before he proposed to Heart. The couple is also thinking of getting Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who introduced the couple to each other; and  Grace Poe-Llamanzares as sponsors.
        Luis Manzano, who has long reconciled with girlfriend Angel Locsin, is also being groomed to run for mayor in Lipa City. In interviews, however, he has expressed that his priority “is having a wedding.”
        The couple’s latest appearance – which media described as “looked like a campaign sortie for Luis”; photo credit: pinoyshowbizdaily.blogspot.com – was in Batangas’ Alay Lakad event, a project of Luis’ mom, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, who is on her last term as governor. The event is a fund-raiser for the benefit of out-of-school youth in the province.  Also in photo (extreme left) is Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste.


        In an interview after the event which was shown on ABS-CBN’s Bandila, the couple was asked about their wedding plans. They were joking each other with Luis telling Angel to spend for the wedding, saying “masasagot ko lang ang magandang lahi.” He likewise said that they are planning to hold their wedding at the suddenly controversial Balesin Island Club.


        Knowing Luis, I’m sure he is likewise planning a grand proposal.
        But why am I saying this? Well, these lovely actresses will surely make the political firmament much lovelier. Leyte Congresswoman Lucy Torres showed the way and she was stunning at the recent SONA Red Carpet with husband Richard Gomez the perfect escort. (photo: ABS-CBNnews.com/Fernand Sepe, Jr.)


#GOOD VIBES
        And the countdown to Christmas is in progress. As mentioned earlier, the clock began ticking for our political wannabes and it’s ticking faster than you can say 2016 elections. Same thing with P-Noy who counts the days until he walks out of Malacanang and become an ordinary citizen again – if he will not opt to stay longer in power.
        With all of this, I am tempted to repeat myself and proclaim tempus fugit! Indeed time flies. Before we know it, Christmas is here and then suddenly it would be 2016 …
        I don’t want time to fly because these ‘ber months are always fun and memorable for me and my loved ones.
        I’m not really into countdowns but I enjoy watching people who do. Like ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol that ends the newscast with this –

        The malls have turned their places into yuletide wonderland and I love it. Last Sunday, daughter Ghiselle and I had our usual eat.pray.love at Trinoma and Landmark had this Christmas in the Vatican promo.




        This brings me to my other favorite Latin phrase – carpe diem – which is my life’s mantra – or seize the day!
       
        I learned the phrase from Robin Williams, who played a Literature professor in Dead Poets Society, and taught his students to seize each day. Surely I am one of many who were shocked at the way he died. Let me then share a post on Facebook by Maria Shriver in reaction to Robin’s death; and a quote from the actor (www.robinwilliams.com) –




        Anyway, you’ve heard me say this before and I’m saying it again, I will simply seize the day. And I will continue to be thankful for each day and I like what my friend Charity posted recently on Facebook


        Actress Anne Curtis – one of Time Magazine’s 50 Smartest Celebrities on Twitter – sort of echoes this when she says on It’s Showtime, “every gising is a blessing.” Photo shows her with her co-hosts in a groupie taken after their show in Edmonton, Canada and shared on Facebook.


        Anne likewise sends positivity and good vibes in her Facebook page –


        And I share this photo of a giant Pepsi billboard along NLEX which I took on our way up to Baguio last Holy Week –



        The rest of the year will be hashtagged good vibes for me. Answering a quiz on playbuzz.com on which song was actually written for you, it was Happy by Pharrell Williams for me. Tests.net asks what color are you and my quiz result would make P-Noy happy because it says yellow with the following explanation –



        Playing true to form with the song written for me, I choose to be happy. I’m not sure though if I got my color right, I’m not mellow – never – and I don’t need convincing to get out of my mold or to help a friend.

        So clap along everyone because happiness should always be our truth.


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