Annie Brasil

It was Annie Brasil’s last night at the Cucina Stagionale Restaurant and Bar here in the Big Apple. Olwen, Chief and I first went to the Village Vanguard, one of the more popular jazz bars here in Manhattan. There was a long line for the 10:30 show. Using Ben’s portable GPS, we tracked down a couple of other jazz bars in the area but somehow, our steps led us to Cucina Stagionale.

This place is located at 289 Bleecker Street corner of 7th Avenue. The place was not really full and the crowd were mostly watching the Giants and Patriots football game.

A nearly-bald guy floor manager greeted us and pointed us to Annie who was at the end of the bar with other friends. She moved up to us and greeted us. Kababayans!

She sung her last set for tonight and the past ten years (as she would later reveal to us!). Yes, this was her last night. Photos. Photos. Photos.


Now, who is Annie Brasil. Yes, she is the mother of Richard Merck and Rachel Anne Wolfe. Cecile would later describe more of Annie. Her contemporaries include Pilita Corrales, Mercy Molina. And that she used to be a regular guest at “Seeing Stars with Joe Quirino.”

She joined us after her last song. Guess, we were the only Filipinos in the place now. “Huwag na kayong babalik dito” she whispered us as she described her next career move to Florida for a gig.

God brought us to Cucina Stagionale for a reason and I guess, to hear and listen Annie sing on her last night, after a ten-year stint here, was the reason. And am sure she smiled in her heart to meet us!

Pistons Win

Yes, Chief and I watched our very first ever live NBA gane yesterday at the Continental Airlines Arena (Izod Center). East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Bhutto's Presence

Today, Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan was assasinated and her physical presence taken away from the hearts of many Pakistanis.

Below is the news from Yahoo News By SADAQAT JAN and ZARAR KHAN, Associated Press Writers

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan -
Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated Thursday in a suicide attack at a campaign rally that also killed at least 20 others, aides said.

Bhutto's supporters erupted in anger and grief after her death, attacking police and burning tires and election campaign posters in several cities. At the hospital where she died, some smashed glass and wailed, chanting slogans against President Pervez Musharraf.

The death of the charismatic 54-year-old former prime minister threw the campaign for the Jan. 8 parliamentary elections into chaos and created fears of mass protests and violence across the nuclear-armed nation, an important U.S. ally in the war on terrorism.

Celebrities @ Universal

Scribbles of people around Universal Studios to come.

Back In Los Angeles

Will post scrbbles and pictures soon.

Carla, Geneve and Nicole

They are the three nephews Cecile and I are visiting here in Hayward, California, which is in Northern California, easily a 10-hour drive from Los Angeles.

Will post pictures of shopping and dining out soon!

Abangan!

No presence at midnight

Breaking news all across the country and even on CNN a few hours ago was the presence of Sen. Antonio Trillana, Brigidaire General Danilo Lim and their soldiers in Manila Peninsula.

For nearly six hours, millions were glued to their TV sets and AM radio stations as the “rebels” held their ground in the hotel. Wasting no time, the military, led by the PNP and SWAT Teams quickly cordoned off the corner of Makati Avenue and Ayala Avenue, right in the heart of the Makati Central Business District.


"We're going out for the sake of the safety of everybody, for your sake because we cannot live with our conscience if some of you get hurt or get killed in the crossfire," said Trillanes told media which had been covering both sides of the siege.
Photo of General Lim from www.sundalo.bravehost.com

As you read these scribbles, you would have probably watched more updates on the evening news and learned that curfew will be imposed tonight in Metro Manila. And in Central Luzon (Region 3), and CALABARZON (Region 4-A).

That brings back memories of 1081. Thus, no presence in the streets from 12 midnight up to 5am.

"Police authorities want to ensure that Manila is safe and sound," says Secretary Puno.

Tonight, am sure many will not be able to sleep as they would miss the presence of family and friends who face up for their actions. Others will be caught surprised of the curfew.

But more would be thankful today’s siege ended peacefully. ...and hopeful and prayerful that someday, soon, unity between both sides of the political fence be achieved for the greater good of the country.

Sampras Defeats Federer

Pete Sampras and Roger Federer during a press conference. Photo by AP Photo/Kin Cheung)


Pete Sampras made his winning presence on the tennis courts of the Venetian Macao where he defeated and stunned world number one Roger Federer 7-6 6-4 in an exhibition match last Saturday.


Sampras and Federer raising their tophies. Photo by AFP/Ted Aljibe

The Night After Malboro Nights

The aircon at Vista Marina Hotel was so cold that I woke up around 4am Saturday morning, searched for the remote controI which was on Cecile’s side of the bed.

Matess was completely knocked into dreamland as she had been working hard through the Ad Congress. She needed to be back at GMA around noon and I promised her that!

I sneaked out of the hotel, twenty minutes earlier. Around 6:30am, with our Sony Cybershot Digital Camera and snapped these pictures. I knew it would take around 30 plus minutes before Chief and Matess showed up at the lobby.

Breakfast was at Pancakes House. And there was a row of flashy cars parked outside. Two other Ford Everest cars parked near Shaq, presenting itself as photo opportunities.

I pushed Shaq to his near limits as I drove back to Manila, together with Chief and Matess, to be at the GMA Network Center by 11am and by noon at BF Homes Paranaque for mom’s 71st birthday.

Technlogy at the Ad Congress

Technology is the focus of Friday’s session here at the 20th Ad Congress in Subic. Derek Callow talked about how Google has changed the Interent landscape. At this moment, thanks to wifi provided by Globe, the speaker is describing the reach and scope of Friendster, saying 30 percent of users are Pinoys. More data later.

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Today, our friend made his presence felt among friends and the 3,200 plus delegates in the 20th Advertising Congress, being held at the Subic Freeport. Will post pictures of the birthday greets with Matess, Jeanette plus three students of mine, Marianne, Eia and Cheska.

3,000 plus presence

Yes, 3,000 plus advertising and marketing communications professionals are expected to make their presence felt for the 20th edition of the Philippine Advertising Congress, which starts today at the Subic Freeport. Photo courtesy of Ad Congress Media Team.

Chief and I arrived a few minutes ago at the Subic Freeport (now managed by SBMA) and now here at Vista Marina Hotel. And thanks to Globe Telecom, free wifi! Rodel, the manager was also quick to give us two free Wi-fi cards. Guess, I will put to rest for the next few days my Globe Visibility.


But along the way, it was littered with banners and poster by SMART. I was telling Chief that there was really no brand value for consumers for all these materials… it was just to “pull the rug” from their competitor. Globe Telecoms (Image from Globe Telecoms website)

My thesis students are on their way and just left UST around 11:30am. Chanty also just called and she had arrived by bus. I brought her Macbook Pro as it was not safe for her to bring it while she was using public transportation.

Chief just checked into her room. We are living “separate lives” among the expected 5,000 delegates. Her participation is paid for by McCann Erickson, while I paid from my Jansport wallet.

For the next few days, we will discover how to face the challenges of the “new order.”

Before Mel and Joey

It is a few hours before we go public. Before our own IPO, as business would call it. Excitement feels our hearts as the hours move forward to 8pm tonight at GMA Channel 7 for the feature on our lives and parenthood at "Mel and Joey/" Chief and I even stayed up to watch "Walang Tulugan with Master Showman" to catch a glimpse of the teaser for tonight's episode.

And some of our friends have already seen the "teaser" for tonight's episode, They have texted us, replied to our text blasts or heard about our feature from friends.

Beyonce in Manila

It was last year when Chief and I watched the first “Pink Panther” movie with Steve Martin playing Inspector Clouseau. Here, we first caught the presence of Beyoncé Giselle Knowles on the big screen. She played the role of Xania, an international pop star. Photo of the movie from MGM/Columbia

Born September 4, 1981, she is now here in Manila for a one-day concert in Taguig City. But we really didn’t decide to watch this concert. Photo shows her in concert in Spain.

The 26-year old Beyonce first became famous as part of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one the world's best-selling female group of all time. Maybe, along side the Spice Girls, who are also making a comeback. Her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love, was released in June 2003. The album featured "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy" and earned Knowles five Grammy Awards in 2004. She now has ten Grammys.

Other movies she has done include Austin Powers in Goldmember, playing Foxxy Cleopatra opposite Mike Myers and Michael Caine. In 2003, Knowles starred opposite Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the film The Fighting Temptations

Knowles co-starred in the film The Pink Panther, The film was released on February 10, 2006, and was number one at the box office on its opening

In Dreamgirls, the film adaptation of the 1981 hit Broadway musical about a 1960s singing group loosely based on Motown all-female group The Supremes, as the Diana Ross-based character Deena Jones.

She was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards for this movie and also for eight 2007 Academy Awards—including "Best Original Song" for "Listen.”

Bear Hugs Of Emily Abrera

Two Mondays ago, I got out of our Greenhome early. Before 9:30am, I was at the lobby of Harrison Communications, eager and excited for an interview with Emily Abrera!

Nobody…absolutely, nobody in local advertising establishes a presence like Emily Abrera. And she has agreed to share her thoughts and feelings about Cecile and I for the coming segment on “Mel and Joey.” This will be aired on 11 November 2007 in Channel 7.

The moment she walked into the Conference Room, the atmosphere changed. Her aura completely engulfs and engages anyone around her. Gosh, she is THE “icon” of Philippine advertising. Am sure many would “kill” just to be in the same room with her. My student, Chico Santos, was mesmerized by her presence. Natahimik at nahiya.

While we were waiting for the GMA crew, we got into a lengthy conversation. We talked about family and friends. About Joey, whose wife, Doris, had recently passed away. About our work in Vietnam. About her late husband, Caloy. About Somyot Chairat. Kids. Family. Marriage.

She talked for 15 minutes in front of the camera. She describes Cecile and myself… how opposites attract and how people love in “different ways.”

She later explained to Matess Salviejo that she asked to meet me (McCann Philippines was still at Eurovilla Bldg) so she could gauge the relationship Cecile and I had. I remember that afternoon I met her. She distinctly talked about a “balance in life” sharing how she and Caloy made it work for them.

It had been a long time, since I sat down and shared kuwentos with Ems. The first time was when she asked to meet me in February 2001, a few weeks before Cecile was to be posted in Vietnam.

I was very much nervous in 2001 when I first met Ems. I knew her iconic status in the industry. I felt “unworthy” to be sitting besides her. But since then, I have slowly adjusted to her presence in our lives. She will always be our “ninang” and like a mother to Cecile and I.

Her “bear hugs” to Cecile and I will always be remembered and cherished.

We love you Ems!

Obesity by Dr. House

I don’t normally watch “House.” In fact, last Monday night was the first time I ever finished one episode. And the episode was about obesity. Photo from www.tvguide.com

Yes, we see of them around our lives and often, they are depicted on TV and movies in ways not favorable to obese people. Sometimes, made out of fun. But obbesity is a serious concern.

In “House,” the episode entitled “Que Sera Sera” begins as firemen rescue a 600 plus pound obese person. He is reported dead until he farts and the firemen learn he alive and bring him to the hospital. Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) doesn’t give up on the patient until he discovers “clubbed” fingers which was a sign of a lung cancer.

High Laurie has received the 2006 and 2007 Golden Globe Awards and 2007 Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor in a Drama. The show was renewed for a fourth season.

House’s “diagnostocians” team, led by Dr. Allison Cameron (played by Jennifer Morrison) desperately try to find out the reasons for his coma, even against his own wishes. He maintains nothing is wrong with him, except that he is fat. One of the young doctors argue treatment on the obese patient, saying, “he got himself in that situation.” Cast photo from Fox.

Although obesity is an individual clinical condition, it is increasingly viewed as a serious and growing public health problem. Jay Leno often makes jokes about how Americans eat their way to obesity because of junk food.

We know that excessive body weight has been shown to predispose to various diseases, from diabetes to cardiovascular diseases.

Remember that exercise with a balanced diet help maintain good health.

Lives Lost in Glorietta

Noelle el Farol by friend from the University of the Philippines first sent me a text message about the Glorietta blast! He said, “Glorietta was bombed. 3 dead. FYI.” I was at the 9th floor of Philam Life Building, preparing for a client meeting with Grace.

Immediately, thanks to Globe Visibility, I browsed the Internet for news. The Inquirer website was busy and was “loading” for a very long time. Impatience quickly followed, so I switched to Yahoo News.

The breaking news said, “Gas cylinder causes blast in Glorietta.” But even that site was taking longer than usual to load the complete story. But given, all the flack that GMA’s government had been getting, an attack from within was a possibility? Am sure many other Filipinos are speculating many conspiracy theories.

Even the news program on ANC was quick to have a discussion on these speculations. If not for the Karachi bombing, the Glorietta Blast would surely have placed the country in the headlines again.

Police said they found traces of plastic explosives, thus refuting the gas cylinder angle. By now, 9 persons had died and 119 more injured.

Amidst all the speculations and whispers, can we first stop and say a quiet prayer for the families and relatives of those Filipinos who lives and presence were quickly lost in the Glorietta blast.

And to all those who also died in the Karachi blast.

Lechon Fiesta

We had a “lechon fiesta” during the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary in Angeles City, Pampanga. Mama Mary’s presence has continued to shed light and inspiration to million of Filipinos, and specially, during fiestas when family and friends come together to share life’s blessings and a good crack of lechon!

And with the Garcia clan, a few rounds of mahjong would be the fun part of any reunion. This time, Victor de Vera, Mom, Melo Garcia and myself sat through a “high stakes” game. Nope? We played a game of 10 – 20. Ten pesos for a simple win and 20 pesos for a “bunot” win. Luckily, I won the first few games, which put a few bills into my “pot.” At the end of the game, I won around 500 pesos, which turned into longaniza and tocino we bought on the way home at “Pampanga’s Best” outlet.

In-between the “high stakes” game as Nedda would call it, Chief, Nedda and Toti would take over our seats. This gave Victor, Melo and I some time to rest our butts and grab some dessert. I got some “buko pandan” which was brought by Toti and his family. Only mom stayed on for all the games.

By 6pm, it was time to “pack up” the mahjong set. We said goodbyes to our host, specially, Tita Ache (mom’s oldest sister).

And we promised to have our presence felt again next weekend in Manila for Olga’s despidida and Melo’s dancing lessons for everyone!

Burmese Monks makes presence felt again!

Back in February 1986, thousands marched through EDSA to stand up for what they believed in. For four days, the Philippines was on center stage as democracy was regained. Those days became to be known as “People Power.”

A few weeks ago, Burmese monks started to make their presence felt by participating in a peaceful rally in the central town of Pakokku. Later, a group called the Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks emerged to co-ordinate the protests. On 21 September (the anniversary date of martial law), the group issued a statement describing the military government as "the enemy of the people".

By the 24th of September, Rangoon saw the sight of thousands of people. They responded to a call from the monks and joined a massive protest. (Photo courtesy of Yahoo news.)

Outside communication was cut. Violence resulted. On 27 September 2007, the military junta said nine people had been killed. But the whole world knows that more people had been killed. Thousands were also arrested. Monks were rounded up, held in make-shift detention compounds and transported to prison camps in the north.

All these events in Burma was happening while I was in Hanoi, Vietnam.

According to a BBC Report by Sarah Buckley, “There are 400,000-500,000 professional monks in a country of about 50 million people, but many more laymen worship alongside the monks for a few weeks at a time throughout their lives in order to earn spiritual credit.”

She also reports that “Burmese monks not only play a spiritual role, but also have a history of political activism. They have been at the forefront of protest against unpopular authorities, from British colonial power in the 1930s to the last pro-democracy campaign in 1988.”

Unlike those four days in 1986, the Filipinos had media on their side, plus the military had been part of the clamor for change.

The BBC report also says that “only about 10% of Burma's monks are politicized, and many of the monasteries may be unaware of the scale of the agitation currently under way in the country.”

While here in the country, almost everybody seems to be “politicized.”

Spade and Shatner

Last Wednesday night, Chief and I had watched “Boston Legal.” We really wanted to sleep early and there was nothing really good on TV until the opening credits of “Boston Legal.”

We only had watched a few episodes of this series back in Vioetnam, which had started as a spin-off from “The Practice."

What was important to learn in this episode was how Allan Shore (James Spade) chose friendship over his own principles. He valued his friendship with Denny Crane (William Shatner), who had been subject of a lawsuit from an indigent, named Kirk (after Shatner’s own character n Star Trek) he had shot with a paint-gun. Spade agreed to take on the case as a way to settle with the indigent for the amount of 75,000 dollars.

In a parallel story, Denise Bauer (Played by Julie Bowen who was born on March 3, 1970… and celebrates her birthday after Chief’s own birthday) and Brad Chase (Mark Valley), two other lawyers of the firm, Crane, Poole & Schmidt. pretend to be FBI agents to the extent of violating the law to rescue the son of her maid who had been kidnapped by a pedophile. This pedophile had been hiding and only maintains contact with the priest.

Chief was surprised at one scene, when Brad with an ax in hand, accidentally, cuts of three fingers of the priest, who had prevented the lawyers from entering his office.

At the end of the episode, Spade talks about the 27 million poor Americans who might one day decide to fight back against the rich like Denny Crane.

Meanwhile, the priest gets his missing finger back and points to the location where the pedophile is hiding. The boy is rescued.

But on the teaser for the next episode, Brad is on trial.

Guess, we will watch that episode nexr Wednesday night.

Photo courtesy of Boston Legal cast from www.tvguide.com (by Scott Garfield / ABC)

Last Day In Saigon

I always maintain the premise that whenever I am in Vietnam on business, it would be the last trip back to this country, which Chief and I consider as our second home. Our presence here was first felt in March 2001, when Chief was cross-posted from McCann Erickson Manila to McCann Erickson Vietnam. From 2001 up to October 2005, we lived and worked and loved here in Vietnam.

I was in Vietnam these past ten days for a mix of business and a little pleasure. First, I attended the Asian CSR Forum. Nearly 600 delegates from 21 countries! And that Forum gave me many opportunities to meet people from different countries, from as far as Japan and Italy.

Plus, met Pacita Juan, the CEO and President of Figaro Coffee, which is Chief’s favorite coffee shop. We had an interesting discussion on Figaro’s CSR Program that helps coffee farmers in the country.

I also met Cheng Cheng Loo, Intel’s Regional Manager for Education. She is Malaysian and had interesting insights o how Intel’s employees contribute their free time for community work.

How far can I push my friend Tere Lopez-Pacis? Hmmm. Maybe, if Doy helped? But he is just smiling, probably thinking of the Pinay singer he met at the Caravelle Hotel. Also met up with a few friends like Pollynne Ibasco, my former boss with Venus Communication, plus my former colleagues from McCann Erickson and Mai Thanh Advertising.

The other half of my trip was spent in Hanoi for the Advanced PR Training Course at AITCV.

This is a photo of home items from ceramics to lacquer ware that can be found in our favorite suki in Ben Thanh Market. I bought a few pieces of chopsticks, fruit bowls and jewelry boxes made of lacquer.

But tomorrow, I fly back to Manila, where Chief and I would continue with the steps of our lives and eagerly open the pasalubong!

Remember the cube?

I remember back in the 80s, young and old people alike were holding a multi-colored cube, called the Rubik’s Cube. Back then, the Rubik’s Cube became a “must have” toy before mobile phones and iPods.

This weekend the 2007 World Championships of the Hungarian-born Rubik's Cube will be held in Budapest, the birthplace of the cult puzzle. 300 candidates from 33 countries, including reigning champion Jean Pons from France, are expected to take part in the competition on October 5, 6 and 7, 2007.

Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik will be present. Rubik invented his "Magic Cube" in 1974 and obtained Hungarian patent HU170062 for the Magic Cube in 1975. The first test batches of the product were produced in late 1977 and released to Budapest toy shops.

The Rubik's Cube has nine square facelets on each side, giving 54 "facelets" in total, and occupies a volume of twenty-seven unit cubes in red, green, yellow, blue, white or orange that can be moved around a central hinge. The goal is to re-arrange the squares so that each side again displays only one color.

In 1982 at the World's Fair held in Knoxville, Tennessee, a 6 foot rotating cube was put on display at the World's Fair Park. It was moved and forgotten, after the fair. In July 2007, it was restored and placed in the Holiday Inn lobby that overlooks the park.

The first world championship organized by the Guinness Book of World Records was held in Munich on March 13, 1981. The official winner with a record of 38 seconds was Munich-born Jury Froeschl.

The first international world championship was held in Budapest on June 5, 1982 and was won by Minh Thai, a Vietnamese student from Los Angeles, with a time of 22.93 seconds.

I used to have one Rubik’s Cube. Nasaan na kaya iyon?

Blogging on the 2nd day

It my second day of the PR Workshop here at AITCV in Hanoi. And we were talking about blogging. Blogging here in Vietnam has not yet reached the level of influence and impact as blogging has done in Western countries.

Maybe, in a couple of years, blogging would have a stronger presence here.

Back In Hanoi

Arrived this Sunday afternoon via VN214 from HCMC. And immediately after check-in at the ATS Hotel, I went to the Old Quarter Area, my favorite place in Hanoi. Photo shows the main rotonda which Patrick fondly calls as "Times Square."

Here the shops and the backpackers converge to enjoy the city’s rich culture and inexpensive bargains. Yes, bargains. Along Hang Gai Street, one will find a row of silk shops. I have a couple of suki shops here. One is Cu Thanh where I had a couple of suits and polo shirts made. Another is a shop (forgot the name but have a picture of the sales girl whose presence has been part of every visit).

I remember when Chief and I were here in December 2003. She flew in from Hanoi for the weekend while I was teaching at the Hanoi School of Business.

This time, am all alone here in Hanoi.

I also visit my suki DVD shops where backpackers buy rare to find CDs and box-sets of TV series, from the U.S. I quicky took notice of the 70s version of Charlie’s Angels and McGyver from the 80s. Tempted to buy. But I was focused as a sci-fi fan. Definitely, the original Star Trek and the Next Generation!

Plus, I bought 3 Cds for dad. “The Enchantment” by Chick Correa and Bela Fleck. “I am from Austria” by the Vienna Boys Choir. And Rod Stewart “Great Rock Classics of our time.” Each CD is only 30,000 VND… roughly, 120 pesos.

By early evening, I was back at the hotel and to my surprise, there was free wi-fi Internet connection. Chief called up later… checking up on me? Hehehe.

Education and CSR

Am attending the Asian CSR Forum now in HCMC, Vietnam and will scribble my thoughts later.

Presence Like John Woo

Remember the “Replacement Killers” by John Woo. “Shoot em up” is much like a western movie with guns blazing and running horses. But this one has an urban setting and cars. Again, BMW makes a point with Clive Owen, as Mr. Smith, on the wheel. His car out runs and outperforms all other cars, specially a Benz.

All throughout the movie, Smith, with is carrot sticks and 9 mm. shoot his way through the city. According to a fan website, he kills around 100 of the bad guys led Mr. Hertz, (Paul Giamatti). Monica Belluci plays Donna Quintano, a prostitute who helps take care of the movie, whose mother is killed in the first scene.

The website Worstpreviews says, "...the studio has screened it at several places with an overall audience response that it is nothing more than a big shoot-out....While many people do not see anything wrong with this, the problem is that the script started off with the shoot-outs and then had a plot thrown into it, and not the other way around."

Another website says 100 goones were killed by Smith in the movie.

Shoot 'Em Up is a written and directed by Michael Davis (Monster Man) and produced by Susan Montford and Don Murphy. Photos courtesy of New Line Cinema.

If you like John Woo movies, this one makes the good guys look even more exciting. Chief said, “Probably, Clive wanted to make a Bond-type of movie,” as we saw a shoot-out in the sky as Clive and the bad guys parachute-out of an airplane.

Between Daniel Craig and Clive Owen, I would say, Clive would have made a much better James Bond. And his short scene as Agent 007 in the "Pink Panther" makes the point and this Shoot em up places an exclamation mark!

The Brave One.

Last Friday night, after Chief's dental appointment, we watched "The Brave One." Chief is a fan of Jodie Foster. And am a fan of Chief, so guess, that brought us at Glorietta Cinema 3 with Smokey's Hotdog and popcorn to enjoy Jodie Foster's presence on the big screen.

It is an eye for an eye thriller that brings Jodie's character to seek vengeance not only for the thugs that killed her boyfriend but for all the crime in New York City. Watching this movie sure did bring back memories when Chief and I were in the Big Apple last December 2003. Luckily, we didn't witness any crimes. Guess, it is due to the cold winter. Plus, we didn't get to move around Central Park.

Jodie Foster plays Erica Bain, a radio talk personality who waks the streets of New York and shares the sounds and the stories thorugh her show "Street Walk." Until one day, she and her fiance David Kirmani (Naveen Andrews from Lost) are attacked in Central Park. David is killed and it takes weeks for Erica to recover and discover she has become another person. A Brave One.

She meets an NYPD detective Sean Mercer (Terrence Howard) who is tracking down another killer but can't put him in jail. But Erica does him a favor. She tracks him down and pushes him off a building. Sean finally discovers Erica "other side" but towards the end, protects her.

Maybe, instead of an eye for an eye... we could be like the Good Samaritan. Ready to help. But it what happened to Erica Bain, happened to me or anyone I loved, that would be a totally different story. Maybe, make me a brave one too?

Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers

Erap Found Guilty

Yesterday, former president Joseph Estrada was found guilty of plunder. “Guilty” was splashed as the headine of the Philippine Star. In the banner story written by Sandy Araneta, she reports that the former president was sentenced to spend “practically the rest of his life in jail.”

“I am at peace with myself” says Erap. He was also acquitted of perjury.

Am not a political writer. The closest would be as a columnist for the Manila Times. And must admit have not been following the case through the years.

But am scribbling about Erap’s presence among the Filipino “masa.”

Born April 19, 1937, Jose Marcelo Ejercito rose to fame as a popular former film actor in the Philippines. He did 158 movies throughout his career.

He was elected the 13th President of the Philippines and served from June 30, 1998 to January 20, 2001, until he was ousted by “People Power II.” I didn’t join that historical event, unlike the four days I was in EDSA back in February 1986.

Even while under house arrest, he was continued to affect and influence Pinoy politics. Politicians request to be present whenever he is at his Greenhills home.

I guess, even while he is behind bars, whether under house-arrest in Tanay or is some “bilibid,” only history will judge how his presence in the political landscape affected the lives of the “masa.”

DoD photo by Helene C. Stikkel. (Released)

Kristy: My Buddy

When Bob and I were still in high school, we both had a crush on Kristy Ann McNichol. Or “Buddy” for short. She was the star on the popular TV series called “Family.” I remember, we would get extra copies of TV Times that featured her story or her face on the magazine cover.

Kristy was born September 11, 1962, in Los Angeles, California. She started acting at 6 years old and for 25 years enjoyed a career on television and film. Many young teenagers like Bob and I had her image in our minds during the mid-70s.

She did guest appearances on a Starsky and Hutch, The Bionic Woman, Love American Style and The Love Boat.

"Family" was one of the early shows on TV which handled real life issues. Michael J. Fox and Leif Garrett also guest-starred in “Family.” We cheered when she won the Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series in 1977 and 1979.

But became sad when her career stopped in 1994, She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

When Family went off the air in 1980, McNichol appeared in “Little Darlings” with Tatum O'Neal. And with Dennis Quaid in “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” (1980) where she received an unheard of six figures for at the age of 19.

She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in Only When I Laugh, by Neil Simon in which Marsha Mason (The Goodbye Girl) received the Golden Globe for Best Actress (1981).

I last watched Kristy McNichol in 1983 in a movie called “The Pirate Movie” with Christopher Atkins. I have the cassette tape (No CDs) during those years yet. Nasaan na kaya iyon?

Her last public statement to her fans was in June 2001, when she said: "A lot of people have wondered what I've been up to. I retired from my career after 24 years. My feeling was that it was time to play my biggest part -- MYSELF! I must say that it has been the best thing that ever happened to me. So many fans are disappointed that I'm not currently acting, however some may not realize that the process I'm in at this time is necessary and vital for my personal happiness and well-being."

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I remember Chief and I were still in Vietnam in September 11, 2001. We had just come home from work. And browsing through the cable network stations, the attacks had filled the screens of all news stations like CNN and BBC. We stayed glued to CNN all night long, watching the heroism and horror of what was happening in the United States.

Last January 2004, when Chief and I made our first trip to the East Coast, we did visit "ground zero" and said a prayer for all the families who those who died during 9/11. By that time, ground zero had been cordoned off by a steel fence but one could still see the ground emptied by the attacks.

Let us say a quiet prayer for the 2,974 persons whose physical presence on this earth was erased by the terrorist attacks in the United States six years ago.

Illustrations from http://www.artwing.com/september11.htm

24 x 10

Ten things about Jack Bauer

1. Jack tells his partner Chase Edmunds, (Season 3) "You cannot do this job and have a normal life at the same time."

2. Bauer drew the ire of the Chinese government when he infiltrated and extracted a Chinese scientist named Lee Jong from the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles. This resulted in the death of the Chinese Consul. (Season 4)

2. Jack has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Master of Science in Criminology and Law from UC Berkeley.

4 George Mason (Season 1) says, "Rules don't apply to Jack Bauer. He does what he wants, when he wants, and he doesn't care whose life it affects."

5. Jack carries a messenger bag or "Jack Pack" to organize and carry all his field equipment.

6. He was born in California, on February 18, 1966, the son of Phillip Bauer.

7. He worked as a Los Angeles Police Department SWAT team member.

8. Was asked to join the U.S. Army's elite special operations unit Delta Force.

9. Jack was married to Teri Bauer and has one daughter, Kim Bauer.

10. He shot a witness in front of George Mason and says: "That's the problem with people like you, George. You want results, but you never want to get your hands dirty."

Photos from http://www.fox.com/24

Presence Bigger Than Life

Luciano Pavarotti was bigger than life with his music. He brought opera music to the world’s biggest public venues from the ruins of the Roman Empire to the green trees of Central Park. From San Francisco to Sydney, Manila to Milan, people in gowns and tailcoats or T-shirts and jeans were awed by his voice and bigger than life presence.

He voice blended beautifully with many of the world’s biggest musical artists. Bono. Elton John. Stevie Wonder. Sting. Even the Spice Girls. His voice is immediately recognizable, a warm Italian diction like no other, with beauty of tone, color and heft.

Pavarotti died Thursday at age 71 at his home in Modena, in Northern Italy.

He first gained great fame as Tonio in Donizetti's "La Fille du Regiment," tossing off the famous nine high Cs of "Ah, mes amis" with startling ease.

In the annals of music, he joined Caruso, Beniamino Gigli, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Mario Del Monaco and Franco Corelli as Italian tenors of the highest rank.

Some of his repertoire choices, especially at Three Tenors concerts, were unfortunate. He even sung "Moon River" and "My Way" while Frank Sinatra was in the audience at Dodger Stadium in 1994.

Pavarotti extended his presence far beyond the limits of Italian opera. He became an icon in music pop culture. Millions appreciated his personality, charm and generosity.

By the 1980s he expanded his franchise and worked and shared the stage with Plácido Domingo and José Carreras as the Three Tenors. It started with the concerts associated with the World Cup. I remember seeing those World Cup plugs on TV. Eventually, the trio travelled around the world bringing opera music to millions.

At the Met on March 13, 2004, he received a 15-minute standing ovation and 10 curtain calls. He sang 379 performances at the Met, of which 357 were in fully staged opera productions.

Luciano Pavarotti was born in Modena, Italy, on Oct. 12, 1935. His father was a baker and an amateur tenor while his mother worked at a cigar factory. Early in his life, he listened to opera recordings.

“I’m not a politician, I’m a musician,” he told the BBC Music Magazine in an April 1998 article about his efforts for Bosnia. “I care about giving people a place where they can go to enjoy themselves and to begin to live again. To the man you have to give the spirit, and when you give him the spirit, you have done everything.”

Guess, I will keep that “Best of Opera Music” CD in the car so that Pavarotti will continue to make his presence felt in our lives.

Kobe In Manila

Another celebrity or personality also born on August is Kobe Bryant, who is currently making his presence felt to thousands of Filipino basketball fans with his visit here in Manila as part of The Kobe Supernatural Asia Tour.

I was supposed to fall in line at the Nike Store at The Fort last Saturday morning to get tickets for myself and Miguel to attend his meeting with the meeting kids from the Eliseo Belen Charity at the Nike Park.

According to a report by Pam Pastor of the Phil. Daily Inquirer, people started to fall in line as early as 6am that Saturday morning to get tickets and within 20 minutes, over 2,000 tickets had been claimed by fans.


Melissa Crucillo, Nike Philippines country marketing manager says, “Kobe Bryant serves as a basketball icon, inspiration and role-model to a lot of our young Filipino athletes and Nike Philippines is proud to bring him closer to his fans,”

But even if I did get tickets for Wednesday's event, my thesis class tied me up all day. Guess, I will just try to watch a Lakers basketball game at the Staples Stadium when Chief and I visit the States in December.

Kobe was born on August 23, 1978. He is a shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant is the only son of former Philadelphia 76ers player and former Los Angeles Sparks head coach Joe "Jellybean" Bryant.

In 1996, he was drafted straight out from high school. The first one ever. And together with Shaq, Derick Fisher, Robert Horry, Rick Fox and the rest of the Lakers, they won three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.

Photos of Kobe in Manila by Rolex dela Pena and Jay Directo from the LA Times website.

Her Call To Help

Seldom do we feel the presence of a person, who is actually not physically present near us. Mother Teresa continues to make her presence felt with the legacy of her work with the Missionaries of Charity.

Born in August 26, 1910, she was an Albanian nun who won the Noble Peace Prize in 1979. Her lifelong devotion and commitment to the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, India has earned her the title, “The Living Saint.”

As early as September 1946, Teresa experienced her “calling while traveling to the Loreto convent in Darjeeling for her annual retreat. "I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them. It was an order. To fail would have been to break the faith." (Photo from www.tidm.com

In 1982, during a siege in Beirut, Mother Teresa rescued 37 children trapped in a front line hospital by brokering a temporary cease-fire between the Israeli army and Palestinian guerrillas. Together with by Red Cross workers, she traveled through the war zone to the devastated hospital to evacuate the young patients.

Last 05 September 1995, she left this world. At least physically. But her presence continues shine in the hearts of the thousands of poor she has helped and inspire the many others who continue her work.

Over the years, Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity grew from twelve to thousands serving the "poorest of the poor" in 450 centers around the world. By 1996, she was operating 517 missions in more than 100 countries.

She received numerous recognitions and awards. In 1962, she received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding.

Following her death she was beatified by Pope John Paul II and given the title Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

Mother Teresa's Words

“Our Lord wants me to be a free nun covered with the poverty of the cross. Today I learned a good lesson. The poverty of the poor must be so hard for them. While looking for a home I walked and walked till my arms and legs ached. I thought how much they must ache in body and soul, looking for a home, food and health. Then the comfort of Loreto [her former order] came to tempt me. 'You have only to say the word and all that will be yours again,' the Tempter kept on saying ... Of free choice, my God, and out of love for you, I desire to remain and do whatever be your Holy will in my regard. I did not let a single tear come.”

(Spink, Kathryn (1997). Mother Teresa: A Complete Authorized Biography. New York)

Start of BER Months

Yesterday was the start of BER months and the presence of Christmas in our lives will slowly be felt. Amidst the traffic and tension of everyday living, many of us, specially the little kids like Miguel, Carla, Geneve and Nicole and Juluis, Juami, Jag will be counting the days when they wil open gifts that will bring cheer to their faces!

But shouldn't everyday be Christmas day... with Christ in the center of our lives!

(Photo taken last year at our Greenhome. Christmas display design by Chief)

Prince Harry Eulogy

The text (from Yahoo News) of Prince Harry's eulogy for his mother, Princess Diana, delivered Friday, 31 August at a memorial service in London:

William and I can separate life into two parts. There were those years when we were blessed with the physical presence beside us of both our mother and father. (Photo of Prince Harry by Reuters)

And then there are the 10 years since our mother's death. When she was alive, we completely took for granted her unrivaled love of life, laughter, fun and folly. She was our guardian, friend and protector.

She never once allowed her unfaltering love for us to go unspoken or undemonstrated.

She will always be remembered for her amazing public work. But behind the media glare, to us, just two loving children, she was quite simply the best mother in the world.

We would say that, wouldn't we.

But we miss her. She kissed us last thing at night. Her beaming smile greeted us from school. She laughed hysterically and uncontrollably when sharing something silly she might have said or done that day. She encouraged us when we were nervous or unsure. (Photo from Associated Press)

She — like our father — was determined to provide us with a stable and secure childhood.

To lose a parent so suddenly at such a young age, as others have experienced, is indescribably shocking and sad. It was an event which changed our lives forever, as it must have done for everyone who lost someone that night.

But what is far more important to us now, and into the future, is that we remember our mother as she would have wished to be remembered as she was: fun-loving, generous, down-to-earth, entirely genuine.

We both think of her every day.

We speak about her and laugh together at all the memories.

Put simply, she made us, and so many other people, happy. May this be the way that she is remembered.

Princess Diana

Just a quiet moment for a princess. (Photo from http://www.leninimports.com)

The Big Difference

Yesterday, I read a column of Manolo Inigo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. He wrote about Carlos Loyzaga.

And suddenly I remembered the “Big Difference” and his continuing presence in Philippine basketball history. I recount the old MICCA days, the predecessor of the PBA. I remember my favorite team, Mariwasa, who had a young lady at its manager. She was Nikki Coseteng, daughter of the late Emerson Coseteng.

I remember players like Yoyong Martirez (running fast across the court), Atoy Co (with his Beatle’s haircut), Mom Fernandez, Adriano Papa (who could shoot beyond the three-point area even before there was the arc), David Regullano (with his famous black rubber shoes) and Robert Jaworski (with his famous number 7 jersey).

But among all the top players, nobody beats what Caloy Loyzaga has achieved for flag and country.He was born August 29, 1930 in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. He was first called “The Big Difference” by sportscaster Willie Hernandez.

He led the Philippine National team to a Bronze Medal finish in the 1954 FIBA World Championship and was named to the Mythical Team of that tournament. This third place finish remains the highest finish of any Asian team in the history of the tournament. And it looks like it will never be repeated or broken. Our team just lost the FIBA qualifying tournament.

Before Caloy could be a Thomasian player, Coach Fely Felicisimo Fajardo, took him to San Beda where Fely polished his playing style and then shined in the NCAA.

He also played for the Yco Painters during MICCA (Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association) from 1954 to 1956.
He was a two-time Olympian (Helsinki,1952 and the 1956 Melbourne, 1956) and led the national team to winning four consecutive Asian Games gold medals and two consecutive FIBA Asia Championships. After his playing years, he turned to coaching by coaching the Philippine team during the 1967 ABC tournament and earning 13th place during 1968 Mexico Olympics.

Manolo Iñigo writes, “There is no question that Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga is the greatest Filipino basketball player in history” I agree.

Pride and Presence of Madz

Many Filipinos around the world continue to make us proud with their presence. From Efren Bata Jr. to Lea Salonga, their presence alone on any form of stage will make Pinoys like me proud.

Add the The Philippine Madrigal Singers to the list of Filipinos. They recently won the prestigious European Grand Prix for Choral Singing held last Sunday in at the Church of Sta. Maria della Pieve in Arezzo, Italy.

The 44-strong Philippine choir is the first and only choir to win twice in what is known as the choral Olympics of the world. The Madrigals beat formidable choirs such as Russia’s Vesna Children’s Choir, Hungary’s Cantemos Mixed Choir, Cuba’s Schola Cantorum Coralina and the Taipei Chamber Singers.

“Its overwhelming. Up to now we are very happy and pleased. No words can describe it,” Mark Anthony Carpio, the Madrigal’s choirmaster in a article published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Founded in 1963 by National Artist for Music Andrea O. Veneracion, The Philippine Madrigal Singers has won many choral competitions from all over the world.

Their impressive track record and musical virtuosity, they are now regarded as the one of the world's best choirs.

The Madrigal Singers first earned critical acclaim during their performance in the First Choruses of the World Festival at the Lincoln Center in New York in 1969.

They have performed before for royalty and heads of state like Pope Paul VI, Presidents Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon, King Juan Carlos de Bourbon and Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Find out more about the Madrigal singers at: http://www.philippinemadrigalsingers.com/