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.”