Crowds at MOA after Xmas day

It was the day after Christmas. And we found our way among the crowd at SM Mall of Asia. Malling is really a part of Filipino lifestyle. Whether it is SM or Glorietta, the crowds were everywhere.

Here are a few pictures snapped using my Canon Rebel DSLR.


You can see people taking time out to rest and even to sleep. What is missing are pillows and blankets for one tired shopper. I, too, dozed-off at Cafe Adriatico while Cecile and mom were having merienda.



Even more kids enjoyed running and jumping.

And kids took to the ice to showcase their skating skills and proud parents watched proudly.

Even more crowds enjoyed the breeze outside the Mall of Asia.

Jay Leno's presence on primetime

If work long and hard during the day, one needs to relax and cool down late at night. And thanks to cable here at home, Chief and I are able to sit or lie down in our sofa and watch TV. These nights, it is often reruns of Sex in the city for Chief. Me, I would rather just sleep. But before Sarah Jessica Parker, we get to catch a few laughs from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Or even up to David Letterman. One guy we miss on late night TV at home is Jay Leno.

A few days ago, news came out that Jay Leno was moving to primetime TV in the States. That caught many, including me by surprise. I have have heard that Conan o’Brien was taking over his slot soon. And now Jay Leno was extending his daily presence on NBC and entering a new viewing audience.

It was really more of a business decision. It does cost more to produce regular comedy, police or drama series as against talk shows, which is basically just a studio set and the host’s talent fees. And with some primetime shows not getting good ratings, Leno’s move becomes an ideal financial move too for NBC.

Plus having Leno earlier will give the older viewers a chance to watch the complete program. Just like me, I often skip the last segment of David Letterman.


According to an Ad Age report, "The idea of Jay building on in prime time every night of the week not only adds stability to the great lineup, but reinforces us as home of the best comedy," said Ben Silverman, co-chairman of NBC's entertainment division. Jay was born in New Rochelle, New York and is considered as one of the nicest guys on television and popularly known for his collection of classic cars and motorcycles. I remember that episode with Paul Newman where they “raced” around the studio set.

Did you know that he made his presence in Bosnia in 2001 where he performed for military troops associated with the war in Afghanistan?

In April 2004, he wrote a children’s book “If Roast Beef Could Fly” (from Simon & Schuster) which became a New York Times Bestseller. He also has published four versions of “Headlines,” which tells about bloopers in print media.

He took over hosting the “Tonight Show” for decades which has h won two Emmys in 1995 for Outstanding Comedy, Variety or Music Series, and in 1996 for Outstanding Technical Direction. He has received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Before becoming host of “Tonight,” Leno had been the exclusive guest host on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” since September 1987.

We really need more good laughs on primetime!

Pacquaio's pound for cash

Pacquiao returned to country last Wednesday, a few days after his punching presence in the ring caused Oscar dela Hoya to give up after 8 rounds last Sunday. Am sure that many bloggers have written about the success of Manny Pacquiao! His illustration from pinoysports.com.ph

Here are some quick facts about his recent win, specially, his presence on HBO.

1. According to HBO, the fight at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas generated about 1.25 million pay-per-view buys.

2. It is only the fourth time a non-heavyweight bout in the US reached at least one million. Interesting to note that Oscar De La Hoya has been in the ring in all the four fights.

3. Pacquiao will get an estimated gross amount worth $11.2 million or P548.8 million from the above earnings. Can you imagine how many poor families that amount can feed for one year?

4. Pacquiao’s previous pay-per-view high was 405,000 buys registered last April in his rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez.

5. It is his birthday on December 17! He is turning 30.

6. Guess who gave him a carrot cake decorated with a red boxing glove and a green boxing belt with the inscription "World’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter."

7. He has the World Boxing Council (WBC) Flyweight, International Boxing Federation Super Bantamweight, WBC Super Featherweight, and WBC Lightweight world titles. And the first Asian to do it!

8. He lost to incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, when he ran as congressman in South Cotabato’s first district in 2007. I hope he doesn’t make his presence in politics. He only be used by “trapos.”

9. His first name is Emmanuel.

10. He rode a 22-foot float for a motorcade-parade in General Santos City

The Pacman Wins

It was a long wait this Sunday afternoon here at our Greenhome and around the country. Yes, Manny Pacquiao wins the dream match against Oscar dela Joya.

In-between the barrage of commercials from Revicon and San Miguel Beer, millions of Filipinos cheered as the “pacman” punched his way through the “golden boys” fists.

But it wasn’t really much of a fight. It was a lopsided fight. Oscar wasn’t as aggressive as before. Probably because of his age. Or he just wanted to protect his good looks?

Anyway, Pacquiao's victory gave moments of celebration for the Filipinos wherever their presence is felt!

Kevin Bacon reaches out

Yesterday morning, we were catching snippets of “The Today Show” on cable (Channel 19). And we saw Kevin Bacon collecting gifts and toys from the live audience that gathered at Rockefeller Plaza, New York. And later being interviewed by the hosts, Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera, Al Roker and Ann Curry.

Ann asked Kevin about his social networking site called Six Degrees. Kevin said that this site reaches out to hundreds of charity organizations around the globe. I had written about social networking sites before in my column at the Manila Times and through my research, I had learned that SixDegrees.org links people to charities.

In this morning’s episode, Kevin was promoting his latest movie, “Frost/Nixon” where he plays Jack Brennan. The film directed by Ron Howard (remember, Richie Cunningham of Happy Days?). This film version of a Broadway play about the relationship of broadcaster David Frost (played by Michael Sheen) and former US president, Richard Nixon (Frank Langella).

But these words are about Kevin’s online presence through six degrees.com which reaches out to people who have more in life to share with the majority who have less.

Maybe, next time, Chief and I are in the East Coast, we can wake up early enough to catch the live broadcast of the show! Hopefully!

Losing lives in Mumbai

A few days ago, around 104 persons lost their lives when terrorists, dressed in black shirts and jeans, attacked targets in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra state. Hundreds more were wounded as gunmen fired indiscriminately and almost simultaneously, at high-end hotels like the Taj Mahal Hotel and Oberio Hotel. Other places that was attacked included a popular restaurant, the 19th century Chhatrapati Shivaji railroad train station, and a Jewish center.

Photo shows parts of Taj Mahal Hotel in smoke during the terrorist attack in Mumbai last November 29, 2008. Photo credit: Arko Datta of Reuters

Indian commandos and other military forces made their presence felt and moved in the rescue hostages. Explosions and gunshots were exchanged in many areas, while hostages escaped from the hotels. The terrorists were looking for American and British nationals and tourists.


Photo shows Rapid Action Force (RAF) riot policemen near the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai taken a few days ago. Photo credit: Jayanta Shaw of Reuters

Curfew was declared around the Taj Mahal Hotel. Qucikly, I recalled the 12 midnight to 4:00am curfew in the Philippines back in 1972 when the late President Marcos placed the country under martial law. Or more recently, when President Arroyo had a one night curfew in Metro Manila.

According to a news story by Anita Chang from Associated Press, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had blamed "external forces." He says, "The well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic, by choosing high profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners."

While the news was unfolding over CNN and major news networks, online media was quick to inform and spread the latest updates, primarily through twitters and blogs.

These words pay tribute to the men and women in Mumbai who have lost their lives and hundred more who were hurt because of these attacks. I will not try to analyze the motives behind these incidents and will leave that to the experts. But I know and believe, violence has no role in our daily lives.

Carnival of Light

When I read the news on Yahoo today that Sir Paul McCartney was looking at releasing a previously unreleased Beatle’s song. This quickly caught my attention and being a fan of the Fav Four, there was no way I could not blog about the continuing presence and impact of the Beatles into our lives.

But I needed to find out what the “Carnival of Light” really is. I browed around the web and learned that
this piece of Beatle’s music is termed as an experimental piece. And at 14 minutes is much much longer than “Hey Jude.”

"Carnival of Light" was recorded on January 5, 1967. It was recorded after the vocal overdubbing sessions for "Penny Lane". Sir Paul McCartney has said it was around fifteen minutes but in “The Complete Beatles Chronicle” it's listed as lasting 13 minutes and 48 seconds.

According to “The Observer of Britain” in a report pubished last Sunday, McCartney wants to release the “holy grail of Beatles obsessives.” But he would would need the consent of the surviving wives of John Lennon (Yoko Ono), George Harrison (Olivia Harrison) and Ringo Starr to release the track.

The song was recorded in January 1967, after designer David Vaughan painted a psychedelic design on a piano owned by Paul McCartney. David asked Paul if he could contribute a musical piece for the upcoming The Million Volt Light and Sound Rave, which was an art festival organised by Binder, Edwards & Vaughan. The Festival was a showcase for electronic music and light shows

And McCartney said yes.

According to Beatles expert Mark Lewisohn says the song included "distorted, hypnotic drum and organ sounds, a distorted lead guitar and the sound of a church organ.” Mark listened to the song in 1987 while compiling his book The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, (published by Harmony Books) various effects (water gargling was one). He also says that Lennon and McCartney are also heard screaming and bawling aloud random phrases like 'Are you alright?'

Another buzz about Sir Paul is that he is “considering” writing the soundtrack for “Shrek 4.” I can imagine Donkey singing already.

Obama and Jon Stewart

One night, after the 2008 elections, we were watching the replay of the joint episode of the election day coverage by Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert. Even as we knew the outcome, we could still laugh at the antics of both comedians.

Like many other Filipinos, Chief and I were tuned in online eagerly awaiting the results of the US elections last Friday, 05 November 2008. Incidentally, that was also a significant day for Chief and myself. We had a dinner date at Le Maison, Greenbelt 5.

According to an Ad Age story by Michael Learmonth, election coverage mattered to viewers who want easy and quick access to the latest news. Who else would provide the latest news than CNN? CNN had 13.1 million viewers on election day.

The top three cable news networks -- Fox News, CNN and MSNBC all had 27.7 million viewers. These is compared with 31.9 million who watched network news, ABC, CBS and NBC. But network audience viewership dropped by 16%, according to the Ad Age story.

Even comedy shows like “Saturday Night Live,” “The Colbert Report” and “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" gained both a bigger audience and advertising revenues from brands like Apple, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Columbia Sportswear and even Volkswagen.

Even "30 Rock," enjoyed higher ratings.


President-elect Obama’s appearance in the Comedy Central’s "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" last October 29 had a record of 3.6 million viewers. And that not counting viewers in this part of the world.

I remember when my cousin used to watch "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" at CNN when we were still in Saigon. By the way, Jon Stewart is celebrating his birthday on the 28th of this month. He became the host of “The Daily Show” back in 1999 and won his first Emmy Award in 2001.

Aretha Franklin & McCartney

Who is the greatest singer of all time? Your guess would probably be the same as mine? The Beatles? Or even Elvis Presley? Wait, not so fast.

According to a recent poll done Rolling Stone magazine and a story from Reuters last 11 November 2008, the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin greatest singer in rock era.

Born March 25, 1942, Aretha Louise Franklin is known for her soul music but also has a large repertoire of jazz, rock, blues, pop and gospel. After Alison Krauss, she is the second most honored female singer in Grammy history with 20 Grammy Awards, which includes the Living Legend Grammy and the Lifetime Achievement Grammy.

Photo of Aretha Franklin was taken by Ryan Arrowsmith during a performance at the Nokia Theater in Dallas, Texas, last April 21, 2007.

And just a few nights ago, Chief and I caught her performance on “The View.”

And guess who is number two? Ray Charles. Elvis Presley came in third. Sam Cooke came in 4th while John Lennon was 5th.

Other musicians in the list include Marvin Gaye was No. 6, Dylan at No. 7, Otis Redding No. 8, and Stevie Wonder at No. 9. and James Brown No. 10.

My favorite Sir Paul McCartney came in 11th. Photo of Sir Paul McCartney when he turned 64 last 18th June 2006. Remember the song “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I am 64” which he recorded when he was 24. Wow.

Around 179 musicians, producers, Rolling Stone editors, and other music-industry insiders were surveyed by the magazine and the list will be published this week in Rolling Stone Magazine.

The 100-strong list will be published on Friday, when Rolling Stone hits the newsstands with four different covers.

79 million watched

Like many other Filipinos, I was tuned in online eagerly awaiting the results of the US elections last Friday, 05 November 2008. Incidentally, that was also a significant day for Chief and myself.

Like many other Filipinos, I was tuned in online eagerly awaiting the results of the US elections last Friday, 05 November 2008. Incidentally, that was also a significant day for Chief and myself. We had a dinner date at Le Maison, Greenbelt 5.

When I came to work that Friday morning, the TV was tuned in to CNN.

According to Nielsen, in a story by Michael Learmonth
published in Ad Age, cable news led the regular broadcast networks in keeping audience informed about the election. Even both Colbert and Stewart appeared in a joint program on election date (which we caught a reply last night).

Research showed that on that day, CNN had an average of 13.1 million viewers. Those numbers are just slightly ahead of more ABC which had 13.2 million. I wish I had data to share between kapuso and kapamilya.

Nearly 79 million people eagerly awaited the winner between Obama and McCain. According to Nielsen, these numbers are much much higher than four years ago (59 million), when Bush “won” his second term over John Kerry.

Am sure millions more watched Sarah Palin and Tina Fey's presence at "Saturday Night Live." Research shows that both pushed the program's ratings. I won't be surprised if Sarah Palin made her presence felt again on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live" or even, "The Colbert Report" as part of her next political campaign?

Curtis at 83

It is very rare that I watch the live edition of “The View” on cable. But one night last week, Tony Curtis was special guest and I had to catch up with Danny Wilde, the character he played in the British TV series, “The Persuaders.”

Do you remember that TV series? It run for one season and was considered the most expensive British television series produced, estimated £100,000 per episode.

It was filmed in France, Spain, Sweden, and Italy where two playboys, played by Tony Curtis and Roger Moore, got in and out of trouble, using their charm and cars.

Moore played Lord Brett Sinclair is an Oxford-educated English aristocrat. He drove a Bahama Yellow Aston Martin DBS with V8 wheels and markings and personalised number plates of his initials: “ST 1” Danny Wilde drove a red Ferrari 246 Dino, many years before Crockett was blazing around Miami. Hehe.

I was surprised how old Tony Curtis was. Now, he was 83! Wow. And he looked old and far from his role in the Persuaders and in movies like “Some Like It Hot” done in 1959 with Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe. Now, I remember that he was once romantically linked to M2 (aka Marilyn Monroe).

Did you know that he served in the US Navy during During World War aboard USS Proteus? And he witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945!

And that he is also a painter? Last year, his painting “The Red Table” was on display in the Metropolitan Museum in Manhattan. Some of his paintings sell for more than 25K!

But I guess, most fans know that he had been married six times and most known wife is Janet Leigh and is the dad of Jamie Lee Curtis. She is one reason why I always want to watch "True Lies" where she played the wife of Arnold S. Remember that escape scene where is handles an Uzi and it falls down the stairs.

He nearly died of pneumonia a couple of years ago and was in a coma for several days. During the interview at “The View” he was just seated and but still carried the charm as he kissed the hands of the hosts!

Scoop? There is a planned movie version of “The Persuaders” and Ben Stiller might… might play Danny Wilde?

Newman passes away

Movie poster image of "Cool Hand Luke" from http://www.filmsite.org/posterpages

Last 26 September, “cool hand” Luke passed away at the age of 83. He died at his long-time home in Westport, Connecticut, of complications arising from cancer.

And just this morning, I was just watching the animated movie, “Car” at Fitness First. He was the voice behind “Doc Hudson.”

“Cool Hand Luke” was done in 1967 wherein Paul Newman plays the title role as Luke, a prisoner in a Florida prison camp. The movie was directed by Stuart Rosenberg. “Luke” was nominated for an Academy Award

Born Paul Leonard Newman, “Luke Jackson” or “Eddie Falco” is probably one of the few stars who had made his presence felt outside of the cinema in various fields. He was an entrepreneur and an auto racing enthusiast. On the race track, he won several national championships as a driver in Sports Car Club of America road racing and his race teams won several championships in open wheel IndyCar racing.


Photo of Newman behind a Ferrari 599 taken in July 2006 from
http://www.italiancar.net/site/news/06/0706/PaulNewman/PaulNewman.html

On the supermarket shelf, one can taste his pasta sauces, lemonade, popcorn, and salsa branded as “Newman's Own.” Note that he donated all profits and royalties to charity. Reports say that as of May 2007, these donations had exceeded US$220 million. This company was co-founded with A.E. Hotchner in 1982.

And on screen, he won an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Cannes Film Festival Award, an Emmy award, and many honorary awards.

Other movies I remember I watched are “Towering Inferno,” “The Sting” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” One of his last movies was “The Road to Perdition” which I have to watch one of these days.

Habitat Presence

Finally, I was able to see, first hand, what Habitat for Humanity is all about. Last Thursday morning, together with Paul Garilao and Angel Tiong, we joined the NWA team for a house-building program at St. Hannibal Community in Pasay City.

Habitat was founded in 1976 by Milliard and Linda Fuller in Americus, Georgia. And in 1996, U.S. President Bill Clinton awarded the Fullers, the nation’s highest civilian honor, Fuller the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Clinton called Habitat the most successful continuous community service project in the history of the United States.

By 2005, Habitat had built its 200,000th house outside the United States.

In 2008 Habitat for Humanity celebrated the 25th annual building project with Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter and called it The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Their hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

I remember a few years ago, even before our presence in Vietnam, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter had visited the Philippines to spread the word about Habitat. The former president had been involved with Habitat for many many years, after his presidency in the mid-70s. He had actually built houses.

Today, the St. Hannibal Community would benefit from the efforts of the volunteers.

Photos by Gil Velez

1081

Last 21 September 1972, the late President Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential decree 1018 which placed the country under martial law. That was nearly 36 years ago. And I was still an elementary student at Immaculate Concepcion Parish School. Gosh, that was really a long time ago! Anybody who studied in that school along Lantana Street?

With 1081, press freedom and other civil liberties were curtailed. I remember the image of Kit Tatad on TV reading Proclamation 1018. Congress and other media establishments were closed.

Journalists, student and labor activists, were hauled off to military compounds run by the army and the Philippine Constabulary.


But during those nights in September 1972, many families were affected by 1081 as military agents went into many households and arrested men and women whose ideas, words and beliefs were contrary to the government.

Plus, there was curfew from midnight to 4pm. And that was probably one of the better results of 1081. Crime rates plunged and there was peace and quiet in the streets. And I guess many families were happy not see the presence of criminals and hoodlums in the streets.

And I remember the Department of Tourism’s “Balikbayan” Program which brought in dollars from Filipinos living and working abroad. And Masagana 99 program.

1081 stretched for the next nine years until Marcos issued Proclamation 2045, formally ending martial law on January 17, 1981. Still, many from the opposition saw the lifting of martial law as a precondition to the visit of Pope John Paul II. An election followed in June 1981 but little believed the credibility of that political exercise.


More recently, there was a scare of martial law that Filipinos in HK made their presence felt out in the streets. Photo from AFP/Getty Images, taken last year nn the eve of the 35th anniversary of 1081.

Pacino and De Niro

Actually, expected more from “Righteous Kill.” Imagine, De Niro and Pacino sharing the big screen. Yes, they were together in “The Godfather” but they really didn’t have scenes together. While in “Heat” I think the biggest scene was the street shoot-out.

Directed by Jon Avnet and written by Russell Gewirtz, the story is about two NYPD investigators hunting a vigilante killer.

Was it worth the trip to Edsa Shangrila to watch the movie? And my buttered popcorn and Chief's hotdog sandwich and the 300 pesos movie tickets? Maybe not? Could have been better as it was really just like a TV movie or a two-hour episode of NYPD Blues or the coming new season two-hour premiere of "24" entitled "Redemption." That, we have to watch at home with nachos.




I told Chief that I expected a shootout between De Niro and Pacino at the end of the movie or between Detective Perez played John Leguizamo and Detective Riley played Donnie Wahlberg. But I guess, both respected Academy Award winning actors are too old for any "run and gun" action scenes.

Still, their presence on the big screen is worth a 2-hour stay at the cinema.

Photos and movie poster from Righteous Kill Pictures.

Heroes from 9/11

Last September 3, 2007, Officer Frank Macri of NYPD died of lung cancer that spread throughout his body. His family argues that the cancer is a result of hours of exposure in ground zero.

Officer Macri joins 23 other officers from NYPD and 341 FDNY firefighters whose presence during that fateful day gave their lives for their country

Thousands more men, women and children who lost their lives in 2001 when four commercial planes attacked different locations in the United States. Today, those events are called 9/11.

Chief and I were in our 1st Greenhome at Tran Nhat Duat, District 1, Ho Chi MInh City when CNN broke the news that the World Trade Center had crumbled to the ground, the Pentagon had been attacked and a third plane crashed in the fields.

We had just returned from work and couldn’t believe what was happening across the United States. We quickly thought of our cousins who were based in New York City and stayed up all night glued to CNN.

Much have been written about the men and women who died that day, specially the members of FDNY and NYPD. Documentaries and even a movie had been made in their memory. Am sure more entries in thousands of blogs on-line have paid tribute to these heroes.

Yes, the passengers American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77 and United Airlines Flight 93 are among these heroes, together with the other men and women on the ground and the buildings struck by these planes. Photo credits from U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Eric J. Tilford.

They represented over 90 nationalities across the world. Even today, people, including rescue workers suffer from lung disease brought about by extended exposure to dust from the WTC rubble.

Nadal's Presence at the Olympics

What begun in the grass courts of the French Open, extended to Center Court of Wimbledon and climaxed at the medal’s stand of the on-going Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Last Monday, August 18, 2008, Rafael Nadal of Spain won the Olympic gold to his streak of Grand Slam victories. Between the trophies of the French Open and Wimbledon, I would say that the Olympic Gold to be more prestigious, as it happens only every fours years. London would present the next challenge for today’s top ranked tennis players.
Photo of Nadal from REUTERS/Reinhard Krause (CHINA)

Nadal defeated Chilean Fernando Gonzalez in the men's singles final. He also earned the world number one ranking for the first time. He has won four consecutive French Open titles and his first Wimbledon this year, which pushed him to the top of the men’s ranking in tennis.

"It's more than my best dreams so I want to enjoy the moment. I know how difficult it is to win these things, especially here. Winning for me is unbelievable," says the 22-year old Nadal (from Yahoo News).

During the 2004 Athens Olympics Games, the Spainiard was an unknown. These days, his presence is one of the most sought-for in the Olympic Village.

Go Toni!

Here's wishing the best of luck to Antoinette 'Toni' Rivero as she fights battles Sandra Saric from Croatia. Isn't that Vlade Divac's country?

They will meet at the Science and Technology University gym in Beijing tomorrow morning. Toni would need four straight wins to bag the gold and three for the silver.

According to Yahoo news, if Rivero defeats Saric, she will meet Hwang Kyung Seon. She is South Korea's two-time world champion. Rivero lost to Hwang four years ago during the Athens Olympics.

Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) president Robert Aventajado, said Rivero has become a more mature fighter since the setback. "Toni was only 16 in Athens," said the PTA head. "Besides, she was coming off a loss in the semifinals and had to fight Hwang right away with little rest. Hwang was a lot fresher."

Filipinos will surely pray hard to make Toni's presence be felt strongly in Beijing!

Phelps Gold

Michael Phelps is today’s most popular athlete competing in the Beijing Olympics. And is probably on his way to breaking the record of Mark Spitz in the Olympic Games. Photo from http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Called the “Baltimore Bullet,” he was born in 30 June 1985, in Batimore, Maryland. Now, where was I during those years? Hmmmm, still with the Manila Bulletin.

As of this day, Phelps has won the Olympic Golds in 400 m individual medley, 4 x 100 m freestyle relay, 200 m freestyle, 200 m butterfly and 4 x 200 m freestyle relay.

Four years ago in Athens, he also won golds in the 100 m butterfly, 200 m butterfly, 200 m individual medley, 400 m individual medley, 4 x 200 m freestyle relay and 4 x 100 m medley relay, plus many other medals.

47 reasons

There are many reasons to celebrate today, but the most important reason is the life and love that I share with Cecile Gabutina-Velez, more fondly called Chief. I have shared the last 7 years of my life with Chief, from Tagaytay, where our best friends first witnessed our relationship to Saigon, where we shared our first Greenhome at Tran Nhat Duat to Hung Vung 3 at the outskirts to Ho Chi Minh City to our present Greenhome at the heart of Makati City.

47 years ago?

Yup, 47 years ago, today, the eldest child of Hector and Meya Velez was born! Can I scream Yahoo! But we didn’t have Internet during the 60s nor heard of brand called Yahoo! Now, 47 years later, I am working on that brand.

Am sure my Lolo Perico Velez was happy and Lola Fermina was smiling from the clouds. Tatang Sotero (my mom’s dad) was also surely happy.

Gosh, I need to look for baby pictures and upload here.

Soon.

Bishop Joel Baylon's Presence

Bishop Joel Baylon’s Presence

Chief and I walked from Makati Shangrila Hotel at the heart of the Makati Central Business District (CBD) to catch the 6pm anticipated mass.

Bishop Joel Baylon was celebrating Mass, as part of the 25th year anniversary celebration of the Greenbelt Chapel.

The Chapel was full and we were standing outside the chapel, together with a couple of hundred other parishioners and visitors around Greenbelt.

Bishop Baylon introduced himself as the bishop of Masbate…. Even describing his youthful activism during the 80s. Just like me, when I joined all those rallies along Ayala Avenue and Mendiola!

47 tomorrow?

Tomorrow am turning 47.

Not sure what Chief has planned for us tomorrow. Maybe, a long drive and a weekend in Tagaytay. Taal Vista Lodge? Actually, I was looking for a nice hotel in Tagaytay for the weekend, but I really didn’t have time to browse through the yellow pages and make reservations.

Friday was extra busy.

An early meeting with Junie and Angie at Starbucks Legazpi Street (really just a few meters from our Greenhome) for the EON@10 Program on Tuesday.

And then rushed off to McDonald’s Quezon Avenue, with Yaan Sarmiento, to catch the 6th Anniversary of McDonald’s Delivery Service. Adi Timbol and Paul Garilao were working together on this media event.

And then, back to Tuscan Bldg for a 1:30pm concall with the Visa client.

Then, dinner at Junie del Mundo’s place. A post-birthday celebration.

Other option for tomorrow, maybe, spend a long lazy evening in Makati Shangrila? Pamper ourselves under the sheets, while watching the sporting events at the Beijing Olympics… and enjoy a good view of the Makati skyline.

And cap it up with a really nice and sumptuous breakfast at the Circle’s Restaurant.

Whatever the plans, just to be present together with Chief would be the best gift of all!

Athletes Presence

For the next few days, 10,500 athletes will make their presence felt in Beijing, People's Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008

They are expected to compete in 302 events in 28 sports, one event more than was on the schedule of the 2004 games. There will 9 new events and these includes 2 from the BMX cycling. I remember Jose Sumalde, the former back to back King of Tour of Luzon back in the 70s who made his presence on the road around the routes of that cycling event. What ever happened to that event? Probably, no more sponsors. I also used to have a BMX bike.

This edition also marks the third time that Olympic events will have been held in the territories of two different National Olympic Committees (NOC), as the equestrian events will be held in Hong Kong. My best friend Bien Perez, who writes for South China Morning Post, (unless he is in Beijing with his wife Arleen) will probably be watching this event in HK?

Wishing the Philippine team the best of luck to go for gold and make the country proud!

Would you believe, when I pressed my thumb at the biometrics this morning, the clock read 8:08! Wow... that is really a lucky number!

Secretary Angelo Reyes

I did a Servant Leader profile on Secretary Angelo Reyes.

Will post my published article soon.

US$ 14 million babies

Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt, the twins of Brad Pitt and my favorite action celebrity, Angelina Jolie, are gaining a 14 million dollar presence in the world! And this amount is being given to charity, according to their parents.

And they are just 3 weeks old. Wow!

There are more exclusive photos and interviews of the celebrity couple in the issue of People Magazine. In fact, 19 pages of photos.

Cover image of the magazine issue from www.people.com

I still have Lara Croft presence in our greenhome!

Dolphy at 80

Chief and I were watching the TV special, "Dolphy: The King of Comedy at 80." And I looked back and said to myself, I have not yet scribbled my thoughts and words about the presence of the King of Comedy. How could I have missed writing about Dolphy? Already, I had one student last year, who had written and successfully defended a thesis on Dolphy.

Now, am writing a few words about JOhn Purungtong!

Brawl Presence

Nobody really expected it, but it happened yesterday at Auburn Hills. Yup, there was a bench-clearing scuffle in an WNBA basketball game between Los Angeles and Detroit. The Sparkes won 84-81 victory by the Sparks, ending a five-game road losing streak.


Photo by Jerry S. Mendoza of AP shows players presence on the court and not playing basketball.

Many players and even coaches made their presence felt on the court which was captured live on television and photos going around blogosphere.

The game was done to the last 4.5 seconds when the ten players presence on left on the court changed to a fight or a scuffle which included players and coaches on the bench.

It all begun when Parker and Shock forward Plenette Pierson tangled arms as they were moving down the court. Both players to tumbled to the floor. And all hell broke loose.

Both benches were emptied. Lisa Leslie came to Parker's rescue but was pushed away by Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn, causing her to fall to the hardwood floor. DeLisha Milton-Jones of the LA Sparks then slapped Mahorn in the back. Players like Parker, Milton-Jones, Mahorn and Pierson were ejected. Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn is also ejected for pushing Sparks' Lisa Leslie. Shock player Cheryl Ford injured her knee and had to be taken away in a wheelchair

In a story published in the LA Times, WNBA President Donna Orender says, "It was clear emotions were running high. It's unfortunate that when emotions run over the top, something like this had to happen."



Photo by Jerry Mendoza of AP shows Detroit assistant coach Rick Mahorn as he pushes Lisa Leslie of the Sparks to the ground during a scuffle in the closing seconds of the game between the LA and Detroit in Auburn Hills, Michigan last Tuesday.

The Dark Knight

Finally, Sunday afternoon, after Mass at Rockwell Powerplant Mall, Chief and I watched “The Dark Knight.” We caught the 11:20am screening and there were still many empty seats. Unlike, when we went out a couple of hours later… there was a long line. And no Gretchen Baretto, whom we saw earlier at Figaro Coffee.

“The Dark Knight” is directed by Christopher Nolan and is based on the DC Comics character Batman. We are surprised that the Dark Knight had gone beyond Gotham City in this movie as he snatched Lau, a Chinese accountant / gangster based in HK. Reminds me of Tom Cruise in Shanghai for “Mission Impossible.”


Christian Bale again appears as Bruce Wayne and Batman. This is a sequel to “Batman
Begins” released in 2005. This is the last movie where Heath Ledger makes his presence makes on the wide screen. In this film, the Joker takes the limelight. And one can’t help comparisons with Jack Nicholson who had played The Joker in
Tim Burton's 1989 version of Batman.

Aaron Eckhart as District Attorney Harvey Dent’s character takes on a major role and eventually becomes “Two Face.” Michael Caine is Alfred and am quick to remember him in “Too Late The Hero” one of the mid-70s movie filmed in the Philippines which my dad was worked on when he was with VicNayve Productions.

Photos from www.thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/

Center to the earth

Last Saturday night, at Cinema 6, Glorietta 3, I caught a screening of "Journey to the center of the earth." Actually, I wanted to watch "Wanted." Two words in the same sentence. hehe. But I promised Chief that we would watch the latest Angelina Jolie movie together.

So, it was nearly two hours with Brendan Frasier's presence on the wide screen for the latest movie adaptation of the classic book from Jules Gabriel Vernes. Movie poster from New Line Cinema.

Brendan Frasier is Trevor Anderson, a volcanologist, who suddeny takes his nephew, Sean (played by Josh Hutcherson) on an adventure guided by Jules Verne’s book, “Journey to the center of the earth.” Trevor receives a box of momentos from Sean’s mother. Here, Trevor discovers a yoyo and an old copy of Verne’s book, with marginal notes. Like a map to the center of the earth.

They take a flight to Iceland and soon on their fall to the center of the earth, with Hannah (played Anita Briem), who charges Trevor a “per hour” rate to guide them through the mountains. Isn't Hannah sexy?

The journey takes them to Max’s cave at the center of the earth! Beyond this, I would let you watch the movie (still showing as I scribble this blog) directed Eric Brevig.
Michael Weiss, Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin wrote the screenplay.

I guarantee a few surprises along this journey!

Or simply read the book from Jules Verne.

Nadal's Presence

Atleast Rafael Nadal finally made his presence felt at the grass courts of Wimbeldon this year. The game was actually delayed for a couple of hours and I needed to rest and sleep early for a Quarterly Agency Review on Monday.

Through my sleep, Nadal slowly won out the match against Federer!

Rafa's win is his 5th Grand Slam win, after winning four straight French Open titles, since 2005. Federer hasn't won on this clay court. According to the program hosts, Rafa's victory in Wimbledon marks the first time a player had won both the French Open and Wimbledon on the same year. Bjorn Borg won both titles last in 1980, when I was still in the corridors of the Faculty of Arts and Letters.

The left-handed player, born in Mallorca, Spain is also just the second player from Spain to have won the Wimbledon in 42 years. Gosh, I was still a toddler then.

By the way, did you know that his uncle is a professional football player who played for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team?

Photo of Rafa from www.rafaelnadal.com/

Weekend

The weekend came and went and we didn't even feel it.

Gym Presence

Finally, I am back at Fitness First. Yahoo. Am having my first work-out since I joined EON last May 2008. It has been a couple months since I hit the bike and the threadmill and sweat. Just finished ten minutes or nearly 4 kilometers in the bike.

Now, will hit the threadmill and lift some weights. But that is NOT me in the photo below from the local Fitness First website at www.fitnessfirst.com.ph


Chief has been hitting Fitness First Plus, thrice a week consistently for the past couple of months and proudly showing off her building muscles. Good for my wife.

My cousin, Patrick, who is now here in the country, but currently in Cebu with his mom have had regular gym presence at Equinox in the Big Apple. And last Wednesday night, Chief and Patrick were comparing notes on their work-outs!

Me? Need to get back into the groove of the gym. Hopefully, work load at EON would be more of an incentive to get back my own gym presence.