A Champion's Presence

There is so much buzz about Sunday’s fight. Or Saturday night, if you are around North America. The second both Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto step into the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. the world will come to a stop.

The buzz is being made louder by HBO. In the Philippines, the crime rate comes to zero as everyone is off the street and into their homes cheering on the “pambansang kamao.”

For us who are attending the 12th edition of “Synergy” here at the beautiful Misibis Bay Resort, the fight will surely be missed as we would be on our Cebu Pacific return flight to Manila. But we are sure the buzz will be around Legaspi City and even in the airport, where there will surely be TV monitors.

Experts predict that the fight will attract around 1 million pay view hits. The all-time record is 2.4 million for Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Oscar De La Hoya two years ago. Mayweather could be Pacquaio’s next victim as he is likely to win his seventh boxing title.

At 49-3-3, Pacquiao hasn't lost since 2005. He recently ended the careers of De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Oddmakers say that Pacquiao is a 3-1 favorite. Even US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Thomasian students that “no doubt Pacquiao would win.” Photo by of Welterweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and WBO champion Miguel Cotto during the official weigh-in by Gabriel Bouys / AFP / Getty Images.

I hope his presence on the ring will make Filipinos all over the world proud!

Goodluck Manny!

Efren Penaflorida makes a difference

Another Filipino makes us proud.

Efren Penaflorida made it to the top ten for CNN’s “Hero of the Year” Award. The winner gets US$100,000 top prize money! Efren was among the thousands of nominees. Yup, thousands from across the globe.

Efren’s growing recognition and respect has been brought about by the mobile school program. Here, our 28-year old Filipino and his “Dynamic Teen” goes to the rural areas to help improve the lives of kids through education. For nearly 12 years, he and his team has made their presence felt in the lives of nearly 1,500 young kids who have learned how to read and write, and appreciate numbers.

According to an interview published in the online-edition of the Asian Journal, Efren says, "We should all start the change from within. All of us, we should open our minds and hearts to accommodate to the needs of the less fortunate and release the hero within.” While Efren considers it a great honor to be regarded as a modern-day hero, he believes that no one is too ordinary to be heroes. “We are all capable of contributing to our community and to our country."

Efren has already been featured in the “Ako Mismo” advocacy campaign together with respected Filipinos like Ely Buendia and Charice Pempengco.

He needs our help. Let us vote for him, by simply following this CNN link.

The CNN Hero of the Year will be announced and awarded soon in a program at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Last day of voting is on November 19, 2009!

He has been on the streets helping many young, impoverished kids learn. Now, it’s our turn to help him so he could help more kids. Can you imagine how much books and learning materials US$100,000 can bring to Filipino kids?

We all can make a difference in the lives of others and we can help make that difference by voting for Efren Penaflorida and his mobile school program.

Students for Typhoon Ondoy

The response of the government for Typhoon Ondoy has been criticized. In a story published in the Inquirer website, Sen. Logarda says, “It’s plain incompetence of the leadership, and government was absent,” said Sen. Loren Legarda. There is a pending bill on “disaster risk management.” Senator Biazon has blamed the NDCC “for the slow passage of the bill in the House of Representatives.”

While there are many criticisms, the response of many Filipinos has been praised here and abroad. There are many continuing untold and unpublished stories around us. And these includes the hundreds of young students who fill campuses, å barangays halls and warehouses around the city where they are packing relief goods for the typhoon victims.

Schools like UST, La Salle, UP and Ateneo have pulled in their students and teachers into their campuses to pack relief goods. These volunteers have given up their holidays to provide hands which have touched the hearts of many.

Officers and staff members of the UST Central Student Council have brought in concerned students for the packing of relief goods, clothes and other items for the typhoon victims. This operation was called “Tara Tomasino, Tulong Tayo.” Maybe, UST can adopt 400 families who are victims of Typhoon Ondoy as part of its 400th year program?

Ateneo de Manila University also opened up its campus to volunteers and victims. Students who need help or know of people who need help and text the name, location, and contact number to (+6329088877166). The school is now an open shelter and accepts refugees. Call (+632917-8952792)

There is an Ateneo DREAM Team established in Sept 2006 to coordinate the efforts of various units within the school toward the relief and rehabilitation of disaster victims. DREAM stands for Disaster Response and Management Team. The Dream Team runs Ateneo Task Force Ondoy, in partnership with the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan.

De La Salle University-Manila is accepting donations and goods. Drop off at the South Gate of DLSU-Manila. DLSU Medical Center is also accepting canned goods, blankets, clothes and water. Drop-off point is at Congressional Avenue, Dasmarinas, Cavite. You can (02) 844-7832 and (046) 416-4531

UP Diliman USC is collecting food, clothing and/or cash. Contact Titus 09178001909, Jose 09273056607 and Tin 09154906106. UP College of Arts and Letters (CAL) is accepting goods and cash. Donation center at CAL/text 0929-6454102

Assumption College is now accepting donations. These can be dropped off at the AC guardhouse inside San Lorenzo Village. St. Pedro Poveda College is accepting relief goods. You can call the Social Action Center 6318756 loc. 121.

All these students continuing presence in the flooded streets and inside their own campuses have made the country proud!

Disaster Preparedness

Nearly one week after Typhoon Ondoy brought havoc and tradegy into thousands of families in and around Metro Manila, specially, in Pasig, Marikina and Cainta, there are still many Filipinos within our midst and own communities who need are help. Photos credits to Reuters.

I got this list below from Lisa Bruan, via a forwarded email. You can see many ways and means on how we can help.

1. Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT.

2. NoyMar relief Operations: Clare Amador (+639285205508) or Jana Vicente at +639285205499). Drop off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.

3. Miriam Quiambao drop off points: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.

4. Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio or GHQ Gym in Camp Aguinaldo are now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.

5. Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk,Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.

6. Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge (+632-5639298, +632-5639308)

7. Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Cor EDSA (+632-9257931-40)

8. Aranaz Stores in Rockwell & Greenbelt is accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities affected by Ondoy

9. Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Task Force Noah, a disaster response arm of the Jesuits, is accepting donations. Please drop it off sa Ateneo Cervini Dorm.

10. Red Cross Load Donations: Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text: REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

11. Ateneo de Manila University is now accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy. Donations can be dropped at MVP Lobby. For those stranded/those who need help: To all students who need help or know of people who need help. Please text the name, location, and contact number to (+6329088877166). ATENEO, which is now an open shelter, accepts refugees. Call (+632917-8952792)

12. Papemelroti stores in 91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall are accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes – NO CASH pls.)

13. Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (+632-4342397, +632-9290665) per Gabe Mercado, donations are very much welcome. The Parish is located at 12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

14. Hillsborough Village Chapel – Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes may be sent to Hillsborough Village Chapel in Muntinlupa City. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.


15. Greenhills/Mandaluyong/San Juan Area, if you want to help out with the rescue and relief operations, you can drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc..) at La Salle Greenhills Gate 2 tomorrow or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.

16. “LUZON RELIEF: Volunteer / Donate / Pray”: Donations can be brought to RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City starting MONDAY (Sept.28) / 9am – 7pm Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com

17. Katipunan Avenue. Contact Erica Paredes at (+632917-4741930) — they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.

18. Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC): Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)

19. Tulong Bayan hotlines for donations and volunteers are (+632908-6579998) Marilyn, (+632939-3633436) Jenn (+632-9137122, +632-9136254 & +632-9133306).


20. AKBAYAN’s taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.

21. Worldvision Foundation is also accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $donations, BPI:USDacct #4254-0050-08

22. Xavier School in San Juan is now accepting donations, please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC).

23. Move for Chiz is asking for volunteers at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.

24. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at (+632917-8081247)

25. Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)

Please call given contact details and find out how you can help and make your presence felt to thousands of families who need our help and prayers too!

No matter how big or small, every amount of sweat or little piece of used clothes or blanket would bring warmth to many hearts.

Presidential Presence on Letterman

A couple of daya ago, David Letterman pulled off a "casting coup" on late night television when we had President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton on his show, consecutively...one night after another.


Competition on late night TV became tighter as Jay Leno moved into primetime and Conan took over his slot at NBC. Often, Letterman would joke that even his mom watched Conan, but would definitely have watched the Obama episode.

Letterman is one of the longest running late night TV host, since Johnny Carson passed away a few years ago. It was reported that Carson had always wished Letterman take over his show and not Jay Leno. And at 62, he is one of the oldest too and nearly as old as Clinton, who turned 63 last August 19. He is a LEO like me. Hmmmmm.

You can check out this link to watch part of the interview.

Kim Clijsters as a winning mom

She is the first mom to win a major title since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980 at Wimbledon and Margaret Court in 1973.

Yup, at 26, Kim Clijsters achieved it a couple of days ago, with her win over Carolina Wozniacki in New York. The final score was 7-5, 6-3. And Chief and I saw the final minutes of the game as we were in the waiting room of the Heart Station, Makati Medical Center. She was scheduled for a thread mill test that Monday morning.

With her win, she pushed her up the WTA rankings. Now, she is 19th after 2 ½ years of retirement. And she had only played two tournaments after coming out of retirement.

"Little things like that are very special, because you never know how many more of those years you're going to have," Clijsters said.

She gave up the professional circuit a couple of years ago to focus on her family in Belgium. Any active professional player would know that toll that 4 Grand Slam Tournament takes, and not to mention the little tournaments in-between.

She is going home to be with her 18-month-old daughter Jada and husband Brian Lynch. "Obviously in Belgium things are going to be a lot more hectic now again for me when I get back home," Clijsters said a day after winning her second Grand Slam title. "I just want to make sure it doesn't influence Jada too much, that she still has that normal life."

Kim cites the important need to be happy and her presence at home and with her baby is a top priority. "First you need to be happy," Clijsters said. "As a mother now, everything around me needs to be happy before I can go out there and play good tennis and be relaxed on the court. … If all those things fall into place, then the results will follow automatically.

New reports say that the night before the final, Clijsters wasn't watching videotape of Wozniacki. She was watching "Ice Age" with Jada.

Her presence at home serves as an inspiration to many moms, not only tennis moms!

Remembering Lolo Perico and "Tatang"

Today is grandparent’s day! A friend in Facebook reminded me of today’s milestone. Also in Mass earlier at St. John Bosco Church, the priest reminded the parishioners it was “Grandparent’s Day.”

I remember that I spent a few years with my Lolo Perico in his old house in 926 Maria Christina Street, Sampaloc. He used to teach me Spanish and going through his older years, I was taking care of him, even before the word “care-giving” became a buzz word. I would give him a bath, using Palmolive soap, which my Tita Betty would buy for everyone at home. He liked to listen to classical music over DZFE and would notice if I changed the radio to another radio station. We used to watch “Kuwentong Kutsero” aired in the old Channel 7. That show was a popular satire on local politics.

And it was also because of my Lolo Perico that I took my first plane ride. Yup, I was in high school, when we both went to Daet, Camarines Norte. I think I was 13 or 14 years old.

From my mom’s side, I remember Lolo Teroy, more fondly called “Tatang.” We would go and visit him in Angeles City, during Christmas time and town fiestas. He lived alone in his house, but within the Garcia lot in Angeles City. Every Christmas, all of us cousins would fall in line and he would hand out crisp five or ten peso bills. The older cousins would fall in line twice or thrice, thinking that he would not remember.

Wherever both are right now, am grateful for your presence in our lives.

Happy Grandparent’s Day!

Noynoy Aquino's Presence in the presidential race

Today is supposed to be a lucky day. Three 9s.

Senator Noynoy Aquino would surely need more than luck as he announced his intention to seek higher office! I was expecting that he would join the presidential race, as he had vowed to continue the work of his parents!
"I will be there because of the people, I will stay there because of the people and hopefully I will be true to my word to serve the people," says Aquino.

He made his announcement at Club Filipino. This is the same place where history witnessed Tita Cory be sworn in as president after the 1986 EDSA Revolution. I wouldn’t say the late president led the revolution as it was the the thousands in the streets of EDSA during those four days in February who risked life against Ferdinand Marcos.

The young senator, who is one year older than me, will run under the opposition Liberal Party which has been a fierce critic of the present government.

He says, "I want to make democracy work not just for the rich and the well-connected, but for everybody."
Now, will Noynoy’s presence in the political arena be strong enough to bring Filipinos out of their homes and into the public arena? Whether it be in schools or in the streets, Filipinos, specially, the youth need to get involved and make their own presence felt to support the right candidate who will lead by example with good governance! Photos taken with my Canon "Rebel" DSLR during the anti-Con Ass rally held in Makati City last June 2009.

Good luck Noynoy!

Kennedy's presence

A few days ago, the world lost the physical presence of last of the famous Kennedy brothers. Senator Edward M. Kennedy passed away at the age of 77. He died of brain cancer. He had served 46 years as a Democrat in the Senate.

His other brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated in the 60s. Both were young. Only in their 40s. Their eldest brother, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., died at the age of 29 during World War II while on a bombing mission. Photo of the famous three brothers (July 1960) by Associated Press

Senator Kennedy of Massachusetts could have been president, following his famous brother, John F. Kennedy. But along his political and personal life, he had a couple of stumbles, specifically the Chappaquiddick accident which resulted to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne.

And we would all surely remember the death of John F. Kennedy Jr. during a plane crash in 1999. Many had hoped he would follow JFK’s footsteps in the White House and keep the Kennedy tradition alive. See the young Ted on his father's lap in this photo from the New York Times.

President Obama said, “His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives — in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education’s promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just — including myself.” Wonder what Pres. Obama is whispering to the late Senator's ear in this photo by Brendan Smialowski (NYT).

Still, this tradition will continue to live with the Kennedy Library in Boston, the Kennedy Center in Washington and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Last December, in Harvard University, he said, “We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe that all of us will live on in the future we make. I have lived a blessed time.”


The Kennedy spirit will continue to shine in US politics as long as there are Democrats and Republicans who argue and debate in the halls of Congress. Am no expert in American politics but am sure many will miss the fire and vigor of Sen. Kennedy in the US Congress. Photo by George Tames in the late 60s, shows the young Ted talking to his supporters on top of a van.

Many Filipinos here are also Kennedy followers. They are not only mesmerized by the “royal family” of US politics, but firm believers of the democratic process and good governance. Associated Press photo shows the Kennedy family after the death of JFK.

Come May 2010, we do need to make our own presence felt as we select leaders who live and practice the ideals of good governance, just like the Kennedys. There is still time to seek change. Let us trash all traditional politicians and support those whose ideals are for the greater good of Filipinos.

Esther Ku is cute!

Since the Yahoo media event last December 2008 at Spicy Fingers, Greenbelt 3, I had been exposed to local stand-up comedians. Today, I am even working with a couple of young comedians, Stanley Chi and Mike Unson.

I have seen both Stanley and Mike make their presence felt on stage a few times at Spicy Fingers. And even swapped jokes and lines as part of the writing team of “Front Act,” the newest comedy show on ABC5, aired every Sunday evening at 6pm. Just before "Wow Mali."

Chief and I would appreciate and laugh at the lines thrown by David Letterman, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. All men. Have not seen, watched or heard a female stand-up comic until I got to watch Esther Ku on Star World a couple of weekends ago.

Who is Esther Ku? Well she is definitely one of the cutest comedians on stage. A Korean-American, she is known for her Asian jokes, which some find racist or offensive.

I first watched her presence at Star World’s “Last Comic Standing” last Saturday, August and I quickly “googled” her name. I read that she had been chosen as one of the ten best comedians for the 2006 NBC Stand-up for Diversity Showcase in New York City and had performed at the Boston International Comedy Festival and the New York Underground Festival.
During an interview, Esther was asked about her comic influences. She said, “My comic influences are the people around me who make me laugh: my mom, my siblings, my teachers, my pastor, etc. My mom has always poked fun at my dad in public, telling all her friends how he used to have hair before we were born. My siblings and I shared everything growing up. We teased each other constantly and incorporated wordplay to outwit each other. I always enjoyed it when my teachers incorporated a sense of humor in class. Whenever the teacher said something funny, I wrote it down in the margins of my notebooks.”

Now am thinking, does someone in my classes also take down my jokes?

Esther says that her most embarrassing moment was back in kindergarden when she decided to pee while in class. She admits, “I learned that day in school that farts are invisible but pee is not! I have not yet fully recovered from that day. I do occasionally release farts in public but never my bladder.”

In today’s tough economy, we could surely use a few laughs from stand-up comedians who dare make their presence felt before a live discriminating audience.
Whether Esther Ku farts or pees in public, her cute presence still stands above the rest of female stand-up comedians. You can check out her website at http://www.funnyku.com/

Stanley Chi, I think she can be number 55?

Thomasians For Cory

Around 5pm, Tuesday afternoon, I had moved to the front of the Palacio del Gobernador. A couple of hundred students had slowly started to gather here. Many of them were wearing yellow. A few wearing their uniforms. Some wore shirts with “glowing tigers” mascot. Their lynards said it all. Glowing Tigers. Faculty of Civil Law. College of Fine Arts and Design. Education. Arts and Letters. Physical Therapy. Clearly, these students were Thomasians.

I had learned that Thomasians had been called to attend the Tuesday 9pm Mass at the Manila Cathedral. There was some commotion, specially, as the rain poured. But that didn’t dampen the spirit of the students. Most, if not all of them, had not been born during the assassination of Ninoy Aquino back in 1983 or EDSA Revolution in February 1986. This was probably their first and closest experience to a “people power” type of gathering.

Now, I feel old as I had lived through those times and been a part of EDSA Revolution. Yup, I was on top of the gate Camp Crame when Enrile and Ramos crossed from Camp Aguinaldo to Camp Crame. I snapped hundreds of photos during those days. Now, I just need to post them in Facebook or Blogger. But need to digitized them first.

I could sense that these Thomasians wanted to be part of history as cameras were snapping and clicking, using the Manila Cathedral as their background. Many proudly raised the “Laban” sign. I saw a couple of priests. The elder one even lent his umbrella to me and a middle-aged lady.

I wish and pray that behind all these “Kodak” moments, students, regardless of affiliation or course, channel all their youthful unadulterated values into specific action that will lead to change. It starts with their registration as voters, choosing and even campaigning for the right candidates, protecting their ballots and staying vigilant as the winning candidates take office.

The challenge of Ninoy’s death in 1983 and EDSA Revolution remains the same today. Food on the table for majority of the poor. Less of corruption, more of basic services. Simply, just honesty and integrity in government.

Words for President Aquino

It was a Tuesday afternoon when I made my own presence felt, among the thousands who gathered for the wake of the late President Corazon Aquino. I had left our Greenhome around lunchtime and just wanted to grab a quick lunch at the Jollibee outlet near Convergys, but the place was full. “Forget it,” I said to myself.

It was a slow bus ride to Manila. The rains made it more complicated. “I should have taken a taxi.” But I was in “tipid-mode.” Plus, I wanted to feel the community around me during these times of bereavement.

I was not able to enter the Cathedral itself. But I really opted not to queue as I just wanted to capture the emotion outside the Cathedral. It was by accident (or by fate?) that I strayed into the parking lot near the Manila Cathedral, 3pm, Tuesday afternoon.

Not known to many Filipinos near the Cathedral, there was a parking lot. Here, cars of relatives and friends found parking. Flowers were found there way near the gate. But most of all, hundreds of Filipinos wrote their thoughts to pay their respects to the late President Corazon Aquino.

In this parking lot, there was three large-format print out of Cory’s images. Besides these larger than life images, where white tarpaulins where Filipino can write their messages for their hero.

Here are some of the messages that expressed how Filipinos feel about the late president and what she had achieved for the country and Filipinos.

A couple of young volunteers, wearing black T-shirts and jeans, warned a few who tried to find space inside the actual image of President Aquino. Earlier, a few wrote on the face of the late president. How could they do that?
What would my own message be for the late president?

Words can't fully express how the presence and governance of President Aquino has influenced the lives and history of the Philippines. She is both an icon of democracy and an inspiration to Filipinos to pursue the greater good for our country. The challenge today is how to translate these outpouring of love and respect for the late president into specific action that results to change and fulfillment of the dreams that remains to be realized 23 years after the EDSA Revolution.

Wanted: Angelina Jolie

Last night was a quiet Sunday evening and I was flipping around the cable network, just awaiting for “Boston Legal” at 10pm at Star World. And then, Chief said, “Oh… your favorite.” Yup, it was Angelina Jolie on HBO. The movie was a 2008 action film called “Wanted” which was based on a comic book series by Mark Millar.

The movie was 20 minutes into its running time, but still I kept my fingers off the remote control. Chief also managed to switch between the Harry Potter book (Chamber of Secrets) she was reading and the action scenes between Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy. Who is he anyway? Did you know that McAvoy once considered on becoming a priest.

The movie was directed by Timur Bekmambetov and also stars Morgan Freeman, whom I remember best as Ned Logan in “Unforgiven,” the award-winning 1992 Western film directed by Clint Eastwood and in “Million Dollar Baby” where he won Best Supporting Actor in 2004


Here, Freeman plays the role of Sloan, the leader of the Fraternity. Fraternity? Well, that is group of assassins which recruits Wesley Gibson, who is the son of a professional assassin. The names of targets are revealed through a binary code hidden in weaving errors of the fabric.

The movie was released last June 25, 2008. We did fail to catch this movie in Greenbelt Cinemas last year.

Guess, what is “amazing” in this movie is the way the characters are able to control the spin and curve of bullets even when they shoot from a far distance. Or from a fast-moving train.

My favorite, Angelina Jolie, as Fox trains Gibson which gives him superhuman strength, extra speed and reflexes. His training is brutal and bloody.


The highlight of the movie is the shoot-out inside the train. Fox even crashes a car into the train. Cross saves Wesley’s life by preventing him from falling into the ravine. But Wesley shoots his father. Yup, Cross is his father which Fox confirms who is also out to kill Gibson. Now, who is killing who anyway? Gibson escapes by shooting out the glass underneath him and plunging into the river below. He now plans to eliminate Sloan and the Fraternity. How? By an army of rats carrying small bombs.

Director Timur Bekmambetov had announced last June that there would be a sequel. Would Jolie make her presence in the sequel and come back to life? Note that Fox dies at the end of the movie. Photos and movie poster from Universal Pictures.

Crisis in Tehran

In 1989, around 20 years ago, hundreds of thousands of young students and workers gathered in Tianamen Square. Nobody would really know how many got killed or hurt in the Tianamen Massacre. Thousands probably?


These days Iranians are making their presence felt in the streets of Tehran. Reports say that police have fired tear gas and water cannon to the protestors who are openly defying the government. Witnesses claimed some marchers were beaten with batons or metal pipes and heard protesters also shout "Death to Khamenei!" Photo by REUTERS/Farhad Rajabali.

Tehran University was also cordoned off by police. It is the oldest and largest university in Tehran. But not as old as my alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas. It was officially opened in 1934.

This is the most serious presence in the streets of Tehran, specially, around the Revolution Square, since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Tehran is the largest city in the Middle East with a population around 7 million. The city dates back 6000BC and has rich historical and religious sites of mosques, churches and synagogues.

The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had already warned of a bloodshed. Tehran Province Police Chief Ahmad Reza Radan had said, "Police forces will crack down on any gathering or protest rally which are being planned by some people."


Reports say that the streets also are marked by the presence of police and plainclothes security personnel, plus fire trucks. Supporters of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi have continued to increase their presence, calling for the government cancel the results of the recent June 12 elections which declared victory for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Photo by REUTERS/Farhad Rajabali.


Opposition leader Mousavi , who served was prime minister during the 1980s, says he won. But many feel he is after the collapse of the Islamic system? A statement on his website says “He and his supporters were not seeking to confront their "brothers" among Iran's security forces or the "sacred system" that preserves the country's freedom and independence. Photo shows Mousavi speaking before a crowd. Courtesy of AP.

President Barack Obama has also urged Iranian leaders to halt "all violent and unjust actions against its own people." “The United States stands by all who seek to exercise" the universal rights to assembly and free speech,” says Obama. Please note there is little news coverage coming out of Tehran and protestors are using technology and Internet sites like Tweeter to get news out of the country.

Let us hope and pray that what is happening in Tehran doesn’t end up like Tianamen. People’s right to a peaceful assembly and free speech is an inherent right for all human beings, irregardless of country or culture.

Will this presence in the streets of Tehran lead to people power?

Lakers Celebrate

Watching the last minutes of Game 5, between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic, fans in Los Angeles had already started celebrations. Many cheered in their homes as the Lakers celebrated in Amway Arena. My dad had teased me, through Chief, for a blowout! And I teased my friend, Neal Tieng, knowing he is a Celtics fan.

Finally, Kobe emerged from the shadows of Shaq and Coach Phil Jackson earned his 10th ring.

There were news that amidst the recession and tough times, there would be no victory parade for the Lakers. A six-figure budget was expected to spent on such a parade. But finally, the city and the Laker organization shared financial resources to celebrate the championship.


An estimated 150,000, many in purple and golf, made their presence felt along the parade that started at the Staples Center, down Figueroa Street and ended at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Photo by Mark Boster.

The Laker Girls made their presence in the packed Coliseum. Maybe, one day, I will watch a Lakers Game at Staples Stadium.


Kobe Bryant said, "We feel this championship. We feel the energy of the city. We want to do this thing again and again. So you know we'll be back next year ready to go." Photo by Mark Boster of the LA Times. Am sure many fans saw Kobe share the championship trophy with his wife and two kids on TV after Game 5 at the Amway Arena.

Did you know that the hardwood floor from Staples Center had been disassembled and then, reassembled inside the Coliseum.


"We've got an amazing young group of people here," player Pau Gasol told the crowd. "We're still hungry. We're not done yet. We want more. We want more. . . . After experiencing what we experienced in the parade coming here and being in this beautiful stadium, we want to definitely offer you more. So be ready for it." They definitely would not have won without Gasol! Photo by Mark Boster.

The celebrations was generally peaceful except for a few guys whose presence caught the attention of CHiPs along the 101 Freeway. Suddenly, I remember Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada.

In my own way, I was celebrating, proudly wearing my old blue “take it to the hoop” Laker T-shirt.

Media Presence at Con-ass

Not only where the religious, students and professionals present at the recent rally against the constituent assembly, but media also made their presence felt.

Here are a few pictures of media as they pursued their responsibility to report the truth about the Filipino presence in the “parliament of the streets.”


Photo shows photographers taking a good view of the crowd from one of Makati's high rise buildings. Wish I was up there to capture a panaromic view of the rallyists the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenue.


Other photographers are high on this make-shift photographer's platform. But I couldn't get up here as I came in late for this rally. I do remember covering Ninoy Aquino's burial and I riding a long flatbed truck that followed the main truck carrying Aquino's casket.

Firefighters' Presence at Campos Rueda fire

On our way home last 09 June 2009, coming from Manila, where we had secured our NBI clearances for adoption, we got caught into some traffic along Buendia Avenue.

Why? There was a fire at the Campus Rueda Bldg, along Urban Avenue. This is walking distance from the Makati Medical Center or just behind the Tropical Hut Hamburger Restaurant, front the Makati Post Office.

The earliest firemen dates back to at least Ancient Egypt. During the times of the Romans, firefighters were privately organized and funded groups. They were really more a business than a public service, until Julius Caesar Augustus called for the creation of trained firefighters. He equipped and paid these men. They also were the early police force. Augustus was the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. Here is an 1878 illustration of early firefighters.

Wished I had my Canon Rebel XTI with me? Still, I snapped a few pictures with my iPhone. Other pictures were taken by Chief as I still had my hands on Shaq.




I remember this building much from my old Manila Bulletin days, when I was assigned at the Makati Peninsula Branch. We had a couple of advertisers held office at Campos Rueda. Wow, that was back in the early 80s and there was still the Rizal Theatre, where the Makati Shangrila now stands.

The Campos Rueda is relatively an old building. It is probably made of flammable materials such as wood which is different from so called "fire-resistant" buildings we see in a modern metropolis. These "fire-resistant" buildings can be designed to limit fire to a small area or floor, thus giving occupants the time to evacuate the building.


It was quick presence of the firemen that prevented the fire from spreading to the other buildings. The firemen had to be on the spot easily as the Makati Fire Station was just across the street, at the back of the Makati Post Office.

The Makati Fire Department (MFD) has often won the search for Best Fire Station in the National Capital Region (NCR) and is recognized as a multi-awarded firefighter in the country today.

No way for any Constituent Assembly

Constituent Assembly?

No way for all these Filipinos present at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas last June 10, 2009!

Yes, I snapped these pictures of Filipinos who oppose the House of Representatives being set as a constituent assembly. Many see the passage of HR 1109 convening a Constituent Assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution as a step for PGMA to become prime minister, thus extending her stay in Malacanang. All 23 senators signed a resolution expressing their opposition to a Senate-less Con-Ass. They claim it is unconstitutional.

Am sure even Senator Trillanes would have, if allowed, make his presence felt in these street protests. Groups like Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela, Kabataan, Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, Pagbabago! movement and Artists Revolution are making their presence felt. They believe that HR 1109 was intended “to strengthen” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s “hold on the reins of power."


A joint statement by the United Opposition, civil society and militant groups says, "We believe the resolution is intended to change the Charter in order to strengthen Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s hold on the reins of power either through term extension, a shift to parliamentary system or any other underhanded device.”


Even the religious made their presence felt in this last rally. “Hindi democratic ang ginagawa nila sapagkat sinosolo nila ang pagpapalit ng ating konstitusyon. Kahibangan na yan," said Jaro archbishop Angel Lagdameo. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is taking a stand. "What happened last night... it’s like they are betraying the people. When power corrupts, it corrupts absolutely," the CBCP president added.


Many of us, including media, have been through this road before. The parliament of the streets. From the days of EDSA 1, back in February 1986 to these days, when recession and swine flu share headlines in con-ass!

Mabuhay ang malayang Filipino!

Tiananmen Presence

Where were you last June 4, 1989?

Late 80s, I was probably teaching at UST CFAD and working at the House of Representative. June 1989? Honestly, I can’t remember.
The Internet was at its infancy. And we hadn’t heard of YouTube or Google or Yahoo.

Everybody got their news from newspapers and CNN. And around those days from April to June 1989, young Chinese students, intellectuals and workers were making their strong presence felt at Tiananmen Square. Yes, it has been 20 years since the Tiananmen Square protests that led to the death persecution of many Chinese.

The demonstrations were fueled by the sudden death due to heart attack of Hu Yaobang, who was seen by the protestors as pro-democracy and anti-corruption official. Around the middle of April, civilians had gathered at Monument to the People's Heroes in the middle of the Tiananmen Square to mourn his death.

Students from Peking University and Tsinghua University also expressed their sorrow and sympathy for Hu Yaobang by posting eulogies inside the campus. 500 students from China University of Political Science and Law marched to the Great Hall of the People.

Their numbers increased as 3,000 students from Peking University and hundreds more from Tsinghua University joined the growing protestors. Their presence increased to 100,000 towards the eve of his funeral on April 22, 1989.

Days turned into weeks. Protests evolved into petitions, known as the “seven demands” which the students wanted to give to government officials. While no officials came out to meet with the protestors, some officials were sympathetic to the protestors. The numbers grew as news about the dispersal spread and People's Daily issued a front-page editorial that accused "extremely small segments of opportunists of plotting civil unrest.” This was far from the real presence in Tiananmen Square. There were also marches in the streets of Beijing demanding that government renounce the “official statement.”

While there was pushing and shoving as the police tried to clear access to government offices, the protest was generally peaceful until the tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square which resulted to the death and injuries of civilians. This is a famous photo by Jeff Widener of AP.

No one outside China believes the exact figure has ever been given by the Chinese government. Only 241 dead and 7,000 wounded, including government soldiers. Unidentified sources from the Chinese Red Cross gave a figure of 2,600 deaths.

There was a widespread crackdown of other protestors and their supporters. Media was suppressed (even today), as it has always been gagged.

Students and workers demanded a dialogue with government. Hundreds of students also went on hunger strikes. General Secretary Zhao Ziyang went to the Square on May 19 and made a speech urging the students to end the hunger strike. This was his last public appearance. The government declared martial law on May 20. Members of the Communist Party who were sympathetic to the students were purged, meaning stripped of their official duties and ties with the government. General Secretary Zhao Ziyang was placed under house arrest

Students from the Central Academy of Fine Arts had carved and erected "The Goddess of Democracy" at Tiananmen Square towards the end of May. This became a symbol for the protest and widely seen on TV around the world.

Protestors had hoped that “glasnost” policy by Mikhail Gorbachev would happen in China. They wanted economic, political and democratic reform. Very much like in the country during those years under Proclamation 1081.

Today, we remember and honor their presence that hoped to bring change in China.

Filipinos' presence at Cannes Film Festival

News flash!

Brillante Mendoza is named Best Director at Cannes 2009 for his film, “Kinatay.” And take note, that he won over other respected directors like Ang Lee (Taking Woodstock) and Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds) and Ang Lee under the same category.

Mendoza is the first Filipino to win Best Director at Cannes for a full-length film. He made his debut at Cannes last year for his film “Serbis.”

This year is the 62nd edition of the world’s most famous film festival.

“Kinatay” is a story of a kidnap-rape victim, played by Maria Isabel Lopez. Like the title implies, Lopez is murdered and hacked to pieces.

The most prestigious Palme d'Or (Golden Palm Award) went to Austrian director Michael Haneke for Das Weisse Band (The White Ribbon) while the Grand Prix award was given to French filmmaker Jacques Audiard for Un Prophete (A Prophet). Twenty films competed for the highest honor at the festival.


Here is what Mendoza said after he received The Best Director Prize "First of all I would like to thank the selection committee, who are responsible for bringing my films here for the past three years. And now with an award for Best Director, I would like to thank the Jury. And of course I’d like to thank my producer; thank you for the trust and faith in my films. I’d like to thank also a very committed staff and crew. I’d like to share this award with my daughter, Angelica, who has always been my number one critic and to an actor I really respect, Coco Martin. Thank you all for embracing my kind of cinema."

Photo of Mendoza, his acceptance speech and 2009 Cannes Festival Poster from http://www.festival-cannes.com

There were two other full-length Filipino films in the Festival, namely, “Independencia” which was a historical drama starring Sid Lucero and Tetchie Agbayani and “Manila” which starred Piolo Pascual

Plus two short films. “Sabongero” directed by Filipino-American Janice Perez and the animated short “Manong Maong” directed by Aissa Peñafiel and Miguel Ocampo.

Definitely, making a strong Filipino presence at Cannes and around the globe!