Annie Brasil

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Pistons Win

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

Bhutto's Presence

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

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

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

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

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

Celebrities @ Universal

Scribbles of people around Universal Studios to come.

Back In Los Angeles

Will post scrbbles and pictures soon.

Carla, Geneve and Nicole

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

Will post pictures of shopping and dining out soon!

Abangan!

No presence at midnight

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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