Visit to the Church Of Morong

It has become part of our family tradition to get out of Manila during the Easter holiday break. Last year, we all went to Baler, Aurora Province, which was nearly a whole day ride for us. Rene Bernal and Nady Nacario went with us, together with Felicianos (Max and Grace and their son, Kai). This year, we went to a much shorter destination. But the number of vehicles on the road also heading up north, either to Baguio or Ilocos simply bogged down traffic at entry and exit points. Nevertheless, our kids found a few moments of prayers around the Church of Morong. Residents say that this church is around 400 years old. We arrived here around 3pm, just in time for the Holy Mass. Guess, the Lord led us to this Church.

Paul Walker's Presence

Am not really a big fan of "The Fast and Furious" movie franchise, until last year when Paul Walker died. But I do remember Paul Walker in the 2006 movie "Flags of our Father." But it wasn't really his acting that caught my attention but his humanitarian work, even up to the last moments of his life when he died in a car crash last November 2013, after coming from a charity event to raise money for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

Walker's presence will continue to be felt by millions around the world through your movies but more important, through the lives you have touched from Haiti to the Philippines with your charity work with "Reach Out Worldwide" He was a young man with a big heart.

Heroes of August Rains

With bad weather we have been having the past few days, social media has kept us connected. Through Facebook or Twitter, many Filipinos have kept themselves updated not only about the weather condition in various parts of the country but how everyday Filipinos are working against the rains, the floods and the wind to be their own kind of heroes in their own communities. There are many stories of heroism from the rescue of residents stranded in their homes in Provident Village to toddlers being rescued in the flooded barangays around Pampanga. Everyday during these rainy August days, we have seen on television and read through Yahoo! News or tweets of countless men and women who have risked their own lives to save others.

To the many unknown Filipinos who have risked their lives these past few days, many you be blessed with HIS blessings of life! Thank you for your presence felt during these rainy days!

Missing Dolphy

A few days ago, we lost a legend, an icon, not only of the entertainment industry but of Filipino culture and arts. Yes, Dolphy has moved on just a few days before he was supposed to celebrate his birthday on July 25. So many words have been written about the “King of Comedy” and these words would probably pale in terms of rhyme and rhythm. But these words are written from the heart of a fan who shared many moments of laughter watching “John and Marsha” and even, “Buhay Artista.”

His life continues to be an inspiration to many who strive hard to follow their dreams. After all, Dolphy used to sell peanuts outside old movie houses so he could watch movies for free. He even drove calesas and shined shoes! But most of all, he was a father to many sons and daughters. It really doesn’t matter from which woman, all his siblings felt his love and affection even at his old age. It has been said that he had to continue working through his senior years as he has to support his siblings. Wherever you are Dolphy, you are lucky as you now share the limelight with Panchito and Babalu, keeping watch over us Filipinos who miss the laughs and lives you all shared with us. Mabuhay ka Dolphy! Your presence will be missed.

Media Presence for Dolphy at MMC

For many days now, Dolphy, the King Of Comedy is recovering from his room at MMC. He name has been headlines in all news programs and even online. Countless prayers have been offered and continue to be said for his recovery. A few broadcast journalists brave through the rains to wait for the latest news and updates about Dolphy’s health condition. It is through their dedication and patience that fans, friends and followers of Dolphy are able to keep track of his health. Here’s a photo of media who kept watch outside Makati Medical Center, where he was confined during those long nights in July.

I actually got to talk to one of his sons who was grabbing a short break as he sat around Mercury Drug. I told his son, “Pinagdarasal po namin si Dolphy” and he humbly expressed his appreciation, saying, “Salamat po.”

Nobody wants to be lonely

For the man of the street, menudo could really mean a mixed dish with potatoes, meat and some veggies. Menudo isn’t exactly one of my favorite dishes, unless it was the last ulam I could buy at the “jolly jeep” across the street. But I do remember that I used to listen to a Latin American boy band called Menudo. Yup, that band that visited Manila during the 80s. And I remember, Ricky Martin eliciting shrieks and shouts from fan around Manila.

Born December 24, 1971, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, his parents divorced when he was two but he grew up in a Catholic home and even became altar boy until he joined Menudo.

Today, those fans will probably accept the fact that Ricky Martin has finally come “out of the closet.” In an announcement posted at his website last 29 March 2010, he said, “I Am a Fortunate Homosexual Man.” His statement also read. “These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed."

Martin also says, “The word "happiness" takes on a new meaning for me as of today. It has been a very intense process. Every word that I write in this letter is born out of love, acceptance, detachment and real contentment. Writing this is a solid step towards my inner peace and vital part of my evolution." Martin has twin sons who probably inspired these words and the source of his happiness. The babies were delivered via gestational surrogacy.

It may have come as a surprise to some fans who danced and sung to the tune of “La Vida Loca.” Others simply shrugged off that “news” as they had long suspected that Martin was gay. Me? His sexual orientation didn’t really matter. What mattered most were his songs and his moves.

His "Livin' la Vida Loca" (composed by Desmond Child and Draco Rosa) which means “Living the Crazy Life” reached number one spot in 60 countries. It continues to be a popular request in karaoke bars around the country. The song also became the battle-cry of1998 FIFA World Cup. Martin performed it at the 1999 Grammy Awards show.

And we all smiled when Antonio Banderas and Eddie Murphy sung it in “Shrek 2.”

The song is generally seen as the song that sparked the Latin pop frenzy of 1999 with artists like Latin artists Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, and Enrique Iglesias penetrating the Western pop music market.

But more than being a popular song, "Livin' la Vida Loca" is also a tech breakthrough. It was the first No. 1 song to be recorded, edited, and mixed totally on a DAW (digital audio workstation). Audio-production enthusiasts see it as the song that “marked the shift from analog recording to digital recording.”

Martin also did a duet with Christina Aguilera called "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely". And with Martin finally coming out of the closet, he just reiterates the fact that nobody wants to be lonely.

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!