Showbiz Opinion

Direk Tikoy's Manila Kingpin and the two-faced Pep article about him

2011-12-24T13:32:00.002+08:00

Director Amable “Tikoy” Aguiluz VI, popularly known only as Tikoy Aguiluz was granted his Temporary Restraining Order (TRO, which perhaps should have been properly called preliminary mandatory injunction) by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines against the producers of Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story which he supposed to have directed.

Direk Tikoy perhaps prayed, among others, that the IPOP require the producers of the movie to remove his name from the film and promotional materials because, according to him, the Film is not any more his. Laguna Governor ER Ejercito the bida did not like the pacing of the movie which he found slow. So, he hired another team of editors, led by Jason Cajapay, to re-edit the movie. He also had some scenes reshot and inserted in the movie. All these editing and reshooting were done without the knowledge of Direk Tikoy.

Curiously, the Philippine Entertainment Portal has two versions of a news with the same title, picture and date. As I was researching the story, I clicked on a link and this came out:

Governor ER Ejercito rejects Tikoy Aguiluz's demand to remove his name as director ofManila Kingpin
Rey Pumaloy
Sunday, December 18, 2011
01:45 PM
Sagot ni Governor ER: "Alam n'yo, matagal nang walang kumukuha kay Tikoy.
"Ako na lang nga ang nagtitiwala sa kanya, actually. Lahat halos niyan nakaaway niya.
"Pati si Congresswoman Imee Marcos, di ba? Sa ECP [Experimental Cinema of the Philippines], noong araw.
"Sinasabi ni Imee Marcos, 'You got Tikoy?'
"'Yeah! Why? I like him, he's a good director.'
"'Ang daming problemang ibinigay niyan sa akin sa ECP.'
"Sabi ko, 'Lahat naman ng nakasama niyan, puro problemado!'" pabirong sabi pa ni ER.
Si Tikoy ang nagdirek ng Boatman, na iprinodyus ng ECP, na pinamahalaan ni Imee.
Pero sa kabila nito, ayaw raw palitan ni ER si Tikoy.
"Hindi, gusto ko pa rin si Direk Tikoy, kahit madami siyang 'binigay na problema sa akin.
"Gusto ko pa rin, siya ang director ko.
"Kung ayaw niya, siya ang mawawalan, hindi ako!
"Ako na lang ang nagtiwala sa kanya, e. Ako lang ang nagbigay sa kanya ng malaking chance na makabalik.
"Saka ipinaglaban ko si Direk Tikoy sa mga producers ko.
"Ipinaglaban ko si Direk Tikoy," diin niya.
Sinabihan raw ni ER si Direk Tikoy na pumunta sa premiere showing ng Manila Kingpin.
"Hindi sumasagot," banggit niya.
"Gano'n talaga ang mga mahuhusay na director, suplado!
"Lahat ng mga magagaling na direktor, may ego trip."
INTERNATIONAL SCREENING. Ayon pa rin kay Governor ER, ang bagong edited version ng Manila Kingpin ang ipapadala niya sa mga international film festivals para hindi raw antukin ang mga manonood nito sa haba.

Here's the screen shot of that article:

I accidentally closed the tab on said article. So, I looked for it again. I saw the same headline which I clicked on. But alas, the content is different:

Governor ER Ejercito rejects Tikoy Aguiluz's demand to remove his name as director ofManila Kingpin
Rey Pumaloy
Sunday, December 18, 2011
01:45 PM
Successful ang premiere showing ng Metro Manila Film Festival 2011 entry na Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story sa SM Manila Cinema kagabi, December 17.
Kahit na umuulan ay dinagsa pa rin ng mga tao ang premiere. Umani rin ng papuri ang pelikula.
Hindi maalis ang ngiti sa mukha ni Laguna Governor ER Ejercito, na siyang bida sa Manila Kingpin, dahil sa mga bumabati sa kanya at sa pelikula.
Sa panayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) kay Governor ER matapos ng premiere night, nagpasalamat muna ito sa mga nanood at sumuporta sa premiere showing.
Aniya, "Natutuwa ako dahil sulit ang P75 million...plus promotion yun, ha, na nagastos ng aming producer.
"At talagang all-star cast at overwhelming ang response."
THE SUPERSTAR. Binanggit din ni ER ang pagdalo sa premiere night ng Superstar na si Nora Aunor.
Aniya, "Katunayan niyan, si Ms. Nora Aunor katabi ko.
"Prangka niyang sinabi na kinikilabutan siya sa eksena, ramdam na ramdam niya ang tension ng bawat scene.
"Tuwang-tuwa si Ms. Nora Aunor sa pelikula, ang ganda-ganda raw.
"Tama yung ginawa naming paggastos—dugo at pawis ang pinuhunan.
"Tama lang na pinaulit ko yung editing."
ISSUE WITH DIREK TIKOY. Dahil sa kanyang tinuran, nakumpirma ang usap-usapang hindi nagustuhan ni ER ang unang pagkaka-edit ng kanyang pelikula.
"Hindi namin nagustuhan yung unang editing," sabi niya.
"Hindi namin nagustuhan dahil mabagal ang pacing.
"Binayaran namin yung unang editor...
"Nag-imbita ako ng maraming kaibigan para panoorin.
"Hindi kami natuwa sa editing, so we have to get a new set of editors, mga bata, magagaling—sina Jason Cajapay and company.
"We got four editors na bata at in-edit ang buong pelikula kaya doble-gastos kami sa editing.
"Ni-reedit ang buong pelikula kaya doble-gastos kami, pati music."

Here's the screen shot of that article:

Why would Pep publish a story with the same headline, same picture, same author and same time stamp but with different content? The first one highly critical of Direk Tikoy, and the other, extolling the success of the movie Direk Tikoy does not want to do anything with anymore?

I will never forget Direk Tikoy because I had an experience way back in college in relation to one of his works. In our Film Art class, we watched "The Boatman". In the middle of the film, the showing was stopped by our professor because he did not want to be accused of showing his students pornographic film and he did not want to be blamed should one of our classmates got pregnant after watching the "porno" film like "The Boatman" the director's cut. I wrote a piece about it in 2009 titled "'The Boatman' and our college professor".

In my closing paragraph of the said piece, I said:

The films we were watching were decided and lined up at the beginning of the semester. Why "The Boatman" was still on the list and was allowed for viewing only to be stopped at the middle is something that makes my blood shoot straight from my heart to my head even until now, almost 8 years have passed.

It's a good thing that Direk Tikoy has gone to court. Finally, the issue of whether or not the producer has the power to alter the work of a director without his permission and show the same in public will be resolved. That is if they don't arrive at a settlement.

Tuesday

2010-06-06T23:17:00.000+08:00

I have noticed Tuesday many years back. She has made me laugh effortlessly, and like my other idol comedian, Pokwang, Tuesday is not afraid to look like a fool just to make her audience laugh. Tuesday is not self conscious although she is beautiful. In fact, as I have seen in TV5 this afternoon, she is getting married soon. She was given some sort of a send-off party from her being single by her colleagues headed by Congresswoman-elect Lucy Torres-Gomez in TV5.

As a host, Tuesday has a very good diction. She is also engaging, and of course, funny.

And there is something Tuesday has accomplished that my other idol comedian, Pokwang, has not. That is she is able to show her serious, and intellectual side as judge in Talentadong Pinoy, also in TV5. Tonight, she addressed the blind contestant from Bacolod with something like, how I wish you can see so that you can see how beautiful I am and the beautiful world we live in. I find her comment funny and at the same time touching. It must come from a woman in love. She also senses what is lacking in performances, and what makes me love her more is the fact that she is able to articulate whatever they are. Please watch the show so that you may know what I am talking about and let me also know what you think.

As Talentadong Pinoy judge, Tuesday and her fellow judges do not waste words. Unlike judge Kris Aquino and Ai-Ai de las Alas from Pilipinas got Talent in ABS who take so much time making comments on many things other than the talent the contestant is showing. More often, their non-talent-related comment drags the whole show which, to me, make the show appear forced. I am happy I do not have to bear them now as I have Talentadong Pinoy to shift the channel to. Also, as to the shows host, Ryan Agoncillo of Talentadong Pinoy in TV5 makes Billy Crowford and Luis Manzano appear amateurs in Pilipinas Got Talent in ABS.

As an actress Tuesday is lucky not to land the role of a dumb housemaid like the character of that comedian who has a very beautiful voice but whose name escapes me now in the sitcom of couple Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo, George and Cecil, on ABS which we used to watch on Sundays. Suddenly however, without warning, the sitcom did not air. As if it vanished just like that. Parang wala lang sitcom na nangyari. In her latest role in Here Comes the Bride, Tuesday again delivered a stunning performance. The funniest part for me was when she was spoon feeding her ward in the movie. Also, I find her very funny when she suddenly became a lawyer (her character and that of Eugene Domingo interchanged) and she was quoting the Labor Code of the Philippines in protesting the request of the child's mother.

This afternoon also, I was happy and excited to witness how TV5 P.O.5 has evolved. The pacing is now fast, and I like the part where Gloc 9 and his beat box partner introduce the Hot 5, which are 5 songs performed in a countdown manner. That guy, Gloc 9, is really talented, and it is a wonder to see that his talent is being utilized by TV5. It reminds me of DJ what's his name from Wowowie. He was introduced at the beginning of each show to wake people up and to set the party mood of the studio which I think was first time in television. Gloc 9 and his beat box companion picked this up and elevated the art of introducing the performers to a higher level. That Gloc 9 and his beat box companion have a theme helped a lot. This afternoon, their team was about the opening of classes such that Gloc 9 introduced the songs of Britney Spears to be danced with or performed on stage in relation to the opening of classes topic, from tuition fee woes, cheating, and many others.

All in all, Gloc 9, and the TV5 shows that I saw today made my day. Especially Tuesday. She is one hell of a beautiful and funny talent. And I am happy to know that she is getting married. Congratulations, Tuesday.

My source of Tuesday's picture is Abante.com.ph.

Hosting Lessons

2010-06-01T09:09:00.000+08:00

If there is one thing Mariel Rodriguez has to learn from Wowowee's guest host Robin Padilla, it is that of shutting her mouth.

To say that Mariel is very, very talkative is like saying that the sun rises from the east. She has spoiled the Willie of Fortune segment many, many times because her mouth endlessly spews nonsense words that do not allow Pokwang the space and the timing to deliver her punch lines. Instead of supporting Pokwang, or setting the stage for Pokwang's jokes to have the maximum impact, Mariel and her machine-gun for a mouth destroys everything.

I am happy Robin Padilla became a temporary host in Wowowee because he proved that hosting is not about the host showing how he or she could talk non-stop. It is about paying attention and relating to your audience and to your co-host. Mariel does none of the above. She keeps on talking and talking and talking and talking. Here comes her antithesis, Robin Padilla. Because Robin does not mince words, and Pokwang can deliver her antics, the show became more entertaining.

Maybe it comes with experience. Both Robin and Pokwang have experienced the hardships that most of us Filipinos are going through that's why they can relate and can really make us laugh. As to Mariel, she is not even funny. I do not know what her talent is. All she does on tv is try to look cuter than she actually is. She is on tv because she represents the thousands, perhaps millions of teen age girls who are like her.

Until Mariel learns to shut up, she will remain the Mariel that kills joy and irritates. And shutting up is very hard to do. But no body said that her job is easy.

(My source of Mariel's picture is Abante.com.ph)

More room for mistakes for Sarah

2010-01-19T23:15:00.001+08:00

Last Sunday in the Buzz there was an item about Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo. Sarah was planning to move out from her parent's house to live on her own. Since her mother would not consent, the plan was thwarted or at least put on hold.

The report was linking Rayver Cruz as the possible reason for Sarah's attempt. She would like to have more private time for herself, and for Rayver whom she admitted sharing secrets with.

In the same report, Sarah's mother, Divine, was interviewed. She said Sarah should focus more on her career and avoid the things that might hinder her from achieving her dreams.

Personally, I think Sarah has already accomplished her dreams. It is just a matter of sustaining it by maintaining her tv appearances and the quality of her every performance.

I am one of those people who turn on the TV on Sundays in the hope of seeing and hearing Sarah sing.

In the recently conducted interview with Judy Ann Santos by a leading newspaper on why she stayed with ABS and on her new soap opera, Judy Ann was asked about Sarah and what she thinks of her. Judy Ann said that Sarah is an extremely shy girl, but she expressed her desire to be friends with Sarah.

For me, Sarah's bashfulness is a sign of humility which she exudes on TV.

Sarah also embodies the stereotype of an old and modern Filipina, which may explain why she is loved both by the young and the old. The bashfulness/humility she exudes on tv makes her a Maria Clara. But unlike a Maria Clara, she is not ashamed to sing and her voice carries with it the emotions that explain why she is called the Pop Princess.

When it was Sarah's turn to give her reaction to her mother's disapproval, her responses were indicative of a person who is torn between honoring her mother and following her heart.

That Sarah is moving out from her parents' home because of Rayver is maybe true. But I would like to believe that it is not the main reason.

On her own, away from her parents, Sarah may now do whatever she pleases: engage in telebabad until the wee hours of the morning, entertain guests and visitors, and party until she drops.

Indulging in these activities is a waste of time and money, but certainly something very tempting to consider doing especially if you have the luxury of money and youthfulness, like Sarah. A first hand experience of an event is far different from an experience deduced only from the mind. This explains the fact that there are people who are willing to pay thousands more to be in a concert hall or in front of the boxing ring although there is the comfort of watching it live on TV in a couch in the serenity of one's home.

Sarah has handled her showbiz responsibilities. She has sold-out concerts and block buster movies in her name. It does not come as a surprise to me now that Sarah would like to take charge of her life also.

The implications of her mother's words were that, Sarah has no discipline to take care of herself yet. Lest nanay Divine forgets, singing is also a discipline. Sarah would not have been this good if she has no discipline.

Nanay Divine also noticed that Sarah is already becoming interested in men. She is afraid that this newfound interest is distracting Sarah and causing her to lose focus in her career. But, nanay Divine, there is no indication that Sarah is a lesbian, and it is but normal for a lady who is not a lesbian to be interested n handsome men. As to her career, Sarah has wowed millions of Filipinos and with it, earning millions after millions of pesos for herself and her family.

She deserves to be trusted and be given that opportunity to discover for herself how living a life in this world is really like.

Besides, as sure as the sun rises in the east, Sarah is soon moving out, actually or figuratively speaking. It is only a matter of time before she finally has the voice to tell her parents this, or the guts to finally show it in her actions. And I hope when Sarah finally does this, her parents will not take it against her as to say that lumalaki na ang ulo niya or she has lost the respect and gratitude that makes us Filipino unique. Her parents will save themselves and Sarah the heartache of this additional burden that usually comes with separation, if they let go of Sarah now.

And letting go of Sarah does not necessarily mean acquiring for her a condo or an apartment unit where she can live by herself. With her schedule and commitments, Sarah will find it hard to maintain at least the cleanliness and orderliness of her place. Letting go of Sarah requires them to trust her that she knows what she is doing and is responsible for them. Let her engage in telebabad until the wee hours of the morning, entertain guests and visitors, and party until she drops. If she misses an appointment or has negated her commitments because of partying and the like, let her experience the pain of being sanctioned.

These experiences will give her more depths and new perspectives in her interpretations of the songs she sings and will sing and the characters in the movies she will play. Also, because I think this is the only way for her to grow up, and because she must grow up.

In short, more room for mistakes for the Pop Princess.

Hopes for Universal Soldier Regeneration

2010-01-03T10:47:00.002+08:00

I am so happy to see the movie ad for the film Universal Soldier Regeneration starred by Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, and Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski.

The ad claims that it is the original sequel to the #1 blockbuster hit.

What makes me so happy about this ad is the fact that, at last, Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren have a new movie. For so long, I have not seen a movie of these two great martial art stars.

During those silent nights in my grandfather's house in Cayus, Pilar, Capiz, only the movies of these two men gave me the courage and the confidence that, if there were momo's hiding in chico, rambotan, or lanzones trees that surrounded my grandfather's three story house, I could kick and knock them out.

I was about 10 or 12 years old then. My lawyer uncle, who was based in Bulacan, went home to Pilar after my father's death in 1990. Uncle Nonoy would always ask for my company. As a come on, he would rent for me action movies.

The good guy in the movies would be humiliated, battered, and abused. In the end however, he fights and wins. His victory brings change to his life and the lives of the people in his community.

I would later learn from attending literary workshops that such a plot is very common and over-used.

A work of art, like the film, must not only entertain people. It must also enrich the lives of the people who watch it.

We know for example that bad people do bad things to good people and vice-versa. But what we do not know and would like to understand is what makes the bad people do bad, and good people do good.

What drives people to do good or bad things to other people beyond their own personal experience? Good things happen to bad people, yet they persist in doing bad things; bad things also happen to good people but they persist in doing good, or at least, in not doing evil. Writers stop, look, listen, and examine themselves in the hope of finding answers to this question so that in the masterpieces that they create, we see ourselves, or a part of ourselves, and learn as if for the first time who we are. After all, we are creatures capable of doing both good and evil.

This is what I am looking for now, not just in a film, but also in other works of art like a novel, a play, or a short story. And this is also what I wish to see in the new Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, and Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski's movie, Universal Soldier Regeneration, aside from the usual action-packed sequences found in their movies.

Where's the thank you?

2009-11-26T23:04:00.001+08:00

I am happy Efren Penaflorida won the CNN Hero of the year award. His intention to educate the street children is noble. But lest he forgets, he won the award because 2.7 million Filipinos voted for him. Without those 2.7 million votes, the award must have gone to somebody else, even if he was already able to educate all the street children of the Philippines. Yet, I never heard him say thank you to those who voted for him in his interviews. What I hear him say is, "there is a hero in each of us". All I really want to hear from him is something like, "thank you to all those who voted for me. Without your votes, I could not have won this award. I would not have been a hero. So, it's really you who are heroes." Instead, he says thank you to the members of his company and to its volunteers, which I am sure do not amount to 2.7 million people.

Read Sense of Gratitude & Why the CNN Hero of the Year is NOT my Hero.

Into the Depths of Hell

2009-05-24T17:58:00.008+08:00

The sex video scandal involving Dr. Hayden Kho, Jr. is going out of proportion. I am sure Dr. Hayden himself did not expect that his hobby of taking video of him and his sex partners would make him notorious to the point that his medical license is in jeopardy. He did not expect to be famous. But thanks to Dr. Vicky Belo, Dr. Hayden Kho who was once so famous is now sooooo infamous.

It was written in "Love, lies & Lipo" by Jo-ann Maglipon and Anna Pingol for the March 2009 issue of Yes! magazie that Dr. Hayden Kho, Jr. (Hayden) had numerous affair with women even while he and Dr. Vicki Belo (Vicki) were still "on". Vicki received information about these affairs through anonymous text messages, which she ignored upon assurance from Hayden. But one of Hayden's buddies was "wronged" (woman related, of course) by Hayden and sought refuge from Vicki. Vicki gave that guy the key to Hayden's condominium, and he stole Hayden's personal computer and journals to look for "evidence" of his "crime".

I cannot help but theorize that if Dr. Vicki Belo did not violate Dr. Kho's privacy by giving the enemy of his boyfriend the key to his boyfriend's apartment, Dr. Hayden Kho would not have been into this mess.

I would like to believe that videos, such as the one that made Hayden notorious, if shown between friends, have the effect of multiplying pogi or machu points among peers. Otherwise, if it is shown in public, the effect is disaster. Dr. Hayden knows about this, of course, that is why I do not believe that he was the one responsible for the publication of this videos. Neither are his sex partners in those videos. In the first place, it was apparent that they were not aware that they were being filmed.

So, who was responsible for the publication of this videos?

I can't think of anyone but the guy to whom Dr. Vicki Belo gave the key to Dr. Hayden Kho's apartment. He was the one who was wronged by Dr. Kho. So, he has all the motive.

And if you ask me who started this scandal, I would answer that it was not Hayden. Yes, he filmed his sexcapades in violation of the rights of his partners, but he did not publish them. It was Dr. Vicki Belo's grave mistake of delivering his boyfriend into the hands of his enemy that started this scandal.

A woman can transform a man to become more than what he dreams to be, just like Dr. Belo's role in the life of Dr. Kho. But if she is not careful, especially in times of grief, a woman can also deliver her man into the depths of hell, like where Dr. Hayden Kho, Jr. is now.

In defense of Hayden Kho/Judging Vicki and Katrina

2009-03-01T13:37:00.005+08:00

You must have taken hold and read the article titled "Love, lies & Lipo" by Jo-ann Maglipon and Anna Pingol for the March 2009 issue of Yes! magazine. Yes, the article is focused on the three names I mentioned in the title.

The article is of course well researched and extensive, therefore very long.

Dr. Hayden Kho, Jr. (Hayden) had numerous affair with women even while he and Dr. Vicki Belo (Vicki) were still "on". Vicki received information about these affairs through anonymous text messages, which she ignored upon assurance from Hayden. But one of Hayden's buddies was "wronged" (woman related, of course) by Hayden and sought refuge from Vicki. Vicki gave that guy the key to Hayden's condominium, and he stole Hayden's personal computer and journals to look for "evidence" of his "crime".

Also, in one of the "mini" break-ups of Hayden and Vicki, Hayden went to Katrina because he needed someone to talk with. That nothing happened during that talk, Katrina emphasized that she and Hayden talked in the car. According to Katrina, Hayden wept and was overly devastated ("...nag-usap kami sa kotse, 'tapos umiiyak siya. 'Tapos, parang devastated na devastated siya").

Then Katrina spilled that Hayden was scared to lose Vicki as he thought he had nowhere to go to to practice his profession ("...hindi niya kayang mawal a si Vicki sa kanya,kasi paano na lang pag nawala si Vicki? Paano siya magtratraabaho, e, wala na siyang puwedeng malilipatan").

Three paragraphs before the end of the article, it says:

"Friends who have been witness to the Hayden-Vicki three-year romance believe him. They say that the man has his warts and all, but he really did seem to love the lady. He actually trusted her with his life's plans, derailing his love of medicine for the celebrity life that the lady mapped out for him and which he ended up embracing..."

Yes, Hayden had been unfaithful to Vicki, and that wasn't fair. But I do not think what Vicki did to Hayden was also fair. In fact, it was foul. How could Vicki act as if she owns her boyfriend's condo and have it ransacked by someone else, especially the enemy of her boyfriend?

Can the means justify the end? St. Agustine said no.

Indeed, no one can be with the man or woman he or she distrusts. The good news with Hayden-Vicki saga is that, Vicki Belo is also as untrustworthy as Hayden Kho.

The same with Katrina.

When a person comes to lay bare his heart to you, may that person be a sinner (like your kabit) or saint (an innocent friend), you have the obligation to keep his words secret because those words and the meaning behind them are sacred. You have no right, no matter how hurt you are, to divulge them to any other person for whatever reasons.

Omar Sortijas, Katrina's confidante, is no exeption. Omar had no right to peer into the private property (cellphone) of Hayden. What disturbs me is, he has no qualms of revealing his worse character flaw on national media. In the same article he was quoted:

"Isang time, nasa bahay kami, nandoon kami sa kama (with Katrina)...Nakuha ko cellphone (ni Hayden). Pakialamera kasi ako sa kanila. So pinapakialaman ko 'yong cellphone, 'tapos binabasa ko. Oh, my god, may pinanggalingan siyang bahay ng another girl..."

People like Omar Sortijas and Vicki Belo should be in jail for theft. They steal information, and stealing is a crime regardless of the material stolen or the purpose for which it is stolen. As to Katrina, she is nothing but a swindler. The information Hayden divulged was not hers. It was only entrusted to her. As such, she had no right to give it away, like she voluntarily did in her effort to save her reputation.

Hayden maybe unfaithful. Yes. But isn't he just a reflection of the kind of people (Vicki, Katrina, Omar) who surround him?

Eraserheads' 'Final Set' a rip off

2009-02-11T08:55:00.008+08:00

One of the best and the most original bands of the Philippines, the Eraserheads, is ripping their fans off with their "Final Set" concert on 7 March 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. They have not finished one concert; now they are again asking their fans to pay another sum for the same concert with a different title.

Fans of Eraserheads were promised a 30 song concert August 30 last year at the Fort in Taguig but the band was not able to continue after 15 songs because Ely Buendia, the band's vocalist, had to be rushed to the hospital for his heart ailment.

In my last post about the Reunion Concert, I observed:

Concert or no concert, what happened to Ely was very unfortunate. People were glad to hear the news he had recovered. We hoped he continues to get better and keep writing songs for the world to enjoy. However sympathetic I was to Ely's condition, I could not agree with the action the organizers had taken to address the crowd in reaction to what happened. I mean, I do not think apologies served as a balm to heal the crowd's disappointment for the abrupt end of the reunion concert they had so long anticipated and were so excited to participate in. I believe the organizer's should have either refunded one half of the ticket price, or advised the audience to keep their tickets for the concert to be used as a discount "card" for the next concert (of Eraserheads, should there be any in the future, or any band with the same organizers). And of course, the band members should have taken only half of the talent fee they ought to receive. They performed only half of the job, anyway.

I am sure what happened to Ely was not one of his choosing. But I am not sure if that event could not have been avoided. According to an Inquirer report, “He had a slight attack because of stress due to the recent passing of his mother (Lisette Buendia), and their sound check which lasted till 3 a.m. today (Saturday),” said MTV Philippines and Radiohead director for marketing Ronald Esguerra in an interview with INQUIRER.net.

A love one's passing away causes emotional stress. This fact should have been enough reason to postpone the concert. They would have done a favor to Ely and the fans of Eraserheads. In the alternative, considering that Ely had undergone angioplasty surgeries, the foregoing circumstances should have prompted him, his band mates, his loved ones, or the organizers to prohibit him from staying until 3 am on the concert day to set up the sound system. That he suffered a heart attack because Ely stayed until 3am the day before the concert is (an excuse that reflects irresponsibility and lack of professionalism).

Inquirer Libre reported yesterday (10 Feb 2009) that when asked if those who attended August 30's concert could avail of the discount for this set, Ely Buendia replied:"Ask the producers."

Such a dismissive response to a valid question. Why not simply answer "no"? Is it because when he answers "no", he will be made to explain why and it is not so much answering "yes" or "no" that he dreads but the fact that he will be made to explain the answer?

It is indeed very hard to explain, especially if he and the rest of the band members took the whole talent fee even if they performed only half the job. It will reveal their lack of sense of justice and consideration for their fans.

Excuse me, Mr. Cuñada, the producers for the "Final Set" are not the same producers of the August 30 concert. Why should the new producers pay for the short comings of the first producers?

Good question and you have a point. But I am not talking about the producers. I am talking about the band members themselves.

And since when did it become funny or cute to tease the fans they short changed for 15 songs by joking that maybe this time they will perform 16 songs and there will be group hugs, as Marcus Adoro said?

The fans do not owe anything to Eraserheads. In fact, it is the Eraserheads who owes so much from their fans. How can Eheads rip off the very people who are loyal to them?

Surely, Erserheads does not just bring in the music and the noise. It also brings disappointments.

Karylle, Marian and Ding-dong

2009-02-08T09:43:00.003+08:00

Karylle's face is all over magazines. This morning in the Sunday Inquirer magazine, she is the cover. Last night somewhere, I also saw her face on the Star Magic January 2009 issue.

I always had this suspicion that the break-up of Karylle and Ding-dong was because of Marian Rivera. Of course, I am not saying Marian stole Ding-dong from Karylle like someone would still a property. No. As the Star Magic article puts it, it happened gradually. As Ding-dong team up with Marian clicked and so they became famous, Marian and Ding-dong spent most of the time together, and Ding-dong and Karylle less and less time.

Karylle says she is not blaming anyone but I do not believe her. If she is not blaming anyone, why is she so hurt that she does not even want to be friends with Ding-dong? There should be a reason for a woman to hate the man she had spent so many vacations with with her family.

Of course, the reason is: Ding-dong and Marian carried their love team off the set and on to real life.

I can understand also why Marian and Ding-dong have to lie to the people. It is not good PR for a man to exchange a woman for another--especially when you are dealing with famous and equally beautiful and talented women. So as with the woman: it is not good PR for her to be involved with a man known by the world to be linked with another woman.

In interviews, Marian has to make a straight face in denying her relationship with Ding-dong. Of course she is always able to pull the acting off. That people are almost always silent does not mean they believe her. Actions speak louder than words.

Only in Wowowie

2009-01-30T15:00:00.002+08:00

For decades, Eat Bulaga has reigned the noon time show in Philippine television. When Eat Bulaga transferred to GMA 7, ABS-CBN fumbled for a substitute. Among the substitute shows, they tried Magandang Tanghali Bayan. When it failed, ABS tried changing the hosts, etc...but it has never captured the Filipino audience the way Wowowee does with its Willie of Fortune segment.

Willie of Fortune is a game in Wowowee where six contestants, in three pairs, vie for a chance to win the jackpot involving large sums of money. A melody plays and the contestants name the title of the song. The first one to correctly identify the song title twice, or the contestant who can tell not only the title of the melody but can also sing the song with the correct lyrics moves on to the final round.

Before each pair starts to play, Willie "Poppie" Revillame, the host, introduce the contestants by letting them answer questions mostly about personal and professional life.

Like this afternoon, the second to the last male contestant was asked by Willie what he was doing for a living and who he was with. Red said he was a call center agent and he was with a male friend. When the "friend" was shown on TV and was asked to say something about the contestant, he bid Red good luck, and reminded him to do his best for "their" future without batting an eyelash.

Now the studio audience were all giggling and screaming and mocking them. But Red's friend was not a bit disturbed, embarrassed or ashamed. He seemed deaf to the audience reaction. When he was told to go on with what he was saying, Red's friend who turned out to be his lover for four years now, expressed his love and devotion to Red.

As to Red, he thanked his lover for all the love and support he received. Red also narrated that before he met his man, he was someone who had no direction in life. But now that he has found him, he finally understood the meaning of life and how it is to live.

Red also addressed his mother. He thanked her for loving and accepting Red and hoped, now that his mother knows the real "he" her mother's love for him will continue and even grow more deeply.

There was also this episode where the contestants where people who were married for forty years and more. There was a man who abandoned his wife for another woman, then abandoned that woman to come back to his wife. And the wife was still there waiting for him after all those years of heartbreak and despair.

There was also this old man who refused to admit an affair. Despite the many slips he made and the obvious but unconscious admission on his part during the interview with Willie, he still insisted that he loved only and only his wife.

Now, after the interview, each contestant is required to perform. He/she may sing, dance, or whatever talent he/she possesses. Since during the interview, the host and the contestants have established the fun, the sweet, the bittersweet and the weirdness of life, no body expects them to have a stunning performance. So, no matter how out of tune is the singing (which is usually the talent), people still love to see the performance.

Of course, there are bland interviews but great talent. There are also days of bland interviews and bland talent, or days that Willie's comments, especially when he insists that women should tolerate the infidelity of their man, take the luster out of the show. But the "bad" days are over compensated by the good ones.

That Filipinos love to sing is a given. That hundreds endure the long line and the hours of waiting to be auditioned to qualify as a contest for a shot at the money most can only dream of, is another given. But neither the singing nor the money involved make the audience around the world love to watch the show, especially the Willie of Fortune segment. Rather it is the wonder an audience derive from witnessing the unfolding of the persona of a true Filipino, the nobility and boldness of the human spirit and the universality of emotions of love, regret and longing.

The stories the Willie of Fortune contestants tell remind me to look at and examine if I had been too hard or too critical about myself.

I see in those contestants my reflection, my brothers', my sisters', my community of imperfect individuals', the soul and the face of my wounded Country. I see my cultural identity flashed before my eyes on prime time tv.

Only in Wowowee.

Carmina Villaroel is a hero

2009-01-24T14:13:00.006+08:00

One of the most popular names in the Philippines now is Bebe Gandanghari.

Bebe is a female name, and Gandanghari is the combination of two Filipino words "ganda" meaning beautiful and "hari" meaning king. Loosely, the surname means king of beauty.

There is nothing so special about the name since Bebe is a very common nickname in the Philippines, and Gandanghari is a family name that is very long and has a tendency to call attention upon it's bearer. But Bebe Gandanghari caught the attention of the Philippines because this female name is used by 1. a once hunk actor; 2. who used to be married; 3. and who belongs to a clan known for being macho.

Bebe Gandanghari is now the name of Rustom Padilla, the brother of Robin Padilla, one of the most popular action star in the Philippines.

How this change came about, Endemol, the franchise owner of the reality "Big Brother" show has a role.

Rustom Padilla was one of Big Brother's house guests in Pinoy Big Brother celebrity edition, where Rustom revealed that he belongs to the third sex.

The revelation did not shock the country since the rumor that Rustom is gay had been circulating in tabloids and showbiz gossips for so long a time. His revalation only served to confirm the rumor and elevate it into a fact. But the revelation attracted sympathy for Robin Padilla who never missed an opportunity to defend his brother, Rustom, from being called a gay.

Bebe Gandanghari declares Rustom Padilla is dead. So, let us bury him, she said. When asked for her reaction, Rustom's ex-wife actress and talkshow host Carmina Villaroel said, since it is Bebe who says Rustom is dead, so he is.

Filipinos find Rustom amusing. He was not contended with revealing he is gay on national tv in a show with very high ratings, he also changed his name and appearance from a macho male to a sexy Bebe Gandanghari.

But with all this national amusement about Rustom Padilla=Bebe Gandanghari, one person does not get the publicity she deserves. Her name is Carmina Villaroel, actress, talkshow host and ex wife of Rustom Padilla.

My aunt who used to have a store where she read the newspapers and tabloid she sold, is a fan of Carmina. She noticed Carmina's silence at the height of her controversial split with Rustom long time ago. My aunt said, she never read a word about Carmina revealing Rustom's sexual preference as the reason behind the separation, nor did she read Carmina saying a word against Rustom. She gave Rustom the respect that he deserved.

Her conclusion was, Carmina is a decent and an admirable woman. She embodies the values of a true Filipina who is temparate and modest. One word best describes her. And that word is: hero.

Carmina Villaroel is a hero.

She has since married Zoren Legaspi, also an actor, with whom she has two children. Her family appears on TV endorsing Nido, and other products. Carmina is also one of the hosts of "Sis" a daily talk show in GMA 7, the second largest TV station in the Philippines.

Do you want to have fun and can tolerate a little ego tripping? Read my comedy skits.

Beautiful Pokwang

2009-01-22T23:33:00.005+08:00

One of my most favorite comedians is Pokwang. Strangely, I find her beautiful.

The movie Shallow Hal comes to mind, where Hal was hypnotized by an Indian while they were stocked in an elevator. When Hal went out of that elevator, the world was never the same again. He thought he saw people just as he saw them before the hypnotism. He never knew what he was seeing was no longer the physical attributes of people but their character. He fell in love with a very large and fat woman. But because he was hypnotized, he "saw" the woman had a body of a commercial model. He could not believe the lady could take a large shake in one gulp. When they went to bed, he was so surprised by the size of the pantie of his mate.

Indeed, I might have been hypnotized by Pokwang that I find her beautiful. But isn't a woman who is not afraid to look ridiculous to make her fans laugh beautiful?

I could see that Pokwang loves her job so much that I also love seeing her. The different costumes she wears every day in Wowoweee are outrageous. Where can you find a talent such as Pokwang?

I also like the jokes of Pokwang. She is witty, poker faced, and effective. Most of all, she does not laugh at her jokes before her audience do. When she tries to redeem a corny joke by making a funny face, I could not help but laugh at her.

Yesterday, Pokwang was in the news. She was launching her album. The news story of her opened with her rolling from a flat form to the floor. People were laughing at her. I laughed too. Towards the end of the news, Pokwang was singing. Then she pretended that her throat was dry and she was about to cough. Of course, it was her ploy so that her audience would discover that she was lip syncing.

If asked to choose between Pokwang and Ai-Ai, I would choose Pokwang, with all due respect to Ai-Ai and her fans. Ai-Ai is not very effective to me in delivering jokes. She has a broad and wide smile that kills the suspense in a joke. Her smile gives the impression that she laughs at her jokes before her audience do. Her facial expression is not so varied as Pokwang's so that Ai-Ai only has two facial expressions: when she is smiling and when she is not smiling.

People may disagree with me by saying Ai-Ai's movies are blockbusters, a testament to her talent as a comedian, while Pokwang have yet to star in her own movies.

Ai-Ai becomes funny in movies not because she is funny but because she is placed in a funny situation; so that the audience laugh not so much because of Ai-Ai but because of the funny situation she is in. If given the chance--perfect material, co-stars, right director and enough budget, Pokwang's movies will someday become a blockbuster too.

Ai-Ai was also in the news yesterday. She was given a bonus by her network because her new movie Ang tanging ina ninyong lahat is the top grosser, second only to Kris Aquino and Claudine Barreto's Sukob.

I hope the people who developed the concept of the movie and the screen writer/s are also given the bonus. Writers, actors and actresses including the directors could not live without each other. They must also share the gift.

Do you want to have fun and can tolerate a little ego tripping? Read my comedy skits.

The misfortune of a KC Conception

2009-01-21T20:20:00.008+08:00

I do not need to say this but let me say it anyway: KC is beautiful. She is intelligent too, sensitive and I believe also thoughtful.

Not once did I see her embarrassed about her Mom's comments. One time, on TV in one of those birthdays I forgot whose--or was it Mega's wedding anniversary, I forgot--she sat beside Mega when her mother made a comment that KC was dating many men. I saw KC's mouth open in embarrassment and her mouth remained open as she was not able to defend herself. But the news and the camera was focused on Mega so that part of the interview was not pursued.

I also remember her attending a concert and she was with a foreigner who was courting her. Later she said she did not like the guy.

One of the best decisions Sharon made for her was to send her outside of the country to study so that KC could live a normal life. She learned to wash her clothes, cook, go to the market by herself. She has become so normal that, in an interview, I heard Sharon complained about KC complaining that she has so many alalay following her around and she had to be reminded by her mother that this is no longer France.

Indeed, in the Philippines, KC is living an abnormal life. Yes, she is a celebrity and as one she is supposed to live an abnormal life expected by and of the celebrities themselves. But there are some aspects of her that separates her from the rest, that makes her not only a celebrity but perhaps a super celebrity. For one, she is the daughter of one of show business' one of the most handsome and sexy men, Gabby Conception, and show business' Mega Star Sharon Coneta. Also, who among our celebrities have studied in France?

She must have learned and assimilated the French way of life that not only her but all of us also have to adjust to her. Surely, Sha cringed seeing her daughter wear a blue dress with a deep V neckline so deep it revealed not only her cleavage but also the base of her breasts. Or during the photo shoot of her first team-up with Richard where KC appeared so close and so sensual with Richard, Sha could only bite her lip and tilt her head.

Of course, as to the first, it was fashion. She was comfortable and she looked great/gorgeous. As to the second, it must have been the French way of wearing ones heart in ones sleeves. But I just have this wholesome image of KC that I feel violated when she reveals some of her skin, and I feel jealous when she flirts with Richard.

I do feel sad for KC when I think of her status as a super celebrity. All eyes are fixed on her; she is desired by most men not because of who she is as a person but who she is as a celebrity. She is on a pedestal and bellow her men grovel for her attention.

As all of us, KC also longs for someone to see and treat with kindness her vulnerabilities. Putting her on a pedestal is giving KC the kind of attention that prevents her from having a deeper and meaningful relationship with you. The more popular she is, the greater is her sense of isolation and loneliness despite being in a multitude. This sense of isolation and loneliness are the culprits for most of the celebrity suicides.

Surely, Richard is a great relief to her. But Richard is not enough as he alone could not carry the weight of the world that is KC. Even Richard adulates KC, otherwise, why would he court her? As such, Richard only takes care one aspect of KC's life, her love life. KC needs to have more friends to interact with. She needs to have an environment where she will be treated as an equal like the rest. She needs her space to commit mistakes, to discover herself, the world, people around her and what they mean to her. An altar is a very small place for all these needs. She needs the whole world and I give it to her.

She wants to wear dress with deep plunging neckline, go ahead. Enjoy yourself. Forget about destroying my wholesome image of you. As to my jealousy, I know where to replace it. You want to date someone else other than Richard while you are not still committed with each other, why not? You are KC and almost every bachelor of this country wants you. Besides, as I said, you need more friends.

But your world is not as simple as it may seem. You are surrounded by people--Sharon, Gabby, Kiko, et al-- who guarantee your success, but these same people are synonyms of pressure that may not be necessarily good for your health.

This is the misfortune that despite her success, despite her popularity, she cannot escape nor can KC face alone.

Do you want to have fun and can tolerate a little ego tripping? Read my comedy skits.

Tragic article

2009-01-21T13:17:00.004+08:00

There is an announcement of a book in page C3 of The Manila Standard Today today. It says that a Margarita Marquis has written a book Moudifa! Airhostess sa isang walang layang bansa.

The title of the article is "Airhostess' tragic tale". So, I was expecting to learn what tragedy this lady encountered that prompted her to write the book. I kept my patience upto the last word of the article waiting for a revelation that somehow would tell me what kind of tragedy she encountered in the Middle East while she was working there as a stewardess that may interest me to buy the book; but believe me, there was none.

All the article says is that Marquis would like to share it with her fellow Filipinos. Her purpose in writing the book was not "to scare of blame anyone; rather, it was to educate and infrom others of what awaits them when they go to work in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia where she was based."

Did she broke her polished nail while carrying a tray as she served food in the plane while it was on the air, for example? Did her skirt fall down the aile of the plane when she demonstrated how to wear a life jacket or pull the oxygen mask that automatically hangs overhead when there is a plane emergency?

Did she step on a king's toe and killed his nails? Did she dive on the aile nose first when tripped on a shoe on her way to assist a passenger?

Was she harrassed because of those? Was she incarcerated? Et cetera, et cetera...

Instead, the article was immediately defensive by saying the author did not write the book to scare anyone from going to the Middle East, nor to judge other people, etc. But, let me repeat, what is so scary about her experience in the Middle East and what was that pageant she judged, only the unnamed author of the article know, or do not know.

Well, at least I know Moudifa! Airhostess sa isang walang layang bansa is the book title; Margarita Marquis is its author; her porpuse for writing the book was not "to scare of blame anyone; rather, it was to educate and infrom others of what awaits them when they go to work in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia where she was based; that the dramatist and Palanca Hall of Famer and lawyer Nick Pichay translated the book into tagalog.

If people forget to buy the book, it will be because of announcement that runs like "Airhostess' tragic tale".

Tragic.

Boring movie, exciting food

2009-01-18T23:49:00.006+08:00

HBO showed this boring movie starring Catherine Zeta Jones called "No Reservations" where ten minutes into the movie I still had no idea what was going to happen nor did I care. It was all exposition: she was a chef, the kind of chef that quarreled with the costumer who did not like her cooking; she had a sister with a daughter who were coming over to her. On their way, they met an accident and the mother of the child died...

Was it a tragedy or a love story? It's trailer suggested it was a love story the reason why I was excited to see it. Besides, I miss Catherine since Zorro and the other film where she partnered with an old famous actor whose name now escapes me and they were thieves trying to take advantage of the Y2K to execute their biggest mission ever.

I switched to Discovery Travel and Living where Bizarre Food was airing and the host, Andrew Zimmem was in Samoa Island located in the South Pacific and midway between Hawaii and New Zealand.

I was not able to see what he and his host were eating in a hut. But after an advertisement, he went fishing for blue fin tunas. They filleted the tuna and ate it raw. He was served the eyeball, was instructed to put drops of lemon on it and was asked to sip the eyeball. Which he graciously did, as he always do.

I like this Zimmem. He is cool and he never ever say no to a challenge. He eats whatever is there to eat served or showed by his host. I have never even seen him cringed when faced a delicacy no matter how bizarre. Were he to join Fear Factor, he would surely win any challenge that involves food.

I love fish and I was salivating when they showed the filleted tuna. It was so fresh I wanted to share their food.

Next, he went to a clam farm where he also ate a fresh clam. I ate a clam once in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. There, I also ate live shrimp and fresh squid dipped in vinegar mixed with minced ginger and onion with a little salt.

The taste still lingers in my mouth.

'The boatman' and our college professor

2009-01-18T22:34:00.000+08:00

Way back in college, I had a disagreement with my college "Film Art" professor because he ordered a halt to our viewing of "The Boatman" directed by Tikoy Aguiluz midway through the movie.

I felt insulted because prior to the screening, we discussed the guidelines in reviewing a film. Watch the movie from the beginning to the end and know the director's background were some of the things I still remember.

When the movie was showing sex scenes and all, suddenly the projector stopped and the lights went on. We wondered what happened. When our professor stood in front of the class, he said he decided to put a stop to the viewing because people might accuse him of allowing his students to watch pornographic film. Also, he did not want to be blamed should one of our classmates gets pregnant for watching films like "The Boatman" the director's cut.

I objected, of course. What were we in one of the best schools in Western Visayas for? Were we dumb? Apparently, that professor of ours thought so. Did he forget that we were already 18 years old and we were studying the medium itself? That he would be blamed should one of our classmates gets pregnant was a reason that drove me nuts. How do professors get their Phd, I wondered.

Of course, not all my classmates sided with me and even those who sided were scared to speak out for fear that our professor, the notorious-terror teacher, would give them a grade they will forever and ever regret for the rest of their life. Some of my classmates accused me I was only deprived so I was hungry to watch the fucking scenes all through out.

After the class was dismissed, my professor approached and asked me what was my problem. I did not have any problem and I told him so. With that he went away.

I was writing in the college paper and I decided to dedicating my column about what happened and my thoughts about it as a sign of protest. None among my adviser, my editor-in-chief, my managing editor wanted to publish my column which was written in Hiligaynon, the language of people living in Iloilo, Capiz, some parts of Bacolod and Mindanao.

I was so frustrated and angry I challenged our editor in chief to a fist fight. Gladly, he was cool headed and we might have ended up shaking each other's hands, I do not remember. I still have the cut-out of that column somewhere inserted in one of my files.

I have not changed my position on that incident. What my professor did was an exact contradiction to what he was teaching us--to watch a film from the beginning to the end before reviewing it. For that, he himself should be dragged back to elementary where he could re-learn about the power of words and the need for consistency.

The films we were watching were decided and lined up at the beginning of the semester. Why "The Boatman" was still on the list and was allowed for viewing only to be stopped at the middle is something that makes my blood shoot straight from my heart to my head even until now, almost 8 years have passed.

Let us wear our barong

2008-12-26T14:08:00.000+08:00

Filipinos, especially the celebrities and politicians may not be aware of this, but every time they wear their tuxedo and appear in public, they are insulting our culture and indirectly, our country.

Watch Congress deliberate and you see congressmen and senators flaunting their tuxedo. We can also see artists perform on stage or for television audience wearing tuxedo when the part they play or the program as a whole does not call for it. Manny Pacquiao wore a tuxedo during his press conferences for his fight with Oscar De la Hoya, and during his birthday.

Surely, these people know that Barong Tagalog is our national costume. That fact is taught in school during the elementary years.

Why do we wear the costume of other people when we have our own? A barong made of piña designed by one of our country's reputable designers is as expensive as the expensive tuxedo.

We should wear our barong instead of the tuxedo because: 1. barong is suited for our climate; 2. barong is elegant, unique, graceful, and beautiful; 3. wearing barong is an expression of our love for our country and culture; 4. buying barong helps the Philippine barong industry.

Although this practice must not necessarily start with the "important" people, they should lead it.

Let us make it our new year's resolution to wear our barong.

Marian Rivera's alleged pregnancy and Jobert Sucaldito's abuse of power

2008-12-16T13:43:00.000+08:00

Marian Rivera replaced Angel Locsin as the soap opera queen when Angel left for ABS-CBN. But it was not easy for Marian who debuted as Marimar in prime time telecast. She had to duck and dodge criticisms thrown against her: that she does not dance as well as Thalia, and that she possesses a plastic, and therefore, insincere smile.

When you think it is over for her, think again. Just yesterday in The Buzz, the ex-girlfriend of his leading man, Ding-dong Dantes, was interviewed by Kuya Boy Abunda. Was Marian the cause of the break-up of Karylle and Ding-dong? Was Ding-dong ever unfaithful to Karylle? And the exclusibo and explosibong tanong was, is Marian pregnant (with the child of Ding-dong)? As if on cue, Karylle just looked at Kuya Boy when asked the last question. She did not say a word, but with the way she looked at Kuya Boy, and the way her body twisted to the side, she did not have to say a word.

First, let me comment on the way Karylle handled the difficult questions: She was calm, dignified, and impressive. She won a fan in me. But I doubt the authenticity of her answer to the last question. I mean, was she really not informed about the questions, at least the last? And if she was informed, was she coached on how to answer or not to answer it? In short, was it not staged?

I do not know. But the way Marian Rivera reacted to that interview makes me think that Marian indeed is pregnant for the simple reason that she is very emotional. Are not pregnant woman emotional, even over sensitive sometimes? That is what I see in the Marian I saw on TV. She was crying when she was supposed to be smiling as part of the promotion of her new movie.

It could be that as an artista, Marian is indeed sensitive. It is a necessity in her chosen profession so that she can empathize with the character she plays on cue. Whatever the reason for her sensitivity, she had it at the wrong place, at the wrong time, at the wrong audience, and for a wrong reason. She could have easily shrugged it off and said, "if indeed I am pregnant, as Karylle would like to impute, you will know soon as my stomach will grow larger," or anything to that effect. Instead, she sobbed that I could not almost understand what she was saying.

Or maybe, she was coached. Marian was coached to sob when asked about the issue to draw sympathy from the people. To make it look that she is a victim of bad publicity by a rival network, and hope that it back fires.

Well, her sobbing did not help her. It had the effect exactly as the opposite as she wants it to have, at least in me.

***

Also in The Buzz yesterday, prior to the question and answer with Karylle, Jennylyn Mercado was a topic. She was shown in a video clip as saying even if Patrick Garcia, the father of her child shed tears of blood, she is not going to show her child to Patrick. Now, the program moved to other issues: that of Baron Giesler, Ruffa Gutierrez... and finally, that of Karylle. Right before the advertisement, after the interview with Karylle was over, the camera focused on Jobert Sucaldito and his co-host Phoemela Baranda. After saying their piece, out of nowhere Jobert addressed Jennylyn Mercado, saying that Jennylyn should rather shut up, or something to that effect. I find it weird, off handed and offensive that Jobert Sucaldito should do that: return to Jennylyn to force his grievance against the actress to the public. The program had moved on, as in fact, the segment was no longer about Jennylyn. His co-host was offended too as he was scolded by Phoemela.

With the way he talked against Jennylyn, it is safe to assume Jobert Sucaldito has a personal grudge against the actress. What Jobert Sucaldito did was an example how people in the media abuse their power. He was a complete turn off. With his antics, he dragged the prestige of the program to the ground.

Reunion Concert, Family Feud, and Miriam

2008-10-24T13:04:00.000+08:00

Few months ago, Eraserheads staged a reunion concert in Taguig. As reported in the papers, they were supposed to perform 30 of their songs. After performing 15 songs (or after the first half of the concert), the band however was not able to continue because Ely Buendia, the lead singer, was brought to the hospital to be treated for his heart problem. Ely's sister apologized to the crowd and on the news days afterward, band members assured themselves that their audience understood. With that, maybe they mean the other half of the money paid for by the audience for the songs that were not sang was already forfeited in the their (band's, organizers', whoever) favor.

“ A love one's passing away causes emotional stress. This fact should have been enough reason to postpone the concert. They would have done a favor to Ely and the fans of Eraserheads. In the alternative, considering that Ely had undergone angioplasty surgeries, the foregoing circumstances should have prompted him, his band mates, his loved ones, or the organizers to prohibit him from staying until 3 am on the concert day to set up the sound system. ”

Before I proceed, I would like to make this clarification: I was not in the concert nor did I buy one ticket. Also, that I am a fan of Eraserheads as "With a smile," "El Bimbo," and others used to be my favorite guitar pieces.

Stress was the reason for the cancellation of the other half of the concert and the hospitalization of Ely. According to the reports, Ely's mother's passing away added to the stress Ely was experiencing in connection with the band's rigorous preparations for the concert. Ely must have been so excited for the concert when her mother died. It must have been an emotional roller coaster ride that would turn the stomach inside out.

***

The game show "Family Feud" aired by GMA 7 right before "24 Oras" would have been a boring show. The game staff asks a set of questions to 100 people before the show. The same questions are asked the contestants who would guess the first five or ten top answers with the corresponding points (I guess based on the number of people who answered the particular answer). The family who earns the highest point wins, of course.

“In one word, Richard was "refreshing" to watch.”

The contestants last night were asked about the things that could be found in a wake, the places where couple who dates for the first time go, and the most common things sold on board the passenger busses. I was not interested about the questions, neither was I interested about the answers. What was so interesting about them, anyway, and about the game show? The host, Richard Gomez. Richard was just having fun, as if he was not hosting at all. He was not at all nervous, giddy nor did he exhibit any body language that set my expectations high. In one word, Richard was "refreshing" to watch. So, I rode along, and before I knew it, the show was over and the Gatmaitan family had won 500,000 pesos.

***

“Not Miriam. She was as articulate as she was angry.”

I loved seeing Miriam Santiago on TV news lashing out against the Chief of Police and the head of the Department of Interior and Local Government. No one among the two officials could explain where such a huge amount of money the wife of Retired Police Comptroller dela Paz was carrying came from. Moreso, the two could not explain why dela Paz himself was not present but was instead represented by his counsel who objected to the power of the Committee on Foreign Relations to conduct the hearing. Indeed, as Santiago highlighted, dela Paz had many times assured the public through the press that he has nothing to hide, and that he would cooperate and be present in the Senate Investigations. Needless to say, he was absent time hearing came.

If people noticed, since this controversy erupted, Government Officials including Secretary Puno and General Versosa, had different versions of the story. This fact is very curious because, as far as I can remember, after the "Hello, Garci!" controversy, officials from the Executive Department had been synchronized. May it be in defense of the president or attacking her critics and opponents, they speak with one voice; and although with different words, they point to the same idea. But now it is different. I wonder if this is intended. People are hanging on to what they say, and as people get confused, they do not care anymore so the issue is forgotten. It is like going into a maze. When a person is tired figuring out the where he comes from, where he is going or where he is, he simply gives up.

Going back to Miriam, what amazed me was that, when she was angry, every one in the hall was still. She was not threatened by the officials in front of her. In fact, it was she who threatened them never to assassinate her character because she would defend it "to death". I had seen Jamby Madrigal angry. But when Jamby was angry, she could almost not speak. Not Miriam. She was as articulate as she was angry.

When the eye sees the beautiful

2007-04-03T13:11:00.000+08:00

I first saw her at a restaurant beside the school. It was about one PM. Ian--a co-boarder and a classmate--and I were having our lunch when she went inside. Forgive the cliche, but I thought I saw an angel. She was just so astonishingly beautiful that, for a while, my eyes were glued on her.

I have never seen such beauty, or to put it in another way, I've only seen Kate Winslet on television. But, boy, this girl's real!!! Her eyes are like my eyes (as friends describe them) "solemn and beautifu". And her nose! And lips--great God, she's really an angel!

Numerous studies indicate that human beauty may not be simply in the eye of the beholder or an arbitrary cultural artifact. It may be an ancient, hardwired, universal, and potent behavior-driven, on a par with hunger or pain, wrought through eons of evolution that rewarded reproductive winners and killed off losers. If beauty is not truth, it maybe health and fertility: Halle Berry's flawless skin may rivet moviegoers because, at some deep level, it persuades us that she is parasite-free and consequently good mating material. Acquired, individual preferences factor, but research increasingly indicates that their influence is much smaller than many of us would care to know.

I later found out that she works (in) a bookstore nearby. So, I visited that bookstore always...or, I visited that woman in the bookstore always.

Landmark studies show that attractive males and females not only garner more attention from the opposite sex, they also get more affection from their mothers, more money at work, more votes from the electorate, more leniency form judges, and are generally regarded as more kind, competent, healthy, confident, and intelligent than their big-nosed, weak-chinned counterparts.

She is in charge of the school supplies. So I drew near her and asked for a number of things inside the glass cabinet, when the truth is: I just wanted to be near her, smell her, hear her voice.

'It turned out that the way an attractive female face differs from an average one is related to feminity,' says psychologist David Perrett of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. 'For example, female eyebrows are more arched than males'. Exaggerating that difference from the average increases femininity,' and in tandem, the attractiveness rating.

I don't know how she took my presence. But she made me feel as if the bookstore were my house and she my maid.

For psychologist Nancy Etcoff, (author of the 1999 book Survival of the Prettiest), 'female makeup is all about exaggerating the feminine. Eye makeup makes the brow thinner. It makes it look farther from the eye'. Which, she says, is a classic difference between male and female faces. From high hair to collagen in lips to silicone in breasts, women instinctively exaggerate secondary female sex characteristics to increase their allure.'

I was convinced that to know her name was really a must. But, every time I bridge our distance, I seemed to be levitating...out of myself.

As a rule, I never did approach anyone, when I yet can't figure (out) how I feel. In short, my heart never gave me the chance to at least introduce myself to that lady. Until...

'Human beauty really has three components,' says bio-psychologist Victor Johnston. 'In order of importance, there's natural selection, which leads to the average face and a limited age range. Then there's sexual selection,' which leads men, at least, to be attracted to exaggerated feminine traits like the small lower jaw and the fuller lips. 'Finally, there's learning. It's a fine-tuning mechanism that allows you to become even more adopted to your environment and culture. It's why one person can say, 'She's beautiful' and another can say, 'She's not quite right for me.'

One night, together with my friend, I saw an angel together with her co-workers waiting for a ride. On the very jeepney they took, we rode as well.

One by one, along the way her colleagues went down. Until, we were the only passenger left.

Before she could even step down from the jeepney, a friend went down ahead of her. And on that most beautiful night, we exchanged names.

Female preferences in male faces oscillate in tandem with the menstrual cycle, suggests a study conducted by Perrett and Japanese researchers published last June (1999) in Nature. When a woman is ovulating, she tends to prefer men with more masculine features; at less fertile times in her monthly cycle, she favors male faces with a softer, more feminine look.

When I told my girl friend that I seem to be drowning in her beauty, and I would like to make her my wife, she laughed at me and said, "women at that age (she's around twenty five years old) are looking for financial security. That's why she's working--but you? What are you, yet?"

Research indicates that, across the board in mating species, a non-good-looking guy can make up ground with status and/or wealth. Anthropologist John Marshall Townsend showed photos of beautiful and homely people to men and women, and described the people in the photos as being in training for either low-medium, or high-paying positions--waiter, teacher, or doctor. 'Not surprisingly, women preferred the best looking man with the most money,' Etcoff writes, 'but below him, average-looking or even unattractive doctors received the same ratings as very attractive teachers. This was not true when men evaluated women. Unattractive women were not preferred, no matter what their status.'

Nevertheless, I went to talk to her often, and later I learned that about a month from now, her baby will turn one.

It's all a bit bleak. Talk to enough psycho-biologists, and you get the impression that we are all rats--reflexively, unconsciously coupling according to obscure but immutable circuity. But beauty researchers agree, that along with natural selection and secual selection, learned behaviors are at least part of the attractiveness radar. In other words, there is room for individuality--perhaps even smattering of mystery--in this business of attraction between humans.

(Italicized portions are excerpts from Brad Lemley's "Isn't she Lovely?" Discover magazine, February 2000)

This article was first published in the Mediator, the official student publication of the College of Mass Communications, West Visayas State University, La Paz Iloilo City, August 2000 issue.

Christian Bautista

2007-03-31T13:16:00.000+08:00

Nestor Torre, The Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist and critic, once wrote why "fans" should send comments and reactions to the "performers" if they want the entertainment industry to improve.

One of the TV programs that indirectly supports the cause Mr. Torre is pushing forward is the most popular talent search show in the world, The American Idol.

What makes this show a great watch is the fact that it doesn't only show how bad-mannered and weird some of the American youths auditioning for the Contest are and how talented those who really have the talent, but most especially because, by merely watching and listening to the judges comment on every performance, the viewer picks up and learns a lot about how a song should be sang, what is a boring, edgy and original performance, etc.

So, whatever I shall be saying here against Christian Bautista are the product of every thing I learned from the American Idol show, and my guts to write and publish it right here is born out of the sincerest hope that by doing so, I am contributing to the Entertainment industry of my Country, and not just to criticize Christian whom my girlfriend loves so much.

For the sake of transparency however, let me state on record, that somehow, I have an ill feeling towards Christian Bautista for having Rachael Ann Go as his girlfriend. Rachael is another of my crushes aside from my girlfriend. This may also be another reason for this article.

I do not usually listen to the radio because my training at St. Pius X Seminary in Roxas City made me appreciate more the value of silence. There are times of course that silence is satiating, like everything taken monotonously. Furthermore, there are places where a person has no control with what he hears.

This afternoon, I manned the store next to the bakery of my Tita. While the bakers were mixing the flour salt and water, they were listening to an FM radio station, while I drowsed in my chair.

After a song, the DJ announced that the next song is one rendered by Christian Bautista. "Ok, " I said to myself half asleep. "The Christian Bautista whom my girlfriend has so much crush on. The same guy who has Rachel Ann Go for a girl friend."

But as soon as he sang the first line of the stanza composed and first sang by David Pomeranz, "Oh, my God! What happened to Christian Bautista? If he were auditioning for the American Idol show, will he ever be accepted with the way he is rendering 'Got to believe in Magic'?"

He is obviously out of tune with some notes which seemed so low for his voice. And the whole song seems to be half heartedly sang. It seems that when he sang it, his mind was somewhere else. Or that, I imagine, he recorded it in front of his fans with whom he was busy waving and smiling that he forgot to pay attention to the details of the song and how it should be sang.

If the song were bread, I was made to eat a stale one.

Just imagine my disappointment.

Because I was so disappointed, I picked up a pen and begun writing the draft to this article.

All the while, I thought I lost Rachel Ann Go to a deligent man who is not only an architech but also is very popular because of his cool voice and handsome face that even my girlfriend comes to love.

But no. Based on his performance on that song, Christian is not as deligent as he used to be. Because if he is deligent, he should not have forgotten that when you sing a song, you sing it with all your heart and soul. In short, with all your attention. And before he recorded, or if that was a live performance, before he decided to perform that song, he should have at least made sure that he could reach the lowest notes.

Yes, the lowest notes.

I can only think of one theory that explains what is happening to him, and that is, Christian is beginning to sit on his laurels. He is handsome, he is an architech, he has a cool voice, he commands audience, why bother about the songs he sings or the way he sings them?

Correct! Christian Bautista does not have to bother because indeed, to the unthinking audience, every song is a beautiful song if sang by him, no matter how it is sang and no matter what song he sings.

How about us, Christian? How about us from whom you stole our girlfriend's attention? Isn't it but fair that you at least pay attention to the songs you sing and how you sing it? Isn't it but, for the interest of justice, you at least sing well in exchange for taking our girlfriends (and Rachel Ann) away?

I hope he listens to me and stop singing like the way he sings the David Pomeranz song. I would even suggest that, again, in the interest of justice, he at least removes that song from the airwaves. By playing that song he does not only remind me how less handsome I am compared to him (that is why, instead of my girlfriend having a crush on me, she is having a crush on Christian), he also pollutes the world.

Otherwise, I'll just sit here and die of envy because, as I said, to his unthinking fans, every song he sings is beautiful no matter what song and how it is sang. So his income may not be affected.

There is a twist however. A twist which is goodnews to me and bad news for Christian.

Few days ago, his valentine concert with Rachel Ann was aired on TV. My girlfriend says, after hearing Christian sing the first song, she went to bed.

She went to bed not because she wants to imagine Christain with her on the bed. Very, very, very, very, very far, far, far, far and away from that.

OK, Christian. Keep on singing the way you lousily sang that David Pomeranz song. I don't care about your money anyway since you will not give me any. Promise I will not write an article as lousy as this again also. But thank you in advance because, it seems that my girlfriend is beginning to hate you already.

Cesar Montano

2007-03-16T12:41:00.000+08:00

I once thought about writing a screen play and giving it to Cesar Montano in exchange for an acting role in the movie.

I have not started on the script yet as I am busy speculating about my future as a lawyer or will I ever become one.

Last night, I was amused by Cesar Montano's honesty on TV.

He did not know how many posters and other campaign materials he needed for his bid for the Senate. Logically, he did not know the amount a candidate had to spend for a national campaign. He heard it is around 200 million to 400 million pesos, or, according to a grapevine, 500 million pesos for a sure win.

He is glad that there are people who are sponsoring his TV and radio advertisements. He is however thinking about not having the ads because a TV ad, for example, costs around 40 million pesos to make. He is aware that the Country has a lot of immediate needs. The money for his adds could be used to address those needs. There is, for example, the families who do not have decent homes. Cesar is aware that Bahay Kalinga needs only 50 thousand pesos to build a new home.

He was in Cebu and, unlike his fellow candidates, when he announced his candidacy there, he had no headquarters and staff.

Cesar admitted he was not prepared to run.

He disappeared from the public for sometime to do what he calls a "one step backwards" so that he could make a "two steps forward" move.

Once he is elected, he will be too busy learning the rules and regulations of the Senate and, unless he plans to sleep for the cameras, like Robert Jaworski did, also learning the pending bills so he could participate in the deliberations.

If he losses, this election will be the longest days of Cesar's life. He will grow older and of course wiser after these.

If he wins, however, Cesar will have a hard time in the Senate. By the time he learns the logic of the law and by the time he and his staff come up with a draft of a bill, he might realize his six years are over.

It takes one to fail in exams and to be humiliated in the presence of his peers to realize that laws have logic of their own. One can not just guess or rely on his lay man's conclusions.

Four years in law school are not even enough for most of us, law graduates, to know the laws and therefore pass the bar exams.

I admire Cesar for the transparency he has shown in the news last night. As a fan, however, I am very disappointed that he allowed himself to be involved in politics in such haste.