Amigo: In US Theaters 2 September 2011

It is a rare occasion to see Filipino movies being shown in foreign theaters. And if they happen, Filipinos must show their utmost support! That is what I do as a member of the Filipino community here in DC. Amigo, an independent film about the Philippine-American War is to be shown in Washington DC, Gaithersburg and Virginia Beach on September 2, 2011! It will also be shown in 15 other states in the US!

This movie has a cast of great actors from both the US and the Philippines, headed by one of the best Filipino actors of this generation, Mr. Joel Torre, award-winning veteran great Mr. Chris Cooper and and a roster of Filipino greats like Ronnie Lazaro, Rio Locsin, John Apacible, Pen Medina and Bembol Roco.

I was fortunate to meet Joel Torre in his presscon here in DC.

Amigo's synopsis:

AMIGO, the 17th feature film from Academy Award-nominated writer-director John Sayles, stars legendary Filipino actor Joel Torre as Rafael, a village mayor caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American War.


When U.S. troops occupy his village, Rafael comes under pressure from a tough-as-nails officer (Chris Cooper) to help the Americans in their hunt for Filipino guerilla fighters. But Rafael’s brother (Ronnie Lazaro) is the head of the local guerillas, and considers anyone who cooperates with the Americans to be a traitor. Rafael quickly finds himself forced to make the impossible, potentially deadly decisions faced by ordinary civilians in an occupied country.


A powerful drama of friendship, betrayal, romance and heartbreaking violence, AMIGO is a page torn from the untold history of the Philippines, and a mirror of today’s unresolvable conflicts.

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I sure hope Filipinos in the area watch this movie and bring with them their non-Filipino friends so that they could understand and learn what history books seldom brings out. It is for the whole world to see that our relations with the US is not entirely a bed of roses, but started out as a thorny one. At the same time, it is to show the world how Filipinos survive amidst the war, and how they cope and learn and thrive in the midst of oppression or struggle.

Kudos to John Sayles for taking this opportunity and to Joel Torre and the entire Filipino cast for masterfully braving this project. Mabuhay kayong lahat!

To know more about Amigo, visit http://www.amigomovie.com/.

Eat Bulaga's Bayanihan of the People: A Variety Show with Sense

What makes Eat Bulaga the undisputed noontime show in the Philippines? It's the dynamic trio's wits, ways, and their ability to keep on innovating to keep up with the changing times. This time, they changed from the all-fun variety show into a "bayanihan" type of sharing wealth and fun to others.

Bayanihan is an innate Filipino characteristic where a group helps each other to attain a common goal. A perfect example of Bayanihan, or in English helping hand, is the way we do our outreach programs in times of emergency or tragedy. We saw last year how we helped each other after Ondoy struck our neighborhoods. This and a lot more recent experiences have shown that the bayanihan spirit among Filipinos is still alive.

This is Eat Bulaga's latest theme in its segment "All for Juan, Juan for All." This segment not only gives tons of laughter from Tito, Vic and Joey, and their newly-formed trio of Jose, Wally and Paolo. The new trio are embedded into the communities to provide fun, laughter, and prizes and surprises as they walk in the streets of their target barangay/village. Vic Sotto selects from the raffle entries in the home studio on which house the trio will attack and give prizes to, then Jose and the gang will do their thing, giving away cash prizes and gift packs from their major sponsors. This, alongside life's lessons on how to further their lives are what jose, Wally and Paolo offers to the residents.

The segment does not stop there. Other than giving out prizes, Eat Bulaga also asks from their target barangays. They will ask each of the hopeful residents to donate at least three empty plastic bottles, while falling in a line with numbers. When the number that they were stepping on gets picked by Vic, they will instantly win cash prizes. Each of the people who lined up in numbers 1-100 will each get cash prizes. Eat Bulaga will then take the plastic bottles that they brought to the line, and give them to plastic manufacturers. These manufeacturers will then turn these bottles into monoblock armchairs that will then be claimed by Eat Bulaga to give out to schools come school day. Now this is what I call sustainable and meaningful gift-giving.

Now, after Vic Sotto's April birthday, it has since became his year-long wish for people to give him gifts of school supplies so that they could share it with the less-fortunate barangays/schools during schooltime. And since then, the outpouring of love and generosity among our brothers and sisters showered upon what used to be an all-fun variety show. Eat Bulaga instantly became the official bayanihan variety show of the country. From a simple show segment, this has turned into a successful avenue to help our countrymen improve their lives, and our children to continue their education.

May Eat Bulaga and their crusade for better education be an example to each and every variety show in the country. Never has a variety show been this meaningful. This and many other simple yet meaningful actions make me think that there is indeed hope for the Filipino people. Mabuhay ang Eat Bulaga!

As for me, I thank God that I am able to watch Eat Bulaga even when I thousands of miles away from Manila. Yahoo!

Shalani's in Wowowillieng Willie?!?!?!

I don't know what's gotten into Shalani Soledad's mind that she suddenly entered the wonderful world of show business. Now, she's one of Willie's co-hosts in the early evening variety show Willieng Willie. I can't understand why, a few days after her mom shows up in the talk show Paparazzi crying her heart out, she suddenly shows up in Willie's new show. If a person commits a crime, the first thing that you ask is what is the motive? :) What could be the motive for Shalani's surprise entry into show business?

My apologies for telling this, but, Shalani needs tons of improvement. She's better off hosting a cooking show or a public service talk show like Damayan or Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko. I'm not saying that these shows suck with their hosts, but Shalani's demeanor and manner of hosting is very calm, very relaxing. A show like Willieng Willie requires much energy and enthusiasm. Right now, she's miles away from being comfortably excited and enthusiastic. Probably it's because of stage fright or something, but something just isn't right...

She should have just stuck into politics and public service. Or if she really wanted to enter into the world of hosting, she should have chosen to host a public service program like "Ako Mismo," alongside Christ Tiu.

Well, there's still time. While Willieng Willie is not yet a major hit, she could either brush up on her hosting or she could reconsider the simpler life of not being in the limelight.

People of the Philippines vs. Boyet Fajardo

Who is Boyet Fajardo in the first place?

According to newspapers, Boyet Fajardo is a renowned fashion designer, famous for having made gowns and dresses to talents like Maricel Soriano. But who is he, really?

The bottomline: Even if you're someone as "famous" as Boyet Fajardo (or so he says), or you're just simply Juan de la Cruz, even if you're dead hungry, without sleep, or have just arrived from a very long flight, you have ABSOLUTELY no right to insult your fellow Filipino.

There are no excuses for Boyet Fajardo's behavior towards Duty Free employee Marvin Fernandez. It is unbecoming of a Filipino, unbecoming of a human being. What separates us from animals is that we have the conscience, ethics and manners to treat others with utmost respect. Without it, we're just as good as the boars, the bears and the snakes.

Wait, who's Boyet Fajardo again? Probably that was the same question asked by the Duty Free employees when Boyet Fajardo ask the question "di mo ba ako kilala?"

Be it here or anywhere else in the world, never ever treat your countryman unfairly. Let the divine, legal and social laws bring forth proper justice Marvin and any other innocent, plain, clean-living Filipinos who are being oppressed, disempowered and exploited by people like Boyet Fajardo. Let it also be a lesson to all other primadonnas out there.

Yes! Magazine November 2008 issue

Finally! After year of seemingly endless dreaming of being in a printed material, I was able to be seen in the country's most widely read magazine! hehehe Thanks to my affiliation with the country's most eligible bachelor and one of the world's sexiest men (along with yours truly! hahaha), Dingdong Dantes, our 1998 Ateneo High School Class Picture was part of Dingdong's clipboard page of past pictures. This just shows that his Ateneo High School education is one of his most cherished memories.

Don't we all agree, AHS people around the world? Nothing beats the fun, laughter and friendship of high school. Majority of my most trusted friends come from my class in high school. And of course, we develop all the initial networks from our high school classmates from way back. In fact, in most organizations and government positions in the country, we can see colleagues who were former high school classmates. Indeed, the bond and the camaraderie of high school is probably the most nostalgic, most remembered, most valued of all levels of school. :)

It's quite difficult to see me in this picture. I was the one seated on the bench, rightmost. Luckily I wasn't cut off. :)

A little backgroudn on the photo: This was our wacky shoot during our 4th year high school class picture. Apprently, our longing for a high school uniform (AHS had no uniform before, only a collared-shirt requirement) made us decide to try out uniforms from our sister schools (or our sisters' schools?!). No offense, discrimination, insult, or pun was intended in this photo. It was simply meant to add a little fun to our usual boring formal class pictures. :) Unfortunately, the picture was pulled out from our order list because some factions of the school found it quite offensive. And as expected, we were heavily scolded by our principal. So this hard print from Dingdong's "baul" of pictures is one of the very few pieces that were printed. Wow! Collector's item!

Here's the latest picture of us now. Still wacky and fun as ever.

To my AHS 4F98 friends who are reading this, buy a copy now! And to my avid fans, buy a copy as well! hehehe.

Thanks to my man Mike for scanning the magazine. http://traveller23.multiply.com/journal/item/10?mark_read=traveller23:journal:10&replies_read=12&goto=12#reply12

Cheers!

Revisiting Wanbol University

Maraming salamat kay Jay Taruc para sa napakasayang palatuntunang I-Witness noong Lunes, Oktubre 8, 2007. Itinampok niya ang sitcom na talaga nga namang malaki ang naiambag sa kosepto ng katatawanan sa industriya ng telebisyon: Ang Iskul Bukol!!!

Panalo talaga sina Tito at Joey Escalera, at si Victorio Ungasis, na ginampanan ng wala nang iba kundi sina Tito, Vic at Joey. Kasama ang ilang mga cast na sina Tonette Macho, Bibeth Orteza, Mely Tagasa, Direk Bert de Leon, Producer Boy Gatuz at ilan pang mga hiningan ng panayam, mulilng binuhay ni Jay Taruc ang makulay na palatuntunan na uminog sa paaralang Wanbol University. Malamang naman ay walang lalaban sa akin kung sinabi kong sila ang isa sa mga nag-"revolutionize" ng situational comedy sa Pilipinas, kaalinsabay ng John en Marsha.

Isa pa, malaki ang naging epekto ng palabas na ito sa tunay na buhay ng mga paaralan sa Pilipinas. Sa aking sariling karanasan, nagkaroon ng panahon na ang pang-asar naming mga bata sa maitim na mama sa mga kanto ay "Mang Temi." Maging ang mga katagang "putok" at "topak" na madalas nating gamitin ay impluwensya pala ng palabas na ito. Astig. :)

Para lang hindi ko makalimutan, isusulat ko dito ang mga binigay na trivia ni Jay Taruc sa I-Witness (harinawa'y maalala ko lahat):

1. Ang Lapis sa logo ng Iskul Bukol ay may numero 13 sa halip na 1, o 2 sa kadahilanang sa Channel 13 nila ipinapalabas ang programa.

2. Ang unang pangalan ni Ms. Tapia ay Liwayway.

3. Ang mga salitang "putok" at "topak" ay unang nabigkas sa sitcom na ito.

4. Ang Escalera na ginamit na apelyido nina Tito at Joey ay hango sa paborito nilang pampalipas oras sa tuwing taping: Mahjong.

5. Debut sitcom ni Vic Sotto ang Iskul Bukol. Siya ay 22 taong gulang, habang si Tito ay 29, at si Joey ay 31.

6. Nakuha nina Tito at Joey Escalera ang konsepto ng pagsuot ng letrang T at J na initials ng pangalan nila sa komiks na Archie. Madalas din nila itong suot dahil tamad din silang maglaba.

Siguro trivia din ang mga ito pero hindi binanggit bilang trivia sa episode ng I-witness:

1. Si Dely Atay-Atayan ang gumanap na nanay ni Vic Ungasis.

2. Lumabas rin sa sitcom na ito ang mga batikang mang-aawit at artistang sina Joey Albert, Helen Gamboa, at Sharon Cuneta.

Maasabi ko talagang isa akong masugid na tagahanga ng TVJ. :)

"Eskuwela kuwela to, dito'y enjoyable. Konting aral lang, konting bulakbol. Dito nang lahat madaldal at bulol, dito na nga. Iskul Bukol."

Racial Slur

Shame on the writers of the ABC show "Desperate Housewives" on their latest insult on Filipino medical practitioners. This just shows that these writers know nothing about world affairs and current trends so they just needed to blurt out racial slurs like what has been said by Teri Hatcher in the series' season-opener.

Let me just state some facts about the medical industry in the country:

a. It was reported that US will demand more or less 600,000 Filipino medial practitioners in the next 13 years.

b. The Department of Tourism is busy with commercializing Medical Tourism since foreigners come here for surgery, treatment and other medical reasons.

c. Medical schools like UP, UST and UERM have a growing number of "exchange" and foreign students from other countries because they believe that Philippine medical education is cheaper, more reliable and more trusted.

These and a lot more support the fact the Filipino medical practitioners are one of the most competitive in the world, and they do not deserve the slur given by Hatcher and the ABC writers.

Americans should be more responsible with the way they say, do, or write about. They have the top schools in the world, the best companies, the best leaders. With much power and knowledge, much is expected. They blew up this time.

I bleed for the Filipino medical practitioners around the world who suffer the comfort of being with their families, being in their hometown, just to work hard and serve foreigners to the best of their abilities.

We deserve much more respect.


Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Hello Pappy (?!) scandal

I may really be a Joey de Leon fan, but in this feud between the warring networks regarding the alleged Wilyonaryo scandal over ABS-CBN's Wowowee that rocked the noon-time show scene over the past week, I would have to side with him. Clearly, what Willie Revillame has done (all that crying, rebutting and putting shame on Joey de Leon) was a ploy to "unkill" the show.

As Filipinos we may already know that the only way to soften a heart of the public is to appeal to his/her emotions. Filipinos very much love the "api" (underdog) and would take the side of the person/ group in distress. That explains why the likes of Judy Ann Santos, Nora Aunor, or Julie Vega rose to stardom. Or why them telenovelas with "kawawa" lead stars skyrocket the Mega Manila TV ratings. Willie Revillame obviously was advised by ABS-CBN to appear in the show, cry, apologize, act as if he was the one persecuted, and hit on the other network. now, here's another person in distress in a "reality" variety show. Starring: Willie Revillame as himself. This formula has long been a very good controversy-killer. A very good skirter of issues. A very good persuasion technique. This time, Willie's acting skills made the tables turn. Now, he is the one in distress. Now, the issues have been covered up. The masses now have someone to support. The kaawa-awa at inaaping si Willie Revillame. Wowowee's ratings were saved. Bravo.

Another trick in the book that was released by ABS-CBN to save their own asses is to blow up the issue by giving Willie enough air time. And if they said that ABS-CBN did not plan the whole scenario, why were the cameras panning on the people crying in the audience? It just is confusing as it is...

Joey could just be simply focusing on issues pressed against Willie. He was not just hitting the guy personally. Well, if he wants to be really personal, he could have hit other aspects on Willie's life that are much more personal (e.g. domestic violence charges, etc.) than this one. As what other rivals would do, he could just be capitalizing on the fact that the show was caught cheating (allegedly). Perfect opportunity to boost credibility of Eat bulaga since they have no track record of "Cheating." That's just the way it is.

If there's one positive thing that arose from this scandal, it's that some people have been jaded by the incident. They will now think that game and variety shows are rigged anyway, so why waste time and money to wait in a studio and take a chance. Hopefully Filipinos would think it this way and not just look for other game show avenues to take their chances on. Sigh...

"Explain before you complain." These were the words uttered by Joey de Leon in response to Willie's words on him. I couldn't agree more.

Kris and the PBA

I have to thank Kris for giving a new spark to the Philippine Basketball Association. Before she came into James Yap’s life (and for this matter, the entire association’s life), the PBA was in the middle of its declining popularity. Special thanks to Kris, and not to mention Filipinos’ penchant for gossips and showbizness, the PBA was revived into another one of those must-see shows on Philippine boob-tube.

You can tell by the number of advertisements and the capacity crowd that the Purefoods’ popularity is constantly improving, almost to the point that it outnumbers the die-hard fans of Ginebra Gin Kings.

Before, the PBA board becomes financially weary if the Gin Kings are not going to the finals because Ginebra provides the most number of seats in the stadium. But now, Purefoods has emerged into one of the biggest providers of ticket sales in the PBA. And all these I give credit to the star-studded ladies everytime they play, and of which, the biggest one is Kris. Aside from James Yap’s lady, showbiz personality present in every game was Marc Pingris’ beau Danica Sotto.

Below are the winners of this year’s PBA Awards:

Most Valuable Player – James Yap

Mythical 1st Team:
James Yap
Kerby Raymundo
Enrico Villanueva
Lordy Tugade
Roger yap

Mythical Second Team:
Dorian Peña
Mike Cortez
Marc Pingris
Marc Caguioa
Danny Seigle

All-Defensive Team:
Marc Pingris
Topex Robinson
Wynne Arboleda
Nic Belasco
Dorian Peña

Rookie of the Year – Larry Fonacier

Most Improved Player – Marc Pingris

Energy Player – Topex Robinson

Sportsmanship Award – Tony de la Cruz

Ding, Ang Bato!!!

For a guy, I don't see the rationality of avidly watching the primetime tele-fantasya "Darna." Maybe it's because of this disarming young lady whom I think brought Darna back to life. What's cool is that though she wears this skimpy metallic red bathing suit every primetime night, where children are watching, it still doesn't look obscene. This big break just made Angel Locsin the most sought-after Teen Star. And the sexiest woman-hero of the Philippines. Hehehehe...



Though I find Angel Locsin ultra-charming and best fit for the Darna role today, I still am a Vilmanian by heart and thus believe that Mayor Vi still is the ultimate Darna...



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Trivia, trivia...

did you know: Sharon Cuneta also played Darna in the early 80's! She was cameo to the Herbert Bautista/ Edu Manzano hit "Captain Barbel." To all Sharonians out there, don't worry coz Ate Shawie is not left behind. I still don't know if Ate Guy would be Darna in the future... hehehe...