Monday, December 29, 2008

RAGE - BY ALFREDO ROCES

Alfredo "Ding Roces, a fellow Atenean and a fine artist and writer has just launched his book RAGE in Manila. A highly productive blogger, Ding who now lives in Australia, manages to capture in still photographs and paintings beautiful images of life that many professionals would certainly envy.

Belonging to the Roces clan of Filipino-Spanish writers, intellectuals, and journalists, and established ilustrados of Filipino society, Ding certainly has proven by his record artistic production that there certainly the artist in him and in his genes, considering that his family was among the Filipino pioneers in newspaper publishing as established by their pre world war II newspaper TVT [Manila Times, La Vanguardia, and Taliba].

Although Ding and I never became close friends during our prewar days as students at the Ateneo Grade School in Intramuros, and later as fellow professor at the Far Eastern University, Ding and I have maintained that quality of mutual respect and admiration between our families since Uncle Nick Joaquin , our Philippine National Artist knew him quite well during his life time. Moreoever, Ding dedicated a heart rending blog entry on the death of Nick. It must be said that Anding, Rafael [Liling] Roces, his older brother had also set a high standard in column writing by his track record writing for their prewar THE MANILA TIMES newspaper "Roses and Thorns". After the war Alejandro [Anding] Roces picked up the broken thread of three and a half years during the Japanese Occupation and wrote "Rose and Thorns" in the 50's. Ding wrote "Light and Shadow" from 1960-1972.

While I am at it, here is another blog entry from Ding's blogsite for your delectation.

Bravo Ding!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

DYING BOYS WISH




Diagnosed with leukemia, 11-year-old Brendan Foster of Lynnwood, Washington, likely has just days left to live. "I should be gone in a week or so," he told KOMO News.

But before the boy says goodbye, he has one last wish—and it has nothing to do with meeting his favorite rock star or going to Disney World. Instead, the selfless child decided that his dying wish would be to help others survive, with a mission to provide food to the residents of a nearby homeless camp, Nickelsville.

"I was coming back from one of my clinic appoints and I saw this big thing of homeless people, and then I thought I should just get them something," he said.

Though Brendon is too sick to pay a visit to the camp, a group of his friends went to distribute food to the camp on Friday. "We're making 200 sandwiches -- half ham and cheese, and half peanut butter and jelly. He didn't want them all to be peanut butter and jelly in case somebody was allergic to peanut butter," said one of the volunteers, Jennifer Morrison.

As for Brendan himself, he has no regrets about his short life: "I had a great time and until my time has come, I'm gonna keep having a good time," he said.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

G- A Multi Millionaire in his 20s



What makes outstanding individuals extraordinary? Perhaps, this story would explain this wonderful new discovery His name: Gurbaksh Chahal. what made him outstanding (astounding) is the fact that at the age of 17 he was able to make $300,000 a month with an internet advertising firm which he founded in his bedroom at his family in San Jose, California.

Today he has two major achievements under his belt: Click Agent which was the first that he sold for $40. million in 2000 and the second Blue Lithium he sold to Yahoo for $300 million.

This week Gurbaksh's (he prefers to be called G) book is out titled "The Dream: How I learned the Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship and Made Millions"
.
G has appeared on the Ophra Winfrey TV Show and on Dec. 3 he will be on Fox TV's show titled "Secret Millionaire". This series showcases wealthy participants who live undercover among the poor and bestow $100,000 of their own money on deserving recipients.

Not slowing down at this tender age, G is launching another internet company very soon. But G states strongly that his story is more of sacrifice and hard work, persistence and faith along with the support of his family and, carefully stating ...not by chance.

"Its not easy to make money. It is a struggle, a journey, and there is no 10 way s to success. Explaining his motivation to write the book G said "I thought if I could write there own path about my life and my journey and people could connect it with their own life, they could realize...IF HE CAN DO IT SO CAN I.

Nice thoughts, but we do not have a G everyday, even with all the geniuses around us waiting to be unveiled.

G who is not bad looking is one of four children of an Indian family from Punjab who had to flee in 1986 to escape political instability arising from the Sikh separatist movement.

Gurbakshi-Ji ("JI" is a term of endearment) was an adventurer - influenced by his father's pluck and grandma's optimistic spirit and stubborn streak.

His dream became a reality after his father started a second job trading on the computer and found he was making more money than his day job. He commissioned Chahal, the youngest son to help him research stocks and watched business reports on TV, read business pages daily and in the process Chahal stumbled upon DOUBLE CLICK an internet advertising business. He got an idea with this discovery.

The first time he showed his bank account [actually his older brother's account for he was still too young to open an account] his father screamed "G is going to jail. He did something illegal!"

His father who had been working double shifts for 20 years never had this kind of savings.

"Initally, it was tough to believe his father Avtar Chahal said, "But because Gurbaksh believed in himself, I believe in him. I'm the proudest father inthe world."

His book THE DREAM: HOW I LEARNED THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MADE MILLIONS. is now out in bookstores and selling well.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

"I am sax starved" Lito Molina, bandleader, buddy

was supposed to have been remarked by Lito Molina months after he had adjusted to the effects of that massive stroke which left his left arm and left side of the body paralyzed. But, after the laughter triggered by that funny remark, it was disclosed by Li to himself that he never said that. It was one of his newspaper friends who came up with it.
(This appeared in my earlier blogsite, now defunct)

What was not funny of course was the fact that this versatile musician, named Ezequiel Molina who was Li to to all his friends, was well known not only in the Jazz aficionados in the Philippines but in classical concerts too for Li to played excellent Clarinet - having learned the rudiments of music from his father Professor Antonio Molina who was also a fine composer from pre world war two days. But he excelled in alto saxophone to the point when he sounded almost like Paul Desmond of Dave Brubeck's combo.
When asked what caused his sudden stroke, Lito looks away and with a faraway look in his eyes, half smiles and says, "It was really nothing to be excited about but it had to do with the judging of winners in a coming annual contest for the best Filipino singers, musicians, and Jazz performers." Then he hesitates and after a slight pause looks back at the group and with a wave of the right hand [the one unaffected by the stroke] "Ah let us forget it...for I have put it behind me now...and I am doing well considering..."

During the mid fifties Li to and some Jazz sidemen would hold Friday afternoon jam sessions at the Del Rosario Brothers mini stage on Aurora Boulevard and I would help in emceeing it. Completely informal, other professional and amateur Jazz musicians would be invited by Li to to join the session which usually ended with a terrific ad lib by all back by his 5 piece combo.

In 1981, with the leadership of Roman Jun Cruz, Jr. who was then Chairman of Philippine Air Lines and an avid Jazz fan and record collector, Li to was asked to form something like an All Star Filipino Jazz Orchestra to take part in the annual Monterrey Jazz Festival in Monterrey California. I was asked to join as manager of the troupe and Joe Magsaysay representing Phillip Morris who were cosponsors of the contingent as well as Lulu Ilustre, another Jazz aficionado as part of the public relations team that promoted the whole show prior to the trip. Lito made sure he picked the best reliable musicians which included Angel Pena, well known composer arranger and outstanding bass player, Fred Robles, a veteran pianist who had wide exposure even abroad playing with American and Japanese Jazz sidemen, as well as Roger Herrera, bass player and one time band leader. Invited also were the Posadas trio - Romy, piano, Ricky on drums, and wife Rita Posadas who took her place as the official female vocalist of the band. Listening to Rita that evening reminded me of June Christy's style of singing.
The Jazz festival, was my first ever so I was awed by the way it was arranged. The whole program started on a Friday afternoon and continued on till the evening hours and ending close to 11 p.m. and then the Saturday it starts in mid morning again until late in the evening. Sunday is the final day when most of the star performers like the Count Basie band, and torch singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and Tony Bennett appeared all the way to the grand festival finale in late Sunday afternoon.

The show was held on a large and deep stage with seating arrangements for I estimate to be 10,000 or even more. And the excellent sound system certain did justice to the fine Jazz instrumentals and vocals during the three day festival. As they announced the Philippine contingent - a first in the history of Monterrey or for that matter in any Jazz festival in the world I felt proud and with moist eyes I applauded like mad together with Lulu and Joe from where we were seated. One reason for my emotional reaction perhaps was the fact that I had been having "cocktails" in a flask bottle I brought along.

Before the contingent to go and perform at the Monterrey Jazz Festival, founded by Jimmy Lyons three decades ago, was organized Lito was looking for Emil Mijares who was a progressive Jazz pianist and composer but he was supposed to have gone to the U.S. for some business. So, the old standby Piding Alava who was part of the original JAZZ FRIENDS founded by Lito himself came along.

It is interesting to note that in the mid eighties I had the good fortune of managing Jazz Friends when I booked them a the Boulevardier outlet at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati for a two year contract. After that we moved to the Manila Garden Hotel. The contract in both hotels were simply Sunday afternoon and early evening gigs which went well since the senior instrumentalists played old favorites of the 20s till the eighties.
'That is how versatile they were. However, the singing quartet led by Bong Molina, eldest son of Lito and the other singers which included Kitchie Molina, Bong's wife and two other young vocalists entertained the Sunday afternoon crowd at the cocktail lounge singing vocal arrangements by American Jazz artists like Quincy Jones, Glenn Miller and Stan Kenton.

In 1998 LIto Molina passed away due to complications of kidney failure and others. Even when he was already medically retired due to the stroke, Lito would be extremely reclusive and not even saying a word to anyone, including his wife Pit who also comes from a family of Jazz musicians.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Two Powerful Spiritual Leaders Today


I was impressed and moved by the writeup in Newsweek on Reverend Rick Warren whom they termed "The Purpose Driven Pastor" who, according to this magazine, is the most powerful religious leader in the world today. Rick Warren is the founder and pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. On August 16 he will assume the part of a national inquisitor in a "civil forum" featuring the two presidential candidates - Barack Obama and John McCain who will be civilly grilled for an hour apiece.

When the book THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE emerged as a best seller for several weeks, Rick Warren was made, so to speak. The book sold 40 million copies worldwide - and Rick turned over 90% of his profits to his beloved church.

***********

Over in the Philippine Republic, the Filipinos have discovered to their delight one among them who has proven to the world that his heart is in the right place and he is most likely to be among the coming leaders who can either take part in leading the country [Philippines] towards the right path or be an influence in the process. I guess this is going to be a “Tony” project since I am endorsing the presentation to another Tony whose accurate and well written columns have, over the years, shown its true substance especially in terms of doing good for our country. Here is what Tony Abaya has written about this other Tony.

By Antonio C. Abaya

In a commencement speech before the graduating classes of the Ateneo de Manila University last March 25, Tony Meloto urged his young listeners to “let your vision and the power that you have discovered to change the world, define what is real for you. Make your love for this country and our people, especially the poor, your reality and your priority. Make it the foundation of your career plans, your dreams and ambitions for your children and the goal of any political or economic power that you have the privilege to wield.

“Wherever you are in the world, excel and prosper but remain connected to the motherland and dedicate your success to the fulfillment not just of your dreams but to the many in your country who have lost their capacity to dream.

“Do not be content in finding artificial security in gated subdivisions when you can provide yourself a buffer of peace by caring for the needy around you. Nor be content with living in First World luxury in a Third World environment and contributing to the discontent and the growing threats around the security of your own family.

“Give value to the land of your birth by sharing with those who for generations have been deprived of its use and abundance. Be a blessing to your children’s future by making it your responsibility to be father or mother of the abandoned and neglected.

“Be the hero who finds courage and the conviction that this country is worth saving, because it is a gift from God and that your life is meaningless if it is not dedicated to the fulfillment of a divine destiny to be a great people…”

But Meloto’s message has gravitas because he offers them a vehicle, a medium, a transformational passageway through which those graduates who decide to make the choice can directly discover how to live a life for others, how to experience a love of country that they have not experienced before, how to find meaning in their own lives beyond creature comforts and self-gratification.

Tony Meloto was honored for his role in Gawad Kalinga, a project of Couples for Christ that seeks to build dignified housing for the poorest of the poor through the efforts of thousands of volunteers.

To date, GK volunteers have built housing for more than 100,000 families in some 850 communities in different parts of the country. Gawad Kalinga hopes to build 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in the next seven years.

But more than the actual physical structures, GK has built a feeling of community among those who have volunteered their time and energy, which is but a step toward a feeling of nationhood that we Filipinos sorely lack and need. More important also is the ability of Meloto and GK to attract volunteers, even from other countries, to come to these parts and help build dignified housing for the poorest of the poor.

Tony Meloto’s desire is to simply support his work in Gawad Kalinga and promote GK, a movement that engages all sectors of society and all political parties, as the hope of the Philippines. We have a dangerous and highly charged political situation in the Philippines and my father-in-law works very hard to navigate the shark-infested waters without being bitten…”

The difference between Tony Meloto’s vision and mine, and it is a big difference, is that he managed to turn it into reality, and I didn’t. Here’s to you, Tocayo.

* * *

Monday, July 14, 2008

My daughter - The In Flight Manager


Monday, July 14, 2008
9:23:53 PM EST


She once danced and taught ballet; an attractive young lady, Cristina was visited (courted) by many eligible bachelors from exclusive villages in Manila, even after her teen years. Sometimes I would fantasize her being married to some executive, say a banker or even an entrepreneur and she would host grand tea parties at her plush residence in, say, a not too exclusive residence in Makati. Yes, a father's fantasy...


But Cristina knew what she wanted. And she found it - a career as flight attendant in a prestigious airline - Cathay Pacific Airways.

There have been many stories passed on through the years about these hard working individuals who have served in many airlines since air travel became a major means of travel

I must admit not many remarks, mostly by machistic men, were flattering especially from young men always yearning for some "fun."


Perhaps, I was among those uninformed young men who regarded these young ladies back in the immediate postwar years, as objects of pleasure.Indeed there have been some cases when the pilot-female attendant affairs were glamorized in stories thereby portraying these hardworking women in a very uncharitable light.


The very first time I met flight attendants was during the early fifties when the executive in charge of cabin attendcants of the first Asian flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, asked me to help in organizing a drama club which they called the CHEER CLUB, at the request of Mrs. Mercedes Rovira who was then the lady manager in charge of all cabin attendants .

majority of whom were young, pretty and eager Filipino women. At the time, many who applied for this kind of job were carefully screened and those who got in usually came from the middle income level with a college degree and proficient in spoken English.


However due to the prevailing feudalistic values in the early post war era in the Philippines, not many women from the upper middle class despite their desire never joined the applicants to the flight stewardess positions.


Because Manila society at the time regarded the work of flight attendants as merely "waitresses in the sky". But the fact is that they were that and more.


And the screening of applicants was strict and the training was even harder, but harder still were the rules they had to adhere to during their employment.


Years later, with more sense in me brought on by time and experience, I was enlightened and grew to regard these attendants with more respect and praise. I personally got to know the many little annoyances and challenges each of them faced day after day flight after flight - and even when they were off duty they still had many things to attend to about their own persons and relationships.


I now share this piece written by one of them. Yes, she is close to me and my heart. She is my daughter. Cristina.

-----------------

August 20 2004 was my 20th year with Cathay Pacific Airways. Believe me, it seems like it was only yesterday. Time does fly when one is flying around the world for a living. (Excuse the pun).

When I joined the Cathay Pacific Airways, a company established and based in Hongkong, in 1984 being a Flight Attendant (FA) was so much simpler. There were no fancy in flight entertainment systems to speak of apart from some music piped in to one's headset and some magazines from the racks. No real security problems existed before. We welcomed pax (passengers) on board, fed them in flight, then assisted them when they disembarked.

Twenty years a Flight Attendant's job is no longer as straightforward. FAs undergo additional training to deal with new safety and security measures. Extra security procedures are in place especially concerning airlines because of the dangerous times. Flight attendants have to be extra vigilant about their surroundings. We have to make sure our flight is safe, no unauthorized objects should be carried by persons on board. In flight service is no longer just about food and beverage. Entertainment must be in the cutting edge of the state of the art and individualized audio and video system. If some problems occurred with the entertainment systems, FAs need to troubleshoot as best they can or the passenger will be very unhappy. Sometimes,there are unruly passengers who cause trouble in flight. The FAs need to restrain and if need be, handcuff them. Unfortunately, as the opportunity to travel has become more affordable to many, more incidents of trouble in flight have been recorded. That makes an FA's job even more challenging.

But having said all that, I have always enjoyed my career as a Flight attendant. My job has taken me to different and exciting places in the world. I have met many interesting people in flight as well as on the ground. Because of this it has enriched my experience in life and has broaden my way of thinking. Because of the many years of service, I am now holding the position of In flight Service Manager and I continue to learn new things related to my work and life in general. I would recommend this job to anyone!

Cristina Joaquin Claudio

In Flight Manager

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS

Saturday, July 12, 2008

A CHANCE FOR CLEAN ELECTIONS-FINALLY


Many observers often say that the Philippines can never achieve any measure of positive change towards good governance simply because our leaders do not sincerely feel in their hearts the need to change things. For instance, we have a lot of legal charges against high government officials that when first reported created a solid media splash. But then...as days go by....it is pushed in the background. Soon, months pass and even years come and go and the cases supposed to be major violations like "plunder" by officials still remain unresolved. So one can conclude that there seems to be no political will to really do the right thing and see it to its conclusion.

A good example and current hot topic in the country is the newly-developed voting system that will use computer technology for the first time and not only speed up the process of voting and counting but minimizing the "human elements" that have for many years been well trained to manipulate the system itself. We Filipinos know the "dag dag bawas" indoor sport everytime the Philippines holds its elections. This phenomenon, an open secret, is evident onli in da pilipins!


BOTONG PINOY, the new mechanized voting system was developed by Rafael Garcia III who incidentally was the first member in my first Rotary Club that I got to know very well back in the mid seventies, and who was already "making waves" in the field of computer technology in the Philippines when computers were huge machines that occupied several rooms. Raffy, as he is known in the industry, has developed this voting system because he does love the country, romantic as the statement may sound.

However, inspite of the fact that Raffy has offered the use of the new technology for the coming elections FOR FREE there seems to be no apparent interest among the Comelec officials.

Needless to say, a number of thinking Filipinos had expected something like this reaction from the Comelec.

In fact, one technically oriented official who had gone through the dry run of the voting system remarked,

“They are systems that are so efficient, there is no room for graft. Equally, Botong Pinoy is meant to be an election system so efficient there is no time to cheat.”

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

49 YEARS OF WEDDED BLISS- AUGUST 5, 1959


We first met in a classroom back in the late fifties. The school was called Far Eastern University. A remarkable feature of Manila in the late Fifties was the complete positive aura that prevaded the entire City, nay, country.

Stage presentations - both professionals and amateur, schools downtown stage shows, and even visiting classical performers - yes, including Shakepeare groups based in America and Europe treated Manila
aficionados with excellent shows. Even Hollywood movies were mostly musicals and little violence, nor gangster flicks.

She was a young 16 year old, slender, and somewhat resltess. I was teaching Speech I (subtitled Remedial English for Filipino college students). I had several sections to handle each day - and at the time with seven other fellow instuctors, we had our hands full for we had to serve all the institutes.

Thanks to our department Head, she won her battle with the school authorities to require all FEU students to pass at least one semester of Speech I prior to graduation.

Then, it happened.

While I was carefully handling the oral drills of the class, I spotted her at the very last row of a class of 25 students, busy doing something. I tried to continue but was unavoidably distracted that I had to stop my lecture completly.

"Mendoza" I gently called the student's attention. She was startled, stopped abruptly and looked up followed by an ambarrassed smile. That was the first element that attracted me...her beautiful youthful teenage smile."May I see you after class?" I suggested and then continued with my lecture.

Shortly after the bell ending our period, with the room emptied except for this young lady and me, I approached slowly and saw a half tied gym shoe on one foot and the other still unshod.

"Sir, I am sorry, but...you see...I have to get ready or be late for my gym class after this one."

"Oh, you have to change shoes in my class to make your gym schedule in the next period?" I asked amused.

She then continued on with putting both shoes on while explaining that time was of the essence since the gym was across the wide campus and if she did not change shoes then, she would be late for that class following mine.

I soon realized her predicament and gave her a broad smile, and she did smile back. And she was out in a flash. I discovered later that her name was
Concepcion Mendoza, 16 years old and a niece of the school's founder.

Two years passed when one day as I was about to cash my monthly check I spotted a familiar face, well made up but in a demure manner. She was smiling at me. Yes, indeed, it was Ms. Mendoza, now employed in the Treasury Department of the university. That smile was there, more radiant.

After our hellos and once my check was cashed...I invited her for coffee...and as the saying goes ...the rest is history.

Forty Eight years have passed. Five children. Three grandsons. Now residing in Northern California, we find ourselves into our 48th year of marriage as solemnized in the Roman Catholic Faith and officiated by a dear friend, fellow artist, and director par excellence Rev. Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J.

Over the decades Fr. Reuter was to officiate in three more weddings in our family - that of our eldest son Bobby's and Marijean's, our second child Cristina's and Jowin's, and the most recent one in Jay's and Jenny's.

Admirable, might not come close to describing the man but Fr. Reuter with his "walker" and special sandals to cushion his sore feet was at San Agustin Church - Intramuros - one hour earlier than 7 am ready to bless our son's marriage to Jenny Blas.

During the ceremony with obvious difficulty, the dear father solemnized the wedding as if he had not been suffering from the aches and pains of an 88 year old arthritic Jesuit priest.

Today, as we receive wonderful greetings from our children and others who cherish our friendship with them, from across the globe, I gaze at my former student Concepcion Mendoza, now better known as Chita and ask her, "What can you say to this 48 year union?"

She smiles and looks away and says in a steady voice, "I would do it again if I had to..."

TONY TRIES SINGING WITH PILITA


When Mama Sarah got her award from the Filipino Community in 1999, Pilita Corrales was the main show and during that time I was seated in Mama's box inside the Convention Hall of Washington D.C.

Pilita, without any warning, suddenly announced my name and asked me to come join her onstage to sing with her.

Here is the clip of that singing incident. I enjoyed it. I hope you do too.

The interesting Atenean friend of mine - Tony Manuud

Reflecting on a post war friend and poet

Tony Manuud- Born February 4th, 1930; Died March 7th, 1996;
------------------------------------------------------------------

We were among the shell shocked Filipino teens that suffered through the Pacific War from 1941 - 1945. When we got back to school we felt old at 14 years but Ateneo High School was a haven for us. Still some bore the scars of war - some lost their parents who were murdered by retreating Japanese, shelled homes by the American artillery forces when they liberated Manila freeing the interns at the University of Santo Tomas and other internment camps.

I almost did not get admitted at the Ateneo for the grade school records were all burned when the building inside the Walled City, the exact place where Jose Rizal studied as a young boy was bombed during the early days of the war. Thanks to the Nakpil boys and their father Juan Nakpil who vouched for me during registration time at the Padre Faura Campus where we held our classes in makeshift burnt concrete rooms still with the acrid smell of raw human flesh clinging to crevices. The rest of the classes held session in U.S. installed Quonset Huts which were like ovens during the summer months and a cold storage in January.

Tony lived in Sampaloc with his parents. He had two sisters whom we met during our periodic high school dances held in those times at private homes of students. These dances were "visited" by Jesuit priests and some nuns just to see how the kids were enjoying themselves. Slow drag was the favorite dance in which couples held each other tightly and just sort of swayed with the slow soft music as if in a trance or meditating. We were warned about this type of dance that could provoke the occasion of "sin".

My sisters and I enjoyed Tony's sharp mind and keen wit. Ateneo boys liked to pun at the time and playing with words phrases and quotations always got many laughing with complete abandon. In other mixed groups La Salle students frowned on Ateneo students being too intellectual. They just wanted to dance, period.

After our high school graduation at Padre Faura, Tony got a scholarship for a Masters in Journalism at Marquette University, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was THE school for good Journalists. Gaby Manalac was another Journalism scholarship awardee at this Jesuit university. After his Marquette stint Tony returned to Manila and taught at the Ateneo for a couple of years. Since we became close friends on and off campus we asked Tony to stand as god father to our fourth child Ma. Regina. If the old folks are to be believed, Gina is our brainiest child now into information technology.

In 1964 he was awarded a fellowship at Oxford University (Exeter and St. Antony's Colleges) and another at the University of Durham (Grey College). Tony enjoyed the three year scholarship to observe English Literature courses in both universities. He was commended for his distingushed tutorial paper at the end of the course. We did not see Tony for a while and when he came back he managed to publish the first anthology of Filipino fiction the landmark anthology Brown Heritage: Essays on Philippine Cultural Tradition and Literature ( AdMU, 1967), which has been reviewed as the book that “sparked the revolution in Philippine cultural studies.”

.As chairman of the English Department, Ateneo de Manila University, he organized the Ateneo Institute of Philippine Literature in 1965.

A poem by Tony

TO MIREN

Did I forget? Do I regret

Days unremembered, thoughts unkept?

A harp (once plucked to eloquence by joy)

Long untouched now lies untuned ... off-key ...

Not sure if chords ring true. Listen! In coy

Distress -- how mute. Yet singing silently.

Days are remembered, thoughts are kept

In long, long silence ... with regret.

-- Antonio P. Gella Manuud, Bowling Green, 1973

Thursday, June 5, 2008

TONY ABAYA - INCISIVE AND HARD HITTING COLUMNIST

It is my honor and pleasure to announce that my blogsite will carry the regular columns and website of my colleague and fellow Atenean Journalist TONY ABAYA.

As far back as I can remember he was among the very very few Ateneans who ventured around Europe on a scooter, finished two post grad courses and today can boast of having the most popular column in Philippine mainstream media. Here is his new blogsite. Tony has a website too.

If you, dear reader, can relay this message plus web and blogsites to other thinking friends, you will do our country [Philippines] a big big favor. Believe me. And thanks.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

PEACE THROUGH FORGIVENESS, LOVE



In the first book that Dr. Luskin published FORGIVE FOR GOOD he advocated the distinction that “forgiving” doesn't mean “forgetting”. Thoroughly confident in his findings, Dr. Fred Luskin promoted the fact that practicing forgiveness leads to better health and happiness, but does not mean condoning bad behavior. What it means is that one should consider a hurt less personally, to take responsibility for how one feels. In the process one even can become a hero instead of a victim in the event Luskin, a practicing psychologist and co-founder of the Stanford University Forgiveness Project, shows why the very act of forgiveness is vital in promoting mental and physical health.


The groundbreaking first book by Dr. Luskin from T he frontiers of psychology FORGIVE FOR GOOD offers startling new research about the one missing factor that is vital to Relationships—forgiveness.


A national bestselling author and leading expert on forgiveness, Dr. Fred Luskin shows that no matter how much two people may love each other, their relationship will not Succeed unless they practice forgiveness—an approach that most relationship experts continue to ignore.


Why is forgiveness an essential tool for relationships? Studies reveal that 70 percent for what we argue about at the beginning of our relationships will never be fully resolved. In other words, our basic needs and behaviors don't change over time. The issues are endless: the socks that always end up on the floor how often to have sex, the ESPN obsession, working hours, and, of course, friends and family. Without forgiveness, these issues, however big or small, too easily turn into relationship-eroding grudges.


In his second book, Forgive for Love he shows the solution for your relationship woes by providing the tools you need to find and hold onto the love of your life. The doctor fashions a proven seven-step program for creating and maintaining loving and lasting relationships,

teaching easy-to-learn forgiveness skills that will not only resolve immediate conflicts but improve the overall happiness and longevity of a relationships.


Simply put: people in healthy relationships figure out how to forgive their partners for being themselves. They do so because it is nearly impossible to change other people and because none of us are perfect.


Forgiveness is the key,


Pursuing this line of study, Dr. Luskin later teamed up with Dr. Carl Thoresen at Stanford University and designed The Study of Forgiveness with Victims and Offenders

This work studies five modes of forgiveness training. The study evaluates gender differences in attitudes and willingness with the objective of making forgiveness possible for men and women. According to the findings of these duo of doctors, from a decade-old grudge against the third-grade bully to deep-seated rage against a cheating spouse, it appears that millions of Americans do harbor long-term grievances and this act affects their overall health.


Dr. Carl Thoresen and Dr. Fred Luskin, are now exploring whether the unresolved anger that blights many people's lives can be alleviated with the help of an age-old concept - forgiveness. Based on 25 years of research and working with "Type A" personalities -people who are characterized by impatience, being quick to anger and a harboring of hostility - Thoresen had seen for himself over and over the physical and psychological benefits that forgiveness can bring.


Therefore, it was five years ago that Dr. Thoresen teamed up with Dr. Luskin,

the original author of a highly-structured psychological treatment program that

taught adults about this element of forgiveness. Thus was born, The Stanford Forgiveness Study. Thoresen and Luskin hope the impact of their work will be preventative as well as therapeutic. "It's our hope that family and school violence, including shootings, road rage, gang violence and workplace conflict will be diminished - if not avoided - if more people understand the role that forgiveness

can play in interpersonal relations," says Thoresen, "It takes courage

and commitment to act in a more forgiving fashion. It's not at all a sign

of weakness but a mark of strength."


Friday, April 11, 2008

Filipino journalist wins Pulitzer Prize

Another Filipino American, Jose Antonio Vargas, 27, has won the Pulitzer Prize in the breaking news category. He shares this award with other ‘Washington Post’ reporters for a package of nine stories, two of which he wrote.
Vargas was doubly glad about the award because the paper this time won six Pulitzers, the most it has won in one year.

Vargas' entries were two front page stories on the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre.

“I was lucky to get an interview with one of the eyewitnesses,” he recalled. “I found this eyewitness on facebook.com. I got him on the phone, we talked for about 25 minutes, and he was the only eyewitness we had on the story, so it was a critical part of it.”

Another story he wrote was on how the Virginia Tech students were using the Internet “to let each other know what was going on, because it was chaotic” at that time.

Vargas confessed that he was told about the good news over the phone Sunday by his editor, but was advised not to tell anybody yet at that point.

Vargas joined the Post in 2004, two days after graduating from the San Francisco State University in California.

He had interned at the paper in 2003 while still a student. He was asked to write for the Style Section at first. Then he wrote about Cristeta Comerford, the first woman and first FilAm White House executive chef.

He said he was proud he won the Pulitzer as part of the team from ‘Post’, the paper that “had toppled a president." Vargas was of course referring to the Nixon administration's downfall when two Post reporters revealed the break into the Democratic Party headquarters on Watergate which led to President Nixon's resignation.

Vargas, in true Filipino fashion, rekindled his childhood days un the care of his grandparents who raised him. He thanked his "Lola Leoning", Leonila Salinas, who raised him in Mountain View, California, together with her husband Ted, and his Uncle Roland.

Vargas who was born in Antipolo, Rizal [a Tagalog town near Manila] came to the U.S. when he was 12.

When his grandpa Ted died, his Lola Leoning was very worried about him for she wanted only the best for him.

“I love her very, very, very much,” he said with much respect about his grandma. “I wish she could understand what this means.

In keeping with Filipino family tradition, his Lola wanted him to be an accountant, an engineer or a doctor, something like that. For these were the "nobler" professions.

“Now that I’m covering the presidential campaign, and appearing on CNN and MSNBC, My lola thinks I’m a real reporter, and is quite happy about it” he added.

He also cited the principal and superintendent at Mountain View High School, “who were like second parents to me.” They helped him get a scholarship from a venture capitalist who financed his college studies.

Vargas also said that nobody wins an award all by himself, and so he credited his mentors, including Leslie Guevarra at San Francisco Chronicle, where he also worked after writing for the Mountain View Voice.

Vargas, stood behind the mural that showed photos of the team that toppled President Richard Nixon over Watergate – the legendary editor Ben Bradlee and reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Vargas is single, and is 27 years old. Community leader Maurese Owens said, when told of the news: “Now that he has won the Pulitzer, I wonder how it’s going to be for him.”

Vargas will always have a reason for getting up in the morning, gobbling breakfast and bolting excitedly out the door.

“This has always been a passion of mine, since I started writing at 17,” he said, beaming.

Other Filipino Pulitzer winners are: Cheryl Diaz Meyer, who won in 2004 for covering the Iraqi war as an embedded photographer for the ‘Dallas Morning News’; Byron Acohido and Alex Tizon of ‘Seattle Times’ in 1997, and the Ambassador Carlos P. Romulo, who won the first Pulitzer for the Philippines in 1941.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Larry J. Cruz - Restaurateur

In order to pay tribute to the memory of Emilio Aguilar Cruz better known as "Abe", his son Larry Cruz, a journalist in his own right, approached my uncle Nick Joaquin to ask him if he could consider contributing to Abe's coming biography.

This was years after Larry's father's death. Larry knew that there was enough substance and material with which to put a publication about his father and his works. So, Larry narrates this story when he approached Nick. "One afternoon, I got a phone call from Nick and he sounded angry. in his usual loud voice, he demanded to know why I was asking him to write a piece on Abe for the collection.

'I thought you'd be pleased to contribute, Nick, ' I muttered.
'I don't want to write a chapter," he bellowed. 'I want to write the whole book myself.'

Taken aback, I said something about my not being able to afford his established and upscale fee - [well known among the Filipino literati] for a commissioned biography, nor even half of it.

"Nonsense, he growled"Now don't you start scrimping on your own father, you sonnamagan Jew!" he pressed on. "I'll do it for such a pittance you will be embarrassed to say no. '

Nick named a figure I could not believe to be true. "If you give me half of that now," he said. "I"ll finish the book right away and you can pay me the rest after I'm done."


Two years later, he was autgraphing for Larry the original completed manuscript.

As is the writing ritual of Nick Joaquin, he writes with at least a case of San Miguel Pale PIlsen beer beside him. Nick completed the book in three months - acccompanied by several cases of beer. Larry and family were a bit worried that Nick who was already over 80 at the time might not finish the book since he was, believe it or not, often taking nothing but beer the whole day - and especially in the evenings while he does the rounds of watering holes and social events around Manila.

Larry continues in his introduction to Abe's book.

"Ever since my father died, I had been thinking of publishing a book about his life and times. ...Years pass and nothing happens and then you realize time may be running out on you.

"Hurry up, said Carmen 'Chitang' G. Nakpil "before we all go."
The book was launched on December 2006. It was the last biography that Nick wrote for he died on April 29, 2004.

Last Monday, February 4, Larry J. Cruz passed away in Washington, DC. He was 66 years old. Larry was in the U.S. for treatment of his cancer. At the time of his death, Larry also a journalist, was chairman and chief executive officer of the LJC Consultancy Management Inc. which managed the following restaurants - Cafe Adriatico, Cafe Havana, Bistro Remedios, Bollywood, Mojito Bay, Tandoor King, Abe, and Fely J.

Cruz began his career writing news for radio and TV, worked in Asia magazine and later other culture and arts magazines with veteran editors like Johnny Gatbonton.

He carried over this passion for print media when he became head of the Bureau of National and Foreign Information (BNFI) under then Press Secretary Francisco Tatad during the 1970s in the Marcos years.

At the helm of BNFI, Cruz published culture and arts periodicals, the coverage and depth of which remain unmatched to this day. He was also assistant press secretary in the Marcos years.

In time Cruz had the LJC Group of restaurants, opening in malls and introducing concepts that would be copied. He had just opened Fely J’s Kitchen Asian and Filipino cooking as a tribute to his mom.

Kapampangan cuisine

In 2006, Cruz opened the wildly successful Abe, serving Kapampangan cuisine, as a tribute to his father.

In 2007, he developed the four-hectare Abe’s Farm in Magalang, Pampanga, named after his father. A portion is occupied by Larry’s weekend country home, which is more like an enlarged bahay kubo.

The farm is open to groups of 10 to a hundred who need to book themselves for workshops or weddings at package rates.

Digitizing files, photos

According to longtime associate Glenna Aquino, Cruz was also digitizing all the restaurant files and photo archives for a library that a new generation of hotel and restaurant students could use and learn from.

Cruz knew not only good food; he knew the good life, and loved good knowledge he gleaned from books, magazines and his travels. A renaissance man to the end, he had taste.

When we asked him how he wanted his biography to be titled, he said, “Larry can’t cook.”

[Excerpted with reports from Cynthia D. Balana and the Philippine Inquirer Research Group]

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Cristina Joaquin Claudio - In Flight Manager

Monday, July 14, 2008
9:23:53 PM EST

My daughter - the In Flight Manager

he once danced and taught ballet; an attractive young lady, she.was visited by many eligible bachelors during her teen years, sometimes I would fantasize her being married to some executive, say a banker or even an enterpreneur and she would host grand tea parties at her plush residence in, say, a not too exclusive residence in Makati.

Yes, a father's fantasy...


There have been many stories passed on through the years about these hard working individuals who have served in many airlines since air travel became a major means of travel

I must admit not many remarks, mostly by machistic men, were flattering especially from young men after some "fun." Perhaps, I was among those uninformed young men who regarded these young ladies back in the immediate postwar years, as objects of pleasure.Indeed there have been some cases when the pilot-female attendant affairs were glamorized in stories thereby portraying these hardworking women in a very ulncharitable light.


The very first time I met flight attendants was during the early fifties when the first Asian flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, asked me to help in forming their drama club at the request of Mrs. Mercedes Rovira who was then the lady manager in charge of all cabin attendants -


majority of whom were young, pretty and eager Filipino women. Many who applied for this kind of job were czrefully screened and those who got in usually came from the middle income level with a college degree and proficient in spoken English.


However due to the prevailing fedualistic values in the early post war era in the Philippines, not many women from the upper middle class joined the ones who wanted a career as flight stewardesses. Because Manila society at the time regarded the work of flight attendants as merely "waitresses in the sky". But the fact is that they were that and more.


And the screening of applicants was strict and the training was even harder, but harder still were the rules they had to adhere to before and during their employment.


Years later, with more sense in me brought on by time and experience, I was enlightened and grew to regard these attendants with more respect and praise. I personally got to know the many little annoyances and challenges each of them faced day after day flight after flight - and even when they were off duty they still had many things to attend to about their own persons and relationships.


I now share this piece written by one of them. Yes, she is close to me and my heart. She is my daughter. Cristina.

-----------------

August 20 2004 was my 20th year with Cathay Pacific Airways. Believe me, it seems like it was only yesterday. Time does fly when one is flying around the world for a living. (Excuse the pun).

When I joined the Cathay PacificAirways, a company established and based in Hongkong, in 1984 being a Flight Attendant (FA) was so much simpler. There were no fancy inflight entertainment systems to speak of apart from some music piped in to one's headset and some magazines from the racks. No real security problems existed before. We welcomed pax (passengers) on board, fed them inflight, then assisted them when they disembarked.

Twenty years a Flight Attendant's job is no longer as straightforward. FAs undergo additonal training to deal with new safety and security measures. Extra security procedures are in place especially concerning airlines because of the dangerous times. Flight attendants have to be extra vigilant about their surroundings. We have to make sure our flight is safe, no unauthorized objects should be carried by persons on board. Inflight service is no longer just about food and beverage. Entertainment must be in the cutting edge of the state of the art and individualized audio and video system. If some problems occured with the entertainment systems, FAs need to troubleshoot as best they can or the passenger will be very unhappy. Sometimes,there are unruly passengers who cause trouble inflight. The FAs need to restrain and if need be, handcuff them. Unfortunately, as the opportunity to travel has become more affordable to many, more incidents of trouble inflight have been recorded. That makes an FA's job even more challenging.

But having said all that, I have always enjoyed my career as a Flight attendant. My job has taken me to different and exciting places in the world. I have met many interesting people inflight as well as on the ground. Because of this it has enriched my experience in life and has broaden my way of thinking. Because of the many years of service, I am now holding the position of Inflight Service Manager and I continue to learn new things related to my work and life in general. I would recommend this job to anyone!

Cristina Joaquin Claudio

In Flight Manager

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS

Monday, January 28, 2008

The lifestory of Nick Joaquin

In my recent visit to Manila last month, I pursued my research on materials, commentaries, and essays about my illustrious Uncle Nick or Tito Onching as he is know at home.

The fourth in the family of nine siblings with my father Ping being the eldest, Nick has effortlessly made a name for himself - and for the country - with his works. What is amazing says fiction writer Krip Yuson is that Nick does not seem to care the way he relates with his friends. And speaking of friends they range from taxi drivers, waiters, budding writers whom he advises from time to time, and the literary world of the Philippines.

At this point, it is my privilege to report that more and more comments either on live interviews or email messages from writers of fiction in the Philippines and those from other countries are reaching me for their contributions for inclusion in the biography. Someone commented that this biography could be a significant one in the history of Philippine literature in English.

When Uncle Nick or "To-Onching" Philippine National Artist for Literature, Nick Joaquin died on April 29, 2004 Ed Joaquin, my first cousin began his role as official administrator of all by Nick Joaquin's works. One announcement Ed made was for me to be the official biographer of our uncle Nick.

So, I ask interested readers -and writers reading this blog entry - to share and send their contributions to my email address: tony.joaquin@gmail.com with a face photo and return postal address [and if possible telephone numbers of sender].

I also thank Dine Racoma for her unflinching support of this project through her own personal efforts and time and now with this guest blog entry.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Gaudeamus Antonio - a bright, unpredictable and loyal friend


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We were among the shell shocked Filipino teens that suffered through the Pacific War from 1941 - 1945. When we got back to school we felt old at 14 years but Ateneo High School was a haven for us. Still some bore the scars of war - some lost their parents who were murdered by retreating Japanese, shelled homes by the American artillery forces when they liberated Manila freeing the interns at the University of Santo Tomas and other internment camps.

I almost did not get admitted at the Ateneo for the grade school records were all burned when the building inside the Walled City, the exact place where Jose Rizal studied as a young boy was bombed during the early days of the war. Thanks to the Nakpil boys and their father Juan Nakpil who vouched for me during registration time at the Padre Faura Campus where we held our classes in makeshift burnt concrete rooms still with the acrid smell of raw human flesh clinging to crevices. The rest of the classes held session in U.S. installed Quonset Huts which were like ovens during the summer months and a cold storage in January.

Tony lived in Sampaloc with his parents. He had two sisters whom we met during our periodic high school dances held in those times at private homes of students. These dances were "visited" by Jesuit priests and some nuns just to see how the kids were enjoying themselves. Slow drag was the favorite dance in which couples held each other tightly and just sort of swayed with the slow soft music as if in a trance or meditating. We were warned about this type of dance that could provoke the occasion of "sin".

My sisters and I enjoyed Tony's sharp mind and keen wit. Ateneo boys liked to pun at the time and playing with words phrases and quotations always got many laughing with complete abandon. In other mixed groups La Salle students frowned on Ateneo students being too intellectual. They just wanted to dance, period.

After our high school graduation at Padre Faura, Tony got a scholarship for a Masters in Journalism at Marquette University, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was THE school for good Journalists. Gaby Manalac was another Journalism scholarship awardee at this Jesuit university. After his Marquette stint Tony returned to Manila and taught at the Ateneo for a couple of years. Since we became close friends on and off campus we asked Tony to stand as god father to our fourth child Ma. Regina. If the old folks are to be believed, Gina is our brainiest child now into information technology.

In 1964 he was awarded a fellowship at Oxford University (Exeter and St. Antony's Colleges) and another at the University of Durham (Grey College). Tony enjoyed the three year scholarship to observe English Literature courses in both universities. He was commended for his distingushed tutorial paper at the end of the course. We did not see Tony for a while and when he came back he managed to publish the first anthology of Filipino fiction the landmark anthology Brown Heritage: Essays on Philippine Cultural Tradition and Literature ( AdMU, 1967), which has been reviewed as the book that “sparked the revolution in Philippine cultural studies.”

.As chairman of the English Department, Ateneo de Manila University, he organized the Ateneo Institute of Philippine Literature in 1965.

A poem by Tony

TO MIREN

Did I forget? Do I regret

Days unremembered, thoughts unkept?

A harp (once plucked to eloquence by joy)

Long untouched now lies untuned ... off-key ...

Not sure if chords ring true. Listen! In coy

Distress -- how mute. Yet singing silently.

Days are remembered, thoughts are kept

In long, long silence ... with regret.

-- Antonio P. Gella Manuud, Bowling Green, 1973