As Time Goes By

Ruben Medina

2011-11-19T15:23:00.000-08:00

When MacArthur’s forces had finally complied with his promise “I shall return” we young Filipino boys IN OUR early teens during the 3 and ½ year war also returned – to complete our interrupted studies. This time, with some minor adjustments for Ateneo grade school students when bombs fell on Manila, we survivors all of 14 years old we are back in the classrooms. Quonset huts rented from the U.S. Army. Unbroken rooms and walls of the old prewar Ateneo main campus in Padre Faura also served as lean-to and makeshift classrooms with only iron sheets and crude wooden walls to keep the elements out were functioning.

Ruben Medina

Many Ateneo high school students have suffered family losses because of the war. Some urban students managed to stay safe with the family despite the harsh conditions under the Japanese Imperial Forces. Still many out of town students had to play a delicate game relating with Japanese soldiers who come and raise hell in their towns and guerillas who come down from the hills seeking food and medicines for their comrades. All of them 15 year olds who felt and suffered during the war looked at the start of classes like zombies trying to shake off the horrors of war.

It was in this scenario of destruction debris and dust when I met one of the many friends I would have till later in life. He was sullen looking. Even during happy moments that came around after classes he was the same sullen boy whom I befriended while we were at our smoke break provided by the school for smokers. This was also recess time for all smokers and non smokers.

I got to listen to his experience (as I and many others did) during the war. He came from a large family of (1o siblings); He was the youngest of them all. Throughout high school I would be with him – often alone for I discovered that he was extra touchy with meeting other boys for reasons I did not know. I respected that so we were always together him and me. No others. However, I had other small groups that I went with depending on the particularly school intramural academy I signed up with. I worked as part of the Chesterton Evidence Gild which had a weekly radio program over DZRH. Then I acted with the Ateneo Players Guild having been recruited for a one act comedy directed by Fr. Henry Lee Irwin, S.J. the highly reputed authority on Shakespearean plays. But my quiet and sullen friend was careful in just joining any activity – which further strengthened my suspicious that he was a very private and sensitive young boy. I was said to be a most gregarious chap they say that I sometimes got too involved in extra curricular activities neglecting my studies.

In fact, my friend was not my classmate. For he was a year behind me in high school. I graduated in 1948 and he 1949.

When I graduated from high school the college department soon moved to the new Ateneo campus at Loyola Heights, Q.C. I saw less of him since my college subjects did not coordinate with his schedules. But when I started college at the new Ateneo campus with a major in Journalism I was so happy seeing him in the Journalism subjects. And the class was small compared to others with at least 20 or more. Our class had less then 10. However, three of them became lights in Philippine Journalism. But he and I were not among those. We picked up with more vigor for we would often walk home from our late afternoon class in Journalism. The large Loyola Ateneo campus had only three buildings at the time.

When we gfraduated from college, the commencement exercise was held outside In the open. I rendered a song ala Sinatra with a fedora even. Halfway through the ceremony, we spotted him coming in and taking his seat ijn the group tht was graduating. His face was ther picture of grave sadness. Soon I learned that he stayed up to the time his mother died. It was only at that time when he rushed over to be at the graduation ceremonies. ?The scene was so heartrending because every single classmate in the group slowly trooped over to offer his condolence to our classmate who had just lost his mother.

Back to the original campus in 1952, One four story building were used by the college department. One building known as the Blue Eagle Nest housed the gym and some offices. The third was the four story Administration building. During the cold months and days of early darkness he and I and some others would walk the unpaved dark road and for the lamps were still to be installed. When we reached the main road known as Aurora Boulevard we would often hitch a ride with gravel trucks going into town or if we are lucky some kind soul would take us in their private cars for by that time the Marikina Valley busses were all in their garage, off for the night.

His rare talent, as I discovered earlier, was his keen sense of humor. But with his soft modulated voice his jokes were delivered clear enough to make me laugh out loud. In fact, it is this unique skill that got him to work with leading ad agencies before he was pirated by a newly opened radio station DZMT where he had the enviable distinction of introducing stereo sound in the Philippines for the first time. After graduation, we started our role as husband, and father, but saw less of each other for I too had other paths to take in teaching, radio and TV work. A few times we socialized with him and his family but soon after I decided to seek our fortune as a family to migrate in America. After settling down in ?California, what greeted me one day at a Filipino gathering was my friend, this time he was less sullen and already smiling and cracking lots of jokes. He told me that he had moved to the U.S. with his new wife and that he was working with a large American bank. He was indeed happy. And it was my turn to ask him how I could also secure employment. He shared with me some techniques in landing a job – even by that time I was no longer a spring chicken. But thanks heavens there were lots of jobs even for older people and new immigrants like myself. I finally got one but sad to say, I was found too slow for a word-processing person in a large health related firm. I was let go. As luck would have it, it was the year California suffered from an earthquake, and followed by the recession. I managed go get temporary jobs but even that dried up and I was “retired” automatically.

Still I would find time to meet him after office hours. We would meet at a small bar not far from his office and have our favorite drinks, His was J and B with a Twist of lemon) while I had shot after shot of Johnnie Walker Black label whiskey, neat with water on the side, For almost two hours we would exchange Ateneo memories, work in Manila offices and getting drunk minute by minute. Before we would really get drunk, we would quit and he would walk me to the Bart station where I would catch the Daly City train while he the Hayward train.

I did not know much about his health condition until after a few drinking sessions he confided in me that he had had heart by pass surgery some years back. But he looked so well that it never occurred to me to inquire about his health. Then I noticed that he used a hearing aid. This was the time when he had retired from his San Francisco firm and now did temp work whenever he could. This time we would meet in Daly City where I had our apartment. The arrangement was that we would agree on a date and time. Also a specific Bart station. Then I would fetch him from the station and we would decide to go to a restaurant around the area. Oftentimes, we would just have beer with buffalo wings. That was it.

After a while I would take him back to the station and he was off to his home in Hayward. We did this for many years and each date was lots of laughs and memories.

Then in early May 2011, he said that he was having problems with his heart –I assumed a result of his bypass. He was composed in our phoned conversation but I could sense a latent fear. I asked him to keep me post on any developments. At the same time Chita and I were leaving for our scheduled trip to Manila. I tried to call him but he was required to stay in hospital for observation.

We arrived in Manila May 6^th and through our lap top I emailed his wife Lola an updates of his condition.

On May 16, 2011 I got the chilling report via emal from his wife, Lola, that he had passed on.

Ruben was a kind soul. Creative and because of his sensitive= nature was also perceptive. Qualities that makes a person a good friend and partner.

We have offered prayers for him since his death.

=====================================

(Lola Medina, his widow, wrote this in reaction to my tribute)

     I enjoyed reading your tribute, especially the background info about the  Japanese occupation, the liberation period, and how it affected the lives  of 14-year-olds returning to school - and to life.  That's quite  picturesque.

You know your friend well, Tony.  He had always been sensitive and  perceptive.  Keen of mind and keen of humor, he did not suffer from  delusions of grandeur, a malady common to Filipino  males.  No yabang, no palabok - that's Ruben Medina.  He was  comfortable with himself, and did not have the need to impress others for others  to be impressed by him.  He was impressive nonetheless.  His  intelligence, sincerity, and honesty never failed to impress others.   (Plus, of course, he spoke perfect English with no Pilipino accent.)   These same qualities, however, tend to isolate him from others -  I'm glad  there was you.  You're a gregarious chap, as you said.  Fun.  You  complimented Rube's serious nature.  

     Ruben used to look forward to your get-together.  I did,  too.  I knew the two of you would have fun reminiscing your Ateneo  days, your advertising days, your radio days, and every wonderful memories the  two of you had experienced in Manila.  I'm glad there was you -  ever-faithful friend that you were to Rube.  Your tribute is much  appreciated.  

     Thank you for being with Rube throughout his life.  Thank you for  being with me all this time.  Thank you for the prayers and  remembrances.  

      I'm glad there is you and Chita.  God bless.

Lola

A VISIT TO BEIJING AND SHANGHAI

2011-08-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

Our visit to Beijing and Shanghai - August 2011 brought us more than just a series of thrills and achievement while visiting historic sites of a rich and ancient culture. More than that we won new found friends during the trip.

Remembering Nick Joaquin

2011-07-11T17:05:00.000-07:00

F. Sionil Jose speaks on Nick Joaquin

When Mama was carrying me in her womb, Tito Onching was asked by my father, Ping, to stay with her and keep her company especially in the evenings when Papa played piano as a jazz musician at stage shows around Manila at the time. That would be the beginning of Nick Joaquin’s involvement with our family.

I was the oldest of the nephews. When I was about 7 years old, Tito Onching would tease me because by that time he had decided to go on his own by quitting second year high school and pursuing self-education. He acquired most of his information by visiting the national library daily. He also visited the University of Sto. Tomas library when he could and developed a strong friendship with the Dominicans priests.

When Nick won first prize for his essay on the Feast of La Naval de Manila, the more he became a Dominican favorite. He was offered a scholarship to study at the seminary in Hong Kong hoping that Nick would eventually become part of the Dominican Order. It was not to be because in a year’s time in the seminary he opted out and returned to Manila and pursued his career as a journalist and fiction writer.We had moments teasing each other about one’s preferred religious Order — he for the Dominicans and me championing the Jesuits as I was educated at the Ateneo de Manila from grade school through college.

Despite these petty rivalries, I grew to admire and love him as a nephew would, but especially because of his deep religious devotion to Our Blessed Mother who was also the patron saint of the Ateneo de Manila, my school. Nick never failed to attend mass and receive communion on a daily basis and continued this practice even when he was already writing for the Philippine Free Press where he became known for his modern reportage under the pen name of Quijano de Manila.As I write this, I am in Manila having recently launched the book “Nick: A Portrait of the Artist Nick Joaquin,” which I co-authored with Gloria Castro Kismadi.

“There were only three occasions in my life when I wept,” said F. Sionil Jose, National Artist for Literature, “and that was when my own mother died, when my father in-law Monsignor Jovellanos died, and when Nick Joaquin died.”It was an emotional evening for many of us who knew Nick. We all came to the book party with our own memories and commentaries of Nick Joaquin and his genius which earned him the title one of the Best Filipino Writers in English.

F. Sionil – or Frankie to friends and those who frequented his La Solidaridad Bookstore — was sharing his moments with Nick over the years stating that each time they met they argued about many things – but they always parted as friends.Gloria, my co-writer, resides in Jakarta, Indonesia. We put together the book by email for almost three years. A Filipina married to an Indonesian gentleman from Java, she has never met Nick, except through his writings. She confessed during her remarks at the event that “In no time at all I fell in love with Nick. I could not have enough of his writings which I have a complete collection of in my home in Jakarta.”

A recent interview was conducted by a Philippine Inquirer reporter and I am sharing it here with you.

Co-authors Tony and Gloria

The event was held July 6 at PowerBooks Store at Greenbelt IV Makati City. It was organized by Anvil Publishing Inc.

It was Mama Sarah who first noticed, through bits and pieces of Nick’s writings, that here was a young man who showed brilliance with the pen, and so she got Nick started by getting him to publish his poems in a Manila newspaper.

Also sharing a Nick moment was poet Marra Lanot Lacaba, whose father Serafin was the literary editor of the prewar Tribune where Nick’s poems were first published. Serafin was so impressed by the young man’s writings that he wanted to meet him face to face. When it was time for Nick to come collect his fee, Serafin was alerted by the cashier of the newspaper so that Serafin could come and meet the writer. Upon sensing that this was about to happen, Nick fled the scene without bothering to collect his payment.

Anvil publisher Karina Bolasco keynoted the event by announcing T-shirt giveaways for those who bought copies that evening. She also thanked the people who helped her get the book out — Ani Habulan, assistant publishing executive; Joysh Bersales, editorial assistant for trade books; and Gwen Galvez, marketing manager.

The book will be available at the Filipino American International Book Festival scheduled to take place at the San Francisco Main Public Library on October 1 and 2, 2011

Jose Mari Avellana, 70

2011-07-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

[On June 19, 2011 Mari died of an aneurysm.]

"When I turned to the audience to call for a doctor in the house (a phrase I never dreamed I’d use one day; I mean how

clichéd is that?) I was faced with an uncomprehending audience, glued to their seats. I later learned that many had thought it was all part of the show

.
Mari’s family rushed up onstage, his daughters near hysteria. When they sat him up, he vomited what looked like at least a bucket of blood.

I yelled instinctively. I’m not sure if it was in horror or fear, or panic, but at that moment, the very real prospect of losing my friend hit me like a gale-force blow to the guts. I gave in to my tears."

This was how Bart Guingona, co-actor, recounted the truly dramatic but real moment when the lead actor JOSE MARI AVELLANA in the Repertory play TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE collapsed while on stage. Mari suffered from an attack of his ulcers. Mari later got an award for his superb acting in the play.

Not long after, Mari did a splendid job of directing Nick Joaquin’s classic play A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO as presented by REPERTORY PHILIPPINES INC. Mari’s stage directorial assignment for A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino was cited by Gawad Buhay, the PHILSTAGE Awards for the Performing Arts for the year 2009.

Jose Mari Avellana, played the major role of a professor named Morrie who was dying of Lou Gherig’s disease and in the process was teaching his student about life. At first “Tuesdays with Morrie” was a novel and later one it became a movie in the U.S. the major role played by Jack Lemon which won acclaim for Lemon. In speaking about the play, Mari said that he identifies with the role of Morrie because he said that he also went after the wrong things in his life. Mari interprets the character that he portrays in this manner: “I’m not going to look at death—I’m going to look at life; see its good side.” Yes, he will accept that he is dying. His objective is to make his life useful and meaningful, if not for him then for other people.”

For fifteen years, Mari managed to stir clear of doing Philippine film directions and dwelt mostly in stage, television and low budget films for export working with Cirio Santiago who started as a young film director. Among his projects included his work on films for export known also as Class B films which the elder Avellana dubbed as the “kiss-kiss, bang-bang,” type. In contrast, he, was producing prize winning films classics like “Anak Dalita,” “Badjao” and “Kundiman ng Lahi” – all winning awards in foreign film festivals as well as in the Philippines

When asked why he didn’t enter the Philippine movie industry over the past fifteen years, Mari replied, “My father (the first dual category National Artist Lamberto Avellana for stage and screen) was, since before the war, a towering figure as a leading film director in Philippine cinema.” He adds, “You don’t fool around with the maestro.”I didn’t want my films to be compared to his and hear comments like ‘anak pa naman ni Direk, nakakahiya!’”

Santiago, a veteran producer and director, saw the potential of developing Mari for production work and therefore gave him full latitude and exposure in the world of low budget films as an actor, production designer, writer, and director. Mari Avellana’s work as writer and director for “BlackBelt 2: Fatal Force” was awarded two stars by the Video Movie Guide – an internationally respected movie database publication. is one of the few Filipino Directors included in the international filmography of films available on video.

Jose Mari’s varied and multi disciplinary career began with his first job as an announcer with DZFM radio in the early part of 1960, while still pursuing a college degree. After his graduation in 1962, Mari became the first TV director for PBS Channel 4. In the next year, his uncle Jose “Totoy” Avellana, organized an advertising agency, Avellana and Associates, and recruited him to work as an Account Executive, AND later promoted to the position of Director of Radio-TV.

In the 80’s, he joined his father, National Artist for Film and Theatre, Lamberto V. Avellana in his business- DOCUMENTARY INC. As Producer-Director for Documentary Incorporated, he was responsible for a number of award-winning documentaries and specialized films. He also produced cultural, advocacy, and tourism-oriented films, as well as technical and informational audiovisual presentations for the National Media Production Center and other government agencies.

When his father died Mari Avellana finally decided to enter the Philippine film industry where he began to carve a small niche for himself as a actor, writer and director. His initial directorial venture into commercial filmmaking, titled “Kung Mawawala Ka Pa”, bagged the Best Film Trophy at the Metro Manila Film Festival of 1993 for Reyna Films. As an actor, Avellana won the Best Supporting Actor award during the Manila Film Festival 2003 for his role in “Operation Balikatan”.

He admits, though, that he got interested in film just by watching his father at work. He confessed that as a child, he marveled at his dad staging a battle scene on the grounds of UST, or directing actors armed with guns shooting at each other on top of a hill.

Once, Mari decided to play horsey-horsey with a broomstick on their street. He strayed into the movie set two houses away from where they lived, not knowing that the camera was rolling. Suddenly, he could hear his dad shouting at the top of his voice, “Sino ’yang p****g i**ng nag-iingay na ’yan!?”

The biggest thrill of his life was when Quentin Tarantino visited the Philippines and came looking for him. It seems Tarantino was a fan of Mari’s films. When they finally met, the “Pulp Fiction” director told Mari that he ripped off a dialogue from his movie, “Black Belt 2,” and used it in “Kill Bill”! “He even recited the lines!,” recalls Mari.

In 1991. Armida Siguion-Reyna’s son, Carlitos, was busy with another project, and so Armida asked Mari to direct “Kung Mawawala Ka Pa,” which won at the Metro Manila Film Festival.

In 1993. Later, he would win other acting and directing awards from Famas, Urian and the Film Academy of the Philippines. But, Mari’s love for the stage never waned. Even while shooting a film, he and Leo Martinez would ask permission from Cirio Santiago to attend rehearsals of a play.

Mari admits that he honed his acting talents on the stage at Far Eastern University, where he worked with theater veterans, Nick Agudo and Sarah Joaquin the university’s well known drama coach. Eventually, his mom, Daisy Avellana (National Artist for Theater), asked him to join Barangay Theater Guild, where his first assignment was a non-speaking role in “Macbeth.”

Mari says one reason he said yes to acting the role of Morrie with the Repertory Theatre Philippines ‘“Tuesdays with Morrie” was to prove that he could still memorize long lines despite his age. He was happy he did it and won an award to boot.

Among his laurels, Mari Avellana are several award winning specialized films, documentaries and short features; a Famas and NCC Centennial Awardee because of his direction of “Damong Ligaw”. a Best Screenplay award for the same film; and a Golden Globe Award for Best Specialized film with “Geothermal Energy Now”, Mari was given an Oscar Special Award for Foreign Soap Operas because of “Salisalising Buhay”; and he brought home an Emmy Award for Best Foreign Docu-drama with “The Lenny Villa Story”.

Referred to as an Actor’s Director, because he can draw out the best in each performer; Avellana’s passionate nationalism, his deep sense of history, extensive theatre experience, especially his background in journalism, photography, broadcasting, did him well.

Definitely Mari brings out the legendary “Avellana Touch” that his father was known for. His mother, Daisy Hontiveros Avellana has herself been conferred the National Artist Award for outstanding work in theatre.

Digressing a bit, the Avellana family members do have their own specialties starting with Ivi who, with husband Alan Cosio, have been presenting paintings exhibits for several lyears and getting honors in the process. Batat the youngest of the Avellanas, who does musical background scoring has worked with his father as well as for his older brother in both stage and film projects.

I still recall the first time my uncle Nick’s PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO was presented at the Aurora Gardens open air theatre in 1955. Mari and his siblings were still very young but they were there as excited to see the readjusted script courtesy of his mother Daisy Avellana as every one was in the historic walled city under the stars. They were moved as most of the audience when Bitoy (Jose Avellana Jr.) gave his opening long soliloquy that opened the play itself, while standing atop the Intramuros walls. So dramatic under the stars and with one strong spotlight shining on him.

My wartime moments as well as post liberation production involvement with the Avellana family helped provide for me in my own acting and directing roles for television and stage with the proper depth and range – thanks to Tito Bert and Tita Dai who will forever remain my constant reminders on the craft of drama.

+++

REMEMBERING NICK JOAQUIN

2011-06-24T03:54:00.001-07:00

We are proud and happy to announce that the investment

of time and effort which Gloria Kismadi and I had much
joy and pleasure in doing has now become a reality.
A Portrait of the Artist Nick Joaquin

Anvil Publishing Inc. who published the book, has now announced its launch date.

"A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST NICK JOAQUIN"

is scheduled for launching at 5:30 on July 6th, 2011
at POWERBOOKS STORE on Greenbelt IV,
Makati City, Metro Manila.

The launch is open to the public.

So I am 80..what now?

2011-04-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

How does it feel reaching 80? Aside from slight pains and aches…thank heavens, my health if fine. But it gives me pause at this time, having reached this figure to reflect on the changes that one has to make with himself and with those around him. Sure, with my salt and pepper hair and reduced walking speed I could enjoy some allowances when in public with other humans around. They soon realize that my walking speed is reduced and perhaps even my view of life could be slightly dimmed. Still, I do feel that turning 80 starts another decade in my life that might just be worth reviewing and reflect on. Now here are some ideas and tips picked up from other seniors which I would like to share with fellow “oldies” as well as those intending to become seniors, bless their soul.

Having left the “rat race” as some would put it, perhaps it is time to begin to enjoy your loved ones and those who sincerely love you. Cherish old and new friends and do not indulge in amassing material things. Friends appreciate – things depreciate.

If you have been fortunate enough to have stashed a little upon your retirement, carefully plan to spend whatever you have saved wisely. You and your spouse certainly deserve to enjoy this time during the remaining healthy years you have left. Invest in an ocean cruise if you can afford it. Or, just travel to places that your budget will allow. Seeing new places and meeting people can certainly make your life meaningful and joyful.

Also, I advise you not to leave anything for your children. Because in leaving anything, it is possible that you may even cause more trouble, once you are gone.

Always remember to live in the “here and now”, not in the yesterdays and tomorrows. It is only today that you can handle. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may not even happen.

If you are among the blessed ones who have grandchildren, enjoy them as much as you can but don't be their full time baby sitter. As a grandparent, you have no moral obligation to take care of them. Don't have any guilt about refusing to baby sit anyone's kids, including your own grandkids. Your parental obligation is to your children. After you have raised them into responsible adults, your duties of child-rearing or babysitting are finished. Let your children raise their own off-springs.

Embrace whatever physical weakness, sickness and other pains that may come to you. It is a part of the aging process. Enjoy whatever your health can allow.

Enjoy what you are and what you have right now. Stop working hard for what you do not have. If you don't have something, it's probably too late.

Forgive and accept forgiveness. Forgive yourself and others. Enjoy peace of mind and peace of soul.

Befriend death. It's a natural part of the life cycle. Don't be afraid of it. Death is the beginning of a new and better life. So, prepare yourself not for death but for a new life with the Almighty.

Be at peace with your Creator for He is all you have after you leave this life.

Whenever your married children (and grandchildren) ask for advice - do not give them any. Rather, give them alternatives for them to have better choices. Never pontificate even if you know you are sure of what you are saying. Just give them love and care as much as you can.

When Manila manufactured its own Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

The Philippines in the 1950s exuded arts and culture. Perhaps, it was because the country had just begun to slowly recover from a horrible world war barely five years before. In Manila there were stage presentations galore in schools as well as by private drama groups such as the Barangay Theatre Guild organized by Lamberto and Daisy Avellana, the Manila Theatre Guild composed of amateur expatriates working and living in the city. Broadway musicals popular at the time were presented in Manila theatres.

Having been in theatre since 11 years old during the Japanese Occupation performing at the Metropolitan Theatre under the direction of Narciso Pimentel, Jr., founder of Dramatic Philippines, I was able to move around that circle of artists, musicians and writers.

During the same period, Philippine movies were strongly influenced by Hollywood and the newly found beauties in Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner and Ava Gardner. With this pack came an excitingly new British actress who debuted in Hollywood via the 1944 movie “National Velvet.” Her name: Elizabeth Taylor.

In the movie, she played Velvet Brown, a 12-year-old equestrian of a girl determined to enter her horse, Pie, in the Grand National Steeplechase. In the supporting role was another talented child actor Mickey Rooney who played the role of a former jockey who helps Velvet train Pie for the big race. At the last minute, Velvet herself has no choice but to ride Pie in the tournament but she had to cut her hair in order to pass as a male jockey.

The movie played on the positive qualities that this young actress brought from London. Her distinctive quality was her striking beauty especially the rare violet color of her eyes!

At the time, a penchant among Filipino movie moguls was having a Filipino copycat of any American male or female actress breaking a box-office record. Thus, we came up with our own Elizabeth Taylor, who had garnered meaty roles as an accomplished actress in movies like “Butterfield 8,” “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” and her crowning piece de resistance, “Cleopatra.”

Amalia Fuentes in a dramatic scene.

Our very own Elizabeth Taylor was Amalia Muhlach Fuentes, a woman with strong European features and dark smoldering eyes. Sampaguita Pictures top boss Doc Perez asserted that Amalia had a striking resemblance to Elizabeth Taylor, but Amalia admitted quite frankly that she never really liked the comparison, much less the manufactured title.

By this token, the Philippine movie world had Barbara Perez as the Audrey Hepburn of the Philippines, a young actor who played a thug in movies Berting Labra as the Mickey Rooney of the Philippines, Tessie Agana as the Shirley Temple of the Philippines, and so on. In the field of crooners we had Bert Nievera as the Johnny Mathis of the Philippines, and Diomedes Maturan as Perry Como of the Philippines.

The story goes that Amalia’s strong resemblance to Taylor was strengthened when she watched one of the many shows featuring American singers at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in the late ‘50s. Vic Damone who was a top singing sensation was the performer. Amalia, not yet 18 years old, watched the show with her then-screen sweetheart — and later husband — Romeo “Bobby” Vasquez, a famous character actor who some say could be the James Dean of the Philippines. The two would later have a daughter Liezl, now a part-time starlet.

In one portion of the show, Damone on an impulse picked a random lady who would join him on stage so that he could sing to her. As luck would have it, he chose Amalia. As Amalia recalled it, “I was not even properly made up and so I was hesitant and surprised of course.” The reason, she said, was that she did not like to attract undue attention as she already developed that sixth sense as a film beauty that people would naturally tend to approach her once she is spotted and do what fans usually do. She was not in that kind of mood that evening for she only wanted to watch and listen to this Italian American singer who sang beautiful love songs.

In a matter of seconds, in front of the huge Filipino audience in the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Vic Damone takes a second look at Amalia and remarked, “You look like Elizabeth Taylor!” And of course the audience went wild with cheers and applause, as if to confirm Vic’s statement.

Indeed, a unique quality that Elizabeth Taylor had created thanks to excellent movie directorial and cinematographic work, was her truly captivating exquisiteness. Not only did she create a massive following among the Filipino masses but among the elite as well, especially in the area of dramatic acting, and left her indelible mark throughout the decades.

Did the two beauties ever come face-to-face?

It happened in the ‘80s when she was watching Elizabeth Taylor in the stage play “The Little Foxes” in London’s West End. Amalia happened to sport at the time a curly hairstyle reminiscent of one Elizabeth wore in one of her movies. After the show, Amalia went to the backstage entrance hoping to meet the beautiful actress and poised ready to ask Elizabeth to autograph her playbill. When Elizabeth finally emerged wearing three-inch heels, Amalia discovered that she towered over Elizabeth who was only 5’1” tall. Amalia was 5‘ 5”.

Elizabeth Taylor died March 23 after a long illness. She was 79. Amalia Fuentes, 71, is retired from acting. A 2009 robbery incident cast her as one of the suspects. She is free on bail, and denies the charge

Johnny M. Taylor - a precious friend and human being

2011-03-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

My meeting Johnny was quite by accident. In the early fifties as a college student at the Ateneo de Manila, I enjoyed doing volunteer radio work as a freelancer and often volunteer actor, crooner even with no pay.

His older brother Dick at the time was one of the most popular radio personality (disc jockey) in the fifties. For Dick spoke English without any local accent, much less Cebuano and possessed a well modulated voice as he managed his daily request program where fans would write or phone in to ask that Dick play their favorite songs and dedicated to special friends. On the other hand eldest brother Edward, Jr nicknamed Danding, was a good looking man about town and cut a fine campus figure at the University of the Philippines.

I also knew Johnny's older sister Tessie even before I met Johnny because Tessie was the classmate of my sister Nenita's at Holy Ghost College. Betty, his sister who enjoys writing essays and loves to champion causes was also my youngest sister Josefina's classmate.
During the early days of Filipino maids in Hongkong, Betty was first to expose injustices on the maids and was hailed for her fearless expose.

Because of this fact, and closeness to his brothers and sisters, I became a regular guest at the Taylor residence often having dinner with the family.

What fascinated me about Johnny was quiet but profound personality and view of life. He was soft spoken but when he does open his mouth, his wit truly arrests me as it did others.

Johnny was not a clothes horse at all. In fact, he did not mind if he wore faded T shirts and Jeans and loafers if only he could do it all the time. But could not, so he had to be careful with what he wore whenever he attended socials and going on dates - a few times with me on a double date.

Johnny was the first to introduce me to MAD COMICS which, to me was great for I truly revered this good quality satirical magazine. I thought it represented the best in
American humor. Still, what I admired with Johnny's persona is his simplicity in relationships and showed not even one iota of snobbishness as some middle class son to develop. Sometimes, Johnny's easy going gait and pleasant nature misleads new acquaintances to conclude that this chap has nothing between his ears. So, terribly wrong and unfair I might say.

His first job after graduation was at Mara Farms in Cebu City, producer of Chickens.
When the farm closed, Johnny took on consultancy projects and jobs for foreign aid agencies while still based in Cebu where he and wife Conchita decided to raise their children.

Fortunately for Johnny, he did well as a consultant for he was his own boss and had time for a few rounds of golf a week at the Cebu Country Club. A little later when Dick acquired the contract for airport mural ads in the country, he readily asked Johnny to manage the clients in Cebu airport. And he did very well indeed.

Johnny was raised with his siblings in Cebu City because where his father held the position of General Manager of Cebu Portland Cement at the time the biggest cement firm in the country.. Together with his brothers, he attended public grade school followed by high school at the Colegio de San Carlos in Cebu City.

As I reflect on the moments we spent together and the quality of friend Johnny was, I am dumbfounded to realize how he had to undergo such pain and suffering leading to his death.

FRED ALCUAZ - A SENSATION IN EUROPE

2011-02-26T11:16:00.000-08:00

It was days after the Liberation of Manila and just months after classes were restored at the Ateneo Padre Faura campus I was enrolled in the high school department in 1946. Fred was friendly but our meeting was so short I had forgotten other features of our meeting. Then I learned that Fred was pursuing a law degree at the Ateneo and finished it.

But he really had another passion – art. So, he cross enrolled at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts. But Fred was short of funds. Happily for Fred the Jesuits at Ateneo already knew of his latent artistic talent even while still in his law classes so they offered Fred a large room for his workshop plus a monthly allowance of P20.00 for materials. But the Jesuits continued in their effort to get Fred a full scholarship. The Jesuits successfully obtained for Fred a fellowship at the Academia de San Fernando in Madrid through the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For twenty-five years he lived in Europe, struggling while living and learning in Barcelona until he made a name for himself. In his 55-year art career, Alcuaz is one of the most awarded and acclaimed Filipino as well as non Filipino artists internationally. Fred’s fame has spread through art exhibits held at leading galleries in the Philippines, Spain, Portugal, Singapore, United States, Germany and Poland.

Fred Alcuaz learned to speak English, German French and Spanish fluently while winning numerous awards including First prize at the Premio Moncada (1957) Prix Francisco Goya (1958) in Barcelona. In 1961, in Paris, Fred was honored with the Diploma of Honor at the International Exhibition of Art Libre the Decoration of Arts, Letters and Sciences award from the French government in 1964 and the Order of French Genius in 1964.

In 1982 Federico “Fred” Aguilar Alcuaz who turned 50 decided to hold an exhibit of 50 paintings with the proviso that the entire proceeds from the sale of his works he would donate to the Ateneo Endowment Fund. He added that when he was just a struggling and budding young art student Ateneo took a chance on him by supporting him by getting him a scholarship in Europe for further studies in art and sculpture.

In 2006 Fred was extremely proud when he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit by the President of the Philippines.

Among the art works that Fred Alcuaz donated to his beloved alma mater the Ateneo Law School Class 1955, included oils paintings, watercolors, and tapestries as well as landscapes and abstracts.. The collection also consisted of nudes and pretty Filipino ladies dressed in turn-of-the-century ruffled gowns, The art pieces were placed on exhibit at the Manila Hotel from June 4 to 7, 1982 with a formal opening, cocktails, and viewing by selected guests on June 3rd.

Although he was moving along in age, having turned 78 and would have some lapses in memory, he was still capable of doing three-hour walks daily to visit his favorite sights or explore new ones in the city he so loved.

Fred noticed early enough that the name “Aguilar” was quite a common name in Spain, so he decided that he would be known as Federico Aguilar Alcuaz. As luck would have it, Fred met a winsome German lady named Ute Gisela Schmitz, a business and languages student in Barcelona. Soon the romance blossomed and a few years later they married at the Senora de Nuria Church in Barcelona. The couple produced three children: Christian Michael, the eldest, who for several years has been handling his father’s business affairs, Andreas Frederic and Wolfgang Matthias.

Born in June 6, 1932 in the City of Manila, Alcuaz was the sixth of eleven children and took up his primary and secondary education at public schools.

Federico Aguilar Alcuaz died On February 2, 2011

BEER FLORES: A FILIPINO COMEDY WRITER

2011-02-14T12:52:00.000-08:00

It was at the start of the sixties right after I returned from a one year fellowship in Toronto, Canada when I got to meet Virgilio “Beer” Flores. He was a department head at the CBN offices in the old CBN building on Aduana Street, Intramuros.This was years before ABS CBN established their modern network facilities on Bohol Avenue, in Quezon City.

I was hired as an independent director to handle STUDENT CANTEEN which was an established noonday program that was enjoying national attention and which was simulcast also in its radio counterpart throughout the archipelago.

With much care, since I was an outsider just coming over to handle th4e one and a half hour program I would greet Beer and address him as sir. His counterpart manager also with CBN was a warm hearted and witty fellow named Gumsy Alba.

While I was into my second year directing the most popular noontime show STUDENT CANTEEN which featured mainstays Leila Benitez, Eddie Ilarde and Pepe Pimentel, I got an offer to head the production department of another up coming TV station. It was an offer I could not refuse, as they say.

Not long after I moved out of directing the show which had as producer a very engaging Visayan named Bobby Ledesma, I began to hear about a new situation comedy show over the radio which later on moved to Television created by Beer Flores titled SEBYA MAHAL KITA. It starred Pugo, Bentot and Sylvia La Torre.

Sometime later, a film version of "Sebya, Mahal Kita" was produced in 1957 which starred the love team of Nida Blanca and Nestor de Villa. Of course, the driving forces of the show were still Pugo and Bentot who were also in the movie version.

As it turned out, the film version was not successful for the audience did not appreciate having their favorite radio show reformatted for the movie.

Philippine television was still in its infancy, but radio was as popular as ever all over the country towards the latter part of the 50s. Beer knew comedy and had written other situation comedies show before.

While the stage shows during the Japanese Occupation had showcased Pugo and Tugo (who died earlier) it was radio and TV that further boosted the popularity of Pugo and later Bentot (whose real name was Ben Cosca).

Up at this time I had no inkling that soon I would have Beer as my brother in law for he married my sister Nenita to my pleasant surprise. I stopped addressing him as "sir" by that time. Aside from Sebya Beer also produced another TV sitcom which was "TANG TARANG TANG". This sitcom featured Leroy Salvador, Rosa Aguirre and Cris de Vera in supporting roles but Pugo, Bentot were the main engine in the comedic shows. By this time Tang Tarang Tang enjoyed a faster rise in popularity brought about by Beer’s successful team in SEBYA. So talented was Beer that he even wrote the lyrics of the opening theme which was sung by the three maintstays thus: “Ako si Don Mariano (Pugo)Ibyang po naman ako (Sylvia) Bitoy ang pangalan ko (Bentot) Badong naman ako (Leroy Salvador).

As the show progressed, Sylvia decided to leave the show and was replaced by Marita Zobel who was paired with a young actor named Dindo Fernando.

Writing comedy in the Philippine setting, as I learned when I was doing TV and radio programs back then is more challenging than writing drama or action stories since comedy demands a good ear for humor especially the brand of Filipino humor that we do enjoy. Beer stood head and shoulders among them during his time.

GOODBYE 2010, HELLO 2011

2011-01-11T12:09:00.000-08:00

The year was highlighted
by many happy events, which included two enchanting weddings
our visit to a world famous European destination and visits to joyful events in other places featuring family and friends of note.

But first, let me state that I turned 80 on August 24th, with a Luau party held at Gina's place.

We were so happy in January witnessing the fairy tale wedding ceremony of Zenaida and Bill Evans which was solemnized in the ballroom of the Embassy Suites Hotel at Milpitas, California. The reception that followed like many Mendoza clan celebrations was truly enjoyable and memorable.

Zenaida (or Baby) was lovely. Featured show was the hip hop number choreographed by Mikee, Bobby's and GI's son, which also displayed the talents of the smallest and cutest dancer – Julian Joaquin, son of Jay and Jenny. All the male dancers wore dark suits and so did Julian. Cute!

The other wedding was celebrated at a garden ceremony in Virginia where Jonathan, son of Joey and Flor was wedded to Tara, a lovely American girl.

The reception was delightful to recall for Joey and Flor really enjoyed themselves dancing and seeing their guests having fun. The only wrinkle was the fact that Jon had to report that days after for assignment at the U.S. Army camp where he was admitted and assigned to work as a chef which Jon really chose.

We certainly took advantage of our Virginia trip by seeing relatives and friends which included Tony’s sisters Nenita and Josefina and their children. The last time the couple visited Virginia was when Mama Sarah died in 2002. They had a necrological service and then brought her ashes to Christ the King crypt in Quezon City. While in Virginia, Chita and Tony stayed at her sister Elizabeth's home in Falls Church Virginia. They got to see some of the Enciso siblings of Manny who live in Virginia.

Chita's sister, Menchie with her husband, Rob drove from Chesapeake to Fairfax, VA just to see Tony and Chita on Easter Sunday.

Both had a happy reunion with Jennifer Nguyen, an accomplished Vietnamese pianist and teacher whom they met with her mother during their Mediterranean cruise with Mikee and Nico. Jennifer showed the couple her beautiful home and piano studio and topped the event by treating us to dinner at a plush Italian restaurant in the area.

Still in Virginia, they saw Jenny Joaquin's older sister Lisa, a nurse, and husband Cris, who worked in the same hospital in Washington DC.

Come June Tony and Chita finally got to revisit their favorite European destination – Paris, The City of Light. Their first visit was in 1983 when Tony was incumbent president of the Makati West Rotary Club.

This second visit, they bonded with Mona, a friend of Tony's sister, whom they met at their golden wedding anniversary in August 2009.

Mona has been living and working in Paris for 40 years and speaks fluent French. Since they were already in France, the couple decided to visit the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine by hopping into a train heading there. It was an overnight train from Paris to Lourdes. Upon arrival some ten hours later, they discovered that a sort of pilgrimage featuring military officers from many countries were also in Lourdes so there were crowds of uniformed persons and civilians in wheel chairs ready to pray to the Blessed Mother for a cure or relief from their ailments.

Back in California. taking advantage of good weather, Chita and Tony decided to take a ten day cruise around the New England ports of Maine and Boston as well as Canadian ports of Halifax and St. Johns with their two grandkids - Mikee and Nico.

The year 2010 was truly a happy one for our Joaquin and Mendoza clans.

We shall always be thankful to the Lord and His blessed mother for blessings showered on all of us in 2010.

PING JOAQUIN, FILIPINO JAZZ PIANIST, LOVING FATHER, LOYAL FRIEND

2010-12-21T22:22:00.000-08:00

When I was about six years old and attending kindergarten class, I was allowed by my mother to go with my father Porfirio (better known as Ping) in a few piano playing engagements he had around Manila. Foremost among them were the Army Navy Club, Manila Polo Club, Philippine Sea Frontier, and functions at the various diplomatic offices for we were still a young country then co managed by the United States government. You see, Papa was a already a noted Jazz pianist long before I was even born. In fact, he was known among Filipino Jazz musicians as the king of jazz pianists somewhere during the mid thirties. Papa however corrected the fellow musicians by saying "the term Pianists are those who play classical concerts. I play American Jazz so I am called a piano player". And Papa Ping really loved what he was doing. Good looking, personable and a gentleman invariably when he was playing the popular Jazz numbers of the era, the ladies would gravitate to his piano and admiringly watch as he played. I suspect quite a few came rather too close for comfort to my father.

Baptized Porfirio the family fondly called himi "Peping" and later shortened to "Ping" .

It was during the early twenties when he began to switch from classical pieces to Jazz piano numbers as influenced by Fats Waller, Art Tatum and Count Basie - the very talented Negro musicians and loved it.

In time, Papa was already leading a 12 piece Jazz orchestra with contracts abroad like Hongkong, Shanghai, and even in Indonesia.

By the late thirties Papa Ping no longer accepted bookings abroad and on luxury liners, but instead decided to be close to his growing family (I was the eldest and the two girls followed soon after) so he eventually settled for contracts to play at stage shows in Manila theatres starting at the Savoy Theatre (which was renamed Clover after the war). This was when movie houses showed Hollywood movies and in between were the live stage shows, where many who started out as vodavil (they called them that) performers eventually made it in Philippine films and television shows in the fifties and sixties.

Soon, tragedy struck, but Ping was unfazed when his dear father Leocadio suffered his fatal stroke. Immediately, Ping became the sole breadwinner for his mother and nine siblings...and looking back I might say he did wonderfully well.

Not much of the typical father image, I do not recall too many precious moments alone with him save for the usual daily trip when he dropped me off at the Ateneo Grade School in Intramuros and when I would keep him company at the Far Eastern University grounds while waiting for my mother Sarah finish her teaching chores during the early evening hours. Too bad Ping and Mama Sarah could not complete their life together as husband and wife and in 1946 they split up. I was 16 then. Nenita was 14 and Baby was 12. Our young lives were overturned or so it seemed that time. But we stayed with our mother and managed, under the circumstances, to complete our schooling and continued our adventure in life.

Towards the late thirties just years before the Pacific War broke out, Papa Ping worked full time with a brokerage at the Manila South Harbor as Cashier. What I am proud to recall was when suddenly we were at war on December 8, 1941. My father, still with the salaries of employees in his vault still took pains in looking for the addresses of most of the employees and delivering their salaries in their respective homes! That made me proud of him, a true heroic gesture. At the time, offices were closed and law and order had begun to break down. Papa Ping could have just pocketed the salaries and no one would have probably missed it. But, he looked at the situation as an opportunity to do one last act of looyalty, and considered it his sense of duty and loyalty to his position, his firm and his fellow employees.

Manny Pacquiao -Champion Fighter, Congressman and Outstanding Filipino

2010-11-14T09:20:00.000-08:00

"I was hoping the referee would stop the fight before we reached the final round" exclaimed Manny Paquiao during his post fight interview, when he noticed his opponent having difficulty seeing with his good eye, but the referee did nothing.

So, towards the last two rounds Manny just delivered relatively lighter blows to the already suffering Margarito in an attempt to, sort of, minimize his opponent's pain as the bout reached the final round.

Such was Manny, a kind of "gentleman fighter" that he was. A true Filipino, from humble beginnings, who rose to the peak of his career as he won his much awaited fight over Antonio Margarito, Mexican, in their 12 round fight held in Texas on November 13, 2010.

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao also known as Manny Pacquiao, or just Manny, was born on December 17, 1978), and according to Wikipedia, is a Filipino professional boxer and politician eight-devision world champpion. the first boxer in history to win ten world titles in eight different weight divisions.

Manny is also the first boxer in history to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes.

He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the year 2000 by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He is also a three-time BWAA and THE RING "Fighter of the Year" in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

To date, Pacquiao is the WBD Super Welterweight World Champion and WBO Welterweight World Champion (Super Champion). He is also rated as the "number one pound for pound best boxer in the world" by several sporting news and boxing websites.

Aside from boxing, Manny a classical homespun Filipino has participated in movieacting, music recording, and now as a politician.

In May 2010, Pacquiao was elected to the House of the 15th Congress of the Philippine Government, representing the province of Sarangani in Southern Philippines. He is the only active boxer to become a congressman in the Philippines.^[
So well put by no other than my friend Krip Yuson in his column the day after the historic fight in Texas:

"Years from now, when Congressman Manny has retired from the ring and goes for the Senate presidency, maybe even higher, we will all treasure the memories of the first decade of this millennium when our Pacman reduced the crime rate for a day, thrilled us with his skills, and made us proud as one family in celebration of the best fighter in the world.

With Pacman, his amazing climb to the very peak of ringcraft has given us all a bond with history itself — how an underweight teener who ran away from Mindanao because his dad had eaten his dog, steadily worked himself to the bone and perfected his talents, mainly that fueled by heart.

The speed and the power were to come later. A terrific trainer and savvy handling, plus that consistent desire to outdo himself, did the rest.

We have an eight-division champion, and he's Pinoy. And no one may match that record ever.

And so we'll recollect before our grandkids how attendance at noonday Mass dipped one Sunday in November 2010 when our Manny Pacquiao of the congressional district of Sarangani became the first to achieve that feat, in the process also becoming the first ever legislator to win a title in a boxing ring — the WBC World Super Welterweight championship.

Sweet times for the sweet science, we will remember — with every detail — and thank ourselves that we lived in these times, those times — but with the most gratitude reserved for one small guy who became so big the world over that he lorded it over our special Sundays.

A Renaissance Gentleman - Governor Jerry Brown

2010-11-03T17:24:00.001-07:00

When I first read about Governor Jerry Brown's bio sketch I was reminded of similar data in my schoolilng days that I had come to cherish. For instance Jerry was educated by the Jesuits at St. Ignatius School, just as I planned back after my high school at the Ateneo, to join the Jesuit seminary. I did not make the screening phase, but Jerry did and became a seminarian intending to become a Catholic priest in the Society of Jesus, but later changed his career and left his quest for the priesthood. He then went to UCLA to pursue an A.B. degree majoring in the Classics. This was kind a like the humanities course I pursued at the Ateneo where I graduated with an A.B. degree majoring in Journalism in 1953.

According to his official bio sketch online, it was during Brown’s tenure as Governor when, California significantly reduced taxes and built up the largest state surplus ever.

Many legislators considered Brown's eight years in office as generally among the most innovative in California history. Another noteworthy step was when Brown appointed more women, Asians, Latinos and African-Americans to high government positions than any other chief executive.

An avant garde ex-Jesuit, Brown was among the first in the U.S. to legalize the practice of Acupuncture and strongly supported the rights of chiropractors, osteopaths and lay midwives. He mandated every high school district to establish clear graduation standards and successfully fought for increased math and science requirements for both the California State University and University of California systems.

Brown led delegations to China and the Soviet Union, and studied Spanish in Mexico. He then invested six months studying Japanese culture and Buddhist practice, in Japan.

A signal feature of this ex-Jesuit seminarian was the time he devoted to working with the charismatic and world beloved Mother Teresa of Calcutta in what was known as the Home for the Dying then Brown traveled to Bangladesh as a CARE ambassador of good will during the devastating floods of 1988.

As a special feather in Jerry's cap to boost Oakland's crying need for a good school for blacks, Brown personally founded the Oakland School for the Arts and the Oakland Military Institute. This was another first not only in California but in the entire 50 state.

Both schools served mostly black students from the 6th grade through the 12th and are still regarded among the best performing schools in Oakland. Many graduates are now studying in such outstanding universities as Yale, Vassar, Stanford, West Point, UCLA and UC Berkeley.

On June 18, 2005, Brown married Anne Gust in a ceremony officiated by Senator Dianne Feinstein. Later the same day, they had a Catholic ceremony at St. Agnes, the San Francisco church where Jerry was baptized and his parents were married. The marriage is the first for both.

Pilita Corrales and Tony Joaquin in a fifties medley

2010-11-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

Dear friends, I am sure you remember the time I shared with you a video clip taken during the awarding ceremonies at Washington D.C.'s Convention Hall in 1999.

It was a Forex sponsored Pistahan sa Pasko show with a wonderful set of Filipino singers, dancers and acts in participation.

Highlight was of course Mama Sarah's being awarded the trophy for her contribution to Virginia by her skills in drama. Since she arrived in 1976 she had formed the very first drama groups (2) that featured Filipino professionals and bankers in the area. Mama Sarah also brought over a celebrated Filipino Diva by the name of Evelyn Mandac, soprano to paly the lead in ANG KIRI (The Flirt) all in the Tagalog Language.

Doing the awarding honors were Filipino community leaders led by Philippine to the U.S. The Honorable Ambassador Ernesto Maceda .

The happy video event is celebrating its 11th year this month.

Doreen - Wili Fernandez' Well Lived Life

2010-10-27T16:18:00.000-07:00

On November 26, 1958, fifty-one years ago today, Wili Fernandez and Doreen Gamboa were wed at the Malate Church. I have reprinted the bride's article on Wili's passing below.by Doreen Gamboa Fernandez on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 7:04pm.

After Wili passed away in 1998, Doreen remembered Wili in this essay, "The Well-Lived Life".

Wili Fernandez, interior designer, I first met at the Cafe Indonesia of the 50s, where Toots Dila led a jazz group which drew both aficionados and all visiting musicians with an urge to jam. When Wili entered, the band would play Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady", his favorite song, or "Audrey" from the Brubeck Time album. He loved jazz, with Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck and Duke Ellington as favorites. But when he heard something not to his taste, he would plug in an earphone and listen to his portable radio.

Thus friends remember Wili not only for his prowess as an interior designer, but for having known and lived the good life.

Theater he loved, and he designed some sets for local theater groups. While in New York designing the Philippine Center, he refused to stay with all the others—not only because the Waldorf Astoria was his favorite hotel, but so he could sneak out almost nightly to watch plays. Shakespeare and Eugene O'Neill he especially liked, and saw everything he could catch, sometimes twice. And musicals like "A Little Night Music" and "Sunday in the Park with George".

His zest for good food all friends remember. A true gourmet, his appreciation was intuitive, built-in, instant. In 1969 Geny Lopez asked him to write a food column for the Manila Chronicle, one that would "make readers' mouths water", because of his gastronomic experience here and abroad, some of it shared with Geny, for whom he designed ABS-CBN. "Yes'" said Wili, "I'll eat; Doreen will write." And so we did, till the paper closed after martial law.

That was my education as a food writer. While I pondered what spices flavored a dish, he knew through the tip of his tongue. When he tried couscous or bears' paws for the first time, the experience registered in his consciousness, alongside food from his Palawan childhood, and binatog a friend's mother cooked during the Japanese Occupation. He shaped me as a food writer, because the researcher in me learned about savoring through the senses, about judgments reached through intuition rather than logic.

Travel complemented all his interests—food, theater, art, music, architecture and interior design. On his first trip to New York, he gawked at the buildings, and when I said, "Para kang turista," he answered proudly, "But I am a tourist, seeing the Seagram Building for the first time!" He got a tour of the new Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center by writing to Rudolf Bing that he had come halfway around the world to see it. "Wear comfortable shoes," we were told, "this is the equivalent of a 14-storey building." Yet he considered eating fresh-caught fish at seaside on a Greek island one of his peak experiences, alongside seeing the Parthenon, and spending whole days at his favorite Museum of Modern Art.

Savoring the comforts of great hotels in London, Rome, Hong Kong, etc., was fun, but also research for his work. His enthusiasm came from understanding all that an interior designer must do: create spaces for actual people to live in, fill them with comfort and efficiency, and make them enclose beauty as well. He collected art even when he could barely afford it: the work of the young and the great. He once told Fernando Zobel: "I can't afford you; your paintings are always just beyond my budget." And the wonderful Fernando answered, "Then I'll paint one for your budget"—and did, a small one that is a cornerstone of our collection.

Wili's well-lived life was a constant search—research for his work, a hunt for beauty and its standards, a quest for significant experience. It was undoubtedly fun—sitting in an old Kyoto restaurant, with tempura served singly, like jewels; perching on a stool in a New York diner, awaiting an egg sandwich "seaboard" (to go); tasting the best Belgian chocolates (Mary's, where they are displayed like museum pieces) and best-of-season mangoes from a friend's Zambales farm.

After his death, letters remembered him in many ways. Marla Yotoko Chorengel's poem pictured him still "whirling in a dance of life ... savor[ing] the flavors of timeless time". Fides, who grew up in a room he had designed, saw "his touch and colors enliven our daily life". John, (US ambassador to Venezuela) and Nini Maisto wrote about this "wonderful and gentle man, always busy with his professional life ... always so wise in his observations and his don de gente".

Maribel Ongpin remembered how in the 1984 political upheaval he had personally made sandwiches for her Namfrel (volunteer National Free Elections volunteers). The children of Tito and Rory Lagdameo knew a side no one else did: on his lap they heard stories of Kokak, the frog in the garden, and passages from Shakespeare.

The well-lived life, he showed us, was not just being a bon vivant and enjoying himself. It was part of growth, of his commitment to Philippine design, of his gratitude for the good things with which God had blest his world.

+++

A MIRACLE IN THE FAMILY OF MAN - IN CHILE

2010-10-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

The 33 Chilean miners were rescued with the help of everyone in Chile who could, with no political agenda and with the help of foreign countries who sent in equipment but most of all bolstered by the miners' Faith in God. The leader said there was a 34th person there with them, which provided hope.

Brings to mind the terrible and cold hearted attempt at "rescue" by U.S. authorities of the Katrina disaster in Louisiana which, still to this day, still has left many victims seeking the government's assistance.

Chile is a third world country...the U.S. is the richest country in the world.

What a contrast.

Doreen- Outstanding Filipina, A Dear Friend

2010-08-23T15:50:00.000-07:00

“I’ve heard about you and glad we're finally getting to meet." This coming from a fellow graduate student at the Ateneo Graduate School campus, after one of the classes I attended in 1955. I learned that she was a graduate of St. Scholastica's College and was now pursuing a Master's degree in English Literature at the Ateneo Graduate School. I also found out that she had already been writing a regular column on food which, eventually, appeared in one of the Manila newspapers.

The course that I had hoped to pursue towards an M.A. degree I was enrolled in at the time was English drama. Since most of the Ateneo classes – grade school, high school, and college had already moved to their new location at Loyola Heights, Quezon City, the Graduate School classrooms were the only ones remaining in Padre Faura. The only classes still at the Padre Faura campus in 1954 were the Ateneo College of law and the Ateneo graduate school waiting to move to a spot on Salcedo Village, Makati City.

I must confess that greetings especially from young ladies hitting me frontally usually floor me and I am often left speechless. This time, however, I managed a self conscious smile and asked for her name.

“ Call me Doreen.” She said and added, “I am the older sister of Neal Gamboa your fellow Jazz lover.”

Instantly, I realized that at last I got to meet Neal Gamboa’s, sister. There were two of them: Doreen the eldest was next to Neal followed by Della. I met Neal in 1959 when I began teaching at De La Salle College after earning my A.B. degree (major in Journalism) from the Ateneo de Manila before it became a university.

I met Neal at our mutual watering hole even then already well- known as CAFÉ INDONESIA, where jazz and sate attracted many aficionados. Owned and managed by a handsome statuesque mestizo Dutch Indonesian gentleman named Pete Alfonso, Cafe Indonesia was a favorite hangout of Jazz aficionados and after hours executives who worked in the area in the '50s. At first meeting one might mistake Pete to be a movie star for his good looks and his imposing height (6’2”). But Pete was THE gentleman that he was through and through. Café Indonesia boasted of a nightly jazz combo led by Ariosto Toots Dila, a trumpet player who enjoyed clowning around as he played and led the combo.

After a semester, I decided to drop out of the course and thus saw Doreen less in the Ateneo Graduate School scene since, Meanwhile, I was invited by Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J. to act in his coming play written by James Barrie – DEAR BRUTUS. It was slated for presentation at the Law School auditorium on Padre Faura. Fr. Reuter was assigned for years at ATENEO DE NAGA and had just been transferred to the Manila campus for other duties like teaching and directing stage plays.

I was so happy seeing Doreen again and doing the thing she liked best – selecting music and handling the musical background for stage plays produced by Fr. Reuter. Actually, when Fr. Reuter began teaching at Ateneo in 1952 directly from his Ateneo de Naga assignments, Doreen was already doing the musical background for Fr. Reuter’s radio plays that were on every Tuesday over DZRH. The group was known as the AVE MARIA PLAYERS GUILD. I managed to act in supporting roles only.

"Dear Brutus" was well received by the Manila community who had already been following Ateneo drama ever since Fr. Henry Lee Irwin, S.J. had made a name in Philippine Theatre for his classical plays, many of them by Shakespeare.

In the coming years, I developed my friendship with the Gamboa family particularly because I had fallen into the “habit” of visiting their home on Estrada Street just two short blocks from La Salle College where I taught subjects in the Lia Com course. The fact is I was a daily lunch guest of the Gamboa household. I just could not have enough of the dishes prepared by their wonderful cook named Daling. By then I was already a close family friend not only of Doreen but of the entire family.

It was at this time when I developed the nightly habit of unwinding by going to CAFÉ INDONESIA and listening (and sometimes singing) with the Jazz combo. Soon we had a clique, so to speak, and among them was a young heavy set chap named Willie who preferred to spell his name Wili. He was a recent architecture graduate who liked Jazz and whose company I enjoyed. I did not know at the time that Wili already had some feelings for Doreen who also came to Café Indonesia Restaurant with her brother Neal and other friends. In time, Doreen and Wili Fernandez became a couple and regular habitués of the jazz cocktail lounge.

This friendship with Wili and Doreen went all the way through to the times when we began to start our families. Wili and Doreen became godparents of two of our five children. Over the years the couple would invite me and Chita to this or that restaurant in Manila and savor the new cuisine, for already Doreen and Wili had gotten involved with food not only of the Philippines but special dishes from other countries.

In time, Doreen began to write a column on food which was praised by many food magazine editors. Doreen had lots of energy despite the fact that from her youth she was beset with terrible ailments which included diabetes. But, Doreen the courageous and bubbly friend that she was, just took these medical problems in stride. She taught at the Ateneo University, teaching mass communications subjects and headed the communications department of the university. Doreen also produced several books on food while focusing on local Philippine dishes, especially the ones from Negros Occidental where she was born.

Doreen, no doubt was a gifted lady who wrote books in elegant English and took part in local and foreign conferences related to food and the culinary arts. Wili, on the other hand, established a firm that offered advice on interior decoration. This took Wili to foreign shores on assignment by clients who saw his artistic touch in designing hotel rooms and the like as well as their furniture. As luck would have it, Wili, like Doreen, also suffered from numerous types of ailments, but this did not prevent him from pursuing his artistic works that today still exist in foreign countries.

While Doreen and Wili were winning raves in their respective fields – she for her culinary arts involvement and classes in mass media at the Ateneo, Wili for his sought after designs, their bodies suffered continually through the years.

Doreen was active not only in drama, especially theatre production by Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J. where Ateneo and St. Paul plays were enhanced with the quality of musical background that Doreen had selected. In the field of food writing, a foundation was created in honor of Doreen’s memory known as the Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Award.

Wili passed on in the late 1960s and Doreen was left to manage her projects and the liquidation of assets of Wili’s design firm as well.

Then on a trip to New York where Doreen was to deliver a paper, she decided to bring along not a nurse for a change, but Della, her only sister. It was in New York just before she delivered her paper when she suffered the attack which brought her to the ICU.

She told Della that she was ready to go and not to try resuscitate
her anymore.

Doreen Gamboa-Fernandez died of pneumonia June 24, 2002, She was 67. Her death came as a shock to many at home, especially her friends, students and fellow writers of various disciplines whom she had inspired and supported through the years.

+++

POCH ESTELLA -FAST FRIEND AND ATHLETE

2010-06-04T07:46:00.001-07:00

As a grade school student in my first boys school, San Beda, I got to befriend Poch who as a young boy, already exhibited his keen sense of comradeship. I got to meet Poch and other Spanish-Filipino boys in San Beda where they preferred to study. They were known as mestizo grade school students of San Beda College ran by Benedictine Spanish priests.

When I left San Beda and moved to Ateneo for grade five I no longer saw Poch and even began to cheer for another team the Ateneo Blue Eagles. It did not take long before the war came and I was happy to discover that Poch and his family were living near our home on Arlegui Street near Malacanang Palace.

His folks had decided to move into a two story house just around the corner from ours. The Japanese Occupation left Poch and I with much time to play for me to while away our time. By this time Poch was already known to basketball teams especially San Beda where he began to play in the senior varsity team and in Soccer teams as well - for it had come to be known that mestizo boys played excellent Soccer since before the war. Poch was a mestizo.

In fact, his name Jose Estella the III was significant because his grandfather Jose the Ist whom I met briefly at their house was actually a humble but well known composer of Filipino music known as Kundimans. One famous composition of the grandfather was ANG MAYA now a part of outstanding compositions by many Filipino composers.

When I resumed studies after the war at the Ateneo campus on Padre Faura, it was in my second year high school. There Poch and I were classmates once morel and so we were together again. He was an excellent athlete in both fora = basketball and Soccer, and one who never took himself seriously. Most schoolmates who got to know him as a fellow student and star athlete of the school team, enjoyed Poch's practical jokes and good humor.

It was during his performance with the Ateneo basketball team when he was selected to play with the Philippine Football team in the 1954 Asian Games. During his time other known Ateneo athletes included Luis "Moro" Lorenzo, Chole Gaston, Jose Rusty Cacho and Freddie Campos. In the Soccer field he shared accolades with Louie Javellana, Ole Orbeta, Bong Tanco and Mingging Imperial.

In the crucial game between Ateneo and La Salle for the NCAA championships Ateneo beat La Salle 2-0 on January 17, 1952. Poch was quoted in saying "This was my crowning glory for all the hard work my teammates and I put in as a two sport athlete of the Ateneo de Manila".

After graduating from Ateneo Poch became popular in his role as sales manager of the Volkwagan Beatle - extremely popular in the country in the fifties and he set a record in sales.

Even while employed Poch did not abandon his athletic activities by playing as a professional with the YCO paints Soccer team and a mestizo organized team called Turba Salvaje.

Behind the scenes in Supreme Court practices

2010-06-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

A PRIMETIME news program reported recently the alleged attempt of various personalities to thwart the release of "Shadow of Doubt", a book authored by Maritess Vitug, founder of the Philippine Centre for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).

Purportedly, the "Shadow of Doubt" contains information about what the Philippine supreme court is all about. Vitug said that the book also uncovers how processes inside the high tribunal are manipulated by some of the country’s most powerful people.

To be launched on March 16, the book entitled Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court is published by Newsbreak and written by its editor in chief, Marites Danguilan Vitug, author of The Politics of Logging: Power from the Forest (1993) and Under the Crescent Moon: Rebellion in Mindanao (2000).

We will try to obtain a hard copy or, if possible, download a soft copy of Shadow of Doubt book by Maritess Vitug through various sources on the web, so that we will be able to blog about it.

A patriotic Filipino-American doctor

2010-06-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

Dr. Martin Bautista was in the lineup during the previous Philippine elections having traveled with his wife, also a medical doctor to the Philippines. This time he again vied for a senate position under the Kapatiran Party. He lost.

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

The Philippine election is over. I have returned to Guymon, Oklahoma where I have spent much of the last twenty years of my life. I left in winter--in my heart, many more seasons ago--to join the campaign of Noynoy Aquino to transform the future of our country. It has been an intense, bruising, bewildering hundred-twenty days, marked by hours of confusion, stress, frustration, and also by special moments of excitement, passion, kinship, hope and inexplicable joy.

I did not lack energy or enthusiasm. I immersed myself completely in the campaign, fully involved in town meetings, debates, media engagements. I spoke, attacked, parried, promoted, persuaded, and in the end, I placed 35th in the senate race.

What did I accomplish?

Looking back now, in the placid Oklahoma spring, I have a simple answer: I helped. True to my code as a physician and my values as a Filipino, I answered
the call of Noynoy Aquino as he reached out, and Filipinos at home and abroad responded, and now we have a new President Aquino. This was not an exercise in nostalgia. It was a collective expression of hope. Hope shared by millions that government corruption would be stanched, as indeed it will be; that new men in office would try harder, as indeed they will; that the burden of Filipino families would be lighter, and life, somehow, would be better, as indeed it will.

It is why I am happy and gratified, without a Senate seat, but with the knowledge that I have been of help, if only in a small personal way, to President Noynoy, and in the final analysis, to the Filipino people whom he will serve honestly and well.

A few words of sincere gratitude to all the men and women of goodwill ( many more than I had expected) who gave the campaign material and moral support. In behalf of Noynoy Aquino and in my own behalf, let me say, thank you. Maraming, maraming salamat. All of us can say together, with one voice, in this proud moment of history: I helped. Yet the struggle is not over. The work is not done. Actually it begins now and will continue with every passing day. President Noynoy will continue to need us, each one of us ("Kayo ang Aking Lakas"). Let us be unselfish in our assistance, unstinting in our cooperation and unwavering in our dedication to help him recover and restore the hope of a nation which seemed to have been irretrievably lost.

Tomorrow...Perhaps

2010-04-11T09:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a recycled poem composed by a very dear friend.

TOMORROW…PERHAPS

All day today, I have looked for you

In the secret places

Where I keep you hidden, like a jewel,

Too precious to share with others.

I like to think that you are mine alone,

Although I know others have as much or even more claims to you than

I might have.

I choose to delude myself

For in the mazes of my thoughts,

My passion is yours too.

And so I look for you,

Knowing you will be there

For me…

If not today

Perhaps…tomorrow.

VILLAMOR -WORLD WAR TWO HERO

2010-03-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

WAR suddenly came to the Philippines when I was just 11 years old. After a week in the hills of Antipolo preceded by the frenzied evacuation trauma, we were finally back home in Arlegui just as Manila was declared by President Manuel Quezon as an “open city” to allow the Japanese Forces to securely march into Manila without having any shots fired.

Villamor received military decorations from the Philippine and the United States governments for his wartime services and heroism. Just before Manila became an “open city,” Filipino fighter pilots using the pre-war double wing type of single engine planes, and engaged Japanese fighter pilots who were carrier- based. Among the fearless Filipino pilots at the time was Jesus Antonio Villamor. He is the son of Ignacio Villamor, who was the first president of the University of the Philippines.Villamor did not “plan” to be a hero. One of seven children, he studied commerce at De La Salle College in Manila, hoping to pursue a business career. In 1936, he joined the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) Flying School. He never foresaw that this would change his life forever.

Because of Villamor’s outstanding performance as a cadet, he was picked as a sponsored scholar to take advance flight training in the U.S.. With his superior mind, Villamor breezed through the course in three years instead of the usual four years. Soon, Villamor found himself in B-17 and B-22 cockpits as part of the U. S. Air Force’s Strategic Bombing Squadron training. After a series of postings, Villamor, returned to the Philippines and was singled out as the leader of the 6th Pursuit Squadron in time to go into action the moment the Second World War began. Terribly mismatched -- Villamor flying the old-style double wing fighter plane versus the Japanese Zeros fighter pilots -- he and his squadron of Filipino P-26 fighters nevertheless held their own against the fully armed and trained Japanese pilots in dogfight after dogfight. One journalist even fashioned his report thus: “The Filipino pilots etched their courage and skills in the skies above Zablan and Batangas airfields. Alas, in no time at all, Villamor’s overwhelmed unit was terribly beaten.”Joining the underground guerilla forces during the war years, Villamor continued unabated his fight against the Japanese Forces in his role as intelligence officer somewhere in the Luzon hills. On December 27, 1942, Villamor was able to slip past the Japanese Forces aboard the submarine “Gudgeon.” He then established a chain of direct communication from the Philippines with General Douglas MacArthur, who was by then based in Australia, coordinating the activities of various units operating in Luzon, Mindanao and the Visayas. Villamor acted as the “clearing house” for information, which greatly assisted the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (Usaffe) to map out a strategy that led to the liberation of the Philippines in 1945.

For his bravery as a pilot and ingenuity as an intelligence officer, President Ramon Magsaysay awarded Lieutenant Colonel Jesus Antonio Villamor the Medal of Valor on January 21, 1954. As further tribute to one of the greatest World War II heroes, the Philippine Air Force’s principal facility in Metro Manila has been named Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base in honor of this Filipino hero. In 1946, he was appointed director of the Bureau of Aeronautics, and assisted in the planning of the Manila International Airport, and later became its director.

The Drama of It - by Daisy Hontiveros Avellana

2010-01-18T18:07:00.000-08:00

DAISY HONTIVEROS AVELLANA.....Joan of Lorraine

"When reading the typescript for the first time, I came to the end of THE DRAMA OF IT by Daisy H. Avellana...I burst into tears." wrote Carmen Guerrero Nakpil , known to close friends and fellow writers as Chitang. "No, they were not the lachrymose over-sentimentality of this dotard about to turn 87, but the instant, hot, scalding recognition of an adolescent, the kid sister of Leoni and Mario Guerrero, for I had happily had a front seat at the Avellana life-theater....It's one big, great tale not only about the Avellanas, but also about how life used to be lived in this country, about art and theater, about dedication to ideals and unfailing courage and untainted ambitions and, above all, undying generous magnificent love."

Thus went the Foreword by Chitang Nakpil, of the book, THE DRAMA OF IT , the biography of Daisy Hontiveros Avellana, Philippine National Artist for Theater.

In her 176 page memoir by Daisy we are right on the front seat of Daisy's and Bert's life story replete and enriched by their radio, stage and movie involvements and successes.

I was proud and so was Mama Sarah to have been a part of those exciting years with them and Barangay Theater Guild productions especially the excellently rewritten script of Uncle Nick Joaquin A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO painstakingly crafted by Daisy and Bert, National Artist for Film and Theatre before ther gala presentation at the Aurora Gardens, Intramuros (circa 1955).

FR. JAMES B. REUTER, S.J.-

2009-12-30T10:17:00.001-08:00

On our way to the hospital, Our Lady of Peace which Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J. helped build, I began to recall my very first meeting with the dear Father. It was at the main Ateneo de Manila campus on Padre Faura Street, (before the school was made into a university) in 1952. I was in my junior year in college pursuing an A.B. Journalism degree.

Fr. Reuter was originally assigned at Ateneo de Naga right after World War II. He, together with other Jesuit priests who were caught by the war were under detention in Los Banos, Laguna until war’s end.

Fr. Reuter who is a naturalized Filipino by resolution of the Congress of the Philippines, celebrated the 75th anniversary of his first canonical vows in 1934 as an 18-year old Jesuit novice, last September 8, 2009.

His first project at the Ateneo de Manila was to produce a weekly one hour radio play with strong Catholic themes under the name of AVE MARIA PLAYERS. He got me and other boys and girls willing to act over the radio to play parts in the radio plays that he often wrote himself. I remember some of our lead actors included Celia Laurel, Sixto Roxas, Mitos Sison and the Powell sisters playing big and small parts week after week.

When television reached the Philippines Father Reuter presented TV shows under the title of MARY ROSE AND STA. ZITA aired over ABS on Roxas Boulevard. I continued playing supporting roles in these one hour Saturday evening TV presentations.

It was a delight working with Father Reuter for he exuded confidence, commitment and above all warmth. He was always patient with us. So, when I was preparing for my own wedding I immediately thought of asking Father Reuter to officiate and thus posed the question and invitation which he readily accepted. And so we were married on August 5, 1959 at the Pinaglabanan Church, on San Juan Rizal.

Little did I foresee that our dear father would eventually officiate in the weddings of our three children, the last one being that of our son Antonio, Jr. in 2005. I must say he was a real trouper despite his difficulty in walking. He abided by the dictum of actors and performers “The show must go on!”

So, at 6 a.m. Manila time Father Reuter assisted by his walker – for he was already having difficulty walking - arrived at the Altar of San Agustin Church in Intramuros Manila ready to officiate at the wedding of our son Jay and bride to be Jenny.

Over the six decades in the Philippines, Father Reuter presented plays not only at the Ateneo where he shared honors with Fr. Henry Lee Irwin, S.J. who was known for years as the accomplished Shakespearean actor and director ever.

He also presented many plays for the St. Paul College recruiting Ateneans in many of them acting together with Paulinian actresses.

In 1960, Fr. Reuter was entrusted the establishment of a group known as the PHILIPPINE FEDERATION OF BROADCASTERS, which later became known as Catholic Media Network (CMN).

During the dark days of Martial Law under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Father Reuter, acting as spokesman for the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, with much courage and even defiance in his stance that led to his house arrest for several years.

As I drove towards Our Lady of Peace Mission Hospital where Father had been staying since the abolishment of his office I recalled the fact that it was this very hospital which he helped established during the administration of President Joseph Estrada. The hospital was constructed precisely and primarily to serve the poor people in the community. Free of charge.

Not many, by now, realize that Fr. James B. Reuter first arrived in Manila in 1938 at the age of 21, to join other Jesuits to teach at the Ateneo de Manila .

It is interesting to note that during the 63 years of his working in the Philippines, Fr. Reuter was able to achieve what many would imagine a team of two or three other individuals to achieve. Moreover, in the process of the good father’s interaction during his projects he has left an indelible imprint of his own on the lives of countless Filipinos including non-Catholics who have become by now his close and loyal friends.

As a result of this achievement many boys and girls from Catholic schools where Father had presented plays have dubbed themselves "Reuter Babies."

When we arrived at the OUR LADY OF PEACE MISSION hospital in Paranaque we were brought up to the fourth floor where Fr. Reuter had a room and with an assigned caregiver to care for him for 24 hours..

Before we were ushered in with my wife Chita, we were required to wear a cloth mask to check any possible infection for Father was weak and susceptible to infection and so he had to be kept indoors under sterile conditions as much as possible. We were met with a big smile by Father who was in his wheel chair. He looked a bit frail and my wife and I took turns in embracing him and then we proceeded to chat. He did not sound a bit sick and not a trace of pain showed on his face.

Before too long we knew that he would need to rest so we prepared to say our goodbyes but first I requested him to bless us, which he agreed to do. Then right after his blessing, Father Reuter asked the both of us to bless him in return. We were honored and a bit thrown off but we managed a small prayer and ending with our blessing over him as he sat with his hands folded in prayer and making the sign of the cross.

THE ACTOR-HERO - TEDDY YABUT

2009-12-20T04:33:00.000-08:00

Teddy was a campus figure in the early fifties at the University of the Philippines. He directed campus plays and in one production I, the only Atenean, decided to join as performer together with others all from UP. It was the summer stock presentation of ALOYAN a complete original play by UP artists writers, composer, and director. I joined them for raising funds for the chapel of the Holy Sacrifice of Rev. Fr. John P. Delaney, S.J. who was a new chaplaihn in this state university.
He was there upon he request of the UP Catholic Action or UPSCA.

But no one including Teddy would dream of being a hero during the country's dark ages under Marcos' Martial Law.

LOLA - directed by Brillante " Dante" Mendoza

2009-12-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

Here is Dante's background data. Barely months after his award winning movie KINATAY (Butchered) in Cannes we find Dante winning another best director film award for his film "Lola" in the Taiwan film festival.

I admire and envy this young Filipino whose real-time mind focuses on extremely serious human situations in the Philippines that thousands see daily but does nothing. We need someone like Dante to sit as President of the Republic (hoping he does not get corrupted in the process) and address these basic human issues of being dirt poor in our country.

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VENICE - Two Filipino grandmothers scraping a living to get by in Manila's slums are at the center of Brillante Mendoza's new film "Lola," a story about the resourcefulness of people living in abject poverty

The movie, a surprise entry in the main competition at Venice film festival, tells a fictional tale but is shot like a documentary, leaving the audience wondering throughout whether its scenes are from real life.

Each of the two elderly women bears the consequences of a murder involving their respective grandsons -- one the victim, the other the suspected killer.

Frail and destitute, both have little time to give in to misery as they desperately need money, one to pay for a decent funeral, the other to get her grandson out of jail. Pragmatism prevails.

"You can't be too emotional when you live in a condition like the Philippines, that kind of condition and situation in life ... You just have to move on and live your life," Mendoza told Reuters in an interview.

"When you live in the Philippines and you are exposed to this kind of story every day, it is not difficult to show it in your work. I wanted to show it in a very natural and very spontaneous way, like you are watching life right in front of you."

"Lola" -- which literally means grandmother -- gives a glimpse into the country's inefficient judicial system, prison overcrowding, loan sharking and life in the flooded shanty towns where people get around by canoe.

"That part of Manila is flooded all year round," said Mendoza, who shot the film during this year's rainy season. "But the thing is that people stay there because they have nowhere to go, they have no choice."

Critics in Venice praised "Lola," with Italian daily Corriere della Sera calling the performance of the two lead actresses -- Anita Linda and Rustica Carpio, aged 84 and 79 -- "extraordinary."

Mendoza won the best director award in Cannes this year with "Kinatay," also a grim depiction of modern-day life in his homeland.

Of Laughter and Tears by Sarah K. Joaquin

2009-12-10T13:53:00.000-08:00

"Do not worship money, earn it honestly and spend it wisely. Love conquers all difficulties. And above all put a good supply of forgiveness in your heart. You will feel much
better inside.

Jesus Christ has set the example.
Thank you, all of you, who have made my life on earth a very fruitful one."
----------
This is the middle part of my mother Sarah's “Farewell Letter” which with great effort she wrote in her own elegant penmanship just days before her death on January 30, 2002.

Before she became very ill, our mother Sarah began to write an autobiography which she tried to complete had it not been for her kidneys that had deteriorated too fast leading to her death at age 93. She was a couple of chapters short.

My brother in law Fred de la Rosa [married to my youngest sister
Josefina] and I were able to complete the final chapters just to make her
autobiography end appropriately.

We, her children, are now happy to announce that the book is finally out and
available for anyone desiring to purchase a copy.

We hope to have copies available in a select San Francisco, California bookstores
named ARKIPELAGO BOOKS as well as in Manila's major bookstores like
POWERBOOKS, NATIONAL, AND BOOK MARK.

A copy has been priced at $15.00 each plus shipping and handling of $3.00
[only in North America.]

Butch Dalisay's- Pinoy Penman

2009-12-01T13:25:00.000-08:00

I just thought of showcasing -a definitely amazing and fine Filipino writer who, to my mind, is a terrific example of excellent writing in English (and Tagalog) whose name is Jose "Butch" Dalisay and his latest summary of new literary events in UP campus.

Manila - Pearl of the Orient - prewar

2009-09-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

War is immoral..anytime anywhere.

World War Two was the worst event that happened in Philippine history and to the Islands and was a devastating blow to millions of lives of Filipinos, Americans and others living in this country- especially this blogger who suffered through three and one half years of it.

Thanks to this video we can view the beauty and splendor of this Pearl of the Orient, the lovely city of the Philippine Republic.

Now Voyager - Bette Davis and Paul Henreid

2009-09-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

Willie Fernandez was among other Jazz aficionados I enjoyed being with in the mid fifties. Just graduated from an architect course Willie and I would meet late afternoon at his place in Paco and proceed to meet other jazz fiends at CAFE INDONESIA on Dewey Boulevard. We would invariably meet stalwarts listening to Toots Dila and his combo Doreen Gamboa, already a fine writer and food columnist, Emma Versoza who worked at the Department of Foreign Affairs a few blocks towards Taft Avenue, Ramy Hermano fresh from his New York University post graduate studies with tidbits about life in Greenwish village, and more. Eventually, Willie married Doreen Gamboa and together they worked in harmony talking and writing about food - and Doreen evencoming out with several volumes of Philppine dishes and recipes. Willie began to be recognized with his distinctive interior decor ideas and winning clients outside the Philippines. During those times Chita and I would be asked by Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez for a gourmet dinner, no less. Then we would wind up at their chalet at Mandaluyong and watch Willie's collection of classic films. One of them was this classic film of Davis and Henreid- Now Voyager .

Tony Sings with Pilita

2009-09-24T10:40:00.001-07:00

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.

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

DING ROCES - Artist Par Excellence

2009-09-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

The Roces family has been in the newspaper and movie theatre business in the Philippines since before World War Two. I met some of their children my age when I was studying at the Ateneo Grade School in Intramuros before the war. Alfredo Ding Roces was one of them. The other was Marquitos.

An older brother, Alejandro "Anding" was an officer at the Far Eastern University and head of the Institute of Arts at the time when I was teaching there in 1954. Anding was, for a time, Secretary of Education at the same time he was also teaching and working as an executive of the Far Eastern University.

Ding in 1977 moved to Sydney Australia with his wife Irene. And he really kept his paintings, writings and photography steadily - and winning prizes.

2009-09-23T13:59:00.001-07:00

When the del Rosario family members got word that the Supreme Court of the Philippine Republic had finally declared their father Roberto del Rosario the sole owner of the original patent rights for a sing along system now popularly known in the Japanese language as Karaoke, there was joy all around for her dynamic, and inventive father Roberto del Rosario, though no longer here with her, had finally won his case against a Japanese company who allegedly claimed the device as its invention.

Working for over two decades del Rosario's children on their own, pursued the fight for justice by their father Roberto del Rosario particularly when he noticed his health slowly deteriorating.

He intimated that they pursue the case and “not to give up” despite the tremendous amount of stress not to mention the terrific investment in money in (and out) of the Philippine courts fighting for their father’s case which had taken several decades.

The Supreme Court’s resolution dated March 19 2007 stated:

“ Plaintiff Roberto Del Rosario owns the patent rights for a sing-along system, popularly known as the KARAOKE. On January 18, 1993 plaintiff filed a case with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Makati City, for patent infringement against defendant Janito Corporation who, without his consent, was manufacturing and selling a sing along system marketed as “Miyata” which was substantially similar and identical to his (Del Rosario’s) patented invention.

After trial, the RTC in its Decision dated November 9, 1999 ruled in favor of plaintiff
relying upon his uncontroveted evidence that defendant, without his consent manufactured and sold the Miyata system which was substantially identical to his patented invention.”

This triumph by a Filipino inventor who holds patents in other inventions as well, is not only a personal victory for the del Rosario family, stated his other daughter Isa Valenton but a feat worth acclaiming for the Filipino people.

Bert was born in Pasay City, the son of Teofilo del Rosario and Consolacion Legaspi. He married Eloisa Vistan, a former beauty queen with whom he has five children- three girls and two boys. Bert has been a widower since 1979 when his wife died at age 45 of heart failure. Bert did not remarry.

He admits that he never took up formal music lessons and cannot read music. Bert has also won awards in the Philippines and abroad, but the one he cherishes the most was the 1985 Gold Medal Award by the WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION (WIPO) of the United Nations. An award that recognizes him as a Filipino inventor.

Like most inventors, Bert admires other inventors like Thomas Alva Edison, who believes that invention is “one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration” and the Wright Brothers for their having invented the airplane.

Bert del Rosario an accomplished musician who could play seven other musical instruments very well besides the piano. He was also proud to state that he enjoyed playing with the popular orchestra known as The Executive’s Band organized by Former Senator Raul Manglapuz which was composed of musicians who were businessmen and members of the diplomatic corps who get together to play Jazz and other popular music just for “fun”.

In 1962, on his own, Bert set up the first of many piano factories that populated the Philippines. Hecalled his pianos “TREBEL" – a combination of Bert’s name spelled backwards [TRE] and Eloisa his wife- EL.

Back to his minus one system, in the later models, another cassette tape player/recorder was added. It could record on one magnetic tape both the musical accompaniment and voice of the person singing. This unit was created in 1977. To enhance the quality of sound the device had a knob to produce "reverb" [or echo-like sound] adding technical artistry to the resulting sound.

Bert saw the first sign of corporate leakage – and the specter of “industrial piracy” during the time that he had to contract a Japanese manufacturing firm to produce most of his replacement parts. Not long after this arrangement he and his friends began to see very similar units of his invention but with a Japanese logo being sold openly in major Asian citieis and even in Manila stores..

This, Bert said philosophically, was the price one has to pay for a successful product. People would like to steal the idea or just make copies and sell them under another name.

After some sleuthing, Bert traced the bulk of the “piracy” to a Japanese firm. Since Japan could easily produce units in greater quantities Bert was aware that he really had limited resources and less money to battle this underhanded practice by a big time Japanese firm.

He was no match money-wise against the moneyed Japanese. But it did not discourage Bert from filing copywriter infringement, pursuing it to several decades for he felt in his heart he would be given justice.

In one of the media interviews Bert shared his philosophy in life: “Be observant, be creative. Most of all work hard at what you believe in.” At last, Bert really worked hard in what he believed in and he won the fight for justice.

A Haunting poem

2009-09-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

TOMORROW…PERHAPS

All day today, I have looked for you

In the secret places

Where I keep you hidden, like a jewel,

Too precious to share with others.

I like to think that you are mine alone,

Although I know others have as much even more claims to you than

I might have.

I choose to delude myself

For in the mazes of my thoughts,

My passion is yours too.

And so I look for you,

Knowing you will be there

For me…

If not today

Perhaps…tomorrow.

Pie Thrown on a human face - not funny at all for Asians

2009-09-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

A famous comedy duo that appeared in films just before World War II somewhere in the mid thirties, were Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Laurel was the thin one and Hardy the fat one. They were of British descent as revealed by their English accents. Most of their comedy routines stemmed from funny situations. Laurel is the straight man who always plays the part of the better informed half of the team while Hardy is the foil or the fall guy who gets it between the eyes and his whole corpulent body shakes with anger when it happens.

One characteristic of the two is that in all their movies, they never used the “slap stick” technique at all. To the aficionado humorists, the highest form of wit is intellectual or double meanings similar to the type of humor that Bob Hope uses.

The lowest is slapstick. With the Laurel and Hardy team, sometimes one would hit the other gently to emphasize a point but that was all the physical or visual effect. Often, they depend on the situation itself using the power of pantomime, enough to produce the desired laughter.

On the other hand we have the very popular American spawned The Three Stooges known and liked by many over many decades and in fact their films are having a comeback these days. These three were totally dependent on situations and with the ample use of slap stick – and I mean hard hitting slap, bops on the heads, and falls of various types - to get a laugh. One plays the straight man in a superior position and the other two stooges is supposed to obey or imitate what number one stooge wants. Usually the two follow wrongly and therefore get bopped by some hard object depending on what is within reach or available. Mock anger by the number one partner produces the comedic effect and the other two nursing a painful head or nose or back provokes the laughter.

In many American films, it is almost certain that a slap stick comedy sequence would be topped by a pie in the face sequence. And this act usually gets terrific reaction from the audience – a non Asian audience. Why do we say this is so?

In Asia the human person’s face is considered delicate and priceless. The fact is in effect the person's logo and should not be mistreated. It is his whole being, his public image. Over the developing period of Asian societies the basic elements of human relations rested and depended largely on how one honors one’s face especially in business transactions. Bartering – which preceded the exchange of currencies – which is to trade with one another using items or services and not money - depended principally on the quality of a person through his face. When one made a professional commitment orally facing the other party one has to stake his face and must meet the commitment before or on agreed time. His face is his asset, and of course his visual word of honor!

In early agricultural society Asia, a man’s face stands for his individual integrity, family honor, prestige and standing in the community. That is why the term “losing face” and “face the music” “face value” originated from and often really refer to that commodity, precious and fragile which is one’s face. It is his ticket in polite and honorable society. It is supposed to represent his willingness to abide by the common code of conduct and business relationships.

Thus, whenever one who is Asian or of Asian descent views the American film comedies featuring the pie thrown on one’s face, it creates a slight psychological trauma within his own Asian bred body and soul. The person not ready to laugh at this physical humor. But one asks, does it follow that because the Americans who make use of this type of humor has no honor and that he does not value his face at all? And the answer of course is that American society values the totality of the person and not just the face and attributes one’s personality and integrity as his credentials as a member of society. Having a pie in the face, to the American mind, does not diminish the person’ honor, nor integrity for it is done in jest, it is a "child like" moment and for humorous effect without giving the act of throwing pie on the face any other meaning.

A GOLDEN BOUNCY EVENT...

2009-09-19T20:54:00.000-07:00

r

OUR GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY -

2009-09-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

On August 5, 1959, Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J. officiated at our wedding held at the Pinaglabanan Church, San Juan Rizal. A small reception followed not far from the church. This picture on the left is Fr. Reuter blessing the rings. (on the left)

On August 22, 2009 we commemorated our 50th wedding anniversary with a
Mass held at the St. Francis
of Assisi Parish in Sacramento
City officiated in by Fr. Anthony
Garibaldi. A reception was held at the
Embassy Suites Hotel ballroom not far from the Church.

Philippine presidential hopefuls...

2009-09-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

TONY ABAYA

I am not a political writer but this time - for the first time - I have to make mention of a relevant individual who knows much and with quality substance about the coming presidential elections in the Philippines in May 2010.

I am referring to Tony Abaya, a dear friend and dynamic, articulate writer in English. Here is his latest column.

Also, his website

Biography of Nick Joaquin

2009-08-30T19:44:00.000-07:00

I am in the process of writing the official biography of Nick Joaquin National Artist for Literature. I have started this project one year ago but I am still interested in getting in touch with people who can help enrich the writing of the book,” he added.

I can be contacted at my residence at 4645 Winter Oak Way Apt. 309 Antelope California 95834 . Contributors can also call tel. no. 916 348 8414. My e-mail address is tony.joaquin@gmail.com

Contributors are asked to send photos of Nick Joaquin or of themselves if these are available via email or mailed via postal service.

Nick Joaquin died on April 29, 2004, at 82. Shortly after his death, two of his written biographies were published in Metro Manila, one on the journalist Emilio (Abe) Aguilar Cruz and the other on Sen. Edgardo Angara.

My father was the jazz pianist Porfirio (Ping) Joaquin, older brother of Nick. Nick was my teacher and inspiration.

SR. JOAN CHITISTER- SPIRITUAL WRITER

2009-08-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

In her excellently written book, The Gift of Years, Sr. Joan focuses in her introduction a scene:

It is a January morning in County Kerry. the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the craggy islands below me is roild with whitecaps and angry palisades of water crashing against the tiny islets in their rocky midst. the windstorm of the last two nights have drenched the hills on which this small Irish stone cottage clings, left them dripping water from bare branches hours later, sent the tiny rivulet of water outside my window rushing wildly down the mountainside to the valley below. It is an average Kerry winter day.

But not average for some. In the last two days of rocking, howling wind, five Irish fishermen and their trawler have been reported missing at sea. This morning, they were pronounced dead, the sea too wild yet to even attempt to recover their bodies.

Who they were, how old they were, I do not know. But one thing I do know - life and time are ghost creatures for us all.

Most of us, inch our way through life, sure on the one hand that it will never end, certain on the other that it will surely be ending for us soon.

Is at moments of such quiet consciousness that is is important come face to face with what it means to age, to be older, to be old, to become an elder in society."

Sr. Joan continues and states that Life is about becoming more than we are, about being all that we can be. Whatever we are doing, however old we are, wherever we fall on the social economic scale

THE GIFT OF YEARS is for those who are on the brink of "old age" ...and knowing themselves to be young and healthy, are very surprised by it.

On the chapter LONELINESS she writes -

A burden of these years is that
we will hole up somewhere and mourn our age,
our change in life, our losses.

A blessing of these years is that
we will make ourselves available to the
world that is waiting for us even now. even here.

A Mediterranean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean Lines

2009-07-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

(Atop a hill near Amalfi - Tony, Nico, Chita and Mikee)
----------------------
Last June, Chita and I went on a Mediterranean cruise with our grandsons Mikee and Nico. We first took off from San Francisco Airport up to Barcelona, Spain but with a stop over at Amsterdam airport.

Using the usual means used by tourists - cruise ship, chartered bus, and on foot we four covered sites like the Rambla plaza in Barcelona, the port of Naples in Italy, and a brief visit to one of the casinos in Monte Carlo.

We hired a van driven by an engaging Italian driver who in his fractured English managed well to inform us of the hilltop views as you can see on this picture on the right.

Being a part of the place, which is Pisa, we tried to conform with the pattern...and that is why we leaned like the tower (see left).

Mikee and Nico who went on their frist cruise some years back with us to the Caribbean enjoyed this one much better especially because of their visit to The Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and moreover both met wonderful people who were from Scotland and Ireland in the cruise ship.

Tita Munoz - A Friend and Fair Lady

2009-06-16T18:22:00.001-07:00

My family and I had already settled in California for several years when I took one of the yearly vacations to the Philippines to visit my very close friends and fellow professionals in media and marketing whom I worked with in the past. Seeing Manila, the city of my birth, never fails to give me that needed boost of energy, and I always leave with a heavy heart. Perhaps, it is because I really miss the Manila that my uncle, Nick Joaquin, has written about and cherished in his books and plays.

It was in a party given to me by former friends where I saw Tita Munoz. She was slender, a bit of gray hair peeping from among his brown tresses and having seen me across the room raised her hand and voice and called my name, “Tony! Hace tiempo…” and at the same time rushing toward me when we exchanged a strong abrazo and a soft peck on my cheek.

We both were holding our drinks, she her non alcoholic iced tea and me my scotch, no ice. And before long we were updating each other on the intervening years as we sat in a corner area of the open-air azotea. It was at this time when she caught on that I was no longer living in Manila but in California. She asked me “How long are you staying? And I answered, “About a month”

Her dark eyes lighted up and she smiled her beautiful perfectly formed teeth at me. “Good.”

In the next few minutes she told me that she was appearing in a cameo role in a current soap opera with the name Victoria Hills. And she added that she needed one male partner also to do the same cameo in the TV soap and she thought I would fit the role with my salt and pepper hair. I was not able to conceal my delight and said, “I am game -- if we can do it within my time frame, for I have to return to California at the end of four weeks.”

Finally, I was at the studio set and so were the cast and crew at 5 in the afternoon. I knew some of the actors, which included Roderick Paulate and Herbert Bautista, and met a few young beauties in lead roles.
I learned that the modus vivendi of soap opera production, as practised in Manila, was to shoot all the sequences and episodes during one 12-hour session–nonstop starting at 5 p.m. straight through 6 the next morning. Yes, no one had any sleep at all. And that was what Tita and I did. In the TV series, we both played the role of former lovers who, after having lived abroad, now old and grey, happen to return to Manila and to “accidentally” meet once again. Too bad, I could not stay to watch the episode but I did cherish those moments with Tita.

Then I had to leave for California and did not hear from her for several years again. Then, some years back I read about Tita’s having been victim to a hypertensive stroke, which left her paralyzed accompanied by the heartbreaking report that she was now living alone in a dwelling with other poor elderly women in a sort of community place. On April 11, 2009, Tita died of a heart attack.

Our friendship, actually began in the mid 30s in San Juan where we both lived. Tita lived with her brothers and sister on J. Ruiz, while I was two streets away on G. Reyes and N. Domingo Street. Tita was two years ahead of me in school. While she was second grade at St. Joseph’s Academy, I was in kindergarten.
Right after the second world war, Tita met and married an American military officer, and they left for the U.S. After four years I saw her again back in San Juan, and she admitted with pain that her marriage did not work out.

As an actress, Tita popularized the part of the “contrabida.” Tita certainly showed how well she could act. And with her mestiza features, she was extremely good. Before television came to the Philippines, Tita was already doing extremely well in radio, because she spoke English and her native Spanish very well. Eventually, Tita became the highest-paid Philippine radio talent in the early 50s.

With the arrival of the new technology known as television, Tita was among the first radio personalities to migrate to television. The “First Lady of Philippine Television” also made history with the very first lips-to- lips kissing scene, opposite actor Ronald Remy.

Tita’s versatility and dramatic talent was showcased in the challenging lead role in “Sorry, Wrong Number,” adapted from the 1943 American radio play by Lucille Fletcher. She played the role of a woman who learns accidentally that she is about to be murdered. Tita won acclaim in that enviable play.

PARALUMAN -GRETA GARBO OF PHILIPPINE CINEMA

2009-05-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

When I visited Manila back in the late eighties, having migrated to California three years earlier, I saw Paraluman who was then working in projects launched by Mayor Nemesio Yabut of Makati City. I had not seen her for several years and she had not been making movies as often as she did.

I was able to meet Mayor Yabut in 1983 when I was elected President of Rotary Club of Makati West considering that our club had continuing projects for Makati City especially geared toward the blighted areas in old San Pedro, and the riverside areas where the military had their enlisted men’s quarters.

“How are you?” I asked in Spanish for she spoke elegant Spanish even if she was a descendant of German parents. In fact her real name is Sigrid von Giese. Before her fame in movies, her younger sisters were already well known in the swimming world in Manila. Paraluman, a screen name, was the daughter of German father and a Filipina mother.

Early in her career, Paraluman was likened to the great Greta Garbo of pre war years because they said that she had “perfect bone structure an impenetrable gaze” and fair skin. In fact, Paraluman, as a child, was herself a movie addict and pursued her favorite actors and actresses through movie magazines. Once when her family was living near the house of Corazon Noble, a shining star in Philippine movies during that period, Paraluman would clamber over the wall just to get a glimpse of her movie idol. Because of this activity Lily, the younger sister of Corazon Noble also a movie star, spotted this mestiza over their wall and noticed her rare beauty so she summoned Paraluman to come over. That started a close friendship leading Paraluman to meeting top managers of movie companies and directors.

One of these directors was Luis Nolasco of Philippine Films. Paraluman was only 17 at that time. At her first movie role in Flores de Mayo a year before the war she used the screen name Mina de Gracia. It did not last long. Later Fernando Poe Sr. came up with the screen name of Paraluman who signed her as a full-fledged star in X’otic Films’ in 1941. During the war years, Paraluman, like other movie stars had no films to make so she and the rest were appearing in stage shows in downtown Manila. It was during this period when she met a handsome Japanese officer who was smitten by her beauty and in no time at all they were married. Considering that the Japanese were the conquering enemy force, the wedding by a beautiful Filipina movie actress did not sit well with her fans and the rest of Philippine society, so during the war years until liberation she and husband kept a low profile. In no time at all they had a baby girl whom they called Kristin. Then tragedy struck, for some reason, his Japanese officer husband got sick and died. So, Paraluman was left a widow with a young child.

When war had ended Paraluman was back in the saddle making a lot of movies and by this time she had already married Tony O’brien, a mestizo American Filipino commercial pilot who worked for Philippine Air Lines. At that time a new subdivision was being cultivated by Old Man Andres Soriano Sr. who was then chairman of Philippine Air Lines. They called the subdivision Bel-Air (Good Air) which covered several acres the length of Buendia Avenue. All PAL pilots enjoyed a good rate for the real estate and bought lots in Bel Air. Tony, Paraluman and Baby Kristin moved to live in their new place in Bel Air subdivision. Since Paraluman was already Mrs. O’brien, Tony opted to adopt the girl changing her name to Kristin O’brien who during her post teen years also liked show business under the name of Baby O’brien. Moreover, Baby herself has a daughter Rina Reyes who is also in show business.

When I met Paraluman at the Mayor’s office, she was excited to refer me to a film ready to be shot, featuring Nora Aunor’s daughter Matet. Being the ham that I was I readily agreed without even knowing what it was about. Then she explained, I will be your partner in that scene. It turned out that the scene that Paraluman and I was to be in, was during the wedding reception of Matet in the movie. The scenario was that Paraluman was one of Matet’s guests whom I once knew. She is not aware of my presence until we see each other face to face. That was the short scene. The scene was about two minutes in the film but it took me the whole day sitting around chatting with Paraluman and others waiting to be called for the scene to be shot.

One quality I enjoyed chatting with Paraluman is her candor and sincerity. Even during the lovely winter of her years, Paraluman, or Sigrid von Giese still bears the classic beauty of a lovely Greek goddess.

Paraluman succumbed to cardiac arrest on April 27, 2009 at her home in Paranaque City.

She was 85.

DIRECTION: (BERT) AVELLANA

2009-02-03T20:38:00.000-08:00

Tito Bert was the prime mover of the formation of BARANGAY THEATRE GUILD in the fifties. My mother and I took part in some of their stage and radio plays. One I recall was the role I had of the fake dauphin who was to mislead Joan of Arc in her mission to lead France to victory against the enemy. She entered the room saw me but was not fooled. She then looked around and saw a plainly dressed man and she approached him and suddenly knelt and respectfully said " My dauphin"

True enough, Joan was guided and blessed by God. Too bad Joan ended up burning at the stake.

Bert was among the pioneer cinema directors who was very creative especially after he produced the movie on SAKAY. Macario Sakay was considered at the time a "bandit" but history established the true role of Sakay and he was indeed a hero. for he was a fighter for Philippine Independence.

Other prize winning movies he produced were ANAK DALITA and BADJAO, both in black and white for color was still to come to Philippine cinema.

Bert was born in Bontoc, Mountain Province and was educated by the Jesuits at the Ateneo de Manila. He married his teenage sweetheart Daisy Hontiveros and together they were honored by being named Philippine National Artists - he for cinema and Daisy for theatre.

A writer, professor - and everlasting friend

2009-02-01T06:38:00.000-08:00

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

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

RAFFY GARCIA - Friend, Inventor, Selfless Filipino

2009-01-19T16:23:00.000-08:00

For many of us, whenever we hear the word "hero" the image that comes to mind is that of one courageous person sacrificing his life to save his comrades in battle. That is the stereotype that we grew up with. However, over the years we have been seeing real heroes. Ordinary Filipinos doing what they usually do day by day and achieving a measure of attention because of their deeds. To mention a few, we heard of the taxi driver who found a packet of cash by the thousands left by a passenger and readily turned the whole envelope to police authorities and who later found the real owner who was extremely thankful to the honest driver.

Another event focused on the bravery and selflessness of a young girl who despite serious burns on her back due to a fire was able to rescue five brothers and sisters out of the burning house to safety.

However, the person I am featuring today belongs to a different category for he has made great strides not in the area of sacrificing his personal safety but in using his technical know how to assist his country improve and develop important government systems thus revolutionizing very important functions affecting millions of Filipinos.

The person, I am happy to refer to is Raffy Garcia, whom I first met as a fellow Rotarian decades ago when I joined my first Rotary club – the Rotary Club of Pasig. Raffy, soft spoken [in fact too soft to hear him as he speaks] who eventually became a close friend and client during those times back in Manila when I managed my own small atelier. Over the years Raffy has serviced a lot of clients the world over and now he owns a conglomerate under the Mega Computer banner.

Some years back, knowing his expertise in the field of computer technology, Raffy was commissioned to examine and create improvements that would streamline the facilities and procedures of the National Bureau of Investigation particularly in the area of character "clearances" for individuals needing them. Having succeeded there, Raffy was also asked and was able to invent a new system that greatly accelerated and modernized the system of renewing and issuing drivers licenses in the Land Transportation Commission of the Philippines.

Today, both institutions are functioning not only quickly but more professionally and efficiently, thanks to Raffy Garcia.

If one would meet Raffy at any gathering it is possible that one could mistake him for a humble employee in the way he dresses and speaks. But once you get to know and learn about him as an entrepreneur and pioneer in the field of computers since the early sixties, one will just look at the person with complete awe.

Still unaffected by his two creations, for there have been others he seldom speaks of which inventions are being used in other countries, Raffy thought of the delicate function in a democratic government – that of the voting process.

Many thinking Filipinos have always lamented the dire situation of our voting system – and many crooked politicians have mastered the corruptive practices by now – represented by the phrase "dag dag bawas" which is self explanatory.

So, Raffy and his technicians once again put their thinking caps and created a new system using all the modern technical developments in computer technology that would produce a voting mechanism and system that was fast and tamper proof. This product, which Raffy patented, he offered to the Philippine government for its use …free of charge.

Raffy named it BOTONG PINOY. Raffy proudly presented the product and briefed officials of the Comelec and related government entities to his creation as a total voting system developed specifically for use in the coming Philippine elections. Before this invention, for it is a new invention strictly speaking, the voting system was so faulty that corrupt practices known to both parties were endemic. What many dub as "dagdag bawas" tongue in cheekly was actually rampant cheating during and after the ballots have been cast. In fact, many trapos [traditional politicians] enjoyed using the old system riddled with corruption, which they already knew how to manage.

Botong Pinoy is composed of three modules which can operate individually by themselves but which can easily be integrated to form one complete TOTAL election solution. Raffy made sure that the system he developed has built-in safeguards against fraud and manipulation, and has specific design features to help even the disabled and the illiterate members of the voting Filipinos. Some skeptical politician said that judging from the reaction of many to the phrase "free from fraud and manipulation" the system is in danger of not even being approved by higher authorities involved in the voting process.

After Raffy identified the problems that have plagued past Philippine elections such as dagdag-bawas, vote buying through kadena, lansadera and carbon-copy, ghost voting and substitute voting, multiple registration, illiterate voters, slow voting because of having to write the names of candidates, and came up with solutions until each and every one of the problems had been solved.

But, as luck would have it, Raffy's offer of a free graft free system of voting was turned down. Of course he was downhearted but sadder still was he for his countrymen especially because here was a system that can finally assure really honest elections in his country… and it was shot down.

When this decision of the government officials hit the newspapers, a Filipino nationalist and ex official in his 90's said, "There goes a precious opportunity for change that could have been the hope of our country for truly honest elections." And with the knowing wink, the man added, "You and I know why they turned it down."

CARLOS PALANCA AWARD WINNERS IN DALY CITY LIBRARY

2009-01-02T18:22:00.001-08:00

Daly City – The Daly City Library is pleased to announce the donation of 6 volumes from the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the Philippines most prestigious literary awards. This book donation was arranged by Tony Joaquin, a Daly City resident who has long supported the Library and its growing Filipiniana and Tagalog Materials Collection. The donated titles are: An Anthology of Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards winners, English Division; Volumes 2, 3, and 4; 1955-1970, and the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature: an anthology of winning works: 3 volume set: [1] The 1980s one-act play -- [2] The 1980s poetry -- [3] The 1980s short story.

The Don Carlos Palanca Awards, often dubbed the "Pulitzer Prize" of the Philippines, were established in 1950 and the first award was given in 1951. The aim of the awards is both to help develop Philippine literature by providing incentives for writers to craft exceptional works and to assist in the distribution of these works to the public, particularly to students. Mr. Joaquin arranged for this donation from the Palanca Foundation, and the Library is very grateful for his generosity. The books are now available for checkout at the Serramonte Main Library, 40 Wembley Drive, Daly City. Please call Carol Simmons, Library Director, at (650) 991-8025 for further information.

RAGE - BY ALFREDO ROCES

2008-12-29T12:59:00.001-08:00

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!

DYING BOYS WISH

2008-11-25T19:24:00.001-08:00

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.

G- A Multi Millionaire in his 20s

2008-11-01T18:08:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2008-09-11T16:29:00.000-07:00

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.

Two Powerful Spiritual Leaders Today

2008-08-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

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.

* * *

My daughter - The In Flight Manager

2008-07-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

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.

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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

A CHANCE FOR CLEAN ELECTIONS-FINALLY

2008-07-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

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.”

49 YEARS OF WEDDED BLISS- AUGUST 5, 1959

2008-07-09T19:36:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-09T16:22:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

Reflecting on a post war friend and poet

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

TONY ABAYA - INCISIVE AND HARD HITTING COLUMNIST

2008-06-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

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.

PEACE THROUGH FORGIVENESS, LOVE

2008-04-17T15:56:00.000-07:00

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."