The feeling of relief was vaguely overpowering.
That chilly early evening of Dec. 13, 2004, during a media conference at 9501 Restaurant of the ELJ Communications Center, Manay Ethel Ramos inquired if I had another scheduled appointment afterwards.
I said I was home-bound, so she asked if I would like to accompany her to visit Fernando Poe Jr., who, three days earlier, on Dec. 11, had been rushed to the St. Luke’s Medical Center on E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City for a brain attack. As an entertainment journalist, who would pass up such a rare opportunity?
By then, I had developed some kind of teacher-pupil relationship with the “dean” of entertainment writers. Whenever a work-related opportunity presented itself, Manay Ethel would consider me, and this “scoop” was among them.
Scenarios then flashed in my mind: I’d see the King of Philippine Movies prostrate on an orthopedic bed, hooked to all sorts of life-saving devices. He’d be unconscious so we would not be allowed to see him. Worst, I would be barred from entering his room. All these made me uneasy in unexpressed apprehension.
I treaded after Manay Ethel, who had visited FPJ nightly since he was hospitalized in an upper floor of a hushed corridor of the upscale medical facility at around 7 p.m. We had — surprisingly, at least to me — unimpeded access. The suite opened to a roomful of morosely quiet visitors seated along its walls.
Manay Ethel approached FPJ’s wife Susan Roces, beautiful as ever in her silent sadness and bussed her. Manay Marichu Vera Perez Maceda and Dolor Guevarra and husband, director Boots “Butse” Plata, greeted Manay Ethel with the same gesture of affection. Upon learning he was at the Intensive Care Unit that strictly disallowed visitors, my anticipation calmed.
FPJ had survived a grueling presidential campaign, which he lost due to massive election fraud. After complaining of dizziness during the Christmas party of FPJ Productions employees, he suffered a stroke. Upon treatment for brain clot, he slipped into a coma. Doctors diagnosed his condition as cerebral thrombosis with multiple organ failure.
After a while, I asked to be excused so as not to intrude in such a private moment. I decided to pass the time quietly chatting with anonymous movie talents waiting outside. We were later joined by ‘80s sexy actress Alona Alegre, who had surprisingly stayed alluring as in her prime. She shared her grief for beloved “Kuya Ronnie.”
The only time I met FPJ was in 1983 upon the invitation of publicist/writer Ronald Constantino for the media interview of Pakner (Partners) with Efren “Bata” Reyes in 2003 in Acacia Restaurant at the penthouse of a multi-storey building on Wilson St., Greenhills, San Juan City. This turned out to be his last film release.
Interviewing him for the first time while seated right across him, he answered my question each time, laconic as he was. Everything I’d heard about him, from spending “one-to-sawa” time with friends to treating everybody fairly, proved accurate.
The following year, he ran for President under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino. In a fraud-marred election, he lost to incumbent President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Instead of going to the streets in protest, he chose to apply the legal process and filed a protest with the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. Mrs. Arroyo’s camp denied any wrongdoing and expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would eventually throw out his protest.
On the other hand, I met Susan Roces during a shoot of Mano Po 2: My Home as helmed by Erik Matti at the San Juan Police Station. Personally asked by Mother Lily Monteverde with colleague Walden Belen, we acted as crowd talents as ourselves, showbiz reporters.
We were told that Susan had brought containers of skinned and chilled mabolo picked from trees in their Batangas farm. During the break, she shared the exotic-smelling fruit with cast and crew, impressing me with her immense generosity.
After asking to be excused from Manay Ethel as I found the waiting toxic, I left at around 8 o’clock. I was relieved to have not glimpsed everybody’s action hero in a dismal state.
Had my journalist instincts not dissipated, I might have encountered Grace Poe, known by her real name Mary Grace, who had arrived from Fairfax, Virginia USA that evening and rushed to St. Luke’s right after, according to media accounts. But I would not have recognized her, being only vaguely aware of the couple’s adopted daughter.
On Dec. 14 at 12:01 a.m. four hours after I left, FPJ passed on at 65 without regaining consciousness. When Susan declared his death an hour later in an official statement, she thanked Filipinos for praying for her husband: “We are indebted to your being with him in the face of the challenges.”
Fellow entertainers like Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista with his father Butch Bautista, Nino Muhlach and other politicians rushed to the hospital lobby when news of his death broke. The family’s closest friends assisted in their time of grief. Among them were Bong Revilla Jr., Rudy Fernandez and Efren Reyes Jr., who attended the embalming procedure at Arlington Funeral home in Pasig City with his publicist Erlinda Rapadas.
Megastar Sharon Cuneta rushed, unmade up and seemingly just out of bed. She supervised dressing him up for the wake. Erlinda remembers how she and Sharon cried their hearts out when he was taken to a chapel.
After the 7 a.m. mass there, his remains were brought to St. Martin de Porres chapel at the Sto. Domingo Church. What ensued was a “lamay ng bayan” last seen when. Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. was assassinated in 1983.
Filipinos of all social standing queued up to three blocks from Sto. Domingo Church where it was held to pay their last respects. Local stars sighted included Efren “Bata” Reyes. Daughter Lovi Poe, who had not entered local entertainment at the time, was also there.
On the second day of the wake, Manay Marichu had to ask to be excused to rush to help in the rescue of her sister, Gina de Venecia, whose Forbes Park residence caught fire,
Around two million people attended the nine-day wake. The funeral procession drew tens of thousands that crowded the streets of Quezon City. He was buried in the family plot along with his father and mother in Manila North Cemetery.
As a whole nation mourned FPJ’s death before Christmas that year, the President we never had returned to his Maker free and eternal.

“... Attracts me like no other lover,” sings George Harrison in “Something,” widely regarded as his best composition with the Beatles. These songwords instantaneously played in my head when Carla Abellana walked in the the full ballroom of the Novotel Manila Araneta Center for her launch as image model of ATC Healthcare International Corp.’s breakthrough product, Vita-E.
There she was, making her entrance in a fuchsia sleeveless chiffon jumpsuit that abundantly showed her glowing skin and slim body, as confident as she could get, feeling beautiful as she is naturally beautiful.
To highlight how healthy skin helps in attaining a beauty without too much effort, Vita-E is the latest product in ATC Healthcare’s antiaging and skin-enhancing supplements line. CEO Derick Wong, president Albert Chua and marketing manager Louie Albert along with the guests graced the celebration last Dec. 10, 2015.
Carla’s confidence was all over the place. When asked about the “fling” between rumored boyfriend Tom Rodriguez and Cai Cortez, she answered without visible emotion in the tone of her voice or body language: “That’s between the two of them. Hindi naman ako involved. That’s something I have nothing to do with. Past na ‘yon. Kasi past nila ‘yan, e, hindi na dapat inuungkat pa. Tapos na ‘yon; past is past. You don’t judge a person by his past.”
That must be that same confidence that world-class celebrity photographer Nigel Baker, who shot her photos for the ATC Vita-E campaign, found in her that she was allowed to move as she wanted. “Charming, graceful, demure, sweet, quiet, unassuming, modest, humble — those are very unusual attributes for a celebrity, but those are common attributes of Filipino celebrities,” Nigel raved about Carla.
Nigel became a household name after being a judge in America’s Next Top Model for 17 seasons, and for working with celebrities and supermodels around the world such as Taylor Swift and Tyra Banks, among others. He has also photographed local celebrities such as Anna Bayle, Ruffa Gutierrez, Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Heart Evangelista, Georgina Wilson, Nikki Gil, Isabelle Daza, Tom Rodriguez and Dingdong Dantes.
National glossies, you see, have this thing for so-called “peg shots” or sample poses usually culled from international glossies that models are asked to pose in similar fashion. Not Nigel, according to Carla, for he shot her photos based on the way she moves, unrestricted by rules.
Considered one of the most beautiful faces in local showbiz, Carla started her acting career in 2009 via the remake of Rosalinda. She hasn’t looked back since, appearing in a number of hit TV series including the popular My Husband’s Lover and some films like Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story.
According to Carla, being beautiful comes from within. “Minsan magsusuot tayo ng magandang damit, magje-jewelry, o mag me-makeup ng makapal. Hindi effortless beauty ’yun. Mas maganda talaga ’yung coming from the inside — ’yun ’yung effortless beauty. Dapat lagi kang positive at confident para ’yun ’yung lumalabas. At siyempre, you take care of your health.”
Right after Carla’s photo shoot with Nigel, she posted a lengthy message on Instagram, thanking him “not just for telling me I’m beautiful, but more importantly, for making me feel beautiful despite criticisms thrown at me.”
Host DJ Chikki of 101.9 MOR passed the microphone to me in the open forum. Rose Gonzales, head of Toolbox Creatives, the advertising arm of ATC, and publicist Leah Salterio prodded me to shoot a question. Clueless about it, I asked Carla if she had joined a beauty pageant or was planning to do so as she is very qualified to do so.
Her answer humbled me: “Mukha man akong mataas pero I’m only 5’4”.” When an image model can talk about herself as factually, she must be effortlessly beautiful. And Carla does it with Vita-E!
Show business is an industry ruled by good-looking and talented individuals. Each one achieves fame differently — few are hailed from chance encounters with managers and some come from a showbiz clan. Carla belongs to the latter.
The daughter of former celebrities Rey “PJ” Abellana and Rea Reyes has, however, been able to step out of her parents’ shadow. With her knack for acting and captivating beauty, she has proven that she is more than just a face from a prominent clan.
As Carla makes waves in the industry, a calendar filled with appointments is set upon her. Traveling to shooting locations, rehearsing and wearing makeup all day, “me time” is suddenly hard to find and sleep occurs on rare occasions. Despite this lifestyle, how do you think Carla manages to maintain her skin’s youthful and radiant glow?
When skincare routine is on the table, the discussion can go from pretty simple to crazy complicated. With the different products made available in the market, a simple splash to your face at the end of the day now seemed insufficient.
Current lifestyles consist of fast food meals, endless meetings, late nights on social media and peer group sessions. How can one squeeze in intensive skincare in your routine? Go back to the basics. By simply choosing a healthy lifestyle, you can slow down the natural aging process and Vita-E can promote a glowing skin that’s youthful 24/7.
Vita-E contains 400 IU of vitamin E, an antioxidant that effectively protects the cells against free radicals and gives our skin a beautiful, youthful and effortless glow. Vita-E works from the inside making you feel and look great.
Not only is it essential in maintaining the functions of our heart, blood vessels and nervous system, Vita-E also gives the immune system a boost. Take care of what’s beneath and flaunt that effortless beauty with Vita-E. Go E for effortless beauty with Vita-E!
ATC Healthcare International firmly believes in the value of good health. It is the company’s mission to empower all Filipinos to live life to the fullest by being a trusted life ally in all things health-related.
Now 10 years in business, which it just celebrated through the campaign, BrighTen Years, ATC Healthcare contines to support the company’s 10th year of providing products such as Robust, FatOut, Vita-E, Strike and many others.
Vita-E should be taken once a day. Vita-E sells P14 per soft gel capsule, available at Mercury Drug and all other leading drugstores nationwide. Carla also announced Vita-E’s Buy One, Take One Promo, which is available for a limited time offer only.

JACK JONES TO HOLD A DINNER SHOW AT NOVOTEL HOTEL! The legendary Jack Jones, the singer of such ‘60s iconic songs as “Impossible Dream,” “Lorelei,” “The Shadow of Your Smile” and “Wives and Lovers,” arrives in Metro Manila on Dec. 27 for the Jack Jones Sings Songs From The Heart, his pre-New Year concert with Jose Mari Chan, Gerphil Flores and Kidayawan Consortium of Voices for the benefit of Kaagapay sa Tagalistas Foundation Inc. The show takes place on Dec. 29 at the Kia Theater. As requested by Jorge Araneta, who is a close friend of Jack’s, the Dec. 30 night has been moved to the Monet Ballroom of Novotel Hotel Manila at the Araneta Center. Tickets are available at the Ticketnet box office (911-5555). For more details, call 0918-4972121 or 0906-4180786 and look for Murphy.

NICO ANTONIO FILM FESTIVAL! There’s some kind of a Nico Antonio film festival going on at the indie film and main sections of the 2015 MMFF. Nico is enjoying a peak in his acting career with his feature as Tolyts in ABS-CBN’s rating buster, On the Wings of Love. This gave his entertainment career a big boost that his film career is also enjoying a peak. His Tandem action thriller with JM de Guzman is up for screening at the New Wave 2015. Nico is also in Quantum Films’ official entries, Walang Forever and Buy Now, Die Later, also screening in the main section.

MY BEBE LOVE: #KILIG PA MORE. Vaguely clueless about its format and just familiar with the names of its lead stars, My Bebe Love: #Kilig Pa More turned out to be a pleasant surprise at its grand launch at Circle Events Place: This is fresh! It’s not your standard Vic Sotto starrer for the Metro Manila Film Festival with a lot of new things to offer!
That is why it is not surprising that media and fans agree on one thing — they are forecasting that My Bebe Love: #Kilig Pa More will rule gross receipts this year. It’s a prediction that’s not without basis: aside from Vic and Ai-Ai de las Alas’ well-known ticket counter grab, the uber hot love team of Alden Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza, also known by their catchy tandem moniker, Aldub, is a sure draw.
As a Vic starrer, I half-expected a phalanx of cast members to attend the media conference including child stars and the film director. This was unfulfilled as there were only five — repeat, five — stars present, namely, Vic, Ai-Ai, Alden, Maine and Valeen Montenegro.
In fact, the film heavily capitalizes on the Aldub phenomenon — with the same stars doing characters strongly recalling their colorful personas in Eat Bulaga’s kalyeserye. If it is not, why are Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, Paolo Ballesteros and ‘commenter” Joey de Leon in it? Even Ai-Ai plays a character in the noontime kalyeserye.
Vic revealed that Alden was already cast in his 2015 MMFF entry when it was planned in early 2015. But Maine was added when Albub erupted into a phenomenon and, of course, there’s no missing the rare opportunity to cash in on a craze. Even the British Broadcasting Company News recognized this by finding it worthy of a news feature.
My Bebe Love: #Kilig Pa More is actually the first movie of the Aldub stars, which is a well-thought-of strategy as television viewers are clamoring for a film version. Why not cater to them this Christmas by giving them something extremely familiar?
In fact, the questions during the media launch’s open forum weighed heavily of the reality of Alden and Maine’s romantic circumstances. That’s understandable as the invited journalists were probably catering to readers’ wants. But it sure prevented a more substantial talk about the film’s artistic and commercial merits.
My Bebe Love: #Kilig Pa More is the classic Romeo and Juliet story rehashed with a twist. Vito (Vic) finds himself at odds and in a bitter professional rivalry with Cora (Ai-Ai). The two are both in the business of mounting special events and productions and have both made a successful name in the same profession.
The rivalry turns complicated when Anna (Maine), daughter of Vito, gets romantically linked with Cora’s nephew Dondi (Alden). The bitter rivals will then strike a truce to prevent the romance from blooming further.
But Vito and Cora will find themselves in the same tangle as their wards. So where will all this lead? What are the solutions and resolutions open to them to bring closure and new beginnings to these young, exciting lovers? Catch the excitement, the love, the fun and romance when My Bebe Love: Kilig Pa More!, well, premieres on Christmas Day.
An unhappy buzz here for the kids. We’ve seen the last of the kiddie films in the 2014 MMFF. In its stead, the producers, namely, OctoArts Films, M-Zet Television Productions, Inc., APT Entertainment, GMA Films plus Meda Production, opted to sub with a romantic comedy — without child stars — although last season’s child wonder, Ryzza Mae Dizon, is billed in a “special appearance.”
That’s very understandable as films mainly made for children fail to bring in spectacular ticket sales beyond the first two days of the annual festival. The “adult” entries have consistently shown to have “long legs,” or the ability to bring in viewers after Christmas.

NAMESAKE RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘WORLDS AWAY.’ Continuing on with the excellent response of “Borders and Fences” release in Asia, the new single is sure to be a hit across the board. Both the “Worlds Away” single and video are absolutely spot on. The song uplifts the listener from the onset, keeping you on the edge of your seat with anticipation.
Wait till you see the music video. Guaranteed to be controversial, filmed with the Namesake band members, a group of beautiful military commandos and no other than The Supreme Leader of guess where? 
The release of “Worlds Away” single began in Asia on Dec. 11 with the video to come out over the following days. Asia, you’ll be able to see Namesake Live in concert in select cities in February and March 2016, plus with opportunities to see them on television and live streaming as well. “Worlds Away” and their other single. “Borders and Fences,” are being released by Imagen Records/Warner ADA.
The band’s development is headed by CEO of Imagen Records Bob Winegard and 2016 Grammy nominee Morgan Rose. Namesake is being managed by Rene Walter, CEO of Sanre Entertainment. For more information on Namesake, follow them on Facebook and Instagram: Namesakerock.  
 
HARD ROCK CAFÉ CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY. Hard Rock Café (HRC) opened its doors in Manila in 1995, providing the metro with an alternative entertainment venue and a consistent sampling of the best American and continental food in the world. For its grand anniversary celebration, HRC assembled a talented line-up of artists performing at the venue weekly, headed by Main Cast (Mondays), Inner Voices (Tuesdays), Arpie & The Multivitamins (Wednesdays), Red Picasso (Thursdays), Part 3 (Fridays and Sundays), and Streetbeat (Saturdays). Hard rockers can also come and see the special shows on Christmas Eve and Christmas day with a powerful and energy-packed performance by Part 3, Red Picasso on Dec. 30, and K.O. Jones on New Year’s Eve.
“We are so grateful for the continuous patronage of our loyal hard rockers,” says HRC entertainment manager Mean Marcial. “It has been a fabulous 20-year ride and we are looking forward to the next 20 years. We are gearing up with more exciting shows in 2016 featuring the country’s best and most talented artists.” Shows start at 9 p.m.

With the fascination of young Filipino fashion designers to mimic global designers such as Zuhair Murad, Yohji Yamamoto and John Gulliano, Germany-based Filipina artist-designer Joyce Peñas Pilarsky does the exact opposite by returning to the exemplars of her roots.

Pilarsky undertook this by looking back and taking inspiration from the doyens of Philippine fashion, National Artist Ramon Valera, Jose “Pitoy” and Ben Farrales who evolved the Filipino formal wear to what it is now and she intends to contribute her part.
Michael Cinco dressed Jennifer Lopez in a body hugger with Swaroski-patterned tribal design for the opening number of the American Music Awards in November complete with dancers in Igorot-inspired tattoos.
Before this, Pilarsky shifted to Filipino tribal wear in October by adapting her signature floral-inspired style to contemporarize them. The synergy came up with mind-boggling designs entirely her own: fresh, innovative, fabulous, particularly Pilarsky!
This fastidiousness Pilarsky achieved by being a model, painter, philanthropist, singer, haute couture designer and book author in that order before turning MWI International Ambassador 2013, Philippine’s Best Dressed and Style Icon 2013 and Classic Mrs. Asia International Global 2014.
After she was awarded Global ARTleader of 2015 for her lead in global fashion, she graduated her Masters in Alternative Medicine at the University of Makati. She is presently taking her doctorate in the field of expertise. Then she proceeded work intensely on her Heritage Collection.
It took a creative challenge for Pilarsky to exhale this creative genius. Selected as one of the 12 finalists in the Fashion Design category of the prestigious 2015 Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition held on Oct. 17, 2015 in Los Angeles, California, USA, she went all out in inspiration and perspiration, producing a never-before-seen collection.
This annual design competition is a platform for creative minds to give exposure, visibility, support and a voice to amazing talents from around the world. The three Design categories are broken into Hair Design, Make-up Artistry and Fashion Design. Some of fashion’s notable insiders select the 12 finalists in each category. These finalists are given their very own runway show during Los Angeles Fashion week.
With her Heritage Collection, Pilarsky went all out to put on the runway only her best. This involved going to the National Museum of the Filipino People for designs and materials research. Then she proceed to source materials that involved travels to various parts of the country before doing the actual designs.
Pilarsky showcased an 18-piece ethnic-inspired collection of formal wear consisting of cocktail dresses, gowns and male wear that features her interpretations of the various ethic wear of the Philippines. Using natural fabrics from the Philippines, specifically Zamboanga. She sourced jusi, piña, tinalak, abel Iloko and silk gazar from indigenous weavers she supports.
This earth-friendliness and sustainability, the use of organic, hand-woven yet practical materials, makes it an important direction in the time of climate change threat.
A masterful yet unexpected blend of the traditional and contemporary of patterned gowns and male wear that exude unmistakable sexiness, particularly Igorot and Muslim silhouettes, sometimes using high technology to radiate luxury and confidence that sets new standards for Filipino fashion and global trend.
Imagine the barong Tagalog in yellow piña with an unheard-of hoodie, giving it extra dimension on the collar and shoulders while retaining its basic form in the sleeves and body. While unmistakably a barong Tagalog, it surprisingly stays wearable and masculine!
To expose the male torso and its glorious abs, Pilarsky used hanging jackets and low-cut pants made of striped silk and cotton which are really ethnic-inspired. A lookback to Philippine history recalls the datus of pre-history or the warriors of the highlands.
Pilarsky achieved the tattoo effect with the master improvisation of the laser cut on black silk gazar. She even did the wonderful experimentation of using it on white fabric. What comes out is an unobtrusive fool-the-eye that comes fashionable as well.
She also played with the male body versus natural fabrics by putting vinyl-like silk gazar against abel iloko — synthetic versus natural. A low crouch pants is a showstopper on first glance, but the dualities in each garment call for double and even triple takes to truly comprehend.
Pilarsky spinned on female formal wear in two-fold: sweet-and-pretty cocktail dresses with opera coats and sweet-and-sexy, worn as a gown peeping into a sheer lace skirt or as a cropped top over a half-sheer skirt.
Pilarsky then turned all her ethnic influences into the idea of beautiful animist gown with a tribal headdress in a finale number detailed with rainbow striped prints with appliquéd ornate floral patterns. Just the sort of thing a woman with life experience, beauty and intelligence would wear.
Wonderfully, Pilarsky allowed the natural pattern of the skins to shine through, using her designs to make it more beautiful, to tempt a gaze, a bait to appreciate. Regardless, coats teased, allowing a peek-a-boo.
Upon scrutiny, Pilarsky’s maximalist design strategy follows the tradition of ethnic weavers who embroider every available space with nature motifs like plants, animals and mountains, its abundance referring to growth and fertility. This makes Pilarsky’s designs truly Filipino in character and spirit.
By following the wear’s traditional cuts combined with impeccable styling in luxurious fabrics, the visual appeal is clearly Filipino. The Heritage Collection turned out an outstanding reinterpretation of Filipino formal wear with a classic-contemporary edge in flawless execution.
There wasn’t anything particularly revolutionary about these formal wear except that they are strikingly beautiful (and beautifully done), and evoked a kind of exotic glamor.
Pilarsky’s Heritage Collection held its own for originality and visual impact that it got the judges unanimous nod for the grand prize.
This win caps for Pilarsky another banner year. This is a back-to-back win for the Philippines as Veejay Floresca won the same award in 2014, making it the second grand prize won by a Filipino on the annual competition.
Pilarsky bested all in this head-to-head competition. With the winners in the Hair Design and Make-Up Artistry categories, she received a plaque, a prize package valued at $2,000 and a four-page spread in Nickii Jean magazine.
From Los Angeles, Pilarsky proceeded to New York for the Fashion Week Brooklyn Spring Summer 2016 where she presented a version of the Heritage Collection in candy colors. And then she was London-bound where she joined young British designers in a charity fashion show to raise awareness of the Angelman Syndrome. As if that’s not enough accomplishment, she was also invited to juror the Best Young Artist.

BUZZBLAST! Willie Revillame starts his daily game show (except Saturday and Sunday) on GMA7 on Feb. 15, 2016 before the Saksi newscast!... It looks like the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival will break the 2014 gross receipts of P1.014 billion as it has earned P834 million after nine days in the cinemas with four more days before it closes on Jan. 6!... Unofficial gross receipt rankings are as follows: My Bebe Love, Beauty and the Bestie, Haunted Mansion, Walang Forever, All You Need Is Pag-ibig, Honor Thy Father, Buy Now, Die Later and Nilalang!... Mara Lopez is the lead actress of Joselito Altarejos’ TPO (Temporary Protection Order!)... 

JACK’S WORLD-CLASS CONCERT! In Jack Jones Sings Songs from the Heart, the legendary singer Jack Jones performed his repertoire of hits mixed with timeless classics on Dec. 29 at the Kia Theatre. As expected, it showcased his great artistry and surfaced its extraordinary aspects previously unknown even to his most diehard fan.
At 77, Jack displayed his ability to crack the sound barrier with age-defying vocal registers. He showed this many times over during the night by extending his high notes in different ranges.
Presented by ManCo Productions Inc. and Royale Chimes Concerts and Events, Inc. in cooperation with Echo Jham Productions as adroitly directed by Calvin Murphy Neria, Jack with world-class performers Jose Mari Chan, Gerphil Flores and the Consortium of Voices delivered a fascinating world-class program unexpected for its bravura.
The Kilyawan Consortium of Voices set the concert tone by opening with mesmerizing Christmas carols accompanied by a grand piano that made the season’s spirit soar.
Switching to a full band that opened with a hint of “Sound of Music” air, Gerphil finally broke into a wholehearted rendition of a kundiman, “Minamahal.” Her duet with Jose Mari Chan prepped for his solo segment. He performed his signature hits that he usually introduced with a repartee.
After a short break that allowed the backup brand to switch to Jack’s musicians, a trio of grand piano, bass and percussion, Jack launched his segment with a Sound of Music Medley consisting of “My Favorite Things, “Sound of Music” and “Climb Every Mountain.”
Lover of the big-band era, Jack as an artist with a swinging voice creates a distinct interpretation, consistently proving himself to be a master at seeing beyond the composer’s notes and lyrics. Thus he discovers and interprets the real message behind each composition, subsequently revealing all to his audience.
That was how he treated his repertoire, a vocalist with class, singing in many styles, with a powerful voice and an amazing vocal range. But he was not beyond catering to audience wants.
Then it was hit after hit after hit: “Without a Song,” “The Best is Yet to Come,” “Angel Eyes,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” “If I Rule the World,” “Teach Me Tonight” “What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life,” “I’d Be Nothing At All,” “Girl Talk,” “The Love Boat” and “She.”
“Teach Me Tonight” was the only track he sang from his latest CD, Seriously Frank, which pays tribute to what would have been the 100th birthday of Frank Sinatra.
“The Love Boat” is his upbeat tune, the theme from the hit American TV series that ran for 13 years.
Jack was also an audience pleaser. He went down the stage to sing to them up close and personal. He did not hesitate with selfie opportunities, even at times initiating them.
Then Jack launched the most-anticipated portion of the concert, his well-loved songs, the performances simple but thoughtful. As the show’s title suggested, Jack pledged to heartfelt love songs and ballads to envisage memories of his younger self.
As he loosened his tie to remove it with his coat, he narrated how he had been active on the musical theater in the last two decades. He once refused to go on tour of the US performing Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha but reconsidered and was acclaimed by the critics.
The song is sung once in the musical by Don Quixote as he stands vigil over his armor, in response to Dulcinea’s question about what he means by “following the quest.” Jack voice-acted out the scene before launching into an outstanding rendition of “The Impossible Dream,” the musical’s theme song.
This was followed by “The Lorelei,” the Filipinos’ favorite song that did not turn a worldwide hit as it was not promoted by its record label.
As Jose Mari failed to come out when Jack was ready to do their duet, Jack he was forced to “jump” to the next song which was the Bread’s classic, “If.”
Since Jose Mari was at the sideline, he was ready to duet “Wives and Lovers” that effectively broke the sentimental tone the concert had developed. This was a welcome relief before the cast finale number, a simple stroke of genius from director Calvin.
Alternating in the vocal parts of “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on the Open Fire),” Jack, Jose Mari, Gerphil, and the Kilyawan Consortium of Voices greeted the audience “Merry Christmas” in unison, a heartfelt ending.
When it was over, the audience clamored for more which Jack acknowledged with an encore.
The following night, on Dec. 30, Jack had a second show at the Monet Ballroom of Novotel Manila Araneta Center with a slightly different repertoire. Jorge Araneta and wife Stella Marquez-Araneta graced the concert.
Jack’s shows weren’t game changing by any means, but by the way he executed it, he meant it to be outstanding. At his late age, Jack is still an accomplished singer, one of the best of his generation. At this point in his career, he’s at least earned the right to work on a formula that he managed to deliver in an entertaining manner, which was what matters.

PIA WURTZBACH BRINGS HOME MISS UNIVERSE 2015 CROWN. After a 42-year drought for the crown, the Philippines makes pageant history once again. Miss Philippines and PLDT Home DSL ambassador Pia Wurtzbach was recently crowned Miss Universe 2015 after a dramatic coronation night held at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
Pia bested 80 women from various parts of the globe to claim the country’s third Miss Universe title. She follows in the footsteps of Gloria Diaz who won in 1969 and Margie Moran who brought home the crown in 1973.
“We could not be any more proud of our very own PLDT Home DSL ambassadress as she embarks on this new journey as Ms. Universe 2015.” PLDT VP and Home Marketing Director Gary Dujali said. “Pia has been with us throughout the year as we aggressively went around the country bringing the family-sized broadband connection of Home DSL to more Filipino homes nationwide.”
PLDT Home DSL is the country’s number one broadband with over one million subscribers. For more information, log on to www.pldthome.com.

Known for its wealthy residents and gated neighborhoods, Calabasas in Southern California is home of superhot mega-entertainers from Justin Bieber to the Kardashians, to been-there mega-entertainers from Lee Majors to David Hasselhoff.

In 2014, Megastar Sharon Cuneta described on Facebook her 6,610-square-foot estate there as “Home. Thousands of miles away. Our ‘happy place,’” even adding a smiley face emoticon.
But Sharon, who also dabbles in real estate including four-storey townhouses in the Scout area in Quezon City, has changed her mind about the mansion as a vacation hideaway or a retirement home. She advertised in realtor.com on Dec. 28, 2015 that she is selling the property for $2.2 million.
Built in 1997, the six-bedroom property has an expansive front lawn with a grand marble entry. The two-storey residence has a formal living room with a fireplace, a family room, custom library and a chef’s kitchen with a breakfast room. Its back has a covered patio adjacent to a grill area overlooking a pool, a spa with a waterfall and a children’s playground.
With husband former Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan seeking reelection in the 2016 Philippine elections, the Megastar must have changed her mind about future retirement in the US.

THROWBACK 2015 ENTERTAINMENT. Here’s Buzzstation’s brief of the important entertainment news in 2015!

JANUARY, STARS “MEET” POPE FRANCIS. Composite Realism artist Dante Hipolito painted Gov. Vilma Santos with Pope Francis on canvas in “Salubong.” In an ambiance of rural peace and prosperity, he shows Gov. Vilma as a farmer leading stars Gary Valenciano, Sen. Grace Poe, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Coco Martin and Kris Aquino who are also costumed as country people in the festive welcome. Quite rightfully, it turned out as the most important artwork of Pope Francis’ visit.

FEBRUARY, HEART AND CHIZ BEAT ALL ODDS. The much-awaited wedding of Sen. Chiz Escudero and Heart Evangelista finally took place on Feb. 15 at Balesin Island in Quezon. Together with Chiz’s kids, they flew to the island club and tied the knot. Members of the Ongpauco and Escudero families also headed to the beautiful island later in the day. Heart’s parents, who had publicly expressed disapproval of Chiz, did not attend. Still, Heart’s sisters Camille, Mich and Lissa participated in her special day. President Noynoy Aquino also did not make it to the event.

MARCH, VANDOLPH SURVIVES AN ACCIDENT ANOTHER TIME. Vandolph Quizon, the son of the late Comedy King Dolphy and Alma Moreno, survived an accident at the vicinity of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. In 2001, Vandolph was badly injured while his girlfriend died in a car crash in Pangasinan. This time around, the Parañaque Police said Vandoph’s sports utility vehicle lost control and collided with a motorcycle at around 8:30 a.m. A radio report said Vandoph was unhurt.

APRIL, ROMANCE RULES PHILIPPINE ENTERTAINMENT. You’re My Boss, a Star Cinema romantic comedy film as directed by Antoinette Jadaone, was released on April 4, 2015. Starring Toni Gonzaga and Coco Martin, the story centers on a smart and bossy airline company executive named Georgina (Toni Gonzaga). Your Place or Mine? — a Viva Films romantic film adapted from the hit selling Wattpad novel as directed by Joel Lamangan — starred Andi Eigenmann, Bret Jackson and Andre Paras released. It was released on April 29, 2015.

MAY, WILLIE RETURNS TO TV. “Bigyan lahat ng jacket ’yan!” When Willie Revillame returned to TV via the game show Wowowin, now airing Sundays on GMA-7 from 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., he opened with a dance segment shot on the helipad of the Wil Tower Mall. The rest of the show was held in the new studio along Kalayaan Avenue in Quezon City. Some 300 dancers performed on the show, with Lovi Poe, Kylie Padilla and Wynwin Marquez adding glitz to the proceedings. Willie’s opening song with the Wowowin Girls was “Sumayaw, Gumalaw, Tumalon.”

JUNE, JENNYLYN DECLARED SEXIEST WOMAN. Jennylyn Mercado was declared this year’s sexiest by FHM Magazine. Marian Rivera was last year’s winner. Jennylyn topped this year’s poll, beating Andrea Torres and Ellen Adarna. Also included in the Top 10 were Angel Locsin, Anne Curtis, Sam Pinto, Solenn Heussaff and Jinri Park. Jennylyn thanked everyone for voting for her in this year’s poll. This is a winning streak for Jennylyn, and Best Actress for English Only Please.

JULY, ALDUB CRAZE HITS THE NATION. Maine Mendoza, dubbed as The Dubsmash Queen due to her hilarious Dubsmash videos, joined Eat Bulaga’s Dabarkads. As Yaya Dub, she serves as a private maid to Lola NiDora (Wally Bayola). On July 16, 2015, the Alden Richards-Maine tandem started with an exchange of glances, and how Yaya Dub became “conscious” when she realized that she was being watched by Alden. The Eat Bulaga writers made a special presentation, dubbing it as kalyeserye (hashtag: #KalyeSerye).

AUGUST, ARNEL OPENS THE WORLD MUSIC CAMP. Arnel Pineda opens The World Music Camp to encompass talent from around the world. A massive increase in internet response motivated the producers to expand the contest. Entry submissions on their website will still be accepted. Arnel, Journey lead singer, will judge, encourage and help select a winner with famous international musical talents. The final winner will receive approximately $1 million in prizes, including recording, management contracts and professional mentorship.

SEPTEMBER, ‘HENERAL LUNA’ MAKES A MARK. John Arcilla stars as Antonio Luna in the critically acclaimed historical epic Heneral Luna, a short-tempered Filipino general. The film crossed the P400 million mark at the box office — making it the highest-grossing historical film of all time. Heneral Luna was also selected to be the country’s official entry to the 88th Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language Film category.

OCTOBER, FELIX MANALO BREAKS RECORDS. The Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan province, owned by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), set a world record with the premiere of Felix Manalo. At least 46,624 people watched the movie’s initial screening at the arena, which has a capacity of 55,000. Felix Manalo broke the previous record for Largest Attendance For A Film Screening. The Philippine Arena holds the world record for “largest mixed-use indoor theater.”

NOVEMBER, WHO STEALS FPJ’S ‘ANG PROBINSYANO’ FROM COCO? The action hero always wins. In the case of Coco Martin of Fernando Poe Jr.’s Ang Probinsyano, somebody even steals it from him without trying. Who’s this stealer? He’s tiny Onyok! He’s Xymon Ezekiel Pineda in real life, his first name simplified to Simon when he was cast in the Action King’s Ang Probinsyano, a superb remake of his 1977 action classic, now ABS-CBN’s highest rating primetime series.

DECEMBER, STAR MAGIC WORKS ON PIA. Pia Wurzbach is ABS-CBN Star Magic’s first “pure” global beauty title holder as Miss Universe 2016. While Megan Young is its first Miss World, Pia started from stratch with Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan, while Megan started with GMA-7 and later joined Star Magic. But both wins affirm Mr. M’s eye for diamonds in the rough, the reason Star Magic has the highest of viable supertalents in the country!

It has evolved so that the artist’s signature is the authentication of his/her artwork’s soul.
And there is something about the signature of National Artist for visual arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera (referred as Cabrera from hereon) that has evaded our conscious attention.
Cabrera is celebrating BenCab: 50 Creative Years, and its ongoing component, “BenCab: The Filipino Artist,” at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (MMM). As their titles indicate, the artist’s moniker is spelled as “BenCab,” with the C of Cabrera appearing in upper capital. Distinctive and stylized, it now appears as its official spelling.
But it is not. Cabrera did not sign his works in a single way, but at least in five styles throughout his prolific career of artistic cycles based on opportunity and its phases. This basic and all-important aspect of his art is largely unsettled, even confused, which this article attempts to decipher.
His MMM show provides the definitive answer to this issue. Showcasing works from his pre-fame period to the present, it displays the spectrum of how he signed his works in the intervening half-a-millennia that none of the books about his art can ever visualize.
But his biographer, Cid Reyes, spells it as “Bencab.” The purpose may be grammatical precision, but even this is not entirely valid. It misrepresents Cabrera’s signature as he has been using it in his works. Such practice, however, is permissible in formal writing.
Until 1964, Cabrera signed his works as “Ben Cabrera” or “Bencabrera,” giving prominence to his nickname, “Ben.” But he was unsure of his signature, taking to it as a matter of unnecessary consequence. But by 1964, a year before he marked as the beginning of his artistic evolution, he also signed a work as “bencab” in Fishing in Sexmoan (1966) and “BENCAB” in Sabel in San Andres (1966).
Two other Cabreras, also painters, were better know at the time he was still an aspiring one: his second eldest brother/artistic guide Salvador “Kuya Bading” Cabrera and his cousin, Benjie Cabrera. So he decided to differentiate himself by using the professional name “BENCAB” — a streak of originality that would be his most potent creative tool.
According to handwriting analysis experts, all-caps writers are uncomfortable talking about their personal lives — at least in interpersonal relationships. They do not want others to know about themselves. Often, such writers do not express their emotions in public. This indicates that he does not like to relate to people at a personal level, except, for sure, to a limited few.
By 1965, the Manila Times publishing company hired him as illustrator and layout artist for the Sunday Times Magazine, its Sunday supplement. His pen-and-ink drawings were signed “bencab,” spelled as a joined connection of the first syllable of his first name and surname. And, yes, all in small letters.
But his debut solo exhibit at Gallery Indigo owned by his Kuya Bading in 1966 showed him reverting to the block printing of his signature as shown in such works in acrylic as Scavengers (1966) and Sabel in San Andres. As he signed mostly using a brush, he could not initial in script.
But his signature drastically and distinctively changed in his succeeding works from 1967. He painted works accentuated by ink details in Mag-Ina (1968), Madonna in a Jeep (1968) and Scavenger (1968) at his second solo exhibit at the Luz Gallery. He signed with the fluidity of pen writing as “bencab.” Having then determined with certainty how he would like to sign his works, perhaps an indication of improved confidence, he started to communicate.

When Cabrera sketched Caroline Kennedy’s head on an ordinary paper napkin and signed it, “bencab ‘68 INDIOS BRAVOS,” it indicated how he wrote and signed his works in this breakthrough year. This signature matched Cabrera’s well-known introspective and non-communicative personality as confirmed by Kennedy.
When Cabrera lived and worked in London with wife Kennedy, there was a period he even stopped using “bencab” and signed as “Cabrera.” Specifically in the Larawan series, he signatured A Typical Gobernadorcillo and His Wife (1972), An Oriental Fan (1982) and Melancholy (1085) as “Cabrera.”
It was the same in the Drapes series such as Drapes III (1971), the Expatriate Filipinos series like Hospitality Girls (1978-80) and Rene’s Performance (1988), and the Pink Series such as Punk Series (1989).
The signature “bencab” must have come off as strange among Londoners as it did not reveal his nationality; neither indicative of being Spanish nor Filipino. Being a relative unknown when he arrived in the epicenter of the British art scene, the signature “Cabrera” gave him the sense of nationality, of Spanish stock, an artist from the Philippines. It made it easier for people to remember and spell the name.
As the Filipino artist who established his racial stock, this full surname also gave him the creative direction of delving in his people’s past and present. But it was hardly an attempt to “internationalize” his name. He continued to use “bencab” for works exhibited in the Philippines where the monicker branded him.
He determined to use “bencab” when he signed works in oil or acrylic using a brush, signing it separately, first as “ben” and then “cab.” This is clearly an attempt to write in script as it is more representative of his penmanship.
The stylized “bencab” is meant to give that effect, but it came out as quasi-script so that the C appeared bigger than the rest of the letters, as a stroke miscalculation. But realizing that it makes his signature unique, Cabrera adapted the style.
No wonder they appear mostly in the large-format works like Isadora Dancing (1999), Walk by the Sea (1999) and Sabel (2003). However, other works are unsigned like Kutsero (1970), A Family of Servants (1972) and Gaze (1981).
Was it to distinguish “ben” from “Cab?” Going through his works in the MMM show, this appears not necessarily the case as it is more an attempt to sign in script. It is apparent that the “C” does not always appear as a capital letter as clearly shown in Flor C’s Portrait (1995), The Huntress (1997) and Images of the Past (1999).
Still, such signature anomaly indicates he signs in small letters. The spelling is actually a misrepresentation of his actual signature, which is this article’s main thesis. By their number, “bencab” is Cabrera’s most dominant signature style, which will be taken for this purpose as his real signature.
This small-letter signature is consistent with Cabrera’s personality which must have been enhanced in due time. But it does tell of a highly focused artist that uses introspection to communicate in his works.
What he cannot express, Cabrera paints. Vastly creative and infinitely important, his paintings inarguably are the medium of this outstanding non-verbal communication.

It is disturbing the way the Metro Manila Film Festival Executive Committee (MMFF ExeCom), headed by new Metro Manila Development Authority chair Emerson Carlos, gently handled the complaint on the disqualification of Honor Thy Father from the festival’s 2015 Best Picture category.
The MMFF is not without controversies — some were even worse.
At the Manila Film Festival (MFF), precursor of the MMFF, Ruffa Gutierrez and Gabby Concepcion were declared bogus Best Actress and Best Actor awardees, respectively, instead of the valid winners.
During the third MMFF, Lino Brocka threw invectives at board of jurors chair Rolando Tinio and walked out of the awarding ceremonies. This was to protest Celso Ad. Castillo’s Burlesk Queen, a Vilma Santos starrer, win of eight of the 10 medals (which were handed out that year) including the Best Picture award. Organizers asked the winners to return their medals as a result of the controversy.
At the 20th MMFF, board of jurors chair Alejandro Roces announced that “none of the entries was deserving” so six major awards including Best Picture were not given out.

NEW CONTROVERSY. In a controversial decision announced by the MMFF ExeCom on Dec. 26, 2015, a day before the awards night, the film starring John Lloyd Cruz and directed by Erik Matti was disqualified due to a technicality. The producers allegedly did not inform the ExeCom that their full-length feature would be screened as the opening film at the Cinema One Film Festival on Nov. 8.
Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, who has a supporting role in Honor Thy Father, filed a complaint with the House of Representatives to investigate the conflict of interest involving ExeCom member Dominic Du in relation to his company and the committee’s decision to ban the film.
Among the important persons who attended the first hearing were Matti, Fernandez, Carlos, ExeCom members Marichu Maceda, Eugino Villareal and Du, and three Board of Jurors members including Carmen Musngi. Cruz failed to attend as he had a personal appearance schedule in Japan.
Du admitted owning Axinite Digicinema Inc., a distributor of foreign films. Walang Forever won Best Picture, and Buy Now Die Later won Second Best Picture, both produced by Quantum Films’ Joji Alonso, who is Du’s legal counsel, according to Fernandez.
At the hearing, members of the board of jurors owned up in that it was Du and Maceda who told them not to consider Honor Thy Father as a contender for the Best Picture category as it had been disqualified.
Maceda explained the decision’s rationale: “We did not want the members of the jury to feel any bias against Honor Thy Father as far as the other categories were concerned. We felt very strongly that the sanction was only done on the producer and not to the other members of the movie.”
Honor Thy Father producers had claimed that they informed the MMFF about the Cinema One screening as early as Nov. 6. The last-minute decision to take the movie out of the Best Picture award, they reasoned out, was an unfair action.
Maceda explained the delay: “When we received the letter, it took us one month before the Special Committee and the Rules Committee met. At that time. we did not want to bother the newly appointed chairman, and there were so many other things scheduled.”

BUZZSTATION’S OPINION. If producers of the official entries signed to a “judges’ decisions are final” clause, they are without legal recourse. This may be the reason the Execom is taking the issue lightly.
This is a regular provision in most competition rules and regulations, which is a requirement in the acceptance of participation to the annual nationwide festival of Filipino films. They have no valid ground to complain. It is safe to assume the Honor Thy Father producers signed.
Such a provision is standard to avoid complaints, whether due or undue, to ensure an orderly conduct of the competition. Filipinos are such bad losers with a propensity not to accept defeat and complain cheating as a reason. Just check election protests as proof.
The only time such a complaint can prosper is when the result of the competition does not reflect the judges’ decision. In Honor Thy Father’s case, such a violation is not present.
About the conflict of interest issue, this is not the only time such alleged infraction happened. In fact, it is allowed by MMFF rules as the members of the ExeCom are “vested” interests as they have business interests related to film production and/or distribution.
Walang Forever was distributed by Quantum Films owned by Alonso as listed in the full-length feature’s Wikipedia. Alonso is managing director of the law firm Alonso and Associates, Inc. that is the legal counsel of the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council of which Du is president.
Axinite Digicinema is a national foreign film distribution company linked with OctoArts Films, a film production and distribution company owned by Orly R. Ilacad whose legal counsel is also Alonso. Possibly, Alonso is also an investor in Axinite Digicinema. Theoretically, such business relationship removes the reported conflict of interest.
What the complainants conveniently forgot is that Du is only a member of the ExeCom and does not hold veto power over its decisions. He holds just a vote. If he was allowed to participate in competition deliberations, that was with the acceptance of other members.
His decision/s only reflected his own, one voice among several voices. The ExeCom also has a head and failure to act in an unfair action or decision is collusion.
Alonso is like all business persons who must maximize profitability for herself and her shareholders. All producers took actions to accomplish this in the same way the producers of Honor Thy Father took actions to maximize their own business interests.
Her professional link with Du is really immaterial in this issue. She has not committed as any act against MMFF rule so the complainant must stop linking her to their grievances as they are making themselves legally vulnerable.

BOTTOMLINE. Complainants must honor the judges as the disqualification issue will boil down to accepting their decisions without recourse.

NEW MULTIMEDIA ARTS BOOK NOW AVAILABLE. Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) Prof. Raffy Ignacio recently finished a book, Interdisciplinary Multimedia Arts, unpublished but copyrighted for their Fine Arts program. Interdisciplinary Multimedia Arts is Prof. Ignacio’s proposed replacement for the Mass Communications degree offered traditionally by most universities. Written in book form, it completes all the necessary phases of a new Fine Arts program.

The Interdisciplinary Multimedia Arts course is grounded in the evolving concept of art as it is practiced in the 21st century, emphasizing the integration of image, text, sound and motion. Artistic perspectives will be developed and presented through various media, with different disciplines intersecting in the creative process.
Set against the backdrop of new and emergent media, the program encourages an exploratory and experimental approach to artistic expression through varied forms from still to live images, transitory or static uses of artistic spaces, fusions of traditional media with digital imaging techniques, and the use of technology surplus or recyclable “leftovers” to generate new and non-traditional possibilities for creative expression.
The main objective will be to produce artworks for gallery and museum-based exhibits, as a result of the learner’s exposure to relevant conceptual premises as well as to the technical aspects of art production.
The Interdisciplinary Multimedia Arts is written in book form complete of all the necessary ingredients of a new Fine Arts program.
Any interested publisher in this breakthrough book can contact Prof. Ignacio through this columnist via exom.ph@gmail.com or mobile no. 0908-7202125.

AN ALTERNATIVE RIZAL DAY CELEBRATION. Blueroom Artgallery paid tribute to hero Jose Rizal by celebrating the last Rizal Day on Dec. 30 through the Jose Rizal Art Portraiture in the Age of Globalization art student competition.
TUP, which has been winning in many student art competitions and its alumni distinguishing themselves in the national and global arts scenes, took the lead once more.
TUP professor Raffy Ignacio organized the competition with the support of lawyer Jose Gerardo “Boyet” Medina, a member of the Knights of Rizal, that offered cash prizes. It served as an alternative celebration besides the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the hero’s monument at the Rizal Park.
The way it turned out, most of the 100-plus entries were from TUP. An independent board of jurors composed of Egay Fernandez and Mark Andy Garcia (a TUP alumnus), both Thirteen Artists awardees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, along with Ignacio, Medina and this columnist. determined the major winners and honorable mention.
Ignacio put up Blueroom Artgallery in 2004 to give his young students a venue where they could display their works without prejudice on qualifications. Only talents count there. Two years after, The Philippine Daily Inquirer cited it as a best alternative art space.
Medina sponsored the competition as organized by Ignacio. Medina is a graduate of Law at the University of the Philippines Diliman Batch 1992. He is an art patron who started his art collection by accepting master artworks as payment for professional services.
Ignacio, who handles both arts and advertising subjects at TUP, is also a visual artist known for his organic punk wood sculptures, an audiophile, a trader in vintage vinyl albums and a gallery-café operator.
 Proclaimed first prize winner was Si Rizal at ang Pambansang Photobomber, the 30-by-36-inch oil by Mark Jerome Martinez of TUP. This graytone work shows Rizal taking a selfie with a phone, while flashing the peace sign as the halted construction of Torre de Manila multi-storey looms in the background.   
“Gusto kong ipakita ang aking pananaw tungkol sa isyu ng Torre De Manila Condominium. Ginamit ko ang cellphone at pagkuha ng selfie upang makakuha ng atensyon ng mga kabataan. Dahil gusto ko rin na mamulat ang mga kabataan sa usaping ito. At di nga ako nagkamali, dahil habang ginagawa ko ang painting na to ay maraming kabataan ang nakakita dito, iisa ang kanilang reaksyon at tanong. Natuwa sabay sabing ‘Kuya ano po ‘yung nasa likod ni Rizal? Bakit po may building?’
“At doon nga ay nagkaroon ako ng oras para maipaliwanag sa kanila ang isyu tungkol kay Rizal at ang pambansang photobomber. At ngayon ay umaasa ako na makakatulong ang painting kong ito para matauhan naman ang mga tao mula sa likod ng Torre De Manila Condominium. Sana ay mahalin at galangin natin ang ating Pambansang Bayani tulad ng pagmamahal niya at sakripisyo sa ating bayan,” elucidates Martinez about his first prize winner.
Si Pepe at ang Bayan, 30-by-36-inch acrylic by Zorrick Enriquez, is second prize. On a white background, the P1 coin with Rizal’s image is centered to explore its theme. Explains Enrique, 19, who is an Outstanding Student at the Batangas State University and the winner of several art awards:
“Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Ito ang tumagang kataga sa aking isipan mula pagkabata. Bilang kabataan sa modernong teknolohiya, nababaliwala natin ang tunay na pagkakakulugan nito. Ang librong nilikha niya, ang Noli Me Tangere at El Filibusterismo, ay para sa ating lahat upang ipagtanggol tayo sa mga mananakop ng bayan at iangat ang ating sarili. Kaya para sa akin oto ang dahilan kaya siya nasa piso. Numero uno siya sa sa bayan. Number one siya puso buong sambayang Filipino,” explains Enriquez about his award winner.
And Walang Bahid Nguni’t Nagmamarka, 32-by-36-inch oil by Brendon Enclona, is third prize. Rendered in dark color over color in which images of Rizal and his frmale-centered life. Enclona, 19, grew up color blind but persisted to pursue Fine Arts at TUP where he is distinguishing himself.
“My painting is about kung ano ‘yung naiambag sa akin ni Rizal as an individual. Sa works kasi ni Rizal hindi mo makikitaan ng dahas ngunit ang mararamdaman mo ay sari- saring emotion mula sa mga akda niya. Ine-express ‘yun ng mga strokes ng painting ko. Then ‘yung symbols po ng mga babae is about sa women na pinahalagahan niya buong buhay niya from family members, friends and relationships. Hindi naging tahimik ang mga sinulat niya naging makabuluhan ‘yun at nagmarka sa kasaysayan mga salitang naglikha ng ingay at nagmulat sa ating pusong makabayan,” he enlightens about his winning piece.
Nine entries merited honorable mention: John Raphael  Carloto, Jose sa Mundo; Freddie Vicente, Ilaw; Mark Erwin Amoroso, Patriot of Ages; Joshua Jordan Quijano, Maligalig na Utak ng Globalisasyon; Ruchelle Clarize Caringal, Look Back to the Origin of Freedom; Abigail Joy Onate, Colorful Revolution; Sarah Dacara, Adios; John Frederick Fusilero, Noli Me Tangere; and Louisa Mirambel, Iba’t ibang Mukha.  
Blueroom Artgallery is located at 1354 Lacuna corner Aguinaldo Sts., Bangkal, Makati City.

After the dramatic coronation of the 2015 Miss Universe and PLDT Home DSL ambassadress Pia Wurtzbach in Las Vegas, the whole nation is, indeed, very excited about the homecoming of the most talked about beauty queen today.
Wurtzbach bested 79 women from various parts of the globe to claim the country’s third Miss Universe title. She follows in the footsteps of Gloria Diaz, who won in 1969, and Margie Moran, who brought home the crown in 1973.   

“We are among the millions of Filipinos who are very excited to welcome home our very own PLDT Home DSL ambassadress and now Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.” PLDT VP and Home marketing director Gary Dujali said.
Wurtzbach was joined by fellow beauty queens Bb. Pilipinas International Janicel Lubina, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Rogelie Catacutan, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinenal Christi Lynn McGarry, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism Ann Lorraine Colis and first and second runners-up Hannah Ruth Lulu Sison and Kimverlyn Suiza in a courtesy call right after the conclusion of the 2015 Bb. Pilipinas pageant at the PLDT headquarters in Makati City.
“I’m happy to be part of the PLDT Home family,” Wurtzbach said during the courtesy call. “I share the same values with the brand and I’d like to use my influence to infuse family bonding. Sharing my time with my family is the most important for me as it strengthens my connections with them. “
“Just like Pia, we want to help build strong bonds among family members with our number-one broadband brand Home DSL. She has been with us throughout the year as we aggressively went around the country bringing the family-sized broadband connection of Home DSL to more Filipino homes nationwide,” Dujali added.
In 2014, Bb. Pilipinas Universe MJ Lastimosa also traveled nationwide to promote the benefits of having a strong and reliable family-sized connection of Home DSL. The brand is expected to not only bring beauty queens but more inspiring personalities across the nation as it continues to bring their services closer to more Filipino homes.”
Wurtzbach is set to come home to the Philippines on Jan. 23 with a scheduled visit to PLDT headquarters within her stay. For more details, check out pldthome.com.

WHAT IS WILLIE DOING?
Advanced 55th birthday greetings to Willie Revillame on Jan. 27!  
After insider information that Willie’s Wowowin will go daily starting mid-February, he happily bid goodbye on Sunday in a farewell show. Tracing his career in GMA-7 and his suceessful return last year, he went through the game show’s highlights to show how well-received it is without stating any trouble. Yes, just like that, without hinting what his future plans are.
With the buzz that GMA-7 is tring to find a suitable weekday slot for Willie’s game show, Buzzstation thinks he will return with a daily show in mid-February as this column had buzzblasted.

HOW WILL THE OSCARS DO DAMAGE CONTROL? This year’s Academy Awards set for Feb. 28 is facing an Afro-American boycott threat for the first time in many years for its all-white slate of major nominees for the second year in a row.
Spike Lee posted on his Instagram account: “We cannot support it and [I] mean no disrespect... But, how is it possible for the second consecutive year, all 20 contenders under the acting category are white? And let’s not even get into the other branches,” Lee wrote on Instagram. “Forty white actors in two years and no flava at all. We can’t act?! WTF!!’
Then Jada Pinkett Smith whose husband, Will Smith, starred in Concussion, said she would not be attending it. The two prominent African-Americans announced that they will boycott this year’s Oscars over a lack of diversity among nominees.
But not Chris Rock, who is hosting the red carpet event. He is not backing out despite the buzz he’s under great pressure from the black community to quit. They think such an action would greatly help initiate progress on the issue.

AN OFFER FROM THE GODFATHER YOU CANNOT REFUSE. Like Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now was re-released into Apocalypse Now Redux to include edited scenes, The Godfather and The Godfather II had been combined and will air as The Godfather Epic on HBO throughout the month. It is also available on-demand and via HBO Go.
Never-before-seen scenes will be added for a total airing time of seven-and-a-half hours. It will combine both award-winning films cut together chronologically with additional footage left out of the theatrical screenings. The Godfather Epic is available uncensored and without TVCs.

MMFF EXECOM’S VESTED INTEREST GROUPS. A meeting called by the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival  Executive Committee (execom) finally revealed its composition.
According to Boots Anson-Roa, who is an execom member in her capacity as head of the Movie Workers’ Welfare Foundation (an MMFF beneficiary), members were producers Marichu Maceda and Jesse Ejercito, distributor Dominic Du, filmmaker Mark Meily, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Sen. Grace Poe, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chair Toto Villareal, Christiana Caparas of SM Cinemas, Marcus Ng of Metro Manila Theaters Association, Tito Cruz of the Bureau of Broadcast Services, Mio Chiongson of the advertising industry, Wilson Tieng of Solar Entertainment, and Jag Garcia of DLSU-College of Saint Benilde and Rowena Reyes-Capulong of Far Eastern University.
Buzzstation’s analysis of the Honor Thy Father brouhaha — that the execommembers were “vested interests” — proved correct. The term is defined as stakeholders who are “either directly or indirectly involved with the movie industry.” They are considered resigned as their tenure ends at the end of the year, but are subject to reappointment.
It is also not clear if Du represents the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, which is still an existent organization as he is listed as a “distributor,” meaning he represents Axinite Digicinema.
It also revealed that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, which spearheads the MMFF, was no longer represented in the ExeCom. It is not clear when this took effect as the last MMFF, chairman Emerson Carlos was still its head. In fact, it appeared without a head during the time of the meeting and Roa as interim head.
Reading the names of members reveals that some of them are not actively involved in execom affairs but were likely represented.
For one the execom must be more transparent about its membership and activities so it will not be trated with suspicion. The MMFF board of jurors must also be revealed during the awards night for greater credibility.

Monique Wilson announced that Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues and founder of One Billion Rising who will arrive and stay in the country for two weeks, will lead this year’s strikes all over major capital cities in the Philippines on Feb. 14, tentatively scheduled at the Rizal Park. It’s V-Day, the day for victory, vagina and Valentine’s!
From the global success of Eve’s The Vagina Monologues though the stagings of Monique in the Philippines since 2000, One Billion Rising, a global strike to end violence, has been a most amazing three years: One Billion Rising (2013), One Billion Rising for Justice (2014) and One Billion Rising: Revolution (2015).
One Billion Rising has changed social/political activism from red to pink, empty rhetoric to meaningful action, destructive to constructive.
Monique is at the forefront in the Philippines of this new kind of activism. With accumulated angst involved in meeting rape, abuse and maltreatment against women face to face, you’d think she would be an angry woman. Quite the opposite, she is a happy female, the impression she gave at the launch of One Billion Rising: Rise for Revolution 2016 at Café Romulo in Makati City.
“I’m full of rage,” she shared during a one-on-two interview with Pablo Tariman. She didn’t look like it as she looked so beautiful even if she is currently under treatment for blood cancer. Could the black she wore be a tell-tale sign of this depression? I failed to ask.
“It’s just I know how to handle it. When I met a raped Lumad, I was so angry I cried for three hours. I had to talk it out in a phone call (with a person close to me) to calm down,” she confided.
Monique was wearing a talaingod bead necklace given to her by a female Lumad chieftain, Bai Bibiyaon Ligcayin Bigcay, as a sign of the confidence she had earned from the oppressed cultural minority. The Lumads are suffering from repression by the military to protect the interests of foreign miners in their ancestral lands.

ESCALATING REVOLUTION. The One Billion Rising: Rise for Revolution 2016 shouts out:
“One Billion Rising: Rise for Revolution 2016 is an escalation of the first three stages of our campaign — One Billion Rising, One Billion Rising for Justice, and One Billion Rising: Revolution.
“We’ve danced. We’ve demanded justice. We’ve demanded changes.
“This year we are radicalizing our actions — enlarging, deepening and expanding the revolution.
“We need to continue to radically shift consciousness and be braver, bolder, more creative and determined with our actions.
“And we need to focus on the most marginalized women and girls to bring about true, long lasting change.
“Change can happen if…
“Grassroots movements and marginalized communities are in the lead.
“Change can happen if…
“We demand accountability – making sure our justice calls are realised.
“We will continue to demand justice, and we will continue to highlight the issues surrounding the social injustices inflicted on women, and to keep highlighting where these issues connect. We will continue to challenge institutions, governments, policies, laws — and make these systems, which are responsible for creating situations of poverty and violence, accountable.
“Change can happen if…
“We harness out creativity and energy
“We will keep highlighting, creating and envisioning new, brave and radical artistic initiatives to bring in the new revolutionary world of equality, dignity and freedom for all women and girls. There is nothing more powerful than art as a tool for transformation.
“Change can happen if…
“We Act Now.
“And We Act Together.
 “Why continue the call for Revolution?
Revolution can be expressed in the “for who” and “for what.” It is broad enough to include all issues, and also particular enough to be specific about issues communities want to highlight and raise. It does not diffuse focus, rather — it enhances it.
“The Revolution call helps sustain the focus of what One Billion Rising is – a call for Change. Structural, systemic, long term change.
“Systems have not changed yet, therefore the call for Revolution remains urgent and necessary, to deepen what it can mean, and escalate actions around it. Major changes are still needed, particularly in ways of thinking and consciousness about violence against women issues.
“Revolution allows creative and artistic expressions, multi-sectoral involvement, and more importantly —  provides a unique space to engage people from all walks of life. It allows the use of imagination, art and political actions — and allows everyone the freedom to localize all their campaigns.
“Above all Revolution can bring everyone from the personal to the political — from the “I” to the “We.” It harnesses collective energy because it is hopeful and envisions possibilities and a future.”
 
THE CALL FOR RISE FOR REVOLUTION 2016:
“Listen! Act! Rise!
“Amplify the Voices of Marginalized Women
“Bring National and International Focus to Their Issues
“Bring New Artistic Energy to Create This Possibility
“Raise Other Issues That Have Not Been as Visible
“Amplify Revolution as a Call for System Change
“Platform Voices That Have Not Been Heard Within Local Campaigns
“Call on People to Rise For Others
“Call Upon People of Privilege to Rise for Those Who are Not
“Create Synergy and Connection
“Continue to Call for State Accountability and Justice
“Keep Highlighting the Economic Context of Women
“Remain inclusive, intersectional and comprehensive
“Keep Connecting the Body with Revolution
Rise for Change and Equality.”

WEEKDAYS WOWOWIN TO TAKE DEAL OR NO DEAL TIMESLOT. Although still unannounced, Buzzstation projects that Willie Revillame’s daily game show, Wowowin, will take the 5 p.m. timeslot by Feb. 1. Is it going to air from the barangays? If it is,  ABS-CBS’s Deal or No Deal which doing Barangay Edition starting Jan. 25, 2016 had pre-empted Wowowin.

This Heart Season’s much-anticipated show, “#LoveThrowback,” blends two uber hot catchphrases — throwback and hugot lines — to come up with twice the romance you seek at the PICC Plenary Hall on Feb. 13.
The concert features the Philippines’ most iconic Original Pilipino Music singers and balladeers of the last four decades: Rico Puno, Marco Sison, Raymond Lauchengco, Gino Padilla, Chad Borja, Wency Cornejo, Roselle Nava and Nina. That’s a total of eight performers compared to other Valentine shows that offer four headliners at the most — it’s twice the romance power!
Director Calvin Neria with Marc Lopez as musical director present 28 songs in a two-hour show that will be stitched together by hugot lines flashed on a video wall, doing away with spoken spiels.
Rico, noticed then by record producers as a performer in folk houses and lounges, started the trend of incorporating Tagalog lyrics in English songs like his rendition of “The Way We Were.” For this show, he renders his smash hits “Kapalaran,” “Buhat” and “Macho Gwapito,” among others.
Marco got his career break after winning a singing contest on GMA 7’s noontime variety show Student Canteen in the late ‘70s. His songs like “My Love Will See You Through,” “Make Believe” and “I’ll Face Tomorrow” lorded the ‘80s.
Raymond, after his stints in musical theater, joined mainstream show business and got his biggest break as one of the lead stars in the trendsetting film Bagets. As a singer-actor, some of his hits are “Saan Darating Ang Umaga,” “So It’s You,” “Farewell” and “I Need You Back.”
Gino, the singer behind hits like “Gusto Kita,” “Let The Love Begin,” “I Believe In You” and “Closer You and I,” won as Song of The Year in Awit Awards. He is also known as the artist who starred in a worldwide advertising campaign of a softdrink brand alongside singing superstar Tina Turner.
Wency, the most remarkable vocalists of pop-rock band AfterImage, shared his distinct voice to phenomenal hits like “Habang My Buhay,” “Mangarap Ka,” “Next In Line” and “Hanggang,” which reaped three major trophies in the Awit Awards.
Chad became one of the most in-demand and sexiest balladeers in the ‘90s song “Ikaw Lang.” He was also a favorite duet partner of female singers. His album Show Me The Way churned out hits like “Summer Without You” and “Kung Ako Lang Sana.” Chad’s collaboration with Japanese pianist and composer Yutaka Yokokura “Yakap” also became a hit.
Roselle started her career as part of the youth-oriented show AngTV on ABS-CBN. Her career as a singer propelled after the success of her single entitled “Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita” and “Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita,” both used as movie soundtracks. Her rendition of “You,” originally performed by Basil Valdez and composed by Gerry Paraiso, gave her the Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist in Awit Awards. Roselle is a multi-platinum record awardee and her voice captured the hearts of many Filipinos, most especially the hopeless romantic.
Rounding up the roster in “#LoveThrowback” is Nina, tagged as OPM’s Soul Siren. With 10 Awit Awards and the recognition as the first-ever female OPM singer with a Diamond Record Award, Nina truly deserves to be called as one of local music’s treasures. Her body of work and numerous awards are a testimony to her dedication and passion for her craft.
Her album entitled Nina Live! became the benchmark in acoustic recording and made her the number-one female R&B singer in the country. Her string of hits includes “Someday” and her cover of “Love Moves In Mysterious Ways,” “Jealous” and “Through The Fire.”
This powerhouse cast of “#LoveThrowback” guarantees the audience to give them an unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime Valentine’s Day celebration. Boasting of OPM hit songs, beautiful voices and stories about life and love, “#LoveThrowback” is a show that knows no time, space and age as it talks purely about a universal feeling, love. It is a show for everyone. Showtime starts at 8:30 p.m.
Produced by MKFAE Productions and Royale Chimes Concerts & Events Inc. in cooperation with Echo Jham Productions, the show is supported by Luxent Hotel, Mossimo, GlutaMAX, Nice Day Coffee and Mantego Ads Corp.
Media partners Retro 105.9 DCG FM, Mellow 94.7, Energy FM 106.7, Barangay 97.1 DWLS-FM, Pinas FM 95.5, 105.1 Crossover, Philippine Star, Business World, Inquirer.net, Clickthecity.com, Pep.PH, Philstar.com, Philippine Concerts, MNL Online, Soundcheck Manila, Astroplus, Odyssey, Manila Concert Scene, Legato Music Mag, GIST.ph, and MB.com.ph.
Tickets are available at SM Tickets (472-2222), Ticketnet (911-5555) and Ticketworld (891-9999). You can use your BdO (Banco De Oro) debit/credit card to purchase tickets and get a 15 percent discount. For more info and sponsorships, call Royale Chimes Concerts and Events Inc. at (0918) 497-2121 or (0906) 418-0786.

TOP BANDS AT HRC. Hard Rock Café (HRC) closes the month of January 2016 with a series of special shows featuring a sampling of the country’s hottest and most talented show bands. Dance the night away with Red Picasso on Thursday (Jan. 28), party with the unique grooves and sounds of Part 3 on Friday and Sunday (Jan. 29 and 31), and power your Saturday evening with energy-packed repertoire of Streetbeat on Jan. 30.
Certified hard rockers can come and see the show and look forward to a series of evenings jam-packed with beautiful music with these amazing show bands as they dish our live today’s hottest chart-toppers, homegrown favorites, standard classics, and the most popular party anthems from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s. All shows start at 9 p.m.

PREGNANT CHALLENGES. The iBuntis team of Grand Challenges Canada and GE Philippines held ultrasound training of healthcare workers of Banna, Ilocos Norte, on Jan. 19 and 20, 2016.
Participants were (from left to right) Dr. Analyn Ngo (iBuntis Team/Manila Doctors), Martin Crisostomo (Government Affairs Manager, GE Philippines), Carlito Abadilla II (Mayor of Banna, Ilocos Norte), Dr. Remedios Peralta (Chief Health Officer of Banna, Ilocos, Norte), Dr. Godofreda Dalmacion (iBuntis Team/UP Manila), Joanne Dawn Seno (Sales Manager-Ultrasound, GE Philippines), Dr. Ramon Reyles (iBuntis Team/Makati Medical Center), Dr. Emmanuel Baja (iBuntis Team/UP Manila), Dr. Denise Lauren Dalmacion (iBuntis Team/UP Manila).

On the cover of Beatriz M. Robles’ new book, A Sensual World: What Do You See?, is an image that appears as an innocent question mark — the contours of a woman’s torso or a complex blend of both. The black and white colors mark it like a Rorschach test to examine a person’s personality characteristics and emotional functioning.

The picture strongly suggests that the sensuality of a woman wafts from the pages of the book, a whiff of desire, a bouquet of wants. Made up of 80 irresistible vignettes, A Sensual World conjures erotic images only to be brought down to reality with a flip of the page as visualized by the author’s titled pastel drawings printed in grayscale.

Like metatalk that uncovers hidden meanings in what a person says, A Sensual World is like literary double-talk purposely invented so as to confuse, amuse or even titillate the reader. But it is treated as a vignette-and-answer game that serves as a check of the reader’s own understanding or misunderstanding.
There is definitely a sense of calculated mischief about these musings, explaining Robles’ ongoing fascination with the female psyche. Most girls have unexpressed thoughts with her friends while growing up and it seems Robles has not outlived hers.
Romantic to an outsider who is not privy to this understanding, Robles is engaged in the idea of secret desires. On a certain level, this can go far deeper than one can discover on one’s own. The vignettes are very personal, but can be easily shared by others.
Enchanting images systematically embellish the book, unraveling meanings or purposes. Women are definitely conversant with this kind of talk — iterations of self, no less than a Rorschach test in reverse.
The drawings gravitate toward the whimsical to the wild. This reviewer hopes these will not be spoilers, but who can miss Mouthful (“There, I make a sudden grab of your hot rod in front of me”), which is about brushing your teeth. Or Touching (“I let my lips meet the tip of your hole.”) about playing a clarinet.
The language is definitely double talk and the imagery so sensual that they lead the reader into a teasing game — only to be let down by its mundane subject. This turns the strategy into something that can become touching or tense-filled depending on involvement. Just go with the stream of consciousness for pure joy.
Between the global and the local, between genius and its virtue, or among a single secret and its infinite answers, A Sensual World is a naughtiness buster. You will see your quotient if you keep tabs on answers, but you have to self-indulge.
The book is pure literature and not ersatz science and your fun is in the overlap of the cusp. The advice is to read slowly, one vignette daily and not to preempt yourself. Then the book will give you approximately three months’ worth of mind massages. It’s really up to you how to maximize the reading pleasure.
This is Robles’ second volume after the inspirational book, Life through Letters: A Writer’s Journey from Sunrise to Sunset, also edited by Danton Remoto and published by Anvil Publishing.
Copies of A Sensual World: What Do You See? are now available at National Book Store and Powerbooks.

A NEW BEGINNING. Get a dose of Hannah Pauline Manaloto, L.A. Santos, Chad Angeles and Janina Gonzales’ youthful vibe, strong drive and immense talents as they perform live in a post-Valentine concert entitled, “One… A New Beginning,” on Feb. 20, 2016, Saturday, 7 p.m., at the Music Museum with guest Ms. Roselle Nava.
LA, 15, is a grade 9 student at the University of Sto. Tomas. He was a basketball junior varsity player but re-discover his love for music just recently. His first performance as a singer was at the Stylistics concert at Solaire Hotel and Casino, followed by a front act stint during Air Supply concert last March 2015, and as Guest Artist on Legendary Juke Box Queens, an Eva Eugenio, Imelda Papin and Claire de la Fuente starrer, last May 2015. LA just began playing the guitar and piano so he could write his own songs. He also performs with a group called, Winchester Street.
Chad, 19, is a student at DLSU College of St. Benilde. A trained singer, he started taking up formal voice lessons when he was 12 under Muzik Corner, owned by multi-awarded recording artist and former actress, Roselle Nava. His vocal training helped built an impressive portfolio that displays a long list of events and concert performances, and TV show guestings.
Janina, 21 is a singer-dancer who can even play the guitar for her performances. Her wide repertoire lists songs from Billy Joel to Sam Smith, Christina Perri, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, and even Pinoy alternative music scene favorite Up Dharma Down. Her biggest achievement so far is making it as one of the finalists of GMA’s singing talent search, Protégé (Season 1).

DECIDE TO BE HEART-HEALTHY. People are catching on to the idea that one must cut down on bad cholesterol at all costs. There is no more question to this as several government of different countries have already initiated, successfully banned and/or regulated the availability of bad fat from food sources. And the results have been amazing. Deaths due to heart-related diseases have significantly been reduced.
Don’t wait for this to happen here. The decision to be heart healthy can be made for us. But it is our responsibility to make it a personal decision. Inform yourselves on how to remove bad cholesterol from your diet and get assistance from ATC Garlic Oil.
ATC Garlic Oil helps prevent hypertension and heart disease by regulating cholesterol levels and blood pressure in the body. This also stops blood clot from forming and effectively lowers the blood pressure and reduces the risks of stroke and heart attack. ATC Garlic Oil also contains soybean oil, which provides essential nutrients such as protein, fiber and healthy fats while offering protection against heart disease.
ATC Garlic Oil is recommended to be taken one capsule every day. It is available at Mercury Drug and leading drugstores nationwide at P4.50 per piece.

INSIGHT 1! It now appears that the reason Luis Manzano’s Deal or No Deal that airs from Monday to Friday at 5 p.m. over ABS-CBN went Barangay Edition is to pre-empt the introduction of the weekdays airing Willie Revillame’s Wowowin that broadcasts pre-taped from its Kalayaan Studio at 5:30 p.m. over GMA7.  It turns out as a David and Goliath faceoff between Bobet vidanes who presents a more populist and fresh, exciting game show as Luis’ director and newbie Adrian Gret’s beefed up presentation with its Las Vegas style packaging as Willie’s helmer. And Willie’s benefitting from Kapuso network tie-up that has made it TVC-rich. Who will rule? For sure, experience over experimentation!

NO BIG CELEBRATION FOR 50TH ANNIV OF THE BEATLES’ CONCERT IN MANILA? “Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr don’t want to go back here in the Philippines,” shared Beth Mercado of Royale Chimes Concerts and Events who is attempting to bring the surviving Beatles back to Manila in time for the 50th anniversary of their two soldout shows at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on July 4, 1966.
“My business partner in the UK already tried to convince them but sad to say they really don’t want to come back to Manila,” added Beth. Royal Chimes has a mother company in Great Britain which negotiates talent bookings.
This is the first time that a local concert importer talked about the issue with finality. Nothing had been heard from Ely Buendia who announced last year to bring Ringo for the same anniversary.
Allan Villegas of Random Minds Inc. who is also trying to do the same said, “‘Yung agent na kausap ko still hoping he’ll say yes. Update kita.”
Yes, that’s the current update on the issue. They are standing pat on their word not to return despite hot acts like Cathy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber doing shows here successfully without incident. It’s good Madonna or even the King of Pop Michael Jackson has more business sense.
The Manila swing must bring terrible memories for both of them and they are punishing Filipinos for a commission they had nothing to do with. They could not be blamed either. After being heckled and manhandled where members of their entourage were physically hurt, their plane was held on the tarmac to be able to confiscate their illegal earnings.
Royal Chimes will bring the Bootleg Beatles as a replacement. Every year, it brings the “best” tribute group to hold shows here. It plans to make them recreate the Beatles repertoire of the 1966 concert.

CARPENTERS AND THE PLATTERS IN THE LOVE PLAYLIST. All will agree that the Carpenters and The Platters are music icons.
The Carpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo consisting of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter. Producing a distinctively soft musical style, they became among the best-selling music artists of all time. During their 14-year career, the Carpenters recorded 11 albums, 31 singles, five television specials, and a short-lived television series.
Before the Carpenters, there was The Platters in the ‘50s and ‘60s, an American vocal group. They were one of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre. The act went through several personnel changes, with the most successful incarnation comprising lead tenor Tony Williams, David Lynch, Paul Robi, Herb Reed, and Zola Taylor.
The group had 40 charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1955 and 1967, including four no. 1 hits. The Platters were one of the first African American groups to be accepted as a major chart group and were, for a period of time, the most successful vocal group in the world.
Catch is “The Love Playlist” of Carpenters and Platters at the Midas Tent (Midas Hotel and Casino) to hear the best love songs of the Carpenters and The Platters on Feb. 14 and at KIA Theatre, Araneta Center on February 15, 8 p.m.
“The Love Playlist” of Carpenters and Platters features Laurie Briggs as Karen Carpenter with the world-renowned The Fabulous Sounds of The Platters, headed by Donne Ray Radford, a fourth generation member of The Platters.
Laurie has been touring the world for over a decade now as Karen Carpenter and as part of the tribute act called The Karpenters. Her fascination with Karen’s voice and music started when she was eight years old. “It [Karen’s music] moved me and I started to emulate the sound I heard,” she says.
Laurie’s show incorporates all the wonderful hits of the Carpenters as it takes you on a nostalgic journey through the life and times of the Carpenters, performing all the hits including “Close to You,” “Masquerade,” “Top of the World,” “Sing,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “Superstar,” and “Please Mr. Postman.”  
When you watch “The Fabulous Sounds of The Platters,” get ready to be enthralled all over again by classics such as “Only You,” “The Great Pretender,” “Twilight Time,” “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” “Harbor Lights,” and more hits of The Platters.
For more info and sponsorships, call Royale Chimes Concerts and Events Inc. at (0918) 4972121 or (0906) 4180786.

TAKE CARE OF WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING. Our heart’s main function is to pump blood to the rest of the body. It supplies oxygen and nutrients to the body. Without the heart, your body will stop functioning. That’s why it is of utmost importance to take care of your heart. This is something that is both hard and easy to do.
ATC Coenzyme Q10 is called “The heart energizer.” With proper diet and exercise, it helps improve the heart’s ability to pump more blood. It also lowers the viscosity of the blood, making it even easier for the heart to function normally. It functions as antioxidant, which protects body from damage caused by harmful molecules.
ATC Coenzyme Q10 is recommended to be taken 2-3 capsules a day, preferably with warm water. It is available at Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide for only P18 per capsule.

INSIGHT 2. Touchy! Touchy! Touchy! Just because the Philippine National Police has regulation power does it mean it can complain every “spot” in its “clean” image. Like it made a big issue out of James Reid wearing a police uniform in a bridal shower scene in the On the Wings of Love when it is clearly a fun sequence not intended to mock!... A Sensual World: What do you see? is Beatriz Robles’ second volume as edited by Danton Remoto and published by Anvil Publishing. after the inspirational book, Life through Letters: A Writer’s Journey from Sunrise to Sunset.

Love ‘em or just like ‘em. Fondant cakes tantalize and mesmerize us with their sight, smell and savor.
A three-tier round butter rum sponge cake in turquoise fondant decorated with cascading, candy-colored classic and exotic blooms, exhilarated my mood as if I had chanced upon the amazing flowers of spring. Its beauty gently grabbed attention — a promise of an extraordinarily sweet feast.

That is how I felt when I received a fondant cake on my last birthday from my friend Bill Perez of La Esperanza Bakery. I had always wanted to taste it ever since he proudly posted on Facebook: “I may not be an award-winning painter, but wait until you taste my fondant cake.”
And I took the statement as a personal endorsement of his fondant cake business, which he established in 2010 at 49 D. Atienza corner C. Tirona Streets, Batangas City, Batangas.
La Esperanza Bakery specializes in cakes for wedding, birthday and special occasions. The fondant cakes are made according to a theme or motif as specified by the client. Cakes can be done in butter rum, mocha, chocolate, red velvet, carrot pineapple walnut, banana date walnut, or other flavors based on request. They can be fashionably embellished by decorations created from fondant, gumpaste or fresh flowers, or real objects in complementary color combinations.
Preferred by celebrities and the well-heeled, it can be made all edible layers but many fondant cakes have mock tiers for stability and ease of transport specially to distant destinations.
Exclusively created, usually after a one-on-one talk with the client about its details, fondant cakes are high-end cakes executed by hand techniques from start to finish. Its relatively high price is justified by the amount of time, money and skill allotted to making each completed fondant cake. “It usually takes two days to make due to the intricacy of design,” Bill specifies.
Cakes can be bought straight from the shelf, but fondant cakes are made of high-quality materials by signature cake shops. And like France’s leading couture houses, the business is a tradition and a standard. La Esperanza Bakery’s story of sincere ways of satisfying consumer wants and its way of focusing on the expected go more than a hundred years back.

A STORY OF HOPE. In 1903, Maximo Sarmiento, a resident near the old market of Batangas City, opened a grocery and dry goods store. As his family had opened credit with the Pana grocery store, the business thrived despite stiff competition from Chinese businessmen. It was one of only two Filipino-owned businesses that did, the other an old botica.
The place was eventually converted into Panaderia La Esperanza after World War II to signify hope, the name’s English meaning, by Bill’s great grandfather, Ramon Sarmiento, who had a daughter named Nicasia. Young Pascual Perez worked as a baker there and fell in love with Nicasia and they eventually turned partners in running it. Bill’s father, Abelardo Perez Sr., is their son.
La Esperanza Bakery sold mainly breads such as pan de sal, ensaymada, biscocho, kalihim, londres, pasencia, jacobina, hopia and paborita, among others. But it was widely known for its specialty, the Spanish pastry originally known as Corona del Rey.
Passed on to Bill’s grandfather by a Spanish pastry maker before the Japanese Occupation, it is a sweet pastry similar to pilipit. The two-inch diameter, crown-shaped dough complete with a hole in the middle is fried, dipped in sugar syrup before being rolled on white sugar. As it incorporates gin, the pastry has a fine texture and crunch.
It was love at first munch, but Batanguenos found the Spanish name difficult to pronounce so it was eventually colloquialized to “oocan.” From neighborhood kids to First Lady Imelda Marcos, the specialty has a loyal following that is still in high demand to stay as Bill’s current product.
To contemporarize the business, however, La Esperanza Bakery now specializes in fondant cakes as innovated by Bill, borne out of his passion for sweets.

BILL’S PASSION. “I’ve always had a sweet tooth and loved eating cakes bought from Goldilocks and Red Ribbon. I would even ask our baker to duplicate them, but couldn’t. Out of frustration, I started experimenting with cakes and icings by reading recipe books and attending baking seminars in Manila such as Sylvia Reynoso, Heny Sidon, Maya Kitchen and others,” Bill narrates.
Using a trial-and-test method, Bill sampled cakes from different cafés and pastry shops and experimented by baking and giving them to friends for feedback. His expertise reached such a point where he could detect a cake’s ingredients and baking procedure just by tasting it.
A graduate of BA Psychology from UP Diliman, Bill eventually turned into a self-taught cake master. This skill encouraged him to put up his own bakeshop in 1995. Called Happy House Bakeshop, it sold cakes and pastries. It closed down in 1997 only to reopen in 2010 under the name of the original bakery, La Esperanza.
He made his first fondant cake for his brother’s wedding in 1999. His inspiration came from a Wilton Cake Decorating Catalog. Relatives and friends began to ask him to make fondant cakes for them until he started to sell them.
“Initially learning to work with fondant, I found one of the hardest parts was actually covering the cake and having it look smooth. I struggled with pleats around the bottom, trying to avoid cracking and tearing, avoiding corn starch or powdered sugar spots all over it,” he recalls his newbie days as a fondant cake maker.
These predicaments had him figuratively banging his head against the work table. As an advice to those new to fondant, Bill suggests to combine watching videos with other available information.
He referred to pictures and instructions, watched YouTube videos and read forums. While there is an overload of available information on the subject, he felt they were too scattered to learn efficiently. “I watched adept hands do quick work of covering a cake with fondant with no issues, but I struggled to figure out their processes,” he comments.

TURNAROUND. His turning point came when Marbee Shing, a friend from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, asked him to do the cake for her 2005 wedding at the Shangri-La Hotel. Wanting a new cake designer who was not Metro Manila-based, she also required an innovative design.
Bill customized a four-layer white cake with candied sugar tulips and butterflies. The bride gushed over the most important cake in her life. She so loved the creation that she featured Bill as an up-and-coming wedding supplier in a one-page article in Wedding Essentials, July 2005 issue, upon her appointment as editor.
This led to a flurry orders. His satisfied clients raved about his original designs as “beautiful” and “delicious.” This resulted in repeat customers, frequently the whole family ordering from him for every occasion and the all-important referrals that multiplied his clientele.
His fondant cake business flourished that he’s now supplying hotels and caterers in Batangas such as Hotel Ponte Fino and Lima Hotel.
Consult with Bill for your order by landline via (043) 7027615 or send an e-mail @ laesperanza1903@yahoo.com.

Valentine’s Day celebrations have turned so elaborate they are extending the romance beyond Feb. 14.

LOVE PLAYLIST OF CARPENTERS AND PLATTERS. “We are not a tribute group, but the fourth generation of The Platters,” emphasized front man Donne Ray Radford, a fourth-generation member who performs with Laurie Briggs as Karen Carpenter and Douglas Masuda as the Elvis Presley of Japan doing the front act at the Midas Tent (Midas Hotel and Casino) on Feb. 14 and at Kia Theater, Araneta Center on Feb. 15, 8 p.m.
“We thank Beth (Mercado of Royale Chime Concerts and Events, Inc.) for bringing us again this year as she did last year, which was a wonderful experience for us,” shared the dapper and eloquent Donne Ray, who is even better than the other vocalists of the Platters.
Laurie has been touring the world for 15 years as Karen Karpenter and as part of the tribute act called The Karpenters. She opened the media conference with an extraordinary rendition of “Top of the World.” She revealed her fascination with Karen’s voice and music started when she was eight years old. “Her voice moved me and I started to emulate her ever since.”  
“Twenty-four carat gold-plated,” described Douglas of this elaborate belt a la Elvis bought from Graceland. He will add more romantic nostalgia and fun as he performs three hits from the King of Rock and Roll.
Tickets for the Feb. 15 show is only available at Ticketnet (911-5555). For the show at Midas Tent on Feb. 14, tickets are available at SM Tickets (472-2222), Ticketworld (891-9999 and Ticketnet (911-5555). Use your BDO (Banco De Oro) debit/credit card to purchase tickets at 20 percent discount. For more info, call (0918) 4972121 or (0906) 4180786.

ONE BILLION RISING (OBR). With the theme Rise for Revolution 2016, this year’s campaign will escalate the collective actions of mainly female activists worldwide, and amplify their call for systemic changes towards ending violence against women and girls once and for all.
OBR founder Eve Ensler and global director Monique lead the One Billion Rising activists their rising events, artistic uprisings, panel discussions, press conference, town halls, movies, articles, gatherings, poetry, art, posters, actions, and protests to take place at the Rizal Park, Manila, on Feb. 14 starting 8 a.m.
Eve and Monique Wilson will spend a week in the Philippines, in multiple cities particularly Cebu, Tacloban, Manila, Angeles City rising for and with a cross section of Filipina communities including Gabriela Women’s Party, comfort women, youth activists, labor activists, indigenous groups and more.
In Davao City on Feb. 12, they join with activists from many grassroots communities including workers, urban poor, peasants, teachers, students, women’s groups, community groups, families of migrants, LGBT groups, and groups for the rights of sex workers.
They join Lumad communities, who are currently displaced because of militarization and living in evacuation camps in the city as they rise for rights, against militarization, against mining and environmental plunder and against political oppression and killings.
Political will can accomplish the impossible as Eve pointed out. She cited the outlawing of genital mutilation by Gambia’s President ended the primitive practice against women directly as a result of the lead of One Billion Rising. “Continue the Revolution!” Eve stressed.

THE ROYALS. Regine Velasquez and PLDT Home DSL warm hearts this Valentine with ‘The Royals’ concert with Martin Nievera, Eric and Angeline Quinto on Feb. 13, Saturday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Photo shows the doting mother onstage with her only son Nate (left) and with PLDT VP and marketing director Gary Dujali (right) at her most recent presscon with PLDT Home. But being Mommy to four-year-old Nate is her utmost priority.
A typical day for Regine involves bringing Nate to school, picking him up and playing with him. She considers time as the most valuable thing she can give to her loved ones.  As her schedule gets filled up each day with rehearsals and shows, Regine is very happy with how technology helped her strengthen her connection with her family especially with Nate.  
It is essential for Regine to be connected at home and even on-the-go because Internet connection doesn’t only help her strengthen her relationship with her family, but also helps her push for what she is passionate about.
The new PLDT Home DSL Speedster Fam Plan 1299 now offers five times faster speeds of up to 10 megabits per second (Mbps), the Speedster Fam Plan has shareable monthly data allowance of 50 gigabytes (GB).
To enjoy the Speedster Fam Plan’s data sharing feature, subscribers can get a Smart mobile line that comes with a free smart phone for an additional P299 per month or with a free iPhone for P799 per month. Subscribers can share 6 GB of the 50 GB monthly data allocation to up to four mobile phone lines, which they can use even outside the home. Bundled with the Speedster Fam Plan, these are all conveniently billed under one subscription.

HE SAID, SHE SAID. Catch RJ Dela Fuente and Julianne Tarroja in a special Valentine concert on Feb. 14 (Sunday, 8:30 p.m.) at 19 East, in Sucat, Paranaque, titled “He Said, She Said.” The show marks the very first mainstream collaboration between RJ and Julianne and offers the personal views and opinions of the two talented artists on love and relationships through a sampling of chart-topping love songs, anthemic “hugot” ballads and homegrown favorites.
RJ started singing in special concerts and events in California, USA as he appeared as a special guest in the shows of Sharon Cuneta, Martin Nievera and Brian McKnight. RJ was a contestant on American Idol season 10 and made it past the competition’s early rounds singing before judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steve Tyler. This year, he recorded Nonoy Zuniga’s “Never Say Goodbye,” which is part of the official soundtrack of TV 5’s Bakit Manipis Ang Ulap starring Cesar Montano, Diether Ocampo, Meg Imperial and Claudine Barretto.    
Multi-awarded singer Julianne, on the other hand, has been in the music industry since 2007 as she consistently shared her story through the songs she performed in the Philippines and Asia. Pegged as an inspirational artist who speaks to the youth and women of her generation, she inspires through her testimony of beauty, hope, and courage such as her breakthrough single “Tulak ng Bibig.”
Opening the show is singer-songwriter Josh Buizon with his pop-alternative band Over October.
For ticket reservations call 0928-6134905 and/or 0915-3082308.

ART LEADS. Marlin Lopez, ARTlead Best Artist 2015, joins the “2016 Panagbenga Artshow: A Tribute to Nature” at the Baguio Museum located at Governor Road, Baguio City, from Feb. 16 to 29. He exhibits the 24-by-24-inch oil-acrylic-on-canvas The Sun, the Sea and the Wind (2016). Based on his experience as a farm owner, Marlin describes the abstract painting as “a rough strokes to a rough start of 2016 because of weather disturbance that affect rice crops in Nueva Vizcaya.”

MOOD SWINGS. Bob Dylan is not beyond going heavy metal. From folk, he switched from rock to spiritual and took on permutations in between except heavy metal, which he is doing just now in a different way.
Rockers have this natural fascination for entrances, from the predictable to the philosophical.
Ringo Starr sings of it as a tell-tale sign of love (“Waiting for your knock, dear, on my old front door/I don’t hear it, does it mean you don’t love me anymore?”). Jim Morrison made it the name his psychedelic band as an entry of perception when “cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.” For Bob Dylan, they are heavy metal or iron gates as art.
Dylan held an exhibit, “Mood Swings,” of eight iron works and seven paintings that satirize popular magazine titles like Life and Archeology Today at the Halcyon Gallery in London. It ran from Jan. 16 to 25, 2016, a second edition. He did a similarly titled show in the same venue in 2013.
Rock’s poet laureate takes the literal meaning of mood swing to create ornate metaphors out of junk scrap metal that takes its meaning to a higher level. They swing that abruptly and apparently changes of mood of the given space.
For Dylan, gates are divides and dividers that mark public and private areas in a matter or moment of a swing. He defines them as free-standing and wall-hanged sculptures, demarcations of the negative space they allow.
The factually elusive storyteller writes in his autobiography, Chronicles: “(Gates) can be closed, but at the same time they allow the seasons and breezes to enter and flow. They can shut you out or shut you in. And in some ways there is no difference.”
Dylan’s childhood had been swayed by iron. Born and raised in Hibbing, largely known as the Iron Belt of Minnesota, he lived it daily. Going heavy metal is not common to him although expressed at late term.
He picks from his stock file of bits of found objects from machinery to large gears in the junkyard at his Los Angeles studio, lay them down the floor in possible arrangements, editing them for variations before welding them together.
What he comes up with are rhythmic arrangements that resonate rock, colors certain elements silvery to grab attention very much like a song’s hook. They turn into witty and whimsical interpretations of ordered chaos, reflecting the divergence of rock.
If David Bowie had passed to another dimension, Dylan is still earth-bound. What he’s up to next must be another mood swing.

COMFORT WOMAN SHOUTS OUT TO PNOY. “‘Yung tuwid na daan mo, baliku-baliko,” shouted out 85-year-old frail Narcisa Claveria of Lila Filipina at the media launch of the fourth year of One Billion Rising with Eve Ensler and Monique Wilson at Romulo Café, Makati City only to contrast with her robust determination to seek redress of her injustice.
With the theme Rise for Revolution 2016, this year’s campaign escalated the collective actions of mainly female activists worldwide, and amplify their call for systemic changes towards ending violence against women and girls once and for all.
Accompanied by Ritchie Extramadura, Lola Narcisa was among the sector representatives who participated in the forum with Joms Salvador of Gabriela, Connie Regalado of Migrante, Ka Nitz Gonzaga of Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kharlo Manalo, Zen Soriano, Rep. Emi de Jesus of Gabriela Women’s Party and Alaine Maestro of Gabriela Youth. All pointed to the government of President Aquino as the cause of their current troubles.
Eve traced the violence committed on comfort women, the women and girls forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army in occupied territories before and during World War II. And they are unable to get justice for the longest time from the Japanese government with the tacit cooperation of their own governments including the Philippines.
Asked by Buzzstation if a female president can end the violence against women, all sounded off that it will not. Lola Narcisa recalled that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promised to help comfort women but lied big time.
But political will can accomplish the impossible as Eve pointed out. She cited the outlawing of genital mutilation by Gambia’s President ended the primitive practice against women directly as a result of the lead of One Billion Rising.
“Continue the Revolution!” Eve stressed.

LET THE RIVER REST. Ploning director Dante Nico Garcia started IsDA Revolution, a festival last year that gives the Puerto Princesa Underground River three days of rest while an International New Media Convergence was happening all over Puerto Princesa.
This year, he is set to do Let the River Rest again on July 12 but he needs to buy all the pass to the river on those dates right away before it gets booked.
Please look at his online campaign, and he hopes you will be able to figure out a way to help him or just share the link on your timeline: http://igg.me/at/nMlsVKWS7-Q.                                     
The year culminates with a free online film made by the participants. We released the first one on Facebook and YouTube last Christmas: https://www.facebook.com/MrsRecto/posts/1071076.
He need helps to make it happen again this year. You can be part of it yourself by buying a lifetime membership card: https://www.facebook.com/IsDaRevolutionPhilippines.         
Or you can be a benefactor of a young artist from remote areas of Palawan by buying from this online shop:www.facebook.com/FourEightCo.
View the short film explaining his advocacy: https://www.facebook.com/316004525205634/videos.
Dante hopes you can partner with him in raising a generation of artists dedicated in producing content that presents #BeautifulPhilippines and #PositiveValues.

Unlike last year when one tribe dominated the Dinagyang Ati competition, 2016 proved to be a mixed year for every competing tribe, according LEAD multimedia artist Elvert Banares, a true-blooded Ilonggo, who was Radyo Bombo guest analyst with Edwin Duero while at the same time taking the images used for this column.
The Dinagyang Festival is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog in Cebu and the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan. It is held both to honor the Santo Niño and to celebrate the arrival on Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis.
In 2015, Banares observed that many tribes had elements that were off. All tribes need a good production designer who should work well with their costume designers as Dinagyang is a very visual festival (remember that Bakunawa performance by Panayanon years back? That was perfect!).
“Still, I am puzzled why the judges (too biased to let their once favorite tribes win again?) failed to see the beauty of Salognon’s performance by naming them fourth. This tribe has been robbed of a championship last year and they should be second this year. Anyway, second opinions are always welcome in the arts because, quite frankly, people need to see the perspectives of others, too,” he opined.
All tribes of Dinagyang Ati 2016, Panayanon, Pan-ay, Dagatnon, Salognon, Familia Sagasa, Ilonganon, Paghidayon, Baybayanon and Paghidaet had very “off” design elements especially in costumes and backdrop/panel designs.
In the warriors side, huge headdresses dominated the festival — to Dinagyang’s advantage (hello, Instagram!). And the best ones come from Panayanon (all of them), Salognon and, for the sake of the photos, Pan-ay and Dagatnon.
But the rest look very similar to one another. The biggest loss of Dagatnon (a tribe that gave a solid performance) was that “green leaves” costume. Whoever designed that need to go back to the old drawing board.
Many of tribe’s side warriors were dressed in blankets with belts. You can just imagine when watching this live (like us who are right in front of the performance area). You will see the disconnect visually speaking.
Gone were the days when the side warriors were dressed similarly with the warriors. Tribu Familia Sagasa was one of those rare tribe that had visual unity. This year, Panayanon edges out every tribe because of this factor.
Female costumes do not match the male warrior costumes. Except for the costumes worn by the Salognon female dancers when they first entered the performance area, all the other female costumes were kitsch and do not add to visual unity.
Dinagyang, no matter how you argue about the other elements, is both a dance and visual festival. The costumes make the dance. And vice versa. Simply put, costumes must be great in both form and function. This was Salognon’s lapse in 2016 (but hey, they won!). If you ask me if their performance and choreography gave Panayanon tight competition, I’ll say, “Hell, yeah!”
If you ask me if they delivered a winning performance, I’d say, “Yes, just like Panayanon.” But if you ask me if the tribe was visually united in terms of production and costume design, I’d be the first to say, “No.”
The costumes of their side dancers (three changes all over the performance) and their female dancers (first part, great! final part, dud!) did not match the quality (colors, textures, volume, materials etc.) and grandeur of the warriors’ costumes.
In my book, this affects the over-all look of the entire performance. This is why, despite of a rousing performance of Salognon, they landed second (a one-point difference with Panayanon). Salognon’s 2016 performance was the best choreography by the talented Errol Villalobos in years (I already saw this during the rehearsals).
Pan-ay was the tribe that delivered the safest performance (nothing new and nothing disgusting too). But both the choreographers of Pan-ay and Dagatnon need a good team of Production designers and visual artists. Given a good team, Pan-ay’s Ria Espanola can bring a tribe to the top.
This year, I missed the signatures and touches of Vincent Rae Jaena (who used to choreograph Salognon and is now with Buntag-Tala). Buntag-Tala’s performance was one of the weakest this year. Jaena needs to get back on track. Like Ross John Peconcillo, He is one of Iloilo’s most promising too.
So this brings me down to one tribe, which delivered a wonderful performance and had consistent production and costume designs: Panayanon. It’s time the 2013-2015 Dinagyang champion choreographer Romel Flogen remove those large shields (every tribe followed suit when he started this years ago) so we see what his tribe is known for: dancing in precision.
The cubes were a breath of fresh air and look ma, no panels to cover them (although that waterfall backdrop was off). Despite of my very minor complaints, Panayanon was 2016’s winner for me. We saw elements not present in many tribes.
Dinagyang 2016 winners were Salognon, champion; Ilonganon, second; Pan-ay, third; Paghidaet, fourth; and Baybayanon fifth.
Like his practice whenever he is involved in art-related competition, Banares Choices are Panayanon, champion; Salognon, second; Dagatnon, third; Pan-ay, fourth; and Ilonganon, fifth.
Best in Performance was Panayanon, while Best in Choreography was Salognon. Best in Warrior Costume was Panayanon, while Best in Female Costume was Salognon (Intro segment only). Best in Costume (whole tribe) was Panayanon while Best in Production Design was Panayanon. Best in Single Panel Design was The Cube for Panayanon, while Best in Innovation was Panayanon. Best in Musicm was Salognon while Best in Discipline was Panayanon/Salognon.
“I’m excited for next year. Salognon and Panayanon will face the Ilonggos fare and square. The rest of the choreographers will surely level up. So then, let the games begin. Let the warriors dance, dance and dance. But first, everyone should say goodbye to these panels, risers and bad female costumes,” Banares gives his forward-looking wrap-up.
Hala Bira mga kasimanwa! Viva Señor Sto. Niño!

After the dramatic coronation of the 2015 Miss Universe and PLDT Home DSL ambassadress Pia Wurtzbach in Las Vegas, the whole nation is, indeed, very excited about the homecoming of the most talked about beauty queen today.
Wurtzbach bested 79 women from various parts of the globe to claim the country’s third Miss Universe title. She follows in the footsteps of Gloria Diaz, who won in 1969, and Margie Moran, who brought home the crown in 1973.   

“We are among the millions of Filipinos who are very excited to welcome home our very own PLDT Home DSL ambassadress and now Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.” PLDT VP and Home marketing director Gary Dujali said.
Wurtzbach was joined by fellow beauty queens Bb. Pilipinas International Janicel Lubina, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Rogelie Catacutan, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinenal Christi Lynn McGarry, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism Ann Lorraine Colis and first and second runners-up Hannah Ruth Lulu Sison and Kimverlyn Suiza in a courtesy call right after the conclusion of the 2015 Bb. Pilipinas pageant at the PLDT headquarters in Makati City.
“I’m happy to be part of the PLDT Home family,” Wurtzbach said during the courtesy call. “I share the same values with the brand and I’d like to use my influence to infuse family bonding. Sharing my time with my family is the most important for me as it strengthens my connections with them. “
“Just like Pia, we want to help build strong bonds among family members with our number-one broadband brand Home DSL. She has been with us throughout the year as we aggressively went around the country bringing the family-sized broadband connection of Home DSL to more Filipino homes nationwide,” Dujali added.
In 2014, Bb. Pilipinas Universe MJ Lastimosa also traveled nationwide to promote the benefits of having a strong and reliable family-sized connection of Home DSL. The brand is expected to not only bring beauty queens but more inspiring personalities across the nation as it continues to bring their services closer to more Filipino homes.”
Wurtzbach is set to come home to the Philippines on Jan. 23 with a scheduled visit to PLDT headquarters within her stay. For more details, check out pldthome.com.

WHAT IS WILLIE DOING?
Advanced 55th birthday greetings to Willie Revillame on Jan. 27!  
After insider information that Willie’s Wowowin will go daily starting mid-February, he happily bid goodbye on Sunday in a farewell show. Tracing his career in GMA-7 and his suceessful return last year, he went through the game show’s highlights to show how well-received it is without stating any trouble. Yes, just like that, without hinting what his future plans are.
With the buzz that GMA-7 is tring to find a suitable weekday slot for Willie’s game show, Buzzstation thinks he will return with a daily show in mid-February as this column had buzzblasted.

HOW WILL THE OSCARS DO DAMAGE CONTROL? This year’s Academy Awards set for Feb. 28 is facing an Afro-American boycott threat for the first time in many years for its all-white slate of major nominees for the second year in a row.
Spike Lee posted on his Instagram account: “We cannot support it and [I] mean no disrespect... But, how is it possible for the second consecutive year, all 20 contenders under the acting category are white? And let’s not even get into the other branches,” Lee wrote on Instagram. “Forty white actors in two years and no flava at all. We can’t act?! WTF!!’
Then Jada Pinkett Smith whose husband, Will Smith, starred in Concussion, said she would not be attending it. The two prominent African-Americans announced that they will boycott this year’s Oscars over a lack of diversity among nominees.
But not Chris Rock, who is hosting the red carpet event. He is not backing out despite the buzz he’s under great pressure from the black community to quit. They think such an action would greatly help initiate progress on the issue.

AN OFFER FROM THE GODFATHER YOU CANNOT REFUSE. Like Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now was re-released into Apocalypse Now Redux to include edited scenes, The Godfather and The Godfather II had been combined and will air as The Godfather Epic on HBO throughout the month. It is also available on-demand and via HBO Go.
Never-before-seen scenes will be added for a total airing time of seven-and-a-half hours. It will combine both award-winning films cut together chronologically with additional footage left out of the theatrical screenings. The Godfather Epic is available uncensored and without TVCs.

MMFF EXECOM’S VESTED INTEREST GROUPS. A meeting called by the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival  Executive Committee (execom) finally revealed its composition.
According to Boots Anson-Roa, who is an execom member in her capacity as head of the Movie Workers’ Welfare Foundation (an MMFF beneficiary), members were producers Marichu Maceda and Jesse Ejercito, distributor Dominic Du, filmmaker Mark Meily, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Sen. Grace Poe, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chair Toto Villareal, Christiana Caparas of SM Cinemas, Marcus Ng of Metro Manila Theaters Association, Tito Cruz of the Bureau of Broadcast Services, Mio Chiongson of the advertising industry, Wilson Tieng of Solar Entertainment, and Jag Garcia of DLSU-College of Saint Benilde and Rowena Reyes-Capulong of Far Eastern University.
Buzzstation’s analysis of the Honor Thy Father brouhaha — that the execommembers were “vested interests” — proved correct. The term is defined as stakeholders who are “either directly or indirectly involved with the movie industry.” They are considered resigned as their tenure ends at the end of the year, but are subject to reappointment.
It is also not clear if Du represents the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, which is still an existent organization as he is listed as a “distributor,” meaning he represents Axinite Digicinema.
It also revealed that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, which spearheads the MMFF, was no longer represented in the ExeCom. It is not clear when this took effect as the last MMFF, chairman Emerson Carlos was still its head. In fact, it appeared without a head during the time of the meeting and Roa as interim head.
Reading the names of members reveals that some of them are not actively involved in execom affairs but were likely represented.
For one the execom must be more transparent about its membership and activities so it will not be trated with suspicion. The MMFF board of jurors must also be revealed during the awards night for greater credibility.

Monique Wilson announced that Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues and founder of One Billion Rising who will arrive and stay in the country for two weeks, will lead this year’s strikes all over major capital cities in the Philippines on Feb. 14, tentatively scheduled at the Rizal Park. It’s V-Day, the day for victory, vagina and Valentine’s!
From the global success of Eve’s The Vagina Monologues though the stagings of Monique in the Philippines since 2000, One Billion Rising, a global strike to end violence, has been a most amazing three years: One Billion Rising (2013), One Billion Rising for Justice (2014) and One Billion Rising: Revolution (2015).
One Billion Rising has changed social/political activism from red to pink, empty rhetoric to meaningful action, destructive to constructive.
Monique is at the forefront in the Philippines of this new kind of activism. With accumulated angst involved in meeting rape, abuse and maltreatment against women face to face, you’d think she would be an angry woman. Quite the opposite, she is a happy female, the impression she gave at the launch of One Billion Rising: Rise for Revolution 2016 at Café Romulo in Makati City.
“I’m full of rage,” she shared during a one-on-two interview with Pablo Tariman. She didn’t look like it as she looked so beautiful even if she is currently under treatment for blood cancer. Could the black she wore be a tell-tale sign of this depression? I failed to ask.
“It’s just I know how to handle it. When I met a raped Lumad, I was so angry I cried for three hours. I had to talk it out in a phone call (with a person close to me) to calm down,” she confided.
Monique was wearing a talaingod bead necklace given to her by a female Lumad chieftain, Bai Bibiyaon Ligcayin Bigcay, as a sign of the confidence she had earned from the oppressed cultural minority. The Lumads are suffering from repression by the military to protect the interests of foreign miners in their ancestral lands.

ESCALATING REVOLUTION. The One Billion Rising: Rise for Revolution 2016 shouts out:
“One Billion Rising: Rise for Revolution 2016 is an escalation of the first three stages of our campaign — One Billion Rising, One Billion Rising for Justice, and One Billion Rising: Revolution.
“We’ve danced. We’ve demanded justice. We’ve demanded changes.
“This year we are radicalizing our actions — enlarging, deepening and expanding the revolution.
“We need to continue to radically shift consciousness and be braver, bolder, more creative and determined with our actions.
“And we need to focus on the most marginalized women and girls to bring about true, long lasting change.
“Change can happen if…
“Grassroots movements and marginalized communities are in the lead.
“Change can happen if…
“We demand accountability – making sure our justice calls are realised.
“We will continue to demand justice, and we will continue to highlight the issues surrounding the social injustices inflicted on women, and to keep highlighting where these issues connect. We will continue to challenge institutions, governments, policies, laws — and make these systems, which are responsible for creating situations of poverty and violence, accountable.
“Change can happen if…
“We harness out creativity and energy
“We will keep highlighting, creating and envisioning new, brave and radical artistic initiatives to bring in the new revolutionary world of equality, dignity and freedom for all women and girls. There is nothing more powerful than art as a tool for transformation.
“Change can happen if…
“We Act Now.
“And We Act Together.
 “Why continue the call for Revolution?
Revolution can be expressed in the “for who” and “for what.” It is broad enough to include all issues, and also particular enough to be specific about issues communities want to highlight and raise. It does not diffuse focus, rather — it enhances it.
“The Revolution call helps sustain the focus of what One Billion Rising is – a call for Change. Structural, systemic, long term change.
“Systems have not changed yet, therefore the call for Revolution remains urgent and necessary, to deepen what it can mean, and escalate actions around it. Major changes are still needed, particularly in ways of thinking and consciousness about violence against women issues.
“Revolution allows creative and artistic expressions, multi-sectoral involvement, and more importantly —  provides a unique space to engage people from all walks of life. It allows the use of imagination, art and political actions — and allows everyone the freedom to localize all their campaigns.
“Above all Revolution can bring everyone from the personal to the political — from the “I” to the “We.” It harnesses collective energy because it is hopeful and envisions possibilities and a future.”
 
THE CALL FOR RISE FOR REVOLUTION 2016:
“Listen! Act! Rise!
“Amplify the Voices of Marginalized Women
“Bring National and International Focus to Their Issues
“Bring New Artistic Energy to Create This Possibility
“Raise Other Issues That Have Not Been as Visible
“Amplify Revolution as a Call for System Change
“Platform Voices That Have Not Been Heard Within Local Campaigns
“Call on People to Rise For Others
“Call Upon People of Privilege to Rise for Those Who are Not
“Create Synergy and Connection
“Continue to Call for State Accountability and Justice
“Keep Highlighting the Economic Context of Women
“Remain inclusive, intersectional and comprehensive
“Keep Connecting the Body with Revolution
Rise for Change and Equality.”

WEEKDAYS WOWOWIN TO TAKE DEAL OR NO DEAL TIMESLOT. Although still unannounced, Buzzstation projects that Willie Revillame’s daily game show, Wowowin, will take the 5 p.m. timeslot by Feb. 1. Is it going to air from the barangays? If it is,  ABS-CBS’s Deal or No Deal which doing Barangay Edition starting Jan. 25, 2016 had pre-empted Wowowin.