American Idol Finale on May 23: Jessica needs your vote!

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NEW YORK—And then there were two.

Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips are left to battle for the “American Idol” season 11 crown on next week’s finale after Joshua Ledet, who brought the “American Idol” judges to their feet many times over, couldn’t win over fans and was sent home from the top-rated TV talent show on Friday.

Sanchez has impressed the judges from the beginning of the current season with her technical mastery of music, despite being the youngest contestant at 16. The other night, the judges cheered the Filipino-Mexican when she sang Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” leading Steven Tyler, the rock band’s lead singer, to say “you just took a great song and made it greater.”

Singer-songwriter Phillips has won plaudits for bringing his own distinctive style of guitar-playing music to other artists’ songs. Mentor Jimmy Iovine and judge Randy Jackson agreed that Phillips’ performance song “We’ve Got Tonight” was his best performance to date.

Ledet was gracious in defeat. He closed the singing contest on Thursday with his rendition of “It’s a Man’s World,” replicating one of his most popular performances of the season.

Friday’s results show included performances from two artists with new albums out this week—Lisa Marie Presley and “Idol” season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert. Presley sang “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” off her album “Storm and Grace” and Lambert did “Never Close Our Eyes” from his sophomore album “Trespassing.”

Audience voting was based on Wednesday’s episode that included three performance rounds of contestants singing songs chosen by the judges, songs of their own picking and a tune chosen by Iovine.

Palace support

Hours after Sanchez reached the “Idol” finals on Friday, Malacañang appealed to Filipinos in the United States to vote for the Philippine bet.

“Please show your support in any way possible for Jessica Sanchez. This is the last stretch and we know that when Filipinos gather and put their minds into it, it will happen,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte during Friday’s news briefing.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement that Sanchez “inspires us to pursue excellence in everything we do—no matter how big or small the stage may be.”

From Orani, Samal

The frenzy surrounding Sanchez is spreading to the towns of Orani and Samal in Bataan province—where her mother Editha Bugay and maternal relatives hail—as residents hope and pray that her “Idol” journey ends in triumph.

“Our support here is solid. Everybody loves her,” said Manny Morales, 32, a tricycle driver in Orani town.

Morales said a tarpaulin is displayed in front of the town plaza showing their support for Sanchez. A lot of people have also come looking for the house of her grandparents there since she became an “Idol” finalist.

“She has really become well known, even if she hasn’t been here,” he added.

The house of Sanchez’s grandparents in Barangay Apollo in Orani has become a local landmark as Sanchez advanced to the finals.

Orani residents interviewed by the Inquirer said even before Sanchez joined the popular singing competition, the Bugay family was already known in the town. Morales said one of Sanchez’s relatives, Rene Bugay, is a longtime councilor and politician in the town.

Morales said they were hoping Sanchez would visit Bataan after her “Idol” stint.

Orani Mayor Benjamin Serrano Jr. said he had been asking residents of Bataan, who have relatives in the United States, to urge them to support Sanchez and vote for her to become this year’s “American Idol.”

In a text message from the United States, Dinalupihan Mayor Joel Payumo, president of the Bataan Mayors’ League, said the Filipino community in the United States is behind Sanchez all the way.

Payumo’s brother, Jojo, a member of the provincial board, said the provincial government filed a resolution in support of Sanchez three weeks ago.

Free ‘Idol’ viewing

In this town, the local government had prepared a free public viewing of “Idol” through Cignal, a cable TV provider, on Thursday and Friday.

On Thursday night, almost 1,000 Samal residents flocked to the town plaza to watch her perform.

Samal Mayor Generosa dela Fuente said Sanchez had become an inspiration to the youth in their town.

“Even though Samal is relatively smaller and poorer than the other towns in Bataan, we are slowly becoming well known because of Jessica,” she said.

Dela Fuente said she had organized little gatherings to watch Sanchez’s performances.

“In the beginning, we only had a small projector that we used to show her performances in the plaza. But now, we have support given to us by Cignal so that a lot more people can watch her,” she said.

Sanchez’s great, great grandfather was a former Samal councilor and a musician. Her grandfather, Eddie, is a retired US Navy personnel.

“They bought a house in Orani; that’s where they live now. But their ancestral home is here,” Dela Fuente said.

Mass for Sanchez

Fr. Paul Bugay, head of the finance ministry of the San Pablo diocese in Laguna, has been closely following the show and is rooting for his second cousin Sanchez.

A Catholic priest in Laguna, who traces his roots to Samal, Bataan, Bugay has offered prayers and Holy Masses for her to win.

Bugay said his father and the grandfather of Sanchez are cousins.

Since Sanchez became one of the “Idol” contenders, he said the Bugay clan in the United States as well as relatives living in Germany, United Kingdom and Australia had been in close contact with each other through the social networking site Facebook.

He said all the Bugays scattered throughout the world are now unanimous in their campaign to vote for Sanchez.

“They have been encouraging and appealing to fellow Filipinos to vote for her through phone or the Internet,” he said.

The finale will consist of a two-hour performance episode on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), followed by a results episode on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), with guest performers Rihanna, Jason Derulo, Aerosmith and the “Idol” season 11 Top 10.

The face-off between Sanchez and Phillips will be aired in the Philippines via satellite on ETC on May 23 at 6 p.m. The season’s grand finale will be broadcast live on May 24 at 8 a.m., with replays at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. also on ETC.

Filipino Youths protest against Lady Gaga concerts

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MANILA, Philippines—Christian youths in the Philippines are continuing to protest against Lady Gaga’s upcoming concerts despite organizers’ assurances that her performances will not threaten morality.

Some 200 Christian youths marched in Manila for the second straight day Saturday, chanting “Stop the Lady Gaga concerts.” They held placards urging the pop diva to “respect our faith, stop the blasphemy.”

The Biblemode Youth Philippines members also plan to hold a vigil starting Sunday near the seaside concert venue. They say they are offended by Lady Gaga’s music, particularly her song “Judas,” which they say mocks Jesus Christ.

Authorities have approved the concerts, which are set for Monday and Tuesday, but say they won’t allow lewd acts.

Sold-out crowds and angry protests have followed Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” Asian tour.

Mind you guys that Lady Gaga's song "Born this way" has made Maria Aragon so popular on Youtube.

Pacers win game 3:"Wade loses cool to coach"

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Dwyane Wade lashed out in frustration during the worst playoff game of his career.

His target wasn't wearing an Indiana uniform. Wade confronted his coach as the Miami Heat melted.

The star had an animated exchange with Erik Spoelstra on the sideline in the third quarter, a disturbing low point on a night when nothing went Miami's way, and the Heat were throttled 94-75 by the Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Indiana center Roy Hibbert had 19 points and 18 rebounds, George Hill scored 20 and Danny Granger 17 as Indiana, pushed by a crowd that stood and chanted ''Beat The Heat'' at every opportunity, took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Game 4 is Sunday at raucous Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Before then, the Heat need to locate their missing shooting touch and figure out how to attack Indiana's superior defense. More than anything, Wade needs to shake off a startling 5-point, 2-of-13 shooting performance he made worse by challenging Spoelstra.

During a timeout, Spoelstra was talking to Wade, who didn't like what he heard and angrily snapped at his coach. Several Miami players stepped in before the confrontation escalated.

Afterward, Wade didn't want to discuss the dispute.

''I don't even remember what you all are talking about,'' he said.

Spoelstra dismissed his clash with Wade as a heat-of-battle moment.

''That happens,'' Spoelstra said. ''Anybody that has been part of a team or has been a coach or been a player, you have no idea how often things like that happen. That was during a very emotional part of the game. We were getting our butt kicked. Those exchanges happen all the time during the course of an NBA season.

''There's going to be a lot of times where guys say something, you don't like it. You get over it and you move on. We're all connected. Dwyane and I have been together for a long time, a long time. We've been through basically everything. A lot of different roles, a lot of different teams. That really is nothing. That is the least of our concern. That type of fire, shoot, that's good. That's the least of our concerns. Our concern is getting ready for Sunday.''

James scored 22 - 16 in the first half before wearing down - and Mario Chalmers made up for Wade's abysmal night by adding 25 for Miami, which again played without All-Star forward Chris Bosh, who is out with a strained abdominal muscle and is not expected to return for this series.

''It's obvious he wasn't himself,'' James said of Wade. ''Does he want to play better? Of course. He's one of the best players in the world.''

Wade downplayed the potential of a serious injury, though he did snag his right hand on the net trying to make a block in the first half.

Indiana outscored Miami 51-32 in the second half, when the Pacerscould do no wrong.

They made big shots, challenged everything the Heat tossed in the air and didn't back down from a Miami team that appeared poised to make an easy run to the NBA finals after top-seeded Chicago lost Derrick Rose and was eliminated in the first round.

The Pacers have other plans.

In the second half, Indiana forward David West flung James to the floor in the lane, and Granger later got in the superstar's face after a foul on a breakaway. After winning Game 2 in South Florida by three points, the Pacers wanted to show that victory was no fluke and that they're for real.

Believe it.

They're two wins from tilting the balance of power in the East.

''We're certainly happy with the win,'' said Pacers coach Frank Vogel. ''But we've got a lot of work to do.''

Vogel's pregame message to his team: ''Keep your edge, and enhance your edge.''

Enhance, they did.

Hibbert controlled the glass, roaming the lane on both ends and finishing with five blocks.

''My primary focus is defense, defense, defense,'' he said. ''I embrace that role and let the offense come to me. Them being one and done, that's what we talked about in the huddle,'' he said. ''One shot and they're done.''

Two more losses and the Heat are done.

With his team down 20 in the closing minutes, Spoelstra waved the white flag and pulled out first Wade, then James, who quickly removed his headband as he got to the bench and then pulled out the mouthpiece inscripted with XVI - the Roman numeral for 16 - the number of wins it takes to get a championship.

When the final horn sounded, the three-time MVP quickly exited the floor.

''When you lose a game like that, all you try to do is move on to the next one,'' James said. ''They're playing some good basketball. We're playing pretty good defense on them. We're not scoring the ball.''

Indiana busted open a grind-it-out game with a 17-3 run in the third quarter, doing it with an inside-outside attack that had the Heat wondering what was coming next.

With their boisterous crowd decked out in mustard-yellow ''Gold Swagger'' T-shirts, the Pacers pushed their lead to 69-55 after three and then held off one brief run by the Heat in the fourth quarter.

Behind Miami's bench, owner Micky Arison and team president Pat Riley looked on in disbelief.

Despite playing almost 21 minutes and exerting himself on defense, James had enough energy to throw down a vicious left-handed dunk in the final minute of the first half, pulling the Heat even at 43-all. He looked back at the Miami bench as if to say, ''How about a little help out here?''

He was doing it all.

Wade, on the other hand, was lost.

He missed all five field-goal attempts, made two turnovers and ran around like a playoff rookie and not a superstar appearing in his 95th career postseason game.

Wade finally made his first field goal with 10:22 left in the third to put Miami up 47-45, but the Pacers went on a 10-1 run with Granger dropping a 3-pointer in front of the Heat bench to make it 55-48 and then playfully skipping down the sideline as Miami called a timeout.

The Pacers were in control.

They were clearly the better team.

''We have all vested together in this and are all in it together to the end,'' West said. ''We will not back down or take anything from any team.''

Notes: The Heat are 5 for 42 on 3-pointers in the series. ... Miami's 75 points matched a low in these playoffs. ... Indiana outrebounded Miami 52-36. ... The Heat managed just 12 points in the third quarter. ... Former Pacers center Rik Smits attended the game and got a huge cheer when he was shown on the scoreboard.

Mayweather admitted that he is scared to lose against Pacquiao?

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Sarangani Representative and reigning boxing champ, Manny Pacquiao, said that Floyd Mayweather was continually raising his price for a match against him because he’s scared of losing. According to a team member of Pacquiao, Mayweather admitted that he’s scared to lose because boxing is his only career, unlike Manny who is a congressman and considered a celebrity here in Philippines.

Sports analysts say that Mayweather’s undefeated record was not enough reason to raise his price for a match, and to some issues linked to him claiming that his past opponents were all hand-picked. Pacquiao has recorded 3 losses and 54 victories, plus having eight World Titles

Jessica Sanchez & Phillip Phillips in the Final 2

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MANILA, Philippines—It’s official: Jessica Sanchez will be on the finals of “American Idol Season Eleven.”

“The first person to compete in the ‘Americal Idol Season 11 Finale’ is… Jessica Sanchez!” Ryan Seacrest, Idol host announced early Friday (Manila time).

It was announced shortly that 21-year old Phillip Phillips will be competing against Sanchez in the finals.

Joshua Ledet was eliminated due to the low number of votes.

Music producer Jimmy Lovine, the mentor for the competitors throughout the series, heaped praises for Sanchez in his review just before the results were announced saying “she’s got it,” and that she could sing on the Grammy Awards.

The results were announced Thursday night (Friday Manila time) a day after the nationwide vote following performance night where Sanchez sang Mariah Carey’s “My All”, Aerosmith’s “I Dont Want To Miss A Thing”, and The Jackson 5′s “I’ll Be There.”

Sanchez earned the nods of the judges for almost all songs except for “Idol” Judge Randy Jackson’s review that Sanchez’s third performance lacked the “moment-moment.”

Sanchez is a 16-year old American of Filipino and Mexican descent.

The farthest a Filipino has ever gone into the “American Idol” finals was third place, when Jasmine Trias was eliminated from the Top Three during its third season.

Trias is the daughter of Filipino immigrants in Hawaii.

The show’s finale will be held on May 23 where the new “American Idol” will be crowned.

Derek confirms break up with Angelica

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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) -- Actor Derek Ramsay finally admitted that he and long-time girlfriend Angelica Panganiban already called it quits.

But Ramsay also said he regrets ending the relationship.

"I'm not proud of the breakup! How I wish things were different. I can't be selfish and consider only my feelings," Ramsay said in his official Twitter account on Monday.

He also said that even if they are no longer together they "still have the utmost respect for one another."

"There was no wasted time. I loved every minute we had together," he added.

Ramsay's previous remarks only referred to a "cool off" in his five-year relationship with Panganiban.

Ramsay also denied that third party caused the breakup.

He stressed that the issue linking him to actress Sam Pinto is not true. He also belied reports linking Panganiban to her newest leading man John Lloyd Cruz.

"No truth to the rumors about Sam Pinto and I. We did a commercial last year but that's it. Let's respect Sam and stop all these rumors," he said.

"Guys please don't believe any of the rumors about Angel and John Lloyd. They did scenes for a movie and that's it. That's the truth," Ramsay said.

On Monday, Panganiban became emotional in an appearance on "KrisTV" as her handler Chris Navarro advised her on loving herself first before loving someone.

Mon Tulfo wanted to get his gun

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MANILA, Philippines – Journalist Mon Tulfo admitted his first instinct when actor Raymart Santiago hit him during the brawl that happened last Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was really to get his gun.

“Ang instinct ko ay tumakbo papunta kung nasaan ang baril ko. Kukunin ko ang baril ko and that would have been very nasty,” Tulfo told Boy Abunda in an exclusive interview with “The Buzz” aired on Sunday.

Tulfo said though it was unfortunate that his gun was still at the counter.

“Hindi ko pa nari-receive sa counter. Nasa loob pa ako ng terminal building... Naisip ko lang sa sarili ko, ‘Naku kung mangyayari ito, patay si Mon Tulfo.’ Pero ang number one instinct ko noon, takbuhin ko ang baril ko at balikan sila roon. Wala nang makakapigil sa akin. Maraming masasawi,” he added.

Tulfo said he decided to just stand his ground and duke it out with Santiago and his friends than for people to think he’s a coward.
“Ang ginawa ko sana nung nakita kong marami na sila, tumakbo na ako na parang duwag. Kasi akala ko sa sarili ko at that time, kapag tumakbo ako ano na lang ang sasabihin ng mga tao sa akin? Hindi ako tumakbo. I stood my ground. Nagkamali ako dahil ang dami nila,” he said.
Tulfo insisted he never intended to shove or kick Santiago’s wife, actress Claudine Barretto.
“No, no [hindi ko tinulak si Claudine]. Malayo siya. Minsan nakakaganti ako, nakakatulak ako... 'Yung sinasabing nasipa ko siya, maaaring noong nakalugmok na ako, sumisipa na ako dahil iyon ang ginawa kong panangga kasi nakita sa video nga na tumba na ako, pinagtutulungan na ako, tumba na ako, ” he said.
Tulfo also appealed to the person who recorded the video of the brawl to come out so he can personally thank him.
“Hanggang ngayon kung maari sana makipagkita ka sa akin even in secret para mapasalamatan ko at mayakap lang kita. Kung hindi sa video na iyon, wala na ako ngayon. Lugmok na ako sa public opinion,” he said.

Jessica Sanchez in now no. 2 on American Idol rankings

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MANILA, Philippines – Despite being almost sent home by America last Thursday, a popular U.S. magazine still ranked Filipino-Mexican-American contestant Jessica Sanchez as one of the best contestants on “American Idol” this season based on their latest performances.

In its Top 7 Power Rankings Revisited posted in its website, Entertainment Weekly placed Sanchez at No. 2, just one step below her spot last week.

“Save or no save, her talent level is undeniable,” the magazine said.

Last week, Sanchez chose the little-known song "Stuttering" as part of the show's Songs from This Decade theme.

Judge Randy Jackson said Sanchez is setting the bar really high for the Top 7 contestants. Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler was also all praises for the young Mexipino and resident mentor Jimmy Iovine said Sanchez has a voice that "can move anybody."
Meanwhile, landing at the No. 1 position is Colton Dixon, who was last week’s No. 2.
Joshua Ledet and Skylar Laine both kept their places at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively.
Elise Testone, on the other hand, hiked one step to No. 5 while Phillip Phillips slid to No. 6. Hollie Cavanagh remained at the last spot.
For this week, the Top 7 will perform two songs each with the theme “Then and Now” – one is a Billboard No. 1 hit from 2000 to 2012 and the other a “soul” song from the previous decade.
According to Entertainment Weekly, this should be a chance for Sanchez to make a comeback as the theme seems to be tailored especially for her.
“This week's ‘then and now' theme seems tailor-made for a Jessica comeback. Expect to hear Etta James' 'I'd Rather Go Blind,' which she already covered masterfully on YouTube,” the article said

Angelica breaks up with Derek

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MANILA, Philippines -- Actress Angelica Panganiban was the one who broke up with long-time boyfriend Derek Ramsay, The Philippine Star reported on Thursday.

Entertainment editor Ricky Lo said in his column that Panganiban felt that Ramsay wasn't spending enough time with her.

"She felt that Derek hasn’t been giving her 'enough time,' concentrated as he is on his new career as a Kapatid (formerly Kapamilya), especially now that he’s being groomed by TV5 to host the Olympics in London and the Miss World-Philippines pageant (sorry, Paolo Bediones!) with Ruffa Gutierrez."
On Monday, Ramsay confirmed the breakup via his Twitter, while Panganiban has, so far, avoid discussing the separation at length.
"Angelica simply said, 'I’m okay,' when asked about the break-up," Lo wrote.
Ramsay has denied reports that a third-party caused the breakup, mentioning former "Pinoy Big Brother" housemate Sam Pinto, who is being linked to him, and actor John Lloyd Cruz, who is being linked to Panganiban.
Cruz and girlfriend Shaina Magdayao have also confirmed recently that they too have broken up.
Lo, quoting a source, said Cruz had "enough time" for Panganiban when they shot a film in Vietnam and is now reportedly a frequent visitor at Panganiban's home.
"It’s not sure if Angelica and John Lloyd are into a relationship. Maybe they are helping each other mend their 'broken' hearts?" Lo wrote.

MILF joins the Tulfo-Santiago showdown

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Even the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has a statement on the May 6 Thrilla in Naia where  columnist/broadcaster Ramon Tulfo  and showbiz couple Claudine Barretto and Raymart Santiago figured in a brawl at the international airport.

In its website, side by side with reports on the peacetalks that the Muslim rebel group is pursuing with the government and the death of its  vice chairman for Military Affairs, Aleem Abdul Aziz S. Mimbantas, MILF deputy chairman of the MILF Committee on Information Khaled Musa  said they are not  taking sides but commented that Tulfo, "has been given the dose of his own medicine."

"Hurting is not only when one is attacked but the more stinging it is when the offended party is the whole community like the Moros. I wish he will stop insulting people now that he has been given the dose of his own medicine," Musa said.

He added: "'Truth is truth and it is not fair to say Ramon Tulfo or the Santiagos are guilty of starting the brawl. Let the facts of the incident come out soon."

Luwaran described Tulfo as ," an incorrigible critic of Moros in Mindanao."

The news item further said that in his column in the Philippine Inquirer,  Tulfo  treat the Moros in Mindanao as "made of sub-race."

The MILF website said, "Ramon Tulfo created so many enemies including the former First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo, and Senator Panfilo Lacson, who was tagged by him as "murderer" and "adulterer'. Tulfo also did not spare the legendary movie king, Fernando Poe Jr., from his tongue-lashing even if the latter was already comatose."

Earlier, Rep. Teddy Casiño of the leftist partylist Bayan Muna, put the blame on Cebu Pacific for the  airport scuffle that has morphed  into other issues  life feminism, media ethics , and press freedom.

Casiño said Cebu Pacific's incompetence of offloading the luggage of  the Santiago couple and that of their friends  without informing them was the root cause of the ugly incident.

"In a way that's the trigger of all this brouhaha — if Claudine and Raymart's baggage were not left behind without giving them notice, Tulfo wouldn't have the chance to be a `miron,' (observer)" said Casiño who himself had experienced the airline's incompetence.

To lighten the hostile atmosphere, Casiño suggested that Cebu Pacific  provide  the parties involved in the brawl to a  free, round-trip tickets with a two-night stay in Boracay. "So they can mend fences and enjoy each others' company in a less stressful environment," he said.

That's no longer possible because the fight has now dragged in the three other Tulfo brothers —Raffy,Ben,Erwin — who threatened Raymart  and Claudine in their TV program "T3:Kapatid, Sagot Kita."

Sympathy for Mon was greatly diminished with the brothers'  thug mentality in public display in their radio and TV programs.

Even the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines which  defended Mon Tulfo's right to take pictures of the Claudine berating the Cebu Pacific personnel drew the line on the threats issued by the Tulfo brothers on air.

NUJP Chairman Nestor Burgos Jr. lauded TV5 for suspending the Erwin, Ben and Raffy Tulfo. "No amount of provocation warrants the uncalled for reaction especially from those who call themselves journalists and after Ramon Tulfo had already filed a criminal complaint against the couple. "

Things have taken a twist because TV5's suspension of the three Tulfo brothers didn't impress the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board which imposed a 20-day suspension on the program, "T3:Kapatid, Sagot Kita."

TV5 went to the Court of Appeals crying violation of press freedom.

A feminist angle has also been introduced with writer Katrina Stuart Santiago (not related to Raymart) saying that Claudine's pagtataray was "refreshing."

She said: "That we fail to appreciate Claudine kicking ass the way she has? That is our bigger tragedy."

Now, Commission on Human Rights Chair Etta Rosales has entered the picture  supporting  the Cebu Pacific personnel,Charice Bocboc , who was  berated by Claudine.

Rosales said  while  Barretto had the right to complain, she was wrong in assaulting the dignity of the airline employee.

Oh my, where will this lead to?

Charice Pempengco back in Manila for "X Factor"

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MANILA, Philippines - International singing sensation Charice returned to Manila on Monday morning to start preparing for "The X Factor Philippines," where she will be one of the mentor-judges.

"Actually it's gonna be a long day kasi lahat ng preparations for 'X-Factor.' So this day nakalaan for X Factor," Charice told ABS-CBN News upon her arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

She also expressed her excitement to be with her Filipino fans again via her new TV project.
 
"Na-miss ko sila sobra so I can't wait, kasi long time ago na nag-stay ako dito ng mahaba, so I'm very excited," she said.

Charice will be joined byGary Valenciano, Martin Nievera and Pilita Corrales as mentor-judges.

Hosted by KC Concepcion, "The X Factor Philippines" will air on ABS-CBN soon.

Brian Viloria ends Trilogy with a TKO in the 9th Round"

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The end of a trilogy between two of the best flyweight fighters occurred today as Brian Viloria (31-3 ,18 KOs) beat out former conqueror Omar Nino Romero (31-5-2, 13 KOs) by TKO in the ninth in the Philippines.

It was their third fight, with Romero taking the first fight by a unanimous decision, and the two men coming to a draw in the second one. It was later overturned and ruled a no-contest when Romero tested positive in a drug test for the bout.

With Viloria at the top of the flyweight division, he felt it was necessary to exorcise one of his demons and beat Romero. It had been nearly six years since they had fought. Viloria grew as a fighter since then and he showed that in his performance against Romero.

The fight started slow, more of a technical battle between the two men as they tried to get a feel and measure one another. The same for the second round as both men were trying to jab and counter each other.

Things got interesting in the third round as Viloria started to put his punches together and counter Romero more efficiently. This carried on in Viloria's favor throughout the middle rounds and at one point it looked as if Viloria would end the night early. 

Viloria started to slow down the pace so he would not repeat his mistake of tiring out in the later rounds. This gave Romero the opportunity to come back and steal rounds by being the busier fighter.

It seemed that Romero would work his way back into this fight until a right hook from Viloria sent Romero back and Viloria into a flurry of punches. Almost simultaneously, Romero's corner jumped in and the ref waved off the fight giving Viloria his much-desired victory over Romero by TKO in the ninth.

That leaves the men at 1-1-1, but it seems there might not be a fourth match as Viloria said he was content with this fight.

This fight showed that Viloria has really matured as a fighter since his low point a couple of years ago and he deserves his place as flyweight king.

Mother's Day Special:"Featuring Caridad Tulfo & how she brought up Tulfo brothers"

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Behind every man’s success is a mother with a badass whip.

They may be in-your-face, tough-talking journalists, feared, loved and hated by many, but this pack of warrior-brothers heel only to one voice—their mother’s.

Yes, the Tulfo brothers have a mother. And she’s not quite what you expect the mom of high-profile media persons Ramon “Mon” Jr., Erwin, Raffy and Ben might be.

Soft-spoken, courteous and polite, Caridad Tulfo, 87, is very old-school. As the disciplinarian of the Tulfo household, she believes that sparing the rod will spoil the child. When you’re raising boys born two years apart each other, you’ll either lose it from sheer exhaustion or toughen up and treat them like men.

“Every week, I would call my children for a two-hour lecture on honesty, obedience. I needed to instill in them the values of life,” Caridad said in Tagalog. Disobedience was not tolerated in their house. She could not afford to, not with 10 children.

Mon, she recalled, was always trying to outwit her. When Mon needed to be punished for being a bad boy—and he often was a naughty boy, Caridad said—he would put a piece of cardboard inside his pants to protect his legs from his mother’s wrath.

“Did my mom tell you how many times I had to be spanked for discipline in a day [when I was a little boy]? Three times,” Mon said, laughing. Sometimes, he continued, she would even have the help spank him instead of her.

“But I would always know because it sounded different. He’s immune to pain,” Caridad said, laughing along.

Misbehaving children were first punished by Caridad, who is a full-time mother. If their dad, Col. Ramon Sr., was around, he would be informed of the misdeeds and the kids would get another punishment from him. Ramon Sr., as a military man, was often away from home, though, leaving the reins in the able hands of Caridad.

“Double yung punishment if Dad were around. But I never resented those. I never do that to my kids, but that’s the old-style discipline. If not for my mom’s discipline, I would be in Muntinlupa now, in the national penitentiary,” Mon said.

Raffy, 52, the eighth of the Tulfo children, recalls his mother’s daily prayer: “I still remember my mother’s prayer. She’d say, ‘Lord, Raffy or Erwin will grow up criminals, please take them away from me now. I offer their lives to You.’“Raffy then couldn’t sleep because he thought he might die if he fell asleep,” said Mon, laughing. But if their mom was a strict disciplinarian when they were little, their grandmother, Caridad’s mom, was even more rigid. “May palo na, kakagatin ka pa,” Mon recalled.

Trials and heartaches

Caridad has been through a lot. She was a prisoner of war during World War II (she’s half-Japanese), and she single-handedly raised 10 children—seven of them boys. This 5’5” lady has certainly borne many trials and heartaches in life.

What got her through tough times, she said, was prayers. In fact, it has all been about prayers. Raffy has a pocketful of prayers—literally. Stampitas for all sorts of protection are tucked neatly in the sleeves of his wallet. His car and home, he said, are also lined with saints gifted by his mom.“I believe we are where we are in our careers mainly because of her prayers. Her prayers are not for herself but for us. She’d request nuns and priests to pray for us. As if the prayer room is not enough, she still goes to church a number of times each week,” Raffy said.

Caridad’s father was a Japanese businessman. They owned a store, she said, and were quite well-off compared to her classmates. In grade school, she used to pilfer school supplies like pencils and pad papers, even slippers, from the store and give those to her less fortunate classmates. If the household help saw her taking out stuff, she would bribe them with P5 so they wouldn’t tell on her parents. It always worked, she said, laughing.

Raffy, who Caridad said took after her in terms of generosity, calls his mom the Robin Hood of her time. Except that this Robin Hood didn’t take from everyone; she took stuff that belonged to her family.Caridad’s father was also very generous, she said, donating often to charities and helping their employees whenever they were in tight financial situations. The opposite could be said of her mom, she said. Her parents differed so much in this part of their lives that when her dad passed away, Caridad heard their tenants say they wished it was her mom who had passed on.

“God always answers my prayers. Even during the war, I prayed no one would discover I was part-Japanese. I would put mud on my face and body and pray nobody that would find out because men were killing and raping women. It was war. Then He gave me 10 children. I thought I couldn’t handle it, but with His help I did,” she said.

Prayer room

She goes to the prayer room when she feels lonely—she lives on her own with one help; when she wants to be alone with her thoughts; when she misses her children; when she’s sad and crying; when she wakes up from a bad dream about her children, usually involving her sons.

The prayer room is where she runs to when she has problems. And right now she has a lot on her plate.

On May 6, Mon Tulfo figured in a brawl at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with movie stars Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto. The next day, on “T3,” the TV show hosted by Ben, Raffy and Erwin, the brothers made threats on national television against the couple (they have since issued an apology and are currently under suspension).

“I told them hindi ko nagustuhan ‘yun,” Caridad said. “Dahan-dahan lang. I’m sad about the controversy. It’s all in the will of God now what’s going to happen to them next. Sinabi ko na, Lord, thy will be done. Kung pwede extend mo pa [buhay nila] pero kung gusto mo na silang kunin, i-surrender ko na sila sa’yo. Ikaw ang may hawak sa buhay nila.”

Like most Filipinos, Caridad and the three brothers learned about the brawl in the news. It was not like Mon to tell anyone he had a problem. Mon said it never even crossed his mind to tell anyone.

“I nearly passed out. That was the worst I’ve ever been. The worst was the bruised ego. Everything I learned in martial arts came to nothing in that incident,” said Mon.

Will of God

Caridad said she never wanted her sons to be journalists because she knew the profession involved risks. They would have enemies, she said. Instead, she wanted them to become priests—all, save for Mon, she said, because she knew he would not finish the course if she forced him to.

“I have a prayer for journalists. I say it every day. I was happy when Erwin issued an apology. If the Santiagos won’t accept them, then that’s still the will of God. Maybe He wants to test my children,” Caridad said.

Raffy said that when her mom says something, like you’ll get bad karma for this or you’ll be generously rewarded for that, it usually comes true. That’s why when she reminds him he hasn’t been calling or visiting her lately, that it’s important not to take their mom for granted if they want blessings to come into their lives, he’d come rushing back to her side.

“Nagtatampo lang ako. I don’t talk to them, so they come rushing here right away and give me gifts, like cakes, which I can’t eat anyway because my sugar is high,” she said, laughing.

“She’s the greatest mom on earth as far as I’m concerned,” said Raffy. “She’s very thoughtful and lovable. She calls us whenever she thinks medyo napapariwara kami sa mga sinasabi namin sa radyo or TV. She gives us advice, and more often than not I listen.”