Miami Heat Champion coach Erik Spoelstra visits Philippines and watched PBA Finals

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There was, Erik Spoelstra swears, very little that changed about him since steering the Miami Heat to the NBA title last season.

“I don’t want [the NBA championship] to change my lifestyle,” he said during a press conference hosted by NBA Asia. “I get recognized more and I need to wear a baseball cap when I eat out in Miami. But it hasn’t reached a point where I wear a fake mustache or clown glasses.”

He is busier too, diving into preparations for next season’s title defense especially with new acquisitions bolstering the Heat’s roster. But it hasn’t reached a point where he would skip a trip to Manila.

“I told my assistant to move some dates around and push appointments back to make time for at least a week in the Philippines,” he said.

So Spoelstra is here, bringing the Larry O’Brien trophy with him. He is less guarded than he was during his last visit to the country, when the loss to the Dallas Mavericks and several lockout prohibitions held back what should have been easy, casual conversations.

He looks more relaxed, the circles under his eyes several shades lighter. He dropped by Smart Araneta Coliseum for Game 5 of the PBA Finals, reminding him of one of his life’s regrets and joking how he nearly crossed that item off.

“I still regret not having been able to play in the PBA,” he said. “If I could have taped my ankles and wore knee braces and jumped into [Wednesday’s] game, I would have. That looked like a lot of fun.”

Instead, he sat back and enjoyed the “passion” by which B-Meg and Rain or Shine played, with every tough play reminding him of what former PBA commentator and NBA scout Jim Kelly told him when he tried to recruit a young Spoelstra to play for Asia’s first pro league.

“I remember I was warned about the physicality,” said Spoelstra. “Jim said this wasn’t anything like your average US college game.”

“[Wednesday] night, the officials let the guys play and I like the competition between the two teams.”

While he said he didn’t want to comment on players individually, Spoelstra said B-Meg star and two-time league MVP James Yap certainly caught his attention in Game 5.

“He had a terrific game last night,” he said.

“It’s an honor that he noticed me,” said Yap. “Imagine, he’s an NBA champ and he coaches LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.”

Spoelstra’s visit will be filled with the usual activities he performs during visits. Outreach clinics, visits to Malacañang and all. Yesterday afternoon, he paid President Aquino a visit and presented him with a Miami Heat jersey.

One thing that’s unlikely to materialize though is a specific commitment to be a consultant for the national team.

“I have a very busy schedule,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to commit myself to something that would require a lot of time. I’d like to be more involved in the grassroots.”

“But I am a fan of the national program and if there’s any way I can help as a fan or as a distant observer, I’d definitely love that.

Has Gerald given up on Sarah? And is Sarah going to fight for Gerald?

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Pinag-uusapan ngayon ang blind item na ito na lumabas sa Twitter: “gumib ap na daw si G sa panliligaw ke S, dahil sa madir ni S.”
Ang sumulat ng blind item ay ang entertainment columnist/radio host/actor na si Ogie Diaz.

Nagbigay pa ng ilang detalye si Ogie tungkol dito sa magkakasunod niyang tweets mula July 23, tuloy ng July 24, at hanggang ngayong araw, July 25.
Pero dahil blind item nga, hindi niya tinukoy kung sino si G at kung sino si S.
Narito ang kuwento ni Ogie sa kanyang personal Twitter account:
“Sinabihan daw ng fadir si G na umakyat ng ligaw sa bahay. Ginawa naman daw ni G. Pero pag andun daw si G, iniirapan sya ng madir ni S.
“Dapat daw, me duet sina S at G sa concert ni S. Pero si Mother Dear daw ang umayaw. Kagabi daw after live ay cry si S dahil finally...
“Finally, nagpaalam na si G ke S na give up na siya, dahil ndi daw ma-please ni G si Mother Dear. Kaya super iyak daw si S. #Sad.
Ito pa ang tweets ni Ogie tungkol kina G at S:
“Tumimbre na si Madir Dear sa produ na wag ng ituloy ang movie ng anak na si S with G dhl ang sey ni madir, "Wag na, nahuhulog na anak ko!"
“Sinabi daw ni G ke S after a live show, "Im ready, but i think ur not. Ur mom doesnt like me," cry si S kc naudlot muli ang happiness nya.
“Sey ni Mother Dear ni S, me nagtxt sa kanya na me babae raw si G from Cebu. But d people who know d mom, nag-iimbento lang daw ito ng story.
“Dami nagpapayo ke S, "Malaki ka na, ikaw naghahanapbuhay. Bat ndi man lang iregalo sa yo ng mom mo ang tiwala nya sa yo sa lovelife mo?"
"Kaya ganyan din ang mom mo kc ina-allow mong ganyan sya sa yo. Samantalang responsable ka namang bata, ano ba ikinatatakot ng nanay mo?"
“Kahit daw paghawak ng celfone, limited lang ang ibinibigay na oras ni mom sa anak. Kailangan pang magtago sa cr ni S pag nakikipag-usap.

"All these years, ikaw ang kumakayod para sa pamilya mo, bat naman ganyan ang nanay mo? Ndi naman porke in love ka, pababayaan mo na sila!"
“Minsang me suitor na nagpadala ng food ke S sa bahay, ndi nakarating ke S, dahil hinarang ni Mom at ipinakain sa maid. Huminto na ang guy.

“Sa bahay, pag nagre-rehearse ng kanta ang bagets, yung 1 kapatid, "Ano ba yan, ang ingay-ingaaaay!" Heler! Yan ang bumubuhay sa inyo, teh!
“Minsan, nagkagusto ng Channel bag ang bagets. Sabi ng mom, pagpunta na lang daw nila ng abroad. Na-excite ang bagets. Pagdating dun, waley!”
Paalala ni Ogie: “Ilan lang yan sa mga kwentong nai-share sa akin. Ndi ko naman sinasabing maniwala kayo dahil kahit ako, ndi makapaniwala. Awa ako sa bagets.
“Kung totoo man ito, sana naman, bigyan ng karapatang lumigaya ng nanay ang anak bilang regalo sa pagiging mabuting anak at kapatid nito.
“Wag na sanang hintayin ni Madir yung araw na magrebelde ang anak nya bago nya pa ma-realize na ndi nya dapat ipinagdamot ang kabataan ni S.”
WHO ARE "G" AND "S"? Hindi man pinangalanan ni Ogie kung sino sina "G" at "S" dahil blind items nga ang pinili nitong isulat, nagkakaisa ang lahat ng nakabasa ng tweets na ang tinutukoy niya ay walang iba kundi sina Gerald Anderson at Sarah Geronimo.
Di naman napakalaking palaisipan: G at S ang unang letra ng mga pangalan ng dalawang Kapamilya stars.
Liban dito, inamin na ni Gerald, 23, sa maraming interviews na umaakyat na siya ng ligaw kay Sarah, 24.
Ito ay sa kabila ng batikos ng ilan na "gimik" lamang ang panliligaw ng binata sa singer-actress.
Sabi ni Gerald dito: "By now, nakita naman nila na wala akong masamang intensiyon.
“Nililigawan ko si Sarah dahil gusto ko talaga siyang ligawan at hindi para sa mga tao.
“Hindi para sa mga fans, sa mga tao sa paligid ko, kung hindi para sa akin.”
Kinumpirma naman ni Sarah sa kanyang interviews ang panliligaw ni Gerald sa kanya.

Gerald Anderson to Sarah Geronimo: ‘Wish ko mahanap mo ‘yung happiness na matagal mo nang hinahanap’

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Nag-trending worldwide sa social networking site na Twitter ang episode ng Sarah G. Live nitong Linggo dahil special co-host ni Sarah Geronimo ang nali-link sa kanyang si Gerald Anderson. Ang nasabing episode ay bahagi pa rin ng month-long birthday celebration ng Pop Star Princess.

Nagkaroon ng dance number ang dalawa sa opening number kung saan napuno ng hiyawan ang studio mula sa mga nonood dahil sa sobrang kilig. Nagkaroon din ng interview with Sarah and Gerald sa second to the last gap ng show kung saan ininterview ng regular co-host ng show na si Luis Manzano ang sikat na love team. Dito ay nagkaroon ng kulitan ang dalawa at binalikan ang mahahalagang moments kung paano nagsimula ang kanilang pagkakaibigan. 

Sa last portion ng show, kung saan kumanta rin ng kanyang closing song si Sarah, ultimate kilig ang lahat sa mensahe ni Gerald kay Sarah, gayundin ang mga romantic gestures niya, gaya ng mga birthday gifts, birthday messages at ang constant holding hands nila. 

Mala-pelikula rin ang naging palitan nila ng mensahe sa last part ng episode. Nagbigay kasi ng birthday message si Gerald at iniabot din niya kay Sarah ang kanyang birthday gifts. “Happy birthday! Wish ko talaga sa ‘yo sana mahanap mo ‘yung mga sagot sa mga tanong mo at mahanap ‘yung happiness na matagal mong hinahanap,” bungad ni Gerald sa mensahe niya kay Gerald.

Sinagot naman ito ni Sarah ng , “Thank you sa joy, sa kilig sa inspiration na naibahagi mo sa akin, sa aming lahat. Wish ko ang friendship natin mag-last forever. Andito ako sa ‘yo para suportahan at maging mabuting kaibigan para sa ‘yo.” 

Unang ibinigay ni Gerald ang flowers kay Sarah at sinundan ito ng isang kahon. Nang binuksan niya ito, ang unang laman ay isang white T-shirt na may print na “Babe” na tawagan nilang dalawa. 

Ang pangalawang gift naman ni Gerald ay isang clock. “Time para sa studies mo, career mo pati sa mga Popsters, Ashralds, iba-ibang grupo na sinusuportahan ka; time para sa pamilya mo, nanay mo, tatay mo, kapatid mo; time para sa ‘yo. Time para sa mga gusto mong gawin, ma-experience, lahat ‘yon,” mahabang pahayag ng aktor. “Kasi ang bilis ng oras di ba? Kaya kung may gusto kang gawin, may gusto kang sabihin, sabihin mo na, gawin mo na. Sinasabi ko lang kasi time lost may never be found again. Time will decide what’s best for us.

Anne Curtis:"My Story"

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Where do I begin?? Well, I had a normal & amazing childhood in the lovely little town of Yarrwonga, Victoria Australia. From kinder to the very end of primary school, I lived there. Some of the warmest memories I have in my life are those I had there. I would ride my bike to school, I played ‘til I had to be called inside, had sleepovers, played netball, joined the girl guides, went camping, enjoyed Fish & Chips with chicken salt, went swimming at the lake… I pretty much did everything a child should do as a kid and never dreamt of being an actress when I was younger. In fact, when I was about six, I dreamt of being Nadia Comaniche, the first gymnast to get a perfect 10 at the Olympics.
Now being half-Filipino & half-Australian, every year our family would come visit the Philippines to see my mum’s relatives. And so I grew to know & love the country each time we came for a vacation. But in 1997, the vacation turned into a permanent stay. You see, in 1997, while eating at a fast-food chain along Boni Hi-way, I was approached and asked if I’d like to get into some modeling. My dad, of course, thought it was a scam but my mum whom by the way, wished to be an actress when she was younger, was all for it. So behind my dad’s back, she took the young and awkward 12 year old girl that I was to VTR’s.
And lucky me, I bagged my first TV commercial within a week or so. My dad finally came around and allowed me to pursue this new found opportunity. So we decided to move and I studied here in the Philippines. I did Grade 7 at the Colegio de Sta.Rosa. And because I could not speak or understand a word of Tagalog, I had special Filipino classes with two other girls who had also just moved. So I must give credit to the school that helped me with the basics back then. So there I was, the new kid in school studying, and “modeling.”
After a month or so they asked if I’d like to try acting and audition for a part in a movie. Of course, I was game! So after school (I remember this so clearly) I went to my very first audition. Still in my school uniform with gravy on my top, and because I had arrived so late, they were already picking in the line who would be the final few to audition. And lucky me, I was part of that batch! So, we all went, still in a line, in front of the directors, Direk Pegue Gallaga & Lore Reyes. There we were asked to introduce ourselves and then act like a princess! I think any girl at 12, at one point or another, had played and made believe that they were a princess.
 So I am proud to say that I think I did quite well for my first audition. And I guess I thought right! Because later that evening, they called to confirm that I had gotten the part as “Princess Dahlia” for the movie “Magic Kingdom,” which was set to be part of the Metro Manila Film Festival! And this was when my career as an actress began…
 I was signed up immediately with Viva Films and I have been with them from then on. 14 years and still going! Through them, I was given my first TV stint as “Jasmin” in their then hit drama teleserye “Ikaw na Sana” of Angelu de Leon & Bobby Andrews (GMA7). Coincidentally, I happened to be a major fan of them since I followed T.G.I.S. Little did I know that soon enough, I would be part of that youth-oriented show as “Em.” I must say that my start in the industry was so much fun & truly memorable. Roles kept coming in and I was fortunately given the role of “Ginny” in “AnnaKarenNina.” Viva then gave me an opportunity to do the film “Ika-13 Kapitulo.” I started off with very humble roles like as the younger sister or the friend of the lead. But I always gave my best regardless if I had lines or not… And I believe that through patience & faith, you can achieve your dreams.
 I was very visible on TV through “May Bukas Pa” (IBC13) and comedy shows like “Beh bote Nga,” “Bubble Gang,” “Idol ko si Kap,” and “Nuts Entertainment” on GMA 7. But it was in 2007 that we were approached by ABS-CBN and asked if we wanted to do the soap opera “HIRAM” with Kris Aquino, Dina Bonnevie, Heart Evangelista & Geoff Eigenmann. ABS-CBN management said that I was to take on the role of the gray character. As an actress who had been doing a lot of comedy and balikbayan roles, I got very scared. However, something in me wanted to take on the challenge and I knew I wanted to try drama. So we did it and I know it was not a mistake. The feedback I got was overwhelming and people started noticing that I could actually act and do more than my usual balikbayan roles.  After that, I became part of the noontime variety show ASAP MANIA. The next year, I bagged the lead role in the TV remake of “Kampanerang Kuba,” my very first fantaserye, which was actually quite challenging for I portrayed the hunchback “Imang.” But it was truly memorable for me and I will always treasure it for it was my very first title role.
After “Kampanerang Kuba,” my next soap opera was “Maging Sino Ka Man,” where I portrayed as “Celine Magsaysay.” This character, I have to say, tested my versatility as an actress. It’s one of my hardest characters to date but definitely one, if not on the top, of my favorite characters that I will always love. “Maging Sino Ka Man Book 2” followed then I did “The Wedding.” After that, I had my favorite title role as “Dyosa.” And then my most recent Koreanovela remake, “Green Rose.”
While acting for TV, I still continued to do some films like “Wag Kang Lilingon,” “When Love Begins,” “Baler,” for which I received my first ever BEST ACTRESS award at the Metro Manila Film Festival, and “In Your Eyes,” where I also got my first BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS award at the FAP LUNA AWARDS.
I never really was a host but I enjoyed being a VJ for MTV Philippines for a little while. I also did the SCQ Summer Kids Quest and Cupids. But I realized my true love for hosting when I became part of the show “Showtime.” Until now it’s the reason I get up early every morning to make you guys, our madlang people, happy. It was also through Showtime that I was able to share my “talent” in singing! Hence, the birth of my album that was just released – ANNEBISYOSA!!
My career of 14 years has been a rollercoaster ride but I’ve enjoyed every single moment of it! I treasure everything I’ve learned and still am learning! I value and am so thankful for all the blessings that have come my way! So I’m very, very excited to see what the future has yet to bring! From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has been with me in this career journey!

Wasak Episode with Gregorio Honasan

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Word of the Lourd: "Lessons From the Impeachment" by Lourd de Veyra

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Word of the Lourd: "Made in China" by Lourd de Veyra

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Word of the Lourd: "Ang Sunod sa Corona" by Lourd de Veyra

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Word of the Lourd: "Idol si Pidol" by Lourd de Veyra

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Callalily - MINSAN (Official Music Video)

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Kamikazee ft. Kyla - HULING SAYAW (Oficial Music Video)

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Bamboo - IKOT NG MUNDO [Official Music Video]

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Dong Abay - "PAR QUE" (Official Music Video)

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Slapshock - LANGIT (Official Music Video)

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Kris Aquino: Mom proud of Pnoy

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MANILA (UPDATED) - President Aquino and his sisters, Ballsy, Viel and Kris, as well as close friends of the Aquinos and some members of the Cabinet, were at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City Wednesday morning to commemorate the 3rd death anniversary of former President Cory Aquino.
Fr. Catalino Arevalo, the spiritual adviser of the Aquino family, celebrated the mass. Fr. Arevalo's homily centered on how the gift of life of "Tita Cory" enabled the Philippines to come together.
After the Mass, Kris, speaking on behalf of the family, said she is positive their mom is proud of what a good president her "Kuya Noy" has become.
She also jokingly said that her mom must also be so happy to see her grandson Josh lose 50 pounds.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Aquino sisters unveiled a bust of their mother as well as a mini photo exhibit at the Our Lady of Edsa Shrine in Mandaluyong City.
Ballsy and Viel, togther with Mrs. Aquino's nephew Rapa Lopa, Vice President Jejomar Binay and some close family friends attended the unveiling of Mrs. Aquino's bust and the photo exhibit.
President Aquino was originally scheduled to lead the unveiling, but Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the president skipped the event as he is closely monitoring the flood situation in Metro Manila.
Luisito Ac-Ac of Paete, Laguna carved Cory's bust using Baticulin wood. It took him 3 to 4 weeks to finish it.
The bust will eventually be placed inside the church where former Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin's bust had also been previously placed.
The Edsa Shrine community was the one who thought of having Cory's bust made, according to the shrine's secretary, Manny Layson.
The Mass in the afternoon was officiated by Most Rev. Gabriel Reyes, Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo City, and Fr. Leo Nilo Mangussad.

President Pnoy's speech not only for ABS-CBN but to all media

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MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has clarified that the scolding spree of President Benigno Aquino III that happened during the 25th anniversary celebration of "TV Patrol" last Friday was not solely for ABS-CBN but for all mediamen.
This is what Presidential Communications Group Secretary Sonny Coloma said during his interview with radio dzMM on Sunday.
Coloma said the President’s speech last Friday had the same theme when he spoke before a news organization in the past, as well as when he addressed the Philippine Press Institute.
"Kung titingnan po natin 'yung dalawang mensahe po niya dun [ay] iisa lang ang tema: tinatawagan ang mga kagawad ng media na maging balanse sa kanilang pag-uulat, maging makatotohanan dahil iyan po ang inaasahan ng ating mga mamamayan,” Coloma said.
"Kung magbabalik-tanaw tayo, 'yan din ang mensahe ng Pangulo sa Philippine Press Institute na taga-pagpatnubay ng media sa pagsunod sa mga alituntunin o standards ng journalism," he added.
Coloma maintained the President is open to any criticism but he insisted that there should be balance and responsible journalism.
"Sa kabuuan, ang amin pong hinihingi ay patas na report, makatotohanan at wala po kaming hinahangad na gumawa ng prior restraint dahil iginagalang po natin ang kalayaan sa pamamahayag," he said.
Coloma said the media should be an instrument to further improve the lives of Filipnos through broadcasting good news so as to boost the country’s tourism efforts.
"Pinupunto lang ng Pangulo, maaaring maging instrumento sa pagbabago 'yung mass media sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay din ng mabuting balita, positibong mensahe, na siyang mag-e-encourage din sa ating mga kababayan," he said.
"Kapag kasinungalingan, maaari pong malinlang ang ating mamamayan, disencouragement sa mga turistang nagbabalak na magpunta dito. Sayang naman, malaki ang tulong ng tourism industry sa ating kabuhayan," Coloma added.
Coloma also said the President respects the freedom of the press but said it would be best for everyone if the media will be more responsible.
"Ganun na lang po naman ang pagsisikap na patatagin ang institusyon ng demokrasya katulad din ng freedom of the press at tatatag pa ito kapag responsable po ang paggamit nito," he said.
Last Friday, Aquino criticized "TV Patrol" anchor Noli de Castro for his negative comments to positive government news he occasionally makes during the banter portion at the end of the daily news programs.
"Kung alam mo na opinion-maker ka, alam mo rin dapat na may responsibilidad ka. Sana po sa tuwing sinasabi nating magandang gabi bayan, sana totoong hinahangad natin na maging maganda ang gabi ng bayan," the President said.
Aquino also vented his frustrations over de Castro’s negative extemporaneous comments and he even cited several examples.
In response to Aquino's comments, Ging Reyes, head of ABS-CBN's News and Current Affairs Division, said: "Criticism is not a monopoly of journalists and media practitioners. The President had as much right to free speech as every citizen."
"But the focus of Friday's celebration was TV Patrol's 25 years -- the people behind the stories, the unsung heroes behind the cameras and unforgettable events that shaped history. We did not just remember the disasters, anomalies and political upheavals that TV Patrol covered. We also celebrated stories of remarkable achievers and everyday heroes, whose triumphs over adversity is a testament to the resiliency of the Filipino spirit," she added.

Fajardo, Abueva and Hodge are contenders for PBA top picks

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MANILA, Philippines – Towering big man Junmar Fajardo from the University of Cebu is the likely top pick in the upcoming PBA Annual Rookie Draft, with San Sebastian’s Calvin Abueva and D-League star Cliff Hodge also among the top candidates.
According to PBA.ph, Fajardo formally submitted his papers at the PBA Office last Monday and will likely be picked first by the Petron Blaze Boosters when the Draft gets underway on August 19.
A total of 61 players have entered the draft, but the number could rise until August 3, the deadline for submission of documents.
Air21 owns the top overall pick this year though they traded their rights to Petron. The Boosters have made no secret that they will like to add Fajardo to their already star-studded roster, as the 6-foot-9 big man also played for the San Miguel Beermen in the ASEAN Basketball League.
Aside from Fajardo, Abueva and Hodge are likely to hear their names called early, with former NCAA and D-League MVP Vic Manuel also a potential early draft pick.
San Sebastian’s high-flying Ronald Pascual, San Beda’s Dave Marcelo, Ateneo’s Emman Monfort, FEU’s JR Cawaling and Adamson players Lester Alvarez, Janus Lozada, Jerick Canada and Jan Colina are also among the draft applicants.
Foreign-bred players like Hodge, Chris Ellis, Jason Deutchman, Charles Keith Jensen and Allex Mallari have also entered the draft.
The draft entrants will undergo biometrics procedure on August 15. The final list of candidates will be released on August 16.

'Little Pacquiao' Barriga blows out Italian foe in London Olympics

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MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) - Filipino boxer Mark Anthony Barriga made it to the next round of the Olympic's amateur boxing tournament in London by beating his Italian foe in the round of 32 Tuesday night (Manila time).
Barriga outpointed Manuel Cappai, 17-7, in the 49 kilogram division (light flyweight) to enter the Round of 16.
The 19-year-old Pinoy frustrated the taller Italian with his superior timing, excellent handspeed and footwork.
In the first round, Barriga immediately charged in with a left hand lead that caught Cappai's chin.
The move apparently irked and ruined Cappai’s game. The Italian tried switch hitting but most of his punches either swished through the air or were flicked away by Barriga.
The Filipino dropped the Italian with a huge right hook 49 seconds remaining in Round 1, but the referee ruled it as a slip.
Barriga later dazed Cappai with a left hook off the clinch, prompting the referee to give the Italian a standing 8-count.
Judges scored the first round, 5-2, for Barriga.
In the second round, Cappai tried to rebound by forcing Barriga to the ropes.
The Filipino, however, wisely moved away from the Italian and avoided being cornered.
The Italian bullied his way in with excessive holding and rabbit punches, but the Filipino got the better of the exchange and upped the lead to 9-4.
Desperate, Cappai tried to engage Barriga into a brawl in the third round.
The Filipino kept his defenses up, then rattled the Italian with a series of right hands.
Toward the end of Round 3, Barriga connected with a couple of lead lefts before the bout turned into an all-out brawl.
The Filipino gained the upper hand in the third and final round, 8-3.
Barriga, the shortest fighter in the light flyweight division, came in as the underdog against the taller Cappai.
With the win, Barriga advanced to the Round of 16 of the Olympics tournament.
Barriga’s victory came in as a welcome development for the Philippine Olympic team, which suffered losses in weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and swimmer Jessie Khing Lacuna.
The Filipino boxer will face Kazakhstan’s Birzhan Zhakypov on Saturday in the Round of 16.
Zhakypov defeated Jeremy Beccu of France 18-17.

Pacquiao is No.2 athlete in Esquire magazine's list

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MANILA, Philippines – Filipino fight king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is the second best athlete among all sportsmen active today, according to the Esquire magazine.
Esquire used a mathematical formula that takes into consideration the athletes' raw talent, achievements, as well as his "intangibles," with the values adding up to an athletes' total "greatness."
"We weigh factors not in one sport but many, calculating greatness according to a formula that's admittedly full of its own built-in biases, and applying it to an assortment of men and women often considered the best in their class," said Esquire's Garth Sundem.
Using the formula, Pacquiao ranked second with a total "greatness" measure of 77.09.
"The greatest boxer ever? Maybe, maybe not. His in-the-ring achievements alone might have landed him somewhere between five and ten on the list, but he also got a boost from the perceived difficulty of the sport itself," wrote Sundem.
Number one among the "best athletes right now" is tennis superstar Roger Federer, whose "greatness" is computed at 78.56.
"Not only can the Swiss star swing a racket unlike anybody else. He's something of an eagle scout to the sporting world, his charity far outstripping any scandal, and not a DUI in sight," wrote Sundem.
"Of course, seven Wimbledon wins and nine major sportsman-of-the-year awards don't hurt," he added.
At No. 3 is NBA superstar LeBron James (56.33), while Rafael Nadal (47.32) ranked fourth, and Tiger Woods (33.52) ranked fifth.
Pacquiao's nemesis outside the ring, Floyd Mayweather Jr., is ranked number 6, with a greatness measure of 31.35.
Rounding out the top 10 are: climber Conrad Anker (25.31), triathlete Chrissie Wellington (22.60), hockey star Sidney Crosby (22.05), and rodeo rider Trevor Brazile (21.15).
Below are the factors weighed by Esquire:
• MVP = number of times voted sport's MVP or athlete of the year
• Champ = number of major championships, max of one per year
• YouTube = number of hits on YouTube
• Google = Number of Google hits for name in quotes
• Charity = Google hits for name and "charity"
• Scandal = Google hits for name and "scandal"
• Forbes = money earned on Forbes 2011 richest athletes list
• SportSkill = Sport's rank on ESPN sports difficult list
• DUI.Assault = Number of first 10 Google hits for "name arrested" that describe real DUI or assault arrests

Filipino Olympian boxer Barriga's family hope he can win gold in 2012 London Olympics

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MANILA, Philippines – The relatives of Filipino Olympic boxer Mark Anthony Barriga are hopeful that he can end the country’s long medal drought and bring home a medal from the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Barriga’s relatives in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, watched as the 19-year-old boxer took on Italian Manuel Cappai in his first fight in London.
His brother Edmil was happy to see that Barriga made good use of his training, as he unleashed several combinations on Cappai.
Meanwhile, one of Barriga’s neighbors, Maquizo Buenaventura, compared the young boxer to Filipino fight king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.
His aunt, Alma Palma, said she was praying the rosary even while watching Barriga’s fight.
Barriga trounced Cappai, 17-7, to advance to the round of 16, where he will face Kazakh fighter Birzhan Zhakypov.

Jessica Sanchez contract with Bench clothing is said to be six digits

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Jessica Sanchez’s endorsement contract with Philippine clothing brand Bench is said to be worth at least six figures in US dollars.

“We are thrilled to welcome the voice that has won the hearts of many. Truly proud to have Jessica Sanchez (@JSanchezAI11) part of the #Benchsetter family,” said Bench on its Twitter account last week.

This is the first Philippine product endorsement for the Fil-Am singing sensation after her first runner-up finish in “American Idol” this year. Jollibee is also said to have formally offered her an endorsement deal.

Sanchez, who turns 17 on Saturday, and Korean actor Lee Min-ho are the latest international celebrities to sign up with Bench. The list includes Bruno Mars, David Archuleta, Michael Trevino, Lucy Hale, Joe Jonas, and Super Junior members Choi Siwon and Lee Donghae.

‘Crazy stuff’

On Sunday, Sanchez chatted with her Filipino fans via Skype video at a promotional event held in SM Megamall.

Asked about her coming debut album, Sanchez said it would have “crazy stuff”  that would reveal both her fun and serious sides. (The album will be released in October on Interscope Records.)

Broadway.com said Sanchez was “in talks” to play the lead role in the film adaptation of the award-winning stage musical “Miss Saigon,” to be directed by Lee Daniels. Other online news sites reported that she was “in negotiations” to join the fourth season of the TV series “Glee.”

These will all have to wait until the end of this year’s “American Idols Live!” tour. The concert series—which features the top 10 finalists and has 45 dates in North America—winds up Sept. 21 at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The visit to the Philippines, where her mother was born, is her biggest goal at the moment, Sanchez said during Sunday’s video chat.

An online post of the show’s repertoire indicates that Sanchez has seven production numbers and three solo spots. “Expect a lot of fun and dancing,” she told her Filipino fans.

Cong. Gloria Arroyo and 7 allies junk Reproductive Health bill

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Like Batman in the hit movie “The Dark Knight Rises,” former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is emerging from the pits to help defuse fears of a population bomb.

Seven of Arroyo’s allies had withdrawn as authors of the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill that the Catholic Church vehemently opposes.

As such, the Pampanga representative has become the darling of the Church hierarchy, some of whose prelates were gifted with SUVs when she was the President but unfortunately had to give them up following a Senate inquiry.

Wearing a neck brace and lumbar support, Arroyo showed up for the first time in a year—the past eight months under hospital arrest on election sabotage charges—in the House on Tuesday.

The former President, who is being treated for a rare neck ailment, described her appearance there as a “dry run” for the crucial vote on August 7 on the RH bill. She said she would vote against the Malacañang-backed measure.

“This is an issue that she feels strongly about as a devout Catholic, although she never used her term in the presidency to push things her way,” House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said Wednesday. “But now, as a member of Congress, she will be free to vote [with] her heart and her mind.”

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced Wednesday that it was opening its doors to Arroyo at a Mass prayer rally it was leading against the RH bill on Saturday at the Edsa Shrine.

“All anti-RH people are welcome to join us on Saturday,” said Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.

“Regardless of the political party or affiliation, every single vote versus the RH bill is welcome for us,” he said in a phone interview.

Suarez also announced yesterday that he and six other lawmakers had withdrawn as coauthors of House Bill No. 4244, which essentially seeks to bring down the country’s population growth rate. The turnaround of the seven, brings to 20 the number of congressmen opposing the bill.

Turning water into wine

The CBCP earlier expressed confidence that as many as 140 congressmen were opposed to the RH bill, with only 49 in favor of the measure.

Representative Edcel Lagman, chief architect of HB 4244, ridiculed the CBCP position, saying “Catholic bishops extrapolate the votes against the RH bill like turning water into wine.”

“The bishops forget that the miracle of life should not result in the death of the mother, and the quality of life of children must be enhanced by empowering parents, couples and women to freely and responsibly determine the number and spacing of their children,” he said in a statement.

Lagman insisted that “RH authors and advocates have the numbers inside and outside the Congress.”

“Legislators are fully aware of the realities on the ground about gripping mass poverty spawned by an inordinately huge population growth rate because couples and women in the marginalized sectors do not have access to correct reproductive health information and effective supplies and services,” he said.

A matter of conscience

The August 7 vote would decide if interpellation should be closed and the process of approval of the bill be moved forward. Some 20 more members will still question authors of HB 4244 on the floor. In the Senate, Senator Pia Cayetano complained on Tuesday that the  leadership had not moved to end debates on the measure, putting it in limbo.

“Changing your mind is no joke,” Suarez said. He said that  “conscience” played a role in the minority members’ reversal of position.

Suarez and his six colleagues formally informed Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. of their decision in a letter dated July 30. Belmonte’s office officially received the letter Wednesday and Suarez gave a copy to reporters.

It carried the signatures of Representatives Suarez, Orlando Fua (Siquijor),  Reena Concepcion Obillo (Una Ang Pamilya), Mohammed Hussein Pangandaman (Lanao del Sur), Nasser Pangandaman (AA Kasosyo), Elmer Panotes (Camarines Norte) and Pastor Alcover Jr. (Anad).

Isabela Representative Rodolfo Albano Jr., also part of the 28-member minority and a supporter of the RH bill, on Wednesday said he was now rethinking his position. He admitted that he was “convinced by the reasoning and interpellation” done by Deputy Minority Leader Milagros Magsaysay on the bill.

“I’m looking at it conscientiously and [I will] come out with a [final] decision,” he said in a joint press conference with Suarez.

Suarez and his six colleagues arrived at their decision to abandon the RH measure following a caucus on  Monday.

“We’re talking about human life here. It’s not taxation. It’s not about economics or boundaries or dispute with other nations, treaties,” he recalled telling the group. “No, we’re talking of human life.”

Fears of marching order

Suarez said he was hoping that congressmen would vote on the move as a matter of “conscience.”

He said: “There should be no marching order from the administration because honestly, I’ll be scared if the administration issues a marching order.”

Suarez said he  himself was convinced to reject the RH bill after being exposed to other countries that had adopted a similar measure to control their population growth. Those  countries, he said, were saddled with problems of an insufficient labor force because the death rate was now greater than the number of children being born.

“Our component is the people—they’re our asset. Yet we will control [population growth]?” he argued. “That’s the reason why I had second thoughts and [withdrew] my support [for the RH bill].”

But unlike other opponents of the RH bill, Suarez was in favor of including in the Department of Health’s budget for next year a program providing free vasectomy and ligation.

Warning on pork

Also on Wednesday,  CBCP president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma warned Malacañang against withholding congressional pork barrel allocations of lawmakers who would take the Church’s stand against the controversial family planning measure.

Over Church-run Radio Veritas, Palma said the government cannot use as leverage the allocations to sway Congress into passing the RH measure.

“It has no reason to hold lawmakers’ allocations in the countryside development fund because that belongs to them, that belongs to the people,” said Palma.

But Palma admitted that these lawmakers could suddenly change their decision if the government would dangle the pork barrel in exchange for their votes to pass the bill.

“It could change their decision but our legislators should not be afraid because we know that the government could not forever withhold what belongs to the people,”  Palma said.

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles also appealed to legislators to vote according to their conscience.

“Just consider the future of your children and grandchildren … look at what’s happening to many countries in the West, they are becoming weak [so] I appeal to the congressmen [for them] to see the reality,” said Arguelles, vice chair of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.

PNoy and sisters mark Cory's 3rd death anniversary

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Amid heavy rain in Metro Manila Wednesday, President Benigno Aquino III and his sisters marked the third death anniversary of their mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, with a Mass at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.

The Aquino siblings and some friends attended the gathering at the tomb of the former president.  Fr. Catalino Arevalo presided over the Mass being offered there, radio dzBB reported.

Some friends were also present, including secretaries Manuel Roxas II (transportation), Albert del Rosario (foreign affairs), and Corazon Soliman (social welfare).

US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. also attended the gathering, the report said.

Mrs. Aquino died on Aug. 1, 2009 after a battle with colon cancer.

Her death triggered an outpouring of sympathy and prompted her son, then Senator Aquino, to run in the 2010 presidential race

Kris Aquino defends brother Noynoy's TV Patrol speech: “[He] has the right to defend himself & express his opinion.”

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 Sa kanyang personal Twitter account ay sumagot si Kris sa isang Twitter post, kung saan naka-tag siya:
Sabi ng nag-tag kay Kris, dapat daw ay hindi inaatake ng Pangulo ang media.
Bilang depensa, sinabi naman ni Kapamilya TV host-actress na karapatan din ng kanyang kapatid ang magbigay ng sariling opinyon.
“@NinaBellatrix1 has the right to defend himself & express his opinion? Freedom of speech is a 2 way street right?” sabi ni Kris sa kanyang Twitter post kagabi, July 30.
Sabi pa ni Kris, “@NinaBellatrix1 PNoy is our president & I do believe the majority of our people feel he's doing a great job. Maybe he just like anybody else.”
Ilang araw rin bago nagbigay ng komento si Kris tungkol sa isyung ito. Nag-iingat lang daw kasi siya sa kanyang masasabi.
Kaya naman bago siya sumagot kagabi sa isang user, sinabi niya: “@NinaBellatrix1 hi Nina. Prayed be4 I replied to make sure I don't tweet the wrong thing. My issues r so trivial in comparison to PNoy.”
MALACAÑANG EXPLAINS. Samantala, nilinaw ng Malacañang na ang talumpati ng Pangulo sa pagdiriwang ng ika-25 anibersaryo ng TV Patrol ay hindi lamang ipinaparating sa ABS-CBN kundi sa lahat ng mga media outfit.
Ayon sa ulat ng ABS-CBN News, sinabi ni Presidential Communications Group Secretary Sonny Coloma: “Pinupunto lang ng Pangulo, maaaring maging instrumento sa pagbabago yung mass media sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay din ng mabuting balita, positibong mensahe, na siyang mag-e-encourage din sa ating mga kababayan.”
Ganito rin umano ang naging tema ng talumpati ni PNoy sa isang okasyon ng Philippine Press Institute (PPI).
At halos ganito rin ang naging tema ng kanyang talumpati nang dumalo siya sa pagdiriwang ng ika-25 anibersaryo naman ng pahayagang Business World kamakailan.
THE “PRANGKA” SPEECH. Nag-umpisa ang usap-usapan sa pagiging prangka ni PNoy nang magpasaring siya sa isang news anchor ng TV Patrol na hindi niya pinangalanan.

President Aquino Speech during the 25th anniversary of ABS-CBN's TV PATROL: "Airs his side against Noli de Castro"

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Tatlo ang naging layunin ni Pangulong Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III sa kanyang talumpati kagabi, ika-27 ng Hulyo, sa selebrasyon ng 25 taong TV Patrol.

Una, magbigay-pugay sa lahat ng bumubuo ng programa.

Pangalawa, ipaabot ang kanyang saloobin tungkol sa mga negatibong komento ng isang anchor sa dapat sana'y magagandang pangyayari sa kanyang termino.

"Stick to the facts," ang winika ni PNoy.

Pangatlo, payuhan ang mga mamahayag na maging "balanse" sa pag-uulat at pagbibigay ng opinyon.

Narito ang kabuuan ng talumpati ni Presidente Aquino:

Mr. Gabby Lopez; Mrs. Charo Santos-Concio; Ms. Ging Reyes; Senator Frank Drilon; Senator Loren Legarda; Secretaries Mar Roxas, Greg Domingo, Ricky Carandang; Chairman Francis Tolentino; Bangko Sentral Governor Sy Tetangco; Mayor Alfredo Lim; Representative Sonny Angara; Commissioner Ruffy Biazon; Commissioner Kim Henares; Chair Sixto Brillantes; past and present officials and staff of TV Patrol and ABS-CBN; fellow workers in government; honored guests; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan:

Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat.

Dito po magkakaaminan: noon pong kabataan ko, wala pang ANC, wala pang CNN, at aaminin ko po, sa totoo lang, wala pang cable TV.

Kung kailangan mo ng instant news, halimbawa, kapag may bagyo, nawalan ng kuryente, ang tutok namin noong mga panahong iyon: Radyo Patrol.

Sa pag-usad ng panahon, mas naging moderno ang pagbabalita— ang tinig na rumoronda sa himpapawid, nadadagdagan ng biswal na elemento.

At narito na po tayo ngayon, ipinagdiriwang ang Silver Anniversary ng isa sa mga pinakamatibay na institusyon sa pagbabalita: Ang TV Patrol.

Sa loob ng dalawampu’t limang taon, kinilala ang TV Patrol sa tapang at sigasig ng paghahatid ng impormasyon sa mamamayang Pilipino. Sa tuwing may sakuna, naroon kayo upang magbigay ng kaalaman kung paano umiwas sa peligro at disgrasya. Sa tuwing may agam-agam ang publiko ukol sa isyu, kayo ang takbuhan para sa tapat na pag-uulat.

Kaya naman, sa lahat ng bumubuo ng inyong programa, mula noon hanggang ngayon, sa harap man o sa likod ng kamera, talaga namang pong isang mainit na pagbati sa inyong ikadalawampu’t limang anibersaryo. 

Kapag katotohanan ang pinag-uusapan, lagi kong naaalala ang isang sikat na police drama noong ako po’y bata pa. Dragnet ang pangalan po ng programa. At sa pagkalap ng kaalaman, ang bukambibig noong isang bida, and I quote, “Just the facts, Ma’am.”

Hayaan po ninyo akong ilatag ang ilang facts na inihayag natin sa SONA noong Lunes:

Five point two million sa pinakamahirap na kabahayang Pilipino ang buong-buo at walang-bayad nang makikinabang sa benepisyo ng PhilHealth. Fact po ito.

Bago matapos ang susunod na taon, ubos na ang minana nating 66,800 na kakulangan sa silid-aralan. Fact na naman po ito.

Tinitiyak na po ang kalidad ng higit sa 70,000 na mga baril na ipagkakaloob sa natitirang 45 porsyento ng ating kapulisan. Matapos po ang prosesong ito, magkakaroon na tayo ng one-is-to-one ratio ng pulis at sa armas na kailangan po nila sa kanilang trabaho. Fact din po ito.

Ilan lang po ito sa mga pagbabagong tinatamasa ngayon, at nakamit po natin ito sa unang dalawang taon pa lamang ng ating pamamahala.

Nang mag-umpisa tayo bilang Pangulo, ni wala po tayong masipat na “light at the end of the tunnel.” Ni hindi nga po kami sigurado kung may dulo pa ang balon ng problemang ipinamana sa atin. Wala naman po sigurong magkakaila, napakalaki na ng ipinagbago ng ating bansa. At palagay ko po naman, fact din po iyan sa ating lahat. 

Huwag po sana ninyong mamasamain, tutal kaharap ko na po kayo ngayon, at one night lang naman sa 365 days ng isang taon ko kayo makakausap. Tingnan po natin ang paghahayag ng inyong institusyon.

Noong Oktubre ng nakaraang taon, may isang reporter kayo ang nagbabalita sa NAIA 3. Ang sabi niya, sa puntong iyon, tumaas ng dalawampung porsiyento ang passenger arrivals sa paliparan. Magandang balita, at higit sa lahat, fact po iyan.  

Sa kabila nito, nakuha pa pong humirit ng isang anchor n’yo at ang sabi po niya, and I quote, “Nasa NAIA 3 ka kasi; kung nasa NAIA 1 ka, doon malala.”

Sa loob-loob ko po, anong kinalaman ng ibinabalita sa NAIA 3 sa NAIA 1? May nagsabi po bang ayos na ayos na ang NAIA 1? Kung mayroon man ho, hindi kami. Nakaligtaan niya atang mahigit 30 anyos na ang istrukturang ito.

Napapaisip nga po ako: ‘yung nagkomento nito, hindi ba’t anim na taon ding tumangan sa renda ng gobyerno? Sabihin na po nating minana lang din nila ang problema; ‘di hamak mas luma naman ang ipinamana nilang problema sa amin. Anim na taon ang ipinagkaloob sa kanya para tumulong sa pagsasaayos ng mismong inirereklamo niya. Pero ngayon, tayo na nga ang may bitbit na problema, tayo na nga ang tutugon dito, pero, masakit nga ho, may gana pa tayong hiritan ng nagpamana?

Naalala ko rin po nang na-recover ng NBI ang isang banyagang bata na nakidnap. Ang ganda na po sana: nakakuha ng tip ang awtoridad, kumilos sila, at na-recover ang bata.

Masaya ang mga magulang na kapiling na muli nila ang kanilang anak; masaya ang bata na kayakap niya ang kaniyang ama’t ina; masaya ang awtoridad na maayos at matagumpay ang operasyon nila.

Mukhang ang hindi lang masaya, ito nga pong anchor natin na nagawa pa uling humirit na baka raw na-set-up lang raw ang rescue operation, at binayaran lang talaga ang ransom.

Kahit anong pilit ng reporter na malinaw ang operasyon, nag-surveillance ang mga taga-NBI, at talagang natiyempuhan nilang walang nakabantay sa bata, pilit pa rin po nang pilit ang anchor.

Sabi nga ho ng nanonood kong kasama, “Naman.”

Kami pa po mismo ang magagalak kung makakapaghain kayo ng kapirasong ebidensya ukol dito, at kung mayroon nagkamali, usigin natin ang mga nagkamali.

May naitutulong po ba ang mga walang-basehang spekulasyon, lalo na kung lumalabas ka sa telebisyon at sinusubaybayan ng sambayanan? Kung nagbabangkaan lang tayo sa kanto, hindi problema ang mga walang-basehang patutsada. Pero kung alam mong opinion-maker ka, alam mo rin dapat na mayroon kang responsibilidad. Sana po, sa tuwing sasabihin nating, and I quote, “magandang gabi, bayan,” ay totoong hinahangad nating maging maganda ang gabi ng bayan.

May isa pa po: Ang pagtaas-baba po kasi ng pamasahe, dumadaan sa mahabang proseso. Minabuti po nating makipag-ugnayan sa transport groups, sa pangunguna po ni Secretary Mar Roxas, upang bumuo ng kasunduang makatuwiran.

Dahil sa kaguluhan sa Gitnang Silangan, malaki ang naging gastusin ng mga tsuper sa pataas na pataas na presyo ng krudo, kaya oras na umabot ang diesel sa napagkasunduang presyo, ibibigay sa kanila ang kanilang fare hike para matulungan naman.

Ngunit sang-ayon sila na kapag bumalik ang presyo’t bumaba rin ang presyo ng krudo, magkukusa rin silang ibaba ang pamasahe. 'Ika nila, imbes na sumobra ang tubo, bilang Pilipino ay magmamalasakit kami sa kapwa Pilipino.

Ibinalita po ito ng field reporter ninyo. Good news po talaga: Ang risonableng mungkahi, napagbigyan; ang pamahalaan, grupo ng tsuper, nagtulungan. Panalo ang sambayanan.

Ang problema, nagawa pa rin itong sundutan ng komentaryo. Matapos i-report, ang pambungad na tanong ng inyong anchor: Ano raw ba ang angal ng mga grupo sa akin po. Ang reaksiyon ko, “Saan naman nanggaling ‘yun?”

Nagkasundo-sundo na tayong tugunan ang isang problema, mayroon pang naghahanap ng angal.

Nagkakasundo na nga, para bang gusto pa ring pag-awayin.

Mahirap pong isipin na bahagi ito ng inyong job description. ‘Di po ba kung umangat ang ating kalagayan, tayo ang panalo; at kung lumubog naman ito, tayo rin naman ang talo? Bakit parang mas gusto ng iba na makita tayong lumulubog?

Kung gabi-gabing bad news ang hapunan ni Juan dela Cruz, talaga namang mangangayayat ang puso’t isip niya sa kawalan ng pag-asa.

Mayroon po kayong The Filipino Channel, kung saan napapanood ng mga dayuhan at ng ating mga kababayan sa ibayong dagat ang mga balita sa Pilipinas. Isipin po natin: bawat isang turistang bumibisita sa bansa tinatayang isang trabaho ang naglilikha.

Ilang turista kaya kada buwan ang nagka-cancel ng bakasyon dahil sa araw-araw na negatibismo? Ilan kayang kababayan ang nawawalan ng pagkakataong magkaroon ng kabuhayan dahil sa bad news na ito?

Kung isa po kayo sa sampung milyon nating kababayan na nagsasakripisyo sa ibayong-dagat, gaganahan kaya kayong bumalik dito kung mas nakakasindak pa sa Shake, Rattle, and Roll ang balita sa telebisyon? Kailan pa po ba naging masama ang pagpapahayag ng mabuting balita?

Sa pagpapatrol ninyo sa bawat sulok ng bansa, tiyak na may nadaratnan kayong mga positibong kuwentong maaaring maging bukal ng inspirasyon at pag-asa sa ating mga kababayan.

Hindi naman po siguro masusunog ang mga TV sets at radyo ng inyong mga suki kung paminsan-minsan ito ang inyong ibalita. Hindi naman po siguro kalabisang isipin na sa pagtaas ng iniluluwas nating coco water na mahigit 3,300 porsiyento ang inangat, may mahahagilap kayong isang magsasaka na magsasabing, “Dati, itinatapon lang ito. Ngayon napapagkakitaan na namin.”

Sa mahigit tatlong milyong pamilyang benepisyaryo ngayon ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, hindi naman po siguro mahirap maghanap ng isang magsasabing, “Malaking tulong ang programang ito.”

Alalahanin po natin: Anumang sinasabi n’yo ay nakakaapekto sa pananaw ng Pilipino—humuhubog sa kanyang mga kilos, sa pagtingin niya sa kanyang sarili, sa kapwa, at sa bayan.

Kapag pinaniwala si Juan na panay pangit ang nangyayari sa lipunan, talagang mawawalan siya ng dahilan para tumungo sa katuparan ng mga adhikain niya. Pero kung nakikita niyang ang dating problema ay nasusulusyonan, mag-aalab ang pag-asa, at magkakakompiyansa siyang sumulong dahil alam niyang may pagbabago na.

Marami pa ba tayong problemang kailangang tugunan, at hindi po magiging madaling lampasan ang mga ito, lalo na kung kaliwa’t kanan ang hilaw na kuru-kuro at spekulasyon.

Sa akin na po mismo manggagaling: Marami pa ring butas ang dinatnan nating sistema at hindi perpekto ang gobyerno, kaya’t kung may pagkukulang kami, ipaalam lang po ninyo.

Parati ko pong ipinapaalala, sa ilang samahan na baka tumataas ang ere: nag-uumpisa ang kaalaman sa pag-amin na hindi lahat ng kaalaman ay nasa akin.

Ako na mismo ang aamin: wala kaming monopolyo sa husay at talino, at hindi kami tama sa lahat ng sandali. Subalit hindi malulunasan ang mga problema kung sa bawat isang hakbang pasulong natin, puro paatras naman ang hila ng ilang gusto tayong ibalik sa dilim ng ating dinatnan.

Kung may paligsahan nga po sa pag-unawa’t pagtitimpi, malamang naman po gold medalist na po tayo diyan. Bahagi po kasi ito ng trabaho natin. Bahagi rin nito ang magsabi ng totoo, at sa gabing ito, inilahad ko lamang po ang katotohanang nakikita ko.

Hindi ko hinihiling na kumatha kayo ng mga gawa-gawang kuwento o pagandahin ang imahen ng gobyerno. Ang akin lang po, kung naibabalita ang mga nagaganap na krimen at trahedya, ibalita rin naman po natin sana kung paano ito naresolba. Kung inilalantad po natin ang kabulastugan, matuto naman din po sana tayong kilalanin ang mga nagagawang kabutihan. At kung may maimumungkahi kayo para lalo nating mapagbuti ang pagsisilbi sa bayan, kami po ay makikinig. Ibalanse lamang natin.

Tandaan na natin sa bawat sulat, sa bawat ulat, ay nag-iiwan kayo ng marka sa publiko, nakakaapekto kayo sa buhay ng kapwa Pilipino.

Ang pagkiling sa negatibismo ay mag-aatras lamang sa dapat sana’y pag-usad na ng ating bayan at mga kapwa Pilipino.

Patuloy po tayong magsumikap upang iangat ang antas ng propesyunalismo, integridad, at kredibilidad sa larangan ng paglilingkod-bayan; patuloy nating isabuhay, bantayan at patingkarin ang ating demokrasya.

Bilang isang lahing Pilipino, sama-sama nating isatinig at ihayag ang ating paninindigan: nandito na ang Pilipinas, tinatamasa na ng Pilipino ang pagbabagong siya rin mismo ang gumawa.

Muli, at ako po’y pagpasensyahan ninyo kung masyadong prangka nagsalita ngayong gabi. Maganda na ho siguro yung totoo ang sabihin para magkaunawan tayo nang maliwanang.


Muli po, binabati ko ang TV Patrol sa inyong ika-25 kaarawan. Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong paglilingkod sa bayan at more power po. Magandang gabi po.

Shalani Soledad- Romulo:"I am not pregnant yet"

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Shalani Soledad-Romulo clarified rumors about her pregnancy. “I am not yet preggy,” she said, “though I wish I were. That would be such a blessing. I just gained weight, that’s why some people think I’m infanticipating. If and when that day comes, I want a baby boy for our firstborn.”

Roman and Shalani are willing to wait from here till maternity.

Zia Quizon sings

Zia Quizon is a special guest of Side A frontman Joey Generoso in his solo show “Stand!” on August 15 at the Music Museum. (Call or text 0923-1124462 for tickets.)

“Zia is really my first choice,” said Joey. “I like her unique style of singing.”

ZIA Quizon

I asked Joey why his gig is called “Stand!” “It’s taken from the title of my album which will be out on Aug. 7,” he explained. “I’ll be standing alone for the very first time without my band Side A, but of course we are still very much intact. ‘Stand’ is also the album’s carrier single. The song talks about remaining strong amid life’s challenges. My fave cut in the album is “I’ll Be,” composed by Diane Warren who also wrote Aerosmith’s ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.’ It’s a privilege to record her composition.”

Side A’s frontman stands tall as he sings loud and proud.

Uge’s birthday wish

Eugene Domingo turned a year zanier last July 23. What was Uge’s birthday gift to herself? “Gifts for myself are always delayed,” she quipped. “I will find time to travel before the year ends. Some of the places I want to visit for the first time are London, Bangkok, Vietnam, Davao and Palawan. I spent my birthday enjoying the tranquillity at The Farm at San Benito in Lipa, Batangas.”

Uge was born with many gifts which she puts to good use by appearing in movies that give Pinoy comedy a good name.

Performers’ rights

Performers Rights Society of the Philippines (PRSP) is a collecting agency headed by Mitch Valdez. “Its members are organizations and not individuals,” she said. “OPM (Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit) has shepherded this movement for years and it is now ready to address actors’ royalty issues. It’s open to representing all who belong to the performing arts.”

All actors are invited to sign a deed of assignment to PRSP on Aug. 26, 5 p.m. at the Quezon City Sports Club.

It’s about time artists got what’s rightfully theirs after giving their fans the best that they’ve got.

Best tribute for for Comedy King Dolphy so far

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So far the best tribute to comedy king Dolphy that we’ve seen is the one aired last July 22 on GMA News TV.

The tribute titled “Habilin ng Hari,” consisting of crisp vignettes alongside interviews and film clips and hosted by Carla Abellana, was straightforward and sentimental, informative and enjoyable in equal parts.

With Enri Calaycay as program manager and Floy Quintos as head writer (Ricky Lopez and Dexter Mantes, writers), the tribute was subtitled “Dolphy’s Legacy Uncovered.” That promise was delivered in the least lachrymose manner – a style befitting the illustrious subject’s public persona.

One of the resource persons was Dolphy’s son Epy Quizon, who gave some of the most enthusiastic contributions:

A true gentleman

“My dad was never rude to women; he really was the type to offer his seat to a woman. The best illustrations would be how he treated the women in his life—partners, girlfriends, daughters. That’s probably why they gravitated to him. It was like he was genetically disposed to be a gentleman.

“If we look back on his life, even those times when bad news hounded him, he just kept his mouth shut, always. He never asked to be interviewed when he was angry at someone. In fact, even if he was reminded of something unpleasant that was done to him, he would never react in a negative way.
“My dad’s drama was the life that he lived; it was filled with so many relationships. He had many children, many grandchildren, every one of them was a drama unto himself. My dad was always the center of these dramas. So if you think of the laughter that he generated… that’s why for me he really is the two faces of show business.”

On staying humble

“Back in 2001, when I won several awards, my dad said to me, ‘Don’t let it go to your head.’ At one dinner shortly after, he noticed that I have indeed become a little affected. He called me over and I sat down beside him. He said, ‘You know, son, it feels good to fly. But even as you do, remember the ground where you took off from. When you feel your feet leave the ground, nail them back if you must, before you soar so high, you will forget when it’s time to land. You may crash instead.’”

“Actually, I don’t remember exactly how he said that but to this day, I carry those words in my heart.”

Starting small

“Dad also often said I shouldn’t be ashamed to start from the bottom. That was his humility talking; it was easy to see that.

“He never used his name to get special favors, not even small ones, like in restaurants. And he treated everyone equally. He always said, ‘That was where I came from. I sold peanuts in movie houses.’

“He was a king hailed by the people. But he didn’t want to be king; he just wanted to be the court jester.

Whole lotta love

“When we brought him to the hospital this last time, we thought we had lost him the first day. Still he gave us, his children, one month to be together, talk with one another, build on whatever we had at that point as a family.

“When he saw that our bond had become solid, I think that was when he said to himself—and made us feel—‘Okay, this is it, I could go with my Maker.’”

Zsa Zsa’s style

“From the start, Zsa Zsa was never selfish about my dad’s time. She wasn’t one to intrude when we visited. She gave us those moments entirely. When we went to the States and she and my mom met, Zsa Zsa gave my mom all that time with my dad. That was when I began regarding Zsa Zsa with so much respect—which increased when my dad got very sick. She never left his side, but was all for keeping the whole family together at that time.

ABS-CBN has cautioned Noli de Castro to air his personal views even before he criticized President Benigno Aquino III

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MANILA, Philippines — Even before President Benigno Aquino III made his biting comments against one of the country’s most popular news anchors, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. itself has been upset about broadcaster Noli De Castro’s habit of injecting his opinion during the prime time news telecast.  It, however, chose not to reprimand its iconic anchor but merely cautioned him about showing his leanings in the delivery of news.
A network insider, who refused to be identified for lack of clearance to speak in behalf of ABS-CBN News, said that De Castro and his anchors were allowed to give their insights (to give more context to the news) but not their personal opinion as part of “TV Patrol’s” re-launch two years ago.
“It’s supposed to be a freewheeling banter, which was adopted from the ‘Pulso’ segment in the old TV Patrol. But it was made clear that their comments  should only be made at the end and not during the newscast,” said the source.
There were instances when De Castro strayed from the scripted questions and made snide remarks or facial expressions during live reports and the source said De Castro had been cautioned but not penalized  by his department superiors.
On the news coverage regarding the surge in passenger arrivals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 3, which was cited by the President in his speech, the source said the news bosses were also surprised why De Castro had to cite the terrible state of NAIA-1 during the report. “It might be a fact that NAIA 1 is a bad airport but why say it at that point of a news telecast? He could have made his opinions known in his radio program,” said the source.
The source admitted that officials of the news department were conflicted when they decided two years ago to bring back De Castro who was widely perceived as carrying a lot of baggage after spending nearly a decade in politics — from his tainted victory in the 2004 elections to his subservience to the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to his alleged involvement in the North Rail and Globe Asiatique controversies.
“The management was aware of all the criticisms against him… His political past made his return complicated. But the management stuck with him because they believed in his sincere desire to help and serve the masses,” said the source.
Aside from his ties to the old administration, the source said that de Castro role as main news anchor was at odds with his role as radio commentator in ABS-CBN’s affiliate, DZMM.   The source said the public looked to TV Patrol as the their main source of news and management was keen on keeping it free from accusations of bias.
Regina “Jing” Reyes, chief of the ABS-CBN News and Public Affairs, said that any complaints against their news reports or personnel were turned over to its in-house ombudsman for investigation. According to Reyes, there is no pending investigation of De Castro and that the management has not decided whether the President’s criticisms are enough to merit a probe.
“It’s a good and bad thing actually. It’s bad that the President himself made the criticism but it’s also good for us because it shows that we are not biased towards this administration as most of our critics claimed in our coverage of the Arroyo arrest and Corona impeachment,” said Reyes in a phone interview.

Another College student died of fraternity hazing

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MANILA, Philippines—A police official on Wednesday said the son of the owner of a farm in Dasmariñas City, where a San Beda College freshman law student underwent hazing rites before he died in a hospital, was a member of a fraternity on the school’s campus in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Mark Andrei Marcos (The Victim)

Senior Superintendent John Bulalacao, Cavite police director, said police investigators were able to confirm that Gian Angelo Velus belongs to the Lex Leonum Fraternitas, an “underground” fraternity at San Beda’s Alabang branch.

He said Velus is the son of former Dasmariñas Councilor Ethan Velus, who owns the five-hectare farm where victim Mark Andrei Marcos, 21, was allegedly subjected to beatings before succumbing to his injuries.

“Our investigation is now focused on the possible involvement of Lex Leonum Fraternitas where Gian Velus is a member according to the fraternity’s website,” Bulalacao said in a mobile phone interview.

He said investigators had spoken to the elder Velus, who denied any knowledge of the fraternity’s alleged  hazing rites on his farm.

Velus’ father denied the claim of Soledad Sanda and Marlen Guadayo, the women who took Marcos to the De La Salle University Medical Center, that they were caretakers of his farm, according to Bulalacao.

Asked if the police were considering Velus a suspect in Marcos’ death, he said, “If he continues to disregard our invitation and if he continues not to cooperate with us to shed light on the incident, of course he will be considered a suspect.”

Eat Bulaga celebrates 33rd ANNIVERSARY!!! (Video)

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Eat Bulaga is 33- A poem by Joey de Leon (Tagalog)

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Dahil bukas ay tatlong dekada at tatlo na

Ang Eat, Bulaga tayo’y magbalik-alaala
Kung paano nagmula palabas ng barkada,
Maligayang Kaarawan! Tandang-tanda ko pa…

Taong 1978 may Iskul Bukol pa,
Ungassis pa si Vic at kami ay Escalera,
Nang magdesisyon na grupo ni Tony Tuviera —
Isang bagong noontime show at kaming tatlo bida.
Sa totoo lang matagal na nilang ideya,

Student Canteen pa kami nun at may Discorama,
Kalagitnaan noon ng dekada sitenta,

Hanggang sa dumating ang isang waring intriga.


Kami’y mga tapat buong puso’t kaluluwa
Sa’ming paglilingkod basta kami la’y masaya,
Nung panahong ‘yon ‘di basta kami mahihila,
Hindi matatapatan ano mang daming pera.

Subalit pag tiwala sa ami’y inalis na,
Nasasaktan din kami ‘yay usapan nang iba,
Lalo na’t walang katotohanan ang bintang pa
At ang matindi pa’y sa sabi-sabi nakuha.


Naniwala sila’t kami nama’y nagtampo na,
At ang masakit kami’y hindi na hinabol pa,
Kami pa nga noon pinalitan kapagdaka,
Aray ang sakit! Show nami’y naging Disco-drama!

Ngunit may isa akong hindi malilimutan
Noong kami’y nandun pa at kinatutuwaan,
Isa sa iginagalang na hosts ang nagturan,
“Someday, kayo papalit sa amin… tuloy n’yo lang!”
Dala ng sama ng loob ‘di na pinansin ‘yon;
Magagandang salitang inasaha’y binaon,
Mga masasayang alaala’y naitapon,
Naglaho na connection sa isang institution.

Samatala naman si Tony Tuviera noon,
‘Di pa rin pala tumitigil sa kanyang misyon,
Inalok kaming muli Student Canteen tapatan,
Naisip ko — tatagal lang kami ng isang b’wan!
Ngek! At bakit naman hindi eh ang buong nasyon
Ang sabi sa Student Canteen, “Institusyon na ‘yon!”
Kami nga’y proud na rin dahil naging bahagi nun
Kahit kami’y pinch-hitters lang o pang-substitution.
So to cut the story short tinanggap na rin namin
Para naman may trabaho at merong makain,
Kaya nung July 30, 1979 din —
Aming Eat, Bulaga sa Channel 9 started airing.
And the rest… (hindi history) ‘yung “rest” na pahinga
Ay hindi na at hindi pa natin nakikita
Dahil mula nun hanggang ngayon… 33 years na,
Sabi nung host na, “…tuloy n’yo lang!” …tinutuloy pa.

"Eat Bulaga Indonesia" Documentary by Jessica Soho

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PART 1/2

PART 2/2

Judy Ann santos wins best actress in Cinemalaya

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 Judy Ann Santos, Coco Martin, Eddie Garcia, and Thai actor Ananda Everingham are among the celebrities who are lending their star power to the controversial Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival this year.
The festival, marred by the disqualification of finalist “MNL 143” and the resignation of its director, Nes Jardin, will run from July 20 to 29 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

JUDY ANN Santos

Among the five finalists in the Directors’ Showcase category, Jose Javier Reyes’ “Mga Mumunting Lihim” has the biggest number of mainstream actors in its cast, which includes Santos, Janice de Belen, Agot Isidro, and Iza Calzado. The film is about the struggles of a group of childhood friends.
Everingham, best known for the 2004 film “Shutter,” will star in Adolf Alix Jr.’s “Kalayaan,” about the lonely lives of soldiers in the Spratly Islands. It also features Pinoy hunks Zanjoe Marudo, Luis Alandy and Rocky Salumbides.
The multiawarded Garcia stars in “Bwakaw,” a story of a 75-year-old man who has almost given up on life until he forms an unlikely friendship with a stray dog. Also in the cast are Armida Siguion-Reyna, Rez Cortez, Soxy Topacio and Gardo Verzosa.

JOEL Torre

Lawrence Fajardo’s “Posas,” a commentary on crime and justice in the country, features ABS-CBN talents Bangs Garcia and Nico Antonio. Also playing important roles are John Lapus, Art Acuna, Wendy Valdez and CJ Ramos in this film coproduced by Quantum Films.
Raymond Red’s “Kamera Obskura” boasts the father-son tandem of Pen and Ping Medina, as well as veteran actor Joel Torre. Red described the film as “a fictitious Filipino black-and-white silent expressionist film supposedly found recently by our film archivists and historians.”
Despite the controversies it has encountered, the New Breed category, which is open to filmmakers who have not yet directed more than three full-length features, will still have ten finalists this year.

 

COCO Martin

Martin, a sought-after indie actor, is back via Emmanuel Palo’s “Santa Nina.” He stars with the award-winning Alessandra de Rossi in this black comedy about an overseas Filipino worker who kills a famous fashion designer. Supporting them are Angel Aquino, Anita Linda and Irma Adlawan.

ZANJOE Marudo

Renowned opera singer Fides Cuyugan-Asencio leads the cast of Vincent Sandoval and Darlene Malimas’ “Aparisyon.” The film, according to Sandoval “is about contemplative nuns who must grapple with an act of violence in the months leading to the declaration of Martial Law.” It also features Jodi Sta. Maria, Mylene Dizon, Raquel Villavicencio and Rustica Carpio.
Last year’s Cinemalaya best supporting actress (Directors’ Showcase) winner Shamaine Buencamino top-bills Loy Arcenas’ “Requieme”—about “a transvestite, three deaths, two wakes, a funeral and a provincial town of gossipers eager to claim relations with a notorious TNT murderer.” Rex Cortez, Paul Jake Paule, Anthony Falcon and 30 more actors appear in cameo roles.

The production team behind “Lola Igna” is reportedly negotiating to have GMA 7’s top actor Aljur Abrenica on board. The Eduardo Roy Jr. film is about a woman who has premonitions of her death and comes up with a list of instructions on how to go about her wake and the days leading to it.

IZA Calzado

Actors Kristoffer King and Kristoffer Martin will be the stars of Paul Sta. Ana’s “Oros.” It is a story about people who find the means to survive by exploiting the dead.
Other New Breed finalists are “Dayo” (Alien) by Julius Sotomayor Cena; “Diablo” by Mes de Guzman; “Ang Katiwala” (The Caretaker), by Aloy Adlawan; “The Animals” by Gino Santos; and “Ang Nawawala” (What Isn’t There) by Marietta “Marie” Jamora.

EDDIE Garcia

EDDIE Garcia

This year’s entries will also be shown in theaters at Greenbelt in Makati and Trinoma in Quezon City. Cinemalaya is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, the CCP, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Econolink Investments Inc.