"In societies where Robbing Hoods are treated like a celebrity it is but natural to expect political parties to act like a Mafia syndicate" Political Jaywalker "In a nation where corruption is endemic people tend to confuse due process with aiding and abetting criminals" Political Jaywalker "War doesn't determine who is right, war determines who is left" Bertrand Russell "You have just one flash flood of money, you keep your people poor. It's like a time bomb and it's scary" Philippine Lawmaker
Showing posts with label Pinoy Personalities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pinoy Personalities. Show all posts

Arnold Clavio, Crying like a Little Girl

Arnold Clavio in his Hirit Na column at Abante is crying like a little girl over Mar Roxas’ refusal to follow the shows format. A couple’s format he says, no not the couplings but rather his guest will be interviewed on tape together with their partners, husband, wife, or in the case of Loren “Political Butterfly” Legarda who obviously cannot bring one of her ex-husbands went with her eldest children.

True the entire guest during the taped interview was with someone such as Nicolas Perlas with his only kid, Jamby Madrigal with French husband Erik Valade, JC Delos Reyes with wife Dunia, Bayani Fernando with wife Mayor Marides, Jewjomar Binay with wife Dra. Elenita, Atty. Jun Chipeco with his wife and of course Loren Legarda as mentioned earlier, except for Mar Roxas who went with Korina Sanchez to the station but did not allow Clavio to do the taped interview together with Korina.

How dare Mar Roxas refused to abide by the format so he says acting like a Prima Donna (or was it Don, lol), inarte (acting up) he says because at the last minute Roxas had his own conditions for Korina’s appearance:

  1. The segment will feature them as the only guest and no one else.
  2. The show will air only after the election.
Since it will be their first time to be interviewed together and outside of Korina’s network at that, Mar Roxas set the above conditions. Was Mar Roxas too demanding or acting up or is Clavio trying to pin the blame on others for his failure to persuade his guest to follow the shows format because of his makahiya errrr typical matampuhin mentality? Or was he crying in his failure to out scoop the competing network at the expense of Korina?

I say it is a reasonable condition, Clavio has to realize that Korina Sanchez works for the competition and it will put Sanchez on the spot with her network if she appears for the first time together with Mar Roxas outside of her outfit. Before people accuses me of being partial to Mar Roxas let me state clearly that I don’t support Mar Roxas or any candidate in this election with of course the exception of Among Ed, Grace Padaca, and Adonis Simpao running against Lady Le Cirque. I am an equal opportunity trapo basher but I draw the line when it comes to positive behavior, I will speak out against those who try to bring them down the muck with their dumb negativity for their hopefully just their shallow emotional partisanship and not getting paid for the spin.

Perhaps it is true that Mar Roxas did utter that being in the show with Atty. Perfecto Yasay is “cheap,” but Clavio’s state of mind makes me doubt that, and may have quoted Roxas out of context. This is on the premise that Roxas wanted to protect his wife's standings with her network and worse to have a non-contender on the same segment will of course have the negative effect on Mar's candidacy in the politics of perception. It is not to a man’s best interest to put his wife on the spot and himself going down along with it, reduced to being seen with a non-contender.

Boo ho ho, Clavio can cry like a little girl and he can vent his frustration as long as he wants but to tell his readers to vote accordingly based on his “hurt feelings” is asking for too much. Hello, the world does not revolve around you Clavio, so if you are trying to influence the voters preference on your shallow emotionalism, it is as dumb as it gets. In the first place it is Clavio’s show, he is in command and it is his responsibility to persuade his guest that the pre-condition to appear in his show is to stick to the format. It is not a live interview and he miserably failed in persuading Roxas to allow Korina in it so why is it the fault of Roxas? I say that it is very unprofessional for Clavio to blame others when he has only himself to blame for allowing the taping of Roxas without Korina, he could have said no since it was not a live interview anyway.

So when I saw this on Facebook posted by Esperidion B. Dimaculangan, I can’t help but respond and offered another perspective. It is obvious that Mar Roxas wanted to stand on his own merit and not about exploiting or be seen under the skirt of Korina Sanchez unlike those shameless others. Precisely why he wanted the show to air after the election, now can we say the same things on the opportunistic candidates who will even drugged errr drag their frail old mother into the fray?
I prefer Mar's refusal based on the conditions he set forth as against these shameless candidates willing to pay big bucks or even sell their souls to the devil so they can strut their ugly faces on the idiot box.

I love the way Nelson Fontanilla Bedayo responded at Facebook below:
@ Political Jaywalker - very well said. I agree with everything you had to say. your insight just showed the depth of your understanding and impartiality and no sane person would ever contradict the wisdom of your thoughts. 9 days to E-day, expect the dirtiest (and cheapest) of tactics to fly in every corner just to pin down the candidate they so abhor.
No not the “depth” of my “wisdom,” LOL….. But the part on sanity or sane person because from the looks of it in this particular election, quite a number of people even the candidates seem to have flew over the cuckoos nest.

The sad part is you know that they are shamelessly rooting for other candidates thus they try to smear whatever positive there is that we seldom see with our trapos. One of those candidates heaven forbid that they root for and also the Chizzy one Chiz Escudero (who withdrew for not getting the moolah from his boss Danding Cojuangco) is Jejomar Binay. True the guy was a former human rights lawyer during the dark days of Marcos dictatorship who was not treated as a serious contender is now surging in the polls but sadly did not go through the microscope like the rest. Solita Collas-Monsod has some nagging questions about Binay, a former human rights lawyer that is not exactly a high paying profession who has now built quite a fortune even overspending Erap in this campaign.

Seriously Mar Roxas has earned my respect when he showed his statesmanship giving in to the people's clamor for Noynoy. Their decision to scale down their wedding and donating the difference to Typhoon Ondoy victims is also admirable. Korina in this campaign is almost invisible and hardly seen and when she goes out she gets criticized by of all people the likes of Fertilizer scam suspect Joc Joc Bolante, who has no credibility whatsoever. It is unfair to attack him in this manner when the host himself did not follow the format by letting Mar go alone, and now he is crying like a little girl.... oh please Arnold, grow up will you.

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Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr., Pinoy Hero & Our Misguided Confused Hero Worship of Manny Pacquiao

Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr. acceptance speech at the 2009 CNN Heroes award at the Kodak Theater, Hollywood, California USA:
Thank you... Our planet is.... filled with heroes... young and old,.... rich and poor,... man... woman.... of different colors, shapes and sizes we are one great tapestry. Each person has a hidden hero within... just have to look inside you.. and.... search it in your heart.... and be the hero... to the next ones in need... so, to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve... serve well, serve others above yourself... and be happy to serve.... as I always tell.... to my co-volunteers of Dynamic Team Company and Club 8586 Incorporated you are the change that you dreamed... as I am the change that I dreamed... and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be... Mabuhay.
One of the best speech I have heard coming from the heart and soul of our very own hero, short, yet so powerful, enough to give us goose bumps at the simplicity yet thought provoking message. A testament of mans innate goodness for fellowmen stepping up the plate to make a difference amidst the surrounding desolate reality of an impoverished community reduced to a numbing life of surreal scavenging for scraps at societies mountain of discarded garbage. Virtual bottom dwellers with no hope for the future in sight amidst a surrounding that literally stinks to high heavens and worse, people are left with no choice reduced to live in a filthy environment, and scavenging to eke out a living for survival.

Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr. is a man who grew up in the same squalid environment undaunted by the filth of his environment early in life knew his only way out of the rut was to excel in his studies. So strong was his conviction that he knew his personal success alone is meaningless if he cannot inspire others to follow suit. So strong is his conviction that he has 10,000 volunteers doing the same thing he is doing with meager resources going around in a pushcart loaded with books to encourage slum children to take the path out of ignorance and animal like mindset of territorial gangs of hooligans.

As we celebrate Efren Penaflorida being hailed as a CNN Hero we also need to realize that it is a clear indictment of a failed educational system. Our government and educational institution has failed and continuously fail our youths to bring them out of ignorance. So massive that an army of volunteers growing to 10,000 strong facing an almost insurmountable task due to lack of funding for an effective educational system exacerbated by widespread corruption.

In a nation so wrought with scandals from so called leaders of questionable integrity there is a natural longing for heroes and for lack of people in high places to make us proud, it does not help that we confused celebrities for a hero. Our thirst for good deeds amidst a coterie of greedy shameless politicians robbing us blind will naturally declare even a celebrity who gets paid millions of dollars for his achievement as a hero is nothing but a misguided and confused hero worship. This makes me wonder if we produce a world cockfight champion, will we parade complete with a marching band and give a hero’s welcome to that cock too.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am happy and glad for what Manny Pacquiao has achieved and his place in the annals of the world of boxing, a feat unsurpassed in Asia. I am happy to see rags to riches story from a former street hustler forced to make a living at a young age and to see where he is at is indeed his personal heroic achievement. Of course that is extra ordinarily admirable, but what makes Efren’s achievement so great is it can not just be emulated but can also be duplicated in geometric proportion. Now how many world boxing champion can Manny Pacquiao produce assuming he takes the route taken by Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr.? If there is anything that is to be emulated if we can call it that is the reverse when it comes to Pacquiao trying to emulate his politician friends to be like them? Not exactly a heroic or a smart thing to do, why wallow in the muck when one is already out of it?

So what is the big deal when Saranggani public officials do not join and organize a circus like parade to give Pacquiao a hero’s welcome? Minvelez Gulle one of Pacquiao’s adviser believes our boxing idol deserves the “respect” that the officials of Saranggan failed to do and thus lacks “political finesse,” say what now? No streamers were seen at the Capitol building and not a single government official showed up for the circus when Pacquiao should be revered este his homecoming should be treated beyond politics.

Heck, Pacquiao moved and registered to vote in Saranggani because he knew there is no way he can win in General Santos City against Darlene Antonio-Custodio. His political intentions are so obvious and Gulle is trying to sell the idea of beyond politics is fooling himself and others and clearly a cheap shot. While I really don’t care about his political opponent billionaire Roy Chiongbian of Gloria Arroyo’s Palaka Party this foolish bickering is just silly and a boxing hero on a trek to personality and patronage politics is not exactly a heroic direction worthy of emulation.

There is no doubt that Pacquiao's fight finds people so united in rooting for his victory even criminals and terrorist kidnap for ransom entrepreneurs masquerading as Jihad virgin seeking warriors takes a break to watch the fight. Now all that is good if Pacquiao can only elevate this "unity" towards nation building instead of united in escaping the harse realities of pathetic state of Philippine politics. What good is this "unity" when after the fight we are still in the muck and not much has change? Worse our idol that "unifies us" believes running for public office to follow in the footsteps of Chavit Singson and Lito Atienza is not exactly very unifying.

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Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr., of DTC a Finalist in the 2009 CNN Heroes

UPDATE: 11/22/09

Congratulations Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr.! One of the top 10 CNN Heroes for the year 2009.
=============
What do children of the slums do when they have free time after a hard day’s work of scavenging for recyclables in the garbage dump? They go on cheap high sniffing solvents such as rugby to numb their senses to escape the stinking reality of their wretched life. A life fraught with misery where survival of the fittest is the norm in an environment that is so surreal where society’s refuse are recycled even spoiled foods known as Pagpag are considered a prized find to feed their malnourished body.

As if to make matters worse where their very survival depended on their scavenging skill on societies refuse children as early as 9 years old are recruited and are groomed to be gang members. Children are left on their own eking a living on the squalor of the garbage dump where they lived in shanties are easy targets and vulnerable to gangs acting like pack of wild animals preying on the weak and uneducated youths. Victims of social discrimination treated like second class citizens in their own country because of poverty they are easily enticed to join gangs.

Slum areas are not exactly in the police radar and their neighborhood is below the totem pole for protection thus juvenile gangs offer a false sense of security and protection. So rampant are these gangs that in the past 10 years, Preda reported as high as 130 youths are involved in these criminal gangs.

Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr., was born and raised in the slums near the garbage dump to a tricycle driver father Efren Peñaflorida Sr and a laundrywoman mother Lucila Geronimo. The middle child of the Penaflorida couple he is no stranger to what the children of poverty is going through as he has lived and experienced the same tough slum neighborhood where he once was bullied and pressured to join gangs. Just like any other kid on the slum he has been assaulted quite a number of times by gangs and solvent sniffing kids. Yet, unlike the Tongress members easily succumbing to pressures just like the juvenile addicts on a solvent sniffing high they get their high on pork barrels, power, and privilege, Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr decided early in life not to get affected and influenced by the social ills around him. A child, who knew that education is his only salvation out of this wretched existence, pursued his schooling with honors through studious perseverance earning him scholarship from World Vision Phils. A quote from DTC website:
At 16 years of age, way back in high school, F! started a youth group which aimed of diverting students’ interest from joining fraternities and gangs into making a difference at home, in school and community and do their best to excel in studies and in everything they do. Joined by classmates Jefferson Bernal and Rezcel Alconcel, they named this group Dynamic Teen Company (Making A Difference) in 1997 under the guidance and supervision of Club 8586, Inc. For several years, he was a regular “viajero” of fish crackers from Baclaran to Cavite and sells these in school to be able to help his family even then Kuya F! emerged as an everyday hero for all of the kids who know him because despite of his lack of finances, he is such a giver and a sharer of his blessings to them. The neighborhood bakery and sari-sari store is where he buys biscuits and bread for the kids with his fifty or twenty pesos in pocket. As an adviser and trainer to the youth of Dynamic Teen Company, he literally practices what he preaches with no exceptions whatsoever. There are countless stories of people, young and old, about the goodness of heart Kuya F! possesses. He is well-loved and respected by the people he touches, honored by friends and family. It is proven that others are his priority than himself.
Having no resources on hand does not stop him from pursuing his giving back to society what he can thus the Kariton Klasrum (Pushcart Classroom) was born, here is a quote from Oprah’s Angels:
In 2003, pursuing his education major in college, Efren devised an outreach project for a street school. In 2007, the Dynamic Teen Company constructed a pushcart school prototype that carries books, school materials, table and stools, first aid kits and even snacks for the kids.

Early this year, they again constructed another pushcart carrying with it a play center, hygiene materials for bathing, clothes and slippers, and food bins. They called it K4, meaning Kariton Klasrum, Klinik and Kantin (pushcart school, clinic and canteen.) Efren and his Dynamic Teens teach literacy, values and promote the basic rights of children. They bathe, clean wounds, and cut nails and hair. They travel almost five kilometers by foot around town every weekend and children flock to greet them. His K4 educators and volunteers are former juvenile delinquents themselves. He trains them weekly and helps send them into traditional schools.

Filipino skeptics were proven wrong when they thought that children were not part of nation-building. Efren and the Dynamic Teen Company have proven that real change happens when people join together and pursue their goals and live out their purpose. It’s a slow process and needs a lot of patience because they help bring forth change by touching one heart at a time.
Indeed, it is the youth that will inherit what the older generation left for them and hopefully not in the garbage dump condition at the rate trapos plunders whatever is left of the nation’s riches. Mikey Arroyo the "Marie Antoinette" defender of her mother's Le Cirque Brouhaha and Prospero Pichay ougth to take a hint or learn from Efren and his Dynamic Teen Company volunteers. So far they have touched the hearts and change the course of more than 10,000 kids and CNN Heroes recognizes the contribution of Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr., and so should you by going to the site to vote for Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr..

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Muelmar Magallanes, A Tribute to a True Selfless Hero

Amidst the destruction and uncertainties brought about by typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) hitting the most populous region in the Philippines, striking mercilessly at the heart of metro Manila we hear of stories that serves to sadden yet inspire us and give us courage instead of gloom of moving on with a blinding glow of hope seen on the horizon. A calamity of epic proportion not seen in four decades wrecking havoc on the lives of the citizens rich and poor alike caught by nature’s wrath. While fear and panic raises through our minds of saving our own skin the heroic acts of unsung heroes has a away of allaying our fears especially when you see total strangers who truly cares in their courageous selfless act of saving others.
Muelmar MagallanesThe harrowing sight of people swept by rampaging current of swelling rivers hanging on to dear life hanging on to floating debris as people frantically throw them rope to extricate them to safety is a sight that forever lingers on to our consciousness. No words can describe such disturbing scene of how these people felt knowing their life is at the mercy of Mother Nature’s wrath.

In the ensuing havoc and destruction in our midst a beacon of light shines through when we hear of stories of countless and nameless unsung heroes in their deeds of courageous acts serving as a testament on the goodness of man. Total strangers lending a helping hand, caring for others despite the risk and dangers they faced rushing to save others is truly inspiring.

One such hero a labor construction worker is Muelmar Magallaness in his teens with a heart of gold braving rampaging waters bringing along boulders, rubbles and debris on its path of destruction saved more than 30 lives most of whom are total strangers.

Their house is just 800 meters (1200 ft) away from the river and realizing that the river banks had burst his father Samuel decided to evacuate their family. With the help of his elder brother Muelmar Magallanes tied a string around his waist and attached his three younger siblings in tow waded out of the flooded area towards higher grounds. He then came back for his parents and once they were all on higher grounds being a good swimmer his caring for others prompted him to rescue his neighbors who are now perched on their rooftops due to the fast rising .flood waters. Braving the rampaging waters going back and forth he saved more than 30 people in the process.

While in the safety of his family exhausted, wet, and shivering he heard frantic cries of distress from Menchie Penalosa being swept away by the current with her six month old baby girl in a polystyrene box. Penalosa was sinking in and out due the strong current thinking she is about to die was grabbed out of nowhere by Muelmar Magallanes to safety. Unfortunately due to severe exhaustion Magallanes was swept away by the strong current of the swelling river whose body was found the next day by his neighbors.

This is quite an inspiring display of selflessness and courage and his ultimate sacrifice hopefully should serve as an inspiration for us to emulate. Indeed, it is when one notice and truly care for others that one gets noticed and hopefully we all learn from the ultimate sacrifice of Magallanes, a virtue that hopefully will inspire us even more to help typhoon Ondoy victims. It will be good to see a foundation under his name to honor his selfless sacrifice and the focus should be on him to inspire others of the goodness of man. An honorable teen barely a man at 18 years old yet man enough to stand tall side by side with the greatest men of virtues of our Filipino ancestors in my book of heroes…….. Farewell Muelmar Magallanes, you will be missed but not forgotten. To Samuel and Maria Luz Magallanes our debt of gratitude for bearing a son that instill hope and inspiration amidst the destruction and desperation brought about by Mother Nature’s wrath.

Update: 12/12/09

Muelmar Magallanes heroic deeds made it to Time Magazine's Top Ten heroes for 2009.

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Filipino Architect Gonzalo S. Raymundo, Guggenheim Art Museum Design It Shelter Competition Finalist

Filipino Architect Gonzalo S. Raymundo of Quezon City, Philippines is on a world spotlight with his Guggenheim Art Museum Design It Shelter Competition entry. The competition as described in the Guggenheim Art Museum website:
On the occasion of the exhibitions Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward and Learning By Doing, the Guggenheim and Google SketchUp invited amateur and professional designers from around the world to submit a 3-D shelter for any location in the world using Google SketchUp and Google Earth. Over the course of the summer, nearly 600 contestants from 68 different countries submitted designs that met the competition requirements. Current Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture students then selected ten finalists for the People's Prize award.
On August 23, 2009 students of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture selected 10 finalists out of the nearly 600 entries from 68 countries for the people's prize award. The top honor will be chosen through online voting, deadline for online voting is on October 10, 2009.

Among the 10 finalist as of this writing, Filipino Architect Gonzalo Raymundo is leading with his design as shown and described below:
A Bamboo Shelter in Garbage Dump City

The shelter is located in a garbage dump where scavengers barely survive by collecting and sorting garbage. Made of bamboo, an indigenous material, on a concrete base, it is a place of refuge from the afternoon heat or a sudden rainfall. The bamboo wall represents people collectively carrying the roof above, expressing the proverb --- where there is unity there is strength. It is a symbol of sustainability and hope.
On October 21 the People’s Prize winner will be announced on the 50th anniversary of the Guggenheim Art Museum along with a special juried prize award selected by a panel of experts. Vote for Gonzalo S. Raymundo if you think his shelter design deserves world recognition. Since you are a believer of Raymundo’s talent who happen to be a Filipino sharing this news to your online network will help him stay on the top of the list.

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Cecile Guidote-Alvarez & Carlo Caparas should just decline their National Artist Reward!

No what you see on the title is not a typo, the National Artist Award really has now been transformed as a REWARD, thanks and no thanks to the garcified presidency. Gloria Arroyo it appears has been inspired by her electoral backdoor operator Garcillano. She is a hand’s on person in executioner errr executive position taking charge of every minutest details looking like a supervisor than an executive. But then again this is what one should expect in a pathetic political system where whoever is in charge dubious or not lays down the rule according to their whims and caprice.

Forget about the time honored “delicadeza” or propriety in the land of bitchiness whatever La Napoleona wants she gets, even stealing a mandate while blaming too much politics as the culprit of the nation’s malady. In so doing she has wrought irreparable damage to the credibility and time honored tradition in the selection process of the highest and most prestigious recognition we bestow on our gifted artist. Congratulations Madame Butterfly errrr Lady Madaya oooops Madame Gloria Arroyo you just succeeded once again to bring down the muck which is likely your level our past highly respected artist whose works has contributed tremendously in the development of arts and literature.

Gloria Arroyo’s Napoleonic stance is not working and will not work when it comes to dipping her nasty finger where it does not belong. Look at the attitude and demeanor of the Garcified awardees they are just like a carbon copy of La Napoleona blaming everyone else but obviously too deluded to look within themselves as seen by this statement from Cecile Guidote-Alvarez:

It is unfortunate that our country is divided by politics. It is through arts that our people can be united. I pray that culture as the nourishing womb will eventually bond together our nation toward the betterment of our citizens.
What a beautiful statement and there is no doubt that Cecile Guidote-Alvarez contributed immensely in the development of theatrical art and deserved to be recognized unfortunately she being an intelligent person ought to know better that you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Alvarez is the head of NCCA which administers the awards along with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and in her capacity chairs the selection committee. Whatever happened to “delicadeza?” Alvarez should know better that it is unethical and one who used to be at the forefront and pillar of the struggle against the Marcos dictatorship with her husband Heherson Alvarez surely and disappointingly has mutated into the very person they once despised. How ironic can that be? Or is it because people opposed a political adversary purely on a personal level and not based on principles? Is it all about narcissistic people that opposed anyone who tramples on peoples right because they and they alone has the “right” and “entitlement” to be a jerk? I say give it up Cecile and maybe you can still fish out your credibility out the muck and not sully and throw away your 50 years of cultural contribution that will be immortalized in shame for the sake of your children and succeeding generation to come.

If it is the “betterment” of the citizen that Alvarez is harping on, she should know that it starts somewhere. And that somewhere starts at those working for that purpose, consciously and dutifully doing the ethical way so they can be an exemplary model that we mortal citizens can emulate. Look at it this way Ms. Alvarez, why in the name of Lady Madaya would you even consider sharing an award with Carlo Caparas (Film and Visual Arts) a “pito-pito” (cheap movie production churning out movies in 7 days) komikero (Comics) who can’t even draw whose tabloid like movies are inspired and culled from tabloid headlines of gory massacres, rapes and other deviant crimes. Just looking at this komikero’s reaction should have been enough for the other awardees to decline so as to salvage the situation, to quote Carlo Caparas:

Bakit parang ako pa ang may kasalanan (Why am I being made out as the one at fault)? Why are people saying negative things about me? While I worked hard for the award, I never asked for the government to give it to me.

Is this guy serious or seriously deluded? He really believes that he earned the award. Oh please Carlo, have mercy on the past awardees some of whom who are deceased are tossing and turning in their grave at the desecration and mangling of the revered National Artist award to a joker like you. They are legitimate exemplary talents and geniuses that you will never come close in your lifetime even in your delusional bragging that you don’t intend to grow old or die.

Carlo Caparas is really pathetic, having a large brain and yet has no clue how to use it or maybe it shrunk from reading tabloids who thinks one has to be popular as a criteria to be recognized and awarded as a National Artist, as seen below:
I’m not being conceited. I just want to point out the truth. The past winners are not well-known. ’Di nila mapalutang ang award na ito. Ngayon lang ulit napapag-usapan (They can’t make this award shine. It’s only now that it’s being talked about again)
Ok, maybe Caparas is not conceited which I truly doubt but he definitely is clueless while at the same time seems to be suffering from illusions of grandeur. Fer cryin’ out loud this is the height of stupidity of a thick-skinned clueless uncultured man of the bakya crowd thinking he has arrived is so excruciatingly painful witnessing such uncouth behavior and mentality. The moron that he is, he does not realize or have a slightest clue that the very reason why it is now talked about is precisely his inclusion when he should not have been and the manner by which he was shamelessly added by the Garcified bitchiness. This nut even has the gall to come out with his own criteria citing past National Artist for literature F. Sionil Jose as just a mere writer for a school and therefore unknown as if this was a popularity contest. He brags about the employment he has generated from his tabloid sleazy movies when that has no bearing on the award truly brought our culture down the muck where Gloria Arroyo and her cohorts loves to wallow like pigs.

The National Artist Award while it has financial and medical benefits complete with project funding for a year is not a largess that any administratong can distribute according to their standards of the best bootlickers in the artist community. I say stick with the original names that the committee of their own peers selected namely:

Ramon Santos for music, Lazaro Francisco for literature, Manuel Conde for film, and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz for visual arts.


As I write this National Artists Ben Cabrera, Bien Lumbera, Rio Alma, F. Sionil Jose, Arturo Luz, and Salvador Bernal are leading a Luksang Bayan Para Sa National Artist Awards (National mourning for the National Artist Awards). The demise of ethics and time-honored tradition fellow artist recognizing the contribution, talent and genius of their peer has just been massacred by the Garcified Gloria Arroyo administration and they may have succeeded in setting us back a hundred years. This travesty is upon us because we have allowed a president with dubious mandate to remain in office with the help of her Mafiosi tongress.

If they insist on this sick lobbying to get a reward as an artist people should then just lobby for maderpaker este mother figure lover boy Hayden “Camera” Kho as he is the most “popular” and most talked about nowadays compared to this delusional Caparas. Or how about his lover Dr. Vicki Belo for sculpting who is also as “popular” if not more popular than Caparas and she is also a drama crying queer eeeer queen as she blurts out her hurt feelings over her boy toy lover Hayden Camera Kho.

If you believe Carlo Caparas..... wait that is not the right question, I meant Caparas does not and will not deserve the award as I said earlier so go ahead and sign the petition protesting his dagdag errr inclusion by Gloria Arroyo at Petition online, Carlo J. Caparas is Not Qualified to be National Artist.




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The gruesome Mafia style cold blooded murder of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez

Ruby Rose Barrameda-JimenezThe remains of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez who was reported missing 2 years ago was found encased in cement in a sealed metal drum inside a metal box also filled with cement off the Navotas port last July 10, 2009. The gruesome discovery of the remains and manner she was murdered and disposed off is typical of Mafia hit seen only in the movies but not in the Philippines where surreal movie scripts takes a life form of its own.

One Butas errr Batas Mauricio says godless people are responsible for the gruesome Mafia style cold blooded murder of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez sister of actress former beauty queen Rochelle Barrameda. I dare say Batas logic is flawed and to pin the blame on Atheist is uncalled for because murderers do not necessarily have to be godless in fact there are people who kill and wage wars in the name of god. But then again if we follow the flawed logic of Mr. Butas then what do we make of those priest and bishops on the side of Gloria Arroyo are they then godless too? So much for that and that is another issue we have to deal with on another blog post.

All the while I thought that I have seen the worst in Chiman Rai the father-in-law from hell who ordered a hit against his daughter-in-law Sparkle. The Ruby Rose murder if the allegations are proven has the makings of not just a father-in-law from hell but a whole family from hell that includes the husband, and an uncle. This makes the Manson family looks so amateurish because unlike the Manson criminal rampage they are not actually related by blood unlike the Jimenezes.

P50K, that’s all it takes to play god using hired killers. A sad reflection of the kind of society that the Philippines had sunk so low in the muck with not just criminal mindset that afflicts the rich and powerful but organized one at that is just unthinkable. Well, we know where these Mafiosi wanna-be gets it and there is no dearth of exemplar behavior, just look at the Palaka dominated Tongress in using their sheer mob numbers to pass HR 1109 and you will see where they got it.

What is odd is when Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno tries to insinuate that Ruby Rose would have been alive today had she reported the physical abuse suffered at the hands of her husband Manuel Jimenez III to the police at the onset. The victim filed a case in court and if these different government agencies are working and cooperating with each other then there is a chance that she may not have suffered such gruesome fate. Unfortunately there is no guarantee that you can stop a determined organized killer exacerbated by numerous police and social agencies that don’t coordinate with each other is a sure formula for blunders and deadly consequence.

Now, what’s up with the Atty. Mario Aguinaldo the lieyer errr lawyer of Jimenez who cautions people not to get emotional in seeking justice for Ruby Rose? I dare this lawyer to say that in the face of the relatives of the deceased and his unfounded baseless ridiculous theory that it was a frame-up. And where exactly did he get the idea which he is still in the process of gathering, hopefully he is not looking in the cobweb filled miniscule mass inside someone’s skull they mistook for a brain.

Ok for the sake of argument let us say we are buying Atty. Mario Aguinaldo's argument below:
This is a frame-up. When these people learned that the couple has cases in court, they grabbed the opportunity to aggravate the situation and destroy the [Jimenez] family.
Now if indeed it was a frame-up as Aguinaldo “brilliantly” put forward why did the perpetrators encased the victim inside a drum, pour wet cement, seal the drum, place the sealed drum inside a metal box, pour cement again to dry into a concrete heavy mass and thrown in the Navotas Port to sink beneath so it can’t be found? If the intent was a frame-up by the so-called “other party with a score to settle” the perpetrators would not have gone through all the trouble and just dump the body near the Jimenez residence or place of business and that would have done the trick. Duh, what a load of smelly Navotas fishy tall tale Aguinaldo is peddling that no one is buying except the madaya errrr media.

Not content with his tall tale he now blabbers that what Manuel Montero confessed who was clearly bothered by his conscience as just mere “hear say” is as dumb as it gets. Yeah right, hear say according to Aguinaldo when Manuel Montero was able to describe how they killed Ruby Rose, her position in the drum, and where they dumped the body which only a participant of the crime can accurately describe. If it is a frame-up it is inconceivable that one will take the rap for a gruesome murder just to implicate another party. Why even admit his guilt, why not just give an anonymous tip implicating the Jimenezes?

The children of Ruby Rose need to be with their mother and her relatives, that is not dependent on whether the kids will ask their dad Manuel Jimenez III if they wanted to pay their respect to their mother. It only shows a remorseless and vindictive husband towards his wife asking for a separation and can be perceived as a sign of guilt. An innocent person will pay his respect to his deceased wife and bring their children with no condition whatsoever no matter what transpired between them, after all they were married to each other.

Justice for Ruby Rose & All the Victims of Domestic ViolenceI am afraid that this is a case of domestic abuse committed against women if the suspicion of Rochelle Barrameda and the cases filed in court by the victim is accurate. Unfortunately with the victim dead it will be difficult if not impossible to gather evidence to that effect. Let us see, I am sure there will be those 2 siders of a coin flipped blabbering about the other side….. just remember a young mother’s precious life was cut short in the most gruesome manner and this blogger will not tolerate paid hacks to muddle the issue.

If you are on FaceBook please join us at the Justice for Ruby Rose & All the Victims of Domestic Violence cause.



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Walnut to proclaim Filipino Week; other Independence Day observances

On the occasion of the 111th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, the City of Walnut, California, will proclaim June 8 to 14, 2009, as Filipino Heritage Week. According to John Chua, president of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of San Gabriel Valley (FACCSGV), the proclamation will be tonight during the council meeting that starts at 7 pm.<

FACCSGV will host the annual Filipino Heritage Festival on June 13 & 14 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Miracle Hill Campus - Gospel Life Community (18901 E. Amar Rd., Walnut, CA 91789). In addition to the free fun and entertainment from 1 p.m. to dusk in both days, the Philippine Consulate will be around on June 13 for a Consular Outreach Service (Philippine Passport renewal, Philippine citizenship retention and reacquisition, and registration for the Philippine absentee voting). In the evening at 7:30 p.m. there will be a Christian Concert featuring Becca Godinez. Ticket Donation: $20.00 per person.

On June 14 starting at 11 a.m., there will be a Special Sunday Worship. For additional information, Mr. Chua can be reached at johnchua@earthlink.net.

Also tonight, June 10, starting at 6 p.m. will be the opening reception of the exhibit "Strokes of Genuis: Filipino American Artists of Los Angeles" at the City Hall Gallery (Main Rio Bridge) located at 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles. The admission-free exhibit will run until July 3 with hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. It is a project of the Los Angeles Filipino Association of City Employees (LAFACE) in celebration of the 111th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, in cooperation with the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information, Zen Lopez at Zenlopez@aol.com.

On Friday, June 12, starting at 9:00 in the morning, the Consulate General of the Philippines in Los Angeles will observe a flag raising ceremony at the residence of the consul general of that country located at 414 S. Muirfield Road, Los Angeles. It will be followed by a breakfast. Attire: Barong Tagalog/Filipiniana. RSVP required at cultural_pcgla@yahoo.com.

The series of events celebrating Philippine Independence in California this year started Saturday, June 6, with a Pista Sa Nayon in Vallejo. It was held at the Vallejo Waterfront, the Filipino community's 23rd year of Independence Day celebrations according to Norma Placido, general chairperson of the 2009 Philippine Cultural Committee. This year, she said, the free outdoor festival had over 97 vendor booths, delicious food, continuous first-class entertainment, and a parade and activities for all ages.

>Vallejo, according to Ms. Placido, has been rated by the New York Times as the most diverse city in the United States. The city is home to over 120,000 people, including 30,000 Filipino Americans. Vallejo's ties to the Philippines date back to 1898, when ships that fought in the Battle of Manila Bay left Mare Island for their long journey across the Pacific Ocean. Since then, Filipinos have come to Vallejo to work, buy homes, raise families and start businesses. Filipinos are an economic force in Vallejo and they have one of the highest household incomes among ethnic groups. They also have a high rate of home ownership.

Another American city with a large number of Filipino residents (it is said that about a fourth each of the population are White Americans, Black Americans, Latinos, and Filipinos) is Carson, located southwest of Los Angeles. Also on June 6 the Filipino community congregated throughout the day and night at the Veterans' Park for the yearly, admission free celebration of Philippine Independence Day co-sponsored by the Filipino Independence Day Foundation and the City of Carson. Among the offerings were live entertainment, cultural and musical presentations, a Santa Cruzan, food and display booths, and a children's game area.

A day earlier on June 5, another whole day-and-into-the-night celebration was held at the Westfield Plaza Bonita in National City. It was billed as Philippine Faire 2009 and likewise free to the public.

Meanwhile, the regional chair of the Nation Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Martin Celemin, wrote:

Last Saturday, June 6th (from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM) was a very glorious day for the Filipino American community in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.

The celebration of Philippine Independence week was well planned weeks in advance, and the result was just fantastic. Thousands of FilAms (estimated about 4,000) and others attended the multi-faceted cultural event highlighting FilAm talents, foods and games at the Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza adjacent to Lorenzi Park with covered large stage, surrounded by covered booths for food vendors and various products. Some food booths ran out of food. FilAm talents from cultural Filipiniana folk dances to magical performances by the youth could have easily beat American Idol show. The event was honored by the appearance and performance of professional singers Earl Turner and Lani Misalucha who are currently have a daily show at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel & Casino. The event was sponsored and managed by NaFFAA's Regional and State groups with the active leadership of the project coordinator Noel Casimiro assisted by hosts of NaFFAA members and FilAm Lions Club members. The theme of the event was "One Voice - A Community of One" Many congratulations have been received extolling the well organized and managed event. FilAms are so proud to have attended and looked forward to next year's celebration. It was, indeed, a very glorious day to remember.
From New South Wales, Australia, Loli Farmer, OAM, informed about their Independence Day celebrations. She said that observance started June 6 with a country town flag raising ceremony with Consul General Eva G. Betita in attendance. On June 7, Sunday, mass was celebrated in different suburbs and one in particular had three Filipino priests officiating.

June 8 was also the Queens's Birthday and a Filipino Australian, Manuel Bermejo Castillo, was honored by Queen Elizabeth II with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in recognition for his community services. Castillo heads the Philippine Australia Sports & Culture, Inc. (PASC), which has received Linkapil Award 1991, the New South Wales Multicultural Marketing Award from the Community Relations Commission NSW Government, and the Araw ng Maynila Award for international organization.

On June 12, a flag raising ceremony will be observed by the Consul General and staff and the government department of tourism and trade. At 10:30 a.m. there will be an award ceremony at Blacktown City Council where three Filipino Australians will receive the Chifley Volunteer Award. Dorothy del Villar, Maria Theresa Sayas, and Crresencio Pilao will be awarded for community services by the Federal member of Chifley Roger Price, MP Chief Government Whip, and the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

On June 13, there will be another Philippine Independence Day flag-raising at Blacktown City Council. The city is home to the biggest concentration of Filipinos in Australia. A reception will be held in the evening at the Four Seasons Hotel with diplomats and community leaders in attendance. Several Independence Day Balls have been organized by several groups, Ms. Farmer added.

June 19 will see a flag raising ceremony and dedication of Rizal Park at Campbelltown City Council. Another flag raising will be held the following day at Penrith City Council. Philippine Independence Day extends to July with Parramatta City Council, sister city of Cebu city, as host.

Other states will also be celebrating Philippine Independence Day, Ms. Farmer said, among them: Canberra ACT, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territoy, Victoria and Tasmania. She said that New South has more than half of the more than 200,000 Filipino immigrants in that country.


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Dionesio C. Grava - Part-time community journalist based in Los Angeles and editorial writer at Forum Asia.






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