Telltale Signs/ SANTA'S HOME IS MELTING

Rodel E. Rodis, December 17, 2007

Santa Claus will have more problems delivering gifts to kids all over the world this Christmas because his home in the North Pole is melting away and his worker elves are all virtually homeless. According to a new scientific study, the frozen sea ice within the Arctic Circle could disappear entirely by 2040.

It is getting hotter in the arctic regions and colder and wetter in the tropical zones. This is the phenomenon known as climate change.

Despite the Bush administration’s repeated insistence that climate change is "unproven conjecture" (the position of the oil industry which produced George W. Bush and Dick Cheney), more than 10,000 delegates from some 190 countries around the world gathered in Bali, Indonesia for two weeks in early December of 2007 to discuss the reality of climate change.

Even before the Bali Conference began, scientists from all over the world, including the US, were already unified in their view that climate change is indeed taking place and that the world needs to act now before its too late and that there are technologies available and affordable to tackle the problem.

The conference venue was significant because, as New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman noted, “Indonesia is now losing tropical forests the size of Maryland every year, and the carbon released by the cutting and clearing — much of it from illegal logging — has made Indonesia the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the world, after the United States and China. Deforestation actually accounts for more greenhouse gas emissions than all the cars and trucks in the world, an issue the Bali conference finally addressed.”

Friedman interviewed Barnabas Suebu, the governor of Papua, home to some of Indonesia’s richest forests, who explained that his villagers cannot earn anything close to what they get from chopping down a tree and selling it to smugglers, who will ship it to Malaysia or China to be made into furniture for Americans or Europeans.

This is the same problem in the Philippines where virgin forests are being continuously raped by illegal loggers with connections to Philippine military and government officials. In last week’s column, I wrote about Ensign Philip Pestano who, according to a 1997 Philippine Senate report, was murdered in 1995 because he objected to his Philippine Navy vessel being used to load illegal timber from Tawi-Tawi and to off-load them in Cavite. That timber probably wound its way to China for products that were then exported to Wal-Mart stores all over the US.

International agreements that would seek to limit greenhouse emissions which cause holes in the earth's ozone layer (which create climatic changes) have long been opposed by the Bush administration which believes the limits would hamper American competitiveness with countries like China. Using China as an excuse is ironic because China’s rapid economic development has been largely fueled by American consumers’ insatiable demand for its goods. Net exports from China to the US accounted for 23 percent of Chinese greenhouse gas emissions.

The Philipppines was a major source of discussion at the Bali Conference after the environmental group, Germanwatch, released a report citing the Philippines as the world's top climate change victim in 2006 for the strong typhoons which caused the Legazpi Mudslide and the Southern Leyte Landslide. They were the world's 2nd and 3rd deadliest disasters of 2006 claiming the lives of 2,511 people and rendering almost 800,000 families homeless.

The natural disasters inflicted on the Philippines were always exacerbated by man-made disasters like the illegal logging which deprive the country of valuable forest trees that could stop the rain waters from flooding the lowland areas.

The Bali Conference delegates called on the Philippines to pass the Renewable Energy Bill, sponsored by Sen. Dick Gordon, which has in various forms languished in the Philippine Congress for almost 10 years. The bill will actively promote the development of renewable energy sources abundant in the country like solar, wind, tidal and geothermal and setting time-bound renewable energy targets. It will ensure that the Philippines will wean away from overdependence on power generated through fossil fuels like oil and coal which have been identified as major contributors to climate change.

Passage of the Renewable Energy bill is especially critical because of the rising price of oil which now costs more than a US$100 a barrel. “With the RE Bill,” Jasper Inventor of Greenpeace said, “the country will utilize its massive renewable energy potential. The Philippines' wind energy potential alone reaches up to more than 70,000 MW. Solar power is abundant in the country and is capable of producing 1500 hours of power annually at 5 kilowatt hours per square meter per day."

There is very little time left. Pass the Renewable Energy Bill now!

On a personal note, I would like to express my condolences to the family of Charles Mosser, a philanthropist and environmentalist who died in the Philippines on October 17, 2007 at the age of 82. Charles and his wife, Annabelle Indemne Mosser, amassed a fortune in San Francisco real estate, a part of which they used to invest in Annabelle’s home province of Negros. They bought or leased more than 20,000 denuded hectares of mountain land and funded the planting there of their goal of 18-M trees of which 2-M have already been planted.

In 2005, the Philippine Congress granted Charles Mosser the Philippine citizenship he had long sought.

On that note, I wish you all the happiest of holidays.

Send comments to Rodel50@aol.com or log on to www.rodel50.blogspot.com or send your letter to the Law Offices of Rodel Rodis at 2429 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127 or call (415) 334-7800.

It's Time For A Change

As we close the year, we hear a lot of people say, "Thank God this year will soon be over." Indeed, 2007 is a year that most people would like to forget and just move on. A lot of events in the Philippines have made us to wonder: "Where are we heading as a people and as a nation?"

Many Filipinos have given up hope that our country will ever get out of the abyss of corruption and poverty. The recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed President Arroyo as the "Most Corrupt President in History." Arroyo was named as "Most Corrupt" by 42% of the respondents followed by Ferdinand Marcos at 35%, Joseph Estrada at 16%, Fidel Ramos at 5%, and Corazon Aquino at 1%. Arroyo's rah rah boys were quick to dispute the poll blaming the media for her poor rating. She needs to understand that she made the news and the media merely reported it.

While it can be argued that Marcos was more corrupt than Arroyo, the real significance of the survey is that almost one out of two Filipinos perceived Arroyo as unsuitable for the job of President. It was a vote of "No Confidence" on her performance notwithstanding all her pronouncements that the country's economic engine was revving at full speed.

There has been a call for "moral revolution" by several Catholic bishops and Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. A "technical working group" was formed and Fr. Romeo Intengan, a Jesuit academic of Ateneo de Manila, was appointed to head it. Fr. Intengan is the top ideologue of the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (Social Democratic Party of the Philippines).

The group's initial meeting was attended by leaders of the Nacionalista Party (NP), Liberal Party (LP), Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI), Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), and Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP). The NP and LP are identified with the opposition and the rest are identified with the Arroyo administration. It's interesting to note that one of the representatives of Lakas-CMD was President Arroyo's brother Diosdado Macapagal, Jr. who, other than Fr. Intengan, was the only non-politician in the group. Did Arroyo send her brother to be her eyes and ears at the meeting and to report to her every word spoken at the meeting? It would seem that way.

One of the Nacionalistas' representatives, Deputy Majority Leader Crispin Remulla, was quoted as saying that the "NP believed certain things in government and society were needed to address the persistent problem of corruption." Yes, he hit the nail on the head; however, the question is: Can politicians change the way they govern? Can -- or would -- they eradicate corruption in government? We need to understand that the government is only as good as the people who run it. Bad leaders create bad government. So where do we start the change?

Recently, the House of Representatives, at the urging of Arroyo, revived the effort to change the constitution. Several resolutions and bills were filed for Charter change or "Cha-cha." One bill calls for a constitutional convention (Con-con) and another one calls for the adoption of the controversial constitutional amendments that were drafted by the Constitutional Consultative Commission established by Arroyo's Executive Order 453. A third bill calls for a people's initiative to amend the Charter.

Two year's ago, the Philippine Supreme Court dismissed a petition for a people's initiative to amend the constitution to replace the presidential system with a parliamentary form of government. The Supreme Court's decision stated that to allow the "constitutionally infirm initiative, propelled by deceptively gathered signatures, to alter basic principles in the Constitution is to allow a desecration of the Constitution." This was in reference to documented reports that those signing the petition did not know what they were signing. There were reports of signature-buying and coercion by barangay leaders. It further stated that "the great majority of the 6.3 million people who signed the signature sheets did not see the full text of the proposed changes before signing."

A lot of people are cynical of another attempt to change the constitution. Arroyo's call for Charter change was perceived by many as another attempt to alter the constitution in a manner that would allow her to stay in power beyond 2010 when her term ends. With her tight grip on the House or Representatives where 80% of the members are allied with her, any of the three Cha-cha proposals could easily pass. However, the opposition-controlled Senate would block any attempt for Charter change. That would leave Arroyo with only one viable option -- people's initiative. She has done it before and she can do it again.

In 2005, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition for a people's initiative because of flaws in the signature-gathering process; otherwise, the High Court would have approved it. So, all Arroyo had to do was to start another "people's initiative" that would incorporate a "process" acceptable to the Supreme Court.

If a "moral revolution" is to succeed, we need to have a clean slate in the 2010 elections. Under the present constitution, Arroyo is precluded from running for another term. And the only way that she could continue to rule is to change the Charter.

Indeed, Fr. Intengan's "technical working group" has a monumental task. The corrupt system is deeply rooted. A "moral revolution" would not succeed without a broad base of support. The "technical working group" should not be limited to political office holders and should include representatives of various sectors. Anything short of that would be perceived as another round of gimmickry by the ruling oligarchy.

The moral decay that has been eroding the nation's foundation needs to be stopped. It's time for a change.

(PerryDiaz@Gmail.com)

December 31: One Last Time with Lani & Society Of Seven at Las Vegas' Flamingo?

December 31 this year might very well be the last time you see Society of Seven with Lani Misalucha at The Flamingo. The group is currently in negotiations to renew its contract with the hotel and has not made any announcements as of print time.

This has been a momentous year and a half for all eight members – SOS comprises Tony Ruivivar, Bert Sagum, Roy Guerzo, Vince Mendoza, Wayne Wakai, Marc Escueta, Hoku Low, plus Lani Misalucha – the group has gone through personal tragedy and in the face of it all, come out stronger.

A chat with Tony Ruivivar (SOS founding member, to-gether with Bert Sagum) reveals some plans. He says, “As far is Vegas is concerned, it’s SOS with Lani – we’ve combined and this is what we’ve been doing and what were successful at.” He adds, “We’re on the brink of people accepting different shows and talents from other countries, so we feel it’s been perfect. Also, we’re happy to be right in the heart of the Las Vegas entertainment scene; just entertaining and making people happy.”

They show no signs of slowing down. And the question isn’t really if they’re going return to Las Vegas, but where and for how long? The group will be taking a 5-week break early on in the year, just after their final show on December 31, but that period will be peppered with roadshows in Sacramento and Redondo Beach.


Ever the consummate performer, Tony shares that they’re already rehearsing some numbers for next year. We asked if there will be anything new added to the format of the show? “It’s gonna be a mixture of a lot of new stuff but still keeping the favorites. The format is going to stay the same – a little bit of comedy, impersonations, singing, either solo numbers or as a group; and some of the numbers might change, with us introducing new songs, but the combination of SOS with Lani has been successful, and that will not change.”

Herein lies the difficulty of what to add and what to take out. Attempts in the past to add certain numbers and shorten others have not proved successful, because it seems everyone’s got a favorite and that happens to be, well, everything. I for one, hinted to Tony about the possibility of extending the show’s duration, making it longer than the current hour and a half, but certain factors beyond their control, like union rules and sharing the venue with other shows, prohibit them from running overtime. He adds, “For Vegas standards, we’re actually running pretty long already. We have a lot more opportunity to extend the show during our outside concerts, where we can better accommodate our fans. For example, if someone asks us to sing a Hawaiian song, we can oblige; if others request for a Filipino song, we’d be happy to do that as well. We’ve got enough material that we can perform for five hours.”



We feel for the group - it’s tough to cram the talents of eight people in 90 minutes. That’s only over 10 minutes per person. We caught the show on a Sunday, two weeks ago, and the showroom was packed. And it did seem that everyone had their favorites. One lady we sat next to told me afterwards that there were a couple of moments in the show that brought tears to her eyes. Then there were those who were so enamored of Lani’s version of Nessun Dorma. Laughter filled the room with Bert and his antics. The oldies were brought back in time with Roy’s “Sammy” and Hoku’s “Frankie Valli.” The younger generation connected with Wayne’s “Kenny G.,” Marc’s “Michael Jackson” and Vince’s “Eminem.” Then of course, the old standards and Broadway tunes brought fond memories of the Rodgers and Hammerstein era, as in the case of Tony’s rendition of “I Have Dreamed” from The King and I.

Another thing is that it’s difficult to describe the show because it doesn’t quite fit into a stereotype. For the most part, if you’re unfamiliar with Society of Seven or Lani Misalucha, it would be difficult to explain what the show is all about. In this instance, the audience doesn’t know what to expect. It’s not an acrobatics show, like Cirque Du Soleil; nor is it a magic show and while ‘impersonations’ are a part of the act, it cannot be called a ‘tribute show,’ either. What it is, is a variety show, or as Tony likes to put it, “We’re an evening show in the afternoon.” Come to think of it, it isn’t too far off to imagine the same set-up for an evening show, complete with dinner.

They are, however, very pleased with their afternoon time slot. Adds Tony, “We’re all fighting for the same tourist dollar, and given that there are about a few hundred shows in the evening, we’re happy that we can get the crowd and not have to compete with the big productions like Cirque or Celine.”

In closing, Tony says “I’m going to do this as long as I’m still enjoying myself.” Judging from group’s camaraderie, Flamingo showroom or not, they’re going to be here for a long time.

Rachel M. Sugay

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

Society of Seven with Lani Misalucha
Flamingo Showroom, Flamingo Hotel
Show times are 3 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Tickets are $49.95. Last show for the year will be December 31, 2007.

Barong in the 65th Annual Golden Globe Nominations

HOLLYWOOD, CA, December 12, 2007 – Dane Cook, Hayden Panettiere, Ryan Reynolds and Golden Globe Award-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino joined Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Jorge Camara announce the Nominations for “The 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards” last Thursday morning, December 13, 2007 at The Beverly Hilton.

Nominations were announced in 25 categories. “The 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards” will take place Sunday, January 13, 2008 at The Beverly Hilton with a live telecast airing on NBC at 8 PM (EST) and produced by Dick Clark Productions in association with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Jorge Camara is President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Terry Bateman and Barry Adelman are executive producers. Chris Donovan is director. Al Schwartz is consulting producer. Ken Shapiro is producer. Ron Weed is consulting producer. Bob Bardo is executive in charge of production.


The 65th annual Golden Globe Awards nominations were held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel last Thursday in Los Angeles, California. Hayden Panettiere, of Heroes; Ryan Reynolds (Blade: Trinity) and director Quentin Tarantino announced the nominations.

And what stole the show, at least for Filipinos around the world is Mr. Quentin Tarantino donning our national dress for men, the Barong Tagalog. This is the second time in public that Mr. Tarantino wore the Barong. He wore a Barong when he was presented a "Lifetime Achievement Award" by Indie Film Festival Cinemanila in Malacanang Palace by President Gloria Arroyo in Manila.

In Manila, he rode a pedicab just to arrive in time to receive the award, so much so that he wore a jogging pants with the Barong. This time Tarantino wore it the usual way, in a formal slacks.

'Live from Los Angeles' Makes it to Technorati.Com

Welcome to Technorati

Currently tracking 112.8 million blogs and over 250 million pieces of tagged social media. We are proud to announce that "Live from Los Angeles" of www.philippinepressclub.com made it to Technorati's top list.

Technorati is the recognized authority on what's happening on the World Live Web, right now. The Live Web is the dynamic and always-updating portion of the Web. We search, surface, and organize blogs and the other forms of independent, user-generated content (photos, videos, voting, etc.) increasingly referred to as “citizen media.”

But it all started with blogs. A blog, or weblog, is a regularly updated journal published on the web. Some blogs are intended for a small audience; others vie for readership with national newspapers. Blogs are influential, personal, or both, and they reflect as many topics and opinions as there are people writing them.

Blogs are powerful because they allow millions of people to easily publish and share their ideas, and millions more to read and respond. They engage the writer and reader in an open conversation, and are shifting the Internet paradigm as we know it.

On the World Live Web, bloggers frequently link to and comment on other blogs, creating the type of immediate connection one would have in a conversation. Technorati tracks these links, and thus the relative relevance of blogs, photos, videos etc. We rapidly index tens of thousands of updates every hour, and so we monitor these live communities and the conversations they foster.

The World Live Web is incredibly active, and according to Technorati data, there are over 175,000 new blogs (that’s just blogs) every day. Bloggers update their blogs regularly to the tune of over 1.6 million posts per day, or over 18 updates a second.

Technorati. Who's saying what. Right now.

Thank you to the readers for all your support.

LA's Five Prettiest, LA's Five Handsomest, Cover Girls, Cover Guys

STV Entertainment, in cooperation with Celebrity Chronicle, announced the search for new faces to join Cover Girl and Cover Guy 2008. The exciting contest is open to male and female residents of Los Angeles and nearby counties, ages 13 to 25, at least 5’3" in height, good skin, and with a proportion body. To join the search, send one headshot and one full-length shot. Please include personal info like name, age, birth date, address, weight, phone number, school, and e-mail address. Send entries to 127 East Palmer Avenue , Glendale , CA 91205 , or e-mail CelebrityCM@sbcglobal.net for more information.

The winners will be presented by Celebrity Chronicle to the public on Friday, January 25, 2008 at the MGM Banquet Hall, Inc. for the tenth annual entertainment and achievement awards night called “Celebration 2008.” Deadline of entries is December 31, 2007

Lani Misalucha: Enjoying the Best of Both Worlds

By Jackie Regala-Katigbak

World-class chanteuse, Lani Misalucha was last heard in Manila doing a duet titled "The Prayer" with no less than mainstream artist, Josh Groban. It could have been any Filipino singer, but we were told that Groban personally handpicked Lani from the other names and artists offered to do the duet. Lani had to do last minute arrangements with her management to be able to be excused from her Flamingo Las Vegas gig to join Groban in the latter's first concert in Manila. Reports have it that indeed, Josh Groban would like to bring Lani along with him on his next concert tour not only in Asia but also here in the USA.

Lani is the only Filipino headliner in Las Vegas whose performance have been widely accepted by music aficionados of different genres. Her performances always receive the nod of approval from Las Vegas entertainment critics. They always say and write that Lani's voice will "surely astound you."

While happily nestled with Noli and and their two daughters in an exclusive home in Las Vegas, Lani finds time in her busy sked to jet set between here and Manila. She can't quite turn her back when offers come from hometown promoters. "I still have my fans back home and I also owe it to them. I love going home and performing for them, especially if it means that they will be getting a glimpse of what I do here in America."

Yes, what might be harder to fathom, is the fact that this chanteuse even finds time for domestic chores. Since family is numero uno on her list of priorities, Lani makes sure she is a wife and a mother first. it might be hard to believe but I have seen Lani at work. Right after her meet-and-greet during their shows at the Flamingo, Lani would whisk her way through her kitchen at home to cook the family's favorite meals. She enjoys preparing family meals from scratch and she is quite a cook. There was even a time, I was at her home and she was busy telling me about her new projects while cleaning a big size fish in the sink.

The very down-to-earth Lani is not your fancy showgirl - she is your kind of artist who is naturally gifted with a powerful voice that can be so soothing in delivering love songs, catchy in R & B soul grooves and totally awesome in arias or classical pieces.

Experience Lani and her unique voice and performance come Dec. 16, Sunday, 6 p.m. at Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon. The casino is conveniently located across from the premium store outlets in Cabazon - a shopping haven for the Filipinos. This is a chance to watch Lani especially for those who have not seen her perform with the Society of Seven in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the Lani show at Morongo Casino are $55 and $75 and for info you may call KATZ at 562-529-8680/ 562-787-8939. The concert is produced by KATZ Entertainment with Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in cooperation with Goldilocks Bakeshops and Restaurants, Seafood City Supermarket, Unistar Foods, Inc. and Energinseng Coffee. It is also brought to you by Superior Paper & Plastics and Ma Sol Trading.

Lani Misalucha And The Society of Seven
When : Sunday Dec 16, 2007 at 6:00 PM

Where :
Morongo Casino Resort and SPA
49500 Seminole Dr
Cabazon , CA 92230

Contact : Katz Telephone: (562) 529-8680

(Ed’s note: Jackie Regala-Katigbak has been writing and doing promotions in the entertainment business since the 1980s. The past two decades saw her columns and articles being published in the Philippines via the Bulletin Today, Manila Standard and Philippine Times Journal. Currently her articles are published by www.Carousel Pinoy.com and in various leading publications in Southern and Northern California. For correspondence, you may send her an email at JackieRegala@ca.rr.com. Thank you.)

Writers Guild Charges Unfair Labor Practice

Friday, December 14, 2007 10:31 AM
LOS ANGELES (AP) -Union officials representing striking Hollywood writers on Thursday said they have filed an unfair labor practices complaint claiming studios violated federal law by breaking off negotiations.

The Writers Guild of America demanded in a statement that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers return to the bargaining so the six-week strike can be ended and thousands of workers idled by the walkout can return to their jobs.

Negotiations broke off Dec. 7 when the producers alliance refused to bargain further unless the union dropped a half dozen proposals that included the authority to unionize writers on reality shows and animation projects.

The producers criticized the complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board.

The "baseless, desperate NLRB complaint is just the latest indication that the WGA's negotiating strategy has achieved nothing for working writers," the alliance fired back in its statement.

The labor board did not immediately return a call to its Los Angeles office. The guild said in its statement that it was "a clear violation of federal law for the AMPTP to issue an ultimatum and break off negotiations if we fail to cave to their illegal demands."

It also said it was irresponsible for the alliance to break off talks in the midst of the holiday season "with thousands of our members and the membership of other unions out of work." Jonathan Handel, an entertainment attorney and former associate counsel for the writers guild, said the union made an "ill-considered and inflammatory" move that jeopardizes back-channel efforts to restart talks.

"The AMPTP would not want to look like it's caving into a legal threat," Handel said.

The complaint came on the same day the Directors Guild of America said it may open its own contract negotiations with studios next month, a move that's expected to put more pressure on writers to reach an agreement. A quick deal by directors could undercut the bargaining power of writers by serving as an industry template for new media and other issues.

Both sides in the writers strike have said the central issue is compensation for programs, movies and other content streamed or downloaded over the Internet. That issue is also expected to dominate upcoming studio negotiations with directors and actors. The contracts of both those guilds expire in June. In a statement, directors said they were deeply disappointed by last week's collapse of talks between writers and the studios.

Directors delayed starting their contract talks for two months "out of respect for our sister guild," directors union President Michael Apted and negotiations chair Gil Cates said in the statement. "But now the situation is dire. The WGA-AMPTP impasse has cost the jobs of tens of thousands of entertainment industry workers, including many of our own members, and more lose their jobs every day the strike continues," the statement said.

New York-based writer Warren Leight, executive producer of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," said he believes the studios would welcome a deal with directors as a way to force concessions from writers. "We've always known the DGA was the alliance's fallback position," Leight said. "I hope it tells the DGA something that the studios are licking their chops to get into the negotiating room with them."

A Los Angeles scribe fretted over the role directors might play in the Hollywood labor picture. "Writers took the lead here because we're contrarians, independent thinkers," movie writer Bobbette Buster said Thursday while picketing outside Paramount studio. "Directors like to have the whole tribe behind them."

The studio alliance said it looked forward to talking with directors but cautioned it would be "an extremely difficult process" because of the complexity of the rapidly changing new-media marketplace. The writers guild wished directors well in their talks but said "they do not represent writers. Our strike will end when the companies return to negotiations and make a fair deal with the WGA."

The directors guild represents about 13,500 directors and associated production workers. In a letter to members last week, Apted and Cates said the guild has been studying the issue of digital media for nearly 18 months and is determined to get a fair deal for members in both old and new media. "There is a reason that few in the industry ever accuse the DGA or its members of being pushovers. We've never been that, and we don't plan to start now," the letter said.

MARTIN NIEVERA HEADLINES CHRISTMAS CONCERT DECEMBER 21, 2007 in LA MIRADA

MARTIN NIEVERA HEADLINES CHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH MS. GENEVA CRUZ AND THE PCS-LA CHOIR

Los Angeles, CA. (December, 2007) - Continuing with the celebration of his 25th anniversary in show business and in giving back to his “kababayans”, Philippine “Concert King” Martin Nievera will headline a special concert on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2007 to raise funds for the victims of the Southern California wildfires as well as for the Filipino Veterans of World War II. “I wanted to make my last concert of the year a special one about giving to those who are in need,” said the singer, “especially those who were affected by the wildfires here in Southern California ”. A portion of the proceeds with go to the Sagip Kapamilya project of the ABS-CBN Foundation USA, Inc. which assists Filipinos who are victims of natural disasters. “There were definitely some families that were affected by the wildfires,” says co-producer Badette Mercado, “particularly in the Northern San Diego counties and hopefully, Sagip Kapamilya will be able to offer them some assistance as they rebuild their lives”.

In addition, concert producer Sonia Delos Reyes Caspe wanted to help out the Filipino Veterans of World War II by allocating an additional portion of the proceeds to the Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI), a Los Angeles based non-profit agency that operates programs on behalf of the Veterans or widows of Veterans. “I agree with Sonia about raising funds for our heroes”, added Martin “because until that bill passes in Congress bestowing them their full entitlements, we should be proud of these men and women of WWII and remember what they sacrificed.” People who attend the concert will be able to drop off in-kind donations --- clothes, canned food, gift certificates, etc. --- as well as monetary donations which will be collected by FASGI staff. Additional proceeds from the concert will be donated to FASGI to assist in their Veterans programming. “This is absolutely thrilling and we are so very thankful that someone remembered our veterans, especially at this time of year,” said Susan Dilkes, Executive Director of FASGI.

Geneva Cruz together with The Philippine Chamber Singers (PCS-LA) will be joining Martin on stage. PCS-LA will lend their dynamic and vibrant passion for choral singing. Notable performances in its 3 years of existence include community outreach appearances on various festivals that include the 3rd World Festival of Sacred Music Los Angeles (spearheaded by UCLA). The greatest achievement of the group by far is their participation at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) 24th biennial National Convention via the opening night performance at the International Concert Session Gala held at Miami, Florida last March 2007. The choir is the first ever local Filipino chorale group that has made the distinction of making an ACDA debut on the National level. To add to that, the chorus and its members played major roles in the U.S. production of the Filipino musical opera "Karim at Jasmin" during its staging at the Long Beach Convention Center in June. This September to October they teamed up with Three of a Kind and the Philippines' Concert King, Martin Nievera, for a series of benefit concerts within Southern California. Martin Nievera liked how the chorus sounded that he personally invited the group to participate in his Christmas Concert this Dec. 21 at La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts.

Seasons Greetings from Philippine Consulate General Los Angeles

A WINNING TRIP

Ivy Wisco Marketing Manager of Moneygram presented the award to John Lacson of Pinoywired.com. Photo courtesy of Jojo Margen, Balita Media.

Dec 6, 2007 was the date that I was awarded 1st prize for the Balita Media Inc Literary Award for Poetry. This event was the company’s annual Christmas party and awards night. There were 12 winners from different categories such as High School, College/Adult, and Seniors divisions. Being a baby boomer, I belonged to the category for seniors. Almost AARP, mind you. This was a high-end event held at the Universal Hilton hotel right there in the middle of “The Studios”!

The 90-minute drive from Riverside, California to Universal city was of course stressful and snail-paced on account of the rush hour traffic. The event started at 7:00pm that evening and I checked map quest on my laptop before I left making sure I had the right directions. This was an event I would hate to miss since I was looking forward to receiving that award.

I made it. Arrived barely on time and checked in with the pretty ladies manning the guest registration desk. Giving my name, the lass who helped me identified that I was an award winner and gave me her winning smile. It’s nice how people can be extra nice when they recognize a positive individual. The lady took me to my table where my fellow winners sat in anticipation of the night ahead.

The evening’s program was all class. Speakers, entertainers, and dignitaries where there to enhance the quality of the event. The food buffet was delicious and one of the best I have tried. I imagine we, in that winners’ table all felt the same way. Feeling wonderful in knowing that the award we were going to get reflected media recognition that we indeed had that ability, that talent to take the pen and create a piece that was appreciated. Writing is a passion that is innate. A literary piece is conceived in our mind as an idea and stays in our heart like a child waiting to be born. Some individuals do something about this desire by taking a pen (or laptop) and starting scribing their thoughts away. Some don’t do anything about it. Outwardly you don’t die if nothing is done, but inwardly there is this fruit that’s just withering in the vine. You’ll know it since you feel it.

After all the introductory razzmatazz and wonderful feast, we were ready for the actual awards ceremonies. One by one, the winners in the winning tables were called upon to receive their prizes consisting of an in scripted trophy, a certificate of achievement (just dying to be framed), and of course the prize money. My turn came. I shook hands with the award presenter and received my prizes. Both my presenter and me turned to the audience and smiled. Beautiful people were clapping their hands and the cameras where rolling, flashbulbs popping, and this was like, nirvana. I felt excited, happy, but also worried that I may have some spinach stuck on my teeth. What the heck, I thought, just go with the flow. We stood there for about 10 seconds while all this was going on. I told the lady presenter thank you so much and proceeded to walk back to my table making sure that I did not slip and fall. For a few seconds there, I felt like one of those celebrities. I imagined that the paparazzi was after me and resisted the urge to run and slide into my chair. Oh well, so much for drama.

The evening proceeded with Christmas songs rendered by entertainers and the Balita Media production dept. Again they were superb in their singing. There were door prizes raffles presented by Moneygram International. I guess that night was meant for me since again my raffle ticket won a high tech DVD player! Like the saying comes, when you have your 15minutes of glory, you might as well enjoy it. Winning that door prize was not rigged but pure luck. There is this book titled “The Secret” which deals with the law of attraction. A person who smiles and thinks positive will attract good things. I have been feeling that way lately and wonderful things happen. Believe me, it works. Thank you, Jesus!

Going back about five months ago, my good friend and mentor Vics Magsaysay sent me an email indicating that Balita Media News was holding a writing contest. The theme of which was “What My Filipino Heritage Means to Me”. This was right up my alley since I know the Philippines, being born and raised there. And I believed I had the talent and ability to pull it off.

My journey to success started with an email and phone call from a friend. An opportunity was presented to me. A decision had to be made as to whether I would take advantage of this window. The mind and heart wanted to win this tournament. Henceforth, I decided to go for it.

The effort placed into writing that winning piece started off as work. As I continued writing and getting involved, it became a passion. And a passion is never work since we are in pursuit of something that we really want. That poem was written in less than a day since it was inspired. The heart and soul was into it.

Real winning does not just come to us. Like somebody said, “A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.”

Make that step. Just do it.

Article by: John F Lacson

KAPUSO FEVER DAZZLES LAS VEGAS!

KAPUSO FEVER DAZZLES LAS VEGAS!

On this cold Sunday winter morning of December 2, all roads led to the Sports Center of Las Vegas for KAPUSO FEVER, the first ever Entertainment Festival and Christmas Fair following the successful entry of GMA Pinoy TV in the world’s entertainment capital!

As early as 9:30 a.m., men, women, and children had started to line up by the entrance of the Sports Center to join the KAPUSO FEVER celebration featuring Filipina Marimar Marian Rivera and Pinoy Sergio Dingdong Dantes, the lead stars of Marimar, the phenomenal and highest-rated primetime telenovela in the Philippines today. The festival was a colourful, impressive, dazzling celebration of culture and live entertainment which drew thousands of people from across the U.S.

Guests during the half day festivities witnessed the best in Filipino entertainment while they visited the different booths, shopped at the Christmas “tiangge”, enjoyed the sumptuous Filipino food, took home the GMA Pinoy TV bag giveaways, Kapuso Abroad magazines, premium items, and won the raffle prizes like the 41 gift bags filled with Mama Sita’s sauces and mixes, the two domestic round trip tickets and two round trip tickets to Europe from the corporate partners, event sponsor, and local retailers.

Due to technical problems, the show started late but it was definitely worth the wait. The Sport Center vibrated with loud shrieks from the audience when Dingdong got up on the stage, greeted the crowd, and rendered these songs: Ricky Martin’s Living La Vida Loca and She Bangs. Several thousand fans clustered shoulder to shoulder, and endlessly cheered when Marian took center stage, danced the trademark Marimar moves and sang the theme song of Marimar.

The audience ecstatically requested Dong to kiss Marian and went rapturously crazy when the two stars obliged to their fervent requests. They kissed twice since the audience would not settle just for one. The crowd jubilantly cheered and applauded wildly as Marian and Dong exchanged banter with each other ala Marimar and Sergio and gleefully answered some questions thrown at them by the adoring crowd.

All throughout, Marian and Dong were simply bursting with energy and élan, and undoubtedly, the undisputed loveteam to beat in Philippine Television. The appearance of the two Marimar lead stars was the most anticipated and applauded portion of the show.












By this time, the audience could care less if they waited hours just to see their favorite TV couple on stage!

Marian and Dong also shared the stage with Philippines’ Prince of R&B JayR. He gave such a soulful rendition of his first Filipino hit song “Bakit Pa Ba?” which had the crowd gaping in awe and ardent fans screaming for more!

Aside from Marian, Dong, and JayR, singer-actress and recording artist Ciara Sotto together with the cast of soon-to-be-launched Las Vegas musical “Fever”, 2007 Pinoy Pop Superstar North America champion San Francisco-based Jae Buensuceso, Los Angeles native singer-comic Joseph Gelito, Meccamee Dancers, ACTS with Ann, Christine and Timmy, Filipiniana Dance Troupe of Las Vegas, Gawad Kalinga’s Gerald Gosioco, R&B band South Border with members Butch Victoriano, Paul Benitez and Tata Balane featuring Duncan Ramos, and Introvoys with musician/drummer Paco Arespacochaga and members Jonathan Buencamino (vocals), Steve Guadiz (guitar), Chot Ulep (bass), and JJ Buencamino (keyboards), zealously took turns in entertaining the crowd.

The star-studded entertainment extravaganza and Christmas Fair was delightedly hosted by Paco, Joseph, Jae, and Ciara.

KAPUSO FEVER, a dazzling and spectacular celebration, was made more colourful by the involvement and in association with Gawad Kalinga / ANCOP and NaFFAA Southern Nevada Chapter.

KAPUSO FEVER, directed by Jet Montelibano, was presented by GMA Pinoy TV and line produced by Creative Concept International. Major sponsors were Metrobank, Avida Land, Xoom.com, and Mama Sita’s Mixes & Sauces. Minor sponsors were A&A Travel Service and Seafood City. Participating sponsors included ANA Travel, Aqua Imaging & Design Inc., LGB Jewelry, Globe Express International, Café Moda, Aloha Kitchen, and Monet Lu/Beau Monet. Media sponsors were Las Vegas Asian Journal, Philippine Times of Las Vegas, Philippine News Las Vegas Edition, Nevada Examiner, Las Vegas Valley Balita, Planet Philippines, Asian American Times, and Asian-American Peoples Journal.

See how KAPUSO FEVER came, conquered, and heated up Las Vegas making it not only world’s entertainment capital but also home of Kapuso (1 in heart), check www.joshandowitt.com for pictures. For more information, please log on to www.gmapinoytv.com.

ROCK BAND JOURNEY WELCOMES ARNEL PINEDA

JOURNEY WELCOMES ARNEL PINEDA
WITH “OPEN ARMS” TO THEIR FAMILY
AS THE BAND’S NEW LEAD SINGER

December 5, 2007 — After much speculation…the wait is finally over.

JOURNEY–Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums)–is proud to introduce fans all over the world to their new lead singer, Arnel Pineda (“pin-eh-da”). He replaces Jeff Scott Soto, who parted ways with the band earlier this year after stepping in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the band in 2006 for medical reasons.

Arnel hails from Quezon City in the Philippines and has been singing Journey songs–in addition to original material–with his band, The Zoo, for the past couple of years in clubs all over his homeland. Joining the legendary band is a dream come true for him.
“It’s so exciting to sing with one of the best bands in the world. It’ll be a lot of hard work on my part and I’m actually looking forward to the scrutiny I’ll get from the hardcore JOURNEY fans. I know they’ll expect me to sound exactly like ‘the voice’ (Steve Perry), but that will never happen. I know there’s only one Steve Perry in this world.”

When it was time for JOURNEY to look for a new lead singer, the internet came to their rescue. Guitarist Neal Schon wanted someone new to the music business, so he turned to YouTube. After finding Arnel singing “Faithfully,” he knew he had found the perfect frontman.




“I was frustrated about not having a singer,” explains guitarist Neal Schon, “so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody. But then I found The Zoo and I watched a bunch of different video clips that they had posted. After watching the videos over and over again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I heard sink in because it sounded too good to be true. I thought, ‘he can’t be that good.’ But he is that good, he’s the real deal and so tremendously talented. Arnel doesn’t sound synthetic and he’s not emulating anyone. I tried to get a hold of him through YouTube and I finally heard from him that night, but it took some convincing to get him to believe that it really was me and not an imposter.”

Arnel Pineda picks up the story: “My friend Noel picked up the message on YouTube and told me it was from Neal. I thought it was a hoax so I ignored it. Noel said, ‘what if it really was Neal and he wanted to offer you the chance of a lifetime?’ So I e-mailed Neal back and the rest is history.”

“Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to JOURNEY,” continues keyboardist Jonathan Cain. “His personality is very well-suited to our music. He’s a sincere, authentic person with a great smile and a big heart. I think fans are really going to love him. With Arnel’s soaring tenor, Journey returns to our heritage sound.”

Schon agrees, “We feel reborn. I think there’s a lot of chemistry between the five of us. At first we were going to go into the studio and just write 4 songs, but now it’s escalated to a lot of great new and diverse material. The stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone’s so stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel.”

JOURNEY is currently working on a new album with legendary producer Kevin Shirley, which they hope to release by spring/summer 2008. Details will be announced early next year.

Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco, California. The band has gone through several phases since its inception by former members of Santana. The band's greatest commercial success came in the late 1970s through the early 1980s with a series of power ballads and songs such as "Don't Stop Believing", "Any Way You Want It", "Faithfully", "Open Arms", "Separate Ways" and "Wheel in the Sky". Videos of The Zoo performing cover songs by Journey, Survivor, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Air Supply, The Eagles, Kenny Loggins and other popular acts from the 70s, 80s and 90s, began appearing on YouTube.com in February 2007 and now number more than 200 in total. In August 2007, Neal Schon of Journey contacted the YouTube member who uploaded many videos asking for contact information for Pineda. Pineda, along with his manager, Bert de Leon, flew to San Francisco to audition for Journey later in August, 2007.[4]

On December 5, 2007, Pineda was announced as the lead singer of Journey. El Mercurio Online in Chile notes that Pineda will appear with Journey at the Festival de Viña del Mar at Quinta Vergara Arena in Chile on February 21, 2008.[5] Pineda will also perform with Journey on February 23 at Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo in Santiago and at a private Remax Convention event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on March 6, 2008.

Journey and renowned producer Kevin Shirley are currently in the studio creating a new album which he is producing, for release in spring/summer 2008. In his online diary, Shirley described the recording sessions as "wonderful, successful, stupidly creative" and said that "Sometimes you just know when there's history in the making."[6] In a statement on December 5, 2007, Shirley said "I was stunned at Arnel, who is a monster vocalist. He is the real deal. Just phenomenal."

In his blog, Kevin Shirley wrote "Just got back from Vegas last night, after mixing seven new Journey songs. They are outstanding... For the record, I think Arnel is 'the business!' - the guy can really sing! He handles the ballads with SO much heart, and belts the rockers as hard, and melodically, as anyone I have heard. The songs are sensational - wonderfully crafted and deep, and so focused, you may wonder where they all came from. And I'm being serious...."

(Submitted by Albert Vargas: PinoyWired.com)

Telltale Signs/ DEATH OF AN ENSIGN

Rodel E. Rodis, December 10, 2007

The messenger, Lt. Antonio Trillanes IV, was wrong in his ill-advised megalomaniacal coup attempts, but the message about pervasive corruption in the military was essentially right. This point was brought home most effectively by the eminent Jesuit educator, Fr. James Reuter, in an article that appeared the day after the Manila Peninsula occupation. Entitled “Justice at 3 A.M.”, Fr. Reuter wrote about Phillip Andrew Pestaño, a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila High School in 1989, who entered the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), and graduated as an Ensign in the Philippine Navy in 1993, when he was then assigned as a cargo master on a Navy ship.

Sometime in 1995, Fr. Reuter wrote, Pestaño discovered that “the cargo being loaded onto his vessel included logs that were cut down illegally, were carried to the ship illegally, and were destined to be sold, illegally… Then there were 50 sacks of flour, which were not flour, but shabu (methamphetamine) - worth billions. Literally, billions ... And there were military weapons which were destined for sale to the Abu Sayyaf.” As cargo master of the ship, Pestaño refused to approve the illegal cargo despite orders from his superior officers that he do so.

According to Fr. Reuter, “Pestaño’s parents received two phone calls, saying: "Get your son off that ship! He is going to be killed!" When Phillip was given leave at home, his family begged him not to go back. Their efforts at persuasion continued until his last night at home, when Phillip was already in bed.”

"His father came to him and said: "Please, son, resign your commission. Give up your military career. Don't go back. We want you alive. If you go back to that ship, it will be the end of you!" But Phillip said to his father: "Kawawa ang bayan! (Pity the country)" And he went back to the ship.”

"The scheduled trip was very brief - from Cavite to Roxas Boulevard - it usually took only 45 minutes. But on September 27, 1995, it took one hour and a half. When the ship arrived at Roxas Boulevard , Ensign Pestaño was dead.”

Within a day, the Navy investigators determined that Pestaño had committed suicide because a “suicide note” was found in his cabin. Phillip's family objected to this finding as they pointed out that the note was not in his handwriting and he was an honor student at Ateneo and engaged to be married in a few months.

After two years of prodding by Pestaño's family the Philippine Senate conducted an investigation on the Pestaño death in 1997. The resolution calling for this investigation was sponsored by then Sen. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The Pestaño family's lawyer was former (now incumbent) Sen. Nene Pimentel.

In the course of the Senate investigation, witnesses testified that before he died, Pestaño refused to authorize the loading of 14,000 board feet of illegal hardwood logs in Tawi-Tawi even though its governor, Gerry Matba, had a gift for his good friend, Admiral Pio Carranza.

Despite Pestaño’s objections, the logs were loaded in Tawi-Tawi andoff-loaded in Cavite just before the ship sailed for its home port in Manila in what would normally be a 45 minute trip. The trip lasted more 1 ½ hours.

After hearing from numerous witnesses, the Senate Report (#800) concluded: “Pestaño did not kill himself aboard the BRP Bacolod City… He was bludgeoned unconscious and then shot to death somewhere else in the vessel. His body was moved and laid on the bed where it was found.”

“The clear absence of blood spatters, bone fragments or other human tissues is physical evidence more eloquent than a hundred witnesses,” the Senate report observed. “It is impossible for a person who has just sustained a fatal head injury to walk from some other place in his room, lie on his bed and drop dead…”

“He was killed by an assailant, necessarily aboard the BRP Bacolod City”, before it docked at the Navy HQ on Roxas Boulevard. The attempt to make it appear Pestano killed himself inside his stateroom was so deliberate and elaborate that one person could not have accomplished it by himself.”

So who killed Pestaño?

In a privilege speech several years later, Sen. Fred Lim, now mayor of Manila, named Lt. Carlito Amoroso (PMA class 1994), a close-in security for Admiral Carranza who was on the ship (perhaps accompanying the illegal cargo) even though he was not a crew member, as the possible gunman.

Sen. Lim also linked Ensign Joselito Colico to the crime as he admitted before the Senate that he removed the magazine from the .45 caliber pistol and wiped off fingerprints. Calico was never charged even with tampering with the evidence.

Pestano, Lim said, was not the only casualty of this conspiracy. There was also Petty 0fficer (PO2) Zosimo Villanueva who was the officer who tipped Pestaño on the presence of illegal cargo on the ship, specifically about “the concealed bulk of illegal drugs (hidden) in the more than 20 sacks of rice cargoes aboard the ship." A week after Pestaño’s murder, Lim revealed, Villanueva was sent on mission where he mysteriously “washed away in a sea mishap”.

Another casualty was Ensign Alvin Parone who was the officer who called Pestaño’s parents to warn them of plans to kill their son. He was also killed, Sen. Lim said, “a victim of another unsolved murder.”

Also missing and presumed dead is Petty Officer (PO3) Fidel Tagaytay who was the duty officer on board Pestaño’s ship. When he was summoned to testify before the senate, he disappeared. His wife, Leonila, has been desperately searching for him, begging the authorities to investigate his disappearance. He is “absent without leave” is all the Navy brass will tell her.

No one has yet been charged with the murders of Pestaño and the other officers who would not condone the corruption they witnessed. The military whitewash has continued.

Fr. Reuter wrote: “Some military men are killed in battle. They are given a hero's burial. But Phillip died for a much deeper cause - he was trying to preserve the integrity of our Armed Forces. He died out of loyalty to the Philippines, in an effort to keep the oath that he made when he graduated from the Philippine Military Academy.”

”Graft and corruption are the curse of this nation. But when they take root in the heart of our Armed Forces, they threaten our existence as an independent, democratic country.”

Let us all demand JUSTICE for Phillip Pestaño, a genuine Philippine hero.

For more information, log on to www.phillippestano.com. Send comments to Rodel50@aol.com or log on to www.rodel50.blogspot.com or send your letter to the Law Offices of Rodel Rodis at 2429 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127 or call (415) 334-7800

La Gloria's European Junket

In the aftermath of the failed rebellion last Nov. 29, 2007, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo -- confident that the rebellion had been suppressed -- embarked on a three-country trip to France, Spain and England. Her state visit to Spain was the first by a Philippine President since her late father, President Diosdado Macapagal, was a state guest of Spain in 1962. Except for few details of the trip, Malacanang Palace did not disclose the members of the presidential entourage.

However, the day after they left for Spain, the office of House Speaker Jose de Venecia leaked out the names of 34 congressmen who were in the President's retinue. They were mostly members of the President's coalition -- KAMPI, LAKAS-CMD, NPC, and LDP. According to the information released, the members of Congress and their wives or companions were given $5,000 roundtrip tickets, $500 per night for hotel accommodations, $500 for daily food allowance, and $3,000 "pocket money" for the duration of the trip. And who paid for the trip? According to Speaker De Venecia, Malacanang Palace paid for the congressmen's travel expenses.

Three Senators also joined the trip -- Edgardo Angara, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and Juan Miguel Zubiri. The entourage included the entire First Family -- the First Couple; their children Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, Diosdado "Dato" Arroyo and Evangeline Lourdes "Luli" Arroyo; and their four grandchildren. A Philippine Air Lines plane was chartered for the eight-day trip. All in all, there was a total of 192 names on the flight manifest which also included several cabinet members, presidential staff, and a group of 50 business cronies.

Opposition leaders were outraged at what they termed as a "junket" to reward the congressmen for junking the impeachment petition against Arroyo. It was estimated that the total cost of the European junket was at least $1.5 million. However, the "junket" was defended by Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye claiming that the host country -- Spain -- paid for the trip (of course the side trips to France and England were not included) of the official Philippine delegation including the First Family (nine persons), five Cabinet members, three senators, and two House leaders. He also claimed that the other members of the presidential party paid for their own expenses. If that's the case, I would not be surprised if the congressmen and senators took the money from their pork barrel allocations.

A recent Commission on Audit (COA) report revealed that Arroyo spent P398 million -- the equivalent of around $9 million -- in 2006 for travel to 13 countries. In 2005, she spent P154 million for travel to four countries. To date this year, Arroyo has traveled to 18 countries. That is one country every 20 days!

But what is really pathetic is that Arroyo herself is the number one violator of her own Administrative Order 103 -- "Directing the Continued Adoption of Austerity Measures in the Government" -- issued on August 31, 2004. AO 103 suspended "All foreign travels, except for (i) ministerial meetings, and (ii) scholarships/trainings that are grant-funded or undertaken at no cost to the government." It also suspended all unnecessary domestic travels. However, she spent P55 million and P83 million for domestic travels in 2005 and 2006, respectively. All in all, the peripatetic President spent almost a quarter of the 2006 Office of the President budget.

What is the political repercussion of this "junket" scandal? I am pretty sure that some people will be "punished" for the leakage. And this brings to mind the ongoing feud between President Arroyo and Speaker De Venecia. Imagine, a battle between the two "giants" of the two branches of the government. Indeed, it could become a war of "Napoleonic" proportion.

It is no secret that the relationship between Arroyo and De Venecia is not as cordial as the two tried to project it in public. The National Broadband Network (NBN) scandal is not yet over. De Venecia's son, Jose "Joey" de Venecia III, is still smarting -- and is still on the warpath -- from losing the $329 million NBN contract. Meanwhile, in what appears to be a politically motivated gambit, the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCCG) asked the Solicitor General to review the $120-million "behest loan" contracted by Landoil Resources which was formerly headed by Speaker De Venecia 20 years ago.

"Behest loans" during the Marcos regime were called as such because they were extended by government financial institutions at the behest of Marcos. The loans were not collateralized; the word of the strongman was the "collateral." After Marcos was deposed in 1986, the newly formed PCCG negotiated a compromise deal with Landoil that called for dismissal of the case against De Venecia and for Landoil and De Venecia to repay the $120 million "behest loan." De Venecia agreed and signed an agreement in 1988 which stipulated that should Landoil failed to repay the loan, the case against Landoil and De Venecia would be revived. The loan was never repaid; however, De Venecia claimed that the Supreme Court dismissed the case in 1995. He said that "political vendetta" was behind the revival of the case against him.

De Venecia is left with few options. One option is for him to rein in his son Joey and tell him to shut up. Or he can fight back. With the 34 "junketeers" back in Congress from their European escapade, I would not be surprised if they would soon start a move to junk De Venecia from the Speakership. His political power could diminish very fast and once Arroyo starts using her political patronage, De Venecia's political base could be blown to smithereens.

But who knows? De Venecia is an old pro and a survivor. Last November 28, 2007, he attended and spoke at the 100th anniversary of the Nacionalista Party. He alluded to the strong alliance between NP and his Lakas-CMD, saying: "The alliance is ongoing, we have a powerful coalition with NP." Is De Venecia ready to junk Arroyo and join the Nacionalistas? In politics anything is possible.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

SANTA AT THE CONSULATE

Wednesday 12/5/07 was a great day to have a celebration of life! The occasion was the Christmas party held at the Philippine Consulate in honor of the media. Address was in Los Angeles at 3600 Wilshire blvd on the 5th floor. In attendance were the wonderful officers and crew of the consulate spiced up by media members representing different publications in Southern California, USA.

A traditional Holy Mass kicked off the party. Fr Palines delivered the sacrament and was a superb host at the same time. The Filipinos present were pleasantly reminded of younger days attending evening mass at the old country. The Christmas spirit was embodied in this tableau of Holy Eucharist being held in a cozy environment. Attended by persons who were bonded together in their quest to serve a nation that needed guidance in one way or another.

The Philippine national anthem was rendered by Romy Borje ( he rocks!) who has the energy of a young adult but the wisdom of a media patriarch. Mr Borje is an icon in the local Fil-Am journalist world and an inspiration to who ever wants to pursue a career in the media. A treasure indeed.

Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon adresses the media


Consul General MaryJo Aragon delivered the welcoming address. She introduced her two brand new cohorts in Daniel Espiritu (Consul) and Charmane Serna-Chua (Vice Consul). ConGen Aragon is as good as they come in representing an interactive leader who at the same time embodies the positive qualities of a Filipina. She is a non-stress type of person, which is reflected by her staff who smiles a lot. You can just imagine how hectic it can get at the consulate during peak periods!


At his point, the officers and staff of the Consulate gathered front and center to sing the Noche Buena Christmas song. Like a practiced choir, the group sung and delivered with such professional quality. That moment was reminiscent of our tradition when a choir group would come to our houses and sung songs making the holiday complete.

Dinner came after the welcoming address. The food spread was a feast of Filipino cuisine cooked to perfection. The roasted pig (lechon) melted in the mouth while the pancit and lumpia tasted so good. Again, this food tradition reminded us of how our culture knows how to party!


While having dinner, the entertainment portion went into action with James Saspa belting out a couple of songs. Ms Janelle So, hostess to KABABAYAN LA, sung two karaoke hits. She is so young but so loaded with talent. Also pleasing to the eye. Proud to be Filipina! Tess Villanueva, and Romy Borje contributed to the entertainment with more songs.


Florante, who is a legend in the Phillipine music world, came and honored the occasion with songs and ballads reflective of life in the old country. His pieces brings memories of yesteryears when the baby boomers where growing up and wondered what the future held for them. His ballads trigger soft spots in the Filipino psyche which makes a true pinoy think of going back to the homeland to take a walk down memory lane. Florante is like the Bob Dylan of the Philippine music industry. He too, rocks!

The media party winded down with participants exchanging gifts and a dance. Congen Aragon sung a duet with Johnny Pecayo. A lot of food still on the table. Wine flowed and the people were happy.

The Philippine Consulate and its warm staff are representative of our nation. They work hard and know how to have a good time. It is in these celebrations that they open up their hearts and homes to people in need. It gets busy at the Consulate since they are the corridors ultimately leading back to the homeland. They embody the spirit of assistance, which is Christmas itself. It is wonderful that the Consulate honored the media at this event. May these two entities work in the Christian spirit of giving. Merry Christmas and a Great New Year, po!

By: John Lacson

Photo Coverage by: Albert Vargas

The Magic of Narnia at Sierra Madre Playhouse

(Photo l to r Mary House & Chris Loop)

The rush of the Holidays are here and I was not prepared for it. Amidst the never ending work and the deadlines, I was hoping somehow to catch the spirit of the Holidays. What was bugging me was the thought of having winter without Christmas, or rather without the spirit that is. That’s when I brought my daughter and niece to watch a play at the quaint Sierra Madre Playhouse entitled “Narnia” based on the novel by famed British Author Clive Staples Lewis, better known as C.S. Lewis, the play based on his novel “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.” It was their second night run of the tight performance schedule from November 23 to December 23, 2007, so tight anyway that they have to triple cast some of the characters.

The whole Sierra Madre Playhouse was completely turned back in time to 1940 all over again and the German Blitz against London was on. Sandbags were piled up along the sidewalk outside the theatre and the ticket booth sign proclaimed “SHELTER”, a safe place from an air attack. Entering thru the small corridor, huge World War II posters were everywhere and one quickly caught my eye warning me to “Always Keep Your Gas Mask Ready.” When we slumped into our comfortable seats and surveyed the stage, we can see a huge backdrop of the British Flag, proudly hanging amidst a scattered array of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) prop microphones at stage center. Our narrator, Mr. Don Savage in his neatly pressed two-piece business suit quickly stood up from his armchair on stage right and led the audience in singing a standing rendition of the British National Anthem “God Save the Queen”, after which, part of the cast (or was it the crew?) stumbled playfully onstage trying to reach for the various sound effect pieces on stage left which will bring sound and life to the play. You see this play actually takes “Narnia” as a radio drama play in war-torn London complete with radio static.


And so the magic begins. “Narnia” revolves around the Pevensie children, Peter (the Eldest), Susan, Edmund, and Lucy who are evacuated from London due to the German bombings were brought to the huge country home of Professor Kirke. One day, Lucy (splendidly played by 11 year old Sarah Gilman in photo) discovers a wardrobe or what we call nowadays a clothes cabinet and she enters into a magical world called Narnia. She meets a faun, which tells her of a curse that has turned Narnia into winter for a long time, but without Christmas. Seems like my own predicament. But back to the play. As we watched and listened (remember, this is a live radio broadcast, but the acting of the whole cast was superb), instead of handling Lucy to the White Evil Witch who has cast a curse over Narnia (beautifully played by Stasha Surdyke), he lets her go.

(Megan Sanborne, Keith Harmel, Kenneth Woods, & Sarah Gilman)

Edmund meets the White Witch who tricks him into bringing the other three children to her first. You see there is an old rhyme that says:

When Adam’s flesh and Adam’s bone
Sits at Cair Paravel in throne,
The evil time will be over and done.

Now I am glued to the plot as well as to my seat as the story unravels onstage on the BBC radio station live set. Who is Aslan? They say Aslan the Lion is on the move to free Narnia from the Evil Witch’s curse but the four children must help the great Lion as prophesied.

The four children will help save Narnia from the perpetual curse of winter and bring back Christmas and goodness to all the creatures together with “Aslan”, the great Lion. The curse of having no Christmas is broken:

Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.

Father Christmas finally arrives and gives the three children not toys but tools to help them defeat the Evil White Witch. Stumbling upon the prophesy of “a deeper Magic” that the Witch did not know about, Aslan the resurrected Lion with the help of the children, brought Spring and Christmas back to Narnia.

Coming out from the theatre with the cast given standing ovations by the audience for a great performance, I slowly crossed the street of the normal world with my daughter and niece in tow, the soft cool night breeze of Sierra Madre hitting my face gently, and the warmth of Christmas deep inside. Then I remembered a similar story of long ago.

Ages of silence end to night
Then to the long-expectant earth
Glad angels come to greet His birth
In burst of music, love, and light.

Written in 1950, C.S. Lewis dedicated this his first novel “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” with the following:

My Dear Lucy (Barfield),

I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fair tale, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand a word you say, but I shall still be.
Your affectionate Godfather,
C.S. Lewis

Catch the deep magic of Christmas. Watch “Narnia” at the Sierra Madre Playhouse directed by Alison Kalmus together with the Southern California Lyric Theater.

(Sierra Madre Playhouse is at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 and can be reached at (626) 256-3809.)

For show schedule and tickets:
www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

By Jay J. Fermin ppp-usa

The 19th Reflection Awards Night

19th Reflection Awards Night, Sunday, November 11, 2007 Los Angeles, CA.



MyGringos Manny Legaspi receives Award. Photos By Nic Arriola (Philippine Times) and Romeo Balboa (Manila US Times)


L to r - Manny Legaspi - Dr. Ramon Geluz - Kristine So - Jhon and Leila Mendoza - Joseph Gelito - Thelma Aranda Sugay - Dion Santos - Jappy Fancisco and Bennie Lagos. Photos By Nic Arriola (Philippine Times) and Romeo Balboa (Manila US Times)


l to r - Cora Pastrana - Jet Montelibano - Marie Regina Labid - Angelique Gradney - Elwood Perez - Nora Aunor - Annabelle Rama - Eddie Gutierrez - Michelle Molina and Monet Lu. (Photo by Joe Cobilla)

Recognized were Dr Ramon S Geluz (Excellence in Operatic Arts), Bennie Lagos (Excellence in Pastoral Ministry), Kristine So (Young Achiever), Mango Tours / Johnny Francisco (Excellence in Business – Travel & Tours), Jhon and Leila Mendoza (Outstanding Couple), Dion Santos (Man of Style), Thelma Aranda Sugay (Excellence in Newscasting / Film Acting), Joseph Gelito (Excellence in Entertainment – Comedy), and Mygringos.com/Manny Legaspi in photo above. (Outstanding Fil-Am Online Resource).

Also presented with awards were Stephanie Reese (Excellence in the Performing Arts), Cora Soriano (Excellence in Community Service), Dr Pierre Joven (Excellence in Dentistry), Michael “Michelle” S Molina (Excellence in Make-up Artistry), Katrina Nable-Villa (Excellence in Interior Design), Dr Erlinda Enriquez (Hall of Fame Award), Joseph Calderon (Excellence in Trade Show Promotion and; Marketing), Ted Benito (Man of the Year), Fe Israel Benito (Woman of the Year), Cinema Indio/Cora Pastrana (Cultural Pride Award), Jet Montelibano (Excellence in Stage Design & Production), Angelique Gradney (Renaissance Award), Marie Regina Labid (Presidential Award), Eddie Gutierrez (Golden Reflections Award), Elwood Perez (Outstanding Director), and Nora Aunor (Milestones Lifetime Achievement Award).

GO WILD WITH BORN TO BE WILD!

All over the world, attention is geared increasingly toward environmental conservation, yet in the Philippines, a country blessed with so many natural resources, very little focus is dedicated to preserving the environment and its creatures. Taking on the challenge of putting Mother Nature’s welfare at the forefront, GMA Public Affairs has hatched BORN TO BE WILD, a top-caliber production that attempts to bring environmental issues closer to home.

Featuring up close encounters with nature and wildlife, Born to be Wild is a must-see TV offering like no other. Entirely devoted to environment and wildlife conservation, the show is the only one of its kind on Philippine television.

Born to be Wild goes underwater to swim alongside sea creatures, and will take viewers trekking through mountains and deep caverns to discover endemic and endangered species. At the heart of these adventures is a desire to make environmental concerns more real to viewers, and encourage active participation in nature conservation.

The show is hosted by one of Philippines’ famed Everest mountaineer, Romi Garduce, and popular veterinarian, Dr. Ferdinand Recio. As hosts, they both have the credentials because not only are they environment-and-animal enthusiasts, they also have significant exposure to nature and wildlife.

Touted as the Everest man who has paid homage to the world’s highest peak, Romi Garduce, proves there’s more to him than conquering peaks and glaciers.

He is a dive master who is constantly involved in various ecological causes like reconstructing coral reefs in different parts of the country. Also, Romi is extremely passionate about environmental issues and the protection of critically endangered species.

Without plans for marriage in the foreseeable future, Romi regards the environment as his ‘girlfriend.’

“The environment is like a girlfriend. And like being in a serious relationship, you would want it to last longer. You wouldn’t want a disrupted relationship, and wouldn’t want her to get back at you after the hurting stage. That’s why we need to care for it,” Romi said.

Dr. Ferdinand Recio, Romi’s partner in exploring the environment, has seven years of veterinary practice and specializes in animal surgery. And on Born to be Wild, part of his mission is to go deep into the wilderness to rescue and care for animals in distress.

“I see the importance of all lives. Be it an animal or a plant, there’s a reason why they are there. And we should give importance to all who give balance to our ecosystem,” Ferdinand shares.

More importantly, what they want to do with Born to be Wild is to create action beyond awareness, and encourage active involvement from a wide share of audiences – all social classes included. They want to highlight that which is often neglected, and raise the level of appreciation for nature as both of them honestly believe that the Philippine environment is in great danger, rating the country an “eight” on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the worst case possible.

There is still hope, they say, and this is the reason why they took the challenge to stand at the frontline of Born to be Wild.

And for its premiere episode, Born to be Wild brings amazing animal encounters to your TV screens.

Romi explores a remote mountain town in Calatrava, Negros where he meets feisty, little Macaque monkeys. Unlike other animals in the wild, these monkeys are sociable with people, and even look to the locals regularly for food. Romi takes a close look at these creatures and discovers that even in their world; there is politics, social etiquette and a systematic way of life. Romi also uncovers the dangers that threaten the survival of these fascinating animals.

In Palawan’s Calauit Island, Ferdinand discovers a curious Philippine safari of sorts. On this island paradise, zebra, giraffe and other animals are in need of medical attention. Ferdinand and the Calauit caregivers give relief to these animals, curing their wounds and attending to their medical needs.

Through their adventures, they discovered the secret to truly getting to know nature: the willingness to explore the unknown, getting out of your comfort zone, and to go wild, wild, wild!

Call your preferred pay TV operator now to catch these amazing wildlife encounters on Born To be Wild, airing on GMA PINOY TV! For more information, please log on to www.gmapinoytv.com.