I was saddened by the news that Rudy Fernandez has passed away due to cancer. Though it was known long ago that he is burdened with the terrible disease but I thought things has gotten better. He died last June 7, 2008 and I only got to hear the news today June 9.
I never liked Rudy Fernandez but he is undeniably one of the best actors we have of all time. I remember watching his movie Bingbong Crisologo with my father. It was a memorable one as he had a steamy love scene with Christina Gonzalez and my father didn't know how to react as I was young then, I was not suppose to see such scenes yet.
He will surely be missed by a lot of people. The Philippines has lost a great actor. May his soul rest in peace.
Summer is already biting on our skin as the heat of the sun is getting stronger and stronger. At this time of the year, people are already planning where to go. Boracay is the top choice as always. If only I have a budget for a Boracay trip. I want to take my family to Boracay or Palawan or Puerto Galera or Anywhere nice to cool down a bit.
I have been a call center agent for over a year now. The pay is good yet it is not enough. I have two kids who are in a private school. They are bright kids that deserve good education so a private school is the only choice. It is already May tomorrow and the scare of the forthcoming enrollment period is already haunting my sleep and even my everyday thinking. When I go home from work, I pass by 3 malls displaying so many things that I want to buy. Not for my self but for my wife coz you see, I miss the days when I would take my wife to a date. The last movie we went to was Shake Rattle in Roll last December of 2007. It was my children's choice. The other day, I was asking my wife to go on a date with me even for just a simple window shopping at the nearest mall. As a housewife where she is very good at, she calculated the money we may spend like a burger and a coke, the fare, the urge that we may buy something to take home. It would be a small amount of money but still it will ruin the budget especially now that we are anticipating a huge sum of money to be used for my children' schooling-- new set of clothes for them, books, tuition, and the usual school stuffs.
Sometimes I am thinking what it is like if I am still single and I own my money. I would be enjoying the things that many people enjoy. The party, the beach trips, traveling.... But then, as I look at my children, these little things that they do, I kind'a enjoy them too. I go home to a family which is far more enjoyable than going to summer trips and when you get tired, you go home to an empty house or room.
I just wish now that I can enjoy life if I can offer my family more. A play station portable for my son, a collection of barbie dolls for my daughter and a house for my wife with a huge kitchen. Mine will be an entertainment room where I can enjoy my collection of DVDs and everything. I just wish life will be a lot better.
Filipinos are lovers of music. There are so many talented singers in the Philippines that most South East Asian people fear competing with. Our standard of music is too high that some people would say that we are the most difficult people to please. I would like to share all the contestants of American Idol who are Filipinos or at least Part Filipino.
From season 3, Jasmine Soriano Trias is a Filipino-American singer and entertainer who was the third-place finalist on the 3rd season of American idol due in part to tremendous call-in support from California, New York, and her native state of Hawaii. She has released 2 albumsto date, one in the US and one in the Philippines
Another one from season 3, Ciara-Camile Roque Velasco Filipino-American singer and, was one of the finalists on the 3rd season of the reality/talent-search television series, American Idol.
Born in Makati City, Camile Velasco's family later moved to Haiku, Maui—located in the islands of Hawaii. Prior to American Idol, Velasco was a struggling songwriter/composer who worked at her parents' IHOP Restaurant in Kahului. She has since released a single with Universal/Motown, headlined events in California, Hawaii, and elsewhere, and is currently working with Loudmouth/Uhype and various California producers to complete an album.
And of course season 7's Ramiele Malubay from Florida. Ramiele wants to be the first Filipino American Idol.
The top twelve of the American Idol were already chosen by America. I heard before that this batch has the most talented contestants but I must disagree as the top twelve seem to lack talents that previous batches had. Regardless, I am happy that our very own Ramiele Malubay made it to the top twelve. Other Filipinos have mixed feelings about her as she does not equal the talent that most Filipinos have but who cares? She's a Filipino, she made it, that is what matters to me. She makes me more proud. Here are the 12 finalist:
American Idol continues to have more and more controversies. David Hernandez is rumored to be an exotic dancer in a bar for gays. Ramielle has her own share of controversy. She was photographed in a not so decent poses. I have seen the photos and they look as if she was just kidding around with friends. There is nothing wrong with those as compared to Frenchy Davis and Antonella Barba's internet scandal. I am posting her photos here not to mock this girl but to prove a point that these photos don't mean anything but just a girl joking around with friends. Here are the photos:
Isang sulat halaw sa tambalang Nicole Hyala at Chris Tsuper ng Love Radio....
Sa aking pagtanda, unawain mo sana ako at pagpasensyahan. Kapag dala ng kalabuan ng mata ay nakabasag ako ng pinggan o nkatapon ng sabaw sa hapag kainan, huwag mo sana akong kagagalitan. Maramdamin ang isang matanda. Nagse-self pity ako sa tuwing sisigawan mo ako.
Kapag mahina na ang tenga ko at hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi mo, huwag mo naman akong sabihan ng "binge". Paki-ulit na lang ang sinabi mo o pakisulat na lang. Pasensya ka na, anak. Matanda na tlaga ko.
Kapag mahina na tuhod ko, pagtiyagaan mo sana akong tulungan tumayo, katulad ng pag-aalalay ko sa iyo noong nag-aaral ka pa lamang lumakad.
Pagpasensiyahan mo sana ako kung ako man ay nagiging makulit at paulit-ulit na parang sirang plaka. Basta pakinggan mo nalang ako. Huwag mo sana akong pagtatawanano pagsasawaang pakinggan. Natatandaan mo anak noong bata ka pa? Kapag gusto mo ng lobo, paulit-ulit mo 'yong sasabihin, maghapon kang mangungulit hangga't hindi mo nakukuha ang gusto mo. Pinagtiyagaan ko ang kakulitan mo.
Pagpasensiyahan mo na rin sana ang aking amoy. Amoy matanda, amoy lupa. Huwag mo sana akong piliting maligo. Mahina na ang katawan ko. Madaling magkasakit kapag nalamigan, huwag mo sana akong pandirihan. Natatandaan mo noong bata ka pa? Pinagtiyagaan kitang habulin sa ilalim ng kama kapag ayaw mong maligo. Pagpasensiyahan mo sana kung madalas, ako'y masungit, dala na marahil ito ng katandaan. Pagtanda mo, maiintindihan mo rin.
Kapag may konti kang panahon, magkwentuhan naman tayo, kahit sandali lang, inip na ako sa bahay, maghapong nag-iisa, walang kausap. Alam kong busy ka sa trabaho, subalit nais kong malaman mo na sabik na sabik na akong makakwentuhan ka, kahit alam kong hindi ka interesado sa mga kwento ko. Natatandaan mo anak, noong bata ka pa? Pinagtiyagaan kong pakinggan at intindihin ang pautal-utal mong kwento tungkol sa iyong teddy bear.
At kapag dumating ang sandali na ako'y magkakasakit at maratay sa banig ng karamdaman, huwag mo sana akong pagsawaan alagaan. Pagpasensiyahan mo na sana kung ako man ay maihi o madumi sa higaan, pagtiyagaan mo sana akong alagaan sa mga huling sandali ng aking buhay. Tutal hindi na naman ako magtatagal.
Kapag dumating ang sandali ng aking pagpanaw, hawakan mo sana ang aking kamay at bigyan mo ako ng lakas na harapin ang kamatayan.
At huwag kang mag-alala, kapag kaharap ko na ang Diyos na lumikha, ibubulong ko sa Kanya na pagpalain ka sana...
dahil naging mapagmahal ka sa iyong ama't ina.
I am a subscriber of Globe Broadband Services. Am I proud? NO! Since day 1, all I have experienced was inconvenience. My internet connection is equipped with a phone service which I never have for almost a month. Globe was kind enough to promise a compensation for that by giving a discount which did not appear on the first billing statement. I called their customer service and complained about it. They said they are going to do something about. I was made to wait for 2 minutes twice which was not a standard procedure in a call center environment. You can only put a customer on hold for a minute the first time and 30 sec on the second time and there is no more third time or else the quality evaluator will bug you. In a number of times I called to complain, only two or three knew what they were saying. After a lot of calls, I was promised that the adjustment or discount was already taken cared of and it will reflect on the bill. a day after that, they sent me a text message confirming the adjustment. Then my bill came. Wow I was surprised that not only was the adjustment NOT reflected on the bill, but I had to pay a bill in advance. Meaning I had to pay for the days of service I was yet to consume.
Then one day, I lost my connection. 2 weeks of no connection. I was running on a deadline for a work related thing and this was globe had to offer me. What a service. When I called Customer Service, all they could say was the Engineering Department has no feedback as to why there was no connection in my area. All they could do for the moment was to report to Billing Department of such and give me an adjustment...again. I told the customer service that I did not apply for an internet service to get an adjustment. I decided to have my connection cut but I was told that I am within the lock-in period so If I want to have the service cut, I have to pay a termination fee equal to one year of service fee. I said I was aware of it as it was stated in their terms and condition. Does it mean I have to bear the crappy service for a year before I can get rid of them?
Right now, my internet connection is back. problem is, a dial up service is faster than it. Didn't they advertise that "Sa Globe, tuloy tuloy"? In my case "Putol-putol!" Question is, do I recommend globe to others? Do I have to answer that?
Charise Pempengco is the star of 2008. I saw this 15 year old kid on TV and I immediately searched for her videos on youtube and I instantly became a fan. After the unsuccessful bid for the Asian Idol title by Mau Marcelo, this is a good way of making up for it for the country. Here are the videos :
Another surprise for me is the triumph of a Filipina in the Miss America Pageant. Funny thing is she won last 2001 and I only got to know about it now. To know something about her, here is a little background of her.
Angela Perez Baraquio, the 24-year-old Physical Education
teacher who Miss America 2001, is a daughter of Philippine-born parents
living in Hawaii. Her father, Claudio Fernandez Baraquio was born in
Pangasinan, while her mother, Rigolette Perez grew up in Manila.
Please click this link or copy this link and paste it on the browsers address bar to go to her own website: http://www.angelaperezbaraquio.com/.
Here is her picture.
Welcome to 2008 and goodbye to 2007! As the Chinese people believe, 8 is a lucky number. I hope we are all going to be lucky this year.... not only this year but for many years to come. Now, what will be my plans for 2008? Well, my monitor is not working right. I need to buy a new one. I was told that a new regular monitor costs 4,000 while an LCD is just 7,000. You just add a little more to get a better monitor. I guess I will just go for the LCD. Next year, if my credit card application is approved, I might use my very first credit card to get the LCD monitor. I am wishing as well for a new play station for my children. PS2 or PS3 whatever. I have so many things in mind without even considering my monthly income. Gosh, I just hope I win the lottery so I can have all I want.
In a few more hours, we will be bidding goodye, farewell, sayonara, aloha, paalam to 2007. Tomorrow, my family and I are going to SM to celebrate New Year the whole day. Last Christmas, we went to SM to see a movie--Shake Rattle and Roll. The movie was good but the previous sequels were better.
Next year is a new year for struggling for better life. Work hard for an income that does not meet your needs. Don't you think working abroad is a better option? My friend and workmate is leaving for Bahrain soon. The pay is not that high but it is much better than her present pay. With her experience abroad, she has a better chance of getting a job somewhere else like Canada, Australia, or to her dream place, London, England.
Anyway, I look forward to a better year this year and who knows, I might get an opportunity abroad this year. May God bless with so much fortune next year.
Not that I am bitter but I am not happy with the result but if its any consolation, the contest was based on popularity and not on talent. I was about to accept that Mau will not win but at least the title could have landed on a better singer than the Singaporean and I guess the judges agree with me that Mike and Jacklyn Victor deserve it more.
Anyway, congratulations to the winner
I have always been a fan of singing competitions. American Idol is one of my favorite singing competition that is why when Philippine Idol was launched, I eagerly supported it. The winner Mau Marcelo was my early favorite. I never supported a contestant even the ones that I liked better. With Mau, she was an excemption. The concept of the Idol Competition was not acceptable because popularity wins over talent and that is not a competition is about. I supported Mau because she had the talent but was losing to contestants with lesser talents. As a representative to Asian Idol, I hope we join hands together as we hope for Mau's triumph.
