The World of Second Chances

We Are The World:From Africa to Haiti

February 4, 2010

Career, Finance & Product

There comes a time
When we head a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

We can’t go on
Pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of
God’s great big family
And the truth, you know love is all we need

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your heart
So they’ll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me

When you’re down and out
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There’s no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well, let us realize
That a change will only come
When we stand together as one

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me

Twenty five years ago, a group of singers sang together a song written by the late Michael Jackson. The lyrics above and the melody created a timeless and priceless masterpiece. Twenty five years ago, the world was worried and concerned over Africa. Twenty five years later, a group of singers will sing the same song but with a different melody. The composer would not be around to join the singing though. This time, they will do it for earthquake-stricken Haiti. I can’t help but shed tears of joy to see that when the worst event happens, people can be so charitable. Love and sharing is in the air.
The Jason Ivler Case

January 29, 2010

That’s Entertainment

The case of Jason Aguilar Ivler is something that fits http://www.crimelibrary.com. First, Jason is affiliated with the Aguilars of the local entertainment. Uncle Freddie’s song “Anak” gave the local song industry honor and prestige when it was recognized abroad and translated into different foreign languages. Cousin Megan almost made it in the local TV industry. Maybe that Aguilar connection provided him the opportunity to be a TV star on his own right. Several years back, he was casted as “Bullet” in GMA-7’s now defunct teen-oriented show, the TGIS (Thank God It’s Sabado) At that time, he was a big nobody. Not even TGIS fans recognize the screen name behind the character he portrayed in TGIS. (Refer to http://tgisaturday.tripod.com/history.htm. Opposite the character Bullet was a “?” )Call it déjà vu or coincidence but the screen name (BULLET) that he used in TGIS would seal his fate in the future as he is the prime suspect for the shooting of Renato Ebarle Jr.

Second, Marlene Aguilar- Pollar, his mother, is a book writer and artist. Her influence, as far as her book and arts are concerned, is something that is never to be underestimated. In addition, Marlene could have connections in the political and business world. After all, she is married to Stephen Pollard, an economist working for the Asian Development Bank.

Third, Jason was a former US army, who at 20 years of age, was sent to Iraq by the US government. Is he suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome? How was his behavior months after he came back from Iraq?

Fame, money, connections; very “crimelibrary.”

Now Marlene is talking about conspiracy theory. The government that she accused of trying to harm her child is the very same government that she’s now asking for assistance since Jason is an American citizen.

Last November, we saw a mother who was suffering in great emotional pain for her son. She begged Jason to surrender himself because according to her, “the people are harassing the people that you love.” This is contrary to the witness’ cum tipster’s information that strange things were already happening in the Pollard residence in early December.

Mr. Pollard is obviously uncomfortable at the situation his family is dealing with. He is the exact opposite of his wife who cries before the camera and can beat any seasoned actress at that! Yes, Jason was not in her home, if a home to her does not include the basement. After all, the mansion is so big and thanks to the tipster; who could ever think that that house has a basement anyway? Had Jason did an Anne Frank who spent years living in the attic, I wonder if the tipster would have an idea that he was there and I wonder how the NBI agents would pursue him, given that he had a strategic position up there.

Jason’s case has garnered a following, including both male and female supporters who are attracted to his “bad boy” image. However, admiration based solely on his looks is not a justifiable reason to support him. Regardless, at this point, Jason is still innocent until proven guilty, and justice and divine guidance should prevail in his case, as well as the ongoing investigation involving the Ampatuans.
Kris Aquino:Love Her or Hate Her?

January 18, 2010

That’s Entertainment

Sino ba si Kris Aquino para sa ordinaryong mamamayang gaya ko? Dumating at umalis naman si Kris ay walang mababago sa buhay ko bilang Pilipino.

Kris is in the news again. Hiwalay na (muna daw) sila ng asawang basketbolistang si James Yap. Isang Mayen Austria ang tinuturong dahilan ng matinding away-selosan ng mag-asawa. Bago pa man nangyari ang insidente, nag-away na rin ang mag-asawa bago mag-Pasko.

Sige na nga, si Kris Aquino at sampu ng mga celebrities na pinapanuod ko sa TV at pelikula ay may entertainment value sa akin. Never mind kung wala silang economic value sa akin. Heck, nagtatrabaho ako ng otso hanggang dies oras kada araw kaya ibalato na ninyo ang showbiz sa akin sa freetime ko. Ano bang bago kay Kris ulit? Yung temporary o trial separation ba yan kay James? Sa totoo lang, si Kris ang tipo ng taong mamahalin mo at kamumuhian.

Kamumuhian mo sya sa kanyang pagiging taklesa. Masabi, masabi. Walang patumanggang magbigay ng komento o opinyon sa isang tao o bagay. Eh ang Pinoy pa mandin ay sensitive by nature, so madaming naiinis sa ugali nyang yun.

Kamumuhian mo sya dahil obvious namang spoiled brat sya at hindi nya na-outgrown yun. Wala yata sa bokabolaryo nya ang pagiging humble at simple just like her late parents. I don’t know if there’s some truth to this rumor that there was a time that she was very proud to purchase an expensive pair of jeans na “katas ng Luisita.” Okay, fine. Not everybody has hacienda and she should be aware that her very own Hacienda Luisita is plagued with controversy.

Kamumuhian mo sya sa kaaertehan nya. May maarteng cute at minsan naman, cute din ang kaartehan nya! Wag lang sosobrahan na parang nag-aastang 18 years old sya.

Mamahalin mo naman sya sa kanyang pagiging honest. Sya pa nga nangangalakan ng estado ng relasyon nya sa mga nakarelasyon nya, di ba? Hiwalay kung hiwalay! Keber ba kung ano sabihin ng tao. Nagka-STD, pinagtawanan, niyurakan—nagpakatotoo lang sya.

Mamahalin mo sya dahil para syang isang batang nangangailangan lagi ng masasandalan. At ang mga Pilipino ay natural na mapagkalinga. Hindi nyo ba napapansin na sa bawat pagkadapa ni Kris, nariyan ang mga taong umuunawa sa kanya? May mga kumokondena man sa kanya, marami at marami pa ring nagmamahal.

In my humble opinion, hindi na tamang ibalik pa kung ano ang ginawa ni Kris sa nakaraan. Noong panahong naging other woman sya ni Philip Salvador, madami ang nagalit. Pati pamilya nya, nagalit din. Very much married si Philip kay Sony Dabao at kahit dumating pa si Josh sa buhay nila Philip at Kris, hindi nakipag-divorce/annul si Sony. Ganti? Siguro. Noong panahong hiwalayan nya si Philip, madami pa rin ang nag-react. Bakit daw iniwan kung kelan baon sa utang si Philip? Ano ba talaga ang punto? Kinokondenang kabit si Kris pero hindi pwedeng layasan ang naghihirap na si Philip? Dalawang magkaibang argumento yun.

Mas malalang kontrobersya ang kay Joey Marquez at ang simpatya ng tao ay na kay Alma Moreno. Naging sila, naghiwalay, nagsumbatan sa TV at umamin pang may STD! Pero gaya ng nauna, pinatawad ng sambayanan si Kris.

Ngayong sya naman ang nasa posisyon nila Sony at Alma, kinokondena sya ng mga detractors nya komo “gawain” din naman daw nya yun dati. May ganun? So pag ang magnanakaw pala na nagbagong-buhay, hindi na pwedeng mag-report sa pulis pag sya naman ang nanakawan? Pag ang babaeng pa-abort nang pa-abort dati at ngayo’y handa na sa pagiging ina, di na pwedeng magpa-check up sa OB-Gyne?

Ang argumento ng karamihan sa galit kay Kris ay paulit-ulit at walang sustansya. Bakit hindi na lang sabihing, “Kris, ano pa mang estado o pagbabago mo ay walang kwenta sa amin. Maaalala pa rin namin na kabit ka nila Philip at Joey?”

Sabagay, si Kris Aquino ay Kris Aquino na. Love her or hate her, wag masyadong paapekto at hindi sya national issue. 😉
Reason, Season and Lifetime

January 8, 2010

Life & Love

I feel bad when people dear to me lose
connection with me. I know that even the greatest
relationship can be strained due to a lot of reasons
like distance, lack of communication and shifting
interests.

Somebody wrote that people come to our life for
a reason, a season and a lifetime and that we should
be grateful that they came to our life whether
it’s for a reason, a season and a lifetime.

Instead of feeling bad about some friends who no
longer want my connection, I am grateful that they
were there during the lowest point in my life. It’s
time to move on and make new friends that will
hopefully be there with me for a lifetime.
Ala Paredes as Sketch Artist on Ampatuan Trial

January 6, 2010

Life & Love

A year ago and randomly, I thought of Ala Paredes. She’s the daughter of one of APO Hiking Society’s singer, Jim Paredes. Just very randomly, I asked myself where this pretty and curly-haired young lady is. From what I remember, she used to be a MTV VJ and an endorser of a shampoo brand. I used to read her blogs, too at her personal website.

I didn’t expect that I would see her on TV last night. According to the news, the 26 year-old lady is just on vacation from Sydney, Australia. Twenty-six? Time flies so fast, indeed. No, she’s not in town to shoot for another shampoo commercial. She’s not in town to endorse a political candidate. She is in town because a judge(?)-friend asked her to be the sketch artist of the Ampatuan trial.

Ala probably wants to embark on a career in the Philippines but from what I expect of her, she could be an effective talk show host like my idol Ms. Daphne Oseña-Paez. (Daphne broke my heart when she left Proudly Filipina. =[ )
Maguindanao Massacre On DVD

January 5, 2010

Life & Love

Gross! That’s how I feel about it. It is reported that some DVD vendors are selling the Maguindanao Massacre for PhP100. It reportedly contains the burying of the victims’ cadaver. Who exactly videotaped the incident and how the DVD leaked is still a puzzle. I can understand the evilness of the one who videotaped it as he is (and all the rest who participated in the killing) Satan incarnated. From the start, we know how they are capable of hurting and killing people. What I do not understand is how some people, the vendors and suppliers, are making profit at other people’s misery. These people, (the victims of the massacre), were harassed, tortured, mutilated, maybe even raped and murdered much worse than an animal. These suppliers and vendors are not empathic with the victims’ family. Then they would claim that they are just making money to earn a living? Oh, well…making money at other people’s misery.
Christmas Memories

December 19, 2009

Wedding & Family Life

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos

I belong to a religious group where Thanksgiving is celebrated instead of Christmas. For 31 years of my life, I used to celebrate Christmas with my family and childhood friends. I celebrated Christmas even if it’s just for socialization’s sake. What is so magical about Christmas? Isn’t it that the early pagans are the ones who first celebrated this supposedly holy occasion?

Ah, let me regress through the times that I celebrated Christmas with my family and friends.

The year was mid-80’s. I was in 3rd grade when I received a total of 700 pesos as Christmas gift. It was a big amount at that time. I was able to buy a new pair of Mighty Kid shoes because of that. It’s good to have generous relatives during Christmas. =)

When financial crisis hit our family in the late 80’s, I saw my mother’s worried face three weeks before Christmas. I overheard her talking with my father.

“Magpapasko na wala pang damit ang mga bata,” she said. (It’s about Christmas, the kids don’t have new clothes yet)

It was our hardest and poorest Christmas. Thank God, my father was able to get a commission a week before Christmas.

Early 90’s, when money flowed in like flashflood, was the first time that my brother and I got our first signature clothes and shoes. It was also the time when I realized that having signature items would not make me a bigger person especially if the people around me are not aware of what’s original or what’s fake. (Like hello, everyone can have fake LV’s but only a few can tell which is fake and which is not fake!)

My relatives from my mom’s side love to eat. We get together every Christmas and we just eat and eat and eat! Oh, I almost forgot that our family had Noche Buena.

My saddest Christmas was sometime in late 90’s when I pleaded hard to my daughter’s father to please stay with us and don’t go home yet to his parents in the province. It was so sad a Christmas that until now that I no longer celebrate it, I still feel that pain whenever I remember that day.

There was a time when an ex-lover and a current lover would race to give me a call at 12:00 AM or Noche Buena. I should be happy to have two men “fighting” over my attention and affection but the joy was superficial. Who wants to deal with an ex who could not move on and a current who competes with my ex?

Of course, pre and post-Christmas parties with my friends were one of the most memorable. My childhood friends are like my brothers and sisters; I can be my true self when I’m with them.

Christmas or should I say, December 25 would never be the same without my mother who passed away last May 2009. Generally, our home at the province will never be the same without her around. If there is one wish that God would give me, I would ask Him to tell my mother that her kare-kare is still the best. That her crema de fruta is what I can’t replicate. That her hundreds of godchildren appreciate her small tokens. That she doesn’t need to bother giving me Christmas presents. That she is still the BEST mother in the world.

*now I am crying*