The World of Second Chances

Maricel Soriano, The Diamond Star

July 17, 2010

That’s Entertainment

Maricel Soriano’s transfer to ABC5 seems futile; the network seems to be a little slow in giving her the right projects. I’m not a Maricel Soriano big fan but when I watched her guesting in GMA 7’s “Pilyang Kerubin,” I’m convinced that she’s indeed the Diamond Star.

Her acting on that particular scene when she had to give up her elder daughter to a childless couple in exchange of some cash for her younger daughter’s hospitalization is just touching; you can feel her grieving. I wonder why ABS CBN let go of a talent like her. Maybe some of her shows did not rate well before? I think what Maricel needs is a sort of a comeback project with a good storyline and good supporting actors. I’m talking about a comeback project so don’t count her former projects in ABS CBN.

Maricel is one actress who’s good at both drama and comedy just like the late Nida Blanca. I’m not sure if she’s articulate and spontaneous to host a talk show.

Seeing her accepting a small yet intensified role in “Pilyang Kerubin” and supporting a newbie like Barbie Forteza may spark criticism because after all, she’s the Diamond Star. So you have to watch her guest appearance to see for yourself that Maricel delivers her role at her best, you’d think the show is Barbie and hers. 😉
Ang Paboritong Almusal ng mga Pinoy

July 17, 2010

Life & Love

1. Pandesal- Mamili ka ng palaman: peanut butter, margarine, ham and cheese o kahit yung coco jam.Sa Balanga, Mulawin pa rin ang leader sa paggawa ng pandesal. Hindi mo nga akalaing mapataob nya ang Julie’s Bakeshop kung pandesal lang ang pag-uusapan. Malaman, malambot, mainit—hindi gaya ng pandesal sa iba na tuyot na nga, matigas pa!

2. Champorado- Masarap syang kainin pag malamig ang panahon, lalo na pag ber-month. Tuyo at champorado ang trip ng iba. Pag lagi kang on the go, pwede na yung oatmeal na hinaluan ng Delfi cocoa. Pero the best pa rin yung batirol na tsokolate o yung mga tsokolateng galing Bohol.

3. Lugaw- pagkain daw ng mahihirap. Sa halagang 10 hanggang 15 pesos, may lugaw ka nang mabibili. Meron din namang lugaw sa restaurant na nagkakahalaga ng 50 to 80 pesos. Gaya ng champorado, mabigat sa tyan. Pwedeng-pwede kung di mo feel ang mid-morning snack.

4. Sinangag at Itlog- tapsilog, longsilog, hotsilog–bahala ka na basta may sinangag at itlog. Hindi ako mahilig sa mamantikang sinangag kaya iniiwasan kong kumain nun sa mga restaurant. Mas okay ang sinangag with little oil, margarine na lang ang gamitin for an added flavor.

5. Kape lang- may taong hindi sanay kumain sa umaga pero kape ang hinahanap. Sa imported, okay ang Taster’s Choice. Sa local naman, Cafe Puro. Nagtataka nga ako bakit hindi makaabante ang Cafe Puro sa isang kilalang coffee brand eh samantalang mas okay naman ang lasa nito. Iba talaga pag nakagisnan na ang brand.
My Mt. Pinatubo Experience (2)

July 16, 2010

Life & Love

It was only in 1999 when Genesis (bus company) extended its route from Balanga-La Union to Balanga-Baguio City. Prior to that, we had to endure the tiring cutting trips from Balanga to San Fernando, Pampanga to Dau, Pampanga to Baguio City. There was an alternative route though. Balanga to Olongapo City to Alaminos, Pangasinan to Baguio City. Pick your choice! (I pick the second one as I’m in love with the greenfields in Zambales and the seas in Pangasinan!)

The alternative route was less tiring but travel time was longer by 1.5 hrs. There was a time when a big flood hit San Fernando, Pampanga so the Olongapo-Gapan road was impassable. The bus (Victory Liner) would have to re-route to Floridablanca where there was a shallow river.

When I was younger and not as street-smart as I am today, I would meet “friendly” strangers along the way. Blame that on the 12-hr travel time; seatmates tend to develop affection for each other. Lol! The first one was named Gerry, a father of two and separated from his wife. We exchanged stories, I told him that I was a freshman at SLU, NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth) and blah blah blah. When we stopped over in Sison, Pangasinan for a 15-min. snack, he treated me with sandwich and soda. Afraid that the soda might be laced with sleeping pills, I didn’t drink it. At the zigzag road, my motion sickness began to attack so I was pale and quiet. Gerry noticed it and gave me a hug. Too bad, two of my classmates were aboard the bus and they kept on asking me a day after if he was my boyfriend. Gerry called me up when I got home (PV Boarding Houses) and he sensed that I was not pleased with him playing lovey-dovey to me. He stopped communicating days later.

The second stranger was a self-confessed ex-shabu user. If he was boasting or trying to cut a deal with me, I don’t know! We exchanged life stories and telephone numbers. I told him that I had a handsome boyfriend when he fetched me home. (No, I’m not being cheap, the man was too insistent!Lol!) He called me up when he got home and just like with Gerry, I told him that I was not comfortable talking with a man who was not my boyfriend. He never called after that.

Then there was a Korean sister who gave me the sweetest pomelo from Davao. An old lady who took care of me when my motion sickness attacked. An old man who tried to deceive me while one of his companions was slashing my backpack. All of them were part of my Pinatubo experience.

Yeah, there must be a topic about “bus incidents” but my point is, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to bond with these people had we had a normal travel time.
Yesteryears Topic

July 15, 2010

Filipino Culture

What/who do you remember when someone ask you these questions about the events of yesteryears?

1. President- It’s always the EDSA Revolution 1 that I remember. I have a vivid recollection of what happened during the change of government. My parents loved Marcos for all the good things that he did for the country and they also loved Cory for her integrity.

2. Child Actress- I wonder where Bamba is. I thought that Ara Mina and Bamba are one person. For those of you who do not know her, she’s the chubby long-haired girl, a child star during the 80’s.

3. Manila- Rizal Park! I do not hear of anyone from the province who is still interested to see the park now. During the 80’s, Rizal Park is something that provincianas like me shouldn’t miss when going to Manila.

4. Cartoons- Smurf! Who wouldn’t love those blue-skinned tiny creatures!

5. Food- Correct me if I’m wrong but I think it was in 1985 when Winchell’s, Mr. Donut and Dunkin were at the peak of their competition. Every student at our school had doughnuts for snack then. One of my classmates, Michelle Robles, whose parents own Michell’s Bakeshop was obviously for Winchell’s. By the way, you can buy Michell’s product at SM malls.

6. News- The news about a group of Satanists who were allegedly responsible for kidnapping young kids and offering them to Satan was a big HIT in 1988. One of my batchmates cried at the top of his lungs when a middle-aged man approached him. This caused school securities to pin down the man. False alarm, he was a bill collector. 😉

7. Fashion Sense- The 80’s had this weird fashion sense with all those big hair, colorful leggings and funny baston jeans. I wouldn’t want to go back to that fashion era!

8. Singer- Madonna! She’s just good at reinventing herself. At 50-something, she can still beat other young singers. Her “Material World” was my favourite then.

9. Song- We Are The World- As a young child, I was just impressed at the song. Period. Now that I’m an adult, I don’t just appreciate the song but the efforts done by the singers in making a beautiful song for a cause.

10. Loveteam- No questions asked, the Sharon-Gabby loveteam of course!
Three Years Of Hell

July 13, 2010

Health & Beauty

Korean actors. Japanese businessmen. Ordinary people. We can all be victims of depression that may lead to taking our own lives to ease the unstoppable emotional pain. I was a victim of depression… and I managed to get out of it.

As early as ten years old, I remember feeling emotionally down and helpless. There were personal reasons that triggered it but at that very young age, I thought that maybe, it was just part of my growing up.

The first time that I thought of suicide was when I was 14 or 15 years old. It was my second time to experience depression. The first time lasted for almost a year. Fortunately, all my depressions did not affect my schooling.

In college, my third time, the depression was triggered by a bad relationship. Often, I thought of ending my life.

The worst depression that I had was in 2001 to 2004. I couldn’t sleep. I had no peace of mind. I had a stormy relationship at a time when I was so sure of my feelings and it pushed me to a downward spiral. Ironically, those were the years when I thought that I was at my best at work.

Manic-depressive. I was in a state of mania during the daytime and in a state of melancholia at nightime, when nobody could see the tears falling from my eyes.

I tried to ask for help and support from my then bf and my late mother. But no matter how much they loved me and cared for me, they just couldn’t understand that depression really exists. It takes one to know one; they wouldn’t know the feeling because they didn’t experience it.

In 2004, I had a brief talk with one of my friends named Fred. I told him that I had enough of everything negative that was going through in my life and I shared the reasons why I was depressed. His words were full of positive energy, some of it rubbed off on me.

Little by little, I managed to survive. Little by little, the pain was subsiding. I was fully healed in 2004! All it took was one kind word from a friend who never judged me why I was depressed.

Rationale, we could have avoided these suicides if we would be emphatic on family or friends who need emotional support. And if we are the ones who need emotional support, let’s remove our pride and seek help from family and trusted friends.

I was depressed and in a hellish state for three years and yet I managed to get out of it WITHOUT even taking Prozac. You, too can manage. Celebrate life!
Missing Boy: Ram Ram

July 9, 2010

Life & Love

I fail to write down his mother’s name and his full name, too but this three year-old boy named Ram Ram has been on the news since early this week. His family name sounds like they’re Muslim.

The little boy was with his yaya when an unidentified woman approached them and introduced herself as a relative. She borrowed Ram Ram from the yaya and told her that she would just be buying ice. The kidnapper did not return prompting the yaya to text Ram Ram’s mother about the incident.

The mother was hysterical. She lost her youngest child last year and she admitted that she has not yet moved on. With Ram Ram, it’s a bigger tragedy because she doesn’t know where the little boy is and what intentions the evil kidnapper had on her mind. My heart goes out to Ram Ram’s mother. I am a mother, too and a very protective one.

The yaya was put in jail for charges of negligence. Could she be part of the kidnapping? Was she too trusting or she was just too gullible?

We can only hope that the CCTV camera from a nearby warehouse can unlock the mystery on who really took the boy. Personal interest or syndicate, what that person did is KIDNAPPING and she or they should pay for it!

Let us be vigilant, people. If somebody from your neighborhood suddenly appears with a three-year old boy, it would be helpful to contact the police to conduct an investigation if who they have with them is Ram Ram.

August 29, 2017 Update:

Seven years after I wrote this article, Ram Ram is on the news again. His mother thinks that Ram Ram is in the hands of the Maute group and is being groomed as a child warrior. =(

http://www.pinoythinking.info/2017/08/mom-cries-for-help-lost-son-turns-up-as.html

September 5, 2017 Update:

Ram Ram is said to be reunited with his parents. What a happy ending!
SBMA/Gapo Restaurants

July 7, 2010

Travel

http://kaasikid.blogspot.com/2010/07/subicgapo-food-trip.html

san ba ok kumain sa subic or gapo? kung me kasama kang local ok rin para madaling hanapin or be adventurous explore the place.

1) Wimpy’s – fast food to. maraming branch sa gapo meron din sa subic malapit sa entrance. try the cheeseburger.
Iris says: Try mo yung parang chicken lauriat nila dun. Mura ang food dun tapos masarap. Favorite ko yung Wimpy’s sa may Magsaysay. Then yung nasa loob ng SBMA. Favorite spot ko yung sa may kaloob-looban para walang makakita sa lakas ng kain ko.

2) Meat Plus – sa subic to. try nyo ung steak nila. ok din ung ambience.
Iris says: Pang-sosyal ang Meatplus. Hindi lahat afford kumain dun. Nung kumain kami dun, nalimutan pa yung isang order namin. Muntik na naming layasan.

3) Coffee Shop – medyo malayo to sa subic. papuntang zambales na. try the tacos.
Iris: Ah…dyan ako unang dinala ng mga IE. Hindi ako gaanong impressed sa menu nila.

4) Rico’s – located sa residential part ng gapo. me mga lutong bahay. try silog meals.
Iris: Saan yan?????
5) Sam’s Pizza – located sa gapo along magsaysay. me live band. of course, try their pizza.
Iris: Hmmm.,…di ko matandaan sino ang kasama ko nung kumain ako dito.
6) Extremely Espresso – located inside subic. try their big pizza saka coffee.
Iris says: Ah, okay dito. Very cozy. Meron pa ba nito? Di ko to napansin nung nag-SBMA kami ng friends ko.