Skip to content

233rd National Day of the U.S. of America

golez-brothers-darleneedward amb-kenny-and-anna-sobrepena marilen-margie
1) Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, the Golez brothers -Flag-Officer-in Command Ferdinand Golez and Rep. Roilo Golez, Palawan Mayor Edward Hagedorn;2) The “Blue Ladies” because they were both wearing blue: Amb. Kenney and Anna Sobrepeña; 3)Former Agrarian Reform Secretary Phillip Juico, lawyer Marilen Ramiro, Margie Juico and Fernando Perlas of the DENR

tizon,casiple-mangahas marcelo-and-villa-ignacio grace-escalante-and-dad
1) Alex Tizon, Pulitzer prize winner journalist who is now a fellow at the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Ramon Casiple of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms, and PCIJ’s Malou Mangahas 2) Ombudsman Deputy Dennis Villa-Ignacio and former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo 3) Foreign Service Officer Grace Escalante with her US veteran father.

jr-nikki nanding-perlas-and-rachel-fortun karl
1) Showbiz personalities JR and Nikki Gil with friends 2) DENR’s Nanding Perlas and forensic pathologist Racquel Fortun 3) Karl Wozniak, CEO of KeyWest Freight Inc, who said he is a regular reader of this blog.

US Ambassador Kristie Kenny extolled the values of freedom, liberty and justice for all as the binding ties in Philippine-American relations.

She expressed her gratefulness and aspiration to Filipinos from Tuguegarao to Tawi-tawi who opened their doors and hearts to Americans.

She said she is heartened that Filipinos have made part of their lifestyle American shows like “Ellen” and “Oprah”, in the same way that Americans are admirers of Filipino artists like Lea Salonga, Charice Pempengco, fashion designer Monique Lhullier and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

Nikki Gil sang the Philippine National Anthem and Fil-American JR sang the Star Spangled Banner.

I apologize for the quality of the photos. Lighting was not adequate for a cellphone camera.

Published inForeign Affairs

53 Comments

  1. Look at this. Nag-exchange pa kami ng cards.

    lucio-tan-and-me

  2. dandaw dandaw

    There are a lot of Filipinos that do not watch Ellen Gegenerate nor Ophra or soap operas. I prefer to watch National Geographic, Nature, PBS has a lot to offer when it comes to entertainment in the tube. I wonder if the American Embassy in Pinas served Hot Dog BBQ during the celeb.

  3. There were hotdog sandwiches but not hotdog barbecue. There was Hagendaz (did i spell this right?)

    I’ll continue the captioning tomorrow.I’m so sleepy now.

  4. Ellen, who is the guy with you in the photo?

    Right spelling is Haagen Dazs.

  5. Is that Lucio Tan?

  6. “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”President Barack Obama

  7. dandaw dandaw

    He then should unclench himself because if you know what is going on so far he is the most corrupt president in the U.S. (in 6 mos.) No one and no body will ever surpass him. He is even corrupting the Washington Post which until he came to DC is one of the most biased newspaper.

  8. Lucio Tan ang kasama ni Ellen sa picture. Lucio Tan currently has a serious family problem involving his brother Mariano…so he needs as much media mileage as possible.

  9. Dandaw, BO’s popularity is dwindling. He is biting more than what he can chew! Malapit ng matapos ang romance ni BO sa mga Americans.

    I hope his Afghan war will not be another Irag fiasco. Well, the US lives on wars anyway. Dyan malaki ang kita sa totoo lang. They can sell their guns, equipments and the rebuilding projects can rake in a fortune! We just have to get used to it.

  10. Di ba si Lucio Tan ang isa sa mga cronies ni Marcos? Now he does not like to give back the loot he was given. Ang pera nga naman!

  11. dandaw dandaw

    PSB. We are on the same page when it comes to BO. The Afghan war will not be like Iraq if he listens to the Generals. Iraq was not a total lose. Imagine, it is now a Democracy. Kids can go to school. Women are not abused. To me that is something. Sarah Palin declared she is not going to seek another term as Governor of Alaska. I think she is preparing herself for a higher office. She should, she has truth, justice, honesty on her side. At this point in the U.S. we need honest people to run in public office otherwise we will just be like Pinas. I think that is the direction BO is leading us.

  12. I doubt if Sarah Palin has the full support of the Republicans. She could run as independent in 2012. And what she did was right. Resign as Governor and then focus on her 2012 candidacy. Di tulad sa atin na kumakapit pa sa puwesto pero balak tumakbo ng ibang position. I’m among those who favor changes in our election laws. Dapat mag-resign sa current office ang sino man tatakbo. Kung matalo hindi puwedeng bumalik sa dating puwesto.

  13. hKofw hKofw

    Di ba si Lucio Tan ang isa sa mga cronies ni Marcos? – PSB

    Hangga’t di ibinabalik ang mga perang ninakaw ng mga corrupt na national leaders, kasalukuyan man o nakaraan at mga cronies nila hindi ako maniniwala sa kanilang mga ngiti, mga sinasabi. Ang mga ganid na nagtatamasa sa pagiging kasabwat ng mga korap na presidente ay hindi dapat patawarin at pakisamahan dahil ang kada sentimo na kanilang mga naging parti sa malawakang pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan ay nagdulot ng kahirapan at kapighatian kada isa sa sa mga nakararaming Pilipino ngayon.

  14. Rose Rose

    Ellen: didn’t you at one time, write a coffee table book on Lucio Tan? If I remember right you were assigned to do the job..

  15. Rose Rose

    Bakit nga ba na doon si Lucio Tan..sa occasion na ito..I guess as a former president of PAL? pera pera lang nga!

  16. Tilamsik Tilamsik

    Alipin parin tayo ng imperyalistang dayo!

  17. hKofw hKofw

    Many americans think B.O. has now aligned himself with the hotheaded president Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. Chavez, who is a close ally of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, even called the US president “comrade” Obama. Many consevatives are cricizing Obama for being slow and soft on criticizing Iran (afraid to be accused of meddling) on its savage treatment of its own people demonstrating against alleged election fraud but fast and sharp in criticizing Honduran government on expelling its president who wants to extend his rule which is illegal in the Honduran Constitution. Obama, together with other leaders of Organization of American States (And even the UN!? Is this a taste of future ‘World Government’?) demanded the restoration of the ousted president. What IS their RIGHT? This is a clear case of direct meddling in other countries’ internal affair. A clear case of double standard and hypocrisy. Poor Obama. No wonder his popularity among americans is now declining.

  18. fenix fenix

    The President-for-Life Syndrome might be contagious.
    In the U.S. earlier this year, Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y. introduced H. J. Res. 5, a bill that would repeal the Constitution’s 22nd Amendment which prohibits a president from being elected to more than two terms in office, thus potentially paving the way to make Barack Obama president for life. Not only has Obama established his election-fraud organization ACORN nationwide, his adherents have now begun the process to repeal the U.S. Constitution’s 22nd Amendment.
    See the proof on any of these websites.

    http://www.govtrack.us/congress /billtext.xpd?bill=hj111-5
    http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-hj5/show
    http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HJ_5.html

    Or go to Google and do your own search by typing in H. J. Res. 5

  19. Yes, Anna. It’s Lucio Tan in the picture with me.

    I saw other Taipans there like Alfonso Yuchengco.

    The mix of the US Embassy guests was interesting. Members of the diplomatic community, of course, were there as well as representatives of the American organizations in the Philippines.

    TV host Willie Revillame was also there. Amb. Kenney has guested in his top-rating noontime show, Wowowee.

  20. dandaw dandaw

    fenix, President-for-life-syndrome is the other name for dictators. It won’t happen in America. BO’s popularity is already declining. I don’t believe either that Arroyo’s popularity will not go down dispite if she cheats in 2010.

  21. Regan’s popularity also started to decline after assuming office. Talagang ganyan lang naman ang mga pangulo. Pero sa atin, decline palagi ang popularity ni Bansot. Ang nunal lang niya ang lumalaki.

  22. The military was well represented there. Here’s a picture in the Philippine Star of Ambassador Kenney with Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena and FOIC Ferdinand Golez.

    kenny-with-golez-and-rabena

    I saw the AFP Spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner. I saw former FOIC Mateo Mayuga, who just smiled when egged about the Mayuga report. He said his own security business is doing well.

    There were former AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon and Police Deputy Director General Silverio Alarcio, both of them were with the PSG when Ramos was president and I was covering Malacañang.

  23. Re Rose’s query:Ellen: didn’t you at one time, write a coffee table book on Lucio Tan? If I remember right you were assigned to do the job.

    I was part of a team that did the coffee table book of Allied Bank in 2003. One of the articles I did was on Lucio Tan, Allied Bank’s chairman of the board. But I never got to interview him personally.

    In that US Embassy reception, I mentioned to him that we were together during the state visit of FVR (Ramos) to China in 1993. Tango lang siya ng tango.

    While I was talking with him, his lady aide whispered to me, “Give him your card.” So I gave him my calling card. He looked at it and said, “So you are with Malaya, with Jake (Macasaet).

    He also gave me his card, a Philippine Airlines card. A very simple one.

  24. Ellen, you have quite an interesting mix of people here. I hope you enjoyed the party!

  25. Sa kabilang ng iyong pagiging ikaw ay malaya ka pa ring nakakagalaw sa lahat ng antas ng lipunan, at sa iba’t ibang kulay. Sana’y ganito palagi. Kanino ba natin ito utang?

  26. Taxj, I don’t understand your question: Kanino ba natin ito utang?

  27. TruBue TruBue

    Only inept people would vote for know-nothing-Palin as a Senator or US Prez. It will NEVER happen!

    Give me names WHO were charged and jailed because of ACORN?
    I’ve asked that same question so many times, no one can come up with a legitimate answer. And why did BO only won by over 9 million instead of the projected 20/30 million.

    And how did BO became corrupt? All I know is BO has no acres of Ranch, Oilfields and corrupt Corporations and Construction Companies. People here seemed to forget that Cheney’s Haliburton made millions if not billions of $$$$ due to the Iraq war Bush/Cheney and the ever arrogant Rumsfeld all had started.

    BO’s popularity declining? Some of you must be reading the same newspaper and listening to same radio hosts day in and day out.

    The Family Value Sinless Christian Party known as the Republicans are in disarray. Gov Sanford, Senator Enswine of Nevada, Newt “themouth” Gingrich are all in the same category of womanizing. Luv these christians rightwingers!

  28. I’m low batt and suffering from erectile dysfunction.It has been almost a month since I’m away from blogging. Being overstressed with all things going in life I just decided to take things easy after Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery and tumor removal on my colon, letting myself not to be worried about not blogging, hardly reading weblogs. missing all interesting things around… What is more important I also took a break from my cooking,dish washing, laundry and chauffeur’s job here at SBMA being the CEO of IBM.

    I guess it’s time to come back. It similar to a feeling of coming back from recovery room seclusion that wasn’t too short.The doctors gave me an extension ( not my penis which those nurses loved to insert it on catheters) but an extended stay to enjoy the beautiful life.

    And, of course, I missed some interesting things happened over time.

    -Has anybody else noticed that most news stories about politicians’ affairs are really about women?

    There are women in them, of course. There’s the Wronged Wife of Jose Pidal, who is often portrayed as a victim in stories that frame her in a domestic light, focusing on how she is “coping” and whether “she’ll stand by her man, the Cheating Husband.To end those abuse, according to some naughty internet pundits: Gloria Arroyo underwent removal and replacement of breast silicone implants at a hospital in Muntinlupa outside the National Bilibid Prisons. She has now two watermelon sizes breast hanging on her chest.

    It was the right thing to do, after Gloria Arroyo’s term ended maybe,she’ll drive her own Lamborghini or Maserati, those sports car,the airbag won’t inflate if the driver is less than 5 feet.Kids are not allowed to drive those cars and in case on a head-on collision if Gloria Arroyo ran through a red light and crashed her car into another vehicle at a busy crossroad and the two cars were crumpled past recognition in the crash, her silicone breasts acted as airbag.

  29. And then, of course, there’s the Other Woman, without whom there would be no story. We know her type: a bimbo, a jezebel, a . . . you know. We hear even less from her than from Wronged Wife, since we all know she is (sotto voce here) “unstable.” We might see her photo–preferably a semi-nude shot taken in better days–shared with the press .

    Sarah Palin has pulled the plug on her governorship. Before the end of her only term. At an impromptu press conference. At her house. On a Friday. Before the 4th of July. And refuses to answer questions.

    This is not in keeping with a woman with presidential ambitions and certainly not in keeping with a politician who has learned to milk a media frenzy for every last drop.No. This has the hallmarks of a politician slinking away before the shit hits the fan.

    Really. If this were some double-bank-shot designed to bolster her presidential standing would Sarah Palin choose to duck out on the first day of a three-day weekend? When the entire American mediaplex is off buying ice for the cooler? No way!

    Obama couldn’t even get his own religion right and that was the toughest question he had from the press while running. He also didn’t know how many states were in the U.S. Biden, the actual VP imagines sniper fire just like Obama’s secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. Obama’s Chief of Staff is known for stabbing her cooked meat saying “Die die die.” Compared to these people, Palin is very smart and YES! Palin needs to concentrate on her dysfunctional family and special education children, as Governor, she has NO time to be a Mom and take care of the kids she is doing the right thing..

    Hope the Evil Bitch in Malacanang will do the same thing, she has no time disciplining her children.Look what her two imbeciles son doing in Congress.

  30. T_D T_D

    Also comment from Johnathan | 7/3/2009, 5:58 pm EST

  31. Ellen, sorry. Iba ba ‘yon kaysa, sino ba ang dapat pasalamatan? You see, I see it as some kind of a blessing. And, I’m so happy for you. My fears are unfounded, after all.

  32. Taxj, thanks.

  33. chi chi

    Si Gloria at pamilya Pidal lang naman ang umiiwas sa presence ni Ellen e, kasi hindi sila makatingin ng deretso sa totoong tao.

  34. Si Gloria kasi feeling royalty kaya ang magandang tawag sa kanya Dayang Kaputahan.

    Si Gloria ang kaya lang niya mangurakot at sumipsip sa US.

  35. chi chi

    Cocoy,

    Sabi ko na nga na darating ka na dahil sa isyung resignation ni Palin. Pagaling ka ng husto.

    Although I’m not convinced on her qualification becoming a future presidential contender, I admire her decision (if true) of prioritizing her own family this time that the US media/internet are not letting up on the poor kids. What I can’t fathom is how the US media/internet focus on her children (OK lang na atakihin s’ya because she’s a public figure, but not the little children. Wala akong pakialam kung gawing dios ng US media si Pareng Barak, but taking on the kids of this woman, it show’s how disfunctional Uncle Sam is.

  36. chi chi

    “This has the hallmarks of a politician slinking away before the shit hits the fan.” -Cocoy re Palin

    I hope it’s real and true, Cocoy…then I really could admire her guts and native talent. But you’re right, the now extra-large breasted Gloria can never do what Palin did.

  37. chi chi

    Mateo Mayuga is sooo comfortable now with his ‘well-gifted’ life (thanks to Gloria Arroyo), while the good soldiers he betrayed and left behind bars, and the pinoys in general he chose to ignore are suffering.

    Wow, ang mga korap Garci Generals, nandun sa party ni Meldy. What a company!

  38. chi chi

    Ay mali! Kay Kenny of USA pala ang party. Still, what a company!

  39. Balweg Balweg

    Panahon nga naman…ang mapaglarong kapalaran sa mundo na pulitaka, kakampit mo ngayon…bukas-makalawa e kaaway mo, paglipas ng panahon e heto magkadaop-palad muli sa isang salu-salo.

    Kaya ang biktima e laging ang ordinaryong tao, at ang Inang Bayan.

    Wika nga, kung IN ka e maaambunan ka ng biyaya…but pag OUT ka naman e puro hinagpis at dusa ang aabutin mo. In other word, if you can not beat them…e join ka!

    Yan ang motto ni uncle SAM kaya till now e sila ang naghaharing-uri sa mundo, kaya ang daming nagrerebelde ang mga kukote ng dahil sa kanilang vested interest sa bawat bansa na kanilang hinuhuthutan…pero may kapalit naman ito sa mga makikipag-alyansa sa kanila.

  40. Balweg Balweg

    Oppsss, Folks…di ba itong sina PCIJ’s Malou Mangahas, Ombudsman Deputy Dennis Villa-Ignacio and former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo e kaaway yan ng Masang Pilipino?

    Isa sila sa naghudas sa ating Saligang Batas at tuta ng rehime.

    Buhay nga naman…parang life!

  41. Balweg Balweg

    Pahirit pa…e nasaan ngayon yang sina Dennis V-I at Siemon M. di ba sila yong akala mo ang gagaling sa batas upang ipabilanggo si Pres. Erap?

    Bakit ngayon isang damak-mak na scams ang rehimi ni gloria e tameme silang lahat? Ang pinag-uusapan upang usigin si gloria and her cohorts e yong winaldas at winawaldas na pera ng Bayan?

    Pinagkaisahan nila si Erap ng kung anu-anong kaso at isa yang kapural e yang PCIJ ni Malou…e bakit ngayon tahimik sila sa kangangawa noon.

    Di pa sila abswelto sa isipan ng Masang Pilipino. Ng dahil sa anak ng weteng ni Chavit e nagkaletse-letse ang bayan natin at heto pare-pareho tayong malilikot ang mga kukote sa paghanap ng gamot sa cancer na nagpapahirap sa ating bansa.

    Ang tanong…e nasugpo ba yong weteng na ikinaso kay Pres. Erap? Kaya wala akong believe sa foreign policy ni uncle SAM, but still i love the American people in general.

  42. Rose Rose

    Hindi magagawa ni putot ang “palin act”..takot siya na kung hindi na siya pang gulo ma flat tire na siya..and back to normal..wala na siyang opportunity to soo soo (n)galing flat chested (butas ang kaban) wala ng laman..just wondering ano kaya ang hitsura niya kung wala na ang mga sillicone sa katawan niya..silly cone?
    ..how would she look when everything about her would leak..can somebody draw a picture..ma draw drawing pa ba ang mukha niya? just wondering…and looking for signs…

  43. Rose Rose

    oocoy praying for your quick recovery! get well soon..

  44. Mr. Balweg, jueteng has in fact gotten worse in this administration. Pati mga jueteng witness tulad ni Mayor bumalik na sa jueteng sa Bicol. Si Atong Ang tuloy pa rin. Of course Bong Pineda still lords it over in Central Luzon.

  45. Mapuputol ba natin ang isang puno ng kawayan nang hindi muna tinataggpas ang mga sangang may tinik na nakapaligid dito? Nasaan na si Garci at Lintang Bedol? Bakit tila wala yatang demanda laban kay Ben Abalos. Lalo na ang mga Garci Generals. Gusto nating magluwag ang mga kulungan natin? Palabasin ang lahat na mas mababa ang kasalanan at perwisyong nagawa kaysa kanila.

  46. Liwayway-Gawgaw Liwayway-Gawgaw

    Ellen, mabuti hindi ka ginalis pagkagaling sa party na ‘yan.

    ‘Andami kasing garapatang naging bisita, eh. ‘Yung mga sipsip sa galising asong namamahay sa bulok na sulok ng malakanyang.

    Ang ipanliligo mo araw araw ay buhusan mo ng konting Dettol para matanggal ang kagaw na kumapit sa iyong katawan. Gayundin ang iyong mga damit. Ibabad mo sa tubig-Dettol solution.

    Maige na ‘yung nakakasigurado.

  47. Balweg Balweg

    Mr. Balweg, jueteng has in fact gotten worse in this administration.

    Igan Dodong, tumpak ang iyong tinuran…till now e pinagsasasahan ng rehime ang weteng. Kagagahuhan yong kunyari may raid ang mga pulis-patola e numero uno silang protektor nito.

    Walang maitatagong lihim ang mga ungas sapagka’t ang tao e tao na di mapipigilan ang dila upang magkwento…in short, kailan ba nahinto ang weteng…di ba kwento lang yan ng mga nagpapapogi point sa malacanang.

    Pero yong sobre every kinsenas at katapusan e minsan man di yan nahinto…kaululan yong sinasabi nila na hulihin ang weteng dahil iligal ito?

    Ang taong simbahan nga e di masawata ito e sila pa na numero unong kapural sa pagprotekta sa anak ng weteng.

  48. At isa pa Mr. Balweg, puro sa bulsa lahat ang punta ng kita sa mga jueteng na malaki ang parte para sa Malacanang. May jueteng din noon panahon ni Erap but part of the jueteng proceeds went to the poor and projects like Muslim Youth Foundation.

  49. Chi,

    “Mateo Mayuga is sooo comfortable now with his ‘well-gifted’ life “

    I thought the guy was dying already? Or artista lang iyong pagkasakit niya?

  50. chi chi

    Anna,

    Ellen in her post #22 said, “I saw former FOIC Mateo Mayuga, who just smiled when egged about the Mayuga report. He said his own security business is doing well.”

    Apparently, Mayuga is doing very well, malayo pang mamatay. He’s able to attend high profile parties pa e.

  51. This is not the first time I met Admiral Mayuga in a social function. He has always looked good. I didn’t know he was sick.

  52. Danilo Danilo

    The Golez brothers. A Navy family. The elder brother (Roy) left the Navy as a full captain to earn real money in the private sector. He became a politician after EDSA 86, lost to Freddie Webb on his first try. In 1995, he spearheaded the investigation of illegal gambling, pointing out Bong Pineda as the quintessential Jueteng Lord of all time and GMA’s kumpare and cabalen. Then in 2001 he served under GMA as her National Security Adviser. At the peak of his stint as National Security Adviser to GMA he came out with a much publicized photo of him shaking hands with then US Pres. George W. Bush. He is now associating with former Pres. Estrada to be included in his senatorial line-up. Erap subscribes to the idea that politics is addition and not subtraction. Though he may find Roy grotesque, he can stomach him for the sake of politics. Roy’s son is a councilor in his district. I made my decision not to vote for Roy as far back as Sept. 1999, when the case against Bong Pineda was dismissed by the Rizal RTC. I also smell a whiff of political dynasty, and its nothing personal just calibrated politics. Remember when Navy Lt. Trillanes and the Magdalo went to the senate hearing? They discovered that then Senate President Foot Mouth Decease (FMD I mean just look at that swine) was out to imflict his image before the public at their expense. It started with Sen. De Castro’s question that naussiated me, it went in circles. The Navy officer ended up placating him. Lt. Triller stated during the Oakwood mutiny that they were “prepared for the consequences.” The National Security Guard said in an interview afer the senate hearing that “it was part of the consequence.” Oh yeah.. “that” part. Calibrated to be naughty. Is Roy Pro Arroyo-Bush, or Pro People? Its a free country you be the judge.

    Ferdinand Golez is a career military man. He is currently appointed to an important position in the military, that as Navy Flag Officer In Command. Hurdled the Commission on Appointments and like his counterparts in the AFP, he is doing what he can with what he has, and laying the foundations for a better Navy regardless of who will replace him once he retires. He’s son, an exchange student at Anapolis Naval Academy like his uncle Roy, will still be serving in the Navy by the time he retires. Good man I would say. How to become FOIC ask him not me. I’m sure it was never easy.

    Who is Dr. Anthony Golez? Seriously. I don’t know him, but I have seen him on TV as someone from the office of the press secretary, he used to be with DND OCD. Is he related to all the above? I don’t know. But check out the last name. Or maybe kaapelyido lang.

Comments are closed.