Kawawa naman ang mga inosente na nagiging biktima ng palpak na trabaho ng mga intelligence operatives ni Gloria Arroyo. Noong Sabado, pinagmalaki ni Arroyo ang…
Making life worth living.
Kawawa naman ang mga inosente na nagiging biktima ng palpak na trabaho ng mga intelligence operatives ni Gloria Arroyo. Noong Sabado, pinagmalaki ni Arroyo ang…
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales said that the Philippines might seek custody of the American servicemen accused of raping a Filipina last Nov. 1 in Olongapo…
From Emma Roxas of KME: KME (Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya) is holding a massive prayer rally and mass mobilization on Nov. 11, 2005, at 2 p.m.…
Nambola na naman si Gloria noong isang araw nang magyabang siya na gumaganda raw ang ekonomiya sa ilalim ng kanyang pamamalakad. Pinagyabang niya na lumalakas…
The comment of Secretary for Government Media Serge Remonde on the appointment of Rigoberto Tiglao, head of the Presidential Management Staff, as ambassador to Greece…
Noong linggo ng gabi, pinanood ko ang Pinoy Big Brother kung saan may interview sa audience kung sino ang gusto nila ang hindi ma-eliminate sa dalawang housemate na nominate ng kapwa housemates na alisin, si Jason o si Sam.
Kilig na kilig ang mga fans ni Sam. Nang tanungin kung ano ang gusto nila sa Close-up model, ang masasabi lang nila ay, “Guapo siya!”
Sa mga gusto naman na si Jason ang manatili sa Bahay ni Kuya, ang sabi nila ay, “May pamilya siya at mas kailangan niya ang pera.”
Lumalabas sa mga sagot ang mga bagay na binibigyan halaga ng Pilipino. Katulad ng pisikal na kaanyuan. Bilib tayo sa guapo. Kung sabagay, maliban sa guapo, mabait naman si Sam. May pagkamahiyain nga.
At mahalaga rin sa atin ang pamilya. Si Jason ay may asawa at anak at tingin ng marami parang katulad rin nila siya .
Ang nanay ng aking kaibigan na si Chit Estella, editor ng PJR Reports, ang magasin ng Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, ay pumanaw noong isang linggo sa Philippine Heart Center.
Sabi ni Chit, mga ilang oras raw bago pumanaw ang kanyang, ina nagkukwento siya tungkol sa kanyang mga yumaong kamag-anak. Para bang sinusundo siya.
Ganoon rin ang Nanay ko noong maysakit siya. Tuwing ma ika-anim ng gabi, palagi niyang kausap ang kanyang mga yumaong kapatid. Sinasabi niya, “Halika. Nagkapag-saing ka na ba?” O kaya sabihin niya, “Ayaw ko pumunta sa tabing dagat.”
Wala ako sa tabi ng nanay ko nang siya ay namatay ngunit sabi ng aming katiwala, sinasabi raw niya sa kanyang yumaong kapati, “Hintayin mo ako.”
There is no escaping Pinoy Big Brother these days.
While I was having a medical check-up some weeks ago, the cell phone of my internist’s assistant rang. My internist immediately recognized the ring tone. Amused, he remarked, “That’s Pinoy Big Brother.” The assistant replied, “I got this from you.”
Past 9 p.m. at home, I would be preparing to sleep but I could hear Jason’s jokes, Say’s whining and other housemates voices because my sister-in-law, nephew and niece are ardent followers of PBB.
Two weeks ago, we (mostly non-showbiz columnists) had the pleasure of being brought to “Bahay ni Kuya” by director Lauren Dyogi, the young and good-looking business unit head of the hit show, and the well-liked Boy Abunda. We visited the PBB house on Eugenio Lopez Drive in front of ABS-CBN’s The Loop.
The PBB set is a marvel. It’s a house within a house. Enclosed by a wall with one-way mirrors is a tastefully furnished living unit with two bedrooms, one bath, large living room, kitchen, a garden and a swimming pool. Twenty-six cameras record all the activities within the house including the bathroom (they, however, devised a way that the housemate’s privacy is respected while taking a bath).
Last Friday, former AFP Chief of Staff Fortunato Abat and former Budget Secretary Salvador Enriquez held a press conference at the Café Roma in Manila Hotel. The two are the primemovers of the Christian Nationalist Union which calls for the ouster of Gloria Arroyo and the setting up of a new government to be run by a council.
In past interviews, Abat had been quoted as advocating the establishment of a junta.
Last Friday, Abat denied ever having advocated for a junta.
Enriquez , on the other hand, used a new term for the alternative they were offering:constitutional protective option.
The day before, Inquirer came out with a story on the U.S. Embassy report linking former President Ramos, former National Security Adviser Jose Almonte,Abat and Enriquez to a plot to oust Arroyo.
Abat denied working with Ramos saying that the last time they talked was in 2001 during Edsa II. Enriquez answer was more intriguing: “I do not know that there is such a plan.” So, could there be a plan he doesn’t know?
What was surprising was Abat’s criticism of protest actions against Arroyo. He said “when rallies are dispersed, they convey defeat. They are symbols of defeat. They strengthen GMA.”
Enriquez, made a revealing remark: “Had GMA fell earlier ( when there is no ready alternative yet) who would benefit?
Those remarks reveal the closeness of their position with FVR who has also shunned joining rallies and who said that he supports GMA because “there is no alternative.”
Abat and Enriquez said they had just come from Washington D.C. where they met officials (they decline to reveal the identities of people they met) who told them that House Speaker Jose de Venecia had also been there lobbying for support for his Cha-Cha.
Talking with Abat and Enriquez strengthens my suspicion that they are part of FVR’s network. They shake GMA to compel her to depend on FVR. But it seems they have met their match in GMA who is as wily and as unprincipled as their principal.
Last Oct. 24, 2005, I wrote in Malaya about FVR’s agenda:
I find the justification of former President Ramos of his support for Gloria Arroyo unprincipled.
In a speech before three major business groups last week, former President Ramos explained his support for Gloria Arroyo: “If I have been supportive of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, it is only secondary and incidental since there is no other better alternative right now.”
The problem with Ramos is that he wants to be the alternative.
(Holidays are a good time for reflection. I’m sharing this article I wrote for the Dec. 2004-January 2005 issue of Mirror Magazine)
There are things that we reserve for special occasions. Like, I use my
lovely handkerchiefs when I go to important meetings. I use my nice
sleepwear when I travel.
Upon discovery of my cancer in the ovary, I decided to wear those nice
things more often at home. I said to myself, “What for do I reserve these
things? I may not live very long.”
Cancer causes changes in attitudes and priorities. As I learned to value
each single day as a bonus from The Lord, and therefore must be spent
meaningfully, I was also faced with the dilemma whether or not to pursue
big projects that require longer time. That’s because surviving cancer
comes with the reality that the disease could recur anytime.
Should I abandon the European trip that I was planning with relatives?
Should I continue with the renovation of our house in the province? Should
I plan long term?
I adjusted my priorities, with my health as the top consideration, but I
did not altogether cancel my long-term plans.