…He recounted the times he had stood to defend President Arroyo, and said, “It pains me grievously to hurt the President and to hurt the First Family because I have invested so much more than any of you in this chamber to help the President become Vice President, become President….”
Reporters later asked De Venecia whether his accusations against the President, members of her family and close associates were a declaration of war. He replied, “Yes.”
OK, let’s get this blog rolling again.
I was recently forwarded a joke email containing the following YouTube video. If it made my mom laugh, maybe it’ll make you laugh too.
After doing a little research, I learned that this clip comes from the 1994 Filipino sitcom/movie Ober Da Bakod (Over the Fence). According to what someone wrote on its Wikipedia page:
The poor brothers Mokong and Bubuli (sons of Lucring Dayukdok) have emotions for the rich sisters Honey Grace and Barbie Doll (daughters of Don Robert Dinero), Mokong for Honey Grace and Bubuli for Barbie Doll. Don Robert doesn’t want the brothers for his daughters, because they are poor. In order to be free to court Honey Grace and Barbie Doll, Mokong and Bubuli climb over the fence.
Don Robert always makes various plans to prevent Mokong and Bubuli to get closer to his daughters. But he always fails due to the intervention of his mortal enemy and former girlfriend, Aling Lucring who happens to Mokong and Bubuli’s overprotective mother. As a result, total mayhem ensues between the two families living a class apart.
A running gag of the series is at the end of every episode, two policemen, Officer Tedera and Officer Ginto, arrest and charge Don Robert of a crime based on whatever scheme he had concocted whether directly or indirectly involved he was. As Don Robert tries to explain his way out of this arrest, the police officers always tell him, “Sa presinto ka na lang magpaliwanag.” (”Explain everything at the precinct.”) Those words have now become a common Filipino catchphrase.
…it’s 2008!
Happy New Year to one and all!
The last time I went to the Philippines during Christmas 2003, I was treated to many trips to the theaters in Robinsons and in the Power Plant where I saw a lot of Filipino films like Crying Ladies, Malikmata (haha), Filipinas, and of course, Captain Barbell. It’s not like I had much choice, though–from Christmas to the first week of January, no foreign films are shown throughout the Philippines (well, for the most part I think). This is the time of the Metro Manila Film Festival.
Someone posted on Wikipedia the 9 entries to this year’s Festival. Here they are:
In what has become the usual trend, sequels and prequels are very prominent in the lineup. An excerpt from an Inquirer article about some of the movies:
“Despite this, sequels dominate this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, with last year’s front-runner, “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo,” following up with “Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo,” which focuses on lead star couple Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo’s characters’ post-wedding bliss—and blues.
For his part, film fest favorite Vic Sotto is wrapping up work on a prequel to his hit “Enteng Kabisote” fantasy flicks. Titled “Enteng Kabisote 4,” the movie nevertheless “starts from the very beginning” in terms of plotting the initial links forged between its human and magical characters. Sotto and Kristine Hermosa star.
And “Shake, Rattle and Roll 9” features three spooky episodes starring a multigenerational mix of veteran and young leads and supporting players.”
Yes, a film series in its 9th iteration. At least the films Star Wars/Star Trek/James Bond franchises don’t put the number in the official title.
One of the films, Anak ng Kumander, stars none other than Manny Pacquiao. You want to see Manny go Rambo on everyone? Well, here you go.
For the past 3 years or so, I have attended the first Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Downtown LA. This Mass always fills the Cathedral to capacity with Filipinos from the many parishes of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Before the Mass, there is always a “Parade of Parols” in which representatives of the LA Archdiocese parishes that celebrate Simbang Gabi parade down the Cathedral center aisle with a parol. They all come in different shapes, sizes, and colors (although some of them looked very similar to each other, as if they were bought at the same place or made by the same person).
If one drives through a Filipino neighborhood at night during this time of year, he/she will see many of these parols hanging outside many homes. Some of these parols can be very elaborate in terms of design and light patterns.
I bet they’re not as elaborate as these parols.
These are the giant parols that are part of the Ligligan Parul Festival held every year in San Fernando, Pampanga (widely known as the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines” because of this festival and the fact that a lot of parols are made there).
Here’s an excerpt from an article about the festival written by Ivan Anthony S. Henares:
“This predecessor of the modern day Giant Lantern Festival was actually a religious activity which we know today as “lubenas.” The lanterns measured just two feet in diameter, a far cry from the fifteen feet that we see today. These were created in each barrio from bamboo and other locally available materials. During the nine-day novena before Christmas, which coincided with the simbang gabi from December 16 to 24, these paruls were brought around each barrio in procession to their visita. Before the midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the lanterns were brought to the town church together with the barrio patrons.
This tradition gradually evolved as the lanterns became bigger and the designs more intricate. Later, one big lantern was made for each barrio, which was created through a cooperative effort. Each resident contributed to its construction, from the concept and design, to the materials and labor. In the end, these lanterns became a symbol of unity for the barrios.
It was in the year 1931 that electricity was introduced to the San Fernando lantern, thus sparking the birth of the first Giant Lantern Festival. The added illusion of dancing lights highlighted the bright colors and intricate designs of these Giant Lanterns. At this time, the lights were controlled by individual switches that were turned on and off following the beat of the music.”
Do any TP’ers have parols that their families hang in front of their homes? Email me pictures and I’d be glad to share them.
Author’s note: Sorry about the extended hiatus - work got to me. Actually, it’s still getting to me, but at least I have some time now to update this blog on a more frequent basis. Merry Christmas everyone!
We have this very important order signed by the President a few minutes ago. Let me read.
Whereas this administration has a policy of releasing inmates who have reached the age of 70;
Whereas, Joseph Ejercito Estrada has been under detention for six and a half years;
Whereas, Joseph Ejercito Estrada has publicly committed to no longer seek any elective position or office;
In view hereof and pursuant to the authority conferred upon me by the Constitution, I hereby grant executive clemency to Joseph Ejercito Estrada convicted by the Sandiganbayan of plunder and imposed a penalty of reclusion perpetua;
He is hereby restored to his civil and political rights;
The forfeitures imposed by the Sandiganbayan remain in force and in full including all writs and processes issued by the Sandiganbayan in pursuant hereof except for the bank accounts he owned before his tenure as president;
Upon acceptance of this pardon by Joseph Ejercito Estrada, this pardon shall take effect given under my hand at the City of Manila this 25th day of October in the year of our Lord 2007.
Signed,
Gloria M. Arroyo
Attested
Ignacio R. Bunye
Acting Executive Secretary
Senator Manny Villar said that the pardon is “a great step toward reconciliation which emphasizes the value of humane consideration and compassionate justice.”
Former President Fidel V. Ramos called the pardon “a terrible calamity to the great, great, great majority of the Filipino people who have suffered from the plunder.”
Hmm…
It wasn’t as action packed as his previous fights, but he still beat Barrera handily. UD12. If a Youtube clip of the fight comes up, I’ll post it (for as long as it’s available).
A more Filipino-American historical post to come later this week.
Edit: this Youtube user’s channel has all the rounds, I think. Watch it while you can!
Last Wednesday night I was browsing YouTube for any highlights of that week’s Champions League action (the premier European club football competition) when I came upon this clip. (It’s in Catalan I believe, but there’s an English summary in the YouTube comments).
The clip was about Paulino Alcántara, unarguably the greatest Filipino football player of all time. He is the greatest goal scorer in the history of FC Barcelona, having scored 357 goals in 357 matches during his playing days from 1912-1927. Yes, this is the same FC Barcelona that once had such greats like Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, and Luis Figo and currently has Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o, Lionel Messi, and Thierry Henry.
He was born in Iloilo on October 7, 1896 and was the first Filipino/Asian player to play in Europe. Here’s an interesting excerpt from Barcelona’s website:
“His ability to hit the most powerful of shots crossed frontiers on the 30th April 1922 when, in a game between Spain and France, he hit a shot so hard that it ripped right through the net. For many years after, children from Barcelona would recall that moment and would wish to do the same as the man from the Philipines.” (Yeah, it was misspelled on the site.)
He retired from football in 1927 to become a doctor. He later became Barcelona’s club director from 1931-1934 and once coached the Spanish national team in 1951. So while the current state of Filipino football is pretty sad, we’ve had good players/national teams long, long ago. Alcantara was the best of them.
Sources:
I’ll do more posts of Filipino historical figures in the future.
Just heard over Philippine radio (and from this Inquirer article) that former Philippine President Joseph “Erap” Estrada has been found guilty of plunder by the Sandiganbayan and has been sentenced to life in prison.
For up to the minute news on big RP events like this, listen to either DZRH through www.eradioportal.com (if you can understand Tagalog) or go to any of the linked Philippine news sites on this page.
Let’s see what the fallout of this will turn out to be….
Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio was recently quoted in Philippine news that the number 13 is former Philippine President Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s favorite number. After all, he was the 13th President of the Philippines. He was impeached by the House of Representatives on November 13, 2001.
The number 13 is also the date in September in which his fate will be decided.
The Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft/corruption court of the Philippines, has until 9/13/07 to deliver its verdict in the Estrada plunder trial. Estrada is accused of pocketing $82 million in kickbacks and payoffs during his term as President (1999-2001 - 31 months). It took 6 years and 155 witnesses, but the moment is finally here. And some folks are getting a bit jittery as for what’s to come.
A 9/4 Forbes article noted that shares on the Philippine Stock Exchange fell 1.7% on Tuesday partly because of “domestic political jitters”. A 9/5 Inquirer article stated that “the Armed Forces of the Philippines brought out its combat troops, armored carriers and cannons to show its readiness to meet contingencies in Metro Manila, amid rumors of fresh destabilization plots and possible violence if Estrada was found guilty.” Malacañang said that these are “normal security measures” and that “the public has nothing to worry about.”
Or should they?
There is the possibility of something going down regardless of the outcome. Should the verdict read guilty, there will inevitably be protests from Estrada supporters, which, according to University of Santo Tomas poly-sci professor Rey Trillana, would be hazardous to current President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for “the reaction of his supporters is something even Estrada cannot control.”
Should the verdict read not guilty, Estrada would be cleared of any wrongdoing and would be in a position to challenge Arroyo’s legitimacy once again by posing himself as a victim when he was overthrown in 2001.
There have also been rumors that Arroyo will pardon Estrada if he is found guilty towards a “greater national reconciliation” according to Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno.
We’ll have to wait and see what happens. Looks like the wild animal that is Philippine politics is primed to receive plenty of attention in the coming days. That’s not always a good thing.
Other sources:
—
Author’s note
Hello to the new and returning members of Troy Philippines. My time as a student @ SC is done, so I won’t be able to see you as much as before. But I’ll be there at the 1st meeting, albeit late. Depends on how nice the 60 will be to me that day.
Let this year be the best that TP’s ever seen….
– Raymond
