In Defense of Dingdong and Marian: WHO CARES?

photo courtesy of the bride's Facebook account

Just today, this morning to be exact, I read an article shared on Facebook about the recently concluded and much talked-about nuptials of this showbiz “royal couple”. 

To summarize, the writer pointed out that the event was a “blatant display of decadence,” to quote, amidst millions of Filipinos who “struggle to find their next meal every day,” to quote again.

A PRAYER FOR YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY

I know of some people who are in another place this Christmas season. 

Some went home to their province, while others chose to spend it several miles away from our country. 

Wherever you are, here’s a prayer for you:

#TheirChristmasHashtag

Since I started blogging in 2011, it has been my tradition every month of December to ask people their thoughts about the holidays, and feature them in this humble blog.

For this year, I am veering away from the usual or commonly asked questions – such as those pertaining to Christmas wishes down to gifts that we would like to receive.

On the MMDA Vendor : THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS

The name of this MMDA traffic enforcer and kakanin vendor at the same time must be a household name by now, most especially after his story was featured by Ms. Jessica Soho no less, in her weekender program.

NA-MALIGNO?

It all happened many years ago during a seminar at a resort in Laguna.

A colleague and I accompanied each other to the restroom to answer nature’s defiant call. After we have entered, we searched for urinals but there were none. Instead, what we found were shower cubicles. It was a very odd feeling since it was my first time to be in a restroom without any urinals and toilet cubicles, not even one.

Drifting.......

              /drift/
               noun
               a continuous movement from one place or another

    

This is just one of the several definitions of the term “drift.” And I zeroed in on this one, for it perfectly sets the tone of this current article I am writing.....

Knowingly or unknowingly, we all have experienced drifting away from something, or from someone. And for as long we are alive, we will continue to experience such.

A Simple Suggestion to Globe

Maybe about 2 months ago, I received a text from an unknown number, informing me that Globe is in the process of upgrading my plan. The instruction further said that I have to text 500 to a certain number, in order to cancel the upgrading.

8 SIGNS THAT YOU HAVE MOVED ON

So what are the telltale signs that you have already moved on (finally!)?

1. When the name doesn't ring a bell anymore...

BLIND ITEM # 5 : Parade of Flesh

 

This local clothing giant prides itself with its annual denim and underwear show. It is deemed as a classy and celebrated event, the reason why many models and celebrities aim to become a part of it.

BLIND ITEM # 4 : Philosopher-Senator

This controversial lady senator did some philosophizing several days ago, upon her mentioning of the catchphrase “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.”

She mentioned this in the wake of an uproar over a very pricey building that was built to the tune of two billion pesos, by the patriarch of her family in an upscale city. Her brother, who now sits as the mayor of that city, described the notorious building as “world-class.”

SENTIMENTAL SUNDAY : Duets! Duets!

PBB ALL IN: The Unlikely Winner

I am a quite certain that many Filipinos out there would have wanted a kababayan to have emerged as the winner in the recently concluded Pinoy Big Brother: All In. As we all know, it was Daniel Matsunaga, a Brazilian-Japanese celebrity, who was declared as the victor – thanks to the thousands (or millions?) of text votes that went his way.

SENTIMENTAL SUNDAY : Misty Glass Window (versions)

MISTY GLASS WINDOW VERSIONS:

- Original : Artstart / Pido (1993)
- Remake : Regine Velasquez (2001)

A BIG NO TO FISH SPAS

Have you been to a fish spa?

If the same question will be thrown at me, then my answer will be in the negative. Moreover, I don’t intend to, not even in my wildest of imaginations.

#MAKEUPTRANSFORMATIONS

Facebook as well as other social media are ablaze with photos of so called “makeup transformations”, the latest internet bug to hit creatures of cyberspace. This fad is a four-part collage that shows an individual mimicking a famous celebrity. 

Complete with props and creativity, the individual transforms himself or herself to look like a celebrity. Others have taken it to another level by parodying a movie character, cartoon character, and even an object.

With this latest craze, will Filipinos be far behind? I will not make this article long, since I will let the following photos do the talking.

Thank you to all my contributors, for allowing me to enshrine your wonderful and wacky versions in this humble blog (XOXO).

Let us start with.....

SENTIMENTAL SUNDAY : The Music of Al Jarreau

Birth Name : ALWIN LOPEZ JARREAU

Born : March 12, 1940

Nationality : American

Here are my favorite songs by Al:

- Our Love (1981)

- Heaven and Earth (1992)

- Closer To Your Love (1981)

BLIND ITEM # 3: His Andres Bonifacio-like Temperament

Who is this local official?

This local official is in the news again, after his short-lived romance with a very controversial all-media personality. But it is not about his personal life this time. 

BLIND ITEM # 2 : Epic Fail Teleserye

I was drawn to watching the first few episodes of this prime time teleserye of a “family” network, for the reason that I was intrigued by its mind-twisting title.  

Consequently, I learned that the story revolves around something sweet and irresistible – chocolate. The principal character is an heiress of her father’s chocolate manufacturing company, and her supposed to be love interest is a chocolatier – a person who makes confectionery out of chocolate.

The Steel Butterfly vs. the Blue Eagle: In Defense of Mrs. Marcos

THE STORY

Last July 5, former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos was invited by Ateneo school officials to grace the 40^th founding anniversary of the Ateneo Scholarship Foundation (ASF), of which Madam Imelda was its principal donor in 1974.

Lessons Learned from Ate Vi's Ensaymadas

1. Do not post on social media anything that might embarrass a person (who is a famous person at that)

Kris Aquino did it in good faith – when she posted on her Instagram the now famous ensaymadas that Batangas Governor Vilma Santos gave her, along with a card that contained grammar lapses committed by the Governor. However, I am more than definite that Kris noticed such lapses, being one person who exhibits a good command of the English language, but continued to post it just the same.

In Defense of PNOY and Nora Aunor

Many people, especially the diehard supporters of Ms. Nora Aunor, were displeased when our Chief Executive dropped her name from our country’s new roster of National Artists – like a hot potato.

BLIND ITEM # 1 : Some Good Things Never Last

This celebrity-legislator (CL) recently made a circus out of the government chamber where he belongs to via a privilege speech, which he laced heavily with dramatic pronouncements, and a music-video presentation to boot. CL’s speech comes at the wake of his pending arrest, due to his alleged involvement in the controversial PDAF scam.

PINOY BIG BROTHER (ALL IN) : A Quick Review

It cannot be denied that ABS-CBN hit a goldmine when it acquired a franchise of Big Brother, a reality game show that started in the Netherlands way back in 1999. It’s local adaptation is called Pinoy Big Brother or simply PBB, and had its debut on Philippine television in 2005.

Chestnut Munia In Our Garden (Mayang Pula)

 

(c) Tirso Paris 2011

At around past 1 PM today, I saw a unique bird perched on one of the leaves of our Vanda orchid. It was small, with a brown body, black head, and white beak. Then it flew immediately to a nearby Ficus tree in our garden. 

Crazy Days - 42nd Commencement Exercises of World Citi Colleges

The days leading to our school’s 42^nd Commencement Exercises, and a few days after it were the craziest of my days in office. My office teemed with people – from students, to faculty, to department heads. Not only this, since I also had to entertain calls from our two other campuses from time to time regarding our forthcoming graduation which was held last April 11, 2014 at Crossroad 77.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE SELFIE?

One time, I saw a female student in our school lobby, seated on a bench, her mobile phone on one hand, getting it on the level of her face, and making those facial acrobatics. So what on earth was she doing? In a faster-than-speed-of-light manner, I figured out what was keeping her preoccupied. 


Can you guess what she was up to?

8 SIGNS THAT YOU ARE A FACEBOOK SNOB

1. You do not, or rarely "like" interesting updates, photos, and other postings by people.

(SO WHAT INTERESTS YOU?)

MICHAEL MARTINEZ: The New Darling of Philippine Sports

Any news and insights about Michael Martinez’s Olympic journey is like a breath of fresh air, amidst all the nasty talks about the Vhong-Deniece-Cedric  saga, and Ruby Tuason’s coming out party as a whistle-blower (complete with that save-my-face attitude). This Filipino figure skater, and our lone representative to Sochi in Russia,  slowly slipped into the crevices of our consciousness sans all the fanfare. 

Are They Heroes?

This local broadhseet’s editors and assistant editors recently chose the PDAF whistleblowers as their paper’s Hero of the Year for 2013, through a votation just amongst themselves. Out of 59 votes, the whistleblowers got 32.

Well, congratulations.

When Your Favorite Snack Reveals Your Personality

Wanna know your personality traits based on the kind of snack food you prefer? Then below are the revelations of a research conducted by Dr. Alan Hirsch of the Smell and Taste Treatment Research Foundation in Chicago:

Cheese curls : 

"Formal, conscientious and always proper, cheese curls lovers can be described with one word: integrity. They will always maintain the moral high ground with their family, work, and romantic partners."

Strangers Again.....

We all start as strangers - precisely because we have nary a clue as to whom we will bump into. But like a moth to flame, we end up with people. Cheesy or not, we need people in our lives. We are all situated in an interconnected network of needs, like it or not. A person has needs that only another person will be able to satisfy. 

Hence, we cannot survive by ourselves alone.

This Local Shoe Brand is an Epic Fail !

Last Christmas break, buying a new pair of formal shoes was the farthest thing from my mind. To begin with, I am not really into such stuff, or shoes in general. They are a necessity though, but I have not gone to the extent of hoarding many pairs.