It was year 1983 when I first heard his name. My eldest sister has gone gaga on his hit album with the songs "Thriller" and "Beat It." I grew up having Michael Jackson around. In news, in radio, in school. Everywhere. There, the Michael Jackson fanatics are now mourning. I just hope that a proper tribute will be given to this multi-Grammy awardee.

There is no doubt. It is undisputable. Our very own Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao sealed his mark in boxing history.

His brutal left hook that literally brought Ricky Hatton to sleep is indeed one for the books. The Pacquiao-Hatton fight will definitely be a center of talks in the boxing world in the next decade.

What made Pacquio’s victory even sweeter is the fact that Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Hatton gave statements prior to the fight underestimating Pacquaio’s strength in the ring. They actually made a fool of themselves. Taking the words of Freddie Roach, Hatton puts his mouth first before the fight and it paid off.

In an interview with the international press, Pacquiao said “our strategy was the one punch…left hook, right hook…that was going to be the key to this fight.”

So there it was. Roach and Pacquiao brilliantly executed their plan. I was quite disappointed for I gave Hatton a higher grade not knowing that he would not last three rounds. Twice down on the first round and slept on the second round. Too bad.

But of course, a big celebration for all the Filipino people and the Pacquaio fans around the world including Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington, Puff Daddy, Jay-Z and the Boston Celtics. We are really proud. First time high-rate Hollywood stars becoming fans of a Pinoy from Saranggani province, Philippines. Kudos to the Pinoy champion! The king of the ring, Manny Pacquiao!

Literally following the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Every Good Friday, for 23 years now since 1986, Ruben Enaje made it a practice to commemorate the life of Jesus and thank God for his “second life” by being nailed in the cross.

San Pedro Cutud in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga became famous worldwide because of the hundreds of flagellants and the nailing in the cross as a re-enactment of the death of Jesus Christ.

Every year, thousands of tourists and international media flock to San Pedro Cutud to witness the event. Enaje is just one of the many faithful who practice this penance. But this year he is doubly happy because he will be the lead actor to the Senakulo or the re-enactment drama. He will play Jesus Christ.

They are building a statue of Mother Mary taller than the Statue of Liberty. It is the talk of the town, especially to the Catholics. It is being built as a sanctuary to the faithfuls seeking remedy for their ailments and answers to their prayers. It will be the home of Father Fernando Suarez, the now famous Filipino-Canadian healing priest.

Father Suarez hails from Taal, Batangas. He is 41 years old. He is the one supervising the Montemaria Shrine, a project of the Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation (MMPF), a group that aims to “seek holiness in evangelizing and working with the poor through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

Father Suarez said in his dreams, a plan came into life – an image of the majestic statue of Virgin Mary looking over the horizon, a guide for travelers and a proclamation of love and faith.

During his healing Masses in the Philippines, thousands of faithfuls line up to hear Father Suarez’s prayers. He is considered as a gift from God by many. Some believe that he was chosen to heal their wounds, both physically and emotionally. Whether or not his gift is true, still Father Suarez was very charismatic and credible enough to put up a huge infrastructure project such as the Montemaria Shrine. It is a multi-million project -- all funds from private individuals and followers, none from the government.

Father Suarez is quite a phenomenon in the Catholic circle. His kinds are rare. Some are real and some are fallacy. His works reflect the a culture of men who believe in miracles and extraordinary works of faith.

Even in darkness, a little voice can spark a light…That is Charise Pempengco. In the midst of quandary and hopelessness for many Filipinos, she became an inspiration.

Her fame began when she was discovered by Ellen Degeneres and Oprah Winfrey on YouTube. With a voice that is as powerful as Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, Charise Pempengco is a born diva.

Her latest stint at the pre-inauguration party of newly-elected US President Barack Obama captures the entirety of Charise’s fairy tale-like life. From a simple girl dreaming of becoming a known singer, she was given an opportunity to become enormous and famous all over the world.

Charise’s story is a light to every artist struggling to be appreciated and discovered. Her story is a reminder that even in our darkest hour, we should have faith. Somewhere, sometime, someone will answer our prayers.

Artist.

Singer. Legendary master rapper.

Songwriter. Musician.

Producer. Actor. Director. Host.

Businessman. Designer.

Model father. Loving husband.

Exemplary citizen of his time for he dedicated most of his songs to advocate for nationalism.

An idol with substance.  

A victim of Leukemia.

Born October 4, 1964.

Died March 6, 2009

The whole Filipino nation grieves with the death of a Master. One of the few Filipino artists who will always remain in the Pinoy psyche. Paalam, Francis Magalona.

He is the Pambansang Kamao (national fist) of millions of Filipinos all over the world. His life is inspiring to many. He became a living hero to the poor and a hope for the Filipino athletes.

Pain. Sorrow. Grief. Actually, there is no exact word
to express what his family experiences right now. He was taken too soon. And sadly, in a way that is very difficult to accept.

Julian Carlo Miguel "Amiel" Alcantara was killed in an accident inside the Ateneo de Manila University parking lot recently. He was run over by a speeding van driven by Ma. Theresa Songco Torres.

Amiel was only 10 years old. Of course, his family was devastated. I can only sympathize with them. It is very hard to think that such a wonderful child would die too soon. He could have become a great man.

Losing someone in an unexpected way is a traumatic experience. One needs enough courage to face reality. And as they say only time can heal the pain.

When asked by the media whether or not he has forgiven Amiel’s killer, his father has this to say: “If he can look at herself in a mirror and says that she already forgave herself…then she would be forgiven.”

Amiel’s killer was already charged before the courts. She posted bail for temporary liberty. Amiel’s case is one in a thousand. It doesn’t happens everyday that a child would be accidentally killed in a parking lot.

A 20-year old Filipina ballerina was killed in United States. I don’t know her. I don’t even know how she looks. All I know is her name. Beatrice Mary Saludares. She was hit by a car on Route 24 in Harford County, Md.

She was part of the Washington Ballet Studio’s Company tour for the 2008-2009 season. According to the ballet company’s artistic director, Mary was a beautiful dancer and a “radiant soul” who always share peac e and joy.

Kind words. That is all that was left of Mary’s dreams. I reach out more for her family. She died too soon not fulfilling her dreams yet. Her parents are most devastated because the person responsible for her death has not been charged yet. What a pity.

I wish that all those who seek justice will be given justice. Even if it means that they are aliens in American soil. I am joining the appeal to jail Mary’s killer. America is a land of dreams. It is a land of salvation for the oppressed. So it must be.

Saludares is just one of the many Filipinas who died in foreign soil. Most often than not, they were deprived of the justice they deserve. This is reality if you come from a third-world county like ours.

I love his show. He makes me feel life. He gives me inspiration to learn more about other people – their food, their life, their culture.





Unlike other travel journalists, he doesn’t seem boring to me. No scripts. No rehearsals. Just plain, factual, candid, and bold Anthony Bourdain.

I am a fan. Yes, I would admit that. I am not even sure what made me love this guy. Maybe it is because of his superb insight at NO RESERVATIONS, the number one travel show in the globe.

Bourdain’s love for food is contagious. He surely knows what he is doing. He doesn’t need a script. A 28-year veteran of professional kitchens, Bourdain experienced it all – from the dishwashing tub, to the oven and down to the tables.

To know more about him and his travels, read his books, Kitchen Confidential, A Cook's Tour, The Nasty Bits, and the partner book to the Travel Channel series, No Reservations.

As for me, I am more than a fan now that Bourdain visited our country, the Philippines. I am doubly proud though because out of the 7,000 islands in the country, he chose to go to Pampanga and taste our very own “Sisig,” a native cuisine of the Kapampangans (Please see related story at Celebrate Life in Pampanga!).

In his own blog, Bourdain wrote the following about his recent trip to Angeles City, Pampanga, Philipines:

“What we did get right, I'm quite sure, was making sure that the amazing, porky delights of "sisig" got plenty of camera time. If you've never had this divine mosaic of pig parts, chopped and served sizzling and crisp on one side on a screaming hot platter, then you've yet to have one of the world's best beer drinking dishes. And speaking of pig? It can now be said that of all the whole roasted pigs I've had all over the world, the slow roasted lechon I had on Cebu was the best. This puts the standings in the Hierarchy of Pork as follows:
#1. Philippines
#2. Bali
#3. Puerto Rico”
By Anthony Bourdain on February 16, 2009

Anthony Bourdain is one of the icons in travel and living channel. What he says matter to the whole world, especially to those who respect food and cultures. I am very proud that he visited our home province.

(Photo from Pinoyweekly)

He came out to expose corruption. He named the biggies who allegedly collected millions of pesos grease money from the NBN-ZTE deal. He showed moral courage to reveal the truth. He gave Filipinos hope that moral recovery is still possible even in a very corrupt bureaucracy like the Philippine government.

But his 15 seconds of fame was very short-lived. The following days after his expose were mostly spent for prayers and Masses. That is to pray for his peace and safety.

Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, the whistleblower in the NBN-ZTE deal scam was abducted, coerced, harassed and charged by several officials and personnel of this government. And for what? For blowing the horn and naming names. For standing up for what is right and for exposing corruption activities of the big names in Philippine government.

The Senate feast on the issue. They conducted investigations in aid of legislation, so to say. They asked Lozada to face the whole world and courageously pointed his finger to the First Family and President Arroyo as the alleged orchestrators of the scandalous NBN-ZTE deal.

Until today, no one was charged and convicted though in relation to the NBN-ZTE scam. But Lozada was charged by the Department of Justice and the Ombudsman for his alleged violations of the anti-graft practices during his term as president of the Philippine forest Corp.

Yes, only in the Philippines. Here, if you are a whistleblower, better be ready to face the vultures in the government for they will get back to you. And most often than not, the hero ends up as the villain. They will search all dossiers against you and they will bury you alive. I just hope that Jun Lozada is fine as well as his family.

The story of Jun Lozada should not depress us but rather it should inspire our spirits to fight for what is right and to carry on the crusade for good governance. The Philippine government will not change overnight but each day that we call on the abuses of our government and we fight corruption even in the smallest of ways, we will definitely win in the end.

(Ronalie and first-born child, Stephanie)

Daboy is only few of the gifted children who has high IQ and EQ. Parents with exceptional children should be supportive of them. It would help to exchange notes with other parents to gain more information about gifted children. I read an article once that says the "gifted" is not equals to a "genius." Gifted children are children advance both in intellect and emotional development as compared to theri peers.