Juliana's Blue Moon Week

Philippine actress Juliana Palermo is not just another hot babe. The girl has brains. She's pretty and intelligent. I really like her.

It has been a ‘Blue Moon’ week
SIZZLING HOT By Juliana Palermo
The Philippine Star 01/08/2006

At last, the first week of the year has ended! Everyday this past week has been very interesting to me.

It feels as if I’ve grown a couple of years older with the events God handed me a few days ago. I realized life wouldn’t be fun without trials. Doesn’t it make sense? There are times when I want to give up, but I’m still hanging in there.

Everyone, I guess has his own share of problems. But that’s just what makes most things exciting –when you’re challenged.

When they say "Everything comes and goes…" it is literal. Nothing is permanent, everything has an ending. The same thing applies to problems. I write this because I simply want to share the things I’ve gotten out of life.

The one thing that has kept my head above water is prayers. It’s sad to say but living in this world is just like making one big movie. You always have to think, "Whatever happens, the show must go on."

It’s just one of the harsh realities of life.

Sometimes, it’s better to step back and watch how the situation is going before making decisions.

And speaking of movies, I haven’t really had the chance to watch any lately. Although my week wasn’t going so smoothly, it at least started off with a good film. I’ve been so pre-occupied with a lot of other things that I’ve only seen one film festival entry aside of course, from Mourning Girls.

My manager and a good friend of ours, Agatha, invited me to watch Blue Moon earlier this week.

I’m really not into watching "period" films, but since I wasn’t too busy that day, I decided to join them.

I honestly thought it would be boring. It came to my surprise when I found myself in tears in the middle of the movie. I hardly ever cry in theaters, but for some reason, this movie has its way of touching your heart and making you realize things.

The story is all about finding true love. A man named Manuel, played by Eddie Garcia and Mark Herras in his early years, is in search of one woman.

Two other men, Christopher de Leon and Dennis Trillo, are as heartbroken as Manuel is.

Manuel is in search of Corazon, his childhood sweetheart. Corazon is played by Boots Anson-Roa, Jennylyn Mercado and Pauleen Luna.

Manuel doesn’t have much time left to find his true love, but he keeps trying and trying.

He goes everywhere and does everything he can to find her. The one thing that makes the film so romantic is the love that gives Manuel the courage to really try to find Corazon.

One thing I realized when I took a step back from my situation this past week is that half the title of this film gave me an overview of my whole week. It was a blue week for me!

It’s touching to watch Blue Moon because it teaches you how to trust and love. It also gives you hope that someday, you will find your special someone. It makes you want to start all over again after a heartbreak.

I’ve been happily single now for a couple of years. In fact, I consider myself a hopeless romantic.

I believe everything happens for a reason, and if two people are meant to be, they’ll end up together.

Blue Moon will make you realize a lot of things. If you’re one of those who don’t believe in love anymore, this is the perfect movie for you.

Watch it and let me know what you think of it. Have a blessed Sunday!

POLITICOS CAN LEARN LOTS FROM HER. Greed not being her creed, 12-year old Cristina Bugayon is intent on returning the hard cash and cheques totalling half a million pesos that she found to the rightful owner. Her mom cooks for a small food stall to eke a living for a brood of eight kids. Cristina is a grade six pupil at Tomas Morato Elementary School in Quezon City. She was taught well. Photo by JIMMY CARBO for the People's Journal. January 6, 2006. 

It is difficult...

...and that is an understatement.

It is an understatement to say that I can manage to survive.

It is nothing but short of a miracle that I am surviving.

It is difficult.

It is difficult to tell, to explain, to describe...

I am surviving but deep within is a volcano simmering in anger and frustration.

My heart aches. My heart bleeds.

I am angry.

It is difficult.

A Talk to Google's Larry Page in 2038

This humorous futuristic interview with Google's Larry Page at Google Blogoscoped is a surefire humor but it is also ominous. Check the portion I have quoted below:

I find it fascinating these days, you can have conversations with the Google search box like it would be your best friend.
Exactly. This was the stuff we wanted to have there from the beginning. Some of us thought it would take us 300 years, but they didn’t include robotic personnel working for us into the calculation. This changes the whole game. But with this high artificial intelligence naturally come new problems as well.

Are you referring to the case of the teenager committing suicide after being rejected?
Right. Because the Google AI was so friendly to her and listened to all of her problems, everyday, she fell in love with it. When she wanted more, we just couldn’t offer this to her. This is quite tragic and we’re currently introducing mechanisms to make the Google AI come off as a bit more “unlovable.”

Like what mechanisms?
Every once in a while, it will say “shut up.” [laughs]

The entire piece is worth the read. ;)

New Dubai Ruler is a believer in change

I read this on Bahrain Tribune today.

Dubai (AFP) - The UAE appointed the Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and Vice-President, succeeding his elder brother Shaikh Maktoum.

The official WAM news agency said Shaikh Mohammed, currently the Defence Minister, was also asked to form a new cabinet. Officials said they did not expect a major reshuffle in the government.

“Members of the Supreme Federal Council ... agreed to charge Shaikh Mohammed as Prime Minister to form a new government,” WAM said. It said the council, headed by UAE President, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, elected Shaikh Mohammed to his new posts.

The current Cabinet was sworn in after the death in 2004 of the then UAE president, Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Shaikh Mohammed is a moderate Arab leader. “I say to my fellow Arabs in (power): If you do not change, you will be changed,” he said in a conference attended by Arab and world figures in Dubai last year. “If you do not initiate radical changes to restore respect to public duties, uphold the principles of transparency, justice and responsibility, your peoples will resent you, and the verdict of history on you will be severe,” he added.

Shaikh Mohammed, 56, over the course of 20 years, transformed Dubai into a popular tourist destination. His decision in 1985 to arm Dubai with an airline, Emirates, was undoubtedly the most crucial move at the core of his strategy to develop the city. In the following years, numerous tourism projects were launched, as well as various free zones – mainly for Internet and media – which contributed to the city change toward a business hub. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001 on the US, Shaikh Mohammed has been endeavouring to fight all links between Islam and terrorism and show that Islam and modernity are compatible. “The evil has been committed by the perpetrators and not their religion. We should never brand Islam and Muslims with such terrorist acts,” he said following the attacks.

Born in Dubai in 1949, Shaikh Mohammed studied in a military college in Britain before starting his public career in 1968 as the director of police and public security in the emirate, which was still a British protectorate.

Shortly after independence in December 1971, he was promoted to a general by his brother, Prime Minister Shaikh Maktoum, and was nominated as the defence minister for the new federation. He was the youngest minister in the world. He is passionate about horses and takes part in races of endurance, while he is keen on poetry.

Full STEAM ahead! This is the theme of Ramon C. Angel, President of the Filipino Club Toastmasters 3029-79. The guy admits that he is not a talker but his commitment and leadership will not be hampered. He stands on his outstanding performance as a past president of the association of Filipino engineers, architects and technicians in Bahrain. Go, Mon! Charge full steam ahead!  

Another angle of the oath-taking. From left, Immediate Past President Albert Gayo administering the oath, Sergeant-at-Arms Sayed Abbas Al-Alawi, Treasurer Salman Ali Salman, Secretary Noril Pilpil (she's on the picture but might as well could not be; she is dwarfed although you can see her legs), VP Membership Hani Ali Saleh, VP Education Ali Shahbaz Ali and President Ramon C. Angel. VPPR Hassanain Al-Saffar is not on the picture. He has to skip the program because of a personal tragedy. 

Filipino Club Toastmasters 3029-79. Officers for the second term, 2005-2006 took their oath of office with Immediate Past President Albert Gayo administering the oath. These are the leaders who will see to it that the Club grow to be the cynosure of Toastmasters in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 

A Filipino of faith, Faith in the Filipino

It has been days snce my last post. I wanted to post a lot of things lately but something would always come up and everything would fizzle out. Today, however, I just have to make sure I share this inspiring article which Jeck, a friend and a colleague from the Managers for Christ Toastmasters Club in the Philippines, forwarded to me.

It is from the column of Max Soliven of the Philippine Star.

A Filipino of faith
BY THE WAY By Max V. Soliven
The Philippine Star 12/19/2005

We keep on paying lip service to the catchword, "Faith in the Filipino." In this Christmas season of hope - and also sadness - this faith and confidence in ourselves too often falls short of being justified.

However, here's one story which I must tell.

This incident took place last Thursday in the late afternoon. I was rushing home in my car, an X-5, from my last meeting in Makati - already far behind schedule, since my next appointment, after a change of clothes, was in Malacañang. My vehicle broke down in the mounting rush-hour traffic on the Paseo de Roxas, not far from the corner of Buendia. There I was, frantically trying to hail a cab in vain while the avenue was crawled alongside, almost gridlocked. My desperation must have been all over my face. I had fruitlessly attempted calling my Stargate office on Ayala Avenue, then my associates and friends nearby. I needed a car badly to rescue me from the corner where I had been stranded. But nobody could be contacted.

Then a white Chevrolet Ventura pulled up to the curb. The young man at the wheel leaned over, his window rolled down, and asked: "Can I help you, sir?"

I blurted out, "Yes - my car over there broke down. I must get home in a hurry! Can you bring me somewhere where I can find a taxicab?"

The fellow smiled and said: "Hop in, Sir I will drive you home."

I scrambled aboard, thankful to the kind stranger, and God - and for my good fortune. In retrospect, I wonder why it had never occurred to me he might be an armed hold-up man. I guess it was the disarming nature of his smile, his earnest approach. Yet now could anyone be so generous as to stop in the middle of traffic, then offer a total stranger a ride all the way to his home? He hadn ' t even asked how far away I lived; he'd made the offer without hesitation.

When we were underway, I asked to shake his hand and asked for his name, "My name is Alex," he simply said. 'I'm Max," I replied, then fished in my pocket and offered him my card. He peered at it, then exclaimed: "Wow. It's an honor! I read you every day!"

"Now. Alex, you owe me your card in return." I said.

Stopped at a light, he took out his wallet, got one and politely handed it to me. It read: Alexander L. Lacson, above which was his firm's title: "Malcolm Law", underneath that, "A Professional Partnership." By golly, I had been rescued by a lawyer.

There you are. Somehow, when faith in the Filipino wavers, a Filipino comes along to restore your faith. Restore it? So surprise you with his kindness and generosity. This is an experience - and a shining gesture - I'll never forget.

* * *

I finally told Alex I was headed for Greenhills. He grinned. "By coincidence, since I ' m taking you there, my destination happens to lie not far away - I'm headed for Wack-Wack subdivision to give a talk at a Christmas party."

"Why?" I exclaimed. "In addition to being a lawyer, are you also a preacher?"

He smiled even more merrily and explained that he had written a little book. It was on the car seat beside him, and I picked it up. It was entitled: "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country."

Alex had his little volume (108 pages) published earlier this year by the Alay Pinoy Publishing House in Quezon City, and it had sold out in its first printing within three weeks. The second and third printings were about to sell out, too.

No, he wasn't selling it through any bookshop, the biggest book shop (unnamed here) wanted too big a portion of its possible earnings, but I told them I wanted the proceeds to go to a scholarship foundation for the needy."

So, Lacson has been selling his book out of his office and out of his home.

The dedication of the slim tome reveals his sincerity. It says: "To my Creator, who has blessed me with so much, and to my Country, which yearns for love from its people."

As we drove up EDSA, Alex said: "I read your mother's book, 'A Woman So Valiant,' too - and I loved it!"

Can you beat that?

My mama had written that book of hers in longhand, on yellow pad paper not long before she died at the age of 81 on October 16, 1990 - and belatedly, we had
published it last year. Astoundingly, it had been a runaway bestseller, without publicity, and had sold out in the National Bookstores.

My sister, Mrs. Mercy S. David messaged me when she arrived from New York that the Japanese were now planning to transcribe the autobiography into Japanese and publish it in Tokyo, as a chronicle of what happened to a Filipino family in the war years (and during Japanese military occupation). The proposed Japanese title, "A Valiant Mother and Her Nine Children."

But that's another story, far removed from today's inspiring tale about Alex Lacson's Christian spirit and generosity. One thing Alex said demonstrated he had really read Mom's book. He remarked that the thing he vividly remembered in Mama's memoirs was that, in spite of our poverty, she had determined: "I don't want my children to feel poor." Thus, one of us or two of us in turn had been taken by her, on her meager
earnings as a seamstress, to eat at a good restaurant. The "classy" restaurant of the time, Alex recalled from its mention in mama's book, was The Aristocrat. How lives intersect in this spinning world.

To get to the end of the "rescue" saga, Alex Lacson drove me to my home in Greenhills, and I noticed he never broke a traffic rule. I was tempted, in my
selfish agitation to get home and get my tuxedo for the State dinner in the Palace, then dash over to Malacañang, to cut corners, such as push into the opposite lane when stuck not far from the Buchanan Gate, in order to sneak into the Gate. But Lacson calmly awaited his turn in traffic. Obey the law and obey the rules were obviously the bedrock of his "12 Things" credo.

In any event, getting to Malacañang in the end was only the bonus. Meeting someone like Alex Lacson was the real miracle.

* * *

Alexander Ledesma Lacson, it turned out, modest as he was in bearing, was a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, 1996, and took up graduate studies at the Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Mass. (Good old Harvard Yard, by gosh). His wife, Pia Peña - it turned out even more amazingly - is the daughter of an old friend, Teddy Peña from Palawan! She, too, is a lawyer - U.P. 1993 - a legal
counsel for Citibank. They established a foundation together to help underprivileged children through school, and are now subsidizing 27 young scholars in different public schools in Alex's native Negros Occidental.

The reason Alex had been headed for Wack-Wack was the fact that the officers and employees of a company named Resins Inc., after buying 1,000 copies of his book had invited him to give the "homily" at their Christmas party. This was not a small group - the company had 600 employees, waiting for his "word" that night.

Alex, it struck me from our conversation, is an eloquent and devout Catholic. He believes God must have destined our people for some great role - why, in all history, he reasoned, were we Filipinos the "only Christian nation in Asia?" One thing is certain: He and his wife Pia practice their Christianity - and live it.

Four years ago, he and his wife had a serious discussion about migrating to the US or Canada because the Philippines, as a country appeared hopeless since things only got worse year after year. They wanted to know if their children (they have three, one boy and two girls) would be better off staying in our country or abroad in the next 20 years.

Pia and Alex had asked themselves the question: "Is there hope for the Philippines to progress in the next 20 years?"

They reasoned: If the answer is Yes, then they would stay. If it was No, they would leave and relocate abroad while they were still young and energetic. There were long discussions. One day, the realization, Alex recalls, struck them: the answer to that question was in themselves. The country would improve, Pia and Alex finally understood, if they and every other Filipino did something about it. Leaving the
Philippines was not the solution. As Lacson put it in his book: "The answer is in us as a people; that hope is in us as a people."

* * *

When I read the book afterwards, I discovered that many important people had endorsed it.

But these encomiums are not needed. Alex laughed when I quipped that he must be one of the wealthy Lacsons from Negros Occidental, like my classmates and schoolmates in the Ateneo. He cheerfully, and proudly, said that he was "a poor Lacson." His mother, he pointed out, had been a public school teacher in Cabangcalan.

No, he's not poor - his richness are in his friends, and in the heart.

Here are, in outline, his 12 commandments:

1) Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.

2) Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.

3) Don't buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino. (Or, if you read the book, he suggests: 50-50).

4) When you talk to others, especially foreigners speak positively about us and our country.

5) Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.

6) Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.

7) Support your church.

8) During elections, do your solemn duty.

9) Pay your employees well.

10) Pay your taxes.

11) Adopt a scholar or a poor child.

12) Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.

These are the 12 things every Filipino can do to help our country. At first blush, they seem simple. When you study them more closely, they are difficult to do. But all of us, together can do them.

the end