Planet Philippines (Calgary Edition) - May 16-31, 2012

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PLANET

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MAY 16-31, 2012

MAY 16-31, 2012

PLANET

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PLANET

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MAY 16-31, 2012

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MAY 16-31, 2012

PHILIPPINES

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SHOWDOWN IN MANILA The ex-President said he wanted to end his political life where he began – as mayor.

Political insiders, however, maintain it’s more than an ego trip. Beneath Erap’s showbizzy sentimentalism is an intense desire to exact revenge on the incumbent mayor who he accuses of disloyalty.

By LEANDrO milan

HRILLA in Manila II”, the much anticipated showdown between “Dirty Harry” and “Asiong Salonga” for the mayoralty post of Manila, will finally push through.

After titillating his supporters for months that he would like to end his political career by becoming mayor of Manila, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada has made public his intention to challenge Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim in 2013. He made the announcement on May 9 when he moved from his San Juan residence to his new home in Sta. Mesa in preparation for his mayoralty

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run. Candidates in local elections must actually reside in the town or city where he is running for at least one year prior to the polls.

Characteristic of his colorful showbiz and political careers, the move-in was a big production show, with the ex-president driving his “Jeep ni Erap” from his house in Greenhills, San Juan, followed by a truck carrying furniture and household effects. His new abode in Sta. Mesa is the old ancestral house of the wealthy Legarda family in a half-hectare compound which he bought for P80 million. To be sure, alert observers

did not fail to notice the contradictory images of the jeepney, the vehicle of the masa, and the pretentious multi-million-peso mansion. Moving in to a modest house among the poor in Tondo, where he was born, would have been a superior script for one claiming to be the champion of the masses.

Only a week before his announcement, Erap said he was leaning towards retirement. In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, he said he had nothing more to prove in the political arena and indicated that he might just focus on campaigning for the candidates of the new United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in the coming 2013 mid-term elections.

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Erap wants to cap his political career by becoming mayor again, this time in the city of his birth. is the coalition of Erap’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino and the PDP-Laban chaired by Vice President Jejomar Binay.

He said his two sons – Senator Jinggoy Estrada and San Juan Representative JV Ejercito – had told him that at 75 and after having been mayor, senator, vice president and president, he had “nothing more to prove.” Moreover, Binay has advised him to focus instead on campaigning for the candidates of UNA in 2013. “I have to sacrifice myself,” he said, adding that the opinions of Binay and his two sons carried “a lot of weight.”

Erap added that he also had to consider his “vision” for Manila contained in an urban renewal program done by the University of the Philippines. The UP plan, he said, would take him at least three terms as mayor - spanning nine years - to fully implement. Given this and his promise to his running mate, Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno, to stay for only one term, he said he might just decide to support the mayoral run of Moreno. “I know that Manila needs young blood,” he said.

In the end, the lure of power, fame and adulation proved irresistible. Erap, who earned his tough-guy screen image by portraying the late Tondo toughie Asiong Salonga, said he wanted to end his political life where he began – as mayor.

Political insiders, however, maintain it’s more than an ego trip.

Beneath Erap’s showbizzy sentimentalism is an intense desire to exact revenge on the incumbent mayor who he begrudges for disloyalty.

Lim, the ex-police general whose real-life exploits earned him the moniker “Dirty Harry,” after the Clint Eastwood police hero, served as secretary of the interior and local government in the Estrada administration from 1998 until January 2001. He left his post when he supported the breakaway group of then Defense Secretary Or-

lando Mercado and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Angelo Reyes during the Edsa People Power Revolt II in January 2001 where Erap was forced to step down. Lim was president of Erap’s party, PMP, until 2008 when he joined the Liberal Party.

Lim is not backing down from his faceoff with Erap. Asked what he has to say to his former boss, he quipped, “Good luck.”

As incumbent mayor he maintains an edge in resources and government machinery during the campaign. President Aquino’s all-out support will also boost his candidacy. n

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All over the house are little notes that serve as a reviewer.

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By AnA MAriA villanueva-lykes

ABHAN ang damit nang mabuti” says a sticky note on the washing machine door. By the light switch, a sign says, “Patayin ang ilaw.”

All over the house are little notes that serve as a reviewer. In the background, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan plays softly as my one-year-old naps.

It’s all part of my campaign to make sure that my son grows up fluent in Tagalog and that my American husband is not alienated.

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SPOKENING

It seems like my Pinoy immigrant friends do not see the value in teaching their kids the native tongue when they can hardly use it on foreign soil. I can understand that to some degree, but it’s disheartening to know that many kababayans believe that their children can get ahead only if they are fluent in English alone.

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My Pinoy immigrant friends ask why that it is so necessary.

It seems like they do not see the value in teaching their kids the native tongue when they can hardly use it on foreign soil. I can understand that to some degree, but it’s disheartening to know that many kababayans believe that their children can get ahead only if they are fluent in English alone.

Once during a visit to Manila, I asked my 6-year-old nephew a question in Tagalog. He looked at me quizzically and said, “Please speak English. I don’t understand.”

It was interesting that a little boy could silence me. My brother explained that they’ve been conversing with the boy in English since birth.

Even the maids do. Apparently, the maids were getting reeducated too.

He admitted that it is turning into a disadvantage, because the child is now experiencing difficulty in his Filipino classes. So does countless other kids in the Philippines whose parents think that their children will be achievers if they make English their first language in a country that’s generally non-English speaking.

I grew up with these kids, classmates who were made fun of because they couldn’t speak straight

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What’s “sexy” in the English-Tagalog dictionary?

Filipino. Is it their fault that their parents trained them that way? They were always behind in our Araling Panlipunan classes, and I do not judge them, because I too barely passed these subjects. Truth be told, I can write better in English. And I am not proud of that.

I grew up speaking Ilonggo at home. But the TV certainly talked to me in English. And so did my teachers and classmates four days a week. Mondays to Thursdays, we were obliged to converse in English only. Fridays were Filipino days. They must have figured that we did not need to practice Filipino

more when we are after all living in a Filipino speaking country. Even our instructional language for major subjects like Science was English. I have to admit it’s practical that way. Try explaining E=MC2 in Filipino.

Even in addresses, streets are streets, not kalye. Similarly, majority of our advertisements, signs, and directions are in English. It’s not the case in many non-English speaking countries. If you can’t find your way around Korea or Vietnam, you would more than likely get lost in translation. I learned this the hard way, thinking that English would serve +13

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MAY 16-31, 2012

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By dAvId pilling Financial Times

OW much money does the Philippines, that perennial economic laggard, owe the International monetary Fund? The answer is nothing. After years of being in hock, manila is now an ImF creditor. Thus the people of the Philippines, impoverished though many remain, are doing their bit to help Europeans maintain the living standards they doubtless deserve.

For years, the Philippines has been a bit of a laughing stock in Southeast Asia. Gross domestic product (GDP) of $2,200 per capita puts it in the same league as Bolivia, a poor Andean country. Thailand, with a GDP per capita of $5,400, is out of its league.

A running joke – admittedly not a very funny one – is that the Philippines accidentally swapped places with chile, the Latin American economy that most resembles a fast-paced Asian tiger. That makes the Philippines more like a llama, trudging dolefully along a dirt track.

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THINGS ARE LOOKING UP IN THE PHILIPPINES The Philippines may at last be getting its act together. There are definite signs that the country – with its young population of nearly 100 million people, the world’s 12th largest – has turned a corner. There are three reasons to be hopeful, if not yet exactly cheerful.

Overseas remittances from the roughly 8 million OFWs are nearly $80 billion, higher than the country’s external debt.

Philippine call centers have grown exponentially, with revenues rising from $2 billion to $11 billion over six years.

Whisper it if you will, but the Philippines may at last be getting its act together. These are early days.

But there are definite signs that the country – with its young population of nearly 100 million people, the world’s 12th largest – has turned a corner. There are three reasons to be hopeful, if not yet exactly cheerful.

First, the external position has improved dramatically. The Philippines, after years of indebtedness, is a net creditor. Overseas remittances from the roughly 8 million Filipinos working abroad have steadily added to foreign exchange reserves. At nearly $80 billion, these are higher than the external debt.

Since 2004, remittances have grown from $7 billion-$8 billion to $20 billion, nearly 10 per cent of GDP. The fact that so many people need to work abroad is a sign of the economy’s inability to generate enough jobs. But remittances are serving a purpose and have held up well since the financial crisis. The Philippines is emerging as a solution to the labor shortages of mature economies the world over.

Some jobs go the other way.

Philippine call centers have grown exponentially, trumping those in India. Revenues from back office businesses have quintupled over six years from $2 billion to $11 billion.

Second, the country is getting its fiscal house in order. The deficit has narrowed from a worrying 5-6 per

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MAY 16-31, 2012

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last year, the philippines stock market was the world’s seventh-best performing. up more than 20 per cent, it is among the world’s top 10 performers.

The Aquino government has also taken steps to restore rice self-sufficiency after the country was forced to import a fifth of its needs in 2008. cent a decade ago to a manageable 2 per cent. The tax net was widened under the previous administration, though the tax take remains at a lowly 13.5 per cent of GDP. Spending has been kept in check. Subsidies on fuel and power, the bane of many Asian finance ministers, were scrapped several years ago.

Third, the political situation is vastly improved. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, elected president in 2010, has made a creditable start. For one, his government has sent out a strong message that it will not tolerate corruption (a distinct change from past governments, which actively encouraged it). Mr Aquino has instructed tax officials to go after evaders. A few big scalps appear to be doing the trick. The tax take has edged up even without necessary tax reform.

The Supreme Court had recently ruled that the huge sugar plantation belonging to Mr Aquino’s family must be redistributed among tenant farmers. That brings to a close decades of wrangling over one of the country’s biggest estates. The fact that a sitting president can be stripped of land is a hopeful sign that the separation of powers enshrined in the constitution is being honored.

The Aquino government has

also taken steps to restore rice selfsufficiency after the country was forced to import a fifth of its needs in 2008. It has established publicprivate partnerships to build the roads, railways and power stations that have failed to keep pace with an exploding population. Progress has been slow, but the legal regime is considered solid. Many economists are predicting a private investment boom, predicated on favorable demographics – half of Filipinos are under 25 – and the healthiest banking system in Southeast Asia.

Reputations are hard to shake.

For many, the Philippines remains a basket case. But that view lags behind reality. In 2010, the economy grew at 7.6 per cent – faster than Indonesia, Asia’s investment darling. Growth has slowed, but it has cleared 4-5 per cent every year since 2006, apart from in post-Lehman 2009.

Markets have not been oblivious. Last year, the Philippines stock market was the world’s seventh-best performing. In the year to date, the Philippine exchange is up more than 20 per cent, among the world’s top 10 performers.

The Philippines may still be the llama of Southeast Asia. But, for the moment at least, the llama has broken into a trot. n

although my son has an irish name and strong irish-american roots, part of him will always be Finnegan the Filipino.

From page 9 I guess language alone does not me well. When I got lost in the make a country, but language still streets of Hanoi, I was greeted with speaks plenty.

Is this another case of colonial quizzical stares when I asked for directions. Few Vietnamese know mentality? Should we blame it on basic English and they don’t make the 48 years of American reign apologies for it, because it does not and the many borrowed words (tren make them lesser individuals, and for “train” for instance)? Have we inversely, to be fluent in English fooled ourselves into thinking that does not make them superior or to make the peso stronger, we need royalty. How many Miss Universe to speak the green dollar language?

The fact is, we’ve come upon hopefuls have taken the crown with times when it’s more convenient only the help of a translator?

I can’t argue with the fact that to say things in English rather than there are advantages to being flu- Tagalog. Thus the birth of “taglish” ent in what is supposedly the uni- code switching. Unconsciously, versal language. Statistics show when I converse in Tagalog, I would that English speaking countries are revert to an English word simply beresponsible for about 40% of the cause it’s easier. Maybe it’s because world’s GNP. That says a lot. But there are more syllables to Filipino then it makes me wonder: why is words. For me, it also sounds more Japan, largely a non-English speak- fluid compared to the hard syllables ing country, still way ahead of us in of Tagalog. “Ang sweet” is easier terms of technology and economy? and shorter than “ang lambing”.

SUDOKU RULES: Place a number from 1-9 in each empty cell. Each row, column and 3x3 block bounded by bold line (9 blocks) contains all the numbers from 1-9

Solution on page 33

Even the tambay will more than likely say “wow sexy” instead of “wow kaakit-akit”. I had difficulty looking up “sexy” in the EnglishTagalog dictionary. A website came up with mainam and balingkinitan, and they still don’t sound right. I looked up my English-Tagalog dictionary by Leo James English and came up with nothing.

Yes, I brought my L. English dictionaries with me to the states even though they were about a kilo combined. I could have relied on the internet, but L. English is the recommended dictionary of the literati. I had to take it with me no matter the cost (of excess baggage).

The act was almost metaphorical. I was afraid that if I left that weight, I would completely lose my native tongue. I brought it along with several other materials like work books and OPM CDs all in the effort of making sure my boys learn the language.

Maybe we are not to blame for the decline of the use of our own language, but we are definitely responsible for teaching our kids to exercise their native tongue. So when my friends ask why, I tell them that bilingual children are better thinkers. They’re more flexible and divergent in their thought processes. They become proud of their self-identity, knowing that they are a culture bridge. And perhaps more importantly, I tell them that although my son has an Irish name and strong Irish-American roots, part of him will always be Finnegan the Filipino.

(The author maintains a travel blog – http://anaviajera.com). n

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By kATE mcgeown

IZARRE and often unflattering names are as quintessentially Filipino as the country’s Catholic faith, friendly smiles, former US military jeeps known as jeepneys, beautiful beaches and love of karaoke.

On my first day in Manila, I walked down to the local cafe and was served by a smiling young girl who wore a name badge entitled BumBum. I did a double-take, then smiled back, deciding it was probably a joke. But if so, it is a joke that practically the whole country seems to be in on.

Since then I’ve met a Bambi, three Bogies, several Girlies, a Peanut, a Barbie and a middle-aged man called Babe. These names are found in all sectors of society.

Sometimes they are nicknames, sometimes genuine first names - but they are always what people are referred to on a day-to-day basis.

Even the president is not spared.

His real name is Benigno Aquino, but almost everyone here calls him Noynoy. Two of his sisters are called Pinky and Ballsy. No-one seems to see the need to ask why.

Neither does anyone question the integrity of Joker Arroyo, one of the country’s most respected senators. That is his real first name.

Apparently he got it because of his father’s fondness for playing cards.

Joker’s brother is called Jack.

And it seems perfectly natural to Filipinos that the boxer Manny Paquiao should express his love for the British royal family by naming his daughter Queen Elizabeth.

So why do Filipinos have such odd, even risque, names?

This is not a translation issue, as most people speak English well, or well enough to know that BumBum, for example, is not exactly on the rest of the Anglophile world’s list of popular baby names.

I rather tentatively brought the subject up at a dinner party full of lawyers, academics and business people. Many of them were surprised - they had simply never thought of these names as having any kind of negative connotation. But once we started discussing it, they did agree that, to outsiders at least, it all might sound a bit strange. Soon a heated debate began. Perhaps it was because of the propensity of Filipinos to have

He’s simply known as Noynoy or PNoy, even in news headlines.

PLAYFUL FILIPINO NAMES HARD TO GET USED TO

There are some names that just defy explanation.

Why would you call your children after the days of the week or your favourite desserts?

To many Filipinos, a better question to ask is: ‘Why wouldn’t you?’

His nickname ‘Erap’ blends perfectly with his image as a friend of the masses. large, tight-knit families, some of them said.

A man called Babe or Honey Boy, for instance, is probably the youngest member of that generation in the family. It suited him when he was two years old - now he is a slightly overweight businessman in his 50s, why change it?

But nicknames are not always given when people are young. The former president Joseph Estrada is more commonly known as Erap - a name he acquired in his twenties. When spelt backwards, Erap becomes Pare, which means mate or buddy in the national language Tagalog.

Other guests thought that nicknames came about because of a need for individuality. People here often have the same Christian name as their parents.

Former Congressman Ace Bar-

His name is not an obstacle to his serious duty as a lawmaker.

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bers, who, like Joker Arroyo, obviously had a card-player in the family, has the Christian name Robert, but so do his father and all his brothers. He clearly has not found it a problem as he named his four sons Robert too. Nicknames must be essential in their house.

The conversation soon turned to the fact that the Philippines is a melting pot of different cultures, and perhaps that is what led to these strange names.

The president himself is a good example. His full Christian name is Benigno Simeon Cojuangco, names which are Spanish, Hebrew and Chinese, respectively. His nickname Noynoy is the only part that is truly Filipino.

A well-used adage here is that the Philippines spent 400 years in a convent then 50 years in Hollywood, referring to Spanish then American colonial rule. The Spanish introduced the concept of surnames - in fact they issued a decree in 1849 that everyone had to have a surname. But the main thing Spain gave to the Philippines was Catholicism, and with it, tens of thousands of newly-christened Marias and Joses.

With the Americans came names like Butch, Buffy and Junior - and the propensity to shorten everything if at all possible. Perhaps it is the combination of these two influences which has led to names like Jejomar - short for Jesus Joseph Mary. The current vice president is called Jejomar Binay.

Even the large Chinese community here has not escaped this national name game. Their surnames are often a form of Anglicized Chinese, but sometimes the Philippine penchant for fun shines through. I have heard of a Van Go, a John F Kenneth Dee and an Ivan Ho. But there are some names that just defy explanation. Why would you call your children after the days of the week or your favorite desserts?

To many Filipinos, a better question to ask is: “Why wouldn’t you?”

I have been living here for a while now, and I have got used to all these names. In fact, if anything, I rather like the fact that Filipinos are self-assured enough to use these names, no matter how odd they sound or how senior the person’s public role.

But my assimilation is not quite complete. While I think it is great that BumBum can wear her name badge with pride, I’m not quite ready to adopt a Philippine nickname myself just yet. (BBC News, Manila) n

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REBIRTH

OF THE MEGASTAR By jERRICHo REynAldO

H A R O N CuNetA is well on her way to being the country’s Oprah Winfrey, especially with her new home network, a new show and the handsome pay that came with it all.

Sharon: Kasama Mo, Kapatid, set to premiere this May, is said to be one of the grandest productions tV5 has mounted, and something that Sharon wants to be her “legacy.” “they (tV5 bosses) spared no expense when it came to the set and to the concept of the show,” said Sharon. “they’ve been so supportive (and) they’re very, very careful na bigyan ng tamang dahilan at justice ang paglipat ko dito.” Intrigues have marred her transfer from ABS-CBN to tV5 last November after it was revealed that her five-year contract stipulated a pay of one billion pesos.

“I will always be grateful to ABS-CBN (but) I wanted my name on the show again. It was tV5 that gave it to me. Hindi ko nga alam kung maiiyak ako or matatawa na tinatawag po akong mukhang pera.

Not for anything, the one billion pesos is not a small amount but it’s neither new to me in the more than thirty years I’ve been here (in showbiz). I’ve also worked hard for this.”

At the advent of her transfer also came the controversies over twitter, just as she was venturing into the world of social media.

Attacks on her family, particularly on her daughter KC, prompted the Megastar to respond harshly to what she called an audience of

‘I wanted my name on the show again. It was TV5 that gave it to me. Hindi ko nga alam kung maiiyak ako or matatawa na tinatawag po akong mukhang pera. . . I’ve also worked hard for this.’

MAY 16-31, 2012

“I really apologize sa mga naoffend at hindi makapaniwala sa mga sagot ko.

You know I’m only human.” “younger people.”

“I really apologize sa mga naoffend at hindi makapaniwala sa mga sagot ko. You know I’m only human.

But they (the tweets) were very hard to swallow. In fact, there were words there, both in english and tagalog, that all my life, I’m 46 years old, I’ve never heard of. So, it was so painful that all of a sudden you’re so exposed... It hurts that there’s a (new) generation that medyo ganyan ang feeling ng freedom nila. It’s a false sense of power that they’re wielding irresponsibly. Bastusan eh.”

Meanwhile, the long-standing rift between Sharon and her aunt Helen Gamboa-Sotto has ended.

Political differences between their husbands, Senators tito Sotto and Kiko Pangilinan, have estranged the two from each other since last year, until Sharon initiated the reconciliation through her cousin, Ciara Sotto. According to Senator Sotto, Helen and her niece have been communicating with each other after the launch of her new show.

“Helen was telling me about it, nag-text daw sa kanya si Sharon. Then, nagpalitan sila ng text about what they felt for each other,” he said.

“Alam naman niya [Sharon] ‹yun, na mahal na mahal namin siya.

Siya ang panganay namin eh, she knows that. Mas maganda, mas mabuti, avoid politics, ‹yan ang pinakamaganda.”

When asked if he awaits a message from Sharon, the tV hostpolitician s a i d he›s not expecting, but that he›s “sure she will” send one soon, content with the fact that the two have reconciled. n

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CELEBR TY SHAINA CONFIRMS SPLIT FROM JOHN LLOYD

SHAINA Magdayao has confirmed that she and John Lloyd Cruz have ended their relationship.

Following weeks of speculation on the status of their relationship, Shaina confirmed to ABS-CBN News in a text message that she and John Lloyd are no longer together, but refused to divulge the reason behind the breakup.

“To end all speculations, I confirm that John Lloyd and I have agreed to end our relationship.

The reason is purely between John Lloyd and myself,” she said.

“I most humbly request everyone to allow us to move on with

SHARON RECONCILES WITH AUNT

our respective lives with mutual respect and dignity,” she added.

According to an ABS-CBN News source, the couple ended their relationship sometime in the middle of April.

Shaina and John Lloyd broke up in October 2011 but reconciled after a few weeks.

Shaina’s confirmation came days after rumors spread linking John Lloyd to Angelica Panganiban. But observers believe the rumor is only a publicity gimmick for the upcoming movie of John Lloyd and Angelica.

SHARON Cuneta and her aunt, Helen Gamboa, have made amends following their rift over their husbands’ political differences.

Senator Tito Sotto, Helen’s husband, said told ABS-CBN News that the Megastar had reached out to her aunt for reconciliation. Helen is the younger sister of Sharon’s mother, Elaine.

SHAINA & JOHN LLOYD

DEREK, ANGELICA IN ‘COOL-OFF’ STAGE

ANGELICA & DEREK

THINGS between Derek Ramsay and Angelica Panganiban are apparently not too sunny these days with the former’s admission that they are in “cool-off stage.”

Derek admitted that he and Angelica are “giving each other space.” He said they haven’t talked since Holy Week.

“If things go well, okay. But if not, she will always be my friend,” he said.

Amid rumors linking Angelica to John Lloyd Cruz, with whom she shot scenes in Vietnam for a movie, Derek said out the lat-

‘THRILLA IN NAIA’

NETIZENS call it “Thrilla in NAIA,” the brawl involving Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist and radio host Ramon “Mon” Tulfo and the group of Raymart Santiago, wife Claudine Barretto and their six unidentified male companions on May 6 at NAIA 3. A clip of the brawl has been uploaded on YouTube and passed around Facebook.

The episode began when Claudine berated the ground staff of Cebu Pacific for off-loading their luggage from their flight from Boracay. When Claudine noticed that Tulfo was taking photos of the inci-

dent, she told him to stop and tried to get the latter’s cellphone. Tulfo resisted and then the fight broke out.

It was not clear who threw the first punch but at the end of the melee, Tulfo emerged with a black eye and swollen face as he was outnumbered by Raymart and his male companions. Tulfo has filed grave coercion and physical injury charges against the celebrity couple and their six companions.

The Santiagos countered by filing a case of physical injuries against Tulfo.

MON One day after the scuffle, Mon’s three younger brothers, visibly angered by the mauling of their brother, issued threats against Raymart and Claudine on the air in their public affairs show T3 on TV5. Ipagdasal mo

est bump in their relationship was not caused by a third party.

“I trust her completely. She’s not the type to fool around.”

He added: “Pinagdaanan na rin namin ito before. So we’ll see. ‘Pag nag-usap na kami, doon kami magsasalita.”

Bent on working things out with Angelica, Derek posted this message for her on Twitter, May 1: “Be strong @IamAngelicaP. We all know who you are and that there is no truth to what’s being said. I’m here for you if ever you need anything.”

lang sana, ipapayo ko sa iyo at sa asawa mo, huwag ka munang lumabas ng bansa dahil kapag nagpangabot tayo sa NAIA Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, tatamaan at tatamaan ka, wala akong pakialam, pati asawa mo tatamaan sa amin. Ipagdasal mo na lamang huwag tayong magkrus ng landas,” Erwin said, addressing Raymart.

TV5 suspended the three Tulfo brothers from their program for their threatening remarks. Erwin promptly issued a public apology.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board is conducting s probe of the matter.

SHARON “Nag-text raw sa kanya (Helen) si Sharon, and then nag-palitan sila ng text about what they felt for each other,” Tito said.

He affirmed his love for his niece, their political history notwithstanding.

“Alam naman niya ‹yun, na mahal na mahal namin siya.

Siya ang panganay namin eh, she knows that. Mas maganda, mas mabuti, avoid politics, ‹yan ang pinaka-maganda.

Pagdating sa pamilya, pamilya na lang,” he said.

Sharon and Helen’s differences stemmed from the opposing political alliances of their husbands. Senator Kiko Pangilinan belongs to the Liberal Party while Tito is aligned with the group of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

In July 2011 during the contest for the Senate presidency, Kiko solicited the support of Tito but was turned down because, Tito claimed, he had already committed to support Enrile.

Sharon and Helen exchanged some hurtful words during their nearly two years of separation.

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MAY 16-31, 2012

CELEBRITYFILES

AGA SET TO JOIN POLITICS FORMER beauty queen and television host Charlene Gonzalez revealed that her husband, Aga Muhlach, is considering running for public office.

Speaking on The Buzz where she is a host, Charlene said it has been Aga’s dream to serve and give back to the Filipino people.

“What I can honestly say at this point in his life, kino-consider niya because nasa puso talaga niya ang pagtulong sa marami ever since before,” she said.

Aga, whose family hails from Goa, Camarines Sur, is reportedly eyeing the congressional post in

AGA the fourth district of the province.

His political plans have the full backing of his close friend, Ca-

CHIZ FILES FOR ANNULMENT

ALBIE & ANDI

HELL HATH NO FURY...

LIKE a woman scorned.

The famous literary phrase came to life at a bar in Makati in the early morning hours of May 5 when actor Albie Casiño found himself at the receiving end of a slap on the face courtesy of ex-girlfriend Andi Eigenmann and blows to his body from Andi’s four male companions.

The incident is linked to the acrimonious separation of the former lovers. Andi accused Albie of abandoning her when she got pregnant last year. She claims Albie is the father of her child but the actor and his family are demanding a DNA test to ascertain the truth.

Andi and his mother, Rina Casiño, believe the attack was planned by Andi and her group. In his narration, Albie said as he was coming out of the bathroom, Andi came out of nowhere and slapped him and then threw a glass of wine on SARAH Geronimo admits that while she and Gerald Anderson are not yet an official couple, she sees him as someone special.

“May feelings po ako para sa kanya at espesyal po siya para sa akin,” the Pop Star Princess told reporters who pressed her about their blossoming relationship. “Pero nakakahiya lang po on my part, syempre babae po ako, hindi ko naman po masasabi sa inyo lahat ng nararamdaman ko.”

She said she had learned her lesson about keeping a relationship secret, referring to her pre-

his face.

After the incident, he said he and a friend proceeded to leave the bar but was followed by Andi and her group. It was in the parking lot where he was allegedly beaten up. “. . . I got beaten up, she (Andi) went up to me and she said, ‘Okey ka lang ba? Huwag ka kasing magpapakita sa akin sa labas kasi papatayin ka ng mga ‘yan,’” Albie said in a TV interview.

Albie identified his male attackers as Neil Arce, a professional poker player said to be the boyfriend of actress Maxene Magalona; Jake Lacson, a son of Sen. Panfilo Lacvson; Frank Magalona, Maxene’s brother; and a certain Concepcion.

His lawyer is preparing the appropriate charges against his attackers.

Andi remained mum about the incident.

AMALIA CHIZ SENATOR Francis “Chiz” Escudero is filing for the annulment of his marriage to Christine Elizabeth “Tintin” Flores with whom he has been estranged for more than two years, according to entertainment columnist Ricky Lo. The couple has twin kids.

The couple has remained mum on the matter, but somebody close to Chiz confirmed that the lawmaker decided to file for annulment after weighing the pros and cons, Lo said in his column in The Philippine Star.

“They have reached the point of no return,” Lo wrote, quoting his source.

Lo said it was Tintin who left the conjugal home in December 2010, leaving Chiz to care for the children.

AMALIA FILES LIBEL RAPS VS RUFFA

ON the heels of the word war between Amalia Fuentes and Annabelle Rama is a libel suit filed by the former against the latter’s daughter, Ruffa Gutierrez.

The suit stemmed from Ruffa’s tweets and remarks against Amalia at the height of the word war between her mother and the former movie queen last April.

“During all this time they took it as... as if I’m not go-

marines Sur Governor L-Ray Villafuerte.

Aga and Charlene recently registered as voters in San Jose town, “a clear sign that he’s deadset on running in the 2013 elections,” said Ricky Lo wrote in his column in The Philippine Star.

Charlene said she is fully supportive of her husband’s plans.

“Bilang asawa naman, kung iyan talaga ang buhay na gusto niyang tahakin, susuportahan ko siya in any way that I can. Let’s just see kung ano ang mangyayari in the weeks to come,” she said.

ing to answer anymore,” said Amalia in a TV interview. “Even Ruffa started attacking me on TV and even on her tweets na di ko naman alam. Now, I have to get the justice system to take care of this problem for me. I’ve no choice.”

“This is just the start, yung kay Ruffa,” added Amalia. “So Ruffa can shut up once and for all.”

It will be recalled that there was a rumor last month that Annabelle allegedly sold one of Ruffa’s twin daughters. Ruffa suspected that the report came from Amalia’s camp.

Denying the accusation, Ama;ia said, “Kung meron siyang witnesses, she has to present documentary evidence. You cannot say just sinabi.”

RUFFA

SARAH ADMITS FEELINGS FOR GERALD SARAH vious relationship with Rayver Cruz which they kept under wraps. Sarah said she intends to be open when she gets into a relationship this

time around. “’Yun po ang gusto ko po ngayon pag magka-boyfriend po ako – magiging open po ako diyan, kasi ayoko po mangyari ‘yung tulad before na nilihim namin tapos may bad effect kasi nga ‘di alam ng tao,” she said during a press conference for her upcoming birthday concert 24/SG on July 7 at the

Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Hindi po ako magde-deny kung may boyfriend ako ngayon. Tsaka mas masarap syempre magmahal ‘pag may freedom ka. Mas proud ka sa mundo na ito ‘yung mahal mo,” she added.

Sarah said she appreciates Gerald’s gesture of visiting her home and facing her parents.

“’Yung gesture niya po na pumupunta sa bahay para harapin ‘yung mga magulang ko, ‘yun ‘yung importante. Nakakataba po ng puso ‘yung ganu’n, pero ayoko po masyadong matuwa.

Kasi masakit ‘yun pag masyado kang matuwa tapos mawala sa’yo. Dapat iga-guard din natin ‘yung heart natin.”

MAY 16-31, 2012

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