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Verbatim To those who are wishing I were dead, you will have your wish one day. Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who turned 92 on February 14
Korina, I will tell everyone and will tell you again that I think Mar Roxas is the most qualified to become president!
We will be the laughingstock of the world. Walang forever para sa kurap at sa ating paghihirap.
President Aquino, describing the fate of corrupt politicians in the Philippines as he urged Filipinos to choose “honest, virtuous and honorable” leaders in the May 2016 elections
Senator Serge Osmena, in the event Senator Bongbong Marcos is elected vicepresident in the coming elections
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If martial law, human rights violation and plunder under his late father was the golden age of Philippine democracy, what’s to stop him from committing the same abuses of his father’s regime?
It’s not enough to be smart and competent. You (candidate) should have integrity. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, urging voters to choose in the May elections candidates with integrity if they want a clean government
Manila Mayor and former President Joseph Estrada’s remark to Mar Roxas’ wife, Korina Snchez, when they bumped into each other during a campaign sortie in Tondo, Manila
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, on Sen. Bongbong Marcos’ refusal to issue an apology for his father’s martial law record
Maraming gunggong sa Senado.
Lawyer Lorna Kapunan, on why she is running for senator in the 2016 elections
Sanay lang ako sa mga jowa lang. Mga syotitay, mga fling. Pero masarap pala sabihin yung asawa ko.
Vic Sotto, joking about his playboy reputation after his wedding to Pauleen Luna
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OPEN RACE?
F THE results of the latest Pulse Asia survey are to be believed, it’s an open race for the presidency.
But as the official campaign period kicks off today (February 9), you may say there’s a frontrunner: Sen. Grace Poe, the survey says, has regained her lead over Vice President Jejomar Binay, with 30 percent of the electorate saying they’d vote for her if the election were held now. Binay’s rating declined by 10 points—to 23 percent—from the last Pulse Asia survey in December, relegating him to second place in a statistical tie with Liberal Party candidate Mar Roxas and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. In that December survey, Poe slid to second place behind Binay, but apparently the numerous motions for disqualification filed against her have only enhanced her visibility as a presidential candidate or strengthened her standing among voters, allowing her to surge again to first place. If her lead holds until the May polls, Poe might yet see herself installed in Malacañang in June, fulfilling the destiny her father had, from all indications, won in 2004, but for the “Hello, Garci” thievery. And yet, if the Supreme
Court rules adversely on her disqualification case, Poe might not even make it beyond halfway point of the campaign. The oral arguments currently being conducted by the high court have revealed deep legal and philosophical fault lines among the jurists on the issue of Poe’s foundling status, and the implication any ruling on it would have on other Filipinos of similar provenance. Poe’s other problem, the question of her residency, has a more legal, technical ring to it, with the justices’ inquiry leaning to specific facts and dates on when and how she reacquired her Filipino citizenship. But the issue of her being a foundling strikes a highly emotional chord among a highly emotional people; at this point, the attacks against her for something she was completely helpless about appear to have boomeranged, boosting her stature further rather than diminishing it. Still, despite her remaining a formidable force in the race, her fate hinges on the Supreme Court, and at this point who knows how the justices would
vote? If the majority of them do rule against Poe, it would be a game-changing decision, possibly handing the presidency, in effect, to Binay, the one consistent frontrunner from the get-go but for the upstart entry of Poe into the race, which has forced the Vice President to sweat some more on what his camp had thought all along— given Binay’s famed years-long groundwork— would be a cakewalk to the presidency.
But, wait—the Pulse Asia survey says that, in fact, the vaunted Binay lead may now be gone. Statistically tied with Roxas and Duterte? How did that happen? The VP’s lawyerly tack all this time of dodging, stalling, evading the slew of charges that have been filed against him for plunder and corruption has been predicated on the political cushion provided by his comfortable lead among his rivals and a seemingly impregnable core of supporters among the electorate. Binay could ride out the heat because he’s had a huge headstart, so the wisdom went. And, for a while, it seemed to be working. By seemingly staying above the fray even as Roxas and Duterte entered into an ugly period of taunts and threats, Binay
came out in the December polls smelling fresh as a daisy, back on top again. Apparently, the unseemly Roxas-Duterte feud did its job of distracting people from the VP’s own unseemly, and wholly unanswered, problems, even as Poe herself was mired in legal limbo. If another survey or two confirm the Pulse Asia finding— that Binay, Roxas and Duterte are now in a dead heat—then conventional wisdom has to be thrown out. Binay is no longer the presumptive frontrunner, Duterte is fast catching up, and Roxas, most startling of all, appears to be clawing his way up and is no longer the “kulelat” Duterte taunted him to be. Throw in the monkey wrench of a possible Poe disqualification by the Supreme Court and, from now to May, the country may be witness to a wide-open, no-holds-barred presidential brawl not seen for a while. With no definitive frontrunner in sight on the order of Joseph Estrada in 1998 or Benigno Aquino III in 2010, there will be hustling for every last available vote, and the historic sins of Philippine elections— cheating, vote-buying, violence, harassment, the works—may be out again in full force. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n
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A Real-Life Rocky
By mark whicker
Los Angeles Daily News
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OS ANGELES – He used to sleep outdoors, covered by a cardboard box. He weighed 98 pounds in his first pro fight. No one’s rags-to-riches story is raggier or richer than Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s.
“He’s like a real-life Rocky [Balboa],” said Freddie Roach, his trainer. Now Pacquiao says he has one more fight left: April 9 against Timothy Bradley Jr. at the MGM Grand (in Las Vegas). We’ll believe it when we see our last Rocky movie. Not even the promoter, Bob Arum, is riding that horse. “Brandon Rios said he retired and then he unretired 30 minutes later,” Arum said on January 19 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. “Antonio Margarito retired and then he came back. I don’t know if this is his last fight or not. But if it is, it’s one of the great careers in boxing.” Pacquiao has been such a pay-per-view (PPV) stalwart, such a willing champion, that we forget just what an outlier he is. He won that first fourrounder over Edmund Ignacio 21 years ago. He was 22-1 before he fought outside the Philippines and he was 33-2 before he fought outside Asia. As the boxing world was grieving over the barren landscape that lay behind Oscar de la Hoya, Pacquiao was an unanticipated gift, one that gave over a million PPVs in seven different fights. “For him to have reached the level that he did is a tribute to him,” Arum said. “But it’s also a tribute to the people in this country who accepted him.
Pacquiao says his coming fight against Timothy Bradley will be his last but promoter Bob Arum isn’t buying it. “This will be better than the other two fights we had,” says Pacquiao of his third fight against Bradley. It wouldn’t happen in a lot of places. You take this little guy who couldn’t speak English. He was as obscure as you get. He came from a country halfway around the world. And he became a PPV star.” Pacquiao reached the upper crust in 2008 when he took apart De la Hoya and forced his retirement. It’s hard to remember what a major upset it was. Arum recalled telling Richard Schaefer, De la Hoya’s manager, how easy this would be. “I conned him,” he said, with undimmed satisfaction. Pacquiao did learn English but speaks it sparingly and without controversy. He repeated on January 19 that he thought he had beaten Floyd Mayweather last May 2, which isn’t the majority opinion. But he hasn’t chattered his way into prominence, like, say, Conor MacGregor. Obviously PacMan’s kinetic style and his shock-and-awe knockouts got him attention, but somehow his personality clicked with fans everywhere. His decency, too. “There is a big fishing fleet in Gen San [General Santos City],” Arum said. “It took the fishermen hours to go out in the deep water and come back. Manny bought them all out-
Pacquaio looks forward to focusing on is political career after he hangs up his gloves. board motors. That eliminates four hours a day. “I know a lot of athletes give to charity, but I think Manny has provided more scholarships than the Philippine government has. People are blown away, because they see a guy who’s not just doing a commercial.” Pacquiao said he climbed into the ring “to help my family, my mother” but he is leaving the ring to help his country. He will run for Senate, which is a nationwide election, and then who knows? Arum needled a fellow New Yorker by saying that PacquiaoBradley will feature “a Donald Trump undercard. All the fighters are Hispanic. We’re dedicating this to the 12 million undocumented immigrants who contribute so much. And if Trump got elected, I would be in the streets with them, protesting.”
Pacquiao’s fans hit the streets when he lost an outrageous decision to Bradley in 2012. He beat Bradley in a 2014 rematch. He could have fought Terence Crawford, who dominates at 140 pounds, but Arum said the PPV distributors preferred Bradley, who has gained charisma with wins over Jessie Vargas and Brandon Rios. “I picked Bradley because he has been improving,” Pacquiao said. “This will be better than the other two fights we had. It will answer the questions the fans have had. He knocked Rios out with a body shot, and Rios is hard to knock out.” Pacquiao is also coming off a torn labrum, exacerbated against Mayweather. He said he has been playing basketball with it. “But we don’t know if he’ll be as fast or as powerful,” Arum said. Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s manager, said he had contacted Mayweather about a rematch “but the response was not positive.” Roach still thinks it will happen, given a rousing win over Bradley. “Mayweather says he’s retired,” Arum said. “I can only take him at his word. Should you take that to the bank? No.” Pacquiao takes a guaranteed $20 million to the bank after Bradley. Has he taken enough? Maybe, but it’s not even close to what he gave. n
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Philippines rises six notches in global economic freedom index
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HE PHILIPPINES improved its standing and scored higher than ever before in the latest global economic freedom rankings, making its economy the 70th freest in the world. In the 2016 Index of Economic Freedom World Rankings released by the Washingtonbased think tank Heritage Foundation, the country’s score rose to 63.1 points out of a possible 100 and was deemed to be “moderately free.” Last year the Philippines was in 76th place in the index with a score of 62.2 points The report lauded the successes of the Philippines in monetary freedom and management of public finance and noted progress made to enhance the entrepreneurial environment and develop a more vibrant private sector. But it expressed concern about the rule of law and labor freedom in the country and said poor infrastructure remained a serious impediment to economic growth. Industrial production in areas like electronics, apparel and
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The Philippines’s score rose to 63.1 points out of a possible 100 and was deemed to be “moderately free. shipbuilding has been growing rapidly and the time involved in dealing with licensing requirements has been notably reduced and the cost of completing them has been cut, the report said. The financial sector remains
relatively stable and sound. Hong Kong topped the 178 economies ranked in the 2016 Index with a score of 88.6 points, followed in order by Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland and Australia. They were the only countries rated
as “free” with scores above 80 points. The next 33 countries, with scores between 70 and 80, were considered “mostly free” and included the United States in 11th place with a score of 75.4 points. The Philippines was among 54 countries (with scores of 60-70) in the “moderately free” category. Regionally it ranked 14th out of 42 countries in the AsiaPacific region. China was in 144th place with a score of 52 points. It was among 62 countries (with scores of 5060) rated “mostly unfree.” The index report, an annual guide published by the Heritage Foundation, rates countries in 10 categories – trade, business, labor and fiscal freedoms, monetary, financial and investment freedoms, government spending, property rights and freedom from corruption – and the results are averaged to create an overall score. Twenty-four countries were deemed to have “repressed freedom” and included Laos, Myanmar and Argentina. North Korea was at the bottom of the list in 178th place with a score of 2.3 points. (Philstar)
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Yummiest Food Tours
in the Philippines
W The four-hour Makati City Food Walking Tour, from 5 p.m. onwards, takes you to six stops in the city and includes much more than just local fare.
WE’RE not sure if you recall that little article on CNN which labelled the Philippines as the second best food destination in the world, but it’s indeed true that the increasing interest in our country’s cuisine has put us on the global food map. It’s hard to navigate our chaotic streets and 7,107 islands, so we’re thankful for these tour guides who take food as seriously as we do.
Ivan Dy (second from right) of Binondo Food Wok introduces tourists to Manila Chinatown’s culinary and cultural history.
One of the best ways to have a taste of Mindanao’s best offerings is through Mel’s Davao Food Tour. The BIG Binondo Food WOK! Run by Old Manila Walks, a tour company which aims to get locals and tourists walking around the old city in order to explore it, is The BIG Binondo
Food WOK! The 3 1/2-hour tour, which usually starts in the morning from Binondo Church, takes you through Plaza Calderon dele Barca, Carvajal Alley Market, Ongpin Street, and several traditional shops and restaurants in Chinatown. Led by history buff and foodie (and Anthony Bourdain guide) Ivan Man Dy, the tour allows you to taste eats such as dumplings from Dong Bei and hopia from HoLand while learning about the area’s history and rich culture. From PHP1,300 per person. Call +63 2 7113823 or e-mail fun@ oldmanilawalks.com. Facebook.
Mel’s Davao Food Tour Davao is known for its fresh produce, and one of the best ways to have a taste of Mindanao’s best offering is through Mel’s Davao Food Tour, which is conducted by local Mel Pangan. A favourite among tourists, the 5 1/2-hour tour takes
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A Taste of the Philippines tour encompasses eight days of eating your way through locales like San Pablo in Laguna, Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Manila and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte. you to six stops for breakfast, lunch, and merienda. Expect to traipse through the city’s vibrant Bankerohan Public Market during the morning chaos, witness pineapples being chopped at lightning speed, feast on traditional Davao eats for lunch, and if you dare, end the tour by savouring the King of the Fruits - durian. From PHP2250 per person. Call or text +63 947 3613544, or email melsdavaofoodtour@yahoo.com.ph. Facebook.
Makati City Food Walking Tour With the aim to preserve and grow interest in Filipino culture and environment, Culture Shock conducts a variety of tours which reach the four corners of the country. Within the capital is the 4-hour Makati City Food Walking Tour led by Osep Reyes from 5 p.m. onwards. This tour takes you to six stops in the city and includes much more than just local fare. Explored here are the international cuisines with visits to Le Cafe Curieux, Wang Mart Korean Grocery Store, Ziggurat Cuisine, and Chihuahua Bar and Grill. PHP1200 per person. Text or call +63 917 7146737, email cultureshockph@gmail.com or go to www.cultureshockph.com.
A Taste of the Philippines UK culinary tour company Trip Feast offers a slew of trips for foodies around Asia to countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, India, and China. A Taste
of the Philippines, their local, all-inclusive tour, encompasses eight days of eating your way through locales like San Pablo in Laguna, Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Manila and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte. Although this is a tour which centers around food, tidbits on history and culture are mixed into the dialogue as well as you can expect to learn more about the influences of the Spanish occupation in Vigan and the seafood trade in Manila. From PHP67,490 per person. Email info@tripfeast.com or go to www.tripfeast.com.
Eat Your Way Through Pampanga Warm and enthusiastic tour guide Bryan Ocampo offers a food trip to Pampanga, the prov-
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For PHP2,900 you can expect to sink your teeth into Pampanga delicacies such as longganisang Guagua, tibuk tibuk, and tidtad. ince of his grandparents. Eat Your Way Through Pampanga is a full-day trip which runs from 7 a.m. till 8:30 p.m., making it a perfect weekend excursion for Manila gastronomes. The trip covers all meals of the day and includes stops in Guagua, Santa Rita, Mexico, Magalang, Angeles City, and San Fernando, to let you delve into Pampanga cuisine, which is a unique mix of Spanish and Malay influences. You can expect to sink your teeth into local delicacies such as longganisang Guagua, tibuk tibuk, and tidtad. PHP2900 per person. Text or call +63 9178993948, or email bryanocampo@gmail.com, or go to www.mangankapampangan.com.
Ultimate Manila Food Trip Let the fantastic tour guides
from Yolo Travel Philippines take you on a tour of the best eats of Manila’s Chinatown. The 4-to-5-hour Ultimate Manila Food Trip spans eight restaurants and over 10 must-try dishes in Binondo. It’s great for out-of-towners, but also informative and fun for those based in the metro. A full day of eating lies ahead here so it’s recommended to skip dinner the night before. Highlight include chicken mami from Chuan Kee, sweet cakes from Shing Tai Shang, and frog legs with sweet and sour sauce from Estero Food Court. PHP2399 per person. Text or call +63 908 8219388, email info@yolotravelphilippines.com, or go to www.yolotravelphilippines. com. (Coconuts Manila) n
The 4-to-5-hour Ultimate Manila Food Trip spans eight restaurants and over 10 must-try dishes in Binondo.
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‘Far East Brands’ 75% shoppers want more choice from world foods SHOPPER INSIGHT MANAGER – I.G.D. 01 Oct 2015
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Vic-Pauleen’s Rocky Path to the Altar The groom with his children and grandchildren. The radiant bride. By allan policarpio
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HEIR lips met not without a little humor. Before lifting the veil of his bride (Pauleen Luna), the groom (Vic Sotto) turned his gaze to the people inside the church, and pulled a face. He dabbed his wife’s lips with a finger, and tasted it, sending the couple into a fit of giggles. Then, at last, the TV host-comedian leaned forward for the kiss, with the crowd erupting into cheers. The embrace that followed, however, was different. It was long and touching, with Vic and Pauleen patting each other’s backs and mouthing the words, “I love you,” as the song “When I Fall in Love” came on. Vic, who’s usually reserved, was misty-eyed after, fanning his eyes with his hand to hold back the tears. It was, the couple related,
It wasn’t easy, but things ended up well for the newlyweds.
‘When we hugged, the years flashed back, everything we’ve been through.’
one of the wedding’s most “emotional moments”—one that had memories flooding back. “When we hugged, the years flashed back, everything we’ve been through,” Pauleen, looking radiant in her Francis Libiran gown, told reporters, more than an hour after they tied the knot at St. James the Great Parish in Muntinlupa City, last January 30. The path to the altar was, undoubtedly, a rocky one for Vic, 61, and Pauleen, 27. For almost five years, the couple have had to parry incessant negativity from critics denouncing their relationship, mostly because of their 34-year age gap—this was emphasized by the fact that Pauleen was once a contestant in the noontime show Eat Bulaga’s “Little Miss Philippines” segment.
Pauleen was called, among many other things, a gold digger—a comment she found most unfair. “It wasn’t easy, but … things ended up well,” said Pauleen, who walked down the aisle with her mother, Chat, and father, Eugenio. Another hurdle was getting the blessing of Vic’s children, Danica and Oyo (with Dina Bonnevie), Paulina (with Angela Luz) and Vico (with Coney Reyes), some of whom had initial misgivings about their dad’s May-December romance. But after several talks with his children, Vic and Pauleen eventually received their blessing. Vic also turned emotional during the homily when the officiating priest, Fr. Jeffrey Quintela, thanked the actor-host’s
children for “giving their father a chance to prove that he could be a good husband again.” “We’re happy for the support of Vic’s family. It was an answered prayer,” Pauleen added. The reception was held at the nearby Filinvest Tent, which was tastefully decorated with white flowers, crystal charms and light fixtures. Dinner for about 250 guests was catered by Bizu. The festivities featured the couple dancing silly in a fun dance number to the ditties, “Dessert” and “Hotline Bling,” and exchanging wedding vows, among other things. “Sanay ako sa mga dyowa lang, sa syotitay, syota, mga fling! Masarap pala sabihing, ‘asawa ko,’” Vic jested, eliciting laughter. But turning serious, Vic once again thanked his kids for understanding him, saying, “I won’t waste the respect and love you give me.” Pauleen, on the other hand, thanked her husband for “sticking it out and fighting for me.” “You made me see that true love knows no age, no boundaries,” she said. The couple will flew to Maldives for their honeymoon. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n
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PLDT unit expects growth of big data analytics
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UNIT OF Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. has asked local companies to adopt ‘big data analytics’ strategy to accelerate business growth. Big data analytics refers to the process of capturing, storing, examining and analyzing large volume of data including text, numbers, images and videos. “There is a tremendous amount of data waiting to be mined, refined, and analyzed. With the right infrastructure, tools, and expertise, valuable insight can be gleaned from all this information,” ePLDT group chief operating officer Nerissa Ramos said. Ramos cited a study by Bain & Company showing that companies with big data platforms as two times more likely to have superior financial performance within their industries, and five times more likely to make faster business decisions. “And this is not just about speed. In this day and age, accuracy through predictive datadriven decision-making is key. By using historical data, one can understand the reasons behind past successes or failures.
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The Philippines Is a young market for big data, and adoption has a long way to go, according to PLDT. With this, decision-makers can make wiser business choices moving forward,” she said. ePLDT provides the country’s first big data analytics services and infrastructure as an initiative to help organizations harness the power of big data, and
use this as a means to achieve business goals faster. “This and our other enabling digital enterprise endeavors are testament to the company’s brand promise of Enabling Success,” she said. Ramos said the Philippines was a young market for big data and while awareness in the country was high, adoption had a long way to go. She said ePLDT was ready to take enterprises through the big data journey via its expert consulting framework. Companies will be guided towards the best approach to use big data for their respective organizations, she said. Leveraging on its membership in the Open Data Platform, a worldwide consortium of big data global technology leaders, ePLDT is offering an ODPcompliant analytics compute
engine that will jumpstart big data projects. Maximizing the big data assets of the PLDT Group, ePLDT is able to provide predictive analytics services to businesses, helping customers identify risks and opportunities and ultimately, allowing them to make data-driven decisions. Ramos said big data would afford enterprises, organizations, even the government, with valuable insights that can help them tailor-fit products, services and policies to benefit the public. “When organizations are able to identify the needs of their market, they are more empowered to act on those needs. Imagine what a happy customer base you will have if you are able to address their needs before they even know it themselves,” Ramos said.
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Box A Smile delivers smiles to 3,000 children over holiday season
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HE BUSY holiday season was made extra special with the activation of Box A Smile, LBC’s Christmas GiftGiving activity during which smiles were delivered to 3,000 underprivileged children in various communities. With the invaluable assistance of Project Pearls, the Box A Smile gift-giving events were a success, drawing volunteers both from the LBC & Project Pearls communities. Project Pearls, a volunteer, non-government agency headed by Melissa Villa, gathered children in the various communities of Helping Land/ Newland, Tondo, Manila, Lubusang Alyansa ng Katutubong Aeta ng Sambales (LAKAS) in Botolan, Zambales, and relocated residents of Ulingan now in Barangay Batia, Bulacan. A total of 3,000 children were treated to a Christmas party with games and prizes, lots of dancing, singing and, of course, food and drinks. With these events, an overwhelming sense of community and camaraderie was felt throughout, in keeping with the spirit of giving, the true spirit of the holiday season. Over 3,000 donor participants from the U.S. were engaged, and co-sponsors likewise provided much-needed assistance for the events. “Box A Smile gave me a chance to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Seeing all those kids and the joy on their faces as we not only gave them gifts but also played with them and showed them kindness, was heartwarming and moving. It was a good reminder that this is how Christmas, and everyday for that matter, should be. A time to share and spread joy and peace,” said Nena L. Wuthrich, executive director, LBC Foundation. LBC volunteers from various departments and areas participated in the gift-giving activities: from the principals, executives and their children, to warehouse personnel, asso-
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ciates and front-liners, delivery associates and teams. The LBC family came in full-force, some employees dressed as Santa Claus, enjoining the children and all present that it is indeed FAMILY that truly makes the holiday season special and memorable. “LBC has been a very important partner for Project Pearls. LBC USA has generously provided assistance to Project Pearls in transporting in-kind donations to Manila from the United States. Because of this, we are able to provide to hundreds more children in the communities we serve mainly in Bulacan and Tondo, Manila. “When they informed me that they would like to partner with Project Pearls for a gift-giving for 3,000 children, I was very
grateful and humbled, not to mention, I was jumping up and down from excitement because this is the first time we are able to provide Christmas gifts to over 1,000 children. “LBC and Project Pearls partnership is more than just a corporate partnership, it is really a partnership for humanity. Together, we are helping and supporting each other in making this world a better and kinder place for all — rich, poor or poorest,” said Melissa Villa, Project Pearls. LBC Box A Smile would not have been possible without the kind assistance of cosponsors and donors who
heeded our call to action. “Being there in the gift-giving...heartwarming seeing the smiles of the children. We’re happy to make their Christmas a little bit brighter,” said Monica Araneta, President, LBC Foundation. “The experience was simply priceless! Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive. It rekindled the desire in my heart to go back as an NGO volunteer when I retire,” said Lynne Ortal, Vice-President Controller, LBC Express, Inc. “Box A Smile moved me. Seeing children so little and with less in life’s material things yet full of genuine happiness and warmth even with the small tokens they received,” said Paolo Cauton, Business Intelligence Manager, LBC Express, Inc. “Being my first time doing something like this it went very well. It feels good when I’m helping especially when I see the smile of a child waiting to know what is inside the LBC Bag and open their Christmas gifts. I would like to thank the whole team behind Box A Smile of LBC Foundation and Project Pearls for allowing me to be part of such a rewarding and amazing activity, I really hope that one day I will be able to be part of another project and experience something so amazing like this,” said Leovic Tan, Research Analyst, LBC Express, Inc. “Spending a day with the kids and with LBC co-volunteers sharing their time for the cause was the best start of my Christmas celebration. It was an unforgettable experience, both humbling and truly a blessing. I believe that we made a difference in the kids’ lives on that day,” said Chin Sing-Corrales, Senior Manager Customer Relationship Management, LBC Express, Inc. (LBC Foundation)
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By Jacqueline arias
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T’S quite amazing how Liza Soberano is racking up all these projects and endorsements, gaining more popularity at a young age, and still manages to not look stressed and maintain her youthful energy. With that, everyone wants to know her secret: Is it her flawless genes or is it the canned tuna she’s endorsing? Just like almost every young star in the industry, Liza started out in a kid’s show—playing a bratty high school student who sported side bangs and a five-year-old’s headband. She didn’t get any major roles for a few years since then, and we didn’t seem to care. But then suddenly, everybody’s m o t h e r started tuning in every night to see her harvesting strawberries in Forevermore with her leading man and maybe-boyfriend Enrique Gil. Talk about a teenage dream for this 18-yearold. Yes, she just turned 18 last January 4, which makes it perfect for those who want eternal youth and show everyone you that forever exists … at
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Liza Soberano least in your looks. Being in the same ranks as about five other teen queens in showbiz like Kathryn Bernardo, Nadine Lustre, and Julia Barretto, getting noticed is going to be tough, especially if the network you’re in hires celebs that almost resemble each other. It’s ideal to have American genes to back you up and give you fair skin and a pointy nose from birth. Don’t have any of these? You can always pay a trip to everyone’s favorite doctor, Vicki Belo. Since you’re fair and beautiful (even though you think you aren’t) and your network wants to make you into a big primetime star, they are going to give you extra curly locks and a part in the middle as if Moses wanted to traverse your scalp. But hey, that’s part of being bohemian chic, right? While you’re at it, you can also practice your makeup skills so you can look like Ariana Grande’s long lost twin, as well as rank sixth in the list of the world’s most beautiful faces. Also, don’t forget to refine your ridiculous duck pout so you can be lip sisters with Maine Mendoza and Sarah Lahbati. We’ve already established that you
Liza with Enrique Gil at last year’s 9th Star Magic Ball. can act even though you’re still brushing up on your Tagalog, but that’s okay! The conyo accent makes you even more adorable. So checking “being beautiful” off your list, you also need a talent or two. Lucky for you, you can sing a pretty decent tune and can twerk your little butt off. Maybe God showered you with Coleen Garcia’s missing blessings. Now, with all of these in your bag, you can now ride a pink jeep to your equally pink commercial set and show everyone that you can, indeed, dance by whipping your hair elegantly that will make Willow Smith proud. But don’t fret, if you can’t dance, you can always ask a supportive bestie to help you. Since you’re still young, you’re not going to get out of the teenage romantic comedy or drama genre, but you try your best whether it’s playing Kathryn’s third-wheeling cousin, the friendzoned best friend, or that girl who’s stuck between a love triangle. Who cares if you turned down the role to be an iconic superher-
oine? That much action (and attention) is going to deplete your youthful glow anyway. Because of the fact that you’re so youthful, no one is pressuring you to show a lot of skin (yet) so no to sexy ads, and yes to back-to-school ones for now. And since pubescent girls look up to you, you can also appear in two different product advertisements for sanitary napkins—one where you ride a jeep to show that you’re a normal person and another where you dance and sing like the princess that you are. And on your downtime, you can also work at the nearby café and serve coffee to unsuspecting customers. Being one of the many teen queens of this generation comes with a price, of course, especially if the mom of one of them starts a non-existent rivalry between you and her daughter. But since you’re a good girl, you’re going to end this issue in the most graceful way possible: Posing with the said daughter on Instagram. But just because you aim to look like a good girl, that doesn’t mean you can’t be tough (and maybe a bit careless, too.) Don’t like how the results of a boxing match? Throw in some angry tweets here and there to air your dislike towards the opponent but delete your derogatory tweets ASAP. Your drunk main man insulted you in an airplane? Slap the idiot! But hey, you still have a lot of years ahead of you to learn from your mistakes. And don’t worry if this might endanger your career, your ageless image will give you a promising one in the teen romance category maybe until you’re about 25 years old. No pressure. (Inquirer.net) n
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Showbuzz Luis begs for time to sort things out with Angel Content with being an artista.
Liza not keen on joining beauty pageants WHILE she is flattered that Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach’s singled her out as a potential pageant winner, Liza Soberano said she is not keen on joining beauty contests. Liza even played down the beauty queen’s comment, pointing out that Pia didn’t say that she wants her to be the next Miss Universe. “Sabi niya pwede daw. To be honest, wala naman po akong plans on being Miss Universe pero I’m not closing any doors. Pero it’s an honor to be complimented by Miss Universe herself,” Liza told ABS-CBN News. For now, Liza said she would like to focus her attention to acting, which is what she’s really passionate about. “Hindi ko po nakikita ‘yung sarili ko sa ganung path. Parang I’m contented with being an artista. I like acting a lot,” she said. Pia was earlier asked by a netizen who among the Filipina celebrities could be Miss Universe. Responding to the tweet, Pia said: “I can think of a lot. But if I had to pick one ... Liza Soberano. She’s beautiful.” n
LUIS Manzano refuses to give details about the relationship problem he and his girlfriend Angel Locsin are facing beyond saying that they are trying to sort things out. Despite the rough patch they’re currently encountering, Luis echoed Angel’s earlier pronouncement that that their love for each other is still there. He asked for time and space to allow him and Angel to patch things up. “Kung ano ang eksaktong
sinabi ni Angel, ayoko na ngang magsabi ng kahit na ano pa,” he said. “Mamaya masabi na kung sino pa ang lalaki, siya pa
ang pinakamadaldal. I’d rather leave everything to her. “Okey na yung sinabi ko na may pinagdaanan kami, okey na yun. Pangit naman kung sa akin manggagaling ang lahat . . . May mga kailangan pang ayusin din naman sa aming dalawa.” Luis said he remains in constant communication with Angel. “Oo naman, in fact magka-text kami kahapon. Okey kami,” he stressed. Luis and Angel’s problem comes on the heels of the breakup of the Bea AlonzoZanjoe Marudo romance and the reported split-up of John Lloyd Cruz ad Angelica Panganiban. n
Kris explains absence from social media KRIS Aquino is back on Instagram but was conspicuously quiet on social media and her morning show, Kris TV, for two weeks – from the last week of January up to the first week of February. On February 8, Kris explained her self-imposed “silence” in a blog post which was uploaded on her official website. Kris revealed that she had to resolve some professional as well as personal issues. “Guess what, the girl who relished living 30 years of her life in the public eye actually felt peaceful keeping to herself. I mostly stayed home, except for going to Church to pray in total surrender and to give my thanksgiving. I was sick for 3 days with fever and then I had a bout of hypertension (158/105)
from all my stress. This compelled me to stay in bed, eat very healthy, decompress, and sleep,” she wrote. Kris also shared the lessons she learned during her self-imposed leave from social media. “I am just a bit different, slightly altered, and hopefully improved. At my core I will always be the Kris Aquino you’ve
gotten to know over 30 years . . I was always of the belief that everything was all or nothing, it was either black or white, and there should be no grey areas . . . Now I realize it is within my capability to filter, and to control myself with what I choose to reveal. A lot of what made you love me and hate me has really come from what I shared with you . . . I know I am interesting because I wasn’t afraid to open up (okay at times overshare) . . . but those same qualities have also been part of the many times I have fallen and needed my family and my supporters to defend me and lift me up.” She also revealed a recent misunderstanding she had with James Yap, her ex-husband and father of her son James “Bimby” Yap Jr. n
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Showbuzz Sunshine’s complaint against Cesar junked
Looking forward to annulment case. SUNSHINE Cruz says she will appeal the decision of the Quezon City prosecutor’s office dismissing her complaint he child abuse and violence against women and children
complaints she filed against her estranged husband, Cesar Montano. Assistant prosecutor Ferdinand Baylon threw out the complaint of Sunshine that Cesar performed lewd acts in front of their children during his visit. “The complainant failed to produce any evidence which would engender a well-founded belief that respondent herein indeed masturbated in front of his daughters and thus caused them emotional and psycholog-
ical distress,” said Baylon. “Since the victims here were the children, it was imperative upon the complainant to at least present them and have them authenticate their letter’s complaints,” the prosecutor added. According to Sunshine, she and Cesar have not been talk-
Richard returns on primetime
Jasmine explains viral photo with Erwan JASMINE Curtis-Smith spoke about the viral photo of her and older sister Anne’s boyfriend Erwan Heussaff, which was a screenshot of a post on Snapchat, was never an issue between the three of them. The photo led many netizens to question if there was something going on between Erwan and Jasmine despite Anne and Erwan being together – even though there wasn’t any information available about the picture. “It’s not like biglang may na develop na ganun closeness [between me and Erwan]. But between the three of us, it was never an issue. So the fact na naging malaking issue siya sa ibang tao or sa public ... parang unavoidable naman iyon talaga so yun lang,” Jasmine said. After Jasmine posted the photo on Snapshot, she was criticized so much online, with some calling her a flirt
Not an issue, says Jasmine of photo and other hurtful words. Reacting to negative reactions on social media, Jasmine said: “Hurtful, yes but I don’t know them personally. They don’t know me personally, so I don’t let them affect me. And like I said, our relationship between the three of us, it’s always been that way. So there’s really no other way that it should have been taken pero nga, hindi naman nila alam talaga paano yung dynamics naming.” She said Erwan and Anne were even laughing about the whole thing. n
ing since they separated three years ago. As for the ongoing annulment case, Sunshine said that she is hoping that it will end soon. The couple separated in 2013 after Sunshine claimed Cesar was having an affair with upcoming actress Krista Miller. n
Richard as Captain Barbell. SIX years after his last lead role in a teleserye. Richard Gutierrez returns to the small screen as Flavio in the remake of Ang Panday on TV5. Before Dingdong Dantes, Richard was for many years the undisputed King of GMA-7, starring in blockbuster TV hits like Encantadia, Sugo, Mulawin, and Kamandag. But Richard’s star gradually dimmed after his last big role in 2013 in the GMA-7 TV series Love and Lies. During his long absence numerous names have cropped
up to take his place, among them Derek Ramsay, who some quarters now refer to as “Hari ng TV5”. It was Derek who revealed that the lead role in Ang Panday was first offered to him but he said he turned it down because he had already appeared in a superhero role in Kidlat in 2013 on TV5. “I was asked if I want to do ‘Panday’ and I said no,” Derek shared. “Big project, great project, I could have done it. But I strongly believe … I just wanna be fair na ako si Kidlat, something that’s homegrown on TV5 … And parang sa mga viewers, I don’t think it would be fair na, ‘Oh, he portrayed as Kidlat, a superhero, and now he’s Panday as a superhero?’” Derek dismissed the ‘Hari ng TV5’ tag. He also downplayed insinuations that Richard was only the second choice for the Panday role. “I don’t wanna say second choice, no. Richard was, I think, in the industry before me. So, hindi ko puwedeng sabihin na mas ano ako sa kanya.” n
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Top 10 Pinoy Fantaseryes of All Time
it also served as a reunion for two former Pangako Sa ‘Yo rivals who now play sisters.
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VERYONE loves a good drama, but Pinoy TV kicked it up a notch with a genre that combines fantasy and mythology with the usual soap opera elements. Whether you tuned in for the romantic love story or you loved the wondrous world it created, each these 10 fantaseryes (or telefantasyas, as others liked to call them) captured our imaginations and had us glued to our screens every weeknight.
10. Joaquin Bordado
8. Dyesebel
Network: GMA 7 Fantasy element: Magical tattoos Based on the ‘70s comics by Carlo J. Caparas, the series revolves around Joaquin Apacible (Robin Padilla), an assassin whose last mission doesn’t go according to plan and is sent to prison. While in jail, he meets a mysterious man (Pen Medina) who chooses him as an heir to battle evil with the help of powerful tattoos. Fans tuned in because... The plot’s twists-and-turns and the intense action sequences that led to impressive ratings for the show’s timeslot.
Network: GMA 7 Fantasy element: Mermaids Before Anne Curtis took on the role, Marian Rivera starred in a highly successful 2008 TV adaptation of Mars Ravelo’s character. Dyesebel is born a mermaid to two human parents, but the highly superstitious fishing community drives her to live at the bottom of the sea with the rest of her kind. She eventually finds love with a human named Fredo (Dingdong Dantes), but with consequences. Fans tuned in because... DongYan’s chemistry was off the charts...and it helped that they were both fresh off the success of Marimar. The addition of compelling characters also made the plot more interesting.
9. Kampanerang Kuba Network: ABS-CBN Fantasy element: A magical candle Anne Curtis plays Imang, a kind-hearted and
hunchbacked bell ringer who transforms into a beautiful woman whenever a magical candle is lit. More than that, the story is largely driven by her mysterious ties to two wealthy sisters (Eula Valdez and Jean Garcia). Fans tuned in because... The show’s then-unique style of bringing together music, drama, and fantasy a la Disney, as many put it at the time. Plus,
7. Ang Panday Network: ABS-CBN Fantasy element: A magical dagger that transforms into a sword Billed as a sineserye adapted from the 1980 Fernando Poe Jr. film, show creators claimed that Ang Panday was filmed the same way movies are shot. The story revolves around Flavio (Jericho Rosales), a blacksmith who forges a dagger from a meteor that crashed into their town. With his mystical sword, he battles evil forces hell bent on taking over their town. Fans tuned in because... Everyone loved the chemistry between Jericho and Heart, which was only fueled by their reel-toreal romance.
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6. Marina
4. Darna
Network: ABS-CBN Fantasy element: Mythical sea creatures Marina is widely credited as the first show to kick off ABSCBN’s fantaserye streak. The 2004 show revolved around the titular character (played by Claudine Barretto), a human girl who is cursed to turn into a mermaid and longs for her life as a human. With the help of a magical necklace and a powerful sea witch named Dugong, she becomes human again on one condition—she turns back into a mermaid during the full moon and only a true love’s first kiss can free her from the curse. Fans tuned in because... Let’s face it, Claudine had the best and most well-crafted mermaid tail and viewers just can’t help but root for her character. Plus, it gave viewers a glimpse at some of the country’s pristine beaches!
Network: GMA 7 Fantasy element: Superheroes No, we don’t mean Marian Rivera’s version. We’re dialing it back to 2005—to the show that catapulted Angel Locsin to fame. The series, based on the popular comics by Mars Ravelo, depicts Darna’s origin story (as the human, Narda) and how she uses her extraordinary powers for good. Fans tuned in because... It was a combination of Angel’s charisma and the comic book elements, including her beginnings on the planet Marte and the introduction of her polar opposite, Black Darna (played by Katrina Halili). It was also somewhat tied into Captain Barbell, which later had its own immensely popular series starring Richard Gutierrez.
5. Lobo Network: ABS-CBN Fantasy element: Werewolves The story zeroes in on the romance between Lyka (Angel Locsin), who is fated to be the last hope of the Lobo or white werewolves, and Noah (Piolo Pascual), a human caught between the battle of the Waya (the werewolves’ protectors) and the Luna (their enemies). It later spawned a sequel, Imortal, starring Angel and John Lloyd Cruz. Fans tuned in because... Prior to Lobo, no other show has really taken on the supernatural concept of werewolves. It also happened to be Angel’s first show after making the shocking network transfer to ABS-CBN.
3. Juan dela Cruz Network: ABS-CBN Fantasy element: Aswangs This action-fantasy starred Coco Martin as the titular character, an orphan who was raised by a kind-hearted priest.
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Unbeknownst to him, Juan is half-aswang, fated to rule over the mythical creatures set on taking over the human race. However, his human mother (Mylene Dizon) is a Tagabantay, an ancient lineage of guardians who protect humans from the aswangs. Fans tuned in because... The show delved into Filipino mythology and religion to build a well-rounded and immersing fictional world. There was also Juan’s against-all-odds romance with Rosario (Erich Gonzales).
2. Mulawin Network: GMA 7 Fantasy element: Half-human, half-bird characters The Philippines was once inhabited by a race of flying humans-slash-eagles called “Mulawin” that lived peacefully with
humans. Over time, the human population grew in number, destroying the Mulawins’ homes and forcing them to seek refuge in the mountains. The Mulawins initially didn’t want to harm the humans, but this only caused increasing tension and conflict between their tribe. This eventually gave rise to another group that called themselves the Ravenas (whose sole intention is to destroy both humans and the Mulawins). The plot primarily revolves around Aguiluz (Richard Gutierrez), a young Mulawin tasked to secretly protect Alwina (Angel Locsin), a Sugo destined to unite humans and Mulawins. Fans tuned in because... More than the immensely popular Angel and Richard love team, the show dominated ratings for their richly imagined world of humans and bird-men. Oh, and it also got its own movie!
1. Encantadia Network: GMA 7 Fantasy element: Enchanted beings with supernatural powers Encantadia is arguably one of, if not the most memorable and successful fantaseryes from the network. The story is set in a mythical realm composed of four kingdoms that bear four precious gems representing the elements of earth, air, water, and fire. Each stone is protected by four princesses called Sangg’res (Karylle, Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon, and Diana Zubiri), and as long as the gems are kept separate from each other, peace prevails. War erupts after one kingdom, Hathoria, threatens to take all the gems and take control of the realm. Fans tuned in because... The show created a mythical world that was original, well-developed, and engrossing—largely thanks to its detailed costumes and ambitious sets. No one was suprised when it spawned two spin-offs: a prequel entitled Etheria and a sequel, Encantadia: Pag-Ibig Hanggang Wakas. (SPOT.ph) n
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TFC@theMovies brings grand comeback movie of Vilma Santos & Angel Locsin, Everything About Her, worldwide
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HE MUCH-AWAITED silver screen comeback of the Star for All Seasons and the award-winning box office royalty Angel Locsin, “Everything About Her,” is set to debut on worldwide screens this January and February in the U.S., Canada, Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Recently graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board, “Everything About Her” is a movie about two women who are poles apart in belief and demeanor. Santos is Vivian, a no-nonsense alpha female who is diagnosed with cancer while Locsin is Jaica, a hired nurse tasked to care for the latter in order to conceal her sickness. “Everything About Her” also stars Xian Lim in his first dramatic role outside his blockbuster KimXi loveteam with Kim Chiu. Pitted against two award-winning actresses, Xian delivered. The movie has even
FULL PAGE AD earned the respect of other film thespians such as Director Wenn Deramas “Napakaganda - comedy and drama. Napakahusay nilang tatlo. Di sayang ang perang gagamitin ninyo (It’s a good combination of
comedy and drama. The three stars were good. It’s worth your money.” Directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal, “Everything About Her” has been earning not only box office numbers but as well as
good reviews across audiences. Myx VJ Ai said “Combination ng comedy and drama. Ibang-iba ang pagkaka-portray ng movie. One of the best local films I’ve ever seen. Ang daming matutunan dito (It’s a combination of comedy and drama. The movie was set-up differently. It’s one of the best local films I have ever seen. You will learn a lot.” Journey with Santos, Locsin and Lim as they realize the most important things in life beyond fame, success and power. “Everything About Her” started January 29 in the U.S.; January 31 in France, Italy, Malta and Greece; February 5 in Canada; February 6 in Austria, and United Kingdom; February 7 Spain; February 11 in Australia and New Zealand; February 12 in Saipan and will start February 21 in Singapore. For more information, visit For more information, visit https:// www.tfc-usa.com/eahusa/ and facebook.com/TFCEurope. (TFC)
Everything About Her - a review
B
B, JOYCE Bernal’s Everything About Her opened with the stereotypical nuances of Vivian Rabaya (Vilma Santos), a real estate CEO who gets everything she wants with just a flick of a finger. Her character had a vibe that would say she’s having none of it. We can see her being a spitting image of Meryl Streep from The Devil Wears Prada. From the exquisite locations, we moved on to the Jaica Domingo (Angel Locsin), a lady with a humble background, yet alongside Vivian, she wasn’t scared in saying how she felt. The backdrop of riding in a jeepney going to work, was reminiscent of films that showed poverty and how the ordinary Filipino lives. As a film, Bernal combined the two seemingly different worlds of the rich and the not-so-welloff. The film’s comedic aspect was Vivian’s and Jaica’s interaction with each other. The drama aspect came from Viv-
ian’s estranged son, Albert Mitra (Xian Lim). After Jaica convinced him to go home with his mother due to her illness, we can see a budding relationship between the two. Everything About Her had an almost predictable storyline, yes, but Bernal provided the main themes in a very clever way. She broke down stereotypes, such as Vivian’s charitable work outside the public eye. Humanising these characters made them very loveable with the Filipinos both home and abroad. The main themes, redemption and forgiveness, resonated throughout the film. Bernal wanted to show that forgiveness should be vital part of everyone’s lives, given that we are social beings. Keeping anger and hatred would not make things better. Bernal made a film that had a punch, provided us with a feel-good escapism, as well as giving us tears and reflection where it counted.
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WHAT’S ON
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HE DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT) seeks to position the country as the world’s newest Muslimfriendly destination by giving out a host of incentives to tourism and travel establishments that will seek halal certification and turn their facilities “Muslim-friendly,” in the next 100 days. Tourism Assistant Secretary Art Boncato has announced that under the Philippine Halal Tourism Program, DOT will cover all fees for halal accreditation and assist the establishments every step of the way if they commit to turn their facilities “Muslim-friendly” in the next 100 days. Boncato, during a recent orientation with Davao travel establishments, said the program would work on increasing the number of halal-accredited and Muslim-friendly travel establishments in the Philippines to entice more Muslim travelers to the Philippines. He said that at least 40 establishments — 20 in Manila; 10 in Cebu and Boracay; and 10 in Davao — the four pilot areas identified for the Philippine Halal Tourism Program, have been targeted for halal certification by April 7, in time for the gastronomic event, “Madrid fusion” to be opened in Manila, where DOT has reserved a section for the halal showcase. Fazal Bahardeen, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Crescent Rating, world’s leading authority on Muslim travel, said the global tourism picture showing the growing number of Muslim travelers around the world has made it important for destinations to learn about this market. He said that Muslim travelers have increased from only 25 million in 2000 to 108 million in 2014, bringing in US$145 million in value. He said that in 2020, the number of Muslim travelers would reach 150 million, bringing in more than US$200 million in tourism receipts. “These Muslim travelers belong to the younger set, more educated, understand fully why travel is such an important
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thing to do,” Boncato said. He said the Philippines, which has not entered the list of the top 10 destinations of the Global Muslim Travel Index, has already tapped a portion of the Muslim market in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and India, but the main concern has always been the availability of halal-accredited and other Muslim-friendly facilities. “In 2014, we only had some travelers coming from India and the Asean,” Boncato said. “But their dietary concerns, especially India and Israel, can be addressed by halal industry,” he said. “We want to double and triple these arrivals, and because halal tourism market is also a growing market globally, we want to give opportunities with stakeholders in the tourism sector to tap into this market,” Boncato added. “The Philippine halal tourism project aims to make the Philippines the newest Muslimfriendly destination,” he said. “That’s very easy to say, but very difficult to do because it means we have to make halal food available to Muslim visitors by increasing the number of halal-accredited establishments in the country, from north to south.” Boncato said the DOT decided to pilot halal certification in Manila as the main market; Cebu, as the secondary one; Boracay, as the most popular among for-
eign tourists; and Davao, as the most successful destination in the heart of Mindanao. “We will invest heavily in an information campaign on the Philippines as a Muslim-friendly destination and we will position your properties as main property in the Philippines sup-
porting halal tourism,” Boncato said as he urged tourism establishments to take part. Aside from Crescent Ratings, the DOT also partnered with the Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Philippines (HICCIP) for the project. (Inquirer)
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Love Knows No Boundaries C By kathryn robinson
ROSS-BORDER marriages have been steadily growing in number since the 1980s in Japan, and from the 1990s in Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore. In the case of Taiwan, marriages to foreign-born wives accounted for 13 percent of all new marriages in 2009, down from a high of 28 per cent in 2003.
Does cross-border marriage represent citizens exercising a fundamental right recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Or, since many of these marriages involve forms of brokering, are they as many critics contend a form of human trafficking? Marriages between women from less wealthy regions to men of affluent nations emerged as an aspect of the significant growth in global migration since the 1970s, with possibilities for mass travel on wide-bodied jets and the associated phenomenon of global mass tourism. The first wave to catch public attention was Filipinas seeking spouses in countries like the United States, Canada and Australia. Relatively high levels of education and ability to speak English enabled these women to engage in correspondence courtships, brokered through third parties such as agents (often also travel agents) or magazines — in the case of Australia, Australian Post and Australian Singles. This is the origin of the pejorative term “mail order bride.” which denied the agency of the women and disregarded the
Marriages between women from less wealthy regions to men of affluent nations emerged as an aspect of the significant growth in global migration since the 1970s. ways in which the couples negotiated relationships through mail, phone calls and face-toface meetings. When I interviewed transnational couples who had experienced correspondence courtships (including via the internet) their narratives commonly fixed on the moment when “the spark” between them was ignited: “And the rest is history” was a common phrase used. The Australian experience gives us an important clue to how this phenomenon has further developed in East Asia. Many of the Filipinas who married Australians were urban, educated women who married men in mining towns in places such as Western Queensland or the Hunter Valley. Earlier waves of Australian migration that attracted male industrial workers resulted in localized demographic imbalances. Correspondence courtships to seek a Filipina spouse was one of the few avenues open to these male migrants to marry and have a family life. Another early global trend involved women from Thailand and the Philippines marrying Japanese men. Some of these were “entertainment mar-
riages” with women migrants in the entertainment industry, but many brokered marriages echoed the Australian pattern, with farmers seeking a solution to their difficulties finding Japanese spouses. Demographic imbalances have contributed to the rise of cross-border marriages, as has increasing education levels creating new aspirations for women in East Asia whereby life as a farmers” wife does not appeal. In urbanized Singapore, women want to “marry up” (encouraged by state-sponsored population control policies) so low-status men in low-paid jobs face difficulties marrying. They — or their parents — broker marriages with women from Vietnam and Thailand. Is this a form of trafficking? Brokering cross-border marriages has become a business opportunity for companies that are often also employment or travel agents. Men can pay up to US$10,000 to brokers, who might net US$1,000–$5,000 per transaction. But a significant proportion are still arranged by relatives. Often, the arranging of these transnational marriages is akin to customary forms of marriage brokerage.
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Cases of abuse, such as Southeast Asian women unwittingly being recruited to prostitution by Western or East Asian spouses through promises of marriage, or cases of family violence, attract sensational reporting. While these illegal actions require official responses and management they should not be used to argue for bans on cross-border marriage. Australia and the Philippines, for example, have long implemented policies aimed at minimizing the risk of exploitation of prospective brides — and grooms. These included improved processes for testing the authenticity of relationships but also working with community and church organisations to provide information to prospective marriage migrants about life in Australia and their legal rights and support services. The governments of countries from which cross-border spouses come have struggled to regulate the phenomenon, oscillating between attempts to ban and regulate brokers. But banning is difficult. Brokering is an outgrowth of customary forms of arranging marriage, and it relies very heavily on personalized networks. It is still the case that the majority of cross-border marriages are organized through family and kinship networks, and increasingly facilitated by modern technology. These marriages can be particularly important in allowing women from lessdeveloped countries to work in high-wage economies and send home remittances. Cross-border marriage is inevitable in our globalized world, an aspect of its cosmopolitanism. It inevitably involves risk, but for many it offers opportunities in regard to their personal life, social experience as well as economic opportunity. - Asia Sentinel n
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Bangsamoro Basic Law:
Forgotten Battle? By amir mawallil
Civilians flee fighting in Mindanao.
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Collective aspirations
OMETHING is palpable in the air right now, something threatening. And it’s this: Before we know it, no one is talking about the Moro people and the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) anymore but us alone. Is the BBL dead? Is it over? We talk about this as our hearts bleed over yet another tragedy of our time. And if indeed it is over, then it is a tragedy courtesy of the powerful men and women, them politicians, whose eyes continue to swell with suspicion and whose hearts overflow with hatred. How heartbreaking it is to watch our dear lawmakers forget about Mindanao and the Moro people. How many of us are disgusted at the utter disregard of the Moro struggle and the clamor for an end to our decades-old oppression? The failure to pass the BBL speaks volumes of the low regard of the Moro struggle and sacrifices by our lawmakers. I heard someone say that the fate of the BBL at the hands of our lawmakers was like watching drunkards piss on the memory of the martyrs of the revolution and everything that the revolution represented. Such disrespect.
The beast that devoured it But with the elections coming, expect to hear different narratives that fit the time. The soundbites and TV frames will no longer be dedicated to BBL.
BBL is dead but the clamour for peace persists.
A gathering of MILF rebels. Soon, ours might just be a forgotten battle or a dead revolution. Perhaps our stories will only be remembered every 25th day of January, the day when the whole country stops in a mixture of rage and silence to recall the operation of a team of special police operatives in the now popular town of Mamasapano in Maguindanao. Right now, we hear these
stories: about Mamasapano being the beast that devoured all the possibilities for a Bangsamoro Basic Law. Most likely, history books will be as ignorant, if not more cruel. But these are stored in the collective memory of the Moro people, leaving an imprint that will last for generations. This is the kind of memory that will haunt even the most merciless of oppressors.
But we still hope. There is still hope – no matter how weak it is. Peace remains possible. We have proven this when all the guns continued to remain silent despite the failure to pass the BBL on time – as promised. That peace remains possible, and the only option to solving the Mindanao problem is proven by the continued aggressiveness of peace actors who remain true and committed to protect the peace process and everything that it has achieved over the years. The same peace actors refused to kneel down to the devastating news of a failed BBL. In fact, peace was set on the table when peace actors met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, very recently to review the peace agreement between the government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front. At the meeting, peace and reconciliation were the main dish. The meeting was a feast and the star was peace in Mindanao. Despite the failure to pass BBL, we find comfort in our collective determination to overcome even the toughest and most dreadful of adversities. We are comforted by our undying aspiration for peace and justice in a troubled land. And we continue to bathe in our belief that the Bangsamoro is probably the Moro people’s last chance to seeing a rainbow, a rainbow of hope bursting with possibilities – despite our tragedy. (Rappler.com) Amir Mawallil is the executive director of the Bureau of Public Information of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. n
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19-20 Mar. 2016
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Good Governance Filipino Style or TUWID NA DAAN Now that the Philippine election is heating up there’s a lot of bragging going around but where are the facts? Good Governance is becoming a buzz word but what does that mean? Filipinos overseas, while in touch with their families and friends through social media, miss out on what is happening in the country that greatly benefits from their remittances. And Loida will want to fill in the gaps during her Let’s Talk Good Governance with Loida Nicolas-Lewis that begins in Milan and Rome on 28 February, Naples on 1 March,
Florence on 3 March, Barcelona on 5 March, Madrid on 6 March and London on 10 March. The forum was held in Paris and Vienna in December 2015. Bragging of the good kind is one way to demonstrate the Good Governance of Aquino’s Tuwid na Daan using the OFWs’ precious remittance to improve SOME ills of the country. For more info on how OFW remittance benefitted the country under the Good Governance of the Aquino administration, follow Loida Nicolas-Lewis as she skips and hops Europe and the UK from 28 February – 10 March.
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The Fire Mummies and Hanging Coffins of the Philippines In the burial caves you will find the well preserved mummies curled up in the fetal position in their original, egg-shaped coffins.
By adam karlin
T
HE first time I saw a backyard in the province of Benguet, in the high mountains of the Philippines, I wasn’t shown a pleasant garden, a trampoline, or other assorted artifact of the American lawn. I was shown a charnel house—shelves packed with hundreds of skulls and femurs, like I had stumbled upon Pinhead’s own file cabinets. All right. Technically, I wasn’t in someone’s back yard. The Opdas mass burial cave in the Philippines village of Kabayan belongs to no one individual, but to the community as a whole. This makes sense, as the bodies stored in that cool gulch represent the ancestors of the area’s contemporary residents. Kabayan is a small burg, and as I peered over the lip of the burial grounds—a place that felt as if it should be tucked away from the prying eyes of the living world—children laughed and kicked a deflated soccer ball just a few feet away. The Cordillera Central of the Philippines, a mountain range of deep valleys, high walls, white waterfalls, and lush jungle that forms the highland heart of Luzon, has always had an iconoclastic approach to managing the dead. In a part of the world where ghost stories are taken at face value and the ancestors—living and dead—are reliable moral compass bearers, a corpse is more than an empty
The Igorot tribe have been burying their dead in hanging coffins, attached to the sides of cliffs, in the belief that this brings them closer to their ancestral spirits and would also keep their bodies safe. vessel. It’s an object of veneration and, beyond that, a sacred relic that must be maintained. Yet the Opdas mass burial cave was far from the most unusual sight of my journey; when I considered its design and execution, it was effectively a cemetery with an open window. A few hours hike away, I encountered more vividly unique funerary location. The name, “Fire Mummies of Kabayan” conjures an admittedly awesome daydream combination of the Human Torch and a classic horror movie monster shambler wrapped in bandages. The real-life incarnation is just as impressive. Instead of a burning bandaged beast, one finds leathery corpses arranged into seated, crossarmed positions, their mouths open in a perpetual scream, their leather skinned-flesh stretched taut over yellowing bones and teeth. The creation of the Fire Mummies is unique to this re-
gion and the local Ibaloi people. In the past, the soon-to-die would drink a salty drink and, upon death, be seated over a closed fire. The process would dry the body of its juices; as the corpse cooked, tobacco smoke was blown into its mouth to stymie interior decomposition, while herbs were rubbed into the body’s skin. The newly created Ibaloi Mummies were then placed in pinewood coffins and buried in caves across the mountainous spine of the Cordillera. Only Ibaloi elders know the location of these resting areas, although intrepid travelers can access some of the burial sites with the help of a hired guide. Not all Fire Mummies are found in caves, however. Some rest in niches or rock outcroppings or isolated yet exposed places. In traditional Filipino highland culture, privacy and understatement were never priorities when it came to interment.
A few hours from Kabayan, the village of Sagada is an alpine retreat, a cool respite from the heat of the lowlands, a former enclave for dissident Filipino intellectuals and European hippies, and currently a pit stop for backpackers. Those who hike in Sagada will sometimes wander the road to nearby Ambasing, where you can see, cut into the cliffs, coffins stacked like cordwood, clinging to the rock face like mountain goats. The cliff hanging coffins supposedly kept their occupants closer to heaven, although the efficacy of this practice is called into question when you hear tales of smashed coffins and bones lining the bottom of local valleys. Other bodies are interred in the enormous cave systems that dot the Sagada valley walls like swiss cheese holes. At the entrance to the Lumiang caves, some 100 coffins are stacked at the entrance, many of their lids carved with crawling lizards, a local symbol of long life and fertility. For a truly dark journey, one can hire a guide who will take you on an underground trek through Lumiang, past underground river systems and through narrow capillary tunnels, into the Sumaging Cave. It’s a journey that hopefully avoids burial grounds—in the mountains of the Philippines, the dead are more likely found at a cave’s entrance, as opposed to its depths—yet will still send shivers down your spine. (TheLine-Up.com) n
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