Hana-san

That was how a young Japanese soldier called my late grandmother during their WWII occupation of Davao. Hana means "flower," and because my grandma was around ten years old that time, the soldier probably meant that she was in her flowering age. Her real name was Beatriz.

Lola Beatriz (girl) with Mamerto (left)
and Mama Tibay (bride)

My lola, whose father was Chinese, was raised by her grandparents. When she was still very young, her father, a tailor, took her elder brother back to China (remember that the Chinese prefer sons). I guess they never heard from them again. Then her mother, Manuela, married another man and had other kids.

Lola used to help man a sari-sari store her grandparents owned in Panacan. That was where she met the friendly Japanese soldier, who along with other soldiers assigned around the area, were frequent customers. She said he often brought her sweet manju, something she really liked. She also learned Japanese words and songs during that time, one of which she would gladly sing when we requested. Then one day the Japanese soldiers were sent away and she never saw her friend again.

Lola also liked talking about a grandpa who was very fond of her. She calls him Mamerto Osorio (I think he is her great grandpa. This bit got me confused when I asked about her ancestors because the last names didn't match.) He liked bringing her when he walked about town. Then she would talk about dulce (she meant candies). There were always candies aplenty in her pockets.

Although she descended from some of the oldest families in Davao, she grew up poor. In fact she only had elementary education. Nevertheless, she became a cook and a seamstress.

With seven children you would think a woman of her stature would find it hard to be successful, but she sent them all to college. Not only that, she even had the grace to accept into her home some relatives and friends who needed a place to stay. Though they were living in one of the poorest areas in the city, her neighbors considered her rich, thrifty, and enterprising (must be the Chinese blood in her).

Eventually she and my grandfather (who also didn't finish school) were able to save money and buy a property in Buhangin. Just thinking about all they have gone through makes me proud.

I had tough and strong grandparents. Both my grandfathers I consider warriors: one was a soldier feared even by his superiors; the other was the quietest, most intense man I have ever met. But lola Beatriz outlasted them all. Happy birthday Lola! May you be in the arms of our Lord forever!

Gangsta Issues

At Church today, the woman in front of me let her son play on her mobile while the priest was having his homily. The boy played with volume, so I told him to turn the volume down. I really, really, really don't like it when this happens. It makes me mad and sad at the same time. I can't count how many times I have reprimanded people, especially kids and teenagers who are playing with their mobile phones on masses.

So I sat back on my seat, then see the lady beside me texting! Riiiight...Was it okay I surrendered?

* * * * * *

Yesterday, I received an email from my American client. So she finally heard about the president, unfortunately she thought he was scary. So I wrote her an email, my first long one, to explain what's really happening here. It was my first defense of the president, and hopefully the last. It's getting harder by the day to defend him. I just wish he would stop talking.

She sent her reply this morning. She liked the long exchange and said it made her know me a little better. :)

* * * * * *

I love this rare photo of them laughing. Precious!

MUSIC. I had a 90s RnB and Hip hop September! I had on repeat music by Color Me Badd and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. In fact I'm still under the BTNH spell, immersing myself with their life stories and music. There's this exhaustive, not to mention extremely long, article about BTNH's history called MACHETES DIPPED IN RUM: The Oral History of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. It's so worth checking out! I also watched this documentary, TV One's Unsung on Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

New York Undercover

Actually, the reason I got the BTNH bug was because of TV One's Unsung series, the Hollywood version. I saw this Unsung Hollywood episode about New York Undercover, the TV series I used to watch on ABC 5 (now TV 5 in the Philippines) mid-90s. I forgot how much I loved that show! Then, while I was browsing Unsung's other episodes, I found the feature on BTNH.

Bravo!

I've been waiting so long for something like this. And if not for people spreading this on social media, I would not have known. Just a little bit more though, particularly with the acting of extras (because what happens in the background especially if it's not done well bothers me), and it would be perfect. I loved the cast. I loved the long take. I loved the reference to Juan Luna's Spoliarium, and man, did I cry. I hope the other two movies, about Gregorio del Pilar and Manuel Quezon, of the planned trilogy get made.

I watched last night with my sister, father, and mother, on her 60th birthday.

Kulas' Davao Invasion

Kyle "Kulas" Jennermann, the Canadian who wants to "Become Filipino," has finally reached the Davao Region!

With the help of his uyab (girlfriend) Cindy, the scooter, and Kumar, the man behind the camera, he traveled from Cagayan de Oro, where he is based, through Bukidnon, Buda, Davao City, Compostela Valley, Cateel, and finally to Mati.

Below are his video diaries while in Davao City. I love it!





Check out more of his videos in his Youtube Channel or Facebook Page.

There's a good chance he'll be coming back this Araw ng Dabaw. So atchup! Whatever that means hehehe.
#BecomingFilipino

TBT: Old PBA Clippings

It's been a week since Gilas Pilipinas left the FIBA World Cup with an unforgettable final game win against Senegal. Yet I'm still on a high. I can't stop watching videos and reading articles of teams and players past (90s at the latest, because I'm a 90s kid). There are reviews all around the web on who the best PBA players are, or who the all-time best Filipino basketball players are since we started competing internationally. The former will have at the top Ramon Fernandez, and will also always include Robert Jaworski and my favoritest gunslinger, ALLAN CAIDIC! The latter, that is if we consider the pioneers, will have Caloy Loyzaga and our very own Lauro "The Fox" Mumar, who was my late grandfather's cousin.

So as I said, I've been watching old PBA video clips uploaded on Youtube. The late 80s and the 90s are what I grew up on. It was the peak of Patrimonio and his contemporaries, which included Samboy Lim, Hector Calma, Ato Agustin, Yves Dignadice, and Caidic. Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm a San Miguel Beer fan. :)

This is supposed to be a Throwback Thursday post and it's already 50 minutes to Friday. So before I run out of time, I present these yellowed pages:

1998 Philippine National Basketball Team

90s San Miguel Beermen

of course!

Norman Black era

I think this is 2002 Asian Games

Please Pray for the Philippines

Zamboanga City conflict aftermath
September 2013

Intensity 7.2 earthquake in Bohol and the Visayas region
October 2013

Just days ago, Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) destroyed cities in Luzon and Visayas, particularly Tacloban and Ilo-ilo. More than 10,000 people are believed to be dead. Thousands more are missing because of the storm surge. Communication lines are out and the military and police officers are not enough to control the people, who are now resulting to looting and scavenging, even with dead bodies lying around.

We need your help and prayers as we brace for another Tropical Depression forming east of Southern Mindanao. The weather advisory above was issued by PAGASA last night. As I'm writing this, the weather in Davao City is already cloudy it's getting windy outside. This weather disturbance is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within 24 to 36 hours. It's expected to be in the vicinity of Surigao, Bohol, and Palawan.

How to help Typhoon Haiyan survivors
CNN has made a list of how/where to donate.

Other links

UNICEF
World Food Program
Philippine Red Cross
ABS-CBN's Sagip Kapamilya
GMA Network Foundation
Caritas Manila


Photos: inquirer.net, yahoo, PAGASA

Three Philippine-themed Films in the running for the 2014 Oscars Foreign Language

so far. This is exciting news! Watch the trailers below:

Official entry of the Philippines: TRANSIT, a film by Hannah Espia



Official entry of Singapore: ILO ILO, a film by Anthony Chen, winner of the prestigious Camera d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival



Official entry of the UK: METRO MANILA, a film by Sean Ellis

What about them?

This is just an afterthought I had of the Kadayawan festival. My experiences recently at the festival and the museum gave me new insights about the people who lived here long before the colonists came. It immersed me into our very own culture the same time I was seeking more from those in foreign lands, specifically the American Indians. And I thought what a great way to be learning about different cultures. But that's not what I'm supposed to be writing about.

I was thinking about our neighbors who are just there, waiting to be noticed, these outcasts of our society. They are the Badjao. What about them? Are there any festivals that include them in the celebration? I understand why they were not included in the Kadayawan. Although their roots are uncertain, here in the Philippines, they most probably came from Sulu (the west end of Mindanao). They are a Muslim group, but a Muslim classmate told me the Badjao had different beliefs from the other tribes, in some ways. A lot of people cringe at the sight of them (like they carry a contagious disease or something). Outcasts: that's what I think our society has made them.

I remember back in grade school, we had a field trip to one of the Badjao communities in Davao City. It was like a center or a reservation beside the sea. When we got there, they gave us performances which were very interesting. I'm not a very good dancer, but I know a difficult dance when I see one. And the Badjao ethnic dance was difficult (for me anyway). They had all these artworks and crafts made of seashells. (Remember that they are people of the sea.) Then they treated us with a beach volleyball game, their boys versus our grade six (Holy Child) boys. They were just the same size, but we lost pretty bad. I could see there was potential in them. If they could only get more support... But then, most of them probably don't want it anyway, especially in the form of education. I don't know why...

The Davao Museum and the Mangyan Exhibit

I finally got to visit the Davao Museum after years of wondering where it was and what was inside it. A friend who works there invited me to an exhibit opening. Luckily my companion and I arrived early because the minute we walked in, it was obvious we were underdressed (jeans, rubber shoes, you get the idea). There were only a couple of guests by that time, so we were first given a tour of the tribal artifacts at the second floor. For sure, it was full of Davao's ethnic history from costumes, accessories, weaving, musical instruments to burial jars and weapons. It's almost all there and it looked wonderful in that renovated room. Further studies and researches would fill up what deficiencies we have.

Then the national anthem was sung. We joined the others downstairs for the celebration of another ethnic group from Luzon: the Mangyans.

Here's all the information you need about the exhibit (Source: Chi)

The Davao Museum of History and Ethnography will present Mangyan Heritage Center’s traveling exhibit “The Mangyans of Mindoro: Myth and Meaning” on September 5 until October 10.

The multimedia exhibit will feature the Mangyan’s rich cultural heritage through a display of their artifacts, images, poetry, and crafts. Guests will not only be engaged visually but will also experience hands-on lessons in writing the Hanunóo-Mangyan’s centuries-old pre-Spanish script, Surat Mangyan, and traditional Mangyan weaving and bead-working from Anya Postma, a stay-in half-Mangyan and half-Dutch whose father is the esteemed Dutch anthropologist and Mangyan historian Antoon Postma.

Mangyan is the generic name for Mindoro’s eight indigenous peoples (IPs) groups. Each tribe has its own distinct language and cultural traditions. Among them, the Hanunóo-Mangyans have retained their use of their ancient syllabic writing which they have kept practicing even today despite constant threats of foreign influences. Their preservation of their traditional writing has also enriched and upheld their literary tradition, the “ambahan”, which is widely practiced among the tribe.

Also on display are information and a copy of the tracing of the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, the oldest Philippine document found in Laguna dating from the 10th century. The Copperplate was transcribed and translated by Antoon Postma in the early '90s.

Discover the Mangyan experience at the Davao Museum. Visit the Museum at Zonta Bldg., Agusan Circle, Lanang, Davao City. For more information on the exhibit and tour schedules, please contact Davao Museum’s Information Desk at 233-1734 and look for Wilma or Chi.

And yes I know how to write my name in Mangyan now.

Photo courtesy of Dom.

Concerto

I want to watch this Cinemalaya 2008 finalist. Setting: Davao City. Nice. We should make more movies set in Davao City. I believe we have a very interesting history. =) Dig up those stories filmmakers!





Concerto is about how, in the last part of World War II, a special piano concert is held in the forests of Davao. In these boondocks, a displaced Filipino family becomes acquainted with a group of Japanese officers, similarly camped nearby. Based on true stories from the director's family, Concerto celebrates a family whose reverence for life, expressed through their love of music and friendship, can survive even war, and shows how beauty and compassion can grow in even the harshest of conditions.

Source: Concerto

Yu

My neighborhood is running out of kids. At an age when everyone is playing indoors in front of television or computer screens, I kind of miss seeing children chasing each other on the streets. It was us long ago, but we have grown up, and no one seemed to take our place.

Yu is different. And because of the lack of kids his age, he often plays by himself, or rides a bicycle (adult size), or just visits, helps and have a conversation with his neighbors. Age didn’t matter to him. He was friendly to everyone. When he visits us (and usually we’d be surprised to see him come out of nowhere), he would talk to us about anything. Smart kid.

Last March he was invited by a neighbor from another street to join the Way of the Cross on a coming Friday. Unfortunately, he was not allowed to go that night by his grandpa. The next day (Saturday), that neighbor, upon hearing why he couldn’t come, asked him instead to attend the weekly KSP (Kasaulogan sa Pulong) in the chapel for that night. I stayed at home and the KSP started at 8 PM. Minutes after it began, I saw Yu walk past our house and heard his grandpa shouting that he’s not allowed to go out at night all by himself. He just answered that he promised to go to the chapel.

But now my favorite young neighbor is back in Japan with his family. He was brought here just a baby with an older brother, Jin, who just stayed for a while. His grandparents took care of him.

My father was told that Yu is doing well in Japan. Just this morning, he told me two accounts about Yu that are worth sharing.

The first one was when they went for a swim in the pool. Yu’s older brother didn’t let him borrow this thing children use to float and paddle in the water, so he asked his father in Bisaya if he could jump in the water. Although his father, a Japanese, did not understand what Yu was trying to say, he nodded and said yes. So Yu ran and jumped into the pool. Surprised, the father watched, but Yu was already swimming.

In another time, Yu wanted to borrow his brother’s bicycle, but was refused again. He shifted his attention to an old neighbor who was learning to ride a bike. He approached the neighbor, assisted and gave directions in, I imagine, the Visayan dialect. After that, he received a new bicycle as a gift from the neighbor. Way to go, Yu!

Now don’t think his older brother is bad. I have some good memories of him, too, although he stayed for just a short time. I’ve never seen anyone do a series of bows that fast like Jin. He did it in front of me while we were kneeling. We were playing in our house that time. =)

Pinoys Around the World

Last year we had Charice Pempengco and Arnel Pineda. This year we started with Ramiele Malubay and Renaldo Lapuz of American Idol season 7.
Last week I've read about half-Filipino twin sisters who are singers in Hong Kong. They are Jill and Janice Vidal, pictured left.

Madonna Decena wows England in (quote)Britain's(unquote) Got Talent. See video below for her touching rendition of Whitney Houston's 'I will always love you'. This 33-year-old single mom is so lucky. Way to go Mado! And she met Simon Cowell and Ant and Dec all in one place! *jealous* lol

And the latest news comes from the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Brillante Mendoza's Serbis made it to the top 19 films that will compete for the Palme d'Or. This film is about male movie house prostitutes and stars Gina Pareño and Coco Martin. It's the first Filipino film in competition since 1984's "Ora Pro Nobis" by Lino Brocka. The Film Experience Blog gives some short description of each film competing and Johnny (of Your Headphones) shares a little background on the director so go ahead and read. It sure is a great thing to be included in a tough group. Good luck Serbis!

Update: 04/30/08
Charlie Green on Britain's Got Talent - His mom is from Cebu.

Filipinos on American Idol Season 7

Okay, so I finally decided to make a post about American Idol. Season seven has just started and good news are coming to Filipinos. The other week, we were caught by this yet to be released hit song (LOL) entitled "We're brothers forever." This week we heard the big voice of a petite Filipina.

They say Renaldo Lapuz is the next William Hung, but I don't think so. Though they have the same passion, William Hung can't sing, period. Lapuz, on the other hand, is very... Filipino. Music is in him =). And what he did, funny it may be, made me proud. In fact, a lot of people are inspired by what he did and his message. Just look at the number of videos on Youtube and messages that appreciate him.

Here are two of my favorite covers of the song "We're brothers forever" a.k.a "I am your brother" by Renaldo Lapuz:

I am your sister by Alina


This next one for me is better. A friend of mine said he had goosebumps upon hearing this version.

We are Brothers Forever by vinthomas1


Check out Youtube for more versions and remixes of the song. In the meantime, you can download DPAUL's remix for free HERE.

Last night, in the Miami auditions, we saw Ramiele Malubay follow the footsteps of Jasmine Trias. I'm glad that she showed real talent and I wish her all the best in the coming episodes.

Great Talents: Charice, Arnel and Emile

First I'll post my new discoveries of Filipino talents. (I love my own LOL)

Filipinos are known for their love of music. Hence a lot of us (ehem) can sing. And a good number have excellent singing voices. I just found out that 15-year old Filipina Charice Pempengco is making waves in Korea, the United States and the world. Was it just recently that she was a finalist in Little Big Star? Maybe this is the prize for not winning that contest. Search for her in youtube and you'll find several videos of her performances. She also came out as a guest in the Ellen DeGeneres show last December 18.

Then after that big discovery, lo and behold, another big one popped up. Cover band The Zoo singer Arnel Pineda was just hired to be the new lead vocalist of The Journey. Now isn't that cool or what? Just like how Ellen discovered Charice, Arnel was discovered by Journey via cover videos of Journey songs posted on Youtube. Wow, the world is really getting smaller...

Emile Hirsch

Emile Hirsch, whom I just recently saw in the movie Lords of Dogtown, was nominated for a best actor SAG award for his work in Into the Wild. Although he wasn't nominated for a Golden Globe, the SAG's choices supposedly have more chances of being nominated for an Oscar. Let's hope Emile gets an Oscar nod. And let's hope the cinemas here get to show that film.

If you haven't seen any of his movies yet, go find one. People say he's got the intensity of Leo and/or River Phoenix (looks like them, too), which you will eventually observe. It's hard to find a good actor his age these days. (I would like to mention he reminds me of Whitfield Crane, Ugly Kid Joe's vocalist.)

=====================================

P.S. Quentin Tarantino wore a barong Tagalog in Golden Globe's nomination night. Astig! Hahaha really, really makes me proud!!!

Outstanding Mayor

I've always liked asking my parents about how life was in their younger days. But it's usually my father who gives me interesting stories. He likes to talk so I make it a point to get the most from those sessions. Eventually, I've learned a lot of things, unusual things, not only about my family's history, but also on Davao's history... and I would like to share them.

First off, I want to talk about this former Mayor of Davao City. This week I asked my father if there was any politician from Davao who was not only outstanding, but one who stood out from the rest. I said someone who's like Mayor Duterte in ways more than one. He said Luis Santos.

He told me amazing stories about this former Mayor Luis Santos that I couldn't believe instantly if they were true. Santos, he said, was a former Huk, who became Chief of Police. Then there was one story about women raped at Jacinto Street. My father said Santos searched and killed all four suspects on his own.

Then he became Mayor and if you'd think about it, he must be a terror. He was given the nickname Diego Salvador from a local radio soap about a cowboy of the same name.

The story's quite fantastic. He's like a character in one of those Eddie Garcia movies... very impressive.

Iza Calzado is Ken Zhu's leading lady

Iza Calzado, who just finished her shoot for the Hollywood remake of Sigaw entitled "The Echo," would be starring alongside F4's Ken Zhu next.

"Batanes: Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan" tells the story of a Manila girl named Pam (Iza) who went to Batanes because she fell in love with an Ivatan. Ken Zhu portrays the role of a Taiwanese fisherman who has a mysterious affair with a girl he met in Batanes. (The title seems too long and too overused. Is there any way to shorten it?)


The role of Iza was first offered to Judy Ann Santos. But because of her tight schedule, she recommended Iza, her co-star in Ouija, instead. Fortunately, Iza's schedule (note again that she's doing "The Echo" along with her other shows) was fixed.

Ken Zhu arrives on September 26.

Batanes is due for an Asian release, too. Iza is taking Asia and the world! ...and Ken ;p

Source: Manila Bulletin Online

Sullan Achievers

Last Monday, August 20, 2007, Fr. Julius Sullan Tonel was ordained Bishop of the Prelature of Ipil (Zamboanga) at the San Pedro Cathedral (Davao City). Today, I found out his niece is having her Masters Degree in Toronto, Canada. Ruby May Sullan was my neighbor and classmate once. She skipped two grade levels in elementary, passed and studied in Philippine Science High School - Mindanao Campus, and attended the University of the Philippines Diliman taking up BS Chemistry. They are such achievers for a family and the pride of Davao City!

Pisay the Movie

It’s an independent film, so I guess I wouldn’t be able to watch it here in Davao, unless…

Go Pisay!

For Filipinos wherever you are

Once in a while, I get to read articles on Filipino values from forwarded emails, news sites or the local newspapers to the point that one may find what they are teaching ordinary. Yet, I always get excited when I do find one. I guess I want to feel patriotic at times especially with so much negativity around.

Read Take pride in Filipino values by MARIE FRANZ JERUTA.

Other news: Pope Benedict XVI asks Filipinos to pray for Lebanon peace.

Philippine Idol News

HOST: Ryan... Seacrest??? ... nope. It's Ryan Agoncillo. I'm glad they chose a non-singing host

JUDGES: Ryan Cayabyab, Pilita Corales, Francis M. (who's going to be Simon?)