I Celebrate the Obama Era

It’s everywhere.. the Obama madness I mean. History is being made and it’s happening not only in America but also in every part of the globe. I want to do my part by sharing with you the videos that has moved me in one way or another.

Almost all big stars from movie and music industry gathered at We Are One Concert at the Lincoln's Memorial to celebrate history and the future. You’ll Never Walk Alone sang by Renee Fleming with US Naval Academy Glee Club made me cry. It stroke deep chords of my emotions and it made me missed my great grandmother so much.

The sensational Charice Pempengco graced at various Obama Pre-inauguration Balls in Washington, DC. She made every Filipino proud when she brought the house down with her world-class performances. She was also dubbed by Oprah as The Most Talented Girl in the World. Mabuhay ka Charice!

And now, the turning point of our history – the swearing in of President Obama. I want the video to say it all..

Lastly, the first dance of President Obama and First Lady Michelle with Beyonce singing "At Last". (What a fitting song for the first couple! After all their struggles, they finally made it to the White House!) I could only describe it with one word - overwhelming!

An Ode to My Father

On January 12, 1954, a bouncing baby was born into this world. He came as the sixth child from a brood of ten. He was the most favored son by his doting parents. He grew up humbly in the rural agricultural town of Trinidad, Bohol. Twenty-three years later, he would become my father.

When I was eight or nine, my loving father gathered me and my four younger siblings in our living room to record songs on cassette tape. He played his guitar while I belted out ‘We are the World’ by Michael Jackson and “Mutya Ka Baleleng” by Max Surban. Then my sister and brothers hummed to Freddie Aguilar’s songs. Until now, that cassette tape remains an unrivaled highlight in our family gatherings as well as an ultimate source of never-ending family jokes.

My father is a musician at heart. He reads musical notes, conducts a chorale, and plays musical instruments such as piano, guitar, and harmonica. He leads an all-male group named MIGS that sings on weddings. I grew up listening to their wonderful voices. (MIGS was the choir at my wedding. They serenaded me with Petula Clark’s ‘You and I’ while I walked down the aisle which really made my childhood dream came true.)

Since the day I learned to be aware of things, he already imposed strictness unto me – in a good way, of course. He disciplined me to be responsible and prudent. He trained me to be self-reliant and upright. He encouraged me to read and be informed. He taught me how to be humble and generous. He supported my interests. He listened to my whines. He gave me comforts. Most of all, he showered me an unconditional love.

Today is his 55th birthday. We talked on the phone a while ago and I told him how much I love him. I heard his voice cracked as he told me he loves me too. At this point, I feel that I am the luckiest because I have the best father one could ever ask for.

Happy birthday, Tatay Chito!

A Crisp Salute to a Maverick Marine

One can never get enough of the many principled men in this world. Lately, we just have been introduced to one of them. We have been introduced to one honest man and dedicated officer who courageously busted high society drug dealers infamously known as Alabang Boys.

Major Ferdinand Marcelino is a young marine from a modest family in Hagonoy, Bulacan. His humble beginnings included toiling as a construction worker, striving as a working student, and knuckling down as a police beat reporter. Eventually, his destiny brought him to the doors of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and became part of PMA Bantay-Laya Class of 1994.

He was commissioned as a Marine officer in the war-torn Mindanao during the early years of his military career. He waged war against the hostile group Abu Sayyaf. He was cited for his intelligence undertakings in capturing Abu Sayyaf Commander Abu Sabaya who staged the unforgettable Dos Palmas kidnapping in 2001. He also met head-on death threats from refusing bribes to rig the elections in Basilan.

In 2003, he turned down the recruitment from the core group of Magdalo officers who launched a mutiny against the Arroyo Administration. He said and I quote, “people did not send us to the PMA so that we would have nice combats or clothes or a nice life. We are trained to endure all kinds of hardships.”

At present, Marine Major Ferdinand Marcelino is the special unit head of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Few days ago, he and his team conducted the buy-bust operation in Ayala Alabang which led to the arrest of young elite scions, namely: Richard Brodett, Joseph Ramirez Tecson, and Jorge Jordana.

The PDEA conducted a pre-arrest investigation. They cased the suspects. In the end, they were able to entrap them thru a tactical operation in which they seized ecstacy tablets and considerable grams of cocaine. They followed procedures.

And so they thought.

Surprisingly (and irritatingly) though, the prosecutors trashed the legitimate arrest and even made an order (with the approval of no less Secretary Raul Gonzales of DOJ) to release the drug pushers on the ground of technicalities.

As of this moment, this case is still undergoing probe at House Committee on Drugs and pending on review by Department of Justice. If you happen to watch its live coverage on ANC, you will surely admire the courage Maj. Marcelino has mustered. He made Sec. Gonzalez turned red as tomato!

I am so disgusted to these scoundrels – families of the peddlers as well as some persons holding high government positions – who tried to bribe the agents to kill this case. Shame on you bad people!

On the other hand, I highly commend Major Macelino for living up to the maxim of his Alma Mater - Courage, Integrity, and Loyalty. It is nice to know that there are still people in the ranks that can keep their honor to serve God, Country and People. I am indeed proud of you, Sir. Please continue to do the good work for and on behalf of the Filipino People. Let the revolution continue and fight these evil menaces that inflict our nation.

Kudos and carry on!

(Reference & Reference)

A Pen versus A Bolo

If you are planning to bring your child to go for a leisure walk in Luneta Park today, you may take him first to the regal monument of our great national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and tell him, “Son, this is a very brave man who sacrificed his own life for a good cause. He wrote the revolutionary novels – El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed) and Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) – that opened up the minds of the Filipino people about the cruel practices of the colonist Spaniards. He was shot by a firing squad and he died as a patriot of our nation on December 30, 1896.”

Probably your child would be influenced to think that the best weapon to be a hero is a mighty pen.

Afterward, if you happen to pass across Manila City Hall then he points the shrine of Gat. Andres Bonifacio and asks, “Mom, is he also a great hero?”

Naturally you would also like to account to him the legacy of Bonifacio, the Father of Philippine Revolution. You'd emphasize that Bonifacio was a hero with an uncompromising stance in leading his countrymen to the path of freedom. And as the supremo of Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangan Katipunan (KKK), he led his men in performing a blood compact by using their blood to sign their names as new warriors for the Filipinos. Eventually, Bonifacio and his brothers were shot and buried in a shallow grave marked only by a few twigs and leaves.

Probably (again) your son would wonder who did better – Rizal or Bonifacio? A pen or a bolo?

Hitherto, the debate about Rizal versus Bonifacio has remained unabated. Mercilessly pitting the qualities of one against the other: the ilustrado class versus the proletariat, the sophisticated European education versus the self-schooled one, the privileged situation of one versus the plebeian beginnings of the other, Rizal's mastery of Spanish versus Bonifacio's Tagalog background, and the list goes on and on.

For me, both Rizal and Bonifacio bequeathed our race the imperative freedom that we are so entitled to. I strongly believe that these two great heroes should be honored equally, regardless if one used a pen or the other used a bolo.

Blogging Live While Watching Pacquiao vs De la Hoya

Every time Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao has a fight, Filipinos around the nation are glued to cheer for him. It is one of the few instances that streets have no traffic, crimes are close to zero, and people from all walks of life are united in praying for the People’s Champ.

Mark has an invite today so my sister and I choose to just sit tight in front of the TV. I’d like to try my best to blog live on every round of Pacman’s fight against the veteran Oscar “Golden Boy” De La Hoya.

Round 1
Pacquiao jabs his signature left and right hook combination. Oscar attacks like a lion protecting his turf. I root for Manny of course. My sister is biting her fingertips. I feel the tension in the air. Oscar closed the round as the favorite.

Round 2
Oscar appears stronger while Manny looks like an underdog. Oscar is throwing punches a lot more. Manny throws his left hook and landed on Oscar’s face. De la Hoya has a cut! He is bleeding. Yehey! It’s Manny dictating the fight now.

Round 3
Oscar seems to be confused. Pacquaio’s left is connecting. Oscar is making a distance. The crowd is shouting “Manny!” Pacquiao is mixing his punches. He throws 1-2-3 combination. Oscar appears tired already. So far, it’s still Manny who is dominating the bout.

Round 4
De la Hoya punches on Pacquiao’s left. Manny counters a left hook. Manny is no doubt has more speed than Oscar. Manny throws jabs in the bull’s eye. Oscar can’t land a punch on Manny. Where’s his vow to knockout Manny? It seems farfetched at this point. De la Hoya is like Pacquiao’s punching bag right now.

Round 5
Freddie Roach is urging Manny to do more. The round starts slow. Oscar connects with a jab. Manny throws a right hook. Triple jab from Manny. Oscar’s left eye is badly cut and he looks like an old lion beaten by the underdog.

Round 6
Can Oscar still trigger the gun? I don’t think so. Manny is speedy and brave. Oscar is deteriorating. Oscar’s right eye and nose are bleeding. Manny is undoubtedly good. He hits Oscar with 1-2 combination.

Round 7
This clearly is the match of speed that neutralizes the size. It’s been all Manny from round 1 to 6. Oscar is retreating when Manny attacks. Pacquiao corners De la Hoya. Oscar is hurt! Manny is moving for a kill. Oscar is hanging to survive. Manny is overpowering Oscar.

Round 8
Pacquiao is punishing De la Hoya. Oscar is not throwing anything. Manny is in complete domination. The golden boy seems melting and disappearing in the twilight of his career. Manny is raining punches to Oscar. I cheer the loudest!

Round 9
De la Hoya surrenders just as round 9 is set to begin. Manny is declared the champion!

It’s boxing at its finest indeed. No doubt, Pacquiao has just given the best Christmas gift to the entire Filipino race. Mabuhay ka, Manny!

The Dream Match

I'd like the pictures to say it all..

Watch Pacquiao vs. De la Hoya on Sunday 8am either on Solar Sports or at some selected theaters nationwide. Let's cheer for Manny and be united in claiming our Filipino pride!

I'm For Barack!

Why talk politics today?

Well, if you watch CNN religiously like me, you surely get bombarded with US political broadcasts nowadays especially that the 44th Presidential Election is just around the corner. I'm interested in its progress and of how the candidates uproot each other. Really, it's more thespian than reality tv!

At first, i liked John McCain because he is fatherly, soft-spoken and yeah, a Republican. I thought Americans should choose a leader that embodies the true image of its country. Moreover, he is with the present administration so he's in the loop of the real situation (especially intelligence feeds) in America, in particular, and in the world, in general.

BUT McCain is so lousy during debates. Like when it's his turn to speak, i could easily drowse off. He speaks monotonously. He also keeps on attacking his opponent and fails to highlight his qualifications. In other words, he's a loser.

This leads me to listen Barrack Obama more. I realized that Barack is not too corrupted by the politics of Washington. He is fresh, dynamic, and a family man. Most of all, he's black (an immigrant from Kenya) that means he definitely has the non-white people (like you and me) close to his heart.

My two younger sisters are registered nurses and they want to work abroad. I think if Obama wins in November, he will give them (and all OFW's, for that matter) more respect they deserve. He will efface the archaic white western supremacy through all its incarnations. Hopefully, a black US President will put an end to racism.

That said, i'm all for Barack Hussein Obama! I wish i could cast a vote in the US though. Tsk tsk.