PINOY AKO

BLUE DRAGON TRAVELING IN THE DESERT OF BAGHDAD IRAQ

2008-06-02T07:32:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of experiences to traveling in difference places here in Iraq, but last May 22, 2008 the best traveling that I had. Before I traveled by Airplane, Helicopter, Chinook and via convoy, but last May 22, 2008 we traveled with other Filipino and Iraqi security forces of our company. Usually if I’ve traveled by air/convoy it takes 30 minutes or one hour, but last May 22, I traveled for more than two hours in the road of the Baghdad City thru provinces of Baghdad. While we are traveling on the road we lost one of our trucks and we need to find it the location of this truck, our driver of GMC bullet proof and with other GMC decided to find it, during that time we don’t know what’s happening, we don’t we don’t what they are talking about because they talking by own their languages (Arabic). We try to ask them, what’s going on and why we need to go back on the road where we are been before. They explain to us and they said one of our trucks is missing and we need to find it. We can stop on the road and if we are heading with the traffic jam, our security force they will force to stop the all vehicle and to move and give us our way to pass as soon as possible and if they are not cooperates to us our security they will show their GUN to them and they are read to shoot them if they will try block are way. We turn around two times and because that I and the other Filipino tried talked to our security to stop our vehicle because we need pee and we can’t wait and they agreed to us but they said we need to do it fast because that place is dangerous. We stop in the middle of desert of Baghdad and I pee and they lookout us and to make it sure nobody can come over especially the local Iraqi walking by on the road. After three times turn around we found the missing truck, we laugh and we yelled “Where did you’ve been” and everybody laugh in the same time. We continue our travel and we arrived on the site safe and good. We are starving and feeling thirst and because of that I eaten the cucumber, corn beef and I drink a lot of cold water in the bottle.

BALUT

2008-02-29T05:09:00.000-08:00

It is protected by a calcite shell
inside is a mass of living tissue
it has originated from one cell
Soaked in fluid, provides its food issue
Cracking the shell id the way to eat it
start at the blunt pole and suck the juice out
then enjoy the flesh after you sip it
a savory tastes that pleasures the mouth
Eighteen days is all it take to prepare
and it is an art that requires no luck
you boil the egg and handle it with care
How i pity the fragile unborn duck
this is the fate of the Balut duckling
its way swimming in the stomach lining

Maalala Mo Kaya !!!

2008-01-30T07:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Ate Charo,

Thank you for considering this letter of mine. I'm writing about Ben.

We're in our twenties and both work in Makati . In fact, we used to be

officemates. I've known him for almost two years and all the time, I've

been in-love with him, although we are just friends and he has a girlfriend

he intends to marry.

Ate Charo, I can't help but fall in love with him. He's perfect! He's

responsible, intelligent, resourceful, thoughtful, loving, sweet, caring,

upright, kind, family-oriented, and a God-fearing individual. His good

looks are just an added bonus. I can't believe such a man still exists

today and I will forever be thankful for his friendship.

It is a pain to be so in-love with him because he and his girlfriend are

perfect for each other and are so happy being together. I don't know if

he's aware of my feelings for him, but winning his heart, I think, is out

of the question. His girlfriend is too precious for him. Losing her would

truly hurt him, and I don't want to see him in pain. I know, however,

that a part of me wishes he would reciprocate my love, but he's

just too good for me. He deserves someone better, like the girl he has

now.

Knowing he's happy with her is enough consolation for me. I want his

happiness even if it would mean my own despair. God knows how much I'm

suffering. Writing this letter alone is already a torture. I've been

trying very hard to forget him. I've done ways I know to free myself.

Pero ang kulit talaga ng puso ko, ayaw sumunod. Ate Charo, I haven't seen

or talked with him for a long time and I thought his absence would somehow

cool down the feeling, but it hasn't. I don't want to miss him, but I do

miss him terribly. How can I forget him?

Whenever I see a place, a thing, or a situation, my mind automatically

associates it with him. His memories occupy most of my waking and

sleeping hours. His face pops into my mind in the middle of my lunch, when

I'm

talking with my friends, cleaning my house, or just doing something which

has nothing to remind me of him. Odd, but true. I'm not bitter, Ate. I

don't blame myself, him, nor God for this situation. As a matter of fact,

I'm thankful. Painfully odd as it is, this situation has made me the mature

person I am now. But I can't help ask myself why should someone fall for

another when they are not meant for each other? Why Ate Charo? Why?

You know Ate, whenever I pray, I always ask God to help me let go of this

love. I just want to feel the same way he feels for me... as a friend

and nothing more. I know I can get through this because I believe that God

wouldn't give me something He knows I couldn't handle. Someday I will be

able to smile again without being hurt when I remember him. God has His

reason for all of these and until I know the reasons, I want to hear words

from you. Attached is my picture to show my sincerity and let you decide

if am really not meant for his love.

Please Ate Charo, help me.

Sincerely,

Berta

Dear Berta,

Punyeta kang bakla ka! Maganda pa sa iyo ang tsonggong puyat. Pinagod mo pa

ako sa pagbasa ng letter mo! Ang landi mo!!! Makati ka pa sa gabing Bicol!

Tigilan mo na ang ilusyon mo, iha. Hindi mo kayang ibigay kay Ben ang

kayang ibigay ng girlfriend niya. Sa susunod na sumulat ka pa sa akin,

ipapasagasa kita sa pison!!!

Ate C

Check This Out !!!

2008-01-16T11:12:00.000-08:00

A BIRTHDAY POEM

2007-11-23T23:05:00.000-08:00

Our Birthday comes once a year
creeping up on us, we all cheer
We all enjoy this special day
and celebrate it, our own way

A beautiful Birthday wish for you
and all your dreams become real too
Now is the time, to ask for your dreams
this day is lucky, so it seems

Another year, crept up on you
not just a year older, but wiser too!
God placed his hand upon our shoulder
our health and life, God is the holder

Ask your wish, it may come true
I know at our age, it's definitely due
Close your eyes, wish good and hard
I hope you enjoy your Birthday card..

HUWAG PO ITAY !!!

2007-08-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

Huwag Po Itay....

Nais kong ibahagi sa inyo ang namagitan sa amin ng aking itay isang gabi. Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang gabing iyon. Malakas ang ulan

noon nguni't maalinsangan ang simoy ng hangin.

Ako ay nagsusuklay sa aking silid, katatapos ko pa lamang maligo at nakatapis pa lamang noon . Narinig kong kumakatok si Itay sa aking pinto. Nang sagutin ko ang pagkatok niya ay sinabi niya na kailangan daw naming mag-usap at humiling na papasukin siya. Binuksan ko ang pinto at siya'y kagyat na pumasok sa aking silid.

Laking pagkagulat ko nang ipinid niya at susian ang pinto. Hinawakan ni Itay ang aking mga kamay, hinaplos-haplos niya ang aking buhok, ang aking mukha, pinaraan niya ang kanyang mga daliri sa aking kilay, sa aking mga pisngi,sa aking mga labi. Napasigaw ako.

"ITAY, huwag, huwag! Ako'y inyong anak! Utang na loob, Itay!" Nguni't parang walang narinig ang aking Itay. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang kanyang ginagawa. Ipinikit ko na lamang ang aking mga mata dahil ayaw kong makita ang mukha ng aking ama habang ipinagpapatuloy niya ang kanyang ginagawa sa akin.

Naririnig ko si Inay sumisigaw habang binabayo ang pinto at nagpipilit na ito'y buksan, "Hayop ka! hayop ka! Huwag mong gawin iyan sa anak mo! Huwag mong sirain ang kanyang kinabukasan".

Subalit wala ring nagawa si Inay, hindi rin siya pinakinggan ni Itay. Nanatili na lamang akong walang katinag-tinag at ipinaubaya ko na lamang ang aking sarili sa anumang gustong gawin ng aking Itay.

Pagkalipas ng ilang oras ay tumigil na rin ang aking Itay. Iniharap niya ako sa salamin ay ganoon na lamang ang aking pagkamangha at pagkagulat sa aking nakita. Magaling naman palang mag-make-up si Itay.

Nang gabing iyon ay nagtapat sa akin ang aking ama. Bakla pala siya. Labis akong nagalak sa galing at husay ng aking ama. Naisip ko na matutuwa ang aking boyfriend dahil lalo akong gumanda ngayon. Niyakap ko si Itay at pareho kaming napaluha sa labis na kagalakan. Masaya na kami ngayon at nabubuhay nang matiwasay.

Lovingly yours,

BADONG

PARA SA MGA ANAK !!!

2007-07-23T19:03:00.000-07:00

Pinakamamahal kung Anak,

Naipadala ko na pala yung 50 thousand pesos na pang tuition fee mo, pinagbili na
namin ang mga kalabaw natin. Ang mahal pala ng kursong COUNTER STRIKE,
wala na din pala tayong baboy naibenta na din para dun sa sinasabi mo na
project nyo na NOKIA N75, ang mahal naman ng project nayun. Kasama din ang 7
thousand dun para sa field trip nyo sa MALL OF ASIA, anak malayo ba yun mag
ingat kasa pagbibiyahe mo ha, isasanla pala namin ang palayan natin para
mabili na yong instrumentong I-POD na kinakailangan mo sa laboratory nyo.
Anak komportable kaba jan sa boarding house mo saan ba kamu dyan sa VICTORIA
COURT maganda ba dyan di ba mainit jan. Anak kamusta na pala yung
group project nyo na SANMIG LIGHT napailaw nyo na ba? mataas ba nakuha nyong
gradodun.

Anak sana bago pa maubos ang lahat lahat ng arian natin ay maka gradweyt
kana, walong taon ba talaga ang kurso mo sa SECRETARIAL, sana pag graweyt mo
makakuha ka ng trabaho kaagad kagaya ng manager ng kumpanya para mabawi
natin ang mga ari arian natin sa sanglaan. ay sya nga pala anak diba sabi
mo sa JOLLIBEE / McDONALD ka palagi kumakain ok ba naman sayo ang mga ulam
dyan baka hindi masarap kawawa ka naman.Eh yung school bus nyo na TAXI
sabihin mo sa driver mag ingat cya sa pag dri-drive.

Anak hanggang dito nalang at sa susunod ay ipapadala ko sayo ang pera na
pambili mo ng ALTIS na gagamitin mo sa VACANT SUBJECT mo.

Ang nagmamahal

Tanga mong magulang

Itang at Inang
P.S. Anak sana masagasaan ka ng Pison para matigil na ang panloloko mo.

I WANT TO SPEND MY LIFETIME LOVING YOU

2007-05-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

Moon so bright, night so fine
Keep your heart here with mine
Life's a dream we are dreaming

Race the moon, catch the wind
Ride the night to the end
Sieze the day, stand up for the light

I want to spend my lifetime loving you
If that is all in life I ever do

Heroes rise, heroes fall
Rise again, win it all
In your heart, can't you feel the glory?

Through our joy, through our pain
We can move worlds again
Take my hand, dance with me
(Dance with me)

I want to spend my lifetime loving you
If that is all in life I ever do
I will want nothing else to see me through
If I can spend my lifetime loving you

Though we know we will never come again
Where there is love, life begins
Over and over again

Save the night, save the day
Save the love, come what may
Love is worth everything we pay

I want to spend my lifetime loving you
If that is all in life I ever do
I want to spend my lifetime loving you
If that is all in life I ever do
I will want nothing else to see me through
If I can spend my lifetime loving you

NO TO GLORIA TEAM

2007-05-10T04:35:00.001-07:00

GET COPY

WELCOME TO MY WORLD

The Presidents of the Philippines

2007-05-10T03:59:00.000-07:00

G L O R I A M A C A P A G A L - A R R O Y O (2001-Present)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, born in April 5, 1947, was valedictorian of her high school class at Assumption Convent, was consistently on the Dean's List in Georgetown University in Washington DC, and graduated magna cum laude at Assumption College. She was sworn in as the 14th President of the Philippines on 20 January 2001 by Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. after the Supreme Court unanimously declared the position of President vacant, the second woman to be swept into the Presidency by a peaceful People Power revolution (EDSA II). She is now serving her second term after winning the presidential election last May 2005

J O S E P H E S T R A D A (1998-2001)

2007-05-10T03:57:00.000-07:00

Joseph E. Estrada, the 13th president of the Philippines, was born on April 19,1937 in Tondo, a ghetto area of Manila and once the home to the toughies and poorest of the poor, to Engr. Emilio Ejercito and Maria Marcelo. Estrada entered politics when he ran for Mayor of San Juan in 1968.

F I D E L R A M O S (1992-1998)

2007-05-10T03:56:00.000-07:00

Fidel V. Ramos won the Philippine election held on May 11, 1992 after campaigning against the country's long tradition of graft, corruption, and favoritism. Lacking a strong party organization and having been criticized for having served the Marcos dictatorship, Ramos won a seven-way race with only 24% of the vote to become the 12th president of the Philippines.

C O R A Z O N A Q U I N O (1986-1992)

2007-05-10T03:55:00.000-07:00

Corazon "Cory" C. Aquino is the First Lady President of the Philippines. She was the eleventh president of the Philippines. She was born on January 25, 1933 into a wealthy and politically prominent family based in Tarlac. In the turmoil that erupted over Ninoy Aquino's murder, the widowed Corazon became the symbol of moral opposition to the Marcos government.

F E R D I N A N D M A R C O S (1965-1986)

2007-05-10T03:54:00.000-07:00

Ferdinand E. Marcos was born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte on September 11, 1917 to Mariano Marcos and Josefa Edralin. He was the 10th president of the Philippines and held office from 1966 to 1986. He established an authoritarian regime in the Philippines that came under criticism for corruption and for its suppression of democratic processes. Besides being president, he also became the first prime minister in Philippine history.

D I O S D A D O M A C A P A G A L (1961-1965)

2007-05-10T03:53:00.000-07:00

Diosdado Macapagal was born in Lubao, Pampanga on September 28, 1910 to Urbano Macapagal and Romana Pangan. Known as the "poor boy from Lubao," He rose to become the 9th President of the Philippines in 1961. His journey from his humble beginnings in Lubao to the country's premier office in Malacanang was an inspiration for Filipinos. He was a man who brought a true sense of nationalism to public service and brought honor to the term politics.

C A R L O S G A R C I A (1957-1961)

2007-05-10T03:52:00.000-07:00

Carlos P. Garcia was the seventh president of the Philippines. He was born in Talibon, Bohol on November 4, 1896 to Policracio Garcia and Ambrosia Polistico. He began his studies at the Siliman University in Dumaguete and later transfered to the Philippine Law School where he finished his law degree in 1923. He took the bar examination and was among the top ten who passed it. It was at the Bohol Provincial School where he initially started teaching.

R A M O N M A G S A Y S A Y (1953-1957)

2007-05-10T03:51:00.000-07:00

Ramon Magsaysay, known popularly as "The Guy," was born in Iba, Zambales on Aug. 31, 1907. He was the second child of Exequiel Magsaysay and Perfecta del Fierro. As the eighth president of the Philippines, Magsaysay endeared himself to the Filipino masses by giving them easier access to the Office of the President and providing them more opportunities to air their grievances. To this day, his qualities and his kind of leadership are looked up to as standards for Filipino leaders.

E L P I D I O Q U I R I N O (1948-1953)

2007-05-10T03:49:00.000-07:00

Elpidio Quirino was a political leader and the 6th president of the Philippines. He was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on November 16, 1890. After finishing his law studies at the University of the Philippines in 1915 he hurdled the Bar examinations that same year. He began his public service in humble positions: as a barrio school teacher in Vigan, a "junior computer" in the Bureau of Lands, a property clerk in the Manila Police Department and private secretary to President Quezon who was then the Senate president.

M A N U E L R O X A S (1946-1948)

2007-05-10T03:48:00.000-07:00

Manuel A. Roxas, the fifth president of the Philippines, was born in Capiz (now Roxas City) on January 1, 1892. He studied law at the University of the Philippines, graduated with high honors in 1913, and topped the Bar examinations held that same year. Initially, he was employed as private secretary of then Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano and taught law in 1915-1916.

S E R G I O O S M E Ñ A (1944-1946)

2007-05-10T03:45:00.000-07:00

Sergio Osmeña, Filipino statesman, founder of the Nationalista Party (Partido Nacionalista) and 4th president of the Philippines (1944 to 1946), was born in Cebu City on September 9, 1878. Before completing his law studies at the University of Santo Tomas in 1903, he served the Philippine Revolution of 1896 as a courier for its leader, Emilio Aguinaldo. He was married to the former Esperanza Limjap.

J O S E L A U R E L (1943-1945)

2007-05-10T03:44:00.000-07:00

Jose P. Laurel was born on March 9, 1891 in the town of Tanauan in Batangas province. He was elected as the 3rd president of the Philippines by the National Assembly on September 25, 1943 and was inducted on October 14, 1943. This was during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines (1942-45) in World War II.

M A N U E L Q U E Z O N (1935-1944)

2007-05-10T03:43:00.000-07:00

Manuel Luis Molina Quezon, who was known as the principal architect of Philippine Independence, became the second president of the Philippines. He was born in Baler, Tayabas (now Quezon) province, Luzon, on August 19, 1878 to a schoolteacher and small landholder of Tagalog descent.

E M I L I O A G U I N A L D O (1898-1901)

2007-05-10T03:31:00.000-07:00

Emilio Aguinaldo, the first elected president of the Philippines, was born on March 22, 1869 in Kawit, Cavite to parents of Chinese and Tagalog origins. As a leader he fought first against Spain and later against the United States for the independence of the Philippines. In 1882 he was inducted into the Katipunan which was a secret revolutionary society that fought bitterly and successfully against the Spanish.

VOTE ME !!!

2007-05-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

MY CHAT ROOM

2006-12-19T23:01:00.000-08:00

HOY PINOY AKO

2006-12-07T03:23:00.001-08:00

SUPER NOYPI MAGAZINE

2006-12-07T02:22:00.000-08:00

A big-budget, all-star cast, tailor-made movie for kids —titled "Super Noypi" —is being produced by Regal Films with today's exciting young stars from two giant networks Jennylyn Mercado, Katrina Halili, Sandara Park, Rhian Ramos, John Prats, Mark Herras and ....

Polo Ravales and with the celebrated young director, Quark Henares, at the helm.

To leave no stone unturned, producer Mother Lily Monteverde also hired experts from Hollywood for the action-adventure as never seen before in a local movie prosthetics expert Joe La Penna, visual supervisor Ted Godwyn of Geebo Digital, and stunt director Philip Ko from Hong Kong with Jon Escudero from the Philippines.

All the stars had workshops prior to the shoot supervised by Direk Quark. The perfectionist that he is, he won't be satisfied until the scenes were done in perfection. Take the helicopter scene by Jennylyn, for example. The young actress had vertigo until she braved to do such dangerous stunt of clinging to the flying chopper, and ascended 100 feet above the ground and hovered several miles.

Supervising producer Roselle Monteverde was all praises for Jennylyn for being so professional. Direk Quark says everyone in cast will have his or her highlight in the movie. For her part, Rhian is elated that her very first movie —which no other than Super Noypi —is an entry to the Metro Manila Filmfest no less.

"So, how is it working with Katrina, Jennylyn, Mark and Polo in Super Noypi?" we asked John. "I enjoy every minute of it. There's really so much good about Kapuso (GMA-7) and Kapamilya (ABS-CBN) talents working together in one movie. Actually, we from ABS are outnumbered in this project, but it all turned out very well. We all bonded very well with one another. We even share in the food that all of us bring to the set."

Will he and Sandy be allowed to promote on GMA-7 shows? "I don't know yet. Mark and I are talking about it. It will be good if he'd guest in ASAP‚ and I'd guest in SOP because we both dance. But Mother Lily has a plan to make a dance movie starring the two of us, because here in Super Noypi we don't have dance parts."

"I'm a superhero here who is like the Night Crawler. I'm a good 'aswang' (friendly spirit) with superpowers akin to super human strength, enabling me to make mighty jumps and survive against all odds."

CITY TIMES IN DUBAI

SUPER NOYPI WEBSITE

Quark Henares' big budget superhero movie poster, trailer and music has just been released. Let's see how our boy does with a lot of money and Mother Lily (our most famous Filipino film producer) breathing down his neck.
All the stuff are located at supernoypi.com.

Well it’s seems that the hot topic on noypi.com.ph this past week has been Angelica Panganiban. Angelica Panganiban was a popular Filipina Child Actress. She has aged and now taken on a more mature image.
First came out images of the upcoming 2007 poster from a liquor company. It showed her on some nice eye-catching bikinis. Some behind-the-scene snapshots were also soon released. It was initially available on the tipidpc.com forums. When the issue came out on National television, the forum from TipidPC disappeared. Other websites, however, soon came out with the same pictures.
Manny Pacquaio and Poocquaio were also topics last week. There were some buzz on Manny being on the top second spot of the world’s best pound for pound fighters. Poocquaio, a comedian impersonating Pacquaio, was also featured.

SUPER NOYPI

2006-12-07T02:13:00.000-08:00

My Slide

2006-12-01T02:27:00.000-08:00

IMELDA BRIEFLY REUNITED WITH HER SHOES

2006-11-29T00:26:00.000-08:00

Imelda Marcos touched her lacy gold-and-black pumps for the first time in 15 years Friday, reminiscing as she inaugurated a museum paying tribute to the legendary collection she had to so hastily ditch.

The Shoe Museum, a monument to Mrs. Marcos' reputation as the world's most insatiable shoe collector, opened Friday -- displaying 220 of the 1,220 pairs officials found when a popular revolt forced her and the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos to flee into exile in 1986.

``They went into my closets looking for skeletons, but thank God all they found were shoes, beautiful shoes,'' said the former first lady, 71.

Museum officials hope the display will draw tourists to Marikina, the Manila-area city known as the nation's shoemaking capital. Up to 40 percent of the city's 550,000 residents make shoes. The walls of the small, two-story building show shiny high heels, strappy pumps, soft leather moccasin-style shoes and other size 8 1/2 footwear from Christian Dior, Givenchy, Chanel and Ferragamo.

A few dozen pairs from former President Fidel Ramos and other celebrities are also displayed, alongside other exhibits outlining Marakina's century-old shoemaking industry.

Sandal Street, Slipper Street and other roads attest to the industry's importance. A pedestrian bridge in the city is covered with two giant steel shoes. A shoe statue stands before City Hall.

But officials admit the museum owes its existence to the reputation of Mrs. Marcos, the city's best-known customer and an enthusiastic supporter of the project. Received warmly on Friday, she said the museum on Shoe Street will mark a turning point in her reputation for extravagance.

``This museum (is) making a subject of notoriety into an object of beauty,'' said Mrs. Marcos, wearing a traditional pink dress, large emerald-green earrings and locally made silver shoes. ``More than anything, this museum will symbolize the spirit and culture of the Filipino people. Filipinos don't wallow in what is miserable and ugly. They recycle the bad into things of beauty.''

At the height of Ferdinand Marcos' power, the first lady gained notoriety for shopping trips to the world's swankiest boutiques, glitzy parties and lavish beautification projects in the midst of the Philippines' extreme poverty. Her shoes astounded the world and became a symbol of excess. Aquino had Mrs. Marcos' shoes displayed in the presidential palace as a symbol of the former first lady's extravagance. They were removed in 1992, and part of the collection was put on display Friday.

``These are my favorite shoes,''

Mrs. Marcos said with mild surprise as a museum official handed her a pair of blue sandals from behind a glass showcase. She then told of entertaining official guests as she held a lacy black and gold pump. But she paused, obviously stumped, when handed a pair of pink leather shoes.

``I really can't keep track anymore,'' she said.

Mabuhay Si Lolo

2006-05-20T00:57:00.000-07:00

THIS IS A GOOD ONE AND I AM SURE YOU’LL LOVE IT

A 70 Years old “Lolo” from province was accompanied by his grandson to the US Embassy in Manila for his VISA interview. The Lolo spoke not a word of English so the grandson translated for him.

The consul told the young man to ask his grandfather why he wanted to go to the States. “
“Bakit daw ho ninyo gusting pumunta sa Amerika?” the grandson translated. “Sabihin mo gusto kong Makita yung mga anak ko doon.” “He said he wants to see his children there.” Fair enough, that’s what the Lolo’s application indicated.

The consul had another question. “Ask him, why does have to go there? Why can’t his children just come and visit him here “The grandson translated this in Tagalog.Lolo replied:Sabihin mo kasi dito pinanganak yung mga anak ko.Nakita na nila ang Pilipinas.Gusto ko naming Makita ang Amerika bago ako mamatay.”Tell him, my children were born here.They seen the Philippines already.I just want to see America before I die.”

The heartless consul was unimpressed as he declared, devoid of any emotion, that he was rejecting the visa application because the applicant was unable to speak a word of English. “Reject daw yung visa ninyo kasi hindi daw kayo marunong mag-ingles.” “The Lolo was equally unimpressed.

“Sabihin mo ito sa kanya at huwag mong papalitan ang sasabihin ko. Putang ina niya, bakit siya nandidito eh hindi na man siya marunong mag-tagalog.” Translated:” He said: You son of a bicth, how come you are here. ..you do not know how to speak in Tgalog.”
Taken aback, sense of humor still intact, the consul relented and approved Lolo’s visa application pronto!!!

IT PAYS TO HAVE A FIGHT, RIGHT? GO LOLO!!!

Rizal's ''rags-to-riches''

2006-01-19T01:18:00.000-08:00

Rizal's ''rags-to-riches''
ancestor from South China

QUANZHOU CITY, China--In the annals of the world's top ethnic
Chinese entrepreneurs, immigrant tycoon Don Domingo Lamco
(Chinese name: ''Cue Yi-Lam,'' also pronounced ''Ke Yi-Nan'' in
Mandarin) of Laguna province, the Philippines will eventually
rank high in importance due to the greatness of his direct male
heir and Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

Five Rizal descendants recently made a historic homecoming to
the hero's ancestral village of Siongque (pronounced ''Zhang
Guo'' in Mandarin) in Losan district, Jinjiang City, Fujian
province, south China last April 2, just three days before the
ancient Ching Ming Festival when Chinese people traditionally
pay homage to their ancestors. Agence France Presse (AFP)
said 10,000 people gave a grand welcome in Siongque. Many
Filipino businessmen now propose the construction of a
1.2-hectare Rizal park and museum in Fujian as ''symbols of the
enduring friendly relations between the Philippines and China.''

In May 1998, this writer had lunch at the home of Rizal's
grandniece Asuncion Lopez-Rizal Bantug and I told her it was
possible to trace the hero's Chinese roots. In February this year,
this writer and businessman Manuel O. Chua successfully
verified the roots of Rizal based on south China genealogical
records and a 1913 book donated by the late Justice Roman
Ozaeta (father of former PCIBank president Antonio Ozaeta) to
Manila's National Library. Authored by American historian Prof.
Austin Craig, the book ''Lineage, Life and Labors of Jose Rizal,
Philippine Patriot'' gave the first Philippine verification of Rizal's
Chinese roots in the chapter on ''Rizal's Chinese Ancestry.''

Domingo Lamco had specified Siongque in Manila church
records as his home village near Chinchew or ''City of Spring.''
''Siongque Village of Fujian province indeed exists near the
historic city of Quanzhou, which is pronounced ''Chuanchow,''
meaning ''City of Spring.'' The rural areas of Jinjiang (now a city),
Lamoa, Hui-Wa, Chio-Sai, An-Khue and others under Quanzhou
are the ancestral places of 80 percent of the country's top
Filipino entrepreneurs of Chinese descent.

Rizal's eminent ancestors

Siongque was the rural ''barrio'' where entrepreneur Domingo
Lamco was born and educated in. He was the 19th generation of
the first Cua who settled in Siongque. The Cua clan of south
China and Asia trace their origins 3,000 years ago to patriarch
Chua Siok-To in the Yellow River basin of central China, in that
area now called Henan province. Duke Chua Siok-To was the
fifth son of the political genius who founded the Chou Dynasty
and his eldest brother later became the king. This era was before
the rise of a unified China under first Emperor Chin Shih
Huang-Ti. Descendants of Chua (also pronounced ''Tsai'' in
Mandarin or ''Choy'' in Cantonese) include some of the world's
richest billionaires according to Forbes magazine--Taiwanese
Tsai Wan-Lin of Cathay Life Group and Indonesian 'Tobacco
King' Rachman Halim (Chua To-Hing) of Gudang Garam Group.
Another clan member was the late Philippine 'Sugar King' and
philanthropist Antonio Roxas-Chua. Another heir of patriarch
Chua Siok-To started the clan of Cua (pronounced ''Ke'' in
Mandarin, also spelled as ''Qua'' or ''Koa,'' of which Domingo
Lamco and Dr. Jose Rizal were direct male descendants).

Lamco was founder of the entrepreneurial Mercado clan in
Laguna and the great-great-grandfather of Dr. Jose Rizal. From
March 31 to April 7, this writer accompanied and acted as
interpreter in south China to the five Rizal heirs--businessman
Antonio ''Noni'' Lopez-Rizal Bantug Jr., Leandro Bantug Jr.
(whose father Dinky owns a top furniture firm and the MBA
basketball team Manila Metrostars), Raul Jose Rizal Tan,
Ricardo Consunji III and Ditas O. Consunji. Noni's 78-year-old
mother Asuncion is the granddaughter of Rizal's elder sister
Narcisa and author of two important Rizal biographies.

Village of Lamco and Copra King

The five Rizal heirs were accompanied by 200 Cua-Chua clan
members from the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong,
Malaysia, Taiwan and China in the sentimental journey to the
village of Domingo Lamco. The entire 5,000 population of
Siongque Village and thousands others from nearby villages
lined all streets for the grand welcome. There were nonstop
firecracker blasts, the local school was closed, red banners filled
the walls saying ''Welcome Home, heirs of Domingo Lamco and
Jose Rizal from the Philippines,'' a thousand small children in red
waved flower bouquets and ancient rites were held in them two
village temples. It was a welcome befitting an emperor.

Noni Bantug delivered a speech hoping that the memory of
Rizal's Chinese heritage will strengthen Philippine-China
relations. Stanford-educated Ricardo ''Bombit'' Consunji III
(Chinese name: Cua Yeng-Liong), with Philbank director Francis
Chua's help in drafting his speech, impressed the audience by
speaking about his ''lolo'' Jose Rizal in fluent Mandarin. Rizal
himself was fluent in the Chinese language and researched
Chinese historical data referring to pre-colonial Philippines to
debunk Spanish claims that the country had no early culture.

Bicolano trader Melanio Cua Fernando said: ''Our village had
never seen such a grand celebration, not since 1948 when
Bicolano tycoon Qua Chee Gan, another son of this village,
returned to Siongque to donate the local school.'' In the. pre-war
era years to the pre-martial law 1970s, immigrant Qua Chee Gan
was the ''rags-to-riches'' trader who became Philippine ''Copra
King.'' Based in Tabaco, Albay, Qua vigorously pushed
Philippine copra exports and was also a leading philanthropist.
Qua was so respected for his ''shinyung'' or ''trustworthiness''
that company drafts with his signatures were then considered
more valuable than cash by traders in the Bicol region and
Quezon province. One of his agency managers based in Daet,
Camarines Norte was the late Fernando S. Vinzons Sr., the future
top Bicolano businessman and father of former BIR
Commissioner Liwayway Vinzons Chato.

From merchant, mayors to martyr

Domingo Lamco was a fearless entrepreneur who not only
ensured the survival of his descendants, but also their
socio-political leadership as highly educated ilustrados. Lamco
achieved business success despite cruel odds, since the
Spaniards persecuted the Chinese and Chinese mestizos,
required them to pay unfair higher taxes and even at times
massacred them.

Persecutions toughened the Chinese traders, forcing them to
become resilient and resourceful. Baptized in the Catholic
church of Manila's Parian Chinese ghetto in June 1697 at age of
35, Domingo Lamco later moved to Bi?an, Laguna, prospered
and became a Chinese community leader. To free his heirs from
the Spanish regime's anti-Chinese racist policies, Lamco gave
his clan the new surname ''Mercado'' (meaning ''market'' in
Spanish) so that his heirs will not to forget their Chinese
merchant roots.

Rizal's ancestors were survivors of the Spanish colonial regime's
racism and despotism. Domingo Lamco wed Inez de la Roza,
daughter of the successful immigrant trader from Chuanchow
named Agustin Chinco. Lamco's son Francisco Mercado and
grandson Juan Mercado married Chinese mestizas and both
served as distinguished mayors of Bi?an for a total of five terms.

Juan's wife Cirila Alejandra was the daughter of an immigrant
trader and Domingo Lamco's baptismal godson Siong-co. By the
time of Rizal's father, their branch of the wealthy clan moved to
Calamba, built the first stone house in the whole town, owned
the first piano, the first carriage, owned a flour mill, a dye
factory, increased landholdings and sent their children to the
best schools. Jose Rizal Mercado again had to change the
family surname before entering Manila's Ateneo, to avoid
Spanish persecution since his elder brother Paciano Mercado
was close to the martyred Filipino priest, Jose Burgos. Rizal
himself died a martyr in 1896 at age 35, becoming a hero whose
powerful ideas and moral courage helped liberate the Filipino
nation from Spanish oppression.

It is fitting that much of Asia now honor the immigrant trader
Don Domingo Lamco of Laguna. His ''rags-to-riches'' career may
not yet be as well-known as those of immigrant billionaires Li
Ka-Shing of Hong Kong, Liem Sioe-Liong (Sudono Salim) of
Indonesia, prewar ''Rubber King'' Tan Kah-Kee of Singapore,
John Gokongwei Jr., Tan Yu or Henry Sy of the Philippines or
even that of 19th century empire-builder Jose Cojuangco I of
Tarlac, but Don Domingo Lamco's legacy of courage and
excellence embodied by heir Dr. Jose Rizal had immeasurably
enriched Philippine national life.

Parada ng Lechon

2006-01-19T00:39:00.000-08:00

In the Philippines, it is not unusual for lechon or whole roast pig to grace any Filipino fiesta table. Parada ng Lechon is a parade of golden-red and crispy roasted pigs. The delicious aroma of this sumptuous dish led the locals of Balayan and Batangas to commemorate the feast of St. John, their patron saint on 24 June with the presence of the delectable, crispy lechon.

It is on the night before the festival that an anniversary ball is held at the town plaza to choose and crown the lechon queen. On the event day itself, a mass is held at the Immaculate Conception Church. After the mass, at least, 50 lechons are gathered in anticipation of the celebration. The parade proceeds after the holding of blessing of the pigs and people in St. Johns' name. At this celebration, one can witness a hilarious sight when the roast pigs are dressed according to the theme of the participating social organizations. Some of the lechon are dressed in wigs, sunglasses, raincoats, or whatever the decorators want

In an event of sheer madness such as this, one can expect mischief just around the corner. During the celebration, pranksters toss water or beer over the lechons, drenching not only the lechons, but the bearers and onlookers as well. Some will even attempt to have a free sample of the roast pig's prized crispy skin. To prevent this from happening, some participants cover their lechons with barbed wire.

After the fiesta, the lechons are then brought back to their respective club headquarters or home for yet another celebration of drinking and feasting. As for those who believe in the spirit of sharing, they will gracefully give away their prized lechons to the crowd of audience.

PINOY AKO

2006-01-18T04:46:00.000-08:00

PINOY AKO

Philippines if FILIPINO

2006-01-18T04:29:00.000-08:00

Anyone whose family historically is from the Philippines or lives in the Philippines is Filipino be it they negritos, full malays, Euro/Arab-Malay mestizos, Chinese Filipinos, and etc. The name Filipino was actually given to the full-blooded white Spanish criollos or colonists living in the Philippines not to the east indies malays. The malays were called either “Indios” by the Spanish Friars or “Manilamen” (for the Malay men that served as sailors on Spanish Galleon ships, mercenaries in China's wars and Mexico’s early independence, or in Louisiana in the 19th century in the America’s War of 1812 and Civil War as American soldiers and sailors). It was during the Philippine Revolution that the Philippine’s KKK group took the name “Filipino” to ecompass all the Filipinos fighting for independence. Philippines is a diverse country like their neighborsDemographics of the Philippines