Saluting Dan Stephen Palami - the Azkal's Manager Leads PH Football to New Heights

I wish there were more people in Philippine sports, like Dan Palami, the team manager of the Azkals - the person who has led Philippine football to higher heights this year!  It does help that he has a very photogenic team behind him - so that it would be easier now to recruit more talented players out there and form a stronger team ready to take on the greats of football!  Through his sheer love of the sport, Dan has manuevered himself and the Azkals team, away from the destructive politics of the local football federation - and in turn - has earned for our country - the stripes needed to gain the respect of our neighbors.  I am one of those who sincerely wish the Azkals team more success in the future - and more chances to prove their mettle through international competition.  I believe football is one of the sports where we can excel - so it's about time we show the rest of the world our skills!

Why Manny Pacquiao May Be the Greatest Fighter Ever - In My Book

I just watched the documentary, 'Thrilla In Manila' and I am horrified to find out how potty-mouthed and unsportsmanlike Muhammad Ali really was, during the prime of his career.  I grew up learning about the legend of this guy - only to find out now - what a horrifying human being he really was - arrogant, deluded - so full of himself! Definitely not a champion in my book. 

I always thought Manny Pacquiao was still light years away from what Muhammad Ali achieved in his lifetime, but after watching the documentary, I found out it was the other way around!  Muhammad Ali - both as a person and an athlete is a million miles away from the greatness that Manny Pacquiao has achieved.  And Manny has impeccable manners! 

Muhammad Ali's mouth should have been washed with detergent by his Mom when he was young!   I seriously think he was just a media creation - a media hype - all air but no achievement at all. Oh yeah, maybe he won this and that - but his arrogance just stank to high heavens!  If he lived in this day and age, he wouldn't have survived - since people really see you in different types of media.  He would  be the equivalent of a Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan - and yes - just a rung over that other dastardly person - Mike Tyson - who beats up women!

Things I Can Do For the Philippines - Attend the Concerts of Local Artists and Buy More OPM Music

Every year, I spend around 150K pesos (US$3400) on concerts and around 20K (US$460) on CDs  - and unfortunately, almost 95% of those - goes to foreign artists.  In 2010, the only concert of a local artist that I went to was Sherwin Marquez's.  However for CDs, almost 50% of the total that I bought this year is OPM.  So definitely, I have made inroads there. 

So for 2011, I'll try to watch more shows from local artists that I like - and actively seek out where they perform.  I'll try to make it up to 50% of what I spend, should go to local artists.

Now I Understand the Genius of Kenneth Cobonpue

 I am not really a design critic but I have always been proud of the honor, fellow Cebuano, Kenneth Cobonpue has given to Philippine furniture design to connoisseurs worldwide.  However, before, I never really understood why he was so popular - maybe because I would always be shocked to know how much he charges per piece of furniture and maybe because he also uses indigenous materials which are so common to me, I didn't understand what the fuss was all about.

However, everytime I now see the much vaunted Italian or Scandinavian design, I now finally understood why his work was so revolutionary and so fresh.  From my own point of view, it's the fluidity of the design that makes it so wonderful - and it feels like each piece has its own soul - like it is a breathing being because the material used is also organic and from nature.  Some Italian or Scandinavian designs now, appear to me somewhat cold, or mass-produced, despite the hype that surrounds them. When you see a Kenneth Cobonpue chair, you feel like it was fashioned from the waves of the ocean or the gusts of a wind - and it's something you really want to touch and run your fingers through the contours and shape of the piece.

Things I Can Do For the Philippines - Continue to Buy Locally Made Products

Like most people, I am notoriously brand-conscious, and like most Filipinos, I am still struggling to get out of that mentality where I think foreign made goods are better than locally made ones.  In this globalized world where almost everything made is actually made in China, but only stamped as made in Italy or the USA, when those goods are repackaged, I am already a bit wise to the ways of foreign companies. 
I found out this year that the tennis balls I buy in Wimbledon at such exorbitant prices were actually made in Cavite!! Imagine that! 

So this year, I will continue to vigilantly support locally made goods, as much as I can. This year, I have included Mental and Mint into my local wardrobe.  In 2011, I'm planning to include Viktor and Tyler - both very stylish local brands - because now, I think I can fit their clothes!  I have also stopped buying foreign soaps and shampoos since the truth is, coconut, which is used for these things, are actually sourced from here!  I think an even balance in the buying purchases of Filipinos would definitely help many local companies.

Now It's Time for the Metro Manila Film Fest!

 

To most Metro Manilans, December 25 also means the start of the Metro Manila Film Festival which lasts for two weeks.  During these two weeks, only the chosen films are allowed to be shown in cinemas all over the metro - and the original goal was to give a respite to the onslaught of Hollywood movies. 

I guess it has worked because for the past decade, the biggest earning films of the year, almost always came from festival.  Mathematically, this is easy to figure out.  All the cinemas in the metro are just alloted to these eight movies and no other films, local or foreign, are allowed to be shown, and since it's Christmas time, most everyone has the cash - and the time to spend 2 hours on a movie!

For me and my family, we just usually choose one movie - and usually it's the latest Shake, Rattle and Roll series!  The truth is, this is not really a festival of well-made movies, but really, just a bunch of commercial movies for producers awaiting a big payday!  Anyhow, the intention of this festival is for the good of the actors guild, especially those who are already sick or cannot work.  Or that's what they say.  I just hope it's really true.  Also, it's a cash cow for the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) so they can continue their hair-brained ideas to make life more bearable for the residents of this big city!

Well, I might try to watch all eight movies since it's always been my resolution to support local films - no matter how much a stinker they are!  Hey, I watched Bruno and some Hollywood stinkers too - so I guess I have license to watch what we also do locally.  I can always blog about it anyway, these days.  Anyhow, this would most likely be the order that I'll be watching all eight movies - considering time constraints -

1.  Shake, Rattle and Roll (the latest series)
2. Father Jejemon (I miss Dolphy. Haven't seen him for the longest time! He's already in his 80's so tik tok, tik tok!)
3.  Dalaw (another horror movie, I love horror movies!)
4.  Ang Tanging Ina (the latest installment)
5.  Rosario
6.  Super Inday and the Magic Bibe
7.  Agimat ni Enteng
8.  RPG

That Another Batch of Filipino Artists Break Out Internationally - Wish #4 for the Philippines

It was about time that a homegrown artist would break out in Hollywood!  2010 was definitely Charice's year - landing herself a Top 10 album in the US and a spot in Glee.  However, the truth is, Charice is just the tip of the iceberg!  There are so many talented Filipino actors and performers that it's strange that till now - only Lea Salonga, Freddie Aguilar, Charice and Arnel Pineda have made waves.  I believe there should be fifty of them! 

So my wish for 2011 is that another batch of Filipino performers get their international break!  In this age of Youtube and Facebook - the reality is not farfetched and should easily be a reality.

Things I Can Do For the Philippines - Donate Again to Charity

Yes, the recession abroad hit our businesses bad in '09 and this year, but the last few months of this year have been promising - so as early as this month, we have been slowly giving back to charity.  The truth is, there is a never-ending list of kids getting sick so it's pretty easy to find someone to help if that's the cause you want to support.   The truth is, our local health system sucks big time, so you really have to have money when you get sick!

Our local church is also a beneficiary as well as an organization who spreads the Good News of God.  Vic and I are not very religious since for me, most of those stuff are just ceremonies and rituals anyway, but I still have deep respect for people who spread God's word by preaching love and tolerance - so we try to help them in the small way we can.

Looking Forward To A Relaxed Christmas Eve

One thing I've learned about Christmas from Mama is not to be overly stressed about Christmas Eve.  I've seen friends of mine hide from their inaanaks or stress out because there is no ham on their table, or what gift to give their parents or lovers. 

Mama was always had a relaxed way of handling Noche Buena and now that we're adults and have two kids to think of, we have also adopted the same way.  Most of the food on the table will be bought from outside - since I hate cooking and Vic does not enjoy it too and also - this year, we have no cook.  

However, a few of the stuff will be there since Mama always prepares for Christmas - dinuguan, kaldereta, potato salad and fruit salad.  As for the gifts, this year, we've left it to Laura and Dylan to have the gifts.  We normally do not give each other gifts anymore since Vic and I can practically buy whatever we want any time we want.  This year though, Mama asked for a radio, so she gets one.  Otherwise, we just stick to chocolates or stuffed toys.  So we never really felt disappointed about anything.  At least for me, what's important is that my family is there when I need them - that for me is the best Christmas gift of all.  Any other material thing, I can buy on my own.

That More Foreign Tourists Come Over and Visit Us - Wish #3 for the Philippines

 I always find it weird that for a beautiful country like ours, that our tourism statistics would pale in comparison to countries like Thailand or China.  The truth is, we have so many things to offer to tourists and I think it's just our security and our peace and order problem that is deterring many foreign tourists to make us their #1 choice for travel!  I have been to many parts of the world and I can proudly say that we too have our own unique places which can rival the world's best - so I know it is a reachable goal for us to reach the implausible tourism figures of the world's top tourist country draws like Spain or France, or China or Thailand, here in Asia.  My wish for our country is that our tourism industry can bounce back from that hostage crisis debacle and post respectable figures for 2011.

That Our Police Force Shape Up - Wish #2 for the Philippines

2010 has been a disastrous year, in terms of PR, for our police force.  First came the disastrous handling of the HK tourists hostage taking, an event caught on TV and broadcast all over the world!  The whole world came to see how inept our police force is, especially that the event happened in Manila, our country's capital. 

Hostage takings are very delicate and dangerous events yet the way our police handled it was so clumsy that it led to so many unnecessary tragic deaths.  Then just two weeks ago, the Supreme Court ordered the release of Hubert Webb et al for the murders of the Vizconde family, for lack of evidence, fifteen years after the celebrated trial.  To me, another case of police bungling the investigation of the case, and the handling of the evidence, crucial to the prosecution of the victims' killers!  How can our police investigators be that dumb?  I watch SOCO every week and I am always impressed at the way local police solve the cases, but I don't understand why when it's a high profile case, everything falls down like a house of cards! I am sure there are many excellent policemen out there - so I wish that in 2010, that they take the lead and show the world, our police force is not that inutile! 

That More Filipino Homegrown Brands Achieve International Recognition - Wish #1 for the Philippines

Since Christmas is just 3 days away, I decided tonight, to come out with twelve Christmas wishes for the Philippines.  I am doing this list as it comes out from my thoughts and they are not edited at all according to rank of importance.  I just write these wishes as they come to me.

I guess as a businessman, my first wish is for more Filipino homegrown brands to achieve international recognition.  In the field of fashion alone, the local fashion industry, led by veterans like Bench and relative newcomers like Folded and Hung, have led the way in making Filipinos buy locally made clothes than the more expensive foreign ones.  This year, I've witnessed many other new brands muscle their way into the local fashion scene.  The ones I like include Mental, Solo while most Filipinos like Collezione, and for the women, brands like Kashieca and Meg.  I do hope more brands, not only in fashion, would make their presence felt in this globalized business community.

Why Filipinos Won't Watch Movies Like these.

My friend and I were discussing this yesterday.  I know these movies have brought honor to our country - with Brillante Mendoza - winning the Cannes Film Festival Best Director award a few years ago - but I don't think Filipinos would be lining up for movies like this when they do their theatrical run here.  I guess they're just too real! Even during the time of Lino Brocka - his socio-realist movies often did not make money.  It doesn't mean they're not well-made - it's just that for me - you don't need to pay 150 pesos to watch all that story unfold before you. Just open your window - and you can see real life outside play itself out - very much like the movies of this genre - that you see.  It's a very bourgeois point of view - and in the Philippines - the middle class rubs elbows with the poor every day and we are very familiar with their stories.  The truth is - the Filipino middle class is just one or two steps away from that kind of life - especially if their luck runs out.  It's a nightmare we know all too well - so who needs a movie to preach that to us?

One Christmas Custom I Truly Miss - House-to-house Caroling

Living in big cities like Manila can really make people very impersonal because in my last twenty years of living here - I have noticed the steady decline of children doing house-to-house caroling.  Since I grew up in a small town, house-to-house caroling was always one thing I looked forward to.  Mama never allowed us to do it, but since many of my friends did it - I would usually have several friends come over the house to sing.  And lucky them, since they earn extra Christmas money.  By the way, Mama was always a bit overprotective since she was afraid we might get bitten by dogs!  Anyhow, I don't take it against her because I can't sing anyway.  I don't have a good voice.  I just miss hearing children sing their Christmas carols outside my window.  The few carolers we've had immediately stop singing, soon as you give them money.  They have taken out the real joy of caroling.  And they sing lousily.  Like they were just in it for the extra coins.  I'm sure baby Jesus would be petrified if He learns about this. 

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No Country Can Beat Christmas In the Philippines!

Well, this is really a biased article since I am a Filipino but after experiencing Christmas in other countries, I've seen it first hand that - no country can really beat the way Filipinos celebrate Christmas!  Yeah, I know, the snow looks great - but that's just it. 

The reality is - it's very cold  and there is no way you can enjoy being outside - the shopping sucks because the malls are crowded - and it's usually very quiet in the suburban communities. I was even shocked that most families just sleep on Christmas Eve.  No Noche Buena! Que horror!  

But here in the Philippines - it's one big fantastic fiesta once the -ber months come - and as soon as December comes around - there's that dizzying number of parties you'd have to attend and dress up for!  Then there are millions of Christmas lights and decorations everywhere from homes to offices to shopping malls! Furthermore, you see lots of families going out together - in the malls, in the amusement parks, in the churches - all dressed in their Sunday best!  Most importantly, there are the religious customs like the dawn masses and the midnight mass, which millions of Filipinos still attend!  And it's not unusual to hear Christmas carols in September, usually a warm up for the main event!  The weather too, is usually the coolest of the year, so you can wear your sweaters or your best clothes since it's not too hot. 

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2010 Sees the Rise of TV5

Because the management of ABS-CBN decided to end Willie's reign in his noontime show, now they have created a real monster that could really erode their viewership - the rise of TV5!  I think this is good for everyone because for so long - only two local stations have really lorded it over local Filipino TV - so the addition of a third one - should be good not only for viewers like me - but also for everyone working in the local entertainment scene - it means more chances of work for them!

I watch TV5 shows now like Face to Face, Public Atorni, Sapul and my favorite Juicy!  For me, GMA7 has been the loser since none of their shows now really appeal to me.  I still watch the following ABS-CBN shows though - SOCO and XXX.

Why The Government Should Still Financially Support State Universities?

It's really sad that our Congress has decided to cut the budget of our state universities and colleges.  All my employees now come from state universities and they are hardworking, smart and have always shown initiative in their work.  I believe state universities have a big role in filling the gap since not everyone can afford the tuition fees of private universities.  Those who have the intellectual capability but not the budget should still be given the chance to pursue their dreams in life - and that's where the state universities and colleges come into the picture.  So budget cuts for education - at whatever level - should never happen!  There should be other things that are of less importance that should be slashed.

Rey Saludar: Our Third Gold Medalist in the Asian Games

Bowling. Billiards. Boxing.  The three sports that gave us one gold medal each in this year's Asian Games.  Rey Saludar won the gold in the 52kg division besting a Chinese bet!  It was to be the final gold medal for our country.  That is not a surprise since our country has a rich history of champion boxers!  I just hope this win could help Rey Saludar parlay it into a more profitable career as a professional boxer in the future!

Dennis Orcollo: Guangzhou Asian Games 2010 Second Filipino Gold Medalist

It's not surprising that we won our second gold medal in billiards.  In the 9-ball Men's Singles, the gold was contested between two Filipinos, with Dennis Orcollo winning the gold and Warren Kiamco, the silver.  Unfortunately, billiards is not an Olympic sport so that elusive Olympic gold is still a pipe dream.

On Heroes Like Zhao Lianhai

He's not Filipino but I've always wanted to feature people who are heroes, regardless of their nationality.  I read an article today about what this guy did - he took up the cudgels of all the parents whose children figured in that melamine tainted milk in China.  His efforts paid off as the milk was recalled and the people behind it were jailed.  However, when Zhao stepped up his efforts and now started asking the government for more compensation for the children affected, that's when the Chinese government put its foot down and jailed the poor Zhao.  That thing also happens here in the Philippines - especially during the Marcos and Arroyo administrations.  The whistleblowers get shot themselves!  Nevertheless, like Zhao, I praise them for their courage and I hope those on the sidelines can take the cudgels for him and pressure the normally tightly clenched Chinese government to see that Zhao indeed also has a point - precisely because Chinese children were affected in this case - their country's greatest asset.