By Rissa Gimenez

IT is said that one could find a Filipino in almost every corner of the world. And in a charming little corner in southwest Brittany, France called Quimper, a provincial lass from Mauban, Quezon sparkles.

Quimper pronounced “kem-pair” is a quaint, medieval town with cobbled streets, low flat bridges that cross the river that glides along the impressive Saint-Corentin cathedral.

Half-timbered buildings are festooned with geraniums and chrysanthemums this time of the year. Within this ancient city, the oldest cities in Brittany actually, are ultramodern buildings that blend tunefully with the city’s old world charm. Quimper is a storybook land from the medieval quarter. And this is where Margo Calderero-Palud’s story unfolds.

Down the boulevard of cafés and creperies, and among pottery shops and other tourist attractions is a much loved jewelry store, owned by a humble yet feisty Filipina. In fact, Margo Calderero-Palud heads and runs not just one but three well-known shops in this fabled city, in southwest Breton — Bisoux, which sells high end, fine jewelry pieces, Kisso Kisso, which specializes in the more fun and funky trinkets and charms, and Pilgrim, a jewelry, fashion accessories and fashion store.

Margo’s fairy-tale like story began in 1992, when she married Intercontinental Manila’s celebrated French Executive Chef Michel Palud. After 4 years, the couple flew to France to start their own restaurant, Le Spices. Margo, a University of Santo Tomas Fine Arts graduate and stranger to a foreign land, was determined to support her husband no matter what. And as a dutiful wife and partner, she summoned every fiber in her body to help make their restaurant a success.

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By Marjorie Gorospe
INQUIRER.net

MAE Paner has been in advertising industry for 25 years.

Her debut in directing commercials came in 1997 when she came out with “Black and White.” Since then, she has found herself drowned in a career of “selling” soap, political personalities and products appealing to a certain target market.

Paner is a stage actor in the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). Aside from directing, she has been a commercial talent, appearing in a funny Boysen paint commercial as the nagging mother-in-law to a man painting his home. In the commercial, the nonchalant son-in-law keeps painting the wall white until he decides to paint over Paner who continues nagging him.

For years, Paner thought she was doing okay with her chosen career as an artist until she saw Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr.’s expose on the controversial National Broadband Network project during a Senate investigation.

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By Marjorie Gorospe
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Renato “Boy” Samson discovered magic when he was six years old.

Due to his persistent desire to learn, he volunteered to be an assistant to a magician for free. In return, he was taught how to be one until finally he has polished the craft.

Samson was eventually known for combining sleight of hand with charm, making sure he maintains rapport with his audience.

Samson is one of the founding members of Inner Magic Club of the Philippines. It is one of the pioneering clubs of magicians in the country.

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By Marjorie Gorospe
INQUIRER.net

MANILA CITY, Philippines — Alfred Herrera or “Naning” is just one of many Filipinos selling Sampaguita to believers of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.

At the age of 16, Herrera already sees the need to support his own finances, while making sure his siblings are fed. The second of nine children, he knows his income from selling Sampaguita is needed.

But unlike others selling Sampaguita, Herrera can only go every Fridays to Quiapo. From Monday to Thursday, he has to attend his classes.

“Nagpaalam naman ako sa teacher ko na ‘pag Friday, hindi ako papasok kasi magtitinda ako. Naiintindihan naman niya (I have told my teacher that I have to work every Friday. She understands my situation),” Herrera says.

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By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net

AT first glance, operating a ferris wheel seems like a mundane job requiring little skill. Sort of like operating an on/off switch, like I thought it was, remembering annual “peryahan” or carnivals in time for fiesta in my hometown.

But when you’re in charge of keeping as many as 144 people safe while screaming their hearts out (out of joy and anxiety), as in the case of Enchanted Kingdom’s Patrick Abrantes, running a ferris wheel that’s about 45 meters tall – a lot more massive than most - requires you to pass exams. Aside from being extra attentive, of course.

By Anna Valmero
INQUIRER.net

MARIKINA, Philippines—MONDAY nights are for abandon.

Veering away from the usual notion of “busy-ness” attached to Mondays, college students, faculty and business professionals troop to Mag:net Katipunan Cafe to celebrate a night of poetry reading, drinks, fun and lots of learning. Welcome to Happy Mondays.

Happy Mondays started three years ago when a small group of poets met Monday nights after work to read and write poems over several bottles of beer. The drill is nothing too formal: chat, draft poems and enjoy the company of friends over some drinks. And the results are impressive: hundreds of poems, some of which have won the Palanca Awards.

A year after, the group was approached by Mag:net Katipunan owner Rock Drilon to bring their poetry reading session at the cafe, said Joel Toledo, a poet from the original group during an interview with INQUIRER.net at the 39th installment of Happy Mondays. Since then, the group attracted other poets from all genres and age, growing to a community of poets. And though people come and go, a fully-packed night can have about 80 persons at the house, Toledo noted.

Though a community, they avert the structure of an organization since they don’t want exclusivity or having the image of an elite group. A faculty member at Miriam College, Toledo said what they have is a loosely based organization where everyone is invited to join and have fun.

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By Lella Santiago

Her name was Elsa. She was a showgirl. Or to be more precise, she was a Filipina entertainer in Japan. A Japayuki.

His name was Reizo. He was a patron at the bar where she worked. He was a Yakuza. He fell in love with her. Alone and far from home, Elsa succumbed to his persistent wooing. The liaison produced a son they named Kenji.

Trouble began when Elsa ended their relationship. The violent man that he was, he threatened to kill her. Afraid for her life and not wanting to leave her son behind, Elsa went into hiding. Life on the run became unbearable. There were times she had to scavenge for food. She decided to bring Kenji to the Philippines.

Because of the trouble she was in, Elsa failed to get a Japanese birth certificate for Kenji. The only record of his birth was with the hospital where he was born. The Philippine Consulate in Tokyo issued an affidavit of birth based on hospital records. With this document, Elsa was able to bring her infant son home.

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