“In every language on the planet, from prison yards in the Philippines to Thrilltheworld.com, that will be the beautiful, grand legacy of Michael Jackson.”

That was how Quincy Jones, the legendary record producer and artist who produced Michael’s monster hit albums, ended his beautiful tribute to the late entertainer that came out Tuesday, June 30, in the Los Angeles Times. In using the word “that,” Quincy was referring to Michael’s music. Quincy wrote, “It’s no accident that almost three decades later, no matter where I go in the world, in every club and karaoke bar, like clockwork, you hear ‘Billie Jean,’ ‘Beat It,’ ‘Wanna Be Starting Something,’ ‘Rock With You’ and ‘Thriller.’ ”

So take a bow, all 1,400 inmates of the Cebu provincial jail whose version of Michael’s “Thriller” video is an Internet sensation. Obviously, the man who guided Michael in recording “Thriller” and who wrote a personal, heartfelt ode to him in the LA Times piece, has seen the jailbirds’ video too. The inmates recently recreated the dance as a tribute to Quincy’s talent and dear friend.

IN HER interesting post, “Idol Talk: The Pinoy Connection,” Vera H-C Chan wrote, in part, “…a University of Arkansas economist actually used ‘American Idol’ as a means to study racial discrimination in the labor market. He uncovered a ‘positive correlation’ between the race of the viewers and contestants when the competition got hot. In Malubay’s case, she has the backing of Filipinos in her hometown and in the Philippines in her pursuit. Given the small population (and the latter’s ineligibility to vote), Malubay’s appeal will have to transcend race. That may be exactly what both sides are hoping for.”

Let’s hope that Ramiele does indeed transcend race and get the support of a vast majority of Americans who vote on “American Idol.” Jasmine Trias nearly made it because she was able to achieve that. What many are saying is that Ramiele has truly what it takes to be an “American Idol” so with the combined support of Filipino-Americans (and they do not comprise a “small population” in the US), Asian-Americans and mainstream Americans, she may realize her dream of becoming the first brown “Idol.”

Kababayans, what do you think?

DON HECKMAN, veteran jazz critic of the Los Angeles Times, praised Filipino jazz artists in his review of the third annual Fil-Am Jazz Festival at the Catalina Bar & Grill in LA.

Charmaine Clamor, founder and chair of JazzPhil-USA, shared the good news. Heckman, a respected authority on America’s jazz scene who has been reviewing jazz concerts and albums for many years, wrote, “Although singer Charmaine Clamor has begun to get some much-deserved attention as an appealing new arrival, many of the other artists are best known in their native Philippines. But surprise! The program was a delight, a nonstop string of first-rate performances testifying to the high quality of Philippine musical talent as well as to the global reach of jazz.”

Heckman penned very favorable comments for each artist in the show’s lineup:

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