I wanted to comment for a long time on the Backstory articles of Lea. I reined myself several times in the hope that maybe next time it will better or that it will talk about something or someone other than herself. Maybe Backstory is really supposed to be behind the scene account of her public life, but for god’s sake, I hope she will add some depth to what she writes about! Her articles and thinking are so so limited. Check her last one below for example, how many times she has written or mentioned about her throat?!

I’m a fan of hers, however, I wished Inquirer just kept these backstories in Lea’s personal blog in Multiply!

Backstory
Staying home

By Lea Salonga
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:47:00 11/19/2008

Close this HONG KONG SAR — I’m home … my body decided to give out, so to speak, and forced me to stay in the house all day. I’ve got a slight sore throat, and my left upper thigh is feeling sore, too.

My daughter was also sick this past week. She most likely caught something at Disneyland. It seems that quite a few Hong Kong locals have fallen prey to either the weather and/or whatever illnesses the change in season brings. In the theater earlier, I was hearing coughing from both young and old audience members. In a way it makes me feel better that it’s not just my daughter; there’s less parental guilt. We brought her to a 24-hour outpatient clinic in one of the nicest hospitals I had ever seen, and they took good care of her.

I was already feeling a little something starting with me on Sunday (better me than Nicole, I said to myself as I always do), so I kept an eye on my condition throughout the day. Nothing hampered my shows, thank goodness, and since a day off was forthcoming, I didn’t worry about missing work. If this had happened at the start, or in the middle of the week, I’d have panicked. Then again, I do have incredibly talented and well-prepared understudies.

Sleep, food, toons

So, how did I spend these last 24 hours at home?

1) I slept a lot. I have to thank my mother and yaya for helping me get my rest. I must have had a full night’s sleep, plus daytime naps, taken while my daughter was herself napping.

2) I ate, but not too much. I needed to keep my strength up! My mother made some delicious lamb curry last night, so I had that for lunch today, and she brought home some hot udon noodles in soup. I had a lot of the steaming broth, and it made me feel tons better. I love having my mom with me, especially when there’s a kitchen in which her presence will most definitely be felt.

3) Watched lots of Looney Tunes! Late in the evening when everyone else in the house was asleep, I tuned into Boomerang for some great Looney Tunes classic cartoons. One of them in particular was aired a lot when I was a kid, which meant I had memorized the dialogue from start to finish. So while the toon was playing I recited each and every line from all the characters. Fun!

4) Watched my daughter “perform.” I will say this one more time: I will not ever force my daughter to follow in my footsteps. That’s a decision only she will make. Having said that, it seems that she’s starting to gravitate towards performing. She’s already memorized a lot of the songs from “West Side Story” and “High School Musical” (by memorized, I mean she sings the last few words of each line without missing anything) — plus dialogue and blocking. I have no idea if she’s going to keep this up as she grows older … all we can do is wait and see, I guess. It’s fun watching her right now, though!

5) Met with family … sort of. Rob’s grandmother, Eva Chow, came to visit. She didn’t stay too long, as she was also nursing a cold and cough. It was great to see Nicole’s tai po (great-grandma) on this side of the world. She’ll be watching “Cinderella” tonight.

It’s past 2 a.m. so I’d better hit the sack. I’ll be far more verbose when I’m all better, I promise.

This is a comment on the article on Twilight.

To be brief, I dunno what the fuss is with Twilight. I read the books, and frankly, they suck. I mean sure, it’s from the POV of a 17-yr-old girl, but man! There are better uses for paper than printing that series. Sheesh.

I’m writing regarding Marinel Cruz’s report on Marky Cielo’s death. As a fan, I am deeply saddened by Marky’s untimely death. He was one of the most talented young actors on Philippine television, and he could have gone on to do many amazing things had he been given a longer life. Paalam, Marky, at maraming salamat.

As for the writer, Ms. Cruz, I hope she is more careful with her pronouns next time. She used ‘his’ twice’ instead of ‘her’ when referring to Marky’s mother.

Remember Junior, the Spanish-Filipino Snger who made a film or two with Vilma Santos?

He has recently published his autobiography and the gossip columnists and paparrazzi are all over him. ~Why? Two years after the death of his wife, Rocio Durcal, a famous tonadillera, confessed in his newly-published book that he fell in love and had an affair with Vilma..None of his grown-up kids, (wo girls and a boy) attended the book launch. The eldest Carmen, admitted to being rather “pissed off” with her Dad’s true confession. The knives are out since Junior has always been quiet, the “behind-the-scenes” kind of guy, just letting his wife do the job or getting all the attention or publicity. In fact, I have never really seen Junior as often as the last few days since the war between him and his two children became open. According to reports, he now would like to see Vilma once again, or, perhaps, visit the Philippines. True or not, Junior will be talked about in chat shows in the coming weeks and months. Also, many reports also confirmed that he did take to the bottle even before his wife’s death, not afterwards, when he was feeling alone and terribly lonely. Frankly, I do not know what has happened to Vilma—\I’ve been away too long. What is she doing anyway? Is she still an actress? Junior is now 64 but still wearing well. Anyway, those interested in the life of Junior, that
handsome man of the 70’s, can just go to
any Spanish site. You’ll find all you need to know about the confession of Junior.

Re Ayani’s comment on Lea Salonga’s “rants on herself”. I’ve been reading some of her articles and they do make good reading. However, what do youexpect from her, apart from her experiences as an artist, and a very good oe at that? I am a big fan of Lea Salonga since her first major performance as Kim
in Miss Saigon. In fact, I do remember inviting her over to Spain but due to her hectic schedule, she wrote to apologise and inform me that she couldn’t make it. She was really pleasant and nice and even enclosed a lovely photograph. Lea, if you are reading this, perhaps, you’d remeber that invitation, around 1989 or before, or thereabouts? How are you? I am still a fan of yours and believe me, your voice is still crystal-clear. Happy Christmas and a very very good 2009 to you Lea and your loved ones. Ayani, a very merry christmas to you too, and a great 2009. Cheers!

Marian on Karylle:

Marian is barking on the wrong tree!
I would be very angry at this Boy Abunda for asking Karylle the question. HE WAS HITTING MARIAN BELOW THE BELT blurting out a question (was it to destroy the rival channel’s TV 7’s prime asset, now that Karylle is with ABS-CBN?

Very sneaky programming for THE BUZZ
she must have been instructed to give that NASTY STUPID SMILE.
I say, any schooled and poised woman do not smile when asked sensitive questions that do not concern her.
Karylle looked stupid!
Karylle should have just answered ABUNDA:
ARE YOU ASKING ME OR ARE YOU TELLING ME?!!!(without a smile!)

nasa camera kc eh…kaya smile sya..kodak talaga!!!wala sa lugar!!

most showbiz people, especially the young aren’t really artists in the true sense of being an artist because they lack the most important attribute- freedom. Showbiz talents are “possessed”, herded, and branded- as if, like wearables, the brand tells you the quality. A talent is a talent whether it’s branded kapamilya or kapuso. These branding system goes to the bin called “kaplastikan”.

Boy abunda, an atenean, has a jekyl and hyde personality. he is so smart on PCBA but so ribald and recklessly mindless on the BUZZ by asking very invasive and slutty question to another atenean. maybe that’s the talent the network pays him for: create an intriguing dirty issue. Let tongues wag. Actually, there is no dirt in getting pregnant; it’s a bliss, if you ask other women who can’t have children. Boy only euphemized his question which literally was: Has Dindong X marian? which is a no-no on media. Marian and other darlings of the entertainment world should attend a crash course on how to answer “tough ten” and “don’t lie to me” questions on TV. Why? because this is the filthiest business in our country; otherwise, unprepared young bright stars will fall like meteorites.

London, England - Hiya. Just a brief comment on the article of Leah Salonga re advice she received, and now being shared…sounds pretty cool really…however, for item #19, my stand on this is that some people, esp those in the media/showbiz is that sometimes, things do get personal. i remember being bad-mouthed by a well-known TV personality then at ABS-CBN (who was my boss then) to some press people because I organised a launch event that was really successful, and instead of having the “thanks” and “work well-done!” I came out the abd guy because I “overshadowed” him! uhmm…i just graduated from UP, idealistic and all! and, that was never the first really during my short stint in the Philippine media…anyway, Leah is cool, and brilliant advice from a brilliant woman!

cheers!

Re: 80s pop icon Mike Francis dead

The article ends: A greatest hits compilation, “The Very Best of Mike Francis” featuring a mix of his Italian and English hits, was released seven days before his death in Italy.

What’s with this last paragraph/sentence? Was his latest compilation released in Italy or did he pass on over there? Manila is the dateline of the article and I know he’s been a resident. Honestly, though I never paid to see him live, I did sing along to his songs. I just want to know.

Help anyone!?

It’s the Atenean in her that helped Karylle pass her personal troubles. She lost a beau but used her brain. Perhaps, Karylle had read Robert Frost’s “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” and was touched by the line, “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.” Yes, this smart girl would rather sell sexy stuffs that sell her beauty to the commercial men’s mag photographer, so unlike others who choose the road most ravelled -showing more and more skin and hide more and more brain. Marian has an angelic face that any man would want to frame and hang on the wall. but Karylle’s beauty has that charm and loveliness that that same man would not hang on the wall but would rather put in his wallet.

RE: Beyond the ‘birit’ menace, Viewfinder by Nestor Torre, 02/08/09

I’ve been reading your column for quite some time now and your insights on different areas in showbiz always comes as objective - critical but objective. But reading your views on “birit” (I think you did 3 articles on this topic & still counting, all negative views) style of singing, and singers as well as those who subscribe to this type of music you always come as totally against these singers and fans who love this type of music. I agree though that there has to be limit of who can perform these kind of songs, child singers especially those whose voice & technique are still in development stage should stay away from this type of music. Now, for the totally gifted singers say a Whitney or Celine, do you think these Artists would have been what they are now if they sang bossa, jazz, mellow or standard type of music? It’s like having a Ferrari or an F1 car and taking it for a slow-drive downtown. Another consideration is the music itself and the composer/arranger behind the song. Let’s say a David Foster song, I Have Nothing. Do you think a singer can give justice to this song without going for the high notes? They would certainly suck as a lot of less-gifted singers have tried on American Idol (Simon Cowell’s scathing remarks comes to mind). Not all singers can do this type of music, that’s why the truly gifted stands out, sells millions of records & has millions of fans. This type of music actually has a rich history, I’m not a music scholar but I think it has its roots in Gospel, Soul, Rhythm & Blues of Black singers in the US. From Aretha to Whitney, Mariah, Celine, to this generation of Christina Aguilera, even Alicia Keys (yes, even she belts). Like it or not Mr. Torre, this type of music is here to stay and to even suggest that “Absolutely essential in this major shift is the local music lover, who must also adjust his priorities and preferences to go beyond birit and appreciate other styles and approaches.” I like all types of music but you cannot force someone not to like say, Opera or Rock or Heavy Metal or Broadway Musicals, or even the “birit” style of music. It is just the way it is. I’m ending this reply now with a song dedicated to you, “Let It Be” by The Beatles. Ahh, the soothing melodies . . .

This Kapuso Vs, Kapamilya contest is worse than the rivalry between Ateneo and de la Salle, as rabid as the antagonism between the Nora and Vilma fans. Just because Sm Milby steppped into GMA property he was already shot by sleazy Chika Minuite Men like a stray dog. Diyan tayo magaling. No wonder daig tayo ng mga Indians who have come up with their own “Slumdog Millionaire” masterpiece that conquered Hollywood. Tayo our network creative people don’t take time to create ideas anymore kasi busy sila out-producing each other with unforgettable, non-sensical, poorly-directed, ludicruous, non-Filipino telenovelas.

I hope the global success of “Slumdog Millionaire” will be a wake-up call and challenge to our film makers. If the Indians can do it, why can’t we? But as long as our Showbiz people are hooked on making mediocre telenovelas we will remain in the “Slum” like a starving “Dog” but never become “Millionaires” in the moving picture industry.

I’m not a rabid Kapamilya, but I can’t help passing judgment that Eat Bulaga pales in comparison to Wowowee in many aspects: Intro, opening number, imtermissions, celebrity guestings, global live shows, hosts, games and prizes, not to mention sponsors. Wowowee’s dancers do not only outnumber but also out dance the EB Babes, include here: dance numbers, costumes and costune changes, choreography, and dancers’ pulchritude. Eat Bulaga may have that distinction of being the pioneer in Lunch veriety show entertainment, but Wowowee is the New Kid On the Block. It deserves its present insuperable Number 1 position. No question about it.

I can’t help noticing how celebrity divorces, annulments, and separations always make the headlines. These negative news reports indicate a sad picture of our former Cinderellas and their Prince Charmings - that Love Teams as espoused, induced, and promoted by Showbiz writers (so they have something to write) and acquiescing young lovers feign love and romance for box office returns - did not, do not, and will not live happily ever after. For, if I were to make a list of hyped celebrity love teams of yesteryears who are now broken families, this box won’t suffice. Name me one happily married Showbiz partners, I will name ten who are unhappy parents of broken families. What’s my point? My point is: media people who create and exploit love teams in the name of young celebrity romance, entertainment, and commerce are partly to blame for these failed celebrity marriages that litter our otherwise conservative Catholic society.

The Pops & Martin Concert smacks of Hypocrisy to the max and social voyerism. It’s an “Immorality Play” not on Broadway but on our “sacred” society, authored by Filipino hunger for escapist entertainment to watch just how two forbidden lovers dressed to the nines make love on stage produced by no other than a lover-turned businessman to complete a scandalous triangle. If we accept and applaud such a relationship, we might as well allow multiple marriages to go forth and multiply illegitimate children, then shut the doors of the Catholic Church.

Just in case studio audiences don’t know. those army of singers and dancers ( of SOP and ASAP) aren’t really performing for the studio people or televiewers, but for the rival network. How come?: because they were just trying to outsing, outdance, outdress, and out stage the talents of the other network using live audiences as only their tools. Such may make a talent perform better but on the whole doesn’t really impprove the quality of entertainment solely on the Gaya-Gaya system. So unoriginal, so mediocre.

In our entertainment industry, only a few deserve to be called actors and actresses. The rest are known as Showbiz celebrities, “entertainers”, also-runs, and a lot of “appearers”. You know why? - because they are owned herded, branded like cows by networks. How can a talent be called an artist when he? does have the human attribute called “freedom”. How can an artist paint beauty when he can’t choose the colors he wants- like cattle who are not free to graze where they please.

I am based in New Jersey who naturally want to see and hear something “Filipino” on cable TV. Unfortunately, what I see on Philippine television are largely the same shows on US networks, except that they are staged and packaged by Filipinos. Newscast in English, Sports broadcast in English, interviews among Pinoys in English, cooking Filipino food done ala Martha Stewart done hosted in English. True, ABS-CBN has more “gimmickry” to show on TV, but the use of and love for English is not one of them. No wonder GMA is winning more viewers because of its pro-Filipino shows in content and language. I would rather listen to Rhea santos’s tagalog newscast than to Mariton Pacheco’s English news report; When it come to relevance and mass appeal, Ricky Carandang and TJ Manotoc pale in comparison to Mike Enriquez and Igan Clavio. Read and write English as much as a Pinoy wants, but on national TV a Pinoy should speak his mother tongue unless his network forbids him so.

I like Kuya Germs. He brings into his show the songs of yesteryears belted by songsters who know their craft. The songs of today have no melodious patterns like a tree that’s all branches and twigs that do not do justice to the talents our young singers. I also play music on a keyboard and I hate to play boring music with equally boring chords. I feel sorry for the generation of today who missed the songs of the fifties and sixties the years when there was musical explosion of evergreens and golden oldies. The most beautiful music and songs had already been sung. Little wonder the youth of today have no choice bot ro rap and they call it “music”.

Nuts Entertainment as its name implies is either for the naugthy or the nutty. However, its Feb. 12 episode abused its freedom and went out of bounce. It exploited and used an old woman to do some nasty act like having to place her face almost kissing a young actor. Not that it’s wrong for a young man to kiss an old woman to show respect. That’s very Filipino in culture. But the scene was not meant to portray our respect for the elderly but to make fun of them. I’m sure the poor woman must have been paid to do what she did. Thus, the show also took advantage the poor woman’s need for money. If the show wants to help the poor and the old, it can do so without strings attached. The Board of Censors should be vigilant in protecting the rights of our senior citizens against exploitative television. It’s bad enough that Nuts Entertainment have been using scantilly clad, “material” and slutty-looking girls, but to use old women to titilate the audience is worse. It’s about time that the brains behind Nuts Entertainment stopped using gullible girls and started looking somewhere else to sell its brand of entertainment.

In the original Family Feud, on the start of a round, the contestant with the correct answer is given the option of passing the question to the other family, the reason being that his family finds the category difficult. The other family then is forced to continue and answer the given category, whether they like or not. That’s the fun. A half-hour family show isn’t enough. Richard is pressured to skip some of the things a host can do (aside doing Beso-beso to the ladies who visibly are enjoying it) unlike Edu Manzano whose repartee with and flirty questions to the contestants add spice to PGKNB. A longer Family Feud (like increasing the family members to five)will not only extend the fun but will also test Richard’s hosting abillity. As it is now, though the show is not boring, it still leaves a lot to be desired.

If Eat Bulaga wants to improve, it must be willing to retire some people like Ruby. I know that Ruby has been with the show from this start and it hurts to lose a veteran EB hoist, but she didn’t take care of herself to stay fit. No offence to Ruby, but Eat Bulaga should be able to find and train a fresh new face to take her place. With her experience and talent, Ruby can be a good floor director or someone behind the camera. I hope that Ruby will not deny another younger girl the break. Second, EB Babes should be overhauled, using uniformity of height, hairdo, and vital statistics as a group criteria. Remember, these girls will be dancing as a group not individually. Dancers should be long legged not like Sexbomb Rochelle, though a good dancer is short-limbed and short-legged. I don ‘t know why she’s called a sex bomb. Look at Vegas group dancers and the Rockettes of New York. They were chosen with almost identical vital measurements. But dancers are only as good as good as their choreography. EB’s resident choreograoher therefore needs to work harder. Jose and Wally are doing great. If there’s a way to spice up their skit with Daiana so much the better. Two stooges with a Brazilian beauty whose Tagalog is fun to hear will make an unprecedented comedy trio. It takes a creative mind of a wrter to draw up their skits and repartee. Pauline should never wear that Dracula set of teeth because she doesn’t look funny but ridiculous, an an offensive turn-off, not a comedienne. After all, it’s her lines in the script that’s humorous, not her ridiculous looking mouth. Julia and Jimmy should also team-up to balance the Jose-Wally tandem. The rest of the crew are just doing find.

WISH KO LANG sa WOWOWEE - in the opening number, Mariele, Valerie, RR, and Pokwang need not scream to high heavens (Like shouting “sunog! sunog”). If only they’d review their short opening portion, they themselves would not understand what they are yelling about. I know they want to set the festive mood that Wowowee is, but they can still achieve that effect by facial, hand, eye, and body gestures without need to break their vocal chords. Even a barker does not need that high decibel to sell and attract customers. Second, if there are only two contestants left in the “One More, No More” portion, let the two draw lots (No.1 and No.2). The contestant who draws the number 1, will have priority to choose OO or HINDI, the second contestant has no choice but to take the other answer. Anyway, the public knows that contestants just “Make Hula” in their answers. This system eliminates the possibility of a non-winner in the finale which upsets everybody.

I am not Kapamilya fanatic, but I can honestly say that when in comes to programming, quality of shows, quantity of shows, evident and effective use of technology, ability and number of entertainment talents, global reach, number of satellite channels, special civic and social programs…GMA pales in comparison. However, GMA thrust and philosophy, considering the use of the Tagalog medium in many of it show, is
more pro-Pilipino than the Kapamilya network many of whose programs use English though Tagalog would have been as effective and more nationalistic.

I think it’s still premature for GMA to flaunt its handful of Kapuso stars found negative of drug use. Logic says that those boys and girls knew they’re clean, the reason they showed up for examiantion. Inversely, those who didn’t show up must be guilty. This is therefore an “Itutuloy” Teleserye. GMA might as well send all, I mean all, its little and big stars for drug testing, focusing on the big names. The results should be made public. Then and only then, can the Kapuso tell its rival network, malinis kami, eh kayo? This is turning to be, after all, a very positive and literally “Healthy” competition between the two giant networks. Let the competition begin.

Yesterday I read Mr. Butch Francisco’s favorite “Love Teams” and I say “Amen”.
Hisotory-wise, love teams do not have a ” happily-ever-after” ending but in scandalous separation, divorce, and infidenlity. I have a long list of failed love-team marriages (but for love sake won’t reveal their names). My point is: love teams are only for commercial purposes, not forever after life stories. The reason being that these young lovers are induced, motivated, hyped, and bedevilled by showbiz writers. I wager that the Dingdong-Marian and the Richard-KC rival love teams will disappoint their fans sooner or later when reality, conscience, and intellectual maturity . set in. These Romeos and Juliets are too young to think love in stead of life. What they are experiencing is hypnotic controlled romance, not love. Name me one successful love-team wedding, and I’ll tell a dozen failed marriages.

Slumdong Millionaire should shame our sleepy film making industry. There’s so much focus on Telenovelas, Terleseryes, Fantaseryes or what have you that we have given up producing serious and internationally-competitive moving pictures. There’s little moral, financial, and media support for Indi films, a small group of under-appreciated artists. As usual, only Nestor Torre of Viewfinder has shown concern for the missing passion for excellence in our fledgling movie. With out love for Gagambinos, Lalolas, Mulawins, Bordados,and other out of our world super heroes we will not find real down to earth heroes like that Mumbai lad who became a millionaire because of his experiences as a poor boy. Our directors and scriptwriters may need to go for some refresher courses on what is Filipino character and what constitute drama. How come I cry over the real unscripted stories told on Wowowee and get insulted by the dialogue and scripted action on soaps?

Kapamilya fans and supporters are anxiously waiting for ABS-CBN to match and perhaps surpass the small number of Kapuso stars who volunteered and passed the drug test. This show of cards between rivals is one healthy competition to determine which Network can claim the “Cleanest Network Ever” Award. Both The small and big fish(es) in TV Showbiz should be included in the testing. In schools, the testing is random due to the huge quantity of students, but in Showbiz, there should be no exception from the test. Good Luck networks, and may the best “K’ win.

Why do I shed tears watching Wowowee and get insulted watching Telenovelas? - because Wowowee’s stories are real, unscripted, and unspoiled by awful directors, dreadful dialogue, and mediocre acting. How do you feel when you hear of the melodramatic confessions abandoned kids and wives, of poor but bright children who had to quit their school scholarship because they had to work and help their jobless parents? Has any soap story ever told you the sad fate of a pretty teenage daughter who looks at the TV camera and says with a tiny smile on her innocent face “I love you, (Dad)” to a father she has not even seen because the man didn’t even know that he fathered her? Hiow come? because her father “raped” her domestic nanay who was afraid to tell all so she just escaped to freedom.
The tears shed on Telenovelas are salty tears of disappointment and disgust; the tears shed on Wowowee are sweet tears of joy. Despite his controversial past, Wowowee is now doing more than those open-ended congressional hearings. I wish the network invite our congressmen to sit in the show not to ogle (though they will for sure) at the long legs of the dancers, but to be eyewitnesses to spontaneous charity without strings attached, simple acts of kindness, expressions of affection, especially from the handicapped and elderly, the energy of youth, the frenzy for fate and fortune, and the cliche called “good clean fun”. For once, let our politicians vicariously experience the “life” of their constituents from all walks of life, from tourists to garbage boys, from the beautiful to the not so beautiful, from the “haves” to the “wish they hads”. So that when they return to the halls of congress, they will be better, and more relevant representatives of their people.

Our Showbiz talents are Jacks of all trades but masters of none. They are also over-worked doing all sorts of Showbiz stuff to earn a living. Name any popular idols like Dingdong and Marian, Richard and KC. There’s nothing that these young kids can not do; they dance, they sing, they host, are interviewed, they cook, they pose for mags. That’s why their field of work is called either entertainment or the more encompassing “Showbiz”. But not Film, and that’s the hitch. That’s the catch. That’s the flaw of the system. Our stars can do a little of everything, but hardly on mastering the art and science of their ncraft. They should choose: TV or movie? Dancing and Singing or acting or hosting? Intensive, not extensive, talent We expect our Britney Spears and Beyonces to be Jody Fosters and Nicole Kidmans, our Rambos to be Jean Kellys, our Meryll Streeps to be Martha Stewarts, our Jay Lenos to be to be Michael Bubles. All this in the name of Showbiz entertainment. not in the name of our passion for excellence. Networks flaunt their singers by the dosen on ASAP and SOP, but are harnessed also as actors in soap operas; Ruffa Mae Quinto does everything: comedienne, host, and actress. If time permits, maybe even a beach valleyball spiker. Kris Aquino is a permanent TV fixture as a great host, but she also gets into film as an awful actress. I hope Regine V. sticks to singing, and the other Regine T. to dancing. Gary V should get off from film acting and focus more on his dancing, singing, and composing. John Lapuz should stick to what he loves: blabbermouthing and spreading rumors and not dance or take any acting role. Willie should stay on with Wowowee and forget about movie roles unless if it’s a movie on his life. What’s the bottom line? That there’s no substitute to excellence in performing one’s profession, not even versatility. With excellence, money will come in handy.

I am just an average Juan with an equally average brain, but I think I can write a telenovela. It will be a “Sobra-novela”, kasi it is sobra talaga: in its charaterization, plot, dialogue, scenes, action, and emotions.
1. The leading man is a successful man; the leading lady is sobra ang ganda.
2. The Kontrabida is an irresponsible-looking jerk but is wealthy.
3. The bad family is a filthy rich family of fashionistas who are ill-mannered mata-pobre hypocrites who can’t dine together without desserting on expletives.
4. The leading has a good-looking BFF who will act as the leading man’s conscience and big-brother advisor.
5, The Kontrabida lady has likewise a BFF who is as scheming as her lady friend. Being a side kick, the Kontrabida girl kicks her like a real dummy.
6. The doctor will always be wrapped with a stethoscope around her neck; he doesn’t do hospital rounds but sits at his desk looking like an LTO clerk. He speaks English to his patients though being less literate hardly understands him.
7. The family of the leading man though poor are always good-natured while the family of the Kontrabida always quarrel about money matters because each member is an egotist.
8. The housemaid will never change her costume till the story ends. Despite her lowly job, she has the brain of an Assumptionista who knows more about life’s virtues than any other character in the story. Without the housemaid, the story will end bloodbath confrontations/
9. The policemen always come in well-pressed uniforms to divert audience from their incompetence. They will never be on time and will never solve mysterious angle of a the crime.
10. There will be a lot of “sampalan: but no marks on the pretty ckeeks.
11. When a character stops speaking he will autoimatically freeze like a statue.
12. When two ladies are having a noisy altercation in a restaurant, the other customers should not hear or react to the almost scandalous scene and will just continue eating.
13. When the leading man and woman, their mouths are not allowed to respond with open and locked lips. They’ll keep pushing their lips like they do on the mirror.
14 There will of course be a lot of screaming, weeping, and sobbing” from the fallen shot man in the street to the hospital bed; to the wake at home or in the church to the funeral procession to the cemetery burial rite to the resurrection scene.
15. There is dog in the story. Everybody loves a dog.
16. Of course, this Sobra-Talaga story won’t be complete with a gay character, who wants to be Bakla.
17. There will be no scenes where characters can smile. They will always wear that grim look .
18. Dialogue?: the dialogue should use the superlatives, the worse, the extremes of the dirties, most painful most embarrassing words in the Mephistophelian dictionary. Makeup should make the audience puke- like half of the face covered with cancerous cevaceous cyst, and eysbrown that meet in the middle of the forehead. Make the character look like a taong grasa.
19. The title of my sobra-novela is will be figurative: a metaphor, irony, an oxymoron, a question,or anything that will bore even the brain of a worm:
Example: DEMONYO SA LANGIT
ANG PUSO SA UTAK NG IPIS
MALAMIG NA ARAW .

I’m glad writer Nestor Torre pointed out the indigestible flaws in the lead chracters of “Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang”. I have always been a critic of telenovelas not only on their poor directions but also on their obsessive use of creating the weirdest species of characters who use the foulest , most wicked, most painful words to inflict on others. Words and expletives that even the worst of the Hell’s Angels do not use. The “Hinugot” character of Proserfina is so strange and difficult to decipher, she blows now and blows cold the next, blows normal afterwards. Her creator must “HinugotU such a character from his ass because no such creature ever existed even in the underworld. Honestly, I e-mailed GMA7 some of my objective comments about its Telenovela directors and writers, curious about their academic credentials, if they ever studied human nature in college, never mind the elements of a drama and short story. I think GMA7 just junk all negative e-mails but they can’t junk Nestor Torre’s.

I just saw on TV some Fil-ams, including whites, in the States dancing Filipino folk and ethnic dances. I say that’s wonderful!

On our own national networks, Filipinos dance American HipHop, Pinoys rap, and sing the songs of America. I say that’s stupid!

Do you know that you need only a single Tagalog word to describe the petty quarrel between a girl who looks like a “Boy” and a plastic surgeon who can repair every face except hers?

K A P L A S T I K A N

Here are the textbook parts of a Telenovela. Just arrange them in the sequence you like.

1. The surprise first encounter between the lead characters
2. The intro between the malanding Kontrabida and the coy leading lady.
3

Joyce Bernal ’s “Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang”… GMA7 should give this director a special award for creating a list of characters that defy human analysis, characters that only a demented brain could imagine. Another award for the scriptwriter for teaching our viewers a list of the cruelest, most treacherous, filthiest, most painful, most embarrassing, and most shameful words in the dictionary. Thanks to Pinoy telenovela producers, directors, and writers for insulting the Filipino. No wonder those who watch these TV soaps can no longer add 1 plus 1 and recite the ABCDE. Telenovelas make one’s brain dumb and dumber. Malapit na ang “Dumbest”.

TJ Mo tried to defend Belo by twisting what she said. Belo said “If you want to LOOK LIKE Boy Abunda- not “if you believe in Boy Abunda”. Belo was hitting at the looks of Abunda, not at his cridibility.as an endorder. Either way is hurtful. TJ Mo even rubbed salt to Boy’s wound when he complemented the doctor by saying “Very well said” and “That’s true”. TJ MO too has obviously gone under plastic surgery
He looked plastic on Showbiz Central.

I would like to point out some errors made on Eat Bulaga in its Q & A portion where a contestant gave a correct answer although the question was erroroneously worded. How come?: Here’s the question: ” kung ang tao ay MAMMAL, at ang ahas ay REPTILE, ano namang “A” ang PALAKA? The contestant answered AMPHIBIAN correctly. Luckily I say, because the question used two logically wrong premises: First, to say “…ang tao ay mammal: you are talking about a man’s attribute of having mammary glands to nourish its young with milk. - This supposition has little bearing to a frog or palaka being an AMPHIBIAN or amphibious- meaning its ability to live both on land or water. Second, to say that “…ang ahas ay reptile” you are saying that it crawls o0n its belly; some other reptiles like lizards and crocodiles have short legs. Again this postulate does not exemplify or have any bearing to a frog’s amphibious attribute,
Both the host and the contestant are just lucky that “Amphibian” was accepted. What if the contestant was eliminited because her answer wasn’t accepted, she could have complained by being given an erroneous question. It’s bad enough that contestants aren’t geniuses, it’s worse when they are misled by wrong questions.
This is not the first time I spotted mistakes on EB’s Q&A segment. One time the host said that Mexico is in South America. Mexico, as my Mexican students confirm, is in Central America. Just see the world map and see for yourself. Mexico is located between the U.S. and South America.

Still on EAT BULAGA…continuation:
First I mis-typed “erroneously”; second, my comment was prematurely and involuntarily ended.
My suggestion to rectify that “PALAKA-Amphibian” question is to make the postulates or suppositions analogically parallel:
“Kung ang ang tao ay TERRESTRIAL, at ang isda ay AQUATIC, o ang ibon at monkey ay ARBOREAL, ano naman “A” ang palaka? Undoubtedly the answer logically leads to AMPHIBIAN. The bottom line: the question is talking about the places where these creatures are adapted for survival.

Joey de Leon is really quick at playing with words, called punning, especially when he is playing with Eat Bulaga contestants who are not exactly that academically smart. Second, I notice that his jokes border around the ribald such as his “I want to be an Eskimo” and “I want to be a Latino” songs. For, when one completely sings the song he’ll have to repeat the syllables “KI” and “TI” somewhere along the song. Also, I wish Joey wouldn’t stoop down to the level willie who is not really his competition in his craft but just a nephew in Showbiz. Huwag mong patulan ang anak mo, eka nga.

Kris Aquino was angered by the released of Galman-Aquino murder convicts.

Well,Kris please practice what you preach.
So many times,I heard about you about
forgiveness.Don’t live by the pass but
learned from it.

Hatred is supposed to have no room
from a christian like you.Those people
that had been pardon has already
paid their debt from society.

Open your eyes.You sinned more that
them.Look your face in front of
the mirror.

Why are beauty queens who have hardly started their reigns always asked that presumptuous question if they want to enter Showbiz? Ms. Pia Guanio, who asked our five new queens that question, should not presume that every girl’s dream is to get into the scandal-filled and controversial field of Showbiz. If she thinks Showbiz is a Shan-gri-la, she is entitled to her presumption. To be more polite, she should have simply asked each of them what their plans are in the future.
Let us leave these young girls a chance to search their own world and practice their chosen academic profession.
Showbiz should not be the first priority in the life a girl unless she goes to school to take up a Showbiz couirse, major in Telenovelas, intrigue and gossip. From beauty queen to Showbiz queen is a step backward and downward, if not Harakiri.
A nurse who becomes a beauty queen but shuns beauty will be a happy nurse, chin up, as long as she wants. A nurse who is a beauty queen and jumps into the Showbiz band wagon will soon fade with her face down.

I don’t understand Pops,and Martin duet, Pops’ character and attitude are just beyond analysis. First they got married, have nice kids. then filed for divorce.. Then she stayed in with a lover while her estranged husband was abroad. Once in a while Martin was interviewed on TV and confessed in unambiguous terms that he still loves Pops even when he already took another woman. Pops’ lover Jomari produced a concert featuring the two forbidden lovers Pops and Martin. Successful voyeuristic show, I say. Money, money, money. Then out of no where Pops and Jomari spli even before they could say “I Do”. In the meantime Martin says “I don’t know nothing” on the Pops-Jomari split. What next you promiscuous people?

Here we go again. Another pop idol in the name of Dingdong Dantes would like to “serve the public”.There’s nothing wrong for a Showbiz celebrity to enter politics. What is stupidly wrong is they get elected. They get elected to an office they are not prepared for. Like msot celebrities in politics, Dingdong, I bet, will not give up his Showbiz career. In other words he will serve two masters: his fans and his constituents, his contract with a network as oppose to his contract with the people.Unless he goes on leave from GMA, he will have little time for official duties. Just think of the time he will spend in grooming, in taping, in attending to socials, in acting, in signing autographs, he has no time left for the people he vows to serve. My advice to Dingong is you are an Atenean who understands what it means to be a “Man for Others”. Take a leave from Showbiz first before you run for office. Good Luck!

I seldome watch Filipino movies — only the good ones. But with Sarah ok lang maski ano. But the fee Viva gives to Sarah ( P200,000 for the picture ) even with the tremendous boxoffice success of You change my life reeks of pure exploitation. At kung kasama pa dyan ang Star Cinema, they should pay up or pay more. I enjoin Sarah Geronimo fans to write all the newspaper editors, MTRCB and even Malacanang to stop this exploitation of Sarah. How come they other stars are paid well when some of them do not even have talents. Maybe because Sarah comes from a poor family and she does not have a good lawyer/ manager so she is exploited right and left
Kawawa naman ang bata! Masyadong naapi. Where is John Lloyed in
all these. Bakit nya pinayagan eto. Definitely dapat di natin payagan!
Formal investigation of this exploitative arrangement is in order.
Join me? This is an easy task kasi marami tayo.

If Hatton does not knock out Manny, the network war will. Manny has just found a good excuse for losing: the nightmares that have been robbing him of rest and sleep. His focus and mental alertness have not been as sharp and strong as before. Hatton will capitalize on Manny’s weakened mind. Because Pacman did not get a lot of sleep on account of the noise of the network war, he might finally sleep in the ring with Hattan looking down on him.
If Pacquiao’s loses it will have taught the sycophants around a lesson “too many cooks really spoil the broth”.

The houses in Zorro do not look real because they are obviously newly-built for filming purposes. The costumes too look like they just came from the laundromat. Zorro’s costume designer and prop builders should have made the houses and costumes look old and used to adapt to the past Spanish time. unless there is an occasion like a wedding, people did not wear such dresses in mint condition. I’m not connected to any film- making outfit. I just use my little common sense.

Ms. MARISSA LAGUARDIA of MTRCB and her censors only have eyes for sexy films and dancers’ wardrobe malfunction. They do not see the rape of our Filipino culture by telenovelas that portray our people as the most cruel, violent, treacherous, foul-mouthed, creatures on this planet. Either Laguardia doesn’t know that language, family relation, character, and tradition are part of our cultural identity or she doesn’t know what she doesn’t know.

I suspect the MTRCB is in cahoot with incompetent writers and directors of soap operas who are free to portray their characters to speak anyway and anyhow they please like they came from another dimension. I’m requesting the Board to please sit for an hour or two in front of the TV, and watch any telenovela, teleserye, or fantaserye or what ever they’re known - they are all mediocre anyway - Observe and study the language of characters when agitated, angry, or in a vengeful mood. They overkill the use of hyperbolic phrases, so painful to the max, that will never be used even by Satan himself. Such daily dose of slanderous, filthy, violent language, if Ms. Laguardia knows her psychology, gets into the impressionable mind and tongue of the young and innocent, which ultimately affect their otherwise good manners and right conduct. Never mind the too many sampalan, iyakan, insultuhan, and sarcastic altercations that Filipino TV dramas thrive on.

The MTRCB despite the number of members in its board is inutile to the point of uselessness.

If the youth of today are too brash, impolite, undisciplined children who have no qualms to talk back to their parents, the MTRCB led by Ms. Marissa Laguardia is partly to blame.

Thank you Mr.Viewfinder for pointing out the flaws in the much publicized Zorro, a GMA masterpiece. As an average televiewer, I still believe that no matter how much money, time, and energy production spend for a project, no matter how you fill the story with a cast of veterans, if the writer and the director don’t have a grasp of human nature or simple common sense, the telenovela will be a “telenovalue”.

The latest Banana Split edition had a parting shot at GMA. Of course it’s all but a spoof but Panaganiban says that the reason Paquiao wanted to move to ABS-CBN is due to the network’s wider global reach, unlike GMA’s limited Mega Manila reach. True or false? Kapuso, will you take lying down?

ON BB GANDANGHARI - Rustom Padilla was a more acceptable personality; BB is a pathetic media-gaga weirdo. The only thing feminine in BB is in his heart, everthing about this concoction, from head to toe is masculine. His lean face is bony, accentuated by prominent cheekbones and and receding cheeks. Besides, he has the voice of a macho. Worst of all, his tiny crowned head stands prominently on an elongated neck with a protruding Adam’s Apple. If BB had a bust relief made, it would look like a horse, no kidding.

TV has showcased several gays and cross-dressers who can make an unwary tourist part with his money. Talagang babaeng-babae na. maganda pa. Yet GMA would rather feature the yukki BB and trun off viewers. Our society is tolerant with gays and lesbians. But BB is neither gay nor lesbian. He is a social transagression.

Mo Twister says that it’s Ruffa Mae who is “Bastos”. I wonder if this guy even watch his own TV shows. He is brash, has a sarcastic smirk, a sardomic facial expression. Si Mo, naka-ngiti na offensive pa rin ang dating niya. Worst of all, Mo is a tactless host which makes him really the “Bastos”. Si Ruffa Mae is Kenkay lang and “hot” na babae, kaya madalas nakakatapak ng tao, pero di sinasadya.

Camera Cafe and U Women are two recommendable comedy shows of our time. In fact Camera Cafe won in the New Your festival for television latelt and 1 award also from Asian TV awards. Good Job to Mark Meily.

Pinaka BASTOS! si MO TWISTER lalo na yung VHB project nila ng VIVA.

Gusto nila mag propagate ng pornography sa PILIPINAS labag sa batas ang pornograpiya dapat may cyber law sa Pinas
para maparusahan ang Viva pati na rin lahat ng cyber crimes!

The life of a journalist is not an enviable one. It’s a thankless job. Take the case of PEP. When PEP publishes articles that are complimentary to celebrities’ lives and careers, the magazine doesn’t get even a tap on its back; but When its article may not be be flattering- like the case of Richard Gutierrez’ alleged fight with another celebrity- the publicaton is slapped with a 25 million peso libel suit. This is one problem when celebrities belongs to a powerful dynasty. Not even the press can afford to mess with its name…or else.

The “Sex Bombs” name that these dancers are proudly using is a misnomer. First, they are not really sexy unless they wear skimpy wardrobes and gyrate. When casually dressed and not wearing any make-up, they look look so ordinary just like any girl you meet on the sidewalk. Sexy is a girl who can seduce the imagination a male even when she is wears a gown and doesn’t strip. Second, none of them is a bombshell because the girls don’t have the natural or bodily endowment like well-protioned vital statistics. Most of them look like HS students. Third, they don’t have any reputable talent to speak of.

This petite MAUI TAILOR girl looks like an innocent baby Barbie Doll has a devil woman inside her. She would rather take the wild side of her young life and be known as a hot sex object, in stead of a wholesome looking celebrity angel. May be, she can’t show a lot between her ears that’s why she prefers to show more and more between her legs than more and more brains because she can’t show any other talent at all. Maui Taylor, what a waste of beauty corrupted by the evil of celebrity sex.

Just for the records, let it be known to all and sundry that GMA7 or none of its dozens of hosts personally or officially offered any message of sympathy to the Failon family,on radio or TV.

Either the network believes that Ted Failon is not innocent the reason they don’t sympathize with him.

That in a nutshell is called a healthy rivalry between GMA7 and ABS-CBN.

Both Cook and Archuleta were clueless that when they decided to go to the Philippines they would be welcomed by brown Americans with small noses. No wonder they felt at home surrounded by thousands of screaming fans. They didn;t know that Filipinos want to be as white as they and sing as good, if not better. Not even Charice and Arnel received such a tumultuous open arm welcome because these two are just as brown as every giggling fanatic. I bet after they leave, Filipinos will hold contests nationwide to look for the Pinoy Cook and the Pinoy Archuleta.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20090520-206104/US-envoy-has-no-comment-on-Baldwin-joke

I am writing to share some insight regarding all the hulaballo over Alec Baldwin’s filipina quip. It is no secret that Alec had one of the worst divorce experiences ever, losing a fortune to his ex-wife Kim Bassinger, and several million dollars to his own divorce lawyers. Alec’s shares his divorce horror story in his books, explaining the devistation from the alienation of his daughter. Alec’s story is typical in the US, where over 85% of divorces are initiated by women who often bankrupt and deny father’s visits with thier children. This causes high numbers of suicides, emotional distress, and post traumatic shock symptom in targeted men. While Alec’s quip was insensitive, we should not be insensitive to the trauma he has suffered, and the eccentricities he may exhibit as a result. Alec’s remarks could be his way of expressing the deep wounds that he still suffers, and at some subconcious level confronting them. Maybe a kind, loving, comforting, caring, commited, filipina lady in his life will heal his bitterness and broken heart, and help to restore the peace, calm and serenity in his life that was stolen over the years from his marriage and ‘divorce from hell’. Alec may have only a slight hint of what it means to love and be loved the way that Filipina women can.. and this may be the cure that he needs..

Willie Revillame just missed a rare chance to show true altruism to someone who paved the way to media freedom, including the freedom to laugh the Wowowee way on television. Willie could have taken the initiative to ask his audience to pause in silence while Cory’s procession was being aired or better still, the network could have cancelled Wednesday’s Wowowee altogether in deference to Cory’s funeral procession that day. If Willie can give his guests their fifteen minutes of fame and generous financial handouts to the poor, why coujldn’t he sacrifice his whole show for a late beloved president?

Willie Revillame did not desecrate the dead. The people who are petitioning for his suspension are probably Eat Bulaga fanatics who want to bring down Wowowee wince EB has been overshadowed by Wowowee’s ratings and popularity Willie was in a dilemma. If he didn’t react to Cory’s funeral transfer and just let Wowowee go on like there was no funeral on the screen beside it, his critics will say: “talaga naman palang walang pakialam at pakiramdam si Willie at tuloy parin ang ligaya sa Wowowee” when obviously there’s a sorrowful procession going on the street, Hoy, MTRCB, wala na kayong inatupab kundi Wowowee. Why don’t you sensor in stead the stupidity and mediocrity of GMA telenovelas that preach anti-Filipino values to viewers? Ms. Laguardia please listen to the foulest, most impolite, cruelest, dumbest dialogue being spoodfed by these telenovelas to our young. Telenovelas portray Pinoys as stupid, traitors, greedy, foul-mouthed, hypocrites, cruel, violent, and fools in love. Iyan ang trabaho mo Ms.Laguardia: to protect our viewers from mis-education being catered by telenovelas.

Caparas is fighting back, obviously, not for the prestige but for the perks and money behind the national artist award.

Now, after more details were reported.it can be told: Willie did not morally “dececrate the dead” as his critics would want the MTRCB to believe and punish the host. If the MTRCB listens to the petitioners, who I think are GMA fanatics, it will be they and censor chief Laguardia who will desecrate the truth. On the contrary Willie was respectful of Cory’s funeral because he even asked his network to forego Wowowee for that day in deference to the national mourning mood which is contradictory to the fun and festive mood of his show. Worse if Willie kept his mouth shut and just allowed Wowowee to go on side by side the funeral transfer of Cory. His ehowbiz enemies would have nailed him for hypocrisy. Willie may be brusque but he is real that’s why he is at times tactless with his guests. With Willie, what you see is what you get. MTRCB can’t punish Willie without hitting ABS-CBN which made the graver mistake of showing Cory’s funeral without forewarning Wllie.The MTRCB has other better things to do than find faults with Wowowee. Regulating Mediocre telenovelas, for one.

Freddie Aguilar is absolutely right: most of our showbiz talents become rich and famous for their wonderful voices and styles immitating and often surpassing their foreign counterparts- and not because they sang the songs of the country. Sure I am happy for and proud of Charice and Arnel but I would have felt prouder had they sung OPM. Julio Iglesias sang in his native tongue (though he can do as well in French and English), the Beatles sang English, (not Spanish, Italians or French) and the Mexican popularise their orginal Mariachi and Rancho Music. How about us? We cater to foreign music, dance and rap like we were native Americans. What if the Americans or Brits stop singing for one reason or another?, our Showbiz talents and performers will be jobless for sometime until the next American Idol.

Welcome back to Wowowee Willie. “It’s so nice to see you back where you belong”. Make us happy again. Forget those envious Kapuso critics who have nothing better to do than look at the petty hole of the donut. For the needy millions , if there’s a Willie, there is a Way.