Actor Mico Palanca dies at 41

Actor Mico Palanca dies on December 9 (Monday). It was reported that he took his own life by jumping off a building (condo unit) in Santolan, San Juan. He was 41.

Mico is the younger brother of actor Bernard Palanca.

Tribute to National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva at CCP | February 24, 2018

The Cultural Center of the Philippines pays tribute to the late National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva through a state necrological ceremony to be held on February 24 (Saturday), 8:30a.m., at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). It will be followed by an internment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Cosmopolitan Climbs, new pre-need memorial life plan for the masses

I have never thought of purchasing a pre-need memorial life plan yet. For me, it's an added cost. Whenever some people would want to present to me about this, I never entertain. Because truly it is costly and some are very expensive. But sometimes, it would cross my mind that yes, I need to prepare for my future. 

DR. OLIVER SACKS (July 9, 1933-August 30, 2015)

I had goosebumps upon learning just now that one of my favorite authors passed away in the early morning hours of August 30, 2015. 

DR. OLIVER SACKS (born in Willesden, London, England; July 9, 1933–August 30, 2015) was an English neurologist and author, famous for writing best-selling case histories of his patients' disorders, with some of his books adapted for film and stage.

Tangalang Pilipino's MELANIE | December 3-14, 2014

Melanie, a joint project of Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and global organization UNICEF, which has toured different areas in Metro Manila, returns this December for the celebration of World AIDS Day. 

R.I.P. to my father, Arturo Uy Ello (March 5, 1946-November 7, 2014)

My father passed away on November 7, 2014 at 1:00 am at the Perpetual Help Medical Center (Las Piñas). His remains lie at Holy Trinity Memorial Chapel (2nd floor, St. Joseph Room) at Sucat Road, Parañaque City (across Shell gasoline station; near Valley 1 Village entrance; near 7-Eleven; near Jaka Plaza) from November 7-15.

R.I.P. Arthur Uy Ello (March 5, 1946 - November 7, 2014). He was 68. Interment was moved to November 15 (from the original schedule which was November 12) at Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque. Last mass will be held at Holy Trinity Memorial Chapel at 10:30am.

Pastor Rick Warren's son commits suicide

A sad news that shocked the christian community across the globe - Pastor Rick Warren’s son, Matthew Warren, 27, took his own life on April 5, 2013 (Friday evening). Matthew couldn't bear his life anymore due to a long-term struggle with his mental illness.

Last Facebook Status Message of Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya (March 30, 1955-October 8, 2012)

Photo courtesy of PhilNews

Below was the last status message left by Direk Marilou Diaz-Abaya dated September 17, 2012 on her Facebook wall.

"Good news. Cancer cells in my brain have been reduced significantly since my radiation program 3 months ago. I'm off chemo for a whole month YEHEEEY!, just daily hormone pills which, hopefully, will relieve me from the usual side effects. Then next tests will determine how to proceed. I intend to get more physically active hehehe during this respite period. BTW, this happy development happened during the Penafrancia Fiesta last week. So I ask Ina to bless all those who pray for me. Thank you and CHEERS!" 

Captive (2012) by Brillante Mendoza showing in the Philippines beginning September 5, 2012

Another powerful film by Cannes Best Director Brillante Ma. Mendoza is set to captivate the viewers' sensibilities. Captive (2012) is presented by Swift Productions, in association with Centerstage, B.A. Produktion, Studio Eight Productions, and Arte France Cinema. It is the Official Philippine Entry to the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival. 

To date, the film will be showing in France, Germany, Great Britain. In the Philippines, it is scheduled to to have its commercial run beginning September 5, 2012.

Rated “A” by the Cinema Evaluation Board, Captive is in English, Tagalog, French, Tausug, Hookien, Chavacano with English subtitles. Running time: 122 minutes.

Cebuano Triathlete died in Ironman 70.3 on August 5, 2012

Ironman 70.3 participant Ramon Igaña Jr. unexpectedly died after he fell off his bike and hit his head on the gutter along the South Coastal road in Cebu City, Philippines. It was a shocking moment that happened around 9:30 a.m. of August 5, 2012 (Sunday) while the cyclist was attempting to get a water bottle from his bottle cage. He was 45.

Ironman 70.3 Philippines had two categories: individual and relay. A Cebuano airline executive, Igaña (bike) registered for the relay category of the sports event sponsored by Cobra Energy Drink, together with his wife, Humility Igaña (run), and Benjamin Balaoro Jr. (swim). Their team was named TTB Extreme with race number R399.

The Ironman is a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation. It consists of a 2.4-mile (3.86 kilometer) swim, 112-mile (180.25 km) bike and 26.2-mile (42.2 km) run.

Actor Tyron Perez found dead inside his car in Valenzuela

Filipino Actor Tyron Perez (born on September 14, 1985) was found dead in an abandoned car at Que Grande in Barangay Ugong in Valenzuela City on Thursday night, December 29, 2011.  He was 26.

Perez’s body was found lifeless at the backseat of a black Toyota Altis parked along the service road of the North Luzon Expressway within the vicinity of Barangay Ugong. This was being reported by Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor.

Police said Perez died of a gunshot wound on the right side of his head using a caliber .22 gun. There was a suspicion that Perez may have committed suicide. But this angle is still being investigated.

Celebrating RJ Rosales: A Eulogy Service in Singapore (Dec. 12, 2011)

A Eulogy Service called Celebrating RJ Rosales is organized by the friends and family of the Filipino-Australian actor-singer in Singapore on December 12, 2011 at 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. This will be held at Kallang Theatre, Reception Room at 1 Stadium Walk.

There will be an open mic for everyone who would like to: a.) Share stories or memories of RJ; b.) Read or share a poem; c.) Sing a song or two; or d.) If you are too shy to sing, dedicate a song of your choice.

In lieu of flowers, cash donations for the family will be collected. You can also bring along your favourite photo memory of RJ, if you have any.

RJ Rosales dies in Australia; My Tribute for RJ Rosales

News shocked the theater and entertainment circles in the Philippines, Singapore and Australia. RJ Rosales, Filipino-Australian singer, actor and thespian dies in Sydney, Australia on December 5, 2011. He was 37.

Roseo Jose “RJ” Rosales (March 24, 1974 – December 5, 2011) finished a BS degree in Mathematics from the University of Western Sydney and worked as a banker in Australia. RJ had his first break in show business when he joined the cast of the Australian production of Miss Saigon in 1996 as part of the ensemble.

NCCA & CCP pay tribute to National Artist for Literature Edith Tiempo on Sept. 7

From the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP):

THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) pay tribute to the late National Artist for Literature Edith Tiempo on September 7, 2011, Wednesday, 10am at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater). Necrological Rites for Tiempo were held in Dumaguete City last August 29.
         
The event includes readings of poems, reminiscences, and music performances by friends of the late National Artist.
         

NCCA & CCP pay tribute to Alejandro Roces

Alejandro Reyes Roces

(July 13, 1924 - May 23, 2011)

He was 86 years old.

THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) will pay homage to the late National Artist for Literature Alejandro Reyes Roces in “Pagdadalamhati ng Bayan” (necrological services) on Friday, June 3, 2011, 9:00 a.m.  at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater).

Roces, short story writer and essayist, was the country’s best writer of comic short stories. His widely popular anthologized “My Brother’s Peculiar Chicken” taken from his short story collection entitled “Of Cocks and Kites”, painted a portrait of a Filipino as a noble person endowed with innate intelligence, patience and compassion.  

Harlequin Theater Guild's "Haunted Hall 2: Our History of Horror Unveiled" (Feb 9-18, 2011)

* click the image for larger view *

Harlequin Theater Guild (HTG) of De La Salle University (Manila) presents another horrifying experience you shouldn't want to miss - Haunted Hall: Our History of Horror Unveiled. This is  Haunted Hall's second year.

THIS IS NOT A SHOW, BUT AN EXPERIENCE.

February 9-18, 2011
Monday to Thursday, 6:00pm-9:00pm
February 11 (Friday) 3:00pm-9:00pm
February 15, (Leap day) 11:30am-9:00pm
February 18, 1:00-9:00pm
*open campus on February 18

"The Fourth Kind," a shocking thriller

One of the most mystifying subjects science has dealt with is the idea that there are aliens abducting humans. The new science fiction-horror film The Fourth Kind puts the matter in cinematic form as Resident Evil star Milla Jovovich portrays psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler who years ago conducted a sleep disorder that revealed terrifying data connected to it.


The movie, based on actual case studies, is a reenactment of an original documentary set in Nome, Alaska, with never-before seen archival footage integrated into the film. Writer-director Olatunde Osunsanmi exposes shocking revelations from multiple witnesses—all leading to significant conclusions about non-human entities abducting earthlings. Their accounts of being visited by aliens are looked upon closely, assuring viewers' of goosebumps and eerie realizations.

Shot in Vitosha and Sofia in Bulgaria, in Los Angeles, California, and of course, Alaska, The Fourth Kind is the first major film by Osunsanmi who is a protégé of independent film director Joe Carnahan. The title is derived from how J. Allen Hynek classified  'close encounters with aliens,' having noted that the 'Fourth Kind' denotes alien abduction. This particular scale (of measurement) is considered the most difficult to document, making this movie a rare kind of data gathering.

In October 2004, Osunsanmi traveled to North Carolina for post production of a project he was doing.  While there, a colleague told him of Dr. Tyler who relocated to a remote town along the Bering Sea. The latter is said to have been convinced that her patient's stories of alien abductions are real. She even discovered a history of missing people and mysteriously bizarre happenings around the region dating back to 1960s.

 


The movie also stars Elias Koteas and Will Patton. It opened in the US last November and grossed with a total $24,619,000, surprisingly topping its $10 million budget.

Reported alien activity in Alaska is famous among UFO enthusiasts, including that of captured flying saucers over Alaskan airspace and the disappearance of Alaska's US State Sen. Nick Begich in 1972 that was again connected to E.T. presence.

The Fourth Kind, distributed locally by Viva International Pictures, opens in the Philippines on March 3, 2010.

War against the Rotavirus disease

Diarrhea can be real serious problem that it may be infected with deadly Rotavirus. ROTAPhil, A health advocate group gives the real deal on this potentially fatal disease in a handbook entitled The Rotavirus Disease: What Parents Need to Know.

The handbook unveils important facts about Rotavirus what concerned parents need to know in combating the number one cause of death due to diarrhea among children around the world.  It discusses symptoms of Rotavirus infection such as diarrhea, fever and vomiting—all of which can happen in children, especially aged five and below, from across the socio-economic spectrum.  Because of its non-discriminating nature, Rotavirus has been dubbed by health experts as a “democratic disease,” causing more than 600,000 deaths yearly among children from both developed and developing countries.

This campaign event against the rotavirus disease was held on October 21, 2009 at National Bookstore, Greenbelt 4, hosted by celebrity Suzi Entrata-Abrera.

“One of the purposes of the handbook is to make parents aware that Rotavirus may be present in one’s hands or virtually any surface and can strike their unprotected child at any place, and any time,” says Dra. Ma. Lourdes G. Genuino, Assistant Secretary of the Philippine Society of Pediatric Gastroentology and Nutrition.

Dra. Lulu Bravo, Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of the Philippines Manila and Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, explains that the handbook was especially developed by health experts from ROTAPhil, in partnership with global pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, to guide parents on how to deal with children infected with Rotavirus and how to take proactive steps such as vaccination in order to protect their children from possible infection.  “Through ‘The Rotavirus Disease: What Parents Need to Know,’ we hope to advocate action leading to a reduction and gradual elimination of the rotavirus disease,” emphasizes Bravo.

Dr. Lulu Bravo

Indeed, in the world of diarrhea, the need for prevention can never be overemphasized.  As front liners in championing children’s health, parents should arm themselves with the most powerful ammunitions against this enemy.  In the battle against Rotavirus, there can’t be anything more potent than getting to know your enemy and attacking it where it is weakest—through vaccination.

Dr. Salvacion R. Gatchalian

Dr. Juliet Aguilar

“Research findings show that early childhood diarrhea is an important predictor of school performance and cognitive development as its effects likely compound into reduced productivity throughout life,”  says Bravo. “Health experts recommend that parents have their young children protected as early as 6 weeks of age.”

In the Philippines, global pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline offers a vaccine as a means for protection to infants and young children against the adverse effects of Rotavirus diarrhea. In fact, it was found that eight out of 10 babies who are immunized will not come down with the dreaded disease and almost 100% of them are protected from severe rotavirus diarrhea requiring hospitalization.

Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of death due to diarrhea among young children worldwide.  Be one of the proponents in protecting the Filipino children against this fatal disease. If you want to request for a free copy of The Rotavirus Disease: What Parents Need to Know handbook, just send an email to rotaphil@gmail.com.

I dread to be confined in the hospital again!

Magkapanabay lagi ang ganitong magkaibang-uri

Ng awit sa daigdig, ang isa'y papuri, ang isa'y pananangis,

Ang isa'y pagsilang, ang isa'y kamatayan,

Ang isa'y ligalig, ang isa'y pananalig.

Ngunit sa mga sumasaksi sa atin ay sino ba ang makaaalam

Kung ang pagkaway sa isa't isa ay pagsalubong

O pamamaalam.

                           - REBECCA AÑONUEVO, "Paglalakbay"

It's been a week since my last post. I still have a lot of pending blogs to make. I've been suffering from terrible cough for 2 weeks now. I have tried different kinds of treatment and medicines but nothing could make me feel well. Yesterday, I had fever again, that made me really weak.

Since 2005 until last year, I got stuck in the hospital for 3 times already due to stress and my white blood cells count went way below the normal. I never imagined that it could make me lose my life. Doctors would say that the symptoms of dengue is the same as what I have experienced. Stress and lack of sleep can really kill me!

August 31, 2005. I was seriously ill of very high fever. It was Course Card Distribution day of De La Salle University where I was teaching. You won't believe how I bore the pain of commuting from our house to the school just to give my grades to my students. I was very dizzy, I had cold & cough and high fever. I won't forget that awful day. I should've stayed at home and informed our secretary about it. But it had worsen my situation.

On September 30, 2008, I was confined in the hospital again due to the same reasons. The only difference is that I was labouring on my painting that was to be submitted for a competition. I had sleepless nights trying to finish it just to hit the deadline. I regretted not taking any vitamins during that tiring week that caused my body to give up. Staying in the hospital, I was bothered thinking of my pending application in a university as a Coordinator for its Marketing arm. There were 3 of us as strong shortlisted candidates for the position. And they would choose only 1 or 2 from us. Because of my situation, they said that they couldn't wait for me. Eventually, I lost the opportunity.

December 25, 2007. Right after watching Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, a Filipino movie included in the Metro Manila Film Fest, my body felt an unusual warmness and I had never expected that it was already the start of my long journey of illness. That whole week, I got seriously ill. My condition did not improve for a week already. I still had very high fever. It was Christmas season and I had no choice but to get stuck in bed, sleeping, resting and eating is all I could do. Until I decided to be confined in the hospital on December 30 because I feared that my life was about to end. I stayed in the hospital until January 4, 2008. Now, it's Christmas season once again and I don't want that experience to be back again, and wish it will never be.

I don't want to be hospitalized again. Who would ever want to? Not only does it empty your wallet, there are so many things you cannot do, while your body suffers from total weakness. I dread to be confined in the hospital again!

For those who have checked on my blogs and for those who have been my constant followers, just stay on and I'll be updating my site with more interesting blogs, exciting features, etc very soon.

Richard Quan rallies for "Ded Na Si Lolo" for the Oscars

Last November 2009, Ded na si Lolo or Grandfather is Dead (international title), was being viewed at key cinemas in Los Angeles, USA. As expected, audiences who have watched the comedy-drama by Soxie Topacio, are laughing and crying at the same time, amazed with the delicate balance of high strung madcap scenes and dramatic moments, and are amused on how the Filipinos oddball manner of deal with the death of a loved one.

Grandfather is Dead is the Philippines’ bet in the annual race for the foreign-language film category of the Oscars. Produced by APT Entertainment and the Directors Guild of the Philippines, many are optimistic that Topacio’s opus that tells the story of Bobet (BJ Forbes), a young boy who observes the many superstitious rituals followed by his family in the six days following the death of his grandfather.

Other stars in the film are Roderick Paulate, Elizabeth Oropesa, Gina Alajar, Manilyn Reynes, Dick Israel, Ranier Castillo and Richard Quan. “Direk Soxie is the main reason why I accepted the project,” said Richard. In the film, he played Kiko, father of Bobet, and husband to Charing (Reynes).

  

Richard beamed, “This independent film was the biggest grossing and the longest in terms of commercial run. I think people loved it so much because of the story. One can easily identify with all the many characters and the circumstances they were in. When you view it inside the movie house, the good vibe immediately grows in you, and you are not aware that together with the rest of the audiences, you laugh, and then you cry, only to laugh again, you come out of the movie house feeing re-charged and thankful of the many eccentricities of the Filipino family.”

How do you feel now that the film is Oscar bound? ”Heaven!” Richard exclaimed. “We did not expect that it will go this far, when somebody told me about it, I thought it was, you know, a joke, then I got a confirmation that it is for real and that it was deemed meritorious by members of the Film Academy. When we were shooting it, we just wanted to share to the people the wonderful growing up story of Direk Soxie and his quaint observations of his family’s practices during the wake of his grand dad. That was all he wants, so this recognition is really big for all of us.”

“I hope the Oscar people give us a shot, I know the foreign film category is a very competitive field,” Quan said. “However, I am very optimistic that members of the Academy will find our small film appealing and full of heart.”

  

Ded na si Lolo/Grandfather is Dead, will be shown again in local theaters starting December 2, 2009.