I was scheduled to write an article for one of the destinations of the Philippines but could not resist writing about this first as its a news that we Filipinos should be proud of. A moment of glory for every Pinoy in all corners of the globe when Manny Pacquiao became the worlds best pound for pound fighter by beating Mexican Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya.
Prior to this bout Manny came in as a 2-1 underdog as people opted for the more experienced de la Hoya. The Golden Boy who had an illustrious career winning the gold medal in the 1992 Olympics, became a professional in 6 weight division and now a candidate for a slot in Boxing’s Hall of Fame, was stopped by Manny in the 8th round with a non stop swing of jabs, punches and uppercuts that made his coach ask the referee to stop the fight in the eight round.
Manny Pacquiao
The phenomenal fighting of Manny had everyone in the living room jumped for joy in each round as we watched the pay per view fight live in the MGM Grand Arena last night. Everyone was thumping for joy that includes fans of Pacquiao in the arena, as we saw it, which has a crowd of 15,000 watching it. The left straight swings of Manny almost closed the left eye of Oscar de la Hoya that made the deciding factor when his coach asked the referee to stop the fight in round 8, giving Manny his awaited worldwide glory.
The win gave Manny Pacquiao his much awaited prize of being the world’s best class fighter today and brought the Philippines into a positive news point in international affairs. The disparity in size proved no handicap for the 29 year old boxer as he flurried a sizable amount of punches to de la Hoya. Nevertheless Manny admitted that Oscar de la Hoya remains his idol and the fight was really meant only for business and Manny really proved that. On the other hand Oscar said that Manny was a great fighter, that he deserves to win and was the better man of the bout. A very sportsman attitude coming from 2 great professional fighters. Indeed, in our record both are winners.
And for Manny Pacquiao our proud salutation for once again he gave the Philippines another glory for every Filipino to fathom especially this coming Christmas Season. Mabuhay ka Manny Pacquiao, Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.
A new beginning for the Philippines which is a literal translation. This song is being aired at TFC (The Filipino Channel) primarily aimed to show the Filipino Community worldwide about a new hope and beginning for our very own country. Bagong Simula is a song that encourages change on a new level and brings hope for a new Philippines by the new generations spearheaded by musicians, singers, actors and actresses of the local television industry, it provides a message that we can once more bring life to a deteriorating and tarnished image of our country. I consider it as an ANIMO Song. The song also emphasizes about the daily life, ways and visions of what everybody can do to bring that new breathe of life. Nice job once again from the people behind this. Below is the lyrics sung by Kevin Roy, Yael Yuzon, Marc Abaya, Kitchie Nadal, Yeng Constantino, Placid and Tugma. With the additional credits that goes to the other members of the production staff who contributed to this very nice presentation of Animo Pilipinas !
concept: Danie Sedilla-Cruz
Creative prod Head: Johnny de los Santos
Directors: Robert Labayen/Peewee Gonzales
Lyrics: Robert Labayen
music: Jonathan Manalo
design and compositing: Oliver Paler
Producer: Hancel Hernandez
Production Supervisor: Jimmy Porca
Editor: Angelito Dayao
Production Design: Andrew Go
Casting: Rosalie David
Lighting Director: Jimmy Anyano
Bagong Simula
Parang isang gabing walang katapusan
Sa bawat mesa, asin lagi ang ulam
Umaalog sa alkansya pisong pinagpawisan
Batang nakahubad kumot ang lansangan
Lupaing kinalbo minsa’y nadidilig
Ng dugo sa away ng kapatid sa kapatid
Sa kalagayang ito tayo ay nakagapos
Parang awa sana ay dito magtapos
Todo na ‘to!
Liparin ang langit na bughaw
Pagningningin mga tala at araw
Mamumulang muli ang silangan
Sa bagong simula ng ating bayan
Wag nang maulit kapalarang kay pait
Wag magpabaya wag kang manahimik
Wag kang manlalamang, wag kang mangigipit
Wag magkanya-kanya, magkaisang bisig
Magmalasakit ito’y kabayanihan
Gawin mo anumang makayanan
Kalagayan ng bayan sumasama lamang
Kung walang gagawin tayong mamamayan
Todo na ‘to!
Lliparin ang langit na bughaw
Pagningningin mga tala at araw
Mamumulang muli ang silangan
sa bagong simula ng ating bayan
Ipakita natin sa ating mga magulang,
Mga kapatid,
Kaya natin ‘to!
Isang subok pa,
Sabay-sabay na,
Walang kokontra!
Todo na ‘to!
Lliparin ang langit na bughaw
Pagningningin mga tala at araw
Mamumulang muli ang silangan
Sa bagong simula ng ating bayan
Todo na ‘to!
Lliparin ang langit na bughaw
Pagningningin mga tala at araw
Mamumulang muli ang silangan Sa bagong simula ng ating bayan
Filipino history tells us that we came from the nearby countries. Aside being called Filipinos we are also called the Malay Race as our ancestors came from nearby Malaysia. Long before the Spanish people arrived, The Philippine Islands were already inhabited by Malaysian Datu’s and Rajah’s, the aetas as the original though. History scribed on our ancestral origin says that there was a voyage of tell us that that 10 Bornean datus headed by Datu Puti, along with their followers, fled Borneo to escape persecution by Datu Makatunaw, the Rajah of the House of Sri-Vijaya. They boarded their long ships called barangays in order to seek out new lands.
The other Dutus who accompanied Datu Puti were, Datu Sumakwel, Datu Bangkaya, Datu Paiborong, Datu Paduhinogan, Datu Dumangsol, Datu Libay, Datu Dumangsil, Datu Domalogdog, and Datu Balensuela. Together they were to become the founders of the pre-colonial Philippine Civilization.
The voyage was long through the Philippine seas and they first arrived at Panay and Sinugbuhan, which were at that time under the rule of an Ati King, or Aeta “big-man,” named Marikudo. Those Marikudo ruled were pygmy-like bands that practiced hunting and gathering as well as slash and burn farming (kaingin), and they were initially in terror of the Borneans. However, Datu Puti, sought a peaceful alliance and was therefore welcomed by the Aetas. Immediately, they forged trade relations with the natives exchanging their combs, hatchets, knives and copper swords (called kris) for the Aetas’ deer horns, boar teeth, bamboo baskets, and various maritime products.
To commemorate the new alliance, Marikudo invited his new associates for a feast under the thick, broad branches of his dapdap and the bounteous food was laid on banana leaves. The Borneans came wearing splendid accoutrement’s. The men wore kerchiefs wound 4 times around their heads, grandiose jewellery, sleeveless and collarless vests and various shirts. The women wore their hair parted in the middle and knotted in two, like horns of a cow’s calf, and perched on each ear. They had long sleeved blouses and they had long, ornately colored skirts called tapis.
At this feast, the Datus negotiated the purchase of land for one gold sadok and a gold necklace for Marikudo’s wife, and since the Aetas thought that the island was too large to farm, they agreed. The Aetas, who preferred the cover of forests and mountains, retreated to such areas (where they can still be found today), while the Datus divided the island into political units called saktop, namely Hantic (Antique), Aklan, and Irong-Irong (Iloilo), and thus founded the various clans of the Philippine culture. Datu Puti, Bangkaya, and Paiburong headed these saktops. The entire island continued to be called Hantic.
After the Datus were settled, Datu Puti proclaimed that he would sail back to Borneo to challenge the tyrant Makatunaw, and as he was the only one powerful enough, the other Datus agreed. Datu Puti, his wife and servants set sail for Borneo and were never heard from again.
Datu Sumakwel was appointed the new leader and under his leadership the culture prospered. He established a permanent settlement in what is now Malandog in the municipality of Hamtic. It was named for a species of a large ant called hantic-hantic, which abounds there.
But as we discuss history, we would like also to mention a new era in the history of Philippine television that is so similar and commemorating a new alliance. Television giant ABS-CBN has partnered with Malaysian company Double Vision that features one of the top Philippine actor, Jericho Rosales and Malaysian superstar/model Carmen Soo. The teleserye which will be aired this September a week or two after the hit series My Girl, entitled Kahit Isang Saglit, Which was filmed both in the Philippines and Malaysia. It will be aired at the Primetime Bida.
This is a new era marked in Philippine Television. While we commemorate our 110th Philippine Foundation we also take pride to look back at our ancestor neighbors. ABS-CBN has again done a great job of pursuing creativity while promoting camaraderie amongst the two countries. It also promotes tourism as it depicts and shows the best scenery and places of both countries. The media giant has been well known of producing top Asia Novela Hits.
Kahit Isang Saglit is directed by two of our top directors in the land of, Jerry Lopez-Sineneng and Gilbert Perez. Theme song sung by our very own Martin Nievera once again, who sang the popular hit music Ikaw Ang Pangarap of another successful tele serye Lobo. The casts of the drama are listed as follows with a sneak preview to view.
Jericho Rosales
Carmen Soo
Christopher de Leon
Albert Martinez
Christine Reyes
Dick Israel
Pilar Pilapil
Malou de Guzman
Isabel Rivas
Wilma Doesnt
Empoy
Louisa Chong
Soosan Hoh
Awal Ashaari
Paraiso Philippines is sponsoring a contest at the Paraiso Philippines Forum and entitled Pasko sa Paraiso. It is a one day event on December 20, 2008 with a PHP 25,000.00 at stake.
Open to all Filipinos Worldwide that have websites or blog.
Joining Rules and other details are available on the forum or CLICK HERE.
FAQ’s about the contest can be found at the forum or CLICK HERE.
Normally we wouldn’t bother to publish any political events in the Philippines, since we don’t want to dip any finger in that field here in Paraiso except for a few which we deem appropriate, but I could not resist this one. First of all one can include this in the Guinness Book of World Records, as it is an important event highlighted with fashion at the same time a unique nativeness of an attendee in the recently concluded State of the Nation Address 2008 ( SONA) by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Aside from the red carpet “fashionistas“wearing tuxedos, gowns and expensive barong tagalogs, there came a certain town mayor from Nagpinan, Quirino Province by the name of Mayor Rosario Camma. Clad in “bahag” or native G-String, he proudly paraded his fashion native clothing through this political event. While we are watching the speech we could not resist to laugh and most of the senior citizens present, almost lost their dentures. But after the hullabaloo, we discussed the point of the event and we proudly came to a conclusion that we are very proud of you, Mayor Camma, for your support sa Bayan ni Juan. We are very proud of you and we salute you for your sincere nationalism, unlike most of the socialite fashionistas (ahh! those take the tongs ) who paraded their expensive clothes and jewelries. We would like to see more of you Mayor Camma, that would take care of our country and less of those usual politicians or the usual suspects in our book. As soon any photos or videos of this event becomes available we would just insert it for our viewers.
More of this Philippine Event taken from the Manila Standard Newspaper (July 28, 2008).
Bugkalot in ‘bahag’ steals
show from fashionistas
The red carpet that is the stuff of Oscar nights has rolled over to the Batasang Pambansa, home to the Philippines’ House of Representatives in Quezon City.
It served its purpose, to be walked on by VIPs, including wives of lawmakers and Cabinet members, as they made their way from their cars to the session hall where President Gloria Arroyo was scheduled to deliver her State of the Nation Address on Monday.
The women had made their (fashion) statements faster than President Arroyo would be introduced by House Speaker Prospero Nograles. Perhaps the fashionista in them overtook the presumably primary reason why they were there—to listen to what the President has to say in her report to Filipinos, not to show off clothes and jewelry in these hard times.
It apparently rained on their parade. A town mayor from Northern Luzon upstaged them all, apparently believing that less is more. He came in clad in his native bahag (G-string), and a colored one at that.
Mayor Rosario Camma of Nagpinan, Quirino province, going tribal made him an instant hit among videographers and photographers, and some congressmen who ogled him.
Camma, who claimed to be the leader of the Bugkalot Tribe in his home province, proudly showed off his blue bahag as he passed by the aisles of the session hall. He said he had been invited to the occasion.
“I am proud to wear our ethnic costume, which pictures our culture,” Camma told reporters when asked why he wore the G-string.
He said he was representing the more than 20,000 of his townmates. According to him, it was an honor to be asked to listen to the President’s SONA in person.
The apparent lesson learned here was that it pays to go for less than for more. After all, the red carpet was just a piece of rug that called attention to itself. Camma, evidently, had no practical use for it.
–Sammy Martin - Manila Standard
