Justin Bieber fever still burns in Philippines; Remembering Rebecca on her 5th death anniversary

•Justin Bieber fever still burns in Philippines 

•Remembering Rebecca on her 5th death anniversary

 

Wake-uppers:

Scene: On March 8, Boholano award-winning director Maryo J. delos Reyes will be bestowed the Ulirang Alagad ng Pelikula sa Likod ng Kamera Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st Star Awards for Movies, as organized by the Philippine Movie Press Club, Inc. at the Solaire Casino and Resort in Parañaque . At the moment, direk Maryo is directing “Pari Koy,” a new series on GMA-7  that stars Dingdong Dantes.

 

Scene: March 9 is the 10th anniversary of the Mabini Food Poisoning. The incident killed 27 schoolkids and 100 were hospitalized.

 

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The Justin Bieber Fever remains strong as the Canadian pop star turned 21 on March 1.

The Bieber Fever had an outbreak in 2009 and then remains.

 

Alexis Calipusan (2^nd from left) and Cyril Cailing (extreme right)
after her performance on GMA Cebu’s Buena Mano.
 With them are (from left) Yuri, Cherryl Pelayo-Dacua, Alan Domingo,
 Lou-anne Mae Rondina and Fr. Dan Domingo delos Angeles. 
Courtesy: Jude Montejo

Obviously, Justin Bieber has millions of fans, but there’s one we know pretty well who might be one of the biggest fans of all-Jenali Alexis Calipusan! The voice-a-like of Justin Bieber just guested on dyrd’s Rampa Showbiz (hosted by veteran broadcaster Ped Bolanio and Glee Orcullo), Kiss FM (hosted by Robert James) and dyTR’s Showbiz Chikka (hosted by Inday Charity). But that doesn’t stop her from being a major voice-a-like of Justin Bieber when she had a head-turning guest appearance on GMA Cebu’s Buena Mano last Friday. She also guested on Barangay 99.5RT (hosted by Papa Marco) and on dyLA (hosted by Sanden Anadia). Alexis had to drop some appearances in Cebu due to a limited time.

 

Host Yuri said that Alexis is really 100% voice-a-like of Justin. “I have a Bieber Fever all over again!”

 

 “It was so much fun. Everybody there was so helpful, it was so humbling to be around them,” said Alexis.

 

JAM-C: Alexis Calipusan and Cyril Cailing

In her interview with Buena Mano, Alexis (together with partner guitarists Cyril Cailing) couldn't stop talking about Justin, saying, "Justin's is my idol since 2009!”

Alexis remains a Bieliber even Justin was landing in hot water a time or two because of controversies and had singing voice drop a good octave.

 

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Friends and fans remember Rebecca del Rio on 5th death anniversary

Since her death five years ago, Rebecca del Rio’s fans and friends have said how they will remember her, how she meant in their lives, and the legacy she leaves behind.

 

Before Cheri Gil, the famous glamorous kontrabida today, there was Rebecca del Rio-Tushinsky who was from Sierra-Bullones town. Because she hit her peak in the ’50s, Rebecca del Rio may be a darling to baby boomers but perhaps a bit of a "stranger" to the new generation of movie lovers.

 

In 2008, Rebecca attended the wedding of her niece Demia Tallo-Salarda held in Baclayon Church. It was also a reunion of the Buslon family. Then in January 2010, she came home to distribute her vast landholdings in Bohol to her relatives and tenants in Pilar.  

 

Boholano actress Rebecca Del Rio
was the first Filipina to win the Asia’s best actress award.

Here are some trivia that should serve as introduction to Rebecca whose movies are, I’m sure, became very popular during her time:

 

•Rebecca del Rio was born Rebecca Buslon on January 31, 1929.

•She was the daughter of Judge Teofilo Buslon, former congressman (of the third district of Bohol) and Demeteria Buslon, a nurse, who was the first elected woman mayor in the Philippines. She was the sister of the late provincial lawmaker Socorro Buslon-Tallo.

• Friends and family relatives called Rebecca as Nang Nena.

• Rebecca was the aunt of fashion mogul Maximiel.

• Rebecca graduated at Holy Spirit School and she went to the Philippine Women’s University in Manila to study. She was discovered by Sampaguita Pictures.

• Rebecca del Rio was the first Boholano to become a star.

• She was typecasted as a glamorous kontrabida (villain) in movies and perhaps the most loved villain.

• Rebecca was the first Filipina to win the 1958 Asian Film Festival best supporting actress in the film Malvarosa. She also won the best supporting actress in FAMAS in 1958.

•She made numerous movies under Sampaguita (touted as the home of glamorous and debonair stars, Sampaguita Pictures, Inc. (SPI) was established in 1937 by then Rep. Pedro Vera and Judge Jose Vera with a circle of friends) and in 1955 she signed a contract to LVN Pictures and made her first movie Dinayang Pagmamahal aka Foolish Love, a Jaime de la Rosa and Charito Solis movie.

• Rebecca starred in some memorable movies such as Tres Muskiteros (1951), Mayamang Balo (1952), Hiram na Mukha (1952), Ang Ating Pag-ibig (1953), Cofradia (1953), Anak ng Espada (1953), Mister Kasintahan (1953), Vod-A-Vil (1953),  Musikong Bumbong (1954), Tres Muskiteras (1954), Pilya (1954), Milyonarya at Hampaslupa (1954), Dalagang Ilocana (1954), Sabungera (1954), Bondying  (1954), Kurdapya (1954), Lola Sinderella (1955), Bulaklak sa Parang (1955), Mariposa (1955), Dinayang Pagmamahal (1955), Talusaling (1955),  Luksang Tagumpay (1956),Laging Ikaw (1956), Cuatro Vidas (1957),Turista (1957), Rebelde (1958),Malvarosa (1958), Mr. Kuripot (1958); and Lollipops and Roses (1971).

•Rebecca married an American Sony executive Mr. Tushinsky and migrated to USA.

• She loved dogs. In the US, she had a dog named Hercules.

• Rebecca Buslon-Tushinsky passed away on March 11, 2010 in Canoga Park, California.

 

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An abundance of love: Valentine happenings around Bohol

There’s a lot of lessons to be learned (yes, by everybody) from Bamboo Flowers, a film by Direk Maryo delos Reyes.

Think positive.

Faith is a tool. When the world is darkest, and you struggle to survive, faith can get you over the worst.

Simply survive each day and you will succeed. Learn from each step, better yourself on the next step, and you will succeed.

Make good things that you can say your own legacy.

Make your own bamboo flowers.

Last Tuesday morning, the Bamboo Flowers stars Xyrus Cruz, Asley Strom, Orlando Sol and Ruru Madrid were in Bohol for (another) Bohol premier. They also answered the questions from the media and crowd during the presscon.

It was also a sort of “reunion” when I met some people in the film industry like Direk Maryo delos Reyes, Lailette Geulen-Boiser, TinTin Ng, Gerry Lugod, Jerome Sarabia, Gardy Labad and Yuri.

Veteran broadcaster Peddie Bolanio (who claimed he’s Robert De Niro’s lost twin) with Direk Maryo delos Reyes during the Bamboo Flowers premier last Tuesday. Photo by Arlene Pisquera

“Para sa akin kaya pinili ko Bamboo Flowers na title dahil universal ang ibig sabihin ng bamboo flowers. It has ancient flavor na maintindihan natin lahat ito,” Direk Maryo told the media while having our lunch at The Buzz. “It has a universal appeal and universal sounding film.”

A lovely day with friends (l-r) LPU, Gerry Lugod, Tintin Ng, Inday Charity and Lailette Boiser.-Jade Boiser

In addition, according to Inday Charity (who loved the trailer and, of course, Ruru Madrid), Bamboo Flowers is a movie about achieving one’s dreams in life. “We should learn how to fight for our true love,” shared Inday Charity.

 “Kapag nag-fade na ang bamboo tree, the flower starts to bloom. Ganun din ang heritage kapag wala na ang magulang ang mga anak naman nila mag-take over. Ganun din ang buhay natin kapag umalis na tayo ang maiiwan ay ang magagandang alaala natin,” said Direk Maryo.

(Note: The Bamboo Flowers regular screening is until Feb. 18, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the ICM Screenville Cinema. Proceeds will go to PROCESS-Bohol Inc. for the development of the Abatan River.)

Three days after, I saw myself at Cion-Virge Restaurant (inside the Tagbilaran Airport) for a tête-à-tête with Bohol’s Queen of Tourism Rose Soy.

Bohol’s Queen of Tourism Rose Soy (2nd from left, with her staff at Cion-Virge Restaurant) amazes many people by looking forever young. Her secret? “I don’t think of problems!” -LPU

 

The widely-smiling Rose Soy (who offered me her product “Up,” an instant coffee mix with tongkat ali and ginseng which is available only at her restaurant), shared about loving her work and helping other people through the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran. 

Unfazed by her back-breaking job running the restaurant and charity works, Rose Soy amazes many people by looking forever young, never mind if she insists that she’s “loveless.”

So what keeps lovely in lovelessness?

“I don’t think of problems. I just love my work,” said Rose Soy.

From where we were seated, I had a good view of a vintage photograph of Rose Soy at the top of the Chocolate Hills in Carmen.  It was Rose, the only Rose, who promoted Bohol to the world when Bohol was not yet known at that time.

At 3p.m., at Eva’s Flowershop, I’d witnessed how people were busy buying flowers and Valentine items for their loved ones.

At 4p.m., I went to Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School to see their Valentine gimiks.

They had a “love bulletin” where students could display their love messages for five pesos. Other offerings were face painting for five pesos, card reading for three pesos and palm reading for two pesos.

Proceeds from these gimiks will go to their charity projects.

 “We aim to go to Sunshine Home and help the kids. We also want to help the girls who are involved in drugs,” said student Mary Rose Castro.

But the best of all was the “funny” wedding ceremony for 10 pesos. Student volunteer Vanessa Siao explained that someone could pay for the couple’s wedding. The team would look for the pair and had them married.

 “It’s for fun and enjoyment as celebration of Valentine’s Day,” said Vanessa.  

Proceeds will go to rehabilitate their classroom.

At 5 p.m., Inday Charity and I went to Camp Dagohoy to witness how Philippine National Police (PNP) -Bohol marked Valentine’s Day with a mass wedding.  

Ten couples, whose spouses are members of the PNP have exchanged their vows at St. Michael Archangel Chapel inside the PNP headquarters in Camp Dagohoy.

Solemnized by Msgr. Jeff Malanog, the mass wedding ceremony was organized by the PNP under Senior Supt. Dennis Agustin.

“This is to allow police personnel the opportunity to legitimize relationship with their partners,” explained PSupt Joie Pacito Yape Jr, PNP-Bohol Information Officer.

One of participants, PO3 Darwin Andales of PNP-Loon, has been civilly married to his wife PO2 Rosalinda Andales for four years.

"We’re very happy because after four years sa among civil marriage our church wedding came true,” said Andales while gazing into the soulful eyes of his inamorata. “I am very thankful for this opportunity”.

The police officials advised newlyweds to remain faithful to their chosen lifetime partners.

The ceremony, including the reception, was provided by the principal sponsors, Supt. Agustin. Gov, Edgar Chatto, Reps. Rene Relampagos, Aris Aumentado and Art Yap.

In Ubay town, 84 couples finally tied the knot at San Pascual Church on Valentine’s Day. It was sponsored by Bohol 2^nd Rep. Aris Aumentado.

After the mass wedding, I went to the city and I saw Valentine’s Day was a busy night for Cupid, but it was just as busy for restaurants and their staffs. The restaurants all across the city up the ante with prix-fixe meals and amour-themed specials that the lovebirds and family sure to love.

What a busy Valentine! Ako? Busy-busyhan lang pag may time! Ha!Ha!Ha!

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

Festival of Lights, Bamboo Flowers and US Ambassador Thomas

• Bohol’s Festival of Lights, Dance of Lights

• When Harry meets Mabi and friends

• Bamboo Flowers Red Carpet on Oct. 26

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Multi-awarded Boholano lyricist and composer Jimmy Borja posted on Facebook: I want to share some good news with my FB friends. My song is the title and theme song of the new TV series "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin" which will start airing first week of September 2013 on ABS-CBN (Philippines) and on The Filipino Channel (worldwide). This song is the second most recorded that I've written after "Sana Ngayong Pasko". Lani Misalucha's version was the one that made it immensely popular, and there have also been other stellar versions including Jed Madela, Martin Nievera, Nyoy Volante, etc. I still have a clear recollection of the night I wrote "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin", it was at Boy Morala's recording studio in Makati where I was the resident songwriter in the mid 90's. Jude Michael who was then a Polycosmic/Polygram artist at that time had asked me to write a song for him. I wrote it on a Korg X5 keyboard, it came together pretty quickly, I got the melody and lyrics in about an hour. I did a quick worktape/demo of it and Jude cut it on his CD. It was not a single but a few years later, it found its way to Lani Misalucha through her producer Ben Escasa who was also Jude's producer. And since then, the song just exploded. It's been a blessing, I can't thank God enough for it.

Scene: Our dear Ruth “Neneng” Udtohan (Nov. 4, 1983-Sept. 9, 2001) is lovingly remembered on her 12th death anniversary. Treasured in our hearts you'll stay, until we meet again someday.

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Bamboo plant grows abundantly in our country. It is known for its flexibility and versatility. It can be used in making furniture, musical instruments, kitchen utensils and other items for practical use.

Courtesy: Bamboo Flowers/Facebook

I bet you didn’t know that bamboo grass bears flowers. In Loboc River, bamboo flowers are hanging like chandeliers.

But what some people probably don’t know is that when the flowers bloom, the bamboo dies.

In northeast India, the people fear bamboo flowering. According to an ancient belief, when bamboos flower, there is death and destruction.

That is what Bamboo Flowers is all about. A film by Boholano certified master director Maryo J. Delos Reyes will be screened during the Sining Pambansa National Film Festival All-Masters Edition this week.

The film’s Facebook account says, “The film talks about the youth's problems, hopes and aspirations; about love and life; about sacrifice, forgiveness and acceptance; about life and death.”

There is a popular saying, "The Filipino is as pliant as a bamboo." The bamboo is generally considered pliant, and symbolically it has been compared to the Filipino character. The Filipino character is similar to the bamboo because it has flexibility, endurance and harmony with nature. Like the bamboo grass, people bend with the wind, surviving the many trials in life.

Bamboo Flowers premieres on Sept. 8 at SM Megamall, Cinema 7 and opens at SM Theaters Nationwide starting Sept. 11. There will also be a special Red Carpet Premiere at Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City in Bohol where the film was shot in its entirety on Oct. 26.

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Outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr. loves not just music but also the environment. In his visit to Bohol, he went to barangay Taloto in Tagbilaran City last Friday, Sept. 6, to know the efforts done in the Mabaw Reef Pride Campaign.

Photo taken from the Twitter account of Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr.

Finally, Ambassador Thomas met the famous Mabi, the clownfish mascot of Mabaw Reef, who has been making the rounds of elementary schools and other reef conservation activities in the province since 2011.

And Mabi also brought his friends, Meloy (a panther grouper or melo-melo) and Agaw (a threadfin bream fish).

The Taloto schoolkids had a great story teller as Ambassador Thomas read to them a story about the importance of marine environment.

Mabi, who has a Facebook account, posted, “I'm very excited to see you in this very significant event.”

The Mabaw Reef Pride says that it is a 84,339 sq. m. patch reef, about 3 km off the shores of Taloto, Ubujan and Manga in Tagbilaran City and home to more than eight species of Acropora corals and 70 fish species including the orange-and-white clownfish, locally known as bantay botbot. It has been declared a no-take zone marine protected area (NTZ-MPA) by the city government through an ordinance enacted in April 2006.

RARE, an international conservation organization, with its Philippine office located in Bohol, is organizing the event.

Ambassador Thomas also visited the Bohol Crisis Intervention Center and Garden Cafe. He praised Garden Cafe as he posted in his official Twitter account (@AmbHarryThomas), “Great food, better business! Eat @ #gardencafe - opportunity by and for the deaf in #bohol started by @PeaceCorps volunteers.” He also posted Garden Cafe’s menu.

 

Courtesy: Rey Anthony Chiu

Ambassador Thomas said he missed Bohol.

 "Farewell #Bohol! Leaving with memories of gracious ppl, success stories from @USAID_Manila & partners @Rare_org."

Ambassador Thomas’ visit to Bohol maybe his first and last as an ambassador. US President Barack Obama has appointed Philip S. Goldberg as Thomas’s successor.

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Loon Mayor Lloyd Lopez expressed his gratitude for the huge success of this year’s Festival of Lights.

Special mentions were the organizers, participants and the Loonanons here and abroad for joining the whole event.

Courtesy: Rey Anthony Chiu

Loon’s festival of lights is one of the most important and religious festivals in Bohol calendar and a visit promises unforgettable memories.  It is one of its kind in the Philippines because the street-dancing is done at night. 

The street-dancing competition is held in honor of the town’s patron saint, the Virgen de la Luz or Birhen sa Kasilak (Our Lady of Light). 

Unlike most street dancing competitions, which are known for their colorful costumes and props, Loon’s version is very challenging and different.

The emphasis is on the lights, how to make it move and dance.

This year’s festival had six schools and three barangays contingents. They wowed their crowd in the street-dancing...and they danced their way to the 260-year-old Nuestra Señora De La Luz Church, the biggest church in Bohol, where the contest would culminate.

Courtesy: Ric Obedencio

The people appreciated the entertainment and jaw-dropping sight of the dancing lights. The beat of the drums and lyres also added fanfare during the night.

One contingent carried sakayan with lanterns shaped like baskets and fishes. The dancers used traditional candles underneath the lanterns. The lanterns were shaped into flowers, leaves and bulbs.

Of the school-based category, declared winners were: Sandingan National High School (grand winner), Sta. Teresa High School (first runner-up) and University of Bohol- Loon (second runner-up).

A fireworks display capped the event.

Take a bow, Mayor Lloyd Lopez!

Take a bow, Mr. Reigh Monreal and friends for a job well done!

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.