G-Force member is a Bol-anon

Wake-uppers:

The hot weather in recent weeks is threatening
 the Malinao Dam in Pilar town. Several ricefields
 in Pilar, Mabini and other parts of Bohol have dried
 up as palay seedlings have turned yellowish green
 after almost month of no rain in the province. -LPU

Scene: From Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin: Congratulations to Tagbilaran City Schools Division DepEd Tagbilaran's Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, 2nd Place, Regional Population Quiz, out of the 19 school divisions from the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

 

Scene:  Following arrivals of high-profile cruise ships earlier this year, L' Austral with 264 passengers, arrived in Bohol on Friday.

 

Scene: With the onset of the dry season, the water level of the Malinao Dam in Pilar has lowered to a critical level. Farmers in Pilar, Mabini and some parts of Bohol have been suffering from the brunt of a dry spell and complained that their farmlands were getting drier every day. 

 

Scene: The general assembly of Bohol Nature Conservation Society (BONACONSO) is on March 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Café Business Hub or Ganoderma (between the Three Sixty Pharmacy and PMI Colleges) at CPG North Avenue, this city.  

***

You didn’t know that one of the members of the most popular dance group G-Force is a Boholano, did you? I first heard about it last week when I was in Cebu to accompany Alexis Calipusan and Cyril Cailing in their radio and TV guestings. Youth leader Gerwin Yudelmo of Inabanga asked me if I knew the G-Force. I got curious and interested when Gerwin said that one of the G-Force members is a Boholano.

 
Anyway, the Boholano G-Force is none other than Jim Olandres Amen from Guindulman.

 

“Jim joined the Mr and Miss Teen Bohol 2010,” shared Gerwin who is Jim’s friend. “He also received the Mr. Talent Award.”

 

Jim Amen is a member of G-Force, television's
most popular dance group today.-GY

Jim went to Manila to continue his dream. He joined the TV5 Artista Academy in 2012. He successfully made it to the top 150 finalist out of 12,500 who auditioned for the artista search on TV.

 

Jim was hired recently to become part of G-Force’s Poppers.

 

“G-Force is a popular dance group. It aims to bring a variety of dance styles to everyone and that has progressed and developed their ability through attending G-Force classes,” said Gerwin. “The group regularly performs in A.S.A.P and other special projects of ABS-CBN.”

 

According to Gerwin, Jim can achieve great things in life.

 

“He devoted most of his life to his art. He always wanted to achieve more and grow with his dreams," said Gerwin. "Buotan jud na si Amen and down to earth gyud.”

 

Incidentally, the popular dance group G-Force will be holding a dance workshop this summer dubbed Summer Dance Glamping. This is part of the group's 10th year in the entertainment industry.

 

Jim will be teaching hip-hop dance.

 

The G-Force Project 2015 Summer Dance Glamping, HipHop with Jim is on May 4-8, 4 p.m.-6p.m.

 

Youth leader GerwinYudelmo (center) with
Jim Amen (left) and Mr Teen Bohol 2010 Vence Gallego.-GY

For inquiries, you can call/text 0917.8GFORCE (0917.8436723) and 0998.52FORCE (0998.5236723). Visit  www.gforceofficial.com.

 

***

Why we shout when in anger

 

This beautiful story from Marietta Garcia (address unknown):

 

A Hindu saint who was visiting river Ganges to take bath found a group of family members on the banks, shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples smiled and asked.

'Why do people shout in anger shout at each other?'

Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout.' 

'But, why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well tell him what you have to say in a soft manner.' asked the saint

Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples.

Finally the saint explained,

'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other to cover that great distance. 

What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either nonexistent or very small...'

The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

He looked at his disciples and said.

'So when you argue do not let your hearts get distant, Do not say words that distance each other more, Or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return. They may end up in divorce courts, for instance.'

 

***

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

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.

 

***

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.

 

***

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.

 

***

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

Kim Gonzales: Happiness comes first for his talents

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Pinturang Bol-anon Art Exhibit at the Island City Mall featuring the works of Goy Fullido, Glenn Lumantao, Moying Ramos, Rhants Annunciado, Cruz Salgados, Lalan Paloso and Nicole Galero. “Art is everything,” said Goy Fullido.

 

Pinturang Bol-anon Art Exhibit -LPU

Scene:  The first Calamay Festival in Jagna in April 2015.

 

Scene: Boholano Catholics and music lovers who would like to give their Lenten observance a Medieval, didn’t miss the chance to witness the performance of the Gregorian Choir of Paris which performed last Friday in the Latin Mass celebrated by Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso at the St. Joseph Cathedral. The tour brings a spiritual and sacred message that the “world needs a form of silence that resembles a Gregorian chant”. The Gregorian Choir of Paris also conducted a three-hour chorale workshop with the members of the Loboc Children’s Choir.  “It was a very big opportunity and chance to be with world-class people especially Gregorian chant.. it’s not easy,” said Alma Taldo, trainor of the  Loboc Children’s Choir. Vera Gesite applauded the choir’s performance: “The Gregorian Choir of Paris transported me to a different dimension. Very exhilarating, very awesome performance.  My art, my everything has been moved with their enchanting voice.”

 

Scene: The Ewican family headed by the couple Norma and Genaro of barangay Alegria, Carmen, Bohol did not only made it in the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya National Search 2014 after winning second runner-up but also captured the interest of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is among the funding institutions of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program being implemented by the Department of  Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

 

Gregorian Choir of Paris performs at the St. Joseph Cathedral
"to echo through actual Gregorian chanting
 the resilience of the Filipino spirit.”-LPU

Scene: Oscars 2015: Joan Rivers and Lizabeth Scott were omitted from In Memoriam segment, no black nominees in the acting categories, but plenty among the presenters, I was sad for Meryl Streep who lost 16 -- count 'em, 16 -- Oscar races now, Lady Gaga didn’t wear a dress made of meat during the Oscars. Her performance was good, Patricia Arquette wants equality. 'It's time for us, it's time for women. Equal means equal.” And Neil Patrick Harris had a great gag to start the Oscars 2015 saying: "Tonight we honour film's whitest, I mean brightest..." He bared (almost) all during his Birdman tribute! Ha! Ha! Ha!

 

***

Two weeks ago, I bumped into talent manager and performer Nicole Kim Gonzales at The Buzz at Luisa Galleria in Tagbilaran. He was full of life, just like make-up artist Shandy Mission who was with him.

 

I would learn from Shandy that Kim was busy managing his talents, including Aurelio Dinorog, Michael John Pagobo, Arneil Kadusale, Mac Asia, Tom, Dressner, Gladys Mae Sinconiegue, Petche Ann Vale, Andrea Laniba, Dawn Dospueblos and Sweet Aceron, for the past years now.

 

How does one become part of your The Art Nouveau talent agency?  “First, the physical appearance (that includes good body posture and healthy). Of course, he or she must be fit, possesses the good quality for modelings and pageants. Attitude is also important to be my anak-anakan. If I can feel the willingness, interest and determination, he or she can be my anak-anakan.”

 

What kind of arrangement do you make with the talent? “I don’t let them sign any contracts, for as long as their trust, loyalty, dedication, sincerity, willingness and whole heart is on me. They are all free to make or have “rakets” but they should ask permission to me so that I’m also aware of their activities.”

 

Nicole Kim Gonzales to his anak-anakan: ‘I told them
 to keep your head on the cloud and your feet on the ground.’

Kim said he has learned that there is no standard way of dealing with controversies when talents get involved in difficult issues.

 

“I only have these requirements: balance of time, dedication, commitment, professionalism, willingness and a good heart for us to stay longer,” said Kim.

 

Usual problems he encountered are boyfriend-girlfriend issues and attitude problems.

 

“Feeling sikat or  daku nag ulo, I told them to keep your head on the cloud and your feet on the ground,” advised Kim.

 

Finding the balance between being a friend and being a manager is “tricky”, but if it is the happiness of his anak-anakan that is at stake, Kim has one hard-and-fast rule: he will always remain a friend and will go for what makes his anak-anakan happy.

 

Do you also interfere with affairs of the heart? “Of course no! As long as their work is not affected, I don’t interfere but I give advices.”

 

Believe it or not, I still like to see Kim for what he is now — still invincible, performing in gay pageants and surprisingly caring on one hand and still brutally honest about people he didn’t care about.

There is no way you can avoid Kim in Bohol’s entertainment kingdom.

 

***

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