Hot News: A Filipino graced the American Idol Finals, David Cook Wins!
This text from my friend just came in —
Final Results of American Idol: David Cook won over 12 million votes over Archuleta! What more, Renaldo Lapuz sings live with a band!
Although I’m a simple American Idol fan, I felt heady after hearing both news. I would have fallen off the swing sets if I were on one at that time. First, I was so happy that my favorite hunk David Cook won (although I must admit, David Archuleta is way way talented than him and performed really magnificently on their final showdown). Second, I was so proud that Renaldo Lapuz, the Filipino who rocked American Idol’s audition last January, performed in the Final’s Night of American Idol! Imagine that! A Pinoy graced the show that is internationally watched!
I can’t wait going home this afternoon to watch the delayed telecast over QTV 11 of American Idol. Oh man, I won’t miss this one! (My new expressions are courtesy of Randy Jackson, Yo Dog!).
My American Idol Jason Castro is Out
Last night, I really went home early to catch my now favorite TV show, the American Idol. Even my son knows that the TV is mine every six in the evening of Wednesdays and Thursdays. Anyway, this week, my heart bled because my favorite contender, Jason Castro, was voted out.
It was quite surprising that Syesha Mercado made it to the top three. She has always been considered a weak contender, quite unpopular and was most of the time part of the week’s bottom contestants. Jason Castro on the other hand was a consistent favorite. He was well loved by America and especially popular with teens. His inexperience shows in his performances and surprisingly, it was part of his charm. It was ironic how he seemed relieved that he was voted out last night because he was worried that he would not be able to come up with more songs for the remaining three weeks.
Jason, oh Jason… He’s very talented and very handsome, American Idol surely is not the end of the line for him. I’m positive I would soon be hearing his songs in the radio and on top of the charts too. What more, Jason will always remain in my picture frames on our bedside. He surely is my personal American Idol. 
Watching When Love Begins… Marikenya and Her Sweet and Mushy Side
Since yesterday was Friday, my new friends and I decided to end the long work-week with a soothing cinema treat. We watched the mushy movie of Aga Muhlach and Anne Curtis When Love Begins. I have always been the romantic and corny type and easily fall for movies with nakakakilig theme like when love begins.
I liked the movie, it was not really to die for, but it was a feel-good movie as usual. One that is fit for unwinding. Anne Curtis was worth watching, she really looked every inch of a model. She inspired me to try Leptovox diet supplements, she’s very gorgeous in her bikinis. Aga was too old for Anne. I’ve thought that Aga would always remain young-looking, fit for any teen star but no, Aga’s age is already showing and although he’s still very handsome, he looked like Annes’ dad in the movie.
Anyway, I ended up humming repeatedly the movie’s soundtrack, One Hello by Randy Crawford. I even promised myself that upon going home, I would google the lyrics of the song and will post it in Marikenya. I am also right now preparing our magic sing so I can belt this song which is currently my most favorite. To everyone, read more to see the lyrics of One Hello and sing with me.
American Idol Down to Top Five, Predictions and Musings
The American Idol craze in the Philippines has long ago started but I only felt the sensation just last month. A late bloomer indeed. Since I watched this show one Wednesday, I was hooked and since then, been watching it religiously whenever I can.
Last Thursday, the bottom two were Syesha Mercado and Carly Smithson. Automatically, I thought Syesha would be eliminated because for the last weeks, she has always been nominated in the bottom three though she has been performing magnificently. As Simon Cowell said, American Idol is a popularity contest and I think, Syesha, no matter how good she is, would not last more than three weeks.
The exit of Carly and her bodystockings tattoos was such a surprise, she has always been the top woman contender, has always been better with Brooke White in performance and a favorite among the judges. She ’s indeed very good but Syesha’s performance last Wednesday totally blew me away that I hoped she would be voted out so I can see her perform again her “One Rock n’ Roll Too Many rendition,” it was totally awesome! You’d think, why the heck was she in the bottom two when she did very outstandingly…
The American Idol boys are very popular that it seem Syesha and Brooke do not stand a chance. David Archuleta has always been a shoe-in, America loves him so are the judges including the “I-don’t-care-if-you-hate-me” cynic Simon. David Cook was truly amazing, seldom gets a bad review from the judges. He’s very good-looking with a dynamo voice, his popularity rocks especially for the women population of America. Jason Castro is my crush… No, I’m in-love with him, my husband knows that. Cowell and Randy Jackson both agreed that his last performance was kinda icky but Jason was truly popular that he managed to stay on the safe side. The charisma of Jason for me lies with his lovely smile, he also radiate a naive and innocence look that when he sings, you wanted to wrap your arm around him and protect him. That’s just me anyway. 
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Cher and My Memory Lane
I grew up singing old songs that my father and my Titos used to hum for me. Even in my college years, I would buy song magazines containing lyrics of my old time favorites which I would ask my friends to play in their guitar while I sing along.
Among the best songs I loved singing with are Fire and Rain by Cher. I so love this song! Until now, it’s my and my friends’ favorite videoke piece. Cher is such a classic, she’s so pretty and so talented. This is what I love most about western singers, they get older yet, they do not lose their wonderful, almost magical voices, that gets better with age.
Fortunately, for those in Las Vegas who would like to see and hear Cher again in Concert, now is your chance to see her live. Get Cher Tickets at Caesars Palace now. And please, post some of the clips in you tube or comment in my post so I’ll have an idea how good it was. Pity me, she’s not holding her concert in the Philippines yet.
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Pacquiao Did It Again!
Filipinos have another reason to be happy. The whole nation once again forgot about the ZTE scandal and all other natural, political and economical crisis and controversies and went on a “Pacquiao Holiday.”
Of all the holidays in the country, I figure this one is the best. Whenever there’s a Manny Pacquiao’s fight, crime rate is at the lowest and roads are free from congested traffic. I myself forgot abut my rare afternoon siesta when Manny’s fight was on. He was referred to by the announcers as the “powerpuncher” battling with an “intelligent fighter.” At first, it looked like he would be outsmarted by Marquez but his powerful left hook did the job.
A friend of mine was really pissed off by Manny’s arrogance and he said he wanted him to lose. For me, Pacquiao’s winning and the honor he brings to the Philippines country compensates for his bad manners. As Chito the sportscaster said: You gotta be proud of this filiino inside the ring, he’s a fighter.”
Aren’t we all? Congratulations Manny. Mabuhay ang mga Pinoy!
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Corruption in the Philippines, the ZTE NBN Deal, and Lozada’s Whistleblowing
The anomalous CTE-NBN Broadband Deal once again reminded every Filipinos about the worsening corruption problem in our country.
Corruption is the hub of all these brouhaha. In the Philippines and in some other countries like ours, Politics and government is actually synonymous with corruption. It’s very sad that at the very heart of governance, down from the Sangguniang Kabataan to the Barangay level up to the City or Provincial government to the house of senate and congress and ultimately, to the powers in Malacañang, there’s corruption.
I really wonder why up to this time, these politicians can still make us believe that there were dire needs for the existence of Intelligence Funds (IF) and pork barrels when I see these resources as among a good source for corruption. Why? Because these funds, like the Mowel Fund for artists, need not be audited. Imagine, millions of pesos for these politicians personal consumption and there’s no need for accountability! How convenient!
How can we promote transparency in the government if we allow cohorts politicians to utilize government’s money for their personal desire or expenditure?
Rodolfo Jun Lozada’s testimony along with the gutless revelation of former NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri proved one thing to me, that corruption in the government is worth billion $$$ dollars. Imagine, the ZTE Contractors can afford $200 million payoff for one person (for Neri alone, it’s too painstaking to think anymore of the supposed kickbacks of Abalos and the rest of the legion). What does this mean? It means that there is so much money involved in corruption that the amount may even be enough to pay off our country’s debts!
With Lozada and Joey de Venecia being hailed as heroes for being whistle blowers, another sad reality is unfolding — that the moral standard of the Filipinos are deteriorating. As a political scientist said in his interview, it is distressing that whistle blowers like Chavit Singson during Erap’s regime were considered “heroes” for telling and exposing the truth while everyone, as in all of us, should make it a habit to tell the truth and be honest. As it is, truthfulness and integrity seem to be an unpopular ethical standard these days. Witnesses to corruption and whistle blowers are somehow a commodity so when some surfaces, they are treated as heroes.
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What Money Can Buy?
Chronicle of Filipino Celebs and Plastic Surgery
Whenever I watch SOP (a Sunday noontime variety show), I always marvel about Regine Velasquez. I’ve always liked her for her singing prowess but more than that, I find it truly amusing that she seem to be slowly becoming another Michael Jackson.
Otherwise, you’re just a skeletal figure.
No wonder there are gossips that you’re already dead. ::::
:::: Ogie keeps assuring Regine that she’s pretty.
She needs it I think. ::::
I really like how Regine looks today, she’s now very pretty but I hope for her own sake, she would realize that and stop there. I really hate looking at Michael Jackson’s totally freaking face and I wish Regine would not suffer the same fate. Indeed, anything that is too much is bad.
A lot of Filipino Celebrities have undergone surgery. They could have had nose job rhinoplasty in Philadelphia but no, most of them had their plastic surgery locally. See more of them here –
BF On Character Building
I want to be remembered not as a builder of roads, schoolrooms and other infrastructure facilities. I want to be remembered as a builder of character.
BF on Leaderhip
Mr. Governance’ Quotable Quotes
As leaders, we are expected not only to carry on, but to do better and make it faster because the sands of times are running out in many of our fellow citizens.I believe that progress must come faster, otherwise, more people will go to bed with empty stomachs. Progress must come sooner, otherwise, more children will miss their milk bottle, their school and the joys of childhood. Progress must come faster, otherwise, more people will get sick, lose their jobs nad give up homes.
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Tintin Rios: Nice article mhel! As always, I am indeed enjoying all the stuff that you are doing. Very honest and very inspiring. Keep it up! :)
Big Brother: Very helpful and enlightening person, always there to lend a hand whenever you’re in need… Keep it up !!! GOD Bless!!!
Zaldy: Very interesting and informative. Lovely as the author.
Kengkay: Ipagpatuloy ang pag blog tungkol sa kagandahan ng pinas… gusto ko ang mga ganitong blogs. nakakataba ng puso :)
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Edelweiza: Hi der! I admire BF, too. I always see him during Cabinet events in the Palace as our office is the one in-charge of them. It’s his strong character and sincere efforts to “urbanize” the metropolis and us city dwellers that keeps me an avid fan. He belongs to a very rare breed of public officials that really walk the talk. I think he deserves all the support he can get from Filipinos. :D
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Reign: I used to pass by Marikina since i’m just 40 minutes drive away from Antipolo but I never thought of these great facts about your lovely place. You’re a sure proud marikeña.
Lotus Flower: Happy Marikina Day to you. Aren’t you glad to be part of this quaint but definitely bustling and progressive city? I am :-)
Meeh: Maituturing na ang marikina ay nakilala sa paggawa ng mga dekalidad na sapatos na nagdala sa ating lugar upang makilala sa ibang panig ng pilipinas at sa ibang bansa…at ipinagmamalaki ko na ako ay isang marikenya…mabuhay!
Tapsiboy: Marikina is my happy and comfort place.
Spinning Lovely Days: I’m so glad there are so many interesting places to check out in our city now. with gas getting so expensive, i’m all for limiting our explorations within marikina. :D as always, thanks for all the wonderful tips.:)
Mera: Ang ganda naman ng lahat ng nakapost dito sa site mong marikenya Ms.Mhel…more of it were very inspirational.interesting and educational…just keep it and godbless u!
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Sagada Philippines: I like your niche. More power to your blog! =)