Thought for the day (a product of lunch break chats):
“The World Trade Center tragedy will never happen here in the Philippines. Because before a plane ever crash a building, it will first have to go though … BILLBOARDS.”
Tall as the buildings …
Now, after the storm, where art thou.
Boogie Boydon of Ang Bagong Pinoy movement (mailing list, website) emailed me this morning after finding out about New Philippines Movement, the online movement I started after the 2004 elections. NPM did not really fly as I expected. I realized that I could not spend more time and energy on top of what I’ve giving to family, church and work. It’s good to hear, though, that a similar group with a same purpose of finding good in The Pinoy and hoping for a better Philippines is active.
God bless your efforts, kabayan.
Unknowingly to some, there are Filipino artists already shining internationally. Here’re a couple:
Kathleen de Leon, Hi-5 host
I am a babysitter-dad in the morning. As soon as Johann wakes up, I’d bring him downstairs, walk a couple of streets, go back and watch his favorite shows on Nick Jr. (Nickelodeon’s block time for pre-schoolers). Aside from “Dora the Explorer” and “Blue’s Clues”, Johann is also enjoying “Hi-5“, an Australian kid’s show filled with music and learnings.
The show has five hosts. One of them is Kathleen de Leon. The first time I saw her on TV, I knew that she has Filipino blood. When I saw her name flashed on screen, the more I realized that. “de Leon” may be a Spanish or Mexican sounding last name, but who would name their daughter “Kathleen” — certainly not Spanish parents — but only Pinoys. :D I confirmed this when, in one of their shows, the hosts wore the flags as their outfit. One wore an Australian flag, another a New Zealand flag. Kathleen wore a Philippine flag. Go, girl!
Mig Ayesa of Rockstar: INXS
Mig, I heard from the news belongs to the Legarda clan (related to Atty. Katrina Legarda). He was born here in Manila but is now based in London. He was a finalist in the recently concluded CBS American-Idol-style reality show Rockstar:INXS. It’s a search for the new lead singer for rock band INXS.
I saw the finals. He did a great job singing “Bohemian Rhapsody”. I just think the song is simply too hard for him. The other two sang a relatively easier song but rocks. The contest was eventually won by a Canadian singer J.D.
Nonetheless, he made his country proud.