Lito Lapid as Leon Guerrero

On the July 23, 2012 episode of the ABS-CBN TV series Lorenzo's Time, the lead character Enzo idolizes the actor Lito Lapid so much he was given a VHS copy of the movie Ang Pagbabalik ni Leon Guerrero for home viewing.

Enzo then attempted to visit his idol at his office in the Senate. (Note: Lito Lapid was re-elected to the Senate of the Philippines in 2010 for another six-year term. Enzo met Jinggoy Estrada instead).

The scene made me smile because I just watched the film a few days before.

Now, who is Leon Guerrero?  The words 'Ang pagbabalik' means 'The return' in English, and this search for knowledge led me to the Video 48 blog.  I found out that the character was the Filipino version of The Lone Ranger, initially appearing in the 1968 movie Leon Guerrero: Laban sa 7 Kilabot.  It starred Jess Lapid, Sr., who incidentally was the uncle of Lito Lapid.

In Ang Pagbabalik ni Leon Guerrero, Lito Lapid plays the dual role of Manuel and Leon.  Manuel is a meek-mannered man who hails from the town of Santa Fe.  The children tease him for his cowardice, while his father always beat him.  Manuel eventually assumed the identity of Leon Guerrero to protect the townspeople from bandits.  Following are some scenes from the Lotus Films production:

Manuel being convinced by an elderly townsman to assume the identity of Leon Guerrero

Inside the Malolos Cathedral

In my June 12 post, I discussed the historic Malolos Cathedral.  Some of our friends have been wondering how does the Cathedral's interiors look like.  Following are some snippets:

Comments about "Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa"

In 2008, Kaizz Ventures published "Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa," Dolphy's tell-all book (as told to the writer Bibeth Orteza).  With the demise of Dolphy, anything related to him has seen renewed popularity including this book.  A good friend of mine was kind enough to lent me a softbound edition for weekend reading.  I hope that in the future the price of the hardbound edition will decrease, so can I avail of my own copy.

In the book's opening pages, Dolphy dedicated the book to those who followed his career, and to those he made cry and laugh.  Aside from asking forgiveness from people he had hurt, Dolphy also forgives people who have offended him.


The book increased my adoration for the undisputed King of Philippine Comedy.  Like every other common Filipino, he had a considerable share of joys and sorrows.  As he laughed in times of happiness and cried in times of despair, Dolphy shrugged off worries brought by problems and faced them full of courage and dignity.

Lunch Time at the Office

Office workers in the Philippines await lunch time during their daily routine.  Aside from the opportunity to rest from the onerous work load and relax with friends, lunch time affords the chance to taste sumptuous meals.

When it comes to food, I bring packed lunch most of the time. One day I craved for soup so I went outside and bought some pares. Also the Tagalog word for 'pair,' pares is a hearty soup that includes bite-size pieces of beef (meat and "sinful" fat) flavored with a spices including ginger and sibot (a mixture of spices including star anise, cloves, and cinnamon).  The customer can freely put scallions, chopped chili, toasted garlic, soy sauce, and other condiments to suit his or her taste.

Realizing that I brought packed lunch that day, I opted only for the soup part of the pares.

Plain pares

Dolphy's "Home" Movies

Dolphy will be laid to rest this afternoon at the Heritage Park in Taguig. His memory will remain in the hearts of many people. Recognizing that in many ways heart equates with home, I'll be sharing some images relating to some of Dolphy's movies, titles of which include the word 'home.' 

(NOTE: Movie rights belong to RVQ Productions and Star Cinema.)

Home Along Da Riles is the first movie version of the ABS-CBN sitcom. Dolphy plays the role of Kevin Kosme, a widower who makes ends meet for his children.  Released in August 1993, the movie was co-produced by Dolphy's RVQ Productions and Star Cinema under the direction of Johnny Manahan.

Enjoying "Bulalo" in Tagaytay City

Tagaytay City is known not just for its cool weather and tourist spots, but also for its claim of selling the tastiest bulalo, or beef shank, soup.  Earlier today, my friends and I visited the Mahogany Market, which is located beside a meat market.  With this in mind, we would be guaranteed to be offered soup made of the freshest ingredients.

Meat market beside Mahogany Market

Among the many in the market we chose Niezel's Eatery, which boasts of offering "Special Bulalo and Kambing (goat meat)."

Their pot of bulalo soup costs 350 pesos, while each cup of rice costs ten pesos. There were 11 of us who enjoyed the sumptuous pot:

Creek at the Foot of Mount Talamitam

The Philippines has lots of natural wonders to offer, from the summits of the mountains to the deepest recesses of the bodies of water. I will be sharing with you some pictures of a creek at the foot of Mount Talamitam in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Final Tribute for Dolphy at the Dolphy Theater

Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Sr., better known as Dolphy, passed away at 8:34 p.m. on July 10, 2012, fifteen days before what would have been his eighty-fourth birthday.  Dubbed as the King of Philippine Comedy, Dolphy left behind a legacy of giving smiles and laughter to Filipinos of all walks of life for more than six decades. As an icon of Philippine culture, his unequaled talent was highlighted in theatre, radio, television, and film.

His remains were brought the next day to the Dolphy Theater within the compound of the television network ABS-CBN for public viewing.  This also provided an opportunity for the public to pay their final tribute to the late Comedy King.

It can be recalled that in 1965, Dolphy launched his television career with the network through the program Buhay Artista. During the 1990s onwards, he starred in the sitcoms Home Along da Riles, Quizon Avenue and John en Shirley for the network.


I will be sharing with you pictures relating to the situation outside the Dolphy Theater before the public viewing of Dolphy's remains started.

The Legendary Robert Jaworski a.k.a. Jawo

The legendary No. 7 jersey of  Philippine cage icon Robert Jaworski will be retired today in a ceremony at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Jaworski after leading the Gordon's Gin Boars team to the PBA Commissioner's Cup in 1997 (SOURCE: The Philippine Daily Inquirer, September 9, 1997)

Malolos Sports and Convention Center: Venue of the PBB Teen Edition 4 Big Night

Tonight, the Malolos Sports & Convention Center will witness a star-studded event: the Big Night of the ABS-CBN reality program Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4.

Last night, yours truly went there. Hectic preparations were being conducted by the people behind the TV program.  Security constraints prevented me from entering the building, which was inaugurated in June 2010.  Yours truly was only able to take pictures from the outside: