Movie Ads: Lito Lapid in "Gascon: Bala ang Katapat Mo!" (1993)

Senator Lito Lapid, who has been a Senator of the Philippines since 2004, celebrates his fifty-seventh birthday today. Lapid was a major action star in Philippine politics prior to his foray into politics. One of his action films was  Gascon: Bala ang Katapat Mo!

Released on January 12, 1993, the film also stars Ruffa Gutierrez, who was crowned Second Princess at the Miss World beauty pageant later that year. Under the direction of Rogelio Salvador, Gascon: Bala ang Katapat Mo! also stars Tirso Cruz III, Jess Lapid Jr., Bob Soler, Janine Barredo, Max Laurel, and Isabel Granada.

This is a newspaper advertisement for the film:

Jolt Cola Advertisement with Diether Ocampo

The April 7, 1996 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer carried an advertisement of the now-discontinued Jolt Cola. It can be noted that the soft drink brand was license by The Jolt Company, U.S.A., to Cosmos Bottling Corporation. The latter is a subsidiary of RFM Corporation.

I suppose that the model is the actor Diether Ocampo. After searching the Internet, I found out that Jolt Cola was one of the many products in which he was commercial model.

Movie Ads: "Mario Sandoval: Kahit Ako'y Lupa" (1993)

Mario Sandoval: Kahit Ako'y Lupa, a film starring Romnick Sarmenta, opened in theaters on January 20, 1993. This Seiko Films production also stars Donita Rose, Jennifer Sevilla, Efren Reyes, Lito Legaspi, Joonee Gamboa, and Jovit Moya. Abbo Q. dela Cruz directed the film:

As we can read on the top of the poster, the film is intended to package Romnick Sarmenta as an action star: "A Fighting Cock in the Year of the Rooster in Our Opening Salvo for 1993!"

Prior to this film, Sarmenta was usually paired with the actress Sheryl Cruz in romantic drama films. Their screen partnership was touted as one of the most popular love teams during the late Eighties and early Nineties.

Flashback: Banco de Oro + Equitable PCI Bank = BDO

BDO Unibank, Inc., popularly known as BDO, became the largest bank in the Philippines following the merger of Banco de Oro with Equitable PCI Bank in 2007. It belongs to the SM Group of Companies, a conglomerate owned by Henry Sy. According to Forbes magazine, Sy is the top billionaire in the Philippines as of 2011, having a net worth of $9.1 billion.

Prior to the merger, about 25 percent of Equitable PCI Bank was owned by the Go family, the founders of the Equitable Banking Corporation. In 1999, Equitable Banking Corporation merged with the Philippine Commercial and Industry Bank (PCIBank) of the Lopez family to form Equitable PCI Bank.

The following article, which appeared in the August 6, 2005 issue of The Philippine Star Reports, on purchase of the Go family's stake for about 11 billion pesos:

Fire at the Tutuban Mall

A fire destroyed Tutuban Mall's Cluster Building at the Divisoria district in the City of Manila in September 2012.

According to a report by GMA News Online, the fire started at 12:41 a.m. Wednesday (September 5) and was placed under control 10 a.m. Thursday (September 6). The Metro Manila unit of the Bureau of Fire Protection declared the fire at the building out at 1 a.m. on Friday (September 7).

Pictures of the cluster building (taken on September 15, 2012) are shown:

Movie Ads: "Sana'y Ikaw Na Nga" (1993)

Sana'y Ikaw Na Nga, a film starring Christopher De Leon and Vina Morales opened in theaters on January 20, 1993. This Viva Films production also stars Cherie Gil, Keempee De Leon, Eddie Gutierrez, and Bembol Roco. Eddie Rodriguez, who was also an award-winning actor, directed the film.

Flashback: Jose P. Laurel Takes Oath as President

Exactly 69 years ago today, Jose P. Laurel took oath as President of the Second Philippine Republic. During the Second World War, the Japanese military government established the Second Philippine Republic as its puppet state replacing the Commonwealth that was inaugurated in 1935.

A Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film: "May Nagmamahal Sa Iyo" (1996)

[NOTE: As a tribute to the late film director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, we will be presenting some newspaper movie advertisements that are part of our collection.]

May Nagmamahal Sa Iyo, a film by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, opened in theaters on January 25, 1996. This Star Cinema presentation is topbilled by Lorna Tolentino,  Gina Pareño, Jaclyn Jose, Claudine Barretto, and Ariel Rivera.  The film also introduces child star Stefano Mori.

Dulce sung the similarly-titled theme song of this movie, which tells the story of a mother's search for her long-lost son.

A Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film: "Kapag May Katwiran ... Ipaglaban Mo!" (1995)

[NOTE: As a tribute to the late film director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, we will be presenting some newspaper movie advertisements that are part of our collection.]

Kapag May Katwiran ... Ipaglaban Mo!, a film by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, opened in theaters on March 29, 1995. This Star Cinema presentation is based on the ABS-CBN drama program of the same title based on real-life legal cases.

It features two stories based on rape cases. Sharmaine Arnaiz, Ronaldo Valdez, Elizabeth Oropesa, and Nida Blanca are in the first one. Chin Chin Gutierrez, Ricky Davao, Joel Torre, and Gina Alajar are in the second one.

Atty. Jose Sison, the presentor of the drama program, has a special participation in the movie.

A Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film: "Ika-11 Utos, Mahalin Mo Asawa Mo" (1994)

[NOTE: As a tribute to the late film director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, we will be presenting some newspaper movie advertisements that are part of our collection.]

Ika-11 Utos, Mahalin Mo Asawa Mo, a film by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, opened in theaters on November 16, 1994. This presentation by Regal Films and Star Cinema is topbilled by Maricel Laxa, Zsa Zsa Padilla, amd Aiko Melendez. Gabby Concepcion and Edu Manzano complete the main cast.

This film about domestic violence has the tagline, "Minsan lang niya ako binigyan ng bulaklak, pero ilang beses niya akong binugbog..." ("He gave me flowers only once, but he has beaten me many times...")

A Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film: "Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo" (1993)

[NOTE: As a tribute to the late film director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, we will be presenting some newspaper movie advertisements that are part of our collection.]

Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo, a film by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, opened in theaters on August 5, 1993. This Regal Films presentation is topbilled by Lorna Tolentino,  Edu Manzano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Gabby Concepcion. The film also introduces then-child stars Antoinette Taus, Tom Taus, Jr., and Sarah Jane Abad.

Zsa Zsa Padilla sung the theme song, titled Paano ang Gabi Kung 'Di Ka Mamasdan Sa Pagtulog Ko Pa'no Kung Di Ka Mahagkan...

Marilou Diaz-Abaya, 57

Multi-awarded film director Marilou Diaz-Abaya passed away on October 8, 2012 at the age of 57. Her critically-acclaimed films include Jose Rizal, Ikaw ang Pag-ibig, Muro-Ami, Bagong Buwan, Sa Pusod ng Dagat, and Milagros.

Diaz-Abaya's directorial career spanned more than three decades, starting with the 1980 film Tanikala. In the succeeding decade, she started to earn accolades as one of the country's best directors with films such as Brutal, Moral, Karnal, and Baby Tsina.

Aside from being a film instructor at the Ateneo de Manila University, she was also the Founder and Director of Studies at the Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film Institute and Arts Center in Antipolo City. Diaz-Abaya also ventured into television with her directorial stint in the news satire program Sic O'Clock News and public affairs talk show Public Forum.

Diaz-Abaya was survived by her cinematographer husband Manolo and their sons: singer-actor Marc and cinematographer David.

SOURCE: Web site of  the Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film Institute and Arts Center 

"Gasera" or Gasoline Lamp

The UP Diksiyonaryong Pilipino (University of the Philippines Filipino Dictionary) defines gasera as "ilawang ginagamitan ng gas" or "lamp in which gasoline is used."  Our gasera comes in handy during power outages. For the meantime, we just hung it on our wall.

A Reliable Headgear: "Salakot"

One of the most widely used traditional headgear in the Philippines is salakot. Having a wide brim, the conical salakot is typically made of rattan strips. The salakot provides protection; rain or shine. Here is a picture of our salakot:

Sonny Parsons, the Sharpshooter, in "Capt. Rassul Alih: Hindi Sayo ang Mindanao"

Capt. Rassul Alih: Hindi Sayo ang Mindanao, a film starring Sonny Parsons opened in theaters on January 20, 1993. This Magdalena Films production also stars Fred Moro, Melissa Mendez, Lani Lobangco, Patrick dela Rosa, Edgar Mande, Erick Borbon, and Paquito Diaz. Parsons directed the film with Jerry O. Tirazona:

Sunset at Lingayen Gulf

Sunset at bodies of water are nice to look at.  The Manila Bay is famed for its sunsets, but I will be showing how a sunset looks like at Lingayen Gulf along the coastal town of Binmaley in Pangasinan province.

An extension of the West Philippine Sea on Luzon, the gulf stretches 56 kilometers and is surrounded by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union. It is situated between the Cordillera Central and the Zambales Mountains. The Lingayen Gulf is drained into by the Agno River.

The strategic significance of the Lingayen Gulf was proven during the Second World War.

The Japanese 14th Army under Lieutenant General Masaharu Homma landed on the Eastern part of the gulf on December 22, 1941. They defeated a contingent of mainly Filipino and American troops, resulting in the invasion of the gulf. More than three years later, on January 9, 1945, the U.S. 6th Army staged an amphibious landing on the gulf. The initial landing saw 68,000 troops. About 203,608 troops went to the gulf in subsequent landings along a 32-kilometer beachhead.

Without going further in history, behold the sunset:

Gary Valenciano's Symphony of the Heart

Gary Valenciano is one of the most popular performers in the Philippine concert scene.  On September 2, 2005, he topbilled the Symphony of the Heart concert, which was brought by ABS-CBN and Star Records.

The limited-engagement performance also featured The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, and the Power Play Band, led by Mon Faustino. Erik Santos, Sheryn Regis, Paolo Valenciano, and Gabriel Valenciano also took part as guests.

Demolished Ever Gotesco Grand Central Mall

A fire destroyed and resulted in the eventual demolition of the Ever Gotesco Grand Central Mall in Caloocan City. According to a report by ABS-CBNNews.com, the fire started 10:45 p.m. on March 17, 2012, Friday, at the ground floor. The fire was already declared under control around 11:50 p.m. Saturday. It, however, blazed again and spread to the fourth floor on Sunday morning.

The incident was quite ironic considering that March is Fire Prevention month in the Philippines. Pictures of the now-demolished mall (taken on September 29, 2012) are shown:

Movie Ads: "Ikaw Lang" (1993)

On January 12, 1993, a movie having the same title as the Chad Borja hit song Ikaw Lang was shown in theaters. Under the direction of Chito Rono, Ikaw Lang stars Vilma Santos, Ronnie Ricketts,  Cesar Montano. Other cast members include Janine Barredo, Dencio Padilla, Zeny Zabala, and Vangie Labalan.

The film was shot in many towns in Bulacan, mainly Malolos and Paombong. This is a newspaper advertisement for the film:

POSTCRIPT:

* Vilma Santos is now the provincial governor of Batangas. She was elected in 2007 and 2010, each for a three-year term. The recent blockbuster film The Healing, marked  Santos' fiftieth year in show business.

* Ronnie Ricketts is now the chairman of Optical Media Board, an anti-piracy agency of the Philippine government.

* Cesar Montano eventually starred in many critically-acclaimed films, including Jose Rizal in 1998.  He is now a host of the reality-based talent search Artista Academy on TV5.

Young Ipil-Ipil Trees

I am grateful that our backyard accommodates many kinds of trees, one of which is the ipil-ipil. Scientifically   known as Leucaena leucocephala, the tree has a wide array of uses, such as firewood and livestock fodder. The ipil-ipil tree bears flat, green pods that can be used for food when young.

Here is a picture of young ipil-ipil trees in our backyard:

Rice Field in Pangasinan

Rice fields in the Philippines are fascinating sights to see. The greenness evokes freshness - a very welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. As the grains ripen, the green turn into gold - reminding people of a bounty harvest, reward for hard labor of planting Oryza sativa.

As urbanization spreads from Metro Manila, rice fields have been becoming rarer. The once-green-and golden plots are being converted into subdivisions, golf courses, name it; all, they say, in the name of the development. Each disappearing rice field, lessens our country's chance to become an agricultural power, a food producer in the world.

I hope that rice fields see renewed life in our land, so we will become a rice exporter once more. I rue the fact that we now import rice from other countries that once depended on the Philippines so that they would learn how to plant rice.

Months ago, I passed by the town of Mangatarem in Pangasinan. There are still a lot of rice fields there: