Time ticks now for Quinto

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ

July 16, 2011, 3:16pm

Angeline performs with her ‘idol’ Regine Velasquez during the former’s first major solo concert last July 15 (Photo by ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ)

MANILA, Philippines – There must be something about Angeline Quinto that convinced Regine Velasquez to perform for the first time in public six months since the latter got her baby bump.

The guest appearance of Asia’s Songbird was definitely the biggest highlight in Angeline’s first major solo concert last July 15 at the SM City North EDSA Skydome, titled “Patuloy Ang Pangarap.” It surely was a dream come for Angeline, given that Regine is her ultimate idol.

Seeing Regine and Angeline on the same stage was absolutely a treat for frantic fans during the sold-out show. They are from different generations of singers: the former, one of the most esteemed in the industry, while the latter is one of the fastest-rising artists of her time.

Regine herself recognizes how promising the young power belter is. During their segment---the last but certainly not the least during the concert---Regine hailed Angeline as “ang susunod nating superstar"---a declaration which elicited wild cheers from the audience.

She also recalled to have first met Angeline on “Star For A Night,” a singing competition which Regine hosted and which propelled Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo to stardom.

“Now it’s her time. It’s her time to shine,” Regine said of Angeline.

Angeline, apparently touched by Regine’s words and gesture, thanked the latter for agreeing to perform with her and for giving her a pair of earrings.

The “Star Power” grand winner even joked to Regine, “Balita ko po may kasama ‘tong (earrings) kuwintas?” This may well be the best evidence to how much confidence Angeline has gained not just in singing but also in her delivering her spiels since she won on the said contest just last February.

Regine, who likewise has a knack for delivering punch lines, told Angeline, “Manganganak pa ko! Mangungutang pa nga ako sa’yo eh!”

Angeline and Regine performed a medley of the latter’s songs, namely “Ikaw,” “Pangako” and “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw.” Regine’s voice was pitch-perfect, as if she never went on a hiatus. Angeline, meanwhile, showed that though she’s a relative newbie in the industry, she can match any performer that's tossed her way.

Other highlights

During her more than two-hour concert, Angeline sang more than 20 songs, most of which are ballads with a lot of high notes. The crowd went wild every time her crystal clear voice soared to higher octaves effortlessly.

She really had the whole SM Skydome at her feet, receiving multiple standing ovations, such as after she sang “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas,” “What Kind Of Fool Am I,” and “Patuloy Ang Pangarap.”

Although there were some points when her singing was a bit sharp or pitchy, Angeline showed good control of her voice and lung power particularly in “Habang May Buhay,” a self-confessed favorite which she dedicated to her mother, who was also in the audience.

It also seemed that Angeline still couldn’t get rid of her mannerism of creasing her forehead when she sings, something which, as she herself said in a previous interview, makes her look like Regine. Well, she'll get there for sure.

Angeline’s hair was literally and figuratively long that night: She had four dashing Kapamilya male personalities as guests, namely Richard Poon, Sam Milby, Piolo Pascual, and to her surprise, her crush Coco Martin.

The four guys were unanimous in saying that Angeline looked beautiful---and she really was. She donned long, beautiful gowns that made her look like a living doll.

Angeline tickled her audience pink as she playfully changed some words to two of her songs for Coco and Sam. While singing the new “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin” theme, “Kunin Mo Na Ang Lahat Sa Akin,” Angeline belted, “Kunin mo na ang lahat sa akin, wag lang si Coco Martin…” Ladies squealed when Coco took out a necklace from his pocket and put it on Angeline.

And in her “Need You Now” duet with Sam, Angeline sang, “Oh baby I need you Sam…”

The production numbers were interspersed with audio-visual presentations about Angeline: from her life, to her “Star Power” stint, the out-of-the-country shows she already had, as well as messages from her newfound colleagues in the industry, including Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, her “Star Power” mentor Sharon Cuneta, and her alleged professional rival but good friend in real life, Sarah Geronimo.

In Sarah’s message, she again disproved all the untiring intrigues that pit her against her "Star For A Night" batch mate..

“Kahit iniintriga tayo, alam mo lagi ‘yan na maaasahan mo ko… Mahal Kita,” the Pop Princess said, generating cheers from the audience.

Both Sarah and Angeline have back stories that can inspire any hopeless dreamer not to give up. Their talent, beauty and “masa” appeal can leave an audience in awe.

But the latter still has a long way to go before she reaches Sarah’s stature. Angeline still needs to further enhance her dynamism as a performer and add variety to her repertoire (she only had one song-and-dance number, Jessie J’s “Price Tag” during her concert). And with her growing fan base, many are surely looking forward to see more of and from Angeline.

Vow of "love forever" tested by letter delivered 53 years late

July 16, 2011, 2:04pm

A post-marked letter mailed on February 20, 1958 delivered to the mailroom at the California University of Pennsylvania on July 8, 2011. (REUTERS)

PITTSBURGH (Reuters) - A love letter written to a Pennsylvania college student and proclaiming "love forever" was finally delivered -- 53 years late.

But the tender note written in 1958 still waits forlornly in the mailroom at California University of Pennsylvania as officials search for its intended recipient, Clark Moore, now about 70 years old and living near Indianapolis, according to university spokeswoman Christine Kindl.

The letter, sent from Pittsburgh and postmarked February 20, 1958, arrived in the mailroom last week, Kindl said.

"No one here has any idea why it was delayed," she said.

The letter had been addressed to Mr. Clark C. Moore, then a junior at the university, which was known at the time as California State Teachers College, she said.

It included a return address, but little other information about the sender, who signed the letter, "Love Forever, Vonnie."

"It's very much the same type of letter that students today might write to a boyfriend who's away at college," Kindl said.

"She ends by saying, 'I still miss you as much as ever and love you a thousand times more. Please write me real soon.'"

Pacman: 'Pag-asa, Tiyaga at Determinasyon'

Wala Lang

By DR. JAIME C. LAYA

MANILA, Philippines -- Lying hungry on cardboard spread on bare ground and glimpsing stars through gaps in the mountain hut’s cogon roof, the little boy’s dream was simply a solid roof and a laden table.  If anyone deserves a mansion in North Forbes, it is he.

Manny Pacquiao’s autobiography (first published in English as told to Timothy James, Pacman: My Story of Hope, Resilience and Never-Say-Never Determination) is now available in Tagalog.  Everyone should read it.

Pacquiao was born in December 1978 in a remote sitio of Kibawe, Bukidnon in Mindanao’s mountainous heart.  At age two, the family moved to the equally secluded Barangay Tango in Glan, Sarangani literally at road’s end.  There Manny spent his boyhood, five kilometers to the nearest settlement that he and his brother Bobby walked to school.  Sometimes with only a banana each for the day, they were mocked by schoolmates for their poverty.

Hauling supplies and water up the stony and dusty (or muddy) road was part of daily life.  At age six or seven, Manny would hike six kilometers to the seashore to help fishermen haul in their nets.  He would set aside two of the few fish tossed his way and sell the rest.

At age 10 (1988), the family moved to Gen. Santos City.  His was not an easy childhood—Manny notes how wounded he was with the loss of his puppy at his father’s hand and how his mother kept the family going after she and four young children were left on their own.  Aling Dionisia did laundry, cleaned others’ houses and roasted peanuts that her children sold on the streets.  Dropping out of school at 12, Manny became “a one-man traveling grocery store” hawking “bread, peanuts, doughnuts, water—you name it, we had it.”

Deciding that he had a chance in boxing, Manny began training.  His life-changing moment was seeing the 1990 Tyson vs. Douglas match and realizing that underdogs could be champions. “To this day, I still watch replays of that fight because it still amazes me.”

At age 15 (1993) and without his mother knowing, Manny stowed away to Manila.  His first, excruciating, job was scraping rust off scrap metal.  He trained at a Sampaloc gym and supported himself (and sending home P300/month), as gardener, construction worker, restaurant helper, tailor, flower vendor.  When jobless, he slept in the open, accepting restaurant leftovers only if he could work for it—wash dishes, help clean.  He refused to beg, no matter what.

Pacman turned professional in 1995 (on a TV show for P50 per fight), first fought abroad in 1998 (Tokyo and Bangkok) and reached Los Angeles in 2001.  He was running out of money but managed by singing karaoke and playing billiards for money.  That was also when he met Freddie Roach.  He won that first U.S. bout and plugged on to become “the most accomplished boxer, pound for pound, inside and outside the ring.”

It says something that he did all these with hardly anyone, least of all government, noticing.

Comments are cordially invited, addressed to walalang@mb.com.ph.

Sarangani rep Manny Pacquiao to seek gubernatorial seat in 2013

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ

July 14, 2011, 12:14pm

Manny Pacquiao: From congressman to future governor of Sarangani? (AP Photo)

MANILA, Philippines – Boxer, actor and congressman Manny Pacquiao will try to further his political career by running as governor of Sarangani in 2013.

The Sarangani representative will join forces and “swap” positions with the current governor of the province, Miguel Rene Dominguez, in the upcoming election, reported Bomboradyo.

The announcement came following their closed-door meeting with mayors of Sarangani, the report added.

In a report by the Asian Correspondent, Dominguez said that “the governorship will be a good training ground" for Pacquiao "to serve his people directly" as well as for his "future political plans."

The 2013 election will mark the third time Pacquiao will run for office, the first of which was back in 2007 when he lost to Darlene Antonino-Custodio in the congressional race for the first district of South Cotabato. She currently serves General Santos City---Pacquiao’s hometown---as mayor.

Pacquiao and Dominguez, who originated from rival parties in last year's election, deemed that their new-found alliance will benefit their constituents, the same Bomboradyo report stated.

The report added that Sarangani officials, as well as the two politicians’ supporters, are happy with the announcement.

As early as now, Pacquiao and Dominguez are already making the effort to establish their rapport---by embarking on a scuba-diving “bonding” activity in Gian, Sarangani, on July 14, said another Bomboradyo report.

How it feels to be short and a ‘minority person’ in H’wood: Charice opens up

By: Ruben V. Nepales

Philippine Daily Inquir

CHARICE belts “As Long As You’re There,” a show-stopping number in “Glee’s” recent season finale and one of the strong tracks of the show’s volume 6 soundtrack album.

LOS ANGELES—Charice was bright and chirpy on the phone, sometimes pausing and exclaiming “Whew!” when the questions demanded more than her usual sound bites.

But the Filipina singer with the multi-octave voice sounded like she relished being challenged, even though she seemed to choke when recalling some painful moments and disappointments in her young life.

In her remarkable journey, Charice has encountered quite a number of big names from various fields. But meeting Oprah for the first time is still tops on her list. “I was star-struck,” said Charice who was only 16 at the time. “Oprah is like my fairy godmother. I’m grateful that she’s still supporting me even to this day.”

Double whammy

After that first meeting and a guest appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” Charice and mom Raquel were about to fly back to Manila when Oprah, so taken with the petite Pinay, got them off the flight and brought back to her Harpo offices.

Oprah then called Grammy-winning music producer David Foster and asked if he could take Charice in as his artist. Thus began Charice’s climb to the pop music big leagues, resulting in hit singles, a debut album, US concerts with A-list performers and in other countries as a solo artist, and a stint on “Glee.”

“As Long As You’re There,” Charice’s song with “Glee’s” Vocal Adrenaline which got a standing ovation in the recent season finale, is one of the attractions of the recently released album, “Glee: The Music, Volume 6.”

In addition, she was cast in the film, “Here Comes the Boom,” which stars Salma Hayek, Kevin James, Henry Winkler and Fil-Am Reggie Lee.

Asked what it’s like to be short and a minority person—a double whammy if you’re trying to break the glass ceiling in the mainstream US entertainment scene—Charice broke into a hearty laugh and said: “When I was in Boston shooting [‘Here Comes…’], one of the crew members called me one day and said, ‘You’re very talented. I want you to read this sticker.’ The sticker said, ‘Short people rock!’ It was awesome!”

There was a catch in Charice’s voice as she answered our question: If she could go back to any part of her past, which one would it be?

“I would go back to the part before my dad left us,” she said. “We are very happy although our family is just my mom, my brother and I. But of course, I’m still hoping for a happy, complete family.”

Amid her success, Charice cuts a solitary figure at some events, trailed by a handler. “These days, I feel really alone,” she admitted. “My family is in the Philippines.” That’s why a song she belted in a “Glee” episode hit her in the gut. “When I was shooting that scene and singing ‘All By Myself,’ it was very emotional for me.”

Charice paused when asked what chapter in her life she would change and do differently if she could. “When I joined ‘Little Big Star,’ because I was in third place and of course, everybody wants to be a winner,” she said. “Why can’t we change that?” she asked, laughing. She was just 12 at the time, and wanted desperately to win the P1-million grand prize in the “American Idol”-type TV contest for children.

What did she learn from that setback? “It was very painful,” Charice confessed. “I was sad because I really wanted to help my mom. I was depressed for two or three months. I was just in my room, thinking of giving up. But my mom told me, ‘You don’t have to be like this. You can do better. I believe in your talent. That prize was not meant for you. There will be something better.’”

We asked how she reacts to the oft-expressed comment by some that there are plenty of Charice Pempengcos in the Philippines and that she was just fortunate that her videos went viral. A fan, David Dueñas, posted the videos on YouTube, landing Charice her first big TV guest spot in Korea and a fateful invitation on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

Vulnerable moments

Charice replied: “It’s true there are a lot of great singers in the Philippines. But one of the reasons that I got discovered was my story. I’ve been working since I was seven. I call it work because I joined like a hundred singing contests. I told my mother to stop working. I had to go to school at the same time and it was crazy and now I’m here. I’m not saying it’s the best story ever but [it was a big factor].”

She has sung with brio even at the most formidable US events and in famous venues—from President Obama’s pre-inauguration galas to the Madison Square Garden. Charice revealed, however, that she still gets butterflies in her stomach before she strides onstage.

And when is she most vulnerable? “Reading some of the negative stuff sometimes still affects me,” Charice admitted. “Every time I feel insecure or hurt, I post a quote [on my Twitter]. Yeah, that is another thing not known about me. I post something like, ‘Behind my smile is everything you’ll never understand.’ That’s how I do it. I want to let it out.”

Long-term goals

Charice, who turned 19 last month, considers her birthday last year memorable because she spent it with 500 underprivileged children. Still very much a young girl at heart, she said, “And I got to dance with my crush in the Philippines, [actor] Sam Milby!”

As for her long-term goals, Charice said: “Just in case I don’t last in show business, I would love to be a lawyer.” Why law? “If I go into entertainment law,” she quipped, chuckling, “I can [write] my own contracts!”

When we prodded her to share what she dreams of achieving five years from now, she paused and then said: “Maybe become a Grammy winner, a successful actress.” We said we could see her in musical theater, too, but she demurred: “Maybe someday— I love my career right now as a pop singer.”

Before we put down the phone, we asked Charice if she could describe in three words her journey thus far. After yet another pause, Charice, slowly choosing and seemingly savoring what each word meant to her, said: “Enlightening … unbelievable … unexpected!” (Email rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com)

World Cup dream on for the Philippine Azkals; next foe: Kuwait

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA—The goals came as promised —and history was made.

Before a wet and festive Sunday crowd at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, the Philippine Azkals gave a clinical display of attacking football to claim a 4-0 victory over Sri Lanka and advance to the second round of the 2014 Fifa World Cup Qualifying series for the first time in the country’s history.

In an awe-inspiring performance that brought back memories of the country’s once-proud football past, the Azkals justified the hype with two goals in each half in a systematic beating of the South Asians.

The victory—5-1 on aggregate in the home-and-away series—also sent the Philippines to a second round meeting with Kuwait on July 23 and July 28.

The Sri Lankans held the Azkals to a 1-1 stalemate in the opening leg in Colombo on Wednesday.

“It’s an amazing feeling making history in front of your countrymen,” Azkals’ skipper Aly Borromeo said. “But we know the road ahead gets tougher from here.”

Playing on a better pitch, the Azkals flashed a fluid passing game that led to Phil Younghusband scoring twice and Chieffy Caligdong and Angel Guirado contributing a goal each.

Chasing shadows

“This is the kind of game that we really want to play,” said team manager Dan Palami, who started bankrolling the squad close to two years ago.

Finally showing their true potential that was sharpened after a two-week training in Germany, the Azkals left the Sri Lankans chasing shadows with their quick and slick ball movement early on.

It was a far cry from their performance in the opening leg, and the early pressure paid off.

The crowd that came as early as 11 a.m. and braved a heavy downpour that coincided with the kickoff, needed to wait just 19 minutes into the game to see the Azkals get rewarded with their early enterprising play.

Iloilo’s proud son

The fleet-footed Caligdong, latching onto Younghusband’s headed pass, took four touches before unleashing a right-footed shot that bounced off the right side of the left post before crossing the line, prompting wild celebrations from the estimated 12,000 fans.

Caligdong, a proud son of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, who was already with the national team when the squad was getting little attention, waxed emotional recalling his goal.

“It’s special scoring here,” said Caligdong in Filipino. “We have sacrificed a lot just to be here and we’re happy that it paid off.”

Caligdong’s goal opened the floodgates for the Azkals.

Dispute over goal

Younghusband doubled the lead in controversial fashion, getting into the box with a slight nudge against a defender, before firing into an empty net for a 2-0 lead two minutes before halftime.

The linesman had flagged Younghusband for a foul, but the referee overruled the call and gave the Azkal striker the goal, to the chagrin of the Sri Lankan players, who converged on the game official to complain.

The Azkals picked up from where they left off in the second half and went 3-0 five minutes after the restart.

James Younghusband supplied a defense-splitting ball for Guirado, who beat the offside trap and the rushing Sri Lankan keeper before rolling the ball for an easy goal.

More scoring chances

The Azkals cruised from there and their sustained dominance earned another penalty for midfielder Stephan Schrock, who was fouled just inside the area by defender Wellala Chathura.

Phil Younghusband bundled the penalty into the top corner for his team’s fourth and his second goal.

The Azkals missed a host of chances in the last 40 minutes with James Younghusband, Ian Araneta, Caligdong and Guirado all coming close to adding to their tally.

But there was no doubting the Azkals’ dominance.

Tough Kuwait

They had 26 shots on goal against the Sri Lankans’ meek tally of four. The Azkals, though, had five players with yellow cards, with Borromeo and Schrock among the notable players with two bookings, including one each from the home leg.

Both players, however, will be available for the first leg in Kuwait on July 23 since yellow cards are not carried over into the next round.

“Kuwait will be a very tough opponent,” Azkals coach Michael Weiss said. “We’re going to work doubly hard, that’s why we are appealing for patience.”

Big party

Weiss, a German, couldn’t help but marvel at the newfound support the team has been getting, which he described as “very moving.”

The crowd did the Mexican wave and shouted “Pi-li-pi-nas!” in unison throughout the game, turning the match into one big party.

It was the sixth straight home match that the Azkals did not concede a goal, extending standout goalkeeper Neil Etheridge’s impressive clean-sheet streak.

Manny Ott, the young midfielder from Germany whose mother hails from Boracay, controlled the midfield, while Rob Gier, Anton del Rosario and Paul Mulders all frustrated the Sri Lankans with their rock-solid defensive stand.

The last time they played a home match in Bacolod, the Azkals blanked Mongolia, 2-nil.

Aquino thrilled

Even Malacañang was caught up in the frenzy of the Azkals’ victory.

“The entire nation was thrilled by the victory of our very own Philippine Azkals,” President Aquino said in a statement. “Truly, there is no place like home, as those gathered at Rizal Memorial and who gathered before their TV sets today experienced.”

Mr. Aquino added: “To the Philippine Azkals, may the teamwork you displayed today on both sides of the pitch lead to more than just future victories; may you continue to inspire our youth to pursue teamwork, and the true spirit of sportsmanship that, win or lose, inspires excellence on and off the field.”

He said the victory showed that if Filipinos “can work together … then our victories as a country can extend far beyond the football pitch … I wish you the best of luck against Kuwait!”

Transcending bloodlines

The Azkals fired the nation’s imagination last year with spectacular wins at the Suzuki Cup qualifying tournament, beating defending champion Vietnam.

The name “Azkals” is a play on the Filipino term for stray dogs (asong kalye), or dogs without a home or pedigree. The name caught fire with the inclusion into the team of players of mixed Filipino and foreign parentage, including American, British, German, Dutch, Spanish and Danish.

Fans said the name stands for someone who transcends bloodlines and conquers all odds to win.

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