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Editor-in-chief, Travel writer (International Press Japan Co. -- Philippine Digest Magazine); Intern (The Manila Times Publishing Corp.); Managing Editor (The Sentinel, Lyceum); News Editor (The Filters, BHS); 8th placer (News Writing, DSSPC)

Wednesday 30 July 2008

When Stars Fall

Once you’re a showbiz celebrity, you can easily get your way to politics. Popularidad. Ayon sa maraming kritiko, ito lamang ang tanging dahilan kung bakit nailuluklok sa panunungkulan sa pamahalaan ang mga aktor at aktres ng pinilakang-tabing.

“Popularity is an advantage but it also has its downside. Our advantage is that people know a lot about us but the disadvantage is that our mistakes are magnified and noticed,” saad naman ng isang actress turned politician.

Kung ating babalikan, bago ang dekada saisenta (60’s), ang tanging aktor na matagumpay na naihalal sa public office ay ang sikat na matinee idol na si Rogelio dela Rosa bilang senador noong 1957. Makalipas ang apat na taon na panunungkulan, siya’y kumandidato bilang independent candidate para pangulo kalaban sina re-electionist Carlos P. Garcia ng Nacionalista Party at top-notch lawyer-congressman Diosdado Macapagal ng Liberal Party. Ngunit ilang araw bago ang eleksyon, umatras sa laban si dela Rosa dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo at makinarya at pagbibigay daan na rin sa ambisyon ng kanyang bayaw at kababatang si Macapagal na siyang nanalong presidente.

Makalipas ang tatlumpung taon, muling binuhay ni Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada ang naging papel ni dela Rosa sa senado nang siya ay maging senador noong 1987, matapos ang mahabang panunungkulan sa bayan ng San Juan bilang alkalde. Naging bise-presidente at presidente ng Pilipinas, nakita natin ang pagbagsak ng political career ni Erap. Ngunit sa kabila nito, siya at hindi si dela Rosa ang naging modelo ng mga artistang sumabak sa teatro ng pulitika.

Hindi rin makakalimutan ang naging kapalaran ng Hari ng Pelikulang Pilipino, ang pumanaw na si Fernando Poe Jr. nang siya ay kumandidato para pangulo noong 2004. Si ‘Da King’ ang naging pinakamahigpit nakatunggali ni PGMA. Samu’t saring kontrobersiya sa pulitika at maging sa showbiz industry ang naglabasan na naging dahilan din ng pagkakahati-hati ng mga artista dahil sa magkakaibang pananaw.

Sa pag-usad ng mga taon, patuloy na dumami ang bilang ng mga artistang naghangad magkaroon ng top-billing sa public office. Ang iba ay nabigyan ng pagkakataon samantalang ang iba nama’y hanggang pag-asa na lamang. Kabilang sa listahan ay sina Ramon Revilla Sr., Tito Sotto, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, Vilma Santos, Aiko Melendez, Dan Fernandez, Teri Onor, Herbert Bautista, Marjorie Barreto, Joey Marquez, Alma Moreno, AnjoYllana, Lani Mercado, Rey Malonzo, Cita Astals, Isko Moreno, Robert Ortega, Lou Veloso, Richard Gomez, Cesar Montano, Victor Wood, Imelda Papin, Gary Estrada, Roderick Paulate, Rudy Fernandez, Tirso Cruz III, Elizabeth Oropesa, Cristina Gonzales, Lani Mercado, Philip Salvador, Aga Muhlach, Andrew E., Jestoni Alarcon, Arnel Ignacio, Diether Ocampo, Kuh Ledesma, Jeffrey Santos, Dan Fernandez, Nadia Montenegro at Christopher de Leon.

Hanggang sa katatapos na national at local elections noong Mayo, dumagsa pa rin ang bilang ng mga artistang kumandidato. Ngunit majority sa kanila ay hindi nabigyan ng katuparan ang kanilang mga pangarap. Ito ba ay isang patunay na wala nang kinang ang mga bituin na kanilang taglay?

Sa tuwina’y kinukuwestiyon ang kakayahan ng isang artista na magsilbi sa taong-bayan. Ngunit kung ating pagbabatayan ang kwalipikasyon ng COMELEC na nagsasabing, “Any individual can run for public office for as long as he or she can read and write, is a Filipino citizen, and is a resident of the area where he or she hopes to get elected,” masasabing legally qualified ang mga artista para sa isang elective post.

Ang mga artista ay mamamayan din ng Pilipinas nanararapat na maging bahagi sa pagbuo ng bansa. Katulad ng ordinaryong tao, mayroon din silang responsibilidad bilang isang Pilipino.

“The arts and media are the transmitters of culture. Artists play an important and unique role in the transformation of culture that is responsive to the need of the people towards a truly independent and progressive Philippine nation,” sabi nga ng isang cultural activist.

Nararapat ba nating ipagkatiwala ang ating hinaharap samga iniidolo nating movie at TV personalities? Kung ang kanila bang prinsipyo ay iyong sa interes ng nakararaming Pilipino at kung kapakanan ng bansa at ikabubuti nito ang kanilang mithiin, bakit hindi? Hindi dapat magkaroon ng diskriminasyon laban sa mga artistang nagnanais maglingkod sa bayan. Ating pagbasehan ang kanilang kwalipikasyon at track record. Hangga’t nararamdaman nila na may kakayahan silang ibahagi ang kanilang mga sarili para sa kapakanan ng bansa at ng taong-bayan, let’s give them a fair chance!

*published in the July '07 issue of "Beyond the Horizon", Philippine Digest*

Portrait of an Actor

Versatile. Ito ang pinaka-angkop na salita para ilarawan ang isang Joel Torre. Bilang isang premyadong aktor, TV director, businessman, nature lover, asawa at ama, tunay na kahanga-hanga ang versatility na kanyang taglay.

Halos hindi mabilang na pelikula at soap opera na ang nagawa na ni Joel. Nagsimula ang kanyang acting career noong siya’y pitong taong gulang pa lamang. Mula sa pagiging stage at theater actor, nabigyan ng break sa pelikula si Joel nang siya’y gumanap na bida sa tinaguriang landmark for Philippine Cinema, ang “Oro Plata Mata” noong 1982 sa direksyon ng batikang direktor na si Peque Gallaga. Dito nakilala si Joel dahil sa kanyang mahusay na pagganap bilang lead role. Umani ang pelikula ng grand prize sa Metro Manila Film Festival, best director award sa Belgium Film Festival at best screenplay sa Hong Kong Film Festival. Ito ang naging hudyat sa patuloy na pag-usbong ng kanyang acting career na pinatunayan pa ng makatanggap siya ng best supporting actor awards mula sa FAMAS para sa kanyang pagganap sa pelikulang “Mumbaki” noong 1997, Gawad Urian para sa pelikulang “Bayaning Third World” noong 2000, best actor awards naman mula sa Cinemanila International Film Festival 2001 at Gawad Urian noong 2002, kapwa sa kanyang natatanging pagganap sa pelikulang “Batang West Side”.

Para sa aktor, ang bawat papel na kanyang ginagampanan ay nagkakaroon ng bahagi sa kanyang pagkatao kung saan ang kanyang pagkatao ay nagiging bahago rin nito. Ang lahat ng kanyang natutuhan ay iniaakma niya sa mga nadidiskubre sa buhay at sa hangganan ng kanyang kakayahan bilang aktor.

Astute Businessman
Alam ni Joel na ang kasikatan sa showbiz industry ay hindi permanente at walang katiyakan, minsan nasa itaas, minsan nasa ibaba. As they say in Show Business, “You are only as good as your last film”. Kung kaya’t pinasok na rin niya ang pagnenegosyo. Itinayo niya ang JT Manukan Grille sa Quezon City kung saan ang specialty ay Chicken Inasal, sikat na pagkain sa Bacolod, ang kanyang native city.

Nature Lover and Advocate
Lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan, si Joel ay isang anti-coal advocate, Greenpeace volunteer at DENR spokesperson. Katulad ng pagmamahal at dedikasyon bilang aktor at direktor sa teatro, pelikula at telebisyon, ganun din ang ipinapakitang concern ni Joel sa pagsuporta sa mga programang pang-kalikasan tulad ng Green Highways Philippines ng DENR kung saan sila ay nagtanim ng milyong mga puno. Ilang taon na din niyang sinusuportahan ang Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaign na naglalayong magkaroon ng massive switch to clean, renewable energy para mapigilan ang climate change. Sa katunayan, naging spokesperson din si Joel ng Greenpeace Flagship Rainbow Warrior sa Bacolod kung saan nanawagan siya sa kanyang mga kababayan na patuloy na kondenahin ang paggamit ng coal at i-promote ang renewable energy sa Negros Occidental.

Caring Family Man
Biniyayaan ng dalawang anak si Joel at ang kanyang non-showbiz wife na si Christy Azcona. College sweethearts sila ng kanyang maybahay at magkasama sa mga pagtatanghal sa entablado at teatro noong kabataan nila. Labing-walong taon na silang kasal at halos tatlumpung-taon na ang kanilang pagsasama mula nang sila ay naging magkasintahan na patuloy namang nagiging matatag sa pag-usad ng panahon.

Proud Bacolodian
Ipinanganak si Joel noong June 19, 1961 sa Bacolod City, makalipas ang isandaang taon matapos isilang si Jose Rizal. Dahil sa parehong buwan at araw ng kapanganakan sa pambansang bayani, Jose Rizalino ang ipinangalan sa kanya ng kanyang mga magulang. Tunay na anak ng Bacolod si Joel. Dito siya nagkaisip, lumaki at nagtapos ng pag-aaral. Kumuha siya ng mga kursong Marketing at Mass Communication sa De La Salle University, one of the most prestigious places of learning in the Visayas.

On the Movie “Abong”
Kamakailan ay nagtungo si Joel dito sa Japan para i-promote ang Fil-Jap film na “Abong” na kanyang pinagbibidahan sa direksyon ni Koji Imaizumi.

“I was very happy when Koji asked me to play the lead role of “Abong”. It was a very unusual script and it’s the kind of role you have to grow into. I have done lots of films, but this is one special film for me because of the content. It’s a small-budgeted film but with a very big story and wider impact.”

Ayon sa aktor, ang pelikulang ito ay punung-puno ng aral kung saan ang sinumang makapanood ay mapapag-isip sa kung ano ba ang mahalaga sa buhay ng tao.

Joel’s Mindspeak
Unlike several actors that we know, walang balak si Joel na sumabak sa political arena. Para sa kanya, maaari pa rin siyang makatulong sa kanyang kapwa sa pamamagitan ng mga non-government organizations at isa pa’y masaya na siya sa paggawa ng mga pelikula at pamamahala sa kanyang restaurant.

Nang siya’y tanungin sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng showbiz industry, hindi niya ito direktang binigyan ng kasagutan, sa halip ay sinabi na lamang niya na kung noon ay 250 na pelikula ang nagagawa sa loob ng isang taon, ngayon ay hindi na ito umaabot sa 40. Ngunit ayon sa aktor, may pag-asa pa, kung patuloy na lalabanan ang movie piracy at muling gagawa ng mga de-kalibreng pelikula at mga digital at independent films na usong trend ngayon sa Pilipinas.

Kung susumahin lahat ng pelikulang kanyang nagawa at mga tropeo’t parangal na kanyang nakamit, masasabing very successful na si Joel sa kanyang karera.

"Success for me is relevant. I’d still want to direct my own films in the near future."

*cover story for the June '07 issue of Philippine Digest*

Saturday 26 July 2008

An Exhilirating Undoukai Experience

It was a fun and exciting day for the teachers, parents and especially the students of Asahi Higashi Shogakko and Shiba Hinotsume Shogakko as they held their annual undoukai last June 7.

Jeremy Vader Kurane, Grade 4, Shintaro Amano, Grade 4, Satoru Watanabe, Grade 2, and Nahid Caguimbay, Grade 1, all of Japanese fathers and Filipino mothers, were among the exuberant faces in the crowd who really enjoyed this undoukai experience. Competition is alive and well even among school kids. Also, it was bonding time in a grand scale for mothers and children!
Mothers Jovy Amano and Jackie Watanabe yelled their hearts out in cheering for their kids' performance. You'd think that mothers ran the races and played in the games, too, at the rate they shouted, yelled and jumped up and down.

"Mas maganda at mas masaya ang undoukai ngayon kesa noong nakaraang taon," said breathless Jovy.

"Parang katulad din ito sa atin sa Pilipinas na may sports fest, nakakatuwa," Jackie expressed in delight.

Relays, rope pulling, pyramids and dance presentations were some of the episodes in this event. A nutritious and satisfying "o-bento" was part and parcel of the undoukai.


Undoukai or "exercise meet" is a common happening and required regimen of Japanese education. It is a yearly, traditional event wherein team spirit and sportsmanship among the students are given emphasis and free rein.Undoubtedly, a fitting time for parents to show support for and participate in their children's education.


*published in the July '08 issue of "Education", Philippine Digest Magazine*
*photos by Florenda Corpuz*

Wednesday 16 July 2008

Japan Chairs ASEAN Youth Leaders Summit

The Japan-ASEAN Youth Leaders Summit was held last October 29 at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center.
It was organized as part of the Country Program in Japan under the 34th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program 2007(SSEAYP2007), a diplomatic and cultural course aimed at cultivating the spirit of cooperation among Asian youth participants.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Akishino graced the said event and talked about her experiences when she joined the 14th ship for SSEAYP. She also extended her heartfelt appreciation to the ASEAN embassies and the Japanese cabinet office for making the event possible.

"I am happy that this program includes the Japanese youth to promote cultural exchanges with other ASEAN youths," said the Princess.

Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet Office Akihiro Nishimura delivered the opening remarks. The representatives of ASEAN embassies also rendered their speeches and signed the banner with a slogan "Bon Voyage," the symbol of strong and close friendship of ASEAN youths.

The opening ceremony was immediately followed with performances of youth participants of Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Lao P.D.R.,Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Japan, respectively.

Apart from this, they will also be involved in activities like institutional visits and home stays in participating countries, discussion groups, cultural presentations, and other goodwill exchanges.

This year's Philippine delegation, "Pagsikat" led by NYC Commisioner Raul Dominic "Dino" Badilla are among the more than 300 Asian youth leaders who will sail the seas onboard Japanese luxury ship Nippon Maru in a cultural exchange program that would last for six weeks.

The program ended with a remarkable presentation as youth leaders and the audience joined together in singing "We Are the World."

Exhibition booths of participating countries were also displayed at the reception hall of the venue.

The SSEAYP is done annualy and is sponsored by the Japanese government and supported by the ASEAN countries.

BRIEF SSEAYP HISTORY
In 1974, the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) was inaugurated, based on a joint statement issued by Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1985, Vietnam in 1995, Lao P.D.R. and Myanmar in 1998, and Cambodia in 1999.


*published in the Dec '07 issue of "What's Up", Philippine Digest Magazine*
*photos by Florenda Corpuz*

Monday 7 July 2008

Yokohama - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Enchanting Yokohama, on the western coast of Tokyo Bay, is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and Japan's second largest city with a population of over three million people, both local and foreign residents.
It served as one of the first ports in the country that opened doors for foreign trade in 1858. Though it suffered a massive decline during the Great Kanto Earthquake, Yokohama, phoenix-like, rose from these havoc and almost completely recovered in 1929 through the strenuous and united efforts of its people.

Tagged as the "maritime city", Yokohama has a blend of eastern and western mystique that is very evident in some of its enticements like the ever-popular Chinatown, which is the largest Chukagai in Japan, with more than 300 restaurants and souvenir shops that offer authentic Chinese cuisine and wares; the famous Yamate district, known in the city for being the foreigners' neighborhood.


Not only that Yokohama is historic, yet modern, but its architectural marvels also entice tourists to visit the place. Among its premier attractions are the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise featuring 14 electrifying rides and a three-story aquarium with more than 500 different kinds of fish; Yamashita Park with its gushy display of the Bay Bridge and ships passing through the port; Landmark Tower, the majestic emblem of Yokohama with its 296 meters tall; Yokohama Cosmo World, an amusement park with its 112.5 meters Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel; Minato Mirai 21, a futuristic district constructed entirely on reclaimed, man-made land boasting its posh hotels, shopping centers, restaurants, convention centers and public parks.

There is Sankeien, a genuine Japanese garden famed for its seasonal flowers: the plum blossoms, cherry blossoms and azaleas; Silk Museum which is one of the rare silk museums in the world; Marine Tower with its 106 meters height and one of the tallest inland lighthouses in the world; Yokohama Park with its beautiful and myriad tulip blossoms; Nippon Maru, a retired four-mast exploration ship.

Night views in Yokohama are also stunning and romantically breathtaking, and are even considered as Japanese Night View Heritages.

How to Get There:
From Tokyo Station, take the JR Tokaido Line, JR Yokosuka Line or the JR Keihin Tohoku Line and get off at Yokohama Station.

*will be published in the Aug '08 issue of "Let's Tour Japan", Philippine Digest*
*Photos by Din Eugenio*

Sunday 6 July 2008

Paninita sa mga Dayuhan, May Limitasyon Ba?

"Sumimasen, gaijin toroku sho motte imasu ka?" ("Excuse me, do you have your alien card with you?"), karaniwan nang maririnig ang mga katagang ito kung ikaw ay masisita ng mga immigration officers o di kaya naman ng mga lokal na pulis na nagkalat sa Tokyo at iba pang lugar dito.

Ang mga paninitang ito ay kadalasang nangyayari sa mga pampublikong lugar tulad ng mga "eki" (train station) at "shotengai" (shopping districts), dahil na rin sa patuloy na pagsuyod ng Immigration Bureau, Justice Ministry at kapulisan sa humigit-kumulang na 260,000 illegal migrants na nandito kabilang na ang mahigit sa 25,000 undocumented na Pilipino.

Marami sa mga Pilipino na nakaranas nang masita ay nakaramdam ng diskriminasyon at kahihiyan dahil sa ginagawang ito ng mga otoridad. Tila ba'y masyado na nilang nasasaklawan ang karapatang-pantao ni Juan dela Cruz at ng iba pang dayuhan dito. Sa mga ganitong pangyayari, may limitasyon ba ang kapulisan sa pagsita sa bawat dayuhang kanilang paghihinalaang overstay?

Ayon sa dating direktor ng Ministry of Justice Immigration Bureau na si Takefumi Miyoshi, walang limitasyon ang otoridad sa kanilang ginagawang paninita sa mga dayuhan at ito'y pinapayagan sa ilalim ng batas.

"This is the last year for the Immigration Bureau to implement their policy of reducing into half the number of illegal migrants here in Japan that began in January, 2004. That is why they are carrying out this policy in whatever possible way they can like questioning and accosting foreigners in public places," saad pa ni Miyoshi.

Oo nga't tumutupad lamang sila sa kanilang mga tungkulin ngunit nararapat lamang na pag-aralan din nilang mabuti kung paano nila ito isasagawa nang hindi naman masyadong nasasaklawan ang karapatang-pantao ng mga Pilipino at iba pang dayuhan na legal namang namimirmihan dito. Ang Japan ay isa ng multi-racial country kaya't natural lamang na marami ng mga dayuhan dito. Kahit tayo'y mga dayo lamang sa bansang ito, aba'y may malaking pakinabang din naman ang pamahalaang Hapon sa atin kaya't nararapat lamang na tayo'y tratuhin ng tama at patas.


*published in the July '08 issue of "Beyond the Horizon", Philippine Digest*

Saturday 5 July 2008

Odaiba - Its Ultramodern Attractions

Where else can you find a man-made island that is an architectural and engineering marvel and a complete futuristic city by itself? Originally constructed as a fort on reclaimed land to defend the city from foreign invasion in the 1850s, Odaiba is the extensive, gleaming artificial island in Tokyo Bay, that is now one of Japan's premier tourist attractions and futuristic business districts.

Derived from a series of six island fortresses, Odaiba was built in 1853 by the Tokugawa shogunate. It underwent massive development from the late 1980s. In 1996, the area was rezoned from just a business district to allow entertainment, pleasure and leisure pursuits.
Odaiba bloomed and was reborn as a tourist and leisure zone, showcasing large hotels, shopping malls, museums and theme parks. Several large companies also moved their offices to the island. Transportation links improved with the connection of the Rinkai Line into the JR East railway network in 2002, and the eastward extension of the Yurikamome to Toyosu in 2006.

Among the many enticements and allures of Odaiba are the magnificent Rainbow Bridge, highly regarded as the symbol and pride of Tokyo Bay; Odaiba Ferris Wheel, Palette Town's highlight and one of the world's largest with its 115 meters height; Tokyo Big Sight, Japan's largest convention center wherein big events are held throughout the year.

Other attractions include the Fuji TV Building, with its exhibitions of popular Fuji TV programs and souvenirs; Decks Tokyo Beach, a three-storied shopping mall that features various stores and restaurants; Aquacity Odaiba, an emporium with a 13-screen cinema complex; Museum of Maritime Science, with its seafaring related exhibits from the past and the future; National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, a highly interactive and bilingual museum that displays space exploration, information technology and the likes; Telecom Center, headquarters to the information highway with its large satellite antennas on the observation deck; Oedo Onsen Monogatari, a hot spring theme park; Palette Town, a shopping and entertainment complex; Venus Fort, a mall in the style of an 18th century South European Town; Mega Web, a showroom, where one can see the latest offering from Toyota.

Even access to Odaiba can be considered an attraction because of its futuristic architecture and city planning.


How to Get There:

Serving Odaiba is the automated Yurikamome Line from Shimbashi and the privately owned Rinkai Line running between Osaki and Shin-Kiba.
Ferries also operate between Tokyo and Odaiba; city buses are also available; it is also possible to cross the Rainbow Bridge on foot by getting off at Shibaura-futo station on the Yurikamome.
*published in the July '08 issue of "Let's Tour Japan", Philippine Digest*