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Philippine Daily Inquirer

100. Philippine Daily Inquirer

Finally, I reached the 100th mark for my list of reasons to be happy and thankful that I am living in this lifetime. Since this is a record, it is only appropriate that the 100th reason would cross all boundaries. And what more could this be but our newspaper for more than 15 years (if I'm not mistaken).

This broadsheet has been a very big help not only to me but to my family as well. The information that this newspaper has giving us for the last 15 years or so has been very, very useful to us. It does not only give us the latest news (very, very credible I must say) but tips on practically every aspect of life - personal, financial, mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. It's an all-in-one paper.

I can give short examples about those as I grew along with PDI.

Personal: I grew up reading the advices of Robbie, Rissa, and Raya Mananquil (now all models and professionals) when they were still teens in the 2BU! section of Inquirer. The advices of Tita Dulce also made perfect sense as I heed her advices and gave her advices to my friends who turn to me for advices (shhh...that's a secret).

Financial: The Business Section of PDI has more that just business news. It has featured and is still writing stories about the inspiring and success stories of the best entrepreneur the country has produced. Of course, on those stories it is clear that the success stories of these CEO's, COO's and taipans were not walk in the park. They encountered a lot of challenges, difficulties, and pains but they continue and succeeded. How? Read the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Mental: The Opinion Section of the Inquirer is another gem. This is where I read the best writers that the country has produced. Conrado de Quiros, Michael Tan, the late Adrian Cristobal are just one of the few many writers that I read in PDI that got me hooked on reading the most widely-read broadsheet in the country.

Emotional: A lot of stories in PDI had made me emotional. The stories of the youth in "Young Blood" and their counterpart, the uhmmm, sixty-something in "High Blood." Not to mention the real stories that appears in it's front page. The not so-good-things about our country and how we and I are not able to do something about it. But what makes this truly special is that because the stories always end up with hope. Hope that we should not abandon despite everything.

Physical:
Of course the Sports Section of the Inquirer is a class of it's own. Almost always on time (sometimes PBA results yesterday would not be included in the next day's issue). But in general, I could rely on PDI regrading results of sports tournament I watch. NBA, US Open, Super Bowl, you name it they got it. They also have the best sportswriter in town, Al S. Mendoza and Recah Trinidad (who came back after a fling with retirement). The Tuesday Section of PDI about Lifestyle and Leisure also gave me tips on how to live a healthy and happy life with articles about the latest exercises and how to have a happy disposition in life through the articles of Cory Quririno.

Spiritual: This is the best part.

PDI has Fr. Jerry Orbos in it's Opinion Section every Sunday. Fr. Orbos column is my must-read column of Inquirer every Sunday with his jokes and anecdotes about life and his practical tips in life on how to live life as a Christian.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer also has what it calls "radical optimism" every Sunday. This means that every Sunday, it's front page only features good news. Yes, only good news. If you read a bad news or headline, you will see the good news inside it. I have another good news. It's not limited to Sundays anymore, as you can see in my previous blog entries.

Now, how's that for news?

David Cook wins American Idol Season 7

I wasn't expecting David Cook to win. Much more to get 12 million votes more than David Archuleta. But that's what happened. David Cook won over David A. in American Idol Season 7 by a margin of 12 million votes.

I read an interesting article from AP (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwXD4BoO2HF6nbttn2FU7Cw_ZtowD90QLIM01) about insights on why or how David C. won over David A. It says there that even though David A. has legion of young female fans, the viewership for teenagers who watch AI has gone down. The median age of Idol viewers has gone up to 42, whereas before it was "only" 30. In short David Cook had the vote of almost all the viewers of AI. I didn't know that a lot of old, I mean, mature people watch AI.

For me, it really doesn't matter, because I believe David Cook was the better artist and he deserved it. But you can't expect that to happen every time in American Idol. As the article concluded, in a competition that can crown a 29-year-old gray-haired Southerner one year and a cheery 17-year-old high-school student from Arizona the next, it's ultimately impossible to tell why America choose its "Idol" the way it does.

And that's precisely why I love watching American Idol.

Ramiele Malubay and David Archuleta

I will take a short break from this "truth and honesty" thing and will write about two contestants that got my attention in the world's (or at least America's) favorite TV show, American Idol.

41. Ramiele Malubay

We got another Fil-Am in this Season 7 of American Idol. She is 18-year-old Ramiele Malubay. I don't know why a lot of Filipinos gets very excited whenever a Fil-Am gets in to the Top 24 of American Idol. I am not because I know there's a lot of more good and better singers here in our country than OUTSIDE the Philippines. That is why I am not so thrilled with Jasmine Trias. So, I am not really expecting anything from this Ramiele Malubay.

After hearing nine of the Top 12 girls in the first week of AI Performance Night, I was not happy. I didn't see or hear anyone that got my attention. Sure there were some good singers but this is American Idol and with the awesome singer from their boys counterpart, I was expecting the girls to be better or at least equal the performance of the guys.

The tenth performer was the Fil-Am, Ramiele Malubay. She sang the song "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" by Dusty Springfield. While she was singing, I was thinking this is so boring, and up to the time she ended the song. I was expecting the judges would have something bad to say. It turned out the other way around. They had a lot of good things to say to Ramiele. I said to myself, "What?"

I realized later that the problem was not with Ramiele's singing but with me. I was used to hearing the song from Lani Misalucha and Regine Velasquez and their versions, particularly with Lani, of the song was very different from Ramiele. She didn't sang her lungs out like what Regine and Lani do and like what our current female "singers" do (with the exemption of our very own Philippine Idol Mau Marcelo).

After watching the replay, the judges were right especially Randy Jackson. Ramiele started it slow, took her time, and saved the best for last. She could have made the run with all the high notes but she did not and she made the song her own. After hearing the song again and again on YouTube, I realized that she really sang the song beautifully. It was very classy. I think Ramiele is a much, much more better singer than Jasmine Trias. It is a welcome relief that a Filipina is singing a song and not "belting" out a song and she's doing it on American Idol. 

Good job for a Filipina living outside the country.

42. David Archuleta

I think I already saw and heard the new American Idol. I half-agree with what the AI producers said that that this batch (Season 7) is the best batch yet. That is because the Top 12 guys are really, really good singers. Unfortunately I can't say the same thing for the Top 12 Girls. The only one that got my attention is the Fil-Am girl, Ramiele Malubay. Not because she is half-Filipino (I explained this above).

Back to the guys, the Top 10 Guys left are all great singers. One, and that is Jason Yeager, got the judges rap only because of poor song choice. I think this is what happened last week, this week, and probably the weeks to come. I must say, however, that the other nineteen contestants left will be having a hard time because of a 16-year-old very good-looking boy by the name of David Archuleta.

On the first week of AI, David sang a song (the title was "Shop Around") that I didn't knew and boy did he impressed me. My mom was impressed. Of course she is, she belongs to the female population. The whole female population, or at least those who watch AI, young or old, loves David Archuleta. But me being impressed and actually applauding the performance of a 16-year-old cute boy? I won't be impressed not unless the performer is really, really good. Right after his first performance in AI, I knew this boy is going somewhere.

Now comes the second week. David sang a John Lennon song that is very simple with simple melody and simple lyrics, yet so hard so sing. That is because the song is one of the most beautiful song ever written and as judge Simon Cowell always points out to some contestants, if a contestant sings a popular song that is very attached to the singer, the contestants gets to be compared with the original singer. And the comparison would, of course, not be to the favor of the contestant. Now I get to hear a 16-year-old (I just have to point it out time and again) singing "Imagine" by John Lennon? I knew it would be a disaster. It would suck. The kid can't sing it and pull it off.

Guess what? "It worked." said Simon Cowell. "It was brilliant." said judge Randy Jackson. But the comment that that matters most was the one coming from judge Paula Abdul. She said that "It was the moving performance I heard in the show!" I agree with what all the judges say especially the last statement from Paula Abdul. Correct me dear readers but I saw a standing ovation from the crowd and I think it was the first time I saw a standing ovation from the AI audience. Simon ended his comment by saying that David is the one to beat.

Sorry Ramiele but even if you are a kababayan and a really good singer, I think America already found the new American Idol and he's a 16-year-old cute boy.

And The Oscar Goes To...

This is the second time in my blog that I used the title "And The Oscar Goes To" but this is really the only way to start a blog about the Academy Awards. I won't go into details about what happened and who won in this 80th edition of the highly-respected awards body and one of the highest-rating TV show in the US. However, I would just like to mention that I liked Jon Stewart's hosting this time. I am not really into Jon Stewart's brand of humor but he had me laughing several times. I also enjoyed watching the 80th Academy Awards as always.

40. The Oscars Awards

As any of my friends know, when I was young (up until now of course) there are two M's that really moves me like no other - movies and music. Since this is about the Oscar, let's concentrate with movies first.

By act of fate, my first "real" job is working in a video recording company called Magnavision. There I was able to watch countless great movies which I wasn't able to see since I wasn't born yet, I didn't have money, or I just didn't know that a such a great movie existed. These are the movies that won "Best Picture" in the Academy Awards. A few of them are "Kramer vs. Kramer", "The Deer Hunter", "The Godfather" series (although only Godfather 1 and 2 won Best Picture), and for the new ones "A Beautiful Mind", "American Beauty", "Shakespeare In Love", and a whole lot more. I will be listing down some of the great movies I enjoyed in the future to be included in my 2008 list.

In the meantime, the 40th in my 2008 list is, of course, the Academy Awards because of, among other things, the Oscar showed me that the movies above existed. I have come to know and watched these movies because the Academy chose them as the best in the year they were released. Indeed they were.   

All About Idol

Since Idol fever is starting to build up this first month of 2008, I might as well list three "Idols" in my list.

19. American Idol

Is there a person in the world who has TV and haven't watched an episode of American Idol? I bet there's few if not no one. American Idol is a phenomenal TV show that it's success won't be repeated in the next 10 or 20 years. It is one of the highest-rating TV programs in the U.S. national television and only eclipsed by Super Bowl and the Oscars (Academy Awards). It is also broadcasted in more than 100 nations all over the world and many countries with versions of their own. I don't know with you but American Idol is one of the reasons for TV addicts like me why I am lucky and happy to be living in this lifetime.

20. Philippine Idol

A lot of people weren't able to catch and apreciate how beutiful our own version of Idol went (I am talking about the first season and not "Pinoy Idol"). The host, Ryan Agoncillo, alone equalled his American counterpart, Ryan Seacrest. What more with judge Ryan Cayabyab? I still feel strongly that Mr. C as  Mr. Ryan Cayabyab is fondly called is a better judge than the famous but acerbic AI judge Simon Cowell. Francis Magalona was a mistake (no offense to the Master Rapper) but Mamita (Pilita Corrales) was more entertaining than Paula Abdul as a judge.

Of course, Philippine Idol had it's own share of problems, specially technical glitches and poor ratings. I have blogged about Philippine Idol a lot of times here (my blog was was even used by ABC 5 for it's TV AD for PI) and most of it were about the negative things that happened in  but still I enjoyed it and I was really happy with the result.

I am not comparing the Philippine Idol TV show with the American Idol TV show because obviously American Idol is way, way more successful and American Idol is the original and it's TV ratings was unprecedented. I'm just trying to point out one thing: It could have been better if it was given one more chance. Philippine Idol was fun while it lasted. It's just sad that only a select few where able to enjoy and appreciate Philippine Idol. But just like American Idol, Philippine Idol will also be one of the reason why I am lucky and happy to be living in this lifetime (and one of the few who was able to see the beauty of it).

21. Mau Marcelo

Of course, the first "Philippine Idol" should be in my list. I am adding her to my list not because she won the title but because I believe that among the 12 finalists of PI, she deserves the tiltle "Philippine Idol."

Oh, and the more important reason why I added her to my list of 2008 list is because Mau Marcelo winning proved that Filipinos are intelligent voters. We have learned. I hope. =)

Names To Watch Out For in 2007

Since we only have two days to go before we welcome Year 2007, I'll be listing the names from the current and past singing contests in the country who I think will succeed and will be a star in the Entertainment world particularly on stage next year, 2007, if not the future and will manage to stay on.

From Philippine Idol:

Pow Chavez - But, of course. She introduced to me an R&B song, "Questions", via her beautiful rendition. That is unbelievable for someone who is really inclined into Alternative Rock like me. She also has the gift of owning a song. When she sang "Nakapagtataka" in Philippine Idol, a Philippine Idol forumer commented, "Kinuha na ni Pow ang "Nakakapagtataka" sa mga Alejandro." Which is so true, I think Pow's version of "Nakapagtataka" is the best today.

Gian Magdangal - With his charisma, magnetic personality, good singing voice and the girls are screaming wildly when he's singing, Gian's star will rise further.

Mau Marcelo - Credit for Mau's outstanding singing has been long overdue. The moment I heard her version of "Better Days" in the now-defunct "Star For A Night" singing contest, I know that she would make it in the entertainment industry one way or the other despite of her "looks". Winning the Philippine Idol would catapult her to stardom and would break the discrimination for not-so-good looking singers.

From Pinoy Pop Superstar:

Maricris Garcia - The first time I heard this lady sang "As If We Never Say Goodbye", I was hooked. I didn't know the song but I instantly liked it. It also helped that she was pretty and sexy (hehe). Finally, PPS found a possible “Pinoy Pop Superstar!”

From Pop Star Kids:

Rita Iringan - Although the kid is a little showbiz being the grand-daughter of a director (forgot the name), you can't deny the fact that she is really a good singer. And with the help of the Kapuso network, she will be more popular in the coming days.

Julie Anne San Jose - I always believed that Julie Anne is the best singer among the Pop Star Kids finalist for Season 1. She also has the looks to back it up and still very young. If her star would not shine next year, it will in the future. I am sure of it.

Jessica Reynoso - PSK's version of Mau. Jessica is a curly-haired, black girl (sorry for the description, can't think clearly yet..haha) from Pampanga (if I'm not mistaken) which became the first finalist for PSK's Season 2 because of her won unique singing style which is her own. You should hear her sing. She makes every song her won and sings it with her won style.

Check out for this names in the world of Philippine entertainment next year! Happy New Year!

Mau Marcelo: Our First Philippine Idol!

I have tracked Mau's quest for a spot in the world of entertainment, particularly in singing. I saw her join in some unknown singing contests in the past, I saw hear sing and join Sing-Galing in ABC 5 a few years back where she used the name "Samantha Brown". I saw and heard her in Star For A Night where she went against Sarah Geronimo, and lost although not without giving a good fight. She struggled most of the time, lost, and won but she kept on fighting and pursuing her dream.

Then came Philippine Idol. I must say that I already liked the way Mau sings way before Philippine Idol but the first Live Performance of Philippine Idol, I was amazed by her performance. The Wild Card performance became better. Soon, week after week, she kept coming better and better. The irony is that she just sings it the way that she does, without any birit and pretensions. Others may not like it but majority will say that she really sings well. Mau singing well is an understatement, she sings better compared with our current crop of popular singers.

Why? She sings any song as her own and sings with her heart. Mau made a difference here in our country when she won as the first-ever Philippine Idol and this are what she proved:

1. We don't need a good-looking person, a very beautiful or sexy woman to be an Idol. We just need someone who has talent and is willing to share it to the people. Mau proved to people that beauty is really skin-deep.

2. There's more to singing than just belting. Mau may not reach the notes that Regine, or Mariah Carey for that matter, can but her singing, just her singing is enough.

3. Try and try and you will succeed. A cliché but is still true. She joined more than 200 singing contests but won the most important one, the title of being the first Philippine Idol.

4. Filipinos are "still" intelligent voters. Mau winning Philippine Idol showed that we are still capable of voting wisely.

Congratulations to Mau Marcelo, our first-ever Philippine Idol.

Who Will Be The First Philippine Idol?

"Who will be the first Philippine Idol?", says the full-page ad in Philippine Daily Inquirer today. After almost six months of searching, the country will know the answer tomorrow evening after the performances of the Top 3 finalists tonight. It's either Gian Magdangal, Jan Nieto, or Mau Marcelo.

I am really not in the mood to dissect and analyze each one of them and their chances of winning but I have a guess as to who will it be. I already made a fearful forecast in my "Philippine Idol: Semis" blog entry dated 08/28/06 that the first Philippine Idol will be a girl. I'll go further-the first Philippine Idol will be Mau Marcelo.

But of course, my guess is as good as yours. =)