Busog Lusog

That's Eugene ("Miss Domingo if you're nasty!"), one of the 100 Most Beautiful People in Philippine Entertainment according to YES! magazine, vamping it up as Vilma in our most recent TVC shoot. Happy weekend y'all.

Indy movie

Indy ko masyado nagustuhan ang Indy4. Indy ganun ka-thrilling, indy ganun ka-adventuresome, indy ganun ka-engrossing, indy ganun ka-nakakatawa, indy ganun ka-action packed as 1-3. Indy worth the 19-year wait.

Top 10: American Idol 7 Favorite Tracks

In this particular order.

10. You've Got A Friend (Brooke White) - Is there a more perfect song for Brooke, the new American Sweetheart ?

9. Yesterday (Syehsa Mercado) - Sung with amazing nuance, this was the first and only time I felt genuine emotion and deep connection to the song from this Irish lass

8. You Must Love Me (Brooke White) - The live performance totally captured the quivering passion of Madonna's original, false start notwithstanding. Loved it!

7. Here You Come Again (Carly Smithson) - For once Carly toned down the vocal histrionics and delivered her most nuanced, heartfelt performance

6. Always Be My Baby (David Cook) - Who would've thought Mimi's pop chestnut could be turned into an emo rocker?

5. It's All Wrong But It's All Right (Michael Johns) - Absolutely the perfect song for his raspy, bluesy voice

4. Hallelujah (Jason Castro) - A brave, artful choice. Beautifully, soulfully sung

3. Little Sparrow (David Cook) - David wisely dropped his trademark glory note for his most assured, mature performance

2. The World I Know (David Cook) - While the other David sang to the rafters, this David sang to the heart. Perfect song to cap his Idol journey (not counting the not-that-bad coronation song)

1. Let It Be (Brooke White) - And it was -- the most heartfelt performance of the season

Flowers

1. My bestest girl friend, Jing, used to send me flowers on my birthday. It didn't matter where she was in the world, she'd never forget to ask someone from here to get flowers for me.

2. She'd also call me up every now and then. Most often it was to tell me some great news about her work and lovelife. Other times she just needed someone to talk to. Serendipitously those times I also needed someone to talk to.

3. The flowers stopped coming and the calls started coming less frequently around three years ago. That's when she met a Turkish guy named David in New York, where she'd been living the past five years.

4. She and David got married last Saturday here in Manila.

5. I was candle sponsor during the (non-Catholic) ceremony. It was short and sweet.

6. The reception program was fun. I emceed it.

7. Many sweet love songs were sung throughout the affair.

8. Our barkada went home right after dinner. I stayed behind because David, grateful for the "great" hosting job I did, would not let me go right away. I danced with Jing and her sisters.

9. At the end of the night, Jing got David, David got Jing, and I got a box of Authentic Turkish Delight (that's exactly what it says on the box).

10. I took a cab going home. I put my iPod on and listened to "You Don't Bring Me Flowers". It was raining. And cold.

Hair Apparent

How do I look? How do I look? How do I look? How do I look? And which do you like most?

Spirit

Easter Sunday, 10 years ago.

I had just come from a morning Mass and was lounging in my room listening to a CD of pop-inspirational music when I found myself moved to pick up the phone.

I dialed a number and a few rings later heard a familiar voice. I hadn’t heard that voice in at least two years. I had vowed never to speak with him again. But there he was on the other end of the line. He said hello, I said hello, and for the next few minutes he and I engaged in a light, casual conversation about how each other’s been doing. And then we said goodbye.

After hanging up the phone tears started welling up my eyes.

That was the first real conversation I ever had with my dad. And it took away all the pain from many, many years of estrangement, resentment, and animosity.

It turned out to be my last conversation with him too. He died a few days later.

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday. And I thought it's a good time to once again share this most joyful experience I had of the Holy Spirit working in my life.

Daughtry. Live in Eastwood. July 29.

I don't think this is a free gig. It's probably like Many Moore's recent show. Tickets should cost a bit more than hers though.