Last Viewing: My first “restraint” viewing

In SPOON’s flyers, I described Janice de Belen as “the country’s well-loved actress and host”. Such description emanated from my personal memory of Janice in Flor de Luna and her exposure in talk shows.

Her hosting in SPOON has already earned positive reviews from various entertainment columnists. It redefined her as a host and somehow, she managed to “own” the cook and talk concept, a formula that I believe made NET 25, one of the stations to reckon with in the creation of boundary-breaking lifestyle TV programs.

Tonight, I watched the premiere of The Last Viewing, not only because I was invited to attend, but I was curious what she can deliver on the big screen. Will my image of Janice de Belen change again?

Yes, it did.

Viewing The Last Viewing will let you see a different Janice de Belen.

Definitely not the one you saw in Flor de Luna, or the sister in SIS or the engaging celebrity talk show host in SPOON.

Restraint. That’s how I describe the movie.

Janice in the movie commands you to control your emotions. For several occasions, I was in the brink of crying, but for some reason, Janice’s controlled character makes you hold it back.

This is not a melodramatic movie. Not a heavy drama. But the real deal is that it’s captivatingly real!

Kaya masakit the dibdib. I think it was the director and writer’s intention. You are confined, even imprisoned to be tough and in one of the dialogues, to be heartless.

From finish to end, Janice commanded self-possession, trying to unlock her feelings by showing some weakness but moderates it with just a simple tear or a regular sob but not totally breaking down.

I even hated her character in various scenes to the point that my mind is shouting, “okay lang yan, umiyak ka ng umiyak, ilabas mo!” but in some scenes, my mind says, “ba’t di ka umiiyak? Ba’t di ka nagwawala? Ba’t di ka hysterical?”

May taong ganun eh, di komo hindi sila umiiyak, hindi na sila nasasaktan. Di lang talaga sila iyakin.

Janice portrayed the “heartless” character with consistency, defying expectations of an emotional, unstable single mother who lost her special child.

Some scenes of Janice with Leandro reminded me of Meryl Streep in Bridges in Madison County where Meryl simply touched her hair or smiled meekly to flirt. Janice used very effective acting techniques to communicate that she is interested with Leandro and showed the same acting abilities when learning that she misunderstood his intentions and actuations.

Di maarte ang arte pero ramdam mo ang damdamin ni Janice as Laura.

Janice has conveyed coldness as effective as the other images in the movie - morgue, cremation, funeral, dead. But the writer also penned scenes to evoke laughter and warmth. But still done with restraint.

It is this kind of restraint by the director, writer and Janice and the rest of the cast that made my chest palpitate with a heavy heart.

Gusto ko nang umiyak pero pigil. Gusto ko nang sumigaw pero dapat ka lang bumulong. Gusto mong matakot pero di puwede dahil di naman siya thriller, pero ba’t ang pakiramdam ay suspense.

For the use of commanding restraint and moderation, I greatly admire the director and writer.

And Janice de Belen?

Her serious, powerful acting in Last Viewing makes me think that this is not her last in the big screen.

This film is just the beginning.

Stranded in Boracay

Stranded sounds negative. Marooned is a better word.

So what do you do when you’re stranded in Boracay?

Here are some ideas.

1. Watch Rachel Lobangco play with fire.
The flame in her fire dance matched her copper-toned skin. She’s the famous girl behind the She-boom TV commercial and Boracay’s adopted celebrity.







2. Look like a foreigner.
I covered the 3rd International Dragon Boat festival opening right infront of the Boracay Regency.





3. Have dinner with an Ambassador.
I enjoyed a sumptuous meal with the Special Envoy to China, Ambassador Alfredo Yao and ZestAir Chief Operating Officer, Captain Tabora.



4. Get ‘adopted’ by the owners of Ambassador in Paradise Resort.
Dutch Joop Van Der Tak and Filipina wife Nikki Van Der Tak are not only exceptional hosts. The couple are serious investors, just what the country needs at this time.





5. Step into this pair of odd-looking sleepers.

I tried a pair at the Talipapa.



6. Enjoy Inasal at D Talipapa.
Too much fine dining makes being stranded too boring.



7. Eat special food.
Special in the sense that it’s the resort owner herself who cooked the meals. The Van der Tak children asks special orders from Mommy Nikki.





8. Kumain ng nakakamay.
Daing, tuyo, talong, isda, pusit, nilagang itlog. All these tasted differently when eaten in a windy restaurant that overlooks one of the greatest beachfronts of Boracay.



10. Read a project management book.
Near Fridays…



Near Discovery Shores…





And at my favorite spot at the Ambassador in Paradise…



9. Continue reading the book.
Learn new management concepts from LogFrames, hierarchy of objectives, causal logic...mga terms na nakakaubos ng buhok...
In front of the sari-sari store.



Pati sa bukana ng Talipapa.





10. If you find Boracay views too beautiful, just imagine you’re at the Driftwood Public Beach.
Take note Nizza. Enjoy the jologs crowd in Station 2 near 3.



11. Watch a Dutch celebrate birthday with family.
The lechon served was crispy. It was a simple celebration yet full of love and care, sans the show off that’s typical in society.







12. Pose like a hunk at the beachfront.
I tried with lovely friends Anita, Business Manager of Moments and Flovs, Director of Homepage.



13. Help Save Boracay!
We documented the beach erosion, one of the major problems of the island. Ambassador owner Nikki Van der Tak shows us the visual status of the beach erosion.



It’s almost a meter in this drainage which was unexposed some time ago. The ocean is slowly eating up the beach of Boracay. An internet site said “Boracay without its white beach is like the ocean without its water – nothing”.





Palm trees are also victims of beach erosion. Soon after the waves “reclaim” the beachfront, palm trees like this will disappear.



Resort owners like Joop resort to sand bags to protect the beachfront and not to haul white sand. Government offices, local authorities including the police must help these resort owners to protect Boracay. Public and private sector must collaborate for people like us to continue enjoying what is left in this paradise island. Harrassment, protection of vested interests and jealousy are unnecessary. Common interest to preserve Boracay glory must prevail.



14. Be a fashionista.
Have a photo shoot with Rachel Lobangco look-a-like. Anyone can be a fashionista when in Boracay. Accessories at 10 pesos, beach wear at 50 pesos.



Just avoid crazy and bad taste photos like this. For the sake of fun, I'm posting it for a little humour (after that mind-boggling LogFrame).



15. Magpakaturista.
Have a pic in almost all of the establishments including Boracay Regency and Boracay Peninsula.




16. Capture father and son star-gazing.
Enzo, come to Kuya!!!




17. Watch your wife and sons shown on MOMents at NET 25.
It was Lyra’s turn to share her momstyle. Ambassador Resort has LCDs even at the bathroom.




18. Sleep well in Ambassador’s softy, sweet smelling beddings.
Wake up and update your facebook courtesy of the resort’s wi-fi.



19. Meet dentist friend’s brother.
After the worship service at the grand house of worship in Boracay, I met Frederick Ibanez with his wife who were spending good time at Station 1 with their friends.



20. Enjoy the boat ride leaving the island.





21. Get a VIP treatment from the ZestAir frontline staff.
Compared to the first time we had an encounter with them, they were now very accommodating, gracious, smiling and very approachable. Thanks to Nikki Van der Tak of Ambassador Resort, CEO Amb. Yao and COO Captain Tabora.



Before getting stranded on this island, I had a long experience with Ro-ro.
Have fun signing your name in the Passenger’s Manifesto.



The sail was smooth. Humid. Not so bad, actually it was fun. Only that it was a 16-hour travel from Manila to Caticlan, roll on-roll out. And we're almost awake for 48 hours.





I look forward to being stranded on this island again.

Fallen American waves Philippine flag

Philippine boxing warriors Denver Cuello and Sonny Boy Jaro are the reasons why my
phone and email was in touch with Solar Entertainment's COO Peter Chan. Their winning is worth all the effort. Catch the Filipino boxers' string of triumphs in NET 25's replay of the event tomorrow (April 20) at 10 pm.

And they did it fast. The new WBC international minimumweight champion Cuello finished off his Japanese rival Matsumoto's winning streak in Round 4.



Jaro, on the other hand, stopped his opponent in 1 minute and 14 seconds.




The Hawaiian Puncher turns Pinoy Puncher

Of the featured fights in The Flash and The Furious at the Araneta Coliseum today, it was Brian Viloria's fight with Ulises Solis to snatch the IBF light flyweight crown that got to my nerves.



Solis looked unbeatable with his serious and professional stare. In the middle of the fight, Viloria was getting the punches and was slowing down.

At that point, the chubby guy infront of me kept shouting as if he was Viloria's coach in the corner:

"Igalaw mo ang ulo mo!"

"Hawaiian dance!"

"Wag ka sa corner!"

"Upper-cut!"



I felt how the people of Araneta supported the man. The Araneta was not only shouting when his punches reached his opponent known to be the Filipino Executioner. At some points when he looked weak, people chanted "Viloria, Viloria", boosting his morale.





Faith of a fighter

Honestly, I even entertained the idea that Viloria may not be able to win the title from Solis, a very strong opponent. Thrice, Viloria was saved by the bell after intense beating from Solis.




But my wife, a martial artist herself, kept saying, "he has it, all he needs is faith". He has made Solis's face ooze with blood, left and right.



And yes, it was faith that made him knock his opponent down.



It was an unbelievable sight seeing a fallen defender. His strong staying power finally gave in. After falling on his knees, he laid down on his back, several moments passed before he was seated in a stool.

It was an emotional win for Brian Viloria.

The Mexicans were crying. The handsome Mexican faces who were coaching and assisting their fighter Solis were all wiping their tears. These moments were not captured by the camera.

If I felt fear in Viloria's fight, I felt the will to fight in Nonito Donaire's defense of his title as IBF light flyweight champion to the undefeated Raul "Cobrita" Martinez.

The Filipino Flash

Donaire's opponent has a bigger body, showed more muscles and seemed to be intimidating.

But Donaire? Man, he showed the form, stance and class of a boxing strategist.



Unlike Viloria, he was moving, running and always checking his distance.



When Martinez's punches reached Donaire, the Filipino Flash, in a flash, unleashed the fury of his fists to make the Cobra fall thrice.

Ayun, tapos na. Kaya nakakabitin.

On the way out, a guy from the box shouted "Mr. Referree, why did you stop the fight"?

The referee responded, "he was tired".

The American Martinez, like the Mexicans, cried.

But he cried with pride.

And here is an American while downed by a Filipino fighter, displayed unparalleled respect and sportsmanship by raising and waving the Philippine flag to the admiration and applause of thousands of sports-loving Filipinos present at the Araneta...




...including Vice President Noli de Castro, MMDA Chairman, Mayor JV Estrada, former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada and the famous boxing promoter Bob Arum.

Colors of myBORA

Matikas yan Ser,

the two lady guards said when they noticed I swallowed by breath upon seeing the 19-seater SeAir, dwarfed by the much bigger ZestAir plane bound to Boracay.

"Yan po ang sinasakyan ni Kris Aquino, si KC Concepcion!" And she joked, tingnan nyo Ser, buhay pa sila!"

I then took nature's call, as I learned that there was no comfort room in the aircraft.

To my surprise, the flight and the landing was so far one of the smoothest ones I have ever experienced. I almost asked our staff to have a picture with the pilot as we disembarked.



Boracay is a visual feast, not only on ground. Even from the skies, it claims its right to be one of the best beaches in the world.




I love Boracay!

I kept shouting "I love Boracay!, I love Boracay!" on this boat which ferried my team from Caticlan to the Jetty Port on the island. It was my second time on this beautiful paradise but there is still something in it that continues to excite me. This boat gave me a hint that orange will be the dominating color of my stay.



Owned by the unassuming and soft-spoken Dutch guy, Joop Van der Tak married to humble Filipina, Nikki Van der Tak, "Ambassador in Paradise Resort" gives justice to the word 'paradise'.

It has a native look yet evokes a contemporary appeal. It combines designs of wood, twigs, tigbao, bamboo, rattan, nipa and other indigenous materials, both natural and synthetic with modern construction amenities resulting to a unique ambiance that attracts various walk-ins of foreigners who avail of its high-end rates, lowest at 10,300 a night.

The aesthetic impact of the Ambassador vista, both exterior and interior, leave an indelible mark to one's senses.

It experience is laid-back, exclusive, elegant and completely luxurious. And mind you, it's not finished yet! Not even officially launched at that!

Indeed, Nikki and hubby give their neigbouring resorts a run for their money.





The morning hues of Bora

Nothing changed here. Every beautiful word that people mentioned about Boracay still rings true. Every graphic detail in every magazine that wrote how picturesque this island remains the same.

It's the hues of Boracay that constantly changes. Every hour, every minute, every second. Below is a sampling of the changing hues of Boracay captured by my iPhone.

From shades of gray and tint of yellow.



To sand that blends color with the light blue sky.



Brighter shade slowly lights up creeping into the morning's blue hue.



Without me frolicking in the beach, this would have been some colors of 'Amorsolo'.



This trio is unmindful of the vanishing gradients of blue.



Palettes of pastel paint the sky, sand and sea.



Emerald green contours the view of the horizon.



The morning sun reveals the silhoutte of one of Boracay's most photographed backdrops.



A burst of colors from a tent, reflected by silver food trays.



The stillness of the lush greenery is balanced by the gentle ripples of the lake.



Bancas add more color and drama to the sights at sea.



The island's vibrant colors captured by this cameraman in its all-day changing of tones.



My yellow shirt contrasts with the color of the royal Dutch.



The dark roots kiss always kiss the Bora waters.



This tropical beach house is made more picturesque by the even blue sky.



The brown beach beds lined up for body tanning or people watching.



Love and romance turn to gold as couples view the sunset.



My souvenir is Boracay in a Bottle. A reminder of my bare feet's romance with the white and powdery treasure of the island.



Copper crops up as the dominant motif at dawn.



The blinding sun awash the majestic church spires with silvery shine.



Hot Bora

The heat from Bora does not only come from the big bright sun. It comes from the bodies found in Bora that makes temperatures rise. Dark-skinned, tanned, fair, fat, sexy, flat-chested, well-endowed, voluptuous. Locals, Americans, Europeans, Asians. It is truly a melting pot. And what makes the place hot is that there is as much skin as you see as much as pieces of clothing. And with the allure of the best beach in the world, the place is the best spot for appreciating human anatomy, including my friends' aboriginal body shapes and colors.









I communed with nature as I walked along the sandbar to satisfy my musings with the sea.



I raised my arms to signify my shout of praise that I am here, again, to see Boracay with new eyes.



Then I mentally reserved the best beach seat in this paradise soothing my wife's back pains...



...and wished that my sons, like these kids will soon be able to touch, feel and walk on the finest sand in the best beach in the world.

Bakit nga ba Tribe?

As per Seth's definition, a tribe is a group of people, big or small, that is connected to one another. It is connected to a leader. And it is connected to an idea.



NET 25’s Tribe has all the elements of a tribe.

A tribe is a group of people connected to one another.

The artists, painters and photographers in this exhibit, in one way or the other, know each other. We have featured most of them in our coverage of visual arts. And they have known and followed each other's works through NET 25’s Tribe TV program. It is through them that the idea of an exhibit came about. Through there own connections, they have spread the word about this event.

A tribe is connected to a leader.

Again the artists, painters and photographers here are not followers. We consider them as the microleaders of our Tribe because they have influenced us to stage this exhibit. Without their agreement and contribution, this event is not possible. It was them who led us to the concept of Earth and Art.

A tribe is connected to an idea.

The artists, painters and photographers are linked to our idea that earth and art is cool. That it is not a corny idea to help save the earth through art.

We share a common interest and that is what we are celebrating today. That interest turns into a movement, into a concerted action, to embrace change through NET 25's TRibe.

And we are fortunate that the microleaders of TRIBE will make us appreciate the protection and conservation of the earth through their art.

We are honored that the tribe of artists, painters and photographers that we are featuring today use this TRIBE event as a way to communicate their ideas and worthy thoughts about the environment.

Pero ang TRIBE ay hindi lamang pang-visual arts.

The concept of the show takes us to anything, almost everything under the sun.

Marami pang mga lider ng TRIBE ang aming makikilala, makikita at makakasalamuha - may dala-dalang mga pagbabago, ideya, konsepto at impormasyon.

Kaya nais naming kayong anyayahan na panoorin ang TRIBE araw araw sa NET 25, alas siete y media ng gabi, para sa mga replays, mag-log-on sa www.net-25.com

Kilalanin ang ating kultura, ang ating pagka-Pilipino at ang buhay natin bilang mga Pinoy.

Sa TRIBE na tayo!

A jewel of a night

Emily Abrera was right.

The CCP Chairman and probably the most accomplished and respected woman in Philippine advertising said that the performance left her breathless and indeed, “words are superfluous”.

The show RUBIES: Gems of Philippine Performing Arts, was true to its name - sparkling, gleaming with world-class talent that is rich and deep.

Emily led the toast to CCP's 40 years with this bamboo cup, emblazoned on it the 40 peebles turning to rocks then to a boulder that is now the foundation that supports the excellence in Philippine arts and music.

Bumping into Nes Jardin, CCP President during the first intermission, I can’t help but ask him how long the whole material was put together.

“Two months”, he said.

“These are excerpts of memorable works of CCP and I even danced some of them!”, Nes enthused.

Starting from the 40^th Anniversary overture, I was awed by the montage of nostalgic photos and videos that showed the plan, construction and inauguration of CCP. That was the year I was born.

It was an extraordinary night of great talent that showcased original works in Filipino music, dance and theater, from the classics to the contemporary.

I admire the narrations of Robert Arevalo and Shaimaine Buencamino who reminded the meaning of CCP’s 40 years including during the times of political upheavals and economic downturns.

They were all there – 3000 members of the cast. Gems of highly creative talent and excellence that contribute to this country’s pride.

It’s been 40 years. And mind you, the CCP with its theme Life Begins Anew, is just in the beginning.

Well as for me, my precious moment was to be with the grand dame of Philippine advertising, the CCP President and a National Artist in one jewel of a night!

National Artist for Film Eddie Romero was the night's most precious guest.

Watch out for Blanche and Emiluz as they annotate how glittery and grandiose this event was in NET 25's TRIBE, the show on Pinoy life, culture and lifetsyle.

Yokoso Japan!

Sumimasen. Excuse me.

Wakarimasen. I don’t understand.

Gomen nasai. Sorry.

These phrases in my Berlitz handbook came in very handy. It became as important as my passport when I was in Japan.

Sundown

To be photographed behind the setting sun with the Japanese revered Mt. Fuji as my backdrop is one my most precious moments in the Land of the Rising Sun.

If Filipinos are known for their hospitality, the Japanese people show the values of respect and discipline.


I had to keep my trash in my hands, bags and pocket and just had to dispose them in designated garbage bins. Mapapagaya ka eh, di ka basta-basta makakita ng basura at basurahan.

Silence

Here, silence is also a means to communicate.

On the train going to Kawasaki, all I can hear was my breathing, the opening of the train doors and the chirping of birds at every station.

Unlike in Hongkong where people talk a lot on their cellphones, the Japanese are also engaged in their handsets, but not with their tounges, but with their thumbs.

Akihabara

It is the technology town that’s known in the world and I was lucky to stay right at the center of it.

The Yodobashi-Akiba seemed to be just a plain building but right inside is an orgasmic display of all the tools and gadgets that make you salivate with desire.

It’s also like the United Nations. I saw people from various nations, speaking their native tounges.

It had been my ritual to stroll the streets of Akihabara in very very cold November mornings.

The REMM Experience

The massage chair and the toilet and bath.

These made the hotel Remm Akihabara most memorable.

Taking a hot bath in the glass-paneled bathroom is the sleekest bathing experience I have ever had.

Remm Akihabara is ranked 9th among 45 prestigious hotels in this region of Japan.

Human animes

Are some Japanese copying the animes or are these animes modeled after these Japanese?

Some of the Japanese dress and look like animes.

Restaurants featuring their waitresses in striking uniforms are a hit in Japan.

They even have specialty stores that cater to this specific fetish.

Chiba, Japan

I attended Japan’s version of the NAB Show in Las Vegas. It was held at the breezy Makuhari.

Although the papers announced recession in Japan when I was there, the fact remains that there is a narrow gap between their rich and poor.

Meaning, blue collar workers can buy luxury vehicles like Benz, Audi and Porche as easy as the white collar ones.

So, if you scrub the floor, hey you can be as corporate and fashionable as a Makati stock broker.

Japan, indeed, was not only a technology world, it was also the center of fabulous fashion. Men in this part of the earth sport bags the way women adore them, like a must-have accessory.

I reary reary rike ra prace...Gustong-gusto ko talaga ang lugar...