By Nickie Wang
Contributor /Manila Standard Today
17 June 2008
If a calla lily or honeysuckle would be a person, it would definitely be Dawn Zulueta.
Like these flowers, Dawn is admired, well-known for her blossoming and effervescent personality that appeals to people of all ages. She’s a mother who brings colors to the world of her child, and a wonderful wife who stands by her man.
Her popularity surged in the ’90s with an array of blockbuster films that showcased her refined dramatic flair, and television hosting that engraved her name as one of the most multi-talented actors around. Several years later, with just a few television appearances, it seems like Dawn Zulueta still appears in a daily primetime drama series. This is such a feat enjoyed by not many celebrities of her contemporary.
Dawn on parenting
As a mother to her two-and-a-half year-old son Jacobo, Dawn has learned even more significant things that help build her personality. Just like any other mother who wants only the best for her child, Dawn sees to it that she’s there to witness little things that her child will do, and be able to guide him in every small step that he makes. As the adage goes: “Motherhood is a learning process, an exercise of humility and patience,” and this has given Dawn a chance to know and discover things about herself.
“I find it [motherhood] very character building. I thought when I got married 10 years ago that the whole adjustment of married life was hard enough, a challenge enough, but it’s even more when you are a mother because there’s an expectation that you should always set as an example,” Dawn says over lunch.
She calls motherhood character building because it’s a great time for her to get to know herself and what her principles are, beliefs that she stands for. She says that these are the same things she will pass on Jacobo.
Jacobo goes to school
Dawn is more than excited for Jacobo in his first day in school. The toddler who goes to a preschool has been getting tips from her celebrity mom to prepare him for school.
The entire summer, Dawn had prepared him with little things like potty training, using more of his words, and learning to deal with teachers.
“Jacobo already talks but I encourage him to make use of his words more. I always tell him that school is going to start next week and he cannot scream on the floor so that the teacher would attend to his needs. I tell him that he needs to talk and use more of his words because teachers will not understand him with tantrums,” she said.
Dawn says Jacobo drinks six glasses of milk a day so she doesn’t worry about the nutrition her son is getting. She boasts that the kid doesn’t have any allergy but still consults the pediatrician whenever she’s giving a different milk formula to her child.
“When GainPlus came in, I said I have to consult my pedia[trician] first before I could consider it. I cannot just give something to my child, but I am glad that I switched to it. Even before Jacobo was taking GainPlus he was already taking Abbot formulas,” Dawn adds.
Dawn is enthusiastic to tell us something about Jacobo who was born prematurely. “He doesn’t like choco[late] much, so what I did, I mixed choco[late] with vanilla. He didn’t finish it because he wondered why it tasted different so I asked him: ‘Do you like chocolate or vanilla?’ ‘Nilla,’ he said.”
Dawn sees her son’s progress and she wants to continue the nutritional values his son is getting from Abbot products.
Fab at 39
Yes magazine voted Dawn one of the most beautiful stars in the Philippines. “I don’t know how they came up with that list,” a visibly flattered Dawn says, and adds that eating well and not over-doing everything are the only secret she has. “It doesn’t matter what size you are. What’s important is that you’re healthy. You’re heart is good,” she says.
Dawn who endorses beauty treatments said that she’s looking forward to see her wrinkles but will never ever try any cosmetic surgery to enhance her body or alter something on her face and be under anesthesia. She wants to age gracefully but confessed that she will do preventive measures to delay aging.
“I think I am lucky, that we are in this stage of technological advancement that all we have to do is to prevent aging. But believe me I don’t want to be 60 years old and still look like I am 30. For some people maybe that’s their goal but that’s not mine,” she confessed sincerely.
With her radiant skin and beautiful face she has been receiving movie and television offers but has chosen to decline, at least in the meantime. She is mostly occupied with motherhood and as a supportive wife to husband and Davao Rep. Anton Lagdameo. She plans to go back to hosting, films or TV series but she is choosy with the materials being offered to her. She would rather choose something that suits her taste and see herself doing.
Advocacies and politics
She is an active member of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, and also I Can Serve Foundation that helps women fight breast cancer.
In Davao, she is one of the people who try to seek funds for unit of the Davao Regional Hospital that was destroyed by fire thru Maharlika Foundation. She is also strongly involved with Bataluman Crisis Center, also in Davao, the center for the protection and rehabilitation of battered women and children.
It is no surprise that with these advocacies and projects, her name is always in the list of celebrities who are rumored as being groomed for an elective position. Her friends have been constantly egging her to join politics or be involved in some kind of public service. But Dawn says that politics is not her concern and there are better ways to help people other than being in government.
“I’ll just change my prayer that there’s someone fit, that when the time comes, it wouldn’t have to be me. Honestly, I would rather do what I am doing now and not to be in that kind of service. I think that’s a vocation for people who have empty nest. I have just started my nest. I can’t imagine I am planning to have another baby; I want to be a mom. I am not yet used to the idea that I am a mom and I would play a role of being the mother to my constituents, it’s tough,” she says.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Artists celebrate national hero’s 147th birthday
By Nickie Wang
Contributor/Manila Standard Today
15 June 2008
Artists make new possibilities, and that’s the reason the commemoration of our national hero’s birth is being spearheaded by the Cultural Center of the Philippines with the mounting of Pepe Goes To Market: Sining Selebrasyon ng Birthday Ni Dr. Jose ‘Pepe’ Rizal, which features the country’s most celebrated artists in theater, dance, movies, visual arts, and music. It’s a star-studded event that will take place from June 19 to 21 at the Market! Market! in Bonifacio Global City.
This three-day event is presented by Artists Welfare Project Inc. (AWPI) and People’s Assembly for Genuine Alternatives Against Social Apathy (Pagasa). These organizations aim to drive home a message through a series of national festivals that would revive the country’s cultural life. The co-founders of Pagasa are staging cultural activities hoping to rekindle the public’s interest and in support for the “truth” and the positive values determinedly stood for by Rizal during his time.
“If we want to change the Philippines, we need to change the perception and the identity that create our problem and the best way to do that, in a cultural context, is actually through art. Art is understood as a form of entertainment, but it is for those who do not know the revolutionary power of art,” says Pagasa co-founder Nicky Perlas.
With a specific aim to encourage huge number of artists and cultural workers from various communities and fields to work together and support the advocacy efforts for moral transformation, truth and peace, this three-day event calls to the public especially the younger generation to recognize their significant role in changing the society.
“We cannot change our society if we will utilize past models of ideology or whatever it is. Through art, hopefully, we could release the creative energies that are suppressed. And why Rizal, his search for truth is part of his life, a good historical example and Rizal was a person of multiple intelligence,” Perlas explains.
Highlights of the festival include a special opening program and the launch of Corruptionary, a dictionary of terms related to the issue of corruption; choral concerts by the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ Choral Alliance and some government choirs; dance performances by Transitopia, Ballet Manila, Kabataang ROFG, among others; and a one-hour rock band concert to be performed by popular rock bands from the RockEd Alliance to be held at the mall’s Activity Center.
“We are defining a new way of being Filipino which is conscious living with integrity. And this is just an entry point. You, with your own talent, with your own unique expression how you are going to bring change, you are invited to these events,” Panjee Tapales, also a co-founder of Pagasa, said during the press conference at the CCP.
There will also be film screenings of Eddie Romero’s Noli Me Tangere, Marilou Diaz Abaya’s Rizal by GMA Films, and Ditsi Carolino’s Riles and Bunso at Cinema 6. For theater aficionados, outstanding theater groups from Tanghalang Pilipino, Philippine Educational Theater Association, Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc., Gantimpala Theater Foundation, and the Philippine High School for the Arts will showcase excerpts from their musical theater productions.
An interactive exhibit will be mounted by the artists of Tutok Karapatan. Handmade objects from music CDs, bric-a-brac, souvenirs and other arts and crafts will be on display for sale at the artists’ tyangge. Leading opinion makers will lead discussions after selected performances, film screenings and forums.
The culmination the three-day festival is a grand concert with a 500 - voice choir together with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) featuring the country’s top vocalists Isay Alvarez, Bayang Barrios, Lolita Carbon, May Bayot, Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, among others. The Philippine All Stars will perform a special hip-hop number to the tune of Ipanalo Ang Totoo by Fr. Albert Alejo. Dramatic readings of Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios will be presented by leading television, theater and film actors who have portrayed Rizal in the past, like Ricky Davao, Joel Torre, Tommy Abuel and Pen Medina. Stage and television actor Gary Lim will be the festival’s contemporary “Pepe”.
The grand finale of the production will be the singing of the theme song of the festival entitled Bayang May Dangal, by Fr. Alejo and Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ.
Contributor/Manila Standard Today
15 June 2008
Artists make new possibilities, and that’s the reason the commemoration of our national hero’s birth is being spearheaded by the Cultural Center of the Philippines with the mounting of Pepe Goes To Market: Sining Selebrasyon ng Birthday Ni Dr. Jose ‘Pepe’ Rizal, which features the country’s most celebrated artists in theater, dance, movies, visual arts, and music. It’s a star-studded event that will take place from June 19 to 21 at the Market! Market! in Bonifacio Global City.
This three-day event is presented by Artists Welfare Project Inc. (AWPI) and People’s Assembly for Genuine Alternatives Against Social Apathy (Pagasa). These organizations aim to drive home a message through a series of national festivals that would revive the country’s cultural life. The co-founders of Pagasa are staging cultural activities hoping to rekindle the public’s interest and in support for the “truth” and the positive values determinedly stood for by Rizal during his time.
“If we want to change the Philippines, we need to change the perception and the identity that create our problem and the best way to do that, in a cultural context, is actually through art. Art is understood as a form of entertainment, but it is for those who do not know the revolutionary power of art,” says Pagasa co-founder Nicky Perlas.
With a specific aim to encourage huge number of artists and cultural workers from various communities and fields to work together and support the advocacy efforts for moral transformation, truth and peace, this three-day event calls to the public especially the younger generation to recognize their significant role in changing the society.
“We cannot change our society if we will utilize past models of ideology or whatever it is. Through art, hopefully, we could release the creative energies that are suppressed. And why Rizal, his search for truth is part of his life, a good historical example and Rizal was a person of multiple intelligence,” Perlas explains.
Highlights of the festival include a special opening program and the launch of Corruptionary, a dictionary of terms related to the issue of corruption; choral concerts by the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ Choral Alliance and some government choirs; dance performances by Transitopia, Ballet Manila, Kabataang ROFG, among others; and a one-hour rock band concert to be performed by popular rock bands from the RockEd Alliance to be held at the mall’s Activity Center.
“We are defining a new way of being Filipino which is conscious living with integrity. And this is just an entry point. You, with your own talent, with your own unique expression how you are going to bring change, you are invited to these events,” Panjee Tapales, also a co-founder of Pagasa, said during the press conference at the CCP.
There will also be film screenings of Eddie Romero’s Noli Me Tangere, Marilou Diaz Abaya’s Rizal by GMA Films, and Ditsi Carolino’s Riles and Bunso at Cinema 6. For theater aficionados, outstanding theater groups from Tanghalang Pilipino, Philippine Educational Theater Association, Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc., Gantimpala Theater Foundation, and the Philippine High School for the Arts will showcase excerpts from their musical theater productions.
An interactive exhibit will be mounted by the artists of Tutok Karapatan. Handmade objects from music CDs, bric-a-brac, souvenirs and other arts and crafts will be on display for sale at the artists’ tyangge. Leading opinion makers will lead discussions after selected performances, film screenings and forums.
The culmination the three-day festival is a grand concert with a 500 - voice choir together with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) featuring the country’s top vocalists Isay Alvarez, Bayang Barrios, Lolita Carbon, May Bayot, Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, among others. The Philippine All Stars will perform a special hip-hop number to the tune of Ipanalo Ang Totoo by Fr. Albert Alejo. Dramatic readings of Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios will be presented by leading television, theater and film actors who have portrayed Rizal in the past, like Ricky Davao, Joel Torre, Tommy Abuel and Pen Medina. Stage and television actor Gary Lim will be the festival’s contemporary “Pepe”.
The grand finale of the production will be the singing of the theme song of the festival entitled Bayang May Dangal, by Fr. Alejo and Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Painting Araneta red
By Nickie Wang
Contributor / Manila Standard Today
10 June 2008
The futuristic theme of the PBB Teen Edition Plus at the Big Dome was an apt setting for its big night, especially when ex-housemates came together and welcomed promdi hottie, 18-year-old Ejay Falcon, as this edition’s Teen Big Winner.
Araneta Coliseum was nearly kaleidoscopic with colors as fans and supporters of the Teen Big Four flocked the venue early in the afternoon. Ambulances were situated at every entrance of the venue. Four colors were designated to the supporters of the four teenagers who successfully accomplished Big Brother’s final tasks; green for Beauty, red for Ejay, yellow for Nicole and blue for Robi.
The venue seemed to collapse when the program started at 8 p.m. with video clips showing the highlights of the whole season that premiered on Easter Sunday, March 23. The roaring screams of PBB fanatics got louder when, on the big video screen situated at the middle of the stage, Big Brother’s house was transformed into a space shuttle and went off the outer space.
The program was officially opened by a production number by celebrity ex-housemate John Prats and PBB Season 2 ex-housemate Mickey Perz. The cosmic dance number of the two was followed by energetic appearances of Gerald Anderson, Kim Chiu and resident extra-terrestrial Kokey. All teen evictees and house players sporting red and white clothing graced the stage in an electrifying production number accompanied by the Project One singing Ang Sarap ng Buhay. Teen housemates Valerie and Priscilla, who wore angel wings, were lifted by a harness during their presentation.
Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson delighted their fans when they came back on the stage in a production number with the rest of the My Girl cast. The ABS-CBN proved that it was indeed a big night when Billy Crawford was officially welcomed as a Kapamilya during the teaser of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2. He made his hoofs and sang his previous hit “Bright Lights” before an ecstatic crowd at the Big Dome.
Red was the color of the night
The ultramodern themed stage was highly applauded. The lighting system was superb, so were hosts Toni Gonzaga, Mariel Rodriguez, and Bianca Gonzalez who were applauded by the crowd at every commercial break.
Luiz Manzano came in riding the space shuttle-like prop at the back of the stage. He sported an astronaut suit that was later taken off by the dancers as soon as he started his spiels.
The show was extraordinary but the crowd kept on stealing the show. The upper and the lower boxes were occupied by supporters in red t-shirts. They didn’t waste time screaming the name of their favorite teen housemate. Although the name of Robi resounded at the blue occupied patron and VIP area, the rest of the Araneta roared Ejay’s name.
The famous recognizable voice of Big Brother made his final talk to the Teen Big Four and reminded them about their goals before they entered his house. He also mentioned the lessons they learned throughout the 77 days of their stay inside the camera-filled residence and advised the four teenagers to remain as inspirations and good examples to the Filipino youths.
The moment that all had been waiting for started when the countdown for the last minute of text voting was announced. The two girls were the ones who first appeared onstage. Beauty with 10.91 percent or 186,523 votes was announced as the PBB Teen 4th Big Placer. Nikki follows suit as PBB Teen 3rd Big Placer, garnering 18.39 percent or 314,582 votes. The two boys remained inside the cubicle where the Teen Big Four stayed during the entire show before the winners were proclaimed. Based on the tally, the two boys were neck-and-neck; they even switched ranks at times. Robi was awarded the PBB Teen 2nd Big Placer, with 34.39 percent or 588,115 votes. Finally, with 36.31 percent or 620,934 votes, Ejay emerged as the PBB Teen Big Winner taking home P1 million, a condominium unit at Château Valenzuela, a business franchise from Crystal Clear drinking water worth P1.5 million and a Sony Bravia plasma TV.
The Teen Big Winner
Ejay Falcon was born on Nov. 21, 1989. Towering at six feet tall, he endeared himself to the followers of the reality TV show with his good looks and down-to-earth attitude. He left his hometown Pola, Oriental Mindoro and went to Manila to find his biological mother. He was disappointed when he found out his mother has another family.
According to his profile in the PBB Teen Edition Plus Web site, this shy rural lad grew up with his stepfather. His biological father is a Frenchman. During his first visit in Manila, he confessed that he had troubles dealing with technological gadgets and even elevators. He is a courageous and determined young adult who would do whatever it takes to free his family from poverty. He regards poverty as the main reason why his parents’ marriage was ruined. He dreams big for his family that even if he is granted one wish, he’d not ask for fame but for his family to be together again.
Contributor / Manila Standard Today
10 June 2008
The futuristic theme of the PBB Teen Edition Plus at the Big Dome was an apt setting for its big night, especially when ex-housemates came together and welcomed promdi hottie, 18-year-old Ejay Falcon, as this edition’s Teen Big Winner.
Araneta Coliseum was nearly kaleidoscopic with colors as fans and supporters of the Teen Big Four flocked the venue early in the afternoon. Ambulances were situated at every entrance of the venue. Four colors were designated to the supporters of the four teenagers who successfully accomplished Big Brother’s final tasks; green for Beauty, red for Ejay, yellow for Nicole and blue for Robi.
The venue seemed to collapse when the program started at 8 p.m. with video clips showing the highlights of the whole season that premiered on Easter Sunday, March 23. The roaring screams of PBB fanatics got louder when, on the big video screen situated at the middle of the stage, Big Brother’s house was transformed into a space shuttle and went off the outer space.
The program was officially opened by a production number by celebrity ex-housemate John Prats and PBB Season 2 ex-housemate Mickey Perz. The cosmic dance number of the two was followed by energetic appearances of Gerald Anderson, Kim Chiu and resident extra-terrestrial Kokey. All teen evictees and house players sporting red and white clothing graced the stage in an electrifying production number accompanied by the Project One singing Ang Sarap ng Buhay. Teen housemates Valerie and Priscilla, who wore angel wings, were lifted by a harness during their presentation.
Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson delighted their fans when they came back on the stage in a production number with the rest of the My Girl cast. The ABS-CBN proved that it was indeed a big night when Billy Crawford was officially welcomed as a Kapamilya during the teaser of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2. He made his hoofs and sang his previous hit “Bright Lights” before an ecstatic crowd at the Big Dome.
Red was the color of the night
The ultramodern themed stage was highly applauded. The lighting system was superb, so were hosts Toni Gonzaga, Mariel Rodriguez, and Bianca Gonzalez who were applauded by the crowd at every commercial break.
Luiz Manzano came in riding the space shuttle-like prop at the back of the stage. He sported an astronaut suit that was later taken off by the dancers as soon as he started his spiels.
The show was extraordinary but the crowd kept on stealing the show. The upper and the lower boxes were occupied by supporters in red t-shirts. They didn’t waste time screaming the name of their favorite teen housemate. Although the name of Robi resounded at the blue occupied patron and VIP area, the rest of the Araneta roared Ejay’s name.
The famous recognizable voice of Big Brother made his final talk to the Teen Big Four and reminded them about their goals before they entered his house. He also mentioned the lessons they learned throughout the 77 days of their stay inside the camera-filled residence and advised the four teenagers to remain as inspirations and good examples to the Filipino youths.
The moment that all had been waiting for started when the countdown for the last minute of text voting was announced. The two girls were the ones who first appeared onstage. Beauty with 10.91 percent or 186,523 votes was announced as the PBB Teen 4th Big Placer. Nikki follows suit as PBB Teen 3rd Big Placer, garnering 18.39 percent or 314,582 votes. The two boys remained inside the cubicle where the Teen Big Four stayed during the entire show before the winners were proclaimed. Based on the tally, the two boys were neck-and-neck; they even switched ranks at times. Robi was awarded the PBB Teen 2nd Big Placer, with 34.39 percent or 588,115 votes. Finally, with 36.31 percent or 620,934 votes, Ejay emerged as the PBB Teen Big Winner taking home P1 million, a condominium unit at Château Valenzuela, a business franchise from Crystal Clear drinking water worth P1.5 million and a Sony Bravia plasma TV.
The Teen Big Winner
Ejay Falcon was born on Nov. 21, 1989. Towering at six feet tall, he endeared himself to the followers of the reality TV show with his good looks and down-to-earth attitude. He left his hometown Pola, Oriental Mindoro and went to Manila to find his biological mother. He was disappointed when he found out his mother has another family.
According to his profile in the PBB Teen Edition Plus Web site, this shy rural lad grew up with his stepfather. His biological father is a Frenchman. During his first visit in Manila, he confessed that he had troubles dealing with technological gadgets and even elevators. He is a courageous and determined young adult who would do whatever it takes to free his family from poverty. He regards poverty as the main reason why his parents’ marriage was ruined. He dreams big for his family that even if he is granted one wish, he’d not ask for fame but for his family to be together again.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Movie industry in mourning
By Nickie Wang / Manila Standard Today
09 June 2008
Movies depict life, and not all movies finish off with happy endings. Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez’s script had ended after the sunrise of June 7. At the age of 56, he passed away at 6:15 in the morning. He was surrounded by his loving wife Lorna Tolentino and sons Renz Marion and Raphael.
After being diagnosed two years ago with pariampullary cancer, a rare and an aggressive form of illness, Rudy, with wife Lorna, had traveled to the US several times to obtain treatments to prolong his life. With great courage, Rudy battled the punishing effect of the cancer to his entire body system, yet the fatal illness had trounced his courage that he had to succumb to his sad yet peaceful demise.
Rudy’s death is a fact that Lorna had to unwillingly accept. The actress who never left her husband’s side until his last breath issued a statement two days before Rudy’s death that she’s ready to accept her husband’s sad fate.
Rudy was confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center for a month before he was brought home where his family, closest friends and relatives watched over him agonizingly and reluctantly as they waited for his fadeout.
Their home on Joeylane Street in White Plains in Quezon City was filled with grief with the presence of Rudy’s closest friends like Senator Jinggoy Estrada, actors Tirso Cruz III and Amy Austria, who gave way to Rudy’s immediate family during his last moment. Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, another close pal of Rudy, left the Fernandezes’ residence two hours before Rudy expired. Tirso was fighting back his tears when he had an interview a few hours after Rudy’s death saying that two or three weeks before, he and his wife had to do the ocular for the action star’s burial place.
Rudy’s final wish was to be laid to rest at the Heritage Park in Taguig City and to have all his fans allowed to visit his wake and be given free shuttle service. The action hero is getting this wish as his supporters flock his wake at the Heritage Memorial Chapels and Crematorium at The Fort in Taguig City when it was opened for public visit on Saturday afternoon.
Daboy, the action hero
Rudy started his stint in showbiz at the age of four, his debut film was Luksang Tagumpay (1957) directed by his father, the late actor-director Gregorio Fernandez. He then rose to fame with Bitayin si Baby Ama (1976), Ruther Batuigas... Pasukuin si Waway (1984) and Victor Corpuz (1987). These are the films that gave Daboy acting awards from Famas and Film Academy of the Philippines.
Rudy was known for his portrayal of true-to-life characters like Markang Bungo, in which he became famous for the tagline: “trabaho lang ito, walang personalan,” and movies like Ping Lacson: Supercop, (2000) and Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story (1994).
With his movies where he usually played the hero who fights for the rights of the downtrodden, a hero who topples the villains, a loving father and a husband, an actor who supports his colleague, and a person who struggled to fight his personal obstacle, Rudy Fernandez served as an inspiration to many people in and out of showbiz. And just like his movies, from oppression and defeat he would rise to victory. He was defeated by an illness, yet inspired millions with his courage to face his Creator.
09 June 2008
Movies depict life, and not all movies finish off with happy endings. Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez’s script had ended after the sunrise of June 7. At the age of 56, he passed away at 6:15 in the morning. He was surrounded by his loving wife Lorna Tolentino and sons Renz Marion and Raphael.
After being diagnosed two years ago with pariampullary cancer, a rare and an aggressive form of illness, Rudy, with wife Lorna, had traveled to the US several times to obtain treatments to prolong his life. With great courage, Rudy battled the punishing effect of the cancer to his entire body system, yet the fatal illness had trounced his courage that he had to succumb to his sad yet peaceful demise.
Rudy’s death is a fact that Lorna had to unwillingly accept. The actress who never left her husband’s side until his last breath issued a statement two days before Rudy’s death that she’s ready to accept her husband’s sad fate.
Rudy was confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center for a month before he was brought home where his family, closest friends and relatives watched over him agonizingly and reluctantly as they waited for his fadeout.
Their home on Joeylane Street in White Plains in Quezon City was filled with grief with the presence of Rudy’s closest friends like Senator Jinggoy Estrada, actors Tirso Cruz III and Amy Austria, who gave way to Rudy’s immediate family during his last moment. Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, another close pal of Rudy, left the Fernandezes’ residence two hours before Rudy expired. Tirso was fighting back his tears when he had an interview a few hours after Rudy’s death saying that two or three weeks before, he and his wife had to do the ocular for the action star’s burial place.
Rudy’s final wish was to be laid to rest at the Heritage Park in Taguig City and to have all his fans allowed to visit his wake and be given free shuttle service. The action hero is getting this wish as his supporters flock his wake at the Heritage Memorial Chapels and Crematorium at The Fort in Taguig City when it was opened for public visit on Saturday afternoon.
Daboy, the action hero
Rudy started his stint in showbiz at the age of four, his debut film was Luksang Tagumpay (1957) directed by his father, the late actor-director Gregorio Fernandez. He then rose to fame with Bitayin si Baby Ama (1976), Ruther Batuigas... Pasukuin si Waway (1984) and Victor Corpuz (1987). These are the films that gave Daboy acting awards from Famas and Film Academy of the Philippines.
Rudy was known for his portrayal of true-to-life characters like Markang Bungo, in which he became famous for the tagline: “trabaho lang ito, walang personalan,” and movies like Ping Lacson: Supercop, (2000) and Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story (1994).
With his movies where he usually played the hero who fights for the rights of the downtrodden, a hero who topples the villains, a loving father and a husband, an actor who supports his colleague, and a person who struggled to fight his personal obstacle, Rudy Fernandez served as an inspiration to many people in and out of showbiz. And just like his movies, from oppression and defeat he would rise to victory. He was defeated by an illness, yet inspired millions with his courage to face his Creator.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Boston pop quintet clicks with Pinoy teens
By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
03 June 2008
“You get one shot, one song and that’s it. And you’re in a room full of screaming girls and we played acoustically and couldn’t hear ourselves.”
Ethan Mentzer, The Click Five’s bass player, was definitely right when he uttered this quote two years ago. Last Friday night, the Boston-based quintet raised the roof of the Araneta Coliseum for their 90-minute bubblegum rock concert.
It was a night of glass-breaking screams and chair-banging as over 10,000 fans waited for the much-anticipated concert to start. The show that didn’t start just yet minutes after two front acts made the teen-dominated audience screaming at the top of their lungs even with just video clips being shown through wide screen monitors at both sides of the stage.
After almost two hours of endless waiting, the wide curtain that covered what was beneath the stage became a screen on which never-before-seen clips of Ethan Mentzer (bass), Joe Guese (lead guitar), Kyle Patrick (vocals), Ben Romans (keyboard), and Joey Zehr (drums) were projected.
The audience went wild when finally the curtain was pulled down and revealed members of The Click Five in black and gray outfits for the opening number of the show, the smash hit Flipside. With guitars adorned with glistening stones slung around their shoulders, the band members sustained and even poured out more energy when they sang “Happy Birthday”—two of their members, Kyle and Joey, actually celebrated their birthday here in the country.
Apparently, the band must have dispensed much vigor during the opening that for the third song, their performance began to show signs of weariness, hence it ended as dull and lifeless. With “Addicted To Me,” a track from their Modern Minds and Pastimes album, some of the young girls who queued at the center aisle of the Big Dome and were wild wiggling their butts with the rhythm, slowly went back to their seats. Still, they couldn’t get over the euphoria and continued moving their heads like they were banging them on an invisible wall, making them look like zombies possessed by incubus. The monotonous performance continued when they played “All I Need Is You” but instantly revived their presence with the songs “Empty” and “Summertime.” An exact irony of the song “Empty,” the Big Dome was alive and full, with the audience enjoying the last taste of summer. Grown-ups were also present at the event letting their young ones bawl to death over band members who didn’t look as dashing as they were in photographs, excluding Kyle and Ethan of course.
Ethan, Joe, Kyle, Ben, and Joey lined up on the stage when they performed their songs “There You Are,” “Just The Girl,” “Long Way To Go,” “Pump It Up,” and “When I’m Gone” before they opted for a five-minute break.
The band returned with much-renewed verve and mesmerized the screaming fans with dynamic hit “Catch Your Wave,” proceeded to another song before singing the most popular girl’s name of the evening “Jenny.” Yes, “Jenny” was the most popular name of the night and The Click Five’s performance of the song was defied by 10,000 jumping and screaming fans that even the drum beats were barely heard.
The whole audience area had its own lighting system that challenged the stage that constantly changed from yellow to green then blue to purple and red. The upper and the lower boxes were lighted by neon sticks held by the audience not to mention the red devil horns that were worn as headbands. Complimenting the effulgent crowd was the finale Headlight Disco where Kyle lay down on the floor while flaunting his flair in guitar.
The Click Five is one of the reasons Filipino fans rush to concert venues even if tickets are sold at sky-high prices. With just two albums, the band was able to produce more than five hit songs; enough to keep the crowd in a concert hanging on to the finish. How many local artists have produced two or three chart-topping singles nowadays? We can count them with our fingers in one hand. The truth is, upcoming Filipino artists are not given a chance or the financial support to show their attitude just like Ben Romans, the mad keyboardist of The Click Five who danced and waved his hands like he got away from a cuckoo’s nest. Though the band has a massive popularity here in Southeast Asia, it doesn’t enjoy the same treatment and publicity in its homeland. Well, Americans know better, they don’t enjoy shallow lyrics and redundant phrases for a song.
Indo-Pinoy singer-guitarist Lala opened the show at the Araneta at 8 p.m. and rendered some of her songs. She was able to wow the impatient crowd with her impressive vocal range. But the front act that really rocked the stage was Rivermaya who happened to have thousands of fans present at the venue. Rivermaya, with its newest lead vocalist Jason Fernandez, went retrospective playing its ’90s hits before endorsing its latest album Buhay and gave the audience a little taste from it.
03 June 2008
“You get one shot, one song and that’s it. And you’re in a room full of screaming girls and we played acoustically and couldn’t hear ourselves.”
Ethan Mentzer, The Click Five’s bass player, was definitely right when he uttered this quote two years ago. Last Friday night, the Boston-based quintet raised the roof of the Araneta Coliseum for their 90-minute bubblegum rock concert.
It was a night of glass-breaking screams and chair-banging as over 10,000 fans waited for the much-anticipated concert to start. The show that didn’t start just yet minutes after two front acts made the teen-dominated audience screaming at the top of their lungs even with just video clips being shown through wide screen monitors at both sides of the stage.
After almost two hours of endless waiting, the wide curtain that covered what was beneath the stage became a screen on which never-before-seen clips of Ethan Mentzer (bass), Joe Guese (lead guitar), Kyle Patrick (vocals), Ben Romans (keyboard), and Joey Zehr (drums) were projected.
The audience went wild when finally the curtain was pulled down and revealed members of The Click Five in black and gray outfits for the opening number of the show, the smash hit Flipside. With guitars adorned with glistening stones slung around their shoulders, the band members sustained and even poured out more energy when they sang “Happy Birthday”—two of their members, Kyle and Joey, actually celebrated their birthday here in the country.
Apparently, the band must have dispensed much vigor during the opening that for the third song, their performance began to show signs of weariness, hence it ended as dull and lifeless. With “Addicted To Me,” a track from their Modern Minds and Pastimes album, some of the young girls who queued at the center aisle of the Big Dome and were wild wiggling their butts with the rhythm, slowly went back to their seats. Still, they couldn’t get over the euphoria and continued moving their heads like they were banging them on an invisible wall, making them look like zombies possessed by incubus. The monotonous performance continued when they played “All I Need Is You” but instantly revived their presence with the songs “Empty” and “Summertime.” An exact irony of the song “Empty,” the Big Dome was alive and full, with the audience enjoying the last taste of summer. Grown-ups were also present at the event letting their young ones bawl to death over band members who didn’t look as dashing as they were in photographs, excluding Kyle and Ethan of course.
Ethan, Joe, Kyle, Ben, and Joey lined up on the stage when they performed their songs “There You Are,” “Just The Girl,” “Long Way To Go,” “Pump It Up,” and “When I’m Gone” before they opted for a five-minute break.
The band returned with much-renewed verve and mesmerized the screaming fans with dynamic hit “Catch Your Wave,” proceeded to another song before singing the most popular girl’s name of the evening “Jenny.” Yes, “Jenny” was the most popular name of the night and The Click Five’s performance of the song was defied by 10,000 jumping and screaming fans that even the drum beats were barely heard.
The whole audience area had its own lighting system that challenged the stage that constantly changed from yellow to green then blue to purple and red. The upper and the lower boxes were lighted by neon sticks held by the audience not to mention the red devil horns that were worn as headbands. Complimenting the effulgent crowd was the finale Headlight Disco where Kyle lay down on the floor while flaunting his flair in guitar.
The Click Five is one of the reasons Filipino fans rush to concert venues even if tickets are sold at sky-high prices. With just two albums, the band was able to produce more than five hit songs; enough to keep the crowd in a concert hanging on to the finish. How many local artists have produced two or three chart-topping singles nowadays? We can count them with our fingers in one hand. The truth is, upcoming Filipino artists are not given a chance or the financial support to show their attitude just like Ben Romans, the mad keyboardist of The Click Five who danced and waved his hands like he got away from a cuckoo’s nest. Though the band has a massive popularity here in Southeast Asia, it doesn’t enjoy the same treatment and publicity in its homeland. Well, Americans know better, they don’t enjoy shallow lyrics and redundant phrases for a song.
Indo-Pinoy singer-guitarist Lala opened the show at the Araneta at 8 p.m. and rendered some of her songs. She was able to wow the impatient crowd with her impressive vocal range. But the front act that really rocked the stage was Rivermaya who happened to have thousands of fans present at the venue. Rivermaya, with its newest lead vocalist Jason Fernandez, went retrospective playing its ’90s hits before endorsing its latest album Buhay and gave the audience a little taste from it.
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