Tuesday, February 18, 2014
"Gilingang Bato" (Millstone)
In an era when there was no electric food processing equipment, our ancestors used the gilingang bato (millstone) to grind rice and other grains into flour. The end product is then cooked with other ingredients to make puto (rice cake). The gilingang bato comprises a stationary bedstone and a turning runner stone. The runner stone is rotated above the bedstone to conduct the grinding. It has a shaft that is typically made of wood.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Michael Christian Martinez: First Filipino Figure Skater at the Winter Olympics
Filipinos witnessed sports history on February 13 and 14 as Michael Christian Martinez participated in men's single figure skating at the XXII Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Martinez, the lone Filipino delegate to the quadrennial event, is also the first Southeast Asian skater to qualify for the Olympics.
Considering that the Philippines does not have winter, audiences from other countries got amazed with Martinez's flexible moves. Despite the lack of proper training facilities in this country, Martinez still pulled it off. No thanks to the government, their family's house was even mortgaged to finance the preparations. He has proved that dedication and determination is a bigger factor to realize significant achievement in sports (and any other endeavor).
Martinez may have finished nineteenth in a field of thirty competitors, but his first Olympic stint is considered a quantum leap for his skating career. Only seventeen years of age, he has still lots of opportunity to further improve his skills and prove to be a threat to leading names in figure skating. This young man has just proved that there is hope for Philippine sports. Let us support his quest to win the elusive Olympic gold medal and impart glory to this country.
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| Image Credit: InterAksyon |
Considering that the Philippines does not have winter, audiences from other countries got amazed with Martinez's flexible moves. Despite the lack of proper training facilities in this country, Martinez still pulled it off. No thanks to the government, their family's house was even mortgaged to finance the preparations. He has proved that dedication and determination is a bigger factor to realize significant achievement in sports (and any other endeavor).
Martinez may have finished nineteenth in a field of thirty competitors, but his first Olympic stint is considered a quantum leap for his skating career. Only seventeen years of age, he has still lots of opportunity to further improve his skills and prove to be a threat to leading names in figure skating. This young man has just proved that there is hope for Philippine sports. Let us support his quest to win the elusive Olympic gold medal and impart glory to this country.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
This Week in Philippine History and Culture (February 15 to 21)
Feb. 15, 1895: Jovita Fuentes (d. August 7, 1978) is born in the capital town of Capiz (now Roxas City) in Capiz province. During the 1920s and 1930s, Fuentes gained renown as an opera singer abroad. In 1976, Fuentes became the first Filipina who earned the National Artist in Music.
Feb. 16, 1899: Apolinario Mabini, the Prime Minister of the Philippine Republic under President Emilio Aguinaldo, writes a letter to Galicano Apacible in Hong Kong. The letter informs Apacible of the outbreak of the Filipino-American war on February 4. Mabini blames the Americans for initiating the hostilities. At that time, Apacible is an adviser to the High Council of the Revolutionists.
Feb. 17, 1872: Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Apolonio Burgos and Jacinto Zamora, better known for the acronym GOMBURZA, were executed by Spanish authorities in Bagumbayan (currently known as Luneta Park) in connection with the 1872 Cavite Mutiny.
GOMBURZA was apparently the target of a hate campaign for these priests' efforts to lead a campaign against abusive Spanish friars and advocate equal rights among priests. Their stand about secularization in the Philippines also led to animosity between religious regulars and church seculars.
Feb. 17, 1897: The Battle of Zapote Bridge between the Spanish forces and the Filipino revolutionaries takes place. General Emilio Aguinaldo led Filipino revolutionaries to victory over Spanish troops under Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja. The bridge connected the provinces of Rizal and Cavite.
Feb. 17, 2006: A massive mudslide occurs in Guinsaugon village in the town of Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte province. It is preceded by a ten-day period of heavy rains and an earthquake measuring magnitude 2.6 on the Richter scale. According to official reports, the mudslide claimed 1,126 lives.
Feb. 18, 1976: Broadcast journalist Bernadette Sembrano is born in Manila. Sembrano currently hosts Salamat Dok!, a current affairs television program that deals with health-related issues. She also anchors Radyo Patrol Balita on radio.
Feb. 18, 1981: Pope John Paul II beatifies Lorenzo Ruiz, an altar boy in seventeenth-century Binondo, during his papal visit. The beatification, which was the first held outside the Vatican City, paved the way for Ruiz's elevation to sainthood six years later.
Feb. 19, 1886: Jose Abad Santos (d. May 2, 1942), the fifth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is born in San Fernando, Pampanga. Abad Santos' refusal to cooperate with the Japanese led to his execution during the early years of the Second World War in the Philippines. In commemoration of Abad Santos' martyrdom, his image appears on the currently circulating 1,000-peso bill.
Feb. 19, 1888: Aurora Aragon-Quezon, wife of Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, is born in the town of Baler, Tayabas (now Aurora province.) She was known for her involvement in civic organizations.
Aragon-Quezon served as the first chairperson of the Philippine National Red Cross when it was established as an independent Red Cross Organization in 1947. She was also appointed as honorary vice president of the Philippine Tuberculosis Society.
Feb. 19, 1993: Actress and commercial model Empress Schuck. She is currently part of Star Magic, ABS-CBN's roster of talents. She started her showbiz career as an award-winning child performer in the 2000 film Nine Mornings. Empress' latest films include On the Job and Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay.
Feb. 20, 1862: Francisco Balagtas (b. April 2, 1788), the so-called "Prince of Tagalog Poets" for his contributions to Philippine literature, dies. Balagtas was known for writing Florante at Laura. A form of debate in extemporaneous verse is named balagtasan in his honor.
Feb. 21, 1853: Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo (d. March 13, 1913), one of the greatest nineteenth-century Filipino painters, is born in Manila's Binondo district. Hidalgo's silver-medal finish for the painting, Las virgenes Cristianas expuestas al populacho, at the 1884 Madrid Exposition of Fine Arts is one of the highlights of his career.
In 1904, Hidalgo received a gold medal for his overall participation at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri. Another gold medal was accorded to his El Violinista.
Feb. 16, 1899: Apolinario Mabini, the Prime Minister of the Philippine Republic under President Emilio Aguinaldo, writes a letter to Galicano Apacible in Hong Kong. The letter informs Apacible of the outbreak of the Filipino-American war on February 4. Mabini blames the Americans for initiating the hostilities. At that time, Apacible is an adviser to the High Council of the Revolutionists.
Feb. 17, 1872: Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Apolonio Burgos and Jacinto Zamora, better known for the acronym GOMBURZA, were executed by Spanish authorities in Bagumbayan (currently known as Luneta Park) in connection with the 1872 Cavite Mutiny.
GOMBURZA was apparently the target of a hate campaign for these priests' efforts to lead a campaign against abusive Spanish friars and advocate equal rights among priests. Their stand about secularization in the Philippines also led to animosity between religious regulars and church seculars.
Feb. 17, 1897: The Battle of Zapote Bridge between the Spanish forces and the Filipino revolutionaries takes place. General Emilio Aguinaldo led Filipino revolutionaries to victory over Spanish troops under Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja. The bridge connected the provinces of Rizal and Cavite.
Feb. 17, 2006: A massive mudslide occurs in Guinsaugon village in the town of Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte province. It is preceded by a ten-day period of heavy rains and an earthquake measuring magnitude 2.6 on the Richter scale. According to official reports, the mudslide claimed 1,126 lives.
Feb. 18, 1976: Broadcast journalist Bernadette Sembrano is born in Manila. Sembrano currently hosts Salamat Dok!, a current affairs television program that deals with health-related issues. She also anchors Radyo Patrol Balita on radio.
Feb. 18, 1981: Pope John Paul II beatifies Lorenzo Ruiz, an altar boy in seventeenth-century Binondo, during his papal visit. The beatification, which was the first held outside the Vatican City, paved the way for Ruiz's elevation to sainthood six years later.
Feb. 19, 1886: Jose Abad Santos (d. May 2, 1942), the fifth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is born in San Fernando, Pampanga. Abad Santos' refusal to cooperate with the Japanese led to his execution during the early years of the Second World War in the Philippines. In commemoration of Abad Santos' martyrdom, his image appears on the currently circulating 1,000-peso bill.
Feb. 19, 1888: Aurora Aragon-Quezon, wife of Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, is born in the town of Baler, Tayabas (now Aurora province.) She was known for her involvement in civic organizations.
Aragon-Quezon served as the first chairperson of the Philippine National Red Cross when it was established as an independent Red Cross Organization in 1947. She was also appointed as honorary vice president of the Philippine Tuberculosis Society.
Feb. 19, 1993: Actress and commercial model Empress Schuck. She is currently part of Star Magic, ABS-CBN's roster of talents. She started her showbiz career as an award-winning child performer in the 2000 film Nine Mornings. Empress' latest films include On the Job and Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay.
Feb. 20, 1862: Francisco Balagtas (b. April 2, 1788), the so-called "Prince of Tagalog Poets" for his contributions to Philippine literature, dies. Balagtas was known for writing Florante at Laura. A form of debate in extemporaneous verse is named balagtasan in his honor.
Feb. 21, 1853: Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo (d. March 13, 1913), one of the greatest nineteenth-century Filipino painters, is born in Manila's Binondo district. Hidalgo's silver-medal finish for the painting, Las virgenes Cristianas expuestas al populacho, at the 1884 Madrid Exposition of Fine Arts is one of the highlights of his career.
In 1904, Hidalgo received a gold medal for his overall participation at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri. Another gold medal was accorded to his El Violinista.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Mat Ranillo III, the Pork Barrel Scam and His Religious Movies
Anyone who follows local news have heard about the alleged involvement of actor Mat Ranillo III in the 10-billion-peso pork barrel scam. For instance, ABS-CBN News has reported about documents showing that Ranillo earned millions of pesos in commissions from mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. Ranillo, however, has apparently sent feelers indicating his intention to cooperate with the investigation and clear his name.
The news might come as a surprise considering that Ranillo's good looks and charisma cannot be associated with such corrupt acts. Moreover, he is famous for portraying religious movies in the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country. Those who recall this film roles of his movies might be left in disbelief.
In 1988, he played the title role in Lorenzo Ruiz: The Saint ... A Filipino. This movie was released in the aftermath of Pope John Paul II's canonization of the first Filipino saint. Reruns of Lorenzo Ruiz can be seen on television. Interestingly, I recall that the actors who performed as Ruiz's Japanese persecutors spoke in Tagalog but with Japanese accent.
Eight years later Ranillo portrayed Jesus Christ in Kristo, which is also an adaptation of a stage presentation that were performed every Lenten season during the late '80s and early '90s. Although the dialogue is spoken in Tagalog, the movie has the very appropriate tagline "The Man behind Mankind's redemption." In view of the thickening plot of the pork barrel scam, Ranillo should prove his innocence and gain redemption in the eyes of the public.
The news might come as a surprise considering that Ranillo's good looks and charisma cannot be associated with such corrupt acts. Moreover, he is famous for portraying religious movies in the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country. Those who recall this film roles of his movies might be left in disbelief.
In 1988, he played the title role in Lorenzo Ruiz: The Saint ... A Filipino. This movie was released in the aftermath of Pope John Paul II's canonization of the first Filipino saint. Reruns of Lorenzo Ruiz can be seen on television. Interestingly, I recall that the actors who performed as Ruiz's Japanese persecutors spoke in Tagalog but with Japanese accent.
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| Image Credit: Video48 blog |
Eight years later Ranillo portrayed Jesus Christ in Kristo, which is also an adaptation of a stage presentation that were performed every Lenten season during the late '80s and early '90s. Although the dialogue is spoken in Tagalog, the movie has the very appropriate tagline "The Man behind Mankind's redemption." In view of the thickening plot of the pork barrel scam, Ranillo should prove his innocence and gain redemption in the eyes of the public.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Filipino Movies with Titles that Include the Word "Puso" (Heart): 1994 to 1996
Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko (I Wish I Had Two Hearts), a co-production by Viva Films and GMA Network, opened in theaters on July 27, 1994. Rustom Padilla, Dina Bonnevie and Alice Dixson led the cast of this movie. The title is based on a song by Bodjie's Law of Gravity. Under the direction of Laurice Guillen, other cast members include Gloria Romero, Tonton Gutierrez and Charito Solis.
The cast of Kazuki Omori's Sigaw ng Puso (Cry of the Heart), a co-production by Premier International Corp. and Megavision Films, includes Filipino and Japanese actors. Lorna Tolentino, Sharmaine Arnaiz and Hiroyuki Sanada led the cast. Cynthia Luster even had a guest role in this movie, which opened in theaters on November 23, 1995.
A check with this movie's IMDB entry shows that the Japanese title is Kinkyu yobidashi - Emajenshi koru (Emergency Call). Omori is also known for directing a couple of Godzilla movies: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) and Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991).
Muling Umawit ang Puso (The Heart Sang Once More) was an entry to the 1995 Metro Manila Film Festival. It swept 11 major festival awards including Best Picture for Viva Films, Best Actress for Nora Aunor, Best Supporting Actress for Donna Cruz, Best Supporting Actor for Albert Martinez, Best Director for Joel Lamangan.
Based on the poster's layout, Ganti ng Puso (Revenge of the Heart) might be surmised as a sex-drama movie. It opened in theaters on January 31, 1996. The cast of this Mahogany Pictures production was led by Stella Ruiz, under the direction of Francis "Jun" Posadas. Other cast members include Dennis Roldan, Efren Reyes, King Gutierrez and Gandong Cervantes.
Tubusin Mo ng Bala ang Puso Ko (Redeem My Heart with a Bullet), a co-production by OctoArts Films and Cinemax Studios (currently known as GMA Films), teamed up then-couple Edu Manzano and Anjanette Abayari. It was first released on March 14, 1996. The action-drama movie was helmed by Toto Natividad. Supporting roles were portrayed by Mark Gil, Bembol Roco, Jenette Fernando and Ronaldo Valdez.
Bayarang Puso (Hired Heart) opened on June 20, 1996 as Regal Films' entry to that year's edition of Manila Film Festival. It was about a love triangle involving characters portrayed by Lorna Tolentino, Carmina Villarroel and Aga Muhlach. Jose Javier Reyes directed this movie.
Pusong Hiram (Borrowed Heart), an RJ Films Production of a Kara Films International presentation, was first released on November 5, 1996. It features Emilio Garcia, Richard Bonnin, Gem Castillo and Rita Magdalena. Jose "Kaka" Balagtas wrote the story and screenplay, while Leonardo Jose handled the direction.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Ylang-ylang Tree
The ylang-ylang, scientifically known as Cananga odorata, is a tree that is known for its fragrant yellow flowers. An essential oil derived from these flowers is used for making perfumes and for aromatherapy.
Originating from the Philippines, the name of the ylang-ylang tree is presumably derived from the Tagalog word ilang, meaning "wilderness", alluding to its natural habitat. Other sources say it was ilang-ilan or "rare."
Other countries propagate ylang-ylang as an export crop. For instance, the essential oil alone constitutes 29% of the annual exports of Comoros. The Philippine government should take note, start an industry and penetrate the growing world perfumery market.
Originating from the Philippines, the name of the ylang-ylang tree is presumably derived from the Tagalog word ilang, meaning "wilderness", alluding to its natural habitat. Other sources say it was ilang-ilan or "rare."
Other countries propagate ylang-ylang as an export crop. For instance, the essential oil alone constitutes 29% of the annual exports of Comoros. The Philippine government should take note, start an industry and penetrate the growing world perfumery market.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Nano-Nano Candy TV Commercial
Nowadays, the word "nano" refers to the shortened form of "nanotechnology." Repeat it twice and nostalgia ensues. Many people who grew up during the 1990s probably remember a candy brand named Nano-Nano. It has that catchy commercial jingle with lyrics going like this:
Oh Nano, Nano it drives me crazy
I really love what it does to me
Sweet, sour and salty
Nano, Nano, Nano, Nano
Nano, Nano
Nanooooooooooooo!
Out of curiosity, I recall buying a sachet of this candy once. The taste did not really stick to my memory. The jingle, however, remained ingrained in the collective consciousness of many '90s kids, yours truly included. I have always thought that the candy was a Filipino product, but surfing through YouTube proved otherwise: Nano-Nano is an Indonesian brand. It is a product of Nimm's, a subsidiary of the pharma firm Konimex.
Shown above is, the only available copy of the TV commercial, on YouTube. The Indonesian origin of Nano-Nano led many viewers to believe that the characters in this commercial sing in Bahasa Indonesian. Many commented that it was Bahasa Malaysian. A voice announcer named Harith Iskandar speaks into the end of this commercial. Hopefully in the future, an English version that was aired on Philippine TV surfaces on YouTube.
Oh Nano, Nano it drives me crazy
I really love what it does to me
Sweet, sour and salty
Nano, Nano, Nano, Nano
Nano, Nano
Nanooooooooooooo!
Out of curiosity, I recall buying a sachet of this candy once. The taste did not really stick to my memory. The jingle, however, remained ingrained in the collective consciousness of many '90s kids, yours truly included. I have always thought that the candy was a Filipino product, but surfing through YouTube proved otherwise: Nano-Nano is an Indonesian brand. It is a product of Nimm's, a subsidiary of the pharma firm Konimex.
Video Credit: YouTube / norberto manero
Shown above is, the only available copy of the TV commercial, on YouTube. The Indonesian origin of Nano-Nano led many viewers to believe that the characters in this commercial sing in Bahasa Indonesian. Many commented that it was Bahasa Malaysian. A voice announcer named Harith Iskandar speaks into the end of this commercial. Hopefully in the future, an English version that was aired on Philippine TV surfaces on YouTube.
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