Celeb City

Willie Revillame Signs Contract with TV-5 / Manny Pangilinan, Gets Sued by ABS-CBN

2010-09-23T07:47:00.000-05:00

ABS-CBN recently failed a counterclaim damage suit against their former talent and noon-time host of show Wowowee, Mr. Willie Revillame. Revillame, however, did not appear worried about the half-billion peso counter suit as he simply brushed it off and said that his attorneys would handle it. Rather, Willie would like to remember the good memories about his former bosses.

It is now known that Willie Revillame has signed a three year contract with and is now the newest talent of Manuel 'Manny' (MVP) Pangilinan's budding and aggressive TV-5 media network, where he will host a new primetime game show much like the now defunct Wowowee. The new show will be likely be called 'Willing Willie' and Revillame reportedly has the help of many of his former colleagues who opted to also resign from ABS-CBN and sign as employees of Willie's Wil Productions and TV-5.

TV-5 hopes to utilize Willie Revillame's popularity, especially with OFWs, in order to bolster viewership overseas. They plan on launching a similar offering to ABS-CBN's TFC.

Nanay and Me - David Nugent

2010-09-02T03:12:00.000-05:00

David Nugent's LABRADORS
Amber, Neqwa, Anya and Nanay

Nanay and me
By David Nugent
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:47:00 08/29/2009
Filed Under: Animals

WE CALL her nanay (“Mother”), the dog. We call her that even though her name is really Kolya. She’s a black, mid-tall and happily fat female Labrador, with soft paws and a rather kindly looking face. She looks and feels – especially when you squeeze her for a hug – just like a teddy bear.

She’s all the more remarkable to me, especially since I didn’t really want her in the first place. It wasn’t because I don’t love dogs. In fact, my relationships with four-legged canines seem to have run on a much more even keel than any of my prior ones with human bipeds. It’s just that when Nanay appeared in my life last January, my existing household of three female Labradors already seemed complete.

But it wasn’t complete, as it turned out. Life and the universe are decidedly of their own mind about directing our individual destinies, and it is now clear to me mine was directed to allow just one more bitch in my life. Albeit a happy bitch who likes to slobber everywhere.

My friend and I had chanced upon Nanay when it seemed she needed some serious TLC. My plan then was to get her cleaned up and into a good home as quickly as possible. There were a couple of other Labradors friends of mine had needed to find homes for, so for a few frantic days, my friend Elizabeth and I immersed ourselves in a rapid search to locate adoptive homes for a large yellow male Labrador and his best friend, a diminutive but fiercely protective female. And also for this ol‘ girl Kolya, who we quickly started calling “Nanay,” because as it turned out, she was the mother of a Lab that I already owned.

I thought my house of dogs – the doghouse, really – was full to the brim of Labrador life. I’d been the proud parent of Neqwa (her full real name is a little politically incorrect, and let’s just leave it at that) for nearly four years. With her is her best friend, one-and-a-half-old Anya, and their eight-year-old Ate Amber, who had developed into her own version of an alpha dog. You could say my life was already full of dogs.

But we couldn’t find the right home for Nanay. So since January, my life has become an increasingly rambunctious and funny one, finally completed when I landed the fourth happy bitch in my life.

Walking four Labs

Living with four Labradors is anything but boring. Take walking around the village, for example. Now, it’s one thing to walk just one Labrador. As many Lab owners will probably attest, walking a Labrador is not an exercise for the sedentary.

Going and going and going some more – preferably if there’s maniacal running in the offing, and even more desirable than that, if there’s a cat or a bird worth chasing. Which in my village, means encountering one every 10 paces. Which also means that morning and evening walks often are an exercise in: frustration (dog sees cat, frees herself from leash and runs away), humor (a maid will see all four dogs and tear down the street screaming, thinking that the girls are after her throat when all they want is to lick her to Hades) and even relief (completion of every harrowing walk).

Wrong leash

When I was in California last January, I thought I had lucked upon the perfect purchase: a single leash that branches out into two leashes – the concept being that I could walk all four dogs at once. But alas, if anyone has every tried tethering two Labradors to a hand, for a grand sum of four, and then attempted a jog, after the four rambunctious bitches have spotted a cat, then one will see what a ruefully wrong purchase I had made. Especially since my four girls weigh collectively somewhere around 140-plus kilos.

It’s no joke – Labradors aren’t just like little kids – they are little kids, with quirky and endearing personalities that ensure daily life is full of hair, mess and laughter.

Nanay, it turns out, is the coolest dog I’ve ever known. It’s a coolness that comes with experience, I think. Perhaps it’s because she’s given birth a couple times, perhaps it’s because she has been around that proverbial block in life, perhaps it’s because she’s just thrilled nowadays to have so many yellow toys – we discovered her penchant for anything yellow within minutes after arriving at my house – but she’s become the cool chick just happy to sit by my side. She’ll sit and kind of tilt her head, and for a moment, I’ll look at her and wonder what deep thought she’s sinking into. She’ll stare into space and her eye will turn and her tail will swing so far from left to right you’d think she was trying to levitate herself.

If you believe, as I do, that dogs have feelings and memories, it’s easy to see what’s happening. She remembers her pain. She remembers some sadness. And then she looks at the people she’s with now, and she lets it go. I’ve learned that there is no better teacher for living in the moment than a dog.

And while I love each of my four girls to death, sometimes it seems my three pre-Nanay girls are sometimes just too city-slick sophisticated for their own good.

Amber, who was raised by me since she was just three months old, has a predilection for aged cheddar cheese. She could be asleep, but if someone opens some cheese a kilometer away, she’d know. But that élan is tempered by the fact that every once in a while, she’d freak me out by eating her own excrement.

Neqwa, on the other hand, loves ice-cold water, strawberries, and a good Scooby-doo movie. Meanwhile, Anya, formerly the puppy and now the largest of the four, has developed a coy strategy of waiting after everyone has left the dining table, and when the coast is clear, graciously taking it upon herself to clean all the plates. She’s particularly keen whenever there is Filipino food. Or pasta.

Happiness

Nanay is a wholly different dog. Unlike most Labradors – well, my three, at least – she doesn’t sit in the kitchen salivating amid the aroma of cooking food. She doesn’t care for the fresh Nylabone out of the cellophane that her more worldly and suave co-conspirators prefer. It matters little to her whether her bed is the soft seat of a leather sofa or a freshly laundered comforter dropped on the floor. Her happiness, I’ve realized, is due entirely to one measure alone. It comes from her proximity to those that she loves, and the joy of that moment.

It’s a pretty amazing thing, to realize that happiness can be derived from mere closeness, but as I sit and type and look down on the ol‘ girl – her head resting on my feet, tag wagging when she subconsciously realizes that I’m looking at her – it seems to me that just being next or near to the source of her love is about as joyful an experience as anyone could have.

Nanay teaches me lots of other lessons every day, and all of them have little to do with being a dog per se. Most of the lessons are the same lessons we learn from every one of us. It’s true – I’m as guilty as the next of assigning feelings, motives and intentions to my four-legged family members, as I know so many other dog-lovers do. And if you saw the movie “Marley and Me” last year, you’d know what I mean.

And it is true – dogs just get it. They get us. And they can and do continue to teach even the most jaded of us the most amazing lessons in life. About acceptance and tolerance and companionship. About love. About what’s important and about what’s certainly not. And I’m just grateful to be able to learn from them. Having a dog – or rather, learning from your dog – is a little piece of heaven.

Milan Kundera could not have said it any better: “Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog [on a hillside] on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring, it was peace.”

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090829-222615/Nanay-and-me

Opening My Pandora's Box for Christmas - David Nugent

2010-09-02T03:06:00.000-05:00

Opening my Pandora’s box for Christmas
By David Nugent
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:48:00 12/13/2008

Filed Under: Lifestyle & Leisure
IT is nearly the peak of the Christmas season and you’re probably thinking about all you’d want to thank this year. As for me, I have something to be tremendously thankful for. And it starts with a box.

I have always liked to collect boxes, starting when I was a child, when I’d put trinkets, baseball cards, marbles, odd mementos, in discarded candy or cookie tins. Nowadays my boxes are altogether different—crafted from fine wood, marble, porcelain and other precious materials, and exquisite to the eye.

They’re found on almost every surface of my little house—on countertops, coffee tables, sideboards, shelves. There are boxes in bedrooms and bathrooms, and boxes inside larger boxes that rest inside even larger ones.

But no matter how elaborate the box, it is at its simplest, just a box—open one up, and find something inside.

Blocked

Six months ago, in this newspaper, I decided to open the most complex box I owned, one I’d convinced myself had long been forgotten. Lying forlorn in some interior cavity of my soul was a box that contained years of blocked memories and emotions, of a life I had been determined to run away from.

It was a box I feared confronting—painful memories of an often violently abusive father and an almost unnaturally detached and deluded mother. It was a Pandora’s box of the soul, a place dark and deep and where I had barely ventured into these past 20 years.

But life’s trajectory forced me to reach down and open it. The decision to write about it was disconcerting to those close and dear to me. They implored me not to go public. Why dredge up these bad memories for everyone to see?

Breaking the cycle

Sometime in my 20s, one lunch with my mother, I brought up our seemingly demented upbringing. My mother, herself recently and finally divorced from my father, cut me off: “It wasn’t that bad.” I let it go at that time.

Pandora’s box had been kept closed, but at a very steep price. Over the past 20 years, I had contrived to live my life in a series of emotional boxes. By locking so much of my own history away, I had also locked a good part of myself away.

In succeeding years, despite my relatively successful profession, my life’s trajectory had been stunted because I had never freed myself from the pain and sorrow of early years. By not confronting my family’s story, I had never truly been able to move beyond it.

A jerk

Opening that box empowered me to confront, once and for all, an adult I didn’t like all that much, or respect. For while I had a great job, so-called great friends and the semblance of a great life, it was pretty much just a stage set for a play I really didn’t want to watch. I had become a jerk.

I had become the slick and suave product of what I had long preached not to become to my clients, bosses, coworkers, friends—and that is, believe your own PR.

There’s a whole lot of jerks in this world, and I was handed my membership card at a rather young age. I made the mistake of believing that hubris and projection could cover a poorly made box, that a Gucci suit, vacation in St. Barts or Bali, the right bon mot, or the proper recitation of the menu of the six-star restaurant of the moment, could represent the complete person. I was a box with expensive gilding, yet once opened it was empty.

Now, because I’ve been able to think openly about those two persons who had hurt me, for the first time I’ve started to understand them. I’ve realized that the negative, two-dimension portrait I had painted of my parents wasn’t necessarily a full picture of who they were.

Magical moments

For 20 years I’ve not spoken to my father except for a couple of barely uttered sentences, really forgettable.

At the celebratory lunch after I delivered a rousing speech in my high school graduation, my father said that the violence he had been inflicting on me was a key ingredient to my academic success. Then and there I decided to lock all memories of him away.

But I had become an angry person—angry at the world, at myself for being the coward who was too terrified to open his box.

And when I did open that box, it brought a flood of memories, many bad, others not so bad, and some actually quite magical. The key to that has been recalling the days that were not so dark. My sister and I talk about them all the time now.

There were, indeed, moments that were purely magic. Such as that hot summer day when my mother preoccupied with herself and a father away on business led me and my sister to build a clubhouse (really a shack) of old boards next to our house in San Diego.

Or when I adopted a stray spotted dog and shared a week of bliss with it until Spot ran back home. Or when I constructed my own model of Ancient Egypt, with a blue construction-paper Nile and brown cardboard pyramids, stretching across the first floor of a concrete spider-house on Subic hills—which my sister promptly invaded with a surprise population of Barbie dolls.

Trapped

Perhaps most critical to my own soul has been the reawakening of memories of magic concerning my father—who probably, desperately did not want to abuse his only son. But he was trapped in his own box, with no wherewithal to escape it.

And maybe because he let himself down again and again, that could be why he also went to the other extreme of pampering, spoiling and ensuring that his son saw and experienced some things of beauty and happiness. Because he did.

Forgiveness

Finally, 20 years and six months after I stopped speaking to him, I can remember walking with him through the Huntington Gardens and Museum in Pasadena, Ca., where Gainsborough’s “Blue Boy” hung behind its velvet-rope splendor and a brass sign indicated: “Do not touch.”

I remember staring at that painting, and telling my father I did, indeed, want to touch it. He slightly leaned toward me, squeezed my shoulder ever so gently, smiled, and softly said: “Go ahead, son.”

Yes, my father and mother had deeply hurt me, and I believed they had damaged my soul beyond repair. But I’ve had a more powerful realization: rejecting my parents for so many years meant I had rejected myself in so many ways. It meant every relationship I had since childhood was incomplete and could never succeed because I had not even reconciled with myself, or with the couple who brought me into this world.

I’m finally able to look at my parents not as I had before: super-persons on pedestals who, inevitably, fell from their perch and broke my heart. Because they were much more than that, and less.

My parents were just a man and a woman carrying pains and histories they probably wanted to forget but could not. Confronting who they were and what they did, I’ve been able to forgive and love them again.

Because love—that indefinable thing—was also what drew a man, who didn’t like European paintings, to spend a sunny afternoon with a boy who was just discovering that he did. For that, I thank that man a thousand times over.

Whole spirit

For years I had simply believed my father to be dead, but I’ve come to the point where I hope it isn’t too late to revive him and see what person he has become. I will call my father soon, and as painful as it may be in the beginning, I have a gut feeling that over time, the pain won’t last.

I hope one day the old man could take me fishing again, as he did so many times when I was a boy, and we’d sit by the water, reels in hand, sitting often in silence but happily, whether we’d get the catch of the day or not.

The past few months have enabled me to renew my relationship with my mother, whom I call more often and with whom the jokes are easier, the banter flowing. And my sister, whom I had left to deal with my parents when I hurriedly left for college, has renewed her relationship with me as well.

As we approach Christmas Day, I’ve really gone to town with the whole spirit. There are two trees in my little house, one downstairs, a live Douglas Fir from the States; and upstairs, a tall plastic one made in China, covered with ornaments made in the Philippines. There are crazy lights all over the place.

My loved ones and friends who come over just can’t believe the amount of work my helpers and I have done to create such an oddly exuberant monument to the holidays.

It’s really quite simple. I have so much to be thankful for: a grandmother whose memory shines bright every day; parents I truly love; and the rebuilding of relationships I thought had been fractured forever.

I guess that’s why this December I’m humming more Christmas tunes than usual, or trying to find one more space to put up one more light. Because all that I’ve been so fortunate to receive this year, this bounty of the heart, wouldn’t have been possible unless somebody or some thing up there decided it was time for me to finally learn my lesson.

Opening Pandora’s box has given me peace.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20081213-177853/Opening-my-Pandoras-box-for-Christmas

Lies My Mother Told Me - David Nugent

2010-09-02T03:00:00.000-05:00

Lies my mother told me
By David Nugent
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:30:00 06/01/2008
Filed Under: Family, Lifestyle & Leisure

MANILA, Philippines - Everyone has a story. This is part of mine.

My story begins on a desk. Or, my mother says I was born on a desk. It had become a family joke—David who was born on the desk. For years I didn’t believe it, until I’d find out later that much of the family lore of my youth was a lie.

Those lies ranged from the mundane—my parents being married in a grand church wedding in the Philippines—to the ridiculous—that no one in the family had photographs of that wedding because my grandmother’s house where all the photos were kept burned down. Only years later would I find out that it never happened.

In the summer of 1989, I was going through my mothers’ papers. I chanced upon an envelope of old birth certificates and other documents. One caught my interest—a Philippine Record of a Live Birth. In the section that noted whether the child was legitimate or illegitimate, mine was marked in the latter.

Up to that day, I had lived with another story. No one had told me the truth about being born illegitimate. I remember eventually confronting my mother, a proud, if obstinate, woman, and who faced with the 19-year-old lie she had kept me enmeshed in, reacted only with anger and distress. I could barely understand why.

I had a childhood that was marked by severe and tragic behavior—abuse. Violent, bruising physical abuse. Abuse that began at an early age, from a father whose own father had abused him, who as a child had to pull a shotgun on his father to prevent his own mother from being beaten even more savagely.

Hidden away

When you are hit often and hard as child, when you are kept largely hidden away from the relationships and friendships that one needs in early childhood socialization, your emotional self can go in several directions. Many cope by creating places to escape to in their mind. If you cannot physically run away from abuse, you will find some place in the soul where you can thrive until you overcome what is being done to you.

That was how I began at a very early age, to deal with the abuse of a family environment that could have nearly broken me. Truth is, it nearly did.

Abusive behavior is usually unpredictable. It comes from the most unlikely places. I recall one time being beaten severely because I had returned home from a Boy Scout meeting and my drunken father was in no mood to hear a thin 12-year-old ask for a new backpack and hiking shoes.

I was dragged upstairs, where, before my nine-year-old sister, my father grabbed my shorts, pulled them down and started to belt me. Again and again. I screamed. I screamed for my mother, who was downstairs. But she didn’t come. I was screaming for my sister, who was imploring my father to stop.

But one person did try to stop him. The only person who was not afraid of my father’s blows was my grandmother. Kind, soft-spoken, she had a bravery and a determination that her grandchild should live, and because of incredible love, she jumped into the melee my father had launched, and demanded he stop beating an already bloody boy. Eventually, he did.

Another time I remember my father coming into my bedroom. As is the case for most lonely but smart boys, I had developed an acerbic wit. To my father’s question about my plans for that evening, I recall giving a flippant answer. His response was swift and cutting—a punch to my right jaw.

I didn’t go anywhere that night as I sat in my room, icing my bruised face and reading a book on ancient Egypt. I thought I bore a resemblance to the dead Tutankhamun—in my little head the dead King Tut looked at least happy and serene. I was far from that as a tortured youth.

People have often asked me why I moved back to the Philippines. The true answer is something I have long held dear, and have rarely spoken about. I moved back because of a woman—my grandmother. Because in my life, there had been only one person who had consistently stood up for me. It was a sprightly old woman from Dapa town, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.

Unhappy

In her halting English and broken Chinese and Visayan, she made it clear on many occasions she was unhappy with the man my mother had chosen to be with.

It was because of the precious memories of her I carried during my harrowing years as child in the Philippines that I wanted to come back. To the country where I was born and where I felt the love of a relative the strongest.

I moved home after the technology bubble burst in 2001.

Turned out, I had moved home too late to see her. She died in October 1993—which my mother told me only the following year. She hadn’t told me of my grandmother’s death because she was “mad” at me for the failure of her own marriage.

That summer of 1989, my homecoming, was my first since the three-year period my family lived here, when my father was stationed as a civil service officer working for the US Department of Defense.

To escape the brutality of his own childhood and the relative poverty his family had suffered, he joined the US Navy as a grunt in the mid ’50s. For much of my early life, he was gone. Gone nine months of the year, and then, when he retired from the navy in 1975 and began a moderately successful career working for various defense contractors—Northrup Grumman and Lockheed for example—he took a job with the US Department of Defense.

Bruised and bloodied

We spent three years at Subic Bay in the early 1980s, when I’d visitSurigao, become reconnected with my mother’s family. It was also whenmy father’s anger turned into a rage that became uncontrollable. Iwould often show up at US Boy Scout meetings bruised and in tears. It was a known secret what went on in our house. My father’s attitude to children was that they should be seen, never heard.

And therein I learned that people tell lies to cover lies. My mother would lie about my bruising. My parents’ friends would lie about the reasons my father drank himself into a stupor every night. Yet none of those lies could hide what was apparent to everyone in plain sight—a nearly daily dose of beatings and sublimation of a young boy’s spirit.

All I can surmise now is that perhaps, to escape the sad reality that my father had little power in his own life, he was determined to demonstrate whatever power he had over some one—me.

Once, I remember my father having left for Washington, very early after a pre-dawn beating when I tried, I tried to call some family assistance number. I was desperate for help and convinced that some should help me stop this man who was purportedly my father yet was unlike any of my friend’s fathers.

Where was my mother during this time? I really don’t know. I mean, she lived with us, she liked us all piling into the Volvo and driving off to some hotel in Manila or Makati or up to Camp John Hay where she’d load a nylon bag with cash and go looking for gold jewelry bargains.

Now, at 38, I learned years ago to stop asking her—why mom, didn’t you do anything?

Bribery

People who abuse know, very deep down, that what they are doing is wrong. Many try all kinds of ameliorations to assuage that guilt. My parents dealt with their guilt through bribery.

A bruised and broken boy found that he could be easily bought with one of his father’s crisp $100 bills. On more than one occasion I remember being dropped off at a shopping mall somewhere in Manila or Makati, by guilty parents and given $100 to spend. I would usually buy cake and watch people go by.

I’ve tried over the years to get the full story from my parents about my birth and the truth is, they never really wanted to level with the truth. They had created their own, fictitious life as a solid, happy middle-class family, with two houses in San Diego, California, a red Volvo station wagon that followed us to our brief stay in the Philippines and back to the US. There were private schools for most of my life, summer camps, swimming lessons and accoutrements people associate with a successful childhood.

In family photos, I see these two people earnestly smiling into a camera—two weary individuals, probably not in love with each other, but in love with the hope that their own fictional story would be believed.

I have no knowledge of my mother’s life before her erstwhile marriage to my Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of a father. From what I’ve gathered from relatives, her life was happy , except for the periods that no one wanted to talk about.

Desk-born

As it turned out, I really was born on a desk. On a desk in a crowded hospital in Olongapo City, where my delivery doctor was a Doc Nepomuceno and where I was marked as an illegitimate birth. It was the only place my mother could give birth in because that was where apparently she was accepted, even nominally, pregnant with the baby of an American navyman.

Good Chinese-Filipino girls in 1970 did not get knocked up by whiteguys, and I can imagine she had few options available to her. But shecarried a baby inside her and the same instinct that made her survive theearly horrors of World War II in Surigao and the decades of mygrandfather’s tyranny drove her to the only place where she could bring her baby to life.

The people she found there welcomed her because they themselves were survivors, refugees from other lives. Shady waitresses, bar girls, disreputable bar owners, the pimps and the madams that ran amok in 1960s and 1970s Olongapo and Angeles.

But my mother couldn’t care, because she was desperate. And as you’d learn as your own life’s arch extends, people of quality aren’t always those with pedigree. The people who matter are those who’d stand by you, help you when no one else would.

So it was in that environment that my mother, Chinese-Filipina in her early 30s, and a serviceman could craft some romance.

Except that it too was based on a lie. Because as I found out only from my mother’s file in 1989, my father was already married. To his third wife, Jean, back in the US. My father was married two more times after my mother.

I have to believe now, that the fiction about a real wedding having taken place must have started in those hazy days. Days when two damaged persons had a new baby and decided to build something of a life together.

Depression

It’s taken me years to learn how to deal with the abuse of my childhood. In 1991, I went into a long depression. I had returned from a hapless attempt to be a penniless young writer in Paris—I lived in a garret room in one of the dorms at Cite Universite for a few months—and upon returning to the US had settled into the old, little house my parents had bought in the middle of an almond orchard in Hanford, California.

It was a mistake to go there. My mother was then in the midst of a terrifying divorce with my father. She had, after years of emotional abuse—strangely he never hit her, at least to my knowledge—finally gotten the courage to give up her modest material concerns and leave the man who had nearly killed her son.

I spent nearly a year and a half with her, a descent into an emotional hell in which she blamed me for the failure of her marriage and for the failure of her attaining the middle-class security she strove for. The houses were sold. The cars were too. And times were very, very tough.

The only joy I shared then was my old Australian Shepard, Biffi. She had a ridiculous name, but she was ferociously protective of me and I of her. We’d go walk in the orchards behind the house, she chasing squirrels, possums, skunks, and I’d sit on wooden bench in the cold, usually not saying much. It was an odd existence for a young man.

Yet I loved the outdoors because there at least, the horror of the interiors I had known growing up did not exist.

The lies my birth was hidden in became part of who I believed myself to be. And one day, I decided that if I were to finally escape the abuse that had nearly broken me as a child, I needed to be something other than that broken and bruised boy. Instead, I carried the wounds further into my own life, never healing them.

Denial and half-truths and untruths are often the hallmarks of childrenof abuse. So is, too, an innate desire to survive that abuse—by any means you can. And when you feel as if your very life is being threatened you will look for any means to come out of that madness.

Demons

Children who eventually escape abusive families—if they can escape at all—often also carry a deep desire to rebuild themselves into something from which they came—and for many persons of abuse, myself included, fiction intertwined with truth resulted in a hodgepodge of excuses. And repetitive behaviors.

Eventually, those demons that haunted a child of abuse will haunt her or him as an adult. Peace of mind eludes abused children.

Starting over the past couple of years, because I have stumbled and fallen, because my own life’s arch has given me the luxury to finally examine what had gone wrong many years ago, I began to deal finally with my demons.

It is not a shameless exercise. I can now discuss the nature of my illegitimate birth. I wear it as a badge because that instinct for survival was what drove me as an incomplete adult who made mistakes along the way.

Confronting abuse is tough. One has to look at what one has endured, and confront it, honestly. Honesty is the only way to deal with abusive families and through this essay, I hope to begin putting what had been an abjectly unfortunate trajectory into an altogether more powerful one.

To talk about what I went through as a child, and hopefully, in trying to lead a better life, the path to forgiving those who wronged me as child can make me a better adult.

It is critically important if you were abused that the only way out of that life is through forgiveness. So here is mine—I forgive you dad, you’re probably sitting in your lonely house on the Midwest Plains outside of Antler, North Dakota. I forgive you for everything.

My brave ‘lola’

In 2001 I decided to finally go back to the Philippines, a place that had been strangely dear to me, despite the horrors of my childhood. It is here where lies buried a woman who spent only a little time with me. I remain connected to her. She was a warrior, a woman who had protected me.

I felt her spirit as a child and again many years later when I returned to Surigao and visited her grave. I wanted to do right by my Lola Carmen. I still do.

I had asked my lawyer if I needed to do anything to prove my status as a natural-born citizen of the Philippines—my parents were married when I was three years old, finally, in a roadside wedding chapel in Las Vegas. It was so important to me to have a piece of paper stating I was indeed a legitimate citizen, that I am of this country, that I am of this family.

Forgiveness

Surprisingly, my mother actually did me a good deed shortly after I moved back. She gave me the title to a small piece of property, her reduced and remaining share of my grandfather’s coconut farm on Siargao Island. Its only about 3-4 hectares but part of it is beachfront, where I have sought solace in the past. There, a few years ago, I learned to forgive my mother. I realize now that she was damaged as well by her own life’s trauma. I realized it would be important for me to forgive and to move on.

We have become a family again, and there are no more lies. The lore of lies, abuse and hidden truths has been broken, finally.

Verbal abuse

I continue to learn lessons each day about the abuse I suffered and the abuse I carried as an adult. The worst abuse isn’t even physical. The worst abuse comes from the mouth. And unless you—as I have finally started to do—deal with that abuse once and for all and turn it into something good for someone else, you will continue to abuse. As I did and continue to do.

If anyone who has been in an abusive situation does not confront his demons, he’d find out that the damage he does could be worse. It takes the form of lies you tell a loved one, the hubris you present during a meeting. You will continue to damage yourself until you become the thing you are terrified of becoming the most—the people who abused you.

I have learned from a life that, I pray, others will never have. I feel it’s my duty to do something good to ensure that no other little boy has to learn the painful lessons I have.

So, those of you who are lucky enough to be in a happy and secure home, kiss your family and hug your children. Do not hit them because they will remember that forever.

Do something

And those who know of abuse being inflicted—whether upon a child, or a wife or a sister or a brother or even just an acquaintance do something. Stand up, speak for them because they cannot speak for themselves. In turn, your own life will become richer and more true.

Writing about one’s truths is liberating. It is honest, it is real. I visited my sister and her family last December in their California Victorian bungalow. As I ran the chilly fields with my seven-year-old nephew and my four-year-old niece, I found myself doing an incredible thing—I no longer sat silent in the cold.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20080601-140061/Lies-my-mother-told-me

Goodbye, JT - David Nugent

2010-09-02T02:52:00.000-05:00

Goodbye, JT

By David Nugent
Inquirer
Last updated 17:41:00 01/16/2007

WHAT a way to start 2007.

Joel Tantoco -- “JT” or “the General” -- an extraordinarily beloved son, brother, cousin and uncle to his family, and adored friend by so many, passed out of our world and into God’s in the wee hours of Monday morning.

His passing is a loss that, for those who were lucky enough to have had a connection with him in this life, is hard to bear. For a few years, Joel was one of those constants -- no matter what went on in our own day-to-day lives, there was a place in this world where the sun shone brightly, the house music soothed and waves rolled gently onto a beach where a deeply tanned, smiling Joel was King of the Day.

Joel was so many things to so many people and perhaps because each of us had our own uniquely personal experiences with him, that to cherish his memory is so facile, and to accept his death, so hard.

I met Joel maybe 6 or 7 years ago in one of those smoky moments in a Makati bar. Other than the chance nightclub run-in, I don’t think I got to know him well enough until a couple years later when he moved into my condo building, and took an apartment across the hall from me.

I think we found solace in each other then because the circumstances and choices we’d made up to that point in our lives had so many commonalities.

We’d sit in my flat, eating homemade pizza or roast chicken and we’d ruminate on our respective lots in life. Joel hinted at family dysfunctionality, and I shared my own family’s wacked story with him.

Maybe we bonded so well then because we saw the same glimpses of a disjointed childhood spread across continents and cultures. Late at night we’d find each other and sit on my balcony, cigarettes in hand, seeking a respite from relationships and a refuge from the toil of the daily grind.

Joel loved fashion -- the look and the cut and the feel of well-made clothing -- and he knew the history of the great brands that he’d been exposed to since his childhood. Being a Tantoco, it seemed to me, was for him more about enhancing and enlarging that great legacy that he’d inherited from his grandmother and grandfather, and which was being stewarded by his father and family. Donnie was his idol.

Eventually, Joel moved out of the apartment across the hall, into a house he shared with his sister Kat, and over the next couple years I began to see him less and less. I’d run into him, myself on the periphery of the nocturnal party crowd, and of which Joel was usually in the epicenter. Good nights, good music, good times were as much a part his ability to create ties with others, and were far more than just an excuse to be licentious or irresponsible.

Though, to be honest, he could be irresponsible at times, just like all of us. It was part of his irrepressible charm. “It’s just JT,” a close friend would say with a wink and a smile and you couldn’t help but never feel anything but tenderness towards him. Joel chose his friends well and he could sense whatever experience they were having.

Time and time again I recall Joel -- himself dealing with his own dreams and demons -- taking the time out to listen, to laugh, to try and make whatever pain you had at that moment disappear. His innate ability to give empathy right when you needed it was never demanded in return.

My very last memory of Joel was sitting on the terrace of a Boracay hotel, sunglasses on and sharing a joke, last Monday. We talked for maybe half an hour, not long really. He had clearly left one phase of this life and was determined to be happier in another. His search for peace and contentment in recent months had brought him back home, and I remember him looking me in the eye, explaining that while there had been some speedbumps along the way, his life’s trajectory now looked positive, open and hopeful.

I don’t think it would have ever occurred to me to think that the home he’d return to only one week later would be a far more ethereal and peaceful place than his home on earth.

James Dean once said that one should dream as if one would live forever, and live as if you’d die today. In my dreams Joel will forever be on that Boracay beach, white sands blazing, the heat creating droplets of perspiration on his perpetually tanned skin. In my dreams he is at peace and surrounded by everyone who has loved and shared a moment of his life. In my dreams the music never ends and the smiles go on and on. In my dreams Joel lives forever.

Bye for now JT. See you again one day.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/you/super/view/20070116-43777/Goodbye,_JT

Confronting My Ghosts - David Nugent

2010-09-02T02:50:00.000-05:00

Confronting my ghosts

By David Nugent
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Date First Posted 01:00:00 11/15/2009

After our breakup, I poured my heart out in a letter and sent it to his parents, who were devastated. Then for five years, I denied it ever happened.

LAST WEEK I SAW A ghost. It was scarier than the spectral ones because this one came from deep inside my heart.

Nearly six years ago, I’d hurt someone in a manner so profound, so hurtful, that in the ensuring years I’d done everything possible to bury any memory of it—every photograph, letter, gift, any evidence that the relationship had existed. And once I’d done that, I went ahead and proceeded to try and forget I’d ever known the person at all.

Yet ghosts not dealt with have an uncanny ability to come back and show themselves.

So, little more than a month ago, in the balmy outdoor setting of a Manila restaurant. I recognized someone—my ghost. And it scared me.

He was a med student I had met while meeting a business contact at a Starbucks. We talked. There was instant connection. We started dating. I was older, an executive in a large holding company, the proverbial “golden boy.” We thrived on drives to Punta Fuego, crazy trips to Boracay, spas and great meals. He often had all-night duty in a hospital and when I left the office I would pick up food and run it to him.

I was in love. Big love.

But we would fight a lot, usually over the dumbest things. It also didn’t help things that I was someone who was fundamentally incapable of loving. I’d become a deeply unsettled, unforgiving and inauthentic adult.

Frankly, I was in no shape to make a decent partner for anyone. But I didn’t know that though. In my clouded mind then, I was rarely at fault.

Dream trip

I flew to Boston where he’d been finishing a module in a large hospital. Then ensued a great classic New England trip—luxury hotel on Boston Commons, drive up Cape Cod to Provincetown and down to a white-glove Fifth Avenue hotel overlooking New York’s Metropolitan Museum and Central Park. Then Los Angeles and Disneyland.

It was the kind of trip you take when you’re in love. But when we got back to Manila, troubled ensued. The same patterns to which we’d navigated murky waters created a tsunami of degenerate proportions. To this day, I don’t quite remember the exact reason, but we had a terrible row. And then he left.

But instead of looking inside me, instead of processing everything, learning from it, and trying to be a better person, I did exactly the opposite.

One of the things relationship therapists tell you to do after a breakup is write a letter to your ex, put everything your heart and mind feels and pour it out onto paper. And then, put the letter in a drawer or safe or a shredder.

Yet I couldn’t do that. I wrote an entirely different sort of letter. I wrote his father, who was virulently anti-gay and deeply conservative. My missive described who I was and the lengthy and pricey cross-country trip I had taken their son on.

It explained our breakup in detail and my outrage at its ending. And it closed with an awful coup de grace—a demand that his parents reimburse me for their son’s portion of the trip.

And if that doesn’t sound bad enough, I did the penultimate. I faxed the letter.

His parents met me in their offices the next day. His father and I had a heated exchange. His mother was gracious and understanding, as she has always been. Eventually I did admit that I really didn’t want a reimbursement—I just wanted to hurt him.

But my admission and apology meant nothing—the damage had been done. I’d destroyed a father’s relationship with his son, and put all their family at risk. What I’d done you never do in the Philippines. What I’d done is something nobody should ever think to do.

I understand it has taken years for my former partner’s relationship with his father to renew and rebuild.

And then I did something even worse, but to myself. I spent the following years trying to forget it ever happened.

Forgiveness

Some months later I met someone and threw myself into a new relationship. But despite the nearly three years we were together, it came to naught. Not just because we were just mismatched. It was doomed because of who I was then.

Hence the nearly two-year journey I’ve been on. It’s been a long process. Slaying demons of anger, hurt and pain is not easy. Being truly honest with oneself can be terrifying initially, but then exuberantly liberating and informative. Learning that the race to be happy is not a race at all.

Happiness is that which descends on those whose minds are settled and whose hearts are unburdened.

The lessons have been extraordinary. Forgiveness is everything. It is love. It’s not merely the act of forgiving a certain misdeed. Forgiveness takes an understanding that says, “Forgive what I did in the past because I know that you need that forgiveness to deal with yourself. That if you don’t forgive me, you can’t confront it and move, and neither can I.”

Ghost came home

So last week, sitting at a nearby banquet outdoors, I saw him for the first time in over five years. To my great surprise, he greeted me warmly and as I prepared to leave he asked for my number. Later that evening I texted and invited him for coffee. He was in the house within minutes. The ghost came home.

I’m so glad it did. For the first time I was able to say everything I should have said properly then, but this time with real honesty and conviction and vulnerability. What had started as a ghost story became a story about forgiveness. About love.

For two brief days we connected. I learned how this person had grown and built a deeply satisfying life for himself in America. And I told him about the journey I’ve been on and why.

My bitter tears revealed the pain I’d kept hidden as a result of burying my guilt. Even more than that, the arching paean of remorse and regret for what might had been if I were only a better person then.

He told me at one point, that once we met, he wanted to spend a little time with me so that I’d realize that all was finally good between us—because he wanted me to know that he had forgiven me, truly. And that I should forgive myself, and finally move on.

I can only think that his actions last month spoke volumes of his graciousness, the testament to how well he’d been brought up by a great family and to the gigantic capacity of his heart.

We eventually said goodbye. A little bittersweet yes, but a deeply enriching experience to come full circle.

I look in the mirror now, and the person I see is someone I like. He’s older. I think he’s a bit wiser. He’s not the person he once was. Thank God.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/relationships/relationships/view/20091115-236287/Confronting-my-ghosts

How and Why I Stopped being a Serial Dater - David Nugent

2010-09-02T02:41:00.000-05:00

How and why I stopped being a serial dater
By David Nugent
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:38:00 03/22/2009

Filed Under: relationships and dating
I STARTED thinking about summer and summer romances this past weekend when, on a flight back from Boracay, a dear friend wanted to go over the last page of Vanity Fair. It’s the one-page questionnaire based on the old Proust Q&A about life, love and the fundamental questions of happiness.

The questionnaire actually goes back pretty far. Apparently the Victorians loved answering endless questions about what they desired, particularly about romance. And in thinking about the Victorians, undoubtedly among the most puritanical, repressed yet romantic of peoples, I got to thinking about romance, Philippine-style.

We Filipinos are funny about romance. It’s really a dance, and for most folk, a dance the whole clan, barkada and barangay get involved in. People say gossip is our national pastime. I disagree; we’re simply a people in love with love. That goes even for those of us who aren’t in love with anyone!

I’m the last person to assume to be authoritative about romance. The best thing I’ve done with most of my relationships is see them end, with a fundamental reason—I was in relationships for so many years and with so many folks for all the wrong reasons.

I eventually stopped being a serial dater. It’s important to sit back, take stock, and do the work you need to if you want to stop having failed relationships and start having great ones. No matter if they last only a weekend, a summer, or the rest of your life.

Looking back, I realize some of the biggest mistakes I’ve made are those that many others make, too.

Escape

The biggest mistake? Getting into a relationship just for the heck of it. Or to escape a family situation, or a family, or yourself. To escape for any reason.

A relationship isn’t an escape. Never get into it unless it’s for the most basic reason—because you love and respect that person.

And never expect that love and respect go hand in hand. Sometimes, they don’t. I’ve loved people I didn’t respect all that much, and I’ve respected some I wasn’t in love with.

I learned that one has to do more than adore the person you’re with. You must admire him or her as well. I think it’s important to keep in mind that neither love nor respect should be given too easily. Proving love and earning respect take time and patience.

We Filipinos are often suckers for giving our entire world away when we meet the shiniest new person around. Remember, real love and respect take time. When someone doesn’t have either for you, he or she is not worth yours.

Panacea

Another big mistake I had was using my partner as panacea for not having dealt with personal issues I should have resolved before getting into any relationship. In the Philippines, we spend a huge amount of time not dealing with our issues, whether they involve parents, siblings or ourselves.

Here’s a suggestion: Before you fall in love—even before you think you’ve fallen—take a breather and call a shrink. We’re a people who should have a national therapy conversation. The most important relationship you should ensure is with yourself first. Unless you fix what is inside, no other person, no matter how wonderful he or she may be, will be able to do it for you.

A uniquely Filipino situation is that we often choose our partners based on what our families, friends and barkada like. You might think you’ve chosen a partner. But, buddy, you will be dating his or her friends, family, gym partners, wine and cheese buddies—basically everyone in the other person’s life.

And they’ll know all about your life together. And it’s frequently a disaster. It’s never just the two of you against the world.

Social position

So what to do? Fall in love with whomever you want to. Be brave. Go on, ask that girl or that guy out who doesn’t fall in your class. Maybe he or she didn’t attend your school, or read the same books. Maybe it’s not his or her English that’s so bad, but your Tagalog that needs a little work (I know mine does).

It’ll be ok; you’ll grow because you’ve expanded not just your social circle, but also your heart and mind. I find that people so preoccupied with their social position are usually those who aren’t classy. Real class isn’t about birth right or membership, it’s about behavior. The Golden Rule is what begets a classy person.

Another important lesson, this time for the gay guy and straight girl tandem. Remember, you guys will never be more than just friends. So don’t take the other for more than what he or she isn’t. Share clothes, share lives, but when it comes to love, you can love each other but should not be in love with the other.

I’ve seen time and again how the straight girl falls in love with the gay guy, and it’s not fair to both.

Thinking about all these lessons hasn’t scared me off love, it’s just given me a (hopefully) smarter perspective. And it brings me back to the original Proust Questionnaire.

When asked his favorite occupation, Proust said (way back in 1890): “Being in love.”

He could have been a Filipino.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090322-195454/How_and_why_I_stopped_being_a_serial_dater

Suit Yourself - Metro Him Magazine

2010-09-02T02:24:00.001-05:00

Jay Lagdameo, 41, vice president,PLDT,
in a bespoke suit and David Nugent, 34,
vice president, Metro Pacific, in Paul Smith
Wing chair in brocade upholstery by
Simonetta Fumagalli, 18th century carved
armoire in molave, and Malibu coffee table
in bent glass by Australian Glassworks
(prices available upon request)

Some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouths. My friends say I was born in a suit! In Italy many of us were simply raised that way, which is the reason why Italian men have always been associated with stylishness.

Whenever I design my men's collection I consider my heritage, memories of my father in beautiful Irish linen suits in the summer and beautiful flannel numbers in the winter and the crispy white and soft-blue shirts and the rich silk ties.

Each day of my adult life starts by choosing a suit, my outfit for that particular day according to my mood, schedule and the weather. No doubt it's the best moment -- when my disposition and my plans combine to create the perfect wardrobe for that day.

I have been studying suits since I was eighteen -- the different schools of tailoring, the different fabrics, the different fits. Until I embraced Neapolitan tailoring, the best in the world. I started my own fashion house following in the steps of my grandmother, a fashion pioneer in southern Italy in the '40s who once owned a fifty-tailor atelier.

It has been my goal to bring back the finest tailoring in the world to a selective group of sophisticated men, educating them about the pleasures of a well-made wardrobe that always starts from a well-made suit that must have all the following features:

• Fabric should be resilient and drape well. It should feel good, not stiff or scratchy. A fine wool can be crumpled in your hand -- or worn for hours in a meeting and resist wrinkles.

• The linings, interfacing and padding should be hand-stitched into the garment to perform their job invisibly. Quality garments have graduated layers of a lightweight canvas stitched to the interior, not glued in with fusible materials. A canvas lining allows a jacket to breathe and flex with the wearer and also stabilize the fabric in varying climates. Lining should not pucker or shift after dry-cleaning or wearing.

• Stress points, such as the edges of pockets, should be reinforced with hand-stitched tacking or, for less expensive suits, by machine.

• The upper portion of the lapels should lie flat against the chest, but as they descend toward the buttonholes, they should bend ever so slightly to roll and stand away from the body. The lapels should be so effectively stitched and cut that they stay in place without being pressed flat.

• The interior construction of pockets, seams and linings should float invisibly beneath the jacket's shell. Pockets should never gap and rarely reveal their contents.

• The shoulder padding should not be bulky and stiff.

• The trouser waistband should be constructed in pieces and with ample seam allowance to aid future alterations. It should have interior buttons to attach suspenders.

• On handmade suits you should expect to see tiny, hand-stitches employed to stabilize and beautify construction. Look for it along the edges of lapels, on top of waistband darts, along the fly and on top of belt loops.

• Small extravagances should be incorporated for your pleasure and comfort, including perhaps a thread loop behind the left lapel to anchor the stem of your boutonnière, and a loop above the fly to anchor your belt buckle to your waistband; pleats built into lining to add ease of movement; a lot of extra buttons and thread.

• A staff of well-trained tailors can rebuild a suit to fit your body, not merely nip a cuff here or there. Do not be afraid of alterations.

• Consider custom-made suit only from top sartorial shops if you have problems with ready-to-wear sizes or if you're one of those who insist in choosing your own fabrics

But let's not forget that sometimes the suit does not make the man. Style makes the man. Here are some tips:

• Build a wardrobe. It does not matter how long it takes. The most important thing is that you think in terms of a whole. Think of it as an investment.

• Try not to look sloppy. People think the more casual they are, the cooler they look. I believe we owe it to ourselves to look perfect. And it does not take a lot of money.

• Have fun dressing. Men have so much anxiety when it comes to clothes. I cannot tell you how many men come into my stores and say that they are colorblind -- after the 75th person we realized it was fear. Do not be afraid to ask: "What works with what?"

• Whatever you put on, make sure the first thing you see is yourself. Everyone says Italians are so expressive. We dress so we can gesture and speak with our bodies. Do not buy your suits too loose; you don't really need the extra fabric for comfort. The perfect fit gives you comfort.

• Buy fewer and better. Consider buying something hand made rather than machine-made. Hand made is like owning a piece of history, a piece of tradition and definitely fits better and lasts longer.

Your quest for the perfect suit starts here. Have fun.MS

exclusive for Metro Society by Domenico Vacca and arranged by Bea Madrigal Vazquez-Fox
photos by Sara Black

SOURCE: http://metrozines.com/msoc.php?articleID=eb7e71c50ceb77e9471320b106d71597&big_pic_main=msoc_2007_n02_p144_a01_v09.jpg#view_pic

David Nugent for Hugo Boss

2010-09-02T02:24:00.000-05:00

David Nugent for Hugo Boss.
Striped long-sleeved shirt,
charcoal black suit,
striped necktie,
black woven leather belt,
and black patent leather shoes
all by Hugo Boss

Part of 'Objects of Desire' piece

Photos by Mark Nicdao of Wildbunch Studio
Concept and styling by Henri Calayag and Marichelle Ligon
Hair and make-up by Jeoff Moran of Emphasis
special thanks to Monchet Olives
location: ABS-CBN studio 9

SOURCE: http://metrozines.com/msoc.php?articleID=35505e53085fa44966f487339eb34577&big_pic_main=msoc_2006_n05_p052_a01_v01.jpg#view_pic

Commitment and Empowerment - Metro Him Magazine

2010-09-02T02:11:00.000-05:00

David Nugent sees success in doing right.

Although he's half German-American and lived most of his life abroad, David Nugent is firmly committed to staying in the Philippines. Asked why he returned, he says simply: "It's home."

"Whether you're one or 100 percent Filipino, you have a duty to come home and try to make things work, suffer like the rest of us," he says. "Otherwise we should just write the country off."

In society photographs he's often identified as with Philippine Long Distance Company, but he is actually vice president for media and corporate communications for Metro Pacific Corp., a holdings company, founded and chaired by Manny V. Pangilinan, who also heads PLDT, a sister company. It is likely Nugent's close work with MVP (whose office is just down the hall) that's linked him with the more commonly known company.

His job requires him to do "a lot of things, including overseeing our financial reporting, maintaining relationships with the media and financial community, our shareholders, and so on." He also does some work in the conglomerate's head office in Hong Kong at First Pacific, which controls PLDT and Metro Pacific, and which MVP founded in 1981.

His many tasks include buying DVDs and books for the business legend, a voracious reader and cineaste. "What people don't know about him," Nugent reveals, "is he's got a great sense of humor. He loves practical jokes, green jokes."

Nugent is also frequently photographed and seen sharply dressed. "I don't know if I have a particular sense of style," he demurs, "but I try to be decently groomed, and I veer towards well-tailored clothes, which last throughout seasons. Despite the propensity for designer T-shirts and distressed jeans, I still think a guy looks great in a superbly fitting jacket and tie."

His pleasures are keeping fit, travel and reading (the Metro group has also discovered he's a writer with flair.) He likes Godard and Almodovar; at the moment he's reading the first new translation in 50 years of War and Peace.

Although Tom Valderrama (opposite) works for another sister company, the two have no official relationship with one another. And yet they are great friends.

"I like Tom for a lot of reasons," he adds, "but most of all because we never have to explain each other to ourselves, and that's an important quality in a good friend.

"One thing many people don't know about Tom is that he's one hell of a poker shark -- you don't want to be opposite him with a deck of cards."

Asked what his style is as a manager, he responds: "The best thing about being a manager is being able to train people to take your place. You have to give people tools. It's about empowerment."

By Carlo Tadiar
Photographs by Sara Black
Styling by Rey R. Ilagan
Grooming by Ria Gamboa
Clothing by Hugo Boss

SOURCE: http://metrozines.com/mhim.php?articleID=9dfb47a7fac33c504e153895b075daa9

Yciar Castillo & Rogue's Prelude to a Kiss

2010-09-02T02:03:00.000-05:00

Prelude to a Kiss
Apr 16, 2009
By Nicolas Lacson / Photographs by Mark Nicdao

Yciar Castillo—commercial model, TV host, radio scriptwriter, theater actress, and now makeup apprentice—is in a self-deprecating mood. Her life is unremarkable, she protests. “What are you going to write about me if I’m just the girl next door?” she asks, genuinely puzzled. She needn’t have worried—writer Nicolas Lacson dissects the refreshing candor of this dusky Ilongga beauty.

Bacolod-bred Yciar Castillo confesses to occupational malaise tempered by a continuing quest for fulfillment. She is, after all, the fruit of a family tree with several diligently defined branches (she is director Peque Gallaga’s niece, for one). But while the kin of this self-confessed “girl next door” have influenced Philippine history and culture, she has yet to find her own niche. Nicolas Lacson speaks to the lovely Negrense and is left convinced that she is on the cusp of her own personal saga

-------------------------------------------------

This is a story of a kiss from a girl named Yciar.

Yciar. It’s an uncommon arrangement of consonants. That initial standout y, and immediately after, the confusion caused by the c—do you pronounce it like a k or as an s?—both of which are enough to make me wonder how she orders a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Sorry, ma’am, is that Ēk-si-yar? Ē-shar? Or Ī-sē-yar??

“I-thyar,” she says, emphasizing the short i at the beginning, but in a tone that borders on apologetic, as if it is her fault that people have to deal with the inconvenience of her tongue-twisting name. She welcomes me into her home, a bungalow she has lived in since she was nine, tucked in a subdivision (which shall remain unnamed) in the middle of the urban sprawl that is Makati. The c in her name is actually pronounced as th, in the Castilian manner, a slithering, sexy, susurrous duet of consonants. You will discover that it is Nabokovian pleasure to utter that name, that th: the tip of the tongue taking a trip against the top of your two front teeth. Yciar, I say it, an obssessive Humbert Humbert emphasis on the th, and it is like speaking of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as if the name were some exotic ore or rare oil extracted from a faraway land.

Which is apt, because the name itself exists in a faraway land, as a little town in the Basque region of Spain, although the actual spelling is Itziar. “It was really a pagan town,” Yciar explains, “until it became Catholicized. They named a little black Virgin Mary statue after Yciar, after the town, so it’s Nuestra Señora de Yciar.” She recalls with eagerness in her voice how her mom, after graduating from college, had gone to Spain and had ended up teaching English. “She had this student who was tall, had dark, beautiful hair, blue eyes, and her name was Yciar. And she liked the name, so she named her second daughter—me—after Yciar.”

“From the beginning, my love was really theater.” On the plays she has appeared in, she stresses, “I didn’t really star in them, but I came out in Steel Magnolias. Also, Wind in the Willows. I was the laundrywoman’s daughter—that sort of thing!”

That juxtaposition of the images of the Virgin Mary and the beautiful, ebony-tressed English student (A heartbroken flamenco dancer? A struggling model?) is probably the best way to describe Yciar. Sinner: well, sort of. She is dressed for the impending arrival of summer—in a denim skirt that stops just above mid-thigh, enough to make the nuns at the Assumption, where she went for high school and university, roll their eyes and whip out their wooden rulers. A sea-green top shows off a sliver of collarbone. Saint? Well, she has dolled herself up for this interview. Not the fancy kind of dolling up, but rather the kind where you wash your face and put on something decent like it is Sunday or because there are guests—the kind of dolling up you do if you’ve got manners.

That sinner-but-saint metaphor becomes more apparent as she settles into the sofa opposite me. This is the view of Yciar from her living room, an airy space with two plush sofas flanking a large wooden table: she has put on large silver earrings in the shape of Dreamworks half-moons and they dangle from her elven-shaped ears. A tightly done, practical ponytail—a dancer’s ponytail, meant to keep the hair out of the face—pulls back her dark, wavy hair, so that not a strand is out of place. This creates the unintentional effect of showing off her perfectly symmetrical, Hispanic face, including the fine, high bridge of her nose and the natural rosy flush of her cheeks.

Her trademark Mona Lisa-like smile—I had stalked and Google-imaged a few photos of her before the interview—is subtle, almost careful, the lips rarely parting to say cheese, ultimately adding to her mystery. When she talks to you, she will look you straight in the eye, and it is disconcerting, that gaze. Those eyes, under the clean arch of her brows, always the eyes—round, dark, but full of sparkle and incandescence when she speaks of the things that matter to her, but sometimes infinitely deep and doleful, like the Virgin Mary. The kind of eyes that would make you get on your knees.

You might have already succumbed to her spell by virtue of the glossies that Bacolod-bred Yciar has graced, which include Candy and Good Housekeeping. But probe beyond the veil and you will find more than just the platitudes reserved for beauties like Yciar. “I come from a family that’s very in touch with art. My mom used to do a lot of painting when she was younger. My uncle,” she adds, “is a film director,” referring to the fact that she happens to be the niece of prominent film director Peque Gallaga, who also stars in this magazine’s pages, and for whom Yciar recently appeared as an extra in a yet-to-be-released indie flick. I ask if she would one day want to star in her own movie. She answers that she wouldn’t mind giving it a try. “Most people think being an artista is glamorous. But it’s difficult.” Any particular kind of movie? “Um . . . sexy! No, kidding!” she quickly interjects, laughing. “I dunno. I have no idea.” Long pause. “A drama.”

Because drama was her original love. “From the beginning, my love was really theater.” On the plays she has appeared in, she stresses, “I didn’t really star in them, but I came out in Steel Magnolias. Also, Wind in the Willows. I was the laundrywoman’s daughter—that sort of thing!” she laughs. “I don’t think I really excelled in it. If not, then I would still be there. But definitely there was an interest there. And now it’s sort of translated itself to make-up.”

She is quick though to make the caveat that, right now, she is still apprenticing and discovering the ins and outs of the make-up industry, under the tutelage of professional make-up artist Aileen Ramos, from whom she admits she “has learned so much already.” Her previous experience includes a stint at MAC Cosmetics, working as a retail manager. “It’s something that I love doing because it’s working with my hands. When I was small,” she reminisces, “I used to play with my mom’s make-up. I used to ruin her lipstick and all that. It’s also the fact that it’s craft.” As she continues to elucidate on the intricacies of the world of make-up—dwelling at length on how it used to be misperceived as menial work but has now become a more accepted field of industry—her passion as a pupil and her respect for the craft involved becomes evident.

“I come from a family that’s very in touch with art. My mom used to do a lot of painting when she was younger. My uncle,” she adds, “is a film director,” referring to the fact that she happens to be the niece of prominent film director Peque Gallaga.

“It’s like being a chef. Before, everybody would think, that’s not a profession: that’s menial work. It’s work in the kitchen. But now, wow, if you’re a chef, it’s a glamorized job. Well, actually, not really. It’s hard work. And it’s the same with the make-up artist: it’s hard work. People think, make-up artist, wow, glamorized—you get freebies, you’re going to make connections, you’re going to meet all the artistas. But it’s not. I’ve watched Aileen on a shoot, standing there, just waiting to be able to go and touch up. Just being on standby. It’s difficult. Studying a person’s facial structure, his skin type, everything. It’s more complicated than what you’re thinking.”

And the longer we talk, the more it strikes me that she, too, is complicated, in the way that people tend to be beautifully messy, conflicted, and torn. “I read about all these people who are 26 and they’re so successful and they’ve found their niche in life. And then I think, God, I’m so old, I’m 32, and I still haven’t—I mean I’ve done things that are big, I think, but I haven’t really found what I’m happy doing.” Enter a brief précis of her life immediately after university. Aside from the occasional modeling gigs, Yciar also found herself plying a variety of trades: host for a lifestyle show called Zine that used to air on Studio 23, scriptwriter for radio station the Hive 100.3’s Gimmick Girl and Fashion Buzz segments, and signature model for the clothing brand Anonymous. She also used to teach english at a call center, which was a job she enjoyed briefly, if only because of her predilection for teaching. “I love teaching, but what I realized is you also have to love what you’re teaching. If not, it’s just for the sake of teaching it. What happened was I started teaching Product. So I struggled with that, then I started looking for other things to do. But I struggled with that, too. So in the end, I thought, maybe it’s really not for me.”

The way Yciar explains this, though, is in a tone that barely ever registers as negative. She will never be able to approximate the gloom and doom of financial analysts predicting the outlook for the economy. It’s just not her. She tells it candidly, like she’s just recounting her day. As I sit there, across her, impressed by the blatant honesty of the self-assessment of her life to date, it strikes me: God, this girl is real. Not the fairy-tale princess, not the girl born with the silver spoon, nor the diva, but the girl next door, with her own real doubts and insecurities, matters that are not petty in their own right. The girl who worries more about what defines her as a person rather than what she’s going to be wearing on the next Fiamma or Embassy weeknight revel. “You know that saying when they say if you love what you’re doing then you never work a day in your life? That’s what I want. And I haven’t found that yet. So I’m still looking.” She says this so good-naturedly, with a smile, and it is endearing how she maintains a glass half-full attitude.

She dispels the career talk, though, with a statement clarifying her priorities. “Everything that I talked about—that’s not everything that’s happening in my life. The biggest part of my life is my little boy,” she says, alluding to her six-year old, Joaquin. In fact, while we are chatting, we are interrupted from time to time by her family, coming in and out of the house. Her dad wanders into the kitchen, looking for something. The doorbell rings and her mom pops out to lend a video to some neighbors. Eventually, Joaquin comes strolling in, wearing a Superman shirt. All the time, we will both stand up, she will make the necessary introductions, and strangely it will feel like being a suitor who has come over to meet the family she takes pride in.

We do a tour of her home, which is littered with old photos and the personages in these photos she knows by heart. We stop by a table crammed with picture frames. That one, she points out, is her grandmother, her Abu—short for Abuelita—her grandmother from Bacolod, who was originally a Ruiz de Luzuriaga. Her Abu married her Ito—short for Abuelito—which explains the Gallaga in her. He was a sea captain, hence the sailor uniform, and a soldier who took part in the Death March to Bataan.

She points to another faded photo: “This is my mom’s great-grandmother. Do you know that her father was the man who led the Americans into Manila Bay? He was the captain who led Dewey into the Bay. And he was really good friends with General Taft. In fact, those big chairs, those were given to my family by Governor General Taft. Historical pieces.”

To understand Yciar you have to realize that she is the sum of all this personal and collective history, which she has embraced with the fierce clannishness and intense appreciation for heritage that most Negrenses seem to be imbued with.

Why is this important, at all? Well, to understand Yciar you have to realize that she is the sum of all this personal and collective history, which she has embraced with the fierce clannishness and intense appreciation for heritage that most Negrenses seem to be imbued with. It extends even to her virtual life. Later in the day, I will stalk her Facebook photos, where I will find an album playfully entitled Old Pikchoors and in that 22-picture album is the sepia and black and white story of her evolution. She appears in none of the photos; but browse through that digital family album spanning generations and you will get an idea of what Yciar means when she says that everything she talked about is not everything that’s happening in her life.

The tour takes us to a shadowy hallway that branches out into the bedrooms. On the red brick walls hang more old pikchoors, a gallery of photos sans the little plaques or labels beneath the pieces. I kid her and say that, maybe soon, her cover shoot for Rogue will be hanging up here. She grins sheepishly, sort of her way of saying that she feels that she perhaps doesn’t size up to all that greatness. “I was worried about this whole thing. What are you going to write about me if I’m just the girl next door? You get it?” she asks, like she wants me to at least understand her apprehensions. “My life’s not extraordinary. It’s not really interesting. I’m not like Bea Valdes or these big names who’ve really made it. What are you going to write about me?”

I tell her I’ll think of something.

Before I leave, Yciar recounts how in September of last year she flew to India to coordinate and plan the Subowo-Jasin nuptials, a high-budget, luxury affair that would see one of Indonesia’s biggest tycoons marry the number one actress in the country. She launches into the gory details. “We had to make sure everybody was picked up from the airport and was brought to the hotels. And then from Delhi, because the reception and ceremony was in Delhi, we flew in the whole production team. It was a morning wedding, then a lunch reception, and at night there was a concert so we built a tent from scratch in the Imperial Hotel. And we flew in all the artists: Zsa Zsa Padilla, Martin Nievera, Lani Misalucha. It was crazy. We brought in a whole orchestra and then the directors. And then the next morning, we chartered a plane to Agra, where we had a private dawn tour of the Taj Mahal. It was crazy! Crazy busy! I didn’t sleep—I’d get three hours of sleep lang.”

One of the highlights of her trip was meeting one of India’s maharajahs. “On my second trip to India, I was there the first day, and David [Nugent, the groom’s buddy, and a friend of Yciar’s who had invited her to work on the wedding] was in Agra, and he called me and asked, can you do me a favor? You have to deliver the invitation—the invitation was as big as half this table, all mother of pearl. This huge box. You have to deliver it to this place in the outskirts of Delhi. So I was like, okay. I just knew that he,” referring to the man she would be delivering the invitation to, “was the chairman of the OCA—the Olympic Committee Association.”

“So I go. When I get there it’s nine thirty in the evening and it’s this beautiful house. Old architecture, like you’re back in the time of the Raj, but not grandiose or anything. I go in, and I give the invitation to the footman or the butler, whatever you want to call him. I get back into the car and then he comes after me, running, saying, my boss wants to meet you, you come down. I got nervous. But I go into the house, and I’m led into this den and it’s dark and I see people sitting on rugs on the floor, with pillows, drinking wine, and they’re all watching cricket on this huge TV screen.”

Yciar, I say it, an obssessive Humbert Humbert emphasis on the th, and it is like speaking of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as if the name were some exotic ore or rare oil extracted from a faraway land.

“And this guy comes down, he was wearing—you know, the typical clothing. He was such a gentleman and he was super gracious. He insisted we stay for dinner, so we stayed for dinner. And then on our way out, we were talking, and he asked where we were staying. I said, we’re staying at the Imperial. The Imperial’s actually a museum hotel. That’s where Gandhi signed the proclamation. When we were talking, I was telling him that there’s this picture there, a photograph that I was really drawn to. It’s one of the maharajahs. It came out in National Geographic, I think. He has beautiful, beautiful eyes, and he had this huge diamond necklace, with a lot of huge diamonds attached. So I was telling him about it and he was like, oh yeah, that’s my uncle! WHAT?” she exclaims, miming the flummoxed look she must have had on her face when the maharajah had made his revelation.

“And so he says, come, and then he leads me to the living area where he has all these pictures. He goes, this is my mother. And he turned out to be one of the maharajahs of India. Starstruck,” she says, pointing to herself. “There are only two times in my life I was starstruck. The maharajah and when I saw Ely Buendia of the Eraserheads.”

If you recall, this was supposed to be the story of a kiss from a girl named Yciar. Conversation over, I get up, and she escorts me all the way to the gate. We exchange courtesies and I tell her that I may have to get in touch with her to fact check. “Okay, sure,” she nods. I extend my hand, wanting to be professional about the whole thing, and she takes it and we shake like businessmen. Then—and this, for me, is the unexpected thing—she leans in and offers her cheek graciously, for a kiss, or a beso, the way you would lay your cheek against an aunt’s or a close girl friend’s when saying hello or goodbye. So, ok, beso. Nice to meet you, Yciar Castillo.

And now it’s my turn to get starstruck. It is a small gesture—just a beso—but one that speaks volumes about who she is. Do pop princesses do that to nosy writers they’ve only met for the first time? Do big-time actresses offer you their cheeks? Do smoking hot, gazelle-legged models give you the time of day? Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t know. But the point is, Yciar Castillo is about to break out and what’s so damn impressive is that she’s so unassuming about it, like she doesn’t expect the world to kowtow to her. She doesn’t seem to recognize that she is in possession of goddess-like powers that can bend wills and break hearts.

As I get in my car and watch her walk back into her home, the sun striking her radiantly, I can’t help but think: this cover girl seems different. Still as gracious as can be to a schmuck like me. Because truth is, for the ordinary Juan de la Cruz, rebels and bad girls be damned! I will take Yciar Castillo and her girl-next-doorness, any day, any time. In the days to come, I fearlessly forecast that the spotlight will belong to her and many will come to know her name (you, inclusive, Starbucks barista and Ely Buendia); but she will always, forever, indelibly remain, just like that kiss, still Yciar.

SOURCE:
http://rogue.ph/features/entry/prelude_to_a_kiss/
http://rogue.ph/features/entry/prelude_to_a_kiss/P2/

Metro Him Magazine Vol. 4 No. 4

2010-09-02T01:36:00.000-05:00

Albert Martinez's secret to looking great at 46

After counting many years in the biz, Albert Martinez continues to play the dashing leading man in his TV projects. He has appeared in one teleserye after the other, even playing as love interest to Judy Ann Santos. As 2008 begins, Albert graces ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida once more in "Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara" and this time opposite Jodi Sta. Maria and Kris Aquino. In the latest issue of Metro hIM magazine, discover the surprising contrast of his roles both in reel and real life and the difficult yet colorful life he has through the years.

The issue is also dedicated to luxury, with a list of new status symbols, from old scents to gray hair to a body defined by sport and a wide variety of elegant men’s evening clothes. Plus advertising exec and man about town David Nugent writes a special essay 'Luxe Now - the new status symbols' on the price of fulfilling desires for luxury. Other featured stories are Rico Puno's great comeback for his new set of aficionados and the fast rise of indie films in the last few years.

Be in-the-know of the hottest trends for men these days only in Metro Him magazine, available in all leading bookstores and newsstands nationwide.

images and article courtesy of abs-cbnNEWS.com

SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnglobal.com/Regions/Manila/tabid/576/ArticleID/581/TargetModuleID/1607/Default.aspx

Subic-Tarlac Road Auction Still Draws Interest

2010-09-02T01:25:00.000-05:00

Subic-Tarlac road auction still draws interest
04/11/2007 | 10:34 PM

REPORT FROM BUSINESSWORLD

Two groups that had previously qualified to bid for the 10-year contract to operate the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) appear interested in participating in the rebidding being pushed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

One group, publicly listed Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) represented by its vice-president, David C. Nugent, said in a phone interview that the company is interested in the project, but wants the BCDA to extend the 10-year contract.

"We studied the terms that the BCDA put out for the tollway and found them to be quite difficult in the long termparticularly on the 10-year period," he said. "MPIC is interested, [but] we have raised concerns to the commercial aspect to the bid. We’re waiting for clarification from the government."

On the other hand, Lopez-owned publicly listed First Philippine Holdings Corp. said its position depends on the eligibility papers and requirements the BCDA will set. "We’re interested in the project, but whether we rebid or not depends on the eligibility documents [that BCDA asks for]," said a company official who refused to be named.

The SCTEx is a 93.77-kilometer, four-lane tollway consisting of two parts, namely: the 50.5-km, four-lane Subic-Clark section; and the 43.27-km., four-lane Clark-Tarlac segment.

The BCDA planned to conclude the bid last month, but it did not push through due to concerns on the terms of the contract.

The management contract, sche-duled to be in effect from May 13, 2007 to 2017, will cover toll collection, traffic management, road maintenance, general administration, as well as greening and landscaping.

The financial terms of the contract allow for a maximum of 12.2% sharing of toll fees every year with the winning bidder for the 10-year contract period.

In a notice put out this week, the BCDA called for interested parties to submit letters of intent to apply for eligibility before April 21 as well as re-levant eligibility documents before May 1. The new notice stated that the contract still set a 12.2% maximum threshold under a 10-year contract period.

The BCDA earlier required interested parties to have at least a year of experience in toll road operations and a total asset value of P500 million du-ring the prequalification stage.

BCDA financed the construction of the expressway through a P21-billion loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. The BCDA has also secured a standby P2.5-billion credit line from local banks.

Aside from the two eligible parties, 11 other firms had earlier expressed interest in the project: Mideast Alliance Resources Corp.; Canadian engineering firm SNC Lavalin International; Ausphil Tollways Corp.; Pacific Concrete Pro-ducts, Inc.; UEM-MARA Philippines Corp.; R.D. Policarpio Co., Inc.; Metro Pacific Investments Corp.; Ayala Property Management Corp.; STAR Infrastructure Development Corp.; J.V. Angeles Construction Corp.; and Pietras Builders Inc. — Reagan D. Tan/BusinessWorld

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/37920/subic-tarlac-road-auction-still-draws-interest

The First Philippine StarBall at the Crowne Plaza

2010-09-02T01:17:00.000-05:00

The First Philippine StarBall at the Crowne Plaza

Author: Resty Vergara
Column: Eye Catcher

It was dancing like you have never seen before. The First Philippine StarBall held at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila left Manilas denizens spellbound with the performances of the worlds most talented amateur and professional ballroom dancers.

The audience was captivated with the energy that was felt across the ballroom with the international dancers graceful moves and mesmerizing footwork, which were matched with unforgettable music and glitzy costumes. The most applauded numbers were the tango, fox trot, Viennese waltz and the cha-cha. Dancers competed in several categories including Amateur Latin, Amateur Standard, Pro-Am Latin, Pro-Am Standard, Professional Latin and Professional Standard. There were also Beginner, Novice, Junior, Pre-Teen, Under 21, and Senior divisions, even hip hop.

The grand ballroom of Crowne Plaza Galleria Plaza Manila was transformed into an elegant and enchanting dance arena complete with a wooden dance floor. The international guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner prepared by the masterful culinary team of the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila starting with asparagus soup with paprika cappuccino followed by assorted fresh salad with dressing. A deliciously healthy Mediterranean inspired main course was served: roasted chicken breast stuffed with ricotta, arugula and spinach served with green baguio beans and mushroom shitake fricassee and rosemary jus, white snapper in lemon butter sauce with rice and a unique dessert with a local twist, caramel hazel nut and mousse cake with pandan sauce.

The First Philippine StarBall was organized by the Council of United Professional Dance Teachers of the Philippines Inc. (CUPDTP), with the support of the Department of Tourism, First Gentlemans Foundation, Metrobank, SM Mark Inc., and International Container Terminal Services Inc. Proceeds of the competition went to Kythe, a foundation which helps children afflicted with cancer.

Michaela Pinky Puno, wife of DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno and chairman of the First Philippine StarBall organizing committee, led the awarding ceremonies together with Games and Amusement Board chairman Eric Buhain, Council of United Professional Dance Teachers of the Philippines Inc. (CUPDTP) president Jojo Cariño, CUPDTP vice president Jerswin Poloyapoy, Consul Erik Nielsen and wife Madame Dawn Nielsen of the Royal Consulate of Denmark, Madame Cosetta Fedele, wife of Italian Ambassador Rubens Anna Fedele, US Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Jones and his wife Catherine Jones.

Truly, everyone danced like a star and the Philippine StarBall will be an event that will be looked forward to annually.

Maroon 5 and Incubus at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila

Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, official residence of Maroon 5, the Grammy Award winning Los Angeles-based neo-soul rock group, hosted an after party at Bar One to celebrate the successful concert produced by Viva Converts and Events. The audience went wild as the band played their current chart topping single, Wont Go Home Without You. Other well-loved hits were Harder to Breathe, This Love, and She Will be Loved.

Back to back with Maroon 5 was the multi-awarded platinum American alternative rock band Incubus, which was on their Light Grenades Pacific Rim Tour in Manila produced by MTV Philippines. Incubus, back by popular demand in Manila, had their fans sing out loud their mix of hard rocking songs and sublime ballads such as Drive, Wish You Were Here, Megalomaniac, Anna Molly and Oil and Water.

The hotel has been a favorite of many international artists for being the ideal home away from home with its modern guest rooms, upscale amenities and strategic location.

Seen at the after party of Maroon 5 were Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila and Viva Entertainment VIPs led by Vincent del Rosario, executive vice president; Brent Fernandez, project director of Viva Concerts and Events; Crowne Plaza Galleria Manilas GM Paul Rene Lee; resident manager David Jamieson; and Pearl Peralta-Maclang, director of sales and marketing. Celebraties spotted were Anne Curtis, Sam Milby, Ruffa Mae Quinto, Maui Taylor, Andrea del Rosario, Tim Yap and Celine Lopez, who came with their friends such as Anna Angara, Geni and Isabel Psinakis. Beatles band The Members entertained the international crowd and Maroon 5s drummer and percussionist Matt Flynn even jammed with the band to the amusement of the crowd. Maroon 5 band members were mixing with the guests and even gamely posed for pictures.

At the Incubus party were MTV Philippines president Francis Lumen, director of marketing Ronald Esguerra with their VJs Maggie Wilson, Victor Basa, Anne Curtis, Kat Alano and Sib Sibulo. David Nugent, Sam Milby, Paolo Araneta, models Mia Ayesa, Roseanna Graendal and Rich Herrera were seen mixing with other musicians such as Pochoy Labog of Dicta License, Lalay Lim or Urbandub, EO Marcos of Severo and Niles Chong of Angulo.

Source: The Daily Tribune
http://telebisyon.net/balita/The-First-Philippine-StarBall-at-the-Crowne-Plaza/artikulo/69668/

Anita Tortorici Exhibit

2010-09-02T01:11:00.000-05:00

Anita Tortorici Exhibit

excerpted from
Without Batting An Eyelash
A glittering gem of an evening
By Maurice Arcache
Inquirer
First Posted 00:18:00 05/08/2007

Filed Under: Lifestyle & Leisure

Cosmo Manille’s smartest and chicest set were all très visible for the grand opening of “The Art of Tai Chi,” by San Francisco-based and internationally acclaimed watercolorist Anita Tortorici. Proceeds of the monthlong exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila will benefit the Met’s children’s programs, palanggas.

The gracious Anita, who has exhibited in Europe, America and Hong Kong, is the wife of Edward Tortorici, better known as Manny V. Pangilinan’s consiglieri! The whole officialdom of First Pacific, PLDT, Smart and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) were there for the opening. Heavyweights included MVP himself; PLDT/Smart president Polly Nazareno; close pal, business magnate Butch Campos; Nonoy Colayco; Doris Magsaysay Ho; and Mara Pardo de Tavera.

Popular architect and interior designer Anton Mendoza, an art collector himself, checked the works, dahlings. Also enjoying the show were Smart’s dynamic events head, Julie Carceller, and Metro Pacific’s good-looking, articulate man-about-town, David Nugent, no less, palanggas.

On behalf of MPIC, David Nugent said in his short speech: “We hope this to be the start of a long-term relationship with the Met, enabling and empowering it so that it can fulfill its longstanding mandate: to be a provider of art to people, in Manila and across the nation.”
Hot personalities who attended the opening included Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Armando Tetangco; popular British Ambassador Peter Beckingham and his adorable wife, Jill; Sri Lankan Ambassador W.M. Senevirathana; Alvaro Pertierra and Marivic Vazquez; former Ambassador to Washington, dashing Albert del Rosario, and his effervescent wife, Gretchen; and the Presidential Merit Medal recipient, artist Juvenal Sansó.

The best part about the fantastic exhibit is that more than a million pesos were raised from the sold-out show! That will definitely go a long way for the Met’s children’s program, palanggas. Not bad, huh!

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20070508-64635/A_glittering_gem_of_an_evening

Flowers for Natasha Morse

2010-09-02T00:49:00.000-05:00

Without Batting An Eyelash
Friends of Natasha Morse surprise her with birthday dinner
By Maurice Arcache
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:18:00 10/20/2009

Filed Under: People, Festive Events (including Carnivals)
MANILA, Philippines—A super fun surprise birthday dinner for sultry gal Natasha Morse was given by her close pals like David Lim, Jun Jun Ablaza, Paulie Caoili and talented executive chef Danny Vu of the excellent Aquaknox Restaurant on Pasay Road, Makati.

A divine menu just for Natasha was concocted by chef Danny. The romantic ambience and table décor were created by the one and only Jun Jun Ablaza.

The affair was held at David’s gorgeous home in Forbes Park, dahlings, with the chosen invitees like charity-oriented Diether Ocampo and his head-turner girlfriend, Rustan’s asset Rima Ostwani; Mellie and Luis Ablaza; Chris Badiola; Rina Go; Bong Tan; Pepper Teehankee; Richard Tiu; Christine Love and moi with a surprise visit by Michael Defensor. Then there was a delivery of eye-catching flower arrangements from David Nugent and Chris Badiola, palanggas.

Natasha Morse, the Queen for a Day, was, indeed, ravishing, dahlings.

Golf for a Cure

Responding to a call from Sally F. Marshall, president of Manila Golf Ladies, the civic-minded, brilliant lady, president of our town golf clubs gathered to launch Golf for a Cure, which bids to raise funds for the Pink for Life Foundation (PFLF) headed by Tatler’s and Harrison Plaza’s Irene Martel Francisco.

The program advocates women with stage 1 or 2 breast cancer. Specialists from Stanford University Medical Center were also present. Leading the breast cancer specialists was Dr. Diana Cua, director of PFLF, no less.

Sally explained: “Pink for Life Foundation was singled out as the project’s beneficiary because its mission is in sync with the mission of Manila Golf Ladies, which is to provide free breast-cancer treatment for the impoverished members of society.”

The tournaments in different golf clubs is open to men and women, with participation fee of P1,000. This will serve as their donation to the cause, and they will be given certificates. Attractive trophies will be awarded to the winners. Call Remy Romero Salas at 0917-7221212 or 215-3673.

Raymond Isaac’s women

At this one-of-a-kind happening, dahlings, I was impressed with sensational visual masterpieces spread out across the private club.

They were created by renowned photographer Raymond Isaac. His photo exhibit of divine goddesses, palanggas, is simply called “Isaac’s Women.” Raymond collaborated with Make Up Forever and Basement Salon.

Rogue Magazine will feature these women in its October issue, palanggas.
With beautiful faces and flowing booze from Bombay Sapphire, 42Below and Bacardi, the bash went on and on till it was curtain time for all of us, dahlings.
Call GP Reyes at 0917-8534747 or e-mail gpreyes@gmail.com.

Monaco charity film fest

There are many ways of saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” palanggas, but few as clever as the Italian “The clothing doesn’t make the monk.” On that note, the Monaco Charity Film Festival (MCFF) celebrated its grand fourth year anniversary at the crown jewel of Europe. The event was for the benefit of “poor children around the world.”

Vicente Andres Zaragoza, founder and chair of MCFF, said, “The MCFF’s mission is to provide a platform for the new independent filmmakers and to raise money for the impoverished and abandoned children around the world.” The beneficiary was Virlanie Foundation in the Philippines.

The brilliant jury selecting the best films at a grand gala dinner held at Fairmont Hotel included Princess Nauf Al Saud of Saudi Arabia; renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban; leading genetic scientist Dr. Daniel Cohen; and Jean Sarkozy, son of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, palanggas.

At the end of this awesome happening was the awarding ceremony for our very own own Romela Mosqueda-Bengzon, esteemed international lawyer and Philippine Trade Ambassador to the European Union.

She provided pro bono legal counsel, in the purchase of a house and lot on the Virlanie Foundation’s behalf. The property will be used as home and shelter for the street children of Manila.

True enough, palanggas, in one of the world’s richest countries, where international celebrities and socialites while away their afternoons on the Riviera and sun themselves on gorgeous yachts, charity is still very much a part of the culture, dahlings.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20091020-231355/Friends-of-Natasha-Morse-surprise-her-with-birthday-dinner

First Pacific 25th Anniversary

2010-09-02T00:37:00.000-05:00

Without Batting An Eyelash : Pacific-wide party for Asia-Pacific conglomerate

By Maurice Arcache
Columnist
Inquirer

Posted date: June 22, 2006

THE hottest ticket of the year was definitely the supremely elegant, completely dazzling and meticulously planned First Pacific’s 25th Anniversary. The big event had jetsetters trooping to Hong Kong’s posh Four Seasons Hotel, palanggas.

First Pacific is, naturellement, the listed Hong Kong-based conglomerate which happens to be the parent company that created the Smart mobile juggernaut and turned PLDT into the most profitable company in the Philippines for the past three years. It is also the parent company of Indofood, the Indonesian version of San Miguel, which makes practically everything found in your kitchen cupboard. It is also the parent company of Metro Pacific, the Philippine conglomerate.

The Philippines’ business whiz kid, Manny V. Pangilinan, had founded First Pacific 25 years ago with a partner, with only US$500,000 in capital from the incredibly wealthy Salim famille of Indonesia, (among the most prominent and largest business families in all of Asia) and turned it into the corporate titan it is now that does over an awesome US$2 billion in turnover. It has nearly 50,000 employees across the region and its companies are the dominant players in their markets. So to celebrate its first 25 years, a grand party was the order of the day. And what a bash it was, palanggas!

The white Carrera marble staircase of the chi-chi Four Seasons Hong Kong was decorated in silver rose petals, while the mezzanine of the Grand Ballroom had tons of overflowing roses, and a giant silver-framed photo panel.

The hotshot namedroppables who jetted in from all over the globe were enough to make you snap to attention. Heading the Indonesian set was no less than First Pacific’s honorary chair, Liem Sioe Long, otherwise known as “Soedono Salim,” the patriarch of the Salim famille. He was accompanied by his son, Anthony Salim, First Pacific’s chair and Pangilinan’s partner for nearly 30 years.

The Hong Kong contingent had super socialites such as David Tang, founder of Shanghai Tang and board member of First Pacific; First Pacific director Edward Tortorici and his elegant wife, Anita, who jet-sets between Hong Kong and San Francisco; and Philippine Ambassador to Washington Albert del Rosario, also a First Pacific board member, who later presented an award from President Macapagal-Arroyo to Manny V. P.

Heading the Philippine hotshots were esteemed former President Corazon C. Aquino and Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales. Together with them were President Aquino’s daughter, Balsy Cruz, and nephew, Rapa Lopa, and his glamorous wife, Didi.

The Inquirer’s beautiful Prieto famille were there, headed by la simpatica y elegante Marixi Rufino Prieto, PDI board chair, and her husband, businessman and golf whiz Alejandro “Alex” Prieto; their daughter, brilliant Sandy Prieto Romualdez, PDI’s president and CEO, who was looking chic in her black gown, accompanied by her tall, good-looking husband, Philip Romualdez, president of Benguet Corp.

Of course, my ever dearest Tessa Prieto Valdes dashed in late-ish. She had jetted into Hong Kong from San Francisco, and came bedecked in a gown that had all the Hong Kong crowd wondering, “Who was Tessa’s couturier?”

Loads of old money mixed with new, like, beautiful couple Pedro Roxas and wife, fashion plate Gina Tambunting R., who is on the board of PLDT, chatted with fellow board member, Tessie Sy-Coson, who was beaming with pride because of the hugely successful opening of her famille’s humongous SM Mall of Asia.

The rest of PLDT’s board were there in full force, including Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, Ateneo de Manila president; Shell chair Oscar Reyes (with wife Editha, sharing cocktails with Chari Lao and Amado Bagatsing); PLDT and Smart president Napoleon Nazareno (with petite wife Cecilia); and PLDT CEO Christopher Young (with wife Olivia).

Bert Romulo was with his super-fun wife, southern lady Olivia Montinola R.

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan was also there with megastar-wife Sharon Cuneta, who graciously acceded to sing (she was looking much slimmer). The indomitable Dolphy was there with daughter Zia. His wife, gorgeous Zsa Zsa Padilla, blew him kisses as she superbly performed on stage.

Moi doesn’t think a star-studded concert of this magnitude was ever attempted! Martin Nievera jetted in from Europe to perform, as well as the fabulous Lani Misalucha, who came to town from her headline show in Las Vegas. She got a standing ovation from the mega shakers from around the globe with her fantastic opera number, “Nessin Dorma.” Also wowing the audience were Kuh Ledesma, Zsa Zsa, Christian Bautista and Mon David, who had won the London International Jazz Festival.

World-class musical director Louie Ocampo conducted a full orchestra, set against a fairy-tale stage directed by the dynamic Robby Carmona. The concept and execution of the concert were by Metro Pacific’s David Nugent and fabulous talent manager Joji Dingcong.

Champagne flowed, fois gras was served aplenty and the best the Philippines had to offer was there to show a world-class crowd that we are nothing but world-class, dahlings.

Adorable Kris Aquino was absolutely radiant as she hosted the pre-concert program with Boy Abunda.

Manny V. P. thanked First Pacific’s employees “for their years of long-service and dedication.” Each one received a gold ingot!

The concert repertoire included everything from the musical “Gypsy” to Madonna and even Barbra Streisand. The two encores had everyone on their feet, dahlings.

After the concert ended, everyone partied in different Hong Kong clubs until 5:30 a.m.—except Manny Pangilinan who reported to his waterfront office bright and early the next morning, ready to chart the next 25 years of First Pacific’s.

Here’s to greater years ahead for First Pacific and to Mr. Wonderful himself!

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=6100

New Year's at Microtel Boracay

2010-09-02T00:21:00.000-05:00

‘My brother is not a Pig!’

By Tim Yap
Inquirer

Last updated 19:59:00 02/16/2007
BUT SOMEHOW this year is. Pardon the use of Mimilanie Marquez’s famous phrase as this article’s title but I just had to pork it out to welcome the Chinese New Year.

Yes, it’s another year -- so bring out your wild side, you boar! There’s so much to feast and celebrate about -- like, the beach!

There’s nothing like looking forward to another great year with heightened optimism (if you had a bad year, fret not -- this year I guarantee it’ll get B-E-T-T-E-R!).

And why not? It’s a double whammy celebration this week, what with Valentine’s just over (I just had a nice, simple meal of pesto pasta from Embassy door bitch Aslie Aslanian -- alone! And I loved it!) and Miss Piggy coming to eat us alive. Being barbequed never felt this good.

Feeling good should always be our priority. That’s why I always make sure New Year’s (no matter what race) must be spent in the most festive way.

Microtel mania

I spent mine at Microtel in Boracay where a lot of my friends booked their vacation over the past ho-ho-holiday season. KC Concepcion stayed here and so did rock royal Atom Henares, Ipe Cruz and David Nugent (It’s a new year, so new everything, folks) and Victor Basa, ABS-CBN’s new gun and MTV’s latest VJ -- so watch out for him.

Nothing gives me more excitement than seeing the Diniwid side of Bora blossom into the “great escape” from the par-tay side of the island. Diniwid has become the new Station 1, Station 1 is the new Greenbelt, Station 2 is the new Fort. And Station 3 has become…fluxxe -- Euro fluxxe, that is.

Even when I come home at ten in the morning on most days, Microtel GM Dean Cid greets me with the warmest smile that makes me head straight to the breakfast table spread prepared by Ian and Leah Bautista -- of Palomaria fame. “It’s really nice to come home here,” I whisper to myself every time I walk into Microtel’s halls.

At that time of the day I would see party shy supermodels sun bathing by the hotel’s beachfront. Teresa Herrera and her other bevy of Asian supermodels would get their dose of sun from Microtel’s shores.

Nami high

In between all that, I would grab grilled prawns, tom yum and salpicao from Nami, another prime prime Diniwid resort with the best butler service and view of the island -- and my favorite lady of Bora leisure, Tita Candy Perez de Tagle, who is at the utmost prime of her life, doing dragon boat races and hosting parties in the evening.

From Candy let’s hop to Cheese, as in Cheese Ledesma. She and her boyfriend Joel Ong invited me to once again hop onboard M\S Vianelle -- the party yacht of all party yachts. We observed the breath taking sunset as we sailed towards the horizon, with bubbly overflowing like the ocean. This summer, I hear they’re almost fully booked.

I will not make a rundown of restaurants to check out -- but I can’t help it. New spots like Chef Carla Gabor’s Traviessa, Chef Binggoy Remedios’ Dos Mestizos, my hands down favorite Island Chicken Inasal of Nina Bustamante, Nino Zulueta and Sunshine De Leon’s Cyma and my super favorite, Geni Psinakis and Nikos Gitisis’ Zuzuni. God knows how many times I’ve made it to my favorite island with the help of SeaAir -- still the fastest way to fly to Boracay!

Somehow Bora can also be too action-packed that I sometimes forget to sleep. But this New Year, let us look forward, think ahead, get some rest -- and then eat, drink and be merry.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/you/super/view/20070216-49886/%91My_brother_is_not_a_Pig%21%92

Ace Saatchi & Saatchi Deal with SM Investments's Supermarkets & Hamilo Coast Real Estate

2010-09-02T00:04:00.000-05:00

Supermarket Bonanza for Ace Saatchi & Saatchi
31 OCT 2007

Manila - Ace Saatchi & Saatchi in the Philippines has hit the jackpot after coming out on top in a recent pitch for Save More supermarkets, a medium-sized supermarket chain owned by the market leading SM Food Retail Group.

Their reward is to be assigned the full service account for not just this brand, but the rest of the Group's businesses as well, including SM Supermarkets - the Philippines' largest supermarket chain - and SM Hypermarket, the country's largest hypermarket.

As if this wasn't enough, our Manila office has also just been awarded AOR for Costa del Hamilo Inc., a 1,900 hectare (eventually 5,000 hectare) tourism, leisure and real estate venture two and a half hours from Manila. This venture is owned by SM Investments, parent company to the SM Food Retail Group, and further demonstrates the confidence that this new client has in them.

SM Investments is amongst the largest business groups in Southeast Asia, comprising retail, banking and property development, and is one of the world's largest shopping mall developers, with operations in the US, China and the Philippines.

For further details on this article please contact:
David Nugent
david_nugent@acesaatchi.com.ph

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.saatchi.com/news/archive/supermarket_bonanza_for_ace_saatchi__saatchi

Bejeweled Event

2010-09-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Without Batting An Eyelash
Bejeweled crowd gets more bling
By Maurice Arcache
Inquirer
First Posted 15:49:00 04/07/2006

Filed Under: Lifestyle & Leisure
Published on Page C2 of the April 7, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

JUST as the invitation had promised, palanggas, “Bejeweled!” was the fabulous launch of the precious stone-encrusted Shu Uemura’s false eyelashes and Motorola’s cool RAZR V3i mobile phone. Also sponsored by Smart Infinity, it was the most dazzling happening of the week.

Cosmo Manille’s low-profile crowd was out mixing with our town’s chic-hip partying regulars. They thought they had seen it all until brilliant and young Carissa Oledan Coscolluela of the renowned Oledan jewelers decided to embellish the latest beauty accessories from Shu Uemura’s Tokyo Lash Bar, with no less than—yes—diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, dahlings!

And to complement the eyelash collection, Carissa came up with gorgeous, awesome bejeweled Motorola RAZR V3i Phones encrusted also with fantastic precious stones.

Highlight of the night was a makeup demonstration by Shu Uemura’s chief international makeup artist, Kakuyasu Uchiide. Smart Tina Tinio had organized the program; she made everyone feel at home as we nibbled on the yummy, limitless flow of cocktail finger food courtesy of Zen Restaurant and booze care of Bailey’s.

Also making us feel at home were good-looking Motorola marketing manager Mari Litonjua and handsome Smart Infinity boss Tom Valderrama.

Invitees breezed in with their own interpretation of “dazzling glamour.” The “most dazzling people of the night” became winners of the limited jeweled collection.

Moi breezed in with Linda Oledan, who was, naturellement, trés proud of her daughter’s fantastic work; Bibing Montelibano Villanueva, blooming Anna Oledan Rodriguez and brilliant Chickie Locsin, who came with her pretty daughters, Bea and Farah.

Moi zoomed in on mother-and-daughter tandem, fashion plate Mary Ann Cuenca T. and Alessandra Tinio; popular Rep. Edmund Reyes, with his stunning wife, Camille; and hardworking socio-civic lady, Kate Gordon, on one of her rare nights out.

Hey! You’d think only the women would be interested in the bejeweled goodies, but moi spotted loads of gentlemen intently inspecting the prized items, palanggas: Duty Free Philippines top honcho Michael Kho; Carissa’s father, Buji Coscolluela; Michael James Chua; Rustan’s Dino Tantoco Pineda; and architect and Pineapple store owner Anton Barretto (who missed winning a Motorola studded with precious stones for not being there when his name was called. Pity!)

Also there were Metro Pacific’s corporate communication official David Nugent, who was with his close pal, well-liked Ipe Cruz, and Super! Tim Yap, who dashed in late.

Beautiful faces were almost everywhere: Ruffa Gutierrez Bektas; Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski; and stunning Audrey Tan Zubiri.

Two beautiful gals worked behind the scenes to make the affair a success: fab Shu Uemura team members Tessa Dragon and Xeng Zulueta.

The grand moment was the awarding of the jeweled eyelashes to the night’s dazzling lookers. Savannah Lumen received the lashes adorned with green and white diamonds; fab fashion plate Michiko Tachibana won the ruby-studded lashes; Kelly Misa won the diamond and sapphire lashes; and Hazel Espinosa won the Madonna-inspired all-diamond lashes.

Statuesque Marivic Pineda went home with Motorola’s RAZR V3i, studded with diamonds, and blue and yellow sapphire; our palangga , Margot Vargas Osmeña, brought back to Cebu the cell phone with diamonds and pink sapphire; debonair businessman Rick Yupangco won the diamond, ruby and sapphire version; and Ruffa G. got the diamond Motorola RAZR V3i.

As if all that luxurious celebrating wasn’t enough, Addict Mobile, headed by brilliant young hotshot, Luis Ang, treated everyone to an after-party celebration at Embassy’s Cuisine, with über-flowing Smirnoff Vodka.

Definitely a dazzling way, to end a stunning evening with those fabulous brands, dahlings.

Humble birthday boy

Juanito Rosales, the vice president of Ayala Corp., gave a fun birthday dinner held at the exclusive Executive Lounge of 6750 in Ayala Avenue, palanggas.

While most would mention the work and sacrifice they had to go through before they made their first million, or how they received their most prestigious award, Juanito R. humbly told his invitees he was gratified that people “recognized my contributions and took the time to attend my birthday dinner.”

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales celebrated the Thanksgiving Mass. Well-wishers included Ayala’s pillar of strength, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and charity-oriented, Doña Bea Miranda Zobel de Ayala, Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Jaime Ysmael Sr., Antonio Aquino and Sherisa Nuesa, dahlings.

During the bash, Nitoy recalled, “My thoughts that night were, sino ba ako that all these people would actually make time for me and accept my invitation?”

The answer is simple, sir. You’ve really come a long way, birthday boy. N’est ce pas? Cheers, palangga!

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20060407-986/Bejeweled_crowd_gets_more_bling

Positive Results for Metro Pacific (MPIC), First Pacific

2010-09-01T23:45:00.000-05:00

FIRST PACIFIC COMPANY LIMITED
(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)

[First Pacific Group includes PLDT, Smart Communications, Indofood]

GROUP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

24th Floor, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2842 4388
Email: info@firstpac.com.hk
Fax: (852) 2845 9243
http://www.firstpacco.com

Tuesday, 27 March 2007

MPIC REPORTS 2006 RESULTS
2007 Outlook Profitable; Positive Results at Maynilad,
New Investment in Makati Med

The attached press release was released today in Manila by Metro Pacific Investments
Corporation (MPIC), in which the First Pacific Group holds an economic interest of
approximately 93 per cent.

MPIC is a Manila, Philippines based investment management holding company with core
operations in water utility and real estate development. MPIC practices a distinctive
philosophy of value-driven, active management of its investments. More information about
MPIC can be accessed at www.mpic.com.ph .

* * *

For details, please contact:
David C. Nugent
Vice President
Media & Corporate Communications
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation
Telephone: +632-888-0888/29
Email: dscn@mpic.com.ph

METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MPIC REPORTS 2006 RESULTS

2007 Outlook Profitable; Positive Results at Maynilad,
New Investment in Makati Med

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, 27TH March 2007 – Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (“MPIC”)
(PSE: MPI) today stated it reported a loss of Pesos 685.9 million for the year ended 31st
December 2006, and which are substantially a result of continuing provisions made at the
Metro Pacific Corporation (“MPC”) – a 96.6 percent owned subsidiary of MPIC.

Of the 2006 losses, Pesos 415 million reflects an extraordinary one-time provision made
against MPC’s investment in a land company, Costa de Madera. A further Pesos 110.7
million are losses related to the divestment of MPC’s 84% majority interest in Negros
Navigation Company (“Nenaco”). Various other write-downs totaling Pesos 160.2 million
were also made at the MPC level, reflecting one-time provisions on tax assets.

“Its important to place MPIC’s 2006 results in their proper context – last year we effected a
final clean up of MPC’s old accounts in order that MPIC could start 2007 without the financial
baggage of the past,” said Jose Ma. K. Lim, MPIC President and CEO. “MPC is no longer a
revenue-generating nor a core holding of MPIC.

MPIC Holding Company: Already Profitable, Outlook Positive
For the first two months of 2007, MPIC has recorded a net real profit substantially higher
than project, derived from its share in the profits resulting from its participation in the joint
venture company it owns together with D.M. Consunji Inc. (“DMCI”) a Philippine engineering
and construction company, as well as improved results from its other core business, real
estate developer and marketer Landco Pacific Corporation (“Landco”).

“All the indications are in place that MPIC will have a successful year and we are confident
that MPIC, the successor to MPC, will record real profits every quarter in 2007,” said Mr. Lim.
“We are making smart investments in businesses with strong, long-term growth potential and
in which our experience in effecting corporate turnarounds and financial rehabilitations will
result in building new value for our shareholders.”

Operations / Maynilad: Metamorphosis Begins With Results
After more than 20 years, Maynilad Water Services recently began regular water deliveries
to heavily populated Paranaque, a key residential and business center in the Greater Metro
Manila Region. This development comes shortly after the January assumption of an 83.97%
interest in Maynilad Water Services by the DMCI-MPIC Water Company Inc., the joint
venture company established by MPIC and DMCI to hold its interests in the water utility
sector.

“We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made at Maynilad in only such a short amount of
time. DMCI brings a significant degree of technical and engineering experience to our
venture, and complements the experience MPIC has had in effecting successful corporate
rehabilitations and financial turnarounds,” said Mr. Lim. “We have named a DMCI officer,
Herbert Consunji as Maynilad’s Chief Operating Officer, and MPIC’s Chief Financial Officer,

Randy Estrellado, already serves at Maynilad on a concurrent basis as we begin to establish
stricter financial controls and processes. We believe that as the culture of MPIC begins to
cascade throughout the Maynilad organization, change will accelerate and Maynilad will
become a company respected for its credibility and profitability.”

Operations / Landco: Launches Cebu Development
Recently Landco announced a substantial joint-venture development and marketing
agreement with the Villalon family of Cebu City, owners of a series of interconnected yet
undeveloped lots on prime locations atop the hills overlooking the Philippines’ second largest
city. Upon completion, “Monterrazas de Cebu”, as the project is known, will emerge as
Cebu’s ultimate residential and leisure estate, with facilities and infrastructure built according
to the exacting standards of similarly landmark Landco projects such as Peninsula de Punta
Fuego and Terrazas de Punta Fuego.

New Investments / MPIC: Board Approves Investment in Makati Med
At today’s regular MPIC Board meeting, the MPIC Board voted unanimously to subscribe to
at least Pesos 600 million of Convertible Subordinated Notes, which will has a mandatory
conversion into direct ownership of Makati Medical Center (“Makati Med”) shares. “Since
2006 MPIC’s Chairman has concurrently served as Chairman of Makati Medical Center, and
by creating consensus and working with all of the hospital’s stakeholders, has brought
Makati Med back to profitability,” noted Mr. Lim. “This investment will result in MPIC
becoming Makati Med’s single largest investor, and enable us to implement our vision to
return Makati Med as the Philippines’ premier healthcare institution.”

With construction beginning in the first quarter of 2007, the entire Makati Med complex will
be completely rebuilt and retrofitted, with construction expected to be completed by 2009.
“We believe our investment in Makati Med is a smart move at a time when the need from
both domestic and foreign patients for world-class facilities is growing across Southeast
Asia,” added Mr. Lim.

Comments From Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan
“Our mandate for MPIC this year is growth and increased profitability. We have a good core
to start from and we’ll be actively seeking to acquire additional businesses to enable MPIC to
become a major participant in the utility, infrastructure and power sectors of the Philippines.
These are amongst the most critical industries a rapidly developing nation needs for its
economic health, and we regard these sectors as offering excellent potential for long term
value creation,“ said Manuel V. Pangilinan.

About MPIC
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation is a Manila, Philippines based investment
management holding company with core operations in water utility and real estate
development. MPIC practices a distinctive philosophy of value-driven, active management
of its investments. More information about MPIC can be accessed at www.mpic.com.ph

--- End ---

For details, please contact:
David C. Nugent
Vice President
Media & Corporate Communications
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation
Telephone: +632-888-0888/29
Email: dscn@mpic.com.ph

--------------------------------------------------------
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS:
http://www.firstpacific.com/admin/upload/ir/announcements/ea070327.pdf
http://202.66.146.82/listco/hk/firstpacific/press/p070327.pdf
--------------------------------------------------------

Metro Pacific Corp. Fiscal Year Report 2006

2010-09-01T22:57:00.000-05:00

SEC. REG. NO. 135748

METRO PACIFIC CORPORATION

10/F MGO Building
Legazpi corner De La Rosa Streets
Legaspi Village, Makati City
Tel. No. (632) 888-08888

Company’s Fiscal Year Ending : DECEMBER 31

Form Type - SEC FORM 17-C
CURRENT REPORT UNDER SECTION 17
OF THE SECURITIES REGULATION CODE (SRC)
AND SRC RULE 17.1 THEREUNDER

NO ACTIVE SECONDARY LICENSE TYPE

15 June 2006

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SEC FORM 17-C

CURRENT REPORT UNDER SECTION 17
OF THE SECURITIES REGULATION CODE (SRC)
AND SRC RULE 17.1 THEREUNDER

1. June 15, 2006
(Date of earliest event reported)

2. SEC Identification Number: 135748

3. BIR Tax Identification No.: 470-000-130-700

4. METRO PACIFIC CORPORATION
Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter

5. Metro Manila, Philippines

6. (SEC Use Only)
Province, country or other jurisdiction of incorporation
Industry Classification Code:

7. 10/F MGO Building, Legazpi corner De La Rosa Streets
Legaspi Village, Makati City
Metro Manila
Address of principal office Postal Code

8. (632) 888-0888
Registrant's telephone number, including area code

9. Not Applicable
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

10. Securities registered pursuant to SRC
Title of Each Class
Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding and Amount of Debt Outstanding
Common
18,603,473,157*
*as reported by the stock transfer agent as of 3 April 2006

11. Indicate the item numbers reported herein:

Item 4 – Election of Directors and Officers

a. At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation held on June 15, 2006, following were elected as directors of the Corporation for the ensuing fiscal year:

Manuel V. Pangilinan
Jose Ma. K. Lim
Edward A. Tortorici
Alfred Xerez-Burgos, Jr.
Edward S. Go – Independent Director
Enrique P. Esteban – Independent Director
Augusto P. Palisoc, Jr.
Amado R. Santiago III
Sulficio O. Tagud, Jr.
Gemma M. Santos
Antonio A. Picazo

b. At the organizational meeting which followed the aforementioned annual meeting of stockholders, the following were elected as officers of the Corporation for the ensuing fiscal year:

Manuel V. Pangilinan – Chairman
Jose Ma. K. Lim – President
Randolph T. Estrellado – Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Antonio A. Picazo - Corporate Secretary
Gemma M. Santos - Assistant Corporate Secretary

Attached hereto is the related press release on the appointment of Mr. Estrellado.

Item 6 – Changes in Securities –

At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation held on June 15, 2006, stockholders representing more than two-thirds of the entire outstanding capital stock of the Corporation approved the decrease in the authorized capital stock of the Corporation from Thirty Billion Pesos (P30,000,000,000), divided into Twenty Nine Billion (29,000,000,000) common shares, Nine Hundred Ninety Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand (997,500,000) Series “1” preferred shares and Two Million Five Hundred Thousand (2,500,000) Series “2” preferred shares, all with par value of One Peso (P1.00) each, to One Billion Five Hundred Million Pesos (P1,500,000,000), divided into One Billion Four Hundred Fifty Million (1,450,000,000) common shares, Forty Nine Million Eight Hundred Seventy Five Thousand (49,875,000) Series “1” preferred shares and One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand (125,000) Series “2” preferred shares, all with par value of One Peso (P1.00) each.

As a result of this decrease in the authorized capital stock of the Corporation, the issued and outstanding common shares of stock of the Corporation shall correspondingly decrease from 19,053,473,157 to approximately 952,673,657 common shares. Thus, the decrease in the authorized and issued shares of Corporation will be effected through the consolidation of every 20 shares into 1 share.

The common shares of the Corporation following the capital decrease shall have the same rights and privileges as the common shares of the Corporation currently outstanding. Except for the decrease in the number of shares held by each of the existing shareholders, each shareholder shall enjoy the same rights and privileges in respect of the modified common shares.

Item 9 – Other Matters –

Appointment of External Auditors

At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation held on June 15, 2006, SGV & Co. was re-appointed as the external auditors of the Corporation.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Regulation Code, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

METRO PACIFIC CORPORATION

Registrant

By:
DAVID C. NUGENT
Corporate information Officer
Date: 15 June 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15TH JUNE 2006

APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The Board of Directors of Metro Pacific Corporation (“Metro Pacific”) (PSE: MPC) today announced the appointment of Mr. Randolph T. Estrellado as its Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Estrellado will oversee all aspects of Metro Pacific’s finances. Mr. Estrellado’s appointment is expected to strengthen the Metro Pacific management team as the Company prepares for a new period of growth and investments.

Prior to joining Metro Pacific, Mr. Estrellado was Vice President and CFO for ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. While at ABS-CBN, Mr. Estrellado managed all aspects of the network’s financial operations, including financial planning, controllership, treasury, budget and investor relations. Mr. Estrellado had served in various positions of senior responsibility with the Lopez Group of Companies since 1996. He had formerly also served in financial positions at Phinma and P.T. Dwi Satrya Utama in Indonesia.

Mr. Estrellado has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Honors Program cum laude, from the Ateneo de Manila University.

For details, please contact:
David C. Nugent
Vice President, Media & Corporate Communications
Metro Pacific Corporation

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENT: http://www.firstpacific.com/admin/upload/ir/announcements/ea060615.pdf
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2006 Full Year Financial Results of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation

2010-09-01T22:49:00.000-05:00

27 March 2007

PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE
Listings & Disclosure Group
4/F PSE Center, Exchange Road
Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Attention:
ATTY. PETE M. MALABANAN
Head
Disclosure Department

Attached is SEC Form 17-C which announces the 2006 Full-year Financial Results of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.

Thank you.

Very truly yours,

DAVID C. NUGENT
Vice President
Media & Corporate Communications

--------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SEC FORM 17-C

CURRENT REPORT UNDER SECTION 17
OF THE SECURITIES REGULATION CODE
AND SRC RULE 17.2(c) THEREUNDER

1. 27 March 2007
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

2. SEC Identification Number CS200604494

3. BIR Tax Identification No. 244-520-457-000

4. METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION
Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter

5. METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES

6. (SEC Use Only)
Province, country or other jurisdiction of incorporation
Industry Classification Code:

7. 10th Floor, MGO BUILDING, LEGAZPI COR. DELA ROSA STREETS, LEGAZPI VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES ........................
Address of principal office Postal Code

8. (632) 888-0888
Issuer's telephone number, including area code

9. NA
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

10. Securities registered pursuant to Sections 8 and 12 of the SRC or Sections 4 and 8 of the RSA

Title of Each Class

Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding and Amount of Debt Outstanding

COMMON SHARES OF STOCK
1,119,767,300

SUBSCRIPTION WARRANTS
145,700,656

COMMON SHARES UNDERLYING THE SUBSCRIPTION WARRANTS
145,700,656

11. Indicate the item numbers reported herein:

Attached is the announcement on MPIC’s Full year Financial results for 2006.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Regulation Code, the Issuer has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION 27 March 2007
MPIC or Issuer Date

.............................................................
DAVID C. NUGENT
Vice-President

METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MPIC REPORTS 2006 RESULTS

2007 Outlook Profitable; Positive Results at Maynilad,
New Investment in Makati Med

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, 27TH March 2007 – Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (“MPIC”) (PSE: MPI) today stated it reported a loss of Pesos 685.9 million for the year ended 31st December 2006, and which are substantially a result of continuing provisions made at the Metro Pacific Corporation (“MPC”) – a 96.6 percent owned subsidiary of MPIC.

Of the 2006 losses, Pesos 415 million reflects an extraordinary one-time provision made against MPC’s investment in a land company, Costa de Madera. A further Pesos 110.7 million are losses related to the divestment of MPC’s 84% majority interest in Negros Navigation Company (“Nenaco”). Various other write-downs totaling Pesos 160.2 million were also made at the MPC level, reflecting one-time provisions on tax assets.

“Its important to place MPIC’s 2006 results in their proper context – last year we effected a final clean up of MPC’s old accounts in order that MPIC could start 2007 without the financial baggage of the past,” said Jose Ma. K. Lim, MPIC President and CEO. “MPC is no longer a revenue-generating nor a core holding of MPIC.

MPIC Holding Company: Already Profitable, Outlook Positive
For the first two months of 2007, MPIC has recorded a net real profit substantially higher than project, derived from its share in the profits resulting from its participation in the joint venture company it owns together with D.M. Consunji Inc. (“DMCI”) a Philippine engineering and construction company, as well as improved results from its other core business, real estate developer and marketer Landco Pacific Corporation (“Landco”).

“All the indications are in place that MPIC will have a successful year and we are confident that MPIC, the successor to MPC, will record real profits every quarter in 2007,” said Mr. Lim. “We are making smart investments in businesses with strong, long-term growth potential and in which our experience in effecting corporate turnarounds and financial rehabilitations will result in building new value for our shareholders.”

Operations / Maynilad: Metamorphosis Begins With Results
After more than 20 years, Maynilad Water Services recently began regular water deliveries to heavily populated Paranaque, a key residential and business center in the Greater Metro Manila Region. This development comes shortly after the January assumption of an 83.97% interest in Maynilad Water Services by the DMCI-MPIC Water Company Inc., the joint venture company established by MPIC and DMCI to hold its interests in the water utility sector.

“We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made at Maynilad in only such a short amount of time. DMCI brings a significant degree of technical and engineering experience to our venture, and complements the experience MPIC has had in effecting successful corporate rehabilitations and financial turnarounds,” said Mr. Lim. “We have named a DMCI officer, Herbert Consunji as Maynilad’s Chief Operating Officer, and MPIC’s Chief Financial Officer, Randy Estrellado, already serves at Maynilad on a concurrent basis as we begin to establish stricter financial controls and processes. We believe that as the culture of MPIC begins to cascade throughout the Maynilad organization, change will accelerate and Maynilad will become a company respected for its credibility and profitability.”

Operations / Landco: Launches Cebu Development
Recently Landco announced a substantial joint-venture development and marketing agreement with the Villalon family of Cebu City, owners of a series of interconnected yet undeveloped lots on prime locations atop the hills overlooking the Philippines’ second largest city. Upon completion, “Monterrazas de Cebu”, as the project is known, will emerge as Cebu’s ultimate residential and leisure estate, with facilities and infrastructure built according to the exacting standards of similarly landmark Landco projects such as Peninsula de Punta Fuego and Terrazas de Punta Fuego.

New Investments / MPIC: Board Approves Investment in Makati Med
At today’s regular MPIC Board meeting, the MPIC Board voted unanimously to subscribe to at least Pesos 600 million of Convertible Subordinated Notes, which will has a mandatory conversion into direct ownership of Makati Medical Center (“Makati Med”) shares. “Since 2006 MPIC’s Chairman has concurrently served as Chairman of Makati Medical Center, and by creating consensus and working with all of the hospital’s stakeholders, has brought Makati Med back to profitability,” noted Mr. Lim. “This investment will result in MPIC becoming Makati Med’s single largest investor, and enable us to implement our vision to return Makati Med as the Philippines’ premier healthcare institution.”

With construction beginning in the first quarter of 2007, the entire Makati Med complex will be completely rebuilt and retrofitted, with construction expected to be completed by 2009. “We believe our investment in Makati Med is a smart move at a time when the need from both domestic and foreign patients for world-class facilities is growing across Southeast Asia,” added Mr. Lim.

Comments From Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan
“Our mandate for MPIC this year is growth and increased profitability. We have a good core to start from and we’ll be actively seeking to acquire additional businesses to enable MPIC to become a major participant in the utility, infrastructure and power sectors of the Philippines. These are amongst the most critical industries a rapidly developing nation needs for its economic health, and we regard these sectors as offering excellent potential for long term value creation,“ said Manuel V. Pangilinan.

About MPIC
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation is a Manila, Philippines based investment management holding company with core operations in water utility and real estate development. MPIC practices a distinctive philosophy of value-driven, active management of its investments. More information about MPIC can be accessed at www.mpic.com.ph
--- End ---

For details, please contact:
David C. Nugent
Vice President
Media & Corporate Communications
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation
Telephone: +632-888-0888/29
Email: dscn@mpic.com.ph

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENT: http://www.mpic.com.ph/uploads/2007/10/mpic-2006-full-year-results.pdf
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Metro Pacific Approval for Financing of Acquisition (Maynilad Water Services, Inc.)

2010-09-01T21:34:00.000-05:00

METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS

09 January 2007
PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE
Listings & Disclosure Group
4/F PSE Center, Exchange Road
Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Attention:
Ms. Jurisita M. Quintos
Senior Vice President
Operations Group

Attached is SEC Form 17-C which indicates various approvals by the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) (PSE: MPI) Board of Directors which provide for the full financing in connection with the acquisition of a majority interest in Maynilad Water Services Inc., as well as the anticipated capital expenditure and operating expenditure requirements for that acquisition.

Thank you.

Very truly yours,
DAVID C. NUGENT
Vice President
Media & Corporate Communications

------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SEC FORM 17-C

CURRENT REPORT UNDER SECTION 17
OF THE SECURITIES REGULATION CODE
AND SRC RULE 17.2(c) THEREUNDER

1. 09 January 2007
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

2. SEC Identification Number CS200604494

3. BIR Tax Identification No. 244-520-457-000

4. METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION
Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter

5. METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES 6. (SEC Use Only)
Province, country or other jurisdiction of incorporation
Industry Classification Code:

7. 10th Floor, MGO BUILDING, LEGAZPI COR. DELA ROSA STREETS, LEGAZPI VILLAGE, MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES ........................
Address of principal office Postal Code

8. (632) 888-0888
Issuer's telephone number, including area code

9. NA
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

10. Securities registered pursuant to Sections 8 and 12 of the SRC or Sections 4 and 8 of the RSA

Title of Each Class

Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding and Amount of Debt Outstanding

COMMON SHARES OF STOCK
1,119,767,300

SUBSCRIPTION WARRANTS
145,700,656

COMMON SHARES UNDERLYING THE SUBSCRIPTION WARRANTS
145,700,656

11. Indicate the item numbers reported herein:

Item 9. Other Events

At the Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Registrant held late in the afternoon of January 5, 2007 – Friday, the Board authorized Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (“Registrant”) to do the following:

[1] to negotiate and secure loans from certain Ashmore Funds and Metro Pacific Holdings, Inc. (“MPHI”) in the aggregate amount of US$62,000,000.00. The aforesaid loans are convertible to such number of common shares of the Registrant as may be agreed upon by the Registrant, said Ashmore Funds and MPHI in an investment agreement to be entered among them, at a subscription price of One Peso (PhP 1.00) per subscription share;

[2] to procure a Stand By Letter of Credit (“SLBC”) from JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. (“JP Morgan”) in the amount of US$240,000,000.00 for the purpose of partially securing the obligations of the Registrant to contribute cash to Maynilad Water Services, Inc. pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated 27 December 2006 with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. To secure said SBLC issued by JP Morgan, the Board likewise authorized the Registrant to enter into an Omnibus Security and Credit Agreement with Banco de Oro (“BDO”) and Development Bank of the Philippines (“DBP”) whereby BDO and DBP shall issue Standby Letter/s of Credit in the aggregate amount of US Dollars: Two Hundred Forty Million (US$240,000,000.00) in favor of JP Morgan; and

[3] to execute an Omnibus Second-ranking Security Agreement (“Security Agreement”), including the Omnibus Agreement in which the Security Agreement is contained, both in relation to a term loan facility of US$ 192,000,000.00 to be granted by the Ashmore Funds named therein and First Pacific Company Limited in favor of the Registrant’s 50% subsidiary, DMCI-MPIC Water Company.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Regulation Code, the Issuer has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION 09 January 2007
MPIC or Issuer Date

.............................................................
DAVID C. NUGENT
Vice-President

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Original Document: http://www.mpic.com.ph/uploads/2007/07/mpic-bod-approvals.pdf
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Kristine Hermosa and Oyo Sotto Getting Married in US

2010-02-17T19:53:00.000-06:00

Yeah, you read that right... The news buzzing around is that Kristine Hermosa and Oyo Boy Sotto are not only the longtime rumored couple that they were thought to be, but they are planning to get married already--and they plan to do it in the US.

Past relationships of Kristine Hermosa include Jericho Rosales and Diether O'Campo (whom she also married but eventually split).

On the other hand, ex-flames of Oyo Sotto include Angel Locsin, Anne Curtis, Iya Villania, and Alessandra de Rossi.

Don't know if this Kristine-Oyo marriage is going to last, but perhaps it might. Apparently they've been friends and/or boyfriend-girlfriend for more than 3 years. But if their combined nicknames foretell anything about their relationship, then I guess it'll be a salty one, because it's "TinOyo"... and tinoyo means to immerse in soy sauce.