Filipina Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford has been working her culinary magic for 15 years at the White House and became the first female Executive Chef in 2005 under former First Lady Laura Bush. Her creations are savoured by America’s First Families, as well as the likes of Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other heads of the states. On this week’s Talk Asia, Cristeta Comerford takes host Hala Gorani inside Washington DC’s most famous address and shows her how a White House dinner is prepared.

Watch her video interview here.

As the first White House chef of Filipino descent, the 48-year-old is proud to bring her hometown’s local delicacies to the First Families she’s worked for. “It’s very humbling for me just to be even in this position right now, to serve the first family, the President, the First Lady and the children. Because coming from you know, like a third world country and being here and serving like the most powerful man in the world, that’s a big thing.”

Comerford was appointed by First Lady Laura Bush on August 14, 2005. She is the first female executive chef and the first person of ethnic minority origin to hold this position

Cristeta a shares with Hala her experience competing in the reality television show “Iron Chef America”, the First Lady’s healthy eating campaign and what the Obamas’ favorite dishes are.

There’s no shortage of style ideas in the Internet but finding inspiration that hits closer to home is a tricky matter. If you’re looking for style tips on locally available fashion, the personal style diaries of these seven Filipino girls will help you step out of your comfort zone, inform you about current trends, and even teach you a thing or two about snagging great deals at ukay-ukay.

Denise Katipunera (Denise)

Denise claims that there is nothing original about her, but a quick look at her photos is enough to disprove this statement. This wardrobe blogger has the prettiest ukay dresses around and can get away with wearing layers and scarves in our tropical climate. Aside from her perfectly-composed outfit photos, her sunny personality and positive attitude towards life makes her blog a delight to read.

Fashionista Fortune Cookie (Lloyda)

A girl like Lloyda is difficult to miss. Her outfits are playful yet polished, fashion-forward but not contrived. Every single outfit she wears leaves not only a lasting imprint of her style, but also a refreshing playfulness so rarely found in adults. It’s no wonder that she snagged one of Preview Magazine’s Best Dressed Awards this year, a spot in a style book, and numerous snaps at Style Bible. Her blog is a real inspiration for anyone who’s not quite ready to ditch their quirky duds for more “grown-up” attire.

Chic in the Tropics (Eden)

Black is often the safe, go-to color for those who are afraid to experiment with their wardrobe, but Eden brings back the edge and excitement to black clothing once more. This young disc jockey can be found partying in the streets of Cebu wearing statement pieces, trendy neutrals, and gravity-defying heels. Check out her blog for some real rocker-chick fashion and for ideas on new ways to wear black.

The Capricious Club (Bestie)

“Capricious” – an old-fashioned word for fanciful, whimsy, or erratic – is truly the perfect adjective to describe Bestie’s sense of style. There’s nothing predictable about her; on some days you’ll find her frolicking in a field in a maxidress like the hippies of old, on other days she waxes nostalgia in frilly blouses and bows. Follow her blog for ideas on how to translate vintage-inspired fashion and current trends into real life.

Death by Platforms (Kookie)

Most girls would pair lace and florals with girly accessories, but not Kookie of Death by Platforms – she wears her frilly dresses with layered black necklaces and lots of attitude. And of course, black platform heels! Her sense of style is a unique blend between classic femininity and gothic romanticism. If you’re adventurous enough to make unlikely pairings, check out Kookie’s blog for more photos of her edgy fashion sense.

A Plus B in the Sea (A and B)

We all want to stay abreast of current trends, but what if you’re on a limited student budget? Meet A and B, two spirited girls who can show you how to look good without spending a lot. They’ve got a useful guide on navigating Manila’s thrift stores, not to mention an abundance of dreamy photos that will make you want to frolic in the nearest field in lovely floral dresses.

Drowning Equilibriums (Aisa)

It’s easy to see why Chictopia Style Icon Aisa keeps getting featured on other fashion blogs – she can mix and match items from different eras with such effortlessness and grace. Although her preference for vintage-inspired fashion clearly shows, every new photo she posts is always exciting and inspired. She’s giving away tons of goodies from local online retailers soon, so if there has ever been a good time to follow her, it’s now!

Source: Seven stylish Filipina bloggers

A Filipina in the global news is Alexandra Escat because she was seen with Prince Andrew in a yacht. The Duke of York was seen engrossed in a playful conversation with the Filipina model on a luxury yacht last week.

Who is she?

Photo credit:estilodemadrid.com

From Night Celebrity

The 25-year-old swimsuit model joined the prince over the weekend as he jetsetted about. They even spent time aboard a massive multi-million dollar yacht that measures well over 150ft, only to end up in a luxury hotel with the likes of Janet Jackson and a few famous athletes.

But who is this woman, whom many believe to be Prince Andrew’s girlfriend?

For starters, she is a well-known socialite, who can be seen hitting up the party scenes in Madrid and Manila. Aside from bikini modeling, she has appeared in a commercial for hair products (see below), and has been invited to some of the most exclusive events in the UK. She is also a columnist for a Spanish website called ‘Estilo De Madrid.’

Her unique look can be traced back to her parent’s diverse background; her father is from Spain, while her mother is a native of the Phillipines, where she is often spotted at fashion events.

Cheryl Tiu, a wealthy Filipino magazine editor and close friend of the model, confirmed Miss Escat was the bikini-wearing woman snapped giggling as she allowed Prince Andrew to kiss her hand. Her friend wrote on Twitter ‘My friend Alex Escat was spotted yachting with Prince Andrew, Duke of York! Hello Magazine UK said she was the wife of another man. Hahahaha!’

Rossana Ladaga Llenado is a successful Filipina entrepreneur. She is the brains and force behind one of the country’s most successful review and learning centers, AHEAD Tutorial and Review Center.

Looking at Rossana now, you would not believe she hails from very simple beginnings. Her own father did not finish formal schooling, making it all the more ironic that she has become one of the country’s top proponents for quality education. However, it is precisely because of her humble beginnings that have made Rossana value education and hard work all the more.

It is a miracle in itself that she was able to obtain a college education form UP Los Banos given her poor background. Her family was so poor, she couldn’t afford to buy her own textbooks, so she spent her time in the library studying.

A product of the public school system in the Laguna area, it was only through the financial aid and the help of an uncle that Rossana was able to get a Degree at UP Los Banos. Early on, she knew that to get ahead, she had to take matters into her own hands. She supplemented her allowance and helped her parents out by selling whatever she could. From mangoes, to polvoron, rubber bands and toys, Rossana did what she could to survive. She scheduled her classes so that it left her ample time to take on odd jobs. On top of her busy school and work schedule, she still had to do her share of household chores such as laundry and cleaning to help her parents. She also remained well rounded by joining several extra curricular activities and even playing for her college soccer team.

After graduation, Rossana worked in different fields, including real estate. In her twenties, she got married and later became a mother. It was a tough balancing act being a working mom, wife and so she decided to start her own business so she could stay at home to raise her two children back then.

In 1995, she started AHEAD with only P5000. She tutored students from her rented living room apartment in Pasig and only had her other friends who were Magna and Summa cum Laude graduates as other tutors. Rossana set her business apart from other review centers by focusing on preparing the students for the UPCAT. She later expanded to focused exam based reviews for the Ateneo Entrance Exam, as well as the De La Salle Entrance Exam.

The high passing and acceptance rate of her review center graduates made her a widely popular choice for senior students seeking the competitive edge. Three years after founding the review center, she put up Ahead Books and Things, with the publication of the industry’s first UPCAT review book. Within five years, AHEAD was established as the country’s premiere tutorial and review center. She also established AHEAD Professional Network.

Only in her early forties, Rossana has already achieved more that most people twice her age. It is a remarkable feat and a testament to this lady’s tenacity that she has overcome the odds to become one of the most successful businesswomen in the country today, all the while raising four children.

Rossana’s achievements have been met with several awards and accolades, including the Gold Quill for Marketing from the International Association of Business Communicators; Agora for Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship from the Philippine Marketing Association; Aurelio Periquet Jr. Leadership Award; Ilaw ng Karunungn award from Philam Life; and the “Outstanding Educational Administrator” by the Consumers Union of the Philippines. She has also been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine and Mom Magazine, and is constantly being invited as a guest speaker to provide inspiration for the next generation.

One of the things that makes Rossana’s success story unique, is that instead of looking outside the country for opportunities for success, she turned inward and sought how she could help her country and herself. Instead of migrating, she found a need in the country, met it and raised the standards of expectation. She revolutionized the way tutorial centers are viewed, by making it a necessary supplemental aspect in a child’s education rather than where only lazy and underachievers go to. She raised the quality and standardized review centers.

This Renaissance woman is a shinning example of how far the competitive human spirit and unwavering focus and determination can take someone from the bottom rungs of socio economic poverty, to the very pinnacle of success. Even at the top, Rossana still wants to do more. She is currently taking up her Masters Degree in Educational Administration in Ateneo. She is also working on establishing a foundation to provide training to school principals. She is constantly thinking of businesses and projects that will benefit the Filipino community.

Without a doubt, success will meet this lady, whatever dreams she sets for herself.

A Filipina Reigns in Women’s Boxing: I received an email this morning from GMA Pinoy TV about its airing of the Super Bantamweight Championship fight that was held in Ontario, Canada last June 30, 2010 where Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton emerged as the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) Super Bantamweight champion via split decision over Maria Elena Villalobos of Mexico. It’s a Happy July 4th (American Independence Day, USA) treat when GMA Pinoy TV vicariously allows viewers to empathize — blow-by-blow — with the positive adrenalin rush that can only be found in a great women’s boxing match.

Let’s relive this moment! This latest boxing match, dubbed “Laban ng Pinay: Julaton vs. Villalobos,” will air exclusively on GMA Pinoy TV on July 4 in the US, Canada and the Middle East. On July 11 it will air to Asia Pacific viewers of GMA Pinoy TV.

IN THE USA

12:05 pm PDT/Vancouver
1:05 pm MDT
1:05 pm CDT
3:05 pm EDT

From: Policarpio, Freida V.
Date: Sat, Jul 3, 2010 at 5:27 AM
Subject: WATCH ANA “THE HURRICANE” JULATON WINNING FIGHT FOR THE WBO SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT BELT ON GMA PINOY TV, JULY 4
To: Lorna Lardizabal Dietz

Hi Lorna,

We know you share the same pride and honor we have that a proud Filipina continues to make an indelible mark in the world of female boxing! To all the countless Filipino-Americans and Filipino-Canadians who we know are excited to watch her winning fight, we would appreciate you spreading the word that GMA Pinoy TV will air it in the US and Canada on July 4. (Schedule is indicated below). Don’t miss it!

We would not want the rest of the world to miss the fight, too! It broadcasts only on GMA Pinoy TV on July 4 in the UAE at 6:05 p.m., Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at 5:05 pm and Italy at 4:05 p.m. In the Asia –Pacific region ( Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, etc) it airs on Sunday, July 11 at 11 a.m.

Fries S. Policarpio
GMA International
FSPolicarpio@gmanetwork.com

Pinay Hurricane is WBO Super Bantamweight Champ

Two-time world champion Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton grabbed the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) Super Bantamweight champ via split decision over Maria Elena Villalobos of Mexico last Sunday, June 30 (Monday, Manila time) at the Casino Rama, in Ontario, Canada.

Julaton and Villalobos displayed their mettle in a rousing display of women’s boxing. Villalobos appeared to dominate early in the bout with her punches, but Julaton, now under the tutelage of top-notch trainer Freddie Roach, employed fine jabs, footwork and agile body movements, to eventually rule the bout.

Two judges scored in favor of Julaton’s , 96-94, while the other favored Villalobos, 97-94.

The Fil-am Hurricane who proudly declares her Filipino roots, now has a record of seven wins, two losses and two draws. Just before she saw action in the ring she was quoted as saying, “I’m seeing my opponent as someone who’s prepared, someone who’s hungry to win, who’s come here to fight. I’m game.”

Her coach Freddie Roach, meanwhile, expressed delight in Julaton’s passion for the game. “Her workout is great. She comes to my gym everyday. She is very dedicated,” he said.

With this victory, Julaton redeemed herself after suffering from a unanimous decision loss at the hands of Lisa Brown last March 27, a fight shown on GMA Network and GMA Pinoy TV.

This latest boxing match, dubbed “Laban ng Pinay: Julaton vs. Villalobos” will air exclusively on GMA Pinoy TV on July 4 in the US, Canada and the Middle East. On July 11 it will air on Asia Pacific viewers of GMA Pinoy TV.

For particulars and other details, visit www.GMAPinoyTV.com.

I have been following the phenomenal progress of the Filipina women’s boxing champion, Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton, since 2006 when an excited friend, Jacquie Lingad-Ricci, showed me DVDs of her Golden Gloves championship bouts in the San Francisco Bay Area. While the Filipino American community was barely getting to know “The Hurricane,” Ana was already the favorite of sports aficionados in the local TV networks. I have personally witnessed her support of the Filipino community when we occasionally met during festivals or fundraisers. Some of “The Hurricane’s” amazing qualities are her graciousness, simplicity, and ability to build rapport with people from all walks of life. No wonder a lot of the Generation X, Generation Y or Millennials believe she is an admirable role model. In October 2009, the Filipina Women’s Network honored Ana Julaton as one of 2009’s “100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the US, Innovators & Thought Leaders Category.”

October 29, 2009 was also proclaimed as “Ana Julaton Day” in the City and County of San Francisco.

Ana’s advisor/agent at Team Julaton, Angelo Reyes, needs to be commended for his consistent updates via email and social media through the years. He knows we stay connected to “The Hurricane.” We grow with Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton as she grows!

The way Ana says it best: “Proud to be Kapuso! Proud to be Pinoy!”

Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton at the “Dance for a Cause with Cheryl Burke” on December 20, 2009.

Photo Credit: Anton Sheker of Blog Watch

I had the opportunity to hear Charice Pempengco sing the National Anthem , live during the Inaugural of the 15th President of rhe Republic of the Philippines. I was very impressed because her rendition is the original tempo. The National Historical Commission reportedly also gave a raving review to Pempengco’s rendition and for adhering to its lawful interpretation under the masterful guidance of Ryan Cayabyab.

“Okay ang pagkanta ni Charice ng Pambansang Awit,” added Ogie Alcasid, who co-wrote Noynoy’s inaugural song “Bagong Pilipinas” with progressive artist Noel Cabangon.

If you were not able to hear her sing, here is a youtube of her singing “Lupang Hinirang”

THE woman who shook the nation by delivering P3 million in bribes to Malacañang 11 years ago is wanted in the United States for swindling and is believed to be in hiding in the Philippines.

Former textbook agent Mary Ann T. Maslog, who tried bribing officials of the Department of Budget and Management in 1999 so that her firm could wangle a P200 million textbook contract, is now Mary Ann Smith and married to an American who allegedly became her partner in crime.

Court records in Orange County in Florida show that Maslog is wanted for theft and scheme to defraud. She is facing charges of grand theft amounting to more than $100,000 and scheme to defraud in the amount of $50,000 which are classified as criminal felonies punishable with imprisonment.

Maslog also has been charged with civil traffic infraction for improper backing.

A source who participated in the investigation, and who asked to be identified only as James Katarungan, told VERA Files that Maslog operates with her husband, Michael Lee Smith, who hails from Virginia.

Katarungan said Maslog has a bag of tricks and the more successful one is where she takes a job as a salesperson with a reputable company, normally in radio or print advertising.

After a few months, her husband gets an office in or near the building where she works, identifying himself as a sort of a career guidance counselor. The two then promise their victims jobs at the company where Maslog works, although she is in no position to do so.

Maslog would even show victims around her company’s office, explain how things work, and even introduce them to her co-workers who welcome these visitors thinking they were clients.

The couple would then require a deposit from their victims ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, supposedly to cover training in another city, either Houston or Washington, D.C., for six months. Once they get the money, they close shop and skip town.

“She’s done this scam in Virginia and in Florida,” Katarungan said.

Maslog was also into credit card fraud. “While working in sales, she took credit card numbers from paying customers and stole their identities. She defrauded one man in Orange County Florida for over $100,000 by having credit cards made in his name and sent to her. This particular victim owned a gas station and has since gone out of business and was forced into bankruptcy,” Katarungan said.

A number of people the Smiths had conned have gone to court. Maslog was charged with grant theft and scheme to defraud on Feb. 26, 2007 and was ordered arrested Dec. 18 that year.

Arraigned in open court while in jail on Jan. 8, 2008, Maslog posted a $5,000 bail bond for the grand theft charge and $1,500 for the scheme to defraud.

Court records showed she missed the hearing of her cases last Feb. 22 and that her lawyer, David Faulkner, had withdrawn his services.

Read more http://verafiles.org/main/focus/pinay-in-textbook-scam-wanted-in-the-us-for-swindling/

Tom (not his real name) a reader of Filipina Images sent me this email and thought I  might find use for the article. I have met Tim once in a forum . Names have been changed. The purpose is really to prevent others from experiencing this ….Tim adds “This guy and everyone like him need to be stopped, and need to be made examples of so that other ill-intentioned men realize they’ll be found out. We’re both furious about this; Ellen (not the real name of Tom’s wife)  for reasons I’m sure you can relate to better than I can explain them, and me because as a man, as an American, and out of general respect to women I can’t abide this sort of person, nor am I going to put up with someone — especially someone of this caliber — disrespecting my marriage, my wife, and trying to break up our home.

I realize it’s a long story, but I had to make sure I told it completely and accurately. Maybe you can find a use for it on the Filipina Images page? That was my first thought, but you may do with it whatever seems best. If it can help someone avoid trouble and a needlessly broken heart.

Here is Tom’s story

———————

“Dennis was really my first boyfriend,” Ellen¹ explains, gently touching a thick stack of letters she has brought to the interview. “For a long time I never really admitted that to anyone, but it’s true. How could I not be in love with him? I was young. And his letters were so romantic.”

“Yours were mushy,” Tom, Ellen’s American husband of six years, says playfully, earning a rap on the shoulder from his wife. “What?” Tom says, feigning injury. “I always thought it was a cute story.” He stops and thinks for a moment, then adds, “At least until lately.”

“Dennis” was Ellen’s pen pal, whom she met in 1988 after signing up for a friend-matching service advertised in a magazine. Fresh out of high school, the young college student from Mindanao was “swept off her feet” by the older, debonair man from Utah showering her with long letters filled with charming prose and romantic poems. “At first I didn’t know he was in prison,” Ellen recalls, “And sure, I guess I was a little shocked when he finally confided in me and told me the truth. But he was such a good writer, and very proper, too – never talked about sex stuff or anything like that. A gentleman, you know. And good-looking, too. So when he explained what happened, I believed him. Everybody makes mistakes, and I thought, well, that’s all it is, and he’s actually a good person.”

According to Dennis, he had run afoul of the law in Utah because of a love affair. He had been seeing a woman who had an abusive marriage, and they had planned to run away together. But on the day of their romantic escape, she had second thoughts and fled the house; in desperation, Dennis had jumped in the nearest available vehicle – which belonged to the woman’s husband – and chased after her, but soon crashed into a tree and was arrested. The problem, he said, was that the scorned husband was a policeman, and had arranged to have Dennis charged with all manner of crimes and sentenced to a lengthy prison term out of spite. It was, he explained, “a crime of passion.”

Ellen’s long-distance romance blossomed for several years, with Dennis occasionally sending gifts and small amounts of money. “I was so naive,” she laughs. “He sent me a check once for ten dollars. I had no idea what a check was then, so I sent it back.” The relationship went so far that Dennis even proposed marriage. “He told me he’d buy a ring and send it to me, and I could just wear it,” Ellen recalls. “But I kind of hesitated. I didn’t want to get married, and besides, he was still in prison….” Several times, Dennis had promised he’d be released soon; he was appealing his sentence, and there was a chance of parole. But nothing happened, and Dennis remained behind bars in America. “I just drifted away,” Ellen explains. “It was around 1995 when I last heard from him or wrote to him. I had a real boyfriend here by then, I had my job, and well, life goes on I guess.”

Tom and Ellen met in 2004, and were married later the same year. “We have our problems sometimes, but we tell each other everything,” Tom says. “When Ellen told me about Dennis, I think she thought I’d be jealous, but I wasn’t. I mean, everyone’s got a past, right? So when she got curious one day [sometime in 2007, as Ellen remembers it] and decided to see if she could locate him, I thought sure, why not? I’ve done the same thing. We have fun telling each other all the stories about ourselves; I’ve met one of her old boyfriends, actually get along really well with the guy, and Ellen’s even talked to my ex-wife on the phone. So it was all just harmless curiosity as far as I was concerned.” After some research through the Internet, Ellen located Dennis through the help of VINElink, a crime victims’ information and notification network in the US. Dennis was still in the Utah State Prison, but was due to be paroled to a community treatment facility soon.

“I had to explain to the VINElink that I really wasn’t his victim,” Ellen says, “But they were very helpful anyway, and signed me up to receive notifications of Dennis’ whereabouts.” Initially, she says, she was not inclined to contact him. “So much time had passed, and I’m married now with my own life and family,” Ellen explains. “I was happy to have found him, and to learn that he was doing okay, but that was as far as it went then.” Through VINElink, Ellen was informed when Dennis was released to a halfway house, and then later when he was paroled into the community. “Finally I wrote him a postcard sometime in 2008,” Ellen says. “He didn’t answer right away. A couple months later, I finally got an e-mail from him, which I was happy about. We e-mailed back and forth a few times, nothing serious, just catching up with what was going on, not even talking about the past. It all seemed pretty normal, really.”

Tom rolls his eyes in mock exasperation. “I teased her about it,” he chuckles. “Of course it didn’t bother me, but it was kind of amusing. She was happy to have reconnected with an old friend, and I was happy for her sake. But then things started to get really out of hand.” The trouble began in early June, when Dennis located Ellen’s Facebook profile and invited her as a friend.

“We started chatting online,” Ellen explains, “And right away he starts courting me. And I just let myself get carried away, too, but honestly, he was affecting me. We chatted for something like 14 hours the first night, and then for hours and hours every day for a week or more.”

“At first it was okay, but it went entirely too far,” Tom adds. “I got angry, and we got into an argument about it. Here’s a guy who is doing his best to actually steal my wife, and what’s worse, she’s actually falling for it. Not a good situation.”

“I admit it: I was having some thoughts,” Ellen says. “But Dennis was really coming on strong, and I was just starting to feel a little suffocated. I tried telling him, ‘maybe you should calm down, and we should just be friends right now,’ but he was so persistent. Then Tom found the website.”

The website Tom found is called SONAR – Sex and Kidnapper Offender Notification And Registration. “We were having a heated argument about this clown, and she makes some comment about he was an okay guy –” Tom begins to explain.

“I said, ‘If I really thought about it, he was a romantic guy that could give me a good life.’” Ellen finishes. “And you said, ‘A guy on the sex offender list with two counts of aggravated sexual assault could give you a good life?’ and then you showed me the website.”

“Right,” Tom agrees.

“I was shocked,” Ellen adds.

“Needless to say, that spell was broken,” Tom says, a little smugly. Ellen confronted Dennis online and demanded an explanation, pointing out that the story she had been led to believe did not reflect what Dennis’ public record said. Dennis replied with the following e-mail:

I have an Anxiety Disorder

It is why I have a Veteran Pension

We never get to talk about that part of my life

I feel pressured, and so I can’t sleep

I have to mail you my side.

Please stop this, do not dig anymore

if you continue to worry about this it is going to destroy our relationship

I need to be able to put the past behind me in my own way, and bring it into the open my own way.

Please care enough about me to leave this alone.

…..

The Fact

Viki and I knew each other

She was in a bad marriage, but felt trapped

I was in a bad relationship (after divorce), also trapped

Occasionally we would meet and talk and comfort each other

My failed marriage drove me to that weak state of mind I had.

One day Vikki called me to meet her at the carwash

We took her car to a remote place

We comforted each other

Details of what we did together are private and I will not describe them

When we started to leave, the car was stuck in the mud.

A towtruck would have to go pull her out.

She could not explain to husband what she was doing in that remote place

We thought fast and made up a bad idea story that she had been kidnapped.

Everything went wrong.

I was not thinking clearly then and now I pay for the rest of my life

I cannot explain why I was stupid then, only that I was stupid

The charges and counts do not matter

that is my concern and I will handle it by myself later.

Accept this or don’t accept, but please stop making me remember it all the time.

It is hurting me more than you can imagine.

If you continue to burden me with the remembering, it will hurt our relationship too.

My mistake with her costed me half of my life.

I do not want it to also cost me the rest of my life.

While Ellen dealt with Dennis, Tom continued his online investigation and discovered that Dennis had been charged and subsequently convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual assault, one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated robbery, and an additional count of kidnapping in the incident, in which he kidnapped “Vikki” and her 18-month old son, drove them to a remote area, and then bound, sodomized, and robbed the woman. Sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison, at a parole hearing in 1988 Dennis was declared a danger to society and told he would not be considered for early release until 2006.

Ellen has since cut off any further contact from Dennis, and has even had to cancel her Facebook account and change e-mail addresses to ensure her safety. “I don’t think I have to really worry about it,” she says. “I mean, now we know the real story, and he knows we know, and he’s far away. So he’s not really a threat, but… He really used my emotions, and for how long? He tried to break up my marriage, for God’s sake.”

“The worst thing is, he’s all over Facebook and God knows where else on the Internet, chatting with women here, and I guarantee none of them have a clue about this guy,” Tom adds. “What was it he told you about that other gal he corresponds with, what’s her name?”

“Gina,” Ellen answers. “Oh, he said that since I wouldn’t accept him ‘I guess Gina is my best option to come here and get married.’ Can you believe that?”

“And she has a teenage daughter, too, doesn’t she?” Tom says. “That’s scary. And the sad thing is, when Ellen tried to contact her [Gina] to warn her, she just took it wrong and thought Ellen was just making trouble to steal her ‘boyfriend’ away.”

Ellen and Tom shared some final tips for ladies looking for long-distance love. “I know there are a lot of women who get into these kinds of relationships, and I can understand that,” Ellen says. “I did the same thing, once…”

“That’s how we met,” Tom interrupts. “Although we tell everyone we met at the airport.”

“…Whatever,” Ellen laughs. “Seriously, though, you can’t let your emotions get in the way of your good sense. The Internet makes it easy these days, you can check up on people you meet. It might sound cold-blooded, but you have to look out for yourself.”

What are some danger signals?

“Well, for one thing, no man is going to be professing his undying love and proposing marriage within a few days of meeting you,” Tom replies. “If he does, he’s got other motives besides meeting a friend or a mate. What he will do pretty quickly, however – if he’s having serious thoughts about you – is tell you everything he thinks you won’t like about him.”

“Maybe not everything,” Ellen says.

“Well, maybe not all at once,” Tom agrees. “But he will be making an obvious effort to be open. You can tell, because he won’t make excuses. Like this Dennis guy did: ‘Oh, I have anxiety disorder,’ or ‘I was in a bad relationship.’ As a matter of fact, that right there is a huge warning signal that a guy is maybe not relating well to women: the bad relationship thing. No guy that wants to meet someone wants to give a gal the idea that he has ‘bad relationships.’”

“There are a lot of good guys out there,” Ellen adds, giving Tom’s hand a squeeze, “And even though you might feel kind of sneaky, the ones who are will actually be kind of flattered.”

“That’s true, too,” Tom agrees. “Bottom line is: if something doesn’t seem right, don’t ignore it. Risking a little bit of misunderstanding or wounded feelings is a tiny price to pay, compared to what might happen if you’re not careful.”

During the Spanish Colonial Era, settlers from the peninsula were mixed with the indigenous inhabitants of the Philippine Islands, giving a mixture between Spanish, Malay and Chinese people. From that union it came up beautiful women who were recognized throughout the Asian continent by their clothing and Western customs. They were called The Spanish Ladies-Señoritas.

Edna Flores bikes for a cause

Let’s learn a thing or two from this remarkable Filipina woman of substance.

From: Edna Flores
Date: Fri, Apr 16, 2010 at 11:35 PM
Subject: Red dress
To: Lorna Dietz

Dear Lorna,

Fifty two more days from now, I will be taking off with my fiance Rich and thousands of other friends on a seven day, 575 mile journey towards Los Angeles from San Francisco. We will be using our strength and legpower to get there. Along the way, we will encounter communities who may have minimal services for fighting the AIDS pandemic. We will make lifetime friends with those whom we just met. We will be a community of cyclists making a stand against HIV and AIDS.

Hoping Rich gets to wear the Red Dress

Red Dress Day occurs on Day 5 of AIDS/ LifeCycle. People either wear red as Rich has done in the past or wear a red dress. I think the original intent was Dress in Red Day but it has turned into Red Dress Day. A lot of people go out of their way in finding a sexy or pretty or sometimes frumpy red dress to wear as they pedal their way down California. If one were to take an aerial photograph, it would look like a long AIDS ribbon winding down the state. Usually the straight men would not even think of wearing a red dress their first year of riding. By the second year, they are in on the fun of wearing a red dress. For the past two rides, Rich has been reluctant to wear a red dress but he is willing to do it if I am to make my fundraising goal.

I am a little under $1,000 of making the minimum $3,000 I need to particpate in this ride. Please consider giving whatever amount you can. No donation is too small or too large. Feel free to pass this along to your friends and loved ones as well. I promise to have a photograph of Rich in his red dress (which I already have in my hot little hands) to show for my fundraising efforts.

Thank you so much in helping me support the San Francisco AIDS Foundation in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Your generosity gives critical help to those who need it in preventing the spread of HIV and those who are affected by HIV and AIDS.

All you need to do to help me out is to click on the link below and give what you can.

Again, thank you.
Click here to visit my personal page.

If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE9/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=1168574&pg=personal&fr_id=1210&et=pUXnjR3U11z6kezkqtOs9g..&s_tafId=21160

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