Anac Ti Batac (Child of Batac)

Until recently, I resented my parents for never allowing me to go to Boracay or Subic (or any other happening place) with my friends during Holy Week. If I don't have work in the office, I'm stuck in Ilocos in our old house in Batac (save for one trip to Sagada which was a "penitencia" in itself). This means doing the traditional Bisita Iglesia, Stations of the Cross, Procession on Good Friday etc. This year was no exception. So there I was with my family, praying the Rosary as we walked around town on a hot hot Friday night. The candles we were holding didn't help either. When I was little I wondered why my nose was all black when I got home after the procession, duh!

As I got older, I learned to avoid inhaling the smoke from the flames and realized that I don't want to be anywhere else. I never really appreciated where I came from even after I left to study highschool in Quezon City when I was fourteen. Then I started going home less and less and less, why should I? I'm a Manila girl now. There was even a time I had that "I-live-between-two-worlds-phase", kinda like the "Fil-ams" or any other half-breed who feel that they are neither here nor there. Of course mine is on a much smaller scale, just a simple case of being a probinsyana wanting to be a city-girl but never really accepted. As a kid growing up in Ilocos, I knew some of my classmates didn't like me and my friends because we kept speaking in Tagalog (my mom is a true-blue Tagalog speaker from Bulacan) and when I got to Manila, some of my classmates would laugh at me when I pronounced something wrong in English. The most notable word was "grasshopper" in second year highschool. I pronounced it as "grass-hoe-per" and that was one of the most embarassing turning-point-of-my-life moments (considering I was winning orations left and right when I was in Ilocos). Crissa, I know you laughed the hardest (we are friends now). Fortunately, I outgrew that inane phase when I entered college and found my niche.

Nowadays, I still get the occasional "slip of the tongue" moments when I talk faster than I think and end up laughing at myself. I realized I can never be a perfect Manila girl with an Assumptionista accent and I've long accepted that. I'm proud to speak Ilocano and I'm proud of my roots, even if I'm considered a "prodigal daughter" by some (including my parents who still live in Batac). At least I'm still her daughter. I'm looking forward to next Holy Week when I go back to Batac again, whether I'm joining the procession or eating Batac's famous empanada and longganisa with a passion. I can't wait to see family and old friends again because I know to them, I'm neither here nor there, I'm just home.

Bernard and Merryl: Going Strong

I got an e-mail from Maria asking if I have more about Bernard Palanca (Rica Peralejo's ex) and Merryl Soriano (Willie Revillame's daughter and Maricel Soriano's niece) after she saw my report in TV Patrol. BJ and Merryl are now in Batangas for the Holy Week with family and friends. I caught the lovebirds at the Yes Anniversary Party last week and here's my interview with them in full. Enjoy!

Nina: Tell us where your relationship is at right now?

Bernard: It's at a point where it's still growing, but everytime it does, for every single step of the way that it grows, the better it gets, the more beautiful it becomes.

Meryll: Yeah ganon din kasi we're getting to know each other more and more. we discover things that makes us love each other more now and then parang the relationship is growing and we're very happy about it.

Nina: What's the best thing about Meryll, and whats the best thing about Bernard?

Bernard: The best thing about her is she's real and she doesnt pretend to be anyone around me. She's always herself no matter where we are and she treats me like human being.

Nina: What do you mean (human being)?

Meryll: (Laughter) You're a human being, love.

Bernard: She treats me like how someone is supposed to be treated... meaning with all honesty, complete compassion, affection, sincerity and love. She makes me.. she brings the realness out of me.

Meryll: Well, he treats me like a queen.

Bernard: You are my queen.

Meryll: Well, you are my king.

Meryll: He makes me feel so special and he lets me do the things that i want to do (aside from acting, Merryl is now also into photography). He also inspires me.

Nina: Ano naman ang say ni daddy Willie sa relasyon ninyo?

Meryll: Ok naman siya, wala naman siyang problema.

Nina: Ano ina-advise niya sayo?

Meryll: (Smiling) Wala.

Nina: Wala siyang say?

Meryll: (Laughing) Wala!

Bernard: (Laughing) Hi Dad! No..no..Tito..

Meryll: Wowowee!

Bernard: I've known Willie even before I met her, so its ok.

Meryll: So wala naman talagang problema.

Bernard: Yeah.

Nina: What are your plans this coming Holy Week, malapit na?

Meryll: Wala, we don't have plan pa nga eh (the two are now in Batangas).

Bernard: Well, actually we're still planning it.

Meryll: Yeah.

Bernard: Because we dont wanna be in Bora. We dont want to go where everyone else is going.

Meryll: Gusto sana namin somewhere peaceful.

Bernard: Somewhere very quiet and where there's water so we can wakeboard.

Meryll: (Laughing)

Bernard: I'm gonna teach her wakeboarding.

Nina: And finally, last question anong meaning sa inyo ng Holy Week kasi yung iba nakakalimutan na nila kung ano ang meaning...

Bernard: Oh no, Holy Week is really the time to reflect on...where you are, what you have, who you are and what you're given...and really to remember why you're here, why we are all here. Holy week is a very special week.

Meryll: It is the time to talk to God and just to ponder on some things and think about, you know, the blessings that you have in life and also to ask for forgiveness and talagang time to be quiet.

Bernard: And to remember what He did for us...so pay him back by being good.

A Highland Wedding

Sorry guys, I know some of you have been waiting for my blog about the Claudine and Raymart wedding at Tagaytay Highlands. It was one of the most beautiful wedding celebrations I've ever attended. The venue was picture perfect, with the well manicured green and a view of the mountains beyond. It drizzled just before the ceremony so people had to leave their chairs and duck for cover. Fortunately, after 10 minutes or so, the strong highland winds blew the dark clouds away.

The wedding had a relaxed atmosphere with a christian pastor from the couple's church officiating. What really struck everyone were the couple's personalized wedding vows. And while both were emotional, it was the groom who made the guests cry. Raymart said something like "Exactly forty-six years ago a love story started.. and even with the death of Papa.. their love story continues in us" or something to that effect. So for those who are thinking that Claudine was insensitive to make March 27 their wedding date when Rico's death anniversary is March 29, well... March 27 is meaningful to the couple because it was also Raymart's parents' wedding date. Raymart tried to inject some humor in his vow by saying "Papa, I know you're smiling up there, Mama I know you're crying down here" but it ended up being heartwarming. Raymart ended by saying something like, "I thank God he allowed me to fall inlove with you, so that I also will fall inlove with Him...You are my joy, my life, my love, my wife."

An ABS-CBN chopper scattered rose petals over the grounds

It was a happy occasion all in all, though I overheard some people saying it would have been much more complete if estranged sister Gretchen showed up.

Anyway, I'm re-publishing an article I wrote for the free tabloid Starbliz that comes out every Friday. The article came out a week before Claudine's wedding.

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They both want peace...

Kahit pilit nilang nilalayo ang sarili sa isa't isa, marami pa rin ang nagtatanong kung pupunta ang big sister ni Claudine Barreto na si Gretchen sa kasal nito sa Lunes, March 27. Well, judging from their actions, the answer is no. Gretchen said so herself. Nang ma-corner siya ng TV Patrol crew sa celebrity bazaar ni Ruffa Guttierez, ito ang sagot ni La Greta sa tanong kung pupunta siya sa wedding ng kanyang sister, "Hinde, kase I want peace in my life. I stay away from trouble, thank you!". So unless balak ni Gretchen agawin ang eksena sa Barreto-Santiago Nuptials, mas mabuti pang wag na lang siyang mag-appear. Anyway, hindi rin naman siya invited. Sa isang article sa latest issue ng Metro Magazine kung saan cover sina Claudine at Raymart, ito naman ang sagot ni Claudine sa tanong kung inimbita ba niya si Gretchen, "Can I have a peaceful wedding please?".

Marami ang nanghihinayang sa nangyari sa magkakapatid na Barreto. Let's do a quick re-cap of events. Nagsimula lang daw umano ang lahat nang tawagan ni Dennis Padilla si Gretchen upang kwestyunin kung bakit binigyan ng show si Willie Revillame sa ABC 5. Gretchen's partner is Tonyboy Cojuangco, ang may-ari lang naman ng istasyon. Medyo naging masama ang takbo ng usapan at dito umano dumating sa punto na "pinalayas" ni Gretchen sina Dennis at Marjorie sa bahay na tinitirhan nila na pag-aari niya. From this incident, lalong nagkagulo ang pamilya Barreto at naging Gretchen vs. the Barretos. Who knows baka malalim na rin ang pinanggalingan ng kanilang "tampuhan" and we can never really understand why. Madali kasing magsalita na bakit di na lang sila magbati-bati, after all, blood is thicker than water. Pero we cannot really judge them at this point. It's safer to say they have their own reasons at umaasa na lang tayo na sa bandang huli, it will be a happy ending.

In any case, inaabangan na ng lahat ang kasal nina Claudine at Raymart sa Tagaytay Highlands. Judging from the preparations and the people involved, walang dudang ito na ang "Wedding of the Year". Pero akalain nyo bang around 350 guests lang ang invited sa wedding? Sadya raw limitado ang guests at talagang ang malalapit lang sa couple ang inimbita para masiguradong solemn ang kasal.

Parehong Christian sina Claudine at Raymart kaya't okay lang na sa golf course ang wedding ceremony. Nagpagawa pa sila ng gazebo kung saan sila mag-e-exchange ng kanilang "i dos". Ayon sa wedding coordinator, neo-classic daw ang tema ng venue. Mala pelikulang Pride and Prejudice with a modern twist. Ang color motif ng kasal ay ang kulay ng spring o pastel colors. Ang sikat na designer na si Randy Ortiz ang gagawa ng wedding gown ni Claudine at suit ni Raymart, pati na rin ng buong entourage. Kabilang sa tatayong mga ninong at ninang ang dating pangulong Joseph Estrada, Susan Roces, Helen Gamboa, mga big bosses ng ABS-CBN at GMA 7 at iba pang malalapit sa couple. Para sa kanilang honeymoon, lilipad sila sa exclusive beach resort ng Amanpulo, Palawan at pagkatapos ay pupunta rin sila sa Europe.

Ang exclusive coverage ng Claudine-Raymart wedding ay mapapanood sa TV Patrol sa Lunes.

Aladin: Goodbye and Good Luck

If you're wondering why ABS-CBN correspondent Aladin Bacolodan is not visible on TV these days, it's because he has left his job and his country to go to the land of milk and honey. Aladin's wife got a job as a nurse in Philadelphia. So, our very own war correspondent, best known for his fearless reports of the bombings in General Santos City and the tsunami aftermath in Banda Aceh, has decided to be a "houseband." And he'll definitely be a busy one taking care of his one-year-old daughter while his wife works in the hospital.

I was shocked when I heard the news and confronted Aladin about it. He just said something like, you gotta do what you gotta do. It may be stating the obvious, but when a successful broadcast journalist like Aladin decides to give that all up, then something must be terribly wrong with our country. Still, I wish him well.

Aladin, do remember us when you're rich and famous in Hollywood. :)

Jasmine's First Time

American Idol runner-up Jasmine Trias was our celebrity guest two weeks ago in Magandang Umaga Pilipinas and as usual she was so down-to-earth and charming. Like all of us in the show, she was already there at 5 am. During the break, someone sold Tin Tin Bersola balut. Tin Tin offered one to Jasmine and the poor girl asked if it's the one with the chick inside. We all laughed. Poor Jasmine, mukhang mapapasubo si idol! Though I can relate to Jasmine because I also don't eat the chick, just the egg. We didn't want to scare Jasmine so early in the morning so Tin Tin offered her an alternative, penoy. Jasmine delicately took the penoy and Tin Tin taught her how to crack it and before we knew it, there was Jasmine enjoying her first taste of penoy! She kept saying how good it was and that she hasn't had breakfast. She finished it too. Way to go Jasmine!


Before Jasmine left the set, I teased her about Marvin Agustin. Marvin was one of the first celebrities to welcome Jasmine during her first visit to the Philippines. I think Marvin was interviewing her for ETK at that time and I was there for TV patrol. Jasmine revealed back then how much she admired the loveteam of Marvin and Jolina and that she used to watch their movies. Filipinos in Hawaii would often tell Jasmine that she looks like Jolina. Magpaikalanman will soon feature Jasmine's life story and as expected, Jasmine wants Jolina to portray her. As for Marvin, well he went from being Jolina's ex-loveteam to Jasmine's real-life admirer. Jasmine was surprised when someone sent flowers to her hotel room and when she asked who it was from, you guessed it, Marvin!

Birthday Chuvahness

Thanks for all your birthday greetings. When I was younger, I always looked forward to my birthday which also happens to be the anniversary of Edsa People Power 1. February 25 was always a holiday, in other words, no classes! Yahoo!

Twenty-something years later, I never had so many people greet me a happy birthday. That was last Friday when my birthday celebration in Magandang Umaga Pilipinas was cancelled due to a coup plot. The morning show was suddenly pre-empted with breaking news, but at the same time an announcement of my b-day celebration in MUP was being flashed continuously on the screen!

As expected, I was the butt of jokes in the newsroom. It couldn't have come at a better time. I ended up in the streets of Makati as Tita Cory reiterated her call for PGMA to resign. I interviewed Senator Jinggoy Estrada who seemed disappointed at the low turn out of people in Makati. If not for Satur Ocampo and his group of rallyistas, it would've been a sorry sight. My personal estimate is that there were only about 4-5 thousand people. But then again, thousands more were reported to have been blocked off from all directions.

(photo courtesy of V. Rodriguez)

In the midst of everything, the presence of Kris Aquino and boyfriend James Yap was the talk of the town. Not too long ago, Kris openly endorsed GMA for president but recent events proved blood is thicker than water. Kris said so herself, she was there because of her mom. What is not clear is whether she also supports her mom's call for PGMA to resign.

As I was leaving Makati, an English-speaking teenager approached me and introduced himself to me saying he's a college friend of my brother in Ateneo and that he's been to our house. He spoke well and seemed mature for his age, probably 19, just like my brother. I thought hey, this kid is cool, he's young and trying to get involved.

The next day I was surprised to find out from my brother that he is the son of a military officer, Col. Ariel Querubin, who was mistakenly (according to the military itself) identified as being part of Friday's attempted coup. So, what was the son doing there in the rally at such a sensitive time? The next day, there was breaking news of a be-medaled Marine officer protesting against the relief of his Marine commandant, Maj. Gen. Miranda, in Fort Bonifacio. The officer asked for the support of civilians, and that they come to Fort Bonifacio - a virtual call for people power. I was surprised when I saw the officer's name flashed on screen - it was Col. Ariel Querubin.

Of course all of you know what happened that night, and what happened to the officers after that. I was able to catch the footage of Querubin's farewell message to his troops as he was being relieved of his command. It was so touching -- his men seemed to be sincerely affected by his leaving. He strikes me as a very decent and principled man. He said he is ready to face the consequences of his actions -- I guess he had always been ready to pay the price for standing by his convictions. I would say we need more men like him -- but would that be considered inciting to sedition?

BACK IN THE MORNING

Hi guys! Sorry I haven't found the time to blog as often as I want. I'm back in Magandang Umaga Pilipinas just for the week. Hope you're tuned in. I'm no longer used to waking up as early as 3:45 am in time for the start of the program at 5:15 am. Now I have no choice but it's really good to be back with the morning barkada. Nakaka-miss din pala. So I hope to make your mornings a little brighter...despite the news going from bad to worst. It's very depressing but what's more depressing is that some people keep blaming other people when it's really very simple. I stopped on my tracks when my former classmate from Tonga e-mailed me this very powerful quote from Gandhi: "Be the change that you want to be in this world."

Aiko and Martin: Against All Odds

Finally, Aiko Melendez is now Mrs. Jickain. There were rumors that the wedding wouldn't push thru because Martin's mom didn't approve it. But the couple finally said their "I DOs" at Fernwood Gardens early this evening. I'm re-reprinting an article I wrote about the occasion for the free tabloid "Starblitz" that comes out every Friday.

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Kahit pa dalawang beses silang nagpalit ng venue, walang nakapagpigil sa paglakad sa altar nina Aiko Melendez at Martin Jickain. Blushing bride si Aiko sa altar, halatang in high spirits siya at di mapigilan ang pagtawa sa tabi ng kanyang groom.

Hanggang sa altar hindi tinantanan ng intriga ang bagong kasal at umugong ang balitang ini-snob ng ina ni Martin ang wedding. Pero ayon sa mga kamag-anak ni Martin, nagkasakit daw kase ito.

Medyo nagdagdagan ngayon ng ilang pounds si Aiko pero kumikinang ang beauty niya sa kanyang V-neck long sleeved beaded gown na gawa ni Pepsi Herrera. Suot naman ni Martin ang Mel Vergel De Dios na barong.

Ring bearer ang anak ni Aiko kay Jomari na si Andre. Tumayong mga ninong at ninang naman sina Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Cristy Fermin, Boy Abunda, Helen Gamboa at iba pang personalidad. Sina Gelli de Belen, Candy Pangilinan, Carmina Villaroel ang Matrons of Honor. Kabilang sa mga bridesmaids si Kris Aquino at Best Man ang nakababatang kapatid ni Martin na si Luke Jickain.

Magmula ng mag-kakilala sina Martin at Aiko nung September 2004 at naging opisyal silang mag-on nung October 15, hindi na natapos-tapos ang intriga sa kanilang dalawa.

Nag-umpisa ito sa walong taong age-gap ng dalawa. Thirty na si Aiko at 22 naman si Martin. Pinag-usapan din ang napaka-bilis nilang relasyon na wala pang limang buwan. Parang sinagot ito ng mag-asawa sa kanilang wedding invitation na may nakasulat na, "The quantity of time is not what matters...Quality of time is what we both shared and will cherish for the rest of our lives...With two different worlds, we meet...Indeed, we are destined to be together."

Kabilang rin sa mga naging isyu ang hindi pag-sang-ayon ng ina ni Martin sa kasal. Nagulat na lamang daw ang pamilya ni Martin sa desisyong magpapakasal na siya, sa kabila nito nagpakita ng suporta sa kasal ang pamilya Jickain. Hinatid mismo ng kanyang ama ang groom sa altar.

Sa naunang interview ko kay Martin, inamin ng commercial model na very close daw sila ng kanyang mommy at tulad ng ibang ina, feeling daw nito ay mawawalan na siya ng anak. Hiwalay na ang parents ni Martin at lumaki na sila ng kanyang kapatid sa ina. Kaya naman very close Martin at kapatid nitong si Luke sa mommy nila. Itinanggi ni Martin na pinakasalan niya si Aiko dahil dalawang buwan na siyang buntis. Nauna raw nilang plinanong magpakasal bago nangyari ito. Excited din daw si Martin na maging ama at sigurado daw siyang lalambot ang puso ng ina niya kapag magkaroon daw ito ng apo.

Tinatanong naman ng lahat ngayon kung nasaan ang ex-husband ni Aiko na si Jomari Yllana. Lumipad kahapon si Jomari para sumali sa isang Celebrity Sports Fest sa Bohol. Kasabay ni Jomari sa flight ang TV Patrol reporter na si Marie Lozano. Tinanong raw ni Marie kung ano ang mensahe ni Jomari kay Aiko, natawa raw si Jom at sinabing "Kelan ba ang kasal?". Nang malaman kung kailan ito, di na nagpaliguy-ligoy pa si Jomari, "Best wishes, I'm happy for them." Tinawanan rin ni Jomari ang tanong kung imbitado siya sa kasal o hindi.

Sa banding huli, buhay ito nina Martin at Aiko. At ngayong opisyal na ang kanilang pagsasama, ano pa nga ba ang masasabi natin kundi, "Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!"