Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Thank you, Simon


The online blog of this legendary video rental/store started with it's firt post on July 1, 2007 with links of what's the blogger favourite films, etc...since then Video48 became arguably, the number one source of materials for atleast Filipino film buffs, including yours truly. This post is a way of thanking the blogger, Simon Santos (not related to my favourite artist, Vilma Santos) for his kindness of allowing hundreds of his followers to feast with hard-to-find materials on favourite local artists! As what the initial quote from the blog said, "Have you missed something or feeling nostalgic? Feel free to browse and navigate the site. Go to search or press or click the Archive/Vault, Categories or other thumbnails found at the right side of the page. Thank you for coming over!" No, Simon...THANK YOU.

About the Blogger and the blog - Video 48 opened it's door on October 19, 1988 (making it 30 years old!) and it's still located at 48 West Avenue Quezon City, Philippines (Phone: 373-2936), that explained the number "48." According to his profile, Simon loves FPJ, that is the late Fernando Poe Jr. which explained the banner to his blog featuring "da King." Also, a movie enthusiast and photo hobbyist, which also revealed the reason of so much collection of film memorabilias!

Bookmarked! - "This is no ordinary video rental store. Their clientele include university students, professors, filmmakers, and major broadcast network executives. They have collection of over 10,000 films, all in either Laser, VHS, DVD, or VCD format. They have the compilations Oscar Best Pictures (1928 to 2009), Golden Globe Best Foreign Films (1949 to 2008), and Oscar Foreign Language Films (1948 to 2008). Their standard rate is P30 for a VCD or VHS copy and P40 to P60 for a DVD copy. These rates changes depending on how many titles you borrow. Length of rental is five days. They also sell films such as original copies of The Imagination of Doctor Parnassus and other hard to find film gems. Best of all, Video 48 has copies of great Pinoy films most of us may never have heard of. If you're addicted to Filipino films, you definitely have to bookmark Video 48's blog." - Nicai de Guzman, "Top 10 Spots for Manila's Film Buffs," Spot, 01 June 2010 (READ MORE)

Vintage - "One of the best local blogs we’ve come across recently is the Video 48 blog by film enthusiast Simon Santos. Props to the guy for keeping the flame of classic Filipino movies alive and reintroducing these classic films to both local and foreign cinema buffs. His collection of movie minutiae, from vintage posters (such as those of the Eddie Garcia starrer Batuta ni Drakula) to film historical anecdotes, is both wonderful and entertaining, a trip back in time to when local cinema was at its peak..." - Karlo Samson, Maxim Magazine, February 2009 (READ MORE)

Deserves Recognition - "...Thanks to the Internet and the efforts of obsessive fanboys and girls – many of them outside the Philippines – these films are beginning to get some kind of recognition (“respect” may be too strong a word)...It is on the worldwide web, however, where these movies continue to live a preternatural half-life, as downloadable torrents, or legal online DVD purchases, and enshrined as the content of lovingly constructed websites and blogs, ripe for rediscovery...Thankfully, we have a local counterpart in video48 blog. Maintained by one Simon Santos, the site offers a somewhat more balanced view of Philippine cinema, including as it does more mainstream films and fewer of the more extreme type (although it has its share of Pinoy movie arcana, offering for instance, proof of the existence of a 1987 bold film actually titled “Diligin ng Suka ang Uhaw na Lumpia”). It also covers Tagalog komiks and other aspects of Filipino popular culture, with an equally obsessive attention to detail. With a wealth of archival material including news items, photographs, movie posters and scanned artwork, video48 is a true labor of fanboy love..." - Eric S. Caruncho, 05 July 2009, Sunday Inquirer Magazine (READ MORE)

Art Films - "...So why would the likes of Lino Brocka, Nick Joaquin, Lualhati Bautista, Ricky Lee, Laurice Guillen, Jeffrey Jeturian and other noted storytellers trek all the way to West Avenue just to rent a couple of videos? Geez, maybe because there’s something more to it than housing that, which you may have seen on Philippine silverscreen. Unknown to many is that this rare shop had been standing there for the past 15 years. The soft-spoken owner Simon Santos showed us around this haven. Video 48 (the name is culled from its address—48 West Avenue), a two-story unit where the popular titles in VHS, VCD and DVD are found in the first floor, while the laser disc and betamax copies are kept upstairs...It all began in 1988 when movie home viewing was only made possible by the betamax and then a little later by the Laser Disc. Santos, a film-lover himself, collected his favorite films in these formats. His early collection of 200 titles included the films of Alfred Hitchcock, John Wayne, James Stewart, Gary Cooper, Vittorio de Sica, Federico Fellini, Kurosawa and Almodovar. When his friends began borrowing his copies, an idea fell on his lap and kindled the urge to put up a video-renting business. "My family was then growing and I needed extra jinglers in my pocket," he said. "But is was a risky venture. Back then, in the late eighties, video shops were opening all over the country. Also, cable television networks were being established and film piracy was becoming rampant. I had to be careful of how these might affect the business, but I chose to offer renters an alternative by making my own collection of classics and art films available..." - Iris Ayong, Manila Times, 7 May 2004 (READ MORE)

Disciple of the Cinema - "...Everyone who enters Video 48 is welcomed to a celebrity corner, where the icons of Philippine cinema have etched their musings. Celso Ad Castillo, for instance, declares: “To whom I pin my aesthetic hopes.” Luciano “Chaning” Carlos ushers in the visitor with the statement: “Enter the dazzling world of the past through Video 48. Truly entertaining coupled with warm reception and friendly persuasions.” For his part, Maryo J. de los Reyes pays tribute to the man behind Video 48: “A great disciple of the cinema! See you always at the movies!” Conceived during the betamax craze in 1988, Video 48 sprang from the collection of owner Simon Santos. “Watching movies is my favorite pastime,” he says. “My inventory grew gradually and friends started to rent from me.” Starting with two favorite directors, Alfred Hitchcock and Akira Kurosawa, Simon’s compilation has reached to thousands of movie titles, from classics to new releases, from common to rare ones, from art to foreign language films, from documentaries to Hollywood blockbusters, from Tagalog films to several other genres. Available in VCD and DVD formats, and yes even in VHS, these titles are either for rent or for sale. Among its cult followers are film students, collectors and enthusiasts, including the late National Artists Lino Brocka and Nick Joaquin..." - Ieth Inolino, Sense & Style, September 2009 (READ MORE)

Dawn of Various Formats - "...Almost 21 years after its debut, Video 48 has proven its mettle. While local rental shops have come and gone, the shop has witnessed the dawn of various formats: Betamax, VHS, laser disc, VCD, and DVD. Some have thrust into oblivion, but surprisingly, these formats share a roof in Video 48. Though the influx of cable television and piracy somehow challenged Video 48’s success, Mr. Santos has managed to keep things exciting. “Sometimes I have to add some interesting titles to my existing inventory, like art films, operas, documentaries. I now sell movie posters, magazines, movie memorabilia, movie related toys and action figures to complement my existing business,” he says. Notwithstanding, the minor changes in the shop, it still looks like an old school video shack--- the kind that people flock to for weekend movie marathons. There is recognizable delight in combing the familiar-looking aisles for remarkable titles. Perhaps that’s what kept Video 48 rolling all these years, nostalgia." - Kristy Ann Texon, Sidetrip Tarvel magazine!, July - October 2009 (READ MORE)

Film is Life - "...Way before YouTube and pirated DVDs, there were video stores that provided the common person’s movie needs. Video 48 was and continues to be one of them. Founded by Simon Santos in 1988, it became home to hundreds of films in different media through the decades--- from betamax and VHS tapes, laser discs (yes, they still exist), VCDs, and DVDs. In the mood for a James Dean’s bad boy marathon or maybe some Kurosawa/Hitchcock/Bergman classics? How about a taste of local films starring FPJ and Dolphy from the 70s? Video 48’s extensive line-up of hard-to-find films has attracted a myriad of excellent directors like the late Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, writers Nick Joaquin and Pete Lacaba. Toys adorn the white walls and wooden shelves as much as posters. A life-sized model of Master Yoda even takes the space at the store’s entrance, as if inviting passers-by to come inside and join the Force. Because as Simon has proven, watching films is more than just a fun activity you do to get away from real life. It is life..." - Nante Santamaria, Status Magazine, March 2010 (READ MORE)

FPJ Fanatic - "...Simon's main reason for putting up Video48 back in October 19, 1988 involved his need to support his family and to end his dependence on his parent's business. Having a strong interest in movies, he decided that a video rental store would hit two birds with one stone; it would fulfill his family's everyday expenses, as well as his own appetite for cinema. "I had a seven year old and a nine year old daughter that time, and Betamaz was all the rave. So I decided to put up Video48," he said. "At the same time, I also like what I do."...I grew up during the 60's, during the time of FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr), Joseph Estrada and Jess Lapid," he said, "Brocka and Bernal also started during the 60's."...Video48's clientele is usually comprised of film enthusiast who, like Simon grew up during the time when the internet was still nonexistent and FPJ, Estrada and Dolphy (Rodolfo Quizon) ruled the cinemas. As proof, Simon (a self-confessed FPJ fanatic) even posted autographs he had collected over the years of his favorite movie actors, the most prominent of which is FPJ's on the door of Video48. "Maraming nagpupunta sa akin, lalo na 'yong mga balikbayan na naghahanap ng lumang pelikula ni FPJ, Joseph Estrada at Dolphy. Added revenue 'yon sa part ko. Nakakatuwa na nakakagenerate siya ng income para sa akin," he said...However, Video48 is not without its struggles: "Nung 1990s nagkaroon ng Cable TV kaya medyo bumagsak iyong video industry noong time na 'yon." The spread of piracy in the country has also taken toll. "Biro mo nagbabayad ka ng license at bumibili ng original 350 person ang isa tapos paparenta mo lang ng 30 pesos. Ilang beses mo ipapa-rent 'yun? 10 times bago ka kumita. Pero kapag pirated, 30 pesos lang para mabili mo 'yong pelikula." Simon said..."Gusto ko talaga ang ginagawa ko dahil worth it naman. Hindi ka naman magsusucceed sa ginagawa mo pag di mo gusto..." - Raydon Reyes, Photo: Katrina Lucano Fudge Magazine, August 2008 (READ MORE)


Saturday, July 6, 2019

Si Pete Lacaba, Ang Pelikula, Si Sister Stella L...


Una kong nakapanayam si Pete Lacaba noong isang taon matapos kong mabasa ang kanyang librong antolohiya tungkol sa makulay na dekadang setenta, ang Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage. Isang panahong nakaukit lalo na sa isipan ng mga anak ng tinatawag na First Quarter Storm, ang libro ay isang mapanuring testamento sa isang di makalimutang bahagi ng ating kasaysayan, sa paningin ng isang peryodista. Kung paano nailimbag ito sa kasalukuyang panahon ng kadiliman ay isang magulong palaisipan. At ngayon naman, ay napag-alaman ko ring si Lacaba ay nasa pelikula na rin, at naitanong ko, bakit? Ang mga paliwanag ay nasa kanyang sarili na rin at hindi na dapat ungkatin. Ngayon taon, si Lacaba ay nasa gitna pa rin ng pangamba at panibagong pakikihamok. Bilang isa sa mga pinuno ng itinatag na Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP), siya ay nasa unahan ng mga alagad ng sining na mulat sa mga pangyayaring hindi maiiwasan. At ngayon ay bukambibig ang pangalan niya bilang manunulat ng mga pelikulang kontrobersiyal dahil naglayong ipakita ang katotohanan sa ating lipunan, ang Sister Stella L. ni Mike de Leon at ang Bayan Ko (a.k.a. Kapit sa Patalim) ni Lino Brocka. Sa panayam na ito, ating alamin ang mga nangyari sa pagsulat niya sa Sister Stella L at ang ibang saloobin niya rito. Hindi napag-usapan ang Bayan Ko dahil hindi pa ito naipapalabas sa Pilipinas.

Ang Sister Stella L ay tungkol sa isang madreng nagtratrabaho sa isang guidance couselling center na dahil sa pagsama niya sa kanyang kaibigang madre at siguro dahil na rin sa pansariling suliranin ay namulat sa isang malawakang suliranin ng lipunan. Tunay na nakakapanibago sa kasalukuyang takbo ng pelikula. Paano nag-umpisa itong project na ito? "Nag-umpisa ito noong nag-iisip pa lang kami ng isang istorya para kay Vilma Santos (Magugunitang si Vilma ang pinakamabiling artista noon at hanggang ngayon). Kasama namin si Marichu Perez-Maceda, ang prodyuser na kinakausap ni Mike de Leon. Ini-apply pa nga ito sa Film Fund. Ideya yon ni Mike na gawing kuwento ng isang madre. Sabi ko, wala akong alam diyan. Kaya nag-research kami. 'Una kong script ay tungkol sa isang madre sa probinsiya na nasangkot sa problema ng mga magsasaka. Hindi ito sinangayunan ni Marichu dahil hindi raw tinatanggap ng mga tao si Vilma kung ang karakter niya ay nasa probinsiya. Pinalitan ito ng isang madre sa siyudad na nasangkot sa suliranin ng mga manggagawa. Dahil sa mga sumunod ng mga pangyayari, na nabalita ang mga hulihan sa panig ng mga manggagawa at sa mga religious groups, naipasyang tanggalin ang anumang delikadong bagay sa script at gawin daw love story (Maalala ang ganitong linya sa pelikula na sinabi ni Liza Lorena, bilang editor ng isang magasin kay Jay Ilagan, isang peryodista). Nagkawalan ng rin ng gana, hanggang sa napunta nga ang project sa Regal."

May mga pagbabago ba sa orihinal mong iskrip na ginawa sa pelikula bukod sa mga sinabi mo na? "Hindi naman gaanong itegral ang mga changes doon. Unahin sa mga karakter. Yung orihinal na karakter ni Jay ay isang doktor, ngunit dahil sa naging siyudad ang setting, binago namin sa isang peryodista. Sa tauhang mismong ito ay nagkaroon ng pagbabago. Tulad nang nagkaroon ng problema sa pagkuha namin kay Jay (dahil may contract sa Viva), pumalit si Joel Torre, so dapat mas bata kay Vilma. Kaya lang, noong tumagal, ipinasya ni Mike na ibalik kay Jay. Sa karakter ni Jay may mga eksenang ipinakita ang kanyang kapatid na radikal at ang kanyang asawa at anak at sa pamilya naman ni Vilma, may mga dalawang eksena, pero ito'y tinanggal. Ang ending ay nabago rin. Originally, nagkaroon ng gulo sa strike area at napatay si Jay. Eh, gustong-gusto ni Mike sa karakter na yon, ayaw niyang mamatay yon. May eksena ring nakunan na tinanggal sa final print dahil sa kahabaan, tulad ng mga counselling scenes sa Caritas. Sa pelikula ba, gaano ang totoo at ang hindi sa tunay na buhay? "Ang halos lahat ng nangyari roon ay hango sa istorya ng mga madreng aming nakapanayam. Masasabing si Sister Stella ay ang kabuuan ng iba't ibang madreng aming nakausap. May isang madreng nagkaroon ng boyfriend at totoo yung sinabing binalak siyang kidnapin, isa ring madreng nagsawa sa counselling kaya lang lumabas siya sa kumbento, at siyempre, alam din nating may mga madreng nakikisangkot sa mga manggagawa.

'Yong mga torture scenes nga ay totoong nangyari sa akin at masahol pa roon. May nagsabi rin sa akin, NiƱez Cacho-Olivares, na walang reporter na ganoon magsalita sa kanyang editor. Ewan ko lang, pero kung naintindihan nating ang karakter ni Jay ay ganoong assertive at meron siyang naipahiwatig na background na may pagka-moderate activist, maari niyang gawin iyon. Tsaka may close working relationship sila ng editor." Nasabi minsan sa isang interview ni Mike de Leon na ikaw raw ay instrumental sa kanyang politicizing. Ano ang masasabi mo rito? "Siguro naman hindi. Kasi bago man lang kami nagkakilala, nalaman kong ginagawa na niya yong mga short films about rallies noong mga early '70s. When he began working sa LVN, ginusto niyang mag-umpisa sa pinakamababang posisyon sa kompanya, eh kanila yon. Doon pa lang, makikilala mo na kung anong klaseng tao si Mike. Siguro, mapapansin mo na rin na bago pa lamang nga kami nagtrabahong dalawa, ginagawa na niya yong Kakabakaba Ka Ba?, Kisapmata at ang Batch '81, na aminin nating may mga temang sosyal o politikal. Siguro, masasabi kong lumalim lang ang kanyang pananaw o pang-unawa sa mga paksang ito. Nandoon na yon sa kanya." Paano Kayo nagkasamang magtrabaho? "Nag-umpisa ito noong nilapitan niya akong gumawa kami ng isang pelikula. At ibinigay ko sa kanya ang natapos ko nang Kapit sa Patalim. Originally, it was intended for Lino (Brocka), pero sabi niya, hindi pa raw panahon. Kaya noong si Mike na ang nagtanong sa akin, ini-offer ko yon which was intended for Rudy Fernandez. Marami na ring nangyari sa project na yon, at hanggang naibalik nga kay Lino (at naipalabas sa Cannes ngayong taon)."

Ano ang mga kontribusyon ni Mike sa iskrip? "Sa kanya yong mga talumpati nina Vilma at Anita (Linda) sa katapusan ng pelikula. Suhestyon din niya ang paglaki ng papel ng editor, at ang pag-breakdown ng mga ekesena ni Gina (Alajar) bilang Gigi. The role of Gigi was meant to conunterpoint the labor problem. Other scenes could have been included which would highlight that Vilma had some success with her counselling job." May mga puna sa pelikula, tulad ng mga may pagka-talky raw ito? "Yeah, napansin din ng iba ito. I was worried that the film was becoming more talky as we went on, pero sabi ni Mike, talk is as important as the visuals." May pagka-claustrophobic daw ang effect ng pelikula? "I think it was deliberate. I can remember Mike telling our production designer, Cesar Hernando, to give a claustrophobic effect to the sets, particularly the interiors. With regard to the criticism na ang mga workers ay malilinis, ang masasabi ko, ang mga trabahador sa isang factory ng cooking oil ay malilinis naman." Pagkapanood mo ng pelikla, anong bahagi ang nais mo pang baguhin? "Maaari kong dagdagan ang mga eksena sa Caritas na ipinapakita ang ibang alaga roon, at gusto ko ring ipakita ang relasyon ni Vilma sa kanyang pamilya. Kung tatanungin ako, na kung dapat inabuso pa si Vilma sa kamay ng mga goons, hindi yon totoo, wala pa naman akong nalalaman na ginagawa yon sa mga madre, sa aking pagkakaalam." Anong mga reaksiyon ng mga nanood na sa pelikula? "Generally positive. That is as far as the selected audiences where the pricture was shown. Generally, sabi nila, masakit daw, nakakakonsyensiya daw, nakakagalit. May kanyang pala-palagay sa mga detalye." Personally, what is the merit of the film? "I hope it can change the perceptions of people with regard to certain realities, open their eyes probably. Well, the censors felt it was not subversive, not anti-government. Sana hindi mangyari sa pelikula ang ginawa nila sa pelikulang Sakada." Sana..." - Mike Feria, Jingle Extra Hot Magazine, 06 July 1984, Posted by James DR, 21 July 2016 (READ MORE)

Saturday, June 1, 2019

Remembering Mama Santos 1/2


Ang Reyalidad - "OK naman lahat except bumigay na 'yung heart. Siguro, sabi ni Mama, 'OK na. Enough na.' At least, alam ni Mama, nandito kaming lahat. And we did our best...Tanggapin na natin, 93 na ang mama mo. That we have to accept, You know, kahit sinasabihan ka, iba pa rin pag nangyari na. Kahit anong sabihin sa ‘yo, ‘mag-prepare ka na,' hindi ganun kadali when nandoon ka na sa realidad na wala na siya, you know. And iba pa rin. Iba pa rin...Pero ngayon na dumating ang mga kapatid ko, I felt good. Kasi, kumpleto kaming magkakapatid. From the States, kanina lang sila dumating, e. Inabot pa nga nila 'yung blessing kay Mama. Nakakasarap lang ng pakiramdam na may mga karamay ka..." - Hon. Rep Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, ABS-CBN News, 04 April 2019 (READ MORE)

Pahinga na sa lahat ng hirap at pagod sa buhay - “It was a bitter pill. Masakit talaga para sa aming mga anak niya iyong pagkawala niya, but deep inside alam naman naming nahihirapan na rin siya at iyong nangyari means makapagpapahinga na rin siya sa lahat ng hirap at pagod sa buhay...In fact, we all came out strong. Siya nga kasi ang naging example namin eh. Hindi ko masasabing walang hindi naging magandang nangyari sa buhay ko, pero natutuhan ko ang bumangon at mailagay sa ayos ang lahat. Iyong mga kapatid ko, hindi ko naman masasabing hindi rin nagkaroon ng problema, pero sila man mabilis na nakakabangon, kasi nga iyon ang nakagisnan namin kay Mama. At iyong totoo, hindi umasa si Mama sa akin. Lagi siyang may sariling negosyo kahit na ano pa iyan, kaya hindi namin masabing umasa siya sa amin. Noon na nga lang talagang mahina na siya at saka lang siya tumigil talaga. Pero hindi pa rin agad tumigil eh, siguro hindi niya kayang kumilos pero noon kasi iba pa rin ang isip niya. Nagbibigay pa rin siya ng advice and most of the time, maiisip mo, tama ang sinasabi niya...(Stop muna si Vi sa kanyang re-election campaign) kailangan ko namang makabawi kay Mama..." - Hon. Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, reported by Ed de Leon, Pang-masa, 04 April 2019 (READ MORE)

Mami-miss ka namin, Mama - "...60 years old na si Mama nang una ka­ming magkakilala. Dekada ‘80 noon. Estudyante pa lang ako sa kolehiyo noong una kong makilala at ligawan si Vi. Ang Papa nilang si Amado Constantino Santos ay maagang pumanaw, isang taon bago kami magkakilala ni Vi...Nang ikinasal kami ni Vi noong 1992, si Mama at si Sonny ang naghatid sa altar kay Vi. At doon nagsimula ang ‘love story’ namin ni Mama, bukod sa love story namin ni Vilma. Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, buhat nang magsama kami ni Vi noong 1986, si Mama ay palaging nasa panig ko. Maaaring itanggi ni Vi iyan, subalit iyan ang totoo. Maalaga at sweet si Mama sa akin kaya’t kaming dalawa ang magkasundo. Palagi niya akong ipinaghahanda ng mga pagkaing nanggaling Nueva Ecija, ang probinsya ng mga Santos, katulad ng ‘batutay’ o longganisa ng Nueva Ecija. Kung ano man at saan man naroroon si Vi ngayon ay dahil kay Mama. Tulad ko ay Capricorn ang zodiac sign ni Mama kaya’t ang personalidad namin ay parehong competitive. At bilang competitive na stage mother, siya ang masipag magdala kay Vi sa lahat ng audition sa shows at pelikula, at doon na nga nagsimula ang career ni Vi noong mapili siyang gumanap bilang Trudis Liit sa edad na 9 na taon. Nasungkit kaagad ni Vi ang Best Child Actress award mula sa Famas. Naging mabuting ina si Mama sa magkakapatid na Santos. Siya rin ang dahilan kung bakit nananatiling close ang magkakapatid hanggang sa ngayon...Mami-miss ka namin, Mama. Sinabi ni Vi dati na ang pinakamatin­ding krisis o dagok na pinagdaanan niya sa buong buhay niya ay noong namatay ang Papa niya. Siguradong ibayong kalungkutan ang nararamdaman ni Vi at mga kapatid sa iyong pagpanaw...Pahinga ka na, Mama. Maraming sa­lamat sa pagpapalaki mo sa isang Vilma Santos na ngayon ay kasama ko sa buhay. Maraming salamat sa pagturing mo sa akin na parang tunay na anak..." - Hon. Sen. Ralph Recto, Abante, 02 April 2019 (READ MORE)

Huling Misa - "...Magmimisa lang siguro kami nang maaga, 9 o’clock in the morning. Libing na yun...And then, after that, it’s... thank you na. And then, we’ll just bring the urn of Mama sa isang simbahan sa Alabang. Kasi, meron na siyang lugar doon. Tapos, after election siguro... kasi kaya Loyola ang pinili ko, andito si Papa. Dito nakalibing si Papa. So, siguro after election, ipapakuha ko yung bones ni Papa. 'Tapos, ise-shred na lang. 'Tapos, ilalagay ko na rin sa urn. Tapos, pagsasamahin ko na silang dalawa doon sa simbahan somewhere in Alabang...At least, Mama is resting na...Siyempre, alam mo... maraming nagsasabi na... even the time na-hospital si Mama, two months sa hospital, na-ICU... ‘Tanggapin na natin, 93 na ang mama mo. That we have to accept. Ano’t ano...’ You know, kahit sinasabihan ka, iba pa rin pag nangyari na. Kahit anong sabihin sa ‘yo, ‘Mag-prepare ka na.' Hindi ganun kadali when nandoon ka na sa realidad na wala na siya, you know. And iba pa rin. Iba pa rin. So... ganun. Pero ngayon na dumating ang mga kapatid ko, I felt good. Kasi, kumpleto kaming magkakapatid. From the States, kanina lang sila dumating, e. Inabot pa nga nila yung blessing kay Mama. Nakakasarap lang ng pakiramdam na may mga karamay ka...Pinaplano pa lang namin ngayon, Kasi, ngayon pa lang dumating yung mga kapatid ko. Pero siguro... hindi naman ito yung bonggacious na... knowing me?! Basta kami, more on... since we’re all family, from showbiz and now that I’m a public servant, basta kung ano yung puwede naming ma-offer. Misa kay Mama, sino ang makaalala, thank you. Hindi makaalala, salamat din. Ang mga nagbigay ng pakikiramay, salamat din. Pero hindi naman ito yung kailangan, pabongga. Hindi naman! Basta ang gusto lang namin, may importanteng.... andiyan pa rin naman ang mga kamag-anak ng mama ko, which is very important. Kasi importante, meron kaming misa. And then sa Friday, kumpleto kaming limang magkakapatid. We don’t know yet if we need to say something, and maybe, pasalamatan lahat ng nakiramay. Pero nothing really bonggacious. Wala kaming planong ganun...Gumagawa pa ng rosary si Mama at ibinibigay kay Cardinal, Kaya kilala ni Cardinal Rosales si Mama.." - Hon. Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, reported by Jerry Olea, PEP, 04 April 2019 (READ MORE)

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Sunday, May 5, 2019

The Passing of Marie Balbacui, A Vilmanian


"...Nagulat ako sa biglaang pamamaalam ni Marie Balbacui na kapanabayan namin every Sunday sa Custodial sa Camp Crame nu’ng nakakulong pa doon sina Sen. Jinggoy at Sen Bong. Hindi pumapalya si Marie tuwing Linggo sa Crame. Natagpuan daw na patay na sa kanyang tinutuluyan somewhere sa Sampaloc. Ang pakikiramay sa kamag-anakan. Fan ‘yan ni Vilma Santos noong kabataan niya..." - Joe Barrameda, Abante, 05 March 2019 (READ MORE)



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