channing: one very great actor.

How many hearts should suffer with the egoistic notions of people?

How many lives must diminish just to please the pride of man?

How many souls must escape to shelter itself into the heart of one true loving man?

These are the questions we asked to ourself after we finished watching the movie- “The Vow”.  A movie that took us into a journey inside our heart’s desire. A movie that furthered answer our question: “Who am I?”

In life, you must really know what you like. You must discover your true freedom. And you must find shelter into the arms of ONE LOVING MAN.

A MAN who knows you fully well. Who’s willing to fight for you, take care of you, and still accept you amidst everything. Whatever untoward accidents or sudden tragic events, whatever change in the course of things, and whatever obstacles- this man would be there for you.

In the movie, actress Rachel McAdams’ character suffered from amnesia after an accident that involved her and her husband, portrayed by very handsome Channing Tatum in the movie. The hardest thing was: she couldn’t remember anything about her husband. What she only remembered was the earlier episode of her life that she had with her rich family and former executive boyfriend.

But Channing’s character never lost hope. He fought to win back his wife. But in the end, the wife just kept on drifting…,until Channing’s character eventually surrendered and moved-away from and transferred to a different city.

In the end, eventhough the wife never regained her memories with her  husband, she sought him. A nice quotation hidden from a book made her go back. She found him in the door of their favorite restaurant.

They walked in the middle of the night, and they bonded anew, and continued their life’s journey together.

The End.

"the vow": simple, touching, worth-remembering film...

NOTES:

The film was greatly acted by Channing Tatum. We couldn’t forget until now his “highlight” scene when he cried so magnetically inside the recording studio while playing his guitar and talking to a female friend… His tears in that scene were almost hidden, but you could feel so deep, in every words he said, in every feeling he revealed. You, too, would cry with him…

Channing’s acting style was subtle and subdued. But his manliness could bring you to glorious heights. His spirit magnified whenever the cinematographer captured his very handsome face.  And Channing wasn’t simply teasing. He was really deep into his craft as an actor.

The great supporting veteran stars in the film did so well, too. Miss Jessica Lange might have looked old in this film, but her beauty was still so visible in every scene. Mr. Sam Neill, who played the father of the wife in this film was so powerful and commanding. Excellent job.

The film was based on a true story. On one  real-life couple. They now have two kids.

Love do exist. “The Vow” never breaks….

As long as we hang-on… as long as we love that ONE PERSON…

FOREVER.

words by robert manuguid silverio

actor allen dizon being given a citation in gawad tanglaw awards.in march 25, he'll be awarded the special jury award as AKTOR NG DEKADA by the same award-giving body.

“In 2010 ALLEN DIZON won Best Actor at 8th GAWAD TANGLAW for his role as “tortured activist” in Joel Lamangan film “Dukot”, a film on extra judicial killings and human rights violations. This coming March 15, he’ll be awarded as one of “AKTOR ng DEKADA” special jury award from the academes and educators,the 10th GAWAD TANGLAW AWARDS.More awards to come.MABUHAY!!!”

from sip & sip

Isa si Allen Dizon sa mga hinahangaan naming aktor. Ang development at maturity niya bilang isang aktor- lalo na ang kanyang transformation as an actor with a mission to bring and impart a message to society- is something very admirable, at tunay na karespe-respeto.

Malalim ang pagiging isang aktor ni Allen. Malawak ang kanyang dimensyon. At napakalwak pa ng kanyang magiging kontribusyon sa ikauunlad ng pelikulang lokal.

Kaya sa darating na Marso 25, siya ay bibigyan ng parangal ng GAWAD TANGLAW awards. Isang Special Jury award bilang AKTOR NG DEKADA.

Ang Gawad tanglaw awards ay composed of people from the education sectors, people from the Academe na pawang mga honorable at distinguished.

Another milestone from Allen Dizon’s movie career.

We’re proud of you, Allen!

allen dizon in his cinemalaya 2011 indie film: "patikul".

JANNA: THE YOUNG PRETTY WOMAN WALKS-ON...

janna: the filipina beauty, unveils...decides...

Yes, it’s true. And now it can be told.

That Janna became quite hesitant last year to give showbiz a try…

She didn’t quite pursued it to the max because she wanted to go back to school, which she did…

Although she abled to do three movies last year- two indie films and one mainstream film- she somehow laid back for a while because she prioritized her studies…

But now, this year of 2012, Janna  Tiangco, finally decides to give showbiz a try!

With her whole-hearted decision, strong will and determination. With so much drive, optimism and willingness!

Just watchout. We won’t reveal yet what’s in store for this ‘Sip & Sip Pretty Woman’…

Just watchout… just watchout.

Jana Tiangco will soon make other female actresses uncomparable to her talents and beauty.

And they can eat their hearts out! Janna Tiangco in 2012!

“Never dull your shine for somebody else.” –Janna.

Photographer: Jah Nisce

Model: Janna Tiangco

MUA: Janna Tiangco

(words by robert manuguid silverio)

as i looked at the little drops of rain…

i cried…

not of

sadness, but happiness…

as i bathed with the rain,

i danced with life.

as i tasted the water,

it quenched my soul…

i didn’t regret,

any of my choices…

i didn’t fail,

any of your expectations.

and i smiled again.

coz i knew,

my dreams will stay on.

FOREVER.

by robert manuguid silverio,

february 20, 2012.

“GREAT EXPECTATIONS” is now on DVD. grab your copy now.

this 1998 hollywood film on the vid above starred ethan hawke and gwyneth paltrow.

one of my favorites.— sip & sip

a short memoir by robert manuguid silverio

(with photos by MRS. CONNIE SY UY, with her two lovely daughters and mom)

“We don’t have instant coffee here, only brewed”, Miss Malo Cruz, the over-all managing director of famous singer Kuh Ledesma’s production events and businesses, said to this blogger upon the waiter served me with a cup of very nicely-presented brewed coffee.

I asked for an instant coffee a while ago, thinking it would be ‘asking too much’ if I did asked for coffee. So I said, “Instant coffee only, if it’s ok?”

But Malo smiled. She knew I am really a coffee drinker, maybe. So she said earlier: “I’ll let them prepare one for you”.

Then,  she immediately went to the kitchen area, which was  hidden from the very high-ceiling main house of the Hacienda Isabella.

Afterwards, she came back, smiling. The waiter was coming at once in my front, holding a tray of nicely-done, boiling coffee in a white porcelain mug.

As I tasted the nicely-done coffee, it felt like HEAVEN. The best brewed coffee I’ve ever tasted,indeed. Better than Starbucks and Gloria Jean’s. Haha…

(ISABELLA’S MUSIC VIDEO WITH HACIENDA ISABELLA AS THE SETTING)

the hacienda isabella's main building house.

mrs. sy, the mom of mrs. connie uy poses at receiving table of hacienda isabella, with the frames.

connie sy uy with hacienda isabella's backdrop

We arrived at the luxurious facade of Hacienda Isabella only minutes ago.

Ms. Pie Murillo, Hacienda Isabella’s sales director, fetched me at Urdaneta Condo in Makati where we met halfway so I could hitch a ride going to the Hacienda. It was upon the invitation of Malo Cruz for me to go there and so I could cover the concert event at the Hacienda Isabella at night. The pre-Valentine concert of Miss Kuh Ledesma last February 11, 2012.

And there I was now. Sitting in an antique chair with a long antique table infront of me as I sipped the coffee. A perfect ambience for a writer like me, indeed.

I viewed the Paradise infront of me as I continued to sip my brewed coffee. It was so relaxing. The majestic Santol tree, so high, so glamorous and so magnificent couldn’t get-away from my eyes. I kept on staring at it. It was as if telling me something. It was as if welcoming me. And it was entertaining me.

I knew that NATURE speaks. Even the falling of the leaves at the Hacienda Isabella told me something. It got a ‘soul’, a spirit… Maybe, Miss Kuh Ledesma’s soul speaking to me at that very moment?

I just saw Miss Kuh Ledesma a while ago.  As I was looking at the nice antique frames that decored the main receiving area lounge of the Hacienda at the main house. I was reading some passages on love that was framed and was put upon a huge round antigue and wooden table. It was so beautifully arranged.

Kuh went beside me and smiled. Her face was like an angel, a vision of Eternity. She welcomed me with utmost sincerity, but warned me: “Don’t write about the mess we’re having right now as we prepare for tonight’s concert, ha”, she said half-jokingly. “Just feel at home. We’re all too busy and stressful right now. Stay put. I’ll get back at you later.”

Kuh was personally attending to everything. Even the arrangements of the chairs and tables outside the garden. She personally supervised them. Every little detail, every assorted problems. And the more I was so impressed to this lady celebrity-singer.

But before anything else, let me first describe the Hacienda:

THE QUEEN OF HACIENDA ISABELLA, MS. KUH LEDESMA.

mrs. sy and the hacienda at her back.

The architecture and landscape of this place was so fabulous. Once you entered  upon it, you would feel like you’re in a Magical Place or “Alice In Wonderland”. It got a wide open-space for the garden, with assorted trees perfectly lined-up at the side. There were other ‘little buildings’ or cottages which were nicely hidden all-over. You won’t know that they were there… A perfect place for refuge, for privacy, for solitude…

“Kuh already held two concerts here”, Malo said to me as she entertained me furthermore for coffee. “And the third one is this pre-Valentine concert tonight. By the month of March, we’ll be having a festival here. The Organic Food Festival, in which we will cook and showcase organic foods for our clients here. Something healthy, something good, isn’t it?

“The previous months and until recently, some teleseryes of channel 2 are taping here”, Malo continued. “Like Maria La Del Barrio which stars Enchong Dee and Erich Gonzales. Also the Christine teleserye of Christine Reyes. In their new teleserye Walang Hanggan, some parts of the show were also shot here. Like Richard Gomez’ house in that teleserye, it’s one of the houses here.”

As I looked around the very wide place in a bird’s eyeview, I got more fascinated. It was as if an invisible hand of God sculpted and created this place. Like a canvass painting. Like a glorious song.

“It’s Kuh’s hand entirely”, Malo revealed to this blogger. “It was all her. What you see in this hacienda, it’s all Kuh. Every little detail, she’s the one who made it, who created it.”

And I looked upon the trees, as Malo pointed them.

“See those trees that are perfctly aligned and lined-up at the walkway?”, Malo asked me, then continued. “Those trees, it was Kuh who planted them. It was Kuh who aligned them that way. It’s all her creativity working here.”

I was mystified. Eversince, I felt it. That Miss Kuh Ledesma is one mystifying person. A goddess of Nature. Of Songs. Of Art.

ms. uy's daughter poses with kuh ledesma's antique and old collection of things at the background.

Malo took a break and did her chores with Miss Ledesma afterwards. It was an old friend of Miss Ledesma who so graciously accompanied me for a tour alongside the 5 hectares of land in the Hacienda.

Her name: Mrs. Jhie Elevazo.

Me and Jhie first went to an open cottage with many antique things all over. There were huge paintings at the second floor of it. And inside the cabinets were old antique radios, ancient typewriters, frames, iron machines, blowers, and many others. What a nice collection of ancient things, oh my…

At the other side were big “bauls” (treasure chests) which were so old and wooden. Amazing.

“Kuh loved to collect them”, Jhie said.

Then me and Jhie went further into the olympic-sized swimming pool at the other side. I saw more cottages. The water was so blue and so clean. I felt like I wanted to swim, but hesitated for a moment ‘coz of the concert that’s going to happen at night time.

FAST-FORWARD:

People started to flock the Hacienda Isabella by dusk. The perfectly-designed gardens, with flowers hanging at the top of it, flickered at the moon skies. The lighting was so romantic. The feeling was somehow nostalgic. The ambience was perfect.

And Mrs. Connie Sy Uy, one of Miss Ledesma’s friends came. I stayed with her and her mom plus her two kids for the great dinner menu at the Hacienda:

The chef, I understood, was Miss Ledesma’s real sister: Miss Mavic Ledesma. She’s Chef Victoria Ybierna of Ybierna’s catering services. And the five-course set of dinner was absolutely wonderful.

the fish menu

the mango madness

the salad menu

For soup, we had Gazpacho Cold Soup. For Salad, we had Hacienda Isabella House Salad and Broccoli Salad Delight. For Pasta: Penne Pasta with Spareribs.

The main entree was the most delicious of all: Roast Chicken and White Fish in Meuniere Sauce or White Sauce with Capers and Lemon. Fantastic!

The side dish? Twice baked Potato and Rice Pilaf.

And the dessert: Mango Madness.

Ask me if I were able to eat them all, the answer was YES. I did got bloat. Because Mrs. Uy’s youngest daughter who was so kind enough not to eat her food because she preferred to eat at Pizza Hut in Tagaytay City gave me all her dinner course. Hahahayyyy!!! Aside from mine, of course. Weh!

And the concert started. The magic began to swell. But, that was a different story to tell.

Hacienda Isabella on my mind.

after the concert at the hacienda, this blogger (with bag straps and a jersey white shirt) looks further on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT9VL1d10Ks

(Isabella guesting in her mom, Kuh Ledesma’s pre-Valentine show at Hacienda Isabella.
Hair and make-up by Ruel Papa, VIDEOGRAPHY BY MS. CONNIE SY UY.)

Isabella and GOD: one whole life.

It was Valentine’s Day and Isabella is busy rehearsing for her concert (her “Love In Bloom” concert last February 14). Just an ordinary working day. At night, she spent it with 185 guests at the lobby lounge of Shangrila Hotel in Makati. But it was her happiness. It was her life…

“Such is the life of an entertainer, of a performer like me”, Isabella said to this blogger when we interviewed her at Hacienda Isabella. “You’ve got to do your task. No matter what the occasion is, when it calls for you, you have to give yourself.”

isabella with her mom, miss kuh ledesma: an unbreakable bondage.

Still without a boyfriend, Isabella is so happy, anyway. She has GOD.

“God knows you, He doesn’t want you to feel lonely”, she said. “And I thank Him for that. To be a complete person, you have to know God first.”

A true believer of God, a true Christian, Isabella is clinging by her faith.

“God will make you WHOLE!”, Isabella said. “God is the glue that unites you. The one that makes you whole is the Lord.”

isabella with her makeup artist: mr. ruel papa (ka-papa-papa talaga)!

isabella with this blogger.

Just like her mom Kuh Ledesma who’s also a Christian now, Isabella is so much at peace with the universe. That certain calmness in her spirit made her stronger and more dedicated to her craft as a performer. She’s so whole everytime she performed. Her greatness shone. A complete young woman.

Most especially with her renditions of Etta James’ “At Last”, and Barbra Streisand’s “Don’t Rain On My Parade”.  Also with her rendition of “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman” which she sang at the pre-Valentine concert of her mom at Hacienda Isabella, oh my… Fascinating. She’s a true belter! A young diva.

And Isabella’s fans are adding up now.

“My fans, you see, I grew-up with them, and they grew up with me also”, she further said. “They’re very cool. They’d become my friends now. They’re the ones who support me so much now.”

Just listen to the videos now accompanying this article. Isabella has grown-up a lot, indeed. She has transformed. She has blossomed…

The sweet, little daughter of Miss Kuh Ledesma has reached the level of being a great performer.

words by robert manuguid silverio

photos courtesy of ms. isabella gonzales’ FB album and to ms. connie sy uy’s facebook account.

isabella with ms. connie sy uy

the cast ensemble of "cory ng edsa"

FLASHBACK:  1986. Greenhills. I was among those young people who found a space of green grass in some portions of Ortigas Avenue near Edsa Avenue. I grew so tired and hungry after walking for hours, standing and waiting for our voices to be heard. Together with other young students, ordinary people and young professionals, we anticipated for change. It was a revolution. A heavenly revolution…

FAST-FORWARD TO FEBRUARY 18, 2012.

VENUE: Tanghalang Pasigueno in Pasig City

EVENT: Philippine Stagers Foundation’s “Cory Ng Edsa”

cory, the woman. but most of all, THE PEOPLE.

As the Philippine Stagers Foundation’s actors and actresses started to sing, dance and act infront of the stage, I already started to cry so silently in a suppressed manner. I at once knew the feeling. I at once clearly saw the soul of these young performers… and the reflections of the people and characters they were portraying. I saw back EDSA.

The opening number of the play clearly captured the texture of that long-, and, almost-forgotten past. It suddenly came back to life- with a mixture of characters that were so unique, but so real. So dramatic, yet so down-to-earth… All connected to one woman who became the ‘sole image’ of people who simply wanted CHANGE. The symbol of purity, of justice and upper middle classes’ redemption…

When people bonded after the death of their hero, they saw the better half. And her name was CORY AQUINO.

attorney vince tanada's performance as a media man in "cory ng edsa" is one for the books.

It was the character of Peter so mesmerizingly portrayed by Attorney Vince Tanada who made this award-winning stageplay so powerfully great and unforgettable. Vince’s acting style was very original, beautifully unique and so refreshing! Peter was a news reporter, journalist and writer. In the real EDSA revolution of 1986, the mediamen were the unsung heroes. And it’s so good that the writer of this play (Mr. Tanada himself) thought of creating this Peter character to be the main person and the main ‘real hero’ connected to the Most Powerful Woman of EDSA’s history.

With Cory’s grace of granting Peter the very first interview after she was proclaimed as the new President of the Republic, Peter met all the other characters involved in the play- and all connected to the gracious and self-sacrificing woman of Philippine history. These very people, these very characters were the ones who ‘protected’ and managed to put this woman of history into power. The ordinary people. You could see them everywhere. They were not the elite ones. They were the newly-married couples who dreamt of freedom and unity, the widowed young husband who searched and coped for the loss of his young wife, the media man who got a vision of change, the military man who did sacrifice his life to secure the nation, the half-bred Pinoy who still cared for his mother country, the young female artist who offered her talents for the country, the religious figures and the nuns who provided guidance and prayers, the member of the third sex who tried to contribute something, plus some more… but the most powerful character created for this play was- THE YOUNG CHILD in quest of answers, who turned-out to be the son of the military hero.

Yes, these were all the characters created by Attorney Vince Tanada in this profoundly thought-provoking play. Almost as real. You could encounter them day to day as you walk by the street. You could embrace them. You could even dance with them…

The song numbers and the dances alongside were so entertaining to look at, giving you sheer pleasure and excitement. Most of all when you see the handsome and pretty members of PSF member-actors all dancing in unison, perfect rhythm- with the right emotions in their faces that would reveal and would make you anticipate the kind of feeling that the next sequence or the next scene offered. One new PSF actor of the cast ensemble and chorus emoted so well while dancing: his name was Mr. Monrey Lao. In his face, there was an anticipation of fear, anger, disappointment and rage. The PERFECT feeling and emotion in the faces of the filipino people who were there at EDSA during the People’s Revolution…

No matter how short your role was, no matter if you’re in the background among many others, the EYE would still catch you right then and there.

These young performers of PSF were simply great. You could feel and see, they really love what they’re doing. They gave their “all might” and “power” in every dances, in all the songs… in all the actions.

The moving mini-stages of high-tech fashion was so nice to look at in every overlapping scenes that made the audience look from side to side and everywhere. This stage innovation was another plus-factor… alongside the superb direction of, Attorney Vince Tanada, again.

Among the lead performers, of course again, it was Attorney Vince who stood-out. Coz he clearly knew his character and portrayed it with great efficiency and accuracy. His comic portions in some scenes were a standout. His performance in this play was the finest and the greatest we had seen so far in the theater world.

jordan ladra, half-naked in this photo but more naked in greatness as an actor which he showed in "cory ng edsa".

Jordan Ladra, who portrayed the role of Rey (there’s another actor alternating with him, though, it’s Jordan’s version that we saw), was the real ‘soul’ of “Cory Ng Edsa”. It was like- Jordan and Rey became ONE. It was almost him that’s portraying the character. And with that kind of impression that Jordan created upon this blogger, we would love to see more of him in the forthcoming theater productions of PSF.

chris hansen lim: the most magnetic actor of PSF.

Chris Hansen Lim who portrayed Lt. Dalusong, the most dashing and handsome actor of PSF, was the most intense actor of all. We cried with him in one scene of the play- that scene wherein he was trying to salute the woman President after being greatly wounded and disabled. The President said he didn’t have to do it anymore coz he’s already disabled. But still, he tried… and Chris’ emotions on that scene were so powerful- it made us cry!

As to the female performers, we didn’t see much conviction as compared to the male actors. Yes, Mr. Cartalaba (Mr. PSF Publicist),  compared again to the male performers in this play, the women performers suffered in VAIN. Just like the character of President Cory Aquino herself- an elite woman of the society who married a humble man that became the hero of Philippine society, women actors would always give-in to male actors. But we ask: How could there be so much passion portraying a catholic woman with a rosary in her hands, suffering in silence, helping in hiding and maintaining the glory of her people? Just tell me how?

cindy liper as CORY. she delivered a smart and gracious performance to a lady with "an image".

Miss Cindy Liper  (alternating with Glory Ann Nacional) who portrayed Cory did real good, but no matter how intense a scene could be, especially when Cory was dying and giving an inspiration to a young male nurse named Phil (portrayed in this version by JM Encinas), an actress of goodness like Cindy would find it hard to deliver the right impact to the audience.  Because driving away from the character would loose the essence of the true spirit of EDSA.

It were the lives of Peter… the media man who soon suffered from Parkinson’s Disease.

Rey… the widowed man who struggled and triumphed for justice and change in his homeland.

Lt. Dalusong… the military man who lost his life coz of helping his fellow disabled people.

And a lot more. A lot more of them who fought. Who cried. Who shouted and walked the long avenues and the sidestreets. Just to put the YELLOW people into power.

We just hope, wherever Cory is now, she must be greatly smiling to these people. To these ordinary, “beggar-like” people who wanted a break and a chance to uplift their lives-, these poor people who sacrificed for change… Yes, Cory, they’re still everywhere. And we know, Cory, you are still guiding them. Somehow.

After all, “Cory Ng Edsa” is not the woman. But it’s the people.

written by robert manuguid silverio

(EDSA REVOLUTION… FROM WIKIPEDIA.COM)

The People Power Revolution (also known as the EDSA Revolution and the Philippine Revolution of 1986) was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines that occurred in 1983-86. The methods used amounted to a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud. This case of nonviolent revolution led to the departure of President Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of the country’s democracy. It is also referred to as the Yellow Revolution due to the presence of yellow ribbons during the demonstrations and the arrival of Benigno Aquino, Jr.. It was widely seen as a victory of the people against the 20-year running authoritarian, repressive regime of then president Ferdinand Marcos and made news headlines as “the revolution that surprised the world”.

The majority of the demonstrations took place on a long stretch of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, more commonly known by its acronym EDSA, in Metropolitan Manila from February 22–25, 1986 and involved over two million Filipino civilians as well as several political, military, and including religious groups led by Cardinal Jaime Sin, the Archbishop of Manila. The protests, fueled by the resistance and opposition from years of corrupt governance by Marcos, culminated with the departure of the dictator from Malacañang Palace to the United States state of Hawaii. Corazon Aquinowas proclaimed as the legitimate President of the Philippines after the revolution.

On February 25, 2012, the Philippines will celebrate the 26th anniversary of the People Power Revolution.

LINK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_Power_Revolution

a birthday gift from angela gabe, this literary story below....

antonello, the la sallite.

17 February 2012

http://molybdenumstudiosliterary.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/antonello-youre-part-of-me/

Antonello, you’re part of me

written by: miss angela gabe

It is summer vacation in Japan, and Akio and Evrina are waiting for Kei to come back in Osaka, NOT in Tokyo.

Akio was wondering, “Hmm… did he get a tattoo this time, eh?”

Evrina and Akio went back to Osaka just to see if Kei had a new tattoo. Kei confirmed through IM that he had a new tattoo on his inner right wrist.

“Is this for real?” Akio wondered.

antonello: an inspiration for a literary story.

Kei goes back to Osaka

Kei went back to Osaka just to make sure that Akio and Evrina are there. Of course, he went back home just to make sure that he visits everyone in Osaka.

Kei had a dream. He saw Antonello once more, celebrating his birthday alone.

Kei asked, “Antonello, why are you there? Why are you alone?”

Antonello said, “You’re not allowed to stay beside me. Promise, you might NOT wake up ever again.”

Kei asked, “Alright, I won’t come near you. I won’t come with you.”

Antonello said, “I’m doing this by myself is because, I believe everyone’s sending me e-cards although I’m no longer existing on the planet Earth. Despite that I’m gone, everyone still recalls me.”

Kei saw loneliness in Antonello, blowing his birthday cake alone, with nineteen candles on it. He has a birthday hat on.

“I see loneliness in your eyes, Antonello buddy,” Kei said. “Don’t be sad, everyone still remembers and loves you. They think you’re not dead. They think you’re still alive.”

“They would only see me in my dreams. I once appeared to my father and told him that he should not blame himself because of my death. I think, there’s something that God wants me to do, and that is to go back to heaven. Actually, I’m not sad. It’s just that, people do not have to include their bereaved loves ones in my party. I don’t really know why, but there’s something that I want to tell them. Well, I think the rest’s history,” Antonello said.

“I think someone’s coming here to visit you… well, she won’t be coming on your birthday. HAHA, it’s not yet her forty days. You’ll like her, I swear!” Kei said. “She’s a singer with an angelic voice, and please don’t forget to pray for her soul. She’s invited to your party anytime.”

“I know, I know. I think there’s something in her that makes me feel happy, although you’ll see in my eyes that there’s sadness. Oh, I guess it’s time for you to go. Go!” Antonello said.

The door’s knocking, and that’s another soul that is actually waiting for Kei to come with him/her.

Kei woke up.

“I think I should not dream about that ever again!

In Osaka, Kei hugged Akio and Evrina.

“Guess what, I had a dream. It was Antonello’s birthday, but he was alone in the dining table, waiting for the guests to come,” Kei said.

“Did you join him in your dreams?” Akio asked.

“Of course, not. He warned me not to stay beside him,” Kei said.

“Good. Y’know, I have something to tell you later,” Akio said.

The three came into the Hirata residence in Ikuno-ku. They immediately removed their footwear and came into the living room barefoot.

“Alright, here’s the thing. I think someone died because he joined a bereaved loved one,” Akio said. “That person had cancer, but he told us that he’d rather be taken away rather than to let his friends suffer from helping him.”

That guy had a smiling face when he died.

Kei gets inked again

Of course, on the second day of his vacation, Kei decided to have a tattoo of Antonello’s name, but he chose it to be on his lower left abdomen. He went to the nearest tattoo parlour and had it done. The session lasted for fifteen minutes.

“Gosh, it hurts! HAHA,” Kei said.

The name “Antonello”turned out to be a very nice handwriting rather than something trashy.

“You are now a part of me, pal,” Kei said.

Kei went back home and told Akio the good news that he had a new tattoo.

“Gosh, Kei!” Akio said. “Don’t you know that it’s bad luck to have a dead person’s name inked on you!?”

Kei said, “Well, it’s BAD LUCK to have your boyfriend/girlfriend’s name tattooed on your body. It’s much more disrespectful if you have your husband or wife’s name tattooed on your body.”

Akio said, “Oh, sorry.”

Kei said, “Of course! They would think that I’m Antonello’s soulmate!”

Akio said, “Kei, I have something to tell you.”

Kei asked, “What is it?”

Akio said, “Err… Evrina and I… err… are on. We’re officially a couple.”

“Do Okasa and Otosan know about this?” Kei asked.

“Of course! They’re really very happy that I have moved on from Noriko. NAH, joking! Actually, I’m in love with her… but don’t ever have the guts to tell her, ok? I think she’s loving it too… that of course, I’m the super helper of her life,” Akio said.

Obviously, Akio hasn’t really moved on from Noriko just yet. However, he could see Kei and Noriko in Evrina.

Kei said, “Of course, I won’t tell her.”

Akio said, “Good.”

Who was knocking on Antonello’s celestial home?

When Kei vanished from Antonello’s eternal home, it was Kazunori, the unexpected guest. Well, just so you know, Kaz was forgiven by Mikio and of course, those who knew him who are devout Christians.

“Who are you, by the way?” Antonello asked.

“Hirata Kazunori-desu,” Kaz said.

Since Kazunori couldn’t speak English, he continued chatting in Japanese instead.

However, Antonello has the capability to speak in Japanese simply because it is embedded in his eternal power as an angel.

“おお!  いらっしませ!  よろしくお願いします!” Antonello said with a bow. “アントネーロです！”
(Oh, welcome! Nice to meet you then!)                                                                 (I’m Antonello)

Kazunori spoke in Japanese, “Who was your guest a while ago? I heard it was my grandson Kei’ichiro.”

“He has to leave, sir,” Antonello said. “He still isn’t ready to come with you on a journey.”

“Oh, I see. Well, I just wanted to tell him to his dad that I’m sorry for the bad things I did,” Kaz said.

“I think it’s too late for that, but don’t worry, I’ll tell Kei if time permits,” Antonello said.

Kazunori told his very sad story to Antonello.

“Son, I think you should know this. There was a time that I escaped from home and changed my surname to Hirata is because, I wanted to hide my real identity as a son of a wealthy magnate from Kagoshima. Yes, ever since I married my wife, Kazumi, I started to move from my hometown to Osaka, simply because I don’t want to dishonor my family. Yes, my surname is Motosuwa, not Hirata.”

Antonello said, “What about?”

“I think son, the reason why I was a very bad father and husband to my family is because, I never thought of being a father. I thought of money alone as my life, and nothing else follows. In my eyes, Mikio would always disrespect me by his good deeds. I just want him to kill someone for him to be a real man, but my wife told him that it’s not good to take another person’s life, because that life doesn’t belong to him,” Kaz said.

“But you’re in heaven right now,” Antonello said. “Killing is bad. Only God could take your life, and that’s what happened to me. However, I didn’t blame anyone, because I’m happy. I think this is home to me. Heaven is really my home, and I believe that you should also think this is home. This is our home, remember that. If you just have to believe and accept God as your creator, He will make your life in heaven comfortable, trust me.”

Kaz said, “Heaven will never be my home. I don’t deserve to be here. I should be punished, rather.”

Antonello said, “Don’t say that! If you were wicked before, it’s over. You have to move on. This is heaven, not hell. You’re not allowed to say bad things about heaven.”

Kaz said, “I need to get out of here!”

So Kaz went outside and forced himself to be drowned in inferno.

“D-don’t!” Antonello said.

He grabbed Kaz’s hand and saved him.

“Kaz, rest in God’s arms. He loves you. He loves everyone. Don’t force yourself to suffer because of your sins. They’re already forgiven,” Antonello said.

Kaz saw the kindness in Antonello’s heart.

“You are such a nice guy,” Kaz said. “Thank you.”

“No problem. Well, back to my house,” Antonello said.

They went back in… and Antonello said, “Kei has a new tattoo, and it’s all about me. My name’s inked on his body.”

“Oh, the good old days, I used to have tattoos too!” Kaz said.

“Really?” Antonello asked.

“Of course,” Kaz said.

Remembering Antonello

Antonello pleased his fans, and of course, this special event actually convinced him to go back to heaven.

He chose this fan, who had the same name of his mother.

This was the most eerie thing ever seen.

That was his last performance ever in front of the crowd.

It was midnight, and the van was running so quick that the driver had to overtake… just so you know, Antonello asked his dad, “Will you drive for me?”

His dad said, “Sorry, son. I think I’m sleepy.”

It was his dad’s biggest regret in his life.

“I didn’t drive for him that night.”

The constant, chained routine has finally unlocked. The “cut” routine is actually a sign that Antonello is called back to heaven because he was a prominent figure. Of course, the present tense won’t be used anymore whenever he’s the topic. He’s already a part of the past, not the present.

In one of Kei’s dreams, Antonello said, “Kei, think about the present. Sooner, you’ll go further.”

Actually, God’s plan for Antonello is that, he won’t be a subject of controversy.

Kei talks about Antonello at home

Kei said, “Antonello is my guardian angel. He sacrificed his life just for me; he believed that someone needed a guardian angel, and it turned out to be me.”

Akio said, “Don’t join him in your dreams, just please. You might not know, you’re not going to wake up on the next day.”

Kei said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

Akio said, “I know, just be careful.”

WRITTEN BY MS. ANGELA GABE

PHOTOS OF AJ PEREZ TAKEN FROM MR. MARK JHAMES PILAPIL’S FB ALBUM.

blogged by robert manuguid silverio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rZvKlhRSiIE#t=8s

DEAR AJ,

KNOW WHAT? I AM SO HAPPY NOW. PEOPLE ARE NOW TRENDING YOU AT TWITTER, BLOGGERS MADE POSTS, AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKS DID THEIR PART… TO GREET YOU A “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”!!!

SO HAPPY ABOUT THE “STAR EXPRESS” FB PAGE, TOO, FOR FEATURING YOU ON THEIR PAGE. AND IT’S ALL ABOUT YOUR BIRTHDAY TOMORROW!

AND THERE WILL BE A MASS AT THE EDSA SHRINE IN ORTIGAS, CORNER EDSA AVENUE, AROUND 5:30 PM.

MOST OF YOUR FANS WILL BE THERE. THEY WILL OFFER THEIR PRAYERS. THEY WILL LET YOU FEEL THEY REALLY LOVE YOU…

YOUR DAD, WHO ORGANIZED THIS SOLEMN MASS WEEKS AHEAD, TOGETHER WITH YOUR MOM, YOUR BROTHERS AND YOUR BELOVED STEPH, WILL SURELY BE THERE, TOO.

SO SMILE, AJ. IN THIS LIFE OF OURS, WE WIN SOME, WE LOOSE SOME. .. BUT WHERE YOU ARE NOW, THERE WILL BE NO MORE GOODBYES. JUST SEE YOU WHEN I GET THERE, WILL YOU?

WHEREVER YOU ARE, WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU… AND REST IN PEACE NOW, AJ. SLEEP TIGHT.

YOUR FRIEND,

ROBERT

“Like A Rose” – By A1

(lyrics)

And as I look into your eyes
I see an angel in disguise
Sent from God above
For me to love
To hold and idolise

And as I hold your body near
Ill see this month through to a year
And then forever on
Til life is gone
Ill keep your loving near

And now Ive finally found my way
To lead me down this lonely road
All I have to do
Is follow you
To lighten off my load

You treat me like a rose
You give me room to grow
You shone the light of love on me
And gave me air so I can breathe
You open doors that close
In a world where anything goes
You give me strength so I stand tall
Just like a rose

And when I feel like hope is gone
You give me strength to carry on
Each time I look at you
Theres something new
To keep our loving strong

I hear you whisper in my ear
All of the words I long to hear
Of how youll always be
Here next to me
To wipe away my tears

And now Ive finally found my way
To lead me down this lonely road
All I have to do
Is follow you
To lighten off my load

You treat me like a rose
You give me room to grow
You shone the light of love on me
And gave me air so I can breathe
You opened doors I closed
In a world where anything goes
You give me strength so I stand tall
Within this bed of earth
Just like a rose

And though the seasons change
Our love remains the same
You face the thunder
When the sunshine turns to rain
Just like a rose

You treat me like a rose
You give me room to grow
You shone the light of love on me
And gave me air so I can breathe
You opened doors I closed
In a world where anything goes
You give me strength so I stand tall
Within this bed of earth
Just like a rose

You give me strength so I stand tall
Within this bed of earth
Just like a rose

Listen to Songs: http://videokeman.com/a1/like-a-rose-a1/#ixzz1mWiya66Y