Images and Words

(by Jennifer Janiszewski)

There is nothing i can do,
to make her come back
There are no words I can say,
that can replace the words you long to hear

There are no answers I can give,
that will satisfy your questions
There is not another soul I can introduce you to that will ever replace hers
And, there is no love I can offer that will ever replace the love you shared

I can not promise your broken heart will ever be complete
I will not say it could have been worse
I will not deny it was a tragedy
I will not lie and tell you she will come back

She never really left

I do promise she hears you when you speak
I will say she loves you no matter the distance
I will not deny she is in a better place
And, I will not lie; she is waiting to greet you someday

She is every you step you take
She is in everything you do
She is the air you breathe
She is every beat of your heart.

It was ballyhooed as a battle between two proud fighting races. Mano A Mano: Philippines vs. Mexico. July 2, 2006 saw the country at a standstill once again as her favorite son fought another gritty Mexican warrior. In the end, Manny Pacquiao and the other Pinoy pugilists carved out one stirring triumph after another. Pandemonium, bedlam, unabashed merrymaking and all other adjectives that usually accompany a Pacman victory gripped Las Islas Filipinas. I, for one was just completely ecstatic and overwhelmed to witness the spectacle live and for FREE at the historic Araneta Coliseum. The perks of being a Kapamilya, indeed.

They say that you’ll never forget your first time. Ditto. This was the first boxing match I saw live and it was truly an unforgettable and exhilarating experience. The tension was palpable, the atmosphere festive and the arena all abuzz as a virtual “who’s-who” in Philippine politics, showbiz, sports (not to mention those ubiquitous Pacman hanger-ons) and thousands upon thousands of common folks congregated under the Big Dome.

Didn’t mattered if you were seated at the ultra-expensive ringside section or seemingly in outer space within the “pang-masa” general admission area. Just being there to witness a Manny Pacquiao fight in the flesh is sheer, bliss. We cheered lustily with every haymaker he landed and groaned collectively with every big blow he absorbed.

He won in 12 rounds (approximately 50 minutes) but it seemed that the entire bout lasted for 12 hours. The experience stays with you long after the final bell has sounded.

Thank heavens I was there at the Dome for those 12 action-packed rounds. Watching the uber-delayed telecast might have brought out the “El Terible” in me. Next up: Las Vegas, November 18, 2006. Pacquiao vs. Morales III. Guess I’ll have to sit through that dreaded “delayed telecast” for that one.

May 18, 2006 - Better late than never. This adage could have been foremost on the minds of Heracleo “Leo” Oracion, Erwin “Pastour” Emata and the rest of the First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition team. And so 53 years after Hillary planted the first flag on the summit, it was Leo Oracion’s turn to perch the Philippine flag on the highest point of the earth. We were late by 53 years and were not even the first in the South East Asian region to accomplish the feat. Nevetheless, Oracion’s climb was a towering feat for a tropical country whose highest peak reaches only 3000 meters (compared to Everest’s 8840 meters)and who boasts of a head of state barely standing 1.524 meter (5 feet) in height.

(Over 2300 individuals have “summitted” and more than 200 have lost their lives, yet thousands continue to make the trek of a lifetime. Here is a timeline of the great and tragic history of Everest expeditions taken from everesthistory.com)

1923 - Thirty years before Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay conquered the colossal peak known as Everest (called Chomolungma in Tibet and Sagarmatha in Nepal), a British explorer named George Mallory was already making his own plans to scale the mountain. While conducting a lecture tour in the United States, a reporter asked Mallory why he wanted to climb Everest, and he replied "Because it’s there".

1924 - Mallory, along with compatriot Sandy Irvine would go on to make their historic (albeit largely forgotten) ascent only to perish under mysterious circumstances. Up to now, the group’s ill-fated trek has been a source of constant speculation and debate within the mountaineering community. What happened to the Mallory and Irvine expedition and where the British really the first on Everest? For more on this, click here.

1953 – Everest’s summit is officially breached by New Zealander and his Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay. The duo was part of a large British Expeditionary team who had been based in the Himalayas for months. The website everesthistory.com provides an account of their final assault:

May 29 - Second Assault by Hillary and Tenzing using open-circuit oxygen sets. They leave Camp IX at approximately 27,900 feet (8500 meters) by 6:30 AM, and reach the S. Summit by 9 AM. After negotiating the 40 foot (12 meter) Hillary Step, they are the first to reach the summit of Everest, reaching the top at 11:30 AM. After descending to the South Col, they are met by George Lowe where Hillary states: "Well, George, we knocked the bastard off!"

1975 - Japanese Ladies Expedition led by Mrs Eiko Hisana. On May 16 Junko Tabei of Japan became the first woman to reach the summit via the South-East Ridge.

1978 - First Ascent without bottled oxygen: Peter Habeler (Austria) and Reinhold Messner (Italy) 5/8/78 via the South-East Ridge

1980 - Solo: Reinhold Messner (Italy) 8/20/80 via the North Col to the North Face and the Great Couloir. He climbed for three days entirely alone from his base camp at 6500 meters without the use of artificial oxygen via the North Col/North Face route.

1990 - First Son of a summiter to Summit Everest: Peter Hillary (New Zealand) 5/10/90

1995 - George Mallory, grandson of George Leigh Mallory, reaches the Summit of Everest.

1996 - 15 die on Everest, the most in a single year, including the most successful guide of his time, the great climber Rob Hall.

1997 – M. Magendren and N. Mohandas of Malaysia became the first South East Asians to reach the summit of Everest. They were part of a contingent of 20 mountainers from the Malaysian Mount Everest team.

For ten electrifying and furious rounds, Emmanuel “Pacman” Pacquiao engaged the Latino legend Erik “El Terrible” Morales in what was undoubtedly a bloody battle for the ages.

It was a knockout performance that “shocked and awed” the thousands in attendance and the millions watching at home as the popular catchphrase of ring announcer Michael Buffer goes. His rousing triumph has once again galvanized (albeit temporarily) an entire nation and showed that the Filipino has the talents and the tools to be a world-beater in the biggest sporting spectacles.

Before the slambang affair, the fever pitch build-up led by Solar Sports/ABS-CBN and their massive PR machinery and cross-platform infrastructure only served to whet the appetite of the boxing-crazy and Pac-lovin’ Pinoys. There was no escaping the daily updates and features on TV, newspapers, the internet and to top it all, Manny P. himself even unveiled his newfound talent (or lack of it) with the release of his record appropriately titled “Para Sa ‘Yo Ang Laban Na ‘To”. And the unanimous decision, dare I say, is that being fast and furious with your fists doesn’t exactly translate to instant singing prowess. Coming soon: Pacman’s ditty in full blast at a videoke joint near you.

Now going back to the real topic at hand. So what’s exactly the big fuss and hoopla about two half-naked men trading punches in a square arena called a ring? How bout revenge, redemption and add to that, an obscene amount of money for both protagonists. WWE it wasn’t. But rather two men settling old scores without resorting to the cheap gimmickry of other so-called sports.

Both being patriots and beloved icons in their countries, Pacquiao vs. Morales to a greater extent was Philippines vs. Mexico in the boxing ring. The match was a matchmakers dream as their huge transplanted fanbase came in droves for the big night. And with the Pinoys and Mexicans propensity for gambling (blame it on our common conquistadors - the Spaniards), betting houses stand to make a killing on wagers placed on the match. Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN even went on record to say that a local politico parted with $450k ( to bet on Pacman winning. Wonder if he was the same big, bespectacled gentleman who occupied a palatial $20k per night Las Vegas suite during the first Pacquiao-Morales tiff .

From the get-go, boxing pundits readily proclaimed Erik “El Terrible” Morales as the odds-on favorite to repeat his masterful triumph over the Pinoy pugilist. Eking out a hardfought unanimous decision win clearly cemented his well-deserved reputation as a gritty and formidable ring warrior. On the other hand, our GenSan destroyer was given a slim chance at reclaiming lost glory. The ring smarts and savvy of Morales would prove to be too much for Manny to handle, they chorused. Many were of the opinion that Pacquiao was just another one-dimensional and predictable power puncher who will once again succumb to the Mexican mauler.

For all the punishing training they endured and in what would amount to be almost an hour worth of beating (granted that the bout goes 12 rounds) the bejuses out of each other, the duo stands to earn close to $5 Million (Php 250 million!) between them ($2M for Manny and $2.7M for Erik). Wonder how that would translate to dollars per punches. Go figure.

Unless you’re in a deep coma or inhabiting in the farthest recesses of the earth, January 22, 2006 was a day that a boxer’s quest for redemption became a nation’s shining moment. It was the day that a pugnacious and crafty underdog battered into submission his former tormentor. The man with the granite chin crumpled from the two-fisted barrage emanating from one of boxing’s most dreaded power-puncher.

And the resulting aftermath? Euphoria and pandemonium ensues in the hero’s homeland, politicians clamber up the ring to rain on Pacman’s parade and Gloria said hello in her all too familiar voice. Strange, but the image of an election officer/magician turned funny hat-wearing fugitive kept cropping up on my mind during the Prez and Pac’s brief but awkward conversation. Garci, why are thou still tormenting us?

Manny’s timely win somehow managed to stave off perceived and imagined destabilization threats against the GMA administration. Unconfirmed reports have it that coup plotters called off their planned attacks as they were all intently glued to their television sets like the rest of us on V-day Sunday. Even NPA and MILF fighters admitted to being transfixed to the match and were one in heaping praises to a deserving hero after his clinical stoppage of the Mexican. Manny kept the guns silent and muzzled for one more day.

From rich and ragged, barber to bartender, we were all agog in the frenzy generated by Pac-mania. Indeed, for one joyous and unforgettable Sunday, time stood still as 90 million citizens seemingly and collectively willed a countryman to win one for a belegueared Team Philippines. I for one could not come up with a comparable event wherein the Philippine flag loomed large and proud on the world stage. Maybe the Onyok Velasco Olympic silver and the recent SEAG overall title could approximate the scope and magnitude of Manny’s towering achievement. But V-day Sunday clearly tops them all in terms of impact and was an entirely different story altogether. It was a scintillating accomplishment of a countryman that you’ll be proud to tell your grandkids about.

After the two People Power, never has a simultaneous outpouring of “Pinoy Pride” been on full display. For in a country bereft of heroes and gripped in a state of uncertainty, “The Battle” was more than just one man’s stirring victory, it also came to symbolize the cathartic and uplifting power of the Filipino united. Perhaps there is still a fight left in us after all…

Being at the forefront of online gaming has always been the driving force behind the establishment of ABS-CBN Multimedia Inc. With the local release of Tantra, a Full 3D Online Role Playing Game from South Korea’s Hanbitsoft, the company has set the benchmark for unsurpassed excellence in delivering high-end online gaming content and services.

Tantra is an Asian-inspired epic of love, revenge, survival and the quest for power. Boasting a full 3D graphics engine, the game allows for multiple camera views, spectacular 3D environment and outstanding character and map renditions. Gamers can choose from among the eight customizable tribes/characters, and set off on a journey to battle evil and save mankind from total annihilation as they embark on various quests, find a plethora of items and weapons or they can also form guilds or parties to fight as one collective force of destruction. With dazzling graphics, user-friendly controls and edge-of-your-seat action, Tantra is the newest and hottest online game of choice for the newbie or hardcore gamer alike.

The game is hosted through the facilities of Bayantel Communications and is powered by 21 game servers, 2 database servers and 4 web servers allowing for seamless game connection and interconnectivity. This dynamic union of servers and Bayantel’s massive technical expertise provides the backbone for Tantra’s enhanced and immersive gaming experience.

Tantra and similar online games (more popularly known as MMORPGs or Massively Multiplaying Online Role Playing Game) are definitely the hottest tickets in digital entertainment as evidenced by an International Data Corporation (IDC) study stating that the number of Philippine-based online gamers will climb to 6.3 million in 2008 (compared to 350, 000 gamers in 2004) as the number of internet users reaches 21.5 million. According to another study made

While many view online games as an addictive and anti-social form of entertainment, it can also be argued that it also helps promote PC literacy, enabling the youth to be more tech-savvy. Children can now easily grasp the rudiments of the web, email usage and other computer basics as they develop a liking for online games. According to another study, “online gaming serves as a venue for community building and self-expression by immersing thousands of gamers into socially interactive virtual gaming adventure worlds.” As such, MMORPGs reinforces certain behaviors and sociological patterns as long as its use is properly supervised and taken in moderation.

Plans are also afoot for the establishment of game development courses in several colleges and universities. This move augurs will for the future of the local gaming industry as it is widely-acknowledged that Filipino IT practitioners are one of the most skilled in Asia. At present, the local gaming industry is saturated by Korean-made games. It is only a matter of time before a purely Filipino-made MMORPG will eventually become the next big thing in the local gaming industry. The resources, the market, and the expertise are currently in place to meet that promise.

“The hair, the dancing, the clothes…”

From the aforementioned plug for the MTV Classic show, the rock subgenre known as glam metal truly epitomized the musical and fashion excesses of the 80s. Bands like Poison, Skid Row, Cinderella were the prime exponents of glam debauchery at its finest. They wore more makeup and spandex that would make even a Hollywood hooker blush. Yet, inspite of their theatrics and fashion faux pas, they lorded it over the airwaves before Cobain and company grunged their way to the top of the chart. Thus, it is only fitting that I churn out a list honoring the gods of glam metal, whose records im not ashamed to admit, i collected voraciously circa 1990-95. In the immortal words of Brett Michaels (Poison vocalist), “Ain’t looking for Nothin’ But A Good Time/And it don’t get better than this…”

(Top 10 list taken in its entirety from the Metal Rules article “Polls: Top 50 Glam Metal Albums”.)

1. Skid Row - Skid Row
With their very first release from 1989, Skid Row turned heads. From out of the blue, this Jersey quintet took on the Sunset Strip juggernauts (Crue, Poison, GNR, etc.) and held their own. Armed with such hits as “Youth Gone Wild,” “18 and Life” and “I Remember You,” Skid Row soon commanded the airwaves and ruled over the wild, headbanging youth of the free world. Certainly, circa 1989, you couldn’t scan the magazine section of your local grocery store without seeing a few pictures of Sebastian Bach reflecting off the covers of Circus, Hit Parader, Metal Edge or RIP magazine. Skid Row at number one? Well, the collective view of the Metal Rules staff seemed to think so. It cannot be argued, however, that Skid Row, supported by some great riffs and an amazing voice, released one of the best albums of the late 80’s!

2. Cinderella - Night Songs
Like Skid Row, Cinderella did not emerge from out of the Hollywood sleaze factory. Philly’s finest glam export first shook the genre in 1986 with, you guessed it, “Shake Me.” Despite the fact that this song sounded like a slightly updated version of KISS’s “Take Me,” we all knew that this band was something special. Sure enough, NIGHT SONGS was loaded with metallic rockers (e.g. “Somebody Save Me”). Also, this album contained one eerie, moody ballad called “Nobody’s Fool.” No other ballad from this era was quite this empowering. Sure, the song was melancholy, but it assured the listener that they weren’t weakened by love lost; they were STRENGTHENED!!! And, above all, they were NOBODY’S FOOL!!! Suffice to say, Cinderella helped to mend a few broken hearts back in the 80’s. If you’ve never had A SHOT OF GASOLINE, run out and grab this classic Cinderella album.

3. Ratt - Out of the Cellar
Behold, the unbeatable OUT OF THE CELLAR!!! The greatest glam metal album of all time! Hell, it’s one of the greatest, straight-up metal albums of all time! What’s that you say? It’s number three on the list? Blasphemy! With the exception of Motley Crue (sadly, the Crue didn’t make the top ten), nobody came close to matching ‘em. We defy you to find an album that contains this many hooks per second. Every single song is perfection; the solos, the vocals, the whole freakin’ package is flawless. If you don’t own it, buy it. If you own it, throw it on the ol’ turntable. They just don’t make albums like this 1984 classic anymore.

4. Poison - Look What the Cat Dragged In
While Skid Row’s occupation of the top spot may be debatable, Poison at the top o’ the heap is not. With the release of their 1986 debut, LOOK WHAT THE CAT DRAGGED IN, Poison seemed to symbolize the entire glam metal genre. To be sure, the songs, the riffs and the entire glam soaked image fused into one cohesive package of perfection. Many people slam these guys without ever having heard the first album. That’s a shame, cuz the first one contains enough pure rockin’ energy to launch 1000 glam bands.

5. Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry
Twisted Sister went from actually participating in the 1970’s New York glam scene, to pushing a retooled metallic glam vision into the 1980’s with the unrelenting UNDER THE BLADE. The infectious choruses found on their third album, STAY HUNGRY (1984), catapulted the Sisters into the mainstream and provided them with a permanent place in pop culture. Go to any sports arena today and you’re almost certain to hear such anthems as “We’re Not Gonna Take It” or “I Wanna Rock.” Without a doubt, nobody has ever been as glamorously ugly as these Sick Mother Fuckers!

6. Poison - Open Up and Say…Ahh!
This is one of those “must-have” glam albums. The boys weren’t quite as overtly feminine on their second album, but they still had the mile-high hair, makeup and fluorescent clothes. “Nothin’ But a Good Time,” “Love On The Rocks,” and their cover of “Your Mama Don’t Dance” epitomized the 80’s glam movement. However, their mega hit ballad, “Every Rose Has its Thorn,” ironically, was yet another nail in the glam image coffin, seeing as how Brett and gang dressed down for the video. That said, this 1988 release is one of Poison’s best albums and it’s safe to say that any glam fan’s collection is incomplete without it.

7. Def Leppard - Pyromania
PYROMANIA really got the ball rolling for Def Leppard in 1983 and is still one of the best-selling albums OF ALL TIME! Mutt Lange (pre-Shania) brought his Midas touch to the album and there isn’t a filler song to be found. “Photograph,” “Rock of Ages” and “Foolin’” have become heavy metal anthems. Def Leppard were among the most powerful and successful bands of the 1980’s, thanks in no small part to PYROMANIA. Glam? Again, it’s debatable. To be sure, Def Leppard weren’t as metallic as their NWOBHM counterparts and gradually drifted toward a more rockin’, glam-styled sound.

8. David Lee Roth - Eat ‘em and Smile
This is Diamond Dave’s first solo outing from 1986 after leaving the mighty Van Halen at their peak. With Steve Vai on guitar and Billy Sheehan on bass, this musically blessed band gave these songs some real flair. Dave’s conversation with Vai’s guitar at the beginning of “Yankee Rose” is still unique within the world of metal. Also, the videos from this era captured Dave’s always tongue-in-cheek approach to life and contain enough Aqua-net and spandex to make a Sunset Strip hooker feel underdressed!

9. Dokken - Tooth and Nail
Dokken is one of the most under-appreciated bands of the 80’s. Despite George Lynch’s technically marveled solos and Don Dokken’s voice, it’s a crime that this band never quite reached the top. TOOTH AND NAIL (1984) is THE Dokken album to own, with such hits as “Alone Again,” “Into The Fire,” “Just Got Lucky” and the rippin’ title track.

10. Ratt - Invasion of Your Privacy
Sneaking into the top 10 is INVASION OF YOUR PRIVACY (1985), the second full-length release from Ratt. Building on the momentum of 1984’s OUT OF THE CELLAR, the band released yet another album sportin’ a big-haired, half naked model on the cover (a trend that would be copied by many bands throughout the 1980’s). Warren DeMartini’s impressive solos and Stephen Pearcy’s dripping-with-sex lyrics helped to further define the Ratt sound, while songs like “Lay It Down” and “You’re In Love” assured the band a presence on the radio and MTV. Not many guys can get away with wearing makeup, fishnet gloves and spandex without getting their asses kicked, but Ratt brought a certain “toughness” to the genre.

Our man Mig may have failed to land the gig, but he sure made the Pinoy big again in the global music scene.

JD Fortune’s charms and devil-may-care attitude proved to be the winning formula as he snagged the coveted INXS frontman role. The brash Canadian triumphed over fellow hopefuls Marty Casey and our “kababayan”, Mig Ayessa in the finale that was undoubtedly watched with keen interest here in our country. After almost a decade of vocalist vacancy, the boys of INXS will now be hinging their musical fortunes on a raw (some say a Michael Hutchence clone) but promising talent.

Mig’s Rockstar stint almost paralleled that of another Pinoy bet in that other talent show called American Idol. Both were propelled by the overwhelming surge of SMS votes and made it to the final three (just goes to show the power of our SMS bloc-voting capabilities). Unfortunately, they were deemed to be wanting in the judge’s viewpoint and lost out for the top plum. Almost, but not quite.

My inherent belief in the Pinoy being a world-beater led me to bet on Mig winning the Rockstar title. After all, one has very little to be proud about, what with all the scandals and never-ending turmoil rocking our beloved country. In the end, I lost out in our little wager. Thank god it was agreed upon that the winner would buy a case of beer. Grudgingly, I handed out my wager and proceeded to guzzle up the booze.

Indeed, it was one of those moments when beer seemed to taste like mana from heaven. Cheers to the incomparable talent of the Pinoy!

“With more than 30 million records sold worldwide, countless awards from their peers and fans, platinum certifications, and a history peppered with outstanding achievements, the band are arguably Australia’s most successful rock export”.
-from the INXS homepage

The world was at their feet. Sold-out shows and a plethora of chart-topping albums would propel the band to the apex of their musical careers. Led by the charismatic and enigmatic Michael Hutchence (dubbed as the reincarnation of the late, great Jimi Morrison) on vocals, the lads from Down Under were truly one of the quintessential rock supergroups of the 80’s. To borrow from their song titles, they had “Beautiful Girl(s)” and were “Elegantly Wasted” during their halcyon days.

Twenty years into their magical ride, tragedy would fall on the band as the talented but troubled Michael Hutchence mysteriously hanged himself in a hotel room. The remaining members were left with a profound sense of grief and loss as Hutchence was a longtime friend/bandmate aside from being the resonating voice and magnetic face of INXS. For a band used to reaping accolades and adulation, the unexpected loss of their fabulous frontman meant uncertain times ahead.

Fast forward eight years later and the band would once again be shoved into the spotlight as the new CBS reality show “Rockstar:INXS” premiered locally last July 11 on Star World. Produced in collaboration with reality show maestro Mark Burnett, the show centers on finding the next INXS vocalist. Much like Survivor and The Apprentice, the aspirants (15 in total) would have to slug it out until only one remains. Instead of tribal challenges and boardroom battles, the applicants (known as “rockers) must sing a rock tune in front of a live audience with the judges giving a mandatory critique of their performances. The rocker deemed to have pulled off the most rocking rendition will also be asked to do an encore, an ego-boosting kudos if ever there was one in the show.

Serving as the tribal council/big boss (ala Donald Trump) are the boys of INXS and fiery guitarist Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction and Carmen Elektra fame. Throw in the sumptuous Brooke Burke in the mix and we’ve got the makings of a delectable television fare. The fab fifteen bunk together in “The Mansion”, a sprawling and historic villa set in the Hollywood Hills and their performances are backed-up by a stellar casts of musicians known as “The House Band”. Indeed, being one of the 15 finalists is a engrossing experience in itself.

The audience factors in the decision as they could vote for their favorite performers thru SMS and online votes. The lowest 3 vote-getters for the week would then have to sing an INXS tune for their survival. Then it’s off to the chopping block as INXS votes off the rocker they felt most unsuited for the group. All in all, it has the clichés (like contestants bunking together, emotional farewells) and other tried and tested formulas of most reality shows.

Call it the louder and less-chessier version of American Idol (sans the ever-scowling Simon Cowell, Dave Navarro doesn’t quite cut it yet), Rockstar:INXS offers sonic-inducing tunes for the casual and true-blue rock fans out there. The 15 finalists (7 guys and 8 girls) are a diverse and talented bunch who may yet be offered the dream job of a lifetime. The path to rock superstardom has never been this well-documented and sensationalized.

Pinoys will be delighted to learn that a kabayan is among the contenders. MiG Ayessa (Philippine-born, current Australian citizen) remains in the thick of the hunt and has been fortunate enough to avoid being relegated to the dreaded bottom 3. Thankfully, Pinoys are known to be impassioned online voters and texters. Credit also MiG for his consistent and inspired shows which has endeared him to the judges and the audience/voters. Jasmine Trias redux? Remains to be seen if Mig could duplicate the unprecedented run of the perky Fil-Hawaiian during her AI stint years back.

A veteran of the musical theater and previously based in London before the Rockstar callup, MiG has been regularly singled out by the judges for his intense and powerful performances along with his funky wardrobe choices and uncanny stage showmanship.

Being a faithful adherent of rock, I have been religiously following the show on TV and the internet for the past 2 weeks. Last night’s episode (August 03) featured performances from all 10 remaining finalists and everyone gave out a tour de force show which elicited well-deserved praises from the judges. Our boy, MiG was the first to go and promptly rocked the house with his awesome version of Queen’s sporting-event staple, “We Will Rock You”.

Judgment day aired early in the morning today and in a surprising twist, 2 of the consistent toppers, Ty and Brandon were relegated to the bottom 3 along with Tara. They were then made to render their version of an INXS tune for their continued survival. When the final note was sung, Tara was the one booted out by the band, thus bringing the total of female cast-offs to 4 (versus the previous 2 guys eliminated). I have this nagging suspicion that INXS isn’t really too keen on a woman fronting for their group. The plot definitely thickens as the rockers are now down to nine.

Methinks that MiG has a great shot at winning it all, with JD and Marty as the other prohibitive favorites. On the distaff side, Jordis is emerging as the clear frontrunner. The audience’s votes will undeniably play a huge role in the selection process but it will eventually boil down to who really possess the vibe, the skills and the total-package to front the legendary band that is INXS.

INXS have once again re-invented themselves by going for the unconventional and unprecedented vocalist-hunting route. Time will tell (along with album sales and concert revenues) if Rockstar:INXS was a revolutionary and daring concept or just another one of those formulaic TV fare that ended up as s cheap Hollywood/rock stunt (remember The Next Action Star and the short-lived Van Halen reunion?).

Calling the rock gods: Hendrix, Morrison and Cobain. Please let MiG snag the gig? Then maybe, just maybe, INXS could stage a concert here in our godforsaken country.

Now wouldn’t that be a better listening activity when ranged against the endless barrage of Congressional inquires and street protests we’ve been so unmercifully bombarded lately? Mr. Ayessa, please give us a reason to cheer, to celebrate the world-class talent of the Pinoy and we will sing in unison with you. Winning Rockstar:INXS might just be the small mercy we so desperately need to momentarily escape the unending troubles plaguing our nation.

In the immortal words of AC/DC, “For those about to rock, we salute you!”

*for more on the show, tune in to Star World every Wednesday and Thursday nights or log on to www.rockstar.msn.com and www.inxs.com

“I am sorry.”

With those three somber words, our beleaguered Chief Executive offered her apologia to a nation longing for answers. Her understated and remorseful tone had the entire country riveted to their television sets. It was after all her national address in response to the imbroglio rocking her administration (“Gloria-gate”, how original can you get?) – the damning wiretapped phone conversation between her and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano who’s now MIA like the Nixon whistleblower codenamed Deepthroat was during the Watergate scandal.

But the parallelisms end there. Watergate forced the resignation of Richard Nixon, the first and only US President to do so. It remains to be seen whether Gloria-gate would trigger the downfall of another sitting head of state. Whereas Deepthroat (former FBI Deputy Director Mark Felt) was widely-acclaimed as a true patriot and civil servant when he came out from the cloak of anonimity, it is very doubtful that Garcillano would be accorded the same honors. Unless he gives a definitive and truthful account of the cellphone caper, he will always be remembered as an accomplice to one of the greatest election travesty in our history.

Clearly, those ubiquitous “Hello Garci” ringtones (ahh, the wonders of Bluetooth technology) that were constantly tormenting the Prez in her sleep had sounded a loud, ringing wake up call. Stonewalling the issue and the press would only stoke the fire as Dick Nixon found out the hard way. She had no recourse but to silence the voices and exorcise the demons of elections past. After all, what better way to skirt the scandal than to offer a sincere, calculated and carefully-worded apology? Fittingly, she was nearly in tears during that brief bilingual address. Heartfelt outpouring of regret or another scripted PR masterstroke? Depends on which side of the fence you’re sitting on.

The opposition, the left and throw into the mix a character actor now masquerading as a political savant quickly added fuel to the proverbial fire. Vindication, they all felt was the fruits of their incessant agitation. With happy thoughts of a return to the Estrada-era Malacanang days, they echoed out their long-standing cries: impeach her, resign or face the indignity of another mass revolt. Eerily familiar calls with all too familiar and catastrophic results.

Funded and provoked by a cabal of power-hungry opportunists, the poor, tired and huddled masses will once again be goaded to take to the streets with the end result of catapulting a new administration into power. At the present, the alternative leadership being rammed down our throats doesn’t exactly augur well for our country’s future. They are but a motley crew of defeated contenders and political has-beens riding on the coat-tails of the late and beloved actor cum Presidential candidate. All desperately clinging on to that one last glorious stab at power.

It has become a vicious cycle now terminally imbedded into our collective consciousness. Remember EDSA I-III? Is it just me or are we about to witness a second People Power trilogy? God forbid, These habitual “political road rage” must be stalled before it gathers momentum. Sequels are meant for movies or boxing matches, not for uprisings.

Meanwhile, we are left to start all over again, to hear the same old empty promises and hope for sweeping changes that will radically uplift our national patrimony vis a vis the economy. This is the moribund state of our beloved country - the first republic and democracy in Asia, the birthplace of Rizal and Bonifacio, the only predominantly Catholic nation in the Orient, yet careening towards the edge pushed by a penchant for regime change like Paris Hilton on a whim. Funny, but that is the underlying essence of a democracy. We freely elect our leaders and as soon as we found him/her to be wanting (or gambling and lying), to EDSA we go marching and shouting.

Where to Gloria? Wherefore art thou Garci? The Filipinos want answers to their anguished and oft-neglected calls…

“Dubai is the quintessential home of sand, sun and shopping. A century ago, it was a tranquil town whose coral-and-gypsum huts housed Bedouin traders and pearl divers. Today the merchants have gone international and science-fiction skyscrapers stand alongside the mosques and wind towers of Old Dubai”.
- from the Lonely Planet website

For many years now, the Gulf States (i.e. UAE, Qatar, Bahrain) have been the preferred destinations for thousand upon thousands of our OFWs. Blame it on the enormous global demands for oil which transformed those former backwaters into their current “uber-wealthy nation” status and the tax-free system in those filthy-rich shiekdoms for causing this present day “diaspora” or migration. What person in his right mind could dare refuse such enticing perks like free and luxurious board and lodging and of course, wages equivalent and sometimes higher than 4x of current pay here in our godforsaken country. Clearly, it all boils down to economics vis a vis the singular pursuit to uplift one’s status in life.

Perhaps the city that best exemplifies this burgeoning trend is Dubai, considered as the crown jewel of the United Arab Emirates. It’s hard to fathom the immense in-roads that city has experienced in such a short amount of time. These staggering developments have resulted to a plethora of employment opportunities for the migrant worker to take advantage of. Go get yourself a copy of the Sunday classifieds of the Manila Bulletin or check out those long queues outside employment agencies and you’ll get my drift. Which had me pondering two things: Are the Arabs simply that lazy and well-off that they have to hire foreign workers to do their bidding? Or is it simply because the staggering advancements and progress in their country necessitates such a massive influx of outside help? Go figure.

Almost all of us have relatives or knows someone who has worked or is currently working in the Middle East. These fortune-seekers represent the growing breed of Filipinos who brave the estrangement of family and the perils associated with being an immigrant just to earn their well-deserved keep. Leaving one’s homeland to make a living abroad is by any means no small feat. Horror stories abound of abuses (both physical and sexual) contractual violations and other inequities imposed by foreign employers. Indeed, the picture is not always that rosy in the lands of sky-rocketing wages and highly-industrialized environs. The sacrifices and hardships they endure make for compelling materials that would put any telenovelas to shame. Consider this too: where if not for the billions of dollars of OFW remittances yearly, our economy would surely be in a much deeper quagmire.

So why the heck am I dreaming of Dubai? For the simple fact that it is where my mind and my heart belongs to right now. You see, someone very dear to me has been toiling in that city for almost two months now. Though I have long known the fact that she was leaving, one can not really prepare for the sad realities a prolonged physical separation would entail – the thousand of miles apart, the different time zones to adjust and the feeling of daily yearning to name just a few. Recent advances in technology and telecommunications (e,g. SMS, email, voicechat) somewhat helps to bridge the gap and to assuage the loneliness. Still, nothing beats that simple but overwhelming joy of being just a whisper away from the person you cherish the most.

In my 27 plus years in this mortal coil, it has never really occurred to me to take that giant leap and seek opportunities that lay elsewhere (read: work overseas). I have grown accustomed and attached to my familiar surroundings and to the comforts and permanence of family and friends. I was content to earn my monthly pittance, spend a few here and there and get drunk on weekends. Been working for almost 4 years (with certain lapses in between) now and still haven’t gotten the savings or the goods to show for it. Time, it seems, is sadly not on my side.

How I’m gonna make my dreams a reality is still a big question mark. Finances (lots of it!) are still the prime considerations. Going abroad is nothing to sneeze at. If the plane fare wouldn’t burn a big hole in your pockets, then the cost of living and other incidental expenses will. Plus the fact that I have no surefire employment waiting for me there further adds a damper to my plans. The odds are all sadly stacked against my favor. Perhaps all I have now is an unbridled determination to make that leap of faith and take the biggest chance in my otherwise pathetic and mundane existence.

But enough of these ramblings and self-imposed doubts and fears. Being a slave to helplessness would do me no good. I have long believed in the mantra “Fortune favors the brave” so I guess it’s high time to walk the walk and talk the talk, so to speak. If you have to ask me, the biggest motivation I possess right now is that if ever my dreams come into fruition, I’m leaving to go see about a girl - my damsel in the desert.

(postcript: on a happy note, my damsel in the desert returned to the country last June 16. the dubai sojourn is on hold for now. but hey, who’s complaining?)