How Romy spreads love

I take my hat off to election lawyer Romy Macalintal when he’s defending protesting candidates and turning questioned election results in their favor. I admire Romy even more when he’s off the court spreading love via his DWBR, 104.3FM program The Law of the Heart is Love (8 to 9 p.m. Saturdays, with a replay Mondays 9 to 10 p.m.) with the help of his guests who read love poems.

Let me call the honor roll (previous poem readers):

Vice Presidents Jejomar Binay and Noli de Castro; Senators Manny Villar, Tito Sotto (twice), Loren Legarda, Bam Aquino, Chiz Escudero, Gringo Honasan, Alan Peter Cayetano, Bong Revilla and Migz Zubiri (former); DOJ Secretaries Leila de Lima and Alberto Agra;

Boxing icon/Rep. Manny Pacquiao; Mike Enriquez; Rey Langit; Veronica Baluyot; Anthony Taberna; Kim Atienza; Bernadette Sembrano; Rico J. Puno; Willie Revillame; Willie Nepomuceno; Edu Manzano; Ricky Davao; Joey de Leon; Vic Sotto (twice); Pia Guanio; lawyer Jose Midas Marquez; former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza; Pete Lacaba;

Lawyer  Percida Acosta of PAO; former BID Commissioner Marcelino Libanan; the late Press Secretary Cerge Remonde; former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita; Eddie Ilarde; Brother Eddie Villanueva; Tiongco Brothers (Emil, Arthur and Jun Tiongco); Col. Cesar Mancao; lawyer Ferdie Topacio; Richard Merk; Ciara Sotto; Lolit Solis; Philip Salvador; Arnold Clavio; Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa; Korina Sanchez;

Ogie Alcasid; Marco Sison; Eugene Torre; Leo Martinez; Helen Gamboa-Sotto; Bunny Calica; Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez; Secretary Sonny Coloma; Ara Mina, Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste; Gerry Baja (DZMM); Sunshine Cruz; Shalani Soledad-Romulo; Richard Gomez; Coritha; Cesar Montano; Anthony Castelo; Arnell Ignacio; Yllana brothers Anjo, Jomari and Ryan; Aiko Melendez; Heber Bartolome;

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista; US Consul General Michael Schimmel and his wife Susan Schimmel; Boots Anson-Roa; Ted Failon; Christopher de Leon; Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto; Aga Muhlach and wife Charlene Gonzalez; former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim; Boy Abunda; Eddie Garcia; Dr. Vicki Belo; Fr. Jerry Orbos; COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento; Imelda Papin; and Ryzza Mae Dizon.

Tonight, I am joining this distinguished company as Romy’s poetry reader, so please do tune in (at home or when you get stuck in the traffic). 

I read three poems, two by James J. Metcalfe and one in Filipino by an anonymous 19th century author. The one I liked most is this:

God is Our Light

By James J. Metcalfe

However dark the day may be, however deep the night

As long as we belong to God, there is sufficient light.

There is no need for loneliness, or cause for any fear

But there is consolation, and the way is always clear.

We know what God expects of us, and what we have to do

To show that we are honest, and our loyalty is true.

We have our human weaknesses, and sometimes they prevail

But if we put our trust in God, we cannot ever fail.

For He is always at our side, to help us in our fight

And darkness disappears, before His everlasting light.

Michael P. is 3rd-generation Kilabot ng Mga Kolehiyala

In the ’70s, there was Hajji Alejandro and in the ’90s, Ariel Rivera, both touted as Kilabot ng Mga Kolehiyala.

Meet the third-generation “title-holder” --- Michael Pangilinan, 17, whose eponymous debut album has just been released by Star Records. The carrier single, Bakit Ba Ikaw?, and the other cut Ang Saksi Ko were composed by Vehnee Saturno. Other cuts: Kung Sakali (composed by Joey de Leon and Vic Sotto, popularized by Pabs Dadivas), the Luther Vandross’ hit Dance With My Father (arranged by Michael himself and Jonathan Manalo) and Umagang Kay Ganda (popularized by Tillie Moreno), a duet with Prima Diva Billy.

You can listen to Michael sing live during his concert at Zirkoh (Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City) on Thursday, Aug. 8, starting at 10 p.m.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected].)