Joey doing well, coming home

Down to her last three of the 12-cycle chemo she has been going through since her colon cancer came back last April, Joey Albert is optimistic that she will be well enough, as good as new, in February next year when she stars with Dennis Lambert in a Valentine concert at The Theatre of Solaire.

“The side effects are challenging but tolerable with God’s help,” said Joey (based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, with her family) in a text message to Funfare. “Kaya pa ngumiti. Truly, God’s grace is sufficient.”

Joey’s cancer (called Albert’s Colon because the type is found mostly among members of Joey’s relatives) was first diagnosed sometime in 2004. She went into remission after a surgery and chemotherapy. Since then, Joey has been bravely battling the Big C, never giving up and trusting The Big Healer (…cast your burdens upon me those who are heavily-laden/come to me and I will give you rest, as Basil Valdez’s song Lift Up Your Hand puts it), not letting herself be distracted by what she loves doing most — singing “live,” for which she comes home regularly, the latest having been early this year before she went back to Canada for check-up.

Before her February concert, Joey said that she would come home briefly next month to visit her ailing mother.

“I have so much to be thankful for…,” added Joey whose text message came on the day Canada was celebrating Thanksgiving. “…for life, for family. I have more time to enjoy my children, my kind and caring friends.”

Why AlDub gets CBCP blessing

The following letter from Jonathan Chua, Ateneo professor and occasional STAR contributor, says it all. Need I say more?

Dear Ricky,

I think the fact that “AlDub” got the blessing of the CBCP and is getting the Catholic Social Media Award confirms the suspicion that Fr. Modesto de Castro is alive and well in 21st-century Philippines. Last year was the 150th anniversary of the publication of his Urbana at Feliza, a “conduct book” which many consider a precursor of the Filipino novel. You recall that it’s a collection of letters between two sisters — the elder writing from Manila and the younger writing from Paombong. Through her letters, Urbana imparts to her sister Feliza the principles of “urbanidad” — which is all of manners, social etiquette, civility, Christian virtues, breeding, etc.

Listen to this:

Feliza: Kung ikaw at si Honesto [their younger brother] ay maanyayahan sa isang piging, ay dagdagan ang ingat at maraming lubha ang pagkakamalan. Pagdating sa bahay, ay magbigay ng magandang gabi, o magandang araw sa may-bahay, saka isusunod ang mga kaharap, huwag magpapatuloy sa kabahayan hanggang di inaanyayahan, bago lumuklok ay hintin muna na pagsabihan... Sa lamesa, ay sabihin mo kay Honesto, na kung makakita ng bata na nakikigiit sa matanda... ay pakailagan ang gayong masamang asal sapagkat nakasisira ng puri sa magulang at mawiwika na di tinuturuan ng magagandang kaasalan... Huwag magpauna sa matatanda sa pagsubo; huwag magsasalita kung di tinatanong, at kung matanong naman ay sumagot nang maikli at banayad nguni, lilinisin muna ang bibig ng serbilyeta kung mayroon, at kung wala ay panyo at huwag sasagot nang limilinb ang bibig at namumuwalan... Pagtindig o bago umalis sa dulang, ay magpapasalamat sa Diyos; nguni, ang dapat mamuno ay ang may-bahay, o may-piging; at kung may paring kasalo ay sa kanya nauukol, at pagkatapos, ay magpasalamat sa may-bahay

Isn’t that something that could have come out of Lola Nidora’s mouth?

Of course, Modesto de Castro was being dead serious, whereas “AlDub” is tongue-in-(dimpled)-cheek.

So “mababaw” or not, the “AlDub” kalyeserye seems to fall within the Philippine literary tradition of didacticism. And the criticism leveled against it (including “kababawan”) from some quarters recalls that made on the Tagalog novel of the 1920s and ’30s. Maybe that’s a topic that scholars like Soledad Reyes can explore further. It’s certainly an interesting cultural event, and given its large following, it might also be a key to the collective psyche. Who knows?

Best,

Jonathan Chua

TV5 reappoints Boss Vic as ‘chief strategist’

Congratulations to Viva Boss Vic del Rosario on his reappointment as TV5 “chief strategist for entertainment.”

Here’s TV5’s official statement:

TV5 Network has appointed Sari Sari Network (SSN), a joint venture between Cignal and Viva Communications, as the official production outfit to handle all the Entertainment requirements of TV5. As such, TV5 is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Vic del Rosario (photo), the Co-C.E.O. of SSN, as its chief strategist for entertainment for TV5. Boss Vic, as he is known in the industry, has been a leading figure in the entertainment media since founding Viva Films in the 1980’s. Under his stewardship, Viva has grown to become one of the country’s leading brands in quality films, television shows, music, books and live theater productions.

TV5 president and CEO Noel C. Lorenzana welcomes Boss Vic to the Kapatid Network and notes the collaborative work that Cignal/TV5 and Viva has forged lately with the launch of Sari-Sari Network that will be airing soon on Cignal TV. Lorenzana says, “we highly value his expertise and experience in producing blockbuster films and shows through the years and we are optimistic that this new partnership would bear similar success in the future.”

Boss Vic will handle all entertainment shows, including those which will be line-produced for TV5. He will also be in-charge of the Network’s content strategy.

Boss Vic, for his part, said that “he is excited with the limitless possibilities that this partnership between two industry leaders in showcasing the creative talents of the Filipino to the world.”

“Viva has always pioneered in bringing new talents and creative concepts in ways that the public would highly appreciate so we owe it to our audiences to bring them the best and most interesting shows that they can take to heart and claim as their very own,” he stressed. 

He said that TV5 and the collaborative spirit that he found in his working with the MVP group, “gives impetus to the Network’s goal of reaching out and providing the best in entertainment programs to every Filipino wherever he or she may be in the world.”

Miss World 2015 Phl ‘Most Likely’ picks

Twenty-six lovelies from various regions of the country are vying in the Miss World 2015 Philippines finals set for tomorrow, Oct. 18, at The Theatre of Solaire, to be aired live by GMA 7. The winner will represent the country in the 2015 Miss World pageant in Dec. 19 in China.

Here are Funfare’s “beauty experts” Felix Manuel, Gery Yumping, Joey Cezeare and Francis Calubaquib’s annual 10 “Most Likely (to make it)”:

Pageant veterans Emma Mary Tiglao (No. 12), Marita Cassandra Naidas (No. 14) and Mia Allyson Howell (No. 21); commercial model, Hillarie Danielle Parungao (No. 19); Bulakenya Beauty Vianca Louise Marcelo (No. 22); and Janine Alipo-on (No. 2), Janelle Ty (No. 6), Kiaragiel Gregorio (No. 8), Avonlea Paraiso (No. 3) and Jesicca Rose Mc Ewen (No. 17).

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