Yuletide heartys and minds

Remember Gian Karlo R. Dapul, the 16-year-old Philippine Science High senior who did us proud last May when he won the English-Speaking Union International Public Speaking Competition in London?

Soon after he bested 57 other participants from 35 countries, all 18 years old and below, with his intriguingly titled five-minute speech, “Fish Mucus and Foot Fungus,” Gian was then awarded his trophies, the Winner’s Cup and Silver Gavel.

But the real deal, or should we say follow-up honors, took place on Nov. 12 when Gian was invited back to London and presented a certificate at Buckingham Palace by no less than His Royal Highness, Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen’s husband also awarded winners of the ESU National Schools Public Speaking Competition of 2008, as well as ESU officials and donors led by Valerie Mitchell, ESU director-general.

Gian was joined at the ceremonies by the Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James, Edgardo Espiritu, and Gian’s mother Rosanna R. Dapul, director for business development of First Place Inc. (How fitting a business name!)

We thank his father Santi for relaying the photos, which drew the following comment from ESU-Philippines chair Dr. Marlu Vilches (also dean of the School of Humanities, AdMU):

“Gian certainly maintained his relaxed composure in the presence of dignitaries. And both Gian’s and Rose’s barong outfits were well suited for the occasion. Congratulations once again to Gian!”

We must also thank Ed Chua of Pilipinas Shell for the sustained support for this ESU-Philippines participation that has already produced two Pinoy world champions in the last five years. It may be recalled that then 18-year-old Patricia Evangelista won the prestigious competition in 2004.  

Last Saturday fairly brimmed with pre-Christmas socials that we had to make use of a cloning machine to avoid having to bilocate, and then some. So we managed to attend (we won’t say which ones merited the proxy spirit) the following events.

Global Destiny Cable formally launched its Global News Network or GNN channel at the studio lobby at Solid Pavilion on Pasong Tamo Extension, with OIC Christine N. Dilapdilap and program director Harry Tambuatco hosting.

The newly reformatted TV network is dedicated to broadcasting news and current affairs, with live coverage of the Philippine Stock Exchange as well as Congress and Senate proceedings. GNN also features over 30 individual talk-show hosts of diverse advocacies, with programs covering public service, health and lifestyle, the environment and shared futures, the academe, current affairs, headline analysis, politics and legislation, creative solutions, and instructional formats. 

In Metro Manila, GNN is carried by Global Destiny which has a current reach exceeding 200,000 subscribers. GNN will also broadcast nation-wide via satellite over the Philippine Cable TV Association.  

Over at Q.C., Bedan alumni of HS Class 1985 hosted a joint Christmas party with their counterpart 2010 golden jubilarians at Katips on Scout Torillo St. SBC Class GS ’56 - HS ’60 had reason to celebrate, bragging rights and all, as its golfing reps came up as shock winners in the recent Abbot Cup held at Capitol Golf Club. The score was a tie at 61 with Class ’82, but the tiebreak count-back uncovered a magnificent “magandub” eagle by Gen. (ret.) Tuti Ebuen, following a birdie by his partner Bong Obligacion.

As fellow team members Dr. Serafin “Boy” Hilvano and Roy “Shaggy” Agustin extolled the feat, worth remembering and cherishing was that the senior citizens beat Bedans 22 years their junior, including a teaching pro. All told, it served as a fine precedent for the Fr. Benigno Benabarre Cup that will be staged by the champion class on Feb. 16, 2009.

Roaring umpah-umpah congrats to SBC ’56-’60, which is preparing this early for their golden jubilarian hosting at the Mendiola campus in February 2010. 

While we’re on the subject of the Red and White, last Friday marked a dinner in honor of the SBC swimming team that swept most of the medals at the recently concluded Singapore international meet. The celebration was hosted by James Sy of HS Class 1980, who is also the team’s main benefactor. Of course a 6 p.m. Mass preceded the dinner and drinks.

At Conspiracy Bar and Restaurant on Visayas Avenue, last Saturday also saw the CD album launch of Jess Santiago’s “Puso at Isip (Hearts & Minds).”

It has been 14 years since the release of the poet and singer-songwriter’s last studio album, “Obando.” Now Jess shares a sampling of original songs from his rich collection of unrecorded tunes written from 2001 to 2008. These 13 tracks engage a range of themes, with not a few serving as expressions of the Filipino psyche and culture (Onli in the Pilipins) and the richness of the Filipino language (Loob).

An overtly political song is Panginoon, based on a poem that came out of Jess’ Usapang Kanto column in Pinoy Weekly. Written eight months before the US invasion of Iraq, it is a stinging commentary against G.W. Bush’s War on Terror. A strong anti-corruption message is heard in Salot, while a river rehabilitation campaign finds a voice in Daloy. Songs on a personal level include 18, a father’s recollections on his daughter’s 18th birthday, and Palatandaan, a tribute to veteran activists.

Santiago’s song-writing also draws inspiration from works of other artists and musicians, as with Budhi, a segment of a much longer three-part poem inspired by a study made by the painter Antipas Delotavo, and Hamog sa Umaga, a Tagalog version of Achim Iseul (morning dew), a well-loved Korean song made popular by legendary South Korean singer-songwriter Kim Min’gi.

Then there is Laging Ikaw, a masterfully crafted modern Filipino love song, and Pagsapit ng Dilim, a solemn ballad of love and longing. Collaborating are a myriad musician-friends, among them Ronnie Quesada, Dodjie Fernandez, Joey Ayala, Cynthia Alexander, Popong Landero, Gary Granada, Noel Cabangon and the Radioactive Sago Project, along with excellent session musicians and singers, including Tapati on back-up vocals, Simon Tan on bass, and Rene “Chong” Tengasantos on percussion.

The anthemic quality of Santiago’s songwriting is most evident in the songs Bayan Muna, his tribute to our country’s martyrs and heroes, and Pagbabago, written for and originally recorded by Asin. It is a contemplative song about the struggle for change in our country.

As in “Halina” (1991) and “Obando” (1994), the new album lays down a rich tapestry of words and images woven together with simple yet soulful melodies, a trademark of Jess Santiago’s music.

Mabuhay ka, Jess!

Back across town, our buddy Tito Yuchengco and his better half Marits hosted sundowner cocktails at their North Forbes lawn, preceding a jazz concert featuring Skarlet a.k.a. the former Myra Ruaro, and segue-ing to elegant dinner. Cheers and more cheers!

Then we hopscotched again for the piece de resistance for the night, catching the tail-end of the annual Open House Xmas party at North Syquia Apartments on M.H. del Pilar in Malate, where artist-friends like Phyllis Zaballero and Bonjin Bolinao open their doors from mid-afternoon to midnight, serving food and drinks, good vibes, and fine views of the Manila Bay sunset.

Capping our grand “Sabado Night” was a ‘Round Midnight jazz concert over lotsa drinks and stuff at direk Butch Perez’ aerie up North Syquia, with fave diva Cookie Chua performing, backed up by the Aya Yuson Trio.

Whew! What a day and night. A marvel we could still get up the next day in time for the Pacquiao caper, our hearts and minds still a-twitter in party mode towards Yuletide.