Is there truth to this video?

I have read about a viral video of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. that is making the rounds in forums, blogs and other platforms of discussion in the net. It is actually a recording of him boasting about how the police force in Bacoor is under him (Update: Apparently, Bong did a reshuffle of police officials in Bacoor according to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report), how he won’t let his brother lose in the fight for the mayoralty race (Update: Bong’s brother Strike Revilla is running for reelection), and how the Malacañang is backing all these up.

Watch the video below and see for yourself.

I read in an entertainment column that Revilla’s claiming the video was spliced. Another claim was that a voice-over talent was used to record this video.

My take on this is that the voice in the video does not really sound like him in some parts. The one who cursed sounds like him. But the other parts seem to be of someone else. I am not sure it’s really him all throughout the video. I do feel like the video was spliced and put together to put him in a bad light.

No, I am NOT a supporter. In fact, I am not a supporter of entertainment personalities jumping to the political bandwagon. What do they really know in running a country, right? But with this video, I think it’s more of a black propaganda against the senator. Then again, his claims of making sure his brother wins or that the police force is under his control plus the Malacañang backing him up are not an altogether far-fetched idea.

What do you think of the video?

The New Friendster

I just thought of opening my Friendster account this noon to check if I have new messages. I opted out of getting notifications because it sends out so many, including those unimportant ones. Anyway, I use Facebook now and just kept my Friendster account for some of my other friends.

See the screenshot above (click it for larger view)? That’s the new Friendster interface. Yes, they changed their look and made it cleaner and simpler. Although, at first glance, you’d think right away it’s a knockoff of Facebook. The shoutout is so much like Facebook’s wall. It’s a cleaner version, of course, since you cannot leave comments or like any of the activities listed. You can now also easily see who’s celebrating their birthdays at the upper right hand portion of the homepage. If you check out the other sections, particularly the Fun tab, you will see Games listed under it. Friendster is now offering interactive games much like what Facebook has been doing. The rest are still the same.

All in all, I think the people behind The New Friendster got their inspiration from Facebook. Sure, it loads faster now, has a really clean look and they focused on more interaction between members. The new logo looks more fun, too. I just think that it’s a little too late now for Friendster to lure back it’s members who are hooked to Facebook already. Include this blogger.

Have you seen The New Friendster already? What do you think of it?

Let me know your thoughts.

Pacman makes history!

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao wins anew!!!

Manny now has the welterweight belt that he won over Puerto Rican, Miguel Cotto. He has the prize money, the diamond-studded belt from the World Boxing Organization, and put his name in history as the most titled boxer ever. Wow!

Congrats, Manny!

Manny Pacquiao's rise

People are talking about the coming fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto on Sunday, November 15 (14th in the US). I am sure the whole country will stop whatever they’re doing to tune in to the fight.

Yesterday, I saw an article in a local broadsheet about Pacquiao’s rising popularity in the US and Asia. A photo of Pacquiao’s Nike billboard in Hollywood alongside that of Kobe Bryant’s was published together with the article.

No other local athlete can boast of that, right? For a change, Philippines is being talked about in a positive light. Set aside the dirty politics, rampant corruption and the spotlight on the plight of our poor fellowmen. Then the cover on the Time magazine was reported…

And it hit me, Manny Pacquiao’s really made it! Imagine Pacquiao on the cover of Time magazine!

There is a TIME magazine article on The Meaning of Manny Pacquiao. Another in The Rise of Manny Pacquiao. I think he’s the first Filipino athlete to ever grace the cover of the prestigious mag, right?

We can really say that Manny Pacquiao’s popular in every sense of the word. I just hope he lives up to the expectations of his fellowmen. And won’t succumb to the dirt of local politics.

How do you choose a National Artist?

There is an online poll at ABS-CBN News Online on who would you choose as a National Artist. It’s between Carlo J. Caparas and Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon. I voted. I chose Dolphy.

Let me tell you that I don’t know how they choose a National Artist. But if I were to be asked to choose, I’d choose Dolphy hands-down. Sure, Carlo Caparas is a brilliant comic strip creator/writer-turned director and producer. He is the one behind so many comics hits like Darna, Panday, Bakekang, to name a few. But Dolphy’s also a great comedian who’s been in the business making people of all ages laugh their hearts out for decades now. The man is already in his 80s. As far as I’m concerned, he deserves to be called a National Artist. He’s been an icon for the entertainment industry.

Personally, Dolphy’s been the one who bonded a lot of families when there were no internet and other gadgets to entertain them before. He’s done so many funny movies and I think I’ve watched almost all the old ones with my mom. Dolphy’s our personal clown starting noon, watching his old movies shown in tv. I believe, that alone, merits something, right?

I got this from Wikipedia…

A National Artist of the Philippines is a title given to a Filipino who has been given the highest recognition for having made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts, namely, Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film, Broadcast Arts, Fashion Design and Architecture, and Allied Arts.

Dolphy made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. He was even compared to Charlie Chaplin and most recently to the UK’s Rowan Atkinson or more popularly known as the one portraying Mr. Bean.

I am not saying Carlo J. Caparas doesn’t deserve the honor. I am saying that between him and Dolphy, the latter deserves the honor more.

Paris says goodbye

This really made me cry. Watch the video of Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris Katherine, bidding her father goodbye.

It will genuinely touch your hearts, the way the little girl said that she just wants to tell her father how much she loves him. I really cried while watching this video. It is truly hard to lose a parent. Much more when you’ve known only one parent your whole life and have spent every waking moment with him/her. This is true in the case of Michael Jackson’s kids. They’ve been with him all the time, homeschooled, traveling to different places with him. I am sure the kids will have a tough time recovering from this tragedy. But with the help of those who really care for them (hopefully), they’ll weather this through.

Did you watch the Michael Jackson Staples Center memorial? It was live last night at ABS-CBN and other cable channels (CNN and Fox, I think). I wasn’t able to watch because I was already sleepy. But you can watch the videos and read about it at CNN.com.

Jacko's dead

August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

Even if we are not related to a person, when we hear about his death, we feel the loss as much as his love ones. That’s what happened to me when I heard about Michael Jackson’s death. Yes, the guy was a weirdo when he was still living. He’s done some shady things. But we cannot deny the fact that he’s done so much for so many people through his music. He was and will forever be a music legend.

The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, was officially pronounced dead on Thursday, June 25. He was 50.

Rest in peace.

Pacman is the man!

There is no doubt about it that Manny Pacquiao brought glory to the country once again. Kahit man lang sa boxing may maipagmalaki tayo. He knocked down British Ricky Hatton in the second round of their much-anticipated Battle of East and West boxing match.

Manny, Pacman to boxing fans, was right when he said that during his boxing matches, there is little to zero crime in the Philippines. Obviously, due to the fact that most people are in their homes watching Pacman fight his opponent in the ring.

There is something to be said about a man who can unite the whole country, even for a day.

Three cheers to Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao!

Have you?

• Have you seen the 3 ads from NuffNang currently running on this blog? I love NuffNang! I wish there will be more ways to earn from them.

• Have you noticed how crazy I am about Twilight?? My Utopia and Splotches blogs have posts about the books, the movie, Rob Pattison and just about everything about it. The Stephenie Meyer Twilight saga and the movie have become a cult already. Crazy, I tell you! When I started reading it a few months ago, I thought I was the only one who knew about it. I just read about it from my ebook group because they were talking about the phenomenon the book is creating. I read Twilight in a little over a day and never stopped obsessing about it from then on. I told my friends about it and they are as crazy about the books and movie as I am.

Anyway, here’s a survey about Rob Pattinson, the super hot guy playing Edward Cullen!

UAAP: Who do you think will win?

Cast your vote now…

When these two schools clash, expect all of them to come out in full force. Tickets were sold in a matter of 3 hours. And Araneta Coliseum is not small, I tell you. Even people like us, who came from another university, is held captive by the force of these 2 universities.

So who do you think will win this year’s college basketball series in UAAP? Cast your vote now!