Palace warns vs ‘opportunists’ who may sow dissent

Watch out for “opportunist groups.”

Malacañang aired this warning as it called on groups planning a justice march for the martyred 44 commandos of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF)  this Sunday to remain vigilant against the possible infiltration by a desperate few instigating a military-backed uprising against President Aquino.

Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government upholds the people’s freedom of expression but would not tolerate any action that violates the Constitution.

“While we join the commemoration of the heroism of the PNP-SAF44, it is important to be vigilant and watchful of groups that want to take advantage of the grief and use the opportunity to pursue their dubious goal,” Coloma said in a press briefing.

“Let’s observe that in the past days, there have been calls for the resignation of the President coupled with coup threats and other destabilization efforts. These opportunist groups have even used the 29th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution as an occasion to call on the public to wield people power against the government,” he added.

The Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PNPAAAI) had earlier announced plans to hold a “March for Justice for SAF 44” on March 8. The organizers have already issued guidelines to keep the nationwide activity non-partisan and focus on the demand for justice for the slain troopers.

During the EDSA anniversary rites, President Aquino lashed out at desperate groups riding on the Mamasapano incident to derail the peace process.

He lamented that these groups merely criticize the government but do not present alternative solutions to the problem.

Coloma said these groups do not want peace because they will benefit from chaos and violence.

“The government appeals anew for calm and reason.”

‘DAY OF HEALING’ 

At the Lower House, a group of lawmakers filed House Resolution No. 1952 seeking to declare March 6, 2015, a National Day of Healing for Unity and All-Out-Peace, All-Out-Justice in commemoration of the 40th day of the Mamasapano massacre.

Led by former Justice Secretary and 1-BAP partylist Rep. Silvestre Bello III, the group asked the 290-man Lower Chamber “to lead this nation’s call for calm and sobriety amidst these troubled times, and in unity with the independent efforts of our peace-loving citizens’ peace advocacies and to commemorate the thousands of lives lost from decades of armed conflict in Mindanao.”

“This unfortunate incident has likewise caused a national divide threatening to polarize the country and its peace-loving people, with some sections issuing condemnation, hasty judgment and espousing bloody retaliation and all-out war,” the three-page resolution said.

Joining Bello in filing the resolution are AKBAYAN partylist Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez III, Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, Zambales Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan, Sorsogon Rep. Deogracias Ramos Jr., Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo, AMIN party-list Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza, and Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong.

The lawmakers cited that civil society groups, peace movements and communites across the country have started to unify in a gathering of peace advocates calling for “All-Out-Peace, All-Out-Justice,” which will culminate on the 40th day of the tragic Mamasapano anti-terror raid last Jan. 25.

“In order to maintain calm and sobriety in these tension-filled times and arrive at an objective and impartial result to the ongoing investigation on the Mamasapano incident, there is an imperative and urgent need to pause and re-assess our common aspirations to bring peaceful solutions to our nation’s problems,” the group said.

House pressed to resume own Mamasapano probe

Lawmakers who are former police and military men are pressing on the House leadership to resume the joint investigation by two House committees on  the tragic death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos last Jan  25.

Magdalo  party-list Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo, who belongs to the “Saturday Bloc” of the House of Representatives, led the filing of House Resolution No. 1961 to call for the resumption of the chamber’s Mamasapano probe, which had been indefinitely suspended pending the results of the investigation conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Board of Inquiry (BOI).

“These members of the House are of the belief that the continuance of the joint hearings on the Mamasapano massacre… must proceed as it is in aid of legislation – in order to cover ground that the Senate was not able to cover, as well as to inform and educate the members of the House on their deliberations on the BBL on issues which came to the fore only in the aftermath of the Jan. 25, 2015, debacle in Mamasapano, Maguindanao,” the group said in filing the two-page resolution.

Last Feb. 11, the House Committee on Public Order and Safety conducted a probe on the Jan. 25 carnage jointly with the House Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, but decided to suspend the investigation pending results of the inquiry being conducted by BOI. The PNP board is due to submit its report to Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas today for President Aquino’s review.

The group cited the need to continue the House investigation to review the operational aspects of the Government of the Philippines (GPH)-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ceasefire agreement, the current operational and coordinative framework between the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other security bureaus.

The House resolution said resumption of the House probe will “help in the deliberations of the ad hoc committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, allow it to pursue its oversight functions over several aspects of the GPH-MILF peace process as well as the operations of the PNP/AFP/other security bureaus, and support the pursuit of justice in behalf of the victims of the carnage in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.”

Joining Acedillo in filing the resolution were Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao Jr., Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, and Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop.

The House independent bloc led by Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and 33 other lawmakers, led by the Makabayan bloc, called on Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. to reopen the Mamasapano probe.

Belmonte said the House is ready to resume the probe once it receives the BOI report. He said “there are still unanswered questions” on the bloody raid.

“Once the BOI report is in and their vital questions unanswered, we could reopen. Multiplicity of investigations not desirable,” he said.

The speaker had earlier manifested that if they are satisfied with the BOI report, they are not likely to resume the House Mamasapano hearings.

Unconstitutional BBL provisions scrapped House dilutes peace measure to keep powers of Comelec, COA, Ombudsman, CSC, CHR, PNP

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Wanlu brings PH puppetry to world stage

JUST A THOUGHT: Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. – Lao Tzu

• • •

AMBASSADOR OF PUPPETRY: Ventriloquist-comedian Wanlu may as well be the Philippine ambassador of puppetry.

The “Talentadong Pinoy” Hall of Famer has been waving the national flag in puppetry conventions and festivals throughout Asia in the last few years.

WANLU and his puppet Nicolo are the Philippine ambassadors of puppetry in international meets

In April, Wanlu visits the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur to hold a series of puppetry workshops. Wanlu finds this special considering that the Philippines does not have its own puppetry art while Malaysia is famous for Wayang kulit or shadow puppetry.

“We might not have our own puppetry art but Pinoy puppeteers are very good with ventriloquism and hand puppetry; in fact, we are probably the best in Asia,” Wanlu says.

Before then, in March, in celebration of World Puppetry Day, Wanlu holds the 4th Battle of Ventriloquists with an exhibit of ASEAN puppetry arts. The exhibit, set from March 19 to 21 at Resorts World Manila, includes performances by puppeteers from Indonesia and Singapore.

Dr. Luy Chee Luen of the University of Malaya has scheduled two puppetry workshops under Wanlu’s supervision.

From Malaysia, Wanlu flies to Tokyo, Japan to participate in a ventriloquist convention organized by the Japan Ventriloquists Association (JVA). JVA President Takeshi Ikeda has asked Wanlu to show how ventriloquism and puppetry were used to heal victims of super storm “Yolanda” in Tacloban.

His next trip will be in September for the World Puppet Carnival (WPC) in Kazakhstan. Wanlu has been designated by WPC organizer Rod Petrovic to handle the ventriloquist shows nightly during the seven-day carnival.

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INTIMATE WASH FOR HIM AND HER: Can’t take away the sex from Ai Ai delas Alas, who launched recently her new business, a brand of intimate wash for women called Affection.

Ai Ai’s son, Sancho, is behind the brand’s male counterpart, Great. Mother and son believe men and women should keep their private parts clean and hygienic at all times.

Sancho, who has launched an acting career on GMA-7, also has a T-shirt line called Sail City.

By the way, Ai Ai is the latest Filipino actress to acquire an immigrant status in the US.

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CNN’S HOLLYWOOD EXPRESS: Get the latest updates, profiles of new films coming up on “CNN’s Hollywood Express,” airing on consecutive dates on local channel 9TV.

This week, the spotlight is on the movies “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” “In Focus,” “Unfinished Business.”

Catch “CNN’s Hollywood Express” on Saturday, March 7 at 9 a.m.; Sunday, March 8 at 2 a.m., 10 a.m., and 1:30 p.m.; and Monday, March 9, at 2 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

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CASA MARCOS PA RIN: Spotted at Casa Marcos restaurants spread out around Ortigas, Quezon City and The Fort: Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino, Lani Misalucha, Noli de Castro, Tillie Moreno, among others.

Then and now an acknowledged favorite among entertainment celebrities, CM has maintained its presence in the Metro’s culinary and entertainment scene through downsized outlets in strategic places.

The historic restaurant can be found at Ortigas Center, Il Terrazo on Tomas Morato, and Burgos Circle at The Fort.

Muffin Galvez, a third generation Del Rosario, says the new Casa Marcos now carries a strictly Spanish menu. Pride of the house are CM’s Spanish sisig jazzed up by bits of chorizo, chicken in white wine sauce, and lengua Sevillana rendered salpicao style.

Alex Gonzaga in her element

Alex Gonzaga has become hot commodity since returning to the Kapamilya Network.

She has a number of projects that shows her different abilities. Two of these are her comedic talent seen on the late-night gag show “Banana Nite” weeknights, and her hosting skills on “The Voice of the Philippines” and “ASAP” weekends. She has also branched into writing, having released the bestseller “Dear Alex, Break Na Kami. Paano?! Love, Catherine.”

Soon, she will wear the hat of a concert performer for the first time ever via “AG From the East: the Unexpected Concert” at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

ALEX GONZAGA

Despite these responsibilities, the 27-year old is unruffled.

“Kaya ’yan! Hangga’t may oxygen, kaya ’yan,” said Alex, quoting her titular character in yet another TV series, “Inday Bote.”

She is able to manage her time because “’yung iba naman naming ginagawa, hindi buong araw, like ’yung ‘ASAP,’ ‘The Voice,’ so may mga times din na nakakapagpahinga.”

She added, “Hindi naman nagkakaro’n ng super super major conflict kasi isang network lang ’yung ginagawalan ko. Nagkakaroon ng time for each (endeavor)… So far so good, wala talagang problema.”

It isn’t as if her previous network did not take good care of her. Alex attested, “Binigyan nila ’ko ng time para matapos ko ’yung pag-aaral ko… Meron din silang binigay sa’king mga trabaho…”

SISTER’S WEDDING

Asked if keeping herself busy is a coping mechanism for the time her sister Toni Gonzaga marries fiancé Paul Soriano, Alex admitted it could be that.

However, she pointed out, “Si Direk Paul hindi naman siya iba sa’min. Ang tagal na rin namin siyang nakasama… Parang nakapag-sink in na rin sa’kin (Paul and Toni’s engagement).”

As to Toni leaving their home,  “Isipin ko na rin siguro, if ever dumating ’yung time na umalis na siya, ’di lang kami nagkikita dahil may taping siya,” she said.

I WISH

On the upcoming TV series “Inday Bote,” Alex portrays a free-spirited young woman who is ready to do everything for her family. Because of her kind heart, she will be given a strange bottle, which, unknown to her, houses dwarves with magical powers.

Alex was asked what her wishes would be given the same opportunity for real. Quick with a reply, she hopes her relationship with her Toni will not change, even after the latter’s marriage.

“Feeling ko lang, baka siyempre, iba na ’yung priority niya, iba na ’yung family niya, ’yun lang ’yung wish ko,” Alex shared, “Whatever happens, hindi magbabago ang closeness namin.’”

She also wishes for the success of “Inday Bote.”

“Maraming bata, maraming Pilipino (sana) ang ma-inspire kay Inday Bote; siya ang maging beacon of hope, icon of youth.”

Directed by Malu Sevilla and Jon Villarin and produced by Dreamscape Entertainment Television, “Inday Bote” also stars Matteo Guidicelli, Kean Cipriano and Alonzo Muhlach, among others. (With report from Jojo P. Panaligan)

Lea Salonga still in talks on taking role in ‘Allegiance’

Manila, Philippines – Tony award winner Lea Salonga says talks have not yet been finalized on her joining the cast of George Takei’s musical “Allegiance” on Broadway, but added it is a show she wants to be part of.

The Broadway veteran played the lead female role Kei Kimura when the musical made its sold-out premiere in 2012 at The Old Globe in San Diego, California.

LEA SALONGA

“Star Trek” actor Takei’s personal and heartfelt show about Japanese-Americans imprisoned during World War II goes to Broadway this fall with him in a starring role.

“Of course I’d like to be a part of it, if only to be part of something that’s very important in Broadway history,” Salonga told The Associated Press in a telephone interview late Monday.

“Allegiance” is multigenerational tale with two love stories that’s framed by a Japanese-American war veteran looking back on his family’s time in a Wyoming internment camp. Previews begin Oct. 6. It will mark the first Asian-led cast of a musical on Broadway in more than a decade, since “Flower Drum Song.”

The story of “Allegiance” covers an important part of American history, when tens of thousands of Asian-Americans were put in camps just because they looked like the enemy, said Salonga.

“This kind of prejudice and bigotry is actually still happening,” added the 44-year-old Salonga. “It’s still relevant and that’s the sad and scary part of it.”

She said with very few Asian-led musicals on Broadway, “Allegiance” is “a big, big deal” and also excites her because it will be another milestone for Takei.

The actor famous for playing Hikaru Sulu in “Star Trek” turned his childhood memories in an internment camp into the musical. Takei turns 78 next month.

Salonga – the original “Miss Saigon” in London and New York who also starred in the Broadway revival of “Flower Drum Song” in 2002 – will have a concert on March 14 at the Town Hall in New York. She has also been busy as a coach in “The Voice of the Philippines” singing contest that ended its second season Sunday.

Breaking barriers

Viva Entertainment and SM Lifestyle Entertainment kicked off SineAsia Theatre with the premiere of the “Tagalized” version of the Lee Min Ho-starrer “Gangnam Blues,” which touches on brotherhood and betrayal.

The premiere was held at Cinema 11 of SM Megamall on March 3, a day before it opened in theatres. Several Viva stars attended the event including Meg Imperial, Patricia Javier and Yumi.

The advantage of hearing the characters “say” their lines in Tagalog versus reading subtitles is that the local audience can fully take in the story, including the little details such as the nuance of the characters’ facial expression. While using subtitles in movies or on TV is nothing new here, SineAsia Theatre aims to present movies from our own region. Presumably, fewer Pinoys know Thai or Vietnamese or Korean than English so this “Tagalized” thrust is key to breaking barriers.

Compared to Hollywood films or ones coming from other part of the West like Europe, Asian movies often strike closer to home. In “Gangnam Blues,” for example, we see that underneath the sheen of the production is a story right up the alley of Pinoy teleseryes and action movies (save that violence in Korean movies tend to be more graphic). Family, loyalty, revenge –yes, Pinoys know about these things only too well.

And if before, Asian films are considered by many as art films or “pang-festival” due to the exoticism of language, Filipinos can now have a deeper understanding of the way of life of our “immediate” neighbors including South Korea, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand and India.

SineAsia Theatre has venues at SM Megamall, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Fairview, SM Iloilo, SM Bacoor, SM Cebu, SM Manila and SM North EDSA. They will release a fresh title every two weeks.