Let me tell you a learning experience I had last night:
Every now and then, Fe Zamora of the Inquirer and Gay Jarque, widow of the late Rene Jarque (a truly admirable officer), would get together for dinner. Last Friday,it was Fe who chose the place. She said Mikey’s Bar and Grill along Diosdado Macapagal Avenue.
Mikey is a common name and I didn’t attach it to one of Malacañang’s illegal occupants until I entered the restaurant and saw Mikey Arroyo holding court in one of the tables.
I was the first to arrive and was there alone for more than half an hour until Fe and Gay came.
I took the seat facing the sidewalk and I saw through the glass wall two military-looking guys. His PSG escorts probably.
Since I was already there, I thought there was no use fretting over Fe’s choice of restaurant (she said later she wants to write about the place. click here for Fe’s story.) and decided to make it a learning experience.
The restaurant is in the “Hobbies of Asia Mall”.We surmised many of the tenants there cater to “hobbies” or offer computer games or whatever. In Mikey’s Grill, it’s horseracing.
In between loud banter with friends, Mikey would shift TV channel to the live telecast of horseracing. It was so noisy.
Distracted by their noise, I glanced at their table and I saw Mikey being massaged. He was a picture of a junior godfather.
Mikey’s bar and grill’s menu is mostly Filipino dishes. They accept “paluto” (you buy seafoods in the nearby wet market and have it cooked by the restaurant of your choice in the area.) I ordered panga ng tuna (P250.00), Gay ordered salpicao and Fe got chopsuey. All in all, our bill was P1,030.00. Not cheap.
On our way out, Mikey was near the doorway acting the gracious restaurant owner. “Thank you for coming,” he said.
A staff in a coffee shop in the area, said some nights, a lot of self-important looking men enter Mikey’s . They ride in vehicles with No. 8 car plates.
Ellen:
Intriguing write-up, you describe almost the whole picture but not enough detail but instead quickly moving on to another view. You should write a Micky Spillane type novel I’m sure it would be a good story. Call it something like ‘Micky Mouse Family’.
WWNL, there was not much I that I can see because my back was towards him. I was avoiding being recognized. Having heard of his pagka-bastos, I don’t want a situation that I would be accosted. That has happened to me with some political personalities. That being his territory, I don’t want to do battle there.
I also didn’t want to be nice-nice to him.That would be hypocritical.
On my way out, dere-deretso lang ako without looking at him. Fe Zamora talked with him briefly. Fe said safe, small talk.
“I glanced at their table and I saw Mikey being massaged. He was a picture of a junior godfather” wonderful stuff, it shows him as he is, a total creep, playing the hard man.
Mikey is a horseracing aficionado. He owns a lot of horses.
That explains his tuning in to the horseracing channel.
It’s worth noting that the restaurant is along Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, which is a symbol of corruption in the Arroyo administration. The construction of that short road is so riddled with graft and corruption, it’s the most expensive road in the whole world.
As a child I grew up observing up-close the horse racing world because part of my father’s empire was gambling, it turned me off gambling of any sort for life. Usually the whole family of a gambler suffers greatly. He became a millionaire, died a pauper and a lonely person.
In my professional life I crossed paths with the likes of Micky and I’m pleased to report that in my experience they all fall, Micky won’t be any different.
Let’s keep tab of all these withholdings, and collect when the day of reckoning comes. Filipinos should learn from the lessons of the past when they sequestered also properties that did not belong to the Marcoses like the Philippine House on Stockton St. in SFO that was never investigated as a matter of fact. Kasi naman ang nagsumbong sour grape lang!
The next administration should also make sure to reclaim and rename properties the bogus president has wantonly named after her parents, grandparents, and other next of kin especially in Pampanga. Tignan din ang mga inangkin noong Tabatsoy.
Ellen, I loved they way you described Mickey as a picture of a young godfather.
I bet, Mickey’s Bar and Grill will be known as a place where wheeling and dealing between the capos, “godchildren”, the young godfather and the godfather himself are consummated. As for the godmother, she do it somewhere else.
This should read, “Let’s keep tab of all these withholdings OF THE PIDALS,…..”
should read “junior godfather”…
Thinking of the movie, “The Godfather”, these mobsters as usually guapo, but Mike Arroyo, I would term as a gangster. They’re usually ugly.
Chabeli:
Iyong bigtime gangster sa Japan, ang tawag “Yakuza,” pero iyong walang sinabi, ang tawag “chimpira.” Kaya tawagin mo iyong anak na “chimpira”! Mahal ang mga kabayo niyan. Ang alam ko malaki ang bigay ni Pineda at Pacquiao sa kaniya. Tawag sa donation nila sa mga Pidals, “protection fees”! 5M pesos per hagod ng jueteng!
Tanong lang po?
Magkano ang isang kabayo na galing Australia at mag kano ang sweldo ng isang kongresista? Salamat po!
Makaganda din daw gamitin ang kabayo sa pangbukal ng lupa.
Re:In Mikey’s Grill, it’s horseracing.
Mafia Underboss? Junior Don Mikey was alleged involved in the importation of 17 thoroughbred horses from Australia worth about 2 million pesos each in 2003. Lamberto Almeda, a friend of Mikey, who allegedly owns the horses, used the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) as a front so he could avoid paying taxes. Some members of the Arroyo family got implicated in jueteng payola and gambling lords allegedly financed Gloria Arroyo’s political campaign funds.
Is Mikey has business interest with Manila Jockey Club?
San Lazaro Leisure Park (SLLP) in Carmona, Cavite is the first racing and casino facility in whole Asia managed by the Manila Jockey Club Inc. The franchisee of the casino is the Casino Filipino. The grand opening was last December 8, 2006 and live telecast @ TV Manila Jockey Club. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) is a government-controlled corporation. It’s a top income earner of the government and whose principal beneficiaries include the President’s Social Fund, the Philippine Sports Commission and others. Pagcor operates 14 casinos nationwide. After connecting the dots from imported thoroughbred horses, horse racing, casino to Pagcor it appears that the Godfather is well-connected.
Ystakei,
Thanks for the new word ! “Chimpira” nga ang tawagin natin kay Mikey Arroyo.
Ang sabin nyo ay “Ang alam ko malaki ang bigay ni Pineda at Pacquiao sa kaniya. Tawag sa donation nila sa mga Pidals, “protection fees”! 5M pesos per hagod ng jueteng!” Kaya naman pala why most of our politicians are thugs ! They are being supported either by Drug Lords, Gambling Lords, & other low-lifes !
Chabeli,
Manny for President daw! Palusot lang iyan sa totoo lang dahil ang alam kong ipapain ni Great Switik iyong isa sa mga anak niya na papalit sa kaniya kundi matuloy na maging reyna siya.
You bet, may pera ang mga ungas para pangsuhol. Ang laki ng bet money ni Fatso at Singson sa last fight ni Manny sa totoo lang. Panay ang sugal ni Pacman sa totoo lang pero hindi daw maghihirap iyan kasi malaki ang bayad ng San Miguel sa kaniya for life daw. Tignan mo naman ang nanay niya, bagong retoke yata ang mga peleges sa mukha at kasing edad na ni Pacman ang itsura. What money can do talaga ngayon!
I don’t know if betting can be done by phone because I saw on the TV screen the announcement, last call for bets or to that effect.
BTW, Ellen, ano na ang nangyari sa mga magulang ni Rene Jarque na kinawawa ng mga kano?
Unbelievable ang ginawa sa kanila sa totoo lang. Never heard of such abuses na ginawa ng aming Immigration Bureau sa mga walang kasalanan na mga matatanda dahil lang sa pakiusap ng bogus Philippine government.
Kilala ko ang walanghiyang diplomat na isa pang nang-abuso sa kanila. Sipsip lang kaya napro-promote sa totoo lang.
Someone told me that the bets of you know who in manny pacquiao’s boxing fights abroad are actually a money laundering operations. That way they are able to being out their ill-gotten wealth to the U.S.
Tama rin ang suspicion ko, Ellen, that the lower peso rate to the dollar is not really because the peso has become stronger but to enable the Malacanang thieves exchange their peso loots at lower dollar rate.
Old tactic as a matter of fact. Frankly, I do the same, buy dollar when the yen rate is lower. But at least in my case, I exchange hard-earned yen to the dollar for my investments in the USA. I don’t accept bogus money because of my tithe offering that’s why!
I heard the bet money in fact from the horse’s mouth. Yabangan kasi sila. May sports writer silang kasama pirmi. I wonder how much they get for their silence on the illegal deals kung meron man!
Ellen:
There are Casino sites on the internet so I guess there’s nothing to stop bets being placed by telephone on horse racing so long as you have an account with the bookie whether he’s official or an underground operator.
sana merong gawing pelikula na may titulong “the horse named mikey” na ang tema ay kung paano nagkukunwaring sibilisado ang isang kabayo!
Yuko, you asked, “BTW, Ellen, ano na ang nangyari sa mga magulang ni Rene Jarque na kinawawa ng mga kano? ”
Nothing came out of their complaint with the DFA. Not surprising.
en. Jarque is security consultant of a subsdiary of the Philippine National Oil Company. Mrs. Jarque recently underwent a kidney transplant.
The Jarques were among those who were ejected from the JUSMAG compound to give way to active officers.
My condolence and sympathy to the Jarques. What ingratitude indeed by a bogus government!
I won’t be surprised if they will now have difficulty getting new recruits to serve in the Philippine military with no benefits, etc. similar to what US soldiers get.
I have a cousin in fact who was a Vietnam War casualty. USAF officer. Kaya kahit na nagkaroon ng shell shock at diperensiya sa ulo, may pumatol sa kaniya. Ngayon dala-dalawa pa ang bahay sa Pasadena, CA!
Biro mo mamamatay ng dilat ang mga mata! No wonder there are Philippine soldiers acting like tsimoys of those visiting US soldiers for a dollar or two. Sayang nga naman. Pandagdag sa kita! Mabuti kung sipsip at malakas doon sa magnanakaw sa Malacanang who gives millions of public funds to greedy and corrupt officers answering to her beck and call.
Desperate na lang talaga ang papasok sa AFP. I heard from a friend at the embassy that the Great Switik has ordered the gathering of new recruits to guard her and her family—private army paid with taxpayers’ money more like.
If this is not abuse, graft and corruption, what is?
Ellen:
I was surprised they let you stay while the Junior Don is inside, I thought for sure they will close the place for himself. Also, thought the place will be swarming with bodyguards displaying rifles, bazookas and armored vehicles instead of just two PSG. Not much protection if anyone would do in Junior Don. I guess, he’s not that important. Obviously, Senior Godmother Mom and Godfather Pop not worried about Junior Don get whack. Anyway, who will dare at the most expensive grandfather’s blvd.
By the way, who’s the owner of Mikey’s Bar and Grill, is it the Arroyo since the name is obviously either Senior Godfather or Junior Don? Just little curious. I might just visit the place myself and how’s the food? Is the seafood good, and would you recommend the place? I love any kind of seafood. If I run in to you at the place, I’ll buy you dinner, its my treat. Any restaurants would you recommend that serve real Pinoy cooking? I was in Cove Island in Binakayan, Cavite, have you eaten there? Food and service are excellent. It’s right along the Manila Bay. I was told it’s own by the Revillas.
I’ll check Mickey’s Bar and Grill and experience it for myself. I’ll let you know how the food, I hope I run in to you, but don’t turn your back on me like you did to Junior Don. Just kidding.
The world longest street is right here in my backyard, the Yonge Street, 1896 kilometers, may have cost Less than the Diosdado Macapagal Avenue to construct, maybe since that one is considered the most expensive one. Is it paved with Gold? Or the gold end up in someone’s pocket?
Ellen,
Both title and content of this piece are bone chilling.
The Arroyo “Corleone” Family indeed.
Malacanang is run by a mafia. Mikey is head of a “horsey mafia”. Kaya pala ganyan ang Pinas, lahat ay pinatatakbo ng mafia. Meron ng premonition, si Mickey na minamasahe habang sumusugal sa kabayo, kung ano ang lalong kasasadlakan ng Pinas at pinoys kung mananatili ang pekeng Glueria sa ninakaw na trono.
Ellen, wala ka bang napansin na cubana tobacco sa bibig ni Mickey, o kahit usok ng tabako man lang sa kwarto ng mga horsy to complete his image of a junior godfather?
Ellen, One of the guys who helped Mikey into the Australian horseracing world where he procured most of his stable was Iggy Tuason, first cousin of his father Don Jose Miguel of the Arroyo corleone Family.
Iggy Tuason, who is now an Aussie citizen and father of a top international model, is also the first cousin of Carlos Butch Tuason, one of the closest cousins to the “Arroyo corleone godfather” who accompanies the Godfather on his furloughs in San Francisco or during his Viva Las Vegas trips (although not of late coz Butch had a close call with death most likely because of booze, girls and late nights out.)
You perhaps remember Butch (former Sports Commissioner under Erap)an American citizen, he was ex husband of Ruby, former social secretary to Erap. Butch’s first wife was the younger sister of Isabel Preysler who was first wife to famous crooner, Julio Iglesias.
Diego,
Re “Junior Don Mikey was alleged involved in the importation of 17 thoroughbred horses from Australia worth about 2 million pesos each in 2003.”
I think you will find that the price would be closer to TWENTY million pesos each for a certified thoroughbred racehorse!
Diego,
Re “Junior Don Mikey was alleged involved in the importation of 17 thoroughbred horses from Australia worth about 2 million pesos each in 2003.”
I think you will find that the price would be closer to TWENTY million pesos each for a certified thoroughbred racehorse!
Anna de Brux,
I must say your comments (12:06 am) were beautifully said. I most especially liked that “Arroyo corleone Family”. So apt !
Do you see the similarity between Mikey Corleone-Arroyo & a horse ? Hee hee hee.
*********************
By the way, I just remembered..those who are running under Gloria’s ticket as Senators, weren’t they so against the Senate & went as far as trying to abolish it ? ASSH*LES !
Thanks, Chabeli and Ellen’s saying that Mikey is junior don is just so apt too! No other title is more appropriate for the moment – maybe, a better one could be found as Mikey machine guns his way through power.
Btw, just for clarification, Ruby Tuason was THE second wife of Butch and is not related to Preysler. Butch is now de facto hubby to a former PAL cabin attendant.
Hahahahahah! Chabeli Yep!
I will make him an offer he cannot refuse!
Ellen,
Seems you’ve just given Junior Don Mikey’s Grill lavish promotion with this write-up. Hah!
Anna de Brux,
“Btw, just for clarification, Ruby Tuason was THE second wife of Butch and is not related to Preysler..” Yes, that is true. What struck me about Ruby T. was that despite her being separated already from Butch, she still took care of him (I think financially, too) when Butch was sick.
Chabeli,
On the financial thinggy: I reckon because Ruby kept all the assets (even the house in Frobes which belongs to Butch.)
Ooops, Forbes Park…
The house in Corinthian is in the name of the PAL girl.
Hindi man kailangan sabihin, isang front lang iyang Mikey’s Bar ni Mikey Arroyo. Teka, anong ginagawa niya doon eh Kongresista siya? Dapat nasa Manila siyang nagtratrabaho. Sugarol si Mikey, walang duda. Noon pa iyan. Di ba nasangkot sa smuggling ng mga kabayo mula sa Australia noon? Kabarkada niya ang sumalo sa kaso at ayun, wala na tayong balita. Ate Ellen, nasisiguro niyo ba na ang ulam na inorder niyo karne ng baboy o baka? Baka karne ng kabayo. Pero kahit karne ng kabayo nakakasiguro kayong imported iyon. Huwag lang kabayong galing sa Ongpin. Tungkol naman sa tinatawag na online betting, iyan ang uso ngayon. Iyan ang libangan ko ngayon. Kung minsan kasi tinatamad na akong pumunta sa Macao o Las Vegas. Dito sa bahay kong mansion, puwede akong tumaya. Sa UK pala kilala ang mga online betting. Marami ang naging gambling addict doon ng online. At maniniwala ba kayong karamihan ay mga babae? Nabasa ko o napanood minsan ang balita.
Nakuh naman! Marami kayong ihahalintulad sa Corleon Family pa, hmmp, magandang lahi ang Corleon Family iba n lang!
Anna, meron din akong offer na hindi nya kayang i-refuse pero siguradong magwawala si Vicky Toh at Pandak! Para que tinawag akong Diwata na kahit si Katrina Halili ay ma-iinsecure, kaya nga pati mga hapon, arabs at mga kano tulo ang laway sa akin, hayun pati mga asawa nilang mga amoy-lupa nagsusuplada sa akin dito sa pinagtratrabahuhan ko [isang5 star hotel lang naman dito s middle east]
re on line betting, gambling – totoo yan artsee…
quite a phenomenon now; in europe, those on line gambling concerns are even targeting the young ones now. disgusting.
Ate Anna, gaya ng sinabi ko mga babae at bata ang target nila. Malaking taya sa online at nakakaaddict. Wala yatang magawa ang mga autoridad sa ganyang bisyo.
Nakaka-aliw magbasa dito sa blog ni Ellen, nakakarelax pagkatapos kong mag-Gym eto agad ang binubuksan ko. Feel ko nasa Pilipinas parin ako kasi ramdam mo talaga na pinoy na pinoy ang dating ng blog na ito na kahit nagpapasiklaban ng galing sa english yun ibang bloggers, kahit sabihin pang taon na ibinilang nila sa ibang bansa o naagpalit na sila ng citizenship ay di parin maipagkakaila na pinoy parin sila sa diwa at pag-uugali.
Anna de Brux,
Yes, from what I understand, the house of Butch in Forbes went to Ruby T. She also has connections w/ bankers & is able to sell foreclosed properties for these banks.
*********************
What is quite appalling about Mikey Corleone-Arroyo is that as a Congressman, it seems that he is involved in some gambling activity as to why “In between loud banter with friends, Mikey would shift TV channel to the live telecast of horseracing.” He does not seem to see anything wrong with this. Anak kasi sya ng squatter ng Malacañan. We can not expect the Corleone-Arroyo family to have produced anything better.
Artsee, pabayaan mo na yan dun tayo kay Mike baboy at pandak mag-concentrate, you have extra-ordinary sense of humor gamitin natin yan laban kay Mike or kay Pandak!
Enjoy ako magbasa ng mga post mo, banatan nating ng walang humpay ang eskwater sa malakanyang pero walang kulo-kulo ng dugo sayang ng araw-araw ng pag-gym ko kung maiinis lang pala ako. Pano natin mapapatalsik si Baboy at Pandak kung lahat tayo na-stroke na dahil sa galit. Kailangan malaman ng mga taga-malakanyang na pati magaganda at sexy ay ayaw din sa kanila. Baka akala ng mga taga-malakanyang mga amoy-lupa lang, oposisyon at aktibista ang ayaw sa kanila, diyan sila nagkakamali!
ALIS DIYAN MAY KILITI AKO DIYAN!!!! 🙂
Maam Ellen,
You saw the dayunyor having a massage? High tech na ba ang masahista niya? I mean,kung gusto niya ng pasista,marami kami dito..Makakatikim siya ng martilyo.
Diwata, maka-sali nga. Sinabi mo tungkol sa amoy lupa?
Heto ang isang balita tungkol sa AMOY LUPA.
Hindi pinalagpas ni Sen. Panfilo Lacson ang pag-tawag ni Justice Sec. Raul Gonza-lez sa mga kandidato ng oposisyon, partikular kay dating Vice Presi-dent Teofisto Guingona Jr., na “amoy lupa”.
“Kung ayaw niyang makaamoy ng lupa, maglagay siya ng bulak sa ilong. Sana huwag niyang laitin ang ibang kandidato ng oposisyon. Lahat naman tayo mauuwi sa lupa, una-una nga lang,” ani Lacson.
Idinagdag pa ng senador na kung paghahambingin sina Guingona at Gonzalez ay madali niyang masasabi kung sino talaga sa dalawa ang tunay na amoy lupa.
Dapat umanong ikonsidera na sa edad na lagpas 70 ay nakakatayo pa sa kanyang sariling mga paa at nakakalahok pa sa mga rally at kilos protesta si Guingona habang binobomba ng tubig.
Ang angking lakas umano ng dating bise presidente ay kabaligtaran ng kalagayan at kaanyuan ng kalihim ng Department of Justice (DOJ).
“‘Pag tinitingnan ko si VP Guingona na naglalakad sa rally at nakikita ko naman si Gonzalez na inaakay ‘pag naglalakad, kahit malayo sila sa akin pareho, alam ko na agad kung sino ang tunay na amoy lupa,” komento ni Lacson sa ipinadalang text message sa Abante.
Pls read more sa Abante.
Chabeli,
Amazing! I heard something to that effect and she is heavily involved with BPI on the foreclosed property markets. She’s a good businesswoman.
What was really hilarious was when she went to Corinthian or wait, white plains (gosh can’t remember) with a megaphone after she set fire to clothes in Forbes! Hahahah!
Ellen,
I realize prices you mentioned are expensive by Pinas standards bearing in mind that many families in Pinas still live on ONLY ONE FRIGGING US dollar a day; however 250 Pesos for one excellent dish in a restaurant (particularly one owned by the Bonano, er Arroyo-corleone family), is less than 4 EUROS which is absolutely gobsmacking!!!!
You get a cup of coffee for that amount in a ‘brasserie’ in most capitals in Europe!
But lemme tell you that prices in most top and classy restaurants in KL (in 5-star hotels included) are a notch unbeatable still.
HAPPY THREE KINGS PO MGA KA BLOGGERS!
Thanks! Happy Three Kings to you too Tikbalang and to everyone!
Ellen, P250 for ‘panga ng tuna’ is quite expensive and exorbitant too. I remember ten years ago when mother-in-law hired laborers to fix her house in La Paz, Iloilo, and she paid P150 PER DAY per person – premium wage back then. How much is the minimum wage now of pinoys?
Happy three kings too Tiks. I admire your fortitude. You find happiness in the face of all the ‘mafia’ activities going on. Come to think of it, glueria is running the country like a well-oiled corsican gang, pinoy style.
Ang tatlong HARI ni “GLORIA DILA HUWAD”
1,Jocjoc Bulate
2,Virgilio Craulo Garcillano
3,Daniel Horny Smith
Sila ang tatlong HARI na magpapabagsak kay “GLORIA DILA HUWAD”. Ganda ng aginaldo sayo Pandak bagay na bagay sayo. Lasapin mo hangang Mayo ang iyong aginaldo.
YW po Anna at Alitaptap.
Mataas na talaga ang bilihin sa Pilipinas, Pero sa darating na eleksyon wag lang magkadayaan at mag martial law. Nangako ang oposisyon na pababain nila sa ayaw at sa gusto niya sigurado yan.
Just got back from a midnight work at the TV studio, where I helped edit a program on the visit of a Japanese famous football player, who retired from pro football (soccer) recently and has accepted a contract to travel around the world and visit countries with all kinds of problems and being helped with Japanese ODA.
His first show is on the Philippines, and what he did at Payatas, etc. The poor fellow had to bear the bad smell from miles and miles of garbage, but job is job, he had to go and do his thing. I heard the other Japanese crew complaining but in time, they got accustomed to the smell. Still they could not believe how the dwellers there are tolerated to live on those hazardous garbage and the kids not getting any help to cure them of their defects and handicap like the 7-year-old mentally retarded boy they handed a ball to with the player’s signature.
The boy is being featured in the documentary with the player promising to provide help for his medication. Amazingly, the family lives in a “barong-barong” with two or three more kids having physical defects like club feet, etc. The mother is not aware of why her children have such defects, and even if she does, I wonder if she can get any help from a government manned by vultures, who are likely to tell that she and her husband are partly to blame for squatting on the garbage. Partly, in fact, the government is legally liable for allowing them to live there, and not ban dwellers there from building shacks on the garbage they thrive on. Water there apparently is contaminated, and contribute to the defects caused by pollution.
I had actually mixed feelings as I watched the tapes that I translated into Japanese. Hindi ko malaman kung tatawa ako o iiyak sa katangahan ng mga tao doon. But what can you expect from people who only want to survive, conditioned even to just accept what nature (even garbage) will provide? And without ample education, they do not even know that they have rights to demand better lives than to be conditioned to accept that “beggars cannot be choosers!”
I thought of the many collections on cyberspace supposedly for these garbage dwellers. I wonder what happen to the collections that do not seem to reach these people. Come to think of it. I have not heard of any call for volunteers to teach these people their basic rights as guaranteed by their Constitution like the provision on the right to be free from want. Puro fundraising lang!
Now this story on the spoiled brat, who must have benefitted from the stealing spree of public funds by his parents not being bothered by the poverty around him, really makes my blood boil! Nakakaiyak!
I’m monitoring my blood pressure now. Will sleep when it gets down. Ilalabas ko muna ang galit ko!
PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!
Anna,
Price of Coke in Manila is the same as in Japan that is no longer in fact the most expensive place in the world. Minimum wage here is about 1,200 dollars a month. In the Philippines, I think it is less than 100 dollars. So, how can Filipinos afford to buy such expensive item? By stealing ala-Pidal?
Anna, Chabeli:
Baka magalit sa inyo ang mga Corleone for referring to the Pidals as Corleones. 😛
yuko,
how much is a tin of coke in Tokyo? it’s a 1.60 euros in most service stations but 95 euro cents in supermarkets.
Yuko … $100 a month for pinoys??? That is only P150 a DAY. So Ellen is on spending binge forking out P250 at junior don’s eatery … for ‘panga ng tuna’ only !!
I should add that to demand for better living condition, etc. is not being Communist. It is as democratic as it is supposed to be provided for. One can be an activist without going red!!! This, I have learned from living in Japan, where majority of the people understand that their government is one OF, FOR AND BY THE PEOPLE! Even the homeless and those on welfare here understand that with enough sense of responsibility. That is why they do not ask for alms.
Besides, we have a society that clings to the philosophy that “Nothing free is cheap!” One who thrives on alms cannot be chooser. He has to accept without complaint being spat at even with phlegm by his benefactor. Sa Pilipinas, mas matapang pa ang pulubi, lalo na iyong magnanakaw sa Malacanang!
Lamentably, over in the Philippines, you teach people there their rights and privileges, duties and responsibilities, you get tagged as a leftist or a Communist. If that is not being stupid, what is?
Come to think of it, I’d rather be tagged a Communist trying his best to contribute for the good of his fellow countrymen than be tagged a Corleone stealing public funds and living on the blood and sweat of the OFWs, and unperturbed by the dire poverty around him like the horsey son! Tongue na, nainggit lang pala kay Erap when he was in the palace by the murky river. Mas masahol pa ang ginagawa ngayon! Sinasaid ang kaban sabi da!
Iyon ngang properties acquired through reparations gustong ibenta lahat ng mag-asawang ganid even by breaking the provisions of the treaty between Japan and the Philippines. Fortunately, the properties are in Japan and under the jurisdiction of the Japanese court.
Filipino nationals can sue their government for any breach in the bidding of the properties as a matter of fact as provided by the treaty. I understand that such provision were added on the recommendation of the Japanese negotiators who had more sense and concern for the Filipinos than officials of the Philippine government then and even now!
An uncle of mine served with the Reparations Mission in the 60’s. It is why I am well-versed on that treaty. Unfortunately, he is dead and I cannot ask him for more information than those in the treaty and minutes of the series of meetings during negotiation for such treaty archived in Japan. Thank God!
I doubt if such records exist in the Philippines where such document are left to rot to conceal evidences that may prove detrimental to the crooks running the government with impunity!
Oops, can’t go to sleep yet! Church now is in the morning. Gotta prepare now for church! Need to start the year right, you see. At least, I was able to pay a full tithe earlier last year, and feel that I’m ready to have a good year, even when this is the zodiac year of the pig in Malacanang! Mine was last year.
I’m a leo and a dog, the Akita one, not the Pampanga dog!
Correction: A government of Pidal, for Pidal and by Pidal.
Distribution of loot is more like: a morsel for 86 million Filipinos and the whole thing for the Pidals. That’s how the Pidals work ‘di ba? And this pandak says that a Filipino can live on P36 a day. Oh yes, its doable, if every Filipino would just sit and do nothing all day. A one-way 4 kilometer ride is P7.50, a meal is about P25 in a “karinderya”. Now all the ordinary worker has to do after slaving for a day is to walk home and he will still have P3.50 in his pocket. Wow, may savings pa!
Instead of dangling a P125 wage increase to get the workers votes, the lower house should work to cut utilities costs to bring down the production cost of everything. The problem is not the low pay but the exorbitant utility costs here which drives prices up.
Just imagine paying almost 40% in taxes with no social services to give the people. Ganyan kagaling ang ekonomistang pandak na iswater sa palasyo ng bayan.
schumey,
perhaps because most people who belong to the 40% income tax bracket are not really taxed correctly.
i met a couple once, who owned multi-million peso assets, and who boasted to me of the tricks to evade paying the right tax. they were surprised by the tax take here and so went on to explain how things are done in pinas.
the bottom line is there’s corruption at every level of society in pinas – even in private businesses.
a pinoy i know who works in the loans dept of a well known bank would demand bribe money or cut so that he would approve a mortgage application. absolutely sickening.
besides, instead of leaving the bribe money “earned” in pinas and re-invest it there, the bribe money is flown abroad. this is insane. no country can survive with such double layered corruption.
joeseg,
natawa ako ng malakas sa poste mo tungkol sa “amoy lupa”. parang sinabi na rin ni sen. lacson kay gungongzales na magpakamatay na siya. kasi yung nilaglagyan ng bulak sa ilong di ba yung mga patay na? ha ha ha!
Anna,
Coke is peddled in vending machines at 120 yen per can, about a dollar. At Costco, it is much cheaper.
Ellen:
I had dinner with my siblings and cousins at Gerry’s Grill in Union City, CA during my trip there. It was my cousin’s treat. She paid only about 80 dollars for 6 to 7 favorite “ulam” with rice and soup. Unfortuantely, I got allergic to the oil they use there. Namaga ang nguso ko!
Ang mahal ng kinain ninyo. Buti hindi sumakit ang tiyan mo! Sobra naman tumaga si Horsey. Akala niya siguro binibili din ang pangalan niya!
thanks, yuko. now i remember that in vending machines in the subway in paris, coke costs 1.50 euro (expensive!!!) but cheaper in frankfurt, 1 euro only, hehe.
i don’t drink coke nor do the kids but when we travel, they are allowed a treat. sodas are banned at home.
sodas are also one good way to check the difference of cost of living in europe coz euro is the currency in 11 countries in the EU at the moment.
Schumey;
RE:Pandak says that a filipino can live on 36 pesos a day. That’s equivalent to 65 cents.I have a jar full of quarters maybe, enough to feed a hundred hungry Filipino for a day. Ganyan na ba ang buhay ng mga kababayan natin ngayon?
Ng Umalis ako sa Pilipinas panahon ni Macoy,ang minimum daily wage na natatandaan ko ay 8-10 pesos ata.Ang palitan ng dollar ay 8 pesos to one dollar.Mura ang bilihin noon.Natatandaan ko from Buendia to Quiapo ang pamasahe ay .75 centavos.Ang tuition ko noon sa college ay 200 pesos per semester.Baon ko araw-araw noon ay 6 pesos.Nakakapagmeryenda pa ako ng Mami at siopao kay mamonlook.Hang-ten,Adidas at Levis at culdoroy pa ang suot ko hinihingi ko sa mga Amerkano sa Olongapo.
Sa nababasa ko dito,ang sabi ninyo kumain ng panga ng tuna si Junior Don for 250 pesos at ang minimum wage ng mga mangagawa ay 125 pesos ba isang araw?Ganon na ba ang nangyayari sa bansa natin ngayon?Ano ang mabili mo sa 36 pesos baka isang tasang platitong mami lang iyan tapos tulog na at kayod na naman sa umaga.Kung ganon ay mayaman pala ako pag diyan ako mag-retire.Baka matulad ako kay Junior Don na may tiga masahe at kakaing ng panga ng tuna araw-araw.Masubok nga,at least galing sa malinis ang pera ko.
Yuko,
what is incredible also in restaurants in the US is the portion of the dishes they serve – ENORMOUS! don’t know how one can go through a 3 course meal without having a stomach ache.
last time i was in NY, i ordered a salad for starters and a steak for the main course. when the salad arrive, it was so huge, i left 3/4 then the steak arrived, it was as large as a platter. i asked the waiter if people could finish the huge portions, he said, 99%. (no wonder many americans are huge and i mean huuuuuge in width!)
As I’ve posted before,
We do not have a government. We have a syndicate running this country.
Latest,
Smith the Rapist was sprung by the Gang out of jail in the middle of the night.
Mikey the Smuggler, Mikey the Gam
Mikey the Gambler is a Fat Rat.
Sinabi mo pa, Anna. I gained a few pounds even when I tried to eat only at lunchtime and a little snack before 8 pm, but I have managed to shed them off. Can’t afford to be fat again.
I am now size 8. I bought a pair of leather suit by Jacklyn Smith at a bargain at Wal-Mart! Fit na fit! I used to be size 12.
I had a Japanese meal a day before I left for Tokyo. Sira rin ano? Fairly reasonable price. Authentic Japanese meal by a Japanese cook. A lot many Americans on diet go there, I guess, kasi lahat ng Amerikanong nakita ko doon payat!
Juan del Mundo:
Mikey the Gam.Can I add something—-Sanamagan—-is that okey?
Anna:
I drink soda to burp. It’s good for the tummy and it’s actually healthy. Burping is a sign of health, I’m told. I don’t feel embarrassed, too, farting. I did a lot of that when I was at Oxford from the potatoes my foster family fed me with. I actually lost weight there for that. Lots of air in the tummy because of the mashed potatoes, etc. Healthy, you bet!
Ystakei
Re:Manny for president daw! ‘Wag na lang.magboksing na lang siya.Iyong pinirmahan niyang kontrata kay Oscar Dela Hoya ay nagkalokoloko pa.Iyon pang pagpapatakbo ng magulong mundo ng pulitika.Payo ko lang kay Manny ‘wag na siyang pagogoyo sa mga ganid na pulitikero.Sa palagay n’yo ba pag natalo iyan (huwag muna sana) ipaparada siya ni Atienza sa Maynila.
Personally, I’m not against entertainers or athletes entering politics. Pero kailangan naman may kaunting utak. Masasayang lang ang puwesto sa Kongreso at Senado kung mga bobo ang ilalagay. What does Manny Pacquiao know? Boxing? Even if he’s made Committee Chairman of the Sports Committee in the Senate, does he know how to conduct a meeting? Hindi sa minamaliit ko ang mga iyan pero mag-aral naman sila ng kaunti. They can take crash course in any school.
Mandirigma:
120% agree ako sa iyo diyan,amigo.Nabalitaan ko ng dito si Goma raw ay tatakbo ng senador.Sino ba si Goma? Hindi ko kilala iyan.Mayroon na nga tayong patumbling-tumbling sa senado tapos may Goma pa.
Ms. Tordesillas, may I ask you a couple of questions? Sino po ba itong Fe Zamora? Related po ba kay Cong. Zamora ng San Juan? At nang makita kayo ni Mikey Arroyo, nakilala ka ba niya? He knew you’re critical of his mom and was among sued by his father.
Wala naman masama ang magnegosyo ang isang pulitiko basta legal at disente. But in the case of this Mikey, he has a different purpose in putting that up in his home province. Kapag tuluyan nang masira ang relation ng mga Lapid at Arroyo dahil kay Pineda, puwedeng gamitin bala ni Lapid itong Mikey’s Bar kung tutoo ngang may pasugalan sa loob. But I think the two camps are in the process of reaching a compromise. Nag-uusap din naman ang mga magnanakaw at nagkakasundo. In the end, all come out happy. Walang iba sa Mafia. Either they eliminate one another or reach an alliance.
Kabayang Cocoy, si Goma ang nickname ng isang sikat na artistang si Richard Gomez. Among the actors, he has a better background. He was a working student at Mcdonald when discoveres. May pinag-aralan naman. Maganda ang dating. He’s into sports. Lahat yata ng sports pinasukan niya at mahusay talaga. He’s very qualified to run and lead the Sports Committee. Dapat noon pang nanalo iyan bilang Congressman but his party-list group was disqualified. Kung kailan tapos na ang election at nanalo siya saka sinabing disqualified siya. His being included in the opposition senate ticket would boost the opposition camp. Mas okay naman siya kesa sa mga talunan opposition. Kung ako kina Osmena at Oreta, huwag na sanang makisingit pa. These losers should give way to young blood like Goma.
Sarap ng buhay ni mickey D'”GUTFATHER JR” 17 na kabayo.
There are quite a few affordable chain of restaurants in the U.S. that serve good portion of meal at around $20 or less. My favourite is Applebee’s. Outback is also affordable, but always busy at dinner time. Yes sir, I think, I am the only member of the family that’s still in shape shape, the rest carry a large to moderate luggage around their waists, except for the newcomers in California, other than Babe, who is too lazy to do some physical activities at 16. And it’s the only thing we are arguing about all the time, and last time she asked me if I want her to do ballroom dancing like I do in a vey sarcastic way, very funny, we’ll see who’s going to be walking like a penguin before time.
Yes, child obesity is not only a problem among richer countries, but even developing countries like the Philippines. Although, many of our Children especially the poor children,are not getting any attention from Child Welfare Agencies and some are left at the mercy of private charities, there are who belong to the middle class or middle income families who are showing sign of early child obesity. And I’m not sure if there area programs to address these issues. Already started here by prohibiting Junk Foods Vending Machines in Schools and Public Places, and a very aggressive campaign to start the children on Healthy Eating Habits. Parenting is not only Parents responsibilities, but government, responsible governments need to play a very important role..
At alam no Kabayang Cocoy (kamuntik ko nang isulat ang kabayo…kabayong Cocoy, he, he), na-appoint si Goma bilang Presidential Adviser on Sports sa pabahon ni Erap. Ang asawa niya galing din sa mabuting pamilya sa Ormoc. I don’t think he ever got involved in any serious scandal. Medyo mainitin lang ang ulo. Pabigla-bigla. Pero siguro noon iyon na mas bata siya. I think he has changed and is now more matured.
Vic, how true is it that Canadian beef is better if not the best in the world? And how true is it that Canadians have only two things they’re so crazy about: Hockey and Beer. Tutoo ho ba? Nabalitaan ko din sa TV news na nanalo ang Canadian Junior Hockey Team sa world competition. Tinalo yata ang Russia. Is Hockey a sport evented by Canada? Ano din iyon tinatawag na Curling?
Sorry po…invented not evented. Except for Hockey, what’s the other favorite sports of the Canadians?
Mandirigma:Di ko talaga kilala iyan si Goma kasi ba naman sa tagal ko ng nawala sa Pilipinas hangang Tfc lang ako kumukuha ng balita.At least’nasabi mong okey pala siya.Tutal 12 naman ang iboboto kung di ako nagkamali isasali ko na rin siya,pero ‘wag kang magalit kung ang number one sa listahan na ipapadala ko sa mga kabig ko sa amin ay si Kokoy.Okey ba sa iyp?
Tanong ko lang ang gumagamit ba kay Manny pacman Pacquiao maka kaliwa o maka kanan na mga politiko?
mandirigma,
there are two so-called national sports in Canada, Ice Hockey for Winter and Lacrosse in Summer. Lacrosse is also a team sport played similar to hockey, but with the ball passed thru some gadget that looks like the one used in Jai Alai. The only reason why we are known for beer guzzlers, because the whole damn country are spectators sport and all just guzzle them and scream while watching the game, most on sport bars and home. We also have our own NBA team, the Toronto Raptors and major league Baseball the Blue Jays.
Like the Americans, Canadians consider Hunting and Fishing as Recreational Sports and are also very Popular, because they are both participatory. Anyone can belong.
Kabayang Cocoy, okay si Kokoy Pimentel na anak ni Senator. Magaling na abogado iyan at malinis ang pangalan. According to Art See, katunog ng pangalan mo. Senator Pimentel even sent me Christmas greeting. How nice of him. But placing him number one on your list should be only your own choice kasi iyon iba may kanya-kanyang paborito. There are those who believe Legarda or Lacson should be number one on the list.
Thanks Vic. Lacrosse sounds like my favorite brand name shirt Lacoste. Ano naman iyong Curling? May NBA team pala ang Canada, Toronto Raptors. But are the players all Canadians?
Curling, I’m not familiar with, but watching the games sometimes, its some kind of ice rink game where each is sliding irons, round heavy irons toward a circles while the rest of the team sweeping the ice on the path of travel. Funny game if you don’t understand the rule, but for some it is a very interesting game.
No, not a single member of the Raptors is a Canadian, but they come (current team) Spain, Eastern Europe, Africa and USA. You must be aware that professional sports now are trading players, like trading slaves centuries ago, only this time, they are paid in multi-millions. The past two years NBA MVP Steve Nash, a Canadian is playing for the Phoenix Suns.
Yea, I know this Nash. I didn’t know he’s a Canadian. Maraming Canadian din ang nasa Amerika kaya hindi na natin alam kung Canadian sila o Amerikano. Trading players? Oo nga ano. Sa NBA may mga Chinese players tapos sa US baseball may mga Japanese. May isang Fil-Am yata sa NY Mets ang pangalan Benny Agbayani yata na galing Hawaii. He’s part Tongan or Samoan and Filipino.
Vic,
I lost weight drinking herbal diet tea sold at a store in Chinatown in Oakland, CA. A friend in Tokyo also recommended “Kankunes” from Taiwan sold at Philippine stores. It works especially when you have had too much of those rich Philippines, American and Mexican dishes.
I love burritos and I do enjoy the Menudos at Lobos Taqueria at the Southland Mall. One reason why I thought I could retire in Mexico for an alternative in case Nokor make true its threat against Japan because of the US bases although Tokyo is declared a nuclear free zone.
We’re transferring to Yokohama, though, and it is not a nuclear free zone because of the US military installation nearby.
I remember Manny saying that the Fatso and his son were the ones encouraging him to enter politics complete with financing. Sabi ko sa kaniya huwag siyang magpagamit sa mag-asawang ganid. Apparently, ambisyoso rin ang kumag. Hindi nakinig! Kaya burado siya sa listahan ko. Akala niya wala nang katapusan ang tagumpay niya. Magdasal lang siya sa Diyos niya. Well, iyan ang nangyayari sa mga rugs to riches. Kung hindi wise, baka madenggoy.
Ipinagmalaki pang kumpare niya si Horsey Pidal Jr. At may hotline siya ng mag-asawang sakim!
mandirigma:Sorry kung ngayon lang ako nakabalik kasi naghanap ako ng restaurant para makakain ng panga ng tuna.Ginutom kasi ako sa pagbabasa ng mga magagandang posting dito.Okey yan si lacson at si Legarda nasa listahan ko na nga sila pati na rin si Goma.Medyo may tampo ako d’yan kay Goma kasi iyong mga humahabol sa aking mga babae sa pilipinas noon pag nakikita nila si Goma,naaalala nila ako.Baka habulin pa ako sa child support.Kasi xerox copy ko iyan,pareho kami ng size at halos lahat na ata pati pananalita.
Fe Zamora’ story on Mikey’s Bar and Grill is in Inquirer today. Click here.
Mandirigma asked, “Ms. Tordesillas, may I ask you a couple of questions? Sino po ba itong Fe Zamora? Related po ba kay Cong. Zamora ng San Juan?”
Ans:Fe is a reporter and works with the Inquirer. I don’t think she is related to Ronnie Zamora.
another Q:”At nang makita kayo ni Mikey Arroyo, nakilala ka ba niya?”
I don’t think he recognized me. I know he saw me enter the restaurant. All the time that I was there in the restaurant, my back was towards him. I just glanced towards their table when they were very noisy.
He was at the doorway when we stepped out but I didn’t look at him.
Apoy asked, “Maam Ellen,You saw the dayunyor having a massage? High tech na ba ang masahista niya? I mean,kung gusto niya ng pasista,marami kami dito..Makakatikim siya ng martilyo.”
Nakakatawa ka talaga, Apoy. Shoulder and neck massage. Maingay kasi sila kaya lumingon ako. Nakita ko minamasahe. Since it would be rude for me to watch and stare, I asked Gay ,who was facing them ,if he is really being massaged and Gay said, “Yes”.
Toney Cuevas said,” Also, thought the place will be swarming with bodyguards displaying rifles, bazookas and armored vehicles instead of just two PSG.”
The two military-looking guys that I saw were the ones that I could see from where I sat.
Later on, when the three of us were walking, looking for a coffee shop, we saw more of those men in a nearby table about five or six of them.
Ellen thanks to Ms Zamora’s story on Mickey’s Bar and Grill. Now I know who own the Bar, it answered my question. On second thought I would rather dine somewhere else than Mickey’s Bar, I just lost my appetite. I certainly can’t support nor promote anything belong to the Arroyos, especially when I know, and most probably the Mickey’s Bar came from dirty money.
Thanks Ms. Tordesillas. Akala ko po kamag-anak ni Ramon Zamora si Fe. What if Mikey Arroyo recognized you as one of his parents’ worst critics? Anong klaseng trato ang gagawin niya sa iyo? Pardon my question. I’m just curious what would be his reaction if he recognized you.
Ellen: My offer still stand, but not at Mickey’s Bar and Grill. I would rather spend my pesos somewhere else, and furthermore I don’t care much to see Mickey. It will just reminded me of what he really represent, greedy corrupt family, among other things. This people they don’t really know what is really like to earn money through sweat and hard work at the end of the day, the good old honest way.
I don’t know really if he reads me. And I don’t know what would be his reaction if he recognized me.
I’m not really worried of his reaction if we were in a neutral place. But since that was his territory, I would not want to be placed in a hostile situation. Like if he were to accost me, it would be impossible for me not to reply. And my reply might not be pleasing to his ear.
And as I said early in this post, I also don’t want to be nice-nice to him. That would be hypocritical.
Kabayang Cocoy, nahawa ka na din sa isang kakilala ko na mahangin. You look like Goma? O baka ang ibig mong sabihin naka-gomang sapatos ka din noon tulad ni Richard Gomez. He came from humble beginning. As I said, nagtratrabaho lang sa MacDonald noon iyan. Despite his bad temper, I admire this man for the way he treated his grandma. Mahal na mahal niya ang lola niya. As for the opposition candidates, according to Mayor Binay who heads UNO, the criteria they would like to impose is to focus on those true opposition. Si Lacson talagang opposition iyan simula’t simula pa pero si Loren Legarda alanganin. But since Loren’s very strong in the line up, tiyak na isasama iyan. Those who are unsure are the likes of Joker Arroyo, Recto, Pangilinan. Si Villar kahit na nagpahamak din kay Erap isasama din in view of his being the Senate President and leader of the Nationalista Party. Isa pa, balitang halos araw-araw pumapasyal kay Erap sa Tanay.
Ms.Tordesillas, you can be nicer to Mikey if he’s smarter. And he’s not smart. May pagka bastos din po iyan lalo na’t kung lasing. Thanks God he didn’t recognize you ’cause there would be a confrontation. Mahilig din magmura iyan kahit na sa babae. You mentioned neutral corner, where in the Philippines can you say it’s a neutral place? Wala po yata. Binili na ng mga Arroyo ang buong Pilipinas pati na ang dignidad ng Pilipino.
Ellen:
I was just wondering, do you know off hand, before you walked in to Mickey’s Bar and Grill that it was owned by Gloria’s the Rapist son Mickey or by the Arroyo family? Thanks!
I mean a neutral place like in a hotel lobby or in a reception by a third party.
Toney, as I stated in my above article, I did not know. But when I saw Mikey when I entered, that’s when I realized it’s his.
ms. ellen,
ganyan nga kabastos ang ina ni dayunyor kaya ang tawag namin dyan ay gloria palingkera. walang ka disesente magsalita, walang finesse. at si dayunyor, exact replica ni gloria palingkera, sa size, sa mukha pati sa kabastusan. ang tawag namin kay dayunyor ay “narciso”. kasi… ay wag na lang, baka madagdagan ang libel case mo. baka nga alam mo na ang kuwento.
Thanks Ellen! If any consolation to you, you’re a much better person than Gloria the Rapist will ever imagine. You can go to sleep peacefully at night knowing that today you didn’t lie, cheat and steal from anybody. It’s not about money and power in the final analysis, but how an individual conduct one self at the end of the day.
mandirigma:Toto lang po ang sinasabi ko sa maniwala ka o hindi.
Ellen:
Hindi pa ako nasupla ng ungas na iyan. Ako ang nagsupla sa kaniya. Tsismosa pa ang ungas. I couldn’t believe that a woman supposedly of her stature would act like a fish vendor’s wife. Pero may tililing talaga sa ulo. Tinanong ko ang kaklase niya sa Assumption. Sabi sa akin, spoiled brat at talaga daw hambug. Wala daw pambato when they were in school kundi presidente ang tatay niya. Dito naman ang pangyabang niya kaklase niya si Clinton kahit hindi and she says it without butting an eye. Kaibigan daw niya ang emperor at empress namin pero hindi naman siya makapunta sa palace without going through protocol. Ganoon katindi ang toyo sa ulo.
Can’t blame you, Ellen, not to dislike her. Hindi ka nag-iisa!
Kabayang Cocoy, tutoo ang sinabi mong naka gomang sapatos ka noon? Kidding aside, we have quite a few mataray in this group but Arroyo is a different type of mataray, wala sa lugar. Kung nandito siya, siguro masusupalpal siya nina Ms. de brux, ystakei, chi, florry. Maiba ako ng tanong, are you watching Korean telesere? Napanood niyo na ba iyong “Winter Sonata”? Ang bidang lalaking si Bae Yong Joon (?) daw sikat na sikat sa Japan. Back to Arroyo’s behavior, we can know a person by his looks and the way he talks. The saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” doesn’t always apply. Sa facial exression lang ng isang tao kung minsan nakikilala na ang ugali. So remember that famous Arroyo look when she said “I’m sorry” in that Garci tape scandal? Halatang hindi sincere ano? Halatang plastic.
Mandirigma:Amerkano ang lolo ko.12 ang size ng sapatos ko at 39 ang haba ng pantalon ko.
Your grandpa wore size 12 shoes? Parang si Jaworski ano? The great basketball legend Robert Jaworski also wears size 12 shoes. I don’t know what size of shoes Arroyo wears.
Mandirigma:She wear kiddie shoes size 3.
Mandirigma:It’s past midnight,got to go bed now,see ya’ tomorrow.Goodnight!
If your grandpa is an American, mestizo ka nga. Therefore, what you said about your looks being like that of actor Richard Gomez might be true. Pero moreno si Goma hindi maputi. Maiba ako ng usapan uli. Kabayang Toney posed a query to Ms. Tordesillas. Bakit daw hindi nalaman ni Ms. Tordesillas na kay Mikey Arroyo ang Bar. I think if I read it right, she said she was first to enter the Bar and had no idea Mikey was the owner. Pero nang dumating na ang mga kasama niya at sa mga oras na kinain nila doon, siguro naman nalaman din na kay Mikey iyon considering that the located is along Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. No matter what, mabuti na nga hindi nagkakilala ang dalawa. If only for that, we should all be thankful for.
I told Pia, “Never mind. Her being rude to me didn’t diminish my person. But what I’m concerned about is that, it’s becoming more difficult for me not to dislike her and that’s not good for a journalist.”
****
In reality Ellen, you are not a ordinary individual like us but this Pangit Reyna Engkantada did not spare you with her venom. She treated every pinoy with disgust. I wonder what planet did she come from!
Sabi ng pinsan kong Monsignor, “you don’t dislike the person, you dislike her actions”. I answered back “but her actions make Glueria a disliked person”. For this fake president, there’s nothing to distinguish her from being a person and evil.
naiimadyin ba ninyo? maganda kung merong susulat ng isang aklat pambata tungkol sa kaharian ng mga hayop at kulisap. ang magiging pangunahing tauhan ay sina miguel bilang haring baboy, gloria ang reynang anay at mikey ang prinsipeng kabayo. ang magiging paksa ay ang pagpupumilit nilang maging sibilisado sa harap ng mariringal na mga panauhin sa kaharian subalit garapal sa pagiging mga bulok ang asal sa kanilang nasasakupan sapagkat wala silang inaatupag kundi abusuhin, pagkaitan ng disenteng pamumuhay, dayain, takutin, ikulong o patayin ang mga kontra sa kanila sa tulong ng punong kawal na aso, punong ministrong ermitanyo, tagapagsalitang sinungaling na bunge at punong hukom na gunggong na’y hukluban pang amoy lupa.
Mrivera,
maganda ‘yan na libro para sa bata. kailangan ay tapusin natin kaagad ang mga hibang para may tuldok at masiyahan ang mga batang magbabasa ng aklat.
Read Ms. fe Zamora’s article..what was interesting was when she says, refering to Mikey’s Bar and Grill, “Posted on the door is a bond paper-size sign with the letters “OTB” and an arrow pointing to the left. This means there’s an off-track-betting station next door.”
How horrible that indeed gambling is EVEN condoned by this low-life Congressman, anak ng squatter of Malcañan talaga-It’s bad enough that he is the son of one of the MOST HATED PHILIPPINE LEADERS.
*************************
GLORIA IS AT IT AGAIN! Inside the pages of Inquirer, a headline caught my attention. It reads, “Palace sees no urgent need to yet review VFA”. Just a few days ago, Bunye’s official statement was “The government is resolved to review the VFA, and, if warranted, to work with Congress to amend certain provisions thereof in order to prevent future controversies.” 2 days after this statement, Ermita “insisted that Malacañan was not flip-flopping on the issue.” He said that “We never said there was a need to revise the VFA. It is a wake-up call-that’s what happened.”
Strange breeds, aren’t they ?
*************************
Ms. Ellen,
This is in reference to “Gloria Arroyo became serious. She said,”Yikes”. She left abruptly.”
You should have been the one who said “YIKES” to her ! After all, she IS “YIKES” as far as many of us are concerned ! Ha ha ha.
Chabeli,
I mentioned somewhere here that it’s not for Glueria to decide on the review of VFA. If Big Bro says no, so be it for this fake president. She has no bargaining power with anyone!
Chi,
I agree with you that Gloria “has no bargaining power with anyone!” I guess she is indeed in a Catch 22 !
I would not be surprised if Gloria uses her “Coup Me” scenario during the elections if she sees that the opposition is winning in May. I may be wrong, but I get this feeling that the “Gloria Militia” is in active mode..
Hahahah, Chabeli. And with her 12 BALASUBAS, catch 22 talaga.
Don’t forget the list of our senatoriables when final.
Same thought here, Chabeli.
Chi,
Here’s a first draft of the list, however, it must be noted that not all of these Senatoriables have either formaly announced their candidacy or will run for that matter. Let’s finalize nalang when the announcement comes in the 2nd week of Jan.
1-J.R. Nereus “Neric” O. Acosta
2-Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, III
3-Alan Peter S. Cayetano
4-JV Ejercito-Estrada
5-Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero
6-Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson
7-Loren B. Legarda
8-Satur C. Ocampo
9-Oscar “Pareng Oca” Orbos
10-John Henry “John O” Osmeña
11-Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, III
12-Gilbert C. Remulla
Thanks, Chabeli.
Maganda ang line up mo Kabayang Chabeli. Hindi lang ako pabor sa at least dalawa: Orbos and Osmena. Orbos’ loyalty and being an oppositionist is questionable. Si Osmena talunan iyan. He lost last election; so what guarantee is there that he’s winnable this time. Sayang lang ang isang puwesto sa opposition di ba? Mas gusto ko pa si Rep. Golez o kahit na si Imee Marcos.
mandirigma, hindi pa final ang listahan ni Chabeli. Sige lang, contribute ka. At the end, nasa atin pa rin kung sino ang gusto natin na isingit, iboto, o tanggalin sa listahan di ba?
Pero sa akin, gaya mo, ay ayos ang karamihan na nasa listahan.
Okay lang po. Itong huling gathering ng UNO o United Opposition, there were many FPJ supporters led by actor Rez Cortez who openly opposed the inclusion of Senator Kiko Pangilinan in the opposition ticket. Ang paliwanag nila okay lang naman at igagalang nila ang decision ng liderato pero kailangan magpaliwanag si Pangilinan kung bakit niya hinarang ang canvassing of votes noon at magpakita ng remorse. Agree po ako diyan. Kayo?
Ellen,
When Gloria said “Yikes!”, you should have dropped everything you were carrying to feign extreme shock at her being so BASTOS! That would have caught everyone else’s attention particularly after exclaiming, “Sorry, I was just so shocked at Her Excellency’s demeanour!”
Anyway, Ellen’s giving as good as she gets! Calling Gloria’s republic, BASTOS republic is more than a slap against this moral vermin – her mother’s daughter, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Pidal-corleone family!
Chabeli, I don’t know (not familiar is the better term) most of the people in your list below but my protest vote will go to ALL OF them even if I only like 4 among them…
1-J.R. Nereus “Neric” O. Acosta
2-Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, III
3-Alan Peter S. Cayetano
4-JV Ejercito-Estrada
5-Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero
6-Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson
7-Loren B. Legarda
8-Satur C. Ocampo
9-Oscar “Pareng Oca” Orbos
10-John Henry “John O” Osmeña
11-Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, III
12-Gilbert C. Remulla
Good grief! Gloria is worse than a bleeding Tsunami! She’s forcing people to file PROTEST VOTES, what a vermin! Why doesn’t she just disappear from the face of the earth?
Chabeli, Anna, ganda ng mga listahan ninyo. Makahiram nga. Pero iisipin ko pa rin kung sino talaga ang nasa final list ko. Basta sigurado ako, wala dyan sa list ko si Mr. Noted. Pwede pa siguro si Joker at Pimentel, o kaya si Villar.
chabeli & anna,
my endorsement will go 100% to neric acosta, alan cayetano (tapos na ba ang term ni pia?), chiz escudero, loren legarda, satur ocampo, oca orbos, koko pimentel, & gilbert remulla. kung hahabol si tito guingona, ikakampanya ko rin siya kahit pa “amoy lupa” na siya. mas maraming young blood, they can infuse the idealism and energy of the youth, and the “amoy-lupa” can contribute the wisdom & the experience to the cause of ending this tyrannical rule of this fake, cheat, liar & killer regime named gloria. kwestyonable sa akin si noynoy aquino because of the hacienda luisita massacre. yung iba, pag-iisipan ko pa. baka may napupusuan na rin ang pamilya ko at tropa sa pinas.
I agree Isabel on Aquino’s candidacy – let’s get the hacienda luisita massacre cleared first.
Kung napapansin niyo wala sina Angara at Imee sa listahan ni Erap. It’s because Lacson and Noynoy Aquino are on the list. True, Noynoy has lots of explaining to do with the Hacienda Luisita massacre. It was reported that he led some goons in harassing and hurting the strikers. Balita pang siya ang nag-utos sa pagpatay sa mga leaders ng Union doon. Kung kay Noynoy lang, kay Butz Aquino na ako na medyo consistent ang pagka-opposition. Pero talagang ganyan, matagal nang basa ang pangalang Aquino. Notice Cory’s silence. Maingay lang si Cory noong buhay pa si Cardinal Sin who incidentally was the one who officiated the wedding of my aunt several years ago.
anna,
even though the hacienda luisita is owned by the cojuangcos, people from the hacienda do not exonerate gloria, with patricia sto. tomas giving the order to disperse the striking workers, and the military implementing the order to the over kill. patricia and the military are lackeys of this evil one, gloria’s hands are as bloodied as the cojuangco’s if not bloodier.
isabel,
at the height of the massacre, a friend who was trying to help by giving some food to the strikers’ families wrote to me asking me for some aid and he even went as far as to ask me to contact joma sison in utrecht to tell him to ask the strike hardliners to agree to a truce because he said, the harvest are rotting and many children are suffering from malnutrition. i declined to do anything of the kind for the simple reason that i didn’t want to dare ask sison for ANY favor; i was really torn – it was a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea.
i asked friends here to send “alms” if we call their contributions that – it was the only thing i could do.
this is the reason why i despise gloria all the more, the people running the hacienda and the mills as well as the hardliners, etc. they had no right to inflict such damage to children of the farmers. they had no right to put the lives of these young children at risk over their fights.
they all ought to be hanged as far as i’m concerned!
anna,
i agree with you wholeheartedly, that nobody has the right to inflict pain and suffering to the children. and i am sure, nakatulong sa mga bata yung pinadala ninyong donasyon. but it is the reality all over the world, whenever there is conflict, it is the children who suffer the most. at wala silang kaalam-alam bakit sila napunta sa gayong kalagayan. ang mga nakakatanda ang sumisira sa kanilang mundo. and those of us who know better, lahat ng ginagawa natin hindi naman para sa sarili lang natin or para sa mga anak lang natin, but for all the children of the world.
i’m one with you on that isabel!
nobody but nobody has the right to do the bad things adults do to children who didn’t ask to the born.
a few years ago, i was driving down roxas bld from makati towards manila hotel for a breakfast meeting very early in the morning (to avoid traffic), and was happy to watch the manila bay horizon changing colors when i noticed children sleeping along the blvd., i stopped to see – i saw a young girl with a baby asleep beside her. i felt immense sadness – i thought it was the most cruel sight i’d ever seen in a city that boasted of rich, very rich, extremely rich people in my own country.
And to think that there are thousands of children who go hungry day in, day out in the country while the thieves in malacanang feast on the best food – to think that their favorite pets receive the best care, their dogs and poneys have the best food money can buy!
i don’t ask these goons in malacanang to sacrifice their little or even BIG pleasures in life on the condition that the those who control the purse strings of the State abide by the Social Contract.
However Ms. de Brux, one can’t be sure if these street children are legit. I mean are they there voluntarily to beg or were placed by the syndicate? Marami na akong balita na mga pulubi sa daan na hawak ng sindikato. Once, my compadre, a police officer, told me that the syndicate brings these children to their assigned places early in the morning and picks them up in the evening. Ang mga kinita buong araw kinukuha ng sindikato. The young girl with the baby you saw might not even be related. We see mothers carrying babies but these babies are not really theirs. Ganyan kasindak-sindak ang kalagayan sa atin. One time I was traveling busy Edsa, I saw one disabled beggar without legs begging at intersection. Paano siya nakapunta sa gitna ng kalye? Paano siya makakapaglakad putol ang dalawa niyang paa? Needless to say, the syndicate placed him there.
Of course whether these children are under the control of the syndicate or not is immaterial. What’s alarming is the number of street children who are roaming around the streets. Add to this are the child labor and prostitution. Mapalad tayo at hindi ganyan ang mga anak natin. Pero kung minsan ang tanong ay paano kung tayo sila o sila ang atin mga anak?
it’s the duty of the State to ensure that children aren’t used for the fiendish ends of adults illegaly or otherwise.
it is the State, the people at the helm of the government who should be answerable to society should these syndicates continue to proliferate.
there is no excuse!
mandirigma,
i agree with you. kaya nga ang “mapapalad” na kagaya natin ang may moral responsibility na tubusin ang mga batang nasadlak sa abang kalagayan, no matter kung paano sila nasadlak duon, be it dahil sa kapabayaan ng mga magulang o biktima sila ng mga sindikato. para sa akin, ang lahat ng bata ngayon sa pilipinas ay victims nitong rehimen ni arroyo na maitim ang budhi, etc., etc. kahit pa nga kumakain sila ng mahigit 3 beses isang araw, wala silang magandang kinabukasan hanggat si gloria ay naka-iskwat sa malakanyang.
the state should run after these syndicates, whoever they may be, wherever they are and run them to the ground.
mandirigma, mike webb gave me the same lame excuse and i told him – not good enough, the authorities should bang down on these syndicates and put them on hard labor – absolutely inadmissible that these syndicates should be allowed to operate with impunity.
I used to be very idealist, Ms. de brux but now have become realistic. Hindi naman sa excuse, the problem of chidren is a world wide problem especially in third world countries.
There are many factors that go with these social problems. Isa na dito ang over population. China’s one child policy has proven to be very effective even if I don’t totally agree with this practice. Kasalanan ng gobyerno at mga lider natin, there’s no dispute to that. Pero tingnan din natin ang bawa’t isa sa atin di ba? Change should also come from ourselves. These people must be educated. But they refuse to listen. Funny but despite their poverty, almost all of them have TV sets and even kareoke in their homes kahit na nasa squatters sila.
i’m NOT an idealist!
i believe that it takes one man to do nothing for evil to continue.
Ellen Says:
January 6th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
I don’t know if betting can be done by phone because I saw on the TV screen the announcement, last call for bets or to that effect.
Ma’m Ellen, the announcement that you heard in TV “last call to place your bet” is meant for those bettors in the hippodrome, because usually old timers would look and observe the individual horses as they are paraded from the paddocks to the starting gate before every races. As my father who is a karerista himself used to say…”silip” muna. So as the horses are being put inside the starting gate, if only one or two are left, the race announcer would bark those famous lines, last call to place your bets. But with regards to actually placing your bet by phone, I guess you can do that if you know the operators of any OTBs.
Puedeng gawin noong Fatso ding anak kasi siya na ngayon ang nagpapalakad ng mga sabungan, binggohan, karera, etc. with his dummies katulad ni Pacman o kahit na siguro iyong manugang ni Ermita na mukhang takot na takot na maagawan ng puwesto.
Spartan, there’s an OTB next door to Mikey’s bar.
Reversal of fortune real story!
Not too long ago, Mikey was just a struggling C-rated trying hard actor who has to earn his bread the hard way. Kapag pumupunta siya sa karerahan, nangagarap at naglalaway siya sa mga magagandang kabayo, sana isang araw maging horse-owner din siya.
All of a sudden lady luck smiled at him, hindi lang siya nagkaroon ng 17 na magaganda at magagaling na kabayo, kundi naging maybe billionaire na siya. Hindi na niya kailangang mag-artista para kumita, dumadating na lang sa kaniya ang pera, tulad ni senior godfather. Ang sabi nga ni Ellen, “he is a picture of a junior godfather”. It’s a very short statement, but it elaborately describes what kind of person he is.
anna de brux Says:
January 8th, 2007 at 7:49 am
i’m NOT an idealist!
i believe that it takes one man to do nothing for evil to continue.
…There are interpretations to the above response but I would like to keep it to myself. Ang sagot ko lang ay maraming gumagawa ng paraan pero tungo sa kapahamakan din.
But I agree, better to do something than nothing. What’s this something is what we don’t know. It’s similar to the saying it’s better to make a bad decision than not to make a decision.
I see Ma’m Ellen, so maybe that OTB is his, if not operated by someone real close to him.
and florry, pagpaumanhin mo at medyo iko-korek ko lang sinabi mo about this spoiled rat of a son of mike pidal and gloria pagpasok sa shobiz. Una, hindi naman niya talaga kailangan ang pag-aartista (artista daw siya) para kumita ng salapi maski pa nuon. In fact it was him who was producing or financing his movies back then, kese hoda na gumasta siya at malugi ng 10 hangang 11 milyon piso dahil ni hindi man lang “1st day last day” ang itinatagal ng pelikula niya, kundi “1st day half day”.
Ang importante sa kaniya that time was to introduce himself to the public, and for that matter the general public, sa masa kung baga. Pero in fairness to him, ang lingo ng mga nagtrabaho sa mga pelikula niyang ipinrodyus ay “uso ang pera at hindi kartolina”, meaning talents like stars, goon, and extras and even the production staffs are paid in cash, not with post dated cheques that are made up of paper but would become rubber when it bounces for lack of funds in the bank.
Problema diyan, saan galing nuon ang milyones niya, dahil hindi pa naman siya Tongressman nuon. Siyempre, bigay iyon ng Papa whale niya. And by the way, he should not even be categorized as a C-actor, kasi those are the likes of these PBB ex-housemates that are now TH actors and actresses. Si junior don, can be considered as a dakilang extra na nagkataon lang na may sariling salapi para siya maging bida, pero extra pa rin siya sa shobiz.
Thanks for your feedbacks, Chi, Mandirigma, Anna de Brux, Hawaiianguy & Isabel.
As we go along, we can finalize a list. We should also balance the list so that there will be checks & balances. That’s important, too.
Saan pa ba magmamana ang dakilang extra na si JR don , kundi sa dakilang EXTRA Dyan sa malakanyang.
PATALSIKIN NA! SIPAIN NA! NGAYON NA! HWAG MATAKOT SA TAONG KUMUKURAKOT SA KABAN NG BAYAN!
PATALSIKIN NA has become a by-word or slogan of sort. Sana may producer na mag-isip na gumawa ng pelikula with the title “Patalsikin Na”.
“Mikey’s Bar & Grill” is another place not worth going. By simply patronizing that God-forsaken establishment, it’s like you’re funneling your precious peso to the caprices of the Malacañang Mafia led by Bansot.
Sa Dampa pa rin tayo mga pare. 😀 Wala pa ring tatalo sa Dampa!
Nyahahahaha
““Mikey’s Bar & Grill” is another place not worth going. ”
Agree!
““Mikey’s Bar & Grill” is another place not worth going. ”
not worth even a glimpse.
Pero Kabayang Rivera, hindi lamang glimpse ang ginawa ng grupo nina Ms. Tordesillas, they even went in to eat. Ms. Tordesillas explained she didn’t know the place was owned by Mikey Arroyo. But what about her friends who invited her? Sa gitna ng kainan o even in the middle of the lunch, I would have left the place if I found out it was owned by Mikey. Sa tutoo lang kabayan, marami at halos lahat ng malalaking establismento pag-aari ng mga pulitiko at tauhan ni Arroyo. How can we not patronize these places di ba? Kagaya ng Metrowalk na balitang pag-aari ni Gov. Chavit Singson. Noon panahon ni Marcos, hindi bumibili ang mga kalaban sa Rustan dahil nabalitaang kasosyo si Imelda Marcos. Hindi po natin maiwasan iyan. Kung susundin natin ang ating paninindigan sa bagay na iyan, lahat ng produktong gawa ng kompanya ni Lucio Tan ay hindi natin bibilhin because Tan is also among Arroyo’s supporters. That’s only an example to drive a point.
mandirigma,
Ellen has GMRC, unlike the fake president who does not possess even a tiny bit of good manner. If it happened to me, I would not leave my friends/companions in the middle of a meal, even if I found out while eating that the resto is owned by Mickey the horsey. I wouldn’t step down to the level of his BASTOS mother.
Anyway, kanya-kanya talaga reactions ang mga tao dahil sa galit kay Glueria. Para sa akin, lahat ng reaction basta tungo sa pagtanggal sa pekeng pangulo ay acceptable.
Mandirigma, please read the article.
I have learned in life that one can make something out of an adverse situation. Had I not stayed on after I knew that it was owned by Mikey, would I have seen first hand what I saw there and written about it?Take note that I used the phrase “learning experience.”
As a journalist, we have been trained to put personal conveniences secondary to the pursuit of a story.
At saka isa pa pala madirigma, hindi sana natin nabisto si Mickey de Horsey. E di wala sana wala tayong pinag-usapan dito. Mapasalamat nga ako ke Ellen at hindi siya umalis.
Ellen said she didn’t know that it was owned by Mikey horsey and good that she stayed on to see what was happening as Chi said. She IS a journalist and it was or is right for her to purposely go there again if she must and if she wants to – part and parcel of her job.
As far as I am concerned, I have Ellen to thank now so that if ever someone invited me to Mikey’s Grill, I can refuse.
i think it was wise of ellen to have stayed though the window came as a surprise, she was not rattled. this is characteristic of a true warrior.