August 2010 – Page 4 – ellen tordesillas

Beautiful singing

Published by Ellen on August 10, 2010

Update, Aug. 15: Arthur Espiritu was fantastic last night at the Viva Bel Canto concert. His voice has a pristine quality and he moves with certain savvy. It’s such a joy listening and watching him on stage.

One of the rare times that the Philamlife theater was full. Thanks to Klassikal Music Foundation (Donald Yang), ROS Music Center (Rey Sison) and Pablo Tariman for an evening of fine music.

Lovers of classical music should not miss “Viva Bel Canto” on Aug. 14, 8 pm at the Philamlife Auditorium on U.N. Avenue, Manila.

It features Arthur Espiritu, the first Filipino tenor to perform at La Scala di Milan since 1928. Before him in 1928, Filipino bass baritone Jose Mossessgeld- Santiago performed at the hallowed La Scala the role of Sparafucile in Mefistofele.

Espiritu is visiting the Philippines and it would be a rare opportunity for Filipino music lovers to enjoy his performance.

At a pre-concert press conference at the Mandarin Hotel, Arthur mesmerized newsmen with a few numbers together with soprano Rochelle Gerodias and pianist Najib Ismail, who will be performing with him in this Saturday’s Philippine debut.

The expected question was “How was it performing in La Scala?” where even musical greats experienced being booed (Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti) by a demanding audience.

Verafiles’ trustee is 2010 Ninoy and Cory Aquino Fellow for Journalism

Published by Ellen on August 10, 2010

photo of awardees — Amb. Harry Thomas, Flora May Cerna, Yvonne Chua and Ballsy Cruz

Veteran journalist, journalism educator and VERA Files trustee Yvonne Chua was named 2010 Ninoy and Cory Aquino Fellowship Awardee for journalism.

In a simple ceremony held Monday, Chua was cited for the “depth and breadth of her work” as journalist.

Flora May M.Cerna, head of the Department of Research and Project Development at the Transparency and Accountability Network, is the awardee for the 2010 Aquino Fellowship for Public Service.

The awards are given annually by the United States Embassy and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation to individuals who excel in journalism and public service. (Photo by Reylynne de la Paz)

Ang tapang ng apog

Published by Ellen on August 10, 2010

Talagang magkaka-maganak sa tapang ng apog itong mga Arroyo at mga Ampatuan.

Kung sino pa ang malaking kasalanang sa taumbayan, sila pa ang malalakas ng loob magreklamo.

Noong Lunes nag-privilege speech ang anak ni Gloria Arroyo na si Camarines Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo at binatikos ang mga kongresista katulad ni Walden Bello ng Akbayan,. Teddy Casino ng Bayan at Rep. JV Ejercito ng San Juan na nagbitaw ng mga maa-anghang na salita laban sa kanyang ina.

Nananahimik daw ang kanyang ina mula ng bumaba sa Malacañang para daw libre na magmamahala si Aquino ng bayan. Masamang ehemplo daw ang ginawa ng mga anti-Arroyo na mga kongresista na binabatikos ang kanyang ina na marami daw ginawang mabuti sa bayan.

Finally, E.O on communications group released

Published by Ellen on August 10, 2010

Finally, Executive Order No. 4 was released yesterday “reorganizing and renaming the office of the press secretary as the presidential communications operations office; creating the presidential communications development and strategic planning office; and for other purposes.”

Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma heads the Presidential Communications Operations (PCO).

Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang is Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary (PCDSP). His deputy is Manuel “Manolo” L. Quezon III.

Both Coloma and Carandang hold cabinet rank and they will each have separate budgets. They will be working hand-in-hand with the Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Lucille Ortile and the Acuzar connection

Published by Ellen on August 8, 2010

Why is Lucille Ortile, once rumored to be former Vice President Noli de Castro’s special someone, in Malacañang as chief of staff of Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa?

In February 2008, when De Castro was still being considered as a presidential candidate for the 2010 elections, an item went around the internet and text about a P200 million house at 2256 Paraiso st, Dasmariñas Village, Makati City reportedly belonging to somebody special to De Castro. The name “Lucille Ortile” was mentioned.

De Castro vehemently denied having anything to do with the Dasmariñas house. Friends who know Ortile attest to her innocence and falsity of that rumor.

Weder-weder lang

Published by Ellen on August 8, 2010

Hindi sang-ayon ang grupo ng mga scientists,Agham (Advocates of Science and Technology for the People) sa pagsibak kay Dr. Prisco Nilo, director ng Pag-asa.

Sabi ng Agham dapat ay ipinaliwanag kay Pangulong Aquino na tingnan ang kaso ng pagkamali ng weather forecast sa bagyong “Basyang” sa dalawang punto.

Dapat, maintindihan kung ano ang bagyo. Iyon ay lakas ng kalikasan. Nagbibigay ang Pagasa ng kanilang assessment sa pagkilos ng bagyo tuwing anim na oras. Ang pagiging eksakto ng pagbasa ng bagyo ay depende sa kakayahan ng instrument na gamit.

Kawawang hepe ng Pag-asa

Published by Ellen on August 7, 2010

Naawa ako kay Prisco Nilo, ang sinibak ni Pangulong Aquino na hepe ng Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric and Astronomical Services Administration).

Sinibak ni Pangulong Aquino si Prisco Nilo, hepe ng Pagasa dahil naka strike two na daw na palpak sa weather forecast.

Maganda ang kampanya ni Aquino na pagwawalis ng mga korap sa pamahalaan. Kung isasama niya ang mga incompetent, yung mga hindi napapakinabangan ang serbisyo, maganda rin yun.

Ngunit mali ang kanyang sinibak. Hindi dapat si Nilo. Dapat inalam n Aquino muna ang rason bakit hindi makabasa ng eksakto ng mga taga-Pagasa ang mga bagyo. Hindi kasalanan lang yan ni Nilo.

Thank you note from Neonate’s daughter

Published by Ellen on August 6, 2010

We remember again Neonate with this letter from his daughter, Grace. Dear Ellen, It has been months since I visited my father’s blog, Winks and…

‘Forsaken Lives”

Published by Ellen on August 5, 2010

I can just imagine the horrified reaction of the Catholic priests and Manangs if they were at last Tuesday’s Bulung-Pulungan at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

Guests were Melissa Uppreti, senior regional manager and legal adviser for Asia of the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights and Dr. Florence Tadiar of the Institute of Social Studies and Action. The topic was “Forsaken Lives,” a study conducted by CRR in the Philippines on the impact of the abortion ban.

As well all know, abortion is a crime under the Revised Penal Code. There are exceptions. But as the study showed, “there is a lack of clarity regarding the circumstances under which an abortion may be legally performed or be considered legally justifiable.”

On the eve of US envoy’s visit, a bomb explodes in Zamboanga

Published by Ellen on August 5, 2010

From GMA News:

Sulu governor hurt in Zamboanga airport blast

One person was killed Thursday while several others, including the governor of a southern Philippine province, were wounded when a bomb exploded at the arrival area of the Zamboanga International Airport.

Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan was among the 12 hurt in the explosion, according to a report in GMA News’ “24 Oras.”

The explosion occurred a day before US Ambassador Harry Thomas’ visit to the city for “a series of activities,” according to Mayor Celso Lobregat.

Thomas on Thursday night announced that he is postponing his scheduled visit.

Month: August 2010