Category: Vera Files

Performing artists express desire to help typhoon victims

Published by Ellen on November 13, 2013

By Pablo A. Tariman,VERA Files

The typhoon that killed hundreds in the Visayan region elicited shock and an outpouring of sympathy from the country’s leading performing artists.

“It is horribly sad,” said pianist Cecile Licad who expressed willingness to participate in any fundraising concert. The pianist once again received standing ovations for her performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Hawaii Symphony and the San Antonio Symphony in Texas.

Another artist who wanted to cheer typhoon victims is violinist Cho Liang Lin who has forthcoming engagements with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan and the symphony orchestras of Detroit, San Antonio, and Shanghai. He wrote to Licad saying how deeply he was touched by the plight of typhoon victims. “If there are events that I can help to cheer the victims, please let me know. I am in!” the noted violinist said.

Guiuan: first hit, almost leveled, late aid

Published by Ellen on November 13, 2013

Text and photos by Jose Bayani D. Baylon Immediately upon landing it became obvious to me that while there was a semblance of order, this…

Filipina wins Mignone International Human Rights Award

Published by Ellen on November 3, 2013

By Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files

Human rights activist Mary Aileen D. Bacalso, secretary-general of the Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) is this year’s awardee of the Emilio Mignone International Human Rights Prize.

Bacalso said she was informed Thursday by the embassy of Argentina in the Philippines of the award “in recognition of her work against enforced disappearance in Asia and the world. “

Bacalso will travel to Buenos Aires on Dec. 10 to receive her award in a ceremony to be attended by Argentinian government officials. Aside from her funded travel to Argentina and a plaque, Aileen will also have speaking engagements in different organizations.

Bacalso said “I will be honored to receive this prestigious award soon which will be given not only to me but also to the disappeared and their loved ones and the rest among us in this bigger global movement against enforced disappearances. Let this be an important victory for the cause of the disappeared and their families in the Philippines, in Asia, in Latin America and in the rest of the world.”

Bel canto live from Ayala Museum

Published by Ellen on October 29, 2013

By Pablo A. Tariman, VERA Files

Tenor Arthur Espiritu with pianist Najib Ismael

Like it or not, bel canto (the art of beautiful singing) is the most-quoted word in the opera circle.

Teachers brandish it as though it were a vocal talisman and some students think it is the key to instant vocal stardom.

If you are active in the conservatory circuit, you realize very few singers live up to it. A few sing to impress, not to communicate. Still many relish the bravura moments in Puccini and Verdi arias and end up doing the opposite of bel canto.

For lack of solid technique compounded by bad teachers, some students — who wanted to absorb the angelic resonance of bel canto — end up as pedestrian singers who think acting can cover up for a singing style way below the standard of how it should sound.

The truth is bel canto is better heard than lectured.

“An Evening of Bel Canto” — the closing season concert of the MCO Foundation, Inc. heard at the Ayala Museum last Saturday — gave that special audience the essential, if, substantial qualities of the art of beautiful singing.

AFP probers say US, not China, put concrete blocks in Bajo de Masinloc

Published by Ellen on October 24, 2013

One of the photos shown by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin during a congressional hearing.

By Ellen Tordesillas,VERA Files

The concrete blocks in Bajo de Masinloc, which Philippine defense and military officials last month accused China of putting there, may have actually been placed by the United States Navy decades ago, military sources said.

A military investigation found that the concrete slabs were covered by algae, an indication that they had been in the area for many years. The probe also found that the blocks had been used by the U.S. Navy as “sinkers” to preserve the wreckage of old ships they used for target practice.

The information contradicts Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin’s statement at the congressional budget hearing in September in which he accused China of laying the foundation for structures similar to what it did in Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands in 1995.

Yamsuan sold Rockwell condo to Napoles

Published by Ellen on September 28, 2013

By VERA Files

Two whistleblowers in the pork barrel scam said Thursday that a former Malacañang consultant sold his Rockwell condo unit to Janet L. Napoles, allegedly the brains of the pork barrel scam that has dragged the names of a number of lawmakers and their staff.

Marina Sula and Benhur Luy said they saw Yamsuan twice in Napoles office in Discovery Suites. “Nagpunta kasi siya sa office sa Discovery, mayroon siyang in-offer na condo sa Rockwell na nakapangalan sa misis niya na binili ni Ms. Janet Napoles,” Sula told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee investigating the anomalous use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund.

But the sale of the three-bedroom unit was not completed because of incomplete documentary requirements, the two said.

VERA Files earlier reported that Yamsuan, a consultant in the office of Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa, was fired last Aug. 12 when President Aquino learned of his links with Napoles after his name was mentioned in the interview by Inquirer editors and columnists with the controversial pork barrel operator, the transcript of which was run by the newspaper verbatim.

PH, China in battle of photos on Scarborough shoal

Published by Ellen on September 22, 2013

By Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files

Concrete blocks or just rocks and corals?

Chinese photos taken second week of Sept. 2013

That is the latest question troubling the strained relationship between the Philippines and China over the disputed Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, off the South China Sea. This time, though, the dispute is playing out through photographs, more than words.

A week after the Armed Forces of the Philippines came out with photographs showing concrete blocks in Bajo de Masinloc, China released photos that showed only rocks and corals.

The photos sent by China to Philippine officials were said to have been taken second week of September to support the statement issued by China’s Foreign Ministry that the Philippine claim was “fabricated.”

Aquino last to know about canceled China trip

Published by Ellen on September 1, 2013

By Ellen Tordesillas,VERA Files

President Benigno S. Aquino III at the 27th Apolinario Mabini Awardees on Aug. 28 during which he said he was visiting China on Sept. 3.

Early last week, President Aquino was telling everybody—from the Vietnamese defense minister to guests at the 2013 Apolinario Mabini Awards in Malacanang—that he was pushing through with his Sept. 3 visit to China.

The media reported the trip on Wednesday, and quoted the President saying, “Bibiyahe ho tayo next week. Mahaba hong biyahe sa China. Alis akong ala-singko ng umaga; balik ho nang ala-singko ng hapon. Ayaw nating ma-overstay ang welcome natin doon (We are traveling next week. It will be a long trip to China. I will leave 5 a.m., back 5 p.m. We don’t want to wear out their welcome).”

What Aquino did not know then that he was really not welcome at this time in China, which had already canceled the visit the previous week.

Sources say the President could have been spared the diplomatic embarrassment—or “loss of face,” as the Chinese would say—had officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Malacañang only acted fast enough and followed up Chinese efforts to arrange the visit, plans for which began more than a month ago.

Aquino fires Palace consultant linked to Napoles

Published by Ellen on August 25, 2013

By Ellen Tordesillas,VERA Files

Brian Yamsuan (in white) , then DILG assistant secretary, with his boss, Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

Alleged big-time pork barrel operator Janet Lim-Napoles has close ties with a Malacañang consultant whom President Benigno Aquino III ordered fired as soon as he discovered the connection two weeks ago.

Brian Raymund Yamsuan, consultant to Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa, was ordered dismissed after he was mentioned as having brokered Napoles’ meeting with editors of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The transcript of that meeting was published in a series from Aug. 11 to 14. Yamsuan’s name was mentioned twice.

Palace officials were also concerned over Yamsuan’s behavior, including receiving several millions of pesos from Napoles through a senator, sources said.

Aquino’s doublespeak on PDAF and ‘pork’

Published by Ellen on August 24, 2013

By Yvonne T. Chua, VERA Files President Benigno S. Aquino III announced Friday his administration is set to “abolish” the infamous Priority Development Assistance Fund,…