Pinay Bold Stars ng Dekada 80

Dekada 80 nang pumalaot sa mundo ng pelikula ang itinuturing na mga hubad na bituin. Mga kabataang artista na kahit sa murang edad ay nagpakita ng kanilang kahubdan. May kanya-kanya silang dahilan, ngunit namayani ang adhikaing maiahon ang sarili at pamilya sa bingit ng kahirapan; Maituturing na biktima rin sila ng mga taong nagsamantala sa kanilang kariktan, kabataan, at kawalan ng pamilyang tunay na nagmamalasakit. Iilan lamang ang nagtagal at karamihan ay nagtapos sa malungkot na wakas. Sa mga artistang ito, tanging si Jacklyn Jose, na kinilala ang husay sa pagganap, ang patuloy na gumagawa ng mga teleserye at sine; si Maria Isabel Lopez ay matagumpay sa kanyang larangan at paminsan-minsan ay lumalabas pa rin sa pelikula; sina Claudia Zobel, Stella Strada, at Pepsi Paloma ay kapwa nasawi sa malagim na trahedya; si Sarsi Emmanuelle ay nauwi sa pagiging takilerya sa circus; at ang iba sa kanila ay sadyang naglaho na parang bula. Halina't ating sariwain sa pamamagitan ng kanilang larawan ang mga bold stars of the 80s,  na minsan sa maikling panahon ay nagbigay ningning sa kalawakan ng mga bituin..



JACKLYN JOSE

CLAUDIA ZOBEL

  


CRISTINA CRISOL





SARSI EMMANUELLE

 

    

PEPSI PALOMA

                                   

STELLA STRADA



ANA MARIE GUTIERREZ

MARIA ISABEL LOPEZ



The Suicide and Photos of Kevin Carter

My persistent curiosity about the forbidding mystery of death brings me to the list of internationally acclaimed photographers who committed suicide. The one that catches my utmost attention is Kevin Carter (1960-1994), a South African photographer known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of a starving child stalked by a vulture while on her way to a food center during the 1993 famine in Sudan. A few months after receiving the award, Carter committed suicide due to depression triggered by haunting memories of violent deaths and extreme poverty.  

Here are some of the most poignant photos captured by Kevin Carter's own lens. These images must have affected Carter so deeply that he chose to end his young life at 33.

The Pulitzer Prize photograph taken in March 1993

Appalling pictures of people burned to death by necklacing

Heartbreaking portrait of malnourished and starving children

RP's Highest-Grossing Film of All Time!

Tabular ranking for top earning films has never been easier. Thanks to the advent of technology! Nowadays, box office receipts for a particular period are readily available via the Internet..

The 2009 Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz starrer, You Changed My Life, is listed as the highest grossing Filipino film of all time. Throughout its run in local cinemas, the movie has accumulated a total revenue of 230 million pesos. But could there be a possibility that another film actually grossed higher?

Let us go back in time, like 1971, when transistor radios or black&white TVs was the dominant medium among Filipino households. The year when one movie broke all existing box office records. Guy & Pip starring Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III stayed in theaters for 6 long months and raked a phenomenal 8 million pesos. At first glance, 8 million is a measly figure compared to 230 million. However, we have to make some calculations here to get the real picture:

In 1971, ticket price average  is 2 pesos; while the average ticket cost in 2009 is 140 pesos. Adjusted for ticket price inflation, Guy and Pip's 8 million gross should be equivalent to 560 million pesos at 2009 average ticket prices, making it the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time!

Afterall, it was during the 70s when the phenomenon of Nora Aunor swept across the Philippine archipelago.

Too Young To Die: Pinoy Stars Tragedy

I made a compilation of young Pinoy celebrities who have died suddenly while at the height of their fame. These stars were only in their 20's or even younger when they were met with accident, illness, and suicide. Because of their youthfulness, the true nature of their death remains clouded in controversy and mystery..

Alfie Anido-died,1981;age,22. Alfie was a matinee idol and one of the original Regal babies whose loveteam with Dina Bonnevie made waves. He shot himself, but there were speculations that Alfie was actually murdered by the family of an ex-girlfriend whose father was a top ranking public official.


Claudia Zobel-died,1984;age,19. Claudia was a Cebuana bold actress who instantly gained popularity via her hit movies Shame and Uhaw Sa Pag-ibig. She died from a car accident allegedly drunk and depressed.


Stella Strada-died,1984;age,21. Stella was Seiko Film's prized star who appeared in such bold films Kirot, Puri, and Sex Education. She committed suicide by hanging in a nylon cord together with her confidant. Stella was allegedly in the state of depression and drug abuse. She left a suicide note stating that "Walang nagmamahal sa akin at walang nakakaintindi."

Julie Vega-died-1985;age,16. Julie was a popular actress and singer who became famous as a child star in Mga Mata ni Angelita and through the soap Anna Liza. She died of Guillain-Barre syndrome with bronchopneumonia complications. Controversies surrounding her death were diet pills, and supernatural phenomena mainly attributed to her last film where she portrayed a girl possessed by the devil.

Pepsi Paloma-died,1985;age,19. Pepsi was a bold star and one of Rey dela Cruz's softdrinks beauties along with Sarsi Emmanuele and Coca Nicolas. She was well remembered in the celebrated rape case involving Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon and Ritchie D'Horsie. Pepsi committed suicide by hanging herself with a cotton sash inside a closet. Speculations over her death were monetary problems, longings for a mother’s love and anxieties over her relationship with her live-in boyfriend.

Jonjon Hernandez-died,1993;age,23. Jonjon/Jon was one of the stars in the hit movie Bagets 2 and son of veteran actress Alicia Alonzo. He was a budding action star when he died from a car accident.


Rico Yan-died,2002;age,27. Rico was a very famous actor who starred in a number of box office films and top-rated soap operas. He died of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis (bangungot) while having a vacation in Puerto Prinsesa Palawan. Controversies surrounding his death were the alleged depression due to his break-up with Claudine Barreto and use of ecstacy.

Miko Sotto-died,2003;age,21. Miko was a matinee idol and son of actress Ali Sotto. He died after he fell from the ninth floor of a condominium building. Miko's girlfriend Angel Locsin eventually involved in a romantic relationship with his cousin Oyo Boy Sotto who was with him during the tragic accident.

Halina Perez-died,2004;age,19. Halina appeared in erotic and comedy films. She died due to a broke neck when their car veered out of line and slammed into a van. Halina was asleep at the time of the crash and was still breathing when she was pulled out of the car but was declared dead on arrival.


Marky Cielo-died,2008;age-20. Marky was an Igorot actor who won the reality talent competition of GMA's Starstruck. Initial report states that Marky died in his sleep. Numerous speculations about the true nature of his death include romantic conflicts, depression, and drug abuse.

Marriage & Paradise

I don't believe in marriage... Let me be clear about that. I think at worst it's a hostile, political act--a way for small-minded men to keep women in the house and out of the way, wrap up in the guise of tradition and conservative nonsense. At best, it's a happy delusion. It's two people who really love each other and have no idea how truly miserable they're about to make each other. But when two people know that--and they decide with eyes wide open to face each other and get married anyway, then I dont think it's conservative or delusional. I think it's radical, courageous, and very romantic... I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it's not some place you can look for, cause it's not where you go. It's how you feel for a moment in your life... and if you find that moment... it lasts forever...

I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it's not some place you can look for, cause it's not where you go. It's how you feel for a moment in your life... and if you find that moment... it lasts forever...

Robert Jaworski: The Living Legend Revisited

 

The following article was published in a tabloid newspaper on the occasion of Robert "Sonny" Jaworski's 46th birthday. I wrote this piece at the age of 18--during the time when part of my teenage life revolved around Jaworski and his team Ginebra. Dubbed as the Living Legend of Philippine basketball, Jaworski is one of the few public figures who had a profound impact on my life. His never-say-die attitude has earned him my utmost respect and admiration.

 

 

Ang dakilang araw na ito ang ika-46 kaarawan ng Buhay na Alamat ng Philippine Basketball. Sa paglipas ng tatlong dekada, nanatiling nakaukit sa bawat himaymay ng ating kamalayan ang pangalang Robert Jaworski. Wala na marahil iba pang nilalang sa sulok ng mundong ito na kasintanyag at kasinghalaga sa larangan na kanyang kinabibilangan maliban kay Robert Jaworski. Isang simpleng pagbanggit ng kanyang pangalan ay nangangahulugan ng basketball sa bansa.

 

Huling bahagi ng dekada 60 ng simulang maging bukambibig ang pangalang Jaworski--sa mga kanto ng squatters area, sa magagarang upisina ng kalakhang Maynila, hanggang sa pinakaliblib na bahagi ng bansa. May bago silang idolo ng basketball.Dahil kay Jaworski, dumami and bilang ng tagasubaybay ng basketball. Bawat uri ng tao ay humanga sa kanya at sa panahong iyon naging tanyag and numero 7 na taglay ng kanyang uniporme. Sa pagdaan ng panahon ang pangalang Jaworski ang lalong pumaimbulog sa kalawakan at mistulang isang liwanag na nais sakupin maging ang pinakamadilim na bahagi ng kawalan. Tanging si Big J lamang ang nagtataglay ng pinakamaraming lupon ng tagahanga na handang makipagpatayan para sa kanya.

 

Si Robert Jaworski ang pinaakmang ehemplo ng isang indibidwal na naglalayon na umangat ang estado sa buhay. Ang disiplina, determinasyon, dedikasyon at higit sa lahat, ang tibay at katatagan ng loob--mga klasikong pagkakataon na kung saan lugmok na ang kanyang team ay himalang naisasalba n'ya ito patungo sa tagumpay. Ang mga katangiang ito ang dahilan kung bakit tumagal ng napakahabang panahon sa basketball si Jaworski. Ito rin ang dahilan ng kanyang magnetong karisma na humihigop sa puso't isipan ng publiko at upang halos siya ay sambahin ng kanyang mga tagahanga.

 

Taong 1964 nang simulang bagtasin ni Jaworski ang daan patungo sa isang matagumpay na larangan. Naging Warrior siya at kagyat na nakita ang kahalagahan nya nang magkampeon ang UE sa UAAP. Tuloy ang paglikha ni Jaworski ng kasaysayan, napili siyang miyembro ng RP team na nagkampeon sa ABC sa South Korea. Nang taon ding iyon ay naging miyembro si Jaworski ng YCO Painters sa MICAA. Naging usap-usapan na ang pangalan niya at lalo itong lumikha ng ibang intensidad ng magbukas ang PBA taong 1975.

 

Sa gulang na 46, maaring nag-uumpisa pa lamang si Jaworski sa iba niyang hangarin, sa ibang tungkulin ngunit iisa ang mithiin ng marami, sana'y huwag magwakas ang mundong kanyang ginagalawan. Ang kalaban niya ngayon sa PBA ay halos nasa sinapupunan pa sa panahong pinagkakaguluhan naang pangalang Robert Jaworski. Minsan lang sa isang panahon dumating ang isang pambihirang nilalang. Mapalad tayo na naging saksi at bahagi ng isang alamat na magiging kasaysayan sa darating na henerasyon.

 

Halina't sabay nating namnamin ang kadakilaan ng kanyang pangalan hanggang sa umukilkil sa kaibuturan ng ating kamalayan at doon ay manatili magpakailanman.

 

 

 

 

 

A Letter to X

Dear X,

My emotional sensitivity dictates me to write and be able to express my sentiments. After this I shall talk no more.. I longed for the good old days when we were still in one roof sharing the joys, the laughters, and the sorrows of our young hearts. The forcible maturity of our fragile mind caused by the adversities in our respective lives.

Now, I am deeply saddened by the abrupt freezing coldness of our warm cousin-friend relationship. Am afraid that it would turn into hatred. Wish it could be saved.. Want to tell that I have no ill-feeling towards you, but I wonder to heavens why you feel such way. Where did I go wrong?

I was not a bad influence to your brother. He has been into it long before we met. You should ought to know that, X. About the incident, please spare me from the blame. I may be instrumental for having you known the person but I was totally out of the scenario came that fateful day. I may have built the bridge, but if you stumble and get hurt or worst fall down as you cross along, please don't point your accusing finger at me. Hope you get what I mean.

I may have lived my life not bounded by moral virtues, but this is me, a typical human being vulnerable to all forces that come across my way. But do I have to be hated and condemned? Please don't. I beg you to see the other side of me..

Our auntie dislikes things about me simply because I'm not the obedient nephew who always comply to whatever she says and dictates. She projects me as a bad person 'coz I always insist on what I believe is right. She loves those who bow their heads once she starts her conventional litany taken from her already rotten box of self-perceived righteousness. Pity for those who pretend to be obedient, they are just fooling their own selves. God knows my futile attempts to win her. I can do nothing else but to accept the painful truth.

Need to mention that I am striving hard to capture people's heart. If befriending them is a sin, then I might be wrong. Please let know I just want to belong. But you misunderstood me. 'Til I tend to believe that something is indeed wrong with me. Now am struggling it out and I swear, battling against one's own self is the hardest struggle someone has to undergo throughout his existence..

Here I am, though not begging for sympathy, lowly seeking your understanding. Please realize that I am not a super-hero nor am I an extraordinary person worth of emulation, praise, and adulation but rather I am an ordinary human capable of committing mistakes and able to do good things, too. When time comes, I wish you shall not regard me as you perceive for the moment but will remember me as a simple person who has able to survive when fallen..

Cousin,
Y