Sunday, March 28, 2010

Change is For Real This Time With Dick


“What this country needs is not just a change of men, but a change in men.”

I am just turning eighteen this December, so there is really no chance that I can vote for the May 2010 Presidential Elections. Although I am still not qualified to participate in this year’s most awaited national episode, that does not mean I am incapable of justifying who is the next most deserving president for our dear country.

The official candidates are already in, giving us a total of 99 Filipinos who desire to sit in Malacanang. For so long, I have tried so hard to assess at least the nine top candidates (apparently the more serious contenders) among them, but I have to admit that the pickings are not as slim as in previous elections. It seem that it is no longer a question of choosing the lesser evil since there are enough good men running. But this person, whom I have barely noticed at first, successfully catches my attention. Because of this man’s effectivity as a leader, the humane yet well-defined visions he willingly extends for the country, as well as the guaranteed change that he can do, I can proudly declare that Dick is and will still be the country’s best pick.

But the question is, how come he is the one?

Richard Juico Gordon, commonly called “Dick” by the people around him, was a proven transformational leader, the real action-man. He made possible the seemingly impossible, and was simply best known for overcoming great odds. His intellectual ability could never be disputed as he completed his elementary education at Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila; his secondary and tertiary education at the Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Government in 1966. His quest for knowledge did not just end there as he still pursued his Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines in 1975.

Topping a certain field has never been the sole standard of one’s intellect. In fact, the real gauge should be in terms of his prolific application all throughout his experience in the said industry. Dick Gordon has held many positions in the government, and succeeded beyond expectation at every single one of them. He started out as the Mayor of Olongapo City for about 13 years. He brought order not only to the streets of this city as he established strict traffic rules and color-coded jeepneys, but also to the lives of his people. During his term, he relentlessly rebuilt Olongapo from being a “sin city” to a “model city” for peace and order, as well as for good governance. In the long run, his slogan “Aim High Olongapo” was realized after imparting the people a better picture of themselves. If through him Olongapo became urbanized and independent, what more for our country?

The next remarkable transformation he has done for the country fortunately materialized in Subic Bay Freeport. He was admirably the man behind Subic’s success. As a founding Chair and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in 1992-1998, he was actually able to inspire a fleet of young volunteers to turn Subic Bay into a leading investment hub, bringing in investments and creating more jobs. In fact, leaders from across the globe (Thatcher, Clinton and etc.) just came to see how this seemingly miraculous transformation ensued. By the time he left in 1998, investors such as Federal Express, British BICC Cables and Taiwan’s Acer computers rushed in Subic to arrange new ventures and investments with them.

Furthermore, while he was the author of the SBMA success, there was still a call to serve more people. Knowing that when tourism advances, poverty retreats, he placed the Philippines in the international tourism map through his “WOW Philippines!” campaign after being appointed as the secretary of the Department of Tourism.

After all, the road has led him to the senate. Although he was just known for being a man of transformation, he still never failed in distinguishing himself as a productive lawmaker. Because of his evident competitiveness within the walls of the senate, he was also known for being an “advocate of legislation” who truly seeks the upliftment of both the people and the country. Biofuels Act of 2007, Tourism Policy Act of 2009 and Automated Election Law were just a few products of his hard work. Through these bills, Senator Gordon hopes to leave our people with a clean, honest, and fair standard of living. As you can see, his experience in the executive branch has been long and impressive. As a legislator, he was not over the top, but he has
been consistent.

Within his past years in government service, several unproven issues were thrown upon him. In a dirty world such as politics, I guess no leader has been totally free of accusations. One thing that made some people hesitant with Gordon’s ability to lead was his alleged dictator-in-the-making disposition, proven by how he has executed his previous plans. Some criticized him because of the effects of his actions on the surface; but because of the longer-term results of those actions, he has still nailed his efficiency for many.

Yes, he may at times be a very demanding leader, or perhaps a brutally frank person, but why don’t we ask this to ourselves: is there anyone who never gets disgusted when disciplined and corrected by an authority? Actually, I am an advocate of equality. But in time, I will submit to and be “enslaved” by the right king. Sometimes, the Filipino instinct to always look for defects that do not even exist even sabotages progress and worse, encourages downfall.

On the other hand, we still cannot say that he is a perfect person but he is the one that everyone needs. He may be energetic but really, he is not that charismatic. Perhaps we do not need a leader who has all the charisma to make ladies swoon and men bow. As a matter of fact, he is the type of man whose tail does not go between his legs when his decisions cross party lines. He is not afraid to generate a number of oppositions because of his nature as a principled man. He stands for what he thinks is right – and admirably, he stays firm on that. “Firm but fair; serious but sincere” (Ang Presidente Ko, 2010). He is a leader who truly cares – a captain of a ship who treats all of his men as his own children. He is an effective statesman who considers life worthy of every effort, attention and compassion. These are just proven in his platform towards a new and better Philippines – towards a developed Bagumbayan (Gordon, 2010).

As a president, he will be a leader with a clear vision and strategy for the future of his people. He believes that the key to Bagumbayan is education. He envisions giving Filipino children an excellent teacher. In fact, he already has a plan. According to Gordon in a forum held at De La Salle University, “Stick to the vision. Set aside 10 centavos out of every text messages. And if there are two million text messages sent a day, that’s P73 billion a year. Right away, you can pay all the teachers. But build schools first. Create a corporation for a Health, Education, and Acceleration Program for this purpose. Also assign a doctor rotating around the schools so the kids can have access to health care.”

Other points in his platform chiefly promote respect, self discipline and responsibility of the people to their selves and the country. He also includes the strengthening of laws and the reinvention of the government with emphasis on creating more jobs for the people.

The only thing that seems to bother some of Dick’s supporters is his frustration over the press. Gordon, on the other hand, proves that people need not to worry for surveys do not really speak of his ability. “You’re right, I don’t rate even with my record – I don’t rate because I don’t fool the people. All I can offer is my record,” he mentions.

Gordon knows what, where and how he will achieve success because he has been there, and he has done it, not once, not twice, but too many times already. Leadership by example has remained to be his strategic tool to build his ultimate vision: a Country of Character (Dalisay, 2010). His dignity and hope as a man of transformation has motivated and inspired a lot of people to go with his direction because of his good governance. Still asking everyone to break free of their limitations just to step into light and grab their own future, he still believes that if we want change, then we must be that change.

I am sure we have punished ourselves enough with bad and corrupt leadership. With that, Philippines cries for a strict discipline and a total rehabilitation. In this time of confusion, it is best if we vote a person who has the experience, the integrity, the intelligence, the vision, the compassion and the discipline to become our next president. What this country needs is someone with proven track record of political will, and a clean heart to transform himself and the nation. “What I’m offering is an experience of a lifetime,” he ends (Corpuz, 2010).
No one fits the right position other than Richard Gordon. For me, I have made my pick. Change is for real this time with Dick.

A Restaurant Review: Kainan sa Tabing Lawa

“A restaurant is a fantasy – a kind of living
fantasyin which diners are the most important
members of the cast.” – Warner LeRoy


Our first road trip to Tanay, Rizal was around eight years ago. It was my birthday and I wanted it to be really simple – just eat out with my family. We could have just chosen our all-time favorite Max’s Restaurant to enjoy their crispy fried chicken, but since we wanted some sort of twist and adventure instead, we decided to try our family friends’ recommendation to have lunch at this restaurant in Tanay.

I guess it’s true that long rides are meant to prepare us for a much-awaited destination. It took us around two hours to get to the place. Along the Lakeshore Drive in Barangay San Isidro in the town of Tanay, right beside the Ynares multi-purpose hall that is always busy with basketball tournaments, is the restaurant previously recommended to us. Actually, if it were not for the diner sign we would not have guessed that it was the place already. I found myself astonished while staring at a rustic cottage with a sign hanging from a giant vintage window that says “Kainan sa Tabing Lawa”. Whoah, an eatery by the lake, I told myself.

At first glance, I asked myself these questions: Is this the place we traveled for hours? Is this the restaurant scene we expected after a long drive? Nevertheless, we still entered the restaurant – a native restaurant so to speak – and continued to eat our lunch there.

When we entered, I immediately learned a lesson: Don’t judge a restaurant only by its exterior.

Astonishing Ingenuity

Indeed, it is a pretty nice native restaurant. What more should I expect? The wooden floor and the grass ceiling speak its creativity. The bamboo shades on the wide vintage windows, plus the wooden plates lined with banana leaves at the tables, are big time eye catchers. Diners are supplied with spoons and forks but I think, in places like this, it is best to eat with the hands – KAMAYAN STYLE! These features, in turn, effectively and exceptionally set a glimpse of Tanay’s local and rich culture!

While peeping through the vintage windows, one can see the scene of the calm Laguna de Bay and its modern causeway. One will surely fall in love with the Kainan’s impressive ambiance because of its peacefulness and serenity.

Scrumptious Cookery

Since Tanay has a rich culinary heritage derived from the various influences from the past (from a rich, spicy Hispanic taste to a simpler exotic Asian heritage), its culinary repertoire is evident in the various meal specialties offered in Kainan sa Tabing Lawa.

However, this place is more known for its seafood express, particularly sinigang na kanduli and fried butterflied dalag dipped in the preferred mixture of soy sauce, calamansi juice and crushed chilis that you, yourself, can easily prepare. Kainan is also recognized by its freshwater fish caught from the nearby Laguna de Bay and cooked on the same day! What’s more interesting is that the price is not that expensive since they prepare the cuisines homestyle with absolutely no frills and tricks (by request, they can show you the actual preparation of the food in their tidy kitchen! :P).

Besides their freshwater fish packages, they also offer economical native dishes like pininyahang manok, inihaw na litson, pork asado, the everlasting pansit and many more.

The food was really good! My family and I enjoyed our meals since we’re after for the food that are not served on an everyday basis, and those that aren’t found at most urbane restaurants near us. Although I was just an eight year old kid during that time, I already knew how to distinguish good from bad dishes. Thank God, that trip provided us a yummy one!

The simple yet exquisite dining pleasure we had since our first trip at Kainan sa Tabing Lawa is the reason why my family chose to celebrate a number of occasions there since then (The most recent was just last week! :D). We have actually celebrated there a lot of birthdays, anniversaries, despedidas and thanksgivings because the place, matched with its superb cuisines, are definitely worth it.

Looking back, our first visit was really a great trip. When we left the place, I learned a lesson again: Most good experiences are really, really unexpected.

Believe me. 

A Book Review: Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins


Scott O’Dell’s books have entertained and enlightened millions of readers around the world. Because of his stories about young people whose survival depends on their determination and self-reliance, he was able to capture the reader’s thirst for adventure and love of nature. Although Island of the Blue Dolphins was the first book to debut O’Dell’s writing ability, still it remains to be the most popular and best-loved of his books until today.

Island of the Blue Dolphins is a precious, powerful and potent story of an Indian girl named Karana, a daughter of the chief of the tribe who lives on the Island of the Blue Dolphins. The people from her tribe are very independent for they are the only ones inhabiting the said island. At some point in the book, the tribe is visited by foreigners who wish to hunt otter (marine animals) in exchange of gold and weapons. Killing nearly all the otters in the area, the foreigners decided to leave without properly fulfilling the closed deal. Instead of trading with the tribe, they attack these poor people and made a quick escape. During the attack, many of the tribe members die - including Karana's father.

After the hunters left, the tribe was forced to move to a neighboring island. While they were leaving, Karana looked back and realized that her little brother has been left behind. In an astonishing act of bravery, she jumped out of the boat and swam back to the island. Although they were alone, they were able to perfectly feed themselves for the place was formerly their home. Yes, it might be their home, but it was still dangerous. Shortly after, she found out that her brother has been killed by the wild dogs. Alone on the island, she had to fend for herself and find a way to live. As the days turned into months and the months turned into years, she struggled to keep herself alive by building a shelter, making weapons, finding food, and fighting her enemies – the wild dogs.

The above plotline of the Island of the Blue Dolphins only proves that this masterpiece is not only about an unusual adventure of survival, but also a tale of natural beauty and personal discovery. It actually seems less about adventure and lies much more about the heart-breaking trials of Karana. Yes, this subdued book contains a number of pages on how she survives alone for years, but of all her survival skills, the most important thing she learns is how to cope with loneliness.

I was simply thrilled by the very descriptive language used in the book. The story is filled with so many sensory details, and that contributes to its simplicity. Yes, the writing style is really very simple, but when you start to read the story, you can actually see yourself going through the world Scott O’Dell describes. The style used is really effective; no wonder I can see myself so much absorbed in the plotline! During most parts of the book, the author has a very lively tone but gets very sad at times. I guess the mood suggested by the author just suits the totality of the story’s concept since the main character, Karana, although alone and isolated, still has this optimistic approach to life.

Adding to the richness and beauty of the story is the author’s unusal technique of establishing the emotional impact to the readers. Many events that occur early in the novel are echoed later, but of course with slightly different conditions. For instance, the part when Karana finds Rontu (her pet) in the forest attacked by the pack of wild dogs almost exactly mimics the scene in which she discovers Ramo (her brother) being killed by the same pack. For me, by making one scene resemble another so closely is an excellent tool to evoke a strong emotion for the readers. With that incredible wit, O’Dell is able to show a progression, make a contrast, or highlight a similarity.

What’s more interesting is that in O’Dell’s footnotes, he says that this story is “actually based on the true story of Juan Maria, the “Lone Woman of San Nicolas”, a a NicoleƱo Indian marooned for 18 years on San Nicolas Island off the California coast before being rescued in 1853”. I did not know until I finished the book that it was a true story! O’Dell creates an exceptional narration of Juan Maria’s experiences, thus engaging the reader’s full interests. With that, the reader can simply get lost in this moving tale full of loneliness and strength.

O’Dell never forgets to include a lesson in his stories. In the Island of the Blue Dolphins, he tries to paint a picture of women being independent, as well as a person who can withstand different levels of loneliness still needing a companion. After reading this, I fed my urge to be able to survive on my own even futher. All in all, this remarkable story teaches us about living it up smart on our own and to make the best of the bad moments.

The book is awesome, indeed. Kudos to O’Dell, kudos to the Island of the Blue Dolphins!

RD's Third Filipino Pride

In fantasies, heroes are those who arrive in time to save someone in misery and oftentimes, to finish off the villain. These heroes serve as the defenders of the world and may, at times,be the enforcers of the law. In this world of make-believe, no one else dies but the bad guy.

But hey, we are not living in a fantasyland! In our world today, the bad guys in most fantasies are usually not people. In most cases, these bad guys are no other than apathy, poverty and violence. In the Philippines, often victims of these misdeeds are the poor kids with no family to run to and with no education to start with. These poor kids are forced to stand on their own at an early age and are likely to end up chipping in dirty businesses. These things happen because they are not given appropriate rights – the right to life, the right to a comfortable and nurtured upbringing, the right to be heard and respected, and above all, the right to be loved.

Looking at the bright side of reality, today’s heroes are not “costumed characters” with secret identities, nor warriors who need to die first before reaching triumph. The modern-day Filipino hero does not usually come with being the “superman”. They don’t have amazing powers; what they have are compassionate hearts and the will to change things for the better.

The above depiction of a Filipino valiant deed is further characterized by a recent event that wows not only the Pearl of the Orient, but other nations as well. “Diether Ocampo lands Reader's Digest Asia cover,” as bannered by most broadsheets. “After comedian Michael V. and boxing prizefighter Manny Pacquiao, Diether Ocampo is the third Filipino to grace the cover of the said magazine.” I know some may ask, “What is his blockbuster movie, anyway? How come he lands on the cover of the largest circulated magazine in the world?”

Well, you are mistaken if you are one of the “some” who assume that way. As a matter of fact, Reader’s Digest Asia (December 2009 issue) recognized Diether Ocampo not as an actor, but as a philanthropist. He is one of the few well-known personalities who set their stardom to meaningful use. The popular magazine lauded him as “the Filipino actor and activist” mainly because of his involvement with the “Kabataang Inyong Dapat Suportahan” (K.I.D.S.) Foundation as its founding president.

“The K.I.D.S. Foundation is a non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian organization that seeks to uphold children’s rights based on existing laws, and most importantly, on the intrinsic principles of benevolence, love and the best that humanity can offer,” Ocampo humbly shares with RD. He also reveals that he established the charity as a reflection of his own childhood, since he came from humble beginnings too.

Aside from this emerging Filipino pride worldwide, the December 2009 also features other Asians like Sharifah Mazlina, Malaysia’s first woman to hike the Arctic and Antlantic; Marina Mahathir, a women’s rights activist and blogger; and Singapore’s William Tan, a paraplegic and a world record holder for fastest person to complete seven marathons.

This feat is actually the second recognition Diether has received in 2009 for K.I.D.S. In fact, earlier this year, this 33-year-old actor’s humanitarian efforts got him a special invitation from Harvard University to attend the On-Campus Conference Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR).

There is no doubt; Philippine actor cum activist Diether Ocampo is a modern-day Filipino hero. Leaving the recent spotlight with a remarkable line, he says “If you can initiate positive change in your own country, then you can inspire positive change worldwide”.

Getting to Know the Filifamous: PINOY PRIDE WORLDWIDE

Over the years, we are able to witness the Filipino spirit survive over endless battles and crises. We have a beautiful country with people of unmatched values, service and hard work. Proudly speaking, these Filipino traits are not only limited within our country; these are recognized worldwide. With that, it is truly amazing how Filipino achievers across the globe continue to make their mark here and abroad.

Most Filifamous (portmanteau word of “Filipinos” and “famous”) may be of a mix descent. It does not really matter whether these achievers are half or full-blooded Filipinos. As long as they have the courageous blood of Rizal in their veins, their achievements will still make millions of Filipinos around the globe proud.

It will be inaccurate to assume that Filipinos only excel in one thing. Most of our kababayans are done proving themselves world-class in many fields. We tend to excel in an array of endeavors because of two main things: First, we are flexible enough to adapt easily to different environments. This is brought about by our initiative to cope with even the most adverse situation. That initiative is also armed with our unbounded love for the family that triggers us to work hard and grab every opportunity - regardless of the sacrifices. Second, we really have this innate prowess to be the best in any field. This is because we are generally intelligent and creative people endowed with all the necessary skills.

We all need to be reminded once in a while why we should be proud to be a Filipino. To speak of, there are countless stories of Filipinos who have risen from rags to riches in different industries. This time, we are about to highlight some of them with respect to their field and expertise.
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1 Filipinos are able to conquer the MUSIC SCENE.

Who won’t recognize Allan Pineda, also known as Apl.de.Ap. of the Black Eyed Peas? This excellent hip-hop musician and record producer actually has a Filipino mother and an African father. His Filipino culture is evident in his songs The Apl Song, Elephunk, Mama Filipina, Take you to the Philippines and the popular Bebot. These singles are topping hits in the Philippines and in other Asian countries as well.

Next on the list is the multi-talented lead vocalist of the girl group who popularized the English version of Jai-Ho! (You are My Destiny), a hit song from the film A Slumdog Millionaire. Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls dominates the music industry as a self-confessed half-Pinay. She has her Filipino blood from her pure-Filipino father and a Hawaiian-Russian descent from her mother. Joining the PCD burlesque group is the start of her blooming career as a record artist. She, together with the rest of the PCD, conquers worldwide status with their tracks such as Don’t Cha, Buttons, and StickWitU.

A rags-to-riches type of story is undoubtedly reflected by the victory of the recently debuted vocalist of American rock band, The Journey. Arnel Pineda - a full blooded Filipino from Sampaloc, Manila - rose from poverty by just luck and talent. He joined a lot of singing bands in the Philippines just to earn a living. His difficulties were ended when a member of The Journey asked him to take the auditions for their lead vocals. By early 2008, the world already recognized him and his distinct Filipino voice as he became an official member of the said band.

Charice Pempengco of Laguna is also a perfect example. She began competing in amateur singing contests at age seven, from town fiestas in their province to several vocal competitions on TV (ABS-CBN’s Little Big Star). She rose to extreme popularity via YouTube. After singing Dreamgirls’ “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” in a South Korean talent show, she was invited to showcase Filipino talent at the Hollywood shows of Ellen Degeneres, Oprah Winfrey and Paul O’Grady. She also got to work with international singers like Andrea Bocceli, Celine Dion, David Archuleta and David Foster.

2 Filipinos also excel in the PERFORMING ARTS.

Popularly known as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical series, Vanessa Anne Hudgens entered the limelight with a Filipino blood. She was born in California to a native Pinay mom (with Chinese and Spanish descent as well) and a Native American dad. After the HSM series since 2006, her TV guestings in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Quintuplets, and Still Standing became more frequent.

Lalaine Anne Paras, a.k.a. Miranda Sanchez in the Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire, is a pure Filipina pride. Her parents were from Batangas and Pamapanga. Her acting career started when she was a cast in the Broadway production of Les Miserables. Besides playing Miranda, she also took the lead in the movie Royal Kill. She was not just an actress, but a singer and a spokesperson as well.

The man who starred on the Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and the Hot Chicks undeniably influenced Hollywood with his comedy. Born on San Francisco, California to a half-Filipina mother and a non-Filipino father, Rob Schneider successfully made it to Hollywood as an excellent actor and a comedian; then later as a famous screenwright and director.

3 Filipinos also hold their distinction in CULINARY ARTS.

The most famous in this discipline is no other than Cristeta Comerford, the current White House Executive Chef. She is a 47-year-old Sampaloc, Manila-born Filipina who serves in the White House since 1995. Within more than a decade of working as an executive chef, she has already served the Clintons, the Bushes, and now the Obamas. Her mastery in the science of cooking is a product of her MaScian upbringing, as well as her degree in Food Technology at the UP Diliman.

4 Filipinos dominate the DANCE ARENA as well.

“Let’s give it up for the JabbaWockeeZ!” This six-man hip hop group impressed not only the judges of the reality show America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC), but also different people across the globe. This group received an incredible amount of exposure and success after emerging as the 2008 ABDC’s champion. Filipinos once again took pride since three of this jaw-dropping dance crew are pure-blooded Filipinos: Chris Gatdula, Joe Larot and Rynan Paguio. These three were also given appearances in the movie Step Up 2.

Our very own Philippine All-Stars never fail the Filipinos in elevating the status of dancers in the Philippines. For too long, dancers here are considered second-rate performers. Through their efforts, they share in a movement that strives to unite and inspire this generation through Faith, Hip-hop, and Love. Placing the Philippines on the map of hip-hop dancing, they capture back-to-back World Gold Titles in several international competitions.

5 Filipinos carve name in the FASHION INDUSTRY.

Monique Lhuillier became a prominent fashion designer in the US. She was born to Michel J. Lhuillier, a Filipino businessman of partial French descent and Amparito Llamas, a Filipina society figure and former model of Spanish-Cebuana descent. Her breakthrough in this industry came after she designed the gowns for her wedding entourage that captured the fancy of couture circles. By then, Britney Spears, Hillary Duff and other well-known people came to her to design their gowns.

Hollywood celebs Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Angelina Jolie, and Mariah Carey have one thing in common: top celebrity make-up artist Filipino American Mally Roncal. She is currently one of Hollywood’s most in-demand make-up artists and the top stylist for popular beauty magazines. She is also a featured personality in the world’s most circulated publications such as Cosmo and Allure.
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See, Filipinos are definitely oozing with talents. Recognizing these World-class Pinoys is not about discovering the greatness in others, but the greatness in each of us. We are not far behind other races when we speak of talent and intellectual abilities. Given the correct guidance, motivation and character training, any Filipino can practically excel in all kinds of endeavor. We just have to put our hearts and minds to any discipline, added with enough interest and determination to excel in things that shall contribute to the pride of the Filipino people.

A Free Ticket to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame


I guess it’s true that in every trip, there are certain things that you are obliged to do. Even if you make it all the way to Hollywood California without tendencies in motion pictures or even celebrity spotting, visiting the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame seems a compulsory.

You may think that this place is secluded from the jam-packed area of Hollywood. But as described by those who live near there, your hunch is certainly a no-no. “If you start walking down the Hollywood Boulevard, before long you will simply become aware that there are star-shaped steps along the sidewalk beneath your feet,” says a near villager Red Mezz.

With all the glamour that surrounds this incredibly well-known attraction of Hollywood, there is certainly much more about this famous walkway. Dating back to its origins, the Walk of Fame began only as a part of Hollywood Improvement Program as a way to generate some business for a certain company in California. The proposal gained support, so the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce eventually chose 1,558 names from the worlds of radio, recording, television and film to become the first honorees. By 1994, more than 2,000 of the original stars were filled and additional stars extended the famed walkway.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame serves as an entertainment museum, a nearly three-and-a-half-mile (or equivalently 5.6 km) round-trip walk. It is currently embedded with more than 2,000 five-pointed stars. These stars feature the names of not only human celebrities, but also fictional characters honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the entertainment industry.

Each embedded star, which is actually the place’s trademark, consists of a pink terrazzo five-pointed star with bronze edges. Inside the pink star is the name of the honoree inlaid in bronze, below which is a round emblem indicating the category for which the honoree received the star.

The five main emblems with their corresponding categories are the following: Motion picture camera for contributions in film industry; Television set for broadcast television industry; Phonograph record for recording industry; Radio microphone for broadcast radio industry; and Twin comedy/tragedy masks for live theater industry. But there are a few exceptions like Disneyland’s star that has an emblem of a building, as well as the Apollo XI Mission crew with an emblem of four identical moons.

If you are wondering how to get into the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, then you must excel in one of the entertainment industries. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Walk of Fame Committee is responsible for selecting a new group of entertainers each year to receive stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In order for a celebrity to finally get that much-awaited-star, (s)he must attend a presentation ceremony and must give a current fee of $25,000 for the walkway’s maintenance and repair. (What a huge amount! :P)

Despite the strange fact about the nomination process, the Walk of Fame is also an excellent place to get cheesy Hollywood souvenirs. Shops along the Hollywood Boulevard actually sell almost everything – from salt shakers to coffee mugs.

The Walk of Fame obviously involves a lot of walking if you really want to enjoy the walkway’s setting. However, the tiresome walk may be outweighed by the awesome experience of walking on the same path where famous celebrities used to step on too. I bet you do not want to miss the witty photo moments with Mickey Mouse, Spider Man and Bugs Bunny along the classic Hollywood Walk of Fame, do you? :)

Best of Both Worlds


“If you don’t know how to love yourself, then you don’t know what true love is.”

It’s amazing how this true-blue Atenean lives his life to the fullest with just breathing in the beauty of who he really is. Armed with the concept of self-love, he strives to be the best of himself especially in the big realms of fashion and career.

Born on the 26th of July, 18-year-old Jose Paolo Natividad Carlos considers his fashion life as an adventurous and experimental tale resembling that of the Ugly Duckling.

“Back then, every time I look in the mirror, all I see is an unattractive skinny boy. Lampa, ‘pare. Lampa!” Yes, he was not an athletic type of kid, as we supposed all boys must be. He played basketball, but he seemed inept at that supposedly-active-game back then.

The hitch did not cease there. Studying in an all-boy school must be a pressure for Paolo. Surrounded by boys of handsome to less-handsome range, the desire to stand out and be the Adonis among them all is perhaps dynamic for every boy. But in his case, it was different. “I didn’t feel envious to any person. Caring for how you look is not about “OMG-he’s-groovy-so-shall-I” mindset. It is actually about how you inspire your own self.”

Bearing this in mind, Paolo faced the turning point in his fashion life excellently. When he was in grade seven, his cousins helped him to break free from his same old look. His cousins, who are proprietors of a fashion boutique, served as his fashion consultants. “They dressed me up. They even gave me tips about clothing. Yeah mehn!” Indeed, it was his breakthrough.

Until now, Paolo cares about his peculiar style to maintain such a pleasing aura. “I like to keep my body fit,” he says. He works out regularly in the gym, he engages himself to swimming, and yes, he follows his own diet. “I often set my diet into three groups: diet for a reason, a season, and a lifetime. Panis ‘pare!” His diet categories may sound a little funny, but he brilliantly gives justice to them. “Diet for a reason includes proteins. It is a necessity to keep your body well-built. Diet for a season includes pastries. You don’t want to ruin your sexy body, do you? Lastly, diet for a lifetime includes carbohydrates. It’s our source of energy, ‘pare.”

Besides himself, Taylor Lautner and Gerard Butler inspire him a lot. He likes Taylor Lautner’s (the famous Jacob Black in the Twilight Sagas) appeal. “You know what, I have Lautner’s chest,” he jokes. As much as he likes Lautner, Gerard Butler’s looks plus intelligence (Butler has a law career) also captures his admiration. “There will come a time, we three will have parallel universes. Oh yeah,” he nods.

He is definitely knowledgeable in the elegance-keeping scheme of one’s self. What’s more interesting, he also strives for the best career in the future. He is a freshman taking up Management Economics (MECO) in the Ateneo. When asked about his future plans within the next four to five years, he sees himself studying even more. After graduating from the said course, he intends to take up a graduate course in Communications. “Only some have the guts to take a grad course. So, when I pursue one, it will be a big advantage already – bonus ‘ika nga.” He even shares a testimonial from his dermatologist, “My derma once told me that I really have this yabang and the logic to become a future lawyer.”

After all the stresses in studying, he would want to have an independent life. Many girls would surely want to know what type of lady Paolo wants to be with. Does he want a fabulous fashionista, or a lawyer perhaps? “Hmm. I’m different now. Back in high school, I just based on the physical appearance. Today, I look into the outside as well as the inside personality of a person. But basically, I want an independent, smart and appreciative woman.” Alright, Atenean girls, watch out! “By the way, school does not make your personality; it is you who make yourself,” he grinned.

So, what more can you ask for? He will surely rock the fashion and career world in no time. There is no need to ask – Paolo has definitely got the best of both worlds.