Two New Angels in the World Monday, Sep 14 2009

“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.”- Anonymous

I really, really, badly need to read and follow David Allen’s best selling book, “Getting Things Done”.   I guess, the delay in updating my blog is a self-explanation why that book must be in my reading list.

Two people who are very close to me are born on the ninth month of the year.    First is my Mother in law who celebrated her 76th birthday last September 2 and my sister who receive birthday cakes every 8th of September.

Two new angels were born in the first week of September.  On  the 1st of this month, my friend from La Union, Ray Duclayan became a first time father when his lovely baby Hannah Kendra was born.   My wish for the baby is for her to grow up and fulfill the meaning of her name.  Hannah is of Jewish origin meaning “Grace” while Kendra is of Old English origin meaning, “Magical Water Baby”.

Beck’s friend, Mrs. Philippines-World Donnabel Deinla gave birth to her second child, this time a daughter and was given a very unique name, Qristine Vernadeth.   This early, it can be seen that beauty does run in the family of the Filipina beauty queen.

Congratulations to the two of you, my friend Ray and to Ms. Donnabel!

Baby Hannah Kendra Duclayan

Baby Qristine Vernadeth Deinla

The new baby under the loving arms of her mom, Mrs. Philippines-World Donnabel Deinla.  With her are Beck, Mrs. Universe-1st Runner up Camilla Kim Galvez and fellow Mrs. Philippines finalist, Dr. Karen Mauri.

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Forever Young Thursday, Sep 3 2009

“The basic things are losing their value
And the pace of life is so complex
The people around me feel the pressure
But I’ll remain forever young
They want more than they need and
They give more than they could bleed
They feel they’re next in line yet I’ll
Remain forever young

I control the hands of time- much to the
Majority’s dismay
If you’d leave me behind- im a picture
Painted in black and gray
But my colors are inside- when it’s just
Too difficult to see
And I just feel alive- this means so much
To me

Young!! young!! – holding on and taking
Grasp
- a vow that I will last
- ive learned so much from the past
- I’ll remain forever young-  Bob Dylan, Forever Young”

The dreary world of endless routine-work, reading/studying, eating, going home and sleeping- prevented me from writing, despite the many thoughts and ideas that hover around my head.    And I just realized that its been almost a month since I last made an entry to this online journal.   Perhaps by serendipity, while waiting for my daughter to finish her karate class in AAK Megamall, I chance upon an art exhibit sponsored by Gallery Genesis featuring Toti Cerda’s watercolor paintings.  It’s a collection of art works that evokes memories of one’s childhood.  The exhibit is aptly titled, Forever Young.

Each painting in the exhibit seemed to be mirrors to vividly remembered childhood events when life is extremely simple and the world is a lot different.  Perhaps this is the artist’s way of communicating to parents and grown ups that we should allow our children to enjoy childhood, in the same way that we enjoyed it when we were young.    I may not be able to cite statistics but I know a lot of parents today have put considerable amount of pressure on their children by expecting them to achieve things at an early age.   Children will only be young once, then its lost forever.  Parents should learn how to balance between training or ensuring that their children will have a bright future by “starting them young” and by letting their kids be kids.      Also, perhaps the paintings are Toti Cerda’s way of reminding parents that the environment and surroundings that they grew up with are fast disappearing and that we must find ways of preserving them so that their children can also enjoy it.

My favorite painting in the exhibit is the painting of five young kids walking along a grassy plain, titled “Tutubi Gang”.  First, except for the human figures, the grasses were painted almost in the style of Monet’s post impressionism.  (Claude Monet is my favorite painter).  Second, I have countless fond memories of crossing grassy plains with my childhood friends in search for dragonflies, firelies, and spiders.   We have no care whether the grass will make us itchy or for any thorns or broken pieces of trees that could scratch us or for anything that we might step on, be it mud or animal dung.

The painting below is Beck’s favorite, as this brings back memories of her younger years when she and her two siblings would use the wall of their house as one big blackboard.

Very often, I would pity my daughter for not experiencing the simple joy of playing in the rain.    I think this is one of the privileges enjoyed by children born to poor families, myself included.   Middle and upper class parents would not let their children go out in the streets and have the pleasure of playing in the rain.

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60th Anniversary RP-Thai Diplomatic Relations Thursday, Jun 25 2009

On the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the friendly relations between Philippines and Thailand no less than the Minister of Culture of Thailand the Hon.  Teera Slukpetch graced the said event.   Fittingly, Bangkok’s sister City, The City of Manila and its Mayor Alfredo Lim spearheaded the celebration.

Two beauties from the land of smile.

These cultural performers  were flown all the way from Chiang Mai, Thailand just for this occassion.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim giving a gift to Thai Minister of Culture Teera Slukpetch.  Thai Ambassador to the Philippines Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya looks at the exchanging of gifts ceremony.

Perhaps the most applauded part of the program is the performance of the traditional Thai puppet play Hun Lakhon Lek.   In this intricate art form, each puppet are controlled by three puppeteers all of whom are classically trained dancers and would move in unison with all of the movements being performed by the puppet.    I think in Bangkok, the only place where one can see a live performance of traditional Thai puppet play is in Joe Louis Restaurant in Suan Lum Night Bazaar (which is a sad reminder that this is a dying art form in Thailand).    Filipinos who were able to watched this during the celebration should consider themselves lucky.

Here, the puppeeters are controlling a puppet of the playful Hindu monkey God Hanuman.

The other puppet is that of Sita, of the Hindu epic Ramayana.  These puppets shows the influence of Indian art, culture and religion on Thailand.

The puppets “paying” their respects to Mayor Lim and to Minister Slukpetch

The Thai dance troupe making their curtain call

Performers from the reknown Sining Lahi Cultural Dance Troupe from Rajah Lakandula High School performed several Filipino folk dances.

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Mizuno Infinity Run 2009 Wednesday, Jun 10 2009

“We are different, in essence, from other men.  If you want to win something, run 100 meters.  If you want to experience something, run a marathon”- Emil Zatopek,  Gold Medalist-Marathon, 1952 Olympics-Helsinki

One item in my “Bucket List or Things Do Before I Die” is to finish the Maratona Della Citta di Roma wearing a Philippine flag designed shirt by March of 2012 (depending on my finances).  And to work towards that goal, I decided to do my first race, the Mizuno Infinity Run 2009 which was held last Sunday, June 7, at the Bonifacio High Street in Global City, Taguig.    There are 3 race distances: 5k, 10k and 15k run.

Since I’ve been running 3 to 4km as a warm up for my muay thai training and I figured that 5k might be easy, but since it will be my first road race, 15k might be too much and settled for 10k.    Beck also joined the Infinity Run and signed up for the 5k race.

Perhaps the organizers of the Infinity Run have offered several dozens of eggs to the nuns of Monasterio De Sta. Clara for the weather cooperated and the rain clouds that hovered around Metro Manila for 3 days before Sunday have disappeared.

The 15k run started at 5:30a.m., the 10k at 6a.m. and the 5k at 6:30a.m.  For the 10k race, the route is from Bonifacio High Street-11th Ave (the street between Serendra and Bonifacio High Street)-McKinley Parkway then right turn to Lawton Ave, then left turn to 32nd Street up to the Kalayaan Flyover, down to Gil Puyat Ave all the way to Nicanor Garcia St.    The u-turn for the 10k race is at Nicanor Garcia and runners would take the same route back to Bonifacio High Street.

My target time is to run 10k under 1 hour.   I paced myself during the first 5km, as I have not yet done any run longer than this I still don’t know how fast I can go without my lungs giving up.   I reached the 5km u-turn in in about 25 minutes and felt a big boost since I am on track in meeting my target time.   However, on the way up to the Kalayaan flyover, I experienced stinging sensations on both my feet.  Dreaded blisters have formed and every step I make is painful.   This really slowed down my pace and felt really frustrated to see some runners pass me by.   At the last 2km mark, I want to increase my speed but I am concerned that it might exacerbate the blisters.

I remove my stops and concerns for my feet when I reached the last 1km,  to hell with the blisters, anyway, the finish line is just a few minutes away.     My official time is 1 hr and 5 minutes, a full 5 minute short of my target.  Not bad for first time runner going for the 10k, but still, I failed to reached my goal.

After the race, Beck and I still on runner’s high and signed up for the GIG (Green is Good) Run this June 28 at UP-Diliman.  This time, I’ll ensure that I’ll be wearing Darlington Socks (yeah, yeah, I’m a Manny Pacquiao fan, but is there any Pinoy who’s not a fan of his?).

The last 300 meters of the run

My official time is 1hr and 5 min.  I missed my target by a full 5 minutes.  Better luck next race.

After the run, friends and runners shared laughter and run as they experience the euphoric feeling of “runners’ high”.

It was also a good day to bond with your family.  While Beck and I are in the race, RP also ran around Bonifacio High Street with our German Shepherd “Anubis”.    It was RP’s choice to name our youngest family member after the Egyptian God of the Underworld, reflecting her interest with Egyptian mythology and archeology.

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Beck in Metro Magazine April Issue Saturday, Apr 18 2009

Allow me to interrupt my series of articles about our Luzon Road Trip last Holy Week.

Beck was interviewed last February by Metro Magazine for an article about muay thai which will be included in the April 2009 issue.    And since the photographer and writer of the article asked me not to make any post or picture of the said interview that would preempt the said article, I never mentioned anything about it in my blog.

We were on our way to Vigan coming from Baguio and Sagada and we had a stop over in La Union (to visit a friend and also for lunch).    Along the highway, there’s Max’s San Fernando-La Union and that’s where we decided to have our lunch.  Fortunately, this branch of Max’s also sells magazines and among them is Metro Mag.

Needless to say I purchased a copy and got a big kick out of showing it to the restaurant personnel who served us.

Now, I’m really envious of Beck.   Never been interviewed by a glossy lifestyle magazine before.  Paging Men’s Health and Action and Fitness Magazine.  He he he.

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Holy Week 2009-Reason for the Trip Monday, Apr 13 2009

The global economic recession is taking its toll on almost everybody in this planet.  I deem that it will be very imprudent if me and my family will spend our Holy Week vacation in another country in this very trying time.   We originally planned to go to Vietnam (to tour the city of Hanoi and Ha Long Bay) and Cambodia (for what else, the Angkor Wat) but for austerity measures, we decided to do the North Luzon road trip that my family have planned last December instead.   I think our country has its beauties that are at par with those foreign tourist spots.

So off to North Luzon we go with Sagada and Vigan as our primary itinerary.   As always I wanted to make it an educational cum bonding trip with my daughter. Besides, she deserves a reward for doing good in school and is one again the first honor in her grade level.

Like father like daughter.   In February, I wrote an article about Moon River being the most romantic song for me and that it is the only song that I can play on the piano.   I was pleasantly surprised when this song will be performed by the students of RP’s school during their graduation.    RP playing Moon River on keyboards together with her fellow students.

First honor for 4 years in a row.

Time to celebrate.  We were in this exactly in this same spot, in this same restaurant in March of 2008 when we celebrated RP’s being hailed as first honor for the Grade 3 level.

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A Good Year Friday, Jan 16 2009

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the places and moments that take our breath away-Anonymous

Having the same philosophical belief with Jean Paul Sartre poses a problem.  If you are receiving so much blessings in life, whom do you give thanks to?

It all started with the movie, The Bucket List (see my article written on Feb. 14, 2008, titled “TheBucket List”).   Then I made my own list of things to do before I “kick the bucket.”  And started on my quest to cross of the items written in the list.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

Here are the items in my Bucket List or Things To Do Before I Die that I crossed out in 2008.

1.  See the Colosseum and the ruins of Imperial Rome

In 1985, a TV series titled Anno Domini was aired in Channel 7 and I closely followed it, even though, I don’t fully understand its plot (hey, I was 10 yrs old).    That series bolstered my love of history and since that day, have always wanted to visit the ruins of an empire whose achievements, arts, engineering feats and other  influences can still be seen up until this day.

2. Enter St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican City.

Vatican City holds the distinction of being the smallest sovereign country in the world.   But I think this Holy City should also be honored as the only country that is also a museum.

Though St. Peter’s Basilica no longer holds the honor of being the largest Christian church, its rich and glorious history will always be a part of its halls, corridors and nave.

3. Throw a coin and make a wish at the Fontana De Trevi.

The romantic in me made me include throwing a coin in a fountain immortalized by a song and a Hollywood movie.

4.  Visit and tour the Louvre (corollary to this is to see the actual Mona Lisa and to do a tour of the Da Vinci Code).

What’s in a name?  So wrote William Shakespeare.    Perhaps the Francophone origin of my name has such an effect on me that I love almost everything French (have read a lot of books about its history, have studied its language, never missed the French Spring in Manila and even my favorite philosopher and painter are French).  Since I was in Grade 2, I’ve been dreaming to visit Paris at least once in my lifetime.   And a visit to the city of lights is incomplete without visiting three sites:  The Louvre, The Arc de Triomphe and The Eiffel Tower

5.  See an actual painting of Claude Monet, my favorite painter for the past 16 years.

Our time in France is extremely short, thus we can’t make a trip to Giverny to see Claude Monet’s home and garden.   Good thing that the Louvre has several Claude Monet paintings on display and I was able to fulfill this item.

By the way, I made two paintings that were done in the post-impressionism style of Claude Monet.  I just hope that the person who received those paintings as a gift have kept it.

6.  Explore a foreign city that I’ve never been to before, without asking for any directions , without any guide and without getting lost.

Inside our family car, I am known as Pierre The Navigator for my (ahem) skills (?) in map reading (Beck is the one who drive).   And we would travel to different provinces without asking for any directions, with just a map to help us find our way.

I made a challenge to myself to explore a foreign city, that I’ve never been to, with just a map as our guide and I will not ask for any directions, without getting lost.     And I was able to pull this off.  And what made this sweeter is the thought that I achieved this, in the city of my dreams: Paris.

Beck and RP standing on a bridge that connects  Ile De la Cite to the rest of Paris.  At the background is the famous Notre Dame Cathedral.

7.  Enjoy a two-hour meal at a Paris street side cafe

8.  Pay homage to the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte, my childhood hero.

“Whatever is the outcome of this contest, I will still buy French wine, specifically beaujolais.  My life is incomplete without French wine.  In victory, I deserve it.  In defeat, I need it. “-   Pierre Cantillero when asked by David Celdran what he will do with the Php500,000.00 cash prize in the Grand Finals of Battle of the Brains, Year 5.

That line I quoted during the Grand Finals of Battle of the Brains in 1997 was a paraphrase of Winston Churchill’s words in praise of champagne.  But he also “borrowed” it from Napoleon Bonaparte, the historical figure that is most synonymous with France.

Here’s a bit of trivia:  Napoleon Bonaparte is the historical figure that is portrayed the most number of times in movies.   As of last count, he was featured in 194 movies; beating Jesus Christ with 152 movies and Abraham Lincoln with 137.

Me and RP in front of the sarcophagus of Napoleon Bonaparte

9.  See the Eiffel Tower

The iconic symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower.   As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to see this in person.

10.  Climb the top of Arc de Triomphe and take pictures of the Paris city scape.

The Arc de Triomphe is the second largest triumphal arch in the world.  Its so tall that it takes 284 steps to climb to the top of this arch, or the equivalent of a 16 storey building.

I’m not someone who shed tears easily.  But tears are swelling in my eyes when I saw the city scape of Paris and the 12 major city avenues that surround the arch.   It’s been my childhood dream to see this.

11.  Make a TV appearance/guesting with all of the local TV networks.

Last March, I wrote about Channel 7 being the only major local network in which I have not “appeared/guested” in.   Then two months later, I received an invitation by the Kapuso TV show, 100% Pinoy to be their guest as they will be making a documentary/feature on pinoys who joined and were successful in different kinds of competition.

12.  Watch the complete The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in one sitting.

Being in front of the boob-tube for 10 hours is not an endeavor worthy to be part of anybody’s Bucket List (unless you’re a couch potato).    But LOTR is such a marvelous movie that I have long planned to watch it in one sitting.    And I was able to do this on the eve of Dec. 24, 2008.

Twelve Bucket List items in 12 months, its a good start.  Telve items, down, 89 items to go.   Hope to cross some more items in 2009.

Crossing off items in my Bucket List are not the only things that made 2008 a very good year.   The following are some of the notable events that happened this year

1.  RP, for the third year in a row, is the first honor in her school and received 7 of the 15 special awards.   It must be the genes, he he he.

2.  Spending my birthday with the Philippine muay thai team in Bangkok and with the three biggest names in muay thai; Kaew Fairtex, Naruepol Fairtex and Yodsanklai Fairtex.

3.  Renewing my friendship with Oliver Tungol.  The problem with me is that although it will take so much and the reason will have to be too severe for me to be angry with somebody,  I keep grudges that would last for years.

I foolishly harbored a deep resentment over a friend, who has no  idea that such ill feeling exist.  Good thing that Oliver and I were able to patch things up and remain good friends.

Oliver Tungol is one of the best quizzers of my generation and he is also a visionary for organizing a club of quiz enthusiasts that produced several quiz champions, among them, Richard Pante, Percival Biadora, Emmanuel Simbulan and Lingwi Valguna.

I maybe criticized for putting too much credit to my quiz group, but I think I am entitled to this opinion.   Before Oliver Tungol and his PUP Quizzer’s Circle, there’s no PUP in the quiz map.   Let it be put on record.

4.  Of course, Beck winning the 2009 Mrs. Philippines-Asia Title.   This for me is the biggest achievement of my family for this year.  Need I say more?

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My Best Friend’s Wedding Tuesday, Jan 6 2009

It was a series of unfortunate events.  My best friend Christian’s  wedding was scheduled at 8:00a.m. , December 23, 2008 in Leisure Farms, Lemery, Batangas.   (Like who, would schedule a wedding at 8:00a.m. on a weekday, in Batangas when almost all of your guests are based in Manila…only my best friend).

Because of Beck’s engagements, we got home late the night before.   The alarm clock of our maid didn’t  sounded off, because of which, Beck and I overslept.   As part of the entourage, I have to be in the wedding venue at 7a.m. … Beck and I woke up at 6:30a.m.   To add to the problem,  our maid forgot to look for my barong which left me no choice but to wear a long sleeved shirt in a wedding with a Filipiniana motif.  Before we left our house, Beck suddenly had a bum stomach and has to answer nature’s call even though she’s already all dressed up.    Then, when we were  already driving for 10 minutes, I got a call from our maid telling us that we forgot the wedding gift.  So we have no recourse but to make a U-turn to get it.    In the end, Beck and I were 2 hours late for the wedding.   The bride and groom, the entourage and all of the guests are already on their way from the garden wedding venue to the reception at the club house of Leisure Farms.  If not for the two religious services (one Catholic and one Baptist) which prolonged the wedding ceremony,  we might even be late for the reception.  When we arrived at the wedding venue, I realized that I forgot my DSLR camera.    Did I mentioned that it was a series of unfortunate events?

I didn’t know that I’m supposed to give a speech and hopefully, I have done a good job even though I am not prepared.  In my speech I mentioned about an interview done by WWE wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson wherein he was asked, what is the thing that he is afraid of.  This professional wrestling champion didn’t answered the question directly, instead he said “You know the stupidest thing I ever did?… was to talk back to my wife”.    If a man of The Rock’s stature have said this, what makes Christian think that men of lesser mettle, like me and him, would be an exemption.

Then I told to everybody in attendance that being Christian’s best buddy since high school, I sort of know what he will do and what he will NOT do.   And being somebody with an overdose of testosterone, Christian will never ever, make a flower garden.  Last October, Christian invited me to go to Batangas to plant some flowers at their vacant lot at the Leisure Farms.  Christian would like to have a garden wedding, that is a garden planted by Christian’s own hands.    That Saturday in October, under the hot noon sun, I looked at Christian, all sweaty and laboring to plant some flowers and ornamental plants so that two months later, he would have a garden wherein he will marry the woman of his dreams.  Love does change people.

Finally, I shared to Christian and Rose about the passage in The Bible about the story of Naomi and Ruth and should be their vow to each other.   Although this was an exchange between a daughter in law and her mother in law, I think this is also applicable to husbands and wives.   In Christianity’s holy book, Ruth said to Naomi “Don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you.   Where you will go,  I will go and where you stay, I will stay.   Your people will be my people and you God will be my God.    Where you die, I will die and there I will be buried.  May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

Congratulations, Christian and Rose!!!

From left to right:  Daniel (Christian brother), Christian’s father, Christian, Rose (the lovely bride), Beck and me.

Beck and me with the Presidential daughter, Ms. Luli Arroyo-Bernas.   Ms. Luli is a close friend of the bride, Atty. Rose King.  When Christian and Rose told me that the most well liked among the Presidential children will be attending, I recounted my most unforgettable encounter with Ms. Luli.

I had the privilege of meeting, in various occasions and capacity, Gov. Bong Bong Marcos, Kris Aquino, Jo Ramos and Cristy Ramos, who are all children of previous Philippine Presidents.  But the most memorable, or should I say embarrassing, is the encounter I have with Ms. Luli Arroyo.

It was in 1998,  I was one of the leaders of Lakas ng Kabataan para kay De Venecia (LAKAD), the youth arm of Jose De Venecia’s presidential campaign.   My group will be attending a General Assembly of the Kabataang Kaibigan ni Gloria Macapagal (KKGM) which is the youth arm of the then Sen. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s vice-presidential campaign, at Max’s Roces Ave Branch.    I am seated together with the leaders of the two organizations, and right across me is Ms. Luli Arroyo.    I tried to open a conversation with her and for reasons up until now, I could not comprehend, I uttered, “You know, you look better on TV than in person”.  Then I had a jolt of electricity and I wanted to have the power of Sue Richards, The Invisible Girl.   I know I uttered the wrong words, what I meant to say was, she is much lovelier in person that on TV.  Ms. Luli,  just smiled and said that what I said doesn’t sound right.  And I don’t know what words to say to ease a very awkward situation.

Because of that faux pas, I wanted to leave immediately and so I hurriedly finished my plate and stepped outside.   A few minutes later, I saw  the head of LAKAD, Lyndon Daz together with Ms. Luli walking towards my direction.  Lyndon introduced me to Ms. Luli as this and that. The ever amiable Ms. Arroyo just smiled and said, “Yeah, we’ve met.”

Perhaps to play a good practical joke on me, Christian and Rose have me seated on the same table with Ms. Luli Arroyo.   This time I really watched my tongue or else I will go down in history as the most tactless person in the face of the Earth.

Just like what is often written in newspapers, Ms. Luli Arroyo is a very down to earth and unassuming person.  Beck, Christian Dad and myself have personally witnessed Ms. Arroyo’s humility.     Unlike most children of government officials, she doesn’t put her weight around.   Ms. Luli Arroyo-Bernas is a CLASS ACT and should be an example to be emulated by us all.

Thank you very much, Mr. Luigi Bernas!  There was sort of a quiz wherein guests have to answer the official names of popular professional football teams (Christian’s favorite sport.  When he went to Barcelona last summer to watch a football game, he’s in heaven).   Mr. Bernas was able to give the most number of correct answers and as a reward, our table were given bottles of merlot.

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Rebekah Cantillero, 2009 Mrs. Philippines-Asia Monday, Dec 22 2008

I was coaching/training Beck with some of the possible questions that might be asked during the Q and A portion of the pageant.  Being a beauty pageant afficionado and having judged several small time pageants, I sort of have an idea of the kind of questions that are asked in these events.   One possible question I thought of is, “Among the mothers/woman in the world/history, who is your role model or who do you look up to?”  I told Beck that I think the best answer should be Hillary Clinton, because she was able to surpass the two biggest challenges that any wife can deal with.  That is to keep the family intact in the aftermath of her husband’s infidelity and,  being able to step out of her husband’s shadow and be recognized for her own achievements.

Don’t get me wrong, in fact I am extremely proud of Beck winning a major title in a prestigious beauty pageant (isn’t it obvious from the number of photos I posted in this blog?).  I’m even very supportive of her joining this competition (to all my inaanaks, all of my 13th month pay and Christmas bonus went to this, so better luck next year, he he he).  But I never thought that there will be a time that my wife will be more famous than me (as if I’m somebody).    My own blog would be a testament to that.  Several hits in my blog came from search engine referrals with “Rebekah Cantillero” as the term being used.      As of last count, there are 8 huge billboards in different parts of Metro Manila (4 in EDSA, 2 in SLEX, the other two in other main thoroughfares of the city) of the pageant that includes a photo of Beck.  The road trip this Christmas that my family and I were planning have to be postponed in line with the activities and gatherings that Beck has to attend.   Used to be, Beck would be introduced as my wife.  Now, I am being introduced as Beck’s husband.

Not that I am complaining but I couldn’t help but remember my own 15 minutes of fame, 11 years ago.   And this prompts me to share with Beck a very valuable piece of wisdom that one of my college professors told me and has helped me remain grounded.  “The real measure of a man’s, or a woman’s, success is not what he gains from it, but by what he becomes by it.” Stay as the humble but intellectual person that RP and I have loved through these years.

Beck with Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2002, Karen Loren Agustin Ostrea.  Ms. Ostrea is one of the judges in this pageant.  She and Ms. Kathering Manalo were my bet in the 2002 Bb. Pilipinas finals.    Hope she considers joining the Mrs. Philippines pageant next year as she will definitely win it.

Beck with Gio Flores, her make up artist.   If there’s somebody who deserves all of our thanks, it has to be Gio.   Without his help, Beck’s strong finish in this pageant will hardly be possible.   It was his choice for Beck to wear the Indian inspired gown she wore that evening.  Like I mentioned in my previous blog entry, he is also a very professional person.  After the pageant, Gio went with us at the victory party at Ascend, Bonifacio High Street.  Gio went home around 3p.m. because he has to do the make up of another beauty queen and celebrity at 5:30a.m., its no other than Precious Lara Quigaman.

Sometimes it is ironic to think that the closest friendships are forged in competitions like this.    Beck with Dr. Karen Mauri ,another candidate and one of the Top 16 finalists, whom she considers her closest friend during the pageant.

Beck with the Philippine Muay Thai Team.  On the right most corner wearing a white polo is the president of Muay Association of the Philippines, Kru Robert Valdez.  Beside him is the Head Coach of the Phil. Muay Thai Team, Kru Billy Alumno.   Ajarn Pudpadnoy is dashing in his barong.

The current beauty queen and the future beauty queen.

The two most important women in my life, Beck and RP

When I was in kindergarten until I’m Grade 1, always say that I want to become the President of the Philippines, and then I’ll marry a Miss Universe title holder.  I guess I married a beauty queen in advance.

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2009 Mrs. Philippines Finals-3rd Batch of Photos Saturday, Dec 20 2008

The third batch of pictures taken from the 2009 Mrs. Philippines pageant.  These photos came from my friend, Mr. Arman Barbuco who is a more talented photographer than I am and has a much better vantage point during the said event.

The presentation of candidates and were serenaded by balladeers, Gian Magdangal and Erik Santos

The presentation of candidates and the hosts of the pageant

The lovely candidates in their evening gowns

Beck in her Indian inspired evening gown that highlighted her statuesque figure and beautiful brown skin

The Final 8 candidates of the Mrs. Philippines pageant

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