10 Things You Should Know About Kim Henares

Kim Henares: The tax woman cometh

“In all my time in government no one has offered to give me five centavos,” says BIR Commissioner Kim Henares.

We all pay taxes. (Or rather, we should all be paying taxes.) It is a pain to pay our monthly VAT and EWHT, and more so our annual tax every April. It is now one woman’s job to be on top of making sure we all file and pay the correct taxes, as well as go after tax evaders and grafters. She is only the third woman to head the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and it is her job to meet the P1.066 trillion collection target this year. We all saw her as the calm, collected, sharp commissioner on the witness stand at the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice. But her life is much more colorful, and cooler, than just numbers. Here are 10 things you should know about BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares.

1. She was a topnotcher in the qualifying exam for accountancy, second honors upon completion of her law degree, and was a B student in Georgetown.

“I was just an average student, a B student,” she humbly says of her Masters in Law in Georgetown. She took up accounting in De La Salle University, then law in Ateneo, before going to Georgetown. She attributes her being good with numbers to the advanced math classes she had in Chinese school growing up, and her interest in law to her high school days when “in our history and political science classes we had debates, and I liked debating.”

She wasn’t always fond of studying though, and in fact had a hard time with her classes until fourth grade. “I had very good teachers who inspired me. If the teacher inspired me, I would do well in those classes. When I didn’t really like the teacher, I didn’t do so well.” She was toying with the idea of taking up medicine or engineering for college, and is actually open to taking up medicine even at this point in her life.

2. A big factor of being an achiever is her growing up in a very conservative family, where she rarely heard praise for achievements. “Sometimes you feel you’re never good enough.”

She agrees with this kind or upbringing, saying that her parents raised her and her three siblings (she is the eldest) to be very humble. “At the end of the day, I think that if you’re really good, somebody else should be the one to say that you are, and not you yourself,” she shares. As a family, she says they are just very conservative, not involved in politics or social events, but instead focused on business. She may have rarely heard compliments from her parents growing up, but she delightfully shares, “We will hear it from somebody else that our parents pala said these praises about us.”

3. On bribery: “In all my time in government, no one has even offered to give me five centavos.”

Commissioner Kim even chuckles while saying that no one has tried to bribe her, considering the common perception that the BIR is one of the most corrupt offices in the government. She explains it the way her husband an Ateneo law graduate, Daniel “Danby” Henares does: “Syempre they will first weigh if there is a possibility that you will accept (a bribe) or not, and if they know you won’t accept it, they won’t even try.” What if someone tries to bribe her? “I’ll file a complaint against him or her,” she states simply. So far there have been no death threats or threats of any kind, and she doesn’t seem surprised because she says that she’s just doing her job. “There’s nothing personal, I’m just making sure the country collects the right taxes so it can spend for its needs.”

She was the deputy commissioner for Commissioner Parayno in 2003, but she resigned four months after he resigned along with the Hyatt 10, when she didn’t see eye to eye with his replacement, Commissioner Bunyag. In 2009, she was helping Senator Noynoy Aquino with his presidential campaign, and upon his election, when he asked her to come on board, she said yes. “What made me agree to work with the President and Sec. Purisima is that we all have a very clear sense of what is right and what is wrong. And we all have a very clear sense of why we are into public service.” She says that it was not hard to say yes to the position, and in fact it would be harder to say no.

4. Comm. Kim in numbers:

100-plus: Number of forms she signs a day.

3: Number of dogs she has. Muncher the Chow-Chow, Cooper the Teacup Pomeranian, and Beamer the Golden Retriever and azkal mix.

6: Number of cars, three of which are convertibles. “My husband’s rule is all cars should be drivable. We use all six — well, he uses all six, not me”

2-plus: Number of years she worked with the World Bank as a senior private sector development specialist, during which she was already helping the BIR on a reform project concerning our $US11 million loan.

11,000: Number of pesos take-home pay per week. She doesn’t need an accountant since she’s a compensation income earner, but she is the accountant of her husband.

5. On how we should deal with corrupt government officials: “I cannot understand why 90-plus million people cannot control 1.3 million people.”

“You know there are only 1.3 million public and civic officers? We are 97 million Filipinos. That’s still 90-plus million left,” she explains. She believes that one official who might want to do something corrupt should not be able to stand a chance against millions of citizens.

When I ask her thoughts on the mentality of some people being reluctant to pay the correct taxes since it might just go straight to the pockets of corrupt officials anyway, she says: “As a citizen, we have two obligations. One, to pay the right taxes. Two, to make sure those taxes go to the right place.” She explains that it is our obligation to make sure that whoever we place in office performs their duties and spends our money correctly. And despite cases of corruption, we must still pay taxes because two wrongs to do not make a right. She also emphasizes the importance of one vote: “You should make your vote count by voting the right person into office.” She strongly believes that the power of the country really rests in all of us.

6. She believes the first-ever impeachment of a Chief Justice is important because “there is a need for the judiciary to reform.”

She says that all three sectors of government should “walk in step.” She shares that they are undertaking reforms in the Executive; that with the presence of younger officials with newer ideas in the Legislative, there is also reform; and that the Judiciary must also reform to complete the whole “reform picture.” “You cannot do reform with just two branches,” she notes. When she went into law, she already knew that she did not want to be a litigation lawyer. She believes in structuring and advising to prevent further mistakes, and that she’d “rather be preventive, than curative.” Her frustration? “Sometimes, it’s not a battle of legal rights. It’s a matter of who you know and how much you can pay, and you keep postponing and postponing. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

7. Her husband Daniel Henares was her first and last boyfriend, and they were good friends for 20 years before they got married.

“All of these things are sometimes destiny,” Commissioner Kim says with a smile. She is introverted, he is extremely extroverted. She shies away from social gatherings, he loves them. But they became the best of friends after they met. They were in the same graduation rites at DLSU but they never met there, and instead, met in Ateneo. How did it cross over from friends to lovers? “My husband is so friendly, you cannot presume that he’s interested! He’s so playboy like all Henareses!” she exclaims laughing. He tells her that he was interested in her the day he met her, but to this day, she shyly dismisses it as pambobola. They lived together for a while, and she says that when he was at the lowest point of his life, she was there for him. “Eventually we realized that we’re for each other,” she says of their wedding in 2001. (Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is actually their wedding godmother.)

Weekends are her time to unwind with her businessman husband, and they like driving out of town to places like Tagaytay. “My husband always wants to accompany me when I have out–of-country conferences, that’s also our bonding time,” she happily shares. They do not have children but they also have no regrets. She believes that what she is doing is also very relevant, making a better future not just for one person, but hopefully for an entire country.

8. Commissioner Kim enjoys activities people think are only for boys: target shooting, and plumbing and carpentry work at home.

She was appointed BIR Commissioner in July 2010 and was given security detail. In February 2011, she took up target shooting. “When I was assigned, the President told me, ‘O, don’t make their life more difficult than it is already,’” she shares. She says she wanted to take up firing because her guards have guns, and in case something happens, she wants to know how to shoot a gun so that she’s not a liability.” She shares that she has all calibers of guns — 9, 40, 45 and even long guns, which are all kept at home in a locked cabinet. Who has the key? “Only me,” she smiles.

One of her law professors once told her that Leos have the tendency to be very technical and mechanical and she agrees. Commissioner Kim enjoys doing handy work at home, and even says “Why should I call a plumber when it’s so easy to do it myself?” The most difficult do-it-yourself job she did that she is most proud of was a cabinet she made from scratch. “This is not the type you assemble, walang guide, I measured, sawed the plywood, painted it, put it up,” she shares.

9. Commissioner Kim’s top tips on handling your money:

1) Have a proper recording of what you earn and what you spend.

2) Make sure to pay taxes diligently. Pay your legal obligations outright so that whatever is left is for you to spend on anything you want.

3) Invest in something that you know about, not in something someone you know just said. Be suspicious of investments that promise too good a return.

10. Though the length of her term will be decided by the President, whether P-Noy or the next, her wish is to not stay for the whole six years.

“My immediate plan is to finish the reform that needs to be done by 2013, so that we’ll know whether it’s working even with me not here,” she explains. She wants to turn it over to somebody else so that there are still a few years to make the necessary adjustments. She plans to create electronic, interactive forms for the BIR this year. Her goal is to make everyone realize how important it is to pay the correct taxes. She wants to strengthen the system in the bureau “so that it is not personality-led, instead it is institution-led reform.”

* * *

During the course of the interview, she mentioned many times how things happen in our life “when they are meant to.” It was always her dream to study abroad but she followed her parents’ wishes to study college and law here in the Philippines. But sure enough, she was able to take her master’s abroad. She shared that time and circumstance made her and husband Daniel realize that they were meant to be together. And now, after being exposed to her family business and the books while growing up, after having taken up Accountancy and Law, after having worked at the BIR and the World Bank, she says, “Everything that happened in my life really prepared me to take on the BIR position.” She shares that all those experiences seem like parts of a jigsaw puzzle, unknowingly preparing her for what life has had in store for her. “If something is really for you, you just have to be patient. It will come.”

http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/780920/kim-henares-tax-woman-cometh

10 Things You Should Know About Richard Gomez

Richard Gomez: Tall, dark, handsome...

 When you think of the ideal “tall, dark and handsome” Filipino man, Richard Gomez immediately comes to mind. He has been tagged as the “Adonis of Philippine Cinema,” and has played leading man to Dawn Zulueta, Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano, Lorna Tolentino and many more premiere actresses. He’s had his fair share of controversies in the industry but has emerged from it all unscathed and, in fact, wiser and happier. Married to a gorgeous woman inside and out and father to a beautiful and talented daughter, his life seems to be just like that in the movies. Here are 10 things you should know about Richard Gomez.

1. Richard first realized he was “good looking” in third grade, when his classmate gave him a love card.

“Nothing happened, but she would just be very nice to me,” he says about the girl who gave him a card. He actually kept the card for some time and since then realized, “ganito pala ‘to.” He never really thought of himself as good looking, except when he would hear his friends and friends of his parents say “Ay, ang guapong bata naman nito.” He felt he also got such reactions because his mother, Stella Suarez, was an actress.

It wasn’t until second year high school that he got his first girlfriend, and he recalls never really having courted her. He just remembers that he liked her, and that one time when they were watching a movie, they held hands and kissed. “Aba, okay ‘to ah!”

Was there ever a time he wished he weren’t as good looking or as famous? “No! There are more benefits than disadvantages,” he says about fame.

2. The very first acting role he bagged was as the leading man of Maricel Soriano. And he didn’t have to audition for it.

It was his late manager Douglas Quijano who persuaded him to get into acting. “He always asked me bakit di daw ako mag-artista. I always said ayaw ko, ang yabang ko pa. Gusto ko modeling lang.” One time, Douglas asked him how much money he had in his wallet. Richard took it out and they both saw only P20. Douglas told him, “mag-artista ka na, tama na yang modeling-modeling na yan.” A week after, Richard recalls, Douglas came to him with a check worth P25,000. He was told he would be starring in a movie with Maricel Soriano and William Martinez, Inday Bote. He shares that the role was originally offered to Gabby Concepcion, and when he declined, Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Films was looking for another leading man.

On Richard’s first shooting day, he was late. His call time was at 12 noon and he got to the set before 2 p.m. Maricel tells him, “Hoy, Richard, sa trabaho natin, di ka pwedeng late. Sa trabaho natin, di ka pwedeng masyadong mabait.” That being his first-ever time on set, he couldn’t help but wonder what kind of advice that was! Maricel went on to say, “Katulad ko mataray ako pero marami akong kaibigan, at ikaw mukha kang mataray, kaibigan na kita.” For some reason, he says, they clicked instantly. That was the movie that really launched his career.

3. He was raised by his grandmother and though he was often matigas ang ulo, he never answered her back.

“The one time I answered back my lola I got slapped in the face, and I never did it again,” Richard reveals. His parents moved to the States and he was left in the care of his aunt. Realizing at an early age that it was not a good environment for him, he called up his lola (Mrs. Lydia Kelly Gomez whom he called “Mama”) to take him in. That very night, his Mama picked him up, and from fourth grade until when Richard became an actor, he was raised by his Mama. The biggest impact she had in his life was discipline. He says she made sure to tell him that he was going to be treated like a son, and not spoiled like a grandson. He had a lot of petty fistfights back in school which he felt disappointed his Mama, but Richard said it was probably the girlfriends he had that she didn’t like that upset her more. “Pag hindi niya gusto, hindi niya masyadong pinapansin,” Richard recalls. He also adds, “Lucy was her favorite.”

4. Richard actually gave his wife Lucy two engagement rings.

“I remember, prior to meeting Lucy, I already bought an engagement ring. Just in case I find the right girl and decide to get married,” Richard reveals. The ironic thing was, he was in a relationship when he bought that ring (and had flings on the side too!) but never intended to give it to that particular girlfriend. “I was not afraid of commitment,” he says about those who believe that men with many girlfriends are commitment-phobic. Richard explains that when you are young, you have the chance to do crazy things, and you have to do it. So that when you grow old, you have no regrets and you don’t end up messing up when you already have a family. When he and Lucy got married almost 14 years ago, he told her about the engagement ring story. “I don’t know what to call this ring but I just want to give it to you,” he told her.

I asked about how he knew Lucy was “the one,” and mentioned that many people say, “You just know it.” Richard says: “That’s exactly the feeling.” He strongly believes this and in fact tells his friends that if you want to get married, you have to make sure that you don’t have a single doubt in your heart and in your mind. And his trait that upsets Lucy the most? “Siguro ‘pag matigas ulo ko.”

5. He did all kinds of crazy things growing up but he always made sure of two things: “First, na hindi ako makulong, and second, na hindi ako ma-ospital.”

He’s tried most every sport he’s wanted to, except one: snowboarding. He says he has gone skiing but never snowboarding, and that he thinks he’ll be able to handle it because he used to skateboard a lot. He has never encountered any major accident in all his adventures, but shares that his worst injury was probably when he was in the sixth grade: while roller skating in Fiesta Carnival in Cubao, he hit his head and got that scar across his eyebrow.

Fencing is his favorite sport because of the “mind game” aspect that comes with it. “Unlike track and field where you can run fast and learn the technique, in fencing, you play with different people with different styles and techniques.” Aside from fencing, he was once also with the national team for dragon boat and shotgun shooting.

6. On his fate in politics: “I think my opponents are scared of me which is why, if they can have me disqualified, they will do it.”

Richard has had a number of attempts to run for office and when he was disqualified on grounds of residency during the last elections, it was his wife Lucy who ended up running and winning as Congresswoman in the 4th District of Leyte. “I work so well that they know they’ll have a difficult time running against me,” he shares. Though not an elected official, he helps Lucy with work in their district, flying to Ormoc twice a month alternately, so that one of them is there almost every weekend. “In a year and a half we were able to turn our district into the best performing district in Region 8,” he proudly shares. On the possibility of him running for office again, he says that nothing is certain in politics. He does reveal, however, “Lucy will be running for reelection.”

7. Richard Gomez in numbers:

1989: Year that his famous Bench rowing TV commercial came out

40-plus: Number of movies he has made, both big and small productions

16: Number of years on the national fencing team

3: Number of hours per volleyball session he plays, his current main exercise. “More than going to the gym, I like actual playing.”

74: Height in inches (6’2”)

When asked how many girlfriends he had before getting married, he laughs and says, “Serious ones? A couple. I’ve had more flings than girlfriends.”

8. On moving back to ABS-CBN: “I wanted to do something substantial. I wanted people to notice again how I act.”

He recalls that there was a situation in ABS that prompted him to move to another network back then. It may have taken 10 years for him to come back, but he’s very happy now. During the negotiations, the ABS executives told Richard that they had a project they wanted him to explore, which was Walang Hanggan. He loved the concept, because it is an adaptation of his film Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit, plus a reunion project with his ex-girlfriend and now good friend Dawn Zulueta. He shares that he is also friends with Dawn’s husband, Rep. Anton Lagdameo, and Lucy is likewise friends with Dawn. “Me and Dawn, we just have wonderful chemistry onscreen,” he says.

Has he ever had a fear of getting laos? He believes it’s in how you manage your career. “I’m not a matinee idol anymore. But I really think that if you choose your projects well, di ka malalaos kasi at every age, there’s a specific project for you.”

9. Most memorable awards won: Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit: “That was very memorable because it was my first acting award. After eight nominations, I finally won it. In fact I cried in my speech when I received that award. After that, tuluy-tuloy na.”

Dahas: “It was supposed to be a grand slam. I should’ve won all the awards but I lost it, and I lost it pa sa Urian. I remember, every year I would win the Urian, and Dahas would’ve been my fourth year of winning that award. It was painful kasi pang-grand slam ko yun.”

He says about the roles he takes: “I’m so good when I do bad roles and I’m shying away from those kind of roles already.” He may have scored his first acting job out of luck, but since then, he has been taking acting workshops that honed his craft. On the possibility of him doing a movie again, he says, “I wanna do a big one again. One day I will.”

10. His advice to daughter Juliana: “Don’t have a boyfriend like Dad. But if you have to marry, marry someone like Dad.”

Juliana is now 11 years old and in the fifth grade. Richard says that whatever her dream is, he and Lucy will support her. She seems to be interested in the arts, being very much into drawing and photography. She once asked her dad: “Can I be a director?” When asked why, she said, “Because there’s little math!”

Though boys are his biggest worry, he says that he is confident since Juliana is very active. Just the week prior to this interview, she competed in her first biggest fencing competition. Though she won the bronze medal, she cried when she lost. Richard just told her daughter, “Play harder next time and just enjoy the sport.” Juliana was happy when she got her medal.

* * *

Having this chat with the Richard Gomez was quite a dream come true. I could’ve sworn that when he ran his fingers through his hair while talking, it all happened in slow motion with a faint light floating around him. Really the stuff movies are made of! We Filipinos love movies. And a lot of us admire leading men because they are good looking, they have a bit of bad in them, they get into trouble but get out of it so easily and with so much charm, are bad when they need to be and good when its called for, plus, they end up with the leading lady (read: Lucy Torres) who sees him as her dream man. Richard Gomez is the perfect Pinoy leading man in every sense of the word.

http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/778528/richard-gomez-tall-dark-handsome

10 Things You Should Know About Eddie & Annabelle

Love, laughter & intrigues with Eddie & Annabelle

Annabelle Rama on Eddie Gutierrez: “70 na siya, mag-60 na ako, until now, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na yung idol ko, pinakasalan ako.”

He was one of the top matinee idols in the ‘60s and ‘70s, being the leading man of the biggest movie stars like Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes and Pilita Corrales. She was a loud, opinionated young lady from a political family in Cebu whose biggest wish was to meet her idol. After numerous scandals, court cases filed, getaways and escapades, separations and reunions, and 35 years of marriage, they now enjoy a life filled with love, laughter and intrigues, along with their six children and two grandchildren. Here are 10 things you should know about Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama.

1. Annabelle on how she met her idol, Eddie Gutierrez: “Basta kung saan siya pumunta, sinusundan ko siya. Naging stalker nga ako for a while eh.”

She claims to be a huge fan of the Eddie-Susan love team, and even cut class just to watch their movies. “Naku, may araw ka din sa akin Eddie Gutierrez ka, makikilala din kita,” she swore to herself. One time, Eddie was set to do a show in Cebu, and Annabelle talked to every promoter and did everything just to meet him. They did meet, and Annabelle then took the chance to ask him out. She invited him to a resort for their first date. (“Virgin pa ako nun, di ko alam, at di din uso ang motel nuong araw.”) She recalls being so starstruck that night that she couldn’t even speak, and she was just staring at him. She shares how huge the language barrier was, and even recalls Eddie telling her to sit down and “sandal ka, sandal ka,” to which she looked at her feet and replied, “hindi ako naka-sandals!” Take note that the night didn’t end badly: there was no sex, she said, but they did kiss.

Eddie left her his telephone number (there were only landlines back then) and Annabelle escaped Cebu and lived with her friend in Manila to look for Eddie. She kept calling his number, but being a “fan,” the phone was always hung up on her. She followed him at premiere nights and shooting locations in hopes of meeting him again. “Humanda ka sa akin Eddie Gutierrez ka, kailangan maging boyfriend kita, at ma-jugjug (get knocked up) lang ako, okay na ako!” She laughs bashfully, and so does Eddie.

They finally met again through common friends, and they went on dates around once a month while Eddie was dating other girls. She read every newspaper and magazine and knew everything about him, preparing herself to be able to handle his many girls, should they get into a relationship. “Biro mo, Eddie Gutierrez, parang nanalo ako sa lotto!”

The time they dated was a very colorful period. “Lahat ng na-involve kay Eddie talagang sinusugod ko, ine-eskandalo ko talaga sila,” Annabelle shares. She recalls a time she called Channel 9 and asked to be connected to Amalia Fuentes, who was then dating Eddie. “Hoy, ang pangit pangit mo, iwanan mo si Eddie Gutierrez!” She also remembers Eddie having a very rich girlfriend from high society who she claims he was supposed to marry. (To which Eddie gives a puzzled look saying, “Alam mo storya ng buhay ko ha?” And Annabelle answers, “Wag ka magsinungaling darling, syempre tagahanga, alam ko lahat no.”) Annabelle remembers going to their house in Forbes Park and telling the girl’s mom, “I’m Annabelle Rama from Cebu, I’m Eddie’s girlfriend and I’m pregnant.” Although not true, Annabelle says she was successful because the alleged wedding did not push through. She also recalls another beauty queen girlfriend who Eddie was supposed to travel with to Spain, and she also created some kind of scandal, and the trip did not push through. But she says that the number one woman who got jealous of her was an ex-girlfriend and former leading lady of Eddie who was a big star. “Di siya ang pinakasalan kaya hanggang ngayon, mainit ang dugo nun sa akin.” She won’t give out her name, but says that if that person happens to read this, she’ll know it’s her.

Annabelle ends by saying she really did everything to get Eddie. “Pati gayuma, mangkukulam, lahat. Pero ngayon lang tumalab. Ngayon, siya na ang habol ng habol sa akin. Pero noon, ako ang habol ng habol sa kanya. Umamin ka, Eduardo.”

2. The fearless Annabelle also once backed down and flew to the United States to find peace.

“Trespassing, physical injuries, oral defamation, lahat ng klase ng demanda natikman ko,” she recalls. She said she got tired of the scandals and being in the headlines, so she decided to move to Los Angeles. “Di ko na kaya, surrender na beauty ko ‘day.”

She reveals that got herself pregnant on purpose (this was Ruffa, their eldest) just so she could make Eddie commit to her. And she even did it a second time (Rocky), in hopes that Eddie would decide to settle down. “Advice ko sa mga bagets, maski mabuntis ka, kung ayaw talaga niya pakasalan, wala din. Kailangan mahal ka talaga nung lalaki.”

3. Eddie proposed marriage to Annabelle long distance, during a phone call.

“I had a car accident in 1978. I came from a party and I was driving home, there was a stalled truck, tuluy tuloy ako dun,” Eddie recalls. He was brought to the hospital with a broken nose, ruptured intestines, and had to undergo a colostomy. It was Annabelle who invited him to join her in the States so she could take care of him. They were already separated for one year at that time, and both Ruffa and Rocky were living with Eddie in the Philippines. “Tingnan ko lang kung di ka mahirapan sa dalawang bata,” Annabelle remembers thinking to herself. So Eddie and Ruffa followed in L.A., but it took time for them to develop their relationship again. Annabelle shares that it was Ruffa who actually kept telling her dad to marry her mom.

One night, while Eddie was on a business trip in Michigan, he called to tell Annabelle that he had good news. “Pakakasalan na kita,” he said. “Wag ka magbiro Eduardo, lasing ka ba diyan,” she said. She recalls: “Sabi niya na-realize niya na ako talaga magiging asawa niya, masipag ako sa trabaho, at siguro kasi pamilya na kami. Ikaw magsabi darling,” she prods him to answer. He jokes, “eh di mo ako pinagbibigyang magsalita eh,” and they both break out laughing. At their wedding, Ruffa was the flower girl and Elvis was the ring bearer. After the wedding, Annabelle got pregnant right away with Elvis, and shortly after, was pregnant with their twins Richard and Raymond.

4. Eddie admits to being babaero in his younger years when he had “no direction” in life. All that changed when he had his family.

“Hindi ka pwedeng parang nasa high school ka all your life, kailangan mag-move on ka,” he opens up. He shares that there is so much temptation in showbiz, and back then, he didn’t care. “Sikat ka, marami kang pera, di ko iniisip ang future ko. Sige lang nang sige.” When he had his family, he decided it was time to stop and put it behind him.

On how Annabelle has stayed strong through all the women in Eddie’s life: “Pakapalan na lang ng mukha, kung sino mananalo sa amin.” There was a time she would go to his house every day, even if Eddie hated her being there. During one instance, she says he sang to her, “Please release me let me go...” To which she said, “Kahit kantahan mo ako araw araw hindi ako aalis!” Eddie disagreed with that version of the story; he said what he sang was “I want you, I need you, I love you...” (imitating his idol, Elvis Presley).

5. When they were starting their life in L.A., they applied to work as a driver, maid, security guard, apartment manager, but were never accepted for any of those jobs.

Annabelle recalls a time she was interviewed by the wife of Bob Hope to be a personal assistant. That time, she hated covered-up clothes so she always dressed in mini skirts and plunging necklines. “Sabi niya, ‘Are you sure? I don’t want her?’” and the comedian got somebody not-so-attractive for the job instead. It was when they were offered to be agents to sell kitchenware for Belcraft that they really started to earn money and live comfortably. Eddie would demonstrate how to use the cookware, Annabelle would close the deal, and Ruffa would be the safekeeper of the contracts.

6. Eddie and Annabelle in numbers:

15: Age when she met Eddie.

24: Age when he met Annabelle.

9: Number of years they lived in the US.

50-plus: Number of times they separated after having big fights.

3: Number of days, the longest they went without talking to each other.

2: Number of times a year they are in L.A. “’Pag may Pacquaio fight pumupunta kami kasi binibigyan kami ni Manny ng ticket. Yung hotel naman care of kay Gov. Chavit Singson gift niya sa amin, at plane ticket namin libre din, sa miles,” Annabelle says.

7. The most important value they teach their children is “bigayan. Kung sinong meron, tutulong.”

They know of friends who have children who fight and sue each other over money, and they don’t want it to be that way in their family. “Wag kayo mag-away sa pera,” they taught their children. “Ngayon, nakikita namin na talagang bigayan sila at nagmamahalan sila,” she shares. When Ruffa was a working teenager, she would help pay for the tuition of her siblings since she was the one making a lot of money. And now, they say it is Richard who spoils his siblings. What Richard sees they need or could use, from TVs to cell phones, he gives without their asking. “Bawal din dito yung walang trabaho, dapat sila magbayad sa pangangailangan nila para matuto sila.” Annabelle shares.

8. The Gutierrez children:

Most malambing: Elvis and Richard. “Si Richard, laging tumatawag para i-check lang ako,” Annabelle says.

Most quiet: Ritchie Paul and Rocky. “Magsasalita yan pag hihingi ng allowance,” Annabelle jokes.

Most prayerful: Ruffa and Richard.

Most pasaway: “Wala eh, si Ruffa lang alam ko,” Annabelle says.

The one that makes them laugh the most: Raymond.

Who came home with the best grades: Raymond. “Yan lang ang anak kong hindi nagpa-tutor,” Annabelle says. “Si Richard yung pinakamadami kaming tawag sa principal,” Eddie shares.

Most generous: Richard. Eddie shares that during his last birthday, Richard wanted to give him a car. He told his son that more than a car, he would rather have a share in Ayala Alabang Country Club where his friends play golf. “That was P1.1 million. Binili niya yun para sa akin. Sabi ko, kapag matanda na ako at di na ako makakapaglaro, ibabalik ko to sa iyo.”

They both say that they want Ruffa to rest her heart for now, and instead focus on her kids and her work. If ever she does decide to get married again, they wish for that man to be God-fearing, hardworking, and they want him to love her and her kids Lorin and Venice forever.

Annabelle warns Richard of women that may just be using him for his fame and money, but she says she has so far liked every girlfriend he’s had.Richard names Anne Curtis, Georgina Wilson and Jewel Mische as those who Annabelle was fond of, saying it’s Annabelle who becomes sad when Richard and his girlfriends break up. She goes on to say he’s still young and has a lot of time to find the right one. “Minsan, di ko pa name-memorize yung isa, may bago nanaman. Sanay na ako.”

They also share that Richard and Raymond are their “lucky twins.” “Nung pinanganak sila, yung tenga nila nakatupi. Swerte daw yun kasi sasahod ng pera,” Annabelle shares. (She also recalls taping their ears with scotch tape while they slept, to flatten their “Mickey Mouse” ears.) When the twins were born, they share that luck poured in with career and money.

9. Annabelle is known to be extremely selosa to the point of causing a scandal. But Eddie is seloso too.

Annabelle admits that there was a time she would spend a whole day looking for Eddie in motels and hotels to try and catch him red-handed. She also shared that it was an incident in Greenhills when she confronted him and had a scream fest and sabunutan match with a girl that was the craziest thing she did out of jealousy. “Ewan ko kung anong nangyari sa akin nuong araw, parang tanga na nanunugod at naninigaw maski wala sa lugar,” she admits. “Naging eskandalosa lang naman ako darling dahil sa iyo diba, sa totoong buhay di ako eskandalosa diba,” she says. “Hindi, napakabait mo,” Eddie quips, and they both laugh.

“Oo, nagseselos din ako,” Eddie reveals. “Minsan, kapag close siya sa mga kausap niya, nakikipagkwentuhan pero may hampas hampas pa sa braso, sinasabihan ko lang siya na di ko gusto yun,” he says shyly. Annabelle says it’s as if the world turned upside down, and now it’s Eddie who pursues her and gets more jealous. Does she like it? “Syempre naman ‘day, ngayon ko nare-realize na mahal niya talaga ako.”

10. On the key to a long-lasting relationship: “Give and take,” Eddie says.

“Kung galit, wag mong salubungin, kailangan talaga bigayan,” Annabelle says. They share that in their earlier years as a couple, they really used to fight a lot about the littlest things. When they fought, they would spend time apart to cool down, then they would fix things. “It’s really giving and taking, but it’s she who has always made the move to bring us back together,” Eddie says as he looks at Annabelle.

She shares a realization. When she was a housewife with lots of time on her hands, she used to get jealous over everything. When she got preoccupied with work, they fought less. “Busy people are happy people,” Eddie says.

They enjoy quality time together over dinners out, movies or shows. They enjoy being a foursome along with their grandchildren Lorin and Venice. They cherish Sunday nights at home with the whole family, over takeout food, wine and good conversation.

* * *

Theirs is not your ordinary love story. They are not your ordinary couple. I, too, admit to being one of those who wondered how these two very different people could get along, but talking with them and seeing how they are with each other, you see that love doesn’t get any more real than that. Annabelle says: “70 na siya, mag-60 na ako, until now, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na yung idol ko, pinakasalan ako.” Eddie says: “Kapag kausap niya yung mga maids at nagsisisigaw, hindi ko gusto. Pero kapag nag-iisa naman ako, nami-miss ko yung bunganga niya.”

And those in search of love can only hope to find a love that lasts, and continues to grow, like the love of Eddie and Annabelle.

http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/776194/love-laughter-intrigues-eddie-annabelle

10 Things You Should Know About Lala Flores & Danica Magpantay

Two for the world: Lala Flores & Danica Magpantay

Like mother-model: Lala Flores (right), was the first Filipina to win the Supermodel of the World competition in 1990. Twenty years later, her daughter Danica Magpantay (left) bagged the same title.

In 1990, Milagros “Lala” Flores won the Supermodel of the World Philippines competition, which led her to compete in the prestigious search for the Ford Supermodel of the World. She went on to become a successful model not only in Manila, but in Singapore and Paris as well. Twenty years later, Lala’s daugher Danica Magpantay, without any prior modeling experience (except what she had researched and her determination), won the same competition. When she competed in New York to become the Ford Supermodel of the World, she won the top prize, making her the first-ever Filipina to bag the title. Today, Danica is a top model for Ford and CalCarrie’s Philippines, and Lala is a top makeup artist. Here are 10 things you should know about supermodel mother and daughter Lala Flores and Danica Magpantay.

1. On being beautiful: “Bata pa lang ako, nagfe-feeling na akong maganda ako.” This, despite the fact that Danica was chubby growing up.

“Kasi nga supermodel yung mommy ko,” Danica says bashfully. “Ngayon ko lang nare-realize na yuck, ang feeling ko!” Lala describes 10-year-old Danica as chubby, as in with chubby cheeks. And even before Danica decided to join the modeling contest, she was 121 pounds, then standing 5’8 1/2”. Yes, not big, but not model skinny either. She dropped down to 109 pounds when she joined Supermodel of the World. She dropped to as low as 103 pounds in New York, now standing 5’9 1/4”.

Lala shares, “Pinalaki ko kasi sila telling them that being payat is not everything. I wanted them to just enjoy.” She says all her kids love to eat, including Danica, and though they were chubby, they never became obese. “I always assured my husband that when vanity kicks in, on their own, they’ll be more conscious.” And sure enough, that happened.

2. After Danica won the title as Supermodel of the World, it was not all glitz and glamor. It came to a point where she asked herself, “Kulang ka ba? Kaya mo ba? Ikaw ba talaga?”

Her voice started shaking and tears started rolling down her face. “I won everything, and nagkaroon ako ng expectation that when you win, everything will just fall into your lap,” Danica shares. Surrounded by so many taller, skinnier, beautiful girls, and getting turned down at castings, it came to a point that she says she tried too hard. “Lord, bakit pinapanalo niyo ako pero ang bagal? Ako ba talaga? Kaya ko ba? Kasi ang sakit, masakit ma-experience yung ganito. Hindi lang yung expectations ng tao sa akin, pero yung expectations ko sa sarili ko. Kasi may dreams ka na na-set. Pero parang habang nagbu-build up yun, tinutumba lahat ng dreams at paniniwala mo sa sarili mo.”

Her mom Lala was also in tears when she shared that now she understood why, at times, they couldn’t contact Danica while working in New York. “When I would try to seek her, I couldn’t find her. She would avoid us. I told her ‘Hon, that’s tough. Rejection is part of modeling.’ I had to tell her that I don’t understand why it’s not happening yet, but I had to keep reassuring her that there’s a time for everything, maybe that’s what God is telling you.”

She had a tough time balancing hope and reality, confessed that she is her own worst critic, and often questioned herself. She learned how to filter out what haters say and how to focus on loved ones surrounding her who care enough to tell her what she needs to work on. She shares that she now understands what her mom said about not being idle. “Always put something in your mind, and always put positive things, good things to enrich yourself” was her mom’s advice. And her own advice to young girls? “Never, ever doubt yourself and always believe you can. Enjoy. Offer it all to God and let Him lead you.”

3. In a year of modeling abroad, Danica matured and learned on her own something important about her mom. “Pag bata ka you tend to generalize, bakit ‘di niya ako mabigyan ng time?”

“Dati nagtatampo ako bakit si Mommy may work on my birthday, why she works on weekends,” Danica reveals. But when she started working and living on her own, she realized that it is inevitable, and it does not mean the person doesn’t love you; they really love you but they just really have to work and earn. Danica even recalls how bad she felt when she first missed her younger sister Emman’s birthday, but now she understands and tries to make her sister understand too. She even jokes with Emman: “Yung kinita ko, ililibre kita.”

When she was whisked off abroad, she was in her first semester as a freshman in the Fine Arts program of UP Diliman. She definitely wants to continue her studies but due to the nature of her work, she is planning to take an online course instead, to be able to work and study at the same time.

She says that because of the shift from a school environment to the fast-paced life in New York, she learned so much about herself. How she reacts to things, how she deals with problems, and what the “real world” is like. She pauses a bit, then shares that one of the hardest things about living alone is how “Kahit nagsk-Skype ka araw araw, hindi pa rin siya pareho.”

4. Lala was discovered by Renee Salud and was originally being groomed to join Binibining Pilipinas.

She joined a university pageant where Mama Renee was a judge. He spotted her and made Lala one of his models, but Lala also eventually got close to Joey Espino, who saw her potential and persuaded her to join Supermodel of the World. “I was 21, I was just enjoying. I thought, why not? I had no expectations.” Binibining Pilipinas was a huge deal even back then and the reason she didn’t stick to the original plan to join the beauty pageant after the modeling competition was: “I got pregnant with Danielle, even before I finished my reign as Supermodel.”

She said that at that time, she had just turned 22 and did not know what to do. The only thing she could think of was to not disgrace her family, so she flew to New York under the guise of modeling work, and gave birth there. Her husband Pogs was not by her side because his visa was denied, but she was taken care of by Pogs’ older sister during her whole stay. It was when she came home to Manila that she and Pogs were able to get married, and laughs as she recalls, “Di pa naglalakad si Danielle at seven months, I was pregnant again!” Baby No. 2 was Danica.

5. Lala and her husband Pogs Magpantay have been married for 20 years. The secret? “We’re really so in love with each other, and we’re simple in our wants.”

Lala goes on to say “I have to give it to him. Even when we had babies, I modeled abroad for four years, and he was very, very supportive.” Lala became a model at 21, became a mother soon after, and after having two kids, had her second wind as a model at 25. “Feeling niya kasi na-stop yung dreams ko, and I think his dream is maging masaya ako,” Lala reveals.

They met 24 years ago when they were both engineering students in Adamson University, Pogs being two years older than Lala. Pogs claims he was stalking Lala for a year, until they finally met by accident near the school library. He was Lala’s first boyfriend. “When I met my husband, feeling ko siya na ang pinaka-gentle na soul na nakilala ko.” She wasn’t a model then, but the first thing Pogs asked her was “Are you a model?” She says the rest is history, and “Hindi na ako hiniwalayan ni Daddy,” Lala says while looking at Danica.

6. Lala was once dieting so much that she collapsed right before an Inno Sotto fashion show in Paris.

At that time, she went down to 104 pounds, and she’s 5’9”. And since they were in Paris and food was so expensive, they would save up a week’s worth of their per diem just to buy a nice pair of shoes. “I wasn’t eating well, I just kept drinking wine, and that was the day of the show!” When it was time to report for makeup, Lala didn’t even make it out the door. The next thing she knew, she was in the bathroom, and good friend Henri Calayag gave her a piece of chocolate to boost her sugar level. She made it to the show, nailed it, and even partied the rest of the night away. She did shows not only in Paris but also in Singapore, Bali, the US, and even modeled alongside superstars Karen Elson and Helena Christensen for Karl Lagerfeld in his Hong Kong show.

When asked if the pressure to be skinny is heavier now than it was before, Lala says, “Now.” She works with models all the time and she sees how pressured they are. She explains that during her time, there was no Internet and no cell phones, so for example if there was a casting in Paris and you happened to be there, you’d get the job. Unlike now when they can book models anytime, from anywhere.

7. Lala and Danica in numbers:

5: Magpantay siblings: Danielle, 20; Danica, 19; Emmanuelle, 15; Mark, 12; and Nicolas, 10.

15: Castings a day Danica goes to during the season for Fashion Week. She shares how tough it is: “Siguro out of 100 castings, I would get booked for eight shows.”

22.5: Inches that Danica’s waistline was, during her skinniest phase in New York. Today she measures 31-23-34.

40-plus: Number of anime keychains of Bleach and Naruto characters in her collection.

400-plus: Runway shows Lala has done in her entire career, both locally and internationally.

2,500: Amount of pesos she used to get paid for one runway show. It would range from P2,500 to P7,000, while international shows could go up to P50,000.

8. Danica and her sister Danielle joined Supermodel of the World Philippines at the same time, and though Danica won, Danielle made it to the Top 8. On how Lala handled having one daughter win and the other lose: “Even before the competition I gave them a heart-to-heart talk. It was both of their decisions to join, and they have to watch each other’s backs.”

Lala told them, “Baby, it’s a competition, so there’s only one winner. Either one of you, or neither one. And I want you to know that you are not competing against each other.” She points out the importance of good communication. Danica recalls rushing backstage for the quick change of the Top 3 finalists, when Danielle ran up to her saying, “Oh wow, Ica, I’m so proud of you! Congratulations, congratulations!” Lala also shares how at the end of that night, Danielle was even saying, “Mommy, may title agad ako, ‘Stage Sister of Danica Magpantay!’”

9. Top tips from the supermodels:

Danica: Set attainable goals.

“Don’t look at something na wala pa. Wag mo tingnan yung hindi ka ganito o hindi ka ganyan. Set realistic goals first. Make sure the steps you will take are going towards that goal. When you achieve it, you know that with every step you took, you made it possible. Enjoy mo lang kasi nothing happens instantly. You really have to work hard.”

Lala: Be happy from within.

“This is what I’ve learned working behind the scenes. A beautiful photo or commercial is a group effort. There’s makeup, angles, lighting, technology. But the happiness you exude, we cannot give you that, we cannot Photoshop that. That should come from within. I always tell Danica what is in your heart is most important.”

10. Lala and Danica define beauty as being sure of, accepting, and being happy with who you are.

“I’ve seen the most beautiful faces, but some, when you see them up close, they lose their radiance,” Lala says. “The way a woman feels about herself, that’s what draws you in,” Danica shares. They both agree that it is personality and outlook on life that makes beauty truly last. Lala gives this reminder to all: “Don’t compare yourself to others, you have your own beauty.”

* * *

For those of you wondering, yes, these supermodels eat! And they eat a lot! Both Danica and Lala ordered soup, salad, and a main dish each during our dinner interview, and when our gracious host chef Jessie Sinsioco came up to us to offer dessert, they instantly said “Yes!” As soon as this beautifully plated Chocolate Kisses dessert got to our table, both their eyes lit up, and the dessert was finished within a few minutes. Danica allows herself chocolates once in a while, and she works out almost everyday. Having a quality conversation with them makes me realize this mother-and-daughter tandem is a paradox. They are supermodels who eat a lot. A 19-year-old who talks wisely, like she’s been modeling for 20 years. A 43-year-old full of idealism and naivete, as though she hasn’t been working in a cutthroat business for two decades now. And they exactly match the description they give of what beauty is. They draw you in, not just with their beautiful faces, but their beautiful hearts.

http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/771810/two-world-lala-flores-danica-magpantay

10 Things You Should Know About Ramon Jimenez

Tourism. It's more fun for Ramon Jimenez

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez: His top travel tip? “Make sure you put down your camera, or else you will miss the moment . . . at 7 a.m. everyone is himself. You are going to see how they really are.”

A married couple left the agencies where they were employed to start their own agency. From zero, they built a local advertising agency that grew to become the largest multinational advertising agency in the Philippines, even larger than the companies they used to work for. Two weeks ago, the man whose name that ad agency bears presented the new tagline for Philippine tourism: “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” And boy, have people been having fun thinking of ways to promote that line. Here are 10 things you should know about our Department of Tourism Secretary, Ramon Jimenez.

1. On accusations that “It’s more fun in the Philippines” is not an original tagline: “The line was not chosen for its originality, it was chosen because it really rings true.”

On the day of the new DOT campaign launch, an alleged 1951 Swiss tourism ad surfaced, and it read “It’s more fun in Switzerland.” Jimenez goes on to say that no one can really own words, but what we can own is the truth about it. “We don’t know whether it even really ran in Switzerland, or if it was a successful campaign,” Jimenes says. BBDO was the agency that presented “It’s more fun in the Philippines” to DOT, and the Secretary says, “If you know guys like David Guerrero (of BBDO), he has more Cleo awards than some people have teeth, I don’t think he’s going to risk his entire reputation with an ad he dug up.”

On the night itself of the campaign launch, hundreds upon hundreds of photos made by Pinoys — some of them tongue-in-cheek — flooded the Internet, showing different activities or events that are “more fun in the Philippines.” The ones not made by BBDO and DOT that he likes the most are: “Mountain Bikes. More fun in the Philippines,” with a photo of wooden bikes and Ifugaos; “Schools. More fun in the Philippines” with a deep-sea photo of a school of fish; and a line that model Sarah Meier pitched, “You. More fun in the Philippines.”

“We set out to do something that we wanted the people to own, and that’s exactly what happened,” the Secretary says.

2. Even with his post now as DOT Secretary, he prefers to wait on line at all counters in the airport.

When airport staff offer to help him and to make him the priority, he tells them, “I’m very happy you’ve come to welcome me, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to line up.” He says he’s one of those weird (his own words) people who enjoy the peace and quiet of waiting in line, and actually enjoys kicking his bag a few inches every time he takes a step closer to the counter. He’s been traveling on his own for years, and the lines may be good some days and bad on others, but “not so difficult physically that a public official can’t do it himself.”

Queuing up on his own also helps him see what needs to be improved in the system. In fact, he recently just met with NAIA GM Honrado and asked, “Why do I have to take off my shoes if I’m not traveling to the United States? They’re still busy trying to get me an answer to that.” He predicts they will stop doing that very soon. He excitedly talks about the plans for the NAIA airport and the international airport in Clark, but warns there will be a difficult two-year period where we all have to be patient. “Remember how it is now, because some day it’s going to get better.”

3. On the switch from working in advertising to being a public official: “It’s something I recommend to anyone who is completing a career.”

Stalwarts in the Philippine advertising industry, Sec. Mon and his wife Abby were asked by P-Noy to come onboard after the elections, around June 2010. They said no. Months later, they were asked again, and as Jimenez puts it, “When your president asks you again, you say yes.” Advertising is an extremely lucrative industry, and having moved to government in September 2011, I asked Jimenez to share what his salary is, or even the range. “I don’t want to make people sad, they might stop believing that it’s fun,” he jokes. But he says the pay is more than made up for by how rewarding the job is, saying it’s a “position to make an even bigger difference than you thought you were making when you were in the private sector.”

4. He and his wife Abby founded and ran advertising agency Jimenez Basic, and worked together across a desk every day for 20 years.

They met in ad agency Ace Saatchi, and eventually got married. Though Abby moved on to work in another agency, they ended up working together again when she quit her job and founded ad agency Jimenez and Partners (now Publicis Jimenez Basic) in 1989. Six months after, he followed suit. Twenty years later in 2008, they both retired. Having been together at work and at home daily for two decades, people always ask they how they can still stand each other. “Be careful, you might be saying more about your marriage than ours,” was always their quick reply. Jimenez says that if you have your spouse as your business partner, you have absolutely no reason to question her motives when you argue. He adds, “We always settled our arguments very neatly, in other words, I gave in.” She always won anyway, he says, and that kept the peace.

When he and Abby started Jimenez Basic, they literally had zero clients. Their first project was to do merchandising for Dunkin’ Donuts and Shakeys, and they didn’t even have the advertising account, they simply had the branch operations account. He remembers drawing and writing the posters all by hand. Despite the many awards their agency has won since, he shares, “If you ask me, that was our most important campaign.”

5. Secretary Jimenez in numbers:

31: Years he and his wife Abby have been married. When people ask them what the secret is, they joke, “We’ve been too busy to quarrel.”

2: Number of children they have: Nina, 30, a creative director, and Sassa, 25, a fashion designer

21: Age when he got his first job, straight from his thesis, to work in advertising. He graduated with a fine arts degree from UP.

8: Number of meetings a day.

4: Number of dogs they have in the family. One each! His is an Alaskan Malamute named Atkam (which, in Eskimo, means “guardian”) that weighs 123 pounds. They also co-own a canine behavior center called Better Dogs, which they call a dog hotel. “It’s not just a kennel, it’s a full-service hotel where we feed, bathe, and walk the dogs.”

6. One basic rule in advertising that can be applied to life: “You have to tell the truth. Nothing works like the truth.”

“Your obligation is to make the truth compelling and exciting, but to tell it nonetheless,” he shares.

7. On the public officials revealing their SALN: “I believe it should be public, under any and all circumstances.”

The DOT Secretary believes that the SALN is gathered precisely because it must be open to the public, and if it will be kept a secret anyway, don’t bother getting it. He adds: “A SALN that is not open to the public is like arranging flowers in the dark. What’s it for?” He had to declare everything other than his shorts, he shares, and fair is fair.

When I asked him what he feels when people judge the government as sobrang corrupt, he responds, “It’s not true that it’s sobrang corrupt.” He believes that decency is back in the government, and though it may be far from perfect, we are back to no longer being ashamed of our leaders. “This country is no longer run by men and women who sit around the table dividing money,” he says. “We’ve become a normal nation again, we’re no longer the underachieving, corrupt, neighborhood failure.” And he says it’s no big deal: that we should expect a bunch of decent men and women to be running the government, and that’s the way it should be.

8. He’s been to many key cities and provinces even before his DOT post, but the places he hasn’t been to and wants to visit are Siargao and Tawi Tawi.

Siargao to check out the surfing, and Tawi Tawi (along with many other parts of Mindanao) are both on his list. He of course isn’t allowed to pick any favorite cities or destinations, but he does share some interesting trivia:

• The world’s thickest forest is in the Philippines, in Sibuyan Island, Romblon. It’s thicker than the Amazon forest. Not to mention the many species endemic to the Philippines.

• Baguio isn’t our only mountain city and there are others we need to develop, such as Mount Kitanglad in Bukidnon.

• One of the most incredible churches he’s seen in the world is the Sta. Ana Church. It’s centuries old, and “really incredible.”

• There is a fiesta every day of the year in the Philippines. Even two on some days.

He asserts: “More than the places, it’s really the people. We’re not just a place to see, but a place to be.”

9. Jimenez’s top travel tip: “Make sure you put down your camera, or else you will miss the moment.”

He believes travel is learning how to see and feel at the same time. Otherwise, it will just be such a waste of energy. “Some of my best insights on a place have come just looking outside the window,” he says.

One interesting thing he said — which I hope to observe as well — is that “at 7a.m., everyone is himself. You are going to see how they really are.” Then, he says, you will pick up an insight.

10. He hopes by the end of his term to have finally built up enough energy around tourism to give the Philippines a positive image that is larger than its negative one.

More than the image of a place of crime, typhoons, and disasters, he says “If we are able to do this right by 2016, when you say ‘Philippines,’ the immediate image will be happy, fun, adventure, bright colors.” Even our own self-image is gradually changing: “At least in our minds we’re more fun than we were two weeks ago!” And we are going to build momentum.

In 2011, we had 3.8 million foreign tourists. Thailand had 15 million, and Malaysia had 24 million. And those who have been to both Thailand and Malaysia know that the Philippines has just as many, if not better, sights and experiences to offer. Not to mention our being one the friendliest people in the world! Note that 3.4 million Pinoys are directly employed by tourism, meaning that for every foreign tourist that arrives, one Filipino gets to work. The real goal is to create more jobs and income for people. This year’s target is 4.2 million tourists. “The new Philippine campaign is like an advertising lesson for the whole country,” he says.

* * *

Jimenez is far from the stereotype people expect government officials to be. He is approachable, laid-back, and does pretty much everything on his own, not dependent on assistants or bodyguards. I first met him the week the DOT campaign was launched, and during that week, I know that he personally met with different people (bloggers, journalists, young movers, icons) two or three at a time, taking over an hour to just explain the campaign and gather insights. I was only one of over 20 people he met with, and I can only imagine how draining it was to explain the same things over and over again. If we ourselves won’t believe in this campaign, why should tourists? Let’s live up to being the reason why people have more fun in the Philippines. Get with the program. “We are natural game changers because we cannot play the game the way the rest of the world plays it,” the Secretary said during his Ad Congress speech. It’s time to change the game.

http://www.philstar.com/travel-and-tourism/769771/tourism-its-more-fun-ramon-jimenez 

10 Things You Should Know About The boys of Boys Night Out

A night out with the Boys

From boys to men: Tony Toni, Sam YG and Slick Rick of the radio program Boys Night Out on Magic 89.9 are funny, playful, naughty, makulit, and at times manyak.

 We may not be able to do anything about Metro Manila traffic, but a lot of us have found a solution to make the time spent stuck bumper to bumper at least more enjoyable. All thanks to Anthony Bueno, Eric Virata, and Sam Gogna, otherwise known as Tony Toni, Slick Rick and Sam YG of the radio program Boys Night Out on Magic 89.9. They are funny, playful, naughty, makulit, and at times manyak, which make them a favorite of students and yuppies on the road between 6 and 10 p.m. on weeknights. It has been said that 70 percent of their listeners are women, but a lot of men call their show to open up about their deepest, darkest secrets. Whether you listen to them or not, be amused and learn from the 10 things you should know about the boys of Boys Night Out.

1. The great thing about their trio is that nobody takes the jokes personally. “We have to make fun of ourselves first, before we can make fun of others,” Slick says.

When Tony, Slick, and Sam got together to host Boys Night Out in 2006, there was no need to adjust or warm up. Their chemistry was instant. Tony (the more “wild” one) became a DJ in 1999, Slick (the “boy next door”) in 2001, and Sam (the mix of both) in 2003. “We had no dead air, walang sapawan, we were just flowing,” Tony shares about their first few shows together. With their more than five-year friendship, they have never had a single serious fight between them, and they attribute that to the respect they have for one another’s individuality. They admit to knowing most everything about each other’s lives — though not their love lives. “Who we sleep with, who we’re dating, who we’re in negotiations with (Tony’s new term),” they never share about. No names. Don’t ask, don’t tell: that is their rule.

2. Tony was born and raised in Canada, and after a series of unlikely events, the last one being a breakup, he decided to move to Manila in 1999. And he hasn’t had a girlfriend since.

Tony has been single for 13 years. “I needed a change of lifestyle, I needed to love myself, and I wanted to be in control of my life,” he says. He came home to the Philippines not really knowing what he was going to do, but what he did know was that he wanted to affect the lives of millions of people. From modeling to being a bar promo boy to being a DJ, he just wanted to entertain people. When asked why he hasn’t had a relationship since, he says, “I don’t think I’m ready to be fully responsible.” It’s not you, it’s him. Literally. “I don’t have the heart to go on air and do what I do and have a girlfriend. It won’t be fair to the girl.”

3. Slick and his then-girlfriend were all set  to get married and move to Florida in 2005. Until he was offered to do BNO.

There was a point when he felt he had done all he wanted to do in radio, and his girlfriend wanted to leave the Philippines, so they planned their wedding. A few months into doing BNO, he enjoyed it and realized that he wanted to stay. He didn’t have the heart to tell her that his plans had changed, until one time, she was the one who told him “I know you changed your mind, there’s something different in you especially when you’re on the show.” She still moved abroad and Slick stayed, and though they tried to go the distance, it didn’t work out in the end. Are they still friends now? “No,” Slick says. “Pati kami! Un-friend-ed sa Facebook,” Sam says jokingly. Slick still believes he will find that kind of love again someday, and right now, he is seeing someone.

4. Sam, along with “Shivaker” (a love guru character on BNO), gives great love advice. But he can never apply the same love advice to make his own relationships work.

“When you’re in that emotional love stage, wala, your wall is down,” Sam shares. He was in a relationship when BNO started, and after that, he dated a couple of celebrities including Karylle and Daiana Menezes. He has been single for more than four years now. “How can you tell a person you love them, then you say all these things on air?” He says it usually is okay for the first few months, but at some point, their on-air personas become too much for the girls to handle. Plus, for the girl to understand their job is one thing, for the family to accept them is another. All the love advice he gives on the show is unscripted and spontaneous. “I talk to a lot of people about their love problems, plus my personal experience, and then I put it all into perspective.”

5.Tony Toni, Slick Rick, and Sam YG in numbers:  6: Total number of serious relationships between the three of them (two each).

45: Percentage of the audience share that listens to them during their time slot.

7,500: Number of pesos salary per month on their first job in radio. “You don’t do radio for the money, you have to do it because you love it,” Tony explains.

500-plus: Percentage increase in their income since they started hosting BNO. “It took a long time, it was a lot of hard work and sleepless nights,” Sam shares.

9.5: Their shoe size. (Yes, they all have the same shoe size, and they all stand between 5’8” and 5’9”.)

6. Comparing the boys: Most girls who approach: Sam Gets the most girls: Tony.  “Walang wingman required, he will get the job done,” Sam reveals.

 Pinaka-”mama’s boy”: “We’re all mama’s boys,” Tony shares.

Cheeziest when in love: Sam

Drives the nicest car: Sam

Most vain: Sam. “Goatee pa lang, 45 minutes na!”

Most religious: Slick and Sam. “They go to church every Sunday,” Tony says. Slick replies, “but a lot of people don’t know that Tony is very spiritual.” Tony goes on a pilgrimage every year.

Most conservative: Tony

Most shy/quiet: Slick. “These two keep talking, so I just want to listen!”

Goes home the latest from gimmick: Tony

7. From the hundreds of callers they’ve talked to, what shocks them most about women is how many of them commit adultery. What shocks them most about men is how they are just as emotional as women.

“So many women are willing to cheat if they can get away with it,” shares Tony. Sam says it’s unbelievable how many callers are cheating on their husbands or boyfriends. Slick is quick to point out that “men don’t realize that women can actually do it (cheat) better, because they lie better.” The boys always tell their callers that they do not condone cheating.

They say that men are emotional especially when it comes to love. “Super!” they all say in unison. It is their ego that gets in the way, that’s why women don’t get to see how emotional men really are.

On why people confess their problems and affairs to the boys on air: “The anonymity. They can’t be seen and they won’t be known by just their names, they tell their story and we just listen. It’s therapeutic.”

8. The one “bro” rule that should never be broken: never get into a relationship with your barkada’s girlfriend or ex-girlfriend. The one thing girls should never do to get a guy’s attention: stalk.

“If the girl is an ex of a really good friend or barkada, wag na,” Tony says about the bro code. They have all heard one too many stories of friends dating friends’ exes and how it has ruined friendships. What if you are really attracted to the person and they just happen to be the ex of a good friend? “Confront the person first before you do anything, but as much as possible, just stay away.”

The boys believe women should never stalk the men they like. “I got home, she was at the foyer on my floor, and it was four in the morning,” Sam shares. “Online stalking is okay, I ignore it, but once someone showed up at my front door, I was so scared,” Tony says.

Slick adds another thing girls should never do: play stupid or act like a ditz. “If you have something substantial to say, say it, because guys like smart girls. Don’t dumb yourself down.”

9. Their top dating advice: Sam says: Be yourself. “People always try to put up a front, but when you realize down the road that the person is not like that, then it all just becomes messy.”

Slick shares something similar: Don’t put your best foot forward. “The more you do that, the more the girl will expect. If you gave her this, or brought her here, then you’re always going to have to outdo the last. And no one can do that.”

Tony says: Get to know a person fully, before you commit. “Everyone can do the lovey-dovey texts, the dinners, movies, DVD nights. You have to get to know them both outside and inside the home. In the bedroom, domestically, it’s a whole different story.”

10. They are not afraid of commitment. Instead, it’s an issue of not having time and the fear of committing to the wrong woman.

All three boys say they are not ready to commit to a relationship right now. “Hindi pwede yung, ‘okay commit tayo, relationship tayo, but let me put it on the side ‘cause I’m also busy working,’” 28-year-old Sam explains. And right now, work takes so much of their time that there really won’t be any time for a relationship. Thirty-year-old Tony says: “I’m so into my profession that I will not let love for a woman interfere with my love for my work.” When I tell him that maybe he just hasn’t met the “game changer,” he says, “The girl that will love me because I do what I do, will be the it.” They all would like to have a family eventually. When asked to give an estimate of what age they would want to settle down, 31-year-old Slick says that will just come. “If you put a number on it, you’re putting a deadline on yourself. You’ll count how many years are left and you’re just going to stress yourself out.

Do they ever get lonely? “Of course,” the boys say. “When you want to text someone at 3 a.m.,” Tony shares. “Or when you just want to have a really good conversation,” Sam says. They all agree that the happiness you feel with partners you just get physical with or sleep with can never mask the loneliness of longing for someone. The key? “You have to be totally in love with yourself and you have to be totally secure with your being single,” Tony shares. And secure in being single, these boys totally are.

* * *

The boys have become so popular because so many people can relate to them. A group of single friends just having fun, trying to meet people along the way, and trying to make sense and make fun of it all. It may sound funny, but it has become the boys’ advocacy to make people laugh with their naughty brand of humor, and as a result, set aside any possibility of entering a serious relationship. As animated and happy-go-lucky as they may seem, they actually have very valuable advice to share.

Slick says, “Some people think they need someone to complete them. No, you need you to complete yourself.”

Sam says, “It’s going to be a beautiful relationship when two people love themselves and get together knowing fully their self worth as individuals.”

Tony says, “It’s only when people go through a massive breakup or traumatizing experience that they realize they have to love themselves, but it doesn’t have to get to that point. You can love yourself right now.

Wise words can also come from the rowdy boys next door.

http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/767477/night-out-boys