Jessica Sanchez is on Glee

WORDS BY: Joan Lopez- Flores

Yes, another Pinay has overcome Hollywood TV series Glee in the person of Jessica Sanchez, American Idol Season 12 1st Runner Up winner.

In an interview with the Associated Press last April 23, the Filipino-Mexican singer talked about how she was invited to appear on Glee. “Oh I freaked out! Ryan Murphy called me into a meeting and I was, ‘For what? For Glee?’” Ryan Murphy is the executive producer of Glee. A few days after the meeting, Jessica’s manager called her and confirmed that Ryan Murphy wants her to appear on Glee.

“I’m like, ‘What?’ And right after the show, I’ve been taking acting lessons and I’ve been really working in it,” Jessica exclaimed.

Jessica’s two-episode arc on Glee will start airing on May 2, and end on the season finale episode on May 9. And with the two more seasons given to Glee, there’s a chance Jessica can appear on more future episodes.

The Barretto Family Feud: Which is Which?

WORDS BY: Joan Lopez- Flores

By the time you read this there would have already been more layers added to this controversial Barretto family feud—first between sisters Gretchen, Marjorie and Claudine, then next involving their mother, Estrella “Inday,” and finally the most recent ones to speak up, Jay-jay and their Boston-based sister Gia. It would be a challenge to keep up, but here’s what we have on this issue so far:
•   In an interview around the first week of April, and shortly following the release of the Inside Showbiz April 2013 issue featuring Gretchen Barretto and her niece, Julia Barretto (daughter of Marjorie Barretto and Dennis Padilla), aunt Gretchen expressed support for her niece Julia entering showbiz and being the “next big Barretto.”
•   At around the same time, Gretchen also expressed albeit indirectly that Claudine will block Julia’s entry into Star Magic.
•   Happening around this same period was Raymart Santiago allegedly leaving his conjugal home in Loyola Grand Villas in Quezon City with wife Claudine Barretto. While Raymart was evasive about the issue, what triggered the spread of rumors were Gretchen’s and Marjorie’s social media posts that alluded to their sister Claudine. Gretchen was quoted: “Your husband walked out on you coz (sic) of your violent ways. What exactly did you do to his Porsche? His laptop? …Oh please reflect and go to your happy place, Medical City.”
•   Showbiz insiders considered such a statement as supporting assertions about Claudine’s rumored violent tendencies and manic-depressive condition. A blind item in the past made it seem as though Claudine regularly goes to a popular hospital for the treatment of her depression supposed to be caused by her dwindling showbiz career.
•   Marjorie Barretto then revealed through her Twitter posts that Claudine threatened to ruin her niece Julia Barretto’s entry into Star Magic, the talent center of ABS-CBN that used to manage Claudine’s career. According to Marjorie, Claudine claimed she was and remains the only “Teleserye Princess” of ABS-CBN ‘until eternity.’ To this tweet, Gretchen added how sorry she feels that Claudine is alone now because of her ‘evil ways.’
•   On April 24, the Barretto siblings’ mother, Estrella “Inday” Barretto went on “resbak” mode in defense of Claudine and wrote an open letter addressed to Gretchen. In summary,  Inday in the letter called Gretchen a “liar” for calling Claudine evil when in fact she was the evil daughter (even asking, “who do you think Claudine is, the evil queen of Bhutan?”), referred to her as “ST Queen” and divulged to the public how Gretchen has always disowned her family and caused wars. She told her to “Stop it naaaaa!” and altogether asked her to “stay away” from their family.
•   The next day, JJ, Inday’s son known to be “in the employ” of Gretchen, spoke in defense of the latter and claimed that Claudine has been provoking Gretchen for so long. He also dropped hints that Claudine “needs treatment” and “rehab” for her depressive, violent behavior.
•   As of this writing, their elder sister Gia Barretto who resides in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, has sent a letter to their mother Inday via iPhone telling their sister Gretchen that “we don’t want you, too.” She even adds, “Just totally disappear from our lives without leaving a trail of vile and misery.”

Thus the Barretto saga continues! We don’t know how this tale of family issues, hatred, name-calling and betrayal will end, and whether or not this is a publicity stunt to either (a) revive Claudine’s sleeping showbiz career or (b) ensure the entry of their latest manok Julia Barretto getting noticed. But we’ll keep our eyes and ears open, for sure. For some reason everyone’s always been interested in the mala-teleserye episodes of the Barrettos, and with the growing number of celebs in the family, we’re almost sure they’re going to be on the news for quite a while.

Marian Rivera replaces talent manager of 7 years

It’s official. Celebrated Kapuso GMA7 star Marian Rivera, most famous for her TV title role Marimar, is dissolving her contract with Popoy Caritativo, her manager for seven years. She announced the news to the press last April 26 at the Luxent Hotel, Quezon City.

Marian is now joining All Access to Artists (AAA), the talent management team owned by Tony Tuviera. She explained the decision to change management was something she thought about for a long time and not a spur-of-the-moment decision. When she finally gathered courage to let Popoy know she wants to leave him as talent manager, she wrote a letter to him, one that surprised not only Popoy but also the entertainment press.
When asked why she didn’t talk to him face to face, Marian said, “Hindi ko kaya at mahihirapan ako. Nagpapasalamat na lang ako at sinabi niyang ‘Nabasa ko ang sulat mo, at kung yun ang gusto mo, re-respetuhin ko ang desisyon mo.’”

She adds that there is no need to divulge whatever reasons she has against her old talent manager. “Napaka-unfair ko naman kung sasabihin ko pa yung mga side ni Popoy. Nirerespeto ko siya at bali-baliktarin nyo man ang mundo, malaki ang pasasalamat ko kay Popoy sa lahat ng naitulong niya sa akin. Never akong magsasalita ng di maganda tungkol sa kanya dahil mabait sa akin yung tao,” Marian remarks.

A Summer Bum’s Guide for the Upcoming School Year

Words by: Katrina Isabel Tamina

They say time flies when you’re having fun. Imagine how fast time will fly when it’s the most awaited time of the year: your summer vacation. One moment you’re thinking of plans on how to have the most epic summer vacation ever like going to road trips with your friends, getting a part-time job to earn a little moolah, or just laying around the house like a slug, and the next moment, reality will come whacking you in the head reminding you that you only have a week before the start of classes. So to avoid that good ‘ol whack in the head that happens mostly to all of us, here are some tips that will help you get geared up for battle- I mean, school. Right, school.

Make sure you’re actually enrolled in a school.
Well, you couldn’t actually prepare for the upcoming school year when you’re not even enrolled now, could you? Start with the essentials: settle your accounts in school during the provided schedule of enrolment as soon as possible, make sure you have the right uniforms ready, and start buying or borrowing the books from your book list for the upcoming school year. For freshmen or students going to a new school, try to do a little research on your new second home so when classes begin, you’ll have at least a little headstart in this unfamiliar territory. Really, with having these done, you’re a small step away from being a student again.

Don’t go with the flow
Mostly, people start shopping for their things by mid-May, or if they feel like kind of a badass, a week before school starts. Don’t even think about being a badass. Buy your things ahead of everyone else. Apart from getting to avoid the crowd, you would get to have more items to choose from and have less worry for not being able to find what you’re looking for. Remember, this rule just doesn’t apply to Christmas shopping anymore.

Reset your body clock
Time doesn’t exist during summer vacations. It’s hard to tell what day it is or even what time it is when your head falls on your pillow just as the sun rises. As they say, it takes seven days to create a habit and fourteen days to break one. Unless you want to find yourself under the murderous glare of your teacher as you’ve fallen asleep in her most epic story of how X became Y that then resulted to 2 plus tangent, you should start adjusting your body clock back to “school mode.” Just make it a habit to sleep early weeks before the start of school and you’re good to go.

Make a bucket list
Didn’t get to attend a school festival last year? Missed your target grade in a subject by a mere point? You still have brand new school year to make up for it! Make your school year more exciting and fun for yourself by making a bucket list. List all the things you plan to achieve and do in school. And by the end of the year, if you have completed all the things that you have listed, treat yourself to a pint of ice cream or a whole cake. Doing what you plan to do and eating a pint of ice cream as a reward, what type of motivation do you still need?

Enjoy your summer while it lasts
It will be a while before summer graces your schedule again, so as you prepare for the upcoming school year, don’t forget that it’s still your summer vacation and you have every right to enjoy it. Sure, there would be holidays and breaks, but nothing beats a two-month vacation with nothing to do but eat, sleep, eat and maybe be a functioning member of society! So watch the whole Harry Potter movies in one sitting, sleep for twenty-four hours straight, write a novel, or even finish that book you’ve been putting off for a while now before its movie adaptation comes out. Or, if you’re into it – no judgments here – make your vacation actually productive and start reading up on your text books. Whatever floats your boat! Just have fun doing it, because it will be a while again before summer break.

Sincerely Yours

Words by: Rosario “Chats” A. Santiago

Since getting his break opposite Bea Alonzo in 2002’s Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay, Cruz has worked steadily in both film and television.  That initial pairing with Alonzo would spawn many other outings, as theirs would become one of the most popular loveteams of the past decade.  In 2008, Cruz would be paired with pop princess, Sarah Geronimo, in A Very Special Love.  The movie would rake in a total of Php 179,569,117 at the box office, and would give rise to two more sequels, each a bigger blockbuster than the other.  The first, 2009’s You Changed My Life, would go on to earn Php 240.44 million at the gate.  The third film in the series, It Takes a Man and a Woman, has reportedly reached Php 375 million since it opened in theaters three weeks ago.  Another 25 million and it would overtake Sisterakas as the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time.

In 2010, Cruz was in the top two box-office earners for that year.  His team-up with Toni Gonzaga in My Amnesia Girl took in Php 12.8 million on opening day alone, on the way to a month-long total of Php 165 million, making it the top grossing film for 2010.  Miss You Like Crazy, Cruz’s reunion movie with Bea Alonzo, would come in second with its Php 140 million total over a seven-week run.
Last year, he and Alonzo celebrated their 10th anniversary as a loveteam, with the release of The Mistress, which raked in Php 260 million in box office receipts, making it one of the highest-grossing Filipino films of all time.

So what makes John Lloyd Cruz such a draw for local and even foreign-based Filipinos and such a popular leading man to different onscreen partners?  According to the actor, lack of familiarity with his leading ladies may be one factor.

“I can’t imagine having a successful tandem with someone I’m familiar with, like Jodi (Sta. Maria) who is a good friend,” Cruz said in an exclusive interview with Inquirer Lifestyle last month.  “Perhaps working with people I am unfamiliar with helps,” he added.

“I’ve known Bea for 10 years,” he went on to say.  “We were together in a number of teleseryes, but the others I only worked with recently.  Maybe because it happened this way – that we were not friends before we did the project—probably helped the chemistry.”

In the same interview, Cruz also mentioned that the key to his plausible portrayal of various characters opposite different partners stems from the honesty with which he approaches his projects.
“We can talk about all these different approaches when it comes to acting, but what I can offer is sincerity – to the material and to the character,” the actor said.

Surviving the Summer Heat Wave

Words by: Francis Christian Lubag

aybe the saying about constants needs to be updated. There are now four constants in this world: death, taxes, changes and the seemingly unforgiving heat. And while there are life adversities that we try to enjoy, there are also situations that we have to learn to live by. There are things that we just have to survive.

And believe me, it’s not just happening here in the good ol’ Philippines, it’s everywhere. So whether you’re going to visit the motherland for a vacation or simply just want to go out to run an errand or go to work, we have to know the things we need to observe and avoid to survive this punishing climate. Besides, heat stroke isn’t a joke; people have died from it.

Stay In
Unless completely necessary, it is best to stay indoors during this time of the year. Remember that the hottest time of the day is from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Enjoy the shade and the comfort of your electric fans or air conditioners and cut the hassle of having to endure the summer heat. However, be forewarned: overheating appliances most especially electric fans is one of the most prevalent causes of fire during summer.

“Lighten” Up
No, feeling well-ventilated when wearing light-colored clothes is not just an illusion. There’s science behind it. Light-colored fabrics tend to deflect light better and as such, heat also tends to bounce off from it. On the other end of the spectrum, dark colored clothes absorb more light and consequently heat, which is why we feel like our bodies are broiling inside an oven whenever we’re sporting a black shirt or blouse on a hot summer day. Also, try wearing clothes made from cotton as it allows better air circulation.

Keep Hydrated
Doctors say we need to drink eight glasses of water a day. At a time like this, eight doesn’t seem enough. In fact, it is best if we’ll always have a water bottle with us to keep us hydrated whenever we’re outside. Dehydration is a real problem and often times the cause of more dangerous medical issues such as heat stroke. And while it is summer and many among us are taking vacations, we must try to limit our intake of alcohol and caffeine-based liquids as these can lead to dehydration.

Cool Down
Go out and hit the beach or a pool. But if you don’t have the time to take a trip, take a shower more often. Cooling down our body helps in regulating our body temperature and avoiding the detrimental effects of the sun.

Bring Protection
There are a number of items that we can use to give us some form of shade while we’re outside — umbrellas, hats and sunglasses. It is important that we always have these things, most especially if we will go on trips. Keep in mind though that hats are better than caps as the former provides protection to our ears, neck and nape as well unlike the cap that only gets to cover our head and face.

Use Sunscreen
Sorry guys, sunscreens aren’t just for girls — especially since we’re as likely to get heat stroke or worse, skin cancer as the ladies. With that being said, it is not enough to just grab sunscreen and pour it all over our bodies as we go out. It is equally important to learn how to choose and use the sunscreen correctly. First off, choose sunscreens with SPF15 or higher. SPF refers to Sun Protection Factor, which is the rate or effectiveness the sunscreen can protect us from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Furthermore, it is also important to get water-resistant sunscreens so it won’t easily wear off when we go swimming in the beach or in the pool. It is also important to apply the sunscreen evenly on our exposed body parts at least two hours before you go out and regardless of how long the sunscreen says it sticks, it is best if we reapply it every two hours.

And with all the precautionary measures mentioned above, it is also important to know the first signs of dehydration and heat stroke to determine the initial course of action while waiting or on the way to seek medical attention. Early warning signs of dehydration include, but not limited to, dry mouth, thirst, fatigue, dizziness, headaches and dry skin. You can determine if someone is suffering from heat stroke if one experiences severe headache, light-headedness, hot dry skin, cramps, nausea and vomiting, shallow breathing, disorientation and confusion and worse, unconsciousness. While these are the tell-tale signs of medical issues, it is not enough to self-diagnose and cool them down with water or a bath. Most of the time, it is best to get medical attention to determine the proper course of action in each particular case.

Taking these things in mind and actually observing them will definitely help us survive this heat wave. And maybe we can even enjoy more if we follow the tips above and avoid spending the summer break at the hospital.

Tone Up Your Bikini Bod With CrossFit

Words by: Shiena Iane Bernardino

Summer is officially in full blast. Everyone is flocking to the hippest beaches to cool off during the sizzling hot weather. And what is the best accessory this summer? The perfect beach body, of course!

But how can you flaunt your hottest swim wear if there are excess flabs all over your physique?

Don’t fret! There is still hope. You can easily engage in different body sculpting workouts to help you tone your body. One of them is CrossFit, a high intensity fitness program which is starting to get famous nowadays because its fun and challenging workout plan.

So what exactly is CrossFit?
This fitness regime was founded in 2000 by Greg Glassman. It is first and foremost a strength and conditioning workout that targets military special operations units, police trainees, professional athletes, and other individuals who want to be on the top of their game. But nowadays, CrossFit caters to everyone who wants to improve their overall wellbeing and look good by being fit.

What’s fun in this type of program is its fast-paced and constantly changing workouts. In around 20 minutes or less, various movements like rowing, rope climbing, sprinting, jumping rope, lifting weights, tire flipping, and other body weight exercises are combined to make up a workout session, or what they call the “Workout of the Day” or “WODs”. These workouts are scalable; meaning a beginner and a professional athlete can have the same set of workouts but can vary in their intensity and difficulty levels.

Who are eligible to enroll in a CrossFit program?
Though the movements sound like they are designed for Olympians or military personnel, anyone can still join the program, especially if they are:

• Easily bored with the usual routines in conventional gyms;
• Targeting to tone down their abs or lose a few pounds;
• Have very limited time to do any physical activities everyday;
• Training for their chosen sport;
• Reached a plateau in the training program that they are currently into.

Are there any tools needed in a WOD?
Normally, the usual workout equipment is used in one CrossFit session. It includes kettle bells, barbells, dumbbells, gymnastics rings, medicine balls, pull-up bars, as well as boxes with varying heights for box jumping. Some may also use weights or other improvised material to help enhance their workouts.

Are there any disadvantages of joining a CrossFit program?
Since every individual’s preferences vary, it is also important to note that there are some aspects of this program that may make other people run out of the gym’s nearest exit.
The most common reasons why others are not keen on continuing with a CrossFit regime are:

• Uncomfortable with group exercises – There are individuals who would rather do their exercises alone. Since WODs are normally done in groups, those who want the comforts of exercising in their own would back out of CrossFit right away.
• Intensity of the movements – Though a CrossFit trainer could say that the intensity of the workouts could be adjusted according to a person’s capabilities, some of the workouts can actually be too difficult for others. For example, a beginner would find it hard to perform pull-ups compared to those who are already physically fit.
• The sessions can be a bit steep in the pockets – Some might say that joining a CrossFit affiliated gym can make a dent in the bank. After all, WODs does not have to be high tech to begin with. But CrossFit coaches swear that the kind of training they offer are based on a well-researched regiment, which makes the fees all worth it.

CrossFit is fast becoming a worldwide phenomenon for fitness enthusiasts. In the Philippines, those who want to experience this fast paced and effective workout program can turn to the Libis and Fort Bonifacio branches of CrossFit Manila to have the body that is fit for summer, or any other seasons for that matter.

Through the Looking Glass

Words by: Claudio Sanchez

Philippine Elections – A Closer Look
Elections in the Philippines usually have three qualities, festive and colorful like its many fiestas, controversial and headline-grabbing like its celebrities, and dirty like its history. Many candidates build themselves up as the greatest thing to ever happen to the country; the fabled hero destined to grant them salvation from the cold fingers of poverty… only if you vote them because they can’t do all of that without the grand machine of the Philippine Government working for them. Mudslinging is the norm and overly optimistic promises are the SOP. Violence has also become an election staple – it’s during this time that crime rates spike. Each candidate hires a crew to assist the voters and as well as to look out for cheaters who were hired by other candidates to manipulate the result of the election. Cheating has sadly become an election tradition.

All tension between parties would escalate and reach its tipping point on election day.

A quick history lesson would show us that electoral fraud was already there during the birth of the Philippine Republic – the 1897 Tejeros Convention. Allegedly, supporters of Aguinaldo paid off the participants of the said convention to cast their vote in favor of Aguinaldo, our first president. Quite riveting stuff. Despite being the first republic in Asia, The Philippines has not evolved much when it comes to the election process. What first started off as a simple piece of paper and a padlocked box has evolved into a symbol of power. A remnant of an archaic system that is riddled with holes just waiting to be abused.

It’s been 116 years since the first election and not much has changed since then: People flock to the precincts, put their votes into a box along with their hopes and dreams for themselves and the nation, the boxes will be then taken to the COMELEC for counting and tallying. Just 3 steps and a whole lot chances for “accidents” to take place. These accidents include but are not limited to: power outages, fights, ballot boxes missing, kidnappings, etc.

But it gets better.

It would then take two to three months (which technically feels like an eternity) before winners are proclaimed. And then add another 6 months or so because there is an 85% chance that a losing candidate would accuse the winning candidate of fraud.

A Dynamite Lit on Both Ends
It’s not just the “election fiesta” that poses a problem but the voting body as well. We, (by “we” I refer to the Filipino masses) have an annoyingly personalistic view of political leaders. The majority of the voting body rely on the personal appeal of candidates like his or her demeanor, looks, charisma and political heritage. Most voters pay no heed to the one actual thing they should be focusing on – party platforms.

How a candidate delivers a line (and how that certain candidate looks when delivering that line) poses more concern for the mass voters instead of tax reforms and regulations, how to EFFECTIVELY make education a priority again, and the like. You know, things that actually affect the nation.

The Silver Lining
US elections are a far cry compared to ours. While ours is in theory a depopulating tool, theirs is something worth emulating. I’m not saying that it is a paragon of electoral efficiency but it’s at least something worth looking into. And normally, the election season in the U.S. would only take around 6 months, here we have designate a whopping year and a half for it.

Fortunately, the government took steps to catch up to the industry standard and curb election-related shenanigans. Automated Elections debuted during the 2010 season. Despite the public’s initial skepticism on the efficiency and reliability of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) Machines, they still pushed through with it. Each and every precinct would have a Precinct Count Optical Scan or PCOS machine. This machine would then gather all the votes and store it in a memory card. The data would then be sent via SMS using a SIM card installed on the machine to the main counting headquarters. From there, the votes would be counted, validated until a partial, official count can be publicly announced. Normally, it would take less than 24 hours before a winner is proclaimed.

This new system was finally adopted by the Philippine government in 2010 in hopes of a more dignified election process. But the transition process wasn’t as easy as initially perceived since many people were quite unfamiliar with it. And so, the COMELEC conducted a huge information drive to help people warm up to the new system. Advertisements related to the new voting system stormed the media en masse, which meant billions of pesos shelled out. Election time came and, as expected, problems showed up. Aside from the usual problem of vote-buying and violence, many of the PCOS machines failed. At least the elections went a lot more swiftly than the previous one. Some dailies even claimed that a large percentage of election-related violence was averted due to the new automated system.

Now here comes another election season and the return of the new and improved machines. The COMELEC assured the public that the election would be much smoother than the previous one.

The COMELEC has been preparing for the election a year before this campaign season even started. Many mistakes have been sorted out, which ultimately means that the solution to the problems of the last elections should already be solved. Should the new system fail again, not only will the credibility of this move towards a more peaceful election process be questioned, but more money will be coughed up to fix it yet again. In the end, the burning question would be “was it worth it?”

Everyone is keeping an eye on the elections because it is an essential process that we have to embrace for our nation’s future. Always remember that our votes are precious. It is the most basic building block of our nation that will not only dictate our future but the our children’s children as well. Or we can just throw it away and condemn ourselves to a life of mediocrity and poverty that we’re used to. The choice is yours.

Shade the circle of your future. Vote wisely.

The War of Two Koreas

Words by: Nadz Ruiz

A History of Animosity
But as international news agencies and analysts were quick to point out, North Korea has been in a state of war with South Korea since 1950. The two Koreas signed a truce in 1953, meaning a temporary cessation of war hostilities and not a peace treaty. But, North Korea has been threatening to attack the South and US military bases almost on a daily basis ever since. With constant threat of war, the Japanese, US and South Korean armed forces have been trained to stay on the highest alert.

Calling for Restraint
With South Korea, US and Japan all poised to strike at a moment’s notice, everyone else is calling for restraint when it comes to this issue as to prevent going past the point of no return.

Russia, which has a sort of restrained optimistic view of North Korea, a Soviet-era client state, calls on the US and South Korea to refrain from any belligerent actions. The reemergence of war is the last thing they want and is totally unacceptable.

France and China meanwhile are deeply worried about the tensions on the Korean peninsula. The Philippines, on the other hand, has offered the US their military bases, if any war with North Korea does break out.

DFA Taking Action
On April 5, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III ordered Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to the Philippine Embassy in Seoul to oversee the preparations for a possible evacuation of nearly 50,000 Filipinos currently in South Korea. Despite this, Aquino said that there is no reason for the public to be alarmed of the situation.

The Department of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Raul Hernandez said that their figures show that there are five to seven Filipinos in North Korea but they did not know if they were still residing there or have already returned to the Philippines.

The Department of Foreign Affairs raised alert level 1 for Filipinos working and residing in South Korea. This means that the Filipinos in South Korea were already informed about the situation and were urged to be prepared for any situation.

He added that the Philippine embassy in South Korea is ready to roll out their contingency plan if a full-blown war erupts between the two Koreas. It also deployed carrier airplanes for repatriation in the event of a full-scale war. He said alert level three will merit a relocation of Filipinos to unaffected areas while level four will involve mandatory repatriation.

However, he assured that the overall situation in South Korea remains normal and calm. In a separate report, a group of Filipino students in South Korea assured their friends and family that “things remain calm and normal” and “it is business as usual.” Nevertheless, they are in touch with the Philippine Embassy for any instructions as the need arises.

Back Home
Back home, the state of war between the two Koreas garnered mixed reactions. Some are worried of their relatives and kababayans in South Korea. Others are worried of the fallout from missiles and the effects of a nuclear attack on the country. Several netizens preferred to make light of the situation, saying they won’t be able to watch their favorite Korean shows and celebrities if North Korea bombs South Korea. Those who have been following the news shook their heads and chalked it up to North Korea’s seeming penchant for outrageous but unbacked threats and claims.

Interviews with Filipinos in South Korea also revealed mixed reactions. In a TV interview, one Filipino residing in South Korea said the situation was “alarming,” while the other said, “we remain calm and everything is normal.” Of course, they are prepared for any untoward incidents.

Close to a month after North Korea’s declaration, Pyongyang has to make a significant move. The world is still watching for any concrete proof that North Korea will make true its words. The DFA is still on heightened alert. In the meantime, it seems that everything is in status quo. Until the worst happens, all the world can do now is hope for peace.

Finding Alberto (Chapter 3)

Story by Joan Lopez-Flores & Rico del Rosario

For the most part, Elena wanted to be left alone to mourn. Hannah knew that instinctively, and so she took care of the guests, relatives, friends, and colleagues who visited Daniel Duffy’s funeral. It was a curious sight. Elena wore dark-tinted sunglasses to cover her red eyes. Celia, on the other hand, sat beside her, weeping openly.

Hannah continued to receive and entertain guests. Elena could hear her daughter’s voice. “No, no, it happened quick… He wasn’t in any pain… It was instant, the doctor said… Thank you so much for coming… Thank you for the flowers…”

Elena reached over to Celia and squeezed her hand. She gave her a weak smile. Elena thought, “So it’s true what they say about the tenacity of Filipinos. The hardest tragedies may strike us, we may be in deep pain, but we are still able to face life and smile.” Elena’s mind began was filled with anxious thoughts. What now? Where do we go from here? All my life, I have been Mrs Elena Duffy. Who am I now? Oh, my God! Read more

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