Is She the Alleged 500M PhP Birkin Scammer?

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Anderson Cooper: "The Fact Is, I'm Gay."

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Last week, Entertainment Weekly ran a story on an emerging trend: gay people in public life who come out in a much more restrained and matter-of-fact way than in the past. In many ways, it's a great development: we're evolved enough not to be gob-smacked when we find out someone's gay. But it does matter nonetheless, it seems to me, that this is on the record. We still have pastors calling for the death of gay people, bullying incidents and suicides among gay kids, and one major political party dedicated to ending the basic civil right to marry the person you love. So these "non-events" are still also events of a kind; and they matter. The visibility of gay people is one of the core means for our equality.

All of which is a prelude to my saying that I've known Anderson Cooper as a friend for more than two decades. I asked him for his feedback on this subject, for reasons that are probably obvious to most. Here's his email in response which he has given me permission to post here:

Andrew, as you know, the issue you raise is one that I've thought about for years. Even though my job puts me in the public eye, I have tried to maintain some level of privacy in my life. Part of that has been for purely personal reasons. I think most people want some privacy for themselves and the people they are close to.

But I've also wanted to retain some privacy for professional reasons. Since I started as a reporter in war zones 20 years ago, I've often found myself in some very dangerous places. For my safety and the safety of those I work with, I try to blend in as much as possible, and prefer to stick to my job of telling other people’s stories, and not my own. I have found that sometimes the less an interview subject knows about me, the better I can safely and effectively do my job as a journalist.

I've always believed that who a reporter votes for, what religion they are, who they love, should not be something they have to discuss publicly. As long as a journalist shows fairness and honesty in his or her work, their private life shouldn't matter. I’ve stuck to those principles for my entire professional career, even when I’ve been directly asked “the gay question,” which happens occasionally. I did not address my sexual orientation in the memoir I wrote several years ago because it was a book focused on war, disasters, loss and survival. I didn't set out to write about other aspects of my life.

Recently, however, I’ve begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle. It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something - something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true.

I’ve also been reminded recently that while as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible. There continue to be far too many incidences of bullying of young people, as well as discrimination and violence against people of all ages, based on their sexual orientation, and I believe there is value in making clear where I stand.

The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.

I have always been very open and honest about this part of my life with my friends, my family, and my colleagues. In a perfect world, I don't think it's anyone else's business, but I do think there is value in standing up and being counted. I’m not an activist, but I am a human being and I don't give that up by being a journalist.

Since my early days as a reporter, I have worked hard to accurately and fairly portray gay and lesbian people in the media - and to fairly and accurately portray those who for whatever reason disapprove of them. It is not part of my job to push an agenda, but rather to be relentlessly honest in everything I see, say and do. I’ve never wanted to be any kind of reporter other than a good one, and I do not desire to promote any cause other than the truth.

Being a journalist, traveling to remote places, trying to understand people from all walks of life, telling their stories, has been the greatest joy of my professional career, and I hope to continue doing it for a long time to come. But while I feel very blessed to have had so many opportunities as a journalist, I am also blessed far beyond having a great career.

I love, and I am loved.

In my opinion, the ability to love another person is one of God’s greatest gifts, and I thank God every day for enabling me to give and share love with the people in my life. I appreciate your asking me to weigh in on this, and I would be happy for you to share my thoughts with your readers. I still consider myself a reserved person and I hope this doesn’t mean an end to a small amount of personal space. But I do think visibility is important, more important than preserving my reporter’s shield of privacy.

Source: Andrew Sullivan's The Daily Beast

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Why Diva was Excluded from Concert Line Up

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The mention of “OPM” brings a handful of names to mind. Hence, when a gathering of OPM artists  happened recently, people were clueless as to why a talented but snobbish singer (SS) seemed to have been overlooked by the organizers. That was quite a surprise. Mere mention of OPM and SS will be at the forefront.

Here's the story. The management of a new venue wanted to launch its opening with a big concert to showcase Filipino talents of the 70s, 80's, 90's up to the present. It contacted the special division of a network and the organization of Filipino talents. After brainstorming, the line up was completed. The head of the organization (HO) realized that SS was missing from the cast. HO then suggested to include SS because other than SS being a major talent, the other diva could not make it due to personal problems. But special division head (SD) opposed HO's idea.

SD said he does not feel comfortable working with SS because of her diva attitude (one of the nicknames attributed to SS has something to do with being cold.), and that SS is already past her prime yet she still acts like it was just yesterday. SD said that those were just some considerations that's why SS was not kept in the network's weekly show. Of course, SD was also not too keen on the inclusion of a family member of SS in all her gigs.

HO explained to SD that he should not take it personally and not let it get in the way of their joint project. However, SD stood his ground and threatened to pull out his team if SS performs. HO had no choice but to oblige because he did not want to disappoint the sponsors and the owners of the venue. Besides, the other network would not be able to mount something as extensive as what SD could.

When SS found out that she was not in the line up, she immediately called HO and gave him a piece of her mind. She questioned why the concert included a singer comedian and a comedy duo and yet  she was neglected. HO had to explain to her why it was so. SS contacted another big name in the music industry and told him of her predicament. She was told that he couldn't do anything because it would  be the team of SD who's in charge of the show. HO wanted to soften the blow and showed his sincerity by sending SS invitation and tickets, which were returned anyway.

It seems like the diva attitude of SS is keeping her in oblivion. Can you identify who she is?

Please abide by the RULES in writing comments if you want me to post them. Initials and comments that are too explicit will not be accepted.

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Shape Up or Pack Up

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After some months of planning, the show of this controversial host finally aired. But prior to the that, CH received her share of intrigues. For a quite a time, she was relentless in attacking back her online bashers. When the messages got on her nerves, CH lashed back. In response to her messages, her followers answered with comments that questioned her character and her image. After a while, the public exchanges of online messages stopped.

However, to build up more interest in her new show, the messages that poked fun of CH were used as teaser ads for the show. After a number of postponements, the show finally aired. However, it did not generate as much interest as was expected. Some critics blamed the time slot. Others commented the show was a rehash and offered nothing new. Still, others lamented that CH has lost her luster.

After a month of airing, the show has apparently not improved its ratings. Hence, management sent a memo instructing the production to plan the remaining episodes, including the finale. It turns out, the replacement show is already being planned. Now, people are awaiting for CH's reaction regarding this latest development.

Can you identify who CH is? Please abide by the RULES in writing comments if you want me to post them. Initials and comments that are too explicit will not be accepted.

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Making a Comeback

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Months before the launching of a new talent show, the creative team of the network had already conceptualized the format and the line up for their hosts. Those in charge included a manager turned network executive, a retired media executive, an award-winning director, an experienced producer, among others. Most of the members of the team were veterans from their former networks, so they knew what would make a show click with the audience. The hosting job was first offered to a hunk actor (HA). Negotiations failed because HA turned down whatever the network offered him. Besides, if HA had accepted the offer, then he would eventually bump into a controversial personality, with whom he had fallen out of grace. The other names that cropped up for the main hosting chores were sporty actor (SA), model host (MH), and poised actress (PA).

After the team handed down their proposal to top management, they were surprised with the choice of the host. Although he would have been the perfect choice, SA could not be the host because he had another assignment. SA publicly admitted that this assignment was one of the offers he considered when he made the big move. Top management had another name (AN) in mind. The team was shocked. Some reactions centered on AN’s being past his prime, therefore, he was no longer that popular. Then the media executive raised the point that AN is not a skilled host unlike MH and PA. Then, top management said that it was willing to double the prize for the show's grand winner as long as AN would be the host. The big pot can help boost the ratings and perhaps, rescue the career of AN.

Since the network had already ran out of personalities to pirate, and the directive came from the top, the team had to settle for AN. With this new assignment, AN firms up his position in the network. Will AN do wonders for the new talent show? Will the new talent show help the network gain a bigger share of the audience? Is top management showing early signs of favoritism as AN has only been recently signed up by the network?

Can you identify all the characters in the story? Please abide by the RULES in writing comments if you want me to post them. Initials and comments that are too explicit will not be accepted.

Follow micsylim on Twitter for the latest update. Please continue to send your juicy stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving Fashion PULIS.

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Distraught Muse

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Sometime ago, the model host (MH) announced to the world that she was very happy in having found a new relationship (NR). People were happy with the announcement of MH but some doubted that her relationship was that serious. After all, she has been known to have had several boyfriends in the past including a radio personality. NR, meanwhile, had just recovered from the break-up (and its messy aftermath) with a funny actress (FA). In interviews, NR cleared doubts that he was two-timing FA with MH. Let’s face it, FA was no match to MH when it came to looks. A few months into their relationship, NR proposed to MH. This engagement left people sceptical but most did not question the power of love. People who saw MH and NR together felt they were really in love. Besides, MH decided to move into the same building as NR.

Months later, while everything seemed quiet, a tragic event happened to MH. What surprised viewers was the absence of NR, who lived some floors away from the flat of MH. People speculated that NR might have been on location so he was not around. Later, MH admitted that she and NR have broken up, but there was no third party involved. As to why NR was not around during that moment, MH did not answer. From a reliable source, the reason why their relationship ended was that NR felt MH was suffocating him. MH was always around and he needed the space. Moreover, MH had terrible mood swings and was very jealous. Allegedly, she is bipolar.

When the tragedy happened, NR was not as bad as he was pictured. He checked on MH through the guards of the building. He just did not want to show himself to MH. NR also admitted that it was his fault that they got engaged too early. Well, it seemed that MH was not the muse NR was looking for.

Can you identify all the characters in the story? Please abide by the RULES in writing comments if you want me to post them. Initials and comments that are too explicit will not be accepted.

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Her Earnest Desire

                               Image courtesy of www.allwe-needislove.blogspot.com

Defiant actress (DA) got a tongue-lashing from her director when she showed up looking very tired, and gave excuses about not being well enough to rehearse a few hours before the actual live show. When DA was called to rehearse, she told the production assistant to let others practice ahead of her. When the director learned what DA said, he unleashed a few curses, rushed to her room, and confronted her. He said that if she were not fit, then she should just go home, and not be on the set looking wasted.

The behavior seemed to be unlikely of DA. Her nice girl image always was projected to the public. Apparently, DA had a fight with a family member the day before, and did not spend the night at home. She took comfort in the home of her rumoured closest male friend (MF) that night. Is something more than friendship happening between DA and MF? Could it be possible that MF be the reason of the fight or was DA back to her rebellious ways? In interviews, MF said the idea of being together with DA was nice, but there really was not anything more between them.

However, there is another rumoured figure (RF) in the life of DA. RF happens to be older and more experienced in various fields. When asked about DA, RF did not answer, and requested that questions center on his work. The latest buzz is that he provided a bodyguard for DA.

While DA remains single, she has MF as the shoulder to cry on and RF as her protector. Who will DA choose once she has to make a decision? Throughout her showbiz life, DA was always in a relationship. Will she stay single long enough to enjoy the best of both worlds?

Can you identify who DA, MF and RF are? Please abide by the RULES in writing comments if you want me to post them. Initials and comments that are too explicit will not be accepted.

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Getting Bizarre Again

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The process of taping a drama series is not an easy task for it involves various stages and tens of people. When a drama series is conceptualized, the director and his staff have to put the idea of the writers to come alive onscreen. The wardrobe people plan what the characters will wear. The light and sound crews make sure the equipment are all working. The assistant director (or someone else) outlines the scenes, location, and actors needed. Therefore, any problems, such as the weather, can ruin the schedule of all these people.

A few days ago, the taping of a drama series was packed up and it was not because of the bad weather. Rather, the cause of the non-shooting was the refusal of the lead actress (LA) to enter the location of their shoot. LA was already in the vicinity of the taping as the production people already saw her van. The makeup people did not worry about LA because at times, she refused to have herself fixed. She can prepare herself for what her role demands. Yet, some people can be mean by saying that LA refuses to wear makeup because her face cannot hold it.

The crew had already prepared the location, which was somewhere south of the Manila and where the weather was cooler. They waited for LA to step down from the van. Their wait was futile. LA refused to budge. She did not want to get out of her van. Instead of convincing LA harder, the production team conceded to her demand and packed up the taping.

While LA is known for her obnoxious ways, she actually has a caring personality for the some sectors of the community. However, when the taping was packed up because of her whimsical reasoning, LA forgot that her being a prima donna at that moment affected not just her schedule but also the commitments of her co-stars. LA also forgot that some crew members are paid on a daily basis, and that the location owner gets some remuneration.

The question is what made LA uncomfortable with the chosen location. Did it bring about significant memories that she did not want to remember?

Can you identify who LA is? Please abide by the RULES in writing comments if you want me to post them. Initials and comments that are too explicit will not be accepted.

Follow micsylim on Twitter for the latest update. Please continue to send your juicy stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving Fashion PULIS.

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