Insta Scoop: Why is Krista Miller being Extra Friendly with JC de Vera?

Images courtesy of Instagram: akosijcdeberat

Insta Scoop: Lirah Delos Reyes Airs Her Side

Images courtesy of Instagram: lirah_dlr
Note: This post has been deleted

Tweet Scoop: Lea and Gerard Salonga Defend RJ of The Voice PH

Images courtesy of Twitter: MsLeaSalonga

Blast from the Past: Who's that Boy?

Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader

Separated at Birth: Gracia Lopez and Karen Davila

Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader

Fairest of Them All: Yeng Constantino, Sarah Geronimo and Rachell Ann Go

Image courtesy of Instagram: itsjustsarahg

Who Wore It Better: Isabelle Daza vs Lovi Poe in Cary Santiago

 

Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader

Fab or Drab: Toni Gonzaga

Image courtesy of Instagram: jayar_badajos

Caption This: Jessy Mendiola

Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader

Like or Dislike: Marian Rivera for Zen Health

Congratulations Dr. Vicki Belo

 

Belo soars again with US Embassy and CEO EXCEL Awards

For over two decades, Dr. Vicki Belo and Belo Medical Group have been at the forefront of innovation inaesthetic and cosmetic surgery, gaining widespread recognition across the country and abroad. This time around, Dr. Belo solidifies her place not just as the frontrunner in the beauty industry, but also as one of the most respected business leaders today.

Recently, the Embassy of the United States of America, through their outgoing Ambassador, His Excellency Harry Thomas, Jr., recognized Dr. Belo and Belo Medical Group for their superior customer service, professionalism, and the outstanding medical care and support they continue to provide, not only to Filipino clients but also to foreigners who flock to the Philippines for medical tourism.

And they have not been the only ones to commend Belo: last July 25, the International Association of Business Communicators conferred the CEO Excel Award to Dr. Vicki Belo. This award is given to the top organizational leaders in the country champion excellent communication, achieve business goals, and make significant contributions to good governance and responsible citizenship.

Other recipients of the award this year are Ms. Maria Ressa of Rappler, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amado Tentangco Jr., Ma. Lourdes Santos of ABS-CBN, and Jose Pardo of Philippine StockExchange.

Dr. Belo credits the love and support of friends and family, especially ex-husband Atom Henares and their two children Cristalle and Quark, as essential to her success. She also expressed her deep appreciation for Belo Medical Group’s stellar roster of doctors, staff and endorsers.

Dr. Belo has indeed come a long way in forging the Belo brand. Belo was the first to introduce liposuction in the country, and has since risen to a place of prominence in the Philippine and Asian medical aesthetic industry. Dr. Belo has spent the last 23 years not only to build a name for Belo Medical Group, but more importantly, to put the Philippines on the map of the global beauty industry.

Belo Medical Group continues to nurture an ever-expanding stream of clients from all over the world ready to experience cosmetic service that is truly Filipino, and at the same time, truly world-class.

Her Only Motivation

Image courtesy of www.empowernetwork.com

Celebrities who choose to celebrate their birthdays by doing charity events are getting more into the habit and have made it a regular vow. While some do it wholeheartedly and with real genuine concern for the less-privileged, others are at it for show and publicity.

The recent birthday/charity event of a Controversial Actress CA was labeled as very superficial and off-putting by most people who witnessed it. Her behavior in that event for Kid Patients KP left a lot to be desired.

According to the source, CA’s fans were the ones who planned and organized the birthday/charity event for her at a Caring Home CH located within the metro. Her fans spent a lot of money, time and effort in securing sponsors for catering, balloon arrangements, giveaways, etc. Even the hosts were hired by her fans.

There were only more than 20 KP’s, but there were a lot of media people present – photographers and reporters.

The hosts prepared games for the kids, including a magic show while waiting for CA’s arrival. When CA’s van arrived, in front of the entrance, the KP were overjoyed and were told by the hosts to clap their hands and welcome CA. However, CA did not get out of the van. One of her assistants told the hosts to just proceed with the games.

KP looked very disappointed. After 30 minutes or so, CA finally appeared and entered the premises - it was total chaos. The photographers crowded in the middle, pushing some of the KP in the process.

The hosts announced that the kids will perform a special number for CA.

But instead of greeting KP and interacting with them, the first thing that CA did was go to the table where her friends (a popular hairstylist, and others) were seated.

When KP began their well-prepared song number (with matching choreography), CA sat in front of them and took a video of the KP with her cellphone. The photographers became busy taking photos of CA. They were reportedly under specific instruction by her network to take photos of her reaction. None of the press people paid attention to KP.

After the touching performance, each of the KP gave CA a birthday card. She cried (genuinely, they hoped ) The program, games and magic show were supposed to continue when CA requested the press and her assistant to have her photo taken with the KP.

CA posed and smiled with them. She even carried a baby. After the photo-op, she asked to be interviewed. She went on to say that she was happy to spend her birthday with KP, and that she was so touched

After the interview, she ignored KP, so unlike when the reporters were still around interviewing her. To make matters worse, when her fans were having their pictures taken with her, KP had no chairs to sit on anymore, and they were being pushed to the sides because the photographers were so eager to get shots of CA.

When CA's assistant gave back her phone to show her the pictures, CA said something like, "Walang matinong kuha. Ilalagay ko pa naman sa Instagram."

Clearly, the whole charity event was all for show. If CA was really sincere, she should have helped in organizing the charity event herself. But she had zero involvement. It was the fans who did everything. All CA had to do was show herself and be nice enough to interact with the KP who look up to her, but even that she failed to do. She was more concerned with her photos and the press.

What CA did was foul, very foul. Why use unfortunate KP just to boost her image?

The source said her group is active in charity events and had been to celebrity charity events before, and they knows who the sincere ones are. When a Young Actress YA celebrated her birthday in Kidtown, she entertained all the kids, gave them gifts personally and patiently signed autographs for all of them. She didn't even know that there would be any sort of coverage. She agreed to be interviewed only after the program, and after exchanging stories with the kids.

Well, let us hope more celebrities will be like YA. As for CA, according to the group, she's just a pretty face and nothing more.

"If you load responsibility on a person unworthy of it, she will always betray herself." ~ Heckscher 

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

Follow @FashionPulis 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!

Disclaimer: The comments of the readers do not reflect the views and opinions of Fashion PULIS. 

Kim Chiu Details Incident with Snubbed Fan

Cesar Montano Responds to Sunshine Cruz's Accusations

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

There is no truth to Sunshine Cruz's allegation of marital rape against her husband Cesar Montano as the actor continues to "exert earnest effort" to reconcile with his spouse of 13 years, the actor's lawyer said.

In a statement released Wednesday by his laywer, Atty. Joel Ferrer, the 51-year-old actor denied the charges cited by Cruz in her complaint filed Tuesday at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

The 36-year-old actress, who has three daughters with Montano, said she was raped by her husband on May 12 in her affidavit detailing the actor's alleged violation of the Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

"My client vehemently denies the charges and prevarications leveled against him as contained in the complaint of Cruz," Ferrer said.

"We maintain that there is no truth whatsoever that my client abused Cruz whether physical or verbal. The marital rape Cruz is alluding to is simply preposterous," the statement added.

He said, she said

Montano's camp confirmed that he spent May 12 with Cruz and their children to celebrate Mother's Day, but emphasized that no instance of violence took place between the couple.

According to Ferrer, Montano "slept and stayed overnight at the present residence of Cruz" after spending dinner as a family at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News' Jing Castaneda on Wednesday, Ferrer also confirmed that the couple became intimate on May 12. He stressed that the act was consensual.

"He left the place the following day. The two even had exchanges of text messages of good nature belying any animosity between them several days after the Mothers’ Day celebration," the lawyer said in the statement released Wednesday.

In her complaint detailing the events of May 12, Cruz said Montano "barged" into her residence, "where she was alone, and then violently attacked her, employed physical violence and raped" her.

Daughters' 'preference'

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, the "Dugong Buhay" actress also accused Montano of keeping her apart from her three children.

"Hindi na niya sinauli, puro tomorrow, tomorrow. 'Yung tomorrow na 'yun tumagal na nang tumagal hanggang sa I realized na he’s not going to give back my kids," she said.

Ferrer, in his statement, asserted, however, that it is the children's preference to stay with their father. The lawyer, likewise, stressed Cruz has always been "at liberty" to see her daughters anytime she wishes to.

"Relative to the custody of the children, it is actually the children’s preference that they stay at their family residence at Tivoli Royale," the statement said.

"It is also worth mentioning that Cruz is at liberty to see them anytime whether at the Tivoli residence or in the school where the children go to every single day. It is Cruz’s expressed decision not to go probably due to her hectic work schedule," it added.

The lawyer also noted that Cruz's complaint filed Tuesday is a "mere verbatim rehash" of her earlier filed petition for a temporary protection order (TPO) against Montano.

A hearing for the petition is set on August 15. If granted, the actor will be prohibited from being within 300 meters of Cruz.

Sunshine's 'demands'

Addressing the supposed reason behind Cruz's filing of the criminal case, Montano's camp said the actress' legal step stems from her alleged financial demands from her husband.

Ferrer showed ABS-CBN News a number of text messages allegedly sent by Cruz to him and Montano in July, requesting the actor not to lower his monthly financial support of P350,000 by P100,000.

The actress also allegedly asked Montano to buy her a new house, which supposedly costs P11 million to P15 million.

According to Ferrer, Cruz then told Montano to meet her in court after the actor said he couldn't accommodate her demands.

"Gumagawa-gawa ng kwento si Sunshine kasi hindi napagbigyan 'yung demands niya," the lawyer told ABS-CBN News.

Montano's camp also surmised that Cruz's filing of a criminal case is in relation to the actress' "desire" to have their marriage annulled.

"We believe Cruz filed the cases against Montano to gain leverage in her fervent desire to seek an annulment of their marriage," the statement said.

Last January, Cruz announced her separation from Montano over his alleged affair with model-actress Krista Miller.

Before the controversial breakup involving Miller, the celebrity couple, by Cruz's admission, had already gone through several rough patches due to Montano's questionable relationships with his co-workers. But according to the actor's lawyer, to date, "Montano is exerting earnest effort to preserve their matrimonial bond especially for the sake of their children."

Insta Scoop: Sunshine Cruz's Face on Mother's Day

Image courtesy of Instagram: kabitninograles

Insta Scoop: Luis Manzano Jokes about Unfollowing Jennylyn Mercado

Image courtesy of Instagram: mercadojenny

Insta Scoop: Pres. Noynoy Aquino Greets Marian Rivera

Image courtesy of Instagram: therealmarian

Insta Scoop: Cristine Reyes' Humor, was it a Hit or Miss?

Image courtesy of Instagram: queencristinereyes

Tweet Scoop: Twitter War between Nico Salva and Terrence Romeo

Images courtesy of Twitter: nickobesalva

Joey de Leon Gives "Kiss Ass" Painting to Willie Revillame

Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader

Blast from the Past: Kathryn Bernardo

Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader

Face Off: Tom Rodriguez vs Dennis Trillo

Image courtesy of Instagram: gigster_rj

Fairest of Them All: Julia, Dani, Claudia Barretto and Dominique Cojuangco

Image courtesy of Instagram: gretchenbarretto

Whose Version is Better: Lovi Poe vs Erich Gonzales

Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader

Fab or Drab: Lauren Young

Image courtesy of Instagram: lo_young

Caption This: Matteo Guidicelli

Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader

Like or Dislike: Sam Pinto for UNO

Delinquent

 Image courtesy of www.dsnews.com

In showbiz, sometimes it’s not what you see that gets to you, but rather it’s what you don’t see that tells the story.

Popular but Troubled Star (TS) has reaped a huge number of fans and haters alike. The popularity of social media has rendered most celebrities helpless against the onslaught of bashers who are often abusive. But some stars know the terrain, they know it comes with the territory and have learned to live with their haters’ existence.

But it is obvious that the haters’ persistence depends largely on the stars’ behavior towards them. The more a star reacts, the more he/she becomes fair game versus the (mostly) nameless and faceless enemies. Keep in mind that these people exist to make you feel miserable.

But bashers and or haters are different from critics. The latter judges tactfully and professionally with an end to help the star reform for his own good. But with regard to TS, his critics and haters usually have the same thing to say about him – his unprofessionalism and trademark arrogance – two things TS is notoriously known for.

He has been called a lot of names but TS always stands up against them - always on the defensive, making his tireless bashers feast on him more. Apart from the stories of his unprofessionalism and arrogance are accounts of his alleged drinking, and lately substance abuse, too. Although a little hard to believe owing to his age, but judging from the people’s testimonies (smoke), there must be real fire to it.

Not too long ago, there were secret whispers going around that TS was brought to the hospital allegedly from substance-related side effects. TS was reportedly having cramps, headaches while sweating profusely. His very worried family immediately rushed him to the hospital. The hush-hush led to people believing that TS is indeed uncontrollable and his parents are helpless on the aspect of the goings on in his personal life.

“Elderly people and those in authority cannot always be relied upon to take enlightened and comprehending views of what they call the indiscretions of youth.” ~ Winston Churchill

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

Follow @FashionPulis 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!

Disclaimer: The comments of the readers do not reflect the views and opinions of Fashion PULIS.

UP Summa cum laude, 16- year old: Mikaela Irene Fudolig

Source: www.migs.wordpress.com

16-year-old Mikaela Irene Fudolig triumphantly steps into the spotlight as she delivers a speech as the valedictorian of the graduating class.

The summa cum laude with a general weighted average of 1.099 will also receive the Best BS Physics Student award and the Dean’s Medallion for Excellence in Undergraduate Studies at the UP College of Science. (She earlier qualified as a regional finalist for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines.)

Mikaela was only 11 when she became a college student as part of an experimental program that would test the possibility of gifted children entering university without compromising their emotional and social development.

The conditions of the program required that Mikaela be hidden from public scrutiny and the unforgiving glare of the media.

And she told the Inquirer in an interview marked with much laughter that more than her awards and achievements, she was proud that the Early College Placement Program (ECPP) originally designed for her had succeeded.

“It was a great thing that I was able to show people that it can be done,” she said. Now, she added with a hopeful smile, similar programs to help gifted people like herself could be conceived and implemented.

According to Mikaela, many gifted children end up discouraged or unproductive because of a dearth of programs to guide them and maximize their abilities.

They sometimes refuse to take required courses, claiming early mastery in these areas, or are simply interested in other things.

Happy experience

“I know one brilliant classmate who was very promising. But for some reason, he did not attend many of his classes and even retook some subjects,” she said.

Mikaela did not undergo such a dilemma. She thinks of her academic life at the Philippines’ premier state university as “a happy experience.”

“Many people think that a child, even if equipped with the mental abilities, is not emotionally prepared to enter college. I am glad to have proven them wrong,” she said cheerfully.

Tony Fudolig and Lyn Dimaano apparently took pains to have their eldest child grow up a balanced individual. Lyn made Mikaela join her nursery class in the afternoons even if she was already enrolled in the first grade at the age of four.

“Mikaela could read and write English and Filipino at three years old,” Lyn recalled. But she said she made sure that the child still had her share of playmates and nursery games.

Mikaela said that at three, she already had a keen interest in science. She recalled enjoying the times her mother would take her to the UP Botanical Garden and point out to her the different plant families.

“We also grew mongo seedlings and conducted small experiments. I was fascinated with how nature and science worked even back then,” she said.

Science appears to be a family passion. Tony is an industrial engineering graduate, and Lyn used to teach biology courses at UP. (They are now managing the family-owned Brains Review Center.)

Their second child, Miguel, 13, is an incoming senior at the Quezon City Science High School. The youngest, 9-year-old Raphael, is in sixth grade at the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School.

Best option

After grade school at Saint Mary’s College, Mikaela was accepted at Quezon City Science High. It was, she said, the best option for her at that time.

“I enjoyed my first year in high school. I had very nice classmates, good teachers and a challenging environment,” she said.

She was elected first-year-level council president and spearheaded many projects, including a scholarship program for underprivileged classmates.

The family decision for her to enroll at UP for a summer class marked a critical turning point in the 11-year-old’s life.

When Mikaela formally sought permission to register for a Mathematics 11 class in UP, her case was referred to Dr. Leticia Penano Ho, then dean of the College of Education.

Ho, also the president of the Philippine Association for the Gifted, noted the child’s potential to survive in the university at the end of the summer course, and later designed the ECPP for her.

Baby doll shoes

Mikaela recalled how intimidated she was on the first day of her Math 11 class.

Comparing her high school and college classmates, she said laughingly: “It was one thing to have your classmates stare at you because you are three years younger, and another for them to strangely appraise you because of the way you dress.”

She recalled in particular how her Math 11 classmates stared at her baby doll shoes, which she wore in high school: “They were all so quiet, choosing to remain silent in their seats, wearing their college get-ups. And there I was, wearing a skirt and a blouse, squirming uncomfortably in my seat.”

Then on the verge of adolescence, Mikaela was shocked at the fast pace of the summer lessons. She was disheartened when she got a grade of 72 in the first exam, which was held a week after classes started.

“I was feeling low, but when I saw that my seat mate got a score of 71, I felt that there was still hope,” she said, still laughing.

The following week, after days of intensive study, Mikaela took the second exam along with the rest of the class. The professor later announced that the 11-year-old got the highest score.

“I felt very happy that I could fit in,” Mikaela said.

She got a grade of 1 in that Math 11 class.

Exceptional grades

The following semester, Mikaela enrolled at UP as a nondegree student and volunteer for Ho’s program.

But she enrolled as a sophomore at Quezon City Science High at the same time, just in case her yearlong trial with ECPP fell through.

“We eventually found out that this kind of setup could not work because I had no more time to take my high school exams,” she said.

But as Mikaela, her family and Ho happily learned, there was no need for this fallback plan. She completed her first year at the university with exceptional grades—an average of 1.395. Mikaela next wrote then UP Chancellor (now president) Emerlinda Roman to consider her application to be a regular student. With her parents’ assistance, she also requested then Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus to help her get into UP even without a high school diploma.

De Jesus wrote then UP president Francisco Nemenzo and endorsed Mikaela, attaching her transcript of records and her teachers’ certificate attesting to her excellent performance.

Lyn Dimaano said that according to Department of Education officials, “not many people could get the kind of average Mikaela obtained in her first year in UP.”

“Their only concern was that she’d be happy,” the mother said.

In May 2003, the Board of Regents approved Mikaela’s admission—the first case of its kind nationwide, said a UP Newsletter.

Between math and physics

At the age of 12, Mikaela was formally enrolled as a BS Physics student at the UP National Institute for Physics.

“I had the choice between math and physics and in the end, I chose the latter,” the teenager said, adding that she had no particular reason for doing so.

“But I also think physics is more concrete than the more abstract mathematics,” she said.

After the yearlong trial period, life at the university went smoothly for Mikaela. She made friends with her classmates, joined the UP Student Campus Ministry at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, passed a Japanese language proficiency exam, and attended classes she enjoyed.

“I took two consecutive music courses because I just love studying different kinds of music in the world. Some people at the College of Music even thought I was a student there,” she said.

Mikaela also kept in touch with her high school classmates, and even attended their junior-senior prom.

“I think I was able to extract all the good things I was supposed to have missed in high school,” she said.

Her most traumatic experience at UP was an encounter with a student assistant who thought her grade of 1.75 in a math subject was “a bit low.”

“Maybe the assistant expected that because I was admitted to UP at such a young age, I would get a higher grade. I thought that maybe getting a 1.75 was equivalent to getting a barely passing mark,” she said, again laughing at the memory.

Esguerra’s case

The ECPP’s careful steps in keeping her out of the public eye helped a lot, according to Mikaela.

Her adviser, Dr. Jose Perico Esguerra—who, before Mikaela, was the youngest student accepted at the university in 1984—was not as lucky.

Esguerra was a 13-year-old Philippine Science High School student when he passed the advance placement exam for Math 11 and Math 14, and was allowed to enroll at the UP College of Science.

“Cameras would sometimes follow Dr. Esguerra when he came out of the classroom. The other students, perhaps resentful of his achievements, would also bully and make fun of him in the corridors,” Lyn Dimaano said, adding:

“It was a good thing there was an agreement that Mikaela be shielded from the media so she could live her life as a normal university student.”

No problem

Mikaela plans to teach at the National Institute of Physics and to take up her master’s degree in physics at the same time.

She said cheerily that she did not mind teaching students older—or taller—than she.
“I’m used to it. Last night, I tutored a high school classmate three years older than me, and I had no problem doing it,” she quipped.

Mikaela said her graduation speech would focus on opening new opportunities for others, including gifted ones like herself.

“Instead of taking the road less traveled, the new graduates should make new roads,” said the 16-year-old trailblazer.

Source: Inquirer.net

Mikaela Irene D. Fudolig of Quezon City Science High School won first prize in Cluster 2 Individual Category for her project entitled:”Cleaner Air near Gas Stations: Recycled Activated Carbon, Terracota and Single-Fired Earthenware Granules as Filter Adsorbent for Gasoline Fumes.” The project sought to use recycled materials as substitute for activated carbon used to control air pollution in gasoline stations.

source: Science Education Institute

Mikaela Irene D. Fudolig, BS Physics with a GWA of 1.099, led the top honors. She also delivered the valedictory address on behalf of the graduating class.

Only 16 years old, Fudolig is the youngest student to be graduated by the University in the recent years and one of only two admitted to UPD without a high school diploma and without taking the UP College Admission Test.

She was only 11 years old and a sophomore at the Quezon City Science High School when she was granted permission to enroll at UPD as a non-degree student, having volunteered for a prototype Early College Placement Program the UPD College of Education was spearheading. After earning remarkable grades for an academic year, the Department of Education (DepEd) endorsed her admission to UPD, which was approved by the UP Board of Regents on May 30, 2003.

Source: UPD.edu.ph

Take not the road less traveled

One of the things that strike me as being very “UP Diliman” is the way UPD students can’t seem to stay on the pavement. From every street corner that bounds an unpaved piece of land, one will espy a narrow trail that cuts the corner, or leads from it. Every lawn around the buildings sports at least one of these paths, starting from a point nearest to the IKOT stop and ending at the nearest entry to the building. The trails are beaten on the grass by many pairs of feet wanting to save a fraction of a meter of traveling, no matter that doing so will exact some cost to the shoes, or, to the ubiquitous slippers, especially when the trails are new.

What do these paths say about us, UP students?

One could say that the UP student is enamored with Mathematics and Pythagoras, hence these triangles formed by the pavement and the path. Many among you would disagree.

Others could say that the UP student is naturally countercultural. And the refusal to use the pavement is just one of the myriads of ways to show his defiance of the order of things. This time, many would agree.

Still, others will say that the UP student is the model of today’s youth: they want everything easier, faster, now. The walkable paths appeal to them because they get to their destination faster, and presumably, with less effort. Now that is only partly true, and totally unfair.

These trails weren’t always walkable. No doubt they started as patches of grass, perhaps overgrown. Those who first walked them must have soiled their shoes, stubbed their toes, or had insects biting their legs, all in the immovable belief that the nearest distance between two points is a straight line. They might even have seen snakes cross their paths. But the soiled footwear, sore toes, and itchy legs started to conquer the grass. Other people, seeing the yet faint trail, followed. And as more and more walked the path, the grass gave in and stopped growing altogether, making the path more and more visible, more and more walkable.

The persistence of the paths pays tribute to those UP students who walked them first – the pioneers of the unbeaten tracks: the defiant and curious few who refuse the familiar and comfortable; the out-of-the-box thinkers who solve problems instead of fretting about them; the brave who dare do things differently, and open new opportunities to those who follow.

They say how one behaved in the past would determine how he behaves in the future. And as we leave the University, temporarily or for good, let us call on the pioneering, defiant, and brave spirit that built the paths to guide us in this next phase of our life.

We have been warned time and again. Our new world that they call “adulthood” is one that’s full of compromises, where success is determined more by the ability to belong than by the ability to think, where it is much easier to do as everyone else does. Daily we are bombarded with so much news of despair about the state of our nation, and the apparent, perverse sense of satisfaction our politicians get from vilifying our state of affairs. It is fashionable to migrate to other countries to work in deceptively high-paying jobs like nursing and teaching, forgetting that even at their favored work destinations, nurses and teachers are some of the lowest paid professionals. The lure of high and immediate monetary benefits in some low-end outsourcing jobs has drawn even some of the brightest UP students away from both industry and university teaching to which they would have been better suited.

Like the sidewalks and pavement, these paths are the easiest to take.

But, like the sidewalks and pavement, these paths take longer to traverse, just as individual successes do not always make for national progress. The unceasing critic could get elected, but not get the job done. The immigrant could get his visa, but disappear from our brainpower pool. The highly paid employee would be underutilized for his skills, and pine to get the job he truly wants, but is now out of his reach. And the country, and we, are poorer because of these.

Today, the nation needs brave, defiant pioneers to reverse our nation’s slide to despair. Today, we must call upon the spirit that beat the tracks. Today, we must present an alternative way of doing things.

Do NOT just take courage, for courage is not enough. Instead, be BRAVE! It will take bravery to go against popular wisdom, against the clichéd expectations of family and friends. It will take bravery to gamble your future by staying in the country and try to make a prosperous life here. It might help if for a start, we try to see why our Korean friends are flocking to our country. Why, as many of us line up for immigrant visas in various embassies, they get themselves naturalized and settle here. Do they know something we don’t?

Do NOT just be strong in your convictions, for strength is not enough. Instead, DEFY the pressure to lead a comfortable, but middling life. Let us lead this country from the despair of mediocrity. Let us not seek to do well, but strive to EXCEL in everything that we do. This, so others will see us as a nation of brains of the highest quality, not just of brawn that could be had for cheap.

Take NOT the road less traveled. Rather, MAKE new roads, BLAZE new trails, FIND new routes to your dreams. Unlike the track-beaters in campus who see where they’re going, we may not know how far we can go. But if we are brave, defiant searchers of excellence, we will go far. Explore possibilities, that others may get a similar chance. I have tried it myself. And I’m speaking to you now.

But talk is cheap, they say. And so I put my money where my mouth is. Today, I place myself in the service of the University, if it will have me. I would like to teach, to share knowledge, and perhaps to be an example to new UP students in thinking and striving beyond the limits of the possible. This may only be a small disturbance in the grass. But I hope you’ll come with me, and trample a new path.

Good evening, everyone.

Source: Email message

Sunshine Cruz: Cesar Raped me on Mother's Day

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Actress Sunshine Cruz filed a complaint-affidavit before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Tuesday morning in an Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children case against her husband, actor Cesar Montano.

Among the claims the actress made was an alleged incident of rape last May.

The “Dugong Buhay” star recalled that on Mother's Day, May 12, Montano allegedly "barged" into her residence, "where she was alone, and then violently attacked her, employed physical violence and raped" her.

Cruz was accompanied by her legal counsel, Atty. Bonifacio Alentajan, in the filing of the case.

The actress claims Montano has committed -- and still continues to commit -- acts of violence and verbal abuse against her and her three daughters.

Cruz described Montano as "a very domineering, philandering husband that demanded full submission and obedience" from her.

She also detailed a recent affair between her husband and starlet Krista Miller which, she said, had adverse effects on her daughters, who had read the text messages exchanged between Montano and Miller.

Cruz said her daughter also witnessed her father receive a text photo of Miller in a bikini.

In addition to these claims of abuse, Cruz said she has been denied access to her children since July 29, despite her efforts for them to be brought home.

“Bilang tatay siya ng mga anak ko, as much as possible, we want to protect the person. But since the 29th, hindi ko na rin nakita ang mga anak ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganun kaya I decided to do this already,” she said.

Cruz said this was the trigger for her to file this case against her husband.

“Kasi kapag nasa work naman ako, hinahayaan kong kunin niya ang mga bata. Pero hindi na niya sinauli, puro tomorrow, tomorrow. 'Yung tomorrow na 'yun tumagal na nang tumagal hanggang sa I realized na he’s not going to give back my kids,” she said.

Cruz said she is willing to lose everything except her kids.

“Napakahirap sa akin kasi I’ve been a devoted wife and a mom to my children. Sinakripisyo ko nga lahat para sa mga anak ko tapos parang pusa ka na lang na tinanggalan ng mga kuting. Masakit sa akin ang mga nangyayari,” she said.

Cruz has been granted a temporary protection order by the QC RTC weeks ago, prohibiting Montano to come within 300 meters of her.

A petition for a permanent protection order (PPO) is currently being heard at the QC RTC. A second hearing is scheduled on August 15.

Last January, Cruz announced that she has decided to live apart from Montano, her husband of 13 years, for good. This after Montano was romantically linked to Miller, who recently appeared in a film with the 50-year-old actor.

Before the controversial breakup involving Miller, the celebrity couple, by Cruz's admission, had gone through several rough patches due to Montano's questionable relationships with his co-workers. ABS-CBN News asked Montano for his side on the issue, but the actor opted not to give any statement for now.