22 years ago

22 years ago, a lot of young men and women, some just out of college, joined millions of Filipinos in EDSA to help bring down a dictatorship and bring democracy back to the Philippines.

Still many of the problems that plagued the country continue to exist today, 22 years after the first "People Power."

While I scribble these words at Starbucks, I look back to those four days in February and reflect how much change has resulted out of "people power." Yes, we all forced Marcos and his cronies out of the country, but still some of these cronies are within our midst, pretending, to be good parents wanting change for the country and their children.

I hope it won't take another 22 years to bring about change. It starts with us.

Parents at EDSA

Back in the last days of February 1986, thousands of parents, joined other Filipinos, students and clergy to help bring an end to rule of the late Ferdinand Marcos and bring a new era of democracy to the country.

22 years later, many parents, who were probably,just out of college then, feel the economic crunch (despite the strong peso) and are angered over the "moderation of greed" and excessive corruption that plagues local politics.

Will people step up and forward for change?

V-day at home

Now, am trying ti recall how Cecile and I have celebrated Valentine's Day through the years. I remember the most memorable Vday celebration was when we were back in Ho Chi Minh City where I spread out rose petals across our 3rd floor apartment in Tran Nhat Duat Street. I had made arrangements with a local Vietnamese florist (with the help of Minh Chau).

The florist brought a bundle of rose petals and she spread it from the entrance of our door, leading to the bedroom. There were also 14 long stem roses spread across our nearly 50sqm Greenhome.

I have forgotten what other gift I got Cecile.

But definitely, she got the gift of love!

Tonight, Cecile will get a couple of framed photographs from two good students, Sainah Alonzo and Kharren Cabais, which would symbolize the love we share.

Happy Valentine’s Chief!

Making parents proud

So far, so good. All my thesis students so far have successfully defended and passed their thesis, which started last Monday.


Yup, after nearly a year of consultation with my 17 students, the day of reckoning has arrived. It was really like handling and developing 17 campaigns for different brands.

Even, when Cecile and I were in the States, interaction with the students continued, thanks to yahoo messenger. Probably not as much as my students, I did have my share of long nights, plus frustrations and disappointments.

Now, cheers and smiles for most of my students. Gian Nealega was first to bring home the bacon. His thesis on “green IT” by Hewlett Packard had earned the right to be part of thesis exhibit next year. Cecile had already predicted that Gian’s work would be recognized. While the creatives were not “fantastic” Gian’s confidence and presentation style would convince the three jury well and good.

Only two had some initial troubles. Patricia Parreno and Lyan Go, who didn’t have their thesis books on hand on the day of defense. I quickly defended saying “The students definitely don’t deserve to fail because their thesis books had been delayed as all their creative materials were produced and mounted.” It really easy to match what they were saying with the ppt presentations and the creative materials. “At the very least, they could earn a ceiling grade.”

Today, Marianne Quan (Play-Doh Event) and Eia Belveder (Justice League) are in-line to present their work.

Am confident they will do good and make their parents proud. And that would be a really nice Valentine’s present to their parents! And to Cecile too!

My cousin Renelle

This scribbles are about my cousin Renelle. Wait, sounds like a title of a movie, "My Cousin Vinny!" But photo shows me with Renelle and Patrick.

Renelle is mom to EJ. The eldest of the kids of Tito Rene (my dad’s only brother) and Tita Nenen. Am not sure how old she is? How young are you Nel? Yup, she recently celebrated her birthday. Am sure she had a memorable date with someone special.

Last December 2007, Cecile and I spent a couple of days at her home in Demarest, New Jersey. She also got us (and Patrick) tickets to the Nets and Pistons game. My first-ever NBA game.

She also baked chocolate cookies for us on our last lunch at her home, our last weekend in the States. Even my mom and Violet got a taste of her home-cooked chocolate chips.


I won’t forget the smile in her face when we arrived at her home last 24 December 2007 to surprise her mom and dad. She was jumping up and down outside her door like a little girl. And it was cold winter night that evening. She hugged us tight that swept away the cold.

Back in 2003, she also treated us to watch “AIDA” plus a nice commemorative T-shirt. I remember that Japanese restaurant we first had dinner, on the way to her home in New Jersey. She cried as she opened up her heart and life to us. I felt weak and unable to help.

Now, she has moved on and forward with her life. EJ had grown big and has a rabbit in his room.

As we soon celebrate Valentine’s Day, Cecile and I share our love with Renelle Velez. Happy birthday cousin! May you be blessed with good health and happiness!

Parents and Thesis

Some parents joined their sons and daughters as Advertising students from CFAD presented their thesis today, yesterday and tomorrow.

I met parents of John Patulan. He had worked with the agency through summer. And he was working the blue Mickey Mouse neck-tie we had given him last year. His mom said, “Thank you for giving John work last summer.”

Through thesis, I also met the parents of Chico Paola Santos (The Real Ems) and Marianne Quan (Playdoh Event).

Plus, the parents of Chesca Genato, when the thesis 2K8 team spent a whole day of creative brainstorming at their house in Cubao, Quezon City. Yup, just walking distance from Immaculate Concepcion Parish School, where I studied through my primary years. I remember Fr. Kutcher and Fr. De Castro. Need to blog about those years soon.

Through the corridors of the 4th floor of Beato Angelico Building, some parents gave their full support and many words of prayers for their sons and daughters. Guess, through these past months, I, too, have been kind of a “father” to some of my students.



Good luck to Chico Santos, Marianne Quan, Chesca Genato, Karla Torricer, Lloyd Querijero, Gian Nealega, Kristine Buendia, Migs Gutierrez, Kristel Leonardo, Asia Parreno, Lyan Go, Jeeno David, Jacklyn Remo, Andrea Ong, Eia Belveder, Jessamine Javier and Christine Kiac

Nestle Team in the house

Yes, the McCann Erickson Nestle team were at our Greenhome this Friday night up to early Saturday morning for a nice long dinner with pasta and red wine and lots of kuwentos in-between. From left to right, Minela Mirafelix, Mutch Wright, Cris Dar Santos, Chief, Laura Dorotheo, Judy Buenviaje and Cha Golpeo. Not in photo is Aida Baizas who came in after the photo was taken.

Each of the ladies had stories to share and tell and laugh about, whether it was related to work or simply everyday life inside the country’s biggest advertising agency, McCann Erickson. They had come from work, even as far as Los Banos, Laguna or as near as ABS-CBN. Me? I came from a long line of people at DFA, getting my own passport renewed for my business trip to Singapore for the EMC APJ PR Summit.

It was really a post-xmas gathering for the Nestle team of McCann Erickson. Chief got a Gourdo’s spaghetti cookware gift set. And as a small token to our guests, we gave each a pair of chopstick from Vietnam.

Since we didn't have a maid at home, using paper plates was the better alternative, except for the wine glasses. Cecile brought out a couple of bottles of red wine. Food was delivered and came early. Around 7pm. I particularly liked the "turon" with the strawberry sauce.

After dinner (honey-glaced chicken, pesto pasta, etc), the team got a special screening of our love story which had been featured in “Mel and Joey” last November and later, more peaks into our personal lives. Curious? You would have to ask one of the ladies above to find out why Cecile and I call each other Chief and Cukie.


I said that the team should be doing this every quarter. Maybe, make it like “themed parties?’ Really good for the team spirit with a little bit of fun and teasing, as they each get to know Cecile better, outside of her "mamu" role at MEP.



Now, they tease her "chief" and would greet her every week, saying...

Tagaytay Wedding

Last 2001, our friends cheered Cecile and I for a "wedding" at the Cellar Mansions in Tagaytay.