AIR ATTACK : TWO THUMBS UP

When BC first told me that he was going to have a show, I was quite skeptical. I know he is a very funny guy but a show is all-together different. But to my surprise, his show, Air Attack, is turning out to be very entertaining as it airs on syndicateradio.tv every Tuesday at 8:00 - 10:00 pm New York time.

Aside from the funny conversation between BC and Joey, who is the other host of the show, Air Attack pulls in the laughs with its Starting Five segment. Starting Five is a list of 5 things that the hosts come up with. The topics are as wide and varied as they can get. Last time I watched the show, BC and Joey were presenting their own lists of top 5 personalities who fell from grace because of their indiscretions. The lists were funny and had international appeal that made me, a Filipino, laugh out loud. Unlike other American shows which tend to be too American, making it difficult for other nationalities to fully grasp and appreciate, BC and Joey make an effort to make their lists familiar to an international audience. Hence, people from the Philippines get to enjoy the lists and the jokes that go with them.

But what truly makes Air Attack very entertaining for me is the ability of the hosts to laugh at themselves. The show becomes a pleasure as the hosts appear to be just like your regular buddies. It really helps as well that they know current events, making the show very hip and relevant. Even sports news are discussed as they happen.

I hope that Air Attack lasts a lifetime for people to enjoy its brand of humor and entertainment. More power, and laughter, to my buddies, BC and Joey.

PILIPINAS GOT TALENT : IN THE MIDDLE OF A CREDIBILITY ISSUE

First, it was Rico the Magician who failed to advanced to the finals despite an incredible performance. Now comes Dance Selection. Pilipinas Got Talent is fast becoming more of a star search than a talent search. All because good looks has become the basis for outright entry into the finals.

I personally see a major flaw in the mechanics of Pilipinas Got Talent which may account for the show's ridiculous over-emphasis on good looks. The show allows its hosts and executives to vote. It is but natural for these people to vote for people who look good on television being in the industry themselves. ABS-CBN will have an easier time to market good-looking winners than ugly ones. The network stands to gain more money should it make stars out of the winner of the talent search. And good-looking people, despite minimal talent, are easier to turn into stars than ugly ones, overflowing talent notwithstanding.

In America's Got Talent, the ultimate winner gets to take his or her act to Las Vegas. It is the act not the contestant's good looks that take centerstage in America's Got Talent. There are no television networks out to turn the winner into a television or movie star. There are no intentions on the part of network executives to make money out of the winner of the American talent search.

Pilipinas Got Talent is a talent search. As such, it must prioritize talent as the basis in picking out its winner. Sadly, the show places too much importance on how the contestant looks on television. Physical appearance clearly defines the show's eventual winner. Sadly, truly incredible acts are overlooked in favor of mediocre performances by good-looking contestants.

HAPPY FEET : MY PERSONAL FAVORITE IN PILIPINAS GOT TALENT

Call me a sentimental fool but I choose to vote for Happy Feet in Pilipinas Got Talent.

Happy Feet is made up of  two young brothers who tap dance. The two come all the way from Bukidnon. They come from a poor family which makes their journey in Pilipinas Got Talent all the more interesting. When Happy Feet first auditioned, they tap danced without real tap shoes on. The two just danced wearing regular leather shoes. But Happy Feet just the same turned in a great performance which made Kris Aquino and Ai Ai delas Alas cry. I too shed buckets of tears as the two young men gave their all despite the financial constraints. In fact, the two had to sell tomatoes to finance their trip to Manila during the audtions.. But all the hard work was all worth it when the judges and viewers finally saw their outstanding performance. During the semifinal round last night, Happy Feet gave an exceptionally complicated polished performance that made Ai Ai delas Alas and I cry tears of joy once again.

Happy Feet no doubt has the talent. But I just feel that tap dancing is not well-appreciated as a form of dance in the Philippines. The two young men too do not have the looks that will make people vote for them. But they certainly have something that other talented people in the show do not. Happy Feet has the courage to chase its dream despite the hardships in life. Happy Feet certainly represents the millions of poor Filipinos who have the talent to shine despite the limitations set before them because of poverty. For me, a vote for Happy Feet is a vote for all the poor but talented Filipinos who dare to dream big. It is also a vote for true talent in whatever form it may be.

I just hope that people see the talent and fine example that Happy Feet is showing in its journey in Pilipinas Got Talent. I hope that people vote for them in the finals.

VIZCONDE MASSACRE : A NEW WITNESS SURFACES

A new witness in the Vizconde has expressed her intention to take the witness stand should the case be reopened . DOJ Secretary De Lima has also revealed that the new witness passed the lie detector test when questioned by the DOJ.  Four other new witnesses have likewise been tagged by the DOJ.

While the new witness may provide new evidence that Hubert Webb and his group indeed committed the gruesome crime, Hubert and his group may not be tried once again for the crime. Double jeopardy prevents suspects of a crime from being tried a second time around. At best, the reopening of the case will merely setlle the question of who committed the crime. Hubert and his group even if proven guilty by the new witnesses will remain scot-free.

I still think the Filipino people deserve to hear the new witness for she may provide the answer as to who really killed the Vizcondes. The whole Vizconde incident will only come to a close when a credible conclusion is reached. So far, after 20 years, that conclusion remains elusive for Mr. Lauro Vizconde and the Filipino people.

EUGENE TEJADA : FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

Eugene Tejada was well on his way to PBA prominence when tragedy struck. In a game against Red Bull in 2006, Tejada suffered a nasty fall that had him lying motionless on the court for about an hour. The fall cut short his basketball career and altered his life forever. In an exclusive interview with Bandera correspondent Eric Dimzon, Tejada reveals his darkest as well as brightest moments towards physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

1. How are you now 5 years after that unfortunate incident ?
I'm doing good. I'm trying to get better still everyday. Everyday is a struggle. I still experience numbness in my lower extremities. But God  has enabled me to walk again with the help of walking crutches. Yeah, I'm doing better.

2. What were the thoughts running through your mind immediately after the incident ?
I remember the incident just like yesterday. On the 14th of this month, it will be exactly 5 years since that happened. I knew something was wrong immediately after my fall. I couldn't move at all. I couldn't move my fingers. I couldn't move my hand. I couldn't move my legs. I knew I was paralyzed. You always read or hear how you can get paralyzed. But it never occurred to me that it could happen to me. I was hoping that nothing was broken. I was hoping that it was just a stinger or a bruise that would go away. In the hospital, it was finally confirmed that I damaged my spinal cord.

3. Were you upset or angry with what happened ?
I was not upset or angry. I was scared. I was scared whether I would make it in the next ten minutes. I couldn't breathe on my own. at that time. I was really scared because I didn't know what was going on with my body. I was thinking of a lot of things. Am I paralyzed ? Am I going to die ? Will I ever walk again ? Will I ever play basketball again ? I was basically scared of the future.

4. To make things worse, you were on your way to establishing yourself as a dependable basketball player for Purefoods. Were you frustrated that your career suddenly had to come to an end just when you were finally gaining respect as a player ?
Yeah. I struggled with my first two years in the PBA. I didn't get much playing time from Alaska and San Miguel. So I asked for a trade to Purefoods. Luckily, Coach Ryan picked me up. And when Coach Ryan gave me the chance to play, I really grabbed the opportunity and never let it go. I ended up being best player of the game when I started in a game for Coach Ryan. All my hard work was starting to pay off. But all that was taken away after the incident.

5. Have you fully come to terms with the fact that you will never play basketball again ?
I'm not gonna say it happened overnight. I had a lot of soul-searching. I went into depression. When I got hurt, just to be myself, just to be Eugene Tejada, was taken away from me. I became an infant again. I needed someone to help me go to the bathroom. I needed someone to help me change my clothes. It was very hard. Depression really became a big part of my life. To further add to my depression, my girlfiend, Jenny Hernandez and I broke up. It brought me to a place where it was very dark. I didn't want to talk to anybody. I didn't want to live anymore. I didn't want to go through the struggle.

6. Did you ever think of committing suicide ?
I'll be one hundred percent honest. Yeah, I thought of committing suicide. I considered drinking all my pills to have an overdose. But God flashed an image to my head where I saw my family and friends crying over my casket. I couldn't do it. I couldn't leave this earth and leave so much heartache to my family and friends.

7. How has your injury affected your faith in God ?
As I was going through depression, I was angry at God. I was asking Him what He wanted to do with my life. But slowly, I realized that God saved me through my injury. Before the accident, I was a basketball player living the fame and fortune. I had a lot of women and partied all night. I was really going down a dark path. I believe God wanted me to stop. I believe God allowed me to get hurt to get a better life. A life that would glorify Him.

8. Who were the people who stood by you during your most difficult moments ?
Harvey Carey. Jimmy Alapag. Those guys are my bestfriends. My family. Rob Johnson. Purefoods  for taking care of me and my medical expenses. I would be broke now if Purefoods did not take care of the financial burden. Mr. Pardo and the whole Purefoods family. I know that they are B-Meg Derby Aces now but they will always be Purefoods in my heart. James Yap and PJ Simon , I believe are still there.

9. What is the most important lesson that you learned from the whole sad ordeal ?
That Jesus lives and heals. I don't want to sound preachy, but that is my testimony. I know that I did my part but it was God who healed my nerves and muscles. My doctors told me that I only had a 4% chance of ever walking again. But God, who is the great healer, has allowed me to walk again. God is good.

10. What advice do you want to give to those who may be going through tough moments in their lives right now ?
I will tell them that there is light at the end of the tunnel. That the darkness will pass. That the ordeal is to mold their character to make them the person that God wants them to be. And that there is a need to help others who are going through an ordeal, whether it be minor or major. And to just keep their head up and keep fighting and never give up. The day they give up is the day that they lose. I lost hope several times in the past, but God would always tap me in the shoulder to remind me to just keep going and never give up.

11. What keeps you busy nowadays ?
I'm still doing therapy three times a week, two hours a day. I'm into school to become a minister of healing. I will also finsh my business degree. And I'm working on a book that I intend to publish in the Philippines.

12. Do you have a message to your fans and friends who continue to support you ?
I would like to thank everyone for their prayers. I wouldn't be where I am right now if not for everyone's prayers. I still feel the love and support of the fans. I strive to get better because I don't want to let people down especially those who continue to show support. I know I am not a basketball player anymore but I still need your support and prayers for my full recovery.

HOW DO CCF MEMBERS FIND AND EXPERIENCE GOD ?

I am shocked to know that CCF has organized a trip to the Holy Land with more than 160 of its members participating. A trip to the holy land costs around USD 2,500.00 per person. With 160 people going, the total amount for the whole CCF group comes to USD 400,000.00 or PhP 1.72 M.

A participant claims that he experienced God during the trip. Seeing the places where Jesus walked made him closer to God. The sites, the CCF member claims, made him realize the greatness of God. Interestingly, what the CCF member claims are more of his personal feelings. Nowhere in the bible does it say that people can find God in places or relics.

While it is not my intention to dictate upon CCF members how they should spend their money, wouldn't it have been much better for them to have spent the money in helping others instead ? Wouldn't it have been more Christian to have spent the USD 400,000.00 in feeding the poor ? Wouldn't it have been better to have spent the money on the sick or dying ? Wouldn't it have been more fulfilling to have spent the money on those who are neglected and uncared for ? Wouldn't helping others truly enable them to experience God ?

1 John 3 : 17-18
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion, how can God's love be in that person ? Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other ; let us show the truth by our actions.

Mathhew 25 : 40
And the King will say, " I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me ! "

OSAMA BIN LADEN AND THE ARAB WORLD

After more than a decade of international search operations, Osama Bin Laden was finally found and killed in Pakistan. For a lot of people, the death of the world's most wanted man brings justice to the families left behind by those killed in various incidents of terrorism perpetrated by Al-Qaeda. For some, it is a victory against terrorism. Still, for others, it is a strong statement that the U.S. and the whole world cannot and will not be intimidated by a few extremists.
Personally, I see the revolution sweeping across the Arab world as the main reason why Osama Bin Laden was finally caught and killed. Muslim Arabs, through Egypt and Tunisia, realize that they have it in themselves to effect drastic changes in their countries. What seemed impossible before has now become possible through their united stand against oppression and inequality. Muslim Arabs realize that they need not go to extreme measures and engage in international terrorism to serve notice to the whole world of their grievances. In effect. Osama Bin Laden, a symbol of hope for a minority, has become obsolete and irrelevant to the times. The betrayal of one of his close-in aides emhasizes the expendability of Osama even among his close friends.
I hope that the whole world can now experience greater peace with the death of Osama Bin Laden. But more importantly, I hope that the stigma brought by Osama Bin Laden to Muslims, in general, will finally be removed.