10 Keeper Signs

"Lucky" Official Video With Colbie Caillat

(for a lighter, smiling disorder sort of feel...)

For the most part, yours truly only write about market moving stuff (so to say) or outburst of emotions sugarcoated as literature, but nowadays I am sort of rewired (or is it cured) to give your brains a rest from my usual psychosis (note that I'm speaking in the 1st person).

While I was foraging for news-worthy materials on Yahoo, I stumbled on a feel-good entry by Glamour Dating Editor Ruby Madren-Britton about signs to spot a keeper (me reading this stuff is like total solar eclipse so cut me some slack) . Thinking it's a good way to kick-off my new blog category "Tipsy" and having the EQ for these watchamacolit nowadays, I thought I'd add my own flare to the mix. So here goes...

Here's for the lovers, the dreamers and me...

Keeper Signs:

1st Keeper clue: You're of similar wavelengths (NOT the same)

It's always good to agree on the bigger things in life (i.e. career goals, core values). For me, it's an upside to be with someone who has a well-grounded concept of family and higher being (or simply goodness).

Differences, on the other hand, add some spice to relationships. One of the sure-fire signs you have a keeper is when you can tolerate his/her pet peeve or anything that would normally turn you off. If shared w/ someone significant, little idiosyncrasies keep things exciting and interesting.

2nd Keeper clue: S/he sees you, everything in you.

While some may say love only sees beauty, I think its truest form sees everything, including inadequacies. When I say "see" I mean you don't have to fit a mold that would please the other person.

It's when s/he sees you in your worst day and still love every inch of you despite your gray hair, faulty grammar and wrinkled shirt. A keeper will embrace your glaring "inadequacies" and see you as nothing less than perfect.

3rd Keeper clue: S/he is a class act.

I'm not saying s/he has to be a poster girl/boyfriend (ala Rhodes scholar who sings like a fallen angel), simply having a good head on his/her shoulder is enough. Meaning, you don't need to put him/her on a leash (metaphor of course). Note that people can't give what they don't have so if their lives alone is messed up, they surely can't give you a better one.

4th Keeper clue: You're on top of his/her list

Madren-Britton has an interesting take on this comparing scenarios with a piece of steak. But since I'm against likening a person (more so my significant other) to a piece of meat, let me cite another example. In a plane or a bus, both of you like the window seat, would s/he offer it to you or plant his/her tush without a care in the world?

5th Keeper clue: S/he loves who you love (or at least tries)

S/he is genuinely concerned about your family and friends. If you're like me who keep a closely-knit circle of significant others, then it makes it all the more important for your flame to be part of your circle.

Give him/ her extra points for taking initiative to mesh in your world. If no attempt is being made, no need to press the panic button just yet. S/he just might be too introverted to volunteer his/ her presence so make an attractive offer.

6th Keeper clue: S/he's your biggest fan.

If things go well for you, s/he will be the first person to pop the champagne. S/he doesn't get threatened by your success; instead, kisses you for a job well done. S/he shares your victories (and defeats too) like they're his/her own. I think flames should complement each other and not compete against each other.

7th Keeper clue: S/he remembers the little things.

Just like what I told someone significant, "The little things are the ones we all can't do without."

It's a lazy Saturday afternoon, and you got a pleasant surprise knocking at your door carrying a pack of double-stuff Oreos you nonchalantly mentioned you were craving for. This means s/he is paying close attention to you (more than you pay attention to yourself) even when you're not keeping score. And we all adore little acts of love like that right?

8th Keeper clue: Loves you despite the timezone or universe

To borrow a thought from Imagine Me and You, love is like an unstoppable force, something bigger than all of us. No space or time difference could and should stop someone from expressing it.

People have different languages of love. Some may have a flare for words; others speak with acts of love (intimacy). I think self-control is overrated when it comes to this one because love is passion, obsession, something us mortals are simply not omnipotent enough to contain.

9th Keeper clue: You're his/her happiness.

S/he hates traffic, and you get stuck in the middle of the expressway for two hours. Instead of feeling miserable, s/he sees it as an excuse to spend more time with you talking about the most trivial of things from your tiny success in the kitchen to how wonderful your hair falls on your face.

10th Keeper clue: S/he inspires the best in you.

I think the true measure of a keeper is continuous growth. For a free spirit, having a significant other who's secured enough of him/herself to let you keep your own identity and allow you to grow is a prize. The most rewarding of unions is when you grow together and apart.

©Grace Ramos

500 Days of Summer

This movie stands for everything I believe in...

Rating
Form: ♥♥♥
Content: ♥♥♥♥

Being a student of the craft and a film aficionado, I'm sort of wired to look beyond the "happy" in a film and deconstruct what's already digested for the eyes, but as a viewer with grave traces of romantic idealism etched on her forehead, I could not help but do.

Today I saw the full-length version of 500 Days of Summer directed by debuting film
director Marc Webb. This off-beat romantic comedy stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel as Tom Hansen and Summer Finn, respectively.

Tom is a greeting card writer with colorful pictures of "The One" on his head (no thanks to pop culture) while Summer is the free spirit with a little too much shot of cynicism in her blood.

The film's formula: boy meets girl- boy falls in love with girl- girl doesn't. Hence, the tag line, "This is not a love story." You can just imagine the tragedy of a one-sided love affair, which by the way, I had my fair share of. Good thing the attack was light and humorous or else I would've died of utter sympathy.

Webb, who's a video music director, also scored love with an impressive soundtrack that includes two of my favorite female (indie-feel) artists Feist (Mushaboom) and Regina Spektor (Us and Hero). My favorite track has to be She's Got You High by Mumm-Ra.

This movie might as well be my flavor of the month (safe to say since September is ending soon) because it got me feeling the whole nine yards. I didn't puke from a sugary fairytale ending and didn't got suicidal depressed from too much pessimism.

If you want a doze of reality without spilling blood (death seems to be the measure of realism in movies nowadays), 500 Days of Summer is just what the doctor ordered. This movie will get you feeling love, hate and love again.

Let me just say that when one thing ends, something else is bound to begin. And just like Summer, who vowed against falling at first, everybody will have his/ her time at the plate. It's just a matter of waiting and finding that person who'll be worth the leap of fate/ faith.

Kudos to the source...



©Grace Ramos

Escaping to Rizal

I'm seriously thinking I should've been a shrink. Aside from a few good marks in my Psych electives in college, I (think) give pretty decent advice for lost souls. My sure-fire prescription for loose screws and shattered hearts: be silent.

When some people break glass and broadcast their pains, I choose to be quiet and go to a place where I can think. Silence just puts things in perspective and calms ragged emotions and misdirected thoughts.

Too much voices, although well-meaning, are still excess from one's own voice. My personal formula: listen to 3rd person point of views then hibernate to sort things on your own. Decisions, especially market-moving ones (so to speak), should be derived from one's cognition.

Last week I was a tour guide for two of my favorite persons in the whole world (whose names start in A. LoL), Ai & Avs. The separate Rizal trips include Daranak Falls and Basnigan sa Kamalig in Tanay, St. Jerome Church in Morong, Petroglyphs Cave and Balaw Balaw Resto and Museum in Angono and St Joseph Church in Baras.


Daranak Falls
How to: Ride a jeep to Tanay Market from either Crossing or Cubao. Transfer to a Sampaloc-bound jeep and ask the driver to take you to Daranak. From the highway, it's up to you to hike or rent a tricycle for P30/head.


At the crack of dark, hazy fog and chilly air started to envelope Daranak.


Smaller waterfall cascading to an intimate pool on top of a hill.


Much like most accurately ambiguous things in life... This is a picture of withered but beautiful.


Basnigan sa Kamalig
Food&Drink: ♥♥♥
Cheap place for a night cap. Although, I enjoyed the Sisig, something isn't quite right. Pansit was a little too salty for my sweet tooth and the Sisig, according to my cousin, is too sweet to be Sisig. Good thing they serve Coors to wash it down.

Ambiance: ♥♥
Can pass as a shot place, especially with the acoustic sounds on the bg, but the interiors need a lot of upgrading. I think it has identity crisis: Am I a resto or a beer house... chuckles.

Sevice: ♥♥♥♥
They're very accommodating and courteous so they scored some love here.



Acoustic R&B renditions mixed well with the dimly-lighted ambiance.


Crispy + Sweetness= Sisig person


Gotta love a bahay kubo-inspired place that serves Coors Light.


Petroglyph Caves in Angono
Like a genuine student of the world, I'm still utterly amazed by archeological stuff, actually anything that has to do with culture. I bet Prof. Ikin Salavador (or is it Dr. now?), my Anthro 113 professor, would be thrilled to know she made a lasting impression on a Journ-Speech student (yes, Anthro113 is another elective that screwed my 3 1/2 years in UP. I took it just for the love of SocSci and excuse to travel. LoL).


Art & Culture etched on walls. These pieces of evidence of civilization (dichotomy of civilized versus barbaric) were discovered by national artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco in 1965 and dates back to 3000 B.C.


Color me yellow.


Braving the unknown. Tunnel slicing a mountain leading to the cave.


Your butterfly effect.


Through-and-Through.


Balaw Balaw Folk Food
Food&Drink: ♥♥♥♥
Delisyoso! First time to eat Nilasing na Palaka, an exotic dish of fried frog marinated in gin, and I loved it! Also had, Balaw Balaw, small shrimps on top of pink rice, and of course, my all-time favorite Baked Mussels with crispy galic and melted cheese.

Ambiance: ♥♥♥♥
I was taken by the deviance.

Service: ♥♥♥
The folks there were pretty nice and accommodating, but they need more dozes of the attentive pill.


A taste of exotic: Nilasing na Palaka


Sago at Gulaman: more vanilla syrup please.


Delisyoso. Nilasing na Palaka, Balaw Balaw on Pink Rice & Baked Mussels


St. Jerome Church, Morong
The church was built in 1615 by Chinese craftsmen. You can just glorify the bell tower with detailed engravings of history.


In a prayer. Need I say more?


Church facade. Like many Catholic Parishes, St. Jerome Church houses a sectarian school.


Impression: Church walls reflect traces of cross-cultural influence.


St. Joseph Church, Baras

When you thought you've seen it all... you'll be surprised how seemingly wonderful things can morph to something even better than what it already is. Sometimes we just need to be away to see the beautiful thing that we already have.


When I'm lost, find me here.


Worship. The grand and the humble.


Rediscovering. Might as well be the first.


Looking up in self-denial.

©Grace Ramos

Wicked Kitchen

What: Dinner
Where: Wicked Kitchen, Q.C.
Rate: ♥♥♥

Chicken Salad was a slice of heaven. The white meat's saltiness perfectly blended with the sweet orange dressing.



The Buffalo Wings was also sumptuous, especially if you're into spicy dishes. Wicked Kitchen scored some extra love from me as the spiciness is by request depending on the customer's taste buds.



Gluttony, a huge soft-dough chocolate chip cookie topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup, was undeniably an eye candy, but it didn't do much for my sweet tooth.



For a place to be a certified "tambayan" (hangout) spot, having decent beans is crucial. When I ordered for a cup I asked the waiter what beans they have, and he just stared at me with a "I don't have the slightest clue"-look on his kind face. Had it cool a bit, and just like what I saw coming, it failed (with flying colors) in my cold coffee test, good cups taste good even if they're cold.



The ambiance sits very well with my taste. It's not too posh that you'd have to pay for the linens, and it's not to lousy you'd want to finish your plate in jiff. It was able to pull off that chill, quiet and cozy vibe that makes me want to swing by for a cold bottle or two.



Visit Wicked Kitchen at Mother Ignacia St,., South Triangle, Q.C. (a stone throw away from ABS-CBN)

©Grace Ramos

Not another gay film (In My Life)

It's the comedy, and not the tragedy that takes me.

I was staring at a blank screen on my desk and left my room slightly open. When I was about to swing it close, I overheard ABS-CBN air the trailer of In My Life.

The movie, which is top-billed by no less than Vilma Santos, is being touted as her comeback obra maestra adding to her long list of dramas that includes Sister Stella L and Bata, Bata, Pano ka Ginawa?

For a movie branded as a tearjerker, the irony for me is, I didn't come out to watch the trailer because of the howling and sobbing; I came out because of Santos' perfectly-timed, crazy mother punchlines. Thumbs up to the writer for the laughing points.

The film shows the struggles of three characters to cope with living with each other in a less than familiar place: the mother, played by Santos; Noel, played by John Lloyd Cruz and Mark, played by Santos' real-life son, Luis Manzano.

There has been a lot of hullabaloo about this movie as it's the first time matinee actors Cruz and Manzano will play gay roles, but I don't think that extra color is going to be that crucial element in the film like what's being portrayed in local media.

In My Life is not about forbidden gay love; hence, if you're expecting a "Brokeback Mountain" sort of acting in the mold of the late Australian actor Heath Legder and American looker Jack Gyllenhaal, you will be frustrated. For one, the material is not as intense and graphic as Ang Lee's masterpiece.

Not to take anything away from Oliva Lamasang's work though, especially that I still haven't seen it, I think the films are two different apples, so to say, and pitting them against each other would be inappropriate.

Bottom line, it still interests me to see how Cruz and Manzano attacked their gay roles effectively (although both characters are not flamboyant gays, it is still a stretch for both of them). Slow clap for the, especially Cruz, for taking this risk (mus love risk takers)!

In My Life is coming to local theaters on September 16. Let us? I'll bring the popcorn; you bring the soda? It's a date!

©Grace Ramos

beaching, etc.

It was supposed to be a quiet brunch, but it turned into a 12-hour long fun-filled extravaganza with beach volleyball at the centerpiece.

After being psyched the entire week for our date, my favorite BW batchmate (as if I had a choice) Franch, tried to bail on me (as in nagtangka siya), but no, she failed 'cause it takes more than work to shake me off.

The lowdown, I ended up waking up at 4:00 AM and tagging along with her all the way north to University of the East (UE) Caloocan to cover Ateneo's beach volleyball games in UAAP's 72nd Season.

See related article "Wearing Blue for a Day".

Yesterday had F-U-N written all over it. After soaking under the sun and the rain, we swung by Trinoma for a much needed refueling. We forgot about eating earlier so by the time our plates were served my tummy was hurting like hell; hence, the dilemma: "To eat or not to eat?"

Franch took me to Sizzling Pepper Steak for altanghap (almusal, tanghalian, hapunan), and we were treated to some crazy crew dancing as an appetizer (for our eyes only!b).

I must say, the food was better than the dancing, but I couldn't get myself to enjoy every bite 'cause of my grumpy digestive system so I should probably lay-off the sodas and eat on-time.

Let me just say kudos to Franch for reluctantly taking the MRT with me. Since she lost her phone there, she doesn't take the train anymore, but I didn't want to take train alone (tummy ache) so she squeezed her way to Kamuning:)

NOTE: If you guys are steak folks, you might want to drag me to Sizzling Pepper Steak for a date (LOL).













For more pictures visit my multiply and facebook accounts (won't say how to though.. if we're friends you should know. chuckles).

©Grace Ramos

Wearing Blue for a Day

It was almost a flawless day on the sand for Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) as the Blue Eagles bagged two of three games in UAAP's 72nd Beach Volleyball Tourney that kicked off yesterday at the University of the East (UE) Caloocan Campus.

In the men's event, the spunky duo of JP Pareja and Pim Layno, surprised everybody by outclassing the more experienced National University (NU) Bulldogs.

With the grit and composure of the Eagles tested, Pareja and Layno played with a lot of heart, shrugging off the height advantage of NU's Jasper Adorador and Danilo Ramosa.

After losing the first set 16-21, Ateneo played inspired volleyball by eliminating the power hits of NU. They stayed with the basics and aimed for the hole in NU's defense, which was front court.



Come second set, ADMU saw that they won't score a W by simply playing above the net against a stronger NU blocking so they kept the defense off-balanced by going back and front courts alternately, even scoring some impressive down-the-line shots.

Adding F-U-N with their upbeat brand of play, the Blue Eagles frustrated NU, which eventually lost focus mid-game, as Ateneo barged in the winning column with 21-15 and 15-9 tally in the second and third sets.



On the sidelines of the event, Ateneo Coach Michelle Laborte said the win was a "good surprise" as the men's team this year was completely revamped.

"Hindi naman tayo nag-training para lang sa ganyan (We didn't train that hard just to get one win). We are aiming to get as much experience as we can, who knows," Laborte added.

On the women's side, Asia Urquico and Jess Morado won their season opener against NU in 3 sets: 21-15, 22-20, 18-16. The Lady Eagles dropped the first set and came back strong in the next two sets to snatch the win.

The tough tandem of NU's Mervic Mangui and Jennilyn Reyes didn't let up as the game needed four match points before the final whistle was sounded.



In the Lady Eagles' second game versus the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), Urquico and Morado ran out of gas dropping the game in just two sets, 18-21, 22-24, but the Katipunan-based team went down fighting.

The tenacious Tigresses Maru Banaticla and Jen Fortuna were all business, especially in the second set, as they successfully dodged the attempt of the Lady Eagles to extend the game to a deciding third set.



At the start of the second set, Ateneo beefed up their defense and didn't give easy breaks to UST that would allow the Espana tandem to setup Banaticla for a kill.

The later part of the set was another story as UST made the adjustments setting up Fortuna instead. Although Furtuna's hits weren't lethal, ADMU failed to capitalize, and they eventually lost steam at the tail-end of the match.

Despite the loss, Coach Laborte remains optimistic saying there is a lot of potential in ADMUs' young beach volleyball program which was only started two years ago.

Other games:
(Men) UE/DLSU 2-0, FEU/UP 2-0, UST/AdU 2-0, NU/ADMU 1-2
(Women) DLSU/UP 2-0, NU/ADMU 1-2, FEU-UST 2-0, AdU/UE 2-0, AdU/UP 2-0, UST/ ADMU 2-0

©Grace Ramos

Consistency 101

Consistency... Consistency... Consistency...

After all the build up and anticipation for an impending W, it was another upset for the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons as they failed to shrug off the big I-N-C-O-N-S-I-S-T-E-N-C-I-E-S in their armor: assist and defense.

UAAP's first game tussle yesterday between the Maroons and the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors again went down-the-wire with the Recto-based squad prevailing 81-72 in the final minute of regulation.

It was a game of rallies with the Maroons starting strong and falling 11 points behind at the half. The third period, arguably UP's strongest suit, saw the Diliman-based team blister to a 14-2 run.

At one point in the 4th quarter, UP was up by 10 markers until UE's sweet-shooting Val Acuna made three straight triples evening the playing field.

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going, so they say. Unfortunately, UP wasn't the tough cookie yesterday as they forgot to make the extra passes and softened the 2-3 zone that pressured UE's point guards in the third period.

And then it was all UE as their veterans Elmer Espiritu and Paul Lee took over. A backdoor eye-in-the-sky play with Lee passing and Espiritu laying in the spheroid broke the horse's back.

To recall, the Warriors escaped with a 77-69 overtime win against the Maroons during the first round of UAAP's 72nd Season thanks to the three point heave of Acuna sending the game to overtime.

The Warriors was led by Lee's 21 points, Acuna's 17 points and Espiritu's 16 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Mark Lopez top-scored for the Maroons with 14 points and 7 rebounds.

NOTE:

Let me just point at one glaring stat: UP, who shares the #1 spot with ADMU in the assist board, only had one assist in the 4th quarter. UP has to realize that they don't have a go-to-guy in the mold of a James Yap (EU) or Mac Cardona (La Salle), who can create his own shot.

Yes, Lopez has some hops and Woody Co can burn the net from outside the arc, but I certainly didn't see them asking for the ball and making crucial shots in the dying seconds of the game.



Because they didn't swing the ball around, and they failed to find the open guy, it was easier for UE's defense to clamp down on their shooters. Mind you, this season they have pretty decent ones in Co, Mickey Reyes and Martin Reyes, but what can they do without the rock?

Still, I think all is not lost for UP. Although they only have three wins so far this season, one cannot deny the mark improvements in their game. Nowadays, they're showing signs of mental toughness, fighting off double-digit leads and even frustrating powerhouse teams Ateneo and La Salle. All they have to do is be more CONSISTENT and capitalize on their strength, which is passing.

Other game:
La Salle: 68 UST: 64

©Grace Ramos

Waiting in Vain (for hazelnut eyes)

I'm not a big fan of waiting, but I guess I have to wait two more years to see Ricky Rubio run circles and burn some hoops in the NBA.

The Spanish point guard with hazelnut eyes to die for opted to stay in Spain instead of playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves after he was drafted 5th overall pick by the squad in last June's lottery.

Two days after the Timberwolves and Rubio’s camp (agents and former Spanish team DKV Joventut) agreed "in principle" on a deal bringing the 18-year-old spitfire in the NBA, Rubio ran away from the biggest stage in basketball.

“The reason leading me to take this next step is to have a period of preparation to better take the challenge of the NBA in better conditions as a player,” Rubio was quoted in an article posted on Yahoo Sports.

“The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to be my first option and I wish to play with them in the near future," Rubio added.



Rubio told Timberwolves President David Kahn the same thing. Khan was obviously disappointed by the development, if you can call it a development on Timberwolves' part, as he made three trips to Spain to help seal the mothballed deal.

“It appears now we will have a two-year wait. But if you frame it as he’ll be 20 years old and he’ll have two more years to develop, I can think of a lot worse things to happen to us as a franchise,” Kahn was quoted saying.

After the falling out, DKV Joventut reluctantly agreed to trade Rubio to its rival squad Regal FC Barcelona, which will shell out $5.3 million to buy out Rubio's pricey contract.

According to Kahn, Rubio's cold feet was due to the pressure he and his family have been getting from the Spanish national team, Spanish media and other people in their hometown. Rubio plays for Spain and was part of the silver-winning squad in the Beijing games.

“From an 18-year-old’s perspective and his family’s perspective, it was very nerve-racking,” Kahn said.

Let us just hope that his decision wil turn out for the best, and that he finds a better home in FC Barcelona. Hopefully by the time Rubio decides to join the NBA, 6th overall pick Jonny Flyn, who was also tapped by the Timberwolves, would only be as good as sharing the spot with him.

©Grace Ramos

Note: Ricky plays the point too! I love his brand of play, unselfish yet flashy (ankle-breaking crossovers, suave wrap around dribbling and sweet no-look/ ally-oop passes). And for someone who's not as hefty as most players are, I admire his mental and physical toughness. He's not afraid to get hit and to kiss the floor (so like me). We're so bagay like that! LOL!

Shattering the Impossible

What's the possibility of Earth colliding with another planet, say Venus or Mars? Impossible, at least within our lifetime, as scientists forecast that could only happen after billions of years.

And this is about the time you ask why am I mixing science with politics. The answer, "What could be impossible for heavenly bodies is just a dash of humility away for us."

Today stars aligned, at least for the Liberal Party, as popular presidential aspirant Senator Manuel Roxas II gave way to his party compatriot Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Saying he believes in “country above self," Roxas, who was one of the first politicians to announce candidacy for the highest office in the land, expressed his full support to the candidacy of Sen. Noynoy despite the latter being mum of his 2010 plans.

Speaking in a televised press conference, Roxas said, “Today, I’m announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for president for 2010," adding that Sen. Noynoy said he intends "to carry the torch of leadership."

Roxas, who is set to tie the knot with broadcaster Korina Sanchez, also said that withdrawing from the May race is the toughest decision he ever made. “I do this for unity in support for change…if that means somebody has to make a sacrifice, ako na (I will),” he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Noynoy who was also present in the press conference did not speak further delaying the official announcement of his impending candidacy. This, of course, is in respect to the 40th day-mark of his mother's passing.

In a previous interview with a local TV network, Sen. Noynoy declined to say anything concrete about the results of his party's dialogues. He only said the "party is united" and that "the cause is more important than the personalities."

Roxas' gentleman-like gesture came exactly a month after President Corazon "Cory" Aquino's passing. Mrs. Aquino, Sen. Noynoy's mother, is being dubbed as the Mother of Philippine Democracy as she led the country against Marcos dictatorship in a bloodless 1986 EDSA Revolution.

Since his mother's passing, Sen. Noynoy has been getting overwhelming support from the public. A recent signature campaign was launched to gather one million votes in support of his candidacy.

Likened to his parents, who were reluctant to take the presidential baton, Sen. Noynoy is getting all the build up he wants (and he definitely needs all of it and more) as the 2010 race fast closes in.

To recall, former Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. (allegedly) gave up his political ambitions for a nobler cause to restore democracy. When Sen. Ninoy was assassinated, his widow Cory was reluctantly shoved into the political limelight. Though she lost a rigged 1986 snap elections, she was sworn in office with the public's immense support.

NOTE: The fates of Senators Roxas and Aquino are seeming repetitions of the histories of their fathers former Sen. Gerry Roxas and Sen. Ninoy. The elder Roxas was originally the bet of the Liberal Party against President Ferdinand Marcos until the elder Aquino rose to popularity being the most vocal critic of Marital Law.

©Grace Ramos

Mraz remaking Billboard history

Chillax hippie musician Jason Mraz makes history with 71-week chart run of "I'm Yours." The hit song with a reggae feel to it could be around longer in the Billboard Hot 100 chart as Mraz released the song as a single.

In a phone interview published on Yahoo Music Mraz said, "The song was really born into the crowd... I noticed almost an immediate response to it and people really celebrated in a different way during that song."

"And now of course, that we've been playing with people really owning it on the record, it's taken it to a whole new level," he added.

"I'm Yours" has been conquering the airwaves since it first charted in May 2008 bumping off LeAnn Rimes' "How Do I Live" in the spot. Other accolades of the song include a Song of the Year nod in this year's Grammy Awards.

For more on Mraz watchout for the release of Beautiful Mess - Live from Earth on November 10. The material is a documentary of his two-year road promotions of the platinum-selling album "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things."

©Grace Ramos

Source: Yahoo Music