I remember Delia Rajas - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

Looking for Delia Rajas was yet the most suspenseful moment in the impeachment trial. I caught the part when the witness was made to survey the whole courtroom and identify Delia, who according to the defense counsel, was present in the room. It was nothing like any cinematic courtroom drama I have seen. I refused to blink, afraid to miss that poignant moment when she would point and say, "Your Honor, she is Delia Rajas." Once in a while, she would stop and stare at some woman. But then, she would proceed to inspect every corner of the hall. My heartbeat was a perfect scoring to this scene – which was frighteningly surreal.

I remembered Delia. She was my playmate and neighbor in Borongan, Eastern Samar. Delia was fat and had a round face. She had golden brown skin. She was actually cute. I perspired at the thought that the Delia they were looking for and my Delia were one. "God forbid!" I implored!

I played jackstone and wrestled with her. She was the better wrestler while I played jackstone deftly. Sometimes we would go to the river to swim. Delia swam like a fat fish. She would always win swimming relays. But on land, I was the faster runner. I heard that she’s in Manila working as a domestic helper for some rich Chinese family.

That afternoon, as Landbank’s Caridad Rodenas was surveying the courtroom, I was fervently praying that, God bless my childhood friend – she could not be the Delia she was looking for.

After sometime, the witness went back to her seat and declared that the Delia Rajas she met was not in the courtroom.

I called my aunt to inquire the whereabouts of Delia and what her family name was. I was relieved to find out my childhood wrestling mate was Delia Ragas – and that she has been in Hong Kong for the past 10 years!

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For one year now, the Disney Channel has been bringing the entire family a whole new world into their homes. With 24 hours of programming seven days a week, the Disney Channel is bursting with fun and fantasy for the family to enjoy. With a spectacular line-up of Disney animated movies and series, live-action shows and preschool programming that stretch the imagination. The Disney Channel indeed brings "everyday magic, magic everyday."

Highlights of the initial year of broadcasting for the Disney Channel include its grand launch held in March at the PICC. More than 20 Disney characters (including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Ariel, Belle) were flown in and no less than the country’s premiere entertainers were tapped to perform for the show. The launch was so spectacular that it was aired as a special over the Disney Channel.

Also, its primetime block, The Wonderful World of Disney (WWOD) is a consistent top-rater. Family movies are aired every 8 p.m. The WWOD also hosted the Asian TV premiere of the animated movies Mulan and Pocahontas. In line with this, the Disney Channel staged a contest where a lot of kids won special premiums from the Disney Channel. The Wonderful World of Disney has also broadcasted well-loved animated and live-action Disney movies such as Madeline Lost in Paris, 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, Mr. Magoo, George of the Jungle, A Bug’s Life and many more.

In its first year, the Disney Channel also introduced to kids Scream TV, a terrifying yet fun block of hilarious horror shows such as Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Jumanji, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Archie’s Weird Mysteries and many more. A show featuring various "animated shorts" of Mickey Mouse and his pals was also premiered in the Disney Channel this year called Mickey Mouseworks and remains a consistent top-rater for the channel.

The Disney Channel Junior X Games and Junior X Games II were also a success wherein hundreds of X games enthusiasts watched the event live in Phuket, Thailand. Highlights of the Junior X Games II will be aired from Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, 6 p.m.

These are only few of the highlights from the Disney Channel for its first year. To kick-off its anniversary celebration, the Disney Channel aired the 2 Hour Tours, a new reality-music-documentary series which pairs today’s hottest recording artists with new, undiscovered talents. The series, which featured Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Savage Garden and LFO captured the exciting behind-the-scenes world of music as these artist went on-tour. There were also memorable performances of their hit songs.

Also upcoming in the Disney Channel this year is the premiere of various animated and live-action series such as The Legend of Tarzan, Pinocchio, Lloyd in Space, The Book of Pooh and House of Mouse. Playhouse Disney, the Disney Channel’s pre-school block will also be launched this year. This features well-loves shows like The New Adventures of Winnie The Pooh, Bear in the Big Blue House and Rolie Polie Olie.

And to add to the fun, the Disney Channel opens Vault Disney, a special program aired every Saturday at 11 p.m. Classic Disney movies are aired in this show such as Escape to Witch Mountain, The Shaggy Dog, Oliver Twist and many more.