Thank you very much, Martin, for the poem

I know a lot of people who rely so much on computers, cellphones, the Internet and the e-mail. Bless you but I’m sorry, I refuse to be a slave to these cold, unfeeling chips and gizmos. Call me an ignoramus, I’ll call you a "technoramus!" Ha, ha, ha!

That’s why it’s such a relief when I meet people who still believe in the power of old-fashioned, but not too reliable (that I have to admit) hand-carried mail. Yup, snail mail but still more personal.

One of the letters I received is from Jennifer Icao-Calleja, a fellow Bisaya who is now based in Malta. Jennifer didn’t say much about herself in the letter but what she did say was that she is interested in promoting Filipino culture in Malta and in other nearby countries.

All I can say is, "You go, girl!" Be proud of your Filipino roots. We have a rich culture. We are a progressive lot. We are a resilient race and we are a people with heart. We are a nation of dreamers (and people who stop dreaming become computers). One day, Jennifer, the world will recognize Pinoys because of the good things you do in Malta.

Another letter I got is from Kayce, writing in response to the poem written by Martin Nievera for his supporters printed on this space way back. Kayce wrote, "Me and my friends get so excited when we read write-ups about Martin but to read a letter and poem from our friend is something new and different. We were so overwhelmed by this because we know it came from the heart. Martin is a very nice person inside and out... we feel the pain when he’s hurt, we jump for joy when he’s happy and we are so proud of him."

In response to Martin’s poem, Kayce wrote, "Martin, thank you for being so nice to us. Thank you for everything. Rest assured, we’ll always be behind you. We’ve done it for the last 19 years and we don’t see any reason why we can’t do it for the next 19 years or more. We’ll always be there for you. That has been our blood compact, right?

"Thank you for not taking us for granted and you know what we mean. We appreciate that. We don’t know how to write a poem back for you but everything said here comes from our heart and you know that’s what matters most.

"We just regret that sometimes not so good things have happened but we know that they have made you even wiser and stronger. We just pray that you’ll finally find the happiness that you’ve been looking for in your heart.

"Thank you for all the music...thank you for the laughter and most of all, thank you for being our frien... forever."

Disney Buzz A ‘must see’

The popular well-loved fun show from the Disney Channel, Disney Buzz, goes live in Manila on Feb. 27, 3:30 p.m. at the Alabang Town Center with its high energy hosts, Jien, Azura and Karen!

The three Disney Buzz presenters will appear live for a meet-and-greet for its fans, shoot selected segments for their show, host fun games for the audience and many more.

Disney Buzz is the Disney Channel Asia’s flagship show for kids age 8 to 15 years. It combines interactive-hosted activity segments with programs specifically created for its audience. Hosts Jien, Azura and Karen display awesome rapport as they use their natural wit and charm to encourage and inspire kids to voice their opinions and use their creativity.

Disney Buzz also provides kids with a variety of hosted segments including Court Buzz, Get Spotted, Booster Pants and Top 3.5 which pit kids and the hosts against each other in an exciting interchange of physical activity and opinion. Other segments include celebrity interviews, competitions such as It’s Your Vault, letters, phone-ins and challenges. A great line-up animated and live Disney action programs complete this overall kid-centered entertainment show.

To appeal to kids in the Disney Channel Asia territories, Disney Buzz is hosted by three young and popular figures from Malaysia and the Philippines. Soo Kui Jien (better known as Jien), who co-writes and co-produces the show, is a common face in Malaysia’s modeling, hosting and sports arena. Azura Zainal is no newcomer in the field either with various exposures in hosting and singing in Malaysia. Karen Borja, a singer, actress and commercial model from the Philippines complete the unstoppable Disney Buzz triumvirate.

Catch Disney Buzz on the Disney Channel, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5 p.m.