Not just another police story

Some people are not nice. Some are terribly, horribly nasty. This is not a groundbreaking discovery about the human species. Just a repetition of what my friend Cruella tearfully whined about. He could not understand why his parents could not appreciate the fact that half of his monthly pay goes to them. Kulang pa daw. He is annoyed their neighbor is threatening to sue them because of a senile santol tree that coddle the nastiest termites that have eaten two-thirds of their neighbor’s house. E pwede namang putulin yun’ kahoy, pag-usapan lang nang mabuti.

He complained that the night before he was almost arrested by the police only because he parked in front of a bank. After watching a stage play, he went back to his car where three overzealous policemen were waiting for him in the dark (like a scene straight out of a Bruce Willis movie) for a regular check on all cars parked in the periphery of a bank.

He was told that a couple of nights earlier, a bank was robbed in the vicinity and the police just wanted to make sure it wasn’t him. He quietly smiled, noting that one of the police was cute. He cooperated, even over extending his hand higher, showing off his flat stomach wishfully hoping to seduce the police. Of course he failed miserably. He started to talk about the regional financial crisis. "Ang hirap talaga ng buhay ngayon," he said wishing to get the police boy’s cell number. Sensing my friend was clean and just wanted to get laid, the three police boys ran to their patrol car for their dear, dear lives!

Oh, just another night for my friend. He drove back home profusely perspiring as his car aircon broke down.

"Do these horrible things happen to bad people?" he complained. He looked at himself in the mirror and started to pray!

Jon’s show

Jon Santos is all set for his first major show billed Jon Santos Onstage, Live and In Person(s) slated on Dec. 12, 9 p.m. at Onstage, Greenbelt. Jon will do his rib-tickling monologues and hilarious musical numbers in the show.

Sharing the stage is the Apo Hiking Society. Tickets are available at all Ticketworld outlets in major National Bookstore branches, Robinsons Department Stores, Tower Records, Music Museum, Ayala Center Glorietta 1 ticket booth and at Onstage Greenbelt.

Judith’s album

Judith Banal first gained public attention in the ’80s when she was a member of the Cicada Band. She then moved on to be lead vocalist of the Eddie Katindig band, then the Powerplay Band.

So it is quite ironic that in a career that spanned many years, Judith has just released one solo album. "It doesn’t bother me that it took that long for a follow-up album," says Judith. "I’ve been busy with so much work in and out of the country."

For many years, Judith was based in Japan where she was lead singer of reggae/ska band Boom. Their songs topped the charts in Japan and they toured Europe and Asia. She was also offered a managerial contract by El Debarge’s but was required to be based in the US where she would have continued her career as an R&B artist. After much thought, Judith politely declined the offer and decided to come home to the Philippines.

Doesn’t she regret turning her back on a potential international career? "I thought I couldn’t handle the homesickness, the fact that I would be separated from my family and friends," explains Judith. "I decided to take my chance here in our country."

It seems Judith has a big chance of making it big here in our country via her newly released self-titled album under Evolution Music. The carrier single is Kung Alam Mo Lang, a song she co-wrote with Evolution music executive Wowie Posadas. The haunting ballad showcases Judith’s powerful, distinct voice. Besides the carrier single, the album has three other songs written by Judith herself, a remake of Gary Valenciano’s Mahal na Mahal Ko Siya ("Among his many songs in the past, this remains my favorite") and a slew of ballads and dance ditties.

Judith’s album was mastered in the US under the supervision of master engineer Doug Sax. Sax engineered recordings of Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, U2, Tina Turner, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancok, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Pink Floyd, Ray Charles and many more.

"This album is a very special project for me and I wish to share all my thoughts, love and happiness in this new album," ends Judith.