Looking for Jerry Vale

Here are some bits that came from the mail, snail and otherwise:

From Frank Hernandez of Slide-in-Dive Resort in Victoria, Laguna: "I have a timely suggestion to my contribution to your column back on July 23, 2001 about ‘More Names in the Greatest Voices of the Century List.’

"Shortly after that column came out, I visited my daughter in New York (yes, shortly after the World Trade Center Bombing). While there, I tried locating some once-famous singers in the Century list whom I knew were native New Yorkers like Teddy Randazzo, Timi Yuro and Connie Francis. My son-in-law, who is a police officer, checked all local directories and transport licenses and didn’t find their names. When I inquired from a New York recording agency and asked about Connie Francis, the reply of the lady in charge was, ‘How do you spell her name?’

"Before all those great voices vanish into oblivion, I read a bit of silver lining lately. According to People magazine last year, century list member Jerry Vale is still active with his professional career. According to the magazine, Jerry’s golden voice is better than ever especially since he has settled in his new home-state of California. He comes from the Bronx in N.Y.C.

"I still remember when Jerry Vale, he’s my No.1 favorite singer, came to Manila during Christmas of 1961 to perform at the Araneta Coliseum with the Miss International beauties led by Miss Stella Marquez. We know that Stella has remained with us ever since she married Big Boss Promoter Jorge Araneta.

"With the new renovated Araneta Coliseum, I earnestly wish that Jorge and Stella would invite Jerry Vale, who is in his late 60’s, to perform here after more than 40 years, perhaps for purely ‘sentimental reasons’ or for old time’s sake. I am sure there are still tens of thousands of us still around who will give an arm and a leg to see and hear some old favorites like Jerry. Some 10 years from now, there may hardly be anyone left among those 100 greatest voices even if we move heaven and hell. Let’s do it now while some are still alive and kicking. "But personally, I wish a great promoter would be able to invite Jerry Vale, the balladeer who once thrilled the world in the 1950’s with great songs as You’re My Everything, Stay As Sweet As You Are and Inamorata.

"In my said rejoinder to your column (7/23/01) I wrote that Diomedes Maturan ‘is my personal choice’ for the Philippines’ greatest voice of the century. It was very unfortunate that only several months later, he would be dead at a relatively young age. I hope that somebody will organize a special TV testimonial to honor him and his immortal voice which I doubt can be surpassed in the next 100 years."

Thanks for writing again Frank and your memory is just astonishing! You still remember that piece I wrote two years ago! Unfortunately, not everybody remembers those great voices from the past and it is a fact of life that even those greats do retire and pass away and are soon forgotten. Thank heaven for people like you who wish to keep their memories alive and let us hope that those concerned get to read this column and take up your suggestion.

Creepy crawly things

This bit is meant for all of you out there fascinated with creepy, crawly things. The National Geographic Channel has come up with a six-part series about those icky, icky creatures. Titled Insects from Hell, it started last week and goes on the air on Thursdays at 8 p.m. and Mondays at 5 p.m. It continues on Monday, June 16 with Deep Guano at 5 p.m. and then on to Webs & Fangs, Stings & Claws, Invaders and Eco Warriors which will be seen on Friday, July 25 instead of the usual Thursday.

Now this can be a really yucky experience but we must also remember that these insects have their own roles to play in the cycle of life. For all you know those maggots you just totalled with pesticide this morning might hold the cure for cancer, SARS, or A.I.D.S. etc. etc. So learn all about them with Insects from Hell.

Thank you, thank you

To Tez Mendoza of the USA: Loads of thanks for the kind words about me in the e-mail you sent to my editor. I am sure you understand very well why I cannot reprint your letter (Natch!) but you can rest assured that it really made my day. Of course, credit for all that you wrote should also go to my parents, my teachers, all the books, TV and films I ever saw and these past years, also to my editor.