Jomari is a good man - Martin

It was Pops Fernandez’s idea to do a concert with Martin Nievera for the Valentine Season of 2009, according to Martin himself. Not that it’s the first time they’re doing something together but it is Jomari Yllana producing it. ”Did you think about it hard before agreeing?” I asked Martin. ”No. I work with Pops almost every year and Jomari is a good man,” Martin quipped.

You would think that there would be some discomfort because we have not stopped our love affair with the Martin-Pops tandem long after the Queen and King of Hearts have separated. Then, enter the gorgeous Jomari, Pipay’s boyfriend — producing the concert. From sources, this looks like this is going to be the biggest, most exciting, grandest Martin and Pops concert. From unimpeachable sources, I also gathered that Jom is seriously getting into production — not just of concerts but even films without moving out of the acting arena where he is still one of the best and most bankable actors.

Jom is also looking his best. The last time I saw him at the opening of Boy So’s Café La Carmela in Jupiter St., Makati City, he was sparkling like an expensive champagne; he had a stance that was so Clooney — screaming quietly to all, “come and get me if you can“ with a puerile grin that can corrupt innocent, helpless hearts with impunity. And Jom is not all physical beauty. He is smart and he is a kind man. I‘m glad he and Pipay found each other. Will Jom join Martin and Pops onstage? Nobody knows. Now, that’s exciting.

Christmas is in the heart

It’s Christmas and it’s the best time of the year. I think people become kinder during this season. Not only because we are reminded that this is our Lord’s birthday, the One who gave His life for us and the One who was crucified, scourged, scorned, maligned and has forgiven.

Who are we not to forgive ourselves and others? Or is it because it is also the end of the year, a good time to look back, assess the good and the bad that happened. And when you do this humbly and quietly, you realize that you are much to take credit and blame for all the things that happen in your life. And then you realize that it’s better to smile than pout — that is if you want a present from Santa Claus. And then you realize that it’s happier to have friends than enemies. So you open your heart, wrap that huge ego in an old steel box, tie it tightly, grapple with it if you may, and throw it away to the South China Sea and you say sorry to everyone you have wronged (including yourself) and you say I forgive. This feeling is so liberating that Christmas will be merrier.

Christmas is in the heart. It’s about love. Everything else is peripheral.

Merry Christmas!

My own versions of Santa

Santa Claus and I were not friends when I was a child. I never met him. I didn’t hang socks and didn’t wake up the next morning to find candies and other presents from him who rides in a reindeer-driven carriage. I had no idea what the chimney was in the Santa Claus pictures. We had no chimney and if we did, ‘twas too small and slimy. Santa would have been covered with soot if he passed through it. Nanay and Tatay made sure we wore clean, well-ironed clothes for the Christmas Mass. They also made sure we were together celebrating Christmas and life with an overdose of love. Santa never came but Nanay and Tatay were always there.

Piolo & Angel: Happy in Australia

Luis Manzano’s rumored girlfriend Angel Locsin sizzles when she is with Piolo Pascual. The duo has an amazing chemistry that people mistake them for lovers. Piolo and Angel had fun shooting in Australia for the movie Land Down Under. Piolo said that there was no dull moment among him, Angel and the staff and crew of the movie. “It’s nice to go out of the country with the crew. Nakakapag-bond kami. There was no moment na nagkapikunan kami. We also got to strike friendships with some Australians.”

Angel has beautiful things to say about her experience while shooting the film. “Everything that has happened to us while working on the movie, from Bukidnon to Australia, super saya. Even with the rough conditions that we went through, the shooting went smoothly and we are happy.”

Piolo and Angel visited The Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour and Blacktown where they met kababayan.