Kung ano ang Puno...

The first time he faced the movie press a few weeks ago — his “baptism of fire,” I should say — DILG Sec. Ronnie Puno hardly talked about politics (except to confirm that he is running for vice president in 2010) and revealed that he’s a fan of the inspiring ABS-CBN soap May Bukas Pa. Prodded to give a sample of his singing prowess, Ronnie obliged with not only a line from the soap’s theme song but the whole song, earning a heartfelt applause from the movie press.

It’s not a surprise why Ronnie could sing. His younger brother Rene is a singer and Rico J. Puno (who sings the original May Bukas Pa) is, according to Ronnie, a relative.

So when Ronnie again met the movie press recently and announced that he had a “surprise,” everybody expected that he would sing again. Instead, he introduced his daughters (all married) Rosanna, Rowena and Rosalyn who rendered two songs, first Saan Ka Man Naroroon and then, as an encore, You And I. The Puno girls were such a big “surprise,” indeed, and they could be useful when their father embarks on the campaign trail.

It runs in the family. As they say, kung ano ang Puno...

Since Ronnie also brought along his pretty wife, Pinky, the movie press couldn’t help talking again less about politics but more about Ronnie as husband and father.

“Careful,” Ronnie reminded Pinky in jest before she spoke about how Ronnie is as a husband.

“I want to use the word ‘perfect’ to describe him except for one thing,” Pinky said. “His schedule. I mean, we have to share him with everybody and we can’t do anything about it. Even then, he’s sensitive to all our needs and he’s supportive of our children. He’s a great husband and a great father. He let our (seven) children be what they want to be. He never discourages any of them from undertaking they would like to achieve.”

Rosanna: “I feel very blessed to have a father like him. He’s a great example and role model for all of us. He’s loyal to friends and the people he works with. We seek him out before we make any decision. We’re lucky to have him as our father.”

Rowena: “I appreciate my dad for his unconditional love. When we were growing up and going through the heartaches with our boyfriends, he would always be there for us. When we broke up with our boyfriends, we would run to him and cry on his shoulders. He’s always supportive of us. He encourages us to be ourselves; he’s always there for us.”

Rosalyn: “The first word that comes to my mind is generous. He has been in the government and no matter how busy he is, he’s generous with his time and whatever resources he has available to help the people. He’s constantly helping, helping, helping.”
Explained Ronnie, “If you noticed, all my children’s names start with ‘R’ and so do my name and those of my siblings (among them Ricardo ‘Dong’ Puno). When I got married, my dad gave me an order that the names of my children should start with ‘R.’ I followed that decree of my father.”

The three Puno girls are born singers, although not one of them pursued a singing career like their uncle Rene.

“They would sing at family events, such as weddings of our relatives,” said Ronnie. “So I asked a favor from them to come and help me return the favor to the people who have helped me,” referring to the movie press, “so here they are to give you a sample of what we do at home. You see, when we are together, kapag nakaupo kami sa mesa, wala kaming ginawa kundi magkuwentuhan ng anim o pitong oras. When we run out of stories, biglang tatayo ang mga anak ko at, ‘yon na nga, kakanta sila. It doesn’t show but they are actually shy and I have to beg them to come with me.”

Their voices blended so beautifully that the Puno girls could form a trio if they wanted to. One sang in the first voice, the second in second voice and the third in third voice. Bravo!

“My other children also sing,” added Ronnie, “so it’s really very musical when we are together. It’s a real joy to have children who are good mothers and good people, and talented as well. That’s what I want to show you this afternoon...that life is not all politics; that at the end of the day, may inuuwian ako na kung ano man ang pinagdaanan ko sa isang araw, I have a happy family to go home to.”

Pinky is a good dancer. She has been spearheading ballroom-dancing competitions not only here but abroad.

It’s a pity that the movie press forgot to ask Pinky for a “sample.” Maybe next time. After all, according to Ronnie, he felt so at-home and so relaxed and comfortable with the movie press that he promised to meet with them again, not to talk about politics but for a sing-along.

Why not?

Pinay beauties in competition abroad

From Funfare’s New York-based “beauty expert” Felix Manuel, this update on two Pinay beauties now competing abroad, 2009 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Pamela Bianca Ramos Manalo at the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant in the Bahamas (grand finals slated for next Monday, Aug. 24, covered live by ABS-CBN starting at 8:30 a.m.) and Marie Razel Triff Eguia at the 2009 Miss Tourism Queen International Pageant in China:

2009 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Pamela Bianca Ramos Manalo is making waves in the Bahamas. After the initial Swimsuit Presentation and the National Costume Show, Bianca is currently among the top favorites to make it to the finals. Bianca is now regarded as the top Asian contender among pageant websites and pageant aficionados.

A friend who is in the Bahamas reported that Bianca always draws the loudest applause among the Asian ladies. The Latin girls have the biggest contingent of supporters. Early favorites this year aside from Bianca are Misses Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Spain, USA, Mexico, Belgium, Czeck Republic and Australia. Filipino pageant fans are hoping that Bianca will end our 10-year drought in the pageant. Miriam Quiambao was the last Filipina to get past the semi-finals in 1999, eventually placing second to Botswana’s Mpule Kwelagobe.

 Meanwhile, Carousel Productions recently appointed Marie Razel Triff Eguia, 22, as this year’s representative to the 2009 Miss Tourism Queen International Pageant to be held in Zhengzhou, China, on Aug. 30. She was 2008 Miss Philippines-Air (representing Dipolog). Her vital statistics are: 5’7.5" and 34-26-34. A graduate of Accountancy from St. Vincent’s College, she has several campus titles tucked under her belt prior to joining 2008 Miss Philippines-Earth. Our very own Justine Vinluan Gabionza was crowned Miss Tourism Queen International in 2006.

Miss Tourism Queen International was founded by Charlie See. Since 1949, there have been more than 80 countries occasionally holding this competition for their Miss Tourism National Queen. In 1993, the Miss Tourism Queen International Organization held the first world final competition in Sri Lanka, and later in USA, Russia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and many other countries as well. Miss Tourism Queen International contests have been held in China for six years, from 2004 to 2009.

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