GMA would have beaten them all

Oh what a fuss they made after all the winners in the Metro Manila Film Festival were announced. The choices clearly were not popular ones, because there were so many complaints against the decision of the judges. Some complained that there was a plot to make only comedians win, others hinted that there is a Mafia in the MMFF, and still another declared the choices for winners were incredible.

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A film producer even called a press conference soon after the controversial awards rites and openly wondered why her masterpieces did not win. A known director could not believe that the movie he directed got so many awards, but not for Best Director, meaning him, of course. There were even complaints about the winning actors, many couldn't believe that the one who ran off with the trophy had beaten some of the blockbuster names in the industry.

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President Gloria Arroyo attended the affair, too. Well, she must have a soft spot for actors and actresses, since her grandfather and other members of their family had also been actors. The President later distributed One Million Pesos each to the winners. Did it come from the P35 Billion Anti-Poverty fund, I wonder. It was clear from the interaction that the President was relaxed and at ease. Maybe if they had named her the best actress, there wouldn't have been any protest.

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I noted with interest that well-known columnist Jullie Yap Daza is now writing for the Manila Bulletin. I'm sure her readers will start buying Bulletin soon. I noticed some big changes in her, based on the accompanying photo, though. She looks very much different, is the Bulletin column the only thing in her life that is new? Of course we don't know if, she, too, is a regular at the clinics of derma queen, Vicki Belo.*

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Some friends twitted me for writing that we had given up our rooms at the plush Fairways Resort in Boracay for lesser accommodations in the area's Station 3. Of course the Fairways rooms were bigger, we had a balcony from which we could view the sea, and drink coffee like millionaires, as well as gaze at the expansive green of the golf course. But - this is not sweet lemon - I noted that Fairways is not friendly to senior citizens. For one, there was no elevator in our building and our rooms were in the third floor (although numbered 221 and 222). Then the steep four flights of stairs had no railings, and my sister Ducky had to hang on to a nephew everytime we climbed up or went down.

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Then, too, there was only ONE mirror for the entire room, and that was in the bathroom. If you happen to have a room mate who takes her time there, woe unto you. Ah, there was also only ONE trash can for the big room and that also in the bathroom. The waitresses in the restaurant were absent-minded, we stood up and left before she returned to take our order. And I am not backbiting the management, these are also what I wrote on their guest form where they solicit your comments.

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As I mentioned here yesterday, the road behind Boracay's commercial area has already been cemented at last. One does not have to go bumpity-bump all the way like before. But the problem in going to Boracay by land is Capiz, where the highway is still as dreadful as ever. In all the times that I had gone to Kalibo it seemed as if the Capiz highway was always under repair, but it gives little comfort to travelers because it is again as bad as ever. In some portions where the cement had been gouged out, one could see that what had been laid was only about four inches thick. No wonder it deteriorates so quickly. Some people must have made hay while constructing that road there. Happily, this is not so in Iloilo and Kalibo, where the ride is now smooth all the way. In fact, my five-year-old niece made up her own song about a "Bumpy-bumpy road" all the way through.

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I was sorry to hear about the death of Mike Asignacion. Just a few days ago, we met him at the Prayer Room of Lupit Church and, although, he seemed a bit weak, there was no indication that the end would be so near. In fact we even shared a laugh when he mistook another car for his as we left. Rest in peace, Mike.*

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