December 12



DECEMBER 12

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 19 No. 33, December 12, 1995 

On the Cover: Kris Aquino and her son Joshua

 

Disyembre 12 sa Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas

          Noong Disyembre 12, 1941, nakipaglaban sa himpapawid si Captain Jesus Villamor kasama ang ilang mandirigmang pilotong Filipino laban sa 54 na eroplanong pandigma ng mga hapon na sumalakay sa Batangas Air Field. Matagumpay na naitaboy nina Villamor ang mga dayuhan.

                                                          o     O     o

GLIMPSE FROM THE PAST

Fashion designer Florette Townsend

 on the cover of Jet (December 12, 1957).

 

Personalities and celebrities born on December 12:

1858 – Valeriano Hernandez Peña, poet, fictionist and author of the first Tagalog novel – in San Jose, Bulacan, Bulacan (d. September 7, 1922).

1930 – Cesar Enrique Aguinaldo Virata, technocrat, politician, Finance Minister and Prime Minister (1973-1981) – in Manila.

1934 – Rene Luna Cayetano, lawyer, journalist, politician and senator – in Pangasinan. (d. June 24, 2003).

1935 – Epimaco Ardina Velasco, government official and politician – in Tanza, Cavite (d. January 27, 2014).

1964 – Lydia de Vega, athlete, sprinter and Asia’s fastest woman athlete in the 1980s – in Meycauayan, Bulacan.

Lydia de Vega
on the cover of Teens Weekly (March 18, 1982).



1966 – Pops Fernandez (full name Maria Cielito Lukban Fernandez), singer and actress – in Quezon City.

Pops Fernandez
on the covers of Good Housekeeping Philippines (June 2002), S Magazine (September 2007) and Health Today Philippines (March 2008)

1979 – Carlos Agassi (full name Amir Carlos Damaso Vahidi Agassi), Iranian-Filipino actor, model, television host and rap artist – in Makati City.

Carlos Agassi
on the cover of Star Studio (August 2002).

1980 – Bobby Pacquiao (full name Alberto Dapidran Pacquiao), boxer – in Bukidnon.

1986 – Denver Cuello, boxer – in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

1988 – AJ “Bazooka” Banal (full name Alex John Banal), boxer – in Cebu City.

 



Denise Richards on the cover of
Playboy (December 2004).

Picture Trivia

          Do you know that Hollywood actress and fashion model Denise Richards posed nude for Playboy barely five months after giving birth? Richards, who is known for her portrayals in such films as Blonde and Blonder, Starship Troopers, Wild Things, and The World Is Not Enough, was the former wife of actor Charlie Sheen. On March 2004, she gave birth to their first child. Barely five months later, she did nude pictorials which appeared in a 10-page spread of the Playboy December 2004 issue. She was even labeled by Playboy as “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” and was also the magazine’s cover girl.

                              o     O     o



July 23



JULY 23

Holiday Komiks  Taon 4 Blg. 88, Hulyo 23, 1966

Nasa taklob-pahina ang “Buhay Tin-edyer” ni Ading Gonzales

UNANG LABAS

Ang unang labas ng “Varga”
na katha ni Mars Ravelo
sa Bulaklak (Hiyas ng Tahanan)
Taon 4, Blg. 17, Hulyo 23, 1947.

Marami ang nakakaalam na ang kinikilalang paboritong superheroine ng bayan na si Darna ay mula sa naunang katha ni Mars Ravelo na Varga. Alam niyo ba na ang konsepto ng isang babaeng superhero ay unang sumagid sa isip ni Mars Ravelo noong 1939, matapos niyang masubaybayan ang paglitaw ni Superman sa Action Comics? Si Superman ang naging inspirasyon ni Ravelo sa paglikha sa isang original Filipino superheroine na una niyang tinawag na Suprema, ang “Kamangha-manghang dilag” (“The Wonder Woman”). Ang pangalang Suprema ay halaw sa salitang “Supremo” o “pinakamataas na pinuno” na siyang pangalang-sagisag na ginamit ni Andres Bonifacio. Tataglayin ni Suprema ang kakayahang katulad ng kay Superman.

Binago ni Ravelo ang pangalang Suprema dahil sa payo ng isang kaibigan na nagsabi sa kaniya na baka may magalit at sabihin pang iniinsulto niya si Bonifacio. Taga-Cavite kasi si Ravelo at nang panahon iyon ay mainit pa ang usapin sa nangyari sa magkapatid na Bonifacio. Ang pangalan ngang ipinalit niya ay Varga. Si Varga ay lubhang napakalakas, nakalilipad at ang costume ay mala-watawat ng Pilipinas. Inialok ni Ravelo ang kaniyang konsepto sa mga American at Filipino publishers subali’t hindi ito agad binigyang pansin. Ang sabi nila, hindi raw bebenta ang isang babaeng superhero.

Noong huling bahagi ng 1939, inalok ni Ravelo sa magasing Liwayway ang “Varga” subali’t hindi ito tinanggap. Kaya pansamantala itong itinago ni Ravelo hanggang matapos ang World War II. Noong 1947, muling inialok ni Ravelo, sa pagkakataong ito, ang kaniyang nilikhang superheroine sa magasing Bulaklak. Unang nabasa ang pakikipagsapalaran ni “Varga” sa Bulaklak (Hiyas ng Tahanan) Taon 4 Blg 17, Hulyo 23, 1947.

Ang “Varga” ay isinulat at iginuhit mismo ni Ravelo, na ang paraan ng pagdidibuho nang panahon yaon ay pinaghalong mga istilo ng kaniyang iniidolong Irish cartoonist na si George McManus (1884-1954) at ng Jewish-American animator na si Max Fleischer (1883-1972). Subali’t naging malikot ang tadhana kay Ravelo, hindi nagtuloy-tuloy ang kabuuang kuwento ng Varga dahil nagkaroon siya ng di-pagkakasundo sa kaniyang editor, at ang pagmamay-ari sa kaniyang katha ay napunta sa Bulaklak.

Nang ilipat niya sa Pilipino Komiks ang kaniyang superheroine, kinailangan niyang baguhin ang pangalan nito. Ang “Darna” taliwas sa mga hakahaka, ay hindi nagmula sa “Ibong Adarna” ng panitikang Pilipino. Ito ay mula sa anagram ng “Narda” na pangalan ng batang babaeng alter-ego ni Varga.

 

Events that happened on July 23:

1935 – The first Commonwealth election was approved.

Personalities and celebrities born on July 23:

1815 – Apolinario de la Cruz (better known as Hermano Pule), founder of the Cofradia de San Jose, a messianic organization – in Lucban, Quezon Province (d. November 4, 1841)

1864 – Apolinario Maranan Mabini, revolutionary thinker, political philosopher and the “Brain of the Philippine Revolution” – Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas (d. May 13, 1903).

1954 – Bernard Fabiosa, basketball player known as the “Sultan of Swipes” – in Bohol.

Bernard Fabiosa
on the cover of Sports Weekly Magazine (July 24, 1981).

1971 – Maureen Mauricio, actress and model – Olongapo, Zamabales.

Maureen Mauricio
on the back cover inside spread of Pinoy Erotika Extra Hot No. 2 (March 1989)

1971 – Eugene Domingo (full name Eugena Roxas Domingo), actress-comedienne and television host – in Malate, Metro Manila. 

Eugene Domingo
on the covers of Star Studio (November 2009) and Bannawag (June 11, 2012)

1982 – Zanjoe Acuesta Marudo, actor and model – in Tanauan, Batangas. 



Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern
on the cover of Entertainment Weekly
(July 23, 2010).

Picture Trivia

          Do you know that the film Green Lantern (2011) was conceptualized as early as 1997? Warner Brothers approached filmmaker and comic book writer Kevin Smith to write the script for the first Green Lantern film, but he declined. A few directors were also offered to do the film including Greg Berlanti and Zack Snyder but it didn’t push through. Many actors were also being eyed to portray the role including Sam Worthington, Chris Pine, Brian Austin Green, Bradley Cooper, Justin Timberlake at Jared Leto. Finally, Greg Berlanti, Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim wrote the script while Geoff Johns became creative consultant. Martin Campbell took the helm as director, and in 2009, Ryan Reynolds was chosen to portray the role of Hal Jordan and his alter-ego superhero the Green Lantern.
                             o     O     o

February 14



February 14

Sixteen Vol. 3 No. 64, February 14, 1971
On the cover: Vilma Santos

Events that happened on February 14

1810 – Spain granted all colonies in the Americas and the Philippines representation in the Spanish Cortes.

1931 – The Correctional Institute for Women was established as a branch of the Bureau of Prisons at the Welfareville compound in Mandaluyong with Patrocina M. Garcia as first superintendent.

1946 – Philippine Airline resumed operations after a five-year hiatus brought about by World War II, giving service to 15 domestic points with five Douglas DC-3s.

1975 – The Philippine Heart Center for Asia was inaugurated in Quezon City with Dr. Avelino Aventura as director. The hospital and research center, a project of then First Lady Imelda Marcos, had the most modern facilities for heart and related diseases in Asia at that time.

1977 – Start of the first PAEC Course on “Introduction to Nuclear Power.”

1986 – Corazon Aquino called for a boycott of all establishments closely associated with the Marcos government.

2005 – A bomb planted by suspected Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists exploded inside a RRCG bus under the MRT Ayala Station, in Makati, killing four and injuring 64 people. There were also bomb explosions in Davao City and General Santos City.

Personalities and celebrities born on February 14:

1924 – Juan Ponce Enrile, (birth name Juanito Furagganan) politician and lawmaker – in Gonzaga, Cagayan.

1970 – John Carlos “JC” G. de los Reyes, educator, city councilor and 2010 presidential candidate – in Olongapo City, Zambales

1971 – Kris Aquino (full name Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino), actress, commercial model, TV host, and product endorser – in Manila.

Kris Aquino
on the covers of K (Kris Aquino Magazine, April 2006) and Star Studio (February 2009).

 

1977 – Donna Cruz (full name Donna Cruz Yrastorza-Larrazabal), singer and actress – in Manila.

1981 – Nancy Castiglione (full name Nancy Jane Jimenez Castiglione), Italian-Filipino actress, singer and model – in Canada.

Nancy Castiglione
on the covers of UNO (July-August 2005), MOD (July 29, 2005),

and Maxim Philippines (January 2008).

 

1984 – John Prats (full name John Paulo Quiambao Prats), actor, comedian, televisioon host, and image model – in Manila.

1985 – Heart Evangelista (real name Love Marie Payawal Ongpauco), Filipino-Chinese actress, singer, video jockey, television host, and businesswoman – in Manila.

Heart Evangelista
on the covers of Rogue (October 2010), Mega (December 2011), and Esquire Philippines (May 2013).

1986 – Roxanne Bosch Ginoo, actress and model – in Rosario, Cavite.



Roxanne Ginoo 

on the covers of Maxim Philippines (March 2007 and July 2008).

  

Supermodel Cheryl Tiegs on the cover of
Sports Illustrated (February 14, 1983).

Picture Trivia

          Do you know that the iconic supermodel Cheryl Tiegs is mentioned in the lyrics of the theme song of the TV classic series The Fall Guy that starred Lee Majors? The title of the song is “The Unknown Stuntman” (1984), written by Glen A. Larson, Gail Jensen and Dave Somerville. It was sang by Majors himself. Aside from Tiegs, the other celebrities in the lyrics include Farrah Fawcett, Bo Derek, Sally Field, Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd, Raquel Welch, Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood, and Burt Reynolds.
          During her prime as a supermodel, Tiegs was said to have a perfect vital statistics of 34”-24”-34”.

                            o     O     o

Defining Love Using Algebra

Let X be me and Y be you.

Then X+Y=1 and  X-Y=0.

Quote of the Day

“Omnia vincit amor; et nos cedamus Amori.” (“Love conquers all; and let us too surrender to Love.”) – Virgil, Eclogues.

January 25

  

JANUARY 25 


Lovelife Taon 23 Blg. 2240

Tampok sa taklob-pahina ang isang ilustrasyon ni Ron Gimena

(mula sa Morelos Collections).

 

Enero 25 sa Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas

          Noong Enero 25, 1942, hinuli at ikinulong ng mga Hapon si Pedro Abad Santos, ang nagtatag ng Socialist Party of the Philippines.

                                                                              o     O     o

          Enero 25, 1947, nang maganap ang kauna-unahang major accident ng Philippine Airline (PAL). Isang Douglas C-47 na patungong Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport, ang sumalpok sa Mount Parker na may taas na 532 meters (1745 feet).

                                                                            o     O     o

          Mahigit 20,000 katao ang nagmartsa patungong Philippine Congress at U.S. Embassy noong Enero 25, 1965 upang magprotesta laban sa imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism.

                                                                           o     O     o

          Apat na historic sites sa loob ng University of Santo Tomas – ang open campus grounds, ang Main Building, ang Central Seminary, at ang Arch of the Centuries – ang idineklarang “National Cultural Treasures” ng National Museum noong ika-25 ng Enero, 2010.

                                                                           o     O     o

Pinoy personalities and celebrities born on January 25:

1853 – Pablo S. Ocampo Sr, lawyer and delegate to the Malolos Congress – in Quiapo, Manila. (d. February 5, 1925)

1901 – Pablo S. Antonio, modernist architect and National Artist for Architecture (1976) – in Binondo, Manila. (d. June 15, 1974)



1931 – Pablo S. Gomez, komiks writer, movie scriptwriter, director and creator of many komiks-turned-movie title characters that include Petrang Kabayo, Kampanerang Kuba, Machete, etc. – in sampaloc, Manila. (d. December 26, 2010)

1933 – Cory Aquino (birth name Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco), first woman president (de facto) of the Philippines – in Manila (d. August 1, 2009).

Cory Aquino
on the cover of People Asia (July 2008).



1956 – Vicky Belo (full name Maria Victoria Gonzalez Belo),dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon – in Cebu.

Vicky Belo
on the cover of Star Studio (March 2009).

1987 – Japeth Paul C. Aguilar, basketball player – in Pampanga.



Jenna Jameson on the cover
of Cheri (January 1998).

Picture Trivia

    American pornographic actress and entrepreneur Jenna Jameson (real name Jenna Marie Massoli) started her career in the adult film industry in 1993. Her screen name is a female spoof of the newspaper publisher, Jonah Jameson, a character in Spider Man. She started out as a glamour model, stripper and adult magazine model. As a porn actress she was very successful winning awards. Jameson is in the Hall of Fame of the X-Rated Critics Organization (XRCO) and Adult Video News (AVN). She is considered as the “World’s Most Famous Porn Star” and “The Queen of Porn.”          
        Jameson established the pornographic entertainment company, Club Jenna, with Jay Grdina, who became her husband. In 2005, revenues from Club Jenna reached over 30 million dollars, excluding advertising endorsements.
       Her 2004 autobiography How to make Love Like a Porn Star: A Cautionary Tale was in the New York Times Top Bestseller List for six consecutive weeks.
                                   
                                                   o     O     o