Troubles in Freedomland

Celebrity World Vol. 4 Nos. 187 & 188, March 6 and 13, 1995

On the left cover: Cynthia Khan

On the right cover: Geneva Cruz

This two-part article, “Troubles in Freedomland,” was written 23 years ago, and up to now it is still the items in the news. It was written when the Philippines still occupied eight of the 53 islands within its territorial jurisdiction, inside its 200-mile exclusive economic zone. It was in 1976, when Pres. Ferdinand Marcos sent forces to occupy 11 islands and marked seven more reefs to assert territorial jurisdiction. Pres. Marcos also ordered the building of an airstrip on Pag-asa, the largest of the islands, and garrisons and living facilities that is still existing and operational today.

Also include is “A Glimpse of Kalayaan History.”

“Attend to Me in silence, you islands; and let national groups themselves regain power. Let them approach. At that time let them speak. Let us come up close together for the judgment itself.” – Isaiah 41:1, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

The Truth about Santa Claus



Mr. & Ms. Vol. 20 No. 34, December 24, 1996
On the cover: Paco Arespacochaga, Geneva Cruz and their son Heaven

No need for explanation, Virginia, it’s “The Truth About Santa Claus.”

“Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.” – The First Book of Samuel, Holy Bible, The New King James Version.

Halloween Trivia (Unauthorized reprint)

Mr. & Ms., October 2005
On the cover: KC Montero and Geneva Cruz

This is a reprint of my article of the same title, “Halloween Trivia,” published in Mr. & Ms. November 3, 1998 issue. Ethically and legally, I should have been paid for this article even if it’s a reprint. When you submit an article to a publication, what they are paying you are the right to publish your article, not the ownership of the article. So, without the author’s permission, the publisher cannot reprint. They reprinted this without my permission and didn’t pay me for it.

“Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – The Gospel According to Luke 11:4-5, Holy Bible, The New King James Version.

The Two Endearing Loves of Dr. Jose Rizal



Mr. & Ms. Vol. 21 Nos. 9 & 10 (June 24 and July 1, 1997)
On the covers: Rosanna Roces (left), and James Coronel and Geneva Cruz (right)

I have written several articles on the perennial problem of the Philippines – floods. This one, “Here Come the Floods” (published in two parts), I wrote 20 years ago. Imagine, up to now, the problem still has no solution on sight.

The adjoining article, pertinent to the occurrence of floods, is about a health problem that continually afflicts the Filipinos – “Leptospirosis.”

“The LORD watches a man’s ways, marking every course he takes. He who is wicked is caught in his own iniquities, held fast in the toils of his own sin; for want of discipline he will perish, wrapped in the shroud of his boundless folly.” – Proverbs 5:21-23, The Revised English Bible.

Celebrity World Vol. 5 No. 254, June 24, 1996
On the cover: Hans Montenegro and Pinky Amador

The romantic side of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was featured in my article “The Two Endearing Love of Dr. Jose Rizal” (p. 8) for Celebrity World June 24, 1996 issue. For all of his romantic encounters, read “Love and Romance According to Jose Rizal” published in Mr. & Ms. June 25, 1996 issue (SEE succeeding post).

“Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement flame.”
          – The Song of Solomon 8:6, Holy Bible, The New King James Version.

July 21



JULY 21

MOD Filipina Vol. 21 No. 933, July 21, 1989
On the Cover: Luisa Ledda Uy

SULYAP SA NAKARAAN

Ang full-spread cover illustration ng Alcala Komix
para sa kanilang unang taong anibersayo (Hulyo 21, 1964),
tampok ang “Goya, the Flying Carabao” sa harapang bahagi
at ang mga iba pang pangunahing karakter na lumabas sa komiks na ito sa likurang bahagi.

 

Events that happened on July 21:

1969 – Dipolog (in Zamboanga del Norte) was declared a city and provincial capital by virtue of Republic Act No. 5520.

1974 – The 23rd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant was held at the Folk Arts Theater in Manila. Amparo Munoz of Spain won the pageant with the Philippines’ candidate, Guadalupe Sanchez, among the 12 semi-finalists.



Newly-crowned Miss Universe 1974 Amparo Muñoz of Spain
on the covers of Expressweek (August 8, 1974) and Focus Philippines (August 10, 1974)

 

Personalities and celebrities born on July 21:

1870 – Daniel Maramba, revolutionary leader during the Spanish and American colonization and governor of Pangasinan – in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan (d. December 27, 1941).

1871 – Praxedes Julia Fernandez, artist and “Queen of Philippine Drama” – in Sta. Cruz, Manila (d. August 22, 1919).

1965 – Edward “Jovy” Marcelo, race car driver (d. May 15, 1992).

1971 – Paco Arescopacochaga (Enrico Luis Victor Santos Arespacochaga), musician and songwriter – in Manila.

Paco Arescopacochaga (with Geneva Cruz)
on the cover of Mr. & Ms. (December 24, 1996)



Larawang Tribiya

Ang iba’t-ibang larawan ng Bulkang Pinatubo (“Mount Pinatubo’s Many Faces”),
nasa taklob-pahina ng Pilipino Reporter Magasin (Hulyo 21, 1991).

          Ang Mount Pinatubo, na matatagpuan sa malapit sa sugpungang hangganan ng tatlong lalawigan ng Zambales, Pampanga at Tarlac, ay isang dormant stratovolcano na muling naging aktibo makaraan ang humigit-kumulang 600 taon. Nagsimula itong magkaroon ng major eruption noong Hulyo 12, 1991, na tumagal ng apat na araw. Tinatayang umabot ng 12 cubic kilometer ng volcanic debris ang ibinuga ng bulkan at ang abong-alikabok nito ay kumalat halos sa buong mundo.

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April 2



April 2

Babae Entertainment Magazine Taon 2 Blg. 88, Abril 2, 1985
On the front cover: Coca Nicolas
On the back cover: Faridah Yulo

 Events that happened on April 2

1883 – The Hongkong-Shanghai Bank, the oldest foreign bank in the Philippines, established a branch in Iloilo.

1988 – Captured coup d’état (against Cory Aquino’s government) leader Lieutenant Colonel Gringo Honasan escaped from his prison ship, the BRP Andres Bonifacio, together with 14 of his guards.

Personalities and celebrities born on April 2:

1788 – Francisco Balagtas (real name Francisco dela Cruz Baltazar), poet, author and "Prince of Tagalog Poets" – in Panginay, Bigaa, Bulacan. (d. February 20, 1862).

Portrait illustration of Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar
on the cover of Philippine Panorama (March 28, 2004).

 

1917 – Cesar Legaspi, pioneer of neo-realist painting in the Philippines and National Artist for visual arts (1990) – in Tondo, Manila (d. April 7, 1994).

1948 – Anthony Alonzo (real name Antonio Viana Hernandez), actor – in Quezon City (d. October 9, 1998).

1976 – Geneva Cruz (full name Geneva Mendoza Cruz), actress and singer – in Manila.

Geneva Cruz
on the covers of Celebrity World  (March 13, 1995), FHM Philippines (April 2001), 
and MOD (October 21, 2005).

The Hulk vs. The Thing

Two instances where the Hulk encounters the Thing:
Left, Fantastic Four #25, April 1962, and right, Silver Surfer #96, September 1994.

          The first time the Incredible Hulk battled Ben Grimm a.k.a. The Thing was in the April 1962 Fantastic Four #25 issue. It was billed “A Marvel Super-spectacular” and “The Battle of the Century.”

          The Hulk guest-starred in Jack Kirby and Stan Lee’s Fantastic Four #12, which was the first time Marvel heroes had a cross-over. In the issue, the Hulk discovers that he has been replaced on the Avengers by Captain America. He decides to travel to New York City to destroy the Avengers. Once in New York, the Human Torch tries to slow the Hulk down, but he is no match for the Hulk. Mr. Fantastic had just come down with an illness and while the Thing and the Invisible Girl wanted to stay with him, he insisted that it was more important that they try to stop the Hulk. During the ensuing battle, the force field of Sue Storm-Richard (Invisible Girl) couldn’t stop the Hulk, and she and his brother Johnny Storm (Human Torch) were taken out of the fight, leaving the match Marvel fans had been waiting for – the Hulk versus the Thing.

          The fight takes up the rest of Fantastic Four #25 and a large chunk of issue #26, as well. Right from the start, Ben Grimm (The Thing) realizes he is in real trouble as the Hulk is a great deal stronger – and smarter – than expected. 

Two-page spread inside Silver Surfer #96 (Part 4 of “Down to Earth”),
penciled by Jim Hall and inked by Mark McKenna.



          In Parts 3 and 4 of “Down to Earth” (written by Ron Marz), Silver Surfer #95 (August 1994) and #96, (September 1994), another comics “encounter” (as guest-superheroes) was briefly showcased. Ben “The Thing” Grimm again almost mixed it up with the Hulk who at this point can talk clearly and is “no longer a mindless monster,” had not the Silver Surfer literally cosmically stopped them. The two powerhouses, met each other when the Silver Surfer accompanied Ben, Ant-Man and the Human Torch to investigate a peculiar seismic readings.  
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Katharine Heigl on the cover of
Entertainment Weekly (April 2, 2010),
after she said farewell to the
television series Grey’s Anatomy.

Picture Trivia

          Katharine Heigl played the role of Dr. Izzie Stevens in the hit television series Grey’s Anatomy, for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award as “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series” in 2007. On March 24, 2010, however, she announced that she would leave the show to have more time taking care of her family.                             o     O     o