“This was very awesome...never in any Filipino history can one compare what the ‘Filipino Image Magazine’ and the ‘Pinoy Global Online’ news accomplished,” explained one distinguished Filipino leader.

“First: The twenty awardees all showed up - 100 %; secondly, three top Philippine ambassadors -not just one...came to grace the occasion; third and lastly, for the first time in the annals of Filipino-American history, getting an American living legend to break bread and participate in the festivities...the presence of billionares Mr. James V. Kimey, chairman emeritus and the founding chairman of American On Line (AOL) exposed for the first time to the Filipinos and becoming ‘Friend of Filipinos.’ Awesome!

“I praised the Lord for making the event possible in spite of so many snipes and uncomplimentary remarks before the functions and making fun of one of my statements in the past, present and future of the TOFA productions from 1990...year after year...I have not and will never pretend that Nonoy Mendoza is responsible...He is the man...No. I am not...and may I repeat this once again: ‘The TOFA project is by Divine Intervention’ period. End of story. Make fun as much as one can...but eat your words...for how can one explain the ‘impossible dream’ being made possible? Surely we are just tools. And as I stated since 1990: the TOFA awardees being gathered twenty at a time for a reason...as I observed in the past: most of the awardees, themselves, cannot explain their sincere acceptance of the TOFA accolade...why them? But all of us should just relax until all of us hear the same message at the same time...what the Lord want us to do.

“Thank you so much.. Nonoy Mendoza.”

Lord, forgive me if I sometimes do not believe in TOFA.

***

Here’s a contribution from one Tsismoso: “Pare, I often attend parties and on these occasions I ask some so-called leaders about politics or issues affecting their adopted land. Unfortunately, many of them do not know. Some do not even know the names of prospective presidential candidates? Or do not know the names of the incumbent governor, mayor, or county executives of the places where they reside? Or the principal issues facing the US, domestic and foreign? Consider the following for instance: I asked one local leader for the candidates for president she will support, she replied: ‘Sino ba ang mga kandidato? Ang alam ko lang ay si Hillary!’ Asked for the top domestic issue, she declared: ‘Iraq, yata.’ When I asked a leader about the top foreign affairs issue facing the US, he replied: ‘Chinese-made products.’ Can you name the senators representing Virginia? He thought for a while and said, ‘I think it’s someone named Davis and Obama.’ Governor? ‘I don’t know.’ Our local groups should include political lessons in their effort to teach the Ocho Ocho, raise funds and hold reception balls.” Good idea, pare.

***

Reports are that the embassy has hired the services of a former New York Republican Congressman Gilman to lobby for the veterans equity bill which is being opposed by the Republicans in Congress. The amount is reportedly $10,000 as initial payment. “Why not just give that money to the Filipinos who are now doing their level best to get the bill moving in Congress?” asked a Filam lobbyist. “Siguro wala sila tiwala sa mga Filams. Or whoever thought of that idea is looking at a commission from Gilman.

***

Here’s a reader’s comment about the insults hurled against Eric Lachica by some inquiteros recently. “Bak-bakan na talaga. Slug-fest ditis. And don’t drag our fellow sistah out into this ‘sabunotan’...Wiz lang sila. Talagang ‘Drama Queens’..and who is this Bobby .....do I suspect his ‘Manhood’ too.... Talagang nakahiya....but really good for the Manila Tsismis. There are enough materials that will make a stand up comic wanting.

Indeed, the internet is alive today with emails denouncing every Juan, Pedro and Jose on issues ranging from green cards, veterans issues, politics and even masculinity. There is an email dripping with venom, denouncing what the emailer calls the McKapili officials of a major Filipino organization. Not even Vellie Dietrich Hall, the Republican candidate for the Fairfax board of supervisors, is spared from the tirade.

***

Now that there is a “watchlist” in the Philippines some Filams, particularly the dual citizens, are now reportedly wary of visiting the home country. They’re afraid that they, too, might be prevented from leaving. But for those who enjoy the clubs along Roxas boulevard and Makati, it will be manna from heaven. They will have a foolproof excuse to their wives for extending their stay in Manila. Imagine, the torture if they are forced to spend their time in the clubs along Roxas boulevard.