Bisdak Babbles

A Fernando Poe Jr. film was shown this afternoon by a local TV channel and this brought me back to memory lane. FPJ will always be my favorite local action star and my favorite film was the “Ang Panday”. One of the reasons why I love FPJ films was Paquito Diaz who often played the antagonist roles of FPJ films and who could be often seen smoking like one of those Drew Estate cigars. I wonder who would emerge as the next legendary action star in the Philippine films. Someone who could leave a lasting impression as FPJ.

Iligan City is a small place but I think it already had telephones and a cable TV company in the 1980s. I could still remember tagging along my mother to one of her friends’ house in the “city” to receive a call from my father who was in Saudi Arabia. Our house is about 30-45 minutes jeepney ride away from Iligan City but telephone lines didn’t reach us until late 1990’s, and so did a cable company. Unfortunately, we found the cable fees very expensive so our parents did not get a subscription. So, we grew up watching only the local TV shows and a few foreign TV shows.

When I went to college, it was the first time I heard about HBO, MTV, AXN, etc. Until now, I’m still not that familiar with cable TV shows because we often just tune in to TFC. So, when I saw this video, I didn’t have any idea who Howie Mandel was! If I were in the U.S., I’d easily fall prey to the show’s pranks. Anyway, just imagine being asked by Howie on items on sale at Buy.com. But it would have been better if he was wearing one of his disguises.

The staff lounge at the office has four tables only, but there are more than 200 employees. A large number prefers to eat at the nearest hawker’s (food court). My friends and I prefer to eat at the staff lounge because it is cooler in there. So, when the clock hands strike 12, it’s like a race to the staff room. Most of the time, we emerge as winners, since we head there a minute or two before 12 noon. Getting there first, means the TV remote control is all yours.

There is this Singapore noon time show but the hosts don’t speak English so we have no other choice but to watch the English channel. The shows could be Rachel Ray’s Tasty Travel, a room makeover show, or World’s Extreme homes. Doing interior design is my dream so I really enjoy these lunchtime shows. I love kitchen makeovers but so far, I have not seen copper kitchen sinks being used. Well, I never thought there is such a thing as copper sinks, but after finding the photo on the right side, it really looks good.

I’ve been faithfully watching American Idol since Season 8 started. I love watching the auditions because it is very entertaining. Above all, I look forward to seeing and hearing Simon’s reactions. He is brutally honest but he is my favorite judge.  If only I could join the auditions, I would have tried at least once just to be criticized by him.  Of course I would still feel very bad, but I have known for a very long time that I can’t sing.  There would be nothing better to do than face the truth.

Last season, I kept watching American Idol until Ramielle Malubay got eliminated. This season, I still hoped that a Filipino could make it. I was very delighted to know that Jennifer “Jenesis” Samoranos, a Filipino, made it to Hollywood and rumors has it that she even made it to the top 50. After reading some spoilers, I’ve learned that she is no longer in the top 36. She’s undeniably very talented, so I’d still want to say, “Mabuhay” to Jenesis.

There’s not a single Filipino contestant to look forward to during the live shows but this time, I would keep watching because of Danny Gokey! The first time I heard him sing during the auditions, right then and there, I became a fan. Just like what Paula Abdul said, he has a very soulful voice. Not to mention, he looks like Robert Downey Jr.

Can you keep a secret? I’ve been a Robert Downey Jr. fan since I saw him in the movies “Heart and Souls” and “Only You”.