Once again, the Filipinos showed optimism and strength of character in a year full of challenges and debacles. No matter how tough life got in 2009 with the economic crisis and the slew of calamities, they have remained hopeful and they continue to fight.

Join Bernadette Sembrano as she looks back on the stories of Filipinos who embodied the never-say-attitude this country is known for this Tuesday (Dec 29) on “The Correspondents.”

After being laid off from work, Domina continues to fight by finding another job despite her old age. Soledad, meanwhile, put up a small eatery to provide for her grandchildren after their home was destroyed by Typhoon Ondoy.

Like them, cancer patient Fe remains hopeful about the future. She is looking forward to getting cured with the help of fellow Filipinos who will support her trip to Fuda Cancer Hospital in China, the so-called “mecca” of cancer patients. On the other hand, working student Carmelo does not mind the stress of juggling his studies and work as he is focused on getting his family out of poverty.

They have proven that Filipinos never back down despite the trials that life bring. They have made 2009 a year to showcase Filipinos’ fighting spirit.

A week after Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II dropped his long-established plan to capture the presidency, “Probe Profiles” tries to make sense of his 180-degree turn on Wednesday (Sep 9) on ABS-CBN.
 
In one-on-one interviews with Cheche Lazaro before and after he decided to give way to Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as the Liberal Party standard bearer, Roxas talks about his aborted plans and addresses the speculations about his surprise announcement.
  Read the rest of this entry

“Ang dangal ng lahing Pilipino ay nakasalalay sa ating pag-ibig sa bayan. Isang Pag-ibig na naka-ugat sa totoo, mabuti at tama. Isang pag-ibig na umuusbong mula sa pananalig at pag-asa” – Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno
Read the rest of this entry

Last August 14 at the special screening of The Last Journey of Ninoy at the Rockwell Cinema at Power Plant Mall, nagkaroon tayo ng maikling conversation with Rafael Lopa the Executive Director of Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Foundation (BSAF) kasama si Cesar Buenaventura ang President ng BSAF para kamustahin ang mga future plans nila sa foundation at paano nila matutulungan ang ating mga kababayan.

Ang isa sa mga ginagawa ng foundation ngayon ay mag-create ng awareness sa mga kabataan ngayon kung sino si Ninoy Aquino, mula sa docu-drama nilang ipinalabas sa tulong ng Unitel Production, inilunsad din nila ang Ako si Ninoy the Musical at ang isang taon na nilang campaign na ang I Am Ninoy na inilunsad nila noong August 21, 2008. Ang main goal nila sa project na ito ay makita ng mga kabataan ang kahalagahan ni Ninoy sa bansa at ang makita nila ang katangian ni Ninoy sa kanilang mga sarili.
Read the rest of this entry

While thousands of Filipinos braved the rain, millions were glued to their televisions, radios, and computers as ABS-CBN pulled off a regal and stately reportage of the late former president Corazon “Cory” Aquino’s funeral last week.

Those who stayed at home watched it on ABS-CBN Channel 2 and Studio 23. Those with cable tuned to ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) and DZMM TeleRadyo. Those driving listened to DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, while those in the office relied on the live streaming at abs-cbnnews.com. Filipinos overseas, meanwhile, watched it from TFC and TFCNow!
Read the rest of this entry

Last Friday, August 14, 2009 pinatawag ni Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago ang mga ilang politicians at cabinet secretaries para pagpaliwanagin ito at sermunan patungkol na rin sa mga infomercials na nilalabas nila na kung saan ang karamihan ng gastusin para ipalabas dito ay nagmumula sa kaban ng bayan o sa buhis na binabayaran ng taong bayan. Para kay Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago naging behikulo na ito para sa mga taong nagnanais na tumakbo sa darating na 2010 election at para na rin makalibre sa gastusin nila sa kanilang maagang pangangampanya.
Read the rest of this entry

The Philippine International Marathon 2009, A Run for the Pasig River goes to the starting line on November 8, 2009 at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila.

Organized by Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) and under the helm of race director Rudy Biscocho, the run with categories in 3 kilometer, 5 kilometer, 10 kilometer and the full 42 kilometer marathon, aims to boost awareness about the project as well as raise funds to rehabilitate the Pasig River. A unique feature of the race is the 42K full marathon which can also be run by a relay team of 20 people.
Read the rest of this entry

Ika-3 ng umaga ng pumanaw ang dating pangulong Corazon Aquino dahil sa sakit na Colon Cancer na kung saan mahigit sa dalawang buwan din siyang naconfine sa Makati Medical Center. Kasabay nito ay nakiisa ang buong bansa sa panalangin at suporta sa laban ni Tita Cory sa sakit niya.

Ina, ito ang siyng naging imahe niya simula noong pinangunahan niya ang laban kontra sa Martial Law ng rehimen ni Ferdinand Marcos, sa pamamagitan ng EDSA Revolution. Sa kanyang tapang at ginawa sa bansa ay hinirang siyang unang babaeng pangulo ng bansa.

Sa ngayon ay pinag uusapan pa ng pamilya ng yumaong dating presidente kung saan ibuburol ang mga labi ng dating pangulo para na rin sa kahilingan ng mga taong nagmamahal sa kanya para sa public viewing. Yumao ang dating pangulo sa edad na 76.

Hindi ko man maalala ang actual na tapang at mga ginawa ng Tita Cory pero mula sa mga aklat ng kasaysayan si Tita Cory ay isang ina ng kanyang pamilya, ina ng bayang Pilipinas at isang babaeng hinarap ang lahat para sa bayan.Ang iyong alaala ay mananatili sa aming mga puso at isipin. Paalam Tita Cory.

Four possible presidential aspirants will face-off on Saturday (Aug. 1) for DZMM’s “Usapang OFW: Leaders’ Forum,” to be aired live at 4pm on DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and DZMM TeleRadyo.

Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Loren Legarda, Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, and Pampanga Gov. “Among” Ed Panlilio will tackle issues concerning the plight of overseas Filipinos worldwide in the forum organized by DZMM and the Blas Ople Center.
Read the rest of this entry

Before the clock strikes at 4PM, on July 27, 2009 where classes in all level is suspended in Metro Manila because of the 2 events happening on that day, 95th Anniversary of Iglesia Ni Cristo and the last or the 9th State of the Nation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In her 9th year in her term as the president of the Philippines from replacing the ousted president Joseph Ejercito Estrada and her re-election on 2004 let’s recall and run down details of her 8 State of the Nation Address as we prepare to listen on her last on the 27th of July.

2001 State of the Nation Address – July 23, 2001

Sino hindi makakalimot sa tatlong batang nagpaanod ng bangkang papel papuntang Malacanang? Sina Jayson, Jomar at Erwin ang tatlong kabataang isinulat sa bangkang papel ang kanilang mga kahilingan at pangarap sa bagong upong presidente na si Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa kanyang unang State of The Nation. Hiniling niya ang pagkakaisa at hilumin ang sugat na natamo mula sa EDSA Dos, labanan ang terorismo sa bansa, at ang labanan ang kahirapan sa pamamagitan ng free enterprise, social equity, social bias toward the disadvantaged, raise moral standards.
Read the rest of this entry