Fantastica at Jackempopoy, nangunguna sa takilya sa mmff

Mulingdumagsa ang mga manonood nitong Pasko sa pagbubukas ng Metro Manila Film Festival.

Agad na humataw sa takilya ang mga pelikulang JackEmPopoy napinagbibidahan nina Vic Sotto, Coco Martin at Maine Mendoza; at Fantastica nina Vice Ganda, Richard Gutierrez, Dingdong Dantes at marami pang iba. Maaga pa lang ay wala nang mabiling tiket sa mga sinehan dahil naubos agad sa mga nag-advance booking.

Nag-ikot din sa mga sinehanan ang mga bida sa mga pelikulang kalahok sa MMFF, at balitang magkakasamang nanood din ng kanilang pelikula ang mgabida ng Fantastica. Kasama ring nanood sina Marian Rivera, bilang suporta kay Dingdong, at Sarah Lahbati, para kay Richard.

Mga poster ng pelikulang kalahok sa MMFF.

Malakas din sa takilya ang pelikulang “Aurora” ni Anne Curtis, at inaasahang marami ring manonood saiba pang kalahok, ang “One Great Love’”, “Mary, Marry Me”, “Otlum”, “Rainbow’s Sunset” at “The Girl in the Orange Dress”.

Ang magkapatid na sina Toni at Alex Gonzaga, na bida sa “Mary, Marry Me” ay sinorpresa ang mga nanood nangbatiin nila ang mga ito at pasalamatan. Si Luis Manzano naman ay nagbigay-suportasa girlfriend na si Jessy Mendiola nang magpa-block screening ito para mapanood ng mgakaibigan at kamag-ana kni Jessy ng pelikula nitong”The Girl in the Orange Dress”

Ang mga mananalo sa awards night ang magbibigyan ng tsansa nalumakas pa ang kita sa takilya.

MISS UNIVERSE CATRIONA GRAY MAGANDA ANG REGALO SA MGA PINOY
Ang pagkapanalo bilang Miss Universe ang pinakamagandang regalo para sa Pasko na inihandog ni Catriona Gray sa mga Pilipino. Ipinagbunyi ng buong bansa ang kanyangpagkapanalo, at marami siyang pinahanga sa kanyang naging performance, lalo na sa kanyang mga matalinong sagot sa question ang answer portion. Maging ang kanyang pagrampa suot ang swim wear at gowns ay umani ng papuri lalo na dahil sa ginawa niyang “lava walk”.



Pinasalamatanni Catriona ang kanyang mga magulang na nanood sa venue ng Miss Universe sa Impact Arena sa Bangkok, Thailand, kasama angmarami ring Pinoy na dumayo rin doon upangsuportahan ang kandidata ng Pilipinas. Pagkatapos ng pageant ay umuwi muna sa Pilipinas si Catriona upang makita siyang muli ng mga kapwa Pinoy at mag courtesy call kay Presidente Duterte bago siya tumulak papuntang Amerika. Nakatakda siyang manirahan doon ng isang taon habang ginagampanan ang kanyang mga tungkulin bilang Miss Universe.

Si Catriona ang pang-apat na Pinay na nanalosa Miss Universe. Ang iba pa ay sina Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973) at Pia Wurtzbach (2015).



Samantala, nangungulila ang boyfriend ni Catriona na si Clint Bondad, isang commercial model ng Filipino German. Dahil sa dami ng mga commitments ng dalaga bilang Miss Universe, wala na raw silang oras magkita o magkausap. Naiintindihan daw naman niya ito dahil alam niyang matagal nang pinaghandaan ito ni Ctariona. Hihintayin nalang niyang lumuwag-luwag ang schedule nito para makadalaw siya.



CAMILLE, BUNTIS ULIT
Noong Pasko ay masayang ibinalita ni Camille Prats, asawangsi VJ Yambao at mga anak nila na madadagdagan na sila dahil buntis ulit ang aktres. si Camille. Nine weeks na raw ang kanyang ipinagbubuntis.

Ito ang pangatlong anak ni Camille. Ang kanyang panganay nasi Nathan ay anak niya sa unang asawa niyang si Anthony Linsangan, na namatay sa sakit na cancer noong 2011. Ang pangalawa ay ang anak nila ni VJ, na si Nala, na mahigit isang taon pa lang. Mayroon din siyang stepson, si Isaiah, na anak ni VJ sa dating karelasyon.



IZA, LOTLOT, IKINASAL NA
Magkasunod na ikinasal sina Iza Calzado at Lotlot de Leon.

Si Lotlot ay ikinasal sa kanyang long-time partner na isang Lebanese businessman, si Fadi El Soury noong December 17. Dumalo ang apat na anak niya sa dating asawa na si Ramon Christopher Gutierrez na sina Janine, Diego, Maxine at Jessica Gutierrez.

Naroon din ang adoptive father niyang si Christopher de Leon, asawa nitongsi Sandy Andolong at kanilang mga anak. Pero hindi dumating ang adoptive mother niyang si Nora Aunor, na balitang hindi in good terms sa mga anak niya.

Samantala, si Iza ay ikinasal noong December 19 sa Palawan sa kanyang matagal nang boyfriend na si Ben Wintle.

Dahil pareho nang namatay ang mga magulang ni Iza, itinali niya sa kanyang bouquet ang locket na may mga larawan ng kanyang mga magulang na sina LitoCalzado at Mary Ann Ussher.

Kabilang sa kanyang mga bisita ay ang kanyang mga matalik na kaibigan at naging kasamahan niya sa orihinal na Encantadia na sina Sunshine Dizon at Karylle.

ASO. Isinilang noong 1922/34/46/58/70/82/94/06
Mahihirapan ka sa pera sa taong ito dahil hindi maganda ang kita sa negosyo. Pero huwag pabayaan ang kalusugan ng dahil sa sobrang pagta-trabaho, sa halip humanap ng mas magandang kita gamit ang meditasyon at pag-iisip. Ugaliin ang pagbabasa upang madagdagan ang kaalaman at magiging maganda resulta nito para sa iyo sa taong ito. Lucky numbers: 7, 12, 31 at 46.

BABOY. Isinilang noong 1923/35/47/59/71/83/95/07
Halos wala kang magiging problema sa taong ito. Mas tataas ang karisma mo sa opposite sex, at makakaranas ng masasayang sandali sa pag-ibig. Higit sa lahat, marami ang hahanga sa iyong talino at magandang pananaw. Malapit ka sa tukso, piliting maging tapat at huwag gumawa ng kataksilan na maaring magdulot ng kahihiyan o makasira sa iyong katahimikan ng loob. Lucky numbers: 19, 26, 30 at 40.

DAGA. Isinilang noong 1924/36/48/60/72/84/96/08
Asahan ang pagkakaroon ng problema sa pagsasama o pamilya, gaya ng karamihan, sa taong ito. Sa halip na harapin ang problema ng buong tapang, mas pinipili mong magmukmok. Walang mangyayari kung hindi mo tatanggapin ang problema, kahit wala pang solusyon ito sa ngayon. Ang mahalaga ay maging matapang ka upang mabago ang pananaw at mabawasan ang sakit ng ulo. Lucky numbers: 7, 12, 15, 23.                                                                                                                                                                 

BAKA. Isinilang noong 1925/37/49/61/73/85/97/09
Magiging maganda ang pasok ng taong ito. Magpapatuloy ang tagumpay na tinatamasa lalo na sa larangan na kailangang maging malikhain. Sa kabila ng panalo, nakakaramdam ka pa rin ng lungkot minsan. Kailangang abalahin ang sarili sa patuloy na pag-aaral upang hindi ka mabagot sa gawain. Lucky numbers: 16, 22, 31 at 44.

TIGRE Isinilang noong 1926/38/50/62/74/86 at 98/10
Makakaranas ng panloloko sa taong ito. Mag-ingat sa mga nakakasalamuha at iwasang maniwala at magtiwala agad sa mga sinasabi sa iyo. Bigyan ng oras ang sarili, magpaganda at maki-halubilo at baka makilala mo na ang taong magpapatibok ng puso mo. Magpakita ng kabababaan ng loob. Lucky numbers: 20, 25, 33 at 47.

KUNEHO Isinilang noong 1927/39/51/63/75/87/99
Kakasihan ka ng swerte sa taong ito, at magtatagumpay sa maraming bagay na papasukan. Pagdating sa pag-ibig, isa ka sa magiging pinakamapalad, pero mas magiging masaya ka kung ang mahanap na pag-ibig ay matibay at pangmatagalan at hindi panandalian lang. Isa pang magbibigay sa iyo ng kasiyahan at magpapayaman sa kaisipan ay ang pagkakaroon ng  dagdag karunungan.  Lucky numbers: 11, 27, 38 at 45.

 DRAGON Isinilang noong 1928/40/52/64/76/88/00
Lagi kang handa ka sa mga mangyayari, pero sa panahong ito ay mababagot ka at magiging pabaya kaya makakagawa ka ng mga pagkakamali. Upang hindi masayang ang oras, sumali sa mga cultural clubs o makilahok sa mga seminar o diyalogo. Magiging interesado ka rin sa pamumuhay ng mga tao sa ibang bansa, sibilisasyon at maraming bagay na ngayon mo lang natutuklasan. Lucky numbers: 4, 18, 36 at 40.

AHAS Isinilang noong 1929/41/53/65/77/89/01
Ang pananaw mo sa buhay ay ito ay isang komedya, sa halip na trahedya kaya nababawasan ang negatibong pananaw at kabiguan. Mag-i-enjoy ka sa paggawa ng mga bagay, pero laging mag-ingat. Interesado kang mag-aral ng pilosopiya, at kung ipagpapatuloy mo ito ay magiging kapaki-pakinabang sa iyo. Lucky numbers: 12, 29, 34 at 42.

KABAYO. Isinilang noong 1930/42/54/66/78/90/02
Mahihirapan kang labanan ang tukso na magkaroon ng bawal na pag-ibig, at hindi rin madali para sa  malalapit sa iyo na pigilan ka dahil alam nilang magiging kumplikado ang buhay mo. Pag-aralan at timbanging mabuti ang lahat bago ka makipagkasundo. Ang love affairs mo sa taong ito ay panandalian lang at hindi lalalim pa tulad ng inaasahan. Lucky numbers: 6, 17, 27 at 44.

KAMBING. Isinilang noong 1919/31/43/55/67/79/91/03
Walang gaanong kaganapan ang taong ito para sa iyo. Pero magiging masaya at mae-enjoy mo ang buhay kung maglalaan ka ng oras sa pagtulong sa kapwa, lalo na sa mga kababaihang nangangailangan ng tulong na makapamuhay ng maayos, mga biktima ng karahasan o nakakaranas ng pag-aapi. Malaking hamon ang makatulong na maibalik ang dignidad ng kababaihan. Lucky numbers: 12, 13, 21 at 28.

UNGGOY. Isinilang noong 1920/32/44/56/68/80/92/04
Magiging maayos ang kalagayan mo sa taong ito. Ang bagong taon ay maghahatid ng bagong sigla sa pisikal na kalusugan at maging sa pag-iisip. Mas magiging pasensyosa ka at mapagtimpi sa mga nakikitang pagkakamali ng mga taong malalapit sa iyo, kaya mapapanatili mo ang iyong kapayapaan ng loob. Makakatulong ang meditasyon at pagbabasa upang mapanatili ang katahimikan ng loob. Lucky numbers: 4, 14, 16 at 39.

TANDANG. Isinilang noong 1921/33/45/57/69/81/93/05
Dahil sa tradisyunal na paniniwala sa kasagraduhan ng kasal, hindi ka komportable sa mga nakikitang kababawan at kawalan ng importansya sa relasyon na magiging laganap sa taong ito. Magpakita ng pasensya at sense of humor pagdating sa ganitong sitwasyon sa halip na magalit o mainis upang hindi maapektuhan ang kapayapaan ng loob at maiwasan na tumaas ang presyon ng dugo. Lucky numbers: 16, 28, 31 at 43.

OFW moms most unsettled by rape, assaults on children they left behind

Social welfare attaché Elizabeth Lim-Dy.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Cases of rape and acts of lasciviousness by their own family members were the main worries of Filipina migrant workers in Hong Kong in the past year, according to social welfare attaché Elizabeth Lim-Dy.
She said these concerns highlight the social cost of exporting labor.
But she said most of problems that workers had brought to her attention for help involved child support from errant husbands or partners.
In four rape cases reported to her since she returned to her post in April, Dy described the helplessness of the victims and their OFW mothers in the face of predatory acts of people in whom they have entrusted the care of their children.



The most recent rape case surfaced only in October when the victim’s mother, who was just two months in her employment, went to see Dy to discuss her daughter’s problem after attending a post-arrival orientation seminar at the Consulate.“Pagpasok pa lang dito ay iyak na siya nang iyak,” Dy said. The mother told the social welfare attaché that she had talked to her 17-year-old daughter the night before and learned that her partner had been raping the teenage girl.
The victim reportedly revealed that the sexual assaults began when she was 14, and that soon after the mother left for Hong Kong, the stepfather had been raping her three times a day.




The girl could not tell her mother early on allegedly because the stepfather had been threatening to kill her and her mother if she did so. The distraught mother said her daughter was contemplating suicide as a result.Dy, breaking into tears as she recounted the case, said the first thing she did was to advise the worker to ask her brother to take her daughter away from the house she shared with the stepfather. Then she asked DSWD personnel to report the case to the authorities.
Police, however, were slow to act against the suspect allegedly because the assaults took place well beyond the 72-hour inquest period after the commission of the crime, Dy said. But the legal action is continuing, she said.



In the meantime, Dy said she had to give counseling to both mother and daughter to make sure they remain strong while legal action is under way.She said part of the intervention is to help the mother get permission from her employer to go back home for a while so she could personally attend to the case and comfort her daughter.
“We always see to it na, bilang nanay, mahalaga kasi yung presence niya when the child is really in that situation na, you know, that’s the very case na hindi basta puwedeng akuin ng ibang tao kundi ng sarili niyang magulang,” Dy said.


Dy said she connects the mothers to the government, represented by the Consulate here, if there is a need for legal matters such as affidavits of support and notarization, and with the country partners such as family courts.
NGOs such as the PathFinders, Sons & Daughters, and International Social Service Hong Kong also give a helping hand, she said. Of the three other rape cases, one was committed allegedly by the victim’s father; another by an uncle, and the fourth, by a neighbor. One of the attackers is now in jail while legal proceedings are under way against the perpetrators in the two other cases.
Dy said there have been several cases of acts of lasciviousness committed by relatives on children of OFWs, but the children have been rescued and the culprits are now facing legal action.
As for cases involving child support and custody, Dy said she calls the couples involved to a counseling session at the Consulate where she emphasizes to the fathers their duties under the law.
When they settle the support issue, Dy calls Consul Paulo Saret, who is a lawyer, to a case conference where both parties sign an affidavit stating what they are obliged to do.
“We have to really make them understand na puwede pa rin nilang ihabol ang karapatan, especially yung nanay o yung bata, sa Pilipinas,” Dy said.
“May sarili kayong buhay, may sarili din kayong disposisyon, pero as far as yung parenting roles ninyo, nandito ang gobyerno, hahabulin kayo.”
Dy was reposted in Hong Kong last April by DSWD Secretary Emmanuel Leyco, nine months after she was recalled by his predecessor, Judith Taguiwalo, in a review of staff assignments at the home office.

Trial of indecent assault case reset amid translation challenge

Eastern Court

By Vir B. Lumicao

The trial in Eastern Court of a Filipina helper accused of indecently assaulting a local Chinese man has been reset for February next year as her lawyer claimed there were mistakes in the translation of her and the alleged victim’s statements.

The trial of Ivy Rebustillo on charges of “common assault” and “indecent assault” was supposed to start on Dec 4, but the duty lawyer assigned to the defendant applied for an
adjournment.



The Filipina pleaded not guilty to both charges on Sept 6.

When Magistrate Vivian Ho asked the lawyer why he was seeking an adjournment on the first day of the trial, he said he needed more time to review the video recorded interview by the police of the alleged victim and take instructions from Rebustillo.



The prosecution said it had a one-hour-and-15-minute video recorded interview with “Mister X” and a 30-minute CCTV footage showing the alleged offenses.

The defense lawyer said he received the translations of his client’s statement and the video recording from the prosecution only a day before the trial.



“It is unfortunate that I am making an application on the day of the trial,” the lawyer said apologetically. He said there seemed to be a communication breakdown.

Magistrate Ho agreed with the statement, then sent the case back to another court which set the trial on Feb. 12 and 13.



Rebustillo was arrested earlier this year after her employer, a daughter of “Mister X”, reported to police that the maid had physically and indecently assaulted the elderly man in their North Point flat on Jun 30.

Going Vegan

By Cherry Cheng  
From Domestic Workers Corner, It’s All About Food

Most Filipinos love meat, so coming up with vegan or all-vegetable dishes can prove challenging to many of us who find it difficult getting our dishes flavored without the token pork or chicken slices, or powder and bouillon. Even if we forego meat during the Lenten season we would still eat seafood because having nothing but vegetables for the whole day is seen by many as not fortifying enough.

But it really is all in the mind, because all-vegetable dishes could taste as delicious, if not more so, than meat or seafood. As many studies show, eating vegetables and fruits is also far better for our health than stroke-inducing pork and beef dishes.

When we venture out into the world and wean ourselves from our traditional way of cooking, we will also find that vegetables can be cooked in so many other ways, instead of just sautéing or steaming, or adding to a meat soup to enhance flavor.

Cherry Cheng posted the delectable dishes below in the DWC’s food page, and very generously shared her recipes. Why not try some of them this Christmas season?

Gaji-Namul 
(Korean Eggplants)

Ingredients:
1 pound Korean eggplants (2  big pieces with tops removed)
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 green onions, chopped
3 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon fish sauce (omit if vegan)
1 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
1teaspoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, crushed



Instructions:
1. Prep your steamer by adding 2 cups of water to it. Set heat to medium-high for it to boil, which should take about 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cut eggplants crosswise into 2½ inch pieces. Cut the thicker pieces in half lengthwise.
3. When the water starts to boil put the eggplants on the steamer rack and cover. Steam for 5 minutes over medium high heat.
4. Remove from the heat. Take out the steamed eggplants and transfer to a cutting board. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes until you can easily handle them.
5. Tear each piece into bite-size pieces.



Seasoning mixture:
1. Combine garlic, green onion, soy sauce, fish sauce, hot pepper flakes, sesame oil in a mixing bowl. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
2. Add the steamed eggplant to the bowl and mix well by hand or with the wooden spoon.
3. Sprinkle with the crushed sesame seeds and serve

Chinese Onion Pancake
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 2/3 cups water
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash of garlic and onion powder
2 bunches of scallions (green onions / salad onions)
oil - for cooking



Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, water, sesame oil and salt, garlic and onion powder using a whisk until smooth. Set aside.
2. Wash and chop the scallions into 1-inch size and mix into the batter
3. Take 1/2 cup of batter and form into pancake size, then fry in medium hot pan with oil.
4. Fry until crisp, then serve hot.

Vegan Curry
Ingredients:
2 blocks tofu (can be substituted with 400 gm minced chicken)
1 big potato, diced
2 small carrots, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups coconut milk1 tbsp curry powder
1/2 tbsp turmeric powder
1 tsp fish sauce (omit if vegan )
1-2 tbsp palm sugar
salt to taste



Instructions:
If using tofu:
1. Pan fry tofu until golden brown, then set aside.
2. Put 1 cup of coconut milk into the pan, then wait until bubbly and oily.
3. Add curry paste, curry powder and turmeric, then mix till well blended.
4. Add onion and garlic, then sauté until translucent

If using minced chicken:
1. Go ahead and add into the mixture until the meat turns whitish.
2. Add potato and carrots, then the remaining 2 cups of coconut milk.
3. If sauce becomes too thick, add a cup of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.

AFTER 20mins : 
***(If using tofu, add into the mixture, then season with fish sauce, palm sugar and salt. Mix and adjust to taste. Turn off fire and cover. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Beans soup
Ingredients:
1 can black beans
1 can chick peas
1 can kidney beans
2 cups mixed vegetables (corn,peas, carrot) better if fresh but frozen is also ok
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
4 cups vegetables broth (chicken broth if not vegan)
1 big yellow onion.
minced garlic 3cloves
1tbsp smoked paprika
1tbsp parsley flakes
1 tsp dried oregano
salt to taste (chicken powder if using chicken broth)

Instructions:
Saute onion and garlic, then add all the beans and the other ingredients. Let it boil, then simmer for 30 minutes. Serve