Sen. Revilla hails Francis M as modern-day icon, ‘Pinoy pride’

Master Rapper Francis Magalona was as much a “Pinoy pride" as his signature shirts that were emblazoned with words and images of patriotism, according to fellow celebrity and Sen. Ramon “Bong" Revilla Jr.

In a message of condolence, Revilla hailed Magalona as a Philippine icon who had helped inspire the public, especially the youth, into not losing touch of their love for the country through the arts. Magalona on Friday succumbed to multiple organ failure. He was 44.

“The country has lost a modern-day artist, a nationalist in his own creative way. Francis M. used music and fashion to promote love of country among Filipino youth," said Revilla, who was a full-time movie star before entering politics.

Revilla praised Magalona for serving as a perfect example of not only hurdling medical ailments like leukemia but also honing one’s skills to live a productive life.

"Ehemplo siya bilang isang Pilipinong nadapa sa mga pagsubok ng kabataan ngunit nakayang bumangon at paunlarin ang kakayahan [He is a model of a Filipino who fell down as a young man but stood up armed with his talent]," the senator said.

“Gaya ng tatak ng mga T-shirt na ginawa niyang intrumento para palaganapin ang patriotism sa mga bagong henerasyon, siya ay maipagmamalaki ng bansa, tunay na "Pinoy Pride [Like the messages and symbols of his T-shirts, which he used to spread patriotism among the new generation, he is a pride of the country, truly the pride of Filipinos]," Revilla added.

The demise of Magalona was announced by Vic Sotto halfway into Friday’s episode of GMA’s noontime show "Eat Bulaga," in which Magalona stood in as host for over a decade.

The Master Rapper is survived by his wife Pia Maria Arroyo Magalona and his eight children, including celebrity Maxene Magalona.

Magalona’s remains were brought late Friday to Christ the King Memorial Chapel at Green Meadows in Quezon City.

Immediately after news of Magalona’s death broke out, relatives and friends immediately came rushing to The Medical City Hospital in Mandaluyong City, among them long-time friends Michael V, Ogie Alcasid, and Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista.

"Walang Michael V kung walang Francis M [There would be on Michael V without a Francis M]," Michael V said after emerging from the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital to face reporters.

Bautista – a showbiz personality himself – said Magalona was “a close friend [and a] great loss to the industry."

Fans also took the time to send messages of condolence through blog entries, with one blogger even alluding to an Eraserheads song that Magalona remade: “As the song 'Super Proxy' says, there’s no substitute for the real."

It would be remembered that Magalona himself mastered the technology of blogging to give fans a regularly updated account of his medical treatment, even posting pictures of his chemotherapy sessions.

As of 3 p.m. Friday, Magalona’s last blog entry got 700 comments, with at least 30 bloggers posting their condolences every minute.

Jennylyn Mercado's house not from Bong Revilla

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has denied that he bought a house for former leading lady Jennylyn Mercado.

"Sa totoo lang hindi ko na siya nakikita. Huwag ‘yong tira ng tira dahil nakakasira kayo ng buhay ng may buhay," Revilla told “SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon.”

In a previous interview, Mercado already said there was no truth to that rumor, adding that she saw no reason for the senator to give her a house.

The controversial house is said to be located in Quezon City. Rumors said Revilla bought a house for Mercado, a single mother, after their movie “Resiklo” in 2007.

According to Mercado’s manager, Becky Aguila, the house is a rent-to-own type and the actress is the one paying the rent.

Mandatory Helmet Bill pushed at Senate by Sen. Revilla

A measure obligating all motorcycle drivers to wear a standard quality helmet is now being pushed in the Senate.

According to Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., the measure, Senate Bill 1863, is a bid to implement safe motorcycle riding nationwide and said he hopes that the Mandatory Helmet Bill would be approved.

Citing figures issued by the Metro Manila Development Authority Traffic Operations Center (MMDA-TOC) from January to December 2008, Revilla said motorcycles have the highest fatality rate with 106 motorcycles involved, or 28.19 percent of the total fatal accidents.

Likewise, a report of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) showed that out of the total 14,202 traffic accidents in year 2004, 3,010 or 21 percent involved motorcycles. The figures rose to 24 percent or 2,798 out of 11,425 accidents in 2005 and in the first two months of 2006, the TMG recorded a total of 485 motorcycle accidents out of the total 1,364 accidents, which accounted for 35 percent of the total traffic accidents.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that wearing a helmet is the single most effective way of reducing head injuries and fatalities resulting from motorcycle crashes. Wearing a helmet has been shown to decrease the risk and severity of injuries among motorcyclists by about 70 percent and the likelihood of deaths by almost 40 percent,” Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services, pointed out.

Revilla said Thailand gained a 40 percent reduction in head injuries among motorcyclists and a 24 percent drop in motorcycle deaths after it passed a legislation in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen to make helmet use mandatory.

“There is also a considerable long list of other countries which have laws on mandatory helmet use, such as the US, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and 31 others. The first motorcycle helmet use law in the world took effect on January 1, 1961, in Victoria, Australia,” Revilla said.

The bill provides all motorcycle riders, including its back rider, to wear a standard quality helmets while driving, whether on a long or short drive any time of the day and in any type of road or highway.

Tricycle drivers are exempted from this bill.

“Some camps argue that a legislative enactment is no longer necessary, and that what is needed is simply a strengthened motorcycle safety education program for riders to consider their own safety,” he said.

“They assert that enough space must be given for self-regulation. If we follow this argument, then we should not have passed the seatbelt law which has the same purpose and intent of this proposal,” Revilla stressed.

Toni having movie with Sen. Bong

Sa nakaraang thanksgiving party ni  Bong Revilla para sa entertainment press ay nabanggit niya na pinanghihinayangan niya na hindi natuloy ang pelikulang pagtatambalan sana nila ni Toni sa Star Cinema.

Ayon sa actor-politician ay matagal na niyang gustong makasama sa isang proyekto si Toni, pero dala ng kanyang hectic schedule ay hindi ito magkakaroon ng katuparan sa ngayon.

Aminado si Toni na kahit siya ay nakaramdam ng panghihinayang sa nangyari. Pero positibo siya na matutuloy rin ito sa tamang panahon.

"Sayang nga, kasi siyempre Senator Bong Revilla yun. Kasi, lahat naman yata gustong makatrabaho ang mga beteranong artista. Nagkaproblema yata sa schedule ni Senator Bong kasi may gagawin yata siyang isang movie [Panday], nagka-conflict, hindi kakayanin. Pero may right timing naman ang lahat, siguro sa ibang pagkakataon."

Ayon kay Toni, napanood na niya ang ilan sa mga pelikulang pinagbidahan ni Bong with his respective leading ladies at nagustuhan naman niya ang mga ito.

"Napanood ko na sa Cinema One yung mga movies niya, mga action, yung movie nila ni Judy Ann [Santos], Sharon [Cuneta], kay Ms. Maricel [Soriano]... Actually, maganda yung movie nila ni Ms. Maricel, yung away-bati sila nang away-bati. Nagandahan ako dun.

"Yung sa amin, darating din yung time. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali, lahat naman nasa perfect timing lang. Hindi kailangang pilitin o madaliin," saad ni Toni.

Ikinuwento rin ni Toni sa PEP ang experience niya nang humingi siya ng tulong noon kay Senator Bong noong kagawad pa ang TV host-actress sa kanilang lugar sa Antipolo.

"Siguro mga two to three years ago pa yun, kalilipat ko lang sa ABS. Lumapit ako sa kanya before, pumunta ako sa office niya, sa Senate. Humingi ako ng dental chairs para sa mga kabarangay ko nga, and he was very approachable and accommodating. I think he was able to help kasi, siyempre, pagkatapos ko siyang kontakin, yung mga taga-barangay na yung kumontak sa kanya. Kumbaga, ako yung ginawang koneksiyon," lahad ni Toni.

Revilla eyed as Lakas standard bearer

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla is being considered as the standard bearer of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, a party official said Tuesday.

Ray Roquero, executive director of Lakas, said local officials and followers of the senator in the party have proposed the inclusion of Revilla in the list of candidates for the 2010 elections.

Roquero said among those pushing for Revilla’s nomination were Mayor Gerry Pelayo of Pampanga and officials from Cavite, the senator’s home province.

“May mga nagpupush sa kanyang mga local official [There are local officials pushing for him]. He is being considered. Dati naman siyang governor at marami siyang followers [He used to be governor and he has many followers],” Roquero told INQUIRER.net over the phone.

“Matagal na rin siya sa Lakas at dapat isama naman siya sa mga survey [He has been in Lakas for quite sometime and he should be included in the survey],” Roquero said.

He said that Revilla has a good chance in the presidential race given his “star appeal.”

Before this, Roquero disclosed that Revilla has expressed his desire to run for vice president.

“He told me that he wanted to be considered as Lakas vice presidential bet. He also said the same during a small group meeting of Lakas,” Roquero said.
As of posting time, INQUIRER.net is trying to reach Revilla for his comment.

As of posting time, INQUIRER.net is trying to reach Revilla for his comment

But in a separate statement, Roquero said Pelayo quoted Revilla as saying he is “ready and available to seek the presidential nomination” of Lakas CMD.

“Count me in as a presidential contender,” the statement said quoting Revilla.

“Lakas need not look far. The talent it needs for the country’s next president can be found not elsewhere but in its stable, and they are ready and prepared to take on the challenge of national leadership,” Revilla dded.

Roqueo said several Lakas leaders are convincing Revilla to make himself available for the presidential nomination, putting into account his consistent good showing in various surveys and his rich experience, both as a former governor and as senator.

The Lakas official agreed with this assessment, saying the actor turned politician could easily bank on his rich experience as former governor of Cavite to know the needs of people and the kind of leadership demanded by them.

Revilla is the third Lakas CMD member to seek the party’s nomination after MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Ephraim Genuino.

 

by Maila Ager, INQUIRER.net

Bong: ‘Only the best lawyer for Ipe’

If only Phillip Salvador will ask him, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. will find the best lawyer for his close friend.

"That's really the only thing I can do for Ipe (Salvador's nickname). I told him not to feel sad. If he really has a clean conscience, he has nothing to be afraid of," the senator told a group of reporters during a dinner party he hosted Tuesday night.

A Las Piñas court recently sentenced Salvador up to 20 years in prison for estafa and ordered him to pay P5.1 million to businesswoman Cristina Decena, his former girlfriend. The court acquitted his brother Ramon. Decena has filed the case against the Salvadors in 2002.

"I spoke with him this morning. He was so depressed. He even cried to me. Let's not pre-judge Ipe's case. It's still with the Court of Appeals. Mahabang proseso pa 'yan," the senator pointed out.

Meanwhile, Revilla said another close friend, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, was "doing better" a day after he was rushed to the Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center in San Juan City. Revilla said Estrada had suffered a viral infection.

Estrada underwent an operation two months ago to remove gallstones. Revilla said he would immediately proceed to the hospital to visit his Estrada after the party, which was held at a restaurant along Tomas Morato Ave. in Quezon City.

 

by Marinel Cruz, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Oro mayor thanks Sen. Revilla, Camiguin dads for giving aid to flashflood victims

City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula recently thanked Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and the local political leaders of the Province of Camiguin for quickly responding to the City Government's appeal for calamity assistance to the flashflood victims.

Speaking before guests and exhibitors at the opening of the three-day 1st Cagayan de Oro Construction Show 2009 at the Limketkai Rotunda, Mayor Jaraula said that Senator Revilla called him up last night and pledged to extend P500,000 worth of rice assistance for the flashflood victims.

The Romualdo political clan in the island province of Camiguin, led by Congressman Pedro Romualdo, has also committed to extend relief assistance to thousands of families adversely affected by the flashfloods, Mayor Jaraula added.

Mayor Jaraula and Vice Mayor Vicente Y. Emano earlier thanked all sectors of society which aptly responded to extend whatever form of assistance to thousands of residents in Cagayan de Oro affected by rampaging flashfloods that brought tremendous devastation to the city recently.

The city government particularly expressed its appreciation and gratitude to all business and commercial establishments, socio-civic groups, government and non-government organizations, police and military, rescue groups, media, kind-hearted individuals, philanthropists, youth and volunteers who gave donations such as used clothings, mats and mattress, kitchen utensils, canned goods, ready-to-eat foods and other relief goods.

"I am very proud and happy that all Cagayanons have demonstrated the spirit of unity by joining together in helping those victims whose houses and properties were inundated by floods," the City Chief Executive said.

Latest report from the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) Operation Action Center at the Tourism Hall as of 11:00 a.m., January 16, 2009, the total number of affected families has risen to 17,524 or displacing 91,223 persons.

The floods that hit 47 out of the 80 rural and urban barangays in Cagayan de Oro City have left two persons dead, with 313 houses totally damaged and 641 partially damaged.

Badly hit are barangays Iponan, Kauswagan, Canitoan, Consolacion, Bulua, Bayabas, Barangay 13, Puntod, Barangay 22, Barangay 35, Pagatpat and Macasandig.