Manila Film Center Tragedy - Myth or Memory?

Housing the Las Vegas type of performance by the Amazing Philippine Theatre, the Manila Film Center near Cultural Center of the Philippines in Roxas Boulevard is one of said to be haunted places in the Philippines.

In November 17, 1981, an unknown number of construction workers were buried alive in cement when the upper floor collapsed during cement pouring. Some corpse were recovered, while some, according to stories were still there. According to rumors, Imelda Marcos ordered the contractors and laborers to continue finishing the construction to meet the deadline for the Manila International Film Festival.

fil.wikipilipinas.org

The Manila Film Center

If you read Howie Severino's investigation on the above, (read here) you'd be surprised to know that he believes that the tragedy is an urban legend. He recounts that there are no relatives or families claiming rights for the death of workers. Those who survived did not know any of the workers who were assumed to be covered by cement. While media blackout was implemented during that time, he believes that the none is left in the scary film center.

Is there really no one left in the Manila Film Center? Are there really no ghosts or souls seeking justice?
What could have happened on that tragic day? Were victims shunned from speaking the truth?

This is one of the Secrets and Scandals in 7107 Islands, Philippines.

The Scarborough Shoal Standoff

We cannot leave things hanging forever. We cannot let issues stand in indecision.

I remember when I was in elementary I asked my History teacher what will be the resolution over the disputed territory. My History teached said she didn't know the answer. Only time will tell.

Years passed and the issue resurfaced. Whether it was a blessing in disguise that the Chinese fishermen reminded us of the historic claims that the Philippine government needs to address, only time can truly tell when this will end.

Let us the read the position of the Philippines on its claims over the land:
(source: http://www.gov.ph/2012/04/18/philippine-position-on-bajo-de-masinloc-and-the-waters-within-its-vicinity/)

Department of Foreign Affairs
April 18, 2012

Background on the Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag) incident

Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippine territory. It is part of the Municipality of Masinloc, Province of Zambales. It is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and is within the 200 nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Philippine Continental Shelf.

A Philippine Navy Surveillance aircraft monitored eight Chinese fishing vessels anchored inside the Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal) on Sunday, April 8, 2012, in the conduct of its maritime patrols and its enforcement of the Philippine Fisheries Code and marine environment laws. On April 10, 2012, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, in accordance with the established Rules of Engagement, dispatched an inspection team that reported that large amounts of illegally collected corals, giant clams, and live sharks were found in the compartments of these fishing vessels.

The actions of the Chinese fishing vessels are a serious violation of the Philippines’ sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction. The poaching of endangered marine resources is in violation of the Fisheries Code and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

Basis of Philippine sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc and the waters within its vicinity

Kulo Art Exhibit - Blasphemous or Expression of Freedom?

online-ako.blogspot.com

Mideo Cruz and his art piece that infuriated the anger of many Filipinos in the Philippines.

When I was young my Art teacher told me that I was supposed to join an art contest. Since it was nearing Christmas season, the theme of the art contest in school was Nativity. With limited crayons and just one piece of Oslo paper, I drew a simple shot of the Nativity, with little baby Jesus in the center, Mary and Joseph, the three kings, animals and angels staring at him. The baby Jesus was attractively smiling in the middle, sure to catch your attention. I won the contest and received a grand prize of Php300.

Years later, we heard about the controversial art exhibit last June 17. KULO is a compilation of 32 artists that is meant to be CCP's commemorative tribute to Jose Rizal's 150th death anniversary. According to the Manila Paper "CCP Closes 'Kulo' Art Exhibit Described as 'Blasphemous' " last August 9, 2011 (click here to read full article), the art pieces are based on the artists' proposals and background qualifications. The exhibit was curated by J. Pacena II while the CCP Visual Arts Division was headed by Karen Ocampo-Flores.

Imeldific! The Imelda Marcos Shoe Collection

msnbc.msn.com

Imelda Marcos and her imeldific shoe collection.

If you can't get enough of her quotable quotes (here are some quotes for our amusement taken from the thewilyfilipino.com):

"I'm like Robin Hood. I rob the rich to make these projects come alive... not really rob. It's done with a smile." -- in Fortune, 1979

"People say I'm extravagant because I want to be surrounded by beauty. But tell me, who wants to be surrounded by garbage? Beauty is love made real and the spirit of love is God. Only a crazy man wants to be surrounded by garbage, and I'm not crazy just yet."

"I hate ugliness. You know I'm allergic to ugliness." -- quoted in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1999

"God is love. I have loved. Therefore, I will go to heaven." - to Pope Paul VI, who responded, "Oh, how wonderful, how childlike."

"I am my little people's star and slave. When I go out into the barrios, I get dressed because I know my little people want to see a star. Other presidents' wives have gone to the barrios wearing house dresses and slippers. That's not what people want to see. People want someone they can love, someone to set an example." -- from the Los Angeles Times, October 1980

According to the PCIJ Blog "Imelda and Her Shoes," posted last November 8, 2006 (click here to read more) there are about 1,220 pairs of shoes in Malacanang which were found out after the Marcoses fled the country in 1986. 200 pairs are now housed in Marikina's shoe museum. Her size? Eight and a half. Brands ranging from Ferragamo, Givenchy, Chanel and Christian Dior. I know most female yuppies buy pairs of shoes, would go to Singapore or send in money to get hold of these branded pairs.

Take It! Take It! The Metro Manila Film Fest Scandal in 1994

en.wikipedia.org

The MMFF scandal shocked the whole showbiz-loving nation in 1994.

I have been wanting to feature the MMFF 1994 scandal here in Secrets and Scandals Philippines. Why? Because I was watching it when it happened - I was young then, fan of chismis and showbiz events. Anything that is Filipino showbiz is fun, entertaining and touching - it's close to the heart because it's what people talk about and what you see in local tabloids and most online local blogs.

How could I forget the look of Gretchen Barretto, the co-presenter, when former Miss Mauritius and Miss Universe pageant representative Viveka Babajee exclaimed "Take it! Take it!" to Rocky, Ruffa's younger brother who received the envelope. When the name of Ruffa Gutierrez was announced instead of Aiko Melendez as Best Actress, you'd see the eyes of Gretchen Barretto in shock . Who could forget the controversy, when it was not supposed to be Gabby Concepcion who won but Edu Manzano as Best Actor. Behind all this controversial night was allegedly Lolit Solis, who was managing Rocky, Viveka, Gabby and Ruffa during those times (according to http://no-benta.blogspot.com blog).

According to Mayor Alfredo Lim, the city mayor of Manila during the MMFF 1994 scandal in his interview with PEP.ph last March 31, 2008 (Mayor Lim To Check if 1994 Filmfest Scam Case in Manila Has Been Dropped):

Who Killed Ramgen Revilla?

pep.ph

Ramgen Revilla will always be remembered.

If you have been searching for Ramgen Revilla, your top searches in the internet might have been the sex scandal between Ramgen and his girlfriend Janelle Manahan. I think this is not a good way to give justice to a person who has served in Cavite as a potential public servant, a brother to his siblings (maybe not that perfect, but who is) and a young man who acted in some movies and TV series. Why not give justice to a man who could have been Ramon Bong Revilla, Sr.'s protege. He is the son of former senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Sr. and Genelyn Magsaysay.

Ramgen, commonly called as Ram, was murdered at his house in BF Homes Paranaque City last October 28, 2011. He suffered a gunshot and multiply stab wounds in his body, securing him dead. His sister Ramona Revilla and his girlfriend (some would think to be his live-in partner) were in the same house when he was killed. Janelle Manahan was shot in her face and was brought to the hospital. Luckily, she survived.

Did GMA Cheat in the 2004 Elections? The Hello Garci Scandal

http://rightonthemark.files.wordpress.com

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stunned the nation in 3 words: I am sorry.

For our third instalment of the Secrets and Scandals in the 7107 Islands Philippines, we bring you the Hello Garci scandal which was the onset of the disturbing truth about the 2004 elections.

If you happen to listen to GMA's video "I am sorry," and Susan Roces' strong words that the president not only cheated once but twice, you know that the scandal behind the presidential elections did not end at that.

It started with the Hello Garci wiretapped conversations involving a woman instructing a man to rig the elections predominantly in the Mindanao locations. The woman was said to be the voice of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and the man was then COMELEC commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, hence the name of the tape, Hello Garci. The former deputy director of NBI Samuel Ong that he has the original recordings of the said conversation.

In Shiela Coronel's blog (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, July 13, 2005), she said: