Derek Ramsay

Derek Arnold Ramsay is an actor, host, and commercial model in the Philippines. He started his showbusiness career as one of the hosts of the Saturday entertainment magazine talk show Entertainment Konek. A former VJ of MTV Philippines, he also hosted a celebrity dance program U Can Dance for two seasons.

After playing the supporting characters of Kahimu in Ang Panday and Machete in Super Inggo, Ramsay got his first lead role as chef Mito Valenzuela in Ysabella.

Ramsay signed a four-picture exclusive contract with Star Cinema.

His father, also called Derek Ramsay, was a Detective Inspector in the Metropolitan Police in London, who settled in the Philippines and became a successful businessman in the security field, prominent in the British business community in Manila and president of the Manila Club.

He is currently in a relationship with actress Angelica Panganiban.

Trivia:

• He's half Filipino and half British
• Derek's surname is spelled with an "a" not with an "e" so it should be Ramsay per Ysabella's opening credits.
• Ysabella is Derek's first main leading man role where he figures in the storyline from beginning to end.
• His family owns a home in Talisay, Batangas.
• He has 2 brothers, who also have "Derek" as their first names, but their middle names are Arthur & Andrew. He also have 2 sisters.
• He couldn't be in Super Inggo: 1.5: Ang Bagong Bangis due to Ysabella and Maging Sino Ka Man: Book 2

Gloc 9 [Aristotle Pollisco]

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://glocnine.multiply.com/

Gloc-9 (born Aristotle Pollisco) is an Awit Award-winning Filipino rapper. His fast-flowing vocal style has made him one of the most successful hip-hop artists in the Philippines. He has won the award for Best Rap Artist at the Philippine Hip-Hop Music Awards for three consecutive years (2005-2007) and has also been recognized by the MYX and MTV Music Awards.

Gloc-9 has also contributed to the soundtracks of several films, including Star Cinema's "Jologs" and "Trip."

Star Records:

Dubbed as the fastest rapper in the Philippines, GLOC-9 has released his self-titled and highly anticipated debut album under recording giant Star Records. It is no secret to GLOC-9 aficionados that this guy can easily rap up to 200 words per minute. So fast yet so clear, that one can easily understand and relate to the words he is expressing.

For GLOC-9 (or Aries Pollisco in real life), rap is an expression -- an expression of both his thoughts and emotions. A story of what he went through or is still going through now, especially of what he dreams of becoming in the not so distant future.

“The name Gloc-9 was given to me by a friend, Ronald Solanga of Death Threat,” according to the artist himself. “It was probably associated to me because of the way I rap -- the speed, the clarity of the words,” he added. Gloc-9 went on to share that, “It was when I heard the song Cold Summer Nights of Master Rapper Francis M., that I got inspired and decided to get into rapping.”

All the songs in the album were either written or co-written, arranged and produced by GLOC 9 himself. It includes the massive hits Isang Araw; Jologs; Sayang; Simpleng Tao; Hinahanap Ng Puso; Sikat Na Si Pepe; and the duet Bakit, which he performed with Cookie Chua for the 2002 Himig Handog Love Songs Competition. It also includes Banal Na Aso, the theme from the TV series Nginiiiig.

His song Isang Araw received an award for the BEST RAP RECORDING from Katha and Awit Awards. Incidentally, industry bigwigs once again recognize GLOC-9's talent, creativity and music artistry. He has earned nominations for Favorite Male Recording Artist and Favorite Music Video (for the song Sayang) in the MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards 2004, as well as for Best Rap Recording in the 17th Awit Awards.

"Being recognized for my craft is an honor enough for me," GLOC-9 reveals. "I live for music. It's an expression of what I am and I'm happy being where I am right now." GLOC-9 is just like his hit single "Simpleng Tao" in real life. He is cool, fun-loving and indeed very simple despite the fact that he has already marked a niche for himself in the music industry. He doesn't have airs and keeps his feet firmly planted on the ground. His friends and co-workers all agree that GLOC-9 hasn't changed a bit even with the fame and fortune he is amassing right now.

With all the achievements he has earned, GLOC-9 cements his reputation as one of the country’s finest and fastest rappers. So come along, join the journey and listen to the numerous cuts in the album, to know what this artist has inside of him.

Sony BMG:

Rapping these words from the title track of his new album "Diploma," GLOC-9 may not have achieved an actual college degree yet, but deep in his heart he knows already has one - his compositions, his songs, his hits - achievements that made him who he is in the music industry today.

Nonetheless, it doesn't mean he is turning his back to a real college diploma. GLOC-9 or Aristotle Pollisco in real life, in fact, is currently a second year nursing student. Indeed, that's why he called his latest album just that. "It can mean two things: one is stated in the song and the other is me going back to school to finish college," the award-winning rapper said.

Now signed with major label Sony BMG Music Entertainment, GLOC-9 couldn't be any prouder with his third album.

"This is very special to me because I never imagined how different my songs will sound from my previous albums. "A lot of effort was put in musicality and arrangements which surprised me. I never thought it could be done in rap music as what most people do with mainstream pop."

"Diploma" marks a 360 degree turn in GLOC-9's songwriting. Part of his mission nowadays is to bring positive influence to his audience.

"Before, I would just get a pen and write songs not really knowing its effect to the listeners. Now I think of its consequences especially with children. Likewise, I learned to enjoy every moment of writing a song."

But still, GLOC-9's lyrics are as real as you can get, yet dishes out a bit of wisdom. Taking him a year to finish the 14-track all-Tagalog album, he culled his songs from various motivations: a good song, a good film, a person or his/other's personal experiences.

One of those borne out of these inspirations is the carrier single "Lando." A song mirroring the reflection of our harsh society, GLOC-9 brings to life a story of a taong-grasa.

"Whenever I see one, I always wonder what led him to a life like that. I thought of a story about two lovers. The boy is poor, the girl is rich but still they fell in love despite the difference in social status. But what they thought was a perfect life suddenly went tragic because of a crime that eventually caused him to become a 'taong grasa'," It was a moving story, very affecting especially after seeing the music video which was helmed by the young and upcoming director Jay Pacena II.

Aside from being his most memorable song to date, GLOC 9 considers the track a blessing for two reasons: "When I wrote 'Lando', it was like someone was already dictating the next line to me. I finished it in three and a half hours." The second is his rare collaboration with two of the most respected names in the industry - master rapper FrancisM and Parokya Ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda.

FrancisM, which GLOC-9 considers as his first and his biggest influence, lent his voice to sing the song's refrain written especially for him by Miranda. "I'm so grateful and it was really a big honor to have worked with both of them."

Other guests in "Diploma" include teen singer/actress Lovi ("Lov na Lov"), Czarina Rosales ("Blues Niyang Itim"), Loonie of Stick Figgas and Konflick of Death Threat ("Sila") and Mitchell ("Kayo").

Rock meets rap as Gobas and Reg Rubio of Greyhounds joins GLOC-9 in "The Task Is Done," a track encouraging people to live their dreams and that nothing is impossible. Vic Mercado of Bamboo mans the drums in the interlude "Demo Tape."

Nelly's hit "E.I." was such a personal favorite, GLOC-9 decided to adapt the song to a new single he called "B.I." Likewise an Eraserheads fan, he sampled the band's hit "Torpedo" with JP Cuison of Kiko Machine doing the refrain vocals.

GLOC-9 further expresses who he is as a rapper in "Lapis at Papel" while he enumerates the bad experiences people had to go through and tells the listeners to just dance the problems away in "Sumayaw Ka."

Hailed by critics and respected by his peers, GLOC-9 worked with established names in the industry like FrancisM, Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios, PKSO and Dice & K9 to name a few.

Kuh Ledesma

Kuh Ledesma (born March 16, 1955) is a popular Filipino pop and jazz singer. Kuh Ledesma has been performing for 25 years in the musical industry which encompasses more than 300 concerts, numerous awards in the Philippines, and 18 albums in the Philippine recording industry. She was the first Filipino singer to become a recipient of the Salem Music Awards in London in March 1989. In 1997 she released her international debut album Precious in collaboration with the best American and Filipino songwriters, arrangers and musicians.

Personal:

Kuh Ledesma was born Maria Socorro Ledesma on March 16, 1955 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. She has a daughter named Isabella Gonzalez.

Career:

Philippine and international music industry - Ledesma's career in music began when she joined the Lastiko band (formerly known as Ensalada band) in Bacolod while she was still a Nursing student in college. Ledesma and her bandmates Toto Gentica and Jet Montelibano later went to Manila to form the Music & Magic band which became pivotal for her career. She later received the lead role in the pop ballet Rama Hari by Alice Reyes. She eventually went solo with Dito Ba?, Ledesma's first hit song.

1980's - In the 1980s, Ledesma has performed during solo concerts at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Araneta Coliseum, PICC and the Philippine Folk Arts Theater.

In 1982, Ledesma launched an all-Filipino concert, Ako ay Pilipino (I am a Filipino) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines that featured a repertoire of ethnic sounds, classic kundimans and beautiful pop songs, tapping into the rich node of indigenous art and contemporary pop music to produce alternative approaches to songs. Her show eventually became a television special followed by two albums. This was immediately followed by another production at the CCP, Inspired Madness in 1983, which was created in collaboration with Philippine film director Peque Gallaga and musical director Ryan Cayabyab.

During the political ambience of the 1980s, Ledesma paid tribute to Ninoy Aquino at the end of one of her shows at the CCP by singing her a cappella rendition of Impossible Dream and You'll Never Walk Alone (Hindi Ka Nagiisa). From 1984 to 1986, Ledesma joined the Apo Hiking Society in Ang Pinoy Nga Naman (1, 2, and 3) at the Folk Arts Theater.

In March 1989, Kuh Ledesma was chosen as the first Philippine singer to be the recipient of the Salem Music Awards after competing against other top singers from Asia at the Royal Albert Hall in London

1990's - In the 1990s, Ledesma had a series of concerts with foreign artists Noel Pointer, Jack Jones, Kenny Rankin, The Platters and Michel Legrand followed by other concerts with popular Philippine song artists such as Regine Velasquez (U.S. tour, 1999), Pops Fernandez and Jaya (Power of Two, 1999). After Ledesma's four-night concert with the jazz violinist, Noel Pointer, she released the album, The Voice, The Violin. In February 1994, Ledesma had the Two of Hearts concert with balladeer Jack Jones. During 1995's Valentine's season, she performed with Kenny Rankin. Ledesma started the new millennium in a Valentine show with The Platters. In 2002, Ledesma had Valentine presentation with Michel Legrand.

Ledesma has her own production company Headline Concepts and built concert venues such as the Music Museum (a combined theater-restaurant built in 1988 at Greenhills, Manila) and the Republic of Malate. The Republic of Malate is a facility located along Mabini Street in Manila, which houses a restaurant, a bar, a watering hole, a game room, a tobacco area a dance club and a theater. However, The Republic of Malate was destroyed by a fire in November 2001. Ledesma has plans of rebuilding the facility.

Kuh Ledesma had a regular monthly television special called Akuhstic Café which is a musical travelogue that presented viewers the urban night life of Metro Manila by visiting clubs, lounges and concerts. Akuhstic Café was a grand finalist in the Asian Television Awards in Singapore for best musical program.

In April 1997, Ledesma became the featured artist of the ‘’Muling Aawit ang Pasig’’, a benefit concert of former Philippine First Lady Ming Ramos for the restoration of the Pasig River.

In 1998, the centennial year of Philippine Independence, after producing a Valentine concert at Fort Santiago, Manila, Ledesma was commissioned by the National Centennial Commission to stage a three-night centennial concert of the year, Lahi…Kami ang Pilipino which was held the Expo Center at the former Clark Airforce Base.

2000's - Ledesma also owns Bravo Records, a music recording studio. Ledesma is known for building careers of new talented singers.

Ledesma celebrated her 25th year in the music industry by holding a series of shows at the Captain's Bar of the Mandarin Oriental Manila (Kuh Ledesma Presents). Ledesma has a goal of publishing a book of photographs to chronicle her career.

Kuh Ledesma is also a member of the Artista Para Sa Pagbabago (Artists for Change), an organization comprised of artists, environmentalists and businessmen. She was also the president of the Restaurant Owners Association of Malate.

During the 2001 Philippine national elections, Ledesma was chosen by the PINATUBO (Pinag-isang Lakas Tungo sa Pagbabago) Party as a first nominee for congress. The PINATUBO Party has the goal of alleviating poverty in the Philippines through grass-roots development.

Apart from performing and producing concerts and special shows, Ledesma also travels widely in the Philippines and abroad to deliver values formation lectures, and inspirational and motivational talks.

Philippine cinematography - Ledesma has appeared in films such as Oro, Plata, Mata, Tinimbang ang Langit, The Year of Living Dangerously.

Philippine theater - Ledesma performed in Rama Hari and Kapinangan

Philippine television - Ledesma produced several TV specials including the award-winning program, Kuh by Special Arrangement. She was also a co-host in the Sunday variety show A.S.A.P. Mania.

International performances - In March 1990, Ledesma appeared as a guest performer in a Gilbert Becaud's television show in Paris where she sang Bulaklak (The Rose) in three languages (Filipino, English and French). In July 1990, she was the Philippine's representative-performer at the international television special, Earth 90 in Tokyo, Japan. Earth 90 was a show that celebrated the importance of the environment and was aired simultaneously around 80 countries. Ledesma was then on stage with artists such as Olivia Newton-John and John Denver. On the same year, Ledesma also joined the NHK-KAYO parade in Tokyo.

In 1991, Ledesma accepted the invitation to become a member of the panel of judges during the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Las Vegas, U.S.A.

In 1984, Ledesma was chosen by international director Peter Weir to play the role of Tiger Lily in the film, The Year of Living Dangerously, to work with actors Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver.

After becoming a model for Lux soap in the Philippines from 1984 to 1990, Ledesma also appeared in a series of print ads and television commercials for Lux in Singapore from 1988 to 1989, and in Indonesia in 1992.

Rossana Roces

Jennifer Adriano-Molina also known as Rosanna Roces was born on May 24, 1972. She is a famous Filipina actress known in the early 1990s as one of the hottest TF (tiltilating film)/sexy flicks actresses. She has been a contract star of Seiko films from 1994 to 1996. After her years with Seiko, "Ligaya ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin" (They Called Me Joy, Reyna Films, opened January 1997) made her career more successful, as well as on TV.

Besides her being a film actress, Rosanna Roces also ventured into hosting by being a replacement to Dawn Zulueta for GMA's Startalk. Roces hosted the show until 2004 after the misunderstanding between her and her manager-friend Lolit Solis. Rosanna Roces, leaving GMA for ABS CBN, was replaced by Lorna Tolentino in the reformatting of Startalk. Roces also appeared major roles in various TV appearances, with Vic Sotto and Charlene Gonzales (1 for 3, GMA Network, 1997-2002), Rudy Fernandez (Daboy and Da Girl, 2002-2003).

She is presently seen as the mean Patria in ABS-CBN's "Sineserye Presents: Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?" She had appeared on soap operas such as "Ysabella" (as Rosario, Ysay's loving mother) and "Maging Sino Ka Man" (appearance on the last episode of Book 1 and will be seen on the upcoming Book 2).

 

Rica Peralejo

Rica Peralejo (born Regina Carla Bautista Peralejo on March 7, 1981) is a Filipina actress, singer, and television host. She is a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents collectively known as Star Magic.

Biography:

Peralejo began her career in show business as a child actress in the ABS-CBN children's variety show Ang TV. She eventually moved on to teen-oriented programs such as T.G.I.S. and Gimik. She was co-currently educated at the all-girls' School of the Holy Spirit.

Growing into adulthood, Peralejo began acting in movies and through the years she has gained popularity by periodically shifting into different movie genres. She starred in comedies such as Banyo Queen (with rapper Andrew E.) and action movies like Ex-Con. This was followed by her roles in "sexy" movies such as Balahibong Pusa, earning her the title "Bold Queen". More recently, Peralejo became well-known for her roles in horror movies such as Malikmata and it was because of these movies that the Philippine media alternately dubbed her "Horror Queen" and "Scream Queen". She is reportedly filming a new horror movie titled Matakot Ka Sa Karma which will be shown at the 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Between making movies, Peralejo also appeared in television programs such as the sitcom Ok Fine Whatever and the weekly variety program ASAP. She was recently in the drama series Sa Piling Mo, which is currently available on video, and Pangarap na Bituin.

Ever the performer, Peralejo also found time for her singing career. In the late 1990s she released the album Ikaw Pa Rin At Ako which produced the hit single "Fallin'". She was also featured on the soundtrack of the movie Sa Huling Paghihintay, where she sang three songs: "Maghihintay Ako", "Can We Just Stop And Talk A While" and "Bakit Mahal Kita". Her current album is titled Bollywood Fever.

Trivia:

• Rica Peralejo is 5' 4" tall.
• She is the elder sister of former actress Paula Peralejo.
• Though she is 26 years old, at the time of this writing she is an incoming freshman at the Ateneo de Manila University, taking up creative writing.
• Actor Piolo Pascual admitted that he is still in love with her
• Bernard Palanca was once her boyfriend for a couple of years

Gregorio S. Araneta

GREGORIO S. ARANETA
(1869-1930)

Don Gregorio Araneta y Soriano, legal luminary, businessman, nationalist and patriot, served his country and people under three regimes. The fifth son and sixth of the seventeen children of Don Felix and Pat Soriano y Dytching, he was born in Mole, Iloilo on April 19, 1869. His brothers and sisters were Leopoldo, Angel, Isabel, Pablo, Marciano, Anastacio, Maria, Filomena, Rosario, Lina, Jose, Concha, Candelaria, Encarnacion, Felicito and Remedies.


In 1880, at the age of 11, Gregorio was sent to study at the Ateneo Municipal. In 1884, he completed his studies at the Ateneo not only with excellent grades but also with high honors. Thereafter, he enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas where, in the language of Justice Villamor, "he gave evidence of outstanding intellect and unusual application to the study of metaphysics." He won prizes in private and public debates. While still a pre-law student, his entry entitled "Darwinian Transformation" won first prize in a contest held on the occasion of the elevation of Father Ceferino Gonzales to the Cardinalate.


In 1891, he graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with the degree of Licenciado en Derecho. He also managed to finish a course in surveying, passing the bar, he joined the law office of Don Jose Ycaza, appointed Registrar of Deeds of the South District of Manila prior to his appointment as prosecuting attorney of the city. He was later prmoted to Justice of the Royal Audiencia in mid 1899.

The young lawyer was awakened to the injustices and abuses of the Spaniards when, in 1891, he was beaten up by the guardia civil for discourtesy. Bloodied in the face and body, he was accompanied by Attorney Ycaza to Malacañang to file a complaint. Araneta's prominence in legal circles earned for him an apology which led the Governor-General to immediately disband the guardin civil detachment.


Goyo, as he was fondly called by his friends and classmates, besides being the most eligible bachelor in Manila, was much sought after by clients. He took up the defense of Don Francisco Roxas who was accused of giving financial support to the Katipunan. But since only military lawyers could defend an accused according to the Council of War rules, he could not appear on behalf of Don Francisco. However, he presented a well-reasoned brief to the military tribunal. He also defended the Salvadors, one of whiom was found guilty of rebellion and executed with Don Francisco at Bagumbayan in January, 1897. In the case of Don Ambrosio, Salvador's father, Araneta was able to persuade the court to exile him to Bontoc in lieu of a heavier sentence.


As Spanish sovereignty in the philippines was drawing to a close, General Basilio Agustin formed the Consultative Council to rally the Filipinos against the Americans in 1898. Araneta was appointed a member of this 27-man assembly.


Aguinaldo, having heard of the prestige of Araneta, appointed him a member of the mission headed by Felipe Buencamino whose task was to negotiate the entry of Filipino troops to the city in August 1898. The mission failed because General Thomas Anderson had already occupied Manila.


To strengthen his revolutionary forces, Aguinaldo invited all segments of society to join him in the war against the Americans. Araneta was called to Malolos and made a member of the Malolos Congress. He became its secretary and participated in the drafting of the Constitution. In November, he was made a member of the Committee on Diplomacy which was charged with the organization of missions to foreign` countries for the recognition of the Philippine Republic. On the advice of Mabini, he was also made member of the group tasked to negotiate with the American troops under the command of General Wesley Merritt. He however resigned from all these positions to concentrate on his work as Secretary of Justice, a new position to which he was appointed.


Sometime in January 1899, after the Treaty of Paris had been concluded, he left for Manila. He clearly foresaw that a bloody struggle was not the best means to gain Philippine freedom and independence in the face of a much more superior foe.


In Manila, the Americans revived the Royal Audiencia. General Elwell Otis appointed Araneta to that tribunal, together with Cayetano Arellano, Florentino Torres, Manuel Araullo, Julio Llorente, And Dionisio Chanco.


Araneta was appointed Solicitor General, to replace Attorney Libbeus Wifley, an American who retired from the service. On July 1, 1908, Araneta was appointed Secretary of Justice and Finance, the first Filipino to hold that executive portfolio. As a high-ranking justice official he issued many legal opinions which later became part of administrative law. They were written so concisely and clearly that many American lawyers held him in high respect.


Though he was already receiving a substantial salary estimated at P32,000 per annum, he chose to retire from government service in 1913. He went into private practice with Salvador Zaragosa. In 1916, he ran For senator for the fourth district but lost to Rafael Palma.


Twice he prevailed on the Supreme Court to reverse its decisions. Twice too, he was offered the bench but refused it. He taught civil law in the University of Santo Tomas in the 1920’s, in keeping with his concern for the education of the youth. Typical of this concern were the thoughts he expressed at a commencement address he delivered in 1924: "A man is like a tree. If the tree starts to grow crooked, it will always be crooked. But a tree that starts straight remains straight throughout its life." In 1923, his son Salvador joined his law office. His prestige grew so much that some American lawyers were moved to comment that "the judiciary in the Philippines during his time was better than that in the United States."


In private life Don Gregorio was a quiet and reserved man. He loved music. He would visit his relatives, to whom he was deeply atteched, and his friends or invite them to his residence along Calle Sebastian. His house was a gathering place for prominent persons and government circles, both local and foreign.


As a businessman, he was astute but also kind and accommodating. Once, to settle the debt of a friend, he paid from his own pocket 600 as a guarantee.


A loving and thoughtful father, he would fetch his children from school whenever his office hours allowed. He would take them to the beach for their relaxation and health and he would rent houses in the suburbs for their safety and well-being. Those responsibilities were shared by his wife Carmen Zaragosa, faithful, religious and dutiful, whom he married on March 7, 1896. His children were Carmita, Jose, Salvador, Consuelo, Pat, Rosa, Antonio, Teresa, Ramon, Vicente, Conchita, Margarita, Luis and Francisco.


Don Gregorio was also a devout Catholic. A holder of the Pro Ecelesia et Pontifice cross awarded by Pope Plus XI, he seldom missed the observance of holy days of obligation with his family. He reared his children in the Christian virtues. Often, he would sit in his lounging chair and read a significant passage from the Bible to his children. Though wealthy, he did not spoil them. When any of his children did wrong, he would not hesitate to use the slippers to discipline them.


After his retirement from active law practice, he would take long walks along Dewey Boulevard with his son Salvador to burn the excess sugar in his blood since he was a diabetic. Then he built a summer home for his family in Baguio and acquired a considerable farm area in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.


On May 8, 1930, while inspecting his farm with his son Antonio, he was seized with a massive heart attack. Rushed to the Singian Clinic, then the best in Manila, he never recovered. He passed away the next day. On May 10, his remains were interred at La Loma Cemetery.

Jose M. Albert

JOSE M. ALBERT
(1867-1946)

Patriot and pioneer pediatrician in the country, Dr. Jose Albert was born in Binondo, Manila on April 3, 1867 to Mariano Albert and Ruperta Mayoralgo. He enrolled at the Ateneo Municipal where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree at the age of thirteen in 1880.


He went on to the University of Santo Tomas where he enrolled for the four year medical course. In 1884, he went abroad to continue his medical training at the Universidad Central de Madrid where he obtained the Licenciado en Medicina (Licentiate in Medicine) in 1887. Two years later he was named Doctor of Medicine by the same university.


A lover of travel and keen about learning other languages, he visited France, Germany, and Belgium. In Paris, he visited various hospitals studied medicine with Potaine, obstetrics under Budin and pediatrics with Grancher. He proceeded to Belgium with Dr. Jose Rizal on January 27, 1890 where he visited some hospitals. He then went to Berlin where he studied gynecology and obstetrics for three months under Olshausen. From Germany, he went to Marseilles, France where he look passage for the Philippines, which he reached in June of 1891.


He first practiced obstetrics but then turned to pediatrics, thus becoming one of the first pediatricians in the country. On September ;6. 1896, he was one of those arrested for complicity in the Revolution. He was imprisoned in Fort Santiago but released a few weeks later. This incident impelled him to join the Revolution. Under the revolutionary government he was appointed professor of pediatrics of the planned National University. Later. He was made Chief of the Military Sanitary Service of the Committee of Public Hygiene. He was one of the signers of the Constitution of the short-lived Philippine Republic at Barasoain on January 20, 1899.

Before and after the revolution, Dr. Albert wrote articles on liberty and freedom in the publications Independencia and Democracia. At the advent of American rule, being essentially a realist, he turned to politics and became president of the Purtido Federelista which was organized on June 8, 1900. However, his deep love far medicine and his widening interest in the preservation of human life made him give up politics. As evidence of this resolve to practice medicine, he helped found the Colegio Medico-Farmaceutico, the first medical society in the Philippines which he headed until 1906, the year he joined the Department of Pediatrics of the newly-created University of the Philippines.

In 1903, he was a prominent figure in the Committee on Opium at a medical seminar held in Manila. Other positions held by Dr. Albert in the University of the Philippines were: Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Pediatrics, 1907, Acting Dean, College of Medicine, 1921;Chief of Clinics, 1927-;Professor and Head, Department of Pediatrics, until his retirement from the government service in 1945.


A member of the American Medical Association, he wrote scientific papers on infant mortality, concentrating his reasearch on beriberi.


Doctor Albert succumbed to chronic nephritis on August 13, 1946 at age 79. On that last day of his life - while gasping for breath - Dr. Albert told his daughter, Mrs. Calvo, "if the Almighty gives me a new life, I shall study medicine again as medicine has made my life beautiful."

Angelika Panganiban

Angelica Panganiban (born on November 4, 1986 in the Caloocan City, Philippines) is a television and film actress, commercial model and product endorser working in ABS-CBN. Angelica is now preparing for her newest teleserye in ABS-CBN entitled Iisa Pa Lamang with Gabby Concepcion and Claudine Barretto.
Biography:

Angelica's parents separated when she was two years old. She has no memories of her father. In her childhood, Angelica had thought that her grandfather, Alfredo Panganiban, was her real father.

Career:

Panganiban is a famous actress among of her credits are Mangarap Ka with Piolo Pascual, Vietnam Rose, Maging Sino Ka Man, Rounin, Ysabella and Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik.

Trivia:

• She admits that people have always remarked on how much she looked like Julie Vega(one of the first Filipino soap opera icons).
• Angel on Earth:Angelica Panganiban's debut title which was aired on ABS-CBN.
• The movie Santa-Santita was Angelica Panganiban's launching movie under Unitel Pictures last 2004.
• She is currently in a relationship with model and actor Derek Ramsay.
• She currently plays golf and ultimate frisbee.

Ely Buendia

Eleandre Basiño Buendía, popularly known as Ely Buendia, and also once adopting the stage name, Jesus "Dizzy" Ventura, (born November 2, 1970) is a Filipino writer and musician, who gained fame as guitarist, songwriter, and lead vocalist in the popular Pinoy rock band, The Eraserheads. His gift in songwriting, in which he contributed heavily to the band, has earned him a reputation as one of the most respected icons in the country. He currently performs as guitarist and lead vocalist for the band, Pupil.

The Eraserheads:

In December 1989, Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Marcus Adoro and Buddy Zabala formed the Eraserheads in their collegiate school, the University of the Philippines, Diliman. The band found that they weren't good at covering other people's hits, so they concentrated on writing their own materials instead. "After all, if we committed a mistake no one would recognize it since they don't know the song, right?," Buendia explained. Performing their original songs live soon earned them a cult following in the University, which gradually spread outside the campus. One of the songs, a pop song entitled, Pare Ko, which Buendia wrote, became very popular, partly because of the lyrics which included a few swear words.

The Eraserheads eventually signed a three-year deal with BMG Pilipinas. Their debut album, "UltraElectroMagneticPop!" featured no less than Pare Ko and a host of other novelty pieces that had people listening and discovering more about the quartet. The album also brought the underground college rock scene into public awareness. 1993 saw the emergence of "Eraserheadsmania" because of successive hit singles, sold-out concerts and thousands of fans.

Buendia continued to write songs for the band, many of which became hit singles and classics. The Eraserheads' lasted for ten years before finally breaking up with Buendia and Adoro's departure. During those 10 years, the band produced eight studio albums along with other EPs and singles. Their gigs took them out of the country, with tours in the U.S. and other countries. One album, "Aloha Milkyway, was released in the Asian region. The Eraserheads were also the first ever Filipino artists to receive the "Moon Man" trophy for winning the 1997 MTV Asia Viewer's Choice Award for the video of their song, "Ang Huling El Bimbo." This hit was also written by Buendia, like many others that the band produced.

The Eraserheads had one of the most influential runs in OPM history. Their prolific contributions to the OPM repertoire backed by remarkable sales led their record company, Sony-BMG to dub them "The Beatles of the Philippines". Buendia had correspondingly been dubbed the John Lennon of OPM. Ely remarked, however ,that he does not relish being a "John Lennon of OPM" as he craves for his own identity and to be known as "Ely Buendia of OPM."

Leaving the Eraserheads:

After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed that Buendia had left the band in mid-March 2002 for "reasons unknown". However, in subsequent interviews, Buendia pointed to business matters as the cause of the band's break-up.

In an interview, Marasigan said he was eating in SM Megamall, a local shopping mall, when he heard of the news (how he heard of it, was not clear). He said he was "semi-surprised" and wondered if Zabala already knew about it. Adoro told of the story now famous among Eraserheads fans about Buendia's cryptic text message. He said Buendia stated in the text message that he had already "graduated." Adoro quipped in the same interview that Buendia being the first to graduate was natural, since he was in batch '87 in their school (UP, Diliman), while they were in Batch '88.

Zabala confesses in an interview that disbanding had not been that far away from the members' minds. He said that there were so many occasions where they could have disbanded but they did not. Adoro expressed the belief of some people that the band was getting too old and that it was "selfish" for the band to continue, likely referring to comments about how it's time for other bands besides the Eraserheads to shine. The band made it clear, though, that Buendia's departure from the band wasn't in any way violent and there was no shouting (sigawan) or any confrontation.

Without giving up, the three remaining original Eraserheads decided to continue on. Within just a few weeks, the "new" Eheads debuted at Hard Rock Cafe in Makati City on April 19 featuring a female singer-guitarist, Kris Gorra-Dancel from the band, Fatal Posporos. However after a few months, Adoro also quit the band. The remaining members of the Eraserheads added Diego Mapa and Ebe Dancel to their lineup and renamed their band, "Cambio."

The Mongols:

After leaving the Eraserheads, Buendia formed the band, The Mongols. It was composed of guitarist J. Astro (also known as Jerome Velasco) (of The Teeth), bassist Yan Yuzon, drummer Bogs "Boga Man" Jugo (of the indie pop band Daydream Cycle), and Buendia on guitars and vocals, under the stage name Jesus "Dizzy" Ventura. The band was managed by Buendia's wife, Diane Ventura.

The Mongols released a self-produced underground EP in CD-R format with factory-printed sleeves in April 2003, "A Fraction of A Second". It contains five tracks, "Case Logic", "No", "Tomorrowland", "KSP" and "Abstraction of A Second". It was released under "Redrum Records".

After a few months, the Mongols decided to have their self-produced album distributed by Neo Records Inc. under the major label VIVA Records. The result is a thirteen-track album called "Buddha's Pest" (tracks are: "Keeper," "Bulakbol," "Bakit Nga Ba?," "Pony," "Teka Muna," "Candy Flip," "Heroine," "Wig Out," "It's Over," "Irish Spring," "Odd Even," "Your Bushido" plus an instrumental album filler). It was produced by "The Genghis Klan" under "Criminal Records".

Pupil:

Shortly after The Mongols' guitarist, J.Astro, left the band, the remaining members renamed their group "Pupil." Buendía chanced upon the band name while reading a medical book. The band is enjoying more mainstream popularity, in contrast to the Mongols.

Solo Acts:

Buendía had a solo project, even before leaving the Eraserheads. He recorded ten tracks in his home studio, "Suite 16 Studios." The album was called "Wanted: Bedspacer," and it comprised of the tracks "Wanted Bedspacer," "Monday Mundane," "Kakaiba," "Santo," "Over 18," "Tapos Na," "Acid Tongue," "Oras," "Shallow Breathing," and "Hotchik".

The cassette version of the album has a bonus track titled "In the Midnight".

In mid-2008, Buendía commenced a series of solo gigs. He mostly sang Eraserheads songs accompanied by indie bands or sessionists, without his band Pupil. First he had a local performance with the Oven Toaster band in the Mag:net Cafe, the Fort. Then he performed an all-Eraserheads number in Manning Bar, Sydney, Australia (dubbed "The closest to an Eraserheads reunion" ). Apparently, most fans have been intrigued by these events as there were no issued press releases or announcements regarding his recent solo performances. He also made a new version of "Ang Huling El Bimbo" with FILharmoniKa orchestra for Kumpas compilation.

Eraserheads Reunion:

Buendía will join Marasigan, Adoro, and Zabala for a one-night only reunion show on August 30, 2008 at the CCP Open Grounds between Manila and Pasay City.

Newspaper Columnist:

Ely Buendía had a broadsheet column, entitled "CURSOR," published weekly (every Saturday) in the Entertainment Section of the Manila Bulletin. Some entries are “Cloning Music,” “Crude Little Robots,” “Biocast Entry No. 13,” “A Dystopian Holiday,” “Event Horizon,” “The Answer,” “Misguided Tours,” “A Well-Documented Review,” “Parking and Flying,” “Soaking Up the Bar,” “Mental Floss,” and his final article, “A Cause for Elevation.” Due to Buendia's busy musical career, CURSOR had ended and was last published during the first Saturday of September 2006.

Health:

On Sunday, January 7, 2007, Ely Buendia suffered a heart attack or acute myocardial infarction secondary to arterial blockage. It began when Buendia complained about finding it a bit hard to breathe while they were on the way to a gig in Laguna. But he dismissed it as mere heartburn. After some time, Buendia was reportedly in the middle of a song during a gig in Calamba, Laguna when he felt a sudden pain in his chest and left arm. He was rushed to an Intensive Care Unit at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa. "It turns out that he'd been having a heart attack for the last five hours." according to ex-eheads manager Jessica Zafra. Doctors performed an angiogram on the frontman and it confirmed the heart attack as two of his arteries were blocked. Buendia's condition was confirmed stable after an emergency angioplasty operation headed by Dr. Benjie Luna during the same night. According to Dok Sergio, “Ely is fine, successful yung surgery last night. (Last night's surgery was a success).”

Doctors pointed out that the cause of the heart attack was stress. Buendia's band was booked solid during the holidays. "The first operation addressed only one arterial blockage, There's another one that requires immediate attention." according to Ms. Day Cabuhat. Ely Buendia was transferred to The Philippine Heart Center on the evening of Tuesday, January 9, 2007 for his second angioplasty. "It was Ely's first heart attack and it could have cost him his life, One of his major arteries was 100 percent clogged and the other, 95 percent." says Diane. The doctor said that Ely was genetically predisposed to heart attacks as few of his family members and relatives also suffer from the same ailment. However, when he was transferred to The Philippine Heart Center, Doctors found a third arterial blockage.

The second angioplasty operation conducted on Ely Buendia on January 10, 2007 was successful and is secured from having heart attack recurrence. “The operation was a super success. He is totally out of danger and heart attack recurrence is not expected.” according to Buendia’s attending physician and cardiac surgeon, Dr. Wilfred Dee. Diane, Ely's wife, is a capillary-carcinoma survivor who's now free from cancer cells during the past two years.

On behalf of Pupil, Ms. Day Cabuhat and Diane Ventura gave thanks to everyone who called, visited and expressed their concerns to Ely's condition such us fans, writers, editors, media, sponsors, networks, producers, and most especially to local musicians such as Yael Yuzon, Japs Sergio, Francis Magalona, Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Kiko Machine, Menaya, Rico Blanco, Urbandub, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro and many others.

Buendia was finally released from the Hospital and was allowed to stay at home and rest by his doctors on the night of January 15, 2007. "I’ve got a bionic heart now," joked by Buendia.

This event prompted rap artist Francis Magalona, a longtime friend of Buendia and the other Eraserheads, to state the following in his personal blogsite: "Fast forward to right now, 9:58 am, Jan. 9, a lot of what ifs scenarios pop in my head. What if the E-heads members are back, like long-lost blood brothers? What if "the most significant OPM band of Pinoy Rock" would be in one room, what would happen?" And in postscript he adds, "Para sa akin panahon na para mag-reunite ang E-heads. Sugod na mga kapatid...rock & roll na hanggang umaga." which roughly translates, "For me, it's time for E-Heads to reunite. Let's go brothers...rock & roll until the morning comes."

Ely’s first on-stage public appearance after his heart attack was on Saturday, February 10, 2007 as his band, Pupil, performed at The Music Hall in SM Mall of Asia, in an Animax event called “Love Is In The Air”. The event featured a Speed-dating event as a welcome celebration for Valentine’s Day and live performances from other local artists such as Callalily, and Amber. Pupil is also part of “Super Proxy Jam”. It is an event that is hoping to spread awareness for the importance of Cardiovascular Health and for the benefit of The Heartist Foundation Inc. Francis Magalona & The Hardware Sydrome, Parokya Ni Edgar, Gloc-9, Dicta License, PiKaSO, and Dice & Mobbstar are also participants in the said event. Heartist Foundation Inc. is another collaborative effort between Ely Buendia and Francis Magalona.

Fund-raising Concert:

Musicians from the OPM industry gathered at Eastwood City on Sunday, January 28, 2007, for "LivELY: A Fundraising Concert for the Benefit of Ely Buendia." The concert, began at 3:00 PM at the Eastwood Central Plaza, and featured Filipino artists including Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Kitchie Nadal, Rivermaya, Itchyworms, True Faith, Cynthia Alexander, Sponge Cola,Hale,Dicta License, Francis M., Chicosci, Greyhoundz, Up Dharma Down, Paramita, Ciudad, Moonstar 88, Join the Club, Lahi, Oprressed, Makatha, Salindiwa, Rocksteddy, Swissy, and Julianne. The project was organized by local radio station, Magic 89.9, former Eraserheads road manager, Julie Pacañas, director Joyce Bernal, PMX Audio, PhilMusic.com, and friends of Buendia, to raise funds to cover his hospital bills and medical expenses as he recovers from his recent heart attack. The event was open to the public and cash donations were accepted at the event. A huge part of the collected funds was also used to set up Heartist Foundation, Inc.

Notable in the event was the surprise appearance of former Eraserheads lead guitarist, Marcus Adoro who played reggae renditions of classic Eraserheads songs. There were also other special guests, such as Yan Yuzon of Pupil who played guitars for Sponge Cola.

Personal Life:

Ely Buendia is married to Pupil's manager, Diane Ventura. He has two children, Una Aurea (from an early relationship), and Eon Drake (with Diane). Buendia was once romantically connected with She Elgar, who is now married to Mike Elgar of Rivermaya.

In several interviews, such as in the local music magazine, Pinoy, he has expressed a fondness for Stephen King books and history. According to a local television show, Pipol, he wanted to be an architect in his youth. He also loves movies, comics and especially videogames; from classic Nintendo systems up to next-gen consoles as he declared on recent interviews.

Other Works:

* Ely Buendia co-produced Sugar Hiccup’s “Oracle” album with Raimund Marasigan.

* Ely Buendia and his sister, Lally Buendia wrote the songs “Black Whole," “Sucker” and “Marble” for Domino's Fair Tales album. His wife, Diane played Glockenspiel on “In Your Arms and Pedalpitch on “Provocatrice”. Fair Tales was co-produced by Ely (together with his sister), and was mixed by him as well (together with Lazyboy). Domino was fronted by Lally Buendia and the album was released commercially under Viva Records in 2003.

* He composed True Faith’s “Kung ‘Di Rin Lang Ikaw” with Lyrics by J. Bacasmas and arranged by Ron Soriano for OctoArts International. Bacasmas is the vocals behind Ultraelectromagneticpop's “Ganjazz.”

* "Magasin" which he wrote was sampled for the track “Girl On Da Magazin” by Legendary Flip-Hop group, Legit Misfitz.

* He wrote the songs “Mga Babae” and "Something Always Brings Me Back To You" sung by the female funk, R&B, rap, and soul music group, Novia under BMG Pilipinas.

* Buendia wrote a song called "Stone's Throw" for Sponge Cola's debut album "Palabas".

* He also collaborated with Pinoy Rap artists in the song “Private Diane” with Francis Magalona and Death Threat. It was released under Sony Music.

* He used the codename “MH Hesus” when he sung back-up vocals for Parokya Ni Edgar’s “Hosanna Ngayong Pasko” Christmas song in the “Jingle Balls Silent Night Holy Cow” album. MH actually means Maalalahanin, it is the street somewhere in Teachers Village, Quezon City where Ely Buendia used to live.

* Ely played a cameo role in Rufa Mae Quinto’s movie entitled, “Masikip Sa Dibdib” where he was playing and singing “Keeper” by The Mongols in a live stage set with audiences going wild and enjoying the music.

* Buendia also sang "Suntok Sa Buwan", an APO Hiking Society original. It was included in the OST of 2000 Viva Films movie "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw", starring Regine Velasquez and Robin Padilla.

* Ely Buendia was included in a commercial project for San Miguel Beer's Red Horse product line, alongside various Filipino Rock icons: Karl Roy from Kapatid, Marc Abaya from Kjwan, Reg Rubio from Greyhoundz, Basti Artadi from Wolfgang and Pepe Smith from the Juan Dela Cruz Band. He also became a top endorser of the Red Horse Muziklaban. During the 2007 Muziklaban, he performed "Nasaan Ka?" with Kjwan as his ad hoc band.

Text LUK4:

As early as January 2006, there were reports that some of Pupil’s fans have been hearing a new song called “Luk4 Jingle”, as it was played on some radio stations and also during the ending credits video of the original episodes of Studio 23’s Barkada Trip. Although due to lack of indications and confirmations from the band and related organizers that time, it was quite unclear if the song was actually from the band or was an old solo project of Ely or the vocals of the said song just sounded like Ely. Until recently, the song was finally confirmed, heard and witnessed when the band played it (titled "Text LUK4") live during the finale of DPC Yellow Pages' "Luk4 The Million - City Adventure Challenge" held on December 8, 2006 at the Metrowalk. Although Pupil plays it during live performances, the song itself was a side project of Ely's.