Libangan
23 August 2003 | 0800H | Greenhills, san Juan
Text by: Katrina Gail Tan | Photos by: Jean Azucena

Masasabing dito sa mumunting lugar ng Greenhills, halos lahat na ng libangan ng mga Pinoy ay magagawa na. Isa ako sa magpapatunay nyan. Kalilipat ko lamang dito sa lugar na ito mga isang buwan na siguro ang nakakaraan. Nakakatuwa ngang isipin na dati, inaayawan ko pa ang ideyang manirahan dito sapagkat naisip ko na mapapalayo ako sa mga kaibigan ko sa Maynila. Ngunit ngayon, naisip kong wala nang mas-sasaya pa pakiramdam ng paninirahan dito sa Greenhills.

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On How I Stopped Saying MWAH
23 August 2003 | 0800H | Manila
Text by: Jewel Castro | Photos by: Jenelyn Culian

It was one of those tigang days. I was sixteen, loveless and desperate for the elusive first love, which, to this day, still eludes me. I had cut class—I was extremely bored anyway—and had gone with one of my girlfriends to an Internet café. Back then, the mIRC was already very popular. Chatting had already earned my friend a few dates, and she encouraged me to chat as well in order to remedy my lonely situation. I was young and stupid, of course, so I agreed.

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Ang Hari ng Aming Daan
23 August 2003 | 0800H | Pasay City
Text by: Jenelyn Culian | Photos by: Jenelyn Culian

“Miss, sidecar!” pagdating mo pa lang sa kanto ng bahay namin, ito na ang sasalubong sa iyo. Iwasan mo man, tila ba nananadyang ihaharang pa ang kanilang ipinampapasada sa iyong daraanan. Kinakailangan mo pa tuloy umiwas. Hindi pa natatapos dyan, pagkatapos ng isa ay para bang nasa isa kang kuwebang puno ng alinngawngaw, sunod-sunod silang magsasabi ng, “Miss, sidecar!” Minsan may pasipsip pang idadagdag na Miss beautiful kahit mukha ka ng dinaanan ng bagyo. Marahil nang-aasar lang dahil alam nilang hindi naman ako sasakay sa sidecar nila. Sampung hakbang lang mula sa kanto ay bahay na namin.

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Have You Heard About Romeo Lee?
23 August 2003 | 0800H | Quezon City
Text by: Jean Azucena| Photos by: Katrina Gail tan

The clock’s ticking fast. I needed to interview an artist. I asked almost everybody listed in my cellphone if they knew of an artist and they usually tell me, “Ay, may kilala akong comic artist. Puwede na ba yun?” Otherwise, they know nobody. I did not want a comic artist. I wanted an artist who is a lot more unusual. At the end of the day, I got what I wanted.

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Surviving SARS
22 August 2003 | 2007H | Manila
Text by: Pamela Ayson | Photos by: Paula Cortez

Everybody loves Krissy Cuenca. She is the kind of girl that will be very hard for you to hate. Wonderful, happy-go-lucky, fun to be with, our great friend. One day she broke the news: “Guys, I’m migrating to Canada.”

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NI-ha, ni-NOY
22 August 2003 | 1800H | Makati and Sucat
Text by: Pamela Ayson | Photos by: Paula Cortez

Sabi ni Ninoy, “The Filipinos are worth dying for.” Naks, talaga nga namang bayani ang dating. Hindi mapagkakaila na isa siyang makabayang tao. Marami siyang ginawa para sa bansang Pilipinas, buong tapang niyang sinugod ang kanyang mga prinsipyo at paniniwala sa mga nanunungkulan na lumalabag sa karapatan ng bawat Pilipino. Dakila nga talaga, ngunit, kung ating titingnan, “worth it” ba talaga ang kanyang mga sakripisyo? [Read]

The Political(ly-Correct) Life of Mr. Rafael Rafon
22 August 2003 | 1700H | Project 4 Q.C.
Text by: Nikki Lañas| Photos by: Nikki Lañas

“I used to drive a Subaru, a Kompressor… E 230, Expedition, Pajero… I’ve met people like Fidel Ramos, Cory Aquino, Pastor Boy Saicon, Sonny Belmonte, Peping Cojuangco, Miguel Belmonte, yung presidente ng The Philippine Star, Freddy Webb, Gina de Venecia…” [Read]

Aroma-tic!
22 August 2003 | 1600H | Quezon City
Text by: Eric Cruz | Photos by: Nikki Lañas

“Parang kabuteng nagsulputan ang libu-libong scented candles sa buong Metro Manila. Isa sa sinasabing dahilan ng pagkahilig ng mga tao rito ay ang iba't ibang disenyo ng mga nito. Ngunit, Higit sa lahat, marami ang naaakit dito dahil sa sinasabing therapeutic effects nito. [Read]

Pirst taym sa LRT…
22 August 2003 | 1501H | Pasay Rotonda
Text by: Lalay Juco | Photos by: Leo Maranan

Sino bang magaakala na matututunan kong matulog na naka-tayo? At matutunan kong makipaglaban para sa aking teritoryo? Yan ang ilan sa mga natutunan ko simula nang ako'y tumapak sa kolehiyo. Noong una ay takot na takot ako sa mga tao lalong-lalo na yung mga may putok kung saan man, huwag na nating banggitin.

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Working on Holidays
22 August 2003 | 1430H | Binondo Manila
Text by: Nicky Triviño | Photos by: Kurt Hagamann

In commemoration of the death of Ninoy Aquino, yesterday August 21, was declared a national holiday by the President, Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo. Since it would be more convenient to most people, the non-working holiday was moved to today, Friday August 22, in order for the people to enjoy a long weekend. Even though schools and offices are supposed to be closed today, one school decided not to go against the announcement and to continue their regular school schedule today.

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Ninoy’s Love Letter
22 August 2003 | 1200H | Manila
Text by: Jean Azucena | Photos by: Katrina Gail Tan

Yesterday, a friend of mine showed me a copy of Inquirer Libre, dated August 21 2003. As a memory of Ninoy Aquino’s death, Libre published his last love letter to his wife and former President Cory Aquino. My source tells me that the people who had copies of the newspaper were getting teary-eyed as they were reading the letter while riding the LRT. [Read]

Ninoy’s Death Anniversary… Celebrated with Pride
22 August 2003 | 1200H | San Juan, Greenhills
Text by: Katrina Gail Tan | Photos by: Katrina Gail Tan

August 21, 2003 marks the 20th Death Anniversary of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, the archrival of the oust president Ferdinand Marcos. Ninoy, who was assassinated twenty years ago, is now considered a national hero for his courage to free the Filipino people. [Read] <---group 8!-->

O Maganda Na Ba Ako?
22 August 2003 | 1100H | BF Homes
Text by: Erica Batac | Photos by: Patty de Castro

May kakaibang kulay na bumabalot sa halos lahat ng kababaihang Pilipina sa kasalukuyang panahon. Isang hindi maipaliwanag na kagandahan na nagmumula sa kawili-wiling mga bagay. Di-karaniwan ang hugis, iba’t-iba ang kulay, sari-sari ang disenyo. [Read]

Si Ninoy At Ang Aking Mga Ngipin
22 August 2003 | 1015H | Binondo Manila
Text by: Leo Maranan| Photos by: Lalay Juco

Ngayon ay ika-22 ng Agosto. Ipinagdidiriwang ngayon ang araw ng pagkamatay ni Ninoy Aquino at ang muling pagkabuhay naman ng pusong pagkamakabayan at ng demokrasiya ng Pilipinas- hindi talaga ngayon ang araw ng kamatayan niya kundi kahapon. Ngunit dahil gusto nang ating pangulo na tuloy tuloy ang kanyang bakasyon at pahinga ay iniurong ito. [Read]

Hang Out In Town!
21 August 2003 |1834H | Ayala Alabang
Text by: Kurt Hagamann | Photos by: Kurt Hagamann

Shopaholics rejoice! ATC is having major sales from August 22 to August 24 and from August 29 to 31. Included in this sale are shops such are Powerbooks, Guess, Tower Records and Bench. This is the time to get some shopping done and celebrate capitalism! These stores are offering monster discounts ranging from as low as 25% to even a whopping 75% It certainly comes as something good to take people’s minds from such woes as bad weather and economy. [Read]

Ikaw Ba Ay Isang Tunay na Pinoy?
21 August 2003 |2000H | Manila
Text by: Katrina Marasigan | Photos by: Kate dela Peña

Are you a balikbayan wanting to re-orient yourself with modern Filipino popular culture? Or maybe a foreigner who wants to know more about what it's like to live in a diverse and multi - faceted country such as the Philippines? Or perhaps a Philippine history fanatic who wants to fond out how the Filipino culture has evolved these last few years? [Read]

Inspirasyon sa Pagbabago: Ang Kwento ni Bro. Bingbong Crisologo
21 August 2003 |2000H | Quezon City
Text by: Kate dela Peña | Photos by: Kate dela Peña

Dati siyang tao na makapangyarihan. Lahat mayroon siya, goons, guns and glory. Ngunit dahil sa isang pangyayari, nagbago ang kanyang buhay. Nakilala niya ang Diyos. Siya si Bingbong Crisologo at maswerte ako na nakapanayam ko siya. Nagagalak ako ikuwento ang kanyang makulay na buhay sa inyo. [Read]

The Man Behind Ok Ka Ba Tiyan?
21 August 2003 |1500H | Manila
Text by: Denise Melendres | Photos by: Denise Melendres

Meet Gabe Mercado. An established television, movie, and stage actor. Born on December 24, 1972 in Makati City Philippines, he is the sixth of seven children. Since the gap between him and his youngest sister is eighteen years, he practically grew up as the youngest child in his family. [Read]

The Return of The Twister Fries
21 August 2003 |1315H | Ayala Alabang
Text by: Kurt Hagamann | Photos by: Nicky Triviño

McDonald’s has finally returned the ever-so-popular variation to the already famous French fries. The Twister Fries have come back in full force to the regular menu of McDonald’s fast food restaurants all over Metro Manila much to the joy of those faithful to Ronald McDonald. People have been clamoring to McDonald’s to bring back these fries for a while now since these treats haven’t been available since mid-2000. [Read]

Sure Delivery!
21 August 2003 |0230H | Zobel Roxas, Makati
Text by: Eric Cruz | Photos by: Nikki Lañas

Kapag mapapadaan sa Zobel Roxas Avenue sa Makati, hindi mawawaglit sa paningin ang Sure Pure Water Refilling Station. Nagsu-supply sila ng purified water sa mga naninirahan sa kalakhang Makati gayundin sa Maynila. Nagbibigay sila ng free delivery services para sa kanilang tapat na mga suki. Sa prosesong ito, napakahalaga ang papel na ginagampanan ng mga delivery boys. [Read]

Hydrophobia: Vignettes on Valenzuela
21 August 2003 |1100H | Valenzuela
Text by: Jewel Castro | Photos by: Jenelyn Culian

The word the broadcasters used was "sinalanta." Ergo: "Sinalanta kami ng bagyo." Or: "Sinalanta ng bagyo ang buhay ko." "Sinasalanta ng bagyo ang buhay ko." [Read]