A funny thing happened…

SALONGA. More accessible.

GREG MORALES, photographer: “A funny thing happened recently while I was watching a local news program on TV: As a news reporter stood in front of the gate of a military camp where Janet Napoles is detained, she described the tight security and how difficult it was for people to get inside without security clearance. —But, when the gate eventually opened, the first man to come out was a pan de sal vendor on a bicycle!”

Other notes:

Norie Nable, music teacher: “I’m seeing a different Lea Salonga on ‘The Voice of the Philippines.’ She speaks Filipino, is less intimidating and is more attuned to the ways of ordinary Filipinos. This is welcome news, because while we don’t doubt her exceptional talent and intelligence, she has to let go of her uppity ways to reach the masa.”

Norma Bihis, televiewer: “I agree with Marichu Albano’s comment last week about the relative overuse of Kuh Ledesma’s song, ‘One More Try,’ on ‘My Husband’s Lover.’ The  series has also become painful to watch because of the repetitive replays of scenes when Dennis Trillo and Tom Rodriguez’s characters were still together. I also notice that Tom’s makeup is at times too heavy.”

TORRE. Compelling performance.

Ellen Alejano, business analyst: “I’ve read a lot about how great award-winning Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz is (he calls himself a ‘bum’ artist from the Philippines), but have yet to see a single film of his. Why aren’t his movies readily available? How can we appreciate his artistry and experience his exploration of society if his movies are only shown in film festivals abroad?”

Rafael Anthony Santiago, government employee: “Over the weekend, I watched the film, ‘On the Job,’ which was shown in Cannes. Joel Torre and Gerald Anderson gave compelling performances, but Piolo Pascual was a letdown because he failed to vivify  what his role called for.”

Cathy Margarejo, mom/consultant: “News stories about Janet Napoles have been on our TV screens for weeks now. Everybody has his own say on the issue—but, have we asked ourselves: Don’t I break laws? Do I pay my taxes correctly?

“It’s our duty to follow rules and do what is right—otherwise, we just help perpetuate the rotten system we want to get rid of!”

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