In this Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 photo, Rose Fostanes speaks to the Associated Press before a rehearsal of the X-Factor Israel in Tel Aviv. The 47-year-old Filipino caregiver has emerged as the newest star of Israeli reality television, putting a human face on the thousands of foreign workers who toil away in menial, back-breaking jobs in this country. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Jonathan Catunao, engineer: “I followed the journey of ‘X Factor Israel’ winner, Rose Fostanes, not only because of her booming voice and down-to-earth disposition, but also because she ‘gives face’ to so many migrant Filipino workers. You truly had it your way, Osang!”
Other notes:
Hector San Andres, businessman: “It’s sad to note that the quality of our recent movies has deteriorated. In other countries, the movie industry is intimately connected with theater, journalism, literature and politics.
“Here, movies are notable for their preoccupation with slapstick comedy and unrealistic or unbelievably idealistic romantic stories, as the Metro Manila Film Festival proved. Success is gauged by how much a movie earns or which actors are in it.
“Movies and teleseryes are facing an emotional vacuum—an unwillingness to face bigger problems that are reduced by fantasy and humor. And there are so many award-giving bodies, where excellence is a parody.”
Linda Zamora, housewife: “The characters in ‘Maria Mercedes’ aren’t observing good manners and right conduct. I can understand why Maria Mercedes’ little brother goes in and out of her bedroom—but, her male best friend…? And, why isn’t there any effort to make Vina Morales’ character look older? She and her daughter (Jessy Mendiola) look like they’re sisters!”
Lilia de Luna, university professor: “KC Concepcion has greatly improved as an actress, in her recent teleserye and in the MMFF entry, ‘Boy Golden.’ I hope that her talent will be put to good use when she returns.”
Eric Morte, televiewer: “ABS-CBN is sometimes sloppy with its spelling of words shown in late newscasts—like notorius for notorious. Is the person in charge of the teleprompter sleepy?
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