About

Susan “Toots” Ople is the youngest daughter of the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople. She has a Sunday column in Manila Bulletin’s Panorama Magazine and Tempo and two public service radio programs, “Bantay OFW” at DZXL RMN 558 every Monday to Friday, 12.30-2 pm and “Global Pinoy” at DWIZ 882 every Saturday from 5.30-6.30 pm.
Now, what?

Now, what?

The campaign period is over and done with. Victory celebrations draw in people who are now more emboldened to show support for those who won. Losers find refuge in the consoling arms of family, friends, and diehard supporters. And what of the voters? They are in a hurry to move...
Heroes

Heroes

Courage is a word associated with many overseas Filipino workers who shun the familiar in order to conquer fate in another land. I’ve met such remarkable men and women in my travels abroad. They spoke about discrimination, culture shock, and unlimited financial requirements from back home, but never with a...
Latest entries

2nd Round

2nd Round isn’t over, Taylor Hicks is next. Governor Bob Riley of Alabama read fax of Randy Jackson which tells the Governor that he is a member of the dog pound. “You are so beautiful” by Joe Cocker was the song choice of Randy for Hicks. Taylor starts off well and you feel every note...

2nd Round Am Idol

Mayor Wilder announces judges’ song choice for Elliott. It’s the classic “What you won’t do for love”. Elliott seems more relaxed this time. He was smiling. He wore a dark long sleeve shirt with dark pants. Much better than the first performance. Randy says he was a little sharp most of the song. Paula says...

Am Idol Live!

Elliott Yasmin was first with “Open Arms”, a song chosen for him by record mogul Clive Davis. IT was a so-so performance. Randy said he had problems in the middle chorus. Simon said Elliot should loosen up and could do better. Clive Davis advises Kat Mcphee to “soar” and look for a Katherine Mcphee sound....

Live Blogging on Am Idol

I’ll be watching Am Idol this afternoon with my fingers on the keyboard for a live blogging exercise. So if you need to work overtime or are out-of-town and itching to find out what happened to your favorite Idol, don’t fret. Visit my blog, but beware, this blogger is a Yasmin fan!

Prices of Oil and Basic Goods — Up, up and away!

From the technical staff of the Senate committee on economic affairs chaired by Senator Mar Roxas: 1.      Since 1 January 2006, the price of oil has increased by:             Premium         P3.99             Unleaded        P3.96             Kerosene        P4.93             Diesel             P4.89 2.      Amidst increases in oil prices, oil companies still claim a P3-per liter under-recovery,...

Tomorrow’s Am Idol

Tomorrow, I know exactly where I’ll be between five to six pm. Right in front of our office television set, with my feet up on a chair, as I watch and enjoy the performances of the three finalists in American Idol. According to Idol’s official website, the three finalists will perform three songs: one chosen...

Da Vinci Code

Don’t be duped into seeing this movie…via a pirated DVD! According to a Reuters story as published in today’s Inquirer, enterprising hawkers are repackaging a documentary on “The Da Vinci Code” as the Tom Hanks flick. The documentary runs for an hour and is actually entitled, “Unlocking the Da Vinci Code.” One more reason why...

Insomnia

2:36 a.m. My daughter is fast asleep. So is my dog, Monet. I am awake, still. And so I blog, to march my thoughts across a white screen. I start, tentatively, to write while CNN reports the news. Our neighborhood is quiet, and I am happy to be in the midst of my silent neighbors. I...

Sa isang pagpupulong…

Ito ang kuwento sa akin ng isang malapit na kaibigan na dumalo sa pagpupulong tungkol sa Cha-cha na ginanap noon nakaraang linggo sa aming lalawigan: “99% ng tuloy ang Cha-cha. Pati mga barangay captain napahanga noong ipinapaliwanag ng isang kongresista at mga opisyal kung gaano na kaayos at kabilis ang takbo ng tren. May nagtanong,...

Today’s column:”Happy Mother’s Day!”

Mother’s Day is a marketing ploy engineered to drive families out of their homes and into the malls of their choice. Flower shops welcome this day as delicate bouquets of mums, carnations, and roses are lovingly put together as floral tributes to mothers around the country. Hallmark cards are chosen carefully and sent by courier...

7 Silly gifts for famous mothers on Mother’s Day

1. DVD collection of “Friends”, Angela Jolie 2. Broken train set, PGMA 3. Valium before a show, Paula Abdul 4. A new hacienda, Tita Cory 5. Ambush make-over, Madame Auring 6. Her own blog, Kris Aquino (why make hirap pa with Adsense when there’s Bench, Krissa papaya soap, etc. naman) 7.  New parliament with FVR as...

Miriam says no more Senate in July

“There will be no more Senate by July. Between May 15 when the present session resumes, and July 24 when a new regular session begins, the Supreme Court will have enough time to hear and decide a test resolution to convene a constituent assembly.” My comments: If we really care about the country, then we...