Another Honor for Paeng

By Joaquin M. Henson

Six-time world champion Paeng Nepomuceno continues to mercilessly assault the record books and at the age of 51, the Philippines' most decorated athlete remains an active competitor in the international bowling circuit.

Nepomuceno has been cited thrice by the Guinness Book of World Records with the latest recognition his collection of 118 bowling titles in a career that began when he was only 12.

Last September, the left-handed kegler garnered his 118th championship, topping Australia's most prestigious individual tournament -- the South Pacific Classic in Melbourne. He beat last year's World Tenpin Masters champion Jason Belmonte, 23, for the crown.

No other bowler in history has ever been honored for three world records. And what makes Nepomuceno's feat even more remarkable is his three records are intact, withstanding the test of time. That's a tribute to Nepomuceno's unparalleled brilliance.

It's no wonder there's a more-than-life-sized, seven-foot image of Nepomuceno greeting visitors at the entrance of the International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. No one has come close to even duplicating Nepomuceno's achievements.

In the 288-page edition of the Guinness World Records 2008, Nepomuceno is mentioned under "Tenpin Bowling" in the "target sports" section on the chapter on sports.

Here's what it said:

"The tenpin-bowling World Cup (instituted in 1965) is contested annually by the national champions of the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ). The most wins of the tenpin-bowling World Cup is four by Paeng Nepomuceno (Philippines) in 1976, 1980, 1992 and 1996.

"Three bowlers share the record for most World Cup tenpin-bowling titles won by a woman, with two wins each. They are Jeanette Baker (Australia) in 1982 and 1983, Pauline Smith (UK) in 1981 and 1993 and Shannon Pluhowsky (USA) in 2002 and 2004."

No male or female champion has been able to bag titles in a period of time longer than Nepomuceno's 20-year stretch from his first crown in 1976 to his fourth in 1996. The woman with the longest wait of 12 years in between two championships was Smith.

Nepomuceno gained his first Guinness certificate for winning four World Cup titles in three different decades - the 70s, 80s and 90s. He's still hoping to reset the record to five crowns in a fourth decade.

The second Guinness recognition was for Nepomuceno being the youngest at 19 to win the World Cup in Tehran in 1976.

The third citation for most career championships was the icing on the cake.

"This is a great honor and I'd like to share it with all my countrymen," said Nepomuceno. "Whenever i compete, my countrymen always give me great inspiration to always do my best."

The latest Guinness certificate honoring Nepomuceno stated: "The record for the most tenpin-bowling titles in a career is 118 and was achieved by Paeng Nepomuceno (Philippines) on 18 September 2007."

Nepomuceno was congratulated by the Guinness World Records management team, headed by Marco Frigatti, and welcomed to the elite club of World Record Holders in an accompanying letter.

It was the second award received by Nepomuceno for winning the South Pacific Classic. Last January, President Arroyo conferred on Nepomuceno the Order of Lakandula with the Special Class of Champion for Life in recognition of his Melbourne victory.

The Guinness World Records management team should also consider citing Nepomuceno for other accomplishments such as being the only bowler to be given the International Olympic Committee President's Trophy - the highest award for sports - in 1999 despite bowling's absence in the Olympic calendar, the only man to be named by the World FIQ as the Bowling Athlete of the Millenium, the only athlete to be recognized by the Bowler's Journal International as the greatest international bowler of all-time in 2003 and the only bowler to win world titles in five continents - the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Nepomuceno, who was named as the greatest Filipino athlete of the century by Congress and the Senate, makes every Filipino proud. Soft-spoken and humble, he credits hard work, an uncompromising discipline, self-sacrifice, his father Angel's coaching, his mother Baby's guidance, his wife Pinky's support and his three children's inspiration (Rafael Jose, 22, Saira Margarita Paz, 18 and Isabel Angela, 12) as the factors that led to his success at the lanes.

Taken from The Philippine Star

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

ON HIS FIRST DAY OF VACATION, A MAN SPENDS $10 IN THE MORNING, THEN SPENDS HALF HIS REMAINING MONEY DURING THE DAY, AND FINALLY SPENDS ANOTHER $10 IN THE EVENING. IF HE REPEATS THIS PATTERN FOR THE NEXT 2 DAYS AND SPENDS HIS LAST $10 ON THE EVENING OF DAY 3, HOW MUCH MONEY DID HE START WITH?

THE TOURIST STARTED WITH $210!
DAY1 : (210)-10=200-100-10
DAY 2: (90)-10=80-40-10
DAY 3: (30)-10=20-10-10 = 0

HEDVIGA GOLIK of Zagreb, Croatia, DIED IN BED IN THE EARLY 1970S AND REMAINED THERE UNTIL SOMEONE DISCOVERED HER BODY IN MAY 2008!

THE ATLANTIC ENTRANCE TO THE PANAMA CANAL ACTUALLY LIES TO THE WEST OF THE PACIFIC ENTRANCE!

Taken from The Philippine Star

Wiping Off Ignorance: Filipino Version

Anu-ano kaya ang mga bagay na laman ng isip ng isang karaniwang manggagawa sa buong maghapon? Naitanong namin ito sapagkat sa hinaba-haba ng panahong nakikihalubilo kami sa mga manggagawa sa ating kapuluan, ay may napupuna kami: maliit ang daigdig ng karaniwang manggagawang Pilipino.

May iilang mga bagay lamang ang nangunguna at nangingibabaw sa kanyang isipan sa araw-araw na ginawa ng Diyos, at ang mga bagay na ito ay may kinalaman sa kanyang pamilya, mga pag-aari at mga pinagnanasaan niyang maangkin. Tanungin mo siya ng anuman sa labas ng mga bagay na ito at kadalasan, ang kanyang maisasagot sa iyo ay isang sulyap na nagtataka, o isang titig na walang nilalaman. Tanungin mo siya tungkol sa quality o uri sa paggawa o paglilingkod, at kukunot ang noo niya pagkat hindi niya mauunawaan ang iyong tinutukoy.

Tanungin mo kung gaano ang nalalaman niya tungkol sa Pilipinas; malamang na halos ay wala siyang masasabing may laman. Lalo nang wala siyang nalalaman tungkol sa iba't ibang bansa sa mundo--para sa kanya, ang abroad ay Amerika at Saudi lamang; at huwag ka nang magtaka kung hindi rin niya kilala ang mga bansang kabilang sa ASEAN.

Wala rin siyang gasinong masasabi tungkol sa pagmamalasakit sa kapaligiran (environment) at sa recycling o ang paggamit muli ng mga bagay na patapon na sapagkat "dayuhan" sa kanyang isip ang mga ideyang ito. Hindi man lamang niya nalalaman kung anu-ano ang kanyang mga karapatan bilang isang manggagawa sa ating lipunan; papaano pa kaya siya magkakaroon ng interes sa iba pang mga bagay sa labas ng kanyang maliit na mundo?

Ano kaya ang dahilan kung bakit ganitong kaliit ang daigdig ng manggagawang Pilipino? Kakulangan ng wastong pagtuturo sa paaralan, sa pagawaan, sa lipunan? Kakulangan ng malasakit mula sa kanyang kapwa? Likas kaya siyang makitid at mababaw?

Tulungan natin ang hamak na manggagawang mapalawak ang kanyang kaalaman at pananaw, nang sa gayon ay matutunan niyang yapusin ang sangkatauhan at daigdig sa labas ng kanyang pamilya't mga pangangailangan.

Mabuhay ang manggagawang Pilipino!

You can read the English version of this article here.

Taken from Blue Collar magazine

Wiping Off Ignorance

What concerns occupy the average worker's mind throughout the day? We're asking this question because we've noticed something through all these years of hobnobbing with workers from different parts of our archipelago: small is the world of the ordinary Filipino worker.

There are but a few things that occupy his mind day in and day out, and these usually have something to do with his family, his possessions and the things he wants to acquire. Ask him anything outside of these concerns and perhaps the answer you'll get is a bewildered glance or a blank stare. Ask him about quality at work and he'll most probably frown because he wouldn't know what you're referring to.

Ask him what he knows about the Philippines; he probably won't say anything substantial. He knows much less about other countries--for him, "abroad" means only the United States and Saudi Arabia--and don't wonder if he doesn't even know the ASEAN member states.

He doesn't have much to say either about environmental concern and recycling for these ideas are alien to his mind. He's not even aware of his rights as a worker; how would he be interested at all in anything outside of his little world?

What are the reasons the ordinary Filipino worker's world is so small? Inadequate education in school, at the workplace, in society? A lack of concern from his fellowmen? Is he by nature narrow and shallow?

Let us help the humble worker broaden his knowledge and his horizon, so that he may learn to include in his embrace mankind and the world outside of his family and his needs.

Long Live the Filipino worker!

You can read the Filipino version of this article here.

Taken from Blue Collar magazine

Milestones

Written and Researched by Julian Mauricio

From Kaming Mga Ulila to Ploning, from Ula, Ang Batang Gubat to Mag-ingat Ka sa Kulam, here's a sentimental look back at all the achievements that have made Judy Ann Santos a true superstar of her generation.

1986 Judai was discovered at age eight when she successfully auditioned for a role in what was originally supposed to be a Viva Films movie. Unfortunately, it never materialized; it became a TV series on GMA-7 titled Kaming Mga Ulila instead.

1988 Judai did several movies that year, including Sa Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas and Nasaan Ka Inay?, both of which were produced by Regal Films and directed by Artemio Marquez. But perhaps her most notable achievements in 1988 were bagging the lead role in Silang Mga Sisiw Sa Lansangan--her first as a child actress--and being nominated for a FAMAS award for her performance in The Lost Command. She also did a movie with Nora Aunor, in which she played the younger self of Lotlot de Leon's character. That movie was Sana Mahalin Mo Ako and it was also produced by Regal.

It was also in 1988 that Judai began appearing on IBC-13 as the titular character in Ula, Ang Batang Gubat. The show ran for two years.

1989 Two movies, both under Regal Films: Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang (Judai's first with Maricel Soriano, Gloria Romero and Eddie Garcia) and Regal Shocker: The Movie. (She appeared in the Ang Aparador episode.)

1990 Two movies, Dyesebel and Wanted: Pamilya Banal. The latter was her first with the late Fernando Poe, Jr. Unfortunately, they didn't have scenes together.

1991 Two movies, Sa Puso Ko Hahalik Ang Mundo and Impaktita. The latter was her first with Nida Blanca. Judai played the younger self of Jean Garcia's character--the title role of Impaktita.

1992 Two words: Mara Clara. Perhaps Judai's best-known and most well-loved soap to date, it ran for five years. For the first few years it had an afternoon timeslot, but it was moved to primetime when the Marimar craze was at its peak. She also did a movie titled Manila Boy in this year--her first with Robin Padilla and her first under Viva Films.

1993 A movie titled Madonna, Ang Babaing Ahas.

1994 She did her first movie with Comedy King Dolphy under his RVZ productions. Father en Son was a milestone in Judai's career because it was her first filmfest entry.

1995 During the time when Mara Clara's popularity was at its peak, Judai landed a role in an action movie titled Dog Tag: Katarungan Sa Aking Kamay--and she was billed as Judy Ann "Mara" Santos. In this year, she also did Bawal na Gamot 2.

1996 The year before Mara Clara bid farewell, Judai added another feather to her cap when she became the featured star in the defunct drama anthology Star Drama Presents.

She played several different characters in several episodes. Judai's SDP stint was notable because at the time she was the youngest star to appear on the show--and thrice at that. She also had a short-lived stint on the youth-oriented show Gimik acting opposite the late Rico Yan.

In movies, she did Sana Naman (her first headlining role), Kung Alam Mo Lang and Mara Clara:The Movie.

1997 Judai's stint on Gimik was short-lived because she decided to focus on Esperanza, her follow-up teleserye to Mara Clara, instead. That decision turned out to be a good one, as one of the show's episodes became the highest-rated episode of a Philippine-produced series with a 67% rating. Esperanza aired its finale in 1999. She also did several movies this year. Ako Ba Ang Nasa Puso Mo? with Mark Anthony Fernandez, Kulayan Natin Ang Bukas, Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita?, Paano Ang Puso Ko (her first with the late Rico Yan), Wow Multo and Sanggano (her first with Cesar Montano).

However, her most notable movies in this year are probably Babae and Nasaan Ang Puso? She earned a double nomination as Best Supporting Actress in the MMFF for her performance in both. She also earned her first FAMAS and FAP nominations for her performance in the latter. Not bad for her first film with Christopher de Leon and Gina Pareño, right?

1998 This was a good year for Judai's movie career. She did Babangon Ang Huling Patak Ng Dugo, Muling Ibalik Ang Tamis Ng Pag-Ibig and I'm Sorry My Love. That she also did a movie titled Kasal-kasalan...Sakalan in this year is interesting, considering...do we really need to spell it out for you? It was an entry to the MMFF, for which she earned her first nomination in the Lead Actress category. She also did Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay for Star Cinema, which earned her a Lead Actress nomination in the FAMAS race.

1999 She started work on the Judy Ann Drama Special for TV. Its first and last episodes co-starred Piolo Pascual. Her movie career flourished with My Pledge Of Love, Gimik: The Reunion (her last film with the late Rico Yan), Isusumbong Kita Sa Tatay Ko, Dito Sa Puso Ko and Esperanza: The Movie. The last three are notable because Isusumbong was the first Philippine-produced movie to rake in more than P100 million; Dito was the first Filipino movie to feature scenes shot in the United States; and Esperanza's film version was the first movie of Judai's in which she shared screen time with Charo Santos-Concio, who is now the president of ABS-CBN.

Speaking of Charo Santos-Concio, Judai's first Maalaala Mo Kaya appearance was in this year, when she acted opposite Rico Yan in an episode titled Agua Bendita.

2000 She did more movies: Pera O Bayong, Minsan Ko Lang Sasabihin (her first with Bong Revilla, Jr.), and Kahit Isang Saglit (her first that was feted with an international Premiere in Guam)

She also made her second Maalaala Mo Kaya appearance in this year, in the episode Karnabal.

2001 Judai returned to teleseryes in this year by playing a married woman on TV for the first time in Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka. Her leading man was Piolo Pascual. She also returned to Maalaala Mo Kaya in the Basket episode. As for movies, she did Luv Text: Typ Mo? Txt Mo (with Wowie De Guzman and Nida Blanca), Mahal Kita, Kahit Sino Ka Pa and Bakit 'Di Totohanin.

2002 More movies: Walang Iwanan, Peksman; May Pag-Ibig Pa Kaya?, Magkapatid (her first movie with Sharon Cuneta, which earned for Judai many nominations, including her first Gawad Urian and PMPC Star Awards for Movies noms in the Supporting Actress Category), Pakisabi Na Lang... Mahal Ko Siya, Jologs and Jeannie, Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang? Oh, and an MMK appearance: the Pier 39 episode in which she shared screen time with Piolo Pascual.

She also celebrated her 24th birthday with a TV special directed by All Quinn.

2003 Judai appeared in Basta't Kasama Kita with Robin Padilla, which was the first-ever action-adventure teleserye on Philippine TV. It earned lots of awards, especially from the ENPRESS, but Basta't Kasama Kita is most notable for being the first show to have its finale aired live from the Luneta Park grounds. She also did two movies, Till There Was You and Mano Po 2: My Home. The former is notable for being the first movie in which Judai filmed a love scene.

2004 Judai began work on Krystala and appeared in I Will Survive, Sabel and Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita.

2005 Krystala's final episode aired on April 15. She also returned to Maalaala Mo Kaya after a three-year absence, acting opposite Piolo Pascual in the episode Rosaryo.

2006 Movies galore. She filmed Don't Give Up On Us with Piolo Pascual, an indie film called Miss Pinoy which was shot and released only in Hong Kong; Umaaraw, Umuulan; and most notably Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, for which she picked up a slew of acting awards. In February, she made her teleserye comeback via Sa Piling Mo, in which she shared stellar billing with Albert Martinez, Piolo Pascual and Rica Peralejo. It was her first teleserye that was made available on DVD soon after it ended.

She also starred in four Komiks episodes--one, titled Super Gee, remains unaired to this day--and one MMK episode opposite young actor Jason Abalos, titled Swing.

2007 Her real-life passion for cooking inspired the teleserye Ysabella, the second of her TV shows that was made available on DVD. She also did two movies, Ouija (her first with GMA Films, which earned her a Best Actress award in the horror genre from PASADO) and Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo (the sequel to 2006's KKK, which was shot partly in Spain). Bida Ng Buhay Ko, her 20th anniversary celebration, was also filmed in this year at the Araneta Coliseum.

2008 She did an indie film called Ploning with her best friend, Dante Nico "Ga" Garcia and a horror film called Mag-ingat Ka... Sa Kulam.

Taken from StarStudio Magazine: Judy Ann Santos Special Edition