Jerald Is Officially ABS-CBN Cebu's MagTV Na Bida Kid

1st Audition Day, March 5, 2015

I got a message from Charlie M. of ABS-CBN Cebu's MagTV Na informing me to try to let Jerald audition as a Kapamilya Bida Kid. The following day on March 5, 2015, we went to the ABS-CBN Complex for his audition. He impressed everyone with his hosting and singing skills. 

2nd Auditon Day, March 19, 2015

A few days later, I was informed that he passed the audition and we have to come back again on March 19, 2015. He once again passed the second audition and only ten of them, composed of three boys and seven girls were officially chosen as the MagTV Na Bida Kids.

Some MagTV Na staff asked me to bring Jerald to Cebu Westown Lagoon on March 26, 2015 for their first pictorial and taping together with MagTV Na hosts Blinky, Phoebe, Jonathan and Borgie. We made sure to wake up early and arrived there at 6:00 am. 

Jerald at Cebu Westown Lagoon

The taping lasted until 2:00 in the afternoon and we went home excited and thankful for this new milestone in his career. 

Watch him and other nine kids the whole summer in ABS-CBN Cebu's MagTV Na every Sunday at 9:00 am. To God be the glory!

Jerald with Bangs Casurra and Blinky de Leon

Jerald and host Phoebe Fernandez

with Direk Gilbert Gamolo

with Direk Gilbert and MagTV Na staff and crew 

with MagTV Na's Gina, Jezu and Jayson

Jerald introduces himself on cam 

Posing beside the ABS-CBN van

Am proud of you Jerald!

MagTV Na hosts

MagTV Na hosts playing with the Kapamilya Bida Kids

Jerald Joins Selfi Fashion Event

Although my son, Jerald Kervin hasn't signed up for the Selfi workshops yet, we were informed that he will be included as one of the kid models for Selfi's Fashion Event at Gaisano South Colon here in Cebu City on April 11, 2015 at 4:00 pm.

I feel proud to see my son among the five kids walking on stage again. Jerald is an SM KIds Fashion model here in Cebu and has joined several fashion events organized by SM CIty Cebu.

My sincere thanks to Sir Adrian, Blinky and the rest for including him. To God be the glory!

Julie, My Second Movie Project for the Year

I was offered to play the role of an HR boss in a Cebuano independent short film today titled Julie. This is my second project for 2015. The first was Secreto (Secret), a film by Raymond Aquino where my role was that of a family doctor. Shot in January, Secreto was Raymond's entry for the 2015 Sinulog Film Festival.

For this new project, I find it funny and coincidental because the title of the film is the same as my wife's name while the lead character's name is similar to that of my son.

This project is an upcoming entry to some film festivals in the country. 

Many thanks to Clanch Dayve, who directed the film for including me and to Albert Chan Paran for some of the photos featured here. To God be the glory!

The Maya Angelou Forever Stamp

The United States Postal Service released on April 7, 2015 the Maya Angelou Forever® stamp in self-adhesive sheets of 12 and was designed by Art director Ethel Kessler.

Dr. Maya Angelou (1028-2014), an author, poet, actress, and champion of civil rights, was one of the most dynamic voices in all of 20th-century American literature. Her book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiographical account of her childhood, gained wide acclaim for its vivid depiction of African-American life in the South.

The stamps showcases artist Ross Rossin's 2013 portrait of Dr. Angelou. The oil-on-canvas painting is part of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery's collection. In the bottom left corner is the following phrase quoted by Dr. Angelou: "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." Above the quotation is her name in black type. The words "Forever" and "USA" are along the right side. The bright red-colored sheet also includes a short excerpt from Dr. Angelou's book Letter to My Daughter. It reads: "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."   

The Maya Angelou Forever stamp was officially dedicated with the presence of First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Melissa Harris-Perry, Sophia Nelson, Valerie Ashford-Simpson, Sonja Sanchez, Dr. Eleanor Traylor, Rossin Fin Art, Ethel Kessler and the Angelou-Johnson family.  Check the details at the USPS link at https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?productId=S_472604 

Farewell Dad!

Edwin, my dad passed away today and we are lost for words. He was not just a father but a good friend. He always made it a point to encourage me to be the best and life won't be the same without him! 

I am just glad that I had the time to tell him "I love you dad" while he was sick and staying in my sister Debbie's house. May you rest in peace Jones Bon. We will surely miss you! 

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who condoled with our family. His body is in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Many thanks too to our Himlayang Pilipino family who as usual, was swift in extending the memorial services that literally freed us from all hassles. God bless to all! 

8 Churches Visitation 2015

Me and my son, Jerald Kervin woke up early for our traditional visit to different churches here in Cebu City where we offer our prayers and intentions while at the same time take the time to enjoy each others company.

Traditionally, the Visita Iglesias or Church Visitation requires seven churches but I kinda like the 8 which is the symbol of infinity. So at 10:00 in the morning, I started the car and proceeded to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church then to The Alliance of Two Hearts Parish. 

Church # 1 Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish

Church # 2 The Alliance of Two Hearts Parish

As it was almost lunchtime, we decided to drop by at a nearby fast food restaurant. After a sumptuous lunch of Fish Escabeche, Vegetables, Pansit and some soup, we then went to the Sacred Heart Parish (Church # 3), the church where I received my first Holy Communion when I was seven years old, then we went to the nearby Archbishop's Palace where the San Pedro Calungsod Shrine (Church # 4) is located.

Church # 3 Sacred Heart Parish

Church # 4 San Pedro Calungsod Shrine

These past years, we made it a point to visit Cebu's main churches so we went to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral (Church # 4), the church where I was baptized, and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño (Church # 6).

Church # 5 Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

Church # 6 Basilica Minore del Santo Niño

With two more to go, we agreed to go to the churches where we usually hear Mass on Sundays. These were the St. Joseph Parish or the Mabolo Church (Church # 7) and the San Roque Parish Church (Churh # 8).

Our day's spiritual commitment was over by 2:00 pm so we drove home happy and fulfilled.  

Church # 7 St. Joseph Parish (Mabolo Church)

Church # 8 San Roque Parish