20 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY February 16 - 28 , 2017
The Roundabout
A l l o w
By : Sandee SIyangco – Masigan me to d i g r e s s f r o m my usual r u m i n a t i o n s . Someone very special to me has a birthday this March and I ’ d like to dedicate this column to her .
Growing up , I never got used to the surprised look on people ’ s f a c e s … w h e n they ’ d stop in their tracks , mouths agape when they learned that my mom was DEEDEE S I Y TA N G C O .
Life with Mom
The strange , comical look on their faces often made me feel uncomfortable and sometimes scared . Was that a good thing ? Did she do something ? How do they know her ? But of course they would know of her ! She ’ d spent the better part of the 80s and early 90s as Pres . Cory Aquino ’ s official ( and then defacto ) spokesperson . Her neutral tones could be heard on the radio as early as five in the morning … while her somewhat stern demeanor was more often then not on the evening news .
She ’ d also spent more than a few decades writing a column for the Manila Bulletin ( as is reprinted in this paper .) She writes about anything … and everything , including some stories and details about her immediate family
( meaning us !). People often talk to me or members of my family like distant relatives they ’ ve often heard about but never seen … all because of my mom . People gush at how well she writes … what a seasoned host and speaker she is … and yes how young and fit she looks for a woman of 77 .
There is so much more to her than what the public reads and sees . She is a loyal friend … a fountain of wisdom … our staunchest ally . She is my role model , my anchor … my moral compass .
She wanted to take up law but in that unfortunate era where women empowerment wasn ’ t even a whisper , her father forbade her to . It was no profession for a decent woman , he said . Instead , she opted for a safer course … AB
English it was called . She found a way out started writing for the local newspaper . She hasn ’ t stopped writing since .
I am a dyed in the wool daddy ’ s girl . But mom is my panic button . When life threatens to overwhelm me … when my household is awry … when my work and relationships are rocky , mom is always there like a calming wind . She doesn ’ t even have to say a thing … she is just there . And that ’ s the way its been all my life . So on this your 77th year of life … I toast to you the woman who ’ s held my hand ( and never let go )… to you who have shown me the what real love is capable of … happy birthday mom !
Destined to Be Yours charms viewers with a captivating tale of love at its purest
Love is truly in the air this February as GMA Network brings forth its newest and highly anticipated primetime soap , Destined To Be Yours , headlined by the phenomenal love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza . The series will have its worldwide premiere on February 27 .
Destined To Be Yours will captivate viewers with the enthralling romance of Benjie Rosales ( Alden ) and Sinag Obispo ( Maine ) set in a charming and picturesque town where anything , especially destiny , is a possibility . It is a beautiful tale that encapsulates the value of standing by what you believe in , the joy of belonging in a family , and the splendour of finding someone who loves you for you .
A talented and happy-golucky architecture graduate , Benjie is determined to prove and make a name for himself
by successfully heading a big construction project in the mountains of Pelangi . Fate would eventually work its magic when he crosses paths and falls in love with the province radio jock , Sinag , a beautiful and sensible woman who deeply cares for her family , the environment and the community she belongs to . But what happens when their contradicting values and duties to their families get in their way ? Will love still find a way to prevail ?
Joining them are respected TV and movie actors and actresses : Boots Anson Roa is Helen Rosales , Vicente ’ s understanding wife and Benjie ’ s adoring grandmother . Lotlot De Leon is Amanda Rosales , the loving and affectionate mother of Benjie . Gardo Versoza is Teddy Obispo , the husband of Sally and a devoted father to Sinag . Tommy Abuel is
Vicente Rosales , Benjie ’ s grandfather who owns one of the biggest real estate companies in the country . Ronnie Henares is Dante Escobar , the corrupt mayor of Pelangi and the father of Marjorie . Ina Feleo is Catalina Rosales , the daughter of Vicente and Helen who will try to bring down Benjie . Sheena Halili is Ninay , the town gossip and Sinag ’ s closest childhood friend . Dominic Roco is Jason , Benjie ’ s college best friend who volunteers to help and come with him to the province of Pelangi . Juancho Trivino is Badong , another childhood best friend of Sinag who is also secretly in love with her . RJ Padilla is Arman , Badong ’ s outgoing friend who secretly has feelings for Ninay . Koreen Medina is Marjorie Escobar , the daughter of the richest family in Pelangi who later on falls for Benjie .
This romantic series also
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features the return of Ms . Janice de Belen to GMA . She breathes life to the character of Sally Obispo , the cheerful , modern , and quirky mother of Sinag who loves painting and psychic reading .
Helmed by director Irene Villamor with the creative team composed of creative director Roy Iglesias , creative block heads Richard ‘ Dode ’ Cruz and Suzette Doctolero , head writer Des Garbes- Severino , writers Renato Custodio Jr ., Kutz Enriquez and Evie Macapugay and brainstormers Paul Sta . Ana , Tina Velasco and Erwin Bravo ; Destined To Be Yours is a spectacle that delivers heart-skipping romance that will make its viewers believe in the power of love , each and every time .
This original drama series is created by the GMA Drama group under the supervision of Senior Vice President for
Entertainment TV Lilybeth G . Rasonable , Vice President for Drama Redgie A . Magno , Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy , Program Manager Camille Hermoso-Hafezan and Executive Producer Rebya Upalda .
Don ’ t miss the muchawaited world premiere of Destined To Be Yours on February 27 , Mondays to Fridays on GMA ’ s flagship international channel GMA Pinoy TV .
Get the latest updates about Destined To Be Yours from the official Facebook page of GMA Drama www . facebook . com / GMADrama , twitter account @ GMADrama and the GMA Network website www . GMANetwork . com .