Monday, March 3, 2014

Oscars 2014: Who will win? Who should win?

• Oscars 2014: Who will win? Who should win?
PBA legends, Alaxan unveil Bohol ‘Court of Inspiration’

Wake-uppers:
Scene: Bamboo Flowers has received 14 nominations in the PMPC Star Awards.

Scene: Buzzz Cafe (of Bohol Bee Farm) is now open in Alona Beach, Panglao. You’ll love to eat their yummy homemade malunggay/pandan/ginger ice cream and squash/carrot muffins while enjoying the beautiful beach!

Scene: Bohol 1st district Rep. Rene Relampagos has filed a measure seeking official recognition of adobo as the national food. He also wants the following declarations of national symbols: bakya as national slippers, bahay kubo as national house, jeepney as the national vehicle, arnis as national martial arts and sport, cariñosa as national dance, Philippine monkey-eating eagle as national bird, kalabaw as national animal, bangus as national fish, narra as national tree, Philippine pearl as national gem, sampaguita as national flower, anahaw as national leaf and mango as national fruit.

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Inday Charity’s not feeling well—(s)he had backpain— when we went to Sitio Bato, barangay Cabawan in Maribojoc town just recently. (S)he wasn’t feeling comfortable but when (s)he was given Alaxan FR, the pain was gone.  What an instant relief!

PBA legends Benjie Paras, Jerry Codiñera and Ronnie Magsanoc with the kids of barangay Cabawan in Maribojoc for Alaxan FR’s ‘Court of Inspiration.’  LPU
 
Inday Charity, TG Balamad, Fred Amora and yours truly were enjoying “painless” (literally!) day as we were invited by Alaxan FR to witness the unveiling of their 22nd “Court of Inspiration” in the country together with PBA legends Benjie Paras, Jerry Codiñera, Ronnie Magsanoc and purok and barangay officials.

The “Court of Inspiration” is a project of a series of construction of basketball courts undertaken by United Laboratories Inc. (UNILAB), the maker of Alaxan FR, in different parts of the country.

Residents of barangay Cabawan devoted long hours of volunteer work (bayanihan) for the completion of the basketball court.

The “Court of Inspiration” is a reflection of Alaxan FR’s motto “Aray natin, galing natin.” Its advocacy is to change the negative perception of body pain. The slogan means that pain is a byproduct of industriousness and hard work in turn results to the attainment of a goal and thus, progress. Pain, therefore, should be treated as a badge of honor and pride rather than something negative. The same can be said of volunteer-residents of barangay Cabawan.

Like most of the volunteers who came to help, the PBA legends started playing in neighborhood courts similar to what the locals have constructed. They attribute their success to decades of hard work, unafraid of the pain that comes with pushing oneself beyond limits.

Sharing in Alaxan FR's advocacy, they believe that pain should be treated as a badge of honor— a testament to the hard work required for success.

30 kids availed the free basketball clinic conducted by the legends. They were taught the basics of basketball.

Inspired by the PBA legends, Christian Acharo said: “Makakatulong ito sa aking pangarap na balang araw maging sikat na basketball player.”

“Nandito kami kahit papaano ay magbigay na kasiyahan..na maremind sila na kami po ay nanggaling dito,” said Benjie Paras. “At walang ibang hangad kundi magbigay ng inspirasyon sa kanila upang kahit papaano ay makabangon muli at ipagpatuloy ang pangarap. Kung anong nangyayari na kalamidad o anong malaking  problema tayo ay ginawa ng Diyos na makayanan ito.”

Part of the program was the filling up of cement of a land marker where the PBA legends left their hand prints.

The highlight of the event was an exhibition game between a mixed team of the PBA legends and the local players.

Now, the people of Cabawan take pride in the body pain that come with hard work, having constructed something that greatly benefits their community.

“No pain, no gain,” enthused Inday Charity.

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Voting has finished. The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood is now ready. Speeches are being written. Their one one-of-a-kind gowns and tuxedos are ready.

Now who's going to take home the trophies at Sunday's 86th Academy Awards?

Will it be "12 Years a Slave"? “Gravity”? "Let It Go" from "Frozen"?

Think you can predict the Oscars?  Here’s my prediction of the wills, coulds and shoulds for Oscars 2014.

BEST PICTURE
Will win: Gravity
Could win:12 Years a Slave or American Hustle
Should win:12 Years a Slave

BEST DIRECTOR
Will win: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity
Could win: Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave)
Should win: Steve McQueen

BEST ACTOR
Will win: Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)
Could win: Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave)
Should win: Chiwetel Ejiofor

BEST ACTRESS
Will win: Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
Could win: Amy Adams  (American Hustle)
Should win: Cate Blanchett

Think you can predict the Oscars? Think of uncertainties and surprises.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Will win: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)
Could win: Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)
Should win: Barkhad Abdi

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Will win: Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave)
Could win: Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
Should win: Lupita Nyong’o

The Oscars 2014, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2 (March 3 in the Philippines on Lifestyle Network and ABS-CBN) live on ABC.

Note: Observers have been predicting who would bring home the Oscars (including your VRS, but can’t attend this year’s Oscars for some circumstances. So sad! Also US-based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal, who accompanied me in last year’s Oscars, warned me of the powerful storm in California on weekend bringing heavy downpours which remains through Saturday and into Oscar Sunday).

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

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