Phoenix Picks
by Ronelo Ladiao

“Something in the way your love won't let me be, I don't want to be your prisoner so baby won't you set me free… just try to understand I've given all I can coz you've got the best of me”. Sometimes, I thought letting your heart fall has no ‘Borderline'. However, it does have.

“I see you in the smoky air can't you feel the weight of my stare…I thought we don't need no words at all…can't you read my mind you see I'm…” ‘Crazy for you' may be old and 80's but it still take my breath away .

“Inside, I was a child who could not mend a broken wing, outside I look for a way to teach my heart to heal”. This may have been the theme of Brandon Fraiser's ‘With Honors' film but “I'll Remember” the Pop queen's song forever.

“I have a tale to tell, sometimes it get so hard to hide it well, I was not ready for the fall too blind to see the writings on the wall”… should we must all ‘Live to Tell'? Raunchy, untamed, provocative, and rebellious but Madonna didn't just slip and become a ‘pop queen'. Her songs have depth, heart and soul. Now, I don't care if she broke the pop rules before or still innovating amidst in her 40s…She's better than Spicegirls-branded-Madonna-X5 or Britney's believe-it-or-not pop cloning! I fell in love and fall for the love of her songs, until now…     

Party Pick 101: WE ARE ONE, Tamasak Jaycees of Barotac Nuevo orientation seminar radiates

JCI Tamasak of Barotac Nuevo Orientation Seminar for new members. (front row: L to R) JCI Sen. Rodolfo Sarroza, JC Evelyn Cabigayaw, Pres. Loriza Deroy, JC Eden Demafiles, JC Dexter Mendoza, JC Ma. Liza Dumocol, JC Melvin Botavara (standing L - R) JC Christian Lusaya, JC Janice Sazon, JC Julie Olmedo, JC Gilbert Rubias, JC Fruit An-an Demafiles, JC Don Sarabia and JC Ronelo Ladiao.

Believe it or not, but my personal perspective was enormously changed and turned radiant as I once again immersed my soul into the fiery spirits of my fellow Jaycees in Tamasak of Barotac Nuevo when we had our orientation seminar. The fateful event was held at Al Dente, one of the classiest dining lounge in Metro Iloilo last February 6, 2005. Being a Jaycees, one should need noble purpose in life, leadership enthusiasm, interest of reaching out or interconnecting with other people's sentiments, social concern, big heart, courage, reveries and everything that can make life better not only for you but for the whole humanity. Simple as you thought it is but believe me, living life in service to humanity and for the vulnerable souls is the central core of being a true Jaycees. Forget about other people's blah blahs on masquerades and pretensions about socially relevant organizations. Doing what you know is right and noble is the most significant purpose you can make out of your life, so let them get a piece of life! Anyway, during our orientation program there were a momentous revelations, fiery moments, spark of burning camaraderie, great friendship and unsealing of celestial souls that eases life's burden in our exhausted heart from the cruel realities of life. We are the future of this society, this world dreams and optimism were often cloaked in disunity and confusion. So , I deserve to say this: our role as Jaycees is to unseal and eradicate the veil of darkness that blinded humanity's eyes to reach out those dreams worth fighting for… and that is change, for the better and purpose driven life. Whew! Okay, let's get down to the gentlest and softest part of our organizations greatest interactive fusion of souls and sentiments that night. One, someone got inspired to join the Jaycees because I wrote his bestfriend's feature article in the most justifiable (and transparent) way. Second, we all dearly love simple (but big-hearted and wisdom-endowed) individuals who can foresee the need of the helpless and respond with outmost sincerity. Third, we are emotionally, spiritually, and fatefully bonded in laughter, tears, and sacrifices (I can count on that one I guess). After JC Jess Dimafiles motivated us to pull fingers with his animal-roaring tales we stumbled in great laughter , newly-recruited JC Don Sarabia even displayed his fiery enthusiasm to lead and sing a revised Eraserhead's “Pare Ko ” version (that plunged us in unstoppable cheers) at Soundmate bar after the orientation plus JC Janice Sazon unveiled her hidden charisma. Yes, we sang our hearts, lungs, stomach blah blah blah (and all of the above) during our Karaoke escapade at Soundmate bar until the break of dawn. As for me and Tamasak prexy Loriza Deroy we were deeply drowned in joy because this is what we deeply believe in: To serve and be happy serving humanity! So, expect our humble yet prestigious organization to prove our worth once more in spearheading valuable projects and socially relevant activities in the near future. As I've said during my testimony… ”Before I didn't join any organization because I can make it on my own, but I've realized that no man is an island…now being with the Tamasak Jaycees, I deeply knew that I'm doing something good, essential, relevant and sensible”. And at that moment I recalled JC Loriz ' speech during our induction that …”We should dream, believe and survive…be one of the Jaycees” ( hehe you thought she said Starstruck ?). Come on were glittering and sensational than that one guys! Anyway, I've interviewed SCQ superstar Sandara Park last Saturday and watch out for her exclusive farewell letter for fans and story in my other showbiz column- Controversions with Phoenix next week! Oh! thank you very much Greg Sohn for your brief but sentimental e-mail. I know you can read this one. Good luck and Godspeed in your Asian tour. See you all next issue guys , Bye!