Some random thoughts on the US elections, and other observations:

-Americans are angry at the republicans and it is showing in the poll numbers. They blame Bush, and the GOP for the economic crisis they are experiencing. They are taking it out on McCain because wala na silang McCa-in!

-Meanwhile, Filipinos are mesmerized by Obama because as Danny Javier likes to point out, not only is he dynamic, promising, and all that but more importantly, kakulay niya ang maraming Pilipino. Danny calls himself ‘Balat’ Obama.

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The best endorsement Barak Obama got, to my mind, was the one he recieved from Atlantic Monthly magazine. Aside from his other qualities, it pointed out that the very person of Barak would win people all over the world for America especially in the Muslim areas that lean towards radicalism. Imagine a young Pakistani looking at a a new US President who is black, with a Muslim name and background, and who was against the Iraq war from the very beginning. Barak could find it easier to sell America’s point of view in those parts of he world.

It will be a new, fresh way to present America to the everyone.

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Just got my schedule from the APO office. It looks like the end of November and all of December will be a busy time for me. Wall to wall shows not just in Manila but also in different parts of the Philippines. Right now, I am taking advantage of the quiet and tranquility of my life in a Sydney suburb to get as much rest as I can before I go home for the Christmas rush. I am catching up with weeks of needed sleep and am eating well and healthy. I feel like Manny Pacquio preparing for a big fight.

In case you do not know, APO has released a new album which even if largely unannounced and not available in any store except through the APO office (4265301/4260103) and during APO concerts, has sold a few thousands in a little over a month. It’s close to beimng a gold record actually. If you are in Australia and want one, you can order from me. I should have it here by Dec.1. I can mail it to you or you can pick it up. If you want it autographed, please say so. Write me at emailjimp@gmail.com and I will prepare it for you.

Limited copies of BOBOY, JIM, AND DANNY. THE APO is now available. You can order Apo’s 27th album by calling (+632) 4260103. This is APO’s first independently released. In case you do not know, this album and is not yet available in record stores. Grab your copy now!

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I watched Oprah yesterday where she devoted 3/4 of the show to our very own Charisse Pempengco. She was clearly gushing over this uber talented Pinay who continues to wow the world. David Foster, noted music man, arranger, performer, producer was also there and apparently has taken her under his wings. Oprah also showed a video where she sent her crew to trace the roots of Charisse in the Philippines showing her neighborhood and telling her sad story of being abandoned by her violent father.

After the touching footage, Oprah decided to surprise Charise with a video call from one of her (Charisse’s) personal idols, Celine Dion. She was clearly and pleasantly surprised. What I found funny was Charise’s reaction which to me was so truly Pinoy. When she saw the face of Celine Dion on the big screen, I swear she reacted in a ‘ngiii!’ sort of way we Pinoys do–you know, with bungisngis glee, hand movements and a big ‘ngiii’ utterance and sometimes accompanied with stomping of feet. For a second, Oprah’s show looked like Filipino TV.

Nothing to apologize for Charisse. You are Pinoy through and though!