George Canseco

Music is one of my passions which is why I hold a very deep respect for musicians... probably even deeper than the respect that I hold for mathematicians and scientists. It never ceases to amaze me how they are able to touch thousands of lives through melodies and words, how their works are able break down the barriers of time and often times even geography so long as the language are the same.
George Canseco was one of the Philippines' greatest composers. He lived a very colorful life which is reflected through his songs. Below is an article I clipped from "The Inquirer" which hopefully will give you an idea of the man behind the songs which touched our lives.

First posted 02:32am (Mla time) Nov 20, 2004
By Nini Valera
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the November 20, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

GEORGE Canseco is dead.

The songwriter, who wrote some of Pinoy pop music's most enduring classics, died of liver cancer at 10 a.m. yesterday at the Kidney Institute. He was 70. His enduring ballads -- all sad, sentimental songs about having loved and lost -- will forever be part of Filipino pop culture. Like his song says, "Ngayon at Kailanman."

Canseco's wake will be held at the Phil-Am Life chapel in Quezon City starting today. Interment will be announced later. The songwriter was diagnosed with liver cancer only last week. He is survived by three children-Carl, Rachel and Nancy, according to Dr. Ric Berbano, one of Canseco's sons-in-law. Canseco's wife Flora died of breast cancer in 1996. An older brother, Rafael, died of cancer of the pancreas on Nov. 10, according to another brother, Andring.

Canseco was also a councilor of the 4th district of Quezon City. He once said that he entered politics "just for fun," but ended up serving for nine years. The last time Inquirer Entertainment saw Canseco was on Nov. 12. He exchanged jokes with longtime best friend, record and movie producer Vic del Rosario, and insisted on having a picture taken with him. The picture was shot by songwriter Heber Bartolome, who also came to visit. Minutes after chatting with his friends, Canseco was brought to the hospital's intensive care unit. Shortly after Canseco entered the hospital for the last time, he called up Del Rosario, asking him to look into the George Canseco tribute that was being prepared by the Aliw Foundation. The songwriter had earlier asked Del Rosario to fast-track the event.

Canseco was also in the running for National Artist for music."I hope he gets it in this lifetime," Del Rosario said last week. Four decades of OPM Canseco's music career spanned almost four decades of pop music, interpreted by the country's top recording artists. He started writing songs when he was 20.

The first time he sold a song to a record label was in 1966. The song, "Kapantay ay Langit," was recorded by Amapola, and then by Pilita Corrales, who turned it into a classic. In 1978, Canseco wrote "Ngayon at Kailanman." The song, an undying paean to love, launched the solo career of Basil Valdez, one of the lead singers of Circus Band. Basil was one of his favorite singers. "Basil feels," Canseco told Inquirer Entertainment during an interview for a "Yesterday" feature last month. "He sings with his heart and soul." Basil also interpreted another classic "Ikaw," which Canseco wrote for his wife Flora.

Canseco's last recorded song was "Nasaan Ka Man," which he wrote for Martin Nievera's 2002 album. 300 songs "May ibubuga pa ako (I still have something to show)," he said in the "Yesterday" feature of Inquirer Entertainment. "That's why I am still alive. There are still songs I have to write-that's why I am still here." But in the same interview, he also said: "I can go anytime. I would have no regrets if I go now."

By his own estimate, Canseco had written about 300 songs. These were sung by Basil, Kuh Ledesma, Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Pilita, Dulce, ZsaZsa Padilla, Leah Navarro, among other top singers. His collaboration with record producer Vic del Rosario, whom Canseco credited to have discovered him, had produced some of the best-selling record albums of Original Pilipino Music in the '70s and '80s, released under Vicor Music Corp. and Black Gold Records. Del Rosario now runs Viva Records.

In 1981, former first lady Imelda Marcos commissioned Canseco to write "Ako Ay Pilipino" in time for the inauguration of then President Ferdinand Marcos, who won another term in a snap presidential election he had called that year.

P1.5M for a song

Canseco said that Marcos paid him P1.5 million to write the song, which was interpreted by Kuh Ledesma. The song also became the theme for a bank's television commercial. The songwriter also brought honor to the country by winning in foreign music festivals. The song "Ako ang Nagwagi," interpreted by Dulce, lost in the Metro Pop Music Festival in 1978. But it brought home top honors for Canseco and the country from the Hong Kong Music Festival the same year. The following year, he bagged the grand prize in the Metro Pop Music Festival with the song "Ngayon," interpreted by Basil Valdez. He also wrote music for the movies and won countless awards for his scores. However, Canseco was not proud of his movie scores, because "not one of them stands out."

He composed his last film score in 1989 for "Paano Ang Ngayon Kung Wala Nang Bukas," which starred Kring Kring Gonzales and Ronaldo Valdes. He also wrote the movie's theme song, "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas," sung by Basil. Canseco wrote jingles for radio and television commercials. Like his songs, these jingles were also timeless. A jingle for a cigarette commercial which he wrote in the '70s is still being used today.

Musical roots

He was the youngest of three children of Jose Canseco, a doctor of medicine from Cavite, and Ceferina Masangkay, a mathematician from Antipolo. Canseco did not have any formal musical training, although he studied piano as a young boy and learned how to write notes.He did not use any musical instrument to write his music. Instead, he played the song in his head and later wrote it on paper.

He also wrote lyrics for the songs of other composers like Willy Cruz, D'Amarillo, Amado Trivinio, Homer Flores, Ryan Cayabyab, among others. "I have this talent for imagining a situation and then writing a song," he said. Canseco revealed that he was crying when he wrote "Paano," which was sung by Pilita and Dulce. "He's actually a cry baby," screenwriter Bibeth Orteza described Canseco. "He's the most sentimental person I have ever known."

A graduate of journalism from the University of the East, Canseco worked as a journalist from 1964 to 1972. He was also an editor for the Associated Press and the Philippines Herald. But writing songs was his true passion. Through his songs, Canseco lives on.

Big Wigs in Finance- Where they are now...

There's a saying that goes "the bigger they are, the harder they fall..." very apt description for a lot of industry leaders in the financial industry.

I'm certain that they're still a lot richer than me but I still wouldn't trade shoes with them. I can't imagine that millions or billions of dollars can be lost by a person in a year... and I wouldn't want to imagine how it would feel like either. 

I have one question though, if they'd lost their money, where did it go?

Here's a list of the financial big wigs and the estimated damage to their bank accounts

All I can say is ouch!!!!

Here in Manila, the famous fund manager CKP is in comatose. Let's pray for his recovery. His fund has performed poorly in the past due to bad market, bad luck and bad timing. It has cost a lot of people, including me a lot of money. Good people make bad decisions so I'll cut him some slack. I'm sure that he's feeling pretty bad because of the stress brought about by the bad financial environment. 

On the other hand, the famous fund manager, who is also a writer for a popular spreadsheet here in Manila is still alive and kicking... I've learned a newbie lesson never to heed his advice again... When he tells people to buy his "stock picks" that's a signal for me to sell. This guy is heartless and takes advantage of innocent stock investors especially newbies. I have no respect for these kinds of people.

Anyway, it's hard to earn money from stocks because the market is really erratic. My advice is to be liquid. I've pulled out my money from the market last year and am really glad that I made the right decision. For those who are stuck, I wish you all the best... don't do anything rash. Remember, you can still earn what you've lost. 

Life Directions Retreat

In today's fast paced world many are lost. Many don't know what direction their life should take. I admit that I was once a lost soul. I still lose my focus now and then but a little nudge in the right direction and I'm on the right path again. 

A lot of us are not lucky to have all the great opportunities placed in a golden platter in front of us. In fact, most of us have to search for what we'd like to do with our lives. It's not easy. Some 40 something, 50 something, 60 something still don't know what their life's purpose is. 

Life Directions Retreat is being held every year to guide people who want to rediscover themselves or discover their purpose in life. 

Don't expect to immediately know where your life is going to after attending the retreat though. You need to open your heart and mind in order for the retreat to be successful and make the necessary lifestyle changes if need be. The success of this retreat relies 20% on the organizers and 80% on the participant.

*** I've been meaning to attend this retreat but their schedule always doesn't fit mine.

For inquiries, email lifesdirections75@gmail.com 

or contact Tiff Batilo (0917 8612951) or Didi Paterno (0917 8440367)

www.lifesdirections75.wordpress.com

Abe's Farm

Inspite of the Storm Signal Number 1 raised yesterday, my friends and I didn't let the opportunity to spend the day in rural Pampanga pass us by. 

It took us 1.5 hours to reach Abe's farm. The farm although secluded was well guarded. The perimeter of the lot was surrounded by tall concrete walls and entrance was through an equally intimidating gate which was kept closed. A security guard was stationed near the gate to assist visitors of the farm. Due to the existing weather conditions, we weren't able to take a lot of pictures but Abe's farm is a great picture taking spot, weather permitting.

Ample parking space was available for visitors. I would approximate the parking capacity to 15-20 cars. No fear of getting your shoes or car muddied as the grounds were filled with large natural stones.

The restaurant interior was clean and had a rustic approach to it. Most if not all of the furniture were made of hardwood. Antique appliances also added to the place's appeal. Model bedrooms and living rooms were also built as part of the restaurant's interior. Here, visitors can take pictures and lounge around. This is definitely a great spot to visit if one needs to relax or escape the hustle and bustle of city life

The food was superb. All the dishes were tasty and fresh. If you've enjoyed the food in Abe's Serendra or Trinoma then you would definitely love the dishes here at Abe's farm. Abe's farm has bigger portions. The food also seemed tastier. 

What we had:

Lamb Adobo 

Paco Fern Salad

Sinigang na Baboy

Crispy Hito

Adobong Puso ng Saging

Sisig

Sikreto ni Maria (dessert)

Turon (dessert)

I loved all the food except for the sisig. I prefer my sisig to be toasted brown.

It's hard to choose the best dishes but if I were to order just two dishes then it would have to be Lamb Adobo and Adobong Puso ng Saging. 

After lunch, guests can take a swim in their luxurious looking pool. It was raining so we had no choice but to just take pictures of what we could have been doing.

Massage was also available in Abe's farm. Nurture's Spa offers massage services inside. The rates were quite pricey though. We're on a budget so we had to pass.

Rooms are also available for those who wished to stay overnight at the farm. 

Travelling 150km from Metro Manila was worth it. We had lots of fun and enjoyed the food immensely. We spent approximately 800PhP for gas, another 316PhP for the toll and PhP 2,400 for the food. Quite reasonable if you're gonna do it once in awhile.

*** Crickets are also being served in Abe's farm. We were not that adventurous so we didn't order that. A lot of people are saying that it's good though.

You can call Abe's restaurant or any restaurant part of the LJC group to inquire about Abe's farm.

Tainted Milk

China is known for mass producing a lot of fake items: bags, cellphones, shirts, etc. Who would've thought that these wily businessmen would go as far as producing "fake" milk... semi-fake anyway. For those who are oblivious to what's happening, here's the scoop: it was discovered recently that a lot milk produced in China contained melanine. I don't know exactly what the effect of melamine is if ingested internally, but it's considered plastic so it can't be good. 

I've always been wary of China manufactured cosmetics and food products but I didn't expect the Chinese businessmen to stoop this low for profit's sake. Saying that the people in China are ruthless businessmen is an understatement. 

A lot of multinational companies are affected by this revelation. Even the coffee giant, Starbucks was not spared from this unexpected revelation. Expect the price of milk produced locally and imported from New Zealand and Australia to jack up. Nobody would dare buy China produced milk, or if they're wise, China manufactured food products (who knows what else they've added in other food products).

The Chinese government should be more stringent in punishing socially irresponsible and unethical business practices such as this one to avoid similar incidents in the future. 

Multi-Level Marketing/Pyramiding Schemes in Manila

One ways of striking it rich easy is to join a Multi-level Marketing company and to get a lot of recruits. With current economic conditions being unfavorable to start a business, being involved in these kinds of activities is becoming more and more attractive to those who want to earn additional income.

Members of multi-level marketing companies earn money through commission on his sales and the sales of the people who were recruited by him. Members of multi-level marketing companies capitalize on their ability to speak well and convince people to join. Here in Manila, most of those who join are either very smart or just plain gullible. Those who are very smart make lots of money. While those who are gullible just lose money.

Last night, a friend’s friend dropped by in order to “present” a product. Unfortunately for him, I already have a solid opinion about MLMs. He produced a flimsy looking product that the company was selling for USD450. In the back of my mind, I put the product price at around USD30-40. A lot of the product’s value is lost in commissions to the “recruiters” of the sales agent. I have to admire the company though for being able to come up with nice marketing and semi-credible research materials.

The agent went home unsuccessful in making a sale and my opinion on MLMs still remains the same.

MLMs are able to gain recruits by appealing to their greed. The success of MLMs to gain recruits depend on their ability to make earning money look easy. The main product of MLMs is being a part of the team. Secondary products are the actual products being sold. I chose not to involve myself in these kinds of activities since I find it hard to separate MLM activities from taking advantage of the less fortunate and the gullible. This is just my opinion though, some people have different opinions regarding this and I respect them.

There is a thin line between MLMs and pyramiding. I guess that the acid test for me if they are legitimate MLMs is that if they allow you to join the network without asking for money and give you products to sell on credit.

Before you join a multi-level marketing group, please visit this link http://www.vandruff.com/mlm.html. That way, at least you won't be doing it with your eyes closed.

Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database

Wow! I can't believe that there's a site dedicated to giving hazard ratings to cosmetic products. It's a good thing that I stumbled upon Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database .

In this site, you can search companies, products and ingredients and you will see their repective hazard ratings. I tried searching for Pure Anada, Aromaleigh and other small MMU companies but they didn't come up. Their database includes Everyday Minerals and Bare Escentuals though.