Philippine Musicians and Their Future

I am living in Davao City since 1999. Sad to say, but if it comes to Philippine music, Philippine musicians and Philippine music culture, Davao City remains as a cultural fallow field. 

If one talks about the whole Philippines, one really has to agree with  Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit president OGIE ALCASID, who pointed out: "If there is a dismal lack of major local concerts these days, at least there are small gigs around town that show "life goes on for Pinoy musicians". Again, even being an expat, please allow me to express: HAY NAKU!"

For those, who are residing in Manila, or those, who can afford just to fly there, it might be correct. Of course, it has been a great event - the most unexpected jam, even long time after midnight, when one of my idols, Gretchen Barretto sang "Last Night of the World" and "Sun and Moon" from "Miss Saigon". Tracks I have been brought many times during my radio show "Classics at Night"... . As Pocholo Concepcion of the "Philippine Daily Inquirer" stated very correctly: "Gretchen should indeed seriously pursue a singing career!"

Yes, life goes on for Philippino musicians and singers. But is this really enough?

CITIBANK and its Scammed Clients

Do you also have a bank account with Citibank Philippines? Do you also belong to one of several scammed clients?

The bank promised to fully reimburse clients allegedly duped duped by its former wealth management executive Francis Bryan Ang.

Citibank legal counsel Pia Pena-Lacson, in a press conference, said an investigation was still ongoing into the transactions handled by Ang, who was publicly identified by the bank for the first time as the employee who had conducted "questionable" (?) transactions. 

Ang, who disappeared after the swindle was discovered, had confessed to "fraudulent" (?) activities. "Hay naku"... . As a court had yet to issue a warrant of arrest, Ang managed to go to hiding!

Ang, an assistant vice president for wealth management and son of Manila councilor, had swindled clients of the bank's Binondo branch by issuing them fake certificates of time deposit and mixing up adresses so the clients would not receive monthly statements of accounts. 

The bank declined to give an estimate of the total amount involved. Why? i really have no idea.