Tag Archives: Philippines

Film and TV, Music, The Media

FILIPINA WINS X FACTOR AUSTRALIA, MENTOR RONAN KEATING SUFFERS A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN

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imageSydney, Australia (The Adobo Chronicles) – Fifteen-year-old Filipina Marlisa Punzalan was declared this season’s winner of the syndicated reality show X Factor Australia, beating two other finalists, Dean Ray and Brothers 3.

Marlisa’s mentor, Irish singer Ronan Keating, so much wanted his protégé to win the competition that he had a nervous breakdown during the night when the results of the voting were announced.  He had to be briefly hospitalized immediately after the live telecast.

The night previous to the announcement of the results, Keating said on live TV that this could possibly be his last season as judge and mentor on X Factor Australia and that he wanted to leave the show with her protégé winning the competition.

Keating’s first visitors at his hospital bed were Marlisa and her huge family who brought him home-cooked adobo, pancit and lumpia, the signature Filipino dishes. That significantly reduced Keating’s blood pressure.

All’s well that ends well.

Here’s Marlisa’s final performance in the grand finals:

The announcement:

Law Enforcement, Travel

MANILA’S TRAFFIC SOLUTION: BUILD A BIKINI ISLAND IN BUSY AVENUE

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imageManila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Metro Manila’s government never runs out of brilliant ideas to help solve the traffic gridlock that has become an inevitable routine of daily living in the crowded metropolis.

In an attempt to prevent vehicles from making U-turns at street intersections, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that it will build a bikini island in the middle of one of the busiest intersections along Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA)  and North Avenue in Quezon City.

The bikini island is a triangular rotunda that would make it impossible for motorists to make a U-turn, thus improving the flow of traffic. While the proposed rotunda will not totally eliminate traffic in the area, it will give motorists some pastime to help relieve their stress.

The bikini island will be open to residents and tourists who wish to go sun tanning in their bikinis. Weather-proof beach chairs  and beach mats will be provided free of charge.

MMDA is confident that the sight of bikini-clad men and women will make daily commute more exciting and enjoyable. It said that if the new project proves to be successful, more bikini islands will be constructed throughout Metro Manila.

Arts, International, Politics

PHILIPPINES BREAKS TWO GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS!

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imageManila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – In one weekend, the Philippines broke two Guinness World Records, bringing both prestige and jubilation to this country of 100 Million people.

First, the Central Philippines City of Cebu broke the current Guinness record for the largest single Zumba class, eclipsing the current record of 6,671 held by India.  Cebu’s number reached a total of 8,232 participants.

Even before this rare distinction could sink in among the Filipinos, a Guinness World Records Adjudicator announced a second world record for the Philippines . The announcement was made from the Guinness headquarters in London that the Philippines is now home to the largest pork barrel in the world.

The Guinness announcement said that pork barrel — which refers to the use of taxpayer funds to pay for local politicians’ pet projects in their respective jurisdictions or localities – is common in almost all governments. However, the Philippines holds the record of the largest amount of pork barrel funds illegally expended by politicians anywhere in the world. Guinness added that the Philippine pork barrel record is unique because it involves almost all sectors of government — from the Office of the President to the Senate and House of Representatives to the Supreme Court and local governors and mayors. Even the Philippine Catholic Church has been implicated or benefited from the pork barrel scandal.

Guinness said that it would be very difficult for other countries to surpass the Philippine record.

Upon  hearing of the news, President NoyNoy Aquino convened his cabinet for a celebratory gathering in Malacañang, the presidential palace, where San Miguel beer and the favorite sisig appetizer flowed all night.