For her indefatigable efforts to promote Philippine art and culture, Marlene Aguilar has caught the attention of the Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, His Excellency Misa Telefoni who also writes a column in Sunday Samoan, said to be the widest circulated newspaper in that country.

He said of Marlene: “I am an avid admirer of Filipino Marlene Aguilar who famously once stated: ‘Whenever someone tries to impress me with his wealth and material possessions, I realize he has nothing substantial to offer the world.’ And in her famous speech entitled ‘Healing the Soul of the Nation,’ she said: ‘I believe that our problem in the Philippines today is not lack of money nor too much greed and corruptions. This is not the root of our problem. Rather it is first and foremost a lack of identity. An individual who cannot grow up with an identity can never be confident, and can never know success. The Philippines is full of individuals without identity, without confidence. The Philippines is suffering from an identity crisis. I believe this is what makes this country a poor nation.’”

“Marlene Aguilar is calling for a complete renaissance including a resurgence of importance attributed to the Filipino culture and language,” the Deputy Prime Minister added. The Samoan official also said that he was greatly inspired by Marlene Aguilar and the Philippines’ national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal (whose novel “Noli Me Tangere” he has read and which he described as a “great novel”) to write a poem entitled “Nothing.” Contrary to the title, it has everything to say about money that can’t buy true love, and peace of mind, material possessions, loss of culture, and a bastardize language. The poem, he said, “is dedicated to all those people who satisfy their needs rather than their wants. Those people whose happiness is rooted on their spirituality rather than in their material possessions.”

‘Soul Sisters’ at Hobbit House

Marlene, who by the way, is sister to world-famous folk singer and composer Freddie Aguilar, and Becca Padilla will have a show aptly titled “Soul Sisters” at the Hobbit House along M. H. Del Pilar (that was where Freddie first made his presence felt in the folk music scene) on Oct. 23.

It will be an evening of blues and jazz and special guest will be Maegan Aguilar who will perform with her own band.

Incidentally, Marlene recently finished her new book entitled “Warriors of Heaven” which she will launch at the Main Lobby of the CCP on Nov. 21. This is Marlene’s first novel. The book covers her memoirs and her actual discussions and arguments with the most powerful members of the US Military. It is supported by essays she has written denouncing America’s supremacist intent to subjugate the rest of mankind. The discourse is interwoven with her beliefs, her foresight, reflections of her life, her prevailing spirit and her continuing fight for a Philippine identity despite the malevolent intentions of the institutions and factions of the American military machine.

About her book, Marlene said:

“If your mind is locked away within the rules of society, religion and other institutions, please do not buy this book. You will not get it. But if you have wondered what’s it like to have freedom of mind and spirit, then this book might set you free.”

Political journalist Inday Espina-Varona, after reviewing “Warriors of Heaven,” wrote: “For all the violence in this tale – there is a peculiar stillness to it, the kind that hangs heavy and oppressive before a storm… I love the sex! I looooove the sex! Especially that which hides between the lines… After reading all her revelations, people will love Marlene or hate her, mock her or revere her. But she will never ever bore them.”

For further information about the fearless and highly principled Marlene Aguilar, visit www.marleneaguilar.com.

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Kenji Williams presents Bella Gaia live at Ayala Malls

Ayala Malls has been showing its unwavering commitment in providing not just innovative and rewarding experiences to its customers but also an atmosphere fit for the green lifestyle.

Greenology is just one of the many eco-friendly efforts that Ayala Malls is promoting to raise the standard of sustainable living through its programs for the environment.

With the recent launch of the Green Line campaign, a limited edition of eco-chic fashions presented with an event entitled “Earth Designs.” Ayala Malls now continues its advocation to promote the love of planet Earth through music with the coming performance of world-renowned musician and violinist Kenji Williams. He joins the list of performers including Elliot Yamin, Colbie Caillat, Sean Kingston, and the sensational dance group Jabbawockeez brought in by Ayala Malls to provide world-class entertainment to its patrons and customers.

Now it’s Kenji Williams’ turn to captivate audiences with his own ethereal brand of violin-based music. Born in 1974 and classically trained in the violin since the age of 7, Williams also performs with a laptop and drum machine in transmitting self-produced classics to the dance floor.

His performances are particularly known for combining visual media with music to tell a story of planetary consciousness and spiritual evolution. Regarded and acclaimed by many as a prolific and genius musician, Williams is in fact a renaissance man who is also the composer and producer of six albums, director of 15 films and music videos, three feature length projects, and several multimedia theatrical live shows.

In what has certainly been a stormy season for the metropolis, the music of Kenji Williams can certainly be a calming influence. Catch him perform live together with local soul siren Nina on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. in Greenbelt 3 Park and on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in Trinoma Park.

More than supporting environmental awareness through fashion and music, the Ayala Malls elevates their mission for the preservation of Mother Earth by supporting The Mind Museum in Taguig, the country’s first world-class science musem opening in 2011. This and more are just some of the reasons why we Love ’em all at the Ayala Malls.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Oct. 14 go to Mrs. Alicia Ll. Reyes, former Pagcor chair; Rep. Dudot Jaworski, Atty. Ruby Ruiz-Bruno, Richard Merk, Norma Japitana, Ilonah Jean, New York-based Lexine Bondoc (a Sesame Street child star), Socorro Zarate, Paul Nathaniel Barican, Moses Albert Ollero, Agnes Payawal, Lita Alejar-Faustino, Eva Pineda, Doy Tobias, Charlie Antonio, Cecilia Batungbacal, Ramil P. Landingin, Charito C. Reyes, Tess E. Santos, Atty. Luz Suapengco, Katherine Chloe S. de Castro and Mrs. Erlinda L. Baustista… Belated b-day greetings to Prime Domingo (Oct. 12)...