Senator Bong Revilla

Senator Bong Revilla continues to lead in the surveys conducted by both Pulse Asia and Social Weather Station. And for this, he expressed gratitude to the Filipino people, who have supported him all through the years, and now again as he seeks another term in the Senate. Next to Senator Bong in the surveys is his good friend Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

In a recent gathering with the showbiz media, the senator admitted that it was his acting career that catapulted him to public office. “I would not be at the Senate if not for the showbiz industry that introduced me to the millions of Filipino people who gave their trust and confidence to me. It is my privilege and pleasure having served you all,” said Revilla, who also topped earlier Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia senatorial surveys.

Aside from leading the twin survey, Revilla was also branded as the third most productive senator of the 14th Congress. He had filed more than 500 bills, 103 of them were passed into law. He vowed to continue serving the Filipino people by seeking reelection this May elections. “Once again, I am appealing to you to give me another opportunity to serve you.”

Most of the Revilla’s bills aimed to alleviate the plight of ordinary people, to name a few: Tax exemption to workers receiving minimum wage; state university charters to give quality education to the poor; rationalizing government assistance to small entrepreneurs; and protecting families from being homeless because of higher rentals.

During the 14th Congress, Revilla’s proposed bills were enacted into law. These were: The new UP Charter, Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises, Expansion of the Organization Structure of the Court of Tax Appeals, Renewable Energy, New Fire Code, Charter of the Mindanao University of Science and Technology, Strengthening and Expanding the Coverage of the Special Program for Employment of Students, amendments to the Philippine Deposits Insurance Corporate Charter, Amusement Tax Exemption Act, Recognition of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Anniversary, Salary Standardization Law III, Rent Control Act of 2009, Pag-Ibig Fund Law, Magna Carta of Women, Legitimation of Children Born to Minor Parents Act, Anti-Child Pornography Act, franchise bills, bills of local application, and Engineering Districts Bills.

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‘Tutok Tulfo’ airs today on TV5

Hard-hitting columnist and TV host Erwin Tulfo focuses on current injustices and denounces its perpetrators in “Tutok Tulfo,” a one-hour weekly public service program to air every Saturday, starting today, March 13, on TV5.

An action-oriented program, stories in “Tutok Tulfo” are either complaints-based or initiated by the show’s own investigative team. Tulfo and his team will relentlessly hunt down supposed victimizers of nameless and powerless citizens in pursuit of giving due justice to the violations, big or small, committed against the greater oppressed.

The show also aims to help the people change for the better and initiate the courage to confront wrongdoings. “Ang kaibahan kasi ng ‘Tutok Tulfo’ sa ibang mga programa, mayroon kaming tinatawag na ‘karinyo Tulfo.’ Kumbaga may wish-giving element dito kung saan bukas-palad kaming aagapay para matulungan ang mga mamamayan na magbagong-buhay,” says Tulfo.

On the show’s pilot episode, “Tutok Tulfo” revisits the “shabu talipapa” in front of the Eastern Police District Head Quarters in Pasig City, where drug pushing is very rampant. Tulfo also brings justice to a crippled Overseas Filipino Worker-balikbayan who was deprived benefits, and finally comes to quick rescue to save a battered domestic helper and helps her find a new hope in life.

“Tutok Tulfo” encourages the people to report their complaints against any form of injustice through e-mail at tutoktulfo@tv5.com.ph, or by texting their complaints to 0919-99-TUTOK.

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Celebrities trust American Eye for healthier eyes, better vision

From the pigeonhole:

What do comedienne Ai-Ai delas Alas, Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla, Concert Queen Pops Fernandez, hunk Marc Nelson, first daughter Luli Arroyo, bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno, billiards icon Efren “Bata” Reyes, champion swimmer Eric Buhain, DJ Mo Twister, celebrated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Victoria Belo, Sen. Joker Arroyo and former President Fidel V. Ramos have in common?

They all enjoy much improved vision, courtesy of state-of-the-art eye care medical services and optical equipment of the American Eye Center (AEC).

The Center is manned by a team of respected eye experts who organized themselves as Associated Eye Specialists (AES) in 1987. Dr. Jack Arroyo Jr., chief executive officer of the AEC, is the pioneering LASIK surgeon in Asia. Dr. Benjamin Cabrera, chief operating officer and medical director of American Eye Cataract Center, is the president of the Philippine Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

To cope with a rapidly growing clientele, the Center recently opened its newest branch, American Eye Cataract Center and SPEX, at the 4th level of Greenbelt 5.

Among the prominent guests were actress Heart Evangelista, showbiz stars Dominic Ochoa, Ramon Christopher Gutierrez and Lito Pimentel, billiards champs Efren “Bata” Reyes and Django Bustamante, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Victoria Belo, former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Oscar Inocentes.

Established in 1995, the American Eye Center holds the distinction of being the country’s premier ophthalmic laser center for the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Managed by the Associated Eye Specialists, the most experienced and longest-running Eye MD group in the Philippines, the Center has the longest-running clinical experience in Southeast Asia with over 3,000 refractive procedures performed.

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Pink Chef Cheloy’s raw food classes March 13-14

Former model now raw food exponent Cheloy Ignacio will continue to hold her classes on raw food preparation today, March 13, and March 14 (and on March 27-28) at her home in Parc Royale Condominium in Ortigas. Those interested to attend may e-mail Cheloy at cherie_lou@yahoo.com.

A few years ago, Cheloy (also dubbed ensaymada queen) realized she had so much toxin in her body (out of the wrong foods she was eating, and stress) and she decided she had to do something. She got into raw food, the preparation of which she learned in California where she stayed for a few years.

She came back to introduce raw food here, and then went to the US again to learn more and also to hold her classes there of which she was quite successful. Asked why so, Cheloy said “because eating raw food is the latest craze among health enthusiasts in their quest for clean living and healthy lifestyle. Eating raw food will also make you lose weight,” she added.

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Tidbits: happy b-day greetings on March 13 go to former Makati Councilor Bong Daza, Atty. Amelia S. Tansinsin of PCSO, Kathy Limjoco, Erlinda de Castro and Connie O. Genilo of Tarlac, Tarlac.