Jo Matinez Ramos (2nd from left) with her former band Powerplay

MANILA, Philippines -- We say goodbye to former Presidential Daughter Jo Martinez Ramos whose remains will be buried today (July 1) at noon at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City. Jo succumbed to lung cancer on June 27 at age 54.

We remember Jo as a very passionate musician who played various musical instruments, in particular the percussion. We were honored that she would always invite us to her performances. Jo was always in her best element on stage where she was very energetic and full of passion. We always enjoyed watching her in her solo acts or with the Powerplay Band where she was vocalist and drummer. Before this, Jo was also back-up singer of Gary Valenciano, through Manila Genesis Entertainment and GV Productions, recalled: “My fondest memory of Jo was when we would go out of town for concerts and every once in a while we would talk about Jesus.”

Gary added, “For me, it was encouraging to talk to a person who at that time had every right to boast about her position in society but I never heard a word from her about being the daughter of a significant government official.”

The singer continued of Jo, who was godmother to Gary’s son Gabriel, “Being the founder of Powerplay, she was largely responsible for my teaming up with my longtime musical director Mon Faustino. I will forever be grateful for that.”

Jo was always proud in saying she inherited her musical inclination from her mom, former First Lady Amelita “Ming” M. Ramos, and now we’re sure her 17-year-old son Sergio (with estranged husband actor Lloyd Samartino, son of chanteuse Carmen Soriano) would be saying the same of her doting and caring mother because Sergio, who is a fourth year high school student, is now studying music, acting and dancing.

Jo was a scholar at the International School where Mrs. Ramos worked. She studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines.

Aside from her musical achievements, Jo was also a sports enthusiast like her mom. She was a bemedalled water skier and was a member of the Philippine Team who brought honor for the country at the Southeast Asian Games in the ’70s.

Jo’s father, former President Fidel V. Ramos said Jo suffered from lung cancer (diagnosed last November only) because he was a smoker for 25 years. He said he and his wife Ming stopped smoking after the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution but Jo never stopped smoking.

What happened to Jo should be a warning for people to stop smoking, the former President whose trademark is a cigar that he never lighted said.

Goodbye, Jo.

Kimball wows audience in Tacloban

Bobby Kimball, the original lead vocalist of the '80s famous band Toto, proved once more his enduring appeal with Filipino fans when he performed last Tuesday night (June 28) at the Tacloban Coliseum.

Among the cheering audience were Sen. Bongbong Marcos, Rep. Martin Romualdez, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and wife, the former Cristina Gonzalez now No. 1 councilor of the city, who gamely performed a lively number with Kimbal, to the delight of their constituents.

Kimball first rendered “Georgy Porgy,” followed by “99,” “Hold the Line,” and “Anna,” after which Zoo band performed their own applauded songs.

Kimball will fly to Malaysia for another performance on July 2. On July 4, he will be at SMX Convention Center for his final show with Mucho Macho as front act and of course with the Zoo band again.

The “Toto’s Greatest Hits Tour” is presented by by Steve O’Neal in cooperation with Manila Bulletin, Hyatt Hotel, Hard Rock Café, Business Mirror and RJ100.3 FM among others.

‘Magic Palayok’ airs finale 

Today, the GMA series “Magic Palayok” airs its finale.

Cookie’s heart will stop making her family believe she already died. Cookie will dream of her mother Isadora.

Isadora will tell Cookie how proud she is for her daughter for being a good and strong child. Cookie will ask Isadora if they will be together now but she will tell her it’s not yet time.

Will Jude finally propose to Pilar? Find out on today’s finale. “Magic Palayok” airs weeknights on GMA Telebabad before “24 Oras.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Friday, July 1, go to Ben Farrales, Susanna Pichay, Pitang Lopez-Tiongson, Zeny Eugenio,Chuchie Hermoso, Queenie B. Savellano, Mario Regresado, Gina Lyn Maricris C. Orpilla, Ron Molina, Precious Valencia, Arch. Julio Matias, Atty. Raul Gancayco, Bobby Novenario, Baby Linao, Leyk de Castro, Dr. Lorraine M. Sanchez, Julius Nepomuceno and Arch. Reginald Yaneza… On July 1, the entire cast of “Amaya” – Marian Rivera, Rochelle Pangilinan, Glaiza de Castro, Mikael Daez and Dion Ignacio will have a Kapuso Campus Tour in Mabolo National High School at 8 a.m. to be followed by a motorcade in the main streets of Cebu City at 9 a.m. At 5 p.m., they will have a Kapuso Night Mall Show with “Amaya” in SM City Cebu Covered Parking Lot…