Just finished fixing my right panel links after realized that my AIFL "boss" JJ Reyes had taken down the English order sites for my first set of published books and commercially sold CDs.
to view the Konishiki English Classics online catalogue, so you know what "books" I'm talking about.
Anyway, a few more clicks later, I came across a Japanese lady's photoblog with no less than Konishiki himself holding the books. OK so he's not holding MY Black Beauty nor 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, but hey, they're still the series I'm proud to be a part of!
To backtrack: The books I worked on carry the brand "Konishiki Easy English".
That is because it is essentially the project of this gentle giant of a sumo wrestler, one of Japan's most popular personalities. He retired in 1997 then surprised everyone by crossing over to being a TV celebrity in Sesame Street-inspired shows that teach English in Japan. Beyond that he has cut several rap albums, and is a Michael Jordan type of endorser in the Japanese world.
Over the weekend, I got converted to being a fan of women's basketball.
Yup, thanks to the idea of relative by affinity (hahaha! isinakay bilang "extended family"), we had a refreshing discovery over the weekend. Tito Rene has a niece who is a basketball star in her own right.
The whole family was abuzz with activity this weekend. An extra-special reason to convene after Sunday mass and the big family lunch that followed Michelle's Fil‑Am cousin, Melissa (Sison) Jacob flew in to begin training as an "import" of the Philippine Women's Basketball Team in preparation for the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
True to Pinoy rah-rah fashion, the whole family (extended and by consanguinity included) as well as little kids-in-tow, neatly packed into two vans and trooped to the Adidas Sports Camp at The Fort to watch her first real game on Philippine soil. Never mind that it was just for an exhibition match, we were ready to cheer our hearts out for the women's team pitted against the Filipino-Indian men's basketball league.
Julian with Tito Rene, BJ and Papa (with Fanny too!) waiting for the game to begin
I looked forward to the game because (1) I am still finalizing my choices for extra-curricular activities of Julian (whaat? first Piano, then Theatre, then TaeKwonDo,now E-Basketball?) Poor overscheduled Julian!
OK so the towelheads beat them (obviously bitter!). It was still fun. The match had all the festive trimmings of a PBA game. Loud buzzers, blaring music and fans in a-frenzy.
Julian and Mica enjoyed themselves. Joaquin, who complained saying we should have just gone to the movies, bawled a few times.
Julian seemed pretty excited to meet Melissa. I wonder if this means more extra-curricular expenses, this time for E-Basketball at the Montessori??? Hahaha!
Heck, I gotta admit I was starstruck myself. To hell with showbiz celebrities, gimme a female sportsjock anyday.
A day or two later, Julian saw Melissa at a TV interview...
...and then, another two days later OJ and BJ had their turn to be featured in an ABS-CBN Feature on "Bigatin" Twins of Philippine Tennis
Never mind if the idea isn't exactly original (Phuket Sukhothai era-inspired FantaSea in Kamala Beach, Phuket appears to be the inspiration of PAGCOR's "Wanders" presentation), the Vegas-style family show is still very entertaining.
Hmmm...maybe I can take Julian to Phuket and see the Palace of the Elephants one of these days. Aaah, those birthdays spent in the beaches of Phuket. Remember this vavoom show, Gelo? Fabo!!!
And thanks a lot for the Sugarhouse Triple-X treat, Leah. We loved the gazillion calories it obviously packed. Kept us quite full through this wonderful show Julian and Mamita enjoyed tremendously.
And to think Casino Filipino is something like 8 minutes away from home!
After-show picture we took with the Russian showgirls and the seemingly "boneless" contortionists from carnival town of Kenan Province, China.
