Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Robert de Niro – up close in Manila

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By Raïssa Robles

PICK OF THE DAY –  How did celebrated Hollywood actor Robert de Niro slip past the airport reporters in Manila?

 UPDATE 2: 9:12 PM, January 27, 2014 

I’ve uploaded a video I took at the press launch, of Robert de Niro answering a question. It’s at the bottom of this piece. 

(Front Left to Right – Robert de Niro, PAGCOR Chariman Cristino Naguiat, Jr., and Lawrence Ho; Back left to right – Clarence Chung Yuk Man, chairman Melco Crown PH and Jorge Sarmiento, PAGCOR board member
– PHOTO BY Raissa Robles

Or the celebrity watchers?

But he did.

It was all I could do not to gush when I saw one of my favorite actors in the flesh.

He looked and acted just like in his movies. He could say something without even saying anything.

He had a face that apparently had not been touched by botox or by surgery because all the wrinkles and lines were there.

I’m glad.

He popped in Manila to help in the launch of the Nobu Hotel which he co-owns, along with Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa.

A Nobu resto inside a Nobu hotel will be opening sometime in the third quarter in Manila – at the height of the typhoon season.

Does this mean we are REALLY becoming progressive? We are being noticed in the world?

I just hope all these developments benefit the poverty-stricken majority.

Sorry, I’m rambling. Got a deadline about this.

Bye for now.

I just wanted to share with you guys my photo.

Now, I hope next time the “Devil’s Advocate” Robert de Niro will bring along Keanu Reeves.

That will really make my day.

UPDATE:

Ooops. My mistake. It was Al Pacino, not Robert de Niro, who appeared in Devil’s Advocate. He did appear in the Godfather as the young Corleone.

One of his scary villain roles is Cape Fear.

But I still want Keanu Reeves to come over :)

 

Comments

  1. Torture or just having fun? Off topic but from INQ news –

    10 officers relieved
    A 32-year-old male detainee at the St. Francis cell who was arrested for possession of illegal drugs in May last year disclosed in an affidavit the “Dakak” and “tusok ulo” forms of torture.
    Dakak, named after a popular beach resort, meant the detainee would be forced to bathe in a sewer while tusok ulo meant he had to stand upside down against a wall for 30 minutes.
    “Sometimes (policemen) would pass by me while I was sleeping on the floor and hit me with a taser (electric prod) or fire an empty air rifle into my ear,” he said. He said the policemen were either drunk or were just having fun.”

    It’s both…fun ‘n torture! In ‘PINAS’ police foolishness!

    Now the 10 officers are relieved…torture ’em while alive before dismissal! Let ’em taste their FUN ‘n torture too!

  2. Now that peace agreement has been signed between the government and MILF, I wonder what new **LF will sprung-out later.

  4. Dear Raissa: Pls research on the possible repercussions of the recent signing of the last of four annexes on the proposed Bangsamoro state.

    It appears that PNoy is determined to re-draw the map of Mindanao with the proposed creation of the Islamic Republic of Bangsamoro out of the defunct ARRM but with additional contiguous land areas and waters.

    PNoy seems in a hurry and wants the “sell-out” be finalized before his term ends in 2016.

    • Interesting characterization as “sell-out”. What steps would you have taken to end the bloodletting on Mindanao to establish the stability and allow economic development to improve the impoverished conditions there?

      To me, the process has been anything but hurried. It has been careful and methodical and constructive, done under the guidance of three international mediators.

      • @kalahari
        bad words for a good deed of PNoy. Peace is the results of his act while yours is politically and critically inclined to a never ending bloodshed! !

        • Pls read POSTCRIPT column today at Philstar.com. FD Pascual has a lenghty
          opinion on the subject.

        • @kalahari,, that peace was long overdue so as the additional cpntigous area you are complaining… Read your history how our Muslim brother losses their landed properties to us christians setlllers qnd the denial of development for them for decades .

          Facts was , mostly affected on that additional contoguos land area are those Filipino Billionaires interest ( directly and indirectly ) who owned properties and businesses on the affected areas..Let then suffer MGA BUWAYA naman sila and if ever they had acquired those things , kadalasan at karamihan ay ginamit nila ang impluwensya nila sa panloloko at panlilinlang sa mga kapatid nating Muslims kagaya ng mga ginawa nila sa atin sa mga ibang parte pa ng Pilipinas … sinamantala ang kamangmangan ng ating mga ninuno at ang paggamit ng kanilang pera , sa pagsuhul sa mga kaukulan at sa mga polilikong magnanakaw……example the EPIRA and logging concessionaires who RAPED the wilderness of Mindanao….their minions might be affected but let them suffer..

        • Victin, I respect your opinion on how many Muslims were pushed back and cramped in what is now the Cotabato-Lanao corridors by the coming of Christian settlers under the government’s NARRA resettlement program in the 1950s. I also agree with you on how the lush forest of Central Mindanao was “raped” during the marcos regime.

          My concern is the possible behavior of the 11,000-strong MILF rebel-warriors towards the Christians within the Bangsamoro entity. In accordance with the peace agreement, they will form-part of the armed forces that will secure their territorial domain.

          Very recently, the ILAGA movement, comprised mostly of ilonggos that fought tooth-and-nail with Muslims rebels in the 1970s with numerous collateral damage, has reorganized into RIM or Reform the Ilaga Movement when a 12-year old Christian boy in North Cotabato was decapitated by the Muslim rebels.

          I dread the time when the Islamic Bangsamoro government will enforce the Shari’ah Law among their Muslims and Christian subjects.

        • Kalahari@ i agree with you ,,the ilaga’s will now react ( MANERO ) in every peace their will be a collateral damages …We are Democratic/Republican government ,,the RULE of majority prevails …but here on this peace process ,if. I am not mistaken more than the majority agreed ( including Filipinos living abroad if you do some referendum ).

          Those ILAGA’s must respect and obey that their LEADER on that areas of peace fact will be the MILF ..our muslims brothers……nanamasa na sila ng matagal @kalahari,,,because of previous government neglection for decades , they our muslim brothers were poorer than any other Filipinos in our country,,, so when the Luzon and Visayan settlers came to their province , being poor they sold their landed properties ng mura , napakamura na para lang tayong bumili ng asin sa talipapa,, now that they were educated and have money,,,binabawi nila lang ang kanilang unang pag aari…

          Ang sa akin pa mga IMHO….after this auotonomous region , , they must be given their INDEPENDENCE as a Bangsa MORO nation….

          @kalahri…..beleive me mga BILLIONAIRes Filipinos lang ang aayaw nyan , kasi pag separate nation na sila di mas malaki ang mawawala sa kanilang mga propriedad na na nakamkam sa maling paraan noong mangmang at mahirap pa ang ating Muslim Brothers… NATIONALISTIC pag sinabi nila iyon UTOT nila,,,mahihirapan sila kamung manohol ng anuman sa kinauukulan na mga Muslims.. At pweding i sequestered pa ang kanilang properties if found outto be acquired thru illicit means….

        • Indeed, you are morphing into a real Filipino as you feel, think and breathe like a Filipino. You are more nationalistic ( Filipinistic) than our legislative, judicial, local government officials and police officers as you are showing more concerns to the plight of the majority of populace – their welfare and interests, and incessantly offering solutions to the eternal problems of the country and the people.

        • @Joe Am

          That is a good wisdom, may you be counted among the chosen one to be with the Kingdom of God…as phophesied in the Apocalyse…

    • “hurry” and “sell out” are death words! Like ‘abandon’. What? MINDANAO? Gee…

      Since Mindanao Island is ‘dying’ every moment…will ‘abandoning’ it to make it live be better? With peace and progress?

      I ask: why insist on keeping something you cannot control, help, support, mold, maintain, supervise, govern and/or RULE atbpa? Giving it to ‘someone’ who can?

      The fault lies in or on the central government for the Mindanao Trouble. Politics and political leaders have grossly for decades ignored this trouble.

      Will same thing happen to Luzon and the Visayas Island provinces too in the near future?

      It will…nothing will stop it if our leaders continue corruption throughout. Go On! Corrupting.

      • @Leona

        Corruption is the key word, no corruptions, no politicians…

        Lets make it simple, a long time ago, when Adam and his wife Eve multiplied to one tribe, Adam giving sustenance to his sons became limited, some sons created their own tribe and so on and so forth….

        Similarly, the Bangsa Moro wanted to be on their own tribe he he he (bigla putol storya he he he), they may succeed or they may fail, whatever, its their own problem, their future. The Shariah Law will guide them, corruption in Shariah Law is punishable by DEATH….or cutting of the hands depending on the amount he he he

        I wish the Philippine Law with respect to corruption punishment is DEATH he he he
        100%, there will be no more major corruptions, perhaps petty crimes like cell phone snatching as i seen here in Al Khobar. The Saudi’s wearing tobe could not chase he he he how can you run wearing palda??? I saw one, lifted his palda to chase the cell phone snatcher riding in a moto cross bicyle, to a lot of bystander, saw this man has no underwear he he he….what a life funny but amusing….

        • Abandoning Mindanao to the bangsamoro is not a walk in the park considering that the Muslim population is only 10% of the total Mindanao population of 21.68M (2010 census), and the remaining 90% cannot just be thrown out like flotsam in the sea.

          Muslims are born warriors and their homelands have not been conquered nor subjugated even by the Americans who, by exasperation, invented the 1911 model 45 cal. pistol to drop suicidal Muslims who kept coming at them even if fatally wounded.

          PNoy must think of some provisions that would give the non-Muslims a feeling of security in areas covered and even outside the Bangsamoro state.

        • What security do they want?

          @kalahari…….full security if they follow the rules and provision of the peace agreement and put on their MIND their leader on that area are now MUSLIMs , maybe once upon a time heirs of this muslims are their SLAVES…. Magsumbung sila sa Central Government regarding , legal taxation if ever an Auotonomous Bills on Taxation are passed , dadaan ka sa kanila….ano naman ang masama noon kung sa ikakaunlad ng region nila?

          It was like when the Spaniards came to us , instead of living with the custums of Lapu Lapu and etc… ,thay introduced Spanish system and for centuries we reacted and win our independence , but because of ” inter marriages ” at sobrang magulang nga ang mga ESPANYOL…hayan sila parin ang may ari ng Pilipinas…. AYALA, TUAZON, ZOBEL, RAZON, ARANETAS at iba pa…

          Wala pinagkaiba ang nangyari sa Mindanao , kaya lang mas determinado ang ating Muslim brothers na lumaban ng patayan sa mga nakaraang administration at ngayon,,so let that peace process prevail and infact hindi naman lahat ng Mindanao ang sakop.

        • PNoy said “The framework agreement paves the way for a final, enduring peace in Mindanao. It brings all former secessionist groups into the fold; no longer does the MILF aspire for a separate state. This means that hands once held rifles will be put to use tilling lands, selling produce, manning work stations, and opening doorways of opportunity for all citizens.”

          Very well said but far from the truth. Only the MILF was represented in the signing to the exclusion of MNLF and the BIFF, who are now engaged in continuous shoot-out with govt forces in Maguindanao. Misuari is reported to be re-arming and would enter the fray in not too distant future.

          WHO DOESN’T WANT PEACE but peace seems to be an elusive goal and destined to be only a dream.

        • MNLF agrrement with the Government were long signed and implemented but all of us kne w what happened or what Misuari did, then let them settle with the MILF so us the Bangsa Moro … Christians on that area must submit to themseleves that our brother Muslims will now be on the driver seat in guiding the government of the Autonomous more independent and more % shares on theirnatural resources….ano ang ikinatatakot ng mga Christians ngayon? Baka marami silang mga kasalanan sa mga muslims noon na kinakatigan ng mga Politikong Kristyano sa area…. They have do go along with the MILF now, but to arm themeselves just to refuse the rulesnand provision written on that peace process , magulo mga pero mali sila , mali ang ating kapwa kristyano sa area… Boss nila talaga doon ay mga muslims na MILF na ,,,iyan ang inaayawan nila….gusto sila pa din o ang mga dating bosssing nila magsaludo… Hindi na mga pwede … Para saan pa ang peace process kung ayaw mung sundin?

        • Peace process can not solve the problem overnight . it takes time like in Yoguslavia and collateral damages can not be prevented,,,, All are humgry of power so when will it end? Kung walang peace agrrement?

        • @kalahari…bit too late for Pnoy to think giving non-Muslims security…if they find out it worked, they’ll all convert to Islam and Mindanao will be populated with Muslims. Why not!

          Visayas provinces will be next being just ‘next doors’… and then last and finally, LUZON! Why not!

          …one day later a president – President Abu Ahmmed Mac Speed!

          Why not!

        • @Leona

          You will be my Vice President…insha Allah (In Gods Willing).

          The Shariah Law prevents corruption, there is democracy in Shariah Government, however Alcohol, drugs and gambling are not allowed.

          Women are protected, even from their husband.

          Corruptors will be hanged or beheaded depending on the amount.

          Peace is Islam way of life. If the ruler exceed, people will revolt, just like in democracy.

          5 prayers are obligatory, before sunrise (Fajr), Noon time when Sun is 90degress (Duhr), 3pm prayers (Sun is 45degrees called Asr prayer), Orasyon or Sunset prayer called Magrib and the Night Prayer (after Dinner) called Isha.

          Man is allowed to marry maximum 4 women if allowed by the first, 2nd and 3rd wife and most of all, the man is capable economically and sexually. he he he

          There are many more…however the main thing is: NO CORRUPTIONS, NO POLITICIANS THAT WILL CORRUPT WHICH IS DEVELOPTMENT IN ECONOMY…..

        • Thanks @mac.

          Will Islam way of life under the Koran be above a democratic constitution as approved?

          Anyway, religion is a very touchy topic. Thanks again @mac!

        • the cal.45 were meant for the “tadtads” who cannot be felled by 38’s nor by magnums…

        • @leona
          the religion of Adam, Ismail, Issac, Noah, Abraham, john d Baptist, Jesus, and other messenger of God was not Christianity…be aware
          there are 25prophets and each one of them has book where the messages assigned to them was to be preached .Buddha was among the 25 prophets of God. The ultimate prophet was Jesus who was created without a father in Mariams womb. Jesus was raised alive in the kingdom of Gof and will come back to clarify his Gospel. Abraham was sent to preserve the Gospel which stated there is no other God but He who created all the human and things as well as the stars and the galaxy…messages from Al Qur an Al Kareem

        • Mohammad was sent to preserved the Gospel of Jesus. The Gospel is monotheism to believe in one God not two or three as practice by most Christians.

          Yes it is true that religion is very touchy subject a never ending story

          scientist could not trace the whole universe for its beginning and end. According to the Holy Qur an God dwells on the 7th heaven. Scientist could not even reached the battery limit of the first heaven he he he

        • @mac…I like your vivid vivid vivid description…don’t worry cutting the story I know the in-between…

          Here, if a beautiful woman’s cell phone is snatched and she runs after the snatcher with her short skirt raised up! … many MacS around, it will make your day!

        • HE HE HE HE @Leona

          life is full of mystery, my mom who recides in California, frequent says “Anak, umalis ka na sa muslim, mga salbahe yan, tingnan mo Abu Sayaaf?”
          I would say, “Nay, Islam has changed my attitude from confusion to the straight path, he he he Abu Sayyaf are tulisan, magna, mga tamad, gusto kumain ng walang work he he he, no mom, i stick to Islam…”

          My wife sticked to “Ang Dating Daan”, and she said “As long as you dont marry another problem (women) and you gave me monthly all kinds of input (money, love and sex) you can stay as muslim”…he he he

        • hahaha…lucky @mac! How about women, can a Muslim woman also marry a 2nd hubby as long as she can make hubby1 happy etc? Why not?

          Everybody happy! hahaha

        • @leona
          no it is not allowed for woman to get two man while she is married to 1st hubby. However after divorce and after 4 to 5 months of her divorce assuring di nabuntis nun dinivorce nya, then she can marry. The law of one man for a woman is actually happening to animals like horses, dogs etc. Nag aaway din mga babae animal if the male is not around he he he

        • …I see.

          …so, there is more perfect equality to ‘lower animals’ in that than to higher animals! hahaha

          …dyahE! hahaha

  5. Compared to other Asian nations like South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia decades ago the Philippines was ahead in terms of economic, cultural and education. Unlike today, Philippines is becoming less progressive economically, less disciplined, less educated but more prone to corruption, drug haven and escape locale of foreign criminals.

    On the other hand, significant findings on the culture of Filipinos are these subjects of fascination of the citizens which socio demographic analysts attribute to the decline.

    Filipinos current fascination of worldwide relevance are, not necessary in order of importance:

    1. Politics- Only in the Philippines that Election Day is a national holiday, politics is daily topics in media and neighborhoods. Comelec is a year found busy Philippine government agency. WHY?

    2. Beauty Contests: not belittling the fact that Filipinas are pretty and desirable, fascination with Philippine participation in any form of beauty pageants including most without educational values is quite perplexing. Not only that the organizers devote significant time preparing for the event, the entire population especially those in tV, radio and show business indulge in daily discussion of the participating beauties. Even before the pageant is held, media sensationalized the probability of winning by the Pgilippine representative without praising much the academic or educational achievement of the contestant. WHY?

    3. Sports: although every nation supports their athletes in areas where they can achieve high honors for their countries, Filipinos favorite sport and fascination revolves around basketball which in all probability or as they say,”pagputi ng uwak” Philippines will never become a World basketball champion. Wrong focus of Philippine Sports Commision to encourage athletic abilities of their youths. WHY?

    4. Celebrities and idolism: from time immemorial Filipino movie fans have been movie fans resulting to cult following. From Rogelio dela Rosa/ Leopoldo Salcedo to Susan/Amalia,Nora/Tirso/Edgar/Vilma mania, the idolizations factor never changed. Factually it got worst because of open minded population when before the focus was on facial appearance and singing prowess, today LGBT and ugly ducklings have cult followers. Vice Ganda and Melai are no longer snickered at. Not that there is something wrong with fascination of celebrities but over indulging in following idols to the point of fighting for them or spending tons of money on their goods is what is questionable on the priorities of people. WHY? Time and money spent mimicking their idols are mind boggling considering that according to statistics, people on this side of the spectrum belong mostly to the low and middle income and undereducated sectors. Really?

    Of course, the undisputed subject of fascination Filipinos will never discard till the end of the universe is none other than the favorite of everybody, TSISMIS!

    He he he!

  6. Then you would love Last Vegas…!!!!!
    with Rodbert de Niro, Michael Douglas, et al showing us how to enjoy life beyond 70…
    :)

  7. Robert De Niro, also one of my favorite actors, did not enter politics to capitalize on his popularity.

    Arnold Schwarzenegger quit making movies while serving as governor of California and did not resume making movies until he finished his term. Obviously, he has the sense to recognize the conflict-of-interest if he did both.

    Bong Revilla, on the other hand, wants it all – elective office, movie making, and commercial endorsements.

    Bakit kaya may mga taong walang delikadesa?

    • Magandang tanong ‘yan! Baka tumutulong sa ama. Ikaw ba naman ang may mahigit na walumpong (80) kapatid eh may pupuwerahan ka ba? Kaya mahirap ang maraming anak, kakayod at kakayod kaliwa’t kanan. LOL

      • to kapayapaan, may I add my take? which is – walang kadelikadeza because their parents brought them up that way. in bong revilla’s case, his succession of yayas most probably brought him up that way. paiba-iba ang values nila, marahil wala silang masyadong pinag-aralan, walang silang parenting style, afraid to discipline young revilla baka paghigantihan pa sila at mawalan ng trabaho.

        his father was barely around guiding and disciplining him. with all his mistresses that had to be satisfied, wined and dined, businesses to be attended to, making movies and starring in films, revilla senyor was more or less absentee father, fathering 80 kids with different women, kids that like bong revilla ended up with wala ring kadelikadeza. nagpapatayan.

        bong’s mother was too busy beautyfying herself, making herself seen in glossy magazines, being heard and be famous, glamor girl competing with other glamorous women, trying hard to entice and hang on to revilla senyor.

        by the time revilla senyor aged and slowed down, bong was already adult and no longer need guidance. his fate has already been cast.

        • @moonie
          If we have only listened to the word of God not to believe every spirit but test the spirit, then no blood from Nardong Putik’s DNA would ever graced the halls of Congress. All along, people failed to see why they should not believe and vote for Kap. Sad to say we also have no delikadeza in choosing our leaders. Our culture has gotten so turned on its head that the unelectables are passed off as electables,.

  8. Robert De Niro, aside from acting, is now investing in the business of gambling. The multi-Oscar awardee is everybody’s favorite for his rugged good looks and an accomplished actor.

    On the contrary, keanu reeves has never won any award and is rumored to be a gay like robert redford

    • Because the Philippines, to gambling lords, is like the Wild West frontier. Easy regulations, corruptible government officials, lots of money to be made

      • …to relocate myself to ‘another’ hell…Nah! I stay put here…at least I know all the gates!

  10. I thought this blog post was about the heist masterminded by the Goodfellas de Niro character.

    Charges were recently made on a mobster…

    m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25866101

  12. I like De Niro best in the Godfather as the young Don Corleone, the thief in Heat, and Al Capone in the Untouchables.

    • I like that scene where Vito “Andolini” Corleone delivered the “gift” from his late father to Don Ciccio while whispering softly his message to the latter’s ear.

  13. Raissa, you’re just in luck seeing Robert De Niro live!

    Me? Lucky too… seen a lots of his movies! In fun with De Niro.

    Thanks for De Niro reminder.