Demystifying Gloc 9

For those of you wondering how come Gloc 9 is so popular; well, in my opinion, what endears him to a lot of people is that he doesn't take his success too seriously. For him, he is just like any one of us---a person with a dream.

When I first met him a couple of years ago, I had no idea who he was.  His wife is a personal friend and my son's godmother.  Pleasantries were exchanged and introductions were made.  What I saw was an ordinary guy taking his family to Sunday mass.  No air of haughtiness whatsoever.  No flashy clothes (I did not even know what an FMCC shirt was!  Apologies to ya'll FMCC crew---I seemed to have been out of touch that time ).  No bling.  A simply, likeable fellow and a dotting father to his twins.  It was only after we've parted ways that my son told me that I was talking to a famous rapper.  His demeanor earned my respect and I became an instant fan. 

Gloc 9 has gone on to make two more albums after our first meeting and yet he is still that same guy that I have been introduced to.  I tell you, the guy is so down to earth that anyone can relate to him.  During the launching of his latest album "Talumpati" at Eastwood City, Libis, last February 24 was a testament as to how much following he has and yet here's what he has to say about himself on his Facebook wall:

"Siguro ang masasabi ko sa sarili ko as a

Rapper at ang kaibahan ko sa iba ay Wala...

 Wala akong kaibahan sa ibang tao nagkataon

lang na nagka albums ako nakakatugtog sa mga

sobrang cool na events at mga tao, pero

katulad ng lahat sumasablay din ako,

 kinakabahan na parang naiihe at dinadaan

sa dasal lahat...Kaya kung titingnan nyo

ako isipin nyo na parang kayo lang ako..."

Other than his grounded disposition, Gloc 9's music transcends age and social status. The rhythm of his songs carries the danceable beat of the young and his lyrics rouses the sensibilities of the nation. The presence of National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera and his lining up for an autograph during the album launch is proof of Gloc 9's literary artistry.  For me to have witnessed it was like seeing Plato putting the graduation cap on his student Aristotle---a hair raising moment it was!  And to think that Gloc 9's real name is ARISTOTLE POLLISCO is quite eerie!

Artwork by John Paul George Macarayan



Gloc 9: Talumpati Album Launch @ Eastwood City, Libis

February 24, 2011, Eastwood City, Libis was the venue of Gloc 9's "Talumpati Album" launch.  The event was packed by loyal supporters and attracted a lot of attention from the Eastwood crowd.  The young and the not so young were skin to skin as they jockyed for the best vantage point to capture the moment.  Cam phones, point and shoot, and SLRs clicked away as Gloc 9 rocked the house with choice cuts from his album and joined in by his collaborative partners like Aiza Seguerra, Tanya Markova, Jaq Dionisio, Aia de Leon, and Sheng Belmonte.  Other guests include Elmo Magalona and Mike Villegas.

The event was a huge success!  As a sign of his appreciation, Gloc 9 accomodated the more than 1 1/2 hour line for autograph signing and picture taking with the fans.  Talk about class!  No wonder he is so blessed! 

Congratulations Gloc 9!


If you have a National Artist as your fan you have got to be
SPECIAL!  Buenvenido Lumbera lining up for an autograph.
We're not worthy!

With Aiza Seguerra

With Elmo Magalona



With Tanya Markova

With Jaq Dionisio

With Aia de Leon

With Sheng Belmonte

Erin Heatherton Makes Valentine's Day Hotter

Valentine's Day and sexy lingerie makes a perfect match.  No wonder Victoria's Secret sales always goes up as V-day approaches.  Let's face it, a woman in lingerie is HOT and that's irregardless of what shape and size she is.  Mind you, there are lingerie for big sized women!  But what really makes lingerie saleable is the projection of those modelling the products.  Case in point:  Erin Heatherton surely made Valentine's Day hotter modelling this lingerie!  Don't you agree?

Gouty Arthritis

Oh, the pain!  As if all your blood rushed down to your feet and the feeling that it's about to explode---but don't!  Terrible, terrible pain!  Such is the calvary of having Gouty Arthritis! 

Gouty Arthritis is caused by an elevated uric acid in the blood and are deposited in the joints.  Otherwise known as inflammatory arthritis or the swelling of the joints.  The most common type is the inflammation of the big toe or the metatarsal-phalangeal joint which affected 50% of the cases.  In my case, it's the inflammation of the heel joint which rendered me incapable of walking for the last three days.  My right foot was swollen and was unable to set it on the floor without experiencing intense pain.  The most nettlesome about this situation was that the pain would persist through the night and no matter what position I put my foot in---it was PAIN TO THE MAX!  Needless to say, sleepless were those nights!

Not my feet but the same outcome.  Notice the inflamed right foot.

Hyperurecemia or the high uric acid in the blood, is the primary cause of gout.  This medical condition can be caused by a number of reasons, mainly:  poor diet, generic predisposition, and the undersecretion of urates or the salts of uric acid.  Poor diet---GUILTY!   

This is the first time that I have experienced this and I don't intend to have a repeat.  As they say, once is enough for a wise guy!  This would mean a drastic lifestyle change in terms of what I eat and how much I exercise.  Goodbye taho, isaw, canned food, pork, and beef!  Pork and beef?!  Oh my!  That in itself is tough to do given my penchant to being carnivorous!  Ah, well...either bite the bullet or be on pain! 

Believe me when I tell you---the pain was horrible!  So unless you want to experience that too I suggest, especially for those who already have an elevated uric acid, to make the dietary change.  Remember, WALANG NAGSISISI SA UNA.

Mylene Gonzales: The Actress Once Upon a Time

“Old actors don’t die, they just fade away.”

Well, Maya Elizalde, otherwise known by her screen name Mylene Gonzales and Mayleen Zapanta in the late 80’s, and 90's---is not in any sense OLD. Well, she has aged I agree, but she has still got that knockdown pretty look that made her leading lady material!

One of Maylene's magazine layout from

way. way back.

I know Maya through a Facebook friend who happens to be her sister and throught the next couple of days of her acquaintance, I was intrigued at the fact that there's this woman who once upon a time basked under the glory of the silverscreen, envied by many, and most probably paparazzied (if there was such a word during those days) but who is now living in Japan and raising a family.  You don't just walk away from showbiz just like that and the curious in me just had to know.

Unfortunately, the distance made it impossible to do a face-to-face interview so I improvised by sending her my questions via Facebook which she was courteous enough to oblige. 

Maya's film credits include:  “The Alex Bongcayao Brigade” (1988), “Boy Negro” (1988), “Sheman:  Mistress of the Universe” (1988),  “Hindi Palulupig” (1989), “Iisa-Isahin Ko Kayo” (1990), “Kabayo Kids” (1990), “Urbanito Dizon, the Most Notorious Gangster in Luzon” (1990), “Crocodile Jones, The Son of Crocodile Dundee” (1990), “Urbanito Dizon” (1998), and “Bad Boy” (1998),  Among this list I watched "The Alex Boncayao Brigade", "Boy Negro", "Sheman", and "Bad Boy", however, it was such a long time ago even my Glutaphos induced brain couldn't seem to remember all the details much more the cast of characters.

Miong, as her late father fondly called her, started out as a print and commercial model when she was 14 years old and got her first taste of the big screen when she was 17. It was a nice gig that earned her serious bucks that enabled her to help support her family, buy signature clothes and other lady accouterments, not to mention rub elbows with famous people.

Young and pretty proved to be a combination that was both boon and bane to Maya’s film career. Her beauty earned her the nod of some of the country’s big stars during that time such as Robin Padilla, Joey de Leon, Lito Lapid, Ronnie Ricketts, Bong Revilla, and Phillip Salvador and  the accompanying adulation of many male fans. Unfortunately, her love life suffered and with a jealous boyfriend, it proved to be a career ender. Oh, the things we do for love…

Nowadays, Maya takes residence in Japan with her husband (no, he was not the jealous one that ended her career) and two beautiful children. She works as a part time language teacher for the aged. 

Maylene with her Japanese students.  It has got to be a challenge

teaching these ladies.

Does she want to be in the movies again? “Yes, pero I would prefer motherly roles,” said Maya. Hmmm…personally, I’d say she’s still leading lady material, don’t you agree?

Maylene with her mom.  Now you know where she got

her pretty looks.

Burgers Galore!

I'm a carnivore.  Naturally, meat is an integral part of my gastronomical cravings.  And when you talk about MEAT you have got to talk about  HAMBURGERS! 

The hamburger's origin dates as far back as 1200's during the time of Genghis Khan.  The Mongols were a fast moving calvary based army who lived on their sturdy ponies during times of war. During these times the Mongols needed food that they could carry on their mounts and can easily be eaten in one hand.  This need paved the way for the invention of the ground beef.  Lamb or mutton were the meat of choice which were made into flat patties and tenderized under the saddle of a Mongol rider and was eaten raw when the need called for it.  So even then, it already had the "fast-food" label to it.  Of course, I would rather prefer the modern version of the hamburger with its patty cooked to perfection---a taste of heaven in a bun!

I have been watching "Man vs Food" on the Travel Network and I have been introduced to how ridiculously inventive the different burger creations can be.  Here's a few example of those that has been featured.

The Big Judd Burger, Boise, Idaho

1 lb. beef patty with 4 slices of real cheddar and a pound of pickles, lettuce, tomatoes,

ketchup and mustard sandwiched in an 8 inch diameter bun.

Onion Burger, Oklahoma

Spanish onion cooked right into a 1/3 lb beef patty.

The Crown Burger, Salt Lake City, Utah

Pastrami topped double cheese burger.

Apocalypse Now Burger, Indianapolis, Indiana 

A four-patty cheeseburger topped with pork belly, bacon, foie gras, macerated cherry
spread, and homemade mayonnaise.