Filmmaker Carlitos Siguion-Reyna who just arrived in New York managed his jetlag and went straight to Carnegie Hall. “Saw a wonderful recital of Cecile Licad. The pianist again did the music world, the Philippines, and herself much honor through her deeply personal readings of a rich, diverse, and interesting program generously supplemented by two encores. Hoping for more concerts of her again soon in Manila.”

The name Kevin Eric Raymundo doesn’t trigger automatic recognition in the way the alias Tarantadong Kalbo does. The alias is undeniably catchy, and intriguing, especially because tarantado is hardly a mainstay of polite conversation. It makes one wonder if the man, Tarantadong Kalbo, is simply a jerk (albeit a creative one) or a rebel with a cause (he’s the latter). The identification is shored up by his kalbo (bald) style that he wears with aplomb.

Celebrating our Christmas tradition, the Philippine Postal Corporation has released special stamps titled Simbang Gabi sa Ilog Pasig. The Philippines is one of the only few countries in the world that practice the nine-day dawn masses before Christmas.