Buhay Stateside By: Bing Formento

I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE NIGTHMARE OF 1986-89 COUP D TAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN!

2009-06-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

MY MESSAGE TO THE PHILLIPINE AIR FORCE ;

TODAY, I THANK GOD FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO CELEBRATE YOUR PAF ANNIVERSARY !

CONGRATULATIONS AND GREETINGS TO ALL OF YOU! PARTICULARLY TO OUR VALIANT AND BELOVED PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE CHIEF LT GEN OSCAR RABENA-AND THE OFFICERS, MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM AND ALL YOUR GUESTS .

IT IS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF YOUR CELEBRATION AND EVEN MORE SO, BEING ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS OF A CITATION.

THIS RECOGNITION WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE HAD IT NOT BEEN BECAUSE OF THE CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ME AND YOUR TIRELESS DIRECTOR HEAD OF YOUR PAF PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE COL GERRY ZAMUDIO. MORE THAN A NEWS RESOURCE, I CONSIDER HIM A FRIEND AND A BROTHER.

A TRUE GENTLEMAN AND AN OFFICER WHO PERFORMS HIS DUTY TO SERVE THE PAF AS WELL AS THE AFP. HE NEVER TURNS OFF HIS CELLPHONE EVEN DURING THE WEE HOURS OF THE NIGHT FOR NEWS PEOPLE LIKE ME.

HE IS AWARE THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW WHATS GOING ON EVERYWHERE IN THE ARCHIPELAGO WHERE THE AIR FORCE CONTINUES TO PERFORM ITS MANDATE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.

HE IS EXTREMELY APPROACHABLE, DEPENDABLE, AND KEENLY AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF THE WORKING REPORTER TO GET INFORMATION AT ANYTIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT. THAT WAS SINCE I RETURNED FROM THE USA LAST YEAR TO RESUME MY REPORTAGE AFTER 18 YEARS OF ABSENCE.

HISTORICALLY, I WAS ASSIGNED TO COVER THE DEFENSE AND MILITARY AS WELL AS THE PNP WAYBACK 1976-1990, FIRST AS A CORRESPONDENT OF MANILA BROADCASTING COMPANY DZRH RADIO –THEN I JOINED THE BANAHAW BROADCASTING COMPANY CITY 2 BALITA AND ALSO WITH THE PRINT MEDIA, THE PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER AND PHILIPPINE STAR BEFORE I SIGNED OFF.

MY FAMILY AND I LEFT THE COUNTRY ON FEBRUARY 08, 1990 THAT WAS TWO MONTHS AFTER THE FAMOUS “COUP D TAT” THAT ALMOST TOPPLED THE AQUINO GOVERNMENT BY THE REFORMIST SOLDIERS LED BY NOW SENATOR GREG HONASAN, WHO FORMED THE (RAM) REFORM THE ARMED FORCES MOVEMENT – IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST CHAOTIC WEEKS WHERE 300 LIVES WERE LOST AND SOME WERE WOUNDED.

BEFORE THOSE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS,JUAN PONC ENRILE & FIDEL RAMOS, JOINED BY GREGORIO HONASAN’S RAM FORCES IN 1986, BROKEAWAY FROM THEN PRESIDENT MARCOS ADMINISTRATION, SUPPORTED BY THE PEOPLE THE FAMOUS PEOPLES POWER THAT LED THE EDSA REVOLUTION –.WAS BROUGHT FORTH THAT CATAPULTED MRS CORY AQUINO INTO POWER. AFTER THREE YEARS RAMOS AND ENRILE PARTED WAYS TO PURSUE THEIR OWN ADVOCACY I WAS WITH THE FORERUNNERS AND WITNESSED THE EVENTS THAT TRANSPIRED - REPORTED THEM BLOW BY BLOW OVER DZRH AS I WROTE THE STORY PRINTED IN PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER AND PHILIPPINE STAR.

THE LAST COUP D' TAT THAT I COVERED, WAS DECEMBER OF 1989- WHEN FIDEL RAMOS, THEN THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE AFP SUPPORTED PRESIDENT AQUINO WHILE THEN DEFENSE CHIEF JUAN PONCE ENRILE WAS TAGGED AS THE PROTECTOR OF THE REFORMIST SOLDIERS LED BY HONASAN – THE TWO ENRILE – RAMOS SET APART-I WAS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THESE TWO BIG PERSONALITIES WHEN THEY BROKE UP AND BECAME THE BIGGEST 2 WARRING FACTIONS IN THE AFP AT THAT TIME..

THE MILITARY WAS DIVIDED AND THE SOLDIERS WERE BEING USED AS PAWNS BY POLITICIANS FOR THEIR OWN VESTED INTEREST - CHAOS WITHIN THE COMMAND RUPTURED THE IMAGE OF PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS AND THE MILITARY ADVENTURISM STARTED SOME OF THEM, THEY BECAME MERCENARIES OF SOME POLITICAL PARTIES AND THAT HURT THE INSTITUTION VERY BADLY.

BECAUSE OF THEIR FEUD I WAS NOT ABLE TO PERFORM MY DUTIES WELL, AND BOTH CAMPS EVEN ACCUSED ME OF FAVORING ONE OF THEM MORE THAN THE OTHER AND I WAS TOLD BY THE LATE MR LOUIE BELTRAN TO LIE LOW AS HE RECEIVED ORDERS FROM MALACANANG AT THAT TIME NOT TO AIR MY VOICE OVER THE RADIO AND THEY TAGGED ME AS A FORWARD OBSERVER OF THE REFORMIST SOLDIERS, THE RAM.

ON THE CONTRARY THE REFORMIST FORCES OF RAM ALSO WAS ACCUSING ME OF BEING A “MOUTHPIECE” OF RAMOS! WHERE WOULD I GO?

BOTH WERE HOT AGAINST ME.THEN LOUIE BELTRAN ADVISED ME TO GO ON INDEFINITE LEAVE AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY I LEFT THE COUNTRY WITH MY FAMILY AND SOUGHT REFUGE IN AMERICA.

NOW I AM BACK IN THE MAINSTREAM OF MEDIA, COMPLETING THE UNFINISHED TASK IN MY LIFE AS A MEDIA PERSON..A CAREER WHERE MY PASSION IS TO SERVE MY COUNTRY TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY – WITH THE HOPE AND I PRAY THAT THE NIGHTMARE OF 1986-89 COUP D TAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN…THANK YOU AND A BLESSED AND PEACEFUL DAY TO ALL OF YOU! MABUHAY ANG HUKBONG SANDATAHANG PANGHIMPAPAWID NG PILIPINAS!!! MGA KATOTO MAHALIN NATIN ANG BANSANG PILIPINAS!!!

BING FORMENTO
RH-911

MT. Charleston one of the beautiful spot in Vegas!

2007-12-20T19:22:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capital of the World, became the center of International cuisine too. Would you believe that there are beautiful places around the city? Like the Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Mt Charleston and many more, "It seems like a lot of tourists dont pay atention to it," said Douglas Alfar, a Clark County Special Education Teacher, and a family friend.

Doug noticed that most of the people who visited Vegas, don't care about the scenic spot around the valley, once they walked inside the casino halls because of the excitement, their body is magnetized, strapped on the chair enticed by different kinds of slot machine to play and gamble, sometimes they forgot to eat the whole day.

Speaking of International Cuisine, foods are also one of the effective bait by every hotel and casinos to all tourists even to the local residents. For every dollar you put in to the slot machine, it counts to the players gambling cards and accumulates points to become a complimentary ticket that could be exchanged for food.

On December 09, 2007, Sunday at 2pm, our friend Douglas, invited us and drove to Mt Charleston, ate dinner at the famous cottage mountain restaurant. That was an awesome trip. My wife Nora and my youngest son JR, enjoyed a couple of hours stay in that beautiful scenery of Mt Charleston near 1-95 north of Las Vegas, 25 miles away from the heart of the city.

Doug said, "we had such a good time-something different. And I hope you all truly enjoyed the winter wonderland experience." Yes, we really enjoyed the trip.

Try to visit this place and you will experience the awesome "eerie feelings", as if your on top of the world. The surroundings from the bottom of the hill filled with snow going up to the rocky mountain all white covered. Temperature in the 20's. Lots of people went up and numerous cars are parked all over the road side going to the park up to the mountain.

Some people don't even bother themselves being over cold temperature, they managed to cook bar-b-cue at the park. People are enjoying the cold weather playing around, and snow boarding.

We been here in Vegas since 2001, we missed a lot of opportunities to see, visit the spot and enjoy the beauty of nature around the valley. Why? Because, when we arrived here in Vegas, we focused ourselves in business. And most of the time after business hour we go to the casino and strap ourselves in the slot machines.

That's the routine of our lives before, until one day in the year 2007 our friend Douglas, opened our eyes and changed the itirenary of our daily schedule in life.

FREEVEGASGETAWAY.COM

2007-12-15T09:00:00.001-08:00

Would you believe that you could stay in a glamorous hotel in Las Vegas for FREE? You get a complimentary 4 day/3 night stay. First you need to know how to play the mechanics of the game of this company "FREEVEGASGETAWAY.COM"

Just fill out the survey on the site. Answer all the questions and submit your answer. A representative from the company will review your submission. If you're qualified, they will call you and confirm your entry.

You need a major credit to reserve your dates. They will charge your card $199 + tax to save the dates. This will be refunded to you after attending the vacation ownership presentation. The presentation is abot 2 to 3 hours long depending on your interest level

There's no obligation to purchase. You know if it's for you or not. Just for attending, you get your accommodations
absolutely FREE!

Your choices of hotels are LUXOR, EXCALIBUR or GOLDEN NUGGET based on availability.

Las Vegas Marketing, LLC is the parent company of FREEVEGASGETAWAY.COM. It's partnership consist of Erno Mabini, Nonesto Mabini, Selene Spencer & James Disabato. All four used to sell timeshares with different companies.

Erno, the "brain" came up with the idea and immediately told his brother Nonesto about it. They didn't know where to begin so they asked Selene and James if they have any

ideas to share. Selene and James convinced and love the project so much, they quit their respective jobs to become partners in the company.

The company has grown so fast since its inception. They now have partners in California, Texas, New York, Michigan, Florida and the Philippines. For more info log on to http://www.freevegasgetaway.com/

Pictures from left to right; Nonesto Mabini, James Disabato, Selene Spencer & Erno Mabini

Broken nose and bloody face on GMA 7 1st Christmas Fair in Las Vegas-Taunted & Booed by Irritated crowd!

2007-12-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

The "EMCEE" of GMA 7's Pinoy TV was "booed", followed by a chanting of "Wowwowie!" from the irritated crowd on its first live presentation of Christmas Fair Festival here in the Valley.

GMA Pinoy TV, launched its first "dis-organized" Entertainment Festival and Christmas Fair, featuring their dazzling performers and top talents of dance and song last Sunday, December 2,2007, the events held at the Sport Center of Las Vegas, 121 E. Sunset Road, was taunted by the crowd on its first hour of the entertainment.
The Crowd of mostly Pinoys jam-packed at the front of the empty stage was forced to enjoy the show, the "Kapuso Fever," led the Festival presented by GMA Pinoy TV in association with Gawad Kalinga.

The"mini expo" had several booths around the stage such as the Christmas Tiangge, Arcade, Filipino Food, giveaways galore, premium items and raffle prizes from their corporate partners, event sponsors and some local retailers, and was opened free of admission to the public at 8am.

The Sports Center, located less than five minutes from the Strip and a few blocks from the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. It features the world famous Slugger Stadium, a 37-foot-high indoor Rock Wall, Go Kart Speedway Track, Arcade Games, Billiard Tables and Backyard Sports Adventure Area.

From 12 noon, quiries started to pour in as to when the show would start. One of the emcees, Paco Arespacochaga, who came up to the stgae at 3pm was booed, but later managed to pacify the unruly crowd by cracking jokes, he was joined by his co-host Jae Buensuceso, a Bay Area native,2007 Pinoy Pop Superstar North America Champion. They gave out raffles prizes at the start of the presentation.

Just after the giving out of the prizes the live show started with the opening performance of the Vegas local talents hip-hop Meccamee Dancers, followed by the Filipiniana Dance Troupe, a cultural dance organization that regaled the audience with their grace,beauty and energy.

The first singer-performer,Ric Arellano,a 40 years Vegas local talent, broke the dull moment of the crowd. He was followed by another performer-singer-host, Joseph Gelito,a "gayish" funnyman who calmed down the irritated crowd by choosing a good looking young man from the audience, bringing him to the stage and making the guy the center of his candid jokes. The audience was mesmerized with his captivating voice and rendition of soulful songs and comedy acts that drew out laughter from the audience.

The lead or "stars" of the show Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, who are also the lead stars of "MARIMAR", from the primetime weeknight telenovela of GMA 7 in Manila, showed up late. After a couple of songs, they left the stage.

GMA 7 management, set a table for them to sign fans autographs, suddenly a riot broke up, when unruly crowd who was trying to break the line of people towards them was blocked by others, and a brawl ensued. Some bloody face and broken nose were seen after the melees end...

Creative Concepts International who produced the show-festival apologized the crowd, tried their best to please the audience. " The live show which was expected to commence at 1pm was the first step of GMA Pinoy TV to promote their program "Marimar" live in the US which was initialed in Las Vegas the world stop choice for live entertainment.

BIOPRO Technology Creates Healthy Intelligent WATER

2007-11-28T17:33:00.000-08:00

BIOPRO TECHNOLOGY is delivering all the secrets of this groundbreaking technology to us! Called MRET- "Molecular Resonance Effect Technology" Powered by ERT-Energy Resonance Technology.

Our friend Dina Collins from Las Vegas introduced to us Flor & Annie De La Cruz from Hawaii, who shared their experience about Biopro Technology products especially the healthy I WATER. They made a presentation in our house on October 3, 2007 about the BIOPROS' groundbreaking technology in the field of Health & Wellness. My wife and I watched the DVD. We were surprised when we learned the tremendous amount of electro magnetic radiation bombarding our body daily.
We are unaware that we are being exposed to 100 million times more electro magnetic frequency or electro magnetic radiation than our grandparents,while we are enjoying the benefits of our wireless electronic gadgets.

I went to the website, listened to the good news and some successful stories of people who joined the company, after research all the healthy benefits of the products especially the drinking I WATER, how it helps inhibit growth of Psoriasis cells by 15 times-Aids in promoting the growth of good bacteria while effectively destroying bad bacteria-Assist in optimizing hydrogen ions (H-) to create powerful anti-oxidant effects-Delivers viscosity levels 400-500 times less than ordinary water-Less viscous I WATER absorb deeply in our veins and capillaries where other water simply cannot reach-Help to significantly improve function of blood circulatory system, can also delay the aging process, I was convinced to do the same.

The following day, we told Flor and Annie that we were ready to ride in the bandwagon as consultants. Flor and Annie invited us to atend the seminar in San Diego on October 8 & 9, and we were positively convinced when we heard more stories about the products that really work and help a lot of people who have skin & health problems, then immediately we bought a package including the I WATER system.

Please visit our website www.mybiopro.com/bingformento watch it and make your own research. I would gladly like to share this discovery with you, and I would appreciate it very much if you could pass on the news to someone you know who have health issues so they too can benefit from this amazing health discovery.

Consider this, serious health epidemic is occurring, people all over the world are using IPODS,BLUETOOTH,BLACKBERIES,MOBILE PHONES, AND LAPTOPS in record numbers. Our society has become addicted to the benefits of our wireless RF-SATURATED ELECTRO WORLD. A vast majority of people are unaware that we are being exposed to 100 million times more ELECTRO MAGNETIC FREQUENCY (EMF) or ELECTRO MAGNETIC RADIATION (EMR) than our grandparents.

In response to this growing problem, Biopro Chairman and CEO Ray Grimm, created-developed a new Generation of Welness Solution-Primary,Secondary and Tertiary inventions designed to effectively impact our exposure to Electro Pollution, the effects of that exposure, as well as repair the resulting damage.

Mr Grimm, emphazised, "as we think about people we know being exposed to these invisible dangers daily, it becomes our responsibility as Biopro Consultants to spread the word about products that can change their lives."
We all know 10 people that own a cell phone, Laptop Computer,Microwave,or big screen TV, what might happen to them in the next 5 or 10 years if we dont share this information? We all have an awesome responsibility ahead of us, because lives will be affected not only locally, but globally.
Rey Grimm-Chairman-CEO BIOPRO TECHNOLOGY, said,
"We understand the increased stress you face living in today's fast-paced,high tech world, guided by powerful Global Vision to help you experience a more balanced, healthy energetic and stress-free life, Biopro has developed the most comrehensive and advanced system of products to strengthen your body's key energetic systems."

And now, Biopro Technology is delivering all the secrets of this groundbreaking technology to us!

The newest invention out of 8 products that they have today is the I WATER. The brilliant scientist Dr. Igor smirnov and his team were called in by the Soviet goverment to research the healing effects of certain mountain springs on victims of the radioactive fallout in Russia.
They discovered the powerful secrets-an unusual cofiguration and high energy activity of water molecules,following the amazing discovery, he focused his efforts on a technology that could replicate this unique natural process. The result-(MRET) Molecular Resonance Effect Technology, a patended, noise field technology that closely resembles the natural geomagnetic field found near healing water springs, which effectively activates and structures water molecules. Normal drinking water simply is not good enough for properly hydrating your body cells. Water you drink nw quench your thirst reaches your body cells one hour later. Research shows that I WATER is absorb 3 times faster.

75 percent of the human body is water. Some believe, water may be the most powerful healing subtance ever known to man.Each day 2.5 liters of water is lost through normal bodily functions. By the time you feel thirsty, the damage has already occured. The more you know about how important water is to your wellness, the more you will understand as to why I WATER is the most important decision you can make today for your health.

Las Vegas, A Prayerful City in the USA

2007-11-26T13:50:00.000-08:00

The Bible says; "Not everyone who says to me, Lord! Lord! will enter the Kingdom of heaven". (Matthew 7:21.)

Believe it or not, Pinoys are not the only ones who are prayerful in Las Vegas, the "SIN" city of "LIGHTS", considered the number one tourist destination. Pinoys are growing in numbers, however fragmented, but everyone has an agenda - and not only in the spiritual aspects of life.

Vegas, where people go to gamble and play, is the exact opposite of the Holy Land in the Middle East, where people go to travel and worship. "Lord let me hit the jackpot, and I will build a beautiful church for you Lord!" , a common prayerful plea that can be heard often on the gambling floors of this city that never sleeps. Casinos are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is easy to spot people playing the machines and praying at the same time to hit the jackpot as they talk to the machines, cursing, kicking and praying hard to win.

On the other hand, churches from different denominations sprout like mushrooms all over the Valley, "now you see-now you don't." In some Filipino congregations, inundated by so-called "believers", religion is used as a vehicle to get immigrant status through church sponsorships.

The 'TNTs" offer their services to some denominations in exchange for their papers to be sponsored by the church. Once the US government approves the petition by the church to certain "TNTs" appointed as "PASTORS", and a Green Card is issued, the disappearing act of those so-called "Pastors" follows. Not only once did I personally witness this kind of situation since we moved here in Vegas in 2001.

Others are using the word of GOD to gather people and set up a Bible Study as a front to make money (business-recruiting pyramid) out of it. Some sell religious items such as, handkerchiefs bearing pictures of Jesus Christ and other religious items to get their questionable message across. One can easily tell if the Bible Study group is for real. If an "abuloy" is solicited in exchange for prayers, this could be a sign that not everything is not what it seems to be in the study group. Would you believe that some Bible Study groups start from 7pm with a "picnic fellowship" where attendees are sort of obligated to prepare food for the group's consumption, and end at 2am with gossips.

Meanwhile, on the business side of the city, even the solemn matrimony and "de=matrimony" of a man and a woman has become big business. There are 24-hour drive thru wedding chapels as well as drive thru divorces, somewhat comparable to "fast food" store windows.

Pinoys belong to a very prayerful religious ethnic group in Las Vegas, but are also active "gossip- worshippers." Since we moved here, we are continually encountering such "hullabaloo" from groups of people who proclaim themselves as "Christians." I couldn't believe that we were trapped into some uncomfortable situations and became victims of those people whom we have taken in to our homes out of the goodness of our heart, and treated as family.

Our friend Ara, when she learned about our recent predicament, e-mailed us and said; "You know, sometimes as much as we want to do something good for ourselves we have to look around who we are dealing with...These people don't have conscience at all. They only want your money. They make friends with you to make money. There are lots of Filipinos preying on their own kababayans, "makakapal ang mukha". Don't get me wrong, there are still some good Filipinos in existence in Las Vegas. Why do you think among Asian communities we are the most divided ? or fragmented? We always try to outdo one another. We always compare ourselves with others in terms of material things that we can afford to have. Some people even think that their garage are better than other people's garage. I have to avoid people like these - it's not worth my time and effort." Ara explained.

Ara added, "For me, if I am your friend, I am your friend regardless, I don't need to compare you to anybody. We are all grown up to see who you have to deal with, choose your friends - and not everybody is a friend. Some want to be with you to compare themselves. This is in general. Around your circle there are people you have to be careful with", she concluded.

Why Filipinos are DIVIDED? FRAGMENTED? In actuality, Pinoys are religious people in nature, very easy to please, smart, and are hard workers. We tend to care & show love for one another - compassionate, trustworthy, and kind. The problem is that we also tend to gossip about others in the group as we worship and praise the Lord, especially when there is an occurence of "samaan ng loob" due to a misunderstanding. "Grabe" , and it truly is hard to explain!

Surely the Bible tells us that "Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame." (Philippians 3:19)

The Dream turned to be a Nigthmare

2007-11-24T11:11:00.000-08:00

On July 11, 2007, we bought a restaurant together with our (fake investors) "partners" Jay Batalla & Marie Perez . The restaurant which was named Batter Beater Cafe is located at 222 S. Decatur Blvd Ste # C-104 Las Vegas Nevada 89107. We bought it from Chris & Leah Haboush the seller.

Haboush at first did not tell us the truth that he was 3 months behind on their rental payment and served by the property management 5 days notice to quit the premises on the first week of July 2007. Before that they were selling the restaurant for $ 175,000.

On July 5, 2007 the couple Chris & Leah Haboush went to our son's birthday party at the Summerlin's Town Center Park. Haboush was trying to convince our two sons Erno & Nonie to buy and take over their restaurant in exchange of our lot in Pahrump. Our two sons declined Haboush offer saying that "we don't have enough money to run the business."

On July 9, 2007 Chris Haboush desperately called Nora and informed my wife again that he is tearing down the restaurant fixtures. Haboush told Nora that he was selling the restaurant in the amount of $75,000 contrary to their previous price of $175,000. Haboush asked my wife if we could help him find somebody to buy the restaurant or take over the operation just to pay Haboush two out of three months arrears at the property management.

Lucky enough on that night, Nora was able to contact Jay Batalla, the "Investor" said Marie Perez, who introduced Jay to Nora, saying that Jay has a lot of money. Nora asked Jay if he is willing to buy the restaurant and we will run the business as Jay's "Industrial "partner as well and at the same time we will give our lot in Pahrump as collateral offer to Haboush, and Jay will be the one who will pay the rest that Haboush was asking. Nora at that night called Haboush and informed him that she got somebody to call his offer. Then Chris Haboush instructed Nora and Jay of what to do to salvage the restaurant from foreclosure.

Selling price was lowered by Haboush to $75,000 as agreed by both parties. Our lot in Pahrump was included int the deal which was desperately accepted by Chris Haboush as collateral, and we priced it in the amount of $50,000 as we based it on the recent sold properties comparable. Our lot was 0.27 acres. One of the comparables was sold at $36,000 and it was only 0.20 acres. Then another comparable is being sold at $45,000 with an area of 0.20 acres also.

The following day July 10, we went to Burnham Realty office and we spoke to the manager Ana Juarez as per instruction by Chris Haboush to Nora and Jay. Then Jay issued $15,000 to Ana Juarez to cover Haboush 2 out of 3 months arrears. And then upon Nora's recommendation and was agreed by Jay that Marie Perez name would be included into the deal as partners to start without contributing any single penny to the business.

The following day July 11, 2007, Haboush executed sales contract between us and we signed it inside the office of USA Mortgage along Decatur Blvd corner Flamingo. It was notarized by Mark Brown. The following day we took over the restaurant and cleaned it while applying licenses from all respective goverment agencies.

After our Grand Opening on July 23, 2007, we started normal operation where we tried our best to build our clientelle serving breakfast lunch & dinner, open from 7am till 9;30 pm 7 days a week so we could have enough funds to pay Haboush. It it important to note that it was Jay who promised Haboush to pay off our balance which we believe at that time, was only $10,000 contrary to the sales contract that Haboush executed saying that we still owed him $12,221.

August 13, 2207 after Leah Haboush received the amount of $1450, we informed them about the Nevada power bill covering June 16, to July 17, 2007 that we paid off. We asked Haboush to pay the June 16 to July 10 since we took over the business July 11,2007.

Haboush ignored the itemization that I showed him, instead, Haboush, sent us a letter dated August 21, 2007 forcing us to pay the balance, that according to Haboush was $62,210. Haboush demanded us to answer him within 24 hours, and emphazised first that we were on a default situation for not paying $12,210, I disagreed and explained to Haboush that the actual balance we owed him was not more than Eight Thousand, after the Nevada power bill off, and the ten days rent of July 1 to 10 were taken into the account. Haboush accused us of misrepresenting the value of the lot, saying that the lots value was only between $13,000 to $20,000, not the $50,000 that Haboush desperately accepted and agreed upon when we signed the sales contract before we took over the business. Haboush demanded a letter stating that the amount that we agreed before was not right.

On the same day August 21,2007, after we received and read their demand letter, we responded and sent him an e-mail explaining to him the truth and the real situation about the issue that they were stirring up.

And on his e-mail response dated August 24,2007 Haboush gave us another scenario saying that he called the power company and said he was told that the power company sent us a check for $973.98 claiming that he don't owed us anything for that matter and said that we owed him with regards to the power bill. Haboush also gave us three options. First option says: 1. Take my offer in the demand letter. #2. Turn over the business and #3 see you in court.

August 24, 2007 we asked the help of Virgie Addisson the paralegal assisstant of Atty Jorge Corral. Virgie said they will be the one who will answer Haboush's claims. On August 28, 2007 they sent Haboush a letter

Intstead Haboush filed a civil suit against us on September 12,2007. False accussation was embedded on their disposition against us. Then on September 14, 2007 another letter coming from the constable office saying that we need to quit the premises in 3 days.

Then we found out that the restaurant was on the Las Vegas Review Journal ads for sale dated September 23 and 30. This is clearly in violation of our good faith deal with them as they were still selling the restaurant.

My wife and I, came into our senses after two months of "suffering" operation we saw ourselves as victim of "naive ness" we are now considered "tenant in sufferance."

On September 26, 2007 we decided to give up the restaurant, call Haboush second option "turn over the business." We handed over to them the keys since the restaurant lease was still under their name. The lease was not yet transffered to us since we bought the business from them on July 11,2007.

The very reason why Haboush did not sign the realese of his lease to the property management was that he was asking us to pay him $12,221 which we disagreed.

We gave Haboush the itemization of how much the actual balance we owed him. From $75,000 selling price that he asked. First we gave the property management the amount of $15,000. Then minus the $ 1450 cash from the daily sales we gave to Leah Haboush.

Minus the Nevada power bill also of $779.19 out of $978.98 then the total balance we owed him should be $7,770.81. Also we asked them to sit down with us at the property management office of Ana Juares the manager of Burnham Realty, in-charge of the rental, to settle the issue of the July rent. I Reminded him that we took over the restaurant on July 11,2007. They should acknowledge the July 1 to 10 as their responsibility and it should be prorated also and ought to be deducted from the balance amount

After we saved them out from their default situation, they did not consider our plea to resolve the matter between us. Instead they used the "court" legal system to intimidate and harrased us which we are now facing. But we believe in GOD that the Judiciary system will hear the truth and will give us the fair and balance judgements.

Joseph Estrada's House Arrest is not a Joke!

2007-11-22T09:44:00.000-08:00

WE VISITED PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA, WHILE HE WAS UNDER HOUSE ARREST IN HIS OWN RESTHOUSE IN TANAY RIZAL.

On October 4, 2006 my wife Nora and I arrived at the Manila International Airport, via Philippine Airlines. We left Las Vegas Nevada on October 2, 2006. That was our first visit to the Philippines in 16 years together with my stepson Erno Mabini and his wife Rose Macapinlac since we left the Philipines on February 8, 1990.

We also met two of my wife's sisters who flew from Alberta Edmonton Canada, Ate Fely Yambao & Ate Tessie Mendoza who also a Canadian Citizen.Assigned Airport photographer of Philippine Daily Inquirer, Roger Margallo took care our baggages out of the building while kuya Erming Mendoza, my wife's elder brother who were waiting outside the parking lot, drove us to our apartel in Mandaluyong. The following day all of us attended the wedding celebration of Noar's nephew Arnel Mendoza in Cainta Rizal, Ate Tessie's only son.

Oct 9, Monday, we visited Cotabato City and paid respect to my parents grave who passed away and I was not able to attend their funeral. My mother died January 25, 2005 at the age of 80. Grieving, because of the lost of my mother, my father passed away on May 9, 2005 at the age of 76.

After almost 25 years, when I departed Cotabato City, I noticed that the airport that I saw since then is the same airport, nothing has changed. Still in the old system. Noticeable, military personnel all over as if you visited the war zone in the middle east, lots of military check points along the high way going down to the city.

We spent our night at my younger brother's house Florante "Popoy" Formento who is the radio station manager of RMN DXRO and a newly elected councilman of the city. We also visited my widow sister Joycelyn F. Badua a high school teacher and also my brother Nicanor Jr.

The following day Tuesday, we went back to Manila. October 11, Wednesday morning at 6am DZRH mobile unit picked us up at the hotel in Mandaluyong and they brought us to their station once I worked with now located at CCP Complex. We met my pareng Deo Macalma,Andy Vital,Manny Bal,Malou Cabral,Pangga,Fe Inaanuran and other staff of DZRH NewsCenter. Then Joe Taruc who was the station manager, put me live on the spot on his program and asked me what my obsevations about the Philippines were. I said we saw a lot of homeless people and shanties all around the sidewalk, traffic are worsen than ever before. Imagine, at around 3pm from the airport we boarded a taxi going to Robinson Apartel in Mandaluyong Edsa-Boni, to my dismay it took us 3 hours and a half to get to our destination.
After a short talk with Joe, my cousin Efren Agcaoili came over and he drove us to Erap's resort place in Tanay Rizal. I did not ask permission from the authority to see and visit president Erap. I called him over his cell phone and said that I would visit him. I got his cell phone number from DZRH newscenter.

We reached Erap's house in Tanay at about 11am October, the military guards at the gate asked for my ID and I told them that we are "Balikbayans" who want to vist Erap. About 7 military in uniform with high powered firearms who were manned the gate stopped our car barricaded the entrance. Then I called Erap thru my cellphone and informed him that we were already in front of his rest house, and he asked me to give the phone to the guard in charge. Somebody from the guardhouse in civilian clothes approached us and I gave him my cell phone and he talked to Erap. I saw his head nodding and a couple of minutes he waved his hands and ordered the uniformed personnel to open the barricade and they let us in.

We were brought to the guesthouse. Erap, when he saw me he smiled and called my name "Bing! Kumusta ka na pare!, then I gave him may pasalubong a fleece-hooded jacket.And we talked, bidahan. Then jokingly, he said, "pare nuong sinabi mong Bing Formento, naalimpungatan ako, kagigising ko lang, hindi ko ma-recall ang pangalan mo, pero nuong mabanggit mo ang longganisang gawa ni Nora, nagising ako! (when you told me your name Bing Formento, I was puzzled, who is this guy? I had just waked up, then I couldn't recall your name but when you mentioned about your wife's (Nora) product that she usually made your sausage, I was awakened!) then he laughed.

At the reception room of the resort, we ate our lunch together and we discussed a lot of things especially on the political side of his life when he was then a mayor of San Juan. He also mentioned that he missed my wife's special sausage. After lunch, he toured us to his newly constructed library-museum archive inside the compound near the gate. Also the building has it's own theater inside that accomodate about 150 people and then we watch the movie "AMA NG MASA" or FATHER OF THE MASSES" which portrays the life of Erap.

The building is full of historical things and books about the "Rise and Fall" of president Joseph Estrada. I think, it is worthwhile to see and visit the musuem. But Erap said he is willing to open it to the public for free as his contribution for the education of the Filipino people.

Erap also built a separate movie museum intended for the late Ronnie Poe Jr., his beloved friend. The Museum is also full of historical artifacts of old Philippine movies.Noticeable inside the building were life-sized picture of Ronnie Poe and Erap, it was painted on both sides of the wall fronting each other. The atmosphere inside and outside looks like the bar in the movies of the "Wild Wild West."

Before Erap prepared us some miryenda of kakanin, he played a CD; with a song that he recorded for his beloved friend, the late Ronnie Poe, entitled "Paalam na Kaibigang Mahal" that he personally composed. It has a heartbreaking lyric and sung by Erap with feelings.

After the miryenda, at around 5pm we asked Erap that we are going back to Manila. We had a good time with him.We spent almost 7 hours with the president of the Republic of the Philippines in his own resort while he was still under house arrest.

When we bid goodbye,Erap,gripped my right hand so tight and said, "you made my day pare."

The following day, my kumpadre Butch Ayllon called and said you need to visit your ninong before you leave. He mentioned about retired Lt. General Salvador Mison, former Chief of Staff of the AFP and also a friend who always visiting my family every year when we were still in San Francisco California.

We met Gen Mison at around 11am at his office along AyalaAvenue. He served us food and we talked about the future of our country from the hands of GMA. He also mentioned that the situation in the country "still politically unstabe." He explained.

With regards to Erap, he added "I think he (Erap) should not aspire to go back to Malacanang anymore, instead, it will be better for himself to be a kingmaker. He should choose his candidate to become the president and support it, by putting himself a distance into the political arena, that way, he could protect himself from another political disaster." Mison conluded.
Click the video below to hear Erap Estrada's song "Paalam na Kaibigang Mahal"

The Revival of my BUHAY STATESIDE

2007-11-22T00:00:00.002-08:00

It was 1990 when my whole family landed in San Francisco, California. We were lucky enough to operate our own family business, Grandmas Donuts & Coffee Shop located at 501 South B. Street San Mateo, California, serving American food as well as Filipino food.
While operating the said business a bi-weekly newspaper in San Francisco covering the Northern California, Manila Mail owned and operated by Carmen and Ruben Bunag,asked me to write a column in the paper. That was the birth of "BUHAY STATESIDE" on October 1990,involving Filipino readers in Northern California, particularly San Francisco,focusing and touching different issues and topics about lifestyles of Pinoy veterans and newcomers.
It was the primary objective of my column to open the eyes of the public in the different issues of what really happens here through a credible and comprehensive information campaign. The issues I wrote created a cultural air bridge between Asian nations and the United States of America. The columns also provided the people in the Philippines with current news from America and other information that was of interest to our countrymen.

July of 1995,my wife and I opened another business - CHER'S GRILLHOUSE & TAKE-OUT restaurant on 6th street in San Francisco. The restaurant remained in operation until October 2001.
Thereafter, we moved to Las Vegas where we purchased a "FRIENDLY'S FOOD WAGON" and started a new venture selling cooked food on wheels at the Swap Meet Market and Horseman Park every Saturday & Sunday.
On March 15,2003, we opened another business, a take-out Japanese restaurant called "TERIYAKI BOWL" located at 4604 #2 W. Sahara Av., at the same time my wife Nora joined a financial company and started her own career as financial planner & mortgage loan officer. And then she went to the Century 21 School of Real State,thereby joining the business circle of Mortgage & Real State Industry here in Las Vegas which compelled us to sell the restaurant business.

I was so thankful to the Lord that I would no longer be dealing with life-threatening stories as I file my stories from time to time to Manila based radio DZRH. Those were the days, most of my notable stories in the 1970's to 1990 were the series of coup d etats, in the Marcos & Aquino regime. Uprising, another assassination,another massacre,which were the type of stories I used to write first with the help of my partner Rodney Jaleco who helped me improved my writing skills in the print media.

The last coup d etat which resulted with 100 deaths, 300 wounded and the closest of six coups almost toppled the goverment of then president Corazon Aquino. At the Greenhills, White Plains along Katipunan Avenue, together with Rodney Jaleco, we found ourselves in a hostile situation. We were caught inside the house together with the group of mutinous commander of the 4th Marine Battalion Col Romelino Gojo, who was holed up in the house. We set him up for an interview when suddenly the "Tora-Tora" planes ran by pro-goverment bombed our position. We were caught in the middle of actual combat. While Iwas interviewing the rebel soldiers, then the goverment troops,sent mortar shells and cannon fire burst around us. As I Covered and broadcasted the events live, blow-by-blow with live ammo whizzing over my head. The warring factions caught me in the middle. My 15 years covering the military and police for national television and radio as well as the newspaper,at the same time these contacts provided me with fresh stories direct from the horse mouth' thereby making my stories a "scoop".

But these high profile sources such as Fidel Ramos, Juan Ponce Enrile and others who served under both former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino who were at that time were my "friends" cannot make an assurance to ward off the threats in my life by suspicious soldiers loyal to the goverment or rebels under then Col. Greg Honasan. I know there was only one alternative to avoid these group, was to leave the Philippines and seek refuge to the United States. The country of which I had the highest respect for freedom and democracy and protecting individual regardless of their race,religion and political views or belief; And that was the reason why mobile 11 of DZRH signed off - to save my life.

Pinay Realtor and Mortgage Broker Trapped in her own net!

2007-11-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas Nevada: Las Vegas Court Clears Filipina-Canadian Businesswoman of Battery Charge!

Las Vegas Fil-Am Realtor/Broker In hot Water For Falsely Accusing Her Former Partner.

EmmaLynn Chan a Fil-Am Realtor/Broker of SM Mortgage Corporation and, co-owner of Las Vegas Real estate Professional LLC is now in hot water after she recently lost a dramatic 10-hour court battle against her former partner whom she sued for battery.
Chan, who is also president of the Las Vegas Lions Club International, lost her case against Angelita Martinez, a 63 year old Filipina Canadian businesswoman whom presiding Judge George Assad declared not guity of the charge of battery.
In his ruling, Judge Assad said he had "absolutely no doubt" in his mind that there's absolutely no proof that even with a preponderance of the evidence presented that the physical attack took place as Chan had claimed.
"So, I find that the City has not met the burden of proof required which is proof beyond reasonable doubt. I find that Ms Martinez is not guilty of the crime charged." saidJudge Assad at the conclusion of a marathon hearing started at 2:30 pm until 12 midnight last June 12, 2007.
Ironically, it was the court testimony by Chan's own witnesses (including her fiance, Jefrey Bolman), that led the court to believe that the supposed physical attack on her by Martinez could not have happened. the court also dismissed her claims of serious physical injuries from the alleged attack because her own witnesses testified that she was ballroom dancing shortly after the incident.
Surprise defense witnesses including some of Chan's previous associates testified that Chan's bruises from the attack were self-inflicted and, that Bollman was holding her arms.
Testimonies from independent witnesses proved that Chan twisted the story and that she had actually attacked Martinez.
Judge Assad ruled that he found Chan's credibility "highly subject" and declared that her motives were apparent. Her dealings in this case and dealing with Ms Martinez left the court to believe that the case was really a abuse of process and a manipulation of the system in order to get an advantage in the civil case."
Based on the testimonies, Judge Assad said the Court believes that there was some attempt at manipulation of the case at some point in time.
Atty. Roger Croteau, who represented Martinez, explained to the judge how Chan "used and abused" the system to take advantage of innocent people.
Chan and Martinez had been partners in a Las Vegas real estate investment property where the Filipina-Canadian businesswoman had invested a total of $100,000.00. By their mutual agreement, Martinez lived on the property at 1621 Songlight Ct, Las Vegas, NV 89117, with her daugther Tanya, who was completing her medical degree in a local university.
In return Martinez agreed to a fifty-fifty share in the equity of the house with Chan who was the realtor and loan officer broker in this deal. Chan promised she would quit claim the property if the deal fell through, Martinez said.
When she moved in to said property. Martinez constantly reminded Chan to add her name to the title as she promised. However, as the equity of said property increased, Chan made false and malicious claim against Martinez and forcibly evicted her from her own home so she could become sole owner of the house.
Croteou told the court that Chan was allegedly using the battery charge as a stick in a civil compalint in a partnerhip over a million dollar home of which there was at the time about $ 600,000.00 equity that Chan was trying to basically pull from his client, Martinez.
Court records show that on the afternoon of September 11,2005, Martinez was brutally attacked by Chan in her house. Then Chan and Bollman twisted the story and reported to the police that Chan was the victim of Martinez! Chan filed a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) against Martinez who was forced to vacate the house. Thereafter, Chan occupied the house and put all the persona belongings of Martinez in the garage.
Chan reported to the police that she owned the house and Martinez was ony renting the property. After the incident, Bollman and three other men entered the house for three consecutive nights, they stole the documents of Martinez inside her masters bedroom by forcibly opening the back door. On orders of Chan, they ransacked the master bedroom. Marie Perez, the second surprise witness narrated how she was able to enter Martinez' masters bedroom, took all the documents of Martinez and photocopied them.
Judge Assad noted that Warren De Guzman testified that a couple of weeks after the fight, he was ordered by Chan to break into-through the window of Ms Martinez's room at the instructions of Ms Chan. " Ifind that outrageous." said Jufdge Assad.
Two of Chan's witnesses, brothers Warren & Richard De Guzman, told the judge that after the incident they saw Chan in many occasions dancing the whole night.
Emma Chan claimed that she became paraplegic after the incident and blamed Martinez and filed a false case.
"It is difficult to make any inferences from the evidence presented that Ms Martinez would provoked an altercation with Ms Chan when three male witnesses were present in the house; one is Ms Chan's fiance' two others were Ms Chan's employees. It's really difficult to imagine how a 63 year old woman would go into a house, seeing the other three males there and begin provoke an altercation with Ms Chan.