Lito Lapid finally got his wish for a photo-op with US President Barack Obama

In his interview with the local newspaper, Inquirer, Lapid admitted he would do anything to have a photograph with the most powerful man in the world. He added, “Kahit makunan lang ng litrato (Even just for a photograph),”.

Senator Lapid was with President Gloria Arroyo on her meeting with President Obama at the White House.
The two presidents met on Thursdays (early Friday in Manila), with Senator Lapid as one of the Philippine delegates invited in the White House.

According to a Filipino who was a member of the Philippine press, after the meeting Lito Lapid finally got his wish for a photo with President Obama while he is on his way to attend to another meeting and the Philippine delegation is on their way outside the White House.

It is not clear if the good senator invited President Obama to his ranch in Pampanga.

MANILA – “Bayan Ko” singer Freddie Aguilar has clarified his controversial remark that drew flak from fellow singers Arnel Pineda and Gary Valenciano.

“Hindi ako nagsasabi ng monkey. Ang sabi ko kaya tayo binabansagan, [tayong] mga Filipino, [na] unggoy dahil manggagaya tayo,” Aguilar said in a taped interview aired on “The Buzz” Sunday.

In one of his interviews, Aguilar reportedly slammed Pineda, the Filipino vocalist of American rock band “Journey,” and international singing sensation Charice for proving what international singer Mariah Carey had reportedly said about Filipinos.

Carey had allegedly likened Filipinos to monkeys because they would only mimic the styles and songs of other international artists.

Aguilar maintained that he never mentioned Pineda in that interview.

“Si Arnel (Pineda) hindi ko siya isinama doon. Binanggit lang iyong pangalan ni Gary (Valenciano), tapos si Regine (Velasquez) din. Sabi nila tinawag ni Mariah Carey na ganoon (monkey) tapos dinugtong ko na lang iyon. Pero actually isa lang ang tinanong, si Charice lang,” he said.

The Filipino folk music icon, however, stressed that he has nothing against Charice and Valenciano. He said he was merely voicing out his opinion.

“Tinanong ako sa opinion ko. Alangan naman ang ibigay kong opinyon hindi iyong nararamdaman ko,” he stressed.

He acknowledged though that Charice is a good singer. He added that he would be impressed more if she sings original Filipino music in her gigs abroad.

Aguilar, who is behind the worldwide hit “Anak,” also made this challenge to all Filipino singers: “Ako magtatanong sa lahat ng mga singer na Filipino. Bakit puro banyaga ang kinakanta ninyo? Iyan ang tanong ko. Hindi iyong tinatanong niyo sa akin kung bakit ko kayo tinatawag na unggoy.”

“Kayo ang nagpatawag na unggoy dahil gaya-gaya kayo,” he added.

Thanks Mr. Marcoco Bonggo!

Thanks to our newest contributor Mr. Marcoco Bonggo!