The Philippines welcomed a new President today with the inauguration of Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III at Malacañang Palace. Noynoy is my Uncle. His father Ninoy Aquino Jr. – who was assassinated in August 1983, is first cousins with my grandfather, Claudio Aquino. The Aquino’s are leading the country once again as Noynoy follows in his late mother Cory’s footsteps as President of the Philippines…and he carries on the dream of my Lolo Ninoy to serve his people because in Lolo Ninoy’s words, “The Filipino is worth dying for.”
All that being said, it was a big, exciting day for my relatives in Manila to watch history in the making and attend today’s event …
Here are a few more photos they took at the inauguration.
On The Flipside is back with Episode #23! On this show, I used the Miami Beach Marina as the backdrop ant went fishing with a bunch of Miami Dolphins rookies, talk to Danica Patrick about the new racing video game Blur, hit the beach with Sweethearts for Soldiers and have all the highlights from Jason Taylor’s Celebrity Golf Classic dinner event at Martorano’s! For all the On The Flipside action, visit http://ontheflipsidetv.com
A few of my favorite guys, who also happen to make up the uber talented music producing trio, The Stereotypes, are featured in the latest issue of Billboard Magazine (Miley Cyrus cover), as part of the 10 Songwriters and Producers to watch!
Congratulations to Jonstreet, Jermbeats and Rayro! I’m so glad they’re getting some well-deserved recognition for their work. You may recognize their music with hits like Danity Kane’s “Damaged” to Neyo’s “Why Does She Stay” and Mary J. Blige feat. T.I. on “Good Love.” It just goes to show that if you stay true to your passion and keep on your grind…anything is possible.
Visit their website http://stereotypesonline.com for the complete magazine scans and to learn more about The Stereotypes.
My sister Adrienne is such a cutie pie! The other week for Bay to Breakers, her and her friend followed a “Solid Gold” theme and participated in the festiviites. Gotta love it!!
When they first started planning the outing, she showed me the costume “pieces” she found to put her get up together and I think she worked it!!
Here’s the group shot…
And finally, one of the gals put together a video highlight reel..watch here…I don’t see my sister’s face, but I’d know her dancing booty anywhere!! 😉
A couple of the ladies I’ve featured on the “Sideline Distraction” segment of On The Flipside are competing for the title of Miss USA tomorrow night in Las Vegas! Megan Clementi (Orlando Magic Dunking Dancers) and Brittany Bell (Phoenix Suns Dancers) are NBA Dance Team Alumni!! They’re both beautiful, articulate women and I wish them each the best of luck as they make a run for the title!!
This past February, I had the pleasure of meeting Deep Foundation – http://www.deepfoundation.net, while attending the MAFA Conference in Indiana. These three emcees – MUG Shot, ILL Poetick and CJ (reppin Queens and Jersey), deliver intelligent insight and well-crafted lyrics, along with an admirable sense of social consciousness. And they are outspoken when it comes to paying respect to their Filipino roots through their music. Below check out a track and video they did in response to derogatory comments made publicly by Adam Carolla.
“Minority Report (Response to Adam Carolla)”
by Deep Foundation & Hydroponikz
Video by Hydroponikz – http://www.hydroponikz.com
*The views depicted in this recording are solely those of the artists, and by no means do they encourage or condone violence against other people.
Earlier this month, Adam Carolla made disparaging comments about Manny Pacquiao, the Philippines, and its people in his popular “The Adam Carolla Podcast.” For those who insist that it was merely a joke and that Carolla’s comments should not be taken too seriously, we encourage you to listen carefully to a clip from the podcast. We do not feel that he was joking when he made rants such as, “All they have over there is Manny Pacquiao and sex tours,” and, “Here’s how you know when your country doesn’t have a lot going for it: When everything is about Manny Pacquiao.”
When your culture, your nation’s identity and the worth of your people are devalued, misrepresented and ignorantly disparaged by one possessing a historically oppressive skin tone, those who bear the brunt of the dishonorable insults will naturally be cajoled into action. Such was the case when Adam Carolla’s comments in regards to the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao and his Filipino supporters were aired on The Adam Carolla Podcast.
Carolla posted an “apology” on Twitter, but only after thousands of Filipinos signed a petition demanding an apology did he post one on his site. We felt the need to respond to his comments reducing our people to simply Manny Pacquiao worshipers and prostitutes. So we did.
Every year XXL Magazine releases an issue featuring a selection of (who they choose to label) the hot *NEW* FRESHMEN. I’m using “new” lightly because some of them aren’t exactly “new.” Anyway, there’s been some discussion and controversy (hip hop loves controversy) about who made the cover, who shouldn’t be on the cover and who SHOULD be on it. One of those artists who many feel should be on the cover is VADO – Cam’s protege and one of the artists I work with…and being that my other artist Jae Millz feels some kind of way about VADO *NOT* being selected in that class, he spoke on it with True Stories Radio …appreciate you Dutch!
Nonetheless, this interview has sparked a lot of debate, and it’s sort of funny to me that people ONLY hear what they want to hear and then proceed to take it to the next level, whether it be to take personal shots at Millz or interpret what he may or may not be saying, etc… Basically, my take is, he said he’s only familiar with half (5) of the rappers who made the XXL cover, he didn’t say those 5 all deserved to be on it or didn’t, he just said he only knew about half of them. Then he said he strongly feels VADO should’ve been included in that group.
So, it’s just funny to me because at no point did he say he, himself should be on it, or was he making direct comparisons…he just put it out there that he doesn’t agree with all of the choices! lol But, again, people just hear what they want and love to add fuel to the fire! See, this is what I like about Millz, is that he is passionate, and not afraid to speak his mind and stick by his statement. People who know me, know I’m outspoken just the same when I feel a certain kind of way…so I appreciate the raw, blunt, direct honesty!
Anyway, to sort of spin this whole XXL Freshmen cover thing…there’s a show going down tonight hosted by DJ Envy at the Highline Ballroom in NYC featuring performances by 6 of the artists who made that cover. Coincidentally, Cam’ron has been called in for a special performance and guess who he’s bringing out…VADO (ah, the irony)…and I wonder who might just make a cameo on stage with VADO!? Someone who has a lot to say and sticks by what he says… I’m just sayin’ … Millzy might just be there!! 😉
I’m sure tonight will be an unforgettable show with great up and coming artists, who’ve probably been on their grind much longer than we’ve known their names… and with Cam and VADO (U.N.) on stage, plus special cameo appearances…this is just what NYC needs to get (real) hip hop back on track! I won’t be there tonight, but I’ll be there in spirit and waiting to see pictures and video from the event!
