Now that the celebration of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day is over, it’s time to bring our attention to some things we may have overlooked or were just too busy to think about.

Gaya na lang ng pagtulong sa mga nabiktima ng ‘Sendong’ sa Mindanao na sigurado ay hindi nakapag-Pasko at nakapag-Bagong Taon nang kasing-sagana ng sa karamihan sa atin.

At this point, I would like to congratulate Ms. Kris Aquino and Mr. Dingdong Dantes because among the film entries for the Metro Manila Film Festival, only they have made pronouncements to share with Sendong victims a certain percentage of the proceeds gained by their movie ‘Segunda Mano’ on its opening day.

’Di ko lang alam kung may iba pang gumawa nito but so far kasi, sa news reports ay siya lang ang nabalitaan ko.

Anyway, Kris said it was their way of giving back the support that their fellow Filipinos have shown for them.

Kaya kung manonood rin lang kayo ng any of the filmfest entries and you haven’t really made up your mind kung ano ang panonoorin, makabubuti sigurong ’yung kay Kris Aquino na lang ang inyong panoorin.  I’m quite certain that if the movie grosses more, she will give more to Mindanao.

Equally laudable is the decision of Mayor Fred Lim to forego the public fireworks display which the city government sponsors every year at the Baywalk area for its residents.

Instead, he decided to donate P1 million each to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, the cities which were hit hardest by ‘Sendong.’ 

Makakapanood pa rin naman kasi ang mga Manilenyo dahil magkakaroon din pala ng public fireworks display ang National Parks Development Committee sa Rizal Park at ang Department of Health sa Rajah Sulayman naman sa Malate, kaya makatwiran din ang naging desisyon ni Lim.  Aanhin mo nga naman ang tatlong sabay-sabay na fireworks display?

Lim also met with all the heads of the various departments, bureaus and offices in city hall for them to also donate in whatever way they can. Sinabi din niya sa mga ito na himukin naman ang kanilang mga empleyadong nasasakupan na mag-donate din.

Kapag nalikom na lahat ang donasyon, ihihiwalay ang cash sa donations in kind at saka daw ito sabay-sabay na ipadadala sa Mindanao, in bulk, sabi ni Lim.

Considering that the number of employees in City Hall is about 15,000, I’m sure that their donations will have a real impact in alleviating the condition of our poor countrymen from Mindanao.

Nakalulungkot lang isipin na mukhang wala atang mas-yadong sumunod sa yapak nina Ms. Kris at Mayor Lim, particularly among those from the movie industry and other mayors.

Ngayong Bagong Taon na isa sa mga paraan to start the year right is by giving or helping our needy countrymen.

Bukod sa city hall, marami pa ring ahensiya ang patuloy na tumatanggap ng donasyon kaya hindi pa huli para tumulong sa anumang paraan na kaya. Ikaw, nakatulong ka na ba??? 

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Once again, Happy New Year sa lahat ng mambabasa ng People’s Tonight lalo na ng column na ito, especially sa texters at joke senders. ’Wag sana kayong magsasawa. At this point, special greetings to Abe Adsuara, the friendly and masipag na cashier at the Fashion Walk section of Duty Free Philippines Fiesta Mall in Parañaque, near the NAIA terminal, who also happens to be an avid reader of Tonight and his officer-in-charge Abby.

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Beauty tip: Cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturize.  This daily routine should carry on  toward a healthier skin. Select a gentle skin cleansing solution that works for your specific type of skin -- dry, oily, normal. After the exfoliation process, use a toner or an astringent to tighten skin and remove any makeup or cleanser residue. (Source: Dr. RosaryMay Canay-Diaz of the Le Californian Beau Medical Spa/410-8424/450-1388).

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Jokjok (from from Atty. Jun Icaonapo/former Philippine Trial Lawyers Association, Inc. president and former IBP governor for Greater Manila Region) -- Teacher: What do you want to become?/Junior:  Doctor! Ob-Gyne po!/Teacher:  Why?/Junior: ’Coz it’s the only profession where you can tell a woman to take off her panty, touch and examine her private part and then ask her husband to pay you.

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