Lola Nidora: The Wally Bayola Comeback

Wally Bayola (Walter James Bayola)  first became known as a stand-up comedian in different comedy bars in the metro.  What fueled his career was when he joined the longest-running and no doubt undisputed noon time show in the Philippines, Eat Bulaga, alongside another comedian Jose Manalo in the early 2000s. Wally may be effective in hosting just like all the “Dabarkads” in the show, but what really appealed to the viewers was his comedic spiels most especially when he portrayed various interesting personalities. Everything was doing great for him until 2013 when a video scandal that starred him and an Eat Bulaga dancer leaked for everyone to see.Without batting an eyelash, the show’s management withdrew Wally Bayola from the show.

Image source: www.pinoystop.com

Jose Manalo, his partner, went on with the show without him but it cannot be denied that the flavor was bland without his partner. Episode after episode, Wally fans anticipated his comeback, wishing to have at least a short glance of him in Juan For All, All For One, the segment which the bald comedian used to be a part of. After a 5-month hiatus, an emotional Wally Bayola surprised everyone when he showed-up holding a birthday cake for his partner. Birthday greetings turned into apologies, as the repentant Wally profusely said sorry to Jose, whom he called "kuya," for not listening to his advises. The comedian also apologized to Eat Bulaga management, hosts and viewers and expressed hope that the show and its millions of viewers give him another chance.

Image source: www.thelibrary.com.ph

The talented bald man definitely deserved a second chance, but he did not receive it just like that. For the most part of All For Juan, Juan For All segment, he was doing nothing. If not a wallflower, he played slave to Jose. Microphone deprived, short to say. Until just recently, Wally started playing Doktora Dora de Explorer, a health practitioner that gave out-of-this-world advises in issues ranging from stinky feet to domestic violence. And from that hilarious segment, Wally Bayola slowly gained back the nod of viewers which clearly showed their forgiveness and acceptance to him.

Imagesource: www.youtube.com

After the short yet remarkable stint of Doktora Dora de Explorer, Wally was given a new role as Donya Nidora Esperanza Zobeyala vda. de Explorer, better known as Lola Nidora. With a new discovery named Mendoza, known first as the Dubsmash Queen then later as the phenomenal Yaya Dub in Eat Bulaga's Kalye Serye, Wally Bayola shone even better. Eat Bulaga absolutely made the right decision in putting this talented man in the limelight once again. The Kalye Serye segment evolved into something Filipino audience cannot live without, something that changed the viewing habits of noon time show patrons. 

Image source: www.entertainment.inquirer.net

                                                                  

According to Wally Bayola, what he is doing right now is his way of repaying Eat Bulaga for the second chance given to him. After the scandal that he got involved with, he was very grateful of the opportunity to work with the gang and be part of the Dabarkads again.  “Parang yung chance na ibinigay sa akin, parang suklian ko naman nang hindi naman kayo magsisi na binigyan niyo ako ng chance. I need to do my job very well.’’ That was him in an interview  with Pep,ph.

                                                  Image source: www.entertainment.inquirer.net

With the fame Lola Nidora is getting and the entire Kalye Serye cast, Wally Bayola has indeed arrived. Grateful of the second chance given to him, Wally has become an epitome of the Robert Griffin III quote: ‘’Hard work pays off - hard work beats talent any day, but if you're talented and work hard, it's hard to be beat.’’  The comeback of Wally Bayola happened in what Lola Nidora would always say: Sa tamang panahon.

Image source: www.gmanetwork.com

Lola Nidora: The Wally Bayola Comeback

11:44 PM Featured, Viral

The Controversy That Follows The Banging Performance Of 4th Power in X Factor UK

If you are in the lookout for exceptional singers, go to the Philippines. This country is made up of 7,100 islands and each island has a number of extremely-talented singers to be proud of. Do the math. But the talent of Filipinos when it comes to singing is not exclusive to this country alone. We all know that Filipinos can be found all over the world, and with their talent in singing in tow, it is not at all surprising if Ellen DeGeneres’s show regularly features Filipino singers and David Foster continuously discovers new talents to manage. Just recently, it was Simon Cowell who got amused when he heard the powerful voices of 4^th Power, a quartet of sisters from Isabela in the Philippines, who auditioned and effortlessly made it to the X Factor UK.

Image source: mirror.co.uk/

According to Cowell, the performance of the foursome was “one of the best first auditions” he had ever seen. Belting Jessie J’s Bang Bang with a bang, the sisters Mylene, Irene, Almira and Celina, aged 19-27, said they flew all the way to the UK to see Cowell and Queen Elizabeth. But of course we all know the primary reason for travelling miles and miles was to put their mark in the X Factor UK scene. And with four judges who all picked up their jaws from the floor and an audience who went wild upon hearing how each of the sisters hit the high notes of the song, the Filipina quartet made it.

Source: YouTube

Source: YouTube

With singing voices meant to be famous all over the globe, there is no questioning why the Filipina sisters got the nod of the judges and the audience. But here is the catch: there are news circulating that these ladies are already professional performers and actually have several titles and recognitions up their sleeves. For those who are clueless, X Factor is supposed to be for those who are wannabes, first timers, and inexperienced. But with the records 4^th Power is holding, many are questioning why they even made it to the list of auditionees in the first place. The following are some of the factors that question the quartet’s legitimacy:

·        That the group was actually approached to audition for X Factor UK, and that that judges were not informed about it so they could showcase a pure and genuine reaction towards the performance. Short to say, the producers invited them to be part of the show’s new season’s launch.

·         That the group is actually professional singers and even has music records up for sale in Amazon.

·         That the sisters are a massive hit in Asia and have won in series of contests in the likes of:

•    Superstar K6, Korea’s biggest talent show
•    Showtime, Philippine’s premier noontime show
•    Pinoy Idol, a talent show once aired in the Philippines which was produced by Freemantle Media which is also behind X Factor.

·         That the group has already performed as professional singers in the United States.

Image source: http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/

If the alleged invitation to audition is true, the producers were able to hit their goal which is to make the launch of the talent show much talked-about. And now that the performance of 4^th Power reaching more than 3 million hits in Youtube, what happens next after the controversy makes watching X Factor more exciting.

The Controversy That Follows The Banging Performance Of 4th Power in X Factor UK

10:44 AM Featured, Viral

OFW's Expressing Their Anger Against Spot Check of Balikbayan Boxes

Photo From: OFW Guide

Bureau of Customs announced recently that they will begin implementing random checking on Balikbayan boxes.

On August 17, Agaton Uvero (Customs Deputy Commissioner) advised that they have discovered that technical smugglers have been using Balikbayan boxes to avoid paying taxes. He also added that the government loses around P50 million pesos a month due to this problem.

Many Filipinos, OFWs and non-OFWs alike, did not hold back in expressing their anger and frustration over social media sites regarding the matter.

Philippine Expats/OFW Blog Awards or PEBA, Inc., is one of the organizations openly voicing out their dismay over the issue of opening the Balikbayan boxes. The organization is even encouraging Filipinos to spread the news and fight back--mentioning that OFWs are being taken advantage of.

Photo From: PEBA, Inc

Bureau of Customs has stated that Balikbayan boxes are meant to be used by OFWs in sending gifts to their families. Additionally, Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina gave a reminder that these packages still has limitations. Items sent through Balikbayan boxes should not exceed $500 in value. There are also set limitations on the number of grocery items, goods, household items and apparels that can be sent, both used and unused.

“Home appliances are not allowed unless these are consigned to returning Filipino residents and overseas contract workers. We will seize these prohibited shipments and revoke registrations of forwarders or consolidators if we find any violations,” Lina added.

Some OFWs’ main concern is the possibility of the contents of Balikbayan boxes to be stolen. However, Agaton Uvero said that every spot check will be conducted in the presence of a consolidator as well as a customs representative and will be done in an area with security cameras.

In relation to this, Alberto Lina also stated that the shipments may be further inspected by the receiver and, if some of the contents of the box are missing, it can be reported to proper authorities.

Still, OFWs and netizens are unconvinced and unhappy. Cases of contents from Balikbayan boxes going missing are not uncommon even before the implementation of random spot checks on the boxes. This is possibly what bothers most of the OFWs; some even demanding that the previous cases of missing Balikbayan boxes’ contents be resolved first.

Photo From: PEBA, Inc.

Balikbayan boxes which will exceed the value limit set by Bureau of Customs will incur taxes. If the said tax won’t be paid, the government will take hold of the Balikbayan box in question.

This move made by the Bureau of Customs has garnered an overwhelming response and reaction from angry Filipinos overseas. Some are suggesting stopping to send packages altogether; they recommend to their fellow OFWs to send money to their families instead to prevent Bureau of Customs from getting their hands on what the OFWs want to give their loved ones in the Philippines.

With the tremendous effort exerted by every OFW just to provide for their families, it’s easy to understand their predicament over the issue. The Bureau of Customs has to provide not only enough assurance, but concrete proof that what OFWs send to their families through Balikbayan boxes will not be tampered with.

OFWs already sacrifice a great deal by choosing to work far from their loved ones; they deserve to be reassured that the contents of the Balikbayan box are still complete and undamaged when it reaches its destination.

Photo From: PEBA, Inc.

OFW's Expressing Their Anger Against Spot Check of Balikbayan Boxes

11:01 AM Featured

Alfredo Yao Son of a Sidewalk Vendor now Worth 1 Billion Dollars at Age 71

Alfredo Yao and His Zesty Way to Success

  

        (Photo from http://www.amyfoundationph.com/partners.html)

As a kid, I’m pretty sure that you were one of those who enjoyed fruit drinks for refreshment, during recess periods or break times in school.  And if we are to talk about good old fruit drinks, I’m also pretty sure that majority of us would have this name on our lists –the name Zest-O.  Yes, I’m talking about that doypack (or some call tetra-pak) juice drink that a lot of us, if not everyone, loved as kids.

This juice drink appeared in the market one day and immediately became a hit to kids and adults alike, especially to moms who struggle in preparing lunch boxes for their kids.  But have you ever thought about how this hit brand came to be?  What most of us don't know, is that behind this product that we all delighted in, is a success story of a man, who had to struggle to make a living in his childhood days.

“When Zest-O was established, it had a single yet valuable mission, to provide products of immense consumer value and quality that exceeds even the scrutiny of global measure.” –Alfredo Yao

The story of Alfredo Yao, founder of Zest-O Corporation, is yet another rags-to-riches story everyone should see as an inspiration.  His story tells us that in order to gain something, we should all be ready to invest. 

A breadwinner at 12

When he lost his father at a young age of 12, he instantly became the family’s breadwinner.  Being the eldest child with five siblings behind him, young Alfredo Yao had to be the one to help their mother fend for their family.  His mother was just a sidewalk vendor back then.  When he's not doing any other job, he would go with his mother to Chinese gambling dens to sell.

At some point, he lived with his uncle, whose house was the occasional venue of nightly mahjong games.  He would usually go out on errands during these games, and it is through these errands that he learned a lot of ideas to a streetwise approach to running a business.

 Early business ventures

With help from relatives, Alfredo was able to finish his elementary and high school education.  He went to Mapua Institute of Technology for a degree in Engineering, while doing odd jobs at a warehouse of some packaging company.  However, he had to stop after two years due to lack of funds.

On several occasions, he visited a printing press where one of his cousins was working.  There he learned the ways of printing on cellophane wrappers for candies and biscuits.  That was when he saw the potential market in the packaging industry.  At the age of 17, with the help of some money that his mother got from a bank loan and some savings of his own, he started to invest by opening a small printing press for packaging.  He named the company “Solemar” which he took from his mother’s name Soledad.

Later on, he was able to earn his bachelor's degree in Engineering from Mapua Institute of Technology.  He even got a doctorate degree in Business Administration Honoris Causa from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

 Zest-O was born

The printing press business that he started thrived for about 20 years.  Eventually, he saw the potential of “doypacks”, which was the latest European packaging technology back then.  He bought a machine during a trip to Europe and decided to introduce the idea of the doypack format to the local market.  He tried to sell the concept to different juice manufacturers in the Philippines, but no one was interested in it.  He then decided to use the machine that he bought and start his own juice manufacturing business. 

In 1980, with the help of a former client, he concocted his own Juice drink in his kitchen.  He asked another friend to come up with a design for the packaging, and they came up with the name “Zest-O,” where Zest means citrus peel in French and O added to make the sound more round.  They launched the Zest-O orange drinks that same year and it became an instant hit.  Kids loved how their drinks are kept cold until break time, while mothers saw how practical it was in food preparation.  The innovation that the other companies didn't want, gave his own company a boost.

His way to the top

Alfredo and his team worked on getting everyone to recognize the brand.  From the imported look of the packaging to the actual taste, everything was made to impress.  The name Zest-O was made known in the market.  Gradually, the brand rose and became the leading juice drink in the Philippines.  Zest-O Corporation grew and ventured not only in juice manufacturing but also in some other food and beverage products.

As of today, Zest-O Corporation has five manufacturing plants and 13 branches nationwide, producing more than 40 brands in different categories.  Their products include Zest-O Ready-To-Drink Juices, Zest-O Carbonated Drinks, Quick Chow noodles, Slice bottled Juice Drink, One Tea Bottled Tea Drink to name a few.

Zest-O now takes up 80% of the local market for fruit juices and has expanded its operation to China, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Singapore, the U.S. and Europe.  The company has helped rebuild the fruit growing industry in the country, especially the Philippine’s native fruits like "dalandan". The doypacks doesn’t go to waste as they are recycled by local cottage industries and used as materials in making handbags that are exported to other countries.

(Photo from http://www.anna.aero/2011/07/13/manila-based-zest-air-operates-20-domestic-routes-from-manila)

Alfredo Yao didn’t stop there.  Talking about going all the way up, aside from productions of ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat food, Zest-O Corporation now owns what used to be Asian Spirit Airlines, which was aptly renamed as Zest Air by CEO Alfredo Yao himself.

Truly, a man we all should learn from, Alfredo Yao is yet another living proof that a man born of poverty doesn’t always have to stay poor.  Always looking for possibilities, this man grabbed every opportunity that came his way. He seized all the challenges and obstacles that hindered him, and made breakthroughs out of prospects.  His story is a loud reminder to everyone that in order to succeed, one must never be afraid to invest.

Alfredo Yao Son of a Sidewalk Vendor now Worth 1 Billion Dollars at Age 71

8:48 AM Featured, Growth

An Unlikely Love Team ALDUB Capturing the Hearts of Filipinos In the Philippines and Around The World

For almost a month now, this loveteam has been making nonstop buzz on social media.  From their simple yet sweet beginning to what is now an unstoppable noontime entertainment, the #Aldub loveteam of heartthrob host and actor Alden Richards and Dubsmash sensation Maine Mendoza aka Yaya Dub has really soared high.  With how fast their fan base is growing right now, there’s no doubt that there’s a future for this two.  So let’s do a quick breakdown of what has happened so far and what’s next for this loveteam.

All Images in this article are from  facebook/EBdabarkads

How it all started

It was July 16 when the two started exchanging glances in Eat Bulaga’s “Juan for All, All for Juan” segment.  With Alden being in the studio and Yaya Dub on the streets with the gang, the two can only exchange glances through the camera.  The distance didn’t faze them and the two would occasionally do the “pabebe wave” (a reference to another online sensation) to each other.  Yaya Dub couldn’t hide her smile and the fixed frown on her face would often break down in excitement over Alden.  Eat Bulaga’s crew and viewers alike noticed the chemistry between them which was fueled by after show twitter exchange between the two that same day.  It was revealed that Yaya Dub has a crush on Alden in real life.

The Story so far

The next day came with fans expecting more and they did not let them down as they quickly built the story up by throwing in an immediate villain to the scene.  Everyone started to get really fired up when “Lola Nidora” portrayed by comedian Wally Bayola expressed that she doesn’t want Alden for Yaya Dub because of a reason that she kept hidden on a book that was stolen. 

Sweet moments were shared by the two especially on their “weeksaries” where at some point Alden even asked a “Riding in tandem” to deliver flowers to Yaya Dub.

Lola Nidora would often get her bodyguards to lock Yaya Dub down in her limo building up the complications in the story.

Reactions from fans were really great.  Viewers were all hyped and excited about the developments.  There’s even this Youtube video of a girl named “Asha” crying with so much anger against the cruelty of Lola Nidora which gained a lot of views as well from netizens.

The villain factor of Lola Nidora went all the way up when one day she had Richard Alden Abducted during the show which added to the “teleserye” mood of the story.

Alden eventually got out, but then Lola Nidora introduced Yaya Dub to Frankie Arinoli (played by Jose Manalo), forcing her to marry him.  This started the tandem name #YaKie (which literally amounts to Yucky).  It was a really fun twist to the story especially with Jose’s portrayal of the role.  Fans couldn’t get enough of it.  Yaya Dub was forced to marry her but then fainted (for real) during her wedding day saying that her fear of holes (Trypophobia) was triggered by Frankie’s acne marks which cracked everyone up.

Alden also came to the wedding hoping to stop it and to finally see Yaya Dub in person to the dismay of the fans since Yaya Dub was already taken to a Hospital.  He then just confronted Frankie which really gave a punch of action to the story.

Touched by a lot of “get well” messages from fans, Yaya Dub said that she’s still “alive and kicking” and is happy that her wedding did not push through.  However, she also said that she’s sad because she still didn’t get the chance to meet Alden in person.

What fans are really looking forward to

Well up until today, Alden and Yaya Dub still hasn’t seen each other in person yet.  This truth alone is enough to keep everyone’s attention focused on this noontime reality drama series or “kalyeserye” as they call it.  Everyone is eager to see them meet up face to face.  Everyone wants to know how each of them would react when that time comes.  The chemistry between the two and the genuine emotions make it all more special.

“…I’m not closing any doors to anything. I’m open for any possibilities…” Alden said on one interview posted on another site.  The question was about the possibility of him courting Yaya Dub in time.  He even said that she really finds her pretty.  He also confirmed that he’s never really seen Yaya Dub in person, not even a strand of her hair.

It was all an accident but there’s future in it

In an interview with Director Mike Tuviera, he said “It was all an accident.”  The director said that it was born from the moment that the staff found out that in real life, Yaya Dub has a crush on Alden.  No one knew about it.  Someone found out and then they experimented by asking Alden to come out on screen.  They focused the camera on him and asked him to do the usual heartthrob looks and then it all just happened as they watch Yaya Dub react to everything.

The director said that huge crowds of fans now camp outside of the studio everyday –something that doesn’t usually happen before the Aldub craze started.  People who used to go home because they can’t come in all stay outside hoping to catch Alden running outside to see Yaya Dub.  The acceptance of the viewers and netizens all amaze them and the gratitude that they feel is really overflowing.

According to Philippine Entertainment Portal, Director Mike Tuviera said that an Aldub movie is a possibility but will really depend on the clamor of the fans.  He said that they will try to make it happen if the fans really want to see it.

Alden Richards just recently signed a four-year contract with APT Films and there are rumors that Maine Mendoza aka Yaya Dub will sign next.

In case of an Aldub movie, Director Tuviera said that he wants to be the one to direct their first movie together.  He also confirmed that the two really haven’t met in person yet.  He said that in real life, there are a lot of “Lola Nidora” behind the camera.  They are forbidden to text or call each other and they aren’t even allowed to be at one location at the same time.  Who knows?  The feel and excitement might turn to reality after all.

In the social media’s end, a lot of fans are trying to get everyone’s hopes up by putting up some edited picture of the two together.  There’s even one netizen that came up with a trailer video for the Filipino remake of “My Love from the Stars” (a Korean series) featuring Alden Richards and Yaya Dub as the main casts.

There’s really no stopping these two from rising all the way up.  And whatever project (or relationship, if all goes well) Aldub might have in the future, there sure is a fan base ready for it.  We all just have to stay tuned and wait for the right time as everyone else is doing.#Aldub: Not Your Average Loveteam

An Unlikely Love Team ALDUB Capturing the Hearts of Filipinos In the Philippines and Around The World

1:26 AM Celebrities, Featured, Viral