Rogue.ph

His name has been implicated in the last two big election scandals in recent memory. In Philippine politics, no other character but the COMELEC’S Lintang Bedol has figured prominently (and flagrantly) in the controversies that have haunted the present administration of President Gloria Arroyo. As Bedol hits the headlines again, Ricky Torre writes (and almost sings) a fitting, honest paean to the man.

In 2006, Alexis Tioseco was named by The Philippine Star as one of the most important young people in the country today. Although not a filmmaker himself, his efforts to promote local cinema have been more significant in that he has fostered an interest and put into context the work of Filipino directors such as Lav Diaz and Raya Martin to name a few—for both local and foreign audiences. During one film festival, he met Nika, an equally passionate editor of a film journal in her native Slovenia, and fell in love. For this issue, Tioseco writes her a letter, detailing not only their relationship and the difficulties of living apart, but also why he cannot leave Philippine cinema alone . . . especially to the critics or the filmmakers themselves.

Former road manager Jamie Wilson fed off the scraps celebrities visiting our shores threw his way. He pimped, he scored, he fixed—“I’ll take care of it,” he would promise—and he always did. Lurid details notwithstanding, the best part of this story is how he managed to jump off the rock-and-roll freight train before its inevitable derailment.