The Black Mamba has Left the Building

Kobe Bryant aka Black Mamba died in a horrible helicopter crash today.  His 13-year-old daughter Gigi, together with eight others perished too.  Kobe was only 41.

National Disc Jockey Day

Photo c/o nationaldaycalendar.com

When I was growing up, I've always been amazed by radio DJ's.  I had an uncle who was one and my ancestral home in Zamboanga City was situated right beside a radio station.  I saw it being built from the ground-up!  Many years later, I also became a DJ on both AM and FM radio.  But I liked it better on the AM band because I was free to play my kind of music and there was more freedom to engage in interviews and features.  My stint as a DJ opened the doors for me to work on television, until I went up the ranks and became a TV director for all kinds of shows (variety, musical, drama).  But just like on AM radio I geared more towards the news and public affairs type of shows.  So many thanks to all the years as a DJ in the Philippines and I carried on doing the same here in Aotearoa New Zealand, not as a career but more for community and public service.  It is but fitting and proper that I'm honoring DJ's all over the world on this very important day.

Happy New Year

Photo c/o RMO

It's been 15 days after the New Year and it's also a new decade as well.  Heaps has happened in the planet (bush-fires in Australia, the Amazon, California, and even in some parts of Aotearoa New Zealand; earthquakes and sandstorms in Iran and the Middle East; flood waters in Dubai and even snow in Saudi Arabia).  A week ago the afternoon skies over Auckland turned to orange because of the haze coming from the bush0fires in Aussie.  As I gazed at the sky, I couldn't help but wonder if this the end time as foretold in The Holy Bible?  Is this the apocalypse?  Any minute now, zombies will begin to appear?  And just this weekend, in my homeland, the Philippines, Taal volcano just erupted and that sure turned everything upside down back there.  Add to the mix is the crisis between the USA and Iran.  And it's really a very busy and active 15 days!