PBB Season 1 Housemates in Tuloy Ang Buhay Concert September 18, 2007 3:35 PM
Pinoy Big Brother Season 1 housemates proved that nothing, or even no one, can beat the original. With their successful reunion concert entitled Tuloy Ang Buhay Sa Mas Pinalaking Bahay held last September 15th at the Araneta Coliseum, the first batch of housemates of the phenomenal reality TV show all together affirmed that they still have what it takes to make the audience jump up and down their seats.
The concert featured all the 13 housemates in extravagant song and dance numbers that brought the Big Dome down. Sexy girls Chx Alcala, Say Alonso, and Jenny Suico were all out in their enticing dance number, but it was their 3rd Big Placer, Cass Ponti, who allured PBB fans with her rendition of Rihanna's Umbrella. The boys, on the other hand, stepped it up on the dance floor -- Rico Barrera, JB Magsaysay, Bob Dela Cruz, and 4th Big Place Uma Khouny giving a showdown of sorts. Meanwhile, Big Winner Nene Tamayo again put on her dancing shoes for another ballroom number with her dance partner and husband, Anthony, and fellow U Can Dance season 1 finalists. Other housemates also had the opportunity to perform with well-known OPM artists, like when Franzen Fajardo rapped his lungs out with Salbakuta and Jason Gainza sang with Rocksteady.
But it was heartthrob Sam Milby who made the night a very memorable one. Despite being just an "incidental" housemate and not even making it to the finals, this cute boy from the States's showbiz career flew to record breaking heights when he left the house. Singing Maging Sino Ka Man and My Girl, Sam caused quite a stir among the audience, especially the girls and the "not-actually" girls. Sam later thanked everyone for their support, because if it had not be for the Sam-fanatics, he wouldn't have come this far.
Cristy Fermin and Jobert Sucaldito also graced the concert for a chat with all of the housemates wherein they got to talk about their PBB experience and how their lives have been so far. Of course, knowing Nanay Cristy and Tito Jobert, an interview will not be complete without tackling some touchy issues concerning the housemates. The whole of Araneta listened as Say and JB each gave their side of the story regarding the recent argument they had during a press conference. Also, Uma clarified the rumor claiming he called season 2 housemate, Wendy Valdez, a "plastic." The Israeli housemate also reacted to the "not-so-nice" comments that Wendy apparently said about him. Tactless as he is, Uma ended the interview by saying that their batch is way more famous compared to other batches of PBB housemates.
In behalf of her colleagues, Nene thanked everyone for supporting their reunion concert, and then introduced The Dawn who sang their signature song, Salamat. This capped the night that will be etched in the memory of all PBB fans, a night when the people who started the phenomena once again gathered and showed everyone they still have Big Brother's magic.
naisip ko lang bisitahin ang PBB website kanina at meron pa din palang updates dun.. hehehe! 'yung latest nga is about the PBB concert na pinanood namin ni Abbie last Sept. 15. thanks kay Sheggz for giving us Patron seat tickets! oh yeah! pers taym ko nakaupo dun! hahaha! nweis, here's some of the pics i took that night.. :)
huwaw! have you seen the new ipod nano? grabe! ang astig! while we were walking ni abbie kanina sa may Cyberzone. napansin ko 'yung kakaibang ipod na naka-display in one of the stores. nun pa din lang nakita ni sister kaya naisip namin kung original nga ba 'yun. pero katabi naman siya ng mga for-real na ipod so we checked sa Power Mac Center. and true enough may bago pala ang ipod nano, may video na siya!
ngayon ko lang ata nagustuhan ang ipod! wahehehe! kaya pala 'yung sa isang store ang nakita ko eh either 4gb or 8gb. eh pwede na pala videos dun or manood ka ng movie! lufeeeett!! i want one! hahaha!
looks yummy right? pero hindi pala.. first sip ko pa lang eh halos isuka ko 'yung nalasahan ko.. yaaakkss! i was never fond of tea (the real kind, hindi 'yung like ng iced tea). and 'yung Nai Cha was *ugh!* true to the taste of tea. ang kaibahan lang siguro eh malamig siya, unlike 'yung tea na sine-serve sa mga Chinese restaurant.
last Tuesday (Sept. 18), nasa SM San Lazaro kami ni sister. naghanap talaga ko ng susuotin on Friday. ergo, i wanted to find something red. hahaha! after namin manggaling sa sangkatutak na stores, we had no luck at niyaya ko muna si Abbie na mag-dinner. i ordered 'yung Spicy Chao Fan at si Abbie, Wanton Noodles. 'yung drinks sana namin eh 'yung Black Gulaman kaya lang di daw available. naisip ko mukhang ok naman 'yung Nai Cha as an alternative. hindi pala.. ni hindi nga ko nangalahati dun sa drinks ko. i finished up my food then sabi ko kay Abbie bibili ako ng Kiwi Green Tea sa may Nutrilicious.
i wanted to make it up kay sister kaya 'yun sana bibilhin ko. (if you haven't tried 'yun, you're missing a lot!) kaya lang, as always, ang nauubos agad eh 'yung Green Tea. umorder na lang ako ng regular iced tea. sarap din pala nun! and it washed down 'yung aftertaste ng Nai Cha. pinilit pa nga actually ni Abbie na ubusin 'yung Nai Cha niya pero sabi ko 'wag na. sayang daw kasi. eh kung ako nga di ko na ginalaw ulit 'yung sa 'kin. hehe!
pero kung ikaw eh mahilig sa tea, malamang maging fave mo 'to.. hehe! sa paghahanap ko kasi ng pic ng Nai Cha ng Chowking eh madami ako nabasang raves about this drink. pero wala ko nakitang pic online kaya pina-send ko pa kay Abbie 'yung inupload ko sa PC namin sa bahay. (as i'm doing this post sa opis! hehe!) so 'yun, kung gusto mo pa din i-try, 'kaw bahala.. hehehe! :p sabi ko nga kay Abbie, in any consolation, at least nasubukan namin pero hinding-hindi na ko uulit. hahaha!
thank you po sa lahat ng bumati sa amin ni Abbie on our 25th birthday! lalo na sa friend ni Jean na nagpahiram ng cellphone para mabati ako nung Friday! hahaha! sowweee, ngayon ko lang na-compile.. pasensya na talaga at di din kasi ako nakapag-online the whole weekend! ehehe! from latest text message po to the first ang order nito ha.. :D
09/24/07 Ma'am Janice - Blatd hapi bday! Pasensya na nal8 griting ko. Stay as swit and humbl as u r. God bles. Xtend my griting 2 aby as wel. Therese - April, late nga lang pero... Happy Birthday! hehe sori po.
09/23/07 Raymund - Happy bday abbie and april..
09/22/07 Ma-e - Belated! Akala ko 25 pa bday nyo khapn pla! Ava - happy bday april and abbie.. i hope ur having a blast.. sori cnt come.. d p ko nkkasleep.. gngawa cr namen.. ingay sobra.. xenxa po Tita Irene - Abbie, April belated happy birthday, kahapon nga pala yng bday nyo pnta b kyo bukas sa bday ng anak ni maide Me-ann - (w/ pic msg) A kiss from a frend wishing on ur special day! "hapi bday!"
09/21/07 Tita Mydee - To our favorite twins - Don't be afraid to say what u feel, hear what others have to say & to act the way u think best suits u, for being true to ones self is d greatest form of courage. Happy Birthday! - Tita Mydee, Tito Paul & Maxine. Jev - Ate abbie & ate april, huli man dw at mgaling, huli parn! Hehe. Ngaun lng po ako nkpgtxt, dami ko kc subj pag TF. happybirthday po! love ko po kyo mga "ate" Angelica - Hapi bday kofi! Jannes - Happy birthday po. Nt sure po ako tom. ha dami ko kse lakad tom. with metro and school pa ngsabay kse tom. Ninang Neneng - Happy birthday kambal Ninang Joan - Happy birthday to both you, april and abbie. How young na kau? Punta ba kami dyan? Russel - Happy birthday! God bless always & fud health! Johna - hapy bday!!! Ate Winnie - Hapi bday Ate Mela - Happy birthday ate! Marigold - Hapi birthday! Aura - Happy birthday 2 both of you! May you hav many more bdays 2 come. Mis you! Mama Shen - April hapy bd. My u have more bds 2 cme. Pryers 4 sucess in all undrtakngs. Wd r mising u very much. Luv fr ma shen pa jo Madel - april & abbie happy birthday puh! ingat puh!.. madel hre.. Cheriza - You r a blessed person w/ an importnt role to play in lyf and GOD is watchng over you w/ love & concern be d best u can be.. for GOD's purpose... hapi bday! Kristine - Happy happy Birthday April! Grapes - Happy bday, april! wish u more blessings pls do tel abbie also.. i dnt have her # na. Ngchange b sya? Paulynn - Happy birthday! Mama - Hapi, hapi b-day! Ngcmba n b kau? Wag nyong klimutang mgcmba, ha! Take care always, luv u! Ate Aileen - Happy Birthday! Laika - Lord, bless dis woman so dear to me, w/ ol her NEEDS only YOU can see. Keep her SAFE & keep her FREE, for she is BEAUTIFUL just like ME!" Happy Birthday! Apol - Happy birthday! Nina - (mms) happy birthday Rj - Happy 25th Birthday best. Wishng u all d good tngs n life. God bless u always. Love you best ko! Ate Ainjel - Happy birthday, cuz! Have a great day! Godspeed... Elvie - (w/ pic msg) Bruha!!! hapi bday mwah labsyah yngat plgi ha Sheggz - Happy Happy Birthday!! God Bless You! All the best...
09/20/07 Jenny - hapy bday 2 u, hapy bday 2 u, hapy bday hapy bday.... hapy bday tooo...... yoooou.... Hapy bday pril loves u po Rheanne - ei pril, happy birthday po snyo ni abbie! C u on saturday! Nono - hapi birthday! may landline k b dyan ill call you!
epey (9/20/07 2:04:52 PM): ngpaalam ako kay mam knina n di papasok bukas epey (9/20/07 2:05:00 PM): andami sinabi epey (9/20/07 2:05:41 PM): tpos sa huli sbi nya, its up to you i don't care nina (9/20/07 2:07:04 PM): alam mo ba dudugtungan ko nga sana yan e.. It's up to you, i don't care "how you get ther.." epey (9/20/07 2:07:20 PM): pano b yan its up to me dw nina (9/20/07 2:07:34 PM): sinabi mo ba na special day mo? epey (9/20/07 2:07:39 PM): hndi epey (9/20/07 2:07:47 PM): kc filing ko lng mas lalo sya mggalit knina epey (9/20/07 2:07:48 PM): hehehe epey (9/20/07 2:07:57 PM): sbi ko lng mgsisimba kc kmi sa antipolo bukas nina (9/20/07 2:08:11 PM): pero kung alam niya lang siguro e mapapahiya siya.. epey (9/20/07 2:08:17 PM): i gues so epey (9/20/07 2:08:25 PM): pero bayaan ko n lng sya mapahiya bukas epey (9/20/07 2:08:26 PM): hehehe epey (9/20/07 2:08:30 PM): kung malalaman nya nina (9/20/07 2:08:31 PM): grabee nmn tapos sinabi niya yang .. id ont care.. epey (9/20/07 2:08:35 PM): yup nina (9/20/07 2:08:39 PM): so, dka po papasok?.. epey (9/20/07 2:08:41 PM): andami nya tlga sinabi knina epey (9/20/07 2:09:01 PM): opo epey (9/20/07 2:09:04 PM): hehehe epey (9/20/07 2:09:16 PM): mgsisimba dn po tlga kmi bukas ni abbie epey (9/20/07 2:09:30 PM): kc dis year di p kmi nakapagsimba kc nga nging busy sa pagalis nina mama epey (9/20/07 2:09:47 PM): eh kumbga may panata cla n every year mgsisimba dun epey (9/20/07 2:10:00 PM): nung baby p kc kmi palagi kmi nagkakasakit nina (9/20/07 2:10:14 PM): ah yun nmn pala e.. nina (9/20/07 2:10:21 PM): dapat pala di ka na lang nagpaalam.. nina (9/20/07 2:10:37 PM): haayy.. panigurado masasakit n nmn narinig mo kanina.. nina (9/20/07 2:10:46 PM): yan pa nga lang nasa status mo e.. epey (9/20/07 2:10:50 PM): so prang timely n dn lng n mg-25 kmi dun kmi mgsisimba epey (9/20/07 2:10:53 PM): ay oo nmn epey (9/20/07 2:10:56 PM): sobra nina (9/20/07 2:11:18 PM): gusto mo ba ilabas?.. epey (9/20/07 2:11:23 PM): actually pinipigilan ko nga matawa knina nina (9/20/07 2:11:27 PM): i'll listen.. epey (9/20/07 2:11:28 PM): kc habang glit n glit sya knina e epey (9/20/07 2:11:42 PM): di ko maiwasan di tumingin sa band-aid n nasa mukha nya epey (9/20/07 2:11:46 PM): it was so funny nina (9/20/07 2:11:56 PM): hahaha.. epey (9/20/07 2:11:59 PM): pramis! nina (9/20/07 2:11:59 PM): baliw! nina (9/20/07 2:12:07 PM): napahalakhak ako dun ha! epey (9/20/07 2:12:21 PM): ang twa nga dn ni gil knina nung kinukwento ko nina (9/20/07 2:12:55 PM): palagi ko nga nakakalimutan ask ki ate gih.. ano ba yun?.. inoperahan?.. epey (9/20/07 2:13:01 PM): ewan ko nga b epey (9/20/07 2:13:08 PM): itatanong ko nga sna syo e epey (9/20/07 2:13:11 PM): wahehehehe nina (9/20/07 2:13:19 PM): maya ask ko sa kanya.. nina (9/20/07 2:13:25 PM): palagi ko kasi nakakalimutan.. nina (9/20/07 2:13:31 PM): 2x ko na siya napansin.. epey (9/20/07 2:13:44 PM): knina ko lng napansin kc knina ko lng sya nakaharap epey (9/20/07 2:13:45 PM): hehehe nina (9/20/07 2:13:53 PM): ahehehe.. nina (9/20/07 2:13:55 PM): whew! nina (9/20/07 2:14:07 PM): so, ok ka na naun po?.. epey (9/20/07 2:14:17 PM): ayos nmn po nina (9/20/07 2:14:30 PM): gud 4u.. nina (9/20/07 2:14:41 PM): advans epey (9/20/07 2:14:45 PM): sbi ko nga sa knya kung pwd lng nmn e epey (9/20/07 2:14:51 PM): tpos tumahimik sya epey (9/20/07 2:15:12 PM): ayun nga, sbi nya its up to you i dont care epey (9/20/07 2:15:40 PM): andami nya sinabi tpos gnun.. sows.. nina (9/20/07 2:16:31 PM): church pa nmn yung pinagpaalam mo sa kanya taz ganun lang sagot niya.. epey (9/20/07 2:16:52 PM): ewan ko nga dn epey (9/20/07 2:17:04 PM): di ko nga lng alm kung di nya b narealize n ang layo dn ng antipolo nina (9/20/07 2:17:31 PM): kaya nga epey (9/20/07 2:17:49 PM): sbi nya p di dw nya maintindhan n konting ano lng dw sa bhay nmin ng-absent n dw ako epey (9/20/07 2:18:02 PM): at wla dw akng right mgleave epey (9/20/07 2:18:09 PM): kc wla p dw one year n permanent epey (9/20/07 2:18:17 PM): buti p nga dw at napermanent p ko epey (9/20/07 2:19:18 PM): nku ha.. mas kelngn nmn nila ko dito kesa yung kelngn ko ang work n to epey (9/20/07 2:19:23 PM): tsk tsk tsk nina (9/20/07 2:19:46 PM): ganun.. nina (9/20/07 2:20:01 PM): ibig sabihin , utang na luob mo na na napermanent ka d2?.. nina (9/20/07 2:20:09 PM): sus! ang sakit niya magsalita ha?.. epey (9/20/07 2:20:17 PM): yun ang cnasabi nya knina epey (9/20/07 2:20:57 PM): inaaliw ko n nga lng yung sarili ko knina at nakatingin dun sa band aid nya nina (9/20/07 2:21:48 PM): ahahahaha.. nina (9/20/07 2:21:50 PM): tama yun.. nina (9/20/07 2:22:04 PM): wag ka paaffect masyado sa sinasabi niya.. nina (9/20/07 2:22:11 PM): aba e talented ka pa sa kanya! nina (9/20/07 2:22:14 PM): hehehehe.. epey (9/20/07 2:22:49 PM): hahaha nina (9/20/07 2:22:55 PM): sna lang kasi, wag ganyan magsasasalita si misis.. ok nmn din sana siya e..
mula pa nung Friday night, madaling araw (meaning: the following day) na ko nakakatulog. like one of my friends said, ang ligalig ko daw kaya di ako dalawin ng antok. sobrang na-upset kasi ako nung Wednesday pa. di ko kasi malaman why Apol's indifferent with me. parang i did something wrong, but i haven't seen her lately. so i really have no idea bakit ganun na lang siya.
last Wednesday kasi, nagpunta kami ng UST ni Abbie to check kung may mabibili pang tickets sa cheerdance competition ng UAAP. we had no luck, but stayed na din kasi nag-OT nun sina Apol at Jen. eh nag-crave ako na mag-Ice Monster kaya niyaya ko muna si sister. binili na lang din namin ng food sina Apol.
ok lang naman kung tanggihan niya 'yung RBX na dala ko. pero halos ilayo niya sa kanya 'yung hawak ko like it was something contagious. she really didn't touch the food, sabi niya masakit daw tiyan niya. pero ayos lang sa 'kin 'yun, choice naman niya kung ayaw niya kumain. 8pm na nung natapos ang OT nila at sabay-sabay na kami umuwi. palabas na kami ng hospital nung naalala ni Jen na may nakalimutan siya sa office. so bumalik sila sa Accounting ni Abbie, at naiwan kami ni Apol sa may exit.
even nung palabas nga kami di niya ko sabayan maglakad. it was so awkward being there.. i would have given anything just so i could teleport myself somewhere else. Apol was too quiet. nung sabi ko na umupo muna siya kasi nga masakit ang tiyan niya, ayaw niya. at ok naman na daw siya. naisip ko nga tuloy na di talaga masakit ang tiyan niya eh. ako na nga lang daw umupo, sabi ko naman di naman siya uupo kaya ayoko na din. so we stood there. in silence.
i forgot to mention na medyo nasa gitna kami nakapwesto nun at kind of nakaharang kami sa daanan ng tao. but since Apol was standing dun, di na din ako umalis. kahit nabubunggo na ko ng mga dumadaan. without a word, nagpunta si Apol in a corner by the stairs. it was more like she wanted to get away from me, kaya di ko na siya sinundan. i pretended to look at the image of Martin de Porres or dun sa bulletin board malapit sa 'kin. when actually, i was looking at her through the glass mirror. wala. we waited for a few minutes but it felt like we were there far too long.
tapos nitong Friday, i met up with Abbie sa UST ulit kasi nakipagkita siya kay Sheggz (another fanatic of PBB). humingi kasi ako ng tickets sa kanya sa PBB concert nitong Sept. 15 sa Araneta Coliseum. sabi ni Abbie, umalis din daw agad si Sheggz kasi may imi-meet pa sa ABS-CBN. pero kasama niya daw 'yung iba pa naming kakilala sa USTH. thinking na wala naman si Apol, nag-dropby na ko. gusto ko kasi muna umiwas sa kanya kasi mukhang ayaw niya ko makita or makausap.
mula nung kumain sila sa Hot Shots, then dun sa nanood kami ng event ng college ng A.B. sa harap ng Main Building, until pag-uwi na eh di kami nag-uusap. ang saya noh? ang lapit pa naman ng birthday ko tapos.. hayy.. nung Wednesday nga, naiyak ako e. tinanong ko ni Abbie kung bakit, pero di ko na siya nasagot. what's worse eh nung Friday parang ako 'yung galit sa kanya or something. huh?! sabi pa sa 'kin ni Jen, pag nakita ko ulit si Apol pansinin ko daw siya at di 'yung ignore ko siya. i explained everything to Jen, at naguluhan siya kasi iba daw version ng kay Apol. parang pag-baligtarin lang daw ang pwesto namin at pareho kami ng rison. huwaaatt?!?!?! hindi ko talaga maintindihan! =/
Mikaela María Antonia de los Reyes Cojuangco-Jaworski, better known simply as Mikee Cojuangco, is an equestrianne, local television host and actress from the Philippines.
She was born on February 26, 1974 to Tarlac congressman and current Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and Tarlac governor Margarita "Tingting" del los Reyes-Cojuangco. The Conjuangco family owns a vast sugar plantation in Tarlac known as Hacienda Luisita. She is also the niece of former Philippine President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino.
Mikee started to show interest in riding at age eight but was only allowed to take lessons by her parents when she turned 10. At the age of 16, she joined her first international competition at Shizuoka, Japan where she placed third in the individual show jumping. But her best winning moment happened just before the curtains fell on the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. Mikee managed to bag Philippines' third and last gold medal in the individual show jumping event.
She graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1995.
Aside from being a champion rider, Mikee is also a TV and movie actress and a commercial model. She is married to Pasig City congressman Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr., son of basketball player and senator Robert Jaworski. Together, they have two sons named Robert III (Robbie) and Rafael Joseph.
Filmography:
Actress:
1. "Majika" (2006) TV Series (as Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski) .... Tamara (2006)
1. "All About You" (2003) TV Series (as Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski) .... Herself - Host
2. "Eat Bulaga" (1979) TV Series .... Herself - Host
para sa mga di nakakaalam, ang pers idol ko talaga eh si Mikee Cojuangco. the first time i saw her on tv, i was awed by her. but that was when she was just starting sa "Spotlight on Mikee." remember sa channel 7? 'yung every month may featured actress? well, i didn't miss one episode. and then i was thrilled when the "Mikee!", a weekly television show started. hay grabe, lugmok ako sobra pag may na-miss akong episode. i used to have this notebook where i wrote the title of each episode and who was her leading man dun.
of course, i watched every movie she made. malaking gulo pag di ako sinamahan manood.. hehehe! ngayon ko nga lang nalaman na may website pala siya. [ http://www.stormviz.com/mikee/ ] i'll look it up whenever wala ko ginagawa sa opis. hehehe! i need to freshen up on my idol's bio and all that stuff. natuwa nga ko't may nakita ako sa pics ni Gege (Gretchen Malalad) sa Friendster na kasama niya si Mikee. imagine, my two idols! hehehe! (ma'am ge, pahiram muna ng picture ha!)
Mikee Cojuangco & Gretchen Malalad @ the sea games
The Sandiganbayan Special Division on Wednesday found former president Joseph Estrada guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the crime of plunder but acquitted him for the lesser crime of perjury.
Winding up a six-year trial that the 70-year-old had repeatedly insisted was politically motivated, the anti-graft court ruled that Estrada was guilty of plundering billions of pesos in tobacco excise tax kickbacks and bribes and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua.
"Accordingly accused former president Joseph Estrada is hereby sentenced to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua and accessory penalties of civil interdiction during the period of sentence and perpetual absolute disqualification," the decision read.
It added: "The period within accused former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada has been under detention shall be credited to him in full as long as he agrees voluntarily in writing to abide by the same disciplinary rules imposed upon convicted prisoners."
The court, however, acquitted Estrada's co-accused in the plunder case including his son, Sen. Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, and lawyer Eduardo Serapio.
The court confiscated more than P700 million in Estrada's assets including a foundation set up by Estrada for Muslim scholars, the controversial "Jose Velarde" account that allegedly contained millions of pesos in illegal gambling bribes and the now famous Boracay mansion in New Manila, Quezon City.
Estrada slumped in his chair as the verdict was read and later vowed to appeal.
"I disagree with the findings and conclusions of the court. These conclusions, however, did not come as a surprise to us," he said, urging his supporters to stay calm.
Estrada said the verdict "appeared to be a political move" that came after pressure from his arch-rival and successor, current President Arroyo.
"Against the advice of my friends I submitted myself to the judiciary believing that the case would be tried on its merits," he said.
The court said Estrada will remain detained at his resthouse in Tanay, Rizal "until further orders from this court."
Estrada was charged with plunder, made up of four counts of corruption, involving diversion of funds amounting to about P4 billion ($85 million). He was also charged with perjury.
The charges include taking commissions in the purchase of shares by government insurance funds, payoffs from gambling lords, diverting tobacco taxes for personal use and maintaining a bank account under a false name. The perjury charge relates to misrepresentation on earned income.
Bitter chapter
The case has marked a bitter chapter in Philippine politics that began when the onetime action hero was ousted from power in 2001, a move which led to violent street protests.
Estrada, hero of the downtrodden during years as a matinee idol, has called the charges trumped up and says he was hounded out of office by a coalition of the elite, including senior army officers, corporate leaders and Catholic bishops.
He said on Tuesday he had twice rejected offers from Mrs. Arroyo to clear his name in exchange for his voluntary exile.
Mrs. Arroyo welcomed the verdict and said the "rule of law" should prevail.
"We have a country to run, an economy to grow and a peace to win. We hope that this sad episode in our history will not permanently distract us from these goals," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.
The financial markets welcomed the verdict. As the expected huge crowds of pro-Estrada protesters failed to materialize, investors discounted political turbulence and drove up the value of the peso as well as listed shares.
"It seems like there was no violent reaction so far so that is why investors are taking advantage of the bargain prices in the market," said Astro del Castillo, director of the Association of Securities Analysts of the Philippines.
"This is one thorn off our back."
The peso strengthened to 46.80 against the dollar from its close of 47.12 on Tuesday. It had fallen more than 1 percent earlier in the week amid uncertainty over the judgment.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index was up 1.37 percent.
"It's victors' justice. It's ruling class justice. The special division (of the court) was programmed to convict. We never had a chance," Estrada's lawyer, Rene Saguisag, said.
Saguisag said the infamous former playboy president would not try to delay his imprisonment.
"He has no intention of seeking special treatment." Estrada will appeal against the verdict to the anti-graft court. The case will also come up for automatic review at the Supreme Court.
Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, whose allegations led to the impeachment and eventual ouster of Estrada in 2001, both praised and derided the verdict.
"Masaya dahil sa wakas nabigyan tayo ng hustisya at nagtagumpay ang hustisya natin. Malungkot dahil sa ibang nadamay, na nag-iba ang mga buhay nila, iyong mga testigo na natakot (I am happy because at last, we were given justice, justice has prevailed. Sad that so many lives were affected and changed especially the witnesses who were threatened)," he told ABS-CBN.
He said "true justice" in the plunder case against Estrada remains elusive since the former president still enjoys special privileges.
"They say he's being imprisoned when he's not, he's on vacation at his resthouse (in Tanay, Rizal) where he can do whatever he please. He can even go to Hong Kong," he said.
He added that jailing Estrada would serve as a warning for public officials who are guilty of graft and corruption.
Singson earlier accused Estrada of pocketing millions of pesos in illegal gambling and tobacco excise tax kickbacks. His allegations led to the failed impeachment trial against Estrada in December 2000 and eventual ouster in 2001.
Champion of the poor
Earl Parreno, a Manila-based political analyst, said Estrada's core supporters could yet whip up trouble when he is sent to prison.
"If Estrada will be handcuffed, brought to prison, wearing an orange suit and that is shown on national television, that will have a very big impact on the Filipino people emotionally," he said. "It is the calm before the storm."
Outside the court several hundred people stood in the rain waving flags and banners in support of the deposed leader, who remains hugely popular among much of the nation's disenfranchised.
"That is not the will of the poor. He is my president," cried street vendor Loretta Barrias, 55, as colleagues calmed her down. "He is the people's president, set him free!"
Estrada, who made his name in more than 100 movies over three decades, cultivated an image of the everyday man who spoke in fractured English and was a champion of the poor.
Born Joseph Ejercito to a well-to-do Manila family he dropped out of school in his teens, was thrown out of home by his father and took the name Estrada from a telephone book.
He shot to movie stardom at 24 and in 1998 was elected president by a record margin.
His win was viewed as a turning point in national politics because Estrada was not a member of one of the traditional political dynasties.
But his term in office was marked by reports of policy decisions taken after late-night drinking bouts, millions of pesos won or lost in gambling sessions and innumerable tales of mistresses and their lavish lifestyles.
Estrada has never denied that he was fond of wine or women, but has said that was part of his movie star life, and that he gave it all up when he became president.
yesterday, i told Elvie na kaya di ako nakasama sa outing ng casuals nun eh dahil sa di ako invited. sabi niya, "ganun na din 'yun." i didn't wanna argue with anyone, especially with the birthday girl kaya i just shut up. kahit na gustong-gusto ko na mag-object na it's not the same at all. one of the annoying misconceptions about us ni Abbie is kung ininvite 'yung isa eh automatically kasama na 'yung isa pa.
between the two of us pa nga ng kapatid ko eh nagtatanungan pa kami kung gusto niya sumama pag may lakad ako or vice versa. kahit na alam ko naman na sasama siya, it's only right to ask her first. hindi kami package deal na kung nasaan si Abbie eh nandun ako. we're two different persons na should also be treated individually. and well, anyone who would think or act otherwise is really irritating or annoying.
kung sa pag-i-invite sa amin, it should always be noted na PAREHO MO KAMI INIIMBITA. ramdam ba 'yung angst? frustration? hehe! 'kaw na lang bahala.. kung di mo na-gets ang mga sinabi ko dito, bahala ka na din. hahaha!
