Joma Lawyer: Prosecutor Under Political Pressure
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
The camp of Jose Maria "Joma" Sison’s believes that the Dutch Public Prosecution Office is under political pressure to continue its investigation of the Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman.
"We are disappointed but not surprised. They will continue the investigation, everyone knows, but it will not lead to anything. The politics has been the main consideration to continue this and not abandon the case yet. There must have been pressure on the Prosecution to continue," Michiel Pestman, Sison's lawyer, said in a telephone interview.
The Dutch Openbaar Ministerie (OM, or Public Prosecution Office) released a statement on January 18 that it will continue its investigation on the alleged involvement of Sison in the killings of former communist leaders Romulo Kintanar and Arturo Tabara.
C.M. de Rijks, the trial judge of the District Court of The Hague, closed the criminal pre-investigation against Sison on November 29. The judge said that the prosecutor failed to provide enough information to continue the criminal pre-investigation.
De Rijks also cited two previous decisions in favor of Sison, namely the September 23 decision of the Raadkamer against detaining him because of lack of serious, grave presumptions and incriminating evidence as well as a Court of Appeals’ decision of October 3.
Sison, who is also the chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF), was arrested and detained in the Scheveningen detention center in The Hague on August 28 last year for alleged involvement in the murders of erstwhile allies Kintanar and Tabara in the Philippines. He was later released pending the pre-trial investigation.
"Basically what they’re doing is buying for time. For some reason, they’re not confident to take a decision now which means that there is no evidence yet," Pestman explained to ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
Pestman said that after the closure of the pre-investigation trial in November, public prosecutor J.S. de Vries came under mounting pressure to announce a decision on whether to drop the charges or not.
"It’s just a way to postpone the whole decision. The only thing is that they don’t have to take this difficult decision now. The Prosecutor is afraid to take the decision on the case, to abandon the case," Pestman said.
Pestman still stands by his expectation that the case will eventually be dropped.
"We have to see what we can do. But we can file objections and it’s very likely that we will do that," he said.
The public prosecutor for her part, cannot at this point give a clear indication as to her decision.
In a separate telephone interview, OM spokesman Wim de Bruin said that the police investigation will be continued.
He said the investigation is expected to be completed this summer, when the prosecutor will decide whether to bring the case to the court or not.
He said that the public prosecutor may find that there is a reason to investigate the case further. That, however, will take some time.
De Bruin explained that when the pre-investigation trial was closed, the police investigation continued and his office was instructed to inform Sison about the situation.
"When the judge dropped the case that didn’t mean that the investigation was finished. The police investigation was continued in November and will take some more months," de Bruin said.
"We do continue the investigation but it is too early at this moment to say what is the final conclusion," de Bruin said.
Asked if at this moment the Public Prosecutor’s Office thinks that there is a case against Sison, de Bruin replied, "There is a reason to investigate, that is different."
He also explained that there is nothing new regarding the fear from Sison’s camp that the present charge to incite murder will be expanded to a case of war-crime command responsibility.
In a statement received by ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau, NDF chairman Luis Jalandoni condemned the prolonged investigation of Sison, which he said is an attack on the organization and the peace process.
Jalandoni also warned in his statement that there are indications that the Dutch prosecutor intends to expand the charge of inciting murder to a charge of war crimes, "in order to get away from the rigorous rule of evidence of direct and personal responsibility in a case of murder to the rule of command responsibility."
"If this shift were to be done, the Dutch Prosecutor will be practically recognizing the existence of a civil war in the Philippines and accusing Prof. Sison of being a leader of a belligerent force under international law," Jalandoni said in his statement.
De Bruin, however, said that it is all pure speculation.
"Yeah. But then, that’s speculating. I can’t do that. So I can’t tell you more than they are investigating…I’m not sure but I think it was already last year in the news, the possibility of the involvement [Sison’s] in war crimes," de Bruin said.
Pestman, meanwhile, thinks the war-crime command responsibility issue is irrelevant to Sison’s case.
"It’s a different label for the same facts. And if you can’t prove the facts then it doesn’t matter what label you put on it," Pestman said.
"If you know you’re going to win the case by changing the label...it only shows how desperate they are," he added.
In a separate interview, Sison’s wife Juliet said that her husband appeared before the Immigation and Naturalization Service (Immigratie-en Naturalisatiedienst or IND) Monday morning for a hearing on his appeal to be granted residency.
Sison’s legal status in the Netherlands remains in a state of limbo since the inclusion of his name on the European Union’s list of terrorists.
Sison went into exile in The Netherlands in 1987. Two decades later, he went back to square one in seeking asylum as a political refugee.
Mrs. Sison said her husband's lawyer has found a similar case giving hope that he will be granted resident status in The Netherlands.
"Ano kasi, nag-appeal 'yung lawyer niya dahil nagkaroon daw ng isang decision na somebody, out of procedure, na obligado ang state na bigyan siya ng residence. But anyway, 'yun ang hinihingi ng lawyers dahil merong precedent. 'Yang hearing na 'yan, dahil matagal na siyang walang status, baka bigyan siya dahil may decision ng similar case," she said.
(His lawyer filed an appeal because a decision said that the state is obligated to grant him residency..that's what the lawyers want because there is a precedent. He might be given residency status because there was a decision on a similar case.)
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=106317
Monday, January 21, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Pinoy Scholar in Holland Continues to Inspire
Pinoy Scholar in Holland Continues to Inspire
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
A physically challenged Filipino has proven that there is life after losing an arm.
Joebel Gurang is the star guitarist of Pinoy scholars studying at Wageningen University in Wageningen, The Netherlands.
There are about 80 Filipino scholars in the Netherlands. They came from the Philippines and other countries to take up their Masters or Doctorate in Philosophy degrees in the different universities here. Gurang, who is studying Masters in Communications, is one of them.
In a recent gathering of Pinoy scholars at the Philippine embassy in The Hague, the guests and students themselves stood in awe as Gurang strummed his guitar, providing the accompaniment to a musical skit that the Wageningen scholars presented.
Gurang lost half of his right arm when he was 11 years old due to a New Year’s Eve accident involving firecrackers. He doesn't want to discuss it anymore.
"I got this sadly from the New Year’s celebration back in 1988. I was eleven then. It’s a long story. It got amputated kasi medyo grabe ang itsura (because it looked horrivble)," Gurang said.
But four years after the accident, he developed an interest in the guitar. His physical disability didn’t stop him from trying this seemingly impossible venture.
So from the age of 15, Gurang studied how to manipulate the world’s most popular musical instrument, to the point that he was able to master the chords and most importantly, strumming with his half right arm.
"I don’t know, maybe I just like playing music siguro (I guess). At saka I think I’m enjoying it naman at saka masaya dahil nakakapagpasaya (I think I'm enjoying it because it's fun and it provides fun)," Gurang said.
The vibrant Pinoy scholar had always strived hard to become a role model for all with physical disabilities.
"Maybe I just got motivated with my environment dahil (because) I felt that I have lots of energy. Pero alam ko ang limitation ko (I know my limitations). Para bang gustong-gusto kong gumalaw, pero limited nga dahil sa aking sitwasyon but maybe the energy just got me into it and inisip kong gumawa ng mga bagay-bagay beyond my physical abilities (It's as if I want to move but my movements are limited...I thought about doing things...)," Gurang told ABS-CBN's Balitang Europe.
He made it a guiding principle in life to attain what is beyond his means and has only that sad incident in his youth to thank for because it made him what he is now.
When Gurang plays the guitar, he uses his right arm to strum the chords and does this with a breeze.
In fact, he has invented a device which allows him to play the guitar as if he has a right hand.
"Meron akong nilalagay na gadget which I invented actually. It’s a simple machine na nanggaling sa isang container ng alcohol. Nilagyan ko para makakapag-strum ako and siguro mukha namang wala ring pinag-iba dun sa tunog kapag dalawang kamay na ang tumutugtog. So I think it’s a matter of knowing your limitations and doing something that you would like to do," Gurang said.
(I attached the gadget that I invented...It's a simple machine that came from an alcohol container. I attached it so that I can strum and well, it's not different from strumming when you have both hands.)
Gurang said he cut the top and bottom of a green alcohol plastic bottle, the good size of two lady’s bangle bracelets and attaches it to the amputated arm, which he then uses for strumming.
The music generated is heavenly.
The representative of a Manila-based commercial bank watched Gurang perform in veneration. He even took video clips of Gurang’s performance via his mobile phone.
"I’m trying to learn how to play the guitar but it’s been very difficult for me. But with what I saw, I think I will have a stronger faith in myself that I would be able to do it," Tito Rabago said.
"I thought he started early but when I found out that he started at the age of 15, it must have been difficult for him and yet he was able to come with such a skill today and he amazes me," Rabago added.
Gurang is truly amazing because even if he has already worked for non-government organizations and the Department of Social Welfare, his quest to help and to inspire continues.
"I think na-prove ko na lahat. I’m just here because nakikita ko na may kulang or gusto ko pang makapag-serve ng mas quality sa atin sa Pilipinas and at the same time, gusto ko pang makapag-reach out sa mas marami dun sa trabaho ko kasi I am a development worker," Gurang said.
(I think I've proven everything already. I'm just here because I see that there's something missing or I want to serve more in the Philippines and at the same time, to reach out to more Filipinos through my work because I'm a development worker.)
"Mahirap magkipagtrabaho na nagbibigay ng serbisyo sa tao na mali ang approach mo dahil buhay ng tao ang naapektuhan (It's hard to work in public service if you're approach is wrong because people's lives are affected)," Gurang added.
As a development worker, Gurang works with poor communities in the Philippines in order to help them realize their potentials and also identify the really needy or the poor communities.
"Dun kami nakikipag-work para makabangon sila sa kahirapan and we formulate with them various programs and projects. Nung nasa DSW ako, yung anti-poverty program. Nung nasa isang NGO ako dati, isang child-focus program."
(We work with them to help them recover from poverty. When I was in the Department of Social Work, there's the anti-poverty program. When I was in an NGO, it was the child-focus program.)
Gurang hopes to be a symbol of strength and determination in order to inspire a lot of those with physical disabilities who had given up on hope.
"Ang makapag-inspire din ng mga katulad ko [na] dati na sa tingin nila eh medyo malayo ang bukas, na sana ma-inspire sila para mag-strive further (I hope to inspire others like me who think that's dawn's so far away, I hope to inspire them to make them strive further)."
After succeeding in his battle for the betterment of knowledge in The Netherlands, Gurang plans to go back to the Philippines to share his blessings as well as to impart his wealth of mind.
"I think babalik din ako sa Pilipinas doing the same thing but this time with more quality and mas makaka-serve ng mas maraming tao and also mas focused din sa talagang nangangailangan din at saka makatulong and share knowledge sa mga kasama ko na development practitioners."
(I'll return to the Philippines doing the same thing but this time with more quality and I hope to serve more people and have a more focused approach to those who are really in need and to help and share my knowledge to my colleagues.)
Gurang also hopes to strum a new chord in stopping "brain drain" in the country and sustain the flow of "brain gain."
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=105818
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
A physically challenged Filipino has proven that there is life after losing an arm.
Joebel Gurang is the star guitarist of Pinoy scholars studying at Wageningen University in Wageningen, The Netherlands.
There are about 80 Filipino scholars in the Netherlands. They came from the Philippines and other countries to take up their Masters or Doctorate in Philosophy degrees in the different universities here. Gurang, who is studying Masters in Communications, is one of them.
In a recent gathering of Pinoy scholars at the Philippine embassy in The Hague, the guests and students themselves stood in awe as Gurang strummed his guitar, providing the accompaniment to a musical skit that the Wageningen scholars presented.
Gurang lost half of his right arm when he was 11 years old due to a New Year’s Eve accident involving firecrackers. He doesn't want to discuss it anymore.
"I got this sadly from the New Year’s celebration back in 1988. I was eleven then. It’s a long story. It got amputated kasi medyo grabe ang itsura (because it looked horrivble)," Gurang said.
But four years after the accident, he developed an interest in the guitar. His physical disability didn’t stop him from trying this seemingly impossible venture.
So from the age of 15, Gurang studied how to manipulate the world’s most popular musical instrument, to the point that he was able to master the chords and most importantly, strumming with his half right arm.
"I don’t know, maybe I just like playing music siguro (I guess). At saka I think I’m enjoying it naman at saka masaya dahil nakakapagpasaya (I think I'm enjoying it because it's fun and it provides fun)," Gurang said.
The vibrant Pinoy scholar had always strived hard to become a role model for all with physical disabilities.
"Maybe I just got motivated with my environment dahil (because) I felt that I have lots of energy. Pero alam ko ang limitation ko (I know my limitations). Para bang gustong-gusto kong gumalaw, pero limited nga dahil sa aking sitwasyon but maybe the energy just got me into it and inisip kong gumawa ng mga bagay-bagay beyond my physical abilities (It's as if I want to move but my movements are limited...I thought about doing things...)," Gurang told ABS-CBN's Balitang Europe.
He made it a guiding principle in life to attain what is beyond his means and has only that sad incident in his youth to thank for because it made him what he is now.
When Gurang plays the guitar, he uses his right arm to strum the chords and does this with a breeze.
In fact, he has invented a device which allows him to play the guitar as if he has a right hand.
"Meron akong nilalagay na gadget which I invented actually. It’s a simple machine na nanggaling sa isang container ng alcohol. Nilagyan ko para makakapag-strum ako and siguro mukha namang wala ring pinag-iba dun sa tunog kapag dalawang kamay na ang tumutugtog. So I think it’s a matter of knowing your limitations and doing something that you would like to do," Gurang said.
(I attached the gadget that I invented...It's a simple machine that came from an alcohol container. I attached it so that I can strum and well, it's not different from strumming when you have both hands.)
Gurang said he cut the top and bottom of a green alcohol plastic bottle, the good size of two lady’s bangle bracelets and attaches it to the amputated arm, which he then uses for strumming.
The music generated is heavenly.
The representative of a Manila-based commercial bank watched Gurang perform in veneration. He even took video clips of Gurang’s performance via his mobile phone.
"I’m trying to learn how to play the guitar but it’s been very difficult for me. But with what I saw, I think I will have a stronger faith in myself that I would be able to do it," Tito Rabago said.
"I thought he started early but when I found out that he started at the age of 15, it must have been difficult for him and yet he was able to come with such a skill today and he amazes me," Rabago added.
Gurang is truly amazing because even if he has already worked for non-government organizations and the Department of Social Welfare, his quest to help and to inspire continues.
"I think na-prove ko na lahat. I’m just here because nakikita ko na may kulang or gusto ko pang makapag-serve ng mas quality sa atin sa Pilipinas and at the same time, gusto ko pang makapag-reach out sa mas marami dun sa trabaho ko kasi I am a development worker," Gurang said.
(I think I've proven everything already. I'm just here because I see that there's something missing or I want to serve more in the Philippines and at the same time, to reach out to more Filipinos through my work because I'm a development worker.)
"Mahirap magkipagtrabaho na nagbibigay ng serbisyo sa tao na mali ang approach mo dahil buhay ng tao ang naapektuhan (It's hard to work in public service if you're approach is wrong because people's lives are affected)," Gurang added.
As a development worker, Gurang works with poor communities in the Philippines in order to help them realize their potentials and also identify the really needy or the poor communities.
"Dun kami nakikipag-work para makabangon sila sa kahirapan and we formulate with them various programs and projects. Nung nasa DSW ako, yung anti-poverty program. Nung nasa isang NGO ako dati, isang child-focus program."
(We work with them to help them recover from poverty. When I was in the Department of Social Work, there's the anti-poverty program. When I was in an NGO, it was the child-focus program.)
Gurang hopes to be a symbol of strength and determination in order to inspire a lot of those with physical disabilities who had given up on hope.
"Ang makapag-inspire din ng mga katulad ko [na] dati na sa tingin nila eh medyo malayo ang bukas, na sana ma-inspire sila para mag-strive further (I hope to inspire others like me who think that's dawn's so far away, I hope to inspire them to make them strive further)."
After succeeding in his battle for the betterment of knowledge in The Netherlands, Gurang plans to go back to the Philippines to share his blessings as well as to impart his wealth of mind.
"I think babalik din ako sa Pilipinas doing the same thing but this time with more quality and mas makaka-serve ng mas maraming tao and also mas focused din sa talagang nangangailangan din at saka makatulong and share knowledge sa mga kasama ko na development practitioners."
(I'll return to the Philippines doing the same thing but this time with more quality and I hope to serve more people and have a more focused approach to those who are really in need and to help and share my knowledge to my colleagues.)
Gurang also hopes to strum a new chord in stopping "brain drain" in the country and sustain the flow of "brain gain."
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=105818
Monday, January 14, 2008
WRITING ABOUT VINCENT BUENO, THE NEW CRUSH OF 2008
(Photos courtesy of King Bueno shown here from top to bottom: Vinz with mom, dad and sis Maricel; Vinz with beloved Mom; Vinz with Austrian girlfriend Barbara, Uncle King and his wife Marie Gay; Vinz in his first TV appearance that took Austria by storm; Vinz has it all: the looks, the move, the voice)
I was the first person to break the news to the Philippines (and to the world in the English language) about Vincent Bueno.
I had watched Vinz’s beginnings at the Musical! Die Show via http://www.digitalpinoy.org/, the website maintained by his uncle, King.
From there, I was so impressed by his inherent talents and looks and couldn’t satisfy my cravings to get to know more about this new star in the making.
Checking out http://www.youtube.com/, I had seen video clips of Vinz posted by King which were pre-Musical! Die Show and those were during his younger years.
I was particularly impressed by that video clip when he was 4 years old, doing the moonwalk.
I said to myself, this is the only proof that no doubt shows that Vinz’s talents are really crude.
I am a mother of two so I definitely know the child’s motor skills from the time he/she was born and as far as having two children, I can say that a four-year-old couldn’t dance like Vinz at that age, if there’s no in-born talent.
I mean the way he dances naturally but with such grace and rhythm, as if it was choreographed.
I had watched Vinz’s beginnings at the Musical! Die Show via http://www.digitalpinoy.org/, the website maintained by his uncle, King.
From there, I was so impressed by his inherent talents and looks and couldn’t satisfy my cravings to get to know more about this new star in the making.
Checking out http://www.youtube.com/, I had seen video clips of Vinz posted by King which were pre-Musical! Die Show and those were during his younger years.
I was particularly impressed by that video clip when he was 4 years old, doing the moonwalk.
I said to myself, this is the only proof that no doubt shows that Vinz’s talents are really crude.
I am a mother of two so I definitely know the child’s motor skills from the time he/she was born and as far as having two children, I can say that a four-year-old couldn’t dance like Vinz at that age, if there’s no in-born talent.
I mean the way he dances naturally but with such grace and rhythm, as if it was choreographed.
And from watching other clips from Youtube, one will see that Vinz was able to develop his skills furthermore in front of an admiring and ever supportive Filipino audience.
How I wish I could have been part of the Pinoy community in Vienna who had seen Vinz perform all these years.
I would have loved to see his transcendence from a normal, young break dancer/pop singer to a mature all-around, total and versatile performer who has revolutionized the broadway musical world.
At one clip, when he was called onstage for a duet with Pops Fernandez, you could hear the audience screaming and loudly applauding.
And then, out of the blue, King had asked me if I can do something for him and that was before Christmas.
Two weeks before that, King and I (not the broadway musical) had gotten ourselves busy with the launch of DigitalPinoy’s Holland site http://www.holland.digitalpinoy.org/ which I was asked to maintain.
After the New Year, King asked me straight if I can write an article on his nephew.
To start with, King has already been bombarding all the DigitalPinoy sights with stories on Vinz’s success in all the elimination rounds and even campaigning for support from visitors and Pinoys all over the world, giving them specific instructions on how to send their televotes.
King has used the Internet and such is a mighty tool to spread the word.
I was just honored to have been asked to write the first news article about Vinz.
It was like a wish was just granted.
Vinz has already impressed a big Pinoy following in Austria even before Musical! Die Show because his parents Tony and Cora have exposed him to the social life of the community at an early age.
The pair’s involvement with the Couples for Christ had also influenced the somewhat down-to-earth, humble personality of Vinz.
Whenever there were Pinoy gatherings, Vinz was the star performer where he has learned to adjust to the special treatment from the Filipinos and at the same time become a very responsible person.
In fact, he himself organized kids’ dance numbers as part of the program.
One of his biggest supporters in the community is a priest who had also become a sort of spiritual adviser to him.
Fr. Ron Sandoval is Vinz’s close buddy who had been guiding him especially during the Musical! Die Show days when life for the star has become stressful and hectic.
No wonder Vinz’s feet stayed on the ground even when it has become obvious that whether he wins or not in the Musical! Die Show, his fame has already a blueprint.
Even his family still couldn’t taste that Vinz’s popularity that has penetrated all barriers in Austria.
Until now, they still couldn’t feel the whole Vinz Mania because they still see him as their Vinz, who has remained the same person that he was before and after being elevated to his celebrity status now.
Vinz continue to do what he loves most, apart from his musical interests and that is to bond with his family, a trait he received from his maternal genes.
Mrs. Mendoza-Bueno is the pioneer of the Mendoza/Bueno clan which count about seventy heads now in Austria.
She helped the heads of the families come from the Philippines to Austria.
She loves to organize weekly family get-togethers even if she finds it laborious to cook for such a big family.
So that’s where Vinz gets his sentimental, caring side.
Vinz also loves his younger cousins so that each summer, when he doesn’t have any engagement, he takes care of them or takes them out.
He’s also very close to his grandmother, his lola called “Nanay Leoning” who lives in New York.
In fact, the Bueno-Mendoza clans are so tightly knit that they had already planned a grand family reunion even before Vinz won the Musical.
It will be a big one since relatives from the Philippines and the U.S. are scheduled to go to Vienna.
For the moment, they have already tasted the sweet victory but they are still downplaying Vinz’ glory and prominence.
They can only be too happy that he won and are very ecstatic that so many people from all over the world have supported Vinz and that the kinds words, greetings and fan mails are steadily pouring in.
But after everything that has happened at such a very fast pace, Vinz will still be that energetic handsome Vincent Bueno, the people’s boy that is homegrown to Austria and a native of the Philippines.
And what a better way to start the year…when Vinz is already dubbed as the “new crush of 2008!”
How I wish I could have been part of the Pinoy community in Vienna who had seen Vinz perform all these years.
I would have loved to see his transcendence from a normal, young break dancer/pop singer to a mature all-around, total and versatile performer who has revolutionized the broadway musical world.
At one clip, when he was called onstage for a duet with Pops Fernandez, you could hear the audience screaming and loudly applauding.
And then, out of the blue, King had asked me if I can do something for him and that was before Christmas.
Two weeks before that, King and I (not the broadway musical) had gotten ourselves busy with the launch of DigitalPinoy’s Holland site http://www.holland.digitalpinoy.org/ which I was asked to maintain.
After the New Year, King asked me straight if I can write an article on his nephew.
To start with, King has already been bombarding all the DigitalPinoy sights with stories on Vinz’s success in all the elimination rounds and even campaigning for support from visitors and Pinoys all over the world, giving them specific instructions on how to send their televotes.
King has used the Internet and such is a mighty tool to spread the word.
I was just honored to have been asked to write the first news article about Vinz.
It was like a wish was just granted.
Vinz has already impressed a big Pinoy following in Austria even before Musical! Die Show because his parents Tony and Cora have exposed him to the social life of the community at an early age.
The pair’s involvement with the Couples for Christ had also influenced the somewhat down-to-earth, humble personality of Vinz.
Whenever there were Pinoy gatherings, Vinz was the star performer where he has learned to adjust to the special treatment from the Filipinos and at the same time become a very responsible person.
In fact, he himself organized kids’ dance numbers as part of the program.
One of his biggest supporters in the community is a priest who had also become a sort of spiritual adviser to him.
Fr. Ron Sandoval is Vinz’s close buddy who had been guiding him especially during the Musical! Die Show days when life for the star has become stressful and hectic.
No wonder Vinz’s feet stayed on the ground even when it has become obvious that whether he wins or not in the Musical! Die Show, his fame has already a blueprint.
Even his family still couldn’t taste that Vinz’s popularity that has penetrated all barriers in Austria.
Until now, they still couldn’t feel the whole Vinz Mania because they still see him as their Vinz, who has remained the same person that he was before and after being elevated to his celebrity status now.
Vinz continue to do what he loves most, apart from his musical interests and that is to bond with his family, a trait he received from his maternal genes.
Mrs. Mendoza-Bueno is the pioneer of the Mendoza/Bueno clan which count about seventy heads now in Austria.
She helped the heads of the families come from the Philippines to Austria.
She loves to organize weekly family get-togethers even if she finds it laborious to cook for such a big family.
So that’s where Vinz gets his sentimental, caring side.
Vinz also loves his younger cousins so that each summer, when he doesn’t have any engagement, he takes care of them or takes them out.
He’s also very close to his grandmother, his lola called “Nanay Leoning” who lives in New York.
In fact, the Bueno-Mendoza clans are so tightly knit that they had already planned a grand family reunion even before Vinz won the Musical.
It will be a big one since relatives from the Philippines and the U.S. are scheduled to go to Vienna.
For the moment, they have already tasted the sweet victory but they are still downplaying Vinz’ glory and prominence.
They can only be too happy that he won and are very ecstatic that so many people from all over the world have supported Vinz and that the kinds words, greetings and fan mails are steadily pouring in.
But after everything that has happened at such a very fast pace, Vinz will still be that energetic handsome Vincent Bueno, the people’s boy that is homegrown to Austria and a native of the Philippines.
And what a better way to start the year…when Vinz is already dubbed as the “new crush of 2008!”
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Filipino is grand champion in Austria's 'Musical! Die Show'
Filipino is grand champion in Austria's 'Musical! Die Show'
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Filipino singer Vincent Bueno triumphed in his bid to become the grand winner of the "Musical! Die Show" on Friday, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
A full-blooded Filipino born in Vienna to Pinoy parents, Bueno shouted "Philippines! Philippines!" after he was declared the winner of "Musical! Die Show" (Musical! The Show), an Austrian singing competition with all the pizazz and campy glamour of "American Idol" but much tougher: instead of simply singing pop tunes, contestants are required to choose from Broadway musical theater repertoire, and give a performance that involves singing, dancing, acting and theatrical effects.
"Musical! Die Show" is aired over the Austrian national broadcaster ORF.
Televiewers in Austria and nearby countries where ORF is telecast and supporters of Bueno from all over the world either phoned in or sent SMS messages to give him 67% of televotes--a landslide victory.
Bueno faced Austrian Eva Klikovics who won the second place with 37% of televotes in the final part of the Musical! Die Show.
The other Austrian, Gudrun Ihninger, was eliminated early on, after the three completed their two solo numbers.
For his first act, Bueno energetically sang "Greased Lightning", a Broadway song from the musical "Grease".
He immediately received a roaring applause and standing ovation from the studio audience.
The crowd went wild and again stood in ovation and gave Bueno thunderous, almost deafening applause after he sang his final solo number which was "Music of the Night", the most famous song from the musical "The Phantom of the Opera".
The jury said that for them, Bueno was undoubtedly the winner but said that his fate would be decided by the world, as everyone waited for the televotes to pour in.
The world agreed and crowned Bueno the first Asian, the first Filipino to become grand champion.
Bueno faced astonishing odds from the start. For the auditions, he had to compete with 400 other aspirants.
His first appearance already made an impact among televiewers in Austria because not only is he the only Asian among Austrian contenders but he was already proving to be the best performer of the pack.
Bueno has become an instant celebrity in Austria when he won televotes to keep him in the second of seven elimination rounds of Musical! Die Show which started on November 23.
The jury repeatedly commended his excellent performance.
Bueno continued to wow the jury and audiences around the world, getting a large number of supporters and fans all over Europe, North America, the Philippines and even Australia.
With so many supporters, he survived seven eliminations and entered the Magic Three in the finals.
By the seventh round on January 4, Bueno already became a byword in Austrian households and attracted the interest of Pinoys world-wide.
With his stellar performances and good looks, he is endlessly watched on www.youtube.com, www.digitalpinoy.org and discussed at blogs and forums.
During the finals, Pinoys who live in countries where ORF is not broadcast, tuned in to the live forum at DigitalPinoy where Aries Fortuna gave a blow-by-blow account of what’s actually happening at the show.
The live forum at the website gave Pinoys, who couldn’t watch the show, the chance to immediately know the result of the competition.
Fr. Ejay Jarapa who is studying in Rome, was one of those who joined the forum because he wanted to know the fate of Bueno and also to support him.
Jarapa has only recently learned about Bueno from the article that was published on this website on January 9 and was so proud for the Pinoy.
Pinoys from different time zones remained glued at the forum until the end of the competition.
After being declared the winner, Bueno was swarmed by reporters and fans just like the previous Fridays.
Previous reports in major newspapers and magazines in Austria already gave Bueno rave reviews and wild forecasts that he will win.
He was the favorite to win and also the jury’s bet but the world still jumped with joy when he was declared the winner.
Bueno, for his part, thanked all those believed in him.
The show ended at 11:30 pm and felt like another New Year’s eve for all the fans, friends, believers and supporters of Bueno who have already readied themselves to toast for him, win or lose.
After all, Bueno has long been a winner in their hearts.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=105293
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Filipino singer Vincent Bueno triumphed in his bid to become the grand winner of the "Musical! Die Show" on Friday, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
A full-blooded Filipino born in Vienna to Pinoy parents, Bueno shouted "Philippines! Philippines!" after he was declared the winner of "Musical! Die Show" (Musical! The Show), an Austrian singing competition with all the pizazz and campy glamour of "American Idol" but much tougher: instead of simply singing pop tunes, contestants are required to choose from Broadway musical theater repertoire, and give a performance that involves singing, dancing, acting and theatrical effects.
"Musical! Die Show" is aired over the Austrian national broadcaster ORF.
Televiewers in Austria and nearby countries where ORF is telecast and supporters of Bueno from all over the world either phoned in or sent SMS messages to give him 67% of televotes--a landslide victory.
Bueno faced Austrian Eva Klikovics who won the second place with 37% of televotes in the final part of the Musical! Die Show.
The other Austrian, Gudrun Ihninger, was eliminated early on, after the three completed their two solo numbers.
For his first act, Bueno energetically sang "Greased Lightning", a Broadway song from the musical "Grease".
He immediately received a roaring applause and standing ovation from the studio audience.
The crowd went wild and again stood in ovation and gave Bueno thunderous, almost deafening applause after he sang his final solo number which was "Music of the Night", the most famous song from the musical "The Phantom of the Opera".
The jury said that for them, Bueno was undoubtedly the winner but said that his fate would be decided by the world, as everyone waited for the televotes to pour in.
The world agreed and crowned Bueno the first Asian, the first Filipino to become grand champion.
Bueno faced astonishing odds from the start. For the auditions, he had to compete with 400 other aspirants.
His first appearance already made an impact among televiewers in Austria because not only is he the only Asian among Austrian contenders but he was already proving to be the best performer of the pack.
Bueno has become an instant celebrity in Austria when he won televotes to keep him in the second of seven elimination rounds of Musical! Die Show which started on November 23.
The jury repeatedly commended his excellent performance.
Bueno continued to wow the jury and audiences around the world, getting a large number of supporters and fans all over Europe, North America, the Philippines and even Australia.
With so many supporters, he survived seven eliminations and entered the Magic Three in the finals.
By the seventh round on January 4, Bueno already became a byword in Austrian households and attracted the interest of Pinoys world-wide.
With his stellar performances and good looks, he is endlessly watched on www.youtube.com, www.digitalpinoy.org and discussed at blogs and forums.
During the finals, Pinoys who live in countries where ORF is not broadcast, tuned in to the live forum at DigitalPinoy where Aries Fortuna gave a blow-by-blow account of what’s actually happening at the show.
The live forum at the website gave Pinoys, who couldn’t watch the show, the chance to immediately know the result of the competition.
Fr. Ejay Jarapa who is studying in Rome, was one of those who joined the forum because he wanted to know the fate of Bueno and also to support him.
Jarapa has only recently learned about Bueno from the article that was published on this website on January 9 and was so proud for the Pinoy.
Pinoys from different time zones remained glued at the forum until the end of the competition.
After being declared the winner, Bueno was swarmed by reporters and fans just like the previous Fridays.
Previous reports in major newspapers and magazines in Austria already gave Bueno rave reviews and wild forecasts that he will win.
He was the favorite to win and also the jury’s bet but the world still jumped with joy when he was declared the winner.
Bueno, for his part, thanked all those believed in him.
The show ended at 11:30 pm and felt like another New Year’s eve for all the fans, friends, believers and supporters of Bueno who have already readied themselves to toast for him, win or lose.
After all, Bueno has long been a winner in their hearts.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=105293
Filipino singer Vincent Bueno sweeps Europe off its feet in "Musical! The Show"
(Philippine Entertainment Portal or PEP picks up Loui Galicia's first report for ABS-CBN on Vincent Bueno)
Filipino singer Vincent Bueno sweeps Europe off its feet in "Musical! The Show"
by Bong Godinez
Friday, January 11, 2008 04:44 PM
Another Pinoy performer is on the verge of breaking international ground.
Barely a month after young belter Charice Pempengco wowed no less than Emmy award-winning host Ellen DeGeneres in her popular talk show, another Filipino is set to duplicate the feat albeit in a different route and venue—Vincent Bueno.
According to ABS-CBN's Europe News Bureau, Vincent successfully sashayed his way to the finals of a major televised musical competition in Austria titled Musical! Die Show (Musical! The Show). As a result, Vincent was swarmed with interview requests from the major dailies and magazines in Austria. He already made headlines after gaining entrance to the finals of the Broadway-inspired musical meet.
The attention generated by Bueno, a crowd favorite in the contest, is definitely well deserved. Having to contend with 400 other aspirants, the 21-year-old Filipino performer had to crawl himself out of the equally talented crowd through talent, sheer determination, and loads of luck.
His first appearance took place during the first round of the elimination last November 23, 2007. Vincent impressed the televiewers with his version of the Broadway opus, Hair. The winner is determined through text votes or phone-ins.
PUNK-ROCK THEATER. Compared to its Western and Asian talent show counterparts, Musical! Die Show, is considered more strenuous and challenging owing to its theater leanings. To qualify and compete, contestants are required to act and sing a la Broadway. A contestant, however, is still very much required to blend his or her own style and innovation to break the stereotyped theatrics of stage performance without sacrificing quality.
Aside from going up against several aspirants, Vincent also had to face the sad reality of racial discrimination—a fear raised by most Pinoys and even early foreign fans because of Vincent's Asian background. Fortunately, his roots did nothing to hinder the barrage of European and Pinoy fan votes from coming, votes that eventually catapulted Vincent all the way to the finals, which was supposed to take place earlier today (January 11) at 9:15 pm (4:15 a.m., Manila time). For the final standoff, the Pinoy pride would be going up against two female finalists—Eva Klikovics and Gudrun Ihninger—for the title as well as the 50,000 euros (P3 million).
Since his first appearance, Vincent's European fans has grown exponentially every week. Most of the show's followers have openly admitted being enthralled by Vincent's strong stage presence, accentuated by his perfect command of graceful body movements, facial expressions and stage antics.
In a report by ABS-CBN correspondent Louie Galicia, she took note of one of Vincent's most memorable performances.
"In one performance, Bueno received a standing ovation, coupled with an unstoppable thunderous applause, from the studio crowd when he tumbled on stage while belting "Singing in the Rain" and while real water poured on his face on stage like real droplets of rain," wrote Galicia.
Fans and critics alike hailed the Bachelor of Arts in Music and Theater Arts degree holder from Vienna's Conservatory of Music for his distinct style of merging conventional theater performance with punk-rock aesthetic.
And just like Charice Pempengco, Vincent's performances have found their way through the popular video website, YouTube, uploaded by his growing number of fans and admirers spread all over the world.
A few months before Vincent competed in Musical!, he performed with Sarah Geronimo when the young singer had a concert in Vienna, Austria, last June 2007.
SOURCE: WWW.PEP.PH
http://www.pep.ph/guide/1499/Filipino-singer-Vincent-Bueno-sweeps-Europe-off-its-feet-in-Musical!-The-Show
Filipino singer Vincent Bueno sweeps Europe off its feet in "Musical! The Show"
by Bong Godinez
Friday, January 11, 2008 04:44 PM
Another Pinoy performer is on the verge of breaking international ground.
Barely a month after young belter Charice Pempengco wowed no less than Emmy award-winning host Ellen DeGeneres in her popular talk show, another Filipino is set to duplicate the feat albeit in a different route and venue—Vincent Bueno.
According to ABS-CBN's Europe News Bureau, Vincent successfully sashayed his way to the finals of a major televised musical competition in Austria titled Musical! Die Show (Musical! The Show). As a result, Vincent was swarmed with interview requests from the major dailies and magazines in Austria. He already made headlines after gaining entrance to the finals of the Broadway-inspired musical meet.
The attention generated by Bueno, a crowd favorite in the contest, is definitely well deserved. Having to contend with 400 other aspirants, the 21-year-old Filipino performer had to crawl himself out of the equally talented crowd through talent, sheer determination, and loads of luck.
His first appearance took place during the first round of the elimination last November 23, 2007. Vincent impressed the televiewers with his version of the Broadway opus, Hair. The winner is determined through text votes or phone-ins.
PUNK-ROCK THEATER. Compared to its Western and Asian talent show counterparts, Musical! Die Show, is considered more strenuous and challenging owing to its theater leanings. To qualify and compete, contestants are required to act and sing a la Broadway. A contestant, however, is still very much required to blend his or her own style and innovation to break the stereotyped theatrics of stage performance without sacrificing quality.
Aside from going up against several aspirants, Vincent also had to face the sad reality of racial discrimination—a fear raised by most Pinoys and even early foreign fans because of Vincent's Asian background. Fortunately, his roots did nothing to hinder the barrage of European and Pinoy fan votes from coming, votes that eventually catapulted Vincent all the way to the finals, which was supposed to take place earlier today (January 11) at 9:15 pm (4:15 a.m., Manila time). For the final standoff, the Pinoy pride would be going up against two female finalists—Eva Klikovics and Gudrun Ihninger—for the title as well as the 50,000 euros (P3 million).
Since his first appearance, Vincent's European fans has grown exponentially every week. Most of the show's followers have openly admitted being enthralled by Vincent's strong stage presence, accentuated by his perfect command of graceful body movements, facial expressions and stage antics.
In a report by ABS-CBN correspondent Louie Galicia, she took note of one of Vincent's most memorable performances.
"In one performance, Bueno received a standing ovation, coupled with an unstoppable thunderous applause, from the studio crowd when he tumbled on stage while belting "Singing in the Rain" and while real water poured on his face on stage like real droplets of rain," wrote Galicia.
Fans and critics alike hailed the Bachelor of Arts in Music and Theater Arts degree holder from Vienna's Conservatory of Music for his distinct style of merging conventional theater performance with punk-rock aesthetic.
And just like Charice Pempengco, Vincent's performances have found their way through the popular video website, YouTube, uploaded by his growing number of fans and admirers spread all over the world.
A few months before Vincent competed in Musical!, he performed with Sarah Geronimo when the young singer had a concert in Vienna, Austria, last June 2007.
SOURCE: WWW.PEP.PH
http://www.pep.ph/guide/1499/Filipino-singer-Vincent-Bueno-sweeps-Europe-off-its-feet-in-Musical!-The-Show
Friday, January 11, 2008
VINCENT BUENO: WHAT CAN YOU SAY
Vincent Bueno of Austria has taken Europe by storm! Read the article on this blog for background but tell the world what you think about this cool, unstoppable guy!!!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Filipino is Austria’s newest sensation and newsmaker
Filipino is Austria’s newest sensation and newsmaker
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
(AUSTRIA) This Friday, Filipinos in Europe will unite to support a countryman who made it to the grand finals of a major televised musical competition in Austria, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
Not only did Vincent Bueno swoon his way to the finals on January 4, of the very grand "Musical! Die Show" [Musical! The Show] of ORF, the Austrian national broadcaster, but he has been on headlines of major newspapers and magazines here.
After Friday’s victory, Bueno’s schedule has tightened not only due to rehearsals but also because of press interviews. He is a crowd favorite with a strong chance of winning on the scheduled big night on January 11.
At 9:15 pm (4:15 am Manila), Bueno will compete against female finalists Eva Klikovics and Gudrun Ihninger for the much-coveted crown which includes a cash prize of 50,000 euros or three million pesos.
The 21-year-old Pinoy became an overnight sensation when he performed at the first elimination round on November 23, 2007, singing "Hair" from the Broadway musical of the same title.
Musical! Die Show, unlike other well-known singing competitions like the U.S. American Idol, is a broadway-style musical competition where contestants compete in acting and singing and get televotes, meaning televiewers can send their unlimited votes via SMS messages or phone-ins.
For Bueno, it wasn’t easy getting into the Magic Ten because he had to audition and vie against about 400 other hopefuls.
Some Pinoys at the time even doubted whether Bueno would live through the second round because he is Asian; there was much skepticism over whether he could get enough televotes.
But, even if he’s the only Asian among the ten contestants in the eliminations, Bueno got enough televotes, mainly from Europeans, to survive the first round.
His superb voice and regal gait on each performance every Friday night slowly convinced Pinoys that Bueno is a true star in the making.
Meanwhile, his European fans multiplied in number, week by week, allowing Bueno to breeze through the seventh and last round on January 4, thanks to the televotes which now included the majority of Pinoys in Austria.
His excellent style, which involves graceful body movements, perfect facial expressions and out-of-this-world gags, has won the hearts of Austrians.
In one performance, Bueno received a standing ovation, coupled with an unstoppable thunderous applause, from the studio crowd: he had dazzled them with his dancing, that included a backflip and a twisting breakdance move on stage, while belting "Singing in the Rain".
Bueno continued to sing and dance even as "rain"--real water--was poured onto him.
Even one of the jurors couldn’t help but comment that Bueno is practically, rather radically, changing theater shows by combining comprehensive performance with rock or punk.
Newspapers dub him as the "darling of the jury."
Jury member Nina Proll, a prominent actress and singer, commented that Bueno has everything that a musical actor needs while Doris Fuhrmann said that he is an absolute showman.
In fact, Bueno’s gigantic following now extends to Pinoys from all over Europe and even North America and the Philippines.
Bueno owes his following in no small measure to his uncle, an IT expert who used the power of the Internet to give maximum exposure to his nephew and score more supporters.
The uncle started uploading clips of Bueno’s performances at the Musical! Die Show on www.digitalpinoy.org, a non-profit Web site for Filipinos in Austria where he is the webmaster.
Although the show is only televised in Austria and Germany, visitors to DigitalPinoy from all over the world are able to watch Bueno’s winning performances and be mesmerized by his natural talent.
Some fans have also posted his performances at www.youtube.com.
Bueno’s victories in the first two rounds even made news on two episodes of ABS-CBN’s Balitang Europe.
But who can blame Bueno for fast becoming that great symbol of the Filipino dream?
He finished his Bachelor of Arts in music and theater arts at Vienna’s Conservatory of Music in 2006 with excellent grades.
While still a student, his talent was already very obvious, earning for him offers to perform in theatrical shows.
His most significant act as a performing artist was at "The King & I" where he played as the son of the King. The role of the King was played by renowned Austrian TV moderator, theater performer and singer Alfons Haider, who also happens to be the moderator at the Musical! Die Show.
His mother Cora, who works as a nurse in Vienna, already noticed the early musical beginnings of Bueno.
"Nasa tiyan pa lang siya parang nararamdaman ko nang nagsasayaw sa loob si Vinz. Tapos noong maliit pa lang siya, kahit naglalakad lang sa kalsada, akala mo sumasayaw na," she said.
(Even when Vinz was inside me I felt like he was dancing inside me. And when he was small he look like he was dancing even when he was just walking.)
But it seems that Bueno has it in his blood because his father, Tony, is a "musician of all trades" being a vocalist and also a master at the electric guitar.
Tony performed at high-society night clubs in Vienna for more than twenty years and has been the biggest influence on Bueno.
While other homes with kids have toys that scatter about, the Bueno household is cluttered with electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboard and other musical instruments so that little "Vinz" was already exposed to music ever since he can remember.
Even without formal training, Bueno already memorized the guitar chords when he was seven years old and at the age of ten, was already a whiz at the keyboard and started composing songs. (Listen to Bueno’s original compositions on: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=115694931)
He also plays the piano as well as the percussion/drums.
He formed his own dance group Streetmachines composed of five boys at age 14. This is where he perfected his dance movements which always featured tumblings and back flips.
What used to be a peer gig became serious business when the Streetmachines started receiving invitations to perform at Pinoy gatherings until finally, Pinoy business entrepreneurs and members of the community sponsored Bueno and his mates to produce their own concert and dance contests.
With his new-found fame, Bueno remains soft-spoken, humble and just a normal son, nephew and friend.
He is just thankful to have made it to the Big Three.
In fact, whatever the outcome is on Friday, Bueno is planning to treat the Filipino community to a "salo-salo" as a sort of a Thanksgiving party to all who supported him.
Like any parent, Bueno’s father can only be very proud and confident.
"I knew it from the start na balang araw eh magiging star itong batang ito dahil bata pa lang siya bilib na ako sa talent niya," Tony said.
(I knew it from the start that one day this child is going to be a star because I believed in his talent even when he was a child.)
As for Bueno, he only has one big promise to his fans: "Ich werde alles geben"! [I will give my best!]
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=104962
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
(AUSTRIA) This Friday, Filipinos in Europe will unite to support a countryman who made it to the grand finals of a major televised musical competition in Austria, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
Not only did Vincent Bueno swoon his way to the finals on January 4, of the very grand "Musical! Die Show" [Musical! The Show] of ORF, the Austrian national broadcaster, but he has been on headlines of major newspapers and magazines here.
After Friday’s victory, Bueno’s schedule has tightened not only due to rehearsals but also because of press interviews. He is a crowd favorite with a strong chance of winning on the scheduled big night on January 11.
At 9:15 pm (4:15 am Manila), Bueno will compete against female finalists Eva Klikovics and Gudrun Ihninger for the much-coveted crown which includes a cash prize of 50,000 euros or three million pesos.
The 21-year-old Pinoy became an overnight sensation when he performed at the first elimination round on November 23, 2007, singing "Hair" from the Broadway musical of the same title.
Musical! Die Show, unlike other well-known singing competitions like the U.S. American Idol, is a broadway-style musical competition where contestants compete in acting and singing and get televotes, meaning televiewers can send their unlimited votes via SMS messages or phone-ins.
For Bueno, it wasn’t easy getting into the Magic Ten because he had to audition and vie against about 400 other hopefuls.
Some Pinoys at the time even doubted whether Bueno would live through the second round because he is Asian; there was much skepticism over whether he could get enough televotes.
But, even if he’s the only Asian among the ten contestants in the eliminations, Bueno got enough televotes, mainly from Europeans, to survive the first round.
His superb voice and regal gait on each performance every Friday night slowly convinced Pinoys that Bueno is a true star in the making.
Meanwhile, his European fans multiplied in number, week by week, allowing Bueno to breeze through the seventh and last round on January 4, thanks to the televotes which now included the majority of Pinoys in Austria.
His excellent style, which involves graceful body movements, perfect facial expressions and out-of-this-world gags, has won the hearts of Austrians.
In one performance, Bueno received a standing ovation, coupled with an unstoppable thunderous applause, from the studio crowd: he had dazzled them with his dancing, that included a backflip and a twisting breakdance move on stage, while belting "Singing in the Rain".
Bueno continued to sing and dance even as "rain"--real water--was poured onto him.
Even one of the jurors couldn’t help but comment that Bueno is practically, rather radically, changing theater shows by combining comprehensive performance with rock or punk.
Newspapers dub him as the "darling of the jury."
Jury member Nina Proll, a prominent actress and singer, commented that Bueno has everything that a musical actor needs while Doris Fuhrmann said that he is an absolute showman.
In fact, Bueno’s gigantic following now extends to Pinoys from all over Europe and even North America and the Philippines.
Bueno owes his following in no small measure to his uncle, an IT expert who used the power of the Internet to give maximum exposure to his nephew and score more supporters.
The uncle started uploading clips of Bueno’s performances at the Musical! Die Show on www.digitalpinoy.org, a non-profit Web site for Filipinos in Austria where he is the webmaster.
Although the show is only televised in Austria and Germany, visitors to DigitalPinoy from all over the world are able to watch Bueno’s winning performances and be mesmerized by his natural talent.
Some fans have also posted his performances at www.youtube.com.
Bueno’s victories in the first two rounds even made news on two episodes of ABS-CBN’s Balitang Europe.
But who can blame Bueno for fast becoming that great symbol of the Filipino dream?
He finished his Bachelor of Arts in music and theater arts at Vienna’s Conservatory of Music in 2006 with excellent grades.
While still a student, his talent was already very obvious, earning for him offers to perform in theatrical shows.
His most significant act as a performing artist was at "The King & I" where he played as the son of the King. The role of the King was played by renowned Austrian TV moderator, theater performer and singer Alfons Haider, who also happens to be the moderator at the Musical! Die Show.
His mother Cora, who works as a nurse in Vienna, already noticed the early musical beginnings of Bueno.
"Nasa tiyan pa lang siya parang nararamdaman ko nang nagsasayaw sa loob si Vinz. Tapos noong maliit pa lang siya, kahit naglalakad lang sa kalsada, akala mo sumasayaw na," she said.
(Even when Vinz was inside me I felt like he was dancing inside me. And when he was small he look like he was dancing even when he was just walking.)
But it seems that Bueno has it in his blood because his father, Tony, is a "musician of all trades" being a vocalist and also a master at the electric guitar.
Tony performed at high-society night clubs in Vienna for more than twenty years and has been the biggest influence on Bueno.
While other homes with kids have toys that scatter about, the Bueno household is cluttered with electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboard and other musical instruments so that little "Vinz" was already exposed to music ever since he can remember.
Even without formal training, Bueno already memorized the guitar chords when he was seven years old and at the age of ten, was already a whiz at the keyboard and started composing songs. (Listen to Bueno’s original compositions on: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=115694931)
He also plays the piano as well as the percussion/drums.
He formed his own dance group Streetmachines composed of five boys at age 14. This is where he perfected his dance movements which always featured tumblings and back flips.
What used to be a peer gig became serious business when the Streetmachines started receiving invitations to perform at Pinoy gatherings until finally, Pinoy business entrepreneurs and members of the community sponsored Bueno and his mates to produce their own concert and dance contests.
With his new-found fame, Bueno remains soft-spoken, humble and just a normal son, nephew and friend.
He is just thankful to have made it to the Big Three.
In fact, whatever the outcome is on Friday, Bueno is planning to treat the Filipino community to a "salo-salo" as a sort of a Thanksgiving party to all who supported him.
Like any parent, Bueno’s father can only be very proud and confident.
"I knew it from the start na balang araw eh magiging star itong batang ito dahil bata pa lang siya bilib na ako sa talent niya," Tony said.
(I knew it from the start that one day this child is going to be a star because I believed in his talent even when he was a child.)
As for Bueno, he only has one big promise to his fans: "Ich werde alles geben"! [I will give my best!]
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=104962
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