QTV Proudly Filipina and Charlene Gonzales
Posted by: Noemi in Grief, Media Coverage, Memory Lane
(Thanks to Jeric for this recording and also to Pinoy Biscuits for taping the episode as backup)
Welcome viewers of Proudly Filipina.
I really like how the writers and researchers prepared for the show. It was well-researched. Charlene Gonzales, the host surprised me as well with her research skills. The night before, Charlene told me that she read my blog entries. I was flattered. Usually hosts rely on their staff for the research. I also read about Proudly Filipina the day their staff called me. I wanted to know more about their show. During the taping episode at home, I learned that Charlene is quite hands-on. Aside from hosting and interviewing the subjects, the former beauty queen assists the staff of the show in research and pre-production.
During the break, I asked Charlene how she liked being the host of Proudly Filipina. She readily agreed to be the host because the show has a ‘pay it forward’ effect. You could inspire, change somebody’s life, and be optimistic is enough reason for her to agree to be the host. A segment of their show paves the way for anyone to nominate their Filipina who they are most proud of. She added that “It is more interactive with the viewers because they will be able to contribute what they want to see on the show. Not only that, other inspiring stories of other Filipina and successful woman of the country are also shown.”
If you want to nominate a Filipina for their segment , Pay It Forward, you can nominate at proudly_f@yahoo.com or proudlyfilipina@gmanetwork.com
The questions dealt on the 5 deaths in my immediate family. Media often focused on Luijoe’s death but I have never been interviewed on the deaths of my two brothers, my mom and dad.
These are the sequence of events.
1976
My mom passed away when I was 19 years old. Though I knew she was sick of breast cancer since I was 15, I never imagined she ‘d pass away.
1990
My 27 year old brother, Reuben died of fulminant Hepatitis A. His death was so sudden. Soon after his death, it was discovered that there was a Hepatitis A epidemic in our area. Four other siblings including Lauren suffered from Hepatitis A. We filed a case against Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) and won the case 12 years later.
1999
My 40 year old brother, Oscar died of leukemia (AML- 6) after an unsuccessful stem cell transplant in Bethesda, Maryland.
2000
Six year old Luijoe died of accidental drowning in a beach resort at Cebu, Mactan.
2003
My dad died of diabetes complications after being bedridden for 4 years.
I often asked God “WHY? WHY MY FAMILY? WHY MY SON? ” for many years.
Much later in my grief recovery, I learned that my son’s mission on earth ended and the choice was for me to take over whatever mission I needed to do. The same goes with my family members who passed away too.
Every death is not an ending . It offers new beginnings, an opportunity to seek the meaning and purpose of the death.
We all must face death. Perhaps we can even find grace in it. If it is our time to move on , we need not fear death. If it is nearing the time to say goodbye to a loved one, then pray that their transition be graceful and peaceful. If you have lost a loved one, know that they live on.
As for me, I chose to be a better person instead of being bitter.
Some minor corrections though
1. In the end of my segment, Charlene said she hoped “time will come when there are happier stories. I guess she read the grief category only. Though I write about grief, this blog is not all sad and somber. I do write about my adventures, my joys as well as the journey.
2. I did not write a book but I contributed a story to the book, Fallen Cradle edited by Agnes Prieto.
My story on Luijoe’s life and death is a part of , “Fallen Cradle“, a book of 22 stories by parents who have a lost a child. . Fallen Cradle can be bought at National BookStore or Powerbooks. (read more about Fallen Cradle)
3. My story does not make sense without my advocacy. They forgot to mention it in the episode.
Grief Support in the Philippines
After the Death of a Child
Behind the Scenes
This is about me ( a 
Entries (RSS)
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Congratulations Noemi for being featured on Proudly Filipina. May you continue to inspire many others.
Rach (Heart of Rachel)’s last blog post..Make My Day Award
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
When is this airing? I can’t wait to see it
Kongkong622’s last blog post..Happy 41st, My Sweet Prince
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
@Rach– thanks
@kongkong- it was just shown at 7pm. I am preparing the video for upload
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:36 pm
nice, nagbbrowse ako ng channels tapos bigla kong nakita sa QTV.. so nice…
Congrats…
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
congratulations! proudly pinay talaga.
raqgold’s last blog post..Vatertag
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:20 pm
congrats.it’s better than jsr.
batangueno’s last blog post..The Doctor Is In - Deep Trouble
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
di mo ata naiupdate ito sa twitter.napanood ko sana s qtv.
batangueno’s last blog post..Ang Tindi Ng Google! PR6
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
@Raq- lahat tayo Proudly Filipina
@batangueno- eh nakakahiya to twitter it na.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
hey!I’m Karla,17 and a college student at the moment.I’ve seen your blog featured on the television twice.The first time I saw it on the television,Im really interested on viewing it online so the moment I saw it on Proudly Filipina,I was able to see your web address.I really like your blog because you inspire many people a lot :))
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I love this interview than the other ones… it was really inspiring. For a while I got sad because I also remembered the death of my lolo and my cousin, but moving on, what we should do is to pray for them always.
I cannot help but plug these best lines:
Maki’s last blog post..Bend and Snap!
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:32 am
ok lang po yun.nga pala thanks kasi nadagdagan ang authority ng technorati ko dahil sa top comments mo.malilimit ako dine! regards!
batangueno’s last blog post..The Doctor Is In - Deep Trouble
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:45 am
I recorded your Proudly Filipina segment too. Here’s a link to it. I wasn’t able to upload it earlier for I was away.
Jeric’s last blog post..Updating and Creating Blogs
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:53 am
Congratulations, Noemi!
I am a new reader of your blog. Started reading this a year ago and I can agree with you that this is not all grief and sorrow. I learned so many insights and information through this blog.
I also admire you for pulling it through after everything! Looking forward to more blog posts!
Abbie’s last blog post..PAULA SHOULD GET THE BOOT!
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:10 am
@karla- Yeah the other episode didn’t show the url
@maki- initially it sounds sad but I look beyond the why question
@batangueno- the prize for commenting is rewarding.
@jeric- I am using it now. Wow what did you use to record ? so clear!
@abbie- 1 year is a long time reader. Glad I gave you insights.
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:18 am
Congratulations, Noemi. May you inspire other Filipinas to be more courageous and be better persons against the odds.
julie’s last blog post..Time
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:37 am
We got a TV Tuner for the PC which allowed me to record the segment directly.
Jeric’s last blog post..Updating and Creating Blogs
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:11 am
Hi Ms. Noemi. I watched your episode last night. Your story is truly an inspiring one. More power!
dyanie’s last blog post..Gossip Girl
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Thanks to this youtube clip I was able to watch this.
So far, this media feature on you is my favorite so far. Well produced (though a bit noise in the background during interview) but it was solid and heartfelt feature.
Truly a proud Filipina!
Ferdz’s last blog post..Ironwulf meets Marian Rivera
May 4th, 2008 at 9:18 am
hi noemi! i’m very happy for you!
lady cess’s last blog post..Goodbye Spidey
May 4th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
mam, panu po gumawa ng website?
pls. email ur answer at darwinfr11@yahoo.com
thanks!
May 4th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
@Julie, Lady Cess, daynie- Thanks
@ferdz- I think it was the better one but they still missed on some viable information
@Jeric- how much would a TV tuner cost. Maybe I should buy just to record a few episodes for myself
@darwin- if you mean a blog, start with blogger.com. Here is a video tutorial
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bU4gXHkejMo
May 4th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
The TV Tuner for a desktop pc would be much cheaper than for the laptop. I bought mine years ago for about Php 2,000. I think the TV Tuner for Mac would be around Php 5,000.00.
Jeric’s last blog post..Pinoy Idol S01E05 - Manila Hell Week
May 5th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Noems: Just to clarify about Oscar’s stem cell transplant. The transplant was a success but because of his weakened body through so much chemotherapy, his immune system could not handle it. In other words, sepsis is what killed him. I remember Belen explaining this to me. Oh well, my research indicated that Oscar could have had a bone marrow transplant when he first found out BUT he didn’t want to do it because he wasn’t prepared. Yes, it was risky. I guess what I’m trying to say is that for any AML-M4 patients, it is worthwhile looking at BMT as their first choice of treatment. Strictly my opinion even if many doctors say that there is a 50% chance of survival… So easy for me to say this — because truly, if I was faced with Oscar’s dilemma, I also don’t know what decisions I would have made… I really miss him!
May 5th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I wasn’t able to watch this episode. Thanks for sharing the video here.
Wow, Noemi, am proud of you!
chateau a.k.a. imom’s last blog post..Two Movies in a Week
May 8th, 2008 at 8:56 am
proudly pinay ka po talaga!
May 10th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
[…] do for my children’s old toys and books and I just left it at that. During the taping of Proudly Filipina, the production staff asked for Luijoe’s favorite toy when I opened his cabinet. I got the […]