Reflection

 

Today, while doing my morning routine of walking with my grandmother, I noticed these streamers screaming, "Protect the territorial integrity of Barangay Labangon, Vote NO!" What came to mind was, "Protect the political interest of the barangay chief."

Today, residents of Barangay Guadalupe in Cebu City will be voting on a plebiscite to split the barangay into two, with Sitio Banawa Englis wanting to break away from this pretty large barangay (News story: Guadalupe folk to vote on split, via @philstar.com). One would wonder, what interest does the barangay chief of Labangon have with the split when his barangay is supposedly separate from Guadalupe?

I remember an interview I had with Rep. Luigi Quisumbing (6th District, Cebu Province) a few days ago. He said that one of the challenges that he encountered in his political life was to deal with politicians who's personal interest is placed on top of the interest of the people they serve.

Indeed that is such a challenge because truth of the matter is, Philippine politics is more of self interest rather than the interest to serve. The latter is just a sweet coating that when added with a few cash would make them palatable to the voting public.

Its a depressing thought really, but then there is something that we can do.

We can choose to not be like them and hope that the people that we choose to lead us have the heart to serve others, rather than themselves and the interest of the people who fund their campaign.

Photo credit: From the web |Video from SubPop Records

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Events

 

One of this year's most awaited events for fashionistas, particularly flip flop addicts, is Make Your Own Havaianas, where those happy feet get to be treated with their very own pair of customized slippers, complete with themed pins.

This year, as the flip flop giant celebrates its 50th year and as a way of thanking their loyal customers, the pins reflects this piece of fashion accessory's roots to Brazil.

Of course, don't forget to choose one or two "Happiness" pin as Havaianas have made a commitment to donate P100 to Operation Smile Philippines for each of this pin sold.

This coming Wednesday, August 1, Cebuanos will be treated with an exclusive premiere of the event, but it will go full swing August 2 to 5 at the Northwing Atrium of SM City Cebu. After which the event goes to Southern Philippines in Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City.

Here's the launch night of the event, which happened last May 8 at the Rockwell Tent in

I would say, this is one of the most successful merchandising campaign that has kept the brand on top.

So, to all Cebuanos, hope to see you there!

My gratitude to Jaja of Bigseed Media and Marketing Solutions, Inc.

Video and Photos courtesy of Havaianas Philippines.

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Reflection

When I was staying in Manila as a college student, I was used to waking up in the morning with our neighbor's loud angry voice dictating instructions to her husband and children, who can't seem to get what she was saying.

Difficulties have made it hard for us to have a home that is happy and fulfilled.

There is just too much tension from work and from the outside that we bring to our homes, and we welcome these tensions.

In the morning, the first thing that we do is to make coffee and open the radio, blasting the angry discontent voice of the radio announcer criticizing politicians and whoever or whatever disappointments he encountered the previous day or the night before.

When we reach the office, we scour through the newspaper with bad and depressing news written all over it, or with sexy beautiful bodies that you think you can only desire to have.

And then at home, we open the television to again listen to the day's depressing stories.

It is no wonder really why there would be so much tension at home. We are turning our homes into hell by welcoming so much sadness, so much tension, and so much anger.

Its time to make our homes into heaven, heaven for a home.

As much as this iron aged world is filled with stories of sadness and despair, triggering anger and discontent, it doesn't mean that we should bring the garbage into our homes.

Do you want to fill your homes with garbage?

Photo credit: wallcoo.com | Video credit: Garbage/YouTube

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Health

This is a wonderful anti-smoking campaign by the Thai Health Promotion Board. The ad is made by Ogilvy Thailand. Way to go!

I love the ad because it is realistic and heartwarming. Sometimes we need to be reminded by people of the things that we already know but refuse to do. With smoking and other destructive habits, its the same. As much as we know that its not good for our health, we keep doing it for the sake of doing it. Habit. Yet, we know. We are not ignorant of it's ill effects.

The thing is, would we want the people we love to follow our bad habits?

What do you think of the campaign?

Video credit of Ogilvy Thailand/Thai Health Promotion Board/Youtube

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Health

A study recently published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM)suggests that vitamin D—when taken with calcium—can reduce the rate of mortality in seniors, therefore providing a possible means of increasing life expectancy.

During the last decade, there has been increasing recognition of the potential health effects of vitamin D. It is well known that calcium with vitamin D supplements reduces the risk of fractures. The present study assessed mortality among patients randomized to either vitamin D alone or vitamin D with calcium. The findings from the study found that the reduced mortality was not due to a lower number of fractures, but represents a beneficial effect beyond the reduced fracture risk.

“This is the largest study ever performed on effects of calcium and vitamin D on mortality,” said Lars Rejnmark, PhD, of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark and lead author of the study. “Our results showed reduced mortality in elderly patients using vitamin D supplements in combination with calcium, but these results were not found in patients on vitamin D alone.”

In this study, researchers used pooled data from eight randomized controlled trials with more than 1,000 participants each. The patient data set was comprised of nearly 90 percent women, with a median age of 70 years. During the three-year study, death was reduced by 9 percent in those treated with vitamin D with calcium.

“Some studies have suggested calcium (with or without vitamin D) supplements can have adverse effects on cardiovascular health,” said Rejnmark. “Although our study does not rule out such effects, we found that calcium with vitamin D supplementation to elderly participants is overall not harmful to survival, and may have beneficial effects on general health”.

Other researchers participating in the study were Alison Avenell, Tahir Masud, Frazer Anderson, Haakon E. Meyer, Kerrie M. Sanders, Kari Salovaara, Cyrus Cooper, Helen E. Smith, Elizabeth. T. Jacobs, David Torgerson, Rebecca D. Jackson, JoAnn E. Manson, Kim Brixen, Leif Mosekilde, John A. Robbins, Roger M. Francis, and Bo Abrahamsen.

***

Here's a 2011 story on the benefits of Vitamin D:

Photo credit: Christina Pedrazinni/Science Photo Library | Video credit: Webber Naturals | Source: Endocrine Society via NewsWise

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Travel

Looc Garden Beach Resort
Looc, Argao, Cebu, Philippines
T: (+63)32-485-9516
W: loocgarden.ch.vu

Accommodations and rates (as of June 14, 2012):

Day Use
PhP 100, entrance

Standard Fan Room
Overlooking the sea with private bathroom
PhP 800.00 for a maximum of 2 guests
Allows 2 extra guests at PhP100/pax

Executive Room
Fully airconditioned, overlooking the pool with cable TV, hot and cold shower
PhP 1,600 for a maximum of 3 guests
Allows 2 extra guests at PhP100/pax

Deluxe Room
Fully airconditioned room with terrace, cable TV, hot and cold shower.
PhP 1,300 for a maximum of 2 guests

Family Room
Fan room with private bathroom
PhP 2,000 for a maximum of 10 guests
Extra bed for PhP 200.

Rules

1. Only two children below 10 years old are free, otherwise each child pays PhP50.
2. Cooking inside the room is strictly prohibited.
3. Free use of only one table for every room being occupied.
4. Bringing in of drinks is not allowed.
5. Only those who rent the rooms and tables are allowed to enter the resort premises.
6. Check out time: 12 noon.

Food:

Lobster

Garden Salad

Arroz Valenciana

The meager facility:

The beach

***

I haven't stayed in this place, so I could not really say if the staff are that accommodating, but on first impression, the guy manning the counter was antagonistic, although one lady was all smiles. I reckon these were the owners.

In the center of the facility is the house of the owner, so I guess it would be easy for one to say that 24/7 you could call on them in case you need something.

Me and BK Art on a very early swim with the fishers hauling their empty nets

The area is basically a fishing village, so early in the morning or late in the afternoon one could catch fishermen hauling their catch. When we were there, they didn't have that much catch owing to the illegal poachers that's being tolerated by the local governments along the strait. Commercial fishing is not supposed to be allowed along the strait because it is too narrow, yet they can be seen in plain sight and government is not doing anything about it.

The beach is exquisite with just the right depth.

There are plenty of diving facilities in the area because there are great diving sites near the place.

***

Nearer the highway is Sea Breeze (T: +63-32-485-8052), which is a rest house that can be rented for PhP3,000 per night with no maximum number of guests.

Basically, you own the place.

It has everything in it including cooking facilities (with gas and a working refrigerator), airconditioned rooms, and television. They even have utensils for you to use. 

The place is great especially if you plan to spend the night as a group.

Photo credit: Looc Garden Beach Resort/From the net/Sharon Torres

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Movies

Got wind of this through artist friend Bambi Beltran (a hotelier, restaurateur, and a visual, performance, and literary artist), who is also one of the directors of the film being featured.

Seven stories from seven Cebuano story tellers, one day, one city, that is what Biyernes Biyernes (Friday Friday) is about. Shot on a Friday, the movie is a montage of short films, stories shaping one Friday in one city.

The movie is directed by Bambi Beltran, Keith Deligero, Norbert Elnar, Donna Gimeno, Christian Linaban, Idden de los Reyes, and Remton Siega Zuasola. It will be screened on Sunday, June 10, 2012, 1pm at the Screening Room of YBCA (701 Mission St., San Francisco, CA).

This is part of New Filipino Cinema, showcasing 29 Filipino films from independent filmmakers.Other films to be screened are Kano, an American and His Harem, Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cantupay, Rakenrol, and Mondomanila. It will be curated by Joel Shepard and Philbert Ortiz Dy.

The project is supported by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with Filipino Arts & Cinema International and Filipino American Arts Exposition as partners.

Should you be in the area, do drop by.

Video credit: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts | Map from  Voice Places

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Movies

Alliance Francaise de Cebu will be screening the film Intouchables (2011) by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, this Friday, June 8, 2012, 7 pm at their center in QC Pavilion, Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City.

The movie stars  Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, and Anna Le Ny.

The following is a synopsis of the movie from the Weinstein Company, distributor of the film in the US:

An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility, The Intouchables has broken box office records in its native France and across Europe. Based on a true story of friendship between a handicap millionaire (Francois Cluzet) and his street smart ex-con caretaker (Omar Sy), The Intouchables depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common

In the US, the film opened last May 25 in select theaters. It received fair reception raising US$0.5 in the box office as per Rotten Tomatoes, who gave it a rating of 77 percent.

American critics dubbed the movie as racist because of the white master/black servant concept portrayed in the movie, although, culturally French people do not see it this way, just as with the rest of the world.

The movie received various accolades including the Tokyo Sakura Gran Prix for Best Film at the Tokyo International Film Festival in 2011, and the Best Actor Award for both Cluzet and Sy. In the Cesar Award (the French national film awards), Sy won the Best Actor Award, the first of African descent to receive such honor.

This is a free screening, so better call the center at (63)32-2321311 for inquiries and reservation.

***

Do you think a movie with black people portraying as paid help of white rich people is racist? What if the role was reversed?

Photo from the web. Video from YouTube.

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TV

 

I just noticed that the second season of Falling Skies will air come June 17, 2012. That's barely two-weeks from now!

Last year, I was addicted with this show and is so looking forward to watching the second season after the totally hanging season ender.

Here's the season's opening trailer:

And here's a teaser...

Video and photo credit: TNT/Falling Skies

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News

Under the Aquino Administration, the Armed Forces of the Philippines claim that for the first four months of 2012, no human rights violations committed by any branch of the AFP have been recorded. This report was belied by the Commission on Human Rights itself and other rights groups.

This recently uploaded in-depth report from Bulatlat tells why this is so. Word of caution, this video contains graphic footage.

Video credit: Bulatlat

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