New Scheme for A/D Cards Will Benefit Tourism

The new arrival/departure cards (A/D card) will greatly help in updating a database on incoming and outgoing tourists, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.   Launched recently, the new machine-readable A/D cards would significantly increase the processing for passengers’ travel documents at airports. 

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Office of the Undersecretary for Planning & Promotions
Department of Tourism - Manila
Tel. No.  524-1694

Intramuros Features a Glimpse of Mindanao

Wow Philippines Pasundayag Northern Mindanao 2009 will showcase the Best of Northern Mindanao in Intramuros’ History Town at Clamshell 1, Anda cor. Arzobispo Sts. Intramuros, Manila, taking off on May 29, 2009. 

Featured in this cultural event are the assemblage of eight cities (Cagayan de Oro, Tangub, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Iligan, Malaybalay, Valencia, and Gingoog) and five provinces (Camiguin, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Lanao Del Norte).

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Office of the Undersecretary for Planning & Promotions
Department of Tourism - Manila
Tel. No.  524-1694

Sexynomad Attends Philippine Fashion Week 2009

Like I said in my fashion blog, I was lucky to have been invited by one of the designers himself to attend this year’s Philippine Fashion Week (Holiday ‘09). The designer is Marlon N. Rivera. I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about him because he happens to be the Creative Director and President of the company I am training with at the moment (Publicis). But when I found out that he is a fashion designer too, I swear, I went ga-ga over him despite the fact that we haven’t been formally introduced. I’m afraid, I may somehow be “starstruck” when that time comes. Multi-talented people makes my heart beat so fast coz in a way, I wanna be like them too. ^_^

Anyway, the experience actually was not as glamorous as it seems to be. For one, my hubby Peter and girlfriend Ninette were at SMX Convention Center at 7 p.m. coz we didn’t wanna be late. It says on the ticket that gates of Function Rooms 3&4 will open at exactly 7:30 p.m. But I guess, producing a humongous project such as this can be very toxic that guests were only allowed entrance at around 8:30 p.m. On the other hand, if I wasn’t wearing my 3 1/2 - inch killer Mary Jane shoes, I would’ve enjoyed watching the eye candies parading my view. ^_^

Over all, it was still an awesome event. Marlon Rivera’s collection were fashionably chic and wearable;  colors used  were very neutral (black, grey, silver, brown, blue) and the texture of the fabric seemed pleasing, comfy and light. I really wonder where I can buy his collection? Hmmm… that’s one topic I can actually use when I finally get introduced to him one of these days. Hehehe. ^_^

Philippine Tourism Welcomes ResidenSea

ResidenSea promotes The World, an exquisite cruise ship known for its ‘sailing residences’ with an extensive itinerary that includes Alaska, Europe, and Asia. 

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Office of the Undersecretary for Planning & Promotions
Department of Tourism - Manila
Tel. No.  524-1694

Patintero Pandemonium

Yabang Pinoy, an organization of passionate believers and supporters of all things Filipino, stages a tournament of one of the nation’s most beloved street sport.

Chances are, the last time you played patintero was when you were just a kid. But why, when it is so much fun to play, needing only lines on the ground and endless playtime? Yabang Pinoy, a Filipino Pride movement of shouting proud Pinoys established in 2005, wants Filipinos to realize, through simple activities like this, the joy and spirit of being Filipino.

In celebration of the country’s Independence Day, it organizes the longest rally of patintero enthusiasts, the Todo Gulo, Todo Bilis, Todo Saya, Todo Pawis, Todo Talon, Todo Bilis, Todo SAYA–Pinakamahabang Todo Patintero. The fun event is on June 21, 2009, from 3:00pm to 5:30pm at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Requiring nothing but for players to wear their own abaca bands, Yabang Pinoy’s signature accessory, the event assembles all the members and advocates of the organization, for them to meet other shouting proud Filipinos and be part of a single powerful collective. To compete, participants must form teams of six to eight members; there are no restrictions, so anyone can join.

Yabang Pinoy also introduces new rules to the game, including terms like patotot, empoy, and back touch. With hope, according to Yabang Pinoy, this will start the resurgence of realizing the fun in being Filipino.

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To join Todo Patintero, please contact Weng de Leon, Yabang Pinoy advocate, through email at todopatintero@gmail.com or through phone at +63905 268 9194. Visit http://www.yabangpinoy.com and http://yabangpinoys.multiply.com.

Trembling Happy Feet

What a long, jampacked, fun-filled, exciting and physically tiring week it was for me! I feel like I haven’t slept for a loooong time and I’m just happy I still feel fine and healthy. I guess it really helps to always feel good and think positive no matter what. That’s the kicking pinay talking! Hehehe.

Anyway, let’s back track a bit. I haven’t been in touch with my blogs as of late except last Tuesday when I posted photos of my work attire at fashionko.i.ph during my first training day in Publicis. Yay!

Oh yeah, for those who are interested to know, you’re probably not yet familiar with the promise I made myself last February when I started applying for work and vowed to continue doing so on April (coz I didn’t realize how fast some of these companies process applications that they wanted to hire me ASAP when I was still enjoying my “freedom” by traveling a lot.)

So anyway, April came and went. I got busy with other online entrepreneurial ventures and my social life was as active as ever. I haven’t been able to apply to new companies when  my previous applications started catching up on me. Then… Top 1 & Top 2 (these are the names I call the two companies I applied to) called and updated me on my status.

Fast forward to May, Top 2 was ready to hire me. The benefits are great, the salary  is awesome, they even offer stock options to their employees and the job itself is something that I can do even in my sleep.  BUT… I was really waiting for Top 1. I have already  passed through the first few stages of what was looking to be a very rigorous process. It felt great because I had no background in that industry. It was just sheer passion and interest that triggered me to apply for it. The estimated salary they offer is not  as high as that of Top 2 or my previous jobs but I just know that if I do get it, I will be extremely happy and satisfied. So, I took a risk, I said no to Top 2 and waited for Top 1. I waited and waited some more. Until one day, they asked me to come in to sign a training contract. I’m not yet employed. I’d have to pass the 3-month training with flying colors (meaning, I have to graduate on top *gulp*), otherwise, I won’t be absorbed by the company.

So, without looking back and with trembling hands, I signed the training contract. And here I am now, with no sleep and no rest, surviving my first week with incredible determination to always, always give everything my best shot. Whatever happens in this 3-month period, I’d have no regrets and the learning I will have gathered by then would be extremely priceless. Oh, did I mention that my first field work as a consumer expert trainee was to go malling from north to south of Edsa? It was so fantastic. Although my feet didn’t think so. Hehehe. But everything became worth it when I got positive feedback after my presentation. It’s not yet perfect and I still have a lot to learn but I am welcoming everything with open arms, ready to absorb new knowledge and apply them to my work. Keep up the good work, Jen! You can do it!

Angels and Demons

It was just a few weeks (or was it months?) ago when I saw a preview of the movie Angels and Demons. I immediately started rereading Dan Brown’s other book, The Da Vinci Code, hoping to finish it so I can also reread  Angels & Demons after that. I just wanted to refresh my memory about the entire story coz I believe a reader’s imagination is always better than any translation a movie can make.

To give you a little background, I first read the book in 2004 when Dan Brown wasn’t even that popular and even before the book became famous here in the Philippines.  I got my first “ancient” copy (a hardbound special print for people with poor eyesight meaning, the fonts were huge!) from Booksale that year. Popsy, (Peter’s dad, who lives in the US),   has been raving about it  so when we saw it in Booksale’s display window, we immediately bought it for P100. Soon after, all of Dan Brown’s books became a hit so I bought all copies of his books too, (including Deception Point and Digital Fortress)  both softbound and the illustrated edition which means we have three copies of The Da Vinci Code, hehehe.

Going back to my reading, it was unfortunate that my schedule didn’t allow me to finish rereading the books. Even until now, I’m still halfway through The Da Vinci Code. Nevertheless, I went ahead and watched the movie. This happened last Tuesday, after a very exhausting field work, hopping from one mall to another where my last stop was Mall of Asia. I was supposed to wait for Peter. But it was already 8pm and he was still at work. My feet were killing me and my legs were throbbing so terribly. I needed to sit down. Sitting in one of the benches near the Skating Rink was just making me fall asleep from exhaustion so I made a decision, bought the next movie screening and at 8:05 pm, I was there inside the theater, half asleep, half excited to watch the movie. I probably fell asleep during the previews but as soon as Angels and Demons started, I was all eyes and ears.

My gosh, this is probably the best movie I’ve seen so far! I say it’s the best because I am totally grateful that I wasn’t able to reread the book. Therefore, I had no expectations whatsoever, I totally forgot what the real plot was and I totally fell in love with the Camerlengo (portrayed by Ewan McGregor) only for my heart to be smashed into pieces towards the end. And speaking of the end, for a brief moment, I had this profound intuitive understanding of why the Catholic Church is the way it is and I felt kind of reborn to my old religion. The movie translation is totally better than the book! It’s not anti-Christian nor anti-Catholic at all. On the other hand, if you are smart enough to understand the little details, you will even learn to appreciate the Catholic religion. I know I did. And that’s a big thing coming from a non-practicing Catholic, ex born-again, Wiccan, agnostic person such as myself. Kudos to the producers, writers, director & actors of Angels & Demons! I can’t wait to get a DVD copy for my collection.  Those who haven’t watched it yet, please do. It’s one heck of an amazing ride!

Happy 1st Birthday Dominic Marc!

May 17, 2008 was the day my 1st nephew was born. It was quite a difficult delivery for my sister-in-law. She almost gave up but voila…after hours of labor, the cutest baby in the world was born. And a year after, here he is, more handsome and healthy than ever.

Peter and I weren’t sure if we could make it to his birthday. We knew we’d be having a very hectic week which was the reason why we celebrated it two weeks in advance when we went to La Mesa Eco Park. But I guess, if we could attend a friend’s wedding party, surely we couldn’t miss the very first birthday of our little love. 

bonding time with Lolo Adams

 So, despite our physical fatigue, we went all the way to San Mateo Rizal to spend time once again with our family. It’s true what they say… no matter how tired you are, when you see a baby you love, all the fatigue does go away.

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Villarica-Ong Wedding Party

Last Saturday, May 16, 2009, Peter and I attended our college friend’s wedding reception at Sofitel Philippine Plaza. We wanted to go to the ceremony itself. It would have been really nice watching the two most perfect people get married  in the eyes of God but due to our very hectic schedule that weekend, we were only able to witness the more fun part of the occasion. Hehehe.

 with old college friends…Patrick and Rea

The wedding reception was extravagant and huge as expected. After all, two of probably the richest families in the Philippines were about to become one. Hailey Villarica, our dear friend since college is the only daughter of the owner of the Villarica Pawnshop chain of stores in the Phillipines while Jevon is the son of the owner of Hanabishi (this info by the way is according to Patrick). 

     From the video footage I’ve seen and from what I’ve witnessed during the reception, I agree when they said that the two are a perfect match for each other. Aside from the obvious reasons, Hailey is one heck of a beautiful overachiever — she’s one of the brightest in our class back in Ateneo, a lawyer (from U.P. law school), a world traveler, a scuba diver, sailor, a terrific ballroom dancer, a swimmer, a tennis player and a lot more. Yet, she remains to be the most down to earth person I know.
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Tourism Advisory on Influenza A (H1N1)

As of May 21, 2009, the Philippines has reported one confirmed patient afflicted with the Influenza A(H1N1) – a 10-year-old Filipina who arrived in the country after travelling to the United States and Canada.

The tourism industry remains unhampered and has issued no travel restrictions.