To firecrackers or not to firecrackers...

Is that a question?

There are some places in the Phil that doesn't allow firecrackers and for good reason.
They don't make firecrackers like they used to anymore. It more destructive and it ends quicker. The only firecracker for me is sparklers. Only sparklers.
They don't make sounds. They only light up and twinkle. There are some sparklers which are nasty and stinky and they occasionally explode.

Yesterday, I saw a pot-bellied man set-up a table selling firecrackers of the worse kind. Everything cheap and easy was piled high on the table. Then directly behind it, (as in!) he was cooking sidewalk foods. Open flame, mind you. While he let his dish simmer, he lit up a cigarette. Three steps away three children about five or six-ish were lighting up Pop-pops and throwing them around. this was in a depressed area so the streets were the only place to place. they threw it indiscriminately to the streets. THIS WAS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN!

So, constant vigilance to fire fighters and ordinary folks. Looks like they're spending new year on top of the fire truck.

Tips peeps: Don't spend too much on fire crackers. They're not worth it anymore. When you buy them, keep your candles controlled and at a safe distance for houses, dried plants and anything flammable. This will include electric poles!
Wear a tight jacket and some thick gloves if you can.
Wash up after handling fire crackers. You might not die of an explosion but ya can dies of poisoning.

Happy New Year!

Suicide November is Over!

Yup, my november is over.

What I did:

• Talecraft Character builder workshop - plan, execute, the works
• NaNoWriMo - completed 50,081 in 30 days
• Fashion Palooza
• Poveda Fair
• UP AME Jindai
• My opening of Baby Moon Lifestyle Store
• Make Stocks
• Inventory Stocks
• Shop for stocks!
  

Njel's Early Recordings

"My Early Recordings" album launch in mag:net Katipunan.

I got a CD and it was great! We should support pinoy. Especially talented people like Mr. Njel, his band and his students. :-)



Congrats Mr. Njel De Mesa for winning best male performer in Philippine Digital Music Awards!

Victorian Valentines 2009

Mr. Njel's "My Early Recording

I got to know this wonderful guy named Njel. He's a writer, playwright and recording artist. Did I mention he's award winning? We'll he is. Not just that, he's a multi-award-winning Don Carlos Palanca writer too. Check out his works. I laughed so hard with his plays!

Check him out!

GRAB YOURSELF A COPY of

Njel de Mesa’s MY EARLY RECORDINGS compilation album…

…including 9 of the best original compositions he wrote for previously released albums (Winner! Abs-Cbn’s DREAM songwriting competition 2006): You are My Light, If You’ll Only Hear Their Song, Let Jesus Be Known, Life Ablaze, Goodnight etc. Njel de Mesa is nominated “Most Promising Male Artist” for the Philippine Digital Music Awards and is an all-around award-winning artist/performer.

Njel de Mesa’s MY EARLY RECORDINGS, in stores now! Also available in Mag:net Katipunan and Koine Admin Office. For inquiries call 4337886 or 09179726514. For samples of his work, log on to www.phildigiawards.com.

Dayo: The Wanderer

Can you truly be a foreigner in your own home?

Sadly, yes. There are times when we Filipinos loose the sense of being Filipino. So, what is Filipinoness? Three of my professors in college posed this question to our class. What is Filipino in elements.

One even elaborated that is it because gawa-pinoy that already make it proudly Philippine made?

Sadly, we are losing the sense of Filipinoness. We are losing our identities. We are loosing what made the foreigners wish to come to us in the first place. Media has eaten away our being loyal, friendly, warm and hospitable traits. Now, Dayo is using the media to revive it.

Last Friday, me and my sister were invited to the viewing of Dayo. Haha, we did our hair and fussed over what to wear when they told us red carpet event. When we got there, oh dear, we were over dressed. Everyone was in jeans and t-shirt. So much for Red carpet. At least we got to walk on it.

The movie is rated G for all audience. Yes, it's a family movie. Don't worry, adults can relate. The story is pretty much straight forward. Simple but good. I'm glad they didn't sacrifice the story just for the sake of having a digital animated movie.

Story: **** 1/2 (0ut of 5)

Dialogue: ***1/3

(would have been great except the yaya-nangals repeat themselves)

Music: *****

(Great sound effect! Perfect timing! Love the Theme! Love Joey Ayala!)

Effects: ***

Cinematography: ****

2d: ****

3d: **

Sadly, the pasting of 2d and 3d did not mesh well. Buboy's childhood nearly looks like one big donut add. My critique is that the school needs work. The school itself is boring, there is not much details except the TJ hotdog booth which looked pasted on. Everywhere else was cool.

So, what makes it Filipino? Aside from 100% gawa-Pinoy factor, the story, the set and the elements.

The story is set in modern day Pilipinas. Probably Antipolo or near since that's what is says in the jeepney. Then, it shifts to Elementalia, the world beyond/under/within the one Buboy is living in. Buboy, the star is your supposedly typical boy. Maybe I should say he's not the typical boy. What is typical today do shift and the creators of Dayo probably wants to bring back what a typical Pinoy boy should be: magalang, matulungin and malambing sa pamilya. He is raised by his grandparents and is struggling from bullies in school. Meet Ana, your never-typical mananang-girl! Who would have thought to use one as a star? She's slang, hip (not literally) and very helpful trait we should revive.

Lolo Nano may not be Lola Bashyang but he is wise and has lots of word of wisdom to share. There is Narsi, the narcisitic tikbalang who is oh-so-cool. Because Buboy was able to subdue him and get a hair, he is bound to Buboy until the next rainfall. An old lore which is not widely circulated. He then forms a friendship with Buboy and Ana and helps them in their task. There are so many creatures of lore in Elementalia, I'll leave the audience to find out.

So, what makes it believable? Yeah, it's a world beyond ours. But details are details. Look at Buboy's world for example. There's the jeep with controls resembling airplanes. There's the telephone poles na parang bulati hanging. He's got a picture of the last supper and those big wooden utensils in the dining area. His room has lots of posters. There are pictures of his achievements int he sala for all the world to see. We can see that Filipinos have a deep sense of religiosity. He makes the sign of the cross before jumping into the water and he prays before going to bed.

Ever heard of a capre who talks bisaya? You'll have to hear it! Bobuy can't understand but you should if you are really Filipino. Why? Because 90% of Pinoys speak it or even understands bits of it.

Do you have a protective parent? That's another Filipino trait. Although this parent is very workaholic, he does it to protect Ana and his world. The Yaya-nangals are not Ana's parents but they treat her like a daughter. Lolo Nano too treats her like family.

What may have been Typical Filipino culture is slowly dying because of foreign media. I'm glad Dayo is trying to revive it. A part 2 should be in order. Elementalia offers a setting where the younger children can unleash their creativity.

I'll let you get your own details on the production at:

www.dayomovie.com

Thanks to everyone at Dayo! We had a wonderful time at the studio and at the red carpet event! More power to you and to everyone involved in creating a wonderful masterpiece!

For the Love of Writing Party at Fort

Friday Night was a blast. For the Love of Writing Party was a success. With writers of all shapes and sizes attending, it was a blast. The party was mostly attended by NaNoWriMo people from the Pinoy WriMo Forum.

The Event was highlighted by (many times over) Don Carlos Palanca Award Winner Njel De Mesa and his Koine Theatre Group, the only intimate theatre group in the country, with their play SUBTEXT. It was funny and witty. Who knew a smiley face could have so much meaning! Mr. Njel also sang and promoted his single Kawangis ng Pasko. (Vote for it at You-tube!) It was so deep. As in nose-bleeding deep Tagalog. He'd make MLQ proud.

Of course, there were stpry readings since this is a writing event. Representative of Talecraft who wowed the crowed was Micheal Emil Luhico with his tale Unvampire. Another witty story. Loved it! The crowd loved it too!
Mia from Read or Die read a Dragon Lance-like except from her NaNoWriMo novel. It was a gory battle scene of carnage and death!
Then of course, we awarded the NaNoWriMo Challenge winners. Our trophy hats were sponsored by BabymoonLifestlye.multiply.com. (AKA me. Yup, all those are handmade by me.)
I too felt my 51K words were worth it. Seeing people's faces as they came upfront and was awarded by a deep red hat with a gold brooch and a big feather that symbolized the month's achievements.
Of course there were publishers who came to talk about submission guidelines and to invite the writers to write professionally. Being published is the best outlet for the imagination. it's the writer's goal for writing!

Hopefully, there will be a For the Love of Writing Party 2 next year. This year, the Philippines has accumulated 4Million Plus words and about 57 people finished the 50K word challenge. Go Pinoy!


Our engaging hosts for the evening were Sara and Mark.

Me and sister Marie.

For the Love of Writing Party was sponsored by:
tlecraft.komikasi.com
3hmpublishing.com
babymoonlifestyle.multiply.com
Kapitan Rufo's Cafe

For the Love of Writing Party

For the Love of Writing Party

When: Dec. 12, 2008 7 to 9pm (Friday)
Where: U-View At Fullybooked Fort, High Street, Taguig

What to expect:

• Cocktails
• Talks
• Awarding of the NaNoWriMo Challenge winners in the Philipines
• Raffle
• Story Telling

Entrance is Free!
Sponsored by Talecraft, 3HM-Publishing, BabayMoon Lifestyle

Baby Bonanza

Mommy Only! Ate Jenny and baby.
Daddy Only! Kuya Migo and Ate Glowy's baby!
Miranda and Isabella.
Ate Minnete and Kuya Micmoc's cutie! Baby Miranda in Blue Steel.

4th Generation Robillo. Girl Power all over again!

UP AME 08

Cosplaying is evolving. You need not portray a certain character in Anime anymore. Anything goes and anything but normal is normal. Even if my hands cried for three days making one umbrella, I love the effect.

Aki as a little girl lolita. Kawaii! I love her hair. It looks like she popped out of those comic books I buy in Hong Kong!
Not quite Japanese cooking but Eddie here might survive the streets of Japan cooking like a storm!

Cosplay Mania 2008

Making the Booth

Filling up with Stocks

Having fun with the stocks.

Babymoon Booth

Hats!

In which a witch bewitch a Hatter!
Two days to go and I'm test launching my Gothic-Lolita-Anime Inspired line in Cosplay Mania.

Good luck me and my sistahs!

Popz' Speech for Bureau of Plant Industries

Too perfect?
Mr. Inspirational.

For More Pictures:
http://figures.multiply.com/photos/album/11/Bureau_of_Plants_Industries

Books This Year

Book Fair came and gone this year. Yes, I was a little disappointed. I was expecting more. Or at least, the same as last year but then, there were fewer stalls and the big stalls were cut in half this year.
But that, doesn't mean, I went without buying. hehehe. Can't resist books.
Here are some I got from the fair.

Set of Black Dagger Brtherhood books. 295, each excpet Lover Unbound which is 395. Each at 20% off at National Bookstore.
Turbulent Sea - 299 at 20% off
Dark Curse 975 - 20% off
Fangs for the Memories - 299 at 20% off
Mt Immortal Highlander - 299 at 20% off
Undead and Unreturnable - 315 = got it at 198.
Undead and Unappreaciated - 315 = got it at 198
The Treasured Ones -100 at A Diff Bookstore
The best buy I had was this 1.5 feet, three inch thick Biblica, The Bible Atlas. Fully colored, pictures at ever page. 1495 at 20% off.I made National Bookstore rich this book fair.

I heard last year, the rent for a space was about 50,+++.00 no wonder, not much wants to come back this year. It's expensive and people expect you to have cheap books.

I hope it would be better next year.

Book Fair Day 1

Book Fair this year is in SMX.

Smaller venue compared to World Trade but it was ok. My problem was, fewer book sellers this year. Powerbooks and National Bookstore booths were comparatively small. As in half the size of last year! Incomplete books too.

Let's see tomorrow if maybe they would put out more books. The spaces are smaller and Stephenie Meyer and Harry Potter Books dominate the area. There are very few cheap books or Sale Piles. :-(

Word Camp 08

I'm glad Word Camp was a success. Congrats Kuya Bloggie and team!

Aki and I were there. Attended some talks and of course took turns manning the table we got for Talecraft.

Nine cards, five minutes, one tale.

Can you handle it?

Can you blog that fast? :-)

It brought back memories to be back in CSB. Some things never change. Like paperwork to get things like a tarp and laptop and camera in. IDs and long lines too. Oh yeah, not to mention roaming D.O.'s.

I did expect more people but the turnout was not disappointing. Most of my old classmetes form CSB used to keep blogs. Perhaps they just needed more advertisements. I didn't ahve a single batchmate in the WordCamp. Maybe next year would be better. No complains here. It was a feat to achieve. Just that, I wanted to share it with my friends.

Good Job Kuya.

Word Camp 2008

Why do I want to join the word camp?

I would really want to meet fellow bloggers and see their views, their everyday life through blogging.
I think blogging has become a way of life and how we are as a person is reflected in our blogs.
It is also a venue to interact with people who share the same hobby/pastime/interest.

• i.PH: the Domain for Individuals


• Free Online Flash Games


• Wazzup Manila Philippines


• Real Estate CRM


• Real Estate Website Designers


• Orange County Real Estate


• Auto Insurance Quotes


• Lane Systems Inc.


• RedMedia


• Orange County Business Lawyer


• Cebu Pacific Air

• Reality Wedding Videos
  
  

SONA Fashion Show

Instead of being a solemn occasion, the SONA '08 became a fashion show.

Is there anything worth addressing? The Text message to go down to fifty cents. So?
"Texting is a way of life." --PGMA.
So what? Rice is more important than Text. How much would rice be?

Things that have to be addressed are:

• Poverty
• Population Control
• Rice Crisis
• Gas Price Increase
• Corruption
• Red Taping and "Lagay" system
• The environment
• Efficient Transportation

So, instead of showing off those designer outfits, you should sell it and give the money to a legitimate NGO. 100,000.00 goes a long, long way. Even if the designer is your friend.
That red carpet show in the SONA was just disgusting. All those people showing-of should be ashamed of themselves.

While the country is in a crisis, these people parade around like clowns. Don’t they know where the money comes from?

(Sounds very Maria Antoinette-ish? Then, the crisis might explode and shake this country very soon.)

Princess of the Stars, Star of the Sea

Sulpicio's MV Princess of the Sea Sunk last Saturday. Who is to blame?

DOST slams Sulpicio for blaming Pagasa

Philippine Star - Sunday, June 29
The Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) lashed back at Sulpicio Lines for blaming the weather bureau
in the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars, saying that it was the company
that erred.
DOST Undersecretary Graciano Yumul said Sulpicio should not pass
the buck to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (Pagasa) because the agency had issued ample warnings about
typhoon "Frank."
Pagasa is under the DOST.
Sulpicio lawyer Arthur Lim had
blamed Pagasa for inaccurate reporting on the typhoon causing the Princess of
the Stars to be caught in the eye of the storm last week.
Nestor Pontero,
Sulpicio's port officer in Cebu, claimed that the last message he received from
Princess of the Stars Capt. Florencio Marimon was "Buanga ning Pagasa, pataka
lang (Pagasa is crazy; it is only guessing)."
The last communication was
received at around 7 a.m. of June 21, just before the 23,000-ton passenger ferry
capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon.
Marimon is still
missing.
"Initially, they blamed the (Philippine) Coast Guard, but it turned
out that they were operating on an old guideline. After that, they said it was
an 'act of God.' And now they are blaming the Pagasa... We have full
documentation that complete bulletins (were issued)," Yumul told The STAR.
He
said Pagasa follows a "protocol" in which it submits warning bulletins to the
National Disaster Coordinating Council and the Philippines Coast Guard, which in
turn disseminate information on weather updates.
Aside from this, Pagasa also
maintains "voice services" where the public can get updates about the weather by
dialing 433. The weather bureau also regularly posts bulletins on its
website.
"And if they register on our website, they can receive weather
bulletins in their own email addresses," Yumul said.
Yumul stressed that on
top of individual media interviews, Pagasa had called for five press conferences
from June 20 to 22 to inform the public on changes in Frank's route.
"There
is really no reason for Sulpicio not to know about the developments in typhoons.
Pagasa has been doing its best to inform the public," he said.
Yumul
maintained that ship captains should be conscious not only about the weather in
their ports of origin but also in their ports of destination.
Manila was
reportedly under typhoon signal No. 1 when the Princess of the Stars sailed, but
signal No. 2 was already up in Romblon by the time the ship reached its
vicinity. - Sheila Crisostomo/Philstar

Six years ago, I visited Sibuyan Island. I don't remember if I rode a Sulpicio lines but I do remember my boat experience. It was something one cannot forget.

We boarded the boat at 12ish because we were to depart the port of Manila at 1pm bound for the Island of Romblon, Romblon. 3pm and we were told there was a delay due to engine trouble. 4pm, we were asked to move to the ship beside where we were. Our boat was never going to move. 5pm, the coast guard ok-ed the boat and we left for port. Where's our bed? by the time it was dinner, we were still standing in the hallway. One of us got sick. Our moderator of the Immersion program, went to fix things.

Later, she told us the surprise. We get to sleep in the hallway because there was a different set of passengers who booked the 5pm boat. All from the 1pm boat were to just stay in the hallway. Don't worry, the crew will still give us dinner. Did the coast guard know this? Apparently, after they checked the 5pm boat and saw the manifest, we were let in. Passenger and crew totaled 2,000. Boat capacity is only 800. Go do the math.

We arrived in Romblon at 5am. Now to catch the other boat to Sibuyan Island. Surprise again! We are not at Romblon, Romblon. We are at Tablas, Romblon.

Luckily, we were Assumptionistas and a priest gave us a lift to Romblon proper to take the next boat to Sibuyan.

So, toxic boxes int he hallway? Seen it! Bet you haven't seen animals there too! Sand, cement, marble, animals, people, stocks, food, they are all in the hallway.

700 people in MV Princess of the Stars? Was that the declared number? How many are undeclared? What about undeclared cargoes?

200,000 pesos per person. Is that the amount a life is worth? Things are getting expensive, people's lives are getting cheaper.

So, why did the search start 3 days after the boat sank? Passengers who were alive inside the ship died due to the cold and the toxic pesticides. They don't have P&I Insurance. This means they don't get money to do clean-ups. Sulpicio is the one who is shelling the money to do the search and rescue operations. But isn't the government doing that instead?

Comicon2008

Sold out all my hats! Including the ones on our head! Yey!