If the answer is yes, then please join the Earth Hour 2008. Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.
Earth Hour will take place throughout the Philippines from 8 to 9 in the evening on Saturday night, 29 March 2008. WWF invites you to participate by shutting off lights for 60 minutes, organizing your own "lights-out" event or by referring this article to your families and friends to inform them about the Earth Hour.
Launched in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, Earth Hour moved 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced the city's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour. With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.
Your participation will go a long way in spreading the message that we, as individual droplets working collectively – can create an impetus far more powerful than the mightiest of rivers. For more information, log on to the WWF Earth Hour page at http://www.earthhour.org/.
If you want to learn more about how else you can help make Earth Hour in the Philippines a success, reply to this email or drop us a line at +6329207931, +6329207923, or +6329207926.
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Bonifacio High Street. Located along 7th Avenue and goes through the length until Serendra, Boni High Street offers those elite and exclusive experiences -- on open ground.This is actually my fourth time here in Boni High Street but it is only now that I was able to blog about it. This is turning out to be one of my favorite places in the Philippines. There are lots of good stores and restaurants here. You should check out Fully Booked, offering an entire building with four spacious floors for the bookworm in you. Talking about Dining, I would recommend Chelsea. Chelsea is within the Serendra area already, just in front of the tri-arch fountain.
Here's my photoblog of Boni High Street, enjoy!
I haven't tried out all the restaurants here, so if you happen to find a gem in Boni High Street, please do let me know! :D
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Labels: Discover Philippines, Travel
P&G CS Amazing Race Manila Season 1
1 Comments Published by Ryx on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 5:29 AM.
Final Pitstop at Friday's Bonifacio High Street. All teams must be here by 1.00pm. For every 15 minutes that a team is late, they lose one task performed. Jayan's team was the first to arrive (l-r) Jayan, Donelle, Alelie, Joyce.Here are the groupings:
Mark's Team - Winner
8/11 tasks completed, second to arrive at pitstop, no task deductions
Mark Camus, Herbert Hallig, Toffee Raperoga, Mango Ngo
Francis' Team - 1st Runner Up
8/11 tasks completed, third to arrive at pitstop, no task deductions
Francis Uy, Ryx Nabos, Boni Andino
Jayan's Team - 2nd Runner Up
7/11 tasks completed, first to arrive at pitstop, no task deductions
Jayan Dy, Donelle Gan, Alelie Tagle, Joyce Saez
And here were the tasks (do note that the locations were not indicated in the instructions, so every team has to figure out where these places are!):
Francis' Task. Take a picture of the team + 1 stranger + quote from Ninoy Aquino near the Ninoy Aquino Statue. (location: Paseo cor. Ayala, Makati City)
Joyce's Task. Take a picture of the team with Ronald McDonald in his famous bench. (location: Wherever)
Donelle's Task. Take a picture of the team onsite Surf's and Sunsilk's headquarters. (location: Unilever Head Office, United Nations Avenue, Paco, Manila) 
Boni's Task. Take a picture of the team + 1 stranger at Paco Park. (location: Paco, Manila)
Herbert's Task. Take a picture of the team with a Rizal quotation plate/plaque. (location: Rizal Park, Manila or Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila)
Jayan's Task. Take a picture of the team in front of a hotel-looking funeral. (location: Sanctuarium, Araneta Avenue, Quezon City)
Ryx's Task. Get an autograph from Ryx's girlfriend, Margarette. (location: Pag-asa, Quezon City)
Mark's Task. Purchase a Philippine Peso Bill from the Japanese Occupation. Actual tender required. (location: Antique Village, Tiendesitas, Pasig City)
Alelie's Task. Take a picture of the team with Alelie's baby, Zion. (location: San Joaquin, Pasig City)
Toffee's Task. Take a picture of the team in front of Colegio San Agustin. (location: Dasmariñas Village, Makati City).
Mango's Task. Take a picture of the "Bank of P.I." logo. Note: not one team has accomplished this task. Apparently, the Bank of P.I. has closed down a few weeks ago. Picture above is Joyce trying to find a way to accomplish this task (get it?). (location: Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City)Overall, the activity was tiring, but fun. We're planning to do Season 2 maybe next month, with more participants joining in as the P&G MDO-IDS team will be joining us by then. We'll have new rules too, adopting it very closely to the famous reality show Amazing Race. By then, teams will be in pairs. And contrary to what we just did, all teams would have to travel by commute (haha!). All credit cards and wallets must be left at the office and each team will only be given a certain amount of money to cover their needs (travel fares, food, etc.). Season 2, I expect, is going to be more exciting. I'll make sure to cover that when that happens!
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Labels: Discover Philippines, Procter and Gamble, Travel
Life changing. I took my Landmark Forum last January 11, 12, 13, and 15 at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City. I was under the guidance of Landmark Forum leader Gitanjali Koppikar. There were about 150 of us in that course.So all of you are now asking -- What is the Landmark Forum? I bet my LF classmates would say the same thing that the Landmark Forum cannot be described. It's an experience, simply said.
Landmark Education's official site gives you at least a glimpse of what you could expect from the course:
The Landmark Forum is specifically designed to bring about positive and permanent shifts in the quality of your life. These shifts are the direct cause for a new and unique kind of freedom and power.
The freedom to be absolutely at ease no matter where you are, who you're with, or what the circumstance - the power to be in action effectively in those areas that are important to you.
In independent research, Landmark graduates report major positive results in the following areas:
• The quality of their relationships.
• The confidence with which they conduct their lives.
• The level of their personal productivity.
• The experience of the difference they make.
• The degree to which they enjoy their lives.
Participants overwhelmingly report that their participation in The Landmark Forum yields not mere insights or improvements, but provides lasting results that expand and unfold over time.
The Landmark Forum was an experience I would never forget, and it drastically changed my life and how I look at life. I can confidently say that in a way, I am now at peace with myself no matter what life throws up in my face. In three days, I was able to forge transformed and better relationships with my parents, my girlfriend, my friends, and all those people important to me. I am experiencing increased productivity with my work and the freedom and motivation to be who I want, do what I want, and have what I want at any point in time.
I am taking this opportunity to thank all the people who journeyed with me during my Landmark Forum. My forum leader, Gitanjali, of course. And then there are the Landmark Education staff - Aljor, Christine, Diana, Jason and his wife, and the rest of the team. My classmates who had been particularly close to me during the Forum - Hailyn, Len, Boj, Elisa, Tanya, Meyan and Roxanne. And of course, the person who made this possible for me - my manager, Francis Uy.
Calling all my classmates in the recently concluded Landmark Forum! If you haven't joined our e-group just yet, please contact PJ at pj.villarta@gmail.com. He's the one managing the group. :)
For information about registering for the Landmark Forum, please feel free to contact me. I will be more than willing to assist you. :D
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Labels: Ministry
Finding Nemo. This fish is but one of the thousands of sea creatures that one can see in Underwater World. Definitely one of the cool places to visit in Sentosa Island.
Underwater world was our second to the last stop when we visited Sentosa. It's a very cool place - an aquatic zoo boasting of different kinds of marine life.
When you enter the place, you will be greeted by a number of open pools where you can freely dip your hands and touch the fishes, the starfishes, the sting rays (rest in peace Steve Irwin), and lots more. I remember I was standing by a pool when I felt like a jet of water kept hitting my face. I looked around, and no one seems guilty of playing pranks on me. Apparently, the guilty party was a group of archer fishes from the pool next to where I'm standing. Fishes can sometimes very playful, you know. Haha.
And then there's this area where you get to see ancient underwater life forms. This probably is the place that awed me the most. I got to see fishes almost 5 times my body size. Can you believe that these creatures still exist? I think we spent around half an hour in the area, mesmerized by these huge primeval creatures.
Going further, you'll see lots of aquariums filled with crustaceans. Crabs, lobsters, and related species reside in these spacious boxes.
There's also the area that highlights sea creatures from the polar areas. Not something really so fascinating.
And then when you go down to the lower basement area, that's where "Underwater World" really lives up to its name. You get to ride in an automated walkway and navigate through the titanic aquarium filled with different schools of fish, sharks, and oh, the dugongs! The entire conveyor trip lasts around 10-15 minutes, but it's worth doing it all again.
Also in the lower basement are the areas for jellyfishes and other cool fish families.
Me and my colleagues were hoping we could have stayed longer, but the Songs of the Sea performance in central Sentosa was about to start then, and so we had to leave. Rest assured that I'm going to be back on this place when Margarette and I spends our vacation in Singapore mid-2008.
Below is the photoblog of our Underwater World Singapore Escapade:
So if you happen to be in Singapore, be sure to check out Underwater World at Sentosa Island. It's open from 9AM to 9PM daily (last admission at 8.30PM), and admission is at SGD 19.90* for adults and SGD 12.70* for children aged 3-12.
*Prices as of October 2007. Prices may change without notice from the author.
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Labels: Travel, Truly Asia
Pananatili. In english, it meant 'staying' or 'lingering'. Written in Filipino, this poem is one of my personal favorites among my many others. Pananatili
Eric Nabos
Nakahiga sa kalawakan ng madilim na katahimikan.
Ang iyong mga larawan, lumilipad sa aking isipan.
Pilit iginuguhit ang damdaming malabo,
Kasabay ng paglangitngit ng aking pinto.
Umiiring ang isip sa bawat pintig ng puso.
Ang kailanman ay ipinangako mo na sa akin;
Sa iyong pag-ibig, lahat ay aking naangkin.
Ngunit ilang pagdirimdim, saan nanggagaling?
Hindi sa yo, ngunit sa kailaliman ng aking pagkatao.
Sa aking sistema, sa aking kasaysayan,
Isang kakulangang naninikit sa kalooban.
Sa yo ako'y walang pagdududa
Pagmamahal mong tunay, napakahalaga.
Sa iyong mga palad ay nakasulat na
Ang bukas ko, bukas natin, napakaganda.
Mga multong bumabalik sa aking pag-iisa
Himig ng mga tala, ako'y tulungan nawa.
Kalungkutang di mahanap ang dahilang nagkukusa
Binabalot ng hanging malamya at malamig na alaala.
Sa akin ikaw ay langit, sintang paraluman.
Wag iisiping ikaw ay nagkukulang.
Aking kailanman, ipinauubaya na sa yo
Isabay ako't dalhin sa bawat pagpikit mo.
Payapain ang ingay na bumubugso,
Damtan ang kalungkutang naninibugho,
At itakas ako sa 'yong walang hanggang paraiso.
Ako ba ay karapatdapat sa iyo, panaginip?
Sa oyayi ng iyong bulong, ang bukas ko ay iidlip...
Photo Credits
Special thanks to flickr member Stitch Witch for the image used in this entry.
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Labels: Thoughts
UAAP-NCAA Merger. With this two leagues combined, there will only be one national collegiate champion. I wonder however, how fast they will be able to implement this and make the necessary changes.I did some quick reading when I got home. Below is an article posted in ABS-CBN Interactive, written by Nelson Beltran of Philippine Star:
If plans don’t miscarry, the UAAP and the NCAA, the country’s premier collegiate cage leagues, will merge this coming season as part of the grand centennial founding anniversary celebration of the University of the Philippines.
An NCAA founding member which moved over to UAAP in 1938, said UP is coordinating with the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for the NCAA-UAAP merger even if it will just be for 2008 when the state university celebrates a historical event.
The NCAA was founded in 1924 on the initiative of Dr. Regino R. Ylanan, a UP physical education professor. The original members were UP, Ateneo de Manila, La Salle, Institute of Accounts (FEU), NU, San Beda, UST and University of Manila.
UP won the UAAP championship just once, in 1986, but had four titles in the NCAA, winning the first three championships (1924-26) and reigning supreme the last time during the 1930-31 season. It captured double-championships (seniors-juniors champs) in 1925 and 1926.
With the full backing of SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan, executive director Patrick Gregorio is now working on the concept for formal presentation to the respective boards of the UAAP and the NCAA early next year.
Gregorio said he had informal talks with Ateneo’s Junjun Capistrano, La Salle’s Bro. Bernie Oca, Mapua’s Rey Vea, FEU’s Anton Montinola and JRU’s Paul Supan. The SBP top official is making the rounds of the NCAA and UAAP member schools with the blessing of UP president Emerlinda Roman, chancellor Gerry Cao and College of Human Kinetics dean Herc Callanta.
"In principle, all the UAAP and NCAA officials I have talked to have given their approval for me to pursue the project," said Gregorio.
"One question begging for answer is what would the schools benefit from this. What I’m saying is that there would be divisional championships to be disputed by both leagues. But this time, there would be grand overall championship," Gregorio explained.
"The grand champion could well be our representative in the next World University Games. The grand league could also be a good source of income which member schools could use to really develop their respective sports programs."
Personally, Gregorio said he wants the project to push through, being a UP alumnus and SBP official.
"I think this is something we should pursue. This would be a legacy for all of us," said Gregorio.
"The UP people think this is a good program for them to spearhead as part of the UP centennial celebration. For Mr. MVP, this is part of his game plan to rationalize school calendar, make games more exciting and elevate the level of collegiate basketball in the country," Gregorio added.
Another UP top official Tezza Jazmines and another UP alumnus Rickie Santos, the PBA operations chief, are helping out Gregorio conceptualize the program. Santos has been asked to do the tournament format.
Incidentally, Vea, the incoming NCAA president, is former dean of the UP College of Engineering.
"I have talked to coach Joe Lipa and Mr. Rey Gamboa (of the Champions League). They told me they’ve tried to do it before but it’s hard. I said ‘pana-panahon iyan.’ There’s a major event (for UP), we might be able to convince the schools to join together," said Gregorio.
"Kapag sila (the other member schools) may historical event din, let’s do it all over again. We’re excited. We believe anything is possible," said Gregorio.
UAAP counts UP, Ateneo, La Salle, FEU, UST, UE, NU and Adamson as its members while the NCAA has in its fold Mapua, Letran, San Sebastian, San Beda, JRU, St. Benilde, Perpetual Help and PCU.
La Salle and Ateneo started their bitter rivalry in the NCAA. Ateneo also had its rivalry with San Beda in the NCAA.[Click here to read the original article at ABS-CBN Interactive]
Apparently, this is a move that is being pushed by the University of the Philippines - a drastic change that would mark their centennial celebration this 2008.
In my opinion, this change is not bad at all. With this merger, the endless debate whether which league is better than the other will be over once and for all. There will only be one national collegiate champion - a fact that will make the games more intense and exciting. And this move might also source some savings and shave some logistical difficulties now that 16 schools are helping each other in a larger, but now single, super league.
But as I mentioned, I don't know how fast they will be able to implement this, and what cons this change may deliver. I wonder also, how they will call this 'super league' - NCAP? UAAA? :)
Photo Credits
ABS-CBN Interactive
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Labels: De La Salle, Sports
25 Before 25. Way back in 2005 when I turned 20, I wrote 25 Before 25: 25 things I want to do before I turn 25 years old. Now, with 2 years and 4 months to go, I still have 15 tasks I have yet to accomplish. ÜHere are my 25 Before 25:
I was able to finish my degree in Manufacturing Engineering & Management with specialization in Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering last June of 2007.
Was able to travel to Amsterdam, Netherlands and Warsaw, Poland last May 2007.
Been taking care of hamsters for almost 1.5 years now.
Started having Nihongo (Japanese) lessons since September 2007.
Been my aunt's apprentice in the kitchen for a few months now.
Been doing this contact sport since October 2007.
Not necessarily something so grand, but hey, this website has my name as its URL! :)
This site has some Internet Marketing since its creation. Together with some colleagues, I am also starting an online business.
Done this for five consecutive times with some college friends at an amusement park here in Manila, Philippines.
Been enslaved by the same smile that captivated me since I was a kid.
11. Be a millionaire.
12. Buy myself a car.
13. Travel to the United States.
14. Volunteer in a socio-civic organization.
15. Complete my first novel.
16. Learn how to play a musical instrument.
17. Be able to identify the constellations.
18. Go on a 3-day silent spiritual retreat.
19. Send a message in a bottle.
20. Watch a surgery and get the surgeon's autograph.
21. Donate blood.
22. Go scuba diving.
23. Go camping.
24. Make out in the rain.
25. Teach a kid how to pray.
I will continue to update this list as I complete the unaccomplished tasks, so watch out. How about you, have you ever considered doing a list something like this? Try it, it's cool. It's as if making yourself accountable for experiencing all the things you would like to do and discover. :)
Again, happy new year to everyone!
Photo Credits
Special thanks to Flickr member tini21 for the image used in this entry.
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Labels: Thoughts
Let's go 2008! The Britons have welcomed the new year with these wide array of lights and fireworks at Trafalgar Square. I always wanted to celebrate at least one January 1st here. They say it's an annual spectacle.After four months, Chasing Daylight has once again seen a new entry posted in its realm. I'm back from my blog leave; and this time I don't have any excuses for that blog drought but the sine wave. What is the Sine Wave? Yea, it's something mathematical but you don't have to know what it is to understand my blog absence. You just need to know how a Sine Wave looks like. Here is a picture I was able to find through Google:
The sine wave is a very good representation of my blogging habit. There are times that my passion slash enthusiasm was so high that I used to blog at least one article per day, represented by the high arches in the Sine Wave. And then there are the months that I seem so dry that even though I have lots of things to share, I can't seem to find the urge to post it up. Those are the arches below the line.
My personal challenge for myself is to bring my blogging habit up to a high arch, and then make it stay there, and allow the wave to plateau over a long time. We'll see. As my blog mentor Anton of Our Awesome Planet tells, it's all about passion.
And since this article coincides with the New Year's celebration, let me do a quick glance at the year that was. 2007 is probably the best ever year in my life. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. 2007 is the year that I went back to the University after a year. I missed being a student and be in a place where things are a lot simpler.
2. 2007 is the year that we finished our thesis. Finally.
3. 2007 is the year that I graduated from college and formally completed my engineering degree.
4. 2007 is the year that I was able to get a job for myself. Of course you know that.
5. 2007 is the year that I earned my first ever paycheck as a full-time corporate employee!
6. 2007 is the year that I was able to go to Europe. Netherlands and Poland. [Related Category: Experience Europe]
7. 2007 is the year that I was able to go to another country in Asia - Singapore. Been there for 3 times in 4 months. [Related Category: Truly Asia]
8. 2007 is the year that I watched De La Salle win another UAAP Men's Basketball Crown. From suspension to champions! [Inboundpass: Green Archers breaks Red Warriors' Heart]
9. 2007 is the year that my parents celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary. [Related Post: My Parents Turn 25]
10. And 2007 is the year that I got reunited with the love of my life.
Goodbye to 2007, goodbye to my year. I hope we all have a great year ahead.
In behalf of myself and my family, I am wishing everyone a joyous and prosperous year. Let's go 2008! May God bless you all! Cheers to a Happy New Year!
Photo Credits
Special thanks to Flickr member souvik_b25 for the image (London Fireworks) used in this entry.
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Labels: Celebrations, Thoughts
Southest of all south. While I mentioned in my other post that Sentosa is the southernmost point of Continental Asia, Palawan beach is the souuthernmost point of Sentosa. Thus, it's the southest of all south. Ü [Related Post: Sentosa]Palawan Beach is not as energetic a beach one would imagine. If you're looking for the usual beach fun (beach sports like volleyball, etc.), then go to Siloso. Palawan is more of a "reflective" type of beach, if I may call it.
Riding a tram to Palawan.
Palawan Beach!
Boni and the view.
We were here!
Group pic.
The suspension bridge.
The lookout.
Triggerhappy moments at the Palawan lookout.
By the Sentosa marker.
Boni and his surfing frustrations. Back to Chasing Daylight homeLabels: Travel, Truly Asia
Singapore's guardian. The statue looks out over the whole of Singapore. Truly, the Merlion is a very appropriate symbol Of Asia's Lion City.One might wonder, how did the Merlion came about? Uniquely Singapore shares a quick history:
The Merlion was first designed as an emblem for the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB) in 1964 – the lion head with a fish body resting on a crest of waves quickly became Singapore’s icon to the rest of the world.
Designedby Mr Fraser Brunner, a member of the souvenir committee and a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium, the lion head represents the lion spotted by Prince Sang Nila Utama when he re-discovered Singapura in 11 AD, as recorded in the "Malay Annals". The fish tail of the Merlion symbolises the ancient city of Temasek (meaning “sea” in Javanese) by which Singapore was known before the Prince named it “Singapura” (meaning “lion” [singa] “city” [pura] in Sanskrit), and presents Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village.
Joyce and the Merlion. Ü
While this is the highest Merlion statue, this is not the original. The first Merlion Statue can be found at the Merlion Park in Marina Bay, Singapore. I'll also check that one out and I'll keep you all posted. Ü
Labels: Travel, Truly Asia
The Southernmost Point of Continental Asia. Sentosa is.Here are the ways to reach Sentosa:
1. By road: A bridge connects Harbourfront area to Sentosa Island.
2. By rail: Sentosa Express can be accessed through VivoCity [Related post: VivoCity Mall] and has three stations in Sentosa (Waterfront, Imbiah, and Beach).
3. By air: Cable Car. Need I say more?
Me and my friends chose the second option, as shown below:
Once there, one can never decide where to go first as Sentosa has too many attractions despite its small land area. Here's a list of sights you wouldn't want to miss while there:
- The Merlion Statue
- Songs of the Sea (formerly Musical Fountain)
- Tanjong Beach
- Siloso Beach
- Palawan Beach
- Carlsberg Sky Tower
- Underwater World
- Dolphin Lagoon
- Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom
- Sentosa 4D Magix
- Cineblast
- Fort Siloso
- Sentosa Luge & Skyride
- The Flying Trapeze
- Sijori Wondergolf
Apparently, one afternoon was not enough for us to see all these attractions. But here are the pictures of those we were able to cover:
Merlion Statue.
Siloso Beach.
Palawan Beach.
Movenpick Ice Cream Bar.
Underwater World.
Songs of the Sea.
Flames Cable Car.
We capped the night by going back to Harbourfront, getting Jayan a birthday cake, and went back to the hotel for a very late birthday dinner (a couple of minutes before midnight - just in time!).
Happy Birthday Jayan! (standing, l-r) Donelle Gan, Boni Andino, Eric Nabos, Joyce Saez. (seated, l-r) Jayan Dy, Herbert Hallig, Kristoffer Raperoga.Click here for more information about Sentosa. :)
Labels: Travel, Truly Asia
