Eastwood

What can I say, I like what Megaworld has done with Eastwood.  Parang naging mas siksik siya, its a little corner of clean and order in Metro Manila.

The mall looks great.  Medyo naligaw lang ako, at hindi na yata ako sanay sa mga mall.  I took a side trip to Eastwood as I was waiting for the parents to finish with their massage at Shui.

Nice legs....

...and some Rite Med guys promoting their stuff.

And some books on Steve Jobs, lined up at Fully Booked.  This display, no doubt, fueled by his recent passing. 

I even saw a Food Junction that reminds me of the one/s in SG.  Pero siempre, puro Pinoy stalls ang nandito.  Nice.

I miss Metro Manila...but Bohol has its charm.

GELO

Don Bosco is here for a visit - San Ildefonso Parish

San Juan Bosco with the boys

Saint John Bosco's relics are in town for a visit.  And what do I do when my patron saint just dropped by?  Why, go pay him a visit of course!

I was able to visit him first at the San Ildefonso Parish (SIP) in Makati, upon the prodding of my saintly brother Lex.

The San Ildefonso Parish (Bangkal, Makati)

As my "formative" years were spent in a Salesian school, and I have read-up on the man, he's actually pretty cool.  A person worth emulating.

He was born poor, became a priest despite all odds, and ministered to the street children in Italy.  He founded the Salesian order. 

Tight Schedule

At the SIP on the day after Christmas, the church wasn't so full but a lot of people came to visit.  I think my brother and I were just in time, as the program was just starting.

Lucky us.  Program hasn't started yet, so we can get a closer look.

It was his last day and he was being moved to a different location, another Salesian school I think.  Of course, a lot of people should get the chance to see him and say hello.   

Nice ride.

We got to touch the glass, housing his wax figure.  Inside it, is his right hand, coming from his urn in Italy, where he is buried.

The relic is inside this wax figure of Giovanni Bosco

From what I've read from the internet, the relics have come a long way, as it was coming off a Mexico and US trip before setting down in Southeast Asia.  Click here for more info.

My bro, at the San Ildefonso Parish.

A few clicks on our cellphone cameras, a quick prayer or two, and then we were off.  We were able to see a nice rondalla performance before leaving,  Overall, it was great.

                               

I'll see Don Bosco again, this time at my alma mater.  At DBTI- Makati, the atmosphere was more festive.

XOXO,

GeloCim

P.S.  What's all the fuss about old flesh doing a world tour, you ask?  Its time to read up on Catholic Relics. Check out this link.

A mother and his wheelchair-bound son, saying a short prayer.

An excerpt:
"Keep in mind what the Church says about relics. It doesn’t say there is some magical power in them... The Church just says that relics may be the occasion of God’s miracles, and in this the Church follows Scripture."

Love your dila

A picture of Manuel Quezon always seems apt when discussing about Filipino language. 

I was reading through the Philippine Daily Inquirer a few days ago, when I came across an article that didn’t get my all out interest.  Butch Hernandez writes about mother tongue which, at first glance, all looked so technical to me (i.e. ZzZzzzzz).  But, since I already have a little idea on the subject, I read on and actually found it ... quite refreshing.

The gist?  Teach your kids Tagalog first (or Bisaya, Kapampangan....or whatever you actually use at home), before immersing his or her little brain in the delights of English. 

“Huh? Bakit?  Baka mahirapan siya sa school matuto ng English?  Kawawa naman ang bata, he will grow up barok, you know?” you might think.  

Well, apparently, he most probably will not.  On the contrary, if schooled in Multilingual Education (MLE) using the language he originally acquired at home (and of course, with enough encouragement and support from parents and teachers), he will have acquired a good level of understanding of not one, but two languages when he reaches the early grade levels.

 Check out the Inquirer article here and a supplement source I found here.

The other source I found delved on Multilingual Education and mentioned the ff:

1.  Children who have learned to read and write in their first language, learn to speak, read and write in the second and third languages more quickly.

2.  Learning first language or mother tongue strengthens acquisition of second and third languages.

3. Children who begun school in their first language with careful bridging to the two second languages were more competent in all areas of study that the children who did not.

So, take that (*blag*), Thomasites!

Learn English or die (I'm para-phrasing) - http://philippines1900.tumblr.com/post/263314340/thomasites

Sa madaling sabi, think of it as providing your child with good Filipino and excellent English, rather than a cute American accent but barok Tagalog.  

So go ahead, don’t be afraid.  Teach your kids Filipino.  It will be good for them, and their future English.

Piano in the background

Surfing the internet while the piano is playing in the background?

I love it.  And I get to hear that quite often, thanks to my teacher who takes our piano out for a spin almost daily. 

And since Christmas is fast approaching, I took a video of some favorite Christmas ditties:

Here's Silent Night:

She's still available for bookings this holiday season, just let me know so we can check her schedule.

Merry Christmas sa inyong lahat!

XOXO,

GeloCim

In this corner....

I found this figurine quite interesting.  While at Rockwell Mall, I saw this scrappy Mickey Mouse staring right at me.

Now, its not everyday I see a Mickey that's not either trying to look cute or just smiling.

Mickey Mouse (Php15,000)

 And what was beside it?  Aba, eh di si Kongresman!

Pac-Man (Php2,500) - cheaper material daw.  Pero meron pang isang mas mahal...

Yup, I think Manny Pacquiao has REALLY made it.  His own figurine, licensed by another company.  Astig.

The MINDstyle, is a Hong Kong-based company, the sales lady said.

These are available from The MINDstyle.  Nice and cute.  Click here to visit their website.

 The figurines actually come in a set of 2, basically Mickey vs Manny.

Manny, P16,000. vs. Mickey, P15,000

There are also interesting shirts on the same theme.  P1,200 each.

They also have The Godfather.  And how much do they go? A paltry P8,400 each.

I'd like to find out when they go on sale.  Maybe I'll buy some then.  As for now, they are nice eye candy.

XOXO,

GeloCim

New PH Bank Notes

FINALLY.

Feng Shui experts across the Philippines can now rest easy.  Ninoy Aquino is no longer somber, at hindi na naka-salumbaba.

Long thought to be a bit of "bad luck", this current note is now replaced by a smiling and youthful Ninoy Aquino.

At ceremonies held in Malacanan Palace today (December 16, 2010), the Banko Sentral Ng Pilipinas unveiled the new PH Peso Bills.

And yes, Cory Aquino cannot but help and smile that she now shares the P500 note with her husband (photo from gmanews.tv).

The new bills = I like.

Check out the news from GMA News (Channel 7), here.

The bills feature a more youthful portrait of our national heroes, they look quite happy to be there, and the reverse side showcases our beautiful natural resources.  I think, the BSP has done a good job.  

Serious si Diosdado.

I like the addition of the PH Seal.  Quite colorful.

President Aquino receives a strip of uncut mom and dad notes.

Nice.  I'd like to get my hands on them pretty soon.

XOXO,

GeloCim

Football!

I woke up today to news about Philippine Football.

I can't believe it, people are actually writing about this team and the sport (basketball is our poison of choice, after all)!  Its the game the whole world loves, except in the Philippines.  Well, I hope that's about to change.

Tonight at 7PM (8PM here in PH), the Azkals face the Merah Putih (Red and White) in our "home" game at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.  The Indons are the toughest in the field and quite frankly, it would be easy to think that our "street dogs" probably won't be reaching the finals after this.

Of course, the Indons are looking at making it a 2-game ambush of the the Filipinos (tonight and on Dec 19).

Merah Putih
(photo from AFF website via bleachersbrew.blogspot.com)

But, its been an improbable run so far at the AFF Suzuki Cup.  I say, BRING IT ON.

Younghusband interviewed at their practice session at University of Makati, PH
(from abs-cbnnews.com)

Despite the current politics and problems at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) the Philippine Football team is now an overnight sensation, with TV coverage (finally!) to boot.  Plus, more girls are now taking notice.  Ayos!  Watch an interview here.

UNFAMILIAR SIGHT:  Talking about football on the internet (gmanews.tv)

And, here's another one from GMA Network:  click here

Check on these links from local PH newspapers.

1.  INQUIRER:  There's talk of hosting a Manila Beer Cup in 2011!  This bodes well for Philippine Football.  Click here.

2.  PHILIPPINE STAR: Noted Sports Columnist and fellow TLS/ DLSU alum Joaquin Henson writes about the ff:

 - petty politics in the utterly mismanaged PFF and why the home game wont be in Bacolod, PH:  Make clickie here

 - ousted PFF president on the warpath.  click here

3.  PHILIPPINE STAR: An interview with coach Simon McMenemy, only 4 months into the job:  here

Nice quote from the McMenemy and why I think the ousted PFF president is at the wrong side of the fence:

"(ousted PFF persident) Mr. Martinez wants to revamp the team and bring in a new coach. I don’t understand and it disappoints me. A lot of the boys were disappointed reading that. I cannot understand how he can even say that. It’s so disrespectful as if we haven’t done enough for the country."

4.  THE MANILA TIMES:  nice article.  here

5.  MALAYA BUSINESS INSIGHT:  here

My problem NOW is, where I can see it on local TV?  I dont think we have Star Sports and ESPN on Global Destiny Cable.  *argh*

The Azkals (picture from www.inquirer.net)

Go Azkals!

XOXO,

GeloCim