The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) launched before the weekend its new campaign slogan: “It’s more fun in the Philippines” – international; and “#1ForFun” – domestic. Within minutes after the word of the new slogan was unveiled, it became the number 1 trending topic in Twitter (#ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines hashtag) for more or less two hours.
To show my support to the recently-launched campaign, here’s my own “more fun in the Philippines” photos:
The President of the Republic of the Philippines issued Proclamation No. 295 last 24 Nov 2011 declaring the following dates in the year 2012 to be Non-working Holidays all throughout the country:
Regular Holidays
Special Non-working Days
Special Holiday (for all schools)
The Proclamation did not state the exact dates when Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha will be observed, as both are movable holidays that are dependent on the Muslim calendar.
For the very first time, I will be flying to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (and for the very first time I will be taking a low-cost carrier — AirAsia Philippines) to attend Mozilla Camp Asia 2011.
A delegation of five (05) Volunteers and Mozilla Reps from the Philippines has been invited by the organization to attend this 2-day conference from 19-20 November 2011.
The theme of the 2011 Mozilla Camp Asia will be Many Voices, One Mozilla, to celebrate the diversity of our regional communities and reinforce that we’re united as Mozillians.
Taking it to the next level
This MozCamp will be an exceptional event for all of us. The web is moving fast and Mozilla is growing ever faster. MozCamp is a unique opportunity to meet together and synchronize our vision and activities across East, South East and South Asia as we prepare for 2012 and beyond.
It will be a critical event at a critical moment for Mozilla, where we’ll be discussing the main projects that are powering Mozilla today while diving deep into the new ones that will power it tomorrow.
The focus will be, first and foremost, on us as a community, the diverse group of individuals that, every day, push the Mozilla Project forward and help make the web better and more open for users. We will have a special focus on how we interact with the project and with each other, on our personal growth as Mozillians, and how ultimately we can take the Mozilla Project to the next level.
I thought this day will never come — at least not in my lifetime. Seeing our very own Philippine Football Team win an international football (soccer) match, a World Cup Qualifier that is, remained to just be a dream for most of the fans in this side of the world not until today.
The Philippine Football Team, popularly known as the Azkals, made the country prouder earlier today when they beat the Sri Lanka Red Braves 4-0 during the 2nd Leg of the 2014 World Cup Brazil Qualifiers. The win will make the Philippines advance to the 2nd round of qualifying matches.
The Philippine Azkals showed the entire world the kind of football (soccer) we Filipinos are capable of — defensive yet attacking when there is a chance.
Since I was with my wife and son, I opted not to be at the grandstand as weather forecasts suggest that rain will ensue during the afternoon today. Instead, we stayed at the National Sports Grill in Greenbelt 3, Makati City — where the crowd is, if I may say so, even wilder than those who are watching it live at the Rizal Memorial Football Field in the City of Manila. Proof? Watch the video clip I captured when Chieffy Caligdong broke the ice and gave the Azkals their very first goal in the match:
The Azkals will be meeting the Kuwait national team later this month for two (02) legs as part of the next round qualifying matches.
Go Philippine Azkals! You made us Pinoy football fans realize that the FIFA World Cup is not just a dream anymore. WE BELIEVE!
Today marks another chapter in the colorful life of Karol Wojtyla, popularly known to the Christendom as Pope John Paul II, as he is beatified by his successor Pope Benedict XVI – another first in the history of the Roman Catholic Church wherein the former Pope will be beatified by his immediate successor.
I was fortunate enough to see Pope John Paul II up close when he visited the Philippines in January of 1995 for the World Youth Day. I was in 3rd Year High School then, and I volunteered as a Medic for our school. It was a Saturday, the day before the historic 15 JAN 1995 Holy Mass of Pope John Paul II which was recorded (and certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, too) as the largest Papal gathering in Roman Catholic history with over 5 million in attendance*. As the Papal convoy was leaving the Quirino Grandstand (Luneta), the Presidential Security Group asked the WYD volunteers to form a human chain along the route towards Roxas Blvd. Since I was wearing our school’s WYD vest with the “VOLUNTEER” marking at the back, I and several of my schoolmates were asked to be part of that human barricade. Then minutes later, here comes the head of the Papal convoy followed by the Popemobile and John Paul II waved at us! What they say is true: you’ll be frozen the moment you see the Pope in person – saying to be star struck is an understatement.
Mabuhay ang Santo Papa Juan Paulo II! Blessed John Paul II, pray for us.
In celebration of this momentous event, hereunder is the lyrics of the World Youth Day 1995: Tell the World of His Love.
Composed by Trina Belamide
For God so loved the world,
He gave us His only Son,
Jesus Christ our Savior,
His Most Precious One.
He has sent us His message of love,
And sends those who hear,
To bring the message to everyone,
In a voice loud and clear.
REFRAIN
Let us tell the world of His love,
The greatest love the world has known,
Search the world for those who have walked astray,
And lead them home.
Fill the world’s darkest corners,
With His light from up above,
Walk every step, every mile, every road,
And tell the world,
Tell the world of His love.
(Repeat 1,2, Refrain)
(Repeat Refrain)
The greatest love the world has known,
Walk every step, every mile, every road,
And tell the world,
Tell the world,
Tell the world of His love.
Tell the world of His love.
Download the entire score sheet here.
As expected by the local technology enthusiasts and gadgeteers, the Apple iPad 2 has been released in the Philippines today, 29 APR 2011 – same release date as with Hong Kong, India, Israel, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey and UAE (Japan’s release was yesterday).
Hereunder are the prices as of this writing (from http://store.apple.com/ph):
So, will you be getting one?
Let’s face it, with the average height of Pinoys somewhere between 5′ to 5’11″ nowadays, the Philippines should be a Football (soccer) Nation and not a country obsessed with basketball. Didn’t Chieffy Caligdong of the Philippine Azkals proved that to us during their last meeting with the Mongols?
To start with, parents should educate their children about the “beautiful game”. The media, most notably the commentators in TV coverages should be adept with the “proper terminologies” and not to just invent their own — remember the “banana kick ala-Maradona” uttered during the last out-of-town game by the Azkals? What in this world is that kind of kick (if there is such)?
If there are basketball half-courts in every street in the country now, why don’t we have more soccer fields in the parks? Good thing there’s the Legaspi Active Park at the heart of the Makati CBD.
Lastly, the government should help in promoting this sport.
My dream still lives on … one day, during our lifetime, we will see the Philippine flag raised during the World Cup Soccer. We believe.
The Philippine is very much indeed privileged to be visited by the Pilgrim Relic of St. John Bosco from December 2010 until mid-January 2011. Don Bosco, as he is popularly called/known, is the patron saint of the youth and printers. He died on 31 Jan 1888, and was canonized saint on Easter Sunday 1934 where he was given the title “Father and Teacher of Youth.” His incorruptible remains can be seen in Turin, Italy.
But in preparation for the 200th birth anniversary of Don Bosco, they decided to have a pilgrim relic tour of each and every country where the presence of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) can be found — and the Philippines is one of those countries where the SDB presence is very strong. What was brought to the Philippines is a resin replica of the body of St. John Bosco; the relic contains the saint’s right hand in a sealed case and inserted at the chest of the sculpture. The face of the was sculptured based on Don Bosco’s death mask.
Pictures from the relic’s arrival at our parish on Christmas Eve can be seen here, while pictures taken during the Send-Off Concert last 26 Dec 2010 are here. I was able to take some videos of the event as well:
Truly, a once-in-a-lifetime event and I was indeed privileged to had grown of Don Bosco’s teachings even if I did not went to any of the Salesian-run schools.
I am forever grateful to Twitter for learning that the game of the Philippine Azkals last Sunday 05 Dec 2010 versus Vietnam was aired live over on Star Sports channel. All of a sudden, there was renewed hope for Philippine football as hundreds, if not thousands of soccer-loving Pinoys watch our boys, the Azkals beat the AFF Suzuki Cup defending champions Vietnam 2 to NIL on a Sunday evening.
Tomorrow, yet another Sunday, we pray that a miracle happens: the Philippine Azkals need a 2-1 lead over Indonesia in order for our boys to advance in the Finals of the cup.
Mabuhay Philippine Azkals!
The President of the Philippines (I’m still wary of her legitimacy) declared the following dates as the official holidays of the republic for 2009, based on Proclamation 1699 dated 24 December 2008:
06 APR 2009 Araw ng Kagitingan (instead of 09 APR 2009)
09 APR 2009 Maundy Thursday
10 APR 2009 Good Friday
01 MAY 2009 Labor Day
21 AUG 2009 Ninoy Aquino Day
12 JUN 2009 Independence Day
31 AUG 2009 National Heroes Day
02 NOV 2009 Additional Non-working Holiday (just after the All Saints Day)
30 NOV 2009 Bonifacio Day
24 DEC 2009 Additional Non-working Holiday (Christmas Eve)
25 DEC 2009 Christmas Day
30 DEC 2009 Rizal Day
I am just wondering why 31 DEC 2009 (last day of the year) was not declared a holiday.
Proclamation 1699 (598)If you were helped of this post, your “Thank you!” is accepted, but your PayPal donation is better.