Lens Talk in Boracay Island

Amazing, Awesome, Magnificent, Mesmerizing, Captivating, Enchanting, Lovely; those are just few adjectives to describe this beautiful island which captured not only the Philippines’ but World’s view.

Situated in the town of Malay, Aklan province in Western Visayas, Boracay Island is indeed a paradise every Filipino should see. Boracay can be reached through Kalibo Airport then bus ride to Caticlan port and lastly a boat ride to the island or via Caticlan Airport and then boat transfer to the island.

With no more words to add, just hear what the lens have to say about this enchanting island.

It’s Showtime beats Eat Bulaga in Rural Areas

Rural people seems enjoying more ABS-CBN’s noon time show It’s Showtime over its competitor, the longest running noon-time variety show Eat Bulaga. Based on the ratings last July 2 released by Kantar Media Research, It’s Showtime had a 14.0 ratings points compared to Eat Bulaga’s 11.2.

That’s a 2.8 points deficit which is already quite good enough considering Eat Bulaga’s 3 decades of reign over noon-time. This proves that It’s Showtime is slowly gaining it’s way into the noon-time show competition. It also shows they have already formed good followings in the provinces, and with that, it may debunk issues that they will be brought back to their original time-slot in the morning and will be replaced by a new noon-time show.

Below is the complete list of Top 20 programs in the Rural Areas on July 2, 2012 which is dominated mostly of ABS-CBN shows.

*Source Kantar Media TV Ratings: July 2, 2012 (Monday)

Apple iTunes now in the Philippines

Because of the popularity of Apple products in the Asian region, Apple Inc. announces its launched of its iTune online media store in 12 Asian countries including the Philippines. Due to this, Philippine iPhone, iPod and iPad users can now easily download music and videos to their devices.

Currently Apple product users are able to download different applications but are unable to buy songs and movies. It was only Australia, Japan and New Zealand among the countries in the Asia-Pacific region which has the capability to buy music and movies in iTunes.

Other Asian countries where iTunes will also be available are Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Apple users from this countries can now buy songs and movies also using their credit cards.

Meanwhile China and India has yet to be included in the list but people from Apple said they are always working to bring the iTunes Store to more customers around the world, as conditions permit.

*Sources
Apple launches iTunes in HK, Singapore, Philippines
Apple launches iTunes Store in 12 new Asia markets

Sunset by the Bay

In my more than 2 decades of existence in this world, this is the first time that I saw the famous Manila Bay Sunset. Known around Asia (or even the world) as the most beautiful sunset spot, I finally got to experience its beauty. Indeed it was really an awesome view that every Pinoys can be proud of. The sunset view of Manila is another attraction we can market why It’s More Fun In The Philippines.

So now, hear what the lens has to say about sunset by the bay.

Another Earth Hour record breaker for the Philippines

Themed as “I Will If You Will”, the organizers of this year’s Earth Hour strives to encourage people to make a personal commitment to help save the environment. And for four straight years the Philippines again topped the whole world in cities and towns participation on the last Saturday’s Earth Hour.

WWF (World Wildlife Fund), the organizer of the Earth Hour campaign said there are total of 1,671 cities and municipalities from the many provinces of the country, have joined the 1 hour switched off last March 31 and that is 10 areas more from last year’s 1,661.

Earth Hour Philippines National Director Atty. Gia Ibay said they are delighted that in 4 straight years we were able to clinch the top spot in the number of participants. And added that more than the numbers, they aim to educate the people about the importance of our actions beyond an hour.

Present also in the kick-off ceremonies (which were held in 3 different main switch-off locations of Makati, Cebu and Davao) was President Benigno S. Aquino who said “My challenge is not about this next hour, but about what we will be doing in the next days, months and years to come”.

The organizers have estimated that at least 362 MWh of energy were saved by Filipinos during that 1-hour long event.

Source:
PH breaks own Earth Hour record | ABS-CBN News.

Related articles

• Ideas, Breaks and Chances: An Earth Hour after-blog. (wonderscribbler.wordpress.com)
• Earth Hour 2012 (aliwanavenue.wordpress.com)

And That Was History

Photo by Ginalyn Gonzalvo

After not winning the game in Mohammad Al-Hammad Stadium in Kuwait last July 24 against the mighty Kuwaiti Al-Azraq Football team for the Leg 1 of the Round 2 2014 World Cup Qualifiers, the AZKALS are back home to play the Leg 2.

Last night in the hope of upsetting the Kuwaiti team and clinching the Round 2 to advance for the group stages, the Philippine Football Team ‘The Azkals’ fight it all out in front of a wet and wild home crowd. Staged again in the 13,000 seater Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, the Azkals played hard ball in the hope of beating the powerhouse Kuwait. Shouldering the pressure of winning, the team pressed on and put more solid defenses on the numerous attacks by the arabs. Several attempts from the Kuwaitis have been cleared by the Azkal defenders and the golie Neil Etheridge.

Photo by ABS-CBNnews.com

With the speed and nice ball handling and coordination by the Kuwaitis, the Azkals also had a hard time attacking the goal. Several offenses have been fired by the Pinoys but the Kuwaiti team also showed great defense clearing all those attacks. But it was the long range kick to the goal by Staphan Schrock that ROCKED the stadium and give the Azkals a burning hope for the win. With Philippines leading 1-0 at the half, they continued pressing the defense and looking for opening to launch another attack to score. But it seems Kuwaitis are really skillful, after the 61st minute of the game the pinoy crowd suddenly went silent with the goal from Yousef Nasser of Al-Azraq equalizing the game to 1-1 (and 1-4 on aggregate).

With just minutes more to play, it is then highly impossible for the Azkals to snatch a win, more over when another goal was scored by the Kuwaitis on the 83rd minute resulted from an own goal by Rob Gier who failed to kick the ball away from the goal. And on that moment the history has ended. Our quest for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is now over.

Photo by Danny Pata (gmanews.tv)

We may be victorious to advanced for the world cup dream but what’s more important is that we were able to reach round 2 this time. No Philippine team ever, has reached this far and it’s far far great achievement already. Another fact is that we were able to give a great match against the more skilled and much higher ranked team in the world of football. Imagine Kuwait is ranked 92nd and we’re at 162nd and yet the Kuwaitis still had a hard time playing with us, and with that I am still proud of our team Azkals. They have brought another inspiration to our country and to our people.

Because of them we now have another sport to cheer, to watch and to unite for, and that’s more than enough to ask for. Because of football a nation who is clouded with political divisions and even religious animosity has been united even just for couple of hours. Because of PINOY FUTBOL Filipinos are now in full support of fellow Filipinos. And because of the Azkals we are more proud now that we are Filipinos, because we know in unity we can achieve something that seemed to be impossible then. So keep the fire burning, keep the hopes alive, continue the battle, prepare for the fight. Pinoys we are proud of each other, WE BELIEVE

Photo by ABS-CBNnews.com
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“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” – Bruce Lee

“Victory isn’t defined by wins or losses. It is defined by effort. If you can truthfully say, ‘I did the best I could, I gave everything I had,’ then you’re a winner.” - Wolfgang Schadler

Related articles

• Valiant Azkals bow out of World Cup qualifiers (via ABS-CBNnews.com)
• Schrock hits long-range screamer vs Kuwait (via ABS-CBNnews.com)
• Azkals fall to Kuwait (via Inquirer.net)
• Azkals fall short in gallant attempt to upset Kuwait (via GMANews.tv)
• Never a Shame the Azkals lost(via Philstar.com)
• too early for world cup (seaprincess72.wordpress.com)
• Thumbs up for Azkals (cesarsalad.wordpress.com)
• The Blue Team Prevail 3-0 Against Azkals (retech08.wordpress.com)

One

Today marks the 1st year of Benigno S. Aquino III presidency. It’s been a year since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo turned over the driver seat to the bachelor Noynoy. His ascendance to the presidency is brought by high hopes of fight against corruption and good governance. I will not be ashamed to admit that I am one of the yellow armies who campaigned eagerly for the presidency of then Sen. Noynoy Aquino. And I was very happy that the “people’s campaign” triumphed and with over 15 million votes Noynoy was elected.

Photo by AP / Pat Roque

During his inaugural speech in front of huge crowd in Quirino grandstand, you can feel the high hopes from people who are tired of an administration who cannot do anything to uplift the lives of its citizens. And with his famous “Kayo and Boss ko” line, people are overwhelmed by the changes that could really happen under his leadership.

But after a year of driving towards his “daang matuwid”, are we getting any better or we’re still living the same government we had in the past.

In my opinion yes, it may have been not so good first year, but hey there’s still 5 more years to go. It’s been a year but there’s still a long way to go for the Aquino III presidency. Although there are flaws in the way the country is being managed the past year, I think laying the ground for good governance and future development is under way. Yes WE are Noynoy’s boss,but in every management setup a “boss” doesn’t only sit on his chair and wait for results, but he/she is part of the collaboration in attaining the organization’s growth. Just like in running a country, the burden does not lie only on the shoulders of the president but on every citizens who comprises the larger part of the equation.

In his “Ulat Sa Bayan” this afternoon he laid down some of the gains of his 1 year tenure in Malacanang. Of course the usual “Bashing” of former administration is present which for me should be stopped at the soonest time. Yes it is really necessary to find accountability on the anomalous deeds by former boarders of the palace but it should not make the present government neglect its duty to address the current and more pressing problems burdening our people. I admire PNoy’s dedication to really curb the corruption in all departments and agencies because that is really the reason why he was elected the promise of good governance but he should also not forget that a house cannot only stand by its cleanliness, the tenants should be working also towards the growth of its household. Another thing that PNoy should deal seriously is his “non-performing close friends”. The “KKK : Kaibigan, Kaklase, Kabarilan” if he’ll continue to deal with them softly will be his downside and pain in the ass. He should learn to separate his friend from being “friends” and friends from being “government appointees”.

As I’ve said I’m one of the eager yellow armies who joined the people’s campaign for Noynoy, but being yellow army will not hinder me from criticizing any act of this administration that I think is not parallel to what it has promised. But I will not also be just a criticizer but a collaborator. A collaborator voicing out and suggesting views and opinions on how our country can move forward and how the government can address our problems.

I am still with high hopes and optimism that our country will finally step to that stage of development that we long to achieve. This is a challenge not only to Pres. Aquino but to all of us Filipinos. This is our country and this is our home. Do everything to make our home a better place to live not only for ourselves but for the next generations of Filipinos that will come.

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“It’s not enough to understand how everybody in the room thinks. You have to decide which ones in the room are right, and stand with them. A leader is not a mediator or an umpire or a convener or a facilitator.” – Maria Ressa

Don’t Stop Believin’

I often hear and read of the phrase Patience is a Virtue and all the while I really value its meaning being an optimist and positive thinker. Whenever there are problems or circumstances which didn’t produce fast results, I have to always remind myself of that phrase and keep on waiting and working on its realization.But for others with the fast pace world we live in, it’s hard to be patient. Many are expecting that anything will bear fruit easily and fast, and not getting it will lead to disappointments and distress. Not only ordinary people are experiencing disappointments due to slow attainment of dreams, many stars and celebrities also have gone through the same stage of life.

The Star Power Dream

One Saturday I was able to watched the MMK story of Star Powers Grand Champion Angeline Quinto. Her story depicts, a young girl’s dream to be a singer. She’s a frequent singing contests participant who oftenly got runner-up prizes.Isang tao na nangangarap ng butiin subalit madalas ay nabibigong abutin. Sa istorya nya nilahad ang mga pagkakataon kung saan mistulang sumuko na sya sa pangarap nya dahil sa kanyang mga pagkatalo. Lalo pang nakadagdag sa bigat ng dinadala nya ang pagtalikod kanya ng kanyang ama at kapatid dahil sa pagiging talunan.

It even told how she rebelled to her parents because of her disappointments and failures. How painful it is for a son/daughter to be ridiculed by your own family just because you failed their expectations on you, and it gets a big toll on Angie. She carry that grudge on her heart that causes her to decide not to pursue want she really love, singing.

But certain events turned out that led her back to her old path. When Star Power came she again audition to try one more time. With the support of her adoptive mother, she again gained confidence to sing and prove to his father and brother that she’s not a failure, that she can make it this time. And true enough with her vocal prowess she was able not only to redeem herself in front of her family but getting admiration and accolades from the whole world who have watched her realize her greatest dream. At the culmination of the event, she was announced as the Star Power champion besting 4 other good singers.

The Micropone

Aside from Angeline, there are also other stars who have gone through long wait until they got to harvest the fruit of their patience and hard work. There is Charice, from being a runner up on a singing competition, to being a Youtube sensation and now on Glee television.

She’s was also a product of numerous singing contests who also experienced many losses and disappointments. But with the support of her mother, she didn’t quit until she got recognized and became the star she always dreamed of. Who would have imagined that a small girl who failed her quest in a Nat’l Singing tilt will be recognized and guested in Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah shows and now acting in Glee, and have music album in the US. Her patience and determination and long wait really transformed into a sweet fruit of victory.

The Crown

Another believer is Ma. Venus Raj, the Philippines’ representative to the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant. Before she got to compete on the pageant she was stripped out of the crown for alleged mis-representation of her birth details. But she fought for her crown to be back, and she never stopped until she got to be sent to Las Vegas as the countries delegate. Good enough, she awed many people and was favored for the crown. On the day of the competition, she made pinoy’s proud by landing a 4th runner up prize.

The Gloves

Lastly, who would have never knew the 8th division world champion in boxing Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao. His story is really a great manifestation of what patience and hardwork is all about, sabi nga sa tagalog, Kung Walang Tiyaga, Walang Nilaga. Everyone knows his story of being a poor boy in Mindanao, to being a taga-masa ng tinapay sa panaderia, to a multi millionaire boxing/actor/singer and politician today. His rugs to riches story is such an inspiration to many that Fame and Fortune is really hard earned, matched by dedication, determination, persistence, patience and faith in God. He may have lost several bouts but he did not stop on his dream of being a champion. He kept on working to be better and stronger and look at him now a WINNER.

There is really no easy way to success, sabi nga nila No Pain, No Gain. Every dream will always be realized we just have to keep on trying and keep on pursuing the dream that we want. Disappointments and failures will be encountered along the way, but don’t let those pain break us. Use those to make you stronger and better and wiser to hurdle the challenges and hindrances that’s blocking the path towards your dreams. As they also say, Quitters dont win, Winners don’t Quit, so don’t stop believing in your dreams. Work on it, persevere on it, and always pray for it. A dream that is matched with hard work, determination, perseverance and faith will always be a dream capable of reaching and realizing.

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“No finish line is too far for a person who continues to run“.

*Credits to the owners of the photos taken from google search.