One OK Rock Manila Concert

Taka and One OK Rock put on a high-tech hard rock concert with balanced sounds, lights, video, and an energetic band accompaniment of Tomoya, Toru, and Ryota.

The performance featured well-crafted lyrics, sensational vocals, swag moves, a high jump, and a 25-second stretched high note.

Taka, a young, seasoned vocalist, showcased his unique style and medium with messages on taking control of ones' life.

Song “We Are” dwells on the feeling of being underestimated and undervalued, but ultimately overcoming these obstacles by standing tall and believing. "Never tell yourself. You should be someone else. Stand up tall and say I'm not afraid.”

“Wasted Nights” is about living life fully at the present so as not to regret the past. "I don't want to wait. I don't want to waste a night."

"Stand Out Fit In" is conforming while standing out.

One OK Rock was discovered by chance on YouTube just this year (2023). This September from a viewer to an audience, witnessed his concert live. In his online posts, Taka showcased their band's talents, music and engaging performances. In a smaller scale, he did that in Manila.

He performed in Manila at the Araneta Coliseum this September 26, with an impressive following to a full 15k capacity venue.

Behind One OK Rock's great production values, grabbing messaging and musicality, cinematic visuals and effects, individual talents is their drive for perfection. Viewing their official videos, a sensitive fan feels it. They are "on the edge" all the time.

Tagged Luxury Disease Asia is their world tour staged in the U.S., Europe and major cities in Asia supporting the launch of their new releases.

As a norm in this decade’s concerts with a large fan base, immediately after the concert, video clips are flooded on X Twitter and TikTok.

Thank you Japan for giving us a small feel of OOR.

#ONEOKROCKinMNL2023

Movie The Reader

 The Reader dramatically narrates the interrupted relationship of a young Literature male student and a senior woman set in three periods: in 1958 when they first met, in 1966 eight years after and in their senior years in the mid-90s 29 years after the second passive encounter

Movie deals with illiteracy, sexual drive, the Holocaust, Nazi war crime, legal procedure, family, the past and secrecy

It is thought provoking, morally devastating, hurting

It all started by chance when Michael, a 15 year ago meets a pretty German bus conductor Hannah in her mid-30s discovering a common passion: Michael reading classic stories and poems, Hannah listening and sex

Two of the many books read were "The Odyssey" by Homer about a homecoming and "The Lady with Little Dog" by Anton Chekov, a classic short story

Michael selects the pieces and reads; Hanna simply listens and reacts

For reading to her, Michael is rewarded with sex

Hannah enjoys listening and learning, Michael as a literature students proficient in 3 languages loves selecting pieces and the reading

Michael's obsessions for Hanna starting with an affair to lust to love however came to a painful abrupt end for him

8 years later Michael as a law student sees her in court proceedings accused in a Nazi war crime resulting in the death of 300 Jews burned in a church

Michael was disturbed observing the legal procedure and was simply a passive observer not interacting with her

Secrets disclosed eventually unfolded when the two in due course connected in a non-traditional medium via recorded readings of literary works

Michael went through excruciating pain carrying the burden to himself:

• ·        As a young boy when the woman he fell in love with suddenly disappeared
• ·        Discovering her years later but with no contact and interaction
• ·        The woman he fell for is involved in a Nazi crime
• ·        An info he knew which can absolve accusations against her he withheld
• ·        A condition he learned later on which Hanna was ashamed to disclose
• ·        Secrets Michael kept to himself from his immediate family, his schoolmates, his wife and growing daughter
• ·        Never able to express how Hannah influenced him where he is now and mutually how Hannah learned skills because of him
• ·        The meet up that did not happen

The Reader shocks us with a powerful message that each one of us may have a dark past that we have to eventually deal with

How we deal with it may result in redemption, forgiveness, moving on or tragically deeper remorse and destruction

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"I reread the Odyssey at that time, which I had first read in school and remembered as a story of a homecoming.

But it is not a story of a homecoming.

How could the Greeks who knew that one never enters the same river twice, believe in homecoming?

Odysseus does not return home to stay, but to set off again.

The Odyssey is the story of motion both purposeful and purposeless, successful and futile."

Bernhard Schlink, The Reader

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•Quotes from The Reader https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/23684-der-vorleser

•Reviews https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-reader-2008

•Trailer https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0976051/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

•Trailer https://youtu.be/Qc3HDorGzBc

•Film Summary https://youtu.be/G3nN7PDsBd0

Shown on TapMovies in HD of CignalTV

Kindness in Taipei

 10 incidents experiencing kindness and willingness to help by the Taiwanese (and others)

1. Buying a uBike, MRT, bus ticket and registering the load at 7-11 Xinyi Anhe district, the system kept of rejecting the registration. It required a certain format of the Taiwanese sourced cell number

• Lady customer of 7-11 helped us interpret some instructions even with language constraints

• Googling for solution for hours at 7-11, we could not find one. Looked for the uBike kiosk, there was none near the Taipei 101 area

• The ticketing frontliner at the MRT underground station used his cellphone to answer our query, where is the uBike kiosk

• Not able to satisfy us, he called on his fellow frontliner to assist us

• Finding the uBike station but without a kiosk, we spotted a young violinist parking his bike

• With some language constraints understanding our concern, he diagnosed our difficulty

• He gave us the correct format of the cellphone, add a “0” before the number

• It worked

• Thank you, student

2. Following up our order of coffee and meals at a coffee shop in DadaoCheng to a lady barista who singlehandedly was processing all the orders and steps, a lady approached our table and assisted us

• She asked in English our requirements

• She followed up with the barista

• She delivered all orders and explained the story behind the food

• She also offered to teach us some Taiwanese expressions

• Then she served us complimentary desserts

• It turned out she was a fellow customer at “COFFEE” who speaks English and other languages

• Thank you, madam

3.Looking at a leather store at a DadaoCheng alley, an elderly man alone in the shop was busy sewing a leather item

• He stood up and showed the items explaining as best as he can his creations

• After spending some time with us, he showed us a collection of biblical quotations embossed in small tags

• He asked us to select, then he put in a leather tag as a gift

• He asked for a name then showed us the process of embossing names manually and using a laser printer

• He asked us to emboss our names on the leather tag

• It touched us that a man of his age would go out of his way to attend to us random walk ins

• As he was so disciplined with his craft, procedural and charming in dealing with younger people, he reminded us of our father

• That moment alone made our visit to Taipei complete

• Thank you, Taco, for the gifts and your gentle presence

4. Eating at Taiwan Mama at the Huashan Creative Park Zhongzheng District concept restaurant, the staff took our orders and served them

• Curious about the soy based raw bean curd, the attentive staff took time to explain us the process

• She went out of her way to find a link on how the bean curd in produced going through several steps

• Ending he explanation, I casually asked if she could prepare the dish

• Out of character, she flipped her hair and expressed something like “ako pa!” in Taiwanese drawing laughter and appreciation from us

• That cemented our cordial relationship with her

5. Needing Taiwanese Dollars, I entered a bank at DadaoCheng district, I asked for help from a greeter at the entrance

• Understanding my need to purchase local currency, he directed me to the 2/F

• Without waiting, a male bank front liner attended to me

• I asked for options which he provided: Taiwanese Dollars can be purchased using American Dollars but not Philippine Pesos

• He added that I can also withdraw using my Philippine debit card using the ATM

• Choosing ATM, he went out of his counter and accompanied me to the ATM machines at the 1/F

• Not successful at first due to a wrong entry, he patiently waited for me to complete the transaction

• The attention he gave to a walk-in client who surely was not a gold account was exceptional

6. Taking the MRT for the first time, I looked at the posters and guides for instruction

• I then proceeded to the ticket counter to purchase

• I was quoted 25 Taiwanese Dollars from Belmen to Taipei 101 stations using the green and the red lines and was issued a token

• Observing how the commuters enter the turnpike, most of them were tapping cards not token

• I asked the lady at the counter how to use the token

• She stepped out of the counter, went outside and showed me the token tap sensor

• She then reminded me to change from green to the red line at the Chang Kai Shek station

• While I thought this was more than service, she then asked to look for a token slot different from the sensor when I exit at Taipei 101 station

• Truly this was exceptional considering she was speaking in Taiwanese

7. While resting for the next round of shops to inspect at the Huashan Creative Park, I made an effort to reply to a climbing friend who detected I was in Taipei

• Sending a message via messenger, she asked the night before if we can meet up

• Replying 12 hours after, she asked where I was, when I was leaving and how many were we

• She immediately offered; I’ll host dinner at 7 at New Taipei City Banqiao district giving specific instructions on how to reach the place on a busy Friday night by MRT

• Coming from her plant, she reserved a table and ordered food

• Not familiar with the route, we were terribly late by 40 minutes

• Apologizing, she did not make us feel guilty, “you are my friend,” she said in fluent Pilipino

• On short notice, we were treated to a different filling evening hearing stories on how life is in Taiwan, how she deals and helps Filipino workers in her plant giving us a perspective on working in her country

• Thank you for a wonderful and different night

8.  At the Giant bike store in Sogo at the Zhongxiao district, the store officer provided us information critical in the selection and appreciation of bicycle and accessories

• He explained within limited time the differences between Giant, Momentum and Liv brands

• The taxes inputted for the three different brands

• Bikes and models appropriate for daily commuting, long ride and relaxing chill

• Features of pinpointed bikes and packing for out-of-town dispatch

• His personal experience as a biker educating us in our selection of bikes appropriate for our needs

• Thank you, Giant staff

 

9. On a rainy and cold Friday, we advanced the Xinbeitou hot spring visit by a day

• New to the place, my companion spotted a group of young Thailander ladies roaming around

• They offered to take our pictures and eventually led us to the initial phase of the walk

• Returning tourists, they were familiar with the area giving us suggestion on how to go about appreciating Xinbeitou on a wet morning

• After we established our bearings, they left us for their own planned activities

• While dining, we were seated behind a French lady on a solo trip

• She happened to be a pediatrician on a vacation leading to some exchanges on insights in English on France and Taiwan

• Two groups welcomed us with pleasantries that paved the way for nature to show us the splendor of the natural spring

• Thank you, tourists, from Thailand and France

10. Departing at the Taoyuan International Airport, I failed to process online an eTravel declaration card for RP Department of Health for returning travelers

• What I had was an exit from the Philippines eTravel and my original vaccination IDs

• The front liner of China Airlines processed my check in requirements manually but asked to fill in the form online

• She stepped out of her counter, asked for my cell phone, gave me data access, and guided me with the info to fill in

• She declared that she already checked me in but will release the documents upon completion of the process

• She gave me a space where I can conveniently input until the QR code issuance

• I was told not to fall in line when I flash the QR code to her to release the documents

• I felt so important to the desk officer

• While seated on the plane, I found out she placed me in a 3-seater row all for myself

• Thank you, China Airlines desk officer

On night of our arrival, in a company of family, we were invited to their friend for a special dinner at iconic Dian Shui Lou at the Nanjing District

• Without disclosing details, that dinner alone with the family already set the tone for a cherished out of country visit

• It set us up not only gastronomically to be open and accepting to the kind souls extending to guide us during the trip

Taiwan treated me with exceptional customer service orientationAll of them went beyond servicing going the extra mile consistently to address a visitor’s need

Whether required as a professional or a citizen assisting someone in need, the core of their excellent servicing orientation is their value inherent in their DNA

The values of kindness, giving help to someone in need, strong sense of patriotism

What do they say of kindness, it is the fiber of the human spirit

It is an understanding of the reality that we all go through struggles

Kindness when extended unexpectedly heals validating the joy of being human

Thank you to my companions and friends for making the experience memorable

Taiwan’s infrastructure, the citizen’s service orientation and a seasoned company of travelers simply flowing with, and our adventurous spirit all surfaced in this fantastic break

Returning back to Terminal One in Manila, riding in a regular taxi, the registered driver set his conditions: not a metered ride, add a little for the ride back home in his run down but maintained taxi

Welcome back to the Philippines

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Writer is a facilitator of a capability building module Collaboration for Value, a disciplined process of connecting with customers resulting in satisfying their needs

Mini Meaty Strip in Kamuning: Bar Y Lasa Short Strip

 A fulfilled professional is developing a short food strip along Scout Ybardolaza st. Kamuning (same side as the Sacred Heart Parish Shrine) to add to the growing options of places to feast in the area.

His advocacy is to provide opportunities for others to earn a living and to succeed. His long years of experience employed in multinational company, in operating restaurants and leisure outlets, training and providing spiritual advice are the drivers to support his passion and beliefs.

Currently, there are about 4 shops (of 7) operating since December 2022.

Maong, known for grilled liempo, BBQ, tilapia etc is open 12-12 serving beer SMBPP at Php 65 0. Staff area friendly, go out of their way to serve. Recognizing the outlet is still to make a name, they will serve you well the best way they know given their limitation. No professional training, not schooled but willing.

Ivy, franchise owner of Maong just took a leap of faith to go into business choosing Maong because she likes the food and was smitten by the smell of BBQ being grilled.

She risked venturing even if the projections may not be encouraging for now but she is doing it to provide happy employment to her staff.

Likewise the mini food court operator Chito A. is doing this so he can set up an opportunity for others.

So far, Maong and the specialty ribs outlet Happy Ribs are slowly getting noticed and tried out by food lovers. But they will have a lot to go to recover.

With good food, price within reach, variety of offerings, good infrastructure with decent CR and parking, it will slowly win the hearts and the tummies of the Kamuning and nearby residents.

So ano ang intensyon ng food strip na ito sa pagitan ng Timog Avenue at Kamuning st.? Intindi ko, 'koncept karinderya offering a range of specialty food" na may front parking for cars at grills for bikes and the most decent CR in the Scout Ybarlolaza area.

Wala pa sa Google Map.

When people put their entrepreneurial skills on the line for others, suportahan!

Repurposing Miranila

Henry Miranila at Mariposa st. in Barangay Bagong Lipunan ng Crame is another output of Hanky Lee to add to the chain of heritage structures he "manages and repurposes"

Last June 2022, I participated in the discussion organized by the Cagayan Heritage Conservation Society Community where Hanky hinted he will be opening one is Quezon City

Then it was a secret but I spilled a spoiler

Now the structure is in place

The article I posted then . . .

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Hanky Lee, owner of the chain of Henry Heritage Hotels shared with the virtual participants of the Cagayan Heritage Conversation Series this 22 June 2022 the vision mission and programs of the chain and its link to repurposing heritage. 

The presentation entitled “Managing and Repurposing Heritage Structures”, covered and elaborated the 3 pillars that guided the look, feel and experience of the chain and other insights.

With The Henry Hotel Manila (in Pasay) and The Henry Hotel Dumaguete as concrete examples, the structures sit on properties with prominent structures constructed at a particular era. Structures are preserved, retrofitted preserving the dominant look converted into full-service hotel and restaurant.

Each hotel promises a unique Filipino experience guided by these pillars which the owner and the support group diligently subscribe to:

1. Leverages on the Filipino people

2. Celebrates the Philippines

3. A sense of place

The structure, facilities, amenities, garden, chop suey interiors are aesthetically designed without compromising the place’ authenticity. The current operating hotels in experience, service and infrastructure exemplify its vision of “enhancing and redefining Philippine hospitality.”

While aggressively expanding, it has now shifted from the original intention of heritage preservation to commercial stewardship. Currently though with the global condition, commercial viability is a challenge.

But the Hanky’s passion for repurposing heritage structures and his chosen vision to preserve and promote Philippine heritage will not be sidetracked; Hanky as a private entrepreneur will relentlessly pursue the defined experience by expanding using The Henry Hotel Manila and Dumaguete as the template.

https://www.thehenryhotel.com/

Session this 24 June 2022 Thursday at 3 PM is on the National Cultural Heritage Act, officially designated as Republic Act No. 10066. Law that created the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property and took other steps to preserve historic buildings that are over 50 years old. It was signed into law on March 25, 2009 (from Wikipedia)

Baliktanaw 29 Years Ago

 This April 2022, I received a message in my Messenger inbox saying “Hi!”

“Hello po Sir, Magandang araw po sa inyo. Way back po 1993 po Mt. Pulag po may nameet po kayo na mga teens na sumubok akyatin ang mt pulag. Kung maalala po ninyo kasama ko po si Paul Soliman. Napasyal pa po kayo sa bahay namin sa qc. Anyway po sana maalala nyo po ako. Ingat po”

It was from Chris Junio, a high school graduate from Bautista Pangasinan who with their classmates and friends ventured on a climb to Mt. Pulag base camp 26 December 1993 riding in their top down Wrangler Jeep travelling a distance of about 170 kilometers for 5 hours.

With no climbing experience, they explored the place not sufficiently equipped with garments, tools and training to face the less than 0°C temperature of Mt. Pulag. At that time, coming from a storm and raining, it was freezing cold.

That Pulag adventure was my 1st upon invitation of Ricky Francisco, the late Romy Antonio and friend Gregg Cordova and a motley group of the PNB Mountaineering Club of Jun Galang, Jessica, and Ding. I recall they were hesitant to include me in the pack because of no training experience.

Yet there was this group of barkada fresh from high school who were not even in their 20’s and even worse not informing their parents on their whereabouts of this daring escapade to celebrate their graduation.

Due to the rain and the strong rains, my 1st Pulag climb was aborted. We sought shelter at a cabin for the night. The following morning, that’s when we met this group from Bautista Pangasinan struggling to ascend to a certain destination.

As it was also dangerous to proceed, we suggested that they go back. That’s when we learned that they left their vehicle somewhere. We offered them a ride in our rented jeepney to which they gladly accepted.

We eventually parted ways with both groups not succeeding.

Years after, I would get in touch with their leader Paul Soliman who eventually entered UP and stayed at Kalayaan. I learned that eventually, they summited the Mt. Pulag peak and some have taken climbing seriously. After some interactions, we lost contact until Chris’ message who perhaps had fond memories of their 1993 escapade.

I remember the lines on “Gentle Presence” by Joan Metzner" lifted from the book Gentle Presence by Earnest L. Tan on people slipping in and out of our lives.

"Some people enter our lives like deer, slipping in and out of the woods. They touch our earth and as we step to look at them they disappear as quietly as they came. But you feel blessed for having experienced their gentle presence.”

My 1st Pulag attempt like the Bautista group was 29 years ago. I could not recall the details (some info need validation) but with the help of Chris and the foto of their group which Chris said he maybe have a copy; it may help me reconstruct those moments (the group eventually completed their Mt. Pulag climb).

Like them, that Pulag adventure helped cement my relationship with nature and the mountains in the forthcoming years of our lives. For Chris and company to have remembered me and how those moments impacted on their lives, it was enough to validate life’s blessedness and its mystery.

31 December 2022