Online Shopping for Clothes Ph

 The conventional shopping channel is via physical shops with online gaining popularity for convenience, pricing edge and searching ease.

Passive online shopping through Lazada and Shopee has lately been supplemented with live online where human sellers display, present and model their goods to streaming potential buyers interacting with them.

Behavior changed, new lingoes are introduced, and a new outlet of spending game changed shopping and commerce requiring logging in the internet.

“Flex. Profile. Comment. Code. Mine. Yours. Screenshot. SSD. Check out. Follow.” Words one must be familiar with to navigate and to complete a transaction in a live online selling.

Looking for a blazer, it led me to TikTok live online selling based in Baguio. To my amazement, the three shops specializing in pre-loved blazers for men I’ve been directed to owned by a sole entity have about hundreds of apparels for all user sizes, shapes, informal and formal occasions paraded starting 8 a.m. to midnight.

How can one select given sizes and preferences must be matched? Online selling has sharpened the system with a structured approach.

Prospective buyer must provide info on height (in feet), weight (in kilos), general build (S/ML/EL), shoulder size (in inches). The young professional, courteous at times playful seller then “flexes” several suits with his size as reference. They show how the sleeves extend to his hand, how much allowance it has at the tummy, and upper body.

This initial parade triggers a series of presentations on colors, design, fabric, buttons, back slits, inner lining and pricing. Price is a surprise as it just ranges from P350 to P700 for the branded and premium items.

The good sellers interact with the buyer suggesting even occasion suit can be used. Other than the usual debut, wedding, travel they mention other interesting occasions such as events hosting, court hearing and would you believe, thesis defense.

Attending to one buyer at a time, when one selects an item, he claims in the comment section “mine” plus the code given. Sellers from the shop I spotted disclose details of the suit from inner linings, buttons, slits, issues. With a good hi-reso camera and lighting with close up capability, texture, patterns and details are seen. The buyer is then asked to screenshot the suit selected with price and code as reference.

The critical step is in entering the order using the yellow basket, choosing modes of payment from COD, credit/debit cards and GCash. Seller patiently guides the buyer on steps to do from choosing the price, putting it in the basket, writing the delivery address, and putting the data in the basket.

The shop partnered with J&T where costing is surprisingly about the cost of a special tricycle rate considering transport from Benguet to Metro Manila in 2 days. Tracking number is provided navigating through their profile chat.

While this system of shopping is quite new, one who is open to change can easily adopt. When the seller addresses all the buyers’ concerns without pressuring the buyer to claim mine and checkout, the buyer feels the power.

When one is stuck in the house, this mode of shopping is certainly a novelty, conveniently a 24-hour activity, with thousands of possibilities and fun.

As a social science observer, I wish to explore further how this approach picked up, the system developed, how the sellers developed their skills set to be good at online selling and how it gained traction generating income for the shop owners challenging the more established physical stores.

Disclaimer: This positive experience is simply based on a live online selling of one entity. Other accounts have different approaches.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSYHmtcP5/

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSYHmrHqM/

NewGen Champs Concert

You attend concerts to hear the musicians perform their own songs that you enjoy live.

You attend band gigs and concerts to hear other musicians cover tunes you enjoy.

As a music lover, you enjoy these events, especially if they are well-produced, with excellent production qualities and the program builds up to a high.

ABS-CBN's new generation champions are noted for their voice quality, wide vocal range, costumes, extensive song inventory, passion for singing, and mastery of their art.

Attending with an open mind with some expectation drawn from the pattern aired on ASAP TV Show on ABS-CBN where keys to the performances are the choice of songs, a customized musical arrangement and assignment of singing lines per artists.

Deciding last minute to attend the #NewGenChamp show at the Music Museum 27 April 2024 with JM Yosures, Reiven Umali, Khimo, JM dela Cerna, Marielle Montellano, Lyka Estrella, and Rea Gen Villareal, I still managed to source ticket for the declared sold-out concert in a 700 plus seater theater.

Host Vice Ganda and two judges Eric Santos and Katrina Velarde supported the talents in this live concert most of them performing in a live concert for the first time. Reiven launched his dancing con singing talent in this event. Lyka and Rea Gen's trio with Katrina singing "Lason mong Halik and Hawak Mo" showcased collab on harmony, birit, shifts and shared staging. Both seasoned singers Eric and Katrina admired the qualities of the champions they sang with.

The boys prepared a series of cover songs from a single artist; boyish with fine voice quality Reiven chose Michael Jackson songs, the exuberant and highly charged Khimo performed Bruno Mars hits, and the latest new gen recruit, soothing and kilig JM Dela Cerna, sang Michael Bolton's love songs whose high notes were noted and appreciated well by the audience with a standing ovation. The husky voiced and seasoned champion JM Yosures interpreted Parokya ni Edgar songs.

The ladies known for birits presented equally strong providing balance renditions; the regal and formal Marielle sung solo without JM Adelle's new songs, Lyka’s dramatic segment of Beyonce's songs was backed up with dancers and costume changes and Rea Gen belting Ben and Ben songs.

The vocalists opened and finished the event together, with the boys doing a separate set as did the girls.

Though not their own compositions, the NewGen champions present fresh renditions of familiar songs modified by great musicians to suit the singers' voice range and capabilities. With the champs' voices, the evening's music may be claimed as their own.

When they opened the show, they asked the audience to allow them “to entertain you.” Through the musical arrangements customized to bring out their unique and pleasing voices, and their songs individually, duets or solo, they proved they are worthy to be marked as “champions,” ambassadors of the language of pop music.

Music delivers because it binds us all, crossing frontiers and connecting hearts via its universal language of emotion and expression, especially when performed well.

NewGen singers honing their talent of singing and singing endlessly inspire us as they convey the message of the songs to us intimately in live concerts like this.

#KapamilyaNewGenChamps

Tips on Saving Planet Earth

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Inform. Inspire. Act.

On a personal level, every small contribution counts such as:

1. Reduce use of plastic particularly on water

2. Bike or walk instead of driving.

3. Turn off electric power when not in use

4. Keep gas-based vehicles in condition particularly tire pressure

5. Eat locally and organically grown food. Reduce red meat in diet.

6. Mind laundry chores on water and detergent use.

7. Higher temperature setting on AC helps.

8. Efficient driving.

9. Recycle old goods.

10. Tap public transpo even if inconvenient.

Where we see some saving the earth manifesting in the Philippines:

Transpo

• Biking

• Bike lanes

• Jeep modernization

• Work from home

• Aircon refrigerants

• Shift from gas and diesel to other sources

• Electric cars

• Walkable cities

School/ Mall

• Garbage segregation drive

• Water conservation

• Energy conservation

• Recycled water

• Planting trees

• Temperature control

• Neutral rest rooms

• Reduce. Reuse. Recycle

Barangay

• Garbage collection

• Plastic bottle collection

• Recycling

• No noise after 10 p.m.

• Junk shop

• Backyard gardening

Commerce

• Recycling

• Green products

• Organic produce

• Paper/Green Bags

• Solar Energy

• LED Lights/ TV

• No drinking straws

• Raw material selection

• Chemical disposal

• Organic farming

• Environmental hazards disposal

• Food disposal

Policies

• Tree planting

• Oil spill control

• No videoke ordinance

• Septage management

• PWD enabling

• LGBT ordinance

• Tree cutting

• Ecosystem protection

• Harmful medical waste disposal

• Mangrove protection

• Nature parks

• Paperless transaction

• Carbon emission test

• Jeepney upgrade

Foundation

• Coastal clean up

• Tree planting

• Ecosystem diversity

• Leave no trace outdoors drive

• Urban gardening

• Cottage industry support

• Cooperative creation

Grand initiatives. Halving World GHGs Emission by 2030 from Information is Beautiful

• Increased solar energy

• Widespread wind energy

• Other renewable energy

• Better recycling of raw materials

• Less materials to make the same things

• Disassembling old products to make new ones

• Waste reduction in production of steel, plastics and other industrial materials

• Reduced use of refrigeration gases (CFCs HFCs)

• Low-carbon heating and cooling

• Low-carbon construction

• Retrofitting buildings with better insulation, energy efficient lighting

• Automation of temperature and lighting

• Electric vehicles

• Increased use of public transport

• Bikes, car-sharing and scooters

• More efficient shipping of goods with reduced air transport

• Low-emission trucks

• Halting reforestation, planting trees

• Sustainable agriculture techniques

• Plant-based diets

• Reduced food waste

Sone signs of deteriorating conditions:

Air pollution. Mega typhoons. Heavy flooding. Scarce fish haul. Polluted rivers. Poisoned soil. Plastics in the sea and in the food that we eat. Poverty. Discrimination. New diseases. Airborne diseases. Dying species. Less diversity. Dwindling forest cover. Unpredictable weather. Unmanaged human waste. Noise pollution. Decreasing water table. Flattened mountains. Landslides. Mendicancy . . .

Inform. Inspire. Act.

Planet Earth

 Our earth may no longer be habitable for future generations owing to overdevelopment, abuse, and inequality.

Scientists have identified the dangers of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions GHG, and carbon footprints.

Social activists have highlighted the appalling state of poverty, with residents having nothing to eat or drink.

We've witnessed inequalities, as well as a lack of access to quality education and career prospects.

Targets have been set with indicators to ensure that the present and future generations may enjoy life on this planet. Unfortunately, targets are off. Interventions are not sufficient.

Developments and harm we inflict on the world make it more challenging. If no new efforts or policies are implemented, the condition of degradation will accelerate, and doing nothing will make matters worse. More forceful interventions are necessary.

Where we are now in Greenhouse House Emissions GHG Transport. Land. Buildings. Industry. Energy. Justice and Equity.

If it is business as usual, the global temperature will rise further.

Through the UNDP and partner’s Movers Programme, I have been introduced to the five drivers of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals:

• Reducing poverty and increasing income

• Leading better health

• Driving sustainable growth

• Protecting the planet

• Preventing inequality

• Partnership

Given the current status of the world, the targets are overwhelming. This initiative focused on what everyone, particularly young, can do in small meaningful ways to help bring the objectives back on track within decades.

Starting with an awareness campaign, it encourages individuals to do all they can to prevent future deterioration.

Everyone may help on three levels, which are:

• Personal or individual

• Reaching out to the community as a whole

• Influencing system-level policy

Movers Programme Influencers gathered online week of 12 February 2024 to review modest and remarkable achievements from conducting over 100 workshops in 4 years, implementing community-based programs, influencing policy makers, involving in green related jobs, careers, and entrepreneurship to promote the 5 drivers of the SDGs.

From attending the programs online, the advocates from different Asian Pacific countries initially conducted workshops then launched activities withing their villages expanding to the nation and to the region.

Facilitators, resources persons, organizers and fellow movers challenge and inspire us to act.

 ------

Technical info and insights learned primarily from the UNDP Movers Programme as a volunteer mentor, Youth Empowerment Project in Asia/ Pacific and UNDP, a community of dedicated individuals playing a crucial role in shaping the future of our youth, through SDGs.

https://creativecommons.org/choose/www.youthcolab.org/movers

https://www.youthcolab.org/movers

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

---

"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

---

•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

---

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 . . .

------

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

2022 Simbang Gabi at the Gesu. Messages on kindness

 9th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Mon Bautista 23 December 2022 Friday

Who is Nelson Mandela at 60? Christo Brand at 19?

Guarding the most dangerous terrorist prisoner no. 4664

Wife of the Nelson asked if their 4-month-old granddaughter can see Winnie Mandela

Brand allowed the smuggling

 

Vocation is one of the greatest indicators of divine graciousness

Defined as kind, warmhearted, gentle, compassionate, tender

Radical mercy and goodness defined in Christianity

 

God provides and also calls us. Invites us

So he can do great things for us

If we want to experience God’s graciousness, we need to live vocation to the full

 

We think more of career than vocation missing out

Career is a language of power and success

Vocation is a language of discipleship

Vocations are sacred

 

Touching people’s lives

With God taking us and using us as agents of divine graciousness

Vocation regardless of our status, will affect how others will live out their vocations

 

Despite Mandela and Brand’s difficult situation, they were not stopped from being gracious

 

Today’s gospel on John is his story of vocation and consecration on God

John, Zachariah, Elizabeth put together is God not forgetting

 

Christmas is graciousness

So we can have a life of abundance

 

This Christmas, let us experience graciousness from God who is merciful kind and tender

 

8th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Bong Dauhan 22 December 2022 Thursday

 

What is your heart singing these days?

Composer draws from experiences and feelings

Listener relates according to experiences and feelings

 

“Pasko na naman Hangad na makapiling ka”

“Malamig ang simoy ng hangin”

“Kumukutikutitap bumubusibusilak”

 

Songs express moments of sadness, happiness, and joy

Whatever the feeling, God is with us, Emmanuel

God speaks to our experiences and feelings

 

When given the responsibility, Mary experienced poverty and loneliness

Accept, take care of me

When given God’s grace, visited Elizabeth, sang The Magnificat

Experienced the faithfulness of God

She returned to God the grace she received

 

How do we respond to God’s blessings?

Are we ready to receive?

A boy who won a cash price giving it to his kuya for rice

Like Mother Mary, aware of our blessings

Deeply aware God’s experience and feeling on us

 

Sing in our hearts of praise

Respond to God’s will and humility

 

In humble hearts, rejoice in the hope that God continues to bless us

Recognize Jesus in our lives

 

To give us deep and lasting joy now and forever

7th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Kit Bautista 21 December 2022 Wednesday

 

The visitation is all about love and the joy of loving

Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth travelling long distance while pregnant

Mary took serious risk because of her love for her cousin

Action of kindness and mercy believing in God’s will

Excited with joy and gladness

Mary rejoiced with Elizabeth doing charity

 

Physical presence can be enough

Mary demonstrated authentic charity

“Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus” intuitively said by Elizabeth

Mary was consoled

 

Good deeds done, we are already blessed

God’s mercy and compassion always open to hearts empty and full

Mary is blessed. Magnificat

Proclamation of the might and glory of God

God visited Mary and John

 

This Christmas, God visited us to stay in us forever

When God visits us, our status changes

We need divine visitation to open heaven to bring down blessings

We change and become like him as St. Paul said

Love and the joy of loving

 

Maiden is called to enjoy the fields with her lover in the previous reading

 

This Christmas we give and we receive from our loved ones

When we give and receive at the same time, we experience the spirit of Christmas

 

It is about loving and the joy in loving

6th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Ben Nebres 20 December 2022 Tuesday

 

“Happy to celebrate the mass for the Ateneo community

 

Prophet Isaiah gives us the promise of the Lord

Emmanuel, God with us, God becoming one of us

The Annunciation

God enters our human condition

He identifies with the homeless, the refugees, the displaced families

 

Jesus gives us the gift of you, the gift of Christmas

Support to E Christmas cards and to the most needy through the ACED Ateneo Center for Educational Development Program

To join the community of caring, loving, and sharing

https://www.ateneo.edu/impact/socialdev/aced

 

What is the kingdom of Jesus?

The kingdom of Jesus is a kingdom of love and caring for those in need

 

Truly heartwarming memories visiting the centers. Paskuhan Gawad Kalinga, centers in Cavite, Gabaldon, Cabiao, Marawi, Payatas

"Nakaroas" because they took care of each other, cared for each other and trusted in God

The power of choosing to listen to the children

The power of caring and love

The kingdom Jesus brought to us

And we are invited to be part of it

 

May the kingdom reign over us and our children”

The power of choosing to listen to the children

The power of caring and love

 

May the kingdom reign over us and our children”

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfrttR6.../viewform

 

5th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Errol Nebrao 19 December 2022 Monday

 

Reference to the movie Claus Netflix in 2019

Sta. Claus origin came from two ordinary persons

Postman and a toymaker delivering toys

 

Shift in characters in the past readings

Shift to Mary

Who is Mary?

Ordinary person, young 14 years old

Annunciation and getting pregnant and betrothed

No heritage, nothing special

 

But she was special as she was chosen by the Lord

Mary confused by the news and the choice

Role in the salvation of all people

Angel Gabriel assuring her not to be afraid

Mary responded to the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word

Even with questions why me?

 

A woman with humility, surprise, wonder, faith and obedience

We too are called to be greater than ourselves

Others needing our help

Ordinary people are needed not extraordinary are needed to share the experience

As ordinary, we can do something

 

Jasper and Claus, toymaker and postman asked why they are doing this

A true selfless act always sparks another

Small acts of love, small acts of care

Nothing grand, fancy and big

 

Journey with Mary

In her humility, surprise, wonder, faith, and obedience

 

So we can be ready to say to the Lord, let ii be done to me according to thy word

 

4th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Oliver Dy 18 Dec 2022 Sunday

4th Advent of Christmas

 

"To learn from the virtues of younger Joseph

Symbolized as sleeping popularized by Pope Francis

 

Joseph is an upright person. Obedient. With a strong faith

Jewish rites of marriage: Betrothal and Marriage

Wife conceived with a child not his

 

Joseph as a righteous man

 

With depth to see through complexity of dreams

Showed acts of obedience as discerned in his dreams in his version of loving God

 

Points we can bring to our prayer"

 

3rd Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Manoling Francisco 17 Dec 2022

3rd Advent of Christmas

 

“Gods plans for us exceed our expectation

God takes a risk with us human beings

 

Where is God’s promise of redemption?

The transformation of society requires the conversion of the heart

God winning the heart of Paul first, planted in his heart

nourished by grace to establish inclusive communities in Asia and Europe

 

While we bemoan the prevalence of hatred and violence in the world

Are we men and women of peace and mercy?

Are we honest and just in our dealings?

Have we embraced the truth about ourselves and only speak the truth to others?

 

Transformation has to grow quietly and invisibly within

For God to redeem the world

 

Grace has to bring about the conversion of our hearts

This Christmas we pray that God’s eternal word be born in our hearts

 

So we become channels of redemptive love in the world”

 

2nd Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr Vic de Jesus

 

This Christmas, we celebrate the light that St. John the Baptist testified

St. John said he is the lamp

Jesus in contrast said he is the light

Jesus said we are the light

 

Two reasons to celebrate light: God is light. We are the light

We are the light of the world

Let our light shine, to dispel darkness

To see what is important

 

Appreciate the mystery of the light

Continue the tradition of lights of Christmas in electric, non-electric in the parol and in other forms

 

The light symbolizes the significance of the birth

 

“A child a child sleeping in the night will give us goodness and light”

 

Random Notes

https://www.youtube.com/live/YY-Y0Ul4igo?feature=share

1st night of Simbang Gabi 15 Dec 2022 Gesu presided by Fr. Arnel Aquino

 

Ang dalaw

 

Ang pagbigay pangako ay sapat na. Para na ring naisitupad na ito.

Kapag natupad, extra na ito (in the context that those losing hope just needed to hear a promise to lift their spirits)

When tatay in bilibid was promised a visit under the Puno ng Pangako, it was enough joy for him.

When after 13 years of preparing every week, he was visited finally by his wife, he was estatic. It felt like redemption.

 

We free to roam around are imprisoned too with our struggles. We too long for that dalaw, that Jesus visits through people, events or even a dream.

 

Theme of the 2022 Simbang Gab is "Magalak sa Pagasa", “Be pleased with the hope.” Fr. Aquino opened this season with a homily that St. John the Baptist's message of the coming is not happening as he has been waiting. A visit is what he hoped for.

 

Fr. Aquino's wish for us this Christmas is we receive a dalaw from Jesus so that like tatay, we feel the joy of redemption.

 

Notes updated 16 Dec

https://fb.watch/hqTM5Ej_2O/