Here comes the Bride

Imagine yourself waking up dazed and confused and then eventually realizing that the body you are using is not your body. That is the dilemma that five of the lead actors and actresses had when an accident caused them to change bodies. The performances of Angelica Panganiban, Eugene Domingo, Tuesday Vargas, Jaime Fabregas and John Lapus who were all involved in that identity switching crisis that made the movie all the more funnier. I watched the movie on the strength of the strong reviews from friends. Word of mouth is really the best kind of marketing. While its still hot guys go and watch - Achieve na Achieve!!!

MAY Tambay moments again

Halayan moments

with Krisvi @ Glorietta

Party Time with

Diane @ The Fort

Cheesy Moments with

Bon @ the Office

Fun times with Angela

@ Crossroad 77

Sweet moments with

my Sugar @ Starbucks

May Tambay Moments

Chillin out with

Angel Fernandez

@Market Market

Havin a party with

Rezyl Santiago @ Timog

Enjoying each other's company

Mhel and Cathy

before watching a movie

Having coffee with

Grace Malto @ Starbucks

Bonding together

Mhel with Louise

Pacman Doodle

In celebration of the 30th year of the game Pacman, Google.com.ph has included a doodle in honor of the game that we love. I was just amazed at the Pacman doodle.

The Antipolo Cathedral

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Cathedral

This story comes all the way from the time when the Spaniards were still ruling the country. In 1626, Governor Juan Niño de Tabora travelled from Acapulco Mexico to the Philippines on a Galleon. On that trip, the governor brought along the brown image of our blessed virgin mother. For months the Galleon braved the rough stormy and dangerous seas which eventually found its way to the Philippines in one piece. Because of this the Governor called for a big celebration as he credited the image as the big reason for their safe voyage to the Philippines. The procession started in the Jesuit Church in Intramuros to the Manila Cathedral which was the first house of the image of the Blessed Virgin. It was because of that voyage that the Blessed Virgin was called Nuestra Señora dela Paz y Buenviaje.

The Majestic Altar

When the Governor died the Image was turned over to the Jesuits who then were constructing a church in Antipolo. It was said that the Holy image was always found on the trunk of the tree called Tipolo which grew in the original site of the church. Because of this, a pedestal was carved out of the trunks of the tree which made the image become known as the Virgin of Antipolo.

The Virgin of Antipolo from afar

During the Japanese occupation the image was evacuated and brought to the mountains of Angono and afterwards returned to where it is now after the war. Every year devotees commemorate this transfer as they join the "Alay Lakad" from Quiapo Church to the Antipolo church every 30th of April. I still remember that time when I was a gangly 15 year old together with my family, we joined the walk from the Edsa-Ortigas intersection where we gathered at 10pm, we reached the Church of Antipolo at 5 am in the morning.

The Beautiful stained glass window

Today, thousands of devotees flock the Church which is also one of a few National Shrines in the country. The Church is more popularly known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage of Antipolo. Most of the people who go to the Shrine are OFWs and others who are praying for a peaceful voyage specially abroad. My sister who is bound to go to work in the United States in the next few weeks has been bugging me to go to this Cathedral, now I know why.

Mama, Elaiza and the kids

Since it is a Cathedral, the Diocese of Antipolo which extends until Montalban Rizal is headed by Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes. This diocese is actually an auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Manila. It is composed of 29 parishes with 45 diocesan and 8 religious priests administering to it. I am just lucky that while spending my saturday morning celebrating the 9am mass, the Priest gave a history of the very historic place. I am lucky indeed to know that the image I held in my hand is a historic artifact that goes back 4 centuries ago. Truly a blessed saturday and I hope that my sister will have a safe voyage to the US and back here.

Yours Truly praying for Good Health

Its beginning to look like Boston vs LA again

From the looks of it, its coming out as another Boston vs LA final in the 2010 NBA. The Lakers seem invincible as they convincingly routed the highly touted Phoenix Suns in two games. The offense of the Lakers was met without any defense as they averaged 126 points as they outscored the best scoring team in the NBA. On the other hand, the Celtics are now near their 2008 form and have shut down Dwayne Wade in the first round, Lebron James in the second and now have won two straight on the road. Brace yourselves we're into another classic NBA finals!

LAKERS WIN GAME 2

CELTICS WIN GAME 2

Congrats STI Graduates

Close to 1900 STI students from 13 STI Schools in Metro Manila walked on stage to get their diplomas. This time around we needed three sessions to cater to the graduates from STI College Caloocan, Cubao, Fairview, Global City, Las Piñas, Makati, Novaliches, Ortigas-Cainta, Parañaque, Quezon Avenue, San Pedro, Shaw Blvd and Taft Ave.

Congratulations Graduates make us proud and be the best that you can be.

NBA Final Four now up

BOSTON CELTICS vs. ORLANDO MAGIC

The Orlando Magic will finally meet a team that is worthy of their caliber. After cruising through the first two rounds of the play-offs the Magic are now tasked to defend their Eastern Conference Title by meeting the rejuvenated 2008 NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics. The Celtics on the other hand are coming off two spectacular teams that featured one of the best players in the Universe.

This is the second series that the Celtics wont have any homecourt advantage. But that wont matter with the way they blew the Cavaliers in game 6 in Cleveland. That morale booster made them the hottest team in the NBA besides the Magic. The key to the Magic's play is their point guard Jameer Nelson. When he is aggressive there are a lot of things that the Magic can do. That is also the same for the Celtics, Rajon Rondo holds the key for a return trip to the finals. When he scores, rebounds, feeds the ball and steals it, no one on earth cans top him. In the end the experience of the Celtics will spell the difference. Lets see if that holds.

LA LAKERS VS. PHOENIX SUNS

When you face the Phoenix Suns, better be ready to outscore them for they never run out of options to score. It is hard to defend against them because you have the pin point passing of two time MVP Steve Nash who can find Amare Stoudemire inside the lane with a hand in his face. If not, he can pitch a pass to Grant Hill for the lay up or to Jason Richardson for the jam, there are just endless possibilities when he is on the court.

On the other hand, the Lakers are also a smooth offensive machine. The man they call Kobe Bryant can average 40 points any given night but he chooses to pass the ball to other teammates who can also score - Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom and the rest of the crew. They push the ball well and score without much difficulty, that means this series will be a shootfest. Now who will win, obviously the team that can shoot and defend. Lets see how this will turn out.

STI joins ABS-CBN in nation building

The STI - ABS-CBN partnership has gone a long way. Since the 1998 Elections, STI has supported the ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs in their coverage of the National elections. The most impressive partnership was in 2007 where STI and ABS-CBN was the primary source of news after the polls have closed. The quick count that was participated by more than 15,000 STI volunteers in 100 sites nationwide gave the country an idea on how the polls will turn out since it took a month before the actual winners were proclaimed. The STI - ABS- CBN count was lauded for its accuracy.

Boto Mo Patrol Mo Registration
in Legazpi City

Last year, the Comelec announced that the 2010 National Elections will now be automated and that the results will be known by midnight and validated in a few days. This announcement obviously created such stir most specially withSTI and ABS-CBN because the partnership is predicated on the slow pace of election results. But the road doesn't end there since ABS-CBN continued its quest for nation building by continuing a project it started in the 2007 elections - Boto Mo Patrol Mo.

Bacolod Registration of Boto Mo Patrollers

As early as May 10, 2009 a year before the National Elections, ABS-CBN together with its partners and STI launched the Boto Mo Patrol Mo campaign with the theme Ako ang Simula. For me this theme is very apt and really a call for each and every Filipino to be aware by starting change from withing themselves. STI would eventually help out in the Boto Mo Patrol mo campaign by providing computers and manpower nationwide in the registration proceedings. Four months after, STI would respond to the call for Nation building as it celebrated its 26th Anniversary with the theme SIMULAN NATIN. Now its STI's turn to tell the world that start will come from STI which aptly supported ABS-CBN's Ako ang simula.

Boto Mo Patrollers registering inside
the STI Mobile School in Cagayan de Oro City
as ABS-CBN Interviews STI CDO's Colbert Rabaya

The ABS-CBN coverage of the 2010 Elections was actually the culmination of the year long partnership of STI and ABS-CBN for Nation building. STI provided 100 computers to the ABS-CBN war room which looked like a US Naval base command center after their news crew showed the latest in high tech news reporting through touch screen monitors and reporting through holographic images. Technology surely took a big part in this news crew.

STI HQ Volunteers at the ABS-CBN Command Center
18 hours non stop but still wearing smiles

I myself was very proud of the STI team that took part in the election coverage. From the volunteers that summarized polling centers & precincts, analyzed processes, created excel tables, encoded, sorted, packed, labeled SIMs, tally sheets, IDs, streamers, fans & tshirts, wrote, proof-read, revised guidelines, & kits for the STI schools, delivered materials to these STI schools, delivered and installed computers at ABS-CBN, provided technical support, emailed and called the STI Schools. These tasks are not easily done considering we have to squeeze it in our own work.

STI College Global City volunteers

getting ready

I am also proud of my STI HQ officemates who spent countless hours in traveling and attend coordination meetings, participated in dry runs, orientations, ordered food for the other volunteers, spent overnights in the office, And to top it all the same volunteers who spent more than 18 hours supporting the STI cause nationwide during election day. STIer's did all other things that helped ensure the attainment of the objectives of the project. I would like to say NO OTHER SCHOOL DID THIS FOR ONE WHOLE YEAR NATIONWIDE!

To the men and women of STI, I am really proud of this institution and I am happy to be a part of this cause in my own small way. Together let us be a part of building this nation once again and become more vigilant in our quest for better governance. Together let us all say - Ako ang Simula kaya Simulan natin!

Election day mayday

Then Polling place

For the first time in three elections I finally had the chance to troop to the polling places and cast my vote for the 2010 Philippine Elections. I was unlucky not to participate in the past two elections since I was part of the STI Halalan Team that helped out with ABS-CBN and was at the studios first thing in the morning. This year, I thought that I will partake in the same exercise, luckily my boss excluded me since I have a big event next week. So its just a matter of me today you tomorrow exercise.

my name is not on the list

Honestly I was hesitant to go to the polling places since I know for a fact that names get deleted once you do not vote for two elections. Even though I know of such ruling I still prepared and went to the polling places since I believe its my duty to do that since the last time around It was not my choice not to vote. Although I knew about it, I still did not register for I still thought I might still be in the list. When we got to the Culiat Elementary School my fears were right - I wasn't in the list of voters. Much to my dismay I just accompanied my mother and my two sisters to vote.

A concerned voter asking everyone to line up

Just like what was seen on television, the PCOS machines and ballots were ready but the polling places were not. Since most of the precincts were combined so that one PCOS machine can accommodate as many, I think the people in the polling places did not anticipate the rush of voters plus the snail's pace in voting which eventually clogged the hallways of the polling places. What was quite hard was for the senior citizens to endure so much specially when the temperature rose to as high as 36 -37 degrees. After knowing that I wouldn't be able to vote I just helped my mother walk up and down to the third floor so that she may cast her vote.

Clustered Precinct is

the new term in this election

Once inside, my sister also assisted her. Luckily they were registered in the same precinct since they had to register again. My sister has been voting in Cebu for the past decade together with my mom and that is why its also their first time to vote again in our area. We were just lucky that they finished inside one and a half hours under the sweltering heat of the sun and the lines plus the sweat that we got. According to my mom that's the most she has sweated in a long time. Talk about sauna vote.

I never knew it was edible ink

For those who went to their respective precincts to endure the heat, the lines and the sweat just to vote - I hope there are more Filipinos like you. The big voter turnout and the fact that a lot of people really stayed on means that they now understand that one vote makes the difference and that they are really hoping for a change in our country. As for me, what I learned is that I should've registered last year. Well whatever happens I hope by 2013 I will be able to be part of the electoral process once again. To the winners - please eradicate the corruption at the lowest level of government first. That would be a good jumpstart to help the Filipino people.

Dick gets my vote

How i wish GMA would have given his blessings to Dick Gordon to be the standard bearer of the administration. That way he would have the machinery to reach out to the whole country what a magnificent person he is and that he is the only one capable of running the country. I have thought hard and have come down to Dick Gordon and Bayani Fernando for Vice-President.

The question is...WHY GORDON? WHY BAYANI? I believe Dick is the most capable among ALL candidates to run a country. One of the most important accomplishments that he has done was the transformation of Subic into a international sensation. I remember back then that they were asking the senate not to let the americans and the bases in Olongapo go since a lot of people from Olongapo rely on these bases for their livelihood. Unfortunately they were let go. What did Gordon do,they did not bicker, point fingers or cry a river for the senate to reinstate the bases, but instead he made things happen by using all his resources and transforming Subic to what it is today. Also, there a lot more that Dick Gordon has done.

The next question is, Why Bayani. First i believe that in order for graft and corruption to be lessened or eradicated, we need leaders who will not clean the mess and instill discipline. The problem with us Filipinos is that we got used to many negative things that we always want the fast way out. Well that is not the case with Bayani, he has made headway with the MMDA which incidentally Mayor Binay handled and I believe he handled it well.

We all have our own views and opinion but I believe only through Gordon and Bayani will our country really stand up because as compared to the other candidates they are performers and their track records can speak for what they have done. So for those of you who are still undecided - Gordon - Bayani na tayo.

The NBA Second Round

THE EAST SEMIFINALS

CLEVELAND (1) vs. BOSTON (4)

The two stars will be at it again

This is the most highly anticipated rematch of the eastern conference. Both teams were no match against their first round opponents and will probably make the full distance in this one considering the fact that their playoff match up two years ago was decided in the last minute of the 7^th game. This time, King James is the full blown star while the big three are slowly digressing. The key to the Celtics is the fourth man, Rajon Rondo. If his scoring and playmaking skills are contained and so will the Celtics. He is now the heart and soul of the Celts. ON the other hand, supporting cast is important in this kind of match up so better look for Mo Williams, Delonte West and Antawn Jamison to help out the Unstoppable one.These two are my two favorite teams and its sad to say I think the Cavs will take this one in six.

ORLANDO (2) vs. ATLANTA (3)

Horford has lots of problems ahead

The Magic were the first team to end their playoff games with a 4-0 sweep of the Charlotte Bobcats while the Hawks were the only team that went the full distance. The Hawks survived the series against the Bogut-less Bucks and had to blow out the opposition in games 6 and 7 which more than gave them the team work and defense they were lacking in the previous games. Look for the Magic to go past the Hawks as Superman, Mr. Half Amazing and a resurgent Jameer Nelson is too much to handle. But this time it will be closer than expected.

WEST

LOS ANGELES (1) vs. UTAH (5)

Talk about coaching, resiliency and a man named Deron Williams who willed the injury plagued Utah Jazz to the second round against one of the better teams in the West - the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately for the Jazz, the Nuggets are not actually the best defensive squad in the West while the Lakers are both offensively and defensively far better than the Nuggets. The Lakers running game and Jazz lack of defensive tenacity will tell eventually as the Lakers will most probably eliminate the Jazz for the third consecutive season.

PHOENIX (3) vs. SAN ANTONIO (7)

Nash and Parker will have

greater battles ahead

A new star has arrived for the Spurs in the person of George Hill. Suddenly he was the unstoppable force after the Mavericks have contained the Spurs stars. Hill averaged 14 points to take the spotlight off big named stars like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli and even Richard Jefferson who are the big guns of the Spurs. On the other hand, the Suns had a little tweaking to do before finally getting rid of the ala Willis Reed – Brandon Roy led Trail Blazers. When the Suns got their game going there was no stopping them. The points just kept on piling but they will be in a rut against the Spurs who have better defense than the Blazers. This series can go either way but my money is on the Spurs.

Jobslive 2010 bigger and wider

Yours truly interviewed

by ABS-CBN

Jobslive 2010 is the biggest job fair in the country as it opened on SM Malls nationwide from up north to down south. Spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment, Jobslive 2010 brought together more than 400 big corporations to this Labor day affair as their efforts were also duplicated in SM Baguio, SM Rosales, SM San Fernando Pampanga, SM Clark, SM Marilao, SM Baliuag for Northern Luzon. SM Santa Rosa, SM Dasmariñas, SM Lipa, SM Taytay, SM Lucena, SM Rosario, SM Naga in Southern Luzon. SM Iloilo, SM Bacolod and SM Cebu in the Visayas while Mindanao had SM Davao and SM CDO. The biggest ones were done in SM San Lazaro, SM North Edsa, SM Megamall and the SMX Convention Center.

Our student Volunteers

Secretary Marianito Roque of the Department of Labor and Employment made sure that last year's one day, one place job fair will decentralized so that more people would be serviced and more jobs would be landed. On a national scale the jobs that were available were around 100,000 positions as mentioned during the press conference.

Ready for the registration

Besides the Job Fair, livelihood programs were set up in different places most notably at the SMX Convention Center. STI was once again at the forefront of this nation building activity by providing computers and manpower. STI's was partnered with Philjob-net to help out the registration proceedings. STI deployed 30 computers at the SM Megatrade hall event while 40 computers and volunteers were set up at the SMX Convention Center.

Another view of the registration

Non other than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited the Job Fair grounds as thousands of jobseekers flocked the SMX Convention Center. This year was more orderly and luckily more jobseekers had more choices on where to go as SM Fairview, SM North Edsa, SM San Lazaro also opened their doors to thousands of jobseekers. Till next year's job fair.

Getting ready to entertain