My Dream of a Better Philippines

I started this blog as venue for me to communicate my thoughts about my fellowmen and country. I wanted to show that not everthing is bad. I love my country but am deeply saddened by the corruption, poverty and prevalent selfishness around. As I travel and see more of the world, the more I see the problems and the root of such crisis. This blog is my small way of contributing to my country. Not everything is bad but ... there truly is a need for a change of heart and person in each of us. There is a need to change our ways and that also begins with seeing and acknowledging what is wrong. To see is to know and to know is power.

I did not want anything political to smear this blog but it's almost election time again and once more the game is getting worse - dirtier. I call on my countrymen to please vote wisely. Observe and know your candidates. Are they truly capable? Is their heart loyal to our country or to their pocket? Don't believe everything they say. Analyze. Look beyond their impressive advertising campaigns and jingles. Don't sell your vote for the immediate advantage offered today. Think about your future, our countrys future, and our childrens future.

As a closing, I just want to share this SMS message I got today. It's very short, but so bluntly true.

Philippine presidents evolution principle: Each sitting president is an accumulation of all demons of all predecessors with each change becoming worse than before. Break the evil chain, vote from the heart or don't vote at all!

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Calling all Pinoy/Pinay Bloggers: Expats and OFW's

I just found Ka-Blog (Blogs ng mga kababayan sa abroad) , it's a blog that aggregates and collects Filipino blogs for listing.

Join and be part of this group. As Jim Paredes said on his blog, "Our OFWs can be the storytellers, narrators and witnesses of how the lives of ordinary Filipinos can move ahead if the system only allows them to. Their very lives are testimonies to this. Where for years, their dream of becoming something had not been possible in their homeland because of the social inequity and lack of opportunities, now they are proud, productive and prosperous people."

Let's share our stories, our lives, and it's ups and downs!

(PS. I also read that they acknowledge and award inspiring bloggers. Read the details here.)

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Francis Magalona: An Artist that Awakened Pinoy Pride

I was still in Grade school when I first heard his hit, Mga Kababayan ko. In my memory, he was and is the first and only rapper who had songs that were not only good, they made sense and had values.

I also remember watching him on the movie Bagets 2, along side Aga Mulach and Herbert Bautista.

Sadly, just this month, he finally succumbed to his sickness, Leukemia. It was a battle that was highly publicized and read. Francis even shared his stories through his interviews and blog/site. I was never an avid fan, but I always thought of him as an icon. I also appreciate his music and art - his love for the Philippines that is very apparent in all his works.

If there is one positive thing that resulted from his passing, it's probably the awakening of Pinoy Pride. His works are now more valuable and more people are interested in them. Just last March 18, he was awarded by the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts. He was given a posthumous Presidential Medal of Merit. The award's was a recognition of “his musical and artistic brilliance, his deep faith in the Filipino and his sense of national pride that continue to inspire us.”

Another sign of his massive impact in the Philippine culture is his T-shirt business, Three Stars and a Sun. The business is currently is booming. A long queue of fans and supporters, wait for their turn to purchase one of his shirt designs. A note of concern though, I hope that people don't take advantage of this. I hope that they buy ONLY the original shirts and support legitimate concert and tributes for the man.

FrancisM wears his latest best selling shirt, "PRIDE." Photo taken by artist and business partner at FMCC, FrancisM's official clothing line, Carlo Maniquiz.

Francis Magalona is the son of popular 1940's and 1950'sFilipino actors, Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. For more information on Francis Magalona, please visit his official site (http://www.magalona.com/).

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Mang Mel: An Ordinary Filipino, A Janitor, A Hero

I just read and watched an inspiring story in Inquirer about a Janitor, Mang Mel, who made a difference in students lives. My tears fell as I watched the old man tell his story. It's about how his retirement benefits were affected by how his decision to act as guarantor to student loans. Unfortunately some of the students never paid their loan so he ended up shouldering the costs.

I'm just amazed at how small and poor people are so generous of themselves and how some of us forget to the very ones who help us. I wish men like him will never be taken forgranted again. I think him a hero, a hero who gave so much to help his fellowmen attain their dreams and gain a better future.

It's a good thing that one of the students remembered Mang Mel. This blog that tells it all.

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Filipina Chef in charge of White House cuisine

Until recently, the culinary kitchen and the office, was ruled by men. Now times have changed and we see more and more women taking on bigger roles in society. I am also glad to have read that
Cristeta Pasia - Comerford, a Filipina-American, has been chosen to head the White House kitchen. Not only is she the first woman chef, she is also the first person from a minority who has achieved this feat.

I believe that being a Chef involves creativity, precision and dedication. It is also very influential in the sense that food can affect moods. Great food can entertain and lift spirits and I admire chefs who continuously create meals that have made so many of us smile. Congratulations!

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Bomb Disposal Robot by Filipino Students

Last October, Students of the Mapua Institute won the top prize for their invention of a Bomb disposal robot. Mapua is known as one of the top Engineering universities in Manila.

The robot is wittingly called MAC, short for Mechanical Anti-Terrorist Concept, and it won the gold at the First World Cup of Computer-Implemented Inventions in China. It was a tough competition between the Philippine's MAC and the UK's computer-programmed Braille system but in the end the MAC bagged the most coveted award.

Read the more about it here or watch the presentation to see the project.



You can also watch a news clip here.

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Christmas in Manila

Happy Holidays everyone!

May you and your families be blessed with more happiness, love and peace! :)



Note: I miss holidays in Manila. Photos I used in this video were taken last year in Eastwood.

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Gawad Kalinga and The Pinoy Spirit

Amidst hard times and uncertainty, when recession and job loss is happening everywhere, Filipinos always remain jubilant, hopeful and resilient. They persevere and survive.

When I attended the Gawad Kalinga Paskuhan event in Macau, Dec 5 and 6, I was awed by the camaraderie and hardwork that my fellowmen exuded. And as I travel and see more of my fellowmen spread across the globe, an intense feeling of admiration and pride grows in me.

Tired from work or even out of work themselves, they took the time to spread the word for our poverty stricken fellowmen in the Philippines. I witnessed firsthand how they shared their time and talents to support a great cause - Gawad Kalinga.

Filipinos based in Macau, work late at night to build a sample of a Gawad Kalinga (GK) home.


With The CFC Community of Macau. These are the "Tito's or Uncle's" who lead this community. Working hard to build another GK village in the Philippines.


The Single for Christ members who shared their time and talents for the cause.


The CFC community celebrating Christmas with a cause - Paskuhan (Christmas) the Gawad Kalinga way.

Now you may be asking, what is Gawad Kalinga? It is a movement/program that uplifts the lives of the poor in the Philippines. More than just providing them with houses, this program rebuilds their lives and their spirit. This is a program that allows those who are more enabled to help and share their blessings. Watch this video to see how this program changed and touched lives.

Gawad Kalinga, is being supported by corporations, private citizens, as well as non-Filipinos who believe in the vision. One of them is GK Champion Dylan Wilk, one of the richest men in UK under the age of 30. Listen to a podcast where he explains his passion to fight poverty.

Also here is another video compilation of GK champions/GK heroes.

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Manny Pacquiao more than a boxer!

I was out on vacation last week so my hubby and I never got to watch the match between PacMan and DeLaHoya. I did however hear that the Philippines' very own, Manny Pacquiao, won another match that will certify and strengthen his rising star as one of the worlds best boxer ever.

But more than being a boxer, I see him as a persona that:

1. helps unite our country, the Philippines. He bridges my countrymen. The divide between the rich and poor of our country vanishes as soon as he enters the ring.
2. he acts as a peacekeeper. Crime and Traffic in Manila is drastically low on days of his match.
3. he is remains to be an inspiration. A vast number of my fellowmen is poor. Manny was once one and yet he has risen to be one of the most popular sportsmen in our country and in the world.

I commend this man for rising above poverty and making the most of his talents! More power Pacman!

Watch his story (part 1) below. (Uploaded in YouTube uploaded by Nhinjo)
NOTE: other parts of his story are in Nhinjo.

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Daniel Dingel, a Filipino Inventor with a cause

Mr. Daniel Dingel is an ordinary brilliant Filipino inventor who has discovered how water can be used as alternative fuel for cars. That was in the 1960's. Fast forward to now 2008, it still remains unused and untapped by the Philippine economy. Sadly this invention was never supported by the Philippine government due to politics and restraints signed by the Philippines with the IMF and the World Bank.

Listen to Mr. Dingel discuss the issues and present the invention in video below, uploaded by whenisnow2.



Visit Mr. Dingel's website for more information about him and his invention.

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Josie Natori, A Worldclass Filipina

As a little girl I dreamt of being a fashion designer, my influence is my fashion designer mom. I took up a course in Fine Arts, even participated in our University fashion show yet I graduated and discovered another passion for marketing and advertising.

I never became a full-fledged fashion designer but I still retained my love and fascination for fashion. I keep myself informed about fashion and I do enjoy watching shows like Project Runway, The next Top Model etc. To my glee I got to read updates on a Filipina and world class fashion designer/entrepreneur worthy of admiration, Ms. Josie Cruz - Natori.

She was born in the Philippines in 1947, she moved to the US in 1964 to study and then worked her way up the corporate ladder to become the Merrill Lynch's first female Vice President in Investment Banking. Having found success in banking she found herself looking for a new challenge which brought her to fashion. She now is the CEO and founder of the Natori company that also provides jobs for her fellowmen.

She has been awarded in 2007 the Philippines' highest civilian honor, The Lakandula award. More recently she also awarded with the 2008 BPInoy Award in Makati Shangril-Hotel.

She held a fashion show last Februay, 2008 in Manila and in one of her interviews with the Inquirer she said, "It is not in mass production but in fine craftsmanship where Filipinos can excel. And what makes our craftsmanship special, what gives it the edge, is the sophistication, the touch of modernity."

From what I've seen, read and heard about her, what strikes me most is her passion to excel and make a difference. She is very talented, her love for challenge and search for meaning has brought her fame in banking, fashion and music. More importantly, her heart is good.

In one of her awarding moments she was quoted saying, "I love my work, but success in fashion is not enough, I want to be able to give something back, to make a difference in people’s lives. Only then will I feel as if I’ve accomplished something.”

Makes a lot of sense! Truly inspiring!

Read more about her in her site www.natori.com.

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Lea Salonga, a Multi - awarded Broadway Star!

I started listening to Lea Salonga when I was 5 years old and since then, I've been her fan. I continue to admire her not just because she is pretty, smart and a great singer but also because she has remained excellent.

She started her career in the Philippines first in a musical play and then as a child singer. I even recall my first tape as a child was Lea's 'Small Voice album'.

Her International career began in Broadway when she played the role of Kim in Ms. Saigon. That was the start and from then on she has made her mark internationally. She is an award winning talent with recognitions from the Tony awards and Laurence Olivier awards, to name a few.

She also lent her voice as the singing voices of Fa Mulan (Mulan) and Princess Jasmin (Alladin).

Watch her audition for Ms. Saigon.



More information about Ms. Lea Salonga - Chien is in her website.

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Arnel Pineda, the new frontman of Journey!

It's amazing how Arnel Pineda's luck changed when a man from the other side of the globe saw his band's video on the internet. Not a lot of people get a chance like this.

Here is a news on him by CBS uploaded in Youtube by espiritu.





His path to popularity was not an easy one and just like a lot of Filipinos and artists he also had his fair share of hardship, poverty even hunger. It's just a fairy tale come true. His is a story that gives a lot of hope to those who dream.

Congratulations and God bless Arnel! Continue to spread your unique sunshine :)

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In Gawad Kalinga Filipinos unite and take action!

When all else fails, it's always the private citizens and regular people who get things done. I commend each person who shared their time, talent and resources to help our brethren. Gawad Kalinga is one of the best programs/solutions I've known and the selflessness and self sacrifice showcased here is truly uplifting and encouraging. By the way, Gawad Kalinga is a Filipino term which means "to give care." To know more it, click here.

A childhood friend of mine has devoted her life to this cause. She graduated a 'cum laude' in one of the Philippines best universities and took up film classes overseas, and yet she has decided to be a mission worker, devoting her time to GK. Young and promising, she left the possibilities of a bright career and bigger income in the corporate world because her heart went out for the poor. She wants to help them and hopefully, make a difference.

Here's a video of Gawad Kalinga I got from YouTube, uploaded by fg4gk.



It is because of people like her in GK that changes are happening. Read more about others who are involved in Gawad Kalinga.

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Bo Sanchez' asks, "Why so much God and Poverty?"

I read a blog from fellow Filipino Bo Sanchez. He asks about the relationship between poverty and God.

It's a worthwhile read that will surely make you think, wonder and hopefully act. Nice to know that many of my fellowmen are thinking and are as concerned as I am.

Here's an excerpt:

Last week, I had lunch with a wealthy foreigner.

How wealthy? He was earning two million dollars a month. (I’m not kidding.) He was in the Philippines visiting our smaller islands.

“So how did you like your visit?” I asked him.

“I loved it,” he said, “I have never met a more polite, more courteous, nicer people than the Filipinos.”

“Thank you,” I beamed.

But then he frowned. “Bo, I also noticed how religious Filipinos are. I saw the tricycles with signs, saying, “God loves you” and “John 3:16”. There is so much God in your country. And yet there is so much poverty.”

Ouch.

That hurt because it’s so true.

Read his blog and the responses.

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