THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

ME AND MY STAR ARE SUMMERING IN SHORTS...

A million and one thanks to Starblu for the great shorts! Aw. You guys are too sweet! Star Blu does swimwear for both daddies and their kids. So here I am with my eldest son all dressed up for the summer. I'm bringing these shorts to Corregidor this weekend. They dry really easy and are extremely soft.

Check out Starblu's site here.

And if you want to buy a pair of matching shorts for you and your junior, log onto thier local site here. Or check out their stocks at Amanpulo and Discovery Shores Boracay.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...

TORONTO CALLING...

Kindly allow me to introduce you all to the current artists-in-residence, KAPISANAN members Alex Felipe (left) and Vince Galvez (right), two photographer/film-makers from Toronto.

Which is in Canada.

We look forward to seeing what they come up with during their four months in the Philippines. Stay tuned to this space for updates.

And log onto their blog for their points of view and what they have been through:

www.balikbayanproject.wordpress.com

SHAMELESS PLUG! SHAMELESS PLUG!

LIGHT ME UP, coño!

I'd like to give a shout out and a whole bunch of thanks to Harry Hung Hawson and Maverick By Design for the great illuminated T-shirt. Funnily so, I think I was drunk or sleepy when he asked me what I wanted the shirt to say. I kinda spelled "coño kid" wrong.

Joder. Well, what can you do, coño?

Log onto their multiply site at Maverick by Design and check out their other really cool illuminated Tshirt designs.

MANILA TRANSITIO 1945

MANILA TRANSITIO 1945

FEBRUARY 27, 2010
SATURDAY

TOUR 6:30PM - MEET at the MANILA CATHEDRAL
MANILA TRANSITIO 1945 ART EVENT 8:30PM - FORT SANTIAGO

In February of 1945, the City of Manila was completely destroyed in a battle between the United States Armed Forces and the Japanese Imperial Army. An estimated 120,000 people were lost and our beloved City of Manila was never the same again.

This February 27th, To mark the 65th Anniversary of the Battle of Manila,Intramuros Administration and Carlos Celdran, will present the 2nd TRANSITIO MANILA 1945. This art event hopes to become an annual commemoration/memorial where we as Manilenos may reflect upon the passing of this event in our history. The evening will start with a sunset fundraiser tour of Intramuros at 6:30. Art installations and performances will follow at the Fort Santiago at 8:30pm. The evening will be highlighted by the release of spirit balloons by the gates of Fort Santiago. A reasonably priced buffet and refreshment will be available. Picnic baskets are allowed.

EVENINGS ACTIVITIES AND COSTS:

TOUR
6:30PM
I will be holding a SPECIAL sunset tour of Intramuros. It will be a bigger show than the usual. The tour will be followed by a special party at Fort Santiago. Ticket holders to the tour will enter the party/picnic for free and recieve a free glass of VUQO. Tour starts at 6:30PM - Please arrive earlier than that. Tour ends at 8:30PM
Php1,000.00.

Assembly point is Plaza Roma in front of Manila Cathedral.
Proceeds will go towards the procurement of scooter bikes for the Intramuros Kabayan Security Force (An NGO).

Hope to see you there!


MANILA TRANSITIO 1945 ART EVENT
8:30PM
Gates open by 7:30PM
The evening will start with music by Junjie Lerma, Caliph8, and P.G. in the gardens fronting the moat. It will be followed by Flamenco music and dance by Yerbaguena Centro Flamenco.

The evening will be highlighted by the release of spirit balloons at the gates of Fort Santiago (video above).

The evening will be capped by readings about the Liberation of Manila curated by Mabi David. Works will be read by Oliver Ortega, Erwin Lareza, Lawrence Bernabe, and Mesandel Virtusio Arguelles. There will also be a collaborative performance by Donna Miranda and Angelo Suarez.

Around the Fort Santiago grounds and Intramuros will be an exhibition of art installations by Denis Lagdameo, Reg Yuson, Tad Ermitano & Team Manila. Current artists in residence at the Living Room Vince Galvez and Alex Felipe of Kapisanan Toronto will also present a video work specially made for the evening.

Feel free to pack your own picnic basket and set up a blanket in the grass to watch the performances. A reasonably priced buffet (Php450.00) by Ilustrado Restaurant will be available for those who do not bring their own food.

Vuqo Vodka will be available free of charge and wines from PREMIER wines and spirits will be for sale.

Etrance to this event only is Php250.00 with a free drink.

*Please stay posted for updates on participation of more artists.

Text 920 9092021 to make reservations (Lesley)
or email celdrantours@hotmail.com

Please indicate on text whether you are reserving
for TOUR alone or TOUR/PARTY or PARTY only.

MARCHING FOR MY BABY!

I THINK I'M IN LOVE WITH SECRETARY ESPY CABRAL! So let's all march to show how much we love the fact that she loves giving condoms & birth control pills to those who want and need them.

RH COMMUNITY STEPS UP SUPPORT for HIV and AIDS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Contact Person: Ms. Vigie Benosa-Llorin

Mobile No. 0918-2936786

More than 300 representatives from community women organizations, people living with HIV and AIDS, non-government and civil society organizations will gather in a symbolic rally to support the HIV and AIDS awareness efforts of the Department of Health and protest the interventions of some Catholic leaders on the said campaign.

A short program will be conducted from 10:30 AM to 12:30 NN to present the benefits of HIV and AIDS public awareness campaign on the health of the Filipino people vis-à-vis the pressures coming from some leaders of the Catholic church and Office of the President.

Participants will distribute condoms and carry streamers, banners and placards to show their support for DOH Secretary Cabral’s program to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS disease. They will also challenge the presidential candidates’ to adopt HIV/AIDS and reproductive health program.

WHAT:

“Martsa ng Suporta Kay Cabral”

A symbolic Rally of Support to DOH’s HIV and AIDS Campaign

WHEN:

Monday, 1 March 2010

10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

WHERE:

Entrance Gate, Department of Health

San Lazaro Compound, San Lazaro, Manila

DETAILS:

Organized by the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), Health Action and Information Network (HAIN), Forum for Family Planning and Development (FORUM), Linangan ng mga Kababaihan (LIKHAAN), Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) and the Philippine NGO Council (PNGOC). The activity aims to show broad and strong support of the reproductive health community to Sec. Cabral and the DOH in their HIV and AIDS public awareness campaign and disappointment over the intervention of some Catholic leaders and government officials on the campaign.

MEDIA COVERAGE IS REQUESTED. RESOURCE PERSONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW. PHOTO OPS AVAILABLE.

For clarifications please call

VIRGINIA BENOSA-LLORIN

Media Advocacy Officer

Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc.

Cellphone Number 09182936786

Landline Nos. 925-1800; 436-2373; 931-5354; 931-5001 loc. 7430;

THE BAMBOO GROVE OF MEMORY...

The Intramuros Administration is calling out for donations of bamboo shoots of any variety for the newly inaugurated Bamboo Gardens of Fort Santiago. The garden was planted in memory of the Guerrillas of World War II. We hope that interested parties can donate young bamboos to complete this memorial garden. It's really a good idea. It's a more enlightened option as a memorial than wasting money on some bronze statue, don't you think?

Email celdrantours@hotmail.com if you wish to donate a bamboo seedling to Fort Santiago. Check out more photos of the garden and it's inauguration on my facebook link: CLICK HERE.

CARLOS RECOMMENDS!

B-B-B-BATANES
I'm heading to BATANES tomorrow. Awesome. Never been. And I'm going with my eyes closed and my mind open. I don't even know where I am staying. But who cares, I'm taking a break from the craziness of Manila. Thank you SEAIR for the affordability of this trip.

Apparently - and according to SEAIR: "The Batanes group of islands at the northernmost tip of the Philippines has a distinct landscape unlike any other in the country. During the winter months from December to February, temperatures can go as low as 7 degrees Celsius. The cool temperate weather, combined with green pastures, windmills on rolling hills and lighthouses guarding immaculate shorelines, give visitors a sense of a holiday in the countryside of Europe." Really now? Ows? A few weeks back, someone told me that Batanes is the only Philippine province to have seasons. This I got to check out for myself.

But back to the airline and my shameless plug about them: SEAIR or Southeast Asian Airlines, will be extending their Batanes Winter promo for booking until February 28, 2010. (This is the ticket I'm getting). Going to Batanes ain't as cheap their rates to Boracay, but it's still a good deal for the chance to visit a place as supposedly otherworldly and ethereal as Batanes. Around Php5,800 ish either way. But you'll get a 10% discount if you book it via www.FlySeair.com. This is the promotion which is only good until February 28, 2010. To see current Batanes rates: type ilovebataneswinter09 in the promo code field when you use the FLIGHT SEARCH column under the "BOOK NOW" header on www.FlySeair.com

Incidentally and while we were on the topic of Boracay, SEAIR also offers special morning rates of AS LOW AS PhP 1,999.20 per way all-in when you book/travel from February 1, 2010 and onwards. The special rates are available for limited seats for all flights to and from BORACAY before 7 a.m. I know, insanely early, YES. But that's why it's CHEAP! And think about it. More time to spend on Boracay.

So that's it and once again, log onto www.FlySeair.com or call SEAIR reservations at 8490100.

Oh, and finally, SEAIR also has a Facebook Fan Page.

Join 'em for updates on promos like this one.

CARLOS RECOMMENDS!

BAYANIHAN AT BARBARA'S
Watch the world famous Bayanihan Dance company do thier thing
every Friday night in Intramuros.
Starts this Valentine's weekend, February 12, 2010 at 7:30PM.

Call 527-4083 or 5273893 and ask for Marj or Ed.

VALENTINE'S AT PABLO'S HOUSE...

VALENTINE'S AT PABLO'S

HAVE DINNER AT THE RESIDENCE OF
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR ARCHITECTURE:
PABLO ANTONIO

for P1000 per person, couples will be treated
to a romantic buffet dinner consisting of:

mustard chicken
chorizo pasta
black olive pasta
grilled prawns
spicy clams
red and white rice
bread and butter
fruit punch
assorted desserts
coffee and tea

A surprise gift wiil be given to all the ladies
for reservations, pls call, 09176008886, 8318407, 2324573 look for malu veloso

Read more about My Mother's Garden
here.

Thanks Anton for the link!

SIGH. HOW ANOYNOYING...

OK. I said I would not do any negative campaigning against Noynoy, so I won't bring be throwing Hacienda Luisita in his face today. But when I see political ads like this, which seem to be going the wrong direction, I just have to speak up and offer my constructive criticism. Noy, or whoever it is that is behind you telling you to make these ads, I recommend that you cease and desist immediately and try a new angle. It not only comes across as sad, but it also seems a bit, I don't know, condescending? Why don't you try telling folks how great we can be instead of how horrible things are. Seriously, you are hitting all the wrong notes with ads like this. And also, hitting all the wrong people.

FROM E.M. on Facebook:
Exxxxxxx Mxxxxxx the latest TV Ads of Noynoy is an insult to us public health workers because "bulok health centers and government hospitals" are merely structures and do not speak of competence and dedication of public health workers. Like him we in Public Health are public servants as well, we are all accountable to the people we serve that we uphold our competence in our professfession. I truly despise what was said in the ads "ng dahil sa corruption pinagtitiyagaan ng tao ang mga bulok na mga health facilities" which also comes across as health services in Health Facilities "ay PINAGTITIYAGAAN din ng mga tao". Sir, let me just remind you even in worst and unfavorable working conditions you find public health workers doing their utmost best, a call of being public servants. Dont lump us as slacking in our jobs because no matter how least compensated we are in the health sector, we are all dedicated and competent public health professionals

33 minutes ago · Report

Just a friendly suggestion, Noy. That's all.