Concert Series: VICE GANDA in KCC

I am a big fan of STAND-UP COMEDIANS...


I am always in awe how they poke audiences, their co-comedians and themselves just like that...


One of my favorites is VICE GANDA!

Born JOSE MARIE VICERAL, a graduate of Political Science in Far Eastern University, he become a VICE GANDA through the people who watch his shows and compliment him with "ang ganda ng show mo"... From there, he coined this name just by using the word "GANDA" and adding up "VICE" to complete it... And the rest as we always say is history...

"Horsey Rumor" is evident during his hour and a half act in the ATRIUM of KCC Mall of GENSAN . “I would say after my show, ‘O, sige, babay na. Matutulog ako ng maaga dahil may karera pa ako bukas ng umaga sa Sta. Ana.’ I mean., the racetrack.”

He joined O, Diva! search of Eat, Bulaga!, but dropped out when he lost his voice for three months, prompting him to shift to comedy and thanks to The Library (alma mater of many of today’s young comedians) where he started.

“During my early years at Laffline and Punchline, the customers would usually approach me and say, ‘Ang ganda ng show mo!’ Ang ganda mo!’ The word ‘ganda’ stuck. So I decided to use it as my showbiz name. Looks better on the marquee, kaysa naman sa real name ko na masyadong mahaba. I just thought of adding the word ‘Vice’ because ‘Ganda’ naman is too short.”

There was never a dull moment during his show. I even find VICE generous, for his hour act became almost an hour and a half. Fresh from his "SHOWTIME" stint, he went on the way to get in time for his show here in GENSAN... He never looked tired inspite his lack of sleep... Making me adore him more!

Till we meet again!


Thanks to KCC MALL of GENSAN for bringing him for the very first time to the city of GENERALS...

French Boy Adventure - Flavien conquers SANGGUNIANG PANGLUNGSOD of GENSAN

Before seeing the City Mayor, Flavien and the rest of the AFS students went to attend the Regular Session of the City Council...

Flavien with the other AFS Scholars as they were recognized at the SP

Flavien, delivering a speech...

The night before, we informed him to prepare a speech for he might be asked to give one. WE did not see him prepare for it but then before he went out, he asked for a piece of clean paper and wrote something from his cellphone... Finding out that it is the speech he will be delivering that day...

He came prepared after all!

FRENCH BOY ADVENTURE: Meeting MAYOR JUN ACHARON

One of the programs of American Field Service is the Intercultural Program wherein High School Students all over the globe are given a chance to be in a Foreign Country to experience its quality of Education and Culture.

The School Program is for one academic year, semester or trimester and begins in July/ August/ September or January/ February/ March depending on the country. AFS students live with a host family and attend a local secondary school as full-time students.

Visit the AFS site for more information.

This is why, we have FLAVIEN...

On his 2nd day in the City, he woke up early to make courtesy call to the Local Government Officials of General Santos...

And Of course, he never missed the chance of meeting the mayor...

Flavien and Mayor Jun Acharon, all smiles for the Camera

the Mayor with the AFS Exhange Students and
AFS Coordinator of GENSAN

2nd APOPONG URBAN RACE

Apopong Urban Race is a 15-kilometer race with in the area of Barangay Apopong.

In finding ways in promoting different advocacies among our constituents, we find unusual ways in giving the message. With this year’s main objective – TO PROMOTE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN TAKING GOOD CARE OF MOTHER NATURE, Apopong Urban Race ’09 challenges is specially designed to inculcate the importance of an untattered environment to our everyday living. In a way, aside from our main participants, we will be able to share first hand experiences in taking good care –FOR REAL- of MOTHER NATURE.

Started last September 2008, the 2nd Urban Race was held last September 19, 2009 in celebration of the 26th Foundation Anniversary of Barangay Apopong

Here's an amateur video of last year's race:

Meanwhile, for this year here are some  pictures that we took from CP 1 to the last CP:

starts with a prayer

talks with the marshalls

a very inviting OLAER SPRING RESORT

a dip before the final CALL

let the race begin

CP 1 at OLAER SWIMMING RESORT

CP 2 at the Marcos Highway

the marshalls of CP 3

running towards CP 4

the MARSHALLS of CP 4

the working committee

salamat sa sponsors!

MORE PICS TO COME! 

FRENCH BOY ADVENTURE - encounter with DURIAN

This is Flavien.

A 17- year old French Boy who is currently being hosted by my family for the AMERICAN FIELD SERVICE program on EXCHANGE STUDENTS...

We are his foster family in short.

When asked why he chosed the PHILIPPINES to be his place of destination. He told me, to learn ENGLISH and to know the culture. PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

That is why we expose him to things FILIPINO... a lot of it..

Actually, FLAVIEN does not eat durian he even hates the smell of it. But for the sake of memory, he was sport enough to come near a family of durian for a PHOTO OP with them...

more of FLAVIEN's adventure on my next posts..

MY HIVE - my OFFICE CORNER

DIGNITARIES: Erap at GENSAN

A stop over at GENERAL SANTOS, to thank his LOYAL Supporters for all the years, ERAP made a quick visit and had lunch with the members of AIM Political Party in General Santos, lead by no less than SIR ADELBERT ANTONINO with Representative DARLENE ANTONINO-CUSTODIO.

With him are the Senate President ENRILE and former senator MACEDA...

DIGNITARIES : GMA at KORONADAL

You can't see GMA here...

got no plans of taking a picture of her, much more with HER...

I just love these BEESSSS...

THey woke me up from my sleep adn landed right in front of my office...

CONCERT SERIES : Side A Band

BLURRY and FAR...

Yeah, my bad... i do not have a good camera that time...

but me and me dadi had fun that night, TOTALLY!

CENTERPOINT BAND with PUNONG BARANGAY PACQUIAO

For his 27th Birthday, the Punong Barangay of Barangay Apopong, General Santos City, the youngest brother of no less than MANNY "PACMAN" PACQUIAO, Rogelio "Ruel" Pacquaio had a party like no other...

June 17 is the day...

days before that, there were number of tournaments and competitions. Basketball Tourny, Chess Tourny, bowling tourny, dance competition to name a few..

But on the big day!.. 

taa---daaaaaaaaahhhhhhh............

Centerpoint on stage with Capt. Ruel singing "PARA SA'YO"

Aside from Centerpoint, two other local bands played that night. Even Madam Dionisia danced the night away tagging along her Dance Instructors...

Till next year!

WEDDING PLANNING 101: Checklist

Plurking is second nature to me now.

Everytime I get hold of the keyboard, I always see to it, to go OPEN my PLURK…

One of my PLURKFRIENDS will be getting married on 2010, I don’t know exactly when, and its been the focus of our PLURK TOPICS lately.

Somehow, I got obsessed. 

Thus this POST.

Here’s a guide on planning a wedding:

Wedding Checklist: 10 to 12 months before your wedding

_____Tell your parents, important family members, and close friends the good news! In short announcing your Engagement

____You might also want to announce your engagement in the newspaper, on a wedding website with an email sent out to all your friends, or in the most traditional way, with mailed engagement announcements

____Have an engagement party, if you'd like

____Envision the tone of your wedding: Formal or casual? Day or evening? Religious or secular?

____Consider having a wedding theme, which will help pull together the style, look, and feel of your wedding

Circle two to three words that you think will describe your wedding: 
Fun -- Romantic -- Classic -- Unique -- Loving -- Classy -- Tasteful -- Glamorous -- Elegant -- Funky -- Casual -- Relaxed -- Formal -- Themed -- Well-appointed -- Luxurious -- Decadent -- Old-fashioned -- Kitschy -- Preppy -- Sporty -- Morning -- Afternoon -- Evening -- Coordinated -- Cute -- Solemn -- Religious -- Secular -- Traditional -- Other _________________ 

____Choose your wedding colors, which will add visual unity.

Colors that might make good wedding colors (choose 3 or 4) 
Red -- Green -- Yellow -- Blue -- Purple -- Lilac -- Amethyst -- Eggplant --

Lavender -- Wine -- Bordeaux -- Burgundy -- Sky blue -- Teal -- Royal Blue -- Navy -- Midnight Blue -- Raspberry -- Light Pink -- Hot Pink -- Fuschia -- Coral -- Magenta --

Peach -- Tangerine -- Apricot -- Pumpkin -- Orange -- Curry -- Mustard -- Brown --

Chocolate Brown -- Camel -- Tan -- Beige -- Apple Green -- Grass Green --

Kelly Green -- Mint Green -- Lime Green -- Moss -- Sapphire -- Deep Aqua --

Gold -- Silver -- White -- Black -- Bronze -- Copper -- Cream -- Champagne --

Vanilla -- Marigold -- Electric Blue -- Neon Yellow -- Blue Grey -- Grey -- Other

____Set your budget.

____Decide who will pay for the wedding. Will your parents cover it all? Can you contribute? How will expenses be split?

____Start your guest list

____Select date and time. Have backup dates in mind, in case a key element is unavailable. 

I want to get married: (choose 1) 
___in the summer 
___on our anniversary 
___on a holiday (Valentine's Day, New Years, Etc.) 
___on my parents' wedding anniversary 
___on another special date _______________ 

____Select and reserve your ceremony and reception sites

____Hire a wedding consultant, if you're using one

____Choose and book your wedding officiant

____Choose bridesmaids, groomsmen and ushers

____Meet with florists, caterers, and musicians.

             - CATERER : talk about the menu

                               type of reception

                               sit down or buffet type

                               number of expected guests

             - FLORIST : type of flower

                              type of arrangement

             - MUSICIANS :  soloist

                                   duo

                                   choir

                                   full band

____Arrange for a tasting with your caterer

             

____Shop for and order your wedding dress and accessories, including veil, gloves and shoes

____Sign a contract with your wedding caterer

____Book wedding florist and choose arrangements

____Book your musicians and/or DJ for both ceremony and reception

____Select and confirm your wedding photographer (and your videographer, if you're using one.)

____Plan your honeymoon

____Shop for and order your bridesmaid dresses

____If you're making your own wedding favors, start doing so now.

____Meet with wedding cake designers or bakers and arrange for a tasting (Yum!)

Wedding Checklist: Four to six months before your wedding

____Send save-the-date announcements or call out of town guests to let them know the final date, time, and location of the wedding.

____If you're purchasing wedding favors, do so now

____Start planning your rehearsal dinner. Give the host(s) your guest list

____Examine your beauty regimen.  You want to look your best on your wedding right?

____If your caterer isn't doing it for you, reserve any rental equipment you'll need, including dishes, tables, chairs, linens, tents

____Select your wedding cake designer, and order your wedding cake

____Arrange wedding transportation

____Order stationery

____Select the groom's tuxedo or other attire, what the groomsmen will wear, and arrange to purchase or rent

____Purchase your wedding rings

____Book wedding night accommodations and accommodations for out-of-town guests.

Wedding Checklist: Two to three months before your wedding

____Give a list of "Must Take" photographs to your wedding photographer

____Discuss your wedding menu with your caterer

____Meet with your officiant to discuss the wedding ceremony

____Write your wedding vows

____Attend any bridal showers

____Mail your wedding invitations

____Think about your wedding hair and makeup - If you're doing your own, try out hairstyles, purchase any extra makeup, think about having a "makeover party" with your girlfriends.

____Book your hairstylist and/or makeup artist, if you're using them. Meet with each of them to experiment with styles and colors

____Schedule your wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

____Send wedding announcements to local newspapers.

Wedding Checklist: The month of your wedding


____Apply for your marriage license.

____Have your final gown fitting. It's helpful to have a bridesmaid with you to learn how to bustle your train and fasten any tricky buttons (and help you go to the bathroom, if you've got a big wedding dress!)

____Check with your bridesmaids and groomsmen to make sure they've gotten their attire, confirm arrival times, and answer any last minute questions

____Contact your vendors (caterer, officiant, cake baker, photographer, videographer, florist, musicians, transportation, hotels) to confirm arrival and delivery times.

____Write and print your wedding program

____Create welcome baskets or bags for out-of-town guests

____Write thank you cards as you receive wedding gifts

____Ask your mother or maid of honor to contact any guests who have not RSVP'd

Wedding Checklist: One to Two Weeks Ahead

____Arrange seating plan, and write place cards

____Give your final head count to your caterer, and confirm any last minute details

____Write toasts for the rehearsal dinner and reception

____Try on your wedding shoes, and wear them on carpeted surfaces around the house

____Pick up your wedding dress

____Attend your bachelor party or bachelorette party, if you're having them

____Finalize seating chart

Wedding Checklist: The Day Before Your Wedding

____Do something to relax and enjoy the company of your out-of-town friends

____Assign responsibilities to your wedding party (handing out corsages and boutonnieres, greeting and seating guests, checking on vendors)

____Confirm wedding day transportation

____Have a manicure and pedicure or other pre-wedding spa pampering.

____Give your wedding party gifts

____Rehearse ceremony

____Hold the rehearsal dinner

 
Your Wedding Checklist: Day of the Wedding

____Give thank you gifts to your parents or just simply say thank you. its going to be full of DRAMA doing so.

____Enjoy your wedding!

Try answering the next questions about the WEDDING you wanted:

Rate the following in order of importance (put a 1 next to the thing that is most important to you, through a 10 next to the thing that is least important to you): 

___Food 
___Liquor 
___Apparel 
___Aesthetics/Appearance (flowers, decorations, centerpieces, ambiance) 
___Music 
___Convenience 
___Spirituality 
___Photography 
___Family and Friends

When I look back on our wedding, I want to most remember: (choose 1) 

___How exciting everything was 
___How romantic it was 
___How beautiful it was 
___How proper everything was 
___How smoothly and easily everything went 
___How happy my parents and family were 


HAPPY PLANNING!!!!!!!

Caring Careers Ltd - one of the 4 LEGITIMATE RECRUITERS OF FILIPINO NURSES AND CARERS..

UK still needs more Filipina nurses and caregivers
By Danny Buenafe, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau Chief
Created 06/17/2009 - 23:38

Despite the global crisis, Filipina nurses and caregivers are still in demand in the United Kingdom.

Even nurses who have not taken the board exams can qualify to work in a UK-based caring home.

The good part is that the British Embassy in Manila has shortened the processing of UK work and student visas. What used to be a three- to four-month processing can now be over in just four to six weeks.

Consul General Teresa de Vega and British Ambassador Designate Stephen Lillie were exclusively interviewed by the ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

“Meron naman po demand para sa mga nurses, para sa ibang skilled professionals,” said de Vega.

“I think it’s obviously an area of opportunity. How many people will be recruited obviously has to be determined by the health service here in accordance with points-based system,” added Ambassador Designate Lillie.

The Caring Career Training (CCT) Company is one of the four legitimate recruiters of Filipina nurses and carers into the UK through a student visa. It requires a minimum two-year school training.

The nurses and carers receive a monthly modest pay, which progresses depending on their performance at the assigned caring home.

Almost 200 nurses had already been recruited by CCT, and they appear to be happy with the training facilities and accommodation.

“May mga paperworks talaga. May mga workbooks, mga sasagutan,,, related naman sa work,” commented Joanne Timbol.

“Naghahanap din sila ng mga work plans namin pero hindi naman kami pinapabayaan,” said Sheila Gonzaga.

But CCT clarified that there is an initial corresponding free of 3,500 pounds (P300,000) to cover training, food and accommodation expenses including the visa.

This does not yet cover the plane fare which the applicant has to pay.


Jay Mariano, CCT overseas director, said, “In the Philippines, we do not receive the money. What happens is that they do the transactions straight to the UK. Para po may receipt sila .”

Based on statistics, there is an annual increase of 10 percent in the manpower requirements of UK caring homes. Unlike in the Philippines, the population of adults is much higher in the UK.

Apart from nurses, the Philippine Embassy said there is also a demand for plumbers and electricians.





Interested? Kindly contact this number for a free orientation.. 09202980351

BOTO MO, IPATROL MO LAUNCHING in GENSAN

In 2005, ABS-CBN had AKO ANG SIMULA as a year-end offering – focusing on people who changed their world for the better. ABS-CBN’s Foundation also gathered artists together in a music video, BAGONG SIMULA. But their most successful project was in the 2007 elections, when they turned CITIZEN PATROL to a campaign that won top international awards - BOTO MO, I-PATROL MO.

Taking the immense power of traditional media – print, tv, radio, cable - and combined it with new media – the Internet and mobile phone technology – to create the first instance globally where a news organization called on citizen journalists to come together to patrol their votes and push for clean elections.

"The idea for Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo was simple: get the people to care and to take action. It’s people power with new technology! If you see something wrong or something good, tell us about it. If you see someone trying to buy the votes, snap a picture on your cellphone and send it to us. If you see a town mayor using public vehicles for his campaign, shoot video with your cellphone and send it to us. If you see violence, tell us about it, and after a verification process, we will put it to air. Two months into the 4-month campaign, we received reports from the provinces that Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo helped level the playing field where incumbents were running after we ran a story with the cellphone picture of city resources used for campaigns. So cellphones became effective weapons!" - Maria A. Ressa, Head, ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs; Managing Director, ANC

Together with the rest of the Nation, SOCSKSARGEN will now have a first-hand account with BOTO MO. IPATROL MO, by joining its launching on June 12, 2009 at the Oval Plaza Gymnasium. Programs will start from 4:00 in the morning upto midnight with no less than Ms. CES OREÑA-DRILON

Here's a rundown of the PROGRAM:

4:00AM

PART I. STAFF CALL TIME FOR Umagang Kay Ganda LIVE
               Format: LIVE/FORUM/LIVE
               Host: CES ORENA-DRILON
               Presentations from:

                    - MSU KABPAPAGRIYA ENSEMBLE
                    - CALYE
                    - GENRYTHMIX BAND
                    - GUESTS: COMELEC XII
                    - NANAY DIONISIA PACQUIAO
                    - SKFED SARGEN AND POLOMOLOK 
 
8:30 AM

PART II. IN-HOUSE PROGRAM BY MOR DJS

12:00 NN

PART III. DATELINE PHILIPPINES LIVE
                   Anchor: Chat Ansagay

1:00PM

PART IV . IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS BY MOR DJS

5:00PM

PART V. TV PATROL SOCSARGEN LIVE
               Anchor: Jay Dayupay

6:30PM

PARTVI. TV PATROL WORLD
             Anchor: Ces Orena-Drilon

7:30 PM

PARTVII. GABI NG KABATAAN BY MOR DJS

8:30 PM

PARTVIII. ABS-CBN NEWS GENSAN FORUM

11:30 PM

PART IX. BANDILA LIVE
             With CES DRILON
             Boto Mo, Patrol Mo CULTURAL NIGHT SA GENSAN
                        with KAPAYAPAAN KAPATID COUNCIL
                        with TRI-PEOPLE FORUM
            SIGNING OF THE SOCIAL COVENANT
                       with TRI-PEOPLE CANDLE LIGHTING
                       with TRI-PEOPLE PRAYER

One year before the 2010 elections, stand up and say ENOUGH.

It’s time to stop complaining, and time to start doing.
It’s time to stop blaming everyone else, and time to accept responsibility for building our future.
It’s time to stop accepting the world as it is – corrupt, inefficient, unfair and unjust – and start visualizing the world as it can – and should – be.  

BOTO MO, I-PATROL MO 2010 is about YOU. Join us! 

Don ‘t let this chance for change pass you by. Use your power to vote wisely. We have one year to create the world we want. If you’ve had enough but don’t want to be defeated, stand up and say AKO ANG SIMULA.