Today, I receive all God’s love for me. Today, I open myself to the unbounded, limitless, overflowing abundance of God’s Universe. Today, I open myself to your Blessings, healing and miracles.Today, I open myself to God’s Word so that I become more like Jesus Everyday. Today, I proclaim that I’m God’s Beloved, I’m God’s Servant, I’m God’s powerful champion, And because I am blessed, I will bless the world, In Jesus Name, Amen.
New UNIQLO store is underway! This is good news to all fashionistas out there who imply love Uniqlo clothing. I bet, you saw this same wall a few months before the June opening of UNIQLO, Japan’s No. 1 Fashion Brand, at the SM Mall of Asia. Now let's play some guessing game. Where is this new one located? Block off your calendars and go North one of these days to have an idea.
UNIQLO opened its first store in the Philippines last June 15 in SM Mall of Asia, one of the largest shopping malls in the world, occupying a waterfront site on Manila Bay spanning 407,000 square meters. This massive shopping complex hosts a wide range of retail tenants, including a number of major fashion brands, and is a major draw for both tourists and local residents. The new UNIQLO Mall of Asia Store will be one of SM Mall of Asia’s largest tenants. Asia offers enormous growth potential for UNIQLO and is a key regional focus of the brand’s global expansion strategy. By January 2012, UNIQLO’s network of stores included 851 locations in Japan and 234 in other global markets, of which 214 are throughout the rest of Asia. UNIQLO started opening its first stores in Thailand in September 2011, following its successful expansion into Singapore and Malaysia, increasing its lineup in Southeast Asia to 11 retail locations. Now, as the brand continues to accelerate its regional expansion efforts, the UNIQLO Mall of Asia is set to offer the joy of truly great clothing to shoppers in the Philippines. UNIQLO Official Facebook Page and Website goes online on February 9
We will be releasing the latest information and regular updates through the following sites.
So please “Like” www.facebook.com/uniqlo.ph and visit www.uniqlo.com/ph.
A short video was making the rounds via Facebook. It was taken allegedly by a motorist by the name of Lyndon Santos while he was caught in the traffic under the Edsa-Timog flyover in Quezon City last Monday.
The video showed a young woman giving her coat to a young girl, perhaps five or six years old, apparently naked until the mystery woman gave the little girl her coat. There was more than just a drizzle. Typhoon “Gener” was raging, after all, and the other pedestrians were seen running past with their umbrellas.
The young woman had stopped to take the hooded coat off her back, and had knelt down to button the jacket neatly around the child. After giving the child a gentle pat, the young woman rushed off.
The video clip lasted for only 35 seconds but it was moving, and I hope her fine example (and Lyndon’s initiative to post it for all to see) would be repeated countless times in quiet acts of charity that affirm our innate humanity and bring out the noble self that was inherent on each one of us.
In this wifi age, brutal hazing resulting to death, insensitive souls abound. So I never thought that the Good Samaritan story that I've read from the bible is still being followed by Pinays/ Pinoys.
Would I have done the same thing in that same situation?
I don't know. Maybe not.
What I do, whenever I eat out, I ask the waiter to wrap whatever food that was left on my plate and I give them to beggars or co-passengers in the MRT.
The other day, I was inside the MRT, and a small child around two years old, dirty, poor, and her mother said she couldn't speak yet, was intently looking at another child who is not only cute but also look rich, eating marsh mallows. Maybe she don't understand why the other child is eating and she doesn't have anything to eat. Since the mother of the rich child did not bother to offer food to the poor young child, I offered the chocolate cake I have on my bag.
The child's face brighten up when she tasted how delicious the chocolate cake is. She smiled at me. I felt happiness in my heart. You know that it was a sincere smile from a person who can't give anything back to you.
I gave her my noodle soup and instructed the mother to add hot water. She was gesturing bye bye and smiling at me, when they get off at the next station.
Maybe it is impossible for us to change the world. But the mysterious woman taught us, that if we wish to change the world that we live in right here, right now, we can do it ourselves in the course of our daily work. No need to wait for the next coming of God. We can do little things for others.
You, yourself can find your own miracle. Maybe while walking to school, at the mall or under the flyover, bridge or even just within your own community.
John F. Kennedy said: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
The miracle woman on Edsa showed us, in the wordsof a Facebook post, that “there are still good and kind people out there.” By her example, she taught us that we can make a difference in simple ways, and that we don’t need wait for some big issue or be like those corrupt traditional politicians who lend a helping hand only because of publicity.
The mystery woman reminds us that doing good, calls for actual sacrifice. She gave up a coat. Yes, her act of kindness did cost her something. She gave up a coat during a typhoon. She risked getting wet and sick on her way home.
The episode under the Edsa-Timog flyover is special. It is one of those quiet acts of kindness:
unrehearsed
unplanned
spontaneous
and real
A moment solely between the woman and the child she was helping. I bet, God is smiling from ear to ear. I hope and I pray that the kindness that the mystery woman showed that morning would be returned to her a thousand fold. Mabuhay ka!
Pentax 645D, not your average toy for the big boys.
Pentax 645D key features:
On top of the list is its resolution, 40-megapixels using a Kodak-made sensor.
Its base ISO is 200 with 1000 being the top speed. This range can be extended to give the equivalent ISO speeds of 100 and 1600.
The 645D is the first medium-format DSLR to have a dust removal system. The system vibrates the UV/IR-cut filters in front of the sensor at supersonic speeds to shake loose any dust.
Despite the large sensor and solid build, the 645D is a portable and quick to use camera.
It is also weather-proofed to enhance its appeal to outdoor and location photographers. Existing Pentax 645 owners will be delighted to learn that the 645D is compatible with their lenses.
The ergonomically molded hand grip is excellent with the result that the camera feels great in the hands, and very well balanced too – at least with the new D FA 55mm f/2.8 AL (IF) SDM AW lens.
Switching from landscape to portrait-format shooting is no problem at all
Key controls like the shutter button fall naturally to finger.
Despite the large reflex mirror flapping up and down, the noise and vibration levels are impressively low.
Design is very clear and the monitor is good.
Buttons are well spaced for easy handling.
Exposure mode dial has a lock function.
All the controls fall nicely to finger.
Big reflex mirror that is light on its feet.
Comes with a 55mm f/2.8 standard lens.
Pentax claim 13 Raws at the continuous shooting speed of 1.1 frames-per-second until the buffer is full.
Portable
Quick autofocusing
Quiet, low vibration shutter action
Bright viewfinder image
Even before digital cameras came in, 35mm was already considered small compared to 120mm, or more popularly known as medium format, which was the tool of choice by most professional photographers. Medium format cameras gave better picture quality which suited industry standards, specifically requirements on large format printing and advertising.
Today, digital photography broke new grounds for consumers, who gained easy access to digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. This access to technology led to the growth of people’s interest in photography, which cultivated a trend where anyone can be a “photographer.”
And as digital photography got more advanced, more and more enthusiasts and professional photographers alike aspired to get the latest and more powerful tools. A full frame DLSR is the most sought-after camera for many photographers, but a medium format DLSR such as Pentax 645D will definitely change the way how to look at a more professionally made photograph than the others.
Just recently, Super East Asia Enterprise, Inc., the sole distributor of Pentax cameras here in the Philippines, held the “Pentax 645D Touch, Try, Experience” event at the DPI XL Studios in Makati City. With Creative Directors and Professional Photographers in attendance, they all wanted to try out and experience the Pentax 645D’s superior performance with regard to image quality.
Boasting an effective 40-megapixel medium format (44x33mm) CCD sensor that provides top resolution of 7264x5440 pixels, the Pentax 645D is suitable for ultra-high resolution imaging, perfect for large format printing applications and has an outstanding cropping flexibility.
The Pentax 645D is also weather proof as its design resists rain, snow, dust and other environmental hazards during on-location shoots and still maintains peak camera performance. Its magnesium alloy body around its rigid aluminum die-cast chassis gives it durability and thermal stability yet lightweight at the same time.
There will also be no problems with lens compatibility as the Pentax 645D can use D FA autofocus lenses and older 645 lenses, which gives it a wide range of photographic applications. Its 3-inch LCD screen is equipped with anti-reflective coating and reinforced glass surface, and also features 921,000 dots of resolution which enables it to provide a 32x image review magnification for better on-camera proofing. And its high capacity Li-Ion battery can take up to 800 shots in normal shooting conditions.
Though a single unit of Pentax 645D may cost photographers around P600,000, it is still competitively priced if ranged against a camera of the same capability yet costs a million pesos or more. And even if the Pentax 645D is not your ordinary “toy for the big boys,” it is still a must-have tool for men (or women) of profession.
Overall, the Pentax 645D is definitely a good investment for most professional photographers, especially for those who specialize in weddings, portraits or products as it can set their services apart from other photographers. A Pentax 645D in hand will definitely take your photography expertise to the next level.
For more information about the Pentax 645D camera and where to buy, visit camerahaus.com or call (+632) 570-8415.
DOREEN G. FERNANDEZ: Food for Thought: A Celebration of Good Taste
Doreen G. Fernandez.
The Museum at De La Salle University (DLSU) in partnership with the DLSU Office for Strategic Communications organized a special viewing of its current exhibit entitled “Food for Thought: A Celebration of Good Taste,” organized to honor Doreen G. Fernandez as writer, teacher, friend, and benefactor. The exhibition is also a commemoration of the 10th anniversary of her death.
Curator Ms. Lalyn Buncab opened the program with a brief history of how DLSU became the custodian of the Wili and Doreen Fernandez private collection. She also talked about the different works of art that comprised the collection.
The sister of the late Doreen G. Fernandez, Ms. Della Besa, graced the press viewing, held last July 27, 2012. Before the program ended, Besa shared her message to the guests on behalf of Doreen’s family.
Buncab said that the exhibit represents Doreen’s life and work. Her good taste in food,in writing, in art and in education, highlighting what is good in Filipino culture.
Items in the exhibit includes memorabilia of Doreen such as:
books
art works
trophies
photographs
plaques that carry the theme of food.
The exhibit will run at The Museum at DLSU until August.
For more information on The Museum, please visit www.themuseum.dlsu.edu.ph or call 524-4611 loc 368.
Way back in 2010, I went to China alone. I met two co-passengers at the airport who recommended The Red Lantern House in Beijing. The Red Lantern is a very nice place to stay in Beijing, China. This is not a paid post. I just like to share my experience to those people who are looking for a place to stay in China and doesn't know where to stay. This is based on my personal experience and I do not represent the hostel.
Red Lantern House in Beijing has a great location and I considered it as a great hostel to stay. It has a very clean rooms, with comfortable beds and wifi. I love the peace and quiet atmosphere of the place. You could relax at the sofas located near the reception. I stayed there for 5 days and 4 nights which comes with a free breakfast.
At Red Lantern House you get the unique chance to get close to old living styles in Beijing because it is near the Hutongs (typical little street of Beijing). It is approximately 10 minutes to the subway. Subway makes it super easy and cheap to get around Beijing. It is in the middle of restaurants. I enjoyed eating shabu shabu for 14 yuan in Beijing. I went there in November of 2010, it was nearing winter, so a cup of soup feels like heaven to me.
The staff was fantastic and very helpful with everything. One particular staff I met is quite good in English. She even lent her map to Temple of Heaven to me and even carried my suitcase and held a taxi for me on my way to the airport. Before I forget, please note that I availed of the one day tour to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China at Red Lantern House, I recommend this to everyone.
With super clean rooms, free breakfast and very friendly staff. I'll rate them 4 stars! Excellent Hostel! I would definitely stay at Red Lantern again.
Photo from Trip advisor. I still have to find the cd containing my Beijing pictures.
What:FREE TAIWAN MOVIES Where: Shangri-La Plaza When: August 2 to 6, 2012
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office brings a small program of Taiwanese films to the Shang Cineplex. Running from August 2 to 6, 2012, the third Taiwan Film Festival pays tribute to one of Taiwan’s greatest directors, as well offers a selection of contemporary documentaries that chronicle the life of modern Taiwan. Admission is free.
Here’s what they’ve got to offer: A Time to Live, A Time to Die
Half of the festival’s program is given over to films by director Hou Hsiao-Hsien. Hou is easily one of Taiwan’s most accomplished directors. His career spans decades, and he had won dozens of awards from all over the world. And yet his work tends to go largely unseen outside of the festival circuit. These films serves as a fine introduction to the director’s work.
A Time to Live, A Time to Die (Tong Nian Wang Shi, 1985). This film tells the story of a young boy whose family moves from Mainland China to Taiwan in 1947. Based loosely on Hou’s own experiences as a young man, this coming-of-age film explores the rift that occurs between the boy and his family as he loses touch with his cultural heritage. The film can be challenging, requiring patience from the viewer as it meanders through the mundane lives of its characters. But there are moments of such immense beauty and sadness in it that one can’t help but be moved. The Boys from Fangkuei
The Boys from Fangkuei (Fēngguì lái de rén, 1983) comes a little bit before Hou found his directorial voice, but one can already see the filmmaker putting together the pieces of what would become his style. This is also a coming-of-age picture, following a group of delinquents from a small seaside town. They spend their time shooting pool, getting drunk and picking up girls, before moving to the city Kaohsiung to look for work. And there they discover that they don’t know as much about the world as they thought. The Boys from Fangkuei isn’t as polished as the rest of Hou’s films, but it can be surprisingly moving. It can be surprisingly tender, the story tinged with nostalgia and a quiet sense of humor. Dust in the Wind
Dust in the Wind (Liàn liàn fēng chén, 1986) touches on the same themes as The Boys of Fengkuei, the film also depicting the plight of small town Taiwanese kids who arrive at the big city. This one follows a teenage couple as they move from their small village and try to make in Taipei. They are in love, but their love struggles to survive their economic and political reality. But where The Boys from Fangkuei feels a bit like a cautionary tale, this film plays out as a real tragedy, finding real anguish in the character’s simple acceptance that life continues to go on.
Three Times
The festival is also screening Three Times (Zuì hǎo de shí guāng, 2005), which was shown in last year’s program. If you missed it last year, you really ought to see it now. It’s a remarkable film that tells stories of romance set against conflict, with the same two actors portraying the lovers in each story. Not every segment works, but the film is able to build to a depth of emotion that can be quite moving. Grandma’s Hairpin
The other half of the program is composed of documentaries. Of the four, Grandma’s Hairpin (Hsiao Chu-Chen, 2000, Yin Zan Zi) might be the one most worth seeing. The director tells the story of her father, who was one of the soldiers that had retreated to Taiwan back in 1949 following a defeat at the hands of the communists in 1949. Back then, the soldiers believed that they would soon be able to return to China, but that actually didn’t happen until 1987. Some of the soldiers attempt to rebuild a life in a China that no longer feels like home. It’s incredibly powerful stuff, the film digging into the very idea of Taiwan as a nation by examining the lives of the people who had fought for it. The Man Who Plants Trees
The Man Who Plants Trees (Zhong Shu De Nan Ren, 2008, Lin Yu-Hsien) tells the remarkable tale of Lu Ming-Shih, a man who sets out to plant trees all along the Tropic of Cancer. The documentary follows him as he attempts to plant trees on the Chianan plain, finding resistance along the way. This is the story of a dreamer, a man so in love with nature that he dedicates his life to it. Classmates
Classmates (2009, Cheng Yao-Ting) follows four young people who were graduates of a special inclusive school program, which integrated special needs students with regular students. The film looks into their lives as they approach the responsibilities of adulthood, while also documenting the development and the current state of the inclusive program that would become so important in their lives. Stars
And finally, Stars (Xing Guang Chuan Qi, 2008, Hsu Ming-Chun) is a documentary on Taiwanese reality singing competition Million Star. The film follows a few of the contestants from the second season of the show, looking in their lives and following them as they climb the ladder of stardom. The film presents the show as a magical place where dreams come true, which is a little suspect. Still, the contestants are real people, and seeing them live out their pop star fantasies can be somewhat compelling.
