Uso kaayo ning gitawag nga political butterflies. Kini sila mga politiko nga pulay lubot, kung asa ang kusog hala, ngadto magpunsisok.

Sa Mandaue City, daghan na kuno ang mibali. Matod pa sa report, bisan kabayo ni Mayor Jonas Cortes, mibaliktad na ug miadto sa kampo ni Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz.

Tinuod kaha ni?

Kaganina, duna ko’y hatagbuang hulmigas. Nagduda ko nga gikan gyod to sa KUSOG nga mibalhin sa BOPK.

Ambot lang!

N.M. Cabangbang

Note: In the first part of this article, I suggested that in order for GMA to challenge ABS-CBN’ s supremacy of the television ratings in the south, they should start bringing some Manila celebrities to permanently stay and work here in Cebu to host or to headline their local shows. Here is why I believe that the concept will never be a reality.

But you see, I do not see this thing happening that is why I have said beforehand that this concept is outrageous. Outrageous because such a move would threaten the Manila film industry if it develops into something big. Why? Because if one TV station started sending famous celebrities to provinces permanently, then another TV station could counter by also sending other celebrities. Once the time comes that a lot of celebrities are already in Cebu, it would then lead to these celebrities and these TV stations to make more shows, films, and concerts outside of Metro Manila.

Once that happens, Cebu would start making their own films and TV shows. Cebu could make their own films, telenovelas, and game shows that would vie for the ratings of Manila shows. All in all, it would then revive Cebu’s film industry thus challenging Manila’s supremacy. That would be scary because history has shown that Cebu could do it. (For your information, Cebu used to have a Cebuano film industry, it just died down when Manila started to become stronger and hoared all the talents from Cebu.)

So Cebu has the capacity, it has the talent but it just does not have the support and the resources. Imperial Manila will never allow it. Imperial Manila is doing to us what Imperial America is doing to the Philippines, preventing its development.

Like imperial America, Imperial Manila is hoarding all the talent and the resources. It does not share nor does it plan to share. The empires develop, amd the ones colonized continue to be backward. And as long as it is stays that way then the status quo will be a-okay.

So if this idea of mine will never happen, how is GMA going to beat ABS-CBN in the battle of television ratings in the south? Well, they could wait for new Cebuano personalities to develop, which as I said, will take time. They could also spend more and more money on billboards and other advertising paraphernalias, which as of now, usually does not work.

Billboards and advertising paraphernalias just do not work because, human beings need a personal touch to things. That is why, when e-mails started to replace snail mail, e-mail sites started to offer customization applications so as to give people a chance to make things personal. Such customization would include changing the fonts, text, colors and putting of smileys. Human beings need someone to talk and to talk back at them. Someone to touch and someone who touches back; someone to connect. That is why billboard posters and the like don’t work in the long run because they do not talk or touch us back. Only humans like TV celebrities can do that.

So it just might as well be good for GMA to give up on the south and just be contented in being number 2, anyway they are number 1 in Manila. And if you can hold Manila, then you can hold the rest of the Philippines, that is how imperial Manila works anyway.

Cebu City is the regional capital for the Visayas and the second most important city in the Philippines.  Metro Cebu (Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu Lapu City), is considerably cleaner, cheaper and less congested than Metro Manila. Metro Cebu has all the amenities of Manila without the hassels (usually) but with a lot more convenience.

Cebu offers many possibilities for sports and recreation: golf, tennis, cockfighting, watersports like scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, boating, swimming, snorkeling, waterskiing, jet skiing, shopping, good food and entertainment. For the island-hopper, Cebu is one exciting playground for daring expeditions. Aqua sports top the list of what to do.

I looked outside the little window beside me and saw a beautiful, new world. High above the fluffy clouds which stayed still like snow-capped mountains, I could see little houses with psychedelic rooftops and miniature buildings as big as a matchbox. The plane landed smoothly on ground and in that moment, I knew that a new place of marvel awaits me. I took a deep breath and walked out the enormous Mactan Airport and finally, I saw a myriad of people walking on busy streets, countless cars with cute colors waiting for a “go” signal, and monumental buildings— things which make up the 4^th best island in Asia, Cebu.

            The warm afternoon breeze crashed through the lightweight strands of my hair and it touched the hairs on my back creating a vivid feeling I could barely explain. Not too long, we called a taxi coated with a vibrant color, so radiant that it made me feel blithe and then we started to see the city itself unravel its hidden secrets. The feeling was overwhelming and we can’t wait to see more of what Cebu City holds. We stopped on a hotel beside the well-known University of San Carlos and we spent our first two nights there and I believe that until the end of the training, I, my classmate and my comely teachers would get indulged in the awesome services of this hotel.

            As soon as we reached room 206 on the third floor of the building, we put our awesomely heavy bags in our individual beds and we headed to the city’s Gaisano. There were lots of people there. I could imagine how it would be hard for a mother to keep track of her child inside because there were really numerous persons with different walks of life walking and talking and roaming inside. But that truth did not stop me from satisfying my desire to buy a new set of clothes. It did not stop me either to wait for the city to unfold another page. Then we set off and proceeded to another magnificent site, the SM of Cebu. It made my heart jump out of joy and it made my black eyes sparkle in glee. I don’t know if I’d be able to take a look at every store inside because it was really big and we only have little time. Oh how I wished we could stay long here in Cebu!

            But a cold fact lies open. We weren’t here for a mere vacation but for a training – - a training which once was a dream and now, a reality. I have always had this much fervor towards website-making and the opportunity was here. My classmate and I were able to join in this training for free. And that’s a good thing, right? The plane rides fromDipolog to Cebu and vice versa, the mouth-watering foods from this luxurious hotel, the cold temperature our session hall and hotel room offer, the smiles other participants flashes every time I look into their glittery and jittery eyes. Well, it was just amazing.  And I could not wait to satiate my hunger for knowledge on web development and content because not only can I help myself in this field, I can also help the school and the student body as well.       Thanks to Smart Schools Program, a teenager’s yearning has now been slowly satisfied.

 http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/haNnxzs?ref=profile

Kinsa bay babaye nga dili gustong ma-gwapa? Gusto man gani sa ubang lalaki nga mahimong gwapa, ang babaye na ba.

Sa Cebu City, sigurado gyod nga modaghan ang gwapa. Kini tungod sa programa ni Margot Osmeña nga gitawag ug Oh My Gwapa! Beauty, Healthy and Happy.

Sa maong programa, libre ang manicure, ug ubang pang serbisyo nga aron mo-gwapa ang babaye matod pa sa report sa Sun Star Cebu. Wala man sab giingin kung unsa gyod ang ni nga mga serbisyo pangpa-gwapa. Tingali, libreng kulong sa buhok, libreng pa-istrit sa buhok, libreng paputol sa buhok, libreng make-up, lipstik, ug uban pa. Ako ray nagpuno ani ha, ambot gawas sa manicure unsa pa gyod kaha ang libre.

Sa wala nakaila, si Margot Osmeña, asawa ni siya ni Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña. Ug sa mga natingalia nganong dunay Oh My Gwapa! Beauty, Healthy and Happy program, si Margot man gud modagan isip konsehal sa Cebu City.

Matod pa ni Margot, kapartido man o dili kapartido, libre sa pang-pagwapa program! Maong daghan na gyod ang naghinam-hinam.

Duna diay kondisyon, babaye ra ang makapahimulos sa Oh My Gwapa! Beauty, Healthy and Happy program.

Kay ngano, mga babaye ra diay ang botante sa Cebu City? Ug mga babaye ra diay ang gustong mo-gwapa?

Ambot lang!

-Cap testing with Artsi
-@ Banilad, Ubec City

N.M. Cabangbang

The truth about the matter is, ABS-CBN and GMA are both number 1 when it comes to the television ratings. Yes, this is true. Because, in the Luzon and Metro Manila area, GMA receives the highest ratings while ABS-CBN has the higher ratings when it comes to the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

This is why, GMA in order to change it ratings in the south, started to spend more money to change the southern viewers’ taste. This is very clear here in Cebu. When the telenovela Rosalinda began to air on primetime, its stars visited Cebu. This is also what happened with their other shows, the stars of specific shows also visited our shores. They also have hosted a contest that the Manila viewers are not apart of. Billboard advertisements about GMA shows are also placed in strategic spots. All of these moves and many more are created just to entice the Cebuano’s to change their channels.

But of course, ABS-CBN does not want to release its hold in Cebu and the rest of the south. And one way on how they are succesful in doing this is by financing well their local Cebuano shows such as “Winner Ka, Kapamilya” and “TV Patrol Visayas”.

When it comes to Cebuano shows, ABS-CBN has all the advantage. “Winner Ka, Kapamilya” host Roy Empleo, just has the right charms to entertain us compared to GMA’s “Eat Na Ta’s” Papa Joe. Then when it comes to the local news, ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol World’s” Leo Lastimosa is more credible than GMA’s “Balitang Bisdak’s” Bobby Nalzaro. Bobby Nalzaro just does not have the aura of being one of us. He seems so distant to the news which can be translated as being distant to the masses. He just does not connect to the Cebuano audience compared to the way Leo Lastimosa does.

Not to mention, TV Patrol World does not only have Leo Lastimosa, they also have their charming celebrity patroller Kara Mae Noveda.

So if this is the way ABS-CBN plays it in network wars in Cebu by having credible and charming TV personalities, then how is GMA going to counter?

Though somewhat outrageous, I have always thought that GMA ought to counter by bringing in some credible and charming celebrities of their own. But because they do not have any of those now in their current roster and it is going to take a long time to develop people. However, why not bring some Manila celebrities to permanently stay and work here in Cebu? Cebuanos such as Manilyn Reynes and Pekto could come back to Cebu and host shows. If that is not possible then have those young stars or some of those old stars of them to do it. By making such a move, they could really challenge the hold of ABS-CBN’s TV personalities over Cebu.

I believe that this move could work because Manila celebrities that come and visit just spend too little time with their Cebuano fans that it is not enough to challenge the charms of ABS-CBN’s local TV personalities. It is the local TV personalities that GMA needs to topple because this local personalities is one way of connecting Cebu audience to Manila. Roy Empleo connects us to Edu Manzano or Willie Revillame. Leo Lastimosa to Ted Failon or maybe Julius Babao.

(to be continued on our next issue)

Modagan pagka-gobernador sa Sugbo si kanhi konsehal sa Cebu City nga si Hilario Davide III. Iyang kaubana ang magpapili pag-usab pagka-bise gobernador Greg Sanchez.

Si Greg nakagamot na man. Dako na ang iyang tsansa. Apan si Davide mura’g maghangos gyod ni kay grabe na ang gamot ni Gob. Gwen Garcia.

Mao nay giingon nga panington gyod ni’g pit-it pil-it si Davide.

Ambot lang!

Malapascua is a beautiful little island north of Cebu. I met up with Omar at Cebu city’s northern bus terminal for the 4 hour bus ride up. Following that was a short 15 minute boat road across and then this idyllic sight met us.

We spent a good few days diving with Sea Explorers, a very good scuba outfit that took really good care of us. The board below shows Malapascua (right below the tresher shark) and the types of wildlife you can see there. It’s most famous of course for the thresher shark, but there’s lots of other stuff to see there too, like mandarinfish (mating ones at that!), blue ring octopi (which I didn’t spot), lots of other types of sharks and unusual stuff like hairy frogfish and harlequin shrimp.

It was pretty fun except for the early morning dives, the earliest of which requiring us to be awake at 4.30am. These were to catch the thresher sharks as they came out early to the cleaning stations when the water was cooler. Here’s one of me and the dive guides at sunrise. I look uncharacteristically cheerful in this picture.

So did we see any threshers? Yup, just one for a couple of seconds out of maybe four hours underwater for the dives we were down there. It was a pity but the rest of the diving made up for it. Omar’s blogged about the trip here and I think he’s done a better (and far faster) job of it.

Ang Cebu City usa ka siyudad. Ang Cebu Province usa ka probinsiya. Ang Cebu City hall wala sa giingon nga  Cebu Province apan ang Cebu Provincial Capitol naa Capitol Site, usa ka barangay sa Cebu City.

Ang Cebu City dako kuno kaayog utang. Ang Cebu Province walay utang.

Kung dako og utang ang Cebu City, kini tungod sa SRP (South Road Properties aka Suya Ra ang Probinsiya). Ang Cebu Province ba walay utang kay gamay ra’g income? Dili baya kay ang Cebu Province adunahan, lapad ang gipanag-iyang yuta.

Taym pa ra gud. Nganong ikumparar man gyod nato. Erase. Pero naa man gud advertisement sa newspaper bahin sa gitawag nga Cebu City vs. The Province. Gituki kinsa gyod ang dako’g income, kinsa ang mas adunahan.

Wala baya nag-away ang katawhan ha, ang mga opisyal sab wala nag-away, nagkabikil ra. Mao nga mas maayo pa nga ang isuwat: Tomas versus Gwen.

Alegre baya sab kay kung sa tigbakay pa ni, akong isinggit, INILOG ug BIYA. Mag-kristo na lang kaha ko’s tigbakay.

Ambot lang!

The Zest Air Voyager Pass is a whole new way of traveling to your favorite Z2 destinations. It’s a booklet with 11 one-way flight coupons sold for travel to Z2 destinations. What is even better is you don’t have to stand in line whenever you have to book your flight. All you have to do is call the hotline, fill up and write on the ticket yourself and check-in for your flight! No waiting, no queueing, no kidding!

MECHANICS

Ah yes, Cebu.

I know our affair has been very short, but it was wonderful. I will come back to you and explore you more.

Sabay ang vacation namin ni bro. sa Pinas, bilang  bonding ng family  namin we decided for Cebu-Bohol Tour and dahil nga everybody ’s crazy over Cebu Pacific Promo, nakiuso din ang lola nyo. Inavail ko yung promo na 999 all domestic flight daw, eh pagkahirap hirap naman palang mag avail ng promo na yan, kahit anong date yata ng ibook ko, no promo seat ang nakalagay so inavail ko na lang ang regular fare , reasonable naman na rin compare sa PAL.

Smooth na sana ang vacation plan, ginagawa ko na rin ang itinerary namin, ewan ko ba naman kung bakit naisipan ko pang palitan ang oras ng balik namin.

Here’s the story:

anabanana: yin

anabanana: naiinis ako sa cebu pacific

maldita: y?

maldita: ano nangyari?

anabanana: ayun nga

anabanana: kase gusto ko iparebook yung oras ng pabalik namin sa cebu, eh di tinry ko sa online

anabanana: balak ko susubukan ko lang kase alam ko nga may charge hindi lang ako sigurado kung pag oras   lang binago eh walang charge, di yun na nga pinili ko na yung gusto kong oras.

anabanana: ang expect ko hihingi pa ng credit card number kung may additional na babayaran kase ganun sa singapore airlines eh … kahit saan yatang airlines ganun.

anabanana: tapos pag pindot ko ng proceed sabi agad confirmed so ineexpect ko walng charge kase nagproceed sya without getting my card details

anabanana: tapos niprint ko na yung confirmation tapos bigla ko nakita sa baba may charge na 5000 plus… ay naku nawindang ang lola mo, chat ko agad si ate beng sabi ko call sa cebu pacific

anabanana: sabi ko kay ate beng awayin nya, kase nicharge ako agad ang laki laki kaya non… tapos sabi naman nung kausap nya dapat walang charge kase nga walang nabago sa booking oras lang.

anabanana: pinapaconfirm ngayon sa amin kung nabawasan yung credit card  number namin

maldita: paano daw ang payment? san mo babayaran? intrimitida ka kc bwahahaha - tse!

maldita: dati ka na bang nagpa book dun using your credit cards?

anabanana: oo kaya! lagi akong online   booking

maldita: baka kc nung nag online ka automatic na nandun na yung mga details nung una mong booking

maldita: automatic na nandun na yung card no. nio

anabanana: sa singapore airlines kase pag nagparebook ka at may additional kang babyaran kailangan mo ipasok ang credit card details

maldita: ganun naman talaga sa lahat ng online booking e… bka nga kc since parang revision lang yung gagawin nio… so… yung old details nio naka remain na dun sa online

maldita: so di na nag ask ng credit card no.

maldita: check nio mga cards nio

anabanan: sabi naman nung CS kay ate beng wag ko daw pansinin yung Balance na 5K+na nakalagay sa confirmation

maldita: intrimitida ka nga kc… buti nga bwahahaha - (napakabait na kapatid)

anabanana: hindi daw yun machacharge iniisp ko baka sa sytem nila lng yun

anabanana: kase nga yung pabalik namin sa manila galing cebu baka malate kame

anabanana: eh pag nalate ka ng dating sa airport consider as no show na yun void na ang ticket, kaya to be safe pinarebook ko ng mas late na balik as in 2 hours lang ang difference

maldita: pero wag ka rin pakasiguro kc nga baka pag dating nio dun biglang singilin kau…. alam mo naman ang style ng pinoy

anabanana: parang malabo yung sisingilin kame sa airport walang pakialam ang mga airlines company don di ba?

maldita: sabihin mo dun sa babaeng nakausap nio sa cebu pacific baka puede kaung i-email tungkol sa disregarding of that balance shown in your revised timing confirmation

anabanana: tatawagan ko uli yun pagdating ko ng Pinas

anabanana: pero ang linaw nang usapan nila nung babae… wag daw intindihin

maldit: ganun ba.

maldita: tawagan mo na nga lang.

anabanana: iniisip ko kase baka sa system lang nila yun ng online booking otomatik na nagcocompute.

maldita: kase naman di ka mapakali jan sa cebu tour na yan… kalikot ka ng kalikot

maldita: di ka makuntento

anabanana: kay lng di ba? dapat walang ganun na nilalagay pa ang balance paano pala kung may sakit ako sa puso eh di inatake pa ko…

anabanana: hahaha

maldita: wala naman cgurong problem basta ba make sure na di kau nabawasan sa cards nio

maldita: bwahahaha… - pagtawanan daw ba?

Here’s the snap shot of the confirmation from Cebu Pacific…

Tinananong ko si bro. kung nacharge ba yung card nya, hindi pa daw nya natawagan ang bank pero wala naman daw syang natanggap na text from the bank, iniinform kase nila tru SMS kung nacharge yung Card.

Hay naku! naiinis ako sa sarili ko … despite of all bad stories I heard about Cebu Pacific and mga nabasa ko sa forum and blogs eto ako mavivictim din yata! Tsk!

Dr. Romulo G. Davide

Farmers who are also scientists and businessmen—that’s what Dr. Romulo G. Davide envisions for Filipino farmers.  He wants to train farmers to empower them using science and technology.

Dr. Davide’s farmer-scientist program has empowered upland farmers in Cebu to determine the appropriate technologies for their farms.  Through Dr. Davide’s  program, the farmers learned integrated pest management, and thus encouraging them not to depended on toxic pesticides.  They also learned to develop their own hybrid corn producing their own seeds from their farms.

Dr. Davide’s desire to serve his fellow Filipinos is unquestionable.  After gaining his bachelor’s degree from the University of the Philippines’ College of Agriculture, he went to the United States where he earned his masters and doctorate degrees from the Oklahoma State University and North Carolina State University, respectively.  Shortly after receiving his doctorate degree in nematology and plant pathology in 1966, he was offered a professorial job that he declined because of his commitment to his country. 

This commitment would highlight his prolific career.  Dr. Davide is internationally recognized for his contributions to nematology, including the national survey, identification, and control of nematodes that infest economic crops.  He also discovered the first and safest biological control agent, called BIOACT, against nematodes.  For these and other works, Dr. Davide has the distinction of being the first Filipino to be included in the “Who’s Who” in nematology.

Asked to comment on his career and contributions as teacher, scientist, and mentor, Dr. Romulo Davide shrugged all the accolade aside, saying that he is just an instrument of God.

Source:

► Eileen Calaycay-Cardona.  ‘There are no barren soils, only barren minds.”  www.up.edu.ph/forum/2002/Aug02/davide.html

► National Academy of Science and Technology.  www.nast.dost.gov.ph/pro_davide.html

Previously, Zest Air would send promos and airline updates via email. I noticed that they haven’t sent me one for the past few months. You would really have to visit their website for promo updates. Fortunately I was able to see some of their refreshing new ideas. They have posted the selling and travel dates for their promos. Moreover, they now offer packages for travelers like me! Check out some of the latest happenings from Zest Air!

Important Zest Air promo sell and travel dates to remember for 2010:

Zest Air New Year Sale

Selling period is from January 3 to 5, 2010

Travel period is from June 15 to November 15, 2010

The Love Seats Sale

Selling period is from February 12 to 14, 2010

Travel period is from June 15 to November 15, 2010

Summer Madness Sale

Selling period is April 1 to 7, 2010

Travel period is from June 15 to November 15, 2010

Mid-year Sale

Selling period is from June 1 to 7, 2010

Travel period is from July 1 to November 15, 2010

Zest Air Annual Sale

Selling Period is August 1 to 3, 2010

Travel Period is September 1 to 30, 2010

Halloween Sale

Selling period is  October 27 to November 2, 2010

Travel period is from November 1 to December 10, 2010

Early Christmas Sale

Selling Period is  November 23 to 30, 2010

Travel Period is from January 15 to March 15, 2011

IMPORTANT NOTICE: For all booking made and finalized before October 16, 2009, kindly click the image for the new flight numbers. It is important that you reconfirm your flight bookings through their hotline or ticket offices within 24 hours prior to the day of your flight to avoid inconveniences.

For those who want to travel stress-free, you simply have to book the package offerings from Zest Air. I believe the package rates are valid until March 30, 2010 and it already includes round-trip airfares, 3 days and 2 nights accommodations, daily set breakfasts and the 12% VAT.  It resembles the packages of PAL called PALakbayan and I guess that’s how Zest Air came up with their new product. So check them out!!!

To book your flights or for more details you may log-on to Zest Air’s website at anytime. You may also call their hotline at +632-855-3333 or email through leadagent@zestair.com.ph.

For inquiries and feedbacks you may email Customer Service Center at customerrelations@zestair.com.ph.

Biyahe na!!!

Ett mindre oväder har dragit in över Cebu och de senaste dagarna har varit som ett typiskt svenskt höstväder innan snön kommer. Men att klaga gör ingen nytta, eller hur? Och idag exakt en månad kvar till jul.

Har spenderat tiden mest till att äta, slappa på hotellrummet och surfa omkring på datorn. Lite nattliga besök till nattklubbarna har det ju också blivit. Men tyvärr (tur för mig?) har jag inga strandbilder att visa upp än. Det har snart gått 70 dagar och ibland saknar man faktiskt den svenska husmanskosten, knäckebrödet, kalla mellanmjölken, flottiga Bro Järnvägspizzor (hej på er om ni läser), manna och risgrynsgröt, Tropicana Ruby Breakfast juice, OLW ostbågar m.m. Ja listan kan faktiskt göras lång om man anstränger sig lite. Visst finns det juice och mjölk även här, men med extra tillsatt socker vilket jag dock avstår ifrån, tack.

Vad mer saknar jag annat än saker att stoppa i munnen? Ligga på soffan och läsa senaste numret av TV-spelstidningen Level. SVT’s sportspegeln på söndagar, 24 med Jack Bauer Power och Kalle och Hobbe. Kalle och Hobbe (originaltitel  Calvin and Hobbes) är kanske världens bästa serie. För er som inte vet vad Kalle och Hobbe är för slags serie kopierar jag ett utdrag från wikipedia:

Serien handlar om den brådmogne Kalle, vars fantasi och intelligens bara överträffas av kärlek till vännen Hobbe, en riktig tiger, som tar formen av en tygtiger så fort andra människor kommer i närheten, alternativt en tygtiger som i Kalles fantasi är en riktig tiger. Han bor tillsammans med sin mamma och pappa i en förort. Medan Kalle går i lågstadiet, jobbar pappa och mamma är hemmafru. Pappan gillar att slå i Kalle lögner om livet, medan mamman mest är trött på Kalles ständiga påhitt.

I Kalles fantasi förvandlas han till sådana figurer som dinosaurier, rymdhjälten Spiff, film noir-deckaren Tracer Bullet, sin egen dubbelgångare, eller en ond gud. I seriens fantasi-element, som ofta har en komisk koppling till verkligheten, byts ofta stilen på seriens teckningar till till exempel realism eller kubism. I övrigt bygger serien mycket på Kalles minspel, och Hobbes kyliga analyser av Kalles väl entusiastiska/naiva påhitt. Men det finns också mycket romantik i Kalles kärlek till Äventyret och gör-vad-du-vill-filosofi.

Det går inte att beskriva hur underbar serien är, man måste läsa den för att förstå. Varför älskar man den? Personligen för skaparen Bill Watterson’s humor med skarpa samhällsanalyser blandat med 6-åriga Kalles naiva idéer och Hobbes sarkastiska kommentarer, fantasierna och det underbara minspelet. Läsaren kan antingen se Hobbe som en tygtiger som blir levande i Kalles fantasi när ingen annan människa är närvarande, eller en riktig levande tiger som dock förvandlas till en tygtiger när någon annan uppenbarar sig. Jag har alltid sett Hobbe som i det andra alternativet.

Lyckan var alltså total när jag i ett skitigt Filippinerna, en grådaskig dag, köper mig en engelskspråkig tidning och finner en Kalle och Hobbe strip:

Kalle och Hobbe på Cebu

Darayonan Lodge

Darayonan is a Cuyonon word that means a place to stay. The lodge is situated in a residential part of Coron town, strategically located along the National Highway. Darayonan Lodge aims to provide its guests with clean and comfortable rooms, good food and quality service. Aside from that, one has options on choosing the rooms to stay at: in the native bamboo, sawali and banig set-up or in the modern concrete and tile two-story building.

Darayonan Lodge is an accredited tourist inn by the Philippine Department of Tourism. It has played host to a number of VIP’s and celebrities, the most notable of whom are Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and then U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone.  In fact, Congressman Baham Mitra was amongst the guests of the lodge during our stay from October 21-24, 2009.

What is striking about this place aside from its homey atmosphere is the owner’s love for the arts. It definitely is a reflection of the owner’s strive in achieving perfection in everything. From the lodge’s interior decorations to the food being served for each meal. He personally goes over every little details right before being served or handed over to the guests. We stayed here for 4 days and 3 nights; and it was a part of the overwhelming positive experiences that I have had during my stay in Coron, Palawan.

The place is clean all the time! They see to it that the rooms and private comfort rooms get cleaned everyday during your stay. They also make sure that the entire lodge is spic and span all throughout the day. I have never seen any litter at all in my entire stay.

The facilities in this lodge pass the normal standards of travellers: hot and cold shower, all air-conditioned rooms, centralized water system. It’s like you never left home at all. I’ve had a comfortable stay at this lodge.

It’s also probably the only lodge that includes breakfast for two along with the daily room charge. And what’s more, drinking water and coffee is unlimited, no extra charge. I should say that staying at Darayonan is really a value for your money.

Darayonan Lodge has facilities and amenities as follows:

Cafe which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner

Choice of fan or air-conditioned rooms

Queen-sized beds, single-sized beds plus two extra beds if necessary

21″  colored television sets on all their rooms

Refrigerator/Mini Bar

Closets

Writing desk cum dresser with mirror

Bigger rooms with higher ceiling

Bigger bathroom

Veranda

Darayonan Lodge not only offers bed and breakfast for travelers. In fact, they also  arrange tours/trips for you so you’d have a grand vacation for you or your family or even with your friends.  They have enticing packages which includes everything (accommodations/rooms, land transfers from and to Busuanga, food and tours) and you won’t have to worry a single thing about your vacation. Every single detail of your vacation will be taken cared of  at rates that would suit your budget. Group or barkada packages also await travelers who  wish to visit Coron in groups or together with their families and loved ones. Darayonan Lodge does not have a website at this point in time. So if you like to get price quotes for your stay with them, you may get in touch with the owners through these contact numbers:

Chin Fernandez owner of Darayonan Lodge

Location:  132 National Highway, Barangay Poblacion 1, Coron, Palawan

Cellphone: +639178811151

Landline: +6327443209

Email: dipulao@gmail.com

Efter en veckas uppehåll med bloggen som egentligen bara skulle bli några timmar är jag åter på bena. Dock är det trubbel med internetleverantören Loopia som pekar om www.megahit.se till megahitstheroad.wordpress.com så det blir en nöt att knäcka nu på måndagsmorgonen.

I Filippinerna är livet en dans på rosor. Eller? Nej, Filippinerna är sjukt fattigt, korrupt och allmänt skitigt. Efter ett par dagar i Manila (där jag blev bestulen på min kamera) stack jag ner till Cebu för att fejsa att min resbudget var spräckt åt alla håll och kanter. Jag vet inte om jag blivit klokare på hur jag ska fortsätta resan, men det vore ju ett enormt misslyckande om jag kom hem till julskinkan även om det är lockande att få äta svensk julmat och fira jul med nära och kära. Jag lever inte direkt som en medelinkomsttagare i Filippinerna men försöker (väl) leva så snålt jag kan.

En filippinsk genomsnittslön per dag ligger på runt 250 pesos vilket är runt 40 kr. Nu har jag inte gjort några empiriska undersökningar i ämnet men utifrån dem jag träffat på barer, stormarknader osv är det runt denna summa man har i dagslön efter skatt (om man nu betalar skatt här). När man kliver in på Filippinernas “ICA” står det människor i kassan som är glada för att överhuvudtaget ha ett jobb. Kanske ler de extra mycket när en utlänning som mig kommer fram men de tycks vad det verkar inte tycka allt är skit och det enda de väntar på är att få ta sin 10 min rast och dra i sig långa vita blend och en kanelbulle ute på lastkajen. Nu kanske Sveriges kassörsförening anmäler mig för hets mot folkgrupp men ursäkta mig då om jag misstagit mig över Sveriges kassapersonal. Det tragikomiska i det hela är att själv befinner jag mig i en väldigt svår ekonomisk knipa i och med upphörandet av butiken och med allt vad det innebär. Men att gnälla nu vore ju hyckleri. Alla som har krav på mig får väl ta emot mig på Arlanda med öppna armar om några månader, om ni inte vill komma hit istället och jaga mig genom smuts och lera det vill säga. Jag är dock ingen politiker eller mördare, så snälla sänk högaffeln en aning, för jag kommer göra rätt för mig när tillfälle ges.

En stor bov med misären i Filippinerna får nog tillskrivas korruptionen. Det går dock ingen nöd på de stora turistplatserna där stora hotellkedjor breder ut sig. Här ägs och förvaltas stranden av ägaren vilket oftast är ett hotell, och vill man bada får man helt enkelt betala inträde om man nu inte bor på hotellet det vill säga. Låt mig påstå att den svenska modellen med allmännytta och strandskydd kanske inte är så pjåkig (om någon nu tänkt annorlunda). Faktiskt är nog det mesta i Sverige jäkligt bra när man ställer det i perspektiv till förhållandena här borta. Hur kan jag någonsin mer klaga på så högst triviala saker som att bussen eller tåget är försenat? Olame sa dock en bra sak om jag minns det rätt, att hemma förväntar man sig att det ska fungera så därför blir man lätt irriterad.

När jag åker “kommunalt” vilket innebär en slags minibuss som de kallar “jeep” eller “multicab” som kostar runt en krona per resa väntar man snällt tills första bästa lediga fordon kan plocka upp dig. Vart som helst kan man även hoppa på och kliva av. Ibland frågar folk mig “varför åker du inte taxi istället” (vilket också får nämnas är sjukt billigt jämförelsevis med Sverige) brukar jag svara: i taxi sitter jag ensam och det är allmänt tråkigt, i en multicab finns alltid någon att prata med, och dessutom är det extremt billigt. Fast motfrågan kommer ju då direkt om hur sugen är jag på att åka nattbuss mellan stan (Stockholm) och Bro en lördagsnatt. Noll?

Visst medför det dock vissa risker att färdas med en minibuss. Det har hänt att ensamma turister har rånats men den risken tar jag. Är man bara vaksam och alltid försöker åka med andra minimerar man riskerna. Idag var jag dessutom med om min andra poliskontroll vilket innebär att polisen beordrar av alla män för inspektion. Frågan varför polisen inte antar att brottslingarna är i maskopi med en kvinna låter jag vara, dumt att reta upp en korrupt polismakt. Kvinnor sitter alltså kvar och inspekteras inte. Finns det en diskrimineringsombudsman här, hallå?

Boende om vi inte talar om turister på hotell är för det mesta skjul och inget en svensk någonsin skulle acceptera. Rätt märklig känsla när man läser om “Therese 25 år och ensamstående mamma” som gråter ut i media över misären hon lever i när hon inte har ett jobb. Men hur har hon råd att färga håret, röka cigaretter, mata hunden eller köpa trisslotter? Ha, förstår vi egentligen hur bra vi har det här (där) hemma? Semesterersättning, sjukersättning, vård av sjukt barn, föräldrapenning, barnbidrag, bostadsbidrag, A-kassa, socialförsäkring, fri (nja) sjukvård etc.

Och vad hände med bilderna då? Ja den nyinköpta kameran med lite bilder är kvarglömt på ett ställe jag var på inatt. Men det är ingen risk att den försvinner därifrån då det är ett hårdbevakat ställe med säkerhetsvakter (ta i trä). Dock har själva fotosuget minskats lite får jag erkänna, men mest på grund av den värdelösa kamerakvaliteten. Nåja, nu vet jag inte om jag blir särskilt mycket vackrare med en bättre kamera, men min omgivning kanske blir det..

Bilder i nästa inlägg alltså, var så säkra =)

Cebu Philippines Wedding Photographer | Rock Paper Scissors Photography

Client: Arthur Saw and Sheilan Sharon Lim
Date: November 7 – 8, 2009
Prenup Location: Boljoon and Dalaguete Cebu Philippines
Cebu Philippines Photographer: Rock Paper Scissors Photography (Jeffroger Kho, Jon Tolentino, Gilbert Chua)
Hair and make-up: Wenwen Zaspa
Gown and suit: Wendell Quisido

When Sheilan asked us to be one of the (many! hehehe) Cebu photographers that will do a prenup session for her, we were so happy and so excited about it. We are now in the ranks of MR, LS, PD, NU, MA, possibly JS(?) etc… (LOL! go figure!)

We discussed a lot concepts and these two are our favorites. We had so much fun doing this! This is prenuptial/engagement photography on steroids! Fashion and Glamour with a RockPaperScissors|Photography twist!

Thanks to Wenwen Zaspa, who by the way did an AMAZING hair and make-up (with entertainment showcase!!) , we had to finish the shoot (3 concepts, 2 locations) in two hours! Super pressure but still veyga ra ang outcome! hahahaha! *peace*

Tomorrow November 22, 2009  will be the consumer launch of Windows 7 at Cebu (Public) SM Cyberzone, Cebu.

here’s more, buy any edition of windows 7 fpp you will get Windows 7 T-shirt for free.

and a lot more exciting goodies!

see you there

For more: visit here: http://www.istorya.net/forums/parties-and-events/237003-windows-7-cebu-launch-november-21-22-2009-a.html