We have always loved the Wisteria as a flower.  In Japan, the flower had graced many novels, my most loved of which was the .  When we went to Italy, we were surprised to see a whole wall of wisteria blossoms!  We then sought to plant the Wisteria in our Baguio garden.  A plant was taken during one of our trips to New Zealand.  We painstakingly planted in the garden.  After almost ten years, the vine had blossomed!

Today I was wanting to write about Thailand and how similar this land is to us. As my good friend and BKK travel partner puts it, it’s like our parallel universe. Their narrow roads are just like ours (Libertad, Pasay!) – minus the unruly drivers and honking cars. I must say they’ve gone ahead of us in terms of well-planned public transport systems.  Therefore Bangkok, even if it looks much like Manila – has tolerable traffic and courteous cab drivers. I like them.

Much ado about that. This morning I’m choosing not to rant about what we lack here in the Philippines and decided to focus on some Pinoy pride (good news at last!).

Our kababayan, Efren Penaflorida won CNN Hero of the Year! Yey! *dances* I’m doubly-proud because he hails from where we live, the province of Cavite. Watch the full video of his awarding here: Efren Peñaflorida wins CNN Hero of the Year 2009

Efren “Kuya Ef” Peñaflorida is a teacher and social worker in the Philippines. He has been named “CNN Hero of the Year” in 2009 for his outstanding advocacy to educate Filipino out-of-school youth through “pushcart classes. “Peñaflorida grew up in Cavite City. During his early days in school, he experienced being harassed and threatened by gangs near their school. Despite this, he still managed to finish his studies.

His growing concern for the unschooled children in his hometown led Peñaflorida to establish Dynamic Teen Company (DTC). At that time, he was only sixteen. He envisioned this organization as a tool to reach the underserved Filipino youth by providing free tutorials. He asked three fellow high school students to devote some of their time to teach children in the slum areas every Saturday.

After ten years, DTC has gained around 10,000 memberships and conducted tutorials for approximately 1,500 children.Today, DTC’s “pushcart classroom” also teaches basic reading and writing to street children.

It feels good to read about something we can be proud of as a Filipino. Now we know that anyone can be a hero – regardless if you have little or plenty, if you live in a third-world country or otherwise. There is a hero in each one of us waiting to be tapped for service.

I think we should be noticing these things more deliberately instead of some lousy Pacman scandal.

To see pictures of my Bangkok adventure, check out my Facebook account.

from barriosiete.com

I often read and watch a lot of stuff which talks about heroism.  Comic books, adventure tales, video games, movies and television shows all talk about heroism and bravery and, for the most part, I enjoy coming along for the ride.  Of course, these heroics don’t belong in the world we all walk around in.  There are bigger problems which can’t be solved by wearing spandex and a mask.  In a world where sports figures and show business personalities are turned into heroes or heroic icons by so many, oftentimes the meaning of true heroism becomes lost in all the hype and marketing.

The recent CNN Hero of the Year focuses its attention to heroes , the kind we actually have in this world and no, they do not wear spandex or have any superpowers, or even athletic ability.  Though I would argue that their ability to see what is needed and then act on it places them on par with some of the greatest superheroes out there.

Efren Peñaflorida, a Filipino who has dedicated himself to teaching our poorest children out of a pushcart,  just won the award and I cannot help but be filled we pride and admiration for someone who is actually doing some of the most noble work anyone can do.  Since high school I have been taught that the only true way out of poverty requires education, since that opens up opportunities for work and for further education.  Efren’s work, borne out of his own experiences growing up in the slums of Metro Manila, gives these kids the education they need and, a lot of times, desperately want.  Him and his volunteers (some of whom he actually  reached out to and have now joined him) operate pushcarts that, when re-assembled, become classrooms for slum children.  They also give these children baths and teach them proper hygiene which, in their lives, is a matter of life and death.

He deserves the honor and support that CNN will be giving him.  While $100,000.00 is a lot of money, I’m sure he’ll need more.  More than that, he deserves help.  Hopefully his story can help us all think of more ways to improve people’s lives in concrete ways.

You can view his story here:  http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/05/heroes.efren.penaflorida/index.html#cnnSTCText

Yes, I write about comic book heroes and science fiction.  But I also live in a world where children either beg or are used by others for money.  Superman isn’t much use here.  Efren, however, is just the hero we need.

Thanks, dude.  You’re my hero, too.

His site is: http://dynamicteencompany.org/

As a magician in the Philippines, I have never developed a taste for politics. More than anything else, politics boils my blood. A discussion going into it promptly turns me into a demented carabao.

Politicians also make me laugh with their antics. I make it a point to watch them mouth inanities on television every time I need a good laugh.

But today let me put aside my magic wand. I won’t say the magic words, nor cast my spell on my audience. Let me, instead, take pot shots at politicians and the multitudes who want to be politicians. Everybody else seems to be having fun doing that.

Election year in the Philippines always throws the country into a tizzy. Politics is a national pastime. Every Tom, Dick and Harry named Juan, Pablo and Jose have their own idea on how to run the country. Everyone also thinks he is fit to run for public office.

Psychologists call this malady delusion. It has afflicted the nation to the very sinews of its culture for so long now it is an epidemic. But unlike other epidemic breakouts, people don’t quake in their pants when a clueless individual enters politics the way they do when you mention to them “bird flu” or “cholera”. Instead, they shuffle their feet around the delusional, singing him paeans and celebrating the affliction of his brain.

As soon as the Commission on Elections fired the starter’s gun a yesterday, the country watches the spectacle of politicians and wannabes making a mad dash to the Comelec office to file their certificates of candidacy. Those who did not join the rush managed to appear on TV to threaten the great unwashed with their plan to run for office.  Expected to jump into the fray are the elite, the rich, the educated, movie personalities, comedians and sport heroes.

As usual, this year’s crop of candidates includes political neophytes with little or no experience or knowledge in public governance or legislating. No experience/knowledge as in nada, naught, zero, zilch, zip and zot.

The prospect of the popular but inexperience ignorant taking the reins of government or writing the laws of the land has driven eminent columnist Antonio Abaya to his wits’ end.

With a great measure of temperance, he called these wannabe politicians Idiot Candidates, a picturesque term that will not conjure the right images to the candidates in question. “Who me?” will probably be their answer if the term is brought to their attention.

I always have known one can find bliss in ignorance, but I never have imagined these many candidates finding it so easily.

Since this topic is about idiots, let me ask an idiotic question myself: Which came first, idiot candidates or idiot voters?

This is a chicken-and-egg  brain teaser, so I’m willing to wait several centuries for someone to come up with a good answer.

Meanwhile, let me go back to my magic wands. There are a great number of kids waiting for me to produce a rabbit for them and make them happy. Enough with idiocy and more Pinoy magic instead.

Stay magical everyone,

Leodini

www.leodini.com

These two trips were packed together with only two days home in between. Just posting about them was pretty intense, and the dazzling SOS came through the whole thing glowing as usual. Here’s a look back at almost a month of diplomatic travel.

Afghanistan 11/18-11/19

Beijing 11/17

Shanghai 11/16

Singapore APEC 11/14-11/15

Phlippines 11/12-11/13

Singapore APEC 11/11

Berlin 11/8-11/10

Morocco 11/1-11/3

Israel 10/31

Abu Dhabi 10/30

Pakistan 10/27-10/29

Efren Peñaflorida, who started a “pushcart classroom” in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.

CNN has info, videos, the full story.

It gives me creeps knowing that Efren Peñaflorida won as the  CNN Hero of the year. Goosebumps galore. I am really proud of him.

Then, there’s the runner up of the Miss Earth pageant who happens to be our delegate.

Of course, there is Pacquiao whom amidst the contreversy still makes us proud.

Yehey! Philippines is in the map! Those people among many others are still struggling to put the Philippines on the map. And I am very, very proud of them.

**I just hope  Efren Peñaflorida do not run for office or not be used by people seeking for office in the government.

How to curb gang violence and enculturation among youth? Give them something to learn — literally.

CCN Hero of the Year’s concept: Pushcart Classes (yes, as in hoard a blackboard, books and stuff like street meat to the slums).

Take a peek at Efren Penaflorida’s alternative to gang enculturation through his group, Dynamic Teen Company. It’s a novel, practical and interim step that directly curbs subcultural symptoms – and fundamentals – of urban poverty in developing countries.

After Pacquiao scored a TKO victory over Cotto last weekend, earning an unprecedented 7th title in a 7th weight class, he booked a concert to sing with his band.  Now comes the release of a trailer for his new movie Wapakman which also co-stars WWE star Batista.  I post this only because it’s so ridiculously cheesy that it could possibly become one of the most awesome movies of all time.

Doesn’t that music sound similar to the Spider-Man movie theme?  Pac-Man even wears the thick rimmed glasses.

As I was about to call it a day, I saw a video link from a Facebook Page I joined called “Definitely Filipino” about the CNN Hero of the Year. It say’s: Acceptance speech of OUR 2009 CNN HERO and the thumbnail picture of Efren Penaflorida was attached to it.

Prior to being feted as such, Efren is relatively unknown. At such a young age of 28, he has accomplished something that not many people his age or even older had accomplished or will ever accomplish in their entire life..that is, changing the lives of others–for the better.

He created the group called “Dynamic Teen Company” which aims to teach basic reading and writing to children living on the streets in the hope that it will be a diversion to hooking up into gang activities like vandalizing, bullying others or even raping young girls.

Their classroom is a ubiquitous push cart wherein volunteers teach children with age ranging from 2-14 years old. Since 1997, approximately 10,000 members had taught over 1,500 “children of the slums”. To sustain this activity, they make and sell crafts or collecting items to recycle.

Moreover, those children that they taught upon getting the inspiration to learn more and strive to have a better life has also become volunteers for future students.

CNN selected 10 nominees for this year’s Hero of the Year which is now on it’s 3rd year. These Heroes as what the tagline says “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact” was selected by a distinguished panel comprising of leaders and humanitarians such as Gen. Colin Powell, Whoopi Goldberg, Sir Elton John, Phil Jackson, Shakira among others.

The Gala Tribute attended by an audience of 3,000 was held in Kodak Theatre, Hollywood last Saturday, November 21 and will have its premiere on Thanksgiving, November 26.

Apart from the prestigious recognition, Efren received USD 100,000 to continue his advocacy. More than 2.75 million votes were received online in CNN.com in a span of 7 weeks. Proof of the impact CNN Heroes of the year has brought us in 3 years time.

Presenters include Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Neil Patrick Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Dwayne Johnson, Eva Mendes, Randy Jackson, Greg Kinnear, George Lopez and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Here is Efren’s acceptance speech. While delivering it, he was visibly shaken and emotional maybe upon realizing he won such a great recognition and soon will be watched by millions of people worldwide.

“Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry,” Peñaflorida said upon accepting the honor. “Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.”

“So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”

His speech is short but so meaningful and inspirational. May this recognition give him and his team more energy and passion to continue helping needy children have the education they deserve. It is such a pride and honor to the Filipino people to be given such award. Hope this would also open the eyes of many of us to help someone in need whenever we can. All the small efforts we exerted can be a life-changing experience for others.

For the full story of the CNN Hero of the Year gala night, please click the link below.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/11/16/cnnheroes.tribute.show/index.html

Mabuhay ka Efren! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang lahing  Pilipino!

Ms. Erika Legara (co-adviser of U.P. Astrosoc) and Ms. DJ Avila (Overall Coordinator)

The U.P. Astronomical Society was interviewed on DateLine Philippines on ANC. I failed to watch the segment, but a fellow member told me that the reporters asked about the Leonid meteor shower and how to join the organization.

Congrats, U.P. Astrosoc!

Ad Astra Per Aspera!

*photo by Aaron Misayah

“Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.”

“… you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.” – Efren Peñaflorida

Efren Peñaflorida receives the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year 2009 award

You can’t be proud enough! He is not Manny Pacquiao. He is Efren Peñaflorida. He may not be the King of the ring like Manny Pacquiao but he fights with a heart, determination, grit, dignity and love for his Kabayan.

Manny may have fought for the country, as he claimed but, that’s too far to compare to what Efren did. While Manny fights for big money and fame, Efren fights the most devastating of foes, IGNORANCE.

While Manny inspires Pinoy while accomplishing the insurmountable task of winning in the ring where material benefits goes to his pockets, Efren not only inspire,  he educates young people, he pulls and raise them up from the morass.  He helps them to be a better Pinoy with no material benefits in return.

Efren Penaflorida INSPIRES people not to be famous and rich instead he gives our poor kababayans the CHANCE, the HOPE and the LIGHT to help them get  out of darkness called  Ignorance. He EMPOWERS them.

Manny Pacquiao’s legacy may last forever and  boxing history books will be full of it but,  Efren Penaflorida’s legacy is written on the hearts and minds of those poor Pinoy kids he helped.

And heaven knows which legacy is far more important and worthy of great praises.

Mabuhay ka Efren. You are truly and definitely Pinoy!

Read CNN’s full story here and visit Efren Peñaflorida’s Dynamic Teen Company.

What will be your basis for your vote next year? Will it be about charisma? His/Her Ideals? Credentials? Promises?

Well for those 1st timers like me, let’s make this is election Legen-wait for itttt-ARY!!

One of my christmas wish is to have an Awesooome President of the Philippines…

I’ve heard Gibo answer’s well though I am not familiar of his works… According to DJ Motwister (http://www.motwister.com) that Noynoy was the worst… I though Erap was the worst, because way back in ABS CBN version of isang tanong… He was just joking around with the questions thrown to him… Anyways… Let’s Watch Guys!! *apir*

DOGS

Acrylic on canvas

11 1/2″ x 15″

2009

The Escape to the City of Pines

Bosom buddies, which included my cousin M2, M1 and H, decided to try Baguio as our getaway for the weekend. Timely, in my opinion, because Manila suddenly opted to start summer early, with its very humid weather. Anyway, we left the humidity at 4.30 in the morning on the 14th of November on board a rented Sportivo. Chris, the man that came with the rented vehicle, was such a sweetheart, bearing the girls’ eccentricities with a smile. Breakfast was at McDonald’s, might have been in Urdaneta, Pangasinan; I lost track of the provinces we had to traverse  before reaching Baguio as we took the SCTEx.

A few hours and curved roads more, we finally felt the cool air of Baguio. We went quarters-hunting because the cottage that was recommended to us was quite difficult to find. We ooh’d and aah’d  over the lovely residence lining Pacdal that had the “Transient” sign on them, hoping one of those would be ours. Dad burst our bubbles when, through a phone call, he informed me that we had to turn back at Wright Park as the cottage was just a walking distance from the horses. It was a typical convention/seminar house with dorm-like rooms. Surprisingly, although the house was located at the back of a busy park, the surroundings was serene.

Here’s the thing: we’re not exactly Baguio virgins. I was a frequent visitor of the place since I was a kid, spending almost every summer here with my family. So, there was no itinerary. We went where our whims took us. First stop was Strawberry Fields in La Trinidad, Benguet, 2 kilometres from the city proper.

 Unfortunately, we came months ahead of harvest time, which is in January-February, so we couldn’t harvest our own strawberries. We just bought from those stalls lining the walk.

This is Chris, by the way.

Lunch was at those grilled eateries at Burnham Park. Watch out for those cholesterol-laden foodies!

M1 has never set foot at the Philippine Military Academy, so off we went. We took the  Camp John Hay route where thousands upon thousands of pine trees made us want to alight from the vehicle and embrace the beauty they offered. Admiration from the vehicle was not an option.

The Philippine Military Academy has tranquillity written all over it – we shook up the place when we arrived (wink, wink).

We did try to worm a smile out of him, to no avail.

        We are Charlie’s lost angels.

Good Shepherd Convent was next for our goodies to bring back home. I so love their Chocolate Flakes; it’s no sugar added dark chocolate. Then it was off to some second hand (ukay-ukay) items at Skyworld Shopping Center.

Chris chose Solibao for dinner. It’s located along Session Road, just across Skyworld. Every dish we ordered was simply delicious! And I need not rave about the freshness of the vegetables on our chop suey dish. After dinner, my buddies satisfied one of my life-long wishes to take a picture along Session Road’s busy street. Chris was at the sidewalk when he took this picture, while we were in the middle of Session Road, stopping all traffic with my “weird” photo-ops. At least I got my wish

Next: The City of Pines, The Morning After

]]> http://cinsomniac23.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/cool-and-colourful-baguio/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:21:54 +0000 cinsomniac23 http://cinsomniac23.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/cool-and-colourful-baguio/

The City of Pines, The Morning After

15 November, Sunday. We were greeted with fresh air and a flat tire.

Sunday mass was at St. Joseph’s Church, a very short distance from our cottage. A fairly simple green and white church, its unadorned wooden altar, embellished only with stained glass, makes the entirety of the church classically elegant.

Pink Sisters was next; this time, the entire surroundings was bathed in pink and immaculate white.

Breakfast was at 50’s Diner, below the drive from the Pink Sisters. We had beef, egg, and fried rice; otherwise known as tapsilog. It wasn’t as wonderful as I expected a diner dish to be, but the egg was cooked just the way I want it – soft and perfectly round yolk.

We initially planned to just take one group picture at the gates of The Mansion before we headed for Manaoag, Pangasinan. Unexpectedly, cousy knew the Presidential Guard at the entrance and we were given rein to explore the grounds. The pictures are courtesy of H’s camera because, stupid me, forgot my camera charger and my camera’s battery gave up on me at the diner.

H and cousy had to do some last minute vegetable shopping; so we left the City at around 12 noon. On the way to Manaoag, Pangasinan, we saw a lot of establishments offering free viewing of the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto bout. It must have been the sheer delight of spending a lovely weekend in cool Baguio that, out of the blue, we asked Chris to stop by a Police Outpost filled with people along Sison, Pangasinan, and check whether or not the bout was on. It was being shown live in a police outpost. So out of the vehicle we went and plopped right in front of the television; the people were just so accommodating! We cheered along with them as Pacquiao danced with Cotto, throwing punches left and right. It was around 2 in the afternoon when we arrived at Manaoag and paid a visit to Our Lady. Late lunch was at Max’s Restaurant, Urdaneta. Back to Manila’s humid weather at around 8 in the evening.

Just one tip: when in Baguio, do not drink from the faucet. Always ask for bottled water.

Until the next journey,

Another Pinoy gives a reason for all of us to be proud.

Efren Peñaflorida, who started a “pushcart classroom” in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.

As a child, Efren Penaflorida picked school over gang life in Cavite City and vowed to create a way for other children to make the same choice. He created a program that brings bring books to children in slums and on the streets, and the 10,000 members of his Dynamic Teen Co. have brought reading, writing and hygiene to 1,500 youngsters.

“My message to children of all races, please, to embrace learning and love it for it will embrace and love you back and enable you to change your world,” said Penaflorida, now a 21-year-old college graduate.

Peñaflorida, who will receive $100,000 to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company, was selected after seven weeks of online voting at CNN.com. More than 2.75 million votes were cast. He also received $25,000 for being a finalist.

“Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry,” Peñaflorida said upon accepting the honor. “Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.

We are so proud of you, kabayan!