Toys and Collectibles

This is the toy and collectibles exhibit that I am referring to on my post July 8. Young, old and young at heart gathered to see the exhibits. There were lots of people at the Event Center of SM City Clark, Angeles City, Philippines. I remember when I was a kid, I keep a toy collections of G.I. Joe's, matchbox and little toy soldiers with battle tanks and some Ghostbuster action figures. I don't know where I have put those now. Here are some of the toys and collectibles I have taken at the exhibit last month. Sorry I don't have a high end camera for some of the photos are a bit dark and blur.

Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman


Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Iron Man


Batman on Batcycle

Superman/Clark Kent

Yes, Captain Barbell has it's own action figure. Captain Barbell is our local super hero here in the Philippines. He is like Superman.

Batmobile

There you go. Those are some of the action figures at the exhibit. There are also NBA players, characters from Disney like Lion King, Disney Princesses, Tarzan, and much more. I can't get photos of all the action figures at the exhibit because kids all around me especially those who are near the toys won't budge, LOLz!

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Happy 6th Anniversary yesterday Tsinantsinku! Love you! Mwah! Nope I won't post our very first photos together here nor those some years back.. I know what your thinking hehehe...

Autobots let's roll out!

I have been busy for the past weeks, 2 weeks I think. Well, I just had to stop for awhile and take my eyes off the internet and went back to watching TV and getting more sleep. I really had to take time out from the internet world and go back to basics. I was missing so much that's why I haven't updated my blog lately. Sorry guys and gals.

Last June 24, I was one of the lucky employees of our company who went to attend our General Assembly. Why lucky you asked? Because our company decided to set our General Assembly at the SM Cinema, SM City Clark and at the same time treat us to a popcorn and soda to watch the first showing day of Transformers II: Revenge of the Fallen. Well, there are many who wanted to watch the first screening day of the movie and many are in line to get movie tickets to catch the movie on it's first day. For me and my colleauges, no need to go in line and buy tickets for our company already have seats for us plus bucket of popcorn and one big soda to enjoy. Everyone is excited to watch the movie after our site director of our company gave us a heads up on what to expect with regards to our work. The movie somewhat relates to us because we are in the transformation or transforming stage of our company. What is that you asked? Well, can't tell you, it's a secret hehehe. We just enjoyed the movie.



I like part 2 better than the first one because they inject some humor, humor that made me laughed and almost choked from the popcorn I was eating hehehe. After the movie, there are some transformers action figures on display at the entertainment center of SM City. And here are some of the action figures (some of the photos are a bit blurry. I don't have a high end camera).























These action figures are owned by the members of the Pampanga Toy Collectors Club (PTCC). They also had a toy and collectibles exhibit last Father's Day at SM City Clark. I will post some of the photos I took at the exhibit on my next blog. I hope there will be a part 3 transformers movie.The movie is still showing and I'll watch it again.

Remembering... Stand Up! Act Now!

Today marks the 111 year of Philippine Independence. June 12, 1898 concludes the Spanish-American war. Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain. The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United States or Spain, and was not generally recognized by other nations. The Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, in consideration for an indemnity for Spanish expenses and assets loss.


The Philippines celebrates its Independence Day in recognition of June 12, 1898, when the Philippines declared its independence from Spain, although its independence was only recognized on July 4, 1946, by the United States. From 1946 to 1961, Independence Day was observed on July 4 each year, but then President Diosdado Macapagal, upon the advice of some historians, reverted to the June 12 date, which up to that time had been observed as Flag Day in the Philippines. In place of the old Independence Day, President Macapagal created Filipino-American Friendship Day on July 4.




Everyone wants to be free. Freedom and Peace is what everyone wants regardless of nationality. Independence is the self-government of a nation, country, or state by its residents and population, or some portion thereof, generally exercising sovereignty. Sovereignty is the exclusive right to exercise, within a specific territory, the functions of a Nation-state and be answerable to no higher authority. It is an important part of the three main political perspectives of realism, rationalism, and internationalism, as these three theories differ most in their views on sovereignty. Sovereignty has existed throughout history, from the time of the Romans through to the present day, although it has changed in its definition, concept, and application throughout, I won't dig in through further because it might just cause confusion in the end.



I think almost everyone exercise their freedom by choosing what they want. But not all that everyone wants are acceptable. There are rules and laws to be considered and followed. But for me, I exercise my freedom to chose when it's election time here in the Philippines. I can chose who I want to lead in this country. I'm not into politics but ofcourse I chose wisely who I want to lead. Next year, in the year 2010 of May, we will be voting/electing a new president for the republic of the Philippines. I cannot say who I wish to be the next president at this time but ofcourse it is best to chose wisely. At this time, those who wish to run for candidacy are already giving hints to the public that they wish to be next president and vice president. Aside from those seats, I think we will also be voting for other local government position. What's new in the coming 2010 elections is the automated voting. I hope through this one, there will no longer be flying voters or switching and adding of votes.




What just scares me is that hackers might hack the system and poof! everything changes and manipulated in just one click. Remember that the highly secured system of Pentagon was hacked before. Some people are under estimating the power of the world wide web. This system is very much powerful and if one knows the ups and downs of the internet, it will just be easy peasy. I just hope that all precautionary measures are handled properly by our Commission on Elections (COMELEC). I'm not under estimating their capability, but it's best that they have plan B. Also, 7 Billion pesos of equipment to be used for the automated voting must be worth it.




Last Wednesday, June 10, thousands of people gathered in Makati City the business capital of the Philippines to make a stand and voice out their thoughts and feeling about the Constituent Assembly of the Philippines. Constituent assembly or "con-ass" is one of the three modes in which the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines could be amended or revised. The other two modes are via People's Initiative and Constitutional Convention. The bicameral Philippine Congress (Senate and the House of Representatives) is in a Constituent assembly mode when they formally convene to propose amendments or revisions to the 1987 constitution; and under Article XVII of the Constitution of the Philippines, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members. The process of amending or revising the 1987 constitution of the Philippines is popularly known to many Filipinos as Charter Change. Any proposed amendment or revision to the 1987 Constitution shall only be valid when ratified by the majority of Filipinos in a plebiscite.




Personally, I don't agree in changing the constitution of the Philippines. I think it will just make things worse in the Philippines' Government. Why not do or act on other things instead of making amendments in changing the constitution? There are still people who are jobless and those who cannot bring food to the table. There are still many who are homeless. Others have homes but the land they call home do not belong to them. What happened to free education? My brother cannot finish his course for four straight years because we cannot pay his tuition fee so he has to stop atleast one year. One time someone asked me, isn't it there is study now pay later? I replied there is none! That only appears on the 500 pesos bill but I don't see that into reality. There are a lot of things that our country need. I hope those who will be elected in the 2010 elections can do more..... this time....

It's Independence Day
to all Filipinos World Wide

Photos taken from
Abacan Bridge, Angeles City, Philippines

It's nice to be back! Game time!

Atlassst! I am finally officially back playing one of my favorite sports. Never mind the scourging heat of the sun. I started playing again Lawn Tennis last month. But unlike before, I was playing almost 4 times a week. But now I can't for I have lots to do but I still manage to play Lawn Tennis atleast twice or thrice a week. I'm glad that I am back playing because I also need to lose weight LOLz! I wish I could go back to dancing too. But for the meantime, playing Lawn Tennis is what I shall do. This is my stress buster and weight buster, LOL!

Here are the photos I took at the tennis court where I play.

Angeles City, Philippines

Coach Ric Manalo

Coach Ric is one of the coach or trainer of the Lawn Tennis players in Angeles City. He also trains some players who are taking part on the National Games on Lawn Tennis. His wife and 2 kids are lawn tennis players too. His daughter Nikki Manalo is a champion in lawn tennis. I forgot which division she is included. Also his son Joshua Manalo is also a lawn tennis champion. Coach Ric teaches lawn tennis to kids as early as 2 years old. There is no age limit as long as one can still play tennis. He teach basic, advance and professional tennis. His hard work, patience and skills molds the lawn tennis players of Angeles City. During his time, he won several championships in lawn tennis. I am amazed on how he teaches lawn tennis to kids because in just one week, a kid can play lawn tennis for beginners. There are some kids that really don't have the talent in playing this sport, however, Coach Ric will not give up that easily once he know a kid has a potential in playing lawn tennis. He teaches from morning even high noon until late afternoon depending on the available time of the person he will teach or train.

Here are some of the kids that he teach to learn lawn tennis

These are Alfred and Paula Inofre, they are siblings

Alfred takes the shot and...

Follows through.

Paula or Pau takes her shot and...

Follows through.. nice!

This is Alfred. They call him Red for short. He is 9 years old. Last year both of them started taking lawn tennis lessons from Coach Ric. They only get to play lawn tennis when they are here in Angeles City because they go to school in Manila. I get to chat with them during their break time taking lessons. Red is a shy type kid but once you ask him about computer stuffs and online computer games, he starts to talk and talk, LOLz! At his age, he can already play lawn tennis. I was not able to see them last week for they took a vacation and I hope I could see them next week.

It's a bit difficult to teach lawn tennis to kids because if they don't have the confidence and initiative to learn the sport, they won't learn and would easily get iritated. Coach Ric once told me he taught a 2 years old kid who is still wearing her diaper as Coach Ric teaches her. She can hit 10 to 15 tennis balls. After that she would tell Coach Ric "ayaw ko na (I don't want anymore)", LOLz! Then they will stop the lesson and resumes the next day hehehe.. I saw that kid once, she is beautiful like a little cherubin. I salute Coach Ric for his patience and perseverance in teaching lawn tennis.

I will post more of my courtside lawn tennis adventure next time so stay tuned! =)

Good Friday: Church and Flagellants

I was sick the moment I woke up last night I have a few rashes on my right arm some on my left arm and on my back. I don't know how I got them. Luckily they are not itchy or else they would become wounds because I can't help but scratch them.But I had to get to work. I couldn't afford to absent myself. Even if I'm chattering my teeth because I am cold at work, I was able to surpass and finished my shift at work. I was praying the whole time asking to get me through my shift. At the end of my shift I no longer feel dizzy and cold. Since I was not able to do Visita Iglesia, I decided to drop by at the church before I went home.

There are lots of people in the church. I reached the church by 7:30am and there will be station of the cross by 8am and the parade of saints later in the afternoon. I can't attend the parade because I need to sleep and equip myself for another night at work and I could not be going to work again dizzy and cold. Actually my head still hurts as I am doing this entry. But I still managed to take some photos at the church before I went home.

Here are the photos of Sto.Rosario (Holy Rosary) Parish Church in Angeles City, Philippines.

The Exterior of the Church

The Interior of the Church

This one above will be used later at the parade

Holy Rosary Parish Church is the biggest church here in Angeles City. It is in the heart of the City. You won't miss it if you go here.

As I am walking home from church, I saw many flagellants in the street near our barangay and people mostly by-standers are in the streets. Every year there are about more than a 100 flagellants that devot themselves to this practice. Good Friday is where most of the flagellants in our barangay lined up to go to pabasa (literal meaning to read or reading) and tell their intentions to God. I think they visit 9 pabasa in one day, some 12. I remember when I was still about 4 or 5 years old, I used to be scared of flagellants and I hide myself from them thinking that they would get me.This time, I followed them going to the pabasa build by my relatives infront of their home. And took a few shots.

First Batch of Flagellants

The KIA service vehicle above is covered with plastic to protect it from the blood stain

Second Batch of Flagellants

Actually I missed another batch of flagellants. The street above is one block away from where I live.

Let us not forget the true meaning of Holy Week. Let us remember that Jesus Christ gave his life for us to live in this world. I know we have different beliefs but nonetheless, faith strengthens ones belief. This Sunday will be Easter Sunday. The day that Jesus Christ came back to life and renewed our faith in Him. Advance Happy Easter to all!