Chinese New Year

7:07 PM |

GONG XI FA CAI!


        On January 23, 2012, our friends, the Chinese people, celebrated their most important tradition: the celebration of the "Lunar New Year" or "Spring Festival" which is more popularly known around the globe as the Chinese New Year.


        Because it's their most important holiday, it is celebrated with joyous festivities, dragon dancing, red envelopes (if you know what i mean *wink*), yummy foods, and blasts! Err, literally... blasts!!!


(gifs-paradise.com)



 2012: YEAR OF THE WATER DRAGON


        The Chinese have always believed about signs and wonders and zodiacs and luck, hence they have 12 animals that is attributed in each zodiac:
  • Rat
  • Ox
  • Tiger
  • Rabbit
  • Dragon
  • Snake
  • Horse
  • Goat
  • Monkey
  • Rooster
  • Dog
  • Pig


        In the Western Zodiac, there are also 12 divisions (time cycles), but there's a difference between the Western's and the Chinese's. The Western is divided by days while the Chinese version is divided into years, plus, aside from the cycle of 12 animals, five elements -- Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water --  are associated with them too.



(waterdragoninc.com)



        2012, according to the Chinese calendar is the Year of the Water Dragon. And also according to their Feng Shui, this year could bring many possible luck. Why? Because the Earth is 2/3 water... and our body is filled with water. Simply put, water is very important. Moreover, they believe that the Dragon's natural element is the water. The Dragon being a legendary Chinese creature.





CHINESE NEW YEAR AROUND THE WORLD

        They said that if every Chinese around the world would jump at the same time, it would cause a serious quake. Not impossible. The Chinese are all over the globe. China Towns are present in almost every country. They may be that friendly, huh?


         Here in the Philippines, our Chinese and Filipino-Chinese people are very much close to our hearts. They've been part of our everyday lives, from classmates, workmates, to local businesses, to our President. January 23rd 2012 was the first time Chinese New Year was declared a non-working holiday.


        But all across the globe, the spectacular celebration was witnessed. Shall we take a look?

Honolulu, Hawaii (flickr.com)


Los Angeles, California (destination360.com)
New York City (chinesenewyear.me)
Singapore (flickr.com)
San Francisco (earthsky.org)
London (businesstraveldestinations.com)

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI, Phrontites!

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Sinulog 2012

5:51 PM |

Photo Courtesy: http://www.sinulog.ph
 
What's The Sinulog Festival?

The Sinulog festival is one of the grandest and most colorful festivals in the Philippines with a very rich history. The main festival is held each year on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City to honor the Santo Niño, or the child Jesus, who used to be the patron saint of the whole province of Cebu (since in the Catholic faith Jesus is not a saint, but God). It is essentially a dance ritual which remembers the Filipino people’s pagan past and their acceptance of Christianity.

The festival features some the country’s most colorful displays of pomp and pageantry: participants garbed in bright-colored costumes dance to the rhythm of drums, trumpets, and native gongs. The streets are usually lined with vendors and pedestrians all wanting to witness the street-dancing. Smaller versions of the festival are also held in various parts of the province, also to celebrate and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a Sinulog sa Kabataan, which is performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the Grand Parade.

Aside from the colorful and festive dancing, there is also the SME trade fair where Sinulog features Cebu export quality products and people around the world flock on the treasures that are Cebu.

Recently, the cultural event has been commercialized as a tourist attraction and instead of traditional street-dancing from locals, Sinulog also came to mean a contest featuring contingents from various parts of the country. The Sinulog Contest is traditionally held in the Cebu City Sports Complex, where most of Cebu’s major provincial events are held. - Read More: http://sinulog.ph/index.php/about/

Sinulog came from the word “sulog" (movement of a water current) which was the inspiration for the Sinulog dance.

Photo Courtesy: http://www.sinulog.ph

FESTIVITY. MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES

     It has been the Filipino's nature to be festive in showing their strong faith and thanksgiving.We do it by dancing, parading, loud music and pure fun!

     The Sinulog festival is the grandest celebration of the Cebuano devotees of the Sto. Niño. Every year gets better that it has been a tourist attraction because of all the street dances, amazing costumes, upbeat music, extraordinary food, and the beauty and richness of culture.

      Sinulog 2012 is the most extravagant of all so far (compared to the previous festivals), with activities such as novena masses, exhibits, cultural shows, fluvial parade, pageants, street dancing and parties, fireworks displays and a whole lot more. Moreover, an estimated number of 3 million spectators has been there to witness the festival. Truly, festivities are more fun in the Philippines!

Photo Courtesy: http://www.choosephils.com

Photo Courtesy: http://www.360digest.blogspot.com

Photo Courtesy: http://www.360digest.blogspot.com

---

Photo Courtesy: http://www.sinulog.ph

SINULOG 2012: SUCCESS.

     When all the street festivity of Sinulog 2012 came to an end, we can all say that the Cebu City Police did a great job in implementing security measures before, during, and after the festival.

     Another Sinulog blast for has ended this year, but this calls for another successful fiesta! Hooray for Sinulog 2013! (if the world does not end on December, that is.)

     But for now, let's all be expectant for other upcoming fiestas: Chinese New Year (Jan. 23) and the famous Dinagyang of Ilo-ilo!

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It's MORE FUN in the Philippines!

2:55 PM | Labels: , , ,

     According to the recent Forbes HSBC's Expat Explorer Survey, the Philippines ranked 8th friendliest country in the world! Number 1 in Asia! These are rated according to four categories:

1. Easy to befriend locals
2. Learn the local language
3. Integrate to local community, and
4. Fit into the new culture.

     However, the country was ranked 2nd as the best country for expatriates to make friends, maintain work/life balance and have a social life.

Indeed, it's more fun in the Philippines!
 
          Forbes' top 15 friendliest countries in the world:

           1. New Zealand
           2. Australia
           3. South Africa
           4. Canada
           5. United States
           6. Turkey
           7. United Kingdom
           8. Philippines
           9. Spain
          10. Malaysia
          11. Brazil
          12. Italy
          13. Mexico
          14. Singapore
          15. France

The survey appeared as if it's supporting the Department of Tourism's slogan: "It's more fun in the Philippines."



  THE SLOGAN

     The newest tourism slogan, even before it has been revealed to the public, has been a reason for "more fun" as it became a way for Filipinos to show their creativity and humor.

     Pinoy netizens from social networking sites (especially on Facebook), enjoyed making their own "more fun" posters that's definitely worth the laugh.

Here are some:
























 


It's really more fun to be a Filipino!


MORE FUN 

On a lighter note, maybe we can also have some of these Philippine domestic tourism slogans (created by, yours truly, creative Pinoys):
- Boracay, You Sexy Beach!
- Haller, Baler!
- Bohol: Go To Hill!
- Be Cool, Bicol!
- Thank you, Camiguin!
- Maliit Navotas, Lumalaki!
- We Fly High In Capiz!
- Go Gaga In Naga!
- Kaibigan, Punta Na Sa Vigan!
- Virac, You Rock!
- Kamuning Get Me!
- Better Leyte Than Never!
- Whee! Tawi-Tawi!
- Walang Aayaw Sa Apayao!
- Maraming Gig Sa Taguig!
- Bongga Ka Day, Sa Norzagaray!
- I wanna dance with Zambales, I wanna feel the heat with Zambales!
- Hola, Isabela!
- Tanawin ang Tanauan!
- Gala na sa Galera!
- El Nido. It’s Everybody’s Milk!

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Be Braver,Bolder and Brighter this 2012

10:56 PM |


Be Braver, Bolder and Brighter this 2012

Prophets says that, this year will probably be the year the world will end. Catastrophes and various major problems will come in people’s way. Before the world ends, might as well gear and pump up your wardrobe and end this year with a bang.
Cast off all those old and baggy things you wore last year. It’s now time to flaunt your “Fashionality” and strut your way to the top by being gorgeous, sassy and confident.

This year’s trend goes with the bright and beautiful colors. Wearing bold and bright colors will surely be your fiercest weapon this 2012, wearing tangerine, yellows, aqua blues and any bright yet sassy colors will surely spice up and stir up your fashion fierceness.




Being the queen of the Urban Jungle is just one of the fiercest and coolest things to be. Animal prints such as tiger, leopard and zebra prints will surely boost your confidence on overcoming the challenges that awaits you on those tall and gigantic buildings that lies in the metro. 


Bright, fun and colorful shoes won’t do you know wrong in this year’s feast of brightness and lightness of colors that will probably make you in line with the likes of the most fashionable and fabulous people in showbiz and fashion industry. Pumps, wedges and dazzling stilettos will just add up happiness and cheerfulness to your amazing fashion sense.




Makeup artists played with a mix of old and new for spring. Backstage inspiration boards featured rouge lip colors that seemed pulled from a vanity table drawer from long ago, futuristic glittery eye accents, timeless natural tones and indelible smoky shadows and liners done in fresh ways. The overall message: pair vintage with modern to make a statement that’s unique and all your own this season.





To spice up all of these amazing, fabulous, trendy, and unique sense of style, having a healthy living will help you achieve this youthful and vibrant glow. Eating delicious yet healthy meals will surely lend you its power of becoming fresh, beautiful, fierce and sassy. Vegetables, fruits and other nutritious meal will do shape up your figure and help you out on having a perfect body that suits those wonderful dresses you want.





      Living a fabulous life is a wonderful thing, but being healthy is giving you freedom to experience life at its best. Don’t forget to memorize and keep in mind all of the must have this 2012. Don’t forget to be BRAVER, BOLDER, and BRIGHT.
 

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The 37th MMFF in a Glance

8:47 PM |

          Over the years, Filipinos have lost their faith in Filipino movies. They’d rather watch Hollywood films than “waste” their money on buying tickets for local movies, thinking they could just buy pirated CD’s to find out if it is a good watch.

          On this note, our country’s movie industry has been trying its best to retrieve its audience.  Efforts in making quality and world class films are evident in the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), from visual effects to screenplay.
 
The official entries (and their rank according to gross income):

1. Enteng Ng Ina Mo
2. Panday 2
3. My Househusband, Ikaw Na!
4. Segunda Mano
5. Shake Rattle and Roll 13
6. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
7. Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story



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Navidad Desayuno (Christmas Breakfast)

7:23 PM | Labels:


For many, Christmas is the most awaited part of the year. With all the exciting gift-giving, heavenly carols and fun treats, it’s really the season to be jolly. Not to mention the traditional festive Noche Buena every family prepares to welcome the Christmas Eve. But different as it may sound, Christmas is just like any other season for our family. Growing up in the province, we all have learned the simple yet meaningful true essence of celebrating our Lord’s birthday. And that is to stay simple, extend help to others and share the abundance of blessing we receive the whole year.
 
For years, our family have remained generous in sharing the season’s warmth to our neighbours, that instead of having a table overflowing with food, we would rather have a simple dinner and just save the money for tomorrow’s Navidad Desayuno or Christmas breakfast. Our mother taught us that the real celebration of this season isn’t just for few people but for everyone. That is why for many years, it has already became a tradition for us to set up a table outside our house on early Christmas morning, regardless of how late we stayed at night, just to share our blessings to our small neighbourhood. My mother would prepare breakfast like Chicken soup or Champorado and she will give these, in lieu of money, to give to everyone who is visiting us to ask for Aguinaldo early in the morning.

Over the past years, we have given away old clothes and toys to our less fortunate neighbours. There is also a year when my mother gave a bag full of sweet treats to my grandfather who played Lolo Santa one Christmas morning. He gave away those as Aguinaldo and you can really see the glitter in the eyes of every child who received the simple treat. It is such a great feeling for us to give and make others happy and special even in just a simple way.

I am very proud of my mother for she has served as an inspiration to me. She is a model of a true noble woman whose love for others is undying and great. Certainly, this tradition of Navidad Desayuno that we have shared with others and our family have exercised every year would live on even in the future generation of Butuan clan.


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