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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

[UPDATE] Philippine Air Force Run 2013: Takbo para sa Karunungan, Kinabukasan ng Kabataan

 
UPDATE:  REGISTRATION SITES as of May 20, 2013 

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is inviting you to a cause-oriented run in celebration of its 66th Anniversary.  Dubbed as 'Takbo para sa Karunungan Kinabukasan ng Kabataan', the race is set on June 9, 2013 at the CCP Complex.



What's unique about this fun run?

1.  Owing to the successful staging of last year's PAF fun run, the 2013 edition promotes an equally worthy cause that is driven by education, uplifting our soldiers' moral through sports, and reaching out to bereaved families of fallen soldiers in line of duty (If you are the type of runner who believes in helping people through running, this event is something that you should not miss.)

2.  Lace up your fave running shoes and run the course with the PAF.  No killer hills this time around.  Yes, flat course it is.  Pace them or they pace you, whatever floats your boat.  It's guaranteed fun!

3.  Things to watch out for:  confetti drops and static displays by select teams of the Philippine Air Force (including the 505th Search and Rescue Group, PIO, 710th SPOW, AFRDC. 

4.  Very reasonable registration fee, with singlet and finisher's medal for all categories. 


Register now!  =)

Registration period is from April 29 - June 7.  Limited slots are available, so better register early before race packets run out. 

  Registration sites
      ASICS Greenbelt 3
      ASICS Bonifacio High Street
      ASICS Solenad 2
      Olympic Village Trinoma   


  Categories and fees (including singlet and finiser's medal)
 



  Prizes 


  Race routes

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This invitation is posted on behalf of the Air Force Special Services Group (AFSSG).  For inquiries, you may contact them at these numbers:  0932 428 3632, 0927 420 3541, 853 5128.  You may also visit their Facebook page:  Paf Anniversary Run.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Blogger's Tablet: Love to Shop at SM Aura BGC


SM Aura has opened its doors to the public, May 17.  Located at the premier district of Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig, SM Aura is poised to provide a world-class shopping experience for urban dwellers. From its green and stylish architecture to the roster of international brands it carries, SM Aura is set to complete the 'global city' landscape of BGC.  It is geared to introduce new retailing concepts, plus a number of international brands that are about to enter the local market for the first time. 

Grabbed from Facebook: Signage made from fresh flowers, on display during the mall's soft opening, May 16.

Grabbed from Facebook: the dynamic facade of SM Aura in digital print.
Go Green!

SM Aura is a multi-level shopping mall that has been designed with the environment in mind.  The infrastructure itself is certified to be compliant to pro-environment factors, including that one for energy efficiency.  The mall is surrounded by trees and pathways that are pedestrian and bike friendly. 

Mini-tour

Posted here are photos from the soft opening, May 16.  I just used my ever-reliable point-and-shoot Samsung Galaxy Tab to take photos and some notes. 

Lower Ground Floor

I'm loving SM Supermarket!  This is where quality food and style meet.  My instant favorites are: soft yet vibrant lighting, designed to reduce stress; dedicated international aisles - Western and Asian; fresh products which are internationally- and locally-sourced;  a Chateau de France outlet serving freshly-baked breads, macaroons, tartlets, and all kinds of French cheese.  What they have here is a cross between Jason's Supermarket (a favorite of expat communities in South East Asia) and Carrefour in Paris. 







Fruit Carving Station

Sandwich Bar: fresh and healthy food to go. 

Sushi Bar

My favorite: strawberry tartlets...experience 'Pomme de Pain' in Manila through Chateau de France.

My all-time favorite French Macaroons:  from Jean Paul Hevin to Laduree to Pierre Herme to Paul Boulangerie...and now Chateau de France - Manila!
OC meets tech savvy.  Nice digital aisle signage! 

Shops at the Lower Ground Floor:  Ace Hardware, Cha Time, Watsons, SM Appliance Center, Jollibee, KFC, SM Department Store, OVN Bakery, and soon-to-open Healthy Options and McDonalds. 

Upper Ground - Third Floors

Suite Blanco of Spain has just arrived!  This shop promises to bring the best of fashion trends at a reasonable price point.  Initially, only the women's clothing line is made available at SM Aura. I'm hoping for the rest of the product lines to be unveiled soon.

Wishful thinking...how about H&M in Manila?

Veni. Vidi. Blanco. I came. I saw...and I shopped Blanco!  =)

Paul, a French chain of bakery/cafe also welcomed their first batch of guests during the soft opening, May 16.  I love Paul for its freshly baked breads and macaroons.  =)

A taste of Paris - Paul Boulangerie and Cafe

A mix of local and international shops greet shoppers at the Second and Third Levels. Not to be missed is The SM Store - sophisticated in every aspect, and yet (surprisingly) capable of offering new and exciting products at wider price points. 

I love the interplay of soft lights, wooden panels, and the understated elegance of clean and sleek tiles. The façade reminds me of Gucci and Louis Vuitton boutiques.

Metal panels remind me of Shoppes at Four Seasons.  Truly elegant.
Inside The SM Store.
Harbour City, HK?  No.  This is better.  Perfume Section of The SM Store.
Perfume Bar, The SM Store
Meet and greet SM Aura's international endorser - Ms. Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP).  She played Carrie Bradshaw, the lead role in the international hit series, Sex and the City.  Since then, she has been recognized as a style icon not only in Hollywood, but also here in the Philippines. 

It was also announced during the program that SJP has donated 100,000 USD to the underprivileged children of Taguig City through the SM Foundation.

More space to shop...now, this is what I call a shopping playground.
A special section for Hello Kitty, The SM Store.  Love!
Shops at the Upper Ground - Third Floors (based on memory):  Forever 21, Uniqlo,  L'Indochine, Kamiseta, CMG, Charles & Keith, American Eagle, Paul, Starbucks, SM Department Store, Stefanel, and more high street brands opening soon.

Gadget lovers are sure to flock to their favorite eye candy at the Fourth Level

SM Aura also introduces a new concept in 'food court dining' with the launch of an upmarket version called 'Food on Four'.

An IMAX and two Director's Club outlets are all set to provide the movie goers with the best cinematic experience.

Corridors leading to Food on Four.  Gong Cha and Mochi Sweets, right side.  Ah, la dolce vita! 
Short break from shopping = Dark Choco Mochi Sweets! 

Ready for al-fresco with a true touch of nature?  Visit the SkyPark at the Fifth Level. Other noteworthy spaces are: a 1-100 seat performance hall, and a 250-seat chapel named after the Filipino saint, San Pedro Calungsod. 

For added convenience, SM Aura also houses a Prestige Lounge for SM Prestige Members The mall also has ample parking spaces at basement levels.
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Getting there

The mall is located along McKinley Parkway and (southbound side of) C5 road corner 26th Street, Bonifcio Global City, Taguig City.  It is adjacent to Serendra and Bonifacio High Streets. 

Map courtesy of Google
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Another article from the Blogger's Tablet:  One Fine Day @ SM Aura
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Disclaimer:  This is a personal write up, not a paid advertisement. 


Sunday, May 12, 2013

Halalan 2013

Matuto na kaya tayo ngayon?  Hindi naman pang-kamote ang level ng IQ ng mga Pinoy...pero bakit kapag andyan na ang resulta ng eleksyon...kamote pa din?

Kainitan ng tanghali, heavy ang traffic kahit Labor Day.  Maraming tao ang naglalakad sa daan, sa ilalim ng napakainit na sikat ng araw.  Sari-sari, may matanda, bata, may mga nanay na may dalang mga sanggol.  Halos lahat sila nag-uusap sa daan, hindi din alintana ang pagsisikip ng daan para mga motoristang kagaya ko.  Sinakop na nila ang buong kalsada, kaya napakahirap sa mga sasakyan ang umusad.  Binuksan ko ng kaunti ang bintana, para kasing may away sa daan. 

"Gutom lang dyan!  Wala naman tayong mapapala!," sigaw ng isang ale na tantya ko ay isa ng botante.

"May pinamigay bang pera?  Wala kaming nakuha," ani ng isa pang babae na madaming akay na anak at isang matandang lalaki. 

Akin napag-alaman na sila pala ay galing sa isang kampanya ng ilang politiko.  Marami sa kanila na malinaw na hindi naman sinusuportahan ang mga kandidato.  Nagpunta sila sa kampanya na yon sa pag-asang may makukuha silang pera sa mga ito.

Hindi ko na nagawang bumusina sa pagka-ipit sa daan...sa mga sasakyang namumulot ng pasahero na galing sa kampanya.  Isinara ko ang bintana.  Madami silang nagtatanungan kung mayroon binigay na pera ang mga kandidato.  Nakakalungkot.  State of the nation ba ito?

Umusad na ang traffic. Ilang saglit lang ay tumambad na sa akin ang slum area na isinunod sa pangalan ng isang kilalang tourist destination... hindi dahil sa white sand...walang white sand doon, burak madami.  Sira na ang ecosystem sa lugar na iyon.  Ilang politiko na din ang umupo at umalis sa pwesto, but there were no sustainable measures to alleviate poverty, or at least, preseve the ecosystem in that area.  Ayoko na itong dugtungan...at kung may isusulat pa man ako dito sa paragraph na ito...alam nyo na yon.

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Napapaligiran ako ng mga pamilya at kaibigan na pinag-iisipang mabuti ang mga politiko na kanilang ihahalal...pero kahit ano ang gawin namin...marami pa din sa ating mga kababayan ang handang magbenta ng kanilang boto?  Marahil ay dahil sa kahirapan...para sa isa, dalawa, o tatlong araw pantawid gutom...kapalit ng ilang taon pag-abuso sa batas, kalikasan, karapatang pantao, at pagnanakaw ng pondo ng bayan?

Nakakalungkot na madaming politiko ang nagsasamantala sa sitwasyon ng mga kapus-palad nating kababayan?  Bakit ako sobrang vocal ngayon???  Mas madami kasi tayong kababayan na namumuhay below poverty line...mas madami din silang boto.  Kung ang sikat na DJ na si Papa Jack ng Love Radio ang sinasabihan ko nito, malamang ang sagot nya lang sa akin...'Nganga!'  Kung baga sa traffic ay grid lock...para bang walang pag-asa.

Given na ganito ang takbo ng halalan at politika sa ating bansa, ayoko magpadala sa sistema.  Tiyak na madami pa din sa atin ang gusto ng magagandang pagbabago...ayaw na namin sa bulok!  Ayaw namin ng corrupt!  Ayaw namin sa mga TRAPO! 

Bukas, boboto ako...Kumpleto na ang listahan ko ng 12 Senators...pero mapupuyat ata ako ngayon.  I find it difficult to complete my list of candidates for local positions...wala kasing bago.  Madami pa din trapo or political dynasty lang ang peg.

Wala akong pakialam kung ang ilang iboboto ko ay hindi pa siguradong mananalo...gamit ko ang aking isip at konsensya, boboto ako ng tama na may pag-asang sa buong lifetime ko man lang sana ay makita ko na talaga umayos ang Pilipinas.  Sino pa ba naman ang magpapahalaga sa bayan, kung hindi tayo din naman, di ba?  Sana ay gawa na ang listahan nyo at bukas bumoto na tayo ng tama. 

So help us, God. 



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Video credits

Embedded video from YouTube.com:  'Dapat Tama' Gloc 9 featuring Denise Barbacena - GMA7 info-mercial, Election 2013. 


Grabbed from http://www.mysimplethoughtsonline.blogspot.com

Friday, May 10, 2013

Alaska ties up with FCBESCOLA Football Camp

Alaska reaffirms its commitment in providing a sustainable program for youth sports and development in the country.  With football's growing popularity in the local sports scene, Alaska sponsored five Futkalero children to a world class sports workshop - the FCBEscola Philippines Barcelona Soccer Camp.

Please read on as Alaska shares how it is to train under the guidance of the world renowned FCBarcelona. 

PRESS RELEASE
ALASKA TIES UP WITH FCBESCOLA FOOTBALL CAMP, SPONSORS FUTKALERO CHILDREN FROM TONDO
Alaska Milk Corporation brings FCBEscola, the world’s No. 1 ranked football club here in the Philippines to help develop children through sports programs such as the FCBEscola Barcelona Camp. The FCBEscola Barcelona Camp has already begun training kids last April 17 and will continue until April 21 at the Ayala Alabang Country Club.
What is better than playing against one of the best football clubs in the world? Being trained by them.
Never in a million years did they thought that they will be able to see the world’s #1 ranked football club, FCBarcelona, in action, much less interact with them. But these promising young football talents from Tondo did just that and more. Thanks to the sponsorship of Alaska Milk Corporation, the five Futkaleros— Champ Cyrus Wico, Jonas Lorens Lavarias, John David Espiritu, Maria Rochel Mendaňo, and Roger Batiugas— were able to train under the FCBarcelona coaches Jordi Blanco and Jose Moratalla during the FCBEscola Philippines Barcelona Soccer Camp for the youth, a sports workshop that did not only aim to teach Filipino kids the rudiments and techniques in the game but also share with them the FCBarcelona values of teamwork and hard work. 
“Alaska has been there from the very start, even at that time when football was not very popular. It has been supporting the grassroots development of the sport and in training players. The annual Alaska Cup, is in fact, the biggest cup in the country, with thousands of players in a single day. So we were not surprised that Alaska lent their support to this project,” says Michael Reyes, organizer of the camp and Team Socceroo’s captain.

Training under World’s Best
Excitement lit up the eyes of the five Futkaleros as they showed their moves to the coaches. They believe that the camp is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve their game, learn some new skills and incorporate a new strategy into their play. According to Reyes, the style of the Futkaleros is more freestyle. “I have seen them play and their commitment to the game is impressive. I know that they practice every day. They’re fast. They’re agile. Participating in the camp will help them develop their play more.”
What kids will take away from the five-day camp is not just technique but the values: that football is not about winning but in playing your best and playing with your team. Steven Chua, Operations Director for FCBEscola Asia Pacific, relates, “I remembered a FCBarcelona camp in Singapore that we organized. After the camp, I asked one of the kids what he learned. He told me he learned the reasons why he has to move here, why he has to make a pass. Before, he just does it because he has to without even knowing why. He also learned that football is not about winning but playing the game.”
More than a hundred kids, 6 to 14 years old, signed up for the camp held recently at the Alabang Country Club. They did not even mind the extra-ordinarily hot day, showing off their skills on the field, all of them eager to train under the very best in the world. World famous players Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi were all products of FCBEscola

Built not as important as technique
According to the organizers, the Futkaleros have the typical Filipino built, which unlike basketball, is suited to football. Filipinos are not as tall as other kids but they compensate with their incredible speed and agility. FCBarcerlona has members who have similar built but are still able to excel. In football, built is not as important as technique.
“The style of football of FCBarcelona is the ‘most fit’ and ‘most matched’ [style] with Filipinos. They do not rely on size. In other sports, if you are big, you’d be a better player. In football, we rely more on technique, the passing, how the team plays. FCBarcelona’s style of football is not very individualistic. It emphasizes team play,” says Nicholas Reyes, FCBEscola camp organizer.

Wanted: Healthy body, good attitude and passion
There is also no age requirement, just a healthy body, good attitude and passion for the sport. Reyes emphasized good nutrition at an early age “as this will give children an edge in the sport.” Both exercise and proper diet are essential, especially to the significant number of Filipino kids, who have been found to suffer from undernutrition and overweight problems (National Nutrition Survey of FNRI-DOST, 2008). It is recommended that they eat a balanced set of meals and do more physical activity, which Alaska Milk Corporation has been advocating through their sports programs.
For more information, log on to http://www.fcbescolaphilippines.com and www.alaskamilk.com.ph