The Art of Seduction

Tsinelas Drive Season 4

It has been 4 years since I started my Tsinelas (slippers) Drive campaign. It started when I learned about a good friend, Jireh, who had been celebrating her birthdays with homeless children and in the home for the aged. I told her that what she was doing was awesome!

I got inspired to do something for my birthday too! Then my yearly Tsinelas drive was born. I would solicit for slippers or ask for donation to purchase slippers. I would pick a school in one of the haciendas in Victorias City. Why here? Because I grew up in this place. And I know that there are a lot of secluded schools in these places. I realized this when I was in high school since we would have outreach programs in these places.  Tsinelas Drive 2009

So this year, I was aiming for 27 people to donate or pledge. (I'll leave it to you why I chose 27.) And every year, I would text and email everyone about this. This year was something new. I posted my cause in Facebook hoping for donations and pledges to arrive and I was not wrong! A lot of people wanted to donate!

We went to Faith Christian School in Hacienda Luisa in Victorias City. The area is just in front of the Coliseum. I was with Jude and Soi. When we got to the place, the Head Teacher, Ms. Arlene, greeted us and welcomed us into their humble school. All the students followed and greeted us too. I told them our names and why we were there. I told them how grateful I was. And we started unpacking all the slippers that we brought. I could see the anticipation from everyone.

with Soi and Jude

On our way to the school

unpacking...

With Teachers Arlene (in blue) and Ailene (in white)

The students helped in unpacking everything and rounding them up at the center. They even formed A - C - E!!! I was smiling! We started with the preschoolers. Everyone else were excited while they waited for their turn. Everyone had a new pair and yet we still had a lot to give. We called the children who were watching the activity so they may choose theirs as well.

spell ACE?

Preschool students ready to fit a pair

Everyone was excited as they tried the slippers on to check which one would be a snug fit. We didn't stay long since we were expected in the meeting of our Rotarians in Bacolod. After everyone got their slippers, I still had 2 pairs of Dupe (I had 5 pairs courtesy of Mariel.) So we had a mini dance showdown! When we ended the activity, not everyone was there for the photo op but those who stayed behind, gathered for our group picture.

Dance showdown

Just a few of them who stayed for the group picture

I would like to thank my friends who helped out in this year's project:

Mariel Genito of Islandscape Inc, distributor of Ipanema and Dupe

Glady Tomulto of Experience Negros! 

Marvi Pioquinto

Sharon Flores

Mikay Manaloto

Cheryl Choresca

Valeen Solancho

Jen Valladolid

Soi Cañete

Jude Quingco

and to anonymous donors

Thank you so much!

To go to album

5 Things to do this month

Here is my list:

1. Visit Intramuros with Carlos Celdran as the Tour Guide 

2. Try authentic Chinese food in Binondo

3. Tour UP Diliman

4. Learn how to use a gun

5. Book a flight to Manila for a friend's wedding next month (although am having second thoughts because of the price)

What's your Top 5 for this month?

50 Festivals Challenge: #1 - 14th Adobo Festival in Silay

Silay City, Negros Occidental
November 5, 2011

I've heard of the Adobo Festival a few years back but it's just last Saturday that I was able to experience it.

     "Adobo is the name of a popular dish and cooking process in Philippine cuisine that involves meat or seafood marinated in a sauce of vinegar and garlic, browned in oil, and simmered in the marinade." - Wikipedia.org

I asked Jincky to have lunch at Balay Negrense where the festival was held since she's also from Silay. I arrived just in time for the judges to try the dishes prepared by different culinary schools. We had to exchange our cash with the money chits that the organizers prepared at the gate. We were also given Free Tasting tickets to experience the food created by the culinary students/chefs.

An array of Adobo inspired food were served for lunch aside from the food for prepared for tasting. We just had to choose. There were Puso ng Saging Adobo, Takway na Adobo, Adobong Tahong, Spicy Shrimp Adobo, and the chicken, and pork Adobo. 

We didn't have a hard to choosing what to eat since we were hungry!

With Patricia Monfort

Jincky and I

Since there were not a lot of tables to accommodate all the guests, we shared our table with a family of 8. I guess they were also from Silay since they knew some people who were there too.  I met Patricia Monfort in the event with Jakey. I also met Mrs. Villar. Ms. Maricar Dabao and Ms. Glady Tumolto were also present. 

I got a chance to have a photo op with Chef JP Anglo of Mushu who currently is one of the judges in Junior Masterchef Philippines. 

  with Chef JP Anglo

Mayor Oti Montelibano, the Mayor of the City also graced the occasion and passed by our table to ask us if we were enjoying.(In fact we were!) We can't but notice all of the wealthy men and women of Silay City  present to enjoy. 

hmmm... I am not sure what this is called...  

Mayor Oti Montelibano thanking everyone who came

This is my first entry for my 50 Festivals Challenge too! 

A report, APRRC 2011

A week has passed when delegates from the Philippines and neighboring countries attended the Asia-Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference 2011 in Subic Bay. I can still recall the excitement that I felt while I was on my way to Manila alone. I had to take the bus alone too!

This year, District 3790 from the Philippines hosted almost 500 Rotaractors from Thailand, Taiwan, China, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Australia and from our country. Prepared with plenary sessions, leadership speakers, workshops, networking activities and cultural shows, the conference truly made an impact to all delegates.

District 3850, were represented by yours truly, DRRE Ruvinier Ace D. Viñarta of Rotaract Club of Bacolod North, President Aldimin Kalli of Rotaract Club of Zamboanga West, and PP Isabel Moreno of Rotaract Club of Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

We had a welcome dinner on our first night after we were given our respective room assignments and had settled down. We socialized with the rest of the participants and danced to the music played by the bands.

The Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center which was at least 10 minutes away from our hotel has seen most of what has happened in this conference. We had the opening ceremony, presentation of dignitaries, inspirational talks, country reporting and the first ever Mr. and Ms. APRRC capped the first night.

I was so excited for the Amazing Race the following day. This was the chance to bond with others and to tour Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) since I was a virgin in this place. We were not even close to accomplish our first goal yet when we had to head back to our hotel and end the game because of the heavy rains. We continued the day with workshops facilitated by Rotaractors from different districts and clubs. The cultural show was the highlight that night. Each country also showcased their national costumes, and other items that they can present. It's unfortunate that our district was not able to put up a booth and highlight the different delicacies that we could have offered the delegates.

We went back to the convention center for the last few talks and final announcements on our last day. Delegates from Thailand and Taiwan promoted APRRC 2012 and 2013 respectively. The transfer of gavel from the Philippines to Thailand was also part of the ceremony. It was a happy and sad day for me. Happy because I got to know other Rotaractors; sad, because it was my last day in Subic.

This is the first time for me to attend this kind of gathering; a gathering of leaders, of good people and of individuals with a purpose to uplift lives. It may not have been a perfect event because of the circumstances that happened. But I know that deep inside each of the delegates, we've learned to accept differences and we've understand more of the goal that we aspire.

To all who were involved and participated in the Asia-Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference 2011, Aim High!

Defying Gravity video

I was scavenging for videos of Kerry Ellis' Defying Gravity when I saw this! 

Amazing video! 

And the background music suits it well!  

from tsidkenu223

50 Festivals Challenge

I feel so nationalistic today.

While I was browsing through the groups I've joined in Facebook, this video post caught my attention. This is tourism campaign ad by Smart and Department of Tourism (DOT) with Regine Velasquez.

I felt the excitement of travelling again. I have not been to a lot of places in our country but that's one of the many wishes that I'd like to accomplish before I die. Well not all the places; let's cap it at 50 places in the Philippines.

Hmmm..., that even is still broad. To tell you more how broad it may be, I found another DOT video presentation about the Philippines.

I was thinking. What if I list all the festivals in the country first? (opened Google)
WOW!!! There are more than 50 festivals all over the country all year round! Try to check it here. So this could be it! I will start in Negros. There are several cities and municipalities here. I may be able to complete 10 festivals already! I've been to a lot of them but I now have objectives why I there to see and visit the place. *more excited*

Speaking of which, a month to go and we'll celebrate the Masskara Festival again. The highlights will be on October 14 - 16!

Who's in?!

4-Day Puerto Princesa Tour - 1st Day

4 A week had passed since my friends and I visited Puerto Princesa in Palawan. From the sky, you'd really sea the glittering blue green water. You'd also be amazed that the runway is near sea; edge of Puerto Princesa.

We were all first-timers so we were all excited to tour the place. We booked our flights last year. We had to fly to Manila to get to Palawan. Johan picked me up from the office at 4am; our flight was at 5:50. Waiting for almost five hours at the NAIA Terminal 3 was not a burden some of us were even too comfortable while we waited for check-in. :)

 After an hour we landed at the Puerto Princesa Airport.

We met up with our guide, Pepito Donaire. Pepito was recommended by my officemate who went to Puerto Princesa last July. She mentioned to search for Pep's name in Facebook. We dropped our bags in a house with 3 bedrooms and a common bathroom. The place was nice; complete with a sala with tv, a dining area with fridge and all 3 bedrooms with a/c units. Not too shabby, we said. Just good enough for us nine. We didn't intend to stay at the house for the rest of the days anyway. The house was just a minute away from the airport; no fret if you wake up a little late.

We freshened up, went to the nearest turu-turo, Noki Nocs, to have lunch. It was the start of our city tour. We passed by the boulievard where the transient houses were built for the poor people. AS per our driver, the houses in that area were burned. And the city government built these apartments. The people who are staying at these houses were charged with a minimum rate.

Next in the list was the Plaza Cuartel. This was where a number of Americans died. As per our tour guide/ driver, the Japanese bomb the area. Plaza Cuartel faces a the sea. When we stopped by, we even saw Navy ships.

It started to rain. A few steps from Plaza Cuartel was the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The driver even joked to pray that the rain would stop.

Another stop was the Mitra's Ranch. A vast land with a lot of trees. I presumed those were Cashew trees. A lot of horses too.

Next destination was the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. Our first hand encounter with the crocs...

Baker's Hill was next. I haven't really taken a lot of pictures at this point. Not getting sleep tooked its toll.

The most exciting part of the first day; the Iwahig Firefly tour was second to the last part. This was one of the best scenes I've ever had in my entire life! This was my post in Facebook just after the tour;

"Iwahig firefly tour (boat ride @ night time + knowledgeable boatman + red light * thousands of fireflies) = a night to remember forever!"

I think this says it all!

We capped our night with our dinner at Ka Lui. Great ambiance; food was ok - we were just compairing Bacolod food and what we had; and company, priceless!

This ends my first day! I still have a lot to tell; what's next would be the top places I will miss in Palawan.

My Palawan trip was a blast!