Friday, January 31, 2014

Received postcards (January 27, 2014)

Here are some of the wonderful postcards and the stamps I got last Monday. I just forgot to post them.

My bad. I such a lazy asshole.




Year of the Horse 2014 in Binondo et al

It was another China town tour for me and this is my second time with my friend. We met early at the Carriedo fountain in front of Sta. Cruz Church. There were lots of people waiting and meeting there as well.

A group taking their picture. 
Our group was able to number about 12 at start and swelled up to 19. We had our group picture as well.

The group trying to be Chinese. 



Fronting the Sta. Cruz Church is an arch with Fu dogs. We were the only people who cared and knew what they are. One group of women soldiers were curious and asked us for help. Of course, I told them how to do it and they eagerly lined up to try making their lucks better.



Random song post

Here are some interesting songs I got fro youtube. I hope you like them


에일리(Ailee) _ 노래가 늘었어(Singing got better)


Hyorin - Hello, Goodbye (OST You who came from the stars)


Marteria - Kids (2 Finger an den Kopf) [Offizielles Video]

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Sightseeing before the Chinese New Year 2014

Here are some of the things we might see again on Chinese New Year except that this time there are few people and that its just me and my friend.

Chinatown or Binondo is a wonderful place and melting pot of language, tradition and culture. There is food, people and much more.

I just hope there will be no jerks and late people.

I will tell more on the next blog entry.





Valentine's Day 2014 stamps



Wow I just realized that the Valentines Stamps were out. I just bought myself some FDCs.

Here are the information from an updated website:

Litho Offset, Amstar Company, Inc., Perf 14
Singles, Sheets of 40

10p "Mahal Kita" ("I Love You") by Jamia Mei Tolentino - Singles (55,000)

The stamp was based on the design from a contest won by Jamia Mei Tolentino from St. Stephen's High School.

Actually an interesting point was made by a person on the internet. Why is St. Stephen's High School always winning these stamp contests? I think I smell something funky with the contest as well. That is my gut feelings. 

Year of the Horse: First ever gold foiled 3D stamp in the Philippines

A post on Facebook shattered my plans for this day. I was just supposed to stay at home or go out. The post is from a fellow blogger and collector:

Attention: I got a call from Philippine Philatelic Federation - President Mr. Robert Tan - someone from Philatelic section of the Philippine Postal Corporation called him and inviting the local philatelists to join the stamp launching of the " Year of the Horse " GOLD FOIL edition tomorrow at 10:30 am , Philippine Postal Corporation main lobby. BLOGGERS and Freelance media writers are most "welcome".

I immediately coordinated with my friend and we agreed to meet at the Post Office for the launch and to also cover the event.

At the the Manila Central Post Office the event was moved to the third floor for some weird reason. I saw a fellow collector who was ranting about the unpreparedness of the people for the event.

The event poster.
At around 10 am people are still preparing the launch of this so called special stamps. We have no idea what it looks like but we fathered that the price is Php 200.00

The program was short and simple with no special guests except for the Dragon and Lion Dancers.

The set-up was quite and simple and was just made in a hurry. The same goes with the program.




Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Another French song (Stromae's Tous le meme)

I just want to share this song. It's brilliant as well as the artists who can sort of morph into different things with each of his music videos.

This video wonderfully represents what should be a more likely visual of what a bisexual is. The hairstyle and the dance is just something to be seen.

Enjoy!

Stromae's Tous le meme

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Justice is swift but for the famous and can afford it

Time and again Delimaw and the rest of the government can't wait for chance on the latest drama on TV, Facebook and Twitter. It's none other than Vhong Navarro and the story that evolves as fast as the words of the many idiots who watch TV. The story has taken and been taken to level of crime and everyone wants to be the hero.

This news made me really facepalm. Where else can you get justice as fast if you are a celebrity and not even a really talented one to begin with.

Is this where our taxes go? De Lima meets with Vhong Navarro lawyer, manager

Also another idiots comes in to make your facepalm feel like it needs an upgrade: Jinggoy vows justice for 'best friend' Vhong Navarro

source: GMA 7

Orchids and Greens for the Restoration of Ecological Balance


Theme: Orchids and Greens for the Restoration of Ecological Balance

Where: Quezon Memorial Circle, Elliptical Road, Quezon City

The show is hosted by the Philippine Orchid Society, one of the best groups to learn and see beautiful orchids.


Monday, January 27, 2014

Horticulture 2014 Manila

Once again getting up late, I left things at home especially the SD card of my camera. I also learned as I traveled the MRT that my phone is almost out of battery. 

I need to really either not sleep for early events or just try to drink more water before going to bed. 

I met with three friends at Max's Restaurant. It was quite an early and really cold morning. It was reported that the temperature dipped top 16 degrees. 

We went first to the often neglected places for interesting plants and flowers. 

A sangumay blooms and no one cares. 


King Louis made a wonderful presentation of flowers at the entrance and the whole place is just wonderful. Every exhibit has its featured plant and design. Too bad my almost dying phone can't give justice to the beauty and colors of the event.





Sunday, January 26, 2014

The Bangkal Administrative Day Parade (January 26, 2014)

It's been a tradition every fiesta to have a grand parade. Close down Evangelista street and show the solidarity of the Parish of San Ildefonso.

The Parish is formed by parts of Bangkal, Pio del Pilar and San Isidro. I remeber when I was active in Church I always miss the parade since I need to be in Church at 8 am for Catechism.

Today's parade was shorter than expected with the Binays not even showing up. The Binays are a known patron of the Parish and have donated millions of pesos already.

The actual fest day of San Ildefonso is January 23 where in a relic (first class) and antique statues (from the 1600) are taken out and paraded but surely this so called administrative day is way watched.

Also during the fiesta there are amateur contests where the occasional celebrities show up. There is now a Chef Challenge contest, and even a Car Show. There is still the tiburin (horse race) and the serenata (battle of the Marching bands).

Most of the bands featured are not from here sadly.



Saturday, January 25, 2014

The Royal Heritage Postal Tour (January 19, 2014)

I forgot my SD on my computer so I was only able to take pictures using my phone.

Today's tour was different from the other tours. It goes through Escolta and had an exclusive tour of the First United building. 

We ended the tour with the Metropolitan museum. 

Here we are starting the tour at the Philpost flag pole. The participants this month are much eager. 


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Received postcards (January 22, 2014)





These are the postcards and their stamps. They came three times this week but I was so lazy to even post them until now.

I hope your mail boxes have visitors.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Anak ng Teteng soon on theaters (Starring Bong Revilla Jr)

In yesterday's episode of "Privilage Speech" on senate.tv our hero Bong Revilla Jr. was able to move people into tears. Here are some wonderful quotes:
@AngeL_LocKring

KAPS AMAZING STORIES WITH PROPS LOL! #mandaramBONG (@joMARVELOUS_26)
What would it be? Neck Brace or Wheel Chair? Alam na! #mandaramBONG (@bubong)
Movie outfits are crazed by the outstanding performance on the said shows. Usually the show gets lots of views when resident artist Miriam Defensor Santiago shows up in episodes. But yeterday the show has taken a twist as it took the character Bong Revilla to another level of artistic endevour. 

There has been a rumor that the other stars of the series be included into the movie and most of the cast have neither denied being part of the movie. The movie will be directed by Wenn de Ramas and Joyce Bernal and is supposed to be an entry to the coming MMFF 2014 movie. 

Other cast will include Juan Ponce Enrile, Mirian Defensor-Santiago, Jinggoy Estrada, and of course Janet Napoles. We might even see some cameos of Kim Henares to collect some taxes. 

Anak ng Teteng is a wonderful story based on the son of the famous character Teteng in Filipino folklore. This movie will garner and break records as it hits the screen. It will also be shown in 3D. 

Now it's time to save on money. 

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Horticulture 2014: Horticulture for Tourism, Wellness and Livelihood.




Location: Tropical Garden, Quezon Memorial Circle
When: January 24 to February 3, 2014

Details (from Facebook event page):  Philippine Horticulture Society in partnership with Quezon Memorial Circle , Quezon City Government will present Horticulture 2014 .
This is the biggest garden show for 2014. There will be landscaping competition, plant competition , lectures, demonstration, raffles , tour, plant and agriculture bazaars

Special opening will be held on January 23, 2013 for invited guests, vips, members and media.

A 2-day conference will be held from January 24 to 25, 2014 at the Bureau of Soils, Visayas Avenue , Quezon City . Post Conference Tour will be held on January 26, 2014.

For details: Call 377-0234, SMS 0916-229-92-73, 0917-56354-74 PHS Secretariat

For school , educational field trips please try to contact the secretariat . There is a minimal entrance fee of Php 20 for the general public and Php 10.00 for students , senior citizens and government employees with valid ID's * entrance fee is subject to change , this rate was base on the 2013 show.

There will be a Guided tour for BLOGGERS, MEDIA and Photo Journalists to be scheduled on January 25, 2013 by Mr. Lawrence Chan - member marketing committee .

Theme of the SHOW " "Horticulture for Tourism, Wellness and Livelihood"
Please try to visit the PHS Facebook event page :https://www.facebook.com/events/421903901252288/?previousaction=join&source=1

RSVP: Horticulture 2014



Weekend Activities for January 18 and 19, 2014

It's going to be a busy weekend. I am almost half-way through my knitted jester hat. I have started to reread Dawkin's The God Delusion as preparation for the Atheist Aware program next week. Damn I am seeing things I have neglected last time I read the book or I just forget them. Hehehe...

So here are some things you might check out over the weekends.

National Bookstore Warehouse Sale 


January 15 -19, 2014
4th Floor of National Book Store Quezon Avenue cor. Sct. Borromeo and Panay Avenue.

I have been there last Thursday and this morning to buy postcards. Their prices started at Php5.00 pesos per pack (one pack has 25) of postcards). This Saturday morning I bought a pack for Php 1.75. Wow!

And people are just ignoring the postcards. I am going to go back tomorrow and buy some more. 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Edge 2014: WHAT SCIENTIFIC IDEA IS READY FOR RETIREMENT?

White Peony 2014 by Katinka Matson
Edge.org has released its question of the year. I love reading books by Edge because of the sheer number of brilliant minds it can gather to ask some interesting questions. It always blows my mind how different smart people explain something and how they can change views with simple words or sometimes their technical terms.

Many ideas have come and gone in the scientific community. Many atheists are often told that science is always changing its mind and is somewhat inconsistent like religion. What is right today might not be right tomorrow as in religion and many cultic groups.

I am glad that usually Edge books are often at sale at National Bookstore but finding them is not hard. Now let's see what mind-boggling ideas will hit us.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

On the atheists of Facebook and forums



A few days ago I got worked up on dealing with some atheists. It was a discussion on a topic of which I forgot because an atheist was insistent that God raped Mary. I being a fair person and is unbiased with anything said that the claim was false since Mary agreed to the conception of Jesus (as stated in her words in the Gospel of Luke) and she was at the marrying age ( according to tradition and some other evidences put by some theologians). The atheist kept on insisting on his argument as a way to devalue the valid point of the Christian which was clearly now lost on putting an argument that is not an argument but just a plain attack on religion.

Many people are now pissed at these kind of atheists who just take memes and Facebook pictures as springboard for their arguments or even use them as a counter argument against the religious people. Instead of dealing with the actual question posted by the religious. Immediately the religious are dismissed as being stupid and ignorant while the atheist claims superiority against everyone who does not agree with his world view.

Received Postcard and Stamp (January 14,2014)


I was surprised that mails are coming at least twice a week these days. Usually I go home from work tired and a bit pissed but when I see mail on my bed it makes the bad things seem go away.

I got one postcrossing postcard from Russia and a souvenir stamp sheet from a friend in France.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Dark store soon to hit the Philippines?

A picker collects items for online shoppers in Waitrose's 'dark' supermarket in west London. Photograph: David Levene (source: guardian)


Even here in a third country Philippines many people are actually enjoying shopping through the internet. There are sites like ebay.ph and the famous sulit.com.ph for buying and selling stuff.

The hassle and drama on actually shopping for stuff is actually getting on the nerves of some people. I have seen reports and news on how celebrities in the country have pickers for their wardrobe and groceries. But all know that we live in a capitalistic system where money does the talking. 

People claim they are too busy and would rather but online. 

And in the interesting twist of the story this kind of life style has created a whole new machine for the economy and work for some people to be the so called personal shopper for some people. 

In an interesting news on the Guardian there are already the so called supermarket dark store. Maybe it would soon be picked up here in the Philippines.

For me I would still go shopping and buying actual stuff for myself.  

Monday, January 13, 2014

My dream best friend



The idea of a friend was weird for me when I was small since I can't believe that anyone can like me because most of the other guys don't like me. I tried to conform and be part of the group but realized that it's all for naught and will just get me in trouble.

So I became more and more self reliant and mindful of myself. I just did what I can to survive another day with people. Then my bubble got bust in High School. I learned that life is harder and that people are harder to understand. I had my first best friend, his name was Moses. And like most friendships hanging around another person seems weird since I just met this person in high school.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Friday (Korean version)

Remember that song by Rebecca Black? I know you do.

It's another Friday and my day started not well because I logged in early and got pissed by a member of our group page on Facebook. Or maybe my colds are getting bad that it's already getting on my nerves. I had a hard time doing things last night.

So here is IU with Friday...


Thursday, January 9, 2014

Glow in the dark stamps (National Parks Development Committee - 50th Anniversary)


Every Sunday this fountain is the background noise to the noise created by debaters nearby. It's the new dancing fountain at the Rizal Park. It replaced the simple fountain of yonder years. But the problem is that it plays the same songs over and over again.

I hope they feature more songs without repeat especially on the weekends.

Each stamps costs Php 20.00 and comes in sheets. For more information on the stamp please do not go to the Philpost site because most probably they have no information about it. Here is the link with the stamp details.

New Year Stamps: Year of the Wooden Horse (2014)


So I was able to buy the souvenir sheets for the year of the horse. It  is interesting that the news about a stamp released last month was just recently featured on TV. I bet most people have just ignored the news.

Of course the details of the stamps are not available on the website where they should be. If you want information you need to click here.

Received postcards (January 8,2014)





Here are the postcards I got yesterday. I was so busy I was just able to register the postcrossing postcards. I got lots of Chinese postcards from China and a postcard from the Isle of Man.

I hope you mail is happy is as well.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

I stole something and I am glad for doing it

There seems to be great pleasure derived from doing things that shouldn't be done. It's the same line of argument presented by Saint Augustine in his Confessions. Our beloved theologian stole pears not because he is hungry but for mere fact that he just likes to do it.

In our time politicians, celebrities, and lowly workers steal something and for a variety of reasons. In our culture of the Philippines deeply nurtured with Catholic teachings, it is a wonder that there are many pickpockets and robbers in our midst especially during the feast of the Black Nazarene.

What evil did I do this time? What valuable item have I taken for myself?

You may laugh but I took a pen from a desk a former teacher left. It's a pen with Daesung from Big Bang.


Bahay Nakpil- Bautista

Quiapo has a rich history in every nook and cornet of it. Despite the decay and the sad destruction of the many colonial houses in the areas. Some natives try to still preserve what they can.

The Bahay Nakpil- Bautista is one of the few rare treasures you should not miss. It is just around the Quiapo Church. The house was built in1914 has many of the original parts and appliances.

How much history and culture has this palce seen? I can just admire and wonder.

I am now sharing some of what I have seen and have taken a chance to picture.