October 19, 2010

Belo Immigration Ads Great for Medical Tourism

Many Filipinos associate Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with corruption and different types of malpractice unbecoming of a public agency. There is widespread knowledge about grumbling immigration officers who make things difficult for first time travelers outside the country. There are airport staff who openly ask for dole outs from balikbayans and inspectors who outlaw certain baggage contents so they can keep them. It will not be surprising if many inbound or outbound passengers try to get out of the airport as soon as they can. What a shame to the country’s airport, named after the father of the current President Noynoy Aquino III.

One of the latest controversies that hound the immigration department was the printed arrival and departure cards that feature cosmetic surgeon Vicky Belo. This comes after the same set of cards were printed with the photo of President Aquino. The President balked at seeing his photo on the card before boarding his flight to the United States. But Belo is a willing replacement, so immigration officials were possibly laughing their way to the bank.

Not so fast, cowboys.

The card shows Belo in white medical gown wearing her signature smile and a tagline that carries the credential that her clinic has “20 years of making people beautiful”. While the image itself presents commercial nature, the fine print further persuades holders to visit one of the Belo clinics for an exclusive offer: present the card — now termed a coupon — for a 10% discount on non-surgical procedures.

In the Philippines, it is not unusual to see government facilities littered with promotional items from commercial interests. When I arrived in Davao airport, all I see are ads of Smart Communications, one of the leading mobile communications companies in the country. There is one at the airport bridge. Another at the glass windows. Finally, there are signs, banners and tarpaulins bearing the logo and proclaiming the city is a Smart city. No wonder at the back of Belo ads in the immigration cards are Microtel Hotel and Resorts and Mall of Asia promotions.

As the Philippines tries to get that share of medical tourism market, Belo ads hit bulls eye when it comes to finding the ideal place to promote its services. Everyone who enters the Philippine territory by air is required to fill up the form: balikbayans, overseas Filipino workers, foreign tourists and businessmen. They are the prime targets of Belo’s services: generally affluent group of people who can afford such method of self-indulgence.

But sorry to ruin the party, such ad laden departure and arrival cards were scrapped for good. If it were allowed a few months, it could push revenues of Belo medical business to the roof and usher a major recruitment drive to attend to the demands of the business.

In contrary, our neighbors never tried to vandalize their immigration cards with ads. Or if they do, it’s not that obvious. Maybe because it’s a crime to do so, or they just didn’t feel morally correct serving their business above the country’s interests. But that can’t be said in the Philippines, at least to the officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Immigrations Ronaldo Ledesma, who has nothing against the celebrity dermatologist’s picture being printed on the cards, but stressed that the BI should have been consulted first.

While the idea of putting ads on public documents like departure/arrival cards don’t seem right, I think it’s wrong to immediately pin the blame on offices who allow these things to happen. Lack of government budget is one big reason why officials resort to these tactics that possibly present win-win situations. A big mall could sponsor the construction of a classroom or an energy drink company agreeing to shoulder the expenses of the Philippine team in an international sports event. But as a business, these corporations want some sort of return of their investment assistance.

Let’s take a look at the immigration cards from other countries and compare it with ours.

THAILAND

INDIA

CHINA

VIETNAM

MYANMAR

Photo credits:
* http://www.travelindiasmart.com/arriving.php
* http://www.nextstopbangkok.com/arriving
* http://www.havefuninchina.com
* http://www.flickr.com/photos/preetamrai/
* http://tourism.goldenlandpages.com

September 20, 2010

Being an Altar Boy at Immaculate Conception Parish

I was baptized as a member of the Roman Catholic church at Immaculate Conception Parish, a few hundred meters away from home. Growing up, I hear Mass at this church 95% of the time. While we’re always looking up to our parish priest Fr Henry C. as a respectable spiritual leader in the community, he shares the church stage with young kids who assist him on communions, serving of water and wine, or carrying the Bible Missal.

As a sixth grader, such sight was something to behold: white cassocks, behaved composure, and popular to girls that was something I could bear. The thing I’m not sure of is how I can handle being in front of hundreds of parishioners on a Sunday mass. The mere effort of going on stage to have my ribbon pinned by my mother was sort of monumental task already, let alone perform folk or modern dance without innate talent could invite disaster for me (and entertainment to everyone else).

But enough with the shyness. I wasn’t alone in the classroom who had the interest in becoming an altar boy. Rodel G. and Jergen S. also wanted to become one. So one Wednesday we heard mass and afterwards approached the altar boy and told him of our intentions. We were informed that the next “recruitment” comes early school year, just in time when we’re incoming freshmen at Holy Cross of Mintal. Until recently, I still kind of played some options where to study in high school. I was awarded full scholarship at UM Guianga Junior College for topping the entrance exams. However, should I pursue this full scholarship, I need to commute from home to go to school. When I was offered another full scholarship from the Relief Association of Southeast Asia to study at Holy Cross of Mintal, the decision has been made.

Our altar boy group photo, taken during my freshman year. Photo credit: Rico Pulanco.

I didn’t play around thoughts on the mechanics and procedures of being an altar boy until two months later. During summer, my sister, a cousin and I attended Sunday sessions as members of Legion of Mary. We had our prayer meetings at the church vicinity, and I couldn’t help but observe the church altar, the altar boy seats and what’s beneath that big stone book.

By June, it seemed that our interest in joining the Knights of the Altar Society, as the organization was called, was overwhelmed by the new environment I experience at Holy Cross of Mintal. We now wear uniforms, sing To Christ Through Mary every morning, and met a lot more new faces coming from all corners of our political district. But it didn’t mean our willingness to become altar boys waned. During the first few weeks of school, everyone was encouraged to join various clubs. Science clubs for science geeks enthusiasts, English and Dramatics Club for those who have been doing declamation as talent, Herodutos for those… I don’t know, forget about it. Sr Violeta T. called for interested students who wish to serve the mass (at the time a very attractive recruitment approach) and almost half of the boys in St Agnes class signed up. We had regular meetings presided by the club president we call Kuya Lagang. Eventually those who joined for the joyride evaporated and the remaining ones

One of the most “exciting times” as an altar boy was to join the pilgrimage to different barangays under Immaculate Conception Parish and bring with us statue of the Holy Infant of Prague for parishioners to kiss the image. Along the way, we visit small villages for the first time, get chased by dogs and later on accused of stealing from the donation box. My first “assignment” was at Mintal Relocation (now Barangay Sto Nino), Bago Oshiro and Catalunan Grande. It was purely a voluntary basis but I recall almost everyone joined. For me, I just want to ride the jeepney going somewhere, devoid of fear of getting lost. When the three-day event culminates at the Holy Innocents Day, we gather at the convent and enjoy a few scoops of ice cream with the parish priest and seminarians. I imagine how simple our dreams then.


One of the highlights of being an altar boy is to join the Davao City diocese wide “convention” where we meet (actually more of compete) altar boys from other parishes at the St Francis Xavier Seminary in Catalunan Grande at the beginning of the year. We hear the mass, listen to the concert featuring seminarians, present our numbers and play various parlor games. One bonus of joining this annual event is we each get a nicely printed shirt we will be wearing on special functions the rest of the year.

Photo credit: www.blogsilog.com

September 20, 2010

Solenoid Project at Circuits I

When I was at third year in UIC, I belonged to a Circuits class of Engr Marife N., a fresh graduate at University of San Carlos in Cebu and I believe a cousin of our College Dean Engr. Allan G. As we would become her students in Physics later, we found out about her peculiar habit of using a word more often than the others that we sometimes play bets (without the money, of course) on how many times she would utter the word.

As a teacher, she is very knowledgeable about the subject matter that merely looking at her doesn’t do her justice. Her built can deceivingly look like a professor custom-made to lecture all theoretical lessons. I used to think that teachers are afraid to do practice in real world so they stick with lessons at the University without verifying if lessons are also consistent with lab results. Make no mistake, Engr Marife isn’t like that. In fact she’ll do the job well on subjects that combines brain power and practical I-told-you-it-works-in-real-life projects. No wonder she was chosen to teach us Circuits, not because she is a relative of the Dean or the subject is sort of initiation to newcomers.

Aside from lessons that ask us to differentiate, compute and explain current, voltage, resistance, impedance and so on, she — just like previous professors — asked us to create a solenoid project that will prove electricity powers magnets. This is our first practical project in college since making multitesters — out of a fully functional one — for Engr Rolando B the previous semester.

The building that held Circuits class. No, not this one, the building behind it. to Photo credit: Noel Laud

The project was simple. Create a movable arm that carries an electric powered solenoid and with power, it should carry weight of at least two kilograms. I was grouped with Vincent G. and Jose “Jhoep” P. Or shall we say we picked each other because 1) we are close friends and 2) each of us has his own ulterior motive. On the second reason I don’t have to hide them. In my opinion Jhoep is one of the most easy to get along guys in the classroom. Vincent is sort of the person you’ll deal with if you want to get connected with the who’s who in the campus; he’s a student leader and Corps Commander during our ROTC the previous year.

The favorite place to the project was Jose’s house. Not only he has tools to make things happen, his house also offers some sort of privileges to non-residents. Free meals. Free boarding. Interaction with all members of the family, including his very accommodating mum. A project session obviously happens at non-class hours. Which means after 7pm. We take the rickety Annil bus to Jose’s Gem Village (Ma-a) residence and arrive there just before dinner. Sometimes — when our pockets have something to spare — we arrive there a bit later, after dinner at Cherry’s or Malativas just across the Bonifacio campus.

As customary practice, we are stuck in the television watching the news or a closely monitored Judy Ann Santos telenovela before we can formally start our jobs. The trio of us gets going only when the table is cleared, and other family members head to their respective rooms. But sometimes, we have to wait until 10pm before that happens. And while Jose is also busy helping out in the family — his father died when he was in high school and he is the only boy with six sisters — Vince and I had no choice but (happily) hang on to TV screen or some old VCDs.

At about 11pm, we finally got our acts together. I see Jose starting to saw a piece of wood, Vince winding the coil and me, I actually forgot what I did. But after an hour or so, our exhausted bodies and mentally torn brains have to give way to dozing off. We find ourselves sleeping by the living room, and wake up just in time for breakfast. As Jose’s nephew gets the first priority at the breakfast table before he heads off to school, we are silently staring at our solenoid project, not recalling whether it can lift two pounds, or two kilos, or will it work at all. Heck, we’re scared to even plug it in as it may cause short-circuit and render the house without power for at least an hour.

Finally, with a brief session at breakfast, Vince and I leave Jose. We will meet later at the campus at a 2:30pm Philippine Constitution class. For me, it’s go-home time and settle the rest of my sleep deprivation.

September 18, 2010

Philweb Memories

In not so distant past, I was one ambitious monkey attempting to dive into cyber space at the dawn of the Web. By the time I was officially enrolled in the industry, the unraveling of dotcom bust already took place a dozen timezones behind. But I was glad it happened that way. Otherwise, I could be cultivating a career quite different from what I have now.

After finishing Computer Engineering at UIC, working there wasn’t exactly my plan. However, maybe because I thought it was the safest route to start a career, I’d further my learning by doing BOTH teaching and programming or I was eager to recoup the educational investment I made with my alma mater (yes, I thought about it), it wasn’t a difficult decision to extend my stay at the University.

But after three years, I thought it was enough. So by June 2000, I left UIC at the time when the new school year is starting. (School calendar in the Philippine education system starts in June.) I remembered talking to the school president S. Ma Assumpta David and trying to be firm with my decision. I thought she respected it and didn’t offer to persuade me to stay.

Two weeks of homestay and curtailed income passed before I got a confirmation I was offered a job in Cagayan de Oro City, a good six hour bus ride from Davao City — along the way passing by the house of my future wife. I have relatives in the city where I could stay. And I thought that my journey of hundreds (or thousands of miles) should begin with this step, no matter if it’s more than just a single one.

Thanks to Rizza R., a childhood friend and neighbor who referred me to the job, and an employee leaving the company, I got in. Interestingly, I realized that this reunion marks another milestone between me and Rizza. We went to the same grade school together. We were classmates in high school. And we took the same course in UIC. Now, we’re colleagues. I also came to know a few more in the office. Candice C., Shelley S., Roy Y., Meg V., Kent, D., Alex, Chui O., Edward N., Sir Chavs and Jimmar R. Our office was at Fr. Masterson Avenue, in the third floor of a building called White House because of its immaculate white painting that stands out of the neighborhood.

We’re only about ten people in the office, so it was really an intimate group. We shared lunch together. My aunt Flora prepares packed lunch so I had no problem waking up early and cooking my food. But at times I just want to try what colleagues want to have for lunch. I remember buying mongo at a house located near the office. At work, it’s not unusual to play MP3 from a PC with Winamp; we only got to play what we want to hear. During this time, downloading music through Napster was still prevalent.

In my effort to be with the family every week, I take the Rural Transit bus on Friday nights and arrive in Davao at about 7 in the morning the following day. As I get home, I hit the bed immediately and wake up at about 11, just in time for lunch. I know I had only a few hours left before I pack my things and make the return trip to Cagayan de Oro. By Sunday afternoon, I am already at Ecoland terminal waiting for my bus to leave Davao.

After work, we sometimes hang out at a friend’s house or we ate dinner together. We played Starcraft a lot! I guess we had a lot of plans that time, like going to the beach or other type of adventure. Unfortunately, they didn’t materialize because I was recalled to the Manila office. I thought the move was killjoy. But I realized this was the reason I left UIC.

Cagayan de Oro was a favorite city of mine. As a kid, we go for summer vacation prelude to the exciting Bohol adventure. For some reason I remember urging my mother if I could study high school there. But the idea was frowned upon, and now I can’t imagine why I made that absurd request. Apart from meeting my relatives (mother’s side), my job in Cagayan de Oro also gave me the opportunity to meet my aunt Sylvia a few years before she died of cancer.

In the office we built this e-commerce suite called e-Padala. I thought the system was promising (Oracle database and competent Meg V. as DBA) but the execution was poor. Procedures were lax at best (not scalable, no strict coding practice and a nightmare system to take over, from an incoming I was asked to move to Manila to finish things.

While it wasn’t my first time to go to Manila, I was still mesmerized by its size. I was with Meg and Sir Deck P. reassigned in Philweb in the posh Enterprise Tower in Makati. Staring at tall buildings was overwhelming — not that they’re taller than Hong Kong skyscrapers — and you’d feel you’re a small dot in a big organization. No longer the easy going lifestyle I enjoyed at the White House. In Manila, you have to hurry up. Even if our office is just one jeepney — or a ticycle if you wake up a bit late — ride away.

Our staff house was located along Estrella Avenue, near Rockwell. It wasn’t big (in fact we were crowding in the rooms), but good enough for newcomers in the city. It has air conditioning unit that’s loud enough to wake you up at night. (I have to say many of my house mates snore in their sleep, so if you’re among last to hit the bed, good luck.) My stay at the Estrella staff house also revealed Metro Manila’s weakness. One of the strongest typhoons in the year left Manila flooded and us unable to leave the staff house. Ironically, as water was everywhere down the street our faucet couldn’t produce a drop of water. We had to rely on bottled water as tap water has become an unreliable source. This reminds me of Davao City, where water flowing out of our tap is safe for drinking and buying bottled water was considered a crazy idea. And we seldom experience waterless faucets too.

In the morning colleagues just rush to the bathroom and head to work in a hurry. Many of us just take our breakfast on the road, or at the fast food area (notably Jollibee) of The Enterprise Tower. For dinner I usually eat at the fastfood at Landmark on my own. This made me miss my mother’s cooking. I was always told that in Manila, every move you make costs money. I guess having this dinner instead of enjoying the company of family members and homemade cooking is part of it. From a predictable life at the UIC campus in May to a new layer of freedom in CDO in July and a chaotic Manila in September, this is the break I’ve been waiting for.

If I accomplished something, it was not seeing the beta version of e-Padala but in landing another job at Zurich Insurance at nearby Citibank Tower. When I told Sir Chavs via instant messaging that I have something to share by the time I return to CDO in October, he already understood I was leaving. I did not only bid farewell to colleagues I only got to work with for two and a half months. I also had to bid goodbye to my aunt Flora and uncle Lito as I packed my clothes and take the evening bus trip to Davao.

May 19, 2010

Comedian Brothers and Quadro de Alas

As a youngster in high school during the age of Roxette, Romnick-Sheryl love team and Saddam Hussein’s reign of terror, I belonged to a small group of like-minded classmates who live life of simplicity. Or so how I remembered it. My first year class of St Agness under Mrs Alminaza was composed of students in the upper class who inherited friendships right from the sixth grade section Tulip under Mrs Umusig at Mintal Elementary School.

The game of spin a bottle
It was a time when we started getting invites from classmates who celebrate birthdays at simple parties at home and getting teased at the opposite sex is also blossoming. I knew that the highlight of the simple celebration isn’t the blowing of candles or opening of gifts. But it was the game of spin the bottle where a poor hapless 7-Up bottle gets rotated as many times as possible. Surrounded by eight or nine people, curious yet nervous as the bottle gradually brings itself to a halt. A game master, often times Rodel G. or Irmina B., decides where the bottle’s mouth is pointing and is then asked whether to take errands or answer a special question. The lucky (or unlucky one, depending on who you ask) is pretty much aware about the mechanics of the game; it is intended to create an atmosphere of giggling preteen students manifesting signs of puppy love. Oh, I mentioned about Romnick-Sheryl Regal Films tandem already, right?

“Truth” questions revolve around the following: who is your crush, who is the cutest girl/boy in class, have you loved someone already, and who? “Consequence” punishments typically consist of errands like bringing a flower to someone, tapping him/her at the back or winking at someone cute.

The bottle has pointed towards Fe S., and as usual, she’s very coy about it and pretends she’s not interested to reveal who’s the man of the hour; while the team starts to tease her into submission, team leader Irmina has the loudest voice convincing enough to make anyone put up with any question or command given out there. Fe makes things interesting by blurting out that her admiration goes out to someone outside of the circle of friends. The sudden admission — without naming names — either made the girls even more curious, and guys a bit frustrated none of them got to attract the pretty classmate. Eventually, every one wants to be in the spotlight of being asked who’s their crush in hopes of getting paired to someone they like. But what about if a boy or a girl gets paired to more than one? We’re not yet aware of third-party relationships but certainly we feel slighted if the one used to be teased at us gets anointed with a new partner.

Cecile A and Rodel G., Aldrin E. and Rizza R., Myra S. and John C., occasionally Warly A. and Cecile A. or Ray B and Agnes C. Ahhh, the beauty of my classmates’ creativity when it comes to getting everybody’s feet wet in the world of love affair. (Sorry if my pairing isn’t very accurate, like many items in this article, I am purely speculating.)

Oops, everyone needs to get in the spin-the-bottle “spotlight” before 8:30pm strikes, the then appointed curfew for the youngsters.

First taste of ice box cake
On one occasion, the graduation party at Joanne V’s house could have been more lively if we Rodel and I were there. I was sure that the game of spin the bottle must have been played at that occasion and how the gang must have missed the two of us. There was a heavy downpour at the night of our grade school graduation. For some reason I can’t recall, I handed over an umbrella to someone so he or she can attend Joanne’s party at home. The morning after, I asked Rodel to join me to come to Joanne’s house at Golden Shower street (our street names in Mintal were named after flowers) to pick up the umbrella. Apparently, Joanne left some desserts for us; sweet thing she calls ice box cake. I guess that’s the precursor to mango float and similar variants I come to crave for.

Scrapbook galore
During the grade school-high school transition, from bulingit kids to pretending-to-be-grown-ups, we gradually abandoned the idea of scrap books — notebooks converted into Q and A forms — for fear of being confiscated by overzealous teachers who wish we made better use of our notes and time. The autograph ideas was good while it lasted. But its brilliance soon faded along with stationary bartering business as we shifted into other interests. During our last months in grade school, we found ourselves filling up autographs of mostly female classmates who painstakingly prepared the sheets with questions the night before: from the unsuspecting “Favorite singer” and “Favorite color” to the nosy “Who was your first love” and “Who was your first kiss”. I guess to them, it was a good-natured investment of time and effort to indirectly investigate the love affairs and other personal distinctiveness of otherwise tight-lipped friends. At the time nobody could blame them for such level of curiosity. As a matter of fact, nobody could blame us for eagerly filling those scrapbooks during cleaning time of Mrs Raquel’s Home Economics class.

From left: Warlito, Aldrin, Rodel and Irmina. From right, Jergen and future brother-in-law Lloyd.

One day during our junior or senior years, Joanne V. brought up the old sentimental scrap book. Some of those featured in the compilation pleaded Joanne to keep the book to herself than be embarrassed for such naive responses. Love is like a bubble gum, kung mupilit makabuang.

Comedian Brothers
Warlito A., the diminutive but active pal and fellow RASEA scholar from Catalunan Pequeno, Aldrin E., a friend we came to know as a volleyball varsity player at District Meet were the latest additions to this tightly bonded friends composed of classmates, church mates and neighbors. Although new faces were added in our widening circle of friends, some friends have drifted away a bit. Christopher B. and Ray B., two of our cast members of the group Comedian Brothers, coined by the musically-inclined Rodel G. decided to take other routes. Christopher continued his studies in Cebu while Ray transferred from Holy Cross of Mintal to SPED. Who would ever forget the comical Jergen S. and his endless passion for illustrated comics and toy robots of all shapes, sizes and levels of heroism and villainy. With Rodel, Christopher, Ray and Jergen, I became the fifth member of the group called Comedian Brothers, intended to poke fun at others (but mostly at ourselves) during Christmas party and impromptu program of our Music teacher Ms Blanco. Personally, I was just dragged at it but for the sake of fun, I hesitantly joined the four stooges on stage performing acts that I thought was hilarious to the rest of Tulip class.

Quadro de Alas
Nonetheless, the group was still pretty intact, as evidenced by occasional sightings during school breaks such as Simbang Gabi and Easter Sunday masses at Immaculate Conception Parish where I also serve as an altar boy. At our third year in high school, Dante P. who moved from Kumintang Street to somewhere near Joanne V and Grecel S’s. That made him in close proximity with me, Rodel and John C. At the time, we often go to school together; John passes by Rodel’s and the two would whistle their trademark noises to remind me to be ready.


We then pick up Dante and walk towards our Bandera Espanola or Golden Showers. We do this morning and afternoon. Late after classes, when we were dismissed early (or when there is no Citizen’s Armed Training recruitment drills) we go home together retracing steps we did earlier in the day. But we won’t forget to pass by the small store near the street corner whose “chorizo isda” sign Rodel fondly mocks. Our afternoon is usually concluded with a short stop for ice candy and stick of fried bananas, where I often get treated by Rodel and John — something I am indebted big time. It was all laughter in that small spot we occupy, mostly caused by Dante’s endless pranks to passing students or funny recollections mimicking Mr Valero, our class adviser, kicking Jonathan Edward P. or his frequent use of “commodities” and “goods and services” terms in his Economics class. As the de facto leader of the team — with some degree of dissent from Rodel — Dante named our group as Quadro de Alas, for no apparent reason. We were not comedians like what we struggled to be as Comedian Brothers. We never performed any number during convocations, even if Dante could have taught us a few dance steps or Rodel’s prowess as keyboardist would be enough to wow the crowd.

To this day, I loved to recall that simplicity of what we did, even if it sounds overly corny, when we look at them in greater detail.

February 14, 2009

Chicken Feet Soup With Papaya, Carrots and Dried Longan

Winter in Hong Kong may not be cold but its chilly weather condition makes one wish there is a soup dish available in the table during dinner time. Chinese people themselves like to have soup dishes no matter what the weather is.

Chicken feet to some may not be appealing, but when properly washed and mixed with appropriate ingredients can be an appetizing item on the table.

Ingredients:
6 pcs chicken feet
300 grams pork bones
1 medium sized papaya
sliced ginger
few pieces of dried longans
1 pc big carrot

Seasoning:
Salt and sugar

Procedure:
1. Wash the chicken feet and cut the nail. Scald with sliced ginger in hot water and drain.

2. Blanch the pork bones and drain.

3. Peel off the papaya skin and discard the seed. Cut it into big cubes.

4. Boil water in the pot and place all ingredients. Lower the temperature and boil it for around one hour.

5. Season with sugar and salt to taste.

August 1, 2007

A Night with The Cure

I was able to watch The Cure live in concert last Monday night at AsiaWorld-Expo in Tung Chung with Dei and Jay. It was the first major concert I attended to — since Gary Valenciano’s performance during the Hong Kong Harbourfest 2003 — so it is something special.

By all means I am sure a lot of people would agree it was worth the money, it wasn’t exhilirating at all times. And it’s not all the fault of Robert Smith, Simon Gallup, Porl Thompson and Jason Cooper.

Disparity Among Ticket Holders

I managed to secure the cheapest ticket, worth HK$380, thanks to Dei. I guess scalpers could go home empty handed as tickets have probably never sold out. Our seat offered us a tiny view of the band although Smith’s signature moves and gothic outfit is still easy to pinpoint. A few meters ahead of us are those paying a little over HK$500 but I doubt if they ever had much advantage to those in the “general admission” section. If those folks paid two hundred bucks more, they’d be joining the crowd standing close to the stage and experience a different atmosphere that’s unmistakably more lively compared to us, who are like seated on our couch, watching the band on DVD via a brand-new entertainment system plus the ambience.

Size of Venue
I won’t bargain for what I don’t deserve but I guess the enormity of the venue deterred the audience from acting on a party mood. The sight of empty seats and covered blocks seemed to temper the crowd from strutting the old moves in apparent attempt to dance with nostalgia. If only the crowd was allowed to congregate at the middle of the venue, owners of cheaper tickets at the back of those 500s and 700s owners. It would have been a riot.

A huge television screen placed on the side would be a good idea so visitors from the backseat don’t have to confide into listening to the music. One major reason we went to the venue is because we wanted to see The Cure. But I guess our entrance fee wasn’t enough to see a non-microscopic view of the band.

I can only wish the atmosphere was like this (though the price would probably be too much for me!)

Uninspired Audience?

The bulk of the audience was supposed to be in their late 30′s or forties. Their presence could help trigger an outburst of collective energy they last shared as far back in their heydays or as recently as last weekend in Lan Kwai Fong. But it seemed that I didn’t see much of it. Maybe it’s because of the type of venue, unfamiliarity of many songs or the maybe the aging performers themselves.

Programming of Songs

Is it just me or the sequence of the songs need to be rearranged to suit the type of audience we have for the night? Lovesong was played during the first hour, Friday I’m In Love at the second. In between those popular songs are the lesser known ones from their albums dating back between 1979 (Three Imaginary Boys) to 2000 (The Bloodflowers). For every one popular song (“In Between Days”, “Lovesong”, “Friday I’m In Love”, “Close To Me”) are two/three unfamiliar sounding ones although the performance was unquestionably superb. The two encore performances were a fantastic way to end the night.

The Aging Band

At one point, Smith calmed down the semi-electric crowd “Please, please, quiet a bit”. The reaction was rather abrupt and everyone seemed to stare at the fabulous four on subsequent songs that aren’t too popular or at least rings a bell. In my observation, the audience isn’t inspired enough (see above captioned) to go wild in front of their idols. Neither was the band, with the exception of bassist Simon Gallup, who has consistently delivered an impressive stage presence. I have never watched their previous concerts even on television so I guess this is the way they treat the audience. Don’t get me wrong, Smith doesn’t have to dance before the crowd to impress. His presence is enough. And he’s already 48 years old ladies and gentlemen.

Nonetheless, this concert is a wonderful experience to me. Pete and Adie were there as well as Che, Benedict and Maya. Thank you The Cure for coming to Hong Kong and sharing your wonderful songs to us. It was a great 180 minutes listening to your live music!

July 23, 2007

30 Things To Do Before You Leave Hong Kong

1. Watch Chinese Opera
You may have seen those elaborately dressed actor-singers with overly done face paintings. That’s what I mean. I think this is the epitome of Chinese entertainment and a reason for gathering of families and friends. The standard opera is based on folklore, legends, and historical incidents from the past. One of the popular landmarks of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong is the Sunbeam Theatre.

2. Climb atop ifc 2 and see the Victoria Harbour and beyond
Go to ifc in Central and get a view of Hong Kong from the 88th floor.

3. Take a helicopter ride overlooking Hong Kong
If you think the aerial view from your 747 jet to Hong Kong airport is just so small, consider hiring a helicopter tour. Heliservices Hong Kong charges from HK$6,000 per 15 minutes to HK$18,000 for an hour touring the whole territory.

4. Take the harbour cruise
This harbor cruise experience will enhance your view of the Victoria Harbour, which can be done via HK$2.20 ride from Wan Chai or Central to Tsim Sha Tsui or vice versa. Hong Kong Tourism Board provides more information on a variety of cruises (morning, afternoon, evening, sunset).

5. Go to the Peak by bus, the Peak Tram and hiking
Bus 15 costs less than HK$10 from Central (bus stop is near the ifc 2 and Outlying Islands Ferry Terminal) and enables you to take a view of Happy Valley as well as the expensive homes alongside the Peak area via Stubbs Road that snakes through to the backdoors of The Peak.

The Peak Tram is usually where tourists go and why not, it’s still affordable at HK$20 for one way and HK$30 return tickets via the steep inclines from the station located at Murray Building in Garden Road. From Star Ferry, take the 15C bus where you can ride the open air top deck, the only one of its kind in Hong Kong.

Hiking is obviously the one that takes most time, but it’s also healthy and costs nothing but a bottled water. This is a good choice during spring or autumn as
winters can be cold and summers are scorching hot (plus the mosquito infestation). I usually take the Pok Fu Lam Country Park Trail.

6. Have  high tea at The Peninsula
This is rather expensive but also popular in Hong Kong. It’s not just sipping tea but it usually consists of cold meats, eggs and/or fish, cakes and sandwiches. Peninsula Hotel’s Spring Moon is  one of  the best in Hong Kong.

7. Join the Cheung Chau Bun festivities
The bun snatching event is a popular activity during the Cheung Chau Bun festival held at the island of Cheung Chau.

8. Witness the Chinese New Year fireworks at Tamar Site
Chinese New Year is celebrated within the mid-January to mid-February, brave the crowds and the chilly evening air to witness an extravagant display
of fireworks that drape the Victoria Harbour with a variety of colors and shapes. Join the oohs and aahs of the excited crowd.

9. Climb the stairs leading to the Big Buddha
It’s not just big Buddha, it’s BIG Buddha. It requires 268 steps to reach the Buddha through a series of steps. Visitors may then travel to and from and Buddha via the following bus routes: Mui Wo to/from Ngong Ping — NLB No. 2 and Tung Chung to/from Ngong Ping — NLB No. 23

10. Tell the time using Central Plaza
Strange but it actually works. Look at the top spire of Central Plaza in Wan Chai (it’s the tallest building in Hong Kong before ifc2 was erected).
Known as Lightime, it describes its operation as:

It consists of four (spandrel) neon bands, each representing 15 minutes, that change colour on the quarter hour, progressing through the hour, according to a six-hour colour cycle. I still have to figure it out myself so we can go there together.

11. Try some dose of Chinese medicine
Only when you are sick and see no complications to try.  Chinese medicine is a regulated profession in Hong Kong protected by ordinance and has an updated list of accredited practitioners.

12. Drink the local Chinese tonic tea
These are usually found on streets of Wan Chai, Causeway Bay or just about everywhere in Hong Kong (photo). Unlike its cousin, the teabags, this
specially concocted tonic tea drink has better preventative powers against several diseases. Obviously, this is a better alternative to
coffee or cola drinks. You pay a few dollars (typically HK$4 to HK$7) for a gulp. Can be served hot or cold.

13. Learn tai chi for FREE
In a land of expensive vices and hobbies, learning tai chi is supposed to be no different. But thanks to Hong Kong Tourism Board, at least one
professional free tai chi lesson is conducted here. There are two venues to choose from: Tsim Sha Tsui (Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Exit E, take pedestrian tunnel ahead and follow the signs to the Avenue) at 8am-9am (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday &Friday) and The Peak’s Viewing Terrace (Central MTR Exit A, take bus 15 from Exchange Square bus terminus up the twisting roads to the Peak, follow signage to the Peak Tower) at 9am-10am (Saturday). Call +852 2508 1234 for enquiries.

If you can’t find time to both venues, tai chi practitioners are plenty in parks, notably Hong Kong Park in Admiralty, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai and in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. I am not sure if it’s an offense to mimic an action without prior notification. :(

14. Watch the Dragon Boat races during the Tuen Ng festival. Better yet, join one of the participating dragon boat teams
Tuen Ng Festival is also known as Dragon Boat Festival which is celebrated sometime in June. Although it’s usually very hot and humid at this time
of the year, it is just the traditional beginning of the summer season. Races are held in Stanley and Shatin. There are dragon boat organizations that promote the development of the sport. Every year, several teams from different countries compete in the competitions.

15. Go high (literally) to the Mid-Levels using the world’s longest covered outdoor escalator
Follow the trail of this magnificent structure as you are tempted to terminate the journey by an array of bars andrestaurants that sprout along the
sidewalks.

16. Be a kid again and join the rides at Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland is the smallest Disneyland in the world but who cares if it’s already sufficient enough to bring back the memories as a kid
who is fond of riding roller coasters and pose with your favorite cartoon characters?

Ocean Park is themed after sea creatures with some affection towards preserving endangered species such as the two latest residents, giant pandas Le Le and Ying Ying who maintain a blog!

17. Bet on Mark Six for twenty dollars at one of HK Jockey Clubs betting stations
Enjoy the frenzy and excitement of sharing the chance to win millions with other bettors. I haven’t tried Mark Six betting ever, believe it or
not, but I do recommend this one. No ideas on which numbers to bet? Try the random number generator. Do this only if you don’t suspect you’re a habitual offender. Maybe I suspect I am.

18. Take the Maclehose Trail for hiking and making a stop at Hong Kong’s tallest peak
If you are into extreme hiking adventure and all trails in Hong Kong island are patsies, brace yourself for this 100 kilometer long trail.

19. Take a milder hiking route at Dragon’s Back or Battery Path in Hong Kong island
OK, you’re fairly new to the hiking adventure and want to take the milder road conditions. The English Centre of Hong Kong U has a list of Hong Kong island hiking trails to choose from.

20. Witness the Noon Day Gun being fired at midday in Causeway Bay
From Wikipedia:

The tradition seems to have originated over an incident in the 1860s when Jardines, who had their main godowns and offices at East Point, had their private militia fire a gun salute to welcome the tai pans arrival by sea. The Royal Navy thought that such a salute should be reserved only for government officials or senior officers of the armed services. In penance, Jardines has been required to fire a gun at noon ever since, to serve as a time signal.

To watch the event, people must make their way to the enclosure – the easiest way to get there is to take the tunnel under the road from the basement car park in The Excelsior hotel – ask at reception if you cannot find it as the direction signs look poorly designed.

21. Test your bargaining power and negotiating skills at Mong Kok
Ladies Market and Temple Street is haven for bargain hunters who go home with sometimes unwanted items at unbelievable prices. Brave the crowds,
avoid the pickpockets and test your negotiating and acting skills.

22. Do snorkelling, waterskiing, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing or go
fishing on any of Hong Kong’s 30 beaches around Stanley and Sai Kung
area
Unless you fear getting more tanned or fear the UV rays, this is the place to enjoy summer in Hong Kong. Never mind the humidity, you’re getting soaked anyway. 12HK has a information on Hong Kong’s fine beaches.

23. Go to the Happy Valley or Shatin racecourses and scream to exhort your favorite horses to win
Same as #17 but go there for the fun of it and not mainly to win. Visit Hong Kong Jockey Club website for more info.


24. Experience Hong Kong’s nature side by visiting Mai Po marshes, Wetland Park and numerous country parks
Go away from polluted places I recommended earlier and instead head to Hong Kong’s parks to do bird watching, observing the flora and fauna on your own or friends or loved ones.

25. Watch the orchestra at City Hall or shows at the Space Museum
I am fond of the orchestra so I highly recommend to watch the live performance more than just listening to CDs. I’ved watched SAR Philharmonic Orchestra but the more popular ones are Hong Kong Philharmonic, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

26. Enjoy fresh seafood served at Lamma and Cheung Chau islands’ specialty restaurants
Lamma has been known for a long time to be a good source of delectable dishes that’s really fresh. A familiar hiking mishap I took a few years ago leads to a famous restaurant that offers relief to tired wanderers of the island.

27. Spend time for a yum cha or eating out with a local Chinese family
Chinese people are probably more reserved than you think. You have to have a Chinese friend for a long time who is able to introduce his/her family
to you and eventually invite you to join them for a supposed family affair like yum cha. As I can’t order in Cantonese, it was a nice idea too. But you don’t have to join a Chinese family to enjoy yum cha though.

28. Ride the sampan/junk Duk Ling
Duk Ling is a famous junk that has been an icon of Hong Kong on postcards, symbols and other visual representations of Hong Kong. I guess more
foreign tourists take the ride more than the locals. Have a look at Duk Ling’s website for more info.

29. Ride the tram from one end at Kennedy Town to the other end at Shau Kei Wan
Have a ride and explore the typical busy Hong Kong lifestyle all in the comforts (or otherwise) of a mobile viewing platform. From end to end
it takes roughly an hour, plus the waiting and transfer times. I did it before and I had a few observations.


30. Join the crowd  root for a team and scream at Hong Kong Sevens
Hong Kong Sevens happens around March/April where the summer feeling starts to creep in.
Tickets aren’t hard to find but can be prized way up. Perhaps you’d get more than what you paid for. Animated audience in colorful and hilarious costumes
attract the press photographers and simple bloggers. Just be careful with the beer and acting. It could land you at the headlines of HK
Magazine or at AsiaXpat.

SO far that’s what I got for you folks. If you have any feedbacks or would like to add more or correct entries, feel free to contact me.

January 23, 2007

My wishes for Hong Kong

A while ago I posted things I liked about Hong Kong. I made everyone
aware of the things I love about this place and hope everybody shares
the same experience as I do. However, just like anywhere else, there
are things in Hong Kong that I don’t like. And I can only list down my
wish for Hong Kong, its environment and its people so life will be
easier to bear.

I wish Hong Kong’s…

  • …smokers respect non-smokers.
    Keep the habit to themselves. Go to less crowded areas to puff their
    cigarettes. Respect the law; never smoke at the park or office
    emergency exits. As much as smoking is a right, it must also be
    exercised with consideration to non-smoking members of the community.
  • …’no-shower people’ adhere to more personal hygiene. In short,
    take a shower or wash face properly and face the mirror before facing
    human beings outdoors. It is the stench of bad breathe, unkempt hair
    and other "evidences" that ruin other people’s breakfast and start the
    day on a wrong note. Wash your hands properly; there are plenty of
    liquid soap and tissue paper/dryer around. That’s why it is called washroom in HK.
  • …officials will care more about cultural minorities.
    More than 90% of Hong Kong residents are Chinese so naturally, some
    ethnic minorities have a feeling of being discriminated because of skin
    color, language spoken or certain beliefs. To be truly called Asia’s
    World City, Hong Kong must exhibit qualities that suit its residents
    who come from different parts of the world.
  • …people will not read newspapers while walking. Morning
    papers can wait until you get seated safely on your office desks or the
    MTR coaches. But as busyness often calls people to pick up their
    favorite free daily news, the risk of bumping other people and
    embarrassment probability is high.
  • …buses will have route information for passengers while on transit. In
    order to ensure first time travelers they alight at the correct bus
    stop, a route information sheet found inside the bus (preferably on the
    wall near the back of the driver) for reference will be very helpful.
    If buses change routes, this sheet can easily be removed and replaced
    with an appropriate route map.
  • …residents will not be rude to newcomers. Recently-arrived
    people may still be grappling with culture shock and try to acclimatize
    with the pace of life in Hong Kong. The last thing they need is getting
    berated by a stranger who speak a strange language they could not
    understand. Let’s try to be be helpful than become an extra baggage to
    carry.
  • …society is conscious enough about pollution. Shut down smoke-belching power plants, impose a car-free day, encourage use of shopping bags and rely less on plastic bags, minimize industrial and man-made noise.
  • …people stand straight and hold the handrail when taking the escalators. Note
    to violators: at least for once in your life listen and follow the
    orders of the recorded voice on the MTR. What could be more
    disappointing for train staff than to assist someone who fell down the
    escalator because she/he is hardheaded.
  • …companies will be more considerate. When
    it’s time for Chinese New Year, Christmas or Mid-Autumn Festival
    holidays, workers be allowed to leave the office earlier. Sick
    employees be allowed to stay more than a day home to recuperate instead
    of spreading diseases. Pregnant salesladies be given a break from
    standing the whole shift hours.
  • …parents will spend more time with children. The
    future of Hong Kong is in these youngster’s hands… and brains.
    Parents must spend quality time with them instead of leaving the kids
    to the care of their imported babysitters. So children will foster love
    and affection to their parents instead of kicking their butts when they
    reach retirement age.
  • …winters will be a little colder. I
    did not think of buying new winter clothing because I thought my old
    reliable jackets can handle the cold. And I am so right that it is
    frustrating not to feel a relatively colder winter season. After
    sweating from summer to autumn getting to the office, it’s good to feel
    the chill. Blame it to global warming.
  • …middle-aged women behave well on the bus.
    I wish these group of people will tone down their conversation, with
    friends or phone when they are in the train or bus. Cantonese is a
    language that sounds like people are arguing even if they are not. Also
    applies to Filipinas and Indonesians on Sundays. So I can sleep in the
    bus.
  • …teachers will teach schoolchildren good manners. To
    be good citizens, children must be taught how to respect their fellow
    kids and the elderly. Instead of spoiling them with what they want:
    phone, electronic gadgets, tv games, money, they must be taught the
    importance of behaving well. And that could come from their
    schoolteachers who should teach them good manners and right conduct.
  • …phones have less noisy ringtones. It’s
    sad to listen to phones ringing in the middle of church services. I
    feel worse when I hear non-conventional ring tones usually made up of
    pop songs. I guess they’re called ring songs rather than ring tones.
    It’s alright if the volume is corrected. A few of these ring songs are
    nasty and outright ugly sounding.
  • …TV shows (advertisements) on buses will have multilingual captions. As
    if noisy passengers is not enough to bear, television sets don’t have
    facility for non-Chinese passengers like me to know what the show is
    all about. If only Janice Vidal’s English for children show at Citybus
    is a consolation. These TV sets display more advertisements than the
    actual meat of the show. Perhaps I should hear this from an executive
    of an advertising agency: "Ah, there
    are 90% of people prefer to read Traditional Chinese anyway. Why spend
    money translating this to Filipinos who aren’t likely going to buy our
    products?    " Indeed.

I just wish this wishlist gets some read and given a thought. If implemented/followed, that would be a, uhm,  wish come true.

December 27, 2006

Thank You Friends in Hong Kong

Year 2006 is about to fold and once again, a year has passed filled with lifelong memories.

I’d like to dedicate this post to friends here who have been just great to be around with. As always, there’s no chronological order here:

Peter Mercado.
A busy buddy but always finds time to share his time. He is also a generous host, offering his place not only for household meetings but also for Xbox 360s, karaoke, practices and free table tennis venue!

Karen Lourdes Obispo.
When I boarded the plane to Hong Kong for the first time, she was at my side. I think she knows me more than anybody of my friends here do. A
friend through thick and thin, Karen will get married on January 2007. Congratulations!

Decibel Faustino.
Dei got in touch with me through the SFC web site while seeking for a community in Hong Kong. Since then she gets along with guys and gals very well. I am very glad the site became a bridge between Dei and SFC Hong Kong community.

Zandro Barcelona.
A tireless believer and a proven leader, Zandro was my flatmate from early 2002 to late 2003. His importance to guiding the Hong Kong community of singles is immeasurable. He is well-liked and gets along very well to everyone too.

Joyce Kwong.
I knew Joyce before I moved into the same building where she and her family lives. A thoughtful person, she brings me some food upstairs,
has some meaningful gifts, accompanies me around Quarry Bay for a walk on any fine evening.

Mark Francis Tan.
Mark is a member of our SFC household. At the start he appears inactive because he seldom joins our gatherings but one event changed him 180
degrees. He is an inspiring bro who seems to say YES all the time in the name of service. Makes me wanna serve more!

Ginny Wong.
Ginny is a special person. Our desks sit next to each other in the office. But more than just officemates, we are good friends who spend time outdoors on certain ocassions, causing some first time experiences and nice dinners.  Her thoughtfulness would have earned her my Person of the Year if I had the chance to pick one.

Samuel Moyani.
Sam is a passionate guy I worked with at Phil Women’s University. I don’t know if he does it to everyone but whenever I have requests, he ensures everything goes well and my requests are met.

Romeo Olympia Jr.
Among the most intelligent guys in town, Junjun is a person who is gifted with superior intelligence and wisdom to handle things from organizing events to giving talks. He is a certified gentleamn too so I’d say Aileen is blessed to have Junjun for a husband.

Melissa Janeo.
Sasa is a friend recently met this year. But just like Dei, she seems to get along to anyone, even if she is the only girl in the group. She also has a servant’s heart that trials in life could not prevent her from serving. A great host whose cozy home is open to us all the time (once she is around).

Edralin Doria.
Like Sasa, I met Eboi just this year and just like Mark (his twin?) he is a great friend to be with, whether it’s our household meetings, fellowships or just hanging out outdoors.

Cissy Yim.
Cissy is from Hong Kong but currently in Cambodia for a service mission. The only person I featured in my blog as far as I can remember, because of her outstanding work and friendship.

Edna Nayre.
Edna is not from Hong Kong and no longer in Hong Kong. But she deserves to be in this list. She is our coordinator at Mt Carmel Church in Wan Chai, keeping our lector schedule in check. But what I am indebted more is when she bailed me out of further trouble from my most unforgettable experience in Hong Kong (around February 2005).

Charlene Andrade. A kind hearted kindergarten teacher. She seems to talk quite a lot, but that’s understandable because she deals with children 70% of the time. Which is why when I organized a ping pong game, she was just ecstatic to join the gang.