Coin Bank - DIY

Look at this A DIYed coin bank! Talk about creativity and resourcefulness of a little kid - a previously-used container wrapped with used paper and there you go, savings in the making! I fully understand that it takes much effort to instill to people the value of saving. Even grown-ups have difficulty applying the 80-20 money saving formula (save 20% of your net income, and then spend the rest for expenses). So I really appreciate kids who have the discipline to save and their parents who patiently teach them how to. But then, the kid is saving for what?

KH is written on the coin bank. What does it stand for? This stands for Kingdom Hall – the place of worship of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Everyone is invited to freely attend Christian meetings in the nearest KH in the area. The little kid saves money, not for his own personal use, but to donate to the KH to support preaching work, relief activities and construction activities worldwide. How selfless!

A few months ago, I blogged about another kid saving in the same manner using a plastic bottle. These kids give just as what they have resolved in their hearts. These are just simple gestures, but impactful reminders to give and share. When we give, let it be with joy, out of love,  remembering that “God loves a cheerful giver,” and that “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” ( Acts 20:35)

Farm Health Good Food at The Urban Farm

With its bright green signage, this restaurant never fails to attract my attention every time we pass by it along President’s Avenue in BF Homes Paranaque. After one fruitful ministry day, we decided to try out some real fruit (and other healthy viands). True to its slogan, ‘Farm Healthy Good Food’ is what it really offers. The food served in this restaurant was created by a US accredited chemist and master herbalist.

Hand-painted murals on the wall reveal uplifting messages with a sense of humor. The interiors are cozy and homey providing a feel that you are in a farm with white fences and gardening tools. Wait for a few minutes and the produce will be shortly served to you – fresh and clean.

We tried the following:

 Dijon Half Roast Chicken (Mustard marinated half of chicken with gravy fries)

 Salmon & Mash (Grilled salmon fillet with cream sauce and mashed potato)

 Beef Steak and Frites (Imported beef fillets with gravy and seasoned fries)

Being regular brown rice consumers, this time we enjoyed black rice served with the Mains.

For drinks I ordered a Healthy Smoothie - Fresh Strawberry Mint Lemonade (with herbs, spices and vegetables).

For the Starters and Mains, serving size is big enough for sharing. Food is fresh, unique and delicious.
The Urban Farm‘s concept is relatively new since they emphasize that they only use organic vegetables and grass fed animals.Truly, out of the many sprouting restaurants in BF area, The Urban Farm is definitely a must-try for the health buffs (and curious foodies) out there.

THE URBAN FARM
#4 President's Ave. cor. Adelfa St.
Tahanan Vill., BF Homes Subd.,
Paranaque City
823-8495

Ad Summit PH 2014

The Age of Enlightenment.  This was the theme of this year’s Ad Summit, where marketing teams and advertising enthusiasts soaked in inspiration, validation and energized motivation from the rock stars of the ad industry. Let me share with you a glimpse of our enlightened journey.



Day one started on a high note with crowd favorite Chot Reyes linking basketball and advertising.  The five-time PBA Coach of the Year and Sports5 head likened the advertising industry to a basketball game, saying
that scoring advertising three-pointers takes trust, effort, accountability and motivation (TEAM). Coach Chot made me see basketball in a different light and yes, our world of advertising has so much to learn from the
wonderful world of basketball.

Following Reyes was Y&R Asia Pacific regional executive creative director Marcus Rebeschini, who talked about taking on the Impossible. "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done," He explained that when things become difficult, many people think that what they set out to do is impossible. “You can either say it's impossible, or you can do the impossible."

From aspiration to inspiration, Sandipan Roy of Isobar, talks about how the transparency brought by the Internet has made brands more accountable to the consumer.  He discussed how the internet has changed things.  Because of technology, the four Ps of marketing no longer exist in silo of each other. With the advent of social media, Sandipan notes that purchase is no longer an isolated experience. Our social media friends provide a hyper-speed-word-of-mouth influence.



After an inspiring first day, Day two of the Ad Summit was packed with amazing case studies that provoked brands to challenge norms to truly make a difference.  Shu chang of Omnicom started the day by sharing 10
narratives that challenger brands use to overthrow competition. Chiu chang spoke about how challenger brands  can threaten big players.  Chiang said that "Digital and social media allows challenger brands with low budgets to reach consumers". Chiang also said that it's important for brands to remain true to their identity. "What's really important is to take a stance and stick by it.”  he said.








Perhaps one of the most engaging talks during the summit came from Merlee Jayme of DM9JaymeSyfu who shared various campaigns that changed the lives of people.  “Liking isn’t Helping” seeks to point out that tangible actions such as donations or volunteering are much more useful to help victims of war or natural disaster. The “Burry the Past” project has helped thousands of Filipino women whose lives have been affected by online scandals. And the Smart Text Books campaign has allowed millions of underprivileged kids access to textbooks in the form of a simcard. It was emphasized that the creative mind can do good, but the creative heart can do wonders.





On the final day of Ad Summit Pilipinas, advertising legends inspired delegates with a single message:   that brands can influence social change.

Other than the heavy rains of prizes, interactive gatherings from sponsors and star-studded activities, insights from this year’s ad summit surely created a big impact to how advertisers and the media people think and
implement things. Enlightenment it is.

Looking forward to the next Ad Summit. #adsummitph

Credits: Ad Summit Speakers, BPI Delegates

Have You Shared Your “Plastic Bottle”?

Last Sunday I noticed something unusual in the Kingdom Hall’s donation box. Usually, bills and coins are voluntarily (and discreetly) placed into the donation box as a testament of heartfelt contribution and support to the worldwide work. However, this time it was different. A little girl donated a plastic bottle. Filled with curiosity, I walked over and tried to take a closer look.

Surprisingly, it was not purely a plastic bottle. It was a container used by the girl for saving money in! The little girl explained that she set aside a portion of her little allowance to save and donate the money because of love. “I wanted to help others. It was my allowance savings but I’ll give it.”, she said while beaming at me.

In an era when some are quick to label people as self-centered, many young ones—including the little girl above—are proving to be just the opposite. Instead of buying her favorite toy or spending purely on recreational stuffs, she managed to voluntarily donate. We too may use our time, energy, and resources to serve others. We can learn the truth of this statement - “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” – Acts 20:35.

I learned that the total cost of the coins in the plastic bottle was around P200. This struck me. The little girl saves and donates on a monthly basis. How about us? Do we use our resources (money, time and energy) to serve and assist others? In times of calamities, loss of possessions or even death of loved ones, are we quick enough to ‘keep an eye on the personal interests of others’?  Of course there are other ways to help and serve, but we too can discover the joy of giving. How about you? Have you started sharing your “plastic bottle”?

Pag-ibig (LOVE)

Language is never a barrier to express love. This was what we experienced when we met a sister from Atlanta, USA as we welcome them to the Philippines. Age may have hindered her from learning a new language but if her tongue did not allow her to express it, her action made an even louder expression of love.

Tired from more than twenty hours of flight, she handed out a card bearing her name and a special word written with much effort.

Pag-ibig! Yes, that’s the Tagalog word for LOVE. She smiled and said feebly, “Pardon my handwriting but that’s the best I could do.” This warmed our hearts and true enough, love was felt in a universal way. A week was spent with them and it was not just the unlimited hugs, Kingdom smiles and inspiring stories that bonded us together but the ‘Agape’ love we know we’ll share from time indefinite.

Love is a quality that identifies every genuine Christian. As we grow spiritually, we ought to express it more fully. Along with deeds that reflect a self-sacrificing spirit, it is also important to have a genuinely warm feeling toward our fellow. What if problems arise or cultures don’t blend? Let us not keep account of the injury but try our best to forgive and forget.

Instead, let us always keep account in mind:
“By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.” - John 13:35

Now, the sister who handed out the card to us may be mountains and oceans away, but we still keep in touch. Together we share the spirit of ‘not looking for our own interests’ but have intense love for our international brothers and contribute to peace and unity.

Love Shown in an International Way – SC2013

As we go on each day, sometimes we still close our eyes, search our hearts and reminisce about the days when we felt the selfless agape love, warm hugs and inspiring stories that never failed to strengthen us. Those were the days when kingdom smiles were a part of our attires and such days truly marked an exceptional milestone in our lives.

More than 2 weeks have already passed but we still cannot get over the international brotherhood we experienced. The Special Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses 2013 held in Manila, Philippines was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the local Filipinos as they get to portray their inherent hospitality and warmth. It was, however, an experience that created a permanent mark in the hearts of delegates from USA, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other countries; as they experienced the look-and-feel of Filipino culture and ministry.

As a couple, we made ourselves available for pre/post-convention activities. Months of training, orientations, meetings and personal study prepared us to become equipped with the right skills and tools. Have I mentioned that our roles as volunteers were not ‘inherently’ owned? But with the guidance of the Special Convention Desk and with Jehovah’s help, we were able to do our share. Staying late until the wee hours of the morning welcoming delegates at the airport was a very challenging but fun-filled experience. We had to ensure that we abide by the necessary permits and limitations at the airport. The flight itinerary was a necessity as we have to ensure that the delegates arrive safely in Manila. When we saw badge cards and kingdom smiles, which is worthy of notice, it seemed that we all gained a big amount of energy that we jumped, waved and zealously displayed the banner which says “WELCOME DELEGATES!” We then led them to the hotel lounges for them to be safely transported to respective hotels.

On some days, we became part of the Welcome Desk at The Bellevue Manila Hotel. The ‘graveyard shift’, as we call it, was an assignment that required considerable physical and mental effort. There were days when we went straight to this assignment coming from our secular jobs. It was quite challenging as sometimes we get to stay until the clock ticked early morning. But it was all worth it when we saw the foreign delegates arrive with a beaming face and a story to tell from various parts of the world. We ensured that they were provided with the welcome kit, inclusive of tokens and necessary items that they’ll need for their stay. In case the delegates have inquiries about a certain activity or so, member of the Welcome Desk were always available at the hotel lobby. During these times, a simple “Thank you/ Terima kasih/ Cám ơn” was all enough to wipe the drowsiness away. Some even tried their own version of “Salamat!”. Every arrival of a group seemed to add an ounce of strength as we stayed awake all night. I cannot forget how one American sister, weary and tired from a 25-hour flight, handed out a calling card to me. Upon looking at it, the word “PAG-IBIG!” was written to show how much we meant to her. She has studied this certain Filipino word and sketched it upon arrival just for the volunteers. How heartwarming!

The delegates were also given options to go on tours (City Tour, Bethel and Assembly Hall, Hidden Valley or Corregidor Island and Las Casas Tour). A day before the convention, we were assigned to be tour guides for the Corregidor & Las Casas Tour. This was one great responsibility as we had to secure the safety of the delegates and ensure that the trip would be a successful and seamless one. We headed on to Corregidor and Las Casas de Azucar in Bataan. A bus ride, followed by a more-than-an-hour- ferry ride, and then a jeepney ride; made the trip an unforgettable one for delegates. As tour guides, we had to ensure that our commentaries present a 70-30 content (70% theocratical and 30% secular info). A family worship (inclusive of games and stories) was also conducted during the ferry ride. Food was abundant (not to mention the surprise cultural dance in Las Casas restaurant), weather was great and the Bataan local congregation was very accommodating. During the trip, personal talks with each of the delegates also paved the way for more commentaries - sharing experiences in the ministry and how each of us overcame challenges in our service. One certain tête-à-tête with an Indonesian teenager delegate inspired me to look for territories where the need is greater. She mentioned about how Muslims (majority of population in Indonesia) were interested, not in the Bible, but in current affairs. They use that common ground for interested ones to learn the truth. I also shared with her the jail ministry which I have tried (and how some inmates were baptized upon studying the Bible). It was a joy to be with someone from a different country and background, but shares the same theocratic goal with you. Time was not enough as we already arrived at our destination, but that less-than-an-hour connection built the bridge for our international friendship.

We were aware of the fact that the jeepney ride was bumpy, the ferry ride caused nausea to many and that at times, the sun was extremely hot for long walks. However, these things did not hinder the group from enjoying the Filipino culture as reflected by the ruins in Corregidor and the ancient Spanish architecture in Las Casas. But most important of all, it was a joy to see ‘how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.’ (Psalms 133:1)

What happened on the 3-day convention in Cuneta Astrodome was beyond words (and beyond pictures!). The spiritual feast was bountiful and it really proved that “God’s Word is Truth.”

 On the last day of the convention, an Evening Gathering was held at Bellevue for some delegates. Registration started at 6PM but as early as 4PM, delegates were ready to register and enter the ballroom! Way too excited! It was really a privilege to be part of this event. The Entertainment Group (from various congregations) practiced for months and devoted their resources to be able to make the delegates feel accommodated. Song Number 134 was played and every single attendee of the gathering sang their hearts out. Tears of joy and laugher filled the air. We realized that the official convention week had ended, but the memories remained.

As the delegate sister seated next to me said, “I am sooo happy! When I get back home in the States, I cannot fully explain the total experience and the feeling I had. All I can do is show them the pictures and share the stories. But the real experience? It’s here. And I will forever treasure it! I love Philippines!”
True enough.

From time to time, my husband and I still reminisce these experiences. Sometimes we found ourselves teary-eyed, but most of the time we found ourselves beaming with a Kingdom smile. We look forward to the next international convention or assignment, when we can again express the words “Here I am! Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8 

Grab a Handful of Goodies

A boy, a handful of goodies and a grocery owner.

These were the main subjects of a story I heard last Sunday. Sharing with you a simple story which can have big impact on our lives.

There was a little boy who loves to go to the grocery with his mom.  Every time he lays his eyes on the enticing sweets, colorful candies and various displays of yummy goodies, he can’t help but demand never-ending ‘buy-this-and-buy-that’ statements.

One day, the mom told the boy that she’s going to the grocery. Big-eyed and very much excited, the boy prepared to go. However, the mom said, “I will not let you come with me, unless you promise me one thing. When you see goodies which you really like, never ask me to buy it for you. Just look at the goodies, but never grab one. Otherwise, you will NO longer come with me to the grocery.”

The boy agreed, made a promise and off they went to the grocery. Drooling over the yummy goodies and seeing mouthwatering chocolates and candies, it was really a challenge for the boy. Nonetheless, he managed to keep his promise and neither grabbed a single stuff nor demanded for a purchase from his mom. Such a good boy!

Unknowingly, his demeanor was being observed by the grocery owner. When the mother and the boy reached the cashier, the grocery owner commended the boy for his behavior, far different from the usual kids who frequent the grocery. He asked why the boy behaved in such manner and the boy’s promised was revealed to him.

Filled with admiration, the owner said, “Since you are a good boy, come and enjoy these candies and goodies. I will let you have them for FREE. Go ahead, grab a handful of sweets!”

What a fine opportunity for the boy! Imagine a handful of sweets for FREE!

The owner insisted, but the boy still refused to grab a handful of sweets. Seeing it was impossible to make the boy grab a handful, the owner himself used his two big hands, grabbed some sweets and put it inside the boy's bag.

After leaving the grocery, mom asked the boy why he was so firm and even made the owner grab the goodies by himself. The boy said with a wink, “Of course Mom, my hands are too small! The grocery owner’s hands are bigger than mine! More candies for me since the grocery owner was the one to get goodies.”

What do we learn from this?

Like the grocery owner, God abundantly provides to those who are patient and meek. When we receive blessings from him, it is worth more than what we can take. Instead of acquiring things fully by our own and relying on our own efforts, let us have trust in God and faith that He will provide the needs of our hearts, abundantly and overflowing. So the next time you pray, remember to keep your promises and ask for His “handful of goodies”. He..."will pour into YOUR laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing." - Luke 6:38

Sharing the Love (and the Milestone)

It’s been 8 long months since I last posted a public blog entry and mind you, dear friends, there was a valid reason. Sharing with you life’s precious milestone: my transformation from a Miss to a Mrs!

Yes, I just entered married life last 18th of May 2013.

From the day I said “I do” on the shores of Guimaras Island until the first month of living in the South after our wedding, life’s been a busy bee throwing celebrations and challenges here and there. But yes, married life is surely a blast. For the singles out there, I have written wedding preparation tips and supplier reviews in private entries. Just send me a message for the password.

To all readers of this blog, I’d like to share the love encapped in this milestone in the form of videos – our Save the Date (Prenup) and Same Day Edit Wedding Video.




Reggie and Bess Save the Date from The Lightshapers Studios on Vimeo.




Reggie & Bess : Same Day Edit from The Lightshapers Studios on Vimeo.


Credits to:

• Lightshapers Studio – Video Coverage

• Kim Tan-Rodriguez – Hair and MakeUp
• Alfred Nobel Perez – Vintage Cadillac Bridal Car
• Imbitado Events – On the Day Coordination
• Purple Dish Catering – Food, etc.
• Stylento – Event Styling

And the list goes on…



But of course, I warmly thank family and friends for the never-ending support and love shown to us.

Most of all, my gratitude to Jehovah God for being the Originator of Marriage.

The gift of marriage is surely a treasure we will forever keep.

Is Your TV Watching You?

With the emergence of the latest innovations in technology, the couch-potato-career also takes a boom. The releases of flat-screen LCDs, top-of-the-line plasmas and LED HDTVs offer a breakthrough in the entertainment industry. Yes, relaxation now means Lazy-Boy-sitting style, gobbling a handful of popcorn and gluing your eyes on the tube for loooong hours.

“People who on average spend six hours each day watching TV can expect to live 4.8 years less than those who watch no TV. Put another way, every hour of TV reduces a sedentary adult’s life expectancy by about 22 minutes.” – British Journal of Sports Medicine, Britain

Indeed, all too much is bad. So time to hit the OFF button on the remote control and exercise your body (and mind). Talk to your family, go for a walk outside or visit your old-time-bookshelf like this.

Happy weekend folks!

The Blind Horse

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.

If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.

Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.

When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, real friends do not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.

They watch over us and even bring others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those people placed in our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see. Good friends are like this.

You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Sharing this inspiring story by one of the speakers in a Christian meeting's public talk. My dear friends, please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours....

When Photoshop Fails

I am avid fan of Photoshop and other photo-editing software tools. However, when integrity is at stake, that’s the time we have to acknowledge boundaries of digital manipulation.

Though for the past years Photoshop has became popular and has evolved into a “verb” (edit and enhance) and a “skill and talent” applauded by many, today we are faced with a brouhaha of how Photoshop can damage integrity.

This is the controversial photo of DPWH officials on their Facebook page.

It may look ordinary at first sight, but controversy has shown us that this is not the real scenario. A “proactive” DPWH employee ‘photoshopped’ and posted this on DPWH’s Facebook page (at his own risk). People reacted at these manipulated photos and even tried to spread more enhanced photos of the officials in different scenarios. (Courtesy of Yahoo News)

The “artist’s” wishy-washy job teaches us some lessons:

1. Be careful of things you post, especially when it involves other prominent individuals.


2. Do not underestimate the power of proofreading/checking.


3. Never ever publish a lame creation.

Scavengers

In a series of events around the globe, there is a surge of natural disasters; which includes great floods, devastating tsunamis, tornadoes and uncontrollable weather instabilities. After these disasters, affected people became clad in a dramatic stress and then media proactively presents the occurrence to the whole world.

However, silently being established, there is one career that goes skyrocketing. The leaders of it are the scavengers. When nothing is more important than survival, there are people who think outside the box and surprise us with their acts. Although a scavenger is originally an animal that searches for dead plants or animals on which to feed, an individual becomes a scavenger once he possesses the human behavior to roam and scour the streets looking for something beneficial for him.

A barefooted old man collects items which will provide his family days of survival.

A young boy smiles proudly as he quantifies his precious collections to his ‘colleague’.

This “career” has no age requirement, pre-requisite course nor any overwhelming qualifications. The only important thing for an individual to enter this business is perseverance, determination, a strong cause why to scavenge and a conscience to know when lines should be crossed.

Let's Drink To That!

Is it wrong to drink alcoholic beverage? The answer is NO.

Research has shown that moderate consumption of alcohol may have several positive effects on your health:

• Relaxing quality - Alcohol has the ability to help one endure distress.

• Good for the health – Doctors: “A glass of wine a day helps keep heart disease away.”

Though these benefits should be considered, we should not forget the fact that alcohol certainly does have many negative effects. Many deaths are alcohol-related (either from driving accidents, illness, or even violence). Many lives were even destroyed by alcohol. These negative effects have caused an alcoholic stigma on our society, making others frown over the looks of people holding a bottle of brandy.

But these negative effects occur due to OVERUSE of alcohol.

Lesson? Drink responsibly and in moderation. Plus, drink with the right people at the right time.

What's Your Love Story?

After 14 years, they met again. Guy living in California, while girl used to live in Singapore. And today, they will exchange vows – a lifelong commitment of love.

Boy met girl. They spent their entire college days as lovers but broke up after graduation. Years passed by and one ordinary day their paths met, making that day start of the most special love story ever.

Guy let stranger enter the elevator first. Stranger smiled at him. Hours later, guy was surprised to see stranger in his office. Now, stranger is the mother of guy’s cute children.

Funny how love stories start and continue making people’s lives colorful. The real-life stories above are cases far from each other but have one common perfect ingredient– selfless love.

What’s your own love story? It may not be a perfect fairy tale, but no matter how simple or complicated love stories may be, I do still believe in the power of selfless love. Distance, time, and differences cannot break down a strong bond.

Love, love, love!

P.S. Inspired by my friend’s wedding today, I can’t help but feel romantically-inspired by the portfolio of weddings, pre-nuptial shots and love stories by wedding professionals. Congrats Ate Ness! I’m sending all the love for you on your SPECIAL DAY! May all the days ahead of you be filled with happiness ever after!

Rizal Shrine/ Dambanang Rizal

Rizal Shrine/ Dambanang Rizal is one of the most-visited tourist attraction in Calamba, Laguna. It is the birth place of Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero. The original house was destroyed during World War II but was restored and inaugurated.

Rizal Shrine (painted green)

The house was painted green in 2009. The new color may have caused a lot of eyebrow-raising, but I understood the reasons why it was painted such:

1. Rizal was an environmentalist.

2. The new color highlights and informs visitors of the meaning of his surname – RIZAL (comes from the Spanish “ricial” which describes a green field ready for harvest) The green hues are meant to honor the memory of the Rizal family and their way of life. (Credits to the tour guide-turned-photographer for this info)

The shrine serves as a museum containing memorabilias of Rizal’s earlier childhood.

Actual clothes worn by Rizal, the dining room "fan" and the master's bedroom

Rizal's painting of himself using a mirror to see his reflection (vanity!)

Doll's dress was designed by Rizal as gift

Rizal's sketch of a "cute" guardia sibil (hehe)

beautiful clay pots in the kitchen

On the grounds is a statue of the boy Rizal and his pet dog and the lot where Rizal’s parents remains were transferred.

Rizal and his dog, Braganza (or sometimes called Berganza)

huts in the garden which used to be his playground

It was noticeable that Rizal's family was quite well-off, they live in a house made of bricks (only the rich ones can afford this during their time). I was amazed at the antique and intricate designs of their furnitures, and the place was really spacious for a Filipino family at their time. We all learned about Rizal's life from our school textbooks (it was compulsory), but having touchpoint with his house made me more insightful about his real personality. ;)

Visitors can enter the shrine everyday and there’s no entrance fee, but donations are welcome. There are tourist guides who (upon request) will elaborate Rizal's childhood days.

The next time you visit Laguna, go ahead and take a stop at this educational place.

Curly Tops…PERManently

For women, hair is generally more than just hair. For every inch/strand, there’s a corresponding value – the years of love and care we put into growing it, flaunting it, and making this crowning glory look its best. But there are times when we really have to do exploratory styles with our tops and even do risky changes and cuts to see what’s best fitted to us.

And now I say goodbye to boring straight hair and say hello to curly tops.

just 15 minutes under this machine

Tip: If you are looking at getting a perm, I suggest you're best off going to a Korean or Japanese hair salon, since the technology originated in that part of the world, and given the sheer number of unhappy straight-fine-haired Asian ladies out there, East Asian hair stylists have by now perfected the digital perming technique to a fine art.

Recommendation:
Clips and Trims International Co. Ltd.
Address: Unit 101 Residencia 888 Bldg., Amethyst St., corner Pearl Drive, Ortigas Pasig City (beside Tektite and Octagon)
Contact Number: 687-6352
Look for Cindy (the kind Korean owner)

Process takes about 3 hours – faster than hair rebond and not painful at all. First, you have to undergo the Korean haircut (meticulously done by senior stylist to ensure perfect layers and curl figure). Afterwards, treatments shall be applied. You’re hair shall then be processed using flexible hot rods with temperature regulated by a machine, which has a digital display, hence the name. With the machine, depending on the size of the curling barrels you chose, your hair can be either curly, wavy like spaghetti, or simply full of body. (I chose big curls for my hair.)

Prices depend on the salon, but Clips and Trims offers it for:
Php 3000 – Digital Perm (minimum)
Php 4500 – Package (with treatment, Korean haircut, and Glossing Fluid Essence)

Get this organic styling fluid essence (made up of brown rice) with the package.

The new Korean girl (just kidding..that's me!) with Cindy (the Korean owner)

So what are you waiting for?

Time for you to get permed and get gorgeous stylish waves with just a twirl of your finger.

Even Cameras Need a Remedy

Camera or Lens Repair? SLR cleaning? I have long looked for shops offering this service, but one service shop put my search into an end. Scanning the streets of Palanca and Hidalgo in Manila, I accidentally came across this shop specializing in camera repair, cleaning and vintage parts inspection. It was a few steps away from the well-renowned Mayer and Henry’s Photo Shop (suppliers of SLRs in the metro).

After some chit-chat with Mr. Karlo (enjoying free photography tutorials as well),I found out that he was one of the privileged 2 Filipino photography experts sent abroad for training. He used to work for Columbia in SM Megamall, and is now using his skills and expertise to work for Shurdun.

For the benefit of photography aficionados, here are the details:

Shurdun Camera Repair Shop

Address: 709 R. Hidalgo St., Quiapo Manila

Landmarks: left side of the street if you exit from SM, beside Megacolors

Karlo – 09224644644 (you may inform him that you got his details in BESS photoblog)

Rates (may vary depending on extent of damage):

• SLR cleaning (including fungus removal) – P1000

• Lens Repair (repair of broken/chipped off lenses plus any damage) – P1000

Rates are negotiable (I was given a P500 discount!).

Please take note that you may have to leave your camera/lens for a few hours or overnight to have it repaired. Grateful I was spared the cost of buying a new SLR/lens. Thanks Shurdun.

Shurdun means sure done!

Inspire Me, Oh Ants!

In nature, “staying alive is as much about bonding with your neighbors as it is about growing and reproducing.”—“Liaisons of Life.”

Ants are a model of cooperation, industry, and order, often working together to drag home objects much larger than themselves. Some ants will even assist injured or exhausted members of the colony back to their nest. In view of these traits, it is little wonder that Solomon chose ants as a model for us to imitate.

“Go to the ant, you lazy one; see its ways and become wise.”

-Proverbs 6:6

Weekend is about to come an end. Dear ant, let thee be my model when the week starts. ;)

The White Hat

Touted as “Italian frozen yogurt”, White Hat was one of the early players in the local froyo field, and still remains as one of the best. White Hat has a sharp, tart taste that takes some getting used to if you’re not a big fan of frozen yogurt, but is absolutely addictive once you’re hooked. Toppings include a host of fresh fruits and nuts. You may want to try my favorite - a combination of blueberries and kiwi plus a twist of oreo cheesecake. ;) Even on its own, the froyo is excellent. A serving costs around P85, plus P30 for additional toppings.

A Raw Post

110 years of service to the nation.
But wait...
Whatever happened to QA?





Disclaimer: I will still be an avid reader of your paper. ;)