ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID 2011: Da Best ang Pasko ng Pilipino

Watch the full and official music video of ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID this year. It features the Filipina-Canadian Youtube sensation, Maria Aragon, UP Concert Chorus, 100 ABS-CBN stars and ABS-CBN reporters, anchors and other personalities.

The ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID 2011: Da Best ang Pasko ng Pilipino was first shown today after TV patrol. If you are a certified Kapamilya and missed it on TV, here is the clip of the music video

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Help Make Puerto Princesa Underground River One of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

According to a TV news report I head earlier, the Puerto Princesa Underground River is part of the top 10 in the preliminary voting stats. That means we are inches closer to being part of the new 7 wonders of nature.   

So let’s guarantee our spot by voting for Puerto Princesa Underground River. Voting ends on Nov 11. 

You can vote in three ways:

Via SMS (Philippines): Text PPUR to 2861. Cost per each SMS sent: PHP2.00 (Sun), PHP2.50 (Globe, Smart)

Each SMS sent counts as one vote for PP Underground River in the New7Wonders of Nature.

Via Facebook:
Visit this link and follow instructions: http://www.facebook.com/New7WondersofNature?sk=app_114026852036251

Via N7WN website:
Visit this link and fill up the form below after choosing your picks: http://www.new7wonders.com/vote-2 

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Cinema One Originals Film Festival: Nov 9-15, 2011

This year, Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival will be held at Edsa Shangri-La Mall Cineplex Cinema 4 and at Shang Cineplex Premiere Theater, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It will run from November 9 to 15, 2011.

Cinema One Originals Filmfest Schedule

At Shangri-La Mall Cineplex Cinema 4

November 09 Wednesday

3pm: Opening Ceremony

4:45pm: Gala Premiere: SA KANTO NG ULAP AT LUPA by Mes De Guzman

7pm: Gala Premiere: ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON by Dennis Marasigan

9:30pm: Gala Premiere: DI INGON 'NATO (Not Like Us) by Brandon Relucio and Ivan Zaldarriaga

November 10 Thursday

5pm: Gala Premiere: MGA ANINO NG TANGHALING TAPAT by Ivy Universe Baldoza

7pm: Gala Premiere: MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE by Victor Villanueva

9:30pm: Gala Premiere: BIG BOY by Shireen Seno

November 11 Friday

5pm: Gala Premiere: SA ILALIM NG TULAY by Earl Bontuyan

7pm: Gala Premiere: KA ORYANG by Sari Dalena

9:30pm: Gala Premiere: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILIA CUNTAPAY

November 12 Saturday

5pm: Regular Screening: Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa

7:30pm: Regular Screening: Di Ingon 'Nato (Not Like Us)

9:30pm: Gala Screening: CARTAS DE LA SOLEDAD (Letters of Solitude) by Teng Mangansakan

at Shang Cineplex PREMIERE THEATER:

November 10 Thursday

12nn: ISHMAEL

2pm: ANG DAMGO NI ELEUTERIA

4pm: SA KANTO NG ULAP AT LUPA

7pm: ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON

9pm: DI INGON 'NATO (Not Like Us)

November 11 Friday

12nn:  Cinema One Docu Special: INDIE MAINSTREAM PAANO KA GINAWA? by Jay Abello

2pm: LAYANG BILANGGO

4pm: MGA ANINO SA TANGHALING TAPAT

7pm: MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE

9pm: BIG BOY

November 12 Saturday

11:30am: CARTAS DE LA SOLEDAD

1:30pm: KA ORYANG

3:30pm: ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON

5:30pm: SA ILALIM NG TULAY

7:30pm: KA ORYANG

9:30pm: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILA CUNTAPAY

November 13 Sunday

11:30am: MGA ANINO SA TANGHALING TAPAT

1:30pm           MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE

3:30pm           KA ORYANG

5:30pm           CARTAS DE LA SOLEDAD

7:30pm           SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILIA CUNTAPAY

9:30pm           BIG BOY

November 14 Monday

12pm: SA ILALIM NG TULAY

2pm: ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON

4pm: MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE

6pm: DI INGON 'NATO

8pm: CARTAS DE LA SOLEDAD

10pm: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILIA CUNTAPAY

November 15 Tuesday

12pm: MGA ANINO SA TANGHALING TAPAT

2pm: SA KANTO NG ULAP AT LUPA

4pm: BIG BOY

7pm: SA ILALIM NG TULAY

9pm: BEST PICTURE WINNER

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Chateau Royale in Nasugbu Batangas Review

As I said in my previous post, I was able to buy a voucher for Chateau Royale at CashCash Pinoy. It was a very good deal because for Php1,999, we got 2 days and 1 night stay at the sports and country club. It includes a tour and free breakfast for four (yes 4!) pax. Another plus factor is that there is no limit to the number of kids one can bring as long as they are below twelve years old. I don’t mind paying an extra Php800 because our group is composed of five adults.

We arrived at the place at 1pm, an hour earlier before the check-in time but they already allowed us to enter our log in cabin. I had to leave a valid I.D and pay P1000 deposit but it is refundable upon check out.

The rooms are a bit far from the reception area so guest can opt to ride a shuttle to take them to their cabins. We rode the shuttle first because we thought that we are not allowed to park our car near our rooms. We later discovered that there is an ample parking space near our cabins.

I guess we are all satisfied when we saw our cabin because it is so cute and huge-- good enough for 8 people. There are two queen-sized beds and one extra bed. It was air-conditioned with TV and toilet and bath. There are cabinets and a desk that makes one feel so at home.

Chateau Royale has many amenities including a mini zoo, a floating restaurant, a swimming pool, and a playground. One can try fishing, go wall climbing, etc. (forgot the others) but all of those are available for a fee. I think only the playground and the pool are free.

My nieces took advantage of the pool and swam to their hearts content. The tour schedule is every 9am and 4pm but we opt not to join since it was a walking tour and we have been walking to and fro our room and the pool area. Those who don’t like to walk can wait for the shuttle but I seldom see it so we always end up walking. Anyway, it is fun to explore the place ourselves.

We had lunch at Tagaytay so we ate dinner at their Veranda Café. This café is a bit small so we just ordered food and decided to eat at our cabins. We are all so tired that an hour after dinner, almost everyone was asleep. The next morning is another picture taking and swimming sessions before we prepared for check-out.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay and I would not be ashamed to recommend it to others. In fact, maybe we can come back. The staff is courteous and friendly. The place is beautiful and relaxing. Chateau Royale gives good service but should also work to improve some areas.

For one the zoo is pitiful, I am quite disappointed with it. The food in their café is okay but average. And a bit embarrassing but there's something wrong with the toilet. I hope Chateau Royale can fix all these so they can offer the best services to their clients.

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Hillsong United and Casting Crowns, Songs that Enrich the Soul

Majority of my officemates and even my boss are “Christians”. I put the term in quotes because in my opinion, I am a Christian too because I am also a firm believer in Jesus Christ. However, I am different from them as I still belong to the Roman Catholic religion.

Almost every Monday, a group of pastors and would-be pastors I guess would come to the office to conduct a Bible study. I must admit that I am not so enthusiastic about the session with them every Monday. But in fairness they are all wonderful people and I have learned so much from them. Anyway before the actual Bible study, we would have this short worship thing where we sing Christian songs and pray. I love this part.

At first, only the Christians in the office would be able to sing along. But now, almost everybody is singing as we become familiar with the songs.

The songs are inspiring and soothing, there was even a point when it made me teary-eyed. I just felt a bit sad when I went to a Catholic church one Sunday to hear mass and I find myself missing the songs.

Let me share some of my favorite Christians worship songs from Hillsong United and Casting Crowns.

Desert Song

Who Am I

At the Cross

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Picnic grove in Tagaytay and Chateau Royale in Batangas: Happy & Relaxing Weekend Getaway

The week before was so busy and I felt so pressured. It was also a week filled with so many events at home and at the office. I literally felt that I need to rest or maybe I have to quit work for a while. I think I survived it by just letting things be-no excessive worrying, not thinking much, and just doing what I can at the moment. And of course by relying on God’s strength and guidance.

Anyway another thing that helped me cope with pressure is looking forward to the long weekend. It’s because I scheduled a reservation for a 2-day and 1-night stay at the Chateau Royale, a sports and country club in Nasugbu, Batangas for the whole family. I was able to buy the voucher at CashCashPinoy.

We left home (Mandaluyong area) at around 6:15 am on Saturday. There were 9 of us in the group- five adults and four children and our travel was a breeze. There was no traffic at all so by 7:30 am, we are already in Tagaytay. The plan was to visit Picnic Grove first as our check in time at the hotel is still at 2pm.

That is where we ate our breakfast, merienda, and lunch. My mother and I prepared pansit canton, buttered chicken, hotdogs, sandwich and lots and lots of snacks and drinks.

The weather was lovely!

The entrance at Picnic Grove is now Php50 per head. We also rented a cottage worth Php150. There are not so many people that day and the weather was perfect, no rain, mild sunshine, and cool breeze.

I just got a bit annoyed because everywhere you go, you would be approached by someone offering a horseback or a boat ride to Taal lake.

Anyway we tried the services of therapists that roam the area offering a head and back massage for 15 minutes. In fairness, the massage felt relaxing.

Around 12:20 pm, we left Picnic Grove and head on to Nasugbu. We arrived at Chateau Royale around 1:30 pm and stayed there until Sunday noon. Will make a separate post about this experience later.

Overall it was a hassle-free and happy weekend getaway for the whole family. Everything went as planned and we get the much needed rest and relaxation we need. Thank you God for this blessing!

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November 7, 2011 is a Holiday!

It's a typical Friday at the office. Amidst the chaos of so much work to do, I decided to take things easy as my boss is not around and I have long learned that stressing out does not really make anything easier.

Anyway, I am not expecting the good news I received today and I would like to share it with you. To holiday addicts like me- Proclamation No. 276 declares November 7, 2011 as a regular holiday!

That means another long weekend, another paid rest day. That would be two consecutive Mondays without work because October 31 and November 1 have also been declared special non-working days. November 2, 2011 though is a regular working day.

The President signed the proclamation in celebration of the Eid'l Adha or the "Festival of Sacrifice" for the Muslims.

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