Rekindling Pinoy Spirit

My M5 student Tiraluck donned in an elegant
Maria Clara dress.

The first ASEAN Exhibit and the annual Academic Day was held in school on Thursday last week (January 26) which was highlighted with different display showcasing various information about the ten ASEAN countries. The acronym ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations with ten member states - Brunei Darrussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore,Thailand, and Vietnam. 

As the sole Filipino teacher in my school, the task to prepare for the exhibit was on me and mine alone. It was actually a privilege but at the same time a burden on my part considering the many aspects about Philippines that I would like my Thai students and colleague to know about. Aside from the fact that the our country is an archipelago composed of 7,100 islands and that we are the third largest English speaking country in the world, what is there to learn about the so called "The Pearl of the Orient Seas"?

I felt that I should give them a short background about what Philippines is all about so in my display board I included bits of information about History, Geography, Climate, Flora and Fauna, Religion, Transportation and Cuisine but information alone could never catch any attention so I added more sights and scenes of what Philippines and what Filipinos are made of under brief and catchy phrases. Under "Pinoys Got Talent" were Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, Arnel Pineda, Charice and other Filipino artists who made it big in the international scene. Then, "Beautiful Pinays" showcased the beautiful Filipinas who brought home crowns in various beauty pageants such as  Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss World and Miss Earth. I featured the best festivals in the country with vivid and colorful pictures in "Festive Philippines" and I wowed my visitors with my "Beautiful Philippines" where I exhibited nothing but the best tourist spots that we have.

I am proud to be Pinoy in white Barong Tagalog. 

Nothing could beat a first hand experience of what it's like to be in my country just at least through our cuisine so I offered them "Adobong Manok at Baboy", "Escabeche", and  "Embutido" courtesy of Miss Cheryl's Pinoy Kitchen and "Puto Cheese". 

How about Filipino traditional costume? I had a fashion show of the Maria Clara Dress, Philippine Terno and Barong Tagalog through the generosity of some good friends such as Ate Gina and Kuya Del, Ate Eunice and Primo to whom I am very thankful for.

As the day concluded, I felt a renewed sense of pride knowing that my students have gained more knowledge about the country where I come from - its history, its culture, its people. I just wish they will be able to say "Magandang Umaga Po" when they'll meet me in the corridors in school. Only then that I will know for sure that those display I made was worth all the effort I've done. 

   Linking With:

Wednesday Whites

Counterfeit Disease

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Counterfeiting is a disease that branded companies find so hard to cure. Although state laws clearly protect registered companies from this fraud, still counterfeit products continue to spread and sadly, they continue to prosper. The most expensive products in the luxurious department stores such as bags, shirts, perfume made by Prada, Gucci, Lacoste are already available in the street markets for much affordable prices.

What consumer should know is that not only bags and shirts have counterfeits, even medicines are already duplicated these days. The worst case that could happen is that the simple tablet that we expect to cure a headache might just be the cause of our fatal death. That is why, when it comes to health, we must not just grab a product without proper orientation and ample information about it.

Walgreens is an online pharmacy that offers services that your usual pharmacy over the next street can’t offer. Prescription history, checking prescription records, checking drug information and more other services can just be made at the convenience of your home. Another good thing is, you can also register as member of Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens to avail of the many discounts and other privileges. 

  

Walgreens is offering a special discount on annual membership for its Prescription Savings Club: 

For $10 a year, a family membership covers everyone in your immediate family, including a spouse, dependents 22 and younger and pets. Individuals may join for $5. Join and receive discount prices on your prescriptions.

Other benefits include: 

-Savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications 

-Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies 

-Bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services

To know more about Walgreens, visit them at: Walgreens on Twitter and Walgreens on Facebook.

Solitary Date

I am not really much into hamburgers but I just suddenly thought of it when I was driving home this afternoon. Perhaps, my taste buds just got tired of eating the same kind of dinner over and over again so I went on a date with me, myself and I...What could be a more appropriate dining place for someone who craves for hamburger but Mc. Donalds, no less and that double cheese burger just got me full to the brim.   

While feasting on my hamburger meal, my senses told me to give myself a movie treat which I'm glad I did because with it, I officially had bestowed "me" my first 3D movie experience. It was cool.

Solitary dinner and movie date? Why not? I found a list of benefits of spending time alone and I could not help but agree to every word of it.

Benefits of Spending Time Alone 

1. You get to relax.
2. You get things into perspective.
3. You'll enjoy your time with others even more.
4. You'll learn to be independent.
5. You get to do the things you want to do. 

Click this link for more details: Harmonious Living 

Tomorrow is another day with Me, Myself and I for a soothing body massage after an hour grooming session with my barber. Yeah!

Some New Year Points

According to the Chinese Calendar, the year 2012 is a year of the Black Water Dragon which means that we expect more water overflowing this year. It further states that as the black dragon is unpredictable and untouchable, we might as well witness  something unexpected things to happen this year. Not that I believe in these kind of stuffs, I just happen to browse on them as these predictions are already part of the new year celebration even for those who aren’t Chinese.

So, what are we to expect in this brand new year? Who knows? Not even those Chinese soothsayers can foretell. The reality is we can only hope for the better if not the best things will come our way because the future is yet to come and it remains to be unseen. The least thing we can do is to prepare for it while we have the time “now”.

The next big question: How do we exactly prepare for the future? Here’s how I see it.

·        

• Take a job, enjoy it, love it and save for the sunny days and save even more for the rainy days.

• Make a list of your priorities and by doing so, be wise enough to identify which in the list are needs and which are wants.

• Identify some investment opportunities and grab them when you’re sure they will give you a fair share of returns.

• Open an IRA (Individual Retirement Arrangement) for convenience at old age.

• Commit all your plans and goals to the Almighty One who is the disposer of all that your heart desires.

I don’t really know what this year brings but I am positive that great things are on their way and I don’t need a dragon to do that or give some lucky charms for me because I will work to achieve them myself and God will do the rest for me.