Japan, the land of the rising sun.

I have been there last December 18-January 3. We visited a lot of places :D 

NAGOYA UNIVERSITY

                All the rooms are well ventilated and are equipped with learning materials such as projectors, a TV, a VHS, and a free WIFI connection. Students have their designated places to study in their study rooms. They also have a card that entitles them to photocopy up to 900+ pages. When they already used up the 900+, they just have to renew the card.

There are no security guards; the students are responsible for their safety. Their cafeteria is so spacious. Their roads are very clean and wide. Their comfort rooms are also clean.

The school’s water and electricity is subsidized by their government.    

                

 

HIGAYASHIMA ZOO

                You can see diverse animal species from different parts of Japan: monkeys, tigers, eagles, elephants, giraffes, pandas, and many others.  It was also my first time to see polar bears dancing, sea lions showing off their swimming skills, and penguins entertaining little children with their cuteness.

KYOTO TOEI MOVIE LAND

Old-style Japanese houses, Edo Period Law Courts, Edo Period Shops, Movie Museums, Old-style Theater and Samurai houses surround the village. It was named as such because most Japanese movies that require old settings are usually filmed there.

                There are quarters where we saw courtesans in traditional costumes; some were dressed as geishas and samurais. You saw live samurai movies being shot on authentic outdoor Edo-period sets. You also watched TV samurai dramas in the making at the simulated live film studios.

                 It is also famous for its Haunted House which is dubbed as the scariest haunted house in Japan. When we entered, two Japanese ladies dressed in traditional costumes entertained us. They reminded us that some of the ghost characters are members of the TOEI Theater Group and whenever we get scared, we cannot hurt them.  We were also not allowed to take pictures. When we got inside the haunted house proper, forming a line with our hands raised forward and touching the shoulder of the person in front of us, it scared the hell out of me. The ghost seemed so real: their make-ups, costumes, facial expressions and actions are so ghost-like. I screamed and screamed and I almost cried. Whoa. It is indeed scary.

At Kyoto Toei Movie Land, Japanese History is really kept alive.

UNVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN

                While still at the gates, the magical sound of Disney music welcomed us. We headed to the ticket area and bought some tickets. (See picture for the ticket prices)

                There are stalls where Disney products are sold such as Sesame Street caps and shirts.

 I did not mind my motion problems; we tried all the rides and had fun. After each ride, I felt like vomiting but I controlled it all. We tried Back to the Future, Space Fantasy, Jurrasic Park ride and Jaws. It is after the Space Fantasy ride that my motion problem really worsened.  

We also watched Spiderman 4D and Backdraft, where we did not pretty much enjoy since we did not understand what the characters were saying since they’re all in Japanese.

Every night, there are parades of the Disney characters, made of properly arranged metals and colorful lights. There's also a romantic musical played by Universal Studio actors.

                

Are you blogger who’s writing and photography or into social media marketing and networking? It’s time to harness your skills! 

Join the Cebu Blog Camp on May 28, 2011 at 9:00am. It will be held in the St. Joseph Hall of Sacred Heart Center Cebu at Jakosalem Street, Cebu City. Not only will you improve Cebu’s Tourism through blogging about events, tourist spots, delicacies and other subjects on Cebu, you can also help in providing a better future of Cebu’s online community.

This event is “exclusively on blogging, organized by bloggers for bloggers with objectives of sharing and learning new ideas.”

Admission is FREE of charge. Online registration is now going on; it is on a first come first served basis since they will only be offering 180 seats. 

For more information, please visit their official website at http://www.cebublogcamp.com/

See registration guidelines HERE and the registration link HERE. For updates, like their Facebook Fan Page HERE.

For more inquiries about the Blog Camp you can contact 417-5787 (look for “X”)

1:45 AM

April 18, 2011

Insomnia strikes again.

I can’t sleep tonight. The National Anthem is now playing on TV; ABSCBN is signing off.

I can’t think of what to write so pardon the improperly organized ideas. I’d just write about what pops out of my mind.

AFLBS

When I knew about it last year, I told myself that I have to join when I reach third year.

But now that I am an incoming third year student, I don’t feel like applying. Some factors have affected my decisions. First, because I have no big achievements and to brag about* except YMA and DL; second, I’ve only held a few significant positions since I entered college; third, because I feel that I am not prepared for the summit and I believe that I still need a lot of catching up to do with academics; and lastly, because someone whom I treat so differently, far different than others, is applying too,… whoever that is, you’d know soon.

My decision WAS final: although my friends are applying, I AM NOT.

It was Friday when the Program Committee of ALEx met at Ayala. I was surprised that people were looking for and making their certificates for the past ALEx activities. By just looking at those thin sheets of parchment papers, I knew what they are for. I did not know my friends are very serious in applying. They asked me why I decided not to do the same. “I’m not ready” was all I could reply. April 18 is the deadline yet I haven’t even started filling up the application form. True copy of grades or TCG was another requirement and it takes three working days before you can claim that. Goodness.

They really didn’t give up on me. They can’t accept that they’d have GGB or Gulo-Gulong Buhay weekend acquiring all those requirements; they wanted me to have a GGB weekend too. Ate cams have decided to apply and she hasn’t acquired her TCG yet which made me think I could still apply. Finally, they have changed my once final decision: I am applying.

GGB weekend started yesterday. I kept on calling the people and asked them about the significant community services that ALEx had given for the past year, called Madame Raz and asked the same certificates that Lea asked last week, called Rhyle and Jezreel and asked what their significant positions were. Rhyle and I were supposed to go to Madam Raz’ house to get the certificates but since Councilor Rhyle Sayat is so busy with his SSC sessions, we were not able to. I just slept the whole afternoon. In the evening I tried to write about what inspires me as a leader, which is also one of the requirements, but thoughts and ideas were not there. I found myself staring at the netbook for minutes.

Today, I woke up at 9AM, washed my clothes, ate lunch and read an e-book. I was meeting Jomes at 2PM in Jollibee USC. He was going to give me my certificate for being TEC’s literary editor, a position which was now changed to Entertainment editor since our beloved vice chair didn’t find the poems intellectual. Okay, okay. Even though the second statement of The Executive Chronicle’s By-Laws SECTION III states that “there would be no discrimination of any literary work submitted as to race, gender, religion, political views and individual ides of any literary work submitted”, I understand her point.

I arrived in Jobi at 1:40PM and waited for Jomes there. To kill the time, I called some people and asked them if they’re willing to host a Dutch or a Belgian this July and August 2011 during the Multi-city Youth Exchange (MYX), formerly known as Pibedex. I listed four people who are interested but they have to ask their parent’s permission first. Hmm. It was already 2:20 in my phone. He’s late. I got up and went to the counter to order to buy Coke float. When I was about to sit, I saw the one I was waiting for.

Jomes and I talked about TEC stuff: how expensive the price is for one colored newsletter, how he worries about the layout, etcetera etcetera etcetera. I was shocked when he asked me about MY requirements for AFLBS. How did he know that I am applying? I lied, but I was forced to tell the truth. It was obvious: I was so happy that the deadline for application was extended and I asked for my TEC certificates. Grrr. I don’t want Jomes to know that I am applying not because I see him as my competitor nor because of his IMBAness. Maybe it is my reaction to his being so paranoid about what other people thinks of him that he doesn’t want many people to know what he has been doing. Ugh. Jomes, please... what other people think of you is none of your business, suya rana sila oie! ano ba..

When he knew that I didn’t have plans to go to church, Jomes reminded me that Palm Sunday is one of the most important celebrations of the church. Yes, of course it is. HAHAHA. Instead of going to Raz’ house, I attended the 4:30 mass at Sto. Rosario. I went home with a smile on my face: it’s so good to be back, Lord, it’s sooo good to be back.

Aaah, what a lazy weekend it was, not a GGB. I haven’t done anything for AFLBS. Perhaps, and hopefully, I could finish acquiring and making the requirements tomorrow.

I SHOULD sleep. Good night buddies.

*there’s a portion of the application form where you are obliged to write 5 most significant positions that you’ve held in college, 5 most significant awards and achievements that you have received and 5 most significant community activity that you’ve done. You also have to submit documents or certificates that could prove them. 

Being a Triennial delegate is really a great experience. I hope RAFI would still organize a program like this next year. :)))

As part of the Brigada Talento of the USC Commerce Days, the Department of Business Administration organized a seminar which aimed to further enhance the aspiring entrepreneurs’ knowledge about the four areas of business organization namely Marketing, Management, Operations and Finance. It was held in the CELL Building near the Gansewinkel Hall at 9:00am-3:00pm last Friday, February 18, 2011. The speakers were Mrs. Corazon G. Anzano, MA-Econ, for Marketing and Management, Engr, Jovenal M. Arnaiz, MMBM, for Operations and Dr. Beverly O. Ligan, DBA, for Finance. It was attended by some Entrep students of Mrs. Ma. Veronica L. Misa, MMBM and some wannabe entrepreneurs from Toledo, Lapu-lapu, Consolacion, Talamban and Guadalupe.

Mrs. Anzano taught the participants how to make a business plan. After the lecture, the participants had a workshop. They were divided into three groups and were tasked to make a plan for their desired businesses. After reporting, Mrs. Anzano suggested some ways on how they could improve their plans so that their businesses would be more successful in the future.

Mr. Arnaiz talked about operations management, its dimensions, operations management decisions, and Production. He cited some real life situations so that the participants could fully understand what he was discussing.

After Sir Arnaiz talk, it was Dr. Ligan’s turn to discuss about Finance.

Dr. Ligan defined “Financial” as a general idea, on how it affects on our daily lives as individuals.  It entails the importance on proper managing of money especially in the Cash inflow and Cash outflow.

To further explain its real application, she related the topic with business showing the 2 Financial Statements namely Balance sheet, Income Statement and also discussed the applications of financial ratios.

The seminars were truly wholesome and very informative to the visitors and to us, students. It truly showed that the USC has the utmost standard in giving the best solutions to business problems.

-Photo by Diane Marie Dy

Through the great efforts of the USC College of Commerce Collegiate Student Council, Mr. Richard Abella, some of Cebu’s Fashion designers and Professional make-up artists, the search for Mr. and Ms. Commerce 2011, last Friday, February 18, became a success. The Anselmo Bustos Gymnasium, where the pageant was held, was swarmed with students from the Department of Business Administration, Department of Accountancy and Department of Hospitality Management. The event was hosted by Kapamilya Winner Ka Host Mr. Roy Empleo, Ms. Cebu 2009 Kris Tifanny Janson and Mr. Karlo Angelo Cea, an HRDM student.

9 pairs of beautiful ladies and handsome lads from the different departments competed for their aspired titles and crowns. The contestants were like gods and goddesses in their astrology costumes. They also wowed the audience with their different attires (corporate, fashion, fun wear, and suits and gowns). 

Ms. Clarizza Duhaylungsod in her gold gown

Mr. Photogenic, Paolo Antonio Corrales, in his astrology costume

The night became livelier as some dance groups showcased their talents. Though there was a technical difficulty when one of the singers was supposed to sing, the audience didn’t mind it and the show went on.

Fire Dance Presentation during the Mr. and Ms. Commerce 2011

From eighteen (18), the judges chose the top 5 both for female and male category. The judges asked questions that really pressured some contestants and measured their stand on the different issues concerning the world today.

Here are the results:

Mr. Olive-C: Karl Louise Butaslac

Ms. Olice-C: Michelle Jane Uy

Ms. Glutamate: Joie Macasusi

Ms. Caroline:  Joie Macasusi

Mr. Blackwater:   Karl Louise Butaslac

Mr. Photogenic:  Paolo Antonio Corrales

Ms. Photogenic:  Antonette Tormis

Ozor Model Discovery:   Joie Macasusi

Ozor Model Discovery:   Danilo Belanguel

Peoples’ Choice Award (number of tickets sold):    Joie Macasusi

                                                                              Judah Jyreh Cohen

Peoples’ Choice Award through online voting:         Joie Macasusi

                                                                              Jericho Fernandez

Best in Production Number:                                    Michelle Jane Uy

                                                                              Chris Rudyard Naval

Best in Fun Wear:                                                   Michelle Jane Uy

                                                                              Chris Rudyard Naval

Best in Occupational Attire:                                     Joie Macasusi

                                                                              Chris Rudyard Naval

Best in Formal Wear:                                              Michelle Jane Uy

                                                                              Chris Rudyard Naval

TOP 5 for the Male Category (in no particular order):

           Chris Rudyard Naval

           Judah Jyreh Cohen

           Karl Louise Butaslac

           Danilo Belanguel

           Jericho Fernandez

TOP 5 for the Female Category (in no particular order):

           Michelle Jane Uy

           Joie Macasusi

           Toni Tormis

           Anne Jelyn Conception

           Ricca Isabelle Andrea Perez

2^nd Runner-up:   Karl Louise Butaslac

                          Antonette Tormis

1^st Runner-up:    Chris Rudyard Naval

                           Anne Jelyn Conception

Ms. Commerce 2011:    Michelle Jane Uy

Ms. Commerce 2011, Michelle Jane Uy

Mr. Commerce 2011, Judah Jyreh Cohen

Mr. and Ms. Commerce 2011

-Photos were taken from the Facebook accounts of Ms. Katrice Fortuna, Mr. Arnold Echevarria, Mr. Mark Jason del Villar, and the USC Commerce Council :D