MY ADVOCACIES

The activities that I have participated and organized that are in line with my advocacies...

TRAININGS I'VE ATTENDED

The trainings, summits, conferences and other activities that I have attended...;

MY ADVENTURES

The places that I have been to, foods that I have tasted and things that I have discovered ...

MEETING PEOPLE

Very important people that I have met in conferences, summits, and other activities that I have joined in ...

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Written by oyyvernie in


USC College of Commerce holds Mr. and Ms. Commerce 2011

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:
MINOR AWARDS:
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

MAJOR AWARDS:
2nd Runner-up:   Karl Louise Butaslac
                          Antonette Tormis
1st Runner-up:    Chris Rudyard Naval
                           Anne Jelyn Conception
Mr. Commerce 2011:     Judah Jyreh Cohen
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

Written by oyyvernie in


A short talk with Ma'am Prateep Ungsongtham-Hata


Last December 25, 2010, at a conference in Hotel Elsereine Osaka, Japan, I had a chance to meet a former senator of Thailand, Ma’am Prateep Ungsongtham-Hata.

When I first saw her, I felt the aura of the late President Cory Aquino—strong, patriotic, intelligent speaker, has love for her people, and fights for equality and “real” freedom.  Even though I did not know her that much, I felt much honored to sit next to her.

it is a great honor to stand next to a hero like her ;)))
During lunch, Ma’am Prateep and I compared the situations of each of our native lands, Thailand and the Philippines.

·         Government
o   Same- appears democratic, but really militaristic
·         Health
o   Same- most of the hospitals with excellent services are only for the rich.
o   If I heard it right, Ma’am Prateep said that many Thai children were suffering from malnutrition three years ago. But, some kind-hearted Thai people are helping these kids improve their weight through feeding programs.
o   I also mentioned the Millennium Development Goals during our talk. I even recited some (I haven’t memorized all hehe). I told her that these goals should be accomplished by 2015 and some of these goals are almost accomplished. 
o    She also said that Thai teens love to eat meat more than vegetables. (same here!! =D )
·         Education
o   She told me that she became a laureate of the 1978 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. She has also met the late Pres. Corazon Aquino. I was wondering about the great things that she has done to Thailand. I did not know it until I researched her name on the internet. 
o   I told her about the Aboitiz Leaders of Excellence (but I did not mention the name for some reasons): that it is an organization whose activities address to the most pressing issues regarding Health, Environment, Governance and Education in the Philippines; that it encourages the youth to speak out and let their voices be heard; and that I AM ONE OF ITS MEMBERS (lol).
I asked her if there are movements or organizations like the one I am in (ALEx) in Thailand. “You, Filipinos, are very lucky. You can express whatever you feel to anyone whom you want to express your feelings to because you know how to speak English. You can live anywhere in the world since you know that language and you are good speakers. But, unlike you, Thai children are not taught English in school”, was her reply.
Just recently, I have watched “Crazy little thing called love”, a Thai romance film. The main characters are high school students, and they have English class. Well, perhaps, it was during her time that students are not taught English in Thai schools.
·         Current events
o   I told her about the hostage taking in Manila, wherein some Chinese were killed, which resulted to the “hate” of the Chinese living in Hong Kong to the Filipinos.
o   I also mentioned about the crowning of the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj, which canceled the entire negative aura that happened in Manila.

I really had fun talking to her. She is so kind and approachable, so mother-like.
Since we left the conference early so that we could go to the train station on time, I bid farewell and suggested her to visit the Philippines again if she has time. :)))) 

From left to right: me, Mr. Hamano, Stephanie, Ma'am Prateep, Ma'am Prateep's husband, and other guests
I don't know why but I see myself as one the Prateep Ungsongtham-Hatas in the future. Though my efforts are not that great, I know I can influence others in my own little ways and that influence can change the world.


About  Prateep Ungsongtham-Hata:

Prateep was born near the Bangkok slum area of Klong Toey, and is still living there.

At an early age, she experienced hardships: his father's business of raising chickens and ducks, which was their main source of income, was not saved (their chickens and ducks died because of a sickness for which he could find no cure), their house was demolished by the Port Authority and they had to transfer to another area.

In spite of these hardships, she persevered: she found some ways on how to earn money such as buying candies from the market and selling them to their neighbors. And at age 10, she went to work since her family could not finance her schooling anymore. She worked as a packager for firecrackers, chipped rust and painted and cleaned the funnels of cargo vessels in port and polished handles in an aluminum pot factory.


She persevered and finished a teacher training course. With Gandhi as her inspiration, she did a lot of heroic deeds to help her fellow Thais and because of that, she became one of the laureates of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service during August 1978.


Despite the award and the recognitions that she received, she remained grounded. She even used all the cash prizes and donations that she has received in building a school for the Thai children who live in the slums. 


"One must have an aim and keep it. Problems will follow problems and if they are avoided one cannot get through. Have an aim and keep going. Stay and face all the problems. Do not back away."
- Prateep Ungsongtham-Hata



(click HERE to know more about her)

Written by oyyvernie in , ,


FREE HUGS campaign in Cebu

Studies show that hugging has lots of benefits, these include an increase in the level of OXYTOCIN (a hormone that primarily acts as a neuromodulator of the brain) and reduce BLOOD PRESSURE. Hugs also have beneficial effects on heart health.

Last January 16, during the celebration of Sinulog 2011, some members of the Aboitiz Leaders of Excellence did a FREE HUGS CAMPAIGN.

FREE HUGS!!!


We gave free hugs to the people who passed by Mango Avenue, Osmena Boulevard, and some streets near St. Theresa's College. 


a very big snake received a free hug from us! scary.
We have received a lot of positive comments from the people. Some even asked for a free kiss from one of our friends, Vernon Go. 
a successful attempt of getting a free kiss from Vernon! 

Supposed to be, our purpose of giving free hugs was to promote our website, iknowryt.com, through wearing a shirt with iknowryt.com print on it. Unfortunately, Vernon was only able to produce one shirt, so our purpose wasn't realized.

preparations??? make-up here ,make-up there

We had to make ourselves presentable. So, my friends' skills in putting make-ups were unleashed! haha


ate lunch at a coffee shop near Mango
TIRED?!
The event was really tiring. We were walking all day. But, after seeing the videos and the photos, we felt a sense of fulfillment. We're happy that we were able to place a smile in the tired faces of the people (including foreigners) who went to Cebu just to celebrate Sinulog '11 with us, Cebuanos.

We are planning to do another FREE HUGS campaign this Valentines' Day.
Look for us on February 14, 2011!

Written by oyyvernie in


How our society labels and treats different individuals

This blog post is the result of my "listening to class for the first time in SOSC 5"...
We were having our SOSC 5 class (Contemporary National Development Issues including Family Planning) this morning. For the first time, I was listening intently to the teacher. It was some kind of a miracle, because I don't really do that in this class. Anyways, I was struck by Mr. Ligaton's statement, "grabe kaayo mu label atong society sa lain-laing mga tawo."
So, here it is.. ten de de deeeen..
LABEL
We call someone genius because he or she studies at the most prestigious school which is known to accept only “the cream of the crop.” We call someone intelligent because he or she is a scholar. We give them very very high expectations, and when they fail, we give them another label, mostly, a negative one.
And on the other side of the spectrum, we call prostitutes immoral because of their job which we consider “dirty.” We stay away from persons whom we think are stealers, hold-uppers and the like. Companies don’t easily accept job applicants who have criminal records. When we see pregnant teenage girls, what is our reaction? We immediately say, “sayo namiga.”
See how our society labels individuals?
Instead of helping the once criminals move on and live a new life, we are condemning them. What’s worst is that they might accept the label that we are placing upon them and they might do the same crimes again.
Instead of helping the prostitutes live a “normal” (in their perspective) life, we are worsening their situation. There'll be a tendency that they might also accept the label that we are giving to them, and they might not stop doing what they are doing. At times, they even let their children do the same “job" (they refer to it as job because it is one of their ways to earn money) for additional earning.
TREATMENTS
When a priest comes to our house, we really welcome him, give him our most delicious foods and serve him like a prince. But, when we happen to meet a person whom we thought of is a stealer, we stay away.
When a beggar knocks our doors, we give them nothing. But when an actor comes, waaa, even when he or she is still away, we run after him or her and give the best things that we’ve got.

Why is our society acting like this? How can we change our thinking? 


Learning*:
We often times throw praises to great deeds, but we should also praise the shortcomings, mistakes and failures, for these are the necessary foundation for a person to become far more that he/she can ever imagine. 
Studying FINANCE in SOSC 5 class? always.. hahaha =P



*(credits to Vernon Joseph Go for editing)

Written by oyyvernie in ,


Travel back in time? Possible!


Have you ever tried neglecting something that you never thought was special? It is there but you never give some time to appreciate or even notice it because of the pressures and the stress that life is pushing unto you. Well, that’s what happens to me almost everyday. But, a few days ago, I was able to notice a beautiful scenery by traveling back in time.

How did I do it? Not by a time machine but through Ka Bino Guerero, a tourist guide who is still starting up his business.

We met up at 138 mall at 5:30pm, had a little orientation about what will happen during our walking tour. Ka Bino toured us, the Triennial Xchange Series 7 delegates, around Colon Street, Plaridel Streets, and other historical streets around Carbon Market.




Ka Bino with the Triennial Xchange delegates
By standing on one place for minutes, you can slowly see the how silence of the streets turn into a feisty one. Noise increases, hues of lights becomes livelier, and there’s more influx of people.


the delicious, mouth watering fruits sold at Carbon Market


Walking around these streets at night immerses you with the people from different walks of life, the businessmen, buyersm, beggars, and the like. Your senses will come alive too. You can see the dancing color of the lights in the stalls, hear the rhythm of the people’s steps and the jeepneys beeping. You can smell the mouth watering aroma of the special Cebuano delicacies, and can also observe the trading going on in different business establishments.
It’s like traveling back to the time before the Second World War when our country was not that influenced by other colonizers.


Carbon Market, a heart of business activity in Cebu City


It was indeed an informative and eye-opening tour. I saw and acknowledged the Lu Ym buiding where the first revolving restaurant in Cebu City was built, but it was burned for some reasons. I had a chance to notice the Teatro Oriente, which I thought was just a movie house for bad rated films, but was one of the most visited movie houses before.
I came to know the first-3D movie house in Cebu, the Ultra Vistarama, wherein chairs shake at the climax of the film (that was according to Ka Bino). I also noticed the Vision Theatre. I never thought that it was the center of art during the old times because the building was not preserved and it looks like it’s privately owned. I really felt bad that the government has not done anything to preserve historical buildings such as these. 


the once beautiful center of art, Vision Theatre
We toured around Tabo sa Banay, wherein the cheapest fashion clothes are brought, and prices are negotiable. We went to Carbon Market; the rendezvous of the upland people and the downtown men.

Tabo sa Banay


Sidewalk vendors are ubiquitous in Colon Street. These vendors know that selling in the streets are illegal but they don’t have a choice because it is one of, and sometimes their only, source of income.
Before we bid farewell, we ate dinner at Visayan Restaurant, a famous Chinese restaurant during old times, and is still visited by its customers.
I really had a nice time during the tour, and the feeling made me want to share the knowledge that I have learned to other people. I want to let the whole world know how rich the Filipino Culture is and tell them that traveling back in time is possible.




You can contact Ka Bino at 0919 380 5853.


credits to Vernon Joseph Go for the pictures. Visit his site at vernongo.com.

Written by oyyvernie in


I'll get rich in the future?!

Have you ever gone to a fortune teller? I bet you dont know how it feels to have you palm read by someone who "knows" your fortunes.

Last December 21, a customer of my sponsor went to their house (the house where we stayed in Japan). She is a fortune teller. We had a chitchat and, she offered to us a fortune telling for free.

She said that the lines in my palm are so clear which indicates that I have a bright future. (really? hahah)

Here are the things that she saw in my palm:
  • that I have a golden aura,which means that I will be a successful person in the future
  • that I will get rich! OMG.
  • that I will get marry at 25 or 26
  • that I will have one child, a boy.
I don't know if these things will come true, but I will hold on to the first and the second fortunes =))


A 93-year old fortune teller,
who is also a magic and a cooking teacher,
 gave me a fortune telling for free!

On Christmas day, another fortune teller, who is now 93 years old but is still very fit, offered fortune telling for free.

He said:
  • that there are little triangles, squares and rectangles on my palm. this is good. this means that i would meet just a few accidents, and that I wont be hurt badly. :)))
  • that i will be married, but HE will come at the right time.
  • that there is no bad line in my palm, and that is very very good. OMG
OOOMMMMGGG. will these things really happen? what do you think?

P.S. i miss my alex friends