ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE.

Young people who love to travel

Suitcase101 is qualified for
Globe Kantabataan ’07 finals; and other tales

 

Proem:

• Food for the soul:  Special
       is different from important. Special someone you will never forget for the
       rest of your life… important someone you need for the rest of your life.
       Have you thought about it?
• Could it be true that a city
       employee was booted out from office (who’s offered the job through his
       aunt) because he was caught by some employees attending a “different
       session?” According to True Very
       Reliable Source (VRS), though this “news” came late, VRS is happy that
       this person was removed from office. The “session” he’s doing was a
       violation of a good man. He’s a putrid example of inhaling the demon’s
       part.
• Good luck and best wishes to
       Liza Macalandag who will be in

  China

  , October 15- December 15
       for the China Cadres Training Program to be held in Guangxi province.

• Mga sano and

  sana

  in Europe you are invited for the October
       13th event in

  Bonn

  ,

  Germany

  . The MabuhaySampaguita association e.V, a
       registered association in

  Germany

  ,
       is inviting all Boholanos, the “sanas” and “sanos”, to attend the first
       Boholano Charity Gala Night in Europe, which will be held at the
       Brückenforum, Friedrich-Breuer-Str. 17, 53225

  Bonn

  ,

  Germany

       on October 13, 2007. The objective of this Charity Gala is to start the
       process of uniting all Boholanos in Europe under one umbrella
       organization, the Boholano Community Europe, to be more effective in
       promoting and supporting our beloved

  Province

       of

  Bohol

  and generate a stronger
       spirit of cooperation among the Boholanos in

  Europe

  .
       In addition the Gala will also be the start of the preparation of the TBTK
       held 2009 in

  Tagbilaran

        

  City

  in which the
       European Boholanos will participate for the first time. Please spread this news…tell your
       family members in

  Europe

  , friends and
       other people who are interested to join the event. This is your chance to
       foster camaraderie and friendship with other paisanos. Interested, please contact: Rosemarie
       Marapao-Bruening, the president at 0228 54 93 72, mobile: 0177
       3610472 or thru email: mabuhaysampaguitabonn@yahoo.de.
       The

  US

  delegation headed by TBTK chair Betty
       Veloso (with Mrs. TBTK Mrs. Parras) will arrive in

  Germany

  on
       October 10.

• From the land of Jang Geum
       (Jewel in the Palace fame), Jumong and Princess Hour, don’t miss to watch
       another Koreanovela to hit the TV
       primetime, Hwang Jini on GMA 7 telebabad. Hwang Jini is a new Koreanovela
       in the Philippines. It also known by her kisaeng name Myeongwol, is the
       most legendary kisaeng of the Joseon Dynasty who lived during the reign of
       King Jungjong. She was noted for her exceptional beauty, charming quick
       wit, and extraordinary intellect. Her personal life has become almost
       myth-like, having inspired movies, a TV series, operas, and numerous
       novels. Due to her renowned assertive and independent nature, she has
       become a modern popular cultural icon of Korea.

***

 

Unlike
before, young people nowadays love to travel in the different parts of the
country. Others who like to broaden the horizon and to learn other cultures
like to explore other countries. The wonderful experiences that these people
can get from their travels are memories which money can’t buy.  It has never been more important for young
people to have the freedom to move around their towns, cities and
neighborhoods, enabling young people to access things to do and places to go.

Two young people from

Bohol

have shared their experiences in traveling abroad. Glenn Mark Blasquez, a young
businessman (proprietor of the Bohol Coconut Palms Resort in Laya, Baclayon,
Bohol, 038-5409250) and Kat Schoof (daughter of philanthropist-couple Hans and
Lani Schoof) were in

Macau

recently.

Glenn admitted that their travel to

Macau

was inspired of the movie A Love Story
starring Aga Mulach, Maricel Soriano and Angelica Panganiban. The movie
includes the beauty of

Macau

. In the story,
Angelica is a flight stewardess and she met Aga who is in Macau for healing
after heartbroken in the

Philippines

.

“It’s a wonderful country, it’s a small

Las
Vegas

,” Glenn blurted out the moment he and Kat arrived at

Macau

International

Airport

.

The Lonely Planet says Macau is a city with two faces: the fortresses, churches and food of
former colonial masters

Portugal

speak to a uniquely Mediterranean style on the

China

coast. And yet Macau is also
the self-styled

Las Vegas

of the East. The last few years have seen once-sleepy little

Macau

booming.

Today’s

Macau

woos commerce and tourism like never before, taking a tradition of gambling to
new extremes. While the profileration of mega-casinos means there’s plenty of
places to try your hand with Lady Luck, many of

Macau

’s
pleasures are relaxed and laidback, architectural and atmospheric.

 

“We visit places riding the bus. There are lots of
Filipinos,” Glenn shared.

Glenn and Kat also visited

Palau

,
a country in the

Micronesia

last year. The two countries have different beauties to share to tourists and
young travelers.

With an area of only a few square kilometers, peninsular

Macau

is navigable by foot. There are of course buses and
taxis as well. The street signage is often poor if not lacking altogether so
you may find yourself walking a few extra blocks in order to figure out the
street you’re on. Busses are operated by two companies, Transportes Urbanos
Macau (Transmac) and Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos de Macau (TCM).

Taxis fares start at 11 (1 pataca is 5 pesos) patacas.
Largo Do Senado to the border is about 30. The longest possible taxi ride (from
the border post at the extreme north of

Macau

to Coloane in the south) would be well under 200.

 

Places
to see in

Macau

are:

The ruins of

St. Paul

’s Cathedral (Portuguese: Ruinas de
São Paulo) are the city’s most famous landmark.

Above Saint Paul’s are the remains of a fort, now the
city’s main museum. You can buy a
pass that gets you into all

Macau

museums,
cheaper than the individual admission fees if you want to see several.

Largo do Senado (

Senate Square

) is a colorful typical
Iberian town square at the heart of the city.

On the hill between Largo Do Senado and

St. Paul

’s is a church with an incredible
interior.

The

A-Ma

Temple

is perhaps the most famous Chinese
temple in

Macau

. It’s near the southern tip of
the peninsula, on the west side.  Opposite
the

A-Ma

Temple

is the

Maritime

Museum

,
with exhibits on

Macau

’s seafaring history.
Admission: M$10; half-price on Sundays.

The

Wine

Museum

and the

Grand

Prix

Museum

are both in
the same building, north of the center of town.

From the

Macau

Tower

you have a great view over

Macau

and Taipa.

Other good viewpoints are from

Penha

Church

,
providing a bird’s eye view across the river into

China

as well, and Guia Fort, a Portuguese fort.

The

East

India

Company

Cemetery

(also known as the

Old

Protestant

Cemetery

) is a lovely little
piece of

England

in

Macau

. Look out for the grave of the Right Honourable
Lord H.I. Spencer Churchill, ancestor of Winston Churchill, and also for the
grave of the painter George Chinnery.

The Cemeterio de
São Miguel Arcanjo (Saint Michael the

Archangel

Cemetery), a classic example of Sino-Portuguese Culture. A great place
for lovers of angel statues.

The Kun Iam Tong
is a large, old Buddhist temple to the north of downtown. It’s a little out of
the way, but is definitely worth a visit if you’re into temples.

Tucked in the corner of a cobblestone square to the left
of the ruins of

St. Paul

’s is the tiny

Na-Tcha

Temple

,
dedicated to the Chinese deity Prince Nata.

Rua da Felicidade (

Happiness Street

), the old red light
district. Today it is a fairly interesting shopping street with various antiques
and handicrafts. South and East of

Largo

Del
Senado.

Jardim de Lou Lim Ioc is a beautiful garden sanctuary
on the main

island

of

Macau

. It contains
lovely green plants and a temple.

Gambling is Macau’s biggest industry, and
busloads arrive daily from mainland

China

to try their luck. In
addition, many Hong Kongers arrive on weekends with the same aim. Most casinos
are along the waterfront on the southern side of

Macau

peninsula. For many years, the Casino Lisboa was the most famous and a landmark
well known to people outside

Macau

, but it is
being eclipsed by Sands Casino which opened in 2004.

There are ATM machines available at either casino as well
as forex facilities to change your money. Gamblers are required to be at least
18 years of age to be allowed to play. Interestingly, local civil servants are
not allowed to enter the casinos with the exception of the first three days of
the Chinese new year.

North of the Lisboa is a strip with many smaller casinos,
a number of hotels and bars, and quite a few restaurants. This can be one of
the more interesting areas of

Macau

; among
other things it has quite a good Indian restaurant and several Portuguese ones.
However, parts of it are also fairly sleazy, with lots of hookers and touts, so
some caution is in order.

One can go Karting in

Macau

in the southern end of Cotai (the reclaimed area between Taipa
and Coloane islands). The track itself is quite good taking about a minute to
navigate, at a leisurely pace.

Sky
jumping? It was Glenn’s first time to try bunjee jumping in

Macau

.
“Fear of limits? Yeah, at first… but I must be brave,” Glenn said. To
experience it, one can go to the Macau Tower,
a 338.8m tall structure (3 and 8 are Cantonese lucky numbers!) with a revolving
restaurant at its top and a convention and shopping centre at its base, the
visitor to Macau can savour a different kind of excitement: New Zealander AJ
Hackett’s company offers a set of adventure activities. There’s a mast climb
that takes you to the very top of the tower; a jump off the side of the tower
from 233m above ground with a rope attached to your back; a walk around the
handrail-less rim of the tower; as well as bouldering and sport climbing at the
tower’s base. The

Macau

Tower

has the highest
skyjump in the world.

The two Taipa Hills are suitable for hiking and cycling. On Coloane the
large hill area in the centre of the island is criss-crossed by several unpaved
hiking trails of various length and difficulty. These are also suitable for
mountain-biking.

Macau

is famous for excellent
restaurants, unique cuisine and mellow bars. It is a premier dining and
drinking destination in

Asia

. The Portuguese
brought not only European cuisine, but also influences from their other
colonies (

Brazil

, Goa and

Angola

) to

Macau

.
As a result the city now offers one of the world’s most intriguing gastronomic
adventures. Look for local specialties such as bacalhau (salted cod) and African
chicken.

There are a few interesting departures from standard
Cantonese fare that you can try in

Macau

. Portuguese cuisine is available at a
number of restaurants, and for a snack, try the milk pudding at the cafes in

Largo

do Senado. Street
stalls sell tasty strips of barbecued
pork as well. For the budget-minded, wander the back alleys and you’ll
come across plenty of mom-and-pop Chinese eateries. Note that most of these
places have menus on the walls that are hand-written in Chinese only.

According to

Macau

’s
special style, various types of drinks have became popular.

Macau

residents enjoy having beer as entertainment after work. Therefore, clubs and
bars are open more frequently. To best fit the Macau-savvy image, coffee should
be the first drink to mention since

Macau

has
a strong multicultural sense. Drinks to be enjoyed include vinho verde, a Portuguese white wine
that complements salty Macanese food, and caipirinha, a delicious Brazilian cocktail.

 

Tips when you’re in

Macau

:

To those who like to travel local and abroad we should
think of safety and road trip planning. By following just a few, small travel
tips and keeping a few things in mind, you can ensure that your vacation goes
smoothly and that you have a great time.

It is important to know the rules, customs and
laws. When
you’re traveling abroad it is vital to be completely aware of the rules, custom
and laws that are associated with the countries you are visiting. Young people
and students are commonly arrested for being intoxicated in public areas and
for drunk driving; this is common for not only people traveling abroad, but
also for student vacationing in the

United States

. If you do get in
trouble while traveling abroad, contact the Embassy or consulate offices.

Dress
to unimpress.
Theft is another common vacation mishap. Leave the bling at home, don’t carry
excessive amounts of cash and don’t bring with you unneeded credit cards.
Dressing nicely, wearing a Rolex and flashing your cash screams steal from me.
In case items do get stolen, you should make two copies of your passport
identification page before leaving. This will help expedite the time spent
getting your passport replaced if it is lost or stolen. Leave one copy in your
hotel room and the other back home with someone easily contacted.

Plan
ahead your
trip. Before embarking on your trip, you need to plan ahead, and come up with a
travel itinerary that should include what roads you will be traveling on and
where you will be staying. The travel itinerary should be given to someone who
is not going with on the trip so they can know where you are at all times in
case something does go wrong.

Vacations are supposed to be fun and by keeping these few
safe travel tips in mind, you can make sure that they remain that way.

You should beware of pickpockets, especially in tourist areas.

Recently a scam involving mainland Chinese visitors
asking for money has become widespread, mainly in downtown

Macau

.
These people, who are usually properly dressed, claim to have lost their wallet
and not to have eaten the whole day, asking for MOP20-30 to buy some food. The
police have issued warnings in the local media not to give money to these
people.

Stay healthy. One unexpected cause of sickness
in

Macau

is the extreme temperature change
between 35°C (95°F) humid summer weather outdoors and 18°C (65°F)
air-conditioned buildings. Some people experience cold symptoms after moving
between the two extremes often; it is not unusual to wear a sweater or covering
to stay warm indoors, and it is therefore usually good advice to carry a
long-sleeve item of clothing when expecting to visit air-conditioned places for
extended periods of time.

Whilst tap water is technically safe to drink (taste
aside), most locals boil or filter their water or buy inexpensive bottled
water.

Because of recent concerns about SARS and the threat of
Avian Flu, good personal hygiene is strongly advisable. Wash hands before
eating and after returning from public areas to your place of accommodation.

There have been some cases of Dengue fever in recent
years. The government has pro-actively sprayed insecticide in areas where there
is the potential of mosquito breeding, so this risk is largely contained.

However it is best to avoid being bitten by using
mosquito repellent and/or wearing long clothing, especially at dusk.

When eating sea-foods make sure the food is properly
cooked as you may otherwise end up with an upset stomach or worse.

Respect. Most

Macau

people are quite friendly but may be shy when approached by foreigners as only
a small minority of locals speaks English well enough to communicate. When
visiting Chinese temples basic respect should be shown, but taking photos is
usually allowed and you don’t need to ask for permission as long as there isn’t
a no-photography sign posted.

 

 

***

 

Globe Kantabataan, the biggest and only Youth
Song Festival in the

Philippines

is a contest for bands from different parts of the country. It is during this
competition that they showcase their talents.

Pinoys
are certified music lovers. We have a lot of talented Filipino
singers and songwriters
around. And probably a lot more out there who are just waiting to be
discovered. This prompted telecom giant Globe Telecom to
once again unite musicians especially the youth in this year’s Globe
Kantabataan– a
songwriting music festival made for the youth.

First launched in 2006, Globe Kantabataan , this is open to all amateur and unsigned youth bands
who are both Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers
(postpaid or prepaid). All the bands have to do is submit an original
composition in line with the theme while making sure to include keywords Posible and Lakas within their song.

With this year’s theme Isang Tinig ng Kabataan Para sa Ayt na Kinabukasan (Ayt by the way
is a slang word for alright), Globe songwriting contest seeks to unite the
youth and their diverse musical passions for a good cause. The songwriting contest
is expected to draw more talented youth all over the country as it goes on
regional tour in over 20 Kantabataan
centers nationwide.

No less than

Pinoy

Dream

Academy

grand star dreamer, Yeng Constantino, was tapped by
Globe as Kantabaan Music Festival official
endorser. “It’s a dream come true for me. Music has really taken me to places I
have never imagined I will ever be. I am always made aware of the
responsibility that comes with representing the young, and I hope not to
disappoint them,” says Yeng humbly.

Suitcase101, our own Boholano band which was formed in
2006 wowed the judges and crowd in the 1^st elimination held at
Mandaue Sports Complex,

Cebu

City

beating 6 bands from

Cebu

.
The band was qualified for the regional finals held at Ratsky in

Ayala

Center

,

Cebu

beating bands from the Visayas area.

The band brought another honor to the province on Sept.
31 as they are qualified for the semi-finals among 10 semi-finalists they rank
1^st, among five grand finalists during their skills performance
at JVTV Bar in

Makati

City

Joining singing competitions is not new to Suitcase101,
the band is a five-time battle of the bands champion in Bangga Banda and Sandugo
Battle of the Bands.

The grand final is set any day on November
2007. They will perform on October 20 for Globe Anniversary Special at
Island City Mall together with last year’s Globe Kantabataan Finalist Drop D (composed of Japhet Torredes, Karl Radaza, Christopher Cornelio, Salvador
Rufino and Mark Cornelio from University of Bohol), Cebu’s Bisrock icon
Aggressive Audio and Manila’s Moonstar 88.

The band humbly acknowledges the Almighty God. They also
share and thank their families and friends, brother bands in

Bohol

,
Island City Mall, Kiss FM, 911 FM, Globe-Abot
mo ang Mundo, G.E. Production and Power Mind Concept.

The national finalists will receive cash prizes and a
chance to undergo a once in a lifetime training session with the country’s top
musicians.

 

***

You can email me at
leoudtohan@yahoo.com

 

 

Baba

Yap

: ‘I never met a woman who
liked me’

Proem:

 

• Food
       for the soul: I feel sorry for
       everyone who broke my heart because one day they’ll wake up and realize.
       They had the world but they let it go.
• Could
       it be true that a town mayor who attended the visit of

  Bohol

  ’s
       favorite President Macapagal-Arroyo is said to be “gender insensitive?”
       According to True Very Reliable
       Source (VRS), when this mayor (who claims as a gender and development
       advocate) saw three “gender binders” who covered the event, she uttered
       “nasty” remarks (and were heard by other people) that the “gender binders”
       are eyesores to her. If this town mayor knows that her remarks were of a
       person who doesn’t know “respect” unya
       baye pa jud siya. What did she learn from the many seminars she had
       attended funded by the government funds? Maybe, she had forgotten that she
       there for a seminar not for a junket. There is no beauty pageant in the
       place, but the “gender binders” were there to cover the presidential visit
       said the VRS. Is this Mayor a dimwit? Clue: She arrived very late
       in the event while the other mayors were already there. Sorry, you proved
       to be too insignificant to be noticed.

• Speaking
       of Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo’s visit to

  Bohol

       (this is her 3^rd visit of this year), she is still the favorite
       darling of many Boholanos (who came from far places in the second district
       just to see her in person). Gov. Erico Aumentado was praised by the
       President of his sterling performances. Other VIPS who were there on stage
       were Reps. Edgar Chatto, Roberto “Ondoy” Cajes and Adam Jala, Trinidad
       Mayor Judith del Rosario-Cajes, San Miguel Mayor Claudio Bunior, Ubay
       Mayor Eutiquio Bernales, Pilar Mayor Wilson Pajo and Japanese Ambassador
       to the Philippines Makoto Katsura. True
       spotted Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, Board Member Ma. Fe
       Camaacho-Lejos, League of the Municipalities-Bohol chapter President
       Exuperio “Eksam” Lloren, Dam Greenie Aumentado, National Youth Commission
       Commissioner Benjie Oliva and others big names. The President also
       commended the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and consultants for
       a job well done for the project. According to the President, the
       project implemented by NIA and which took about seven years to build, adds
       up to Bohol’s total rice production capacity. The project commissioning
       opens up another 42,500 tons of harvest with the target 5300 hectares of
       farms now eligible for irrigation. I don’t want to miss to cover
       presidential visits whether I am commissioned or not by GMA 7 Manila News
       and Public Affairs. It’s about PSG, MARO, PIA, mediamen and people. My
       second purpose to visit Bangoyan Dam is for pictorial. The Bangoyan Dam is
       a potential tourist attraction with beautiful and breathtaking scenery. If
       only they know how to package the place.

 

***

Here you have a man that has it all: fame, money, good
looks, charisma, and talent. Despite all he has though, he remains one of the
nicest guys around (who enliven the party mood in

Bohol

).
How can you not like Baba Yap (John Geesnell Yap II in real life) who is
turning a year “older” and “wiser” this Tuesday, October 16? Even a cynic can
be caught under his spell.

 

Baba Yap can count himself as one of the luckiest men in

Bohol

cum eligible bachelor. Not only was he blessed with
looking like Greek mythological hunk

Paris

,
but he’s a businessman who is managing the Lazer Party Club of the posh Bohol
Tropics. 

 

And has hordes of women on bended knee for him, not just eye
candy for the ladies. Wait a minute; maybe that’s why we, men, don’t like him.

 

His looks have almost been a curse for him because he’s had
to work much harder to gain respect as a hunk. But Baba is the kind of guy you
want in your group of friends because he’s friendly and party with the best of
them.

 

When Baba graced the pilot issue of the then enliv, the first lifestyle section in
Bohol three years ago, it was still selling hotcakes that until now we still
receive text messages from readers (He drew of collective swoon from with young
who instantly fell in love with him) commenting the story. The story was about
Baba’s love of his

Labrador

. He admitted in
the issue that he didn’t have time for girls. This statement stirred the girls’
desire to “possess” him more.

 

Here’s Baba straight from the heart:

 

How the young Boholano people party? We party hard. I’ve been to bars
around the country and I can say that we’re at par with the rest of them, or
even better.

 

What’s your reaction that

Bohol

’s
nighlife is deadly boring, that is nothing to party? Obviously they’ve never been to
Lazer.

 

How do you manage to attract partyphiles in Tagbilaran to
Lazer? We have the best bands and the hottest DJ in town, DJ Mah Key.

 

Do you introduce something new to partying? We
try to introduce something new every once in a while. We’re trying to organize
a sexy group of young female dancers in addition to Models Unlimited and Techno
Tropics.

 

Your motto is: Live hard, die harder.

 

At your age (age not revealed), what is the most important
lesson that life has taught you? To be humble in victory and honorable in
defeat.

 

Who fist told you that you’re a hunk? Nobody.

 

You leave girls or girls leave you? Neither!

 

What do you want to achieve? Greatness at the highest level.

 

Music I play in my room: RNB

 

Person I want to meet? Don’t know yet.

 

What do you value most? My family (Businessmen John and
Geesnell Yap, brother John

Geesnell Yap II who’s married to Emily (nee Ong) – LPU).

 

What makes you happy? Winning

 

What makes you sad? Losing

 

Do you ever find time to relax? Everyday.

 

How much sleep do you normally get per night? 5 – 6
hours

 

What time do you usually go to sleep and wake up? 2 am
to 8 am

 

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep? I
take time to pray.

 

And the first thing that you do when you wake up? Text.

 

What’s your favorite sleeping wear? The clothes I wore the night
before. Haha.. shorts.

 

Boxers or briefs? Secret! Hahaha

 

Sexiest part of me: Hairstyle

 

Do you follow a diet? No.

What’s your favorite food? Sisig

 

What about vegetables and fruit? When I’m in the mood for it.

 

Are you carnivorous? Yes

 

Beef or pork? Beef

 

Any favorite fruit? Bananas

 

How much liquid do you take every day? 6 – 8 glasses

 

Do you have time to work out? No.

 

But you’re into sports, aren’t you? I
play basketball every once in awhile.

 

How do you condition your body? I don’t.

 

What part of your body do you think needs some improvement? Everything.

 

What part of your body is most vulnerable? My
heart.

 

How do you cope with stress? I just take a rest.

 

Favorite hideaway? YCY. It’s a secret code.

 

How often do you see your doctor? Once in a lifetime.

 

And your dentist? Every 6 months.

 

What about your dermatologist? Never. (Baba doesn’t see
a dermatologist, for what?)

 

Do you apply anything on your skin? None.

 

Any vice(s)? None.

 

Do you take vitamins and/or supplements? Centrum

 

What about massage? Seldom.

 

What about movies? Depends on the movie.

 

What is your ideal woman? 5’5 slim and must not be a
transsexual.

 

Your ideal age to settle down? 32-35

 

How do you know that a woman likes you? I don’t know, I never met a woman
who liked me. I guess I’m not a likable guy.

***

You can email me at
leoudtohan@yahoo.com. Or read online at www.bohol.ph. Interact at
www.tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com. Or be “in” at www.mikeygatal.com/connect.