Smile, a heartwarming song
Posted in: Uncategorized, Video | Comments (0)
I was touched last night when Brooke Shields shared Michael Jackson’s favorite song, because this is one of those I played often on my iPod before it was stolen 
I loved the version of Rod Stewart which I want to share below.
I also included two other versions, that of MJ’s with video clips of the composer, Charlie Chaplin.
Rod Stewart - Smile
Smile - Charlie Chaplin
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile with your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
that’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
“A day without a laugh is a wasted day.” - Charles Chaplin
serious @ July 8, 2009
The finale - Paris Jackson says goodbye to her dad
Posted in: Celebrities, michael jackson | Comments (0)
So poignant and real, tugs straight at the heart. Non stop tears as I watched how Paris, Michael Jackson’s daughter says goodbye to her dad
serious @ July 8, 2009
Stayed up all night once again for MJ (the video tributes)
Posted in: Celebrities, Uncategorized, michael jackson | Comments (0)
I made sure I had a good nap because the memorial for Michael Jackson started midnight onwards. This is the second time I stayed up till morning (the first one was learning of his demise) the past weeks.
serious @ July 8, 2009
The Soul of Money and the Opportunity within the Economic Crisis
Posted in: Inspirational, Uncategorized, finance, money | Comments (0)
I just dedicated my whole weekend to a most fulfilling symposium on environment facilitated by Jon Symes and Therese Ortega.
Therese shared with us a wonderful book, “The Soul of Money” by Lynn Twist . Just from the title I vowed that I will need to read this. When I reached home, I checked out the official website of the book and found an excerpt which I want to share here. Short but filled with insights and food for thought.
In these days of succeeding global crisis and financial shams, which obviously is rooted in what they say is the root of evil, money, one wonders should this rule our lives?
serious @ June 28, 2009
An impressive tribute to MJ by the cebu prisoners
Posted in: Celebrities, Uncategorized | Comments (0)
Oh Boy our very own Cebu prisoners are headlined all over the world with their special tribute to Michael Jackson. I thought they will be repeating their Thriller beat again but I was wrong. Watch the video to find out!
I am really impressed that this performance was covered by international journalists and not only bannered in the foreign press such as CNN but also in leading entertainment and gossip sites.
They just had a day or so to put this together so perhaps they spent the whole time rehearsing just to present this to the world. Applause!
serious @ June 27, 2009
Liza and Lisa on the late Michael Jackson
Posted in: Celebrities | Comments (0)
Michael had three people close to his life with similar sounding names. One is Liza Minelli, another Liz Taylor, both dear friends and the last his Lisa Marie Presley, his ex-wife.
An entertainment site reports that Liza Minnelli revealed that ”all hell’s going to break loose” when Michael Jackson’s autopsy results are in.
serious @ June 27, 2009
Michael Jackson: Robbed of his childhood?
Posted in: Celebrities | Comments (0)
I was just watching an old interview with Michael Jackson who mentioned that one of his favorite compositions and that which closely resembles his life and maybe autobiographical is the song “Childhood”.
I looked for the video and lyrics so I can listen to the song. It is a sad song coming from someone who seemed to have been robbed of the joy of childhood.
Childhood
Composed and Sang by Michael Jackson
Have you seen my Childhood?
I’m searching for the world that I come from
‘Cause I’ve been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart…
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities…
‘Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me…
People say I’m not okay
‘Cause I love such elementary things…
It’s been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood
I’ve never known…
Have you seen my Childhood?
I’m searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates in adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne…
Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my Childhood?
People say I’m strange that way
‘Cause I love such elementary things,
It’s been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood (Childhood) I’ve never known…
Have you seen my Childhood?
I’m searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
But the dreams I would dare, watch me fly…
Before you judge me, try hard to love me.
The painful youth I’ve had
Have you seen my Childhood….
serious @ June 26, 2009
Sleepless Night following the Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson updates
Posted in: Celebrities | Comments (0)
I am most of the time in the internet but yesterday was different. First it was Farrah Fawcett. When I got home and opened facbook I saw a message from a classmate saying she passed away.
serious @ June 26, 2009
Jujups in local news
Posted in: Internet, eCommerce | Comments (0)
Despite the challenges that comes from setting up something new in the country, I am grateful to my friends in the press who have been supporting me in this endeavour.
Below is the latest news write up from Manila Bulletin, print edition.
Click here to see a bigger version.
This write up came out at inquirer.net:
Making personalized items profitable online
By Alexander Villafania
INQUIRER.net
Posted date: May 14, 2009
MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos love making personalized designs and putting them on different items.
A website hopes to capitalize on this hobby and turn design makers into entrepreneurs.
Jujups.ph (www.jujups.ph) runs like a regular online retail shop selling assorted novelty items from mugs, sports bottles, shirts, name cards, greeting cards, among others. The items are also delivered through courier.
The website also offers free online design application that allows users to create new designs. Users could select from the novelty items which personalized designs could be printed. Users could pay for the item and select the number of items to be delivered.
If posted on Jujups’ selections, the designer could get certain percentages from the sale of items that have their original design.
Jujups is available in the US and Singapore.
In an interview, Jujups.ph country manager Mary Anne Tolentino said the local site is still in its beta stage but more novelty items and designs are being uploaded.
Chocolates and other edible items that could carry designs would be added to their inventory.
Tolentino said the Philippines is a unique market, where people like to design novelty items later used as gifts to friends and families.
“Filipinos are sentimental and love to make unique items to make their loved ones remember them. This kind of service would also make amateur designers become popular especially if their original designs are used by other people,” Tolentino said.
Cost is also minimal to users since the site won’t be charging higher for single items that are delivered.
serious @ June 8, 2009
Happy members of Jujups Philippines
Posted in: Internet, eCommerce | Comments (0)
Goodwill and Bridges Bookstores CEO Maritess Suplico, tries out her newly purchased Proudly Filipina T-shirts from Jujups Philippines.
Her son Tom, gamely shows off the Mug he chose from the global online site now in the Philippines.
serious @ June 8, 2009
Trouble brewing in the Philippine Spa Industry
Posted in: Business, Spa | Comments (0)
I was aware of the current concerns that the Spa and Wellness Assoc. of the Phils (SAPI) has been undergoing the past months.
The word ‘wellness’ was added to the organization name just more than a year ago perhaps due to the growing trend of so called ‘wellness’ in relation to the Spa industry. However I think most of the members just focus on the massage and beauty side of the industry and not exactly natural wellness.
I became involved in this arena because an old schoolmate wanted to set up a school for their group in the US. Unfortunately it did not push through but I have gained a lot of knowledge and network because of this.
The industry is very promising but as in any young, so called advocacy organization, problems arise specially when money is involved. I have seen this happen a lot even in other associations. See part of the column below written by Mary Ann Reyes in yesterday’s edition of Philippine Star.
Spa industry woes
It is unfortunate that infighting may cause the country to lose a multi-million peso grant for the internationalization of the Philippine spa industry.
The European Commission, through Ambassador Alister McDonald, informed the Spa Association of the Philippines (SAPI) that it is suspending the implementation of the grant pending resolution of an ongoing leadership issue in the group.
The issue all started when a splinter group within SAPI decided to hold on May 2 an election of the board prior to the May 27-scheduled general membership meeting. The group claims that since one-third of the membership was in attendance on May 2, then there is a quorum to hold a meeting and elect the new board.
But the incumbent board insists that the authority of the members comprising one-third of the membership (assuming they are all legitimate members) as per the group’s by-laws is only to petition for the holding of a special membership meeting and not to hold the meeting, and elections, right there and then.
The incumbent board now accuses the splinter group of engaging in black propaganda that resulted in the lack of quorum for the May 27 meeting. And because no elections were held, the board continues to retain their positions in a hold-over capacity.
This same board has filed a criminal case before the Makati RTC for violation by the leaders of the splinter group of the penal provisions of the Corporation Code when the latter illegally usurped authority not lodged upon them.
Any infighting, especially one affecting an infant and growing industry such as the local spa industry, will not benefit anybody. Let us hope that the two groups will be able to sit together and iron out their differences in a more cordial manner.
In the final analysis, if anyone would like this industry to grow and help the nation, it is imperative that there will be transparency in all transactions, accountability for all actions, proper reporting and that personal interests be clearly differentiated from advocacies.
I believe that owners of the various businesses, members in the association must take a more active role and not allow just their staff to attend important policy meetings. I have attended a couple of such meetings in the past but I dont see the CEOs or at least executive level officers except those involved in the board of the association. So I think, it is not only the fault of the incumbent but the members at large.
I hope the conflict be resolved early with only the interest of the industry in everyone’s agenda.
serious @ June 8, 2009
Pulse Asia’s May 09 Survey on Filipinos’ Vice-Presidential and Senatorial Preferences for 2010
Posted in: Elections | Comments (0)
I just read this recent report on Pulse Asia’s site. I will enumerate some salient info below:
- Senators Escudero and Legarda are the leading vice-presidential contenders, with Vice-President de Castro not far behind
- Almost two in ten Filipinos (17%) are inclined to re-elect Vice-President de Castro. The only other individual to score a double-digit voter preference is Makati City Mayor Jejomar C. Binay (10%).
- Senator Escudero leads the list of vice-presidential bets in Metro Manila (36%) and Class ABC (30%).
serious @ June 7, 2009
A genius says farewell
Posted in: Inspirational | Comments (0)
A good friend of mine sent this via email. I didnt open it immediately since I always get forwarded power point files. However, after I read this just moments ago, I felt so touched. It is such an overwhelming feeling of realization.
I tried looking for a video version but could not find any except one but the background used could not capture the spirit therefore I decided to upload it so I can share the original file with all of you but then slide share apparently does not have any audio. Finally I find this one and I hope you will try to read it from your heart.
serious @ May 31, 2009
Life is like a cup of coffee
Posted in: Inspirational | Comments (0)
From time to time I come across some inspiring stories and videos which I want to share with people via this personal blog. This is one of them.
serious @ May 31, 2009
Reactions to the sex video scandal and the new pro Hayden Kho Blog
Posted in: Internet, Technology | Comments (0)
The Hayden Kho sex video scandal has been written all over the news both online and print, all over the blogosphere, discussed in social networks and TV talk shows.
I just read one interesting analysis just a few minutes ago by Behn Cervantes in his article Supply and Demand where he discussed that the main victim here is not really the women only but the public specially the youth.
Like many reactions, I really found this too sensationalized. The nation has more problems to solve than sex videos. Also, as Behn Cervantes expounded, some TV talk shows have been sending wrong signals to the people. Let me quote part of the article:
Glib and loquacious hosts posture and display a sophisticated air by showing a liberal attitude. They state that what happens between consenting couples inside the bedroom is their business.
So, if it’s “private,” whatever those couples do is fine? Does that uphold traditional values like chastity before marriage, etc.? Are all consenting individuals, not necessarily adults, free to do as they please, as long as their acts happen inside the bedroom—and, for as long as they’re kept secret by both partners? What if the guy has a fiancée or a girlfriend? What if one of the consenting adults were married?
No matter how modern we are now, Philippine morality still doesn’t “champion” premarital sex. Besides, these days, there’s also an economic factor that contributes to the promiscuity that’s becoming the norm among entertainers, who can afford an amoral lifestyle and the consequences thereof—but not their impressionable fans, who can’t afford to get embroiled in unwanted pregnancy or single parenthood!
I guess this is part of the negative side of modern technology - the videocam, you tube, DVDs - all these made it easier to perpetuate the crime to morality.
Let me share an interesting statement graphic from Pipit Blog:
It apparently refers to Katrina Halili.
Because of technology, anyone can express the opinion on the matter. Although for the past week, so much blame is put on Hayden Kho, now cometh a new blog ” Give Hayden a Chance”.
I do not know who started it probably friends or supporters of the now underdog. I LOL when I clicked ‘About Us” as it stated the following:
Kung sinu ang walang kasalanan ay siyang unang bumato! – Santino (galing kay Bro)
For those not familiar with the name Santino and the term “Bro”, it comes from the main character of “May Bukas Pa”, a drama series shown in ABS-CBN. ”Bro” is Santino’s friend Jesus Christ.
There is also a Poll in the blog asking “Does Hayden Koh deserve how he’s being treated right now?”
I answered the poll just to be able to know the running results which as of this writing is”
Yes 31
No 50
The blog must have been put up just recently as there is only one post but now over 40 comments and some of them are really amusing.
By the way I also found a fan page of Hayden Kho in Facebook.
Nevertheless, I hope something good comes out of this very disturbing expose. I still pray that it has not damaged so much of the nation’s morality specially the young who have been exposed to some parts of the video via television.
serious @ May 30, 2009
I was stranded! and the miracle behind it
Posted in: Experiences | Comments (0)
Some of my planned meetings didnt push through during the day so I stayed home working as I don’t like to waste gasoline and toll expenses unless my trip is important. I then I get a text from Bebeth that it is the wedding anniversary of my former officemate Aura visiting from Vienna and they want to treat us for dinner.
I left the house almost 6pm. Barely two minutes after I left the house, Eddie calls to ask if I was in Makati. Eddie is our family trusted person who took care of my lola. My parents took care of his education and gave him work in the ad firm of a family friend. He works as a messenger but in the evening goes home with me. Dad requested him to do so a few years before he passed away because I usually went home late.
Apparently he was in Jackie Lou subdivision five mins from our place since he had to deliver something. I then passed for him so he can go with us as I know I might be going home late.
When we reached C5 just after Heritage Park (where my parents are interred), the battery warning signal lighted then. The car then stopped right at the shoulder. Luckily a motolite battery shop was just beside the road so we called the attendant to check the car. He said the battery seemed new and he thinks the problem is the alternator. However all the electrical shops were already closed. He tried to charge the battery for ten mins so we can bring the car near the shop and avoid being towed.
I learned they have a mechanic who already went home so I begged him to call the person as he stayed only in bicutan. He did and less than an hour later the mechanic arrived.
While waiting, I remembered to update my facebook status via AKA blog. In a few mins I got a call from Ariel, a dear friend who lived at the fort asking how we were. Much later I received an SMS from Vince and shared with me a towing service because his car also bogged down a few days ago.
The mechanic found out one of the stuff in the alternator has burned and needs to be replaced but ideally the whole alternator must be replaced or the car might bog down again in a while. It was expensive but we were in a helpless situation so I agreed. The mechanic went back to Bicutan to get the replacement parts. We waited an hour then another half hour to install it.
I didnt have that much money with me so we drove to the fort to get payment via atm. I then proceeded to the much delayed dinner with my friends as I was famished.
So many things flashed on my mind after that incident. My honda is really very old but I cannot afford to replace it nor have it regularly checked. It couldve happened anytime but what if it happened last week? I didnt have a cent. Even if there was a mechanic where will I get the money to pay them?
What if we got stranded somewhere where there was no one to help at all? The car is automatic so we just can’t push it.
Eddie usually waits for us in makati but all of a sudden he was sent by his boss to paranaque early so he was able to go with us in the car.
The place where we suddenly stopped was just exactly after where my parents are interred. Somehow I felt an unseen hand. I thanked the lord and my parents who had been there to help us through.
serious @ May 21, 2009
A 7-yr old pinay wins talent competition in france
Posted in: proudly filipina | Comments (0)
Another pinay wins a talent competition, this time she is the youngest at only 7 years old. She hails from the city of Vaux-sur-Sein, France.
Last April 25, Françoise sang “Call Me” with such gusto. See her winning piece here:
Our ka pinay at ProudlyFilipina.com, Rose mentioned to me in YM that Françoise was the youngest participant in the ”Le Petire Stars, Le Grand Soir” contest and she won! Her mother is filipina and father, french.
I tried to google more about her but all the sites were in french! Since I havent visited france for a while, my french is rusted but from what I have understood of her interview and other news, we have the following info about Francoise:
- She has been singing since age 3
- She has been playing the piano since age 5
- She adores Freddy Mercury, the former leader of the Queens band
- She speaks 5 languages and 2 of them are Philippine dialects
See her interview below:
serious @ May 16, 2009
