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Affair with the beautiful Baguio

It was a long term goal that the group must have an out of town trip. It was our luxurious dream way back in college, at times when all we had was just a single penny for a student meal. Finally, when we all got our job, we started spending time to different places in the country, booking a trip, boarding a plane bound to various provinces, riding a bus for a long road trip, yes, we did a lot of travel after then, but not altogether. We were with our newfound friends and officemates. Each one schedule was always the reason for not conquering the island side by side.

Until this last December, when half of the group watched a movie together and met at Mega mall (we loved criticizing movie, feeling like an expert). We planned a Baguio trip for February and finally made it to reality! Five only out of ten were able to make it but that was a good start for a series of out of town adventures.
 
Saturday night, we were all gathered at Jen’s house at crame, transforming her house into a noise polluted room. We set off at 12AM to Victory liner Bus terminal only to find out that the next trip to Baguio was almost 4 hours away and we couldn’t wait such long. We wanted to reach our destination as earlier as possible so with our quick decision-making skill, we rode the Bus to Urdaneta in 4 hours and found there a Van heading up to Baguio. At 7AM we were there already breathing the air of the Philippines' Summer Capital!

STRAWBERRY FIELD

With our jackets put on, and bags on shoulders, we trailed the path to where we rode a jeep to La Trinidad, Benguet’s Strawberry farm (with Beatles’ song “Strawberry fields forever” on air). We had long heard that you could experience yourself picking up strawberries directly from the field, but you would have to pay P250. Having not wanted to spend much at the start of journey (we had a really limited budget, half of us then had just resigned from work), we just strolled down there and took unlimited pictures of the greenery (lettuces were all around), strawberry-ness and muddiness of the place. A stall was set up on the side selling strawberries for P150 and above, we bought some and set off to our next stop.

WRIGHT PARK

Have you seen a giant bee riding on a fair sized horse? We did, we saw a large wooden signage of Jollibee riding in a horse promoting the Wright Park! Not only Jollibee could ride a horse, we showed off by riding also this good-looking white horse for a picture taking. I knew he really loved us ‘coz he became an instant celebrity. All of us wanted to have a photo with him and that was for only P10! (We forgot to have his name…).

  

We walked our way toward a small hut there with display of Igorot’s clothes in every corner. The English-speaking senior lady encouraged us to take pictures with those weaved clothes on for only P10! Completed with head dresses, we took unlimited pictures of ourselves in Igorot’s clothing, posing and projecting ourselves in the camera. It was a great feeling to try those kind of clothing wear by our fellowmen Igorot.

THE WHITE MANSION
 
We started our walk again, hearing on every side a man shouting in deep, beautifully modulated voice “Strawberry flavored tahooOOoo! We enjoyed imitating the way they said it, it was really inviting to buy and taste the taho that they were selling.

We made our way then to the White Mansion or The Mansion where the president is staying whenever he visits Baguio. By then, the clouds started to darken and rain was pouring on us so before we all get soaked, we hastened the picture taking and rode the jeep to Mine’s View Park.

MINE’S VIEW

At first, we tried to walk our way to Mine’s View from the White Mansion. Haven't got a single idea how far it was, we attempted it with our umbrellas overhead and finally when we saw the jeepney passing us we hurriedly finished the agony of walkathon. The rain was getting harsher but when we reached the destination, the sky gratefully gave way to our barkada trip, and there were the gracious clear clouds again. We headed to the area where we could have a view of the high and greenish brown mountainous landscape. The place was located in such a height that you could look down to the scaring depth of the cliff. Again we abused the unlimited opportunities to take pictures here and there, not wanting to forget in the future that we have ever set our foot in a known place like that one.

On our way out the Mine’s view park, we noticed a hut store with indigenous music sounding at the foyer area. It drew my attention, the music itself was like a magnet that was pulling me inside the store (I’m a huge fan of ethnic music). Thanks to Marvin, who voiced the suggestion to get in there and we went upstairs and we were greeted by the friendly personnel. Everyone’s allowed to take pictures, you’ll just generously drop a donation of any amount to the donation basin near the entrance. Of course, we were more welcome to buy stuff and other collections; I painfully regretted having not bought any single Music CD there. I would not be able to find that music at any downloading site in the net, there might be few but it would be very hard to find. I enjoyed strolling around the store, overwhelmed by rich culture of Cordillera, from music to traditions to lifestyle, everything was worth preserving. Inside the store, there was a small café that served food and beverages to the store goers. Benj and I were allured by the brewing smell so while our other friends were busy with the picture taking, we sat down and had a cup of coffee.

50’S DINER

It was past 12NN already and our stomachs were grumbling in great protest. In fast pace, we rode our way to the restaurant decided by Jen for our lunch- 50’s Diner. We were so hungry and it was feeling like we could eat a huge basin of food! The place really felt homey and cozy, we were instantly relaxed by the time we got inside. With a budget of P100 and up, you could already enjoy various foods with American-inspired taste and presentation. Hung on the wall were framed posters of classic movies with Manily Monroe and the rest of actors in 50’s era.

We had this funny, unforgettable experience with our friend, Benj. He decided not to take rice so he only ordered Clubhouse sandwich, but by the time his order came, we all dropped our jaw in surprise because there came a giant Clubhouse which took Benj three days to eat completely (no joke, he still had left over clubhouse sandwich in bag when we traveled back to Manila).

BOTANICAL GARDEN

Our stomach full and overwhelmingly satisfied, we went our way to the Botanical garden…and took pictures. We haven't stayed there long since the night was already approaching. We haven’t gotten the chances to stroll around so we just visited the stores there that sell clothing, scarves, bonnets, souvenirs and other stuff. We bought cardigan and scarf, Wendy also spent money on chopping board, which she wanted to give to her mom. After that, we headed our way out and found ourselves a taxi to bring us to our next and final destination for the day.

CAMP JOHN HAY

We asked the taxi driver how much the fare going to Camp John Hay, he told us to give him whatever amount we have decided. We reached Camp John Hay in no time; each of the 6 of us gave P20, Kuyang Driver was surprised about how big the amount we gave him for such a fast and short ride.

We went to the entrance and paid P50 for unlimited time to stroll around Camp John Hay inclusive of course of the unlimited picture taking. It was great fun to visit this former rest and recreation facility of the U.S Armed Forces back in 1903. With its pine-tree lined roads, awesome landscaping, picturesque cottages and wide open spaces, you would really feel the nostalgia of the place, as Camp John Hay once made Baguio the “Little America of the Philippines”.

We were fast paced on our stroll since it was getting dark already, so once we had taken enough photos on one area we would head up way to the next. We were happy still that we were able to experience some of the “must visit” parts of Camp John Hay.

 















GOOD TASTE CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT

One of the famous local restaurants in Baguio City was the Good Taste Café and Restaurant, highly recommended for its overwhelming menu, in real considerable prices. Everyone would get to enjoy the great-tasting food without worrying much of losing big amount. There were 6 of us, hungry and insanely weak of tiredness, who indulged to the delicious Buttered Chicken, one of the best sellers here in Good Taste for such a low price! You would love its crunchiness and sweet sour taste!

When we got the bill, we were awed in great surprise that after filling our stomachs with rice, chicken, mixed veggies and drinks, and after burping ourselves in satisfied fullness, we only had to pay a bill of not even more than 1 thousand pesos! How we wished that we also had Good taste in Manila (with same set of prices of course), Benj even let out a promise that he would treat us to dinner on his next birthday, here in Good Taste…hehe…sagot niya ang kain, kami bahala sa pamasahe. Why not? Going back to Baguio will always be a wonderful thing to look forward!

"The End"

The End.  Isn’t it odd to read an article that starts with The End? Just like how we conform to the idea of typecasting and consistency, we forever think of ending as plainly as it seems, The End. After watching a movie or reading a book, we never get bothered on what will happen next to the characters. The story will linger in us for a while but soon it will be left in oblivion and even if we remember, only up to the act where the writer had ended it. Such ending happens only in reel, butin real life, it’s a different thing

The End. Sometimes we’re happy about it, but oftentimes, we fear it, hate it, avoid it, and deny it. We all know that everything will have to end sooner or later, but nobody believes it until the time has come and most of us unprepared. We’re taking things for granted, getting hooked with the materialistic things, falling hard in love with our present that leaving everything behind totally get us insane. Ending is not synonymous with leaving, goodbye, or dying. It just the end of the chapter and there’s a lot more to life after it.

Things that do matter are the beginning of something after the previous ending. What happens after closing the once open ended relationship? Where are you going after ending an employment? How will you move on from one episode to another? As the year 2012 will bid us goodbye, the year 2013 will greet us with lots of things it has stored for us. In between of yesterday and today, of people coming and going, of holding on and letting go, life takes another turn towards the inevitable changes with no other direction but moving on. But most of us get stuck somewhere in the middle of the past and the present. Together with the end of something, our life also stop from rolling to the road of adventure, figuratively it ended because we made our choice that way.

There’s no permanence in this world, and as they say, to be serious in life is no help because no one’s going to come out here alive anyway. So why not just enjoy and treat things with simplicity starting today? God has made life colorful and simple but man always trying hard to put things in black and white and that makes everything so complicated.

Forgive yourself for the wrong you did, for things you didn’t do and should have done, then forgive others for what they have done to you and to the people you love. Make peace with yourself and with everyone around you. We can build a better world by starting it within ourselves. Every ending is the start of something better, even the end of life here on earth promises a greater, highly rewarding beginning! Let’s all kick off the year with renewed hope, faith and love! Bid the ending with sweet goodbye and greet the beginning with hopeful smile!

"Temperament" Portraits of OBRA

Summer is no excuse for OBRA to laze around; but definitely a chance to pump up more excitement into the hottest time of the season. OBRA’s young professionals get into the coolest nature escape with simply off-the milieu outfits but nonetheless completely unique arts of photography. Nash Anggahan, amazingly paired-off the idea of executives at work with nature wildness, which eventually led to the concept of “Temperament” Portraits of OBRA Incorporated.

Not a corporate-inspired, not quite a depiction of strangeness. Nash directed something that was equal parts formal and savage; fashionable, but with an exotic, wilderness vibe. “Temperament” Portraits of OBRA Incorporated featured OBRA Executive Boards in their first ever fashion photography as newly reinstated OBRA Incorporated with reformed objectives and extended fields of expertise. 

OBRA officers made up of Founding Director Nash Anggahan, Artistic Director Jesie Barandino, Creative  Directress Herna Estillore, Training Head Romel Marfa, Finance Manager Juvy Dincol, Business Unit Head Archipus Perucho, Marketing Manager Uel Ceballos, Sponsorship Head Kristine Tongson, and Publicity and Promotions Head Allan Sandoval set off to the homey paradise of Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife to carry out the “Executives at nature” appeal. Wardrobe mistress Juvy Dincol, made everyone in the team to dress in various characters of business personalities, all with blend of conservative and unconventional styles, while Nash Anggahan led the models to their perfect spot, creating a fabulous story out of each photo shot. Albert Gallano, helped build the striking attitudes of the models with his masterpiece of expressive and highly revealing style of hair and make-up. Defying the conventional style, “Temperament” turned the mismatched fashion elements to a incomparably artsy output. Explore more of OBRA’s complete photos and learn of their events and other creative-filled activities. Visit www.obraincorporated.com.

Customers are always right!

 Customers are demanding by nature. Admit it; blood rushes up your veins when phone line is busy all the time, or when customer service people put you on hold, or when servers in the restaurant ignore your request after waving crazily with both your hands! You hate those front liners for not giving you attention while you are actually giving them business.

Weak customer service can definitely put down the company’s position. Today that we’re bombarded with different ways to speak ourselves,  bad publicity can easily be known on Facebook and Twitter as disgruntled customers talk amongst their friends and family about the experience.  When you’re the customer you like to be treated well and made to feel special. Make it the basis of exemplary customer service. 

Love the phone calls, and always wear your best smile when in front of the people. You show the customers your eagerness to serve when you respond quickly to their inquiries and other requests. It ensures them that any business they may give to the company will be hassle-free and efficiently handled. These are important podiums for generating sales, retaining the customers and creating a positive experience with beneficial publicity. It’s just all about appreciating the customers and honoring the company simultaneously!

The Soul Killer

We are smart, strong, in demand, career-oriented.

We want to do things on our own. We will never admit that we can’t.

We have everything under control. 

Yes, we actually do, because we are superwoman of today’s time. We go through stress, exhaustion and overworking experiences; all the symptoms of a successful woman.  But these make us unwell too. Well, it’s just the Hurried Woman’s Syndrome. There's nothing really life-threatening about it, only life-changing.  

We’re obsessed about living in the age of rage. Women who do too many things at once in roadrunner pace – juggling work with hectic home environment and complicated social life – go through chronic stress, weight gain, sleep problems, weariness, guilt, crankiness. We can still do excellent job, but we probably won’t enjoy it and so are the people around us. We are miserable, burnt out slave to time so we try other coping mechanism like partying, shopping, eating and drinking a lot, taking drugs—anything to anesthetize the pain of stress, and then we will end up tired and strained. 

Poor concentration, high blood pressure and even constant irritability are actually meant to slow us down. Hurried Woman’s Syndrome may not kill us but it can kill our heart and eat at our quality of life. We need a real quiet time. It’s one of the oldest and yet most effective “medicines” in the world: down time. Downshift from a life of hurry to a life of slow. Sit in the quiet of the night – no TV, no Facebook, no cellphone – then drift into the calmest and deepest sleep. Most of the women are suffering from Hurried Woman’s Syndrome, because most of them are too strong to ask for a cure. Take time to breathe and smell the sweetness of life. Relax.

Young OBRAS rock the women's month!

With the out breaking news of OFW being abused or accused of crime they never did, of rural girls being sold in the city to work in the club and sell their bodies, of young women being forced to marriage because of early pregnancy, OBRA Inc. (Organisasyon ng mga Batikan at Respetadong Artista ng Bayan,Ink.)  staging of Filipina…Bakit Ikaw? is nothing but timely. Finished written by OBRA Inc. pool of writers in latter part of 2010, Filipina…Bakit Ikaw? is a more youthful take on presenting women’s concerns without sacrificing the weight of issues and the quality of stage performance. Filipina…Bakit Ikaw? was initially a great hit on its grand launching last March 12 in CAP Auditorium,Makati City with students, teachers, professionals, and representatives from media and arts expressed their positive appraisal  and now – getting more inspired to give the best – is heading on its way to a year round staging to different provinces and schools. OBRA Inc. wanted to bring in something that fit the society’s needs for awareness and information, which are lacking still in many areas of the country today.  

Truth be faced, we are now living in time that line between sexes is going thinner. Women of this society have gone a long way as they are now taking more masculine role, especially the part of shouldering the needs and security of their family. This adds more pressure when unchecked and misguided: it brings an imbalance that could be disadvantageous to the person and to those surrounding her. Filipina…Bakit Ikaw? is a trilogy of the different life stories of Filice, Pinpin and Yna representing the true to life stories of many Filipina who labored for survival but were taken for granted and gotten abused physically, verbally and sexually. 

In these rampant renovating cultures, where just yesterday’s trend are quickly left and replaced, OBRA pool of writers headed by Herna Estillore observed and analyzed the cause and effect of everyday things in able to catch up with the fast-moving lives of the people. Their group of young and carefree minds picked up concerns that were more likely to catch the attention of the generation already exposed to the age of rage and chaos. As they say, story can either make or break a stage play. It takes a certain sense of style to be able to pull off portraying several serious issues all at once and sustain the interest of the audiences as they watch the tale twist and unfold. 

From the progressive story lines to the design elements, Filipina…Bakit Ikaw? under the direction of Jesie Barandino delved into current themes from a distinctly fresh viewpoint. There were none of the dull and dragging scenes – instead this was a performance that was far from our usual idea of brain-cracking, hypothetical representation of women’s issues but for all its distinctions served the same purpose of getting across the substantial message in an inspiring, edgy and contemporary approach. “Since it is a straight play and there are only few characters, it is a challenge for me on how will it be powerful. So I made use of few dance scenes to make it livelier.”  said the young stage play director. Spectators were awed by the remarkable dance choreography of Allan Sandoval and Kristine Tongson in the first act, a break from the customary straight acting play performance. From OFW account of Filice played by Herna Estillore herself, the whole stage transformed into the colorful and whimsy Cabaret set of Pinpin’s story acted out by another OBRA actress, Uel Ceballos. Nash Anggahan, the founder of OBRA Inc., maneuvered the technical wherein he set playful lightings against the moody panels, perfect enough to give the audience the bar scene atmosphere.  Instead of doing the third act as serious and tragic like the first two stories, the love journey of Yna and Hener played by Juvy Dincol and Archipus Perucho cracked the ice as they presented romantic-comedy, but no less high-expressive execution to the husband and wife’s issue. The entire play was an awesome success as the crowd roared in applause at the end of the show. It was an ecstatic feeling for the whole production team led by the production manager Lady Lyn Paras, as they had only less than two months to prepare everything. Jesie, proud and happy for his OBRA team said, “The important in a group is team work. We were able to manage the production and make it as wonderful as it is because we helped each other. We worked hand in hand to complete the play. And I appreciate that everyone is willing to share their time and effort for the production’s sake.

Right now, OBRA Inc. is focusing on the school tour within NCR and provinces to showcase Filipina…Bakit Ikaw?. There are lots to look forward since the group will be starting a new Film project, and at the middle of the year will already create the new Stage play script for the next year production. For more details and information, you can catch OBRA, Inc. in their website www.obra.com. “Filipina…Bakit Ikaw” is brought to you by OBRA Incorporated in partnership with OSRAM Metal-lite, Ital Design, Eclipse, Dunlopillo and NBN’s Sheka program.