In the News: Proudly Pinoy

[poker.face]

perfect

[RonnieR]

Originally Posted by jaygold06

Marlon Stockinger 2012 GP3 Monaco GP Race 2 Winner May 26, 2012
Philippine national anthem...

great. Congratulations

[kiretoce]

Jessica Sanchez singing the "Star Spangled Banner" in PBS' 2012 Memorial Day Concert on the National Mall in Washington, DC.



I like how she sang the national anthem, straight note-for-note as it was written with no vocal acrobatics whatsoever unlike what the likes of a Whitney Houston or a Beyonce Knowles would've done.

[Mercato]

Was at the gym treadmill yesterday and Starworld cable did a replay of AI. Holy cr@p!!! The Philip dude and Jessica did a duet of Love Lift Us Up Where We Belong. That is one SOARING ballad indeed. Well, Jessica was carring the whole song by herself. Philip was just pretty average and pathetic. He can't really carry songs, he cannot carry a tune. Whatta rip-off.

Then when he won, he now stood alone to sing some country hillbilly ditty. Damn, was that all????? It was average with a capital A. I'm not being biased, I'm looking at it from a musical point of view. The guy cannot sing well. One placard in the audience summed it all up - one white girl was carrying "Philip, you're beautiful". So it's all bout being pretty, and that's it. Gaaaawd, he wasnt even that smashing a matinee idol in the first place, everything average, average, average. And there ya go, screaming teenage white girls just voted him in as American Idol. What is the world coming to?

[amigo32]

Because He's a pretty face

kahit ako kung white girl ako, pipiliin ko yung puede isama sa pagtulog, at puedeng sambahin na nakaluhodtoinks

[MatudNilaBaby]

Originally Posted by kiretoce

Jessica Sanchez singing the "Star Spangled Banner" in PBS' 2012 Memorial Day Concert on the National Mall in Washington, DC.



I like how she sang the national anthem, straight note-for-note as it was written with no vocal acrobatics whatsoever unlike what the likes of a Whitney Houston or a Beyonce Knowles would've done.

she has a nice voice but the word endings are not well enunciated. if youre not familiar with the words of star spangled banner you dont know what she was singing. i think she needs to work on that matter.

[Mercato]

Hell, what about the neeeeew American Idol. Can he even pronounce over 90% of what he's saying instead of just slurrrring over the words with that stupid hick accent? He's got average looks, average to below average singing talent, just about the only superior thingy he got over Jessica is that he plays the guitar, and that's just about it.

I remember another dude, Taylor Hicks and he won over our LA gal Katherine McPhee. Taylor can't really sing well, too, but he sings a whole lot better than this Philip dude. Now we have another SoCal gal, Jessica, and she must lose to another scruffy looking hick.

[MatudNilaBaby]

Originally Posted by Mercato

Hell, what about the neeeeew American Idol. Can he even pronounce over 90% of what he's saying instead of just slurrrring over the words with that stupid hick accent? He's got average looks, average to below average singing talent, just about the only superior thingy he got over Jessica is that he plays the guitar, and that's just about it.

I remember another dude, Taylor Hicks and he won over our LA gal Katherine McPhee. Taylor can't really sing well, too, but he sings a whole lot better than this Philip dude. Now we have another SoCal gal, Jessica, and she must lose to another scruffy looking hick.

lol i think she's from texas. well, all of china voted for the white guy philip philipps over the pinoy/hispanic american jessica sanchez thats what i heard of here lol. i doubt if the hispanics voted for here knowing she has a filipina mother. you know over here. racism is quite subtle nowadays.

[icarusrising]

Manila 2012: A golden moment for the Philippine country brand
By: Junie S. del Mundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
1:39 am | Monday, May 28th, 2012


It’s not often that one sees the pieces of the big jigsaw puzzle that is the Philippine country brand come together so perfectly.

Yet on the first week of May, that was exactly what we witnessed when Manila hosted the biggest ever annual Board of Governors meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Projections for participants were surpassed as over 5,300 registrants came, more than one thousand heads over target, exceeding Hanoi’s previous record of 3,000.

Huge turnout

Organizers were amazed at the huge turnout from all sectors and were profuse in their thanks for the good work that the government of the Philippines, led by Department of Finance (DoF) Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, had done.

This, I believe, is indicative of some realities: that confidence—I dare say interest—in the Philippines is back, and that the Philippine country brand’s luster is getting brighter and is increasingly getting noticed around the world.
But it was not just the numbers that we can be proud of, but how we gracefully welcomed our guests, just as a typical Filipino family would go out of its way to delight its guests. The Philippines made sure that Manila 2012 participants—many of whom are regular attendees of world-class, top-level events—would see, feel and appreciate the Philippine country brand through touches big and small.

One of the Philippine government’s initiatives was the Philippine Corporate and Investment Pavilion seminars, carried out with strong support from private sector partners. These extremely well-attended seminars brought together top-notch speakers, including the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, and focused on matters that strongly concern investors and people in the Asia-Pacific. This included the future role of Asia as the new economic center of the world, as well as the Philippines’ best practices and competitive strengths, such as public-private partnerships, tourism and the casino and gaming industry.

These seminars were held at a pavilion that was itself a showcase of Filipino artistry and a fine example of how our country brand could come alive. The Philippine Pavilion was adorned with beautiful pieces crafted by Filipino hands, with colorful pods made brighter by the smiles of the people who manned them. Welcoming everyone was a festive arc installation inspired by the traditional arko and the colors of the parol, handcrafted from plexiglass and metal by Ed Castrillo. From the moment I stepped inside the pavilion, I immediately felt the charm and warmth that is so palpable yet so hard to capture in words. The only word that truly describes it is “Filipino.”

Country brand

To push a country brand, it is important to know each of the components that make it whole and stand out in the world. Through these seminars, the government and the private sector shone the spotlight on the elements that define the Filipino soul while ensuring that the annual meeting participants still got what they came for—world-class seminars, services and delivery. It was public-private partnership at its best.

Talks to work together started in late 2011, where the government and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) eventually sealed an agreement for Manila 2012: The Philippine Hosting of the 45th ADB Annual Meeting by the start of 2012. MAP took care of sponsorship funds and disbursements, and engaged business leaders to rally behind Manila 2012, including the Philippines’ top companies, which pledged support and commitment to this globally anticipated event. As the annual meeting drew nearer, so did this partnership grow stronger, as captured in the many initiatives they did together—dinners held in the homes of Filipino businessmen and a tour of nearby provinces for accompanying spouses, led by no less than the Presidential sister.

A high point for Manila 2012 was the Philippine Country Reception, an unforgettable moment where Filipinos culture came alive through music, dance, fashion and the arts. Through seven performance suites, “The Philippines … the Land of Gold” showcased the wealth of Philippine tradition and the diverse directions the Filipino people have taken, as the nation moves forward. It featured the myths of various indigenous cultures in an original ballet by Max Luna III, with music by Kalayo; the centuries-old barter trade in the Sulu Archipelago through the Pangalay, the signature dance of the Tausug, as performed by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group; and street dancing by the Tribu Pan-ay group. More than anything, it showcased unparalleled Filipino musicality as captured in the stellar performances of Leo Valdez, Bituin Escalante and The Company.

Feeling of pride

The grand finale, wherein the full company sang the theme song “Our Time Is Now” written by Jim Paredes for the annual meeting, was a poignant, beautiful moment that captured what we are, and our aspirations as a people.
I welled with pride seeing how impressed the audience was and felt a sense of satisfaction when I overheard someone, obviously from one of ADB’s succeeding host countries, tell his colleague, “Now I’m nervous, how could we top that?”

Manila 2012 is definitely not an end. In fact, it is just the beginning for the Philippines, as it takes its rightful place in the global arena as a re-emerging nation. The private sector should definitely share in embracing the challenge of sustaining the gains achieved in Manila 2012, as well as the government’s efforts to achieve its goals of sustainable, inclusive growth.
In the same way, defining a country brand is not an end in itself. The Philippine country brand is an evolving promise that continues to transform with us, the Filipino people, and our dreams and aspirations. It is therefore truly gratifying to note that we have finally recognized the promise of our country brand and that we are working hard to give depth and meaning to it. By rallying behind the Philippine country brand—as we have done when we hosted ADB’s biggest annual meeting in history—we can come closer to achieving its myriad promises.

[xxxriainxxx]

Excellent article about a good friend.


May 28, 2012, 7:02 AM HKT
A Pair of Black Heels, Preferably Louboutins


Jane Dee

As a regional brand manager for LVMH who handles its Moët Hennessy, Belvedere, Grand Marnier and other labels, Jane Dee knows a thing or two about wining and dining in Asia.

The 31-year-old Filipina, who lives in Hong Kong, talked about the sand in Boracay, the clubs in Shanghai and the Cajun-fried “comfort food” served at her home airport.

How often do you travel?

At least one to three times per month.

Where do you fly most often?

My key markets are Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Korea. And because we’re a French company, I occasionally visit Paris and Cognac. Sometimes I’ll have meetings with teams from different regions too. My last trip was to Australia and New Zealand for workshops.

Tips for scoring an upgrade?

Traveling with people who fly more than you never hurts.

Which Asian city has the best drinking scene?

Going out in Hong Kong is really fun and easy — it’s accessible to everyone. I like the clubs in Shanghai, because they’re huge, but the music scene could be a lot better, which goes for pretty much everywhere in Asia except Japan. Japan has a really good underground scene, which I appreciate.


What’s your favorite airport?

Hong Kong International Airport. It feels like my second home, because I’m always coming in and out. I know right where my favorite shops and restaurants are. And the food court is pretty great. And OK, a confession: I hit Popeye’s pretty often before flights for a little, um, comfort food.

Which carrier serves the best in-flight meals?

Singapore Airlines is probably the best, as everyone tends to agree. I like Chinese food, so Cathay is also very good, since they’re a Hong Kong airline. As a tip, I would say order the local cuisine option of your airline. Order Asian food on Asian airlines and Western food on American and European airlines. The local food is always better, even on the plane.

Food tips for traveling in Asia?

Don’t feel bad about eating familiar food when your work schedule is busy and you’re stressed out. But you should find time to try something really local and unique to the area at least once each trip. It’s always the best.

How do you keep up with exercise on the road?

I try to wake up early and do a little yoga, but I work for a wine and spirits company, so most of the time that doesn’t happen. I catch up when I get home.

Is that a challenge of your job, avoiding drinking too much?

Since it’s more the norm for the job, we don’t approach it like partying. Yes, there’s a lot of wining and dining and entertaining, but we keep it professional. I only get crazy when I’m not working.

How long does it take you to pack?

Packing is my archenemy. I always stress. It depends where I’m going. If it’s a weeklong trip, I usually start at least two days before my departure. Some tips for girls: Try to avoid clothes that wrinkle easily – jersey dresses are good here. Always take comfortable flats and a pair of black high heels, Louboutin preferably, because they’re versatile but classic.

Do you have a preferred luggage brand?

Samsonite’s Cosmolite line. First of all, it’s just cool – it looks like an alien head. And it’s really light and reliable.

Essential carry-on items?

The BlackBerrys – both work and personal. My computer and my iPad. For beauty products, my very own face wash and moisturizer, because I have sensitive skin. And eye cream is very important.

Favorite hotel in the region?

I’m always impressed by the Ritz. I’ve been fortunate enough to stay with them quite a few times. I especially like the new Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai. It’s so grand. And when you check in, they really give you the feeling that you’ve arrived and will be taken care of. Everyone greets you by name and asks you about your day throughout your stay. And most of the rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the Bund, which is just spectacular.

Which Asian city has the best taxis?

The drivers in Singapore and Tokyo are the nicest, but they’re more efficient in Hong Kong. The drivers in Hong Kong are rude, but you can find taxis everywhere.

Where do you like to go for short-haul weekend getaways?

I’m a beach person, so I love hitting Bali and the Philippines. The beaches in the Philippines are pretty underrated. There are still a lot of places in the Philippines that are undiscovered. I’d like for it to stay that way though, so I’ll just talk about Boracay. Go to Boracay for the sand. You’ll never experience finer, whiter sand anywhere.

–Edited from an interview with Patrick Brzeski

http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2012/05/2...share_facebook

[KnightOfTheFlag]

who is she?...I mean aside from being a manager and flaunting her jet setting lifestyle...

[xxxriainxxx]

Originally Posted by KnightOfTheFlag

who is she?...I mean aside from being a manager and flaunting her jet setting lifestyle...

well, she is LVMH regional brand manager lang naman.. That's a badass position.

[OtAkAw]

I would kill for a job similar to hers. Haha!

[Mercato]

Originally Posted by xxxriainxxx

Excellent article about a good friend.


May 28, 2012, 7:02 AM HKT
A Pair of Black Heels, Preferably Louboutins


Jane Dee

Sa Cebuano kasi, ang ibig sabihin ng Loubout ay Puwet. Entonces pag sinabing Louboutin ay Puwetin. ... sabagay mukhang maganda nga ang shape ng Loubout niya.

[d7beast]

sa english pa Luboter (lu-bo-ter),..

[kenken94]

Originally Posted by Mercato

Sa Cebuano kasi, ang ibig sabihin ng Loubout ay Puwet. Entonces pag sinabing Louboutin ay Puwetin. ... sabagay mukhang maganda nga ang shape ng Loubout niya.

LOL! Lobot jud ang nabantayan oh. -----> translation: Loubout talaga yung napansin oh.

[scamingue]

Nganong loubot naman ang guihisgutan diri.

[Ady001]

Kay mukuha man sila'g Lobotomy. (kukuha siya ng lobotomy)

Hay Mercato, loboutin actually means anal sex in Cebuano.

Hay maciadong OT na ang hilong ito, nahihilo na ako.

[Christian_123]

Moymoy palaboy appears on a indonesian tv show:

[xxxriainxxx]

Originally Posted by OtAkAw

I would kill for a job similar to hers. Haha!

She used to handle Chivas Regal in Shanghai. Haha, we always get VIP entrance in top Shanghai clubs, thanks to her.