Watercolour
Artist: Jhun Ciolo Diamante
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Earthquake shakes Ontario and Quebec
A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Ontario and Quebec regions at around 1:41PM Wednesday June 23, 2010 sending people streaming out of office buildings.
There are reports the quake was felt in Barrie, Michigan, Newmarket, New York, Ohio, Ottawa. Some people are saying they felt the earth rumble in cities across the province, including Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
nasa opisina ako (ika-limang palapag ng gusali) ng bigla na lamang lumindol at isang malakas na pagyanig ang ang aking naramdaman. akala ko ay nagbibiro ang isa kong kasamahan sa trabaho na hawak ang sandalan ng upuan ko habang nakikipag-usap sa akin ng oras na 'yon. bigla na lamang nagsigawan ang iba ko pang mga kasama ng "LUMILINDOL! LUMILINDOL!" at maya-maya pa ay tumahimik at halos lahat ay nakikiramdam kung ano ang susunod na mangyayari. tumagal ng may 30 segundo ang pagyanig ng lindol, mabuti na lang at hindi na ito nagpatuloy.
Friday, June 18, 2010
PINSEL: Alay Kay Manong Rol Lampitoc
An annual Art Exhibition in celebration of the 112th Anniversary of the Declaration
of Philippine Independence
http://philippineartists.com
Formal Opening:
2:00PM, Saturday, June 26, 2010
Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive, Etobicoke M9C 1V7
Show runs from June 21 to July 11.
(Monday to Sunday, 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Tuesday evenings, 7:00PM to 9:00PM)
Artists:
Rolly Abarilla
Antonio Afable, Jr.
Teody Asuncion
Ma. Nellie Bautista
Cobie Cruz
Frank Cruzet
Jhun Ciolo Diamante
Tony Doctor
Rocille Lampitoc
Romi C MananQuil
Koni Marcoux
Omel Masalunga
Calixto Quiachon
Frank Tonido
Nelia Tonido
and
Rol P Lampitoc, Sr.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by PNB Rapid Remit
http://www.pnbrci.com/ontario.htm
Monday, April 5, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
It's Hell to be Old
An 85-year-old man was requested by his Doctor for a sperm count as part of his physical exam.
The doctor gave the man a jar and said, 'Take this jar home and bring back a semen sample tomorrow.'
The next day the 85-year-old man reappeared at the doctor's office and gave him the jar, which was as clean and empty as on the previous day.
The doctor asked what happened and the man explained, 'Well, doc, it's like this -- first I tried with my right hand, but nothing. Then I tried with my left hand, but still nothing.
'Then I asked my wife for help. She tried with her right hand, then with her left, still nothing. She tried with her mouth, first with the teeth in, then with her teeth out, still nothing.
'We even called up Arleen, the lady next door and she tried too, first with both hands, then an armpit, and she even tried squeezin' it between her knees, but still nothing.'
The doctor was shocked!
'You asked your neighbor?'
The old man replied,
'Yep, none of us could get the jar open.'
The doctor gave the man a jar and said, 'Take this jar home and bring back a semen sample tomorrow.'
The next day the 85-year-old man reappeared at the doctor's office and gave him the jar, which was as clean and empty as on the previous day.
The doctor asked what happened and the man explained, 'Well, doc, it's like this -- first I tried with my right hand, but nothing. Then I tried with my left hand, but still nothing.
'Then I asked my wife for help. She tried with her right hand, then with her left, still nothing. She tried with her mouth, first with the teeth in, then with her teeth out, still nothing.
'We even called up Arleen, the lady next door and she tried too, first with both hands, then an armpit, and she even tried squeezin' it between her knees, but still nothing.'
The doctor was shocked!
'You asked your neighbor?'
The old man replied,
'Yep, none of us could get the jar open.'
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Car A/C (Air Conditioning) MUST READ!!!
No wonder more folks are dying from cancer than ever before. We wonder where this stuff comes from but here is an example that explains a lot of the cancer causing incidents. Hmmm. Many people are in their cars first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, 7 days a week. As I read this, it makes me feel guilty and ill. Please pass this on to as many people as possible. Guess its not too late to make some changes
Car A/C (Air Conditioning) MUST READ!!!
Please do NOT turn on A/C as soon as you enter the car.
Open the windows after you enter your car and turn ON the AC after a couple of minutes.
Here's why:
According to a research, the car dashboard, sofa, air freshener emit Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin
(carcinogen - take time to observe the smell of heated plastic in your car).
In addition to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells.
Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer.
Can also cause miscarriage.
Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50mg per sq.ft. A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene.
If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level.
People who get into the car, keeping windows closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession, excessive amounts of the toxin.
Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver.. What's worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.
So friends, please open the windows and door of your car - give time for interior to air out -dispel the deadly stuff - before you enter.
Thought:
'When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.'
Car A/C (Air Conditioning) MUST READ!!!
Please do NOT turn on A/C as soon as you enter the car.
Open the windows after you enter your car and turn ON the AC after a couple of minutes.
Here's why:
According to a research, the car dashboard, sofa, air freshener emit Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin
(carcinogen - take time to observe the smell of heated plastic in your car).
In addition to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells.
Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer.
Can also cause miscarriage.
Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50mg per sq.ft. A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene.
If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level.
People who get into the car, keeping windows closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession, excessive amounts of the toxin.
Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver.. What's worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.
So friends, please open the windows and door of your car - give time for interior to air out -dispel the deadly stuff - before you enter.
Thought:
'When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.'
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Joke Only
After getting all of Pope's luggage loaded into the limo,
(and he doesn't travel light), the driver notices the Pope is still standing on the curb.
'Excuse me, Your Holiness,' says the driver, 'Would you please take your seat so we can leave?'
'Well, to tell you the truth,' says the Pope, 'they never let me drive at the Vatican
When I was a cardinal, and I'd really like to drive today.'
'I'm sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job!
What if something should happen?' protests the driver, wishing he'd
Never gone to work that morning..
'Who's going to tell?' says the Pope with a smile.
Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel.
The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport,
The Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 205 kms.. (Remember, the Pope is German..)
'Please slow down, Your Holiness!' pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal
To the metal until they hear sirens.
'Oh, dear God, I'm going to lose my license -- and my job!' moans the driver.
The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches,
But the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.
'I need to talk to the Chief,' he says to the dispatcher.
The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going 205 kph.
'So bust him,' says the Chief.
'I don't think we want to do that, he's really important,' said the cop.
The Chief exclaimed,' All the more reason!'
'No, I mean really important,' said the cop with a bit of persistence.
The Chief then asked, 'Who do you have there, the mayor?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
Chief: ' A senator?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
Chief: 'The Prime Minister?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
'Well,' said the Chief, 'who is it?'
Cop: 'I think it's God!'
The Chief is even more puzzled and curious, 'What makes you think it's God?'
Cop: 'His chauffeur is the Pope!'
(and he doesn't travel light), the driver notices the Pope is still standing on the curb.
'Excuse me, Your Holiness,' says the driver, 'Would you please take your seat so we can leave?'
'Well, to tell you the truth,' says the Pope, 'they never let me drive at the Vatican
When I was a cardinal, and I'd really like to drive today.'
'I'm sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job!
What if something should happen?' protests the driver, wishing he'd
Never gone to work that morning..
'Who's going to tell?' says the Pope with a smile.
Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel.
The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport,
The Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 205 kms.. (Remember, the Pope is German..)
'Please slow down, Your Holiness!' pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal
To the metal until they hear sirens.
'Oh, dear God, I'm going to lose my license -- and my job!' moans the driver.
The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches,
But the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.
'I need to talk to the Chief,' he says to the dispatcher.
The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going 205 kph.
'So bust him,' says the Chief.
'I don't think we want to do that, he's really important,' said the cop.
The Chief exclaimed,' All the more reason!'
'No, I mean really important,' said the cop with a bit of persistence.
The Chief then asked, 'Who do you have there, the mayor?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
Chief: ' A senator?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
Chief: 'The Prime Minister?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
'Well,' said the Chief, 'who is it?'
Cop: 'I think it's God!'
The Chief is even more puzzled and curious, 'What makes you think it's God?'
Cop: 'His chauffeur is the Pope!'
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Chinese Cracked Water Pot!!!
This is a good one!
I love this - I hope you do too.
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a
pole which she carried across the back of her neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and
always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot
arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only
one and a half pots of water..
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and
miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the
woman one day by the stream.
'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to
leak out all the way back to your house.'
The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side
of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'
'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower
seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water
them.'
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate
the table.
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to
grace the house.'
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each
have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the
good in them.
SO, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to
smell the flowers on your side of the path!
I love this - I hope you do too.
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a
pole which she carried across the back of her neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and
always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot
arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only
one and a half pots of water..
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and
miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the
woman one day by the stream.
'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to
leak out all the way back to your house.'
The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side
of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'
'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower
seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water
them.'
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate
the table.
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to
grace the house.'
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each
have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the
good in them.
SO, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to
smell the flowers on your side of the path!
Friday, February 12, 2010
"ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign
Dear Families and Friends,
We are human beings.
Anything can happen to us any time.
Below is self explanatory. We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.
If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?
Hence this: "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign
The concept of "ICE" is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is create the name "ICE" in your phone book with the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during an emergency.
For example:
"ICE"(name) . For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1 (name),
ICE2 (name) and ICE3 (name)...etc. A great idea that will make a difference! Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!
The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, incapacitated victims involved have mobile phones, but they didn't know the next of kin to call in case of emergency. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialling the number you have stored as "ICE.."
Please forward this. It won't take too many "forwards" before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.
Remember :-> ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.
We are human beings.
Anything can happen to us any time.
Below is self explanatory. We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.
If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?
Hence this: "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign
The concept of "ICE" is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is create the name "ICE" in your phone book with the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during an emergency.
For example:
"ICE"(name) . For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1 (name),
ICE2 (name) and ICE3 (name)...etc. A great idea that will make a difference! Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!
The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, incapacitated victims involved have mobile phones, but they didn't know the next of kin to call in case of emergency. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialling the number you have stored as "ICE.."
Please forward this. It won't take too many "forwards" before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.
Remember :-> ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Balikan natin ang nakaraan...
MGA KWENTO NG KAIBIGAN NG KAIBIGAN NG TITO KO...HI-HI-HI :))
...ganito noon sa PINAS...
This might reveal your true age...... Panciteria Moderna was the place to go for pancit miki and miki bihon already wrapped in their version of 'tetra pak'. Pancit bihon was the specialty of Panciteria Wa Nam .
At Ma Mon Luk siopao was at 30 centavos; mami was at 70 centavos or 2 pcs of siomai (large) with unlimited soup was at 30 centavos. So with one peso busog ka na.
The Shangri-la in the basement of Shelborne Hotel (at the back) was the place to go for dates if you wanted a dark and cozy atmosphere. The Embers (in Cubao) of Bert Nievera was also popular. The Black Angel along Shaw Blvd near the corner of Kalentong in Mandaluyong was a very good place to listen to soft music (e.g. Fleetwoods, etc) and the lights were also quite low. With Php 30- 50 in your pocket you were in pretty good shape for a date.
'Bakuran' was the in-thing at parties with 'screening' from a friend to assist you in getting a dance with a girl who was very sought after.
Wack-Wack, the Sky Room in Jai-Alai, the penthouse of the Rufino Bldg. as well as the penthouse of the Sarmiento Bldg right opposite it were the favorite places for proms and balls. Sikat ang event if the Hi-Jacks; the Electromaniacs or the Technicolors was the 'combo' playing. Alta Vista along Roxas Blvd. was the favorite place for wedding receptions at Php 8.50 per cover!
Special ringside seats for performances at the Araneta Coliseum were at Php 5.00 per. So with Php 20.00 you could safely invite someone and still have enough for a snack afterwards or a game of 'putt and putt' at the mini-golf place located at the back of Araneta.
During early 60's, 5 centavos and 10 centavos ang bayad sa jeep. Manila and Suburbs ang lahat ng biyahe ng jeep noon na 3 seater lang at pitpit ka pagbata ka pagsumakay ka. Sa Avenida Rizal at Sta. Cruz, Blumentritt, Tayuman, San Roque Church, Espiritu Santo Church, Grace Park at monumento ang mga sikat na lugar.
Yung Good Earth Emporium pwede ring idagdag sa mga magagandang shopping mall noong araw. Yung Manila Grand Opera house, Odeon, Hollywood , Cinerama, Ideal, State, Lyric, Capitol ang mga sikat na sinehan noon. Sa Q.C ay sikat yung Max's Chicken at Dayrit. Ang dollar rate noon ay 3.70Php sa 1$ ang palitan. Ang Sarsi ay cinco centavos (5 centavos) 10 Centavos ang Coke.
Pero sikat yung Canada Dry, Uva at orange ang paborito namin noon. Pag pasko madalas kami sa Sta Cruz para manood ng palabas sa Manila COD para sa Xmas season. Noon walang chippy at potato chips, ang merienda ay banana cue, camote cue, palitaw, biko, pinipig, halo-halo, carioca, pilipit, butsi, hopiang hapon, hopiang munggo, hopiang baboy, bibingka, puto, cassava, cake o budin, suman at mani.
Ang apple ay apat-piso ang benta sa Lawton Bus terminal. Mas mahal pa yung local na chico na pineras. Ang grapes, pear, at apple ang karaniwang binebenta sa mga bus terminal na papuntang south (BLTB). Ang bus noon ay bukas lahat yung isang side kaya doon dumadaan ang mga pasahero. Ang sikat na mga Plaza noon ay Plaza Goiti, Plaza Miranda at Plaza Sta. Cruz. Sa mga bakery sa Manila ay sikat yung machacao na tinapay.
May I add: Hallili Beer (sold to the Sorianos), Tody chocolate drink in cans, Horlicks malted milk tablets; Hallili bus, Super (dog logo) Transit, Yujuico, JD & MD buses; ShoeMart Carriedo (the first SM) followed by 2nd ShoeMart beside Ideal Theater and fourth was SM Echague with a revolving restaurant at the top floor.
Safari Club beside Manila Zoo at the height of the 'Twist' craze, Dance-O-Rama with Pete Roa & Baby O'Brien, Jam Session every 6PM on television.
Now anyone who missed those days can't really claim they've seen and tasted the best. Every generation has its own set of 'Aces'. Do you recall when: You tasted Fres Gusto, Cosmos 'Sarsi' Sarsaparilla, RC Cola, Yes Cola, Teem, Darigold Evap, Liberty Condensada, Choco Vim, Sunkist Orange (in tetra packs), Magnolia Chocolait, (pronounced chocolight), Klim (the word 'milk' spelled backwards), Big 20 Hamburgers, Foot-long hotdog, Tweet & Jiggs Candies(by Mr. Krieger), Sugus Candies, Tootsie Roll, Serg' s Chocolate, Blenda Margarine, kerosene-flavored popcorn and kropeck along Dewey Blvd, dirty ice cream, Magnolia Ice Cream sandwich, Selecta ice cream (now Arce Dairy) and their fresh carabao's milk, Magnolia popsicles in orange, chocolate and langka flavors, Sison Ice Drops in monggo, and buko flavors, Milky Way's buko sherbet, Acme Supermarket' s sundaes and Coney Island's 32 flavors?
You went to: Syvel's, Assandas, Arcegas at the Maranaw Arcade, Funhouse at Bricktown, Aguinaldo, Erehwon Bookstore, Alemars Bookstore, Bookmark, Botica Boie, Makati Supermarket (in Makati!), Rizal Theater (with its spacious lobby) with D'Bankers Barbershop and Leila's Coffee Shop, Tropical Hut (and its hamburger), Acme Supermarket, Cherry Foodarama, The Regent of Manila, Hotel Mabuhay, Manila Hilton, Christmas carnival (where Dusit Hotel now stands), Villa Pansol and Lido Beach?
Rizal what?' 'Who would be crazy to build a cinema in the middle of nowhere?' It turned out to be the best theater in the city of Makati (at the same site now occupied by Shangri-La Hotel).
And ate at: The original A&W along UN Avenue in Manila, Aristocrat across Malate Church, Italian Village, café Valenzuela, Bonanza Restaurant, Brown Derby, Little Quiapo, Country Bake Shop, Selecta Restaurants (owned by the Arce family), Taza de Oro; New Europe, Madrid, Cucina Italiana, La Cibeles at A. Mabini, The Plaza, Jade Garden Restaurant, Luau, The Makati Automat, Sulo Restaurant (in Makati), Makati Fastfood Center (the first ever), Bulakena, Casa Marcos, Au Bon Vivant, Salambao Restaurant, Dairy Queen along Buendia, Di Mark's Pizza, the elegant dining room of the old Army & Navy Club. Botica Boie in Escolta, Albas in Florida , Malate Brown Derby and their signature foot-long hotdog came with its special, extra tarty mustard sauce and a hot, crispy bun. We used to park at their drive-in bays after we were exhausted from all-night partying but with enough energy to gobble down sausages and soft drinks.
The Plaza was the favorite venue for all formal school and social functions. Food was not a big factor so long as cozy couples could have their special table for two.
You shopped at: Escolta, Harrison Plaza (when it was still clean and had the bump cars), Ali Mall, Rustan's in San Marcelino, Aguinaldo's in Cubao, Quezon City; Shoemart in Makati was a small, split-level affair.
The original Rustan's was the garage of the Tantoco's residential house which was eventually converted into a dazzling shop filled with eclectic things and collectibles.
Blockbuster movies were: Love Story, Mahogany, Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Planet of the Apes, Star Wars, Logan's Run, Battlestar Galactica, Paper Chase, Enter The Dragon, Jaws, Towering Inferno, Poseidon Adventure, Carrie, Willard (theme song was Ben sang by a young Michael Jackson), Exorcist, Love Bug, Tinimbang Ka Nguni't Kulang.
You wore, carried or used Denman brush tucked in your back pants pocket, Jordache and Sassoon jeans, Bata rubber shoes, Botak running shoes, Ace flexible comb, Ace clutchbag, Carrera shades, Ray-Ban, Photochromic and Ambermatic shades, Foster Grant sunglasses, Alaskin, tie-dye shirts and pants, double-knit pants, Sergio Valente, Vidal Sassoon, Fiorucci, Banlon, Ye-ye Vonnel shirts, Nik-Nik, Bang-Bang, Faded Glory, Jazzie, Puma Topfit, Tiger Onitsuka, Happy Feet, clogs, Wet look shoes, Pierre Cardin, Brut, Jovan musk oil, Aramis, platform shoes with bell-bottom pants and wide-buckled belts.
You had your hair styled or permed by: Flavio and Carmen, Nomer's, Lita Rio, Grace Lagman, Dick & Lucy, and Kayumanggi. That was the time of Aqua Net stiff, foot-high beehives, French twist and Kiss Me liquid eye liners and Pretty Quik instant facial blotters.
You sang: Bobby, Bobby, Bobby by Jo Ann Campbell, Someday by Ricky Nelson, And I Love Her by the Beatles, Cherish by the Association, Because by Dave Clark Five, Distant Shores by Chad and Jeremy, Rainy Days & Mondays by the Carpenters, You've Got a Friend by Carol King, Hundred Miles by Peter, Paul and Mary, Evergreen by Paul Williams.
Saved whole month's allowance P50 to watch the Beatles perform live at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in 1965.
It was hip to listen to: Bingo Lacson and Jo San Diego (past midnight) of DZMT, the singing sensations from Ateneo de Manila? RJ and the Riots, The Loonilarks, Joe Mari Chan and the APO Hiking Society and dance to live combo music garbed in cocktail dresses and dark suits.
DZMT was affiliated with the Manila Times and was the only broadcast station that stayed on the air past midnight. Jo San Diego was their anchor woman (she with the velvety bedroom voice).
And danced at: Manila Hotel's Jungle Bar, Stargazer, Bayside Night Club (with live music by the Carding Cruz band), and the Nile (and the Italian singing group Five n' Fives), Queue Disco, Circuit Disco, Where else? Altitude 49, Delirium (in Greenbelt ), D'Flame, Rino's, and Velvet Slum, Wells Fargo , and Coco Banana.
After graduation, jam sessions were replaced by night clubs and Bayside was the place to go for live bands and non-stop dancing.
Do you remember when: Dollar to peso exchange rate was $1 = P7, Walang Tindigan buses charged a flat rate of P1, Love Bus fare was P1.50, family size Shakey's Pizza cost less than P40, Malate streets were named after US States (Pennsylvania, Colorado, etc.); Paranaque, San Juan, Makati, Pasig, Las Pinas, Taguig, Pateros and Muntinlupa were municipalities of Rizal province; DLSU was De La Salle College, Poveda was Institucion Teresiana, Adamson University was the original St. Theresa's campus, Robinsons mall was the Assumption Convent campus, Petron was Esso, Villamor Air Base was then known as Nichols Air ;Base, bancas were aplenty in the Baclaran side of Dewey Blvd. (now Roxas Blvd.) and traffic was non-existent in Tagaytay.
PLDT telephone numbers were five digits and you used your index finger to dial a number one at a time.
If you remember all these things, you're history in great company and I dare say, happy to be.
Since the writer was fleeting between two generations (60's-70's), you party goers surely remember the DynaSouls (dubbed the Beatles of the Philippines ), The Tilt Down Men (The Sotto brothers, Tito, & Val, favored the Dave Clark 5) Jaime Jose & the Deltas* (remember Maggie Dela Riva?) What about gate crashing a 'Tipar' (for party) and the ensuing rumble between feuding barkadas: The Havocs, Combat*, & Exotics, meron pang kanya-kanyang busina (car honking id).
Remember BMI (Baguio Military Institute)? That school was a dumping ground for kicked out students from Manila and kids that needed discipline. Let us not forget ang mga taga 'Baste' ( San Sebastian ). Ang daming siga noong araw.
Sure you remember playing Pelota... And drag racing along Ortigas and behind Meralco..
Sikat ka sa barkada kung may 'syota' (girl friend) kang 'Colegiala' (Assumption, STC, St. Scho, Maryknoll, Holy Spirit; and the other schools - St. Paul's, St. Joseph, Centro Escolar ). As proof, you should be wearing her high school ring in your pinkie finger...And dapat karta 9 ...You probably took her out to the Butterfly (at UP) to listen to folk songs and sip Butterfly Iced Tea.
Did you get to date a 'chick' from Brent ( Baguio ) and IS ( Makati )?
Of course you should have enough cash for the gaso (gas), tsibog (food/dinner) , cover charge/drinks at the Flame or Rino's, konting damo, and for the finale, enough datong (cash) para sa 'biglang liko'. Or kung gipit for cash, park at the huge lot of Folk Arts and just do it in the car...Kaya lang dapat may 'Tapwe' (Singkuwenta pesos) pang lagay sa parak (police), and a handy calling card of a military officer with a hand written note in the back that 'you should be given utmost courtesy'... .jeesh...
Then in the late 70's early 80's came the CB radio phenomenon.. Tibs on Makati Ave. for beer and happy hour at the Manila Garden; always overflowing with beer and chicken wings...Tapos masahe sa Imperial Palace or Maalikaya... To cap the night, a stop at Birds of the Same Feather for smooth jazz courtesy of Eddie Katindig.
Tapos you get to do it all over again the following day.
('pag naalala mo at least kalahati ng mga nabanggit na lugar dito....at leasst SINGKWENTA OR MORE KA NA RIN...) he, he, he...!
...ganito noon sa PINAS...
This might reveal your true age...... Panciteria Moderna was the place to go for pancit miki and miki bihon already wrapped in their version of 'tetra pak'. Pancit bihon was the specialty of Panciteria Wa Nam .
At Ma Mon Luk siopao was at 30 centavos; mami was at 70 centavos or 2 pcs of siomai (large) with unlimited soup was at 30 centavos. So with one peso busog ka na.
The Shangri-la in the basement of Shelborne Hotel (at the back) was the place to go for dates if you wanted a dark and cozy atmosphere. The Embers (in Cubao) of Bert Nievera was also popular. The Black Angel along Shaw Blvd near the corner of Kalentong in Mandaluyong was a very good place to listen to soft music (e.g. Fleetwoods, etc) and the lights were also quite low. With Php 30- 50 in your pocket you were in pretty good shape for a date.
'Bakuran' was the in-thing at parties with 'screening' from a friend to assist you in getting a dance with a girl who was very sought after.
Wack-Wack, the Sky Room in Jai-Alai, the penthouse of the Rufino Bldg. as well as the penthouse of the Sarmiento Bldg right opposite it were the favorite places for proms and balls. Sikat ang event if the Hi-Jacks; the Electromaniacs or the Technicolors was the 'combo' playing. Alta Vista along Roxas Blvd. was the favorite place for wedding receptions at Php 8.50 per cover!
Special ringside seats for performances at the Araneta Coliseum were at Php 5.00 per. So with Php 20.00 you could safely invite someone and still have enough for a snack afterwards or a game of 'putt and putt' at the mini-golf place located at the back of Araneta.
During early 60's, 5 centavos and 10 centavos ang bayad sa jeep. Manila and Suburbs ang lahat ng biyahe ng jeep noon na 3 seater lang at pitpit ka pagbata ka pagsumakay ka. Sa Avenida Rizal at Sta. Cruz, Blumentritt, Tayuman, San Roque Church, Espiritu Santo Church, Grace Park at monumento ang mga sikat na lugar.
Yung Good Earth Emporium pwede ring idagdag sa mga magagandang shopping mall noong araw. Yung Manila Grand Opera house, Odeon, Hollywood , Cinerama, Ideal, State, Lyric, Capitol ang mga sikat na sinehan noon. Sa Q.C ay sikat yung Max's Chicken at Dayrit. Ang dollar rate noon ay 3.70Php sa 1$ ang palitan. Ang Sarsi ay cinco centavos (5 centavos) 10 Centavos ang Coke.
Pero sikat yung Canada Dry, Uva at orange ang paborito namin noon. Pag pasko madalas kami sa Sta Cruz para manood ng palabas sa Manila COD para sa Xmas season. Noon walang chippy at potato chips, ang merienda ay banana cue, camote cue, palitaw, biko, pinipig, halo-halo, carioca, pilipit, butsi, hopiang hapon, hopiang munggo, hopiang baboy, bibingka, puto, cassava, cake o budin, suman at mani.
Ang apple ay apat-piso ang benta sa Lawton Bus terminal. Mas mahal pa yung local na chico na pineras. Ang grapes, pear, at apple ang karaniwang binebenta sa mga bus terminal na papuntang south (BLTB). Ang bus noon ay bukas lahat yung isang side kaya doon dumadaan ang mga pasahero. Ang sikat na mga Plaza noon ay Plaza Goiti, Plaza Miranda at Plaza Sta. Cruz. Sa mga bakery sa Manila ay sikat yung machacao na tinapay.
May I add: Hallili Beer (sold to the Sorianos), Tody chocolate drink in cans, Horlicks malted milk tablets; Hallili bus, Super (dog logo) Transit, Yujuico, JD & MD buses; ShoeMart Carriedo (the first SM) followed by 2nd ShoeMart beside Ideal Theater and fourth was SM Echague with a revolving restaurant at the top floor.
Safari Club beside Manila Zoo at the height of the 'Twist' craze, Dance-O-Rama with Pete Roa & Baby O'Brien, Jam Session every 6PM on television.
Now anyone who missed those days can't really claim they've seen and tasted the best. Every generation has its own set of 'Aces'. Do you recall when: You tasted Fres Gusto, Cosmos 'Sarsi' Sarsaparilla, RC Cola, Yes Cola, Teem, Darigold Evap, Liberty Condensada, Choco Vim, Sunkist Orange (in tetra packs), Magnolia Chocolait, (pronounced chocolight), Klim (the word 'milk' spelled backwards), Big 20 Hamburgers, Foot-long hotdog, Tweet & Jiggs Candies(by Mr. Krieger), Sugus Candies, Tootsie Roll, Serg' s Chocolate, Blenda Margarine, kerosene-flavored popcorn and kropeck along Dewey Blvd, dirty ice cream, Magnolia Ice Cream sandwich, Selecta ice cream (now Arce Dairy) and their fresh carabao's milk, Magnolia popsicles in orange, chocolate and langka flavors, Sison Ice Drops in monggo, and buko flavors, Milky Way's buko sherbet, Acme Supermarket' s sundaes and Coney Island's 32 flavors?
You went to: Syvel's, Assandas, Arcegas at the Maranaw Arcade, Funhouse at Bricktown, Aguinaldo, Erehwon Bookstore, Alemars Bookstore, Bookmark, Botica Boie, Makati Supermarket (in Makati!), Rizal Theater (with its spacious lobby) with D'Bankers Barbershop and Leila's Coffee Shop, Tropical Hut (and its hamburger), Acme Supermarket, Cherry Foodarama, The Regent of Manila, Hotel Mabuhay, Manila Hilton, Christmas carnival (where Dusit Hotel now stands), Villa Pansol and Lido Beach?
Rizal what?' 'Who would be crazy to build a cinema in the middle of nowhere?' It turned out to be the best theater in the city of Makati (at the same site now occupied by Shangri-La Hotel).
And ate at: The original A&W along UN Avenue in Manila, Aristocrat across Malate Church, Italian Village, café Valenzuela, Bonanza Restaurant, Brown Derby, Little Quiapo, Country Bake Shop, Selecta Restaurants (owned by the Arce family), Taza de Oro; New Europe, Madrid, Cucina Italiana, La Cibeles at A. Mabini, The Plaza, Jade Garden Restaurant, Luau, The Makati Automat, Sulo Restaurant (in Makati), Makati Fastfood Center (the first ever), Bulakena, Casa Marcos, Au Bon Vivant, Salambao Restaurant, Dairy Queen along Buendia, Di Mark's Pizza, the elegant dining room of the old Army & Navy Club. Botica Boie in Escolta, Albas in Florida , Malate Brown Derby and their signature foot-long hotdog came with its special, extra tarty mustard sauce and a hot, crispy bun. We used to park at their drive-in bays after we were exhausted from all-night partying but with enough energy to gobble down sausages and soft drinks.
The Plaza was the favorite venue for all formal school and social functions. Food was not a big factor so long as cozy couples could have their special table for two.
You shopped at: Escolta, Harrison Plaza (when it was still clean and had the bump cars), Ali Mall, Rustan's in San Marcelino, Aguinaldo's in Cubao, Quezon City; Shoemart in Makati was a small, split-level affair.
The original Rustan's was the garage of the Tantoco's residential house which was eventually converted into a dazzling shop filled with eclectic things and collectibles.
Blockbuster movies were: Love Story, Mahogany, Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Planet of the Apes, Star Wars, Logan's Run, Battlestar Galactica, Paper Chase, Enter The Dragon, Jaws, Towering Inferno, Poseidon Adventure, Carrie, Willard (theme song was Ben sang by a young Michael Jackson), Exorcist, Love Bug, Tinimbang Ka Nguni't Kulang.
You wore, carried or used Denman brush tucked in your back pants pocket, Jordache and Sassoon jeans, Bata rubber shoes, Botak running shoes, Ace flexible comb, Ace clutchbag, Carrera shades, Ray-Ban, Photochromic and Ambermatic shades, Foster Grant sunglasses, Alaskin, tie-dye shirts and pants, double-knit pants, Sergio Valente, Vidal Sassoon, Fiorucci, Banlon, Ye-ye Vonnel shirts, Nik-Nik, Bang-Bang, Faded Glory, Jazzie, Puma Topfit, Tiger Onitsuka, Happy Feet, clogs, Wet look shoes, Pierre Cardin, Brut, Jovan musk oil, Aramis, platform shoes with bell-bottom pants and wide-buckled belts.
You had your hair styled or permed by: Flavio and Carmen, Nomer's, Lita Rio, Grace Lagman, Dick & Lucy, and Kayumanggi. That was the time of Aqua Net stiff, foot-high beehives, French twist and Kiss Me liquid eye liners and Pretty Quik instant facial blotters.
You sang: Bobby, Bobby, Bobby by Jo Ann Campbell, Someday by Ricky Nelson, And I Love Her by the Beatles, Cherish by the Association, Because by Dave Clark Five, Distant Shores by Chad and Jeremy, Rainy Days & Mondays by the Carpenters, You've Got a Friend by Carol King, Hundred Miles by Peter, Paul and Mary, Evergreen by Paul Williams.
Saved whole month's allowance P50 to watch the Beatles perform live at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in 1965.
It was hip to listen to: Bingo Lacson and Jo San Diego (past midnight) of DZMT, the singing sensations from Ateneo de Manila? RJ and the Riots, The Loonilarks, Joe Mari Chan and the APO Hiking Society and dance to live combo music garbed in cocktail dresses and dark suits.
DZMT was affiliated with the Manila Times and was the only broadcast station that stayed on the air past midnight. Jo San Diego was their anchor woman (she with the velvety bedroom voice).
And danced at: Manila Hotel's Jungle Bar, Stargazer, Bayside Night Club (with live music by the Carding Cruz band), and the Nile (and the Italian singing group Five n' Fives), Queue Disco, Circuit Disco, Where else? Altitude 49, Delirium (in Greenbelt ), D'Flame, Rino's, and Velvet Slum, Wells Fargo , and Coco Banana.
After graduation, jam sessions were replaced by night clubs and Bayside was the place to go for live bands and non-stop dancing.
Do you remember when: Dollar to peso exchange rate was $1 = P7, Walang Tindigan buses charged a flat rate of P1, Love Bus fare was P1.50, family size Shakey's Pizza cost less than P40, Malate streets were named after US States (Pennsylvania, Colorado, etc.); Paranaque, San Juan, Makati, Pasig, Las Pinas, Taguig, Pateros and Muntinlupa were municipalities of Rizal province; DLSU was De La Salle College, Poveda was Institucion Teresiana, Adamson University was the original St. Theresa's campus, Robinsons mall was the Assumption Convent campus, Petron was Esso, Villamor Air Base was then known as Nichols Air ;Base, bancas were aplenty in the Baclaran side of Dewey Blvd. (now Roxas Blvd.) and traffic was non-existent in Tagaytay.
PLDT telephone numbers were five digits and you used your index finger to dial a number one at a time.
If you remember all these things, you're history in great company and I dare say, happy to be.
Since the writer was fleeting between two generations (60's-70's), you party goers surely remember the DynaSouls (dubbed the Beatles of the Philippines ), The Tilt Down Men (The Sotto brothers, Tito, & Val, favored the Dave Clark 5) Jaime Jose & the Deltas* (remember Maggie Dela Riva?) What about gate crashing a 'Tipar' (for party) and the ensuing rumble between feuding barkadas: The Havocs, Combat*, & Exotics, meron pang kanya-kanyang busina (car honking id).
Remember BMI (Baguio Military Institute)? That school was a dumping ground for kicked out students from Manila and kids that needed discipline. Let us not forget ang mga taga 'Baste' ( San Sebastian ). Ang daming siga noong araw.
Sure you remember playing Pelota... And drag racing along Ortigas and behind Meralco..
Sikat ka sa barkada kung may 'syota' (girl friend) kang 'Colegiala' (Assumption, STC, St. Scho, Maryknoll, Holy Spirit; and the other schools - St. Paul's, St. Joseph, Centro Escolar ). As proof, you should be wearing her high school ring in your pinkie finger...And dapat karta 9 ...You probably took her out to the Butterfly (at UP) to listen to folk songs and sip Butterfly Iced Tea.
Did you get to date a 'chick' from Brent ( Baguio ) and IS ( Makati )?
Of course you should have enough cash for the gaso (gas), tsibog (food/dinner) , cover charge/drinks at the Flame or Rino's, konting damo, and for the finale, enough datong (cash) para sa 'biglang liko'. Or kung gipit for cash, park at the huge lot of Folk Arts and just do it in the car...Kaya lang dapat may 'Tapwe' (Singkuwenta pesos) pang lagay sa parak (police), and a handy calling card of a military officer with a hand written note in the back that 'you should be given utmost courtesy'... .jeesh...
Then in the late 70's early 80's came the CB radio phenomenon.. Tibs on Makati Ave. for beer and happy hour at the Manila Garden; always overflowing with beer and chicken wings...Tapos masahe sa Imperial Palace or Maalikaya... To cap the night, a stop at Birds of the Same Feather for smooth jazz courtesy of Eddie Katindig.
Tapos you get to do it all over again the following day.
('pag naalala mo at least kalahati ng mga nabanggit na lugar dito....at leasst SINGKWENTA OR MORE KA NA RIN...) he, he, he...!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
John Gokongwei inspirational speech on the commencement exercise of Ateneo students.
Good morning.I am John Gokongwei, Jr. I am not an Atenean but I feel at home with you. Today, at least.
Sixty-two years ago, I could not have dreamt of appearing before the Jesuits and their students to tell the story of MY life. I was no more than a student then, at San Carlos University in Cebu, when my father died suddenly. It left me, the eldest, the responsibility of taking care of my mother and five siblings. That was tough for someone who was 13. Creditors had just seized our home and business and I had no experience with earning a living. But here I am - not all on account of my good looks or charming personality - but because I somehow survived. And when I look back, I know now that I did so because I recognized CHANGE when I saw it.
The first change was war. I had turned 15. My mother had already sent my brothers and sister to China where the cost of living was lower. From Cebu, she and I had to make money to send to them. I turned to peddling. My day began at 5 in the morning. I would load my bicycle with soap, thread, and candles, and then bike to neighboring towns to sell my goods. On market days, I would rent a stall, lay out the goods from the bike, and make about 20 pesos a day, enough for me to survive and to buy even more goods for next time. Those days, you might call my BICYCLE AGE. After two years of biking and peddling at, 17, I entered my BATEL AGE.
The batel was a small very utilitarian boat that defied the open sea and would take me farther from Cebu and all the way to Lucena, from where I would take a truck to Manila, with companions twice or thrice my age. The sea trips could take two to three weeks depending on the weather, and the land trips another five to six hours. (I was lighter then, you can imagine.) On the batel, I read books like "Gone with the Wind" under the great blue sky to pass away the time - even if we traders were always in fear of sea pirates and the bad weather. Once, our batel hit a rock and sank. Thank heavens for my rubber tires! Those were the goods I had with me to sell in Manila. Well, we all held on to those tires, which meant I saved all those traders and those traders saved all my tires. At that time, the War was still going on. Ironically, I look back at the War with the fondest of memories. It was the great equalizer. Almost everyone I knew had lost big and small fortunes at the time. This meant we all started at Ground zero. When the war ended, I was 19. Because of the war, thee economy was more dependent than ever on imports. So when I set up Amasia, my first company, it was to import textile remnants, fruits, old newspaper and magazines, and used clothing from the U.S. There was a side benefit to this. I would wear some of my own stock, so I would have different clothes to wear when I went courting Elizabeth, the woman who would be my wife. But at the end of it, I made some money.
The Bicycle Age was over. The TRADING AGE began. By then, my brothers and sister returned from China. Together, we worked in the trading business I had begun - as bodegeros, clerks, warehousemen, cashiers, and collectors. And all this while they were all still going to school; me, I stopped schooling. Like most Chinese-Filipino families, we worked where we lived, and at times, we had to endure the stench of rotten oranges and potatoes filling our two-story apartment. By the early '50s, we were importing cigarettes and whiskey as well. Business was good. But two factors made me change strategies again. First, I saw that trading would in time become a low-margin business BECAUSE we were at the mercy of our suppliers and buyers Second, I saw that the government was working on import-substitution policies to encourage local business. President Quirino wanted to shore up the country's foreign exchange reserves that had been depleted as a result of the high importation of the post-war years. So I decided to enter the AGE of MANUFACTURING.
In 1957, I started a corn milling plant producing glucose and cornstarch. Why cornstarch? Because I thought - and it turned out, correctly - that the unglamorous cornstarch would be in great demand from better known businesses like textiles, paper, ice cream, pharmaceuticals, and beer But there was one problem: I needed capital. This was not easy. I was 30, had no big company success to back me up, and I didn't know any bankers. Thankfully, Dr. Albino Sycip, then chairman of China Bank, and DK Chiong, then president, gave me a clean loan of P500,000 to start my business. He would be asked later why he did that and he said something about knowing a good man when he saw one. (Maybe he knew something I didn't.) Anyway, from there Universal Corn Products, the predecessor of Universal Robina Corporation, was born. Of course, the bigger cornstarch players did not give us an easy time. They engaged us in a price war. That is a nice way of saying they tried to kill us by selling low. But we prevailed, and started to get clients like San Miguel Corporation. It was my first real taste of competition. And I liked it. I think THAT first experience prepared me for the bigger tougher competitors in my future.
By 1961, cornstarch was becoming a commodity, and I saw that there was no future in a business where we had to keep lowering margins to survive. It was time to get into bigger, and riskier, games played by big multinationals like Procter and Gamble and Nestle. I saw that all they did to capture the market was to brand their products, for instance their coffee and their toothpaste. That is, give their coffee and toothpaste a name, a face and an image that customer would instantly recognize - and identify with quality. Me, I dreamt that one day I would be the Philippine Nestle or General Foods. So the Manufacturing Age for me was giving way to the AGE of BRANDS.
So, we put up CFC, and our first successful product was Blend 45, an instant coffee we put out to directly compete with Nestle's Nescafe. We positioned it as "the poor man's coffee," hired top movie star Susan Roces to endorse it, and employed Procter-and-Gamble veterans to sell it. Basically, we took a page out of the multinational book and applied it to our business. We gave our coffee, snack food, candy, and chocolates a name, a face, an image. Today, Jack and Jill, Max candy, and Cloud 9 have become household names.
It was also at this time that I returned to school for an MBA - with all due respect to the Jesuits, at De La Salle University - and a decade later for a 14-week advanced management program at Harvard. Going back to the university for studies which war had interrupted gave me an appreciation, believe me, for the beauty and the breadth of business life. This is something I believe I would never have gained if I had chosen to stop my education.
The success of URC opened up many opportunities for our group. We had the choice to focus on food where we were very successful - or to pursue other businesses. We decided that there were too many good opportunities to pass up, and that remaining in our comfort zone would stunt our growth. So we got into the Age of Expansion.
For the next two decades, we pursued businesses that answered positive on FOUR CRUCIAL QUESTIONS.
First: Is there a market?
Second: Could we compete against both local and foreign players?
Third: Could we find the right people for the job and did we have enough capital to pursue the business
Last and most important: Did we have the stomach for it? That is, could we take the sleepless nights, the cutthroat competition?
We went into textiles, retail, real estate, telecommunications, aviation, banking, and petrochemicals because we said YES to all those questions. Still, in all those industries, we were faced with tough and worthy competitors - the mighty SM Department Stores and Malls, the unbeatable PLDT, the entrenched Philippine Airlines and the powerful San Miguel Corporation. Most pundits expected us to fail. They were wrong. Robinsons Stores and Mall, Digitel, Cebu Pacific Air and Universal Robina Corporation are now market leaders in their respective fields. That's because they offered the public a choice.
Remember the story of David and Goliath? Every industry has its Goliath. But every David knows that all giants have their weaknesses. Every weakness is an opportunity. In a few months, we will launch our mobile services to compete with two giants, Globe and Smart. Our stomachs are churning for sure - but we know that we faced similar challenges before, and we are hopeful we can prove the pundits wrong again. In the past decade, which is one-sixth of my entire business life, the company has tripled in size.
This was the decade when our companies raised money from the global equity and debt markets, brought our companies public, and hired the best professionals to run them. In six decades, we grew from a one-man team to a group with 30,000 employees.
Now I am in what you can probably call the AGE of GLOBALIZATION. I am always asked where I stand on this issue. I say that it does NOT matter where I stand because as sure as the Ateneo Basketball Team will win next year's UAAP championship, global barriers will come crashing down, and we have no choice but to prepare ourselves for that. Still our company will not take globalization sitting down - OUR future and the country's depend on how we act now. JG operates
branded food concerns in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Hongkong, China, and soon, Vietnam. We also sell our snack foods in India, Korea, and Taiwan - one of the few ASEAN companies to do so.
In a few years, when foreign products find their way into OUR shopping carts as they already have, we want Piattos and Chippy to find their way into THEIR shopping carts as well. Our dream is to be the first group to plant the Philippine flag throughout Asia.
As I look back, I ask myself, "What if I had stopped at cornstarch?" I would probably be the owner of the biggest cornstarch group in the country today or just as possibly, be broke. But I chose to live my life unafraid even during times when I WAS afraid. I discovered that opportunities don't find you. You find your opportunities. I found those opportunities when MY FATHER PASSED AWAY, WHEN WAR CAME, THROUGH CHANGES IN PRESIDENTS AND THEIR POLICIES, DURING MARTIAL LAW, DESPITE THE COUPS D' ETAT, PAST ECONOMIC BOOMS AN BUSTS, AND IN THE MIDST OF MARKET SHIFTS AND MOVEMENTS.
Now I 'm 75 and retired. And funny, but I often wonder what ever happened to my first bike! The bike that was my companion during those first years when my family had lost everything. I wonder where it is now. That bike reminds me that success is not necessarily about connections, or cutting corners, or chamba - the three C's of bad business. Call it trite - but, believe me, success CAN BE ACHIEVED through hard work, frugality, integrity, responsiveness to change - and most of all boldness to dream. These have never been just easy slogans for me. I have lived by them.
I hope that many of you in this room will some day choose to be entrepreneurs. Choose to be an entrepreneur because then YOU create value. Choose to be an entrepreneur because the products, services, and jobs you create then become the lifeblood of our nation. But most of all, choose to be an entrepreneur because then you desire a life of adventure, endless challenge, and the opportunity to be your BEST SELF.
Thank you.
Sixty-two years ago, I could not have dreamt of appearing before the Jesuits and their students to tell the story of MY life. I was no more than a student then, at San Carlos University in Cebu, when my father died suddenly. It left me, the eldest, the responsibility of taking care of my mother and five siblings. That was tough for someone who was 13. Creditors had just seized our home and business and I had no experience with earning a living. But here I am - not all on account of my good looks or charming personality - but because I somehow survived. And when I look back, I know now that I did so because I recognized CHANGE when I saw it.
The first change was war. I had turned 15. My mother had already sent my brothers and sister to China where the cost of living was lower. From Cebu, she and I had to make money to send to them. I turned to peddling. My day began at 5 in the morning. I would load my bicycle with soap, thread, and candles, and then bike to neighboring towns to sell my goods. On market days, I would rent a stall, lay out the goods from the bike, and make about 20 pesos a day, enough for me to survive and to buy even more goods for next time. Those days, you might call my BICYCLE AGE. After two years of biking and peddling at, 17, I entered my BATEL AGE.
The batel was a small very utilitarian boat that defied the open sea and would take me farther from Cebu and all the way to Lucena, from where I would take a truck to Manila, with companions twice or thrice my age. The sea trips could take two to three weeks depending on the weather, and the land trips another five to six hours. (I was lighter then, you can imagine.) On the batel, I read books like "Gone with the Wind" under the great blue sky to pass away the time - even if we traders were always in fear of sea pirates and the bad weather. Once, our batel hit a rock and sank. Thank heavens for my rubber tires! Those were the goods I had with me to sell in Manila. Well, we all held on to those tires, which meant I saved all those traders and those traders saved all my tires. At that time, the War was still going on. Ironically, I look back at the War with the fondest of memories. It was the great equalizer. Almost everyone I knew had lost big and small fortunes at the time. This meant we all started at Ground zero. When the war ended, I was 19. Because of the war, thee economy was more dependent than ever on imports. So when I set up Amasia, my first company, it was to import textile remnants, fruits, old newspaper and magazines, and used clothing from the U.S. There was a side benefit to this. I would wear some of my own stock, so I would have different clothes to wear when I went courting Elizabeth, the woman who would be my wife. But at the end of it, I made some money.
The Bicycle Age was over. The TRADING AGE began. By then, my brothers and sister returned from China. Together, we worked in the trading business I had begun - as bodegeros, clerks, warehousemen, cashiers, and collectors. And all this while they were all still going to school; me, I stopped schooling. Like most Chinese-Filipino families, we worked where we lived, and at times, we had to endure the stench of rotten oranges and potatoes filling our two-story apartment. By the early '50s, we were importing cigarettes and whiskey as well. Business was good. But two factors made me change strategies again. First, I saw that trading would in time become a low-margin business BECAUSE we were at the mercy of our suppliers and buyers Second, I saw that the government was working on import-substitution policies to encourage local business. President Quirino wanted to shore up the country's foreign exchange reserves that had been depleted as a result of the high importation of the post-war years. So I decided to enter the AGE of MANUFACTURING.
In 1957, I started a corn milling plant producing glucose and cornstarch. Why cornstarch? Because I thought - and it turned out, correctly - that the unglamorous cornstarch would be in great demand from better known businesses like textiles, paper, ice cream, pharmaceuticals, and beer But there was one problem: I needed capital. This was not easy. I was 30, had no big company success to back me up, and I didn't know any bankers. Thankfully, Dr. Albino Sycip, then chairman of China Bank, and DK Chiong, then president, gave me a clean loan of P500,000 to start my business. He would be asked later why he did that and he said something about knowing a good man when he saw one. (Maybe he knew something I didn't.) Anyway, from there Universal Corn Products, the predecessor of Universal Robina Corporation, was born. Of course, the bigger cornstarch players did not give us an easy time. They engaged us in a price war. That is a nice way of saying they tried to kill us by selling low. But we prevailed, and started to get clients like San Miguel Corporation. It was my first real taste of competition. And I liked it. I think THAT first experience prepared me for the bigger tougher competitors in my future.
By 1961, cornstarch was becoming a commodity, and I saw that there was no future in a business where we had to keep lowering margins to survive. It was time to get into bigger, and riskier, games played by big multinationals like Procter and Gamble and Nestle. I saw that all they did to capture the market was to brand their products, for instance their coffee and their toothpaste. That is, give their coffee and toothpaste a name, a face and an image that customer would instantly recognize - and identify with quality. Me, I dreamt that one day I would be the Philippine Nestle or General Foods. So the Manufacturing Age for me was giving way to the AGE of BRANDS.
So, we put up CFC, and our first successful product was Blend 45, an instant coffee we put out to directly compete with Nestle's Nescafe. We positioned it as "the poor man's coffee," hired top movie star Susan Roces to endorse it, and employed Procter-and-Gamble veterans to sell it. Basically, we took a page out of the multinational book and applied it to our business. We gave our coffee, snack food, candy, and chocolates a name, a face, an image. Today, Jack and Jill, Max candy, and Cloud 9 have become household names.
It was also at this time that I returned to school for an MBA - with all due respect to the Jesuits, at De La Salle University - and a decade later for a 14-week advanced management program at Harvard. Going back to the university for studies which war had interrupted gave me an appreciation, believe me, for the beauty and the breadth of business life. This is something I believe I would never have gained if I had chosen to stop my education.
The success of URC opened up many opportunities for our group. We had the choice to focus on food where we were very successful - or to pursue other businesses. We decided that there were too many good opportunities to pass up, and that remaining in our comfort zone would stunt our growth. So we got into the Age of Expansion.
For the next two decades, we pursued businesses that answered positive on FOUR CRUCIAL QUESTIONS.
First: Is there a market?
Second: Could we compete against both local and foreign players?
Third: Could we find the right people for the job and did we have enough capital to pursue the business
Last and most important: Did we have the stomach for it? That is, could we take the sleepless nights, the cutthroat competition?
We went into textiles, retail, real estate, telecommunications, aviation, banking, and petrochemicals because we said YES to all those questions. Still, in all those industries, we were faced with tough and worthy competitors - the mighty SM Department Stores and Malls, the unbeatable PLDT, the entrenched Philippine Airlines and the powerful San Miguel Corporation. Most pundits expected us to fail. They were wrong. Robinsons Stores and Mall, Digitel, Cebu Pacific Air and Universal Robina Corporation are now market leaders in their respective fields. That's because they offered the public a choice.
Remember the story of David and Goliath? Every industry has its Goliath. But every David knows that all giants have their weaknesses. Every weakness is an opportunity. In a few months, we will launch our mobile services to compete with two giants, Globe and Smart. Our stomachs are churning for sure - but we know that we faced similar challenges before, and we are hopeful we can prove the pundits wrong again. In the past decade, which is one-sixth of my entire business life, the company has tripled in size.
This was the decade when our companies raised money from the global equity and debt markets, brought our companies public, and hired the best professionals to run them. In six decades, we grew from a one-man team to a group with 30,000 employees.
Now I am in what you can probably call the AGE of GLOBALIZATION. I am always asked where I stand on this issue. I say that it does NOT matter where I stand because as sure as the Ateneo Basketball Team will win next year's UAAP championship, global barriers will come crashing down, and we have no choice but to prepare ourselves for that. Still our company will not take globalization sitting down - OUR future and the country's depend on how we act now. JG operates
branded food concerns in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Hongkong, China, and soon, Vietnam. We also sell our snack foods in India, Korea, and Taiwan - one of the few ASEAN companies to do so.
In a few years, when foreign products find their way into OUR shopping carts as they already have, we want Piattos and Chippy to find their way into THEIR shopping carts as well. Our dream is to be the first group to plant the Philippine flag throughout Asia.
As I look back, I ask myself, "What if I had stopped at cornstarch?" I would probably be the owner of the biggest cornstarch group in the country today or just as possibly, be broke. But I chose to live my life unafraid even during times when I WAS afraid. I discovered that opportunities don't find you. You find your opportunities. I found those opportunities when MY FATHER PASSED AWAY, WHEN WAR CAME, THROUGH CHANGES IN PRESIDENTS AND THEIR POLICIES, DURING MARTIAL LAW, DESPITE THE COUPS D' ETAT, PAST ECONOMIC BOOMS AN BUSTS, AND IN THE MIDST OF MARKET SHIFTS AND MOVEMENTS.
Now I 'm 75 and retired. And funny, but I often wonder what ever happened to my first bike! The bike that was my companion during those first years when my family had lost everything. I wonder where it is now. That bike reminds me that success is not necessarily about connections, or cutting corners, or chamba - the three C's of bad business. Call it trite - but, believe me, success CAN BE ACHIEVED through hard work, frugality, integrity, responsiveness to change - and most of all boldness to dream. These have never been just easy slogans for me. I have lived by them.
I hope that many of you in this room will some day choose to be entrepreneurs. Choose to be an entrepreneur because then YOU create value. Choose to be an entrepreneur because the products, services, and jobs you create then become the lifeblood of our nation. But most of all, choose to be an entrepreneur because then you desire a life of adventure, endless challenge, and the opportunity to be your BEST SELF.
Thank you.
jonray at toronto auto show
ha-ha-ha...parang kailan lang...si jonray ay nakasakay dito sa harkley davidson noong 2004
ito naman ang larawan nya noong nakaraang toronto auto show 2009. nakasakay sya sa kaparehong motorbike
Sunday, January 24, 2010
kay bilis ng panahon...
parang kailan lang ay toronto auto show (2004)
http://grphcs.com/autoshow2004
ito ang mga larawan namin noong auto show 2009
http://grphcs.com/autoshow2009/
february na naman
at toronto auto show na naman (2010)
Friday, January 22, 2010
tandang tanda ko pa...ang nakaraan...iginuhit ang aking larawan ni rol lampitoc
september 2004, bumisita si rol lampitoc sa bahay kasama ang anak na si rocille dahil inihahanda namin ang mga larawan na dapat ipadala sa isang kompanya na nagkagusto sa painting ni rol. habang abala ako sa computer ay iginuhit ni rol itong larawan na ito para sa akin.
maraming salamat rol at nagkaroon ako ng sining mula sa kamay ng dalubhasang pintor (rol lampitoc sr) http://www.lampitoc.com/
Thursday, January 21, 2010
tandang tanda ko pa...ang nakaraan...natutulog si inay
July 2004...tandang tanda ko pa...natutulog si inay...
palit-palitan kaming walong magkakapatid at si tatay na magbantay kay inay tuwing gabi para mayroon s'yang makasama sa ospital. paglabas ko galing sa trabaho ay dumiretso na ako agad sa ospital para s'yang namang makasama ni inay noong gabing iyon.
marami kaming napag-kwentuhan tungkol sa mga masasayang nakaraan sa aming buhay at pilit kong pinalalakas ang kanyang loob dahilan nga sa kanyang sakit na "breast cancer". damang-dama ko ang hirap at sakit na kanyang pinagdaraanan ng mga sandaling iyon. sinubuan ko si inay ng "wanton soup" na binili ko pa sa "spadina" bago ako tumuloy sa pagamutan. gustong gusto n'ya ito kaya't ibinilin n'ya na palagi akong magdala ng soup sa tuwing pupunta ako sa kanya.
may aircon at nakabukas noon ang bentilador ay pinapaypayan ko pa rin s'ya habang kumakain dahil napakainit daw ng kanyang pakiramdam. marahil ay dahil sa mga gamot na inilalagay sa kanyang katawan. makalipas ang maraming oras ng kwentuhan ay nakatulog na kaming pareho. dahil sa pagod ako at galing sa trabaho ay madali akong nakatulog.
kinabukasan ay maagang dumating si tatay sa ospital noon at pagkagising ko ay madali akong nagpaalam sa kanila dahil kailangan kong bumalik sa trabaho at isa sa mga kapatid ko naman ang darating na kahalili para makasama ni inay sa sumunod na gabi.
noong makaalis ako ay ang sabi ni inay ay: "AY NAKU! AY TUTULOG TULOG NAMAN SI TUTOY KAGABI! AT MAS MAHIMBING PA ANG TULOG SA AKIN" - wika ni inay sa aking kapatid :) ha-ha-ha!
dahilan nga sa pagod ako't galing sa trabaho kaya madali akong nakatulog noong sandaling iyon.
dumating na naman ang araw na ako ulit ang nakatakdang makasama n'ya sa ospital. gaya ng dati may dala akong "wanton soup" at sinubuan ko si inay ng mainit na sabaw. nagulat ako dahil napasigaw sya ng "ANG INIT!" ha-ha-ha! sobrang init pala ng soup ha-ha-ha! kaya't pinalamig namin muna ng konti at nang malamig na ay saka sya humigop ulit ng masarap na sabaw.
ng makatulog na si inay ay gumising ako at pinagmasdan ko ang kanyang mukha. dala ko noon ang aking sketch pad at lapis at iginuhit ko ang mahimbing na natutulog mahal na ina. kinabukasan, pagkagising nya at nagdatingan ang aking mga kapatid ay ipinakita ko sa kanila ang larawn ni inay.
"IYAN! SINO ANG TUTULOG TULOG!" ha-ha-ha! napatawa si inay dahil mayroon akong ibidensya na mahimbing ang tulog niya. ha-ha-ha! isa ito sa mga larawan ni inay habang s'ya ay mahimbing na natutulog sa st. joseph hospital - toronto
tandang tanda ko pa...ang nakaraan...natutulog si inay
PUMANAW SI INAY NOONG AUGUST 8, 2004 habang kumakanta kaming lahat ng "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" kasabay ang pagtulo ng aming mga luha. (kaarawan n'ya ay August 16)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
tandang tanda ko pa...ang nakaraan...isang maikling kwento ng aking buhay...
magkasama ang mag-ina sa ilalim ng puno ng malaking mangga. si ida ay nagkakayas ng walis tinting habang si tutoy naman ay tahimik na naglalaro sa likoran ng puno. pitong taong gulang pa lamang si tutoy noong panahong 'yon. tandang tanda ko pa...ang nakaraan.
sa hindi kalayuan ay maraming bata ang naliligo sa ilog at ang ilan ay mga kamaganak ni tutoy. habang abalang nagkakayas ng kayakas si ida ay hindi n'ya namamalayan na papalayo na ng papalayo si tutoy na naglalarong mag-isa hanggang sa nakarating ito sa tabing ilog. nakita n'ya kung gaano kasaya ang mga bata na naglalaro at naliligo sa ilog.
nagsisigawan, nagtatawanan, nagtatalunan ang mga bata na nasa malalim na bahagi ng ilog. bagama't bata ay sinubukan ni tutoy na maligo sa mababang bahagi ng tubig at habang naglalaro sa mababaw na umaagos na tubig ay hindi n'ya namalayan na s'ya pala ay inaagos dahan-dahan ng tubig sa malalim na bahagi na hanggang sa s'ya ay lumubog lumutang. noong una ay walang nakakita sa kanya hanggang nagsigawan ang mga bata...nalulunod!!! nalulunod!!!
mabuti na lang at nakita ng isang binatilyong pinsan ni tutoy at nakilala s'ya kaya't lakas loob itong tumalon at s'ya ay sinagip. maraming salamat kuya ang tugon niya sa binatilyong pinsan. agad nagbihis si tutoy ay nagmamadaling bumalik sa kinaroroonan ng kanyang inang walang kamalay malay sa nangyari.
saan ka galing? ang tanong ni ida. d'yan lang po sa tabi-tabi. naglaro po ang pagod na sagot ni tutoy at hindi namalayan takot at kabang dinaramdam ng bata dahil sa nangyari. gaya ng dati, taminik lang s'yang naglaro sa paligid ng ina at hindi n'ya sinabi ang nangyari dahil alam n'yang maari s'yang pagalitan kaya't nanahimik na lang ang bata.
lumipas ang ilang sandali ay nag-uwian na ang mga bata mula sa ilog at ang iba ay napagawi sa kinaroroonan ng mag-ina. habang naglalaro si tutoy ay nakita siya ng mga batang nagbubulungan..."HINDI BA'T 'YUN YUNG BATANG KAMUNTIK NG NALUNOD?" OO NGA! bulungan ng mga batang naglalakad na s'ya namang narinig ni ida. ano?!!! tutoyyy!!! kamuntik ka ng nalunod ha!!! ha!!! sigaw ni na ida sa tahimik na naglalarong bata na ang akala ay hindi malalaman ng ina ang nangyari.
ha-ha-ha!!! kawawang bata!!!
abangan ang mga susunod pang maikling kwento...
tandang tanda ko pa...ang nakaraan.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
lumabas ang kidney stone ko!!!
ika-walo ng umaga at naglakad lang ako patungo sa pagamutan na may limang daang metro mula sa bahay (sa kabilang bloke lang). hindi masyadong malamig ang simoy ng hangin at nasisimula pa lamang dumami ang mga sasakyang patungo sa kanikanilang trabaho kaya't madaling nakatawid ng kalsada patungo sa pagamutan.
tatlumpong minuto pang naghintay sa ibaba ng gusali dahil medyo napaaga ang aking pagdating para makipagkita sa dalubhasang manggagamot. dala-dala ko ang lumabas na bato mula sa aking pag-ihi (9mm x 6mm).
pagsapit ng tamang oras ay pumasok ako at nagsulat ng mga detalye tungkol sa pribado kong manggagamot (dr pasricha at dr chan) na syang nagrekomenda sa akin para makipag kita sa espesyalitang aking katagpo sa araw na ito (dr dicostanzo).
ayon sa espesyalista ay mabuti at kusang lumabas ang bato mula sa kaliwa kong "kidney". normal na nangyayari ito kapagka bumaba ang bato sa "bladder" at nakita raw niya sa CT scan na nakapusisyon ito sa ibaba ng blabber kaya't posible talagang lumabas ito ng kusa. kinumpirma nya na malinis na ang kaliwa kong kidney.
kaya nga lang ay binigyan nya ako ng babala na mayroong kasing laki ng lumabas na bato ang sa ngayon ay may 1-inch ang layo sa ibaba ng kanang kidney. sa ngayon ay hindi ko pa ito mararamdaman dahil malayo pa sa ihian. ayon sa kanya ay humigit kumulang ay bibilang pa ng taon bago ito bumaba at magdulot ng matinding sakit gaya ng aking naramdaman noon sa kaliwa kong kidney.
ang lahat ng aming napagusapan ay kanyang isinadukumento at kanyang ipapadala sa aking pribadong manggagamot. kinuha rin nya ang bato na lumabas sa akin at kanya raw itong ipapadala sa laborotoryo upang suriin ang mga namumuong kemikal. sinabi nya rin na normal lang daw ang aking kidney at ang daloy ng dugo at wala akong dapat ipag-alala. subalit kung sakaling kikirot ang kanan kong kidney ay sinabi nyang huwag akong magatubili na tumawag ng madaliang tulong o di kaya ay tumakbo na agad sa pagamutan para mabigyan ng nararapat na lunas.
malaki ang aking pagpapasalamat at ang lahat ay naging maayos at sa ngayon ay alam ko na ang mga dapat gawin kung sakaling mauulit ang nangyari noong nakaraang taon.
tatlumpong minuto pang naghintay sa ibaba ng gusali dahil medyo napaaga ang aking pagdating para makipagkita sa dalubhasang manggagamot. dala-dala ko ang lumabas na bato mula sa aking pag-ihi (9mm x 6mm).
pagsapit ng tamang oras ay pumasok ako at nagsulat ng mga detalye tungkol sa pribado kong manggagamot (dr pasricha at dr chan) na syang nagrekomenda sa akin para makipag kita sa espesyalitang aking katagpo sa araw na ito (dr dicostanzo).
ayon sa espesyalista ay mabuti at kusang lumabas ang bato mula sa kaliwa kong "kidney". normal na nangyayari ito kapagka bumaba ang bato sa "bladder" at nakita raw niya sa CT scan na nakapusisyon ito sa ibaba ng blabber kaya't posible talagang lumabas ito ng kusa. kinumpirma nya na malinis na ang kaliwa kong kidney.
kaya nga lang ay binigyan nya ako ng babala na mayroong kasing laki ng lumabas na bato ang sa ngayon ay may 1-inch ang layo sa ibaba ng kanang kidney. sa ngayon ay hindi ko pa ito mararamdaman dahil malayo pa sa ihian. ayon sa kanya ay humigit kumulang ay bibilang pa ng taon bago ito bumaba at magdulot ng matinding sakit gaya ng aking naramdaman noon sa kaliwa kong kidney.
ang lahat ng aming napagusapan ay kanyang isinadukumento at kanyang ipapadala sa aking pribadong manggagamot. kinuha rin nya ang bato na lumabas sa akin at kanya raw itong ipapadala sa laborotoryo upang suriin ang mga namumuong kemikal. sinabi nya rin na normal lang daw ang aking kidney at ang daloy ng dugo at wala akong dapat ipag-alala. subalit kung sakaling kikirot ang kanan kong kidney ay sinabi nyang huwag akong magatubili na tumawag ng madaliang tulong o di kaya ay tumakbo na agad sa pagamutan para mabigyan ng nararapat na lunas.
malaki ang aking pagpapasalamat at ang lahat ay naging maayos at sa ngayon ay alam ko na ang mga dapat gawin kung sakaling mauulit ang nangyari noong nakaraang taon.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Jhun Ciolo Diamante
Jhun Ciolo Diamante, who signs his paintings "DiamanteJhun" is the man behind the http://www.philippineartists.com/, a FREE Virtual Gallery for all Filipino Artists around the world and The Official website of The Philippine Artists Group of Canada (PAG).
Early life and education
Jhun was born in San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines on February 1967. He is the third eldest of eight children. As a child, he always amazed his classmates in drawing cartoons and animals like carabaoes, goats, pigs, popeye the sailor man, mang kepweng, voltes five, machingercy...etc.
Jhun's first exposure and discovery of the arts happened when he joined the on-the-spot drawing contest and win the first place in the elementary division. Since then he always join and win the on-the-spot drawing contest in San Pablo City. Jhun received several medals and recognition at his early age.
In 1982, Jhun won another Gold medal in one of the major competition sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Pablo City – the “on-the-spot at the park” he painted the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal at the main plaza of the city, it was participated by hundreds of city’s talented artists.
Jhun went on to study a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, where he explored his talent in arts. During his college life, he was recognized with his artistic talent in colour rendering and illustrations of buildings and designs. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 1989.
Early life and education
Jhun was born in San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines on February 1967. He is the third eldest of eight children. As a child, he always amazed his classmates in drawing cartoons and animals like carabaoes, goats, pigs, popeye the sailor man, mang kepweng, voltes five, machingercy...etc.
Jhun's first exposure and discovery of the arts happened when he joined the on-the-spot drawing contest and win the first place in the elementary division. Since then he always join and win the on-the-spot drawing contest in San Pablo City. Jhun received several medals and recognition at his early age.
In 1982, Jhun won another Gold medal in one of the major competition sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Pablo City – the “on-the-spot at the park” he painted the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal at the main plaza of the city, it was participated by hundreds of city’s talented artists.
Jhun went on to study a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, where he explored his talent in arts. During his college life, he was recognized with his artistic talent in colour rendering and illustrations of buildings and designs. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 1989.
Family
Jhun met Judy Mercado Romero in 1989 while working as graphic artist in Makati through recommendation from a close friend and officemate - Noemi. After 1 year of working in Bahrain, he eventually married her in 1991. Then the couple decided to stay in Bahrain, where their two sons were born. The eldest, Joshuanimrod, was born in 1992 and Janbonjov was born in 1993. They spent seven and half years in Bahrain and decided to migrate to Toronto, Canada in 1997 where the youngest son, Jonray was born in 2000.
The Bahrain Years
Jhun's first years as a painter in Bahrain were very exciting. He met a lot of Filipino Artists in the country. Majority of the artists in advertising agencies in downtown “Manama” were Filipinos.
They formed a Group of Filipino Artists and had several group art exhibits in the country. Their art shows were recognized by the Shaikhs and royal family members. Also during his stay in Bahrain, he joined the international arts exhibits participated by hundreds of artists from different part of the world held at the Bahrain National Museum.
During his last exhibit before he migrated to Toronto, Jhun was interviewed and featured in the Bahrain TV together with some of his fellow Filipino Artists.
Life in Canada
In 1997, Jhun brought his family to Canada where he continued to work as graphic artist with a corporate company and at the same time he was hired as a web designer by another company to create customized automotive websites.
Jhun is an extremely detail oriented individual and has a proven ability to manage large and varied workloads with minimal supervision. He possesses strong technical and analytical skills, and won the Bell Action Recognition Program of "SPEED" on November 2001. Jhun has also demonstrated first-rate communication and interpersonal skills. He deals directly with sales department and works happily and productively in a team environment.
He produced work of the highest quality for numerous high profile companies and has gained recognition as a dynamic creative designer for automotive website.
Jhun met Judy Mercado Romero in 1989 while working as graphic artist in Makati through recommendation from a close friend and officemate - Noemi. After 1 year of working in Bahrain, he eventually married her in 1991. Then the couple decided to stay in Bahrain, where their two sons were born. The eldest, Joshuanimrod, was born in 1992 and Janbonjov was born in 1993. They spent seven and half years in Bahrain and decided to migrate to Toronto, Canada in 1997 where the youngest son, Jonray was born in 2000.
The Bahrain Years
Jhun's first years as a painter in Bahrain were very exciting. He met a lot of Filipino Artists in the country. Majority of the artists in advertising agencies in downtown “Manama” were Filipinos.
They formed a Group of Filipino Artists and had several group art exhibits in the country. Their art shows were recognized by the Shaikhs and royal family members. Also during his stay in Bahrain, he joined the international arts exhibits participated by hundreds of artists from different part of the world held at the Bahrain National Museum.
During his last exhibit before he migrated to Toronto, Jhun was interviewed and featured in the Bahrain TV together with some of his fellow Filipino Artists.
Life in Canada
In 1997, Jhun brought his family to Canada where he continued to work as graphic artist with a corporate company and at the same time he was hired as a web designer by another company to create customized automotive websites.
Jhun is an extremely detail oriented individual and has a proven ability to manage large and varied workloads with minimal supervision. He possesses strong technical and analytical skills, and won the Bell Action Recognition Program of "SPEED" on November 2001. Jhun has also demonstrated first-rate communication and interpersonal skills. He deals directly with sales department and works happily and productively in a team environment.
He produced work of the highest quality for numerous high profile companies and has gained recognition as a dynamic creative designer for automotive website.
The Philippine Artists Group of Canada
At work, he met a fellow artist and founding member of the Philippine Artists Group of Canada (PAG) – Romi MananQuil. This led to his joining the group and became the first of several young talents that brought more vigour to the PAG.
Steadfastly, Jhun became an invaluable member and was elected as its secretary for two years. However, his mastery of the modern computer and creative web designing made him the group's computer guru and permanent webmaster of the internationally acclaimed website: http://www.philippineartists.com/, a FREE virtual gallery for all Filipino artists around the world. This multi-talented artist continues to awe people for his wizardry in using the computer as a digital canvas when not indulging in his outdoor painting.
At present he is working on his nude painting series with a professional canadian model (STAY TUNE!!!....MORE PAINTINGS TO COME!!!)
Also visit: http://filipinoartists.com/convergence/ HAVE FUN!!!
To learn more about Jhun, please visit his personal website http://jhun.ca/
To learn more about Jhun, please visit his personal website http://jhun.ca/
Monday, January 11, 2010
lumabas ang kidney stone ko!!!
ngayong araw na 'to ika-11 ng enero, 11:46 ng tanghali ay umihi ako at may bigla na lang lumabas na malaking bato. nagulat ako at biglang tumalsik sa ihian na parang may nambato. kokonti lang ang lumabas na ihi pero isang malaking bato (9mm x 6mm) ang tumalsik at isang maliit (2mm x 2mm).
mabuti at kokonti naman ang lumabas na ihi sa akin kaya tuyo pa yung ihian at pinulot ko yung dalawang bato na kinuhanan ko ng larawan at inilagay ko ito sa isang lalagyan para maipakita sa aking doctor. tamang tama at magkikita kami ng aking doctor ngayon huwebes para nga tangalin sana itong malaking bato na nakita nila sa CT scan noong nakaraang disyembre 2009.
ang hindi ko lang sigurado ay kung wala na ba itong ibang kasama dahil mayroon pa rin akong nararamdaman na kumikirot-kirot sa aking kidney.
mabuti at kokonti naman ang lumabas na ihi sa akin kaya tuyo pa yung ihian at pinulot ko yung dalawang bato na kinuhanan ko ng larawan at inilagay ko ito sa isang lalagyan para maipakita sa aking doctor. tamang tama at magkikita kami ng aking doctor ngayon huwebes para nga tangalin sana itong malaking bato na nakita nila sa CT scan noong nakaraang disyembre 2009.
ang hindi ko lang sigurado ay kung wala na ba itong ibang kasama dahil mayroon pa rin akong nararamdaman na kumikirot-kirot sa aking kidney.
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