ETC's Big Move

It irks me every time the cable connection fizzles, especially when I'm watching my faves like Glee, Vampire Diaries and Pretty Little Liars. Now, I couldn't care less because ETC can now be seen on free TV over RPN 9!

The Invite

The move from UHF channel SBN 21 to RPN 9 happened last March and the momentous event was marked by two celebrations -- first was the press launch at Club Vogue in New World Hotel and second was the trade launch to advertisers and media agencies at A. Venue Hall in Makati City. Like all the past events of Solar Entertainment, both launches were superbly done and both venues were dressed up to may everyone feel the exciting vive of the big move.

Booths of their top-rating shows livened up both Club Vogue and A. Venue Hall

All of ETC will be moving to RPN 9 and that means the loyal viewers won't miss a single one of their well-loved programs. Anything new to look forward to? Solar revealed that they will have locally-produced shows soon such as the third cycle of Project Runway Philippines and probably a local newcast that will focus on entertainment news.

Model Ornusa Cadness deejayed at the ETC Trade Launch at A. Venue

At the Q&A portion, a silly thought entered my mind and I blatantly asked, "Since ETC is now on free TV alongside the other big networks, will you be using a "K" monicker like ABS-CBN's "Kapamilya", GMA's "Kapuso" and TV5's "Kapatid"? The question elicited chuckles in the room as Solar Entertainment COO Peter Chanliong gave a straight, "No" while Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng jokingly answered,"Maybe 'Kaaway'." They further explained that eventhough ETC is now on free TV, they are not there to compete head-on and they would continue to target "the young, the female, the A,B,C plus market" and not the big chunk CDE market the other networks are fighting over.

Female Power is alive with ETC more than ever!

Blast from the Past - Part 1

As my family and I were walking the cobbled stone path in Intramuros to visit San Agustin and the Manila Cathedral for our 13th and 14th Stations of the Cross, I chanced upon this signage that bore the words "Plazuela de Santa Isabel. Memorare Manila 1945." Could it be? Is it really the place where Colegio de Sta. Isabel once stood in Intramuros? So I took a shot for posterity amidst the darkness of night. I, being a third generation Isabelan (mom studied there for a short while in gradeschool, Taft campus; and my grandma studied in the Intramuros campus) became very interested in this discovery.

After the church visits, on my way back to the parking lot (a good 300 meters of walk), I saw a bigger sign at the corner of General Luna and Anda Streets that confirmed the spot as part of the old campus of Sta. Isabel College. It turns out that the plaza was "made a part of Sta. Isabel College which lacked an open space characteristic of Spanish buildings. Empty lot called Sampalucan joined Calle Anda joined to enlarge plazuela in the 18th century."

Of course because of the war, the place was destroyed and Sta. Isabel College transfered to where it is now, along Taft Avenue in Manila, facing Luneta Park. The plazuela was then restored in 1983 and a "monument dedicated to the non-combatant victims of the last war was erected in 1995 by Memorare Manila 1945."

Since my visit to Intramuros took place past midnight, I did not have time to scout for the marker of the actual spot of the campus. Am sure it was just around the corner but the place was too dark already to capture good photographs. Will return here soon and continue this blast from the past with a part 2.

Family Lenten Tradition: Visita Iglesia

Ever since I can remember, my family never went out-of-town to enjoy the beach during Holy Week. Summer days spent in my dad's province, Daet, Camarines Norte in Bicol, during Holy Week were spent in prayers, hearing mass and watching processions and the much anticipated Salubong on Easter Sunday. In Manila, we would do the "Way of the Cross" and pray each of the 14 stations in different churches. This also gives the family to bond and since both my parents were working and Holy Week was the longest non-working holiday in the country. We've carried this tradition on yearly, even after my dad passed away.

The Way of the Cross (or Stations of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa) according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "constitutes a miniature pilgrimage to the holy places at Jerusalem, the origin of the devotion may be traced to the Holy Land." The Way of the Cross also "signify either a series of pictures or tableaux representing certain scenes in the Passion of Christ, each corresponding to a particular incident, or the special form of devotion connected with such representations."

This year, we were at it again on a Maundy Thursday. Our route started with the churches in the vicinity where we live (Our Lady of La Paz, Sacred Heart, St. Andrew and St. Joseph in Makati).

Then we continued on to nearby churches which were part of some points in our lives (Malate Church where I and my brother were baptized; Our Lady of the Assumption, where both my maternal grandparents had their wakes; and the Santisimo Rosario or UST Chapel, because UST is my and my brother's Alma Mater). Next stop were the churches in the University Belt (San Beda, St. Jude and San Sebastian).

The downtown Manila area came next where we visited landmark churches (Quiapo and Sta. Cruz) and witnessed the penitensya or public penance.

Penitensya or public penance

Final destination was in the walled city of Intramuros where history and religion gave us two of the most beautiful churches (San Agustin and Manila Cathedral).

Part of the Lenten sacrifice was to walk long distances to each cluster since parking was far, but the walk in Intramuros was made beareable because of the long stretch of food stalls where we bought lots of thirst-quenching drinks, barbequed dried squid and our favorite grilled yellow corn.

I also wanted to share that a replica of the Shroud of Turin (from Turin, Italy) is on display at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros. The Shroud of Turin is a centuries old linen cloth that bears the image of a crucified man, believed to be Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed Holy Week everyone.

Jeep Ni Juan

"Beep beep beep beep. Sabi ng tsuper ng jeep. Beep beep beep beep. Tabi kayo’t baka kayo’y maipit," goes one of the famous songs of 70s rock legend Juan dela Cruz about the colorful public transportation that has since been a Filipino trademark. Another Juan is sending us a message of pride for the Filipino jeepney and passion as an entrepreneur.

Jeep ni Juan -- a history of the jeep in the Philippines

"Jeep ni Juan" is a book written by Bienvenido and Pacita Juan with Gerard and Tina Dumlao based on Dr. Maximino D. Juan's entrepreneural journey from being a dentist into establishing MD Juan Enterprises in the late 1960s to become a supplier of jeep replacement parts business. The story also highlights the history of transportation in the Philippines, as Juan’s company assembled and later mass-produced what came to be known as the jeep as inspired by the World War II military vehicle used by the American soldiers. It was said that Dr. Juan ventured into the jeep replacement parts business when he learned that some enterprising Filipinos were refurbishing jeeps that were abandoned by the Americans.

Ms. Pacita "Chit" Juan signing a book

“Jeep ni Juan” is filled with photos and historical accounts of a variety of jeepneys, accompanied by anecdotes from friends, family and business associates that attest to how brilliant Dr. Juan was as a entrepreneur and a family man, raising eight children -- all of whom are successful in their own right -- among them are Bienvenido “Sonny” U. Juan, chair of MD Juan Enterprise, and Pacita Juan, social entrepreneur and owner of ECHOstore and Le Bistro Vert.

"Jeep ni Juan" is published by Anvil Publishing and is available in leading bookstores nationwide.

Me with Ms. Chit Juan at the book launch

Happy birthday, Barkley!

He is everything any girl could ask for -- loyal, caring, sensitive and gives kisses like there's no tomorrow -- only he is not human. He is Barkley, our big but adorable chocolate Labrador.

He joined our family in 2003 as a gift from a neighbor. Since then, we have grown attached to the brown fur ball that grew up into a monster of fun and sweetness.

Happy birthday, Barkley! :)

A Touching Note From A Stranger

This day, exactly 3 years ago, I wrote in my old and now inactive Multiply blog about this heart warming note from a stranger. I just wanted to share this with you and hopefully inspire you as well.

This also reminded me that I should go back to painting and photography and update my deviantART page soon.

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As I was checking my deviantART site a few minutes ago for new deviations and messages, I found a very touching note from a gentleman from the United States, which made my day and I just want to share this with you. Made me reaffirm my belief that love between two people can last a lifetime and be as intense as the day they committed to each other.

The message was posted for one of my uploaded oil paintings. I painted it for one of my art classes back in college. I remember starting this artwork very inspired as I was in love at that time but I barely finished it as I encountered a minor bump in my previous relationship. It is my most favorite work and it still hangs on the walls at home.

A still life done in impressionist style, the painting has all the elements of a love in bloom -- roses, love card and heart pillow -- things that hint of a lady in love. But the title could also just pertain to the roses. Oil on 24" x 24" canvas

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The message from Joseph Thomas, a 62 year-old guy still very much in love with this wife:

“For some time now I have been e-mailing my wife a flower photograph every morning as a small way of saying "I love you."

This morning I sent her your beautiful flower. This makes you a part of a love story that began in 1965.”

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Am flattered and grateful that he made me and my art a part of their wonderful love story. I wish them more years to share in love and blessings.

To view the actual post, click here:

http://iamheartspeak.deviantart.com/art/Love-Blooms-74988777

Does Your Company Need Rescuing?

It is always good to aim and pursue continuous learning even if we are done with school and are now earning a living. Good thing there are seminars out there that we can partake of to be updated with new ideas and facts. Concerned with the steep registration fees? Try looking for credible companies who give free seminars as part of their advocacy.

Perhaps this would interest you.


BusinessWorld, in cooperation with Mansmith & Fielders, Inc., presents Marketing Rescue on April 25, 2010, 1 to 5 pm (registration starts at 12 noon), at the Ayala Museum, Makati Avenue corner De la Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City. Featuring the topic "Back-to-Basics Marketing: Build, Replicate, Accelarate," the event will have as speakers husband and wife dynamic duo Josiah Go and Chiqui Escareal-Go.

"Back-to-Basics Marketing" will answer such questions as: What are steps in marketing to grow your business profitably? How do you evaluate and redirect your marketing effort? How do you use innovation in marketing to gain and sustain competitive advantage?

This is a FREE marketing consultancy seminar wherein the attendees get to raise/ask marketing concerns regarding the companies they represent. How does this work? To reserve your FREE seat, just email your name, company, position and contact details to marcom@bworld.com.ph with the subject RESERVE ME A SEAT AT THE MARKETING RESCUE FORUM, on or before April 19. Also include in the registration your most pressing marketing related problem. The first 10 specific questions will be answered by Josiah Go (product questions) & Chiqui Escareal-Go (service questions). Seats are limited to only 50.

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About BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation

BusinessWorld (http://www.bworldonline.com) is the first and leading business newspaper in the country, with over four decades of experience in economic journalism. From merely reporting the latest news on business and the economy, BusinessWorld has evolved to become the premier business news and information provider to the country’s industry movers and decision makers -- through print, online and learning events.

About Mansmith & Fielders, Inc.

Mansmith & Fielders (http://www.mansmith.net) is the country’s leading consultancy firm that “helps your marketing and sales teams soar!” Established in 1989, it is composed of successful practitioners and entrepreneurs with strong theoretical backgrounds. Mansmith & Fielders is a specialists in Marketing and Sales, Strategy and Innovation Training offering segmentized programs to its clientele.

Mansmith & Fielders has a column called "Mansmith Mentors" which appears in BusinessWorld's Wealth Manager section every Monday.

About the speakers

JOSIAH GO, Mansmith & Fielders Chairman and Chief Marketing Strategist, is a successful entrepreneur and the most awarded business educator in the Philippines. He is recipient of the Agora Awards, TOYM, Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of the world, Lifetime Achievement Award in marketing education, and the World Brand Leadership Award. He took advance marketing, strategy and innovation program at MIT Sloan, London Business School, Wharton and Kellogg.

CHIQUI ESCAREAL-GO, Mansmith & Fielders President and Chief Service Strategist, is author / co-author of 4 marketing books, an adjunct faculty member of the Ateneo de Manila University, CEO of Mansmith Group of Training Companies (Mansmith and Fielders Inc., Corporate Achievers Institute, Day 8 Business Academy Inc), recipient of the Trailblazer Entrepreneur Award 2011 and has attended executive education in Harvard, Kellogg, Columbia/Ceibs and Berkeley.

Immerse in Arts and Culture this Summer

Another good way to spend summer is to visit places where you can learn from, such as a museum. Why not drop by the Ayala Museum one afternoon after a leisure stroll or a shopping spree in the Greenbelt area?

Here are what's in store for you at the Ayala Museum this month of April:


Looking In: Araceli Limcaco-Dans Retrospective - this retrospective exhibit, until May 1 at the G/F Gallery, 3/F Glasslane and Luna & Amorsolo Rooms, gathers a total of 185 portraits, still life paintings, drawings, prints as well as works in various media from the Philippine Women's University, Ateneo de Manila University, several private collections and the family's collection.

The exhibit will be accompanied by a lecture by the spotlighted artist and art educator hereself, Araceli Limcaco-Dans on April 30.


Revolution Revisited Tour - this popular exhibit featuring photographs of the EDSA revolution by Kim Komenich stops over at Glorietta 4 on its nationwide tour and will be there until April 18. Visit Ayala Museum website (http://www.ayalamuseum.org/) for the full schedule of the exhibit tour.


Design Talks: Everywhere We Shoot! - Design Talks is a lecture series that highlights pioneering Filipino creative professionals and this April 16 will feature the dynamic duo of Ryan Vergara and Garovs Garovillo, whose portfolio flaunts an inimitable style through photography, fashion, and graphic design.


L'arc en Ciel Atelier - a painting exhibit until April 26 at the 2/F ArtistSpace featuring the works of Carla Kim, Connie Quirino, Stella Kim and Alfred Galura.

The Diorama Experience - view 60 dioramas at the 2/F Gallery depicting turning points in Philippine history.

Pioneers of Philippine Art - enjoy one hundred years of art through the works of Luna, Amorsolo and Zobel at the 3/F Gallery.

Crossroads of Civilization - have a look back at our precolonial and colonial history at the 4/F Gallery.

Ayala Muesum is open from Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday to Sunday., 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Because Holy Week is just around the corner, please take note of Ayala Museum's holiday schedule. The museum will be closed on the following dates: April 21, Maundy Thursday; April 22, Good Friday; and April 23, Black Saturday. Museum operations will resume on April 24, Easter Sunday.

Ayala Museum is located at Makati Avenue corner De la Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City, beside Greenbelt 4. For inquiries, please call (632) 757-7117 to 21 local 24 or 35 or email at museum_inquiry@ayalamuseum.org.

Dreaming of New York...Pizza

Am a self confessed pizza and pasta lover and can easily survive on eating those for the rest of my life. I've tried Italian and Pinoy pizzas but never one from New York and so I was curious when I heard that a new pizza place just recently opened in A. Venue -- New York Pizza Palace (NYPP).

Inside New York Pizza Palace.

The feel of NY

The exterior is nothing unusual: all glass walls and doors, with an obscure lighted sign and alfresco tables. But once inside, I felt I was transported to a place that I've only dreamed about -- New York City, USA. I saw familiar street signs and NY icons (Times Square, Mulberry St., Coney Island, Grand Central, and Fifth Avenue, among others) on the walls of the interior but the main attraction was the LED ticker board splashed across the ceiling, showing actual New York Stock Market, sports scores and news that New Yorkers follow. Numerous TV monitors showed live footages, real-time happenings at Times Square and Fifth Avenue, being updated every 30 seconds. The "Empire State of Mind" video of Alicia Keys and Jay-Z plays at an hourly interval and every so often, the screens will show old movies that had the New York theme such as The Godfather series.

NY icons such as baseball player Babe Ruth, Yankee stadium and original yellow subway chairs, among others.

The LED board showing NY stock exchange results, sports scores and news.

Screens with real time NY scenes.

The ordering counter reveals more NY attributes -- the menu board looks like the ticketing panels of the Grand Central train station; colorful NY graffiti decorates the surface below the counter; and there were several manhole covers lining the pavement, mimicking the streets of New York.

Graffiti artworks and more NY reminders decorate the counter.

Surprise detail -- NY manhole replica.

The dream of NY

The tour stared with a story by NYPP chief operating officer Eric Orland, who introduced himself as a New Yorker by birth but lived in California. He has been on the hunt for great tasting pizzas but nothing can satisfy his cravings like New York pizzas. So he collaborated with Chef O'Connor to develop authentic NY recipes which he wanted to offer initially to the market in China until a Filipino-American friends suggested he try the market in the Philippines. The opening of New York Pizza Palace was the materialization of a dream that took 7 years to fulfill and this first branch in A. Venue, Makati Avenue, is just the beginning.

Their main offerings are pasta and pizza but they have a lot more for the discriminating palate of the working people of Makati City. Everything if made fresh (cooked as they are ordered as much as possible) and served hot. You can even view the pizza being made through a glass show window at the side counter and according to Eric, their pizzas are made with four different flavors each to ensure the quality as they are served.

Peek at the pizza show window to see how your pizza is being made fresh.

The taste of NY

For starters, their NYPP Sicilian salad was served -- a perfect combination of romaine lettuce, croutons, marinated steamed chicken, mango, grapes, diced tomatoes and cashew nuts tossed with their signature Sicilian dressing. The salad was delightfully refreshing and tasty, with the dressing made from the finest and freshest ingredients and did not come out of a bottle.

NYPP Sicilian salad

Next were their best seller pastas: Fettucine Alfredo Chicken, Penne with Grilled Chicken and Pesto and Seafood and Garlic Linguine. The alfredo white cream sauce was surprisingly light, not oily nor overly creamy but flavorful enough to offset the mildly salted chicken bits; penne pesto has fresh, earthy taste brought about by the roasted vegetables and mild garlic flavor; while the seafood pasta has strong garlic flavor and good mix of shrimps and squid rings.

Fettucine Alfredo Chicken

Penne with Grilled Chicken and Pesto

Seafood and Garlic Linguine

An interesting appetizer called Suppli, their signature rice ball stuffed with parmesan and cheddar cheese, fried to golden perfection and served with marinara sauce, is heavy enough as a main dish. Crusty outside and soft inside, the cheese and tomato sauce blend beautifully inside the mouth. Yum!

Suppli, originally an Italian appetizer

The Chicken Wings (NYPP's version of buffalo wings) are fantastic! The skin is crunchy like lechon skin and their very own sweet-chili winger sauce seals the deal.

NYPP Chicken Wings

Pizza is their main offering and so NYPP makes sure that every pizza is made right and every slice is served fresh. Eric told us that, "What makes good quality pizza is the crispness of the product. You can hear the crisp when they cut it." NYPP has 7 Classic Pizza flavors: New York Style Cheese, Pepperoni, Triple Meat Lover, Fire Grilled Vegetable, Wild Mushroom, Sweet Sausage and Hawaiian. The cheese pizza was mildly salty which is great because one gets to enjoy the chewy goodness of the cheeses without choking on salty flavor; the meat pizza, a triple delight pizza with ham, pepperoni and Italian sausage, was not greasy at all and the freshness of the tomato sauce can be tasted.

PIZZA!!! (clockwise from the top) Mini Meatballs, Triple Meat Lover, New York Style Cheese and Spicy Shrimp

As if the 7 classics are not enough, NYPP also developed their Signature Pizzas namely NYPP Vodka Pie, Spinach & Artichoke, Mini Meatballs, White Pie, Prince Street Clam, Eggplant Ricotta and NYPP Spicy Shrimp. My early favorites are: the spinach & artichoke, with mozzarella, romano, provolone cheese, breadcrumbs and basil leaves -- satisfying but light despite the thick spinach & artichoke mixture and cheese; the vodka pie, which actually has no alcohol but rather a mix of sauces including creamy tomato sauce and basil leaves; the eggplant ricotta, which has a rich cheese flavor from ricotta, mozzarella and romano cheese was made unique red bell pepper and breaded eggplant; and the white pie which has smoky herb flavor from the onions, bacon and thyme leaves toppings.

More pizza! (clockwise from the top) Spinach & Artichoke, White Pie, Vodka Pie and Eggplant Ricotta

NYPP may look and sound expensive but their prices are competitive in the pizza/pasta market. For those who can't have lunch outside their offices or for those who want to enjoy their favorite pizza, pasta, chicken, salad, appetizers and delicious desserts at home, NYPP delivers to your doorstep. Dial 720-5977 for delivery and feast like New Yorker.

Vroom! Vroom! Have your pizza delivered now.

Visit New York Pizza Palace for an authentic New York dining experience. NYPP is located at A. Venue, Makati Avenue, Makati City and is open from 9am - 4am daily. Please visit http://www.newyorkpizzapalace.com/ for more information.

Me and NYPP's 18" pizza

JACK Really Knows How to Party!

Who is JACK? And what party?

Jack is Jack TV of the Solar Entertainment family and a party was held at the Palladium at the New World Renaissance Hotel to relaunch the channel. Food and drinks flowed, mimes, magicians, and dancers entertained guests from the press and advertising and media agencies.

So what's up with Jack TV? At the launch, Jack TV boasted a line-up that no other channel can match -- an overload of high quality and smart programming that made Jack TV is the #1 General Entertainment Cable Channel. The channel combines comedy, reality, animation. drama, and action all in one place, and having something for everyone. It is the only channel that brings shows such as The Big Bang Theory Season 4, Glee Season 2, WWE, Conan, Survivor Redemption Island and The Event first in the country close to its U.S. airing.

Other shows to look forward to are family comedies The Middle, Raising Hope and Bleep My Dad Says; dramas Chuck Season 3, Sons of Anarchy Season 3, Lie to Me Season 3, Bones Season 6, Psych Season 4 and Burn Notice Season 4; in-demand animated shows The Simpsons Season 22, Family Guy Season 10, King of the Hill Season 13, The Cleveland Show Season 2 and American Dad Season 7; and established sitcoms It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 6, 30 Rock Season 5, The Office Season 7 and Saturday Night Live 35.

The launch also unveiled new and exclusive shows Chicago Code and The Killing, which are sure to give Sunday nights, starting this April, a serious dose of drama.

Jack TV is see on Destiny Cabel Channel 30, Cable Link Channel 57 nd now on Sky Cable Channel 51.