A Day in Honor of Children's Books

July 17 is National Children’s Book Day. 

Celebrated every third Tuesday of July, this is in honor of the publication of the Filipino folk tale, “The Monkey and the Turtle” by Dr. Jose Rizal, in the July 1889 edition of the Trubner’s Oriental Record in London. This being the first acknowledged published literary work for children written by a Filipino. 

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People will spearhead the  National Children’s Book Day  opening celebrations this year at the Museo Pambata, with the theme, "Masayang Magbasa sa Sariling Wika." Local publishers will be presenting their latest crop of titles during the event and the Philippine Board on Books for Young People will award the winners of the 2012 PBBY-Salanga and the PBBY-Alcala Prizes.

Welcome to the Club

Exclusivity is the name of the game at the 2nd Avenue event held at the Palladium where guests were treated like royalty with a generous buffet spread of food and drinks, pole dancing numbers and prizes galore. 2nd Avenue recently launched a new show -- The Playboy Club -- that will give you a peek into the exclusive place where one can hide secrets and conduct business with the who's who of society. Gorgeous bunnies abound in keeping with the them for the night.

A world away from the magazine, the Playboy Club is the place to be for anyone who wants to be someone in Chicago circa 1960s. The Playboy Club, the newest drama from Academy Award-winning executive producer Brian Glazer, will have you traveling back in time to an enchanting yet mysterious world of mobsters, big spenders and women who looked to challenge the standards of the time.

Catch The Playboy Club at 2nd Avenue in FREE TV Ch. 29/Global Destiny Ch. 29/Cablelink Ch. 58/SkyCable Ch. 19.

Filed under EVENTS and SHOWS

HerWord.com 10th Anniversary Fair

HerWord.com is turning 10 this year!

BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation's online community for women (http://www.herword.com) started in 2001 as a website aiming to provide everything that a woman would want and need. Herword.com brings to its pages various points of interest -- career, money matters, leisure, health concerns, legal rights, recipes and products -- for women always on the go, be it in the boardroom, classroom or household.

Join HerWord.com as it celebrates this momentous occasion by a special 10th Anniversary Fair happening on November 30 at the Eastwood Mall Central Plaza. Envisioned to be a "Day of Treats" for women, Herword will bring to life its various sections -- Pantry, Her-o-scope, Tester, gallery, Healthdesk, Her Rights, Her Money and Unwind -- through a full day of talks, activities and bazaar shopping.

We invite you to come and join us for a day of bonding with your family and friends.

We are also inviting companies and bazaaristas (with products and services for women) to join the event as a sponsor, an exhibitor or a partner! For more details, please contact 5359923, 5359901 local 706 to 710 or email marcom@bworld.com.ph.

For Herword Fair updates, keep posted to HerWord.com by registering online and subscribing for free at http://www.herword.com/site/main.php?id=Join.

You may also follow this blog for updates and promos:

1) by "liking" My Happy Realm's Facebook Fan Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Happy-Realm/162903540457269);

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3) by following My Happy Realm in Twitter (@MyHappyRealm).

Filed under EVENTS

A Memorable Eventure

This post is not about the event itself (although the photos are) but more of a recounting of the behind-the-scene adventures of organizing a big and important event (or what I like to term as eventure for event adventure). Just wanted to share, even vaguely, this kind of experience, not to brag about, but to learn from.

Host Issa Litton and BW president Anthony Cuaycong

talking about the countdown to the silver anniversary

BusinessWorld (BW) traditionally throws the big parties every 5-year increments of their anniversary. With that in mind, we were set on getting busy for the 25th anniversary next year in 2012. But since silver anniversaries are special, management wanted to hype it a year earlier and do a party to announce the countdown towards the 25th anniversary.

The reveal of the 25th anniversary logo

My Marcom group was tasked to put together a cocktail party for the company's friends and clients with barely a month from the date of the company anniversary and it wasn't until a week after that the venue has been fully secured. What ensued after are days filled with coordinating with the venue's events team plus the F&B people through phone, sms, emails and face-to-face meetings.

Ceremonial toast led by BW officers and board members,

with vice chairman Cesar Virata

Resorts World Manila (RWM) became my alternative work place, together with a staff of mine, as we discussed details for BusinessWorld's 24th anniversary party. Met with the events group, the theater group plus the tech group to give our requirements and also to know the restrictions of the venue. I can say that it was a breeze working with the RWM people because they are all professional and really made us feel that we are in good hands.

Clem Castro of Camerawalls rendered acoustic songs

The main venue was the 3rd floor Vestibule of the Newport Theater while the cozier 2nd floor Vestibule was to be the reception hall for guest registration and the photo wall. We were told that all they have was a simple wooden platform for a stage, basic sound system and lights. That had me worried because we had to stage a party good enough for the VIPs attending, without creating a big dent in the company's pocket. Maybe the guests can just focus on the delectable food that RWM will prepare for us.

The Company made the guests sing along and dance

Come ingress day, I was delighted to see the stage set-up. the plain platform I expected was instead a classy see-through acrylic stage that lights up beautifully. OMG! The guys in-charge surprised me to tears (well, almost to tears). Now, all we needed were the balloon pillars we ordered and the extra stage sound monitors we rented then we are good to go...for the main venue, that is.

A well-attended event despite the far venue and stormy weather

At the reception area, staff were propped down on the carpet with their hands busy cutting paper and tape, and piecing together a simple photo exhibit depicted "a day in a newspaper publishing company." At least, the RWM events team took care of installing the photo wall tarp on the steel frame...the minute they found out where the frame was relocated because it was used for another event. News of the frame's disappearance earlier that afternoon almost gave me a heart attack but since my blood pressure and heart is good, I got a terrible migraine attack instead which lasted until the party started. And I almost went to the event dressed as I was during ingress because I no longer had the energy to dress up for the occasion. I thank my joyful sparing partner for the event for pushing me to relax and take an energizing shower and prepare for the party.

Colorful musical excerpt of Repertory Philippines' Seussical

(currently showing at Onstage Greenbelt until Dec. 2011)

So the purpose of the gathering was to start the countdown to the silver anniversary, now what will we do for the programme? Where to source the entertainment? What else can we offer the more than 600 invited guests who will be coming from areas far from RWM? Its a good thing we have cultivated deep partnerships with the entertainment industry in terms of theater and music. With my able team, who did not give up on the follow-ups, we were able to invite artists who provided great entertainment for the night.

Saxophonist Michael Young from Manila Chamber Orchestra

Of course, my team did not accomplish the feat on our own. On the event night itself, the NTM group took charge of the programme implementation and tech stuff, and did a soft launch of BusinessWorld's mobile application; the creative group also pitched in for areas where art requirements were needed; the advertising group took care of the invitations, RSVPs and the event registration; and management and editorial supported the event.

Thanks to Resorts World Manila and our partners Lilystars Records, Viva Entertainment, Repertory Philippines and Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation that the event was a success and everyone was happy. We are the happier bunch to see that the efforts paid off nicely. Now on to the next eventure as we prepare for the big 2-5 for 2012.

Filed under EVENTS

A Good Thai Experience

This July, Marriott Manila brings back Flavors of Thailand and I was invited to attend the launch cocktails and go on a gastronomic adventure to Thai's Kingdom.

Thai food galore

When I arrived, the programme already began and there was an enchanting Thai dance performance on stage. The dancers, decked in traditional Thai costumes, were mesmerizing to watch as they moved gracefully to the beat of a Ranad (Thai xylophone). After watching for a few minutes, I started to explore the various food stations to satiate my grumbling stomach.

Thai dance performances

Roaming around the food buffet of "Thai Kingdom Come," I saw that it offered a unique twist on Thai flavors and gave guests the opportunity to explore its five distinct blends of basic tastes -- sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and bitter. Of course, the classic Thai hot and sour lemongrass and shrimp soup Tom Yang Goong was ever present to tickle the palate and appetite. I also tried Som Tam Goong, a refreshing Thai papaya salad with prawns; the deep fried fish cake from one humongous fish; and the famous mango with sticky rice dessert. Also offered were roasted duck with red curry and chicken satay. Red and white wines, Thai singa beer and Thai iced tea were served as refreshments.

Tom Yang Goong, hot and sour lemongrass and shrimp soup

Som Tam Goong, a refreshing Thai papaya salad

Spices for flavor and heat

Giant deep fried fish

Skewered fruits

Mango Sticky Rice

Thai beer

JW Marriott Thanatorn Krobsuay, the certified Thai cuisine expert, led the kitchen team for the second time to make sure guests will have a uniquely crafted food experience through his award-winning Thai cuisines. This year was an extra special recourse of Thai treat as another JW Marriott chef joined in to double up the feast: 27 year old Sutthipong Sirikanchittawon, one of the certified Thai food ambassadors of JW Marriott Bangkok’s Marriott Café.

A toast to Marriott Manila's Thai Kingdom Come

An array of prizes from sponsors were raffled off that night with one lucky guest winning a 3-days/2-nights stay in one of the Marriott properties in Bangkok. Now all I need is to book the flight. Thanks again, Marriott.

Over-all, the event evoked the sentimental feel of Thailand that let the guests delve into its time-honored dishes as a preview of what to expect in Marriott Manila's "Thai Kingdom Come" promotions at the cozy Marriott Café.

Filed under FLAVORS and EVENTS

My Public Life in 2009, part 2

EVENTS

Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival - Was invited by the Iloilo Business Club to witness Iloilo's first attempt at a Guiness Book of World Records entry for the biggest La Paz Batchoy and experience the Dinagyang Festival.

R2R by Aranaz - Rags2Riches unveiled eco-ethical style as premier bag designer Amina Aranaz works her magic, fusing scrap materials with her signature mother of pearl components. proudly made by empowered women of Payatas.

Perya by Happy Andrada - The whimsical fashion gala of designer Happy Andrada that took inspiration on elements of a perya or circus. Wonderful circus acts plus colorful clothes, not to mention perya elements such as game booths, popcorns and hotdogs.

Boracay SALSAmba 2009 - GWorld launched the First Boracay SALSAmba Festival, as they share the Department of Tourism's thrust in putting back the Philippines on the map of the world as a tourist destination, through LATIN DANCING which is currently raking in a huge following all over the globe.

American Idol Finale - I was invited to watch the American Idol Live via Satellite at Greenbelt. I was thrilled because I would get to watch it ahead of the Philippine telecast -- was hoping Adam Lambert would win. Eventhough Kris Allen won, I was blown away by Adam's performances, especially the number with the KISS band. Adam is truly a rock god! I participated in the trivia questions game and won computer speakers and AI shirt courtesy of the event organizers Starworld and Dream TV. :)
World Capital Markets Symposium - Was part of the delegation to the 1st World Capital Markets Symposium at KL, Malaysia where BusinessWorld is the exclusive Philippine Media Partner.

Dinner with NBA Players - Welcome reception of DOT for the NBA players who visited for a show at the Araneta Coliseum. This was the lucky night that I won the autographed shirt in the raffle. My brother had a field day oogling at the players and the dunking divas, he he he. :)

Coffee Origins - The Philippine Coffee Board celebrates another October coffee month with an event focusing on the origins of Philippine Coffee. The event series highlights the best of Philippine grown coffee and brands, and the geographical location from which they have originated from.

Philippine Fashion Week - Spring-Summer 2010 fashion show at SMX and SM MOA. Thanks to Happy Andrada and Lisanne Uy for the invites.

Bulawan - Bulawan, Gold of Camarines Norte gold jewelry exhibit of Dr. Palencia. Had a grand time oggling at exquisite handmade gold jewelry from where I trace my paternal roots. Equally exhilarating when I tried on some of them...argh! so hard to take them off, wish they were mine. :P

Power of Feminism - The Power of Feminism Dinner organized by the United Nations. There were foreign delegations and representatives from embassies. Guest of honor was former First Lady Imelda Marcos.Theme was Masquerade and so we went dressed up complete with masks. Alas, we were the only ones with masks, he he he.

Genesis - Unveiling of Genesis, the magazine for the 40th anniversary of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Manila Hotel Health Club and Spa Launch - A night of good food, wine and massage. :)

GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS

100 French Wines - Sommelier Selection's wine tasting event for 100 French wines. Must've samples about 25-30 kinds of white, red and rose wines. After that, met up with a friend to watch X-men Origins: Wolverine (Hugh Jackman rocks!) then chatted over coffee til 4 am. :) I must admit I was a little bit tipsy from the wines that night. :P

Indonesian Spice & Everything Nice - Was invited by Heritage Hotel to taste the sumptuous Indonesian buffet they offered at the Riviera Cafe. Exotic yet palatable. Thanks to Romina Gervacio for the invite.

Malunggay Festival - A vegetarian delight, I was so excited when I first heard of the Malunggay Festival at the Manila Hotel. And I was not disappointed because everything was delicious, not to mention nutricious, especially the Malunggay ice cream. Thanks to Nian Rigor for the invite.

French Wine Revelations - Attended the Sommelier French Wine Revelations and got to taste about 5 of the 25 wines revealed to selected guests. After that, had coffee a friend, first at CBTL then later at Starbucks where we stayed until dawn.

A Night of Good Music, Food & Wine - Was invited to the intimate party welcoming new members of the newly formed German Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines. The venue was the grand old house formerly of the matriarch of a then famous film studio in the 50s. Food was served by Lemuria and wine from Brumms.

Tapella - Newly opened last June 29, Tapella had a media launch to introduce new, unique and tasteful dishes to delight the palate and stomach. Thanks to Mitch Garcia for the invite.

Wine For A Cause - A 100 magazine event, food and wine flowed for guests to enjoin people to support Habitat for Humanity.

Flavors of Spain - was invited to the Club Punta Fuego leg of the celebration of Spanish wine and cuisine in Flavors of Spain. Thanks to Tori Vicente for the invite.