Symphony of Lights at the Ayala Triangle Gardens

Catch the Symphony of Lights at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City. The area at the back of the Philippine Stock Exchange has been cleared and converted into a garden. It’s cool actually.

Ayala Land introduces the Ayala Triangle Gardens, with over a hundred trees, public art displays, and an outdoor courtyard designed to soothe and inspire. Ayala Land celebrates the Christmas season with the following activities:

A Christmas Symphony of Lights – A nightly holiday light and sound show by renowned theater lighting director Voltaire de Jesus and multi-awarded sound designer Jethro Joaquin.
November 20 to December 23, Mondays to Fridays every 30 minutes from 6:00 to 7:30pm

Rebirth by Ovvian Castrillo-Hill – Sculptures inspired by the spirit of Christmas. Art pieces will be on display from November 20, 2009 to January 15, 2010.

Christmas Breeze by Ral Arrogante – Kinetic sculptures that sing with the wind. Art pieces will be on display from November 20, 2009 to January 15, 2010.

Tradition at the Courtyard – Filipino traditions find their way into the heart of a business district. Featuring:

• Courtyard Christmas Carols on November 25, December 2 & 7, Wednesdays 5pm
• Courtyard Cafe featuring The Big Chill, Delifrance, and Amici on November 20 December 23, Weekdays 11am-8pm
• Anticipated Simbang Gabi on December 15-18 & 21 to 23, Weekdays 5:30pm

Globe and BPI at the Courtyard

• Ayala Triangle Gardens is a Wi-Fi hotspot powered b Globe.
• Art Talk by Globe provides information on the art pieces via SMS and MMS.
• Art pieces at the Ayala Triangle Gardens are for sale and can be purchased via BPI Credit Cards.

You may also want to check out the following:

www.ovvian.com

www.artcabinetphilippines.com

www.ayaland.com.ph

More photos here.

Converse Opens in Glorietta 3

Check it out!

Being on the (Philippine) Streets

For the past couple of days, I witnessed helplessness in the face of an authorized-to-nab traffic enforcer.

First.

I know my husband to be a careful driver and a law-abiding citizen. I am not saying this because he is my husband. He really is. His and my friends can attest to this. Despite that, he was nabbed for violating traffic rules twice.

The first one was on SLEX for running slow on a fast lane. The second incident happened last Sunday. He was arrested for beating the red light. Unfortunately, in the two incidents he was just a victim—he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. For who would be in his right mind would be slowing down on a fast lane? In last Sunday’s incident, it took place on the pedestrian lane between Glorietta and SM Makati (Yes, the beating-the-red-light regulation is enforced there. Surprised?!). He crossed the pedestrian lane on a green light but since the road was rugged because it was being reconstructed, the red light went on even before he reached the other side. But he was already an inch away from the finish-line so to speak. And he, who is a firm advocate of road courtesy and pedestrian lanes, would beat the red light? A good hour after, we went back to the same place and observed the motorists there. Many were beating the red light. Luckily for them, the traffic enforcers already were not around.

In both occasions, Wizheart had to surrender his license. I wonder what happened to the MMDA’s ticketing system where you get a ticket and you settle the penalty in the bank. That system is to me more in keeping with the times.

Second.

The other morning on my way to work, I saw a traffic enforcer again altercating with a jeepney driver at the West Service Road corner Merville Access Road. The jeepney driver—I didn’t know for what reason he was being arrested—refused to completely stop and give the traffic enforcer the chance to arrest him. The traffic enforcer even had to stand in front of the jeepney, but the driver didn’t budge. The traffic enforcer had no choice but to step aside. The driver took that chance to speed down the service road and escape. This was the same traffic enforcer who accused my husband of swerving, when Wizheart was only trying to avoid the out-of-line jeepney. He let go of us. Why? My observation below may explain that.

My observation.

In other countries, Filipinos are known to be good people—law abiding and hardworking. Why is it that here in their own country, many of them mess up?

I think because, we have reactive rules, and worse these reactive rules are implemented at random. Not clear. Illogical, even. Not consistent.

If you want people to follow the rules, be clear about your rules and implement them justly. But I’m just talking to my hand here really.

My (unsolicited) advice.

For pedestrians and motorists out there, pray every day that you won’t be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

On to 2010 Philippine Elections

The 2010 Philippine election won’t be like the previous elections. For one, it is going to be automated. So the preparations are steeped with controversy every step along the way. We all heard about what happened in the registration. It was all messed up. New voters lined up as early as 4am only to take Step 1 of the registration process at 8 in the evening.

This caught the ire of many, and one newspaper columnist, Andy Bautista, even offered his observation that we are so focused on preventing a failure of election, but never on a failure of registration. True!

So are we ready?

I posted a quick guide to the automated elections. But do we know the new ballot? Today, let me share it with you.

Images courtesy of Blog Watch hosted by Philippine Online Chronicles via Jane.

It’s going to be like taking a test. You bring a pencil and shade your choice of answer. The quick guide link I shared above is very helpful in figuring out this new ballot.

We don’t need to bring a list. All we have to bring is the patience to read through the page and find our candidates.

Pacman Did It Again!

Manny Pacquaio once again did the country proud today as he battled it out with Miguel Cotto, and won the match. The nation watched in awe as the world stood in amazement.

The phenomenal rise of Pacman, as he fondly called, is not only because of his skill as a boxer but also as a great influencer. Everything stands still every time he has a fight.

Thus, it’s good to remember how Pacman became what he is today. Thanks to Time Magazine for putting out The Rise of Manny Pacquiao.

Click here to view it!

Congratulations to the 3rd DigitalFilipino Web Awards 2009!

The two-day DigitalFilipino E-Commerce Summit culminated yesterday, November 13, with the 3rd DigitalFilipino Web Awards. The event was supported by SMILDS.com Philippines.

And the winners are:

• Apparel / Fashion Category – UkayManila.com
• Art Category – Pinoybiswalstyle
• Association / Organization Category – National Council on Disability Affairs
• Auction / Shopping Portal Category – Auction.ph
• Automotive Category – AutoIndustriya
• Beauty Category – VMV Hypoallergenics
• Blog – Corporate Category – Nuffnang Philippines
• Blog – Personal Category – Flair Candy
• Blog – Professional Category – New Media Philippines
• Books Category – OMF Literature
• Community Category – Cebu Bloggers Society and Proudly Filipina
• Computer / Consumer Electronics Category – Villman Computers Philippines
• Corporate / Professional Category – LevelUp!
• Events / Conferences Category – Philippine Blog Awards
• Food Category – Patay Gutom
• Games Category – My Brute Cheats
• Gifts Category – Gifts2Pinas
• Government – Official Website of Zamboanga City
• Guides / Review Category – Spot.ph
• Jobs / Employment Category – MyNimo
• Magazine Category – PC World Philippines
• Music / Movie/ Film Category – TitikPilipino
• Newspaper Category – Inquirer.net
• Politics Category – Filipino Voices
• Real Estate Category – CDORealEstate.com
• Restaurant – Centerstage Family KTV and Resto Bar
• School / University Category – De La Salle University – Manila
• Social Networking Category – Noypf Pinoy Social Network
• Telecoms / Value Added Services Category – Smart Communications
• Tourism Category – Experience Philippines
• Travel Category – Pasyalera

Check out DigitalFilipino Web Awards 2009 website for photos and more updates.

We Are Ready for Pacquaio-Cotto Fight

Chris Tiu, “Who do you think will win between Pacquaio and Cotto this Sunday?”

Hilary Clinton quipped, “Of course Pacman will win! I mean is there any doubt?”

We are rooting for Manny Pacquaio, too, of course! We have our tickets and we are ready for the fight!

Go Manny!

Ayala Avenue Dresses Up for Christmas

The Christmas decors along Ayala Avenue were put up last week, and today I decided to take photos of it. Again, I forgot my digicam, so I took the photos using my Nokia E63.

1st photo: I was walking toward PBCom Tower, Ayala Avenue cor. Rufino Street.

2nd photo: I was on the corner of Ayala Avenue and Rufino Street.

I’m excited about Christmas already!

Congratulations to the Philippine Blog Awards Winners in the Visayas and Mindanao

This year, The Philippine Blog Awards organization truly lived up to its theme, “One Blogging Nation” by recognizing bloggers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. For that, my congratulations!

I greeted first the winners in Luzon. Now it’s time to greet the winners in the Visayas and Mindanao.

I checked out their blogs, and they all deserve to receive the awards.

Here’s to more successful blogging years and industry in the Philippines!

My CNN Hero is Efren Peñaflorida

Read his story.

Make him your CNN Hero, too.