Intention Experiment, First World Philippine under God

Here's something I would want to be subject to intention experimenting. The following news item from the Philippine Inquirer proves one thing --
that there is a lot of potentials, abilities and capabilities even in the so-called 3rd world countries, but somehow they are being used for negative and destructive ends. For the article, please go to this link :

http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20100422-265821/RP-4th-in-SE-Asia-as-source-of-Internet-security-threatsreport

First World Philippines under GOD Opportunities/Good News

Go to this link, please : http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20100412-263863/7-big-winners-to-raise-75B-investments-for-RP .

Here's wonderfully good news about opportunities for a 'First World Philippines under God'. I do pray that the new set of leaders will cease to be politicians but will become businessmen and ecocnomists so they will not pass up this big (it's big) opportunity. Just to quote :

"According to the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC)—a loose umbrella organization of several Philippine-based foreign chambers of commerce—these “seven big winners” are agribusiness; business process outsourcing; creative industries; infrastructure; manufacturing and logistics; mining, and tourism, medical travel and retirement.

Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce president John Casey predicted that as much as $75 billion in foreign direct investments would flow into these industries from the 2010-2020 period should the government and the private sector focus on developing these industries. "
A total of ten million jobs would also be created by these investments, Casey said in a briefing in Makati City Monday.

Casey based his estimate on the fact that the Philippines usually received about one percent of the total foreign direct investments that flow into the Asia-Pacific region that averaged $200 billion on any given year, thus the $75-billion estimate for the next decade.

Hey, those who consider and posture themselves as leaders and managers of this country , wisen up, will you? It's about time.

First World Philippines Under God

This thought came to my mind and I'm keeping it. That my vision of a 'First World Philippines under God' begins with me and in me. I don't remember if it was Gandhi who said that one should become the change that one wants to have but I realize now the wisdom and the truth of that. I've heard it often before, that one cannot change others , one can only change oneself. I only realize now the truth of that in relation to myself. I'ts about time. For the longest time the underlying theme of my life and my choices, to a greater extent, was for a just, humane, free, prosperous and abundant life for this country , starting my involvement in student activism against a dictatorship in my freshman year up to my 30-years in government service , without giving much thought for personal ambition and personal advancement in terms of position and monetary considerations and my personal expression, even my trust and belief in God, in the idealistic hope that this country and its people would strive for a better Philippines for every Filipino..hoping the system will change. Well, the internal idealistic well has dried up, finally after 38 years ...And I'm thankful for that drying up. I now leave to oblivion and behind me the frustrations,disappointments, regrets, anger and the bitterness .... Consider the 38years from 1972 up to this point in 2010 my 'forty-years in the desert' . I'm crossing the threshold to God's promised land ... an abundant life for those who believe in Him. I embark on a new journey, officially and consciously today, March 18, 2010, of cultivating, nourishing, developing and protecting the inchoate citizen of a 'First World Philippines under God' in me, in my internal landscape, in my inner and outer worlds. I am 'First World Philippines under God' Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam! In Nomine Domini Nostri Jesu Christi -- AMDG.INDNJC. Today is another birthday ... my birth in the 'First World Philippines under God' ! Father God, I pray for Your blessings!

Kape Kesada ---Must See -- First World Phil. under God

November 09, 2009

Copying here from Inquirer an article about a cafe that I am putting on my itinerary , for reference .... Thanks, Inquirer.

"Laguna café also brews artists


By Karen Lapitan
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 18:52:00 11/07/2009

Filed Under: Restaurants & catering, Entrepreneurship


PAETE, LAGUNA, Philippines—Using the remains of demolished homes and buildings from nearby towns, a dentist here has put up a coffee shop, aimed to develop and promote local artistry.

Art aficionado Dr. Noli Valdecantos, 47, opened Kape Kesada on December 26, 2004 after attending a series of art exhibitions in Metro Manila that made him realize that Paete artists also deserve wider opportunities.

Located along J.V. Quesada street in Paete town, Kape Kesada is also known to brew local artists other than aromatic concoctions.

Asked on how he managed to combine his love for science and the arts, he said “when you are born in Paete, you are born an artist.”

He said his interest in art started when he was still a kid, mainly due to the artistic environment where he grew up, realizing that there’s no conflict when combining science and art.

No blueprint

The structure of Kape Kesada is in itself a work of art from accumulated old materials. From the walls to the lavatory, the coffee shop used recycled materials Valdecantos got from nearby towns and provinces.

“[Kape Kesada] is like a puzzle. No plan was formally made on how the structure should look like. I just gathered some useful recycled materials from demolished structures,” said Valdecantos, who spent almost two years in completing the whole structure.

The stone bricks of Kape Kesada were from an old church, the windows’ capiz parts were given by some Paete residents, while the wood he used were from demolished homes in Pila town and the provinces of Rizal and Quezon.

Haven for artists

Kape Kesada paved the way toward many opportunities for many home-grown artists.

The Paete Artists Guild was established along the process that supports local artists who want their talent to be exposed. Visual artists and singers primarily make up this group.

According to Valdecantos, Kape Kesada serves as the official venue for the artists’ exhibits and acoustic nights.

“After being given exposure here, we also help them through our contacts to have a more sustainable career,” he added.

As Kape Kesada serves as an exhibit area for Paete artists, customers can view and decide what to buy while sipping their cups of coffee. Art works of featured artists are also sold here.

“Most exhibitions in Manila are plainly viewing of paintings and other art works, but we offer more by allowing customers to feel more relaxed while drinking coffee,” Valdecantos claimed.

The coffee shop and art gallery offers a rustic and relaxing ambiance that has attracted many coffee and art lovers not only from Laguna but also from the metropolis as well.

Ambassadors of Spain and France are just two of the high profile personalities enticed by this coffee shop-art gallery.

Valdecantos thinks that local artistry must be preserved and promoted as this is what Paete is known for. “Paete artists have this huge potential, but they just don’t know how to get enough exposure,” while encouraging more young artists to develop their artistic sides.

“This is the pathway for artistic thought and its works,” he added, while emphasizing how proud he is to be from Paete. "

And another one from http://goodnewspilipinas.com - will see when I get to France ...

" Baldemor unveils People Power mosaic in France
Posted on November 8th, 2009 under The Good Balita

Manuel Baldemor and Sylvie Henot in front of the Basilica of St. Therese de Lisieux, which features the People Power Mosaic (background, above) [Philstar] Filipino artist has made history by creating an epic mural in France depicting the Filipinos fight for democracy.

Manuel Baldemor and French mosaic artists Sylvie Henot and Francois Sand created the epic mural depicting the Philippine People Power Revolution of 1986 at the Basilica of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Lisieux, Normandy.

Thousands of people witnessed the unveiling, inauguration and benediction of the mosaic mural. The event was officiated and blessed by Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris, Mgr. Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, Mgr. Xavier Rambaud, Archbishop of Lipa Mgr. Ramon Arguelles, Basilica rector Mgr. Bernard Lagouette, and Fr. Gil Apuli of the Filipino Chaplaincy in Paris.

The event seemed like a miniature People Power in itself with yellow confetti showers, a dramatic performance by the Filipino overseas workers in Paris, and a general festive atmosphere akin to that of Edsa 1.

Coinciding with the benediction was the 20th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Catholic Chaplaincy in Paris, a non-profit organization dedicated to the spiritual and moral guidance of the Filipino community in Paris. The inauguration also serves as the culmination of a series of celebrative religious activities sponsored by the Chaplaincy.

“I do believe that this mosaic will give not only a much-deserved tribute to the People Power event of 1986 but also pride and honor to the Philippines as a nation. It holds great significance as a permanent lasting tribute of Philippine democracy in the heart of France and will also be a comfort to Philippine Overseas Workers for all time,” Manuel Baldemor said."

Manny Paquiao : The Titanic Sinking of Ricky Hatton

May 04, 2009

Hey, I wasn't a fan of Manny Paquiao until after I saw the replay of the 'Battle of the East and West' yesterday afternoon. I am not a sporty person and I couldn't understand the hullabaloo about winning a non-productive physical activity like boxing ( I mean compared to planting rice and getting the fishing nets in and collecting the garbage , etc ..)..

What made me fan of Manny Paquiao is not only the physical winning against Hatton, which by the way was spectacular , but the kind of human being Manny Paquiao has evolved through boxing . Intuitively, I would say, that he has spiritualized his being a boxer/sportsman..

Notice this, the way he was grinning and smiling like a small boy who was anticipating getting into a playful game , on his way to the ring; the way his eyes and face took on a serious,flinty, almost feral, laser-like look once he stepped into ring; the way he immediately knelt down in his corner to pray ;
the way he retreated back like a schoolboy to his corner after the first round with Hatton still sprawled on the ring ; the way he , after getting his bearings after knocking out Hutton in the second round , went back to his corner and knelt down and prayed ; the way one of his supporters ruffled his hair while he was still on his knees praying ...

Notice this, upon his arrival , I think, in Las Vegas , one of the first things he did was to attend a mass.

Notice this, when a reporter was asking Roach about his reaction to what the camp of Hatton and Mayweather have been saying (not nice) and Roach couldn't answer immediately Manny Paquiao egged him on to say 'Ewan' (could be translated as ' I have no idea ') which Roach did .

And well, with a mother like 'Aling' Dionisia holed up in a hotel room praying, how can Manny Paquiao not win ? Which reminds me of what I read about what one of the owners or engineers of the Titanic pridefully said --

By the way, congratulations and hats off to Martin Nievera and whoever made the upbeat,forward-looking, with-an-attitude, modern arrangement of 'Lupang Hinirang' ... a rendition worthy of a 'First-World Philippines under God' ... my personal vision of what this country of mine should be ...

Some cute quips I heard from guys who were frustrated about the shortness of the fight ... "Asan ba si Aling Dionisia? Siya ang may kagagawan nito!" (Where is 'Aling' Dionisia? She's the one behind all this!);
"Isunod niyo na kaagad si Mayweather. Sayang ang bayad at ang practice!" (Get Mayweather in the ring at once. Let's not waste the efforts and the opportunity!)
And heartening to note that the Filipino knows that Manny Paquiao's faith in God was the foundation of his sterling win, as the Monday flag ceremony prayer leader showed.