The Museum of the Filipino People

Dear friends,
If you haven't been on a tour of the National Museum, well, here's your chance. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the museums are (the former Finance Building and the former Legislative Building) with its extensive renovation inside yet keeping with its neo-Federal Style architecture outside.

There's fifteen galleries in the Museum of the Filipino people (formerly Finance) to explore our archaeological past and our anthropological present. The highlight is of course four galleries devoted to the 1994 recovery of the Spanish galleon San Diego. It's treasures give insights to the incredible 300 year trade that linked us to the Americas. We’ll also see the current temporary exhibits in the museum.

The former Legislative Building, now the National Gallery of Art, will be another formidable encounter as we journey through 200 years of Filipino arts and sculpture in seven galleries. The most spectacular sight is the gigantic and original rendering The Spoliarium by Juan Luna. We pause here to appreciate and learn how this masterpiece inspired our brave band of Filipino students in Madrid, including Jose Rizal, to alter their lives and helped in the formation of our nation.

John L. Silva has been Senior Consultant of the National Museum for close to ten years and has the most incredible stories and insights about the collection. He teaches arts education in an interesting and humorous manner and delights and inspires his audience to be proud of their culture and history.

Proceeds from the fees (700 pesos for adults, and 500 pesos for children up to 18 years) will go to John's I LOVE MUSEUM PROGRAM, which brings public school teachers to the National Museum and to their local museums, taught the importance of arts appreciation and transmit that information to their students. Studies show that an arts educated child raises their academic achievements, promotes love of reading, and makes them better citizens.

The tours are three hours in duration, and begins at 10:00 am sharp (ending at 1:00 pm) at the rear entrance of the Museum of the Filipino People, (former Finance Building) Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park. Attendees are requested to wear walking shoes (please no heels) and reservations are strongly encouraged by texting or calling John Silva at 0926 729 9029. The tours will be May 17, 18, and 24, and June 7, 11, 21 and 25.

Mr. John Silva

Note: I visited the museum last Sunday at 10 am-1 pm, and it was indeed an experience i'll never forget. Its like travelling thru time and going back to the past. This is one activity which i have missed as a growing child. Thank you so much Mr. John Silva.

The Yakan Village

The Yakans, being one of the 13 Moro groups, are traditional settlers of Basilan island. They are quite different from other ethnic groups in the Philippines because most of these people are taller than average with high bridged nose. In Upper Calarian where the Yakan Village is situated is famous among local and foreign tourists because of their art of weaving. Definitely a "must-see" for visitors from Manile and other islands...to appreciate the colorful and intricate designs of table mats, wall decor, bags, etc.

Good Friday at Lakewood, Zamboanga Del Sur

Almost six hours of intestinal loops, and sometimes treacherous rough roads along the mountainous region of Zamboanga del Sur on a Good friday. Together with the "OFW" friends. T'was my birthday. And it was worth the effort when we reached the tranquil waters of this almost hidden wonder. Again we passed by Cabasalan to visit Ahmad of Sibugay province..

the flyer

It was March 1, 2008 when the flyer serviced the public. It was 7 days later when i got to expeience a spectacular view of Singapore skyline as i stepped inside its encapsulated interiors. which can actually accomodate at least 28 people. The experience was great; one can't help but get envious of the magnificence and opulence of this first rate tiny Asian country.

My High School Best Friend's Life

My Life
(Listen to what I am not saying)
I am an ordinary Filipino Citizen, of legal age, married and resident of Tagum City (a component city in the province of Davao del Norte located in the southern part of Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines).
I come from the bloodline of pioneering settlers in the town that was once called Magugpo and now a blooming city of palms (Tagum). I have a Cebuano and Boholano lineage and was raised a good Christian. I respect other religious beliefs and races.
My academic life is spent in ChristianSchool thus my organizational affiliation is mostly with Christian groups. I finished my studies in a prestigious university in Cebu City and holder of a degree in an engineering profession. I have no professional license. I failed in my first board examination and did not bother to take another try.
I spent more than ten years of work experience in the private sector from technical, then in clerical prior to marketing, and towards personnel administration type of work.
My mother died of diabetic complication in 1999 and followed by my father in 2003 due to compulsive smoking and alcoholic. Since my father’s demise, I quit working in the private sector and administer few of the inherited properties.
Income derive from the inherited properties were diminishing and no longer enough to suffice the current family needs. Local currency strength and economic growth could not be felt in our level as prices of basic commodities continue to rise.
I really need to get a job for income augmentation. I tried getting back to work in the private sector but age and gender preference seems to constantly block me from getting the opportunity. Then I started to re-focus my job hunt in the government sector since I am professionally eligible.
For five years, I tried hard and it seems my efforts were futile. I was given the opportunity to take aptitude examinations to which I successfully hurdled and was interviewed afterwards. But after that, nothing happens. Later I would just be able to know that some co-applicants to whom I felt I am far more better would be hired due to political endorsements which I refer to as “palakasan”. At first I hated this kind of political maneuver as it was not directly related to the capability and capacity of a person. Yet it was practiced even before I was born in this country. I was forced to go along with the system. Still I lack connections in the highest echelon which literally is the gateway after the bridge and stairs. I would believe that in some cases, aptitude examinations and interviews were done for formality sake only. And in reality, vacant positions were already groomed for some personal political choice. I am not specifically pointing at the current administration but in all administrations in general.
I am now getting older and my chances of getting a job is getting slimmer. I am constantly encouraged by my family and friends to keep going on but I couldn’t help myself getting more desperate as time passes. Honestly speaking, there were times that I would like to question my CREATOR why I am not getting an opportunity this time when in fact I tried hard to maintain being good and responsible tax paying citizen. I have no derogatory records and was never engaged in illegal activities.
I am getting impatient. It is because I am in dire need.
I could feel that I inherited a disease from my parent (diabetes) and the complications can be felt through hypertension, gout arthritis, chest pains, and UTI. I do have maintenance for my hypertension and gout but for thorough medical check-ups/diagnosis especially with diabetes, chest pain and UTI proves difficult due to budget constraints. I could not sacrifice the educational allocation for my son because I believe he has a good future to look forward to. Much to my suffering is the health condition of my wife who needs to undergo surgical operation for the removal of the gall bladder stone.
My burden these days gets heavier. Our few properties were disposed little by little and hoping it would not run out.
Another shocking evolution in me, my faith and belief is starting to fade. Previously I consider myself as an army of God and faith defender. But look at me now. My heart is slowly filled with hate.
I hate having no work. I hate a diminishing income. I hate having debilitating disease. I hate “palakasan”. I hate corrupt officials. I hate pretenders. I hate rising taxes. I hate red tapes. I hate liars. I hate politicians who were kind and visible only during election campaign. I hate empty promises. I hate justice being manipulated. I hate “balimbing”. I hate a lot of things that make this world look like hell. Or was it hell already?
Whew! I expressed it out at last. I know that if I send this to politicians, they will not be able to read and listen to what I am not saying as this passes on to deaf ears and blind eyes of pretension. This might end up deleted in the recycle bin and much worse treated as spam.
I am posting and sending this message in the internet in any possible way I can.
I expect that this will not help me in any way. At least I was able to write down what I wanted to express out while I am still breathing in this world. I know I would not last long enough because the disease is slowly eating me up.
For those who care, I can assure you that I still have a bit of hope left in the secret chamber of my heart. You may unlock and re-kindle it. Save me from drowning in the sea of hatred.
Thank you for reading to what I may not be writing….!?!
By
Bienvenido C. Quirante, Jr. Crying Freeman with a Braveheart
50% Boholano+50% Cebuano=100% Tagumeño

Definitely not Baguio as you think.....but Bukidnon's Del Monte Clubhouse

Early morning mists of late December greeted us while the roads are still damp from the midnight dews and the natural scent of grassland prevails. This is one of those times when lads can freely lie and roll over to play without fear of being ran down by passing vehicles as we braved the mountainous roadtrip towards this province in the sky. Packed with a brief but refreshing sleep from the only decent hotel in Malaybalay few hours before, our stomach starts to growl at the thought of gastronomic delight ahead. It was a recommendation from a famous food magazine, plus the so much hype from people we knew who passed by this side of the country...well at least to see and taste is to believe.

Two long hours later ...

A Force to be reckoned with-Paula

One of the reasons why we should watch AI VII

About David