Thursday, August 6, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Old Photos, Great Memories, They LIVE FOREVER!
At least these are some of the comments and reactions I received from so many friends and colleagues after my latest postings of old and vintage photographs of so many people, including mine of a wonderful past.
It is also amazing and amusing to know how many people really look at these photos with matching comments (silly and hysterical).
WOW!
And I think the main reason for such reactions and interest is the simple fact of a happy and full-of-life-episodes in our past...mostly adventurous and creative, witch eventually created and became the kind of persons we all are now. Our lives then were no more different from the lives we all have now. We are just older, wiser, hard working creative people and responsibly more open minded than our own parents. I guess growing up the way we did had some advantages although a few of our friends just didn't end up the way most of us did. And fortunately, mostly everyone still looks fabulous and beautiful ( add or take a few pounds!)
Oh well, this is a continuing series of thoughts and observations, reactions and more laughter along the way ;-)
Friday, March 20, 2009
The LONDON Scene
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Rising Soon: Manila Bay Strip
Business Mirror Editorial
Some 60 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong is Macao, former colony of Portugal . With a total land area of 28.6 sq km, it is smaller than Mayor Alfredo Lim's City of Manila, which covers 38.55 sq km. Macao has a population of a little over half a million, less than a third of the Philippine capital city's official count of 1.5 million people.
If he were still alive, paramount leader Deng Xiaoping—who almost single-handedly modernized his country by adopting 'socialism with Chinese characteristics'—would probably be overjoyed that Macau has been living up to his dictum, 'To be rich is glorious.'
What made such impressive economic figures possible is gambling—or, its more polite variant, 'gaming.' Casinos are what have made this special administration region a Chinese cash cow since
To be sure,
The history of the gaming industry in Macau can be traced to 1962, when the Portuguese colonial authorities issued a monopoly license to the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macao (STDM), headed by the legendary Stanley Ho. His classic Hotel Lisboa and its opulent extension across the street, the lotus-shaped Grand Lisboa, still dominate the skyline of
The
Stanley Ho's STDM continues to operate 16 casinos, which are still considered crucial to
At its opening the Sands
Success breeds success, and keeps on doing so. In 2007 the Venetian
Officially, Filipinos make up 2 percent of
That Filipinos make up a significant portion of Macao's casino work force—and, for that matter, in the US gaming centers of Atlantic City, Reno and Las Vegas—has its parallels in, say, our merchant marine. The
Some of our expatriate manpower and talent in the gaming establishments of
After making investors—along with thousands of job-hungry Filipinos—wait for what must have felt like an eternity, the state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) finally gave the go-signal to four investors ready, willing and able to put up a world-class gaming center in
As this paper reported yesterday, what has been envisioned as a Las Vegas-like
Pagcor has approved the project proposals of the four groups, with total investments of about $10 billion spread over three to five years.
When fully operational—the earliest by 2010—the integrated resort facility is projected to raise the country's gaming revenue by at least 30 percent. It is also expected to boost foreign tourist arrivals by up to three million travelers annually, and generate over 250,000 new jobs.
Pagcor aims to use the Bagong Nayong Pilipino as a catalyst to sustain the growth of the country's tourism industry. It hopes to attract at least $4 billion in investments.
Fears that the envisioned gambling center would further erode Filipinos' public morals seem to be unfounded. Similar—but not as grand—gaming operations have actually been operating for several years now in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, La Union, Rizal and the old US military bases at Clark and Subic Bay. The bulk of their clientele is foreign—including spillovers from
Besides, the potential of the
Pagcor published a half page press release today with a picture of the complex that will have a semi submersible observation wheel. heres the same picture. Look at the bottom of the observation wheel. Notice how it dips into a man made lake? What did i say earlier!!!
The Pagcor tower will be built by Pagcor and will serve as their headquarters. The architect is local firm called JT Cruz and Partners. If they truly want to make this world class, they should hire an international firm known for making iconic landmarks and design a symbol not just for the complex but for the 'new' Philippines. they should learn from landmarks like the PETRONAS twin towers (used Muslim motifs, symbolic gateway to
Monday, February 9, 2009
THE WEEKEND
Mudra's Skype was not working perfectly, but we managed to chat anyway. Then I also had the time to even hooked up (hot, hot....hot!)
The week culminated with a fun quieter business networking kind of part at 80 Varick. It's always different to party with friends (old and new) , in a more low-keyed environment, with warm lighting, yummy food, and good music that's just loud enough to let everybody carry a good sensible conversation without straining each one's vocal chords.
But a normal New York night life is not complete with out getting noisy, rowdy, and crazy and dancing the night away.....so ending up in a loud boozed-up club is part of the whole scene.
There's so much drinking, screaming and dancing to do, so I didn't even remember how late I got home....thanks goodness for friends who always make sure I get home safe.
I know Steve and Midori drove me home.
The next day is always the worst part.....alcohol is really evil and it's very bad for the skin!
The hang over is always nasty, and I just make it an excuse to just sleep the whole day.....then waking up late and hungry, makes it even worst, but in my own perverse way, I always like it that way. At my age now, it only means one thing....I am waking up hungry and thinner...what's not to enjoy! (This is not for everyone though.)
If you wanna try it, you'll need lots of practice and self discipline. And make sure you are healthy too.
Now I'm getting ready for the Fashion Week at Bryant Park (and all the after hour parties, if I still have the energy), and right after that, I am going away (again) to recover!
See you next and at the tents.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Congratulatory Message
Friends and SKYPE
Well, my friend Rene, from Istanbul was here in Manhattan for New Year's parties, and this was the first time we chatted since his visit. Of course he's doing very well, busy as usual, with his social and sex lives and his work as a contributing writer for Time-Out Istanbul.
And we did talk....non-stop, for the next 3 hours....and we did this while she was working and organizing her brand new office on the 24th floor of an Ayala office building with a great view (talk about corporate success and multi-tasking!).
The best part of being friends with the same group of people as one grows older, is the chance of really getting to know someone...if you've been with friends through the ups and downs of your life, the bond is stronger than a crazy glue.
I know that now, and i beleive that it's really one of my best accomplishments in life. To be able to share and appreciate the failures and successes in our lives all these years is such a blessing it sounds like a visa tv commercial : PRICELESS . There are no manuals on friendships and relationships.....but we were able to manage and sustain our own through sheer hard work, backstabbing, honesty and loyalty (in that order)....hey, once upon a time, we were all young, naive and ambitious.
Well, it's also easier and manageable that MOTHER always gets his way too ;-)
Sunday, February 1, 2009
A Trully Different Saturday
I was up by 11am, becasue I had to meet up with my sister and brother in law.
On top of that, I had lunch before 2 pm by Salad Master (very healthy and yummy!).
Oh well, it was cool.
By the time i got to the gym around 5 pm, I was already exhausted, and by 8 pm, I was in my bed, fast asleep ( I didn't even dream).
This morning I woke up at 6 am.
And for the first time, watched the sun comes up....a really different feeling, but a good one.
By 10 am I had breakfast.....imagine that, a real breakfast. I think i need to get my body clock back to this time table. It will probably help solve my insommia too....i'll see how my day goes.
It's so weird that I am up and awake now, and my apartment sounds very quiet..there's a feeling of peace and calm....like a real nice day.
It's bright outside, and yes, it's fucking cold.
This winter is not so much fun for me. I always consider myself a winter person. But there's something wrong or or just not right this year.
Maybe I'm really old.
I just feel really cold this time.
This season has been unpredictable, just like the economy. The only thing the weather people have been right so far is that it's a very cold weather season.
But predicting the snow storm, or the snow accumulations have been a bust. I guess even weather forecasting is more about ratings now a days.
Just like the economy, this winter is just getting more and more cold, and the temperature is still going down.
IT SUCKS!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Ford's Super Model of the World 2009
Israel
Venezuela
Canada
Russia
Here's The Final Result:
Winner-Brazil - Tayane Leão Melo, 14
2nd Place-Israel - Alisa Gourari, 17
3rd Place-Venezuela - Rachelle Garzon, 15
4th Place-Canada - Shelby Farber, 15
5th Place-Russia - Julia Pyankova, 18
Semi-finalists
Australia - Stacey Grant
Lithuania - Gabrielle Doveikaite
Norway - Johanne Riis
Phillippines - Giselle Pagueo
Poland - Magdalena Fiolka
Serbia - Anastasija Ruzdic
USA - Clara Buchanan
Philippines
It's the First of the New Day!
I really don't know much (yet), but i know something good and fabulous will come out of this endeavor. There's just so muck knowledge, questions, answers and experience that I can deal with now, and most of all, the uncertainty of the economy makes it easier for me to think and say things I would usually find waste of time or silly.
Anyway, it's also a way for me to express my feelings, excitements, fears and worries. And maybe this time the world can give me more insights so i get to learn and know more!
I also wanna hear from my friends around the globe.
People don't be shy....just SAY IT!!!