of Inner Strength and Smiles

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them". - (Quote Act II, Scene V)

One out of every eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer.You may have heard of horror stories and some success stories but what I want to share is neither; I want you to know that not only does this disease affect the patient, but it also affects the family, especially children. Breast cancer is slowly taking light as a  concern of our society. You can look for events and celebrity endorsers and see campaigns advertisements and sponsored events here and there. But it still is not enough I guess, it may be odd for a guy to be talking about these things but this is just my own simple story~ nothing more, nothing less.

For some weird reason, it's been ten years or so since that day. I was barely coping with puberty and hormonal chaos when I learned that my mother had breast cancer. We all know how scary and devastating cancer can be but most people only tunnel-vision the victim. Cancer causes dramatic changes in family dynamics, how a family deals with this change can impact each person's psychological and physical well-being (We can even add there the spiritual and socio-economical strains).

Children of mothers who have breast cancer are likely to experience long-term psychological affects. These effects include fear, insecurity, anger, sadness, isolation, and combinations of all. But when it's so overwhelming all of it just turns into despair.

FEAR - because the only exposure they have had with cancer is that people who have had cancer have died (I had a cousin who died of leukemia).  Therefore cancer means death to them.
ANGER - reaction to feeling angry may be to act out or the like (random short-tempers)
ISOLATION - may isolate themselves from everyone as a way of coping (Well, you can't really find people experiencing the same thing)
SADNESS - is also an overwhelming feeling that they will encounter or depression

My dilemma at the time was basically me trying to break away & become 'an individual' but severe illness forced one back to the family w/ a pinch of social isolation. One can feel completely powerless to the disease.

In school, I was literally a zombie (even before the walking dead, ..etc. became famous), day-by-day trying to survive the day. A daily dose of heaviness, of endless routines, of forgetting how to smile; because of the strain of the situation, I would often wake up each day and whisper to myself "Don't be a burden.."

My routine for 3 years was simple: "Go to school-try not to fail any subjects-play football/magic.the.gathering-fetch my sister in school-go to mom's office-go home together."

Three years? After the diagnosis, treatment will immediately commence and dosage will depend on one's financial health and severity of the disease. Regular check ups were done and re-treatment in case of recurrence. In some cases surgery is necessary to prevent the spread of cancer cells.

The one thing I could do during the time I guess was becoming a 'Spotter,' for I didn't know the right words to say or the right things to do. We go home together since my dad is an OFW and for the most part was overseas, and she may need emergency assistance while travelling. She may get dizzy or nauseated while driving the car, she will rest and then carry on the task.

I knew about society's pressure of 'looking good' - and there my mom would do her daily routine: wear a wig, and an artificial breast implant to conform to society. But I also knew my mom was feeling insecure, the fear, the pain but yet on the outside, she didn't show any fear, frown, complaint, and not even a tear.

I guess this is what true strength is; Strong people know how to keep their lives in order. Even with tears in their eyes, they manage to say I'm ok with a smile.

Use your smile to change the world. Don't let the world change your smile.

Perhaps me and my sister were one of the lucky ones, my mom is alive and well yet still keeps on influencing me with her daily works. For some weird reason again, despite all that happened, I managed to graduate high school and went on to college. Though I was still somewhat recovering mentally-emotionally-and-psychologically, she never lost herself in that whole mess; she still was able to do her #1 job of being a mother and somewhat of a life-teacher despite her imperfections.

me+Sister

Looking back, I am re-learning the things I already knew. Of making sacrifices be it financial, or social or even girls for your loved ones. Of becoming a better big brother to my sister and of postponing the journey of self-discovery or self-gratification in exchange for time spent with loved ones.

Quoting from the movie 'The Vow': I guess this is one of my moments of impact that I experience in this good earth, that are of high intensity that end up defining who we are. These moments of impact send some particles closer than before, while others spin off where you never thought you’d find them. Life's all about that, the moments of impact, and how they change our lives forever. But what if one day you could no longer remember any of them? I guess you've got to let the colliding particles fall where they may and hope that the particles find their way back to each other or create paths anew.

So what is my greatest achievement then? Learning Inner Strength at a somewhat young age which led to many smaller successes leading up to today.

one of the things I did because my mom said so..xD the experience practically restored my self-confidence -I guess moms really knows what's best huh. But then most of my 'newer' friends don't know about this since I am still kind-of embarrassed about it :P

Of continually overcoming the #1 fear in the world --basically we fear to stand out for fear of rejection. We think all eyes are solely on us and the universe will change based on this one episode

Another moment I shared with her was when I made my 1st speech during our Ringhop Ceremony dedicated to our Teachers (that includes her) which was entitled Click.click.click-- 'Gratitude is the memory of the Heart', here's an excerpt below:

"Teachers affect eternity; they affect eternity because to teach is to touch lives forever...They give their time, which is in a way giving away a portion of one’s life that can never be given back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. Relationships take time & effort, and the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E, because the essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves."

winning the CAMMA 2011 for Best in personal website w/ nominee & finalist Ed +photo by Doi -substitute parents sa event? hehe

I guess for the longest time, I trapped myself in dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. And I just realized and relearned that I should not let the noise of others' opinions drown out my own inner voice. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. Now that I have let this all out - I guess I can now truly begin the journey of self-discovery.

My so-called Travel Pose (Where the heck am I?)

Thank you mom for allowing and supporting me to do the random things that I do, from launching a start-up business, to applications of random scholarships and training programs; to supporting my advocacies and my volunteering with Gawad Kalinga; and also my ridiculously unplanned sudden travels and out-of-town trips, I just realized I gained the have gained much courage from my past for we are the sum of our experiences.

Thank you for teaching me INNER STRENGTH and also for making remember how to SMILE!

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”-Paulo Coelho

Shameless plug: I encourage you as the reader to get involved in your community's breast cancer awareness or the local health offices/organizations.

Well, now that you know a huge chunk of my past and why in some ways I am a bit clueless and a late-bloomer... what do you think?

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This is my entry for Globe Tattoo’s Greatness Starts @Home Blogging Contest.

Thanks to globe for this contest, it gave me a reason to reflect and express the thoughts lingering in the heart! Hahaha :)
"Blogging contests gives bloggers an excuse to produce the best write-up they can muster." :P


Tears are indeed words that need to be written, hence blogged! Happy Blogging.


:3
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By Vernon Go with 23 comments

More than 100 ways to have Fun in the Philippines

My contribution - Boodle Fight ~ Team GK Cebu Style

Do you believe in your heart that "It's More Fun in the Philippines?" Well, this is my (delayed) take on it since there are already a lot of Netizens who made their own versions of the campaign, so instead of going with the flow I collated as much as I can and made it into a presentation which I shared on SlideShare [which is shown down below :D- More than 100 ways to have Fun in the Philippines].
{A boodle fight is a military tradition type of eating where food is laid on a long table: all the elements of a meal (rice, chicken, pork, fish, vegetables, noodles, sardines, all are cooked of course but their can be variations as well :D) are placed on top of banana leaves and then eaten up togethe until nothing is left.}


Now I would've wanted to cover all of the Photos {in which I did}, but due to size limitations for free users in slideshare, I had to compress and edit to reduce the size of the presentation to meet the limitations. 
Online marketing ph

View more presentations from Vernon Joseph Go

Now, to the other reason why I made this is that I was invited to speak to some Business Administration Students in a local University here in Cebu {last feb.11} on Online Marketing here in the Philippines since they were having difficulty finding book resources as well as on the internet since these developments are fairly recent and the academe is doing catch-up. So I became a Guest Lecturer talking to them about Online Marketing - Blogging, Social Media, SEO overviews and I made another presentation to show a clear example on Online Marketing ~what better way to do that by showcasing our very own government's initiative (shout out to PH's Department of Tourism) in promoting our country to not only inspire/attract foreign tourists but also local ones.

(You may want to see/read More on Tourism posts ~ Meeting Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. ; or the Pilipinas Kay Ganda vs. WoW Philippines)

More than 100 ways to have fun in the philippines

View more PowerPoint from Vernon Joseph Go

Our society overflows with critics, cynics, and faultfinders. Many people quickly point out what you are doing wrong, but relatively few take time to point out anything you are doing right. So what if the campaign was copied from the Swiss? Each country tries to take an angle of 'being a FUN place to stay' just to drive-in tourists.

eat this haters? xD

The DOT campaign is bringing out the crazy-pinoy-creativity. Now, your probably wondering how to make your own or create your own FUN campaign poster/photo? There are a couple sources that you can try:

• http://abuggedlife.com/2012/01/07/how-to-make-your-own-its-more-fun-in-the-philippines-meme/
• http://www.morefunmaker.com/

Related Sources and More information:

Official Website: ItsMoreFUNinthePhilippines.com

Official Twitter Accounts and Hashtags:

#ItsMoreFUNinthePhilippines - Hashtag to promote the FUN in the Philippines to the world.

#1forFUN - Hashtag of our National Tourism Cheer

@DOT Philippines - Official DOT Twitter Account

@ItsMoreFUNinPH - Official Twitter Account of the Campaign.

Official Facebook Page: It's More Fun in the Philippines (Type in the search box)

“It takes a nation to sell a nation. Everyone must be involved!”
"Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan."

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What is your take/opinion on the new logo and campaign? Love to here your reply in the comment box below!

By Vernon Go with 1 comment

Mass Hysteria Incident in Cebu (Earthquake+After.Shocks+Tsunami.Scare+TROLLS)

Photo Source: Click Here

The earthquake-tsunami incident in Cebu and Negros last Monday, February 6, 2012 is still a hot topic well except if your engrossed in this so called perceived holiday (V-Day). This incident, starting with the Earthquake, by far was the longest I felt in years, around more than 30 seconds or so.

And even after a week, the Philippine Institute of Volcano-logy and Seismology has recorded more than a thousand aftershocks. Some of them are quite strong especially in Negros Oriental and neighboring 'deep' southern towns in Cebu. My BUTT has become hyper-sensitive to these aftershocks already, but in Cebu City,  I guess it's effects are no longer felt.

As of this writing, relief and rescue efforts are currently under going with Tri-Media people still heading there, and first responding foundations (GMA, ABS-CBN, & Aboitiz Foundation, that I know of). My mom, the next day closed our small restaurant-business to inspect the structure and one of our employees had to go home since he was from the stricken area, and of course we had an emergency house de-cluttering to send some help there as well.

Photo by: www.drakiness.com

Earthquake info:
Central Visayas was hit by a very strong earthquake (6.7/8/9 magnitude). The epicenter was located in the middle of Tañon Strait which is in between Negros and Cebu. Badly damaged was Negros Oriental more specifically the town of Tayasan, Gihulngan, La Libertad, Ayongon etc. Cebu was shaken but was not damaged as much, and although some cracks has surfaced in some public infrastructures and in some hillsides and mountains in Ronda, Cebu (more here).

There were no classes for the next 2 to 3 days as establishments and the government checked buildings. And by the end of the week, teachers and students had to get a make-up class.

Tsunami Scare:
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued “Tsunami alert no. 2? which advised to “stay away from the shoreline and to watch out for unusual waves. People living in the shoreline are advised to be watchful. ” Take note that no evacuation was recommended, but just for people to be watchful. Well, people obviously over-reacted for some reason or got the wrong information somehow:



Because of the lack of the information, panic spread all over the street and people ran, some of them even removed their shoes, they even ran from Colon, all the way to Fuente Osmeña Circle (That is a far Run!). Newspapers the next day even got some stories and images that even some policemen/tanods ran as well.

TROLLING in the DEEP:
Ahcee Flores Incident -“Ahcee” posted this:

Image Source: from the Dungeon

For me, the best way to deal w/-it is: if you feel offended, let out the emotion 1st before responding/sharing without thinking. We don't even now yet for sure of the 'person' mentioned is in itself 'a real person'. We must be mindful of our actions because if this was a real person, the crowd of netizens would end up being 'the cyber bully' which may cause the person to commit something dreadful (suicide, depression..etc..)

I rendered a quick interview for a local newspaper (SunStar) as to what one can do in this type of situation: Click-to-view-Net post enrages Bisayas in Visayas, Mindanao

EYE-OPENER:
This is a great opportunity for local leaders, academe, business and the like to help plan for contingencies and the like preventive-solutions, if something worse were to happen (same goes for individuals).

It's not yet over, earlier this weekend, PAGASA reports that it's gonna be a rainy week in Central Visayas; not to be the bearer of bad news, but there could be a chance of Land Slides in immediate affected areas. Let's continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in the Southern Cebu and Negros; let us also help whenever we can, coordinate with your local foundations or Social Welfare offices as to what one can do.

Note: If one finds the writing offensive or a bit insensitive, it's okay and understandable for those 1st time earthquake-newbies, I'm simply trying to point out the things we can do now and the areas of opportunities we can seize; and when it happened, I was seriously concentrating poo-poo-ing in the restroom so I would've probably never went outside the house even if it was the end of the world, seriously (I'm not cold, just constipated).

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." -Mother Teresa #hindiakocheesy #slightlang

By Vernon Go with 7 comments

Heart Shaped Doughnuts from Krispy Kreme

Enjoy Chocolate Ice Sprinkles, Peanut Butter with Choco Drizzle, Cookies & Cream, Snickers Classic, Powdered Strawberry, Chocolate Ice Custard, Chocolate Ice Kreme Filled, Caramel Kreme Crunch, New York Cheese Cake, Kitkat, and Choco Mania Doughnuts, as they come in cute, romantic heart shapes.

Good to give in your office, meetings and the like!

Share with your friends, classmates, teachers? Boss or whoever!

Krispy Kreme’s heart-shaped Valentine doughnuts are only available from February 6 to 14, 2012, so hurry! Grab a box now and revel in the romance this love month! This is also an interesting and awesome way of doing Attraction Marketing! Sooo coool!

So what are you waiting for? Share the love this season with Krispy Kreme, for a love like this only happens once a year! =)

By Vernon Go with 4 comments

CINEMA ONE ORIGINALS FESTIVAL @ SM!

I normally, no longer post about events in this blog unless it is advocacy/social development related or unless it's a FILM FESTIVAL!!! HAHHAHAHAHAHA! This time around it's a combination of Filipino and Cebuano+Mindanaoan Films. The trailers I've seen so far are really neat and I'm very much excited for this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (you can't have 2 much exclamations)
The last pure visayan movie I watched was Sangtuaryo (which was set in Bantayan Island and was about the life there and also about environmental protection in the changing times of Modernity). For this one, I'm primarily interested in the Film of my good friend/Co-blogger/fashionista/Award-winning~Actress/Director? Miss Chic-in-the-tropics-dot-com~Eden and also the awesome [based from the trailers] My Paranormal Romance!!! Also I got intrigued with that Philippine-Setting-Zombie-Film :3.

After filmmaker Remton Siega Zuasola bagged international recognitions for his film “Ang Damgo Ni Eleuteria,” it’s now the time for his fellow Cebuanos to celebrate filmmaking excellence via the Cinema One Originals Festival in Cebu City this February 11 to 16, at the SM City Cebu Cinema 8.

 
Among the films to be shown in the South installment of the festival are Cebuano-made “Di Ingon ‘Nato [Not Like Us],” “My Paranormal Romance,” “Ang Damgo Ni Eleuteria” and “Confessional.” Mindanaoan film “Imburnal,” which is also in Visayan dialect, is in this powerful  lineup.

   
Also featured in the filmfest are titles that recently bagged awards in the 2011 Cinema One Originals Festival such as “Ka Oryang,” “Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay,” “Mga Anino Sa Tanghaling Tapat,” “Cartas de la Soledad,” “Sa Kanto Ng Ulap at Lupa,” “Sa Ilalim ng Tulay,” and “Big Boy.”

Me+Eden+Director-Remton {if i'm not mistaken?}

Stars of the 7^th Cinema One Originals films like the festival’s Best Actress Lilia Cuntapay, Mercedes Cabral, Franco Reyes, Phoebe Kaye Fernandez, Paul Jake Castillo, Publio Briones III, Van Roxas and others will grace this big event. Of course, award-winning filmmakers such as Sari Dalena of “Ka Oryang” and Antoinette Jadaone, together with some Cebuano filmmakers and actors will also be there. 

Recently, “Ang Damgo Ni Eleuteria” recently took home two awards at the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival in Indonesia such as Golden Hanoman (for best Asian feature film) and Geber (given by the Indonesian film communities). ” It also won the Special Jury prize in the 12^th Jeonju International Film Festival in South Korea. In the local scene, the Cebuano-made film was also a big winner in the 34^th Gawad Urian—bagging the most coveted Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography (by Christian Linaban) and Best Music (by Jerrold Tarog)—and was hailed Best Picture in the Cinemanila 2010 (Southeast Asian Category).

“Brave, bold and original,” goes the description on the featured films. The talents are also a mix of flag bearers and an emerging new breed. See below for the Cinema One Film Fest Movie Schedules here in Cebu:


-Feb 11, Saturday
6:30 PM Opening Cocktails/Ceremonies
8:15 PM Ang Damgo Ni Eleuteria
-Feb 12, Sunday
11:00 AM Imburnal 
3:00 PM Sa Ilalim Ng Tulay
5:00 PM Confessional
7:00 PM Ang Damgo Ni Eleuteria 
9:00 PM Di Ingon 'Nato
-Feb 13, Monday
12:00 PM Layang Bilanggo 
2:25 PM Ishmael
4:50 PM Ang Damgo Ni Eleuteria
7:10 PM Anatomiya Ng Korupsiyon
9:30 PM Six Degrees Of Separation From Lilia Cuntapay
-Feb 14, Tuesday
12:00 PM Sa Kanto Ng Ulap At Lupa 
2:15 PM Cartas De La Soledad
4:50 PM Anatomiya Ng Korupsiyon
7:10 PM Di Ingon 'Nato 
9:30 PM My Paranormal Romance 
-Feb 15, Wednesday
12:00 PM Di Ingon 'Nato
2:25 PM Mga Anino Sa Tanghaling Tapat
4:50 PM Six Degrees Of Separation From Lilia Cuntapay 
7:10 PM My Paranormal Romance 
9:30 PM Ka Oryang 
-Feb 16, Thursday
12:00 PM Big Boy 
2:25 PM Ang Damgo Ni Eleuteria
4:50 PM My Paranormal Romance 
7:10 PM Ka Oryang
9:30 PM Di Ingon 'Nato

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SYNOPSES OF some FEATURED FILMS in the Cinema One Festival
ANG DAMGO NI ELEUTERIA

Directed by Remton Siega Zuasola

Terya, a simple island girl, is about to leave hom to marry a foreigner. On her long walk to the ferry that will take her to the airport, she mulls over the most important decision of her young life. The bizarre events of the Baliw-Baliw festival on Olango island parallel her state of mind.

Cast: Donna Isadora Gimeno, Gregg Tecson, Lucia Jeuzan, Fedwilyn Villarba, Daday Melgar, Viven Eniola

Writer: Remton Siega Zuasola with acknowledgements to Ma. Victoria Beltran. Producers: Beverly Tañedo, Jiji Borlasa. Cinematographer: Christian Linaban. Music: Jerrold Tarog.

BIG BOY

Directed by Shireen Seno

America has “liberated” the islands, and the Philippines has just been proclaimed a new republic. Every day at the crack of dawn, Father and Mother stretch Julio by pulling his limbs in opposite directions. He is made to drink a concoction believed to stimulate growth in children. Julio’s remarkable height is used to advertise this growth concoction. Meanwhile he grows distant and detached from his family, wandering around town while his parents are consumed by the success of the business.

Cast: Ian Lomongo, Pam Miras

Writer: Shireen Seno. Executive Producer: Ronald Arguelles.  Director: Shireen Seno. Producer: John Torres. Creative Consultant: Sherad Anthony Sanchez. Directors of Photography: Gym Lumbera, Shireen Seno. Editor: Shireen Seno. Production Designer: Niki de los Reyes Torres. Art Director: Timmy Harn. Costume Designer: Anna Vecin, Jacyn Esquillon. Gaffers: Tristan Salas, Dan Benosa Cuanico. Set Dresser: Wilbert Doctolero. Production Assistant: Che Villanueva. Videographer: Tristan Salas, Dan Benosa Cuanico. Stills Photographer: Jacyn Esquillon, Gym Lumbera. Assistant Director: Gym Lumbera, John Torres.

CARTAS DE LA SOLEDAD

Directed by Gutierrez Mangansakan II

Rashid Ali returns to his Maguindanao hometown after studying and working for more than 25 years in Barcelona, Spain. He dreams of using what he learned in Europe to improve the lives of his people. But nothing has changed since he left. Politicians remain corrupt, poverty is widespread, his people desperate. 

Frustrated, Rashid retreats to a decrepit family house far from town with Racma, the housemaid, as his only companion. Their only connection to the world is Andal the family servant and Anuk the postman. In his seclusion Rashid writes letters to himself detailing the affairs of his day, combining his own experience and his opinion of the radio news everyday. These letters written in Spanish are his remaining connection to the Barcelona of his youth. The act of writing becomes a refuge until an imminent war threatens his serenity.

Cast: Perry Dizon, Mayka Lintongan, Alexis Libres, Ma. Victoria Beltran, Rashid Alvarez, Bein Ali Unayan.

Writer, Line Producer, Production Designer and Editor: Gutierrez Mangansakan II.Executive Producer: Ronald Arguelles. Creative Consultant: Sherad Anthony Sanchez. Directors of Photography: Gutierrez Mangansakan II, McRobert Nacario, John Barredo. Assistant Director: Meriam Faith Palma. Production Manager: Elreen Bendisula. Art Director: Moises Charles Hollite.

CONFESSIONAL

Directed by Jerrold Tarog, Ruel Antipuesto

“Confessional is the Blair Witch Project of political thrillers. Made with a grant of $23,000, the coarse production quality is not a style statement like some independent digital films but instead integral to the plot. It lures the audience into a forest of moral conundrums and ends with a twist that chills to the bone.

“Shot like a home movie, it pretends to be real while undermining the very idea of verisimilitude by having narrator Ryan (Jerrold Tarog) give a demo on how to doctor a wedding video to make it more touching.

“The directors are dyed-in-the-wool cynics who don’t flinch from showing the unsavory aspects of their people. Yet they are shrewd enough to employ commercial filmmaking techniques to make their critique accessible. Their sense of humor makes the underlying political message more even hard-hitting.” --Maggie Lee, Pusan International Film Festival

Cast: Jerrold Tarog, Arodasi.

Screenwriter: Ramon Ukit. Executive Producer: Ruel Antipuesto. Producer: Ronald Arguelles. Director of Photography: Ruel Antipuesto. Music: Jerrold Tarog, Arodasi. Editor: Pats r. Ranyo. Costumes: Donna Gimeno.

DI INGON ‘NATO

Directed by Brandon Relucio and Ivan Zaldarriaga

In a remote mountain village in Cebu, Philippines, a farmer will commit murder, a young doctor will lose her first patient, and a barangay captain will find a girl brutally murdered in a cemetery. 

The entire community is drawn into the mystery, and they will have to rely on each other to survive. It’s one thing to deal with the deaths of loved ones, but how should they react when these same loved ones return?

Cast: Rez Cortez, Franco Reyes, Mercedes Cabral, Donna Gimeno, Gabriel Abanto, Jefrey Ogario, Gregg Tecson 

Marlon Douglas Hofer, Bernard Catindig, Aya Ng, Lito Cardeño, Daday Melgar, Ria Araneta, Nathaniel Rubio, Cara Muaña Rosende 

Executive Producer: Ronald Arguelles. Writers: Brandon Relucio and Ivan Zaldarriaga. Executive Producer: Ronald Arguelles. Producers: Beverly Tañedo and Jiji Borlasa. Associate Producers: Chantel Garcia and Donna Gimeno. Cinematographer: Christian Linaban. Production Designer: Remton Siega Zuasola. Art Director: Zalde Lapiña. Assistant Director: Grace Lina. Editors: Brandon Relucio, Ivan Zaldarriaga, Christian Linaban. Visual Effects Supervisor: Philip Muaña. Sound Engineers: Vanya Fantonial, James D'Lonsod. Make Up Artists: Klaudia, Amuer Butron. Creative Consultant: Sherad Anthony Sanchez.

IMBURNAL

Directed by Sherad Anthony Sanchez

“A controversial digital exploration of coming of age in the slums of Davao City in the Philippines. Two boys, Rabay and Allen, live in sewers and cemeteries surviving through petty crime. Sanchez captures an intimate, anti-narrative world of experience, sex, and conversation framed by wandering through the landscape of the glittering city. But poverty and alienation in Davao are also framed by violence – disappearances and death squads who seek to clean the city of its juvenile delinquients. A raw, complex, compelling work exploring the slums without the Hollywood/Bollywood gloss of Slumdog Millionaire’s happy ending.” – Hong Kong International Film Festival

“… The absolute highlight of JIFF, and the deserving winner of both the International Competition’s Woosuk Award and the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Award, was Philippine director Sherad Anthony Sanchez’s 215-minute digital experimental epic Imburnal. Though epically conceived, Imburnal refuses to be narratively “well-behaved.” Sanchez distends and hammers his images to the point of incomprehension, but they always sing, reverberating with the unformed, fearful beauty of youth.” – Shelly Kraicer, Cinema Scope

Cast: Jelieta Mariveles Ruca, Joel San Juan, Allen Lumanog.

Directors of Photography: Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Joel geolamen, Mark Limbaga, Jose Bagane Fiola, John Torres. Production Manager: Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Jelieta Mariveles-Ruca. Production Designer: Joel Geolamen. Editor: Sherad Anthony Sanchez. Art Director: Sherad Anthony Sanchez. Sound Designer: John Barredo. Music Composer: Eric Gancio. Shot in Matina Aplaya, Davao City.

ISHMAEL

Directed by Richard V. Somes

Ishmael is released on parole after 12 years in prison for murder. His dream of rebuilding his life is shaken when a mysterious girl turns up in his front yard, seeking his help. He tries to stay away from trouble, but slowly discovers that his once-peaceful hometown is no longer a safe haven.

Cast: Ronnie Lazaro, Mark Gil, Ria Garcia, Pen Medina, Dan Alvaro.

Line Producers: Riza Montelibano and Barbara Montelibano. Cinematographers: J.A. Tadena, Louie Quirino, Herman Claraval, Alex Espartero. Production Designer: Adrian Torres. Art Directors: Elmer Gamila and Charles Albert Alabado. Production Manager: Darry dela Cruz.

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Support our local artists: me + Phoebe Kaye Fernandez [ABS-CBN MAGTV NA! Host!] SUPPORTx5 My Paranormal Romance!!!

Cebuanos should support the Cinema One Originals Festival in Cebu because it truly celebrates the artistry and creativity of young Cebuano film talents.

On a side note: Should I change my hair style? or get a new one? Wondered about it for a week na and Kay na-WARLA pud kos 'SIR' ni Ms.Phoebe...I feel old :3


Catch all of the films in the Cebu leg of the Cinema One Originals festival. These movies are produced and owned by Cinema One cable channel and the Creative Programs, Inc. For more info, log on to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cinema-One-Originals/

Photo Credits: Jaysee

By Vernon Go with 4 comments

What to do with Lead Generation Woes?

Are you having some or a few problems concerning Lead Generation? Is it the 1st time you've heard about such a word? Well, the words have many applications in various areas of engagement in different business processes. In sales, it's basically following a lead that results into a sale. In HR Sourcing, it's a lead or an applicant which resulted into a hire. In other sub fields in marketing it is also being used or applied just like in MLM Lead Generation. See the link and view for yourself so you can learn about it. Hope you enjoy the video!

By Vernon Go with No comments

Visiting the MV Logos Hope

Just recently, we were able to visit the World's Largest Floating Book Fair the MV Logos Hope! You could say this is a dream come true in it's own way because I've always wanted to see and get inside this since MV Doulos was still around. But I never got to get on board that ship because either: some weird circumstance would happen and prevent me from going there or I will, for some reason forget to go there on the day I planned to go there!

The ship's or the organizational vision is quite simple and easy to remember (but very profound as well):
Bring Hope, Help and Knowledge to the people of the world! This time around though, I was with my co-Industrial Engineers who were also somewhat free and a little bit of a bookworm/s. :3

Cultural Cafe Ticket (Not included with the Entrance)

Cultural Interaction during the Cultural Cafe

Here are some videos you can find the rest in my Youtube Channel for the Cultural Cafe Presentations:


More Videos:

• Logos Hope AVP
• African Song 2, African Song 3
• The Haka Dance -  ; Haka Explained
• Tinikling danced by foreigners
• American Swing Dance
• Mexican Folk Dance
• Switzerland Yodeling
• Cultural Interaction with Karla

Faith and International Volunteerism:
It is not just a ship that contains books, not just an international traveling community. We are also here to bring good news of God, ~mentioned one of the volunteers. The ship has been regarded as a genuine expression of international good will and understanding.

Most of its crew members are in their 20s or 30s. The volunteers, who are not paid, include seafarers, engineers, electricians, nurses, teachers and cooks. They only get sponsorship from friends, family members, and civic organization which enables the crew to serve on board. There are three Filipino volunteers on board in which, two come from Luzon and the other one is an early 20's Cebuana.

Book/s Inventory:

The ship carries a stock of half a million books with thousands of titles and topics. These include literature, music, science, technology, sports, hobbies, cookery, the arts, history, and languages. Majority of the books found in the ship are for children. Logos Hope also carries instructional DVDs and VCDs.

International Cafe

International Cafe Menu xD (Prices may change depending on location)

White Chocolate and Cinnamon Cakes!!!

International Crackers!!

About the MV Logos Hope:

MV Logos Hope is operated by the German charitable Christian organisation GBA Ships e.V. As the fourth
ship operated by the organisation, she follows in the line of MV Logos, the wrecked hulk of which now sits on a rock shelf on the Chilean coast, MV Logos II which was retired in the fall of 2008 and which Logos Hope was designed to replace, and MV Doulos which was sold to a Singaporean interest in 2009.

Twice as big as any previous ship operated by the organisation, the ship was completely refitted over a period of 5 years. Logos Hope provides a better quality of life for crew as well as a wider range of activities for visitors and guests. The publicly accessible deck offers visitors an introduction to the vessel and the organisation, a book fair featuring around 7,000 different titles, a visual presentation called the Journey of Life and the International Cafe. All volunteer crew and staff of 400 people, represent around 50 different countries. Unlike the crew during her original use as a car ferry, crew and staff normally join the organisation to live on board for two years. --wikipedia

There is also a History Wall within the Ship :D

Quick History: 
In 1973 the ship was commissioned as the car ferry Gustav Vasa running between Malmö (Sweden) and Travemünde (Germany), a route she ran for 10 years. In April 1983 she was sold to the Faroese ferry company Smyril Line and renamed Norröna. Sailing from Tórshavn, the Faroese capital, to Lerwick (Shetland Islands), Bergen (Norway), Hanstholm (Denmark) and Seyðisfjörður (Iceland) each summer, she was often chartered in the winter to cover other operators’ overhaul schedules. When Smyril Line delivered a new Norröna in 2003, the old vessel became Norröna I and was put up for sale. After much deliberation, inspection and prayer, the current owners purchased the vessel in March 2004.--wikipedia (For more detailed info. visit their website HERE).

Share your Experience!

Logos Hope will be open until Feb. 13 in Pier 1 area (Behind Malacañang sa Sugbu --viewable from the SRP). The ship is open on Tuesdays to Saturdays at 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays. An entrance ticket costs Php20.00 and children below 12 years old can enter without charge. The next stop will be stops in Manila and Subic Bay in the next few months.

Special thanks to photogs~lalyn and VJG ++Anamams and Shem :P

By Vernon Go with 5 comments