Philippine Embassy launches essay contest

The Philippine Embassy to Korea tweeted last Feb 25 that they would conduct an essay writing contest for Korean students and Filipinos in Korea. There are two categories;

1. Category A - for Korean students under the theme “The Philippines in the Korean War”
2. Category B - for Filipinos living in Daehan-minkuk to discuss “Finding Jose Rizal in South Korea: A Migrant’s Perspective

The essay should have 1000 to 1500 words and written in English for Category A and English or Filipino for Category B. Deadline for submission is on March 26, 2010 at 5 pm (yes most definitely Korean time!) Essays must be emailed to seoulpe (at) philembassy-seoul.com. The top entry will receive the Medal of Academic Excellence from the Office of the Philippine President, a plaque and cash award. Runners-up will also receive plaques. The winning entries will also be published in both Philippine and Korean publications.

The essay writing contest is sponsored by the Philippine Embassy to Korea in partnership with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Seoul Global Center, and the Philippine Resource Persons Group.

For more details, check out the website of the Philippine Embassy. You can also read it on Korea Times and Korea Herald.

You can also follow the Philippine Embassy on Twitter. While you're at it, might as well follow mine. That's twitter.com/jempres

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

In a few hours I'll be off to some remote island in the west coast of the peninsula. So I leave you this sad song from Gary V. Let your tears flow for this one. Reminiscence of the ghost of your Christmas past.

Or just enjoy this Jose Mari Chan classic with memories from your teens. You know, the school Christmas parties with Jollibee meals, exchange gifts wishing you don't get the picture frame. Hoping that your monito/monita was not your teacher. And yes the puto bumbong, bibingka and tsokolate after the "simbang ligaw" I mean simbang gabi.

But if you're into games like me. I'm sure you'll enjoy Ariel Rivera's Sana Ngayong Pasko with the Flyff twist.

Lastly, here's Sungha Jung wishing you a 메리 크리스마스!

Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!

~ Jempres

Sorbetero in Korea

Do you remember your mamang sorbetero? You know, those manongs going around your neighborhood selling what others call "dirty ice cream" in a pushcart similar to this one in the picture, only more colorful. They would let us know they're coming by ringing those hand-held bells. We would then get our scoops of good deliciousness for only just a few pesos. Sigh... Those are the times.
So I was so excited when I spotted this pushcart ice cream in Korea. I immediately run to her to purchase my scoops of deliciousness. This one is quite expensive though. You get a cone with 2 scoops for 1000 won, and the taste is a little disappointing. I'd rather get one of those ice cream cones from Lotteria or even Mcdonalds. But it's still fun seeing it though. And cute parasol.

Filipino Version of Twilight on ABS-CBN

ABSCBN is said to have bagged the rights for a Local TV production of the phenomenal Twilight. Reports (or rumors! ) about the production which is set in February are all over. The TV series will be entitled : would you believe- TAKIPSILIM. The whole list of cast, director and even the shooting locations are even released.

But netizens are in outrage about this. A lot of Filipino fans are in protest. Nobody likes the idea of Twilight being remade into a local telenovela. Tons of them claimed to have sent hate emails to ABSCBN. Some believed it is a hoax. I can't find a confirmed report about this. Though I remember reading it on ABSCBNnews website, but for some reason it's no longer accessible. Could it be just a 'leak' to test the waters? Or a fan's dream getting out of hand?
And there's also the issue of acquiring the rights for only 1M USD. Plus the actors playing the Edward and Bella characters are well not too popular.

I'm not a big fan of the movie nor the book but I wouldn't want Edward to be saying (probably the most emotional line in both the book and movie) something like this to Bella:

"Wala na akong lakas pa para layuan ka!"

Here's the fan-made poster of Shaina and Rayver:

Starbucks at SM Bicutan

An appointment brought me a little farther to the south. As I've got more than an hour to spare, I decided to go to the nearby SM Bicutan to kill the time. I thought a cup of hot Caramel Macchiato would be a perfect company on this rainy day. I've already gone to all three levels of the mall looking for that familiar sight but still no sign of it. When I inquired the friendly customer service girl, she said (with empathy all over her face! )there's NO STARBUCKS around, or any other coffee shop for that matter. Another CS girl told me that there is however Pancake House at the main mall. I don't see the point but hey she tried to help.

I ended up going to the French Baker though. I ordered Four Seasons and Peach Danish which I can't decide whether it is too sour or too sweet. The lady server is very nice and accomodating though. I guess in this part of the metro, there is still good customer service.

Couple or Trouble?

A1 Sauce and Heineken Beer
These two items are the best inventions of humankind. You can never go wrong with the beer plus a good piece of steak with the A1 will satisfy all your meat cravings. Just tune in to your fave sports channel (or in my case- DVD marathon) and you're good to go.
Two nights ago, our stomachs grumbled at 2AM. We wanted good comfort food but the only things open at that time are the fastfoods around the neighborhood. So we went a little bold to try the nearby 'redlight district' for some eats. So there it is, a stone's throw from the busy business district a 24 hour bar/cafe that serves really, really good food. We ordered some steak, grilled prawns and an all time favorite- Sinigang na Hipon. We had heineken beer and a bitter & sour cranberry juice. The prices are considerably reasonable but the drinks are a bit pricey.

Since it is located in the middle of redlight district, most of the customers are foreigners with local girls as their dates. Mostly Europeans and girls with very bad English and squeaky voices. Our meal would have been ruined if not for the 50s and 60s background music with James Dean, Elvis, and other 50s pictures everywhere. Just try not to look at the picture of that disgustingly fat and overweight lady by the stairs after eating.