Category Archives: Proud to be Pinoy!
Very little is known about Caramoan. It is a cluster of islands isolated from the rest of CamSur truly blessed by nature, and dubbed “Philippine’s Secret Paradise”. It is a bastion of serenity with its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, beautiful sunsets, ancient caves, and bountiful marine life.
Governor L-Ray Villafuerte, CamSur’s trailblazing leader who has catapulted Camsur and Caramoan to unprecedented development describes, “ When I first assumed office in 2004, I was appalled that such a beautiful island with so much untapped potential is one of the poorest in the country. It’s truly one of the Philippines’ hidden gems. I knew that we had to do something to change Caramoan’s destiny – from being backward to what it is now, a dream destination for film and television producers.”
This is not to say Caramoan is strictly for the extreme sports and adventure lovers because it actually gives “island hopping” a new meaning. Villafuerte describes, “We have of course the great ocean adventures for kayakers, snorklers and scuba divers to experience the diverse marine life. Others can trek and search for the lagoon, rock climb the limestone cliffs, and explore the caves. We also have other activities such as camping, mountain biking, spelunking, and more.”
The young governor has a genuine gift of vision and savvy. At the get-go, he envisioned a province with a unique branding and character. A marketing natural, Villafuerte spearheaded the launch of the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC), the biggest and most prestigious cable wakeboarding complex in the world. Landing CamSur in the international map, the world-class facilities of CWC has been recognized as the mecca of wakeboarding as it has hosted two of the World Wakeboarding Championships, only typically held in countries like Australia, France, and the US.
A wakeboarding enthusiast himself, Governor Villafuerte saw the country’s most premier photographer and fellow wakeboarder one afternoon at CWC. After an inspired conversation, Caramoan X6 was born.
Caramoan X6 (Caramoan times six) is the brainchild of Villafuerte as envisioned by De Leon, a winning collaboration of two forward-thinking visionaries. The idea was to invite the country’s best photographers to see the island through their own eyes, and share its beauty the way they see it. De Leon assembled today’s top photographers to join him in assembling Caramoan X6, the exhibit. Featured works are by Sara Black, Jo Ann Bitagcol, Paolo Pineda, Mark Nicdao, Jake Versoza, and Jun de Leon himself.
Expounding of their respective inspirations as they click around Caramoan’s Gota island, model turned photographer Sara Black begins by staying true and honest to the essence of her surroundings. She describes, “As a photographer, whenever I go to a place, I always observe how the light there falls and how that affects the color of everything. Caramoan has its own color palette and I enjoyed tremendously photographing that in its simplicity… the color in the little things. For me, it’s such a sincere joy to appreciate something as miraculous as color.”
Another model who traded her lipstick for the lens, Jo Ann Bitagcol, on the other hand, captures everyday scenes in the island. “Everywhere I go I make it a point to discover its beauty, life, and soul. And I saw all of this in Caramoan,” she says.
Paolo Pineda is the man on top. He shares, “We rode the chopper going to Caramoan from CamSur, and seeing it from that vantage point was just surreal. I wanted to capture the island like a classic painting… timeless.”
Meanwhile, Jake Versoza uses blacks, grays, and whites in his docu-photo treatment. “I wanted to document the daily lives of the people there because they thrive off nature’s bounty both in land and sea.” How do you capture warmth on film? He answers,” I was there during a strong typhoon but found peace hanging out with the locals. That’s warmth.”
Mark Nicdao describes the inspiration for his shots, “It’s the emotion and feeling of the place. It’s a rollercoaster ride. Caramoan has the balance of things you need when you’re on vacation mode. It has a bit of everything you want.” A natural portraitist, Nicdao captures smiles, gleeful eyes, and innocence in his photographs.
Lastly, Jun de Leon captures the early morning of Caramoan Island, inspired and reminiscent of a juvenile Sanso. He shares, “Photographs capture a precise moment in a still image. How you take the subject the second you click on your shutter will not be the same the second after. There are numerous moments to be captured in such a breathtaking island.”
The result of putting together their respective artistry is a marvelous compilation of visual tales enveloped within this enigmatic place. To celebrate, Caramoan X6 will be unveiled in fashion walk of Greenbelt 5 on December 17, led by Governor Villafuerte and the host of creative minds that brought a mere “inspired conversation” to reality.
A coffee table book was also produced showcasing the photos featured in the exhibit. These photos will be auctioned off during the event and all book sales will be for the benefit of CamSur’s educational fund.
The exhibit is continues in Ayala Malls Greenbelt 3 on December 18, 19, and 20.
To know more about Caramoan, visit http://www.caramoanislands.com.
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My friend, Bobby, takes beautiful photographs of scenery….scenery from our very own beautiful country, the Philippines! Heart2Heart loves the Philippines!! See and discover how beautiful our country is and check out his blog which he updates every now and then
VOTE PINOY! VOTE EFREN!!
Click on the photo to VOTE!
( Til November 26 and No limit to how many times you can vote )
Efren is already a winner at Heart2Heart!!
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As I reflect and see what happened during the past week, aside from typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng coming into our lives, there seems to be a SUPER TYPHOON of VALUES and LESSONS learned from everything that has happened. I was right when I said GOD HAS A REASON FOR EVERYTHING and He seems to be sending us many signals and messages. It is so abundant that it is FLOODING our hearts! ( Heart2Heart normally does not write a lot, but do take time out to read this )
1.) CHARITY
Filipinos are very quick in HELPING. Immediately, people were organizing task forces, everyone donating, Filipinos form all over the world, even non Filipinos helping our country!
I heard that even victims were helping other victims! Thank you to everyone for your kind and generous hearts!
” when you find yourself in a position to help someone, be glad. god is answering that person’s prayer through you”
How You can Help? September 28, 2009
Starbucks and The Ateneo Taskforce Ondoy September 28, 2009
What You can Do for Typhoon Ondoy Victims September 28, 2009
Bawat Pilipino Bayani September 29, 2009
2.) God has a reason for everything
And God is With Us September 29, 2009
There are 2 versions, watch both
RELIGIOUS
CHANGE ARGENTINA to PHILIPPINES
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POLITICAL
Related entry: Posted in Heart2Heart in 2007 ( This is the TRUTH December 31, 2007 )
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3.) Prayer
The Power of Prayer October 2, 2009
The Beauty of Prayer October 3, 2009
“God knows our prayers even when we cannot find words to say them for god knows our hearts better than we do. We often get impatient and take things into our own hands, but god says,”be quiet, trust me, i know your needs better than you do. just wait, let me work and give you the best.””
“Be aware that god’s answers are wiser than your own. “ William Culbertson
4.) Gratitutde
Aren’t we all suddenly so grateful for everything we have? For those who were spared, aren’t you grateful you still have your house- no matter how small, no matter how old, no matter what state you are in you have a place to live in? You cannot imagine how GRATEFUL I am for EVERY SINGLE little thing that we have been blessed with
* some tips to live by:
1) make your future bigger than your past.
2) make your contribution bigger than your reward.
3) make your performance greater than the applause.
4) make your gratitude greater than your success.
* those who thank god even in trials turn the burden into blessings. so keep your faith close to your heart and god shall provide the comfort you need.
* if the only prayer we say in our entire life is ‘thank you, lord,’ that would be enough. gratitude makes us see our many blessings.
* at times, god fills our cup full and running over, not so we can boast or brag, but so we can spill over into the lives of others.
* if you cannot be grateful for what you have received, then be thankful for what you have been spared. yiddish proverb
* in all things, always remember to give thanks. you might not be where you want to be but neither are you where you used to be. if it hasn’t happened yet, that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. remember a delay is not a denial from god; in his own time, he will make all things beautiful.
* “a thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” marcus tullius cicero
* may god give us wisdom to hold things lightly, to let things go, to give attention to things that last forever, and, to simplify our life for his glory.
5.) Preparing ourselves
Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.
As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. “Are you a good farm hand?” the farmer asked him.
“Well, I can sleep when the wind blows,” answered the little man.
Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man’s work.
Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand’s sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, “Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!”
The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, “No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.”
Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured.
Everything was tied down.
Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.
When you’re prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?
The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm. We secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God. We don’t need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the middle of storms.
Super Typhoon Pepang Checklist October 2, 2009
6.) PINOY SPIRIT
Once again the Filipino spirit is alive… This proves how Filipinos are so good in trying to find ways to get out of a bad situation and turn it into a happy one. No matter how serious the crisis, filipinos take the time to find humour in it.
We have been through so much, that we are so strong, WE WILL SURVIVE ANYTHING!
From Rocio Pantaleon
compliments of my friend Jackie Mendoza : My kumare asked these men,: “mga bakla ba kayo?” sabi nila,”hindi. pero eto lang ang dumarating na tulong e. suotin na
namin.” still taken at bgy bagong silangan, payatas, qc.
From emodeadsick
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So WHAT NOW?
CLEANING UP and MOVING FORWARD
Continous efforts are being done to feed and send donations to the victims. After we have all maxed out our ability to give financially, how do we move on and have a long term solution for all of this?
Heart2Heart is not looking anymore at photos of what happened during the storm or what donations are being made…….Heart2Heart is now on the lookout for people organizing CLEAN UP TASKFORCES, photos showing signs of recovery – people cleaning up, people moving on, people doing something to help our country even in their own little way..
YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU JUST BELIVE!
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Related Entries:
How You Can Help? September 28, 2009
Starbucks and the Ateneo Taskforce Ondoy Sept. 28, 2009
What you can do for typhoon Ondoy victims Sept. 28, 2009
And God is with us September 29, 2009
Bawat Pilipino Bayani September 29, 2009
How to Clean up After a Flood September 30, 3009
The Power of Prayer October 2, 2009
Super Typhoon Pepeng Checklist October 2, 2009
The Beauty of Prayer October 3, 2009
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I have been hearing about this woman from my sister Krie and from Dad and Mom…and I had the chance to finally meet her. Her name is Mercy Corrales.
Heart2Heart is very proud to feature her as I am sure she will be an idol to many women and Filipinos out there – just like how she has made me proud.
Mercy started off in Human Resources for Levis ( LSPI ) in the Philippines and even knew my grandmother working with her in Rustan’s. She later on became CEO of Levis in Brazil and then in Japan. She was with Levis for thirty years. Afterwhich, she became the CEO of Starbucks in Japan which has almost a thousand stores and sales of around a billion US dollars.
Imagine a woman being the CEO in a male dominated society like Japan?
She is the only woman who was awarded by the Harvard Business School in Japan as Business Statewoman of 2008.
And recently she was asked to be the President of Starbucks Asia Pacific which includes the Philippines.
I heard Mercy telling my Dad about her conversation with Howard Schultz over the phone when Howard called her about the new job offer.. Mercy told Howard… “I am going to SHAKE THINGS UP and I am going to disagree with you sometimes!” Howard was very happy to hear that and agreed that that was what he wanted. I also heard that she even dictated her terms as to what countries she could cover and how often she could come back to the Philippines…..that’s how good she is!
Mercy has given talks in Japan to many people from all over the world… many of them are amazed and asking her how she did it and how she made it to where she is now.
She told us over dinner that one of the reasons she wants to retire already is because she wants to be able to do something for the country…. she said that most of her career she has been helping overseas countries and companies. Hmmm…. the fact that she represents our country and makes us proud to be Filipinos…is already great service to our country!
“Itayo natin ang ating bandila,” she says!
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Heart2Heart supports and will support anything and anyone who promotes LOVE OF COUNTRY! and of course most especially LOVE FOR THE PHILIPPINES!
Heart2Heart is so proud to feature this new venture of our friend, Sam. ( Previous Entry : Sam’s Visit – October 20, 2007 ) You have to have a lot of guts to start something from scratch in New York and she DID IT!
MORE POWER TO YOU SAM!!!
At the heart of I Love Pinoy NY is a concept that shows our love for everything Pinoy*.
This was made possible by Pinoy die-hard Samantha Lopez Productions (SLP), a new
production outfit that aims to make the Pinoy stand out as it takes new bold directions
in Philippine arts, culture and entertainment shows in the greatest city of the world.
In the city Pinoys have grown to love as much as its own country, it’s time I love Pinoy NYC showcases Pinoy culture…served up with a defining New York City twist.
I love Pinoy will be launching it’s first project this coming September, so for those Heart2Heart viewers over there in New York, hope you will support and watch the show!
a night of comedy with
Rex Navarrete
A comedy show featuring top three Filipino stand-up comics from
Hawaii,Rex Navarrete; from Canada, Ron Josol and from New York,
Air Tabigue. In the show, the performers poke fun at both their Filipino
heritage and Western upbringing. Nothing is sacred but the three
comedians do their acts in a politically correct manner that will send
the audience laughing hard on such sketches as how Filipinos have
played Chinese, Indian and other Asian characters in Hollywood but
never themselves.
a night of comedy with
Rex Navarrete
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
199 Chambers St. (btw Greenwich and West)
New York City, NY 10007
Doors 7pm – Show 8pm
Special guests: ron josol and air tabigue
Tickets are available at:
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Call Box Office at (212) 220-1460 or visit
www.tribecapac.org and www.tiketanonline.com
Orchestra: $75 and $60 – Mezzanine: $50 and $35
Taken from their website: ILovepiNoY!
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