Consonant Forms, Resonant Practice

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Consonant Forms, Resonant Practice opened at the Yuchengco Museum last 17 March 2018. Winning works by women artists Ivi Avellana Cosio, Nona Garcia, Ambie Abaño, Marina Cruz, Joy Mallari, and Abi Dionisio from the Philippine Art Awards and the ASEAN Art Awards will be shown together with older and more recent pieces. Mrs. Love Marie Ongpauco Escudero graced us with her presence as she opened the exhibit with the women artists.

The Philippine Art Awards has redefined art competitions in the local context - doing away with fine arts categories to allow a breadth of visual mediums, organising cross-regional competitions, and initiating workshops on contemporary art. It has propelled the career of many artists and undoubtedly helped refine our approaches to both the production and reception of art.

The works in the exhibition share specific subject matter and themes: the body, places and vistas, and objects that allow reflection. Several of the images while rendered realistically, speak to the nature of reality itself.

Consonant Forms, Resonant Practice reflects on art competitions and women’s participation in them. While competitions like the PAA and the ASEAN Art Awards have been instrumental to the careers of many artists, they are not the main arenas where women artists develop their artistic visions. The exhibition argues for a wider latitude of art making for women artists.

The works can be viewed at the Cone Room, the Bridgeway Foyer and Gallery at the museum’s third floor until 28 April 2018.

Consonant Forms, Resonant Practice

March 17 – April 28, 2018

EXHIBIT ORGANIZERS

PAAFI - Promoting Advocacy for the Arts Foundation, Inc

PRESENTOR
PMFTC, Inc.

EXHIBITION CURATOR
Tessa Maria Guazon

ARTISTS:
Ambie Abaño
Grand Prize Winner, Philippine Art Awards 2006

Ivi Avellana-Cosio
Jurors’ Choice, Philippine Art Awards 1997

Marina Cruz
Grand Prize Winner, Philippine Art Awards 2008

Abi Dionisio 
Award of Merit, Philippine Art Awards 2016

Nona Garcia
Jurors’ Choice, Philippine Art Awards 2000
Grand Prize Winner, Asean Art Awards 2000

Joy Mallari
Jurors’ Choice, Philippine Art Awards 2000

PAAFI - Promoting Advocacy for the Arts Foundation, Inc, the organizer of the

Philippine Art Awards is grateful to the following for their contribution to this exhibition.

GENEROUS LENDERS
Avellana Art Gallery
Pinto Art Museum
JV Cobankiat
Carlos O. Cojuangco
Reynaldo L. Concepcion
Daniel and Monica dela Cruz
Trickie C. Lopa
Ramon and Lay Ann Orlina
Paulino and Hetty Que
Richard and Sandy Uy
Toti and Dorla Villalon

COLLABORATORS
Katrina Stuart Santiago
Altro Mondo Arte Contemporaneo
Metro Society
Tin-aw Art Gallery

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNER
Yuchengco Museum, Inc.

Manila Gearing Up for Debut of One Super Series at One: Heroes of Honor

Wazzup Pilipinas!

While the Philippine capital is abuzz with the announcement of the main event showdown between Team Lakay’s Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon (17-5) and Bali-based American Andrew Leone (8-3), another spectacle is ready to be unveiled at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Making its debut on 20 April at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR is the highly-anticipated ONE Super Series, a new iteration in ONE Championship’s efforts to bring martial arts to the forefront in mainstream culture.

According to ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, the ONE Super Series aims to provide the world's best martial artists a prestigious global platform to showcase the beauty of Asia's striking arts such as Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, Kung Fu, wushu, sanda, silat, lethwei, and more.

It will feature various-styled bouts under ONE Championship’s unique rule sets, including kickboxing and Muay Thai, some in the ring, some in the cage, and with ONE Championship branded boxing or grappling gloves. It’s an exciting development in the professional martial arts landscape that could have a lasting effect on the future of the sport.

The premiere offering for Manila’s ONE Super Series is a battle featuring international kickboxing superstar Giorgio Petrosyan of Italy, who takes on 25-year-old “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut of Thailand.

The 32-year-old Petrosyan is known as one of the finest kickboxing talents in the world. He began his professional Muay Thai career at the age of 16 competing between bantamweight and middleweight, winning multiple titles across each division.

With a professional kickboxing record of 85-2-2, 2NC, Petrosyan is known for his incredible 6-year 42-bout win streak which is considered one of the most dominant reigns in middleweight history.

On the other hand, Nattawut is a kickboxing star from Atlanta, Georgia with a professional kickboxing record of 60-11-2. Originally from Korat, Thailand, Nattawut is a former Lion Fight Super Welterweight Champion and WMC Champion, known for his powerful elbow and knee strikes.

Aside from the marquee talent debuting at ONE Super Series in Manila, is the unveiling of a brand new ONE Super Series five-rope ring. Up until this point, ONE Championship has held martial arts bouts inside the famed ONE cage, but at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, a new battlefield will be revealed.

Specifications and details have yet to be announced, but all bouts are expected to be held inside the new ring, including bouts that are officiated under ONE’s Global Rule Set. This means that, for the first time in ONE Championship history, Mixed Martial Arts contests will be held in the ring instead of in the cage.

This is a huge development and one that could be a potential game-changer. The ring is set to be unveiled in the coming weeks, with select media getting the opportunity to have a first-look before the arena doors open to the public.

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For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

Sustaining Career Renaissance is in Honorio Banario’s Best Interest

Wazzup Pilipinas!

After scoring a one-punch knockout that was heard around the world, former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario is set to make his much-awaited return to action on 20 April.

Banario is slated to duke it out with Australian veteran Adrian “The Hunter” Pang on the undercard of ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, which takes place at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

“I am back! It’s exciting because this will be my first bout in 12 months. I miss everything about competing. It’s an honor because my comeback bout will happen on Philippine soil. Big things are ahead of me,” he expressed.

The 28-year-old native of Mankayan, Benguet never entertained the idea that his best days were behind him as after losing five bouts in a row from 2013 to 2015.

Proving that he could bring back the glimmer in his professional career, Banario has won four-straight matches, including two spectacular finishes in his last two outings.

In April 2017, Banario showcased another epic performance, stopping ONE Championship debutant Jaroslav Jartim with a single left hook.

Countering a body kick with a punching combination, Honorio unleashed a left hook that landed square on Jartim’s jaw, turning the lights out immediately for his Czech opponent.

It was Banario’s first real knockout victory since he stopped compatriot Andrew Benibe at ONE: PRIDE OF A NATION in August 2012.

“That win was so memorable. It was all muscle memory because in training, the left hook is always my go-to move. It landed flush during the match. I went home with a big smile on my face,” Banario recalled.

Following four stellar victories since transferring to the stacked lightweight bracket, another win could elevate Banario to title contention for the ONE Lightweight World Championship, which is currently in the possession of two-division kingpin Martin Nguyen.

However, a tough test in the form of Pang awaits Banario at ONE HEROES OF HONOR, which is headlined by his Team Lakay comrade Kevin Belingon taking on American contender Andrew Leone.

Pang, who hails from Brisbane, Australia, is a perennial lightweight competitor famous for his extreme toughness and has walked through opponents with his overwhelming power.

In addition to being a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Pang is regarded as a hard-hitter who is known for dropping foes with a single punch.

Although Pang is already 40 years old, Banario believes that his Australian opponent remains as a formidable counterpart due to his vast martial arts experience.

“Even if he is up there in age, he has not appeared to have slowed down. He is still very strong, and he has the experience of a veteran, which is very tough to deal with,” he acknowledged.

However, Banario likes his chances against Pang as he believes that his size advantage will play a pivotal role in their lightweight clash.

“I have a better cardio than he does, and I am a little taller than he is, so I am going to use that to my advantage. I am young, and I am strong, so I feel very confident that I can outlast him, conditioning-wise. In terms of skill, however, we are very even. We have a similar skill set,” he explained.

According to Banario, if he can defeat Pang in convincing fashion, it will be the biggest triumph of his pristine run as a lightweight.

“Ever since I moved up to lightweight, I feel so much stronger. This is my natural fighting weight. I am a lightweight fighter. I just feel reinvigorated. My punches and kicks are powerful, my body is sturdy, and my mind is strong,” he stated.

“I feel as though the momentum is still on my side. I want to continue what I started,” Banario added.

With ONE Championship housing high-caliber lightweights such as Pang, Eduard Folayang, Ev Ting, Amir Khan, Timofey Nastyukhin, Ariel Sexton and Shinya Aoki, Banario asserted that his main objective is to elevate his status in the weight class’ rankings.

“I’m a hundred percent ready to go back in there again. I will fight anyone who stands in front of me. I have no problem if it’s a big name or a small name in this division. What’s important is that I stay active and improve my rankings,” he ended.

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​For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.​

PLDT Employees Cooperative Partners with ePLDT to Adopt Microsoft Office 365 ​

Wazzup Pilipinas!

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ePLDT, Inc., together with PLDT Enterprise, recently penned a partnership agreement with the PLDT Telephone Employees’ Service Cooperative (TELESCOOP) to fully integrate Office 365 into the company’s daily business operations.

Microsoft Office 365 is a suite of productivity tools, which allows users to work anytime, anywhere and on any device. It boasts of communication solutions built for effective team collaboration—from e-mail and instant messaging (IM) to social networking and video conferencing.

“One way to professionalize us as a company is to upgrade the tools that we use to serve the members of TELESCOOP,” said Marcos De Leon, TELESCOOP Chairperson. “Adopting Office 365 is just the start of our meaningful engagement. We’re glad that both ePLDT and PLDT Enterprise are with us for this cause.”

TELESCOOP is a PLDT cooperative that offers financial empowerment to employees and stakeholders of the company and its subsidiaries. It aims to provide prompt, efficient, quality and innovative service that complies with the principles of its cooperatives. Its services include financial loans, business loans and loans for personal purchases such as gadgets, among others.

“ePLDT has been transforming enterprises with best-of-breed platform that are deployed and managed by certified experts,” said Nerisse Ramos, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ePLDT Group. “This engagement for TELESCOOP’s adoption of Office 365 marks the beginning of their digital transformation, and we look forward to build stronger partnerships with them.”

Jovy Hernandez—Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT Enterprise—said that PLDT Enterprise and ePLDT team up to help customers like TELESCOOP improve their e-mail system with the adoption of a more professional suite of productivity solutions.

“TELESCOOP has been positively transforming the lives of PLDT employees for many years. As they evolve through the adoption of innovative solutions, they will be even more beneficial and critical to PLDT’s workforce. We look forward to how they will continue to create an even more positive and lasting impact on the organization as a whole.    

ePLDT is the industry-leading enabler of digital enterprise solutions in the Philippines. It is the top Cloud Solutions Provider of Microsoft Office 365 in the Philippines and one of the leading in the Asia Pacific region.

The company received an International award from Microsoft as the PH Country Partner of the Year for 2017, and the Microsoft Philippines SME Cloud Service Provider Partner of the Year 2017.

For more information, please visit the website at www.epldt.com.

Photo Caption:

(L-R) Jovy Hernandez, Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT Enterprise; Marcos De Leon, Chairperson of TELESCOOP; Hector Profeta, Vice Chairperson of TELESCOOP; and Nerisse Ramos, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ePLDT Group, recently engaged in a strategic partnership for PLDT Telephone Employees’ Service Cooperative (TELESCOOP)’s adoption of and migration to Microsoft Office 365. ​

From Construction to Cars: “Build, Build, Build” Program Set to Thrive at MIAS 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Time and again, Worldbex Services International (WSI) – the country’s biggest events and expositions organizer – proves its unrivalled capacity in stimulating economic productivity with the recently-concluded WORLDBEX 2018. Following in the footsteps of its groundbreaking installments in the past, this year’s WORLDBEX had once again broken new grounds as it welcomed close to 180,000 visitors – transcending last year’s visitor count of 170,000.

As the country’s biggest construction event draws closer to its Silver Anniversary, attendees and exhibitors alike significantly benefitted from the dynamic B2B opportunities that unfolded during the widely successful trade event – a development that openly complements the ongoing “Build, Build, Build” Program of the current administration.

Drawing from the same objective, WSI picks up the pace in realizing the vast economic possibilities that abound as it gears up to deliver another highly anticipated trade event that will serve to augment the country’s plight towards infrastructure development. Hailed as the biggest and most awaited car show in the country, the Manila International Auto Show is set to return on April 5 to 8, from 10:00am to 10:00pm at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM), WTCMM Northwing, and the Philippine Trade Training Center.

This time around, fueling the direction for this year’s MIAS is its strong intent to focus on the dual nature of today’s vehicles. Through the theme of “Work & Play”, this year’s MIAS will be all about showcasing a wide array of cars and other automotive innovations that will elevate not only the way people travel but also, the way companies do business.

To date, MIAS has noted a 38% increase on its exhibiting companies and a whopping 60% increase on the anticipated car and motorcycle displays which is in part a result of the 16% increase in venue of this year’s show. Moreover, apart from boasting of over 200 exhibiting companies and over 400 car and motorcycle display, MIAS is thrilled to announce a new addition to its roster of event highlights – the Truck Pavilion which will be located at the WTCMM Northwing.

Taking cue from the “Build, Build, Build” Program, MIAS believes that vehicular and automotive development play just as crucial a role in actualizing the planned expansion and growth in the infrastructure sector. As such, attendees can expect a high percentage of commercial vehicles on display at this year’s show.

Among the must-see exhibitors at MIAS 2018 is FOTON, an international automotive company which designs and manufactures trucks, buses, sport utility vehicles, and even agricultural machinery. At this year’s show, FOTON is expected to unveil the FOTON Tornado C, a Cummins-powered light duty transport vehicle best suitable for construction businesses.

From passenger cars that can double as Transport Network Vehicle Services to commercial vehicles that bear features as luxurious as executive sedans, this year’s MIAS is all about highlighting the multi-functionality and flexibility of today’s vehicles. Furthermore, this is attested by the fact that around 40% of this year’s exhibitors primarily deal with commercial vehicles.

MIAS 2018 is expected to bridge the gap between various industries by providing business owners and investors with an extensive access to the world’s leading automotive brands.Likewise, it serves to open up the possibilities for automotive companies to foster connections across other sectors. Indeed, the optimistic and ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program finds a fitting platform in MIAS 2018.

Now on its 14th year, MIAS remains to be the most significant automotive event in the country for car enthusiasts and industry players alike! As this year’s show centers on the theme of “Work & Play”, MIAS 2018 invites everyone to take part in a different kind of automotive experience; one wherein the boundaries between leisure and progress collide to create a never-before-seen spectacle of automotive evolution. For more information, visit our facebook page @mias and on instagram: @mias.ph.

Two Security Aides at NAIA Charged with Theft after Stealing Money from Japanese Tourist

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Two airport personnel from the Office of Transport Security (OTS) were charged with theft after admitting that they stole money from a Japanese tourist during baggage search at the initial entrance of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3’s departure area last Wednesday, 28 March 2018.

OTS Intelligence Agent Aides Stephen C. Bartolo and Demie James P. Timtim admitted to conniving to pocket 1,700 Australian Dollars (AUD) or roughly PHP68,000 of Japanese National Yuka Sakata.

Mr. Sakata was already at the pre-departure area for his connecting flight to Cebu when he discovered that his money in his hand-carry was missing.

Airport police and security officers were quick to assist Mr. Sakata and immediately conducted a re-enactment of the incident. During the re-enactment, Mr. Sakata positively identified Bartolo as the one who conducted baggage search at the arrival gate.

During interrogation, Bartolo admitted that he took money from Mr. Sakata’s wallet. The CCTV footage also showed that Bartolo took something from the bag of Mr. Sakata and discreetly placed it in his pants pocket. Bartolo immediately surrendered two pieces of Fifty Australian Dollars.

During the follow-up interrogation, Bartolo revealed that he gave some money to his colleague, Timtim, who was the incoming duty personnel at the arrival area. Four pieces of Fifty Australian Dollars were recovered from his jacket.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade expressed his utmost dismay over the incident.

“Mga sira-ulo yan. Nakakahiya! Ipa-kulong yan! Nakasisira sila ng imahe ng mga airport natin at pati ng buong Pilipinas. Sayang ang pagpapagod ng buong DOTr upang maituwid ang baluktot kung may mga kurakot at magnanakaw pa rin na kagaya m nila! Sisiguraduhin kong mapaparusahan ang mga ‘yan at hindi na makatatapak pa sa ating mga paliparan,” said Tugade.

Apart from being charged with theft, the two intelligence aides also had their NAIA passes revoked/cancelled, and were included in the Stop List of personnel by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

For his part, MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal warned that the full weight of the law shall be brought upon corrupt airport personnel.

“Walang lugar ang mga corrupt at magnanakaw sa NAIA. Hindi na uubra ‘yan. I encourage our passengers to report to us incidents like this, and I will make sure that these personnel will have their time in jail,” said Monreal.

The DOTr, MIAA, and other airports in the country have been directed by President Duterte to put a stop to baggage theft and pilferage. Apart from implenting stricter guidelines in baggage handling, ground handling companies were also warned that should a personnel of theirs will be found guilty of theft, the company’s contract will be suspended or terminated.

The MIAA recently terminated its contract with MIASCOR after six of its employees were found guilty of stealing items from an Overseas Filipino Worker last January.

Etihad Airways Eliminates 195,000 Tonnes of Carbon Emissions in 2017

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Etihad Airways successfully eliminated around 195,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 2017, thanks to a wide range of fuel-saving initiatives across its network.

Following a number of improvements aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies, Etihad was able to reduce the amount of fuel consumed by its aircraft by over 62,000 tonnes of fuel. The result represents a 3.3 per cent improvement from the year before, and is the equivalent of 850 flights between Abu Dhabi and London.

For instance, flight plan adjustments across the network reduced approximately 900 hours of flying time, leading to a saving of 5,400 tonnes of fuel and eliminating approximately 17,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Last year, Etihad Airways also retired several older aircraft in favour of the Boeing 787, one of the most fuel efficient commercial aircraft in operation due to its lightweight composite structure. Etihad currently operates 19 Boeing 787s in its 115-strong fleet of passenger and cargo aircraft, which is one of the youngest in the skies at an average age of 5.4 years.

Richard Hill, Chief Operations Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “2017 was a particularly good year for fuel efficiency. The combination of retiring some of our older aircraft and increasing the proportion of Boeing 787 aircraft within our fleet, together with optimising our flight paths among a range of other initiatives has made a noticeable improvement to our fuel consumption and emissions profile.”

Etihad also strengthened its collaboration with air traffic control providers at many of the major airports to which it operates, in particular in Abu Dhabi, in order to improve the efficiency of many of the descent and approach profiles. The most fuel efficient descent manoeuvre is known as a ‘continuous descent approach’, whereby the aircraft reduces height gradually, rather than in a stepped manner. Thanks to an increase in the number of continuous decent approaches in 2017, a total of 980 tonnes of fuel was saved over the course of the year.

By combining key fuel saving projects with operational improvements, the efficiency per passenger kilometre improved by as much as 36 per cent on some of Etihad’s routes.

Ahmed Al Qubaisi, Senior Vice President Government and International Affairs for Etihad Aviation Group, said: “We place a high value on sustainability and are always looking for new opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint. We’re extremely proud of our year-on-year improvement, which benefits not only Etihad in terms of fuel savings but also the environment on a wider level. This result is a testament to the focused collaboration of teams across our business as well as strong cooperation with important local and international partners in Abu Dhabi and across our network.”

Etihad has a broad programme of innovative thinking devoted to sustainability and carbon reduction, refined through continuous operational adjustments as well as long-term projects such as aviation biofuel development. Hosted in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, the biofuel pilot facility is the flagship project of the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium led by the Masdar Institute and supported by members Etihad Airways, Boeing, ADNOC Refining, Safran, GE and Bauer Resources.

Proudly Up In the Air Again at the Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas!

All things came into place as if we were destined to be there flying up in the air again in a hot air balloon. To be specific, I rode on the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) hot air balloon but flown by a foreign pilot.

From the availability of restaurants to feature, and a luxurious accommodation to become our temporary home, our planned coverage of the Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival turned out to be more glamorous than we expected.

We basically never expected the opportunity to ride a hot air balloon. We were actually contented with just seeing them getting inflated and taking photos and videos (including selfies and groupfies) as they flew up into the skies of Lubao, Pampanga.

However, someone up there has better plans for us as He has given us more than what we wished for.

Incidentally, a request to feature a new restaurant at SM Clark, Pampanga also played a big part in our Pampanga tour. When we found out the restaurant owner also has a villa for rent, we asked her if she could also let us stay overnight, and quickly jumped on the opportunity when she agreed.

But we were still pushing our luck. With her having a second (and even a third) restaurant, we swallowed our pride and asked if she could let us feature her other restaurant, and we were in Cloud 9 when she agreed.

Yet still our luck was going non-stop as we met a friend of hers who happens to own another restaurant, and it is as if fate has connived with destiny to make our Pampanga story a lot more interesting, we were happy we got ourselves another restaurant feature.

That and another buffet restaurant at SM Clark, since we still have unused Gift Certificates that we could use, made it a total of four restaurants to feature in our blog.

How to Elevate Your Blog at the Ready Set Blog 2.0: Merging Empowered Bloggers Event

Wazzup Pilipinas!

From one of the founders of the Ready, Set, Blog bloggers event, I decided for a low-profile participation instead and wanted to join as just one of the attendee. This was because I was back working on an 8 to 5 job which equates to a lot of limitations like I can't stay late at an event because I will surely have a hard time waking up the next day (unless it was a Friday or Saturday event).

Since most events are done during lunch time, I also missed out on a lot of opportunities to personally witness potential news to share on my blog. Sending over a representative is totally different since I prefer to experience the events on my own, and I tend to be less satisfied with the coverage done by others since I am too conscious about getting better videos and photos, plus the interviews not too many do at their coverage. Call me a perfectionist but I guess it's all because I just prefer to be on the field myself.

But my fellow blogger and co-founder of the Ready Set Blog event had something better in mind. She wanted me to talk as one of the speakers with a topic she believes I am capable enough to discuss.

Elevate Your Blog - as if I am already at the top of the blogging community. I may be getting a lot of invites to events and many other forms of collaborations and partnerships, but I believe I still have a lot to learn.

And from the list of bloggers attending the event, I asked "Do they really need to hear it from me?" Since many of them have already been blogging for a long time already.

The Book Museum Cum Ethnology Center: More Attractions and an All-Improved James Dean Cafe Await Visitors

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here are the videos we made from our visit at the already huge complex located in Marikina city featuring Rex Bookstore owner Atty. Dominador Buhain's impressive collection of books and artifacts from his travels throughout the years at different countries.

They recently had an expansion which now also highlights equally stunning new collections and other facilities making the center a bigger and better educational destination. Their showcase of books and relics got a lot more bigger as it now features various collections of rock formations and head gears from all over the world.

If you're really into historical relics from all over the world, their wide and assorted collection will definitely amaze you. A must visit that won't disappoint your curiosity.

This is the second time we got invited at their place so instead of a full article, we thought we make it a series of videos instead featuring everything from the previous to the new ones, including a short interview with the owner himself (Now this is a big bonus since it was unplanned. We are grateful that Atty. Buhain granted our request for a video, and that is included as part of the video series).

Plus an all-improved café created in homage of James Dean and thus it is fitting to be called the James Dean Café, where we got to try some of their American dishes from burgers, to hotdogs, sandwiches and of course,  coffee (both hot and cold variety).

The only surprising images at this café is the characters from the Peter Pan fantasy series that adorned the bathroom. We learned that aside from James Dean, Peter Pan is also one of the favorite characters of the owner. You'll even see inside the bathroom a photo of him dressed up as Peter Pan.

True enough, the traveler cum collector cum businessman is still somewhat a child at heart for he still looks back and incorporates his childhood into his current undertakings. This is something commendable as most of us seems to lose the fun we had and become so serious when we grow up.

I would want to be doing almost the same things as what Atty. Buhain has done... not only collecting but also sharing his discoveries to others as part of his museum. He may have been busy operating a business selling books at Rex Bookstore, but he still finds fun time for himself.

I want to retire having the same luxury as the man. But for now I could only dream as not all of us are born that lucky.