"But I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things."

Vincent van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853
(Dutch painter, one of the greatest of the Post-Impressionists, 1853-1890)


“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”

- Jack Kerouac quotes (American Poet and Novelist. Leader and spokesman of the Beat movement. 1922-1969)


These and so much more great quotes at http://en.thinkexist.com/. Enjoy!

THE TRAVEL JUNKIE: UNTAMED ADVENTURE FOR THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

"How to Travel Blog"
by Julia Dimon

I used to think blogging was reserved for lonely housewives and computer geeks living in their parents’ basements. Guess I was wrong. Turns out that blogging has not only gone mainstream, but that it offers lots of upside for us dedicated travellers.

A travel blog — i.e., an online, interactive trip diary — can help you document those hard-to-remember vacation details. It’s also a way to share photos, swap advice with other travellers and keep the folks up-to-date on your travel plans, without having to write lengthy e-mails to a giant distribution list of folks back at home.

Best part is, updating your blog can be done from anywhere in the world, as long as there’s a computer and a decent Internet connection.

There are tons of sites where you can sign up, post and upload your travel stuff for free. They include travelblog.org, travelblog.com, travelpod.com, and travelblogger.net.

Some accounts allow you to track your travels on a world map, while others allow for unlimited uploading of photos and videos.

When it comes time to write your on-line travelogue, here are some tips to keep in mind:

When you’re on the road, updating your blog can feel a bit overwhelming. Like writing in your journal, blogging can breed procrastination and it’s easy to fall behind. Strive to write and update your blog weekly; it’s less pressure than a daily blog.

Pictures say a thousand words, so snap and upload more of your photos. Keep in mind that some parts of the world have painfully slow Internet access, so successful uploads may require a lot of patience and a few tequila shots.

You don’t have to talk about every moment of your trip. Just set the scene, describe the moment and tell a story. What did you see, feel, smell, think? It’s all about the details. Take readers on the trip with you.

You may want to include tips, advice, dos and don’ts for fellow travellers who’ve stumbled on your blog and want to learn from your experiences.

As much as it is your diary, your uncensored tales of travel debauchery may be viewed by anyone: potential employers, business associates or grandmothers. Best to keep it clean.

MANILA, Philippines - "It wasn’t easy, I can tell you, when I was first asked to draw up a list of 12 things Filipinos did in the last year that inspire pride, mainly because I was thinking big, collective national action.

I had to remind myself that there’s no lack of individual valor out there: people who persevere, teachers, health professionals and thousands of others who serve, people who stand by their convictions, wage-earners who find, and turn in, hundreds and thousands of pesos of cash. The accounts of heroic honesty always get me, and I wish the Inquirer and other papers could honor them with a year-end list. I did try to track them through the Internet, but couldn’t track them all down."


(Read more from UP Professor/ Philippine Daily Inquirer Columnist Michael Tan by using the link!)

About Probe
http://www.probeteam.com/blog/?page_id=2

Aired in 1987, Probe is the Philippines’ first, longest-running and most awarded television newsmagazine.

No-nonsense and hard-hitting, Probe tackles pressing societal concerns through the eyes of various stakeholders and calls a spade a spade. It creates a deeper understanding and appreciation of issues by way of stories that capture the hearts and minds of viewers.

Probe’s blend of investigative reports and feature segments on politics, the environment, the economy, the plight of children and women, the culture and the arts have made the show the most successful, independently produced program in the local broadcast industry. It has won virtually all broadcast journalism awards—no less than 40 trophies from different award-giving bodies, including prestigious international competitions such as the New York International Festival for Television and Film, Yamagata International Festival Documentary, and the Southeast Asian Foundation for Children’s Television.

Probe was founded by veteran broadcast journalist Cecilia “Cheche” Lazaro, who is the program’s host and executive producer. She has also reaped awards for exceptional television broadcasting, including the celebrated Gawad CCP Award given by the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Probe airs every Wednesday after the late night news of ABS-CBN. It is replayed every Saturday at 9:30AM and Sunday at 1:30PM over ANC, the network’s cable news channel.

You can view previous episodes at ProbeTV.

This link leads to Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J.'s recent article about Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., one of the most inspirational Jesuit leaders of this century. The year 2007 marks the centenary of his birth and extraordinary life. Quoted below is the "secret" to his beautifully purposeful, well-lived life.


“Nothing is more practical
than finding God,
that is, than falling in love
in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.
It will decide what will get you out
of bed in the morning,
what you will do with your evenings,
how you will spend your weekends,
what you read, who you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in love,
stay in love
and it will decide everything.”


More about Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. at http://www.cfj.ie/content/view/205/79/

Want to be inspired watching Jane Goodall (for animal conservation), Majora Carter (for eco-friendly urban design), Eve Ensler (primarily against violence towards women) and so many other passionate thinkers and doers? Do so by going to WWW.TED.COM!

TED stands for TECHNOLOGY, ENTERTAINMENT, DESIGN. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.

The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).

This site makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free. More than 100 talks from our archive are now available, with more added each week. These videos are released under a Creative Commons license, so they can be freely shared and reposted.

Our mission: Spreading ideas.

We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other. Over time, you'll see us add talks and performances from other events, and solicit submissions from you, as well. This site, launched April 2007, is an ever-evolving work in progress, and you're an important part of it. Have an idea? We want to hear from you.


- "About TED" from the TED website


*Many thanks to Nestor ("wadaboy" of Multiply and the "Green Road" Group) for sharing a clip from the site with us.

"Lighthouses, supreme icons of solitary human perseverance standing on remote typhoon-battered bluffs and inaccessible islands, are the stuff of romance for many."

So begins Augusto Villalon in his Pride of Place column yesterday in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Read more on what he has to say about these 21 surviving Philippine lighthouses, treasures from our past that need saving in our present time.

Because I am more than a bit weird and tend to pick out books which I know would be of genuine practical help to me, I came across Po Bronson's book "What Should I Do with My Life?" (yes, it's THE "Big Question") in the Tandang Sora, Q.C. branch of Books for Less bargain bookstore. I am finishing reading this book now. I am happy to report the book IS living up to its potential.

My hope is that if you feel you also need to read this book, you can get your own copy. Let's continue asking the same question in our lives. And I hope we all get some clarity from Po's articles about the people who asked the same question in theirs.

For now, those of you who are asking that Big Question may want to check out these pages of Po Bronson's site:

http://www.pobronson.com/WSIDWML_Sample_Chapters.htm
http://www.pobronson.com/WSIDWML_Author_Notes.htm

as well as some speeches, books, courses and websites and other resources that might help you tackle It in your own life:

http://www.pobronson.com/WSIDWML_Resources.htm

And those of you who are writing may want to read about Po's writing philosophy:

http://www.pobronson.com/index_all_about_po.htm

and advice to new writers:

http://www.pobronson.com/index_advice_to_writers.htm

Hope these help. Ü

From the homepage of the site:

Welcome to THE ARTIST'S WAY ONLINE, the official website for Julia Cameron.

Award-winning writer JULIA CAMERON is the author of twenty-four books, fiction and nonfiction, including THE ARTIST'S WAY, WALKING IN THIS WORLD, THE VEIN OF GOLD, and THE RIGHT TO WRITE, her bestselling works on the creative process. A novelist, playwright, songwriter and poet, she has extensive credits in theater, film and television.

This site will provide you with up-to-date information about Julia Cameron’s events, publications and other artistic endeavors.

We hope that this will provide a fantastic resource that we know so many of Julia’s fans have been looking for. In addition to updates and information, we invite you to take advantage of the site’s membership and forums, to help build an online Artist’s Way community.

Enjoy!

Singer-songwriter and actress Mandy Moore releases her new album "Wild Hope" today, June the 19th. Listen to her song "Extraordinary".


EXTRAORDINARY
Lyrics by Mandy Moore


I was a bay tree
Quiet and unseen
I lived in stories but inside I kept a mystery
I was a starling
Nobody’s darling
Flying in perfect circles
Desperate company

[Chorus]
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready to be
Extraordinary

A midnight airplane
A window blowing
I know I am another sparkle in the sky
I shine on copper
Still undiscovered
But you must see me in the corner of your eye

[Chorus]
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready to be
Extraordinary

Waking up to wake up some day
I am my own prey
Stopping off at a sidewalk cafe
The wind is playing up in the trees
Kicking up confetti leaves
Sings as if it’s all to say

[Chorus]
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready to be
Extraordinary

And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready to be
Extraordinary

THE 1ST PHILIPPINE MT. EVEREST EXPEDITION

There is an old piece of wisdom that claims that people climb mountains "because it's there". That is the simplified statement for a very compound truth. "Because it's there" refers to a lofty point on earth that is closest to the heavens- and scaling its apex generally rewards the climber with a profound spiritual experience. That rush, the spiritual "oneness" with the universe is universally felt, and craved for, by mountaineers- as such, they are driven to endure, and overcome even extreme physical adversity to prevail.

The First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition will spearhead the drive to aspire for, and eventually achieve, the coveted "oneness" for the Filipino people. Conquering the world's tallest peak poses extreme demands; to triumph, desire, focus, determination, perseverance and energy are mandatory- to these, further add singularity and unity of purpose.

Filipinos already routinely display most of these traits during the course of their daily lives. His indomitable spirit prevails even during the most trying times. Adversity is no stranger; his remarkable resiliency and dogged determination admired worldwide. The aggressive rekindling of the touted Bayanihan spirit of the Filipino will stoke the fires of cooperation and unity- a "oneness" as well.

Sir Edmund Hillary could never have climbed Mt. Everest on his own. Tenzing Norgay and his band of intrepid Sherpas collectively provided the crucial support for the nobleman to achieve the difficult feat. So it is with the Philippine Expedition- Mt. Everest can only be conquered when Filipinos collectively become unto Sherpas.

The future fluttering of the Philippine flag on Mt. Everest will symbolize the Filipinos collective effort at scaling the imposing mountain. That day will mark a rebirth of national pride and with it, a worldwide understanding of the word Bayanihan.

- from the Team write-up in the Expedition's "About Us" page

Another fun blogspot for all photographers and photography enthusiasts.

VIRGINIA WOOLF, "A ROOM OF ONE'S OWN" (1929)


Virginia Woolf, one of the founders of the movement known as Modernism, is one of the most important woman writers in English. Her "stream-of-consciousness" essays and novels provide an invaluable insight into both her own life experiences and those of women at the beginning of the twentieth century. Her most famous works include Mrs. Dalloway (1925), To the Lighthouse (1927), Orlando: A Biography (1928), The Waves (1931), and her most recognized work, A Room of One's Own (1929).

A Room of One's Own is an extended essay, based on Woolf's lectures at a women's college at Cambridge University in 1928. In it, Woolf addresses her thoughts on "the question of women and fiction," interpreted by Woolf as many questions. In A Room of One's Own, Woolf ponders the significant question of whether or not a woman could produce art of the high quality of Shakespeare. In doing so, she examines women's historical experience as well as the distinctive struggle of the woman artist.

Questions to Think About:

What is the meaning of the title of this piece?

When asked to speak of women and fiction, Woolf replies with a discussion of why it is important for women writers to have their independence. According to Woolf, what is the relationship or connection between rooms of one's own and "women and fiction"?

Woolf defines the question of women and fiction as being three inextricable questions: women and what they are like; women and the fiction they write; and women and what is written about them. What answers does she provide for each of these questions? What are women like, according to Woolf? What kinds of fiction do (or, as of 1928, did) women write? What is (or, as of 1928, was) written about women?

Why does Woolf say she is disappointed in herself for being unable to come to a conclusion that students can write in their notebooks and take away from them? Why would this be so important as a part of a lecture? Why would it be so important to Woolf to be able to do so?

Woolf writes, "a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is going to write." What does this mean to Woolf?

Why does it matter so much when Woolf walks on the turf at Cambridge University, and what does she make of this event? Why is a woman barred from admission to the University's library? Why does her exclusion make her so angry that she vows never to ask for "such hospitality" again?

What importance is it that the dinner at the women's college is "not good"? How does this lead to an exloration of the founding of the women's college? What is Woolf's broader conclusion about women and their cultural poverty that this incident leads to?

What does Cambridge University represent for Woolf, a Modernist? How is it a symbol of Victorianism?

Why are men so rich and women so poor, according to Woolf? What are the historical roots for women's poverty? What explains the startling contrast between women's estate in fiction (as "shining beacons" and as symbols of humanity) and in history (as slaves)?

What is the significance of the list of references to women she discovers in the course of her reading? What sorts of arguments about women does Woolf find in English writing prior to 1928?

Why has the woman artist, according to Woolf, led a life of such "disorder" and struggle? How does Woolf argue against the assumption that "no woman can write the plays of Shakespeare"?

What does Woolf mean by the statement, "Who can measure the heat and passion of a poet's heart when it is caught and tangled in a woman's body"?

Why, according to Woolf, have so many women written under assumed--male--names?

What history of women's writing does Woolf identify in A Room of One's Own?

Woolf discusses the ways in which limits of propriety blighted Jane Austen and Emily Brontë's writing, but she also argues that they both wrote "as women write." What does Woolf mean by this? What does her identification of this quality in Austen's and Brontë's writing say about Woolf's view of women's cultures?

What does Woolf mean when she says, "There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of the mind"?

Resources for studying feminist writer Virginia Woolf:
A brief biography of Virginia Woolf

Locate information on Woolf and her Modernist cohort on the Modernism Timeline, 1890-1940

George Landow's Victorian Web will also place Woolf in context.

The Orlando Project at The University of Alberta provides an integrated history of women's writing in the British Isles.

Prepared by Professor Catherine Lavender for History 182 (Women's History and Feminist Theory), The Department of History, The College of Staten Island of The City University of New York, Spring Semester 1998.
Last modified: Friday 5 November 1999.

(This content was taken from http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/ownroom.html)

" Visitors to the Philippines who, like I was in 1980, I assume Filipinos think like we do: westernized by the Spanish and American occupations, four hundred years for the Spanish and 80 years of Hollywood. And for a long time I believed I was correct in my assumption. Not until very much later, a lot of observation and study, did if find, I was dead wrong. Despite the thick veneer of westernization, these are Asian people and a special breed of Asian people, through and through, with their own thought patterns and culture (s). Cultures vary from province to province and in different subgroups, certainly in the Chinese Filipino community, a strong contingent here. These values, customs and orientation are alien to those from the western world. And because of the opaque covering, hard to detect..."

DATELINES BOOKSHOP:

An alternative bookshop owned and run by struggling Filipino journalists who try to divide their time between chasing stories and selling books. Located at Shop 65 Marikina Shoe Expo, Cubao, Quezon City / datelines@gmail.com

Hi everyone!

My friend and once-mentor in the travel/customer service industry Lorie recently opened up her new online shop, "THE CATALOGUE ONLINE". There are great selections for women's bags and necklaces plus his and hers watches so come look-see-BUY at "The Catalogue Online"!

And please, by all means, spread the word about Lorie's great shop!

I now leave you with Lorie's welcome message for you at "The Catalogue Online", her contact info for when you're ready to buy some merchandise and more instructions about how to navigate through her online shop:


"Welcome to The Catalogue Online - your online dealer of unique and fab fashion designs!

Choose from an array of bags, shoes, footwear, watches, gift items and accessories, all of which are proudly Philippine-made.

Our collections range from the classy to the comfy, from the classic to the cosmopolitan. All merchandise is guaranteed one-of-a-kind. See it first on this site and delight in being the first one to show it off to your friends!

Visit our Frequently-Asked Questions post by clicking on the FAQs link at the side bar to know more about how transactions are done on this site.

Happy shopping!"


There are some merchandise pics at The Catalogue Online that may be enlarged when you click on it. There are also some that could not be enlarged anymore. Rest assured, though, that what you see is what you'll get.

If youwould like to have more merchandise information such as a product's size, weight, etc., feel free to contact me anytime through the following:

Lorie Sigua
Mobile: 09204166133
YM: thecatalogueonline
Email: thecatalogueonline@yahoo.com

HANGGANG
Wency Cornejo

ilang ulit mo nang itinatanong sakin
kung hanggang saan
hanggang saan, hanggang kailan
hanggang kailan magtatagal
ang aking pagmamahal

hanggang may himig pa akong naririnig
dito sa ating daigdig
hanggang may musika akong tinataglay
kita'y iniibig

chorus:
giliw wag mo sanang isiping
ikaw ay aking lilisanin
'di ko magagawang, lumayo sayong piling
at nais kong malaman mo
kung gaano kita kamahal

hanggang ang diwa ko'y tanging sa 'yo laan
mamahalin kailanman
hanggang pag-ibig ko'y hanggang walang hanggan
tanging ikaw lamang

hanggang may himig pa akong naririnig
dito sa ating daigdig
hanggang may musika akong tinataglay
kita'y iniibig

hanggang may puso akong marunong magmahal
na ang isinisigaw ay lagi nang ikaw
hanggang saan, hanggang kailan
hanggang kailan kitang mahal
hanggang ang buhay ko'y kunin ng maykapal
hanggang may pag-ibig
laging isisigaw tanging ikaw

"Blog for the love of anything beautiful."

- Anton in his most recent blog post "Paalam, Julia --- Your Spirit lives on."


Any web log that starts off with that thought is bound to be awesome. And believe me, THIS blog really is!

Enjoy and share the beauty all around!

A really, really interesting blog that is keen on (but not limited to) Philippine "theater, travel, movies, music, books, bloviations" by writer Gibbs Cadiz of one of the country's leading newspapers, the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI). A must-read blog!

For those of you who are into film-making or have friends who are into this craft, do visit this site! Wildlife Asia will be holding a WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL FIM FESTIVAL in Singapore from March 13-16, 2006 and they're calling for film entries. It would be great to see Filipino names and Filipino-made films among all the other great entries in that festival.

So spread the word, everyone! Good luck!