Santa Rosa City Laguna
Philippines - attracting investors from all
over Asia and the world.
WILL NEXT MISS UNIVERSE BE FROM LAGUNA?
Not quite from Santa Rosa but a very close neighbor from Los Banos!
Binibining Pilipinas Results 2013 (L to R) 1st Runner Up: Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Bb. Pilipinas - Tourism: Joanna Cindy Miranda, Miss Universe Philippines: Ariella Arida, Miss Bb. Pilipinas - International: Bea Rose Santiago, Miss Bb. Pilipinas - Supranational: Mutya Johanna Datul.
THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. WITH OUR CANDIDATES IN THE TOP 5 OF THE GLOBAL CONTEST FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS, GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THAT #1 TITLE SPOT, FILIPINA BEAUTIES ARE ON A RUN. The 24 year old UP Chemistry graduate from Laguna's Los Banos, Ariella Arida, is this year's candidate and the hopes of every red blooded Filipina and Filipino are resting on her beautiful shoulders.
SRM is proud to mention here that the annual Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant, which Ariella Arida has won, is a project of Binibining Pilipinas Charities. This is a non-stock, non-profit organization founded by its chair, Stella Marquez Araneta.
Its mission is to spread peace and love across the nation, and its pageant is basically a fund raising event to support projects that benefit orphans, indigent families and other less fortunate members of Philippine society. To find out more please visit the official Binibining Pilipinas Charities website.
- Sarina Fernandez (Photo courtesy of Binibining Pilipinas Charities)
*********
*********
*********
2013
IS ELECTION YEAR FOR SANTA ROSA LAGUNA, SO
MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE AND PREPARED,
BECAUSE THERE WILL BE CANDIDATES WITH SECRET
AGENDAS
Gangster Manuel Alipon is doomed to lose yet again and come last, wasting the donations of misguided
backers, whose money that he has already secretly syphoned off into his personal bank accounts....
THE BIGGEST THREAT
TO THE FUTURE OF STA. ROSA CITY IS GANGSTER MANUEL 'MANOY' GONZALES ALIPON
AND HIS PRIVATE ARMY OF CRONIES AND
PAID FOLLOWERS CARRYING UNLAWFUL UNLICENSED
LOOSE WEAPONS.
The reprobate Manuel Alipon
is a freak to vanity. He believes that cosmetic
surgery and faked photo imagery will combine to
disguise the evil corruption that he truly
represents. His ego is bloated like a balloon
with nothing but stale air inside it. He's
mentally unstable. He has now ripped off other
people to fund his election bid, but he is up
against incumbent Vice Mayor Arnel Gomez and
former VM Joey Catindig, so he is doomed to come
last. Manuel 'Manoy' Gonzales Alipon, the Balibago
bum who thinks he's an emperor, will lose
yet again and all his misled backers will lose
their money.
Sta. Rosa
City's electorate knows Alipon too well. The
honest people of Santa
Rosa Philippines are fully cognizant of
the fact that he was booted out in 2010 because
his adulteries, immoralities, frauds, robberies,
grafts, extortions, and other evil, godless,
corrupt activities were offensive to every voter
and disastrous for our city's prosperity. Since
Manuel Gonzales Alipon's humiliating and fully
deserved expulsion from public office, the
successes of Sta. Rosa have positively soared to
record levels as a result.
Santa
Rosa City Vice Mayor Arnel Gomez,
pictured above center officiating at SM's
fabulous Christmas Season launch has
transformed the shambles, immoralities and
corruptions left behind when gangster
Manuel Alipon was voted out in 2010. The
public office of City Vice Mayor deserved
far better than the adulterer and armed
robber Alipon, whose criminalities are
notorious throughout Laguna, Cavite and
Batangas provinces. Voters did the right
thing, and they elected the right man for
the job.
President
Benigno Aquino was elected by a landslide
majority in 2010 to clean up our national
culture of corrupt officials like Alipon in
every city and municipality. And more
specifically, our City
Vice Mayor Arnel DC Gomez was elected to
rid our local public office of Alipon's previous
vice mayoral corruptions. Vice Mayor Gomez has
proved himself to be the opposite to Alipon that
we all wanted. Gomez is younger and more active,
and he is completely honest. He and his
beautiful wife are positive assets to our city's
future development and prosperity.
Our highly
accomplished and highly honored City
Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas, along with City
Vice Mayor Gomez and our dedicated and efficient
City
Councilors form a Dream Team which is the
envy of all the Philippines. It's why Sta. Rosa
Laguna is so successful. It's why it attracts so
much national and foreign media attention. It's
why it attracts so much national and foreign
business investment. It's why our social,
medical, educational, housing and environmental
conditions are improving so dramatically.
SRM wants Santa Rosa City Laguna
Philippines to be a beacon of
Philippine growth, not a rat-infested sewer
saturated with the evil of adulterous, immoral,
fraudulent, thieving, criminally corrupt
degenerate gangster Manuel Alipon and his gang
of unlawfully armed relatives, cronies and
employees. They plan to create an
Ampatuan-style Cotabato of the North and to
destroy the Eton-style Makati of the South. Manuel Manoy Alipon is Santa Rosa City's Public Enemy #1. NOW is the opportunity for our local People Power in 2013 to reinforce the 2010 elections and eradicate every remaining vestige of reprobate Manuel Alipon's destructive corruption forever. He is the despicable Balibago gangster bum who thinks he's an emperor, and surrounds himself with thugs unlawfully armed with illegal guns. VOTE FOR HIS OPPONENTS in City, Barangay, SK
and Purok 2013 elections to make certain that Manuel Manoy Gonzales Alipon NEVER
achieves his evil ambitions in Sta. Rosa City
Laguna.
*********
*********
*********
IF WE REALLY DO WANT
TO CHANGE THE WORLD ALL WE NEED IS LOVE
MANY SELF-PROCLAIMED GURUS OF THE MAYAN CIVILIZATION categorically stated that the world would end on December 21, 2012 because the Mayans had predicted it and ended their Calendar then. Now we can just as categorically state that the world didn't end on that date. Or can we?
An alternative interpretation of the Mayan prediction is that the world as we then knew it would end in 2012, and a better world would take its place.
This opens up a totally different scenario, positive rather than negative, creative rather than destructive. And the only way for us to prove or disprove this alternative interpretation is not to wait and observe another date (the Mayan Calendar has ended) but either make it happen or allow it not to happen.
It's up to us. It's our own decision. All people of the world are equally important, with the collective power to save our planet and improve life. Not greedily and selfishly only for themselves, but for everyone else as well.
Unlike George Orwell's "1984" or Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World", our new global model needs to be collaborative and loving. Sir Thomas More's "Utopia", published in 1516 - amazingly 400+ years before Orwell and Huxley - was much closer to the desired mark.
There's no better advocate of a "love everyone philosophy" than Bermuda's 89 year old "Mr. Happy Man", Johnny Barnes. Watch the above video, and I guarantee you will feel happy too. It would indeed be wonderful for us all if the troubled world of 2012 did end on December 21, and now in 2013 is changing into a peaceful new world in which everyone thinks like Johnny.
- Angel Tugado, with eternal thanks and blessings to Johnny Barnes
(Vimeo Video courtesy of Matt Morris Films)
*********
*********
*********
SANTA ROSA MAGAZINE TOPS
GOOGLE SEARCHES AGAIN
IT'S HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST AND WILL HAPPEN MANY TIMES IN THE FUTURE. During the past 5+ years since the magazine of Santa Rosa City Laguna first appeared online, it has several times captured the top spot (excluding paid positions like Google's TripAdvisor ad above) of every major search engine on the internet. Why? Because it's dedicated to supporting all that's good in Sta. Rosa Laguna and to opposing all that's bad. And we recognize that as a rapidly growing city, its residents take an interest in global issues and have opinions on matters that affect them.
We don't claim to own Google's or any other top search position, which can change not only from day to day but also during any day. What we do claim with ample justification is that SRM is the most accepted and respected of any Sta. Rosa local media.
We sincerely appreciate all the local support, and the support of so many Filipino OFWs around the world, that bring us this position.
JOIN GOOGLE'S GLOBAL ACTION TO KEEP THE INTERNET FREE AND OPEN
WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD, YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING THE GREATEST ASSET WE ALL HAVE TO CONNECT AND COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER. Once again the most corrupt politicians of the world are attempting to take control of the internet for their own purposes of power and profit.
These politicians don't believe in freedom of speech or freedom to communicate. They don't want anyone to post photos or videos on the internet of scenes that politicians want to prevent the public from seeing. Like, for example, innocent women and children being massacred by Assad's army in Syria.
The internet is the greatest and most democratic force for good that the world has ever experienced, and it's available in every country. It must be kept permanently free and open to everyone.
Watch the above video and join Google's Action. Santa Rosa Magazine has already done so.
*********
*********
*********
Above is the header banner from thje city's official Facebook page, courtesy of the Santa Rosa City Government. Click on it to go directly to the page itself.
CITY'S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE IS A BIG HIT WITH ROSENIANS
SANTA ROSA CITY GOVERNMENT NOW HAS AN OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE, and already it has notched up more than 1400 'likes'.
SRM urges all Rosenians to visit it frequently and take part in in any discussions and forums. It amply demonstrates the city government's honesty and openness to communicate with residents, and confirms its determination to keep local governance transparent.
I was delighted to see the slide show of Jesse Robredo's happy visit to Santa Rosa, although it brought back the deep sadness that we all felt on hearing about his tragic early death.
And whilst making the most of its Facebook page, don't neglect the city government's two dedicated websites: Government and Council, and also the City Mayor's website.
NOBODY CAN ARGUE WITH LIFELONG SUCCESS, AND HENRY SY GETS IT RIGHT TIME AFTER TIME!
IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD TIMES, HIS SM MALL SHOWS BRING EXCITEMENT AND HAPPINESS INTO PEOPLE'S LIVES, AND IF THIS CREATES MORE BUSINESS FOR HIS MALLS IT'S DESERVED, BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE EXCITED AND HAPPY!
FOLLOWING THE TWO JULY EPISODES OF "I LOVE PINAS" DEVOTED TO STA. ROSA LAGUNA, GMA made it a glorious triple whammy with the Kapuso Mall Show on August 5 at Sta. Rosa's SM City. Aljur Abrenica, Sam Pinto, Gabby Eigenmann and Bianca King starred, with the fabulous energized crowd-pulling performances they're rightly famous for. And the crowds were pulled from toddlers to grannies and all ages in between. SM City mall was packed to the rafters long before the show started, and every single person there of whatever age still felt elated, happy and in high spirits when the show was over and they made their way home. SM and GMA are to be congratulated for putting on great shows like this around the country. They wash away the cares and woes of everyday life for a while, and give us renewed hope and faith deep down that the good will always overcome the bad, and that even if times are difficult they will always get easier.
*********
*********
*********
OCTOBER SEES LAUNCH OF MICROSOFT WINDOWS 8
AND NEW PHILIPPINE CEO KARRIE ILLAGAN FACES HER BIGGEST CHALLENGE
CONGRATULATIONS TO KARRIE ILLAGAN ON HER APPOINTMENT AS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MICROSOFT PHILIPPINES. The company's Vice President for the Asia Pacific Area, Tracey Fellows, said: "It is with great excitement that I announce Karrie Ilagan as Country Managing Director for the Philippines. She brings with her an excellent mix of sales and marketing management experience, having held both the Enterprise Sales and Marketing leadership positions in Microsoft Philippines over the last 6 years, and 18 years in the IT industry. I am especially proud that she's the first Filipina to head Microsoft Philippines in the 17 years since we opened our business in the Philippines and I'm confident that she will bring a strong local perspective to the business and the industry."
Under Karrie's leadership in her previous roles, Microsoft Philippines increased its focus on growing the capabilities of Filipino-owned companies. "I believe that there are still a large number of Filipino companies that can achieve global competitiveness by enhancing their IT capabilities that are focused on empowering people," she said.
Karrie continued: "The latest data from World Economic Forum ranks Philippines 75th globally in terms of national competitiveness. I'm certain that with the right combination of technology, education and appropriate government initiatives, Microsoft Philippines can make a valuable contribution to the development of the country."
The company has been at the forefront of innovation and making its technology available to Filipino businesses and individuals since 1995, with the mission to fuel growth and healthy communities, as well as transform locally-based businesses and empower them to compete in the global economy. There's no doubt the launch of Windows 8 towards the end of October will be a resounding success in the Philippines as in other countries, but her job description reaches far beyond this.
"Our focus has changed tremendously over the past years. We are not just a company that sells software. Since Microsoft established its Philippine office, we have worked towards creating solutions that are relevant to the market and worked hand in hand with the government, businesses and the academe to ensure that we make a real impact on people, whoever or wherever they may be," added Karrie. "In the end, it's still about growing the local software economy and championing the right of consumers and businesses to have a choice in the technology that gives them the best experience."
Since the World Economic Forum report that she mentioned, a World Bank and International Finance Corp report Ease of Doing Business shows the Philippines as ranking lower in 7 of its 10 indicators and dropping to 138th position overall out of the 185 nations it reviews every year. Significantly, it's the least corrupt countries that do best: #1 is Singapore, and #2 is Hong Kong.
Tiny Cambodia, with less than one sixth of our population, has now overtaken Asia's infamous untreated sewage dump of stinking corrupt business and officialdom called the Philippines that remains our legacy from Marcos and Arroyo, giving Karrie Illagan a very tough challenge to help us get wise, eradicate corruption permanently, stop falling further behind, and catch up even the civilized nations of Southeast Asia - leave alone the rest of Asia and the world.
SRM sincerely hopes she succeeds!
- Story by Eduardo Garcia (Photo courtesy of Microsoft Philippines.)
*********
*********
*********
STA. ROSA FEATURED TWICE
ON GMA7'S I LOVE PINAS
Special Message to readers of Santa Rosa Magazine from Carlo Lorenzo
The Museo de Santa Rosa's fascinating exhibits, photos and reports give you an opportunity to reflect on the city's remarkable history and culture. Visit Carlo Lorenzo's blogsite to find out more.
TWO EPISODES OF I LOVE PINAS FEATURED STA. ROSA LAGUNA
1) -----Bisitahin natin sa I LOVE PINAS GMA News TV on Channel 11 (formerly QTV) ang Museo de Santa Rosa... Puntahan natin ang Kwartel ng Sto Domingo at silipin ang umano'y underground tunnel papuntang Cavite... Gumawa tayo ng scented candles. Ilubog ang mga itlog sa putik para maging itlog na maalat. Magluto tayo ng ukoy na may bagoong!
-----Episode 1: Kwartel ng Santo Domingo - Museo De Santa Rosa - GK Candles (Bgy. Tagapo, Sta Rosa, Laguna) - Bok's Homemade Original Ice Cream (LM Subd., Market Area, Sta Rosa, Laguna) - D'Original Nene's Special Ukoy - Nenet's Balut at Itlog na Pula - El Cielito Inn - Southpick Resort.
Taking a boat ride on the lake, feasting at a choice of delicious restaurants, and feeding the fish are some of visitors' favorite activities at Nuvali. Visit Carlo Lorenzo's blogsite to find out more.
2) -----Tara na para sa I LOVE PINAS GMA News TV on Channel 11 (formerly QTV). Adventure packed trip sa Sta Rosa Laguna!
Experience the super fun rides and new activities sa Enchanted Kingdom... Pakainin naman natin sa Nuvali ang gutum na gutom na isda, mag boat ride, puntahan ang greens and patches para ma-experience ang pag-ani ng fruits and vegetables at siyempre pa mag foooood trip tayooooo!
-----Episode 2: Enchanted Kingdom - Nuvali (Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Greens and Patches, Fish Feeding, Taxi Boat Ride, Biking, Evoliving Center Exhibit) - Pig Out - Domo Tomo - LZM Restaurant - Chato's Canteen.
Carlo said: "I love the fireworks at EK. There are so many things I enjoy in this theme park which keeps me coming back again and again and again." Visit Carlo Lorenzo's blogsite to find out more.
I LOVE PINAS Via GMA LIfe TV International: Hong Kong: 9:45 - 10:15PM Saturday & 10:50 - 11:20AM Monday (replay) Japan: 10:45 - 11:15PM Saturday & 11:50AM - 12:20PM Monday (replay) Guam/ Papua New Guinea / Australia: 11:45PM - 12:15AM Saturday & 12:50 - 1:20PM Monday (replay) New Zealand: 1:45 - 2:15AM Sunday & 2:50 - 3:20PM Monday (replay) Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: 4:45 - 5:15PM Saturday & 7:55 - 8:25PM Tuesday (replay) Italy: 3:45 - 4:15PM Saturday & 6:55 - 7:25PM Tuesday (replay) US Pacific/ Canada (Vancouver): 7:50 - 8:20PM Sunday & 9:55 - 10:25 am Tuesday (replay) US Central/ Canada (Winnipeg): 9:50 - 10:20PM Sunday & 11:55AM - 12:25PM Tuesday (replay) US Eastern/ Canada (Toronto): 10:50 - 11:20PM Sunday & 12:55 - 1:25PM Tuesday (replay) Hawaii: 4:50 - 5:20 pm Sunday & 6:55 - 7:25 am Tuesday (replay)
(SRM Editor's Note: Carlo brings humor, energy and a feeling of excitement to his presentations that make them fun to watch as well as getting a lot of interesting information, especially as his hands-on approach gives you every little detail of whatever he's focusing on. Following an introductory chat with Tourism Officer Narcisa Esguerra, who gave an enticing overview of the numerous varied attractions the city of Sta. Rosa has to offer, in Episode 1 Carlo literally worked his way round it. He studied its history at the Museo De Santa Rosa, very nearly scalded himself with hot wax while making a star-shaped candle at GK Candles, went on to make some Bok's Original Ice Cream and some Nene's Special Ukoy, then prepared some Nenet's Balut at Itlog na Pula-- but the program shoot couldn't wait 15 days for incubation! Even on home ground it's a daunting experience for those not normally in the public eye to face TV cameras and microphones and know that millions will see the resulting video. Carlo Lorenzo, like Willy Revillame, has the rare gift of creating a close rapport with non-media people featured in his programs. He gives them the needed confidence to feel at ease and express themselves. Add to this the clever direction, camerawork and editing-- from panning through valuable antiquities at the Museo de Santa Rosa, luxurious rooms at El Cielito Inn, and sporting activities at Southpick Resort to stunning quick shots of other local scenes. All in all, "I Love Pinas" is a great production that entertains as it informs. Carlo and his energized young team had a wild time in Episode 2 at Enchanted Kingdom and Nuvali. You and your club- or team-members, family, friends or work colleagues may avail January through September 16, 2013 a fantastic bonding and money-saving special I Love Pinas Promo Deal at Sta. Rosa's sporty Southpick Resort. See below.)
Get a group of 12 friends together and grab this great half price opportunity. Find out more.
*********
*********
*********
This is a fantastic deal for kids and teens. Visit the Enchanted Kingdom website for full details of prices and how to apply.
Parade, Singing Contest, Dance Contest, Beauty Pageant, Dog Show, Battle of the Bands, Fireworks, Variety Show and more. All these fabulous fun-filled festivities were organized by our Santa Rosa City Council for us to celebrate the start of Summer!
*********
*********
*********
The official Presidential Award certificate won so deservedly and proudly by Mayor Arlene.
SANTA ROSA MAGAZINE CONGRATULATES
OUR CITY MAYOR ARLENE ARCILLAS FOR
HER HIGH NATIONAL PRESTIGE IN WINNING
THE PRESIDENTIAL LINGKOD BAYAN AWARD!
ADDING TO HER GROWING COLLECTION OF HONORS, OUR EXEMPLARY CITY MAYOR WAS PRESENTED WITH THE VERY SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL LINGKOD BAYAN AWARD AT MALACANANG PALACE.
This is the highest possible award given to government officials and employees by the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the President, and it conveys a great honor to the City Government of Santa Rosa as well as to Mayor Arlene, whose leadership earned it.
CSC Memorandum Circular No. 3 Series of 2011 states: "The conferment of the awards form part of the Commission's advocacy of promoting a culture of excellence and of recognizing and rewarding women and men for outstanding work performance, contribution and superior accomplishments or for consistent manifestation of exemplary ethical behavior in the public service." It means that Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas is now officially included in the list of public servants who are "models of honor, excellence and integrity in public service".
In the interview that followed, Arlene said she felt very honored to receive this distinction, not only because it recognized her hard work in the performance of her duties as City Mayor, but because it was fellow Rosenians who nominated her for the award and supported her through the whole process. She said: "As I always say, whatever award that I received or any accomplishment achieved, I offer and share with the people of Santa Rosa because if not for them, I would not be here, I would not be a public servant."
Radiant with joy, enhanced by her own natural beauty, Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas proudly receives her award.
Let's face it with true honesty to ourselves. Whoever our past preferred
candidates might have been -- whether they were relatives,
cronies, friends, colleagues, neighbors, acquaintances
or people who offered money for our vote, would they
ever have done so much for our city? Would their work
for the people of Santa Rosa City Laguna Philippines
have been so dedicated and devoted that they would ever
achieve national recognition and distinction?
Or would
our preferred candidates have been interested only in
personal glorification and enrichment -- like the deplorably
corrupt previous vice mayor and gangster Manuel Manoy
Alipon whose greed and lust were such that he would
do nothing for anyone but himself? We must never make
the same mistake again by wasting our votes on someone
so despicably destructive, so dishonorable, so immoral,
so desperate to divert our public funds into his or
her personal bank accounts.
Evaluation of nominees for the award were based on outstanding impact, reliability, effectiveness and the consistency of the nominee's contribution or performance. What does this say about our city? It says that we, the voters, have made the right decisions and that collectively the city officials we voted for - Mayor Arlene Arcillas, Vice Mayor Arnel Gomez, and Councilors Dr. Luisito Algabre, Mythor Cendana, Laudemer Carta, Teresa Aala, Petronio Factoriza, Raymond Carvajal, Antonia Tatlonghari-Laserna, Eric Puzon, Paulino Camaclang and Edward Tiongco - are the very best in the whole country.
The competition from other
provinces and other cities is always powerful and focused.
With Arlene Arcillas and Arnel Gomez at the helm of
a supportive team, it was ours that won.
Santa Rosa City's prestigious winning team, led by our fabulous Mayor Arlene Arcillas and Vice Mayor Arnel DC Gomez.
YES,
it was our Mayor representing our city, with the backing
of all our city officials, who won this award, and every
voter needs to remember this at the next election. The
majority of city voters never really know what goes
on behind closed doors after an election, but the
Civil Service Commission and the Office of the President
know every detail, because ultimately it's their
responsibility. The buck can't continue to be be passed
to someone else. It stops with them, and they are
inescapably accountable to the electorate. Personally,
I'm more than willing to put my trust in President Aquino
and the Civil Service Commission. I believe in them. And I'm more than willing to put my trust in Mayor Arlene Arcillas and Vice Mayor Arnel Gomez. I believe in them too, and I also know how hard they both work for us - as do our city councilors. Sta Rosa. is so lucky to have such a great winning team.
- Angel Tugado (Photos courtesy of Philippine Civil Service Commission and Santa Rosa City Government.)
Welcome to Santa Rosa
Magazine - the
accessible open e-magazine of Santa Rosa
City, Laguna, Philippines. No payment, no
registration, no login required.
"There were some officials who blatantly violated the
law, and just as blatantly escaped accountability.
The
Constitution that was meant to be the refuge of the
common citizen became a plaything in the hands of those
who wielded power with impunity.
They acted as if they
held the blindfold of justice in their hands, as if
they were licenced to amend, reduce, change, and distort
our Constitution.
True democracy for all Filipinos:
this is the essence of our Constitution; this is the
lifeblood of our free State.
Cognizant of the mandate
enshrined in our Constitution, we will not allow it
to be infected, sullied or used by anyone who seeks
only to best his fellow men, or wallow in power."
- President Benigno Aquino referring to the final conviction of
disgraced, dishonest, corrupt, ex Chief Justice, Renato Corona
who was only in that post by illegal midnight appointment to
block prosecution of murderer and plunderer Gloria Arroyo,
the bloodthirsty Ampatuan clan's funder and protector.
*********
*********
*********
David Beckham ended his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy in winning style when they beat
Houston Dynamo 3:1 on December 1 to take home the American Major Soccer League Cup for the second successive year.
*********
*********
*********
THE
UNITED KINGDOM BACKS THE PHILIPPINES
ENGLAND IS THE HOME OF MODERN FOOTBALL (AKA SOCCER), AND
THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR STEPHEN LILLIE,
speaking from the Embassy
of the United Kingdom in Manila, gives a
strong thumbs up to doing business in the
Philippines. To avoid confusion, England is part
of Great Britain which is part of the United
Kingdom which is part of the European Union.
Therefore
with reference to the 2011 Royal Wedding, Prince William and Princess
Catherine are now second in line to be King and
Queen of the United Kingdom - but not of the
European Union, although millions of Europeans
have publicly expressed the opinion that 'Will
& Kate' also belong to them, as Will's
ancestors came to Britain from from Germany and
they have branches all over Europe.
Stephen
Lillie does not discuss this issue and states
that the Philippine population of 92 million
makes us the 3rd English-speaking country of the
world. He goes on to praise the international
success of Philippine call-centers, whose clients include
British blue-chip companies such as Shell, HKBC,
and the Financial Times.
He says that
our battle against corruption is being won, and
the presence of more than 200 major British
companies here signifies clearly that now is an
excellent time for British and other European
companies to invest in the Philippines.
This is a fantastic deal for kids and teens. Visit the Enchanted Kingdom website for
full details of prices and how to apply.
*********
*********
*********
Forget the negative attitudes of stick-in-the-mud critics and do a Google search to see the creativity of Filipinos who have posted on the internet their own versions of DOT's inspiring
new tourism slogan. Who cares what the Swiss did in 1951? They didn't invent the English
language and they didn't coin the "it's more fun" phrase. Positive-thinking Filipinos like the
new slogan and are having lots of fun proving the truth in it. DOT deserves congratulations!
(See Angel Tugado's comments on our Opinion page.
*********
*********
*********
SM Supermalls' Regional Operations Manager for South 2 Jason Terrenal
(2nd from right) proudly holds the award for SM Prime Holdings Inc. as one of the recipients of the Most Outstanding Tax Payer Award given by Santa Rosa City during the awarding ceremony. Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas (center) presented the awards.
SM PRIME HOLDINGS RECEIVES AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT
THE MOST OUTSTANDING BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA were honored and recognized in a formal awarding ceremony held on July 29, 2011 at The Bellevue Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The said companies and corporations were also ranked according to the amount of tax paid for 2010 as recorded by the Office of the City Treasurer.
There were 5 categories and the Top 20 businesses for each category received recognition for their contribution to the City’s revenue. Mayor Arlene Arcillas, along with City Assessor Mrs. Nelly Gomez and City Treasurer Laura Sy, presented the awards.
SM Prime Holdings Inc. ranked 6th in the Top Tax Payer category, 11th in the Top 20 Payers of Business Tax and 6th in the Top 20 Taxpayers of Realty Tax for the year 2010.
SM Supermalls’ affiliate stores also made it to the list of Top 20 Taxpayers of Business Tax with SM Department Store, SM Supermarket and SM Appliance ranking 7th, 9th and 19th places respectively.
SM Supermalls Regional Operations Manager for South 2 Jason Terrenal received the award for SM Prime Holdings together with SM Santa Rosa’s Assistant Mall Manager Evelyn Verzola. SM Department Store’s Regional Manager Engr. Gerry Bacsid was also present together with SM Sta. Rosa Department Store Manager Georgie Malabanan and SM Supermarket Store Manager Ronnie Ragasa.
- Pamela Peters-Baun (photo courtesy of SM Prime Holdings)
*********
*********
*********
The superb artistic tribute illustrates
our city's amazing achievements.
SANTA ROSA CELEBRATES ITS
ANNIVERSARY AS A CITY
Mayor Arlene leads the ribbon cutting
ceremony offically opening the
exhibit to the public.
IDINAOS
KAMAKAILAN SA SM CITY ang selebrasyon
ng ika-7 annibersaryo ng pagkilala sa
Sta. Rosa bilang isang ganap na
lungsod sa pamamagitan ng pag bubukas
ng isang eksibit na nagpapakita ng mga
progresong nakamit ng Lungsod ng Sta.
Rosa sa loob ng pitong taon gayundin
ang mga litratong nag papakita ng mga
magagandang gusali at tanawin na
makikita sa Sta. Rosa.
Children ask questions, and are always
eager to learn about our city's
past and future.
Kasama sa mga nag bukas ng
nasabing eksibit ay sina Mayor Arlene
Arcillas, Mrs. Ofelia Arcillas, SM
Sta. Rosa Assistant Mall Manager
Evelyn Verzola, SM Brand Manager
Armind Cajala at SM Department Store
Assistant Manager Janice Casupang.
-
Pamela Peters-Baun (Photos courtesy of
SM City Sta. Rosa)
*********
*********
*********
Protesters outside the US Embassy in Poland demonstrate against the bid to pass laws in America that would remove freedoms their grand-parents and parents fought the Nazis and the Russians to obtain. See the Yahoo Slideshow for a few examples of people around the globe whose lives would be directly affected by these laws.
Watch the above Yahoo Slideshow to see its enlarged photos of people around the world of all ages, including President Obama, and US servicemen on active duty overseas, using laptops to connect with their home, their office or their global social network. More than 2 billion people, most of which are not Americans, would be adversely affected if bills to control the internet are ever passed by the US Congress and Senate to become American law. The internet gives us all the freedom to communicate and learn and help others. It is not owned by the USA, and our need to protest is not over. Postponement pending consultation isn't the end. The world must keep up its global pressure. (Screenshot courtesy of Yahoo). Also see Angel Tugado's comments on our Opinion page.
*********
*********
*********
Wedge espadrilles with ribbon ankle
straps.
BE NAUTICAL AND NICE
WITH PARISIAN AT SM
Make
waves on land or sea with wedgies and
espadrilles, chunky platform heels and
ballet flats. See SM's selection of nautical inspired
shoes from Pamela Peters-Baun.
*********
*********
*********
Photo left: My City My SM
endorsers Tiongco Brothers Jun,
Emil and Arthur, SM VP for
marketing Millie Dizon, Sta. Rosa
Mayor Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno, SM
AVP for operations-South Glen Ang
and SM City Sta Rosa Mall manager
Dominador Caringal.
Photo right: My City My SM
endorser Philippine Tatler?s
Managing Editor Chit Lijauco
(center) with family Susan
Lijauco, Puring Perez, Geoff Mc
Llelan, Lilia Miguel and Miko
Lijauco.
"MY CITY, MY SM" LAUNCH
REVEALS OTHER SIDE
OF SANTA ROSA
Story and photos from Pamela Peters-Baun
Photo left: Honored guests included
Conchita Delfino, Lally Tiongco,
Imelda Martinez and Jane Tiongco.
Photo right: Also Doris and
Richard Tiongco
TO THOSE OF
US who have come to
know Santa Rosa City, Laguna for its
more recent developments - techno parks,
automobile plants, up-scale residential
communities - the My City, My SM launch
at SM City Sta. Rosa gave guests a
welcome look at its cultural side.
Photo left: Architect Mario Zavalla, who
lent the artifacts from his
ancestral home, with Gemalin
Batin. Photo right: Santa Rosa
Historian Nonia Tiongco with
Rebecca Soque?o and Lilia Miguel
This is a
another side of Santa Rosa, proud of its
history and culture - its old churches
and ancestral homes, artifacts, local
cuisine, and famous people. The
prominent families of old Santa Rosa -
the Tiongcos, the Carpenas, Zavallas,
and Lijaucos - gathered together in
Filipiniana attire as SM honored four
prominent Rosarians - Philippine
Tatler's managing editor and Rotary
District 3820 Governor Chit Lijauco and
the Tinig Hall of Fame Awardees, the
Tiongco Brothers - Emil, Jun, and Art.
Photo left: Apolinario and Imelda
Martinez. Photo right: Oscar and
Sora Avenido.
Sta. Rosa City
Mayor Arlene Arcillas led the tribute
that culminated in the unveiling of two
panels featuring Lijauco and the Tiongco
Brothers. SM City Sta. Rosa mall manager
Dominador Caringal, as well as SM's VP
for operations Glenn Ang, and VP for
marketing and communications Millie
Dizon joined them.
Photo left: Southern Tagalog Tourism
Council Director and Governor of
Red Cross Andrew Nocon with Mrs.
Josefina Arcillas. Photo center:
Biñan Tourism Officer Jazz
Alonte. Photo right: Dr. Bimbo
Sta. Maria.
The Mayor's
mother, Josefina Arcillas, Santa Rosa
City Councilor Arnel DC Gomez, Southern
Tagalog Tourism Council Director Andrew
Nocon, and Biñan Tourism Officer
Jazmine Alonte were also present.
Photo left: SM VP for Marketing
Millie Dizon with Arnel DC Gomez
and Antonio Agulto.
Photo right: Alice's Catering
provided delicious food like this
lumpiang hubad made from
vegetables.
They all
enjoyed the program, which consisted of
a performance by the University of
Perpetual Help Cultural Dancers and the
Tiongco Brothers, who wowed the crowd as
they serenaded them with their signature
songs.
Photo left: The University of
Perpetual Help Cultural Dancers
gave a magnificent display of
traditional Philippine folk
dancing.
Photo right: Beautiful gowns were
shown at their best by equally
beautiful models in a colorful
fashion show.
They also
enjoyed Santa Rosa delicacies like
Matse, Atole, Lumpiang Hubad, and
Sinukmane with Kinilaw na Puso ng Saging
which were served with a modern spin
during the event, together with the
popular homegrown Bok's Ice Cream.
Photo left: Bok's Ice Cream, a
Sta. Rosa original. Photo center:
Antique Banga terra cotta jar with
faucet. Photo right: Doris Tiongco
beside the antique Karitela from
Casa Zavalla.
One of the
highlights of the event was the exhibit
organized by Santa Rosa historian Nonia
Tiongco. It featured photos of old Santa
Rosa and its well-known people, as well
as artifacts and antiques from the
private collection of Architect Mario
Zavalla. Mallgoers were seen crowding
around the exhibit with a sense of
wonder as they discovered the city?s
glorious past.
Photo left: Antique portable
sewing machine operated by the
handle at the front.
Photo right: Antique laundry
implements from before the washing
machine was invented.
The My City, My
SM event at SM City Santa Rosa is the
sixth in this tourism-driven campaign
that features the many cities around the
Philippines where SM is located.
Photo
left: Sinukmane or sticky rice
with pirurutong and Kilawing puno
ng saging.
Photo right: Atole, an authentic
corn-based delicacy of Santa Rosa.
The first, "I
Left My Heart in San Fernando," honored
internationally acclaimed film director
Brillante Mendoza and Mutya ng
Kapampangan Nicolette Henson; "Cebu,
Cebu" highlighted the best of Cebu
through socialite Teresin Mendezona and
the Aldeguer brothers - Jay, Michael and
Chris; while "Sweet Home Iloilo"
featured Dr. Josette Biyo and Mang
Inasal's Edgar Sia II.
Both photos: All these shows and
exhibits take a lot of effort to
put together. Here are some of the
enthusiastic girls, and one of the
guys, whose dedicated teamwork was
sincerely appreciated by all who
visited "My City My SM" Santa
Rosa.
Just in time
for the Panagbenga and Hot Air Balloon
Festivals in February, "Baguio on My
Mind" paid tribute to National Artist
Bencab and Binibining Pilipinas Universe
2001 and lawyer Zora Andam; while "Up,
Up and Away at Clark" featured CHED
Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles, and
artist, foodie and writer Claude Tayag.
My City, My SM is a project of SM and
the Department of Tourism with support
from The Philippine STAR.
*********
*********
*********
The parking area is the scene of
SM City's annual Independence Day
flag raising ceremony
CELEBRATION OF PHILIPPINE
INDEPENDENCE
SM City raises the flag.
Santa
Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas was Guest
of Honor.
RED,
WHITE AND BLUE were the prevailing
colors during SM City Sta. Rosa's annual
celebration of Philippine Independence
Day held at the mall's parking area.
Members
of Sta. Rosa PNP were in attendance
led by P/Supt. Col. Ismael
Fernandez.
Present during the flag raising ceremony were
Sta. Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas, Vice
Mayor Arnel Gomez, SM Sta. Rosa Mall
Manager Dominador Caringal, Assistant
Mall Manager Eve Verzola, members of the
Sta. Rosa PNP headed by P/Supt. Col.
Ismael Fernandez and members of the boy
and girl scouts Sta. Rosa Chapter headed
by Scout Master Pepito Carpio.
-
Pamela Peters-Baun (Photos courtesy of
SM City Sta. Rosa.)
Boy and girl
scouts from Sta. Rosa Chapter
watched over by Scout Master
Pepito Carpio.
*********
*********
*********
There's no live theater in Sta. Rosa yet,
but the Insular Life Theater at nearby Alabang features productions by the talented and popular drama group Theater Down South.
Do
you and/or your kids need to know
the nutritional values of different
foods and the
necessity of a healthy balanced
diet? Michelle Obama has launched...(Read more:)
*********
*********
*********
Our readers in Sta. Rosa and around the world who are parents will immediately identify with the subject matter of this entertaining talk on video, courtesy of TED.com. In December 2006 Alisa Volkman and her husband Rufus Griscom co-founded Babble, a website for parents. As the VP of sales strategy and brand development Volkman oversees design, influences product development, and creates and sells custom ad programs, growing the site to attract more than 4 million parents a month in 2010. Griscom is CEO and he was co-founder of the pathbreaking Nerve.com in 1997 as the website’s editor and CEO. He grew Nerve Media into a profitable website and online dating business, in the process spinning off Spring Street Networks. He also serves as an advisor to several New York-based internet companies. Volkman and Griscom have three sons. At work, they try to keep their relationship low-key. "It’s in the elevator ride up to our offices that a transformation occurs," Griscom says. "We start the ride as a couple and end it as business."
*********
*********
*********
Close to South Luzon Expressway's Santa Rosa Exit, Walter Mart, the city proper and all the high profile residential subdivisions (see location map below), the Green Fields International School campus is easily acessible from every part of Santa Rosa City.
*********
*********
*********
Oprah Winfrey "the most influential woman in the
world"
WOMEN
INSPIRING THE WORLD
Inspirational
women from all over the planet are
making a big difference to the whole
world
and taking lead roles in finding ways
to make it a better place for
everyone. PART
1: (Videos of Michelle Obama, Melinda
French Gates, Zainab Salbi, Sunitha
Krishnan, Liza Donnelly, Lea
Salonga, Charity Tillemann-Dick,
Jehane Noujaim, Jody Williams,
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Sheryl
Wudunn, Kiran Bedi, Hanna Rosin,
Elizabeth Lesser, Sheryl Sandberg,
Halla Tomasdottir, Johanna Blakley,
Jane McGonigal, Amber Case, Kiran
Bir Sethi, Jane Chen.) PART
2: (Videos of Brene Brown, Ali
Carr-Chellman, Lesley Hazleton,
Majora Carter, Jacqueline Novogratz,
Arianna Huffington, Diana
Laufenberg, Deborah Rhodes, Kristina
Gjerde, Nalini Nadkarni, Dee
Boersma, Emily Pilloton, Amy Smith,
Kim Gorgens, Amy Tan, Laurie Santos,
Karen Armstrong, Carmen Agra Deedy,
JK Rowling, Miwa Matreyek, Tony
Porter.)
Congratulations to Miss Universe 2011 above, Leila Lopes from Angola,
and to our own Shamcey Supsup, who was placed 3rd Runner Up,
one position higher than Venus Raj last year. Editorial photo courtesy of Miss Universe Organization. (More...)
*********
*********
*********
L
to R: 1st Runner Up (Lithuania),
Winner Danica (Philippines), 2nd
Runner Up (Poland)
CONGRATULATIONS TO FILIPINA DANICA FLORES MAGPANTAY
ON WINNING THE TITLE OF FORD
"SUPERMODEL OF THE WORLD"
Danica
Magpantay, a 17 year old Fine Arts
student at the University of the
Philippines, won the title Ford
Supermodel of the World 2011 at the
annual contest held in New York,
beating contestants from over 50
countries and thereby gaining a
$250,000 modeling contract. At 5'9"
and 109 lbs, Danica has the perfect
physique for a career on the
international catwalk. She trains hard
to keep in shape and her ambition is
to be a top model for Victoria's
Secret.
Another deserved worldwide success for
another beautiful Filipina!
Our
readers in Sta. Rosa and around the
world who are parents will immediately
identify with the subject matter of
this entertaining talk on video,
courtesy of TED.com.
In December 2006 Alisa
Volkman and her husband Rufus Griscom co-founded Babble,
a website for parents. As the VP of
sales strategy and brand development
Volkman oversees design, influences
product development, and creates and
sells custom ad programs, growing the
site to attract more than 4 million
parents a month in 2010. Griscom is
CEO and he was co-founder of the
pathbreaking Nerve.com in 1997 as the
website's editor and CEO. He grew
Nerve Media into a profitable website
and online dating business, in the
process spinning off Spring Street
Networks. He also serves as an advisor
to several New York-based internet
companies. Volkman and Griscom have
three sons. At work, they try to keep
their relationship low-key. "It's in
the elevator ride up to our offices
that a transformation occurs," Griscom
says. "We start the ride as a couple
and end it as business."
*********
*********
*********
Globe continues to lead the way in Sta. Rosa with its innovative customizable broadband.
VIDEO
GAMES ARE
GOOD FOR YOU (AND FOR THE WHOLE WORLD)
"This is my
daughter. She's playing a computer
game. She's only two years old, and
she's having a blast. So she's really
the driving force behind the
development of graphics
processing units. As long as kids are
playing computer games, graphics is
getting better
and better and better. So please go
back home, tell your kids to play more
games, because
that's what I need." - Professor
Anders Ynnerman, Ph.D., Link?ping
University, Sweden
Far from their earlier image of
fantasies that wasted kids' time and
parents' money,
video games are now acknowledged as a
powerful force for improving the
real world we live in. Here's a
selection of innovative thinkers and
doers who will open your minds to
amazing new possibilities. Click
here to read more and see the
videos
*********
*********
*********
HOW
SCIENCE IS TRANSFORMING NATIONS
AND PEOPLE FASTER THAN SCIENCE
FICTION WRITERS COULD EVER HAVE
PREDICTED
"Our
greatest natural resource is the minds
of our children... All our dreams can
come true
if we have the courage to pursue
them... The way to get started is to
quit talking and begin
doing... It's kind of fun to do the
impossible." -
Walt Disney
"What
is an airplane after all but a
circling of reality, an approach to
gravity which says: Look, with my
magic machine I defy you. Gravity, be
gone. Distance, stand aside. Time,
stand still, or reverse, as I finally
outrace the sun around the world in,
by God! look! plane/jet/rocket--80
minutes!" -
Ray Bradbury, award-winning author
of bestselling SF novels including
'Fahrenheit 451' and 'Dandelion
Wine', several of which were
produced as Hollywood box office
blockbuster hit movies.
We all
know that airplanes, submarines, space
travel, cell phones, holograms,
transplants, cloning, foods in tablet
form and many other things were
described in science fiction long
before they became reality. Even
present day security cameras and
television's Big Brother show were
spawned by the SF novel "1984" written
by George Orwell and first published
in 1949. New ideas and discoveries are
now communicated so widely and rapidly
in what is often dubbed the
Information Age that scientific
developments are overtaking fiction in
the current real-life race to create a
modern real-world utopian society. Click here to read more and see the
videos
Watch this YouTube animated video by
Ericsson Multimedia about life in
2015
and the networked society. (Read more....)
*********
*********
*********
See our Home Page to find out how the new "I Am Involved" SM Eco Bag helps to conserve Philippine forests
