RP Welcomes Obama – A State Visit

These photos speak for themselves as US President Barack Obama visits my country for the very first time. Despite a jampacked schedule, I’m pretty sure he will enjoy his brief State Visit here.
Please have a sample of our delicious Philippine Mangoes ^_^

At the NAIAirport
Four minutes early 1:26PM
Welcome & Mabuhay!

At Malacañang Palace
Arrival Honors
Meet & Greet
Bilataral Meeting 

“I thank President Aquino and the people of the Philippines welcoming me. May America’s oldest alliance in Asia always be renewed by our friendship and mutual respect.” — US President Barack Obama 4.28.14

Bayanihan — U.S. President Barack Obama and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III reiterated the strong bilateral relationship of the two countries during a joint press conference at the Malacañan Palace. —  Text from US Embassy in Manila (Facebook Page)

At the Joint Press Conference

At the State Dinner
Rizal Hall

April 29, 2014
COMET E-Jeepney Launch

Photo by: Sandra Aguinaldo GMA7

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to Global Electric Transportation (GET) officers aboard the COMET, City Optimized Managed Electric Transport. The vehicle, an updated, electric version on the traditional Philippine Jeepney, uses lithium ion batteries with the goal of reducing pollution while also being cost-efficient. – Text from US Embassy in Manila (Facebook Page)

At Philippine Army Gym
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

In his speech in front of U.S. and Filipino soldiers at Fort Bonifacio, U.S. President Barack Obama reaffirmed the alliance between the two countries. The President also remembered the longstanding history of partnership which both Filipinos and Americans continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder – “balikatan” – in times of war and natural disasters. He paid tribute to the veterans of war as well as servicemen who helped during typhoon #Yolanda.  — Text from US Embassy in Manila (Facebook Page) 

At the American Cemetery
Wreath-Laying Ceremony

At the NAIAirport
Departure Ceremony

Photo credits:
ANC Channel 27
GMA News Network Channel 12
GMA News TV Channel 24
Official Gazette Philippines @govph
Ms. Sandra Aguinaldo
The US Embassy in Manila (Facebook Page)
Online Photos

Heaven Just Welcomed Two Well-Loved Pope Saints – Twin Canonization

I feel blessed that my generation today has witnessed the canonization of 2 rock star popes – St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII. The former I was able to see LIVE and in person back in 1995 during a World Youth Day held here in Manila, Philippines. It was an unprecedented gathering of more than 2 million in attendance! A massive crowd of delegates and believers of the church.

“We declare and define Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II to be saints and we enrol them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole church,” said Pope Francis in the official proclamation at about 10.15am today in Vatican City, Rome. 4-27-14

John XXIII, he said, was a pastor to the church, “a servant leader” who had called the Second Vatican Council. John Paul II, meanwhile, was “the pope of the family”.

The Vatican said they totalled around 500,000 in St Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets, while 800,000 people were thought to have gathered for the mass in Rome as a whole.

St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII please pray for us!

Photos are courtesy of  online/Twitter sources. Many thanks!

The Amazing Spidey is Back!

This second Spidey installment of Andrew Garfield this time with Jamie Foxx is something I got to see!

Modern Day Pope Saints – The Canonization

The canonizations of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II April 27 will mark a historic moment for the Catholic Church.

Two well-loved popes who created and left lasting legacies of their staunch faith and contributed significant changes in these modern days for the religious. One was the Most Travelled Pope while the other associated with Second Vatican Council.

Pope John “threw open the doors of the Church and let the fresh air of the Spirit blow through.” If John opened the doors of the Church, then John Paul II was the one who most dramatically walked through those doors. During his 26-year pontificate, the first non-Italian pope since the Renaissance logged over 750,000 travel miles in 104 foreign trips, more than all previous popes combined. 

But perhaps more important than what the saints have accomplished is how they have woken us up from our slumbers. They open our eyes and remind us that Jesus Christ is all around us, only if we have the eyes to see him. Mostly we do not recognize him. We live our lives blind, numb to the reality that the Son of God comes to us a hundred times a day.- excerpt Time.com via Christopher Hale’s John XXIII and John Paul II, the Catholic Church’s Modern Saints . 

More than a million Catholics and religious will flock Rome and St. Peter’s Square some of them have already established camps since Friday to celebrate this very historic moment. Thank God for cable TV and online live streaming, we are also there on the spot via spirit!

Here in Manila, coverage starts 3PM Local Time.

 

Dog Whisperer invades Manila – Hello Cesar Millan!

I love watching this guy thru his shows aired at National Geographic and now Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer himself is coming to Manila on April 29, 2014 at Eastwood Central Plaza 730PM as part of his Asian tour which includes an entertaining live dog show, sharing his unique techniques on how to fix common dog misbehaviors. Now isn’t that cooL for all ye dog owners and fans of Cesar M?

“A dog’s world is one of instinct, perceived through nose, eyes and ears in that order. The human world is one of intellect, emotion and spirit. It can be difficult for these two worlds to communicate with each other,” said Millan. “When we humanize dogs, we create an imbalance in their natural state. This imbalance leads to behavioral issues. I am excited to bring my seminar to Asia, and I am honored to be invited here to share my techniques.”

I notice that Cesar’s behavioral techniques are incredible and he has this certain command that once he steps in the household of a troubled dig owner the dog senses that they’re in for a process that will help turn them around especially if they’re being pain the butt’s to their loving owners. Sometimes I even think he has this special hypnotic powers with dogs!  There were even certain episodes that tears me up when the dog is finally transformed and Cesar doesn’t just give up coz there are cases it takes weeks and even months before these dogs get transformed! Amaaaazing! 

Just visit www.smtickets.com, www.ticketnet.com.ph andwww.ticketworld.com.ph for your tickets. There could still be a few more left. Ticket prices are Gold with meet and greet at P8,000; Silver P7,000; and Bronze, P6,000.

You can also tweet Cesar at @cesarmillan Drop him a message or two. He might just reply back or RT your note or greet! 

Ahhh…Summer! You’re Really Here!

It’s time again for bright colors, cool summer hats and bandanas, sunblocks, goggles, hiking sandals, refreshing drinks, tasty and succulent summer fruits and what? Bikinis? Yikes, maybe not for me but for the deserving & daring souls out there, haha! I’m better off with surfboard tops and comfy beach shorts, thank you! ☺ 

Summer time is here in the Philippines. Take a peek at recommended travel and vacation spots, shall we? I guarantee they are all beautiful, breathtaking and feels like paradise!  

Bring out your Travel List and check mark those empty squares. These trips are going to be worth your time, money and travel experience!
It’s really more FUN in the #Philippines!  

#BostonStrong ♥ #BostonMarathon 4.21.14

Excellent snapshots of this year’s #BostonMarathon You were #BostonStrong ♥

Congrats @runmeb aka Meb Keflezighi for an amazing 2:08:37 run. The last time an American won was in 1983. Meb just ended that title drought!

2013 #BostonMarathon defending champ Rita Jeptoo retains her title as elite female #BostonStrong winner with a course record time of 2:18:56! Super faaaaasst!!!

Starting Line at Hopkinton. There were 4 regular waves with 9,000 each/wave. Watta whopper!

And the elite women were off at 9:32AM. American Shalane Flanagan was crowd favorite.

The cheering crowd anxiously awaits!
Meb in his element! I love the shades too! Skechers shoes was the proudest!

Site of the first bomb explosion last year April 2013.

Push Meb, puush!
Very funny and amusing cheer posters. LOL galore!
Bomb blast survivors who returned for unfinished business. Congrats!

Say hello to comfort dog OLIVE ♥

A new course time was made. An emotional Rita. Oopps you did it again!

Another awesome podium win Tatyana! Congrats girL!

I can only dream of your course speed!
Eight year old Martin Richard was one of the 3 fatalities of the 2013 Boston Marathon while hundred others got seriously injured. At least 5,600 runners were unable to cross the finish line. Five thousand of them came back to finish it!