Maobi equals blessing or suffering?

 Bayanihan Republic :

After hours of nosebleed at our Mandarin class, we slowed down a bit with Omar Laoshi (teacher in Mandarin) introducing the use of maobi (paintbrush) to write Chinese characters. Oh my, we thought it’s really stress-free, but it’s not! Aside from the fact that there’s a proper but uncomfortable technique on how to hold the paintbrush (which may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome hehe!), we felt disappointed seeing that our Laoshi’s work looks like a real calligraphy while our creations may have a hard time to be differentiated from vandalism! Haha =D Our Laoshi said, it just takes lots of practice. Oh well, I hope we’ll have the time to perfect not just our writing, but our speaking and listening skills as well or we’ll end up being anemic at the end of the term! =)

Working with Gary V for UNICEF

 Action & Event-ure:

I first met Gary Valenciano (also known as Gary V) last year when we were preparing for the launch of UNICEF Champions for Children.  I felt so honored to be working closely with a music superstar who also uses his stardom to help other people, especially the underprivileged children.  In his outreach activity at a daycare center in Baseco, Tondo, Manila, I remembered how he enjoyed spending time with the children.  When we were reminding him of his next schedule, he even asked for more time with the kids.  He then sang (a capella of course) Tayong Dalawa and the children instantly sang with him in the chorus part.  It is as if I heard a voice from heaven joined by a chorale of innocent little children. I just can't explain how I could sense the innate goodness glowing in his face, in his voice, in his movements, in his personality.  Before I admired Gary V as a performer, but now, I admire him more than that.  I admire him as a person, a very good person.

Gary V and Donita Rose during the launch of  Champions for Children in May 2009.

And after several months, we worked together again to celebrate his 12th Year Anniversary as UNICEF Ambassador and kick-off the second phase of UNICEF Champions for Children campaign.  I wasn't expecting that he could still remember me since Gary V meets lots of people everywhere, but to my surprise, I was proven wrong. =)  And last February 17, we facilitated Gary V's Media Day for UNICEF.  He first guested in Mornings@ANC at the Studio 6 of ABS-CBN Broadcast Center and then joined the Media Roundtable at Alex III Tomas Morato with the representatives of UNICEF, Josef Poe of Champions for Children and Kuya Butch and 3 sponsored street children of ChildHope Asia, an NGO supported by the program. Here is more info about Gary V's 12 years of UNICEF ambassadorship and the Champions for Children campaign.

UNICEF Ambassador Gary V searches for 6,000 new Champions for Children

Gary Valenciano, now on his 12th year as UNICEF Ambassador, is looking for 6,000 new Champions for Children to help him advocate for children’s rights and make a difference in the lives of Filipino children.

“Now, more than ever, the children need everyone’s help,” said Gary Valenciano (also known as Gary V). Gary V and UNICEF are looking for 6,000 new Champions for Children this 2010 to address the needs of Filipino children and give them the chance to survive and thrive.

Enjoy the "Halo-Halo Treat"!

Finally, here I am starting my very own blog! Welcome to the "Halo-Halo Treat... enjoying life's mixes!". It just took me a little will power and determination to start working on this and the rest of some of the new things for me this 2010. Well, these are practically the same factors that helped me hit the gym and get my pen to write Chinese characters. =) As mentioned in my Facebook account, my battle cry for the year is “Golden 2010” so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this can really happen. =) (golden like golden ages in ancient civilization or perhaps golden for gold! hmmm...)

In 2008, my motto was “2008 will be Great” and indeed, great things happened. I moved to a new job, went on an Asian cruise and handled fun, exciting and challenging accounts! In 2009, it was “Shine in 2009” and last year was indeed a shining moment not only for me but for the whole team. We won six Gold Quill Awards from IABC (International Association of Business Communicators), and I led three of the industry recognized projects - 3-Pid Handog Edukasyon of P&G and GMA Kapuso Foundation, Global Handwashing Day of UNICEF and Safeguard and The Tour of Hope 2009 of the Bravehearts Coalition.

And to kick-off “Golden 2010”, I created my first blog – “Halo-Halo Treat... enjoying life's mixes!”. Why “Halo-Halo Treat”? Don’t get me wrong, this is not just about food or desserts. I’ll practically blog on anything about life – events, travel, food, places, movies, television, culture, history, gadgets, mainstream and digital media, and many more – “Halo-Halo Treat” indeed. Halo-halo (from the Tagalog word halò, "mix") is a popular Filipino dessert that is a mixture of shaved ice and milk to which are added various boiled or sweetened beans, fruits (banana, melon, jack fruit), root crops (ube, sweet potato, corn) and other sweets (leche flan, ice cream, macapuno, kaong and nata de coco from coconut, sago, gulaman) and served cold in a tall glass or bowl.