A year ago, me & my brother- Mark we’re busy in the preparation of the very first Mr. Pogi-Bahrain. It was the first male pageant in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The pageant was organized by a group of Filipino who wants to help those Filipinas who were victims of bad employers in Bahrain. Filipinas who got stocked in the OWWA’s accommodation due to pending legal matters. 

It was Sept 14, 2006 when Mr. Pogi-Bahrain was held in the Bai Sang Thai Restaurant. The pageant wasn’t that prestigious, though the media coverage was very good. Another thing that this pageant has been awaited with our fellow Filipinos was because men of other nationalities participated. There were contestants from UK, Russia, Lebanon, India, Pakistan & Bahrain nationals. 

The coronation night was opened by the national costumes category. The audience applauded with the contestants’ colorful costumes. Girls truly giggled as some of the contestants revealed more skin as wasn’t expected in a Muslim country like Bahrain. I was amazed with the Filipino contestants. It’s not because I am a Filipina, but all these Filipinos were able to show the very colorful culture of the Phils. Somehow I felt proud as I’ve seen British girls took pictures of our very popular “ati-atihan” costumes. Besides the national costume category, contestants were rated on their casual & formal attires. There was a talent portion too. Each contestant was given 15 minutes to show their own talents. The pageant took long because of this talent portion.   

Audience was captivated with Mark’s very own interpretation of Muslim Dance. A British girl came near the stage as she took a video shoot of his dance. Most of the audience shouted that Mark showed the best talent that night.  

When the magic 5 was announced & Mark was included, my fiancé- Rey whispered that it’s definitely Mark who’s going to win the title. We even felt more comfortable when Mark answered the question nicely. 

Before the announcement of winners, an auction of “Barong Tagalog” was held. The organizer was able to solicit more than BD150 (approx US$420.00) for 8 pieces of Barong Tagalog. Good enough, considering the designer was not that famous. 

When the host was about to announce the winners, everybody shouted with their own bets. My fiancé & I stayed from where we originally seated. We’re both smiling because we knew that Mark will be the winner and will get the special award – Best in Talent. When the host called the other Filipino contestant as Best in Talent, my fiancé & I were very disappointed. Mark, from the stage, looked at me as if he was telling me that he was so upset. Well, we felt that the audience were disenchanted too. Anyway, we waited for the announcement of the top three winners. Hoping that Mark will be the top winner and yet he was called as the First Runner-Up. I saw how disappointed Mark was with the judges’ decision. Though he was able to carry himself for a short pictorial with the media people. 

On our way to the parking area, one of the judge told us that he was disappointed with the announcement. It was pretty obvious that their decisions were manipulated. We just smiled. The next day, Mark received a call from Bahrain Confidential Magazine for his interview.

You can check this link, MARK’S INTERVIEW for a complete detail of his interview as well as the interview with Mr.Pogi-Bahrain himself, Mr. Edgar Moussa (from Lebanon). See for yourself, why a lot people got disappointed with the results. If the organizers are planning to have 2007 Mr. Pogi-Bahrain, I just hope it will be more organized & fairer competition.

When I first heard this news last night, I smiled. It was like- “WHAT ?!?! WALIS TING TING?!”

Forgive me guys, but it’s totally funny. Though when they showed how Joey Marquez tried to ignore the media, I felt sorry for him.  During his term, I was very visible to Paranaque area with my former work as Technical Sales Representative. Infairness to Joey, I’m quite impressed with some of his “not so big” projects there. But this “walis tingting” issue truly destroyed the reputation of Joey.  

“Guilty  beyond reasonable doubt” was the decision of Sandiganbayan to the former Mayor of Paranaque – Mr. Joey Marquez, as well as the other former officers such as Mr. Silvestre de Leon (former city treasurer), Marilou Tanael (former city accountant) & Ofelia Caunan (former OIC of general services office). It was proven that these four were guilty in Anti-Graft & Corrupt Practices Act. The court gave Joey a sentenced to spend in jail of 30-50 years. While 6-10 years for the other three. Court also ordered them to return P400,000 (an average of  US$ 8,900.00 ) to the Municipality Office of Paranaque. It’s all because of this “Walis Tingting”.  

According to reports, the 30-pages decision, showed that there’s no doubt they made a purchased of this item in overpriced. 

As per the report of Special Audit committee, it was investigated that the 6 transactions reached the P2.9M (an average of US$64,500.00) for more than 100,000 pcs. walis tingting from year 1996 to 1998.The price difference is P1.3M (an average of US$28,900.00) because during this period, each “walis tingting” only costs  P10-P11 (ave. US$0.25) per piece but in their transaction it falls on P15-P25 (ave. US$0.45) per piece. They did purchase a lot of “walis tingting’’ & it didn’t pass the public bidding.  

Joey Marquez was shocked with the court’s decision. The four of them stayed in the sheriff’s office for four hours while arranging their cash bond. When Marquez, went out in that office, he hurried up to his car & tried to ignore the media.  

If these four was able to earn a big amount of money from a very simple “walis tingting”, will this money big enough for 30-50 years inside the jail? 

Oh well, Joey wasn’t lucky enough this time. May this incident be a big reminder to both parties – Government Officials & Commission on Audit office.  

Hey guys, why don’t you try to review ballpens, bond papers & garbage bins as well?

Guess who’s the recent highest paid Hollywood Teen Star? Well, its not Dakota Fanning nor Lindsay Lohan. It’s Vanessa Hudgens. Vanessa is one of the stars in the Disney Channel Film – Highschool Musical. The lead stars in this show turned out to shine at the Teen Choice awards on Sunday with their “Higschool Musical 2” winning a top honor for best TV movie. The Disney musical also won a special award for its recent smash debut on TV in front of an estimated 17 million viewers. 

Well, what we (Filipinos) should be excited with this is that, Vanessa is a Fil-Am! Vanessa was born on Dec 14, 1988 in Salinas, California. Her parents are Greg Hudgens and Gina Guangco. She has been home-schooled since the seventh grade. Her younger sister, Stella Hudgens, is also an actress.

Starting at the age of eight, Vanessa performed in musical theater as a singer, and appeared in local productions of Carousel, The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, The Music Man, and Cinderella, among others. Hudgens successfully auditioned for a commercial and subsequently moved to Los Angeles with her family, with whom she is still close.

Vanessa is proud to say that she’s a part Filipino. For most of her interviews I’ve seen here in the net, she always mentions the fact that her mother is a Filipina.With the recent interview of Teen Hollywood, Vanessa gracefully answered such questions that deal with ethnicity:

TeenHollywood: Vanessa, you look exotic and gorgeous. What is your ethnic background?

Vanessa: Gosh, I’m everything. Pretty much I’m Filipino and Caucasian but within that, I’m Spain Spanish, Chinese, American Indian, and Irish.  

TeenHollywood: There aren’t a lot of Filipino actors…

Vanessa: I’m here to represent for my Pinoles!

For sure, what she’s trying to say on this one is that – “I’M HERE TO REPRESENT FOR MY PINOYS!”

Whenever I hear such kind of achievement of our fellow filipinos in other country specially in the Hollywood industry, well it really feels good & proud. I just hope that this will an inspiration to other young talents out there. Specially to those Fil-Am couples whose well enough to support the child’s talent into a big dream.

*check “cat.4: Annie in Serious Matters” for more links

HOMEPAGE

The lifestyle and job of a Cabin Crew member is undoubtedly one of the best careers you can aspire to.

The endless opportunities and exciting prospects make this one of the top 10 jobs people dream of becoming. Though, not all of us know exactly the best strategy to enter in this so exciting career.

I am writing this post, not because I am a successful cabin crew today and even before. I wrote this post in behalf of my brother, who recently was able to get-in in the industry of aviation. By now that I am completing this post, my brother is near to finish the 5 weeks training in United Arab Emirates and soon be on board by next month. He had some rejections with the 2 popular airlines in the Phil’s. Finally, he was able to make it! And this time it’s an international airline. During the application, we were together with the entire procedures. From searching, studying & actual application process, I was with him. It’s really pretty exciting and totally worth it.

Middle East may not sound good as a starting point to enter in this Cabin Crew Career but, yes it is! A lot of people are transferring to Middle East for a certain land based job but in reality these people are targeting the famous international airlines of different countries here in Middle East.

When I was with my brother during the pre-screening application for Emirates Airlines, I was able to chat with some applicants and I was shocked that most of them transferred in Middle East to start up their dream of becoming cabin crew. They will initially accept a land-based job but they will look forward to the mass hiring of these airlines. Famous airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Gulf Air are conducting an average mass hiring twice a year, specifically in Kingdom of Bahrain & UAE.

This mass hiring does really have a different approach, not in terms of the airline’s hiring procedures but in terms of the competition that’s happening within the applicants.

A certain company that conducts a mass hiring has already a target number of applicants to hire. Unless, nevertheless that certain batch of applicants doesn’t meet their requirements, then it will affect their target number of applicants.

What land-based job will be a good starting point?

Cabin Crew’s major responsibility evolves in customer service. It is a responsible job and involves everything from the anticipation and understanding of each of the customer’s needs, providing the highest standard of comfort and customer care, to the safety and security of the passengers and aircraft. So, land based jobs such as guest relation officer, receptionist, waitress/waiter, bellboy, guest attendant and the like, would be a great training ground for customer care industry.

Related Posts

• Becoming EMIRATES Cabin Crew (Part I)
• Becoming EMIRATES Cabin Crew – Selection Day
• Becoming EMIRATES Cabin Crew – Application Procedure

Birthday is what I may consider as the most exciting event in each other’s life. There times that we may not capable of organizing an extravagant party for this special day but still, we find ways to be thankful for our existence.

Apart from this, I certainly believe that most of us are thinking of those birthday greetings. The big question – Whose you’re expecting to greet you on that very special day?

If you’re having a certain “significant” other at the moment, you can’t wait for this “sooo-special” gift.

If you’re single, you’re probably waiting for the first X-lover to pop up in your Inbox  -  neither in mobile or email or even in the very popular myspace – friendster accounts!

Wait! But did you ever think what’s behind that birthday greetings? Are you getting the exact meaning of his/her message?

Or, let’s say the other way around. You have this X and you need to greet him/her on this special day for some reason. How will you do it? In as much as the most proper way that you’re current-significant-other will not feel bad.

The following information may not be true to you. This is just an analysis of the most expectations and incidents occur – before, during and after this very special “Happy Birthday” moment.

Advance Happy Birthday!

If you receive a call from your X greeting you “Advance happy birthday. I still want to be the very first person to greet you in this special day…” You’ll definitely be caught in a situation that requires you to giggle and say “thank you” all heartedly.  Then, your conversation will lead to…”so, what’s your plan for the big day?”

Didn’t you get the real objective of that advance greeting?

He/She is asking for your invitation.  It’s an indirect message of – “What’s your plan? Can I go?”

Then everything will fall on informing him/her the details of your party.

You need to be careful, either way around – for good nor for bad. For good, if this is an initial move to get back together. Or for bad thing – he/she has nothing to do that night and just want to find out what’s new with you.

Happy Birthday!

A “happy birthday” on the exact date and on the right time – its something!

Maybe for some boys it may sound nothing, but for girls (most of us) it’s some kind a big thing! Remembering our special day and greeting us on the time that girls are least expecting it! Boys, that’s the most effective initial step of the love in second time around.

To the most effort, that you will remind your former couple friends for the birthday greetings, will definitely role up the roller coaster.

If you think, you’re just obliged to greet your X for his/her special day due to some unfinished business. This is not the right timing! Or else you will end up explaining to your current-significant-other.

Belated Happy Birthday!

I would say this is the safest way to greet the X.

“Oh! Belated happy birthday. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to greet you yesterday. I was too busy. I hope you had a great birthday yesterday.”

With or without unfinished business, at least you were still nice of remembering that special day. Just for the sake of your moments together before.

None extra effort and just a plain message are very safe moves for previous partner!

Just a hint, boys – most of the girls’ expectation ends up on the last hour of their birthday.

So, the next time you will say or hear “Happy Birthday X”, you will have an idea on the other side of that greeting.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!