Posted By:  Gumir Posted On:  May 1, 2008	May 1, Day of Unity folks in Kazakhstan
In Soviet Age the first of May was celebrated as the international day a solidarity of Workers. It was remarkable due to the abundance of political slogans and speeches made during parades. The new political system in Kazakhstan altered the original meaning of this holiday.... [view]

Posted By:  ivanhenares Posted On:  Dec 19, 2007	Chocolate overload in KL
I'm in KL for a business trip. So the only place I got to visit today, aside from KLCC of course, was Beryl’s Chocolate Kingdom where I had a chocolate overload! The factory churns out over a hundred varieties of high quality chocolate candies at prices cheaper than those in the same quality...... [view]

Posted By:  ivanhenares Posted On:  Oct 4, 2007	Watch the frogs hop at Pyestang Tugak
The City of San Fernando, Pampanga will end the Pyestang Tugak: 5th Annual San Fernando Frog Festival later today. This event is extra special to me since I organized the first one way back in 2003. Frogs are a unique part of Pampanga culinary traditions. And by organizing the festival, the...... [view]

Posted By:  ivanhenares Posted On:  Oct 8, 2007	Save Burnham Park from more development!
Just received some horrible news from Baguio City! They are planning to build a bus terminal and multi-level vending station in Burnham Park. Some Baguio City officials really do not know how to preserve the city's heritage and the little charm it has left. The proponent is Councilor Perlita...... [view]

Posted By:  ivanhenares Posted On:  Sep 22, 2007	Soccsksargen road trip
Today, we traveled from Midsayap, Cotabato to Polomolok, South Cotabato by road. Our stops included the Pikit, Cotabato; Isulan and Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat; and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Don't Pikit and Tacurong sound familiar? Let's just say we kept our fingers crossed. In...... [view]

Posted By:  ivanhenares Posted On:  Sep 22, 2007	An afternoon in Lake Sebu
From Sultan Kudarat, we entered South Cotabato. Our main stop for the day was Lake Sebu. The municipality has three lakes including the main Lake Sebu. On the way, we got to see Lake Lahit. Before proceeding to the restaurant, we checked out the viewpoint of Lake Sebu beside the...... [view]

Posted By:  ivanhenares Posted On:  Sep 23, 2007	Dole's Club Kalsangi in Polomolok, South Cotabato and General Santos
Kalsangi is such a great place. The exclusive residential and golf club complex for Dole managers reminds me so much of the US, maybe because of its lay-out and architecture, open lawns, trees and cool climate. The whole place sits at the foot of majestic Mt. Matutum. It was good the...... [view]

Posted By:  ivanhenares Posted On:  Sep 19, 2007	Register now for the 2nd Philippine Towns and Cities Seminar
Join us at the "PHILIPPINE TOWNS & CITIES: Reflections of the Past, Lessons for the Future" on November 9, 2007 at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, 101 General Luna Street, Iloilo City. The main objective of this seminar series is to enhance civic engagement with local...... [view]

Posted By:  ivanhenares Posted On:  Sep 9, 2007	Manila Bay sunset
This afternoon, I took a Japanese friend around Manila. Our SSEAYP batchmate Noby was here for a few weeks to study tropical diseases in the Philippines. Anyway, I took him to Intramuros first. We visited the San Agustin Church and the Manila Cathedral. Our next stop was Rizal Park where...... [view]

Posted By:  ivanhenares Posted On:  Aug 22, 2007	Last day in Beijing
Yesterday was my last day in Beijing. In the morning, we had our closing ceremonies at the China National Institute of Cultural Property. I was asked to give a speech in behalf of all Asian countries present and blurted out a few Chinese lines I practiced the night before. They gave us our...... [view]