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10 moving TV commercials featuring OFWs

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Mushy commercials are so popular and very effective in the Philippines given that the Filipinos are very family-oriented, and that almost 6 in every 10 household has a family member working overseas. So when a TV commercial or short film features the feelings and the sacrifices of families and those homecoming from abroad, one can’t help but be emotional, especially this Christmas.

Here are 10 emotionally moving commercials / short films featuring OFWs. Prepare some tissue boxes okay:

1. Jollibee – Heartwarming Surprise
A taxi driver gets emotional as he gets surprised by a Christmas video message from her daughter in the Middle East

2. Jollibee – Iba Talaga Pag Kumpleto Ang Pamilya
A taxi driver’s OFW passenger reminds him of his son working abroad and his absence in the last 5 Christmas, but…

3. Coca-Cola – The OFW Project, Where Will Happiness Strike Next
Probably the best TVC tribute to OFWs, Coke made the homecoming of 3 overseas Filipinos more sentimental and meaningful. This ad has increased the sale of tissues worldwide…

4. Titay’s Rosquillos – Missing Tatay
Simple, but the father’s expression tells how he would’ve wanted to spend time with his daughter in more fun, engaging ways.

5. SM Global Pinoy – OFWs and their Mothers
Another tearjerker, sums up the effects of sacrificing communications with the family, for so long.

6. SSS – Puro Na Lang Ikaw

7. SSS – I Miss You Nay

8. Duty Free Philippines – Babalik Ka Rin

9. Sony – Pasalubong

10. Chowking – Noel Homecoming

Christmas decorations at malls in Dubai

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The Christmas decoration that can only be seen at malls…

Some years back, Christmas decorations at malls begin only within few weeks before Christmas. This time, right after UAE National Day, we saw many shops put up their own displays – especially the decoration like the one on the picture above.  Happy holidays pockets 😉

Jeepney display in Yas Waterworld

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Beep beep, beep beep! You may be wondering what a jeepney is doing in Yas Waterworld. Apparently, this is to create awareness for another episode of Beyond Borders TV show that will take 2 Emaratis to travel around the Philippines and document their adventures.

It is different from the current Beyond Borders episode which is already airing in MBC.

Teen Saint Pedro, The Musical Inspires UAE Catholics

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No martyr ever dies in vain. These are the words attributed to the teen saint who demonstrated a strong faith and purity of heart at his young age.

It was a very inspiring day for thousands of Catholics who flocked to St. Anthony de Padua church in Ras Al Khaimah as they discovered the faithful ways of the teen Pedro Calungsod that lead to becoming the 2nd Filipino saint.

45 casts and crew flew from Manila to stage this act and create awareness about Pedro Calungsod’s faithful legacy. Other casts were picked from KFC, SFC and YFC UAE.

The crowd was treated to a classic musical entertainment lead by former child-actor and singer Makisig Morales. Everyone delivered very beautiful performances. The band was superb and the technical aspect was carried out very well. The message was conveyed very clearly. In fact, even children watched attentively and were moved by the scenes.

Pedro is a sacristan from Cebu, Philippines who wants to become a missionary. He has to sacrifice leaving his mother to migrate with Spanish Jesuit missionary, Fr. Diego Luis de San Vitores to Guam.  In Guam, Pedro preached Christianity and taught the Chamorro people how to pray. They did bible studies, introduced baptism to infants, children and adults even with the strong opposition from the Chamorro leader, risking of being killed by the tribe. Through Pedro and Fr. Diego’s efforts, many natives have converted to Catholicism.

Giving comic relief to the musical is the character of Cho Ko, a Chinese trader who was shipwrecked in the island. He preaches about superstition and magic potions. He envies the attention that Pedro and Fr. Diego are receiving from many Chamorro people. He began spreading rumors that the water used by missionaries in baptism was poisonous. The leader and the macanjas (medicine men) and the urritaos (young males) believed his story as many infants eventually died after baptism.

The Chamorros then began to persecute the missionaries.  Pedro was hit by a spear and died. Fr. Diego  could not do anything but to raise a crucifix and give Pedro the final sacramental absolution.

Producer Bob Serrano thanked the audience for travelling hundred kilometers to witness how God has worked and molded one teen Pedro Calungsod to be an example of faith and obedience.  Fr. Tom of St. Mary’s Parish Dubai thanked back the whole delegation.

Yes, thank you for bringing this act here. The willingness of many in the production team to pay for their own travel expenses is beyond amazing.  May you be blessed and continue to empower more young people.  May the future see another Pedro Calungsod or two, or three…

“Ang galing!” is what many people in the audience say at the end of the show.  The musical indeed creates awareness and inspiration. Just what many of us needs to be reminded of today. Now, can we be like Pedro Calungsod?

Photos from Teen Saint Pedro The Musical Facebook Page

Finding Places – a confusing game in Dubai

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Lost or looking for a place in the UAE? Never forget to consult Google Map ahead or turn Mr. GPS on, unless you want to play maze. Taking and following directions from many couldn’t be any more troublesome in UAE.  Aside from the major highways, there’s no reliable street names on residential and smaller community roads here.  We never use our street numbers because it duplicates another street in the vicinity.

Here, ‘beside’ is not a popular term to use. It’s either front-side or back-side. When they say ‘opposite side’, go figure if it’s front or back, exactly opposite or 3-5 buildings or blocks away.  ‘Behind‘ could be mistaken as left or right side.

And when they say walking distance, don’t ask them how long, because if they say 5-minute walk, they’re probably walking 240 kph then.

Make sure you’re also asking a person with correct vision with regards to the building color. Most commonly, gray buildings are referred to as blue, yellow ones are brown, and so on.

A common practice here is to tell the shop or grocery name at the ground floor of the building. But when they tell you there’s ‘Al Madina Supermarket,‘ ask for another shop because you will find that shop at almost every block. And oh, please ask if it is “Madina,” “Madeena,” or Madeenah.“

When you’re driving and you miss the right turn, it’s gonna be double jeopardy because the next U-turn could be kilometers away.

Dubai is a city that updates its map almost everyday. But if streets will remain nameless, finding places will remain a frustrating game.

Photo source

Christmas is on-air in Dubai

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Something strange is making many Filipinos in the UAE emotional these days.

Christmas trees, lanterns, Simbang Gabi, they’re all here in the country long time. But I can’t remember the last time I heard Filipino Christmas songs play intermittently in the UAE airwaves – probably back during ‘The Filipino Rhythm’ days in Dubai Eye.

The usually witty and animated guys at TAG 91.1 make many OFWs teary-eyed early in this festive season. Many popular Christmas tunes are mostly upbeat, vibrant and lively – that’s why they are called jingles. But the Filipinos emotional attachment to the season paved its way to creation of many Christmas love songs. Because it is innate to us that every Yuletide is somewhat a season of reunion, these sentimental songs on the radio reminds us how we are badly missing to spend the holidays with our beloved family and friends back home.  Actually, it rubs it in. 😉

If your kids are in the Philippines and you could not spend the holidays with them, how will you not break down when you hear the very genuine “Daddy Sana Kapiling Ka Ngayong Pasko…“

Miss Kita Kung Christmas, Pasko Na Sinta Ko and Sana Ngayong Pasko reminds of a long-separated loved one that is uncertain when they’ll spend Christmas together again. Sa Araw ng Pasko tells of families missing to spend Christmas with their loved OFW relatives. And the amusing, Christmas Bonus tells us how we used to receive this extra pay while working in the Philippines.

These songs will surely catch you off-guard.

Thanks for adding more Christmas feel.

Photo credit: dubaimightycamels.com

The Indelible ‘Heads: 2nd Eraserheads Reunion Concert in Dubai

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They sing our hearts’ anthem perfectly in their own rockin’ style.  They write songs that tell our typical day by day stories.  They hit the right keys that chant our teenage struggles and successes.  Their songs masterfully characterize every aspect of growing up – friendships, bittersweet romance, losing a loved one, facing challenges, encouragements, youthful adventures, and generally having fun.  They translate our emotions into songs. They became our voice.

Their hits are timeless. They are a living legacy.

The Eraserheads set the tone of rock ‘n roll in the early 90s. The band, often described as the Beatles of Asia, were at the right time when they launched their music as the young generation then is looking for a real and honest alternative acts.  The simple and straightforward lyrics combined with catchy tunes and their laid-back personalities increased their followings in no time.

The band was formed in 1989 at University of the Philippines. Pressured to have a band name in one gig, the quartet browsed through a film magazine and chanced on a 1977 horror film Eraserhead by American director David Lynch.  It was an intriguing name but somehow made a good recall.
For more than a decade, the ‘Heads were regular at TV guesting and concert scenes and has dominated the playlists and many popular radio and TV hit charts. They produced 10 groundbreaking and multi-awarded albums that sold more than 1 million copies.  The band’s popularity reached overseas where they have developed huge fan bases in the South East Asian region.  They were the first Filipino artists to have won an MTV Asia Viewer’s Choice Award in 1997.

The sudden disbandment of the group shocked millions of fans and the entire Philippine music industry. There were a lot of myths surrounding the abrupt end of the Eraserheads. But one thing’s for sure, the ‘Heads left an indelible mark to their legions of fans, and they will always clamor to hear them as one again.

Just more than 8 months ago here in Dubai, they delivered one of their best performances that totally enthralled the crowd of 10,000.  The 2-hour reunion concert gave us chills and reminiscence of life back then. The impact and impression are still there. But 2 hours is just too short…

Undoubtedly the most influential quartet in the Philippine music scene, Ely Buendia, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro and Raimund Marasigan will share the stage once again as Eraserheads.  Two days after Christmas, it’s going to be a #FlashbackFriday present as they will be performing live with Parokya Ni Edgar at High Impact A2 Festival on 27th December at Meydan Race Course, Dubai. Erik Santos and MC Jin from Hong Kong will also be performing at the festival.

Gates open at 4pm, show starts 8pm. Tickets are priced at AED259 (General admission) and AED399 (Golden circle).  For tickets and table reservations, please call Ron at +971507553708 or +971558724457.

PROMO ALERT: From December 19-25, General Admission tickets will be priced at AED195 only.

There are 37 ticket outlets across the UAE:
1. West Zone Satwa
2. West Zone Karama
3. West Zone Al Diyafah
4. West Zone Muraqqabat
5. West Zone Al Muteena
6. West Zone Al Nahda
7. Pita Restaurant Bur Dubai
8. Mc David Restaurant Al Rigga
9. Agemono Restaurant Karama
10. Agemono Restaurant Satwar
11. Agemono Restaurant Union Deira
12. Agemono Restaurant Al Quoz
13. Agemono Restaurant Abu Dhabi
14. Kape Korner Karama
15. Salt n Pepper Karama
16. Salt n Pepper Satwa
17. Salt n Pepper Warba, Deira
18. Pampanguenos Al Qusais
19. Jag Retail Shop Karama
20. Ciao Bella Salon Karama
21. Club Seven Karama
22. Mr. Wok Restaurant Warba, Deira
23. Tipanan Restaurant Al Diyafah
24. Tipanan Restaurant Karama
25. Tipanan Restaurant Al Rigga
26. Comedy Junction Al Mamzar
27. Mediacom Shop Abu Dhabi
28. Binalot Restaurant Abu Dhabi
29. Pinoy Big Brother Abu Dhabi
30. Panaderia Bakeshop Abu Dhabi
31. Pinoy Golden Restaurant Abu Dhabi
32. Kainan Filipino Restaurant Abu Dhabi
33. Shopwise Supermarket Deira
34. Pamper Me Salon Deira
35. Pugon Bakeshop Union, Deira
36. Pugon Bakeshop Karama
37. Pinoy Big Barbers Karama

A free bus ride going to and from the venue will be available at Satwa, Karama, Al Nahda, Al Sabkha, Deira City Centre and Business Bay Metro Station. Call Ron at +971507553708 or +971558724457 for more info.

If there’s one thing the band hasn’t done in any of their reunion concerts, it would be performing with jeans and shirts and sneakers – the famous getup fans had love. That would definitely be a #throwback!

Photo from: Sing365.com

Relaxing Therapy at Zen Spa

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The past week was very stressful and pressure-packed at work that my shoulders and lower back has been aching so much. A friend gifted me a therapy session at Zen, The Spa.

On booking, the attendant asked me specifically what type of treatment I would like. I told her about my longing pains at the back and she suggested that I take the Zen Herbal Compress to ease the stiffed shoulders.

Smiles and hospitality welcomed me at the 5th floor of Al Ghurair Rayhaan Rotana. The atmosphere conveys that I will have a good retreat and a calm break from the busy life. My therapist, Raju explained further the treatment I am about to receive.  He assured me that the hot herbal compress indeed is what my stressed muscles need. The 60-minute treatment started with foot massage. The body compress was more than lukewarm in the beginning but my body was able to tolerate the warm cloth.

I used the sauna after the therapy. The therapist suggested some hot oil that I can use for immediate therapy which I can do by myself or with the help of my wife. He shared various tips on how to achieve a balanced well-being despite the unavoidable pressures and stress around me.

The Zen spa team also briefed me about the other services they offer such as Aromatherapy, Thai Massage, Hot Stone Massage and Foot Reflexology among others.

What a relaxing treatment! Just as exactly what every busy pro needs.  My stressed body was finally relaxed. I feel rejuvenated. 

Dubai, The Amazing City on Earth Documentary

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Join Hakbang Buhay – Walk of Life for Typhoon Victims

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Organized by Philippine Business Council in association with the UAE Red Crescent – Dubai and Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (Al Awqaf), we invite you to walk with us and altogether we’ll send a message of hope and support to the victims and survivors of typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.

AED50 is the suggested minimum donation. Proceeds of this event will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross via the UAE Red Crescent – Dubai.

Let us come together again as one and inspire our kababayans back home. See you at Safa Park – Gate 4!

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