I was so happy to receive this email a few days ago:
Six of our titles are now available from the Apple’s iTunes Bookstore in ePub format!
Although it’s not yet available in the Philippines unlike Amazon’s Kindle Store, the digital books are now available in these 6 countries: USA, Australia, Great Britain, Canada, France, and Germany.
Apple is currently working out their licenses with other countries so we can expect the availability of the eBooks to be in more countries in the future, and in 2-3 years, in the Philippines.
This is wonderful news for those of us raising Third Culture Kids. :-)
Singapore will be taking on the Philippines on Friday, 7th October 2011, in an international friendly, prior to their 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ Qualifying Round.
Match : Singapore vs Philippines
Date : Friday, 7th October 2011
Time : 7.30pm
Venue : Jalan Besar Stadium
Spread the word about Hangad's shows in Singapore this October! Proceeds will benefit Gawad Kalinga Philippines, an organization that builds homes for impoverished families in urban and rural areas, via its Singapore representative Gawad Kalinga Hope Initiative (GK HI).
6:30 PM on Friday, October 28Cocktail dinner and show
The American Club, 10 Claymore Hill Tickets at SG$80
For bookings and inquiries: hangadinsingapore@gmail.com / (65) 9753 5815
6 PM (Mass) and 7:30 PM (show) on Saturday, October 29St Ignatius Church, 120 Kings Road
Tickets will be issued for cash or check donations
For bookings and inquiries: hangadinsingapore@gmail.com
This was a question posted a few days ago in one of my groups: Almost 10yrs to the day, where were you that tragic Sept 11 day and how has it changed you or your perspective/s of the world particularly how it relates to your family and parenting/raising/educating your children?
This question struck a chord with me because I was there. To say that it changed my priorities in life is an understatement.
To put things in perspective, my trip to the US in 2001 was my first trip on my own and my last one as a Singleton. It was my first time away from the distractions brought about by family, friends and work. Much of my alone time in SF was spent on a bench by the water near my uncle’s house, watching the ducks paddle by and contemplating the meaning of my life. Heck, 30 was a few years away and I was nowhere close to meeting my 5 year goals. My end conclusion? I needed to do more. Be more.
I still remember the sleepless nights I spent glued to the tv, listening to the fearmongers and wondering if my flight back to Manila would be safe. The escape from near death scrambled my priorities. Or rather, corrected them. Here a few of the things which I learned from those few days.
1. The years are short. If you haven’t read Gretchen’s Rubin’s book “The Happiness Project”, do grab a copy. I have found that the happiest moments in my life were the small, unplanned incidents – a stroll down the beach with my family, an hilarious and futile attempt to fly a kite... the list goes on.
2. Success is a choice.
3. Those who can, DO... Those who can’t, Criticize. Be like Guliani. I’d rather be the one who tried, failed spectacularly and got back on my feet instead of the one gabbing away in the shadows of his or her discontent.
4. Your values form an intrinsic part of who you are. It will be extremely hard to reset your moral compass once you compromise your core principles. As a parent, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children understand and internalize this.
5. Make sure that your mind and heart are synchronized.
6. Don’t bother trying to keep up with the Jones. We are all equal in the face of an earthquake, bagyo or bomb.
7. Surprise, surprise, I can sometimes be wrong. I'm still learning to be the better person I can be.
8. Follow Jill Bolte Taylor’s advise to “spend more time running the deep inner peace circuitry of our right hemispheres”
9. Be self-aware in your relationships. Respect, kindness and happy memories are the highest denomination of currency in our emotional banks.
10. Be sensitive. Be open to other cultures and practices. Separate fact from bias and teach perspective. Let’s face it, we cannot get rid of bias – we are all biased. But we can teach our children to look at multiple perspectives.
GK Founder Tony Meloto will be here on August 20 and will share about the work of Gawad Kalinga and the recent developments to the Filipino Community in Singapore. Please forward to those who may be interested :-)
Alex Lacson told us about the 12 Little Things We Can Do to Help Our Country. One of them was "When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country". So where do you begin? Let Butch Jimenez help you start the conversation. Get his (FREE) 2011 Calendar and place it at your office workstation. Yes, it's free. Just email him at butchgjimenez@yahoo.com to get your copy (only one calendar per person). If you are based aboard, the calendar will be sent to you via snail mail.
If you haven't made travel plans yet, please consider visiting the World's Best Sandbox in 2011. The Philippines is full of beauty and untapped potential. It certainly is a country worth visiting and exploring.
Note: our family pic was taken along Boracay on Dec 2010.
I'm so glad that more and more Singaporeans are discovering the richness of Filipino culture and art. It is now Ben Cabrera aka BenCab's time to shine. From Jan 15-Feb 12, residents and visitors to the Lion City will be able to catch "Glimpses", the product of Bencab's second residency at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute. See familiar characters such as 'Sabel', a symbol of grace and strength and the changing social fabric of contemporary Philippines.
If your schedule is still open on Jan 15, please do make your way to the STPI, 41 Robertson Quay for the following:
