Both the novel and the movie really hit it big in the Philippines. The movie earned about $158.4 million after 3 weeks of showing. Books of Twilight almost run out at Fully Booked, it was their top bestseller for more than 3 months. It is a teen film, a story about vampire romance, Bella, a human falls in love with Edward, a vampire. This is a Stephanie Meyer novel , who authored the 4 Twilight saga namely

• • Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
  • New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)
  • Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3)
  • Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)

Some 50 million copies of the books have been sold worldwide and the series has been translated into over 20 different languages according to Wikipedia. Other sources says that the four Twilight books have been sold in more than 25 million copies worldwide and 20 million of them have been sold in the USA alone.
Taking a cue from this phenomenon, ABS CBN is allegedly going to produced a Pinoy version of Twilight entitled Takipsilim ( Filipino translation of Twilight).

Starring Rayver Cruz as Edward Cullen and Shaina Magdayao as Isabella Swan. News of the Takipsilim, alerted the Filipino Twilight fans, many blogs featured the announcement of ABS CBN, and so many reacted negatively and some the wait and see attitude. The reactions were more about who will play the lead roles. I am sure no matter who the actors are, we will still be curious about the tele-movie, we will still watch, because we have fallen in love with the romance story.

But again, latest news says the Twilight Pinoy version is a hoax. If the production pushes through, let us not compare, because the tele-movie will be an “epic fail” for sure, when we try to expect what was depicted in the original movie or in the novel itself. I am sure there will changes and the Filipino way of love story will be an added attraction. “Kilig “ factor will still be there guys!

Don’t react too violently, lets see. Give a chance to Takipsilim (if there is will be one), the Twilight Pinoy Version !Its Entertainment , Its show Business!

Bloggers had their day at Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street in Global City last November 28, 2008. It was the launching of the Fully Booked Bloggers Book Club (BBC). Exciting activities await its members, such as book launches, author meet and as exclusive contributors to a book review section “Spotlight Review”. Fully Booked will award the best Blog book reviews submitted by BBC members. There will also be a website forum, in which online book discussions with other booklovers and bloggers can take place.

The Fully Booked branch at Bonifacio High Street is the biggest and a building of five stories. The basement boost of U-view, a fully functional movie theater, with a sitting capacity of 50 people, perfect place for screenings, movie premier and corporate events. At the Atrium, a showcase of what is in every floor. At the second floor, one can see children’s books and lifestyle titles. Up the third floor, there is Starbucks, business and professional selections as well as inspiration books. For the hype ones, the fourth floor has music and videos and Forum , a venue for book launches , workshops and classes. At the roof deck is Top shelf, which offers a panoramic view of Bonifacio Global City and an ideal venue for events.

Moments at Fully booked:

My children have always been fond of Fully Booked. There would never be a stroll at any mall without going to a bookstore and that’s Fully Booked. We frequent the branch at Gateway Mall in Cubao and at Bonifacio High Street almost every week.

My youngest Roxanne would go for Manga books and now, the Twilight collectibles, Dianne collects Paulo Coelho books and bestselling fiction books, Jeric for his Moleskin and me for my lifestyle magazines. I would sit at Starbucks for a round of coffee while reading my magazines as they roam around for their book finds.

“Books are better than T.V”

Fully Booked has eight stores, Rockwell Power Plant. Promenade in Greenhills, Gateway Mall. SM Mall of Asia. SM North The Block, Bonifacio High Street, EDSA Shangri-la and Ayala Center Cebu.

Visit them at www.fullybookedonline.com

Today, November 14 we celebrate World Diabetes Day. With the theme “Bring Diabetes to light”, all activities to celebrate the occasion would center on lighting homes, buildings, communities and landmarks in blue to mark the event today.

The aim of this event is to create global awareness on the alarming number of people being sick with diabetes mellitus. There are about 246 million people worldwide with diabetes. Each year 7 million people develop diabetes and 3.8 deaths are linked directly to diabetes. It is so alarming because even children are affected and uncontrolled Diabetes mellitus is a common cause of end stage renal disease. where in the kidneys are permanently damaged.

Know the diabetes warning signs
• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Increased hunger
• Weight loss
• Tiredness
• Lack of interest and concentration
• Blurred vision
• Vomiting and stomach pain (often mistaken as the flu)

Every parent, schoolteacher, school nurse, doctor and anyone involved in the care of children should be familiar with the warning signs and alert to the diabetes threat.

Thoughts on Diabetes

I have a familial tendency to have diabetes later in life. My maternal grandmother had diabetes and now my mother is on diabetic drug maintenance. My mom used to say that they were hard up in life before because my grandmother became a widow early because of the Japanese Philippine War. Though there was always food on the table, they would always have the desire to have foods to their liking when they were kids.

Now that they can afford to buy any food to their fancy, there is again the limitation because of her diabetes. She finds leisure in eating in restaurants but again she has to be careful on her food intake to control her diabetes. I felt a little sad because of her situation.

Its once again the start of the semester, we all have to go back to our books and lessons .Though for some it might be the start of your nursing care management subjects and to some this semester means you are nearing the end of being a full time student.

My father used to say that “student days” are the happiest times of your life probably the most meaningful and eventful in your young adult years. For one, your only responsibility will be to care for your own and your studies and nothing else.
Maybe that is the reason why I always go back to school, I have spent at least 15 years of my life going to school and earning 4 degrees to my name. Up to now, I am still in school and this time giving back knowledge to those who are eager and willing to learn.

There’s no sure formula that is applicable to everybody that can guarantee passing the course, but I can share to you some of how I did it. I took my last two courses when I was already a mother, wife and working at the same time.

Of course, one has to have a compelling reason why you are taking such a course. You should like it meaning you are enjoying what you are doing. In going to class, specially your 7 am class, never skip breakfast, physiologically you have to be prepared. One has to have a study time everyday, FOCUS AND FOCUS , when studying. No cell phones, MP3’s, IPod’s, chat etc. Try to focus for least 30 minutes to 1 hour and its enough for the day’s lesson. DO this everyday. Study from Monday to Friday and by weekend, take time out for yourself, meaning leave your books and enjoy the weekend. One should have patience and perseverance day by day.

With the availability of different study resources, such as the internet, Xerox copy of notes, online dictionary/ lectures, videos , easier communication with classmates, all sorts of notebooks and pens , popular editions books and of course the ever reliable laptop with most schools being WIFI zones, its much easier to study and learn anything.

“ You retain more when you read , write and recite”

Bloggers and their friends came in black, not to mourn but to celebrate the last day of October The Clear Black Night Halloween Dance event at Taste Asia, SM Hypermart Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

It was a party night of dancing sponsored by Taste Asia , SM Hypermart and Clear Shampoo, the latest shampoo product of Unilever. Clear contains revolutionary Zinc Vitanol complex, composed of Zinc mineral complex, Amino Acids, Vitamin E and Sunflower Oil that nourish the scalp and prevent dandruff from returning. (In 90% of consumers who used Clear on a regular basis).

Dandruff can be a problem with sudden changes in weather. Prolonged exposure to cold temperature (as staying in an air-conditioned room the whole day or wearing your hat or helmet for too long under the sun), expect flakes and some form of itchiness from your scalp.

Thoughts on Halloween:
When we were kids, we used to associate Halloween such as something creepy and scary. We would go all the way to San Miguel Bulacan to visit my “lola’s” parents or my great maternal grandmother and dead relatives in the local cemetery. My maternal grandfather was a gueriila officer during the Filipino Japanese war and his remains was in an unknown place for he was missing in action during the war in 1945.

It was an event that my lola would always look forward to. Weeks before that, she would always be busy regarding preparations for “undas”. She used to bring those big yellow candles. As kids, we would collect the candle droppings and formed these in different shapes.

At night, kids from the neighborhood would visit different households and do “nangangaluluwa” in scary costumes. This sort of like the “treat or trick “ but with the Filipino flavor. Of course I like the native delicacies served, halo-halo, all kinds of “bibingka” (galapong, kanin), original pastillas and espasol.

Some woman would gather around the altar and recite those long prayers for the dead. I used to feel sleepy, hearing them reciting (memorized!) the litany and calling all the saints to save the souls of the dead. Those Filipino traditions I surely miss!

...Teacher Anna...

Pocketful of Kids , the very first toy village in the Philippines is opening on October 25, 2008. The toy store carries only top-of-the-line developmental toys from reputable American and European brands.

Learning Resources, Educational Insights (Hot Dots pens, Playfoam and GeoSafari), Alex, Tatiri,

Melissa & Doug (Number One in wooden educational toys in the US)

Pocketful of Kids allows children to try out and experience the featured branded toys; there are also books (from Fully Booked), health food section, and playground with a “Know It All Tree” (a lighted talking tree).

From 0 to 99 years old, from simple colorful blocks to complex puzzles, Pocketful of Kids would have something for you! Pocketful of Kids toys can enhance a child to be :

Word Smart , People Smart, Music Smart, Nature Smart, Picture Smart, Number Smart, Body Smart

POCKETFUL OF KIDS encourages children to wonder, discover and learn through play.
POCKETFUL OF KIDS PLAYING AND LEARNING PUT TOGETHER!
Visit 15th Floor Strata 2000, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas
Tel # (02) 634-7888 or (02) 634-2888.

Store Hours: 10:00 AM - 7 :00 pm
email : pocketfulofkids@yahoo.com

Notes on Play:

Play, often described as “ the work of children”… is any voluntary activity engaged in for the purpose of enjoyment… it is not something a child does when he or she has nothing else to do , it is something the child has to do.
-Adele Pillitteri, PhD, RN, PNP
Author of the Maternal and Child Health Nursing

From being an infant, toddler, preschooler and school-age children, play is as an integral part of their life. Even if one reached adulthood, we want to play, we always feel at ease after we play. How can one forget his or her first toy? I will always remember my first “walking doll” given to me by my “lola”. Up to this time I would always recall how I played with it, how I used to change her dresses, combed her curly hair etc.

I enjoyed being a passenger in any automobile, it feels like a cradle at times, especially when the aircon is so cold and music is relaxing. When we were kids, my uncle would always tagged as along and have a have a “joy ride” in his car along Dewey Boulevard now Roxas Boulevard.

Nowadays, as I passenger, I’m a bit bored along the road . I passed the stretch of Edsa 4x a week from Edsa Extension to Monumento, either by MRT, taxi, or private car. To kill boredom, I used to memorize all the billboards along every intersection. 4 years ago, Kris Aquino was the Queen of EDSA, from Monumento to Magallanes, she used to have a billboard advertisement in every intersection. I do not know who are the queen and King of EDsa Billboards; it is a toss between Actress Judy Ann Santos , Dawn Zulueta and Actor Richard Gutierrez. However, nobody can beat Kris Aquino then.

I’m excited about the Manila Outdoor Gallery Art Route a project of the Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP). It aims to display artworks from 10 of the most promising Filipino artists along key locations across the metro, in support of the ongoing international movement rallying for nature conservation. Painting and photographs depicting varied interest will be placed along South Luzon Expressway , North Luzon Expressway and EDSA.

Here’s a glimpse of the biggest outdoor gallery in Asia.

The 2nd Philippine Blog Awards was held at One Esplanade , Mall of Asia, Pasay City last September 21, 2008 was an event which brought together the “crème dela Crème “ of the blogging community. It was a packed house where bloggers met and, mingle. The attendees represented quite a cross section of the bloggers community.

Around 36 awards were given to the different categories dubbed as the “Oscars” of the blogosphere. Senator Mar A. Roxas graced the occasion and he talked about personal responsibility attached to being a blogger. He said that if one puts his name on what one writes, it would also reflect what one stands for and what one believes in.

Another highlight of the occasion was the raffle of prizes (Nokia cellphones, the most coveted one) and dinner served by Josiah’s Catering plus the different booths displaying products of sponsors of the 2nd Philippine Blog Awards.

The 2nd Philippine Blog Awards ended with the speech rendered by Jayvee Fernandez who emulated bloggers about personal conviction, integrity, and character. He ended his speech with the line “It is not about how well we blog - it is about how well we live our life.”

Congratulations to the finalists and WINNERS. To the organizers of the Philippine Blog Awards Noemi, Jayvee, Juned, Gail and the volunteer bloggers who were so busy during the event making the impossible possible- WELL DONE!. Their efforts deserve a pat on the back. Hey you are ALL GREAT!

Co-Presentors
Level Up! Games
San Miguel Corporation
Nokia
Blog Bank
Smart Communications
Josiah’s Catering
Toshiba
Geiser Maclang
San Miguel Corporation

Gold Sponsors
Rsun My Technology Store
Yahoo
2go
Belo Medical Group
XFM 92.3
Buddy Gancencia Reality TV
Ultravision Photo and Video
Click Booth
Aloha Board Sports
Sheero Media Solutions
YourPinoyBroker.com
PLDT
Red Box
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Havaianas
California Pizza Kitchen
David and Goliath

Media Partners
Inquirer.Net
ROAM Magazine
flippish tv

The second Philippine Blog Awards will be held on September 21, 2008 at Esplanade , Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. The awards aim to give recognition to the Filipino blogging talent. This year, its more exciting since awards were categorized accordingly as network blogs written by Filipinos, blogs written by media practitioners as well as local corporations that use blogs are effective communication tools.

I am singling out “My Boring Life…. Now a Blog” http//www.brinknotes.org.

The website is cool, I like the new layout/theme used. The blog covers variety of topics and insights from a 17 year old that have a dream of making it big in the net.

He has been blogging for 5 years, podcasting , vlogging, web designer and graphic artist. He is maintaining around 20 websites on his own.

The blogger is young and is dear to me; he is one of my treasures!

Thumbs up for Adrian Jeric G. Peña!

Philippine Blog Awards Sponsors:
Level Up! Games
Nokia
Blog Bank
Smart Communications
Josiah’s Catering
Rsun Technology Store
Yahoo
XFM 92.3
Buddy Gancencia Reality TV
Ultravision Photo and Video
Clique Booth
Aloha Board Sports
Sheero Media Solutions
YourPinoyBroker.com
Belo Medical Group
Inquirer.Net
Toshiba
ROAM Magazine
PLDT
Red Box
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
2go

Havaianas

PLDT

California Pizza Kitchen

I was a camper at the WordCamp Philippines ,the First South East Asia WordCamp gathering held on September 6, 2008 at College of Saint Benilde De La Salle University. The event gathered bloggers from the different part of the Philippines, especially the Mindanao bloggers who spearheaded in organizing the event.

I have attended very informative lectures about basic blogging by Jayvee Fernandez and video blog by Kring Elenzano. I like the way they presented their talk because they are brief, concise and they both possess a very pleasing personality in the way they presented. I teach college students and I was impressed with the manner of their presentation. The conducive environment of College of Saint Benilde contributed to the success of the event.

To the organizers Mindanao bloggers, student organizations of St. Benilde, sponsors , Matt Mullenweg, the different speakers and Migs who was guiding the campers from Day 1 to the end. Thank you people! Excellent! May the blogger’s tribe increase!