Political dynasty and other fresh items

Proem

Could it be true that a Bohalana (who had cameo appearances on TV and film in the past) is getting “poorer” when she got married to her hunky punky husband? True VRS said that this woman is selling “ukay ukay” and other house stuffs such as bed linens, pillows to government offices and friends (carrying tons of cartons). VRS further said that she's overpricing and it seems that she's working hard for her husband. Could it be true that a Boholano hunk had his “member” enlarged? What for? True VRS (who is a close friend of this hunk) said that he accompanied his friend (who's a scion of a prominent family here) to a famous surgeon in Manila . VRS also confessed that after this hunk's “manoy” getting harder and bigger, he has now lots of girls (unlike before that girls left him after their bed scenes). Size does matter, huh? Could it be true that a dean of a university here in Tagbilaran City is subject to numerous complaints from her colleagues and students? Text messages sent to True revealed this dean's anomalous transactions. This dean has personality problem that her colleagues want to file a case against her. The only problem, according to VRS is how the admin could “Amen” to the poor subordinates. Could it be true that a prominent political figure in Bohol is now having his house-to-house campaign? VRS said that it is not for the coming elections but to buy lots in Panglao for the airport.

Personal

My congratulations to newlyweds Julius Olorvida and Clarita Toyco of Booy who were united in love last Thursday, Feb. 22. Also my birthday greetings to a beauty queen Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin who turned a year wiser yesterday. She celebrated the special moment with close friends and family.

Rene Relampagos for Governor?

Flash report! Could it be true that erstwhile Bohol governor Rene Relampagos is running as governor? Reports reaching to True that Rene is the “real” contender of Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado for the gubernatorial seat and he's not running as congressman in the 3rd district. Speaking of politics, to a survey junkie like True, the most fascinating feature of Philippine elections is the narrowness of the margins between victor and defeat. It's now easy to determine the winners through public polls. But mind you, there's another interesting feature of Philippine politics the so-called political dynasty. Dynasty refers to as a line of rulers of the same family. There's nothing wrong about political dynasty as long as you know that this family is really of service. What is shocking then is when a family member from out-of-nowhere suddenly appears and proclaims himself/herself to run? Let's have a glimpse of Bohol dynasty (if ever these people are running this May elections): Reynante Granada will run as mayor in Guindulman while his father Ondoy will run as vice mayor. Reynante is a young leader in the making. He's an active topbrass of the CPA association in Bohol. It is possible that Albur SK federated president Ephraim Tungol (who's in Manila ) becomes a “hot” name in the mayoralty race of his town, he's reported running as mayor while his father Efren will run as vice mayor. Buenavista Mayor Elsa “Dakka” Tirol will still run as mayor and her husband vice mayor Leandro will run as vice mayor. However, if someone will run as mayor, Leandro would take the post to run. It could be possible that Inabanga mayor Josephine Jumamoy's hubby Boy will run as mayor and their daughter Jaja will run as mayor. Who knows? Life is a spinning arrow... you don't know what will happen.

I was greatly welcomed in Korea

Before we moved to Gangwon province, we visited first the Korean Folk Village (KFV). If you're watching Koreanovelas such as Jewel in the Palace, My Girl, Princess Hours, this place is famous for location shootings. KFV is a living museum that operates the lifestyle of several centuries ago. There are potters, weavers, blacksmiths, and other artisans who practice their trades in traditional fashion. There are also 260 traditional houses and a small amphitheater for folk music and dance performances. While shooting for my show, “Life is beautiful (the funniest show on earth and only one is watching you know),” I utilized my Korean friends BK (who confessed that it was his first time to operate a camera) and Andrew (he is working as a writer in Arirang Channel) as my cameramen for the day. I asked the KFV management to allow me to close the main door of one of the palaces to have my spiel there as if I welcomed the tourist to the palace. While the camera was rolling, I opened the door and said to the tourists, “Welcome to my palace,” they smiled and clapped but to my dismay it was not recorded, so I'd it recorded for the second time which the tourists agreed to be my constituents. My mind went back to the Philippines … we have a village similar to KFV, the Malasag Gardens in Cagayan de Oro City. However, it is sad to say that ours seemed not well-maintained. We have also the Nayong Pilipino where it showcased the whole Philippines in one place, yet the place is soon to vanish as I went there last Jan. At the KFV, you can feel the ancestral intelligence and wisdom with various traditional experiences like the “imbakan ng mga pagkain and alak (food and wine storage),” of the commoners' houses. Worthy to visit are the life in the kitchen, houses of the noblemen and the palace of the king and queen. There is a playground where you could play skipping rope, see-saw and other indigenous games in Korea . You can listen to the groovy and exciting instrumental form music, see the daring and dangerous single-rope trapeze, seesawing sample called Nol-Ttwigi (unlike in the West where riders sit atop either side of the see-saw, nol-ttwigi participants stand on their side, then jump up, forcing their partner into the air on the opposite side. This game is popular among females, usually during traditional holidays and festivals. and heartwarming traditional weddings) and other traditional games include pitching arrows into a pot (tuho) and a game of stick-tossing (jeopo). I also noticed the importance of rice stalks or dagami here in Korea . Unlike in the Philippines where we throw away dagami (others use it as a fertilizer to those who use organic farming), Koreans are using it as decoration to beautify their place and even use dagami to cover the soil. After the KFV, we visited Everland , Korea 's version of Disneyland . It is a three amusements parks in one. Festival world has thrilling rides, a jungle safari, a zoo (I saw for the first time a white owl, white eagle and a white lion.) and several flower festivals. Here at Everland, I tried ski sledding. The ski sled here is a modified sitting sled of Eskimo dogsled and we enjoyed the thrill and high-speed while coming down the longest course of 520m. There was a competition for the group for fun, BK won 1st place, I won 2nd (though my feet hurt), while Angelie won 3rd. At night time, there was moonlight parade. I didn't miss to catch the fantastic spectacles created by millions of glittering lights. At the Zootopia, it was my first time to watch a sea lion performance. Cute sea lions performing circus tricks including water tumbling and ring catching. We just laughed when we passed by the bird paradise because Je-Eun was afraid of birds! There is a petting zoo, a space for children to encounter small animals such as sheep, parrots, geese and rabbit. The animals can be fed, observed and touched, allowing children to experience nature first hand. Indeed, Everland has festivals all the year round. You could watch the brilliant flapping of peacocks and guinea fowls in the air…and watch the birds flying towards the snow-capped mountain.

We're not afraid of heights!

After Everland, we finally arrived at Yong Pyong Resort where the place was freezing. The next morning, we had our ski class. After listening to our ski instructors, it's about time to feel the snow and conquer our fears.

The ski boots were so heavy that I walked like a zoombee.

Yong Pyong was the host of the 1999 Winter Asian Games and it is bidding for the Olympic Winter Games. The place has a fantastic sight of snow. People consider Korean ski history as Yong Pyong itself.

We took the simple course at the not-so-high level. There are 31 different slopes including Rainbow slope. Afraid of heights? I wasn't afraid, in fact when I was tired skiing at low level slope, I decided to try the highest slope where you were heeded there using the cable car. We're advised to wear our ski gear once we're at the cable car so that at the moment we were on the top of the slope, we jumped with our ski. Believed me, I was always out of balance when I reached the place. Thanks to the Koreans who helped me to stand up. I was also pasaway (mischievous), although it was freezing (with snow storm) I didn't use my gloves. Why? Because I could not hold the ski poles. We loose the majority of our body heat through our feet, head and hands and my gloves were so thick that I could not insert my hands. Our instructors told us that ski poles and their relevant length is more important that it appears. Choosing the right pole for your style is crucial to an elating day on the slopes. Ski poles function best when they are lightweight and have a comfortable grip.

Even though how many times I stumbled from the highest slope, I survived the ski challenge. It was a test of our strength and endurance and not to fear. Yes… I noticed that lots of people love to ski and snowboard. Why? They love the smell of clean, fresh mountain air and they love the beauty of the snow and trees. As for me, I begin to love the thrill of challenging our bodies and minds as we improve our skills and I love the friends that I meet through skiing. What could be better than that?

I also learned an important lesson from this experience, as what Cheri Huber said in The Fear Book: Fear is not what you think it is. Fear is not who you are underneath your facade. Fear is not the real you that you must somehow fix or improve or overcome. Fear is a very useful signal along the path to freedom. The stronger the fear, the closer you are to what you are seeking. If you want to stay "safe (i.e. stuck where you are), fear tells you to stop what you are doing, But if you want to be free, fear lets you know you are on the right track, it is a signal to push ahead in the same direction, to pick up the pace.” I thought of this quote when I overcame fear in skiing. See, I am serious, too, though most of the time I am “pasaway” and “angatz pinoy.”

The “worst” and the “craziest” thing I did in Yong Pyong was walking shirtless in a icy place early in the morning as we went to the Winter Sonata (Endless Love) location shooting. I tried to find out if I'd a skin of a carabao (that Kuya Eddie, Velsie and Angelie laughed their hearts out) and Koreans looked at me with amazement because the place was freezing that they wore thick jackets to protect themselves from too much coldness. It would be wonderful just to recall the memory of the popular soap opera. Will you able to met Joonsang and Yujin as you walk through the fir trees that are draped in snow, like they did in the drama? Honestly, I didn't meet them. The road from the entrance road the Banga Bridge to eater fountain itself is called the “Lovers' Forest .”

We had our Korea-Asean group performance. I belonged to the group “Dynamic Dirty Family,” which I played a role of a grandfather. But was the best was seeing Chris (who led the group) doing a concert as if it was a one man job for Chris. Velsie's group was fantastic because she joined a beauty contest after hopeless ways to catch her dream man, Ivan did harlem on the floor, Aaron did rap and Angie hosted their group's performance (which was so serious and should win).

We portrayed different roles to better understanding of ourselves and not to limit ourselves in our talents. The Korea-Asean mini Olympic was stylish, lively with joyful performances of the groups. In my group, we didn't win a single contest and looser were on the Blue Team, while the winners on each sub-game were in the Red team. But on the last part of the game, the Blue team emerged as champion. The Korea-Asean festival filled the night with admiration of each culture. Each country presented their traditional performance. I'd the eye for Manao (a beautiful Thailander) who was so impressive of his (her?) dance performance. Korea had a unique presentation of their history—from Jang Geum time to Barbie Doll, from Jumong to My Hump-Hump.

The Philippines rendered the bahay kubo at the first part wearing our traditional costumes. I wore my sarobanggi attire with a tarsier as an added accessory at my right hand. During the product showcase, other participants took picture of my tarsier.

When we danced the “Pinoy Ako (we had our practice one hour before the show),” everyone joined us in dancing. I was supposed to perform a diwata where I had to kill a chicken using my mouth. You know, a popular (and common?) talent showcase during beauty pageants. Oh, sad to say that weren't allowed to transport fowl from Philippines to Korea . When the Koreans learned about the background of my performance, they were amazed—and asked in awe, really? And they wished to see me performed the diwata. So, Kuya Eddie was asking the organizers (especially John Lee) if they had rooster to be used in my performance. There were no available chickens until I gave up when they had to give me Sussex chicken. I told them politely that I will perform in other exchange program.

A visit to Korea would mot be complete without the food festival. It is inspired after the phenomenal success of the Jewel in the Palace. Each country had presented their native food (main dish and dessert). The judges were the governor of Gangwon province (who visited the Philippines in the Asean summit) and the Yong Pyong chefs. We served the adobo and banana split.

The groovy and funky dance party culminated our four-day activity at Yong Pyong Resort. I decided not to join the “dance war” (highlighted by Manao's erotic dance, Ivan's harlem dance and Jerry (from Malaysia ) Nigger dance,” however I was carried by the night's music and besides I won the crowd's applause as a performer. As I went back to Seoul, the activities we had in Yong Pyong had a very significant effect…it forged new friendships and experience the rich cultural diversities. ..And I brought the lessons I picked from this memorable trip.

We're back to Seoul . After our hearty breakfast, we moved to the Korean Industrial places. I chose Nixon, manufacturer of online games. When I was kid, I learned only Super Mario, however today's generations have different kinds of online and video games and thanks to Nixon for leading the way. I was shocked when I learned from the topbrass that they don't market their products in the Philippines because we have lots of Nixon games here. Hmmm…maybe pirated? Maybe yes, maybe no. We also visited KT, a mobile company in Korea . Others visited cosmetic agency and SK Telecom.

We went to the National Museum of Korea (NMOK). It was reopened in 2005 as Yongsan-dong, Seoul . Spanning an area of approximately 76 acres, the new museum is roughly 400m wide with exhibit spaces totaling about 66 acres. With a collection of about 11,000 works of art, the National Museum of Korea is the 6th largest museum in the world. There is an Open Plaza , the first place to stop as the ticket booth is located here. The plaza divides the museum into the East Wing, the West Wing and gift shop. You will be given an MP3 which all the information you need is stored here. You just select the language of your choice.

The first floor houses the archaeological and historical galleries. Here is also a Path of History. The second floor has the fine arts gallery which highlights the beauty of traditional Korean art, its unique sense of line and color and its religion. There is also the Donation Gallery which exhibits the 1,000 pieces donated by Korean, Chinese and Japanese art collectors. The third floor is the home of the Fine Arts Gallery II. On display here is the museum's collection of Korean arts and crafty such as Buddhist sculptures, metal crafts and ceramics.

The Asian Art gallery contains a wide collection of relics from China and central Asia featuring about 970 pieces in sex exhibit rooms. The NMOK is not just about arts and crafts. It is a comprehensive cultural space offering a wide range of facilities such as theater, gift shops, restaurants and cafes. Hay! I just hope we can have a national museum like Korea 's.

We proceeded to Chongdong Theater to know the fragrance of the traditional Korean arts. It was Korea 's first repertory theater. It [resents the Korean Traditional Performing Art series. The main program include the drum dance, pansori (traditional narrative solo song), sanjo hapju (an ensemble of Korean instruments) and samullon (percussion quartets). It gives sophisticated, solemn and gracious court music as exciting and spontaneous folk music. Everyone was asleep when we listened to the music. It was like a lullaby. But when they performed the harvest dance everyone woke up for the festive music to culminate the performance. There is a free green tea to the visitors before the performance starts. Tourists are given the chance to take pictures and dance with the performers after the show wearing their traditional dress.

We'd also the chance to visit the Philippine Embassy. We met Her Excellency Susan Clarence, Philippine Ambassador to Korea . She was warmth, lovely and interesting person. She exudes an aura of leadership and dignity as of a true ambassador. I addressed her “Your highness,” and “Madam.” We presented gifts to the ambassador…she loved my sarok (made in Bohol ) and the tarsier doll. She asked the two posters I brought courtesy of the Bohol Tourism Office which featured the Chocolate Hills with Korean artist Eugene Kim with the tarsier. Madame Susan talked about Bohol as a tourist destination in Korea . She confessed that she has not visited Bohol but she wishes to visit this year. She treated us for a sumptuous dinner. When she was to go home, I told her, “Karangalan naming makasama po kayo Madame.” She replied, “Pang DFA ka Leo. See you in Bohol .”

Korea is an expensive e country and it is wised for tourist to buy souvenir items in market like Korea handicraft Village . There is also Hongik University , Itaewon as one of the most popular shopping districts in Seoul . The densely packed shops in the areas sell leather clothes, t-shirts, suits, watches, shoes and accessories. It looks like a tiangge, but more social. In the Philippines it is the version of Divisoria, Tutuban and Baclaran.

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