LIFE IN 2011

All of us strive hard to be successful in life... we go through life like it's a rat race but at times, our lifestyles can hold us back from fulfilling our dreams and reaching our goals. Seriously... it can wear us down.

me providing distraction to Bob Sinclar LOL!

Exhaustion

It is energy that is the most precious resource for driven business people like me... It is not time. Today's fast-paced living or lifestyle often depletes our energy and wears us down to the point that it is sometimes difficult to recover from. As I grow older each year, I have moments of having difficulties to better manage my energy to stay healthy.

with my best friend and photography partner Vincent Garrucho

with my best friend Melissa Chua

In this new age of all-access information, we tend to deplete our energy... our life force zapped by partaking in way too many activities which eventually leads us to unhealthy lifestyle practices in order to deal with day to day stress.  

with Jay Server of Time

Time for me is important. Energy is also for me, equally important. Time without enough energy can make this limited for us. I'd like to resolve the thoughts and stories running in my head that are driving me non-stop. It's crazy and it's taking away my focus from being present in the world I live in today with a lifestyle plan and goals that work for me. I don't want to be stuck then leave issues in my life unresolved later on. I got plans... I got dreams... I got ambitions. I don't want heavy lifestyle outpace my ability to take care of myself.

with Domini Primero of Time

With Hidehiko Sato and Youngji Nam of Time

with Jay Server and Pav Parrotte of Time

I'm going to sustain a high quality of life... in the sense of living it right... gaining energy more to make full use of my time in this life. Not by money motivated by envy, greed, lust, or any of the deadly sins will I get my strength to sustain my life and go on living unlike others do. I will get and sustain my high quality of life if I make my mindset work for me and definitely not against me.  

with Capt. Harry Lero of Airgurus Ltd. Co.

It's a Saturday night... I am tempted with the texts and calls for another night out but I'm going to be responsible of myself. 

with Bernard Anacta of Monaco Models International Philippines

with Edda Galoy and Luciano of Monaco Models International Philippines

 
I'm going to relax this night away, gain my energy to keep my companies Airgurus Ltd. Co., Time and Monaco Models International thriving and clients happy.  In return, things will fall into the right places and I will be eventually more happy and powerful to achieve my personal and professional goals. 


Whenever I have to say "No" to fast-paced lifestyle sometimes, here's one funny vain line i usually tell my friends that I'd like to share with you.... "WITH GREAT LOOKS, COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES"! LOL!

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To mwro mou...

To my best friends in life...

To my best buddies in photography - Vincent, Norman and EyeQ Media men... 

To Harry Harvey Lero of Airgurus Ltd. Co., my Time partners Jay Server, Domini Primero, Pav Parrotte, Youngji Nam, Ortanez Brothers, and my best friend Bernard Anacta...

"The world has yet to learn that the actual pleasure derived from material things is of low quality on the whole and less even in quantity than it looks to those who have not tried it." Deep? I never acquired you guys through material things... I acquired you through years of friendship, trust and respect and that's how it's gonna stay till the end. I treasure you guys.... Here's to a great 2011! My new year starts today (10 days before the actual Chinese New Year.... Lovelots...  Kung Hei Fat Choi from me and my family!

BOB SINCLAR LIVE IN MANILA: THE AFTERMATH

It was a huge success! Bob Sinclar didn't just prove that he's one of the top most recognized names in dance music anywhere in the world, he also proved to people in the Philippines that indeed, he is one amazing, prolific artist and a dj! He shook the World Trade Center of the Philippines with his love for music!

Bob Sinclar... oftenly mistaken as "Sinclair" is actually Christophe Le Friant born May 10, 1969 in Douarnenez, France. He is a Grammy Award-nominated French record producer, House Music Dj, remixer and owner of the label, Yellow Productions.

In 2005 he scored a hit with the single "Love Generation", that reached #1 on the Australian ARIA Singles Charts and the German Media Control Single Charts in 2006. The song was a huge success throughout Europe, also peaking at no. 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and it stood 39 weeks in the Ultratop 50 in Belgium. It became one of the official anthems for the World Cup 2006 held in Germany. 

The follow-up hit was "World, Hold On", that features Steve Edwards and also managed to chart in the top ten in most of the European countries. "Rock This Party (Everybody Dance Now)" followed on 22 August 2006. The remix of "World, Hold on" by E-Smoove was nominated for a Grammy in 2007 in the category of Remixed Recording. Also, "World, Hold On" topped in Billboard Magazine as Number One Hot Dance Club Play Single of 2006, beating Madonna and Christina Aguilera. Since then, he became a global household name in the dance music industry!



Bob Sinclar was brought to Manila last January 15, 2011 by the Ambassador of Cheers and Good Vibes in Manila... dance party producer Domini Primero of  Driven Manila and Avant Artists. The prolific dj performed at the World Trade Center in Manila in front of thousands of beautiful thumping party animals and boy, it was just way too great to describe!

 
When Bob Sinclar played, he became my guilty pleasure. I am not overweight and I don't hate exercising but this was one big party that really kept my feet jumping around from the start till the end of his set except for moments that I had to catch my breath! I also had the privilege of being there onstage with him together with my photography partner, Vincent Garrucho thus; these images you see here are from our lenses. 

The whole time I was beside him or behind him on stage, there were times that I carefully sized-up Bob Sinclar as I peer through the lens of my Canon EOS 450D. He is indeed very unpredictable and most prolific! I look at the crowd below us... jumping non-stop, ladies screaming non-stop, men kept their hands on air non-stop as they move to every single rhythmic track Bob Sinclar unleashed! I have never before seen in Manila a huge dancing crowd moving in consistency!

I'd like to talk now about how Bob Sinclar is in person. Meeting Bob Sinclar and having the great  privilege to talk to him as he relaxes while awaiting for his set is just awesome experience.  I sat beside him... tried to be cool (even though i felt like wanting to ask him a thousand questions) but I refrained. He's a smiling person but a man of very few words... very mysterious to me. 

 
When he listens to people talking, his eyes have this seemingly relaxed but piercing look. I think it's the artist in him. Then he suddenly asked, "How's the crowd outside?" and I replied nervously, "Bob, the world trade center is really jam-packed... they are waiting for you." then he nodded, smiled and said "That is good". He then noticed my production ID and asked, "Can I have one of that for souvenir later?" and I said, "Yes of course, Bob... will give it to you later". With a nod and  his simple smile at me, it meant "thank you". He then went back to his quiet moments.


Then, it was time for him to go up on the stage...and he transformed! From a simple, sweet-smiling, quiet, mysterious man he was back stage, he became a major flirt...like a playboy...like a high class gigolo... like a hardcore porn star! He was onstage, a world-class rock star and boy!... did he rock World Trade Center! 

I was there... I've witnessed how this man transformed himself from a man battling fatigue and jet lag to his greatness... a very energetic and playful person! On the wheels of steel, he got himself at the peak of his power! 

Listening, dancing, singing, taking his up close and personal photos, I keep on telling myself.... Bob Sinclar is legendary!

This is all for you, Bob! It was a great pleasure meeting you and thank you for giving us Filipinos an awesome party here in Manila, Philippines!


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Watch out for Avant Artists and Driven Manila's next parties in 2011... Bob Sinclar was just a starter!!! ;))

Thanks Vincent Garrucho for contributing your shots here! For more photos of  The First Big Party in 2011: Bob Sinclar Live in Manila, go to www.drivenmanila.com

The Social Media Chameleon would like thank Domini Primero (Driven Manila and TIME www.timeinmanila.com), Al Mojica and Sunny Ku (Avant Artists), May Abigael Legaspi (Driven Manila), Pav Parrotte and Jay Server (TIME www.timeinmanila.com)! Congratulations for the great First Big Party in 2011! You guys rock!!!

CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION ON THE INTERNET

Below is one very alarming reading that I had today that's why I am re-posting it and sharing with you, my dear readers. It is very important for everyone to know about children who are allowed to use the internet and the pedophiles. Let me remind you that this actually is happening all over the world and so this is my way of supporting the cause to protect children from sexual predators.

"One of the attractions of the Internet is the anonymity of the user, and this is why it can be so dangerous. A child doesn't always know with whom he or she is interacting. Children may think they know, but unless it's a school friend or a relative, they really can't be sure. Often we think of pedophiles as having access to children out on the playground and other places, but because of the way the Internet works, children can actually be interacting on their home computers with adults who pretend to be children.

Child sexual exploitation occurs in every economic, social, ethnic, and religious group. With the explosion of the Internet into a powerful, worldwide medium, the danger to children, whether they are from New York or New Zealand, has drastically increased. Pedophiles and other sexual predators can use the Internet, with no precautions, to exchange names and addresses of other pedophiles and of potential child victims. Hidden behind screen names that are pseudonyms, they gather online and swap child pornography with amazing speed and in amounts beyond our wildest imagination, which excites them to molest even more. 

Offline, pedophiles typically operate in isolation. Never before have pedophiles had the opportunity to communicate so freely and directly with each other as they do online. Their communication on the Internet provides validation, or virtual validation, for their behavior. They share their conquests, real and imagined. They discuss ways to contact and lure children online and exchange tips on seduction techniques. They are using the technology of the Internet to train and encourage each other to act out sexually with children. The Internet also serves as a tool for predators to exchange tips on the avoidance of law enforcement detection. 

 
The most common means by which sexual predators contact children over the Internet is through chat rooms, instant messages and email. In fact, 89% of sexual solicitations were made in either chat rooms or instant messages and 1 in 5 youth (ages 10-17 years) has been sexually solicited online (JAMA, 2001). Considering that 25% of kids online participate in real time chat and 13 million use instant messaging, the risks of such children, either knowingly or unknowingly, interacting with a predator is alarming. See Parents Safety Guide section."

To Report Illegal Online Activity
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) provides excellent resources concerning sexual exploitation of children and related issues for the lay public, counseling community, and law enforcement agencies. NCMEC has created an extensive web presence for its Exploited Child Unit: http://www.missingkids.com. These web pages provide background information on laws and legislation, tips and pointers for parents and children, and lists of preventive resources on the various aspects of child sexual exploitation. 

In addition to its Web pages, NCMEC, in partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, serves as the National CyberTipline. To report possible illegal online activity related to child pornography, predation, or any other type of child sexual exploitation, call the CyberTipline: 800-843-5678 (800-TheLost) or contact their Web site: http://www.missingkids.com

For here in the Philippines, you may report suspicious behavior at +639197777377.

Listen to what the warning signs are inside yourself...keep yourself and the children of the Philippines safe from these pedophiles, child predators and child-sex tourists. Don't turn away. Turn them in. Please help protect our national treasures.
Related blog: SUPPORT THE CHILD-WISE TOURISM


Thanks to Jomi Garrucho of Digital Arts Photography for the great photos meant for this blog.


Blog is inspired by Teng Tupas of Kabalikat Civicom 961 in his quest to protect our national treasures.

FAKING IT...

I had a really good conversation with a male best friend of mine most recently.... all about our past relationships, sexual experiences, the big O and faking it. It was a fun exchange of thoughts, to sum it all up. 

 
That conversation is pure honesty between best friends that I'm led to believe that both of us perceived sex as something to be enjoyed and faking it... breaks a trusting and loving relationship with a partner. After all, faking an orgasm is a form of deception.

I'm not gonna heat things up here unlike in my controversial blog, "The Helicopter Is The Best Choice For..." which you can read later. Right now, you will be reading about sex and orgasms but it won't bore you at all... it will be a little explosive, though... because its the truth. 

Wait... before I tackle any further, let me clarify with you that based on conversations with friends and readings, it is not just women who fake it... Men do too! While women openly talk about faking orgasms as we've read or heard, men have talked quietly about faking orgasms for many years.

  
Women have two common reasons for faking an orgasm... to make their male partners feel better and to end sex when they are tired. These reasons are brought about by the common perception of women that the male partners are not satisfied until they give their female partner an orgasm thus; sex will go on till the women achieves it or fakes it.
 
Men on the other hand, also have two reasons for faking an orgasm... to give the "to get it over with" excuse and to make their female partners believe they enjoyed it. Despite lies about sex or sex myths, men can't always have orgasms whenever they want it that sometimes, faking it is better than dealing with what's actually going on. 

 
Sad, right? Sex is the most enjoyable activity in the world... it is beautiful. I can't really understand why people think about faking orgasms when it is quite easy to be honest about it. Whether we like it or not, faking it is a form of lying to your partner. 

Funny... I've read about people claiming they know when their partners are faking it. Sexual responses like heart rate increase (duh! engaging in sexual activity is bound to pump up your heart), muscle tension (that too) and heavy breathing (who wouldn't be?) are not the basis for faking it because these are all normal responses in us humans and animals alike after every strenuous activity! Am I right?

So can we really tell? We can't just base it on what we see, too. Some people get to be quiet, others get loud and noisy, some moan, some don't, some groans, some don't, some moves a lot and there are some that they tend to be still. I believe... that the only way to know the truth about our partners faking it or not is... by asking with an open mind. If our intent is to catch them in a lie then I don't think we will be able to get some answers. But, if we make it clear that we are honestly and genuinely interested to know, I believe... it could be our best chance at the truth and improve sexual activities with our partners.

I'd like to say once more that sex is the most enjoyable activity in the world and it is... beautiful if you and your partner perceive the same. However, it can get ugly between two people if one or both are lying about achieving orgasms. 

I'm no sex guru nor an expert... I'm just an ordinary girl who speaks her mind. Personally, it is important for me that I really like the person before I get intimate with him. Why? Because at least I don't have to fake it! I'm comfortable with my partner if that's the case and I don't see the point of faking stuff... really! There are means and ways to tell a partner that you'd like to both achieve an orgasm... touching, kissing, licking, exploring, etc. can really push orgasm to the hilt and so does honesty! Speak up... say what's on your mind and say what you want with your partner. In return, he/she will be able to tell you what they want. Cause and effect, ladies and gentlemen... I say no more!

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I dedicate this blog to my best friend... you know who you are ;))

Also dedicate to my beautiful best friends (in the photos with me) that perfectly fits in this particular blog... you guys are the coolest and funniest girls in my life! I love you forever, Angge and Junak ;))


And to Vincent Garrucho... you're the coolest eye behind lenses! Thank you! I know you love it that I included Hans here ha ha ha!!! He fit perfectly!!! :D

MORALITY AND VALUES: WHEN THEY LEFT YOU...

I'm basically going to talk about how parents taught us when we were kids, reflects the kind of person we are now as adults.

  
I'm no sinner nor saint... I'm just perhaps one of those that despite the bad elements that constantly surround us, I still stick to what I believe is good and is right, in general. At times, I find myself playing a role to people I know... making them realize that I may not be not a great example but a good warning to those on the verge of losing their moralities and values. 

Bad (not totally) versus bad can sometimes help for others to see what's up while maintaining tact and some respect. I hate that role but it seems that it has to be that way sometimes because I felt I owe it to my own parents.

  
Growing up as a kid, my parents instilled in my mind... morals and values that helped me become polite and respectful although there are times, I have to admit, that I lose it sometimes... especially when push comes to shove. However, my parents did let me know that integrity and trust can go a long way when it comes to good character. They modeled the behavior that they want us, their kids in the family to display... holding us accountable for our actions and value honesty and integrity. They instilled morals that I would say, assisted us to become men and women with strong characters.

Our parents taught us some valuable things in life that I won't ever forget and which I will instill in the minds of my own children someday. I'm very lucky to have such good parents and here are some things I've learned:

• That a person whom others trust and who does what he/she says do earn the respect of others by his actions... integrity and trust can really do come a long way.

• That winning isn't everything...  whether we lose or win a game, what matters most is that we understand the value of good sportsmanship.

• That we are accountable for our own actions.... unwise decisions and improper behavior have future consequences.

• That there are some things in life that can be addicting and has the potentials to take over our lives.

• That others take offense in foul languages.

• That money isn't everything that makes the world go round... It is greed and power... power corrupts peace and harmony.

• That there are some things in life that can't be bought and buy you real happiness... that superficial things can go away faster before you even realize it.

• That we should learn to hold dear what's worth it... like true friendships / relationships... know which one is real and which ones are the fair-weather-friends (people who are there when you have money or things that interest them but those who will not be there to pick you up when you fall).

• That either you get to be outsmarted or be the one to walk away from pathetic things or situations that will go nowhere.

• That unproductive people... people who got used in spoon-feeding... people who just wait for money to come easy and not working hard for it are just a waste of time, money and effort.

• That wealth acquired through an insecure lifestyle and that is marred by uncertainty, instability and excessive efforts is no wealth at all. 

• That it is easy to hate and it is difficult to love.... all good things are difficult to achieve and the bad things are easy to get... just as it is hard to let go of good things but easy to let go of the bad things.

• That we should learn to appreciate, be contented and be thankful for what we have... smiling at the little blessings we get each day. 

• That patience is a virtue.

• That the acts of this life will be the destiny of the next.

   
There are so many things that my parents instilled in my mind. Sometimes I break them, sometimes I don't or, I only realize it later on... which is still good than not having to remember them. I've been through a lot in my life but with what my parents taught me, I remain a good person as a whole. 

Today,  I get it really ...looking at other people how they waste their lives, I realized how important it is for parents to take some time to instill morality and values to the young.  

  
To sum this all up, my parents did raise me well. I have cheated on my fears.... I have broken up with my doubts and got engaged to my faith. Now, with my moralities and values intact, I'm going to marry my dreams.

To mommy and daddy.... I love you both and thank you! Thanks also to Cody, Maxine and Felisa for being such great models for this blog... including myself LOL!