Sunday Quote and Photograph: Keep Interested in Your Own Career

Another piece from Desiderata.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;

they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain or bitter,

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

I took this photo during my early morning run at Mall of Asia’s bay side on a Saturday.  The people in the metal scaffolding are workers who are setting up the venue for the second Saturday show of the 3rd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition which is on that Saturday evening.

It was still dark because the sun is not yet shining when I took the photo, but the area is already abuzz with workers.

Back with Brian Mcknight on March 16, 2012: Live in Manila

New York born RnB singer, songwriter, arranger and producer Brian Mcknight will be back in Manila for his concert “Back with Brian Mcknight” presented by MJM Productions.

Back with Brian McKnight
LIVE in Manila
March 16, 2012, Friday, 8PM
SMART Araneta Coliseum

Ticket Prices:
PATRON (PT 101 & 103) (Reserved Seating) Php4,770
PATRON B (Reserved Seating) PhP4,240
LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) PhP3,180
UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) PhP2,120
UPPER BOX B PhP1,060
GENERAL ADMISSION PhP530


 
You can visit www.ticketnet.com.ph or call 911-5555 for more details. or Brian McKnight LIVE in Manila concert page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Back-with-Brian-McKnight/254230504644538

Here’s a video and lyrics of my favorite Brian Mcknight song titled “One Last Cry” which will be featured in this one night concert.

Brian Mcknight-One Last Cry (Acknowledgment to BrianMcknightVEVO for uploading this video to YouTube)

ONE LAST CRY
Brian Mcknight

My shattered dreams and broken heart
Are mending on the shelf
I saw you holding hands
Standing close to someone else
Now I sit all alone
Wishing all my feeling was gone
I gave my best to you, nothing for me to do
But have one last cry

One last cry, before I leave it all behind
I've gotta put you outta my mind this time
Stop living a lie
I guess I'm down to my last cry, cry

I was here, you were there
Guess we never could agree
While the sun shines on you
I need some love to rain on me
Still I sit all alone
Wishing all my feeling was gone
Gotta get over you, nothing for me to do
But have one last cry

One last cry, before I leave it all behind
I've gotta put you outta my mind this time
Stop living a lie
I know I've gotta be strong
'Cause round me life goes on and on and on
And on
I'm gonna dry my eyes
Right after I had my one last cry

One last cry, before I leave it all behind
I've gotta put you outta my mind for the very last time
Been living a lie
I guess I'm down
I guess I'm down
I guess I'm down to my last cry

Want to share your favorite Brian Mcknight song?

Best Travel Deals @ 19th PTAA Travel Tour Expo 2012

“Traveling is the new encyclopedia”

That’s one tweet from a travel bug person I am following on Twitter and I kinda agree with him on this.

In that case better hunt those cheap travel deals and there’s no other place to find it but in the country’s biggest travel and tourism industry event:

19th PTAA Travel Tour Expo 2012
Theme: One Stop Shop To The World
February 17 – 19, 2012
SMX Convention Center Halls 1, 2, 3 and 4
Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Entrance Fee: General Admission – PhP50.00 / Senior Citizen – P20.00

The event will be participated by over 450 booths of airline and shipping companies, travel agencies and shops, hotels, resorts, cruise and tour operators, government agencies, embassies tourism groups and organizations.  It promises to present a wider variety of travel options and special packages that are only available onsite.  All exhibitors will be offering huge discounts on travel packages, products, and services. 

The 19th Travel Tour Expo 2012 is the flagship exhibition activity of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) and is co-organized with the Department of Tourism and supported by the Department of Tourism, Philippine Airlines (the official carrier), Citibank (official credit-card partner and Platinum Sponsor), Globe, Tieza, SMX Convention Center, The Philippine Star, The Foreign Post, Travel Update, TraveLife, 105.1 FM Crossover, Icon Graphics, and Lina Vitan (official caterer).

More information at www.ptaatraveltourexpo.com.ph

3rd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition –Korea and Malta

Hey all you fireworks lovers, the 3rd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition has begun  last Saturday February 11, 2012.  The first two countries who displayed their pyrotechniques expertise are South Korea and the Republic of Malta.  Here are the videos of their spectacular displays:

South Korea – Woori Fireworks

Entry from South Korea (acknowledgment to Platinum Fireworks for the video uploaded to YouTube)

Republic of Malta - Malta Fireworks

Entry from the Republic of Malta (acknowledgment to ArBeshPH for the video uploaded to YouTube)

This event is happening at the Mall of Asia every Saturdays from February 11 to March 17, 2012, 7:00PM, SM By The Bay (Mall of Asia).

Participating Countries and upcoming schedules:

Feb. 18 – UNITED KINGDOM (Smart Pyrotechnics Ltd.) & SPAIN (Turis Fireworks Inc.)
Feb. 25 – FINLAND (Oy Pyroman Finland Ltd.) & PORTUGAL (Grupo Luso Pirotecnia)
March 3 – CHINA (Jinsheng Fireworks) & THE NETHERLANDS (Royal Fireworks)
March 10 – AUSTRALIA (Fireworkx Inc) & CANADA (Fireworks Spectacular)
March 17 – ITALY (Orzella Fireworks S. R. L.) & PHILIPPINES - Platinum Fireworks, Inc.

TICKET PRICES:
Patron (with Dinner) PhP1500; VIP PhP500; Gold PhP300; Silver PhP100

TICKET OUTLETS:
SM Tickets or call (632) 470-2222
TicketNet or call (632) 911-5555
TicketWorld or call (632) 891-9999
Click here for further details or call 0917-8114001; 0917-5136001; 023591486

This spectacular event that displays never before seen spectacle of lights and colors from the worlds leading pyrotechnique experts is now on it’s third glorious year.  The winners from the first two years are:
1st Year (2010)  : United Kingdom – Jubilee Fireworks - watch video highlights here
2nd Year (2011) : China – Jinsheng Fireworks, Inc. - watch video highlights here

Don’t miss to check-out from here in the coming days as we update you with the videos and recent happenings about this event.

So... between Korea and Malta – which country do you think has the better entry?

Valentine in the City. How Was Yours?

It’s real fun going around the city on Valentine’s Day.  It is amazing how every corner turned into a cupid-invaded planet . Aside from the roaming lovers in “hhww” (holding hands while walking), everywhere is an atmosphere of love, love, love…

a mall in Makati City

a mall lobby that turned into an instant flower shop

The Mall of Asia hosting a mass wedding sponsored by the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-ibig Fund)

So how’s your V-day? Was it a V as in victory?

The victory or success in our life’s special occasions such as Valentine’s Day doesn’t really depends how expensive the gifts and flowers you received or how expensive the restaurants you dated, or how famous the shows you watched.  It could be anything that both of you enjoyed together no matter how simple it is.  Be it the simplest daily runs and chores you do together…

It could be a run in the morning together.

A trip to the bank together.

Buying flowers together while you haggle for the price even if he’s the one who will pay .

A hunt for your favorite pasta house that vanished from your favorite place.

A hunt for an alternative cozy place where you can solve your stomach pressing ramblings :(

Pigging-out together with a combination of all the food in your mind.

Sharing a glass of halo-halo in an already chilling temperature.

A surprise visit to the kid’s school together bringing them home by yourselves, then…

pigging-out again to the kids favorite newly opened cozy fast food restaurant

Well not unless you’re the subject of Madonna’s song you will definitely disagree to what I am trying to say here. As they always say, it’s “the thought that counts” and I add “the sincerity of the action completes the thought”.

Make everyday a Valentine’s Day!

Google Doodle Valentine's Day 2012

This is why I love Google! They have their unique way of entertaining their users through their Google Doodle.

When you visit Google homepage on Valentine’s Day it will show you their Valentine’s Day logo.

Hover your mouse over the Valentine's Day logo and it will read:
"Happy Valentine's Day! Cold, Cold Heart performed by Tony Bennett courtesy of Columbia Records and Sony / ATV.

When you click on it will allow you to view this short animation and sound clip

Google Valentine’s Day 2012 Doodle Video (Acknowledgment to 3dCarShows for uploading this video)

After the animation and sound clip, it will automatically direct you to Google Search Result’s Page about “Valentine’s Day”

Valentine's Day is a real busy day for almost everyone – flowers/gift hunting for guys and gals, wifey cooking the best meal for hubby, restaurant reservations... so I thought of posting it here in case some of you missed this.

What I love most about this is that how they made the sound clip to sound real old – like being played from a very old record player.  And of course, the story is about “forever” and “happy ending” – isn’t that what we all wanted?

I would love to know what you can say about this Google Doodle!

H♥ppy V♥lentine’s D♥y everyone! 

Bonus:
“Cold Cold Heart” is a country music and popular music song, written by Hank Williams which he first recorded and released in 1951.  On the same year, American pop/jazz singer Tony Bennett recorded his pop version and became the more popular one.  Here’s the lyric of the song Cold Cold Heart.

TONY BENNET
”Cold Cold Heart”
(Hank Williams)
I tried so hard, my dear to show
That you're my every dream
Yet, you're afraid each thing I do
Is just some evil scheme
A memory from your lonesome past
Keeps us so far apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind
And melt your cold, cold heart

Another love before my time
Made your heart sad and blue
And so my heart is paying now
For things I didn't do
In anger unkind words are said
That make the teardrops start
Why can't I free your doubtful mind
And melt your cold, cold heart

[Instrumental Interlude]

There was a time when I believed
That you belonged to me
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
The more I learn to care for you
The more we drift apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind
And melt your cold, cold heart

Whitney Houston A Tribute–Didn’t She Almost Have It All

Whitney Elizabeth Houston
August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012

Ever watch a singing contest that a Whitney Houston song is not belted out by contestants? Or joined a karaoke and no one sings Whitney Houston songs? I bet it didn’t ever happen for anytime where singing is the subject particularly on quality singing, there should be a Whitney Houston song.

Songs such as “The Greatest Love of All” and “I Will Always Love You” are recorded by several artists before she came into the music scene but Whitney’s rendition made these two songs immortal.  It is just too sad that the news on her demise came at the time when the subject of her songs is being celebrated by lovers and non-lovers all over the world.

As the world celebrates Valentine’s Day, I am remembering this great singer through the most beautiful but (now) saddest lyrics from her greatest hits.


Didn’t We Almost Have It All
Didn't we almost have it all
When love was all we had worth giving?
The ride with you was worth the fall my friend
Loving you makes life worth living
Where Do Broken Hearts Go
Where do broken hearts go
Can they find their way home
Back to the open arms
Of a love that’s waiting there
And if somebody loves you
Won’t they always love you
I look in your eyes, And I know that you still care, for me
I Wanna Run to You
Each day, each day I play the role
Of someone always in control
But at night I come home and turn the key
There’s nobody there, no one cares for me
What’s the sense of trying hard to find your dreams.
Without someone to share it with
Tell me what does it mean?

The Greatest Love of All
Everybody's searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone
Who fulfilled my needs
A lonely place to be
And so I learned to depend on me

The stories accompanying the news of her death is not all ideal for someone who has been regarded with much respect in the music industry with her musicality and voice quality.  But none of these tampered the truth that Whitney Houston is one of the greatest singer that ever lived.

Rest in Peace Whitney Houston… Thank you for all the great music that can only be immortalized by your golden voice.  You almost have it all.

Acknowledgment to YouTube for this video

(Whitney Houston images from Google)