The Dx Matilla Show

P.F. Chang's out to change the game as it opens first Asian branch in the Philippines

2012-01-19T20:20:00.000-08:00

P.F. Chang's, voted as the Most Popular Full Survey Chain in a survey by Zagat, has made its way to the Philippines--and from the looks of it, they are here to change casual Chinese dining as we know it.

P.F. Chang's Director for International Marketing Genaro Perez, President for International Marketing Mike Welborn, Philip Chiang, and Global Restaurant Concepts, Inc. President and CEO Archie Rodriguez pose for their band's album cover

While I've always enjoyed Chinese cuisine, my typical complaint would be that the dishes are too oily for my liking and sometimes, I'd walk out of the establishment feeling sleepy and even bloated. The only times I'd really enjoy Chinese dishes would either be when it's home-cooked or at hotel restaurants since I'm almost always assured of the freshness of the ingredients used.

As we were enjoying the dishes being served to us by P.F. Chang's staff (who were flown in from the United States to oversee the branch's first few months of operations), Philip Chiang would emphasize the importance of using only the freshest ingredients for their dishes.

Dynamite Shrimp

Mongolian Beef

Shrimp with Candied Walnuts (personal favorite)

Chengdu Spiced Lamb

"No matter how busy we are, you order it, it's punched into the computer and then we cook," Chiang said.

In the country for the opening of the Alabang branch, Chiang likewise shared his philosophy when it comes to preparing his restaurants' dishes.

"I'd tell my chefs no dishes would be more than three ingredients, I don't want a lot of sauce or starch, and I don't want a lot of oil because I don't want it swimming on stuff. And I certainly don't want any garnishing. I don't want the traditional red cherry on the Chinese food. I want it to be simple and look natural and I want it to be healthy."

Philip Chiang

Archie Rodriguez, President and CEO of Global Restaurant Concepts Inc. (P.F. Chang's Philippine partner), would reveal that they had initially wanted to open the first branch at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig last year but the Alabang location became more available quickly. (Global Restauran Concepts Inc.also owns California Pizza Kitchen and Orchard Road)

"Alabang is a great location and the market here is very good."

Rodriguez says that the planning for opening the first P.F. Chang branch in Asia took two years.

"I have a team of seven people go to the US, three of whom trained for almost 10 months, four who did for six to seven months. Today we have 21 trainers here helping our local staff and I have 110 people just for this restaurant."

How quickly the local staff can adapt to the standards being followed by the other 216 P.F. Chang's restaurants all over the world remains to be seen but if I were to base it on their performance during my first visit, I'd say that they're definitely on the right track. Our servers were very knowledgeable when it came to the dishes, they seemed jovial enough on what I can imagine as a very pressure-filled day, and when I asked for my drinks, I'd have it in perhaps a minute or two. I'm saying this now because I expect the same treatment on my future visits--which, is almost certainly assured because of the variety of dishes I have yet to try. And the fact that I always frequent Alabang Town Center.

Here's some facts you need to know about P.F. Chang's:

They have their version of rice all you can for white and brown rice - as per Archie Rodriguez, Global Restaurants Concepts Inc. President and CEO
They serve 900,000 customers per week - as per Genaro Perez, Director for International Marketing
P.F. Chang's Vegetables are cut every day using Chinese cleavers, dumplings are handmade from scratch.
Hours: Sunday thru Thursday from 11AM to 11PM; Friday and Saturday from 11AM to 1AM
They have a gluten free menu and a vegetarian menu.
All gluten free items are served on a special plate with the P.F. Chang's logo. These menu items are either gluten free as prepared, or are modified to be gluten free.
P.F. Chang's upholds a rigorous gluten free cooking process to ensure the dietary safety of guests with gluten intolerance. The restaurant's staff takes all the necessary measures of precaution during the preparation and serving of gluten free dishes.
Chefs take special care to ensure that gluten free dishes live up to the experience that customers have come to expect from P.F. Chang's. Philip Chiang--co-founder of the restaurant--couldn't even taste the difference between the gluten free Mongolian Beef and its traditional version.
In the Philippines, they use local providers. Some products will be imported because of the concept. The vegetables and poultry are from local providers as well as the alcoholic beverages.
The menu identifies vegetarian and spicy dishes.
Approximately 28 million pounds of fresh chicken and about 20 million pounds of rice are consumed by P.F. Chang's in the US each year.
On any given year, P.F. Chang's serves more than 46 million fortune cookies. (How come we didn't get this? -DX)
The dishes that Philip Chiang developed for P.F. Chang's were inspired by cuisines from the different regions of China: Peking or Northern China (including Mongolia), Shanghai or Eastern China, Cantonese or Southern China, Sichuan and Hunan Twin Western Province of China.
P.F. Chang's has won the 2012 Cheers Beverage Excellence Award for having the Best Overall Beverage Program. This award is presented by Cheers magazine and is the industry's highest honor for beverage alcohol program operators. The criteria for the award is a particular program's creativity, originality, and impact on the sale and profitability of a full-service restaurant operation. Other factors considered are the level of marketing support, staff training, and overall operator commitment to the initiative that lead to its success.

Overhead shot of the bar

Royal Poolside

The name P.F. Chang's is a combination of the name of the founders Paul Fleming and Philip Chiang. So I asked Philip why is there no "i" in P.F. Chang's? Philip said it wasn't a big deal for him and they decided to take it to make it simple (mirroring perhaps his philosophy of making the dishes simple). Besides, Philip said that in China, they spell his name as Jiang.

Will we get to see those pics? -DX

Warriors all

P.F. Chang's interior

SOPA and PIPA - the story so far

2012-01-18T21:47:00.000-08:00

I am writing this entry to express my opposition to SOPA and PIPA. And for the bandwagoners who, if it were not for Twitter, Facebook, and a Google search that led them to Wikipedia’s “Imagine a World Without Free Knowledge” message, would not have known about what would effectively change the Internet as we know it. Heck, jump right in but be sure you understand the issue first so that you know what you’re standing for.

SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act) are two bills that on the surface, seems well-meaning enough, in its aim “to stop copyright infringement” and digital piracy. But what is it really? If passed, it would give corporations the power to shut down websites that post copyrighted content—either pictures, videos, audio, or simple text.

If you’re an active user of the Internet and you stumble upon something of interest to you and you would like to share it to others, SOPA and PIPA will not allow you to do that. I’m assuming that for one to be able to continue doing this, one would have to ask for permission from whoever owns that intellectual property or face the risk of spending time in jail.

One of the reasons why people have gone on to embrace the Internet is because it remains to be one of the very few places where freedom of expression is very much alive. But the concept itself is a double-edged sword in that some have taken this freedom to the extremes by using it for propaganda purposes whether in small or large scales.

Just 10 years ago, a person can pass off a work of fiction as factual by merely injecting it into the very young and wide world of the web. If another reads and shares it via forums or chain e-mails, then another will until that information is spread to tens of thousands of Internet users. The more that information is spread, the higher the probability that it is accepted as fact—and it happens in very little time. So what’s wrong with that? Well, just off the top of my head, let’s say that the information is a malicious rumor. It’s no different from gossiping and there will always be at least one person involved who will surely feel the effects of it all. Now, how this person reacts to it is mere guesswork. The point is, people learned the technical way of using the Internet first before (and sometimes without) learning the ethical way.

These days, such things continue to happen but I’ve noticed that citizens of the web have become more vigilant when dealing with “new information”. Although there remain a lot of classless netizens all over the world, there are those who are learning—or at least trying to—the proper Internet ethics. Let’s go back to the earlier example, if somebody pulls off something like that nowadays, that person is likely to experience either one of two things: if unfounded, that person goes into a virtual blacklist wherein any new information coming from him, even if true, will be considered as a non-truth; if true, however, he’ll be branded a rumor-monger who should stay out of other people’s business. But let’s say that truth is non-malicious and is actually for the good, which is to say the exposure of wrongdoings and misdealings perpetrated by people in power. Then that is the only time that I feel that breaking “new information” becomes a positive.

So what has these examples got to do with SOPA and PIPA? Nothing and everything. There is actually belief that the bills were written as a result of the war between Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Digital piracy has been around since Napster. First it was audio files, music and whole albums in the infinite are being shared freely by people who only spend for their Internet use. Then it became movies and even computer software. It’s no secret that these studios are losing money due to digital piracy and the issue seems to be deeper than what it appears but Rupert Murdoch’s tweet might help simplify things: “Just been to google search for mission impossible. Wow, several sites offering free links. I rest my case.”

Wait, so Google is now a supporter of digital piracy? Another tweet by Murdoch seems to affirm his belief: “Piracy leader is Google who streams movies free, sells advts around them. No wonder pouring millions into lobbying.”

Later, Murdoch would go on to describe Google as a great company. But in reaction to his earlier tweets, a spokesperson from Google, Samantha Smith, described the comments as nonsense. “Last year we took down 5 million infringing Web pages from our search results and invested more than $60 million in the fight against bad ads. Like many other tech companies, we believe that there are smart, targeted ways to shut down foreign rogue websites without asking U.S. companies to censor the Internet,” Smith said.

As it is, there seems to be no concrete program that will put an end to digital piracy. In all honesty, if Hollywood ever comes out with one, they will need technology to do so but then again, digital pirates also know technology and will find ways to bypass any encryption or security measures thrown their way. Clearly, curtailing the Internet’s freedom of expression isn’t the answer to this problem. Even Microsoft, a company that is adamant in its campaign against digital piracy, finds SOPA to be too much.

US President Barack Obama, prior to the start of the Internet blackout on January 18, 2012 8AM EST that saw the participation of major websites including Wikipedia, has since expressed that he will not support the bill and as a result, SOPA and PIPA are temporarily shelved. The setback, however, won’t stop its supporters because they seem to believe that it’s the only way. I’m hoping though that whoever the main proponents of the bill are would say that this is their way of showing that there is something being done against digital piracy.

Like I said, the bills are well-meaning enough but endangering Internet users’ freedom of speech is not worth the risk because it may end up causing more problems using this perverse incentive and its very singular intended solution.

To learn more: visit http://sopastrike.com/

STAYCATION @: the 6-star luxury hotel Maxims Tower

2012-01-15T22:35:00.001-08:00

A three-days, two-nights stay at the Maxims Tower, which prides itself in being the only 6-star luxury hotel in the Philippines would have sufficed. But four days? Wow.

The "rooms" at Maxims Tower are apparently all suites--all 172 of them. Rates for each are as follows:

Maxims Suites - P15,800

Maxims De Luxe - P19,800

Executive/Corner - P26,800

Signature - P29,800

Ambassador - P42,800

Villa - P115,000

The Mansion - P138,000

I don't need to indicate which suite I experienced but it's not the two most expensive ones (le sigh) although I already had the chance to see the Villa weeks before our stay.

The suite had its own whirlpool/jacuzzi and of course, I spent most of my time there. My only complaint, and this is the ONLY one I have during the entire stay, is that there was no instruction manual on how to operate it. This is where our personal butler comes in. Each suite is assigned one and ours had been very helpful the entire time. The butler who, with the help of some decent high-tech communication gadgetry, was just a buzz away to operate the whirlpool/jacuzzi. Although again, an instruction manual would have been nicer for people like me who has no problem doing menial things.

Outside our suite was our personal cabana facing the aquarium pool where guests of Maxims Tower have nothing to hide. It's really a cool feature especially for me who doesn't know how to swim because people would easily see if I'm already in the bottom of the pool (LOL).

The suite's interior has very warm tones of gold and red and the bathroom is quite big with its own tub, standing shower, toiletries, and closet with its own iron and ironing board.

Food can be had via room service but I always prefer eating at the restaurants a hotel has to offer. Cafe Maxims is on the same floor as our suite's and I just can't help but rave about this particular dish I ordered (the mashed potato is heaven):

For dinner, there is Impressions, where I've had dinner twice already because the entrée is always something to look forward to. Again, if I were to make a suggestion, it would be this one:

On my next visit to Impressions, I'll make sure to write a more detailed review but I have to say that the first time we were there, the servers were much more attentive. The second time, not so much. Although they were nice enough to set aside a table for two on the far corner of the restaurant when I asked for it. And, if someone from Impressions get to read this, hire a sommelier.

Now, things to do when you're tired of your awesome suite? Since Maxims Tower is just a few minutes drive away from home, I was still able to go play tennis in our village. If they ever decide to put a tennis court around the area, then it's almost certain that I'll be at Maxims Tower weekly.

For now, however, Resorts World would have to do. It has two floors of casino and after you're done winning, you can shop at the mall, which carries popular brands such as Adidas, Lacoste, Puma, Planet Sports, Guess, Bench, Charles & Keith, Mango, and an Apple Store which I forgot the name of. As for the restaurants, it would be best if you check out this list. Resorts World also four (I think) cinemas and *gasp!* a video arcade I just recently found out!

The Newport Performing Arts Theatre also boasts of the largest LED wall in the Philippines. I've only watched KAOS so far and I enjoyed it a lot. Right now, it's The Sound of Music and I believe it's extended until Feb 12, 2012.

So yeah, in my opinion, Maxims Tower is deserving of the overall Best in Asia for Service Excellence, Best in the Philippines for Service Excellence, Best 5 in Asia for Signature Serviced Residences, and Best 10 in Asia for Concierge awards it received in the recent Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA).

missing LOST? Watch these shows: Person of Interest and Once Upon A Time

2012-01-13T06:50:00.000-08:00

I guess it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of LOST, you know, that show about hallucinations, time-travelling bunnies, and Jack's beard.

If it were up to me, I would have wanted LOST to have gone on forever. I don't care if the writers' and producers' explanations don't make sense 42% of the time but heck, I just love the characters. Thankfully, some of the more beloved ones have found their way into new shows that have shown much potential so far.

Foremost of which is Person of Interest. The premise is, ahem, easy enough to understand. Numbers were an important element in LOST and the same trend continues in POI.

"I know it may seem an inappropriate time to ask you this but, did you ever see Saw?"

Ben, who I will continue to call Michael Emerson's character, is an ultra-rich and suave genius (Bruce Wayne?) who created a machine that can predict danger before it happens. The machine churns out Numbers, social security numbers to be exact, of people who may be involved in a crime as perpetrator or as victim (of course, because deciphering what the crime would exactly be wouldn't be as fun if it were too specific). But Ben is already old and has a limp so he needs a younger talent to help him prevent the crimes from happening. Alas, Ben finds someone and that someone happens to look like a drug-addicted neurosurgeon from St. Sebastian Hospital.

"We have to go back!"

John Reese, played by Jim Caviezel, as it turns out, is a cross between a less-violent Jack Bauer and Jesus. What's with all the "Js"? His history has to be mysterious and parts of his story is revealed through flash-~~sideways forwards~~ backs. Ben and John work together to save lives and through the first few episodes, they seem to be doing a good job at it. But stick around through a few more episodes and you'll find out that the machine, in all its vagueness, is flawed and the life that the two save may not exactly be worth saving.

That's enough spoiler for now but I really love POI perhaps because I feel that LOST Ben is alive in this show. John Reese, I thought was untouchable but as he encounters another LOST favorite (for one episode at least), we see that he can be beat in hand-to-hand combat. Heroes don't always need to be a John Cena. A little vulnerability is always good and Jim Caviezel establishes his character's strength well enough for us to feel concern more than enough when John Reese gets shot (oops!).

Another new show that I've been following since its pilot episode is Once Upon A Time. I'll say this now since I don't care anyways if anyone will believe me but a few years back, I thought of writing a story where fairy tale characters live together in one town and see just how they interact with each other. So yeah, OUAT is like that, only, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz did it better by putting the characters into modern times and they have a certain case of amnesia in that they seem to have no idea of their previous lives in the land of happily-ever-after.

No, that's not Ron Weasley

Everything about OUAT is interesting. Early episodes will have the viewers guessing who from the residents of Storybrooke are Cinderella, Snow White, Pinocchio, Roger Rabbit, and Santa Clause. The obvious lead characters here are the princesses and the antagonists are the Evil Mayor Queen and Rumpelstiltskin (or is it?).

But the lead LEAD is Jennifer Morrison's character Emma Swan. If I understand correctly, she's Snow White's daughter and she is special, as in Desmond Hume-level special not John Locke-special. Since Emma's arrival in the town of Storybrooke, due in part to her son Henry, things begin to change and this has EMQ worried and she tries everything in her power to banish Emma.

EMQ, Lana Parrilla in real REAL life, is quite difficult to read. Very early on, we find that she has emotions and this has me confused. Shouldn't cold-hearted-you-know-whats not have feelings? Philoso-raptor mode engaged. Her character is just begging for a face turn.

Robert Carlyle, meanwhile, is an absolute delight to watch as the wheeling and dealing Rumpelstiltskin. The little quirks that he brings to the character are so believable that it had me reading up on Rumpelstiltskin (highlight name + copy and paste). In the modern times, he is the pawnshop owner Mr. Gold and he is just as shrewd as (copy and paste).

"All magic comes with a price"

The princes are also there and they have names but I will not talk about them unless they do something worth talking about. This show isn't written with the goal of making meet-cutes but to break the curse that has befallen our favorite fairy-tale characters. But of course, the meet-cutes could lead to the princesses and princes remembering everything and that would result in the impeachment of EMQ. Whether they will find their way back to the forest and their castles, I really don't know.

And lest I forget, there are loads of LOST easter eggs in OUAT that only die-hard fans would recognize. While only one former LOSTie is set to surface so far in the show, I'm hoping that the tragic and abruptly-ended love story of Colleen and Danny Pickett picks up here.

(Another show, Alcatraz, will air its pilot episode on January 16, 2012 with Jorge "Hurley" Garcia as one of the lead characters.)

the moon Jan 12, 2012

2012-01-12T07:48:00.000-08:00

A day at the Bund

2012-01-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

One fine day at the Bund in Shanghai, China

Busy Peace Hotel

"I'm taller than dad"

Please Don't Disturb

Passers-By

Rock Hard

Reverse-Kangaroo

Will You?

Wait For Me

Cheek-to-Cheek

Beatles

Photographer Within a Photograph

The Race

Is She

Spot the Warriors at Alabang Town Center

2011-12-29T23:24:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

Terracotta warriors across Alabang Town Center lead the way to one of America’s most popular restaurants. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro opens in the Philippines with the chance to win restaurant gift certificates and an opportunity to meet its founder Philip Chiang.

P.F. Chang’s has over 200 restaurants in the US and 13 international branches, offering dishes from China and across Southeast Asia. Diners partake of the Asian-inspired menu in a contemporary bistro setting. Popular dishes include the signature appetizer Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps; all-time favourite Mongolian Beef made from US Angus beef caramelized in the wok with garlic and scallions; and the flavourful Northern-Style Spare Ribs.

The Spot the Warriors Facebook contest gives anyone with a camera the chance to become among the first in the country to experience P.F. Chang’s. The grand prize winner for each category gets P10,000 worth of gift certificates to the restaurant. Three winners per category will each win P3,000 P.F. Chang’s gift certificates. All of the winners get VIP passes to the restaurant’s Gala Night on January 17, 2012 for a rare chance to meet restaurant founder Philip Chiang.

Participants to Spot the Warriors must take photos of these imposing terracotta warriors set up at the Commerce Mall from now until January 2, and at the Corte de los Palmas from January 3-9.
Strike a pose with family and friends, as a group or individually. Upload the image at P.F. Chang’s Philippines Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/PF-Changs-Philippines/118522034905874 and indicate whether the entry is for the Digital Shot or the Digital Art category.

The Digital Shot category is for raw and unedited images taken with a camera phone, a digital camera or DSLR. For Digital Art, entries have been digitally enhanced or manipulated, making these terracotta warriors part of a creative layout. Submissions must have captions. Participants can send up to three images per category.

After uploading to the P.F. Chang’s Philippines Facebook page, the photo entry should be emailed with name, address, age, contact number and alternative email to marketing@globalresto. Entries must not exceed 5 MB in size.

P.F. Chang’s opens at the Alabang Town Center on January 19, 2012. To enjoy more of P.F. Chang’s, join P.F. Chang’s Philippines on Facebook.

Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Junot Diaz: Dominican Republic, Philippines share ‘traumatic amnesia’

2011-12-25T19:14:00.000-08:00

Junot Diaz, in so many ways, is perhaps what writers aspire to be: unapologetic, direct and every bit as nerdy.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author for “The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” was invited to the Philippines recently for the 2nd Manila International Literary Festival, which was organized by the National Book Development Board and co-presented by National Bookstore.

The Dominican Republic-born Diaz teaches creative writing at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During his brief visit, he spoke with the Philippine Daily Inquirer and shared his story of growing up as an immigrant in New Jersey in an impoverished family, as well as his views on politics, science fiction, and, of course, writing.

This book—for those who may not know much about the Dominican Republic—reading it somehow gives one a sense of the history of that country. Was that a part of your plan when you wrote this?

I think that’s a side effect to the book’s central project, which is about a family that suffers a deep historical amnesia. Once you get to the end of the book, you’re going to see that part of the family’s problem is that they keep erasing their past. And this is very typical of postcolonial traumatized societies. It certainly seems to be the case for the Philippines, which has a lot of traumatic amnesia. The central play for me is how deeply Dominicans are invested in forgetting. That in some ways, my country is held together more by what we forget than what we remember. And this book is an attempt to create a counter-nation. What would the Dominican nation look like if it remembers? And when you remember, other people will join in.

Readers, when encountering new terms or unfamiliar names, the tendency would be to look it up on the Internet. And your book is filled with footnotes filled with characters, both factual and fictional, that may not be known to all. Did it worry you that your readers might finish the book and end up with more questions than answers?

Any book that has questions in it, for some readers, it’s going to push them to look for answers and I think that’s a wonderful consequence of doing historical work or one that puts together very weird themes. If you put together Dominican history and comic books and science fiction, then everybody would be looking things up.

In doing that—bringing the fantasy world of comics and historical facts together—how exactly were you able to make it work in this book?

I discerned the secret grammar of science fiction and comic books which is about power and racial otherness. In fact, the beginnings of what we call traditional science fiction always had questions of race in it. “Frankenstein” is considered the foundation of science fiction text and the great terror of Frankenstein’s monster is that he is a member of a new race. And the reason that the doctor finally decides to destroy the monster is because it wants to breathe. Then H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds” is about the return of colonialism. Imagine strange aliens inside huge metallic destructive ships arrive and destroy your country—that sounds like an experience of the Dominican Republic.

So how much research did you have to do for this?

A lot. I’m already a nerd. But then I had to research huge. Being a nerd is like being a jock. There are levels. Some people are all the way at the Manny Pacquiao spectrum and other people are just like beginners and I think I was somewhere in the middle.

Can you please take us through the process of putting this book together? I read that you wrote this book for 11 years, is that true?

It took me 11 years, but I wrote it in seven. It’s terrible. Part of it is having faith in that you’re going to get somewhere. It’s one thing to finish a book in one year. Finishing a book in a year is like walking across Manila. You can do it. But do you want to do it? On the other hand, writing a book for seven to 11 years is like making your way from the most northern part of the Philippines to the most southern island, there’s a good chance you’re not going to make it, that you’re going to get lost, that you’re going to get stopped but you’ve got to have a lot of faith. Walking across Manila for one to two years, you need a lot less faith but you just have to have willpower.

Do you like getting lost?

I don’t think I like it. I think that the only books worth writing, one has to get lost for. If you don’t get lost, I don’t think you can write a book that’s any good. If you already know where you are, how can you write anything new?

So is that why your book stood out?

I have no idea. I think there are a million factors why a book is good or bad. I know that had I not gotten lost, the book would have been terrible. Why it’s good, that’s anybody’s guess. But I think that you can certainly eliminate one part of terrible by getting lost.

Were you an Oscar Wao when you were younger?

I think that like most kids, I felt weird and alienated growing up and I wasn’t the coolest kid in the world. In the US, as an immigrant, I felt those but I was deeply social. I had a great group of friends and even though it was very hard for me to see that, I was very popular growing up. I think that my early experience gave me a lot of sympathy for Oscar. But in relationship to Oscar, I’m more Yunior.

So where did you get all those emotions that Oscar was feeling like when he would cry by himself when girls would reject him?

Because that’s everybody. Who do you know hasn’t felt like a loser or hasn’t felt vulnerable? Who do you know who hasn’t been “not picked?” There’s always a part of us that loses. We’re not gods. I think it’s much easier for me to write about losing than it is about winning. I know more about that. I think that we just lie. We’ve been colonized by two cultures most obsessed with appearances. And, of course, we’re rarely going to admit that we feel vulnerable, that we’re not always at our best. I walk to my barrio in Santo Domingo and the poorest in the world are acting like they are rich.

What explanation do you have for that?

Human nature. Plus we belong to cultures that put more emphasis on appearances than on substance. Who you are in your heart will not get you into this hotel. If you pull up in an expensive Mercedes Benz that you cannot afford, suddenly you’re a great person. As an artist though, you certainly are attracted to those kinds of things.

So you like telling these kinds of stories.

I just think that human nature, even if it seems crazy, is of great interest to me. Why we do those things? Why do we always feel the need to have people think of us as being better than we are? That’s very interesting and I always wrestle with that. As an artist, I think it’s the little things inside the heart, the little betrayals, the little secrets that make a book worth living.

Speaking of Yunior, he has a very distinct language in this book. How intentional was it?

Yunior has to tell a very difficult story. About a family destroyed by dictatorship and rape, and I think Yunior wanted to be very, very clear. I think his colloquial way of speaking, his vernacular was an important tactic. If you talk too lofty, too artistic, it would ruin what he wanted to say.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I think it was in college. I always loved to read but I didn’t have that American dream of partying in college. I had a full-time job. You have to ask yourself, “Why am I doing this? Who do I want to be?” These are great questions to ask yourself. If you’re paying that much money, losing that much sleep, you should know why you’re doing it. And in college I finally asked myself what was I really doing?

I was going to be a lawyer. I’m an artist and that’s a big problem. I realized very quickly that I’m not made for anything that has to wear a shirt and tie. It was very disappointing for my family. I come from a very impoverished family, I don’t (explicit) pretend. My family in the US is what you call the welfare, food stamps, the section 8 housing and I still remember getting my mom’s tax records in the mail. My mom had five children and she raised us on $6,000 a year. This was in the 1980s and from this very poor background—when you have a kid that’s good in school—my family’s dream is not for me to be an artist but for me to get rich. Ask any poor person who has a kid that’s smart.

Here in the Philippines, they’d want the kid to be a politician. It’s the easiest way.

Of course, the Philippines is a very big country. In Santo Domingo, there are not that many politicians. We only have 10 million people. There’s a lot more politicians here. It’s like soccer in Brazil. This country, from the outside, its favorite sport looks to be politics and the Roman Catholic Church. You should come to the Dominican Republic, because from what I’ve seen so far, Filipinos would have no problem over there. You wouldn’t even notice you’d left. Think about how much diversity you have here. Do you think that if Santo Domingo snuck up as an island and parked itself off the coast, people here would be surprised? Filipinos can fit anywhere.

I started joking around in the short time I have been here that if you subtract Asians and put in Africans and it’s basically the same. We have certain strong similarities. Our countries have been colonized by both the Spanish and the English. I feel the similarities very strongly.

But was it your parents who wanted you to be a lawyer?

It’s too easy to put it on them but I think it’s the whole society that has a lot of stake at producing a lot of people who like money versus producing people who like art. And being a writer was my dream, I realized that, okay, if I’m going to suffer, it would be for my dream. Don’t suffer for bullshit. Suffering for another person’s dream only makes you resentful. Do you know how many adults my age who are still suffering for other people’s dreams? People who are not living their dreams—they’re miserable. I don’t want to be like that. I’m not a perfect person, I’m flawed, I make mistakes but I have one tiny advantage in that, at least I’m following my dreams. It’s all I got.

What’s the first thing you tell your students in creative writing?

Read. If you want to be a writer, you would be better served by not writing for two years and spending those two years reading.

“The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” is available in three formats (hard cover, trade paperback and mass-market paperback) in all National Book Store and Powerbooks branches.

Follow National Book Store and Powerbooks on Facebook and Twitter for contests and offers.

By Dexter R. Matilla
For the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Science complex opens in Taguig

2011-12-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

For so long, the arts have been the driving force for the city of the Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Larger-than-life pieces from some of the country’s top artistic names make up BGC’s Art Walk. With the opening of The Mind Museum at Taguig, it’s safe to say that the Arts and Sciences finally have a place all their own.

The Mind Museum was made possible through private donations from corporate sponsors, family and individual donors who believe in giving the Philippines a center for the public understanding of science, in particular science at its most basic.

“Science is all about understanding how things work,” said The Mind Museum’s managing director Manny Blas. “People need to understand the basic science. What is a cell or a DNA? What makes up the universe? How do telescopes or MRI work? If you understand the principles of science, you know how to apply it. If students can come in here and then go out and consider becoming a scientist or an engineer, then we would have done our job.”

The country’s first world-class science museum is a P1 billion project that had inputs in its planning stage from international experts like Jack Rouse and Associates and the Science Centre Singapore. Its futuristic yet organic design, however, is by a team of architects from Lor Calma & Partners headed by architect Ed Calma.

Taking into mind sustainable design, the building is given a curved roof for more efficient rain collection, slanted exterior walls to minimize the entry of sunlight, and strategic orientation to utilize the shadows of adjacent buildings.

Calma expressed his belief that The Mind Museum’s location-in a 12,500-sq-m prime lot in the JY Campos Park, 3rd Avenue—and form have an interesting place in “a sea of box buildings and it celebrates the terminus of the Bonifacio High Street Axis.”

Calma hopes that through the museum, people would see the connection between science and the Arts.

The Mind Museum, curated by Maribel Garcia, has five interactive galleries that tell a story of the different aspects of science.

The Atom Gallery has exhibit pieces that show the strange world of the very small in terms of forces and particles.

The Earth Gallery narrates the planet’s story and the changing archipelago throughout time. It includes a 3D animated film by an all-Filipino crew that features 4.6 billion years of the planet’s natural history and evolution in 12 minutes.

The Life Galley dives deep in the understanding of how life surrounds and inhabits us.

The Universe Gallery features the mysterious vastness of the universe and has a unique planetarium for a simulated star-gazing experience, all of which holds clues to where we came from and where we are going.

The Technology Gallery shows how humans, with the tools we invent and innovate, are able to express our evolutionary phases.

The Mind Museum also has an outdoor Science-in-the Park where visitors can experience playful science through four-themed pockets: Music, Math, Living and Water.

Other educational facilities include an auditorium, laboratory and classrooms, and educational workshops.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, delivering a speech by President Aquino, expressed confidence in The Mind Museum’s ability to engage more young Filipinos in taking an interest in the fields of science and technology.

“Learning is always beneficial, but it becomes especially rewarding when it has something to do with the things going on around us,” Binay said. “Learning about the world around us and appreciating its complexities teaches us, whether we are young or old, that we cannot possibly understand everything about our world, but that it is valuable to keep on and to keep widening our knowledge and understanding. The more we learn, the more we want to learn, the more we feel an attraction to the answers and further questions that lie ahead, ultimately leading us toward a brighter future. That is the promise of The Mind Museum.”

In his welcome remarks, Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc. chair Joselito Campos said the soul of Bonifacio Global City has been forever shaped by one of the greatest traditions in history-that of science.

“We built this city founded on the principle that it takes more than commerce to make a place worth the hours that we spend here,” Campos said. “Aside from giving people the pleasures of looking at artistic expressions of the human condition in our public art pieces, we wanted to recognize that people needed to also experience the priceless pleasures that come with discovery and exploration. We knew that the city would be complete and dynamic if we had both the arts and sciences make up the soul of BGC.”

The Mind Museum will formally open its doors to the public on March 1, 2012. Tickets will be priced at P600. Students will get a special price of P450 while teachers and students from public schools can avail of tickets at only P150 upon presentation of ID.

Senior citizens get a 20-percent discount while kids below three feet get in free.

Visit www.themindmuseum.org. Visits are divided by three-hour guided tour schedules: 9 a.m.-12 nn, 12 nn-3 p.m., 3 -6 p.m., and 6-9 p.m.

Art exhibit raises funds for rural and environmental development

2011-12-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

More than 40 art pieces from 17 Filipino artists have been put up for sale to help local communities in Samar and in Bohol through VSO Bahaginan’s “Art for Volunteerism” charity exhibit. VSO Bahaginan is a development organization.

“We have committed ourselves to bringing people to fight poverty with a people first strategy,” said Grace Aguiling-Dalisay of the board of trustees of VSO International during the exhibit’s formal opening at the Ayala Museum. “It is through partnerships that we have been able to come together to celebrate art for volunteerism. We showcase the key values in the different areas that we work in such as disability,education, HIV/AIDS, participation and governance.”

Sale of the art works will be used to help fund VSO Bahaginan’s Model Forest Projects in the Visayas region. The program, done in partnership with the International Model Forest Network (IMFN) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, focuses on the sustainable management of Carood Watershed in Bohol and the Ulot Watershed in Samar.

“The Model Forest project hopes to see the communities flourish, where its dwellers are committed inprotecting the environment because have experienced the benefit that it brings to them,” said Malou Pantua-Jacinto, executive director of VSO Bahaginan.

VSO Bahaginan projects include ecotourism and enterprise development, capacity-building of people’s organizations, establishment of local volunteering groups, and organizational development of the watershed councils.

Artists whose works are included are Maro Ruben Malto II, Daniel “Dansoy” Coquilla, Benjie Cabangis, Jonathan Olazo, Mervy Pueblo, Nestor Olarte Vinluan, Noell EL Farol, Zean Cabangis, Riel Jaramillo Hilario, Ferdinand Cacnio, Rosscapili, Dexter Sy, Leeroy New, Mark Justiniani, and Paolo Baen Santos.

The “Art for Volunteerism” project is supported by Globe Telecommunications, Inc., Pioneer Insurance, and American Data Exchange Corporation as well as Riego de Dios Law Offices and Voyage Studios.

Visit http://artforvolunteerism. wordpress.com.

VSO International Board of Trustees Member Grace Aguiling-Dalisay

RFM Chairman Jose Concepcion Jr. views Randy Solon's "Amore"

William Gaudinez's “The tatooed Nightmare"

Ferdie Cacnio's “Great Heights Together"

Renato Ong's “Amputated Icons 1″

Text and photos by Dexter R. Matilla

For the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robotics at the Mind Museum in Taguig

2011-12-15T17:35:00.000-08:00

Had the chance to be one of the first to wander around the Mind Museum in Taguig last night, which was graced by Vice-President Jejomar Binay and business tycoon Lucio Tan.

The Mind Museum's architectural design is by Ed Calma and 95% of the exhibits are Filipino-made. There are five galleries in all: Dance with the Atom, Leap into Life, Walk the Earth, Invade the Universe, and High on Tech.

One that certainly would be a treat to kids (I know it was for me) would be the robots. I have seen two so far: Aide and Mimo, which I would later find out was made by radio personality Joe D'Mango.

with Aide

with Mimo

Mimo playing some beats while trying to avoid hitting me

I still remember dragging my mom to the Science Centrum in U.P. Manila when I was an elementary student because I really enjoyed going there. It was where I first fell in love with the personal computer and I always looked forward to that thing that would imprint my shadow on the wall. I've always been interested in the Sciences and my frequent visits to the Science Centrum only heightened that. Hopefully, today's younger generation would find a certainly more high-tech, more impressive Mind Museum all that more interesting.

Philippine PEN vows combat vs climate change

2011-12-12T07:50:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you gather poets, playwrights, essayists and novelists in one room to tackle the issue of climate change?

You get words, lots of eloquent words.

Most of the words that overflowed during the 54th National Congress of the Philippine Center of the International PEN (Poets and Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) were expectedly foreboding, of course.

But the sense of portent was balanced by words of optimism, such as “survival.” In fact, the conference tried to balance pessimism with optimism. It was not for nothing that the theme of the congress was “Archipelagic Feasts, Tropical Disasters: The Literature of Survival.”

In his keynote speech, veteran fictionist Rony V. Diaz tackled climate change and evoked the specter of ecological collapse because European governments had not done anything about something they had recognized during the climate-change summit in Copenhagen—that the average global temperature should not rise more than 2°C above preindustrial levels by 2100, and greenhouse-gas concentrations in the atmosphere beyond 450 ppm.

“What are the likely impacts of this failure?” Diaz asked. “The most worrisome for the Philippines is the calculations of glaciologists that an increase of 2°C would hasten the melting of ice sheets in Greenland, the Arctic and West Antarctica. Together, they hold enough water that, if melted, would raise sea levels from 12 to 15 meters. Two hundred million people live within one meter of present sea levels, including eight of 10 of the world’s largest cities.”

In short, the Philippines would go under.

Diaz urged writers to use the power of the pen to urge governments to implement measures to check carbon emissions.

In one panel, fictionist in Filipino Abdon Balde Jr. offered a more practical measure—for writers to cut down on using products that contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions.

Balde said several environmental experts believed global warming was part of a 1,500-year weather cycle and that the Earth had experienced much worse during the Middle Ages when automobile had yet to be invented and oil was yet to be discovered.

But while there may be disagreements, there’s nothing wrong with taking cautionary steps so as to prevent disasters arising from climate change.

Congress resolutions

As a first step, the Philippine PEN’s 54th Congress passed a resolution calling for measures “to bring down greenhouse-gas emissions in order to stem climate change and its disastrous effects on the biosphere.”

“Taking the challenge made by writer Rony V. Diaz in his keynote address of our 2011 Congress,” said Lito B. Zulueta, Philippine PEN national secretary who drafted and read the resolution, “we are specifically monitoring the developments of the summit of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change taking place in Durban, South Africa, up to Dec. 9. We expect it to come up with specific recommendations to address climate change that we will urge governments, especially of industrialized nations with the highest greenhouse-gas emissions, to adopt and implement.

Battle plan

The resolution lays out the writers’ battle plan against climate change.

“Since the issues revolving around the issue are technical and geopolitical, beyond the immediate comprehension of laymen and non-politicians,” the resolution read, “we, as writers and artists, have the artistry and the obligation to make them immediate and compelling. Therefore, we vow to use the powers of the pen and the energy of the imagination to exalt nature and humanity, painting their interconnectedness and evoking their mutual integrity.

“Through our verses, stories, reports and reflections, we will portray the disastrous consequences of severing the symbiosis that should exist between ecology and mankind.

“Writers often pit man against nature: Nature is depicted as impersonal and ruthless; man is represented as puny and defenseless. But it is more obvious from the destruction of the environment and the worsening effects of climate change that nature is the victim and man is the victimizer. Through our writings, therefore, we will serve stern warning to people of the need to change their ways or else face annihilation.

“Through our discursive and creative writings, we will invoke the need for the restoration of the proper equation that should obtain between man and nature. In this case, we will not only produce a literature of survival, which is the theme of our 2011 Congress, but also a literature of communion.”

Other resolutions passed include one urging the release of writer and political prisoner Ericson Acosta, as well as writers abroad especially monitored by the International PEN’s Committee on Writers on Prison, in which the Philippine PEN Center holds a seat; another reiterating the speedy trial of those behind the Maguindanao massacre of 2009, in which most of the victims were journalists and writers; and still another repeating the resolution passed during the 53rd congress in which the PEN vowed to work for quality literature education by organizing seminar-workshops on literature pedagogy across the country.

Panel discussions

The panel discussions, which the PEN has pioneered, were, as always, very engaging.

“I was able to attend the second day only,” said one observer, “but I must say that you had amazing panelists, and the topic was so interesting and inspiring! In fact, I am now thinking of trying eco-poetry, and it’s so timely because I recently came from an out-of-town trip and experienced nature.”

Panel topics and their writer-discussants were:

Apocalyptic Literature: Disaster and Imagination—Karina Bolasco, Antonio Enriquez, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, John Iremil Teodoro;

Landscape and Personal Poetics—Nicolas Pichay, Marne Kilates, Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Marra Lanot, Joel Toledo;

Surviving Calamities: History and Preservation—Malou Jacob, Rosario Cruz-Lucero, Victor Peñaranda, Luna Sicat-Cleto;

Ecology in the Writings from the Regions—Juliet Mallari, Abdon Balde Jr., Glenn Sevilla Mas, Susan Evangelista, Frank Peñones;

Literature in Distress and Popular Media: Ramón Sunico, Charlie Veric, Rolando Tolentino, Gary Devilles, Leonard Ryan Cervantes;

Feasts and Famine—Carla Pacis, Ricardo Soler, Merlie Alunan, Alma Anonas-Carpio, Yvette Tan.

The José Rizal lecture was delivered by historian and Inquirer columnist Ambeth Ocampo, who discussed historic icons and images in Philippine currency.

“One could say that banknotes were a form of public history, or a document that expressed a given historical past as understood by the monetary authority,” Ocampo said. “The use of historical figures or events on a banknote is an attempt to connect past and present to achieve relevance for the end user….

“Next time you open your wallet, take time to study the details in the banknotes, reflect on the reasons for the design, and you will never look at money the same way again.”

Birthday boys, bawdy jokes

Before the congress closed, birthday cakes were brought out for Diaz and F. Sionil José, Philippine PEN founder and National Artist for Literature, who were celebrating their birthdays Dec. 2 and 3, respectively.

The seriousness of the conference was also alleviated during the traditional PEN Solidarity Dinner, which featured readings, mostly humorous, by PEN members.

Fictionist and caterer Ricardo Soler cracked bawdy jokes and delivered double entendres. José made rambunctious Iloko jokes. Ditto with Abdon Balde Jr.

Young Bicol-based poet Kristian Cordero recited eloquent verses. Fictionist Charlson Ong displayed his vocal dexterity and betrayed his videoke addiction.

The dinner at Dencio’s in Harbor View across CCP also saw the launch of Mindanao-based fictionist Antonio Enriquez’s new novel, “The Survivors,” published by the UST Publishing House.

The dinner was hosted by the Varsitarian, the official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas, especially since the PEN elders—José and National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, who’s chair of the organization—are Varsitarian alumni. The Varsitarian said it hosted the dinner in connection with the 400th anniversary of UST this year.

As was expected from a gig hosted by the Varsitarian, food and beer flowed freely, the better for the poets and writers of the PEN to summon their imaginative energies to exalt nature and fight climate change.

The 2011 Philippine PEN Congress was sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Anvil Publishing, Asia Foundation, Ateneo de Manila University, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. of the House of Representatives, CCP, De la Salle University, Far Eastern University, Saul Hofilena, Hyun Mo Park of the United Korean Community Association in the Philippines, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., SM and the UST Varsitarian.

Text and photos by Dexter R. Matilla
For the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Can Tennis Still Evolve?

2011-12-08T22:09:00.000-08:00

Well, the competition and scheduling at least. Because I just watched the deciding match of the Davis Cup 2011 Final in Seville, Spain where the host country's Rafael Nadal beat Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (0) and something about what happened after the match struck me.

After Rafa hits the down the line forehand winner and falls on his back, we see his teammates rush towards him in jubilation. And then we see Del Potro waiting at the net for the compulsory handshake but the Argentinian was obviously holding back tears and as soon as Rafa comes up to him, he just buries his face on his opponent's shoulder.

That much emotion made me realize just how much the Davis Cup tournament means to these players. While I've heard players say that winning even just one Grand Slam tournament validates their professional careers, I almost never see them choke up and cry when they lose. The only ones in the men's tour I've seen since I started watching five years ago are Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, and Rafa and they are all Grand Slam champions. Even Del Potro, already a US Open Champion, was a surprise.

Del Potro's breakdown was a very telling image because a victory by him would have given Argentina a chance to play for an all-or-nothing fifth match that would have seen his teammate David Nalbandian face Spain's David Ferrer. But as it happened, Argentina is now a four-time runner-up and will have to wait another year before they can win their first ever Davis Cup, a tournament that began in 1900.

Clearly, a lot was weighing down on Del Potro and the bagel he got from Rafa in the fourth-set tiebreaker probably made matters worse. It then made me think, would it be possible for the ATP to restructure its tournament schedule and add more Davis Cup- or Hopman Cup-type tournaments and cut down on the existing format that crowns at least one singles champion and one doubles champion.

The obvious answer is no, at least not in a few years because if anybody in the ATP tour does recommend this, it will take a long time of planning before it is implemented. But consider the positives that would come out of this:

a team competition tournament will still see our favorite players in singles and doubles action but it will add more excitement and drama because every win becomes all the more important since they are playing for others (meaning teammates and country) and not just for themselves
we the fans will root for them more and if given enough coverage, it should attract new fans who might just even be interested to fill up the seats at tournament venues (unless it's Rafa, Federer, Novak Djokovic, or even Murray playing, who would go pay for a day ticket to watch just one match?)
countries not in the World Group will strive more to make it there so that they could at least get some air time
and perhaps even more importantly, the players will no longer have reason to complain about the tiring schedule.

The only viable reason why I think Grand Slams and Masters Tournaments are given much emphasis is because of the ATP ranking points the players get from these.

As you can see, the points differential is quite wide considering everything. But what if by participating in the Davis Cup and playing for your country, you can likewise get the same points you'd get if you win even just a Masters Tournament? And this is the tournament where you get the loudest cheers from a crowd that's rooting for every point you win.

Del Potro cried for Argentina and I'm not saying that the players start crying after every loss for us fans to feel for them and see that a certain tournament means the world to them. But perhaps it is time for tennis, a sport that has gone through so many changes (from the racquets to the balls, the clothes, and the surfaces) to evolve once more for the world to see just what makes it the most challenging--physically, mentally, and emotionally--game to play.

Tennis 2012: Nike vs Adidas

2011-12-05T20:45:00.000-08:00

I love playing tennis. And I love all the more to have the latest kicks that my favorite players use on the court. So since I'm a Federer and Nadal fan, that means Nike. But I've always wanted to get myself a pair of Adidas Barricades. This year came close as I really liked the design of the Barricade 6. When I tried it out however, it was too narrow for me since I have wide feet. So yeah, this year, I didn't buy a single tennis shoe. Unlike last year when I bought three different colorways of Nadal's Courtballistec 2.3 and a Zoom Vapor Club.

Next year might just see me picking up my first Barricade with the seventh version of the very successful Adidas model.

I have no idea yet of the tech in the Barricade 7 but I heard that it's a bit wider than the 6 so that should be a plus.

Nike, meanwhile, will continue the signature shoe line of Federer and Nadal. I also didn't buy Federer's Zoom Vapor 8 because I felt it's such a joke that the man endorsing that particular model doesn't even wear it (except during a short period in the early part of 2011) and chooses to go with the Vapor 6 instead. By the way, if you're listening Nike, there's a clamor for a re-issue of the Vapor 6. I have one (a lucky find during a visit to Hong Kong last year) and I wouldn't mind getting more pairs. Here is the Zoom Vapor 9:

At first I thought it looked like a running shoe but slowly, it's starting to grow on me.

Meanwhile, here's Nadal's Courtballistec 4.3:

An obvious pass.

So which of these are you most looking forward to?

REVIEW: Asus Transformer (minus the keyboard dock)

2011-12-05T19:30:00.000-08:00

The Asus Transformer that I received didn’t come with the keyboard dock so I’ll be talking about the tablet only. Physically, this tablet is a thing of beauty. Maybe it’s because metallic brown has always looked good in my eyes.

The Transformer is much lighter compared to the Asus Slate EP121 we reviewed previously and at 1.49 lbs, I’ve had no problem using this one-handed.

The IPS panel has a wide 178 degree viewing angle and the screen is really impressive in that even under direct sunlight, I was still able to read text off of it.

Another thing that impressed me is that despite the fact that the Transformer didn’t come with a sleeve or any covering to protect it from daily abuse, the glass and the back casing remained scratch-free. And I put the Transformer through a lot of “putting in” and “taking out” of my messenger bag.

On the left side of the Transformer are the Power and Volume buttons. I’ve read that there are some that come with slots for SIM cards but mine didn’t.

On the underside, there’s the 40 pin connector port where you connect it to the keyboard dock, to your PC for data sync, or to the adapter for charging. This is where I had problems with the Transformer. I don’t know if it’s just a mechanical defect on this particular unit but the adapter didn’t charge the way one would expect it to. I always had to do that thing where you adjust the adapter’s position while plugged into the power socket before it would start charging.

On the right, you will find a 3.5mm audio jack, a mini-HDMI slot, and a microSD card slot in case you need the additional storage.

There are two cameras: a front-facing 1.2MP camera and a 5MP camera in the back, which under bright lights or on a bright sunny day, can produce really good pictures. As for the front-facing camera, there’s not much to expect here.

On a full single charge, the Transformer gave me less than the advertised 10 hours battery life. But hey, I was playing free Android games from the market most of the time, watching videos on YouTube, and I was browsing a lot.

The web browser that came with the Transformer is a lot less to be desired. There were times when I would open multiple tabs—around 5 or 6 at the most—and then the browser would just shut down. I was forced to find other web browsers in the Android Market such as Dolphin and Skyfire but even those two had me going back to the browser, which I think is named simply “Browser.”

One really cool app that I think works best in the Transformer is the PressReader where you can download the day’s latest issue of your favorite newspaper. The touchscreen was very responsive and fast.

Sound quality from the Transformer is medium at best. I wish audio from the speaker was louder but hey, that’s the reason for the 3.5mm audio jack. Plug in your headset and you’re ready to go.

Minus the browser shutting down and the problem with the charger (which I’m hoping is an isolated case), the Asus Transformer is a really well-built tablet. I could see myself using it a lot for reading, playing two-player games, and web browsing. Of course the experience might be a lot more complete with the keyboard, which is said to increase the batter life when the tablet is docked. The keyboard also has two USB 2.0 slots and an SD card reader.

Holiday shopping tips from Google Chrome

2011-12-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

Shopping around Christmas time is always a hassle especially if you don't know where and how to start. Sure, you may get to buy gifts for loved ones but if you're like me, you might unintentionally forget to get an item or two; you may spend more on transportation than intended because of going back and forth to different shopping locations; you may miss out on a sweet deal.

Today, Google Chrome offers some tools that should make your Christmas shopping easier and faster. Try these handy apps and extensions out and celebrate this season hassle-free:

Start a list in Springpad and sync it to your phone. Spice up your Christmas shopping list by adding photos and description to each of the item. When you’re ready to head to the malls to shop, access your list via your Android phone for easy reference.

Use Google Maps to plan your shopping route. Have more than one mall to hit? Use Google Maps to check out and plan your route for maximize your time (and petrol!) spent. Or do you have long shopping list and need to find good bargains? Why not try shopping at bazaars? Use Google Maps to find out how you can drive to St. James the Great Bazaar in Alabang from Divisoria, Manila to maximize your peso this Christmas season.

Shopping online? Ensure the safety and reliability of the website with WOT. Based on reviews from millions of users around the world, the nifty little Chrome extension, Web of Trust (or WOT) helps you screen the websites you’re visiting to ensure a safe and secure online shopping experience.

Hunting for good deals online? Try the eBay Chrome extension. Stay on top of your shopping list with the eBay Chrome extension, which lets you monitor your bids any time you’re online.

Compare prices in Amazon and eBay with the Shopping Assistant. Online shopping is about finding the best deal possible and with this extension, you can compare products and prices available on Amazon and eBay, to get the best price possible.

Shopping for a music enthusiast? Head to Terno Recordings. Have a friend who loves Indie music? The Terno Recordings Chrome app has merchandise of bands like French indie pop band Tahiti80, who performed for the indie label’s 10th year anniversary. The store also sells its artists’ songs and albums, so you won’t run out of ideas for Christmas gifts for your music loving friends.

Need to buy more music? Try Pinoytuner Chrome app. Buy music for as low as P1 in Pinoytuner’s Chrome app store by installing the app in your Google Chrome web browser. Oh and did I mention? They have some pretty cool merchandise for your musically-inclined friends too!

Shopping on international websites? There’s no need for you to manually calculate the exchange rates with XE Currency Converter. Need to buy something in Europe or the US? This Chrome extension removes the need for you to find the latest exchange rates and calculate prices in your currency. The XE Currency Converter shows the updated rates for a number of currencies, including the Philippine Peso, and does all the work for you in a jiffy.

Keep up with the latest book releases with the Any New Books Chrome app. Your bookworm friends will be delighted when you whip out the latest bestsellers as gifts. Keep yourself up to date Any New Books and beef up your Christmas shopping list.

Factor in the opinion of experts and friends. Need to know if the 50% discounted plasma TV in eBay is worth the peso? Get advice from both experts and friends with HipSnip Shopper, a Chrome app that lets you clip URLs, images, and text lists of products, so you can get opinions and recommendations easily.

BOUGHT: LG 37 inch LK450, first impressions (updated Dec 8 2011)

2011-12-04T14:35:00.000-08:00

After a couple of months of doing research and going around malls, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a new LCD and it is the LG 37 inch LK450.

I made the purchase at Anson's in Alabang Town Center yesterday (December 4) and I'm loving everything about the unit so far.

Just a quick info on the specs, it's full 1080 HD already, has three HDMI slots, a USB port, Smart Energy Saving feature, and an impressive built-in speaker. Even deciding which bundle to get (or if I should get one) played a huge factor in my research. Thankfully, the audio of the LK450 is already impressive that I passed on getting a home theater system.

Another important feature for me is that it plays various media formats: .mkv, .avi, .mov and of course it can read .jpg and .mp3 files.

As I have seven days to check for any defect (so I can return it to the store if ever I encounter one) I'll try to update this post everyday for one week.

And as you can see, picture quality of this one is really good. I have yet to tinker around with the video settings so hopefully, I can provide a good setup soon.

Scene from Lust, Caution

Day 2 - Still tinkering around with the settings. Played a couple of movies and I keep getting surprised at how good the picture quality of this LCD has been. Audio is still better than I expected. And, just to put this out there, when I was screwing the base stand and attaching the unit into it, I was kind of worried that it may not be able to support the weight, but so far, it is still holding up.

Day 3 - Working well as of the moment. But I would just like to post pics of this unit's GUI (graphical user interface). I really find it nice compared to that of other brands.

REDvolution 2011

2011-11-29T21:04:00.000-08:00

When I celebrated my birthday last June at the Manila Peninsula, I was dressed like a Miami Vice character--white Nike Federer jacket over my only decent red polo at the time and white pants. Yep, not a damb was given that day.

I really wanted to wear red the entire week but when I looked into my closet, I realized I didn't have any other decent red collared shirts or long sleeves. That's when I decided I'd add at least two more red items into my collection.

But then I got to travel and as usual, I couldn't help shopping and eventually, I found myself getting more than enough red apparel to last me the year and maybe until the Mayan prediction comes true--if it ever does.

So far, here are my recent red purchases in the past few months:

I just love this long-sleeved shirt from Solo. I know it's more fuchsia than red but...

got this in one of the stores in Hong Kong

this one, actually in one of the tiangges in Hong Kong

bought this at a Fila store in Shanghai. I was actually looking for the classic Bjorn Borg tennis shirt

but of course, finding that shirt is like finding a needle...

red zip-up from Uniqlo and red Lacoste high-tops both from Shanghai

(what Beiber haircut? I had this haircut five years ago!)

Nike RF cap

Nike RF polo

red Nike Free trainer

So yeah, hopefully I'm done buying clothes for the year. Already gave out a few and I'm still clearing it for next year so I have enough space for the H&M collection which, after the Versace tie-up, I hear will be a collaboration with vanguard Thom Browne. (oh, have mercy!)

Australian gov’t supports Sagada potters

2011-11-28T04:54:00.000-08:00

Pottery rarely takes the spotlight on the Philippine art scene, except for a few galleries that highlight the value and solemnity of this intricate art form.

Art Informal, a gallery leading on the promotion of pottery in the Philippines, is again partnering with the Australian Embassy, Cav Wine Shop-Café, and Wine Depot for “Ub Ubbo 2011,” an exhibition of artworks by contemporary potters.

Distinctively made stoneware by indigenous Sagada potters Teresita Baldo, Siegrid Bangyay, Lope Bosaing and Jesse Degay, and Putik Potters Association of the Philippines (PPAP) members Pablo Capati III, Joey de Castro, Jo Geraldo, and Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn are on display at Cav Wine Shop-Café until Nov. 29.

“This exhibit enables Sagada potters to develop their art, bring it to Manila, and expose their products to a wider audience, and I guess it’s safe to say, that it has developed quite a cult following,” Australian Embassy deputy head of mission Andrew Byrne said.

The Australian Embassy, he added, provides “a small injection of funds and capital” to provide Sagada artists with the tools they need to unleash their social and economic potential.

“It’s really rewarding for us to see that happening now,” Byrne said.

Byrne is pleased that promoting the works of Sagada potters has also fostered links between them and the Aborigine potters of Australia.

A joint exhibit at Vargas Museum will be the culmination of a project that began in 2009 when the Australian Embassy’s Direct Aid Program (DAP) donated a quarter of a million pesos as initial fund for a pottery training center in Sagada.

Kiln project

Through the efforts of visiting Australian artist Sean Cassidy, the project— Sagada Kiln Project—aims to preserve Sagada’s ancient pottery tradition. In the past five years, DAP has already provided P6 million to support income-generating initiatives of indigenous people in the Philippines.

Bosaing said there were seven active potters in Sagada, but the training center, with its own wood-fired kiln, was opening its doors to local and foreign tourists who wanted to learn pottery.

“I feel it’s an accomplishment that collectors are now seeing the value of pottery,” Art Informal’s Tina Fernandez said. “Art Informal’s role is to let collectors, who spend millions on artworks, paintings, sculptures by famous artists, know the value of the pieces. You just have to bite the bullet. Sometimes the more fragile something is, the more beautiful it is, thus, you have to care more for it.”

Visit www.philippines.embassy.gov.au.

E-mail the author at dextermatilla@gmail.com or visit his blog at www.thedxmatillashow.blogspot.com.

Text and photos by Dexter R. Matilla

For the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ringing of Martyrs’ Carillon to open 2012 UST Christmas Concert Gala

2011-11-28T00:19:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of the University of Santo Tomas

Renowned pianist and Cultural Center of the Philippines president Raul Sunico will ring the bells of the UST Martyrs’ Carillon to open the 2012 University of Santo Tomas (UST) Christmas Concert Gala on Dec. 1, 7 p.m., at the UST Santisimo Rosario Parish Church.

Now on its ninth staging, the UST Christmas Concert Gala will again feature homegrown talents, such as soprano Rachelle Gerodias; Korean soprano and UST Conservatory of Music alumna Sim Sung-Hye; tenors Lemuel de la Cruz, Eugene de los Santos and Ronan Ferrer; and baritone Andrew Fernando.

Other performers are Patrick Packay, Nenen Espina, Thea Perez, Naomi Sison and Archie Lacorte.

Joining them are choral groups led by the internationally multi-awarded UST Singers. Other choral groups are Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon and Conservatory Chorus Class.

The UST Symphony Orchestra, under conductor Herminigildo Ranera, will accompany the performers.

Sunico, also dean of the UST Conservatory of Music, will ring in the night’s celebration by playing the carillon bells of the UST Church.

The bells have been installed in front of the UST Church and Fathers Residence in connection with the 400th anniversary this year of UST. They are a memorial to the 18 beatified martyrs associated with UST, including San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, who was a member of a Dominican Marian confraternity and who was executed in Japan with several Dominican missionaries in the 17th century.

The repertoire: Medley of Filipino Christmas Songs; G. Caccini’s “Ave Maria;” P. A. Yon’s “Gesu Bambino;” G. Rossini’s “Air et Choer Inflammatus;” and “Salamat Maria.”

At the end of the concert, the UST Symphony Orchestra and performers will lead the audience in the singing of “The First Noel,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit.”

As in previous years, the night will be filled with traditional Christmas classics. The concert has been looked forward to not just by Thomasians but also by the business community, as well as the Who’s Who in Philippine society.

Leading presenters are the Belo Medical Group and San Miguel Corp.

UST Rector Magnificus Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., will lead the UST community in welcoming the guests.

The Christmas Concert Gala began in 2003 when UST Museum director and then UST secretary-general Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P., envisioned a musical concert that would bring together world-class Thomasian talents who would perform for UST students, faculty, alumni, friends and benefactors.

“We hope that this becomes the best of the Christmas Concert Gala series,” Father Abaño, who chairs the event with art patroness Maricris Zobel, said. “We consider this as the apex of the Christmas celebrations as it is UST’s way of opening the holiday season.”

The Dec. 1 gala is strictly invitational, but the preview concert on Nov. 30 is open to the public.

The concert helps raise funds for UST’s heritage-conservation efforts and the Conservatory of Music’s Scholarship Fund.

Father Abaño, who also chairs the UST Committee for Quadricentennial Special Projects, said other activities to look forward to in December at the Pontifical University would be the visit of Our Lady of the La Naval; the blessing of the Rosarium or Rosary Garden; and the traditional Paskuhan.

By Dexter R. Matilla

For the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Two new Sony Ericsson Xperia smartphones enhance visual-aural pleasure

2011-11-27T23:54:00.000-08:00

Sony Ericsson Philippines recently launched the Xperia Arc S and Xperia Neo V, two new handsets expected to help the mobile phone company in further establishing its Android leadership on the Philippine market.

“With the Xperia range of handsets, our proposition is that it is the most entertaining smartphone,” said Dennis Manzano, Sony Ericsson Philippines general manager. “It will set the platform for an even more exciting experience because Xperia Android handsets do more. The ‘Sony-ness’ of our phones sets us apart from the other manufacturers. ”

Manzano said it was their close collaboration with Sony that had allowed SE to be first-on-the-market in areas such as mobile imaging, gaming and entertainment.

He said they would continue to leverage on Sony technology to create unique smartphone experiences for their consumers.

The unique Sony touch applied onto every SE handset is all the more evident in the Xperia Arc S and Xperia Neo V, both powered by the latest Android version (Gingerbread 2.3.4).

Both devices bear Sony technological innovations such as Reality Display with Mobile Bravia Engine; Exmor R for mobile image sensor; 3D Sweep Panorama; and xLOUD.

Baguio snapshots

During a presentation to media at Baguio Country Club, Sony Ericsson Philippines product marketing manager Vince de la Cruz showed the capability of the Xperia Arc S.

“We have gone beyond the goal of having the brightest screen,” De la Cruz said. “Our Mobile Bravia Engine technology is all about giving consumers better picture with its noise-reduction capability; its ability to enhance the sharpness of the images and video; as well as give excellent contrast.”

Borrowing from the Sony Alpha cameras, SE has also fitted Exmor R sensors into their mobile-phonecameras. De la Cruz explained this enabled SE handsets to work well even in low-light situations due to the bigger aperture, thus, more light getting in.

For audiophiles, there is xLoud technology, which can be toggled on to enhance each handset’s already impressive speakers.

“We have one of the clearest and loudest speakers in mobile handsets,” De la Cruz said.

A new feature unique to the Xperia handsets is the 3D Sweep Panorama, which allows users to take a 180-degree sweep of his environment while the handset takes a continuous shot of images and stitches them together. The resulting image can then be viewed in 3D by connecting the phone to a 3D TV via HDMI.

Camera Phone of the Year

Another exclusive to all Xperia handsets is Facebook Inside, which integrates the social networking site right into the SE device.

“Most phones today have a Facebook app but we believe Sony Ericsson has better integration among other devices in terms of FB capability,” De la Cruz said.

“Most phones have a gallery of the shots taken using their phone. But in my gallery, I can see via WiFi connection all the new photo uploads from my friends and photos where I have been tagged, as well as videos and music that my friends have posted on their walls. These photos are not on my phone but on the Facebook server.”

An added value for all SE handset users is that all 2011 models will be upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of Android’s operating system.

“If you buy an SE handset this year, you are assured of having the latest technology in 2012,” De la Cruz said.

The Xperia Arc S was named European Camera Phone 2011-2012 by the European Imaging and Sound Association.

It boasts of a 1.4 GHz processor which allows the smartphone to convert media and start up its 8.1MP camera 25 percent faster. It also has a 20 percent faster webpage rendering.

The Neo V lets users optimize their video-call experience with apps such as Google Talk with Video Chat and Skype. It has a front-facing camera with HD video recording and a slew of other features, such as 3D games, SE music player and FM radio.

The Xperia Arc S is available for P23,990. The Neo V is priced at P15,490.

Text and photos by Dexter R. Matilla

Images taken using the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S

For the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Is it December already? vol. Twilight

2011-11-22T07:57:00.000-08:00

Either good news for fans of pale skins and sleep-inducing films or bad news for the rest of us.

Yesterday I took this pic of the movie schedule at the SM Mall of Asia. Guess SM Cinemas won't be getting a cent from me this week.

Made me think how, every year during the Metro Manila Film Fest, I'd dread going to the malls because all films would be nothing but rehashed stories of parts 7 and 8 of movies from a decade a go. MMFF is certainly no Cinemalaya but at least my sense of Pinoy pride enables me to watch at least one film with the hope that I would be pleasantly surprised. With Twilight, I gave it a chance when I saw New Moon and I fell asleep inside the cinema halfway through the film! My head was screaming, "why is he sparkling??!" and "why does he randomly appear in smoke form while talking to that girl??"

Anyway, I was all the more surprised that Breaking Dawn is broken down into two parts. Oh well, as long as someone's buying...

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S review: a whole lotta Sexy

2011-11-21T22:07:00.000-08:00

Sony Ericsson Philippines launched recently two new handsets, the Neo V and the upgrade to its flagship Xperia model, the Arc S which I will be talking about in this post.

Physically, it's the same as the original Arc except for a couple of cool new features including a faster processor, integrated Facebook Inside, AND it gives you the ability to take 3D pictures that you could blow up onto your large-screen 3D LCD/LED/Plasma and view, of course, in 3D if you have the glasses.

I won't get too technical--because just like when I'm writing about art, I don't see the need for writing hifalutin words to make it appear like you know what you're talking about--but if you're thinking of getting an Android phone and the SE Arc S is one of your options, here's what you need to know:

- it's fast. really. going through panels and apps is very fluid.

- the camera is really great for a mobile phone. recording videos even in low light is now possible thanks to the Arc's Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor.

- if you're a Facebook nut, you'll enjoy Facebook Inside, which lets you see, among other things, your friends pictures and videos without even opening an app. Facebook is integrated into your phone!

- it runs 3D games really well.

- my only gripe with it is the on-screen keyboard which is sometimes difficult to use when texting. For me at least, the keys could have been made a little bit bigger.

- and... it's cheaper than the original Arc! what?? yes. (but I'll have to confirm the SRP first before I can post it)

I'm really impressed with the imaging capability of the Arc S and every now and then, I'll try to post outdoor pics taken with the Arc S and post it here in my blog. But for now, here are two unedited macro shots I took using the phone.

Impressive, eh?

Photos and graphics by Dexter R. Matilla

Christmas lanterns lighten the mood at the Cultural Center of the Philippines

2011-11-14T06:28:00.000-08:00

If the mood around the Cultural Center of the Philippines appears brighter this time of the year, it’s probably because of the 50 new white lanterns that surround its façade.

Designed by CCP’s chief of production design Eric Cruz, the lanterns came all the way from San Fernando in Pampanga, a city that has earned acclaim as the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines” thanks to its rich history of lanterns that go all the way back to the early 1900s.

The lanterns were made in the home of Ernesto David Quiwa, a Fernandino who has made a living out of making lanterns ever since he first learned to make one in his youth.

A fourth-generation descendant of Fransico Estanislao—acknowledged as the pioneer of lantern making in San Fernando—Quiwa is well-known for his giant lanterns that range from 1-20 feet in diameter. Lanterns of that size usually use up to 6,000 light bulbs. Quiwa’s giant lanterns have been seen in other countries including Spain, the United States of America, and Japan.

But for CCP’s starburst lanterns, the design called for simplicity, which according to Cruz complements the building’s exteriors. Each lantern is eight feet in diameter and has 64 bulbs with eight flicker circuits.

The lanterns are built to last and are expected to be the main decoration for the CCP in the next three years. As for the number 50, Cruz says that there’s no particular reason why except for budget constraints since they had initially hoped for more lanterns.

In a year that was defined by the controversy surrounding an art exhibit that earned the ire of the religious community, the CCP at least now has something else to show off that would likewise serve as a symbol of hope for a better year in 2012.

The lanterns will be lit from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. during this year’s Simbang Gabi. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, it will be on from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and will continue to be lit until Jan. 8, 2012.

E-mail the author at dextermatilla@gmail.com.

Text and photos by Dexter R. Matilla
For the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Review: Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc

2011-11-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

All aboard the Xperia Arc

By Dexter R. Matilla

IF I were to go through my mobile phone history since the beginning of the 21^st century, the percentage would be overwhelmingly in favour of Sony Ericsson. Just like everyone I knew, I started with Nokia and the 5110 was my first mobile phone. I’ve made the upgrade every 18months or so until there were so many models that eventually, I took the risk on the Sony Ericsson w900i. My friends knew how much I loved that phone and the next thing I know, they were also making the switch to SE, with one even buying the same model that I have. Since then, I’ve had the w850i, the w960, and the Xperia1.

I’m an iPhone nerd now but like an old friend wanting to relive past memories, SE made me take notice once more with the 2.3 Gingerbread running Xperia Arc. When first launched early this year, I was immediately surprised when the first time I laid eyes on the Arc, showing off pictures and videos taken by the phone with impressive detail and quality and displayed on the HDTV screen via HDMI.

Eventually, I’d learn that this is due to the Sony Exmor R for mobile that lets the phone capture photos and videos with its 8.1 megapixel and even in low-light situations. Closer inspection of the phone would reveal its 4.2 multi-touch Reality Display screen powered by the Mobile Bravia Engine, a first for any smartphone. I’ve had several chances to play with the Arc’s camera and I really was impressed with the pictures I was able to take especially during sunny days.

The Arc is very sleek and is curved slightly in the back, hence the name. The material is made well enough of a shiny plastic-like material with a chrome finish. Seeing as how thin the Arc is, my initial worry was that I might break it in half easily. It is also very light at 4.1oz but thankfully, as past experiences with SE phones go, this one appears solidly built and it even withstood a few raindrops.

The Arc only has one port on the left, for the headset that comes with the package. On top are the power buttons and the HDMI port while on the right are the slot for the charger and USB cable, the volume controls, and the camera key. The front of the Arc has three physical buttons: Back, Home, and Menu. The Menu button was a little tricky, well at least for me, at the start. When I launched the Facebook app, it took me a couple of minutes to figure out how to sign out—and that was to press the Menu button which would bring up options for me to do, including logging off.

But as I would soon discover, getting updates is really very easy with the Timescape feature of the Arc. At first, I’d only use the Timescape to check for new messages or missed calls as it’s as easy as swiping on the screen up and down. Eventually, I’d learn to sync my social networking sites and soon Timescape would also include Facebook and Twitter updates. My only problem is that if I get too many updates at one time, I can’t seem to check everything anymore and I ended up using the dedicated apps instead.

It’s a good thing though that the Arc’s user interface is very responsive and shifting from one panel to another is very smooth thanks to the Qualcomm MSM 8255 1GHZ Snapdragon processor. Downloading apps from the Android Market is also fairly easy and in no time, I had filled up the Arc with a few free games including 3D ones that are again, very smooth. Sound quality also very nice whether playing videos, mp3s, and even voice calls on loudspeaker mode.

Android is trailing iOS in terms of number of users and in the Philippines it's no different. If it wants to get a big chunk of the market, Android needs a powerful vessel to show off what it can offer and I'm confident enough to say that the Xperia Arc might just fit the billing. (SRP P29,990)

For a quick review on the new Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S, check out my post: http://thedxmatillashow.blogspot.com/2011/11/sony-ericsson-xperia-arc-s-whole-lotta.html