ShekinahPhotoDiary

When I had a chance to visit Manila Central Post Office, I...

Sat, 04 May 2013 21:47:00 +0800

When I had a chance to visit Manila Central Post Office, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I mean, I know it’s a place for mails and or postal services. But I didn’t know that there are really stamp collectors who are actively joining campaigns and exhibitions and keep updating their collections inside our post office. There were foreigners and locals checking and asking for their postage specialty. Some brought their notebooks or iPads. I must say, these people (photo above) are passionate philatelists.

Got a little confused about what I’m saying? Actually, I got this white leaflet and I’d like to share it with you guys.

What is Philately?

It is the art of stamp collecting. Considered as “world’s most fascinating hobby,” it is from the Greek words Philos(friends) and Atalei(exempt from charge). Through philately, one learns of a country’s history, art, culture and industry as depicted in special definitive and commemorative stamps.

Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club

In 1994, five collectors boldly formed the Manila Stamp Collectors’ Club to cater and develop beginners and seasoned collectors. The name was later changed to what it is today in 1999. Since then, activities stepped up with the Postal History Walking Tour, starting even earlier on. Members garnered international awards and conducts regular monthly auctions, meetings, stamp exhibitions and contests.

It is now a member of the Philippine Philatelic Federation which acts as an umbrella body for stamp clubs in the Philippines to promote and represent the country in competitions abroad.

Trivia

World’s Most Expensive Stamp: Sweden’s 1855, 3 skilling yellow fetched 1996 for Sfr2.5 million or (US$2.27 million). 1856 British Guiana 1 cent black on magenta issue fetched US$935,000.00 in 18=980.

World’s Most Expensive Cover: A used envelop from Mauritius bearing both the 1d and 2d. It is also the 2 earliest stamps of Mauritius which fetched for US$3.8 million.

World’s Smallest Stamp: 10c and 1Peso Colombian State of Bolivar, 0.31”x 0.37”.

World’s First Self-adhesive Stamp was issued by Sierra Leone on February, 1964

King George V of England and President Franklin D. Roosevelt were both prolific collectors who posses vast accumulations of rare stamps issues.

World’s Most Popular Error: USA’s Inverted Jenny with a nice inverted print of the Curtiss Jenny plane on the center of the stamp.

World’s 1st Fauna on Stamps: Canada’s 1861 beaver

Amazing, isn’t? So historic. Back to the visitation, I was stunned when I saw those stamps. I bought some of it.. stamps of different countries’ costume, which are so affordable. Thank God, I checked my money. If not, maybe, I would not be able to go home. Haha

If you guys want to join their club, you can contact Mrs. Josefina T. Cura, from Monday to Saturday, 1pm to 5pm at 735-5001 or send a mail to P.O. Box, 2986 Manila.

Visit their links:

http://philfaunaonstamps.webs.com

http://theipps.info

http:/spm.org.sg/coverstory/index.html

http://youthtrip.org

(c) Manila Central Post Office 1834, Manila was the first postal...

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:21:00 +0800

1834, Manila was the first postal service in Asia
President Emilio Aguinaldo ordered the formation of this postal service for Filipinos
Designed by Juan M. Arellano
Built in neoclassical style in 1926
Destroyed in World War II
Rebuilt in 1946

Wine, Dine and Chill at The Wine Bar Whether alone or hitting...

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:28:59 +0800

Wine, Dine and Chill at The Wine Bar

Whether alone or hitting the town with your fellow closest gourmands, selecting a bottle of wine to accompany your feast can seem daunting if one feels they lack pairing know-how. Not at The Wine Bar at the 1771 El Pueblo, where the restaurant not only caters to foodies and wine lovers, but also to those who aim to understand the art of wine pairing.

A member of the 1771 Group of Restaurants in El Pueblo Ortigas, The Wine Bar is a gem for those who find comfort in intimate wine and dine experience. Sleek, masculine and inspired from the sophisticated bars of Soho, New York, the venue is built with personalized spaces, comfortable nooks and private rooms that are perfect for intimate get together. With an intriguing Wine Cellar housing over 300 top quality wine choices from all over the world reserved from the enomatic dispenser with theme that varies monthly, take your pick by the glass or decide together with the in-house sommelier Cecille Mauricio. A rare feature of a restaurant outside the hotel, The Wine Bar offers endless wine and food choices coupled with a superior service that anyone can count on.

The charming wine and dine concept of WB 1771 also offers private event spaces which can accommodate up to 120 persons, perfect for intimate social events such as wedding receptions or even JS proms. For smaller parties that need privacy, The Wine Bar features private areas that can be converted into smaller private room good for 6 to 25 persons. Boasting the same convenience of a hotel function space but in a more relaxed and intimate ambience, explore The Wine Bar function spaces if the goal is to celebrate with ease and elegance.

With choicest wine selections, gourmet food on the menu that’s matched with the allure of its architecture, it’s simply a venue to celebrate life’s precious moments. Aside from its chart-topping wines, tasty and filling bites such as oyster Rockefeller (P550net),Grilled Angus Striploin (P1400 net) or the Oyster Rockefeller (P550 net) or the signature Wine Burger Bar(P410 net) can just take off the treat, whether you’re visiting for the wines or food.Selecting a wine that matches with what’s on the plate not only can make for interesting variations and interplay, The Wine Bar‘s ambiance offers a chill out treat that’s conducive for catching up with people who matters most or simply savoring a recharging moment by yourself in a lavish and charming setting.

Café 1771 is located at 1771 El Pueblo, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Operating hours from Monday to Friday is 6 pm to 11pm. For inquiries, call 631-7340/470-6559/0917-8660442. The Wine Bar is a member of the 1771 Group of Restaurants that include Chateau 1771 in Greenbelt 5, Sentro 1771 in Greenbelt 3, Sentro 1771 in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, & Sidebar in El Pueblo Real de Manila, ADB Avenue cor. Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

*Press Release

Fitness and Fun All-in-One event! Bringing the Color Dash, the...

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:05:44 +0800

Fitness and Fun All-in-One event!

Bringing the Color Dash, the most fun 5-kilometer loop, is a noncompetitive charity marathon that promotes Coca-Cola’s Open Happiness “Sinong napasaya mo today?” #Napasayakotoday. As it will be dashing out colors of red for Coke, green for Sprite, orange for RTO, blue for Sarsi, black for Coke Zero on a silver/white shirt (Coke Light).

Event Highlights:

Open Happiness by Coca-Cola
The Zoot looper Contest
A helicopter circling overhead to dash more colors
Lots of raffle prizes will be given away

Registration areas:

Athlete’s Foot (Two Parkade, High street)
A Runner’s Circle (Aloha Hotel, Roxas blvd); G Stop (Greenhills Shopping Center and ATC)
You can also register online here

Online Registration from www.buybranded.com.ph.

Like their FB page: http://www.facebook.com/ColorDash

Registration ongoing!!!

A Festive Easter Party at the Sky Dome SM North EDSA is throwing...

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:52:00 +0800

A Festive Easter Party at the Sky Dome

SM North EDSA is throwing a Grand Easter Party on March 31 at 1pm in Sky Dome. And hey, everyone’s invited!

Just present at least 500Php mount up receipt from any tenants of SM City North EDSA.

Registration – will start at 1pm til 3pm – and open booths such as Bunny HOP Race, the Bunny Easter Trail (Maze), face paint, and food carts (opens at 2:00PM). Of course, for creative minds out there.. Easter egg decoration, cake decoration, costume contest are waiting for you. There will be also a parade and other activities like HOP Meet and Greet, Live Bunny Meet and Greet, Bubble Show, and more!

Bring your whole family and hop hop to SM North EDSA for a joyful, Grand Easter Party!

*For costume contest mechanics: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152683697480261&l=39c19dd7c9

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/smnedsa

Twitter: www.twitter.com/smnorthedsa

Instagram: www.instagram.com/smnorthedsa

Tag/hashtag: @smnorthedsa #grandeasterpartysmnorth

(c) Uniqlo’s U-Shop U-Win / Lucido-L

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 02:42:17 +0800

(c) Puzzle Mansion Museum 1, 029 pices of Jigsaw...

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:42:00 +0800

1, 029 pices of Jigsaw Puzzles
Including 23 wooden puzzles, 3D and 4D collection

More images, here.

(c) Georgina Gil-Lacuna A 61-year-old Filipina, Guinness World...

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 07:00:00 +0800

A 61-year-old Filipina, Guinness World Record holder of World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle Collection, Georgina Gil-Lacuna possess inspiring stories that can certainly move and encourage other people. But though she’s accomplishing a lot in her unexpected enjoyment, Gina never take pomposity in herself. During her significant day last November 29, 2012, a particular moment after she received the award, she felt very happy for her family and to our country. And she was worried at the same time about her family, the media and especially, her guests. She mused that if all of them were well-fed and doing well. She carried herself up and down to check them; never mind wearing a pair of heels.

Lacuna has been puzzling since 27 years ago. The first jigsaw puzzle she ever made is Mickey Racing Team. A mother’s love. Yes, because the only reason why she wanted to finish the puzzle was to make her two year old child happy. And she did it. The adorable five thousand pieces jigsaw puzzle is the oldest one from her collection. While the difficult piece she made is Guernica. It is a Pablo Picasso painting with two thousand pieces that took her 40 hours to finish. She usually could finish a puzzle in 15-20 hours. But the hardest one in the world is the Las Hilanderas or “The Spinners” of Diego de Silva Velasquez. It is a ten thousand pieces jigsaw puzzle, done in 300 hours, around three o’clock in the morning as she remembered.

She said during the interview that some people’s technique is to start with the edge. But how about Gina Lacuna’s? “When I first started doing the puzzle, I tried to look for a technique. When you do puzzles all the time and you are used to it, you could start with the colors or the size. You could start anywhere, and it is okay. But for me, you really have to think. You really have to use your head. Because sometimes you thought that’s the piece already for that particular location but it’s not. And it’s very good because your brain really works. You have to have a very good concentration. And it’s makes you sharper. You never knew that later on you will be perceptive in everything, not only in puzzles.”

For 27 years, Gina collected all the puzzles she made. She did not give up on the large number of pieces even. What is more, she did not persist herself to finish all of it. She just enjoyed putting it together. Puzzle making is a relaxant for her. And it also gives her so much joy after she finished the puzzle and after it is being framed. She thought she was able to put all the masterpieces together of our great artists in the world just as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Raphael Sanzio, Jacques-Louis David, and Leonardo da Vinci. As if she was able to finish the painting, too.

Gina Lacuna never stopped doing a puzzle. Aside from her collection in her gallery, she still have a few reserved puzzles in the making. Time after time, she make it a point on her day to do a puzzle. It really makes herself relieve the tension. As told, she encourage, especially the elders who are impeded, to start doing puzzles. “When you do puzzle, it is good for the brain. I suggested it for those who are bored, too. Actually for everybody. It sharpen our minds… And it increases my patience. Because I set in my mind that I could do it. That’s my goal. At the same time, I didn’t make myself feel pressured. So I relax myself. And as time goes by, I didn’t notice, I already made the puzzle. A great work of art by great painter… Why not?”

She has 1,029 pieces in her gallery, as of now, and she’s ready to add more puzzles in her collection. Because now that she is the Guinness World Record holder of Largest Jigsaw Puzzle and witnessing a great technology, she can easily check out for a newest one to the biggest manufacturer of puzzles in the world. Having that title, it also a great news for our kababayan puzzle enthusiasts that her Puzzle Mansion could be the sole distributor in the Philippines. “Probably, I will still be doing puzzles and asking somebody to do the puzzles of the great scenery in the Philippines like the Taal Volcano, Mayon, Barasoain Church, and also, by our great painters like Juan Luna’s Spoliarium and Manansala’s.. it will come later. Right now, we are starting to do puzzles of portraits of people. We could do now portraits, you can email to us the portrait and we will do a puzzle of it. It is cheap – a thousand with a frame plus it is put together already by me.”

A year or two from now, Gina Lacuna will be bagging again for another title such as The World’s Fastest Puzzle Maker, The Most Number of Pieces assembled by Single Person, or The World’s Largest and Biggest Puzzle. Currently, she is puzzling out the biggest and the largest puzzle which she launched last year 1st of March. It is a thirty-two thousand pieces, a pop-art, “Double Retrospect” by Keith Haring. It is a big mural, the size is on a par with almost six plywood. The target finishing is on 31st of July this year.

She ended our interview with [witty] advocations: a puzzle could be 1) a great piece to start a conversation; 2) a good remembrance; 3) a boredom killer; 4) a patience booster; 5) an angry neglecter; 6) an extra learning. Georgina Gil-Lacuna believes that it is never too late for anything in life. Hence, I learned that If you will just let perseverance finish its work(James 1:4-6) and know you can do all things(Philippians 4:13), it is only a matter of time.

Location: Purok 4 Cuadra St., Brgy. Asisan, Tagaytay City

Contact: +639052250229 / (02)4255195

Email: puzzlemansion@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/puzzlemansion.com

(c) Puzzle Mansion Bed and Breakfast Family Rooms: Php6,880 Two...

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 23:36:00 +0800

Family Rooms: Php6,880

Two twin double beds
LCD TV
Garden view
Min. of 4, max. of 6 (including kids)
Four plated breakfast
Use of infinity pool
Four free entrance to the puzzle museum

Room names: Marigold, Lilac, Gardenia, Daffodil

Deluxe Rooms: Php4,480

One queen size bed
LCD TV
pool view
Min. of 2, max. of 4 (including kids)
Two plated breakfast
Use of infinity pool
Two free entrance to the puzzle museum

Room names: Passion flower, Sampaguita, Sunflower, Tulip, Waterlily

*extra bed fee: Php500

*extra plated breakfast: Php200

*Puzzle museum entrance: Php100/head

Others:

Coconut cream pie
Souvenir shop
Wi-Fi spot at the reception area

Location: Purok 4 Cuadra St., Brgy. Asisan, Tagaytay City

Contact: +639052250229 / (02)4255195

Email: puzzlemansion@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/puzzlemansion.com

(c) Lilac

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:25:00 +0800

(c) Pepper Farm in Batangas Located in Pangao, Ibaan,...

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:24:00 +0800

Located in Pangao, Ibaan, Batangas
Two (2) hectares of pepper and organic plants
The old house was built in 1988 and still standing and occupied.
What they grow: vanilla, atis, iba, mandarin, banana, coffee, etc.
All natural or organic fertilizer is used.

More images here.

(c) Organic food Rabbit Caldereta Blue Ternate rice Tamales at...

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:27:00 +0800

Rabbit Caldereta
Blue Ternate rice
Tamales at puto
Calamansi candy
Honeycomb candy
Sugarcane smoothie

(c) The Robby Rabbitry / MoCa Farm Started in March 2012 Located...

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:09:00 +0800

Started in March 2012
Located in Brgy Castillo, Padre Garcia, Batangas
Both rabbitry and the farm are owned by Gigi Morris and her husband, Bob

Watch this video to know more about The Robby Rabbitry/MoCa Farm:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RobbyRabbitry

Website: http://www.mocafarm.com

More images, click here.

(c) Larcy’s Meals - Pica-pica -Potato SkinsMelba toast...

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:28:00 +0800

- Pica-pica -
Potato Skins
Melba toast with Spinach dip (❤)
Hungarian Sausage bites
- Sandwiches -
Smoked Farmers Ham with Cheese
Smoked Farmers Ham with Egg and Cheese
~~Cheesy Tuna~~
~~Three Cheese Pimiento~~
- Pasta -
Meat sauce and Cheese
Mushroom Truffle (❤)
- Soup -
Tomato Cream
- Rice entrees -
Country style Barbecued Ribs(❤)
Beef stew ala Tricie (❤)
Vigan Longanisa with Scrambled Egg
Smoked Bangus belly with Scrambled Egg
~~Hungarian Sausage with Scrambled Egg~~

(c) Larcy’s Cupcakery Cafe *Started 8th of December last...

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 05:40:00 +0800

Models on the spot. :D

*Started 8th of December last year, 2012
*Located at 178 Aguirre Street, BF Homes, Parañaque
*Owned by Gatchi and Larcy Gatchalian, owner of former Blugre Coffee in Davao
*Named after Larcy herself
*Two-story restaurant/cafe with chillax veranda
*Has an upstairs function room
*Larcy’s and her interior designer came up with its inland chic
*Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Dinner, Desserts
*Cupcakes cost from P60-P150

Banana Crunch - P65
Bananutella - P70
Blueberry Cheesecake - P80
Brownie Nutty - P65
Choco Chic Cookie
Cookies and Cream
Pineapple Carrot
Pink Velvet - P65
Oatmeal Fudge
Old Fashioned Chocolate - P70
Toblerone Cheesecake
Valrhona Triple Chocolate - P75
Cupcake ala Mode (Nutty Brownie or Choco Chip)
Cupcake Sundae (Nutty Brownie or Choco Chip)

*Cakes

Choco Obsession (slice)
Choco Obsession (whole)
Pink Velvet Cake (whole)
Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake

*Drinks

Signature Chocolate (Chocospresso Hot, Chococcino Hot, Frozen Hot Choco Velvet)
Coffee (Americano Hot, Latte Hot Mocha Hot, Cappuccino, Americano Iced, Latte Iced, Mocha Iced)
Larcy’s Freeze (Vanilla, Taro, Oreo, Choco, Coffee, Mocha, Mocha Chip
Sodas in can
Bottled water

*Larcy’s daughter managed its social media

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

(c) Naga Public Market

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:23:05 +0800

(c) Hon. Jesse M. Robredo’s His body was cremated...

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:40:00 +0800

His body was cremated on August 28, 2012. His cremated remains was covered by glossy porcelain tiles which has had his name carved. There are also seats for visitors at the side.

PS. I’m sorry for my hair blown by unstoppable wind. And why hello there, it’s me! Lol. Another PS., sorry for mobile phone photo quality. :(

(c) Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia “A Spanish government...

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:15:13 +0800

“A Spanish government official from Peñafrancia, Spain, a native of San Martin de Castanar, the Covarrubias family, settled with his family in Cavite in 1712, according to locals. One day, a son, Miguel Robles de Covarrubias, a seminarian studying in the Universidad de Santo Tomas, Manila got very ill. He and his family prayed to Our Iady of Penafrancia whose picture he was clutching to his breast for his recovery and to spare his life. He also made a vow that if cured, he would construct a chapel by the bank of Pasig River in Manila, in gratitude to Her. Miraculously cured, he eventually was ordained a priest not in Manila but in the Ciudad de Nueva Caceres (now known as Naga City) by Bishop Andres Gonzalez.

To fulfill his vow, Padre Miguel, the first diocesan priest to be ordained in Naga, did two things: one, he mobilized the natives along the slopes of Mt. Isarog to construct a chapel made of local materials, nipa and bamboo this time by the bank of the Bikol river in Naga, not by the Pasig river as earlier envisioned; two, he ordered a local artisan to carve an image patterned after the picture of Our lady he always had with him. Miracles happened then and there. Among them was the story of a dog killed, its neck slashed in order to take out the poor animal’s blood that was used to coat/paint the newly carved image. Dumped into the river, the dead dog began to swim once again alive with hundreds of people witnessing this prodigy. News of many other miracles spread like wildfire so was the devotion to Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia. The letter of Padre Miguel to the Dominican Fathers of Salamanca, Spain in 1712 reported many miracles through the intercession of Our Lady. In the meantime, the devotees grew in number as the devotion spread fast far and wide, even outside the Diocese of Nueva Caceres which before comprised not only the Bikol region but including Tayabas (now Quezon), Marinduque, Laguna up to Palanan, Isabela along the cordillera ranges. Like the biblical “mustard seed” the Penafrancia devotion today is like a “giant tree” whose branches extend to other parts of the world like America, Europe, Australia and Asia. The love story between our Lady of Penafrancla we lovingly call “Ina” and us, her children is never ending.” - Wiki

PS. Due to lack of time, I wasn’t able to ask its historical background and whatnot and (another PS) sorry for mobile phone photo quality. :(

(c) San Francisco Church “Established in 1578, it is the...

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:10:00 +0800

“Established in 1578, it is the first church in the region built by the Franciscan Friars. The surrender of the Spanish forces to the Bikol revolutionaries Elias Angeles and Felix Plazo took place here on September 18, 1896. The church was reduced to rubble by the heavy bombing of Naga in World War II, and the church remained in ruins until the present new edifice was constructed.” - Wiki

PS. Due to lack of time, I wasn’t able to ask its historical background and whatnot and (another PS) sorry for mobile phone photo quality. :(

(c) Peñafrancia Basilica Naga City Wiki PS. Due to lack of time,...

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:58:00 +0800

Naga City
Wiki

PS. Due to lack of time, I wasn’t able to ask its historical background and whatnot and (another PS) sorry for mobile phone photo quality. :(