2011, in Photos: Awe. Some. Sauce.

I think I shall never see,
a poem as lovely as a mangrove tree.

Mockingjay Pins Giveaway at Hunger Games Philippines!

We at Hunger Games Philippines are giving away 3 (or 5) mockingjay pins this holiday season! These are legit pins, you guys! Not plastic, this is real!

1. Facebook promo: "Share" and complete the caption: "Dear Hunger Games Philippines, this Mockingjay Pin should be mine because..." Most creative response wins!

2. Twitter promo: Just tweet "Dear HungerGamesPhil, #IWantThatPin!" and we'll randomly select one person to win a pin!

3. Christmas in Panem contest. Contestants are to submit an entry built around the theme Christmas in Panem. What is Christmas for the citizens of Panem? or How do you think citizens of Panem celebrate Christmas? Any form of media will be accepted. (Freehand drawing, prose or poetry, short story, video, audio, poster etc.) Individual submission: 1 pin. Group entry: 3 pins at most!

How to help the victims of Typhoon Sendong

Talked a while ago to my friend Anna who's living in Cagayan de Oro. Glad to hear she and her family's safe, but she emphasized that it's really bad down there as a lot of families were affected by the fury of Typhoon Sendong. She also asked us to pray for everyone in CDO.

For those who's willing to go an extra mile and help the people of CDO this Christmas season, here's a list I got from Facebook on the ways you can help them.

(Taken from Fil Alcaraz's Facebook note)

1. 

DSWD accepting dry clothes for women, children, elderly at DSWD-NCR or Cagayan de Oro. Volunteers needed at DSWD CDO (Masterson Rd) to repack/deliver relief goods. Call 09066150095 or  858-8892 @DSWDserve #Sendong | via @GelSantosRelos

For volunteers and donations in CDO: contact Manny Borres (09066150095) DSWD CDO.

In MetroManila: Contact Jam (7348639) DSWD NCR (via @govph)

Top 5 of Everything 2011

Inspired (and/or envious) with the numerous best of 2011 lists posted in various websites and blogs, I've decided to make my own top 5 of everything 2011-related as well. These are all based on what I've seen, heard, tasted, did, and I'm no supreme god to have experienced everything. My opinions will definitely, at some point, not agree with yours.

Money Makes the (Showbiz) World Go 'Round

If there's one word we can use to describe Philippine show business, it would be colorful. A plethora of different personas, an infinite number of characters showcasing their talents (or the lack thereof). I have to admit I have never laid my eyes on any local broadcast show for years now, probably with the exception of the shows which I chance upon while riding the bus, but I am always updated with the latest chismis with the help of Twitter's trending topics. 2011 has proven to be a shocker year for the industry, courtesy of the people I'm about to mention. If there's one thing common among how these personalities ended up doing such actions that made them (in)famous, then it definitely is money. What do their actions tell us? What lessons can we learn?

What Came to Mind When I Heard of "Put the Little Girl to Sleep"

Dr. Seuss has written
a bedtime thriller?

Spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn revealed earlier today plans for the assassination (or murder, no one is sure) of her boss Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Although the phrase Oplan: Put the Little Girl to Sleep is longer and taller than the target, I have to give credit to whoever came up with this creative name. It surely got the attention of the country as the online world went abuzz as soon as the plan was bared. As creative as it may sound, and as serious as it should seem, Put The Little Girl to Sleep is just too fancy a name for a murder plot. So here's a list of what came to my mind upon hearing it on the news:

Hunger Games Philippines 1st Anniversary

I earlier attended the anniversary meet-up of Hunger Games Philippines, a community/fan organization for Filipino Hunger Games fans and of which I'm a part of. For those who aren't aware of what The Hunger Games is, here's a brief synopsis:

In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.