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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Acknowledgment to YouTube for this video

(Whitney Houston images from Google)

Sunday Quote : Desiderata

I just came from a running event for a cause (Run for the Orphans) with my two best running buddies and am definitely in the best spirit.  I just want to share the feeling with everyone through this quotation that has always been a part of my guiding wisdom.  This is an excerpt from the 1927 prose poem written by American writer Max Ehrmann titled Desiderata. 

You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

The "jump shot".  We try to have this during and after our running events. 

If you want to get the feel on how fun it is to be into running you can find it here where I will also be sharing my fun experience of this morning’s event for a cause.  And if you are looking for running events, this page will definitely help you!

A Happy and Blessed Sunday everyone!

Boracay - A New Way 2Go

2Go Travel sent these two photos to my email and thought of sharing these with you.  As you know, SUMMER is fast approaching and one of the best summer destination is BORACAY!


Route: Manila (via Batangas Port) to Boracay (Caticlan)
Frequency: Sailing Direct 2X Daily
Publish Fare : PhP 460.00*
Travel Start: March 1, 2012 (they are now accepting reservations) 

Note that the publish rate of PhP 460.00 has an asterisk(*) so this is not yet the net price.  For further details on the price and their current promos, you can call them at (02) 528-7000 or check their Facebook Page here and their website here.

It would be a great fun cruising on the way to Boracay.  Hmn… I wonder if the actual vessel really look or designed as seen on the photo?

We’re on PageRank 1. Google Knows We Exist!

Just seventy one (71) blogging days, twenty (20) posts and an awesome readers/followers like YOU and Google knows this blog exist!

Yes my dear readers we are on PageRank 1! Fireworks, fireworks, fireworks! LOL!
PageRank 1 and I am proud!  Yes I am because this blog is just 71 days old and no fancy paid marketing, just pure passionate writing and blogging.

Prior to this, I don’t check my blog ranking because as I’ve said it’s just 71 days old.  But curiosity knocked when my blogger friend lesterrible posted that his blog is PageRank 2.  The curious me checked my blog at Page Rank checker and found this good news.

So I would like to thank Google for this and  most of all I would like to THANK YOU all my readers followers.  This wouldn’t be possible without YOU!  You inspire me to blog more responsibly and passionately!

What to Do During an Earthquake

This is the video of the recent earthquake in Cebu City, Philippines which recorded a magnitude of 6.9 and also felt in Negros Oriental, Iloilo City and Dumaguete City and other parts of central Philippines.  This triggered the authorities to raise a tsunami alert.

Acknowledgment and thanks to the uploader of this video from YouTube

The Philippines lies in the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire," where earthquakes and volcanoes are common.  It means most of our citizens had an earthquake experience.  I myself had a grim experience of an earthquake.

In as much as the authorities continue to remind people on what to do during an earthquake with emphasis on “Don’t Panic”, people continue to panic during tremors.  I thought that reading repeatedly the guidelines on what to do during an earthquake will lessen our tendency to panic. Here’s one set of guidelines that I got from ready.gov website.  A video on earthquake drill can also be found at the bottom.

What to Do During an Earthquake

Drop, cover and Hold On. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If Indoors

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Do not use a doorway except if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway and it is close to you. Many inside doorways are lightly constructed and do not offer protection..
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• DO NOT use the elevators.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

If Outdoors

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a Moving Vehicle

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If Trapped Under Debris

• Do not light a match.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust

Remember, DON’T PANIC!

Acknowledgment and thanks to “TheEarthquakeChannel” for uploading this video to YouTube

Cozy McDonald’s Restaurant

It is located near the corners of Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia) and Taft Avenue Extension, also near the bus terminals (JAC Liner, etc) and the loading site of the Mall of Asia multicabs.

This cozy looking new McDonald’s branch sprouted in one of the busiest corner avenues in Manila.  When I first saw it from a distance, it obviously doesn’t look quite the same with the other/older McDonalds store.  It looks hip and trendy.

We had an unplanned chance of a quick visit to this McDonalds branch just today and I say “Wow! this is one cozy place!”.  It has comfortable, spacious dining areas, the walls have vivid color splashes, and the whole concept has dynamic graphics and architectural accents.  Everything from the lightings, trash bins, toilet are something new.  Good thing that we have with us our android tablet and I was able to take some quick shots.




So this is what’s in the news sometime in the last quarter of 2011 when McDonald’s Philippines celebrated their 30th year.  They mentioned something about giving a new face to their stores.  Not that I haven’t been to McDonald’s for quite a while.  You see, when you have a kid in the house, trips to McDonalds (and Jollibee) are regulars.  But most of the McDonald’s that we are frequenting are still in the old design.

The new McDonald’s design concept can actually be seen in McDonald's stores in other parts of the world but there are still just a few branches that have these new modern store design here in Manila (as far as I know).  I read somewhere that as part of the 30th anniversary, they renovated the Makati Cinema Square, Greenhills, Quezon Avenue and North Avenue McDonald’s branches. 

So why am I writing about this?   Do I get to have a free Big Mac with Fries and Sundae? LOL!

Well for me this is a heaven-sent McDonald’s branch site because I used to whine about why there isn’t any McDonalds in this area where I am a common face.  You can find almost all of the fast food competitors in this area but no McDonalds!  Alas there is one now! 

May I ask my dear readers please if you happen to dine with any McDonald’s restaurant with this kind of modern design?  You may reply through the comment form below, thanks!

Avril Lavigne Live in Manila 2012: The Black Star Tour

She was here in 2005 for her “Bonez Tour” concert.  She came back in 2008 for her “Best Damn Tour” concert.  This year 2012 Avril Lavigne is back in Manila for the “The Black Star Tour” concert happening on February 16, 2012, 8:00PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

TICKET PRICESPatron Center – PhP 7,920.00
Patron Sides – PhP 6,340.00
Lower Box – PhP 5,280.00
Upper Box A – PhP 2.640.00
Upper Box B – PhP 1.585.00
Gen Admission – PhP 530.00

For ticket inquiries you may call Wilbros Live! 374-2222 or Ticketnet 911 5555
The Avril Lavigne Live in Manila 2012, The Black Star Tour concert is brought to you by Wilbros Live and Midas Promotions featuring Avril greatest hits:

Complicated
Skater Boi
I'm With You
Losing Grip
Don't Tell Me
My Happy Ending
He Wasn't
Girlfriend
When You're Gone
HOT
The Best Damn Thing
Keep Holding On
Alice
What The Hell
Smile
Wish You Were Here

Avril Lavigne Manila fans, this is your chance to catch her live in Manila for the third time! Current updates about Avril Lavigne can be found here.