OUR AWESOME PLANET

Romi Garduce's Seventh Summit Quest: Vinson Massif, Antarctica

I've been supporting and blogging about Romi Garduce's quest to conquer the seven summits ever since OAP started. (See: 21 posts categorized "Filipino Seven Summiter")

He is a former IT colleague from Procter & Gamble Philippines. I can still remember my first-ever fun climb to the summit of Mt. Maculot in Batangas, which he initiated. He's always loved the mountains and  "kinikilig" when he is on top of the summit.

He became popular when he and his two other Filipino companions successfully reached the top of Mt. Everest in May 2006. He personally inspired me when he shared with us an experiential account and inspirational talk about his successful climb up Everest. (see: Romi's Everest and My One Big Dream. What's your Everest?)

In the office, Romi is known as a happy-go-lucky person, but when it comes to mountain climbing or diving, he is the take-charge guy, the person you want to be with because you know you'll be safe with him.

This Christmas 2011/New Year 2012, he is finally completing his 10-year quest to be the First Filipino to ever reach the seven highest summits in the seven continents!

Here is a photo timeline of Romi's "Seven Summits" Quest:

Michael Cacnio – LEGO INSPIRED (Part 1)

Ever since Benji introduced me to the awesome art works of Filipino Artists like Michael Cacnio, I'm starting to fall in love with Filipino art. Here is Michael's latest exhibit in collaboration with LEGO. 

Don't miss to see this exhibit!

Most of them are sold already and this is the last time you'll see all these art pieces in one location. 

For those OAP readers who are not based in Manila, enjoy Michael Cacnio's LEGO-inspired exhibit:

Michael Cacnio – LEGO INSPIRED (Part 2)

Read this first: Michael Cacnio – LEGO INSPIRED (Part 1)

Don't miss to see this exhibit!

Most of them are sold already and this is the last time you'll see all these art pieces in one location. 

For those OAP readers who are not based in Manila, enjoy Michael Cacnio's LEGO-inspired exhibit:

8 Most Admired Upcoming Filipina Bloggers

These are the Filipina bloggers I admire for starting to create a difference in the Manila Blogging Scene. They are highly respected and no doubt, they will be the next blogging superstars in Manila!

1. Tricia of Tricia Goes Places -- Now, the Number 1 Fashion Blogger in Manila. 

Tricia Gosingtian has a cult-following in the fashion blog scene. She was a co-awardee in Go Negosyo's Most Inspiring Young Entrepreneur of 2010. She is the daughter of Josiah Go, a marketing icon in Manila.

Masawa Hong Butuan

A 24.7 meter-long second balangay named "Masawa Hong Butuan" was built in the historic Butuan City where the first Balangay relics were discovered. It was named after the place where the first Christian Mass was held in the Masawa delta in Agusan River (with Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan). This is to put a stake on Butuan's claim and to correct the history books that the first mass was held in Masawa and not in Limasawa in Southern Leyte.

Pinoys Did it Again in CNN/You Tube Copenhagen Debates Contest!

Remember this: Raise The Filipino Voice in Copenhagen? 
(I'm sharing the official press release from Paul. Congratulations! Thanks to all who voted. :)

 

A week after Efren Peñaflorida was hailed as the CNN Hero of the Year, two Pinoys again reigned in an online competition when they won the CNN/YouTube Debates contest for climate change. The contest encouraged individuals to send videos with their views, opinions, and questions about the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. The online voting took place between November 6 and 30.

According to the YouTube channel designed for the event, the global YouTube community “has voted on the strongest voices to send them to Copenhagen.” The two Pinoys, Paul Darwynn Garilao and Alfonso Orioste, Jr., will be part of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) and attend the live debate sponsored by CNN and YouTube. CNN News Anchor Becky Anderson will host the live debate that will be participated in by global leaders from 193 countries.

Out of the 600 entries, another entry -- Global Warming Project from Brazil -- also made the cut.

I voted for Efren Penaflorida as CNN Hero of the Year 2009

Here is another awesome story about how Efren Peñaflorida is educating our less fortunate brothers through his pushcart classes. If all OAP readers vote, we would give 5,000+ votes to our kababayan, who is a top 10 finalist for the CNN Hero of the Year 2009. Please vote for Efren Peñaflorida now as your favorite CNN Hero of the Year!

5 Awesome Things About APL.d.AP of Black Eyed Peas!

Allan Pineda Lindo, popularly known as APL.d.AP of the Black Eyed Peas, is one of the Filipinos who made it to the International Music Scene. The Black Eyed Peas remained in the US top 100 singles billboard charts for 25 weeks. Their single "BOOM BOOM POW" stayed for 12 weeks, back to back with  "I Gotta Feeling" for 13 weeks. (Also, see the Flash Mob dancing to I Gotta Feeling in the opening of Oprah's 24th season in Chicago) Black Eyed Peas even beat Elvis', Michael Jackson's, the Beatles', and the Rolling Stones' record in the US Billboard Charts. A Filipino on top of the Billboard Charts is simply AWESOME!

When I met him in Singapore, I was not starstruck. Rather, I was awed by how much he truly loves and pays tribute to the Philippines!

Here are the 5 Awesome Things you should know about APL.d.AP...