Arch Angel- GK Center for Arts and Culture from Victoria Court to Enchanted Farm

Any event will not be possible if there's no venue, whether it's big or small, a place where to gather people especially those in need and spend time together is very important. Only good people and with means can donate a more than 300 square meters floor area with my own estimate of less than Php 1M construction cost for an open building for Social Entrepreneurs.

Victoria Court Group with Mr. Archie King (Second from right) and me

"The Gawad Kalinga Arch Angel Center for Arts & Culture donated by Victoria Court"at Enchanted Farm, Bulacan under Gawad Kalinga was officially launched during the 1st Social Business Summit in the Philippines with over 7000 delegates from different countries and attended by no other than the Vice President of the Philippines VP Jejomar Binay, Senator Bam Aquino, Nikki Perlas, Tony Meloto and different representatives from the Local Government Units, Schools and Agencies.

The Arch Angel- GK center for Arts and Culture 

Hotelier Archimedes Rosario King or simply Mr. Archie King or Archie to his friends, the honcho behind the successful Victoria Court graced the event and the one responsible in building the Arch-Angel Hall. According to him, when Tony Meloto, the founder of Gawad Kalinga asked him to fund the said hall for the Enchanted Farm for Social Entrepreneurs, he gives in right away, this is to help those people who were  in need of a place to venture, collaborate and launch their new projects. Enchanted Farm  is the first of its kind in Asia. This place is a unique ecosystem that provides a convergence platform for government, business, social entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists, farmers and community partners to work together in solidarity in creating solutions to global issues that affect all of us.

At the center is Mr. Archie King of Victoria Court and Gawad Kalinga Founder and Chairman Tony Meloto (right)

All ears during Mr. Archie King speech at the formal launch of  the Ark 

Angel Center for Arts & Culture donated by Victoria Court

Mr. Archie King of Victoria Court

Somehow, the boyish, good looking Archie King made the hall possible. Everyone knows the Brand under the "King" of posh drive-in motels. Victoria Court with a logo depicting a classy but mysterious-looking lady in a hush-up motion, with a background of black and silver. that supposed to embody a secret, and it means that apart from quality and fast service, Victoria Court also offers Privacy, Courtesy, Prompt Service, World Class Facilities, State of the Art Housekeeping and affordable prices for everyone with class.

My pleasure to interview the man behind the successful Victoria Court

Delegates from different parts of the world convened inside the Ark Angel Center for Arts & Culture donated by Victoria Court

Truly the "King" could contribute more to help the Philippines, aside from this Multi Purpose Hall, they helped a lot of kids and into awareness of Reproductive Health. 

Are you a gambler? I am

What if you're watching a movie about Online Gaming and super relate because you're working at the biggest Online Gaming Company in the world? They said that life is a risk and that if you're risking something, you're gambling. So, are you a gambler? I am.

Welcome to the Gambling world where suspense, more drama and double crossing is the norm...don't forget the bashing part where hypocrites thrive too, the new film directed by
Brad Furman is showing in the Philippines now and will be release in the United States on October 4, 2013. This crime drama thriller set in the world of illegal online gambling for Warner Bros. and New Regency is something that I never expected. Well Thanks to Solaire Resort and Casino for the invite. It became my date night too.

                                                                       Justine Timberlake as Richie Furst

                                                                                 ( Photo from the web)

Watch "Runner Runner" the new American produced movie this 2013 about a Princeton State University Grad student, Richie Furst (Justine Timberlake) at New Jersey who was cheated by playing an Online Poker and was confronted by the University Dean for promoting gambling inside the school. The Online Gaming site run by a multi millionaire and bachelor Ivan Block ( Ben Affleck) offered a job to Furst instead and became Block right hand man because of his skills while the pretty and sexy Rebecca Shafran (Gemma Arterton), the love interest of Ivan after learning that Richie is a good negotiator fell for him and conspire a scene to bring Ivan to the Feds. The scenes were all shot at Puerto Rico and at the Princeton State University at New Jersey though the plot revolves at Costa Rica.

                                                                            Ben Affleck as Ivan Block

                                                                                (Photo from the web)

A must see, I'll give this movie 98% for Timberlake is improving while Affleck is always something to watch out for and Shafran for her sexiness (I love her body and Im sure mothers like me are into gym to have that body.) From the start of the movie till finish, there's a never ending suspense and the twist is something at the end. I Just love pretty women, fancy cars, global companies, private airplanes, ambitious people, luck, gambling, education and a life well lived and If you're into those things, watch Runner Runner. It's worth it.

                                                                  Gemma Arterton as Rebecca Shafran

                                                                                 (Photo from the web)

What If the only choice you have is to work at the biggest Online Gaming Company in the world? (Food on the table, tuition fee for you or your children and good life without even playing poker, black jack..) And why there's critics who are bashing your work but can't even provide you a nice job? Don't forget, the house always wins and if you think what you're doing is right, go for it or walk from it. Life is short.

Film Review: Runner Runner stars Justine Timberlake and Ben Affleck 

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Smiles for the world plagiarized photo is showing the Calidad Humana we have as Filipinos?

"In crisis like this, come enlightening opportunities."  That's the most powerful line from the passionate and full of diplomacy Chilean Ambassador Roberto Mayorga as reply to my email sent to him yesterday. I told him that I'm sad for what happened and that not all Filipinos are like Mark Solis who joined and won the Internet based Calidad Humana "Smiles for the World" photo contest with a photo not his but belong to a Brazillian Photographer who later received an apology letter from Solis. 

The photo from Flickr under Gregory John Smith which he took in 2006.

Photo from GMA News: Ambassador Roberto Mayorga and Mark Solis at CCP during the awards night

I feel sad because of the fact that I myself had a multiple meetings with Ambassador Mayorga and his staff to spread the information about the photo contest. I even organized a media event for this project at his house at Forbes Park. I felt that I am also responsible for knowing if all photos submitted were all original and sad knowing it's an International event and a Filipino did a surprising photo plagiarism. 

Ambassador Roberto Mayorga and me during our first meeting at the Embassy of Chile

Photo taken from the web: Winning Photo?

 Below is the Press Statement from the Embassy of Chile on Calidad Humana Project Smiles for the World.

September 23 (Manila) The Embassy of Chile, together with the partners of the Calidad Humana Project, would like to express its gratitude to the Filipino people and our media partners who have provided their support for this initiative, including giving information regarding the irregularity of the photo submitted by Mr. Mark Joseph Solis, who was declaredwinner of the “Smiles for the World” photo competition.

Their support affirms the Filipino’s innate Calidad Humana, which is translated as strength of human character and all that contributes to a culture of excellence and a life of virtue well spent.

In accordance with the information that we have obtained confirming that Mr. Solis indeed plagiarized the work of Mr. Gregory Smith, the committee is in the process of re-evaluating the other submissions and has decided to revoke the prize issued to Solis. After due evaluation, a new set of winners will be announced.

Part of Calidad Humana involves living with integrity and upholding the values of the Filipino people. Obviously, Mr. Solis has failed to abide by this and we are considering taking legal action against him.

According to Ambassador Mayorga, “we must take this situation as a sign inviting Filipinos to an open discussion about the urgency to protect the Filipino people from the erosion of theirCalidad Humana. Filipinos still have innate values, such as honesty, compassion, and resiliency, although there are exceptions such as this case of plagiarism…this case must strengthen our faith and make us aware that we are in front of a hard challenge to take care and preserve the Calidad Humana that the majority of Filipinos have.”

With the Calabarzon and Manila based media during our meeting at Forbes Park with the Calidad Humana Team, Ambassador Roberto Mayorga and his wife, Former Board Member of Laguna and now Asec General of Philippine Red Cross Neil Nocon, UPLB professors and some of my friends.

From the official website:

“Calidad Humana” is human compassion, sense of humaneness, strength of character, and human tone. It is unique to the world. It is expressed through our cordiality and friendliness, our positive outlook in life, and SMILES on our faces. “Calidad Humana,” literally translated as the quality of being human and loosely translated as strength of character, may refer to the sum total of distinctively human characteristics that dignify and ennoble a person and enable him to contribute to a culture of excellence either in his immediate, mediate, or broader environment … either in unusual or day-to-day situations and circumstances. It is not a state a person is in but a constant movement to attain the state of human perfection. “Calidad Humana” marks the person noble in his dealings, steadfast in his convictions, and unfaltering in his equanimity, without any pretensions … everything that contributes in the end to a life well-spent. One need not have most, or much less all, positive traits in heroic proportions, nor would one need to be exempt from defects of character. What is needed for “calidad humana” is a quality or a cluster of qualities that steadily stands out in one’s personal and social life, hand-in-hand with an unwavering struggle for the other human virtues.