Playing Tong-Its: Rediscovering Poker Filipino Style
There are many Pinoy games whose histories and origins remain unknown, yet they continue to achieve a certain spirit of fun and excitement without the usual pressures of most card pastimes. Among the most popular ones is ‘tong-its’, which is played virtually everywhere in the country and by people from various walks of life.
Filipinos from different generations enjoy this challenging pursuit. However, while they may be helping one another in the beginning, only one winner gets to bring home the pot in the end. You bet it has become a default entertainment, whether for people in small, far-flung barrios or those in metropolises.
Of course, as in any other card game, there are rules to govern the competition. If you want to learn how it is played, you can always get a quick tutorial from a recent application. Yes, that is right; the loved Filipino poker may now be enjoyed on your smartphone. Surely, it will bring back fun memories shared with folks back home, especially for those who have left the country to work or live abroad. Since there is a thirty-five-second time limit every turn, you will definitely lose if you are the kind of player who deliberates too long before making a move.
You can be sure though that the artificial intelligence (AI) built into the mobile game was designed to make it even more challenging. Developers intended it to have software that would not be easily beaten so that the gaming public would be forced to think. Nonetheless, it should be emphasised that it is an activity that requires a good mix of skill, instinct, and luck.
In the end, you will realise that no matter where Filipinos go, what nationalities they assume, and what twang they acquire, they will always love certain things that are essentially Pinoy.
Creating a Unique Brand for a Country
The image of the Philippines as a tourist destination has been on the rocks for so long now. To address this, the government has made one of the smartest moves it has ever made—the appointment of competent individuals in the advertising industry.
For instance, Ramon Jimenez, the founder of a leading marketing agency in the country and now the head of the nation’s tourism efforts, knows perfectly well how to launch campaigns that can aid a label to achieve greatness in the market. With his thirty-five (35) years in the field of business communication, it is almost certain that he would not have problems creating a similar crusade as Malaysia’s “Truly Asia”.
In boosting the country’s profile, it should be kept in mind that the Philippines is a great product to sell. It is blessed with fantastic places throughout its over seven thousand islands, most of which are relatively unknown to guests from other parts of the world. Aside from that, it is also a culturally rich nation due to its colourful regional differences. Finally, it is hard to run out of things to do as there are plenty of beaches, attractions, and festivals to see and experience.
Several image issues have to be addressed though in order to come up with a unifying aspect that will make advertising campaigns stick in the minds of target audiences. The government’s efforts seem to be on the right track though. Besides, successful marketing crusades are not just about the infrastructure. More important is the simplicity of the proposition – the single-mindedness of the portrait that you paint of the brand.
Indeed, if you really think about it, the product has been ready for a long time. All that is left is to sell it right. But the future of this aspect seems promising.
Exploring the Island of Boracay on a Native Paraw
Unknown to some tourists, the Philippines is an archipelago—not a huge land mass—of islands, each of which greets guests with a unique charm. One lovely paradise to explore is Boracay. Among its captivating features is the native paraw, a unique sailing boat that can take you to the most scenic places.
Riding the waves in only a small region of the Visayas, it was originally used for transportation and fishing. With the coming of tourism, locals are using it to show holidaymakers the best beaches and attractions that the island has to offer. Today, it is ideal for sightseeing, diving, and snorkelling, as it may sail without the stench and noise of an engine. Aside from that, it is also an environmentally friendly (constructed from bamboo and wood), sturdy, and versatile vessel, perfect for the weather conditions in this tropical destination.
If you fancy beach hopping as a great idea to explore the place, then sailing in this small boat would be enormous fun. Especially on a windy day when it simply skims along at amazingly high speed, you will be surprised how fast it can actually go. And because of the absence of a deep keel, you can moor on the shore easily. This popular tourist pursuit can also take you to neighbouring islands without spending much for the two-man crew, which consists of a captain or skipper and a dependable balancer. On top of that, you only pay for the vessel regardless of the number of people riding it for the trip.
So, if you happen to be in this breathtaking paradise in the Visayan region, make the most of your time. Discover its best-kept secrets—the caves, waterfalls, snorkelling sites, delicious seafood, sunsets, and best of all, some of the warmest smiles in the whole world.
Ushering a New Age in Philippine Comedy
When Eugene Domingo portrayed the twin roles in the movie Kimmy Dora, she started something new in the country’s entertainment industry. Aside from launching herself as a film star with her career as a top-billing investment, she also brought back a missed subgenre in ‘Pinoy comedy’ that theatregoers have not seen in local productions for a very long time—the funny and intelligent kind.
Apart from having a natural talent in acting, she also has an impeccable comedic timing, just like her close friend Ai-Ai delas Alas (another Filipina celebrity comedian). It has been the trend in the nation that the pretty and shiny gets to play the lead character while the funny sidekick elicits the laughter from the crowd. But films such as Kimmy Dora and Ang Tanging Ina (which is now a huge franchise) caused a disruption in the status quo, battling it out with Vic Sotto and Dolphy, two of the local scene’s comedy heavyweights.
However, the former movie simply stands out from all others with its unique humour. For so long, Filipinos have been treated to the no-brainer brand of slapstick and laugh-out-louds, although there is really nothing bad about them. After all, watching a funny flick does not really require one to think, does it? And besides, it is identifiably Pinoy to have a battered sidekick and a person making a fool of himself.
There is no doubt though that the perception is changing. In fact, Domingo created yet another independent hit in Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, which eventually won her a best actress award at Cinemalaya (a film festival for Philippine indie productions). As a comedienne, she was definitely over the top—laughing, crying, overacting, and “underacting”. Now referred to as the diva, the punchline maestra, and one of the the funniest women in the Philippines, she is simply brilliant.
Now, if you want to watch something raw, glossy, real, hilarious, and genius, there is also an abundance of entertaining local films you turn to.
Browsed the FB Timeline Lately?
Having deep attachments to old ways is a trait that the Filipino people share with other cultures. The same holds true when it comes to their online experience. The case of the new Facebook Timeline is a perfect case in point. Although this new feature of the famous social network is actually divided in three basic parts, most people are finding it difficult to adjust to it, preferring the former classic pages of the site. For those who would like to know more about it, here is a crash course.
First of all, what is it, really? And second, why do cyber citizens like you need to learn about it? The answer is pretty simple. In lieu of your previous profile, a chronological record will be shown of your activities—and take note—from the very moment you joined the website. Now, you will see boxes containing every shout-out, comment, and single detail from the past. Luckily, if you did something that you are now embarrassed to publish on the Internet, you can manually remove it from plain sight by hitting the hide button.
Now, here comes another novelty on the site—the page cover, which is the first thing that people will see upon checking out your profile. It is a huge landscaped picture that is supposed to represent you best. Users who have adopted this early on are now displaying all sorts of photos in the area. Depending on their preference or interests, they could be animations, comic strips, cartoons, panoramic scenery images, or self-portraits.
Of course, there remains the primary profile picture, which basically overlaps the backdrop. Preferably a headshot, it comes with one’s personal details, such as your marital status, location, studies, and work information. Interestingly, those things that used to be in the discontinued sidebar and tabs—friends, photos, maps, etc.—are now in thumbnail boxes on the same page.
In summary, this change in the social network is definitely mind-blowing, to say the least. How the overhaul will affect relationships and work prospects is the question.
Watching Soap Operas as a Pastime
Filipinos are arguably one of the most melodramatic races that is passionate about life and love. Whether it is about a fairy-tale ending, a vicious plot, or a love-to-hate villain, Pinoys have taken the act of watching television episodes that depict such tales as a favourite form of recreation. They sympathise with the characters that they see every night during weekdays and then miss them on Saturdays and Sundays when the TV dramas take a short break. These well-loved shows on the telly are called the Philippine soap opera.
It cannot be denied that Pinoy television dramas provide a great means to relax at home. Just by turning on the television, anyone can enjoy an entertaining story, most of which depict or exaggerate real-life stories, mirroring society’s social, economic, and political issues. Strange enough, it also provides a good pastime to someone who has had a stressful day at work.
Indeed, this recreational time after dinner has become a tradition for many families. For some, it is all right to forego with anything else but not a single episode of a favourite programme. In fact, whenever there is a celebration, everyone is tuned in to the telly, not batting an eyelash, with all ears tuned to the dialogues lest they miss out a quotable line uttered by one of the characters. Of course, the grand finale is often the most exciting part of all, with avid viewers camping out beneath large outdoor TV screens to ensure that they get to witness the surprising twists and how the leading character gives the hateful kontrabida (antagonist) the ultimate lesson of his or her life.
There is no doubt that this hobby has been a healthy and refreshing way to give the mind and body the rest that they deserve. It is definitely something to add to anyone’s list of recreational activities.
Brewing the Well-Loved Beverage of the Philippines
Some people say that you can tell what a place is like just by tasting the quality of its beer. Although the Philippine variety may not be as popular as its German or Irish counterparts, a quick taste of the Pinoy variety can definitely make you have another bottle. More than the flavourful blend that the fermented grains produce, the Philippine drink is a fixture in almost every festivity, creating a deeper bond with many Juan dela Cruzes. So, how is this famous booze made? Here is a look at the general brewing process.
The common ingredients used to concoct such a bevy are wheat (sometimes rye) and malted grain. The latter is made by letting the barley germinate. After that, it is dried in a kiln and, in some cases, roasted. The procedure creates enzymes—notably beta-amylase and alfa-amylase—used to transform the starch into sugar. Not all breweries, however, do this in-house. Some of them prefer to buy the end product.
Next, a mash rest activates beta-glucanase and makes sugar flow. At an even higher temperature, proteins are broken down to prevent the drink from becoming hazy or too strong to hold a head. The starches are then converted into sugar, a component that the yeast will use later on to produce a fuller-bodied beverage with less alcohol. What follows this phase are the mashout (the procedure that deactivates enzymes) and the sparging (a process of extracting additional sugar from the grains).
As soon as the mashing is done, lautering comes after. This is when the resulting liquid is strained, thus separating whatever solid particles remain. The wort is then boiled with hops and other ingredients as sugar or herbs—all adding to the bitterness, aroma, and flavour of the drink.
All the painstaking process of brewing has one goal in mind: serving the best cold beer to people who enjoy a pint, bottle, or can, alone or with friends and family.
Filipino Billionaires: Getting to Know the Richest Men
With a booming stock market, the Philippines is adding more names to Forbes’ list of wealthiest people in the world. For 2011, there are eleven (11) Filipino billionaires included, a great record indeed when the combined worth of all forty (40) affluent individuals also reached an all-time high.
Leading the pack is shopping mall magnate Henry Sy, eighty-six (86) years old. His conglomerate’s success in diversifying into various industry niches has certainly paid off, with his assets surging up to 44 percent. The businessman remains to be the richest person in the archipelago. Tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan comes next, keeping a tight grip of the second spot. Budget airline mogul John Gokongwei, eighty-three (83), remains in the third position as well.
What is even interesting is the fact that six more investment barons are on the famed Forbes list for the first time, with their shares’ paper value in listed companies soaring. According to business analysts, although the country’s economy only grew by 4.9 percent in the first three months of 2011, its stock market is booming tremendously. In fact, its composite index has reached 27 percent, surpassing the benchmark set in the past.
The newcomers include construction king David Consunji and port industry captain Enriqur Razon, ninety and fifty-one years old respectively. The latter is the youngest Pinoy who has ten-figure assets. The rest are San Miguel Corporation Chairman chairman Eduardo Cojuangco, ex finance minister Roberto Ongpin, banker George Ty, and capitalist Tony Tan Caktiong of the ever-thriving Jollibee chain. It is also noteworthy that the youngest member of the group, Edgar Sia, is only thirty-four (34). After dropping out of college, he started a chicken barbecue business, now the increasingly famous Mang Inasal restaurant.
It is good to hear that amidst their wealth, the rich Pinoys of today are magnanimous individuals. For example, Lucio Tan is reported to have sent hundreds of thousands of bottled water to the tsunami-wrecked Japan, as well as support teacher training, low-cost housing for the poor, and medical missions.
Why Young Filipinos Love Photography
It is important to know one’s craft really well in order to excel in it. However, no one ever said knowledge and expertise only come with age. In fact, some of the most creative lensmen in the Philippines are young yet successful teenagers or twenty-somethings. Interestingly, at such young ages, they have done shoots for favourite online brands and have contributed beautiful photos to premier magazines.
Among them is Lyka Orhel, eighteen (18) years old. Not even in college yet, she is already building her repertoire, which includes shoots for fashion designers Anna Leah Salvador and Happy Andrada, well-known labels such as Love Culture and Poisonberry, and organisations such as the Philippine Institute of Interior Design. Getting compliments for being an inspiring young photographer, she has certainly come a long way from using a mere 3-megapixel point-and-shoot cam. No doubt, her love for the art of taking pictures has changed her life in a big way.
It appears though that shutterbugs do not come from a homogenous breed. Some of the most promising names even spring from the modelling industry. Patty Mendoza, twenty (20) years old, realised that her passion is working behind the camera. She has done features for magazines, clothing lines, and TV ads. Although she claims to love the entire production aspect of pictorials, she was more interested in the camera, the lenses, and the lighting used.
The charm of photography has also not spared Bianca Catbagan, a twenty-two-year-old Film alumna of a top state university in the country. Despite that she never had formal training when it comes to taking pictures, her college course has helped her immensely in developing a creative eye for great stills. And as to what her advice is to struggling enthusiasts who are trying to make a name for themselves? Practice! Hone your skills and grab every opportunity that comes along.
What It Means To Be Social: The Changing Trend
When going to some classy publicity events in the Philippines, you will probably share a cocktail table with a famous model and an events publicist. In fact, it is likely that they are very visible in the social scene of the country’s metropolis. As you keep on chatting along, it is also almost certain that you will end up talking about your Twitter accounts. Well, that is, if you have created one. If you have not, it is either you are not famous or you are not, as they say, “in”. But really, is having a page that important in keeping yourself sociable these days? Are you higher up on the ladder if you have many followers and if popular people are among them?
Apparently, one of the ways to measure a person’s level of influence today is by counting the number of fans or friends he or she has on social media networks. Surprisingly, even the highly respected Forbes magazine’s list of powerful people in the world is produced with this as one of the parameters.
On the other hand, it should be noted that there are also people who do not enjoy this new perception of being “famous”. Some even complain about how invasive certain sites are of their privacy. But with the over 750 million individuals with you on a network, could you honestly say that you are a “private” person? Perhaps this all comes down to the fact that detaching oneself from humanity is like living in solitude in an island surrounded by vast oceans.
Indeed, in severing your tie with social networking venues these days, you may also lose touch with friends, stop receiving up-to-the-minute updates about their lives, and even forget their birthdays. How, then, would you know if an embarrassing or offending picture of you has been uploaded? Also, how can you keep up with over-coffee chats regarding controversies, catchphrases, and trends?
No doubt, this changing lifestyle is really something to think about. As to whether you can resist its charm, the answer remains to be seen.