Nestlé Philippines Celebrates 100 years (a TV Commercial entitled "Pag-ibig")

Nestle celebrated its centennial year in the country through the theme “Kasambuhay, Habambuhay.” It was on 2011 when the TV commercial aired nationwide. The TV commercial is entitled “Pag-ibig” (theme song by APO Hiking Society). Even though the commercial’s length is short, still it’s striking for me.

The commercial is a masterpiece depicting Filipino traits and traditions. As years passed, everything evolved including the Filipino television. Programs seemed to become more liberated and commercials became nonsense, some has subliminal messages (that’s not good for minor viewers). But then, this commercial pops out just like that in the midst of overflowing TV commercials.

This commercial gives a lot of messages to the viewers especially on love for family which makes the cultural traits of each Filipino. There are two characters (that was focused) on the commercial, a girl and a boy who met each other since they’re both kids. And as time pass by, both of them grew so as their relationship together. The commercial title may seem to refer on love for opposite sex but if you try to watch and understand the whole story; it also refers to the love for family which I found so striking. Since Filipino people are family-oriented, it’s a good point how Nestle (knowing that it’s an international brand) made their product relate to Filipino culture. The commercial actually touched my heart especially on the part when two lovers grew old but then they are still taking care of one another, a value that everyone must acquire. There’s also this part when the couple got married and had their own family, when they were about to sleep, the wife had their children with her on bed rather than her husband who was on the floor beside the bed. Before they turned the lights off, the couple held each other’s hand, which I found heartwarming.

Family was depicted as an important tool for growth in the commercial. That we should value and love each other no matter what happens through misery and happiness. I adore how the family in the commercial is bonded with each other. I personally love my own family and so while watching the commercial, I found myself relating to it. I also noticed that the commercial is manifesting another Filipino trait, the extended family tradition. On the last part, all of them were united up to the grandsons and granddaughters of the couple.

The commercial started when the boy first met the girl while she was wearing her new dress, then the girl teased her because he has milk traces on his lips and as the commercial ended, the boy is now old, he have his granddaughter. When he first saw his granddaughter, the girl is wearing a new dress, impressing her grandmother (the wife) then she teased her grandfather because he has tear marks on his eyes.

Its amazing how nestle tried to connect the commercial to their products. That nestle products became the part of every Filipino family through generations in constant companions. Just like what two lovers became, from childhood up to their old age.

Photos from Nestle.com.ph, Video from PhilTVCom

EXCLUSIVE: YANG CONTINUES "AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER" IN "THE SEARCH"

Exclusive art: Writer Gene Yang and art team
Gurihiru studios reunite for "Avatar-
The Search"

It's been a fantastic year for fans of "Avatar: The Last Airbender." Not only did the "Legend of Korra" animated series debuted to near-universal critical and fan acclaim, but Dark Horse continued to up the "Avatar" ante with its graphic novel series "The Promise," which helps fill in the gap between the end of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "Legend of Korra." Written by "American Born Chinese" creator Gene Luen Yang with art by Gurihiru Studios, the three-part graphic novel series wraps in September -- but that doesn't mean it's the end of Avatar Aang's adventures.

This weekend at the American Library Association, Dark Horse announced Yang and Gurihiru will return for a second "Avatar: The Last Airbender" graphic novel series called "The Search," which explores the biggest unsolved mystery in "Avatar" lore: what happened to Prince Zuko's mother?

CBR News spoke with Yang, a longtime "Avatar: The Last Airbender" fan, about his work on "The Search," wrapping up "The Promise, his feelings about "Legend of Korra," the challenge of linking the two shows and their characters together and the return of Princess Azula.

CBR News: Gene, the last time you spoke with CBR, "The Promise: Part One" hadn't been released yet and "Avatar" fans were still chomping at the bit for "Legend of Korra." Now, "The Promise: Part Two" has just dropped and "Legend of Korra" just aired its season finale. First off, as a fan of the series, how have you been enjoying "Legend of Korra?"

Gene Luen Yang: I've loved every episode of "Legend of Korra" so far. The animation in the original show was great, but the Korra stuff is really in a league of its own. The bending fights are nothing short of spectacular. And also there's this dynamic -- all our old friends from the first show are now legends. So far, we've seen statues of Aang, Zuko and Toph. It reminds us of something that's true in the real world, too -- the actions of a few, even a few teenagers, can have big consequences down the road.

Of all the Korra characters, my favorite is probably Tenzin. I appreciate how different he is from his dad. I like that he's so uptight. And with kids of my own, I really relate to what he has to deal with.

This weekend, you announced "The Search" as the next miniseries in the "Avatar" series of Dark Horse's graphic novels. As a fan of the original "Avatar: The Last Airbender" series, I'd really love that title to refer to Zuko's long-lost mother -- what can you tell us about the significance of the title?

I'm not totally sure how much I'm allowed to say -- but you're right! It's really, really surreal. Like every other "Airbender" fan out there, I gasped at the end of that scene in the last episode, where Zuko confronts Ozai. How could Mike and Bryan just leave us hanging like that?! In the last episode, with no immediate plans for resolution! And now, for me to have a hand in answering some of those questions -- like I said, surreal.

Beyond the title of the book, is there anything you can tell fans about the storyline of "The Search" and where it'll take Team Avatar?

I've always loved the supernatural elements of the Avatarverse. The

Season 1 finale was one of my favorite sequences in the series. We didn't really do much supernatural in "The Promise" since that story was focused on the political ramifications of the War's end. But I'm happy to say, writing "The Search" is giving me the chance to explore that side of Aang and his world.

"The Promise" has been a continuation of the "Avatar: The Last Airbender" story, featuring a closer look at the politics that are involved in the world's reconstruction. Will "The Search" continue to explore the political side of the Avatar's world or will you be taking it in a slightly different direction?

The politics will be there -- they're difficult to avoid when one of your main characters is the leader of a large nation. However, we'll be shifting our focus from the nation to the family. Within Confucian thought, there's a connection between nation and family -- the family is a microcosm of the nation. I actually reference that in "The Search."

One of the great things about "The Promise" is how faithful to the source material the book has been. As you've been building this story, how challenging has it been to continue developing the characters in your own way while still staying true to their core?

This project is different from my other projects. With "American Born

Chinese," "Prime Baby" and my other books, I was really trying to express something about me. I wanted what was on paper to match what was in my head. With the "Airbender" project, I'm trying to mimic someone else's storytelling voice. I don't want the characters to grow in a direction that suits me or expresses something about me -- I want them to grow in a direction that fits their world and their established history.

Now, that's not to say that there isn't room for self-expression, but the self-expression occurs where my passions overlap with the Avatarverse. For instance, a recurring theme in many of my stories is culture. That's also a deeply important part of the Avatarverse, and the basis for a lot of what happens in "The Promise."

"Avatar - The Search" continues Yang and
Gurihiru's time in the Avatarverse, bridging the
gap between "The Last Airbender" and
"Legend of Korra."

This line of graphic novels is meant to fill in the gaps between the final episode of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and the premiere of "Legend of Korra. So far, we've gotten a chance to see Toph's metal bending academy and Aang's struggle to unite the nations. How will this struggle increase in "The Promise: Part 3" and into "The Search?"

"The Search" focuses on Zuko and Azula. Aang, Katara and Sokka will be there, of course, but the Fire Nation royal siblings are really the drivers of the action. In "The Promise," we see Zuko struggling with his responsibilities as Fire Lord. "The Search" is the next stage of that struggle.

One of the advantages of "Legend of Korra" is the plethora of flashbacks audiences get, seeing Aang, Sokka and Toph come into their own as leaders of Republic City -- but even in the flashbacks, they're significantly older than in the original series. What's your plan for making these characters age, if any?

Those are my favorite parts of "Korra!" In "The Search," the Gang are still teenagers. "The Search" takes place immediately after the end of "The Promise."

You're still working with Gurihiru studio for "The Search." How did you collaborate with them to change up character designs a bit?

Gurihiru's art in "The Promise" is phenomenal, isn't it? I feel so lucky to be working with them. I believe they are the perfect combination of Eastern and Western cartooning influences, which in turn is a perfect reflection of "Avatar: The Last Airbender." They work more directly with Mike and Bryan on character designs, especially when it comes to new clothing for existing characters. I throw in a comment when I can (usually "WOW!").

Two characters of the original Team Avatar have been conspicuously absent from the "Legend of Korra" flashbacks. Most pressing is Zuko, who currently plays a huge role in "The Promise." While I'm sure you're not able to spoil much here, will we get to discover why his influence hasn't been seen in Republic City at all during the course of "The Search?"

Um... you'll just have to read the comics.

Speaking of Zuko, he can't catch a break. After all the heartache he went through in the original series, he's now getting drawn back in to his father's web, Mai has left him and the Earth Kingdom is about to declare war. What are the chances he'll be able to find some happiness when this is all over?

Well, like Ozai said, "Zuko was lucky to be born." That struggle is who he is. Don't you know people who are like that? I have an acquaintance who is like that. Great guy, but life just seems to have it in for him -- his health, his relationships, nothing seems to go his way. Even so, you can see him making progress over the years. Often it's two steps forward, one step back, but when you take the long view there's definitely progress. That's how I imagine Zuko to be. And frankly, I find folks like that more admirable than folks who get everything handed to them.

Speaking of Zuko's family, what's Azula been up to? Her stay in the Fire Nation mental institution has got to be incredibly interesting.

In "The Search," we'll see what a prolonged stay in a Fire Nation mental institution does to a person.

Katara and Aang's burgeoning relationship is certainly something fans were clamoring for since the announcement of "The Promise." Thanks to "Legend of Korra," fans now know they get married and have a child, but what trials will their relationship have to go through before getting to that point?

At the beginning of "The Promise," Katara and Aang are still in that lovey-dovey stage of their relationship. They call each other pet names and are way too affectionate. By the end of "The Promise," they will have gone through their first conflict. Their relationship will continue to mature in The Search, but it will take a backseat to the Fire Nation Royal Family. After all, that is one messed up family. They need all the panel-time they can get.

So, Toph eventually has a daughter. Will readers actually get to see what Toph is like in a relationship in "The Search?" What is it like knowing you may have to explore that aspect of her character in coming installments?

I love Toph. She was my favorite character to write in The Promise. Sadly, though, she doesn't have a big role to play in The Search.

And for a slightly silly question, what about Cabbage Corp? You've already dropped a few references to the incredibly unlucky cabbage merchant -- are there plans to chronicle his rise to power in the background?

It's an inspiring story, isn't it? An unlucky cabbage merchant, through elbow grease and sheer will power, grows his one cart into a huge, multi-generational corporation! That guy is my hero!

Article Source: www.ComicBookResources.com

The Airing of "The Legend of Korra"

I actually waited two years to see the sequel of the epic cartoon series Avatar. I really love this cartoon. It was when I was on my high school days when I first saw Aang and found the series really amazing and thrilling (and funny!) and so, I tried my best to watch the entire series from the first book up to the last which was the fire. And yes, the newest avatar finally came and she’s no other than Avatar Korra, a water bender.

After years Aang maintained balance and equality among four nations, now it’s time for him to rest as an avatar, then he died (of old age). As the cycle continues (Air, water, earth, fire) water is supposed to be the next element or tribe that the next avatar should came from and so, it’s Korra’s turn from a southern water tribe. 

The series focuses more on one place which is called the Republic City, a steampunk metropolis occupied by benders and non-benders of different nations. The city was founded by Aang and Zuko after the 100-year war between nations. Tenzin, former avatar Aang’s son, is the one who will teach Korra to air bend and it’s really difficult on her part to master this element (as we recall, avatar Aang has difficulty mastering earth, so it’s usual for avatars to have difficulties). Korra is a stubborn, silly teenage woman who will learn to deal with being into serious job of mastering all elements. The first season will focus on how Korra fight the Equalists, a non-benders who uses chi-blocking to subdue their enemies.


My opinion: I do watched the first chapters of this epic cartoon series and personally, I love how this series is different from the first one. The way the story was constructed is a masterpiece. Somehow the part that I don’t like is that the series is less funny that of it became more serious. As what we recall, people loved Avatar the Last Airbender because of its humor at the same time the story is great. Though The legend of Korra has great story, still i’m looking for some humor like what Aang brought to everyone of us. Another this is that when the first chapter was shown, Avatar Korra already mastered three elements and so what’s next? it’s air, the only remaining element left. So if there’s only one element to be mastered, will the series be short? I don’t want this series to be short I want more story! hehehe..

But all-in-all, the first three chapters are good. Thumbs up to Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko!

Photos retrieved from ogmansblog.wordpress.com

Buy Eyeglasses Online: Vision & Fashion the Frugal Way

Press Release: Firmoo Optical Company Limited

NEW YORK, April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- A month ago, CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) published a piece of news about purchasing eyeglasses online; a month later, this news has already been commented on by thousands of people. With the rise of purchasing eyeglasses online, more and more eyeglass wearers have begun to focus their attention on it. However, with regard to buying eyewear online, some support it while others still have doubts about it. What has turned numerous eyeglass wearers from traditional brick-and-mortar eyeglass stores to online ones? Firmoo's slogan tells you everything: Vision and Fashion the Frugal Way.

Most eyeglasses wearers have purchased eyeglasses at traditional eyeglass stores. Nevertheless, due to the limited styles and unaffordable prices, consumers have had to regard eyeglasses as a medical tool used to correct vision instead of a fashion accessory. But now, with the emergence of online eyeglass shopping, we can get fashionable eyeglasses at reasonable prices. Among the many online eyeglass stores, Firmoo, which combines fashion and economy, is undoubtedly the most outstanding one.

As we all know, we usually have to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of glasses at brick-and-mortar eyeglass stores. Yet, you can get the same pair of glasses from online eyeglass stores at a fraction of the price. For this reason, buying glasses online is, so to speak, quite an economical way to get eyeglasses. Among the numerous online optical stores, Firmoo is the most economic one. Customers can usually get their beloved glasses at a price that is up to 90% lower than that in brick-and-mortar eyeglass stores. Furthermore, new customers can even get their first pair for FREE there. Some people may doubt the quality, safety, durability, etc. of eyeglasses purchased online, but there is no need to worry when purchasing from Firmoo. Firstly, all glasses provided by Firmoo are carefully manufactured by skilled workers and are strictly inspected by professional opticians before shipment, thus ensuring the quality and safety of glasses; secondly, Firmoo has developed a try-on tool for customers to try their beloved eyeglasses on so as to see how they look on them; thirdly, Firmoo has a customer service team that has always been committed to offering their valued customers the best service; lastly, all glasses available at Firmoo are provided by their affiliated factory, which is why they can offer eyeglasses at such a low price.

"We have dozens of affiliated eyeglasses factories which enable us to provide our customers with the most affordable eyeglasses around because there are no middlemen in between. Meanwhile, we have devoted ourselves to providing our valued customers with fashionable and aesthetic eyeglasses," said Patrick Li, Firmoo's CEO.

Compared with purchasing eyeglasses at brick-and-mortar eyeglass stores, purchasing eyeglasses online is not only more economical but also enables customers to select from more fashion elements. This is due to Firmoo meticulously picking several hundred classic styles from thousands of eyeglass models.

Firmoo CEO Patrick Li also added, "Our team has selected hundreds of classical and fashionable styles in order to save time for our customers when they are picking eyeglasses."

So what do online eyeglass stores bring to us? We believe the answer is fashion and frugality.

For more details about how to get fashionable and economical glasses from Firmoo, please visit: http://www.firmoo.com/

About Firmoo

Firmoo.com is an emerging global online eyeglass store offering prescription eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses. Years of expertise in the optical industry have enabled Firmoo.com to offer a variety of high quality prescription eyeglasses to the public at affordable prices. Firmoo is devoted to offering high quality eyeglasses, competitive prices and thoughtful customer service. Only our valued and satisfied customers can further solidify our position as the leading online eyeglass store in the world. For Firmoo's Online Optical Store, user satisfaction is always the highest priority.

For more details about Firmoo, please visit www.FIRMOO.com

***This press release is brought to you by Yahoo! Finance***

The Chinese Beggar

Last April 6, 2011, my bestfriend (Ma. Hanzel Sy Ranit) and I went to U.E. Caloocan. She inquired something there and we went out. I don’t know why but I brought my camera that day with me, not thinking of any reason I just kept it inside my bag. While passing through Samson Road (Hanzel decided that we should walk instead of taking a jeep)

While we had our chit chat, we’ve noticed people surrounding something, we tried to approach then we saw a Chinese beggar, having a drum on top of his head and white cartolina that tells something.

 Both of us looked at each other and read what his cartolina says:

I brought above $ 40M to phil. but I almost was killed two times. I’m a Chinese (refugee), announce my government expoilt its people. Then I had to leave china. but in phil. my government and its phil partner (1) blockes me. I cannot get help; (2) have been trying to kill me by poisonous drugs. electromagnet wave. “gong fu”.”devil”, cellphone accidents etc. then (3) I don’t have safe (rice, water, medicine, room, pace to stay). (4) I can’t contact international as general . (5) I don’t know language of phil. my English is very bad. (6) I’m alone in phil. Pls help one peso!

I elected president for phil. but I have to beg still. (1) I have to wear the drum to sleep then china government put poisonous drugs into my drum to poison me everyday(night). My feet and legs swelled still on Apr 5, 3, and 4. (2) two men (wore red shirt and blue shirt)openly  put poisonous drugs into air to poison me (some Chinese characters I can’t understand) a boat (another Chinese characters he included that maybe he can’t express to English) put a poisonous drugs into air to poison me. Direction of wind changed. It left when I stayed at seaside on Apr 4. (3) when I fetched water I watched on Maceda Aug Manila on Apr 5, China government put poisonous drug into air to poison me. I dizzled.

I was so shocked about what it says, I mean was he some kind of a “big personality” in his country (China) that even the Chinese Government even bothers to poison him again and again just to stop him from saying what the truths were. Looking at his letter, I noticed that he had wrong spellings and grammars but this was not the point, the point was, he tried his best to announce to the public what had happened to him. I think there were some sentences or phrases that he can’t express to English that’s why he wrote them according to his own language.

What will the China government say to this? Does the letter says the truth or not? We had Chinese embassy here and what are they doing?

Some of my friends told us that this was maybe a prank to collect money or maybe a syndicate. If this was a syndicate, why does Chinese government let this happen and even, why does the Philippine government let this happen to his citizen? Maybe this Chinese was not a Filipino but still, he was inside the Philippine territory and so, it was the responsibility of the government to protect its people.

I felt pity to the Chinese beggar looking at his situation. One thing came into my mind, what if one of our kababayan was in his situation, begging alms abroad, and nothing to eat? We, as people of this country should do something to help this kind of people.

After we read, and took some of his pictures, I gave twenty pesos to him, then I smiled when he said in simple words “Ah, Thank you!.”

i submitted this article to ABS-CBN's IReport. Hopefully they'll recognize it!

yours, DENN★LEVY