CNN Philippines Cebuano News

Courtesy: CNN Philippines Cebuano News

I couldn't exactly recall the time I was assigned to handle Cebuano News.
If my memory still serves me well, this was during the Solar News time.
Back then, it was Menchu Macapagal anchoring the news program.
And at the time, it was broadcast for 30 minutes, but today it was trimmed to 15 minutes along with
CNN Philippines Kapampangan News, with Nicolette Henzon.

SUPERVISING THE PROGRAM

A co-Associate Producer was on-leave for a week very reason why I have to pinch-hit for days.
At first, I need to create a strategy on supervising it.
The situation was, I am handling another program (Cebuano News), and my current news program (Updates), and that I have to consider is when "Breaking News," happens...which normally happens everyday.
Monday was a very pleasant experience. There are timeless news that was already ready for airing.
That's a big minus to my work and that I only have to prioritize what is existing.
But something came up here comes breaking news..."Bato," announcing that they have a suspect to a found bomb near the U.S. Embassy.
The ending the show was pre-empted.

Second day to third day, a structured strategy was formed.
Looking at the line-up most often (just not to miss anything or else), and the most important part is to check from time to time if materials for a particular news items are all present.

Normally, there are images sent by our stringers on our emails sometimes if coming from other sources...must that it should be attributed properly. At most times, especially when the photos or videos are coming from famous social media sites like that of facebook and tweeter.

Our job here as an Associate Producer is to secure everything is perfect for airing not just ready.
Elements like that of its support material in a form of images or videos or graphics should all be properly endorsed to editors accompanied by scripts and on their scripts if they cannot read the whole details you have to highlights or put an emphasis that this was how it should be done.

When everything is sent on our rundown, preview of everything is a must. Before everything put into broadcast it should be review.

STAFF

Not unlike any other programs, Cebuano News only has two active staffs.
The anchor of the program "Jun Tariman,' also writes here.
Another staff is a writer train to produced.
It could be a downside, but these two people are working together perfectly.

One good observation I have seen with their workflow is that they write scripts early.
Giving the editing side enough time to prepare everything.
Now, you'll see here that their downside also happens to be their strength.

From Filipino to Korean Food!

 A special day means...celebration.
Especially knowing that there are more than one person celebrating it...giving us all valid reason that it should be treated and celebrated differently.

Celebration would only mean pigging out.
But this time, exploring other Asian cuisine like that of Korea!

Never been here. This is because the family is normally exploring what is just available and of course affordable to us.
But somehow, I and my wife were able to experience a taste of Korean food in our favorite..."Bi Bim Bap," which we enjoyed so much.

Going in to the entrance of the restaurant name "Jang Ga Nae," a standee of a Korean girl in national costume will greet you.
It say's..."welcome to Jang Ga Nae!"

I and two more November celebrants Iaree and Lala came in with a car.
We were then given food menus and I was really overwhelmed with the lists,
which I am seeing for the very first time.
But the great thing was, it has photos which will tell you the look of it...but you should try to know how does it tastes.

Honestly speaking, I allowed my two close friends Iaree and Lala to choose for the food that we're ordering.
And after a few minutes, I believe that only took like five...our food were served.


GETTING TO KNOW THE FOOD

DEJI GALBI

Deji Galbi, is a Korean Pork Barbeque.
Well, I must say that the taste of it is not far from our "Filipino Style Barbeque."


DOLSOT

In Korea "Dolsot," means food that was served in a hot stone bowl, a Korean rice dish with assortment of vegetables and a meat (which is optional).

YUK GE JANG

A Korean spicy soup with shredded beef with scallions and other ingredients.
This was what we first tried eating.
There are so many vegetables on it, some were similar to Filipino veggies like that of "Sitaw," (long green beans)...some I do not recognized at all.
It was spicy but since I remember we ordered for a regular spicy flavor of it...its tastes was bearable.


BIBIMBAP

Which literally means "Mixed rice," is served in a bowl of warm white rice topped with namul (Korean seasoned vegetable dish), and gochujang, soy sauce or doenjang (a korean fermented soybean paste).

But above all the things I made mentioned, the exciting part was the served Korean paste along with Deji Galbi and other vegetables which will you wrap in a lettuce and a other leafy veggies to eat.
The very reason why we washed our hands before dining for we will be using our bare hands.

I am a bit hesitant of drinking a tea, I am  more of a drinking water person. But I am not closing myself on the idea of having it.

We do not have much of a talk, for we were all busy minding our meals. Plus the fact that we had our dinner around 8 in the evening.

When it comes to food indeed it was a very exciting experience.
The possibility of dining again is really most likely.

Jang Ga Nae is located at 8137 Plaza, Escriba Drive, Ortigas, San Antonio, Pasig.

Celebrating life!

I took leave of absence for days.
Just this year, I felt the need for a special treatment on my special day.
Normally, If its weekday, I'll be at the office working.
But I chose to be with people whom I love.

My eldest asked me to send her to school. So, that's how I began my day.
The location of her school is very near the church...went their and prayed asked for
sins forgiveness and thank the Lord for another great year.

And for a change, with my wife's support we brought baked cupcakes for my co-workers.
Well, that's the only reason why I showed up at the office to give them something.
Upon seeing me, one co-worker started greeting and then another one, and the last thing I know...
most of them saying..."Happy Birthday," on ME.
It was a very "HAPPY," moment.

I thought the celebration was over. But wait there's MORE!
My family went to see me and together we dined.
My wife, at home also baked a day before, one my my many favorite desserts..."BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE!

Well, the fun never stops there, on my special day comes a very memorable scheduled "Bowling," competition.
Years ago, (I couldn't recall the exact year anymore), I also competed.
It was a fun experience.

This year, was doubled fun. I was with my FAMILY, and CO-WORKERS as well.

Meet my team, the "News Production Team," in green uniform.

It was one tiring day, but I don't know...the excitement of having a birthday celebration could be the reason why...I never run out of ENERGY!

Let's talk about sweets: Themed Halloween Baked Goodies

We are very happy that this very month unfolds...thus I am referring to the month of "November," which celebrates "Halloween!"

With that we are very inspired and came up with "Themed Halloween," baked goodies.

We devoted time for the research, much of our inspiration on coming up with all of these came from famous designs available on the internet.

Of course, we wanted to come up with our very own designs, but since time is of essence here...making existing designs is also a perfect decision to do.

We begin with our Halloween themed cupcakes...

SPOOKY "RIP," CUPCAKE

It has two small pumpkins (these are made of fondant cake, a little gummy).
The tombstone is made up of buttercream icing.
While, the dirt like on top of the icing is made up of crashed Oreo Cookie.


SPOOKY "BOO," CUPCAKE

From the first, "Spooky RIP Cupcake," comes our very own...
"Spooky BOO Cupcake!"

The pumpkin is made up of a fondant cake...a little gummy when eaten.
The creepy tree branch is from a pure chocolate.
While the tombstone, with the word written "Boo," is an Oreo Cookie.
And what makes it more spooky is the grass like icing that covers our chocolate flavored cupcake.


WITCH HAT CUPCAKE

Presenting..."Witch Hat Cupcake."

To make this possible, we used two of our all-time dessert favorites...
One, Oreo Cookie.
AND,
Two, real Kisses!


But we are not contented with all of these designs...the very reason why we came up with more,
but this time playing up with our "Cookie!"

SPIDEY COOKIE

This particular design of our cookie was far from our regular "Chocolate Chip Cookie."
Obviously, the inspiration came from what we most fear a crawling spider..."Spidey Cookie!"

This one has real mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup that will surely attracts people who has sweet cravings!

ALIEN COOKIE

Definitely its not Mike from "monster Inc,"...obviously because it has several eyes.
It's our "Alien Cookie," from our Halloween Themed baked goodies!

MR. PUMPKIN COOKIE

And, our Scary but Yummy...Mr. Pumpkin Cookie!

We are now preparing for another special occasion, and we believe that there are so much designs to do to keep you hooked with us.

Ang kuwento ni Filemon Mamon sa paglalahad ni Althea

Agosto na naman...ibig sabihin buwan na naman ng wika.
Sa mga paaralan saan mang bahagi ng Pilipinas...hindi mawawala ang talumpatian.
Pinalad na mapili si Althea, ang aming panganay na anak upang magbasa ng isang maikling kuwento.

Sa naturang patimpalak, tiningnan kung mahusay siyang makapagbabasa, at papakinggan ng mga mga magaaral na nanonood at higit lalo't sa mga huradong guro.

Hindi ito ang unang beses ni Althea sa paglahok sa mga paligsahan. Ngunit noong nakaraang taon, nakasali at nanalo ito sa isang tula.

Ngayon nagkaroon siya ng pagkakataon na magbasa ng kuwento tungkol sa isang matabang bata na ang pangalan ay si "Filemon Mamon."

Bilang paghahanda para sa kumpetisyon, ilang araw din siyang nagsanay. Bukod ang ginagawang pagsasanay niya sa eskwelahan kasama ang kanyang guro at maging sa aming tahanan kapiling naman ang kanyang ina.
Nagkaroon din naman ako ng pagkakataon na marinig ang kanyang pagbabasa, at nagbigay din ng ilang suhestyon kung pano higit na mapabubuti pa ito.

Tinuruan namin siya ng tamang pagbaybay at pagbigkas ng mga salita, kasama rin ang ilang mga kaaya-ayang galaw upang aliwin at makuha ang atensyon ng mga manonood na magaaral at mga huradong guro.

Hindi gaya ng mga nagdaang patimpalak, walang malaking manonood na nakinig. Ginawa lamang kasi ito sa isang klasrom.
Medyo iba ngayon, hindi lamang galing sa iisang baytang ang mga magtutunggalian, sa madaling salita, makakalaban rin niya ang iba pang mga magaaral sa ikatlo at ikaapat na baytang ng naturang eskwelahan.

Naging basehan ng mga hurado ang mga sumusunod sa pagpili ng magwawagi...

Mga Pamantayan sa Pagkukuwento

Paraan ng Pagkukuwento 35%
Kalidad ng tinig 25%
Pagbibigay kahulugan 30%
Dating sa madla 10%
Kabuuan 100%

Sa kabuuan, may siyam na kalahok na nagtunggalian.
May mga kani-kaniyang paraan ng pagku-kuwento.
May mahina at halos hindi marinig ang boses, may ubod ng lakas, mayroon ding isinama ang mga manonood sa pagkukuwento, ang iba nama'y kinabisado ang buong kuwento, may umawit din at sumayaw upang makuha ang atensyon ng mga hurado at nakikinig.

Bagama't may iba't-iba silang istilo, si Althea naman ay gumamit ng mga visual aids sa kanyang kuwento gaya ng larawan ni Santa Klaus, Andres Bonifacio, Prayle, mga ulam na gaya ng adobo at lechong paksiw, mga junk food at softdrinks at siyempre ang bida sa kuwento na si ..."Filemon Mamon!"

Siyempre, bukod sa mga guro na nagorganisa ng patimpalak, naroon din ang mga magulang na todo ang suporta sa kanilang mga anak.

Pero papahuli ba naman kami, kami ang ilan sa mga magulang ng mga batang naniniwala na ang presensiya namin sa naturang tunggalian ay makakatulong ng malaki upang palakasin ang loob ng aming anak.

Matapos marinig ang lahat ng mga magaaral, dumating na ang paghahatol.
Nakakatutuwa na pinalad na makuha ng aming anak na si Althea ang ikatlong puwesto, samantalang nagwagi naman ang isang katunggali na galing sa ikaapat na baytang, at ang pangalawang puwesto ay nakuha naman ng ikatlong baytang na magaaral.
Bagama't nalungkot si Althea na hindi nito nakuha ang unang parangal, sinabi na lang namin na mayroon pa namang susunod.
Hindi kasi nito maitago ang pakiramdam na sa mga nagdaang sinalihang kumpetisyon lagi nitong inuuwi ang unang parangal.

Pero bilang magulang naunawaan din namin siya.
Ang sa amin din kasi, marahil mas mainam kung magkakaparehong baytang ang nagtunggalian sa pagbabasa ng kuwento.
Dahil sa totoo lamang po, tunay na makakakuha ng lamang o puntos ang lalaban na nasa mataas na baytang dahil sa edad nito at lawak na rin ng karanasan sa pagsali sa mga labanan.

Ngunit, salamat pa rin at nakuha nito ang ikatlong puwesto at malaki ang aming pasasalamat sa kanyang guro na si Mam Edelyn Dueñas na nagturo at nagbigay ng suporta sa kanya hanggang sa huli.

"Natutuwa kami sa iyong tagumpay Althea...ang mahalaga may bago ka na namang karanasan na magagamit mo sa susunod mong haharaping laban.

Kami ng iyong ina na si Meanne ay tunay na maligaya sa iyong tagumpay.
Muli, ang aming masayang pagbati!"

Hidilyn Diaz, Rio 2016 Filipino Pride!

Photo Courtesy: Lars Baron/ Getty Images

"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa warm welcome ninyo sa akin.
Sa pagkapanalo ko pong ito pinakita lang po natin na kaya nating lumaban sa ibang bansa. Kaya nating lumaban sa olympics."

This was Hidilyn Diaz message in a short briefing after she arrived from
Brazil.
Hidilyn was a silver medalists in weightlifting held in Rio De Janeiro olympics in Brazil,
last 8th of August 2016.

Her winning brought honor to the country after 2 decades, the last silver medalist
was  Monsueto"Onyok "Velasco, and this was through boxing.

Hidilyn added that her victory was a birthday gift to her Mom, who just celebrated her
last 7th of August.

"Parang ayoko ng magretire, parang ngayon pa lang nami-miss ko na nag pagbubuhat."

Hidilyn added and also promised a sure win upon her next olympic fight in Tokyo in 2020.

"Hindi na ako papayag na silver na. Gusto ko gold na. Pipilitin ko po."

Upon winning Hidilyn promised to herself that she will soon buy a land and
built a gym in Zamboanga. This is to help youth to become an olympian and medalists like her.

Hidilyn's greatest motto in life is to..."Believe in yourself."

Hidilyn recalled how she found out, she was a silver medalist winner.

"Bronze lang po masaya na 'ko. Tas nag-pray ako sa corner pinapraise ko na si God.
After nun pagka-praised ko, nakita ko na yung Korean weighlifter and Korean group...nagsasaya na
sila at tumatalon.
Ang sabi ko, ha bakit sila tumatalon?
Tapos biglang sinabi sa akin ng Taiwanese coach na sabi niya..."You're second."
Sabi ko..."WHAT? Second ako?! "
Yun ang saya ko po. "Sabi ko wow ang bait ni God, God is good talaga!"

Hidily also added...

"Masaya po, pero yung sa akin kasi hindi ako humahabol sa ganun kalaking pera.
Ang sa akin lang mairepresenta ko lang yung Pilipinas sa Olympics. Tapos mapanalunan ko.
masaya na po ako."

courtesy: www.rappler.com

From Davao Airport, Hidilyn went to see President Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte gave P2 Million on top of P5 Million as incentive under the National Athletes
and Coaches benefits and incentives act.

"Medyo kulang. Dinagdagan ko to encourage people also after a long and hard training.
Merong kang maigbigay at meron silang nakuha sa kanilang pagod.
Honor is not easy to get by."

Prseident Duterte uttered upon seeing Hidilyn and after giving honor to the Philippines.

Hidilyn is the first Filipina and Mindanaoan to win an olympic medal.
She finished second in the 53 Kilogram category of women's weighlifting.

Hidilyn was also given a P500 thousand cheque from the government of Zamboanga City Hall.

Not only that, she was promoted as Airwoman 2nd class last 18th of August by the Philippine Airforce.

Hidilyn also left us a words of encouragement...

"Nakaya ko, napanalunan ko 'to, so kaya nyo din. Kaya ninyong umahon sa buhay, kaya ninyong
umahon sa buhay."

Photo courtesy: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net

Let's talk about SWEETS!

I must say I and my wife happens to have a "Sweet Tooth," because we really love eating sweet foods.
But you know, this is not just the usual we love "eating sweets," we were more than that.
This will lead me to sharing to everyone that we recently thought of making a business out of it.

HOW EVERYTHING STARTED?

My wife's uncle gave her electric oven as a present.
The bottom line is it was a suggestion for her to do baking and consider it as another source of income.

FIRST BAKED RECIPE

I used to imagine a particular dessert named "Revel Bar," that we used to get from my wife's officemate who also baked and sell it.
I suggested that if ever...I want that to be her first baked recipe.
And so she did.
And it was indeed, very very successful!

Revel Bar

But since my wife was very eager to bake she did another research via the internet and by following instructions given...a new dessert was created.

MORE BAKED RECIPES

This made a way for what happens to be everyone's favorite..." Chocolate Chip Cookie!"

My wife did two versions of it...
the first one has Marshmallows which I learned from her, it was SMORES!

Chocolate Chip Cookie

But the one I liked the most was the plain Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Of course, I started to introduce this to every people whom I knew...love desserts.

I posted every picture of it on my social media sites, Facebook, and Instagram.

I also did the same thing with my wife.
And believe it or not...we have a positive feedback.

My wife and I started giving free taste to every interested people and friends we know...and they're now started ordering.

I don't know. But I think my wife really has a talent on baking desserts.
And from two recipes, comes another two new discoveries...
the fudgy "BROWNIE,"
AND,
the unforgetful "Crinkles!"

Brownie

Crinkles

Both of us, are looking forward for more baked recipes.

And, since we think that if ever it prosper (which I never doubt to happen) I'd also like to learn it by myself.