YEXEL'S TOY MUSEUM: For kids and kids-at-heart

NOTE: THIS IS MY SUGGESTION FOR THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON.
Photos By Michael Varcas

Want to relive the child in you this Christmas season? A weekend “houseum” south of Manila will open its doors every day during the much-awaited Christmas break, waiting for toy lovers, both young and the young-at-heart.

Yexel’s Toy Museum is a house-turned-toy museum that showcases an impressive collection of thousands of action figures, around a hundred of them as big or even larger than life; props replicas; and the world’s largest Optimus Prime head bust.

According to toy collector and museum owner Yexel Sebastian, the primary purpose of creating the museum and opening it to the public was to share with people the blessings given to him by God.

HOLIDAY TOY HUB. Open every day from December 20, 2012 to January 6, 2013, Yexel's Toy Museum is located at 52 Sampaguita Road, Pilar Village, Las Piñas City. Entrance fee is P300 per person.

HE’S INCREDIBLE! Toy collector and museum owner Yexel Sebastian strikes a pose together with his life-size toys at the "The Incredibles" section of his museum.

Life-size Sagat, Ken, Ryu, Guile, Akuma and Zangief at the "Street Fighter"-themed room.

SPORTS WORLD. A head bust of Kobe Bryant (left), Toronto Raptor-days Vince Carter dunks past Los Angeles Lakers-days Shaquille O'Neal (center) and boxing legend Muhammad Ali action figure (right) interplay one another.

“Dragon Ball Z”-themed action figures are displayed on a separate cabinet in one section of the toy museum.

CHRISTMAS WON’T BE LATE. Life-size Alvin and the Chipmunks welcome guests of the toy museum.

MANY VS. ONE. Small action figures of 101 Dalmatians together with main antagonist Cruella de Vil looks to kidnap again the puppies.

DISNEY DECK. Disney action figures (from left) Pinocchio; Captain Hook and Tinkerbell from “Peter Pan”; Princess Ariel of “Little Mermaid”; and Jessica Rabbit, Belle and Prince Adam (Beast) of “Beauty and the Beast” mix action, fantasy, and romance.

FANTASY FOREVER. Action figures from Final Fantasy VII, VIII and X stand tall and proud.

THE MAN OF STEEL IS ON GUARD. Life-size Superman stand beside other cartoons’ and movie characters’ headbusts.

We (Me and Bryan), are about to see a glimpse of the angry Might Hulk head bust.

THE FORCE BE WITH ME. I'm able to enter the “Star Wars”-themed room. On top of the glass partition are Stormtrooper head gears, and at the bottom are some alien characters from the movie.

Me, amazed by the group of life-size toys at a room in Yexel's Toy Museum (from left): “Lupin the III”’s Fujiko, Naruto, Astro Boy and “One Piece”’s Nami.

Once again, we are stunned by the Movies-themed room filled with life-size toys, head busts and props replicas.

Armed and prepared to defend the Earth are (from left) “Justice League”'s The Flash, Batman, Martian Manhunter, Superman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman, with the help of “The Avengers”’s Thor “X-Men”’s Nightcrawler.

PREPARING FOR BATTLE. Little Tony Stark wears his suit, ready to combat. 

READY TO RUN. A life-size Lightning McQueen Car designed with colorful lights is parked a solo room, seemingly ready to transport visitors to toylands of their childhood.

Life-size Woody and Buzz Lightyear of “Toy Story” trilogy and Mike Wazowski of “Monsters, Inc” in their wacky shot.

`Houseum:' Home Of Toys For Kids And `The Big Boys'

TOY MUSEUM -- Yexel Sebastian (center) poses with 'The Incredibles,' some of the famous life-size cartoon and anime characters on display at Yexel's Toy Museum in Pilar Village, Las Pinas City. (Photo by Michael Varcas)

Cartoons and animé characters are an integral part of practically every popular cul ture around the world ­ influencing kids and “kids-at-heart“ alike. Many toys are ­ and continue to be ­ inspired by famous cartoon and animé characters, making childhood more enjoyable every day.

Toy collector Yexel Sebastian’s childhood is no exception.

“I’ve been collecting [toys] since I was an eight-year-old kid. I started with the kiddie meals, action figures, tamiyas, pogs, [and] texts,” Sebastian said as he opened the door of Yexel’s Toy Museum in Pilar Village, Las Piñas City to MB Research for an exclusive weekday tour.

Just like other kids, 28-year-old Sebastian also played other childhood games before he proceeded to collecting toys.

Aquino Backs Productive Youth Plan

(POSTED ONLINE: November 24, 2012, 7:17pm)

MANILA, Philippines --- President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed support to the Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund (MDG-F) 1942 Joint Programme on Youth, Employment and Migration (JP YEM) at a youth gathering in Makati City Friday.

“It is wonderful to see international organizations and government agencies collaborate, together, we share the vision of equitable problem for all nations,” Aquino said in his keynote speech, which was delivered by Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldo, who spoke in behalf of the President.

A Point of View: That Every Thing Matters

Two years ago, I am not the type of person who wants to write.  It's not that I dislike it, it's just that, I am not into writing that much.

Back then, if I would be writing about such thing under the sun, I may say it would be more about scripts and concepts for our TV and Radio (production/non-production) class and 'tag lines' for my Advertising subjects as well.

Until irony hits me and came to a time that I suddenly became part of the field that I am not interested about--writing; I never thought of myself embracing this line of work as my first job after college.

Recalling our News and Feature Writing subject (a.k.a 'Course'), I may say, "I am not taking things about it seriously." Particularly, whenever we are tasked to look for a specific news genre by our Professor.

I'm just like talking to myself, saying: "this is not what I've dreamed of nor my soon-to-be job." Especially when it comes to looking for and identifying a 'special report' story—back then, I really knew nothing about it. REALLY!

Well... I was WRONG.

Who would've thought that I'd be placed into writing?

Frankly speaking, I lack self-esteem and trust towards myself, nor complacent that I could really learn how to write--formally or the so-called 'journalistic form of writing'.

But now, I've been given the opportunity to explore and discuss various and different types of stories (such as news and/or feature; specifically, those 'Special Reports' which I didn't gave importance, chance, and focus for me to comprehend.

I've come to finally realize that, every thing in this world should be given enough time to be understood, discovered, realized and learned--Every one deserves it, and every things as well.

That is one primary reason for us, people, to gain and appreciate such matter in this world, whether they breath or not, tangible or not. Every single thing is important. That is why the word "thing" is also called "matter", because it matters.

On our daily existence, whoever/whatever/whichever comes our way, still: let us all move forward towards meeting new people, strive hard to gain new knowledge, and be well prepared for a new exciting experience.

People might say, 'not all things that we encounter in our lives will be useful.' But I'm pretty sure, at one point in our lives, it will be, someday.


P.S.
Magaling ang propesor ko sa News and Feature Writing noon, wala siyang pagku-kulang. Siguro, talagang hindi ko lang inakala na ito ang magiging trabaho ko ngayon.

My Verse---LRT Rap

Photo by Razu Ryza on Flickr.com

I walk as the sun strikes straight at me

It would've been better if I sailed the sea

This feeling I can't tolerate

At least life is not at stake

*insert beatbox*

Different faces, different voices

Different stations, different destinations

Thousands of people riding

Many of them sweating

Seconds of ticket claiming

Minutes of train waiting

Hours of travelling

Days of people working

Whatever they say might not be true

Whatever the portray can't be seen through

I look at the sky, then I see blue

With thoughts on my mind there might be you

*fade-out beatbox*

I did everything just to be at the LRT.

JDV's New Initiatives

Former House Speaker Jose De Venecia, Jr. announced his agendas in collaboration with organizations around the world at a luncheon with the press in Makati City the other day.

“A few weeks ago, we had a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. I submitted to him number of proposals. I [also] led together with Korean Ambassador Chung Eui-yong, the 18 man standing committee of International Conference of Asian Political Parties  (ICAPP) and we met with him at the UN in New York,” said De Venecia.

He noted that the extent of ICAPP is composed of purely political parties, ruling parties and opposition parties from Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific small islands.

Don't worry, he won't know...

For sure, everyone in this world has something to think and say about everything that exists and surrounds them---But not everything can be heard by others nor shared to others.

Sometimes, our thoughts and perceptions cannot be voiced-out. And I am wondering, why is it so?

Where do confidentiality and privacy came from? Was it Adam and Eve's fault why such existed?

Well, I just formulated those questions on my mind. But I am not sure why have I thought of that. I guess, I simply don't know the  reason. Nevertheless, on my mind,  I have questions and conclusions.

Ang Alamat ng 'Lost and Found'

Photo from Google.com

Nagtataka lang ako bakit may mga ‘Lost And Found’?

May logical explanation ba dun? Di ko alam...

Marahil kaya 'Lost And Found' ang tawag sa 'lost and found' ay dahil napag ha-hanapan siya at mapagkukuhanan din ng gamit. Pero, para sa’kin, mali talaga eh! Ewan ko lang ha, ang labo talaga eh…

Parang kasing ganito… Nawala ang gamit mo pero nahanap din nila agad? Sa parehong lugar at oras pa?

Tingin ko, dapat Lost But Found, eh. Nawala ang gamit mo pero nahanap nila, ‘di ba?

AO 31 Meant To Improve Gov’t Services

(Conclusion)

MANILA, Philippines --- “We are not aware of those kinds of laws. It surprises us because there’s no such thing like that before. But now, different kinds of increases are booming out,” reacted 63-year-old Manny (not his real name), on the newly signed Administrative Order No. 31 (AO 31), which authorizes increases in government fees and charges.

Similarly, Eloisa Lat, a 24-year-old bakery owner in Manila, is not aware of the new administrative order signed by the President last October 1.

Hike In Gov’t Fees: Boon Or Bane?

(First of Two Parts)

MANILA, Philippines --- Manny (not his real name), a 63-year-old seaman, has been complaining about the requirements that he has to comply with just to board the chemical tanker, where he has been working as an electrician for more than 30 years now.

“It is expensive now due to more requirement, like the SOLAS and other training, which before had no expiration. Now, after five years, you have to renew and undergo training again, which cost us a lot,” Manny lamented, in an interview with MB Research.

He revealed spending around P30,000 just for the requirements that he had to submit, in addition to other related expenses.

Manila Bulletin To Launch Online Jobsite At Job Fair

POSTED ONLINE: November 6, 2012, 6:44pm

MANILA, Philippines --- Manila Bulletin, The Philippines’ Leading National Newspaper, will launch its online jobsite, www.mbclassified.com , at the Manila Bulletin “Job Fair Extreme” at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on November 12-13, 2012.

PC Express, one of the largest computer DIY retail stores in the country, will provide computer terminals for jobseekers to access the online jobsite, register, and submit their resumés directly. PLDT-MyDSL, one of the leading broadband service providers, will provide Internet access.

ANG PAG-SAKAY NG JEEP AY ISANG ADVENTURE

6:32pm

Nagmamadali ako. Dalawang tao na lang at aandar na ang jeep. Nagmadali ako, naunahan ng isang ale, may kasabay pa kong isang lalaki pero ako ang nauna sa kanya. Swerte!

Mainit at siksikan sa loob ng jeep, tumutulo ang pawis ko. Umandar na nga ang jeep nang biglang may pasaherong bumaba kaaagad pagka-lampas pa lamang ng isang kanto. Sayang naman ang P8.00, kayang-kaya lakarin, e. Kung ano talagang rason niya kung ba't ba siya nag-jeep, hindi ko alam. Baka sobrang yaman niya lang at gusto mag-aksaya ng pera. Pero kung mayaman nga siya, bakit nagko-commute siya? Ah, ewan.

Ilang kanto pa ang nalagpasan, bago tumawid ng intersection, may lalaking ugod-ugod at di makapag-lakad ng diretso (hindi ko alam kung lasing o nabugbog) na inaakay ng dalawa pang lalaki (hindi ako sigurado kung mga kasama silang nag-inom o sila ang mga nambugbog).  Maaaring wala akong tama sa kahit dalawang hinala ko, pero kung may tama man ako, tingin ko ang puno't dulo ay babae: iniwan siya o namilit.

Cost of Weddings Hindering Couples

October 27, 2012, 8:58pm

The idea of having an extravagant wedding is hindering many of Filipinos in their desire to get married, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a couple dreaming to spend the rest of their lives with each other.

Engaged couple Abraham Matthias Gnüchtel and Kathryn Raña are planning to spend around R200,000, the average price tag of wedding ceremonies nowadays.

The two decided to finally tie the knot after almost three years of being in a relationship. They first met in the church where they both attend service. Raña said theirs is a “whirlwind” love story.

Bangsamoro Turning Over New Leaf

By CARLOS DAVE B.GARCIA and BRYAN G. VILLASANA

(Article Posted Online: October 14, 2012, 7:46pm)

The projected signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro entity between the Philippine Government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is expected to turn over a new leaf not only for the Muslims in Mindanao, but for all Filipinos.

Director Fatmawati Salapuddin of the Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolutions of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos  declared he believes that “with this framework, peace is not that far.”

Anti-Cybercrime Law not all flaws — Angara

By CARLOS DAVE B. GARCIA and BRYAN G. VILLASANA

(Article Posted Online: October 8, 2012, 10:01pm)

MANILA, Philippines — “I want to emphasize that not all of the provisions here are complained about,” said Senator Edgardo J. Angara, in defense of the newly ratified Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which he principally authored.

Angara categorized that among the 23 provisions under the act, “only three are being questioned.”

The new law, according to Angara, is a very strong public policy for the good of the majority, since it is developing a new venue of communication which did not exist some 30 years ago.

Pasig River Rehab Program Pursued

By CARLOS DAVE B. GARCIA and FREDERICK LOUIS R. CASTRO II

(Article Posted Online: September 25, 2012, 5:55pm)

MANILA, Philippines --- If esteros — and eventually, Pasig River — are clean, the country’s economy will improve.

This was what Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) chairperson Gina Lopez underscored as she led a familiarization tour of Estero de Paco and Estero de San Miguel in Manila for media yesterday morning, in an effort to show the agency’s aggressiveness to pursue the seven-year Pasig River rehabilitation program.

“The conjecture here is that when you clean the esteros, the economy will boom,” said Lopez.

What Really Happened At ASEAN

By CARLOS DAVE B. GARCIA and YFUR PORSCHE P. FERNANDEZ

(Article Posted Online: July 19, 2012, 7:04pm)

The failure to issue the customary Joint Communique in the recently concluded 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia generated “grave misimpressions from people who were not present during those meetings” that need to be corrected, according to Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda F. Basilio.

Basilio was part of the Philippine delegation to seek unified support of ASEAN member nations on the prevailing territorial disputes on the West Philippine Sea.

PAG-ALALA KAY M16, Bai!

Junior Kilat (photo source: Google.com)

Ang unang Budoy na pinakilala ng ABS-CBN sa mga tao.

Ang bokalista ng bandang Junior Kilat na si Errol "Budoy" Marabiles ay nakilala nang karamihan noong panahon na sumali siya sa Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition, na isang produksiyon ABS-CBN.

Maaaring ang anyo ng Budoy na ‘to ay kabaliktaran ng karakter na ginampanan ni Gerald Anderson; maitim, mahaba ang buhok, di kagwapuhan, at iba ang pananamit (para sa iba).

Perhaps, I ought to be aware of these... (PART 1)

 “Live life to express, not to impress” — Wow, ingles! Hindi kalaliman  at madaling maintindihan, ipag-yabang na kaagad at ipangaral sa kaibigan!

“Kung may tiyaga may nilaga” — Sangkap siguro ang tiyaga, minsan hinahanap ko ‘to. Ah, basta! Ang alam ko, puwede na din magkaron ng nilaga gamit ang Magic Sarap/Nam nam!

“Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo?” — ‘Di lang naman kabayo ang nagda-damo; pati nga baka, kalabaw, kambing, etc. Minsan, mas in demand pa nga ang damo sa mga TAO.

Fliptop: Random Thoughts

I've always been a fan of rap battles I've seen on YouTube since GrindTime (American Rap Battle Legue even before Fliptop (First Filipino Rap Battle League).

In more than 3 successful years, Fliptop continued to serve as the number 1 icon promoting the hip-hop culture in the Philippines.

Truly, those 3 years years were really excellent years not just for me but for its viewers inside and outside the country.

Up, Up and Away

Unang pahayag, ay usapang pisikal upang patunayan na ungas pala ang ulong pinuno ng mga umasang panauhin.

Kung siguro ay wala lang akong pang-intindi at hindi ka lang nakatatanda ay na-yupi ko na ang pag mumukha mo.

Tinupi sa tatlo at kinaskas sa bato ang bunganga mo, hanggang matahimik 'to. Hampas-hampasin ng electric guitar ang buong katawan, 'di patatawarin kahit na talampakan. Putulin ang ulo, at ipakain sa aso mga durog-durog mong buto.

SAVING PASIG – Water companies play key roles

By CARLOS DAVE B. GARCIA AND ENRICO MACATULAD

(Article Posted Online: Aug 29th, 2012)

Manila, Philippines – Disposal of untreated or inadequately treated domestic wastewater remains to be a major issue in Metro Manila.

Since Pasig River’s “biological death“ in 1990, authorities have been pulling out all the stops to bring its classification of water usage back to at least Class C.

Under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) classification used for freshwater sources, such as rivers, lakes and reserves, Class AA pertains to disinfected water supply, which is ideal for human consumption.

SAVING PASIG – ADB gives gov’t ‘failing grade’

By CARLOS DAVE GARCIA and YFUR PORSCHE FERNANDEZ
(Article Posted Online: Aug 27th, 2012)

Pasig River clean-up drive gets failing grade from ADB

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine government’s efforts to deal with the Pasig River problem received a “failing grade“ from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

ADB, an international financial institution, granted the national government a US$100-million policy loan intended to fund river rehabilitation projects. The loan was released in two installments: US$40 million in August 2000 and US$60 million in December 2003.

The bank gave the mark in its 2010 completion and evaluation report, citing three major reasons:

IT STINKS—Pasig ferry services went bankcrupt

By CARLOS DAVE B. GARCIA
Posted by Online on Aug 26th, 2012

Manila, Philippines – Rodelon Ramos used to take the ferry service from Pasig to Lawton, Manila in 2008. The boat ride took only 30 minutes and the cost was less than P40, relatively cheap in those days.

“The river was dirty but its odor from the ferry boat was tolerable,“ said Ramos, then a student.

SAVING PASIG – Ming Ramos’ Sagip Pasig Movement

By CARLOS DAVE B. GARCIA and BRYAN EDWARD G. VILLASANA

September 7, 2012, 7:48pm

MANILA, Philippines — Veteran journalist Malou Mangahas on Friday presented her recommendations to keep the print media vibrant, relevant, and competitive in today’s challenging market during the 2nd Philippine Print Media Congress (PrintCon 2012) at the historic landmark Manila Hotel.

Mangahas, executive director and co-founder of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), said that print media needs three “I”s to overcome and even outlast the changes brought by technology: Initiative, Innovation, and Investment.

‘Embrace Change, Reinvent,’ Print Media Told

By CARLOS DAVE B. GARCIA and BRYAN EDWARD G. VILLASANA

September 7, 2012, 7:48pm

MANILA, Philippines — Veteran journalist Malou Mangahas on Friday presented her recommendations to keep the print media vibrant, relevant, and competitive in today’s challenging market during the 2nd Philippine Print Media Congress (PrintCon 2012) at the historic landmark Manila Hotel.

Mangahas, executive director and co-founder of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), said that print media needs three “I”s to overcome and even outlast the changes brought by technology: Initiative, Innovation, and Investment.

Trapped In Quake-Hit School

By CARLOS DAVE B. GARCIA and BRYAN EDWARD G. VILLASANA

July 15, 2012, 6:59pm

CABANATUAN CITY— Jessica delos Reyes was in the middle of a Math exam when the magnitude 7 earthquake struck on July 16, 1990.

The 14-year-old high school sophomore was on the third floor of the six-story Christian College of the Philippines (CCP) in the heart of this city.

“I thought it was the end of the world. There was thunder and lightning, as if there was a deluge,” she recalled last week

Paunang Dugo--Nose Bleed

Ito ang aking pinaka-unang BLOG na gagawin para sa blagsayt na ito. Sa totoo lang, wala ako ideya kung ano nga ba talaga ang mayroon sa pagba-blog, but since my friends told me that this will enhance my writing skills, naisipan kong subukan.

Bibigyan ko ng isang buwan ang aking sarili at ang blogsite na ito kung may magkakaroon nga ba ng pagbabago o improvement ang aking pagsusulat.

At kung magkakaroon man nga ng improvement, eh 'di, maganda! 

Sa totoo lang, hindi ako naniniwala sa mga ganito-ganito, nasa tao na 'yan kung gusto niya talagang matuto.

Pero eto, ha, isa lang ang pinaniniwalaan ko, totoo at mabuti ang DIYOS, dahil sa kanya nanggaling ang lahat ng natutunan ko at sa kanya din manggagaling ang mga matututunan ko sa mga darating pag panahon.

Ayun lamang sa ngayon.

P.S.

Pinilit kong mag-ingles, nag dugo ang ilong ko--kaya ganito ang title ng blog na 'to.