This timeless masterpiece sung by Martin Nievera and written by Ogie Alcasid is hitting every Filipino by storm in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and wherever Filipinos are; as one of their favorite music and tv series as well. The music was primarily composed for the ABS-CBN television series primetime Lobo translated into “Wolf” in English. The show premiered January 8, 2008 and will end sometime in July that stars Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual supported by an awesome cast. The love song music is very much a Filipino contemporary well suited for the tv series. Martin Nievera known for his popular masterpiece hits such as “Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin” and “Be My Lady” had once again hit the golden tin pot for his performance in this music “Ikaw Ang Pangarap” ( You’re My Dream) now popular on local FM and AM stations locally and soon would be on karaoke joints and sing along music centers. The song had an album release through Star Records in which the original version sung by Martin and also an album release by Piolo Pascual himself. While the song is hitting the airwaves in Metro Manila and around the country the TV series is seen daily by millions of Pinoys locally and worldwide. Below are few of the main and supporting cast of Lobo and watch the song performed by Martin Nievera with clipped highlights from the series and song lyrics below.

The Lobo Television Series Cast:

• Piolo Pascual - as Noah Ortega
• Angel Locsin - as Layka Raymundo
• Shaina Magdayao - as Gabrielle Raymundo
• Ryan Eigenmann - as Anton Rivero
• Pilar Pilapil - as Eleonora Blancaflor aka Lady Elle
• Agot Isidro - as Nessa Raymundo
• Dante Rivero - as General Leon Cristobal
• Robert Arevalo - as Manolo Sebastian
• Maritoni Fernandez - as Vivian Lee
• Dimples Romana - as Trixie
• Irma Adlawan - as Clara Rivero
• Lauren Young - as Zoe Cristobal

Ikaw Ang Pangarap

Mula ng makilala ka, Buhay ko’y biglang nag-iba
Kay saya ng bawat sandali, kailan may hindi pagpapalit
Ikaw ang aking hiniling, sa habambuhay ay makapiling
Ngunit mahal ikaw ay nasaan, aking minimithi ay ikaw lamang

Ikaw ang aking pangarap, ikaw ang sagot sa aking dasal
Puso ko ay iaalay, pagkat minamahal kitang tunay
Ikaw ang aking pag-ibig, ang nagbibigay kulay sa aking daigdig
Wala ng nanaisin pa, kung magpakailanman ay kasama ka

Ngunit mahal ikaw ay nasaan, aking minimthi ay ikaw lamang
Ikaw Lamang…..

Chorus:

Ikaw ang aking pangarap, ikaw ang sagot sa aking dasal
Puso ko ay iaalay, pagkat minamahal kitang tunay
Ikaw ang aking pag-ibig, ang nagbibigay kulay sa aking daigdig
Wala ng nanaisin pa, kung magpakailnman ay kasama ka

Ikaw ang pangarap, Ikaw ang aking pangarap…….

What is Gintong Alay ?

Gintong Alay was the flagship sports project created by former President Ferdinand Marcos on October 31, 1979 primarily for athletics development to restore Filipinos rightful place as among the top sports champions in Asia. The project was designed to promote dedication and commitment to sports in its campaign to harvest gold medals in international sports events as part of the integral national goals of the country and also the Filipino way of life. In order to provide the best outcome for athletes, scientific programs and trainings were required and with these comes resources, materials and funding thus the program was created. In such a short time of its operation, success was foreseen and on May 2, 1980 the project expanded its scope of sports development and included 17 more other sport categories, was elevated to a national project with educational fund campaigns supported by both the government and joined by the private sectors.

Michael Edward Keon, the no-nonsense young person and a man who has his own reputation for excellence and is known as a competent administrator given his background in positions of leadership in sports, was appointed as head of the project and also was nephew of then President Marcos. Michael Keon was the son of Marcos sister, the fiery Elizabeth who was then the governor of Ilocos Norte and married to Australian Michael James Keon who worked for the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, and who was involved in the “Green Revolution Campaign” during the time of the late beloved President Ramon Magsaysay and had a hand in setting up the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna.

The first successful member of Gintong Alay was Lydia de Vega, a lissome lass from Bulacan who came to the scene and cracked the national record in the 100 and 400 meters track. De Vega became the darling of track and field events and was named the “Sprint Queen of Asia” by winning the 100 m gold medal in New Delhi in 1982 South East Asian Games and duplicating her feat in the SEA Games in Seoul, South Korea 4 years later. Along with her success came other champions such as 400 m male counter part Isidro del Prado who also bagged golds for the country with steeplechaser Hector Begeo, hurdler Renato Unso and a host of other athletes that included the basketball team spearheaded by Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

While the success of the project boomed during the 80’s, it deteriorated after the ouster of Marcos in February 1982. The project was stalled for a decade and was brought back during the early part of the 90’s. Though brought back to be a part of the Philippine Olympic Committee’s added project, funding and resources from the private sectors had diminished and participation of individuals from schools nationwide through the Palarong Pambansa had shortened.

With so many talents around the country just waiting to be tapped, I hope that the congress and senate with the help of the national sports committee, government and private sector could formulate and support a way of resuscitating a golden project like this. It would allow us to show once again that the Philippines is a mighty powerhouse country to be beaten in sports and would once again add fame and glory through sporting events and would indirectly help the travel and tourism industry.

Yet another unpopular hero in the Philippines the Barangay Tanods. These are the men and women who maintains the peace and order in each barangay, ensuring safety of its own inhabitants and deputized by the local chairman. Mostly a group composed of 2-4 persons patrolling every night in every local street neighborhood preventing crimes or apprehending thief’s, burglar’s, or routine checks. The Barangay Tanod history goes way back from the Marcos regime in the middle part of the 70’s to establish peace, order and security of every individual street in the local neighborhood of appointed and volunteer citizens, an experimental idea which became a success.

At present, the Barangay Tanod became part of the local crime fighting unit of the Philippine National Police, with the support of each Local Government Units (LGU) . They have been authorized to use force at times if necessary and can conduct investigation on their own jurisdictions. They were all granted allowances that includes training by the LGU. These and all were due to the efficiency and effectiveness of action plans promulgated by each local barangay, a positive reaction from all local dwellers around the country that public safety is well taken cared of and crime rate statistics drops incredibly.

The trainings were provided by Department of Interior and Local Government through its Local Government Academy as a series of workshops, which is part of of its genuine long term development programs on public safety in the different communities nationwide. With its success saw the establishment also of the Barangay Peace and Order Committees. There is also a program that utilizes the media as a medium of instructions for all barangay tanods and it facilitates live coverage for developmental tools and are supplemented by workbooks for public safety. This aims to increase every prospective volunteer’s as well as an already appointed personnel’s knowledge of crime prevention and performing tasks and responsibilities as public safety officers.

Indeed, a very nice program from the Local Government utilizing its neighborhood citizens to ensure public safety awareness while we promote tourism in the country. The program is really effective as I once was a tanod in my own neighborhood during my teenage age years and due to the establishment of the program our street neighborhood’s crime rate dropped intensively.

Just a reminder for everyone to check the National Holidays in the Philippines specifically the traveling people. If anyone is booked on one of these days or your travel itineraries includes one of the days listed below, it would be a wise decision to make your personal business or transactions ahead of time or after the holidays listed as most establishments are closed except for some.

• January 1 - New Year - Bagong Taon
  
• March - Holy Week Observance - Mahal na Araw (Maundy Thursday - Easter Sunday)
• April 9 - National Heroes - Araw ng Kagitingan
• May 1 - Labor Day - Araw ng Manggagawa
  
• June 12 - Independence Day - Araw ng Kalayaan
  
• November 1 - All Saints Day - Todod Los Santos
  
• November 30 - Bonifacio Day - Araw ni Bonifacio
  
• December 25 - Christmas Day - Pasko
  
• December 30 - Rizal Day - Araw ni Rizal
  

There are special holidays declared by the government or are announced at any given time. There are also special holidays declared on provincial levels too. Such non working days are declared on case to case basis.

Example :

• February 25 - Peoples Power Revolution Commemoration also commemorates the death of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino.
• January 16 - Sinulog - Public Holiday in Cebu

One of the most popular items being bought by travelers from the Philippines are handicrafts, either as souvenirs, personal use, memorabilia, jewelries, accessories or house decors. Handicrafts in the Philippines are superior in both style and craftsmanship and are made up of local native products such as bamboo, rattan, capiz shells and coconut shells or husks each handcrafted to perfection for local consumption or for export. Shops in the Philippines are abundant for the handicraft industry in Metro Manila as well in some provinces. Some popular places are the ones in the Mabini-Ermita area and Divisoria in Metro Manila, but for exhibits and showcases events, the best way to go are the Cavite Export Processing Zone along the coastal highway, the National Trade Fair Exhibits or the Manila F.A.M.E. Trade Fair Exhibits where you can view the very best product exhibitions and buy in bulk or in pieces. The expo have a large participant of individual companies in the Handicraft Industry from all over the Philippines. The photo in the left side is the famous capiz chandelier and other photos can be viewed below.

Interior showcases can vary from these styles as shown and many companies can take special orders. A very elegant setting with a touch of native handicraft craftsmanship. Most companies also can assist any traveler in packaging and shipping on any of these items.

From home interiors to bits in pieces of native arts craft, these are the best value money can buy for souvenirs, for gifts or personal use. Materials used vary on each item. The most common are sasa leaves, nipa, rattan and coconut leaves and are inter woven and crafted to the finest perfection. At left are some examples of finished handcrafted products from table mats, bowl and fan.

So for travelers, balikbayans and fellow kababayans, don’t miss out these wonderful products that you can find only in the Philippines.