First off, I wish to thank all my lovely blogpals who wished me well while I was away. There were quite a few beautiful souls who privately messaged me and wished me speedy recovery. I truly appreciate your concern.
I am not supposed to be blogging for an indefinite period of time. In fact, I have turned over my blogs to my cousin Ally who, thankfully, took the mighty responsibility of updating my three (3) other blogs. I feel grateful that she didn’t say “NO” outright.
However, I was downhearted when she couldn’t take the reigns here at Lainy’s Musings (LM) and over at The Fool on the Hill (TFotH). At first, she expressed that she feels intimidated writing articles for Lainy’s Musings.
Ally expressing her thoughts in taking over Lainy's Musings
What standard? Duh!
I still can vividly recall when I once invited her some years back to author this blog but she declined for the same reason. In desperation, I sought the assistance of my Cameroonian bloggie pal, Uncle Che, who proudly accepted my invite. That was before when Uncle Che was still single and we both can blog till we drop.
When Ally knew that LM and TFotH will remain dormant till she accepts the responsibility of taking over the blogs, she got desperate in suggesting Windy to co-author the blogs once more.
Ally suggesting that I ask Windy to take over at LM
I will be the happiest soul if ever Windy will again co-author my blogs. Sadly, he has long given up blogging for reasons only known to me apart from health being the issue. I miss those times when we used to cheer and egg each other on at the blogs. The hilarious moments shared with him being once the co-author of Lainy’s Musings was something I’ve truly missed. I still am hoping though that it won’t remain a thing of the past.
Meanwhile, I understand why Ally declined to add more blogs for her to work on. You see, she already got two personal blogs under her belt, and adding 5 more of my blogs would be like taking suicide.
So I have no other recourse but to continue writing here at Lainy’s Musings and over at The Fool on the Hill. Many times, I have been in quandary and have contemplated on whether To Blog or Not To Blog.
During my nth hiatus, everytime I take a quick peek here and see this blog die a natural death, I feel like dying inside, too. It’s heartbreaking to let go of something you have once loved doing. It’s not for monetary reasons. Be it known that most of my craps were not paid. It’s the sentimentalist person in me that just can’t afford to lose a baby. And to think Lainy’s Musings is about to celebrate its 4th blogoversary in three (3) months time!
Gone were the blogging heydays when I worked hard for my blog’s traffic to the point of compromising my health. I don’t think I will ever regain back the 38K traffic Lainy’s Musings’ once had. But again, that’s not the issue. It’s primarily for the joy of being able to express for passion and simply exercise what I love doing the most.
As I write this, I can feel the tears welling up my eyes. I know things will never be the same again. I don’t want to make any promises but I shall try my absolute best to fuel up some life in this blog the best way I know how.
Being able to finally own a home is a dream of almost everyone and once it becomes a reality, the next task is to make sure that the décor and items inside the house are perfect. After all a home is a reflection of its owner. This is where you can express your uniqueness and personal style. You can make decisions from the design of the house up to the smallest detail.
One of your responsibilities would be to ensure that you have the best type of flooring. And why is this important? Floors are probably the most used an of course, walked on area on the entire house. It plays a vital role in achieving a themed look for your home and one misguided decision on flooring could lead not only to aesthetic issues but even on the side of home safety. Hardwood floors are still the most sought after and popular choice for homeowners who prefer it’s classic and natural appeal.
But if you are not a professional in the filed of home construction and design, how would you know that you are about to purchase the right type of flooring for your home?
First is to ask yourself this question: What is the concept that you have in mind for your home? Hardwood floors are the best option especially if you are aiming for a uniform look for the entire home. One good thing about it is that it can be installed on most of the rooms around the house.
Also take note that hardwood floors come is a variety of styles and design to choose from. An all-natural type that is made of quality wood will cost more than the engineered hardwood type. Know what it is that you want and what would look good for the interior of the house.
Lastly, budget also plays a role when buying floors. You may not need to spend a lot if you know where to look for affordable hardwood floors. Be a smart shopper and do your own research first before making a purchase.
Belle is a freelance content writer that is passionate about reading and traveling. She is currently working on a gulvafslibning project which aims to provide information about floor sanding.
Honestly, I am not at all sure how to react. I don’t know if I’m gonna feel amused or pissed off with all the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” brouhaha after it was launched by the Department of Tourism. True, it went viral all over. In fact, it’s now an internet meme and everyone is free to join. It’s now a craze at Facebook and everyone wants to show off their creativity and ingenuity.
So would it mean less budget spending by the government for sloganeering as it has now gone widespread?
I find it rather strange that instead of joining the bandwagon to help the country in promoting this new thrust by the government across the world, some crabs simply love to poke fun and in turn, kills the thrill on the tourism campaign.
Let me show you some proofs:
Photo Crab #1
Photo Crab #2
Photo Crab #3
~Photos NOT Mine
Well, it might be that the owner of these photos have other description of fun. But to give him the benefit of the doubt, it does speak volumes with regards to the ailing living conditions of most Filipinos. The truth will always hurt. So what’s the government gonna do with these truths staring them in the face?
We all know that these photos won’t help at all in boosting further the government’s campaign. I say, if you can’t help, better not be a burden.
I’ve heard all the negatives. In fact, hearing it from a non- Filipino like Windy, I feel more challenged to help promote DOT’s thrust.
Here’s what Windy has got to say:
Lainy,
Question: The “its more fun in the Philippines” presupposes that fun is the common value sought by the majority of tourists. Is that really what tourists seek?
My Answer: Definitely NO.
Why NO? : It casts childishness about the purpose of tourist in general.
Tourists set on their destinations for reasons of rest and relaxation and the pursuit of new experiences or to rekindle fond old memories of a past visit.
Question: Does fun truly exists in the Philippines?
Answer: In a decadent sense, it does with the flesh trade in the Philippines. In a more legitimate sense, it is hidden from most of the tourists as they get to see the glamor and glitter but hardly get to know the inherent beauty of the Philippine culture in their homesteads and villages.
Crucial Question: Is there more fun in the Philippines?
Answer: NO. It does not it, in the first instance, show on the faces of the majority of the populace and in their daily lives?
Conclusion: An idiot made that slogan for the Tourism Industry in your country.
Honestly, I have my own initial misgivings on this. But I figured the solution deserves an opportunity to prove itself. I won’t even try to argue with what has been said and done. In fact, Windy had it spot on! But to be perfectly fair, even if things doesn’t look nice as they are now in my country, I have to say that this slogan deserves a chance to get to work, regardless if it’s a copy cat from another country.
As we all can see, we have found a brilliant ad campaign in “It’s More Fun”. Everyone is now taking part. Its success lies not only in the hands of the government but to each and every Filipino as well. Let us not try to always nitpick. Let us NOT allow the notorious crabs to ruin its beauty.
If not for Windy, I wouldn’t be able to have a webhosting for free. His kindness and generosity made me continue my blogging endeavors despite some setbacks that I have encountered in the past.
As you can see, though I have been blogging for years, I have never known the various complexities of a blog especially the technical aspects of it. I hate to admit it, but I am no techy-savvy. I feel so useless when I can not do anything everytime I want to do something for my blog. I blame it on my laziness to learn new stuff. Also, Windy never got the patience to teach me, LOL! All the embellishments you see across my blogs, I owe it all to Windy. He has been very patient doing all the dirty works- from the conceptualization and the installation of plugins. Isn’t he awesome?
My blogs are now under Blue Host and I have been a happy blogger since. No complaints whatsoever.
And guess what? Windy even welcomed a few of my friends’ blogs in his webhost. I remember Windy worked long hours for Twerlyn and Ivy’s blogs. The migration from Blogger to WordPress was no easy task. But Windy did it all for my friends who certainly needed his expertise.
I remember the time when I encountered the worst setback in my blogging journey. I really thought it was the end for this blog when it got hacked. I can never imagine the hundreds of articles and thousands of comments lost in the wink of an eye.
Good thing my techy friends came to the rescue and revived Lainy’s Musings. I can never thank enough Uncle Che and Windy who sat all wide awake till the wee hours of the morning just to retrieve everything. I was more than grateful when Lainy’s Musings went live once more.
I feel so lucky to have these friends who offer their helping hands even before I open my mouth to ask for it.
I am very grateful that after the hacking incident, Windy offered a web hosting for my blogs all for FREE! Isn’t that wonderful? I feel really special! Why not? Windy never do it for anyone. I feel really happy that my blogs are now working under Blue Host. I have no complaints. I have never felt secured and protected in my blogging life in the past than I am now.
I have always been so blessed to have great friends who treat you no stranger but more than like a sister. Indeed, how lucky one can get!
This may sound new to us who got used to “Kung Hei Fat Choi” as a New Year greeting to our Chinese brothers and sisters worldwide. Admittedly, Kung Hei Fat Choi is the most popular one. But do you know that this greeting is Cantonese?
Yes, folks!
And guess what? It does not literally mean Happy New Year but “Congratulations and wishing you prosperity!”
Kiong Hee Huat Tsai!
Here in the Philippines, Tsinoys (Chinese- Filipinos) will hugely appreciate if we greet them in the language they can fully understand; and that should be Hokkien. Most Filipino- Chinese came from Fujian province and they mostly speak the Hokkien language.
In China, Mandarin is the official language where you greet them “Kong Xi Fa Tsai” but written and spelled as “Gong Xi Fa Cai”.
If you want to greet your Chinese friends a Happy New Year, you can say it as “Xin Nien Kwai Le” in Mandarin and “Sin Ni khòai lok” in Hokkien.
You may ask, why it’s fun in the Philippines? One of the many cool reasons could be the newest resort in Mindanao which is located in South Cotabato. It boasts of its world-class facilities: Moby Wave Pool, Adventure Rapids, Freestyle Swimming Pool and the Wiggles Kiddie Pool.
Please allow me to let the photos speak for itself:
When we went there in December for our Provincial Yearend party, I was amazed at how the place was developed. Everything was so modern! It’s indeed one of its kind in Southern Philippines!
I got the chance to take some captures from my very own shutter:
At the Wiggle Kiddie Pool
More reasons to wiggle and giggle! ;-)
Some rules at the Wiggles Kiddie Pool
Function Hall and Cabanas
If you’re interested to see the rates, here it is:
We sure had a blast the entire time of the happy party there!
I have actually planned for a family outing there in December. But my mother doesn’t want her young, beautiful skin to be exposed under the heat of the excruciating sun (Ang arte! ); so I had to find another place with overnight accommodation, hence Lemlunay Dive Spot. Too bad Paraiso Verde’s open only until midnight.
However, I highly recommend this place to everyone who wants another round of awesome adventure. Paraiso Verde has succeeded in giving fun a different meaning and bringing Mindanao to greater heights.
I have a few cousins who all had their medical professions. One is a physician, two are nurses and the other was a radiologist. All these are siblings.
My cousin is now a practicing doctor. I was told that he has all the intentions to undergo a consultant interview course. This is a rather prestigious course which is being run by Oxford Medical in Oxford and London. I am sure my cousin can hurdle it being a very intellectual person. And mind you! He is also a certified bachelor.
My cousins busy doing community work
On the other hand, his younger sister who is a radiologist who once worked for a prestigious hospital in Manila opted to have a Medical Teaching Course. She loves teaching and she believes that this is the thing that she does best. She has a lot of other plans, too. She plans of taking up a medical management course and later pursue a teach the teacher course career.
I believe it is not impossible for my cousin to reach her “ambitious” dreams, LOL! She has proven herself to be very focused and dedicated in whatever she does. I am sure my cousins’ immediate family are very proud of them. Credit goes to their parents who are both engineers who were able to raise their kids admirably!
Well, it seemed like the disagreement of the entire country to the much disliked Department of Tourism’s Pilipinas Kay Ganda slogan prevailed. Pilipinas Kay Ganda was a total junk.
What’s trending now is the recent tourism slogan formulated by the men and women of the Department of Tourism.
It’s More Fun In The Philippines
Photo grabbed
As I was about to write a post about this, I came across former COMELEC Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal’s wall status at FB which is very similar to what I think and believe in. By the way, if you failed to remember how handsome Atty. Larrazabal looks like, you can post- hop when I once had a date with him H E R E .
Now if I may just quote:
“I like the new tourism slogan of the Philippines…And I think we should give it a chance.. See how effective it’ll be (whether it will be or not). We should all work to promote Philippine tourism.
But, I think some are too hooked on slogans and marketing, when what’s more important is the experience of the foreign tourist once inside the Philippines.
This includes arriving in the Philippines and disembarking inside a decent airport terminal with working toilets, where people don’t try to scam them for a few dollars even before they get out of the terminal.
Having clean and safe streets where tourists feel safe and secure. If something unfortunate happens (it CAN happen), they have the assurance that they’ll be taken cared of with reasonable speed.
Staying in hotels that continue to deteriorate through the years, without proper maintenance.
Adequate assistance and information on how to get to our tourist destinations (for example – how many people know how to get to Avalon Zoo? Is there a way to get there?). And once in the tourist destinations, they ought to feel that they’ll be safe walking around in the area (like walking around in Intramuros)… AND having working toilets in these destinations.
These are only some of the things that can ensure the tourists enjoy their stay in the Philippines.
Marketing and branding helps.. But nothing beats having a person return from the Philippines and tell his friends how much fun he had while in the Philippines, and can’t wait to go back and invite more of his friends to go with him.. That’s the best marketing/promotional tool we can hope for. That’s a great way to show how much fun it is in the Philippines!”
So aptly said, ain’t right? Government needs to do something drastic to improve the country’s image across the world.
Let me just mention that in promoting the Philippines worldwide, the mass media also got a vital role to play.
But do you think the headlines below will help boost its tourism campaign?
Photo grabbed
It’s pretty ambiguous when these things you see ruin all the government efforts to promote a good image of the Philippines. Just as the campaign was beginning to get the nods of the public, here comes the media boasting of the crimes taking place in the country. This is just a wrong juxtaposition! What a massive fail!
Anyhow, I still hope that the tourism campaign will reap better results. Each of us has a role to play. Take part and help promote our country to the world. We aren’t called Pinoy bloggers for nothing
Blog Owner and Post Author: Lainy 
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