weekend@sunstar.com.phSaturday, July 2, 2011

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Jigs Arquiza gets to know an entrepreneur who’s given the ‘hardware’ industry a new face, and is taking the bead industry to new heights.

RainyDay

Tunes

A bead-time story

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , July 2, 20112CCHERRY ANN LIM Managing Editor, Special Pages and FeaturesJIGS ARQUIZA Editor CLINT HOLTON P. POTESTAS Writer

RALPH RHODDEN C. CAVERO Graphic Designer

cover story

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“Being part of the family business has always been my plan,” entrepreneur Brent Ngoboc explains, “it was because of the company that I was able to go to school, so it was only fitting that I also give back part of myself to the company.”

The general manager of Cebu Hardware Corporation, started in the early eighties and can be found just a few

meters away from the corner of Magallanes and Manalili Streets in downtown Cebu, Brent joined the company in 1991, after getting his degree in Business Administration

at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He started as a salesperson, going

through the ranks and the departments; from Sales, he transferred to the Accounting Department and moved on to Purchasing. In 2006, Brent

gained his current designation as general manager. To enhance his managerial and administrative skills, Brent engaged in further studies at the Asian Institute of Management where he

received his Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship in 2008.

bead-timestory

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , July 2, 2011 3C

feature

“I always get emotional when it rains. I always listen to sad songs and yes, I enjoy them. Being a big 80s music fan, I am enamored with The Cascades. I find myself singing, listen to the rhythm of the falling rain / telling me just what a fool I’ve been / I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain / And let me be alone again. It’s pretty odd since this song was popular before I was even born, but I love it. It’s classic!”

-Sepfry Grace Rivera, Marketing Specialist

Rainy Day Tunesby Fiona Patricia S. Escandor

An umbrella and a sweater aren’t the only things you need during these rainy months. You also need a reliable rainy day song for you to get on by. Surely, you have that one tune you turn to when you feel like you need a little comfort in this chilly season? If not, here are some favorites that just might inspire you to get one of your own. We asked some people what are the songs they like listening to on a rainy day and here’s what they said:

“X&Y by Coldplay. That’s for now though, I’m sure I’d change preferences in a month or two. It’s dreamy, especially these lines: You and me are floating on a tidal wave/ Together/ You and me are drifting into outer space/ And singing/ Oooooh Ooooh.”

– Banawe Corvera, Photographer

“I don’t really have a certain rainy day song… But what comes to my mind when you mentioned rainy day song is Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. Hahahaha! This song reminds me of my friends in China.”

- Raynier Go, Financial Consultant

“Dreams by The Corrs would be on top of my rainy day songs list for two reasons. First, the rhythm of the song seems to complement with the gloomy weather but it does not give me that melancholic feeling that some people usually experience on rainy days. Second, the beat of the song also boosts my mood and lifts my spirit so I can do away with the rainy day blues especially if there’s nothing much I can do when it’s raining outside.”

- Roland Rodriguez, Nurse

“It’s Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson cause it’s laid back and chill. Usually we’d rather stay home than go outside when it rains so I prefer music that isn’t that upbeat and not too mellow that makes me want to sleep even more to jive with the weather.”

- Mia Ali Faridoon, Miss Cebu 2011

“My favorite rainy day song is JRA, Victor Kim, and Chester See’s cover of Bruno’s Lazy Song. Why? Because whenever I listen to the song, especially during rainy days, my mood lightens up and I am on a high. Haha!”

-Jayme Tesalona, Law student

“My fave rainy day song would be Rylynn by Andy McKee. Oh, and for full effect this should be playing on the other tab—rainymood.com”

-Vincent Paca, Software Developer

Brent describes Cebu Hardware Corporation as a misnomer, explaining that while Cebu Hardware started out as a regular hardware store, they also carried materials for fashion accessories. Most of their main customers at that time were fashion manufacturers who bought hardware items such as G.I. sheets, round bars, hardware items and construction materials with which to build their factories. Perhaps to lighten the burden of sourcing out materials, these same customers started requesting Cebu Hardware to order from suppliers materials such as necklace locks, fine metal chains and beads.

“Suki man sila (They were regular customers), and they recommended the things that they wanted, and promised that if we carried these items, they would buy them from us,” Brent goes on to describe the transactions “As time went by, we began to supply everything that they needed. We used to source items from Manila at first, but now we get them from all over the world.”

In the mid-nineties, Cebu Hardware gave up the hardware business and concentrated on fashion accessory materials and components. “We didn’t give up the name, though,” Brent says, “because people already knew Cebu Hardware as an establishment that supplies these materials.”

In 2008, Brent realized that he had to expand sales efforts by utilizing the World Wide Web. He explained that by going online, the company would be able to reach more people, and hence become global in reach. “We now get inquiries, and actual orders, from abroad!” He says, very pleased with the results that the website, www.beadsandfindings.com.ph has garnered. Brent adds “75% of the items we have in the store are featured in the website. Customers check the website and if they see something they like, they come to the store. For our customers abroad, we can ship the items for them.”

As a businessman, Brent knows the value of sales: the more sales a company makes, the more the company grows, hence his newest thrust for Cebu Hardware Corporation. “We’re trying to attract more end-users to come here. They don’t have to be really big companies who buy in bulk quantities. They can be students or young fashionistas who are on a limited budget. They can buy materials worth two hundred Pesos and make several fashion accessories already, which they can then sell for at least five hundred Pesos per piece, or even more. If you buy something like that in the mall, it would cost you maybe one thousand!”

“We have more than ten thousand beads and components to choose from, from alphabet beads, to plastic and glass beads,” Brent declares, “Tanan nga beads, naa (All kinds of beads, we have them), even wood beads, freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones like lapis lazuli, agates and adventurines. Any kind of bead you can think of, we have it here in the store.”

He encourages those who want to go into business for themselves to explore fashion accessory-making, “The bead market is very big. Sa Facebook lang daan, daghang nagbaligya (In Facebook alone, there are a lot of sellers).”

“Ang kanindot diri sa Cebu Hardware (The nice thing here in Cebu Hardware), we have one price for all. The end-user also buys at the exporters’ price,” Brent relates, “Ing-ana kabarato diri (that’s how inexpensive our prices are).”

It’s not all about making money, though, Brent insists. He describes what he calls the company’s efforts at having a Corporate Social Responsibility program: “Once in a while, we hold classes on fashion accessory-making. Last year, we sponsored a class for both public and private school teachers, as a way for them to learn something that would enable them to augment their incomes. More than 200 teachers enrolled, much more than we expected, so we had to hold another session the following weekend.”

Asked about the future of fashion accessories, Brent foresees a lot of growth. “Filipinos are very fashion conscious, and we always try to be as fashionable as we can, from the young students to the most sophisticated socialites. There will always be a market for fashion.”

FROM C2

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , July 2, 20114C

movies

IMAGES FROM THE INTERNET

Pixar’s track record has been close to impeccable for turning out intelligent, emotionally rich,

beautifully detailed animated films, with plenty of humor and heart to appeal to movie lovers of all ages.

But the weak link in the chain, at least from a narrative standpoint, has always been 2006’s “Cars,” with its two-dimensional talking autos and hokey, borrowed tale of small-town life.

Sure, it was bright and zippy, which was enough to appeal to the little ones, and it became a merchandising juggernaut. Just try finding a kid who doesn’t have some sort of “Cars” stuff. My 19-month-old son has a Lightning McQueen sippy cup and I have no idea how he got it — these things just show up on their own. That’s how ubiquitous they are.

So sure, why not make a sequel? Trouble is, “Cars 2” is such a mess, it makes the original look like it ought to rank among Pixar’s masterpieces by comparison.

What has set the studio’s films apart from all the other animated fare is story: It’s paramount. Innovative tales like “WALL-E” and “Up” get you choked up just thinking about them, they’re that good. “Cars 2” tries to encompass many kinds of stories at once, none of which is terribly clever or compelling. And the

fact that Pixar mastermind John Lasseter is back as director is the most baffling part of all. This is the man who kicked it all off with the soulful and groundbreaking “Toy Story” back in 1995. This is not someone from whom you would expect empty glossiness.

Here, working from a script by Ben Queen, Lasseter makes a transparent attempt at catering to the ever-expanding global moviegoing audience by having the hero of the original “Cars,” Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), compete in an international grand prix through Japan, France, Italy and Britain. The sponsor is a Richard Branson-type Range Rover-looking vehicle (Eddie Izzard); McQueen’s main rival is an arrogant Italian Formula 1 racecar (John Turturro).

At the same time, “Cars 2” panders to middle America by placing Mater, the rusty, aw-shucks tow truck, front and

center.

McQueen is flashier but this is Mater’s time to shine, as it were; Larry the Cable Guy, who voices the character, even gets top billing over Wilson. But a little of the comedian’s twangy shtick goes a long way — for the audience, and for McQueen, who gets annoyed with Mater’s boorish behavior in all these refined settings. Still, Mater is there to teach us some lessons about valuing the underdog. Or not judging people because we think they’re different or stupid. Or something.

But wait, there’s more. “Cars 2” is also a James Bond spoof, with Michael Caine providing the voice of the elegant English sports car, superspy Finn McMissile. Finn and his rookie sidekick, Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer), run into Mater, who has tagged along with

McQueen on this globe-trotting

journey, and mistakenly believe he’s the American

undercover operative they’re supposed to meet during their

latest mission. This ties into a whole `nother subplot involving

alternative fuel sources and the German villain (Thomas Kretschmann)

who has big plans to keep cars reliant on Big Oil.

With all these new characters and various narrative strands competing for our attention, there’s not much room for fun. “Cars 2” is one thing a family-friendly summer blockbuster should never be: boring. Yes, it looks beautiful, lavishing in photorealism as so many Pixar movies do. In 3-D (because of course it’s in 3-D), the chase scenes have their thrilling moments, and the many shiny surfaces do have a tactile quality. Young kids — at whom so much of this material is clearly aimed — will probably enjoy the bright colors and incessant motion.

But as the structure grows repetitive and Mater’s corny puns and malapropisms become tiresome, we — like the anthropomorphized autos — feel like we’re just spinning our wheels.(AP)

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , July 2, 2011 5C

short reviews

IMAGES FROM THE INTERNET

audiosyncracy

books

TEXT AND IMAGES FROM WWW.FULLYBOOKEDONLINE.COM AND THE WEB

When Princess Diana died in Paris’s Alma tunnel, she was thirty-seven years old. Had she lived, she would turn fifty on July 1, 2011. Who would the beloved icon be if she were alive today? What would she be doing? And where? One of the most versatile and bold writers of our time, Monica Ali has imagined a different fate for Diana in her spectacular new novel, Untold Story.

Diana’s life and marriage were both fairy tale and nightmare rolled into one. Adored by millions, she suffered rejection, heartbreak, and betrayal. Surrounded by glamour

and glitz and the constant attention of the press, she fought to carve a meaningful role for herself in helping the needy and dispossessed. The contradictions and pressures of her situation fueled her increasingly reckless behavior, but her stature and her connection with her public never ceased to grow. If Diana had lived, would she ever have found peace and happiness, or would the curse of fame always have been too great?

Fast forward a decade after the (averted) Paris tragedy, and an Englishwoman named Lydia is living in a small,

nondescript town somewhere in the American Midwest. She has a circle of friends: one owns a dress shop; one is a Realtor; another is a frenzied stay-at-home mom. Lydia volunteers at an animal shelter, and swims a lot. Her lover, who adores her, feels she won’t let him know her. Who is she?

Untold Story is about the cost of celebrity, the meaning of identity, and the possibility—or impossibility—of reinventing a life. Ali’s fictional princess is beautiful, intrepid, and resourceful and has established a fragile peace. And then the past

threatens to destroy her new life. Ali has created a riveting novel inspired by the cultural icon she calls “a gorgeous bundle of trouble.”

by Monica AliUntold Story: A Novel

Bad TeacherCameron Diaz plays ... a bad teacher.

She secretly sips airline-size booze bottles during class, doesn’t bother to learn her students’ names and figures that showing them movies about education like “Stand and Deliver” and “Dangerous Minds” is just as good as educating them herself. Because you see, she’s not teaching English at a suburban Chicago middle school for the deeply rewarding experience of shaping young minds. She just needs enough cash for a boob job, which she thinks will help her land a rich husband. Like the far superior “Bad Santa” from 2003, the key source of laughs here is the subversion of an authority figure who’s supposed to be trustworthy, reliable, even honorable. And, like Billy Bob Thornton in that earlier film, Diaz just goes for it. Director Jake Kasdan (“Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story”) photographs her as if she were a vixen in a Whitesnake video, and Diaz revels in a role that lets her be brazenly sexy and inappropriately funny all at once. (AP)

A Better LifeDiversity definitely is among filmmaker

Chris Weitz’s strong points. Subtlety generally is not. Weitz’s directing gigs, solo or with brother Paul, range from the raunch of “American Pie” to the teen bombast of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” to the dark fantasy of “The Golden Compass” to the oddball warmth of “About a Boy,” his finest work. Now Weitz mines a bit of his Hispanic roots with “A Better Life,” a fairly satisfying though by-the-numbers drama about an illegal Mexican immigrant struggling to build a decent future for his teenage son. Mexican star Demian Bichir (who has a recurring role on “Weeds” and played Fidel Castro in Steven Soderbergh’s “Che”) is superbly restrained as the father, while newcomer Jose Julian delivers with honesty and passion as his son. The story itself is rather obvious and superficial, Weitz and screenwriter Eric Eason presenting an outsider’s look at immigrant life built around a few shaky plot devices. (AP)

Dolly Parton never has hesitated to gamble when following her heart. That’s why she’s reached such heights in her career, and it’s why occasional projects fail, sometimes in monumental fashion. “Better Day” isn’t monumental by any means, but it does highlight Parton’s periodic desire to make huge social statements.

“Better Day” finds one of music’s most dynamic personalities trying to inject some positivity in the world during these dire times. But she tries too hard for uplifting messages and grand musical arrangements. The music piles on choirs and crescendos, and the lyrics fall to platitudes and greeting-card generalities. It comes off as cheesy rather than meaty and substantial.

“These are wonderful times we are living in,” Parton sings on “In the Meantime.” While there can be plenty to savor about modern life, denying the strife weighing down the world seems too Pollyanna to have any meaning.

The relationship songs also lean on positive action, even when breaking off a partnership. Here, too, Parton presses too hard for a message rather than a realistic impression of how people relate.

One of America’s most enduring artists can be excused for trying to use her songwriting to raise people up in an era of such tension and tragedy. But unfortunately, “Better Day” lacks the common touch of Parton’s best work. (AP)

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: “Somebody’s Missing You” is the lone track where Parton settles into a relaxed acoustic arrangement, and on the simple expression of ache that occurs when yearning for someone who has left — whether it’s for a day or for good.

Dolly Parton, “Better Day” (Dolly Records/Warner Bros.)

These are iTunes’ top 10 selling singles and albums of the week ending June 27, 2011, according to the Associated Press:

The top 10 singles and albumsSingles:1. “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.),” Katy Perry2. “Moves Like Jagger (The Voice Performance) (feat. Christina Aguilera),” Maroon 53. “Party Rock Anthem (feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock),” LMFAO4. “Give Me Everything (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer),” Pitbull5. “Super Bass,” Nicki Minaj6. “Rolling In the Deep,” ADELE7. “The Edge of Glory,” Lady GaGa8. “Tonight Tonight,” Hot Chelle Rae9. “How to Love,” Lil Wayne10. “Honey Bee,” Blake Shelton

Albums:1. “Bon Iver,” Bon Iver2. “21,” ADELE3. “The Light of the Sun,” Jill Scott4. “Hell: The Sequel,” Bad Meets Evil5. “Planet Pit,” Pitbull6. “Outlaws Like Me,” Justin Moore7. “Sigh No More,” Mumford & Sons8. “Sorry for Party Rocking,” LMFAO9. “Modern Love,” Matt Nathanson10. “Nothing But the Best — The Frank Sinatra Collection,” Frank Sinatra

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , July 2, 20116C

lex in the cityAlexis Yap

Making the Right Choice

It was my fourth visit to Bangkok last June and what I really enjoy about this enchanting city, aside from its very rich culture and friendly people, is the amazing assortment of street food. Ultimately, I am a food tourist that whenever I travel, I look forward to enjoying what the locals eat. I stay away from fancy restaurants and expensive hotel food as I am also a budget traveller. Consequently, this leads me to the food carts and stalls by the streets and little alleys.

Bangkok street food is, I think, one of the best you will ever experience in the world. A few of my favorites include the fried fish cakes, the khao pad (fried rice), the pad see iew (the pan-fried noodles), assorted deep-fried seafood balls, the som tam (a spicy salad with shredded papaya) and of course, the pad thai (fried noodles with dried shrimp and tofu). So much delicious food but so little time! That is why I choose what I use my calories on wisely. Believe me, it is a very difficult decision to make!

In this particular trip to Bangkok, I have learned something very valuable from a wise man I have coincidentally bumped into. He was a very rich man from Bermuda who dropped everything and travelled to Thailand to learn about Buddhism. He shared with us that the most basic teaching of Buddhism is something very simple. It is that in life, every moment we are making choices - we choose to take a certain route, we choose to eat this particular dish, we choose not to complain when it is too hot, we choose to remain quiet even when we have the urge to answer back. He made

his point very clearly. Every decision that we make in every second of our lives molds us into the person we will become. So, one must strive to make the right choices all the time.

Learning this from a man who was not even a practicing Buddhist struck me. Even my Thai friend Utai, who was a fairly religious man, was very impressed by him. And so, I do my best to make a wise decision at every moment.

As soon as I got back from my ten-day holiday, immediately I got the chance to practice what I have learned from Bangkok. So many events to attend, meetings to do, and errands to run... Which events do I attend? Who do I meet first and where? What errands should I prioritize?

Some decisions were easier to make than others. The return of international DJ Miss Nine at the Penthouse was marked as high priority on my calendar. As usual, the crowd went wild the moment she started spinning.

On June 24, the monthly open-bar TAG party was held in, no less than Luxx at VUDU where over 300 TAG members and their guests enjoyed a two-hour open

bar at the second level, sponsored by the popular triple-distilled Russian vodka, Poliakov. My friends and I enjoyed more than we had planned to imbibe and DJ Badboy Jeff of Manor (and the flowing vodka) was responsible for our aching muscles the following day!

Good thing I had the entire day to rest before hosting the Tiangha-Renacia wedding reception at the Grand Convention Center the day after. Nonie and Laurene are such great people, so in love with each other, and Wingel Co’s team who put the wedding together was a breeze to work with. I like hosting weddings because it is always such a joyful occasion - in the same way that I like hosting Trivia Night several times weekly as the energy of the crowd lifts up my spirits. I like surrounding myself in positivity. That is a conscious decision I make for myself.

On June 27, it was time to finally get the tattoo that I have been planning to get months before. I got my first tattoo earlier this year, and this was years after I decided I wanted to get one! I had to wait until I knew what I really wanted. My first tattoo says, “The best is yet to come”, done by my good friend Jen Rimaz.

I got really anxious and excited that Monday because finally I was going

to get my guardian angel St. Rafael tattooed on my left arm. Paul Orellano was my artist and it took us several weeks to finalize the design. He warned me that it would take six to eight hours to finish and it never occurred to me until an hour after what an ordeal an entire eight-hour session would be like. We started at 4 p.m. and ended at 12:30 a.m. On the sixth hour I was on the brink of giving up and Paul assured me that he was almost done. When I saw the final result, I was almost in tears. The eight hours of gruelling pain was well worth it. Paul had done a great job and I was very pleased. He is an artist who is particular with even the smallest of details and that is always important to me. I’m glad I chose him to do this one. Thank you, Paul.

We may not realize it but every moment of our lives is a decision-making moment. It may be as simple as brushing your teeth before or after you eat, or as serious as choosing to go work abroad or choosing to keep your job in your hometown. In my case, I would say I have made some great decisions for myself the past few weeks - choosing to eat my favorite Thai food while I was on holiday, going to The Penthouse for Miss Nine, partying with the TAG family and DJ Badboy Jeff at Luxx at VUDU, celebrating with Nonie and Laurene on their wedding day, and having Paul put St. Rafael on my arm.

Here are the greetings for this week:

Happy birthday to: Levie Lim, Mike Acebedo Lopez (Today), My sister Maureen Yap and Lee Ketchell (July 3), Jay Aldeguer and Meyen Baguio (July 5), Richard Ngo Go (July 7), Sam Briones (July 8), Wesley Chiongbian and Nicolette Gaw Yu (July 10), Raki Quizzagan (July 12)

Don’t forget! The Pink Party, the first ever monthly LGBT party, is happening at Alejandro’s tonight (and on the first Saturday of every month thereafter) at 10pm. DJ Japhete and DJ Distraction on the turntables! Entrance is FREE and everyone’s invited! See you there!

Hello and thank you to all Lex In The City followers: Marie Gelbolingo (my aunt), Ms. Marissa Fernan, Mrs. Petite Garcia, Irvin and Samuel Uy of Autofocus.

Follow me on Twitter @iamaroundtown

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , July 2, 2011 7C

Got something to share with us? Sun.Star Weekend invites readers to contribute original, unpublished poems and essays or commentaries about funny or memorable moments in your life. Please email your contributions to:

weekend@sunstar.com.ph

49 Gen. Sepulveda Street, CebuTel. No (032) 255-0105 & 412-5551

Fax No. (032) 412-5552Email: palazzo_pensionne@hotmail.com

website: www.palazzopensionne.net

BED & BREAKFAST

bottomsupAileen Quijano

poetry

It is an odyssey, many roads travelled Paths hiked, lands visited, explored,Enjoyed. The wandering sailor, the dutiful healersOf men, the servers of families, the rootSeeking emigrant.We have immersed in many cultures, I havewooed and loved, and lost, in many a port. Onward to our journeys, eyes on the prize.Survive, succeed, excel. Luxuriate in theTriumphs, In our rewards, relish the joyous moments. Yet it is my Cebu that I ever return to. Here the sounds jingle, the aromas linger,

My Cebuby Leandro D. Quintana

You know you’ve crossed over the thin line between professional bum to adulthood when ATM no longer means “’Ay Ta ‘Ma” and coffee table talks now linger over big words such as “investment”, “credit limit” and my favorite “stocks”. And no, “stocks” doesn’t mean the chocolate chip cookies in your mother’s ref or the gazillion pairs of shoes in Payless either. Rather, “stocks”, as I’ve come to understand it, are those fascinating blocks of hope you can buy and sell online, while clinging to a financial rollercoaster overburdened by a market screaming “Show Me The Money!”

Money – it’s a big word, too. Big enough that we often get asked what it means to us or how much bigger we want it to be. It’s so big, in fact, that it’s already up there trending on Twitter along with our favorite celebrities, you know – Kris Aquino, Jennifer Aniston, Johnny Depp and, yes, Johnny Depp. Like these big stars, we just can’t get enough of it. We can’t stop talking about it, too. Every controversial, or even boring, word it says gets recorded and printed on paper. We see Money performing on TV, streaming on Facebook, even walking down the red carpet or dancing in our favorite theaters. The funny thing is – no matter how big, or even when it’s already right in front of us-- it’s still not enough. It can bare its ass or rip its shirt off, and still people would scream “Show Me The Money!”

Ah, Money. Can you really blame it if it comes and goes? Like the slippery character of my good old friend Leo in the movie “Catch Me If You Can”, Money is always on the move. The more you chase it with bright lights and flashing cameras, the faster it runs. Perhaps that’s why the Financial Wizards of the city have rounded up its long time buddies: ATM, Stocks, Bond and Investment to know where Money could possibly be hiding or go next. As a wannabe proper adult, I joined their session one lazy Saturday afternoon. And like any responsible citizen of the green-eyed online generation, I whipped out my smart phone and tweeted the conversation.

When it comes to their friend Money, these guys love to talk. I listened to them sprout the many virtues of Money over steaming lattes, cold yogurt and

banana chocolate muffins in Coffee Bean. ATM, Stocks, Bond and Investment all claim the rumor to be true: Money is with them. In that case, who doesn’t want to be friends with friends of Money? Before we stress ourselves looking for Money, first, allow me to introduce you to its friends as they might just be our answer to finding it.

“Stocks” is the funny guy. It doesn’t sit still. It can fly with the Green Lantern one day then take a dip in the ocean the next, wherever the whim takes it. It’s exciting and adventurous, that’s why Money enjoys playing games with it. “Stocks” is no stranger to me, too. For a time, I played with it online. Eventually I found that just like a colicky baby, you’ll have to cuddle, research, monitor and handle it with great care to keep its energy high. With a demanding day job, I knew I had to take a break from its highs and lows. In fairness, in the brief time we spent together, it did “Show me the Money”. It might be worth playing again with one day soon.

ATM is the kind one. For as long as

you register with Savings, it can show you the Money any time, 24/7. It’s all over the city, too, it’s not that difficult to find. And just like a dependable bartender, it can dispense advice and listen to your Money woes in sympathy. It’s kinda limiting though for it can only give you as much as it gets.

Bond is the quiet one. It doesn’t

say much and it takes its fine time sipping coffee for as long as it pleases. It’s annoyingly smug too over the fact that Money stays in its house for long periods of time. “Show us the Money,” the coffee drinkers demand. But Bond, like James Bond, just sits there, shrugs and continues to sip coffee (though it’s really wishing for a dry martini).

Among them, Investment -being the richest- is Money’s best friend. And rightly so for it only has its best interests at heart. It doesn’t limit Money, it forces it to go out and reach its full potential. To help us all, Investment finally says, “Hey listen, the best way to see Money is just to spend time and party with us. We cannot guarantee it’ll be there all

the time. Money, after all is the child of the Economies and we all know how unpredictable they are. But Money always comes back. It loves to party with us.”

“Where do you, party,” a lady in red stilettos finally asks. “Vudu? Penthouse? The Malls? I’ve been there, mind you, and all I know is that, even if we go to the party together, I keep losing Money there.”

ATM and Stocks break into peals of laughter. The overconfident Bond chuckles. Investment just smiles knowingly and says fondly, “That’s Money for you -- a tease and a heartbreaker.”

Apparently, these guys party differently. They usually hang out in any one of Investment’s houses like PruLife U.K., Manulife, Sunlife Financial, or simply The Bank. Investment boasts that these houses are well-guarded and run by professionals so Money feels safe. In rare occasions, ATM confides, Money also attends Networking parties like Unicity, Amway or Forever Living, but more often than not, it shows up too late, so networkers are easily disappointed.

Even with black coffee, I catch myself yawning at the thought. Maybe, Money is boring after all. Either that or there’s more to it than meets the eye. Who can tell?

Finally, like any die-hard tweeter, my fingers poised on the phone screen, I ask the golden question, “Any tips on how we can be friends with Money?”

Stocks: “Well, when you see Money, don’t pinch it too hard or hug it too tight. It really hates that. High and low, honey, it’s got to flow.”

ATM: “Just let it go. The more you give, the more you get. Look here, when you want a smile out of someone, what do you do? You give out your smile first, right? That’s just how it is with Money. The best way to get it is to give it away.

Bond, for the first time, takes a pause from brooding and drinking, long enough to utter two simple words: “Be patient.”

Investment, ever the practical guy, promptly brings out a long form and says with the conviction of a Nike: “Just do it! Sign up and party with us.” And then, even before the ink could dry…“Got any referrals?”

Oh well, why not? The more friends of Money, the merrier. Just retweet if you please. (aileen.quijano@gmail.com)

Show Me The Money

the sweetness of the corn The soft, warm caress of Seaborne breezes, pungent My Cebu people are lovers of life . Singers of songs they are, and dancers to all rhythms Here is a garden of many beauties.Kind and lovely, demure and inviting.A welcome smile, a tight embrace andAnd my heart is anchored in the CebuI can never leave.

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , July 2, 20118CCHERRY ANN LIM Managing Editor, Special Pages and FeaturesJIGS ARQUIZA Editor CLINT HOLTON P. POTESTAS Writer

peeps (people, events and places)

Lapu-Lapu City turns 50!Lapu-Lapu City celebrated its golden year

of cityhood last June 17, 2011 with over 20,000 people partying at the Millenium Park, under the Marcelo Fernan bridge. Oponganons were in a festive mood as they commemorated that fateful day of June 17, 1961 when the Municipality of Opon finally became the City of Lapu-Lapu.

The celebration kicked off at 1pm with various sports events such as table tennis and chess tournament along with a folding bike contest.

When the clock strucked six, everyone partied hard at the free concert that lasted around 10 in the evening.

“We Oponganons must inculcate in each one of us the culture of tourism.” said Mayor Paz Radaza in her speech.

She reminded everyone that we can all start by keeping the city and surroundings clean. “Let us segregate our garbage. We must always make our city peaceful. Because tourists will keep coming to our place if they feel safe.”

In honor of the 50th Charter Day, all counted up from one to 50 before a first in the Philippines water-based fireworks display was launched. The golden fireworks lasted a full 16 minutes. The fireworks display launched on water has been done in Hong Kong and Taiwan but has never been done in the Philippines except in Lapu-Lapu City last Friday.

Everyone had a great time as Vice Ganda - stand-up comedian, actor, talk show host and resident judge of ABS-CBN’s “Showtime” provided tons of laughter until way past midnight. Vice Ganda wowed the crowd with his witty remarks, hilarious punch lines and comedic skills as well as his stellar song and dance numbers.

The launch of the year-long anniversary was filled with fun, merriment and sports activities, proving that Lapu-Lapu has continuously grown and progressed as one of the highly urbanized cities in the country.(PR)

This young wizard has undeniably captivated the world - millions of copies of the book sold in a span of less than a decade, a multi-billion dollar movie franchise under its belt, and a popularity that reaches people from all ages, gender, and nationality. However, its worldwide commercial success is only one of the things Harry Potter can boast of.

In the memorable opening scene of Sorcerer’s Stone, Professor McGonagall said, “There won’t be a child in our world who doesn’t know his name.” It is a prediction that also holds true for our world. Nearly everyone is familiar with the adventures of this scrawny, black-haired boy from Little Whinging.

It has been fourteen years since Sorcerer’s Stone was published and ten years since its film counterpart was released. Those kids who were

enamored by its magic back then are clearly no longer kids today. That doesn’t mean they have little regard for Harry now; in fact, it’s the complete opposite. Harry will always have a mark in their lives because it was this young wizard that made their growing up years more magical. It was through Harry’s tale of battling basilisks and dragons that those kids discovered themselves and learned values such as friendship, courage, and love. That’s what makes Harry Potter so phenomenal - there was an entire generation that grew up with him. Some would even joke that it’s Harry Potter that taught those kids to read.

With the release of the final movie drawing near, expect to see some fans getting slightly emotional. The culmination of the movie series will seem like a farewell to this magical universe that defined a huge part of their

childhood.The growth of the Harry

Potter phenomenon is a story likewise worthy to be told. The first book was published in 1997 without much fanfare. It was only after the third installment, Prisoner of Azkaban, came out that fans began holding events awaiting a book’s release. A throng of dedicated fans would wait outside bookshops, eager to read what will happen to their favorite wizard. Fast forward to 2007, the number of Harry Potter fans has multiplied significantly. Eleven million copies of the last book, Deathly Hallows, were sold in less than 24 hours after its release.

It has spawned fan clubs, fan sites, fan fiction, unofficial reference books, music (Ever heard of Wizard Rock?), and a theme park. And like all things huge and

phenomenal, it hasn’t been spared from controversies. The latter doesn’t bug the fans though, for they continue to be devoted and prolific.

Potter fans constantly express their enthusiasm with a touch of creativity. Some do it through music, others through writing, or even perhaps coding (A fan site perhaps?). Try listening to Wizard Rock, their very own music genre where they croon about hippogriffs and Victor Krum. Or you can read the works of aspiring writers on FanFiction.Net. On that site alone, there are over half a million Harry Potter fan fiction pieces posted.

With those said, parents who think their kid’s obsession with the boy wizard is unhealthy better rethink such remark. It’s a venue where they can put their imagination to good use (A feat J.K. Rowling surely must be proud of, being a huge advocate of imagination herself.)

The past fourteen years had been truly an adventure for Potter fans, an adventure that will be put to a close (sort of) on July 15. On that day, the

final movie will be shown in theaters worldwide. It will be the last hurrah for all those who stood by Harry up to the very end.

Well, it’s not really the end. Should a fan wish to ease the longing and nostalgia, he can consider going on a trip to Florida where the Harry Potter theme park is located. Then there’s J.K. Rowling’s Pottermore to look forward to, which will be officially launched in October. Or he can simply read the books again.

However, it’ll never be the same. No feeling would ever compare to the excitement and anticipation brought about by waiting for an upcoming Potter book or movie. No more online debates on issues like Sirius’ death or Which actress should play Nymphadora Tonks?

But just like how it charmed the original Potter kids, the story of Harry will surely charm its way to the hearts of the kids today and the future generations to come. It’s magic, after all. (Fiona Patricia S. Escandor)

An Ode to a Magical Worldfeature