Strengthening Ties Through Sports

In business, competition is always part of the reasons of losing your money or winning the public's trust. Along with it, is the so-called factions and gaps among companies who sell the same product.

Real Estate, for instance, competition is very tight from concept, pricing, house designs and even locations. Companies are checking the moves and strategies of its direct competitors. Some would even make stories to destroy the credibility of other developers, enabling them to create a fresh image to a certain market.

Davao City alone has several housing projects ranging from low-cost to high-end subdivisions. No doubt competition between local and national players is very tight. Conflict has always been the problem.

To destroy such misunderstanding and conflicts among developers, the Subdivision and Housing Development Association Inc. has launched its 1st SHDA-Housing Agencies Friendship Game last October 22,2011 dubbed as "Strengthening Ties Through Sports" at Rancho Palos Verdes.

LU SISTERS. Kisan Lu Lands President Arch. Kristin Lu is in defense mode while VP Mindy Lu strikes her killing move in badminton.

Yours truly, choreographer of SHDA pep squad, poses [center] while a SHDA dancer is being tossed up.

The LRA-Registry of Deeds cheerdancers with Atty Aster Cruzabra is lifted up.

SHDA Davao  President Lemuel Podador focuses his target in a double billiard game.

SHDA team is composed of representatives from Davao and national based  housing developers like Kisan Lu Lands, Uraya Land,Santos Land, Camella Communities, HLC, 8990, FMSCI, RJP Realty and more!

This time, developers are competing as one against government housing agencies like Registry of Deeds, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Pag-IBIG Housing Fund, National Housing Authority, and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board which is powered by private companies who are working directly to developers like Davies paints and Boysen.

The aim of the said event is to eradicate the negative energies among developers and government housing agencies promoting camaraderie and unity.

Indeed, the purpose was served well. Friendship bonds people.

One good example is my experience as the cheerleader and choreographer of the SHDA pep squad.I work in Kisan Lu Lands who keeps the company' flag waving. This time around, for 1 month, my responsibility gone wide and wild.

Wide because for one month I worked with people with different strokes coming from 8990,HLC, and Santos Land who will represent the event's cheerdance competition.My task is to bond these folks making them one under SHDA.

Wild because, we have gone wild. We go out together not just to practice our piece but to relate each others character by sharing one glass of liquor.We even share our own personal life stories and I have discovered lots of interesting facts about them. Regardless of the position we are holding in our company [HR manager, marketing managers, clerks, cashiers, officers,collectors, etc] we treat each other as fair as we could.   I can't imagine we have gone this far.I have found another circle of 'kabarkads' powered by social networks which makes the connection of bonding stronger.

" It is not just the opportunity of doing new in your stressful office life that you will be getting from joining such event but the chance to build connections to unique people" Estela B. Aguilos, Sales and Marketing Manager of Santos Land Development Corporation motivated her staffs to join the said event.

Not to mention other housing agencies experiences while playing as one team. I am sure they have as well found a new set of 'friendsters'.

The friendship game was culminated last Saturday night with a bang. Again, each team showcased their hidden talents on stage during the fellowship night.

The spirit of sportsmanship

I believe the ties among SHDA and housing agencies has been strengthen and will always be. All thumbs up  to SHDA officers for creating such event where the face of the word 'competition' has changed!

[Photo courtesy: Jona Gegremosa]

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Real Steal: Real Awesomeness!

Real steel is a blast! A film that combines Transformers and a father-son bonding. Hollywood critics may say they were corny but for Filipinos, the value of mother-daughter or father-son relationship matters most.

I would say, this belongs to my 'fav films list'. Actually, I'll put it on top. I love films that can move me. Real steel touched my hard steel heart and I couldn't hold a single tear from my eyes everytime Max talks to his father with so much pain and longings to be with him [father] who abandoned him.And the comeback put their bonding in an adventure that they do not imagine to happen.

Here comes ATOM. The junked robot that defeats the most sophisticated and according to the film, the KING of ROBOT BOXING-- Zeus! The fight scene made my heartbeat to pump faster while watching the heart warming team up of the son and the father who control atom. Atom is a robot that seems to have a feeling who can sense the emotions of his creators.

This is not just a story of steels and battles but also a story that inspires us to love our parents more as much as they love us. Real steel entertained us by the basic robotic visual effect thingy. However, the characters lives here are different from other old school sci-fi movies. They were able to blend with each other and made the crowd cry.

I love the film as I love my father and our moments together.

A gritty, white-knuckle, action ride set in the near-future where the sport of boxing has gone high-tech, Real Steel stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the brutal, no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback.

P.S. There is a robot there named " Noisy Boy". He could have been so powerful and he looks awesome. I just love the robot and I hate Charlie for losing him.Grrrr
.

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A man with two faces: Edward Mordake

Edward Mordrake (sometimes written Edward Mordake) is claimed to be a 19th century heir to one of the peerages in England who had an extra face on the back of his head. According to the story, the extra face could neither eat nor speak, but it could laugh and cry. Edward begged doctors to have his 'devil twin' removed, because, supposedly, it whispered horrible things to him at night, but no doctor would attempt it. He committed suicide at the age of 23.

This scares the crap out of me! I have been reading forum about Edward and almost everyone agreed that he has really existed before.

Accordingly, the devil twin's eyes follow spectators eyes and movement. The face smiles  whenever Edward cries. Believe it or not.

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Steve Jobs of Apple dies at 56

The man who likes to make history. The man behind the most loved gadgets. An inventor who have changed the world. The CEO and co-founder of Apple. 

Steve Jobs died at 56. 

It has been reported that Steve Jobs had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.

A statement from Jobs' family reads, in full:

"Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family.

In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve's illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.

We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief."

Jobs has been instrumental in many of Apple's hit products, stretching back to 1976 with the Apple I and all the way to the modern-day iPhone and iPad. He revealed to Apple employees in 2004 that he'd been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent at least one liver transplant in 2009.

(PHOTOS: Steve Jobs: An Extraordinary Career)

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Laurene, and their three children. Jobs also has a fourth child from a past relationship named Lisa, after whom he named Apple's "Lisa" computer in 1983.

Apple's board of directors has issued the following statement:

"We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.

His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

(MORE: Steve Jobs: His Life and Career in the Pages of TIME)

Another statement on Apple's website at apple.com/stevejobs reads:

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of use who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences, please e-mail rememberingsteve@apple.com"

(VIDEO: Steve Jobs' Career at Apple)

Over on TIME.com's business section, Jobs' obituary reads, in part:

"Steve Jobs, whose death was announced on Wednesday night, wasn't a computer scientist, He had no training as a hardware engineer or an industrial designer. The businesses that Apple entered under his leadership — from personal computers to MP3 players to smartphones — all existed before the company got there.

But with astonishing regularity, Jobs did something that few people accomplish even once: he reinvented entire industries. He did it with ones that were new, like PCs, and he did it with ones that were old, such as music. And his pace only accelerated over the years."

Click here to read the rest of the obituary.

(LIST: 10 Products That Defined Steve Jobs' Career)

New Apple CEO Tim Cook sent the following e-mail to Apple employees:

"Team,

I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today. 

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

We are planning a celebration of Steve's extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve's death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Laurene and his children during this difficult time.

Tim”

(MORE: This Was Your Life, Steve Jobs)

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has issued the following statement:

"I'm truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs' death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work.

Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives.

The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come.

For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely."

(MORE: Apple Will Still Be Apple, Even Without Steve Jobs)

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has issued the following statement:

"Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you."

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has issued the following statement:

"Steve, your passion for excellence is felt by anyone who has ever touched an Apple product. On behalf of all of us at Google and more broadly in technology, you will be missed very much."

(MORE: Steve Jobs: 1955-2011)

President Obama has issued the following statement:

"Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.

By building one of the planet's most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.

The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve's success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve's wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him."

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