http://www.aussiebum.com/
God Bless America, God Save the Queen, God Defend New Zealand but Thank Christ for Australia!
aussieBum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
aussieBum is an Australian male swimwear manufacturer, and recent years has also increased its product line to include underwear and clothing. The company is seen as having a large following among fashion-influential metrosexual and gay consumers.
Company history
In 2001, Sean Ashby started aussieBum when he couldn’t find the style of swimwear he grew up with. The company had an inauspicious launch in the middle of the dot-com bust. At the time the original website ran from a suburban lounge room, created by Ashby with bootleg web software. Joined by co-director Guyon Holland, they created a new market by bringing back the classic Aussie cossie and introducing digital printing and floral prints. Since starting out with only AU$20,000, aussieBum is now a multi-million dollar global enterprise, employing over 30 people, manufacturing over 150 different styles of products.
All aussieBum products are manufactured in Australia with the business run completely out of the company's headquarters in the Sydney suburb of Leichhardt. The brand is now sold in some of the biggest department stores in the world and is also distributed though their online e-store.
The company is known for its highly creative products, such as Essence underwear; which contains vitamins locked in the fibre which releases through the skin, and the Wonderjock; underwear designed to enhance men's assets, causing quite a stir from news broadcasters around the world.
The company has no sales representatives overseas but relies on the strength of the company website. Australian sales make up only 10% of its business, is on its way to AU$20 million in annual sales.
Advertising
aussieBum promote their products in non-traditional venues on the internet, such as blogs, the social networking site Myspace and the online game Second Life. Cultivating the image of a larrikin Australian has also helped the company get attention in overseas markets where Australian culture is still a novelty.
Celebrities including Ewan McGregor, Billy Connolly, and Daniel Radcliffe are fans of the cossies while Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue featured buff men wearing aussieBums in the video clip for Slow. Soccer superstar and men's fashion trendsetter David Beckham has also been spotted in the brand.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Time Out: Why Are Clock Hands Always Pictured At 10:10?
Haven't you noticed that watches for sale are always pictured with hands pointed at 10:10? Now I picked up this explanation from the web. Mostly, clock companies and ad people think that they do so by aesthetic purposes and of course using the "smile" theory which will be explained better later on in this post.Aesthetics
I personally think that the 10:10 position (sometimes 10:12 or 10:08) was adopted for pictures of clocks and watches because it is symmetric and looks better. Today the symmetric positions are both aesthetic and customary. Other symmetric hand positions are also used, but not as frequently. Examples include 8:20, 8:18, and 2:50. Reviewing some Seth Thomas clock catalog illustrations, I see a gradually increasing symmetry of the hands as the catalogs progress from 1878 to 1940.
"We always put hands to 10.10 here and in other collections I'm responsible for. The answer is probably quite simply that it looks better, aesthetically and practically, as the clock has a 'smile' on its face (not just a marketing gimmick, it really does look better than a 'down turned mouth' at 8.20) and, as others have said, because it keeps the hands clear of signatures and other subsidiary dials. I note that not every firm uses that position in their marketing though. Synchronome, for example, appear to depict their dials at 3.00." - Jonathan Betts
"The opinions I've read tend toward 'framing' the maker's name on the clock face. Viz: when the logo is placed above the center, the hands are at 10:10 but when the logo is below the center, the hands are shown at 8:20 framing the maker's name. Wristwatch advertising follows this trend." - Les Lesovsky
"Thomas A. Frank wrote: '...most manufacturers trademarks are just above the center pipe, and having the hands at 10:10 causes your eye to naturally follow to the trough, thus bringing your view right to the trademark....' and often the Model name is centered under the center pipe, ruling out any hand more or less straight down (between 5 and 7). Date windows most often are at 9 or 3, and subsidiary seconds usually at 6. For aesthetic reasons you want the two hands neither nearly covering each other nor nearly in a straight line. By default the 10h10 looks pretty good." - Fortunat Mueller-Maerki
"Smile" Theory
It has been suggested that the 10:10 position is used because it resembles a smile.
"I too have heard the 'smile' theory, which makes some sense from the emotional marketing perspective. Equally likely is the fact that most manufacturer's trademarks are just above the center pipe, and having the hands at 10:10 causes your eye to naturally follow to the trough, thus bringing your view right to the trademark." - Tom Frank
Time of Abraham Lincoln's Death
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865, although he was shot at 10:15 p.m. on April 14, 1865. Although this has been suggested, I doubt that the position of the hands commemorates the time of Lincoln's assassination or death.
References
* New York Times account of Lincoln's death, April 16, 1865.
Friday, April 27, 2007
DJ Missill
| Start: | Jun 20, '07 11:00p |
| End: | Jun 21, '07 |
| Location: | Embassy Superclub |
She has more than one string to her harp, as she is also a graphic designer, graffer, and painter. As a resident since 1999 in two famous French clubs in Paris: Batofar and Glaz’art, she has had the time to practice her skills and has had many opportunities to play along side with the best: Carl Craig, DJ vadim, Fingathing, Ty, Horace Handy, Mike Ladd, Orishas, DJ Format, and M.I.A. She was also widely recognized after her appearance in Chile’s ‘Transmusicals’ festival.
With already over 99 shows to her active abroad, and plenty more to come, she is focussing on developing especially in Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and the U.K. ‘Mash up’ reproduces on CD Missill’s eclectic and very energetic DJ sets, while mixing the best of breakbeat, electro, ragga, hip-hop, and drum ‘n’ bass. In Manila, she will fire up the biggest club in town, Embassy, with a first part by a Filipino DJ. Watch out for this rising star!
Manila Jazz Festival
| Start: | Jun 15, '07 6:00p |
| End: | Jun 16, '07 |
| Location: | Sofitel Philippine Plaza |
What Your Soul Really Looks Like |
 You are quite expressive and thoughtful. You see the world in a way that others are blind to. You are a very grounded, responsible, and realistic person. People may not want to hear the truth from you, but they're going to get it. You believe that people see you as larger than life and important. While this is true, they also think you're a bit full of yourself. Your near future is calm, relaxing, and pretty much what you want. And it's something you've been anticipating for a while now. For you, falling in love has never been easy. You can only fall for someone who is very patient and persistent. |
This year, Jewelmer International Corporation in cooperation with Alliance Française present the annual jazz event: THE MANILA JAZZ FESTIVAL at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel on the 15th of June 2007 (Friday) from 6 p.m. onwards.
This year’s line-up of Filipino Jazz greats and promising young jazz artists include: The Jazz Volunteers headlined by Michael Guevarra and Wowee Posadas, the Ethno-jazz sensation Waway Saway & The Kadugo Band with vocalist Camille from the mountains of Lantapan, Bukidnon, The Jewelmer Jazz Band which boasts of a roster of Philippine jazz legends, The UST Jazz Band and The U.P. Jazz Ensemble. Also in the show will be a group led by respected sax virtuoso Tots Tolentino, who will perform avant garde jazz melodies. A new generation of Filipino jazz musicians, led byImage saxophone sensations, Alvin Cornista and Michael Young will treat listeners to their interpretation of jazz. A performance featuring a showdown of talents and skills by these saxophone artists will treat jazz aficionados and music lovers alike.
As part of the French Spring in Manila 2007, The 5th Manila Jazz Festival will also feature a French Jazz act invited by Alliance Française: Thomas Enhco & the Jazz Angels. Thomas Cohen (whose stage name Encho is backwards slang for Cohen) is a multi-talented 18 year-old prodigy who is equally at home playing the violin and the piano. Together with friends Zacharie Abraham on double bass and Nicolas Charlier on drums, he formed Thomas Encho and the Jazz Angels in 2002. As a testament to the wide range of their music, they can switch from swing to samba via “up tempo”. (final participation to be confirmed by Alliance Francaise)
An event that has always opened its doors to the public, don’t miss this years Manila Jazz Festival as we promise to bring you more talented and exciting Filipino Jazz acts as well as foreign groups who are excited to share their talents to jazz lovers in the Philippines.
French Film Festival
| Start: | Jun 7, '07 01:00a |
| End: | Jun 17, '07 |
| Location: | Shangrila Mall |
How You Live Your Life |
 You seem to be straight forward, but you keep a lot inside. You are always tactful and diplomatic. You let people down gently. You prefer a variety of friends and tend to change friends quickly. You tend to dream big, but you worry that your dreams aren't attainable. |
French cinema has found a loyal audience in the Philippines. Since its launch, French films have been attracting local viewers from all walks of life, with an appreciation for the “7th art form”. French films have a unique character of story-telling that is able to touch the psyche of the Filipino, through the imagery, the romance, the humour, and naturally the beauty of the actors.
In previous years, the French Film Festival has provided the much awaited event in Manila, and Cebu, for film lovers to watch some of the most-awarded or box office hits from Parisian cineplexes or the Cannes Film Festival.
The 2007 edition of the French Film Festival follows the tradition of bringing quality French films to the Philippines. We have invited the Director and the cast of the latest best-seller, OSS 117 to open the festival. Watch out for it!
In Manila, the French Film Festival will be showing at Shangri-La Plaza. It will then move on to Cebu from June 22 to 24.
Emilie Simon- Electro-Pop Music
| Start: | May 11, '07 9:00p |
| End: | May 12, '07 |
| Location: | Rockwell Tent |
You Aren't Cutthroat |
 You definitely have ambitions and drive, but you also have integrity. You'll get where you want to in life, and you'll do it the right way. For you, the ends never justify the means. |
Emilie Simon was born in 1978 in South of France. With her dad being a sound engineer, Emilie studied music at the conservatory during 7 years, after which she specialized in contemporary music at IRCAM.
In 2003 already, she releases her first album, which is covered in 2004 by “Victoire de la Musique categorie electronique”. Author, composer, interpret, “the illegitime daughter of Björk and Gainsbourg” (Libération) invites us at her youngest age in her magic world of electronic and pop orchestrations.
In 2004, Luc Jacquet (Director of the film “the March of the Emperor”) contacts Emilie with the idea to have her compose the soundtrack of theImage film. To compose the music of the film, Emilie records sounds of walks in the snow and other winter specific environment sounds which literally take the audience on a trip to the glacial penguin’s world. The soundtrack brings her a new “Victoire de la musique category film soundtrack” in 2005.
In July 2005, she performs at the Eurockéennes de Belfort Festival, along with the Synfonietta de Belfort and the clavier-percussions group from Lyon. This gives birth to the project of a concert at the Grand Rex in Paris on January 19, 2006. This unique concert has an outstanding triumph and is acclaimed by audience and critics alike.
Beginning of 2006, Emilie released her latest album “Végétal”, a musical fairy tale full of magic and bionic creatures of her own world.
The concert at the Rockwell Tent will feature most of the songs of “Végétal”.
Extremely beautiful and utterly talented, she will conquer the heart of every young Filipino in Manila.
Trio Wanderer - A Night of Classical Music
| Start: | May 10, '07 8:00p |
| End: | May 11, '07 |
| Location: | Philamlife Theater |
Image
Trio Wanderer quite deserves its stage-name. Indeed, "Wanderer" pays homage to Schubert, and more widely to German Romanticism which is often imbued with the leitmotiv of the wandering traveler. These three French musicians are avid open-minded wandering travelers, who explore the musical world, spanning the centuries from Mozart and Haydn to nowadays. Acclaimed for its extraordinarily sensitive style, almost telepathic understanding of each other and technical mastery, the Trio Wanderer is one of the world's foremost chamber ensembles.
First Prize for chamber music at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, the Trio Wanderer studied from 1987 to 1991 withImage such masters as Jean-Claude Pennetier, Jean Hubeau, Janos Starker, Menahem Pressler from Beaux Arts Trio, and Amadeus Quartet. They have on many occasions collaborated with artists such as Yehudi Menuhin, Christopher Hogwood, James Loughran, Marco Guidarini, Charles Dutoit and James Conlon.
In season 2006/2007, Trio Wanderer engagements include performances at renowned festivals such as Budapest, Edinburgh, Feldkirch, La Roque d’Anthéron and Salzburg. They will perform at the Theâtre du Chatelet in Paris, Wigmore Hall in London, Herkulessaal in Munich, International Forum in Tokyo and Konzerhaus in Berlin.
In the field of recordings, their new recording has just been awarded with a "Choc du Monde la Musique and a "Diapason d'Or".
Besides numerous radio and television recordings (Radio France, BBC, ARD, France 2, Mezzo), the French-German television company ARTE made a film on the Trio Wanderer, which was broadcast in June 2003.
In Manila, they will play one night at Philamlife and perform a short set during the European Day.
PROGRAM TRIO WANDERER / 10 MAI 2007 20H THEATRE DU PHILAMLIFE
Sonata for cello and piano in D min, Debussy
1 Prologue
2 Serenade
3 Final
Theme and Variations for piano et violin, Messiaen
Trio « Circulo » op. 91, Turina (1936)
Entracte
Trio op. 92 number 2 in E min, Saint Saëns.
1 Allegretto non troppo
2 Allegretto
3 Andante con moto
4 Gracioso, poco allegro
5 Allegro
Ich Bin Ein Berliner.
From a speech by then US President John F. Kennedy to Berliners during the time when the Berlin wall is being put up by the Soviets to divide the country into East and West Germany. Kennedy arrived in Berlin on June 26, 1963, following appearancesin the cities of Bonn, Cologne and Frankfurt, where he had given speeches to huge, wildly
cheering crowds. In Berlin, an immense crowd gathered in the Rudolph Wilde
Platz near the Berlin Wall to listen to the President who delivered this
memorable speech above all the noise, concluding with the now famous ending.
The speech is not without controversy though. Apparently, JFK should have said "Ich bin Berliner"; the ein is an indefinite article implies that the President is a non-human Berliner. A Berliner is a Jelly-filled doughnut (from wiki the name of a doughnut
variant filled with jam or plum sauce that is thought to have
originated in Berlin, although it was not known under that name in
Berlin or nearby parts of Germany at that time, where it was called Pfannkuchen (pancake).) So the President literally exclaimed "I am a jelly-filled doughnut). He he he he..
Here's the speech:
I am proud to come to this city as the guest of your distinguished
Mayor, who has symbolized throughout the world the fighting spirit of West
Berlin. And I am proud to visit the Federal Republic with your distinguished
Chancellor who for so many years has committed Germany to democracy and
freedom and progress, and to come here in the company of my fellow American,
General Clay, who has been in this city during its great moments of crisis
and will come again if ever needed.
Two thousand years ago the proudest boast was "civis Romanus
sum." Today, in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is "Ich
bin ein Berliner."
I appreciate my interpreter translating my German!
There are many people in the world who really don't understand, or
say they don't, what is the great issue between the free world and the
Communist world. Let them come to Berlin. There are some who say that communism
is the wave of the future. Let them come to Berlin. And there are some
who say in Europe and elsewhere we can work with the Communists. Let them
come to Berlin. And there are even a few who say that it is true that communism
is an evil system, but it permits us to make economic progress. Lass' sie
nach Berlin kommen. Let them come to Berlin.
Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we
have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them
from leaving us. I want to say, on behalf of my countrymen, who live many
miles away on the other side of the Atlantic, who are far distant from
you, that they take the greatest pride that they have been able to share
with you, even from a distance, the story of the last 18 years. I know
of no town, no city, that has been besieged for 18 years that still lives
with the vitality and the force, and the hope and the determination of
the city of West Berlin. While the wall is the most obvious and vivid demonstration
of the failures of the Communist system, for all the world to see, we take
no satisfaction in it, for it is, as your Mayor has said, an offense not
only against history but an offense against humanity, separating families,
dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters, and dividing a people
who wish to be joined together.
What is true of this city is true of Germany--real, lasting peace
in Europe can never be assured as long as one German out of four is denied
the elementary right of free men, and that is to make a free choice. In
18 years of peace and good faith, this generation of Germans has earned
the right to be free, including the right to unite their families and their
nation in lasting peace, with good will to all people. You live in a defended
island of freedom, but your life is part of the main. So let me ask you
as I close, to lift your eyes beyond the dangers of today, to the hopes
of tomorrow, beyond the freedom merely of this city of Berlin, or your
country of Germany, to the advance of freedom everywhere, beyond the wall
to the day of peace with justice, beyond yourselves and ourselves to all
mankind.
Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not
free. When all are free, then we can look forward to that day when this
city will be joined as one and this country and this great Continent of
Europe in a peaceful and hopeful globe. When that day finally comes, as
it will, the people of West Berlin can take sober satisfaction in the fact
that they were in the front lines for almost two decades.
All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and,
therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words "Ich bin ein Berliner."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I guess the world today is divided in so many ways, but the love of freedom is timeless and universal.
Attachment: ichbinein.wav
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Why Are Manhole Covers Round?
My answer would be because the hole that it cover is round as well. But here is a Microsoft job interview that further elaborates that. (Of course there are other answers of course.). But this one is fun.Round Manhole Covers, or: If Richard Feynman applied for a job at Microsoft
"Why are manhole covers round" is one of the eternal questions in
job interviews, and so it seems to be at Microsoft. The desired and
politically correct answer to the question is: "Manhole covers are
round because round is the only shape that can never fall into the
manhole and hurt someone (with the hole of the same shape, but slightly
smaller size than the cover)". And the answer is wrong.
Let's ask Mr Feynman:
"Interviewer: Now comes the part of the interview where we ask a
question to test your creative thinking ability. Don't think too hard
about it, just apply everyday common sense, and describe your reasoning
process. Here's the question: Why are manhole covers round?
Feynman: They're not. Some manhole covers are square. It's true
that there are SOME round ones, but I've seen square ones, and
rectangular ones.
Interviewer: But just considering the round ones, why are they round?
Feynman: If we are just considering the round ones, then they are round by definition. That statement is a tautology.
Interviewer: I mean, why are there round ones at all? Is there some particular value to having round ones?
Feynman: Yes. Round covers are used when the hole they are covering
up is also round. It's simplest to cover a round hole with a round
cover.
Interviewer: Can you think of a property of round covers that gives them an advantage over square ones?
Feynman: We have to look at what is under the cover to answer that
question. The hole below the cover is round because a cylinder is the
strongest shape against the compression of the earth around it. Also,
the term "manhole" implies a passage big enough for a man, and a human
being climbing down a ladder is roughly circular in cross-section. So a
cylindrical pipe is the natural shape for manholes. The covers are
simply the shape needed to cover up a cylinder.
Interviewer: Do you believe there is a safety issue? I mean, couldn't square covers fall into the hole and hurt someone?
Feynman: Not likely. Square covers are sometimes used on
prefabricated vaults where the access passage is also square. The cover
is larger than the passage, and sits on a ledge that supports it along
the entire perimeter. The covers are usually made of solid metal and
are very heavy. Let's assume a two-foot square opening and a ledge
width of 1-1/2 inches. In order to get it to fall in, you would have to
lift one side of the cover, then rotate it 30 degrees so that the cover
would clear the ledge, and then tilt the cover up nearly 45 degrees
from horizontal before the center of gravity would shift enough for it
to fall in. Yes, it's possible, but very unlikely. The people
authorized to open manhole covers could easily be trained to do it
safely. Applying common engineering sense, the shape of a manhole cover
is entirely determined by the shape of the opening it is intended to
cover.
Interviewer (troubled): Excuse me a moment; I have to discuss something with my management team. (Leaves room.)
(Interviewer returns after 10 minutes)
Interviewer: We are going to recommend you for immediate hiring into the marketing department."
:)
See Reuleaux Triangles
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
How Trustworthy is the United States of America?
Do you trust the United States of America in handling global affairs?
Yes
No
Unsure
Yes
5
No
5
Unsure
1
World Publics Reject U.S. Role as the World Leader; Majorities Still Want United States to Do its Share in Multilateral EffortsCHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS
Contact, International Findings:
Christopher Whitney, 312-451-1040
Steven Kull, 202-232-7500
A multinational poll finds that publics around the world reject the idea that the United States should continue to play the role of preeminent world leader. Most publics say the United States plays the role of world policeman more than it should and cannot be trusted to act responsibly.
But the survey also finds that majorities in most countries want the United States to do its share in multilateral efforts to address world problems and do not want it to withdraw from world affairs. Views are divided on whether the United States should reduce the number of military bases it has overseas and in some countries publics perceive an improvement in their bilateral relations with the United States.
Americans largely agree with the rest of the world: most do not think the United States should remain the world’s preeminent leader and prefer that it play a more cooperative role. They also believe United States plays the role of world policeman more than it should.
This is the fourth in a series of reports based on a worldwide poll conducted by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and WorldPublicOpinion.org, in cooperation with polling organizations around the world. The larger study includes polls in China , India, the United States, Indonesia, Russia, France, Thailand, Ukraine, Poland, Iran, Mexico, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Argentina, Peru, Israel and Armenia—plus the Palestinian territories. The publics polled represent about 56 percent of the world’s population. Not all questions were asked in all countries.
Steven Kull, editor of WorldPublicOpinion.org notes that this poll reinforces the conclusions of other recent global surveys, which have found that the United States’ image abroad is bad and growing worse. But he added that this survey also explores what kind of role the international community would like the United States to play in the world.
“This survey shows that despite the negative views of US foreign policy, publics around the world do not want the United States to disengage from international affairs, but rather to participate in a more cooperative and multilateral fashion,” Kull said.
Majorities in all 15 of the publics polled reject the idea that “the US should continue to be the preeminent world leader in solving international problems.” However in only two of them (Argentina and the Palestinian territories), do majorities say that the United States “should withdraw from most efforts to solve international problems.”
Publics in all of the countries surveyed tend to prefer that the United States pursue a cooperative, multilateral approach by doing “its share in efforts to solve international problems together with other countries.” This is true in South Korea (79%), the United States (75%), France (75%), China (68%), Israel (62%), Peru (61%), Mexico (59%), Armenia (58%), Philippines (55%), Ukraine (52%), Thailand (47%), India (42%) and Russia (42%).
Just as they reject the idea that the United States should continue to be the world’s preeminent leader, most believe the United States is “playing the role of world policeman more than it should.” Majorities in 13 out of 15 publics express this view, including large majorities in France (89%), Australia (80%), China (77%), Russia (76%), Peru (76%), the Palestinian territories (74%) and South Korea (73%). More than three out of four Americans (76%) also agree. The only exceptions are the Filipinos, a majority of whom (57%) disagree that the United States is playing world policeman more than it should, and the Israelis, who are divided on the issue.
This desire for a reduced American role may flow in part from a lack of confidence that the United States can be trusted to “act responsibly in the world.” This lack of confidence was the most common view in 10 out of 15 countries. Two Latin American countries show the highest numbers expressing this mistrust—Argentina (84%) and Peru (80%)—followed by Russians (73%), the French (72%), and Indonesians (64%). But in four countries, majorities or pluralities say the United States can be at least “somewhat” trusted to act responsibly, led by the Filipinos (85%), Israelis (81%), Poles (51%) and Ukrainians (49%).
Despite the widespread belief that the United States should be more cooperative and less dominant, countries express mixed views about whether the United States should reduce its military presence around the world. In only five out of 12 publics polled does a majority favor decreasing the number of overseas US military bases: Argentines (75%), Palestinians (70%), the French (69%), Chinese (63%), and Ukrainians (62%). In four, majorities favor either maintaining the current number or increasing it: Philippines (78%), Americans (68%), Israelis (59%), and Poles (54%). Armenians and Thais lean in favor of maintaining or reducing, while Indians are divided. No country favors increases.
Also contrary to their negative views of the United States’ role in the world is the perception in some publics that relations between their country and the United States are getting better. Majorities in India (58%) and China (53%) say relations with the United States are improving. Pluralities think so in Australia (50%), Armenia (48%), Indonesia (46%) and Thailand (37%). In the other countries polled, majorities or pluralities say relations with the US are staying about the same: 60 percent in Poland, 56 percent in South Korea, 52 percent in Israel, 52 percent in the Ukraine, and 45 percent in Russia. In no country does a majority or plurality say relations with the US are getting worse.
“The publics in many countries differentiate between their negative views of the U.S. international role and their perceptions of bilateral relations, which are seen as improving in a significant number of countries, even some that are highly critical of the United States,” said Christopher Whitney, executive director for studies at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Attachment: ViewsUS_quaire.pdf
Attachment: overview07_final.pdf
Attachment: DS156_Complete.pdf
Attachment: ViewsUS_report.pdf
Attachment: overview07_final.pdf
Attachment: DS156_Complete.pdf
Attachment: ViewsUS_report.pdf
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Concierto para Guernica
| Start: | Apr 26, '07 7:00p |
| Location: | Instituto |
Concierto de A concert by
New Taipei Trio
Piano Chin-Chuan Chang
Violin Yu-Chih Chou
Violonchelo Yi-Ching Cheng
Fecha Date: April 26, 2007
Hora Time: 7 pm
Lugar Venue: Instituto Cervantes
El 26 de abril de 1937, un ataque a�reo de fuerzas alemanas e italianas arras� la ciudad de Guernica. Nunca antes en la Historia hab�a sido atacada una poblaci�n desde el aire con el prop�sito de destruirla. El Concierto para Guernica pretende recordar el 70 aniversario de esa fecha tr�gica, para incrementar la conciencia global acerca de la necesidad de paz y cooperaci�n internacional.
On April 26th 1937, German and Italian forces obliterated the Spanish town of Guernica in a massive air raid. The tragic raid inspired one of Pablo Picasso's most powerful paintings, perhaps the most famous anti-war statement of the 20th century.
Spanish composer Octavio V�zquez wrote the first notes of his piano trio Guernica in 1999 and completed it in 2006. Seventy years after the destruction of the Basque town, Guernica will be performed at Instituto Cervantes by the New Taipei Trio. The Guernica Concert seeks to commemorate the 70th anniversary of that tragic day with the hope of increasing global awareness of the necessity for peace and international cooperation.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
5 Senses French Fashion Show
| Start: | Apr 21, '07 7:30p |
| Location: | Sofitel Philippine Plaza |
Featuring Philippines' top fashion designers.
Monday, April 16, 2007
CRIN - Child Rights Information Network - Resources
http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=12923
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6501695.stm
[MANILA, 28 March 2007] - The head of a day care centre in the Philippines has seized a busload of his children, saying he is demanding better housing and education for them.
The man identified as Jun Ducat, and at least one other armed hostage-taker, took the 32 children and two teachers hostage as they departed for a trip.
Police and worried parents surrounded the bus as the drama unfolded outside Manila City Hall. Mr Ducat is reported to have agreed to free the children at 1900 (1100GMT).
He had earlier told local media he had no intention of harming them.
Using a mobile phone from the bus, Mr Ducat said he was demanding better housing and education for the 145 children at his centre in Manila's poor Tondo district.
"I am so sorry I took these children in a violent action to call the attention of the Filipino people to open their minds to the police reality," he said. One boy suffering from a fever was released.
Some of the parents who had gathered at the cordon were reported to be in near hysteria as the struggled to make sense of the unfolding events.
"[Mr Ducat] told us it was a field trip. We knew Mr Ducat and he has been very kind. Please let our children go," Clara Moreno was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.
A local office worker told the BBC News website that huge crowds had gathered at the scene. "TV stations, firetrucks, an ambulance, and policemen are also around the area," Ryan Buaron said.
"I think it was a good thing that bus is airconditioned because the temperature outside is too warm."
The hostage-takers told police via messages on cardboard that they possessed an Uzi assault rifle, a revolver and two grenades, as well as food and water for two days.
A local senator, Ramon Revilla, who was reported to have known Mr Ducat, boarded the bus for a short time to try to persuade him to surrender.
"He has requested more time and he would come out with the children," the senator told journalists after he got off the bus. "I am asking the police not to make any move that would agitate him."
Television pictures showed children waving from the bus, and ice cream was seen being delivered by a policeman.
Officials said Jun Ducat was involved in a hostage-taking incident using fake grenades 20 years ago.
Gen Reynaldo Varilla, head of the national capital region police command, told local radio he had instructions to ensure no-one got hurt.
"Hopefully we can convince the hostage-takers," he said.
This is the second hostage situation in Manila in two weeks. On 14 March, police shot dead a marine who took four people hostage in a court over an eviction issue.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6501695.stm
[MANILA, 28 March 2007] - The head of a day care centre in the Philippines has seized a busload of his children, saying he is demanding better housing and education for them.
The man identified as Jun Ducat, and at least one other armed hostage-taker, took the 32 children and two teachers hostage as they departed for a trip.
Police and worried parents surrounded the bus as the drama unfolded outside Manila City Hall. Mr Ducat is reported to have agreed to free the children at 1900 (1100GMT).
He had earlier told local media he had no intention of harming them.
Using a mobile phone from the bus, Mr Ducat said he was demanding better housing and education for the 145 children at his centre in Manila's poor Tondo district.
"I am so sorry I took these children in a violent action to call the attention of the Filipino people to open their minds to the police reality," he said. One boy suffering from a fever was released.
Some of the parents who had gathered at the cordon were reported to be in near hysteria as the struggled to make sense of the unfolding events.
"[Mr Ducat] told us it was a field trip. We knew Mr Ducat and he has been very kind. Please let our children go," Clara Moreno was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.
A local office worker told the BBC News website that huge crowds had gathered at the scene. "TV stations, firetrucks, an ambulance, and policemen are also around the area," Ryan Buaron said.
"I think it was a good thing that bus is airconditioned because the temperature outside is too warm."
The hostage-takers told police via messages on cardboard that they possessed an Uzi assault rifle, a revolver and two grenades, as well as food and water for two days.
A local senator, Ramon Revilla, who was reported to have known Mr Ducat, boarded the bus for a short time to try to persuade him to surrender.
"He has requested more time and he would come out with the children," the senator told journalists after he got off the bus. "I am asking the police not to make any move that would agitate him."
Television pictures showed children waving from the bus, and ice cream was seen being delivered by a policeman.
Officials said Jun Ducat was involved in a hostage-taking incident using fake grenades 20 years ago.
Gen Reynaldo Varilla, head of the national capital region police command, told local radio he had instructions to ensure no-one got hurt.
"Hopefully we can convince the hostage-takers," he said.
This is the second hostage situation in Manila in two weeks. On 14 March, police shot dead a marine who took four people hostage in a court over an eviction issue.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Jeremie says bye to Manila
| Start: | Apr 27, '07 10:00p |
| Location: | 17B, Yague Street, La Paz Village, Makati |
Despedida for Marius Bayer and Claude Peytavy
| Start: | Apr 14, '07 10:00p |
| Location: | Donnelly's, Nipa Street, Ayala Alabang. |
Fiesta España
| Start: | Apr 13, '07 10:00p |
| Location: | Apt 2706, Frasier, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati |
Monday, April 9, 2007
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)