Happy New Year from Manual To Lyf!

Another year of blessing and opportunities will come our way. The year promises new things that will bring us into more opportunities and happiness for Lyf  is meant to be lived to the fullest!

Happy New year everyone!

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2010 Day Eight: Emmanuel

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Day 8: Emmanuel

This is the second time I almost missed the simbang gabi due to oversleeping. It is because I am still quite sick with sore throat. But I can still manage to sing and even speak but there would still be a stinging feeling every time. Luckily I realized that another perfect venue to attend the mass would be at the Archbishops' Residence in Villa San Miguel which is near shaw boulevard and Nueve de Febrero.  

The last time I have been to this place again was the 75th birthday of beloved Jaime Cardinal Sin. I just knew that they also have Misa de Gallo when I encountered a lot of people coming from the street where the compound is located and knew that there was a simbang gabi mass held there. Again since this is just near the office I took the chance to attending mass.

At first, I don't know how will they pull off a mass when the population of the people in that area could actually fill the whole compound and the chapel can accommodate up to 50 persons only. Fortunately there is also a covered court that can be used as the mass area. Also the rest of the compound since there is a lot of grass space this provided. 

For the gospel for today, it focuses on the coming of EMMANUEL or the lord is with us.  The way has been prepared by John the Baptist, Mary conceived Jesus through the holy spirit and God intervened to convince Joseph to take care of Mary and bring him into Bethlehem (the city of David). Everything is now at place, the only thing we await is the King who made himself flesh.  and free from  us from sin and hate.  

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2010 Day Seven: Magnificat

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Day 7: Magnificat

One of my most favorite songs from the Bible is Mary's song of Magnificat. The song that praised and honor the glory of God as the savior and the light of the troubled world. The song was sung by mary as she conceived in her womb Jesus who is the  Messiah and brought the good news to the world. And on the seventh day of Misa de Gallo, I now found myself in a new church that I would only view from afar but unable to get inside and attend mass. This Parish was the San Roque Church located near Boni Avenue and also close to the office where I decided to go and check out this parish that I have passed many times but never go the chance to explore the church with a very high structure. 

Indeed the church was made to be high because of the limited space of the lot to fit it inside the community in that part of Mandaluyong. San Roque is a farmer and always depicted with a scar and dog. He was poor yet never let his faith down just like Mary that also sung a melody of praise that her heart had composed. The song of Magnificat is also one of my favorite praise song because of the simple yet strong words of faith and thanksgiving. 

This is how Jesus would make us when we welcome him into our hearts. Though born in a manger, has proven even before his arrival that he does bear good news. Erases all worries and fears and also makes you sing out for joy.

two more days
singing while waiting...

Super Tuesdays on the All NEW & Exciting AXN Beyond!

Get set to be blown away by the latest drama and entertainment shows on an all new, all awesome AXN Beyond channel. More than ever, viewers from the Philippines will enjoy a fresh and unrivalled programming line-up Tuesday nights across a newly-expanded spectrum of genres, as AXN Beyond refreshes to redefine the entertainment experience like no other.

AXN Beyond viewers are set to enjoy a back-to-back series of the channel’s very latest shows on Super Tuesday evenings not-to-be-missed. The fun begins with reality talk show The Marriage Ref, as celebrities such as Madonna, Demi Moore and Gwyneth Paltrow pass judgement on real-life couples’ marriages.

That leads to light-hearted series like Drop Dead Diva Season 2 which continues the life of shallow model Deb (Brooke Elliott) whose soul ends up in the body of a brilliant, plus-size attorney. The night’s fun culminates in AXN Beyond’s headliner of the month – fresh new legal comedic drama The Defenders which stars Jim Belushi (According to Jim) and Jerry O’Connell (Sliders) as colourful Las Vegas defence attorneys.

With all that and more, viewers will surely adore the all-new, all awesome entertainment experience with the latest shows across the greatest variety of genres, unveiling this December on the fresh, hip and super-sized AXN Beyond. Check out some of these shows airing tonight:

The Marriage Ref

Tuesdays, 8:10pm, first and exclusively on AXN Beyond

Jerry Seinfeld is back and in the producer's chair for a funny and revealing comedy panel series The Marriage Ref, about the unpredictable and hilarious institution commonly known as marriage. In The Marriage Ref, disputes between real-life couples are revealed, examined - and ultimately judged.

For the first time, audiences will be able to look at these fights, analyze them and declare a winner. At the centre of the action and making "the call", is popular comedian Tom Papa (The Informant!) who will have the final say in determining the victor of each spat.

Advising and influencing the Ref's decision will be a rotating panel of ‘experts’ comprising top celebrities, comedians and sports stars who will weigh in and offer their own wit, wisdom and unique opinions. Guest stars featuring through the series include Tina Fey, Eva Longoria Parker, Larry David, Ricky Gervais, Madonna, Martha Stewart, Sheryl Crow, Tracy Morgan, Gloria Estefan, Donald Trump and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Drop Dead Diva Season 2

Tuesdays 9pm on AXN Beyond

Returning for a second season, comedic drama Drop Dead Diva continues the story of a shallow wannabe model that dies in a sudden accident, only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney, Jane.

At the close of last season, Deb was ready to let go of her past and embrace her new life as Jane. But the unexpected arrival of Jane’s “secret” husband, Ethan (Devon Gummersall), at her doorstep left her with more questions than ever. To make matters worse, Jane may be disbarred after breaching client-attorney confidentiality when, against the firm’s advisement, she reported her client for fraud. Faced with a new love triangle and the uncertainty of her career, Jane must, once again, chart out a new future for herself…

The 13-episode second season of Drop Dead Diva features breakout star Brooke Elliott (Wicked, Taboo”), Margaret Cho (Ghost Whisperer, Notorious C.H.O.), Jackson Hurst (The Tree of Life), Kate Levering (Cashmere Mafia), April Bowlby (Two and a Half Men), Josh Stamberg (Lie to Me) and Ben Feldman (The Perfect Man).The Season 2 opener of Drop Dead Diva will feature entertainer Paula Abdul (American Idol) reprising her role as Judge Paula Abdul, a figment of Jane’s subconscious. Devon Gummersall (“My So-Called Life”) and David Denman (“The Office”) return as guest stars this season.

The Defenders

Tuesdays 9.50pm first and exclusively on AXN Beyond

The Defenders is a comedic drama about two colourful Las Vegas defence attorneys who go all-in when it comes to representing their clients. Nick (Jim Belushi, According to Jim) and Pete (Jerry O’Çonnell, Sliders, Crossing Jordan) are the local go-to guys with an eclectic client list who are still looking to hit their own jackpot.

Leading the law firm of Morelli & Kaczmarek are Nick Morelli, an earnest, hard-charging attorney who represents his clients to the best of his ability, no matter how big or small the case; and his partner, Pete Kaczmarek, whose passion for the law is matched only by his love of fast cars, beautiful women and expensive clothes. 

Joining them in their growing law practice is new associate Lisa Tyler (Jurnee Smollett, The Great Debaters), an enthusiastic young attorney looking to put her exotic dancing days behind her; and their young assistant, Sophie (Tanya Fischer, Life On Mars), a spunky and sweet ingénue who is eager to please her bosses.

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2010 Day Six: Shared Time

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Day 6: Shared Time

I have to admit that being too busy with a lot of this just stress me out and what I do need more right now is time. However I am still very thankful for the blessings that I have received within this year. Time indeed is a very important thing that we cannot never get back. So that has been by philosophy in life to live it to the fullest and enjoy its fruits without affecting anybody. Now I am at my sixth day of the Misa De Gallo and I just had my first part of my medicals on this day. I chose to spend the rest of the day off at the mall and do some wifi. I am also pressured with the fact that I need to finish music pieces for the stage play in January.  

So much things to do with so little time. This had me worried in the past as I got busy, the time for myself especially in prayer also declined. I am too worried that being to busy will would lead me to be ill. But I would also find myself in many situations that I encounter God in many ways and in places that I did not expect (though the mall chapel is something I already know). It will indeed touch your heart.

Last year this is where I ended the Misa De Gallo 2009. Aside from the ambiance and the wonderful reflections from the priest of this chapel, I dont know but I would find myself emotional inside the chapel even though I am a regular visitor. I'm glad to have my time to be in chapel for the simbang gabi series and with this shared time, I am thankful that I was able to encounter  a new learning and another nice reflection.

Three days more...

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2010 Day Five: Mutual Love

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Day 5: Mutual Love 

This time, I was able to visit the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Mandaluyong. The shrine is known to also have the relic of Sister Faustina, in which Jesus revealed himself to her and journal every encounter in her diary. For the second time, I almost woke up late but I was thinking of going to another church to see what experience and message will he give to me during the dawn masses.

Now that I am on my fifth day and the days goes by so fast, I decided to complete the simbang gabi with different churches. Its really hard especially with limited time and also searching churches and the schedules which varies and could cause me to be late or else.

Still tired and quite sleepy with the number of schedules of work and other things throughout the day. And even with these conditions, I still feel that the church is good refuge place to be with good and also seek peace from within and also resting place. With a lot of worries that I have felt and feeling inside. I wanted to have to be given a sign or an opportunity with God's grace on how will I face these challenges.  

Unlike the disturbed moment yesterday, the fifth night is fairly silent. The Gospel talks about the reason why Jesus came to the world. It is LOVE. For love we were given the messiah amidst the sin and chaos that is happening on that period. He calls for us to love also, if not him, be it be done with the least of the people for it would also be the same in praising God for acts of kindness. The network of love is the most powerful yet the most fragile value that should be kept and enriched. Just like the church, because of his everlasting love he appeared and shared the message of salvation through his divine mercy. 

Now it will be a few more days but I also felt that time flies so fast. 

Yet with LOVE, its seems so endless yet it slows down or freezes time to make each moment memorable. 

2010 Is Where AXN Becomes The No. 1 International Channel in Southeast Asia!

For many years now, AXN has been claiming the top position as Southeast Asia’s leading international channel. Especially in the key markets of Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, viewers have embraced AXN as one of their favourite entertainment destinations. As the year 2010 is coming to an end, AXN once again cements its position as Southeast Asia’s number one international channel, averaging 10.2 million viewers every month to take the top spot in results tabulated from January to October 2010.

Malaysia, in particular, is a star performer. Not only is AXN the top international network, it is also the most-watched channel on Astro, leading in average monthly viewer reach at 5.9million. Amongst English channels, AXN beats the next closest competitor in primetime ratings by 24%, and out of the 14 first-run shows that AXN aired in 2010, 10 premiered at the top of the ratings chart.

Likewise, AXN is ahead of all English pay-TV channels in Singapore in primetime ratings among cable 15+; while in the ultra-competitive market of Philippines where all channels are offered on the basic tier, AXN leads in the English general entertainment category among cable 16+ audience.

Says Mr. Ricky Ow, Senior Vice President and General Manager, SPE Networks – Asia, “Our report card for the first 10 months shows some really great result for the year as a whole. Especially with superb ratings from two key shows in the last quarter – The Amazing Race Asia and Hawaii Five-0 – it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that AXN will finish strongly as Southeast Asia’s top English channel for 2010.”

Indeed, viewers can expect an exhilarating run to the finish-line in the fourth quarter, starting with a chart-topping performance from the highly-anticipated premiere of the re-imagined Hawaii Five-0 that airs Sundays 9PM on AXN. The elite team of crime-fighters led by Alex O’Loughlin as Steve McGarrett in the reboot of the TV classic certainly mesmerized viewers as the original series did 42 years ago, passing the ratings test with flying colours. Asia’s very own reality production, The Amazing Race Asia, is another favourite that never fails to thrill viewers across the region. Here is how each market fared with these two marquee shows so far:

In Singapore, Hawaii Five-0 captured the hearts of both young and old viewers, winning the timeslot during its premiere on 14 November among all English channels on StarHub, and beating the next closest competitor by 20%. Subsequently, episode two on 16 November rated higher and even broke the record to become the top programme of the year… not just on AXN, but amongst all premiering English drama series in 2010 on StarHub!

In Malaysia, the Hawaii Five-0 premiere ratings surpassed all English pay-TV networks during the timeslot, out-performing even the Formula 1 final race which aired at the same time. The Amazing Race Asia also put in some stellar performances since the latest season premiere in September. Its season-to-date ratings is ahead of the next highest-rated English channel by a whopping 175%!

With Team Philippines led by Richard Hardin and Richard Herrera winning this season of The Amazing Race Asia, this AXN Original Production won in its timeslot among all international ad-supported channels, and saw an increase of 71% in average ratings over the previous season.

Ow continues, “I would like to sincerely thank our viewers, as well as our cable partners and sponsors, for all the support we have received in making AXN the number one international channel in Southeast Asia. It is precisely because of their great support, that we have been able to expand our AXN family of channels, which today includes Animax, AXN Beyond, Sony Entertainment Television, as well as ONE. With the expanded suite of channels, we will be able to cater to even more viewers, provide greater variety and deliver a diverse range of programmes to suit the whole family’s viewing preferences. We have enjoyed a good year, and it is my promise to all our viewers that next year will be even more exciting.”

*Source: Kantar Media Singapore / Philippines, AGB NMR Malaysia.