THE MEANING OF BEING MEAN

Yahooo!! My First Official Attempt Landed Me In This international Magazine! Poetry of The Month  Thanks God! And Thanks One Eight One And Thanks To My Inspiration..

A Famous International Student Magazine Here In Dubai

Getting a 'Full Page' in a Glossy English Magazine Dominated by European And Other International Students With10K Circulation Gave Me The Sense of Being A Proud Filipino Student And Being Listed As Their Official Contributor Will Make Me Strive More To Inspire As A Filipino Writer in Dubai 

You can check it out online here.... 

http://issuu.com/one8one/docs/issue16/61

or read it here...

So Never Be Mean :)

The Privilege of Being A Filipino Student in an International School and a Multi-National Country

It’s been a long time and I really miss writing here. I haven’t greet anyone a ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy New Year’ and I hope it’s not late (very early for this year's Christmas and next new year indeed lol) but hey, I know you can forgive me guys because Christmas is about giving and New Year is about letting go and starting anew so when you connect it together - it means when these special holidays had passed - we should have learned the passion of giving, forgiving others, forgiving your self then letting go and letting God. 

'The Holiday Gathering'

So the holidays kept us all busy, myself included, with my family, with celebrations and after that - with my new school. 

I want to share a momentous experience to you guys, a “not-so-easy” choice to make, especially if you are working your a** off 6 days a week here in Dubai and the only holiday that you will have is every Friday to do your assignments and home works (both from your job and from school.) 

I enrolled last November in World Media Academy - Dubai, an international academy accredited by City and Guilds of London and Washington DC-based ICFJ (International Centre for Journalists) and started schooling last January 26 that will lasts for a year. Surprisingly, for just four weeks of attending the class, I feel like I’ve learned so much more than four months of studying in my previous university. Is it the new attack and style of Journalism which our new generations needed? Is it the international academy’s superb line up of professors? (for the past four weeks we had Mr. Michael Shagoury - Director of WMA Dubai, Mr. Francis Matthew - Editor at Large of Gulfnews and Mr. Jonathan Howell Jones - Content Manager of DEWA and other respected Pro’s in the media industry to come) Is it the international curriculum which envisions the clarity and the palpable strength and significance of journalism and how it affects our lives globally? No matter what it is, I think one of the greatest investments that Pinoy’s abroad can do is to study again, even short courses that will improve our selves and will build our self confidence to face the world. After all they say that “learning is a continuous process” and “education is one of the best investments that no one can ever take away from you” I think that all Filipinos in the world must show the Mercado Internacional the ‘can-do’ attitude. Fast forward five years from now, I believe that the competition in Dubai and anywhere in the world will be stronger than ever and what can be more advantageous in a ‘battle’ than being armed with sufficient ‘knowledge’. 

Figuratively, of course. 

The ‘time’ is ours now, it may passed like Christmas, New Year and even Valentines Day (did I greet you there?) and any ordinary day. It is our choice to learn from the ‘past’ and practice the ‘art of letting go’. It is our decision to prepare for our ‘future’ battles. And it is our privilege to live our lives to the fullest and consider the ‘present’ as a gift. 

Life is an Enormous Gift - Open it Enjoyably and Use it Wisely

12 Unique Things To Do In Dubai This 12/12/12

 

 

They say that 12-12-12 is only once in a lifetime, and literally, it’s true. This date is very unique and it will never happen again. It ‘might’ happen again on December 12, 3012 but I am pretty sure no one who is reading this could still be around and alive by then (not unless someone would invent immortality pill, at last) so I come up with a unique list for the 12 Things You Can Do By 12/12/12.

1.       Party Like A Rockstar

 

 

Personally, I think everyone should be thankful that we are all still alive and existing ‘till this date so enjoy your life to the maximum. By partying like a Rockstar doesn’t have to mean that you should drunk yourself ‘till your bellies go blast, till your toilet bowls gets embraced and filled and ‘till you’re crawling back to someone else’s flat. Enjoying means you can have a wine or two while watching your favorite movies, inviting friends in your house over tea and turkey with vodka or martini and/or you can go to a bar and dance your stress and pressure at work ‘till it’s gone.

 

2.       Dance Like A Belly Dancer

 

 

If partying is not your thing then why not try just plain belly dancing? If you ain’t living in Dubai wherein Belly Dancing is famous in our beautiful Safaris, then you can still dance like a belly dancer, imitating an instructional video from YouTube or a DVD that you can purchase on SALE over Carrefour or any leading supermarkets. Not only belly dancing, boys who would complain and rather ‘watch’ the lady dancers can learn other dance steps, I am not a dancer myself but learning something on 12-12-12 like easy, crazy dance steps can make yourself proud, even if it has to be that Korean Gangnam Style Dance Craze which makes us all somehow chuckle-headed, yet cool. 

 

3.       Be A Little More Stupid

 

 

If being chuckle-headed is not sufficient and dancing Gangnam Style with all your might is not enough to make you idiot-looking than you are then try something more foolish like post you’re dramatic schemes on Facebook on ‘How Your Ex Had Your Heart Broken’  or post a Lady Gaga-like picture in Twitter or cut your hair like Justin Bieber. You can go to the next level by sending an email to your boss containing two words only “I RESIGN” with a smiley above your signature and/or say he just can give you an increment (that everyone in your office knows you deserve a little 12 months ago).  There are actually so many foolishly funny things that you can do without harming yourself like dye your hair blonde, put heavy make up on you face, and put on a Santa Claus dress and ride the metro back and forth Jebel Ali To Rashidiya Station . You can also eat white rice with Heinz Tomato Catsup spread all over it, with mayonnaise and/or peanut butter. Believe me, it’s thoughtlessly tasty.

 

4.       Experiment With Foods

 

 

If you think that experimenting foods are cool, try other stuffs and be proud to brag it to your office mates “Hi! Today 12-12-12, I ate something unique and special, I ate banana with hot sauce on the top, I tried chocolate ice cream with apple cider vinegar, I ate bread with plain coffee inside, I consumed Coke mixed with Pepsi (and found out the ‘big mystery’ that nothing is really different, except the celebrity endorsers) and I gobbled chicken breast stuffed with cherry bubble gum inside”

 

5.       Vanish Your Boredom

 

 

This article is not biased and not only for people who has work, what about for bummers or people whose passion is to stay in the house but is now feeling something peculiar – being bored – and wants to do something that takes time for this special 12-12-12 date. Try finding ants in your house and follow where the hell are they going, if there are no ants, try cockroaches (just be sure it won’t follow you after), or play hide and seek with yourself, if not contented – play chess with yourself and the loser will have to do the laundry (you can cheat but don’t make it obvious) if there is still more time left until 12-12-12 finishes, then try buying a 3-in-1 coffee and separate the coffee, creamer and sugar, which will consume your time for sure.

 

6.       Have A Great Cup of Coffee

 

 

If you are still not done separating the 3-in-1 coffee, try giving up and drink the coffee (mixed in hot water, you silly) certain studies proves that creamy coffee energizes your body but relaxes your senses, the aroma is also proven to make you think better.  But If 3-in-1 coffee is ridiculously cheap for you , get out and bring a friend or your loved ones to Starbucks, treat them to Carrebou café or Costa,  because a great coffee may not be the most unique to do in 12-12-12, but treating your friends will make this day more special to them.

 

7.       Try Fine Dining

 

 

If treating them to Starbucks is not enough to make yours or their 12-12-12 special, treat them to a Fine Dining restaurant (or better let them treat you). For heaven sake, please stop eating on fast-food even for this day. Try Carino Italian’s Firesticks, PF Chang’s Dynamite Shrimp, Johnny Rockets’ Strawberry Milkshake or Tony Romas’ Steak with that delicious Rice Pilaf, or you can try the buffet in 5-Star hotels like The Benjarong in Dusit Thani Hotel or try Traditional Moroccan Dishes in Marrakech at Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai.

 

8.       5-Star Hotel-Hopping and Photo shoots

If you don’t have enough budget to eat , on 12-12-12, on 5-Star hotel’s famous restaurants, then just try visiting these luxurious hotels, after all its free to enter in every hotel, you can go window shop, see the menu, have pictures at all these hotels and post in your room so these will be a great inspiration for you to save up and next time you can go there again, you can really try their spectacular foods, you can check-in too and stay at their stunning rooms overnight and this time you can post your pictures on Facebook.

 

9.       Fix Your Facebook Account

 

 

Speaking of Facebook, on 12-12-12, I am sure that you will find so many posts regarding this special date, try something special like re-arranging your albums, removing the pictures with your ex (Hey, it’s time to move on), post an interesting quote on your wall, say “hi and how are you” to an old friend, greet a beautiful stranger, comment optimistically on a friend’s sad post. Facebook is one of the most influential medium nowadays and a ‘striking page’ is someone that will encourage your friends to find you more interesting. And also, the power to make someone smile is now just a ‘like button’ away.

 

10.   Make Someone Smile and/or Laugh

 

 

If a ‘Facebook Like’ is not enough, and ‘words of encouragement’ via ‘comment’ will not make your friend believe that there is sunshine after the rain then you’ve got to exert a little more effort.  Get out of your seat, visit her and bring her chocolate cake, it’s not expensive but the magic of chocolates will always be ‘present’. You can also bring her some fresh flowers, not waiting for Valentines; will surely make her ‘smile’. And for men, I am sure a hug and a ‘romantic intimacy’ will always do the trick.  Now If you are being a little bit thrifty, stingy or ‘kanjus’ then just call her/him, crack a joke, just make sure it’s funny enough to make him/her laugh not corny enough to make him/her hang the phone on you.

 

11.   Be happy

Everyone knows that smiling and laughing is different from ‘being happy’. Now how to make someone happy on this date is just the second part of the story. The first is to be happy for you. This time, you just need a moment.  Be silent. Think about how life has been good to you. Don’t think about negative things. Think how lucky you are, like you can use a computer or laptop while a portion of the world is struggling to have a piece of bread. Be thankful that you can read, while some of our neighbors, particularly in Africa, were deprived of education, and our brothers in Asia, have to cross bridges and mountains - barefooted just to go to the city for their school classes. Be happy that we have freedom to do what we want (and be responsible for that) while some innocent children in Somalia and the likes have no choice but to undergone a horrible “Female Genital Mutilation”. Be happy that we are still breathing while the rest of the cancer patients in the world are still fighting for their life and for the ‘lives’ of the loved ones that they could leave behind.

 

A Vulture Waiting For The Unfortunate Child To Starve To Death So The Bird Can Eat It.

 

 

 

 

12.   Party Like A Rockstar, Again.

 

 

Now, that you are happy and you know you must be happy, I am sure being redundant will not be an issue. As I say, partying doesn’t mean you have to get out and get drunk, doesn’t mean you have to be naughty and be nasty. Partying Like A Rockstar is freeing yourself, letting go and letting God in your life. It could be a night out, walking in the beach, with your iPod tuning to J.Lo’s Dance Again or Pitbull’s International Love or bringing someone you love in front of Dubai Mall’s illustrious dancing fountain or enjoying with friends over fireworks display in The Walk, Jumeirah. Or you can donate some money or food for the unfortunate children in Africa and/or other 3rd world Countries.The most important thing is to consider 12-12-12 - a gift of life; a moment to cherish that will never come back. It should wake us up, either from being so busy or being so lazy that life is so beautiful and should be special and be appreciated. After all, like 12-12-12, we’ve only got one life, literally and figuratively, to celebrate.

 

joshmangila@gmail.com

0508993586

Illustrado's Pinoy Pro!

Illustrado's Pinoy Pro!

Yearly, the famous Filipino International Magazine - ILLUSTRADO features outstanding Filipinos working in United Arab Emirates. And I am very glad and proud to be chosen among one them. I hope , in my little ways, I have inspired Filipinos and dreamers all over the world :)

Let me share their invitation for me to become a part of this illustrious column!

(Dear Josh,

Greetings from Illustrado – the magazine devoted to uplift the Filipino!

We have a column in Illustrado called Pinoy PRO - where we feature different locally based Pinoy professionals monthly (like an "Executive Page"), the whole point of which is to promote Filipino professionalism and achievement. We also want our kababayans to be aware that there are successful Pinoys in the region, hopefully inspiring them to reach for higher heights.

We’re pleased to invite you to be part of this column and feature your mini-profile. If you are fine with this, I would appreciate if you could answer the below questionnaire. Do also send us a couple of your half body, high-resolution- 300dpi professional pictures wearing a corporate outfit (so we can choose the most suitable). Please send your answer and your photos on or before 30th of June. If you submit the requirements on time, your profile will be included in the August 2012 issue of our magazine.)

So I sent them my profile and credentials and on their Oct-Nov issue, they included me.  Here is the link http://illustradolife.com/?p=5676

This is it! Get a copy, guys! Mine is page 42-43! I promise you'll see many other interesting articles and features like from my favorite Bo Sanchez inside. Well, now you can judge the magazine by its fierce and fashionable cover.

 

Shorcut To The Stars

SHORTCUT TO THE STARS

When was the last time you ever stare in the sky? Looking upon those bright and glittering stars in the night - Curious about its mystery, Amazed by its glory, Astonished by its beauty – at least literally.

            Did you ever dream of how to get to the stars? Or luckily, be one of them - of course, figuratively.

            They say “if there is a will – there is a way” and then it must be true that there is a way, even to reaching your greatest, most impossible ambitions.

 

            There was a little black African girl who faced a lot of difficulties and personal horror since a very young age of 3 years old.  From raising sheep, goats and cattle to having forcibly undergone a terrible ‘female-mutilation’, grew up in a culture, thinking that a girl who is not ‘cut and stitched’ is equal to a dirty, filthy lady that no one should accept to marry. She runaway, literary barefooted, and the only thing she brought with her - is her clothes, a piece of hope, handful of prayers and a heart of courage. She worked as a housemaid in London when she was 13 years old with one goal – to make a CHANGE.

 

And there is a woman named Waris Dirie, one of the highest-paid models in the world. With her own bestseller ‘autobiography book’, a BBC documentary featuring her ‘rags-to-riches’ story, a multi-awarded international film “Desert Flower” and numerous awards like Woman of the Year Award (2000) by Glamour Magazine, Gold medal of the President of the Republic of Italy (2010) and an official appointment by the African Union as” Peace Ambassador for the Year of Peace and Security” . Who would think that the little innocent, helpless, black girl from Somalia will be the famous, respected Super Model – ten hard years fast forward? And yes, now she is a certified STAR.

There was one boy who risked and went to Los Angeles with only 37 USD in his pocket. He slept in his friend’s couch for months and works as a dishwasher while studying. He tried his luck in the near-to-impossible to penetrate world of Hollywood accepting roles with no pay while still working as a hopeless waiter. He became so broke with almost no money to live every single day. But he never did stop. His pockets maybe empty but his passion for his craft and determination to succeed is full. And even though he was a different, not-so-Hollywood-face, a different race, he pursues his greatest ambition – to be an actor.

And there was this famous Principal Figgins in the equally famous, highest-rated American show “Glee” played by great Pakistani Actor – Iqbal Theba, where he makes thousands of people laugh. He also starred in various films like Indecent Proposal and Frankenhood and successful TV shows like The George Carlin Show, Community, and ER. He may not be the brightest star in Hollywood; nevertheless, he is one of the most convincing comedians to date and one of the most consistently visible actors. Who would think that the ‘waiter’ rubbing sponges on plates every single day, a bankrupt guy would be a bankable actor – seven years fast forward? And now yes, she is rubbing elbows with his fellow STARS.

There are so many paths that we often neglect because it seems narrow and dark. But always remember only in the darkness where you can see stars. There are so many roads that we were afraid to take because it seems so far and distant. We tend to divert in an easier, more convenient way skipping the worthy experience that will mold us to be a better person. There is actually NO shortcut to the STARS and to success – but yes, there is a way to reach those stars of our dreams.

Now when you stare again to those brilliant stars at night, don’t just look at them, find a way to reach them.

 

The Beginning

INTRODUCTION
12.1.12
 

Hi Guys,

It's been a while since I started blogging. Ever since I was 3 years old, I have been writing different stuffs - childish poems, little stories, funny anecdotes, enhanced year by year as I grow up. But I have never shared it like here in Blogger. My mom would always tell me that "Writers are born and not made" and I believe her. I believe that 'writing' is something running in my veins, like flowing micro-organisms in my blood and creatively living like a good stubborn bacterium all throughout my body system.

Today, December 1, 2012, I want to start again. I want to open this blank page and I really hope someone out there will start reading with me as I fill it up, some people who can share my passion and I promise you will smile, you will laugh, you will cry, and don’t tell me you have not been warned. You may be feeling down right now, you may be feeling alone and neglected, ashamed and disgraced, lost and about to hit the rock bottom but remember as one of my favorite quote says: “ In every cloud, there is always a silver lining - I dare you and me to find it.



Originally coined by the real JM - John Milton.