New Philippine Bank Notes

I really like the design of the new Philippine bills! The colors and the symbols they portray inspires a want for change for the better. Take a look at the slide show and see for yourself.

Scholarship in Korea, 2011

Sejong University is offering a full tuition scholarship grant to qualified graduate and undergraduate students starting March 2011 (graduate studies) and March 2012 (bachelor degree).

Grantees will also be provided with accommodation and a stipend of 400,000 KRW per month.

Interested applicants must have demonstrated English proficiency based on the following table:
TOEFL (PBT) - 600 pts

TOEFL (CBT) - 250 pts

TOEFL (IBT) - 100 pts

IELTS - 6.5 pts

Sejong University will give priority to students who are interested to pursue studies in the following areas:

1. Hotel and Tourism Management
2. Business
3. Natural Sciences
4. Engineering
5. Physics
6. Biosciences



Interested applicants must submit brief résumé /curriculum vitae to Mr. Mylo Fausto, Cultural Officer, Embassy of the Philippines, through email address:

m.fausto@philembassy-seoul.com

not later than 20 December 2010.

-from PiKo (Pinoy Scholars in Korea)

Olive Oil for Dry, Flaky Skin

It's October now and the weather has started to get belligerent towards the skin. The absence of moisture in the air, meaning it would absorb existing water from the skin, definitely made my skin feel itchy, uncomfortable, and rash-prone (you know the tiny red dots that look like ruptured blood vessels). I tried using Aveeno, Neutrogena, and Nivea to keep my skin moisturized especially after taking a shower, but the effect only lasted so long as my clothes haven't rubbed and stripped the creams off my skin.
Two days ago, I went to Home Plus, a local Korean supermarket, and tried out one of the skincare tips I read online: slathering olive oil to the skin would make it feel supple and moisturized for a longer time than paraben-infused lotions. For just under 6,000 won (around 5.50USD), I could practically rid my cabinet of moisturizers as a bottle of extra virgin olive oil would do pretty much all the moisturization I need.
It's my second day using olive oil and I've noticed that the skin on my arms and legs has lesser fine lines due to dryness. The complexion too has improved from being dry, pale, bambooish white to somewhat pinkish-white. I could swear on olive oil for its benefits!
Korean winter, bring it on!

A Chuseok to Remember

Chuseok was a definite week-long break from the monotony of my university life. Not only because I had to go to Daejeon from Seoul, but moreso because I had to brave the knee-high flood in Bucheon area. It was beyond my imagination that Korean streets could be inundated with much water that subway lines need to be closed. But I had to go to Seoul station to catch the express train (KTX) bound for Daejeon. With my feet soaked in muck-smelling water, I went to the Green Line via taxi. It took me about an hour to reach the Light Blue Line, as I can transit from there to Seoul Station. But lo and behold! The Light Blue Line was also closed. Without any choice, I had to literally criss-cross Seoul City's interwoven subway lines so I catch the KTX on time. I didn't. I arrived in Seoul Station two hours behind my time of departure. With my feet icky with flood water and jeans dripping with ewwweness , the thought of just going back to the dormitory had predominated my mind. I had to rebel and I had to win over the situation. Another 22,900 won was painfully extricated from my wallet and I got off Daejeon Station half-irked, half-happy, but a total survivor.

A Stick the will Definitely Stand Out!

I caught this curious Korean alternative to Meiji's "Yan-yan" off the shelves in Home Plus. It was just too compelling to not take a photo of this! :D

Looking for a K-drama to watch this month?

Click here for Life is Beautiful episodes. It's a human drama--meaning 'Areumdaun Saesang' is heavy on narration--but it paints a good picture of what Korean family life is. The cast portraying three generations living under a single roof on Jeju island would not let the steam go down in the series. It even includes a flare of modernization introduced in a rather closed-minded orientation of Koreans by introducing a gay main character, discussions of divorce, and abortion.
The drama is really inspiring by giving viewers a sense of how strong a family can hold on despite its internal issues and intricacies.

Diskoreamination against Filipino English Teachers

Filipinos still can't teach English in South Korea. To the talented English teachers of the Philippines, please teach Filipino kids instead.