Everything is Big in Beijing

Beijing, one of Asia's foremost cities and one of the world's most populous cities, lives up to the image of its country - everything is big there.

It is typical of a fast-growing city in Asia where east really meets west. I was astounded with the development that Beijing is going through. It is a bustling metropolis that caters to the needs of its people as well as the influx of tourists. With the many modern buildings that are being built alongside with the old structures, it is a delight to see how the oriental mixes with the occidental.

Of course, together with development comes the problem of traffic and pollution of which Beijing is fast-becoming known for. But authorities are doing something about these problems. Traffic may be bad but with its many streets, going around the city is now much of a problem.

Not to be overshadowed is the structure that can even be seen from outer space - the Great Wall of China. Going to this China pride is a must. They say that your trip to Beijing will not be complete with a visit to the wall. Oh, so many tourists there are. There is a vast jade factory in a place en route to the Great Wall. Unlike in other Asian cities, the wares in the said factory are very reasonable.

For shopping hounds, there are many places to go to in Beijing. Signature brands have big stores there. If you want to haggle and see good finds, Xiu Shui is one shopping haven. Floors upon floors of stores are for everyone to go around. Of course, there are other districts where stand-alone shopping stores are also available.

Two popular places to visit in Beijing are the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Enter the former and go out facing the latter. These two are must-visits when you're in Beijing. Our tour guide gave us a comprehensive story of each place and I fully understood the rich culture of China.

When the Olympics was held in Beijing in 2008, various venues were constructed for the purpose and they are visual delights. The Bird's Nest was where the opening of the games and other sports activities were held. The cube was where the water sports were done. Very modern structures in an ancient city which provide a good contrast.

Everything is really big in Beijing. This is evident in the grandiose hotel lobbies they have, the big signature stores that abound in the city and their big international airport.

This city of contrasts should be part of anybody's bucket list. For me, it is one cultural experience in the midst of modernity.

Travel to Beijing from the Philippines is easy because there are direct flights from Manila. Four hours of plane ride is enough to witness Chinese culture at its best. Visit Beijing and you will be surprised at what the city can offer.

Modena: Italy's Automobile and Agricultural Capital

Modena is dubbed as the automobile and agricultural capital of Italy. It was a quaint commune which has evolved into a fast-rising city in the Emiglia-Romagna region of the northern part of the country.

Automobile giants Ferrari, Maserati, De Tomaso and Pagani have headquarters in Modena. Both Ferrari and Maserati have museums there. Lamborghini does not have a headquarter in the city but it is where their cars are manufactured.

It is an agricultural area where poppy fields and wheat plantations abound. It is worth mentioning that  Modena uses animal poo as organic fertilizer to their plants. With the many fields that abound the area, agriculture is really a way of life.

It should also be noted that Modena also produces the best parmesan cheese in the whole of Italy. Of course, prosciutto can also be bought just like any ordinary fare in grocery stores. Balsamic vinegar is another Modena regular fare.

Just like any other Italian city, Modena also has churches all around. Truly, an evidence of the strong influence of the catholic religion in the country. With their medieval architecture, the churches are visual delights especially to tourists. Luciano Pavarotti, one of the city's most famous sons, is said to be buried in one of the churches of Modena.

All these years, Modena has maintained their building designs that the country is known for. Despite the many earthquakes that have visited Italy, their buildings have withstood the tests of nature. You know you are in Italy when you see architecture that is solely theirs.

But, course, Modena is not immune to the influences of modernity. In one area of the city, some modern buildings are slowly being built to meet the demands of the times. Despite of the times, it has maintained its appeal as an old city.

Modena may be quaint but it is one memorable stop in my European trip. Special thanks should go to our Balik sa Basik producer Laarni Silva and her counterparts in Modena - the Knights of Rizal Modena Chapter headed by Gerry Adarlo and the Kababaihang Rizalista headed by Winnie Crisostomo. Worthy appreciation also goes to Ian Atienza, Licel Ferrer, Dennis Ilagan and all the other Filipinos in Modena who made our last stop in Italy an unforgettable one.

Beauty and Beyond

I was invited by fashion designer and beauty queen maker Renee Salud to a gathering of the members of Beyond Beauty which in composed of well-meaning personalities mostly former beauty queens who have banded together to give a deeper meaning to their usual get-together. I should say that they have truly lived their lives not only as society figures but role models that even the present crop of beauty queens and their mentors should emulate.

The gathering last October 26, 2016 was done at the Missionaries of the Poor in Manila where old homeless men and children with cerebral palsy are housed. The members of Beyond Beauty helped  in taking care of the children even just for a short while.

They assisted the volunteer teachers in making their classes. One thing that I realized is that children with cerebral palsy have a chance of being a part of mainstream society. All they need is care and dedicated love so that they can be useful citizens of the country. Mama Renee even shed a tear because he remembered his ward who also had cerebral palsy and died a few years ago.

Aside from the visit of the Beyond Beauty team, they brought food not just for the day but supplies of necessities in the days to come. They pitched among themselves certain amounts to buy the food that they donated. Of course, there are also well-meaning friends who augmented by giving financial donations for their outreach program. Since Christmas is just two months away, they also helped in setting up the Christmas tree and some decorations that made the place livelier in time for the yuletide season.

They say that beauty queens have good bodies and intelligent brains. But this group is made up of people who have the heart not only for their respective loved ones but for their fellowmen as well. Kudos to Mama Renee Salud, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1979 Dang Cecilio-Palanca, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1981 Maricar Mendoza-Du, Miss Young Pilipinas 1982 Sharon Hughes-Bediones, Bb. Pilipinas-Maja 1985 and Miss Maja Internacional 1985 Second Runner-up Izza Gonzales-Agana, Mutya ng Pilipinas-World 1988 Dana Narvadez-Silverio, Bb. Pilipinas-International 1995 and Miss International 1995 Top 15 Gladys Duenas, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2005, Miss Universe-Photogenic 2005 and Thai Royal Silk Awardee 2005 Gionna Cabrera and all the other members of Beyond Beauty for making your usual gatherings more worthwhile and meaningful.

May the Lord continue to bless you and give more strength to be of help to our needy countrymen. Indeed, there is more to beauty queens than just the physical. You are all truly BEYOND BEAUTY!