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!

Prague, One of the Most Beautiful Cities in the World

Prague, the capital city of Czech Republic, is dubbed as one of the world's most beautiful cities. It is located in the central part of the country in the heart of Europe. It is one city which I can consider a visual treat.

My visit to Prague is doubly special because it is where the patron saint of San Beda College, my alma mater, can be found. I really made it a point to visit the Church of Sto. Nino de Praga, one of the churches that abound Prague.

Despite having been under communist rule, Prague, and the whole Czech Republic as well, has never ceased to follow the Catholic faith as evidenced by the way people show their religiosity. The beautiful churches that can be found in the city very well shows how Czechs value catholicism.

The Old Town Square is a convergence area of tourists. Stores and restaurants are all over. Old and new establishments share with tourist markets of various items to shop. One good thing in Prague as well as in other European cities, is that the facade of their buildings are well-preserved. Businesses strictly follow rules in maintaining the sanctity of architecture which date back to the medieval times.

The Astronomical Clock is one spot that is always awaited by tourists. Every hour, the clock bells ring and icons of the 12 apostles come out of the tiny windows near the clock. Our host told us to pray and make a wish while the bells are ringing.

A must-see when in Prague is the Charles Bridge. It crosses the Vitava River which is its main waterway. The said bridge is lined with different statues of saints on both sides. You can also see different activities on it...from selling of souvenir items and artistic gimmicks that attract tourists all the more.

Baroque architecture is what tourists can see in Prague. Of course, there are also areas where modern buildings have been built. It was even surprising to see a Filipino store in the city. I suppose that the population of our kababayans is slowly increasing that part of Europe.

Prague, which is also know as the City of a Hundred Spires, had me in awe. Its jaw-dropping sceneries and beautiful architecture will leave an imprint in one's mind. For everything that it offers, it is a place worth traveling to.

Many thanks goes to our host, Mrs. Angelita Santos, for making this trip to Prague possible. It was one trip that made my bucket list shorter.

With the many beautiful things the I saw in Prague, it truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the world!