Thoughts on Malaysia

Malaysian Flag

I have not been to Malaysia but I had the opportunity to meet a number of Malaysians as a result of our company’s expansion project in that country. Most of the hired Malaysians were sent to our manufacturing facilities in the Philippines for training. They have to work on ramping SPMY (Fab 3) to meet increasing demand for solar cells.

Look at the Petronas Twin Towers of Malaysia

The first batch of Malaysian engineers who underwent training at Cell Fab 2, FPIP, Batangas City, Philippines with their Engineering and HR Manager, Tom Abraham and Fatima Hashim

What can I say about Malaysia… It is a kaleideculture, a mixture of different cultures which is so fascinating : Pure Malays, Indians and Chinese. The Malays are the original inhabitants of the land and mostly practicing Muslim. I learned that the Arabs who were traders thousands of years ago and came to Malacca and introduced the principles and practices of Islam. Oh I should mention… Fab 3 is located in Malacca ! Islam is the Official religion of Malaysia and Bahasa Malaysian is the official language. With the arrival of gold and silk in the land many years ago came another group of traders, the Chinese and Indians and brought with them their traditional music, dances and literature. Chinese are mostly Buddhists and the Indians are Hindus. Rarely do we see a country with mixtures of cultures isn’t it like the case of Malaysia. It’s interesting !!

AUO-SPWR Fab 3 is located in Malacca

Last May 28, 2010, a friend of mine who is an Indian-Malay named Sathish gave me a beautiful decorative plate from Malaysia. His more than a year training at SPML has ended and went back to Malaysia on June 1 to start working at our new plant which is now a joint venture between SPWR and AUO as announced in our All Hands Employees Meeting. The announcement was a surprise to everyone yet I believed that this decision was a well thought off decision after several studies made by top management. Well, I hope and pray for the best and more power to JV and SPWR!

A decorative plate from Malaysia courtesy of Sathishkumar Muniandy of AUO-SPWR

A Close-up

This plate is nestling on top of my office cabinet adding beauty to my surrounding

The plate serves as a memento and a reminder that I met some great friends from Malaysia and that is for me to cherish all my life. I missed them all and I am looking forward to visiting their country soon.

With my good friend, Suhaila Mohd Zaki at Rob's residence

From left Sofian Abdullah, Venketesh Munisamy, Me, Abdul Hadi Abdul Jalil and Zabarulla Hanifah with Philippines' Sikat Solar car

Malaysians who are close to me :  From left, Suhaila Mohd Zaki, Abdul Hadi Abdul Jalil, Sofian Abdullah and Sathishkumar Muniandy.  Photo taken in front of the Underground River in Palawan

With the AUO-SPWR Trainers headed by Hanafiah Bin Abd Rauf

A treat from Abdul Hadi before he left for Malaysia at McDonalds

The first four female manufacturing specialists : From left - Tuan Maslida Binti Tuan Mamat, Aishah Binti Musa, Nur Azariah Binti Abu Bakar and Siti Raihana Binti Ramzali.  I am seated 2nd from right and the only alien here...he, he, he

Taken during the dinner at Rob's house

Abdul Hadi Abdul Jalil with the Administration Ladies, Faith Lago-Ramirez, Cathy Bayhon-Crusem, Grace Flores (Security Dept) and myself  ~ Elvie Mesiona during the "Bayanihan sa Sunpower" Event

From Left : Mardiah Suhaida Abdul Manan "Meldy", Hafidzah Md Zin, Gunawathi Narayanan, Nurul Nadia Mohd Roslan, Me ~ Elvie Mesiona, Noli and Ling at the Trinity Ihaw-Ihaw and and Food House near MOA

Dinner at Yellowcab, Paseo : From left Azza Azwani Aziz, Husnani Md Noor, Nurul Nadia Mohd Roslan, Mohamad Ridzwan Mustafa and Me ~ Elvie Mesiona

Elvie and Nadia at SM Sta. Rosa Mall

Me - Elvie Mesiona with Nurul Nadia Mohd Roslan and Angie Shuat Chin at Mall of Asia

With Rina Tegero and Nurul Nadia Mohd Roslan at Paseo IV

Love-At-First Blush and A Kissable Shine

Look what I got this week… A Covergirl blusher and a New York Color (NYC) lipwear ! Cool !

Covergirl Cheekers Blusher and NYC Lipstick courtesy of my friend, Fel Magsino

A friend of mine who just came from U.S. gave me these beauty products. Good timing because I misplaced my lipstick when I went out last week and I could not find it anymore. I was not expecting these “Pasalubong” (Present) from her so I was thankful she remembered me. She gave me a Covergirl Cheerkers Blush (Natural Twinkle 183) and a NYC Ultra Last Lip wear (Rose Petal). I like both of them since the colors are not too strong. It is just right for my fair skin and it will look natural on me. I don’t really wear make-up often. I only apply lipstick and face powder when I go to the office. But once in a while when there are occasions, it’s good to wear light make-up. It makes you glow and more beautiful.

Covergirl Cheerkers Blush (Natural Twinkle 183) and a NYC Ultra Last Lip wear (Rose Petal)

COVERGIRL is an American cosmetics brand founded in 1909 in Maryland, by the Noxzema Chemical Company (later called Noxell) and acquired by Procter & Gamble in 1989. The Noxell Company advertised this cosmetics line by allowing “cover girls,” fashion models who appear on the front cover of ladies' magazines, to wear its products.

Covergirl Products

Covergirl Cheekers Blush, Natural Twinkle 183

Blush cheekers provide a natural look, sweep color where one normally blushes * Rectangular shaped compact with brush for easy application. A hint of flush on cheeks gives the complexion a healthy-looking glow.

Blush's basic rules-it has to be easy, and it has to look natural. That's Cheekers. Each portable mini-compact gives you a sheer blush that goes on to stay true, stay natural-looking for hours. It's the way to glow!
• Stays natural for hours
• Easy & natural
• Lightweight
• Dermatalogically tested

The NYC New York Color mission is to build a leading lifestyle brand that excites, engages and inspires women with prestige quality cosmetics at a value price.

NYC Ultra Last Lip Wear

New York Color knows that your lips speak volumes... you use them to share your wisdom or passion, whisper sweet nothings, tell someone you care, smile, shout or pout! New York Color has all the products you need to create that lip look you want... natural or glamorous or sexy.

Super-charged color

Glide-on, stay-on lipstick! New York Color Ultra Last Lip wear gives you incredible color with real staying power. Beautiful high-fashion shades give you the most luscious, kissable lips ever. It has Vitamin E and a moisturizing formula that conditions lips with color and shine.

New York Color Ultra Moist Lip Wear lipstick gives you moisturizing lipstick in the trendiest colors

Thanks Fel for your presents... I love the blush and the lip wear ! Mwah !

Experience the Great Attractions at the Manila Ocean Park

Manila Ocean Park Entrance

The front of the Manila Ocean Park Building

I’ve been to Manila Ocean Park twice already this year. The first time was last June 20th with my father, step mom and my step mom’s step sister who came from California. It was Fathers’ Day at that time. I came back just recently with my office colleagues and friends. There were some stuffs that I were not able to see and experience during my first trip at the Manila Ocean Park like the musical fountain experience, an awesome musical, water, laser and light show with special effects. The clouds were crying, it rained so hard so the show did not push through at that time.

Schedule of Events

The Ticket

The Manila Ocean Park is an oceanarium in Manila, Philippines. It is owned by China Oceanis Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of China Oceanis Group Ltd (COG), a company that specializes in the investment, building, and operation of public aquarium/oceanarium attractions. It is a Singaporean-registered firm that has operated four oceanariums in China. It is located behind the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park. It opened on March 1, 2008. In terms of floor space, the 8,000 square metres (86,000 sq ft) oceanarium is larger than the Sentosa Underwater World oceanarium in Singapore, and features a 25 metres (82 ft) underwater acrylic tunnel.

With my colleagues and friends

With my step mom and her step sister

The Manila Ocean Park is the Philippines’ first state-of-the-art Oceanarium, open water marine habitat, boutique mall, restaurant row and function facilities all located in one complex at the back of the Quirino Grandstand.

With my office colleagues and friends

Here are some of the main attractions at the Manila Ocean Park :

OCEANARIUM

The Oceanarium features variety of colorful fishes and marine species taken from Philippine waters. Its main attraction is a 25-meter long, 220 degree curved acrylic walkway tunnel. Visitors will be exploring the secrets of the ocean and surrounded by such underwater wonders without actually getting wet.

Sections of the Manila Ocean Park Oceanarium

1. Agos (Flow) – A rainforest motif and you will see water cascading from a simulated waterfall that also flows into 8 different water tanks, each containing collection of freshwater fauna. This flow replicates the water cycle that begins on land and eventually leads to the open ocean, highlighting the interconnectedness between earth and sea. The rocky shoreline is represented by the Dalampasigan pool where one can physically interact with some of the animals on display.

Me at the Agos Section

Arapaima Gigas, one of the largest freshwater fish in the world

Me ~ Elvie with my aunt Rhea and step mom, Mama Zen

White Spotted Bamboo Sharks and Starfishes

2. Bahura (The Coral Reef) – exhibition of fascinating assortment of coral reef inhabitants in 46 tanks.

Orbiculate Cardinal Fish

Boer's Batfish

Common Lionfish

Reef Stonefish

Snowflake Moray Eel

3. Laot (Fishing Ground) – Four large tanks featuring a collection of marine fish from the open sea that are often utilized as food.

Laot Section of the Oceanarium

4. Buhay na Karagatan (The Living Ocean) – the main attraction of the oceanarium is a 25-meter long walkway tunnel with 220-degree curved acrylic walls similarly seen in Ocean Park Hong Kong, Underwater World in Singapore, Siam Ocean World in Bangkok, Thailand and Aquaria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The difference between MOP's is a 220-degree curved tunnel as compared to the standard 180-degree curved tunnels seen in other Asian countries. This is a remarkable encounter with the beautiful species of the underwater world.

Buhay na Karagatan Section

With Fe Imperial in the walkway tunnel

5. Kalaliman ( The Deep ) - showcases marine animals found in the deepest parts of the Philippine's waters

6. Pagi (Sting Ray)– variety of rays fly over while you're under this unique Overhang Tank.

7. Pating (Shark) – features several species of shark. Though sharks are often described as savage man-eaters, most sharks would prefer to avoid rather than approach people.

ACQUATICA MUSICAL FOUNTAIN

Manila's tallest musical fountain as tall as 120 feet high and the largest water and laser show consisting of over 1,600 water nozzles; fabulous water, music, lights and special effects; backed by live performance.

Acquatica presents a Moonlight Adventure with the Maiden of the Sea. We went to the Musical Fountain venue just in front of the Manila Ocean Park building at 6:30 PM since the show starts at 7:00 PM. As we exited the building, we were surprised to see a lot of enthusiastic people already lining up for this night attraction. There were several buses waiting for them. As we enter the venue, our tickets were scanned and the staff tore the Maiden of the Sea portion. We were also given free raincoats since we will all get wet during the musical fountain show. Wearing the raincoats made us feel hot and we were sweating as if we were inside a sauna bath. I don’t like the sticky feeling and I felt like wanting to take a bath soonest. We were lucky to get good seats despite a number of people present during that day and enjoyed the show. Before the show began, there was a splash of towering water as if they were testing it first. Then it started with great voice over or narration of the story of a great wealthy kingdom which later on was punished for the abuse or harm they did to mother nature. A group of performers entered dancing and doing a lip sync of the songs. It was like a musical theather play but done outdoor. The towering fountains, the laser, lights, music and special effects added colors and drama to the story. It was cool, amazing and I love it !!! Here are some of the photos taken with my friends at the venue and during the show.

Here we are wearing our raincoats

Fe and Me waiting for the show to start

See the crowd !

Can we take off our raincoats ?  It is getting hot !

AQUANAUT VOYAGE

Aquanaut is a new and exciting underwater activity using a special diving helmet that lets you breath freely. Designed to introduce you to the excitement of the underwater world, this amazing underwater walking experience allows you to see the marine life up-close while guided by a qualified Aquanaut diving instructor.

The fascinating, one-of-a-kind experience brings Filipino to a rare, up-close encounter of the marine life under the sea. Imagine getting close enough to these charming underwater species as you get the feel of walking right into the bottom of the sea. Aquanaut Voyage has truly made underwater walking experience possible. This unique diving system uses a special helmet that let’s you breath freely. See for yourself and discover. This cost Php 995.00 per head for a 10 minutes up-close encounter with the underwater world species.

JELLIES, THE DANCING SEA FAIRIES

At the Entrance of the Jellies Museum

The Jellies, the dancing sea fairies is another attraction at the Manila Ocean Park. It is a museum of the different types of Jelly fishes. The room is dark and in each of the aquarium you can see the awesome jellies doing rhythmic dances and their color changes depending on the light-reflected color combinations inside the tank.

Look at the dancing jellies behind us !

MARINE LIFE HABITAT

Marine Life Habitat (Sea Lions) just opened this September, 2010 and is now home to the newest and most loveable members of its marine life community, the South American Sea Lions. Set amidst a specially designed open walk-through with a multi-level viewing facility, the sea lions are housed through a Marine Life Habitat simulated to depict their natural habitat of rocky cliffs and beaches. Sea Lions are intelligent marine mammals….see them perform at the Manila Ocean Park.

FISH SPA

Experience a different way to pamper yourself! After a nice long walk along our beautiful Oceanarium exhibits, you might want to dip your feet into the Manila Ocean Park Fish Spa. Here, you will find a spectacular species of fish most commonly known as the Doctor Fish, so named for the wonders they have been known to do for people with skin related diseases. Watch as these small fish nibble away only affected and dead areas of the skin, leaving your healthy skin to grow. The Fish Spa costs Php 120.00 per head.

RESTAURANTS

Makansutra Asian Food Village, Manila Ocean Park

Imagine. Char Kway Teow and Hainan Chicken RIce from Singapore, Adobo from Philippine, Nasi Lemak from Malaysia, Satay from Indonesia, Dim Sum from Hongkong and many other Asian flavors in one location , with open kitchens all dressed up like village food stalls- for your picking to have a completely satisfying old world style Asian meal. And once that dream ends, head back to reality and down to Makansutra Asian Food Village in Manila because that is where it happens. Over seventy dishes from all over Asia are served in Makansutra's first regional food court at a reasonable and affordable price.

Filipino cooking clay pots and our famous delicacy, the puto bumbong

Makansutra Asian Food Village, Manila Ocean Park

2/F Sunset Quay Manila Ocean Park, Luneta

Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Telephone: +63 2 567 3512

Fax: +63 2 567 3512 loc. 105

Email: contact@makansutra.com

Ozeano Fusion Restaurant, Manila Ocean Park

This restaurant offers American, Asian, Asian Fusion, European and Mediterranean cuisines. It is operated by Tamayos’ Catering on the second floor. Its glass-enclosed corner gives one a sweeping view of Manila Bay and the world-famous sunset.

The Bar at the Ozeano Fusion Restaurant

The interior of the restaurant

Fe, Me and Tina

From left : Fe, Me and my friends from Parque Espana

Ozeano Fusion Restaurant, Manila Ocean Park

2nd Floor Manila Ocean Park, Luneta

Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Telephone : + 63 2 567-7779

The San Mig Cafe

The Menu

Me, Aunt Rhea and my step mom, Mama Zen

We are eating ice cream on the cone at San Mig Cafe

With my father... Waiting for our food

SHOPS AND STORES AT MANILA OCEAN PARK

Here are some of the shops and stores inside Manila Ocean Park :

Cute Stuffed Toys

More animal stuffed toys at the Animal Bone and Skin Museum

Cute Bears at the Bear Cuddler Store

Hello Kitty Collection Store

Pasalubong Store - The home of Filipino made delicacies

Vente Vente Store... All items sold for only Php 20.00 each

COMING SOON AT MANILA OCEAN PARK ...

Concourse Plaza:

The Concourse Plaza houses big events like concerts, performances and product launches for the whole year.

Marine-Themed Mall:

The first marine-themed mall in the Philippines which houses 25 restaurants where customers can enjoy Manila's beautiful sunset, and even dine al fresco. The mall also features 30 unique stores.

Open Water Marine Habitat:

The Open Water Marine Habitat is an outdoor swimming pool with diving facilities where visitors go snorkeling or diving.