Kapampangan youth gets bronze in South Korea abilympics

For 21 year old Bryan Manalo, things can only get better. He recently came home the recipient of a bronze medal from the 8th International Abilympics held in Seoul, South Korea.

His medal came from his floral arrangement and waste reuse entry at the competition entered into by 57 countries. His third place win was duplicated by another Filipino, Emmanuel V. Tagalicud, from Region XI, and like Bryan, also orthopedically impaired. Tagalicud’s category was on basket making and waste reuse.

Looking at this young man now who was struck by polio at an early age, it is not at all discernible that he had any handicap, physical or otherwise. With an easy smile, he recounted the path that led him to his recent feat.

He seems to have been born a natural florist. His “affair” with flowers first came to the fore when he would make floral arrangements for the annual “undas” or All Saints’ Day observance.

His family and relatives would spend much less for flower arrangements because he would do them himself. Then when he became a clerk at the City Treasurer’s Office of San Fernando, his talent did not go unnoticed by his co-workers. He was sent to trainings before he got into competitions through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Council on Disability Affairs.

In 2008, he got a gold medal under the same category at the district level of the abilympics, and then gained more gold medals in the regional and national levels.

He was then sent to Manila for one-month training with the support of Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez. This paved the way for his inclusion in the 23-man delegation to the International Abilympics in South Korea.

In a letter to Lovely Rose Romulo, head of the Philippine delegation, Boik Hwang, secretary-general of the IA 2011 organizing committee, he referred to the abilympics as the “world’s greatest festival for persons with disabilities” (PWDs).

He further described the competition as an opportunity for persons with and without disabilities to “share the stage in the skills contests, international symposium, exhibitions and tour” while continuing to “challenge the world beyond their disabilities”.

Manalo described his entry in the contest as a hand-tied bridal bouquet of fresh paper roses and a wall décor candle inspired by the world-famous Pampanga Christmas lantern. For the bouquet, paper roses referred to fresh roses given the color violet while the wall décor made use of such materials as used CD tiles, abaca mats, empty mussel shells, coconut shells, bottle crowns and aluminum foil.

He said that the first placer in his category was from South Korea while the second placer was from Thailand. He expressed confidence that given more opportunity in the future, we can surpass what has been achieved because “there is no denying the creativity of the Filipino”.

His first trip abroad made a mark on Bryan with Korea’s cool weather, disciplined yet friendly people as foremost in his mind. He, however, mentioned the language barrier as a downside of their trip, making it a must for every visitor to bring a Korean-English dictionary to get around.

His recent schedule forced him to take a leave from his BS Management course at the East Central Colleges (ECC). He, however, intends to finish this course because he believes that a college course is a crown for every young person.

“My parents will be happy if I finish my college course and it will help me in realizing my ultimate goal of putting up my own flower shop.”

He is grateful to all those who have supported him in his undertakings, including the city and provincial government officials, who have provided financial and moral support, especially Governor Lilia G. Pineda and Mayor Rodriguez.

His experiences have resulted into exposure enough to merit offers from parties interested in getting his services, including a big hotel in Makati, a flower shop in Manila, not to mention local florists and events organizers.

His parents, Alejandro and Francisca Manalo, and his two sisters are certainly very proud of Bryan’s accomplishments. It is for them, anyway, that he pursues his path to progress, Bryan assures. If only more of our young people showed so promising a future, then we should have high hopes for Pampanga. (Pampanga PIO)
http://www.centralluzondaily.com/index.php?view=read&article=142

Clark Wine Center was built in 2003 by Hong Kong-based Yats International Leisure Philippines to become the largest wine shop in Philippines supplying Asia’s wine lovers with fine vintage wines at attractive prices. Today, this wine shop in Clark Philippines offers over 2000 selections of fine wines from all major wine regions in the world. As a leading wine supplier in Philippines, Pampanga’s Clark Wine Center offers an incomparable breadth of vintages, wines from back vintages spanning over 50 years. Clark Wine Center is located in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone adjacent to Angeles City, just 25 minutes from Subic and 45 minutes from Manila.

Things to do in Clark Philippines and Pampanga: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga.

Residents of Pampanga Angeles City, Subic, Tarlac and Clark Philippines know of this wine shop as one of the best places in Clark, a good night out place and simply the best place to hang out, enjoy some good wine with cheese on the roof deck with good atmosphere, or just relax and unwind with friends and family in a cool place. This wine shop in Clark Pampanga is recognized by many to be one of the best places to buy fine vintage wine in the Philippines. Located near Mimosa Leisure Estate surrounded by golf courses, resorts and a casino, this well known wine shop is frequently visited for its good selection of wine not available in Manila or Subic. Clark Wine Center is open 7 days a week from 10am to 8pm. Private dinners, wine tastings and group gatherings can be organized by advanced reservation.

Foodies and wine lovers travel north from Manila to wine and dine at Philippines’ best fine dining restaurant in Pampanga Clark Freeport worth the 60-minutes drive for a memorable evening of good food with vintage wine at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar. Most guests would stop by this famous wine shop called Clark Wine Center to bring home a few good bottles of fine vintage wine also. Other visitors may find the wine selections in some of the restaurants in Angeles City Pampanga to be less than interesting, so they stop by this wine shop near Angeles City Pampanga Clark Philippines, buy some good wines and bring these bottles of good vintage wines to the restaurants so they can enjoy the dinner.

Wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Loire, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Alsace, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Chile and Argentina etc. are well represented in this Clark Wine Shop.

This is one of the frequently visited places for wine lovers from Manila and Angeles City to buy international wines in Pampanga.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com