Rachel Weisz’ Gift and Legacy

Beautiful Rachel Weisz gave a gift and legacy in the form of playground benefiting around 600 kids in San Andres, Manila (photo courtesy of Google Image)

    Rachel Weisz came to Manila on January to film the fourth instalment of the successful Hollywood movie Bourne, The Bourne Legacy. She ended up leaving a gift and legacy instead to about 600 kids. It is a playground in San Andres, Manila.  This was revealed by the film’s producer and director Pat Crowley and confirmed by Rachel Weisz’ Filipino co-actors in the film Lou Veloso and John Arcilla.

     “Everyday she came out and she saw the playground and she saw the kids in the playground. I think that had a lot to do with motivating her…that she always makes a contribution on every movie that she works on,” Crowley mentioned to a TV press.

     Crowley also shared that Weisz contributed Merry-Go-Round and new seesaw for the kids. He added that Weisz’ main concern was the safety of the kids as there were lots of sharp edges that can injure the kids.

     “We can do better for the kids,” is what Crowley remembered that Rachel Weisz have quipped.  

     Filipino architects Roy Lachica, Dan Fernandez and Kenny Yanga were commissioned to design the playground’s makeover. “Rachel approved the drawing we showed her before she left Manila.” Lahica said. “She wanted us to include rubber mats, because the floor area is all concrete.” It was completed on March 5, 2012.

     Meanwhile, Crowley also revealed that the “Bourne Legacy” will have a special screening here in the Philippines this year.

     “I don’t know if there will be a world premiere but definitely a special screening here for the people who were involved and people in Manila.

Producer Pat Crowly (rightmost) and Rachel Weisz Filipino co-actor in the film The Bourne Legacy (in suit) distributes school kits in San Andres Manila were they filmed for few weeks. 

Resources:

ABS-CBN News: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Manila Bulletin: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/353423/weisz-gives-manila-kids-a-new-playground

Inquirer Entertainment: http://entertainment.inquirer.net/33375/a-bourne-legacy

Rachel Weisz Online (unofficial fansite) http://www.rachelweiszonline.com/2012/03/weiszs-legacy-a-new-playground-for-san-andres/

Please check out the other Rachel Wiesz blog by Dorothea Benedict:

http://dorotheabenedictinthenorth.blogspot.com/2012/03/rachel-weisz-wowed-by-el-nido-palawan.html

Cheap Japan: 4 Tips and Reasons Why Aussies bite in to Cheap Japan Travel

You can still enjoy Japan even on a budget (photo courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos)

  Australians have been responding to the Japan’s tourism lure which includes the campaign that going to the “Land of the Rising Sun” need not slashing out of your pockets.

     Japan’s recent tourism campaign both online and on their flyers underline the fact that flying to Japan is cheap, and you don’t have to exactly spend a fortune to experience the rich and diverse culture. And which country has become more interested about this than the friendly and laid-back Australian.

     You just simply need to know the whereabouts of the cheap thrill in this country of Sumo Wrestlers, Hello Kitty and with a high cost of living standard:

Cheap Japan Food. there is Depachika, Kombini and a convenience store.

1.)  Cheap Japan Food – Sure,  Japan has over 30 Michelin three-star restaurants but they also have Depachika, Kombini and convenience stores like 7-11.

Depachika is the basement food hall of department stores where you can find counter after counters of food products ranging from lunch boxes, sandwiches, pastries etc. (A wonderful TIP, Before closing, they usually give discounts up to 50% off).

Kombinii or convenience store offer a reasonably price meal and can be spotted anywhere in Japan.

In addition, eating at the TRAIN STATION, is one of the most time-saving options if you are in a hurry to go somewhere. Reasonably priced lunchboxes to-go, restaurants and cage can be found inside the train station. There are also popular options like fastfood chains, izakaya etc.

Lastly, there are the reliable 7-11 convenience stores where you can buy cheap but interesting foods like cheesecake, bananas and of course, a bottle of water.

2.)  Cheap Japan Stay – Aside from posh five-star hotels, Japan has Ryokan (Japanese inn), budget hotels and capsule hotels.

A hostel is popular with backpackers, they are basic and clean.

Plan ahead and book ahead, most budget hotels are fully booked during peak travel season especially during festivals.

Cheap Japan Transportation. to save on transportation cost, book in a hotel nearest to all the places you plan to visit (photo courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos)

3.)  Cheap Japan Transportation

Japan has very efficient rail transportation. There are two basic railways here: Japan Railways and Shinkansen or Bullet Trains

To save on transportation cost, book in a hotel nearest to all the places you plan to visit.

4.)  Cheap Japan Finds/ Cheap Japan Shopping

Nomi-no-ichi or Flea Markets which are mostly located in temple grounds and holy shrines

Licensed Duty Free Shops – where tourists will enjoy tax-free shopping

Cheap Japan. (photo courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/)

Useful Resources and Websites:

http://www.visitjapan.jp (Visit Japan)

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/index.html (Japan National Tourism Organization)

http://web-japan.org (Web Japan)

http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp (Embassy of Japan)

http://www.ptaa.org.ph (Philippine Travel  Agencies Association)

Please check out the other budget travel blog by Dorothea Benedict

6 Budget Travel Tips to lovely Ireland

http://dorotheabenedictinthenorth.blogspot.com/2011/08/budget-travel-your-way-to-ireland.html

3 Free, Easy and Effective Activities to Fight Stress

     I am enjoying my now more-than-a-month staycation. I am simply happy, yes. But one fateful afternoon, I received a mobile message from my sister-in-law about the problem she and my older brother were experiencing in their marriage. That, I have to admit, stressed me out. Immediately, my body craved to move and my muscles would like to be flexed. Cool! I later find out that my body whispered to me things I could do to shake the stress off my system. Sharing to you, here are Three Effective Activities I immediately did to fight my stress that day:

To fight stress, exercise (photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos)

1.)    To fight stress,  Exercise – Hit the gym! On second thought, you don’t have to do so especially if you don’t have the luxury of time or money. A simple five-minute rotation exercises and stretching will do. In my case, I have purchased cool videos so that I can do the exercise at the comfort of my house anytime I would want and love to do so. Sweating off feels so good and I feel some kind of youthful glow right after I exercised. Not to mention that there is this illusion that I somehow feel my skin is radiating. For a moment, I feel like my skin is flawlessly unblemished.

To fight stress, play games (photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos)

2.)    To fight stress, Play Games – Any game will actually do as long as you enjoy it! You choose: video game, mobile game, computer games. Make sure however that it is only for leisure. Like do it for five, ten or fifteen minutes only. Otherwise, addiction will be another problem and it will be another stress. Make sure that your mind is still in control.

To fight stress, sing and sing your heart out (photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos)

3.)    To fight stress, Sing and Sing Your Heart Out – Singing feels good, especially when hitting those high notes. It doesn’t really matter if you’re off key. Each note you belt out is a another stress breathed out.