He drew a circle that shut me out —
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!
Outwitted by Edwin Markham (1852-1940)
OutwittingCOVID19 #Covid19 #SoldierOn #StayStrongStayHome #FlattentheCurve
From April 1 onwards, I will be using this space as a way to support my fellow Filipinos especially our health workers in their battle to contain the COVID-19 Virus. Some of the charities I personally support are the following :
KAYA NATIN! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership – bit.ly/forCOVID19frontliners
Philippine General Hospital –
What: Surgical masks, N95 masks, gloves, surgical gowns (alternative: Daiso raincoat), 60 to 80% Ethyl alcohol, hand sanitizers, goggles or face shields, surgical caps and shoe covers
How: Direct your donations to Dr. Mia Tabuñar, coordinator for resource generation. Trunk line (02) 8554 8400 Local 2004, cell contact (0919) 350 6917
Mental Health PH
What: Mental Health PH is providing Hugot Packs to healthcare workers. Each pack contains vitamins, coffee, power bars, energy drink, trail mix for snacks, hand sanitizer, personal hand soap, tissue, ecobags, small notes of appreciation and support.
How: Those who wish to participate in the call may send cash donations through its Go Fund Me account: https://gogetfunding.com/help4health/. Those who will provide in kind donations and letters of support may contact Dr. Denese De Guzman at +63-917-5191406 or via email at help4health@gmail.com.
As human beings, no matter where you are in the world, we are all inter-connected. Currently, there are so many Filipinos (even the world over) that are going through some very difficult times. Basic needs are not completely met, with ongoing threats of depression and a deadly virus that does not discriminate.
As of today April 1, PH Covid cases have jumped from 538 to 2,084 overnight.
Please reach out to the charities mentioned above. They can help protect the health and sanity of our medical workers who are now our front liners to help contain this disease.
I appreciate you took the time to read through. Be safe, stay healthy and follow the protocols given by your LGUs.
Paula
Hope this lock down gives everyone the chance to just be still and reflect on our respective lives and the choices we’ve made through the years.
I have to admit, year 2020 is no walk in the park. I made so many personal and professional risks this year and so far, I am still alive, breathing and thriving, thank goodness!
But the year’s not over yet! I look forward to the moment when a brighter and better day will come out of this global pandemic. Despite what everyone is going through, my advice is to stick to a routine that works best for you, to avoid going through ‘cabin fever’ as they call it.
Did a small art project while waiting for this COVID-19 Apocalypse to pass. I can’t focus too much on the news. It’s depressing and debilitating knowing you are powerless over everything that’s going on. This small project was inspired by my fascination with the human anatomy particularly a woman’s. I am not to explain myself over sexual preferences but just for the record, I am not gay or bisexual. I appreciate the beauty of the female figure and what it’s capable of. I think it’s about time we celebrate our female sensuality and shape. These 9×12 pencil drawings seeks to recognize the beauty, fragility and sensuality of the female body. I call it ‘Female Allure’.
Hope you enjoy the pictures and stay home!
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. // Lamentations 3:22-23
Practicing Daily Gratitude. #Meditations #Habits
Though I took these photos while walking through the garden grounds of Château de Versailles, in the far corners of my mind, I am taken back to a place called ‘Plumfield’, a place where 10 year old Annie ‘Nan’ Harding grew up. From the beautiful blue sky, the foliage and the pathways, an image like this can only bring back nostalgic memories of your favorite books growing up.
Truly, to read is to travel, giving one the sense of ‘I’ve been here before…’. Beauty has a way of inspiring and bringing back memories. #chateauversailles Château de Versailles
Ostend (Dutch pronunciation: Oostende) Beach located in the province of West Flanders, Belgium has a strategic position on the North Sea that offers both major advantages for the city as a harbor (fishing and trade), and as a source of trouble (vikings and other conquering armies).
After the 18th century, Ostend was turned into a harbor of some importance when the Dutch, in 1722, closed off the entrance to the world’s biggest harbor of Antwerp, the Westerschelde. Ostend thus rose in importance when the town provided an alternative exit to the North sea.
At present, the beach is known for its sea-side esplanade, Royal Galleries, promenade pier, and fine-sand beaches. Here, a couple of preschoolers take a day trip enjoying the sand at Ostend. #LayasPaula #Belgium #Ostende 🇧🇪
A winter dish, which is usually eaten during frozen nights to warm up a little bit! Long ago, Raclette was a traditional meal for peasants in the mountains of Switzerland. Usually, they bring cheese with them when they go up or down the mountains and when there is campfire, they put the cheese close to the fire and when it melts to a certain softness, the peasants scrape it off as toppings on the bread.
Today, it is now considered a fantastic party dish! Each person takes a pan and lets the cheese melt in the Raclette maker. Can be combined with a variety of cheeses, vegetables and cold cuts. You can put chocolates as well, depending on the kind of Raclette party you’re having.
All the charm of a barbecue, except you can do it in winter! #LayasPaula #France 🇫🇷
So you’ve clocked out of work and just want to hang out with friends, or maybe want to have a few drinks and take the edge off? Might we suggest Bar Pintxos.
Currently, the restaurant/bar has three branches located at Alabang, BGC and Salcedo Makati. For the sake of this review, we are focused on doing a quick review of their Salcedo, Makati branch.
So on to the review! Our three-person group couldn’t specifically pin on Waze where exactly the restaurant was, so we had to take a quick walk around the block. Nestled and what seemed to be, literally, a hole in the wall, Pintxos was recognized thanks to a few wall art or murals.
The restaurant looked small from the outside, and was even smaller on the inside. Cramped but well lit, Pintxos had a few artworks on its wall. A bar was situated on the further end of the room, with a few dining spaces which, what seemed, could fit around 15-20 people only.
Our group made a reservation in advance, which was a good decision! Our reserved spot was the ONLY good seating location that was conducive to a meeting, as the place quickly picked up pace as the night went on.
What we ordered – This being the first time to visit Pintxos, we went for two different food platters (charchuteria), a small plate of paella mixta, crisp eggplant fritters (escalivada), 2 glasses of beer and wine. Over-all, the food and drink were familiar.
Considering the bill we got, for three people at what were considered finger foods, P4000+ was expensive. However, it was all off-set due to the little bit of privacy we got at the far end of the room. As far as the crowd was concerned, seemed like most were working professionals who were in their mid-30’s to late 40’s.
Will we recommend this place for a business meeting? No. Be ready to sit in a noisy/cramped area if you haven’t had the chance to make reservations in advance.
Will we give this restaurant another shot? Yes. Pintxos is a restaurant/bar that captures casual dining for those who want a quick bite or drink with friends after work.
Bar Pintxos, Salcedo Makati branch
Date & time of visit: 17 July 2019, Wednesday, 6PM
Over-all rating ★★☆☆☆
You know why the disgust is on a whole new level?
It’s close to pimping.
Taylor Swift’s masters are her whole career. Her ‘body’ of work.
Then there are these types of men.
They make money from it.
They pimp it.
They try to control you, by controlling ‘it’.
— All without having to do the ‘work’ themselves.
The industry varies, but these ‘types’ do exist.
Toxic masculinity exists and yes, it transcends the workplace.
As a creative and as a woman, I’ve had my share of encountering men such as these. Disgusted, yes. But no longer surprised.
Yet thankfully, not all men are like the ones we’ve met in our careers and in our personal lives. In fact, it was best that you met them early on. Hopefully, you’ll know the signs even before you make that professional or romantic commitment.
Just letting you know: I’ve been there, I hear you and I stand with you. #IstandwithTaylorSwift
A few minutes before the clock struck January 1st 2019, with my camera on hand, I stood on the roof top of our building taking pictures of all the magnificent fireworks. Aside from being uncomfortably chilly outside, I feared I met get hit by one of the frenzied sparklers that were let loose. My armor? A grandma sweater and a baseball cap.
If I get hit, then I can always shout for help, right?
Kidding aside, the risk was well worth it. I got a front row seat of the momentous occasion. Even for just a few minutes that night, I reckoned, man was able to paint the midnight sky with all the hues available to him.
I made a pre-selection of all the photos I took that night. It can be viewed in the video below.
How about you? How did you welcome the New Year?
Back in the day, I used to write constantly on this website. It’s still quite popular (with more than 1k subscribers), but I am delving into social media as a complement to Miss Tolentino dot com.
With the goal of refining my visual communication techniques, I have opted to create the Miss Tolentino Facebook page where I can instantaneously post my projects, my art (both visual and literary pieces), photography, humor and other relevant interests that go with being a creative.
May you find this space inspiring, challenging and thought-provoking. Also, I highly value collaboration, brain-storming and ideas. If you have comments or strong sentiments on the subjects I post, please feel free to let me know as long as they are constructive and respectful in manner/tone.
Thank you for following my page. I look forward to building a creative community that thrives in spaces where independent and innovative thinking is encouraged.
Maria Paula Tolentino
MPT/Miss Tolentino
Didipio Progress: A Mine Site Coverage
These are just a compilation of some photos taken during the mine site coverage of OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. at Brgy. Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya from 26 – 30 June 2017. More of this story will be discussed further by Paula Tolentino.
Didipio Progress: A glimpse of the Open Pit Mine at Brgy. Didipio Nueva Vizcaya
This video was shot right smack on the mouth of the open pit mine at Brgy. Didipio, the OceanaGold Mining Project. The scale and magnitude of what the human mind can achieve is awe-inspiring.
#ResponsibleMining #PhilippineMining #Mining
SPOOF: How to epicly fail in wearing your PPEs
During an underground mine tour, our group was required to wear PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment). I had to finally ask help with wearing mine. This epic fail from my end was embarrassing and hilarious 🙂
All content © Maria Paula Tolentino
