Perhaps we know Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford, and Benjamin Franklin as world-renown inventors. But did you know that Batangas boasts of famous inventors, too?

Yes. And we should be proud of them. Batanguenos are also brilliant thinkers of new things which is said to be very beneficial for our own advancement.

Two of the recognized Filipino inventors hails from Batangas. These were Gregorio Zara and Maria Orosa.

Gregorio Zara (March 8, 1902 – October 15, 1978) was born in Lipa City Batangas. Gregorio Zara became famous for his two-way television telephone or videophone, Law of Electrical Kinetic Resistance or the so-called “Zara Effect”, propeller-cutting machine and many more.

He was a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Among his recognitions were the Distinguished Service Medal for his works and achievements in solar energy research aeronautics and television (1959) and Cultural Heritage Award for Science Education and Aero Engineering.

If you want to know who’s behind the invention of banana ketchup, that’s Maria Orosa (1893-1945). She was a food technologist who was known for her invention, the Calamansi Nip (a powdered form of calamansi which one can be made into juice) and Soyalac (powdered soya beans) and Orosa palayok oven. Maria Oroza was born in Taal Batangas. She also invented delis like kasuy and guava Wines, guava jelly, and rice cookies.

The inventions of these two amazing Batanguenos became a strong foundation of a lot of innovations today. Batangas is looking forward for more inventions and people with the minds of Zara and Oroza to come up and make everyone proud.

Online Source: inventors.about.com

Photo Source: instructables.com, dreamcatcherrye.blogspot.com

http://www.filipinoinventorssocietyinc.com/members-inventions6.html

http://www.nhi.gov.ph/downloads/sm0029.pdf

http://inventors.about.com/od/filipinoscientists/a/Gregorio_Zara.htm

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Saying goodbye will always be one of the hardest things to do.

Janine, the Fashion Designer & Makeup Artist

It was in the last quarter of 2009 when we first met Janine Hernandez. I’ve been hearing about him earlier than our first encounter and had visited his shop when I needed to rent a gown for a commitment. He was one of the prominent designers in Lipa City.

We had the privilege to work with him for many times since then. It was not because he became a client or he was too generous in sharing his creations that we had so much faith in him. It was plainly because we do. We had faith in his talent as a Batangueño whose works were at par with any other world-class couturiers.

Aside from being a fashion designer, Janine was also a make-up artist. A lot of models and beauty queens had been beautified by Janine’s skillful hands.

Janine, a Friend

Janine was such a kind-hearted person and was easy to get along with. He doesn’t brag about how good he was with what we do. He’s got a very humble soul despite our enormous admiration towards his talent in fashion design.

What we’re also thankful for was the friendship that we shared with him. Yes, it was short-lived but it was sincere and it was something we’d forever treasure.

Another thing that we will never forget about Janine was his generosity. He was there each time we would need his creations whether for a photo shoot or for personal endeavors. He would never say no to us and we couldn’t be thankful enough.

You will be missed.

Janine died of pancreatic cancer, an illness that was diagnosed too late. It was his ate Rose who shared everything that Janine went through for the past months. I couldn’t imagine how painful it was for Janine and for the rest of their family as well.

We could have shared so many years together but some things are really beyond our control. And for the last time, the WOWBatangas Team would like to thank you, Janine, for being part of our lives.

Janine is one of the most talented Batanguenos we know. Masaya kami na naging bahagi kami ng kanyang makulay na buhay. We will never forget those happy moments that we have shared, our events, photoshoots and all. Janine will truly be missed. At dahil love ng WOWBatangas si Janine, nandito pa rin tayo to help Maricel in furthering the promotions of Janine’s creations. We love you. – JR & Gerlie

We will forever be grateful for the things we had shared. I will never forget our pictorials when you let Gerlie and I had our own share of experiencing your wonderful creations. But beyond that, I will never forget our friendship. We will miss dropping by your shop just to make chika. Have a fabulous journey wherever you are now. Thank you for everything. We love you. – Dyan

I hope you’re happy now, Janine. Thank you for those memories we had with you, and we promise to treasure those memories for the rest of our lives. RIP Janine Hernandez. – Alva

Salamat, Janine. We love you.

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She is a rising Filipino talent in Italy.

This young lady from San Jose, Batangas was recently awarded as PINOY PRIDE 2011 (GLOBAL FILIPINO).

She has been awarded by Phil. Embassy Ambassador Virgilio Reyes Jr. and Consul Onorario Fabio Fanfani.

Justin was awarded as Pinoy Pride 2011 for her excellent accomplishments in her talent as a singer/recording artist that brought honor and pride to our country and to us, her fellow Filipinos.

According to her, that awarding ceremony was actually one of her happiest days. Of course she did show her talent in the said event and the guests were amazed as she serenades them with her Christmas song.

Meanwhile, Robin Lim, a Filipino-American was also awarded as CNN Hero of The Year for 2011. She is a midwife and who has been helping poor Indonesian women to have a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Filipinos have shared excellent talents and kindheartedness with the rest of the world. These awards are evidences that other nations recognize the Filipinos’ world-class talent and benevolence.

Both of you, Robin Lim and Justin Salazar, made us proud.

Image from: iqla.blogspot.com

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I have read in what I suppose was a local magazine (my memory again escapes me), a line that asks, “Is the Philippines raising a parentless society?”

The question pertains to the profound amount of Filipinos working abroad; pertains to parents who left their children; pertains to the young ones who left their aging parents all in search of a greener pasture.

They say that Filipinos, being family-centered people that we are, should favor family over anything.

Even prosperity.

I answered that question with another question, “Is a parentless society better than a starving one?”

I guess not.

Most of the OFWs that I know have warm if not searing love for their families. And the aforementioned love has been their primary reason for leaving the country.

To show love and choose to be worlds away might be an oxymoron of sorts. But in this world of ours which is divided according to the bandwidth of national treasury, it may be deemed logical even dramatic. Theirs is truly hard-earned money.

Moreover, they won’t be called Modern Heroes of the Philippines just for fun.

So my salutations go to the people who braved foreign lands and who sacrificed a lot of things just to suffice the well- being of their families.

To the Batanguenos who work infinities away from delicious Filipino food, to those who incessantly long for lomi and Goto Batangas, to those who favored the security of their families over personal convenience, I admire your bravery and perseverance.

May your kind and thoughtful beings be always guided by Him.

image from:mackyramirez.wordpress.com
seeknomore.blogspot.com

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Well there are numerous artists in the Philippine music industry who came from Batangas.

To name some, here are the famous singers, musicians whose roots are from Batangas.

Jovit Baldivino
Brgy. Marilag, Rosario, Batangas
Pilipinas Got Talent Season 1 Grand Champion

Penelope Matanguihan
Mataasnakahoy, Batangas
Pinoy Idol 2008 finalist

Ogie Alcasid
Taal, Batangas
Multi-awarded singer, song writer, composer

Oscar Yatco
Tanauan, Batangas
Conductor and Violinist

Conching Rosal
San Jose, Batangas
First Lady of the Philippine Operatic Stage

Lorenzo Ilustre
Born in Ibaan, Batangas on August 8, 1866
A local composer, known for his religious and liturgical music

Franco Laurel
Tanauan City, Batangas
Singer
Known for his role as Rama in the musical play Rama at Sita opposite his wife and another singer, Ayen Laurel

Ryan Cayabyab
Conductor, composer, arranger, pianist, singer
Mr. C or The Maestro

Ninay Lescano
Lipa City, Batangas
Star Power Finalist

Justin Salazar
San Jose, Batangas
Singer, Recording artist in Italy

Carol Banawa
Singer

With proper motivation, I know there are more Batanguenos whose talents will shine in the near future.

Images from:
Videokeman.com
Trialx.com
planetlyrics.co
clickthecity.com
cosmo.ph
people.nfo.com

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All contestants as shown in the Philippine television were craving for the PGT season 3 Champion title.

Of course magpapahuli ba naman ang mga Batangueno? Yes, there are lots of Batanguenos who tried their luck for said competition.

Fortunately, from the thousands of auditionees, a group from Batangas made it to the Finals.

The first group to enter PGT finals is none other than the El Gamma Penumbra group. The viewers were captivated with their unique performance from audition to semi-finals.

All the way from Tanauan City, Batangas, the group showed a majestic performance with their creative shadow play.

When I saw them performing during auditions and semi finals of PGT, I was really amazed and so were the other viewers I know. I’m glad that they were the first finalist to compete for the PGT Grand Finals.

Will they step next to Jovit Baldivino? Hope so.

Well, with our support and their determination, it’s not impossible for them to win. Good luck and more power El Gamma Penumbra!

More from El Gamma Penumbra’s success will be posted (maybe even an interview) here in wowbatangas.com soon. So stay put.

Watch El Gamma Penumbra’s performance here:

image from:philippinealmanac.com

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I am undeniably a fan and I find no Willie Revillame, APO, Rico Puno or anyone of the noontime show hosts as Tito, Vic and Joey’s (TVJ’s) equivalent.

Now we all know how great hosts and actors they are. We also know how the triumvirate’s witty spunk could make our day.

However, in this article, let us talk about their song parodies which now treads the WOWBatangas home like wildfire courtesy of Alva’s external speakers.

Their songs, which delve on comic takes on maniacal deeds, gay love, poverty and improper hygiene, have been listened to by Pinoys long before my parents met.

They’ve been wrecking (in a good way, that is) songs—local and foreign alike since their Discorama days which date back as early as the 70s.

Song wrecking, as I poorly remember in one article of Joey de Leon (my memory really escapes me here), is defined as their manner of changing the lyrics of a certain song and leaving it with a TVJ blueprint.

I believe they have never lost rapport to the masas since then thanks to their dark green jokes and bading-badingans which are beautifully fused in each of their ditties.

Although I have to say that Bossing Vic’s breezy pipes are always a standout whenever he does the lead or the second voice duties. And whenever his voice segues into the kabadingan, severe LSS takes place.

Joey de Leon, on the other hand, has uhmm… diminutive singing prowess and he rather makes it up with the kabadingan effect. Joey, I believe, is also the genius behind the lyrics.

Tito Sotto also gets his fare share of verses. It seems that the joy of seeing his two comrades making total badings out of themselves is enjoyable enough as his voice seems to be the hardest to recognize (he sounds like Vic but not quite).

And my generation is fortunate enough to be provided with youtube videos of their greatness.

here is one of them:

Upakan is definitely one of TVJ’s greatest. In it are undying verses:

Oh talagang nagbago ka na.
at ikaw ay nagsasawa na.
siguro ay mayroon ka nang mahal na iba..

Oh talagang may bago na ko
at ikaw ay ayaw ko na
pagkat pag tayo’y magkasama’y mas pogi ka

Bastahan na, pero, Genius, ain’t it?

I do hope the TVJ trio will be reincarnated by some lads in the near future. I just have to say, their presence (especially their old school personas) would make the showbiz industry an epic one.

youtube video from:
FCry0suke3S

image from:
newsflash.org

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Batangueño Cosplayers went to see her and they were not disappointed.

Alodia, welcome ka dito sa amin sa Batangas. Please be back soon!

Here are some pictures taken a while ago. Don’t forget to like the Facebook Page of WOWBatangas.com to get more updates like these.

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Recalling our first meeting

It was in the Coffee Convention held at SM City Batangas where I met the coffee painter. Part of my hosting task was to interview Sunshine. So Reinier and I were exchanging questions I would be asking for the interview. Without knowing who this coffee painter is, katabi na pala namin, haha.

Until we were formally introduced and we found an amicable person to get to know better.

Who is Sunshine Plata

Sunshine has a degree in Psychology from the University of Sto. Tomas. She spent five years of her life as a pre-school teacher until she decided to focus on painting.

Her mom Sosie Plata is a native of Bauan, Batangas. And with that, we’ve got another Batangueño talent to take pride of.

Why Sunshine pursued coffee painting

As what is stated in the introduction, Sunshine was looking for a cheaper alternative to oil paint. Then she remembered a signature written using coffee. And then the clever idea entered her equally clever mind. Lighting bulb here.

She started painting with oil; interpreting visual images from her dreams and draw them as soon as she wakes up. Until she discovered the use of coffee as a painting material, she began producing artworks with it.

It is also the uniqueness of the art that made it all the more interesting. Many people love coffee. This beverage had been part of our lives for ages. But for Sunshine, realizing the value of coffee for aesthetic purposes is just amazing.

Coffee Painting 101

A mixture of coffee powder and water obviously produces shades of brown. More coffee powder plus less water is equal to dark shade of brown. Less coffee powder and more water produces light shade of brown.

Finishing an artwork depends on how her mood can keep up with her. Like any other artists, she admits experiencing ‘the block’ from time to time. A coffee painting takes quite a while to dry up. Said she uses watercolor paper for her works.

Before, she only uses coffee mixture (kapeng barako most of the time) as her sole material but now, to produce other hues on her works, she sometimes adds watercolor to her coffee mixture. Thus, producing bluish brown, pinkish brown, and so on.

A coffee painting could last for decades, of course under normal condition. Sunshine uses a fixative to make sure her paintings will retain their form and aesthetic appeal.

Shining around the world

It was Ripley’s Believe It Or Not which gave Sunshine a taste of fame but more importantly, the recognition that a Filipina produces beautiful paintings with such medium. Her “Fairy of Sorrows” art piece was featured in April 2008 episode “Art that Fools the Eye”.

Ripley’s vice president contacted her and bought two of her paintings, “Reina de la Luna” and “Fairy of Sorrows”. The paintings were supposed to be brought to Korea and Mexico but instead, they were featured in the Martha Stewart Show. Bongga!

Aside from that, her works where exhibited in the Ripley’s Museum, in Time Square in New York, and in other parts of the globe such as Canada and London.

Sunshine also belonged to this year’s Yumbassadors, Jollibee and World Vision’s roster of young achievers. But before all these recognition, it was Nescafe who first recognized her as a coffee painter.

Oh, by the way. Sunshine is not a coffee addict. She’s more of a tea person.

It was a feel-good Friday afternoon and having the company of an artist who amazes people around the world with her talent, I can’t help myself but be in awe as well. Plus, she’s proud to be a Batangueña. Clap, clap.

Continue to shine, Sunshine!

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A Batangueña born in Abra, San Jose Batangas is now a recording artist, in Pisa, Italy. Justin Salazar, a 20-year-old singer is currently living at Via Alessandro Della Spina 15 Pisa, Italy where her career bloomed.

Earlier Career in the Philippines

As her former schoolmate I can say that yes, she is a very good singer, I know her singing ability and she has the potential to be a star. She finished high school at Fernando Airbase National High School in Lipa City and attended college at De La salle Lipa with a certificate course in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Before she left for Italy, Justin became a member of different bands here in Batangas. Those bands are FROLIC BAND, GROUNDED BAND, and KARL’S PLANT BAND.

She had been joining various singing competitions here in Batangas, giving her the chance to develop her singing prowess.

Career in Italy

Her singing ability paved the way for her to become known by many when she moved to Italy. She joined singing contests there and won the following recognition: 3rd Runner-Up in Oltrevoce III Edition at Pontedera; 2nd Runner-Up in Tuklas Singing Star Contest 2010 in Firenze; Grand Champion in Concorso Canoro “7 NOTE” 2011 at Movida Cascina.

Those awards lead her to more opportunities. She sang in radio stations like PUNTO RADIO 101.9 and 96.1, in TV stations like CANALE 50 and RAI 3 ITALIA with Sarrano Famossi. Salazar is also a vocalist of 80 BEAT band and RING of FIRE in Italy.

On February 13, 2011 Salazar release her debut album entitled “Just Me by Justin Salazar”. She has just release her second album this July produced by CANALE 50.

Message from Justin:

“I would like to thank my mentor for her patience, my producer and manager Ms. Barbara Ambrossini and Mr. Manuel Salazar, thank you for taking care of me, [for] giving me encouragement and support. To all who have talents especially in singing don’t be ashamed showing your talent. Show it because Filipinos are ones with the greatest talents. THANK YOU!”

Yes, malayo na ang narating ng schoolmate kong ito dati. We are very proud of you Justin. You are a Filipino pride. Hope to see you soon here in our country performing for Filipinos especially for us, your fellow Batangueños.

We are all wishing you more luck and a more successful career.

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