Category Archives: Travel

Arts, Film and TV, Human Interest, International, Music, Politics, The Media, Travel

PAUL MCCARTNEY, RINGO STARR, IMELDA MARCOS TO REUNITE IN SAN FRANCISCO CONCERT

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Beatles Philippine Concert poster, circa 1966
Beatles Philippine Concert poster, circa 1966

San Francisco, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – Rewind to 1966. As part of their world tour, the Beatles held concerts in Manila, playing in sold-out performances before thousands and thousands of screaming and crying Filipino fans, many sporting their idols’ mop head hairstyle.

Immediately thereafter, the screams of adoration turned into screams of ‘Go home, Beatles.’ The reason? The Liverpool boys reportedly stood up the Philippine First Lady and her three children, failing to show up for a scheduled visit at the presidential palace.

Imelda Marcos, circa 19_ _
Imelda Marcos, circa 19_ _

Imelda Marcos was beloved in her country and the snub was considered an insult not only to the First Family but to the entire country.

There has never been a resolution to this international controversy.

Well, maybe, it’s forthcoming.

On August 14, Paul McCartney will hold a concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Billed ‘Farewell To Candlestick,’ it will be the last concert to be held in this former San Francisco 49er stadium before it is demolished.  The 49ers have a new home stadium in Santa Clara.

The Adobo Chronicles learned that McCartney has invited the other surviving Beatle, Ringo Starr for a much talked-about reunion.

There’s more. Imelda Marcos has also been invited to grace the occasion which many are calling a ‘kiss and make up’ event. Marcos will reportedly sing a duet with McCartney – ‘Dahil Sa Iyo,’ (Because of You), an extremely popular Tagalog song and a favorite of Marcos.

All’s well that ends well.

 

 

Festivals, Human Interest, International, LGBT, Politics, Travel

NO ‘DYKES ON BIKES’ IN THIS YEAR’S SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE PARADE

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imageSan Francisco, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – San Francisco is home to the world’s largest lgbt pride parade and celebration, attracting anywhere from half a million to a million spectators each year, depending on who is counting.

Every year, the June parade kicks off with the iconic dykes on bikes- lesbians outrageously dressed or in some cases, underdressed, who ride some of the most gorgeous  motorcycles one could ever imagine.

This year, however, there will be no dykes on bikes, thanks to a decision by the San Francisco Pride Committee to begin the annual parade with the mikes on bikes, the male counterpart of the motorcyle riders. The committee decided on the change as a way to celebrate the equality movement that is sweeping the country in as far as same-sex marriage is concerned.

“We didn’t want to be perceived as being biased or partial towards lesbians,” the committee said, “and we wanted to give equal opportunity to all who support the lgbt movement, by making the mikes this year’s opening act for the pride parade.”

As a result of the pride committee decision, the dykes on bikes decided to boycott this year’s pride parade. They will still participate in the dyke march scheduled on the eve of Pride Sunday.

Business, Economy, Health & Medicine, Human Interest, International, Language, Technology, Travel

PHILIPPINES OVERTAKES INDIA AS CALL CENTER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, THANKS TO NURSES

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imageManila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – If you try to call customer service to inquire about your credit card or online product orders, chances are you will be speaking to someone from India or the Philippines, the top countries where U.S.-based companies have outsourced their phone services via call centers.

Until recently, India was considered the call center capital of the world. Not anymore. With an estimated 400,000 Filipinos working in call centers, the Philippines has displaced India from the top spot, thanks to Filipino nurses. Say what?

Nursing has become one of top courses and professions in the Philippines, with local universities graduating anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 every year.

With the very limited number of local hospitals and more stringent requirements for nursing graduates seeking employment in the U.S., it is now estimated that close to half a million licensed Filipino nurses are unemployed or underemployed.

But no worries. Filipino nurses are now being hired by the growing number of call centers in the country, and this has attracted many foreign companies to outsource their services to the Philippines. The reason? Customers who are connected to the Philippine call centers get an extra perk: free medical advice.  Calling the centers is like calling Kaiser Permanente or Blue Cross Blue Shield and speaking to an advice nurse.

After answering customer queries about their credit card or online orders, Filipino call center representatives will ask, “and how are you doing today, healthwise?” The caller can then proceed to ask health-related questions.

So the next time you are connected to a call center in the Philippines, don’t forget to ask about the side effects of your medication or what over-the-counter drug you should be taking for your allergies.