In Search of Christmas Spirit and Magical Sunset

It’s already a few days before Christmas but I am still a bit struggling with Christmas spirit. I’m not sure if my holiday clock was thrown off-target by work-related stress due to recent news about our yet another company re-organization or due to self-imposed pressure to catch up on some romantic relationship. Probably a bit of both. 

Binondo Church » The Conflict Between Cultural Heritage and Commercialization

I was recently on a shopping spree to the famous bargain shopping paradise - the Divisoria. Going there, I took the China Town route and I couldn’t help but drop by at the century old Binondo Church for some snapshots, knowing that it will be an awesome addition to my Philippine-old-churches series on this blog – aside of course from my recently discovered personal attraction to historic religious sites, not for the sake of religion but as an opportunity for cultural and educational experience.

Unlike many old churches located in major Philippine cities, this church were somehow able to maintain its old touch of a plaza, a common feature of century old Catholic churches but now usually being converted into commercial establishments. Undoubtedly, Binondo Church, with its rich cultural heritage is currently fighting against the threat of commercialization.

Abra de Ilog Pier » Your Lovely Gateway to Occidental Mindoro

I was browsing through photos on my mobile phone from my last hometown vacation and found this snaps taken at the Abra de Ilog Pier. I found the snapshots lovely and posted it here. Being a Mindoreño, I passed this place countless times and these are the amazing scenes I tend to ignore.

Well, when I travel back to my hometown, I don’t usually think of the touristy things to do there like taking photos and stuff – and I’m a bit guilty of not featuring my own province here on this blog (well, I guess I have to do something about that).

Maybe it’s because I tend not to think of my hometown as a tourist destination, unlike those places with famous beaches, or a historical church or some overrated resort. What I see, whenever I’m traveling back to Mindoro, is a collection of vivid images in my mind that together make up the idea of a special happy place, a “home”, or at least the idea of a small, almost unknown, peaceful and solitary hometown – a perfect hide-out and the pleasure of a small town life, not meant to be shared with others.

Upstairs Bed and Bath » Baguio’s Budget-Savior Accommodation for Backpackers

It was because of misadventure or probably wrong planning that we discovered this budget friendly lodge in Baguio City. I and my office mates decided, on the last minute, to attend the Panagbenga Flower Festival. We thought we are already billeted on one of the transient houses in city area but when we got there, the room was already taken and the only option offered by the owner was for us to share a room with another family – of course we decline.

We arrived in Baguio the night before the Panagbenga grand parade, hence all hotels and transient houses are already fully booked. My friend who works on a travel agency tried contacting some of their travel-related clients and luckily referred to us the Upstairs Bed and Bath lodge. Some of the rooms are still under construction that time so even if the only available room still smells of paint, we have no choice but to spend the night there.

Baguio Cathedral » One Tourist Attraction Not To Miss Around Baguio City

Not only is Baguio City one of the most charming cities in the Philippines, but many visitors express that side trips within the city are of even more interest than the city itself. The name Baguio of course conjures, for both the international and domestic traveler, a highland retreat in the Grand Cordillera in Northern Luzon, with pine trees, crisp cold breezes and low verdant knolls and hillocks. Among the many places of interest in Baguio, perhaps you would want to include a visit or make a quick stop at the Baguio Cathedral. If you like ecclesiastical architecture you will most assuredly find it worth your while to stop at this cathedral also known as Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral. 

Grasping For Heaven » Through the Freezing Montane Shrubland and Up to the Peak of Mt. Pulag

The trouble began on this last trail section before the summit. We just passed the enchanting mossy forest and we still need to get through the grassland but darkness is already on its onset. Setting camp here for the night is impossible because the conditions were hideous, so we have no option but to continue walking until we reach the summit campsite. I thought our trail master calculated everything just right especially the time that we need to reach the campsite, but during the approach our timing just all messed up.

Chasing Magic at the Enchanted Mossy Forest of Mt. Pulag

En Route to the Marlboro Country of Benguet

{Part III of the series Mt. Pulag via Akiki-Ambangeg Trail » Odyssey to the Playground of the Gods}

We waited for the sun to rise so we can have less fog before we break camp. Re-charged from our good night’s rest, I as well as the rest of the Emerson mountaineers anxiously crossed the Eddet River via a monkey bridge made of metal wires. This is the first excitement of the day, like crossing an enchanting bridge as gateway to a magical Mt. Pulag forest.

Waiting at the other side of the bridge is the looming 80 degrees assault trail patiently waiting like a thin thread snaking upwards. Eddet River is the lower part of Mt. Pulag and other surrounding mountains; hence I can’t help but feel like I’m trapped under massive walls.

Eddet River » Refreshing Stop on Your Way to Mt. Pulag

{Part II of the series Mt. Pulag via Akiki-Ambangeg Trail » Odyssey to the Playground of the Gods}

Although the trail sign at the Kabayan jump-off seemed to warn us that this route is difficult, I felt the world had opened wide again and this climb seemed filled with possibilities. I whimpered at the excitement when we started the trek, all the while nursing a secret exhilaration.

After registration and a quick lunch we left the DENR headquarters. We passed by few houses and some children coyly looking at their windows. As what mountaineers usually do, we gave them some of our trail food. Their smiles, as a way of thanks, instantly warmed our hearts – just what we need on that freezing weather.  

Mt. Pulag via Akiki-Ambangeg Trail » Odyssey to the Playground of the Gods

Then I asked myself, “If a flicker of magical happiness is what I gained after trekking some mountains, what will I experience if I climb some more, if I climb higher?”

So I push on. I got addicted because climbing mountains brought me unknown perceptions and whole new understandings I could not, nor could have known on my everyday mundane life. The bible talks about mountains all the time, as do spiritual teachers and mystics making it a symbolism to the inner worlds – and I’m glad I feel that spiritual pull. I can’t explain it but it is there, tugging at the heartstrings of my consciousness. 

A Quick Glimpse of the Life at Sea

I am not a seaman, but I work with them. I talk to them almost everyday, deal with their stories, read about their challenges. You can easily spot some of them - with their dangling large gold necklaces with anchor pendant, bracelets and rings with seafaring-inspired engravings. You know the common joke – “mukha ng may hepa sa dami ng alahas” Some are more discreet, but you can still see the signs on their houses. They usually have iron-work anchor designs at their gates, old gallon and sailboat miniatures as living room decor pieces.

With the sacrifices they’ve been through, they have all the reasons to be proud.

Watch Movies for Only 25 Pesos! at SM Megamall Film Fiesta

Somebody handed me a cheap looking flyer while I’m on my way to SM Megamall. I was about to throw it out (like all other uninteresting marketing flyers being handed to me) but I noticed a list of movies on it.

Being a movie buff, I checked it out and was surprised to learn that SM Cinemas are having a film fiesta – where you can watch good movies for only 25 Pesos!  

To make sure it’s not a hoax, we checked it out yesterday – and yes they are really having this movie fiesta. We were able to watch “Source Code” – which you can also catch until September 13. Their featured movies are from previous years but they are good selection nonetheless.

Villa Sylvia Resort in Nagcarlan » Refreshing Place to Stay on Your Laguna Side Trip

Recently, I got a chance to visit the old town of Nagcarlan in  Laguna to attend a two-day HAKAMS basic mountaineering training. We stayed at Villa Sylvia Resort for a night for the activities and I must say the resort is really nice. It's so serene and relaxing. 

I’m not actually a fan of man-made resorts. I prefer beaches or natural rivers but sometimes, a nearby affordable resort is all we need when it comes to a quick weekend getaway. 

So here I want to share some information about Villa Sylvia Resort and also some photos from my mobile phone - just in case you are looking for an affordable place to stay in Nagcarlan. 

San Bartolome Church » Jewel of Nagcarlan and the Legend of the Secret Tunnel in Laguna

Recently I was down in Nagcarlan Laguna to attend a mountaineering training and whilst I was there, together with our HAKAMS trainors and co-trainees, we did a side trip to an old church: St. Bartholomew Church (Iglesia de San Bartolome) or commonly known as the Nagcarlan Church

You’ll see that I have featured various old churches on this blog. Where did this interest come from? Well, although I am an occasional churchgoer, it does not originate from religious fervor like those doing a Visita Iglesia. It partly originated from my liking of century-old structures – because when you think about it, very few buildings survive from such a distant past, and I always find them enigmatic.

[Mobile Snapshot] Life is What's Happening When You Are Too Busy to Notice

It's easy to get drowned by our everyday activities, to get overwhelmed and be stressed out. But lately, I learned that we don't need grand vacation or travel to an exotic place to recharge and slow down. Beauty is all around us, we just have to look a little bit closer. Sometimes all you need is to stop and look closer at all the beautiful things in your life.  

I'm sharing here beautiful little things in a garden that I captured on my mobile phone. You can also give it a try and be amazed by the results!     

Indoor Wall Climbing at Camp Sandugo » A Weekend To-do for Adrenaline Junkies

Our weekends are not always blessed with great weather and sunshine, but it doesn’t mean we cannot have adrenaline-packed fun activities. If the weather is a little bit gloomy - yet you still feel that “Spiderman” sense of adventure, go check Camp Sandugo at Market Market in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City for some wall climbing fun – it won’t disappoint you, that I assure.      

The sport has been around for quite some time, but has yet to get to the mainstream. Aside from being a sport, wall climbing is also popular as a training aid for mountaineers since most of the trails have difficult sections of boulder or rock. 

Our Desire To Be Lost

Who am I?

If this once I were to rely on a proverb, then perhaps everything would amount to knowing whom I ‘haunt’ … Perhaps my life is nothing but an image of this kind; perhaps I am doomed to retrace my steps under the illusion that I am exploring, doomed, to try and learn what I should simply recognize, learning a mere fraction of what I have forgotten.^[1]

Bunga Falls » The Mysterious Face Behind the Twin Waterfalls

When "faces" suddenly appear in unexpected locations they are often considered as mystical, like the mysterious appearance of the image of Padre Pio in a church wall - even more improbably the appearance of Christ’s image - on a public market wall in Cebu.

How about a strange face on a rock?

I was flicking through the photos on my mobile phone from our side trip to Bunga Falls during our HAKAMS basic mountaineering course to take some of the good ones for my blog and then I came across few particular shots with really interesting face-like rock formation. 

Not So Inspirational Flood Story » Why (some) People Drown

Photo Credit: Reuters

PAGASA foisted its red warning, indicating heavy rain and mandatory evacuation in flood-prone areas.

But Juan, living in a Baranggay near Marikina river thinks, "I believe in God, God will save me," and stays put.

As the waters rise, Juan’s neighbor comes by and says, "Juan come with me, we have a truck, we've got to go."

Juan declines, "I believe in God, God will save me."

The waters keep rising, Juan hears the Marikina river third sound alarm so he scrambles to his second floor.

A Baranggay firefighter in a rubber boat comes by. "Get in the boat or you'll drown," he says. Juan again declines, saying, "God will save me."

The Job Interview » Touching Story About Learning How to Appreciate Things

Let me share this very very touching story I got from a friend in Facebook. 

The Job Interview

(Author: Unknown)

One young academically excellent person went for an interview for a managerial position in a big company. He passed the first interview; BUT in that Company, the director did the last interview, and made the final decision. 

The director discovered from the CV, that the youth’s academic result was excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, never was there a year he did not score. 

Coming Home to Mandaue Foam

Where to purchase our home or office furniture is oftentimes difficult due to massive increase in technologies and wide range of options. We can purchase the furniture from our nearby local furniture supply stores or from online supply stores.

The advantage of purchasing furniture from a local store is that we can see the furniture ourselves. The only disadvantage of purchasing at a local shop is that it is tiring and time consuming.

Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery » Buried Memories of Another Time

“Go forth, Mortal man, full of life
Today you visit happily this shelter, but after you have gone out,
Remember, you have a resting place here, prepared for you.”

-Underground Cemetery Spanish Inscription-

Nagcarlan, Laguna – I have to stand there outside the arched gate for a minute, staring at all the magnificent details like a child on a field trip, excited and awed. The old brown lichens, cracked walls and an empty niche that used to be a resting place of an unknown saint’s icon properly evokes what this gate signifies – death and departure from life in this world.

This arched gate that leads to the chapel built into the cemetery's inner wall is inviting me inside. This alone strikes me as odd.

[Mobile Snapshot] Goodbye, Summer!

The month of May have been absolutely crazy. I got promoted to a new job and the work was so crazy I barely noticed how quick time was passing by.  Only today did I noticed the almost-regular rain showers in the late afternoons, and it's sad I have to bid the Summer of 2012 farewell.

[Mobile Snapshot] Finding Your Own Space

"Your own space, man, it's so important. That's why we were doomed, because we didn't have any. We were like monkeys in a zoo."

- George Harrison - On the breakup of the Beatles -

Holy Week Inspirational Story » On Purifying the World

Image Source: God's Project

While walking on a trail going to Mt. Pulag, a curious mountaineer asks the trail master, How do we purify the world? 

The trail master replied: 

There was once a great Igorot chieftain of the Ibaloi tribe named Apo Idoy. Everyone honored him for his great strength and wisdom, but no one knew whether he was a good man. 

After the Cañao Festival, Apo Idoy and his slave decided to climb Mt. Pulag to give thanks to the mountain gods. While climbing, an earthquake came and part of the trail where they are walking collapsed.

[Mobile Snapshot] Men's Urinal Wisdom: What is the Measure of a Person?

Quotation posted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 Men's Comfort Room:

"The measure of a person is not what he/she does in church on Sunday, but rather who he/she is from Monday to Saturday"

Lantau Island Wisdom Path » Walking a Spiritual Trail on a Usually Hectic Hong Kong Tour

In the chaos of modern travel, there is beauty in simply walking. Amazingly, walking gives us time to go deeper, think and relax. As we walk, we give thanks for the beauty we see around us; in nature, in people we pass by or the travel buddies we are walking with. 

One of my peak profound experiences was during my Mt. Pinatubo trek; alone on the volcanic ashes, walking as fast as I could, breathing hard, with only the mountains and burned woods and colored pebbles on my feet. I felt alive, connected to the universe.

I never expected I’d experience it again on my visit to Hong Kong, a hectic and highly urbanized place.

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ride » Discover the Breathtaking Iron Birds of Hong Kong

I was a little bit wobbly when I first hopped in. Excited and nervous.

Then, few meters away from the Tung Chung entrance platform, I caught a glimpse of those soaring beauties, gliding in the fog like suspended birds in trance, delicate and downright dangerous.

Riding these cable cars is the kind of thing I look forward on our visit in Lantau Island in Hong Kong, aside of course from seeing the Giant Buddha. I must say the cable car ride itself is surely worth the visit.

Hong Kong Ocean Park » More Than Just A Thrill Seekers’ Playground

Virtually everyone knows what it's like to feel really thrilled – a pounding heartbeat, cold feet, shouting out your lungs, nervous perspiration, butterflies in the stomach.

Some people like me, actually revel in feeling frightened and thrilled. We, the thrill-seekers relish roller coasters, Ferris wheels, free-falls perhaps even bungee jumping. We crave having the holy crap squeezed right out of us.

Happy Summer Everyone!

If you are living in the tropics like me, you are definitely feeling the summer heat outside. It is so nice to feel the warming rays of sunshine and to truly know that summer is here. 

Enchanted Kingdom in Laguna » Can You Imagine Life Without Magic?

Let's face it, corporate lives can become mundane especially if they have become predictable, the same thing every time, day after day. That in itself can be a major reason why we are having too much stress. Often, work simply becomes boring, or becomes too stressful – and that’s definitely bothering. 

Well, that is why we need to spice up our days – and it wouldn’t hurt to bring back some special magic on our day off.

Spending time at home on our day off can be magical in many different ways but sometimes that could be boring or stressful too. Hence, we sometimes wish for a place where we can momentarily leave our worries behind and be engrossed in a place of fun, enchantment and make-believe – a magical place.

[Mobile Snapshot] A Beautiful Afternoon At Burnham Park

Burnham Park Lagoon

BenCab Museum in Baguio City » Not Your Usual Boring Art Museum

“I wasn’t planning on going anywhere after the Panagbenga street dancing —” Which sounded like crap when I said it, and my friends knew it. This is Baguio City blessed with lots of interesting places to visit.

“Maybe we should visit the strawberry farm or the Mines View Park,” suggested my officemate, obviously running out of ideas – knowing that this is not our first time in Baguio. These places, of course, are standard must-visit in Baguio for first timers.

With no planned itinerary, we decided to just have a nice leisurely stroll through Burnham Park but immediately lost interest due to the large crowd of visitors attending the Panagbenga Flower Festival.

Panagbenga Flower Festival in Baguio » A Look At Our Summer In Full Color

My favorite events, like my favorite landscape photos, tend to be full of colors - perhaps even chaotic. I like looking at loud colors, with an I-will-hypnotize-you combination, cut with the zest of complex patterns. I know, I know I have colorblindness.

I admit that sometimes I see colored things differently, and I like it!

Therefore, I ended immediately saying yes when my officemate asked me if I want to attend the famed Flower Festival in Baguio. It’s nice to have colored weekend every now and then, besides flowers have that magic that always captured the admiration of mankind, maybe because it has the power to break our monochrome life.

Guam Island Fiesta Tour » Experience Guam's Tradition and Culture

The original inhabitants of Guam are believed to have been of Indo-Malaya descent originating from Southeast Asia as early as 2,000 B.C., and having linguistic and cultural similarities to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The Chamorro possessed a strong matriarchal society and it was through the power and prestige of the women, and the failure of the Spanish overlords to recognize this fact, that much of the Chamorro culture, including the language, music, dance, and traditions have survived to this day.

True to an old Chamorro proverb, "I erensia, lina'la', espiritu-ta," which means "Our heritage gives life to our spirit."

Bacolod Cathedral, San Sebastian Parish » Old Architectural Respite in Bacolod City Center

On our visit to Bacolod City, we spent an afternoon at the serene and beautiful Bacolod Cathedral. I find it amazing how old churches can drain away the stresses of the day especially for tourists and residents alike. Old churches are also living pieces of history where you can hear echoes of the area’s past. 

Therefore whenever I travel, I always step through an old church if there’s a chance. It is always amazing to be vaulted back into important chapters of a city’s history.   

You can have a quick glimpse of the past of any place in the Philippines by visiting its Cathedral and churches. Bohol’s old churches clearly reflect the province’s elegance while Paoay Church bespeaks of how Batac endures earthquakes.

Modern Quality Family Time » The Family That Facebooks Together, Stays Together?

"Iba na 'pag buhay wifi"

I saw this Bayan DSL Wifi advertisement from yesterday's issue of The Philippine Star and felt something else.  

Beyond Bacolod » 3 Days Amazing Travel Escape to Negros Occidental

There are few places in the Philippines that truly have it all, and Negros Occidental is certainly one of them.

A vast mile-wide sugarcane plantation, unrivalled series of romantic waterfalls and hot springs, unexplored beaches and serene mountains, vibrant local culture and exquisite cuisine. On top of all that, Bacolod and its neighboring cities are far quieter and cleaner than most noisy and polluted Philippine cities.

This is my amazing discovery during our recent trip to Bacolod City, which showed me that there’s actually more to Bacolod City and Negros Occidental than just chicken inasal, sugar and the celebrated Masskara Festival.

Happy 5th Birthday, Nuffnang!

Nuffnang.com, Asia-Pacific’s first and leading blog advertising community will be celebrating it’s 5th birthday on February 27!

Beyond blog advertising, Nuffnang also pride themselves on being a community for bloggers by bloggers, organising and supporting a wide range of blogger attended events like movie screenings, seminars/workshops, parties, etc. – That’s why as a blogger, I really LOVE NUFFNANG!

yodisphere.com is wishing you all the best on your 5th birthday and throughout the coming year! Happy Birthday and More Blog Power!

Bachelor Cooking at First Gourmet Academy » One Hyundai Club Life In Style Event

I really don’t like to cook – but I like to eat. I’d almost rather not eat than waste time making a mess cooking food that I know will taste weird. But of course there are number of quick solutions to a bachelor’s raving stomach – instant pancit canton, fast food drive-thru, or the ever present carinderia.

My family is in the province, hence I started living by myself when I moved in Manila for college - and because I’m really incompetent in the kitchen, I wonder why I haven’t disintegrated into a mound of MSG, artificial food coloring and seasoning.

[Mobile Snapshot] Brokeback Fountain » Hot Froggy Date

Why Do We Shout In Anger?

January is the month of the let’s-start-all-over again days, when we try to return to our sane minds, and breath free again after the December’s delirium.

February, of course, is the Love month, the month for letting go and letting it happen – to just be in love. Well that's an awesome thing to do and it's very important when it comes to loving each other -- but so is maintaining the relationship and the love.

Though it's still few days before Valentine’s day, I want to kick off this week with an interesting philosophical story about loving each other. It’s also been a few months since I last posted an inspiring story here, so I think sharing this story is appropriate.   

Mt. Cristobal » Facing Your Own Evil at the Devil’s Mountain

Yes, they really exist. They are really there, the demons and spirits of Mt. Cristobal, the Devil’s Mountain.

So I climbed this mountain, to face my fears and to recognize they are there. To decide between the real and the unreal, the truth and the lie and go on and attack to prove or dispel the famous Tumao fiction and its mysteries and fairy tale.

Then up there, along Mt. Cristobal’s devious trail under its dark and misty forest, I came across the devil and immediately realized the genuine reality of real threat - to fear the Devil is giving him just the kind of worship that he wants.

It is there,  I feel it, but I can't fight an unseen unknown enemy! Only if I know who my enemy is and where he is at and what he is up to, then I can face him and fight it out.

[Mobile Snapshot] Summoning the Angels at the Devil's Mountain

Chinese New Year and the Year of the Water Dragon » How you can join the fun even if you are not Chinese

Most Tsinoys, or the Filipino-Chinese community in the Philippines will celebrate Chinese New Year this weekend. This is the most important of all Chinese holidays and arguably the most auspicious date on the Chinese lunar calendar.

2012 is the year of the Water Dragon, which starts January 23, 2012 and ends February 9, 2013. Dragons are quite special and very much revered because it symbolizes power, superiority and rule, thus this year’s Chinese New Year celebration is expected to be extra spectacular. 

[Mobile Snapshot] That's What Friends Are For

Click photo to enlarge

While having my afternoon coffee break, I saw this two guys passing the Reliance overpass outside our pantry window. I suddenly got this urge to grab my smartphone for a snapshot. Maybe they are brothers, but they looked more like best friends - the other guy lifted the one on crutches onto his back and carried him down the overpass. 

So do you still have that friend who’s there for you when the going gets tough?    

Friday the 13th Interesting Facts, Trivia, Superstitions and Stories

How did Friday the 13th become known as an unlucky date and why? What are the origins of Friday the 13th?

Contrary to common superstition, I consider this as lucky day here at yodisphere.com. Tomorrow is Friday the 13th and to celebrate this most unlucky day for the triskaidekaphobic, I poke around and gather some interesting facts and trivia surrounding this belief.

So to answer my opening question, here are some amusing superstitions and trivia regarding Friday the 13th:

Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo » Faith or Fanaticism?

"When I was a young boy, my father took me into the city to see a marching band. He said, "Son, when you grow up, would you be the saviour of the broken, the beaten and the damned?"

He said "Will you defeat them, your demons, and all the non believers, the plans that they have made? Because one day I'll leave you, a phantom to lead you in the summer, to join the black parade." 

-“Welcome To The Black Parade,” My Chemical Romance –

It is a dangerous thing. Devotees clad in maroon, barefoot, spiritually euphoric and wild vie with each other for the honor of pulling the rope. The streets of Quiapo transformed into a raging sea of human bodies, waving banners of maroon and gold. Men climb over the others to wipe the black image with a white handkerchief or even kiss it. This is the Feast of the Black Nazarene – a puzzling devotion even to some Catholics.

January 9 marks the annual feast. The procession, being one of the major Catholic celebrations each year is regularly attended by millions of devotees, which usually lasts for 10 to 12 hours.

Canoe Beach Resort Pundakit Zambales [Review] » What You See Is What You Get

Pundakit Zambales has been gifted with natural beauty and now becoming a favorite travel destination among backpackers and island hoppers. It is perfectly suited for travelers seeking a refreshing Philippine countryside without going too far from Manila. Today, beach resorts and hotel business flourish in the area because of its rustic glory and beauty, thus it is now a challenge searching for cheap resort and accommodation when planning a trip to Pundakit.

As much as possible, we would like a handpicked hotel or resort that could met our basic needs such as convenient location, comfortable rooms with amenities, good customer service and with an atmosphere that offers local charm. It is when oftentimes we refer to online hotel or resort reviews, friend referrals and blogs.