What's On & Expat - Philippines

in the form of food, medical aid, vocational training, educational supplies and schooling, orphanages and counseling.
    On July 26th 2005, 94.4 cm of rain fell in Mumbai on a single day, the highest amount of rainfall recorded in world history. Millions were affected. Floods and landslides washed away countless homes, at least a thousand people drowned and tens of thousands were stranded for three days. Land transportation was paralyzed, cutting off supplies of food, water and medical aid. M.A.Math distributed supplies such as mats, bed sheets, stoves and kitchen utensils, rice and groceries to the tribal folks belonging to the areas of Khidkupada, Panvel.
    The medical teams sent by the ashram comprised three doctors, two fully equipped ambulances, seven paramedics, two nurses and two pharmacists. They attended to more than 1,500 patients every day and distributed a total of two tons of medicines that were sent from the M.A. Math’s charitable AIMS hospital in Cochin.
   The M.A.Center has donated $1M to help rehabilitate the Gulf coast region of the United states devastated by Hurricane Katrina in September 2005.
   In October 2005 a disastrous earthquake shook the lives of the people of Kashmir and Pakistan. M A. Math & M. A. Center sent thousands of sweaters and other warm clothing to the disaster struck areas and also planned to adopt and rebuild the three worst hit villages in the region.
     More than twenty eight years ago, Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri started his spiritual practice under the guidance of Amma when she was still little known to the outside world. He is Amma’s first monastic disciple and has visited and held public programs, classes on scripture and yoga and meditation retreats in many parts of the world, including the USA., U.K., Middle East, Malaysia, Japan, South America, South Africa, and Hong Kong. From September 8 to 12, Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri will be in Manila to teach meditation and talk about spiritual life. For more information, please call (02) 415-2403, text 0905-2968336 or visit www.ammaswamiinmanila.com

  Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi or ‘Amma’ as she is affectionately known, has earned international recognition for her outstanding contributions to the world community. A recipient of the 2002 Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence, she is recognized as an extraordinary spiritual leader by the United Nations (UN) and many international organizations. Her teachings and good works are universal - Catholic nuns, Zen Buddhist monks and people of different backgrounds and persuasion have all been inspired and helped by Amma.
    For the past 35 years, Amma has dedicated her life to the upliftment of humanity. Through the simplest of gestures – an embrace, she has consoled more than 25 million people and inspired innumerable humanitarian activities all over the world. Some of them are free food and clothing programs, charitable hospitals, hospices, disaster relief programs, free homes for the poor and the needy, medical camps, orphanage, schools, educational institutions, widows’ pension scheme, free legal advice, preservation of nature and so on.
    Mata Amritanandamayi Math (M.A. Math), the non-profit organization she founded, was officially commended and recognized as an NGO in July 2005 by the UN. Its vast, multifaceted infrastructure is such that whenever a major disaster strikes anywhere in India, it is able to immediately respond with the power of its dedicated volunteers and monks, including professionals in various fields, to take care of every aspect of disaster relief, from emergency work to long-term rebuilding and rehabilitation.
     After the terrible Tsunami struck Asia and Africa in December 2004 pledged $23 million towards Tsunami relief and rehabilitation in India and Sri Lanka. Although the actual value of the project may be closer to $46 million, as so much of the work is being done by volunteers. By now more than 2000 permanent homes have been constructed in various parts of India, Sri Lanka, Andaman and Nicobar islands. Relief efforts continue

Color Me Mine candle holders

Cinderella, step aside. Prince William—or at least his remarkable wax likeness—has only two months to find his perfect match in Hong Kong!
   During the next two months, guests are invited to “meet” Prince William at the Hong Kong Glamour Hall of Madame Tussauds Hong Kong to deter-

such a privilege to try on the royal slipper and feel like a real princess!”
  Kelly Mak, head of Marketing and Customer Services at Madam Tussauds Hong Kong said “Prince William is among the most frequently requested celebrities by our guests and we are pleased to welcome his

Many expats have lived here to invest in the local economy and to send their children to schools for them to learn English. The expats have brought with them their traditional values that can inspire the Filipino society for their worth. The Korean Buddhists have been one immigrant group that has faithfully observed filial piety for their ancestors and respect for their parents and elders.
   On the eve of the full moon day in August, the Korean Buddhists, like other East Asians, recall the benevolence of their ancestors and their living parents by paying homage to them in solemn prayer and meditation at the Pul Guk Sa temple at San Pedro, Laguna. On this special day, out of filial piety, the Korean Buddhists seek to awaken compassion in their hearts that will relieve the misery of all beings.
  In memory of their ancestors and as they make a vow not to abandon all beings, the Korean Buddhists have invited the

poor and the needy that live around the temple to give them dental and medical care. They have also prepared snacks, clothing, medicine, rice and food packages as well as free haircuts for the underprivileged.
   The Korean Buddhists have expressed filial piety through the virtue of giving to others. In this manner, they try to forget about the self or ego for them to help others and also to realize the bliss of Nirvana, the enlightenment. Their gift of comfort and loving kindness fills the recipients’ hearts with hope and joy. The Koreans feel peaceful and happy upon seeing their smiles of gratitude.