Getting Sick in Hong Kong

Another colleague has left the company, and from the same team who sits in front of me, sans the desk partition. It adds to the list of people whom I won't be seeing much anymore. Needless to say I will miss them all. The photo was taken on Jess's (the girl with flowers) last day, with me, Ginny and Alex.

My sick leave got me spending a long weekend same as the Easter Weekend and Chinese New Year. For once in about every six months I am brought down by some common ailment that could not easily go away with my typical sleep medication. Instead I have to go out of the house between 9am and 1.30pm to catch the morning session of any medical clinics. Rain or shine I have to go out as no physician is "on call" and it's not a common practice even with a more dreaded diseases.

Getting sick in Hong Kong can be difficult but life is a bit easier for permanent and non-permanent residents (those with Hong Kong Identification Card). As it is subsidized by the government, hospital bills are very minimal. I even hear stories of Filipinos bringing in their wives or Chinese relatives from the Mainland to give birth here because the costs are so low that you'd prepare a bigger amount for the taxicab than what you see in your hospital invoice.

Smaller clinics are normally privately owned and operated by individual doctors. I go in and have an instant appointment. Usually I am in queue with a patient or two ahead of me so the wait is not that too long. If I am a first timer I show my HKID and fill up the form. Otherwise, I show my medical card and wait. I have a medical policy at the office but I do not use it until I claim for my expenses incurred after showing the medicine and consultation bill.

After being examined by the doctor (usually it takes less than 10 minutes to do it for normal cases) I wait outside for the medicines and sick leave notice and then learn how much everything costs. Here, you don't have to receive prescriptions as the medicines are readily available for you the moment you leave the clinic. Complete with dosage from the clinic assistant, I think I got six types of capsules, tablets and syrup.

Hong Kong doctors are often educated from known institutions like Hong Kong University or from faraway places in Canada, USA and UK. But don't get me wrong, I am not impressed by their performance. It's not the expensive bill I shoulder initially. It's more of how I understood what's wrong. Many doctors cannot explain properly in English so that compounds the problem. And the six types of medicine I am taking? I am not sure if I need to finish them off after I feel well.

I say thanks and walk past the door with a little shrug on my shoulders thinking about what Crowded House sang... everything is good for you / if it doesn't kill you.

The Noble Hong Kong Bus Drivers

First things first: Yes! I just read the news Steve Nash will be named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the second straight year. Thanks Joanne for the shirt! It's worth wearing all year long.

There is a big distinction between bus drivers in Metro Manila and bus drivers here in Hong Kong.

1. Many bus drivers in Manila drive recklessly that it often results to accidents on the road. Careless jaywalkers plus Manila's reckless drivers is a deadly combination. Hong Kong drivers are generally careful drivers that they often manage to negotiate the hilly roads of New Territories and the Southern District.

2. Manila bus drivers are often impatient and hot headed; I always hear a driver badmouthing another bus driver on the road or a passenger trying to ask if this bus is the right one to ride. Hong Kong drivers are often courteous, stop at the right location.

3. Many Manila bus drivers are too accommodating that many times passengers go late (there goes the legend of Filipino time) because they wait until the bus gets packed with passengers like sardines with no tomato sauce. Hong Kong drivers accommodate who are standing at the right bus stop. That is why it's common to see people run to make the bus ride. Left behind? Sorry, the next bus stops five minutes later.

4. Many Manila bus drivers think they own the road. They swerve incessantly, trying to reach the terminal first so he gets the first wave of passengers. He treats passengers like fishes in the ocean, with his dilapidated bus a makeshift fishing boat, making the clogged streets seem like a virtual playground. Hong Kong bus drivers don't need to pick every passenger because whether he has passengers or not, he gets paid at the end of the day.

5. Some Manila bus drivers treat every other driver like foes: they compete for passengers, they race to position ahead of the pack. And when a slight brake or scrape hits the vehicle, it's like he will die if it is not resolved immediately. All expletives come out of his mouth and as his bus lies immobile in the middle of the street, the traffic congestion could not get worse. Hong Kong drivers often give way by using their hands. The same gesture is observed when the other driver gives him the way to pass first.

I took the bus bringing my repaired hi-fi home during lunch time and my grocery from Jusco at night. I was looking for any loophole that will keep me from posting this blog entry. I found nothing.

The red bus drivers I think resemble a little bit to Manila drivers. They park at unauthorized places, waiting for passengers. Yes, I agree that a bus must run with enough passengers and not waste gas now that it's reached past US$73 per gallon. But for everyone's sake do it in the bus terminal!

The cleanest buses in Hong Kong are those from KMB because many are recently bought. New World First Bus is the runner up while Citybus (in photo) appears to be the dirtiest.

Just because many of Manila's passengers are undisciplined, many drivers lose their patience and grab whatever they can: blow horns, shout at the passengers, deliberately stopping in the middle of the street, etc. I can't blame them. They need to earn an honest living. But with predators everywhere: robbers, pickpockets, cell phone snatchers, corrupt traffic aides, ride and run passengers, they seem to have nowhere to go but to sweat under the 34C hotpot.

I wish someday I can say both Hong Kong and Manila bus drivers are similar.

Reviving Squash Mania

It's been a long time since I played squash. I guess the guys have been too busy, too tired to commit a game the court could not even be booked. One promise is unfulfilled. It's great that an officemate, Ginny, is willing to play and did the booking at my convenient court in Wan Chai.

The game went well and Ginny is not a bad player too. She plays similar to Karen minus the complains of me playing too soft for her.

Apart from basketball, squash has been my most prefered game to play. I am awkward at the basketball court that I even twisted my ankle last Saturday when playing with some new friends in South Horizons.

But with few brave souls to say yes and commit to play, I was happy to get an ocassional SMS from Bobit for a basketball game. I have had fond memories playing with Aileen, Zandro, Dodo, Tintin, Karen, Junjun, Jun, Nyoman and Steven on courts from Causeway Bay's SCAA to Wan Chai's Harbour Road to Admiralty's Hong Kong Squash Centre to Sheung Wan's Civic Centre.

At the moment I am happy someone is willing to play and commit time to play squash.

Sayonara Mitsukoshi

According to a local daily, Mitsukoshi department store in Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay is closing its shop in September, ushering an end to an era of existence of Japanese department stores in Hong Kong. And again it's because of the rent space that even a transfer to a less conspicuous area was not possible.

And while you may wonder why Seibu and Sogo shops still exist (Sogo even added another one in Tsim Sha Tsui in September 2005), they are owned by local merchants who were allowed to use the brand in behalf of its rightful owners. And Jusco over in Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Lok Fu, Quarry Bay and Tseung Kwan O are supermarkets and not department stores.

Mitsukoshi is one of the numerous shops competing for customers in Hennessy Centre in the busy Causeway Bay, a junction of Hong Kong island's Wan Chai district. Sogo, World Trade Centre and Times Square are the other busy malls along with smaller shops selling clothes, shoes and fashion accessories. I often use Mitsukoshi as a "short cut" between the Hennessy Road and Percival Street, on my way towards Times Square. I also used to hang out in the area where the bus stop to South Horizons is located.

It was in the 1980s when Japanese department stores started to prolifirate in Hong Kong with Mitsukoshi opening in 1981 and Sogo in 1985. In Japan, Mitsukoshi is an old established shop that traced its roots during the 1600s as a kimono shop. It's reported sales of 7.7 billion yen accounted roughly 40% of its shops located outside of Japan. With the closing of its erain Hong Kong, Mitsukoshi could only hope to continue its success in the saturated domestic market together with the likes of Seibu, Takashimaya, Daimaru and Isetan.

さようなら。

Paradox of Fake Mong Kok Goods

"No Fakes".

It's the theme adopted by Hong Kong's Intellectual Property Department eight years ago. And yet on any given day, if I go to Mong Kok, the sight of stalls along Tung Choi Street and its surroundings, fake designer brands compete with genuine ones located nearby.

Aptly called Ladies Market (Hong Kong ladies are notorious as shopping addicts, I was once told) that area in Mong Kok is popular not only in Hong Kong but across the globe as much as Hong Kong is noted as a shopping haven. Mong Kok itself is often connoted as a place of cheap goods.

In my earlier years in Hong Kong, I would often come to Mong Kok for pirated DVDs that cost HK$15 each. Shops exist on a semi-clandestine operation where a brigade of lookouts man a shopping complex for policemen who patrol the area. Once a nice movie is found, I will list down its assigned code number on a small piece of paper and hand over to a man in charge who can speak English; foreign tourists also drop by to take advantage of the goods. Someone will then pick the discs somewhere and after fifteen minutes, the man returns with dozens of black plastic bags, each containing a buyer's prefered movie title. Buying a set of five or more brings discounts so sometimes I pick five and never expect to be back there in a month or two.

Later, one planned visit did not push through and the next day's headline was about a police crackdown of that Mong Kok arcade that confiscated thousands of fake DVDs. That opened up my consciousness and vowed never to go there and buy pirated goods... Until I went to Shenzhen where DVDs were even more cheaper.

Hong Kong's close proximity to Guangdong's emerging cities puts it in a precarious situation. While Hong Kong enjoys a reputation as a shopping city with a wide array of original goods sold on shops, some tourists go to Hong Kong to buy such cheap goods (read: imitation/fakes/counterfeit). Travel magazines and tourism booklets describe Mong Kok as shopping area for inexpensive indulges and not mention "fake" a single time.

The Intellectual Property Department believes that selling original products project a trustworthy trading practice. Many shops have the "No Fakes" pledge to ensure visitors that everything on sale is for real. It also distinguishes them from those who practice deception, something that still exists extensively in Hong Kong.

Coordinating with authorities in neighboring Guangdong cities like Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guangzhou, the "No Fakes" campaign was launched on those areas in 2004. It is widely thought that production of fake products and imitations is the key to stopping their proliferation on the streets of Hong Kong. But officials are also quick to lament that as long as demand is still high, it's difficult to neutralize such activity.

Mong Kok's night market, and Stanley Market exist for a reason. And everyone would probably know what that reason is. Cheap products which are of low quality are not necessarily classified as fakes and these are sold on those places. But the infestation of imitation products that appear so real is the selling point.

In Hong Kong the campaign is visibly seen everywhere: stickers on MTR escalators, radio and television announcements, Quality Tourism Services posters in shops and a funny television mockery intended to embarrass those who patronize counterfeit products: A glamorous woman is seen flaunting flamboyant designer clothes in a subway car. Then a man's voice says, "Hey baby, think you can fool us with all those things? Come on. Get real. You are what you wear."

But then again, how can one tell a fake product from an original one if the fake product looks almost identical to the genuine product?

Becoming a Travel Blogger

I have had quite a few travels recently and haven't been blogging about them really. But I was commissioned by one forum acquaintance named Jim to write anything about travel. I gladly obliged I am posting a couple of blogs every week for him. So far I got two entries, one is about round the world travel tips and the recent one is about traveling to Tokyo, as a recap of my travel there last year. I wish I would get paid to travel just to post blog. That would have been the best job I could ever have.

Sake, Tatami and Horror Stories for Jess

It's quite unusual nowadays to hangout with my colleagues outside to have dinner, watch movie, karaoke or play games. So when someone invited me to watch Ice Age 2, I jumped to the opportunity. But I thought it would just be that one and it's go home time. I spent the first four hours of the weekend hanging out with another set of officemates engaging on discussion of life, a game of truth and liars plus a binge of medium strength Japanese rice wine.

It started with me, Ginny and Carmen watching the second sequel of the 2002 animated comedy Ice Age: The Meltdown which featured voices of Ray Romano and Queen Latifah. It gave me a reality check that the comedy flavor coated the real message of the movie about global warming and rising sea levels as Arctic and Antarctic glaciers begin to melt. I enjoyed the movie and could only wish it was longer.

We then came near Happy Valley where Cyrus, Jess and Derek were having good time at a bar. The six of us had quite a pleasant conversation though I admit I am still feeling out of place once all of them begin to talk in their native language. Then the topic began to switch into eerie and spookie topics for some reasons. Jess was beginning to feel uncomfortable as she admitted she is afraid of ghosts. Fanned by Derek and Cyrus's stories, Jess could only cover her ears to avoid hearing the story. My guilty participation involved my old house in South Horizons where Jess also lives nearby. I'd remind Jess that there is a cemetery just before entering the mouth of Aberdeen Tunnel. With Jess scared and drowsy over the smoke that filled the area, it did not take long before we left the place.

I thought of going home at 11pm when the guys invited for a Japanese dinner. Ginny was going, Carmen bade goodbye and I found myself inside a prototype Japanese home, with tatami mats, pillows and short tables meant for an ideal Japanese meal. I got to taste a Japanese rice wine, sake with tasting recommendations from Cyrus I was unable to follow. My discussion with Cyrus took an hour and half giving me more insight of what rules over his heart and mind.

I enjoyed the gathering but would like to wish many of us were able to join.

When I am left alone waiting to get a ride home the good time feeling I usually have during those hangouts begin to dissipate and loneliness and emptiness follows. It's past 4am. I guess there was much of wine and laughter masquerade the real situation until they ultimately go as I turn back from feeling tipsy to feeling sober.

Gino's Birthday Party

There have been quite a number of birthday celebrations that have passed and I noticed we do not have the same fellowship we used to do anymore. Or is it my "antisocial" sickness has again reared its ugly head again that I did not join much of the invitations lately? It's a case between me against myself.

I have been "pro-social" recently. I was there during the CFC family day last Sunday and hopefully I am also there on the Trip Conference by end of the month, as shown in my enthusiasm about shooting my "trip" in music and sports.

Gino as turned into thirty something. And just like in many instances here Hong Kong, there is an established mores that asking for age is a little rude especially to the women. So I never tried to find out in public simply because I know his DOB. With Gino's baby face, one could suggest he must be in his early thirties.

We found a nice Indonesian restaurant at Leighton Road, near Raymond and Christopher's old PCCW offices. Serving beef rendang, rice noodles and vegetables, the price wasn't bad especially if you look at the smiling photos (more photos here) of the people who just finished eating there. It's been drizzling a bit and after my weekly grocery (5% discount day) at Jusco, I felt I am in for a rude awakening with my nose especially that I forgot my hankies. But I was glad it cooperated.

I was pleasantly surprised it was not an all-men affair. But I theorized the following: 1) It's Tina's birthday next week so she should be part of the celebration 2) Tina is Jay's wife who is Gino's household head 2) Jan is Gino's brother's girlfriend who should join the dinner 3) Aileen is Junjun's girlfriend and Junjun is part of the combined household of Zandro and Jay 4) Vinkee was there because...

Almost Caught In A Swindler's Sweet Talking?

I am the one who receives e-mails from the SFC Hong Kong website contact form. And with that I often get to meet the people who may be interested in joining my group.

Everytime I meet them I always feel a sense of anticipation and great hope that I become an instrument in bringing them close to SFC community and to Jesus Christ ultimately.

But one time I met someone who filled in the form and asked for assistance as she is coming to Hong Kong to apply for a job and visit her cousins; in the e-mail she mentioned she is from Bulacan.

There I went, an unsuspecting guy replying at someone's question. And one time we decide to meet up to discuss more about Hong Kong life and hopefully SFC will also be part of the equation.

It was the time when I overshot my destination and reached Kowloon City ferry instead of Hung Hom so I took several rides before I got into my destination. We met and had a quick chat. Upon learning that I am from Davao she began to reveal she was from Cebu but worked in The Probe Team of GMA7. She wanted to work in Hong Kong and tried her luck even if she could easily find a job in the Philippines if she wants to, because she knows the Secretary of Tourism and she is a neice of former Army Chief Lisandro Abadia (she showed her forehead was similar to his uncle). Her influence did not end there. She also told me she personally knows members of Parokya ni Edgar, a popular band in the Philippines. One of their albums allegedly contains her name in the acknowledgment leaf. She said she speaks Korean too.

I never met someone who is as influential as she is and I never doubted she was bluffing for I always fixated my thoughts that she went to the web site not to fool people but to seek help.

But that soon changed when I read the headline of a popular Filipino community free newspaper. The headline story described what she told me and her supposed influences. Except that she was a swindler, taking money from people supposedly for business that don't seem to exist.

I asked her through e-mail that very night how is she and she responded within an hour. But when my next reply mentioned the headline in the newspaper, up to this day I am still waiting for her response. Maybe she just realized her modus operandi was spread across the Filipino community in Hong Kong and was too embarrassed to respond to me. Or maybe she was innocent, trying to find the right words to say.

I do not know, but sometimes the wicked ways hide with someone's good intentions.

Life In The MTR

The MTR's patience is waning. After sweet talks and kind requests seemed to fall into deaf ears, the subway system will start cracking down on offenders. They include uberhungry passengers who eat on trains or rushing to get in while doors are closing despite wall notices. They could include violators of card usage and exhibitionists who run on moving escalators (I am guilty of this many times). Most of the offense have safety implications and should be imposed before accidents happen.

The Mass Transit Railway is Hong Kong's epitome of transportation efficiency. With 53 stations in seven lines (complemented by 32 stations of the Kowloon Canton Railway), the MTR enables someone to reach a place on a defined timeframe. It makes it easy to be on time for any ocassion, like meeting friends, going to work or heading home. With 91 kilometers, it extends to most residential areas and are often factors in the cost of many residential blocks.

The MTR authorities seem to impose tolerance on improper use of Octopus card since I have seen many adults use the concessionary cards which are supposed to be for sole use of children below 12 years old and the elderly.

MTR stations are popular meeting places for Hong Kong people, young or old. The landmarks usually used are shops located inside or the station exits, designated by letters A to K.

Some MTR stations have been renamed during the past 25 years of its existence. Central Station used to have sections called Pedder and Chater Stations; Lai Wan was renamed Mei Foo; Yau Ma Tei used to be called Waterloo; Argyle is now called Mong Kok.

Maybe I am color blind but I just recently noticed there are designated colors for each station. Although not uniquely assigned, it helps people with eye difficulties to determine one station not by the wordings on the wall but the color of the wall. Some examples are: Causeway Bay is purple, Sai Wan Ho is orange, Kwai Fong is green, Kwun Tong is white.

It is possible for people to meet up on a certain area where one is inside the paid area of the MTR and the other is outside. This usually takes place when someone sends an item to the other without requiring him or her to pay above the minimum fare of HK$3.80. So it is possible for me who lives in Quarry Bay to go to Mong Kok to pick up an item say a DVD player without leaving the turnstile and wait for someone to hand it over to me and I only pay HK$3.80 instead of HK$11.80 regular fare. I am not sure if there is a change in policy, i.e., required maximum time between swipe in and out of the Octopus card, but in the meantime this is a way to avoid unnecessary travel costs.

For people who want to go the airport without much baggage can use the MTR to travel with a combination of speed and relative affordability. From any other station go to Tung Chung MTR and take the S1 bus bound for Hong Kong International Airport. For example if I am in Central, I'd take the Tung Chung line at Hongkong Station then exit at Tung Chung at a cost of HK$20.10, traveling in 36 minutes. Then the S1 bus takes about 10 minutes to the airport at a cost of HK$3.50. In comparison, the fastest way to get to Chek Lap Kok, the Airport Express gets you there in 23 minutes while an E11 bus of the Citybus takes about an 50 minutes to the airport at HK$21.00.
There are different ways to get to the airport and you have the choice depending on time, budget and level of convenience you like.

Chilly Springtime in Shek O

Happy Easter!

Temperature's been dropping in late teens this Easter weekend. 17C is my idea outdoor temperature wearing shirt and no sweaters. And it feels good especially that it's April and summertime is impending. I wish Hong Kong temperature would stand as is in perpetuity. But it wouldn't.

Couples For Christ Hong Kong found a good idea to celebrate Family Day on a spring season. It used to be late summer where weather's just awfully humid. This time, the weather is tempered by South China's easterly cool winds.

As is the tradition of the community, everyone in the ministry is invited. I missed the hiking expedition earlier in the month and I am making sure I am able to catch up with my chaps this time. True enough the weather alone was one great reason to come. We are to have this gathering in the Shek O, a beach town in a southern peninsula of Hong Kong. It has fine beaches facing South China Sea.

Zandro, Jay, Tina, Mike N, Jan, Gino, Mike S, Belle, Junjun were there plus a sizeable number of sisters from Sunday Group. A lot of weekday members are not around but it did not spoil the fun we had. Nobody is a volleyball expert and that made our beach volleyball "practice" session more fun. The bad thing though was that my old reliable Nike lost its left sole while negotiating the fine beach sands playing with Zandro, Mike S and Maia.

Overall the gathering was perfectly timed, we did not stay late, we had fun under the covered sun. Kudos CFC HK.

Lost In Translation

Last Holy Thursday evening I was supposed to be one of the members of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ who will have their feet washed during the Last Supper. The ceremony was to be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church where I also do lector duties once in every six Sundays.

The Mass will be held at 8pm and in Cantonese. The celebrant was Fr John Cuff, a Western priest who speaks fluent Cantonese. The Mass was about to start when I came over and I saw no familiar face to ask about where to position myself. I found myself sitting on the edge of a middle row bench with a small note with Chinese character message I did manage to ignore. Likely I would not be one of those who will take of their shoes in front since I never got any confirmation from anyone in the church.

Catholics perform such rites to show how Jesus humbled himself by symbolically washing the feet of his apostles as a sign of His service to mankind. It teaches everyone the virtue of humility that whatever accomplishments one has achieved, he/she has the obligation to serve the less privileged.

As the Mass progressed I had no idea what the words are being uttered but since I am familiar with the sequence of Eucharistic celebrations, I just imagine the words I speak during English Masses. It's not my first time to attend a Cantonese Mass; previous Church visits and notably last year's Easter Vigil Mass were my among those experiences.

As it turned out, the gentlemen seated on my bench were the "apostles". I found it out when the rites began and everyone in the two aligned benches stood up. Of course, except me. Out of personal instinct I quickly counted that if the number did not reach the requirement I could easily follow even if I received no instructions prior to the Mass. Okay, I said to myself, they are twelve.

Fr Cuff was considerate enough to provide English translations of the homily. After my previous attendance to Cantonese Masses and this one, I found out that the Chinese church goers come on time; I saw very few who entered the church after 8. They are attentive to the Mass and don't chat with seatmates during the celebration. They are also organized and systematic that every Mass is well prepared and must not proceed with hitches in the way. The Mass is not disrupted by baby's cry or children wandering around the church. The choir is not the best in the world, but there is a sense of commitment and they give out their best. I appreciate them for such order. I am impressed by the Chinese Catholic community.

At the end of the Mass, I found out one of the readers, a Filipina, was looking for me before the Mass began and could not help but sigh the Filipino community was represented in the supposed community Mass (which means the Mass is to have Chinese, Filipino or other communities involved). I just replied, "I hope to make it next year".

Hong Kong Buys Water Worth HK$2.5 billion

Do you drink tap water in Hong Kong? According to Water Supplies Department Hong Kong quality is as good as in any other developed countries but the catch is that if water supply in the estate where you live is not properly managed, it could be detrimental to health. And as far as the trustworthiness of the management company of my flat is concerned, I felt compelled to buy 5-liter pack of water at ParkN'Shop regularly.

Just recently, the Hong Kong Government, represented by Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, has concluded negotiations with Guangdong Provincial Government on water supply agreements. The agreement will ensure Hong Kong's water supply ample until 2008 with guarantees even on droughts or scarcity within Guangdong's growing cities.

Hong Kong has been a dependent of Mainland China's water supply for a long time. With no natural body of water to depend on, and with annual rainfall average at 2214 mm caught in Hong Kong reservoirs inadequate, it has to seek further externally. Good thing Dongjiang is able to supply adequate water not only for Hong Kong, but also to nearby cities such as Shenzhen and Dongguan. And in order to get the guarantee, the government pays a lump sum amount of HK$2,494 million per year from 2006 to 2006. Paying early also ensures savings from potential rate increases and future inflation. With Hong Kong paying about six times the amount Shenzhen and Dongguan pays, the Provincial Government stands to provide preferential treatment for the territory that consumes 2.63 million cubic metres of water daily.

With China's growing cities gulping for more water for industrial, farming and domestic use as well as seasonal droughts, surely there will come a time that Hong Kong's money can't buy water anymore.

In the office or public wash rooms I still see utter disregard in water use such as faucets not shut properly when no longer in use. I wish we all learn how to conserve this element that makes up (on average) 65% of our very own bodies!

No Plastic Bags Day

It's nice to see bus ads about government encouragement to the public to bring own bag or disregard use of bags when shopping if necessary. It's a good sign that it pays respect to the environment and try to lose the dubious distinction as the world's number one plastic bag user. Hong Kong, with a population of roughly 7 million people, uses a staggering 33 million plastic bags a day. Shopping bags at the grocery, newspaper packaging, take out lunchboxes are among the daily uses and the rate did not slow down despite shop offers of cash rebates when not using these bags. (I just thought the amount was too small to disregard the convenience of accepting bags).

Australia has about 20 million people yet uses a quarter of Hong Kong's consumption. Remember this place is a shopping capital so don't pin your blame on supermarkets. Cosmetics, electronics, clothing and many other shops are also culprits.

I do my grocery once a week and every time I go to Wellcome or Jusco I usually bring three or four plastic bags with me. It's not that I have lots of things to buy, but it's just these supermarkets are just too generous in using plastic bags. Back as a kid in the Philippines I remember popping out of NCCC department store expecting offers of sturdy plastic bags from street sellers because the quality of cellophane bags are sometimes not good enough to carry a pack of grocery items. Here in Hong Kong, plastic bag quality is good, especially from Jusco, which often doubles as a garbage receptacle.

There had been efforts to reduce the usage of such bags. On Park N Shop outlets, there are cheap grocery bags that are reusable and are definitely more environment friendly. But it seems that the public is not very much environmentally-conscious. In February of 2007, Finance Secretary Henry Tang will introduce such tax for plastic bag which comes as a boost in efforts to reduce its use.

Once I was in Tokyo, I am amazed on how people handle their trash. Everyone knows where to put an egg shell, separate from plastic bags, cans and plastics. They have their own system of discipline, not just in households but in public areas such as fastfood centres as well. Hong Kong is just lucky that it does not have a bad waste disposal system. In Manila, the common causes of flooding are blocked drainage caused by non-biodegradables like plastic bags. Imagine how big damage does 33 million bags do in a day. And 365 days in a year. Add that to the woes of air pollution in Hong Kong.

So while I continue to abhor those slimming ads on the bus, the no plastic bag use reminder is a welcome relief.

Hong Kong International Film Festival Underway

Last 4th of April marked the start of the annual Hong Kong International Film Festival. From the kung fu era in the 70s which brought Bruce Lee to the world, to the stunts of Jackie Chan years later, to the recent victory of Ang Lee in the Oscar's, the recognition of Asian talent has never been this high. And so as the Festival marks its third decade of existence, the theme "A Tribute to Action Choreographers" is an appropriate recognition of the people who made names for the region during the formative years of Asian cinema, to be at par with the world. Think about names like Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee and Ching Siu-tung.

Movies from around the world will also be filmed around various locations in the territory. The Philippine entry The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros (Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros) is one testament that just like its neighbors Filipino movie's presence is beginning to be felt and deserves international audience. This one won an award at Montreal's World Film Fest.

Looking at the awards:

Professional Recommendation Award: Young Director Award
Winner: Kenneth Bi (Rice Rhapsody)
Nominees:
- Matthew Tang Hon-Keung (B420)
- Stephen Fung Tak-Lun (House of Fury)
- Kenneth Bi (Rice Rhapsody)

Best Asian Film
Winner: Kekexili (China)
Nominees:
- Be With You (Japan)
- Howl's Moving Castle (Japan)
- Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (Korea)
- Three Times (Taiwan)

Best Visual Effects
Winner: Initial D
Nominees:
- A Chinese Tall Story
- The Myth
- The Promise
- Seven Swords

Best Sound Design
Winner: Initial D
Nominees:
- A Chinese Tall Story
- Perhaps Love
- The Promise
- Seven Swords

Best Original Song
Winner: "Perhaps Love" (from Perhaps Love), Performer: Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau
Nominees:
- "Thugs" (from Dragon Reloaded), Performer: Ronald Cheng Chung-Kei
- "Drifting" (from Initial D), Performer: Jay Chou
- "Endless Love" (from The Myth), Performer: Jackie Chan (yes, the same guy!), Kim Hee-Sun
- "Won't Do It Again" (from Wait 'Til You're Older), Performer: Andy Lau Tak-Wah

Best Original Film Score
Winner: Perhaps Love
Nominees:
- A Chinese Tall Story
- Seven Swords
- Election
- Initial D

Best Action Design
Winner: SPL
Nominees:
- Divergence
- House of Fury
- The Myth
- Seven Swords

Best Costume Design and Make-Up
Winner: Perhaps Love
Nominees:
- A Chinese Tall Story
- Everlasting Regret
- The Promise
- Seven Swords

Best Art Direction
Winner: Perhaps Love
Nominees:
- A Chinese Tall Story
- Everlasting Regret
- The Promise
- Seven Swords

Best Editing
Winner: Divergence
Nominees:
- Election
- Initial D
- Perhaps Love
- Seven Swords

Best Cinematography
Winner: Perhaps Love
Nominees:
- Election
- Initial D
- The Promise
- Seven Swords

Best New Artist
Winner: Initial D
Nominees:
- 2 Young
- Ah Sou
- Bug Me Not!
- Moonlight in Tokyo

Best Screenplay
Winner: Election
Nominees:
- 2 Young
- Crazy N' The City
- Perhaps Love
- Wait 'Til You're Older

Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Teresa Mo Sun-Kwan (2 Young)
Nominees:
- Karena Lam Ka-Yan (Ah Sou)
- Maggie Siu Mei-Kei (Election)
- Su Yan (Everlasting Regret)
- Zhang Jingchu (Seven Swords)

Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Anthony Wong Chau-Sang (Initial D)
Nominees:
- Alex Fong Chung-Sun (Drink-Drank-Drunk)
- Wong Tin-Lam (Election)
- Hu Jun (Everlasting Regret)
- Liu Kai-Chi (SPL)

Best Actress
Winner: Zhou Xun (Perhaps Love)
Nominees:
- Sammi Cheng Sau-Man (Everlasting Regret)
- Karena Lam Ka-Yan (Home Sweet Home)
- Sylvia Chang (Rice Rhapsody)
- Karen Mok Man-Wai (Wait 'Til You're Older)

Best Actor
Winner: Tony Leung Ka-Fai (Election)
Nominees:
- Aaron Kwok Fu-Sing (Divergence)
- Simon Yam Tat-Wah (Election)
- Tony Leung Ka-Fai (Everlasting Regret)
- Andy Lau Tak-Wah (Wait 'Til You're Older)

Best Director
Winner: Johnnie To Kei-Fung (Election)
Nominees:
- Derek Yee Tung-Sing (2 Young)
- Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, Alan Mak Siu-Fai (Initial D)
- Peter Chan Ho-Sun (Perhaps Love)
- Tsui Hark (Seven Swords)

Best Picture
Winner: Election
Nominees:
- Initial D
- The Myth
- Perhaps Love
- Seven Swords




Honestly, I find most of locally made movies of low quality, and even the selection of titles is poorly done as if there was a glut of Hong Kong films. I haven't watched a lot of them but judging from my past movie experiences, film reviews and feedback from local Chinese and foreign friends, the movies produced are more of a single episode of a sitcom rather than a movie you'd like to queue and spend 50 bucks on it.

I was wondering even more that Jackie Chan don't seem to gain enough popularity or generate some pride given his popularity abroad. Most of the time I ask about him or his movies, many of those whom I ask would tell me his movies are so so or plainly say "I don't like him". Back in the Philippines, the news about Cesar Montano starring in a Hollywood movie was greeted with much adoration and joy. Maybe that says something of the standards of HK film critics and the easy go lucky attitude of Pinoy fans.

Hongkong Tramway Survey

Yesterday was an official holiday here. It marked the end of winter yet an informal way to greet spring. At this time, it is assured that there are no more "Cold weather warnings" to be enforced by the Hong Kong Observatory.

The Ching Ming festival allows people to visit the grave of loved ones dating back thousands of years ago. This time it is held on the 5th of April. For some reason there are two holidays HK people observe in visiting departed relatives. Ching Ming is the first and the second is the Chung Yeung festival which also leads people to the cemeteries and takes place sometime in October.

I spent the day revamping my web site and "exploring" Hong Kong one more time. I had the luxury to go out at night time after finishing off the blogs section (at the Features section my 2002 entry about Hong Kong life seems too currency conscious; a lot of conversion is noticeable). The exploration happened in Hong Kong island where I took the Hongkong Tramway from Sheung Wan to Quarry Bay. I missed my camera and I felt my blog is incomplete without a photo. But I leave images to the imagination to my readers on how descriptive I am. The gruelling forty plus minute butt-aching ride which yielded the following observations:

1. The UA Cinema which left Pacific Place months ago is to be replaced by another cinema. By the way Windsor Cinema in Causeway Bay is now part of the UA Cinema family.
   
2. The chinaware shop along Everwin Mansion at Johnston Road in Wan Chai never seem to run out of "Last NN days". Several weeks ago I saw a familiar "Last 7 days poster".
   
3. The famous old building at Ship Street in Wan Chai are now ready for demolition, an impending phaseout of Hong Kong's historic buildings in lieu of more practical yet expensive buildings to be managed by the Urban Renewal Authority.
   
4. The old big CRC in Causeway Bay was at the stage of rebuilding when I used to live South Horizons and wait for bus 592 at Mitsukoshi on my way home. Now I just noticed it's occupied by HSBC, a watch store and a rebranded CRC shop.
   
5. I can't seem to end my praises for Hong Kong Central Library in Tin Hau because of its outstanding public service. It's a holiday but it remained open until 9pm.
   

I wish I started in Kennedy Town and ended in Shaukeiwan, but I have to spare myself the agony of the uncomfortable plastic seats (I prefer the wooden ones downstairs) despite the improvisation made by the tram company. It's the cheapest way to observe the metropolis and the only thing missing is a handy camera.

Feeding The Machines

I was happy to see Junjun's been linking to this blog through its RSS feeds. He showed a familiar page title on his PDA screen and asked if I would be putting up the same feeds at my blog in my web site (www.cagape.com). I said I will, but at the way things are going now, I am more poised to redesign the site (again!) before paying attention to my blogs. To date, I never got an entry for April on that blog.

Anyway, that one is RSS-compliant: http://www.cagape.com/blogs/feed/

Hope that works.

The Sevens Fever Rages On

Expected results with favorites Fiji, England and New Zealand winning over the tournament minnows as the Cathay Pacific-Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens games were in full blast. Despite strong crowd support for the hosts, Hong Kong was still unable to capitalize scoring a single point as it appeared happless against England, 0-52. Singapore also got the same humiliation with a 0-52 bludgeoning from New Zealand. Fiji cruised to a 52-7 win over Madagascar.

In a game of big and quick men, it's obvious that the South Pacific islanders have the edge, as shown in their performance in the recent outings.

Hong Kong Sevens merchandise sold at an average cost of around HK$ 250 (shirts, jackets, replica ball, dvd, etc) were selling like hotcakes at the basement of Landmark in Central. Zandro was lucky to squeak with one; Jay was not as lucky finding the right shirt size.

I do not monitor the games but I still lean on Fiji to win the title.