Awesome !!!

Clarissa-Anne's few seconds "on air" whilst covering the MediaCorp Subaru Challenge 2012 at Takashimaya on 27 Oct 12, saw numerous numbers of calls and SMSes from those who caught a glimpse of her on the evening news.

Though she didn't get to view the coverage herself, the uncle had it "snapped" and its now duly recorded. Awesome, ya ?!!!

Comms at its best

It started with an SMS that Mom has a sprained ankle and it was subsequently upgraded to a possible hairline fracture, then the final confirmation that it was and the right foot is in a cast. By then, it made it to Facebook news and queries and comments flowed ....

Like the typical crisis management scenario, news were quickly uploaded and pictures taken for online transmission. What was probably lacking was the tag line for a media release. By the time it hit the next day's headlines, comments, views, "I likes" and well wishes were registered by family and friends, some came from US and Indonesia.

I guess the challenge now is to hobble around on one foot, climb 3 flights of stairs and having to keep the cast dry. It will be another 2-3 weeks of news flash and media / FB updates. In the meantime, keep the comments flowing. Guess this is what will happen in a family who is generally in the media management, visual communications, event management, profiling and information sharing scope of work.

Meet-up at New York

Guess when one wants to see places in New York, you really have to get to the TOP and getting to the TOP of the Rockefeller Center we did. The building which was name after JOHN D ROCKEFELLER Jr. has an observation deck at the 70th Floor, offering a good overview of New York City. Seen by day and by night, it provided paranoiac view for shutterbugs who finds all the glory angles for their snapshots.

Most significant of the NY Trip was a meet-up with the SOTOMIL Family. First met Francisca Pablo Palabrica (Bambie) in Dec 1973 at the 1st Asia-Pacific Jamboree @ Mt Makiling, Laguna, Philippines. It was a good re-union meet-up to celebrate our 39 years of scouting friendship. We are now planning for a 40th year bash to hopefully hold the get-together in Singapore.

Though a relatively short work cum holiday trip, had a fruitful time, walking the streets of New York and ending with a glimpse of the Hispanic Columbus Day celebration along the 5th Avenue, before heading to JFK International Airport for the 22 hrs journey back to Singapore.

Drama MaMa

Had a yummy dinner at Dian Xiaoer (NEX). Traditional duck, baby kai lan, sinful pork belly, sliced fish and pork rib soup was simply "shiok" !! While exiting the restaurant, the ever expressive no:#3 posed by the graphic wall... (Working for Oscar award ?)

4x Back-to-back trips in 4 weeks

This has to be one of my craziest schedule since taking on this 2nd career. Had 4 back-to-back trips, each having its different group of engagements.

The first of these in the series was to Jakarta, Indonesia. On the invitation of our partner organization, we followed through with a presentation at a seminar held at the Ritz Carlton, Mega Kuningan. Having past experience of being caught in massive traffic jams whilst heading for the airport from there, decided to remain at the Mangga Dua area where the hotel is only a stone-throw away from the highway to the airport. Unlike previous trips where Novotel Hotel was the preferred choice, we ventured to a boutique hotel known as the Amaris Hotel, Mangga Dua. Not too bad. Clean but really down to the basics. Positive aspect of this is that its within the same familiar Shopping Mall.

Next was the Maritime Week at Manila, Philippines. Met up with previous staff from the Centre and meeting up with old friends. Also, unlike previous trips where it was within the Traders' Hotel/Pan Pacific Hotel/Diamond Hotel area, ventured to the Heritage Hotel, which was the very first hotel that I've stay when I first visited the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in 2006 to kick start the Focal Point. Also took the opportunity to visit the campsite at Mt Mckinley where I had my first first trip abroad as a schoolboy for a Boy Scout Jamboree in 1973. It has changed and its now a well developed, posh residential area, under the branded name of McKinley Hill.

It was a KPI that I was hoping for when I first visited New Delhi, India in 2006 but didn't had the time nor opportunity to fulfill. It was finally within sight when I learned that the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) had organized a visit to the TAJ MAHAL @ Agra as its social event for the delegates of the meeting. A 4-hr journey by coach to the historical site commencing at 0630 hrs in the morning. Also visited the Agra Fort and a carpet/art & craft outlet within the same tour package before the return 4-hr journey back to Delhi. Completed the long delayed KPI that was not a self-planned activity.

After 3 continuous weeks of being at Jakarta, Manila and New Delhi, it was preparations for the final leg of the 4th venue in the back-to-back schedule ..... The BIG APPLE. Rushing through all the last minute presentation requirements and re-packing for the long haul trip.  This was certainly an unplanned trip courtesy of the organizer that had organized the last conference at Perth in July 2012. Guess, its a sense of achievement  to meet the various back-to-back requirements. One more for the final leg in NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA. Guess, its one of those ONE-OFF opportunity that came by. :p)

Amazing India

We first met in 2000 at Tokyo, Japan for what seem like an ordinary conference to address piracy and armed robbery against ships issues. The forum however spinned off to varies initiatives that saw several Expert Group Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta and Pattaya, the conduct of a series of Coast Guard Agencies forums and the formation of an International Organization in Singapore. Catching up with Hsu Sin Yun and Li Bing was a great start for the event at India.

Meeting in New Delhi, India, head of delegations and some supporting staff visited the famous TAJ MAHAL Leaving the hotel at 0630 hrs for a 4-hr road trip , 2 buses headed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site @ Agra.. Construction of this historical site began in 1632. The principal mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later.

The visit to the Taj Mahal and later Fort Agra was part of the Social/Cultural visit organized by our host, the Indian Coast Guard. At the meeting proper, also met several "old friends" from China, Thailand and Indonesia.Don in their uniform for the meeting proper, it was another session of photo opportunity during the coffee/lunch breaks.

Our sporting Japanese coordinator, Aiko also merged into the Indian culture by showing up in a Sari, during the farewell dinner after the formal meeting.

Though we didn't venture very much on our own beyond the hotel, our host certainly presented a different perspective of "Amazing India" :p)