Me and Manhattan

Published October 31, 2010 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

* Photo of myself with the view of Manhattan Sky Scrapers while inside a ferry tour

Manhattan is a picture-perfect city, with modern movie sceneries (yes, NYC is possibly the most filmed city ever). Who can ever forget classic movies such as Maid in Manhattan & Serendipity both filmed in Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Maid of Honor & Autumn in New York’s Bethesdan Fountain in Central Park, SATC-Day After Tomorrow-Spider Man’s New York Library, Kingkong’s Empire Estate… among others…You can visit most of these must-see tourist sites for free.

* Grand Central Station

You can spend the whole day if you explore Central Park, an oasis amidst busy New York streets. But it’s worth the time. And make sure you go inside the majestic Grand Central Terminal. Most likely, you’ll find yourself gawking in glitzy Times Square, which you have to experience during both day and night time. The great thing about Manhattan is that it’s truly a “walkable” city. It’s best experienced on foot but remember to avoid or shall I say DO NOT repeat the worst thing I ever than in my whole life! ….and that is to walk in Manhattan with my 4inch high-heels shoes! (See The Picture/ Evidence here)

* Grand Central & Chrysler Building

Visit famous skyscrapers and churches such as Rockefeller Center, Chrysler Building, New York Public Library, New York Wall Street Journal, the United Nations headquarters, Radio City Music Hall, Stock Exchange, Yankee Stadium, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Museums, among others. And while it costs about $20, you might as well as go up the observation deck of the Empire State Building to get a bird’s eye view of the city. (haven’t tried going up there yet, still waiting for someone special to accompany me there! Haha!)

Once you’ve taken the bus tour, it’s time to try the two other popular modes of transportation – the subway and taxis. The MTA New York City Subway is certainly the fastest and cheapest way to go around New York City. One trip costs $3 Get the Fun Pass for unlimited rides for the day for only $8 Of course, a trip to the Big Apple wouldn’t be complete without taking one of the city’s 10,000 yellow cabs.

The other must-eat in New York is steak. There are plenty of high-end steak houses in NYC like TGI-Fridays, Hard Rock and Bubba Gump but if you just want really cheap but really good snack while walking, try Sabrett Hotdogs! It’s all over Manhattan and all kinds of people are buying those! Tourist or not, Ladies in all races, Gents on a necktie or Tshirt, young or old, named it. I even have the guts to encouraged the crew with me on a layover to try it too! And Guess What!? Sabrett is now available in Philippines!

New York is also the mecca for shoppers. For high-end and fashion-forward shops, simply walk the entire length of Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Soho. Visit “destination” stores just because their famous or are attractions by themselves such as huge department stores including Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, World’s Largest Macy’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue.For Youngsters, go to Nintendo World or M&M’s World to see the Word’s biggest Wall of Chocolates!

* You may Shop with your Trolley bag if you’re tired of carrying loads of baggage or shop with your Freezing gear outfit, there’s no excuse not to go for shopping in New York! None!

…and last but not the least, if you’re too tired with the buzzing city why not try to hibernate in the Greeneries of Central Park, bring your iPod, favorite book or pair of sneakers and Viola time will just pass without you noticing it, did that already and it’s truly relaxing! I blogged aboutCentral Park Before: Read it at: https://starvillanueva.com/2009/06/28/central-park-new-york-usa/

Happy Anniversary Q’ways!

Published September 5, 2009 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”

I can’t believe how fast time flies, Q’ways Magazine is celebrating its first year Anniversary on this month’s issue!

Over the year, it’s fulfilling to be a part of Q’ways Team, I’m proud of the people who have helped us climbed the ladder of success by continuously sharing their skills and articles 13 From 8 Pages to 12! We owe the growth of the magazine to everyone. Thank You.

When Least Expected

GMA 7 Taping in our House!

Published August 21, 2009 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

Sine Novela Presents: Ngayon At Kailanman is a Philippine Drama on GMA Network. The original movie was released back in 1992 starring Sharon Cuneta & Richard Gomez. Now The series stars Heart Evangelista and JC De Vera.

The story begins in Hacienda Noche where Ayra Noche (Heart Evangelista) and Edwin Torres (JC De Vera) are best friends. Later on, they develop a love relationship. When Ayra’s father, Don Artemyo (Charlie Davao) finds out about this, the two are separated and Don Artemyo forced Ayra to move to United States. When Ayra returns, she finds out that Don Artemyo died and Ayra’s brother, Ronald (Luis Alandy) blames Edwin for it. Ayra listens to Ronald. Ayra also finds out that Edwin became the new owner of Hacienda Noche after Don Artemyo’s death. Ayra and Edwin become big time rivals. Ayra wants the Hacienda back but Edwin says no.

What makes this really worse is that Edwin has a new girlfriend named Donna Benitez (Arci Munoz). Donna feels hatred for Ayra and comes up with schemes for Ayra and Edwin. But soon, Edwin tricks Ayra into loving him.

Heart Evangelista, Bernard Palanca, JC De Vera,Joy Folloso (Recently Played little Darna), Dion Ignacio & Yayo Aguila, Used our house as for their taping of the Soap Opera.

View All The Pictures: http://starvillanueva.multiply.com/photos/album/117/GMA7_Taping_in_our_house

Now Showing:

http://wowpinoytv.blogspot.com/2009/09/ngayon-at-kailanman-090109-episode-62.html

http://wowpinoytv.blogspot.com/2009/09/ngayon-at-kailanman-090209-episode-63.html

Q’ ways Team

Published May 24, 2009 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

Another interesting meeting has been held last 5th and 18^th of May. Our roster indicates that the meeting should starts from 7am-2pm but because there’s tons of stuff to tackle, delegations, and brainstorming about what should be in or not, cover, features, articles, etc. The meeting always ends passed 3pm. It was fun though. It’s getting better and better as the team are becoming at ease to one another. Present in the meeting are the editors Frances & Vhon, along with Hema, Maheleqa, Istana, Lim and I.

There are lots of exciting features to watch out for June Issue. Manila will be featured in Q’world section, different types of massage that we can avail on layovers all over the world, Hotels with free internet & wifi is also included, and a lot more of surprises!

As early as now we are already preparing for the anniversary issue on September. We will featured an article entitled “StarStruck” it’s all about cabin crew who has encountered a celebrity on board. Fellow colleagues, if you happened to know someone or you have a picture with one of those Hollywood Celebrities that has been on our flight please send it to my email: Star.Villanueva@yahoo.com

* Overtime at Cheska’s flat… =)

* Q’ways is the in-house magazine of Qatar Airways for the crew members. Published by the cabin crew department of Qatar Airways.

Related Topic:
What Keeps me busy,My new Career!

Happy Anniversary Q’ways!

Do You Have What it Takes To Be A Flight Attendant’s Boyfriend?

Published April 13, 2009 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

Somebody made this and I would like to share this with you all… it’s soo funny! i’m sure you would like it too!

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A FLIGHT ATTENDANT’S BOYFRIEND?
by: ARLENE LEGASPI

You think you have what it takes to be a flight attendant’s boyfriend? Here are FEW things you have to put through. And that’s why they say these jet setters are the Top 3 Most Spoiled Girlfriends in the World. If you’re in a relationship with one: man, we give it up to you…. And If you’re planning to have one:

Be prepared, Be very very… prepared.

1. Do Not expect her to drive the car. She’s most not likely to have a driving license, she’d say “Babe, I only have a passport.”

2. Familiarize yourself with SKYPE, YM’s. VoIPs. She worships those amazing discoveries.

3. DO treat her like a princess before she can treat you like her king. Get ready for statements like “Buy me food, or else Ill break up with you!”

4. DO NOT be surprised if she wants you to take several shots of vaccines: Hepa B, Hepa A, Meningitis, Yellow Fever etc. etc.

5. Stay away when her roster comes out. That’s the next worse time to PMS.

6. BE grateful of her smile. You get it for free. IN the skies, it’s worth 6 digits.

7. BE READY to see yourself 5 to 10 years from now. She wants a man who knows his direction.

8. DO give importance to time, preferably Military time. 21:16 is NEVER the same as 21:17

9. DO NOT wake her up when she’s sleeping, even if you wonder “ she must be hungry after sleeping 18 hours already!” Again, LET her wake up by herself.

10. DO NOT mess with how she arranges her suitcase. Boots are for Boots sack, shampoos are for toilettries, undies are for undies bag and so on.

11. DO NOT expect her to remember names of your friends in one sitting.

12. DO NOT accuse her of bragging when she says she went to Paris for Coffee or just hit the gym in Berlin. She’s just plainly, innocently telling you a story.

13. Do not get intimidated by the beautiful men around him, chances are she’s already used to/sick of seeing hotness in form. Those men have lost their beauty.

14. DO NOT call her on the phone when she’s on Standby. DO NOT… ever.

15. Do NOT question why Half of the dresses in her closet has never been worn, and she still complains, she doesn’t have anymore.

16. Do Not remove any clothes you think is too much in his suitcase, remember: she has four sets of outfit in her suitcase: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Fall.

17. She expects you to learn how to read an Aviator watch.

18. And when she gives you that expensive Aviator watch, Do not Ask her: “ what time is it there in Khartoum?”

19. The next best gift to a Limited Louis Vuitton bag is a fancy Dual Time Watch.

20. She carries a First Aid Kit with her and 26 kinds of Supplements: Vit C,E,A,B, anti-Oxidants, Gingko Biloba, Evening Primrose Oil, Horseradish Capsules, etc. etc. even those Pills (damn-those!) you request her to take everyday!

21. At least buy McDonalds before your holiday flight, she prefers it over aircraft food, and yes even over the caviars in first class cabin.

22. Understand that discovering a designer dress on the clearance rack can be considered a peak life experience.

23. Make sure of the inaccuracy of your bathroom scale.

24. Remind her which country she is in first thing when she wakes up in the morning

25. During dinner, when she asks you whether you like chicken or beef… Oboohooy! you better think fast!

26. Begin to be scared when you oversee a long line in Immigration, she has zero tolerance on airport queues.

27. Work your muscle for a trip together, you’ll be carrying at least four baggages for her. A Gucci make-up bag, a Paul Smith, a World Traveller Trolley, and a Burberry Laptop bag at least for a Domestic Flight.

28. A bouquet of flowers is THE if not, THE ONLY way to say “I missed you” when you pick her up at the airport.

29. Prepare yourself for her jetlag, otherwise known as the PFS or the POST Flight Syndrome. You should be awake when she is and asleep when she is . You don’t want to see a whole 72 hours of tantrums.

30. And lastly, it might seem like she thinks she is overqualified for love. But DO remember that in reality, she feels like she is just an ordinary girl standing in front of a boy, asking him…

For a foot rub… after a damn…long flight. ☺

What an ANGEL says..

Published August 29, 2008 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

An Angel says, ‘Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn’t happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.’

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9.. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19 Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to an audio cd while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to try to pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 … Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

Missing Home…

Published August 28, 2008 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

Home is where one feels complete, whole, safe, happy & satisfied. But there’s a big question I have in mind. Why do people leave home? Why do people leave their comfort zone to embark on a journey trudging on foreign soil? Bearing the cold, slumber less night and the scorching heat of the day?

Many will say they had no choice but to do it. Others will say they chose to follow a dream. For whatever reason one has, they were seeking something, seeking opportunities elsewhere, seeking realities to their dreams. Seeking to develop & find themselves.

Why does one have to leave in order to find something? Why can’t it be that a person stay put, search, find what they’re looking for and remain where they are? Is it because that in order to find “that something” one would have to take a few steps. and then a couple more steps. Until before one knows it, they are already far.

This is not always bad. Moving forward means that you are doing something for improvement. Knowing that you are not idle can mean something. But knowing that where you are headed towards will lead to find your way back home (at the right time) gives one purpose.

I’m still enjoying the ropes of independence and if I were to ask the most important thing one should realize out of this whole circumstance is that every single one that’s physically away from home establishes a deep relationship with oneself. You only have yourself to count on. Surely you may be surrounded by many people, few good friends but at the end of the day your just by yourself.

I can say I am a bit used to this feeling of being far. But one can never fully adjust to being away from the place called home. One can temporarily forget. Or one can temporarily occupy every conscious minute. But deep within that void will always shout out for that need to be filled. A Family… A place called HOME…