The APPLE STORE on FIFTH AVENUE

View of the APPLE FLAGSHIP store on Fifth Avenue from BERGDORF GOODMAN

EVAN LYSACEK, US FIGURE SKATING NATIONAL CHAMPION at the WEEKEND TODAY SHOW

Evan Lysacek and Weekend Today anchors Amy Robach and Lester Holt

American figure skater EVAN LYSACEK performed at the Rockefeller Skating Rink yesterday, January 11 for the WEEKEND TODAY SHOW. Lysacek is the 2007 US National Champion, 2008 Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, and a two-time World bronze medalist (2005–2006). Lysacek is currently ranked fourth in the world. He was the United States Olympic Committee's Male Athlete of the Month for November 2006.

Weekend Today show is hosted by LESTER HOLT and AMY ROBACH. The weekend broadcasts continue the "Today" tradition of covering breaking news, interviewing newsmakers, reporting on a variety of popular-culture and human-interest stories, covering health and finance issues and presenting the latest weather reports. In addition, the show offers visitors to New York City a chance to observe firsthand the workings of a live television broadcast with its windowed studio on Rockefeller Plaza. Interaction with the crowd outside the studio is a major part of the program.

Weekend editions are tailored to the priorities and interests of weekend viewers—offering special series such as "Saturday Today on the Plaza," featuring live performances by the biggest names in music, and dance and theater from famed New York City shows outside the studio every weekend throughout the summer.

Lester Holt is also an anchor for the flagship broadcast "NBC Nightly News." In addition, Holt serves as fill-in anchor and correspondent for "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" and the weekday "Today" program. He also contributes to MSNBC, NBC’s 24-hour cable news network. Holt has reported from many of the world's hot spots. In 2006, he reported from the front lines in Lebanon on the war between Israel and Hezbollah and from London, he reported on the terror threat to U.S. bound-airliners from the UK. In 2005, Holt was on the ground for Hurricane Katrina covering events both in Louisiana and Mississippi, and later that fall covered Hurricane Rita in Texas.

KUBRADOR (THE BET COLLECTOR) at the MOMA Global Lens 2008

The Global Film Inititative presented the Filipino movie called KUBRADOR (THE BET COLLECTOR) at the Museum of Modern Art last Thursday night as part of the GLOBAL LENS film series. In attendance during the screening were the director JEFF JETURIAN and cast and crew led by actress GINA PARENO.

The story revolves around Amy, the family matriarch who makes ends meet by running a small convenience store out of her house in the slums of Manila. She is forced to supplement the family income by collecting bets for an illegal numbers game called "jueteng." The film is starkly realistic narrative that portrays a once-proud woman, haunted by memories of a dead son and hounded by the police, and her fragile and lonely life as a bet collector on the streets. Gina Pareno's portrayal is very effective.

I hope the next Filipino movie featured in a New York film festival is not set in the slums of Manila for a change.

GRAND CENTRAL INFORMATION STATION CLOCK

The ultimate meeting place in New York is Grand Central's Information Booth at the center of the concourse. At the top of this booth is one of the most recognizable icons of Grand Central, the four-faced clock. Each of the four clock faces are made from opal. Both Sotheby's and Christie's have estimated the value to be between US$10 million and US$20 million.

HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES in CENTRAL PARK

This is one of the horse-drawn carriages that are popular among tourists who want a picturesque and romantic way to visit Central Park. They can be found all year round lined up along Central Park South between 5th and 6th Avenues. Considered a New York City classic, these carriages have been featured in numerous movies. Animal rights activists however have been urging legislators to ban these carriages because they say horses are treated inhumanely. Above is a photo I took of a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park one snowy morning.

For more information on horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, call 212-736-0680 or visit www.centralparkcarriages.com.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

On my way to a friend's house to celebrate the New Year, I passed by this beautiful street on the Upper Westside. This is 67th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. On the right side is the ABC television network and on the left are residential buildings as well as the restaurant called Cafe Des Artistes.