The Ragnarok Journey Launch Party (in Videos)

Here are some of the videos I took of the recent Ragnarok Journey PH launch party held at the Glorietta Activity Center, Makati last Sunday. It was full of Ragnarok enthusiasts and mall-goers who were intrigued by the game and the entertainers who were present during the event.

I guess the highlight was the introduction of the Ragnarok Journey PH Influencers including Ann Mateo, Alex Diaz, Bekimon and Shehyee. There was also a raffle for a brand new motorbike plus performance of 6cyclemind.

What I like about the launch party is that Chief Operating Officer (COO) Yoshinori Kitamura took a time off from his busy schedule to welcome guests and players to the event. I mean, he could simply ask someone else from Gravity represent him, but he did it himself. He’s also excited and focus on the Philippine market.

Check out some of the videos.

Technorati Tags: Ragnarok Journey PH,Ragnarok Online

Gravity Launches Ragnarok Journey PH

Gravity just announced the release of Ragnarok's latest incarnation -- Ragnarok Journey. It's basically Ragnarok Online but for browser. No need to install a client on your PC. It’s also referred to as Casual MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game).

In today's launch party held at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati, no less than Gravity Chief Operating Officer (COO) Yoshinori Kitamura announced the launched of Ragnarok Journey PH (ROJPH) – browser MMORPG where players can battle against colorful monsters, gain new abilities and participate in quests in a fantasy world.

Here’s what different about Ragnarok Online:

• Auto play – Turn it on and your character goes on full auto mode killing monsters and looting.
• Choose a specialized class at level 10 – such as Magician (Mage) or Swordsman.
• Characters can also accumulate new abilities by manually adding skill points. You can unleash devastating attacks on colorful monsters (the same model used in the classic PC Ragnarok Online).
• Undertake quests from NPCs and enjoy daily rewards just like great MMORPGs.

Betong Sumaya (of GMA 7) and Arianne Bautista hosted the event with several performances from Gracenote. I guess the highlight of the launch party is the introduction of the game’s ambassadors – Ann Mateo, Alex Diaz, Bekimon and Shehyee.

There was also a performance by 6cyclemind and a guy from The Voice PH. This event is made possible through partnership with ROG - Republic of Gamers, Redragon, Seagate, Nissin Yakisoba, Jack ‘n Jill Calbee, Universal Robina Corporation among others.

Please visit Ragnarok Journey PH page at www.facebook.com/RagnarokJourneyPH and pre-registration page http://www.playrowebph.com/preregistration/preregistration.aspx

Players and mall-goers lining up to one of the sponsors. Events like these is a great venue to get to know new tech companies providing computers, gadgets and peripherals. I’ve seen amazing keyboard, mouse and headset from Redragon as well as ultra slim external hard drives from Seagate.

My fellow iRO Thor citizen and Assassin Cross expert Reginald Bueno with Liliana Bae, Business Division / Global Business Group Supervisor. She gave a press conference at the nearby coffee shop. I asked if there will be a Port Malaya (Philippine Map) included but not at this point.

The four horsemen, errr I mean, influcencers, of Ragnarok Journey – Shehyee, Ann Mateo, Alex Diaz and Bekimon. They played Pinoy Henyo featuring words from Ragnarok. Their words were Peco-Peco, Poring (winner) and Acolyte.

Gracenote in the house. One of the numerous musicians who entertained the crowd. I love it when they mix Ragnarok with local bands. I hope there will be another CD featuring songs created just for the Ragnarok fans.

Bekimon – also one of the influencers who’s going to play the game.

Technorati Tags: Ragnarok Journey PH,Ragnarok Online

Technorati Tags: Ragnarok Journey PH,Ragnarok Online

Taal Basilica (1575) in Pictures

It’s one of my bucket list – to be able to visit the largest Roman Catholic Church in South East Asia: Taal Basilica. It’s located in the quiet town of Taal in the province of Batangas (south of Manila). As a bonus to my trip to Taal, I was amazed at the number of old (and preserved) houses. It is at par with Ilocos, Talisay and Pila (Laguna).

The marker on the church façade states:

Ang Basilika ng Taal (1575)

Unang itinayo ni Padre Diego Espina noong 1575 sa ngayon ay San Nicolas na dating bahagi ng Balangon. Nagiba noong 1754 nang pumutok ang bulkan. Ipinagawa sa kasalukuyang kinatatayuan nong 1755 at iginuho ng lindol noong 1849. Kinikilalang pinakamalaking simbahang Katoliko sa dakong Silangan, ang kasalukuyang simbahan ay sinimulan noong 1856 ayon sa ibinalangkas ni Luciano Oliver, isang arkitekto, pinasinayaan ito noong 1865.

Taal Basilica (1575)

First constructed by Father Diego Espina in 1575 in San Nicolas (former part of Balangon). It was destroyed by volcanic eruption (of Taal Volcano) in 1754. It was rebuild in its present location in 1755 but was destroyed by earthquake in 1849. Recognized as the largest Catholic Church in the East, the current church was rebuild according to the plans of Architect Luciano Oliver starting 1856. It was completed in 1865.