My Day in Court

DLSU 's Jeron Teng

Don't get the wrong notion... I'm not getting sued! I just spent an entire afternoon at the FilOil Arena watching a basketball game between De La Salle University and South Western University. Now, I'm not much of a team sports person except for the fact that I did play varsity volleyball when I was in high school and college, I was more into individual sports like tennis, badminton and swimming. I was quite competitive and yes,  I was actively dancing until my thirties. But I'm not totally a nincompoop as far as basketball is concerned.

DLSU's Van Opstal in a dunk shot

So an invite from a friend to watch the game between DLSU and SWU was a welcome deviation from my daily routine. Alright, I confess I had to wear green! Just to blend in, though. I'm amazed at the high level of school spirit displayed by these kids from the more exclusive universities. They came in droves just to cheer their favorite players on. i came for a slightly different reason. I wanted to take photos!

what a rebound

And shoot photos I did! I had a heyday with all the live action I was taking in. It didn't take long, though, before I realized this was going to be a lopsided game. Notwithstanding the fact that SWU are champions in the Visayas region (CESAFI), the DLSU team made mincemeat out of the poor guests. I'd hate to say it... this went down horribly for the visiting team. Still and all, they put up a valiant front relying on their imports and on Francis Ortega.

SWU's Ortega

The archers were fast and furious eventually piling on point after point so by the time the buzzer went off for half time, it was obvious who's way the game was going. So I was glad the DLSU pep squad was there to sort of add some more entertainment value. I always tend to root a little for the underdog just to give them some credit. Mercifully, the SWU guys were great sportsmen. They gave it their best shot. So thanks for coming to Manila, guys!

DLSU's Torres

This early, you get an idea of just how strong the DLSU team is going to be for the next UAAP season. Pretty sure they're raring to take a shot at the championship. If Jerry Pingoy has to sit out two years of his playing years, they are gonna give the Blue eagles a run for their money. I just found out ADMU lost to UST in the following game which I didn't watch... Careful now!!!

Aliwan Fiesta 2013

Uncle Dougie?

I was at the junction of Quirino Avenue and Roxas Boulevard yesterday afternoon. I met up with new friends at a burger joint and we started talking about random stuff. Then we decided to slowly walk our way to the parade site. We had agreed to go on a photo shoot of the annual Mardi Gras that's organized by the Manila Broadcasting Corporation. Dubbed as the Aliwan Fiesta, the event gathers different regional organizations to take part in a hodge podge of activities that had become a yearly draw on Manila residents.

This year, a lot more regions took part in the parade that snaked its way from the Quirino Grandstand all the way to the Star City headquarters at the side of the CCP where the street dancing competitions were held. The parade, however, did not start on time. So a lot of waiting, eating street food and exchanging funny stories took place as we waited for the parade to begin. 

The parade began at nearly five. So as the first participants started passing us by, we had to make adjustments to our cameras to accommodate the fading light. I learned a lesson here... I failed to recharge my  dslr's battery so midway in my shoot, my dslr lost its juice. Glad I had the foresight to bring my micro four thirds camera.

No it didn't feel the same, but it was the best I could do under the circumstances. I had to take pictures with a minimum of equipment and a maximum of patience. So don't expect the best artsy-fartsy photos. You're not gonna get them this time. Sheeesh! 

It didn't stop me and my new found friends from having fun, though... It was grander this time, but they started later than the previous years. There were so many sidelights from the volume of  human traffic that was worth shooting but well...

I think this will become a major event i shall look forward to every summer. Kudos to MBC for never giving up on their pet project. The logistics are so amazing, I would shudder at how things got organized from planning to execution. There were  so many participants of the gay persuasion I think 20% of the gay population of the country was there either as a street dancer  or as amateur photographers.

Meantime, enjoy the pictures... ;-)

Marine Park and Resorts News

We're at it again! Making waves in the international tourism scene proves to be beneficial for the country these days. We're getting positive reviews from tourism stalwarts with our destinations and with our best tourism practices.

*image from www.elnidoresorts.com

First on our story today is that El Nido has been lauded as one of four leading sustainable tourism businesses and destinations worldwide. This comes as a great honor for the country's tourism drive since it was given by the World Travel and Tourism Council which is based in Abu Dhabi. Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2013 is considered the "Oscars" for tourism and so it's no ordinary feat to pull this one off. 

*photo from www.elnidoresorts.com

Owned by Ten Knots Corporation, El Nido has three resorts in Palawan: Lagen Island, Miniloc and another one being developed which used to be a privately owned resort. The award recognizes Ten Knots' efforts at sustainability of the islands and its ecological commitment to the environment as well as community development and local employment fro residents in the area. Apparently, at least 90% of its employees are residents in the community and the top management are locals who have worked and have been trained for management positions.

*image from inquirer.net

On a separate note, the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA) was recently included on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance The wetlands and mangrove area is visible as one enters the coastal road project en route to Cavite. This is the sixth largest marshland in the Philippines and the only one in the greater Manila area. LPPCHEA is a 175-hectare urban coastal wetland that covers two islands—Freedom Island in Parañaque and Long Island in Las Piñas—and some 30 hectares of dense mangrove forests. The Ramsar web post noted, however, that the site is under threat from “ongoing land reclamation projects and mangrove cutting” as well as   residential and industrial wastes from surrounding area.* 

*image from philstar.com

Kudos goes to Pas Pinas representative Cynthia Villar (now gunning for a senate post in the 2013 elections) for opposing the reclamation project in the area. With the RAMSAR certification, the area has become an internationally protected area and can be virtually untouched by any reclamation projects.

*image from globalpost.com

Now for some bad news, it hasn't been long since a US Navy minesweeper USS Guardian ran aground in our Tubbataha marine protected sanctuary. Last April 10 a Chinese fishing vessel that went into the protected marine area and did exactly the same thing, posing a threat to our marine resources in the area. 12 Chinese fishermen were apprehended and will be charged for poaching, damaging corals, bribery to park rangers and carrying explosives in their vessel. Republic Act 10067 which seeks to protect the area should and must be enforced at all costs now that the beauty of our natural resources is being noted worldwide. 

*Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/386293/bird-haven-defenders-get-international-boost#ixzz2QETWN1CV 

Full Moon Over Amici

Full moon on a Holy Wednesday

It's not a new restaurant! It's been around a long time and I've always liked going there when I'm in the area and I'm craving for an authentic Italian Pizza. I was there with friends when we were together over the lenten season. Holy Wednesday, to be exact.

It used to be a small family owned restaurant that catered to mothers and nannies who were waiting for their kids and wards while the kids were in school. It occupied a small portion of the corner lot right beside the Don Bosco Libreria. It has been renovated over the years, though. I didn't recognize it at first. the cafeteria style lay-out had been upgraded. The stations are still there. But the kitchen areas have been relegated to a back kitchen except for the pizza oven which would have been an effort to transfer to another spot.

Since then, Amici has grown immensely. They now have a branch in Greenhills which I have yet to visit if only to check on the quality control of their food. So far, on this visit to the Don Bosco branch, I still wasn't disappointed. 

We ordered a dish of Salmon Carbonara. It was light and creamy despite the cream sauce. The chunks of salmon were delightfully flaky and the skin was a bit crispy. The bread sticks were just right for dipping into the sauce while the pasta was al dente'd to perfection.

The pizzas we had were of two varieties: the quatro formaggio and the pepperoni. Both were obviously baked in wood fired ovens. The crusts had singe marks on the edges and was as thin as they could possibly be. I kept sprinkling chilli flakes on my pizza slices as I want my pizza hot and salty. 

The pepperoni pizza had nice bits and chunks of meat on it. It had porto bello mushroom slices as well that added to the flavor of the pizza. The quattro formaggio had stringy bits of cheese which I enjoyed. particularly because some of the parts were toasted almost burnt. Yeah, I know... I'm weird that way...

CCP Dance School Summer Dance Workshop

It's happening again!!! The CCP Summer Dance Workshop has begun immediately after Holy Week. This is the umpteeenth workshop started by what was formerly known as the the Cultural Center of the Philippines Dance Workshop that eventually evolved into the CCP Dance Company. It then changed its name to Ballet Philippines in the eighties but the dance school which trains young kids to become professional dance artists has retained its name: the CCP Dance School.

Since its inception, the school has produced world-class dance artists who have eventually moved on to pursue careers overseas. And most of them have branched out into other careers after retiring from performing. Yes, a dancer's career is short but sweet. So after  retiring, eventually they become dance educators, choreographers, production people... and some... even become stage mothers! 

This year, the dance recital comes in the heels of the Rudolf Nureyev International Dance Competitions in Budapest. Our contestants, JM Cordero and Jemimah Reyes have placed admirably well in the competitions gaining citations with the coaching of CCPDS School Director Victor Ursabia. So expect a great workshop and culminating activity n the dance recitals. God knows how many recitals I've performed in during my time.

So this year, the dance workshop participants will perform in Coppelia. The entire show will be re-staged by  an alumnus of the workshops: Verna Fajilan. The recital will closely follow the original libretto of the ballet with the score from Delibes.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Coppelia, the story revolves around Swanilda, a village girl that has caught the eye of a doll maker. Dr. Coppelius is a village eccentric who is enamored with her while Swanilda on her part has shown disdain towards him. In his frustration, he creates a doll in her likeness to confuse Swanilda's boyfriend, Franz. Bedlam ensues when Swanilda uncovers Dr. Coppelius evil plans when  she and Franz sneaks into  Dr. Coppelius home and she pretends to be the doll. All ends happily as She and Franz escape unscathed and they eventually get married and the village celebrates.

Since the story line revolves around dolls, this early little girls are excited to know what their costumes would look like. So I'm posting some of the designs here and hoping the costumes all turn out great to make all the aspiring young ballerinas pursue their dance training for years to come...

It's inspiring to see how little girls turn out after spending years of training in dance.

Chillin' at Mu Noodle House

Food is such an integral part in the Filipino tradition. We don't really ask our guests how they are... we ask' "have you eaten?" And so when we meet good friends after work or during our down time we usually meet them at a food joint.

I met my dear girl friends one afternoon at a restaurant recommended by another friend Mael. The Mu Noodle House had a soft opening at the second level of the newly re-launched Glorietta 2 wing right at the back area of the activity center of the mall.

It's a spankingly clean restaurant with a surprisingly concise menu of dishes that's appetizing and filling... and yes... very tasty!!! If you follow the TV show Restaurant Takeover, you would know that the less meals offered, the better the quality control over the meals served.

Sea cucumber

We had a hotpot of sea cucumber that tasted almost liie a TomYum. The sea cucumber was soft and tender and the soup had just the right amount of acidity. The vegetables were still on the crisp side but the flavors were all very distinct and the consistency of the soup was thick...almost glutinous, really...

Yang Chow and sea cucumber

The Yang Chow fried rice was served in a deep dish that looked to me like a flower pot. Nothing wrong with that, except I had to scoop it out. And I was too scared to scoop out everything from the deep dish. I would have to let my friends in on the experience.

Beef  Noodles

The noodles were also served in a hot pot. The slivers of beef were juicy and tender and no hint of beef cubes at all. The alfalfa sprouts were fresh and crisp and the poached egg was just perfect... soft egg white and a runny yolk. 

Oyster Cake

The oyster cake was served in a cast iron Tamago pan. I could taste the ocean in the oysters. It was still fresh and  tender. Not rubbery at all....The bean sprout was cooked but still crunchy and the top had a crunchy crust of fried onion and garlic...

There were five of us feasting on what we thought was a light meal... We were wrong! The staff was attentive. The service was efficient.  And to think the bill was a little less than two thousand pesos... Beat that!