The Philippine Azkals

Congratulations to the Third Place winners of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012. For a basketball-crazy country, Football is definitely making the Filipinos take a second look at this beautiful game. Now, we have something to be proud of again.

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Pyromusical Fireworks 2012: Italy and The Philippines

Last Saturday I trooped back to SM MOA to watch the closing of the Pyromusical International Competition. The last night of the competition featured fireworks from Italy and a special exhibition from the Philippines. Everyone was looking forward to the fireworks musical display from the Philippines but somehow in the middle of the fireworks display something happened that they have to pause the display first and fix the technical glitch. The crowd waited for a good 10 minutes before the fireworks display continued but the momentum was broken already so the feeling wasn't as hyped as when it started.

Still it was an amazing display of fireworks both from Italy and the Philippines. The winner of the competition was Canada (which presented their fireworks display a week ago).

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Defining Racism: Storified

Interesting discussion in cybersphere regarding the supposed racist remarks of Arnold Clavio, a TV news personality, against the Philippine Azkals Team. By the way, the Philippine Azkals made history yesterday for beating the former AFC Challenge Cup Champions Tajikistan 2-1. They are now in the Semi-Finals (for the first time) of the AFC Challenge Cup and will have to beat Turkmenistan to enter the Finals.

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Summer Is Here: To The Beach

PAGASA officially declares the coming of Summer in the Philippines. I have yet to plan out my summer fun and I am not sure if I can find my steps into the white ivory sands of a beach somewhere. I am sure that I can find time. For now, I am content with daydreaming about the beaches I have visited in the past. How I wish I can be back in one of those beaches, lying on my back with a pineapple juice or root beer on my hand and some good vibes pouring out of my headset.

Cozumel, Mexico

No Name Bar Poolside, Cozumel, Mexico

Seven-Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Dakak, Dapitan, Philippines

Night Entertainment at Dakak

Boracay, Aklan, Philippines

Florida Beach, USA

Forest Park Water Resort, Bacolod City, Philippines

Sipalay, Negros Occidental, Philippines

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Pyromusical International Competition: Fireworks Over The Mall of Asia

For the past 3 years, the SM Mall of Asia has been sponsoring the Philippine International Pyromusical Fireworks Competition. For this year, 11 countries participated in this spectacular event happening at SM MOA's By The Bay area every Saturday. Last Saturday, I finally had the chance to watch the show. It was between Australia and Canada. Next Saturday will be the last part of the competition and it will feature fireworks from Italy and the host country, The Philippines.

It was definitely a wonderful spectacle to see amazing fireworks display accompanied by heart-pounding music. During the competition between Australia and Canada, I loved Australia's fireworks better although Canada I think gets the pie for having a well-orchestrated music accompaniment.

To watch the show, you need to purchase tickets ranging from 100 pesos to 1500 pesos. To avail of seats, you can purchase a 300-pesos worth of ticket. Last Saturday they were giving away discounts (Buy one, get two) or avail of the Gold ticket for only 150 pesos (50% discount). What I did was to purchase a discounted Gold Ticket and then have it upgraded to VIP (a 150-peso save).

I am still sitting on the fence whether to watch this Saturday or not. I do want to see how the Philippine would conduct their fireworks display.



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Visiting The Vice President At The Coconut Palace

Last Wednesday, together with 9 mayors, 10 municipal health officers, representatives from the University of Makati and Zuellig Family Foundation, we paid a visit to the Vice President of the Philippines in his office at the Coconut Palace. As described in Wikipedia, "The Coconut Palace, also known as Tahanang Pilipino (Filipino Home), is the official residence and principal workplace of the Vice President of the Philippines. Located at the CCP Complex, in Pasay, south of the centre of Manila, it was commissioned by former First Lady Imelda Marcos for Pope John Paul II's visit in 1981. However, the pope declined the offer, saying that it was too ostentatious a place to stay while in the poverty-stricken Philippines. The Palace's architect Francisco Mañosa, later claimed that the Coconut Palace - a showpiece on the versatility of the coconut and its viability as an export - was planned long before the Pope even decided to visit the country."

It was my first time to visit the Coconut Palace and my first time to meet Vice-President Jejomar Binay. Many are saying that he is a strong contender for the Presidency in 2016. The palace is located on F. Ma. Guerrero Street at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex between the Folk Arts Theatre and the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Before becoming the official residence of the Vice President, the palace was best known for wedding receptions.

It was a cordial meeting with the Vice President. During the visit, he willingly shared his thoughts about public health and shared his experience as a mayor running his own local health system. I felt that he was comfortable surrounded by mayors having been a former mayor himself. He talked in their own language and it seemed that the Mayors looked up to him almost like a big brother. The Vice President is a strong advocate of local government empowerment.

During the visit, Senator Bong-Bong Marcos dropped by to thank the Vice President for allowing him to use one of the conference rooms for his meeting.

It was a good experience for everyone. The Coconut Palace itself is not only beautiful but very historic. The Coconut Palace has been a guesthouse for many guests, including Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, Brooke Shields and George Hamilton (his favorite room was said to be the Zamboanga Room). The Coconut Palace has found itself being featured in various TV shows. On the fifth season of the reality series The Amazing Race, the Coconut Palace served as the pit stop when the competing teams went to Manila.

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Panaad Sa Negros 2012

Panaad sa Negros, dubbed as the Mother of all Festivals in Negros Occidental, is the province's summer activity for every Negrense. It is usually hosted in Bacolod City at the Panaad Park in Barangay Mansilingan. This year, the Panaad Festival is scheduled on April 9 - 15, 2012. The following are the schedule of activities for this year's Panaad Festival.

DAY I, APRIL 9 (MONDAY)

06:00 a.m. Hataw sa Panaad w/ Ching’s Group (Panaad Football Field)
07:30 a.m. The Great Titan Lifesaving Sports Festival (Panaad Swimming Complex)
08:00 a.m. Panaad Thanksgiving Mass (2F Panaad Stadium)
09:00 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for:
Panaad Tourism & Trade Fair @ LGU Pavilions*
Negros’ Best Products Display, NOTLDC (2F Panaad Stadium, North Wing)*
Organic na Negros Agri-Fest (GF Panaad Stadium, North Wing)*
Livestock & Dairy Products Fair (GF Panaad Stadium North Wing Grounds)*
Festival Costumes Exhibit & Competition (GF Panaad Stadium, South Wing)*
Eco-Garden & Wellness Show (South area across Candoni Booth)*
Environmental Information Advocacy (2F Panaad Stadium)*

02:00 p.m. Motorcade & LGU Floats Competition (Provincial Capitol to Panaad Park)
04:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony & Festival Dance Competition (Panaad Stadium)
Fireworks Display

8:00 p.m. GMA “Kapuso” Show (Stadium)

DAY II, APRIL 10 (TUESDAY)

06:00 a.m. Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Panaad Football Field)
07:30 a.m. The Great Titan Lifesaving Sports Festival (Panaad Swimming Complex)
Athletics (Panaad Field)

08:00 a.m. Chess (Stadium VIP Room)
10:00 a.m. Daily Trade Fair & Exhibits @ various venues (refer to Day 1)
01:00 p.m. Drum & Bugle Competition, Secondary Level (Panaad Football Field)
02:00 p.m. Boxing (2nd Level South Wing, Panaad Stadium – weigh-in @ 7:30-10am)
07:00 p.m. Negros Pop Music Festival – Composo/Pop Song Writing Competition (Panaad Stadium)
08:00 p.m. NOPSSCEA Cultural Show (Panaad Park Stage)

DAY III, APRIL 11 (WEDNESDAY)

06:00 a.m. Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Panaad Football Field)
07:30 a.m. The Great Titan Lifesaving Sports Festival (Panaad Swimming Complex)
Athletics (Panaad Field)

08:00 a.m. TESDA Livelihood Skills Olympics (Panaad Covered Court)
Chess (Panaad Stadium VIP Room)
UPLBAA Annual Panaad Seminar (venue TBA)

10:00 a.m. Daily Trade Fair & Exhibits @ various venues (refer to Day 1)
01:00 p.m. Taekwondo (2nd Level North Wing, Panaad Stadium, weigh in @ 9-11am)
02:00 p.m. Boxing (2nd Level South Wing, Panaad Stadium – weigh-in @ 7:30-10am)
03:00 p.m. Latin Dance Sport – Adult, Senior & Juvenile Categories (NOMPAC Gym)
07:00 p.m. RMN Panaad Hip Hop Challenge (Panaad Park Stage)
08:00 p.m. UNILEVER “Pop Fiesta” (Panaad Stadium)

DAY IV, APRIL 12 (THURSDAY)

06:00 a.m. Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Panaad Football Field)
3K & 5K Road Race (Panaad Stadium)

07:30 a.m. The Great Titan Lifesaving Sports Festival (Panaad Swimming Complex)
Athletics (Panaad Field)

08:00 a.m. Chess (Panaad Stadium VIP Room)
Taekwondo (2nd Level North Wing, Panaad Stadium)

10:00 a.m. Daily Trade Fair & Exhibits @ various venues (refer to Day 1)
02:00 p.m. Boxing (2nd Level South Wing, Panaad Stadium – weigh-in @ 7:30-10am)
03:00 p.m. Environmental Activity – PEMO (2F Panaad Stadium)
Provincial Capitol Employees’ Day (Panaad Park Stage)

05:00 p.m. Visayan Folk Dances Competition (Panaad Stadium)
09:00 p.m. Technical Rehearsal, Lin-ay sang Negros Pageant (Panaad Stadium)

DAY V, APRIL 13 (FRIDAY)

06:00 a.m. Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Panaad Football Field)
07:30 a.m. The Great Titan Lifesaving Sports Festival (Sipalay City)
08:00 a.m. Swimming (Panaad Swimming Pool)
10:00 a.m. Daily Trade Fair & Exhibits @ various venues (refer to Day 1)
02:00 p.m. Boxing (2nd Level South Wing, Panaad Stadium)
08:00 p.m. MOR Local Stock – Ilonggo Music Fest (Panaad Park Stage)
Lin-ay sang Negros Pageant & Coronation Night (Panaad Stadium)

DAY VI, APRIL 14 (SATURDAY)

06:00 a.m. Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Panaad Football Field)
Murcia – Panaad Run

07:30 a.m. Governor’s Cup Panaad National Golf Tournament, Vice Mayor’s League (NOGCC)
The Great Titan Lifesaving Sports Festival (Sipalay City)

08:00 a.m. Swimming (Panaad Swimming Pool)
Farmers Day Celebration & Farmers Forum (venue TBA)

10:00 a.m. Daily Trade Fair & Exhibits @ various venues (refer to Day 1)
02:00 p.m. Panaad Derby Opening (Panaad Covered Court)
Boxing (2nd Level South Wing, Panaad Stadium – weigh-in @ 7:30-10am)

07:00 p.m. Outstanding Farmers & Firsherfolk Awards – OPA/PVO w/ ABS-CBN (Panaad Stadium)
09:00 p.m. ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Fiesta Caravan (Panaad Stadium)

DAY VII, APRIL 15 (SUNDAY)

06:00 a.m. Hataw sa Panaad w/ Ching’s Group (Panaad Football Field)
07:30 a.m. Governor’s Cup Panaad National Golf Tournament, Vice Mayor’s League (NOGCC)
The Great Titan Lifesaving Sports Festival (Sipalay City)

10:00 a.m. Daily Trade Fair & Exhibits @ various venues (refer to Day 1)
02:00 p.m. Panaad Derby (Panaad Covered Court)
03:00 p.m. Closing Ceremony w/ Awarding & Presentation of Winners (Panaad Stadium)
07:00 p.m. Drumbeating Showcase/Fireworks Display
Silka Sponsored Show (Park Stage)

08:00 p.m. Corporate Show/Concert (Panaad Stadium)

For more details, you may contact the Provincial Tourism Center/Office.


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