Filipino Achiever: Angelo Ortiz, World Class Pianist

Angelo Ortiz is what you can say, your typical neighborhood kid. But hanging out with his cousin during one summer time, had brought a remarkable change in his life.

Curious with his cousin’s organ lessons, Angelo then asked for a piano from his parents persistently, but received a toy piano instead from ‘Santa Claus’. Surprisingly, he was able to play music with the toy piano without any guidance or assistance. Seeing the potential and interest, Angelo’s parents then bought him a real piano that started his formal piano lessons. At his young age, the piano teacher was able to see the potential and the talent that she advised Angelo’s parents to pursue the training, and he never stopped playing since then. READ MORE...

Filipino Artist: Jo Layug Loignon

Jo Layug Loignon was born in the Philippines but spent most of her life abroad in Europe, the United States, Africa, Middle East and Asia. Late this summer, she returned to the Philippines from Cambodia with her husband who recently retired from the Canadian diplomatic service.

Jo started out as a printmaker. During her husband’s assignment in Hong Kong, she worked as a freelance photographer and experimented with non-silver photography, a process which she took delight in because of the endless possibilities it offered. READ MORE...

Festivals: CocoFestival 2009

San Pablo city, known to be the City of Seven Lakes started their Coconut Festival in 1996 by Mayor Vicente Amante, celebrating the abundance of coconut in the city, which, has been a major role in the livelihood of the people. The festival serves as a gateway to showcase the products of San Pablo and to promote tourism in the city. The week long celebration has several activities that cater to young and old alike. READ MORE...