Aliwan Festival 2008

Gathering of the best of the best as they say. 24 contingents from across the nation gathered together to showcase their creativity, ingenuity, craftsmanship and culture, all aiming to grab the grand prize. Still, most of them are already happy and considered themselves as winners just to be able to go to Manila for the first time and enjoy its sights, sounds and food.

Floats and dancers crowd the streets of Quirino grand stand 12nn last May 3 to prepare for the parade going to CCP. Being a first timer in the event, I was not able to take pictures during the day time for I was planning to do it during the parade. Unfortunately, heavy rains poured down that caused a great delay in the procession. Night time falls when I discovered I have to be in the Aliw theater if I want to take a glimpse, photos and videos of their special performances. Nevertheless, I am still proud to be able to take part in this event. No great pictures to show, but have a great story to tell. READ MORE...

French Spring 2008 in Manila

The Philippines has always been known for having only two seasons.But in between the dry and rainy season, there’s spring. French Spring that is!

For several years now the French Embassy, in association with Alliance Française de Manille and together with the much-appreciated support of generous sponsors, has brought a fabulous festival and celebration of French art and culture to Manila!

The French Spring provides a varied showcase of French culture to a broad and growing Filipino public every year. Created with the objective of building on an increasing artistic collaboration between France and the Philippines, the French Spring has been a tremendous success. As part of this unique festival's mission, exciting artistic and cultural workshops involving Filipino local artists are programmed. Every year the French Spring offers to bring to Manila an array of topnotch artists, and cutting-edge French productions covering the fields of dance, music, circus, food and visual arts. It is a stunning three month-long celebration of the very best in French culture. READ MORE...

AS SWEET AS “PEACH,” AS EASY AS “PIE!”

Two of the country’s most exceptional actresses star in the super-spectacular family comedy “Manay Po 2… Overload!” Rufa Mae Quinto and Cherry Pie Picache are caught in hilarious crossfires in this sequel of Regal Entertainment’s tremendous box-office hit.

Rufa Mae is the bungling but beautiful babymaker whom the gay characters of Polo Ravales and Sid Lucero hire so they could have an heir. In spite of her ineptness, Rufa Mae’s bosomy presence creates tension between the gay couple, leading to constant LQs between Polo and Sid. Meantime, Cherry Pie’s character is “nagngingitngit sa selos.” She suspects that her partner played by Christian Vazquez might be having an affair with a sexy star played by Rubirubi.

Isang pinagseselosan, isang nagseselos? How will these ladies deal with the conflicts? And who will emerge as victors in the complicated love triangles? One thing for sure is that the audience of “Manay Po 2” will be the winners; they’ll certainly enjoy the comedic touches of Rufa Mae and Cherry Pie. Rufa Mae, also known as Peachy in the showbiz circles, has perfected the craft of making people laugh with her offbeat delivery of dialogue and patented quirky movements and gestures. Cherry Pie, meanwhile, is a cool comedienne who delivers the laughs with a twitch of an eyebrow, a witty one-liner or a surprising expression.

Both Rufa Mae and Cherry Pie are also “sukis” of Regal for comedy films. Cherry Pie, of course, was the distressed mother of three gay sons in the blockbuster “Manay Po;” she was also in “Ako Legal Wife!” where she traded barbs with Rufa Mae –-- whose performance as the eccentric sexologist in “Desperadas” has people laughing up to this day. Truly multitalented, Peachy and Pie are among the few actresses in Philippine entertainment who’ve won recognition and awards for comedy films.

As far as girl power is concerned, a “bonus” in MP2 is the presence of wacky Rubrubi who got raves for her performance in “Hide and Seek.” Playing the jittery maid, Rubirubi was the comic relief in the hit horror film. In MP2, Rubirubi plays sexy star Summer Rain.

“Manay Po 2… Overload!” is truly overloaded with stars: Polo Ravales, John Prats, Jiro Manio, Sid Lucero, Mike Tan, Alex Castro, IC Mendoza, Giselle Sanchez Marco Alcaraz, and more. This Regal family comedy extravaganza written by Dinno Erece and directed by Joel Lamangan.

More in http://daigdigpinoy.com

Tata’s handmade motorbike

His deep fascination with motorbikes is not what caught our attention. When he was introduced to us by Jerry Sires, another motorbike lover, we were informed that his bike is one of its kind. So by the time we arrived to look at Tata’s motorbike, there it was, a stainless, handmade motorbike caught our attention amongst all other motorbikes in the mall parking lot. READ MORE...

The Best of Dolphy and Panchito

Alpha Music releases THE BEST OF DOLPHY AND PANCHITO, which easily bests other novelty albums with its witty, no-nonsense comedy.

This is one funny album highly recommended for anyone looking for a good time and plenty of laughs. READ MORE...

Daigdig Pinoy - 3rd issue

Daigdig Pinoy's November-January 2008 issue is now available.
Grab your FREE copy NOW! CLICK HERE...

12th PIHABF

See more pictures in www.daigdigpinoy.com

Sulfur pool and Negros heritage houses

First stop is Mambukal Resort, one of the oldest tourist destinations in the province that is rich in natural resources. It lies 1,200 feet above sea level and serves as a gateway to Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park. This 23.6 hectares resort got 11 overnight cottages, a bath house that is built in 1927 where you can enjoy an old concept of a spa, a food court area, 3 swimming pools (2 of which are filtered pools and a dipping pool) and picnic huts.

What’s unique about this place is the smell of sulfur while you take a stroll in the resort. There is also a viewing deck where you can see the boiling sulfur spring that is around 50-55 degrees centigrade that goes around 9 feet deep. You can touch the water but only for a short time. They also have a dipping pool where the boiling sulfur spring water and natural spring water is mixed; a place where people can take a relaxing dip. It is believed to be helpful to the body and is a popular destination among tourists and locals alike. Read more in daigdigpinoy.com

What Kalibo Aklan has to Offer?

Aklan is known and famous for their white sand beaches that hosts thousands of tourists all year round. But wait, Aklan still has much to offer. From their Bakhawan Eco-Tourism Park, to the women of Pina Village, to the rich culture and history of Museo it Akean and not to forget, their ever famous Aklan Freedom Shrine, it will surely be a day full of adventure, and an experience Aklanons has to offer. READ MORE...

Bamboo Organ Festival 2008

The 33rd International Bamboo Organ Festival is scheduled to take place Feb. 21 to 29, 2008, at the Las Piñas Church. The opening invitational GALA that kicks off the event on Feb. 21 is traditionally meant for sponsors and subscribing member so f the festival. This time it will also pay tribute to special friends of the Festival who have supported this cultural activity since its inception: members of the Ladies Committee, Dr. Johann Trummer, Mr. Josef Kamykowski, and Ms. Anna Stock. The program for the evening will feature one of Bach’s most beautiful works - the solo cantata for baritone and orchestra no. 82 to be sung by Noel Azcona accompanied by the Festival Orchestra under Chino Toledo; an organ concerto by Handel to be played by French organist Ghislain Leroy; and the newly discovered Misa de Sales dated 1826 from Baclayon, Bohol, which will be premiered by the Las Pinas Boys Choir. READ MORE...

Ati-atihan Festival

Ati-atihan Festival is known to be the mother of all festivals. It is celebrated every 3^rd Sunday of January and it is said that the crowd, pilgrims and tourists alike, continue to grow as years pass by, cited Mr. June Toriano (program director of the Ati-atihan Festival). What makes this festival unique is that there is no audience, everybody is a participant. There are no specific steps to learn or a need to be part of any group, for in the ati-atihan festival, everybody is a participant. With the shouts of “Hala Bira! Viva Kay Senior Sto. Nino! Viva!” and a very enticing beat of the drums, who wouldn’t be swayed to dance along? READ MORE...

Chicken Inasal and more...

The minute I step foot in Bacolod, I was informed that I should try the Chicken Inasal this region is proud of. So, for our first meal in Bacolod, Chicken Inasal it is.

It’s popularity started out a few years back when a group of vendors started selling this dish in the plaza. They are all scattered in the streets that the city had created a place for them which they call “Manukan country” which means “chicken country”. From then on, different establishments sprung up in the city selling Chicken Inasal (Inasal means “cooked in charcoal”). The reason: Bacoleneos (People of Bacolod) loves to eat chicken, that’s it.

We were advised that it is best to eat chicken inasal using our hands, the flavor and taste is better as the locals say, so, together with toyo (soy sauce) and calamansi, you will enjoy it to the very last bite. As they say, “Sarap to the bones!” Just make sure that you wash your hands before reaching for your food, so you could enjoy it even more. READ THE FULL STORY, CLICK HERE...

Longest Espasol

Espasol, a delectable recipe made from glutinous rice or cornmeal, brown sugar and coconut is one of the finest delicacies that Laguna is known for. That is why this year, they have made the LONGEST ESPASOL that stretches one (1) kilometer in length and 2.5” to 3” in diameter. Using up to 600 kgs of glutinous rice, 12 sacks of sugar and 4000 coconuts! This is truly, the Longest and Biggest Espasol I have ever seen!

MORE PHILIPPINE FOOD IN www.DaigdigPinoy.com -->> CLICK HERE...

Higantes Festival 2007

Higantes Festival, held every November, is a colorful and fun celebration in honor of San Clemente (the Saint of fisher folks) in Angono Rizal. This festival has a deep and interesting history with two stories to tell, which one is true? You decide. READ IT HERE...

Masskara Festival 2007

Masskara Festival is celebrated in Bacolod every October that started around during the 1980s when tragedy strikes the region. The time when the sugar industry fell that affected the lives of the people. It was also the time, when one of the region’s shipping companies sank and members of a prominent family died. The Department of Tourism then decided to do something about it. Headed by Atty. Evelio R. Leonardia, they conceptualized this event to make the people happy and entertained.

Bacolod, being known as the city of smiles, reflects that the people are still able to smile despite the hardships and loneliness, believing that together, they can face the situation and look at it as a challenge to go forward and work together as a people. READ MORE...

Filipino MATH Geniuses

It’s like hitting two birds with one stone. During the 3^rd International Math Contest that was held in Singapore, last August 16-21, 2007 two siblings were able to get the gold and bronze medals in their respective fields. Alyanna Uy who was in her first year in high school got bronze in her level and her brother, Harvey Uy got gold in the Grade 3 level. Both joined the contest for the first time, and among a number of participants from China, Malaysia, India and Singapore, they were able to return home as winners.

They come to know about this competition when the MTG (Mathematics Trainers Guild of the Philippines) distributed application forms to all schools nationwide. Harvey’s school gave him an application form because he belongs to the top 20 among his batch. Alyanna however was not able to receive a form because her school does not participate in such events, but knowing about the competition thru her brother, she tried out for it as well.

After the initial qualifying exam, these two went thru a lot of trainings and numerous qualifying exams to be able to qualify for the international competition. Since September 2006, they were being trained by the math coaches of the organization (MTG) every weekends during school days, followed by a 3 day in-house training in Iloilo for Alyanna and Subic for Harvey, and an intensive 6 weeks training during the summer to prepare them for this event. READ MORE...

Junk Artist - Cornelio "Nel" Lagda

A graduate of Fine Arts major in Painting and minor is Sculpture, Cornelio “Nel” Lagda, has seen himself as a child who loves to play with clays and draw sketches during his past time. He never knew he has a serious talent in art until he joined a contest in his high school days that people started to notice these skills, that eventually led him to study and perfect it in college.

Creating Art out of junk and scrap materials from plastics to metal to wood or anything one can find under the sun. CLICK HERE to read the full story.

Kasuotang Pilipino sa Museo ng Makati

Kasuotang Pilipino – Philippine’s national costume like the Barong and Baro’t Saya, is occasionally used at this time. Usually used by city officials, or as a dress code during weddings and other special occasions, But you can see a collection of it during the yearly Kasuotang Pilipino exhibit held in the Museo ng Makati (Makati Museum). READ MORE...

Daigdig Pinoy - 2nd issue

Daigdig Pinoy's condensed printed magazine 2nd issue is now available!

Visit http://daigdigpinoy.com to get your FREE copy!

A Bacteria that is good for you

Dr. Tetsuo Kamekawa is a Japanese that finished biology in Ukiu Okinawa University and in Michigan State University. After working in American Express for 7 years, his feet led him to come to the Philippines and never left since then. A Japanese by blood and a Filipino by heart.

For 40 years, he studied about bacterias using natural products found in the Philippines, to find out how it can benefit us in our everyday lives. Using all natural products, he was able to produce a bacteria, that is 100% natural and safe enough to eat. This bacteria is then mixed and used to benefit both man, animals and our environment alike.

First, there is the NBEM 21 Powder Activator. A very powerful non-toxic, non-chemical, and highly effective blend of rice bran and colony of more than 21 powerful, good and harmless bacteria, yeasts and molds. The NBEM-21 Powder Activator is an extremely versatile preparation of several beneficial and effective microorganisms, enzymes, hormones, vitamins, minerals, antibiotics, growth factors, and Chitosan. It is the result of intensive laboratory research and development that took eleven long years leading to the successful culturing of this scientific breakthrough product.

NBEM-21 Powder Activator removes foul or unpleasant odor and neutralizes bacteria in 24 hours. When applied to biodegradable wastes, the powder activator immediately attacks and eliminates the foul odor-causing bad and harmful bacteria completely deodorizing wastes in 24 hours. READ MORE...