Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Zamboanga Adventure: Exploring Asia's Latin City (Ground Zero of the Zamboanga Siege)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It may be grim sight to look at but it was a reality that we could not hide from the world but only accept that there are really times that we even though we are all Filipinos living in one country, we could not agree to work out our differences in a peaceful manner.

That building that now looked like Swiss cheese was formerly a school but ridden with holes by weapons from government forces so they can drive away the alleged spliter group of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) away from the town they recently occupied by force.

We will never really know what drive these seemingly misguided elements to do such horrible acts because we mostly heard only from the side of the government. But in wars like these there are really no winners. Both lose in their hope for peace and unity, and the real losers are the families whose lives were lost, their properties damaged, and quite a number of them displaced. The conflict had paralyzed the economic activity of Zamboanga City. I am honored that I am now helping the city regain its foothold on its former glory.

The residents affected were from the barangays of Sta. Catalina, Rio Hondo, Kasangyangan, Mariki, and Sta. Barbara. Some of them settled in evacuation and relief centers while some are all lined up at the boulevard named after Filipino politician Roseller T. Lim, "The Great Filibuster".

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I missed the album launch of Paolo Onesa last March 19 at Cucina ni Bunso in Quezon City so it was a good thing for MCA Music to provide me a copy of his album during their next OPM artist album launch which was at the Johnny Alegre Infinity Stories album launch held at Tiendesitas in Pasig.

I decided to at least listen to the album first since I didn't have the pleasure of listening to him sing a few songs like what these artists do during their album launching. However, it took a long time before I could even open the album and play it due to a lot of backlogs.

Lucky enough that Holy Week is here and there are very little events scheduled for the week thus it was the right time to unwind and listen to some crooning from the Voice of the Philippines' “Ultimate Heartthrob Crooner.”

Paolo rightfully earned that monicker as evident from his album Pop Goes Standards as he takes you away (to dream land where you do nothing but fall in love) with his soothing voice caressing hit songs to the tune of signature pop-jazz standards.

Zamboanga Adventure: Exploring Asia's Latin City (Yakan Weaving Village)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Located in upper Calarian, northwest of downtown lies the Yakan Weaving Village. The place does not look like a village because it's quite small and you'll surely miss it so easily because the only signage available is a dirty and worn-out tarpaulin that says Yakan Village Weaving Association with the word "Association" blocked by a wood used to put the signage in place. There's another signage beside it situated on top but its obviously not helping much because majority of the signage only displays a cola brand advertisement.

It seems they desperately need some funding to come up with a more decent signage. I hope the government could at least support them to become at least more visible for potential tourists. I admire what the Department of Tourism (DOT) is doing by inviting members of the media on a media junket and introducing the Yakan Weaving Village to us so we could help share their existence.

The Yakan people are among the major indigenous muslim tribes in Mindanao. They are the traditional settlers of Basilan Island in the Sulu Archipelago, situated to the west of Zamboanga. Some of them settled in Zamboanga City due to political unrest which led to the armed conflicts between the militant Moro and government soldiers.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

One of the most frequently visited places during our visit to Zamboanga city was Paseo Del Mar. This is where we had lunch on our first day at the Kape Zambo Bar and Restaurant, had dinner during one of the sort of thanksgiving activities at Centro Latino (but the unexpected blackout that night ruined it), where the 9th Philippine Bird Festival activities were held participated by a lot of students coming from different schools, same place where the Dia De Zamboanga concluding mini-concert was held after the Grand Civic and Military Parade, and the starting point where we rode motorized boats going to the Grand Santa Cruz island.

Obviously, it is the place where a lot of things happen. There is no doubt and argument here that this is the busiest place in Zamboanga City.

Paseo Del Mar is a seafront parkway with a long walkway along the shoreline or break-water. It can be likened to the Roxas Boulevard in Manila. To the south you can see the two Santa Cruz Islands and the big Basilan Island while at another direction towards the west is the famous Lantaka Hotel.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Epson Philippines Corporation (EPC) recently sponsored the 10th CBMS Philippines National Conference held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City.

CBMS, which stands for Community-Based Monitoring System, aims to serve as a tool for local governance and complement the national poverty monitoring system. It also serves to provide policymakers and program implementers with good information base for tracking the effects of macroeconomic reforms and various policies.

Seen on the photo above are CBMS leaders with Epson Senior Marketing Executives EJ Sulit and Camille Coronel strike a pose with Representative-elect Lucy Torres-Gomez during the 10th CBMS Philippines National Conference at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Golfers are considered elite because golf is a precision club and ball sport which requires a lot of patience. It is a very slow sport that will never excite me at all. Don't hate me when I say "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with certain rules" is really boring.

But that doesn't stop me from enjoying my time exploring a certain golf course in Zamboanga. However, maybe the fact that it has a beach park beside it was good enough reason why I found it really pleasing. So when I get bored trying to put my balls in a hole...wait that sounded wrong...anyway, I can just walk a few steps and get all wet and wild at the bitch...Oooppss....I mean the beach. Lol!

The Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park, originally known as the Zamboanga Golf and Country Club, is located some 5 km from the city hub in Upper Calarian west of the city. It boasts of being the oldest golf course in the Philippines. But wait, though the golf course has been around for ages, the maintenance and renovation of the place was impeccable!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

To continue with our tour of Zamboanga, Asia's Latin City where you'll get hooked on eating tiger prawns, curachas, and knickerbockers, or if you're the more adventurous, you could have indulged on the satti for early morning breakfast. We now take you to a few more popular places we've explored while immersed between birdwatching and celebrating Zamboanga Day through its many festivities and activities.

Above you'll see another popular landmark and heritage site called Fort Pilar or Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza (Royal Fort of Our Lady of the Pillar of Zaragoza). The 17th-century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government is now a regional museum of the National Museum of the Philippines.

What you see outside the walls at the eastern side is a Marian shrine dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar, the patroness of Zamboanga city. The insides of Fort Pilar was under renovation when we visited sometime end of February 2014. They told us it was supposed to have been completed already it the Zamboanga siege did not take place.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Manny Pacquiao wins vs Timothy Bradley via unanimous decision last April 13, 2014. The Pambansang Kamao ng Pilipinas regains world title with decisive win over Timothy Bradley. The Pacman is back where he belongs! After 12 full rounds of action, ringside judges score in favor of Pacquiao. Manny Pacquiao back in legendary fighting form with the best pound for pound ever! Looks like he's back on that stuff that Mayweather called him out on. Gayweather you are the next on the list. Put down your Barbie doll and fight! I ought to Photoshop Bradley out of the photos and put yours instead, and that would still look right!

I guess the other breaking news now is Kim Henares is having a hearty working lunch with calculator and spreadsheet on hand. But no! I stand corrected, the real breaking news is how Mommy Dionisia steals the show with the "kulam" (hex) powers. Whatever it was, it worked! Pacquiao's mother was there casting spells like a witch. Manny Pacquiao's mom was the real winner last night!

I guess Hogwarts can now considering Mommy D to be their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I would love to see Mommy Dionisia guest on the Ellen Degeneres Show and show us again that magical pray over. It would be a riot, if ever, and a fun episode to watch. She might as well show off her ballroom dancing skills and do the split for the audience. Now that would put everyone at awe!

Games People Play Returns to Perform on April 22 to 26

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Due to popular demand, we will be seeing a repeat performance of Games People Play soon at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Games People Play, a Palanca-winning play by Glenn Sevilla Mas features theater actors Abner Delina, Thea Yrastorza and Kalil Almonte. Ed Lacson Jr., who also does the production design, directs it while Teresa Barrozo does the sound and music design.

Games People Play is about three characters who try to understand why they are the way they are by revisiting their childhood, specifically the games that they played with each other. Each game is a rite of passage and it represents a significant moment in their coming of age. The writing of the play was inspired by this quote from child psychologist and writer Bruno Bettelheim: “The monster a child knows best and is most concerned with [is] the monster he feels or fears himself to be.”

The production will run from April 22 to 26, 2014, 7:30 PM with a 2:30 PM show on April 26, at the Fine Arts Blackbox Theater, Fine Arts Annex, Ateneo de Manila University.

For ticket inquiries, contact John Yap at 0917-722-5399 or visit www.facebook.com/gppgamespeopleplay for more information.

Magkabilaan: Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Company's 20th Anniversarry Concert Set on April 25 & 26

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Company in partnership with the Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe and PETA Theater Center proudly presents “ Magkabilaan ” --- the 20th anniversary concert to pay homage to the late Dr. Paz-Cielo A. Belmonte, Founder & Artistic Director of the Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe (PBFDT).

“Magkabilaan” shall celebrate Lahing Kayumanggi’s and Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe’s long standing partnership and exchange programme spanning two decades.

“Magkabilaan” will be held on April 25 and 26 (Friday & Saturday) --- 7:30PM at the PETA Theater located at No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.

Special guests include the alumni of the Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe, longest folk dance company since 1946; Hail Mary The Queen Children’s Choir and talented singer / fashion designer Leo Almodal.