The Beauty of Bohol As Seen Through The Lens of Hiroshi Takano

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We should all be concerned in the protection of our environment. The preservation of all living things, may they be above or below the seas, should be everyone's cup of tea. There should be no other choice for us. It is every man's obligation to keep the world and all life forms safe and flourishing.

Singer-songwriter and aquatic photographer Hiroshi Takano raises environmental awareness through his songs done in a very unique way. He is what they dubbed as the "singing underwater photographer" for his talent in singing and playing many kinds of guitar using his own music and lyrics. He shares his talent through mixed media concerts more aptly called as photo-concerts where he uses his photographs and videos as an effective way to engage people to listen and become involved no matter what their age, language or religion is.

For him "Pictures and music can go beyond boundaries" and are valuable tools to send his message to the people to value "water" and the living things that can be found in it.

We can feel his concern for the environment even during our tour of the seas of Bohol where we accompanied him and the other foreign delegates of the post-event diving tour of the Diving Resort Travel Expo held in Manila on September 11 to 13. The post-event was held in Bohol from September 14 to 18, as well as other 5 locations within the Philippines. Since the tours were happening all at the same time, we had to choose only one destination- and you probably know already that we chose Bohol.

Watch The “Jungle” Come Back To Life With K: Return Of Kings, Same-Day-As-Japan On Animax!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Anime fans, look out! Highly rated television anime series K will be back on the small screen this October with its second season K: Return of Kings, airing same day as Japan, first and exclusively on Animax – Asia’s first 24-hour Japanese anime channel.

Wildly popular, even four years later

Since its 2012 debut, the K series has seen more than 10 anime and light novel spin-offs including K: Missing Kings, which was made into a film of the same name in July 2014. Since the announcement of this new season in May this year, the anime series has made countless appearances on international anime news sites, but it was in these last three months that K really dominated the online buzz in the scene, thanks to a “100 days” promotional video and visual campaign by writer GoRa and Japanese animation studio GoHands.

More power, more action

Fans can expect to see even more action in K: Return of Kings, as modern-day kings armed with high-tech outfits and weapons continue to lead their colour-represented clans through thrilling conflicts in the concrete “jungle” – Shizume City. And not only is original director Shingo Suzuki back on the team with a fresh storyline, he is also the man behind the new characters, namely Green King Nagare Hisui, the strongest and most influential one of all.

Those who love anison can also look forward to the release of “Asymmetry”, the season’s opening theme composed by popular pop group angela. The track is performed by Yui Horie, who voices the character of Red clansman Anna Kushina in K. On top of that, the author of the series Tatsuki Miyazawa pens the ending theme “Kai”, which is performed by four-member group Customi-Z.

Ready for war? K: Return of Kings premieres in 3 October 2015, airing every Saturday at 11pm with an encore the next day at 8pm, first and exclusively on Animax.

Animax is seen on SKYCable Channel 46, Cignal Digital TV Channel 34 and Dream Channel 7.

Special Feature: Hiroshi Takano of Osaka, Japan

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This is a special feature of photojournalist and Aqua Image President Hiroshi Takano of Osaka, Japan who was one of the foreign delegates of the Diving Resort Travel (DRT) Expo held at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall on September 11 to 13 followed by familiarization tours at different diving sites within the Philippines and included some resort visits and countryside tour.

I joined the group of Hiroshi in Panglao, Bohol along with other delegates from the US, Australia, Korea and some of the DRT Expo organizers from China including Jason Chong, lead organizer of DRT Expo in many countries.

Hiroshi joined the diving tour at many of the popular diving sites of Bohol. He photographs mostly marine or aquatic life. He also talks and sings about water and its precious aquatic natural environment. He performs audio-visual photo-concerts featuring his own photographs and music, including lyrics. This is why he is also called the "singing underwater photographer" playing different kinds of guitars in his performances. He takes the audience on a journey to many places on this planet through his own experiences.

Hiroshi has a music CD album called "Aqua Island" and a photo essay "Ayu" with music CD which shows dramatic life of famous Japanese river fish "Ayu." He also has a portfolio of Marine Photos from MP1 to MP6 available both online and in print. He was the most eager in exploring Bohol especially when we went on a familiarization tour where he took photos and videos of the iconic world's smallest primate called the "tarsier."

I interviewed him on the second night of our 5-day stay at Amorita Resort after a dinner we had at one of the sponsoring resorts nearby namely Bohol Beach Club who treated us for dinner that night.

Ryu Ramen & Curry: Feasting on Fabulously Flavorful Tantanmen Dishes

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It was time for another Open Rice Philippines foodie meet-up at another notable restaurant in the Metro. My taste buds was highly anticipating another tasty treat this time at a Japanese ramen house known as Ryu Ramen & Curry located at the SM Jazz Residences in Makati. You'll find the restaurant facing the Nicanor Garcia street side just opposite the Crown Center building where One Asia Center, our virtual and office-sharing home, is holding office.

Ryu Ramen & Curry currently have other branches located in Tomas Morato in Quezon City and Up Town Center in Katipunan Avenue, also in Quezon City. I'm sure they will eventually expand into more branches soon just like every other restaurant in the country. The proliferation of restaurant chains in the country is a testament that Filipinos really love eating, may it be local or international-inspired culinary dishes.

Ryu Ramen & Curry takes pride in offering authentic Japanese specialty dishes that satisfactory pleases the Filipino taste. Their spicy dishes can be served in mild version so that even children can appreciate the flavorful culinary treats that lingers even after hours of eating from the restaurant.

Our Open Rice Philippines foodie meet-up at Ryu Ramen & Curry takes us to experience their fabulously flavorful Tantanmen dishes. They have five variations of the Tantanmen but unfortunately only four were served due to the unavailability of the tender Angus beef that is the main ingredient in one of the Tantanmen varieties.

The Japanese Art of Furoshiki Gift Wrapping Workshop at Yuchengco Museum

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Are you tired of wrapping your Christmas gifts the same old way? Give yourself a headstart this Christmas and make your holiday season more eco-friendly by trying the Japanese art of Furoshiki gift wrapping.

The Japanese art of Furoshiki gift wrapping uses pieces of cloth as the wrapper. Learn how you can use a bandana or handkerchief to wrap gifts of different shapes and sizes. Using traditional Furoshiki techniques with today's ribbons and charms, discover how you can wrap gifts that friends and family will want to receive first and unwrap last.

Venue
Yuchengco Museum located at RCBC Building Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia) corner Ayala Avenue, Makati

Instructors
Strategic brand planner Vicky Ortega's passion is gift wrapping. She loves finding unique ways to wrap gifts for her family and friends.

Marketing consultant Nenette Sadiua is currently taking her second bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. Her passion is preparing creative gift baskets.