SM Mall Freedom Day centerpieces wow guests, spectators

THE tradition of SM Malls here in unveiling their yearly Independence Day centerpieces drew in mix crowds and guests who were wowed by the creative and wonderful displays and gimmicks of each mall highlighting the spirit of the country’s independence.

A crowd favorite is the SM City Pampanga centerpiece “Balakus,” a life size sculpture of a “freed man” which was made by Presidential Merit Awardee for Ecclesiastical Art Willy Layug. The event also featured a wood carving exhibit of the Mandukit Anluagui ning Sta. Ursula.

History on a calesa ride

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Would it not be better to learn the local history of a place through an actual window tour of its historical attractions through the novelty of a calesa ride?

At SM City San Fernando Downtown, mall goers were given a chance to roam around the historical district of this capital city and witness the local landmarks as part of the mall’s commemoration of the country’s 115th Independence Day celebrations.

Palawan, an Island Paradise

CORON, Palawan -- It is a place where the mountain meets the sea, where blue beaches, white sands, golden rock formations and green mountains blend together to make the perfect paradise.

But before we could get started on our island hopping adventure, we traveled by plane, particularly via Cebu Pacific from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to the Francisco B. Reyes Airport in Busuanga, Coron Palawan. Travel time is an hour or more, depending on the weather conditions.

Catching the cold breeze inside Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave

I SHUN away from most guided tours because I find some of them too expensive, pretentious, and provide little opportunity for self-exploration.

I usually depend on my personal research and self-exploration in finding the best attraction that an unfamiliar territory can offer. It was through this that I found myself in the exhilarating search for Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave in Camalig town in Albay.

Local artists gather for rare reunion in Magalang town

THE best local artists in Pampanga and nearby provinces gathered in the rustic home of painter Andy Ramos in Magalang town in a once-in-a-lifetime gathering centering on talks of art, pushing of art advocacy, continuing art education of the young and cascading of skills from the most accomplished within their ranks.

But when artists gather in such a rustic home at the foot of Mount Arayat, one cannot help but be inspired, some artists even went too far as to try their singing voices after being encouraged by drinks and the festive food prepared by their gracious host.

SM City Downtown joins Earth Hour with other SM Supermalls

SM CITY San Fernando Downtown joined this year’s Earth Hour, drumbeating the commitment of mall goers, public officials and tenants to promote environmental awareness and protection.

The event which started at 8:30 p.m. at the mall’s 7th floor open air venue was attended by 3rd District Board Member Monina Laus. The event featured the turning off of majority of malls main lighting and ceremonial candle lighting and dance performances.

CLTV 36 launches region’s biggest talent search

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- It’s time to dream big and reach for the stars!

This, as Laus Group’s CLTV 36 -- the premium TV network in the region---in partnership with Robinsons Land Corporation, on Saturday launched “Star Mill,” at the Atrium of Robinsons Starmills in this city, in time for the celebration of the station’s 6th anniversary.

Maestro Rafael Maniago: A portrait of an artist

MAESTRO Rafael "Paeng" Maniago is more than just an artist. He is a mentor, a humanist, a friend to fellow artists and admirers.

Maniago lives a prolific and colorful life with his art at the center of everything that he does, that he literally breathes and lives his art day after day.

A breath of fresh air for ‘Katy the Musical’

THE younger generation of theater goers and music lovers would have a rare chance to see again the re-staging of the landmark original Filipino musical "Katy!" at the CCP’s Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino this January.

A Glittery Quota Pampanga Christmas Party

THE Ladies of Quota International of Pampanga certainly know how to end the year with a blast. After embarking on a rollercoaster list of social programs and projects this 2012, the all-women group is now ready to take 2013 by the horns and start the New Year right.

Rolando Quiambao: Dreaming of Kites and Lanterns

ROLANDO Quiambao, one of the famed lantern masters of the City of San Fernando, is still mesmerized by the dazzling lights of the lanterns that are produced by his workshop in this capital city.

Like the myriad of colors of his lanterns, he lives a very colorful life. Considered as one of the most accomplished lantern makers here, Quiambao still dreams a lot for the San Fernando lantern.

The enduring art of Maestro Rafael Maniago

MAESTRO Rafael "Paeng" Maniago lives a prolific and colorful life with his art at the center of everything that he does, that he literally breathes and lives his art day after day. Considered as the best among the best painters and arguably the best portrait artist of his generation, Maniago is sought by art lovers, collectors and students alike. 

His works today are hot commodities that adorn educational and government institutions, the private collections of rich art collectors and in the homes of ordinary people and friends both here and in the United States.

Brillante’s film ‘Captive’ starts premiere in Pampanga

CANNES Filmfest Best Director Brillante Mendoza's film “Captive” is set to be shown in cinemas all across the country this September but not before having a debut premiere in Pampanga, the director’s home province, on September 2.

“Captive” is Mendoza’s latest contribution to the independent film industry here. The film was an entry in the recent Berlin Film Festival last year. However, the film failed to bag any award but nonetheless received wide-ranging reviews from different critics.

Pampanga’s First Floating Garden

IMAGINE being able to plant crops, rain or shine, without the threat of floodwater or drought. Imagine this possible even in perennially flooded areas like swamps and canals.

In a village in the City of San Fernando, villagers need not imagine -- because they live amidst this possibility using the latest farming technology.

Grand Independence Day at SM City Clark

SM CITY CLARK commemorated Tuesday the country’s 114th Independence Day with a host of cultural and civic activities, culminating in the mass formation of a giant Philippine Flag and the opening of an exhibit on independence-inspired art.

Some 300 people, mostly dancers, extras and students from the Angeles City National Trade School made a formation of the Philippine Flag at the mall’s front covered walk.

A last minute trip to the heritage city of Carcar

WITH summer officially over and the month of June ushering in the long awaited rains and cooler weather, I still managed to make a last-minute trip to Carcar. This city is known as the “Heritage City of Cebu” and is also famous for its world-class shoe industry and heart-stopping chicharon (pork skin crackers).

Santacruzan with a new twist

WHOEVER said that you would have to be young to be in a Santacruzan?

The Santacruzan during the Pyestang Fernandino 2012 in the City of San Fernando held over the weekend took a different turn as the young and not-too-young paraded in their best gowns for the popular religious festival.

A healthy Christmas party with Quota International of Pampanga

WHO said that aerobics and Christmas party do not mix?

Aslag Kapampangan all set for 2011 Pop Music Festival

KAPAMPANGAN musical talents will again shine on November 17, 4 p.m. at the SM City Pampanga Annex 3 for this year’s 3rd Aslang Kapampangan Pop Music Festival 2011.

But this year, student singers, writers and composers will take center stage as Aslag Kapampangan offers opportunities to talented Kapampangan youth aspiring to develop their craft and deepen their passion for Kapampangan culture and arts through the festival.

First day in cosmopolitan Singapore

SINGAPORE is the complete anti-thesis of the Philippines. It’s a clear example of what the Philippines could be if the system worked, if people obeyed the law and if officials really worked for genuine public service.

Rotary Youth Leadership Award: ‘Making Abundant Memories’

THE Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) was held last October 28 to 30, 2011 at Hannah's Beach Resort, located at the heart of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. The event was led by Distrct 3790 Governor, Dr. Digna Ragasa.

I was able to attend this event for I represent the Rotary Club of Balibago where my granddad is currently the president, belonging to Team Cluster 3B under the leadership of Assistant Governor Ariel Jersey.

Haima Philippines Launches New Generation Haima Cars, Vans

HAIMA, the promising new brand from the largest multi-brand automotive dealer network in the country today - LausAutoGroup - unveils seven new models today, October 7, 2011.

Artists launch 1st ever 'The Film Academy of Pampanga'

AMID the rainy weather last Monday, The Film Academy of Pampanga (TFAP) was successfully launched and attended by prominent Kapampangan personalities. It was spearheaded by its chairman Andy Alviz.

Dole-Central Luzon best performing regional office

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) in Central Luzon was lauded as the best performing Department of Labor and Employment regional office by the agency’s national desk.

A tribute exhibit for Perfecto Mercado at Metropolitan Museum

KAPAMPANGAN artist Perfecto Mercado will be given a tribute exhibit by family and friends that is set to open on October 5, 3 p.m. at The White Cube Gallery of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

The exhibit, “Dreamscapes of Perfecto Mercado”, features the fantastic and eerie landscapes created within the last 10 years by the late artist from Capas, Tarlac.

‘There Be Dragons’ to premier in Pampanga

THE Educhild Foundation Inc., in cooperation with the Foundation for Angeles Values Education Inc. (Fave), will host the premiere showing of “There Be Dragons” at 7 p.m. of October 14 at the SM Clark Cinema 2 to jumpstart the five-year expansion and professionalization plans of both foundations.

‘Nicolasas’ of our Times: A Heroine’s Tradition

THERE is no denying that it is only in the City of San Fernando, led by an “honorary woman” in the person of world-class city local chief executive Oscar Rodriguez that women are revered, honored and pampered twice a year.

Bike ride marks RP-US military bases deal rejection

ANGELES CITY -- Anti-bases veterans, activists, environmentalists and cycling clubs started a three-day bike ride in commemoration of the Philippine Senate's rejection of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement in 1991.

Over a hundred cyclists, who joined the bike ride, left Manila Friday as a way to commemorate the Senate’s rejection of RP-US Military Bases Agreement 20 years ago on September 16, 1991.

The Museo Ning Angeles

GETTING acquainted with events that have happened -- whether recent or ancient past -- is one step further in getting to know ourselves and from where we are coming. It is the history of our public lives that could help unify us, having discovered we have common backgrounds. It could also encourages critical dialogue about the importance of what went before, since occasions that have transpired are but markers rather than fixed timelines.

As hospital bills rise, folks turn to PhilHealth

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- It would cost thousands of pesos for a dengue patient to fully recover.

For one, confining a dengue victim to a hospital for several days or even weeks is necessary. In some cases that the patient needs blood transfusion, hospital bills and treatment expenses soar higher.