Local Expert
Knox Balbastro
Having grown up outside the Philippines, Knox was raised on a diet of Macaulay Culkin movies, Barbie dreams, and the sounds of MTV. When she returned to the Philippines during her teens, she began to…
Having grown up outside the Philippines, Knox was raised on a diet of Macaulay Culkin movies, Barbie dreams, and the sounds of MTV. When she returned to the Philippines during her teens, she began to seek out a distinctly Pinoy culture. So far, she loves what she’s seeing. Manila for her is a fertile ground for art, music, fashion, and fun. Living in a little known, third world country definitely has its perks. Adventures are affordable and discovery doesn’t come in the usual package.
Her best advice for travellers new to the Philippines is to go out on the streets where faces, traffic, and landscape can create a collage of experiences that’s gritty and real.
Knox is a 24 year-old dreamer who also happens to be an advertising copywriter. She loves to travel and dreams of bag packing throughout the entire Philippine Archipelago. She hopes that through this blog, people from all over the world will find a reason to drop by.
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Musicals like Miss Saigon and Cinderella are household names. They are so popular, they’ve made their way from Broadway to Manila’s Baywalk. It’s curious to see if a homegrown story has the same travelling power as these theater heavyweights. Judge for yourself as the story of beloved political figure and national martyr, Cory, comes to life on stage.
The musical encompasses Corazon Aquino’s life from childhood to her inauguration as president. Not surprisingly, the story climaxes on the People Power Revolution, but the musical promises to go beyond historical facts because at the heart of, “Cory” is epic love story between her and her late husband Ninoy Aquino. One partner for the other, two people for their country. Sounds like a melodious if not dramatic premise. To prove it, it’s got 19 original songs to carry the plot along.
The musical was written and directed by Nestor Torre and produced by Bing Pimentel. It stars Isay Alvarez in the role of Cory and included in the cast are Robert Sena as Ferdinand Marcos; Pinky Marquez as Imelda Marcos; Sherwin Sozon as Ninoy; and Tommy Abuel as the reporter. Supporting cast members include Andy Bais, Edmund Sicam, Rito Asilo, and Lou Veloso.
Jan. 16 -17, 2009
Tickets to, “Cory” are priced from P300, P515, and P720.
For inquiries, call (632) 891-9999
Venue is at the Meralco Theater
Ortigas Ave. cor. Meralco Ave.
Ortigas Center
Pasig City
Tel. 631-2222, 721-9777
Paindigay Festival
24 January, Padala, Davao del Sur
Contact: (082) 553-9979
Pansi Festival
24 to 25 January, Cabagan Square Park, Isabela
Contact: (078) 636-3369 / 636-2124
Pahinis Festival
24 to 26 January: Laua-an, Antique
Contact: (0926) 711-3468
Sto. Nino Festival
25 January; Malolos City, Bulacan
Contact: (044) 662-3288
El Torro Festival (Sinulog sa Ploanco)
25 January; Zamboanga del Norte
Contact: (065) 212-9677
Sto. Nino Festival
25 January; PNB Bldg., Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
Contact: (02) 524-8439 / 524-3421
Langob Festival
25 January; Mabinay, Negro Oriental
Contact: (035) 535-0588
Palaras Festival
25 January; Tagoloan, Misamis Orienal
Contact: (08822) 742813
Fiesta Tsinoy
25 to 26 January; Legaspi City
Contact: (052) 481-5593
Tantangan Festival
25 to 27 January; Tantangan South Cotabato
Contact: (083) 228-3447
International Long Board Cup
25 to 27; Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
Contact: (072) 242-2927
Pinlisa Festival
25 to 27 January; Jones, Isabela
Contact: (078) 694-3001
Chinese New Year
29 January, Iloilo City
Contact: (033) 337-2172 / 338-7572
Musikahan Festival
29 January; City of Cabadbaran
Contact: (085) 818-1120
Rokyaw Festival (Mga Istoryang Bikolnon)
30 January; Quezon Avenue, Legaspi City
Contact: (052) 820-8747
Kasing-Kasing Festival
January to March; Opol, Misamis Oriental
Contact: (08822) 727275
Hinublag Festival
18 January; Sto. Nino, South Cotabato
Contact: (083) 228-3447
Halad Sto. Nino
18 January; Midsayap, Cotabato
Contact; (064) 229-8237 / 421-1110
Sakay-Sakay Festival
18 January; Maasin City
Contact: (053) 381-2138
Pinatauo sa Ibarra
18 January; Brgy. Ibarra, Maasin City
Contact: (053) 381-2138
Salibanda
18 to 25 January; Paete, Laguna
Contact: (049) 817-1814
Feast of Sto. Nino
19 January: Buenavista, Marinduqe
Contact: (042) 332-1018
Lakbayaw Festival
19 January; Tondo, Manila
Contact: (02) 528-1134
Malatarlak Festival
19 to 20 January; Tarlac City, Tarlac
Contact: (045) 982-4051
Feast of San Sebastian, the Martyr (Paligong Poon)
19 to 25 January; Lumban, Laguna
Contact: (049) 501-4252
Kikurapnit Festival
20 January; Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Contact: (077) 722-8772
Longaniza Festival
22 January; Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Contact: (077) 722-8772
Guiguinto Garden Festival
22 to 23 January; Guiguinto, Bulacan
Contact: (047) 794-1823
Pangasi Festival
22 to 27 January; Siayen, Zamboanga del Norte
Contact: (065) 212-9677
Hudyaka sa Lubi
23 January; Linamon, Lanao del Norte
Contact: (0915) 408-9037
Ina Poon Bato Pilgrimage
24 January; Botolan, Zambales
Contact: (047) 810-1208
Hambabalud Festival
13 January: Jimalalud, Oriental Negro
Contact: (035) 408-5048
Saulogan Festival
15 January; Provincial Capitol, Davao del Sur
Contact: (082) 553-9979
Sinulog sa Matilbog
15 January; Matilbog, Southern Leyte
Contact: (053) 570-8300
Pangisdaan Festival
16 January; Brgy. Tangos, Navotas City
Contact: (02) 281-8602 loc. 105 / 102
Tagbo Festival
16 January; Poro, Camotes Island
Contact: (032) 497-5654
Kawayan Festival
16 to 18 January; Magdalena, Laguna
Contact: (0927) 424-1169
Lumalay Festival
16 to 20 January; Tampakan, South Cotabato
Contact: (083) 228-3447
Iloilo Dinagyang Festival
16 to 25 January; Iloilo City
Contact: (033) 337-2172 / 336-7572
Buling-Buling Festival
17 January; Pandacan, Manila
Contact: (02) 528-1134 / 528-1136
1st Official & Formal Hoisting of Philippine Flag in Mindanao
17 January: Butuan City
Contact: (085) 324-5601
Pajotan de Sto. Nino Festival
17 January; Maypajo, Caloocan City
Contact: (02) 323-5173
Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival
17 to 18 January; Kalibo, Aklan
Contact: (036) 262-3241 / 288-4110
Santo Nino Sinulog sa Xu
18 January; Xavier University Chapel
Contact: (08822) 726394
Kahimunan Festival
18 January; Libertad, Butuan
Contact: (085) 342-5601
Pasalamat Festival
18 January; Pagadian
Contact: (062) 214-2472
Sinulog
18 January; Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte
Contact: (065) 212-9677
Sinulog Festival
18 Jaunary; Kabankalan City, Negro Occidental
Contact: (034) 471-2291 / 471-2185
Sinulog
18 January; Cebu City
Contact: (032) 253-3700
Fiestas are the lifeblood of the Philippine travel industry. Here is a comprehensive list from the Department of Tourism on what to look forward to in the coming months.
Sto. Nino Festival
25 December 2008 to 1 January 2009: Province of Batanes
Contact: (0917) 861-1547 / (0916) 260-1689
Aguman Sanduk (Fellowship of the Ladle)
1 January: Minalin, Pampanga
Contact: (045) 878-0306
Binalbal Festival
1 January; Tudela, Misamis Occidental
Contact: (0919) 300-2635
Wow! Rafflesia
1 to 31 January; Mt. Candalaga Range, Maraguran
Contact: (084) 376-1036
Araw ng Koronadal (Hinugyaw Festival)
3 to 10 January; Koronadal City
Contact: (083) 228-2438 / 338-4141
Feast of the Three Kings
4 January; Poblacion, Gasan, Marindique
Contact: (042) 342-1074
Kuradal
6 January; Sasmuan, Pampanga
Contact: (045) 900-0306
Lingayen Gulf Landing Anniversary
9 January; Lingayen, Pangasinan
Contact: (075) 542-8007
Coconut Festival
9 to 15 January; San Pablo City
Contact: (049) 800-0312 / 562-4864
Biniray Festival
9 to 16 January; Romblon, Romblon
Contact (02) 373-3499
Tihimush Festival
10 to 16 January; Camen, Davao del Norte
Contact: (084) 400-2678
Sto. Nino Fiesta
10 to 18 January; Shrine of Sto. Nino, Tuguegarao City
Contact: (078) 844-4448 / 844-7372
Talong Festival
10 to 19 January; Villasis, Pangasinan
Contact: (075) 564-2376
Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet 2009
11 to 16 January; Leyte Sports Development Center, Tacloban City
Contact: (053) 321-6484
Baka Festival
12 to 15 January; San Pablo, Isabela
Contact: (0916) 378-1010
Along Pasong Tamo Extension is a chalky still unmarked building that’s set to turn the area into a mecca for art lovers. The large warehouse structure is simply called Whitespace and come January it will house an events venue, a restaurant by chef Margarita Fores and a gallery. I dropped by the newly opened gallery called Manila Contemporary to listen to a tour given by the curator and part owner, Valentine Willie. A seasoned veteran of the art world with galleries in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Yogyakarta, he said that the building itself sealed the deal for him to put up his first gallery in the country. I asked him why he chose Manila and he spoke of the immensity of untapped Filipino talent that needed to be showcased here.
Manila Contemporary’s first exhibit entitled, “All I Want for Xmas” is unstructured providing an introduction to the plethora of contemporary artists in the Southeast Asian region- something that the gallery has committed itself to. About 75% of the art was from the Philippines while the rest of it came from neighboring countries. Paintings from as Popo San Pascual, Arturo Luz, Amy Ticar, Louie Cordero, and more were on display.
Each work of art provided a window to a solitary and distinct experience but the exhibit as a whole felt cohesive. No doubt art lovers will feel right at home whiling away hours in this expansive 300 square meter room- a mammoth space that befits the massive talents to be shown there.
Manila contemporary
Whitespace 2314
Chino Roces Avenue
Pasong Tamo Extension
Makati City, Philippines
+63 927 8749098
http://www.manilacontemporary.com/index.html