Free Movie Passes for the 15th French Film Festival at Shangrila Mall

Of french fries and french kiss... I love this sinful food and I can kiss this way. Oh, the Paris! Spelled as the E-i-f-f-e-l T-o-w-e-r... France's culture is everywhere around the world. Free movie passes is given to movie goers in Shangrila Mall, Mandaluyong from June 3 - 13 in celebration for the 15th French Film festival . Don't worry, English subtitles to the rescue.

Had a chance to watch last June 4th the movie simply titled "Welcome". About a 17-year old Iraqi boy named Bilal who wanted to follow his girlfriend who illegally migrated to London with her family 6 months ago. Because of no pertinent documents and no money, he was stucked in France together with other illegal migrants. He studied swmiming lessons and befriended his swimming instructor Simon who provided him shelter and food even though there is a law in France that the local people should not provide anything to the Kurds (illegal migrants) because helping them encourages more to be like them.

Simon who is currently undergoing divorce process with his wife said one time to her: "This boy walked 4000 km and now planning to swim the Channel (shore that connects France to London) just to be with his girl when I couldn't even cross the road to get you back." Sigh, how sweet! Anyway, it is a crime to tell the end of the story so go and watch this and other films. I am lucky at that time there is a free scoop of ice cream courtesy of Selecta's new flavors choco almond fudge and coffee almond fudge.

For complete list of movie schedules, you may check: Spot.ph or if you can't make it at the dates mentioned above you may watch at Cultural Center of the Philippines (June 15-20), Ayala Center Cebu (June 18-20) or UP Film Institute (June 22-24).

Free Backpacking Talk w/ Lilianne of Wanderlass About Her Upcoming Around the World Trip

A free talk about travel and backpacking around the world on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, 7:00 pm at R.O.X. – Bonifacio High St. Lilliane Cobiao is a blogger, traveler, scuba diver and couchsurfer. To read her blog Wanderlass you may click here. Joncy Sumulong is also a blogger and traveler and will share his latest India and South East Asia Trips. To read his blog Banana Pancake Trail, you may click here

Artisans at Work: A Photo Exhibit on Filipino Arts and Crafts

The art of photography attempts to freeze passing moments into permanence. It hopes to capture timeless and unforgettable moments into a series of images. This is according to the people behind the photo exhibit entitled "Artisans At Work" which pays tribute to the men and women who produce useful objects that enrich Filipino culture. These photos taken by amateur and professional photographers focus on celebrating Filipino arts and crafts. Take a look!

Painter

Sculptor

Potter

Fishermen

Jeepney Driver

Dancers

This exhibit is about a typical Filipino: it could be a jeepney driver, sculptor, fisherman, potter, weaver or a dancer. According to them "they are guided by a clear and a sure hand, these artisans create products that serve their function well they clothe us, store our food, help us travel. And yet these products possess a humble but genuine beauty that transcends everyday functions--the delicate needlework in traditional fabrics, the precise geometric patterns in woven baskets, the colorful flags and aluminum horses of jeepneys. These unique features prove we Filipinos glorify even the most ordinary articles with adornment."

The mosted noted photographer of this exhibit is Jaime Zobel de Ayala, the first Filipino photographer to be confirmed "Licentiate" by the Royal Photograpic Society and has received similar commendation from the French and Spanish government. Joining him is a priest, a columnist, a pastry chef, a Cebu-based dentist, a priest and even Piolo Pascual a local actor.

If you want to see these photos you may visit: Market! Market! (May 18-31), Glorietta (June 1-14), Marquee (15-28), Trinoma (June 19-July 12), Alabang Town Center (July 13-26), Ayala Center Cebu (Aug. 7-21) and Bonifacio High Street (Aug. 20-Sept.12).

Come See the Vatican

ANOTHER photo exhibit in Greenbelt 5 caught my wandering eyes (yes, wandering)during the Holy Week commemoration. Sixteen (16) exquisite pictures of the different spots in Vatican - the official residence of the Holy Pope are in display. I was totally amazed not only because I am seeing an insoluble piece of world history in terms of religion but I am also watching the many greatest works of arts in the world particulary in painting, sculpture and architecture by Constantine, Michaelangelo, Raphael and many more.

This exhibit aims to promote the Vatican Insider Tour Experience supported by the Vatican Observatory Foundation. A three-day-four-night VIP group package providing extraordinary off-limits and after-hour access to the artistic and spiritual treasures of the Vatican:

* Vatican Museum Candlelight Dinner after-hour in the Rafael Room with string quartet.

* Seating Near the Pope at his Wednesday Vatican Audience  (Castel Gandolfo in summer)

* Sistine Chapel Cocktail Reception after hours

* St. Peters Basilica Holy Mass in Private Chapel after hours

* St. Peter's Basilica Wine and Cheese Reception after hours

* The Pieta private viewing after hours

* Tower of the Winds Vatican home of the original Vatican Observatory with renowned artistry off-limits to the general public

* Vatican Museums Front of Line Access with Vatican Studies Professor and Vatican Certified Elite Senior Tour Specialists

* Access to Rarely Seen Vatican Sites including Scavi Tombs under St. Peter's Basilica, and the private Papal Gardens and the Museum of Papal Carriages off- limits to the general public.

In the coming months, this exhibit will also be displayed in other Ayala malls: Ayala Cebu (Sept. 1-14), Glorietta (Sept 15-30),

Market Market (Oct. 1-14) & Alabang Town Center (Oct. 15-28).

Anyone who are interested to join the tour and/or put up a business in producing merchandise licensed/acknowledged by Vatican such as Calendars,

Books, Bags, Apparel & Mugs please let us know. Contact information and

number will soon be added.

Joining the Earth Hour 2010

Chico and Delamar, radio DJ's and newspaper columnists opened the show by sharing how did the Earth Hour started last March 27th at Glorietta Park, Makati. They said it began in Australia last 2007 as part of their campaign for the Global Climate Change. The idea is very common, which you tell your friends, family members, colleagues etc. to turn off their non-essential lights for an hour to make a difference. We should think of what we can do NOW not tomorrow or in the future but to save our only home. It does not need for anyone to be a CEO in a corporate world, a wealthy politician or in a business just to help save our Mother Earth. All needed to do is to act the right way and even to the point of changing our little habits without anyone watching us.

It was such a click that in 2-3 years about 35 countries worldwide also joined this event. Just last year, Philippines ranked the third in terms of the number of household, business establishments etc. which joined the event. They also mentioned that the world is only given FIVE YEARS from now to act about it's carbon pollution problem, if not we just 'killed' our great-great-grandchildren's children for the oppurtunity of a safer place to live.

Jay Durias of South Border and his buddy who played saxophone, the pretty Sitti and True Faith all sang a few songs before the countdown begins. Gloomsticks were given to the crowd sitting in front of the stage. White confetties showered the performers from time to time. There was a short laughing moment though when they started the countdown. Sitti started from '9' while the lead of True Faith started from '10'. They quickly looked at each other but continued the countdown in favor of Sitti.

Glorietta 5, Intercontinental Hotel and Ascott Hotel which are situated just a stone's throw from the venue turned of most their lights. Those huge billboards were not spared, SM Makati also participated. For some big businesses especially malls and food establishments joining this event meant a less turn over of net income for the day. But it is nice to see them supporting each other even for an hour. My faith is strong that same way happen to all over Philippines.

A Father-and-Sons Piano Concert in CCP

I got so lucky because of a given complimentary ticket(thanks Gian), I was able to watch a world-class piano concert as part of the 3rd ASEAN event series "Bridges-Dialogues Towards a Culture for Peace", facilitated by the International Peace Foundation at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater Pasay City last March 11th. Featuring world renowned Russian pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy and sons, clarinetist Dimitri Ashkenazy and pianist Vovka Ashkenazy.



He is described as one of the most renowned and revered pianists of our times as per CCP website. His fingers are swift as it glide to make a glissando. Like him, his sons performed so well too. Mastery in music really run from the genes of this father-and-sons concert.It was my first time to watch a piano-cum-clarinet concert, Dimitri who had some introductions was a bit wit enough that he made the crowd laughing. Musical pieces performed were Schumann – Three Dances, Op. 94, Lutoslawski – Dance Preludes for Clarinet and Piano (1954), Poulenc – Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 94, Schubert – Divertmento a l’Hongroise, Op. 54 (to be played by two pianos), Ravel – La Valse and story about a goat which made the crowd laughing again as mentioned by Dimitri.





Don't ask me about these songs and authors as these are alien thing to me. But I did enjoyed the concert, for once in a while you get to listen to soothing, eerie and relaxing music. From time to time I would find myself yawning since it was very "unusual" in my ears to listen to these kind of music. One more piano concert made me remember way back in college, our very own Ingrid Sala-Santa Maria who performed in a gymn in Legazpi City, Bicol. I actually did not finished the show as I find it "boring". But now I did realized as I looked around, this kind of music is for the "matured" generation. Most of the people attended, are wearing formal or smart cashual attire, most of them belonging to the elite class. I would not be surprised because the most expensive ticket costs P10,000 and P500 as the cheapest (that is $200+ and $10+ approximately).





During the autograph signing, the crowd surrounded these three, that I find it hard to take a picture of them. I also took a few pictures of the exhibits of arts made by children outside the theatre. Enough, enough... the show started at 8pm and ended 10pm, I need to go back home and sleep soon as I need to wake up 5:30am for my privileged one-week day shift after four years of work.

Photo Exhibit: Pinoy's Tribute to the 82nd Oscar's Award Night

THIRTEEN best Hollywood Oscar movies of all times were used as a theme of our local actors and actresses for the photo exhibit shown in Greenbelt 1 this evening. The earliest movie ever depicted was "Gone with the Wind" created in 1940 and "Inglorious Bastards" last year as the most recent.

The people behind this did a good job. The picture is a combined masterpiece of the actors, hair and make-up artists, costume designers and the photographer. Each scene if stared for quite sometime looked very, very realistic and intriguing. It did not appeared dull and picturesque but just like a real scene in any movie.

Two of my most favorite scenes are from Titanic - the highest grossing film of all times ( please update me guys if ever needed) which these two young actors are submerged in the water. They are hugging and facing each other like they are in an air atmosphere breathing normally! The hair was just perfect not messed up by the current, the long gown of the girl is floating up, a realistic indication that the photo shoot is really underwater. Even the guy's eye is opened and looking at the
girl too! Anybody could guess or tell for how long did they took this shoot and got this almost perfect scene?

This movie always remind me of my first year in high school. We are in a Biology class and we have a movie presentation. This movie was just showing up for a few weeks and it was in the verge of popularity that we convinced and connived with our teacher to show this movie instead of another dull Biology educational tapes scheduled to be shown. Without letting the other teachers know about it, of course!

Last is the Brokeback Mountain shoot. Why? Because knowing that this controversial movie is about two guys who developed intimate relationship with each other, instead it was portrayed by two girls! Two thumbs up to the one who conceived this idea. It was a twist but definitely worthy.

The two girls did a good job as well that their facial expressions and how they are grabbing each other's dress was simply erotic. Here is the list in chronological order:

1940 Gone With The Wind (Jake Cuenca & Maja Salvador)
1961 West Side Story (Nikki Gil & Billy Joe Crawford)
1967 Bonnie and Clyde (Shaina Magdayao)
1987 Dirty Dancing (Rayver Cruz)
1994 Forest Gump (Albert Martinez)
1944 Casablanca (Jericho Rosales & Maricar Reyes)
1995 Pulp Fiction Zanjoe Marudo & Mariel Rodriguez
1996 Titanic (Erich Gonzales & Enchong Dee)
1998 Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Melissa Ricks & Raymund Marasigan)
2005 Phantom of the Opera (KC Montero & Solenn Heusaff)
2006 Brokeback Mountain (Isabel Daza)
2006 Memoirs of Geisha (Kim Chui & Marc Nelson)





Tomorrow is another Oscar night... For sure another batch of shining starts in Hollywood will be added on it's wall of history. Fashion will be at it's highest tomorrow as the parade of stars will walk in the red carpet. Some will be praised, some will be mocked and a few will bring home an Oscar trophy - a lifetime achievement for them. Aside from their costumes please mind how are the
winners react impromptu of whom are the people they would like to thank for. That is pretty enough to know which one's are God-fearing, family or career-oriented, just blown away that they mumble or speechless or those who arrogantly say they have nothing or no one to thank for.