Travel Experiences: Bukidnon, Mindanao Philippines

by: Jerome Espinosa Baladad (learn more about the author below)

This is the 2nd on our series on “Discover Mindanao”.

Certain regular media fed images stick into travelers’ minds when they hear of tales on Mindanao. They either must have heard about the wars spearheaded by the Philippine government against its enemies in the island, or they have been hearing about the confounding natural beauty of the landscape that can still be seen Read more

Travel Destinations: Vigan, Philippines

by: Jerome Espinosa Baladad (learn more about the author below)
photos by: JayJay Tuazon

Up in northern Luzon (the Philippine archipelago’s largest island), this Hispanic city shows a fantastic preview of how the country’s urbanized areas must have looked like in Spanish times. Vigan seems like an imposing frieze on a multi-dimensional architectural layout displaying how life must have been during Read more

“Himala” Revisited – Nora Aunor in Vienna Virginia for the Special Screening of the Film

by: Dino Dela Rosa
(Dino Dela Rosa writes for the entertainment section of the Virginia-based The Manila Mail)

The one and only Superstar Nora Aunor was here to attend the special screening of her film “Himala,” the 1982 Ishmael Bernal classic in which she won the best actress award at the Metro Manila Filmfest.  She played the faith healer Elsa and her riveting performance is considered one of her best performances. This film was sponsored by the Filipino Ministry of Our Lady Of Good Counsel Church and MOWELFUND Philippines where Boots Anson-Roa is the Executive Director.  Boots and Nora both starred in the memorable drama, “Paru-parong Itim.”(1973). Read more

Boots Anson-Roa Graces Special Screening of Himala in Washington, DC

by: Dino Dela Rosa
(Dino Dela Rosa writes for the entertainment section of the Virginia-based The Manila Mail)

Boots Anson-Roa was Metro Washington DC last week to attend a two-night special screening of the classic Ishmael Bernal film “Himala” which was hailed by CNN(U.K.) as the top ten foreign films of all time. MOWELFUND(Movie Workers Foundation) of which Tita Boots is Executive Director was one of the sponsors of “Himala,” which starred the one and only Superstar was also in attendance which was Read more

Filipino Shines in Gypsy

by: Dino Dela Rosa
(Dino Dela Rosa writes for the entertainment section of the Virginia-based The Manila Mail)

I saw the matinee performance last Sunday of the Broadway musical “Gypsy” at the Little Theater Of Alexandria. Based on the memoirs of legendary ’30s entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee, it tells of her fiercely controlling mother Mama Rose who pushes her and her sister June into showbusiness during the Depression era, and the lengths her mother will go to make big stars of her kids. After it premiered on Broadway in 1957 with the great Ethel Merman as the original Rose, it had won many Tony awards and has been revived countless times.
The splendid production at the Little Theater Of Alexandria is a testament to the show’s enduring legacy. One of the cast members was Filipino-American thespian Mickey Daguiso who was exceptional in the role of Tulsa. He is the one and only son of local filmmaker Jun Daguiso. Read more

For Science Lovers: Spectacular Video of Solar Eclipse as Viewed in Japan (no english translation)

Amazing!  Just spectacular!

Magical Tour of Manila

Magical Tour of Manila by jamm

Read more

June Festivals

PINEAPPLE FESTIVAL
Daet, Camarines Norte
June 15-24

Read more

Life in the Philippines – Rain and Swine Flu

This is a series of Paolo’s emails to me. Most of his letters depict life in the Philippines in a whimsical sort of way.

“carlos,

tahimik ata you
busy bee ?
dami work ?
are you ok ? are you alright ? Read more

Find Joy in Every Little Thing You Do

Paolo never fails to make me laugh. Each time i have a long day, I will write him and his letters always lighten up my day. Yesterday, I wrote this friend of mine just to know how things are doing in the Philippines. This is his response that I want to share and you may find amusing.

“hey carlos, Read more

Next Page »