Singapore: Love-Hate Relationship in the City Full of Contrasts

Wazzup Pilipinas!

For the last time the clock strikes at four, the bell rings and the students scream. “What time is it?” we always say and together we were quick to respond, “Summer time!”. Summer is filled with flip flops, ocean smell, dark skin, ice cream, loud music and crazy minds. But mine is filled with indoor slippers, book smell, pale skin, cold drinks, soft music and tired mind. To maybe compensate for my lost summer, my mom rewarded me with a 4-days-3-nights vacation that includes a passport, a luggage filled with too much clothes, and a merlion.

Let me start with saying that I love summer vacation but I hate summer. You might think that there is not much of a difference but maybe that is just you not taking a close look at the situation. I like the ocean-only when there is no heat, I like taking a stroll outside-only when there is no heat, I like being under the sun-that is a lie. 

So my summer consisted of taking college entrance exam review courses that is a must for incoming seniors who aspire to get into the top big four colleges and make a name for themselves, a lot of book reading, a lot more of sleep, and that tiny bit of merlion. I want to talk about the adventures that books have luckily provided me with, or the wonder of truly seeing the world and not just looking at it from books, but let me just talk about the adventures I did with my family. After all, adventures with yourself are fun but an adventure with your whole family makes a fam-bam! 

That Endless Summer

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Palm trees, ocean breeze, salty air, and sun kissed hair, new friends, new adventures and more fun. Splash! I just took a load off from that stressful school year but if I am not in school where am I? I am in the beautiful season of summer where I can sleep in, go to the pool, and I don’t have to worry about homework!

Summer 2014 for me is very unusual compare to the other summer vacations I’ve had. Right after classes ended, the day after that, we went to Mangatarem, Pangasinan to attend a wedding ceremony. It was a unique wedding because of the marine officers who made a grand entrance for the bride. Also, during the reception, I met a lot of cousins for the first time in my life! It was nice meeting them though. I’ve got to experience swimming in a beach without paying anything, oh wow that’s just great because swimming for free!! Before we left Pangasinan, we had a seafood boodle fight for lunch.

After a few days, some relatives from the province visited us and we took them to Mansion Garden Hotel in Subic. There are many places to stay in Subic, and this is probably one of the cleanest, best options. It was a wonderful stay for me and my family and relatives, they really enjoyed the ambiance of the pool, and the water is warm and perfect for a hot weather!

Ballet Philippines 45th Anniversary - Sapphire Season Presented to the Press

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ballet Philippines, the country’s premier classical and contemporary dance company proudly announced its 45th Anniversary – The Sapphire Season to the members of the press last May 21, 2014 at the newly-opened Studio One located at Liwasang Ullalim (near Folk Arts Theater).

The weather was cool and breezy and the setting was very informal. Before sunset, a simple ceremony was led by BP’s president Ms. Margie Moran Floirendo. With the help of her magic wand, the huge red cloth which initially covered the entrance of the new ballet studio finally unveiled and revealed the cavernous space with the BP dancers in a tableau inviting everyone to come inside for the program proper.

Ms. Margie officially welcomed all the guests and shared a few pertinent information about BP’s new season productions, the newly opened BP Dance School at SM Aura and Studio One, the US and Canada tour, the participation of BP to the International Ballet Competitions in US and Bulgaria, and the fundraising projects spearheaded by the Ballet Philippines Alumni Association.