RP Celebrates International Dance Day thru Dance Xchange

Philippine dance troupes, together with international dance groups, celebrated the International Dance Day with seminars, workshops, and cultural presentations during the Dance Xchange: 1st Philippine International Dance Workshop and Festival held last April 28 – May 1, 2009 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the annual national dance congress aims to provide a venue for interaction and to facilitate learning among dancers, directors, choreographers as well as t tourism and cultural officers. The event is designed to provide new ideas and inspiration to encourage creativity of dance educators, directors, and choreographers.

Dance Xchange is also intended to showcase the unique dances of each country to promote cultural understanding and to strengthen network among dance organizations and diplomatic relations of the participating countries.

International delegations included Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Dance Troupe, the Dance Academy of Kuching Malaysia, Persadaku Seni Dancers of Singapore, Spanish Dance Troupe, Chinese Dance Company, Beijing Dance Academy, Japanese Dancers, Aswara Dancers of Malaysia, Korea, and Macau Dancers.

Local performing groups also joined the celebration, which included the Philippine National Folkdance Company (Bayanihan) Leyte Dance Theater, Philippine National University Kislap ng Sining Dance Troupe, Lahing Batangan Dance Troupe, Sinukwan Performing Arts, Douglas Nierras Powerdance, Halili-Cruz Dance Company, ADS Performing Arts, University of San Carlos Dance Troupe, Helobung Community Dance Troupe, Inc., Bohol Punta Cruz Cultural Collective, Kahayag of South Cotabato, Professional Dance Teachers Association, Hwa Yi Ethnic Dance Troupe, Jambangan Dance Troupe, Sinanduloy Dance Troupe, and MEV Dance Troupe.

For more information about the event, contact the NCCA-Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) at (632) 527-5529, 527-2192 loc. 508, 612 to 615, email at ncca.paio@gmail.com, public_affairs@ncca.gov.ph or visit their website www.ncca.gov.ph

UP Centennial Artists Held “Festival” Exhibit

The distinguished University of the Philippines (UP) Centennial Artists group held a painting exhibition at the Trade Hall of the Gateway Mall at the Araneta Center in Quezon City last April 23 to June 5, 2009.

Entitled “Festival”, the exhibit had for its theme the various festivities all over the country, given the Filipinos’ innate love for celebrations, and showcased the works of several outstanding UP alumni painters.

“Festival” is their first exhibition 2009 and fourth in a series since the UP Centennial Artists were formed as a group in June 2008, during the year-long celebration of the University of the Philippines’ one hundredth year anniversary. The series began with highly successful “100 Years/100 Nudes” in August, followed by a multi-themed exhibit in November, and climaxed with a “Mother and Child” exhibition last December 18, 2008 at the Trade Hall of the Gateway Mall.

The continuing series is organized by UP Centennial Artist Romy Carlos as a project of the UP Alumni Association in cooperation with fellow-UP alumnus, Mr. Jorge Araneta, proprietor of the Araneta Center in Quezon City.

Participating artists were: National Artist Jose Joya, Jess Abrera, Mar Bongalon, Angel Cacnio, Ferdie Cacnio, Michael Cacnio, Alfred Capiral, Romy Carlos, Carlos Castro, Cris Cruz, Denis Dasco, Raul Dayao, Neil Doloricon, Bert Duldulao, Tessie Duldulao, Nonoy Gamboa, Ding Hidalgo, Pete Jimenez, Aileen Lanuza, Herman Lazo, Bing Changco-Libatique, Manolo Lozada, Romi Mananquil, Norlito Miemban, Gig De Pio, Symkin De Pio, Vincent De Pio, Myrna Reyes, Tito Roy, Jonahmar Salvosa, Pyt Santos, Lenore Raquel-Santos, Nanding Sena, Randy Solon, Boy Valino, Ana Vergel and Rick De Villa.

For more information about the event, contact the UP Alumni Association at (632) 929-8327, 920-6868, 920-6871, email upalum@yahoo.com.ph, info@upalumni.ph or visit their website at http://www.upalumni.ph/.

Philippines Became First Host of World Health Tourism Congress in Asia

In the effort to place the country as the premier health and wellness tourism destination in Asia, the Philippines was the first country in Asia Pacific to host the World Health Tourism Congress held last March 26 – 28, 2009 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

Organized by Aura International, in partnership with the Department of Tourism http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph, the World Health Tourism Congress is an exclusive congress where buyers and vendors of medical and wellbeing services have the opportunity to interact in a one-to-one meeting format as well as during workshops and informal gatherings.

During the event, corporate buyers, or those who decide when and where to send their citizens, client, and employees for medical travel, had the chance to meet up with solution providers, which consists of spas, hotel, medical center, and clinics, and forged partnerships in order to find cost effective institutions which can deliver the needs of their clients seeking medical attention. Also, participants were introduced to the latest news and updates about the health and tourism industry.

The first annual was hosted in Germany last May 25 – 27, 2006, the Second annual was hosted in Cyprus last March 23 – 25, 2007 and the Third annual was hosted in Spain last April 4 - 6, 2008.

The 4th World Health Tourism Congress is sponsored by the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (Asian Hospital and Medical Center, The Medical City, Health and Leisure - Medical Tourism Integrator, Makati Medical Center, Asian Eye Institute, Philippine Retirement Authority, Manila Doctors Hospital, Capitol Medical Center, Tagaytay Hospital and Medical Center, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, and St. Francis Cabrini M.Cat), Prince Court Medical Centre, Cyprus Tourism Organization, Cebu Health and Wellness Council Inc., Jayan International, Parkway Holdings, Singapore Medicine, Take Care, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Bellevue Medical Center, ARDI Health Services Inc., Kliniken des Bezirks Oberbayern, Zulu Kingdom, and Discovery Suites.

Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival 2009 Drew Local and International Cyclists

Over 15,000 cyclists from all over the country and around the world pedaled their way towards Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales for the 7^th Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival (TLBF) held last April 2 – 5, 2009.

The sports event, presented by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Department of Tourism (DOT) and Caltex, aims to cultivate interest in sports, specifically biking. Furthermore, it aims to promote bicycling as an alternative means of transportation that is environment friendly.

TLBF, which started in 2002, is the only multi-discipline cycling event of its kind in the Philippines and Asia, where races and other activities are held for three days in one location. The races include road, mountain bike downhill, mountain bike cross-country, trials, and BMX freestyle and jumping, among others.

During the event, several races, stunt, and trial competitions were staged for enthusiasts and professionals bikers. These include Mountain Bike Cross Country, 4X, Dirt Jumping, and Downhill Competitions and the BMX Supercross and Dirt Jumping Competition.

Former Philippine Bicycle Team member Baby Marites Bitbit dominated the women’s division while March McQuinn Aleonar from the Philippine Army ruled in the Elite Pro division of the Mountain Bike Cross Country category.

For the first time ever in its history, this year’s edition of the TLBF included a triathlon where Mr. Mathieu O’Halloran finished first in the 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run in 1:27:25. He was followed by Mr. Mark Ellis with 1:43:39 and Mr. Antonio Lopez with 1:47:30.

Aside from competitions, the TLBF held the 2009 FilBike Bicycle Expo where former Multiple-UCI World Champion and Mountain Bike Hall of Famer Hans “No Way” Rey talked about Wheels 4 Life, a non-profit foundation that has been assisting the less privileged in acquiring a bike. This year’s winner of the Downhill competition, current Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) 4X World Champion Brian Lopes, also shared his experience in competing in a World Cup. International bike builder Jeff Jones, winner of the 3^rd Philippine Trials Competition, revealed the philosophy behind designing non suspended bicycles. While Banshee Bikes Chief Operating Officer Mr. Jay Macneil talked about Bicycle suspension 101.

The 7^th Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival is co-presented by Inquirer.net , Yehey.com and Bike Town Cyclery, sponsored by Gatorade, Smart Communications, Rudy Project Eyewear, Jägermeister, Business Mirror, Pinoy Bikes, Chris Sports, Deuter Bags, Cafe Breton, Sportspray, Enervon-C Multivitamins, Flanax, and the following media partners: Dirt Rag Mountain Bike Magazine, Men's Health Magazine, Women’s Health Magazine, MTV Philippines, XFM 92.3, Wave 89.1, and Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Philippine Designers Goes Green at Manila FAME International

Eco-friendly design takes center stage at Asia’s Best Design Destination - Manila Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers Exchange International (Manila FAME) scheduled on April 15-18, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. As many as 300 world-class designers and manufacturers will present their eco-inspired creations made of indigenous and sustainable materials from the Philippines.

The event is a flagship project of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry. For 25 years, the show has been instrumental in the promotion and development of the home and fashion lifestyle industries for the export market.

As Asia’s undisputed best design destination, Manila FAME participants and exhibitors pride themselves in being pioneers in using recyclable and eco-friendly materials such as scrap metals, wood shavings, egg shells, and even abandoned insect colonies. These entrepreneurs came up with fresh, original, innovative designs in home pieces and fashion wearable even at a time when recycling was not yet in fashion.

Over the years, a number of “green-fluenced” companies have been joining Manila FAME to showcase product design innovation in gifts and house ware, furniture, fashion, holiday décor, and health and wellness services. These innovative products show that saving the environment is not just a fad.

“We believe that designing an eco-friendly product starts with an understanding of your environment first. We recognize that sustainable and renewable resources are around us,” shared Manila FAME exhibitor Mr. Pete Delantar of Natures Legacy, a manufacturer of artistic and functional home pieces and various outdoor accessories.

Manila FAME is accredited by UFI, a Paris-based organization of leading trade show organizers and recognized by major international associations in the exhibitions industry. A number of exhibitors in the show have been recipients of Germany’s Red Dot Award, Japan’s Good Design Award, UNESCO-AHPADA Seal of Excellence for Handicraft Products in Southeast Asia. They have also been featured in the International Design Yearbook. In its 25-year history, the show has transformed small and medium-sized companies into flourishing industries that provide jobs to our people and drive the economy.

“Manila FAME International is not just your ordinary run-of-the-mill”, said CITEM Deputy Executive Director Thelma Dumpit-Murillo. “When we bring our exporters to join shows overseas, we carry the Philippine flag. We are the face of our country and so there is no space for less than world-class products. It is also a perfect example of the synergistic partnership between government and private sector with government creating the environment conducive for the exchange of goods and services.”

For more information about Manila FAME visit www.manilafame.com