JFM Stages 2010 Nihongo Fiesta at Mall of Asia

Immerse yourself into the fascinating world of Japanese culture on February 27, 2010, as the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) and SM Mall of Asia, hold the 2010 Nihongo Fiesta at the SM Mall of Asia Cinema and Main Mall Atrium.

The annual festival, which promotes international cultural and arts exchange between Japan and the Philippines, will include a highly-anticipated Nihongo speech contest, a fun and hip Japanese and Filipino Street Fashion Exhibit and Contest, and an exciting J-Rock (Japanese rock) Concert.

Filipino students and professionals who want to show off their linguistic skills in Nihongo are invited to join the 37th Nihongo Speech Contest and get a chance to win an all-expense paid week-long study tour in Japan. In line with JFM’s objective of promoting cultural exchange through Japanese Language Education, participants are required to deliver their own original compositions on a subject of their choice. High School Nihongo beginners, on the other hand, can participate in the 2nd Nihongo Quiz Bee for High School Students to showcase their knowledge in Japanese language and culture. Both contests will be held in Cinema 2 of Mall of Asia; from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Aside from showcasing the Japanese language, the Nihongo Fiesta will also put on display the stylish and edgy characters that descend the streets of Tokyo in the Japanese and Filipino Street Fashion Exhibit and Contest. The trendy Tokyoites are captured in a photo exhibition along with Manila’s very own interpretation of street fashion through the watchful eyes of Filipino fashion designer and style blogger Cecile Zamora Van Straten, and curated by Team Manila. Guests are invited to express their individuality, dress up in their street style best, and turn the hallways of Mall of Asia into urban center catwalks on February 27. Roving “style scouts” will choose the best dressed and the winner will take home a cash prize and Japanese fashion products. The Japanese and Filipino Street Fashion Exhibit and Contest will run from February 22 to 28 in the Main Mall Atrium of SM Mall of Asia.

Finally, cap off the Nihongo Fiesta festivities in the evening with fantastic music and dancing at the J-Rock Concert featuring the influential Japanese punk-pop-rock band Shonen Knife. Fresh from their US tour, the all-female group, which has gained a worldwide cult following, will rock out with the country’s all-male dunk (dance and punk) band, Pedicab in a one-night only free concert at Mall of Asia’s San Miguel by the Bay from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

The 2010 Nihongo Fiesta is supported by the following media partners: Manila Bulletin, NU 107 and ClicktheCity.com.

Admission is free to all 2010 Nihongo Fiesta events. For inquiries, contact the JFM at (632) 811-6155 or email email@jfmo.org.ph or visit their website at www.jfmo.org.ph.

PSC Celebrates 20th Anniversary with All in Sports Expo 2010

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Philippine Sports Commission, players, coaches, and sports enthusiasts are invited to take part in the country’s newest sports and fitness expo: the 1st Philippine Sporting Goods and Facilities, Fitness Equipment, Apparel and Footwear, Hobbies, Recreation and Health-Related Products and Services Exhibition (All in Sports Expo 2010) scheduled on February 25 – 28, 2010 at the newly-renovated Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

Organized by the Philippine Sports Commission in partnership with Global-Link MP Events International, Inc., the event will be an exhibit of the latest in the sports and fitness industry, featuring products, services, and technology form top local as well as foreign companies.

All In Sports Expo 2010 will coincide with the Commission on Higher Education - Private Schools Athletic Association - State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (CHED-PRISAA-SCUAA) National Games - the biggest sports competition among private and state colleges and universities in the country. The games will showcase young athletes from 17 regions across the Philippine battle it out to become achieve high honors in their respective sports, including judo, badminton, tennis, swimming, athletics, and baseball.

Aside from display of sporting goods and items sold at discounted prices, other activities have been lined up for the four-day sports expo. There will be an inter-school tournament and exhibition on the country’s National Sport, Arnis. Philippine Taekwondo's best athletes will compete for the Metro Manila Open Championship. Philippine Grandmasters will face-off in a chess tournament. Other activities include bodybuilding exhibition, international dance competition for the youth in multiple subjects and styles including hip-hop, jazz, and ballroom, Tennis Exhibition Match between top athletes in men's and women's divisions, and a Sports photo exhibit featuring the greatest moments in Philippine sports from 1990 to present.

For more information about the event, contact Global-Link MP Events International Inc. at (632) 750-8588, 887-1304; fax (632) 750-8585; email: info@globallinkmp.com, or visit their website at www.globallinkph.com.

Philippine Beauty Experts Shine at Cosmetologie 2010

The Philippine International Cosmetologists Association (PICA), the leading organization of beauty and wellness professionals and the only association accredited by TESDA, proudly presents Cosmetologie 2010: Beauty, Wellness, and Trends Expo at the SMX Convention Center from February 23-24, 2010.

Cosmétologie 2010: Beauty, Wellness & Trends is the biggest and most prestigious gathering of industry professionals in the country today. With the leading names in the beauty, wellness and fashion industries taking part in this grand occasion, Cosmétologie 2010 will set trends in a country that appreciates beauty inside and out.

Organized by PICA together with Premier Events Plus Group, Inc. (PEPGroup, Inc.), Cosmétologie 2010 is assured of being an effective platform to promoting the latest products and services. The event will provide the most rewarding educational experience to all its participants with different activities conducted by professionals and experts in various disciplines of cosmetology. Interactive workshops on Classic cutting, Comprehensive coloring, Seasonal and trendy styling, Specialty make-up, Nail enhancement, Hair enhancement, Aromatherapy and reflexology will be staged throughout the two-day affair. There will also be live demonstrations where visitors can watch and learn from the best in the industry as international and celebrity experts conduct demonstrations on-stage.

To highlight Cosmétologie 2010, the organizers will stage a fashion fair and runway show where visitors will see total looks come together with fabulous fashion, amazing accessories, spectacular hair and make-up all set to vibrant music and expert commentary.

New to the expo is the complete integration of the “Touch of Excellence”, touted as the most prestigious and most credible competition for the beauty professionals and budding stylists who will take part in a unique competition to showcase their skills and creativity in the following categories: Urban Chic Cut and Color (Ladies and Gents), Red Carpet Glamour Hairstyle and Make-Up, and Bridal Bliss Make-up.

For more inquiries, contact Premier Events Plus Group, Inc., at (632) 4269603, 9280931, 4354790, 9291576, 9297993, email, info@pepgroup.com or the Philippine International Cosmetologists Association at (632) 437-3734. Visit the event website at http://www.cosmetologiefair.com/.

DOT Opens MICECon 2010 to all Business, Industry Sector

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano has virtually opened the forthcoming conference on meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) to the entire business community as he invites all members of the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors to join the Philippine MICE Conference (MICECon) 2010 slated at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on Feb. 4 - 7, 2010.

Sec. Durano said MICECON 2010 would orient corporate executives and entrepreneurs on the latest trends in this field, provide them with a lineup of competent foreign and local service providers, present to them the best practices worldwide, and acquaint them with the global network of MICE experts whom they could tap, thus enabling them to optimize the benefits they could derive from staging their own MICE-related activities anywhere in the world.

“MICECON is not just for the MICE sector of the tourism industry, but for the entire business community since it revolves around a marketing tool that is now being used extensively worldwide in pursuit of corporate and entrepreneurial objectives,” Sec. Durano explained.

This is the first time that a MICE event will be held north of Manila. Previous MICE events were staged in Cebu, Boracay, Davao, Bacolod and Batangas. The staging of this event in Subic is intended to develop and market the North as another MICE destination outside Manila. This is also the first time that the country’s two major MICE-related events – the Philippine Incentive Marketing Conference (Phil-Incentive) and the Philippine Asia MICE Forum – are brought together to form MICECON 2010.

Organized by the DOT and its marketing arm, the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp. (PCVC), MICECON 2010 includes an Amazing MICE Race, MICE Leaders Forum, Educational Tracks for MICE Mates, MICE market seminars, business networking, and bid presentations of future MICECON hosts.

Aside from the seminars, workshops and business networking activities, MICECON 2010 also includes special events in three key northern destinations – Balanga for bird watching, Subic for the main conference, and Clark for the post-tour.

MICECON 2010 is supported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Philippine Airlines, Philippine Tourism Authority, Provincial Government of Cebu, City Government of Balanga, Bataan, Provincial Government of Bohol, Victory Liner, Islands Philippines, Primer Group of Companies, Recreational Outdoor Exchange (ROX), WOW Jeepney Tours, Clark Development Corp., Clark International Airport Corp., Coltrans, Marriott Hotel, Travellers International Hotel Group, Annset Holidays, Inc., INTAS Destinations, Yellowbird Tours, Abacus International, Smart Communications, Inc., TTG Asia, Manila North Tollways Corp., Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS), Movement of Incentive Travel Executives (MITE), Hotel Sales & Marketing Association (HSMA), National Association of Independent Travel Agencies Inc. (NAITAS), and Travel Café Philippines.

For more information on MICECON 2010, contact the MICECON Secretariat at (632) 525-9318 local 233 or 525-6110, email phil.MICEconference@gmail.com, cit@dotpcvc.gov.ph, or visit www.dotpcvc.gov.ph.

Manila Night Sky to Brighten Up during First Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

Every Sunday starting February 14, 2010, Valentines Day and Chinese New Year, the Manila night sky will brighten up as the best pyrotechnic experts take part in the First Philippine International Pyromusical Competition, scheduled from February 14 – March 14, 2010 at the SM Mall of Asia Grounds in Pasay City.

Present by SM Mall of Asia this annual event will put on a never-before-seen spectacle of lights and colors where the night sky and sea meet as staged by the world’s leading pyrotechnic experts from nine countries – Australia, United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, United States of America, and the Philippines.

This competition will not only pain the Manila sky with brilliant bursts of vivid colors, but will also be the venue to showcase the emerging artistry and evolving sophistication of Filipino fireworks technology. The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition will be imbued with the awesome fanfare and delightful displays of the world's leading pyrotechnic events, but done with that distinct Filipino flourish that will surely bring together eager audience from all over the region.

The Philippines will fire up the opening salvo of pyrotechnic artistry on February 14. As host country, the Philippines will not take part in the competition but will showcase its unique pyrotechnic presentation during the opening and closing ceremonies. Other countries will show off their entries during the following days:

• February 14 - Australia
• February 21 – United Kingdom and China
• February 28 – France and China
• March 7 – Singapore and Malaysia
• March 14 – USA

The 1st Philippine International Pyromusical Competition is in cooperation with Platinum Fireworks, Inc., and Department of Tourism. Official Residence is Traders Hotel Manila.

For ticket inquiries, call Ticketnet at (632) 911-5555 and Ticketworld at (632) 891-999. For more information about the event, contact Platinim Fireworks, Inc., at (63917) 926-4625, (63939) 317-5476, email platinumfireworks@gmail.com or visit the event website at www.pyrophilippines.com/.

World’s Best Ballroom Dancers Face-Off at 3rd Philippine StarBall

The country’s biggest, grandest and most anticipated ballroom dance competition is set to take center stage once again at the 3^rd Philippine StarBall to be held on February 13, 2010 at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.

Organized by the Council of United Professional Dance Teachers of the Philippines (CUPDTP), the event aims to bring the best in the world of ballroom dancing to the Filipino audience. The event is spearheaded by organizing committee chairman Michaela “Pinky” Puno, wife of Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who personally invited the top competitors she saw at the Blackpool Festival and the Internationals competition in London.

Top professional and amateur ballroom dancers from around the world will show their skills in what is to be the most celebrated dance competition in this part of the globe. About 80 international, high caliber dancers will participate in this year’s Philippine StarBall. They will be coming from all over the world—USA, Italy, Denmark, Russia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Poland, Australia, Germany, Serbia, England, Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia, Canada, Norway, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Austria, as well as our Asian countries—Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Japan.

This event, recognized by the Games and Amusement Board, is supported by the Department of Tourism and First Gentleman’s Foundation. The 3^rd Philippine StarBall is for the benefit of Kythe Foundation, which helps children with cancer.

For more information, contact the Philippine StarBall Secretariat. Ms.Marissa Manese at (632)812-8464, email Ms. Pinky Puno mpuno@aol.com, michaela.puno@gmail.com or Mr. Jose "Jojo" Cariño, CUPDTP President at jojocarino@gmail.com or visit the official website at http://www.philippinestarball.com/

Ballooning Goes To New Heights at 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Hot air balloons paint the sky once again for the 15^th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF). This dazzling event will be staged at the Clarkfield Economic Zone in Pampanga on February 11-14, 2010.

The PIHABF is an annual event featuring balloons from all over the world. Over the years, it has become a convention of sorts including aerosports and other aviation-related pursuits.

Tagged as the “Weekend of Everything That Flies”, viewers will be treated to a spectacular air show featuring regular and special-shaped hot air balloons coming from all over the world. Other activities include skydiving exhibitions, paragliding, aerobatics, airplane and helicopter flybys, balloon-bursting competitions, professional kite flying, remote control aircraft displays and a whole lot more! There will also be ground activities like food courts and fly markets, car exhibitions, army aircraft and gear displays, aviation schools exhibits, photo contests and other exciting events. It’s definitely a treat for the whole family.

The 15th PIHABF will also stage the 2010 Aviation Awards, which aims to recognize several outstanding people who exemplify the highest standards of flying and service, or have made extraordinary contributions to the aerospace industry in the year 2009. The recipients of the 2010 Aviation Awards will be honored at the awards ceremony and dinner scheduled on February 13, 2010.

The 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is sponsored by United Parcel Service (UPS), Krukspec Tactical Gear, Marquee Mall, Asian Air Safari, Angeles City Four Wheelers Club http://216.55.144.142/ac, DSV Logistics, Caltex, Cebu Pacific Air, Circus Aircraft, Global Gateway Logistics City, Yellow Cab Pizza, Ayala Malls, Recreational Outdoor Exchange (R.O.X.), Clark Development Corporation, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, Air Force City, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine National Police.

For more information and a detailed schedule of activities, contact Asian Air Safari at (632) 384-0085, (63927) 340-4994 or visit the event website at http://www.philballoonfest.net.