Dance Xchange 2010 Emphasized Philippines’ Commitment to World Dance Community

In the hopes of creating conditions for dialogue and cooperation within the world dance community, the National Committee on Dance of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) again spearheaded the Philippine celebration of International Dance Day through Dance Xchange: The 2nd Philippine International Dance Workshop and Festival held last April 15 – 19, 2010 at Roxas City, Capiz.

Organized by the NCCA - National Committee on Dance, headed by Ms. Shirley Halili-Cruz, Dance Xchange aims to strengthen international dance network, showcase the unique dances of each country to facilitate cultural understanding, provide venue for interaction and facilitate learning among dancers, directors, dance teachers, and choreographers; encourage the creation of new works, and provide a platform for local and foreign choreographers and dancers to stage their works.

This year’s theme is “Cultural Connectivity through Dance”. The 2nd Dance Xchange lived up to its promise as a bigger network of top Philippine dance companies and international dance companies from Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, England, and U.S.A. participated in the said event compared to last year.

The event also coincided with the celebration of the 109th Foundation Day of Capiz and the 62nd death anniversary of President Manuel Acuña Roxas.

The International Theater Institute (ITI) Dance Committee Chairman Neville Shulman, Conseil International de la Danse President, Prof. Alkis Raftis, and International Council of Folkloric Festival and Traditional Arts Organizations President Dr. Udomsak Sakmunwong were invited to talk about the global concerns on dance.

Dance Xchange: The 2nd Philippine International Dance Workshop and Festival is endorsed by the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical and Educational Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

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 Ms. Shirley Halili-Cruz at (63917)529-694, or email nccadancexchange@hotmail.com. Visit the NCCA website at www.ncca.gov.ph

3rd Siargao Gamefishing Tournament in Siargao Island Held

At least 41 anglers worldwide– 18 of them Filipinos challenged the seas of Siargao Island for the big catch during a five-day 3rd Siargao Gamefishing Tournament 2010 held last April 14 - 18, 2010 at Pilar, Siargao Island in Surigao del Sur.

Participating anglers came from Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States of America and the host country, Philippines. These anglers challenged the seas of Siargao for the big catch with prizes ranging from P30,000.00 to P50,000.00 cash under the five contest categories.

Department of Tourism Undersecretary for Sports and Wellness Cynthia Carreon graced the event along wit DOT CARAGA Regional Director Leticia Tan.

The 3rd Siargao Gamefishing Tournament is sponsored by San Miguel Corporation and Cebu Pacific Air and supported by and First District of Surigao del Norte, headed by Rep. Francisco T. Matugas, local government of Pilar, Siargao Island, headed by Pilar Mayor Lucio T. Gonzales, and the Department of Tourism.

For information on how to be a part of the event, contact Atty. Gordon Uy of GoodCatch Fishing Tackle at (632)303-8677 or Ms. Zeny Pallugna, event organizer, at (63929) 6721508, email siargao_fishing@yahoo.com. Interested parties can check the Tournament website at www.siargaogamefishing.com.

Manila F.A.M.E. International 2010 Unfolds New Beginning

Re-inventing and transforming, Manila Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers Exchange (Manila F.A.M.E.) International begins a new chapter in its 27-year history, as it evolves into Asia’s Boutique Show on April 22-25, 2010 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.

More than just an exhibition for home and fashion lifestyle products, Manila F.A.M.E. provides its visitors and buyers a unique experience with more than the usual product selections.

This bi-annual trade show, organized by Center For International Trade Expositions And Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, expands into 4 co-located shows featuring Home Living for design-driven furniture and houseware; FashioNation for fashion forward collections of inspired fashion complements, garments, and textile; BIO-Search, a promotion of health and wellness that offers natural personal care and spa products; and ART:MNL, a sampling of Filipino contemporary paintings and sculptures.

Sticking to the show’s tradition of excellence, Manila F.A.M.E. boasts of top-notch craftsmanship with premium quality and design innovations unique to the country. As Asia’s Boutique Show, buyers are given further personalized customer service that is an extension of the world-renowned Filipino warmth and hospitality where both buyers and exhibitors are provided a venue to conduct business and build lasting relationships

In the Philippines, Manila F.A.M.E. International raises the bar for international exhibitions by being the only trade fair accredited by Union des Foires Internationales (UFI), a Paris-based association of trade fair organizers. And, as one of the longest-running trade shows for home lifestyle products in the Asia Pacific, it is a favorite sourcing destination of well-known brands such as Neiman Marcus, Jonathan Adler, Armani Casa, Ralph Lauren, Harrods, and Gucci among others.

“Through the years, Manila F.A.M.E. has never failed to give our buyers only the best that the Philippines can offer as we continuously seek new ways, new styles, and new approaches for a seamless buying experience. As we welcome our guests this April, we hope to inspire them with our expanded product offerings under 4 co-located shows: Home Living, FashioNation, BIO-Search, and ART:MNL, as I personally extend this invitation to our buyers and exhibitors alike. Be part of the evolution. See you this April,” said CITEM Deputy Executive Director and Manila F.A.M.E. Over-all Project Director, Thelma Dumpit-Murillo.

In its October 2009 edition, close to 2,000 buyers from Japan, Germany, Australia, France, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States, visited the show where 439 world-class companies exhibited.

“We keep visiting Manila whenever Manila F.A.M.E. International is there because we like the originality; the designs are nice, there are new concepts and the standard is high. We come here for Christmas items and pottery. It is extraordinary all the time here,” enthused a buyer from Belgium.

A first time visitor from India says, “…The handicraft [in the show] is good. The quality and design are nice.”

Likewise, a buyer from Australia had good words for the show saying, “We import from all over the world and the products you have here seem to be of better quality than all the other products we have seen. We are quite impressed with it.”

This April 2010, visitors can likewise look forward to new show components such as Switch, which highlights designers’ crossing over design disciplines to show versatility, Icons, which features forerunners of Philippine design who have made it big internationally as well as daily fashion shows and design competitions.

For more information about the event, contact the Manila F.A.M.E. International Secretariat at (632) 833-1258, 831-2201 Local 240/243 (Home Lifestyle), 831.1265, 8312201 Local 203 / 226 (Fashion Lifestyle) e-mail manilafame@citem.com.ph or visit the event website at http://www.manilafame.com

Tarlac to Host Palarong Pambansa 2010

The provincial government of Tarlac will host the 53rd edition of the Palarong Pambansa to be held on April 11-17, 2010 at the Tarlac Recreational Park (TRP) in San Jose, Tarlac.

Prior to the event, a launching was held last February 18, 2010 simultaneously in four other towns -- Bamban, Concepcion, Camiling and San Manuel-- as a signal for the start of the Palaro 2010 countdown.

Tarlac province has started the counting from the 53rd day before the event as this is the 53rd Palarong Pambansa. The theme for this year is “Play for the Region, Win for the Nation”. The activity kicked off at 6:30 a.m. with all the 17 municipalities and one city in the province held a firecracker launch, simultaneous with the ringing of all church bells. This was followed by a province-wide cycling and motorcade.

The launching also introduced “Palaro” this year’s mascot. “As first time host, we mark this event with this mascot. We named “Palaro”, -- a multi-faceted yet roundly unified ball to symbolize the energy, the discipline and the verve that go with every jump, every kick and every bounce made during the games.” Gov. Yap said.

He also said that “much like Tarlac, dubbed as the melting pot of Central Luzon where diverse cultures meet and mix, mascot ‘Palaro” also represents convergence and oneness.”

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Tarlac government also conducted a press briefing at the TRP where mechanics, security, fraud, accommodation of athletes, transportation, traffic and other matters about the competition were tackled.

Governor Victor Yap said that he was excited with the staging of the Palarong Pambansa in the province. He said that although there are some facilities that have not yet been completed, he assured that it will be done before the event. The DepEd, for its part, said that accommodations, mechanics, safety measures and other concerns were already been set.

Gov. Yap also emphasized that Palaro is a dream come true to all Tarlaquenos. “This is our chance to showcase our warm hospitality, our ability to handle the big sports event and to show not only to our countrymen but to the whole world as well the beauty of our province,” he said.

The Palarong Pambansa 2010 hopes to boost the province’s economy, especially the tourism industry. Some 25,000 guests from the country’s 17 regions are expected to attend the annual sporting event.

The 53rd Palarong Pambansa is in cooperation with the DepEd Task Force on School Sports and sponsored by Smart Communications, Inc., and SM.

For more information about the event, contact the Palarong Pambansa - Tarlac Secretariat at (6345) 6114148, (63910) 387-3956, email palaro2010@gmail.com or visit the Palarong Pambansa 2010 blog at http://palarongpambansa2010satarlac.blogspot.com/ or Tarlac Government website at http://www.tarlac.gov.ph/

Local Skimmers Head out to CamNorte for First Ultimate Regional Skim and Skate Challenge

Witness top regional skimmers battle it out for skim supremacy with ingenious moves guaranteed to be served fresh, hot and deliciously spicy during the 1st Ultimate Uragon Regional Skim and Skate Challenge and Luzon Skim Jam slated on April 3 – 4, 2010 at Bagasbas Beach in Daet, Camarines Norte.

The event is when Bicolano and Luzon skimmers and skaters will gather to compete in one of the first ever regional skim and skate challenge held in one of Camarines Norte’s Skim havens. An almost two kilometer expanse of flat, fine grey sand conveniently located 10 minutes away from the bustling town of Daet awaits skim aficionados from all skill levels.

The skate event will be held in the Bagasbas Pavilion and an 8km, Mercedes-to-Bagasbas Push race will kick off after that. There will be different classes and division for amateur and expert skimmers and a longboarding competition during the event.

The 1st Ultimate Uragon Regional Skim and Skate Challenge and Luzon Skim Jam is supported by San Miguel Corporation, Provincial Government of Camarines Norte, Slick Surf Skimboards Pilipinas, Junior Chamber International (JCI) – Philippines, and Department of Tourism.

Registration fee is P300.00 inclusive of event shirt and 2 lunch stubs. For more information, contact Slick Surf Skimboards Pilipinas at (63908) 881-5075 or visit their website, http://slicksurf.multiply.com/.

Neophyte Surfers to Ride the Waves at 2nd Baler Beginners' Surf Competition

The Baler Beginners' Surf Competition, the biggest beginners' surf competition in the country is back. It will be held from April 9 – 11, 2010 at Sabang Beach in Baler, Aurora.

Now on its second year, the event encourages newbie surfers and those who’d like to try the sport to learn from veteran surfers and experience riding the waves this summer. The competition is open for all first timer surfers, even spectators. Get the chance to meet new friends, eat great food, take home freebies, and a chance to win really cool prizes. Special awards such as Best Rides, Worst Wipe Outs, Best in Surf Wear, and more, will be conferred during the event.

Registration fee is PhP. 3, 800.00 for competitors and PhP. 3, 300.00 for spectators. Package include two nights-3 days accommodation (group sharing), transportation (Private Bus), 5 free meals (3 breakfasts, 2 dinners), two (2) sets of one hour surf lesson and board rental, and official event t-shirt. Participants who will be joining will have to pay down payment of Php 1,500. Full payment will be collected on the day of the event.

The 2nd Baer Beginners’ Surf Competition is organized by Surfari Philippines and MAHDOX Surf School and Surf Shop together with Aloha Boardsports.

For inquiries call or text Mr. Jasper Enriquez at (63922) 852-7737 or Benjamin Uy at (63922) 844-3729.