7 Sky Wars | The 5th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

I finally had the chance to witness The 5^th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition held at the seaside of the Mall of Asia in Pasay. This Pyro Musical Competition is an annual event composed of different countries around the world competing for the best pyro display and techniques harmonized to the beat of music.  Sadly this is my first time yet it’s their fifth year already celebrating the sky wars at the Manila Bay skylines.

Last March 15 is the rivalry between Oy Pyroman Finland Ltd of Finland and Royal Pyrotechnie of Canada. Unfortunately I thought Gold ticket has the best view but all I have is the people with bigger heads in front. Nevertheless despite the poor shots I enjoyed the show. The music and colorful fireworks display started to paint the Manila Bay sky.

Finland started with Ellie Goulding’s Burn, followed by Girl on Fire, Criminal by Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball and We Can’t Stop. Pyrotechnicians captured the heart and the beat of modern R&B music. Everyone was actually participating since most of the songs played were popular while watching the dazzling display of lights.

After couple of minutes break, Canada trailed to light up the skies. And this country cap-off the night. They captured the heart of the people. The musicality was excellent; there was a narrator who chattered about the elements of the earth. The pyro displays were like in slow motion whipping our hearts. Canada breaks the silence, and snapped the magic.

Here are my poor shots of the showdown between Finland and Canada.

Indeed as of this writing Canada won the Championship. Philippines is not actually part of the competition as they we're the host for this event. But we joined the said pyro display as for opening and closing exhibition only. May pinatunayan na naman tayo kaya hindi na kailangan. Remember last year when we grabbed the crown in Germany?

SIGNPOST

The World Pyro Olympics / The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition held in the Philippines runs six weeks at the Mall of Asia in Pasay. Only two countries will fire every Saturday. Australia, Spain, United Kingdom, France, Japan, China, Germany, Finland, Canada, and USA are the participating countries for the 2014 Pyro Competition excluding the Philippines that will only fire for opening and closing exhibition.

Started on February 15, 2014 and ended on March 22, 2014. Ticket Prices are in four categories – Patron (with dinner) – P1,500, VIP for P500, Gold for P300, and Silver for P100.

Website: http://www.pyrophilippines.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-5th-Philippine-International-Pyromusical-Competition

7 Seize the Day, Summer Getaway 2014

In subsequent to Presidential Proclamation 115-A, March declared as Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines and the year thereafter. Arriving the third month of the calendar year is a sign that cold temperature is over and an indication that summer is yet to come. Henceforth we decided to set our team building as early as second week of the month. And it’s undeniably the perfect time to start summertime. So please join our team to Kick-Off Summer Party 2014! Summer, Summer, Summertime. Time to set back and unwind. :)

And how we delimit Summertime? Just like an ordinary way. As a quote say: Hair gets Lighter. Skin gets Darker. Water gets Warmer. Drinks get Colder. Nights get Longer. And of course, thou shall not forget that you are in the island where most of the best and talented singers are here. Pepede ba namang mawala ang videoke?! Laging kasama sa budget yan. So let’s Music gets Louder and Life gets Better. J

And knowing the Philippines? duh, here where you can only find the World's Best Beach. And speaking of beach, our team would like to do more. So we decided to sweep the sweetest island’s sand. It’s indeed the perfect escape from the four-cornered work station covered with thick blankets and sweaters. And I know there’s a lot of choices where to go, actually not to mention – there are thousands of options depending on your preference.    

And since we only have weekend for the opening salvo of summer escapade, we decided to just bowl nearby shorelines. Thus Batangas would be the place. It is only 2- 3 hours travel time from the capital city, Manila. This province offers different selection of beach resorts – black sand beaches in the northwest coastline while white and fine sand beaches in the northeast. Please click this site for some list of beaches in the province.

In our case, we went to Lemery, the town next to Cuenca Batangas where you can find the highest elevation at the hand of Mt. Maculot (Rockies). I’m thinking not to mention where we stayed but I guess I have to. We checked in at Heart of D’Ocean (http://www.heartofdoceanresort.com/), you gonna love the background scenes courtesy of their website. And when you get there, I would say it’s clean and spacious. You have the option to either go to beach or just plunge into the huge pools. I so love the place, however I don't like the way they treat customers when it comes to charges. It’s conflicting from their service mark – “Where your holistic well-being is d’♥of our service”. I dunno if the heart logo means love or just heart. Well either way, we feel like we we’re robbed. Everything is about money. They are thirst collecting money from their patrons. It’s like more on hidden charges. 

Okay going back, our summer escapade turned out worth remembering because it’s not really the place, it’s about the people whom you with. Sabi nga nila: “A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles”.  We arrived 2PM so we don’t have much time for outdoor activities, we just prepared everything needed for our ultimate adventure. We decided to schedule our island hopping the next day morning and just feel the sense of team building. Thanks to my company who shouldered some of the expenses.

Next day morning after breakfast everyone is geared up for Island Hopping, I think this is the only outdoor activity. I’m not sure though if there’s any, well aside from beach volleyball. Since shorelines in Nonong Castro are black sands so bankeros are pleased to say that there will be a white sands island that is part of hopping itinerary. Oh okay, pero hindi talaga ganun ka white and fine. Hehe.

Traveling time is 45 minutes (1 1/2 roundtrip) and there will be P30 entrance fee per head for the white island. Pero dahil nga hindi siya ganun ka white, we had an internal agreement with the bankero to just stay for snorkeling. By the way Island Hopping is included (I guess required) during our reservation so we only have 3 hours to go back and forth, otherwise we have to pay extra. As a result we settled to just go on snorkeling.

Aside from snorkeling, we have another sidetrip, the bankero brought us to a “cave”. Honestly I really thought of Palawan like underground-river. But it’s not what I expected. It’s just a big boulders sitting at the edge of shoreline where the sands and sea waters met. And there’s like tiny bowl-shaped that looks like cave. So we hopped in instead and went to tiny waterfalls. And to give justice of extreme-like outdoor activity we did some wall climbing. Overall, twas a great summer escapade and we opened the beat of the heat activity real time. Let’s go for more summer activity either by the sea or by the mountains. 

4 Las Piñas Nature's Church

We were scheduled of visiting an abandoned house in Las Piñas to put some barricades, particularly in Moonwalk Village where most of the huge houses and some elite families reside. Not actually my own house, and how I wish having my own one. It is owned by a family whom I was joining. They actually received reports that the house was being used into some dirty works.

It was also Sunday so I’m kinda doubtful that I will not be able to attend mass. I usually catch the afternoon schedule and I know we will be staying there for couple of hours or until it gets dark. Fortunately while gliding around Moonwalk Village, we passed by a garden-like church seen from the outside so I quickly checked Mr. Google about the place. And glad that it is Mary Immaculate Parish. So I guess I know where to go during break installing the barricades.

When I stepped at the entrance I started to hear the existent sounds of nature, the trunk of trees dancing from the gale of the winds. The leaves were like cymbals wobbling and producing sound of cradlesong. Now I understand why Mary Immaculate Parish is tagged as Nature’s Church. It’s really a garden-feel-like experience and the atmosphere is perfect for solemnity and gravity. And you can really feel the presence of the Lord.

If you noticed the chairs, those are made of logs. Everything is produced by nature. Even the presider’s chair is also made from branches. The ceiling has doves figurines made of Capiz, and when I checked the internet how it look like during the night? Pretty amazing, it has lights inside it and looks like flying around the ceiling.

We wandered around and it has tiny lagoon with Nipa Hut atop of the bridge. It has a flowing creek following to a nature concept plan of the place. Leading to the path is a small ossuary garden. And if you go around it has birds house with different avian species. It looks a miniature of Manila Zoo minus the church. 

Beside the entrance is a small chapel – San Lorenzo de Manila Chapel. At first I didn’t noticed this small chapel as I was excited to see the big parish. But when I go around following the pathway we ended up on this exceptional chapel. San Lorezo de Manila Chapel is likewise as the Mary Immaculate Parish, it is also nature alike, chairs are made of trees and also covered with Anahaw leaves. The chandelier also is likewise matchless with glamorous Swarovski made glass, it’s only made of twigs of trees yet really beautiful.

This would be my second article about churches and glad that I’m able to inadvertently visited this state of the art nature like piece. Although not accessible to the most common roadways yet recommended for wedding ceremony. It’s all in one, where you can also hold the reception. Garden by the Church.

MASS SCHEDULES:
Monday - 6AM Only
Tuesday - Friday 6AM & 7PM
Wednesday Novena - 630PM
Saturday - 6AM & 6PM(Anticipated Mass)
Sunday - 7AM, 830AM, 10AM(Tagalog/Children's Mass), 4PM, 515PM, 630PM, 745PM
Baptism is every Sunday 11AM, and Wedding is by request so please see contact numbers below for reservation.

Mary Immaculate Parish - Nature Church
Address: Apollo III, Moonwalk Village, Las Piñas City, Philippines
Contact Numbers: +632 801-1806 / +632 805-7225

3 ROAD BIKING | First Ride to Fitness.

I was six years old when I learned riding an adult bicycle. I say adult because kid’s type-bikes have tiny wheels which supports the balance. I believe during our early age, it is mandatory that you should learn to ride bicycle, likewise as circumcision for males. Otherwise you will be a huge loser of  "A"-hole-bulldog.

Now that I am living in megalopolis for a long period of time and doing road biking stuff is not on my list yet. I’d like to try but I am quite hesitant due to increasing numbers of road accidents. Particularly reports of hit and run mishaps. Although MMDA considered lanes for bikers citizens through the help of health department which is highly suggested. Biking is nonetheless beneficial as it is good for the health and at the same time reduces air pollution in Metro Manila. However I’m still cautious because of these huge buses and jeeps rivalry of who is the king of the road.

Bargain grabs - where you can buy cheapest bike apparels.

Last Sunday I was invited for road biking along Macapagal Avenue near SM MOA going to Roxas Boulevard. This is perhaps the place where you can see different bicycle association from different sites in Metro Manila.  So I decided to come along riding this two-wheeled manual mechanical type of transportation in the traffic-busted streets. Although there are only few number of vehicles during Sundays yet it is necessary to take precautionary measures.

Photo Opportunity at the Seaside.

I understand cycling is simply fun and strongly advised to keep fit but let me list down of safety tips especially for beginners and particularly when sharing with motor vehicles:

• Ride in the street about 2 - 3 feet from the curb (drainage line).
• Always use hand signals before turning or stopping.
• Always obey stoplights and signs.
• Ride in a straight line, no merging.
• Make eye contact with other drivers before turning.
• Watch carefully for cars.

You can also refer to this site for some basic but very important cycling requirements. "How to Ride a Bike Safely".

After more than an hour of biking taking Buendia from JP Rizal Makati, we arrived at the Jetti Gas Station where most of the cheapest biking equipment and apparels sold. We stayed for couple of minutes and while I have the opportunity I was looking for a pair of hand gloves for hand protection. There were more and more bikers coming in, sipping hot coffees and chatting to some other bikers.

Our Best Buds!

Photography 101: Daw??!!

After couple of minutes we proceed to Mall of Asia seaside, biking is not allowed there but you can bring it with you while doing some brisk walking. There were plenty of joggers and dancers working for fitness stuff and I was really glad. It helped you think that health is truly wealth. So I guess that’s the reason why biking is not allowed due to countless patrons enclosed the whole seaside stretch.

Manila Bay | Photography 101 Version 2

Our Great Swimmers at early morning. 

Then we started biking again going to a place which they say the unpolluted water side of Manila Bay where you can actually swim. Nahhh I doubt it! And when we get there, Viola!..I was surprised by numerous people who were actually swimming. And the smell..jizz, I’m sorry but we just stayed there for like a minute or so.

At the Manila Yacht Club, Roxas Boulevard.

Afterwards we scrolled all the way to Roxas Boulevard; and passed by buildings like PICC and CCP.  And the number of people is too damn high compared in the seaside. Louder sounds here and there, bikers, basketball players, badmintons, and countless joggers circling around the inclined concrete of CCP. It’s like fiesta during Sundays.

The Route!

And here’s our route and finished it in 3 hours. “A” is point the of origin, then tall the way to “B” at the Mall of Asia via Buendia Pasay, then en route to point “C” at the Roxas Boulevard, then traveling along Rizal Avenue back to point “D” at Rockwell Makati. Overall cycling is a good start to embrace healthy living. It is one of the best all-around activities in improving our health. It strengthens the immune system and fortifies our physical system the keep sound. It is the best workouts and fat-burning machine and at the same helps our nature against air pollution. And I should say that I shall continue this new endeavor.

3 PASUKULAN FALLS: Mt. Natib's Perfect Sidetrip; A Natural Wonder of Bataan

Bataan is a province known for its history, and it is also hailed with natural wonders like Corregidor Island, Bataan National park, and soaring mountain ranges. Aside from Corregidor Island, this peninsular province has Mount Samat National Shrine with a white cross at the summit. That cross known as Shrine of Valor, dedicated to fallen Filipino and American during the second world war.

And speaking of natural wonder, this peninsula is also surrounded with hilltops. Three main mountains are Mounts Samat, Mariveles also known as Tarak Ridge and Natib. Among the three Mt. Natib is considered as the roof of the province which offers three hundred sixty degrees view of the entire Bataan and neighboring provinces. You will also noticed that this province walled with different mountain summits. Metro Manila also visible from afar.

Not just its majestic view but also a unique side trip. Side trips are most common when climbing mountains, but not all mountains have it. Most common side trips are rivers, falls, and beaches. And this mountain has a magnificent falls that you should pay a visit. Thanks to our leader that pushed and forced us to go down to this stunning hidden wonder of Bataan.

I understand that this falls is in the itinerary but due to some drawbacks, like only left with limited amount of water and in fact no more rice to cook that’s why I decided or voted not to visit the falls. What a shame. Thankfully our guide offered himself to get some water since it would be couple of minutes away from the water source.

So we took the downward trail without burdens on our backs. We left our bags at the trail and hid it somewhere so it would be easy for us to get to the falls. Going down will take you two hours. The trail is stress-free maybe because it’s heading down. However upon reaching at the river before coming to the bottom of the falls is where the challenge started.

It is I guess almost on a right angle position with small rocks and sands trails. So holding on the roots and vines is necessary. It is a kind of trail that needs precautionary measure, slowly but surely. Because with just one step of vagueness will surely give you an exclusive prize of pain and receive some gift of sweetness. Especially sands trail is not so caring enough, and I suggest if it’s needed to just sit and slowly crawl down, please do so.

And of course after these wholehearted challenges is always a pleasing prize. Upon reaching at the spot where the wide and towering Pasukulan falls is right before your eyes. It’s stunning and beautiful. The sound of the falls feels like serenading your ears. The place is getting colder. And my eyes entertained and relaxed into running waters with rainbows at the bottom. I feel like pampering myself into a not-so-common-place which you really love to experience. 

We rested for a couple of minutes and can’t wait to plunge my worn-out self into a freezing point waters. I’m not sure how deep and cold it was but all I want is to dive my worn body. And when it first touched on my foot fingers, darn the icy feeling will help you decided not to go. But no, so I quickly dump myself so I can no longer feel when you are at the bottom of the water.

We stayed at Pasukulan falls for more than an hour and decided to go back after before it gets dark. I feel dizzy because we were drinking some alcohol and thanks God I still managed to climb up the most challenging hill. Going up will give your three hours of trek - an addition of one hour because everything is assault. And before it gets too dark we arrived where we left our backpacks.

0 MIND MUSEUM | Where Science Comes Alive

I grew up in a remote place which is quite inaccessible to the advancement of educational programs that offers variety of education materials. Audio visual is relatively necessary for programs that helps utilize and enhance the education system. My mind was nurtured through the whiff of the books where each pages packed with just letters, numbers, and still pictures. You must have a clear imagination how everything works depending on how you understand each paragraph. You must have a clear view on how the way teacher teaches you. And you must have a clear understanding what words and terminology used to describe things.

When I attained high school, parents decided to endure my education in Manila. So I was pretty amazed every time I watched Sineskwela, Mathinik, Hiraya Manawari and any other infotainment programs. I don’t need to imagine how things work while it is being shown correctly right before your eyes.

Since then, I always looked forward to visit science museums and exhibits. So everytime there will be field trips I always bugged my sister to allow me join educational activities. We went to different museums and historical places. Until recent year where first ever world-class Science Museum built in the Philippines. March of 2012, The Mind Museum in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig houses five galleries namely the Story of Atom, Story of Universe, Story of Earth, Story of Life and the Story of Technology. It is a project of the non-profit Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc. to provide extraordinary educational experience inspired through the understanding of Science and  Technology.

Thanks to complimentary tickets won from a raffle for two, I was able to experience a real life education. And I should say for low-wage earners like me, ticket price is quite expensive. But they do offer some discounts for students and teachers, persons with disability and senior citizens will also get rebates. Please refer for the prices below.

• Adult - P600
• Child - P450
• Private School Students - P450
• Public School Students - P150
• Private/Private School Teachers - P150
• Children 2ft. and below - Free Entrance
• All Day Pass Ticket - P750

Tickets are also available online and at the gate of the museum. Operating hours comes with three batches, 9AM – 12NOON / 12NOON – 3PM / 3PM – 6PM / from Tuesday going Sunday. Operations extend during Saturday and Sunday so there will be fourth batch from 6PM – 9PM. Closed every Monday.

Upon entering at the museum, you will be welcome by Aedi and will tell you about your expectations inside the Mind Museum. There will be no tour guide so you can go wherever you wanted to at your own excitement. That will absolutely ensure you amusement about Science.

There is also Park outside of The Mind Museum. A thousand-square meter outdoor source of science fascination. Visitors learn science by rediscovering anew, through play, the wonder of nature’s elements: sunlight, wind, water and greenery. The park consists of four main play pockets: Water, Math, Music, and Living. -TMM

The Mind Museum is worth wasting your time. And I would say the price is also worth spending because you will learn a lot. Gladly we have this world-class Science museum to cultivate the knowledge of our kids. Well not just with the kids, even me I learned something new. Each exhibit is designed to be discovered on your own experience. There are also Mind Movers that will available to give guide and answer your questions. Just ask them and you will surely get a very good feedback.

The Mind Museum

Address: 28^th Street Cor. 3^rd Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Philippines

Website: www.themindmuseum.org

Email: inquiry@themindmuseum.org

Contact: (02) 909 - 6463

How to get there:

MRT: Alight at the Ayala MRT Station, then walk downstairs opposite of SM Makati.

TAXI: Let them know that you're going to The Mind Museum, and you will bring you there.

THE FORT BUS: Go to BGC Terminal, the ride The Fort Bus - West Route. There are two routes - East and West Routes. East Routes which passes Burgos Circle and ends at the Market Market Shopping Center. West Routes brings you near High Street and The Fort Entertainment Center aka Fort Strip. So make sure to ride West Route. Then alight at NetOne Building or NetSquare Bus Stop.

Where to Eat:

No restaurant inside the museum but it has Jollibee outside of The Mind Museum. Along the 2nd street is Burgos Street, which is only 3 minutes walk. Burgos Street houses thirty plus restaurants.