An opening of epic proportions

by: Dharel Placido

If they say that the Olympic Games marks the opening of China to the world, then China made a perfect way to do it: a one of a kind Olympics opening ceremony.

To describe the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics as awesome is an understatement. Definitely, China redefined the way the Games are being opened. Who could ever forget the poetry in motion showcased by the thousands of performers present during that historic night? How about the fireworks that illuminated Beijing’s skyline and left the billions of people watching around the world in awe?

As for any Olympic Games, a countdown is an indispensable part to mark the beginning of the world’s biggest sports event. China did one, but in an even better and more astounding fashion. 2008 drummers formed a grid at the center of China’s iconic Bird’s Nest. The drums were lighted and suddenly formed numbers of both Hindu-Arabic and Chinese numerals. The countdown began and started Olympic history’s most successful opening ceremonies to date. Red fireworks, China’s color, burst on top of the stadium afterwards. Fireworks were at every place anyone could imagine.

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HOUSE OF TREASURES: A glimpse of Marikina’s most remarkable museums

by: Monica Palad and Lian Nami Buan

The City of Marikina, without question, has outprogressed all the neighboring cities, if not all from the entire country. From 1990, Marikina has grown massively in all aspects, visible not only in figures, but also in the physical state of the city.

Perhaps one has to visit Marikina first to see it for themselves. And they better wear off the undisciplined attitude they developed in the metro before going there, too. Because the slightest violation committed would mean penalty, or maybe a slot at the blacklist, we don’t know.

What we know is that among all the impressive implementations that Marikina has managed to do and succeed at, the city’s move at preserving the heritage both of the country and its own is probably the most interesting and entertaining part.  

And what better way to preserve the heritage than freezing them into dolls or miniatures or shoes and put them inside a museum?

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Little Britain

by: Dharel Placido

Perhaps if you watch Little Britain you will have an idea where Michael V.’s getting his inspiration.

Little Britain is a character sketch comedy series from the ever liberated Great Britain. It pokes fun at the English society’s stereotypes in a rather ribald manner as seen through the eyes of its creator Matt Lucas and David Williams.

The series’ characters are played by the versatile actors also in the person of its creators, Lucas and Williams. The show’s wide variety of characters with different life stories and personalities made the show a hit not only in within Britain but in other parts of the world as well. Some of the characters include Daffyd Thomas, a committed ‘homosexualist’ who lives in the Welsh town of Llanddewi Brefi who flaunts his sexuality in a variety of rubber outfits, to the villagers’ complete indifference. The show also features Vicky Pollard, a teenage delinquent who would swap her baby for a Westlife CD and would react to any accusation with indignant outrage. Marjorie Dawes is the terrifying leader of weight loss support group Fatfighters who conveniently belittles her group members for being so fat without considering her big size. Then you have Anne, a patient at the Steven Spielberg Psychiatric Hospital in Little Bentcock, under the care of the progressive Dr Lawrence. Despite her incoherent screeching and random acts of destruction, Dr Lawrence forges ahead with his program to assimilate Anne into the community.

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A one of a kind Paperback

by: Charlene Cunanan

“When the traveling ends, and the drug wears off, the writing must begin.”    

In Will Rhode’s debut book published in 2003, Paperback Original portrays a life of an English journalist trying to decipher his career and purpose in New Dheli, India and personally find Baba. This book placed irony in parallel with sense of humor in a wickedly thrilling ‘crazy tale’ with a lot of twists, work ethics, cultural realizations, and funny monologues.

The lead role, Josh King is a British export who works as a journalist for Hindu Week, but actually just sits in a Delhi guest house smoking hash. He has a lax life not until he’s dad commits suicide, leaving him a letter promising a 5 million pounds, but only if he writes a best-selling novel with his father as the main character. Now with his dad’s last will linking heaps of money, traveling, taking drugs and growing his hair wouldn’t stand a piece of hope into , now, writing should be his purpose.

The story begins with Josh wondering himself uncomfortably ensconced in a dirty Delhi flophouse because that is all he can afford with his journalistic salary. Along the way, he met a beautiful girl that he Josh thinks he can help and does everything to help her, including devise a plan to scam the Indian Mafia. Then he bumped into his best friend who is trying to become the next big thing in Bollywood, whose mom will make all of his connections to stardom but he has furiously made one of his own that will lead Josh to enter the dark world of Indian mobsters, drugs, and diamonds and that’s where the plot thickens.

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Craving for Tapa? Try Maty’s!

by: Charlene Cunanan

For every Filipinos, Tapa or Beef jerky has always been a part of the ordinary breakfast meal and even the main dish on a typical family eating routine. But when your tapa-craving taste bud strikes, do you know the best Tapsihan to go to? Maty’s in Paranaque is the place to be!    

Though Tapa is believed to be a Kapampangan original recipe, Maty’s served the original Tapsilog combination in which Tapa was served with Sinangag or fried rice and Itlog or fried egg. Joining the affixes of these foods together, the term Tapsilog was coined.  

There are other dishes served long after Tapsilog was brought into the menu wherein the suffix silog (sinangag and itlog) was retained. Some dishes brewed up were Chiksilog (with Chicken), Hamsilog (with Ham), Tosilog (with Tocino), Cornsilog (with Corned Beef) and many others.

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A trip to the World’s Most Bizarre Themed Restaurants

by: Monica Dawn Palad

Due to the countless numbers of fine dining restaurants, chic cafés, even small time eateries with numerous promos to attract customers, the challenge to stay in the limelight is indeed a big test. The quality of food is not only the determinant here because over-all impact is a must. That’s why numerous atypical themed restaurants all over the world are beginning to heat up and cook the next big names in the world of dining.

Have a Dinner in the Sky
Brussels, Belgium

Yes, have a dinner in the sky literally! Dinner in the sky is suspended at a height of 50 meters above the crowd technically supported by professionals. It accommodates 22 people for a session of 8 hours. Dinner in the sky accepts catering reservations that can be held anywhere (of course with a proper permission from the owner). According to the website, “Dinner in the Sky is a unique event meant for anyone who wishes to transform an ordinary meal or meeting into a magical moment that will leave a lasting impression on their guests.” Sky is not the limit with Dinner in the Sky. Photos from www.dinnerinthesky.com

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From dreamer to realist

by: Candice Tijam and Karchelle Francisco

Carissa Villacorta has created a new therapeutic resort for the soul in her book, “Surreality”. As its title suggests, Surreality is her concept of the mixture of surrealism and reality that she found in her daily experiences in New York. It tells us that these surrealities make life feel like a million rollercoaster rides –and the best part is, it can happen to anyone.

The book consists of the young Filipina-New Yorker’s compilation of essays that appeared in Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine News and other publications. It dwells on her unique and witty perspective about both the simple and big occurrences in one’s life.

She discovered her passion and dream in the Big Apple that opened her to the wilderness of life. She became independent and found her key to true happiness and living. Surreality takes you to her world, her ups and downs and realizations in a country that has a very different environment and rules, with diverse people and culture.

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I am a hero. I am Ninoy.

by: Candice Tijam

On August 23, 1983, Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino Jr. a former senator and opposition leader during Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship was shot and killed at the then Manila International Airport on his return from self-exile in the United States.

As of present, a new trend, in commemoration on the 25th death anniversary of Ninoy’s heroism, an “iamninoy” project created by the Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Foundation (BSAF) was launched last August 21, 2008.

“See through Ninoy’s eyes, and let his spirit live on in each of us”

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