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Who won in the "Rivalry": Ateneo-La Salle The Musical?

Update Feb. 5, 2012: Congratulations to the Lasalle PBA Green Dream Team for winning 117 over Ateneo PBA Blue Team 104 :) Animo La Salle!

RIVALRY (Ateneo-La Salle The Musical) is a brilliant portrayal of the competitive spirit between archrivals La Salle and Ateneo in an all-original, all-Filipino musical.

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the lyrics and the witty and romantic songs throughout the two-hour production. It's like Ateneo-La Salle jokes rolled into one entertaining show.

It's the story of the love triangle of a Maryknoller with a Lasallian and an Atenean set in 1968, during the NCAA days of the Ateneo-La Salle Basketball Rivalry.

La Salle leads in head-to-head basketball games against Ateneo, with 35 wins vs. 32 of Ateneo. (Ok, if you consider the seven forfeited games in the official UAAP Records from 2003 to 2005, Ateneo would lead with 39 vs 28.)

I must disclose that I'm a biased Green Archer fanatic. I've been blogging about the basketball rivalry until La Salle's last championship in 2007 -- (see: OAP | Never Shall We Fail)

Here is what you can expect from RIVALRY (Ateneo-La Salle The Musical)...

The Legend of SUMILON Island

When I was in Moalboal, I heard stories about an island off the South Eastern Coast of Cebu.

I was told it is a romantic, back-to-nature island escape, and that it has a lush forest, white sand beaches and good food.

It is called SUMILON Island. 

(It takes its name from being a storm shelter for fishermen, where they can take cover - sumilong - from strong typhoons.)

Since then, I've always wanted to experience it with Rache; and that dream came true last January, together with awesome company.

Here is a glimpse of our memorable Sumilon Island experience...

Related Blog Posts:

• Sinulog Fluvial Breakfast!
• The BEST of Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort
• Butanding Watching, Is it Really More FUN in Oslob?
• The Raw Beauty of Tumalog Falls in Oslob, Cebu
• The Legend of Sumilon Island

ARIA Mania in Manila?

ARIA was the talk of the town when it first opened in D'Mall Boracay in 2003. Foodies raved about its homemade pasta and wood-fire oven pizzas (see: Top5 Bora Restos!, and What's New in Boracay in 2010?). After 9 years, it finally opened its doors in Manila. :)

We're curious to know if it would create the same buzz among foodies amidst really good Italian restaurants in the metro. Cyma Boracay's expansion to Manila was very successful, setting up shop in various malls.

As for Aria, it decided to expand to a super high-end mall with relatively higher prices--will it click? Will we see Aria Mania in Manila?

Related Posts on BHS Central Restaurants:

• Jamba Juice Opens in Manila!
• SutrA Christmas Dinner: Our First Taste of BHS Central

The Raw Beauty of Tumalog Falls in Oslob, Cebu

Another must-see and recently discovered place in Oslob is the raw beauty of Tumalog Falls.

The falls have mini-umbrellas that cascade fine strands of cold, fresh water in a rain-like fashion.

Unlike in Kawasan Falls near Moal Boal, where it was overdeveloped with ugly cement structures and huts that destroyed its natural beauty, Tumalog Falls can be developed correctly as an eco-tourist destination without building structures near the falls itself and using only natural materials.

Related Blog Posts:

• Sinulog Fluvial Breakfast!
• The BEST of Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort
• Butanding Watching, Is it Really More FUN in Oslob?
• The Raw Beauty of Tumalog Falls in Oslob, Cebu
• The Legend of Sumilon Island

George Tapan Workshops and Festival Tours Summer 2012!

OUR AWESOME PLANET

presents

GEORGE TAPAN, the 2011 National Geographic Photo Contest Winner, Photography Workshops

and

Ultimate Philippines Festival, Heritage and Culinary Tours for Summer 2012! 

 Join me as we experience the Philippines together in a one-of-a-kind tour of
the Most Awesome Islands and Festivals in the Philippines this Summer! 

♬ Mamma Mia, ♪ Here I Go Again ♩My My, How Can I Resist You? ♫...

For people like us, who grew up in the "Dancing Queen" generation, watching Mamma Mia was pure pleasure. How we wished we could interact with the show!

Once the musical started, I kept reminding myself not to hum, lip sync, nod my head, tap my feet, or play invisible drums with my hands because theater etiquette dictates that one should respect and not disrupt the viewing experience of other people.

But it was quite hard to resist.

Ever since I watched Mamma Mia in Las Vegas, I've longed for the musical to be shown here in Manila (see Petition Post here: Mamma Mia in Manila! 2009?).

Finally, Mamma Mia opened last night to an enthusiastic and dancing crowd in Manila. :)  

Butanding Watching, Is it Really More FUN in Oslob?

Read this First: Daily Mail UK | Jaws my friend! The touching relationship between a fisherman and a very sociable whale SHARK  | Shortlink of Article: http://oap.ph/OslobButandings

I can't believe we actually had a super close encounter with whale sharks (locally known as butanding) in Oslob in the South Eastern Coast of Cebu (3 hours away from the city)!

Our experience here's better than in Donsol. In Oslob, the whale sharks congregate in one area near the beach where the fishermen feed them krill (small saltwater shrimps) every morning.

Also, they seem to act like pets of the fishermen and are now getting used to the presence of humans watching them everyday.

Unlike Donsol, there's a higher chance you'll see the giant creatures up close without the need to chase them.

Is Whale Watching in Oslob really more fun for the fishermen, the tourists, the whale sharks and Mother Earth?

Read on about our Whale Shark Encounter, and what we think of the issues surrounding the Butandings in Oslob... 

Related Blog Posts:

• Sinulog Fluvial Breakfast!
• The BEST of Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort
• Butanding Watching, Is it Really More FUN in Oslob?
• The Raw Beauty of Tumalog Falls in Oslob, Cebu
• The Legend of Sumilon Island

To P.F. Chang's or Not to P.F. Chang's in Manila?

Read First: P.F. Chang's in Manila? Shortlink: oap.ph/PFChangsManila

P.F. Chang's, the popular American Chinese Restaurant of Philip Fleming and Philip Chiang, finally opened its first branch in Asia. With 200 restaurants across the US, and branches in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Kuwait and UAE, it also now calls Alabang home.

When you eat Chinese food in the US, your friends would probably take you to either P.F. Chang's or Panda Express. (Check out my P.F. Chang's experience in California.)

Its appearance in Manila caused quite a stir. A lot of people question whether or not an American Chinese restaurant concept will work here. 

We decided to celebrate Aidan's 7th birthday there when P.F. Chang's in Alabang opened its doors to the public recently. Here is a rundown of our P.F. Chang's experience...