http://www.dpgr.gr/usergalleries/thumbnails.php?album=18594
Check these excellent photos fresh from an exhibition in Athens two months ago. All proceeds of these exhibition went to a charity for homeless children.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Time Magazine Gushes Over Filipino's Favorite Food- Lechon
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1893324_1893292_1893289,00.html
Already named by famous chef Anthony Bourdain (read my entry here - http://xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/journal/item/135) as the Best Roasted Pig in the World, Filipinos beloved Lechon got more kudos from Time Magazine:
Best Pig
The Philippines
When itinerant TV chef Anthony Bourdain — whose love of all things porcine is famous — visited the Philippine island of Cebu with his show No Reservations and declared that he had found the "best pig ever," many viewers were as surprised by the hyperbole as by the country he situated it in. But not Filipinos, among whom the zenith of porky perfection is an indisputable fact. It was just a matter of time before the rest of the world found out.
The pig that made Bourdain smack his lips with glee was lechón, or slow-roasted suckling pig, perhaps the Philippines' most beloved dish. Usually reserved for fiestas, it has long been a source of fanatical adulation; it's not uncommon for a whole lechón, still hot and fresh from roasting, to be flown across the country for special occasions. Though varieties differ regionally — stuffing can include any combination of lemongrass, tamarind, star anise, garlic, green onions and chili leaves, while condiments range from a light vinegary dipping sauce to a thick liver-based gravy — the basic concept remains the same. A pig is roasted for hours over a fire of open coals, slowly rotated on a bamboo spit, lovingly basted and meticulously supervised until its flesh is so tender, moist and succulent that it can be sliced with the edge of a plate, and its skin so crisp it can be punctured with the tap of a finger. You could call it the Platonic ideal of a pig, but it's doubtful if Plato, or even an entire faculty of philosophers, could have imagined anything so exquisite.
Already named by famous chef Anthony Bourdain (read my entry here - http://xxxriainxxx.multiply.com/journal/item/135) as the Best Roasted Pig in the World, Filipinos beloved Lechon got more kudos from Time Magazine:
Best Pig
The Philippines
When itinerant TV chef Anthony Bourdain — whose love of all things porcine is famous — visited the Philippine island of Cebu with his show No Reservations and declared that he had found the "best pig ever," many viewers were as surprised by the hyperbole as by the country he situated it in. But not Filipinos, among whom the zenith of porky perfection is an indisputable fact. It was just a matter of time before the rest of the world found out.
The pig that made Bourdain smack his lips with glee was lechón, or slow-roasted suckling pig, perhaps the Philippines' most beloved dish. Usually reserved for fiestas, it has long been a source of fanatical adulation; it's not uncommon for a whole lechón, still hot and fresh from roasting, to be flown across the country for special occasions. Though varieties differ regionally — stuffing can include any combination of lemongrass, tamarind, star anise, garlic, green onions and chili leaves, while condiments range from a light vinegary dipping sauce to a thick liver-based gravy — the basic concept remains the same. A pig is roasted for hours over a fire of open coals, slowly rotated on a bamboo spit, lovingly basted and meticulously supervised until its flesh is so tender, moist and succulent that it can be sliced with the edge of a plate, and its skin so crisp it can be punctured with the tap of a finger. You could call it the Platonic ideal of a pig, but it's doubtful if Plato, or even an entire faculty of philosophers, could have imagined anything so exquisite.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Aliwan 2009 - Philippine Festivals
A mashup of some of the participants of the Aliwan Fiesta 2009 - a collection of Philippine Festivals from all the regions of the country- a proud testament to the multicultural heritage of the Philippines as well as proof that Filipinos do know how to throw the best party in the whole of Asia!
Philippines is Asia's Top Destination
RP is Asia’s Most Popular Destination, Makes mark in World Travel Fair 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
“Our country receiving the highest laurel in Asia’s leading source fair in China is a notable milestone in the industry’s optimism in sustaining the momentum generated from efforts to reach this important market segment,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.
The tourism chief added, “The Philippines is one of the fastest growing destinations in China’s outbound travel industry, recording a 74% month-on-month growth rate in visa issuances for February of this year. We are also the nearest tropical beach country for the Chinese, as Manila is only 2 hours away from Guangzhou, while Cebu is only 3 hours away from Shanghai.”
Durano likewise attributed the win to the country’s competitive tour pricing, the remarkable progress of the transportation sector and the Filipino’s friendliness and hospitality.
Dubbed as the ‘Outbound Travel Industry's Leading Source Fair in Asia, the WTF receives thousands of travel buyers from China, Asia and the rest of the world, who come to hold exchanges with more than 500 exhibitors from 62 countries, held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.
“The Chinese travellers rank our country’s beaches and heritage sites high, as proven by the various recognitions they have awarded to our tourist spots,” Durano said further.
Beach holidays rank 79% among the top leisure activities undertaken by the Chinese, according to an outbound travel study in China, while the International Visitor Survey conducted by the DOT reported that foreign visitors rank the country highest for visitor satisfaction in terms of Filipino hospitality.
Due to its strong partnership with a consortium of travel agents, the DOT has urged the transportation sector to open direct chartered flights and daily regular flights to Cebu and Manila. These developments have reflected a 61% increase in number of chartered flights operated in 2008 compared to last year.
Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. was enthusiastic to point out that the country has always garnered positive feedback from Asian tourists, “The Philippines has managed to secure, among others, the Best Leisure Destination in the last year’s WTF, for Boracay; the Top 10 Island Getaways for Chinese Summer Travel, for Bohol; the only Asian entry in the list of premier destinations in the acclaimed World Traveller Magazine; and Top 10 Most Searched Destination among Shanghai online users.”
Jarque was referring to Baidu, the biggest search engine in China capturing 68% of the Chinese online market (Google a distant second with 20% market share), which listed the Philippines in the Top 10 most searched travel destination among Shanghai online users from its latest report.
Meanwhile, Arlene Alipio, head of DOT Team China, noted that the flourishing outbound travel of China has been propitious to the Philippines as well, “Recent statistics from the China National Tourism Administration show that the number of Chinese travellers reached 34.4 million in the first nine months of this year, up by 14.8 percent year-on-year. In September alone, about 3.7 million Chinese people travelled overseas, an increase of 9 percent year-on-year. “
Shanghai-based Philippine Tourism Attaché to China, Gerry Panga, shared, “The country’s continued and consolidated efforts in promoting a wide array of travel opportunities to its Asian neighbours have indeed resulted to our strong market performance despite the global crunch.
RP posted a growth rate of 58.5% in 2008 in terms of visa issuances for travel to the Philippines from Eastern China plus Sichuan and Chongqing. Current growth rate stands at 20% from January to March 2009, making the Philippines one of the fastest growing outbound destinations for Chinese tourists.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Aliwan Fiesta - Philippine Festivals 2009
A mashup of some of the participants of the Aliwan Fiesta 2009 - a collection of Philippine Festivals from all the regions of the country- a proud testament to the multicultural heritage of the Philippines as well as proof that Filipinos do know how to throw the best party in the whole of Asia!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Manila's Aliwan Festival 2009 - Festivals of the Philippines
| Start: | Apr 24, '09 08:00a |
| End: | Apr 25, '09 |
| Location: | Aliwan Theatre, Pasay City to Quirino Grandstand, Manila |
The three day celebration of the Aliwan Festival 2009 will attract local and foreign visitors because they will see Filipino craftsmanship and ingenuity. Aliwan Festival is a festival that merge all the popular festivals in the Philippines in one single event. Different Regions and Provinces around the country will display products, craftsmanship, culture and show their most innovative ideas.
In the 7th Edition of the Aliwan Festival 2009, there are more than 3,000 dancers, musicians, craftsmen, and even acrobats that will compete in this celebration for streetdancing, float design, and the search for Reyna ng Aliwan in their colorful costume and beautiful smile.
Here are the list of contingents in the Aliwan Festival 2009. This list is still unofficial.
1. Lakbayaw of Tondo, Manila
2. Pakalog Festival of Santolan, Pasig
3. Panagbenga Festival, Baguio City
4. Pamulenawen - Laoag City
5. Ibon Ebon of Candaba, Pampanga
6. Disposorio Festival of Hagonoy, Bulacan
7. Luyang Dilaw of Marilao Bulacan
8. Boling boling Festival - Catanuan, Quezon
9. Fiesta de Toros of Nasugbu, Batangas
10. Lapay Bantigue Festival of Masbate city
11. Pulang Angui of Polangue Albay
12. Sinulog Festival of Cebu City
13. Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City
14. Kasag Festival of Banate, Iloilo
15. Karatong Festival of Dulag, Leyte
16. Buyugan Festival of Abuyog Leyte
17. Kadayawan Festival - Davao city
18. Tuna Festival of General Santos City
19. Halad Festival of Midsayap, Cotabato
20. Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City
21. Buklod Festival - Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan
22. Kalilintad Festival of Mamasapano
23. Samba de Regatta
The Aliwan Festival 2009 schedule of activities:
Streetdance Forum (CCP Silangan Hall)
* One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
* Band Concert and Pasakalye (Aliw Theater outdoor stage - 7:00 p.m.)
April 24
* One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
* Aliwan Festival Queen Talent Competition (Star Theater, 1:30 p.m.)
* Aliwan Festival Queen Pageant Night (Aliw Theater outdoor stage - 7:00 p.m.)
April 25
* One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
* Grand Parade (Aliw Theater Complex to Quirino Grandstand - 4:00 p.m.)
* Awarding Ceremonies (Quirino Grandstand - 9:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Happy Earth Day!
More Info: http://disney.go.com/disneynature/earth/
Release Date: Apr 22, 2009
Genre: Documentary
Narrator: James Earl Jones
Directors: Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield
Writer: Jody Hill
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Plot:
The first film in the Disneynature series, earth, narrated by JAMES EARL JONES, tells the remarkable story of three animal families and their amazing journey across the planet we all call home. earthcombines rare action, unimaginable scale and impossible locations by capturing the most intimate moments of our planets wildest and most elusive creatures.
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