Cats Now and Forever this July 2010!

Theatre-philes everywhere are having sleepless nights in anticipation of the biggest theatre event this year. Tony winner Lea Salonga is set to star as Grizabella, the Glamour Cat in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats Now and Forever", the second-longest running musical in Broadway history at the Cultural Center of the Philippines- Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo beginning July 24, 2010 until August 2010. She will be joined by an international cast from Australia and the United Kingdom.

The show, based on a T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber including the karaoke killer “Memory”. Before becoming a Broadway sensation, “Cats” first opened in London’s West End in 1981 and went on to win the Laurence Olivier Award and the Tony Award for Best Musical. It originally starred Broadway icon Elaine Page (not to be confused with "Juno" star, Ellen Page.)

The show is brought to us by David Atkins Enterprises, Concertus Inc., Lunchbox Theatrical Productions , The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific and All Youth Channels Inc.. Presented by Citi and supported by Infinity powered by Smart,Philippine Airlines, McDonald’s.With the official marketing arm, OOCL  and Dusit Thani the official Hotel.

Get your tickets now before you miss your chance to see the award-winning musical! Here are the Show Dates:                

 SAT July 24 Matinee
SAT July 24 Evening
SUN July 25 Matinee
SUN July 25 EveningTUE July 27 Evening
WED July 28 Evening
THU July 29 Evening
FRI July 30 Evening
SAT July 31 Matinee
SAT July 31 Evening
SUN August 1 Matinee
SUN August 1 EveningTUE August 3 Evening
WED August 4 Evening
THU August 5 Evening
FRI August 6 Evening
SAT August 7 Matinee
SAT August 7 Evening
SUN August 8 Matinee
SUN August 8 EveningTUE August 10 EveningWED August 11 Evening
THU August 12 Evening
FRI August 13 Evening
SAT August 14 MatineeTicket Prices:MatineeSAT (3:00pm) 
SUN (2:30pm) 
PhP7000 PhP5000 PhP3500 PhP2000 PhP1000 EveningsTUE, WED, THU (8:00pm)
SUN (7:30pm)
PhP6000 PhP4500 PhP3000 PhP1500 PhP750 EveningsFRI, SAT (8:00pm)
PhP7000 PhP5000 PhP3500 PhP2000 Php1000
SAT August 14 Evening
SUN August 15 Matinee
SUN August 15 Evening Tickets are available at all Ticketworld outlets. Visit Cats in Manila Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/catsinmanila) and Tumbler page (http://catsinmanila.tumblr.com) for more details and updates.

I Am an Explorer!: Conquering Ilocos...on Video

"Explore your mind, discover yourself. There are heroic possibilities waiting to be discovered in every person.” – a memorable genius once said

It’s an amazing feeling when you put on your adventurer’s hat, eager to explore a new place and in the process, you end up discovering new things about yourself. An untapped potential you didn’t know was there and was just waiting to be unraveled.

Last May, my siblings and I packed our bags on a three-day, two-night getaway to one of the country's hottest summer destinations, Ilocos. This three-day vanishing act couldn’t have come at a better time. I was more burned out than an effigy at an anti-PGMA rally, and was dying to get away from the pre-election craze. And what could be a better escape than the swirling turquoise tubes of Pagudpud and the lovely smell of beach spray? Or perhaps, a plateful of Vigan longganisa on the side?

So we gleefully embarked on our evening flight to Laoag almost bursting with anticipation. Our first night in Ilocos was spent sleeping and cooling our socks at Northview Hotel, a budget-friendly inn which was a five-minute drive from Laoag International Airport.

 facade of Northview Hotel

The real action began on the second day when we explored the lusty, lusty sun, sand and sea of Pagudpud. We took an almost two-hour ride in an aircon-less bus on our way to the coastal resort town (fare is at P60). Upon arrival at the town proper, we hired a tricycle driver to give us a Pagudpud tour for just a thousand pesos. To sweeten the pot further, we sat down and tantalized our taste buds at a nearby carinderia with an exquisite Ilocano breakfast: dinengdeng, bagnet and the to-die-for Vigan longganisa.

gateway to Pagudpud

We had time to burn what we ate when we took the 1.5- kilometer trek to the majestic Kabigan Falls in Brgy. Balaoi. Jeepneys or even motorcycles are not allowed in the area so we had no choice but to take a sun-splashed walk across rice fields and shallow rivers. If you think this will just be another leisurely trek, think again. The trail runs across low cliffs and dips down to some rocks that could get slippery. Despite that, the trail is too scenic too ignore. You could find yourself stopping sometimes and just admiring the lush greenery.

the trail to Kabigan Falls

 the 90-ft. Kabigan Falls

Next stop was the Patapat Viaduct, a concrete coastal bridge that connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag to the Cagayan Valley Region. We posed for a few pictures before hitting the road and leapfrogging to the piece de resistance of this trip – the Blue Lagoon!

Patapat Viaduct

 polvoron-like sand of Blue Lagoon

The beach is L-O-V-E! No amount of advanced information could really prepare you for the beauty of the mesmerizing Blue Lagoon beach. The moment I laid my eyes on it, I wanted to run like a five-year old and bury my head under its polvoron- like sand. Equally-fetching are the Bantay Abot Caves, the Timmangtang Rock and the famed Bangui Windmills which are not hard to miss on the way to the beach.

 clockwise: Blue Lagoon, Timmangtang Rock, Bantay Abot Caves and the Bangui Windmills

We all got into Annie Leibovitz mode and started taking pictures. And that’s when inspiration hit me: this place is too stunning to be frozen in a photograph. It should be captured on a moving medium that could give justice to its natural beauty….Yes, I should make a music video, right here! In Ilocos!

Armed with my dependable digicam and the instincts of an amateur, I set out to explore the creative possibilities of handheld filmmaking. I choose to lipsynch to a cheeky track by one of my favorite artists, Michael Penn. Soon enough, I was having more fun in this trip than ever. Instead of the usual plethora of a bazillion blurred pictures, I bobbed my head and sang along with Michael Penn all the while capturing it on video.

 from top: interior of St. William's Cathedral, the Sinking Bell Tower and the Marcos Museum

The day that followed was spent taking more video shots at the historic town of Vigan. Our timetable was littered with visits to the St. William’s Cathedral, the Sinking Bell Tower and the Marcos Museum in Batac.

 Paoay Church

A major highlight was our detour to the breathtaking Paoay Church (St. Augustine Church), a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its unique 16^th century “Earthquake Baroque” architecture. But the real treat was the calesa ride down the quiet, cobblestone streets of Heritage Village (for P50) right in the heart of Vigan. It was a transporting experience to stroll down alleys upon alleys of colonial architecture. It leaves you in a pensive mood and gives you a better appreciation of the past. I wasted no time in setting up my camera and doing silly bits for my video.

 Heritage Park

My Ilocos trip was memorable in so many levels. First, as a traveler with an insatiable wanderlust, I was able to discover the crystal-clear beaches of Ilocos Norte and the heritage of the south. Second, as an explorer who continues to find new avenues of self-growth, I was able to unravel my knack for filmmaking and revel in it. And so without further ado, let me show you the music video I filmed in Ilocos. (see video below).

Proof that Dora isn’t the only explorer around these parts. “I am an Explorer and I use IE8!”.



Mirro sings No Myth from Silverscreen Surfer on Vimeo.

Must-See Movie of 2010: Inception!

photo from filmofilia.com

The sci-fi thriller “Inception” is number one in my must-see flicks this year. I’d probably file for a leave from work (seriously!) when it comes out for a host of reasons:

First, the Director. Christopher Nolan has consistently made one good film after another. Let’s have a brief rundown of his resume: Memento, Insomnia, The Prestige, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight! From his filmography alone, you can be sure that you will be in for some top notch entertainment!

photo from wired.com

Second, the Cast. Leo di Caprio! Ellen Page (yes, “Juno”)!, Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("500 Days of Summer")!, Cilian Murphy ("28 Days Later") Ken Watanabe (“The Last Samurai”) and Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”)! Woot-woot! If this cast won’t send you to movie heaven, I don’t know what will. The cast has 6 Oscar nominations distributed among them from their previous work.

photo from slashfilm.com

Third, The Story…or The Lack of It. Nolan has shrouded the plot of “Inception” in great secrecy. All that we know is that it’s like a dream-based version of “The Matrix” with some psychoanalysis thrown in and plenty of special effects. Even Leo di Caprio said that he even had to do some detective work to find out what the movie he was doing was about!


Between today and “Inception"'s release date, I know I have to endure a lot of sleepless nights. I just saw the trailer last week while watching “I Love You Philip Morris” and I almost pissed in my pants! It sure looks like it’s going to be a real treat on IMAX. Can't wait to see it!

Win The Hotel Elizabeth Experience!

El Niño can be such a killer, that's why Baguio is emerging once again as a top summer destination.

Trip or Treats is having an awesome goodie giveaway: 2 nights of Baguio breeze in a Deluxe Room good for two guests at The Hotel Elizabeth! This includes complimentary wifi internet and breakfast for two! This is perfect for  the upcoming summer season! HOW? Look below!

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY

Only followers of Trip or Treats are eligible to win. Choose "Follow ToT!" in that cute little box over on the right hand side menu of the TriporTreats blog where all the mug shots are.  (The Anonymous set are still encouraged to make some noise!)

Leave some love! Comment on this post for an instant entry! (Remember to be a follower!)


You can get up to 3 additional entries by including any or all of the following on your comment:

• Copy this link: http://triportreats.blogspot.com/2010/02/goodie-giveaway-3-hotel-elizabeth.html
• Post this Goodie Giveaway link (on your Facebook status (Make this post public) and include your FB username on your comment!
• Post this Goodie Giveaway link on your blog (Blogspot, Multiply, personal), Or "Link to this post" at the bottom of this page, and include the link to your site on your comment!
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Comment entries will be accepted until Wednesday, 03 March 2010, TOT blog time. Any comments after that will only be that, comments :)If you are NOT from the Philippines, you are eligible to join! Just make sure you are planning on heading to Baguio! The Giveaway winner will be announced on 4 March 2010.