SINULOG FESTIVAL 2011: The sights, the sounds, the dance

It is called as "The mother of all Festivals" and one of the foundations of Filipino tradition. Sinulog has been a celebration for devotees of Sr. Santo Niño for the past 31 years. Started on 1980, Sinulog became a tradition of Cebuanos every third Sunday of January in honor to blessed Sr. Santo Niño (child Jesus). 

• The sights

Before the New Year comes, colorful sights will flourish the busy streets of Cebu in preparation of the festivities. Tarpaulin signages, multicolored buntings, and Santo Niño shrines that are especially built for the occasions, are visible in different parts of the city.

• The sounds

• The dance

The word Sinulog comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog which is "like water current movement," which describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance. The dance consists of two steps forward and one step backward, done to the sound of drums.

Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2011 Winners

Elementary Division:

• Grand Champion: San Roque Elementary School of Talisay City
• 2nd Place Winner: Pajo Elementary School of Lapu-Lapu City
• 3rd Place Winner: Karansang Danawanon (Cambanay Elementary School) of Danao City
• 4th Place Winner: DepEd Cordova District of Cordova
• 5th Place Winner: Basak Elementary School of Mandaue City

Secondary Division:

• Grand Champion: DepEd Carcar City Division of Carcar City
• 2nd Place Winner: Division of Danao City, Sabang National High School of Danao City
• 3rd Place Winner: Pooc National High School, Talisay City Division of Talisay City
• 4th Place Winner: Tipolo National High School of Mandaue City (“Mandawehanong Kaliwat”)
• 5th Place Winner: Toledo National Vocational School of Toledo City

Special Prizes

• Best in Costume: Division of Danao City, Sabang National High School of Danao City
• Best in Musicality: “Mandawehanong Kaliwat” (Tipolo National High School) of Mandaue City

Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan 2011 Winners

Elementary Division:

• Grand Champion, Best in Musicality and Best in Costume: Talamban Elementary School
• 2nd Place Winner: Tribo Mabolokon – Mabolo Elementary School
• 3rd Place Winner: Tejero Elementary School
• 4th Place Winner: Pardo Elementary School
• 5th Place Winner: City Central Elementary School

Secondary Division:

• Grand Champion, Best in Musicality and Best in Costume : Abellana National School
• 2nd Place Winner: Don Sergio Osmena Memorial National High School
• 3rd Place Winner: Apas National High School
• 4th Place Winner: Tisa Night High School
• 5th Place Winner: Balangay Basak Pardo – Pardo National High School   

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IMAX Theater invades Cebu

The long wait is over because an IMAX Theater will going to be in SM City - Cebu very soon. Two weeks ago, when I was watching Iron Man 2, there was this ad about IMAX will soon in Cebu. After the movie, I immediately asked the lady on the ticket booth on when will be the IMAX Theater opening and she said that hopefully it will be on June, 2010.

IMAX Theater in SM Mall of Asia

WOW! this will be another exciting experience for the people of Visayas and Mindanao to see the real 3-D images of IMAX. No need to be in Manila anymore just to experience IMAX which only SM North Edsa and Mall of Asia have.

IMAX Theater

But what is the IMAX Experience?

IMAX experience captivates you in crystal clear sight and sound. It is so intense that it makes you feel like you're part of the movie. IMAX Theater screen immerses you in the center of the action. It customizes theater geometry that maximizes your field of view, putting you in the movie. Sharper images, livelier colors, massive size, and incredible depth.

Unlike with 3-D theaters that have a normal screen size which most theaters in the city have would give you limited visual of the 3-D effect.

See and experience the 3-D effect that is so real.

The screens in most IMAX Theaters are 8 stories high, but some parts of the globe, they have screens that are as high as 12 stories. Imagine the 3-D effect of these wide screens that would really blow your mind.

Bigger the screens, Larger the images, Clearer the sound

IMAX uses a different kind of projector because they use wider film frame that when it is stretched in could reach over 18 kilometers. Each is 70 mm film frame that is 10 times that the conventional 35 mm film frame used in regular cinemas.

IMAX projectors and Film frame; compare and see the difference.

IMAX Theaters are equipped with the state of the art surround sound system that keeps your senses alive. With 44 speakers that produce 14, 000 watts of power, the sound quality is so great where ever you are seated.

Latest Buzz!!!

IMAX Theater in Cebu is still under construction at the SM City - Cebu, Cinema 4. Just mark your calendar this coming June, 2010 since there are no tentative dates for its opening. I have watched movies in 3-D several times, but haven't gone to an IMAX experience. I know that this will be another sure hit in Cebu and as an attraction too. No matter how the price would cost as long as the quality is beyond comparison.

SM City - Cebu Northwing

To know more of IMAX Technology in Youtube click here.

Philippine Economy: Uplifts in times of Crisis

Western countries faced the downfall of their business and financial stability for almost 2 years now. As what U.S. President Barrack Obama has promised, the global financial crisis will soon come to an end by the year 2011, which is closely next year. The results of these events made the U.S. Dollar to fluctuate it's value against other currencies that made other countries to float from their sinking economy.

In the Philippines, the global financial crisis has a big impact for most Filipino businessmen. Through which some businesses were closed especially the export industry whose backbone is exporting goods in some parts of Europe and The United States. One example is the furniture business that faced tough option to sell their export quality furnishes locally due to the low number of orders abroad.

the bustling city of Makati, Philippines

Outsourcing has also been affected with this crisis that made some companies sold their shares to well established companies or even merge as one company just to sustain stability towards their clients and it's people. Another great example is the B.P.O. or Business Process Outsourcing industry that comprises of most call centers in the Philippines. As these businesses flocked the country since the year 2000, it created numerous jobs for Filipinos and big revenue as well for our economy.

Makati by night where most call and contact centers are located.

As the peak of the crisis continued in 2008-2009, it never made these businesses falter, instead it gave more opportunities for the country to invite new investors since Philippines has it's strategic location, advanced technology, and manpower that is skilled and is able to communicate well versed English which is the main advantage of Filipinos to other Asian countries.

Asiatown IT Park in Cebu City, Philippines is know as the second IT hub in the country.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) was once affected by these crisis, yet not a reason for remittances to decrease. Filipinos working in London, U.S., Dubai, Japan and other countries, were given financial assistance or even went back home to start a small income business. As time passes by, they were given again the chance to work abroad as part of the government's initiative to retain their jobs when the crisis will be over.

data shows how OFW Remittances helped our country in terms of revenue.

At the Philippines Stock Market, the Philippine Peso (Php) continues to soar high against the U.S. Dollar, which is a good sign. But some analysts say that this is just temporary, because the United States right now starts to get up from it's long nightmare after Pres. Barrack Obama imposed new laws and payment schemes in applying for credit, loan and mortgage.

figures of the Philippine Stock Exchange

The media sector can probably say that the global financial crisis was really felt here in the Philippines but it didn't made Filipinos to falter or even give up. Instead, it was just an avenue for everybody to strive hard in order to sustain it's needs. The country faced a lot of trials and challenges that sometimes we want to surrender. The global financial crisis is still at it's peak and still existing, that we Filipinos just shrug it off and remained happy as we are.