IT'S A FULL DAY...

Okidoki. It's going to be a full day. What I thought would be an interesting day of just wandering about Manila to clear my head, turned out to be an afternoon of watching Cherie Blair's husband speak about "leadership" at The Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Tell you more about that later.

Oh and tonight I'm on Bobby Chinn's World Cafe Asia on Discovery Travel and Living at around ten pm ish.

And now to figure out the dress code. Haven't had the opportunity to wear anything else with my Safari shorts in quite a long time. 

Really. What does one wear to see Tony Blair? 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...

MANILA, MEET TORONTO, TORONTO, MEET MANILA.
After years of planning, Kapisanan Philippine Art Center and The Living Room/Walk This Way Productions proudly present Kilusan, an art exchange program that hopes to bring the Filipino Canadian art community closer to home.
CHARLIE'S ANGELS

So ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce three artists from the academy: Tiffany Naval (above), Jen Maramba (middle) and Ilona Fiddy (below Jen). My name is Bosley - I mean, Charlie, I mean, Carlos - and along with photographer Alex Felipe (not pictured) and Jeff Garcia (bottom), we will bring you "Toronto Meet Manila, Manila Meet Toronto", an art exchange program that shall culminate in an exhibition at Rolly's Garage Art Space in Toronto this May 2009.

Learn more about them and their thoughts through their blogs here:

KAPISANAN

KILUSAN

TIFFANY NAVAL

ILONA FIDDY

JEN MARAMBA

JEFF GARCIA

ALEX FELIPE

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

As my friend over at Lookingforjuan says, "Finally! The Chance to vote for someone that matters!" Log on now to CNN and check out Efren Penaflorida and his organization, "Dynamic Teen" as one of CNN's Ten Heroes. His efforts to decrease gang membership through education has been noticed by international media and now it's our turn to give him some mind. So learn more about his advocacy and get involved.  And if you log on here, you can also nominate another Filipino for next year's Ten Heroes. Judging by the way we cleaned up through internet voting in Miss Universe, Rock Star INXS, and Best Asian Movie In History, it is sure to be a breeze. Thanks Looking For Juan for the link.

WHEE! WHEE! WHEE!

MUCHAS GRACIAS, SENOR CONDE...

Thanks so much, Carlos Conde for the great article in the "Global Post". I'm stoked that he saw the tour for what it really was. He immediately detected that I am, in fact, NOT a tour guide nor historian, but just a flamboyant performance artist/jerk who talks way too much for his own good. 

And that's a peg I prefer. It eases the tension between me and "real" tour guides and "real" historians.  

Read Carlos Conde's article in The Global Post here:  Muchas gracias otra vez.

CARLOS RECOMMENDS!

Just a month ago, I was asked by Cebu Pacific's Smile Magazine about the most romantic places in the Philippines. Without hesitation, I replied The Sofitel Philippine Plaza (above). Specifically, it had to be one of their corner suites overlooking Manila Bay.

And lo and behold, a month later, on my wife's birthday/our ninth wedding anniversary, The Sofitel gifts us with exactly that. A corner suite overlooking Manila Bay. Gee. I wonder if they took a hint.

It was totally mind-bogglingly luxe. We almost felt guilty about it. Just almost. And along with the little artsy/twee/although slightly/amusingly 'cute' details such as what you see above, they also gave us all the bells and whistles that the Sofitel has to offer.  

They gave us an 80 square meter suite with a 180 degree view of the bay. Waiting for us upon arrival was a huge soft bed, a bottle of wine, a cheese platter, a bowl of fresh fruit, and an ENTIRE chocolate cake. We were also given midnight massages at Le Spa (complete with piped in classical music), and access to free booze and snacks at the Club Lounge on the tenth floor.

Our room also had a dvd player, personalized stationery, and an I-pod filled with hip lounge music mixed by Sofitel itself. Our weekend had it's own soundtrack. I like Sofitel Down Mix. Way waaaay cool.  They should sell copies of it in their gift shop.

And of course, the view overlooking Corregidor, Manila, and Bataan. As we sat watching the sun go down, herons would fly by and bancas and sailboats would sail across. Sickeningly beautiful. No wonder it's my favorite spot in all of the Philippines.  See you again next year, Sofitel.

WHEE! WHEE! WHEE!

Thanks Mon Cherie for the lovely feature.  Aired on ABC5 TV.

MUCHAS GRACIAS MANILA!

Thank you, Maraming Salamat, Muchas Gracias, Kam Sia to all who came to Manila Transitio 1945. It was an amazing night of performance, spoken word, installation art, video art, flamenco, and ritual.  I thank you, Intramuros thanks you, and all the men and women who gave their lives in the Liberation of Manila 1945 thanks you as well. 

Hope to see you all next year at the 65th anniversary of The Battle of Manila.

Thank you Audrey and Irwin for the photos.  And hey, if anyone out there has any photos, videos or reads any blog/press entries about Transitio, please send them to me? I need it so I can make proposals and raise funds to hold it again next year and not shoulder so much of it myself.

CARLOS RECOMMENDS!

COVER GIRL.

Run, don't walk, to your closest newsstand and buy the Travel + Leisure Philippine issue! Yahoo! Wild! So glad they chose Manila!

But um, I just wish they chose a better hat.

BIT OF GOOD NEWS...AND THEN SOME.

MICHEAL KEON DOESN'T GO FOR THE PUREGOLD

Remember that Laoag Elementary School that was about to be demolished? Well, it wasn't. A last minute local heritage protection ordinance was passed by Ilocos Norte Governor Michael Keon and the building still stands. It hasn't been completely saved yet. An assesment and a hell of a lot work still has to be done but at least it's a step in the right direction.

And remember that irritating PRO-LIFE rally that I was worried about?  Well, apparently it kinda fizzled out.  My friends over at DKT (Manufacturers of Trust Condoms and Pills) - the END STOP of this "Jericho March" said that the protesters never showed up!

Some notes from my friends over at 

"Hi Carlos, thanks wishing all of us at FRENZY condoms well... as to the "rally"... what "rally"? I guess they din't get their required number... it just reaffirms what the surveys and studies have been telling us all along... Filipinos from all walks of life want access to modern contraceptive products (condoms, pills, injectables) and a better reproductive healthcare system for the Philippines. Be well."

and 

"Carlos, They never showed up. but we have giant streamers at the office saying "Reproductive health saves lives" and "Yes to Reproductive Health" should they decide to come by again."

And a really interesting article in BURN magazine about teenage pregnancy in the Philippines by Lisa Wiltse.

CARLOS RECOMMENDS!!

MANILA TRANSITIO 1945

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

In February of 1945, the City of Manila was completely destroyed in a battle between the United States Armed Forces and the Japanese Imperial Army. An estimated 120,000 people were lost and our beloved City of Manila was never the same again.

Join Intramuros Administration, Carlos Celdran and multi media artists Tad Ermitano, Donna Miranda, Mabi David, Kawayan de Guia, Malek Lopez, Caliph8, Ringo Bunoan, and several other artists as they celebrate Manila - the city that was and the Manila that will be.

It will be an evening of performances, music, vintage photographs and films, video art, installations, open mic, food, drink, poetry and dance within different sections of The Fort Santiago. Guest readings will be performed by Roselyn Perez, Peter Serrano, Jake Macapagal, Jamie Wilson, Aida Santos, Bambi Diaz, Janna Abrera and Mrs. Lourdes Montinola.

Flamenco music provided by Yerbaguena. Murals and visuals at the corner of Anda Street and Arzobispo provided by Pilipinas Street Project.  Thank you Filipinas Heritage Library for access to the Memorare 1945 Photo archives.

The symbolic release of 120 illuminated spirit lanterns into the night sky by the gates of Fort Santiago will cap the evening.

Reasonably priced Food and Drink (a lovely buffet and beer) will be sold in Fort Santiago before the event. Or bring your own bottle of wine/picnic and BANIGS/Floor mats. It will be lovely night to enjoy the gardens of Fort Santiago with friends and reaquaint ourselves with the ever loyal and noble city of Manila.

Be sure to clean up any mess you may leave behind and BRING FLASHLIGHTS!

This multi-media event is FREE!

Keep posted to this page for updates on this event.