Dazzling ball to stop TB
The Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc. (PTSI) reminisces on its roots and honors its inspiration as it launches the 1st Philippines Ballroom Gala at the Kalayaan — Cory C. Aquino Hall at Club Filipino in San Juan City on Nov. 19, at 7 in the evening.
Envisioned to be the premier ballroom dancing and fashion pageant of the year, the 1st Philippines Ballroom Gala will usher in PTSI’s annual Anti-TB education and fund campaign in the manner it was held in the mid-30s at the iconic Sta. Ana Cabaret.
Then as it is now, the event will honor Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon who valiantly fought tuberculosis, which still affects many Filipinos to this day. The Society is committed to the detection, treatment and control of TB in the country and fulfills this mandate through funds raised from various projects initiated by the general fund campaign committee as approved by the board of directors.
The Nov. 19 gala features a dazzling stage and dancing floor set-ups, creative lighting, cutting-edge audio and video playback to revive the roaring 20’s and 30’s “look and feel” and that exhilarating “Great Gatsby” party mood. Sabor Latino will provide the live music gig, Savannah Moon dancers will perform, and a dozen professional dance instructors will be there. The model couple Anthony and Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan will be hosts of the night’s program.
The gala is a project initiated by the PTSI with Mrs. Nini Quezon-Avanceña as president, along with the PTSI board. General campaign chairperson is Nelia T. Gonzalez with PTSI board member Ben Avanceña, executive director Dra. Elizabeth Cadena and deputy executive director Gilbert San Pedro as organizing committee members. Dra. Louella Gonzalez-Santos is the over-all event chairperson with Dra. Vivian Sarabia as co-chair. Staging and production supervision is by media committee co-chair Manni Coloma. Ten Derillo, Josephine Morota, Argentina Morata and Rio Alfonso are the fundraising team coordinators.
For more information about the affair, call PTSI Society at 7408160, 7813761 local 132 or visit the PTSI Facebook page.
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Carlos L. Esguerra, a New York-based Filipino photographer, is currently exhibiting “Dos Modernistas” at the NOW Gallery, Ecoplaza Building, 2305 Chino Roces Extension, Makati. The architectural photography exhibition explores the visions of two Spanish architects, Antoni Gaudi and Santiago Calatrava, born a century apart, but are both modernists in their respective eras. The exhibition will continue until Nov. 17.
The exhibit features 33 images from Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, and Parc Guell in Barcelona; and, Calatrava’s ultra-modern Liege-Guillemins railway station in Liege, Belgium, and Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias in Valencia, Spain.
The “Calatrava-Valencia” series won first prize in special night photography, and second prize in Architecture: Bridges, non-pro categories in the 2011 International Photography Awards in New York. The “Calatrava-Valencia-8941” was featured in the October 2011 issue of SilverShotz, the International Journal of Contemporary Photography.
The “Calatrava-Liege” series won two honorable mentions in the same competition.
Esguerra is a multi-awarded photographer with more than 50 national and international awards from juried competitions in the United States, Canada, Austria, France, Germany, and Sweden. He was a “Pamana ng Pilipino” awardee, the highest award given by the President of the Philippines to overseas Filipinos who have distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavor. He also won the “Ani ng Dangal” award from the National Council on Culture and the Arts for bringing honor to the country through art competitions abroad. Most recently, he was awarded the University of the Philippines “Distinguished Alumni Award in Culture and the Arts” in June this year.
You can view his works online at: www.carlosesguerra.com.
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Knowing that we would not be able to attend Christopher Cross’ concerts at the PICC and Resorts World two weeks ago, we welcomed the invitation to meet the internationally known artist on the eve of his concert at PICC, at an intimate dinner at Misono Teppanyaki in Makati. We thought he would serenade us with his greatest hits like “Think of Laura,” “Sailing, ” and Swept Away.” Unfortunately, the singer was having a bout with jet lag, and so could not make it to the Japanese restaurant owned by swashbuckling, amiable Robert Yupangco, and his partners. Misono Tappanyaki had previously hosted a dine-and-treat party for international music stars like Stephen Bishop, Village People, and Abbamania. Anyway, guests savored Japanese cooking without Christopher.
Robert proudly told us about the restaurant’s offering “a very unique food experience” as diners are treated with naturally grown lettuce produced at his Paradizoo Theme Farm in Tagaytay. Lettuce grown in plastic cups, and specially cultured mushrooms were on display at the rear end of the restaurant.
Next door to Misono is its sister Japanese restaurant — Yakitori Daitokyo, that specializes in Japanese barbecues.
Other interesting projects of Robert are the Zoobic Safari in Clark, Pampanga which feature “night safaris” consisting of animal parades, a Poi dance, an Aetas’ trial fire show, and a “recycle recital” show that are held Saturday nights. Other thrills are the tiger safari ride, a zoobic cave, a serpentarium, and the croco loco. Amazing rides are also to be had, like the Zing ride, Zip Line, carabao ride, and giant slide.
There are still other thrilling projects only Robert can think of. Visitors are invited to visit Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, a 10-hectare farm with lots of flowers, vegetables and farm animals. Going on, until November 29, at Paradizoo are the Pumpkins vs Zombies contest and an animal parade. Thousands of pumpkins are expected to be harvested, a carving activity for kids. I agree, the farm is where families can bond together.
Expected to be held again for those who have not experienced this activity, is the “Dinner in the Dark” featuring dinners served in total darkness at the Residence Inn in Tagaytay, Misoni Teppanyaki Restaurant in Makati, Zoocobia Fun Zoo in Clark, Pampanga, and Zoobic Safari in Subic. The dinners, says Robert, are held for the benefit of the Eye Bank of the Philippines; they are meant to make diners with good vision to experience what it is like to be blind and enjoy scents and sounds, beautiful music and food.
Just opened is the Zoocolate Thrills in Loboc, Bohol. Featured are animal shows, including featuring the biggest Burmese python in captivity, and Chocolate Hills replicas that serve as animal enclosures.
To enjoy Robert’s superb projects, call 899- 9595, local 344; 899- 9824, 847 -0413, or email [email protected] or [email protected], and visit the website www.zoomanity.com.ph.
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