Change.

Change pervades the world of the Filipino, and it has become, so to speak, a norm of life. It dictates the lives of our people. As such, Filipinos have been - for a lack of a better term - forced to go with it or be left behind. Eat or be eaten. Hunt or be hunted.

Such kind of life has, in turn, spawned an attitude of 'what-you-can-do-I-can-do-better', and conceived a behavioral exercise which may best be described as one-upsmanship. Indeed, Filipinos have always aspired to be at the head of the game.

But fads come and go, fashions roll through and past, and today's trends will eventually dissipate into yesterday. Very few transcend the realm of vogue and, in the minds and hearts of Filipinos, even fewer enter the rare air of tradition.

At first glance, basketball and beer seem to have little connection. Maybe none at all. The first is a sport involving the fundamentally physical activity of putting inflated orange balls in a hoop despite a host of defenders. The other is an alcoholic beverage best enjoyed chilled, with a group of friends, in pursuit of relaxation. The disparity may seem obvious, but in confronting this seemingly stark contradiction, one will realize that basketball and beer are uniquely intertwined.

In the distinct consciousness of the Filipino, basketball and beer are traditions that share a familiar bond. And that bond is love.As the undisputed leader in the industry, San Miguel Beer has not only carved for itself a dominant presence in the market of Filipino drinkers. It has also built a unique emotional attachment to local niches.

SMB, for more than a century now, has evolved into the beer of choice for metro-based Pinoys and provincial consumers alike. With its rich golden color -refined by a distinctly smooth and crisp taste - the drink is now a staple in parties, concerts, get-togethers, and your usual al fresco inuman sessions. Even foreigners have so declared their affinity for this beer that the "San Miguel Escudo" has become a universally-recognized seal - known and loved by people in countries from Australia to America, from Mexico to China. Yet despite having attained a truly global appeal, the San Miguel brand remains to enjoy a kind of phenomenal following amongst the Filipinos.

Right alongside San Miguel in the pantheon of Filipino traditions is the sport we call basketball. Born and raised overseas, the game has grown to acquire an astoundingly strong hold among Filipinos, and is second to none as the most widely played sport in the Philippines. At fabled gymnasiums, along street corners, under the roofs of plush villages, and even in the shadows of run-down city jails - these are places where one will always hear the unmistakable sound of a bouncing basketball.

To Filipinos, basketball is at once a simple diversion as well as the paramount battle - just a game yet at the same time life itself. Upon the hallowed ground of polished hardwood or skewed asphalt, people play either to settle serious scores or forget serious miseries. Within a 94 x 44 ft. boundary, Filipinos have found a refuge, a home, and a tradition that's shared agreeably with common society.

And this, in a way, is how basketball and San Miguel Beer are reconciled. When times are turbulent and the odds seem insurmountable, we take the time to go play. Or go drink. And for those few precious hours, there are neither worries nor inhibitions - simply Filipinos who've grown to enjoy two traditions near and dear to their hearts.

"Manalo, matalo - mag-San Miguel tayo."

Then again, it isn't against the law to still get your sun and sand fix at this time of the year, is it? The beach isn't all about clear waters and suntan lotions. Equally as important, if not even more, are the family and friends you take along for the ride.

The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel has always been about enjoying the company of good people amidst the backdrop of a relaxing beach. The resort makes it a point to cater to the needs and expectations of its valued guests.

As such, the MBRH is offering a Gimik promo for the month of July to any barkada who would want to take time out to enjoy the beauty of Matabungkay. Inclusive in the promo are executive Room Accommodations for (2) persons, set breakfast for (2) Persons, entrance to The Wave Music Lounge, a 20% Discount on all spa services, and exclusive use of the resort's indoor & outdoor facilities.

The Resort's indoor and outdoor facilities offers a plethora of recreational activities people from all walks of life can choose from. The outdoor beach facilities includes a swimming pool, a kiddie pool, a basketball court, a volleyball court, a tennis court, a putting green, and a giant chessboard.

Of course, water activities can also be found in MBRH including, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling and boating of a 115 - meter of beach frontage. Likewise, the indoor activities are also well-represented in MBRH. There are dart boards, table tennis tables, card games, billiards and every Filipino's favorite pastime, videoke.

There are also activities unique to MBRH including a floating spa, which offers different massage services, outdoor foot spa and steam sauna, and the Outdoor Ropes Adventure Courses, a series of rope courses that includes rope climbing and rappelling.

Indeed, there is never a shortage of things-to-do in Matabungkay. Whenever you want to go, whatever you want to do, Matabungkay has something in store for you.  

Climates may change throughout the year, but the Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel never goes out of season.

The mere mention of the name Matabungkay is enough to drive anyone down their own path to memory lane. From the golden sunset, to the floating balsas, there is never a shortage of musings for this timeless beach.

Matabungkay continues to give tourists reason to come back for more. The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel offers tourists a year-long calendar of fun and relaxing activities for everyone to enjoy. For the month of June, MBHR is offering the Romantic Getaway promo for all the couples who would want to enjoy the last days of summer on a setting that is as romantic as it can get.

The Romantic Getaway Promo is good for two (2) persons for only PhP 3,700. The package includes an overnight executive room accommodation, set dinner for two, hair cut for two and a whole body massage for two. Service charge and government tax are also included in the cost.

Unlike other beaches, Matabungkay offers the best of both worlds - near enough to drive while also affordable enough to prevent holes in your pockets. Located in the seaside town of Lian, Batangas, Matabungkay is merely two hours away from Manila.

MBRH continues to uphold the tradition of Matabungkay by giving its customers real value for their money. It offers first-class accommodations, a wide choice of sports and recreational facilities, and amenities such as a full-service salon, a floating spa, a music lounge and so much more.

The facilities are just one of the features that make tourists gravitate towards this beach. It’s the feeling of nostalgia; a serene calmness and longing for those memories created in that very beach so many years ago

Indeed, should anybody pay the website a visit at www.matabungkay.net, one of the first things you’ll notice is a phrase that captures the soul of Matabungkay - once discovered, never forgotten.

As a book lover, April 21 is a day that I’ve encircled in my calendar many moons ago.

Unbeknownst to many folks, that day, at least here in the Philippines, is the International Day of the Book. In the spirit of all readers, Insituto Cervantes will hold a series of events open to anyone who wishes to partake in it.

In short, it’s open to the general public. 

While the actual day of the book falls on the 23rd of April, the Spanish language school is holding it two days before (because it’s a Saturday) to maximize the number of people who wish to attend the event. Who can blame them, right?

The International Book Day is not formally celebrated in our pearly shores, but it’s actually a huge deal in our countries, especially in European nations like Spain and the United Kingdom. Fittingly enough, Instituto Cervantes aims to make this holiday, which promotes reading, publishing and copyright laws, a yearly tradition for everyone, bookworms or not, to enjoy.

Instituto Cervantes in Manila will organize a whole day Open House event, complete with fun games, activities and book sales, on April 21, 2007 from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm. Don’t miss out on this special day bookworms!

                                                                       photo by Pong Ignacio

"Good things happen to those who wait."

Cliché as it may sound, the proverb holds true for anyone who wishes to visit Ilocos. 13 hours away from Manila, the travel is long as it is tiring. But if you're the patient type, the beauty of Ilocos sure makes any form of waiting worth it.

Situated on the northernmost part of Luzon, Ilocos provides a wealth of attractions that would make even the knees of a seasoned traveler shake.

Ilocos Norte, the northern part of the region, offers the best beaches this side of the country. Should you wish to steer clear of the overflowing crowd of Boracay, Pagudpod is the perfect respite for the weary soul. Not only does it have clear waters and pristine white sands that rival beaches from the south, but its serene solitude is the perfect contrast to the party atmosphere of other beaches.

If you wish to travel back to a time where calesas and capiz windows were still in vogue, Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur is the place to go. Named as a Heritage Site by UNESCO, Vigan is the country's only surviving historic city that dates back to the 15th century Spanish colonial period.

Once you're tired of all the sight-seeing, take a break and enjoy authentic and original Ilocano delicacies to satisfy your palette. High on the list is the world-famous Ilocano longganiza, a favorite of many all over the world.

No doubt, tourists of all tastes will find a plethora of things-to-do in both Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. For all the talk of the beauty of the south, it's this region up north that offers everything a vacationer needs to experience.

If you’re shopping at the Mall of Asia and you happen to notice thousands of people making out at the same time, don’t worry, you didn’t stumble upon a seedy porn taping. What it is, rather, is Close-Up’s Lovapalooza. 

In the spirit of Valentine’s, local toothpaste brand Close-Up is staging Lovapalooza 4, a kissing festival of love struck couples planning to celebrate Hearts Day a few days earlier. The organizers of this event, which will be held at the Mall of Asia tonight, February 10, are also quick to describe this event as a “record-breaking” night as they plan to break the record for most simultaneous kissing couples. 

Three years ago, 5,327 couples smooched the night away at Close-Up Lovapalooza, breaking the Guinness World record previously held by Chile. Not to be outdone, Hungary snatched the record away a year later when an estimated 5,700 couples attended a kissing festival. 

Now on its fourth installment, Lovapalooza hopes to reclaim lost glory as it tries to snatch the record back from the Dutch. 

Whether or not we break the record remains to be seen. But either way, Lovapalooza is quickly becoming a Filipino Valentine’s tradition and I’m sure it’s one tradition all of us Filipinos would want to live on. 

Happy Making-Out everyone!Š

The Manila Hotel is one of the historical landmarks in the Philippines. It used to be called the “Aristocrat of the Orient” because many high-profile political figures and even royalty had stayed in its quarters. The Manila Hotel was constructed in 1912.

The Manila Hotel is located at the heart of Manila itself; it is with in the vicinity of famous Manila Bay and

which is one of the main boulevards in Manila. Other historical structures that are nearby include the National Museum and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The hotel is also a few minutes away from Club Intramuros Golf Course which is one of the most exclusive golf courses in the country.

Manila Hotel provides many amnesties for its guests including fitness rooms, swimming pools, and tennis courts for recreational activities. It also has broadband internet access for the business traveler. In addition, it can make the necessary arrangements with the nearby golf course for you if you are looking for relaxation or just plain practice in golfing.

Room rates in Manila Hotel can range from US $85-$325 depending on your room preference. So everyone from the budget travelers to those who want the most luxurious rooms can avail of its world class services.

Its place in the pecking order of prominent national landmarks is not as high as the likes of Rizal Park, Quezon Circle, and the Banaue Rice Terrace. But when it comes to historical significance, the Dambana ng Kagitingan (The Shrine of Valor) in Bataan towers above its counterparts.

Located at the summit of Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan (4 hours from Metro Manila), the monument serves as a memorial to all the brave Filipino and American soldiers who gallantly fought against invading Japanese troops in what history shall forever call “The Battle of Bataan” during World War II.

The Dambana ng Kagitingan was completed and inaugurated in 1970 and it is comprised of two distinct parts: the Memorial Cross and the Colonnade.

Rising at a height of 300 feet from its base (1,820 feet above sea level), the Memorial Cross is a colossal structure made up from steel and reinforced concrete, with a viewing deck found at the arms of the cross, where you can reach through a lift that gets you there in 30 seconds. Should you brave the elevator ride to the viewing deck, it offers a breathtaking view of Bataan, Corregidor Island, Manila Bay, and further in the distance, Mt. Pinatubo. 

The Colonnade, on the other hand, is a marble structure with an altar, an esplanade, and a museum. Several historical representations can be found inside and around the Colonnade including bronze insignias, statues, and inscriptions of the “Battle of Bataan”.

Engraved on one of the Colonnade’s walls is a message that best describes the true symbolism of the Dambana ng Kagitingan.

The message reads:

“On this ground gallant men chose to die rather than surrender.

From all corners of the Philippines they came, youthful and brave, to make their last stand in Bataan against an implacable enemy which had marched through Asia. What transpired was a ferocious combat between raw, ill-equipped recruits and seasoned well-armed troops.
    
On these tablets is recorded the epic, the truly unifying experience, that was Bataan. Let all who read this take pride in the courage of our race.”

The way to the Cross from the Colonnade involves climbing up a tiring zigzagging footpath on the mountain slope, paved with bloodstones from Corregidor.

(Corregidor, for those who don’t know, was the last stop of the notorious “Bataan Death March”)

On a place like this, it's easy to get caught up in the spectacular scenery. After all, you're on top of a mountain and the whole world is beneath you. In spite of that, it's still a good idea to have a sense of perspective on why that huge cross is standing there in the first place. 

So while we gush over and throw roses at the shrines of people like Jose Rizal and Manuel Quezon, let’s not forget all those soldiers in Bataan who valiantly defended our freedom and died in battle for the sake of their motherland.

At the very least, we owe their monument a visit.

After the SM Mall of Asia in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City opened its doors last year, it redefined the shopping habits of Filipinos everywhere. Dubbed as the largest mall this side of the globe, it became a must-go-to destination for Filipinos everywhere.

You will be astounded by the sheer size of the mall. One day is not enough to experience all the things SM Mall of Asia has to offer. The IMAX theater that this mall houses is one of the main attractions because it is the first of its kind in the Philippines. The movies that the IMAX provided are usually in the 2D and 3D format letting you experience something akin to virtual reality. Just imagine what a fright it would be if you watch horror movies like "The Eye" inside this theater. Nightmares are almost inevitable.

Another attraction inside the mall is the Olympic sized skating rink. You can watch both amateur and professional skaters practicing their sport and you can also try skating for yourself.

But aside from the entertainment the Mall of Asia provides, the real reason that this mall is special is its location. It overlooks the romantic and historical Manila Bay. And the scenic view that will greet you especially in the late afternoon is worth the whole trip to the SM Mall of Asia.

The drawback, however, is that in your pre-occupied and, not to mention, famished state, it becomes easier to ignore other places of interest in the vicinity, particularly a queue of inconspicuous stars semi-encircling the Eastwood Central Plaza.

From a distance, these ‘stars’ might pass of as mere decorations to the Plaza. But upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that this isn’t just a collection of golden stars, but a collection of golden stars WITH names in it. And, depending on what generation you’re from, you’ll probably recognize some of the names imprinted in them, too.

This line-up of stars is the ‘Eastwood City Walk of Fame’.

Much like its more popular distant cousin, the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’, each star is made up of a who’s who in Philippine showbiz. From the fabled stars of yesteryear to the recent industry icons, every generation in the history of Philippine cinema is well-represented.

While it’s easy to get caught up to the idea that this walk of fame may have been a rip-off of the Hollywood version, nobody can say anything about its purpose.

These stars are tributes to all those people who have contributed in helping put our movie industry on the map and reach the heights it currently enjoys. The Walk of Fame is our way of immortalizing these people and giving them due recognition for all their contributions not only to Philippine cinema but, to a larger extent, to Philippine society as well.

So next time you’re in Eastwood City, skip the food and head over to the Central Plaza.

The Walk of Fame awaits you.